EPISODE OF THE WEEK: IN THE DARK

[Patcat]

Will air Sunday, June 17 at 7 pm EST and 11 pm EST on the Bravo Cable Network.

First aired October 31, 2004. Sixth episode of the fourth season.

Directed by: Alex Chapple

Written by: Jim Sterling and Rene Balcer

Synopsis: The death of a volunteer helping the homeless leads Goren and Eames to the deaths of several homeless men and a credit card fraud scheme.

Guest Actors: Geoffrey Lewis (Butch Perkins); Rutanya Alda (Rose Cahill)

Repeat Offender: Leslie Hendrix (M.E. Rodgers)

Another episode without a great deal of commentary by the members of this board, yet it's a solid outing. Why didn't this story generate much discussion?

Several LOCI episodes are very creepy, and/or gross. This one certainly has its share of uncomfortable, creepy elements, from the homeless individuals living underground to the calcified baby to the body harvesting. Is this the creepiest LOCI? And is there any significance to the fact it first aired on Halloween?

Do Rose and Butch love each other?

If he hadn't killed the volunteer, would Butch's scheme gone undetected?

I've always been struck by both Eames and Goren's treatment of and attitudes toward the homeless men in this episode. Goren especially treats the men with respect and concern. Is it possible that Goren had some personal experience of homelessness?

Is this story a black comedy or a tragedy?

Can a plastic soda bottle really act as a silencer?

We get another glimpse of M.E. Rodgers at work and dealing with Goren. And more of Goren's hands-on approach to dealing with things in the morgue. Any comments?

We learn that Eames' mother suffered a stroke at some point. I've always thought that Eames seems particularly disturbed by this case, what with its possible reverbations with her own life.

Again, some more wonderful performances by guest actors, this time Rutanya Alda and Geoffrey Lewis.

When I first saw this episode, I thought it the perfect episode for Halloween, with all of its dark caverns and all too human monsters. Some of it was so close to being over the top that it seemed a black comedy. But, long after viewing it, I found I was haunted by all of the lost souls populating this story.

Quotes:

Eames: "The dark ages...sometimes I think we're still living in them."

Eames: "Yea, the killer and Mrs. Magoo."

Deakins (to Goren who is intently studying some piece of evidence): "Beaming signals to the mothership?"

Patcat

[Techguy]

patcat said:

Why didn't this story generate much discussion?

Speaking only for myself, "In the Dark" is a bit too heavy-handed in its dealing with the theme of loneliness and isolation that pervades Season 4. For me, this episode is an example of one that having seen it once, it's best filed away not to be re-visited again. The most problematic aspect is the criminal's intent was overshadowed by the creepiness and bizarre nature of the story. I said what I felt had to be said, and then I just wanted to set it aside and forget about it. This episode is not a place I want to return to or experience again any time soon, if ever.

patcat said:

Is this the creepiest LOCI? And is there any significance to the fact it first aired on Halloween?

"In the Dark" is definitely the creepiest CI episode ever. I'll even go so far to say that this episode is the calcified poster child (no pun intended) for creepy and bizarre that almost goes so far over the top it strains all credibility. I think the Halloween angle was intended to underscore the intended black comedy, but unfortunately, it never got off the ground for me.

patcat said:

Do Rose and Butch love each other?

I would describe their relationship as co-dependency rather than love. Rose needed someone strong to bolster her as she carried her secret inside her, and Butch needed someone to need and depend on him.

patcat said:

If he hadn't killed the volunteer, would Butch's scheme gone undetected?

Maybe, maybe not. The longer the scheme continued, the greater the risk and therefore more opportunity to slip up. I don't see Butch continuing his scheme indefinitely.

patcat said:

Is it possible that Goren had some personal experience of homelessness?

Given what we now know about his brother and other personal details of his life, I'd say it's very likely Goren has been exposed to the lifestyle although I doubt he himself ever was homeless.

patcat said:

Is this story a black comedy or a tragedy?

I didn't get the humor that was stated or suggested so I'll call this story a bizarre tragedy.

patcat said:

Can a plastic soda bottle really act as a silencer?

patcat said:

We get another glimpse of M.E. Rodgers at work and dealing with Goren. And more of Goren's hands-on approach to dealing with things in the morgue. Any comments?

I still feel Goren's manner when he discovers something Rodgers missed was a bit disrespectful, almost reveling in pointing out her mistake. I didn't appreciate this aspect of his detecting style, especially since he did something similar in "Semi-Detached." I don't mind Goren being Goren so long as he doesn't come across as an obnoxious know-it-all showing off at the expense of a professional colleague.

I agree, the acting by guest stars Rutanya Alda and Geoffrey Lewis is stellar. The story is just too--I'll say it again--CREEPY for my taste.

[diablodeblanco]

Geoffrey Lewis is a solid actor and I have always enjoyed his work. Some guys get better with age. Robert de Niro is one who just gets better and better. Almost like they are more comfortable with the roles they bring to life. I wasn't crazy about this episode. It didn't seem to have the "richness" that some of the other episodes have had. This episode compared to ITWSH is like comparing a rice cake to an eclair.

[meggyd]

I remember when this first aired, the advertisements caused a bit of controversy. Channel 10's promos were all about Goren facing "pure evil" in the form of the guy who lived in the subway, and this was made to appear as the whole content of the episode. Very misleading, and led to a few commentators who hadn't seen the episode questioning the direction of the show.

Like Techguy, I don't relish rewatching the episode much. It is just relentlessly dark and so very sad.

The implication was that the homeless were never missed and wouldn't have been. If the social worker hadn't been killed - and turned up in the disection room - it seems unlikely that Butch's crimes would have been uncovered, whether he continued them or not. A very strong statement about the position and vulnerability of the homeless and those who live below the radar.

I think also what turned me off the episode is in the final scene, with Goren and Eames forcing Rose to face the facts and admit that her baby was dead and still inside her, it almost seemed cruel. Rose had been deluded and had mislead Butch, but she didn't actually commit the murders. With her failing memory, she'd almost let go of her secret and slipped over into belief in her delusion after all those years of pain. It was Butch that did the murders but it seemed that Rose suffered most through her confession.

Goren's connection with/empathy for the homeless and the mentally ill was again a focus point, and again one of the things that sets him apart from most other television detectives. His ability to put himself on their level, to understand how to communicate, is vital to finding out what happened.

I have said in other boards that sometimes I think Goren is a bit dismissive of Rogers at times, and I thought that this was one of those episodes. He does so love to be right, but at times crosses the line.

Interesting viewing, but too bleak to be a favourite of mine.

[musicwench]

Is this the creepiest LOCI? And is there any significance to the fact it first aired on Halloween?

I'd have to say it's definitely the creepiest. Make my skin crawl creepy. However, I still find it rather fascinating to watch - especially the aria.

Do Rose and Butch love each other?

I think Butch probably loves Rose but I think Rose just needs Butch to take care of her. Not saying she's not a sympathetic character on some level. She's obviously disturbed and she's been living with a terrible secret for most of her life.

Still, I think she latched on to Butch because he apparently would literally kill for her.

If he hadn't killed the volunteer, would Butch's scheme gone undetected?

That seemed to be the implication to me. It seems no one cares if the homeless disappear because they tend to be invisible to the rest of society. Quite frankly, it's a very accurate dipiction IMO.

I've always been struck by both Eames and Goren's treatment of and attitudes toward the homeless men in this episode. Goren especially treats the men with respect and concern. Is it possible that Goren had some personal experience of homelessness?

I don't think he himself was ever homeless but perhaps came close to being that way as a child with a schizophrenic mother and absent father? Could be he sees it as "there but for the grace of God" kind of thing.

Is this story a black comedy or a tragedy?

I've never seen it as even remotely funny really and I love black comedies. This was just a very bleak episode from the fate of the homeless to the horrifying revelation of the calcified baby Rose was still carrying after all these years.

It could be I'm missing some of the humor since knowing the end really puts a damper on any levity that came before it.


It's not among my most favorites but it is definitely one that stands out for me. Certainly not something to watch if you're depressed.

[Patcat]

In a case of life somewhat imitating art, the city of South Bend, Indiana had several cases of homeless individuals found murdered earlier this year. There were some fears a serial killer might be on the loose, but other homeless individuals were charged with the deaths. It turned out to be a turf war of sorts over the collection (and occasional steeling) of copper for sale.

Patcat

[Jefferaldo]

I didn't really understand this episode and the humour in it when it first aired (as I am still a teen) and I haven't seen it since. Would someone care to explain the humour that was stated (Techguy's post) and what was so incredibly creepy about the episode and the aria. When I watched it I thought it was like any other CI ep.

[Techguy]

jefferaldo said:

Would someone care to explain the humour that was stated (Techguy's post) and what was so incredibly creepy about the episode and the aria.

Jeff, I bumped the original Episode Discussion so you and anyone else interested can check out the posts. Some members, Patcat included, saw black humor in this episode. Others like janetcatbird thought the jokes were really bad. I myself missed the humor entirely, maybe because the overall tone and atmosphere was so dark and depressing. The revelation about Rose's calcified baby she still carried inside her after so many years was the last gasp final straw of creepiness for me. Other members might elaborate further.

[DonnaJo]

The only black humor I remember is the "Cat got your tongue? Because there's one right here." exchange between Goren & the guy buying the body parts. That got a little chuckle from me. Same with him & Rogers vying for the human hand. I guess my sense of humor is a bit morbid.

This episode is like a long road that goes from one idea to another to another. Too much is covered. They should have either had a plot about homeless murders/calcified baby or homeless murders/credit card fraud.

I don't think that Goren's empathy with the homeless means that he has been in that situation personally. To people who just pass the homeless on the street, they are faceless. When you are in a profession which necessitates dealing with the homeless (such as law enforcement) they become real people that you can empathies with and care about. That is what I see when I see Bobby interacting with the tunnel people.

Unlike those who thought Goren was trying to comfort Rose at the very end, I thought he was creeped out by her & wanted to bolt, but knew he had to stand there & let her lean on him. And I felt a little sorry for Butch, who was so in love with Rose that he murdered men so her "sick" daughter she cared so much for could be taken care of. To me , she's equally guilty, as her deception instigated the murders and she let it happen to cover up her shame & guilt.

And the "Mrs Magoo"reference to Rose....priceless snark by Eames. My all time favorite.

[Ladyheather]

Yea, it was quite the chase of plot in this one. Goren always seems to be sympathetic for the weak in society. He might have been disturbed with Rose but he understood that she was ill. He also didn't let it excuse her guilt.

I know that I am probably in the minority but this one really didn't creep me out.

[prodigaltwit]

Not creepy. A good ep. I thought it was just a plot twist to me that Rose had the baby inside her....a good plot twist by the way, never saw it coming. But overall it was a good ep. One of those complicated cases that wasn't obvious (unlike most of the season 6 episodes).

But I wish i could remember it well enough to give an more indepth look at it. I only saw it once and that was a rerun and I don't have the DVD either until they release it here in Australia.

[Luna]

I was creeped out by the ending of the episode. Having had four miscarriages and two D&C's, when I saw this, my first response was "Oh my god, is that even POSSIBLE?!" That response quickly turned to just plain being creeped out once my husband looked it up online and assured me that it was indeed possible.

I too, felt like Goren was kind of creeped out by Rose, but he's far too compasionate of a person to let it really show.

I'm probably in the minority here, but I did like the episode, overall. I also didn't find it to be the creepiest CI episode. I was more creeped out by D.A.W. And there are lots of "moments" in LOCI that creep me out. I am especially creeped out by ANYTHING having to do with Potter's Field.

[DonnaJo]

luna said:

I'm probably in the minority here, but I did like the episode, overall. I also didn't find it to be the creepiest CI episode. I was more creeped out by D.A.W. And there are lots of "moments" in LOCI that creep me out. I am especially creeped out by ANYTHING having to do with Potter's Field.

luna, You have my sympathies concerning your miscarriages. Thank you for sharing that. And I agree, it wasn't all that creepy to me. Just saw D.A.W. again, that first scene with the woman getting run over by three cars was very disturbing. Visuals always disturb me much more than verbal implication.

Creepiest ep for me HAS to be Want. Cooking that girl's calf meat with potato & onion? They should have had a scene of Tagman at his stove humming a tune over a saute pan. Anybody see the movie Hannibal?

I know. That's sick. But I do love a good horror film.

[Luna]

*shudder*
Yeah... I'll give you that... I didn't think of Want... That IS creepier than D.A.W.

[Patcat]

But I think one of the points of WANT is that Tagman wouldn't be humming a tune while doing anything related to his killings. He hates and despises himself for what he does.

Patcat