EPISODE OF THE WEEK: SHIBBOLETH

[Patcat]

Will air on the Bravo Cable Network, Sunday July 1, 2007 at 8pm EST and Monday July 2, 2007 at 12am EST

First aired March 27, 2005. The seventeenth show of the fourth season.

Written by Stephanie SenGupta and Rene Balcer
Directed by Darrel Martin

Guest Actors: Paul Starks (Keith Durbin); Kevin Conway (Frank McNare)

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

Synopsis: The reappearance of a serial killer lead Goren and Eames to a son and his biological father who share speech patterns.

No wisecracks for this episode, which may speak to the dark subject matter.

Another strong episode from the occasionally maligned fourth season. Is this LOCI's worst season? What's the show's best season?

Another episode ripped from the headlines, with the "Body by Jake" killer based at least partially on the BTK killer of Kansas. How well does this episode handle its origins? How well does LOCI handle these types of stories? And does it differ from its L&O siblings in its treatment of these stories?

When this episode first aired, there was much discussion on this board regarding whether this case should be under the jurisdiction of SVU or Major Case. Should it be a Major Case case?

Goren's critics often complain that he never makes a mistake, a charge that's without merit. In this episode he and Eames make a mistake, and a big one, in making Keith their target. How do they deal with this?

The initial discussion of this episode also featured many favorable remarks regarding Goren's ability to gain insight into the perp's had without losing his perspective. What insights might Goren have that another detective wouldn't? Does Goren lose his perspective often?

Goren tries to trap the killer by making comments to the press, which results in the near killing of one woman. He is understandably upset by this, but isn't this one of the possibilities he should have considered?

Frank McNare is a nasty piece of work. How does he rank among LOCI villains?

What kind of future does Keith have?

Another terrific episode by Ms. SenGupta; I've come to expect very good things when I see her name on an episode. Are there other writers who inspire this reaction for other members of this board?

Comments:

This is an episode I find more rich and rewarding the more I view and think about it. My initial viewing was colored by the shocking nature of the murders, but the handling of the story is relative restrained and subtle--think of how C.S.I. might have wallowed in the details. After repeated viewings, SHIBBOLETH appears as a multi-layered examination of a son's efforts to escape an evil father.

Keith Durbin's salvation comes through the hands of Robert Goren, another man who has largely escaped his father.

Another episode where the fine performances of the guest actors contribute greatly to the the story's quality. Paul Stark is excellent as the troubled and tragic Keith, while the great actor Kevin Conway is appropriately intelligent and terrifying as Paul McNare.

I have a particular fondness for LOCI stories where Goren plays big, dumb cop opposite a criminal who believes he or she is terribly intelligent. Goren's eventual capture of Frank is especially satisfying.

Patcat

[nwchimom]

Patcat said: After repeated viewings, SHIBBOLETH appears as a multi-layered examination of a son's efforts to escape an evil father.

Keith Durbin's salvation comes through the hands of Robert Goren, another man who has largely escaped his father.


I'm looking forward to rewatching this episode with the revelations from Endgame in mind. If Brady is in fact Goren's father, will Goren be able to save himself as he did Keith Durbin?

[Patcat]

And just to be clear, I was thinking of Bobby's father as Papa Goren, not Brady.

Patcat

[nwchimom]

That's what I figured, Pat. The parallels between McNare and Mr. Goren were interesting in their own right...but now with Brady in the mix? Even more so.

[Techguy]

nwchimom said:

If Brady is in fact Goren's father, will Goren be able to save himself as he did Keith Durbin?

I'm curious as to how, why, and from what Goren needs to save himself?

[musicwench]

Another strong episode from the occasionally maligned fourth season. Is this LOCI's worst season? What's the show's best season?

Nope. Season 5 was the worst season IMO. This one had much better episodes. Favorites from season 4 for me include Want, Silver Lining, Gone, Collective, Stress Position, The Good Child, The Unblinking Eye, My Good Name and this epi we are discussing now.

Best season? Hard to say. I think one to four were the strongest and couldn't pick out one of those as THE best. All had weaknesses and strengths that make them equal out in my mind.

Another episode ripped from the headlines, with the "Body by Jake" killer based at least partially on the BTK killer of Kansas. How well does this episode handle its origins? How well does LOCI handle these types of stories? And does it differ from its L&O siblings in its treatment of these stories?

I think it handles them pretty well over all. I like the initial premise is almost identical but then it veers away from reality a bit.

Occasionally you have epis where it's just a bit much but then it might just be the subject matter. Bombshell was waaaayyyyy too much and Rocketman left me flat.

This one was creepy but considering the real life story it was patterned after, it couldn't help but be creepy. The real BTK killer was so unreal you couldn't make that stuff up, you know? I saw him talking about how he killed some woman and he was talking about it like he was telling someone how to bake a cake. Yikes!!!


When this episode first aired, there was much discussion on this board regarding whether this case should be under the jurisdiction of SVU or Major Case. Should it be a Major Case case?


Well, considering in real life Major Case doesn't handle murders either, I'd say that's nit picking a bit too much. However, I do see how it could more easily fall under the SVU catagory.


Goren's critics often complain that he never makes a mistake, a charge that's without merit. In this episode he and Eames make a mistake, and a big one, in making Keith their target. How do they deal with this?

I think they deal with it the way they always deal with it, they look for other suspects. I think they do this regularly don't they? I mean they seem to follow one path and then realize the person they're looking at couldn't have done it - usually because Goren learns a fact that makes him realize the initial suspect couldn't have done it.

Funny how people think just because they get the right guy at the end that Goren doesn't make mistakes. He isn't infallible and he's made several mistakes if you consider following the wrong leads mistakes, that is.

The initial discussion of this episode also featured many favorable remarks regarding Goren's ability to gain insight into the perp's had without losing his perspective. What insights might Goren have that another detective wouldn't? Does Goren lose his perspective often?

I don't think Goren loses his perspective very often but he does if it deals with his "hot button" issues like the whole deadbeat dad or horrible father issues and in this one you've got the that big time.

There's also an element of control. I think Goren has control issues from not having had any in childhood that was rather traumatic. He had no control over being abandoned by his father or over his mother's illness. I think he recognizes that and sees how it could push an unstable personality over the edge.


Goren tries to trap the killer by making comments to the press, which results in the near killing of one woman. He is understandably upset by this, but isn't this one of the possibilities he should have considered?

You would think he would see this but yet he doesn't. Another case of Goren making a mistake, which proves even he makes mistakes, big ones. He is human, after all and instead of taking away from his character, I think it adds to it. He manages to over come his mistakes, learns from them and moves on to a successful conclusion.


Frank McNare is a nasty piece of work. How does he rank among LOCI villains?

He's definitely a baddie. No sympathy for him at all. He shows no remorse, he's frighteningly close to the real BTK killer. I'd say he's up there among the worst of them and is a good contender for most evil villan on this show.


What kind of future does Keith have?

I suppose it depends on whether or not he receives decent counseling and if he takes to heart his father's statement that he's not his son. This kind of thing can mess you up but with all of it out in the open now, perhaps Keith can overcome his past and move on, knowing he's not his father.


Another terrific episode by Ms. SenGupta; I've come to expect very good things when I see her name on an episode. Are there other writers who inspire this reaction for other members of this board?

Ms. Sengupta has always been a favorite of mine. I also find myself really appreciating Warren Leight in spite of all the criticism he's received for this past season as show runner. I suppose most of it is subjective and I'm just in the minority with Leight and in the majority with Ms. Sengupta. I will miss her contribution next season and hope whoever replaces her will rise to the occasion and give us some compelling episodes.

[nwchimom]

techguy said:

nwchimom said:

If Brady is in fact Goren's father, will Goren be able to save himself as he did Keith Durbin?

I'm curious as to how, why, and from what Goren needs to save himself?

The lines I quoted from Patcat's original post should answer your question. I used the word "save" to follow her use of the word "salvation." Here's what she said:

After repeated viewings, SHIBBOLETH appears as a multi-layered examination of a son's efforts to escape an evil father.

Keith Durbin's salvation comes through the hands of Robert Goren, another man who has largely escaped his father.

So, Goren "escaped his father," he rose above his father's indifference/abuse/hatred/whatever else that relationship might have been. He could have become the kind of man Mr. Goren was, or worse, but he chose a different path. A righteous path, if you will.

How will Goren be affected if he finds out Brady, a man much like McNare, is his biological father? Will he let it destroy him personally, or will he again rise above?

When re-watching Shibboleth I think it will be interesting to keep this in mind when Goren is interacting with the son, Keith Durbin.

[effie]

I really love episodes where the villian makes Goren and Eames really step up to the plate.

I imagine McNare and Brady would have been each other's dream cell mate. Charming manipulative SOB's...

Can't wait to re-watch as this has always been a favorite eppy of mine. Although I often wondered about it being Deakins that defines "shibboleth." Which is no diss to the captain, it just seems uncharacteristic as its usually Goren with the obscure knowledge...

[deathroe]

Re Deakins defining Shibboleth: do you ever get the feeling that they peel off Goren's lines and give them to others? especially in the early years.

[Techguy]

nwchimom said:

techguy said:

I'm curious as to how, why, and from what Goren needs to save himself?

The lines I quoted from Patcat's original post should answer your question. I used the word "save" to follow her use of the word "salvation."

Nwchimom, I asked the question because, while I understand the necessity for Keith Durbin to be saved from his evil father, I don't see where Goren needs to be saved from anyone anymore since he's already escaped the influence of Goren Sr. and achieved "salvation." As Patcat said in her post, Goren "has largely escaped his father" which suggests Goren has already been saved, or saved himself already.

I believe Goren's salvation would also be true regardless of whether Brady is his real biological father, as this revelation would change nothing about where Goren is at this point in his life or erode the core of moral strength that has sustained him so far. That's why I do not believe it's necessary for Goren to have to prove anything one way or another about who is his "real" father. Goren is who he is by choice and not the result of the paternity of any man, whether that be Goren Sr. or Brady. I don't think Goren has to prove that he is a survivor to himself or to anyone else. He is already light years removed from Keith Durbin morally and psychologically, and it's in this sense that I don't believe Goren needs "saving."

[nwchimom]

I would agree with you, Techguy. I hope the issue of Goren's paternity is dropped or dealt with positively in season 7. Basically I would prefer it to be a non-issue. However, there's always a chance that VDO/Leight/Wolf/writers will disagree and want to make it a soap opera. (Heck, they already did by raising the possibility in the first place!) I suppose my question has a preface implied: "If the show puts the paternity issue on the front burner in season 7, how will they have Goren deal with it?"

[Patcat]

Janetthyland;

I think we're discussing all three things (g). Which is fine by me. I think the parallels between Keith and Goren are worthy of discussion.

Personally, I think the greatest betrayal Goren had to face was that of Declan Gage, who may have been more of a father figure to him than anyone else.

Patcat

[nwchimom]

Ah, Janethyland...my only intention was to extend Patcat's comparison of Goren and the son in Shibboleth. It was an interesting parallel back in season 4, and now that there's a possibility that Brady is Goren's father, the parallel is even more interesting to me. I simply look forward to keeping the Endgame scenario in mind while re-watching Shibboleth and observing Goren's interaction with the son.

[ragincajun]

I feel Keith was more haunted by what his father had done due to the fact he was exposed to it throught the picture of it as a young child. Where as Goren is a older man and is finding out later in life that his real father is a murderer ( if it is so) and knows his true self already. If I am making sense.

[Techguy]

When Frank says to Keith "You're no son of mine!" does he mean it literally? If Frank and Keith are not biologically related, then Keith needs even more saving, because all his life he's been duped into believing this connection and allowing it to shape his life alongside the traumatizing events of his youth. Goren, on the other hand, never allowed himself to be shaped or influenced by the deadbeat Goren Sr. who now, as it turns out, might not even be his biological father after all. Keith allowed the sins of his "father" to spill over and take over his psyche; the sins of Goren's "father" whoever he may be--Goren Sr. or Brady--have not eroded or despoiled his inner core of moral strength. Keith needs saving, and as Patcat suggests, who better than Goren who never allowed himself to get "lost" in the first place to help Keith find and re-claim himself.