STRAY: EOTW

[Patcat]

Will air September 15 at 4pm(EST) and September 16 at 12am(EST) on USA. Sixth episode of Season 3. First aired November 2, 2003.

Written by Elizabeth Benjamin and Rene Balcer. Directed by Frank Prinzi

Guest actors:

Rodney Hicks as Jerome Davis
Nikki M. James (who would return in SALOME IN MANHATTAN) as Tamara Bates

Synopsis: The investigation of the murders of two undercover officers lead Bishop and Goren to a modern day Bonnie and Clyde. See http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonnie_and_Clyde

Quotes:

Goren: “Well, someone kept a souvenier.”

Eames: “She doesn’t want to get left in his dust.” Deakins: “I like her hustle. Aren’t you supposed to be on leave?” Eames: “With two dead cops?”

Goren: “It’s interesting. How his mind works.” Deakins: “We’ll give him a merit badge when we catch him.”

Goren (to the drug dealers): “The people that did this. They belong to us.”

Goren: “He’s a stray. He’s homeless.”

Goren: “If I’m not scrolling fast enough for you, be my guest.” Bishop: “Sorry. I didn’t mean to…” Goren: “No, really. I don’t mind. Eames likes to drive, so she drives. You want to scroll. Scroll.”

Deakins: “Times Square. What’s there for them?” Goren: “For these two? The world.”

Goren: “You sure you don’t want to take the car?” Bishop: “No, it’s only two blocks over.” Goren: “Your feet hurt. I notice. Your toes are curling in your shoes.”

EMT: “What are going in my bag for?” Goren: “Because I can. You’re low on Ace bandages.”

Bishop: “After a week of killings, nothing like soft lights and a bath.”

Bishop: “Where you going?” Goren: “Out for pancakes.”

Bishop: “Bonnie and Clyde. They killed ten people.”

Goren: “Jerome. Welcome home.”

Goren (after Carver asks if he’s ok with the plea bargains): “Now is not the time to ask.”

Queries:

Does Goren take on part of Eames’ role in the episodes with Bishop?

Would Goren make a good teacher?

Does Goren lose track of the victims?

How did Bishop get to Major Case? Is she rude in this story?

What is her relationship with Goren? Does Goren try to get along with her?

Was Goren ever a stray?

Did Jerome know that two of the men in the car were cops?

Would Jerome have become a killer without Tamara’s influence?

Comments: I see Jerome and Tamara and think, “What a waste!” Especially Jerome, who appears to be very bright.

The Goren/Bishop relationship seems especially contentious in this episode, and I have to blame Bishop for most of it. She seems unnecessarily rude.

I confess that I like seeing Goren in his dress blues. And Deakins, as far as that goes (g).

I have a sense that I’ve seen this episode a lot in reruns, and I think that may have led me to undervalue this tight story. It’s one episode where the criminals’ intents are actually explored. I don’t sympathize with Jerome and/or Tamara, but I think I understand them. Kudos to Mr. Hicks and Ms. James who give fine performances.

Patcat

[DonnaJo]

This just might be my favorite Season 3 episode.

I prefer this type of plotline - where we know who committed the crime and are given their psychological background and motives along with the chase.

Jerome is a tragic figure. I don't believe he knew that two of the drug dealers were actually cops. Of course he did murder four people, regardless. Not to mention a roomful of drug handlers. But if he wasn't obsessed with winning Tamara's love, I don't see him as a murderer. I hope she was punished appropriately for her pivotal role in these murders. As Goren would say, she was the tail wagging the dog.

I liked Bishop in this one. This case really affected her, so we see her acting impatient and anxious to catch these killers. I guess she did come off as a biotch to some viewers, but I don't think Goren saw it that way. We were never given any back story on her, so its impossible to know how she's feeling. Of course, everyone is personally involved when fellow police officers are killed.

Goren in dress blues.

[Patcat]

But I wonder if Bishop is so concerned about capturing the COP killers as she is interested in just capturing killers. She treats the other officers at the crime scene as impediments to her work, and she barely shows Goren any respect. I frequently think Bishop gets a bum rush from a lot of fans, but in this episode she deserves that attitude.

Patcat

[maherjunkie]

I agree with you, but the type of killer shouldn't matter.

[DonnaJo]

Sept 11, 2010 11:50:13 GMT -5 maherjunkie said:

I agree with you, but the type of killer shouldn't matter.

It shouldn't, but it does. Just as when a child is murdered, it outrages and angers people so much more than when its an adult.

Could it be that Bishop is the child of a police officer who was killed in the line of duty? We know now that Eames is a police widow, which would explain her insistence on working the case even when she should be on maternity leave.

[Techguy]

I agree, who gets killed shouldn't matter but it does. I liken this situation to how I and other members of the military react when one of our own goes down in the line of duty. As much as we are trained to kill and not let our emotions get the better of us, the death of a brother or sister in arms is especially painful and enduring. It's akin to the death of a beloved family member; it's very very personal.