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Post by Patcat on Nov 15, 2004 22:47:06 GMT -5
If I could repeat myself: having a parent with schizophrenia does not mean a child will have the disease. The child's chances of developing the illness is slightly higher than that of someone whose parent does not have schizophrenia.
Patcat
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Post by Techguy on Nov 16, 2004 7:06:55 GMT -5
In assessing the Det. Goren character, I have believed for a long while that had he made different choices in his life in response to his personal family history, he most likely would have ended up on the opposite side of the law. Maybe even in the same interrogation room, across the table from Eames and her partner who might even be the other detective we saw in the opening scenes.
The comparisons and contrasts in "Silver Lining" between the master detective Goren chose to become, and Wesley the master thief who chose his route in response to his own childhood experiences are very revealing about both men. Each man is very very good at what he does, but also very very opposite in how they chose to channel their respective talents and abilities. I remember an old saying that refers to "each according to his gifts" but it is equally true to say "each according to his choices." The comparisons and contrasts also showcased some stellar performances by both actors in their respective roles. Bravo to both.
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js
Silver Shield Investigator
Posts: 143
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Post by js on Nov 16, 2004 19:25:07 GMT -5
TechGuy,
I do agree with you about the road that Goren chose. To me, the character has risen above whatever problems he coped with in his childhood and even later. He was in the military, he's risen to Major Case Squad in NYPD, which is very high up in detective rank if not the top. He's shown empathy and sympathy for criminals with mental illness and has had little patience for certain types such as the negligent dad, etc. He is intelligent, clever, intuitive, and a great problem solver.
Surely his background and present performance as a NYPD detective show him to be in control and not on the skids to mental illness. I'm not qualified to really evaluate such, but that is how it seems to me.
js js
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Post by pompusone on Nov 20, 2004 18:17:29 GMT -5
I agree with those who say schizophrenia would be extremely unlikely. But perhaps a slide into depression would be less so. Goren doesn't have any close family, he's been getting more and more involved in his cases, may not be sleeping much ... I could see depression developing. Although I didn't read into the dropping of the papers anything more than Goren's focus on the case.
I thought the bit at the beginning with the Goren-in-training cop at the scene was just the writers poking a little fun at viewers who find Goren's attitude and vast font of knowledge improbable.
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Post by LOCIfan on Nov 20, 2004 19:34:35 GMT -5
Finally got to watch my tape of this episode and enjoyed it a lot. As others have said, the parallels between Goren and the thief were wonderful.
Techguy, you know, I've also thought that Goren might've ended up on the other side of the law if he'd made different choices. But I also think the choices he did make, and particularly his decisions to join both the Army and the NYPD speak to a deep need for structure and stability -- two things that were likely lacking in his childhood. Laws, rules, regulations, knowing exactly what's expected of him and what he can expect from others -- these are things that craves, and that he probably craved as a child.
As for Goren developing a mental illness... Hmm. I could see him being prone to depression, and could believe that he's suffered depressive episodes in the past. There might be some credibility to his being an undiagnosed bipolar. Sometimes Goren's affect approaches mania -- particularly when he's engrossed/engaged in a case. On the other hand, Goren has such high performance expectations of himself, that it seems he'd seek to control any mental illness he might suspect himself of having through medication. Knowing how much his mother (and those around her) suffered from the symptoms of her mental illness, I'd think he'd want to be diagnosed and helped. Of course, mental illness impacts judgment, so maybe not...
It's an interesting topic.
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Post by Patcat on Nov 20, 2004 23:01:51 GMT -5
I agree that Goren could be a candidate for depression.
Goren strikes me as someone who had a terrible childhood and is now determined that he will keep as many people from suffering as possible.
Patcat
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js
Silver Shield Investigator
Posts: 143
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Post by js on Nov 23, 2004 10:04:36 GMT -5
There has been some discussion about what Wesley wanted to say to his mom before he was taken away by the cops. I just rewatched the ep, and close to the end, before Wesley goes to dig up his cans of money, he says to his mom, "If anything happens to Sheila and me, Mom, I want you to raise the baby." So, that might be what he wanted to be sure about with his mom.
Also, his mom told him before the police car pulled away with Wesley, "Don't worry. WE"LL be here when you get out. With Sheila in jail for murder, WE must be mom and the baby. What do you think?
js
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Post by kawaiidragonfoe821 on Feb 16, 2005 11:12:19 GMT -5
No, i'm still sticking to my guns about not liking the longer hair style on VDO & i dont like Erbe's longer hair either... oh well. Heck i STILL walk into doors & drop files all over the place LOL, i like it because it goes to show you that no one is perfect & everyone can have TOO much on their mind at any given time. ;D Vince does look tired though doesnt he & it also appears to me that he's lost quite a bit of weight btw season 3 & 4, i hope that is isnt ill
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Post by blucougar57 on Apr 17, 2005 17:48:03 GMT -5
We just saw Silver Lining on Australian TV last night, and I really enjoyed this episode. I find it interesting that so many people seem to be reading into Goren's 'file-dropping' moment a pending emotional or mental breakdown. When that moment happened, when he seemed to be jittering all over the place, and then he backed into the door frame, all I thought was 'this guy has had way too much caffeine'. I think, as others have said, he was just getting himself so wrapped up in, and excited by, the case that he simply wasn't watching what he was doing. Someone else said it, and I think they're right - fans complained that Goren lost a lot of that wonderful quirkiness of character late in season 2 and through season 3. Now he seems to have found it again, and we're still complaining! I particularly enjoyed the way Goren engaged with the thief, without actually becoming emotionally involved. It made it possible to really enjoy the episode, and not suffer through any 'cringe' moments. It was especially good, the way Eames was given the freedom to handle Sheila. I liked her throwback to Goren - 'He just wants to be left alone to catch the bad guys'. That was a nice touch, and shows she has learnt a trick or two from the master over the years. There were so many things about this episode to enjoy. I really did like the gentle way that Goren chose to wake Eames up in the stakeout van, waving a cup of hot coffee under her nose. That was a sweet moment. I'll have to go back and rewatch this ep, though. I never even noticed he was clean-shaven....
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Post by Techguy on Mar 20, 2010 21:51:59 GMT -5
Bump for EOTW reference
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