6:04 - "Maltese Cross" 2006-10-10

[Metella]

.... fade to red misty cloud to simulate blood splatter .....

OK - ra ra here is another violent opening

Oh, I'll give CI a chance because the stories still have plot, not criminal intent plot, but still plot. christ

I'll give the whole episode a chance to shine and be back with a total overview take.

The beginings just have to go. They are pathetic tries at sucking in attention and emotions & are just copy catting where others have tred down to a mud pit before.

[trisha]

I can live with a beginning like this -- not so much with the stalker cam. Stalker cam has to go.

I also felt that the "intent" part was lost in this episode, but they're never strong in any of the Logan eps, as he has to be the star and profiling is not his forte. But, I am such a Logan fan and have been for a long time that I'm happy to see him in CI even if his eps are more L&O to me style-wise. He reminded me a little of Lennie in this ep, and that made me smile.

[Metella]

I thought Noth did well in this episode - so I give him a solid A for this episode.

Overall - the episode had merit - but the way they closed in on the violence - I don't like it. I DO think that the flash back and showing parts of the fight again fit into the storyline - so that I'll give them. I think they should have shown Logan and Wheeler hashing out why she didn't keep jumping in the fight to Logan's aid. That would royally tick me off if I were Logan.

Capitan again shown in good light as far as backing up his guys.

[trisha]

Yep, I like Ross more and more all the time. He sure is organized, and you know I have a hard on for order. And color coordination too?! I'm in love.

[Cassie]

Just got done watching it.

I liked it very much from beginning to end, I liked the flashbacks of Logan and Wheeler telling their side. It gave a different perspective of the storytelling. nice touch!

They all were hero's!

Except for the murder.... and he was in the episode "Smothered" from Season 1


I really liked it

time for bed, goodnite

[sarahlee]

Now that's more like it! Definately a better story this week, definately better Logan this week. But what's with Wheeler? Why didn't she jump in there to help Logan? I know she's small, and A WOMAN, but, I can't imagine I wouldn't get my irish up at my partner getting ambushed like that.

Ross was awesome. I'm coming around guys. Nice, solid, sane defense of his people. I loved his set-up of, what's his name- the jilted lover-sly and sleek. Nice suits too. (Yes, I'm a sucker for a well-tailoured vest!)

Not perfect, too much violence for ratings sake, but Noth has got his energy back. He's snide and dangerous and charming and smarter than he even knows.

[raeangel319]

liked the episode...i'm just having trouble with the wheeler character...

she's just...such...a KID! i mean, she's not a kid obviously. she just ...seems like she doesn't really fit. ya know? aside logan, she looks like a teenager or something! logan and barek seemed a more plausible partnership. maybe i just havent' gotten used to wheeler yet. (maybe it's cuz we've never seen logan have a partner with freckles before hehe)

wheeler did try to get into the fight right away...one of the fire fighters pulled her out and held her down. she got him off and called for help...and then i don't know what happened there. she obviously felt bad about it though...you know how sometimes you just make the wrong choice...and you're not sure why you did (or didn't ) do that? and then you realize after that you SO should have done (or not done) that?....

[Techguy]

I liked this one a lot more than the earlier Logan/Wheeler episode "Tru Love" and also much more than the last Goren/Eames episode "Siren Call." Although I wish the violence were toned down, I didn't find it excessive or gratuitous as I did with "Siren Call." The flashback re-telling of what happened In "Maltese Cross" is a refreshing change of pace. This is one stylistic surprise I find innovative and creative, and I applaud and appreciate its use here.

I liked this episode because I understood the psychology of the crime but wasn't certain about the murderer's identity until fairly near the end. I enjoyed Chris Noth's energy, vitality, and authority. I know I'll be in a minority but I have to say this--I prefer this to what Goren and Eames have been given by way of emoting and angsting. I hope G/E will "recover" and get their acts together because right now Logan at least has the edge in the strength-of-character department. Who would have thought that? Certainly not me but it is what it is and I call it as I see it.

The one element I didn't like or understand has to do with Wheeler's apparent lack of strength of character when she didn't come to Logan's aid during the brawl. Add me to those who are upset and/or surprised by Wheeler's inaction at a crucial moment. As an ex-military man, I would be more than ticked off if someone I depended on let me down that way--I would probably be dead.

And what can I say about Eric Bogosian's Captain Ross that I haven't already said? He is turning out to be exactly what I hoped for when I heard about his casting. He is the catalyst for positive change, backing up his detectives to the hilt, and taking a more hands-on approach to helping with the investigation. EB is the best part of the changes that came about in the new Season 6.

[sarahlee]

techguy said:

I I enjoyed Chris Noth's energy, vitality, and authority
The one element I didn't like or understand has to do with Wheeler's apparent lack of strength of character when she didn't come to Logan's aid during the brawl. Add me to those who are upset and/or surprised by Wheeler's inaction at a crucial moment. As an ex-military man, I would be more than ticked off if someone I depended on let me down that way--I would probably be dead.

Right! And Logan's reaction didn't ring true. He should have been p****d! Or maybe that's what the ole Mikey would have done. Isn't Logan supposed to be more mature and seasoned now? (snark)

[LOCIfan]

I thought it was an okay episode. Logan was back to his familiar, appealing self. Wheeler definitely brings out a spring in his step. Maybe because, lesbian or not, she's got a pulse unlike his former partner.

There was nothing particularly intricate about the criminal's psychology or intent. Ross summed it up with "gay rage". And the whole topic of a closeted gay lover, even if he is a firefighter, felt BTDT. Even the flashback structure was designed to highlight, not the plot, but the fun part of the episode, getting to seeing Logan in a righteous brawl. You know, that kind of "oh, Logan will be Logan" gotta love him, feeling of recognizing an old and familiar character being true to his old and familiar character.

The thing I'm enjoying most about the L/W episodes is not the plot or the psychology of the criminals or Logan's relationship to solving the crime, or even how they solve the crime but his interaction with Wheeler and Ross. And that makes the L/W episodes feel like an entirely different show to me.

I don't dislike it, but it's not must-see tv for me any more.

One OT note. I'm still not used to watching CI on Tuesday nights, so I turned on the television an hour early and kind of accidentally watched Friday Night Lights. I know nothing about football, and have no interest in rural Texas, but found myself enthralled with this show. It has such a clear, focussed point of view, interesting characters and a real sense that the writer (Peter Berg) has a compelling story to tell about this particular world, this specific subculture, this specific place and these particular people. The only thing that got to me a little was the hand-held camera technique. But even that made sense in the context of the style of storytelling. A very different kind of show than CI, but it made me a little sad because CI has come a long way from the days of its own clear and focussed point of view: brilliant but quirky profiler cop driven by personal demons tracks psychologically complex criminals. As in all great detective stories, the big story is the detective himself and his relationship to his work.

I'm still a fan of the show, but it's been a long time since the glory days. It's not so much that I dislike the new stylistic changes, it's just that I don't see how they relate in any way to the fundamental vision of THIS series. And, if the vision has changed, what is it now? That was even more obvious to me because it immediately followed Friday Night Lights.

[mikeyrocks]

I really enjoyed this episode. I would say that it was my favorite season 6 epie to date actually.

I found the storyline to be very pertinent and interesting and it had me guessing right till the end. I also found the use of flashbacks to be very effective - a very original way to tell the story.

I'm also throughly enjoying the new cast additions. I think Eric Bogosian is wonderful as Captain Ross AND I find Wheeler to be a engaging and endearing presence - I really like her.

In so far as Wheeler sort of staying on the fray of the fight - I don't think that there was really much else she could do. She attempted to get up a number of times and was pushed back down.

Knowing that there was not much she could do - I think she may have panicked somewhat - Also Logan was so surrounded she couldn't really see what was happening to him. Anyway I think she made the right call by issuing a 10-13 / Its not like she could have pulled out her weapon or something in such crowded and chaotic conditions. That could have made the whole situation that much worse.

Okay - I'm rambling now. But as I said - Loved the episode / Really enjoying Ross AND I'm finding Wheeler to be a breath of fresh air - she really is quite green and inexperienced - So different from the Cliched jaded cop.

Of course its always GREAT to see my Mikey get Feisty as well LOL!!

[mikeyrocks]

;D Hey Janethyland - it REALLY a topsy turvey world isn't it!!

Yes I'm also enjoying the more mature and grounded Logan - Mind you in tonights episode he had alot of that old fire LOL!!

Anyway really looking forward to hearing what you think of this epie ( once you have a chance to see it ) - I really enjoyed this one.

[SarahIvy]

Honestly? I think this may be the best Logan episode yet for me (and I mean since he came on board CI, not just this season). I thought it was great.

The violence seemed toned back down to a reasonable level after the first three episodes, and they did a wonderful job with the circular plot. I do love a circular storyline!

I dig Capt. Ross more and more each time he comes on screen. I was awfully excited when they announced Bogosian was coming on, and I'm flat out tickled that his character is such a grand addition. He's a great presence and I think it really helps hold the series together as it flips between detective teams.

I didn't have much of a problem with Wheeler during the brawl, she seemed to honestly be doing the best she could (though she is clearly no Eames ). Maybe I missed something. I didn't tape this one for rewatching, but I could swear I saw at various points a firefighter holding her down, and her trying to get up, which could explain why she wasn't all in on the fistacuffs. I guess I assumed all the burly firemen were shoving her back/holding her down because they weren't keen on giving a female a whupping and her response to that was to use her situation to call for help.

Logan's "Don't make me climb that tree" line, gazing up into the tree, was perfectly delivered and got a big chuckle out of me....that was just classic.

sarahlee said:

Noth has got his energy back. He's snide and dangerous and charming and smarter than he even knows.

Perfect description! Ahh, I admit tonight there was a whole lot of the Logan I was so charmed by in my reckless youth

[Metella]

Yes, the episode was my choice so far this short season. The pace was good, L/W pairing does seem to be working.

Trisha - refresh my memory - what color coordination? I also admire that trait & must have missed it.

However, I disagree on the Wheeler/fight issue .... she was held down for part of the time & then she was up & scooted to the wall to make the call .... then it showed her just looking worried. First of all, if I were held down & my partner was taking a beating - I'd be bitting ankles and roaring my pissed offed-ness. Then I would call for back up and jump on someone's back and kick and gouge and stomp on feet (you'd be surprised how easy foot bones are crushed). No - for a cop - that is a BIG issue that she will have to be shown to overcome before Logan can trust her to have his back. BIG ISSUE. As Techguy said, but for a small change in the way it went down - the partner was d - e - a - d.

[Ronni]

So violence is okay for some episodes, and not others? This was every bit as violent as the others. Which I personally don't have a problem with. So what, this time it's okay?