EPISODE OF THE WEEK: YESTERDAY

[Patcat]

Will air September 30, 7 and 11 pm (EST) on the Bravo Cable Network.

18th show of the first season. First aired April 14, 2002.

Written by Teresa Rebeck and Rene Balcer
Directed by Jean de Segonzac

Guest Actors: Denton Stone (Rick Morrissey); Colleen Werthman (Maureen Morrissey); Jim True-Frost (Jay Lippman)

Synopsis: The discovery of a body at a construction site leads to the re-opening of a case originally handled by Captain Deakins.

Quotes:

Carver: "A Leopold to his Loeb?"
Eames: "Well, half a Loeb."

Eames: (after identifying the miniskirt worn by the victim and revealing she had a similar one) "And I looked good in them too."

A case that clearly haunted Captain James Deakins, and offers Jamey Sheridan several moments to shine. What does this episode reveal about Deakins as a man and cop?

How does Deakins react to Goren and Eames dealing with a case that was a failure for him?

Does this case mark a change in the relationship between Deakins and his detectives?

Would Jay Lippman have become a murderer if he hadn't met Rick? Would Rick have become such a failure?

Did Jay push Rick off the building?

How does Jay rank among LOCI villains?

Does Jay envy Rick?

Is Maureen Jay's first victim?

Is the relationship between Rick and Maureen a good one?

Judging from the original discussion of this episode, the aria in this story is a favorite for many people. Is it one of the best? What makes a great LOCI aria?

This will be the last EOTW, at least until the inevitable Thanksgiving-Christimas-New Year's reruns. I've enjoyed doing them; I hope people have found them of interest. I'd appreciate any suggestions to improve them.

Patcat

[musicwench]

Oooohhh!!! Great episode. I don't have much time tonight (I'm actually at a village council meeting for one of the little towns in the county and I've got a tape running and they think I'm making notes right now - I hate when other reporters take vacations and stick me with their duties) so I'll have to wait until I can actually give it the thought it deserves.

Just wanted to throw in how much I loved Deakins getting more face time here.

[Techguy]

My favorite part of this episode is the interrogation room scene and aria. Goren and Eames worked together beautifully to turn the tables on control freak Jay and put him physically and psychologically exactly where they wanted him in order to lower the boom. I hope we see a return to this sort of crime solving in the procedural portions of Season 7 episodes, as I hope that the character driven stuff doesn't obliterate the crime story and aria completely.

[minawench]

A case that clearly haunted Captain James Deakins, and offers Jamey Sheridan several moments to shine. What does this episode reveal about Deakins as a man and cop?

I love Jimmy in this ep. (Okay, anyone who knows me from around the fandom knows I love Jimmy period.) From the moment you see him pull that file out of his desk to the interview he walks in on, you see how deeply cases affected him.

How does Deakins react to Goren and Eames dealing with a case that was a failure for him?

One of the things I respected Jimmy for most in this episode is that he takes the realization that his understanding of the case was wrong so well. He breaks into that interview, watches the way his prime suspect responds and gets it immediately. He doesn't waste time going on and on about how he was wrong. He just shifts gears and sends Alex and Bobby on their way.

Does this case mark a change in the relationship between Deakins and his detectives?[/blockquote]

I'm not sure it does, but I'll have to watch this one and then the next few looking for this. I think it illustrates the trust and respect that was always there.

[DonnaJo]

Let me say THANK YOU PATCAT for preparing these wonderful episode threads. Your synopsis' of the episodes & posed questions have been great!. You helped make a boring summer waiting for new CI into one with renewed interest in old episodes. ;D

BTW, This episode contains one of my favorite scene in all of CI - Goren kicking down the door to Ricky's family home. That is so very cool. Like he's sort of a "super cop" or something. It's rare we see that kind of controlled physical display by Goren. I wish he would do it again this season.

A case that clearly haunted Captain James Deakins, and offers Jamey Sheridan several moments to shine. What does this episode reveal about Deakins as a man and cop?

That he's a man with a deep, personal commitment to his job. Keeping his old unsolved files in his Captain's desk (surprised they let him) in the hope that someday he could solve them. Also tells me that he never gives up.
And he was as upset & angry about that young girl's death as he was the day it happened. A good heart. And he has a temper when truly provoked. We never really saw that during the show's history.

Does this case mark a change in the relationship between Deakins and his detectives?
That scene in the interrogation room with the old boyfriend showed that there is a mutual respect between Goren, Eames & Deakins. Goren let Deakins handle the interview, even when the Captain started to get nasty. He didn't look uncomfortable, even though that isn't Goren's technique. Deakins readily admitted his mistake about blaming the boyfriend to Goren & Goren kindly didn't verbalizing that failure.

Did Jay push Rick off the building?
Yes, I believed that Jay pushed Ricky, who was standing at the edge sobbing profusely. Easy enough to give him a little shove.

How does Jay rank among LOCI villains?
He's a bad man. What he did to those women was horrible. And how cold & calculatingly he killed Ricky. A selfish, heartless man who knew he had a problem & did nothing to get himself professional help.

Does Jay envy Rick?
He envies the love he receives from his family, his sister. I suppose it is "this love that Jay would do anything to get?"

Is Maureen Jay's first victim?
Yes, I believe so. Jay was a Freshman in college, away from home for the first time. Being in that situation promulgated that first act.

Is the relationship between Rick and Maureen a good one?
Well, its the typical "loser" son/brother protected & enabled by the loving mother & sister. One sided, so not really a good relationship.

Judging from the original discussion of this episode, the aria in this story is a favorite for many people. Is it one of the best? What makes a great LOCI aria?

It IS one of the best. The way Goren strips Jay confidence little by little until he is a sobbing mess. How he uses his physicality to manipulate Jay & get him to subjugate to him. How Goren seduces the confession out of him; so close to him, whispering to him like a lover would.

[meggyd]

This was a complex episode. It was nice to see the detectives outside - I remember this episode particularly for the outside shots when they were examining the girl's body with the mini-skirt, and the shots of them on the streets looking for the Morrisey's house. We hadn't really seen them film outside that often at that point. Also liked the little detail about Eames having worn the same style skirt, and the sass of her observation "Looked good in it too".

I did like to see Deakin's more involved. Most of the time Jamie Sheridan was woefully underused in the series and it was good to see another dimension added to the Deakins character. He interacted very well with Goren and Eames, and it's good to contrast this episode with some of the Ross ones later on, as it shows the depth of the difference in the leadership style of the two Captains. Deakins is so much more secure in the role, he can give more leeway to the detectives, and step back and reflect on his own actions.

Jay was a repulsive villain. Manipulative from the beginning, it was easy to see that he adopted Ricky to bolster his own feelings of superiority and then jettisoned him when he didn't need him any more. I have no problem believing that Jay pushed Ricky off the building - the writers showing that Ricky was afraid to go near the edge just made it less likely that he jumped. I do believe Jay could have talked him into suicide should he have chosen to do so, but I think Ricky would have chosen a way out that didn't involve facing something he feared.

Rick and Maureen both seemed crippled by the guilt of the attack by Jay. I think that it was likely it was Jay's first act, but something that he'd been thinking about doing for a long time. Rick unwittingly provided him with the opportunity and the guilt overwhelmed him, Maureen seemed to have a sense that she'd put herself in a compromising and embarassing situation and didn't report it.

Goren's breaking down of Jay in the aria mirrors what Jay did to his victims, using his insight to manipulate Jay's feelings. Like most bullies, Jay couldn't stand up for long when the tables were turned.

[Techguy]

In addition to the interrogation room scene and aria, I also liked how Deakins' professional history with a case was incorporated into this episode. The complexity of the story is an added huge plus, something I miss in some of the latest CI episodes and wish would return in Season 7.

[ragincajun]

A case that clearly haunted Captain James Deakins, and offers Jamey Sheridan several moments to shine. What does this episode reveal about Deakins as a man and cop?

He has a warm heart, even after all these years, this case still touched him and affected him.

How does Deakins react to Goren and Eames dealing with a case that was a failure for him?

I think he handled it fine, at first he thought it was a waste of time, he wanted them to hand it over to another squad, but Goren seemed to convince him other wise.

Does this case mark a change in the relationship between Deakins and his detectives?

I am not sure of a change, I think Deakins has always respected Goren's style and also respected Eames, It seems Ross came in with a chip on his shoulder about Goren.

Would Jay Lippman have become a murderer if he hadn't met Rick? Would Rick have become such a failure?

Yes, about Jay, Rick seems to me maybe he wasn't popular and wanted to be, and thought Jay being smart could get him in with popular people. Jay must have had a sick childhood. Maybe if Rick didn't meet Jay he wouldn't have needed Drugs to forget what he did to his sister and his family wouldn't have turned their backs on him.

Did Jay push Rick off the building?
I am sure Jay talked him back to the edge just enough to tap him right off the edge.

How does Jay rank among LOCI villains?
I wish we would have known more about his childhood, was he abused? I still think of the guy who raped the little girl in Homo Homini Lupus and even Later Zoonotic

Does Jay envy Rick?
Yes Rick evidently could easily talk to women where as Jay couldn't.

Is Maureen Jay's first victim?

I think so

Is the relationship between Rick and Maureen a good one? Before the attack probably, but after I think not, seems she didn't blame him, but he blamed himself

Judging from the original discussion of this episode, the aria in this story is a favorite for many people. Is it one of the best? What makes a great LOCI aria?Yes it is the best in my opinion, Goren Makes sure the controlling Jay, has no control, then breaks him down, till he confesses

This will be the last EOTW, at least until the inevitable Thanksgiving-Christimas-New Year's reruns. I've enjoyed doing them; I hope people have found them of interest. I'd appreciate any suggestions to improve them.

Patcat you have done an excellent job, thanks so much. I have enjoyed every min.

[musicwench]

A case that clearly haunted Captain James Deakins, and offers Jamey Sheridan several moments to shine. What does this episode reveal about Deakins as a man and cop?

That he has Goren-like qualities. He cares deeply about the victims and he is a affected by the cases he works on almost as much as Goren. These things obviously haunt him still after all these years.



How does Deakins react to Goren and Eames dealing with a case that was a failure for him?

I thought he handled it rather well. I think he had a trust in Eames for sure and Goren to some extent. Probably more so after this but I have to watch episodes prior to and after a little more carefully to say for sure.


Does this case mark a change in the relationship between Deakins and his detectives?

I'm not sure if this is where Deakins starts being more accepting of Goren or not. I know his attitude towards Goren was somewhat skeptical. It wasn't as obvious as it is with Ross because Ross' personality is more grating than Deakins - who knows how to schmooze with everyone. Ross can be tactful if he has to be but it appears to be more of a chore for him than it was with Deakins who naturally seemed to fall into the tactful role.


Would Jay Lippman have become a murderer if he hadn't met Rick? Would Rick have become such a failure?

Anyone who has it in them to do something like that would find a way to do so no matter who was or was not involved. Rick perhaps was more effected by meeting Jay. Perhaps without that horrible experience he might not have been such a failure.


Did Jay push Rick off the building?

I don't doubt it. He's already killed once - up close and personal. Shoving someone off a building who was already teetering on the edge wouldn't have been difficult for him.


How does Jay rank among LOCI villains?

I think he goes into the "vile" category. There was no redeeming quality I saw there at all. You couldn't sympathize with him because he was so... coldly manipulative and only interested in himself.


Does Jay envy Rick?

I don't know for sure. Perhaps he envied that Rick had a family that cared about him? His sister at least.


Is Maureen Jay's first victim?

I would think so. It sounds like she was the first one with whom he seemed to have an opportunity to do something like that.


Is the relationship between Rick and Maureen a good one?

Depends on what one would consider a good relationship. I'd say it's good for Rick but not for Maureen. She seems to take care of him and all but he really does nothing for her.

I have a hard time determining things regarding siblings. I'm an only child and I've seen siblings put up with some incredibly messed up stuff from each other, which I could never see myself doing.


Judging from the original discussion of this episode, the aria in this story is a favorite for many people. Is it one of the best? What makes a great LOCI aria?

Oh I loved it! Just like I love the one in Probability because it has both Goren and Eames work together so well as a team to get a confession. Love the way Goren messes with control-freak Jay's mind! Perfect.


Again, thanks so much for these episode discussions patcat. Your efforts have been most appreciated and I look forward to more when we once again have no new LOCI episodes to obsess over.

I don't have any suggestions since I rather like this format. :-)

[effie]

Granted I was a little bleary at midnight when I watched this... but one thing that always strikes me about this episode are the side glances between Goren and Eames and the fact that Goren seems to just radiate trust and pride when he looks at his partner. Watch the exchange over the mini skirt and the glance up at her he has, and the exchange with the landlord when she jumps in and harasses the guy and Goren just stands back and watches her...

it's nearly the same look Bobby has for her if we fast foward to season six's "Priviledge" in the party scene at the end when he sits of the couch and watches her take charge.

but anyway, by this point in season one you really get the feeling that Goren and Eames have found a real groove in their partnership.

[deathroe]

Their partnership really is one of the best things on television.

[Techguy]

effie said:

by this point in season one you really get the feeling that Goren and Eames have found a real groove in their partnership.

I felt that the Goren/Eames partnership got strained/derailed/sidetracked in Season 6 after "Blind Spot." I hope G/E get their groove--and their snark and sense of humor--back at some point in Season 7.

[nosee]

I agree with both Techguy and deathroe! Goren and Eames have the perfect relationship. Hopefully, the writers won't screw it up any further this season.

nosee

[darmok]

This is one of the episodes that originally got me "hooked" on LOCI. I was fascinated by the aria.

Since then, I've seen it many times. One thing that stands our for me is not the role that Deakins plays, but the contributions Eames makes. Early on people mentioned that Eames was just a side-kick and didn't really pull her weight. That started to change when Erbe came back from maternity leave at the end of season 6. As I've watched and rewatched episodes, it is my opinion that the phenomenon of Eames just being there and not contributing happened mostly in season 2. In season 1 she contributes in her own way, but I see it most in this episode.

It is Eames that dates the body using the dress. It is also Eames who smoothly catches Ricky's ex in a lie regarding the jewelry. She also helps in her own way in the aria by turning her back to the egomaniac, which helps get him offbalance.

This is a great episode for all three detectives, and it will remain one of my favorites.

[tjara]

I'm sorry to drag up an old thread, I hope I'm not annoying everyone... if so, please tell me, and I will stop.

I watched that ep last night, and sure havn't yet caught all the details, I will have to rewatch for that. I just don't understand every word on first try... never do, probably never will...

Anyway - I thoroughly enjoyed this episode. I thought it gave a lot of depth to Deakins. First, is says a lot that he still has the file or a copy of that file in his desk and then we get so see his fire during the interrogation. I also liked how Bobby just smoothly let him take over and still Deakins trusted Bobbys judgement that the boyfriend didn't do it.

I loved Eames role in these eps and it clearly showed that she's not just "some sidekick" but quite vital to the show. The skirt comment was nice comic relief (and it proably would've even worked if their lines had been reversed *evilgrin*). And it was Eames who took notice of the fur coat and the jewelery... Also, Eames was extremly vital during the interrogation, turning away from the suspect... I loved how Erbe played that and I wonder whether she was intentoinally wearing a blue sleeveless shirt. It was literally as if she showed the suspect her "cold shoulder".

I also liked the scene in which Lippmann tried to controll Bobby and Bobby instantly noticed it. I thought it played out really well and I had to think about the fact that VDO used to be a bouncer in his younger days and they use similar techniques. Even VDO himself has said so (and showed it later on) in an interview.

As for Ricky, I kinda feel sorry for him... and I'm sure he was pushed of the building. And in a way, Lippman still controlled Ricky and his sister for 18 years, even tough he wasn't there.

Jay is just plain evil, one of the characters you love to hate. He just never says one thing that can attract you in any way...

Still, two questions remain for me.

Why wasn't Goren wearing a tie during the interogation? Up until then he's always had a tie/tieclip, so it stood out for me that he didn't have one and the top button was undone. I'm just not willing to think that wasn't there for some reason... but I couldn't make sense of it.

Why didn't Lippmann have his glasses during the interogation?