nosee
Detective
Posts: 220
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Post by nosee on Jun 18, 2008 9:19:07 GMT -5
I can't help but notice that everyone seems "underwhelmed" by this episode.
I admit I was disappointed. The first half of season 7, the Logan episodes were much stronger, this one seemed flat.
The lunch scene with Ross and Rodgers was my favorite. Looking forward to their interaction next week with 'Betrayed".
The main question as I see it is--Was the "In Plain SIght" crossover really necessary??
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Post by annabelleleigh on Jun 18, 2008 9:48:15 GMT -5
I can't help but notice that everyone seems "underwhelmed" by this episode. I admit I was disappointed. The first half of season 7, the Logan episodes were much stronger, this one seemed flat.,, As further proof of its weakness, "Contract" pushed CI well out of the Nielsen Cable Network Top 10 for the week of June 9th. It ranked a miserable 17th -- a big letdown from the #3 ranking for "Purgatory." What does this mean? "Contract" had powerful competition from the NBA finals, which caught the top positions in Nielsen's Broadcast TV ratings for the week. However, USA network rebounded at 10 PM ET last Sunday with " In Plain Sight," which ranked #3 for the June 9th week. A majority of Top 10 cable slots were grabbed by the indomitable kids show, "SpongeBob SquarePants." We can't fault USA for failing to promote "Contract." Promo rotation for CI generally has been as frequent as that for "In Plain Sight." In fact, every on-air attempt has been made to tie the two series together (including the lame Mary McCormack cameo in "Contract.") My theory (in case anyone cares; I'm a professional audience analyst by day) is that Noth tends to appeal more to male viewers, while D'Onofrio is definitely a draw for women. While I'm not suggesting that the gender dispersion between Noth and D'Onofrio episodes is significantly wide, it may be sufficiently different to have an impact when something like the NBA finals airs opposite CI. Add to that the relative weakness of the story and script (about which even writers Blauner and Martin couldn't enthuse), and CI's fall from Nielsen grace this past week seemed predetermined. Question: Do you think Noth had this particular episode in mind when he hinted (in a recent interview) that he may be ready to relieve himself of his obligation to CI? It was quite a different comment than one attributed to him in an earlier interview this spring, in which he said that the CI shows he had been filming (in the S5 and 6) were some of the strongest of his L&O career (as Nosee points out, above). AL P.S. Has anyone here become a fan of "In Plain Sight"? That is, do you tend to keep watching USA after CI?
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Post by Patcat on Jun 18, 2008 11:39:46 GMT -5
I usually turn over to the LOCI reruns on BRAVO, but then I have a serious problem (g).
I didn't think CONTRACT was a great episode--it seemed two separate stories were rammed together--but I liked its lighter touch and the parallels with the movie THE SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS. But it was something of a letdown in comparison to SENSELESS, which ranks among the best of LOCI for me.
Patcat
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Post by deathroe on Jun 18, 2008 13:01:00 GMT -5
The Tonys were on, too ... don't know how they fared. Mary M was actually up for one. I seem to be the only one who liked this episode, ludicrous McCormack cameo and all, but then I will usually sit through a standard-issue old-school L&O episode however hokey I'm still a little taken aback that Noth thinks his stories are better now than they were. I thought the S5 efforts were on a high level indeed, certainly better than if they had just plastered over the holes left by the Eames/Goren team with generic episodes.
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Post by Patcat on Jun 18, 2008 13:58:04 GMT -5
Yea, I watched the Tonys sporadically on Sunday night, and loved Patti Lupone singing and acting the heck out of Momma Rose and the snippet from SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE. And it was nice of them to finally getting around to giving Stephen Sondheim a lifetime achievement award, but the committee could've let him know about it soon enough so that he could have come to the ceremony.
Patcat
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Post by outerbankschick on Jun 18, 2008 19:57:04 GMT -5
As a whole, I liked "Contract", but it did jump all over the place. I am not familiar with all of the "ripped" stories, but I did notice they tossed a bit of Heath Ledger in there (all the drugs the actor was taking).
The aria was the best part, IMO. Watching Logan priming that idiot. . .it was hilarious! Especially when he pulls out his own recorder and says "Right back atcha pal!" Priceless!
And Wheeler's comments about Falacci, while holding the bottle of nail polish, had me giggling.
This was a much lighter episode than "Senseless" or "Purgatory", and it was good as far as that. There just wasn't a lot of depth to it. But that was okay. It was a good, entertaining hour.
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Post by nwchimom on Jun 19, 2008 16:11:54 GMT -5
Admittedly I was a bit bored during the story, but that had more to do with being preoccupied (we dropped off our daughter at camp on Sunday). I was excited to see Wheeler back! Loved her line about Falacci marking her desk while holding up the mug, hairbrush, and purple nail polish. I read that Alicia Witt was filiming one more episode, so I hope she comes back looking for her stuff. Interesting we got info on Falacci's fate when we heard nothing about Barek and Carver. Hated the "crossover" with Mary McCormack. What a cheap promotion. Did anyone else love Mo Rocca as the gossip columnist? I thought he was fabulous. Regarding the word "rape"...news organizations have been using "sexual assault" instead of rape for many, many years, even before I went to J-School. Rape is seen as a loaded, emotional term (duh!). I hadn't heard these latest reports about not using it in court....not sure it has any bearing on Contract. If it was a conscious decision to dance around the term, I think it has more to do with making the sister seem even more young and innocent.
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Post by Metella on Jun 29, 2008 6:14:03 GMT -5
the blond hair is not growing on my - but I do like it when Rogers shows up, whatever her hair color.
I like the episode - it was a little too all over; but I did like the connection with the older unsolved crime - a connection like that would make the adrehaline (sp) flow if you were a cop and just realized you made this kind of connection.
I don't know why Wheeler had her ring off at work? wouldn't it be more believable and just as easy for the guys to have seen an engagement ring as a ring tan line? I didn't get the reasoning behind that unless wardrobe didn't have a ring that fit her & they changed the script on the fly to match what they had.
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Post by DonnaJo on Jun 29, 2008 7:26:04 GMT -5
Hey! Great to see you Metella. I agree about the ring. She should have at least worn in at the office, especially her first day back. I had posted prior that I thought female cops were reluctant to display that they were married or engaged out in the field, so perps & suspects wouldn't use the against them. Like taunt them or threaten their loved one.
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Post by Metella on Jul 1, 2008 16:54:28 GMT -5
Ah, ok - then that makes sense! I suppose also they are near crooks so often, it may be a temptation to try to steal a ring - so best not to even tempt.
OK - I buy that & am ok with it.
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Post by Techguy on Jul 9, 2008 22:42:27 GMT -5
There's not too much commentary on this episode which is understandable as it had a hard act to follow after "Purgatory." Despite its meandering ways, the plot was a bit thin with too many diversions for my taste. I also feel the crossover with "In Plain Sight" was a bit gimmicky and gratuitous. On the positive side, I enjoyed seeing Logan reunited with Wheeler, but I wish they could have been given something more meaty to mark Wheeler's return from her task force assignment. I hope we get to see Logan meet Wheeler's fiance later this season and what his reaction will be.
ETA: I agree with Metella. I always enjoy seeing Rodgers, but NOT as a blonde. I still think she looks much better as a redhead for her overall appearance.
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