EPISODE OF THE WEEK: THE PARDONER'S TALE

[Patcat]

Will air September 16 at 4 am (EST) on the USA Network
First aired November 18, 2001. Eighth episode of the First Season.

Written by Theresa Rebeck and Rene Balcer
Directed by Steven Shill

Guest Actors:
Joseph Siravo as Joe Nawrocki
Kate Burton as Stephanie Uffland
John Heard as Larry Wiegert

Synopsis: The murder of a reporter and his girlfriend leads Goren and Eames on a trail of political corruption.

Quotes:

Goren: "I know people. People in the Fed. People that owe me favors. I can get someone in so deep that even I couldn't find them."

Goren: "We're supposed to be better than the people we're prosecuting."

Goren: "I got to see a buddy about a '71 Malibu. Want to come?"
Eames: "Sure, I love meeting your buddies."

Secretary: "Here, let me highlight it for you."
Eames: "That's ok. The search warrant doesn't stipulate highlighting."

Goren: "Boo! Made you look!"

Eames: "There they go. Down the rabbit hole."

Queries:

Does Goren really know people with that much clout in Federal law enforcement? How? Why isn't he working for the Feds?

Has Alex met other Goren buddies?

Did the Governor know? Did his wife know?

Do the victims get lost in this story? Who are the victims, and how many are there?

This is a very complicated story, with many twists and turns and characters with many different agendas. Is it too complicated?

Is Stephanie Uffland a good or bad person?

Carver is in direct opposition to the detectives in this case. Is he right or wrong?

Speaking of Carver--Does he, particularly early in the series, have political ambitions? How does his relationship with the detectives change over the years? And we've never gotten an explanation for what happened to Carver. What happened to him?

Are Bobby and Alex politically naive?

Comments:

An extremely ambitious story from the first season, one that manages to have several nice moments. At the same time, one that doesn't end satisfactorily. It seems everyone gets hurt except the people most responsible. Extremely well acted, especially by John Heard as the hapless brother-in-law and Kate Burton as the angered wife of the unfortunate Mr. Uffland. (Ms. Burton is the daughter of the late Richard Burton and an acclaimed presence on New York stages.) There are also some wonderful moments between Mr. D'Onofrio and Ms. Erbe. This episode doesn't seem to excite much comment, yet it's a more than solid offering.

Submitted for your consideration and comment.

Patcat

[dragonsback]

Many questions, Patcat, and I have only a few remarks.

This may not be the most lovable or poignant of LOCI eps, but I rate it a 6 out of 10 on my Replay-O-Meter. Certainly to me it is the most British of eps in its style and its complexity, although I think that it has impressive density more than difficult tangles - definitely none of the labyrinthine confabulations and blushing herrings of Season 7.

I liked the massive collateral damage - again, so very coldly Brit - from the hapless brother-in-law to the unravelled deal that netted Kate Burton's character, especially when an infuriated Goren has to coolly and professionally break the news to her that his promise and his deal were no longer in force, then leveraged her children to pressure her to cooperate instead. Great writing.

The ep was so early in in life of the series that one can take the characters' claims as given, I think. Does Goren have friends in the Fed, has Eames met other of Goren's weird and wonderfully useful pal. Yeah, sure, at least for Season 1, while the series was young and developing.

Carver was political, and that's the way he should have been drawn throughout the series - ruthless, ambitious, intelligent, always a force to be reckoned with and never to be taken for granted as an ally. Somewhere along the line that sharp steeliness turned into something fluffier, but oh well.

Some terrific lines, as you noted above. I still laugh too (mirthlessly), at Goren's intent interest in the corrupt official's tie clip. They should have left sleeping tie clips lie after that.

PS: My feeling always was that the Governor perhaps, but most definitely Mrs Governor, had more than a vague inkling about what was going on. The actual words in the script don't say so, but I came away with that impression, and that must have something to do with the scriptwriters' intentions. Of course, that the Governor and wife sail on serenely is part of the merciless power of this ep , that the Big Boys at the top end of town don't end up swimming with the fishes or in jail or in disgrace. Reality.

[ragincajun]

Correction to the quote about Highlighting, Eames didn't say it, Goren did. I loved the line and the look he gave her.

[Patcat]

Ah, thank you for the correction. It is such an Eames line.

Patcat

[DonnaJo]

Carver wasn't the only one that had an agenda, & to hell with everyone.

Goren was a real SOB in this episode too. Particularly to Larry (the very talented John Heard)

My favorite scene is when he keeps replaying the video of the sister (Governor's wife) saying.."We're all disappointed in Larry." over & over & over until Larry snaps. Very cruel, but very effective.

And that sharp steeliness turned fluffiness didn't just change in the Carver character. Goren isn't as steely as he used to be, is he? In general, he's nicer to the perps & witnesses.

[dragonsback]

Yep, Donna, Goren was more cutthroat, more ruthless in those classical years. Not bombastic, but more engaged and lupine. Hunter, seducer. Attractive, wasn't it?

[DonnaJo]

Yes. Goren was extremely attractive when he was taunting or seducing his prey.

Now that he "is free" per Declan Gage, maybe he'll revert back to this
more confidant, cocky, arrogant, and therefore, sexier man.

[annabelleleigh]

Lupine! What an apt adjective DB. Yes, I like my Goren lean and lupine too. That's the seduction of early CI.

"The Pardoner's Tale" also calls to mind, once again, how much the character Carver -- the elegant Courtney B. Vance -- contributed to the series' depth and dramatic tension. I still miss him in every new episode.

AL