EPISODE OF THE WEEK: DAW

[Patcat]

Here it is: the last EOTW before the new season! (And there was much rejoicing...)

Will air April 13 at 2pm on the USA Network. First aired May 16, 2004. Episode 20 of Season Three.

Written by Warren Leight and Rene Balcer
Directed by Frank Prinzi

Guest Actors:

Kevin Tighe as Dr. Edwin Lingard
Karen Ziemba as Isabel Dawson (Ms. Ziemba is a Tony Award winner)
Leslie Hendrix as Dr. Elizabeth Rodgers

Synopsis: An apparent hit and run leads Goren and Eames to a murderous doctor.

Quotes:

Goren: "You're a gun enthusiast, Doctor?"
Lingard: "I find target shooting very relaxing."
Eames: "Really? Firing a weapon never has that effect on me."

Goren (to Lingard when the doctor tries to kill himself): "You don't get off that easy."

Notes:

DAW stands for Dispense As Written

Ripped from the Headlines: This story is based on the case of English physician Harold Shipman, a GP who murdered at least 218 patients. (The actual number of his victims may have been much higher.) Shipman killed by using perscription drugs on his often elderly victims, and his motive appears to have been simple and unadulterated greed. He used the money to support his lifestyle and drug habits. He was caught forging perscriptions for Demerol in 1975, and there were questions about his activities long before he was actually caught. Both the police and British medical authorities bungled the early investigations, leaving Shipman free to kill many more people. Shipman hanged himself in prison on January 13, 2004. See en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harold_Frederick_Shipman

I couldn't find a discussion thread for this episode.

So, did Lingard kill because of greed or because his mother died of cancer?

Does Lingard's behavior seem like that of a drug addict?

Would Lingard have ever been caught if Goren and Eames hadn't been on the case? Why hasn't he been caught before? Is anyone to blame for allowing Lingard to continue on his spree?

Will Lingard "escape" by suicide?

Is this as straightforward as LOCI gets?

Comments: I don't have many questions on this episode (perhaps that's why there's no discussion of this one--maybe there's not much to question), but several comments I hope people respond to.

There's much I like about this episode, starting with Kevin Tighe's performance as the insufferably smug Dr. Lindgard. Tighe is still probably best known for his performance as Paramedic/Fireman DeSoto in the Jack Webb produced EMERGENCY!. Tighe has become a much better actor in the years since that show, and he manages to capture both Lindgard's creepiness and charm.

What's best about this unassuming episode is it depiction of everyday police work--Goren and Eames and ME Rodgers and all of those files; Goren and Eames tracking down the various parts of Lingard's story; and the grunt work a case often requires.

Add to that a great aria (and it really is almost entirely Goren) and Robert Goren in a leather jacket and turtleneck (I'm susceptible as the next person), and I think you have an episode that deserves some attention.

Thanks for reading these and responding.

Patcat

[annabelleleigh]

Thanks goes to you PC, for putting together these EOTW discussions to sustain us over the long wait for new material. I, for one, appreciate the thought that you put into your posts. Even if I didn't participate a great deal I always read this thread.

What I liked in this unassuming episode (besides a lean Goren in black leather) is its capture of our main man in his alpha dog glory. Goren is oozing with the confidence and competitiveness that originally sparked my interest in the character. Also, his foe is worthy. (Kevin Tighe is deliciously sinister). And "criminal intent" is the clear focus.

What I found somewhat difficult to accept was Lingard's rather withered but seemingly intelligent girlfriend. I don't see how she could have missed the clues to his true character, especially in that creepy failed seduction scene (which revealed that Lingard, among other driving forces, was sexually frustrated.)

I note that in a much more recent mothership episode written by Rene Balcer a villanous doctor (played by Brad Dourif) was also named "Lingard."

AL

[maherjunkie]

Yes, hearing sweet Roy from "Emergency!" talk about "oral pleasure" was enough to scar for life.

[Patcat]

Thank you, Al. I'm not sure all that much thought went into some of these (g).

The girlfriend--yes, she does seem clueless in some ways. But I got the impression that she'd had bad experiences with men in the past, and Lingard does have intelligence and charm. I also got the impression that his rather awkward sexual overture might have been his first move on that front. She certainly seemed surprised by it.

Patcat