Ep Recaps

[stillane]

So, going to keep doing the recapping thing. It'll be kind of like having my own person episode guide; I definitely need the reference tool.

CSI 6x05 - Gum Drops 

This was the first CSI I've really liked in a long time. I've kept watching mainly because even bad CSI is smarter than most shows on their best day. That, and I get attached to characters. I can't help it; I'm loyal to a fault.

Sure, Sara's dialog was pretty wooden, but you can't have everything. Although, I'd argue her assertion that Nick wouldn't have been affected by a similar case before his kidnapping. He's always been the big softy of the crew, and wigging out about a case involving kids is very in character. He didn't even really do anything hugely improper, at least for the Bruckheimer version of law enforcement. Hauling a suspect up against a wall may be out of order in the real world, but it's not unheard of in the CSI one.

I'm a little skeptical about the whole "Nick's so different" idea we're being asked to swallow in this one. On the plus side, Greg was in more than two scenes this week, and there was direct contact with Nick. They snickered at one another.

Also of the good: Nick. Woobie!Nick. The little girl was adorable, too. I liked the ghostly narrative, and the big reveal, and how it wasn't what it seemed at all. Also, that Sara was ultimately wrong. Nick stayed true to himself, in all his emotional glory, and it was the right thing to do. Overall, the plot wasn't all that great, and wouldn't have been so engaging if it weren't for the one on one between Nick and the girl, which felt like it started the moment he walked into the house. Nice format.

Final impression: Beautiful filming in this ep. It was just so... lush. The camerawork took its time, and every shot was quite nice. Very pretty.

WaT 4x04 - Lost Time

First thought: Oh, please. This girl kept the same hairstyle for 7 years? While trying to disappear? Yeah right. I smell a set up.

Hmm. The rough-and-tumble interrogation techniques that are everywhere on TV these days are being called into question all over the place this week.

Hah! See, the hair was important. Alright, so I was wrong about the set up. You can't win 'em all.

Wow. Jack really hasn't learned a damn thing. Normally, I love his tough guy act. It cuts through the bullshit remarkably well. This time, though, he's just seen that he can have some pretty extreme unintentional effects, and there he goes with the exact same tactics. No take-home message to this one, it seems."You're still lying to yourself?" What the heck does that mean, anyway? (And are we supposed to believe he just mind-wammied the professor into a confession? It wasn't that harsh a browbeating.) Now he's got Viv ready and willing to yank his cranky ass back into submission, at least. Anybody else notice the quick save in that final interrogation? Okay, so maybe the message is "Don't let Jack out without Vivian to hold his leash."

In other news, I'm trying an experimental story idea, and it is summarily kicking my ass. In the event that it ever does come together, though, I really will need to find a beta. I think this one will need it, if only to see whether it makes sense to someone who is not me.