Episode 28
As If By Fate (10-21-02)

Brief Synopsis: Jordan tries dating but soon ends up investigating the death of her date.

Jordan’s case was a fun one—gruesome the process of getting to the end was entertaining.  Yes we knew the guilty party from the beginning, but I don’t think that took away from the case itself.  There are some cases where the killer is going to be obvious and the real challenge is trying to prove it. 

Nigel had the more serious case.  It was a nice change to see him play the serious role.  He did it well.  You tend to forget that Nigel is human too and he can grieve and hurt like the rest of us.

Jordan:  I have to say Jordan got all the lines (with a few given to Bug) in this episode.  The obnoxious detective Phil was a riot.  He was so bad you got over it and laughed at it all.  He did work well with Jordan.  No chemistry—but he did allow Jordan to exchange insults with him left and right—and that comic relief was much needed with the two issues at hand here.  The scene at the fertility office was priceless.  What was great was the guy just kept giving it right back.  Her insults never fazed him and by the end of the show they had a system going.

Bug: It was nice to see Bug give a little back to the detective.  He’s normally the calm reasonable one who always bites his tongue.  I noticed again how well Jordan and Bug work together. A totally different chemistry, but still a good one.

Now!  The inconsistencies in Bug’s past drove me nuts this episode.  We learned earlier that Bug’s parents moved here to give Bug a better chance in life.  They worked two jobs just to get by.  So how the hell (pardon my language) were his parents a part of a country-golf club where Bug learned to play golf?  Clubs take money.  And it’s more an upper class (not to offend anyone) event belonging to country clubs.  Also I don’t think Bug is a citizen.  Remember all the way back to season one—when Nigel was afraid of getting sent back to England.  Bug makes the comment that his services are considered ‘needed’.  Why would he make that comment if he was an American citizen?  That makes me question why his parents (and how) moved here if their sons weren’t even born here.  What was the incentive to learn what must have at least been a decent life?  His father was a teacher after all.  Bug’s story just seems to be all over the place.  I don’t like that. 

Nigel: Nigel’s train crash had a much more emotional punch to it.  It showed off a side of Nigel I don’t think we’ll see too often.  Nigel can grieve.  He’s sensitive too.  It takes a bit more to get to him but he’s just like the rest of us.

Lily did a good job in this episode.  She helped Nigel out and was truly supportive and much like the grief counselor I imagined with her getting this new job.  Her role was important. 

Garret: Kind of a sub story to Nigel’s Garret deals with the son of a famous sax player.  Garret can’t believe what the son told him about a man Garret idolized to some extent.  So he goes searching for an explanation.  And he finds one.  It didn’t help the son much, but I think it appeased Garret—though he really wasn’t the one we were rooting for.  It’s sad that the son gave up on his father, but understandable.  Sometimes that’s just how life deals the cards.

Side Note: Has anyone notice the ‘Dead End’ sign in the morgue hanging up on wall?  This is the first time I noticed it and I love it.  It kind of fits right in.  I got a chuckle over it.

No Elaine in this episode.  It must have been her day off.  Nice to see the group together—no tension among them.  Elaine causes some (intentionally or not—she still causes it).

Liked Jordan singing.  Liked the song.  I miss the old Irish music we had last season for opening credits.  I know I mentioned it already, but this  just brought it all back.

3 out of 5 Dead Bodies.