Episode 94
Blame Game (03-19-06)
Brief Synopsis:
Jordan and Macy try to prove that the death of six firefighters wasn't
accidental.
I enjoyed this episode. It was back to
our standard CJ format (from season 3 onward). It was
very different from last week’s episode—Death Toll.
I have to say after giving that episode a week to sink
in I’m starting to appreciate it more. It wasn’t my
favorite, but I see how it was the stepping stone for
what’s to come, and I think by the time we reach the
season finale we’ll see just how important Death Toll
was to season 5. Okay, that said let’s move on.
I thought both plots were pretty solid.
There were two major themes. A) Questionable Politics—or
as I call them Idiots in Charge and B) A modern
day Robin Hood. Then there was the minor theme of
family (Garret). I think both themes were true to life
and believable. Unfortunately we have many Idiots in
Charge in our country. Politics is all about who you
know, how much money you have, and who you’re willing to
suck up to. And at times those criteria are better
qualification skills than a truly qualified person. In
Blame Game it showed the worst possible outcome of
Idiots in Charge—the lost of human life.
How about Mr. Superhero? (Yes I know
that’s not his name, however that’s how I think of
him). I like the notion of a modern day Robin Hood,
however as ‘good’ as Robin Hood was to the poor he was
still stealing. Mr. Superhero got a nice sad back story
that made us sympathetic to his plight. That still
doesn’t excuse his ‘stealing’. Despite the stealing
being wrong I think most of us would still applaud Mr.
Superhero. The people who SHOULD be applauded (in my
opinion) are the people like Bug. He gave without
stealing. In my eyes, Bug was the true Robin Hood of
this episode.
Just a
comment:
These episodes—weather wise—seem to hit at the exact
times these things are actually happening here in
Boston. During Under the Weather we had constant
downpour for about 3 days. Loves Me Not we got a foot
of snow. Right now in certain areas of MA there’s a ban
on outside fires – grills and such – because it is so
dry here. They’re afraid of wild fires right now.
How’d you guys manage to predict our weather better than
the weatherman??
Bug:
It seems Bug has decided to take his transformation in
stride. As much as he might want to go back to the old
Bug he’s determined to be the new Bug. Okay so this was
a bit ‘in the extreme’ of a transformation. I think
he’ll settle in-between the new ‘sports car Bug’ and the
old ‘my missing larvae Bug’. We already have evidence
of this fact. 1) He didn’t get a new car, instead he
gave the money to someone in need and 2) As mad as he
tried to be at the Superhero, he ended up determined to
help him.
How would I describe this new Bug? He’s
still got that quiet compassionate side he’s always
had. He’s still modest about it to. He doesn’t need to
make a big deal over it nor does he need praise and kind
words from his coworkers about it, but you can tell it
means a lot to him to hear those thoughts voiced.
At the same time he’s more vocal. He’s
speaking his mind more, no longer afraid of stepping on
other’s toes. He has a place—finally—in the family.
What do I mean by that? Families are
(typically) the people you feel the most comfortable
with. You laugh, argue, cry, celebrate together.
There’s a familiarity in the dynamic of the family
relationship. You’re not afraid to call your brother an
idiot, or borrow your sister’s shirt without asking,
because you know despite the bumps things usually even
out. I feel that Bug has finally hit that stage where
he can express his feelings around the morgue, without
fear of what the repercussions will be. He’s always
been a part of the family, don’t get me wrong. I just
felt he was more of the quiet child—never daring to do
anything to upset anyone…until this season.
Lu and
Woody: First Lu. Finally we’re starting to see some
personality peak through that façade Lu wears so well.
What we know of Lu is limited. We saw her break down
last week, but except for that one event she’s presented
a force field-like personality—blocking the bad and good
from getting to her. Unable or unwilling to show
emotion for fear or something…letting people get close
to her, letting herself fit in…I’m not sure why she has
walls up. Hopefully that’s developed much more.
I thoroughly enjoyed Lu and Bug working
together. Here we have two serious and proper people
working on a ‘superhero’ case. Probably not something
either of them would chose as a case. Yet as they
worked together I saw an easy, compatible relationship
between them. I loved when Bug started to undress Mr.
Superhero and he asks Lu for help. The ‘you must be
on drugs to ask me that’ look and ‘when hell
freezes over’ no were great. (You see some
personality is starting to come through).
We learned something else about Lu.
She’s curious, cautious and interest in Woody.
Curiosity gets the better of her. She asks Bug about
Woody. That’s a risk. Asking will lead to the question
“Why do you ask?” It sends up red flags. Lu neatly
side steps the question, but it’s going to come up
again. As they say the cats out of the bag.
Woody—I haven't seen Woody this relaxed
and carefree all season. I'm enjoying it for the
moment. I’m still a bit peeved over the ethics of the
situation, but I’ve let it go. (Okay I haven’t totally
let it go…she was his shrink only four months ago! And
making out in the office, that’s a no no. Okay now I’m
done ranting).
To me Woody and Lu’s relationship is pure
fun. Like when you start dating. No intentions of
anything serious, you're just getting to know the
person, enjoying their company.
My bet is when they get pass that point
things will start to fall apart as they realize they
aren't 'meant to be' (though if truth be told I think
they ‘could be’, but Jordan’s in the picture so…). The
thought of them together doesn’t bother me—at least at
this moment. It’s just nice to see a relationship
that’s not filled with anguish.
I have to say they worked well together
(even if I thought that case didn’t call for TWO
detectives). There was an easy camaraderie and banter
between them. They enjoyed each other’s company.
And yes I have to comment on the robots.
The glee in Woody’s eyes when he saw them—it was like a
child in a toy store. It was nice to see the writer’s
be true to the characters. I’m sure for all of you
(like me) your first thought when you saw the robots was
Secrets & Lies (from season 1).
I would have loved for the robots Woody
put in the freight elevator to appear later in the
episode, however I think they would have needed to
appear in Jordan/Garret’s story line. I’m glad they
didn’t appear though, I think the tone of the A plot
would have lost some of its effect if the robots had
made an appearance.
Lily:
I love seeing Lily in her role as Grief Counselor. Even
if it’s only a glimpse like we got today.
I’d love to be in Lily’s head right now.
I truly wonder what was running through her mind when
she saw Bug. You could see the thoughts on her face
when she was talking to Bug about the car insurance
money being given to Mr. Superhero. Lily has always
known what a ‘sweet guy’ Bug is. I don’t think she was
surprised in the least by Bug’s actions (in regards to
giving the money away). To me the end scene was Lily
not letting a good deed go unnoticed. I (and yes this
is the millionth time I’ve said this) DON’T think there
is anything between Lily and Bug, nor do I think there
will ever be.
Nigel:
Go Nigel. Finally. I know Garret’s been dealing with
many issues this season, but it’s about time someone
told him to shut up. (in a loving way of course).
Everyone gives Garret his space. Granted they at times
DO go against Macy’s orders—usually with the best of
intentions that pay off. However there’s only so much
crabby-ness a person can take.
Jordan:
She was in the background for most of this episode,
which worked fine for me. It was nice to see Jordan
have a NORMAL (as normal as can be that is) week. She
went about her job. There was no finding lost boys,
going after a killer, or any of the other craziness she
usually gets herself into. Sometimes there’s something
to be said for calm.
I have to say though I LOVED that we went
back to the old formula of Jordan and Macy ending the
day with a talk in his office. There’s something
special between Jordan and Garret. (not romantically)
The two of them ‘get’ each other. One is always there
for the other. (Interesting how this season it’s been
Jordan who’s—for all practical purposes—been the steady
one.)
Sometimes it’s nobody’s fault. In the
case of Garret—those words were never more fitting.
With that let me lead into Garret.
Garret:
They’re such a dysfunctional family. I have to say
though I agree with Jordan and Abby. It’s ‘everybody’s’
and ‘nobody’s’ fault. There is no specific person to
lay the blame on. Sometimes things happen in life and
it’s not how you got there that’s important, but how you
deal with it now (in the present) that matters. This is
one of those times, where years of shoving problems into
a bag and not dealing with them finally became too much
and the bag split at the seam. And it made one
big mess. Amazingly it looks like for once
things might turn out okay for them.
Garret’s a good man. I liked how he
dealt with Cronin. Making him explain to the families
is probably the worst punishment you could give a guy
like Cronin (then again he probably doesn't have a
conscious...).
Film:
The way that fire shot down the hillside at the start of
the episode was truly impressive. I liked the special
affects. I liked the overall feel of the filming too.
It moved and flowed from one scene to the next really
well. I have to say I like Miguel’s directing much
better on this episode (as opposed to Code of Ethics)
Overall 3 1/2 out of five dead bodies.
Because I loved the robots and the fact that the writers
remembered some of the past CJ. Entertaining, and
somber it was an episode that let Bug shine a bit.
The cases were ok, not spectacular, but at least
believable. I found I lost interest in the A plot
(firemen). It just didn't keep my attention
throughout the episode. Bug's story I was
entertained with, definitely my favorite out of the two. Overall a decent episode.
Definitely entertaining.
