Episode 34
Family Ties (01-13-03)

Brief Synopsis: Jordan and Elaine team up to find the answer as to why a woman was shot during a car-jacking. Also a baby is found near the dead woman, But her husband believes the baby isn't his.

Jordan: Jordan goes through her typical antics.  She gets a ‘feeling’ and goes with it.  IT proves to be a correct feeling—never doubt Jordan’s instinct.  She and Elaine actually worked compatibly with each other (that’s improvement from the constant battle they always seem to do when in each others presence.)

Yeah Jordan looks cute holding a child—that’s been said before.  She wonders what type mother she makes which makes me believe that she does want a family—a good man (Woody’s waiting!!) and kids (with her and Woody’s looks they’d be some cute kids).  And then Jordan has to believe that she won’t turn out to be like her mother.  I think that fear always comes back when she holds a child in her hands—she always looks so sad.

Jordan brings up James.  Max says he kept things from her and Jordan tells him he lied to her.  I’m inclined to agree with Jordan.  When she was young she didn’t need to know, but when she started asking about her mother’s murder (and it’s obviously affected her personal life immensely) Max should have told—especially knowing Jordan’s personality.  You think she wouldn’t eventually figure it out? 

There’s some teasing about Max being Jordan’s father—he doesn’t handle Jordan teasing him well.  It had to be hard on Max.  He finds his wife trying to kill James a baby who’s not even his.  It’s a hard call—the decision he made.  I’m sure a part of him has always regretted it.  But then I wonder if James had grown up with Max as his father if he’d gotten the same love he received from his adoptive family.

Elaine: Elaine had quite an emotional episode.  I got a much better understanding of her and the protective shield she seemed to have built around herself and her colleagues.  She had a 7 year old son who died.  Losing a child can have a huge affect on a person.  Their whole personality can change.  I don’t think Elaine is as bad as she’s made herself out to be.  She just doesn’t want to attach herself to anyone—the fear of getting hurt again is a strong reason behind her behavior.

The scene where Jordan tries to get Elaine to ‘play’ (visualize the crime scene) was hilarious.  Elaine can’t get past her very grounded way of looking at things to play the game.  It’s the first scene that Jordan and Elaine weren’t going at each other.  They were both trying to work together.

Nigel and Lily: Asides from learning a bit about Nigel’s past and his relationship with his father this case was a little boring for me.  I found Nigel’s care for the man touching.  Nigel’s a good person.  He helps everyone—not just Jordan.  He goes the extra distance to help people.

3 out of 5 Dead Bodies.