Episode 29
One Twelve (11-11-02)

Brief Synopsis: This episode deals with terrorism. When Boston is hit by an explosion a high-rise office is in ruins. Jordan must try to keep a man alive until help comes to save him.

Title: One Twelve or Upon the Wasted Building (both have been cited as names)

 ‘And as I earnestly did fix my eye upon the wasted building suddenly I heard a child call underneath a wall.’ -Titus Andronicus (William Shakespeare)

One case, one crew, one brilliant episode.  The entire cast got to shine here.  Everyone had a role and everyone expressed their emotions in their own way (a believable way).  An episode that was a tribute to 9/11, they did a very good job with it.

Jordan: Jordan’s aspect of the situation was the most heart breaking.  Here is a man who survived the bomb (ironically he’s the bomber himself) and he gets trapped in the debris—debris that can’t be moved because it’s one of the structural walls.  Jordan sits with him and talks to him.  She cares for him, knowing the situation is hopeless she does what she can to comfort him. 

When she learns who he is and what he’s done she confronts him.  He tells her his story which is as heartbreaking as the whole bomb scene.  They were pointless deaths that were triggered by a third party who should have taken some responsibility.  If they had one hundred and twelve people would still be alive.  The man was wrong, but his story was heart wrenching.  Jordan does what she can to comfort him even after she knows he caused the explosion.

Compassionate and caring: Jordan.

Woody only has one small interaction with Jordan and it’s right before she goes into the building.  He tells her (and the rest of the gang) to be safe.  Woody being his caring self.  It’s in the small things that a person’s character shines.

Woody: Woody is a smart man and he proves it here.  He had a minor role.  He got to basically sit in on the FBI’s search for who planted the bomb.  He trusts his instincts and that’s what’s always made him good.  He goes with his instinct too even when they don’t jive with everyone else.  What’s great about Woody is he still respected the authorities.  He was brought in when he probably didn’t have to be, and he respected those around him, while still figuring out the truth.  He wasn’t gun-ho on showing them up, he was just doing his job—respectfully.

Nigel and Bug: (appear to be back on speaking terms—they haven’t worked on a case together since they had their big blow at each other.  Of course there’s nothing like a tragedy to put the past behind you.)

Garret and Elaine:  Wow! Did those two ever go at it?  Granted this was a high stress situation and by the time they had their argument they’d been up for at least 24 hours and had been working around the clock.  So some of the fighting words that slipped out probably would never been said under normal situations.  Just goes to show how the situation gets to everyone—no matter how tough the person thinks they are.

That Elaine went against Garret’s orders and spoke to the press was wrong, but someone needed to deal with them and Garret was putting it off.  Elaine did a decent job too.  She is well spoken.  I can see Garret’s view point on it—that it undermines him as the chief ME.  Garret handled everything on a emotional but also professional level.  He worked everyone’s tail off (including his own).  The gravity of the situation did get to him, but he used his emotions to get the job done.

Interesting Elaine’s comment that Garret shouldn’t be chief ME.  I do think she would like the job.  If her resume is anything to go by she was heading up the ladder (until 6 years ago—I wonder what happened—anyway she’s back on track).  We’ll have to see what happens.

Lily: While the others have experience this to some extent before Lily hasn’t.  She’s new on the job and never had to deal with a mass death before.  I think she did a rather brilliant job.  She stayed strong and supportive and did what she could for the grieving family members.  What impressed me even more was that she did have her break down, but she was able to pull herself back together and go do her job.  That’s the sign of a strong person.  I think she proved to herself (finally) that she can do this job and she can do it well.

4 out of 5 Dead Bodies. Strong emotional episode.  Great group interaction and some growth for the whole of the group.