Episode 86
Road Kill (11-27-05)

Brief Synopsis: Jordan and Woody attempt to stop a copycat killer.

The entire staff working on one case, with the exception of Lily who wasn’t around this episode.

I liked the case...I thought it was tense, suspenseful, and moved along at a good pace. Not too fast, but not too slow. Enough to keep you on the edge of your seat.

Ryan Kessler: You want to talk about a memorable character this was one. It was a wonderfully written part. (the actress did a wonderful job making it her own). Kessler made you believe without a doubt that she was the psychopath everyone claimed she was, yet she could pull you into moments of sympathy or at least understanding. She was creepy and crazy and insightful and smart—a deadly combination.

Jordan and Woody: Things seem to be smoothing out between Jordan and Woody at least work wise. Jordan isn’t going out of her way to avoid Woody. And Woody…well I liked him in this episode (asides from thinking the man REALLY needs a shave). This was the first episode since the beginning of the season where I haven't come away saying he acted like an ass. What I liked about Woody was he had the intensity he’s had in the first six episode, but he didn’t have the temper going along with it. He was much more in control of himself. The old Wisconsin Woody is gone, but in it’s place we saw a more mature Woody—my personal thoughts on this is that he needed to grow up a little before he and Jordan had any shot at a relationship.

Jordan and Woody had a really sweet moment when he came in to the make-shift morgue where Jordan was autopsying the body and he tells her it's late (3:45 am) for her to go get some sleep and he’d drive her back to the motel. I saw signs of their old friendship shinning through and it was just a wonderful moment in the episode. And to top it off Woody asks about J.D.—the man is curious. What was great is that neither of the two got defensive over the comment—though Jordan’s things are ‘good’ comment sounded far from reassuring.

I did see signs of...well jealousy...but more to it that just that...on Woody's face whenever J.D. was around. What was great was Woody tempered his typical responses and tried to be...well at least neutral with his comments, or he bit his tongue and kept his mouth shut!

Jordan and Pollack: Pollack upset me. Jordan's line of work will involve keeping some secrets (if we can call them that) from Pollack. He is a reporter, naturally there are things she, at times, won't be able to tell him. That he goes and traces her call...I guess I can understand his nature/instinct to do that, but (as Pollack said) it seems they both have some trust issues.

This is one reason why I can’t see their relationship working. Too many secrets…at least work secrets. Pollack is a reporter by nature. He wants the story, he wants to know what’s going on. He’s always going to be snooping, nosing around, showing up when Jordan really rather he not.

Woody and Pollack: First off: Pollack got his exclusive story…at least to some degree. He can claim fame to being shot…or captured. A gun shot wound is a tough way to pay for the lead scoop on the story.

Pollack: A little help here mate?
Woody: She’s your girlfriend mate.

Was Woody not enjoying this moment. Woody was watching their little exchange with pleasure—you could just see it in his eyes. He was probably thinking for ONCE! It’s not me in those shoes. How many times has Woody had that same argument with Jordan.

And the look Jordan gave Woody. It wasn’t one of frustration or disgust it was just annoyed amusement. It was as if some understanding had been reached (between her and Woody). Jordan got that Woody wasn’t getting involved and she got that he was enjoying not being the one in Pollack’s shoes.

Nigel and Bug: My favorite line (though there were many) was when Nigel goes on and on explaining something to Bug and Bug says: "I know." That just put a smile on my face. Those two always add to the cast.

Garret: Two words: Still drinking. Now I wouldn’t have a problem with it if it wasn’t in the MIDDLE of a WORK day and if he wasn’t drinking it out of a coffee mug (and an ugly one if I may add).

Notes of interest:
- Jordan is back to her typical pajama wear! The costume department must be back from vacation.

- The invisible letter writing. Wouldn't a high facility (any prison for that matter) know of this technique and watch out for it? I mean it just seemed way too easy, especially since Bug and Nigel both knew about the technique…

I thought it was a great episode, though I missed Lily. I definitely prefer episodes where the entire cast is all working together on one case.

5 dead bodies out of 5

P.S.: This might just be me, but the characters, especially Nigel seemed slightly off—written wise. I know these are brand new writers. I’m not complaining. I think they did a great job writing the episode, it just felt like they weren’t entirely in tune to all the little nuances and patterns of speech, especially for Nigel. I have to give the actors big time credits (especially Steve Townsend) because they truly worked to make the lines take their characters personality. Again maybe it was just me.

 

Lara's Review - Road Kill