Friday, January 26, 2007

CSI:NY "The Lying Game" review

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After a female dancer is found dead in a hotel mens room, Det. Don Flack (Eddie Cahill) knows what to do. He calls in the NYPD evidence team so they can figure out what happened. Det. Stella Bonasera (Melina Kanakaredes) and Dr. Sheldon Hawkes (Hill Harper) soon arrive, and they discover the victim is actually a female impersonator. This is only the first of several odd turns, which will be described later.

Across town, Det. Mac Taylor (Gary Sinise) and Det. Danny Messer (Carmine Giovinazzo) have another crime scene when a body becomes buried in a salt truck used to de-ice streets. Careful processing leads them to a sporting goods shop, where Danny notices blood. Since Dr. Sid Hammerback (Robert Joy) told Mac death was a result of blunt force trauma, attention focuses on the three shop employees.

Although each claims innocence, two alibis do not hold up when double-checked. Since Mac knows a rat when he smells one, he and Danny call the phone numbers on the receipts from the places the employees claimed to have been. The same person answers at both locations, which raises further suspicions. Danny and Mac then visit a business specializing in alibis when people want to engage in hanky-panky. The two employees were having an affair, and this led indirectly to the victim's death.

The victim was killed from a shove into a display case. An employee who falsely believed he was about to be let go lashed out in rage. Mac knows the truth, but he doesn't say anything when he makes the arrest.

Meanwhile, Stella and Hawkes discover a convention was held the night their victim died. While several hundred suspects exist, one name catches their eye. A politician left a fingerprint on the victim, showing clear evidence of DNA. Could this be the killer?

They do some digging, and find Congressman Garth was considered the primary suspect in a Connecticut rape case. Even though the police had a clear case against him, the accuser recanted. In other words, she did not press charges. Mac arranges to send their counterparts much needed evidence, but the question remains whether Garth is guilty of murder.

As it turns out, he isn't. The killer is a man who decided not to walk away from the impersonator after being insulted. Flack is happy to make the arrest when the guy arrogantly states he did the world a favor by murder.

In the midst of both murders, Mac deals with a personnel issue. Det. Lindsay Monroe (Anna Belknap) receives a call from a prosecutor in Montana. A serial killer of four young women has been apprehended. Since Lindsay is the sole eyewitness, she is asked to testify. She doesn't realize Mac knows she was the only survivor. Stella and Mac both give her a hug, and Mac assures her she will be okay.

Lindsay decides to leave Danny a note instead of saying goodbye in person. However, she also says she is going away for a while and will return soon. Danny puts the card in his pocket without mentioning it to anyone.

This episode was a little lackluster. Somewhere down the line should be a show about the political rapist. Flack and Stella stepped on his toes when they talked to him, and complications would not be out of the question. Anyway, it's not their problem, yet. The golf store owner death was straightforward, but having Mac take it seemed a little odd for the evidence team leader's forceful personality.

Anna Belknap is on maternity leave, so it may be a while before Lindsay returns. I can understand her card to Danny, but why not let him ask Mac what's going on? After all, Mac is in charge of everything and everyone in the lab. At any rate, the storyline should continue. Despite many hints dropped, no complete explanation has been given. I wonder, then, if this is going to be another "Run Silent, Run Deep"? This vehicle gave Carmine Giovinazzo a chance to show his range as an actor while opening viewers up to Danny's past. Perhaps the same can be said for Lindsay this season.

Monday, January 22, 2007

CSI:NY 1/17

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Snow brings out all kinds of reactions in people. For some, it's the excuse they need to remain indoors with a cup of hot chocolate and a good book. Others bundle up and run outside to play. When a group of kids break a window with the football they decided to toss around, they discover a dead body. Mistakenly thinking they caused the man's death, they quickly flee the scene. Time to call in the NYPD evidence team, headed by Det. Mac Taylor (Gary Sinise).

Mac, Det. Stella Bonasera (Melina Kanakaredes), and Det. Don Flack (Eddie Cahill) examine the crime scene, Most of the furniture in the room is covered up with sheets, suggesting the owners are away and might not return for some time. They decide there was another person in the room, but there aren't any clues to where that person is now.

In Central Park, Det. Danny Messer (Carmine Giovinazzo) and Dr. Sheldon Hawkes (Hill Harper) have a case of their own to work. A man is lying on the snow, clearly underdressed for the weather. He is next to an overturned shopping cart, which doesn't make much sense. It's not long before two groups of people run past pushing carts. What makes the scene even more bizarre is each group is wearing costumes. Danny and Hawkes have work to do, but take note of proceedings for future reference. Adam Ross (A.J. Buckley), one of the CSI technicians, soon arrives to help process the scene. Danny teases Adam since the tech strongly resembles an Eskimo, but Adam retorts he is from Phoenix and so winter weather in New York is COLD. Blood and fingerprint evidence imply at least two others were in contact with the victim prior to his death.

More costumers and carts speed by while processing continues, and this time the cops follow. What they find is the Idiot Run, which is New York's version of the Iditarod race. The goal is to get to the finish line first, preferably before midnight. Danny finds out sabotage is part of the game, but the victim was seriously hurt. Could this have led to the victim's death?

Dr. Sid Hammerback (Robert Joy) tells Danny and Hawkes the murder weapon was a woman's right foot. He's partially right, but the weapon is mannequin instead of human. Danny talks to two witnesses, one of whom he suspects could be the killer. One lost her heel, found at the crime scene. Although neither admits having done the deed, Danny takes moldings of each woman's right foot to double check. It's quickly clear they told the truth.

Further analysis of the cart brings up the name of a market where the rolling receptacle could have come. One wheel is rusty, meaning it might have been used for a long time. As the detectives make small talk while searching the alley, Hawkes mentions he had never partaken of real mozzarella. Danny immediately invites him to his mother's for a Sunday meal. The two find a white dog, whose fur was on the cart basket. It doesn't take long for them to find the dog's owner, a homeless man who tried retrieving his cart at the Idiot Run finish line. The victim was killed after he took the man's cart for the race. The man was incensed that someone would try and take what little he had. He ended up lashing out in anger with the fake foot, causing death from blunt force trauma.

Back at the lab, Det. Lindsay Monroe (Anna Belknap) tells Mac trace evidence analysis brought an interesting piece of news. A hair found at the crime scene shows the other person in the room was female. The problem now lies in the whereabouts of the woman.

The killer turns out to be the woman's former husband. They were going through a divorce, and he found out his ex-wife was involved with another man. On the day in question, he saw them participating in a sex game set up to look like a home invasion. The victim would rescue the woman and accept her thanks as her hero. The husband got upset, and killed the man. He and his wife later concocted a story to make it seem as though she was attacked. Stella interrogates him before placing him under arrest.

This gets back to what CSI:NY is all about. A crime is committed, and it is left to the detectives to solve things. Adam finally opened up about his life somewhat, but the question which remains is whether or not he transferred in from a Phoenix police department. Lindsay was not given a lot of air time for this episode, but the actress who plays her is pregnant. It shouldn't be long before Det. Monroe takes a leave of absence. Whether or not she returns remains to be seen, but I have not heard anything to suggest she won't.
Snow brings out all kinds of reactions in people. For some, it's the excuse they need to remain indoors with a cup of hot chocolate and a good book. Others bundle up and run outside to play. When a group of kids break a window with the football they decided to toss around, they discover a dead body. Mistakenly thinking they caused the man's death, they quickly flee the scene. Time to call in the NYPD evidence team, headed by Det. Mac Taylor (Gary Sinise).

Mac, Det. Stella Bonasera (Melina Kanakaredes), and Det. Don Flack (Eddie Cahill) examine the crime scene, Most of the furniture in the room is covered up with sheets, suggesting the owners are away and might not return for some time. They decide there was another person in the room, but there aren't any clues to where that person is now.

In Central Park, Det. Danny Messer (Carmine Giovinazzo) and Dr. Sheldon Hawkes (Hill Harper) have a case of their own to work. A man is lying on the snow, clearly underdressed for the weather. He is next to an overturned shopping cart, which doesn't make much sense. It's not long before two groups of people run past pushing carts. What makes the scene even more bizarre is each group is wearing costumes. Danny and Hawkes have work to do, but take note of proceedings for future reference. Adam Ross (A.J. Buckley), one of the CSI technicians, soon arrives to help process the scene. Danny teases Adam since the tech strongly resembles an Eskimo, but Adam retorts he is from Phoenix and so winter weather in New York is COLD. Blood and fingerprint evidence imply at least two others were in contact with the victim prior to his death.

More costumers and carts speed by while processing continues, and this time the cops follow. What they find is the Idiot Run, which is New York's version of the Iditarod race. The goal is to get to the finish line first, preferably before midnight. Danny finds out sabotage is part of the game, but the victim was seriously hurt. Could this have led to the victim's death?

Dr. Sid Hammerback (Robert Joy) tells Danny and Hawkes the murder weapon was a woman's right foot. He's partially right, but the weapon is mannequin instead of human. Danny talks to two witnesses, one of whom he suspects could be the killer. One lost her heel, found at the crime scene. Although neither admits having done the deed, Danny takes moldings of each woman's right foot to double check. It's quickly clear they told the truth.

Further analysis of the cart brings up the name of a market where the rolling receptacle could have come. One wheel is rusty, meaning it might have been used for a long time. As the detectives make small talk while searching the alley, Hawkes mentions he had never partaken of real mozzarella. Danny immediately invites him to his mother's for a Sunday meal. The two find a white dog, whose fur was on the cart basket. It doesn't take long for them to find the dog's owner, a homeless man who tried retrieving his cart at the Idiot Run finish line. The victim was killed after he took the man's cart for the race. The man was incensed that someone would try and take what little he had. He ended up lashing out in anger with the fake foot, causing death from blunt force trauma.

Back at the lab, Det. Lindsay Monroe (Anna Belknap) tells Mac trace evidence analysis brought an interesting piece of news. A hair found at the crime scene shows the other person in the room was female. The problem now lies in the whereabouts of the woman.

The killer turns out to be the woman's former husband. They were going through a divorce, and he found out his ex-wife was involved with another man. On the day in question, he saw them participating in a sex game set up to look like a home invasion. The victim would rescue the woman and accept her thanks as her hero. The husband got upset, and killed the man. He and his wife later concocted a story to make it seem as though she was attacked. Stella interrogates him before placing him under arrest.

This gets back to what CSI:NY is all about. A crime is committed, and it is left to the detectives to solve things. Adam finally opened up about his life, but the question is whether or not he transferred in from a Phoenix police department. Lindsay was not given a lot of air time for this episode, but the actress who plays her is pregnant. It shouldn't be long before Det. Monroe takes a leave of absence. Whether or not she returns remains to be seen, but I have not heard anything to suggest otherwise.

Tracking Like I Mean It

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Lisa W. over at Lemons and Lollipops has the same type of quiz I did. Check it out here. I do these links to other people's blog's for two reasons. One, it saves time when trying to come up with posts. Two, in the hopes of other people adding me to their blogrolls and sending me traffic every so often. I have only met two of the bloggers I read on a regular basis, and one was because I went to high school with her. So here's hoping....

Talk About a Smarty Pants

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Not sure this HMTL code will translate, but I will post a link to another blog where the link came out correctly.

You know the Bible 88%!
 

Wow! You are awesome! You are a true Biblical scholar, not just a hearer but a personal reader! The books, the characters, the events, the verses - you know it all! You are fantastic!

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Wednesday, January 17, 2007

Boston Legal breakdown 1/16

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Alan Shore (James Spader) returns from New Orleans, but the drama is far from over. Once he sees Denise Bauer (Julie Bowen) writing on a notepad, he just has to make a smarmy comment. All I will say is that it refers to hands and alone time. The rest is up to you.

Denise replies by asking if he has met Vanessa. Alan turns to see that Vanessa Walker (Nia Long) heard every word. She inquires how often he is sued by women who work where he does, and he says usually wins. Denny Crane (William Shatner) makes an appearance before they can continue conversation. He has a bigger issue to contend with - he has managed to get himself on the airline no-fly list, which bans people who are 'suspect' from getting on a plane. This is a major issue, since Denny's girlfriend, Bella, is in Maui and waits for Denny to join her. Keep reading for more details later.

Vanessa, after winning her last case with Alan's help, finds herself with a Boston bugaboo. A teacher is accused of wrongful death after one of her students dies from an allergic reaction to a peanuts. Shirley Schmidt (Candice Bergen) takes on the role of co-counsel and schedules a meeting with the deceased child's parents. The case has less to do with money than with making an example of the teacher's responsibility.

When they go to trial, Shirley and Vanessa portray the teacher as one overworked with too many duties. Less than a minute might have gone by before the Epi-pen was administered, but it did not change the outcome. While the teacher might have broken rules by being on her cell phone during lunch, she was trying to find out the status of her ailing father. The fact of his passing was a double blow to the client.

Vanessa shows the child's parents could have hired someone to keep an eye on their offspring just in case. They failed to do so, thinking the teacher would be able to handle things. After all, according to them, children with autoimmune problems are in regular classrooms all the time. Would a 'shadow nurse' have ensured the child's survival? Perhaps not, but the point is made clear to the jury. A verdict is to Vanessa and Shirley's favor. Even though the teacher could have been re-instated, she opts to get her real estate broker license instead.

Denise, meanwhile, is juggling a problem of her own making. Alan has been trying for quite a while to seduce her, to no avail. Alan being Alan, he mentions she has a sexual scent about her. He openly wonders if the other party is one of the partners. Denise is terrified, since she came to an agreement with Jeffrey Coho (Craig Bierko) and Brad Chase (Mark Valley) for sex whenever one of them wished. Neither man knows about the other, yet.

Brad tells Denise he never told anyone about their arrangement, but he does have advice to get Alan off her back. All Denise has to do is become the pursuer, and Mr. Shore will run for the hills. When Alan makes yet another comment about Denise's scent, speculating aloud about Jeffrey and Brad specifically, she takes Brad's advice and suggests she and Alan go to his office.

Surprised is putting things mildly for Alan upon hearing Denise suggesting sex atop Alan's desk. He promptly clears off various objects, and Denise later emerges out of the closed door with an surprised look of her own. Brad and Jeffrey are equally stunned. I'm not sure why, since Alan sleeps with anything in a brassiere.

Speaking of, Clarence (Gary Anthony Williams) is in full female regalia and pretending to be Oprah. This hit Shirley's radar, since the incident took place in reception. When Claire Simms (Constance Zimmer), Clarence's boss, talks to him, she finds out his date with Sandy, the gym manager who dropped his membership when he stopped wearing the dress, did not go well. Claire assures her assistant someone appreciates him for himself. Could this be a hint to a future storyline? Wait and watch....

Claire tells Clarence she has a hard time trying to make it in a man's world as a woman. Clarence replies she should stand on her own terms. She doesn't say anything, but heras the message loud and clear.

And now back to Denny and the airline. Paul Lewiston (Rene Auberjonois) lets Alan know a representative from Homeland Security is waiting in Alan's office. When Paul seeks out the reason why, Alan asks if the managing partner really wants to know. Paul decides he doesn't.

Although Alan asks nicely (for him, anyway) that Dennny be removed from the no-fly list, the other man says it is not as easy as it sounds. The people whose names bring up red flags for the government, and rightly so, are not linked with details which would make it easier to screen out innocents caught in the crossfire. Alan knows what he needs to do, and heads for court.

The judge is not sympathetic to opposing counsel. She says the government must either remove Denny's name from the list or leave his name on, and let him fly anyway. Bethany (Meredith Eaton-Gilden) comes up to Denny in the courtroom hallway and says she would like to get back into a relationship with him. He tells her about Maui and her mother, which opens him up to another body tackle. Bella, if nothing else, taught her daughter how to achieve that perfectly.

I get the feeling BL is getting back to its original concept - trying cases. One question is now taken care of, what to do about making Clarence part of the regular cast. While he is now in the opening credits, Nia Long is not. This would tend to mean Vanessa will not hang her boots in Boston. Personally, I think she belongs somewhere else. Will someone give Jeffrey and Brad a trial to work on? In other words, get them doing their jobs.