After one gets past the judge’s attorney’s callous and somewhat heartless remark when he tells Carver that, "It’s in here," when he is referring to the young lady lying dead in the judge’s kitchen, we arrive at some pretty good Bobby moments. For example, he keeps opening and closing and “sniffing” the trash and Carver asks Eames if his “investigative style is always so sociable." Eames just nods nonchalantly and says, "Yeah, sure."
I thought it was pretty cool how Eames took the lead in questioning the Judge while Goren “snooped” about the room. The look on Blakemore’s face was priceless as he watched Bobby…like he couldn’t believe his eyes. I also found it very chivalrous of Bobby to take exception to the fact that Blakemore didn’t even bother to walk his “mistress” to the door once he was finished with her. He was asleep upstairs. I like to think that Bobby would be a more thoughtful and considerate lover. And, yes, I realize Bobby is a “fictional” character.) Bobby’s “just one more thing” question was neat, too in that he asked the judge what he had eaten for dinner. The judge just scoffed at him and left the room. I would never scoff at Bobby. If you watch the scene closely and slowly, it looks like D’Onofrio can barely contain a smile when he asks that last question.
I love how Bobby rattles off the litany of traits intrinsic to the “semi-professional." Carver sounded more than a bit skeptical when Bobby said there was a profile in the literature. Then he proceeded to explain precisely what that entailed. He’s so smart...is my Bobby.
"Semi-Professional" Quotes - Part I
Sometimes, Bobby exhibits “good manners." Like when he and Eames visit the victim’s mother and he asked the mom’s permission before he started poking through her daughter’s things. It, perhaps, had to do with the woman’s age and his “respect” for that. That and the fact that the woman had Parkinson’s Disease. Let’s face it, he’s not always so solicitous of other people’s feelings.
As frequently happens, Eames gets the good line when Bobby is reciting the titles of some of Emily Trudeau’s articles, and she tells him to, “stop it, you’re making me hot,” in this deadpan voice. Oh, and you can see the wheels turning in that magnificent head of his when he delivers his follow-up line about maybe Emily’s “Law Review” articles are what got Blakemore “hot.” He grows pensive, reflective…in other words…a “typical” Bobby moment. I adore those...can't get enough of them.
I truly enjoy watching Eames and Goren take a potential perp through his paces; especially pompous, pretentious ones like Judge Blakemore. It was fun watching them bait and then “reel-in” that arrogant ass in his office/chambers. Blakemore was certainly sweating bullets wondering about the location of Emily’s laptop after they were finished with him.
"Semi-Professional" Quotes - Part II
Sometimes Carver gets on my nerves when he gets on the Detectives for changing their minds about a suspect. I would hope that he would want the actual “doer” behind bars for committing the crime and not just any old Tom, Dick, or Henrietta. Carver is almost haughty when he tells the trio that “he” will handle finding out who wanted Blakemore disqualified from being a candidate for the Appellate Court.
Then, after he leaves, they adjourn to this pub where Deakins introduces them to a friend who can tell Goren & Eames how it “really” works. I enjoyed the scene in the bar. We learned a fresh snippet of information about Deakins’ life, and it was good to see a relaxed, refreshing smile on Bobby’s face. Those were the “good old days” before life wore him down. I can relate to that.
I love to watch them track down the perp…unravel the “clues”...such as they are. They start with a few questions to the Deakins’ friend, who directs them to the Bar Association, which in turn leads them to the lady who had been sexually harassed by Blakemore, and that sends them traipsing off to the car service where they “deduce” that their “person of interest” may have a record and that sends them to the probation office.
"Semi-Professional" Quotes - Part III
I thoroughly enjoyed the scene in the probation office between Goren & Eames when they are reviewing files. When Bobby lists the offenses of one of the potential suspects, Eames comments that a history of violence sounds like one of the distinguishing features of the semi-professional hit man. Bobby sort of gives her a questioning look, and Eames “quips” that she only looks like she’s not paying attention to him. Nice Bobby smile in response.
Okay, is it wrong of me to "sorta"…feel sorry for…the perp in this episode? I mean, Arnie, not the judge. Arnie is just a poor, small-time schmuck who loves his wife and gets in over his head. He’s not “creepy” like most of the doers who turn up on this show. He’s almost likeable.
If we didn’t already know this tidbit about Bobby before now, we find out that he has spent some time in
Deakins didn’t seem to cotton much to the idea that Sabatelli was involved. Leave it to Bobby to ask him if he minded which judge they go to for the warrant.
"Semi-Professional" Quotes - Part IV
And then Eames didn’t make any friends with Sabatelli when she asked him, “Isn’t that why they call it probable cause?” For a petite woman, she’s spunky.
Evidently, Bobby speaks a little French because he translates the title of the judge’s book that is a French edition. The way he pauses and looks at the book for a moment…a little wistfully…makes one wonder if he might be a little “envious” of the judge…maybe he has a secret longing to be a writer? Probably not, but you never know. I thought it was sweet when he shyly asked the judge if he could buy the “out of print” book from him because he would “love to read it.” You know, sometimes it is difficult for me to discern when Goren is sincere or merely putting on an act to get what he wants from a suspect.
The line about the sex being “robust” just conjures all manner of delicious images, doesn’t it? I’m thinking if there is one thing Detective Robert Goren knows about…it’s robust sex. And that is all I have to say about that...SIGH. And isn’t that just the sweetest expression on his face when he nods his agreement when, after reading a few passages from Sabatelli’s books, Eames states that the
I found the scene in Carver’s office interesting. And if we didn’t know it already, it is evident that our Detective Bobby has a wee bit of a temper. Of course, Carver provoked him with that line about Bobby’s assessment of Sabatelli being police code for “hot-blooded.” Loved Bobby’s reaction; i.e., “Don’t put words in my mouth!” Once again, however, it was a cool-headed woman (Eames) who saved the day by coming up with a plan to sort out the judge’s true colors. I love watching Bobby’s body language after something like this happens whether it be between him and Carver, or Deakins or Ross or Eames. He’s always a little shy or embarrassed and can’t quite look the other person in the eye. It’s adorable…proves he’s human just like the rest of us.
The scene in the courtroom when Sabatelli revoked Arnie’s parole and sent him back to the hoosegow was interesting. Poor old Arnie…he looked positively stunned that the judge was actually going to send him back to jail; especially after all he had done for him. I loved the look on Bobby’s face when Carver made a point of stopping and saying a smug, “Case closed.” Yeah, right. You could almost see the “We’ll just see about that” on Bobby’s handsome face. Because you must know that the case isn't closed until Bobby says it is. One would think Carver would have realized that by now.
"Semi-Professional" Quotes - Part V
I felt kind of sorry for Arnie when Bobby was reading from Sabatelli’s latest book and it became obvious that the “Donnie” character was actually base on him…Arnie. It is indeed disillusioning when the people we admire...look up to...turn out to be just like everyone else and stab us in the back. It was also very cool how, after planting the seed of doubt in Arnie’s crestfallen brain, Bobby and Eames just walked out of the room to let him ruminate on all they had said.
Then the always clever Bobby, after "rethinking" the evidence, comes up with the idea to arrest Blakemore, thereby presenting Sabatelli with an offer he "can't refuse;" i.e., observing the interrogation. Ah, the old "step into my parlor" ploy. Can you say...gotcha?
"Semi-Professional" Quotes - Part VI
The comment that Sabatelli makes about writers knowing their work inside out used to be true for me, but since my last book came out 17 years ago, I sometimes have to stop and think about plots and characters and such. It doesn’t come back to me so easily these days. In fact, I will reread one every couple of years or so…just as a reminder that I was once young and creative and a bit of a romantic.
I still find it hard to believe that a savvy guy like Sabatelli fell so easily for their trap. But then I suppose he was just so "caught up" in his own ego and his glee that his greatest foe was about to be taken down a peg or two that he forgot to be careful. It was neat to watch Bobby lay his trap, no dates on the articles, no titles on the articles, thereby, calling the judge’s hand. And I LOVED it when he walked right up into Sabatelli’s face and told him that he had plenty of passion and guts to commit murder. No one intimidates my Bobby…well…almost no one.
And, of course, the ultimate moment was when Bobby stepped in to protect Carver when Sabatelli made an intimidating move toward him. I can get on board with "macho" Bobby. I felt sorry for Eames having to pretend to interrogate Blakemore while Goren and Carver nail Sabatelli’s butt to the wall. Carver's parting comment about "not committing anything to paper" is so very true. Like I said...one of my favorite LOCI episodes of all time.
"Semi-Professional" Quotes - Part VII
Well, that's it for this episode. Sorry for the long post, but I couldn't seem to stop myself. Next up...as soon as I find the time...is "Phantom." Another one chock-full of great Bobby-moments.
