May 2010 Calendar - Plus One

I had the following Bobby calendar all ready and "good to go," then I got an email from Heather and...well...let's just say May is gonna be a "bonus" calendar month. You get two...two...two for the price of one. Enjoy!!

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And now...the bonus round.

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Supreme Court Nominee...Uncle Jay Style

I realize that the next "logical" post would have been the comments and Bobby slideshow from the final Goren & Eames LOCI episode, but I'm not quite ready for that. Meanwhile, Music Wench's post today reminded me of this week's "Uncle Jay Explains The News" video in which he sings...dueling banjos style...as to how both parties will handle the upcoming Supreme Court nomination. Funny stuff and... sadly...freakishly accurate.

Loyal Partners...Plus A Couple

I shall apologize at the outset for the initial image that will greet you in this post; many of you cannot stomach the sight of Jeff Goldblum these days. I get that, but you know, I don't blame him for what happened with the show. He's just a guy, trying to do his job. But, having said that, I'm not interested in watching a Law & Order CI that does not include Detective Goren. LOCI was Goren...and...Eames, but mostly Goren for me.

The purpose for the following photo is to show everyone precisely who was responsible for the atrocious writing in "Loyalty Part 2."


I felt so sorry for Rodgers in the scene at the cemetery, so I wanted to include a photo of her. She looks so forlorn.


One last "tongue flick" for the road, or is Bobby merely sticking out his tongue at the departing FBI agents?


And now that brings us to the partners...the good and faithful, LOYAL partners...slideshow.

By the way, did anyone else notice how Nichols kept watching Bobby with this wary, bordering on mistrustful, look? It was almost as if he expected Bobby to "explode" at any moment.

Eames - The Last Slideshow

Well, I suppose I should say this is the last Eames slideshow for the "last" new Law & Order CI episode. I still have dozens of shows to screen cap and quote, so there will be more Eames, of course...just no more new material.

She had a lot of good moments in this one; especially at the end. When she got all teary-eyed in the captain's office with Bobby, I could not help but wonder...was it Eames or Erbe getting all emotional?

Eames Slideshow - "Loyalty - Part II" - Season 9

Uncle Jay Explains Taxes...Sort Of

In "honor" or perhaps I should have said "horror" of "tax day" here in the good old U.S.A., I thought I would share this video from "Uncle Jay Explains The News." So, enjoy.



For some reason, the entire width of the video is not showing on my blog, thereby, cutting off most of the right side. I've never encountered this problem before; usually the video will extend beyond the right hand boundary, but not this time. So, if you want to watch Uncle Jay, just double click inside the video and it opens up in YouTube...where I snatched the dang thing anyway. Argh! All this bother for a silly video.

Dixie Carter - The Ultimate "Designing" Woman

I have been so wrapped up with restoring my laptop to its former working condition and watching the entire second season of "Damages" this weekend that I had not heard the sad news about Dixie Carter passing away yesterday morning. She was 70 years old. That's hard to believe; she always looked so young and vibrant.

I know she has had a long career, but I shall forever remember her as the tough, classy, high-spirited and redoubtable business woman... Julia Sugarbaker. "Designing Women" was one of my all time favorite sitcoms. I loved all four of those big-haired, loud-mouthed, brassy, ballsy, larger than life southern women...until Jean Smart and Delta Burke left the show that is.

Like most shows that undergo a "major" casting change, it lost its appeal after those two cast members departed the show. Hmm? Any other show that recently suffered a similar fate come to mind? Those of you who are avid Law & Order CI fans may or may not know that Tony Goldwyn...Bobby's ne'er-do-well brother, Frank...appeared on "Designing Women" way back in 1987 as a young man, dying of AIDS.

There are so many funny, touching episodes and scenes that come to mind, but since this is a "tribute" of sorts to Dixie Carter, I found a couple of my favorite ones over at YouTube. My all time favorite Julia "tirade" is the one involving her and an IRS agent named Ray Don (that's what I love about the South...everyone is called by both their first and middle names) but I have never been able to find that particular scene on YouTube.

One thing about Julia Sugarbaker...she always endeavored to conduct herself with the deportment of a sophisticated, well-bred, gentile southern lady. Unfortunately for Julia, but fortunately for the viewers, the writers frequently played havoc with that image -- with hilarious results -- by having her walk down a fashion runway with the back of her skirt tucked inside the top of her pantyhose, or getting her head stuck in the banister while decorating the Governor's mansion for some fancy shindig.

Perhaps my favorite episode doesn't involve Julia at all. It's when Suzanne and Anthony (Meshach Taylor) have to share a hotel room in the dead of winter when they get stuck in a snowstorm en route to a design show. Good stuff. Good show.

Good-bye Dixie Carter...you were one classy broad.

In the following clip, Julia takes issue with Charlene for "ratting" her out because Julia heard the rest of the group discussing the case she was hearing on jury duty. Because of Charlene's interference, the jury is sequestered, thereby, putting Julia's upcoming dinner with former President Carter at risk.



Whenever the "girls" and their significant others went away together for a long weekend or vacation...well, let's just say it was always "eventful" and usually provided Julia with an opportunity to freely express her opinion on things.



Finally, perhaps Julia's most memorable "tirade" is her infamous "The Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia" speech. It was no secret that Julia and Suzanne Sugarbaker had an oftentimes tempestuous relationship; they were sisters after all. Though Julia frequently took issue with Suzanne's self-centered, materialistic ways, she was also fiercely protective of her. Though Julia may not have always "liked" her sister, she "loved" her and was the first to rush to her defense...as evidenced in the following video. Blood is truly thicker than water.



Acknowledgments go to DavidLovesDisco, guanabeetv, and SouthTubeGathering respectively for the featured videos.

"High Midnight" - Another Vincent D'Onofrio Film?

I happened to stumble upon this information a few minutes ago while I was going about the monotonous task of restoring all my "lost" information to my newly repaired laptop. Anyway, when I arrived at Vincent D'Onofrio's imdb page, I found this new movie listed for 2010; i.e., "High Midnight." Well, it's new to me at any rate, however, the rest of you "Vixens" may have heard about it already.

Now, I have been told that anyone can put anything on these sites, so it may not be true at all, therefore, I shall rely on those of you who possess more stalwart investigative skills than I to undertake the sleuthing for me.

This brief synopsis was provided: "A broken-down sheriff is forced to join forces with an obsessed Victorian vampire hunter to defeat an undead force consuming a small frontier town in 1892 New Mexico." VDO has top billing and his character's name is Marshal Stoudenmire. Vampires, the undead, the wild, wild west and Vincent D'onofrio. Who could ask for anything more?

Now, I don't much care for vampire or scary movies, but I have to admit that I rather fancy the notion of VDO in a western. Ah, yes... that's a delicious image to have in my head as I fall asleep tonight.

"Loyalty" Part II - Initial Reaction - SPOILER ALERT

Don't read this if you haven't seen the show yet; I need to vent a bit.

Well, except for the last five minutes, I cannot begin to tell you exactly how much I HATED this episode. I don't think it did justice to Bobby and Eames...not even close. Too much time was spent on the sub characters/plot, too much time on Nichols, wayyyyyy too much time was focused on the new chick -- who I instantly disliked when she turned and said, "One more thing," when questioning someone. I SCREAMED, "that's Bobby's line, you bitch!" There was just way too much of EVERYTHING...except Bobby and Eames.

Wasn't it nice of them to make Eames a captain "pro-tem" (is that the right term) so she could fire Bobby. I get why they did it that way, but it still pisses me off. Good for her for telling them to stick it.

And SHIPPERS everywhere will be delighted to see Bobby kiss Eames on the cheek before he gives her that good-bye hug.

Yes, they explained the plot they started last week, but for an episode that was supposed to give us a satisfactory conclusion to Bobby and Eames, it fell far, far short of the mark...at least for me. I'd say I'll have more to say once I digest it and watch it again, but I don't know if I want to watch it again. One thing is for sure, it won't take me long to screen cap the Bobby and Eames scenes...there's aren't that many of them.

One last thing. The opening scene is of Ross' funeral. We see Eames in her dress blues and Nichols in his dress blues, but Bobby is in a suit. That stuck out like a sore thumb for me, and sort of set the pace for the whole episode. I mean, the freakin' writers deprived of us that visual of Bobby in his dress blues. What a crock!

I am very, VERY disappointed. Someone out there tell me I'm wrong...tell me it's not as bad as I think it is. Please...anyone? Well, I'm off to bed, but I don't believe I'll be drifting off to sleep anytime soon. Yes, I know it's silly to get this riled-up over a television show, but I am. I never thought I'd see the day when I said this, but D'Onofrio and Erbe are well rid of these nitwits.

"Loyalty" Part I - Comments & Observations

I may be a bit late with this post, but wanted to get my thoughts and comments about this episode "on record" before tonight's "finale" airs. Not that I have any earth shattering insights to impart...just a few offhand observations.

Well, right off the bat, I can say that it wasn't a truly "horrible" episode...a little confusing, perhaps, but not awful. My initial reaction, after it was over, was that it was a pretty far-fetched plot. I mean, proposing that Ross could create/head-up a law enforcement agency in Somalia or Puntland or wherever, and take on a corrupt government and merciless pirates...come on. Ross? Who thinks up these things? Oh, yeah. Walon...dumber than a box of rocks...Green. If they had to kill him off, they could have at least come up with a more plausible, or at the very least...understandable...story line.

For the record, never for a New York minute did I believe that Captain Ross had gone over to the dark side. I figured out fairly early on that he was undercover -- for what -- I had no idea. But I decided that "the woman" was most likely an FBI contact for whatever covert operation they had going.

Since the show moved to the USA Network, I have noticed that the morgue scenes have gotten progressively more "graphic." It's not as bad as "Bones;" I have to watch a lot of the lab scenes of that show through my fingers. I did find the whole exchange between Ross and Rodgers to be quite amusing. When she popped open the container of stomach contents and extended it toward Ross for him to "sniff" in order to ascertain the wine the deceased had with his dinner, I had to laugh. I loved the look of trepidation on his face. He clearly wanted no part of it, but he "manned-up" and took a whiff and said, "Too yeasty, I'll go with champagne." For a second, I thought he was gonna toss his cookies, but he held on and Eames' reaction shot was priceless.

Okay, can someone tell me when did Goren go all "shy" about a woman's anatomy, or anything for that matter? I'm still in the lab with the two victims when he pointed out...falteringly...that the woman had breast implants. He's sort of looking around and acting like he wants to "touch" it...cause we all know how he loves to fidget with stuff. Do you remember back in Season 1 in "Faith" when a self-assured, unabashed, cocky Detective Goren questioned a "supposed" 13 year old teen-age girl about her menstrual cycle? What happened to that guy? THAT guy wouldn't fumble over or mix words about a couple of boobs. And I believe Bobby would have known that implants have serial numbers...even I knew that.

Did anyone notice how "blond" Vincent D'Onofrio's hair looked sometimes in this episode; specifically when Eames is recounting how she saw Ross with a woman. I assume it was the lighting and the way it was reflected by the camera or something like that, but I found it hard to concentrate on what was being said because all I could focus on was Bobby's blond highlights.

I laughed out loud at Eames' reaction/facial expression when Bobby made the comment about Fox Hunting having been outlawed in England...how ever many years ago he said it was. I mean, she didn't say anything, but her expression spoke volumes. Something on the order of, "Yes, I get it. You're a freakin' walking, talking encyclopedia, but after eight years of it...ENOUGH already."

And I, for one, was happy to have the "doink-doink" back. I know a lot of viewers didn't care about it one way or another, but I have missed it. I always liked being able to follow the time line of the investigation; see how long it took them to nab the criminal and solve the case.

I know others picked up on this, but there were a couple of scenes where it almost appeared that D'Onofrio and Erbe had switched roles. For example, when the two of them are at their desks and they're discussing the redacted files, and Eames says she'll call and get a warrant, and Bobby, I repeat...BOBBY...says, "No, we should tell Ross." I found myself screaming at the TV, "Who are you, and what have you done with Detective Goren?" I mean, Bobby has always been the rogue, bull-by-the-horn cop, and Eames has always been the by-the-book, no nonsense cop. It's a little late to change them now, don't you think? Then there is the scene when Ross tells them to put the files on his desk by the end of the day. And later, Eames tells Bobby that she's going through the emails she found, and Bobby says, "Ross told us we should have this on his desk by the end of the day," or something like that, and I thought, that's not Bobby. He wouldn't say that. Eames would say that...not Bobby. So, like...WTF was that?

That whole scene with Bobby in the plane hangar was interesting, and I quite enjoyed his plane imitation. Don't know why, but it was these quirky little things that made us all fall in love with him in the first place. Have you ever noticed how Bobby always looks so "hurt" when people make him out to be a cop when he is trying so hard for them not to know?

As death scenes go, I have to say that the writers didn't do Ross justice. It was pretty lame and ho-hum. Don't know anyone else's thoughts on this, but Ross just didn't come across as the undercover cop type...not suited for it. Poor Bobby thought the Chief of Detectives was hoping he would get himself killed when he went undercover in "Purgatory," and here Ross is the one who gets snuffed out.

I felt really sorry for Rodgers when Bobby and Eames found her at the crime scene. Given her line of work, she always comes across as pretty blase about the whole dead body thing. It's different when it's one of your own, however...and someone you obviously care about. It was sweet when Bobby reached out to console her.

And, please don't misunderstand, I know that Bobby and Eames would be upset about Ross' murder. I like Eames' line about it not being about jurisdictions and politics...he was their friend. Nice line, but I never got the "friends" feeling from Ross. And Bobby...being Bobby...would have, of course, "demanded" access to the crime scene if for no other reason than the FBI was hell-bent on keeping him out. But his, "We do what our boss tells us. Our boss is over there," line didn't do it for me. Again, after eight years of a decidedly different Goren, that comment just didn't ring true...to me. Quite frankly, I believe Bobby deserved a better line. Too bad the writers were not up to the challenge, or simply didn't understand the character.

Here's a question: Ross took two shots to the body, right? Then, how come, when Bobby is looking at Ross in the body bag, there is smudged blood all around the left side of his face and across his forehead? His face looked scratched-up, too. Maybe it happened when the perps dumped the body. Hey, I answered my own question. Go figure.

It was a very nice...unspoken...moment that Bobby and Eames shared when they were standing there, watching the proceedings. Eames was getting upset and Bobby reached out to comfort her. She sort of lets her guard down for a split second and leans in to accept his embrace, but then pulls herself together before she loses control and pulls away. But that's Eames...stoic to the bitter end.

Which leads to...perhaps...my favorite line/scene of the episode. As they are walking away from the crime scene, Bobby says he thinks their investigation may have gotten Ross killed. He goes on to tell her about how he confronted Loftin in his hangar and how he "thought" that Loftin read him for a cop. Point of order, Bobby. The man flat out asked you if you were a cop, and asked to see your ID. So, yeah...he made you, darlin'. Anyway, as they continue to walk, Eames gives him this look and says, "We don't have time for you to "torture" yourself. We have to beat the FBI to his files." Ah, there's that no nonsense Eames again. The Eames equivalent of, "Snap out of it!"

Meanwhile, back at the ranch; i.e., the Major Case Squad, there they go doing that role reversal thing again. Bobby is at the computer, going through files and deciding they need to take the hard drive and Eames is rifling through the captain's desk, looking for clues. Whoa Nellie, hold the phone...do you remember when Bobby found "scrolling" to be a challenge and needed Eames' help to restore a screen saver? Who is this guy?

Okay, here we go. Did anyone else hear the "Snidely Whiplash" music playing oh so softly in the background when Zach Nichols entered the captain's office? Actually, to be fair -- she writes, adroitly dodging the bushels of rotten tomatoes being hurled at her virtually through cyberland -- had it not been for the way the USA Network mishandled this whole fiasco regarding Vincent D'Onofrio, Kathryn Erbe, and Eric Bogosian leaving the show, the inclusion of the Zach Nichols character made perfect sense. He was, after all, Ross' former partner, they had a history, and Ross was his captain, too. Now, having said that, it thoroughly pissed me off that Nichols got to interrogate the bald dude all on his lonesome. Yet again, I found myself screaming at the TV, "Bobby should be the one questioning this guy. You get the show in a couple of weeks. Go do your little dance in hell now!"

I did love it when Bobby asked him if he had a screwdriver. Don't know why that sticks out in my memory, but it does. Yes, folks...it sucks being me.

Here's another question: Did anyone else not find it totally absurd that-- given the whole post 9-1-1 era-- that someone shot off a heat seeking "missile" -- a MISSILE -- at a warehouse on Staten Island in broad daylight...and no one noticed. I'm not sure if that's bad writing or just plain scary.

Oh, and did you catch the FBI "bitch" calling the Major Case cops, and I quote, "pricks?" I sincerely hope that Bobby nails this witch in tonight's episode...and not in the way we all want to be "nailed" by Bobby.

And one final note: I have a feeling the "Goren lean" in the interrogation room was purposely done by VDO for the devoted fans who have followed this wonderful character's every move for the past eight years. I have no way of knowing that, of course, but it gives me a warm, fuzzy feeling in my tummy to believe it, so I'm going with that.

Well, it is almost 8:30p.m. as I put the finishing touches on this post. Only an hour and a half to go until we are forced -- against our will -- to bid a melancholy farewell to our dashing detective extraordinaire. I am, to say the least, full of conflicting emotions.

Just Bobby Slideshow - "Loyalty" Part I - Season 9

Slideshows From "Loyalty" Part I

Here are a few slideshows from last week's episode. I'm saving the "Just Bobby" one for my comments/observations post.

Eames Slideshow - "Loyalty" Part I - Season 9


Partners Slideshow - "Loyalty" Part I - Season 9


Bobby imitates an airplane. I don't know, I found this totally endearing. It reminded me of when he whinnied like a horse in "Ill-Bred" in Season 3. And for the record, I'd "fly" Bobby any day of the week and twice on Sunday.


And, finally, Rest In Peace Captain Ross. You were not around long enough for me to develop a real warm and fuzzy feeling for you, but you weren't a bad guy, and you certainly didn't deserve to die.

So, How Come Eames...

...is wearing Bobby's badge? At least, that is what it looks like to me in the following picture. I just started screen capping the episode a few minutes ago and caught this. That sure does look like 4-3-7-6 to me on that badge she is wearing. Hmm? Wonder what that was all about, or perhaps my aged eyes are just playing tricks on me. (You can enlarge the photo by clicking on it to get a better look at the numbers.)


Yep, and that sure looks like 5-7-9-8 on the badge Bobby is wearing. Perhaps it was just D'Onofrio and Erbe goofing around, or maybe the wardrobe department simply "screwed" up.

A Couple of Previews From "Loyalty" Part "Deux"

I just realized that USA was re-airing "Loyalty" Part I at 9:00a.m. this morning, and I completely forgot about it. Guess I'm losing my touch...or interest...already. Okay, this first scene has been around pretty much all week, and shows Bobby acting...well...all Bobby-like.



The second scene starts out...for like 15 seconds...with an uncharacteristically taciturn Bobby, then switches to Nichols and his new partner. Not happy about that. Ah, well...the agony and the ecstasy is almost over.



I suppose I should give credit to the source...albeit begrudgingly...at YouTube, which is LawAndOrderonUSA.