"Anti-Thesis" Quotes

Ah, I have, at long, long last arrived at the episode that first gave us the nefarious Elizabeth Hitchens…aka…Nicole Wallace…aka… “Supreme Bitch of the Universe.” Actually, way back at the end of last June…yeah, I said “last” June – obviously, I am not the fastest cheetah in the jungle – someone emailed me and asked me to do an in-depth analysis of Bobby and Nicole. My first “request.” I’m honored…and a little apprehensive. I mean, I do not consider what I do to be any kind of "analysis" – in-depth or otherwise. I just jot down what I think about a particular scene, or plot, or character, or statement made by one of the principals...my "impressions" if you will.

Oh, well. Nothing like a little pressure to get the juices flowing. So, at the remote chance that the person who emailed me is still bothering to read my piddly, little blog, here goes nothing.

I have always enjoyed watching Bobby “walk through” how he envisions a crime was committed; e.g.; “The killer chose a weapon that would have meaning.” “Winthrop came in the room.” “The killer was already waiting.” “Winthrop turned on the light.” I mean those are very specific details. How the hell did Bobby “know” that the killer was already in the room or that the vic turned on the light? Maybe, just maybe, the killer was hiding in an adjacent room and slipped inside after Winthrop arrived, or perhaps Winthrop forgot to turn off his desk lamp when he left for the day…I do every now and then. Just sayin’.

Continuing on with that train of thought, Bobby takes a quick glance at the page of lyrics they pull from the secretary's home computer and goes immediately into profiling Bobby-mode. The man is flat out amazing…almost freakishly so. Even Eames seems a bit skeptical of Bobby’s super human abilities when she says, “Okay, how do you figure that?” after Bobby states that the author works for Hudson University.

Ah, but our handsome hero's "comeuppance" would be swiftly delivered by Professor Sanders when he informs Bobby that the originator of a particular quote written in the margins of a student's paper that Bobby was reading could not be attributed to himself, but Ezra Pound. You know, it isn’t often that somebody one-ups our stalwart, brainy guy…but Sanders did. I adore Bobby’s reaction shot; it is a rare occasion indeed when someone gets the better of Detective Robert Goren.

Notice how Eames calls the young college student, "Miss" Goodman, but Goren goes with the more familiar…Valerie? Flirty...that’s my boy. But this seemingly innocuous conversation ultimately leads them to the hapless Mark Bayley.

"Anti-Thesis" Slideshow - Part I



I love watching Bobby “work” a room – in this case a possible suspect’s room; i.e., Mark Bayley. Bobby baits him with the "Ezra Pound" quote and then sidles up next to Bayley while he…compulsively…grabs a book to try and prove Bobby wrong. And then Bobby picks up the box of cereal, or whatever it is, and reads/glances at the back of the box. He’s such a Bobby, but then that is the sort of stuff that attracted me to him to begin with. And then there’s that little rush I get watching him plop a morsel in his mouth. I don’t know why I react the way I do to stuff like this, but I do. I mean, I watch men eat all the time, but there’s just something so completely "watchable" about the way he does…everything. And if you're reading this, I know you understand what I'm trying to say.

And then Bobby goads him with, “I told you it was Pound,” and Eames follows with, “Maybe that is why your thesis is taking so long.” A nice, one/two punch. As Bobby would say, they have complementary skills. I gotta say, this Bayley kid was over matched from the get-go. Not only by Goren and Eames, but Nicole as well…she knew how to pick them. Yep, this poor kid was “way” out of his league.

Okay, I don’t know who "John Lobb" is, but I can’t imagine any pair of shoes being worth $2,000. The most I’ve ever paid was $139 and that was for a pair of Berkenstock’s…that I still wear to this day…and I nearly hyperventilated as I paid for them. But $2,000…holy moly. Besides, my unsophisticated eyes thought they were butt-ugly shoes.

Be that as it may, however, the discovery of the tan shoes did lead to one of the best LOCI scenes ever; i.e., Goren and Eames go shoe shopping…undercover. They stroll about the store, arm in arm, the epitome of a couple of haughtily bored New York posh sophisticates. I love the way Bobby hands back the one shoe to the clerk, as if totally disgusted by the "whole ankle-boot thing." He doesn’t have to say a word, the hand gesture alone sufficiently communicates his feeling about the shoe. Now, "that" is acting.

I never quite understood why Bobby “played” this “character” the way he did. You know, not quite straight, not quite gay, not uber-masculine, slightly feminine. His was an eclectic portrayal…to say the least. Oh, and dare I ask if anybody out there wants to be “whipped into shape” by Detective Goren? Anybody? Could I see a show of hands, please? What? No one? I guess that leaves me to be the lonely volunteer. Whip away, baby.

One final word about this scene; as much as I love it, I have to ask was it really necessary for them to go undercover to discover the name of the woman who bought Mark's shoes? It wasn't like the clerk was the sharpest knife in the drawer. Why didn't they just question him like any other potential witness? Oh, well. Maybe they were just bored with the routine questioning and decided to "spice" it up a bit. I'm glad they did.

"Anti-Thesis" Slideshow - Part II



Now would be a good time to warn those who cannot abide any lengthy discussion or visuals of the always irksome and completely despicable “She-Devil-Witch-Nicole,” well...now would be the time for you to look away.

“I hope it doesn’t sour you on our country,” Bobby says to Hitchens when they go to question her about Winthrop’s murder, and she says her “friends” at Oxford had given her "dire" warnings about America. I bet Bobby wished he had sucked those words back into his mouth and sent her scrawny blonde butt packing back across the “pond” after he learned what a truly vile person she was.

I do love Eames in this scene when, having grown weary with Bobby and Hitchens’ coy little back and forth volleys, she steps in and, in that succinct and no nonsense whimsical way of hers says, “I hate to be a spoilsport,” to effectively bring them back on point. Not only that, she steps in front of Bobby, so the devil “she-witch” has to look at her instead. Good for you, Eames. You go, girl!

And I don’t usually screen cap scenes that don’t include Bobby, but there was something about the “big detective” comment between Hitchens and Bayley that prompted me to do so.

Did anyone else notice that the usual “gallant” Bobby didn’t offer to assist Dr. Fellowes as she lugged and moved boxes about so they could sit down in her office? I mean, through the years, we have seen Bobby help people make Bouillabaisse, untangle wind chimes, plant flowers, etc., but not here. And when he did eventually “help” all he did was grab a couple of CDs as they were falling off the box Fellowes was moving. I just found it a bit out of character; Bobby is usually such a helpful gentleman.

Once again, I find the unspoken communication between Goren and Eames engaging. After Bobby asks Fellowes if she likes opera, and she says a “friend” gave her the CD, Bobby just gives Eames a look, and she “magically” knows he wants her to follow-up with the comment about “Don Giovanni.” And then he plants that niggling seed of doubt about Hitchens having a thing for Bayley. The exaggerated pretense of it all…God, he’s good…but how does he live with himself?

"Anti-Thesis" Slideshow - Part III



Ah, and now we arrive at the “classroom” scene. Okay, did anybody else find it ridiculous that Bobby…our Bobby…managed to remain inconspicuous for an entire class period, or…even more unbelievable…managed to remain “silent” for an entire lecture, before “outing” himself to Hitchens? I mean, come on, he answers her question and then the class ends, so they can have their little tête-à-tête.

Oh, well. It was a good scene and the one when Bobby truly realizes exactly what kind of woman he’s dealing with. You know the type…crazy-bitch. And for the record, if anyone would know about the descent into madness and obsession, it would be Nicole. Also, for the record…I just adore how Bobby looks when he raises his hand to answer her question. If he were my student, I’m pretty sure I’d find a reason to keep him after class...every day.

“The dogged, unrelenting pursuit of evil.” Yep, that pretty much sums-up Detective Goren’s obsession.

And here’s another reason to hate Hitchens, as if I needed one. Pretentious bitch says “donnez-moi un” break instead of “give me a” break when talking to Bobby. You’ll need to do more than throw around a few French phrases, honey, to entice Bobby with your feminine wiles. And while I’m on the subject, if anyone is going to “butter” Bobby’s “parsnips,” I volunteer to be the first in line.

Is it me, or can the man take a pretty innocuous word like say…misconstrue…and make it sound like the sexiest word in the English language? I am going to miss this character so much!!

I realize I’m preaching to the choir when I say this, but I love watching Bobby watch or “size-up” other people. I mean, that’s one of the many quirky mannerisms that drew me to him in the first place. In this instance, it’s when he and Eames are questioning Bayley. Bobby seems to know what “kind” of woman Bayley needs, but here’s a question. Exactly, what kind of woman does Detective Goren need? Again, I volunteer to conduct extensive research into the matter and report back with my findings.

I almost feel a wee bit sorry for Bayley when he realizes he’s been duped by the wily Elizabeth Hitchens. Poor kid, he’s not the first to be taken advantage of by an older, cagier, more worldly woman.

Here’s a question, in eight seasons, totaling more than 130 Goren and Eames episodes, have you ever, EVER, seen them call in a stenographer to take notes of a killer’s confession…besides this episode? Just askin’. I don’t know, maybe…considering Bayley’s track record with his thesis…they thought he’d write a thousand page confession.

Now, it goes without saying that Detective Goren is one of the most astute and observant characters to have ever graced the television screen. So, why did our all-knowing, all-seeing super-sleuth not notice that Mark started experiencing some distress shortly after putting the nicotine gum in his mouth? I mean, the kid is practically gasping his last breath before Bobby finally says, “Mark, are you all right?”

"Anti-Thesis" Slideshow IV



Okay, while I can accept the fact that the hostess at the Tai restaurant would recognize Bayley from a photo because he had gotten ill while eating there, I find it hard to believe that she could remember “what” they ordered to eat…two months later. But that's just me.

So, in Season 5, in “Slither,” we get to meet Nicole’s French boyfriend, Bernard, in the form of one Michael York, who…in no way…resembles the man in the newspaper photo Bobby shares with Deakins and Eames in “Anti-Thesis” in Season 2. And, here’s a question, if Bernard got life in prison for killing eight men, what’s he doing in New York in Season 5? They may have addressed that in “Slither,” but I don’t recall at the moment.) Besides, as we have all learned, TV producers and executives think the fans are inconsequential anyway, so why should they concern themselves with a little thing like…you know…storyline continuity?

I don't know how many times I watched this episode before I finally understood the bit with the key to Bayley's door. Like I said, sometimes I'm slow.

Moving on, I may have to take a dose of anti-nausea medicine before I watch and capture dialogue and make notes of this next scene. You know the one, the first time Bobby interrogates Elizabeth/Nicole. A part of me likes this whole cat and mouse thing that Bobby and Nicole have going off-and-on for the next…what…five or six years, but I was never on the band wagon that thought…for an instant…that he was interested in her “romantically.” When he and Eames initially interviewed her in her apartment, yes, Bobby’s pheromones were “on point” as it were, and he was in full “flirt” mode.

Perhaps, in the beginning, he might have toyed with the notion that he could "reform" her, but each time she showed up, Bobby uncovered more and more heinous things she had done, so – NO – unequivocally and emphatically, the Bobby I know and love could never have felt anything for this woman but contempt and disdain.

"Anti-Thesis" Slideshow - Part V



There is no doubt that Nicole had a knack for pushing Bobby's buttons, but then part of it was his fault because he let her get to him. And for a man of his intelligence, I find it hard to believe he let some "nobody" get under his skin like that. But then I suppose he realized the only way he could gain any information from her was to "play" her game. Anybody else want to scratch this bitch’s face when she taunted Bobby with his social security number and birth date? Nothing this "person" did should have ever surprised him. The depths of her depravity...it knows no bounds.

In this scene, you can see...at least I could...the instant Bobby starts hating her; it is the exact moment he learns what a truly despicable, loathsome “creature” she is. It's when she mocks/taunts Bobby with information she has learned about his mother. I remember the first time I saw this scene, I couldn’t believe the writers were giving us this much insight into Goren’s background all at once. Prior to this, we just got little one liners here and there. Of course, I hated that it was this bitch who was providing the information, and I despised her for causing Bobby so much anguish.

And the sparkling little girl line still sticks in my crawl. I'm sorry, Bobby, but I find absolutely nothing "sparkling" about Nicole. I mean, I'm sorry she was abused as a child, but that does not give her a license to wreak havoc on the rest of the world. And I still don't understand why she would try to “help” Bobby at the end before she walked out by giving him a clue regarding the foundation in Melbourne. Anybody?

Actually, knowing Nicole’s hatred of men and her proclivity to "swing" both ways, I’m surprised she didn’t try her feminine wiles on Eames, but then Eames is too level-headed and far more dispassionate than to fall for that. And, as usual, Eames gets the good line at the end when they arrive at Nicole's apartment to discover that she has flown the coop, and she says to Bobby, "What'd you think she'd have scones and a glass of sherry for us?" I think I'm gonna miss Eames a little, too.

"Anti-Thesis" Slideshow - Part VI



As an aside, did anybody notice that the lawyer they get for Nicole is also the clueless husband from “Pas de Deux” in Season 3, and he played another lawyer in “Endgame.”

Well, that wraps it up for inaugural pairing of Goren and Nicole. More of my inconsequential musings will be forthcoming in the next episode; i.e., "Best Defense." I'm working on it...slowly, but surely.

Just Bobby in "Anti-Thesis"

I had a "Bobby Dream" a couple of nights ago, an almost unheard of occurrence in the deep, dark recesses of my nocturnal slumbers. The last time I had such a dream, it was "good enough" to warrant devoting an entire post to its retelling, and it can be found here...just in case you're interested in the sort of Bobby dream my deluded brain might conjure. This dream was decidedly different from that one, however.

It began similarly, in that I was a spectator on the sidelines in the MCS interview room, watching Bobby and Eames question some individuals about a case. I wasn't watching a television screen; I was actually there in the same room, watching unobtrusively and quietly in the background. It was like they didn't even know I was there... which is pretty much how my real life goes. I have absolutely no recollection as to what was being said except that when it was over, this woman...I had never seen her before...walked up to Bobby. And right there before my bemused eyes, he smiled at her and took her in his arms and looked at her lovingly and kissed her on the forehead and announced to the room that she was pregnant...they were starting a family together.

Well, to say the least, I found this bit of news "surprising." To be clear, the woman wasn't Eames and she wasn't me...dang it. She was tall and thin and had long, dark, curly hair. I remember "dream thinking" that, so this is how they are going to deal with Bobby's departure from the show, send him off into the fading sunset to live "happily ever after" with this mystery woman.

Then the dream turned really "odd" in that Eames saw me and came over and asked me to go with her to the restroom...honest to God. I don't know why it is, but a good many of my dreams take place in bathroom facilities. Anyway, so here I am in the "loo" with Eames, and she starts complaining that her mouth hurts, and she opens her mouth...wide...and asks me to look inside and see if I can see anything like an abscessed tooth or something. She did this...like...three times; got right up in my face and kept opening her mouth as wide as she could.

And that, my friends, is the story of my life. Bobby's in the next room...with the love of his life who looks nothing like me...except for the hair, and I'm stuck in the bathroom, looking for a pocket of putrid puss in Eames' mouth. My life...even My Big Fat Freakin' "Dream" Life truly SUCKS!

Now on to the reason for this post; i.e., photos of "just" Bobby in "Anti-Thesis." Once again, I apologize to those of you who cannot abide sightings of the she-devil-evil-one, but...unfortunately...I could not "crop" her out of the photos without messing with the size of the pictures in the slideshow. That's when my borderline "OCD" kicks in...and - well, I'm dealing with a lot of crap here, folks, so just focus on Bobby's handsome face and all will be right with the world. Trust me.

One last thing, a couple of year's ago, I did a post about "Why I Hate Valentine's Day." That is why I had not bothered to pass on any good wishes for this day that is set aside for all the "pairs" of lovebirds out there...it holds no happy memories for me. But, as I was putting the slideshow together, I did make one small concession for the day...as you will see.

Enjoy our Bobby.

"Anti-Thesis" Extras

For those of you who have an "aversion" to visual references to SWMNBN or, as she has recently been called, "Ol' Heart In A Box," you may want to avert your eyes now. I'm sorry to those of you who find "her" offensive, but I simply could not help myself; there were just too many good opportunities to let pass me by. Hopefully, the photos and captions of Bobby and Eames; et. al., will make up for it.

Extras Slideshow - "Anti-Thesis" - Season 2

"Anti-Thesis" Partners

It's been one of those days, so I don't have much of a lead-in for this post. Just don't have it in me today. So without any "ado" at all, I give you the "Partners" slideshow from "Anti-Thesis."



I've been languishing over this set of posts for weeks...literally, and I haven't even started screen capping "Best Defense," the next one for Season 2. At this rate, I'll be dead ten years before I get through all the LOCI episodes...if then.

Eames In "Anti-Thesis"

Can't get over how young and "innocent" she looks. But then again that was seven plus years ago, and I don't look the same either. Luckily for me, however, there is no year-by-year video evidence to chronicle my aging process.

Eames Slideshow - "Anti-Thesis" - Season 2

"Bright Boy" Quotes

I have been looking forward to getting to this episode to quote and screen cap for quite some time now; especially since it is one that I particularly liked. In fact, it probably makes my Top 10 list of LOCI favorite episodes.

I don’t usually cap and quote the opening set-up scenes, but after watching this episode for at least the hundredth time, I just have to comment on the smarmy Deputy Mayor. Specifically, after Kim gets out of the car to “fetch” his paper, his wife calls and he says he is just getting out of the restaurant and saying good-bye to some colleague of the masculine persuasion. Do all men lie that effortlessly to their wives? Guess it's a good thing I never married.

On to the story. This episode contains one of my "all time" favorite Goren/Eames exchanges, and it happens very early on in the episode. Goren is examining the dead Deputy Mayor and plucks a microscopic fiber from the man’s coat. He ponders his discovery for a second and says, “Looks like Webster had a passenger, sat close to him, wore a purple cashmere sweater.” To which Eames replies, “Tight-fitting, size two, with a plunging neckline.” And, without missing a deadpan beat, Bobby says, “Hmm. That I can’t tell from this.” Good stuff.

Who says LOCI can’t have some “light” moments? USA morons.

It is always interesting to watch Goren and Eames piece together the crime puzzles tossed their way. They start out thinking the Deputy Mayor was the target, but as they wend their way through the maze of clues, they ultimately learn that the social worker was the intended target all along…just so the perp can get his “Bright Boy” into some fancy-schmancy elite school.

You know, had I lived anywhere near New York City, I would have volunteered (begged, pleaded) to be the murder victim every week just so Bobby could “check” me out for clues. Ah, to be checked out by Detective Robert Goren…I need a moment.

“I only eat candy,” says the initial smarmy suspect…Adolph. I know that line is just “begging” for a comment, but nothing comes to mind at the moment. As for his statement when he says, “I got this condition. Oily ears. It’s like I got “bugs” in there,” well…all I have to say is, “EWWW!” Actually, Eames’ expression sums up my feelings quite nicely.

"Bright Boy" Slideshow - Part I


I do love this man...Bobby. I am referring to the scene when they go to the school to question the head mistress – or whatever they call her – about the enrollment procedures. When Goren sees the mathematical problem on the board, he becomes naturally curious. The schoolmarm tells him he is going to disturb the children, but does that dissuade our Bobby? It does not. He wants to know if “these little kids are going to solve that?" Dr. Leonard follows with, “These are very gifted children.” To which, Eames replies with one of the best lines of the episode; i.e., “You’ll have to forgive my partner. He’s feeling very humble right now.”

When Goren and Eames go to talk with one of the kids who was on the "bubble," it is evident that he's really "into" music, and he makes a comment that "hot babes" go for musicians. I’ve got news for the kid, Charlie. Hot babes – and I believe that my “hot flashes” qualify me as a “hot” babe – don't only "go" for musicians. This one goes for tall, dark, handsome, crusading detectives.

It’s interesting to watch Goren and Eames work together, how they have each other’s backs and anticipate each other’s moves. Like when Goren asks Robbie if he wants to show him his room, Eames is on her feet in a second to finagle a way to keep the dad occupied, so Bobby can have a few minutes alone to question Robbie without his dad around. While I appreciate that because it’s…well…Bobby, if I were a parent who had been thus bamboozled, I’d most likely pitch a fit.

I’m thinking the writers for the show...at this time anyway...must have been Derek Jeter fans. Remember the foot rub Eames wanted from him? And now the kid has a Derek Jeter rookie card…signed, no less. Jeter’s okay…it’s that damn Yankee uniform he wears that’s the rub.

I feel so sorry for this little boy. A "classic" example of a parent who could not cut the mustard in his own life, aspiring to live vicariously through his kid’s achievements. Only problem with that…the kid doesn’t get to be a kid.

Another reason I enjoyed this episode was all the “baseball talk.” I love baseball…it’s in my blood, but I bleed "Cincinnati Red," not Yankee pinstripe blue. So, for the record, the glove Bobby pulled from beneath Robbie’s bed was not a catcher’s mitt, so he did not “deduce” that was the position Robbie played by the style of glove the kid owned. But Bobby was most definitely right in his declaration that “catcher” is the thinking man’s position on a baseball team. I’ve got a “thing” for catchers. It started with Johnny Bench back in 1969 and has been going strong ever since.

And that brings us to one of the things that I love to watch Bobby do…study the situation…ponder the possibilities…contemplate the clues…deliberate the – I just like to “watch” him, okay? And, in case you're wondering, I'm talking about the scene when he is studying the white board in the interview room.

And now for one of the silliest lines I “evah” heard from Eames directed to Bobby, “You really need a million bucks that bad?” Hello?! Like…yeah. Doesn't everyone?

Did anybody else find it incredibly sad that a ten year old child could feel so completely lost and alone that he had thoughts of suicide? Of course, will all the atrocities one sees in the news these days, I suppose it may not be all that rare?

"Bright Boy" Slideshow - Part II


I’m with Carver on being incredulous over the concept that a man would kill two people just to get his kid into an educational program. But, then I remember that the world is, you know, “insane” and I understand how it could happen.

After Carver works his magic and finagles a search warrant for Goren & Eames to execute at Robbie’s house, I love the scathing look Eames gives the dad when he says his son would tell him if he was unhappy. Can you spell clueless? It just dawned on me that this egomaniac father demonstrates all the disparaging traits of a “stage mom.”

And the jerk has the “nerve” to call Bobby a know-it-all. Yeah, yeah…I know, I call him that, too. But I say it with “love.” Bobby, bless his heart, just smiles at Bishop and asks him if he’s dyslexic. Which leads to a question? If Robbie's dad was dyslexic, how could he develop and implement a curriculum designed to teach a genius? How could he prep this kid for his SATs and all those other tests they talk about in this episode? Just wonderin'.

Okay, I don’t know about you, but I’m an adult, and can’t say that I could remember what happened to me “last Wednesday” without giving it some serious thought. So, when Eames asks Robbie if his dad read to him last Wednesday, and he answers...without missing a beat...well, I find that…not very believable. Even for a genius; maybe even especially for a genius.

I felt so sorry for Robbie. He just wanted to have fun and be a kid. Why is it that so many parents muck-up their kid’s life before they even get a chance to live it? Poor Robbie, all he wanted to do was play baseball. How was this child supposed to know that his crazy dad would kill someone over his little “white” lie?

I loved the scene when Goren and Eames are going over Robbie’s file and Bobby asks for the MMPI test results, and they find out they both had to take the same test their senior year in high school. Bobby had to go see the school shrink and Alex gets elected prom queen, or so she says. It was cute…the witty banter. USA Network should take a look back at some early episodes and learn a thing or two...or three. And I don’t know about you, but my high school barely had a couple of guidance…and I use the term loosely…"counselors," let alone a school “shrink.”

"Bright Boy" Slideshow - Part III


As much as I love the scene when Bobby talks to Robbie at his “school,” I have a lot of problems as to how they “orchestrated” this meeting. First, I would “think” that they would still need the father’s permission to talk with the minor child at the school, but then what do I know?

“I imagine I could persuade her,” says Carver in regard to getting Dr. Leonard’s permission to speak to Robbie at the University. Yeah, right. “Threaten” is a more appropriate term as to what took place. I have to say I agree with Dr. Leonard on this one. Oh, and – like I have to tell you this – watch Bobby in the background as the exchange between Carver and Leonard progresses. He is beside himself, waiting for the opportunity to get his “two cents” in…which he eventually does, of course.

I love the little maneuver/toss he does with the baseball to entice Robbie into conversation. And for the record, I – for one – would LOVE to play a game of “catch” with Bobby. I also love watching the nervous “leg bounce” when Bobby sits beside Robbie at the desk. Hmm? Wonder if I could come up with a way to harness all that nervous “energy?”

Poor little guy. As much as I wanted the dad caught for what he did, I hated that his kid had to “rat” him out. And talk about a parent putting undue pressure on a child…Robbie was in way over his head. It was nice to see Bobby try to comfort Robbie when he broke down in tears.

While, in my humble and completely “unbiased” opinion, no one has any better facial expressions that the redoubtable Detective Goren, Eames can sometimes give him a run for his money. Case in point, when David answers the door to find Bobby, Eames, and a couple of other detectives in the hallway, the “smile” with which Eames greets him is…priceless. Speaking of expressions, Bobby doesn’t look too pleased when David informs him he doesn’t have to answer his question about going to Colorado.

"Bright Boy" Slideshow - Part IV


Which leads us, as it invariably does, to the “gotcha” scene at the precinct. Although, they don’t question Bishop in the interrogation room, but the interview room. And, as I’ve said on numerous occasions, Bobby’s ability to lie “convincingly” and “effortlessly” at the drop of a hat is both amazing and a little...off-putting. I mean, I know it’s an effective police investigative tool, but I cannot help but wonder if Detective Goren can differentiate between lying at work and lying off duty.

How easily David believed Bobby when he told him that Robbie had solved the Riemann Hypothesis. This poor sap looked so happy… elated…thinking his son had solved this impossible math problem and then, “Bing! Reality!” From the heights of unbridled ecstasy to the depths of unbearable misery in the blink of an eye. That’s what our Bobby can do to a person. Although it did serve the purpose of convincing the dad to confess to avoid a trial, so Robbie need not know that his lie is what led his dad to murder the social worker.

"Bright Boy" Slideshow - Part V


So, that brings me...at long, long last...to the end of another episode and a most excellent episode it was. Up next is "Anti-Thesis," and -- yes -- I should warn you now, there will be"sightings" of that most despicable of all creatures...Elizabeth Hitchens/Nicole Wallace. I almost used the term "nemesis" when describing her, until I was reminded that Nemesis was a Greek goddess unsuccessfully pursued by Zeus, and I almost wretched all over my laptop. Can't have that now, can we?

Just Bobby In "Bright Boy"

I just got off the phone after a nice, long chat with my friend, Linda. She said there was an article in "TV Guide" this week in which USA states -- and I'm paraphrasing here -- that, basically, people don't want to go to bed "depressed," so that is why they offer shows like "Burn Notice," "Royal Pains," "In Plain Sight," and "White Collar." There was no mention whatsoever of "Law & Order CI."

Idiots. I mean, do you find anything...anything at all...remotely "depressing" about the gorgeous man in the following slideshow? I didn't think so. I rest my case. Welcome to USA...the clueless network.

Just Bobby Slideshow - "Bright Boy" - Season 2

"Bright Boy" Extras

I took a break from capturing the dialogue quotes from "Anti-Thesis" to try and finish the "Extras" slideshow for "Bright Boy." Turns out, I can't "force" amusing quips from my tired old brain today, so I'll just go with what I've got. Also turns out, I don't have much to say today by way of a lead-in, so let's just get on with the slideshow, shall we? Hope it makes you smile...if only a little.

Extras Slideshow - "Bright Boy" - Season 2

"Bright Boy" Partners

So, I'm watching "Frame" on Bravo (yes, I know it is a relative of the evil NBC/USA conglomerate, but I cannot help myself where Bobby is concerned) Sunday night when suddenly a singularly appalling thought occurred to me.

To explain, Bobby had just come into Rodger's morgue to learn how his brother had died. So, there is Frank, laid out on that stone cold slab, when it "hits" me...like a ton of bricks. In the Season 9 opener, when either Eames, or Ross, or -- God forbid -- Bobby gets murdered, we're going to be privy to that scene. That god-awful, gut wrenching, completely unimaginable scene when the two left standing meet with Rodgers...with the autopsied corpse center stage...to ascertain the details of their colleague's gruesome demise.

If it's Ross, I'll be sad. If it's Eames, I'll be distraught. If it's my Bobby, I'll be completely and utterly inconsolable and be tempted to throw myself in front of a bus. You know, I used to look forward to the season premiere of Law & Order CI with almost "giddy" anticipation. This season...not so much.

Here's a look back at our dynamic crime solving duo when there was considerably less "angst" surrounding their personal lives.

Partners Slideshow - "Bright Boy" - Season 2

Eames In "Bright Boy"

I've been working on the set of posts for "Bright Boy" for quite a while now. What can I say...I'm slow. The delay can be attributed to two things. Partly because when one's head feels like it is going to explode at any moment, staring at a computer screen loses its appeal. But "mostly" my overall feeling of malaise can be attributed to all the recent events and announcements surrounding the pending "demise" of my favorite television character of all time...Detective Robert Goren.

I don't mean demise in the ultimate sense of the word, but any way you look at it, (for me, at any rate) once Bobby departs at the beginning of Season 9...so do I.

And now we are being told that "someone" is going to die. I'm not overly concerned that it is going to be Bobby because Vincent D'Onofrio has stated in the press that Goren will continue to "pop up" now and again...whatever the hell that means. Of course, things have a way of changing in TV land, don't they, so who knows?

I have a sneaking suspicion it is going to be Eames, and that is all it is...a feeling. I don't know anybody who knows anybody who knows anybody in the "business" to give me the straight-up facts, so I'm just going with my gut here. All I know for certain is, it sure is hard to watch the old episodes now without thinking about what is "looming" ahead in the future for one of the "linchpins" of my favorite cop show.

Oh, well...enough of that. Here is a slideshow of Eames from "Bright Boy," which has to be one of my all time favorite Law & Order CI episodes.

Eames Slideshow - "Bright Boy" - Season 2



I may be out of line for saying this, but don't you just "hate" it when people leave comments on blogs "claiming" to know who the "victim" is because they "allegedly" witnessed the filming of the funeral scene, and then don't have the common decency to put us -- those of us who wish to know -- out of our misery? I hate this, "I know something you don't know" puerile attitude. So...like...BITE ME already.

"Dead" Quotes

This is not one of my all time personal faves, but it had its moments; especially its "Bobby Moments." I guess I found the grim subject matter a bit off-putting, but then Law & Order CI is a crime drama, not a “sitcom.” But I do remember when this actually happened in Georgia, so it is only natural the basic premise found its way to one of the Dick Wolf franchises. (Note: I began gathering quotes, making my notes, and then screen capping this episode back on September 9^th, way before USA made its announcement, so does my crime drama/sitcom analogy qualify as being…“ironic?”)

Right off the bat, we learn something new about Bobby…young Bobby, that is. And that is his biology teacher, Mr. Dixon, didn’t think he was much “fun”…at all. Poor Eames. I’m with her on this matter. Bobby is forever doing disgusting things with the murder victims/ corpses…his antics often make me squeamish.

Scotty, the young “druggie,” seemed quite impressed that Eames knew all the “hip” vernacular for joints…or whatever they call them these days. Kids like Scotty, by the way, are one of the myriad reasons, I am so very happy children were not a part of my life-destiny. Every syllable that comes from his insipid mouth is like some “joke” to this dim-witted twit. If that is an example of the “future” of our country, be afraid, folks...be very afraid. Kudos to Deakins, by the way, for his line, “So that’s what a brain looks like on embalming fluid.”

Okay, it never ceases to amaze me that Bobby and others can quote scripture so easily, so effortlessly…not just the everyday stuff of which most people are familiar…I’m talking about fairly obscure passages. Makes me wonder about the lapsed altar boy.

Ah, and this is the episode in which Bobby’s utters one of his “classic” lines. That being, “I need to use my most important investigative tool. My library card.” My question, why does Bobby even need to go to the library…he’s a walking, talking “Encyclopedia Britannica.” So, the lab comes up with all the ingredients of the “goop” that the perp injected into the victim’s body, but could not identify what it was. Yet, in the blink of an eye, Bobby came up with “boils” and the “Sixth Plague” and that Imhotep was the Egyptian god of medicine. I didn’t even know there was an Egyptian god of medicine.

I am going to make an “editorial” decision and refrain from quoting some of the more “distasteful” dialogue from this episode. When the undertaker and the other guy they bring in for questioning describe what is done to corpses in preparation for burial…well, the whole discussion is most unappealing, and I think I’ll forego regurgitating it in a blog post, thank you very much. I’m with Eames when the guy is telling her…in nauseating detail…the purpose of a trocar, and she says, “Let’s leave it at tool of the trade.” The thing is, Bobby is hanging out, ever so nonchalantly, in the background, making me think that he already “knows” about all these gory details.

Okay, I guess we learn a little something else about Bobby’s psyche and – perhaps – what it is that makes him tick and want to be a crusading, profiling detective of the first order. When he says the murder of Hagman was “impressive,” Deakins counters with, “It was demented,” and then Bobby says, “It worked. Whoever it is killed Hagman, I can’t wait to meet them.” He can’t wait to “meet” a deranged murderer? Perhaps there is a reason, after all, as to why he’s alone after all these years. The look Eames gives Deakins as the screen fades to black is pretty good, too. It’s like she’s saying, “See what I have to put up with?”

"Dead" Slideshow - Part I


I did enjoy the exchange between Bobby and Russell the first time they met and Bobby is questioning him about his “work” and asks if it is interesting. Russell replies that you “get used to it.” Then Bobby says that he heard the bodies don’t burn completely and you have to take them out and roll them over like a “log in a fireplace” – nice analogy, Bobby – and shove them back in. Russell informs him that it is called repositioning, and Bobby, with this incredulous look on his face says, “And you get used to that?”

Leave it to Deakins to know that silicon implants had to be removed before cremation. And that is all I have to say about that.

I’m sitting here laughing out loud at Bobby over something I had never noticed before. It is when he and Eames go back to the crematorium, and Eames is questioning Russell about the lady’s pacemaker. Bobby is…ahem…fiddling with his belt, as he is “wont” to do. (Actually, I “want” to do that, but I digress.”) Anyway, Bobby starts to walk around Russell, but then he leans in close and sort of “sniffs” at his neck. What was that all about? Perhaps he can smell some of the decaying, rancid odors out back on the guy?

"Dead" Slideshow - Part II


I just noticed another background “Bobby-move” I had not picked-up on before. You know, even though it takes me an inordinately long time to “quote” and screen cap these episodes, it is worth it for me because I usually run across a gem or two like this. It is a scene at 1PP when Deakins walks in with an update on the tally of bodies found at the crematory. Carver is at the table, drinking a cup of coffee and comments on Deakins’ statement. All the while, Bobby is behind Carver, his left leg bent and foot resting on a chair (or something) while he balances a file box on his thigh. Oh, mama! I truly do not know why stupid stuff like that “gets” to me, but it does.

And thanks, Bobby, for that delectable description of the bodies behind the crematory. What was it you said, they were decaying into one another like a “putrid soup.” Yum, yum. Thanks for that vivid image. It will be a long time before I dine on soup again.

I had to chuckle at Bobby’s profile of Harry Rowan when he commented on his “obsessive concentration on the task at hand.” I mean, HELLO. Isn’t that rather like the “pot calling the kettle black?”

I never get tired of watching Bobby “solve” a puzzle…like figuring out there had to be something hinky going on with the DNA from the crematory and asking Rodgers to run it through the national database.

"Dead" Slideshow - Part III


And then matching it to the DNA of murder victims and figuring out they were all mob hits in disguise. He’s so smart…is my/our Bobby. (Yeah, yeah…I’m sure Eames helped.)

I don’t have an awful lot of observations to make on this one. It’s pretty straight forward procedural stuff; i.e., the “formula” on which the show generated such a loyal following. The writers took the “basic” ripped from the headlines story; i.e., bodies found dumped behind crematory and added their own unique twist; i.e., crafty hit man uses DNA from bodies to plant on his own murder victims. Pretty clever. The rest is just watching Bobby…and Eames…figure it all out and nail the perp in the end. (And I do believe that is the first time I’ve ever used “i.e.,” in a paragraph three times.)

Ah, another Bobby line, “Like an itch he can’t scratch.” Oh, baby, baby, have I got an "itch" for you!

As always, Bobby knows just what buttons to push by confronting the unsub’s wife at the supermarket and acquainting her with her husband’s suspected debauchery. That’s one way to skin a cat, or get the guy to come down to 1PP. Actually, though it did serve the purpose, didn’t they sort of put the cart before the horse by ambushing the woman the way they did? I mean, yes, it turned out they were right…we knew they were right…but at the time they confronted Harry’s wife in the supermarket parking lot, all they had was a nagging suspicion…no real evidence. I felt kind of sorry for the wife; she didn’t have a clue that she was married to a ruthless, murdering barbarian.

"Dead" Slideshow - Part IV


All due respect to Bobby, but how did he think ol’ Harry was going to react to his wife being ambushed by a couple of NYPD detectives while she went about grocery shopping for the family? I mean, Bobby looks almost “peeved” that Harry took umbrage for his wife being thus ill-treated.

I do have one question, though. If Harry was such a "smart" murderer, why did he use the goop from his own garage on the undertaker? I think…I hope…if I was going to kill someone, I wouldn’t be stupid enough to keep something in my home that could link me to the crime. But then Harry was a bit of an egomaniac.

And then Bobby plants the seed of doubt in Harry’s big ol’ punkin’ head. He is so masterful at this. I love it when Bobby “struts” into the garage and says, “You didn’t find it, did you?” I have to say, I got a little "excited" when Bobby kicked the stuff off the freezer…hoo hah!

Okay, while it made for a good, solid episode and lots of Bobby mela drama, I have "one more" question. (Who does that sound like?) Could Carver truly make this case hold up in court? I’m sure the guy’s attorney could come up with a plausible explanation as to why Harry destroyed his garage and the clean-up "goop" could be common enough. They don’t have any actual “physical” evidence against him…just Bobby’s made up story about a missing porcelain cap and Harry's subsequent reaction and utterance that he didn't make a mistake. Oh, well. We'll never know for sure, will we?

"Dead" Slideshow - Part V


Now, it is on to the next episode..."Bright Boy." Now, I suppose that descriptive phrase could apply to a certain tall, dark, and handsome MCS "genius" detective, as well as the young lad who is the focal point of the episode. Oh, and I just checked and the "Petition" is up to 334 signatures as I post this.

Just Bobby In "Dead"

Well, despite the disheartening news regarding the pending departure of our favorite television gumshoe from Law & Order CI...life does go on. (Doesn't it?) Having said that, I will continue to do what I can to help keep Bobby "alive" in the minds and hearts of his steadfast fan base. (As, no doubt, will a whole "bunch" of other blogs that are dedicated to Vincent D'Onofrio and/or Detective Robert Goren.)

Considering the fact that I have more than a hundred episodes still waiting to be screen capped and quoted, I may be around for a while. Assuming, of course, I can maintain the spirit and "desire" to do so once the promise/hope of new Bobby episodes is forever gone.

Anyway, here are the "Just Bobby" screen caps from "Dead."

"Dead" Extras - Back To Normal...Whatever That Is

Still smarting from the news about the travesty surrounding the USA Network and the proposed casting upheaval at Law & Order CI. For the first time since the furor of Google Alerts began arriving last Friday...and every day since...I don't believe I received a single email today regarding VDO's pending departure.

I still don't know what to believe about all this, but for what it's worth, I "think" that probably bits and pieces of all the "rumors" floating around out there are true. USA most likely did play hard ball in its determination to force changes in the show and no doubt did all those things BASRIC mentioned on her blog. Vincent D'Onofrio is probably "tired" of this character and wants to move on, but his loyalty to Dick Wolf, the show, "Bobby," his fellow actors, and his fans led him to agree to this "compromise;" i.e., Goren lives, but leaves and drops in now and again this season, but eventually fades away...as will this show once he is gone.

As for me, like the "Eagles," I'm "Already Gone." I decided to not wait until next spring when the final Goren episode airs to enact my plan to boycott the USA Network. I stopped watching their network two days ago. I am also boycotting NBC, but that is easy enough. The only show I'm remotely interested in watching on NBC is Sunday Night Football, so I'll get by quite nicely without it.

I have just a couple of other things to mention before I get on to the main reason for this post. First, USA_LawOrderCI is now following me on Twitter. Should I be paranoid or flattered or unimpressed? And, second, what the hell happened to the "Save Goren And Eames" blog that helped spearhead this campaign?

Okay, back to "Dead." (Talk about your irony.) Considering the emotional roller coaster of the past week, it took me a few days to come up with some "possibly" witty captions for my screen caps, but I gave it the old "college try."

Extras Slideshow - "Dead" - Season 2

"Dead" Colleagues Slideshow

Usually, I call this post the "Partners" slideshow and include photos of...almost always exclusively...Bobby and Eames. But I captured so many photos that included Deakins, Rodgers, and Carver (oh, my) that I decided to switch things up a bit and give the whole gang a little "face time" on the old blog.

Colleagues Slideshow - "Dead" - Season 2

Eames Is "Dead" On

Well, it has taken me a while, but I have finally finished most of the "prep" work on the Season 2 opener titled "Dead." I still have to sort through and delete a "bunch" of screen caps that I don't need to keep, so it may be a few days before I get around to posting the rest of the slideshows, but get around to it I shall...eventually.

I realize this is a rather lackluster lead-in for Eames. She deserves better no doubt, but since I'm feeling quite like the title of this episode, this is the best I can muster at the moment.

Eames Slideshow - "Dead" - Season 2