"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?

"Yesterday" Quotes

I cannot say that this is a particularly favorite episode of mine, except for the final interrogation scene when Bobby “persuades” Lippman to sit where he wants him to sit. I do so love that scene. And, I’ve been watching a lot of “Cold Case” reruns the last few weeks, so I did enjoy that aspect of this episode. I think Bobby would make a most excellent cold case detective.

Yet another episode with the draped badges. I believe this is the third one in a row.

But I should start at the very beginning…a very good place to start. Sorry, Julie Andrews just commandeered my brain for a second. Anyway, ever notice the razor-sharp memories on this show? I mean, without missing a beat, Eames rattles off the style of the miniskirt the corpse was wearing, the store where it was available, and the fact that it was only made one year…1983. I can barely remember 1983, let alone what I wore that year.

And did you notice the hint of “surprise” in Goren’s voice when he asked: “You wore one of these?” What? Does he think she’s a nun? This is the first time I’ve ever noticed Eames’ badge number…looks like 5796.

Continuing with that line of thinking...this is a 20 year old murder case, yet when Bobby and Eames go to Deakins to discuss it, he initially tells them to kick it back to Homicide. After a little “nudging,” however, Deakins relents and opens a desk drawer and magically produces the file of the aforementioned 20 year old murder case. Now, I realize this case has probably been a thorn in Deakins’ side for a very long time, but to have the exact file at his fingertips…I’m just sayin’.

The first interrogation scene with the former boyfriend was a bit different in that they brought Deakins into the mix…his attempt at being the “bad cop” with the guy he has always thought was good for it since way back in the day. This is where Vincent D’Onofrio positively “shines” as an actor. He doesn’t have all that much to say in this scene, but it’s the way he observes the suspect…watches his every move, absorbs everything he says, how he says it, and conveys the contents of his thoughts to the viewer without murmuring a single syllable…that is what makes him such an incredible actor.

Okay, I hope this doesn’t make me sound too terribly “shallow,” but there is something about watching a man…this man…kick open a door. I’ve written enough of those scenes in my day, but it’s quite another “watching” Bobby breathe life into such a primitive act. Needless to say, Bobby can kick open my door any old time he wants…not that he would need to.

">Quotes Slideshow -"Yesterday" - Part I


Just how solicitous was it of Bobby to warn the super at Morrissey’s old apartment that he was on to his lying ways and to tell him how to avoid detection in the future. Ever, oh ever the helpful detective. Then he concludes with this piece of sage advice, “If you’re gonna tell a lie, make sure you can back it up.”

Look at Eames, stealing Bobby’s thunder. He puts his arm around the guy’s shoulder and says, “I think I know what happened here.” But before he can get the words out of his mouth, Eames butts in and says, “Me, too.” Bobby, being the gentleman he is, just gives her a tolerant look and lets her say her peace.

I do love how both Bobby and Eames have a knack for being able to push just the “right” buttons to make everyone—well, almost everyone—they talk to want to spill their guts. Like when Eames tells Maureen that her “ex” can do better than a burned-out housewife with a faux mink, and Maureen promptly sets her straight as to the authenticity of the mink and the identity of the person who bought it for her…Ricky. So much for not seeing him in years.

Quotes Slideshow - "Yesterday" - Part II


When Bobby finds the letter from Ricky’s sister, he begins to piece together their relationship and says that Ricky was their “mom’s favorite.” In Season Six—“Brother’s Keeper”—we find out precisely what that means to Bobby. His own mother preferred his rat bastard brother, Frank, to him. If I make it that far in my screen capping and quoting of LOCI episodes, I’ll vent my spleen about that particular relationship when I get there.

Ah, Bobby with a gun and body slamming a suspect into a table. Need I say anything more? Didn’t think so.

Without a doubt, Ricky is one of the wimpiest perps LOCI has ever offered up. I love watching Bobby stalk about the interrogation room, circling the table, biding his time, observing…listening. It’s classic Bobby. Then he positions his chair behind the poor schmuck and proceeds to “straddle” said chair…a maneuver that sends shivers down the spines of Bobby fans everywhere.

Quotes Slideshow - "Yesterday" - Part III


I disliked the weasel Lippman instantly, but then I guess we were supposed to. But I liked how Bobby let him know upfront that he wouldn’t let him get away with anything…like how Lippman lowered his voice to “lure” Bobby across the room and out the door. Then Bobby tells him they’re done anyway and turns to leave in one motion, while putting his hand on Eames’s arm to stay her movement while he turns back around to ask his “one more thing” question.

As villains go, Ricky was pretty lame…sad really. A social outcast…friendless. I suppose his need to fit in…to be accepted…is what made him an easy target for Lippman…one that he could manipulate at will. I almost felt sorry for Ricky when Jay (Lippman) threw him off that building…what a pitiful, pathetic creature he was in the end.

Quotes Slideshow - "Yesterday" - Part IV


I know the detectives are all about solving crimes and bringing people to justice and all, but sometimes I wonder if they ever feel any sense of remorse or regret for dredging up horrible events that have happened to people. Case in point…Sally. They get her to tell them what Lippman had done to her when she was a 17 year old high school student…get the information they need…and then send her on her merry way.

I love how Bobby baits our wily perp through his wife by telling her to feel free to tell Lippman that he and Eames had been in their home to question her...they had no secrets from him. Yeah, right.

Quotes Slideshow - "Yesterday" - Part V


You know, Bobby’s reaction shots are oftentimes better than the words he actually speaks. For example, when Carver is doubtful of them being able to connect Lippman to the Alyssa Cooney murder without Morrissey to point the finger of blame at him, Bobby’s frustration is perfectly reflected in his “body language” as he turns in disgust toward the door. Even better…before that…Eames is reading the litany of things that had been done to the dead prostitute in Vermont, clearly connecting the two murders. Anyway, Bobby has this pissy, “I told you so” look on his face the whole time. Positively priceless, classic Bobby.

You just know there is going to be trouble when Bobby tells Lippman where to sit when he enters the interrogation room, and Lippman blatantly ignores Bobby and chooses a seat at the end of the table. You just know Bobby isn’t going to let that slide. There is nothing more gratifying than watching Bobby out-maneuver an arrogant suspect and get him to do his bidding. Like when Lippman’s attorney keeps doing all the talking and Bobby ingenuously points out that “he gets it” – Lippman’s lawyer is in charge, so they’ll just talk to him. Another “button pushing” moment. Bobby is so very good when it comes to pushing buttons.

Eames and Bobby both play him well in this scene. Once they decide to “shun” Lippman, Eames turns her back on him and Bobby focuses his attention on the attorney, Lippman is beside himself at being excluded from the proceedings. I chuckle every time when the lawyer reaches for one of the documents to show Lippman and Bobby pats his hand and tells him he didn’t say he could touch “that” because it was evidence.

Bobby just keeps baiting Lippman, telling him they found a pertinent photo of him, and Lippman keeps straining to see it from his position at the end of the table, and Bobby extends his hand in a “beckoning” gesture. All of this just to get the guy to sit where he wanted him to sit. Talk about a pissing match. Makes me wonder just what kind of “games” good ol’ Bobby would play in a real relationship.

Quotes Slideshow - "Yesterday" - Part VI


Then Eames sits down in the chair Lippman vacated, so he can’t go back. Now Lippman must endure Bobby’s questions…or must he? The insipid man actually thinks he can outmaneuver my Bobby by snubbing him and whispering in confidence to Eames. Hmph! Like that will deter our stalwart detective. I love it when Bobby yanks Lippman’s chair around and then sits down opposite him…toe to toe…as it were. Just like Glenn Close in “Fatal Attraction”…he’s not going to be ignored.

Anyone ever notice how…when the lawyers speak…no one listens. I mean, the lawyer states clearly that his client wants to return to his cell, but Bobby just keeps on talking. It’s like the lawyer doesn’t exist…I know how that feels.

Just a random observation…those eyebrows of his…they have a mind of their own.

And, following Bobby’s “aria” in which he explains the whys and wherefores and whatnots of Lippman’s pathology, our doer collapses into a quivering mass of sobbing “goo” and, with the utterance of four simple little words…"you have no idea"…Bobby nails another perp.

It could have happened before, but this is the first time I’ve noticed...Lippman had the last line. There was no follow-up “tag-line” by Bobby or Eames…as is the norm. Just some closing shots of Bobby, the lawyer, and Deakins and Carver in the observation room. Guess the writers didn’t feel anything more was needed or warranted in this episode.

Quotes Slideshow - "Yesterday" - Part VII


So another recap comes to an end. Only four more episodes to go in Season 1 before I can take a crack at Season 2. My next project is "Maledictus." I'll try to not lose my head over that one. Ha Ha.