"Maledictus" Quotes

Not a particular favorite episode of mine. Perhaps that has more to do with the fact that a writer ends up losing her head…literally…and it shows up at her publisher’s office. Granted, there were any number of things I wish I would have shipped to my publisher back in the day, but a severed head was not among them. Come to think of it, didn’t we have a decapitated writer in “Slither” in Season 5? Hmmm? Methinks LOCI may have a vendetta against writers.

Ah, "when writers need money, they write," says the doomed author just before she bites the big one. I never looked at my writing that way. Of course, the extra money was nice, and it came at a time in my life when I made “crap” by way of a salary at my “real” job(s). Writing, for me, was more of an “escape” mechanism, and when I was doing it, I was passionate and obsessive about it. Now, I can barely muster enough enthusiasm for a blog entry now and again. Life sure is funny old dog.

I didn’t care much for Eames’ “lost contact lens” comment to Bobby when he has his face in the box. He didn’t acknowledge it, so I guess he didn’t care all that much for it either. I’m with Eames though when they’re in Ilana’s apartment and Bobby finds the legal pad with Ilana’s scribblings in Russian, and she says, “If you tell me you can read Russian—” Bobby doesn’t say a word…just gives her a look as if to say, “Of course, I can read Russian,” and she responds with, “Oh, brother.” Yeah, he’s one smart cookie is my Bobby, way too smart for me, and for his own good on occasion.

Moving on to the questioning of the old Russian guy (Ilana’s father) in prison. He remains emotionless, won’t say a word, regardless of Bobby’s provocation. He gets up and leaves the room and his attorney asks Eames and Goren if they don’t have anything better to do than harass an old man, and Bobby gets in the guy’s face and says, “We can always harass you.” I loved it.

I have to admit that I am enjoying watching this episode again…up close and personal, so I can pay full attention to all of Bobby’s antics. Like, when he and Eames are questioning the Russian mistress in her apartment. Bobby starts to reach for something on a side table and when she tries to intercept him, he abruptly pulls back and sidesteps around her. I especially think it’s a hoot when he goes through her suitcase and pulls out her bikini bottoms and declares she had gone “south” on her trip. I have to say the Russian chick held her own with Bobby when she told him he was wrong…smart guy…they were leaving that night and going to Hawaii. “That is west,” she said with a little triumphant smile. Little did she know she had unwittingly given them an important tip in their investigation…someone else had killed Ilana before the Russian mob had a chance.

"Maledictus" Quotes - Part I


Okay, what’s up with the regular green pencil? Did the prop department lose his stash of blue Pentel “Quicker Clickers?” Because if he needs some, I have a considerable stockpile of my own that I am more than willing to share with the big buy.

I love watching them go through the machinations of trying to piece together bits of clues that lead them to the next phase of their investigation. By sifting through the pictures they found at Ilana’s apartment and translating the “working” titles of her book, they are led to the siblings Kenny and Martha, then to George and ultimately to the “flirtatious” Ursula/Anna.

"Maledictus" Quotes - Part II


Don’t you just love it when a suspect or interviewee tells Bobby to “drop” something, as Tate did when they were questioning him. That’s like telling the wind not to blow or the sun not to shine. He’s like a dog with a bone is our stalwart detective.

I realize I stated way back at the beginning of this post that this was not a particular favorite episode, but it does have some “memorable” moments. Besides the exchange with the Russian mistress, there is the scene with the brazen Ursula/Anna and the interrogation of the Canadian call girl near the end. Even though I didn’t particularly care for the subject matter, or the case itself, I guess it did offer up some rather juicy Bobby moments…as most LOCI episodes do.

Okay, I’m not sure whose reaction I like more when Anna casually “fingers” Bobby’s lapel…Eames’ or Bobby’s. Eames kind of gives Bobby the once over and throws a “what the hell was that” look at him, and Bobby just checks out his lapel and gives Anna a curious look. It was cute. Then Bobby goes on to say that he believes her when she says she’s not gay because of the “subtle” way she’s flirting with him.

Subtle, my ass…subtle like a bull in a china shop. She makes goo-goo eyes at him throughout the whole interview. I think Eames couldn’t decide who she wanted to smack more…Anna or him. I mean, Eames is asking all the questions and the chick directs all her answers to Bobby. Not that I can blame her, but it is downright rude. It is immensely entertaining to watch Bobby’s reactions in situations like this though, but – if nothing else – seven years of LOCI have shown us he has quite a penchant for “falling” for exactly the wrong woman.

This is another one of those “amazing memory” situations. Eames and Goren show up to question the sheriff about an incident that took place in November 1978, and he has instant recall about the case. (Well, maybe not “instant” because Bobby has to sort of “nudge” it out of him.) Anyway, as soon as Eames mentions Ilana, the sheriff starts fingering his watch…a detail that does not go unnoticed by the ever vigilant Detective Goren. Then Bobby gets the sheriff to shake his hand, so he can trip the clasp and get the watch off his wrist…all the better to see it, my dear. I love the expression on Eames’ face when Bobby points out the watch is a specific Rolex because it has a higher profile than other models. Eames humors Bobby by looking intently at the watch, as if she understands...or even cares...what he’s talking about. Perhaps she did, but I don’t think so.

I think Bobby should have given the sheriff his “if you’re gonna lie” speech when the good sheriff lied about the watching being given to him brand new a couple of years earlier. And here we go again, Bobby knowing they stopped making this particular watch in 1979, and Rolex never made it in solid gold. Sometimes, the man just knows too damn much. But isn’t that what we all love about him? But the most unbelievable part was the sheriff pulling Martha Strick’s name out of his butt after twenty-plus years. Give me a break.

"Maledictus" Quotes - Part III


Carver cracks me up. He is always so skeptical of Goren’s and Eames’ profiles…even though they are right 99.9 percent of the time. When will the man ever learn to trust the famous Goren gut? And did you catch Carver’s reaction when Bobby pulled the newspaper from under his arm and waves it back at him to prove a point? Carver won’t get them a search warrant for Kenny’s place, so…in true Goren and Eames fashion…they go on their own just to have a chat with Martha.

Don’t you just love it when Goren flashes that smile of his at the poor, unsuspecting interviewee when he’s on to something? For example: “The Case Of The Missing Boot,” or why is Kenny so poorly shod? The smile he offers up to Martha is…irresistible. I bet he uses that smile a lot to get his way with women.

I never grow tired of watching Bobby nose around a room. When they go to “chat up” Kenny at his office, you will notice that Eames is handling the bulk of the questions… initially…while Bobby snoops about. He likes to give the appearance that he’s not paying attention to what is being said, but we know better. Before long, the questioning quite naturally transitions to Bobby and, before all is said and done, he’s maneuvered himself in front of the unsuspecting dupe and is all up in his face telling the guy that he sees he plucks his eyebrows. Only Bobby.

And then, Kenny takes a sort of half-step toward Bobby as if he’s going to confront him or something, but Bobby just backs him off with a look, Kenny limps back to his chair, and the secretary arrives to show them the door. All the while, Bobby looks befuddled as if he cannot fathom why Kenny is so reluctant to discuss his personal grooming habits with him.

"Maledictus" Quotes - Part IV


Oh, I just came across one of my all time favorite quotes for the entire series. Bobby is explaining to Eames and Deakins that Kenny is a straight guy who can only become “excited” by wearing women’s clothing. Then he goes on to say that usually goes hand in hand with masochism. To which Eames replies, directing her comment to Deakins, “I learn something new everyday.” And she says it with this sweet little smile on her face that speaks volumes. Yep, Eames gets most of the good lines, but then Bobby usually sets them up for her.

Ah, and now we come to one of my favorite scenes in this episode. I love how Eames sarcastically explains to the Canadian bimbo that the “Free Trade” Act doesn’t actually allow prostitutes to cross the border to ply their trade. Then the scene only gets better and better when Bobby gets involved. Do you ever get the feeling that Bobby “gets off” on some of these interrogation sessions when he’s asking people about intimate sexual details. He always seems so…uh... engrossed...in their answers, like he hangs on their every word. Maybe he’s looking for some pointers…who knows?

I’ve got to say the way he “prowls” around behind her chair would make me nervous as hell. And, of course, the way he claps his hand when she isn’t quick to respond…and to accentuate his point…is straight out of Bobby interrogation techniques 101. Then, as the story unfolds, Bobby gets one of his “thinking” looks and he’s off and running, although he does take the time to thank the hooker for her…ahem…services.

Sometimes, Eames can be a little too snarky; i.e., sarcastic for my tastes. I’ve commented on that before. I mean, I get that she’s a woman detective and has probably endured a lot of crap from men in the profession to get as far as she has. She’s good at her job. She deserves respect. And don’t get me wrong, if some smart ass is giving her attitude then I’m the first one to shout…give it right back to them. But to get all pissy with the clerk when Eames doesn’t know if she’s the one who even “misplaced” the other documents. Well, I found that a little bit…um…bitchy. Just know your facts before you go crappin’ on someone else’s day...that’s all I’m sayin’. Even Bobby gave her a glance when she said it.

"Maledictus" Quotes - Part V


Okay, does anyone else find it odd that they can go back to a crime scene more than twenty years after the fact and still find evidence? I mean, the house still looked the same. Wouldn’t you think they would have made a “few” changes in the décor, or remodeled the kitchen to modernize it a bit? In fact, I'm amazed Kenny didn't have the place demolished to destroy all evidence of his crime. I suppose Bobby's answer to that would be that...on some level...Kenny wanted to be found out.

I love watching Bobby interact with “old” people…and kids. The soft, patient expression he turns on the old nanny is quite endearing. Just one of the many reasons I like him so much. Oh, and have I mentioned lately just how incredibly scrumptious he looks in that blue shirt?

Yeah, yeah…I know. I said at the very beginning I didn’t care all that much for this episode, yet here I am rambling on and on and on. The deeper I delve into this one, I recognize so many individual scenes or “moments” that have been burned into my memory. For example, the scene immediately following the interview with Mrs. Mendez. The shot opens with Bobby…as every scene should…need I add. Anyway, he’s in a “thinking” pose. He turns to look up, splays his fingers fleetingly across his face, then ends with the balled up fist hunched up against his chin. Oh, yes. My man is deep in thought. Then he stands up and walks over to the board to more closely examine the clippings and photos of the “crime” scene, gives that austere head a little tilt and…wah lah…case solved.

Poor Bobby and Eames, having to work on a Saturday. It’s always fun to watch them scatter the bait and then skillfully reel in the unsuspecting prey. I mean, of course, they wanted Kenny to accompany them to the house…that was the whole point in telling them their intentions of searching the “suicide” house. Kenny probably suspected what was afoot, but he wanted to protect Martha or keep her from learning the truth. Anyway, I love Goren and Eames “indignant” comments about kowtowing to them, and they weren’t entitled to be there, and protesting that they all couldn’t fit in their vehicle.

"Maledictus" Quotes - Part VI


Ah…at long last we arrive at the “gotcha” scene, the interrogation, the final moments when Bobby pulls it all together and wraps everything up in a neat little package with a bow on top. Note Bobby’s first line: “This place is like a time capsule.” Well…uh…duh! “All the easier to help you solve the crime, my dear.”

As I watched this scene, two thoughts occurred to me. One…my goodness, but Vincent D’Onofrio must have an incredible memory to remember so much dialogue. And, secondly, it certainly was kind and compassionate of Bobby to offer up an alternative “fiction” as to why Kenny murdered the opportunistic Ilana, so that he could save face with his sister. Oh, and Bobby concludes with a little conspiratorial quirk of his brow…I love it when he does that.

Carver’s sheepish excuse about being late; i.e., “I took a wrong turn off the L-I-E,” was a hoot. Talk about "lies." Writers…gotta love ‘em. Actually, in the end…when Kenny said, “thank you,” to Bobby, I think he looked “relieved” that it was all over and grateful to Bobby for giving him a way to confess for his crime of killing Ilana without admitting to the horrible mistake he had made as a child. Good job, Bobby.

"Maledictus" Quotes - Part VII


Now that it’s all said and done, and I’ve watched this episode for about the…oh, I don’t know…hundredth time…I still think the relationship between the brother and sister was a wee bit on the “odd” side.

Well, as Porky Pig would say, "Th-th-th-that's all folks!" See ya next time when we take an in-depth look at "Badge." I'm looking forward to this one.