Life 2x17 - Shelf Life
Confession: After I saw the Angela Bromstad interview I've kinda been avoiding the net. Not consciously, mind. But I kept on finding excuses not to go back. I knew intellectually Life might not return for a third season and with American Idol well... I'm not saying it's cancelled but it's disheartening, y'know? this is the first show I've watched that's on the brink because shows are only shipped here I end up watching a series that's two or three seasons in.
When I acquired this episode I purposely set low expectations for it. Real low expectations.
And Oh-Em-Gee.
To quote Godfather II: 'I was out and they keep pulling me back in!' (Not that I was ever out... on another note, oh, show when did you become my abusive TV boyfriend?)
First off... is this for real? It's a non-stage-y murder! Wow! I've missed seeing those in the show!
The case was what it was and it was interesting. I liked the kind of Western morality shown there. One of your own. That kind of intense, no holds barred quest for vengeance was what I was expecting from Dani post-Trapdoor (yes, I'm still going on about that! Shut-up!)
Second, seriously if they'd just gone this route for Tidwell I might have liked him more. Actually, I might have liked it a lot. Unfortunately his first few episodes were badly imprinted in my mind. But seriously what is the Captain doing on a raid? Lieutenants, Sergeants I see. Division captains I don't? The only time I do see 'em if they belong to a special squad ala The Closer where they are their own manpower. Squad captains?
This is the second time I've seen Tim Guinee play a not so good guy, I don't count SG-1 because he played a conflicted character there.
Kick major ass together
Also, the military team. I love that Erin's gender is a none factor for the team and that she's clearly the boss of the operation. I bet even Charlie had nostalgia moments.... and Valerie Rae Miller was good in that role so much so I wished it was Valerie Miller who'd been Charlie's temporary partner and not Union.
Do all detectives have to do that?
So... was it just me or was Charlie a little annoyed with Tidwell in the first act? I mean, yeah I get that he was annoyed he was ordered to stomp on Tidwell's foot (and Tidwell seemed to egg him on further).
And Charlie was getting a bit of a Reese attitude in the first act, huh?
It's interesting how Charlie is in the station without Reese.
Reese said to ask you
I love that Reese is talking about Charlie with Tidwell and throwing out random advice. Kinda like how a parent throws out advice to babysitters. And Tidwell looked like he was not happy especially when Charlie started beaming when he learned Dani talked about him.
And his unhappiness seemed to only increase when Dani called Charlie's response perfectly. Seems he doesn't like it that Dani could predict Charlie's moves.
Do you know this man?
Dani's interrogation continues. And this time the ghost of Roman Nevikof follows her. Seems like wherever she goes she's connected to him in some way.
Charlie seemed a bit miffed that Bobby didn't follow him to the plane, I guess he's used to Dani always backing his play. And this is Bobby's every man play. He will back you up and side with you but there are just some places he can't go with you and it's not bad or weak, it's just completely human. Sometimes that's how it is and you can't ask anymore of a person.
My heart broke for Bobby when he gave Charlie the news, he seemed so *sad* but at the same time I think it's a good thing. He looked uncomfortable outside of his uniform. I don't think he really has ambitions higher than being a Senior Officer on patrol.
You do miss me, don't you, Reese?
The phone conversations! OMG! It's just... I'm sorry but, again, that made me squee. I never thought Dani would be in this episode so much but she was and it's all talking to Charlie scenes and how Charlie keeps teasing her about missing him (it's quite obvious that Charlie is missing Dani something fierce) and by the second time Charlie brought it up she was smiling.
Actually, most of the calls had Dani grinning like, she really missed talking to him too. And even so far away they still work and they can still make leaps and connections together.
The more they talk on the phone the happier it makes me. Kinda like... like the way Mulder and Scully when they talk on the phone. Also I love the way Stark and Tidwell keep misinterpreting but most of all, I love how they think it's kind of an expected behavior when Reese is not around.
Tidwell, again, looked irritated that Charlie seemed to like talking to an imaginary Reese before Charlie revealed it was conference call.
And then Charlie attempts to brainstorm by himself and he looked unhappy while he was doing it. Oh, Charlie...
My entire client list, my reputation
Amanda Puryor. I love Charlie and Ted calling Amanda out and then the confrontation scene, the look on her face when she realized what Charlie had done and could do. That look? It was perfect.
It was the same look I've seen in Mal Reynold's face when the ships of the Union came down, the look on Illyria's face when she saw her empire was nothing but dust. The look of someone who's world is on the verge of crumbling around her.
And then Amanda pulled herself together (which was awesome) but I was confused why they were playing Keane's Somewhere Only We Know.
And then the next scene happened.
This could be the end of everything
The next scene? Hooked me back in, sank its claws and told me even if they never get renewed I'm gonna enjoy the ride to the conclusion (or at least I hope so!
I replayed this scene over and over and over again because the twist was just so... It twists my heart, makes me gasp in shock and then makes me want to race to next week to find out what's next!
I love the way Charlie instantly zeroes in on Dani amid all the pictures although I don't know if Charlie immediately know it was Reese but the expression on his face hinted that he suspected:
Crews: 'That one. There. Go fullscreen on that one.'
...and this is where my jaw dropped because I know that body language, that pose... and if I knew it--
Crews: (almost a whisper) 'Closer.'
And the way he just says, 'Closer' like he expects it, the way he knows but doesn't want to.
And Oh- Em - Gee. It is Dani Reese!
(Shallow note: I love Dani's clothes. Like, a LOT. The long coat suits her.)
Remember what I said above? The expression on Mal's face as the Alliance ships descended on Serenity, as Illyria looked upon its ruined kingdom, as Puryer looked when she realized how ruined she would be. And then this.
It's not quite there yet but its the beginnings of it, the look of a man whose belief in something is about to be shaken. Charlie's trust and faith has been ruined before, it's been done. And recently it took another hit from Constance's turn around but there he looked angry. But this expression, that isn't anger.
I suspect this will be one of the iconic images related to the show, just like Crews and Reese's first walk to the crime scene. But look at Charlie's shoulders, the way it slumps, it's almost the same way Dig A Hole ended only, it's Charlie dreading the walk back into prison. And I just love how this is framed. Reese to the left, looking away and Charlie in the middle with Rayborn is on the right.
(Oh, and another thing: WRITERS, THIS IS IT, I GIVE-UP. YOU WANT ME TO SHIP DANI/CHARLIE? I'M SHIPPING 'EM DAMMIT! SHIPPING THEM LIKE A SHIPPY THING BECAUSE THE END SCENE? NOT THE WAY TO MAKE ME UN-SHIP. AT. ALL!)
The way this is done implicates Dani in Rayborn's murder and that Dani knows a lot more about the Conspiracy than she's letting on, which is something we all suspected but this. This ties Dani into the Conspiracy in the way Charlie can't dismiss. Also, I think Amanda Puryer would surely try to question her about this photo.
This photo could be taken before or after Charlie arrived or a different day because Rayborn wore red when he met with Charlie (let's handwave Dani's hair, mmmkay? 'Cause in that episode Dani's hair still had that curl thing) and here Rayborn's wearing blue but Rayborn, according to Puryer 'died that morning' Charlie met with him.
Dani could have come much later in the day, after Charlie, which means she was the last person whoever saw Rayborn 'alive' (since there's no body we don't know if he's really 'dead'). And if Dani's met with Rayborn Dani might also be aware of Amanda Puryer which puts her reaction to seeing Puryer and Tidwell together in a new light. In fact, replaying the scene, Dani looked like the same way Charlie did in Farthingale when he thought Jack Reese was approaching him.
I've some theories:
1. Dani has her own ongoing investigation. Dani is, after all, a detective and she's shown to have the same tenacity and relentlessness when it comes to cases. She might not have been satisfied with Charlie's answer and started her own investigations (finding her father perhaps? or something else) or she might have started it months before, when Dani confronted Jack Reese.
2. Dani might be the 'second' security Charlie mentioned, Rayborn somehow contacted her and asked her to tail Charlie or that's really her files and she's been tailing Charlie for a while not knowing Rayborn has a 'third' security staff.
3. Dani murdered Rayborn. Unlikely but a possibility (and looking at all that blood, that was an angry fight) and again, putting a new spin to Charlie's ramblings about the feel of killing someone with your own bear hands. However since we know Dani's a really good homicide detective it also stands to reason Dani knows how to clean-up a crime scene and she'd never be this sloppy if she wanted to kill/accidentally kill someone which brings us to:
4. Dani is being framed, much like Charlie was framed before and the the frame-up would serve as not only implicating Dani to the 'murder' but also serve to break Charlie's trust on Dani. Which is a likely scenario.
Whatever the case this scene pushed things forward a lot and it brings in the much needed emotional investment to the fans and ambiguity. We have no clue why Dani was there and what her motives were. We don't know if she's working with Rayborn or Rayborn called her up the same way he called up Charlie.
I also have to note that there was some talk about 'beating the lie detector' and it occurs to me that in terms of Mickey Rayborn, Dani did beat the lie detector and this happens before Charlie brings it up. And Dani seemed curious what his methods were and hung up on him when she realized he was being funny. But the point is, Dani beat the lie detector, she never revealed her real connection with Rayborn.
And Lie to Me taught me that people can and do beat lie detectors so there! Also, as Powerless said point blank: Dani Reese is a liar. By training and vocation.
Things aren't going to be easy here on out and that makes me a lot happy because I've been waiting for this for a long, long while. While this will be a shock to Charlie, Charlie's not going to leap to any conclusions he's going to approach this just like any other murder investigation with a few emotional attachments included because this is Reese, his partner, the one he trusts.
Where will this take the detectives?
This could be the end of everything
So why don't we go
Somewhere only we know?
When I acquired this episode I purposely set low expectations for it. Real low expectations.
And Oh-Em-Gee.
To quote Godfather II: 'I was out and they keep pulling me back in!' (Not that I was ever out... on another note, oh, show when did you become my abusive TV boyfriend?)
First off... is this for real? It's a non-stage-y murder! Wow! I've missed seeing those in the show!
The case was what it was and it was interesting. I liked the kind of Western morality shown there. One of your own. That kind of intense, no holds barred quest for vengeance was what I was expecting from Dani post-Trapdoor (yes, I'm still going on about that! Shut-up!)
Second, seriously if they'd just gone this route for Tidwell I might have liked him more. Actually, I might have liked it a lot. Unfortunately his first few episodes were badly imprinted in my mind. But seriously what is the Captain doing on a raid? Lieutenants, Sergeants I see. Division captains I don't? The only time I do see 'em if they belong to a special squad ala The Closer where they are their own manpower. Squad captains?
This is the second time I've seen Tim Guinee play a not so good guy, I don't count SG-1 because he played a conflicted character there.
Kick major ass together
Also, the military team. I love that Erin's gender is a none factor for the team and that she's clearly the boss of the operation. I bet even Charlie had nostalgia moments.... and Valerie Rae Miller was good in that role so much so I wished it was Valerie Miller who'd been Charlie's temporary partner and not Union.
Do all detectives have to do that?
So... was it just me or was Charlie a little annoyed with Tidwell in the first act? I mean, yeah I get that he was annoyed he was ordered to stomp on Tidwell's foot (and Tidwell seemed to egg him on further).
And Charlie was getting a bit of a Reese attitude in the first act, huh?
It's interesting how Charlie is in the station without Reese.
Reese said to ask you
I love that Reese is talking about Charlie with Tidwell and throwing out random advice. Kinda like how a parent throws out advice to babysitters. And Tidwell looked like he was not happy especially when Charlie started beaming when he learned Dani talked about him.
And his unhappiness seemed to only increase when Dani called Charlie's response perfectly. Seems he doesn't like it that Dani could predict Charlie's moves.
Do you know this man?
Dani's interrogation continues. And this time the ghost of Roman Nevikof follows her. Seems like wherever she goes she's connected to him in some way.
Charlie seemed a bit miffed that Bobby didn't follow him to the plane, I guess he's used to Dani always backing his play. And this is Bobby's every man play. He will back you up and side with you but there are just some places he can't go with you and it's not bad or weak, it's just completely human. Sometimes that's how it is and you can't ask anymore of a person.
My heart broke for Bobby when he gave Charlie the news, he seemed so *sad* but at the same time I think it's a good thing. He looked uncomfortable outside of his uniform. I don't think he really has ambitions higher than being a Senior Officer on patrol.
You do miss me, don't you, Reese?
The phone conversations! OMG! It's just... I'm sorry but, again, that made me squee. I never thought Dani would be in this episode so much but she was and it's all talking to Charlie scenes and how Charlie keeps teasing her about missing him (it's quite obvious that Charlie is missing Dani something fierce) and by the second time Charlie brought it up she was smiling.
Actually, most of the calls had Dani grinning like, she really missed talking to him too. And even so far away they still work and they can still make leaps and connections together.
The more they talk on the phone the happier it makes me. Kinda like... like the way Mulder and Scully when they talk on the phone. Also I love the way Stark and Tidwell keep misinterpreting but most of all, I love how they think it's kind of an expected behavior when Reese is not around.
Tidwell, again, looked irritated that Charlie seemed to like talking to an imaginary Reese before Charlie revealed it was conference call.
And then Charlie attempts to brainstorm by himself and he looked unhappy while he was doing it. Oh, Charlie...
My entire client list, my reputation
Amanda Puryor. I love Charlie and Ted calling Amanda out and then the confrontation scene, the look on her face when she realized what Charlie had done and could do. That look? It was perfect.
It was the same look I've seen in Mal Reynold's face when the ships of the Union came down, the look on Illyria's face when she saw her empire was nothing but dust. The look of someone who's world is on the verge of crumbling around her.
And then Amanda pulled herself together (which was awesome) but I was confused why they were playing Keane's Somewhere Only We Know.
And then the next scene happened.
This could be the end of everything
The next scene? Hooked me back in, sank its claws and told me even if they never get renewed I'm gonna enjoy the ride to the conclusion (or at least I hope so!
I replayed this scene over and over and over again because the twist was just so... It twists my heart, makes me gasp in shock and then makes me want to race to next week to find out what's next!
I love the way Charlie instantly zeroes in on Dani amid all the pictures although I don't know if Charlie immediately know it was Reese but the expression on his face hinted that he suspected:
Crews: 'That one. There. Go fullscreen on that one.'
...and this is where my jaw dropped because I know that body language, that pose... and if I knew it--
Crews: (almost a whisper) 'Closer.'
And the way he just says, 'Closer' like he expects it, the way he knows but doesn't want to.
And Oh- Em - Gee. It is Dani Reese!
(Shallow note: I love Dani's clothes. Like, a LOT. The long coat suits her.)
Remember what I said above? The expression on Mal's face as the Alliance ships descended on Serenity, as Illyria looked upon its ruined kingdom, as Puryer looked when she realized how ruined she would be. And then this.
It's not quite there yet but its the beginnings of it, the look of a man whose belief in something is about to be shaken. Charlie's trust and faith has been ruined before, it's been done. And recently it took another hit from Constance's turn around but there he looked angry. But this expression, that isn't anger.
I suspect this will be one of the iconic images related to the show, just like Crews and Reese's first walk to the crime scene. But look at Charlie's shoulders, the way it slumps, it's almost the same way Dig A Hole ended only, it's Charlie dreading the walk back into prison. And I just love how this is framed. Reese to the left, looking away and Charlie in the middle with Rayborn is on the right.
(Oh, and another thing: WRITERS, THIS IS IT, I GIVE-UP. YOU WANT ME TO SHIP DANI/CHARLIE? I'M SHIPPING 'EM DAMMIT! SHIPPING THEM LIKE A SHIPPY THING BECAUSE THE END SCENE? NOT THE WAY TO MAKE ME UN-SHIP. AT. ALL!)
The way this is done implicates Dani in Rayborn's murder and that Dani knows a lot more about the Conspiracy than she's letting on, which is something we all suspected but this. This ties Dani into the Conspiracy in the way Charlie can't dismiss. Also, I think Amanda Puryer would surely try to question her about this photo.
This photo could be taken before or after Charlie arrived or a different day because Rayborn wore red when he met with Charlie (let's handwave Dani's hair, mmmkay? 'Cause in that episode Dani's hair still had that curl thing) and here Rayborn's wearing blue but Rayborn, according to Puryer 'died that morning' Charlie met with him.
Dani could have come much later in the day, after Charlie, which means she was the last person whoever saw Rayborn 'alive' (since there's no body we don't know if he's really 'dead'). And if Dani's met with Rayborn Dani might also be aware of Amanda Puryer which puts her reaction to seeing Puryer and Tidwell together in a new light. In fact, replaying the scene, Dani looked like the same way Charlie did in Farthingale when he thought Jack Reese was approaching him.
I've some theories:
1. Dani has her own ongoing investigation. Dani is, after all, a detective and she's shown to have the same tenacity and relentlessness when it comes to cases. She might not have been satisfied with Charlie's answer and started her own investigations (finding her father perhaps? or something else) or she might have started it months before, when Dani confronted Jack Reese.
2. Dani might be the 'second' security Charlie mentioned, Rayborn somehow contacted her and asked her to tail Charlie or that's really her files and she's been tailing Charlie for a while not knowing Rayborn has a 'third' security staff.
3. Dani murdered Rayborn. Unlikely but a possibility (and looking at all that blood, that was an angry fight) and again, putting a new spin to Charlie's ramblings about the feel of killing someone with your own bear hands. However since we know Dani's a really good homicide detective it also stands to reason Dani knows how to clean-up a crime scene and she'd never be this sloppy if she wanted to kill/accidentally kill someone which brings us to:
4. Dani is being framed, much like Charlie was framed before and the the frame-up would serve as not only implicating Dani to the 'murder' but also serve to break Charlie's trust on Dani. Which is a likely scenario.
Whatever the case this scene pushed things forward a lot and it brings in the much needed emotional investment to the fans and ambiguity. We have no clue why Dani was there and what her motives were. We don't know if she's working with Rayborn or Rayborn called her up the same way he called up Charlie.
I also have to note that there was some talk about 'beating the lie detector' and it occurs to me that in terms of Mickey Rayborn, Dani did beat the lie detector and this happens before Charlie brings it up. And Dani seemed curious what his methods were and hung up on him when she realized he was being funny. But the point is, Dani beat the lie detector, she never revealed her real connection with Rayborn.
And Lie to Me taught me that people can and do beat lie detectors so there! Also, as Powerless said point blank: Dani Reese is a liar. By training and vocation.
Things aren't going to be easy here on out and that makes me a lot happy because I've been waiting for this for a long, long while. While this will be a shock to Charlie, Charlie's not going to leap to any conclusions he's going to approach this just like any other murder investigation with a few emotional attachments included because this is Reese, his partner, the one he trusts.
Where will this take the detectives?
This could be the end of everything
So why don't we go
Somewhere only we know?