20x06 "Human Flesh Search Engine" Episode Discussion

[classicspector]

20x06 "Human Flesh Search Engine"

DISCUSS!

Hello, it is I, a back-up moderator. I have no notes on this episode as someone asked me 45 minutes into the thing to run the discussion. However! I do have the discussion post!

Comments

[inanna7]

The David Carradine reference brought back recent memories from a local pizza place billboard sign that said “Farewell, kinky grasshopper” after he passed away. If you saw most of their weekly messages, you’d probably swear these people were channeling Seth McFarlane.

One thing I’d have to say about Leary, the man who ran the website --was his smug little smile through most of the episode making anyone else crazy? It had me ranting at the t.v., saying "Gah, you are so annoying!" That and the young man smirking when the defense attorney starts coming down on Bernard. Karma has a bad habit of coming back around, dear.

Lupo saying “4 years of intel - no one wants to dig through that.” I have a feeling there are a lot more people out there than Lupo is giving credit for that want to dig through that stuff - if they weren’t justifiably afraid that they probably wouldn’t survive to report the findings.

Bernard typing “You’re cowards and you’re stupid.” Wow, that will blow up a firestorm faster than a gale force Santa Ana.

I liked van Buren's new wig. It gives her a softer look I think. I loved her interactions with the schizophrenic woman. The look on Van Buren's face when she called the woman's face was classic. Always professional, but there's that almost motherly air to van Buren. It seemed like she wanted to ask the woman how well she holding up fighting her (illusionary) demons, knowing the real answer would be "not well".

Giggled over the ribbing Cutter sent back McCoy's way with the "Gunshow" and "Memo from the Dark Side" references when McCoy basically accused Cutter of trying to take on a heroic but futile case by going after the other users.

Connie and Cutter seemed to back on the same page this week. Connie is still arbitrating between Cutter and the detectives. I think I'm becoming a bit ambivalent with her doing this. I realize Cutter is Cutter and doesn't mince words when he thinks the detectives are out of line. At the same time, the detectives can be (in this case, rightly) emotional. However, I'd rather see Cutter do some more interaction with them instead of throwing out the brusque admonishments and basically letting Connie smooth things over. Such as him at least attempting to head Bernard off at the pass when Bernard made a beeline toward Clark and/or telling Bernard after he was pulled away from Clark that he (Cutter) understands why Bernard is upset, but he (Bernard) needs to go cool off, because confronting Clark isn't helping any of them. I don't mean that Cutter should go from being almost anti social to a touchy feely guy, but having some empathy is nice. Or at least be aware that not everyone can compartmentalize his emotions as well as him and kind of act accordingly. That would be refreshing, IMO. I’d really like to see where the plot line Linus Roache referred to in interviews earlier this month will lead Cutter in his dealings with colleagues and acquaintances.

[polkadotsnplaid]

I think she did the "Mike!" thing out of reflex more than anything this episode - at least it seemed that way to me. If I was Cutter and that was my case, I'd be pissed, too. Yes, it was emotional, but Bernard could've blown the case if left unchecked. I think Cutter was actually in the right to yell - although you have a point in that he could've headed him off at the pass. I'm not sure he had enough time to do that, though.

sundancekid74 just brought up a good point as we're discussing this on AIM - she said:

ilovebatmansdad (1:12:03 AM): Bernard would not have stopped if only Lupo had been yelling, because they are too close
ilovebatmansdad (1:12:30 AM): Mike had to do it in order for it to stop, because he really has more authority in that situation

Also, IMO, I think he was empathetic in court - the looks on his and Connie's faces were anxious about their case but also seemed concerned for Bernard - at least to me.

One thing I’d have to say about Leary, the man who ran the website --was his smug little smile through most of the episode making anyone else crazy? It had me ranting at the t.v., saying "Gah, you are so annoying!" That and the young man smirking when the defense attorney starts coming down on Bernard. Karma has a bad habit of coming back around, dear. --- YES. I wanted to slap the smugness off of their faces. It was as bad as Artie Kramer in "Reality Bites."

[inanna7]

Don't get me wrong, I understand where Cutter was coming from when he yelled at Bernard. At the same time, when Jack tells Cutter that the short list of people lining up to work with him is not because they had to thin out applicants, that should be a hint to the man. I guess that's all I'm hoping for as the season progresses. I did notice his concern for Bernard when he was on the stand and his much more subtle contempt for Leary outside. I just like to see that expanded upon a bit more.

[polkadotsnplaid]

I totally laughed out loud when Jack told him that people weren't exactly lining up to work with him. I'm guessing it also has to do with his workaholic nature...which I think might also be tied into his not-always-a-people-person persona. I'd like to see that delved into more as well...hopefully we will with that upcoming ep as you mentioned!