Like an idiot I was raising my fist at my tv at 8:55pm cursing them for ending the show without really giving us an ending (since the NBC bastards will probably cancel this magnificent work of art). Because usually when a show goes to commercial at 8:55 it’s over and done and we’re left with annoying commercials and promos for Jay Leno. (Ugh.)
But noooo… they come back and they give us that ending. How, how could I have ever doubted them? After seeing it I was just staring at the tv like, OMG! I was not expecting that!
His line, at the beginning, demanding that Charlie “find her!!!” made me want to hug him. I felt so bad for him there. Because you know he feels helpless on multiple levels. He cannot react the way he probably would want to react because people aren’t supposed to know about his relationship with her. She’s just one of his cops. But she’s not. And what makes it worse… this guy that he can’t quite understand is the one that has the ability to bring her back.
And then Dani’s face, and then Charlie’s face, when they see each other again, as the Zen tape finishes. That was just beautiful mostly because I really wasn’t expecting that they would go there. They have always hinted at it but that scene combined with the minivan just made me so very happy. And now I’m sitting in my office with a silly grin on my face.
I also loved the shot of Charlie looking above. He just looked magnificent.
I WANT ANOTHER SEASON OF MY SHOW!!!
Ok, I really should be working at the moment. But I need to share that I disagree with Alan Sepinwall who didn’t seem to like the turn with Charlie and Dani.
But I loved this part of his review: And, in the final encounter between Charlie and Roman in the Escalade, it showed us once and for all that, no matter how much Charlie likes to pretend that his life is ruled by Zen thinking, what really carried him through 12 years in prison and several very dangerous years back in the real world weren't the koans, or the fruit(*), but the fact that he is one tough, relentless SOB.
Well then I'm not reading Sepinwall, even though he's a fan of the show. I'm really in no mood. I'm so happy with what they did, and so sick at the thought that it won't get renewed, that I just can't read any criticism right now.
I have been solidly on the side of the Partner-Ship. I haven't been wanting them to kiss or sleep together or be romantic. I've been really happy leaving their relationship where it is.
BUT I think the show proved me wrong, a little bit. What they did was great and organic and subtle, even. I think that their separation, Dani's kidnapping, Charlie saving her and sacrificing himself to do it...that's exactly what COULD shift their feelings for each other in a different direction.
And when I say "a little bit" and "subtle", what I mean is that they didn't even say "I love you" or kiss or run into each other's arms or even have any other character observe that they were in love. They haven't even SAID that they're in love. The show defined the feeling between them as "love". That's a very important distinction. They haven't even said that it's romantic love, though I think it's some version of that. I think they did a great job. They sold me.
And yeah, the pretty. There were some VERY pretty shots of Charlie in the finale. Like you, I loved the final shot. Also, him looking out the window after Roman punches him was very pretty. And a few other spots. He looked great in this episode.
I think that their separation, Dani's kidnapping, Charlie saving her and sacrificing himself to do it...that's exactly what COULD shift their feelings for each other in a different direction.
I very much agree with this statement, we've seen it building to that and maybe it's been slowly tipping for Dani too, I think it was starting after Charlie was shot but it took the separation to bring her to that point of falling.
Yes! You're so right to bring up the shooting! You could see her shifting in his direction.
See now it's even more fun to remember those moments. Like how after he recovered from the shooting he's like, "You thought about me, didn't you? When I was gone..." And she's all, "Did not!" Hee!
Yeah, I've been going through the episodes in my head and its a fun game to play! I think she was slowly shifting towards his direction for a while now. I mean, we all know they care for each other a lot but I don't think they knew how much 'til they were separated. Or maybe Reese suspected which is why she deliberately made it a choice not to be involved in Charlie's life outside of the job.
But I think the aftermath of the gunshot is where the walls started to crumble and then there's that part in that episode with the roof and people thought they were married. Charlie was all: 'Hey you're right, this is our second year together!' And Dani was all, 'Hey, we're not really together, Crews.' but she said it in such a way that had no anger or irritation at all.
Then of course the Separation and like you noted above, they just couldn't deal. I mean, I understand Charlie not dealing well since Dani's pretty much his constant since getting out of prison but what surprised and delighted me was that Dani seemed to be missing Charlie too. The fact that she gives Tidwell advice about the care and handling of Charlie Crews and his none too happy reaction that she predicted Charlie's reactions well seemed to indicate she talked about him a lot (well, for Dani, which was maybe three times and then dropped).
...but what surprised and delighted me was that Dani seemed to be missing Charlie too.
Yes, this is a great point. I like that you brought up Dani predicting his reactions. Also, the moment at the end of the episode where they're on the phone and she says, "You're staring at something...what are you looking at?..."
He's very up-front, very expressive about their thing. The "two years", the "you thought about me...", "You called me your partner!" from way back. When faced with that, she denies or deflects.
BUT, as you point out, she is willing to accept and reveal the strength of their partnership in these subtle ways. "Here's what you say to him..." Or admitting that she knows what he's doing at the moment. And, even more directly, "Is there still a spot for me in the car?" That was so sweet.
Oh, and I'm with you on how they went right down to the wire. In my notes, I wrote "five minutes!" and then "three minutes!" When I saw that it was 8:55, my heart sank, because I thought they really might give us some ambiguous ending. I'm sorry Show!
This is why I like watching shows my people have vetted first. I knew it would be ok because I knew you were happy. Makes it so much more relaxing to watch thank god because I was on edge enough as it was.
But noooo… they come back and they give us that ending. How, how could I have ever doubted them?
After seeing it I was just staring at the tv like, OMG! I was not expecting that!
His line, at the beginning, demanding that Charlie “find her!!!” made me want to hug him.
I felt so bad for him there. Because you know he feels helpless on multiple levels. He cannot react the way he probably would want to react because people aren’t supposed to know about his relationship with her. She’s just one of his cops. But she’s not. And what makes it worse… this guy that he can’t quite understand is the one that has the ability to bring her back.
And then Dani’s face, and then Charlie’s face, when they see each other again, as the Zen tape finishes.
That was just beautiful mostly because I really wasn’t expecting that they would go there. They have always hinted at it but that scene combined with the minivan just made me so very happy. And now I’m sitting in my office with a silly grin on my face.
I also loved the shot of Charlie looking above. He just looked magnificent.
I WANT ANOTHER SEASON OF MY SHOW!!!
Ok, I really should be working at the moment. But I need to share that I disagree with Alan Sepinwall who didn’t seem to like the turn with Charlie and Dani.
But I loved this part of his review:
And, in the final encounter between Charlie and Roman in the Escalade, it showed us once and for all that, no matter how much Charlie likes to pretend that his life is ruled by Zen thinking, what really carried him through 12 years in prison and several very dangerous years back in the real world weren't the koans, or the fruit(*), but the fact that he is one tough, relentless SOB.
Charlie is quite the badass when he needs to be.
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I have been solidly on the side of the Partner-Ship. I haven't been wanting them to kiss or sleep together or be romantic. I've been really happy leaving their relationship where it is.
BUT I think the show proved me wrong, a little bit. What they did was great and organic and subtle, even. I think that their separation, Dani's kidnapping, Charlie saving her and sacrificing himself to do it...that's exactly what COULD shift their feelings for each other in a different direction.
And when I say "a little bit" and "subtle", what I mean is that they didn't even say "I love you" or kiss or run into each other's arms or even have any other character observe that they were in love. They haven't even SAID that they're in love. The show defined the feeling between them as "love". That's a very important distinction. They haven't even said that it's romantic love, though I think it's some version of that. I think they did a great job. They sold me.
And yeah, the pretty. There were some VERY pretty shots of Charlie in the finale. Like you, I loved the final shot. Also, him looking out the window after Roman punches him was very pretty. And a few other spots. He looked great in this episode.
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I very much agree with this statement, we've seen it building to that and maybe it's been slowly tipping for Dani too, I think it was starting after Charlie was shot but it took the separation to bring her to that point of falling.
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See now it's even more fun to remember those moments. Like how after he recovered from the shooting he's like, "You thought about me, didn't you? When I was gone..." And she's all, "Did not!" Hee!
Reply
But I think the aftermath of the gunshot is where the walls started to crumble and then there's that part in that episode with the roof and people thought they were married. Charlie was all: 'Hey you're right, this is our second year together!' And Dani was all, 'Hey, we're not really together, Crews.' but she said it in such a way that had no anger or irritation at all.
Then of course the Separation and like you noted above, they just couldn't deal. I mean, I understand Charlie not dealing well since Dani's pretty much his constant since getting out of prison but what surprised and delighted me was that Dani seemed to be missing Charlie too. The fact that she gives Tidwell advice about the care and handling of Charlie Crews and his none too happy reaction that she predicted Charlie's reactions well seemed to indicate she talked about him a lot (well, for Dani, which was maybe three times and then dropped).
...and, um, I better stop 'cause I'm rambling!
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...but what surprised and delighted me was that Dani seemed to be missing Charlie too.
Yes, this is a great point. I like that you brought up Dani predicting his reactions. Also, the moment at the end of the episode where they're on the phone and she says, "You're staring at something...what are you looking at?..."
He's very up-front, very expressive about their thing. The "two years", the "you thought about me...", "You called me your partner!" from way back. When faced with that, she denies or deflects.
BUT, as you point out, she is willing to accept and reveal the strength of their partnership in these subtle ways. "Here's what you say to him..." Or admitting that she knows what he's doing at the moment. And, even more directly, "Is there still a spot for me in the car?" That was so sweet.
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