[episode reaction] Black Friday
It took time but I finally got around to watch this episode. I'll just have enough time to post my thoughts though so I'll keep it simple.
This is the consequence of the four back-to-back episode, we get Christmas way early.
Short story: I loved it.
See, I'm quite simple to please, really. Also, while I pretend (pretend being the operative word) to be cynical and what not, I am actually a donut with a chewy center and easily be bought by a simple Christmas story. Also, I"m very squeamish which is neither her nor there.
Long story: I loved this episode. I just... I am filled with glee and squee. One main reason being: there was MOAR Dani!
Through the previous episodes I've felt something distinctly off with Sarah's performance. It's something besides the changed hair and clothes. And while Sarah was still doing good there was something missing and it's in this episode where I finally realized what it was.
Sarah had so little to do in the previous episodes, yes, it's true that Dani was there almost every scene but Sarah had nothing to do but stand there and even her reactions to Charlie was hardly filmed.
This episode Dani was there. Very present and working and reacting the way I remember her being last season and hot damn, how I missed that. Dani Reese, ladies and gentlemen!
This case hit her harder than most, abandoned kids with no parents. Despite what she's saying Dani is concerned her father's gone. Also, I think Dani really has a soft spot for Children (and Goldfishes, apparently!) ever since Merit Badge she's been careful around Children and Dani's first concern when she first met Charlie was that he wouldn't handle a child murder. And right after Dani took a small steadying breath before touching John Gibney.
One more thing I loved? When Tidwell was being all concerned for Dani about the kids and being way too personally involved Dani had leapt over the wall and was already thinking about where she could find the kids. Also, how much did I love that it was Reese who figured out where the kids were?
I think I may have let out a squee, I certainly was grinning from ear to ear the whole episode.
And the partnershippery! Dude. The partnershippery!
Can I just... *flaaaail*
He was asking about Christmas gifts! And then he bought her sunglasses! (By describing her face! Guys, he described her face perfectly!) And then her smile, guys, her smile! See, I loved it when the only person to make her smile was Charlie. I missed those days and then suddenly we get this! Oh guys, I flapped my hands like a happy dolphin.
And then Charlie bought her underwear! Because the boy absolutely has no filter. Because that's him! And for some reason I do not find it skeevy maybe because it's just the sort of thing Charlie would do. It's... I should be skeeved because it's the sort of thing that skeeves me out but... maybe it's the pure annoyance in Dani's face. I could so buy it that he doesn't have a filter and did it to annoy the hell out of Dani which he hasn't done in a while. Charlie must know this and probably went all out. Also, dude really has no filter.
I also think this is a way of Charlie subtly (Or not. Sometimes Charlie's ideas of subtle is like using a sledgehammer where a normal hammer would suffice) poking Dani about the Christmas gift thing. He really seems to want to exchange gifts with Dani!
Ooh, one more thing? I really love that it was Charlie who went shopping, it's another way this show subverts the male/female ideas. Normally its the girl surrounded by shopping bags and its the guy who goes all WTF?
Here it's Dani who's all: You went shopping???
Oh, and hey what about that scene where Charlie was all spread out like a gift? (You're scaring the kids. Again the concern for children). I missed Charlie and Dani theorizing alone without anyone in between. And Charlie's been pushing Dani to think like a criminal, because he knows she can. She can slip into someone's head very well when she wants to and she does it well.
But what I loved? Dani reaching out and dusting the confetti from Charlie's jacket. It was a throwaway scene but it says so much about their partnership: the way she just casually reached forward and started dusting and Charlie not even glancing at her, as if he's used to Dani doing that.
You know what else I liked? In offscreensville, Dani still told Charlie about her dad. She still told him. Guys... that's just! She didn't let the the fact that Charlie wasn't there the first time hamper her from telling him about Jack Reese leaving!
I'm just floored by that. I thought she'd never open that up to him but she did.
Then they go ahead and talk about it on the way up the escalator. They didn't go at it in depth, just one of those things they talk about going from here to there. Short simple sentences and that's done. See? That was what I wanted to see last episode. They don't do full heart to heart conversations just a few sentences would suffice.
And their idea of bonding? Sharp objects! That's it. They don't need mushy words and stuff. They don't need no stinkin' feeling words.
I also love the way they didn't need to talk about how to handle the kids. They don't even need to look at each other to work out what needed doing. Dani didn't want to hand the kids over to Children Services and Charlie knew that, backed up Dani about Children's Services.
And at the end when the sister asked Dani if Charlie would hurt her brother (Hi, Kyle, hi! You play these messed up kids so well!) her answer was an immediate 'No' and the look on her face, the lack of apprehension there meant she knew exactly what Charlie was up to. She knew it without even having to talk to him and she approves. It's another secret they have between them. They're growing that pile, slowly. Working their way to the big one.
Oh, and the look on Dani's face when the sister held her hand. Oh. I kind of wanted to hug her then she seemed so touched and like she didn't expect it coming from the kid.
Hmm... Dani seemed particularly fixated on the kids getting home and she seemed really impressed about how protective and loyal Zak was to his sister.
Sometimes, people just fall
Charlie talking to the brother... *sigh* they both have soft touches when it comes to kids. And then his statement of people just falling sometimes... that reminds me so much of Dani's 'Don't let me fall.' I don't know why but it resonates like I feel like they are making a statement and a call back to Dani's 'Don't let me fall'.
Also, I kinda loved that we see Agent Bodner again.
We protect each other.
Again this seems to resonate, like it's a theme that is somehow connected to Charlie and Dani. There's something there.
"Some people can't leave it back there. They have to take it home with them, runs around their head all night long.
This was why Dani had a strict rule about her work and private life last year because she knows how easily her work could overwhelm her. Because back when she was in undercover she did take her home with her, hell, even last year we saw that Dani does take the job home with her, she takes case files home and admits to thinking about cases when she can't sleep.
And was I ever so happy she walked away from Tidwell. I don't know what her reasons were for coming in the first place she seemed unsure herself but maybe it's because she already said she'd go and she doesn't go back on what she says. But I'm glad she walked away, the look on her face... it was because she put that compartmentalization up but it had a pretty thin wall these days.
I don't mind Tidwell so much these days. He's even, good God... making me like him juuuust a little. Just a little. I'm still not happy about a Reese and Tidwell relationship.
Because he is still, oh I don't know her BOSS!
The gold fish confuses me though because Tidwell wasn't there when Charlie discovered her love of goldfish (the smile on her face! She loves fast cars, rock n' roll... and fish). I very much doubt Charlie told Tidwell. He still doesn't like Tidwell Charlie's snarky ribbing: 'Do you do everything Tidwell says?' was enough to tell me that.
About Jennifer and Charlie. Um. I don't know. I don't know how to take Jen. I don't hate her but I don't know how to take her actions. I can see, I think, what they're trying to do but... I really think this was something only a better actress could have pulled off. Also, the whole time I kept thinking: 'What about your kids and husband??? What about Mark? Is no one thinking of Mark???'
One more final thought, regarding Dani's home life... the revelation that her mother got drunk during thanksgiving... is this the indication way back in What They Saw? that the reason she knew how to take care of functioning alcoholics isn't just because she was one because her mother is?
Although, it could just be her mother acting out with Jack leaving. Also, I think this pretty much confirms that Dani was an only child (this is the reason why I didn't buy Dani having a big family). Big family would immediately flock when something like this happening. Dani won't even get to touch the dishes. I know this from experience. I mean, the big family coming in to help. My family does these all the time. Aunts, uncles, cousins would appear out of the woodwork and just, you know, be there constantly.
One thing's for sure, this show still continue to have the best music EVER.
Okay, have to leave now. I'll try to find ways to get the net.
This is the consequence of the four back-to-back episode, we get Christmas way early.
Short story: I loved it.
See, I'm quite simple to please, really. Also, while I pretend (pretend being the operative word) to be cynical and what not, I am actually a donut with a chewy center and easily be bought by a simple Christmas story. Also, I"m very squeamish which is neither her nor there.
Long story: I loved this episode. I just... I am filled with glee and squee. One main reason being: there was MOAR Dani!
Through the previous episodes I've felt something distinctly off with Sarah's performance. It's something besides the changed hair and clothes. And while Sarah was still doing good there was something missing and it's in this episode where I finally realized what it was.
Sarah had so little to do in the previous episodes, yes, it's true that Dani was there almost every scene but Sarah had nothing to do but stand there and even her reactions to Charlie was hardly filmed.
This episode Dani was there. Very present and working and reacting the way I remember her being last season and hot damn, how I missed that. Dani Reese, ladies and gentlemen!
This case hit her harder than most, abandoned kids with no parents. Despite what she's saying Dani is concerned her father's gone. Also, I think Dani really has a soft spot for Children (and Goldfishes, apparently!) ever since Merit Badge she's been careful around Children and Dani's first concern when she first met Charlie was that he wouldn't handle a child murder. And right after Dani took a small steadying breath before touching John Gibney.
One more thing I loved? When Tidwell was being all concerned for Dani about the kids and being way too personally involved Dani had leapt over the wall and was already thinking about where she could find the kids. Also, how much did I love that it was Reese who figured out where the kids were?
I think I may have let out a squee, I certainly was grinning from ear to ear the whole episode.
And the partnershippery! Dude. The partnershippery!
Can I just... *flaaaail*
He was asking about Christmas gifts! And then he bought her sunglasses! (By describing her face! Guys, he described her face perfectly!) And then her smile, guys, her smile! See, I loved it when the only person to make her smile was Charlie. I missed those days and then suddenly we get this! Oh guys, I flapped my hands like a happy dolphin.
And then Charlie bought her underwear! Because the boy absolutely has no filter. Because that's him! And for some reason I do not find it skeevy maybe because it's just the sort of thing Charlie would do. It's... I should be skeeved because it's the sort of thing that skeeves me out but... maybe it's the pure annoyance in Dani's face. I could so buy it that he doesn't have a filter and did it to annoy the hell out of Dani which he hasn't done in a while. Charlie must know this and probably went all out. Also, dude really has no filter.
I also think this is a way of Charlie subtly (Or not. Sometimes Charlie's ideas of subtle is like using a sledgehammer where a normal hammer would suffice) poking Dani about the Christmas gift thing. He really seems to want to exchange gifts with Dani!
Ooh, one more thing? I really love that it was Charlie who went shopping, it's another way this show subverts the male/female ideas. Normally its the girl surrounded by shopping bags and its the guy who goes all WTF?
Here it's Dani who's all: You went shopping???
Oh, and hey what about that scene where Charlie was all spread out like a gift? (You're scaring the kids. Again the concern for children). I missed Charlie and Dani theorizing alone without anyone in between. And Charlie's been pushing Dani to think like a criminal, because he knows she can. She can slip into someone's head very well when she wants to and she does it well.
But what I loved? Dani reaching out and dusting the confetti from Charlie's jacket. It was a throwaway scene but it says so much about their partnership: the way she just casually reached forward and started dusting and Charlie not even glancing at her, as if he's used to Dani doing that.
You know what else I liked? In offscreensville, Dani still told Charlie about her dad. She still told him. Guys... that's just! She didn't let the the fact that Charlie wasn't there the first time hamper her from telling him about Jack Reese leaving!
I'm just floored by that. I thought she'd never open that up to him but she did.
Then they go ahead and talk about it on the way up the escalator. They didn't go at it in depth, just one of those things they talk about going from here to there. Short simple sentences and that's done. See? That was what I wanted to see last episode. They don't do full heart to heart conversations just a few sentences would suffice.
And their idea of bonding? Sharp objects! That's it. They don't need mushy words and stuff. They don't need no stinkin' feeling words.
I also love the way they didn't need to talk about how to handle the kids. They don't even need to look at each other to work out what needed doing. Dani didn't want to hand the kids over to Children Services and Charlie knew that, backed up Dani about Children's Services.
And at the end when the sister asked Dani if Charlie would hurt her brother (Hi, Kyle, hi! You play these messed up kids so well!) her answer was an immediate 'No' and the look on her face, the lack of apprehension there meant she knew exactly what Charlie was up to. She knew it without even having to talk to him and she approves. It's another secret they have between them. They're growing that pile, slowly. Working their way to the big one.
Oh, and the look on Dani's face when the sister held her hand. Oh. I kind of wanted to hug her then she seemed so touched and like she didn't expect it coming from the kid.
Hmm... Dani seemed particularly fixated on the kids getting home and she seemed really impressed about how protective and loyal Zak was to his sister.
Sometimes, people just fall
Charlie talking to the brother... *sigh* they both have soft touches when it comes to kids. And then his statement of people just falling sometimes... that reminds me so much of Dani's 'Don't let me fall.' I don't know why but it resonates like I feel like they are making a statement and a call back to Dani's 'Don't let me fall'.
Also, I kinda loved that we see Agent Bodner again.
We protect each other.
Again this seems to resonate, like it's a theme that is somehow connected to Charlie and Dani. There's something there.
"Some people can't leave it back there. They have to take it home with them, runs around their head all night long.
This was why Dani had a strict rule about her work and private life last year because she knows how easily her work could overwhelm her. Because back when she was in undercover she did take her home with her, hell, even last year we saw that Dani does take the job home with her, she takes case files home and admits to thinking about cases when she can't sleep.
And was I ever so happy she walked away from Tidwell. I don't know what her reasons were for coming in the first place she seemed unsure herself but maybe it's because she already said she'd go and she doesn't go back on what she says. But I'm glad she walked away, the look on her face... it was because she put that compartmentalization up but it had a pretty thin wall these days.
I don't mind Tidwell so much these days. He's even, good God... making me like him juuuust a little. Just a little. I'm still not happy about a Reese and Tidwell relationship.
Because he is still, oh I don't know her BOSS!
The gold fish confuses me though because Tidwell wasn't there when Charlie discovered her love of goldfish (the smile on her face! She loves fast cars, rock n' roll... and fish). I very much doubt Charlie told Tidwell. He still doesn't like Tidwell Charlie's snarky ribbing: 'Do you do everything Tidwell says?' was enough to tell me that.
About Jennifer and Charlie. Um. I don't know. I don't know how to take Jen. I don't hate her but I don't know how to take her actions. I can see, I think, what they're trying to do but... I really think this was something only a better actress could have pulled off. Also, the whole time I kept thinking: 'What about your kids and husband??? What about Mark? Is no one thinking of Mark???'
One more final thought, regarding Dani's home life... the revelation that her mother got drunk during thanksgiving... is this the indication way back in What They Saw? that the reason she knew how to take care of functioning alcoholics isn't just because she was one because her mother is?
Although, it could just be her mother acting out with Jack leaving. Also, I think this pretty much confirms that Dani was an only child (this is the reason why I didn't buy Dani having a big family). Big family would immediately flock when something like this happening. Dani won't even get to touch the dishes. I know this from experience. I mean, the big family coming in to help. My family does these all the time. Aunts, uncles, cousins would appear out of the woodwork and just, you know, be there constantly.
One thing's for sure, this show still continue to have the best music EVER.
Okay, have to leave now. I'll try to find ways to get the net.