Episode 8x16 - "LA" ***CONTAINS SPOILERS***

I guess I'm in the minority here, but I thought the episode was pretty good. I adored the guest stars, especially Michael Madsen. He's great at playing the cheerful bad guy. And the scum bag defense attorney (I forget which actor) was awesome too.

I'm not a big fan of Natalia (for the most part, I think she's a fairly useless character), but I did enjoy her role in this episode. I thought it was nice how they tied her experiences in with those of the victim's. And as much as I hate when they make Jesse Cardoza into SAINT Jesse Cardoza, I liked that the rape victim left the thank-you note in the end. It was sweet, and a nice way of showing that Jesse can be a good guy without having to be THE MOST SAINTLY PERSON IN THE WORLD AFTER HORATIO CAINE.

Also nice to see Eric and Horatio together again. Loved their little bromance moment in the elevator right after H told Eric they were going to LA.

Oh, and A+ to Rob Zombie for getting ZZ Top to appear briefly. It was a nice surprise to see them, even though I now realize their appearance was previously announced. I guessed I missed that memo. Studying a gigantic restaurant menu for my new job as a server has taken over my life. :lol:
 
The CSI's in Miami were way under utilized (save Natalia...but even with her, I don't know something was just missing..perhaps a lack in empathy/socialization with the other CSIs)... I don't know if I was too tired when I watched it, but I felt detatched from the entire episode... save the first scene, which I highly enjoyed. There was not enough, (nor is there ever, inter/personal-csi interaction.

I still don't understand the use of high numbers and constants & variables, in to regards to TPTB... x amount of writers (who get shuffled around), y amount of directors...producers... etc... Why not stick to the formula that works that best??? -- It's very evident to me (and probably most of us) that there is no clear cut PTB. As each episode as some kind of disconnect and/or nonsensical history misstep... the fans no the show better than TPTB...maybe they should higher one of us to do their fact checking or 'grade' the scripts/episodes before they air.

It's season 8 (almost 9) already, they need to move past the lights and mirrors and focus on the characters and team.. it can't be said enough. One episode of character development here and there is not going to cut it... SO far I am disappointed in the 2nd half of the season...

I couldn't agree more! Last night's episode was missing the team delving into "the case". I know it was suppose to be a "special" episode but let's get back to basics. I want a show that focuses on the team and how they work together to solve the case. The guest stars and the case are secondary and meant to support the team storyline. Please get back to basics!

Also, I couldn't get into Jesse's character last night. I didn't feel anything and didn't care one way or the other whether he was guilty or innocent. I thought his emotional outburst was forced and not convincing. There was also something missing from Natalia, can't put my finger on it either. I am really missing the innocent flirting that used to go on between Ryan and Calleigh. They have such a natural chemistry together; why did they stop that?
 
The intro was the best ever -- I was incredibly pumped & grinning ear to ear, loved it! From that point on, it fell a little flat. I still enjoyed the episode & liked what Rob Zombie brought to it -- other than that, there was no team seen in this one, nor enough science.

I agree with you here, MJ. I thought the opening was great. But after the first 15 minutes or so it seemed to settle into a more normal episode and there was a glaring lack of "team."

Walter was too cute defending Jesse to Rebecca -- he had that "yeah, you get her, H" attitude :lol:

Yes he did! I found Walter's loyalty very endearing. Heaven knows this team could use a whole lot more of that. As someone previously commented (I apologize, I don't remember who...) Jesse's reaction at the end of the episode to Horatio saying Jesse would have done the same for him was less than satisfying. If they are trying to plant the seeds of doubt about Jesse, they're about as subtle as a rock. Show a little more respect for the intelligence of the audience, please.

I found it interesting that he reacted the way he did, yet Calleigh treated Jesse as a potential criminal.....didn't like that at all. "Step away from the car" was a bit too much from a colleague & not necessary. :rolleyes:

I thought Calleigh's demeanor was a bit over-the-top as well. But then again, maybe not considering it's Calleigh. It's not like her rush to judgment and cold dismissal hasn't been part of her make-up in the past couple of years. I found that scene highly reminicent of Calleigh and Eric's harsh judgment and dismissal of Ryan in "WISC." The only difference is that Jesse HAD explained to Calleigh why he feared for Anna.

And so I find it interesting that Calleigh is the only team member that Jesse took into his confidence about what was going on and she still didn't give him the benefit of the doubt. Her demeanor also brought back images of her cold response to Natalia's question about her shooting Eric - supposedly the love of her life - and her position that he was breaking the law and she had no regrets for shooting him. Whatever! :rolleyes:

Oh how I love it whenever I hear Horatio tell someone to shut up. :devil:

Yeah. I don't think I'd keep going if Horatio told me to shut it! :lol:

That said I was surprised at how far Jesse was allowed to go when he was confronting Enright. I felt he should have been escorted out immediately and then Horatio should have admonished soundly that his actions were inappropriate. Simply telling him this wasn't the way to get it wasn't sufficient corrective action in my book. I'm sure the scene was intended to portray how emotional the whole issue is for Jesse but I felt it reflected badly on Jesse's professionalism.

Eric: Hair. Fix it. Please. Looks like someone drew a line across his forehead & then colored the rest in with a Sharpie. :wtf:

Yeah. It does look pretty bad, doesn't it? :lol: Tracy Morgan's hair looks a little like that right now. Maybe that's the "style." To each his own!

Of course loved the Natalia/abuse/Anna situation. Thoughts on that one are going in her thread. :p

She was amazing! Again Natalia's warmth, compassion and concern for the victim just radiates.

I found the dynamics of Natalia's compassion for Anna (a victim that Natalia identified with, but still a stranger) was in stark contrast to Calleigh's cold, detached method of dealing with Jesse - a member of her team who had actually taken her into his confidence about his fears for Anna.

I alway love Horatio but I really loved him in this episode. He was everything I like about the man: unflappable, tough, determined and loyal to those who work under him. I would shut up if he told me too.

I loved him, too. This is the Horatio I've been waiting so long so see again. I'm thrilled when we do get to see him. Still not often enough for me, but I'll take what I can get. ;)

Ryan and Natalia didn't have many scenes (more than I thought they would) but made the best of the ones they did have.

I thought Natalia did a good job with Anna using her experience with Nick to empathize with her. Glad to see a little continuation.

Agreed. I thought Natalia was outstanding in this episode. It is proof positive that she needs to be seen much more than she has been.

Not nearly enough Ryan, though. And I, like many, really didn't find the height comment very funny and I do think that Ryan's reaction was more one of "what a jerk." Although Coop's screw up and Ryan's "genius" comment was pretty funny.

This eppie raised a couple of questions. Maybe they were addressed before I don't know. Why and when did Tony Enright kill Jesse's wife? Sutter and Jesse were both sure Enright did it. Do they have a lot of evidence and if they did would they have enough to take it to trial? Will this happen later this season?

Well, they have said that Jesse's storyline will be part of the last couple of episodes (the basis for the rumors that Cibrian is getting fired to make way for AR's to return). Hopefully a lot of those questions will be answered before the end of the season. :)
 
first I have to put a disclaimer that I have been a long time fan of Rob Zombie, from his music to his horror movies since I was about 16 years old. So when I heard about him teaming up with Miami I was thrilled.
After watching this episode for a 2nd time I was still all smiles.

I really enjoyed this episode from start to finish, from Jessie going at it in the very beginning, seeing Natalia's interaction with Jessie's ex, Rebecca Nevens back in the lab, the doors on the elevator opening Adam walking out (someone cue the sexy man music), and can we say, "OMG" to all the ridiculously sexy LA shots. FEWH! I wont lie, when I saw H in front of the Hollywood Hills Sign I had a "Rio" flashback. Now I know Rio de Janeiro is a very sexy and an exotic place, but it reminded me of the cinematography from that episode.

I enjoyed the storyline and all the guest cast (even though they didn't have much dialogue) I think it made the overall plot more believable.

A few things that I did not like about this episode, #1 Jessie having the new Chevy Camaro (while our boy is driving a Pontiac) that sexy car should be for sexy people only, #2 Calleigh sticking up for Jessie when he has lied to her in the past...(how annoying) and #3 I really did not like Adam's hair...ok, and before you tie me up and feed me to the wolves, I do understand Adam is flying back and forth between UB and Miami, but I am not a fan of that hairstyle, its not "Miami sexy", finally #4 I really did not like that huge plug/advertisement for CISCO right in the middle of my programming...if you want to sell your product use a late night advertisement on TV when everyone is supposed to be sleeping, don't use my hour of sexy Miami to sell me a group networking program for my computer.
 
I think Calleigh's behavior made sense, she takes her job very seriously, and did not want Jesse putting himself into further scrutiny (by contaminating the crime scene)/and/or needed to do her job.... Calleigh and Jesse both knew what needed to get done, and that's how I interpreted that scene.
 
AWESOME EPISODE!!! I loved IT! Rob Zombie really did a good job on this one!

Ok to begin with, Rob Zombie made his mark...
The whole scene with H & Jesse & Enright was sooo very well played out. I also liked the classic H confrontation with Enright.

Rebecca Nevins is back, huh? Not my favourite character but she's in the game. Am glad there's been some continuity since.. well whenever she showed up last.

Malcolm McDowell was great as a scumbag trial lawyer.
Seriously! I loved him throughout the episode. Confrontation between H, Eric & this guy... I really think he should come back, I don't understand how come he isn't being brought to justice IF he planted evidence.

William Forsythe as corrupt Capt. Sutter, not bad. I did like the way they showed H & Eric aren't welcome in L.A., the corruption of police officers. But H shouldn't have gone private with what Capt. Sutter did, it don't make sense to what H's usual policy is. but considering these guys only signed up for a single ep, plus that H's got his own troubles in Miami. In truth, I wish there was more to it, like a 2-part ep or something like that.

Eric was back!!! Its funny how he always ends up going on holiday with H :) Glad to hear he's returning though I really hope the writers are prepared for him.
 
There were many things I liked about this episode.

Natti had more of a part and they have continued her old story (of her abusive Ex) with her new story (hearing problem). The continuity is nice.

I liked how Calleigh covered for Jesse but is suspicious of him. He way crossed the line with that bug and then not telling H his boss about it? Bad! I like how Calleigh is taking the tough cautious approach to a very un-trust worthy team member.

I really loved having Dave in again. He is so easy going and fits in well with the team. I hope he and Mickey show up in more episodes.

I was pleasantly surprised to see ASA Rebecca Nevins. She and H have a lot of tension, she always wanting easy wins and H seeing the higher moral issue. Also she is still mad at H for all of the Kyle's trial stuff. I've always said that that story was not finished, and I'm excited to see where this is headed!

I really loved having Eric in, and H and Eric working together. That was wonderful!

Unfortunately, the good was out done by the bad.

The entire episode was about Jesse, who is boring and pathetic. Jesse even had some decent lines but just like previously when talking to Calleigh, he came across as unemotional, unfeeling, careless.
It didn't bother him at all that Anna was upset and in pain. Knowing he must be the last person on earth that she would want to talk to he should not have walked up to her at all. Not only does he not care about those he is supposedly trying to protect but it takes Natalia to tell to leave. What a Jerk!
He gets a little angry and very uncontrolled with the husband, but can't show any real emotion in his face.
Even when talking to Calleigh about his wife Tess, Jesse sound's like he complaining about being stiffed 20 bucks and not broken hearted over his love's murder!

Jesse does take H's order and stays out of it all. But his worried face (the only expression he ever has) doesn't lend to much closure.
Calleigh and Eric are right to keep him at arms length.

My other complaint about this episode was that they are writing garbage for Ryan, a wonder character and played by a wonderful actor. They are making him defensive, forgetful, careless, and incompetent. I can't stand this ill treatment of him. It is an insult.
 
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I too liked seeing Ms Nivens like H so formally addressed her (as if the past doesn't entitle her to ANY favors/special nice treatment from him)he's not forgotten what a snake she can be..almost makes Julia seem like the sweetheart next door...oh and loved all the banter-some of these 'bad guys' got some smart aleck remarks/and comebacks..funny..don't think I"d pull any 'tude w/someone like Lt Horatio Caine..
 
One of the things that was so interesting about their relationship is that they always addressed each other formally, even at the hight of their romance when H opened up to her about his nightmares! They always call each other "Sir/Ma'am" and "Lt Caine/Miss Nevins"
I love Julia, too. I hope they show her again some time.
 
I think that Horatio's demeanor was one of derision with the way she seems to continue to look at him for some help or assistance like he would help out a victim but not her; like she expects him to be not so formal at work when they are alone but he doesn't-just like when they dated they would say Ma'am/Sir but with a sweeter tone and now H's tone is distant and unforgiving to this day-she doesn't seem to get over him..I think it's amusing since that's what happens to most 'office romances' people move on and yet you still gotta deal w/that person on a professional level day to day-Horatio must look at Rebecca like "what was I thinking??"..glad to see her back though-still think she's a snake of a ADA for trying to prosecute Kyle knowing he was pushed to it by that ex con...if I was H I wouldn't forget/forgive that anytime ever..
 
She compromises Justice for easy wins. That is all. It doesn't matter to her that she is putting too much pressure unnecessary on witness, that those who did minor things or had unusual circumstances are punished just like those who are hardened criminals, that she makes deals with the corrupt in order to prosecute minors. Easy wins- that would have ruined her in the long run! Yes. Nevins is a snake.
 
I viewed this episode as an indicator of the show as a whole, which is still in transition and in great need of settling down to a predictable cast (like in CSI NY), that seems unified. Miami has had suffered from too many core cast changes- Eric is supposed to leave, but really doesn't, then he's brought back for good. Alexx leaves, Tara comes and goes, then we have to try to adjust to Tom, Walter and Jesse- all three to me wear on me like an ill fitting shoe. I won't go too far into Julia and Kyle- the fact that I still could do without the 2 of them since Horatio's connection with them from the beginning seemed and still seems unbelievable to me- I'd more believe in Madison being his daughter (yes, I know she's Ray's daughter) than I can believe that Kyle is his son- I wince even at an eyeblink of the guy on the screen still after all of this time.

There has been so much change that it's disconcerting and like someone else in here said, if Jesse was involved in a coverup or accused of one why wasn't IAB involved? Where was Rick? Why isn't he involved? Also, I'd like to know how Horatio as a Lieutenant could go after the Captain of a police department of a major city? I mean wouldn't he have had to ask his OWN Captain about it? As a Californian, I felt pretty put out at having a Captain of a major city in my state look like a bumbling, inept, frightened capon. I just chalked that up to the "Super H" factor.

I wasn't too impressed with the vampire/nosferatu goth imagery at the beginning- it just doesn't seem Miami, but maybe they felt they had to pander to those who are fans of that sort of thing. I'm waiting for next season to hopefully see things settle down, although I find myself liking the old episodes and the old cast, which had unity and chemistry, far better than these chaotic newer ones.
 
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Ruby&, thank you for that review; totally agree with your assessment. The ratings are also starting to be impacted; I believe L.A. was the lowest rated of the season.
 
Ruby&, thank you for that review; totally agree with your assessment. The ratings are also starting to be impacted; I believe L.A. was the lowest rated of the season.


You're welcome! I love Miami and I hope that it will put its best foot forward this next Fall season....:)
 
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