An interesting episode, despite it consisting entirely of Raskell. Overall, a more satisfying episode than Father of the Bride, which annoyed me on many levels.
I'll get the worst bit out of the way, that being the Santa Monica Pier cat and mouse scenario. Why was the carousel area so empty when the rest of the pier was packed? Actually the whole scene was laughable and just plain stupid. It was only remotely saved by Nick's "I'm not getting on my knees" comment.
Now, on to Ray prancing round LA. (Where was his cape and matching tights?
) Oddly enough, I think that could have worked. I think Ray reacted appropriately given the situation. Catherine would have done the same for Lindsey, Sara would have done the same for Grissom and we've already seen Greg effectively do that earlier this season with his strip... I mean burlesque dancer. So why is it so wrong? We've seen it before, I almost felt like I was watching
Doctor Who all over again, only this time with a more annoying recurring character and Ray's dragging the team down with him.
I felt sorry for Catherine in this one. Some members have said that it's partly her fault for bringing Ray out with her but I disagree, even if she had left Ray back in Vegas he'd have gotten himself on a plane to LA anyway. She's got a loose cannon and it's reflecting badly on the team. Worst of all, her assistant supervisor disobeys her as well choosing to chase Haskell round Santa Monica which gives the team an even worse impression. Nick was rightly reprimanded in my opinion. It looked like Sara was the only one on the team who's actually doing what she's supposed to.
I liked Greg and Hodges' scene with the phone, I didn't like the scene with Ray in it. What happened Greg? A year ago he was having doubts about Ray but now he's willingly been lassoed into letting Ray wander freely? Hodges is portrayed as being an idiot as well, first letting Ray use the log-in and secondly falling for the "coffee trick", it's all getting out of hand and I can't wait until next week when (hopefully) Haskell's put to bed. (Preferably six feet under the ground.)
Oh dear I'm moaning again, okay I'll say some good things about the episode. I liked both Sosa and Brody. Whilst I think Brody will be a great asset to the Vegas team realistically I think we've seen enough of Sosa to get a good feel of what he's like and I reckon he'll lose some of his character when placed alongside Brass, Vartann, Ecklie etc. However what I saw from Brody in particular was promising. (Please don't do a Lauren Lee Smith CBS!)
I also liked how Haskell's sticking to the formula he was introduced to. Targeting couples, post-mortem stab wounds, keeping the wives etc. At least he's maintained some of the good qualities he had when he was introduced in
19 Down. I still won't miss him though.
I'd say overall it was a good episode, not the best but not as shambolic as I was expecting. Only one more episode to go now before a slighter shorter 3 month wait until Season 12. (I'm going to watch it at the same time as the US next season.)
