casting call and plot for episode 8, cuckoo's nest.
STORY LINE
The Compass Killer is back, and adds yet another to his circle of victims -- but this time the CSI squad knows his name; Flack's alcoholism threatens to derail his career...
So. Sounds like the writers are going ahead to make alcoholism a family affair for the Flacks, and are hurling Don into bitter self-destructiveness afterall. Not predictable at all, that. :vulcan: Sheesh. Alright. Still.
Will wait and see. Still a vague suspicion of the writers, but, will give it a chance. If there is a shot they're setting things up to bring Sam back in the future, with this as an element between them, so much the better.
[DEACON] Late 20's, African-American, a good buddy of Terrence Davis (NELLY), but almost certainly a gangster, Deacon drops by Terrence's apartment unexpectedly for a chat, and has no idea that there's a slowly-sobering NYPD detective groggily waking up in the bathroom. He's blind to the fact that he's an unwelcome guest...GUEST STAR
[LIEUTENANT WILLIAM SYTHE] Late 30's - Early 40's, OPEN ETHNICITY, a handsome, stern cop, he's the commanding officer of the detective squad, and he knows all about Flack's "personal problem" (alcoholism). A man with great respect for Detective Mac Taylor, Sythe agrees to believe Mac's story that Flack had a family emergency -- but he lets Mac know that it's BS and that Mac is covering for a chronic screw-up...ONE DAY GUEST STAR OPPOSITE GARY SINISE
Glad to hear that Nelly's making more appearances, and find it actually very interesting that he and Flack are still kinda connected. Sounds like the writers are pushing two characters from opposite ends of the spectrum towards a larger pool of shades of grey (guy with criminal ties turned informant now sheltering a cop) and a once by-the-book cop killing a suspect in vengeance now disillusioned and spiralling). Could be very good, and the dynamic they've had in the past has been really good tv. In a way I'm glad it's not looking like a Danny/Flack buddy movie to mutual recovery, but each on their own paths. That's not to say I don't want to see them also help each other, but I'm glad it's looking to be more complicated than that.
I also see a fun set up, of a cop in Terence's apartment in less than stellar shape, with an oblivious thug happily hanging out, with both Terence and Flack potentially at risk for it. Who knows if they'll be going for an ominous ambience or a humorous one. But Nelly/flack have always been fun to watch.
I don't mind that Mac's gonna be one to find a way into things to help out. Sure, yes, he's got his uber-moral code, but at the same time, we also know how protective he is of his team and the lengths he'll go, even in putting himself on the line for them. Harkens back to that scene from an earlier season where it was asked of him, "how many grenades are you going to jump on for your people." I also think he's well aware of shades of grey. If there are choices he has to make within that too, for friendship versus the job, that could be an in interesting turn of events.
I think there are several parallels between the two men, in both personal and professional temperment and focus, but I think it's wise the show is finding a different route for Flack. Especially if Mac's gonna be one (hopefully of several) to try and help him.
As far as the screw-up bit. I would find it hard to swallow if the show's gonna retro-fit that take on Flack's character into the scheme of things. I'm hoping that they are just gonna write up Sythe to be contrary, perhaps abrasive and even someone who mebbe knew Flack Sr., in order to provide someone for Mac & Don to work off of and alongside with; also that it could be hinting at unspoken of knowledge within the department of Sam's problems, especially as she's been known to stir things up deliberately and use their father's name to get out of it; lastly, perhaps imply that Flack's father may also have been both a well-known and respected cop but potentially a troubled one as well, that there could be a Flack legacy we'll get more hints and clues about. I live in hope :lol: But. We shall see.
I gotta say, Flack becoming an alcoholic is wow, quite a storyline, but I can't wait to see what Eddie does with the material. Sounds like Flack is really going to hit rock bottom. This storyline is definitely interesting to me--I'm glad TPTB moved away from the plan to have him just throw himself into work.
What I also like is the fact that this seems like it's going to be stepped out over several episodes. Like, continuity or something, a larger background for the characters that exists outside the Job, even if it stems from it. This I appreciate very much.
I gotta say, I'm glad Flack is the one falling apart and being really reckless instead of Danny. It's so much more surprising and unexpected for Flack. And Danny handling himself fairly well (with some understandable depression) is also kind of unexpected and refreshing. It's nice to see the writers really making an effort to make this season exciting and unexpected. It feels very fresh to me!
I am less surprised by this than I was by Adam and Stella. Ferf*ckssakes :lol:. Still shaking my head at that.
Danny's storyline still seems like it could be running along a very blandly predictable line. There's doubt, there's Danny & Lindsay screening what they say and reveal to each other, there's DL drama and duly shovelled Cuteness, there's gonna be rehab & physio frustrations. Meh. But when has it ever failed to rain, ya know?
I think the fact that Danny's still gonna be emotional and passionate within that is completely keeping within character. Similarly, I think that while Sheldon will be challenged, I'm not sure we'll see his behaviour drastically altered, just more extreme and weighty decisions being forced on him to make.
It does sort of feel like TPTB are pushing others to deviate a little further from who they are or have been, in order to see them find a way back, or find a new way altogether. Flack, definitely. Stella, sorta. I mean, if the actress is 'shockingly surprised' at material she was handed, the first time in six years, that might be an indication in itself that the behaviour written is a tad out of character and outside the usual realm
.
I'm glad you're still here, and you definitely have every right to feel that way, but I guess what I don't understand is why what Stella did was so terrible. She had consensual sex with a nice guy and both agreed it was a good experience. That might be it or it might turn into more... but I don't see why it's so terrible. I think the point of the finale is that the shooting changed everyone, or made everyone react in unexpected ways. Stella and Adam's actually (so far) seems like one of the healthier reactions, actually. Lindsay's was probably the most positive, and Flack's understandably being the worst.
I feel very repetive in saying I don't default to viewing Adam as a victim in all this, and I don't think Stella's in the least to be somehow vilified for it. Why should either one be. I was concerned how polarizing this had the potential to be, and that the characters could suffer not just if things were written up poorly, but because it would invevitably stir strong feelings. Even for those outside teh Shipping lanes. But again. Whether ya like or loath what they do, above all TPTB want ya first and foremost to tune in.
This is all a part of what I meant when I said I didn't want their encounter to be just a gimmick to poke people and stir interest, that I didn't want Stella in particular to get the short stick again, because she deserves better, she's not always been well used by the show.
We know nothing of how and when they got together, only how they've treated each other after the fact, which by the way was with affection and respect. Besides. From all the wee snippets and comments over the seasons, Adam's famously known for his taste in unique women and social encounters.
I'd like to think it could have been fun, er, good for both, and that both were perfectly aware of what they were doing. I think the fact that it happened, especially as an apparent spur of the moment, is an interesting presence to feed into things. A one off, and that you're still gonna see this person every day. That's kind of a fun dynamic for the show. How and why it happened could be something
they still haven't deciphered :lol: What I don't want is for it to default to the possible worst of PTB handling, crappy angst melodrama soap, dragging it out as a will they/won't they slogging love affair. Aside from the shock factor, the show looks like it could be handling it well. But we've only had one show. I could well need to get some gravol.
Mebbe TPTB really are stirring up the status quo, changing things up, finding ways to prod themselves and viewers both out of taking the realm and the characters for granted. I've been mulling this. The show needed shaking up. It's far too soon to be able to glean much insight there. If that intent is there, it could be very good. As far as engaging viewing, well, it's not been scintillating stuff so far, but Epilogue was a preface as much as anything else, so I wanna see what they're gonna do with it now.
PerfectAnomaly:
Can I just say I find it amusing (read: ridiculous) that in the premiere there were members of the press present wanting to find out what was happening with the shootings, plus Mac was one of the people shot at, but TPTB claims they couldn't find a way to bring back Reed. Now they're making Flack an alcoholic but they claim they can't find a way to bring back Sam.
:wtf:
I agree. And yet. TPTB seem to be picky at who they're willing pay to say lines, even if they're available. They could at least make references in conversation or phone calls that these people still exist.
lisasimpson:
Also not sure turning to drink to deal with traumatic events makes you an alcoholic. Although we do know there is alcoholism in his family, we have never seen any evidence that Flack has any kind of addiction.
well yes that as well, it takes a while for it to be full blown alcoholism, i think. it (addiction) can definitely run in families which again makes it more believable for me anyway, i hope they do it well.
I suppose I could see this as part of a Screw-Up retro-fit, that they might now insert past issues Flack may once have had, and somehow has managed in the intervening years, that have now re-surfaced in coping with recent events.
