You know, it's interesting to bring up the whole "Jake" thing b/c I really thought (from a non-shipper standpoint) that he would lead us deeper into Cal's past. Instead, IMHO, he's only served as a pawn to make Eric look like the better man in this "love triangle" thing. There was not much depth to Jake's character, and we never really got to know why Cal seems to care for him so much (other than the fact that he's a "bad boy.") It kind of hurt Cal's character a bit for me, b/c we didn't get to see beyond the physical attraction or whatever - there was obviously a deeper relationship in the past, and it would've been interesting to go there instead of just "using" the Jake character, you know? Jake should've helped us understand Calleigh better, but I don't think this plotline has done that thusfar.
I just wish TPTB would get back to what made the show work in the first place - the friendships. I really liked that locker room scene between Eric and Cal in "Down To The Wire" b/c it was about their friendship, and they were addressing their own problems, etc. (Actually, a little OT, but Eric reminded me a bit of Speed in "Dispo Day" in that scene.)
Cal has always been ready to help everyone on the team, and "Down to the Wire" was a great example that — even though she's been through a lot, she's consistent in protecting her friends. (Like she did w/Speed in "Dispo Day," Ryan in "Deathpool 100", etc.) She's always willing to go out on a limb for her friends, and for the good of the lab.
The fact that she was willing to ask Eric if his brain injury threatened the lab, knowing it would be a tough conversation, I thought that was fantastic. And someone had to say it. I know Cal said she thought she should've said something when Eric first came back, but our poor girl is taking too much of the blame - H is his boss and he should've been looking out for Eric, too. I think Cal needs to realize that, even though she's the senior CSI, she can't take on all the responsibilities in the lab.
Calleigh is still the rock of the team, as far as I see it. Since all this "drama" has happened w/Horatio over the past few years, she's really been "holding down the fort" the whole time. (And you know it really would be nice for Horatio, as her boss, to acknowledge that fact every once in a while, and even stick up for her.
I mean, Cal has everyone else's back, but who has hers? With all the drama going on w/the other characters, I feel like she's been abandoned a bit, especially by H... but I digress.)
Her strength and smarts are still there, but she's definitely not the "way too cheerful" girl next door anymore. I miss that Cal, but unfortunately too much has happened to her since, I'd say, Speed's death. (I agree w/you guys that Speed's death definitely affected her - I mean, she's the one who asked him to please clean his gun or "it could be you next time," and he didn't listen. It was pretty tragic, actually.
)
If only we could get the "team" spirit back, and those bonds of friendship between ALL the team members, I think we could see Cal's lighter side a bit more. That is, if TPTB would stop trying to kill her! :lol:
