This certainly wasn't my favorite episode, but there were parts of it that I thought were superb - mainly the entire storyline with Mac, Gerrard and Sinclair.
I thought the writing and acting was superb in that portion of the ep. I love Mac, but what a refreshing change of pace to see him fall off his (sometimes self-constructed) pedestal, and be the one under intense scrutiny. Unlike his other CSI Boss counterparts, Mac has always pretty much had an overall decent relationship with his higher ups and colleagues from other departments - although we started seeing that unravel in "Consequences", which plays a huge role in the current storyline. I loved seeing him go toe-to-toe with Gerrard - and as others have already mentioned, I thought Gerrard came off looking very reasonable and even somewhat sympathetic/empathetic to Mac's situation. I love that the so-called "nemesis" (if Gerrard can truly even be called that) isn't a one-dimensional villian, and Mac isn't always the Hero who ultimately knows what's best for himself and those around him.
On the one hand, I certainly understood Mac's anger and frustration at the investigation - he proved that Truby truly was guilty and a dirty cop, after all, and he knows that he himself is innocent in Dobson's actual death - but the department can't automatically know or assume that just on his word and reputation alone, and the public most certainly can't. Without a formal investigation, it looks like the police are protecting one of their own, and ultimately some of the public will assume that Mac really is guilty, but it's being covered up. At least an investigation can prove Mac's innocence to everyone, both departmental and public, but of course Mac doesn't see it that way.
Finally, I love how he was noticably jolted at the end, when the father of a victim tearfully confronted him. I got the distinct impression that Mac wasn't affected as much by the gun pulled in his face, as he was by the realization that his actions with Dobson had consequences that went beyond his own little world, and judging by the look on his face as he cradled the grieving man, he just had a bit of a smack upside the head in that regard. Of course we know he'll be exonerated, but I'm definitely liking the road they're taking him down, on the way there.
I thought the writing and acting was superb in that portion of the ep. I love Mac, but what a refreshing change of pace to see him fall off his (sometimes self-constructed) pedestal, and be the one under intense scrutiny. Unlike his other CSI Boss counterparts, Mac has always pretty much had an overall decent relationship with his higher ups and colleagues from other departments - although we started seeing that unravel in "Consequences", which plays a huge role in the current storyline. I loved seeing him go toe-to-toe with Gerrard - and as others have already mentioned, I thought Gerrard came off looking very reasonable and even somewhat sympathetic/empathetic to Mac's situation. I love that the so-called "nemesis" (if Gerrard can truly even be called that) isn't a one-dimensional villian, and Mac isn't always the Hero who ultimately knows what's best for himself and those around him.
On the one hand, I certainly understood Mac's anger and frustration at the investigation - he proved that Truby truly was guilty and a dirty cop, after all, and he knows that he himself is innocent in Dobson's actual death - but the department can't automatically know or assume that just on his word and reputation alone, and the public most certainly can't. Without a formal investigation, it looks like the police are protecting one of their own, and ultimately some of the public will assume that Mac really is guilty, but it's being covered up. At least an investigation can prove Mac's innocence to everyone, both departmental and public, but of course Mac doesn't see it that way.
Finally, I love how he was noticably jolted at the end, when the father of a victim tearfully confronted him. I got the distinct impression that Mac wasn't affected as much by the gun pulled in his face, as he was by the realization that his actions with Dobson had consequences that went beyond his own little world, and judging by the look on his face as he cradled the grieving man, he just had a bit of a smack upside the head in that regard. Of course we know he'll be exonerated, but I'm definitely liking the road they're taking him down, on the way there.
