Grade 'Damned If You Do'

[talkingtocactus]

i never thought i'd hear "favourite" and "phil collins" in the same sentence:wtf::wtf::wtf::wtf:

Hmm? I guess you aren't a Phil Collins fan. I like creepy 80s songs and that is right up my alley. However, "Every Breath You Take" is my flat-out favorite 80s song.

no, i can't stand him! 'every breath' is ok though, any song that can be a worldwide megahit and be about being a weirdo creepy stalker is fine with me! although as it goes i think sting's almost as awful as phil collins. but hey ho.

For some reason, the guy Adam was doing the fake Polygraph test reminded me of Biff from Back to the Future? When he freaked out, he even acted like him.

yeah, he was a bit. they should've thrown manure at him.

 

[Country233]

no, i can't stand him! 'every breath' is ok though, any song that can be a worldwide megahit and be about being a weirdo creepy stalker is fine with me! although as it goes i think sting's almost as awful as phil collins. but hey ho.

Yes, I tend to like creepy obession or stalker songs :rommie: Is it because Collins and Sting are seen more in the UK and you're sick of them, or genuinely dislike them as singers? I'm curious because I think some American singers are terribly annoying because we're oversaturated with them all the time. Carrie Underwood is one example.

 

[Geeno]

Very good episode. The case reminds me a little of MIA/NYC Nonstop where suspect attacked the wrong couple.

My thoughts:
- The episode was well-written. I like that it didn't fail me to give the answers to my confusions.
- Billy's gf calling Flack a bitch - funny! :lol:
- Mac/Jo scene in his office. Nice to know a little bit more about Jo. I sensed some tension between them. She is sneaky and doubtful which might be the cause of their misunderstanding in the future.
- Adam in the polygraph scene - hilarious! :lol: I thought it was a smart move to trick a suspect.
- Sid's scenes were awesome too. Remember, you have a wife and two (?) daughters, don't be too obvious. :lol:
- Why there has to be one odd material that would point to the real suspect? Remember the nanopaint that was also found and proccessed by Lindsay on 'Flag on the Play'? Yeah it's not always happening but it's sort of odd too.
- I like the new city shots with light blue lighting. It's pleasing to the eyes. It looks cool.

I don't understand how the guy couldn't tell that the people in the bed were not his parents. Do all parents look the same to him or what? Was he stoned out of his mind? I just didn't get that.

I know right? I know some young people who see anyone who's middle-aged as the same, but not being able to recognize his parents? Pretty far fetched.

I thought of that too but it was shown that suspect was pretty wasted and drunk. It might have affected his senses.

 

[Lori K.]

She is sneaky and doubtful

I dont like sneaks....or liars for that matter!:lol:

So does Lindsey think she is the new Stella with that "Stella strut" goin on there?
Are they about done with the "Jo worshipping" yet or do I have to get Sid some viagra so he can get the job done. Dont mess with Sids character too or there will be nothing left since all of the characters are in "awe" If I remeber correctly they all had talent at one time as well.

F

 

[talkingtocactus]

it was never not going to be an F tho, was it?

Is it because Collins and Sting are seen more in the UK and you're sick of them, or genuinely dislike them as singers? I'm curious because I think some American singers are terribly annoying because we're oversaturated with them all the time. Carrie Underwood is one example.

a bit of both, we do get quite a lot of both. it doesn't help sting is ridiculously sanctimonious, and collins is just an arse who ruined genesis :lol:

and back on topic.... as for the ep, having thought a bit more about it, i had a couple of things that bothered me:

1: danny saying about having a baby boy. WE KNOW THEY'RE MARRIED - SHUT THE F**K UP!

2: why the hell did sheldon ask sid to explain his findings about the murder weapon? he was the ME before, he would've known this himself. and as such, sid wouldn't need to explain it to jo (who was also present) either, as sheldon could've done so. are we to assume that a few years in the csi job has wiped sheldon's memory of all things dead body related?

3: even i thought mac was too damn sanctimonious during both his hospital room scenes - and i'm usually the one defending him against the sanctimony accusations!


and some things i liked more:

1: adam as expert was a nice touch, & i liked that jo made a beeline for him when she had that idea.

2: flack talking to danny in the manhole - best scene those two have had in a long long time.

3: flack saying that everyone has it in them to do this kind of thing. very well said, i'm glad they deviated from the "all human beings are inherently nice people but some get misguided" crap for once.

 

[CSI Cupcake]

This episode held my attention and I was surprised by the ending. The contrast between the two families was very well done. Mac completely missed the mother's meaning when she touched the picture of her family. I don't believe she even knew what he was asking her. She just wanted her son because she was hurt and she needed him.
ETA: I went back and watched the beginning again and have to change my mind here. Mac went with what she said, which I didn't see the first time around. Part of me wants to believe she didn't know what she was saying and the other part of me thinks she thought it was her son. When she didn't remember a thing afterwards it makes me wonder if she was covering for him or if the TBI she experienced messed with her memory that much.

I had a hard time figuring out the two guys in Riekers. I must have been extra tired Friday night because I didn't get what their game was until the guy confessed. And WHAT a confession. I loved seeing Adam ham it up in the interrogation room and loved Jo's countdown to the confession. She is getting along famously with the team!

Speaking of teams and teamwork I chuckled all the way through the Danny and Flack scene on the street. Don was great, sitting there in his suit, appearing to be chatting with the wind. I thought it was funny how many people walked by and DIDN'T stop to look or at least acknowledge that this guy in a suit is sitting on the curb talking away to an open manhole. And you know he's not going to take his nicely pressed suit down there when he has Danny to do the dirty work, cause that's what CSI's do. Great job!

Danny and Lindsay were reminiscent of S2, working together in the room. If a viewer didn't know they were married their conversations would sound like that of two co-workers that didn't go home together to their child at the end of shift. The comment from Sheldon about them taking the bedroom didn't even give anything away. I think the writers are doing a good job of handling the marriage, now that they have established the couple as married.

The end took me by surprise. I realized what the guy was really trying to do right before it was revealed. I don't know what it would be like to have to make a decision like his parents did because we all want to think the best of our kids and believe they wouldn't hurt another person for any reason. It must have been a heart-wrenching for them to testify against him. The fact that he wanted to kill them makes me think he had more issues than they knew about.

Mac going back to the hospital at the end was great to watch. I got the impression he felt he had to "clear his name" or something. But he finally put someone else's feelings before his own and realized that it was better not bringing it up and trying to apologize. He chose the better path.

Jo is doing very well blending into the team. I liked the scene with Mac in his office. Letting us have a little glimpse of what brought her to the decision to leave the FBI and come to the CSI's is just the first layer of her backstory. I look forward to learning more about this woman as she is a character that I am enjoying and can identify with.

This one gets and A+ because it had everyone in it and I didn't figure it out in the first 10 minutes.

 

[Lori K.]

it was never not going to be an F tho, was it?

Couple this with is:

: danny saying about having a baby boy. WE KNOW THEY'RE MARRIED - SHUT THE F**K UP!

Can you blame me? Even though the Jo stuff is getting old (to me anyway) I dont resent it half as much as this crap ...Its getting sickening. I've decided evertime I have to be subjected to a D/L reminder they get an F

 

[churchmouse]

I am not going to lie, I loved the episode. Don and Danny together were great! I love how Don was sitting on the curb having a conversation with what looked like him self, and Danny is in the sewer knee deep in stuff doing the dirty work.

I am glad to see Don back in the grove of things after last season. When he jumped up and pulled that bad guy down with him. Looking forward to the episode where he and Danny get ruffed up.

 

[Dreamboat]

I really liked this episode. With all the twists I never saw the end coming. It was very well written.

The not so good:

1. Way too much time was wasted at the beginning showing off the young and pretty at the party.

2. Mac got to the crime scene so fast the EMTs were still there. That's very unlikely.

3. The couple were attacked between 9 and 10 o'clock. Who goes to bed that early?

4. The killer, Paul Benson, must have been really drunk and must have left the lights off to not notice he was attacking the wrong people. Also, all of the furniture would have been different. It's possible, but it's a weak spot.

5. Would the Benson's parents have really moved away and not told him? Even if he never responded surely they would have written him.

The good:

1. I liked the connection between how Mac had the victim in this episode move her finger to communicate and how he had the victim blink her eyes in "Blink" from season one. Score one for the Continuity Fairy.

2. Sid's little neuron experiment when he had an emotional connection to "alimony" was so Sid.

3. Danny and Flack talking when Danny was down the manhole was hilarious.

4. Adam pretending to give the polygraph test was adorable, especially when babbling "relays to the pen-thingy."

 

[talkingtocactus]

it was never not going to be an F tho, was it?

Couple this with is:

: danny saying about having a baby boy. WE KNOW THEY'RE MARRIED - SHUT THE F**K UP!

Can you blame me? Even though the Jo stuff is getting old (to me anyway) I dont resent it half as much as this crap ...Its getting sickening. I've decided evertime I have to be subjected to a D/L reminder they get an F

i don't think it's comparable. jo has been in *three* eps, and as a new character will inevitably have extra screen time and is frankly being judged on just about everything but the actual character by a huge proportion of "fans", she's being dismissed simply for not being someone else.

DL on the other hand has been thrust at all of us from many angles for several years and i think it's quite justifiable that people are sick of it now.

but y'know, we're never gonna agree on this. whatever.

 

[*NickStone*]

Gave this one another A+

From a general perspective, this was the best overall episode so far this Season. The case was certainly the best of the three epis we've had for S7, and one of the best of the entire series so far.

One great thing about the case was how it really brought it back to the idea that this show (this franchise even) is about Forensics and Forensic Scientists, rather than about cops chasing suspects etc.

The fallibility of the eye witness statement and the way that in the end, it was the science that disproved it, really reinforced the "concentrate on the evidence not the people" theme that runs common throughout the three shows.

It showed (albeit with some of the usual artistic licence) just how important forensic science is in combating crime, and how much of a difference it can make to the justice system. That's what really set these shows apart from all the other crime dramas, and it's nice to see them getting back to that lately, there have been a few instance in recent years where they seemed to be departing from it.

Also good to see is that three episodes in and we haven't seen any silly ott James Bond style, the victim was killed with a high-tech weapon/complicated mechanical stuff scenarios that we have in the past. ("The Triangle, "Black List", "Death House") They seem to be keeping things a bit more realistic for the past several episodes, which is good.

Lindsay was good again tonight and Hot (as if she wouldn't be... ) , really liked the outfit she had on, she looked great. :drool: :adore: I like how they seem to be giving her more scenes working out in the field and working alongside others besides Danny, as much as I love them together, having scenes of Lindsay working with at the lab just her husband day in, day out, was getting a bit repetitive. I'm getting a real Season 2 vibe to her scenes lately, I really hope they keep it up.

The scene between Danny and Flack was funny, Danny should have gotten his own back and stayed completely silent, that way passers by would think Don was talking to himself.... They'd all be watching this nutter sat on the kerb, wearing a business suit and talking to himself about "looking for evidence" :guffaw::guffaw:

Scene between Adam and the Riker's Island guy was hilarious, the look on Adam's face when the guy freaked out was priceless.

I liked the scene at the end, with Mac going back to the hospital, some really good interactions between him, the victim and her son in that scene, very well played by all concerned.

So yeah, an A+ Long may the Season (and show in general) continue on this form.

 

[Robin]

Another enjoyable episode.

The lie detector scene with Adam was funny.

Looks like Sid might have a crush on Jo. When did he get divorced? He has made references to a wife and daughter in the past.

Three Danny/Flack scenes.

 

[Lori K.]

i don't think it's comparable. jo has been in *three* eps, and as a new character will inevitably have extra screen time and is frankly being judged on just about everything but the actual character by a huge proportion of "fans", she's being dismissed simply for not being someone else.

DL on the other hand has been thrust at all of us from many angles for several years and i think it's quite justifiable that people are sick of it now.

but y'know, we're never gonna agree on this. whatever

Granted screen time between the two is uncomparable and Sela Wards acting abilities are indeed commendable on this I believe we are in agreement at least I think we are...BUT the extent in which the writers are beating me with it, is becoming intrusive and obnoxious. Hence: The meeting of Sid in regards to the introduction to Jo do you really think a polite "How do you do and welcome to the team" could not suffice? I'm sorry but his stop dead in his tracks and rendering him speechless at the sight of her was abit much IMO:lol: The only thing missing was and orchestra hiding in the bushes playing Rossinis introduction of the William tell overture part two :lol:. How about the writers just relax and trust Sela and her talents? I believe for those of us coming into this with a bit of skepticism would find her more palatable if they let her be normal. You dont have to "sell her" to her already faithful fans I would think, but trying to convince me into liking her isnt working... they are saturating me with this tactic. I think my favorite part was when she was snooping at Macs private paperwork at least she has a possible "flaw" like any body elses coworker. But to act like she is the second coming because the ratings were falling is insulting to the others and there abilities and that is just the way I see it no big deal. Jessica Angel was one of my all time favorites and her introdution was slow and subtle. Emmanuelle Vaugier is a very beautiful actress and I was hooked, NOT beaten over the head with her beauty. I know Sela is second in the slot and quite lovely but Sids reaction C'Mon!:lol: My comparision with the introducing of Jo and the D/L bile lies in the failings of the writers NOT Sela Ward. But since you are not of the same "fandom" as some of us I guess we can not see things in the same venue sorry that my opinion sours your feelings towards me but I thought we could respectfully disagree. She is not being dismissed for not being Stella I do not want Jo to "replace Stella" heck that was the only good decision they made which was not replacing her with Stella but creating her own character. And as far as the "F" they should have started getting them back in Season 5.

 

[GregNickRyanFan]

flack saying that everyone has it in them to do this kind of thing. very well said, i'm glad they deviated from the "all human beings are inherently nice people but some get misguided" crap for once.

That whole "all humans are capable of evil" line is something that I've heard somewhere else, but I can't for anything remember where. :lol:

The Sid/Jo scene - When he said he wasn't expecting her to be so... and then she said "female?", I had to wonder if that was what he was going to say or not. If it was, then wouldn't that imply that when he heard the name "Jo Danville", he thought it was "Joe Danville" and expected a guy. Or was Sid going to go with an adjective for attractive? :lol:

Oh and has Sid been married twice, or did he recently get divorced from the wife we always heard him mention in the past?

 

[*NickStone*]

So does Lindsey think she is the new Stella with that "Stella strut" goin on there?

Ah.. Come on. That's a little unfair don't you think? I don't mind people being negative about characters that I like, but I'd say it's a bit nitpicky to be critical of someone for walking along a corridor/across a room in the same way that somebody else did...