Surreal_44
Hit and Run
I don't get why I'm supposed to suddenly hate Danny's guts. He's such a complex and interesting character--far from perfect, and not always likable, but so interesting. Sure, he's hot, but that doesn't do much when most of the guys on TV are hot. He's a believable 'city boy' and his characterization is a welcome contrast to the usual 'strong guy' vs 'damsel in distress' cliche--he's emotional and needy, and he's usually the one in distress rather than coming to the rescue. Plus, of course, Carmine is a great actor.
To you, maybe. I have never found Danny to be anything other than a shallow self-absorbed jerk who takes from people but rarely ever gives back.
He's complex in his own way, but no more so than say Lindsay, whom we have been given a ton of information on why she behaves the way she does. (You'll want canon proof for that statement, won't you? Teenager. Four dead friends. Only witness, only survivor. Grieving mothers, survivor's guilt, etc. All mentioned in the show.) If somehow this does not add up to what you consider Lindsay's poor behavior, then I'm not sure how you can remotely defend Danny when we don't even get that much with Danny.
We have Ruben's death, yes. Is Danny reacting as a normal person would? Yeah, probably. Does that mean that he should get a pass? Not anymore than Lindsay should if she's being a pain or if Mac is being annoying, or if Stella gets snappy or....
The fact is, Danny's behavior towards everyone since Ruben's shooting is appalling. He's ignored advice, blown off any attempts by his friends to help him, not shown up to work, had his gun stolen and fail to report it, basically given Flack a big "F*ck you" for all the help he gave him, and is now sleeping with his neighbor in an attempt to "heal" their grief. *shudders* In what world is this self-destructive and nasty behavior considered an ok and good thing? Not to mention that he's cheating on Lindsay -- and yes, I stand by my statement that if Danny had NO CLUE that he and Lindsay were boyfriend and girlfriend then he's a moron -- and being a cheater makes him a b*stard.
It doesn't mean people should hate him. I just don't agree that because he's having Issues (again) that he should be petted and pampered and protected. Enough is enough. He's a jerk, he finally got called on it. Lindsay was not being unreasonable.
We've seen the canon "proof" of how he's been avoiding dealing with his grief, and there is certainly an implied amount of off-screen behavior mentioned by Flack and Lindsay about Danny that supports Lindsay's irritation on how Danny is turning away.
She does give him a chance to speak in this episode, and he gets a sort of smirk on his face and opens his mouth, but she stops him. I know why and so does she. More excuses, more of dancing around the truth, more avoidance. Probably he'll blow her off again. It's in his posture and in his expression.
I thought Lindsay was quite poignant in this episode. The slight tremble in her voice when she talks about losing someone...oh yeah. Of course she knows what Danny's going through. Maybe not the exact emotions, but she certainly knows loss in an intimate and frightening way most people don't. I love her line "I never expected you to not grieve". That was a fantastic statement of support, and Danny is flippant about it.
Just as he's so flippant about his next door neighbor and what he's doing with her. His grief was nowhere in sight when he was attempting to lure Rikki back to his bedroom, and that in itself is just wrong. The very reason he's doing....THAT...is downplayed into what amounts to pillow talk. It's a bit disturbing and kind of gross. Not to mention he admits that it doesn't mean anything more than just sex and comfort. I can understand the thinking, but I can't agree with it and say that it's an all right thing to do.
There's one other nitpick about Lindsay I think is worth mentioning. When Danny's gun got stolen, people have been picking on her because she didn't go haring after him. Somehow this is construed as her not being supportive.
But she did what she needed to do; she covered for him and continued working on the case they were assigned to. She couldn't go looking for him for the simple fact that she was working. Leaving the lab wasn't an option available to her. So she did what she could while in the lab to support him, and sent out Flack (who happened to be off the clock, not that Danny seems to care) to help Danny. Aside from using the equipment in the lab while she was supposed to be solving a murder and lying to Mac, yeah, maybe she didn't do enough, but I think she went well above what was necessary in order to support Danny in that episode.
But back to this episode. I noticed something else about the episode. Remember back in season three Lindsay went to Mac and Stella with a theory but she didn't have much to back it up? This time she did. I was impressed. I don't know if the writers drew upon that particular episode or not for this scene, but it reminded me a lot of "People With Money". Lindsay does pay attention to her mentors.
Also, after a discussion with my best friend, we decided that the woman who died in the arsonist's apartment did not have any insurance, which is why she was wandering around with a serious injury. I know for a fact that a ruptured spleen is really painful, and lack of insurance is the only explanation I can embrace as to why she wasn't in the hospital. Sorry if someone else has already come up with that theory. :-D
I'm still in love with Mac for offering Stella his place, giving her a hug and giving her coffee, and then his scenes with the little girl and with the boy's mother. They were perfect moments, and I couldn't help but think that Mac would be a great father. Probably a scary father, but a great one.