Has Delko evolved?

[Finch]

Do you feel since the first season, Eric has evolved in any way? If not, how come?

I've personally noticed many changes in him throughout the years. In earlier seasons, he seemed to be more of the 'player' in the team. For example, his toothing in season three, his amusement with women handing him money at the club in 'Wannabe', and the rest of the team's opinion about him. When he didn't show up for work in 'Extreme', Calleigh was convinced he had a new 'lady friend' and even questioned him about it further into the episode. Speed mentioned to him in 'Hard Time' that "every day was a surprise party with him", giving me the notion that he probably wasn't the most reliable person sometimes. Now he seems a lot more grounded and even this season, the writers have put forth that he's thinking of settling down. (His comment about a child/family in 'CSI:My Nanny')

Also, in earlier seasons up until last season, he didn't hesitate the moment the 'damsel in distress' came into the picture. ('Extreme', last season) However since he was sued by trying to do the right thing, he's backed off a bit and become more aware of people's sometimes bitter/greedy/evil intentions and places more caution to his actions--as seen in 'You May Now Kill The Bride'.

Overall, I think he's become much more, like I mentioned, grounded and mature. He isn't the 'new guy/eager beaver' that he seemed to be in season 1. It's not surprising, he's gone through a lot.

What do you guys think? What do you believe contributed to his 'changed ways', if any?

Hopefully this generates some interesting discussion.

 

[HellsBells]

I think that Delko has definitely evolved over the last seasons. I think he changed drastically after his near graze with death last season. I think him getting shot has made him put his life in perspective and I think that might be why he's starting to think about settling down.

With his "womanizing" player ways, he took a step away from that title last season after he got sued. I think he had the "Cinderella" romanticized idea of saving the damsel in distress, and when it backfired last season he sort of realized that fairy tales don't exist. (Is it weird to think of it that way? Nah.)

Not to mention, I think he started to change his ways after Speed died. With his best friend, and most likely his wingman gone, I think he lost a part of himself, and didn't know what to do with what was left. I also think that this was part of the reason why he started to tooth.

 

[Jennifer]

Oh I definitely think he's changed, and for the good. He went from loving it when the women threw themselves at him, to being turned off by it, as in "You May Now Kill the Bride". When that stripper tried to throw herself at him to get him to help her out, you could tell he was horrified. He had that 'deer caught in the headlights' look on his face.

I think the major reason for his change is being shot and coming so very close to dying. It was a life altering experience for him obviously. To a smaller degree, I think Marisol's cancer, taking care of her and paying her bills in addition to his own, and then having her be murdered had some effect on him too...made him appreciate family and those he loves.

Life gave Eric a serious wake-up call and he answered it!

 

[ILuvJonathanTogo]

I think he definitely has changed since the earlier seasons. His job wasnt really number one priority when he was with a girl and his "player" ways got him in trouble a couple of times because of that. I think he started changing after Marisol died because he was angry and just wanted to devote himself to his job and not wanted to be distracted. He was angry about Speed already so it was kind of like the last straw. He realized that he wanted to catch all the killers so his "player" side just went away.

 

[Marija_Magdalena]

I agree with all of you. I really prefer new Delko.

 

[Finch]

I think him getting shot has made him put his life in perspective and I think that might be why he's starting to think about settling down.

I agree. I believe he's really started to look at himself and the people around him and decide where his priorities stand.

I think he had the "Cinderella" romanticized idea of saving the damsel in distress, and when it backfired last season he sort of realized that fairy tales don't exist. (Is it weird to think of it that way? Nah.)

Nope, not wierd at all. I tend to think he's always been the kind of guy who romanticizes about saving the day and being the hero to someone. That had to play some sort of role in his decision to become a cop, right? It unfortunate that he had to be blind-sided by that woman last season for him to snap back to reality and realize the road to hell is sometimes paved with the best intentions. Even though he didn't remember her after getting shot but his pay is probably still being garnished and he probably found out why. However, I think he was on the road to change even before he was shot. To me, the bullet to the head forced him further into that change.

When that stripper tried to throw herself at him to get him to help her out, you could tell he was horrified. He had that 'deer caught in the headlights' look on his face.

I actually thought that was hilarious. :lol: It was so cute, I wanted to hug him.

And about Marisol and Speed...I definitely think both their deaths played a role in Eric's changing ways. For some reason though (maybe because I'm totally biased ) I think Speed's death had more of an impact on him than Marisol's. While Marisol wasn't expected to live very long in the first place (despite her being murdered anyway which I think was just a plot device to get her dead quick and 'shock' the audience) and Eric was probably aware of that, Speed was killed suddenly and the last conversation they had was about fish. (right? :lol Not exactly the story-ender to a relationship forged over years. BBYD seemed to close that chapter though.

I think all of his losses and gains over the years have contributed to his change, and I definitely think it's for the better.

Heh, Eric used to be my least favourite character back in the day and now he's become my absolute favourite.

And hey, has anyone noticed not only his mental evolution, but his physical one too? He seems to be a lot more gruff and ...gruff. :lol: I don't know whether it's because he simply doesn't care anymore or because the little things like shaving aren't as important anymore. It would stand to reason that he wouldn't be as concerned about his appearance when recognizing it doesn't mean anything in the long run--that it's his actions that count, not how primed and proper his hair or clothes are. I mean, the guy still looks great and still looks professional but on television when a character has a beard, they give the more 'old' or 'experienced' vibe. Pretty subtle but effective.

 

[Dutchie]

With his "womanizing" player ways, he took a step away from that title last season after he got sued. I think he had the "Cinderella" romanticized idea of saving the damsel in distress, and when it backfired last season he sort of realized that fairy tales don't exist. (Is it weird to think of it that way? Nah.)

Agreed. He definitely thought that helping out women in need would make him respected and loved, but when he got sued last season it hit him that not all women want a hero, and 'saving the damsel in distress' could get him in trouble, too. I don't think he'd ever expected this in earlier seasons, and his "player" behaviour went down immediately.

I can only imagine what effect getting shot and almost dying has on you, but it changed Eric's ideals, that's for sure. We all remember Speedle saying there was time enough for him to get a car before he went into the jewelery store in 'Lost Son', I guess Eric realized in the nick of time (while it was too late for Speedle) that life's too short. Especially in their line of work (and especially in CSI:Miami)

So yeah, I do think Eric has changed over the seasons.

 

[mjszud]

I think TPTB showed a much different Eric Delko in Season 4 opposed to the first 3. Especially Season 3 itself. He was much different. There seemed to be alot of everything that forced him to have a different approach on life. The "bullet" kicked him into high gear, but I also saw that he was a changed man before the accident as well.
I love him, he has always been my fave Miami man!

 

[Florry86]

Hmmm I've been here for a while reflecting on your thoughts.
Definetly Eric evolved....especially from s3 to s4.
S1 and S2 let me say he was just a kid always trying to have fun also on crime scenes with his buddy Tim.
When Tim died he surely changed his mind and wasn't funny as he was before...he was always serious...let's say angry with Ryan but to me he was more angry with life. He lost his best friend and didn't know how to yell out.
In "killer date" he made toothing (let's say not I thing you should be proud of) but still I think it was probably the first step for him to mature....in that episode he began to go to the psichiatric for Speed and his anger.
S4 finally we saw him completely matured....yeah there's a little bit of marjuana but it was for his sister who suffered cancer. To me this was the last step for his developement. He was mature 90% after Speed's death (his worst trauma) and the psichiatic.
His sisester's illness make him become less angry with life and ready to smile again.
Another good point for him to mature...was Natalia...she was probably the first estabilished girlfriend of him...their relationship was strong (till the mole problem...even if it didn't create too many troubles for them) and he was completely another person a lovely person.
Same thing in s5..first half....when we saw him being funny and at the same time serious in the right moments.
Then the shooting well he changed again...I don't know if it's better or worse but still it changed him a lot since he's still suffering because of it...and the bullet still remains in his brain.
I can say he's more reflective in every action he makes....but I found a new serious Eric Delko....it looks like he lost the "good old smile" the one from s1-s2 and finally s4.
I don't know why but I'm pretty sure that there will be other changes also because of the bullet....so I won't say anything about what I think of him right now