Re: Horatio/DC's Thread #11
The 'Real Horatio' probably means different things to different people. For me, I have always admired H for his intensity, compassion and determination. Those chracteristics have never really gone anywhere, but in Season 4, he seemed to become lacklustre and detached. He was already becoming detached from his team in Season 3, but this was compounded all the more in Season 4.
His compassion for his team also went slightly AWOL in Season 4, especially towards Eric. For example, in 'Nailed', Eric tried to explain why he was late getting to the crime scene, and H abruptly dismissed this - it was very out of character. A similar situation occured in 'Driven', where H insisted that he goes to see Marisol in hospital and denied Eric permission to do so. She's his sister and he really should have let him go, regardless of the case situation. H could have worked the crime scene for a change and let Eric go. Again, that didn't sit right with me.
Also, the H I admire the most always had his family close by. His interaction with Yelina, Ray Jnr and Madison highlighted his human, slightly vulnerable side. Interestingly, the non-Horatio fans admit to liking him more when his family are around for this very reason. This side to his character is heartwarming and genuinely touching ie. not contrived.
These characters were taken away from H in Season 4, and this took alot away from his character and emotionally, he seemed like a closed book. The writers tried to heap an angsty past upon him, but that just became over the top and rather unbelievable. He already had an interesting past before they decided to mess with it. I didn't really see the point of it - at least, it didn't work for me.
Also, the 'Real H' spent more time in the Lab! He is hardly ever there anymore and that is a shame. I get rather tired of him chasing suspects and interrogating people.