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Post by blankregus on May 31, 2004 11:37:41 GMT -5
Last week's poll, whether visiting Det. Anna Mays in "Lover's Lane" should be added next season, made me wish I coulda voted "hell no," not just "no." I added, "Thinking about the ways they could screw up a show that's so artful and strong will make me crazy."
1) This team of detectives must be the most harmonious in broadcast history. Let's hope they don't mess with that, especially in light of shows like "The Practice," kept afloat solely by sniping between the principals.
2) "Cold Case" employs a high percentage of women writers and directors, particularly among crime shows. Is this why it never stoops to cheesy gunplay and chase scenes? Again, don't change.
3) Mark Pellington (Pearl Jam's "Jeremy" video) directed the pilot and one other, and was instrumental in setting the show's look. He also supervised production all year, saying, "My role is to talk to every director about what their ideas are for the design of every show and just keep quality control." He's now working on two independent projects, and I wonder if he'll devote another season to this.
4) The show attracted Agnieszka Holland, Tim Hunter and Allison Anders -- directors who (like Pellington) work on features, not TV. Holland and Hunter have movies in post-production. Will they return? (Like many of us, I have a wish list of directors I'd love to see here.)
5) "Without a Trace" is the Bruckheimer show "Cold Case" most resembles, and I hope "CC" won't fall into soap opera in season two, as "W a T" sometimes did.
6) Once "Cold Case" hit its stride with "A Time to Hate" (no. 7), it enjoyed an amazing run. (I count only two that truly disappointed, the basketball and disco epps.) I pray the folks at the top realize how special it is.
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Post by trublucoldcasefan on May 31, 2004 20:25:21 GMT -5
Those are very good points. I agree, the major thing they could do to mess up the show would be to add a woman detective. Although i wouldn't mind maybe having Lilly competeing against a detective in one episode. that might be interesting to see how far lilly would go to solve a case. ;D
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Post by Naj on Jun 1, 2004 9:36:39 GMT -5
It seems to me if they brought in Detective Anna from the 16th precinct....what the heck did they do that for anyway? I never caught the reason for that. Anyway it seemed as if it would be something for Scotty to deal with as to how her referred to her. Unless one of the four main male detectives may have only had a one year contract and may leave? Still they don't need a woman in the group. It just so unique the way it is now. Do go messing with that formula.
But what if they can't get the rights to all the original songs? That would certainly disappoint those fans that have latched onto it. Or what if they cut the number of songs per episode. 10-11 songs is quite a lot in my book. But then I don't watch all those other crime shows out there to a make any comparison.
What if Lily's part becomes smaller next year and they begin to rotate stories with the other detectives? Would you still like the show?
Actually blankregus, I'd like to see at least one episode where Lily has to use her gun. Say, what if she has to kill someone? That might be interesting for Lily's character. But then would they delve into her personal reaction to it or just allow it to remain a part of her professional duty.
Was Mark Pellington, who in the pilot, shot the police parking lot scene between Lily and the lawyer? That was awesome and I had hoped he had done more for the show hands on.
I have to agree that the basketball episode (can't even remember the name) was a stinker in my book. But for the most part the other episodes were pretty good.
~Naj
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Post by TVFan on Jun 1, 2004 10:52:42 GMT -5
Just thinking about all of the things they could do wrong with this show makes me nauseous!  I LOVE the show the way it is now, and I wouldn't want them to change it. To quote an old saying...if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Anyway, here are some things that I think would ruin the show: 1. Ditto to the adding another female lead. The chemistry between the leads is part of the show's charm. I wouldn't want another female messing with it. Plus, I love the way the men all respect Lilly even though she's the only girl. I hate it when other shows make a big issue out of this. 2. Ditto to the "Without A Trace" worry. Its first season was wonderful, but the second season has taken a wrong turn into borderline soap opera storylines at times. I would be so upset if CC did the same next season. The good news is that CSI hasn't. I'm sure it's an individual show thing. 3. Under no circumstances would I want Lilly and Scotty to be anything more than good friends. I'm tired of shows resorting to the partners sleeping together storyline. Just because you work closely with someone doesn't mean you have to have a romantic relationship with them. To answer Naj's questions, I wouldn't mind if they cut the song count down. Also, I wouldn't be too happy if they took away from Lilly next season. I like the fact that the show focuses on a strong, positive female lead character. It makes it unique. I agree with Lilly using her gun. She mentioned in one episode (I believe it was The Plan) that she had never killed anyone. Could be an interesting storyline. As a suggestion, I would like to see more people from Lilly's past like Lindsey in Maternal Insticts. Maybe they could bring back an old male friend who wants a case solved. Could be an interesting dynamic between Lilly and the mystery man. Plus, we would learn more about her past. I hope the show continues to reveal bits and pieces about Lilly, without making it the main storyline. JMO  |
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Post by blankregus on Jun 1, 2004 12:32:48 GMT -5
Was Mark Pellington, who in the pilot, shot the police parking lot scene between Lily and the lawyer? That was awesome and I had hoped he had done more for the show hands on. ~Naj The Mark Pellington article is at: www.filmandvideomagazine.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=20412To answer your question, it states: <Unable to resist getting as close to the frame as possible, Pellington almost always gets his hands on the camera except on features. "Sometimes I just like to pick the camera up because I need to get in there and feel the scenes and sometimes I'm just bored. I wouldn't do it for a really complicated, elaborate dolly move. I'm not confident of my skills on the wheels but on commercials I operate all the time because I’m just finding frames and cutting it [in] my head." [...] Pellington grabbed the camera to operate for a particularly confrontational sequence where detective Lilly Rush (Kathryn Morris) questions a suspect in a parking lot. > Pellington's cameraman on the pilot was Tom Richmond, whom no TV series could afford on a regular basis. The article is a fascinating look at the "Cold Case" visual style. |
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Post by onebyone on Jun 1, 2004 21:36:05 GMT -5
I can't answer that, because I just can't think of something so horrible. I love everyone on the show mind you, but I LOVE the show for Ms. Rush.
My greatest fear for the show is that they are going to suck the life blood out of Lilly with some lame plot device. You know, have her fall apart over a man or secretly boozing on the job or something. It isn't that I mind her being more humanized, but I like her being such a strong, kick arse female lead. I see no reason to turn her into say, so many of the other female characters out there. She is special, let's keep her that way.
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Post by TVFan on Jun 2, 2004 10:18:53 GMT -5
Onebyone - You bring up a very good point. I would be so upset if they resorted to something like that with Lilly. I like the fact that she's perfectly imperfect now, I wouldn't want them to add more drama (like the examples you gave) to her character.  |
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Post by trublucoldcasefan on Jun 2, 2004 13:56:55 GMT -5
Yes, i think onebyone has a very good point. i mean, i wouldnt mind if they had something happen in one episode, say she gets shot at and the bullet misses her head by like, an inch, but shes just shaken, not completely collapsed. if they completely changed lilly's character, it would take a lot away from the show.  |
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Post by Naj on Jun 7, 2004 11:47:59 GMT -5
As I was just posting on the Tummy Rubbing thread here, I got to thinking that I hope they don't disregard the personal things that has happened to Lily and even Scotty this first season. For instance with Kite's exit, I would at least liket to hear some discussion with someone, maybe Stillman, how Lily feels. If she didn't care for him anyway--then I'd like to know as a viewer. OTOH with Scotty and Elissa, it could be left that shes' gotten worse and had to be admitted to a hospital indefinitely. But I'd like to know.
~Naj
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Post by trublucoldcasefan on Jun 7, 2004 20:12:25 GMT -5
I agree with you Naj. there definitely going to have to give lilly some time where she can open up--- other wise she will explode! she has to have so many emotions bottled up in there. If they just let it go at they are not an item anymore, then the writing has gone *whistle* down the tubes. Plus, Kathryn wont get the screen time that she deserves ;D
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Post by keeley on Jun 26, 2004 23:35:38 GMT -5
While it was interesting to see how Lily interacted with another female detective and would be again for just one episode, adding a female to the cast would just unbalance the series as the cast is working perfectly now as it is.
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Post by jeyon on Jun 27, 2004 11:31:06 GMT -5
1) This team of detectives must be the most harmonious in broadcast history. Let's hope they don't mess with that, especially in light of shows like "The Practice," kept afloat solely by sniping between the principals. Unfortunately, the "Writer's Book of Incontroverable Rules" says that stories must have conflicts--the more the better. Lovers mustn't be blissful. Coworkers can't be harmonious. I expect COLD CASE to take a bad turn eventually. 2) "Cold Case" employs a high percentage of women writers and directors, particularly among crime shows. Is this why it never stoops to cheesy gunplay and chase scenes? Again, don't change. Much to his credit, Bruckheimer's other shows (CSI, CSI MIAMI, WITHOUT A TRACE) are also devoid of conventional action scenes. The brainwork of crimesolving is the centerpiece. In fact, relationships are shoved way into the background--except for WITHOUT A TRACE which took the sooo-conventional route of an affair between the coworkers (that's what I mean by 'a bad turn'). |
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Post by Naj on Jul 8, 2004 18:44:11 GMT -5
Making the show a more ensemble and lessening Lily's screen time. Of course, I'm biased. But even with the four others they have as main characters they all do so well that I might not get too angry. Well, maybe just one episode or two. ;D
I've been wondering this ever since I've been seeing the ad with Lily and then Scotty is put on the other side of the screen. Not that I don't like Scotty. :yep:
~Naj
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Post by TVFan on Aug 3, 2004 10:34:06 GMT -5
Talking about "Sherry Darlin"" in the episodes forum got me thinking about my worst fear about next season. We touched on it over there, but I am concerned that the show will lose its focus on its central and IMO best character-Lilly. I want to see more episodes like "Sherry Darlin'" that delve into the psyche of her character and show a completely different side to her. My biggest concern lies with the character of Scotty (dodges tomatoes). It's not that I dislike Scotty, but his arrival threw the show off kilter slightly. I didn't realize this at first, but I've been rewatching and catching up on the earlier episodes without him. I know I've said this b/f, but Lilly had more spunk and sass in these episodes. She also carried the eps by herself. It worked. That's why I can't figure out why they decided to give her partner such a huge chunk of the show. It's not that I'm not interested in Scotty, but I would like it better if they focused more on developing Lilly's character. I also like it when she works with Vera, Jeffries, and Stillman. I hope that Scotty's elevated status (as Naj has mentioned, he's now on the full screen CBS shows to preview CC), doesn't keep Lilly from working with the others as well. I like their partnership, but I think it shouldn't take away from the main focus - Lilly and her zeal and dedication to solving cold cases. I liked the way CC focused on a female det. for a change. Plenty of cop shows have male/female partner teams. CC stood out with Lilly. I hope the show returns the focus to Lilly and her cases. JMO (continues to dodge tomatoes).  |
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Post by Naj on Aug 3, 2004 11:19:29 GMT -5
Talking about "Sherry Darlin"" in the episodes forum got me thinking about my worst fear about next season. We touched on it over there, but I am concerned that the show will lose its focus on its central and IMO best character-Lilly. I want to see more episodes like "Sherry Darlin'" that delve into the psyche of her character and show a completely different side to her. My biggest concern lies with the character of Scotty (dodges tomatoes). No need to wonder if I'll hurl any tomoatos because I think the show needs to center around Lilly and her interaction with the other four and I love the switching off with the other four coming into the episode to help Lilly out. I honestly don't understand why they got rid of the first partner detective---I didn't see anything wrong with him but I do see a difference with Scotty in that he's suppose to be more spunkier. But I feel it's not a sidekick show!  Not Lilly and Scotty but Lilly and the four. ;D Does that make sense? I only saw that commercial once and then when I saw it again Scotty wasn't showing in the right hand side. It seems as though they try to show Scotty as a sidekick and maybe some others do see him that way but I've never considered him as much more than the team. I think they should be concerned as to what Scotty's role really is on the show for season two. I feel they should keep him as one of the boys that help Lilly out and keep the mix even with the four homicide detectives. There's only so much time for the story and for Lilly to be onscreen. It will be interesting to see what they do for season 2! heh, heh! But I will be disappointed if we don't get a few meaty eps featuring Lilly.  Yea, one reason why I really like Sherry Darlin'. I said it then...KM can act...let her do it. It seems that they have mixed things up to allow for that except for the fact that they only gave her one episode with the limelight and that was it. So maybe that rumour we heard about an earlier Lilly appearing in an episode will be something dealing with her past that they will focus on next season. I think they do have the mix kinda right alternating the supporting ensemble because it keeps things fresh. ~Naj |
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Post by Tati on Aug 3, 2004 13:44:24 GMT -5
I would also like the show to focus on Lilly. The fact that the show focus on a very strong female lead is one of the main reasons I watch it.
But, I think that Scotty's role tends to get bigger. On the first season, only Lilly and Scotty were got personal storylines. If the show were to focus only on Lilly, we wouldn't hear so much about Scotty's personal life.
Besides that, they left Scotty's storyline totally open - it'll certainly continue next season. (While Lilly's storyline can be considered closed). This is why I believe his role might get bigger (or at least stay the way it is now).
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Post by Trublu on Aug 3, 2004 14:34:30 GMT -5
I agree with tatiana on the fact that the show being focused on a female lead that is so strong is one of the reasons i watch it.
I also think that they left Scotty's story open with Elisa. But i think that they left Lilly's story open too, with her personal life.
I think that the worst thing they could do for the show would be to bring the fous off of Lilly. In my opinion, that is where the bulk of the focus belongs.
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Post by blankregus on Aug 3, 2004 14:54:45 GMT -5
Nice points, Naj. (As usual!) I couldn't agree more, anything that takes the focus off Lilly should be resisted big-time. On "Without a Trace" they seem to switch assignments around without doing harm. (Obviously that show has a different dynamic, with the star as the man in charge.) Less Valens wouldn't kill me (hint, hint); the one with him at the center, the politician's case, was an uncharacteristically weak outing.
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Post by keeley on Aug 5, 2004 0:26:59 GMT -5
I have to agree that Scotty role has got bigger and bigger during the season and he has had much more to do than her original partner Chris.
But I have to disagree that this shouldn't continue. Scotty's addition to the show as only served to brighten not only the show itself, but, Lily's character aswell. In the earlier episodes, she was very closed and didn't interact well with the others, but, Scotty's addition has opened her character up as she has opened up to him and the others. He has become her partner more than just a colleague - as demonstrated by several endings of the pair walking side by side - and that only serves to open her up more and give her someone to rely on. I hope they continue to build a deeper and stronger partnership and friendship between the two next season because their scenes together have been a highlight of the first season and Scotty's character has become vital to the show as much as Lily's.
Another reason I think Scotty should be in it more next season is because Danny Pino is an excellent actor. He totally blew me away in the Plan and he did some extraordinary acting that none of the others - including KM - have achieved yet. In the space of one episode, he did more acting than the rest of the cast has done all season and he totally outacted and outclassed the rest of the cast. He deserves more to next season as in that one episode he totally rose the bar of acting and now the others have to raise their acting levels to compete with him
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Post by Tati on Aug 5, 2004 8:01:05 GMT -5
Keeley - I don't want Scotty's participation to get smaller either. I like him a lot and I think that him and Lilly have developed a brother-sister relationship that's really sweet and good for both of them (like when he gets angry when some guy they're interrogating says something rude to Lilly).
I also was admired with his work on The Plan.
But, I wouldn't go so far to say his acting was so better than the other actors'. We've all seen KM's amazing work on Sherry Darlin'. I think they both deserve to be the focus of the show, but Lilly's role should always be bigger, because that's one of the premises of the show.
My point: the writers shouldn't make Scotty's role smaller, but they shouldn't make it bigger either.
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I LOVE the show the way it is now, and I wouldn't want them to change it. To quote an old saying...if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Anyway, here are some things that I think would ruin the show:
Not Lilly and Scotty but Lilly and the four. ;D Does that make sense?
