Danny Pino S3 article..........

[Naj]

Danny Pino Heats Up 'Cold Case'



By BRIDGET BYRNE
For The Associated Press

August 16, 2005, 2:15 PM EDT


BURBANK, Calif. -- Like the unsolved crimes he investigates, Detective Scotty Valens has a hidden past. "He's very much veiled in some mystery about where he came from, how it is he got into the department so quickly, the secrets he holds," says Danny Pino, who plays Valens on "Cold Case."

"Whenever there is a sort of free radical coming into an equation it kind of bounces off everything in the equation," Pino says, explaining how Valens' forceful character shifts and shapes the dynamics of the Philadelphia-based homicide squad featured in the CBS crime series.

Currently in reruns Sunday nights at 8 p.m. Eastern, "Cold Case" begins its third season this fall in the same timeslot.

Valens was introduced in the sixth episode in November 2003 -- a somewhat hotheaded guy, confident enough to challenge the authority of both his partner, Detective Lilly Rush (Kathryn Morris), and their boss, Lt. John Stillman (John Finn).

As the series progressed, the writers latched on to Pino's strengths. "We found him to be intriguing -- strong, yet understated," says show creator Meredith Stiehm. "We've realized there's no limit to his ability, so we've been writing more and more for him."

Consequently, Valens' private life has become a significant part of the personal story lines that run parallel to the show's procedural case-solving.

And some life it is! Valens' fiancee, Elisa, was schizophrenic. Then she died. Later, he became involved with Rush's wayward sister, Christina, which upset Rush. Then Christina disappeared. At the start of this season, Valens will revisit unanswered questions surrounding Elisa's death. It was deemed a suicide but he thinks it was a homicide.

Pino doesn't know how that story line will play out, but feels "it's going to be a very baffling year" for Valens.

The actor's intrigued by the chance to play scenes in which "all those ruminations will be underneath his (police) activity ... even when he's outwardly very presentable and professional in what he is doing."

Pino, a 31-year-old first-generation Cuban American born in Miami, is married to his childhood sweetheart and they live in Los Angeles with a puppy, Mambo.

"He's such a great dog. I never thought I was going to be a weird dog person, because there are a lot of weird dog people in L.A., but I'm officially a weird dog person," Pino says, laughing as he chats at a Toluca Lake coffee shop.

Pino's previous TV credits include the role of "Armadillo" Quintero on the second season of FX's crime drama "The Shield" and as Desi Arnaz in "Lucy," a 2003 CBS biopic about Lucille Ball's tempestuous marriage to the Cuban-born bandleader.

"Growing up seeing Desi, I thought there were Cubans all over Hollywood. I understood that dialogue, everything he said. It wasn't weird to me because that's the way my dad talked," says Pino.

Pino believes his interest in acting came partly from listening to "the oral tradition in my family that has been passed on -- telling stories, sitting around talking, playing dominoes and smoking cigars."

"You heard a story and you immediately imagined it in your head ... a description of the houses and the beach in Cuba, how crystal clear the water was, and the sand so fine and white, and stories of those relatives you never met and never will meet."

Pino will soon be seen on the big screen as the ranchhand Jack in "Flicka," based on the Mary O'Hara novel "My Friend Flicka" and alongside "Without a Trace" star Poppy Montgomery in "Between."

He also portrays a student activist in "The Lost City," Andy Garcia's upcoming movie about the Cuban revolution.

Pino says researching that role was very satisfying.

"This might sound corny," he says, "but it was my way of thanking my grandparents for all the sacrifices they made -- that decision to come here to the United States to start over from nothing."






Danny Pino Heats Up Cold Case

[Ryebeach]

Great article. I'm very intrigued by the Elisa storyline and how it will play out. Personally, I don't think there is any foul-play involved. I think it was a suicide but Scotty won't, perhaps, can't accept that without feeling guilty himself so he will put a lot of energy into this, I feel. That will be detrimental to both himself and his career, I would think.

[TVFan]

So, it sounds like we're going to get more Scotty storylines this season. I'm wondering how much it's going to affect Lilly's storylines. I really hope they don't reduce her role even further this season. It just seems that all of the signs are pointing that way, though. Hopefully, I'm wrong.

[Naj]

tvfan said:

So, it sounds like we're going to get more Scotty storylines this season. I'm wondering how much it's going to affect Lilly's storylines. I really hope they don't reduce her role even further this season. It just seems that all of the signs are pointing that way, though. Hopefully, I'm wrong.

Yea, I wasn't too happy about this. The fact that news is not surfacing about Kathryn first and foremost should be an indication of her role on the show S3. But as far as Danny's character still persuing the Elissa mystery that will hold my attention. I think the Chris storyline is a fizzle and was just to show us a little about the dynamic of Lilly and her sis. But I really don't see what more they could have done with it. But I'd be open to her coming around.


~Naj

[Disasterfreak]

I didn't like the sound of this too much either. I like DP's character, and I know he's a good actor, but the show is all about Lilly for me. Seems like they really want to reduce her role, in almost every way possible. I wonder if KM is thinking of dropping the show or something? Seems to me like they're trying to get us invested in other characters so the show won't nosedive after she leaves.... :S

[Ryebeach]

disasterfreak said:

I didn't like the sound of this too much either. I like DP's character, and I know he's a good actor, but the show is all about Lilly for me. Seems like they really want to reduce her role, in almost every way possible. I wonder if KM is thinking of dropping the show or something? Seems to me like they're trying to get us invested in other characters so the show won't nosedive after she leaves.... :S

Interesting theory but I'm thinking someone at the network or show level wants Cold Case to be more of an ensemble show than it already is. With the addition of the one who's name we shall not say and apparently more Danny Pino screentime, they are fleshing out other characters and bringing more on. It seems to me as though the show is trying to get away from having a main lead role. Good or bad? Time will tell.

[sonny]

Naj - I agree that hearing nothing from Kathryn yet is a little worrying but thinking logically, they may be holding back because they know Cold Case fans are probably first and foremost thinking about what happened to Lilly after the season 3 finale and want to keep us in suspence that little bit longer. That's what i'm hoping anyway.

Disasterfreak - I'm with you, to me the show is all about Lilly and I'd be gutted if any more focus was taken off her. And if she did leave the show one day, I'd probably not watch it anymore; that's how important I think she is.

[TVFan]

It is strange that we haven't heard from Kathryn yet. She's probably very busy working on the new season. I'd also like to hear from Meredith Stiehm, but I haven't found any articles with her, either. Needless to say, I'm eagerly waiting to hear from both of them.

I think you're right, Ryebeach. CBS seems quite bent on adding new characters to their shows this fall. In the zap2it article that luvthe one who's name we shall not saybrown posted, it said that CBS added new female characters to almost all of their dramas to "freshen them up." Entertainment President Nina Tassler apparently addressed the issue at the TCAs last month. If the network is pushing for more ensemble shows, my guess would be it's because it allows the show to be less reliant on a single character. This is especially important with procedurals because their shelf life is much longer than more character driven shows like American Dreams, Judging Amy, and Joan of Arcadia - all of which were abruptly canceled this season before their time. Those shows averaged 3 1/2 years on the air compared to CSI entering its sixth season and Law & Order entering its fifteenth season.

Both Law & Order and CSI are ensemble casts, and L&O has survived many cast changes over the years. I can't help but wonder if CBS is thinking ahead to CC's future, and deciding that it's best if CC evolve into a more ensemble cast. This way, if Kathryn or another cast member decides to leave the show somewhere down the road, the blow will be lessened by the addition of other characters and the strengthening of existing ones (as we saw last season and apparently will see again this season with this Scotty story line). I can only hope that Lilly remains an important part of the show (the most important) and that Kathryn stays with the show as long as it runs, but I can understand where the network is coming from. I can understand it, but I don't have to like it!

[Naj]

ryebeach said:

disasterfreak said:

I didn't like the sound of this too much either. I like DP's character, and I know he's a good actor, but the show is all about Lilly for me. Seems like they really want to reduce her role, in almost every way possible. I wonder if KM is thinking of dropping the show or something? Seems to me like they're trying to get us invested in other characters so the show won't nosedive after she leaves.... :S

Interesting theory but I'm thinking someone at the network or show level wants Cold Case to be more of an ensemble show than it already is. With the addition of the one who's name we shall not say and apparently more Danny Pino screentime, they are fleshing out other characters and bringing more on. It seems to me as though the show is trying to get away from having a main lead role. Good or bad? Time will tell.

I understand completely how you are seeing this Ryebeach but that's not the reason I'm a fan of this show. It's true that ratings increased several million in season two even though they reduced Lilly's role. Either the show is going to branch out or it's going to tank. I'm so glad that I don't watch any of the other Bruckheimer series of cop shows. Reason being that I have tuned in for 30 seconds or so here and there at times and they all seem like clones in dialog and manners of the characters.

Anyhow this show was marketed as a lone female detective and I've never felt she was given that status from day one. It's just my opinion of course.

DF, I agree with you.


Hi sonny, I never thought of it that way. That could be true why no Lilly info. But I'm not buying it. There's a new shift it appears to the point of Danny Pino doing the CBS Cares commercials and not Kathryn. Last summer they began adding Danny with Kathryn in the commercial promos. That's what they do when they try to send the audience a message. This may be very good for those that like the ensemble or even want to see more of Danny or who really don't care too much because they are just casual watchers.


Thanks for your views there TVFan. I can understand it too but that new one this fall with the Blonde lead is another lone female Bruckheimer series. Maybe the CC people wanted it to be a female lead and then realized for it's time slot and day that they would be better off with a mixed ensemble. I don't know. True, I don't have to like it. Who knows, maybe KM has another offer for next year somewhere else.


~Naj

[TVFan]

I can understand it too but that new one this fall with the Blonde lead is another lone female Bruckheimer series.

My theory on that show (Close to Home) Naj is that it is supposed to be a character show, and not a procedural, but I'm not sure. Bruckheimer had a show on Fox that premiered the same year as CC called Skin. It was a teen soap that didn't make it past a few episodes, but I bring it up because it was a character driven show and in no way procedural. Maybe he's trying the character thing again with Close to Home.

In any event, I would much prefer that CC go back to being about "the lone female detective who finds her calling solving cold cases." I guess I have to come to the realization that this is probably not going to happen.

[Naj]

I guess I have to come to the realization that this is probably not going to happen.

Yes, that's been the clear message since Badlands aired.


~Naj

[sonny]

I'm looking forward to season 3 but I'm also feeling a little negative about the way the show seems to be going. We don't get any of the promos or CBS Cares stuff over here so it's harder to tell who and where the focus of the new season is [which at the moment seems to be on the actor who portrayed the Defunct Detective and Danny Pino]. It's difficult for the fans who have followed since season 1 where the show was Lilly centred. The production team trying to pull away from that now is hard to accept.

[soccerulz]

While I don't mind the other members of the cast sharing the spotlight, I don't want the focus to completely come off Lily. I still want her to be the focus, the main character. Lily is what got me hooked on the show. She intrigued me. I understand (I guess) that ensemble shows open up more doors for plot lines, and stories. And it makes sense to me. I just am so partial to the entire "lone female detective" idea.....

And going back to what TVFan said a few posts ago, I was thinking the same thing about KM, and Meredith. I'd like to see some articles that shed some light as to how they view this coming season.

I'm just crossing my fingers that Lily isn't going to become even more de-centralized than she was last season. Although, I have a feeling that with all of the promo about Danny, and the one who's name we shall not say, I think she is.

[Disasterfreak]

Yeah. I'm afraid so, too. I really don't want that, but no one in CBS seems to give a hoot what we want (it seems the public at large LOVES ensemble shows and soapy storylines). Anyway, I'll stick by CC as long as I possibly can. But if KM leaves the show--if there is no "Lilly"--I'm out.

[sonny]

Me too; No Lilly = No Cold Case IMO
But she won't leave, they must know how important she is!!!
I've just realised I'm completely over-reacting here, I've started talking about Kathryn leaving the show just because we haven't had an info/news/interviews with her about season 3. Be patient, be patient!!

[Tati]

I'm also worried about the future of CC as an ensemble show. IMO, in spite of it being a procedural show, CC was built around Lilly's character. Like Naj pointed out, it was supposed to be about a "lone female detective". In season 2 it drifted away from that premise, but not enough to change completely into an ensemble show yet. I have no problem with ensemble shows, as long as that's the original premise. My issue here, as many of you, is that they're trying to change CC into a different show. And, more personally, what drove me into watching CC was (at first) purely my fascination about Lilly. I ended up starting to enjoy the procedural aspect, so much that I began watching other procedurals after CC. However, I still think that in some aspects CC is more of a character-driven show (on the Lilly aspect) than a procedural. So, messing around with that is dangerous, IMO. I think that the original fans won't be pleased, although the show may gather a whole new base of fans (who are not Lilly-fanatics as we are).

On the show becoming an ensemble - I get worried because of what happened to ER. AT first it was a show based in 5 amazing characters. Now we have the hugest ensemble ever. There's no time to get to know the characters, because there's so many characters on the show. Not to mention that the soapy storylines and the romances have taken over the medical part of the show. The only reason I still watch it's because the show as a whole is very dear to me - and I don't want this to happen to CC - have myself keep watching just because it was once my favorite show.

[Naj]

KM claims she gets mail and the popularity of her in the show. So I don't understand why they want to make it more ensemble? I've never seen any of the others do the talk circuit for the show. Maybe that is all going to change. I feel like it is going to change and if I don't like the chemistry I'll most likely not watch it any more. The most frustrating thing is to see a show become something that is of opposite of my original interest. Anyhow, I just wish their ratio of really interesting cases were much higher than I feel they currently have. I'm willing to at least give it a go for about the first 6 eps.

[Disasterfreak]

Wow, 6 eps isn't much . I'll be sad to see you go, Naj... but I understand your reasons. Hope it won't come to that. Me, I'll stick by it as long as Lilly's around, but if it goes too far the wrong way I may just not feel like watching anymore, like what happened with WaT.

[Naj]

disasterfreak said:

Wow, 6 eps isn't much . I'll be sad to see you go, Naj... but I understand your reasons. Hope it won't come to that. Me, I'll stick by it as long as Lilly's around, but if it goes too far the wrong way I may just not feel like watching anymore, like what happened with WaT.

I'm going to just celebrate Lilly and continue to support Kathryn Morris on her show. This is one of the founding reasons for this board. I'm sure CCFan will agree. (She's on vacation right now btw).

~Naj

[samanda]

Even if Cold Case becomes an ensemble show, I'll stick around just for Lilly/Kathryn. I'll admit I will be highly disappointed though.