Ep. 5.01 Thrill Kill *SEASON PREMIERE*

[scillylove]

Alright, well, this episode was good and bad for me.

I loved the Lilly stuff. Like others have said, I'm glad they're not just sweeping it under the rug a la George, because dropped plot lines REALLY piss me off.

Loved Lil's new hairstyle. Yes, I know that technically Kathryn's had it for a while, but we'd only seen it as Kathryn, not as Lilly. She looked nice.

Loved the new sets. After five years, you've gotta change it up a bit. The bathroom, that little stairwell thing outside, nice to see.

Loved the interaction with the detectives. Obviously, the Scotty/Lilly hug, and the Kat/Vera Chinese food thing was cute.

So, that's all good, let's get to the bad (because yes, we have to).

Stillman. I'm glad I'm not the only one that was a little shocked by him. Yes, I do understand that Lilly needs to go to counselling and she's like a daughter to him so he wants to make sure she recovers fully from the shooting, but I think he was laying it on a little thick. I mean, all this method's going to do is push her further away from the counselling idea. He needs to be more subtle about it, show her that he's there for her and just wants her to get better, in her own time.

The case. It might just have been that I was so focused on the Lilly dramarama that I just wasn't devoting as much attention to the case as I usually do, but I also think it had something to do with the case itself. It didn't really hold my interest, maybe it was just a personal preference, I don't know, but case-wise this wasn't my favourite ep.

myril said:

Wonder, if they pick up on Kat's story. I mean, it could be interesting, she had been shot too, her partner took the guy down, so something the 2 women of the team have in common now.

I'm glad I'm not the only person that was wondering about that. I have this sneaking suspicsion they won't, because let's face it, the writers aren't exactly known for taking advantage of every opportunity to develop the characters more, but it would be nice to think they might do it.

Anyway, all in all, good season opener! Can't wait to see what they have for us next.

[classictvchic14]

I'll paste my review that I wrote on CC Source #1

WHOO! This was a freakin' awesome season premiere, imo. And I like KM's hair, except when she put it up it looked kinda funny to me, I dunno why.

The case. Semi-predictable, but I still liked it. Also, the reason that the father was afraid of being alone in the dark was never really adequately explained. That was kind of stupid. But all in all, it was a great season opener, at least to me.

Okay, I'm probably not the only one who *squeed* when Scotty and Kat hugged Lilly at the beginning. That was so cute. They're like a family there and that's another reason why I love this show so much.

Best Quote:
KAT: [to Vera as they're both eating Chinese food] And you're stealing my chicken!
VERA: It's family-style, so what?
KAT: Do I look like your family?

My one issue: Am I the only one who thinks that Kathryn Morris and Tracie Thoms look ridiculously skinny this season?!?! I have no idea what it is. It was the first thing my mom, who was watching with me, commented on. She was like, "Lilly lost some weight!". So did Tracie (I'm a follower of her stuff so I could definitely see the difference). It was so scary. Am I the only one who noticed this?

All in all: GREAT EPISODE!!! I missed this show so much

[coldboneslove398]

I finally watched this episode just now!! It was really good except for the fact that It was predictable. I kinda just guessed the dad right off, who else is in there that makes sense. I didn't really like the ending, didn't do anything for me. I didn't like how they used "Come as You Are" for the end song...just doesn't fit.

I really liked the beginning, Lilly going through the metal detector and coming back to work. Especially liked the Lilly and Scotty hug , too bad it wasn't a long hug . Finally the long wait is over!! I can't wait to see more episodes of the season XD.

[The Reverend Bizarre]

I have to say that when I first saw the father I thought it was him. Same exact thing happened with Offender. When they showed the neighbor for the first time I knew it was him. It's like they give off this look that just screams "I did it!"

Still that didn't deter me from this episode.

[TVFan]

Excellent season opener! LOVED this one - mainly for the Lilly stuff. I was so glad that they picked up right where they left off. LillyKat - the writers must be reading your thoughts because you finally got your "Previously on Cold Case..." I couldn't believe it when the episode started off with those 4 words. It was nice to see because it automatically set the tone of continuity that this show tends to neglect. I felt good about it from that point on.

The first shots of Lilly were very well directed. You don't see her face at first, but you know who it is. It was a powerful moment thanks to the pan upward to her face, the pause she took, and then finally walking toward the office for the first time since her shooting. LOVED her initial interaction with the team. Like others have said, it was soooo nice to see the team acting like a team throughout this one. I hope that continues.

LOVED the funny scenes - chinese food, Vera on the trashcan (reminiscent of "No Drugs Today"), Jeffries as God, etc. They were perfectly placed to break up some of the heavier scenes that this case brought. The case was good. I didn't know who killed the three boys, but the father became a likely killer once you turned out the lights.

As LillyKat said, Kathryn was AMAZING in this episode. I was blown away by her scene after scene. I think this one nicely showcased her impressive acting chops. That bathroom interview was so good!! I felt panicked along with Lil in that interrogation room, but she regrouped quickly with a splash of cold water. She won't be able to keep that up for long, though. She's clearly not dealing with this as well as she wants to think.

Overall, an excellent episode and an excellent start to the season. As in seasons past, more thoughts and a few screencaps at Pass the Remote.

[coldcasegirl]

I totally understood the small details in this ep. A LOT better after I watched it again tonight! I already love it more than I did last night! ;D lol, and I still want to know why Stillman was so mean, I am thinkin he may be blaming himself for Lilly getting shot because he should have fought for her not to go into the room, even though HE had also just gotten shot...and then went into shock.

and @ LII2: I noticed how the end with Lilly @ the house reminded me of "Bad Night" like it did you. It also reminded me of that ep "The Sleepover" where Lilly sees Rita riding away on the street on her bike....they seem to be "combining" these eps now... lol...

[hippychick]

hey sounds like most people enjoyed the episode. got ant screencaps yet im dying here they took it off the air in Australia half way through season. Im thinking of moving to America just for tv

[longislanditalian2]

Did anyone Notice just after Lilly mentions getting the stitches out, Scotty looks at her concerned but removes his hand from her back; knowing that it might had hurt her

[scottyandlillyfan]

The episode was awesome. Being a Scotty and Lilly fan I can see them getting close and Scotty will be more protective of her. Maybe he will escort her to therapy because knowing that a familar face it may help her deal with the situation.

[LillyKat]

tvfan said:

LillyKat - the writers must be reading your thoughts because you finally got your "Previously on Cold Case..." I couldn't believe it when the episode started off with those 4 words. It was nice to see because it automatically set the tone of continuity that this show tends to neglect. I felt good about it from that point on.

I had totally forgotten about my "Previously on CC" spiel. LOL! Good memory, TVFan!

I actually liked that they did this for the premiere ... so many shows use it, and I've always thought it an effective way to bring the audience right back into the moment of where the story is, where the characters left off, etc. , and, as you say, set the tone for what you're going to see.

It's interesting to read folks' thoughts on the Stillman portrayal ... I didn't mention it in my original post, but I have to say I actually liked it, and I thought it worked well with his overall father-like relationship that he seems to have with Lilly. I took it as there had been some time that elapsed (perhaps visited her in the hospital, talked to her whilst in the hospital, etc.) where he might have suggested she take more time, not rush back to work, etc. Thus, I don't think he's real happy that she's chosen to throw herself back into homicide (as in, day after she gets her stitches out. Wow. Go, Lil'). Like, no recoup time.

I also think he - as her mentor, her friend, her boss - perhaps knows her better than anybody, and he knows the only way to get into what can be Lil's pretty stubborn head is to do more of a tough love thing given I think he's genuinely concerned she's not quite right. He's too seasoned. He's been on the job too long. He knows when a cop shouldn't be on the beat. He wouldn't be doing her any favors by taking a kid glove approach. We've already seen him rip Scotty, be pretty stern with Will ... so, this didn't really strike me as that out of character. I actually thought it forced Lilly to commit to the counseling issue, which was good.

[Naj]

I just updated the Memorable Lines thread up in General for this episode.


There were some good interrogation scenes this eppy. The 2nd and 3rd of Dillon with Lilly, the bathroom scene with Lilly and Jack's mom (Tanya) and Stillman and Valens of Jacks' father at the end.

I agree the end montage with Lilly watching the boys ride by on bikes was familiar to that McAvity? girl in "The Sleepover". But I'm happy it ended with Lilly closing the case. Veena gave us some good stuff in this episode. I gave it an Excellent although it lacked some spark for me I really think it belongs more Good-Excellent range but in any event a great start for the season.


myril says:
But was the justice system in the US in the midst '90s so fraked up, that not even a beginner or underpayed, bored assigned counseler was able to blow the case? Interrogation of underaged without laywer or parents, just one cop and a teenager in one room ... darn sure something to seed doubts with

I would think this kind of thing "shouldn't" happen in 1994 but how many things happen today in real life that isn't suppose to happen. I just read a recent article of a woman who died in a hospital emergency room and the staff didn't even know because no one would help her and was there dead for a day before anyone did anything. No, things shouldn't happen.


I'm guessing the detectives now do the scanning thing. Is that due to the shooting that happened in season two in the office? Or something new post 9/11? Anyone?

[coldcasegirl]

longislanditalian2 said:

Did anyone Notice just after Lilly mentions getting the stitches out, Scotty looks at her concerned but removes his hand from her back; knowing that it might had hurt her

YEAH I noticed that too. But the thing I thought was weird though, was that right after Scotty hugged her, Kat did, and touched the same spot. So it seems it didn't hurt her physically, just mentally maybe...& I just bet that Scotty is sort of "emotional" about it b/c it's where he stopped her bleeding, and pretty much saved her life!...I dunno, maybe he is just attached to her in a way b/c of saving her life.....

[canuckiepen]

What I had liked about this eppie was Lilly's great catch on the bicycle tires that had no mud, when it was stated that it rained the night before...despite others trying to keep the case closed.

There is always justice when Lilly gets her hands into a case

[The Reverend Bizarre]

myril says:
But was the justice system in the US in the midst '90s so fraked up, that not even a beginner or underpayed, bored assigned counseler was able to blow the case? Interrogation of underaged without laywer or parents, just one cop and a teenager in one room ... darn sure something to seed doubts with

As I pointed out the case of this episode was based off of the real life case of the West Memphis 3. www.crimelibrary.com/notorious_murders/famous/memphis/index_1.html

It's a long read, but you'll find a lot of parallels.

[00bomber]

pretty good season opener. at least they've done an "aftermarth" unlike the woods. the hair up thing was interesting, is she gonna have it like that all the time now since she did the last half of the show with her hair up. I wonder why she decided to change

Also as someone already mentioned the ending monatage wasn't that good. I don't think the song really suited and it just seemed strange, apart from that looks like the shows heading in the right direction again. good stuff

[longislanditalian2]

Did anyone notice that when Lilly and Scotty were reading over the case, above them is a box label " Kern, J' the victim from " It's raining Men' back in the second season.

[coldcasegirl]

canuckiepen said:

What I had liked about this eppie was Lilly's great catch on the bicycle tires that had no mud, when it was stated that it rained the night before...despite others trying to keep the case closed.

There is always justice when Lilly gets her hands into a case

Yeah I totally agree ;D
Everyone else wanted to give up on the case, but NO, Lilly finds those little details that turns everything completely around! So awesome!

[babyv16]

I watched the ep again, and it was better the second time around for me. My friend watched it too, and she loved it. She's so funny...she said everything was good, but through the whole ep she was dying to push Lilly's bangs out of her face!!! i thought it was funny!

[boxman]

naj said:

I'm guessing the detectives now do the scanning thing. Is that due to the shooting that happened in season two in the office? Or something new post 9/11? Anyone?

Naj, in 3.08 "Honor", there's a scene where Stillman and Vera walk past the metal detector in the lobby and meet up with Kat on the inside. Except in that episode, Stillman and Vera just went around the barrier post rather than walk through the detector. I thought that was weird back then because both had coats on and could easily hide a couple of shotguns.... ha ha ha....

I also faintly recall a few scenes of Lilly in the lobby where I think those metal detectors were visible there, though I can't specifically remember what episodes and scenes they were.

[boxman]

Okay, as some of y'all know I'm in the process of looking for a new rental, so I hope to cover as much here as I can in the short time I can find to be online.

I like how Veena's episodes tend to have a different rhythm to it. Events seem to unfold differently in her stories such as this episode, "Stalker", "8:03", "One Night", "Mindhunter/The Woods", and so forth. Like everyone else, I enjoyed seeing the continuity between the season four finale and this season's premiere. It was good to see the episode take a lot of time in showing how Lilly needed to adjust at being back at work. I liked how it started with Lilly walking in through the metal detectors. And as LillyKat has pointed out, I too feel that Kathryn was quite exceptional in portraying Lilly's return.

As far as Stillman's attitude towards Lilly, have any of you folks considered that Stillman was a Vietnam POW?? (See 3.08 "Honor", re-airing on TNT October 8th.) If anything, he knows firsthand about dealing with serious injuries and psychological torture/hardships from his military duty. (And he too was shot in "Stalker".) Stillman has a scene in "Honor" where he talks about how POWs use their comraderie to keep each other's will up. I think he pressed hard on Lilly because he's aware of the many hardships Lilly was enduring recently (formerly estranged mother dying, shooting at the office, and so forth). She typically maintains a tough exterior--And those are usually the types that don't handle emotional trauma very well. I thought he used a bit of good judgment in being strict with her; It sort of forms a solid rock in her world when things are storming and changing quickly...

Like TRB, I enjoyed seeing that a *lot* of symbolisms and recurring themes were used in this episode, especially several that are unique to Cold Case:

--Corrupt Cops and policemen with marital problems are common in this series and help to set a dark tone to the city.

--Drinking Alcohol has negative/detrimental connotations; and we see Detective Connelly - a "dirty" cop - drinking at a bar when Lilly and Scotty approach him about hiding the tape recording.

--While alcohol hints at negativity, Literature and Reading are often associated with "good" characters. So when Dylan quotes Edmund Burke ("Evil triumphs when good men do nothing"), it's pretty much a clear tip-off that he's innocent of the murder. (Ironically, though, Wikipedia's entry on Edmund Burke claims he never said or wrote anything like that. Burkes' writings and ideas do reflect the idea at the heart of that quote, however.)

--Are 30th Birthdays pivotal moments in the Cold Case world?? Teddy commits suicide on his 30th, Roween Ryan dies soon after her 30th ("Dog Day Afternoons"), and didn't some other person die at about their thirtieth birthday in another episode??

--Christianity also pops up often in this show, and it's very common to see a crucifix appear such as a character's pendant (on Tanya Raymes in the flashback where she's heading off to work), as a car hood ornament on 4.16 "The Goodbye Room", or the arrangement of case boxes at the end of 4.01 "Rampage" (to the tune of Joan Osbourne's "What if God Was One of Us").

--We see the detectives drinking a lot of coffee again. Is it simply because cops actually drink a lot of the stuff, or is it a mystery we need to solve?? As LII pointed out earlier, Lilly is drinking tea when they come out of the subway; however, Scotty pours her a "cup of Joe" ( ) in the kitchen...

--One recurring theme not apparent in this episode is the association between anything Automotive and Crime. However, kids with bicycles often seem to suffer from harm. I don't recall seeing a Black Leather Jacket in this episode either. They're often (but not always) worn by bad guys.

Finally, Water in any form is usually a strong symbol of a person's changing fate in this show. It's used very often since 1.01 "Look Again", in which rain falling on Lilly and the song "Have You Ever Seen The Rain" were used in the final montage. In this episode, we see Water referenced in several ways. The bodies were found in a swimming pool. It rained at about the time of the murder. Mud (i.e. "dirty water") soiled the "dirty cop's" suit. A fountain of water is visible in the subway/underground concourse when Lilly, Stillman and Scotty emerged to street level, which was prior to Stillman making the surprise announcement that he's handing the case to Scotty and not to Lilly.

And so there seems to be some very large significance to the fact that Lilly relieved her stress by splashing water on her face. This seems to be an important symbolic foreshadowing of some sort, and that we should expect some kind of change to her world or to her character in the upcoming episodes. IIRC, the only other time Lilly splashed water on her face was in the show's premiere - 1.01 "Look Again" - where a very different Lilly used water to appear like she was covered in sweat after jogging. Of course, in "Look Again", Lilly's success in solving Jill Shelby's murder allowed her to convince Stillman that many more old cases might be worth solving; It provided an important basis for the series. So Lilly applying water on her face is very likely to be a significant indicator. (Of course, on the other hand, it could simply mean that Lilly's changing her appearance by growing out her bangs. )

I gave this episode a "Good" vote. There's a lot to like to "Thrill Kill" and I'm happy to see a fresh new episode. It's like seeing old friends again. But "Thrill Kill" fell a bit short of an "Excellent" episode for me because of a number of reasons. First of all, cases such as this where the doer was psychotic in some form and committed murder because they went postal simply have a harder time appealing to me. I find movies much better in portraying such antagonists because films are not as limited by censors in showing the gore, violence, and depravity of such murderers. When watching television mysteries, I'm generally more interested in why a murder happened, rather than how a murder happened; and murders that happen over things such as a broken heart, money, immaturity or anything the average person may feel at one point it their lives are generally much more compelling to me than those committed by the nut cases. Secondly, I expected a stronger "feel" for the early nineties than what I got out of it. Nirvana's grunge music didn't feel essential to the story; and I too agree that "Come As You Are" seemed out of place and nearly irrelevant as the closing montage music. It's too bad the show couldn't get Nirvana for 3.12 "Detention", because that story was overflowing with angst--which unlike Tox, I felt was strangely absent in this episode. Finally, as someone who lives in Philly, there were several very significant mistakes in the filming and location of scenes that were pretty hard to ignore. There was a scene decorated with authentic-looking props, and I understand the limits the studio have in filming every shot in Philly, but they really need to put a little more effort towards filming those West Coast locations to look like the East Coast. I counted too many scenes in "Thrill Kill" that could've passed for Philly simply if the camera was a little tighter in the shots. It was very distracting to notice this and it pretty much nearly killed my "suspension of disbelief" somewhere after the halfway point of the episode.