Ep. 5.07 World's End **100th EPISODE**

[TVFan]

WHEN THE REMAINS OF A HOUSEWIFE WHO MADE HEADLINES FOR VANISHING THE NIGHT OF ORSON WELLES'S 1938 BROADCAST OF "WAR OF THE WORLDS" ARE DISCOVERED IN A WELL, THE TEAM ATTEMPTS TO SOLVE HER MURDER, ON "COLD CASE," SUNDAY, NOV. 4

This Marks the 100th Episode of the Drama Series

Bellamy Young ("Private Practice"), Two-Time Emmy Award Nominee Ralph Waite ("The Waltons," "Roots," "Carnivle") and Len Lesser ("Seinfeld") Guest Star

Lilly Rush: Kathryn Morris
Scotty Valens: Danny Pino
Lt. John Stillman: John Finn
Nick Vera: Jeremy Ratchford
Will Jeffries: Thom Barry
Kat Miller: Tracie Thoms
Toni Halstead: Sonja Sohn
Audrey Metz (1938): Bellamy Young
Felton Metz (1938): Tuc Watkins
Felton Metz (2007): Ralph Waite
Robert "Dobber" Metz (1938): Chip Hormess
Robert "Dobber" Metz (2007): Lawrence Pressman
Will Paige (1938): Jonathan Scarfe
Will Paige (2007): Peter Haskell
Penny Centavo (1938): Serah D'Laine
Penny Centavo (2007): Julianna McCarthy
Elmer Gibbins (1938): Ari Zagaris
Elmer Gibbins (2007): Len Lesser
Buzz Moran (1938): James Sharpe
Sailor (1938): Brian F. Durkin
Bartender (1938): Michael O'Dwyer

WRITTEN BY: Gavin Harris

DIRECTED BY: Roxann Dawson, one of the series' producers

[longislanditalian2]

I really liked this episode,

I liked how Lilly mentioned about her grandmother telling her about the invasion, and how Scotty's knowledge of cars helped to solve this case. Vera's scenes were pretty funny, especially how he tried to get Toni back.

[boxman]

WOW! I really enjoyed this episode!! I have to admit that I didn't have very high expectations of this case, but it turned out so well on sooo many levels! Congratulations, everyone, for one-hundred episodes!

[coldfan74]

ditto here
i give it an excellent. the storyline using the orson well's hoax as a plot was brilliant. it wouldve indeed have been a great cover up for murder.
altho i suspected the husband all along but it didnt take away what was an enjoyable episode.
the music used was terrific. i liked how valen's expertise of car models was revisited. (it was introduced during his first appearance on cold case "love conquers al")
the contrast and feel for this ep was between "best friends" , "committed", and "beautfiul little fool". kudos.

[Naj]

I really enjoyed what they did for the 100th episode. At first I was reluctant that they could pull off 1930's and a case revolving around Orson Wells but I really enjoyed it. The actress playing Audrey's friend I recognize from The Young And The Restless, Mrs. Brooks. Anyhow I liked how this story unfolded and the relationship with Will. Kat and Stillman were funny and Vera - well he had a reckoning. I loved how it played out at the hospital. Funny stuff but some truth to it even though Vera looked like a kook! I also enjoyed the Lilly connection to the father interrogation which is quite similar from Season 1 Churchgoing People which had one of the best guest actress' in that episode of the entire series, IMO. So it was nice to see Lilly in that situation again with an Althziemers parent.

Great episode! I liked some of the underscore. And the theme of the ep "no one to run to ... world was empty" a tie in to Lilly's current life and Vera. I gave it an Excellent although I think that this is kinda a keeper episode involving the entire cast. Maybe they'll put it out as a Director's Cut with Behind the Scenes footage! I'd be interested in having it for collection.

[The Reverend Bizarre]

I gave this episode an excellent. For me the older cases don't really grip me emotionally. This episode did grip me with something unexpected.

Humor.

All through out this episode humor abounded. From Nick saying "I'd find the person who knew this was a hoax." to him trying to get Toni back (and succeeding.) to the dance between John and Kat during the ending montage.

But then there were some scenes that scent a chill down my spine. Most notably the part where Lilly questions Felton, and she does it by pretending she's Audrey. That sent a chill down my spine and it also showed that when needed Lilly can act like someone else.

Now I'm wondering about something. How old is Stillman? I had always assumed he was in his late 60s early 70s, but he says that him and his wife heard the broadcast on their car radio. So I guess that means he's in his 70s-80s

(reminder this person (me) hasn't seen all of Seasons 1-3)

All and all an enjoyable episode.

[koufax]

I also really liked the episode. The plot was interesting and suspenseful. There is one criticism I have-the math does not add up. If they were in their late 20's(although they looked older) that would make them in their late 90's today. All those folks looked really good for approaching 100.

[irishkale]

Great Episode! I too was fearing that they would make the episode sorta "cheesy" and play up the War of the Worlds theme. But the episode was really sorta sweet, and had a few nice romantic touches. I'm a sucker for these "unrequited love" themes.

The Vera scenes were great !

The interaction between Kat and Stillman at the end (dancing together) made me smile, too.

I agree that the ending interrogation with Lilly "transforming" into the wife was very chilling!

I agree with Koufax, with regards to the ages of the characters! The youngest was probably that Penny girl -- if she was 18 in 1938, she'd be 87 now! And the Dad.. if he was 30 in 1938, he'd be 99!

[boxman]

Among many things about "World's End", two things really stood out and caught my attention.

The first was Kat's discovery about "taxi dancers", or as she put it, "a G-rated version of a lap dance". One thing I've noticed a while ago is that while I've seen most (but not all) of the episodes in this show, I can't ever recall Cold Case ever having a scene inside of a strip club. It's unusual for a crime show these days to not have a scene in a strip club; but at the same time, it also seems appropriate for this show not to go there, as many of the stories and themes in Cold Case tend to be geared mostly for a female audience. If anything, whenever Cold Case needs to show "working girls", they're usually portrayed as prostitutes in daylight hours--Something I think is so unusual that it's almost comical. ("Working girls" these days conduct business on-line, at strip clubs, or at worse, on the street at night because obviously, to "conduct business" in public and in broad daylight is simply asking to be arrested...) So while Audrey wasn't a single mom, she definitely must've been thinking about how the family's bills were piling up and how unsatisfying those soup-and-bread dinners were when she considered "dancing" to earn the family money. This, I thought, was a clever and stark contrast to the two other female "breadwinners" in this episode, Kat and Toni. Things have definitely come a long way for women where their career options aren't limited to "dancing" (either at a 1930's dance hall or 2000's strip club), but to be able to have decent-paying and respectable professions such as detective work and nursing. I thought the reference to lap-dancing and strip clubs was perfectly timed in this episode since in contrast, Kat and Toni were featured in the investigation and the side stories. (I'm soo happy to see Toni's return! )

The second thing I noticed was the many references and allusions to Nazi Germany. As the camera swept over Audrey's dead body, it was easy to notice how her limbs were positioned at ninety-degree angles. Then as the camera pulled back to show her entire body, her twisted figure looked very similar to a swastika. Finally, as the camera pulled even further back up the well, the circular walls surrounding Audrey's body completed the symbol of the German swastika. This visual symbolism was confirmed with the many references to Germany regarding Audrey: That Germans kidnapped her, that she was a spy in Berlin, and even that she was seen jogging with Hitler in Fairmont Park.. ( ;D ) I thought these subtle references to "World" War II was very ingenious. While the radio broadcast of "War of the Worlds" may have made a few people think about who was important in their lives, WWII definitely made an entire generation think of family and loved ones. (Tom Brokaw calls them "The Greatest Generation".) It was as if the panic and fear of October 30, 1938 was just a dress rehearsal of the real war between worlds that was to come.

BTW, did the story of an inventor living well in post-depression America sound familiar to anyone?? It gave me *serious* deja vu.

[longislanditalian2]

When Stillman mentioned about hearing it, Every year Cbs radio plays " War of the worlds " on Halloween.

[00bomber]

xuchilbara said:

I gave this episode an excellent. For me the older cases don't really grip me emotionally. This episode did grip me with something unexpected.

Humor.

All through out this episode humor abounded. From Nick saying "I'd find the person who knew this was a hoax." to him trying to get Toni back (and succeeding.) to the dance between John and Kat during the ending montage.

But then there were some scenes that scent a chill down my spine. Most notably the part where Lilly questions Felton, and she does it by pretending she's Audrey. That sent a chill down my spine and it also showed that when needed Lilly can act like someone else.

Now I'm wondering about something. How old is Stillman? I had always assumed he was in his late 60s early 70s, but he says that him and his wife heard the broadcast on their car radio. So I guess that means he's in his 70s-80s

(reminder this person (me) hasn't seen all of Seasons 1-3)

All and all an enjoyable episode.

I haven't seen this episode yet but I always got the impression that Stillman was in his mid to late 50's, possibly 60. To be honest I don't think he is sposed to be in 70's-80's because he simply does not look old enough in the slightest. Just my opinion though.

[eurache]

I truly enjoyed this episode. I remember seeing the movie "The War of the World" .. Orson Welle's Broadcast. My parents lived in that time era with the Depression. I don't remember my parents talking about when this happen, but they did talk about the "Depression". What a time to do that Broadcast when ppl were in such a poor state as it was with the "Depression".

Anyhew, the show reminded of a play I read in college. "The Doll House" by Henrik Ibsen ..where the wife left her husband b/c he truly showed no feelings for her or was kind of boring..

www.gutenberg.org/etext/2542

I voted excellent for this episode..

[Naj]

The second thing I noticed was the many references and allusions to Nazi Germany. As the camera swept over Audrey's dead body, it was easy to notice how her limbs were positioned at ninety-degree angles

irishkale & TRB,

I wondered if they would make the ep cheesey too to the point when they panned out in the first scene of Audrey's body I expected to see her in a wheatfield outside of Philly in the middle of a crop circle. That pic at the end of the newspaper - who was that? I was only half paying attention but I thought it was a pic of BT - stud! I guess it was just my imagination!!!!

I always thought Stillman was in his late 50's and Jeffries in his early 60's.

[boxman]

xuchilbara said:

Now I'm wondering about something. How old is Stillman? I had always assumed he was in his late 60s early 70s, but he says that him and his wife heard the broadcast on their car radio. So I guess that means he's in his 70s-80s

He's a Vietnam vet, but that leaves a lot of range to any guess...

[LillyKat]

This was a pretty darn good episode to commemorate the big 100. I am always partial to the older cases, and particularly ones from the 20s, 30s or 40s. Since we don’t seem to get those as frequently as we used to, when they do roll around I kinda seem to relish them. What can I say, I am a history buff. I admit, too, this one brought back fond memories of S2’s “Factory Girls” and “Red Glare” with its flawless production value once again (kudos Corey Kaplan). I also tend to like an older lineup of guest cast members. There’s a certain maturity, a certain ease of screen presence that is brought to the table when the majority of the cast is older, and whilst I don’t mind younger actors, every once in a while, I like watching folks who have been around for a while.

The story felt really original to me, I enjoyed how it incorporated the War of the Worlds broadcast. I couldn’t help but think what if that happened today. Obviously, it never would. We live in far too much of a different world, and there isn’t a one-source media outlet with one channel of information to give us the impression of what is going on in the the great wide open (as Tom Petty sang it). But I nevertheless thought how funny it might be if all the networks got together and played a joke on us, the viewers, that made us all think the world was coming to an end. In the age of terrorism, 9/11, nuclear attack, etc. this would be so INAPPROPRIATE, but even in this context, it does showcase the power of that broadcast, and arguably, the power of media.

As a loyal supporter of any detective getting to have something (and someone) in their life other than the job, brilliant reintroduction of Toni for Vera. And I LOVED him just up and running to the hospital to tell her, hey, it's you and me. Finally, a detective who is willing to just "go there" with emotions on a personal level about someone they want to be with. It wasn't all coded, subdued, subtextual, drag up the past, beat it with a stick, never go anywhere, ya-da, ya-da. It was new, genuine and was right there in the moment - like life. Perhaps this could be seen as corny, but for me, I totally loved it. No one ever does this on this show, and I totally dug the fact they tried it for once. Nice to know at least one of them does have a heart and would like to use it with someone who is just as good.

Plenty of comedic moments in this ep once again. This is really consistent this season, and I just can’t say enough how much I enjoy it. Kat’s dance with Stillman during the ending montage: priceless.

Can I just ask once again: Does Scotty know ANYTHING about history? Honestly, if I had a dollar for every time Lilly, Stillman, Jefferies or whomever has to clue him in about something that a FIFTH grader should now, I'd have some lunch money by now. I’m thinking he wouldn’t last too long on that show, “Are you Smarter than a Fifth Grader?” LOL!

And can I just say I LOVED Lilly’s role play interrogation at the end with the older Felton. This had me totally flashing back to S1’s “Churchgoing People.” Lil' is still one clever cop.

All in all, really great ep.

[riche]

xuchilbara said:

Now I'm wondering about something. How old is Stillman? I had always assumed he was in his late 60s early 70s, but he says that him and his wife heard the broadcast on their car radio. So I guess that means he's in his 70s-80s

John and Lilly were reading from witness statements taken at the time. Lilly read one about an "End Of The World prayer meeting." Neither were giving accounts from their own lives.

naj said:

That pic at the end of the newspaper - who was that? I was only half paying attention but I thought it was a pic of BT - stud! I guess it was just my imagination!!!!

It was Orson Wells, he made the War Of The Worlds radio broadcast.

[riche]

lillykat said:

This was a pretty darn good episode to commemorate the big 100.

Golly gosh darn good. Can that be added/changed as category on the poll? ;D

I am always partial to the older cases, and particularly ones from the 20s, 30s or 40s. Since we don’t seem to get those as frequently as we used to, when they do roll around I kinda seem to relish them.

I guess budgetary and time constraints make them difficult to pull off. Though there wasn't much visible evidence of the 30s beyond a couple of sets (home, dance hall).

I couldn’t help but think what if that happened today. Obviously, it never would. We live in far too much of a different world, and there isn’t a one-source media outlet with one channel of information to give us the impression of what is going on in the the great wide open (as Tom Petty sang it).

Yeah, posting "there's a Martian outside" on your MySpace page or posting a video of one on YouTube is not likely to get much attention ;D

Can I just ask once again: Does Scotty know ANYTHING about history?

He's not the sharpest tool in the box is he. Though Lilly just plucking memory of the case from thin air like that is pushing it a bit. Is she just reading through all the old newspapers over and over again every night in bed? Errr.... why do I sense some thought being put into that and not hear a chorus of "NO!"?

And can I just say I LOVED Lilly’s role play interrogation at the end with the older Felton. This had me totally flashing back to S1’s “Churchgoing People.” Lil' is still one clever cop.

When the older Felton initially asked Lilly for his glasses I just knew that she'd do that to get him to talk. Oddly, I didn't take it to the (now) obvious conclusion...

All in all, really great ep.

I find myself in agreement with LK yet again.

[myril]

I loved this episode. Well, yeah, I mostly fall for these older cases from the 20s, 30s and 40s. Something about this period is particular fascinating, maybe the strange mix of feeling like it's the world's end and feeling like a new world was about to begin, dunno. Not to mention the music.

The case was interesting and the characters intense and deep. To catch just in one episode so much of the atmosphere of the end of the 30s, Depression and the threat of war, is great work. To be honest, I was a bit worried, what they would make of this story, the context of the radio broadcast, but it was amazing. Sometimes it was just the subtly of a gesture, mimik, lightening, the composition of the scene. Very good work, of the actresses and actors, and of the director. Looks like Roxann Dawson finds always the right visual language to please me And, of course, kudos to the team, making the flashbacks so believable, props, costumes, make-up - well done!

It's nice to see Toni back. It was so sweet, that Vera ran straight to tell Toni, he can't live without her. You gotta love him. But there had been many more little moments in this episode for the cast, great how they connected the story with the thoughts and feelings of the main characters - that's the way I like it. A good case, well written and subtle connections with today and our weekly "heroes".

This 100th episode (congrats!!!!) is for sure on my list of best of the season.

boxman said:

The second thing I noticed was the many references and allusions to Nazi Germany. As the camera swept over Audrey's dead body, it was easy to notice how her limbs were positioned at ninety-degree angles. Then as the camera pulled back to show her entire body, her twisted figure looked very similar to a swastika. Finally, as the camera pulled even further back up the well, the circular walls surrounding Audrey's body completed the symbol of the German swastika. This visual symbolism was confirmed with the many references to Germany regarding Audrey: That Germans kidnapped her, that she was a spy in Berlin, and even that she was seen jogging with Hitler in Fairmont Park.. ( ;D ) I thought these subtle references to "World" War II was very ingenious. While the radio broadcast of "War of the Worlds" may have made a few people think about who was important in their lives, WWII definitely made an entire generation think of family and loved ones. (Tom Brokaw calls them "The Greatest Generation".) It was as if the panic and fear of October 30, 1938 was just a dress rehearsal of the real war between worlds that was to come.

I agree with most, what you wrote here, boxman. Just one thing. Yeah, you can see a swastika, not on first look there for me, but not impossible. But think the angle of the leg would suggest a left-facing swastika, and the Nazi symbol was right-facing. On the other hand, the right arm could be seen in the right angle. Maybe they couldn't quite make up their mind, which way to point it

lillykat said:

The story felt really original to me, I enjoyed how it incorporated the War of the Worlds broadcast. I couldn’t help but think what if that happened today. Obviously, it never would. We live in far too much of a different world, and there isn’t a one-source media outlet with one channel of information to give us the impression of what is going on in the the great wide open (as Tom Petty sang it). But I nevertheless thought how funny it might be if all the networks got together and played a joke on us, the viewers, that made us all think the world was coming to an end. In the age of terrorism, 9/11, nuclear attack, etc. this would be so INAPPROPRIATE, but even in this context, it does showcase the power of that broadcast, and arguably, the power of media.

Hm, maybe not as fiction, hoax, though I'm not even sure, if that wouldn't have a chance today too, depends on how good you make it. But am sure, we too easily believe some things just because every news channels shows them to us. And I remember concerns about CSI and its effects on public believes.

Besides, there might have been not many radio stations in 1938, but it was possible to figure out, that it was a hoax, it was announced during the show, that is was just fiction, but people got confused and not all noticed it. CBS (yup!) hadn't even such a big regular audience at that time according to most sources, NBC had more listners. And Orson Welles was criticized a lot for the show.

Yes, right, it showed the power of media. But I doubt, that so many more people have learned since then to question that power, to question what they get to see on news or tv-shows.

[babyv16]

I haven't read what anyone else has said yet, so forgive me if I said something that has already been said. ;D

I loved this episode. The story was great. I was worried they would make it all cheesy and go overboard with the War of the Worlds thing, but it was really well done.

whooooo!! we made it to 100 eps!!! ;D

Vera...omg he's so sweet!!! I love how we see two sides of him - one that's all I-don't-give-a-damn-cop, and then the way he acted around Toni...that was priceless.

This reminded me of Lilly in Churchgoing People (?) because she revived the past for the suspects. I've seen someone go through Alzheimer's, and it's amazing how one little detail - in this case glasses or reminding him when supper was, can bring back so much. I know with my grandmother you could put a picture of my dad in front of her and she would tell you everything about the day he was born, but that was it. Sort of the same thing here.

Once again, sorry if I've repeated anything that has already been said.

[pealee]

Me and ColdCaseGirl loooooved this ep. We were texting the whole time(well we always do:)

I was instanly hooked right away. I can't imagine in that time era or even now, listening to the radio and hearing that(maybe not aliens coming to get us now) I can see why people paniced.

I loved how Lilly let Felton believe she was Audrey. Great way to get a confession.

Vera was freaking hilarious. And it really cracked me up when he was like Sinatra(was that right?) was playing on thier first date and she was like 'no it wasn't it was TuPac.' I about died of laughter.

I enjoyed the whole case. Really entertaining.

I always believed Stillman to be about late fifties early sixties. And Jefferies a few years older.
I too thought that the characters seemed a bit young looking for the time line. But how many 90 year working actors are walking around Hollywood? Not many. And it takes hours to go through all that makeup. Probably really wasn't worth it. It didn't distract me from the show in the slightest. I noticed and forgot about it probably in like two seconds.

I gave this ep-One of the seasons best!