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Post by riche on Nov 12, 2007 15:12:17 GMT -5
Really good episode. Using kids is always a way to guarantee a great emotional response from the audience. IThe only part that bothered me was when they called that a game an RPG. Normally they don't have RPGs in Arcades, save for the Gauntlet series. This game was a fighting game. It was definitely a "beat'em up". Looked like one of the Mortal Kombat series. Gauntlet was more beat'em up than RPG, though it had the aspect of a journey which was more of an excuse to introduce more targets. "RPG" is one of those oddities in that in any game (except the likes of Tetris) you are assuming a role. But given that, the traditional RPG is more about discovery and quests, usually set in some mythical land. There are fights but they tend to be against dragons and ogres and are more based on stats than action. I noticed it as well, when Lilly talked about dying alone. Even Scotty didn't noticed and I'm suprised about that considering he saved her. May be I'm misunderstanding you LII2 but I thought that Scotty was showing some considerable concern. He was clearly a little perturbed by what he was hearing. One thing that struck me is the way, at the end, the parents of the victims were all glaring at Nick, Jeffries and Scotty as they walked past. Obviously there are angry nothing was done earlier but you can hardly blame the CC squad for that. |
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myril
Veteran Detective
Merry One [/color][/center]
Posts: 795
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Post by myril on Nov 12, 2007 16:26:13 GMT -5
Haven't made up my mind yet, how to rate this episode. An interesting case, for sure. Never thought of Mindhunters though (is it the serial killer thing? just wonder). There was a lot in this story, interesting hints, coming together in the end as the somehow simple and still complex motive of Malik. And kudos for the actor, he made the scene in the bathroom a great scene. But as well I liked how they woved in Lilly's issue with dying alone. If I find the time to watch it with more concentration, might have to say more about cinematographie, it was good, some interesting angeles and lightening. All in all a good or excellent episode. Just something distracted me a little from the story line: the Theseus thing. Maybe I read some other version of greek mythology, but as far as I remember Theseus wasn't sent by his father, to do to bad guys what they did to others, he did it while on his way to meet his father, the king of Athen, for the first time. Yeah, and calling that game an RPG, hmmm. Maybe they should ask some geek next time  Apropos, geek. Vera is a smart guy, his he, good in deciphering codes and riddles. Not the first time he solved it. Who would guess  |
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Post by riche on Nov 12, 2007 16:50:24 GMT -5
Yeah, and calling that game an RPG, hmmm. Maybe they should ask some geek next time I'm guessing they used the phrase to allow them to emphasize the idea of Malik/Theseus taking on another persona and living in a fantasy world. Using the phrase "beat 'em up" would have changed to being purely about the violence. Using a beat 'em up game as a visual was a gave them a more obviously recognisable game with the violence aspect. An RPG would have not worked in an arcade and wouldn't have been so immediately visceral. I was a little surprised it took so long for Lilly/Scotty to stress to Malik/Theseus that the boy he was threatening with the knife was not one those that attacked him. You think they'd do that to try and break the spell. |
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Post by TVFan on Nov 12, 2007 17:30:13 GMT -5
I gave this one a "best of the season" vote like so many others. It was sooo well done.
I saw shades of "Mind Hunter," but it was in the directing. No surprise since Kevin Bray's excellent eye was behind both episodes. Specifically, the scenes where we "saw" the killer, but didn't actually see him like when he rented the storage units and when he pretended to be a young boy. There were definite visual shades of George buying the deer eye at the army surplus store in "Mind Hunter."
This episode was all about the killer, and yet, we still felt the tragedy of each boy's death. I credit the excellent writing of Erica Shelton and acting from the guest stars. How painful were those scenes with them and the CC detectives? Even though they were misplacing the blame, you couldn't blame them for being angry and frustrated over the police's refusal to fully investigate each boy's disappearance. Once again, I was reminded of the racism that still rears its ugly head in our society. It may more subtle than 50 years ago, but it still exists sadly.
Back on the subject of this one being about the killer -- it was nice to see CC do another psychological story. I've always maintained that this is CC's bread and butter. It's what they do best -- delving into the psyche of the killer and human nature. It's fascinating and no other crime drama goes there. I'm not even sure which part of this case was more tragic: the four murdered boys or Malik's disturbing childhood. My legs ached for him during those flashbacks. And then to watch helplessly as the other boys in the home cut off his finger... just turned my stomach. Hard to watch and yet, deeply powerful. The night's most upsetting scene was the suicide. Lilly gasped and clutched the young boy she just saved while Scotty pleaded with Malik to drop the knife. He was a deeply disturbed man, and it was tragic to see another life lost in this vicious cycle created by "The Pit."
Of course, all of this furthered Lilly's realization that she might end up dying alone if she doesn't do something about it. Her near-death last season and the subsequent therapy sessions drilled that in for her, but this case really drove it home. She and Scotty both seemed to be deeply moved by their experience in that shower room. It reminded me of Lilly's reaction after talking James out of killing himself in "Sherry Darlin'." Powerful stuff. Oh, and I definitely thought that Scotty was unnerved by Lil's reaction to the whole "dying alone" theme.
Overall, an affecting episode that is still staying with me today. It's not one that I'll shake anytime soon. Excellent writing, excellent directing, excellent acting. Just a stellar hour of television.
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Post by eurache on Nov 12, 2007 19:03:12 GMT -5
Did they say the game was "Defecta 3?" I'm not familiar with these games, but does it make a difference? since they stated it a RPG game, I forgot how they defined it.  |
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coldcasegirl
Lilly Rush
Sleuthing for Clues [/color]
Posts: 2,279
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Post by coldcasegirl on Nov 12, 2007 20:09:38 GMT -5
Oh yes, so I totally LOVED this ep! Who wouldn't? ;D It kept me guessing the WHOLE time, but they stayed very on track and nothing was confusing. I cried a little at the end seeing all those families and what had happened to the little boys. So sad! I just knew he was gonna kill himself in the end. And Lilly was amazing, as always, at negotiating with him. The songs were great too. Even though this wasn't too 'cold'...as some of you might say...I thought it was very appropriate. And I loved all the math involved and how it went together. And right when Lilly said "he makes them stand for hours, until they couldn't any more." it made me think of GEORGE!! She, or someone, said almost those exact words: "he makes them run until they can't anymore." Which I think it woulda been cool for her to kinda have a flashback of Georgo real quick right after she said it! But all's well that ends well! I loved this ep and hopefully everyone else realized the "awesomeness" of it too! (I mean the ones who HAVEN'T posted ) |
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The Reverend Bizarre
Lilly Rush
10 0011 10101 [/b][/color]
"The way your prophet breaks his bread does not speak the future." - Mephirostus
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Post by The Reverend Bizarre on Nov 12, 2007 21:19:37 GMT -5
For me, one of the gripping factors to this episode was how I felt about Malik. I didn't condone his murders or torture, but this episode and The Woods really brought to life how certain things can really make a person snap.
There's also an issue here too with the loss of innocence. I can't remember exactly what Malik said, but didn't he mention that while they were cutting off his index finger, the child more or less died and Theseus was born?
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jt
Desk Clerk I
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Post by jt on Nov 13, 2007 0:10:16 GMT -5
not a bad episode. the beginning reminded me of Mind hunters like the others said but the ending was almost like the ending to woods. I liked it. I liked the music at the ending and thought it fit well. too bad there wasnt a mention of the case from mind hunters in here. Im surprised.
I havent watched cold case in 2 weeks but I dont get why Lily didnt see the boys at the end and the other detective did.
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Post by riche on Nov 13, 2007 4:14:28 GMT -5
Did they say the game was "Defecta 3?" I'm not familiar with these games, but does it make a difference? since they stated it a RPG game, I forgot how they defined it. I'm pretty sure the name was made up. Using an actual game name might have caused problems. First of all the maker wouldn't want their game associated with the crime. Secondly it would give the media another excuse to go down the whole "games are evil" route by actually having a game to show. They only showed a few brief glimpses of the game but, with my scant knowledge in this area of gaming, it looked like one of the "Mortal Kombat" series. They just needed a game that had the idea of fighting and the visuals of a character falling down something pit like. I havent watched cold case in 2 weeks but I dont get why Lily didnt see the boys at the end and the other detective did. Welcome aboard jt. My guess is that because at the beginning, when John, Kat and Will are informing/interviewing the relatives Kat gets quite an earful from the grandmother about the police not caring at the time. Kat takes it quite hard. |
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canuckiepen
Desk Clerk II
I watch Cold Case...It's how I stay human
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Post by canuckiepen on Nov 13, 2007 10:13:49 GMT -5
What hooked me right into the show was Lilly's reaction to finding the boy in the freezer at the beginning of the episode. I'm surprised that no one had brought that up yet....very gripping stuff, when she was all choked up, trying to contain her emotions while Stillman was noticing it. I'm sure everyone felt like givin' Lil a big hug right about then.
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Post by TVFan on Nov 13, 2007 10:53:51 GMT -5
I concur RichE. Also, I LOVED that shot -- Kat seeing the three boys in the reflection on the glass. Awesome shot and very powerful!
canuckiepen - You're so right. I forgot to mention that scene, but it grabbed me right off the bat as well. In fact, I neglected to mention Kathryn's amazing performance at all. Probably because the story was so powerful that everything else took an unfair backseat. She was incredible in that scene, the final scene and everything in between. Actually, the entire cast kinda blew me away this week. Everyone was at the top of their game.
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Post by Naj on Nov 13, 2007 16:18:17 GMT -5
Welcome to the board, JT!   not a bad episode. the beginning reminded me of Mind hunters like the others said but the ending was almost like the ending to woods. I liked it. I liked the music at the ending and thought it fit well. too bad there wasnt a mention of the case from mind hunters in here. Im surprised. I havent watched cold case in 2 weeks but I dont get why Lily didnt see the boys at the end and the other detective did. |
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jt
Desk Clerk I
Posts: 16
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Post by jt on Nov 13, 2007 16:20:28 GMT -5
Welcome to the board, JT! not a bad episode. the beginning reminded me of Mind hunters like the others said but the ending was almost like the ending to woods. I liked it. I liked the music at the ending and thought it fit well. too bad there wasnt a mention of the case from mind hunters in here. Im surprised. I havent watched cold case in 2 weeks but I dont get why Lily didnt see the boys at the end and the other detective did. thanks, glad to be here  |
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Post by longislanditalian2 on Nov 13, 2007 17:49:41 GMT -5
Did anyone notice at the beginning , when they found the 1st victim; Lilly had tears in her voice.
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pealee
Detective
Ray's Woman[/color]
Bring Back EDDIE:)
Posts: 383
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Post by pealee on Nov 13, 2007 18:50:24 GMT -5
Oh yes KM was outstanding. I also liked Jefferies reaction to finding the one boy in the freezer. You could see the hatred in his eyes for the do'er. Gripping. And yet we wonder why they don't get an Emmy nod??
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Post by longislanditalian2 on Nov 13, 2007 18:52:21 GMT -5
Lilly almost got sick from seeing what was inside the freezer. I liked how the last scene when her and Scotty entered the old building with the flashlights; reminded me of the x-fiels for a second there.
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Post by eurache on Nov 13, 2007 23:36:36 GMT -5
Oh yes KM was outstanding. I also liked Jefferies reaction to finding the one boy in the freezer. You could see the hatred in his eyes for the do'er. Gripping. And yet we wonder why they don't get an Emmy nod?? yeah I agree pealee, they were all outstanding and should get an Emmy or some recognition  |
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Post by eurache on Nov 13, 2007 23:37:49 GMT -5
Lilly almost got sick from seeing what was inside the freezer. I liked how the last scene when her and Scotty entered the old building with the flashlights; reminded me of the x-fiels for a second there. yeah you're right LII2  It did remind of Scully and Mulder action  |
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Post by 00bomber on Nov 14, 2007 3:22:36 GMT -5
great episode. the show has gotten back to its best, the cases feel more like the season 1 & 2 cases. although it didn't remind me of george one bit. i wasn't sure about it being a case only a few months old but it still linked to 86, which amde it 'cold' in a sense. and the flash back date was my b'day |
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jazzyb
Desk Clerk II
Posts: 61
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Post by jazzyb on Nov 14, 2007 11:05:30 GMT -5
Oh, yes. Cold Case is slowly re-discovering its powerful mojo from Seasons #1 & #2. This episode was especially gripping particularly the last scene confronting the killer. I thought Lilly's reaction was very touching as she shielded the young boy in her arms. Too bad we've got the writers' strike looming over the rest of the season!
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It did remind of Scully and Mulder action 
