Ep. 5.09 Boy Crazy

[TVFan]

THE TEAM HEARS FROM AN ALLEGED WITNESS TO A 1963 MURDER OF A CONTROVERSIAL GENDER-CONFUSED TEENAGED GIRL WHO HAS LONG BEEN CATEGORIZED AS A SUICIDE VICTIM, ON "COLD CASE," SUNDAY, NOV. 18

Michael Constantine ("My Big Fat Greek Wedding") And David Selby ("Tell Me You Love Me") Guest Star, Respectively, as the Victim's Father and Former Classmate

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
Samantha "Sam" Randall (1963): Linsey Godfrey
Dom Barron (1963): Jonathan Keltz
Dom Barron (2007): David Selby
Red Buckley (1963): John Patrick Jordan
Red Buckley (2007): Wings Hauser
Janey Davis (1963): Elisabeth Harnois
Janey Davis (2007): Leigh Rose
Maurice Habershaw (2007): Jack Donner
Archie Randall (1963): Michael Oberlander
Archie Randall (2007): Michael Constantine
Nurse Polly Leonard (1963): Mina Badie
Nurse Polly Leonard (2007): Lelia Goldoni
School Principal (1963): Jim Abele
Dr. Russell Kearns (1963): Jim Jansen
Bully #1 (1963): Lane Compton

WRITTEN BY: Joanna Lovinger

DIRECTED BY: Holly Dale

[coldfan74]

Excellent episode
One of the saddest episode thus far this season.
It triggered anger, sadness, triumph all at the same time the way Sam was violated in every way and how she was fighting it til the end.
It was passionate how Dom being the only friend was the one who loved Sam..despite the confusion...gender was just an outer definition.
It was very commendable for the writers to avoid cliches and stereotypes on this subject. Gender confusion does not necssatily equate being gay or vice versa. The point I gotten out of this eppy was that it not for others to figure out what Sam was or not..but Sam her/himself.

Did anyone notice in the beginning scene where Sam's box is being put away was the same but different variation of the music theme used in the ending montage of Best Friends?

As far as Stillman being suspended. Geez I wish I had a boss that cool. I wouldve preferred Valens getting suspended. A smug %#$% like him needs the lesson.

[longislanditalian2]

Really sad indeed, but I like how Stillman took the fall. He knew that what Scotty had done was the right thing; saving Lilly's life. I thought the ending was sad, showing how much his crew needed him.

I thought the episode was a little sad, especially how people delt with that long ago compared today which if this happened today; Sam would have been treated a lot differently.

[Naj]

This case truly angered me. "I can't get better if I'm not sick." "If you love a girl whose actually a boy inside, what does that make you." Gender Identity Disorder - Electro Convulsive Therapy. Why oh why are humans so cruel to one another? I'm so glad we no longer live in the 1960's. I just want to spit nails right now at that time frame. However I still do get angry at how things are treated now days as well. I detest the psychological establishment! I really do.

She didn't have a gender identity as far as I'm concerned. She's a gal dressing the way she feels comfortable. Women can get away with that more than men can. I guess I should ask myself why that is...

I loved David Selby. He's still a handsome man to me. Dark Shadows, Falcon Crest. *swoon*

And Stillman taking the rap for Scotty is interesting for 30 days. Geez. I hope he comes back!!!! Kat had in interesting interrogation. Is that her first alone? Some of it sounded too Lillyish! But I enjoyed it. They even gave reference to "Boys Don't Cry" in one scene. I also liked the underscore towards the end. It was a good episode.

[pealee]

Really good. Really sad. When Sam was yelling Daddy! that tore me up. So sad. I can't imagine.

Really cool that Stillman took the fall for Scotty. Lilly looked quite sad about John leaving.

[boxman]

Amusing to see Red Buckley with a trifecta of bad symbolisms pointing to him as the guilty party:
--Black Leather Jackets, almost always worn by criminals on this show,
--Association with automobiles, another indication that he's possibly tied to Sam's death,
--Association with the color Red, as a color that's been used to foreshadow anger and arguments in this series.
It turned out that these were symbolism "curve balls" and Red wasn't guilty nor tied to Sam's death at all! Yet at the same time, Lilly and Kat assured themselves of Dom's guilt through interpreting the symbolism in his artwork. This fact pretty much underlines the importance of artistic expression and interpretation in this series.

[coldcasefan6707]

who ended up doing it... can someone tell me please??? I was so exhausted I fell asleep during the last like 10 or 15 min.

[coldfan74]

Boxman- I KNEW you were gonna bring up the leather jacket thing. hehehehe

coldcasefan6707 - It was Dom. Tho it wasn't out of malice. It was a form of euthanasia. Sam brain was fried and begged Dom to "free her" though incapacitated.

[coldcasefan6707]

thank you so much!

[coldfan74]

Just out of curiosity, are any of the on-shot location scenes of Philly realistic or make sense?
Fishtown, Kensington, etc do these names actually exist?

Im a native Chicagoan and I can almost tell you in my sleep how *realistic* ER Chicago scenes are or make sense? Ha

[TVFan]

This was a very emotional outing. Like so many of you, I was sad, angry, upset and appalled at the way Sam was treated both in and out of the mental facility. It made me so mad to see a young, vibrant girl stripped of everything that she was all because she didn't fit into the right mold. Such a dark chapter in humanity's history. As Naj pointed out, things aren't exactly perfect today either. For me, Sam was just a girl who enjoyed doing traditionally "boy" things more than "girl" things. She may have taken it a little further than your typical TomBoy, but so what?! She was expressing her true self instead of conforming to what society wanted. If anything, the others should have been admiring her sense of self and not condemning her for it. The hospital that forced Sam to get over her gender identity confusion is the true killer in this one. They should be held responsible for what they did to her and so many other girls, and yet, no one from there ever was or ever will be. Instead, Sam's only friend, the person who helped "free her" is held accountable. I understand why, but it still seems unfair.

We all knew that Stillman was a stand-up guy, a devoted detective and one heck of a boss, but this week's episode proved just how much he embodies all of those admirable traits and more. He has gone to bat more times than he probably cares to remember for Lilly, he blamed himself for her shooting and he entered into George Marks' attic gun-in-hand to save her life and he tried to save her from having to live with a death on her hands. He shared many glasses of Scotch with Will, comforted Scotty after Elisa jumped to her death, and lent an understanding ear to Nick after his wife left him. Stillman has always been there for his detectives whether it's being the father that Lil never had or a friend right when the others need him the most. But this week, he took the fall for Scotty's bad judgment and the 30-day suspension that comes with it. It was Scotty's fault that a disturbed father wound up on a rooftop holding a gun to the head of his son's murderer, but Stillman told internal affairs that he gave the order so he could save Scotty's young career. That final scene with Stillman carrying his box out the door as his team looked on was moving thanks to the entire cast, but John Finn really shone the brightest this week. Big kudos to him for the entire hour!!

Loved Kat's interrogation with Red. She was adorable and always in control. It was nice to see a different side to her character. Overall, another excellent hour for CC.

[jt]

coldcasefan6707 said:

who ended up doing it... can someone tell me please??? I was so exhausted I fell asleep during the last like 10 or 15 min.

your not the only one, I saw the last part but kept switching back and fourth trying to get the interent server to work.

Stillman is awesome, too bad he had to take the fall.

I dont know what to think of the episode. I didnt like the ending song though.

[anneinchicago]

Words fail me. If this episode does not win a whole slew of awards the there is no justice in the world.

Despite how Cold Case has treated 'hot button' issues in the past, I was terrified they would somehow blow this. But no. What an uncomprising frank look at someone with gender identity issues.

And for those of you who think things are better today, think Brandon Teena. Or Gwen Araujo.

One more thing. When he (Sam) was talking to Dou (sp) by the lake, he (Sam) said he didn't like girls. Which can only mean he liked boys. He was saying, in so many words, that she was a he who like boys.

Here's to Cold Case for having the sheer guts to air this show.

Bravo!

[anneinchicago]

Forgot to add- Bravo also to whomever was responsible for the outstanding and perfectly fitting soundtrack.

[Naj]

They should be held responsible for what they did to her and so many other girls, and yet, no one from there ever was or ever will be.

I'll just say that there is much more to a person than what therapists, psychologists, etc.. treat according to 'their' paradiym of understanding of life and humanity. Many of these professionals have no "spiritual" component to their modalities and, therefore, hold no accountability to the methods they shove on others. As well society has been molded to adhere to relligious beliefs that promote hate, bigotry and unacceptanace to the point of playing God. ala "Boys Don't Cry" which this episode is similar except the killing was out of compassion for a failed, sick, judgemental health system. Then you have a father who is so swayed by social conditioning of the time; a recurrent theme of this series is that people don't follow what's in their heart but do what society accepts. It's truly a sin when you think how people treat each other based upon strong relgious leanings of our society - which makes our society truly, truly sick - minded.

My question is - why isn't the insitution liable? How can their defence be: "Oh we didn't know what ECT would do to a person and we didn't really understand that there was no such thing as having a disease". They treated Sam the way they did because the psychological community declared "it so" that she had a disease. How do they get away with this?


boxman,
I really noticed that red dress. And it was ballooned shaped around her body. To me that symbolized the woman's hour glass figure - that she had been transformed into a woman - and look where it got her. Successful procedure I guess.

[eurache]

I had the same feelings as you ppl mentioned, anger, sad..etc.

I felt the institution should have been responsible too.

I recognized some of the old songs they played.

I felt bad for Stillman for taking the fall. But I think he would be the boss I wish I had. Someone who sticks up for his valued employees.

I thought the episode was excellent.

[LillyKat]

What. An. Episode.

Wow.

I have to rank this as my favorite of season five thus far. It grabbed me within the first minutes as Sam was instantly humiliated in class after having her shirt ripped open. I just went, “OK. This is going to be good.”

Since we have been talking a lot about – and showing our support for – writers these days, I want to commend Joanna Lovinger for creating an amazing character in Sam. I. Loved. Her. Really and truly. It’s not often I get really attached to the victim of the cases, but this one was just too good, too compelling, too heartbreaking and too poignant.

But in addition to Sam, Joanna gave us an unflinching look back at a time when non-conformity was punished in the cruelest and most insane ways. For me, the jaw-dropping moment of the episode came when the girls at the hospital were showing the truest effects of their ECT therapy, and Sam stood up against it ANYWAY even though she knew she would be next. Then when Dom finds her zombied out, yet still wanting to be set free … just a wow all the way around. So captivating. Powerful. I kept repeating to myself, “Cripes. What the hell were we thinking?” It’s tough to look back at parts of our history when we know we just got it way wrong – whether as a society or as individuals or both in the treatment and/or standards of others at the time. This show has, over the years, shown us more than one occasion where people are able to persevere irregardless – but also pay the price for doing so.

Holly Dale did a fantastic job in directing this ep. What she got out of Linsey Godfrey - just a whole-hearted, convincing and amazingly passionate portrayal of Sam that balanced the tragic with an undying sense of belief in who she was – was top drawer. The lighting of this ep was phenomenal – whether it was at the lake, or the drag strip or the dreaded hospital … there was always a brightness to it as if to suggest no matter what, you couldn’t really kill Sam’s spirit. She was just too bright.

I am way sad about Stillman … … and yet, I just end up loving the guy even more than I normally do for yet again being the boss of all bosses. I loved his “talk” with Jefferies. Am wondering if this will finally force Scotty to grow up and quit being such a hot-headed dufus. Maybe he might actually start to take charge of himself on a day-in, day-out basis, not just when a Knight in Shining Armour is needed. He seems to do the latter much better than the former.

All in, just a powerful ep once again. Kudos to CC.

(And oh yes ... the soundtrack of this ep was awesome!)

[boxman]

coldfan74 said:

Just out of curiosity, are any of the on-shot location scenes of Philly realistic or make sense?
Fishtown, Kensington, etc do these names actually exist?

Yes those neighborhoods and all the other ones mentioned in the series do exist! I think Cold Case does an excellent job at being true to Philly, ColdFan! It's one of the reasons I like watching the show. As an example look HERE regarding last night's episode. You can clearly see the Grey's Ferry neighborhood along the southeastern side of Sckyulkill River, and FDR park (along with its lakes) to the south end of the city! The Greys Ferry neighborhood did have a school that was located next to I-76, but it's been abandoned for several years, maybe decades. (When the US Navy closed the Philly shipyard, a lot of families moved out from the area. The school there is only recently being rebuilt as the naval housing was razed a few years ago and a suburban style low-income housing now takes its place.) Anyway, to the east of Grey's Ferry you can also find Point Breeze, which is the neighborhood that Bingo's body was found in 5.04 "Devil Music".

Cold Case is not simply correct with the names of Philly neighborhoods, but also the racial and economic makeup of the neighborhoods, and even the history behind each neighborhood. It really amazes me that these writers (who are probably based in L.A.) are able to incorporate so much Philly facts and history into their stories. BTW, Philly has a long history of teenagers drag racing. It's still a problem for the cops even today... Check THIS funny story....

naj said:

boxman,
I really noticed that red dress. And it was ballooned shaped around her body. To me that symbolized the woman's hour glass figure - that she had been transformed into a woman - and look where it got her. Successful procedure I guess.

Ahh... and did you notice that Stillman is "going fishing"?? I thought the reference to a water-based activity went well with with his changing personal fate.

[socceroos]

FIRST POST

I thought the episode was really great but the hospital part reminded me of that episode with the woman in the mental institution where they gave her a lobotmoy (SP?) I forgot what it was called. In that episode the main doctor that was responsible for the victims death, died before he could be held accountable for his actions, so in light of that episode I was hoping that this doctor would have been held responsible.

Did anyone else notice that they never showed who disposed of Sams body in the river? They just showed Dom smothering her with a pillow but never how her body got in the river?

[scillylove]

Not a bad episode. Not one of my favourites, but not bad. The case was interesting, Sam's story was really heartbreaking. It sucks to be one way and because people don't see it as "right" you're alienated and humiliated for it. But the only problem I had with it was the open ending. Yes, if you were to look at it in black and white, he suffocated her and then threw her off the bridge. But it's one of those endings you had to think about, and some people could interpret it differently. I was watching it with my mom and at the end we turned to each other and went, "Huh?". We had to think about it for a couple minutes. "Well, maybe...no, or maybe this happened...". That's not really the response they teach you to go for in film school.

Did anyone else find it odd, when Scotty and Will were "arguing" in the interrogation room a few eps ago, an area that is supposedly soundproof, they could be heard out in the main office area. And yet when Stillman was fighting with those IAD guys, in his own office, not soundproof, Scotty and Will couldn't hear them? That's what we call a "goof".

Stillman taking the suspension for Scotty was, as most of you have said, very sweet. It's rare these days to come across good bosses, and I felt his actions were a strong reminder of how much trust and caring there is within the team. They're basically the closest family any of them have. It's nice to see that shown on screen.