7.08 Chinatown: .:special air time 9 pm.:

[Naj]

Chinatown will air on CBS Sunday, November 22, 2009 at 9 pm (ET).


THE TEAM REOPENS STILLMAN'S 1983 CASE OF A CHINESE-AMERICAN TEEN WHO WAS MURDERED THREE MONTHS AFTER HIS GIRLFRIEND WAS KILLED BY CHINESE GANG MEMBERS, ON "COLD CASE," SUNDAY, NOV. 22

"Chinatown" - The team reopens a 1983 case, originally investigated by Stillman, of a teenaged Chinese-American who was slain before he could obtain justice for his girlfriend who was killed by one of many bullets unleashed at a festival by Chinese gang members, on COLD CASE, Sunday, Nov. 22 (10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

SERIES REGULARS:

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

RECURRING CAST:

Eddie Saccardo.................... Bobby Cannavale
Young Stillman (1983)............................ Anthony John Crane

GUEST CAST:

Jack Chao Lu (1983)...................... Kemp Lee
Hong Lu (1983).......................... Raymond Ma
Da Chun Lu (1983).......................... Gina Chai
Da Chun Lu (2009)........................... Irene Tsu
Ling Lu (1983)............................... Johnny Wu
Ling Lu (2009)............................ Bruce Locke
Joe Sung (1983)................................. Evan Lai
Joe Sung (2009)............................... Jack Ong
Tam Sung (1983)......................... Taya Rogers
Warren Lee (1983)...................... Jordon Dang
Warren Lee (2009)...................... Chi Muoi Lo
Stacey Lee (1983).......................... Kyla Dang
Stacey Lee (2009).......................... Elaine Kao
Bo-Lin Chen (1983)...................... Robin Shou
Bo-Lin Chen (2009)............................. Yzi Ma
Ray Bianchi (1983)........... Lawrence Monoson
Ray Bianchi (2009)..................... Peter Onorati
Danny Yo (1983)............................ James Hsu

WRITTEN BY: Alicia Kirk, the series' co-producer

DIRECTED BY: David Von Ancken

[Naj]

CBS EYE ALERT!

Revised start times for tonight's CBS programs: 60 Minutes (7:25pm ET), Amazing Race (8:25pm ET), Cold Case (9:25pm ET) and Three Rivers (10:25pm ET) due to an NFL runover.

[boxman]

As far as I can recall, this is probably the only case that involved organized crime as an essential element to the story. I think it was written really well, with some interesting unexpected twists and details to the story. I voted "excellent". My only disappointment was with the last flashback of the murder. The scene seemed rushed, and I was a little surprised at how quickly a gun was pulled out and used. Seemed that there should be more hesitation--you don't pull a gun out on your brother and shoot him so easily!! It's too bad I feel this way, because I thought the build-up to the admission with the mom-to-son letter in Chinese was excellent!

I enjoyed how the main storyline included a crooked cop, just like the Lilly/Eddie storyline is about Eddie being a crook. They always tie these separate storylines together well. ;D

BTW, I think having Cold Case lead into Three Rivers makes a whole lot of sense. I hope they keep the schedule this way.

[madmax]

I liked the story very much. There haven't been many episodes with Chinese victims/witnesses/suspects. Actually I can't recall any before this one. Anyway, twists in the story were very nicely done.

I agree with Boxman, that they nicely connected main plot to the L+E plot with the crooked cop. I'm not sure if Eddie is a crook, but for now it does look like it. No matter what anyone thinks of Eddie (I don't like the guy too much myself) seeing Lilly happy was priceless. The scene in the evening with Italian car was very nice and when Lilly got inside the car her smile was so cute I haven't seen her smile like that since she was with Joseph and I want to see more smiles like that in the future. The scene on the beach was amazing too, her sweet attitude, very relaxed, down to Earth, and open with her feelings....Oh, priceless, just priceless I tell you!

Unfortunatelly, 30 minutes later than planned but at least hour earlier than it would be with normal 10pm time. I hope ratings will be higher for CC. We should also hope for ratings for 3Rivers to be higher so CBS will stay with this schedule with CC as a lead-in

[ninja1088]

I enjoyed this episode a lot. Good view of the Asian culture without being judgemental of why they waited so long to come foward. As for the older brother shooting the younger one, the threat of being exposed was enough for him to act the way he did. In the end, he killed his brother for nothing.
As for Eddie, I imagine Lily's happiness will be short lived. I don't trust him at all. A cop who is willing to betray his badge with the suggestions he's made to Lily isn't someone that can be trusted. It's a shame Lily will be on the losing end though.

[Kassandra]

I really enjoyed this episode, much more than I thought I would.

The whole episode was very well done, I loved the cultural aspect that they convayed in this episode. The side story of Lilly and Eddie is adorable! And I have to say her boots where amazing! That braclet was omg. I loved the beach scene, but in the end when she opened the door and the place was empty i was kind of sad. It would be nice to know where he is now. But the touch with him leaving the braclet was sweet. But im waiting for Moe to come back!

Alltogher I loved the episode

[madmax]

Forgot to mention that before but Vera wasn't in the episode. I kinda missed the guy, he probably had some doctor appointements to go to Oh, and what was that thing between Miller and Jeffries? Miller's curiousity was nicely shown Did Jeffries print out some novel/book/fanfiction hehe or maybe it was his own work? Now, with the Will's case from the earlier episode and this printout I'm more interested in his side plot that Scotty's side plot...

[ninja1088]

I've noticed that as well Madmax. I'm ready for an episode with the entire squad together again...

[coldfan74]

I too enjoyed this episode a lot. At first I thought the Chinese gangs/extortion thing was going to be cliched like any cop drama but i really liked how it was more about internal conflicts..corruption and being betrayed by everyone you thought would help you.

I disagree with Boxman a little about the ending being rushed. To me, I felt it was a natural reaction of desperation; of being exposed. Throughout the episode, I never sensed Ling really caring about his family much less his brother..or anything else..similar like Alice didnt care much about Donalyn in "Read Between The Lines" other than Meesha.

There were twists and turns and different discoveries all started with the drive-by-shooting of his girlfriend.

I like the music choices tho I'm not sure how "Every Breath You Take" relates to the episode at all but it was a huge hit in back in 83.

I love the flashback scenes. The producers used a lot of saturated colors and over-exposure techniques much like they did in the 80's. "Gleen" and "Its Raining Men" used that technique as well.

I rate this Excellent.

Boxman will have to fill in the details about Philly's Chinatown.

[Electrophile]

Nov 23, 2009 5:57:36 GMT -5 coldfan74 said:

I like the music choices tho I'm not sure how "Every Breath You Take" relates to the episode at all but it was a huge hit in back in 83.

The music doesn't have to relate to the episode. Sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn't. It was a huge hit in 1983 which is why it was used. There has been many episodes over the years where the music was not thematically connected to the plot, but used because that's the year it was set in.


On first glance, I rate this episode an "excellent", but I have to watch it a few more times before I make my final commentary.

[The Reverend Bizarre]

Concerning the end song; it might not have fit the main story-line, but the lyrics that played while Lilly was inside of the empty apartment room, and looking at the bracelet?

O can't you see
You belong to me
How my poor heart aches
With every step you take

Every move you make
Every vow you break
Every smile you fake
Every claim you stake

I'll be watching you

Couple that with the fact that earlier in the episode, Eddie told Lilly, "since you're my girl..." and you have something kind of strange here.

[eduardo]

I've watched every single episode of Cold Case.
I have liked almost all of them
But there are very few episodes where I end up crying. This was one.
After so-so episodes like "The Crossing" "Hood Rats" and 3 ALMOST BAD episodes "Dead Heat" "Jurisprudence" and "Soul" , there have been 3 SOLID episodes "WASP" (I 'll never forget when they sang Into the Wild blue yonder) "Read between the lines" and this one.

The scene where Jack appeared and then he was with his girlfriend was PRICELESS! one of the best scenes with the victim's ghost ever! His mother crying was really sentimental.

Well done case. Lots of social issues about culture, gangs, crime.
There are very few episodes that make me feel this way. Good episode.

I have 2 questions.
1-Who exactly killed Tam(Jack's girlfriend)? Was it mentioned?
2-What happened in the end with Eddie? He just left?

[Electrophile]

I really liked this episode. I loved how they focused on Chinese culture and what reasoning was behind no one going to the police about either of these homicides. It goes a long way to explaining why Chinatowns are so insular from the outside world and why a lot of business owners especially, eschew help from people outside Chinatown. You can understand how much courage it took Jack's mother to come forward but also Warren as well. That information about his sister Stacey helped to at least pin down what or who Jack was going after and it eventually led to Jack's brother who was the trigger-man.

I agree the flashback to the murder could have been a bit longer, but in real life...murders don't always happen after long, drawn-out confrontations. Sometimes it's a simple "Hey stop!" *person keeps walking* *gun shots*. Which is what happened here. And we know from the beginning episode that Jack was shot twice in the body and once in the head, so after the initial shot from Lu, he shot him twice more. Once in anger/heat of passion you can explain away, but twice more....including a head shot? That's cold-blooded murder....and of family no less. Lu was doing a bad thing, maybe for a good reason (or so he thought) but getting involved with a gang like the Dragons is bound to get someone hurt at some point.


I loved the music too, although it would have been nice if they used more recognizable music aside from the Golden Earring song and the ending song.

[Electrophile]

Nov 23, 2009 20:58:17 GMT -5 eduardo said:

I have 2 questions.
1-Who exactly killed Tam(Jack's girlfriend)? Was it mentioned?

Yes, it was mentioned. Bo-Lin Chen ordered the Dragons to shoot up the street festival and they did, which resulted in Tam being killed.

[eduardo]

Electrophile: Thanks. I just wanted to know. I thought they mentioned the exact name of who did it... Maybe the guy who died in 1985?

and what about Eddie? he just left? is he a corrupt cop?

[Electrophile]

Nov 23, 2009 21:12:45 GMT -5 eduardo said:

Electrophile: Thanks. I just wanted to know. I thought they mentioned the exact name of who did it... Maybe the guy who died in 1985?

Danny Yo? I'd have to go back and watch that part, but I believe Jack said that he didn't know specifically who did it, but he knew the Dragons were responsible.


I have no answer to your questions about Eddie.

[The Reverend Bizarre]

2-What happened in the end with Eddie? He just left?

Someone may correct me if I'm wrong, but I think he's still supposed to be undercover.

[ninja1088]

I wanted to smack the corrupt cop. Your job, undercover or not, is to uphold the law, not take bribes and turn away someone who came to you for help. Plus, the problem with dealing with gangs the way he did... it works if everything stays the same. But if someone like Jack gets the courage to come foward, if the feds or other outside influences take hold, the realization you made a deal with the devil will become more apprent.

[toddsmitts]

-A good one, I thought. Even if you're not Chinese, I think a kid like Jack is more relatable than some of the "niche" stories they've had the victims in this season (which are still going on, apparently, judging from the spoilers).

-A few recognizeable faces this week: It's rare where I can say I recognize both the actors who played a character, but in the case of Bo-Lin Chen, I can. The younger Bo-Lin was played by Robin Shou, whom you should remember as the much more heroic Liu Kang in the "Mortal Kombat" movies (and from his role in Chris Farley's flic "Beverly Hills Ninja"). Tzi Ma (older Bo-Lin) should be familiar to TV and movie viewers as well. He played Jackie Chan's diplomat friend whose daughter is kidnapped in "Rush Hour", he was one of Tom Hanks' crew in the "Ladykillers" remake, and of course he was Jack Bauer's torturor and nemesis, Chinese agent Cheng Zhi on "24".

Of course we also got Anthony John Crane back as the younger Stillman yet again. As in "Into the Blue", his voice is dubbed by John Finn, but with a slightly higher pitch to sound younger. (I don't recall if they did this in "Glued" as well). I actually kinda wanna hear what he really sounds like now, just so I can see why his own voice is so unsuitable. Is it too high? Too low? Does he have a thick accent? What?

-So we have another victim done in by an older sibling. I actually read the casting call weeks ago, so I knew who the doer would be, but it may soon be approaching "the best friend" as the most cliched doer on the show. ("Revolution", "It's Raining Men", "Shuffle, Ball Change", "Lotto Fever", "Time to Crime", "The Badlands", "Wunderkind")

-No mention of Moe or Doherty this week. I'm sure they'll both rear their ugly heads soon enough (hopefully sooner rather than later).

[ninja1088]

Toddsmits, it's cliched in one way but in another way it makes sense. Most of the murders were done in heat of the moment. Some were planned but in many cases they all have a theme that IMO plays in real life as well. If you made a list of people who have made you jealous, insecure, feel the worst in the past, intentional or not, I'd imagine you'd find family and your closest friends on that list. The fact Cold Case has very few random crimes.. ups the chances the doer will fall into the best friend/family member list. CC isn't the only show guilty of this btw, it's pretty much happened on all crime shows I've watched.