[TxFan View Member Profile]

I have to agree, but it seems to me that this attraction is only based on the "Brenda Leigh Johnson book of Ethics and Justice", at least no other opinions are considered.

You make excellent observations quiltgirl. But in her defense, I'd like to raise a point that hasn't been made yet. Brenda is extraordinarily cute! There, thank you for hearing me out.

As the Chief Moderator of this forum, I do not approve of such sleazy and morally questionable behavior such as, do I even have to say it? betting? Tx, I am shocked and ashamed that you would engage in such base behavior.

Madame Moderator, I totally agree with you. It was semie that was tempting me with the evils of gambling.

As a way of repentance, WHEN I win the bet, I intend to donate the RC Cola and Moonpie to the local food bank. I hope semie will be considerate enough to mail both items refrigerated.

[quiltgirl View Member Profile]

You make excellent observations quiltgirl. But in her defense, I'd like to raise a point that hasn't been made yet. Brenda is extraordinarily cute! There, thank you for hearing me out.

[abraxas View Member Profile]

Slowly catching up with the new season - 3 eps down, one to go!

I do have a question about this episode and the debate about whether to charge the grandmother with manslaughter or murder: I thought it was up to the D.A.'s office to decide what charges to file, not the police. Or do I just have an overly-simplistic view of the American legal system?

The season started strongly, but to be honest I found 'In Custody' a very lack-lustre episode; a lot of it seemed to be done in very broad bushstrokes with aspects it badly underwritten. I liked the Sanchez/Ruben angle but its echoes with the case-of-the-week were pretty heavy-handed. Similarly, the whole approach to 'who could replace Brenda?' felt off to me at every step. There seemed to be an attitude of 'auditioning' the three lieutenants (after working with them closely for five years and supposedly having intimate knowledge of their working practices and abilities, this is necessary) and promptly dismissing them out of hand on specious grounds: Tao covers for his friends! Flynn is overly-cynical with suspects! Provenza is too soft-hearted to really make Sanchez give up Ruben! Which leaves us with Gabriel as the ideal candidate (barring rank) because he agrees with her priorities. (Would this be the same Gabriel who not that long ago was quite willing to let a former gang-member who had killed his brother go because he was now a pillar of the community? So, sometimes he agrees with her priorities and sometimes he doesn't; just like the rest of the squad, in fact. Or are we supposed to have forgotten about that?) It would have been interesting, I think, to build from the opening where we see the squad very ably analyse the crime-scene without Brenda; we could have had the lieutenantly triumvirate running the case and Brenda nearly out of her mind trying not to interfere while she watches them in action and then comes the big debate over justice, mercy, and exactly how the intersection of personal and professional feelings affect their judgement.

I think a lot of the problem in the underwriting (as I see it) stems from the fact that I see the Brenda-as-Chief storyline as a goes-nowhere story (much like the motherhood angle of last season that was introduced to build up to the Charlie narrative - and then left when she did). The writers aren't bothering to present or investigate the characters as viable successors to Brenda's role (and there ARE viable options in the squad) for the simple reason, I believe, that Brenda will not be Chief. I am expecting this to be wrapped up with an outsider getting the post and everyone we know staying exactly where they are. It's a drama-now plot device and even though it's only been two episodes I'm already tired of it.

I know, I know - I sound like I'm doing nothing but moan - and yeah, okay, I am, but this show is so good and sets the bar so high that it annoys me when they make lazy writing decisions and opt for OMG!Drama as opposed to excavating more of the characters and relationships that already exist in the squad.

Having said that, I did love the scene with Taylor angling for Brenda's job and later on blatantly sucking-up to her. It was like season one Taylor. Also Brenda's discomfort when Pope remarked that she's lucky not to have to bother with all of the shmoozing social-climbing stuff that goes with the higher-up jobs.

(I'll just go and hide now.)

[FlynnFanChicago View Member Profile]

So glad you are finally getting to see the new season, abraxas. I am looking forward to reading more of your comments on future episodes. No need to go and hide. All opinions are welcome, right?

I wish I could answer your question about the grandmother's charges being decided by the police or the D.A. Surely, somebody here must know. I am curious myself!

Similarly, the whole approach to 'who could replace Brenda?' felt off to me at every step. There seemed to be an attitude of 'auditioning' the three lieutenants (after working with them closely for five years and supposedly having intimate knowledge of their working practices and abilities, this is necessary) and promptly dismissing them out of hand on specious grounds: Tao covers for his friends! Flynn is overly-cynical with suspects! Provenza is too soft-hearted to really make Sanchez give up Ruben! Which leaves us with Gabriel as the ideal candidate (barring rank) because he agrees with her priorities. (Would this be the same Gabriel who not that long ago was quite willing to let a former gang-member who had killed his brother go because he was now a pillar of the community? So, sometimes he agrees with her priorities and sometimes he doesn't; just like the rest of the squad, in fact. Or are we supposed to have forgotten about that?).

I have to agree with you here, although I didn't quite think of it that way at first. It took another viewing or two for me. Regarding Gabriel, let's also not forget how he severely beat that horrible excuse for a human being in RUBY. OK, the guy deserved it (hmmm...now I am starting to sound like Flynn!) and Brenda was furious with him, but cops are supposed to control their tempers and not beat up suspects, right?

It would have been interesting, I think, to build from the opening where we see the squad very ably analyse the crime-scene without Brenda; we could have had the lieutenantly triumvirate running the case and Brenda nearly out of her mind trying not to interfere while she watches them in action and then comes the big debate over justice, mercy, and exactly how the intersection of personal and professional feelings affect their judgement.

That would have been very interesting, I agree.

I had to come back and edit this because, duh, silly me just assumed you were talking about the season premiere episode first and not the third episode. Clearly I need to start paying more attention before replying, lol.

This post has been edited by FlynnFanChicago: Aug 9 2010, 05:41 PM

[abraxas View Member Profile]

I have to agree with you here, although I didn't quite think of it that way at first. It took another viewing or two for me. Regarding Gabriel, let's also not forget how he severely beat that horrible excuse for a human being in RUBY. OK, the guy deserved it (hmmm...now I am starting to sound like Flynn!) and Brenda was furious with him, but cops are supposed to control their tempers and not beat up suspects, right?

I think Fritz alluded to the Ruby scenario during their last conversation? But yes, there are problems with Gabriel beyond the restrictions of his rank.

I had to come back and edit this because, duh, silly me just assumed you were talking about the season premiere episode first and not the third episode. Clearly I need to start paying more attention before replying, lol.

This post has been edited by abraxas: Aug 10 2010, 10:05 AM