Bonus! The Source from S1 will be airing on Sunday. This is such an exciting episode. In Extremis ought to be re-aired also. That was magnificent - and as compelling as it gets on network TV.

Did anyone watch it this week? Was it a rerun? CousinIra! As the missing person, he actually was quite good, but I guess this show always has good guest actors.

I was a bit annoyed by how many Hot Topics they were covering, from the paparazzi, environmental TERRORISM!, to Big Company polluting the waters to cause cancer. However, I did like the turns the story took. Also, we got a really, really happy ending! Yes!

I love it when the missing person doesn't die! However, I did find the ending sort of anti-climatic, especially the way Martin visualized the photographer falling and he just sort of got it right in one shot.

The scene with him taking pics of the boy who had cancer was really heartbreaking, anyone feel the same way?

Good episode. The photographer seemed too nice to be a papparazi, which was probably the point. LaPaglia's rapport with the little girl was very good, and it was nice to see Martin get aware of the environment. I thought the environmentalist looked like Poppy Montgomery's real-life sister. Maybe the accent threw me. Who was she?

Overall, I liked the episode, even though it got a little too "Erin Brockovich" for my tastes. There were so many twists and turns there that I had no idea where it was going to end up.

When Martin envisioned the guy falling off the cliff, I got kind of frustrated, cause they did the "guy falls down a cliff and dies" thing already. But then it was cool, because they found him alive.

I could be wrong (so please correct me if I am), but I think the environmentalist was played by Fay Masterson even though WaT is not listed yet as one of her credits.

Fay Masterson's name came up on the opening credits. Good for you.

and




I also like it when the MP doesn’t die. I thought for sure that he’d be dead if he went up against the EvilCorporation! I didn’t like the environmentalist chick much: too over the top. I was not crazy about the visualization either; it was so Profiler. But I loved the rest of the plot. Showing the paparazzi’s POV was interesting, esp. how he was trying to redeem himself. The cancer boy was sweet & funny because most photogs don’t like to have their pictures taken. This is such a great show—well worth dumping ER for. And Daniel Dae Kim, you can show up on my TV A.NY.T.I.M.E.

I'm going to go against consensus again - (as usual? Meh. This is getting old.) - and say: I didn't like this episode. The team was mostly fine, but the MP's life was one cliché piled on top of another. I don't know - it doesn't bother me so much in some shows, but does bother me here.

I felt really let down. It seemed as if the lives of the MPs were more subtly rendered, more distinctly shaded, last year than they are this year. There were only a few episodes this season where I felt as if I got to know a person via the investigation, rather than a series of convenient facts. This seemed like a series of convenient facts. I've never watched this show for the "investigation" bits, so much as the elegant way it unfolds the MP's life over the last few days, like opening a fan. Here there was just too much for me, too much of it was too broad-brushed, and too much of it was just so obvious.

I didn't like the environmentalist chick, as she seemed like nothing so much as one shrill note (gee, thanks: not all environmentalists are crazy bi-atches who believe that environmental terrorism or - perhaps - extortion is the only way to get something done.) I didn't like the MP, not because I disliked him, but because I couldn't really feel one way or another about him. He didn't seem real to me, and the portrait of middle-aged career-disappointment as this black/white bad/good easily solveable (just go catch a major corporation! lying about putting pollutants into the water!). Finally, I didn't like the loose-goose pseudo-heroic environmentalists v. the Big Evil Corporation is a real disservice to the viewers and the earth. It's easy to fall into a fantasy in which most environmental disasters are the result of crummy people deliberately flouting the laws and hiding behind corrupt politicians, as this show does, because then individuals need not accept responsibility for the impact their lifestyles have on the planet.

So, I was unhappy w/the whole episode.

Wow, LizaJane! And the first thing I thought when this ep ended was: "that was a great show." Do you think it was better last season?




I'm not sure what you mean by this. Could you give me a "for instance?"

edited for spellling

Did anyone recognize the singer/song with which this Jan.9 episode opened? (The CBS site was unhelpful.)

The song was Evanescence's "Bring me to Life".

Well since I wasn't paying attention to the names in the opening credits I was going based on the fact that I recognized her from the films The Man Without A Face and The Quick and the Dead.

I think the acting on Without A Trace is great but each week it seems the writers are under more and more pressure to come up with a unique reason for a character's disappearance whereas in real life are the cases of missing persons that the FBI handles really that unusual or are they just standard foul play, drug killings, serial killers, muggings etc.

I'm not sure if it was better last season, or if I'm grumpier this season. Well, actually: I suppose I did find it better last season. There were a couple of stand-out episodes for me this season, episodes that I liked a good bit, that other people didn't like (the epi w/the disappearing priest w/liver disease was one of them) as much. Of course, I didn't think about last season's episodes as much, soo...



Well, for example, the photographer last night didn't seem "real" to me. He seemed more like a filmed resumé than a real person. Perhaps I just didn't like that he was so durn saintly, that he had to have a backstory that made him "better" than all the other paparazzi. Why couldn't he just be a paparazzi? Why were all his associates either saints (the war photographer) or villains (the agent at the magazine)? It didn't feel textured to me, so I was irritated, and it kept poking holes in my enjoyment. It wasn't the actor's fault, either. It was wholly the writing, to make everyone so black and white.

All that said, wow: I did appreciate that the guy wasn't murdered by the evil corporate people. I don't know, the whole SL could have been better, IMHO. I think that exposition-wife and exposition-friend also led me to feel as if the writers were just enumerating bullet points on a resumé. I mean, they also do exposition-wife and exposition-friend, but this time it really FELT like they were just doing exposition wife/friend, rather than interviewing actually people, if that makes any sense.
?

Thank you for song info, ChinkyGirl.

I agree that some of the characterizations seem perfunctory and the plots thin and repetitive. Too bad that the economics of tv here don't seem to allow for what the Brits sometimes do, which is make fairly short series of three to five episodes, and then reconvene the cast for a second series. At least, they do this for some of their detective/mystery shows. (A current example on BBCAmerica: Wire in the Blood.)

Overall I liked this episode. It was not really character centric at all, which I feel is sometimes needed. A few things bugged about this ep. First was John Pankow, who will always be cousin Ira (tm Mad about You) to me. His acting was fine, unfortunately in my mind he is typecast away from drama. Second, did anyone catch when the female lawyer was talking about how wonderful her corporation was for the town of Ashton? As she spoke, the camera shot turned into a birdseye view of the town's main thoroughfare and a piano ballad started playing in the background. I'm not kidding. The equivilant of a tobacco company doing an anti-smoking commercial. I'm sure that was a little tongue-in-cheek, intentional, visual, irony, but frankly it was a little too schloky even for an inside joke. Third was the time frames. Just how long was he in that gulley?


This weeks HiTG! and to that I say amen.

A solid entry in the WaT portfolio. Not the best and not the worst ep.

He was the journalist friend, right? When he was talking to Martin I could barely keep myself from drooling. The TV screen was about to melt from all the pretty. More, please.

This was a good episode, despite not enough Danny and some weak writing. As long as every so often we get a truly amazing episode, I tend to be forginving of the ones in between.

Aredhel said:
LOL! Sure, the story was a mishmash/rehash of old headlines, but there was enough eye candy to keep me very happy until next week - and it will be Danny's turn according to the video promo of "Hawks and Handsaws" also starring Jerry O'Connell (Yeah!). And the WaT website has a new poll.

LizaJane,
I hear ya. There will probably be some eps that I think are meh, that everyone else will like. As long as we keep pulling for our show. . .and they show more Danny! Hee!

Hey, at least ALP got nominated! It's about damn time, already...and then WAT will get the recognition it deserves if he wins (I don't want to jinx it!).

WildWahine, You from Hawaii? Sweet, so am I, I always thought I was like the only person in our state that knew about this website. And I only picked it up when I was on the mainland. Which island are you on?

valeriel and aredhel, just out of psycho/socio curiousity, do you two have attractions to asian men in general or just Mr. Kim specifically?:)

Speaking for myself (even though I wasn't asked, I was the first to agree w/ valeriel about said person), I just like good looking men. Don't care about the nationality or ethnic background.

The brief glimpse of Danny in jeans almost makes up for not enough Danny in general. This episode seemed like an odd equation with mismatched terms: (Paparrazi x Erin Brockovich) / (Precocious Kids + Mad About You guest spot), or something like that. I did enjoy the "heart-stirring PSA" bit Meady pointed out.

I can't speak for those two, but for me it's Mr. Kim specifically. But come to think of it, I also have the hots for Vern from Trading Spaces and Chow Yun Fat.
valeriel and aredhel, the line for Daniel Dae Kim forms behind me. ;)

I liked this episode. I was sure he (Jon Pankow) was going to end up dead in the river or in a tank of toxic waste somewhere (when they figured out the toxin-dumping angle), it was a relief when they found him. I wonder why Martin didn't call out to everyone else, though, when he did finally spot him.
I didn't quite get the bit at the end with the photos of the company president and his mistress... why didn't Jack want to return them? Or what was it that happened there? My son got up wanting a drink and I missed that bit.

Same here.

What happened at the very end? My tape cut off just as Martin was walking into Jack's office. What did they talk about?

Jack was packing up the case files and evidence because Washington had ordered Jack to shut down the investigation of Weiland Industries. Martin was upset because that meant that Weiland would continue to get away with the pollution. Jack said there was nothing Martin was carrying print outs of the pictures from Pankow's last shoot that showed the industrialist in a compromised position with his mistress. Jack made the off-the-record comment that if that picture was published, it might get Weiland in trouble with the Board of his company. He told Martin that since the case had been closed, they didn't need the photographs for the record. Martin left to return the photographs to Pankow.

For what it's worth, I actually am not attracted to men, asian or otherwise. I appreciate beauty. . .in all its manifestations. DDK is FAAAAb-ulous.

Back OT, I like that the tension with Viv & Martin is over. I love that there was a situation (Martin hitting the kidnapper), consequences (lying to Jack & IA, etc.) & resolution (Jack confronting them). Now, instead of draaaaaaaging it all half a season, ala CSI, Angel, it's dealt with & over. Good job!

susie derkins, there gonna be a rumble! :O}

I wish this were the case, however, Exposure was originally scheduled to air immediately after Copy cat. So, the fallout from Vivian and Martin's crises yet remains. I hope that Viv will at last, tell Martin she is SORRY.

Setinal96825, I'm from Oahu! Though I know all the islands well, this one's for me! I found out about this site through TV Tome when I opened the link and really enjoyed reading the posts as much as watching WaT.
I actually met another girl from Oahu on another TV newsgroup and we developed a friendship I still cherish. So far so good, as roommates.

Bummer. I liked that that stuff had been dropped and this was a one-off episode. So if this was aired out of order, was the "tension" just not written into it at all, or was it edited out later?

Cast and AP nominations today for the SAG Awards.

A well-earned and well-deserved cast nomination!

Anyone else think that Jerry O'Connell ROCKED in tonight's ep?

So... if Jerry gave the pimp his wallet, how did he get money from the ATM?

I really liked Sam's line at the beginning: "Maybe he missed court because he's so cold." Nice timing, what with the deep freeze in our area. Brr.

I think Jerry took his ATM card out of the wallet. He did take something out first. Good episode tonight. I liked how the endings were all layered, with the good (Sophie going back to her mom) bad (Alice's mother learning the truth about her daughter) and inconclusive (Jerry in his hospital bed)

Could it be that he didn't keep his ATM card in his wallet? After a series of ATM robberies in NYC early in 2003, I know many people who were keeping wallet and ATM card apart.



Absolutely. I thought it was the best acting he'd done in a very long time.

I'll add my kudos for Jerry O'C; he was super and really conveyed what the character was going through. I can't imagine how horrible it would be to know that your mind is unraveling. I also saw "Stand by Me" again a while ago, so I was thinking about how he's an example of a good child actor maturing into an excellent (and totally hot!) adult actor.

BTW, does anyone know when Crossing Jordan is coming back?

I thought JO'C was great. But I have been a fan since *sheepish grin* Sliders.

I guess they didn't deviate from format that much in this episode, but it felt like it. It felt interesting and unpredictable and good. I like that the MP was schizophrenic, but NOT violent. That the goodness in him manifested itself even amidst the madness.


Here, here.

I have a question though. If the real Alice's body was in an elevator shaft, where did the sweater come from? Frank Watkins was tearing at wood to get to the body...

I thought he went to the ATM machines before he gave the pimp his wallet - because it looked like there were lots of bills in it when he opened it.

Hi all! Just visiting from some other boards!

I had flashbacks of A Beautiful Mind, but I really enjoyed this ep: very multilayered and interesting. I think JO did a fantastic job. I was completely convinced of his illness and not sure until the end that he wasn't a bad guy somehow.

Absolutely. He was fabulous. He's certainly come a loooong way since My Secret Indentity!



Sunday's at 10:00PM starting in March.

Ooh. I have to jump on the JO appreciation bandwagon too. :-) I've always liked him, but usually in an "oh, he's kinda cute and goofy" sort of way. Nice to see him stretch his acting muscles in something a little more serious.

I also enjoyed seeing more humour in this episode. It really balanced out the intensity. Snarky Sam was especially fun. "We always thought the psychology degree on your wall was one of those mail-in jobs." :snort:

#4 on The Futon Critic's list of 50 Best Episodes of 2003:

Thanks for posting that Harmony60. I loved that episode. :heart: When I went to check out the list, I found another WAT mention as well.

I hate to admit...but I never watch this show. I am not really much of a 9pm show follower...but I saw last night's ep. If all the episodes are of this quality, I just may have to become a regular viewer.

I was truly moved by Jerry O'Connell's performance...thought he was excellent. I would love to see an Emmy nomination for him. Absolutely damn fine work!

kimberly, you won't be disappointed. The show just keeps getting better and better. I've been watching since the very first show.

my asylum I especially loved that episode too. Just a thought of Jack sitting in the chair and "Hallelujah" in the background brings goosebumps!

I wonder if they'll ever release a WaT soundtrack? I sure would buy one in a hurry!

I'd like to add my praise for Jerry O'Connell - I've been a fan since My Secret Identity and I was thrilled when I saw last week's promos. He did a really great job with a tough character and I was pleased that he managed to make it believeable.

Awesome! Is there a link to this list? I love intelligent commentary.

gailj, this is the link to the site's home page. :D

http://www.thefutoncritic.com/cgi/gofuton....cgi?action=home

Some brief comments: I LOVE ALP when he is in a lighter mood. The broody moody part was over done, but that's just MHO. I'm glad he didn't yell at anyone or make harsh, suggestive comments to deride a suspect. I loved Samantha's snarky comments about his psychology degree which merely rolled off him like water on a duck. Sam is very engaging when she is being naughty and sarcastic. I always had a crush on JO and watched Crossing Jordan in hopes of a love scene involving him on that show. Sorry his new series didn't make it off the ground. Martin is extreme dieting to a fault, IMHO. I prefer his soft rounded facial features, but you can't please everybody. Most of all, the team is back to fine form with everyone getting along! It was heartbreaking seeing the conflict b/w Viv, Jack and Martin. And if this investigation was neatly concluded, might Vivian have profitted by the protectionist actions in Washington? Being linked in a questionable conduct with Martin might have provided her the cloak of protection Martin might have been (unwillingly) granted. The portrayal of schizophrenia was sensitively handled. Many shows in the past have used mental illness to 'demonize' the afflicted characters. And if I were ever to be handed down some seriously bad news, I could only pray that someone like Martin would do the deed!