Character, emotion, humor, drama, science, David James Elliot and clowns--a recipe for success? Oddly enough, yes. This week’s episode To What End? marks the return of CSI:NY from it’s long break (in more ways than one). What has been so lacking in the past several episodes, seemed so prevalent in this weeks, and maybe that’s simply because we’ve been so starved of a decent episode. I laughed, I cried (well, I would have if I were a more sensitive person), and I was reminded why I enjoy watching this show.
Pam Veasey and Zachary Reiter deliver a story that blurs the lines between right and wrong, and demonstrates how thin the difference between Marxist theorist Louis Althusser’s Repressive State Apparatus (RSA) and the Ideological State Apparatus (ISA) actually is. Basically the RSA refers to terror and violence to maintain order and the ISA refers to a more human way, through education. While this review isn’t an essay on such topics, I was still struck by the sociological impacts of this story. Don Flack’s character--convincingly portrayed by Eddie Cahill--was both the good guy and the bad guy. Having several years ago “convinced” a witness, Bobby Renton (JD Pardo) into testifying and subsequently entering the FBI’s Witness Protection Program and leaving behind a pregnant girlfriend, Flack is now forced to face the consequences of his actions. Renton’s life has been a “prison” since entering the Program. As he points a gun in Flack’s face, Don reason’s that his sacrifice “saved lives” while Renton retaliates with “But I lost mine!” (Note: Renton laments his loss of a “decent slice of pizza” while in protection in Memphis. Tennessee has some delicious pizza, thank you very much). I respect Don’s acceptance of his involvement, despite Mac’s own attempts to validate their efforts. Don tells Mac, “We do more than ask, we’re taught to presuade...you get caught up in that.” Don is forced to consider whether he helped Renton make the “right” decision or whether he simply made the big sale. A well known Vulcanism summerizes it as “the good of the many out ways the good of the one” but then Vulcan’s are taught to suppress emotions; the rest of us aren’t so lucky. This was messy. To help add emotion, the show even sprung for the pricey use of Three Doors Down--great song, and great use of it.
The opening sequence was beautifully directed by Eric Lanueville. Clowns are fun and happy and I love them...who am I kidding? Clowns are freaky as hell and the things of nightmares! The way the camera moved down and shot Renton from underneath, elongating his frame and making it seem as if he towered over everyone else and made the tall building of New York City seem even more intimidating. It was quite simply, eerie! It should also be noted that as far as I could tell there is not such thing as a New York Clown Registry (thank goodness) but there is such a thing as The Clown Egg Registry where clown’s faces are painted on eggs...um...creepy. I thought that was a neat fact for the show to include. The rest of the show’s directing was pretty pedestrian, but not in a bad way. The story was told effectively, and the point was made. I did think it was interesting that Renton was walking down the street dress as a clown and no one paid attention to him. That was a nice touch of New York City. A guy walking down the street dressed like that where I’m from would definitely have warranted some stares.
There were plenty of great moments in this episode. The character of Colby Glass (played by the incomparable Ron Glass) was awesome. I rolled with laughter when he referred to Jo as “Kentucky” and reveled in his bad attitude. “Not all clowns are happy.” That is a great line, and it was perfectly delivered by Glass. If anything, I think his character was underused. Similarly, I don’t think we got enough of Harmon Rabb, I mean Russ Josephson...sorry. David James Elliot walks on screen and I pay attention. I enjoyed his scene with Jo, he and Sela were fun to watch. It also included that wonderfully entertaining moment with Lindsay. They better be bringing this guy back! And shame on CBS for not promoting him and the show better.
The dialogue in this episode was head and shoulders above the dribble we’ve been subjected to recently. And my favorite part of all? Everyone was acting like themselves, and no one was relegated to the office dummy to progress the story or to elevate another character. And I nearly passed out when I saw Lindsay and Danny on screen together. I may not be able to stand EDNA but Danny loves her, and Lindsay’s jealous. That’s right, we even had confirmation that Danny and Lindsay were in a relation ship. There was even continuity! Lindsay pulled a season two--teasing Mac about helping with the work load (and it was nice to see Mac in a lab coat again). Don and Danny joking about the clown shooting through the door, referring to an episode from earlier in the season. Don gave a fleeting reference to Angell, “saints get shot.”
Were there problems with the episode? Sure. With CSI:NY there are always going to be issues. Unfortunately it’s not a top rated show of such caliber as Emmy winning shows . Renton’s hand reaching out for his son was campy, and absurdly presented. Don Flack flying off the building to tackle Renton was unnecessary. There were even a few holes in the plot, but at this point those things are expected. I would even argue that without those things CSI:NY will cease to be CSI:NY. I love a show that entertains, and this show does, as long as it effectively uses the characters I adore so much. This episode was definitely the first step on the road to recovery, and because of that I am willing to forgive them for subjecting me to the whole clown thing...*shudder*
Highlight of the episode: Was it the Danny/Lindsay moment, or Adam getting pissed, or Mac and Jo at the Clown Registry, or Lindsay walking in on Jo and Russ, or Don’s redemption? The answer: Yes,
Guilty Pleasure: Isn't it obvious? Harmon Rabb Jr...dang it, I mean Russ Josephson, or rather David James Elliot.
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