Move over John Hughes, teenage angst has gone digital. Do or Die, this week’s episode, was just as brutal as its title suggests. In an opening sequence, reminiscent of Baz Lurhmann’s “Everybody’s Free (To Wear Suncreen)”, we are introduced to the world of Archford Academy. As the heavy, intense beats of The Blue Van’s “You Live You Learn You Die” (could they have found a more aptly named song? I think not) pound around images of kids snorting cocaine, filming a porno, cheating their way through school, we hear the juxtaposition of what the students should be doing as the principle pontificates the virtues of an education earned at the Academy. The irony is well used and entertaining, even when Olivia Prescott (Cassandra Jean) stumbles out, falling to the ground as the words “walk tall” are spoken didn’t come off as clownish, but effective. It was drama so intense Judd Nelson’s nostrils are still flared.
For Matthew Levine’s first official foray into the world of CSI:NY, he offers a look into the deadly combination of bullying and jealousy with a dash of the overly emotional hormonal teenage response (you know what I’m talking about, the response that typically ends with a door being slammed). Levine takes a page out of Hughes’ playbook, by basically ignoring the parents and teachers, and focuses on the adolescent as the war is waged between a fading childhood and an overwhelming desire to be an adult. They are suppose to be think more about Career Opportunities rather than European Vacations. And I could kiss Levine for his flawless integration of Lindsay’s past (just let me grab my grape Starburst flavored chapstick first). Having Lindsay “remember” what happened to her as she stood over another murdered teenage girl was priceless. I cheered for joy over the clips from Sleight Out Of Hand and truthfully sat stunned for a moment. Lindsay has a rich, emotional, dramatic history that has been neglected by the writers season after season. This one episode didn’t make up for that but it made me happy. I love continuity on a show. It is one of my favorite parts of being a viewer; it makes me feel like the writers respect me. That doesn’t happen often with this show so when it does (and it includes one of my favorite characters) I go ape crazy.
And happily, Levine doesn’t shy away from including personal moments with the characters. He maintained a perfect balance between professional and personal as Danny and Lindsay walked down the halls of the school discussing Lucy’s future. It was so natural and believable. It is exactly what I have been longing to see on the show. Sometimes the writer manufacture moments for the characters and they come off forced and odd--remember when Lindsay says she’s teaching Lucy Spanish? Or Mac’s weird, sudden relationship with an OCD homeless woman? Or Hawkes losing all of his money and his home? Those things came out of nowhere and that can make it difficult to care. This week’s episode used already established mythology to create drama, and I adored it. It was Some Kind of Wonderful.
Not only did Levin maintain a great connection with the characters, he also maintained a great connection to those things that make the show great. Not one, not two, not three, but four of our CSI’s were shown processing evidence, and that doesn’t include Sid processing the body. Levine didn’t hide from the Weird Science. Don Flack, the tall...rather, um, attractive dark haired detective on the show, was in full form as a detective NOT a CSI. He was interviewing witnesses and suspects like a pro, bringing in his touches of humor and intensity. Flack is At Ease in his role as detective, and I prefer him there.
The story unfolded as the investigator uncovered the evidence step by step. And while the writing was clever and solid, Matt Earl Beesley’s directing stayed true to the energy of Levin’s story. The pacing was well balanced and there were several wonderful touches in the camera shots. Lindsay and Danny’s hands colliding on the table as they “re-enacted” Mr. Andrew’s Big Exam wasn’t necessary in the grand scheme of things, but it was a beautiful addition to the scene that added depth. The interplay and editing between Benjamin Gold’s (an adult film name in the making) and Becky was well done, adding more impact to the dialogue. Only the Lonely would be left unsatisfied.
The ending of the episode was disappointing. The last ten minutes lost steam and it felt like the episode came to a screeching halt. The previous solid evidence disappeared faster than Ferris Bueller from a mid-term. The “evidence” they confronted Emmy Thomas (Scout Taylor-Compton) with was laughable--in fact I did laugh. Her confession wasn’t believable. I never liked how on the show the killer always confessed when face with the evidence, but I accepted that it was a way for the show the wrap everything up all Pretty in Pink. At least I accepted it when the writers took the effort to actually have the evidence. If I were Emmy, I would have told both Mac and Jo to go to hell. There is no way I would have confessed to killing another person because some one confronted me with a photo of myself...taken from a distance. I have some pretty funked up photos where I am making some pretty awful faces; doesn’t mean I wanted to kill anyone. I just think Levine ran out of time and thus the ending was rushed, leaving him open to criticism. Confessing to murder is a pretty big deal, the CSIs and detectives have to really work for that, even in this land of pretend.
But still a wonderfully entertaining and relevant episode, that will make for one interesting Class Reunion if a few years. Whether I’m traveling by Planes, Trains & Automobiles, or just enjoying the Great Outdoors by the glow of Sixteen Candles, there is something to be said to having a nice hour of television to enjoy, and I really enjoyed this episode. I’m a sucker for teenage drama, and this was the whole package, even down to the Eugene Levy-looking principle. (Darn it! I was trying so hard to find a way to work in The Breakfast Club. Although I was hoping to see that little scene between Danny and Lindsay lead to a little She’s Having My Baby action, if you know what I mean. *waggles eyebrows suggestively*)
Highlight of the episode: Really? Do I have to even say it? “Do me a favor babe, hope up on that table for me...” swoon!
Guilty Pleasure: Was I the only one who wanted to see a little more of Mr. Andrew’s Big Exam? That Benjamin Gold (Austin Butler) was FINE!
Monday, March 14, 2011
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