{ Numb3rs, 3x12, Nine Wives. }

[delga]

Before we start, this hasn't been cut, and not because I don't think spoilers shouldn't be cut, but because a lot of this is very vague. I saw the summary for the episode a long time ago and I guessed how the plot would play out. That said, there are references to various things that happened in the episode, so if you're avoiding spoilers, don't read the rest of this post.

It was a very interesting case. I think that the math was well-handled, and there were a few choice moments. A lack of David, unfortunately, and a constant chair/obscurity placement for Diane Farr. I'm not entirely certain that the subject material was well-dealt with, but having thought about it - and knowing TPTB's outlook on fanfiction - I have come to the conclusion that this episode was less about the story, and more about placing commentary on Eppescest in fandom. I don't read Eppescest. I don't read any incest. But I'm not certain that the discussion or management of the topic in fandom or in reality is adequately handled, and I'm not sure what TPTB were hoping to achieve via this episode. I really do believe that this was the underlying intention behind the episode, even it's ripped straight from the headlines (a similar figure on the FBI most wanted list was collected this summer, if I recall correctly - which I do, as I was watching Big Love at the time and it was relevant). I cannot comment on incest in fandom. I absolutely cannot. When I map my flist, I know who supports, who does not support, and who is indifferent to the topic, so you're welcome to open a discussion with me, but I'm not going to sit here and talk incest is good/bad/acceptable/not acceptable. I am not in the intellectual position to be able to properly argue a case either way.

On the subject of polygamy, I think that the premise is sound, but the execution of said premise is not what it should be. I can't discuss this properly at the moment because my personal research is only half-completed, but if this is something you want to discuss, I will be happy to listen and speak to you about it. I can make this statement, but you must understand that my position is both more complicated but just as simple as what I'm about to say: I am not opposed to polygamy.

Further notes:

It was a Sports Night/West Wing reunion with Joshua Malina and Teri Polo working together again. I find that I am ever more intrigued by Malina's character because I can clearly see where he stands on the legal scale, but I can't work out why, and I certainly can't work out why he hasn't been verbally put down by his peers yet. He believes strongly in the things he fights for, he seems a decent man, he seems fairly commonplace for the character that he portrays. I'm uncertain. (I don't think it helps that he's made a repeat-appearance but is treated much more like a one-week guest star than, say, Lou Diamond Phillips/Edgerton.)

If you didn't see Teri Polo's character-reveal as soon as she hit the screen, you obviously (a) haven't been watching the show regularly, and/or (b) are not a fan of the four/six-act crime drama. On a shallower note, Polo wore a red bob-cut in Sports Night that accentuated the shape of her forehead and made her chin square. The blonde bob really does wonders for her face shape.

Why the fuck were Colby and Rachel in a sedan when the FBI quite OBVIOUSLY has SUVs? I mean, what the hell did Don pull up in?

Charlie and Amita in the car - that first scene of the two of them was so poorly written that I wanted to rip off my ears. Seriously. It definitely improved from there on out, to the point where I found them a lot more believable as a couple than they had been all through season 2. Alan's 'vibes', however amusing, also came off a little scary.

I actually like the way the writers are using Mildred so far, but for the Alan story line. I really, really loved the maths in this week's episode. The entire use of the genealogy graph was beautiful, and I sort of love that she thought it was cattle first because Charlie has always had this tendency to take 'real-world' math and apply it to people. I love that she is intelligent and as visually keyed-in as Charlie about these things.

MEGAN WOULD NOT BE SO FLIP-FLOP WITH THE KIDS. Sure, they resurrected Megan-is-kindly, and I can buy that because he last line of the episode was true to her character. But that inability to hide her aces? That inability to maintain control? What was that?

The show has always been very good with tense scenes like the climax. As a piece of drama/entertainment, it was well choreographed and engaging, and this is consistently the case with this show, so kudos. As a plot point, it was possibly a little too easy and lacking in imagination. I think what won it for me was the look on Colby's face, and Alan's comment on Don's being tired right at the end. And the body-armour, of course. I'm nitpicking because I love those scenes as much as I love the exposition scenes (which I miss, sorely) but the more I think about it, the more I feel that this episode had very little to say past the subtext, which was very subtle (in my opinion) and thus the episode comes off a little hollow? It also doesn't help when you bring in two external characters and lay-off one of your regulars.

Oh, Colby. Did anybody else notice his knee-jerk reaction to the shot-gun trap? He had an echo-reaction, and I can easily, easily reconcile that with his military past.

No mention of our spaceman, wtf.

[SPOILERS.]

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Liz Warner is back. Transferred to the LA office. I am apparently the only person who still dislikes this character, even after the reveal of Don's non-affair. I am sceptical of any move that takes Don further back in his own timeline, rather than further forward. I'll say more after I've seen the episode, but considering how Don has a cyclical characterisation (highs to lows, through his life - I'll admit, some of this is speculation on my part, but I think canon can back me up), I don't think that Liz Warner is a step forward. Sure, the guy is looking for someone, but she's as gun-ho as anyone. Short-term? Sure. But is he looking for short-term? Is Warner a solution to the problem of Don's isolationism, or part of the problem? I am really not at all sure that Liz is going to help Don, and I'm saying this as someone who likes the character as an individual, but not in ensemble. This is one of those cases where the actor - Aya Sumika - really does wonders for the basic premise of the character. Warner's 'bleprints' are shoddy. But I guess with Diane Farr soon to be out of action, they're looking for someone to step in? Still awaiting for details on how they're dealing with Farr's pregnancy, especially as the baby is due in March.

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[END SPOILERS.]

Overall, I enjoyed the episode. I would enjoy these things more if I thought less about them, obviously.

edit: Randomly stumbled onto an interview with Wentworth Miller where he discusses the importance of the fantasy element associated with fan bases. I was impressed not only by his openness but his genuine consideration of the topic. Furthermore, I find I am more and more impressed by his ability to act, and by his presentation of himself in the public sphere.

Comments

[muldy.livejournal.com]

WENTWORTH!

*squee*

And must download Numb3rs...cept I'm in Sydney. Would it be rude to download on someone else's internet? LOL!

I think Wentworth knows what he's talking bout. There was an interview with him bout fans on the ninemsn.com.au website last week, i liked him from reading that (and my friend met him a few days before that...damnit if only I'd known what I know now i woulda gone with her!).

I think I need some Prison Break icons LOL

[delgaserasca.livejournal.com]

LOL. You're insane. It's wonderful!

Hee - thawould be your moral dilemma.

The more I read - and I'm not looking for this stuff intentionally, it's all over my friends' friends list - the more I like him. A good guy.

[agentcat47.livejournal.com]

Dude, Wentworth is incredible. The guy went to Princetooonnnn. Lucky man. He is so articulate and just incredible. I love watching him in interviews. He must be quite a joy to talk to in person.

Also, I know a bit about Diane Farr's departure for a few episodes, basically what they will do with her character, if you want a little spoiler bit. I'm also not a huge fan of Liz Warner. She's cool and kick-butt, but she hasn't been here forever to take over as a new Megan Reeves. I sure hope she doesn't stay forever, but I didn't mind her in those last two episodes she was in. I do really miss Robin as a love interest for Don though. I think they were really cute together and worked a lot better than Don and Liz. I like Liz as a strong female, but not as a love interest.

[delgaserasca.livejournal.com]

Yeah, smart guy, and sincere. I'm impressed.

No, that's okay, but thanks :) I have a few theories myself, but I'm willing to stay schtum and see how it plays out.

I'm not sure Warner is supposed to be a direct substitue for Megan, or just the token female presence on the FBI team. If she wasn't flirting with Don every two minutes, I could deal with it because the implications for Don's character shift are huge. If he was a womaniser in his former days, and he's not now, there's been a fundamental evolution of personality. Going back to a woman from his 'heyday' suggest a devolution to me. I'm also worried TPTB will mess it up royally.

As for Robin, I liked her the first time we met her, and then as soon as she became the Naomi replacement, I was disappointed. It's not my position that women in positions of power should be emotionless, and I don't think it's a sign of weakness that she's attracted to Don but I don't like whiners generally, so her entire interaction with Don in Guns and Roses was a disappointment. I think if the actress had come back and we'd seen a progression of the end of the relationship, I might have liked her better, if only because she was standing her ground and unashamed to ask for what she wanted.

Um. LOL. I always talk too much about this stuff.

[agentcat47.livejournal.com]

We totally need to talk more often. We'd have like...super intelligent and cool conversations. Liek woah! (Hehe, sorry, I had to).

I don't think she's supposed to be a "substitute" per se, but she is a female lead for the time being, which I really don't mind. Since Megan will be taking a break, I'm sure Don will want another person running around in the field. I think the flirting between Don and Liz will be nice and refreshing, but I really hope it doesn't take over the screen. I totally agree with you that the implications for Don's character shift are huge. I've read fic where he was really into girls and whatnot and Charlie was always lagging behind and wanting to be apart of it. (That may have been mentioned on the show as well). It was nice having Robin around because it seemed like here was a woman who made him happy, but it wouldn't take over their lives. I thought it was weird that because Michelle Nolden wouldn't be coming back, that having her dump Don seemed like the right answer for her departure. Robin seemed more into Don than Don seemed into her!

LOL, I think that woman's name was Nadine. I don't think Nadine and Don ever dated...I mean, there was that line about being a cheap date, but Don laughed and I think she was just trying to flirt, which doesn't necessarily mean they were dating. Pooh for those PTB being so confusing!!

Woah, I'm now confused. When was she whining exactly? I will have to re-watch the episode, but it seemed like they were starting a relationship and she wanted to spend more time with Don than Agent Don.

Hahhaha. OH DARLING, I DON'T CARE. YOU ROOOCKKKK!

I really want a new layout for my lj. yours is fabu.

And we totally need to talk more. You're on my friends list, but I haven't read every single entry from forever ago, and so when I read one entry I become super confused. I almost feel like I should be saying, "Hiiiii I'm Catttherine!!" all over again. *cries*

[delgaserasca.livejournal.com]

We do need to talk more often :P

OK, so we're in agreement over what kind of 'substitute' Warner is, lol. (No point in arguing over something we actually agree on!) I think my problem is that I have this map in my head of how Don's character evolved which may or may not be canon, lol - but I get the sense that when S1 started, he was a level-headed focused agent who was happy being single after the split with Kim, and was moving towards some sort of relationship with Terry. He was cautious, and his job came first. By the end of the first season, he's lost Terry, he's beginning to get more in touch with his family and this rash tempered side of him comes out (Manhunt, when he throws that cop up against the wall; I really think that Billy's return makes him click back a little to the way that he used to be when he was with fugitive recovery). ANYWAY, BLAH BLAH, I have issues with the way women who are not Megan (or Terry or Amita) are written in the series as basically just interests for Don (or whoever) because that's boring. If Warner becomes a character, bring it on. (As for Robin - yeah, I agree about which way the interest seemed to be falling. I think she liked him more, but he really wanted a relationship, so maybe he was pushing it too hard and not putting in enough effort?)

RIGHT, NADINE. (Wonder why I said Naomi? Actress' name?) No, no, I mean, Nadine was the attorney that they were dealing with and she was set up as a potential love interest but the actress backed down, which is when they developed Robin for a second episode. In The OG, Robin and Don barely talk to each other outside an official capacity. Then, suddenly, Nadine is gone (literally, poof!) and Robin is at the fore. In that sense, the progression of the relationship with Robin was like, woah, hello! (For me. Maybe I think about this too much? YES.)

In Guns & Roses, Don goes to her to ask for help and she's all "You didn't call me!!11!" I was a bit disappointed. I would have rather she'd had a bit of backbone and let DOn come to the front and apologise without her having to say anything - and if he didn't, that would have told us a lot more about both characters. I'm just picky, though, I think, about who they pair Don with. It's a shame the actress tripped out because I think a progression of the breakdown of the relationship would have been interesting. The most ballsy move she made was off-screen! I don't know.

Hee. I think I got the codes from faceon so if you take a look there, you can get the base codes. If you want anything specific header-wise I can try to help you out, or point you in the right diection :)

I post a lot so it can be confusing with my RL posts. But pop over and say hi more often!

[agentcat47.livejournal.com]

Heh, yay!!

Aaah, I see. Canon makes sense, and it's always nice to see characters evolve and whatnot--canonly. I never saw any episodes during season 1 (I did see one though as a re-run), but not since the very beginning. I do like women being added in as characters, but not as love interests per se. I never saw Robin as a love interest during The OG, but when I saw Guns and Roses, she popped out and I remembered seeing her from before. I do agree that I wouldn't mind Liz Warner being there. I sure hope she doesn't become a big love interest for Don. I'd rather have them both want to be together, but wanting to keep it really under the covers (uh, no pun intended!) I'm glad you saw Robin and Don's relationship how I did. Yay! Maybe he was pushing too hard, and didn't necessarily want a casual relationship. Maybe Robin felt the pressure of suddenly having to commit herself, when she just wanted to have a relaxing time with Don outside of work?

I also think that when she said, "call me" in her office, that she was referring to him asking her for help on the case, not necessarily him calling her to let her know where he is.

Ah yeah. I had never known that she was supposed to be a love interest! Robin worked a lot better. I made a little Robin and Don collage. They look hotter on screen, and they seem to click a lot better. I do like Liz though, as a love interest, just because it's cute to see Don with a woman quite a bit younger than himself. Liz brings out his playful side it seems like, which I really enjoyed seeing on screen. It's great to see he can loosen up! I also really love Don with brunettes, especially those brunettes who have "dark brown hair", just like myself. Don and I would be so cute together...*le sigh*

I do agree though, that Robin did sorta pooooof into the picture. It was nice to see them as good friends outside of the scenes. He kissed her on the cheeek!!

A break-down of the relationship would have been nice, but it would also have been really depressing for people like me who liked seeing them on screen and who thought they were cute together. I'm also a person, that dispite the Larry/Megan relationship, still totally sees Don and Megan together. They just *understand* each other, dude!

Coool, thanks! Clicked there and found no codes though. Oh well. Thanks anyway! I just like where everything is laid out on screen.

Hahaha yeah, you do. Lol! Thanks darling! And you, you are more than welcome to come over to my journal and pop in and say hi. I don't post much, but I usually post with something important, or to post artwork. Heh.