Paranormal Lockdown 3.7 "Return to Monroe 'Demon' House" Review

Nick and Katrina's return to Monroe House aka Monroe Demon House, Hartford Indiana, was always going to be eventful from the findings of last time and this episode was no exception.  They have been researching the house further over the past year in an attempt to find out whose bones they found: who was/is still buried in that crawl space.  Even taking their findings/photos to an anthropologist who stated the bones were indeed human, but belonging to someone who was not fully developed yet.  Thus most likely a teen (my opinion.)  However upon return they spoke with homeowner Eddie, who told them he had two different policeman here and one of them told him to step back from these events/findings and leave it alone as there were no missing persons reported.  However how do you leave something like this alone, without closure not just for yourself as a homeowner, but also to the person who is buried there after meeting such an alleged gruesome end.  They were real people, had a soul and need their voice to be heard.

Eddie continuing with repairs to the property, also had to board up the entrance to the crawl space for legal reasons and so that no one interfered with the findings there.  There is plenty that speaks volumes when a policeman tells you to let things go, why?  As a homeowner you have the right to find out what went on in your home even if the police don't want to investigate further.  Nick and Katrina said since they can't interfere with any of that for legal reasons, they can still conduct their paranormal investigation in the hopes of finding further answers and any findings they could give to the police in the hopes of opening the investigation and getting closure for all concerned.

Eddie told them that the activity at the house has gotten worse and people telling him they were doing rituals there.  As well as one group getting into a physical fight.  Some voices on the Geoport with Nick's name coming up quite a number of times.  "Nick Groff" or 'Nick Off' as it sounded like; as in 'get lost.'  Even being antagonistic towards them, a negative presence telling them to "fu*k off" on numerous occasions coming through.  Katrina saying it was a difference between the positive and the negative which was attempting to frustrate them and get them aggressive.  Most of the negativity took place on the first floor: kitchen/living area and the basement felt more positive.  Not surprising cos of that spirit or whatever is buried there and needing help in getting the story told for all to hear.  The past needing to be brought into the present.

There was more water in the kitchen again but only in the lower cabinets and Katrina even had a taste of it!  YUKKKK!!  The expression on Nick's face when she did that when it could've been anything!  The house shook again and Nick saw a shadow figure which didn't get picked up on camera.  Actually when he saw that my phone lit up for no reason at the same time!!  Was it telling me to tweet something??!!  Ha.  Or was it something more sinister.

Nothing concrete (no pun) was found in the kitchen when Katrina also slept there on the second night after Nick did and he slept in the basement (knew he would) inside a sensory deprivation tent.  Where you float in the water and get transported to wherever.  Katrina was up before Nick who she said was stuck in the tent for longer than he should have been.  He later wanted them to follow his journey as he was in there, which took him upstairs to the front door and out of the house.  He was taken to the garden area where he felt something woody, like a coffin.  This prompted them to get in a ground penetrating radar expert (I said they should do that too!) and he found that the thermal image was an old flattened coffin.  Meaning there was also a body outside or something buried there.

Obviously they can't dig it up and Eddie said he needs closure so he was going to contact some people and let them know what he's done.

They used the thermal camera and the 3D camera inside and they got a figure appearing in a funny way.  It was doing something and as Katrina walked through it, the figure grew like it was shooting out some form of energy.

The figure in pink looked to be studiously at work digging, watch it closely when you do and also in the above pic looks like it's got its hands around someone's throat and is int he process of strangling.  of course this is just an observation on my part, but clearly makes sense if you look to the first episode where they got those voices telling them to "dig."
Also Katrina got holy water and sprinkled it on the walls and the house shook, with Rob being moved back by the tremor.  Katrina also felt pressure, a little nauseous and also compression on her heart whilst there.  The water being a sign of demonic activity which isn't surprising with all the occult rituals carried on there.

This house was also in Indiana, why is that State such a 'demonic' hotbed of activity?  Remember Zak's Demon House.  Sorry it's not often, if at all, that I bring in other shows/investigators but this house wa sso similar in many ways.  Even the front design of the porch.  In actual fact it just completely reminded me of Hinsdale.  Not only in terms of its design too but also of the activity.  So in many ways not surprised Nick's name came up quite a number of times.  Also Eddie's name came up too when asked about the activity, "it's Ed" was heard frequently.

All in all there were still more questions than answers still and the police being no help whatsoever.  And no answers as to who Anna is as Katrina said this was the name that they kept getting.  Awaiting more news on this as it's one investigation that needs not only answers but also closure.

This was Ep 5 shown as ep 7 here.

https://mila255.blogspot.co.uk/search?q=monroe+house  Monroe House season 2 investigation.

Paranormal Lockdown 2.1 "Monroe House" Review

Eddie, the owner of Monroe House was looking for a quick sale, however he bought more than he bargained for, especially when he didn't know the story of the house or its haunting.  Have found that's often the case in the majority of houses for sale and bought by people unknowingly, it's not revealed by the sellers.  Even in the UK, there's a questionnaire where the sellers must list anything and everything about the house and yet I know many people shy away from asking that question of whether it's haunted or not.  Which of course they can answer untruthfully.  Am still waiting for that case where someone sues for exactly this, buying a haunted house.

Anyway back to the investigation, since something was trying to attach itself to Nick's back from the outset on day 1, it finally did catch up to him in the crawl space.

When Katrina asks why it keeps leading them to the kitchen, the woman's voice sounds as though she says "strangling me."  As I heard it at 25.33 and the man says "you shut it".  Oddly since in the other room Nick felt he couldn't swallow and had flies in his throat, finding it hard to breathe and making him leave that space.  Eddie also saying how other people have felt that way too.  There was a afire at the house, was that before or after the body was buried there. Smoke from a fire would also cause choking, making it hard to breathe, almost akin to strangling.

At 24.45 "she says again, "come into the basement." Before the man says, "send help."

26.19 a voice comes through and says "I can feel it" in a Southern-ish accent after Nick asks, "can you feel that?" When he feels the ground shaking, which eerily was also felt by the security man outside.  That doesn't often happen.  But great credibility.

Once again there was so much going on in this episode.  Wonder if they checked Nick's back after he was clawed in the crawl space.  Also it's disturbing that these remains were there for all this time, belonging to a poor restless spirit who's being prevented from talking and getting eternal peace, most likely by her assailant.  It took for Nick and Katrina to investigate and actually for Nick to go into the crawl space and be subjected to being pulled back and maybe even scratched to prevent him from unearthing the mound.  At least a lot of what they encountered was validated by Eddie.  Good on Eddie to do this, at least now it's out in the open and can hopefully lead to some sort of closure for that spirit.   These stories are very sad and on top of that there's the unknown 'demonic entities' looking to feed off the energy and give out its own negativity too.  Day 3 as Nick predicted "tomorrow is going to be worse" and it was for him in that crawl space.

As Katrina has to go check on Nick (again) their investigations are so exciting to watch, not least of which they always have each other's backs (no pun) and there's always common sense analysis, no exaggeration and OTT nonsense!
Was this just a shadow across the camera or was it something that moved, this clip looks like it was added for some reason, but no explanation.  Before Nick sleeps.
Was trying to upload a video clip of it but it didn't work.  Technical issues!! Hmm, wonder why? (Will try again later.)  Sorry you'll have to watch that bit!

Here's the video a bit of a haphazard edit if it was that, or did something more the camera?

29.52 when Nick's sleeping, the man asks: "is this all?  With the woman replying "I'm here."

Another gruelling episode to watch and can only imagine how draining it was on Katrina and Nick once again to spend 72 hours there.  But they have to and also make some sort of headway there too. It's a shame the history of the Monroe House isn't very extensively documented, would like to know more about it.  Especially the unexplained spontaneous fires in the basement, an attempt to hide evidence or is there some other general or paranormal explanation for this.  As Nick said "we have more questions than answers"  still even after their investigation.

Desperate Housewives - 7.14: "Flashback" Review

Paul reveals Zach shot him and asks Mike where he is, reluctantly Mike agrees to take him to Zach, as he's their son. Gaby gives in to therapy and Frank drops dead on Lynette's couch.

Mary Alice: (Brenda Strong) "Paul Young had a son but he had not seen Zach in years...he lost him to a world of fast women, easy money and hard drugs...he was determined to find him and he would do anything, even if that meant asking for help from a man who despised him."   Paul (Mark Moses) asks Mike (James Denton) for help.   Zach's (Cody Kasch) mansion is in foreclosure and Paul admits to Mike he was shot by Zach with the same gun Mary Alice used to kill herself.   Zach was last in Idaho.   Paul's disappointed with Zach.  "Though he didn't admit it, Mike knew exactly where Zach was , but the son Paul Young had lost, had no interest in being found."  Was Zach hiding out in the same house where Lynette (Felicity Huffman) went into labour last season.

Mary Alice: "It doesn't matter where we're going - how quickly we try to get there, the past we left behind will still find a way to catch up with us."  Keith (Brian Austin Green) brings home pizza (as will be made clear later on why) as he doesn't want to eat Bree's (Marcia Cross) healthy grilled salmon.   Amber (Rochelle Aytes) calls Bree and asks her for a cashier's cheque, she had a nerve, first she takes her cheque and then asks for instant payment!  She has a photo of Charlie (Sayeed Shahidi) for Keith.   Susan (Teri Hatcher) finds out she's on the waitlist for a kidney, up to 3-4 years, which will also depend on the DNA and how long she's been waiting for.

At the hospital, she bumps into Monroe Carter (Dave Foley) he used to sit behind her in Chem lab at Fairview High.   That didn't seem like he just casually bumped into her to me, but then he was a pharmaceutical rep, so anything's possible.   Susan bursts into tears over needing a transplant, she kept her composure that long and upon meeting him, she lets it all out.   She didn't even cry when she found out her mother wouldn't help her.   Frank (Larry Hagman) gives Stella (Polly Bergen) earrings belonging to his first dead wife.   He wants a family portrait with Lynette's family.   He tries to bribe her but she still refuses.   Lynette wants him to come to her house if he still wants a photo with them.

Gaby (Eva Longoria) is in therapy and asks for wine.   Her mother re-married and she doesn't like talking about her childhood.   She prefers to gossip about others instead, or talk about her modelling days cos that's not painful for her.   She remarks that to her friends, "I'm the shallowest person they know."  Too true, ha.   Correct me if I'm wrong, but in last week's episode, Carlos (Richardo Antonio Chavira) was clean shaven, his beard grew back very quickly, or have months supposed to have passed on the Lane.   But they couldn't have, otherwise, Amber's cheque would have been cashed already.   Clearly this was Gaby's first therapy session.   She's attending therapy three times a week and he has to do her chores for her, including on the day he was playing golf, it was his idea after all.   She knows how to manipulate, considering she wasn't going to therapy again.

Susan is beeped, she has a donor, Monroe offered to donate and he's signing papers.   So if he was signing over a kidney how could he take it back when he entered into a contract.   Susan: "I'm getting a man kidney."  She was nice to him in high school.   They hug and it's obvious he's obsessed with her.   Keith turns up at the pizza place where Amber's left Bree to look after Charlie.   He plays games and she admits she's a closet pizza lover.   Charlie needs more money for the machines and Keith plays games with him.

Tom (Doug Savant) is astonished Frank drives a Bentley, whilst Lynette has to suffer another infuriating racist comment from him.   He calls Porter (Charlie Carver) and Preston (Max Carver) Cagney and Lacey and makes them help him rearrange Lynette's sofa.   Frank dies when the photo's being taken.   He's dead.   Lynette: "Of course he is."  Stella wants his body to remain on the sofa until tomorrow when the new will takes effect.   Lynette's convinced to go along with it when Stella tells her she won't have to take care of her anymore and Stella will be able to help her, re money for college etc.

Mike has a flashback to Zach, having lost all his money and tells him he's rented the house to Paul, who is out of prison.   Zach didn't know.   Tom gets the appropriate line about how money changes people.   Of course it does.   There's Amber taking Bree's money when she 's not the one responsible for Charlie, Lynette being 'bribed' by Stella and Gaby taking advantage of Carlos, which is nothing new and Susan and her kidney, which isn't money but body organs are a precious commodity.   Carlos answers the phone confirming Gaby's booking for the spa treatment.   Carlos tells her she's ignoring the problem.   Tom wonders what they're going to do about the Bentley.

Zach admits to Mike he shot Paul since he ruined his life.   He practiced shooting him in his head, that's Zach's head, not shooting Paul in the head and he left the gun at Bree's.   Mike notices Zach is high and tells him he's been there and he still cares, he's Zach's father.   Susan gives Monroe a crystal heart.   He dreamed she'd give him her heart in high school.   He gives her a scrapbook with photos from high school, he's been stalking her.   Stella's been spending the money on gifts and orders Lynette to dinner with her on Sunday, or she'll share with her sisters instead.

Bree finally gives Keith Charlie's photo and tells him, he's his son.   Renee (Vanessa Williams) can't believe Susan never 'put out' for Monroe but he's giving her his kidney anyway.   Lee (Kevin Rahm) finds the scrapbook.   Renee: "You used to be cute, what happened?"  Lee says the scrapbook's a shrine.   He should know he's been stopped from mailing Ryan Seacrest.   Monroe also has a lock of her hair.   If Susan doesn't take his kidney, she'll have to wait 6 years, thought it was 3-4 years.   Renee warns her she'll be connected to him if she takes it and then she'll never get rid of him.   Lee adds that's probably not the only organ he wants from her!

Gaby makes excuses as to why she shouldn't see the shrink and tries to escape through the loo window.   Carlos is already     waiting for her on the fire escape.   The therapist wants to talk about her childhood and she doesn't.   Carlos reminds her she told him about it when they were married.   Gaby opens up that losing Grace meant she needed to protect children, no one protected her when she was molested by her stepfather.   Mike tells Paul he didn't tell him where Zach was before as he didn't know what he was going to do to him.   Zach needs their help.   Monroe takes an apartment near to Susan.   She remarks, "there's close and then there's Glenn Close." (As in  and what he's doing feels "stalky."  He wants to be more than friends and she's married.   As he'll only have her thanks, Monroe can't go through with the donation.   Well at least Susan came clean before she got the kidney, she could have been devious and waited until afterwards.

Mary Alice: "We may think we've left the past behind us but it has a way of catching up...though we want to run away, we are forced to confront our past and the secrets its buried must come into the light.   If we are strong we are able to move on toward the future and if we are lucky we will have help getting there."

Without A Trace 3.17 "Lone Star" Review

 Estate agent Lance Hamilton (Lochlyn Monroe) gets a visit from a woman as he’s showing a house and disappears.

21 Hours Missing

Martin (Eric Close) tells Danny (Enrique Murciano) he’s Lance Hamilton, 32 from El Paso, Texas and relocated 10 years ago to New York.  He works for Windsor Shore.  Danny wonders who’d hang cattle horns in their house.  Martin comments he may be "trying to compensate for something.”  Danny finds lipstick on a wine glass.  Martin finds a piece of a shirt cuff with blood in the fireplace.

22 Hours Missing

His secretary tells Viv (Marianne Jean-Baptiste) and Sam (Poppy Montgomery) that Lance didn’t check in with her so she called around.  She doesn’t recognize the woman Lance met with in the sketch.  Sam asks her about his personal life.  She recalls a woman came to see him a few days ago.  Lance tells her she’ll spoil everything and doesn’t want her here.  She wore a wedding ring.  She hasn’t seen her before either.  Viv asks for his files.  Sam comments he’s probably got problems with most women.

Danny finds out he sells houses in pairs and sold some to a James Fusco, aka Jimmy the Tooth (Jon Polito).  He’s on the white collar watch list and has been in trouble for money laundering, etc.  On the day of the disappearance Jimmy called Lance seven times within 4 hours.  He tells Jack (Anthony LaPaglia) he wanted to buy another house because his wife is picky.  He was meant to see another place yesterday but he didn’t show up so he went to Lance’s house.  There he saw a woman catching a cab.  When he walked in he saw him burning clothes in the fireplace.  Lance denied anything was wrong.  He identifies one of the women in the 2 sketches.

Martin checks the records of Lance’s female clients.  Danny tells him the Tox report on the blood was HIV positive but it wasn’t his.  Martin calls up a hit on the other woman in the sketch who brought commercial property 6 months ago on Riverdale: Valerie Serbanesco (Alexia Landeau).

26 Hours Missing

Danny and Martin visit the property and Martin asks for Valerie.  Danny asks if she’s available and stops Martin from showing his badge.  Valerie brings out the girls and they flash their FBI badges.  Ooh.

27 Hours Missing

All the girls were kept in locked rooms.  Danny finds their passports locked away too and says there was no way out for them.  Jack comments on the sort of life they didn’t come here for.  They think Lance runs the place and are afraid of him.  One girl tells them she had to pay to come to the US and do what she does.  They do this to pay for coming here.  Lance paid $40,000, that’s $5,000 for each girl.  They were told they’d be here for 3-6 months but no one leaves.  Ariana (Sarah Demeestere) couldn’t run away as they threatened to kill them and their families.  They caught one trying and was beaten up as an example: Nadia (Katerina Mikailenko) is missing since the night before last.

Danny tells Jack they’ll have to inform the INS.  Jack tells him they can’t be deported.  Danny comments he’s bothered about Lance being a real estate agent.  Viv informs Jack of a woman boarding a flight at JFK with a gun heading for Texas.

29 Hours Missing

The woman is Beth Norwood (Bridget Flanery) and she tells Jack she forgot to declare the gun.  She wasn’t on a return flight.  Her husband gave her the gun: Lance.  She has a contact if there were any problems.  His name is Lance Norwood and he’s an undercover policeman from Nassau County PD.  He called her the other night drunk and told her to leave.  There was blood on his shirt.  He gave her the gun.

31 Hours Missing

They found out there was money laundering going on through real estate.  (Alex Sol) Pelosi ran a brothel with Jimmy, who got into the flesh trade.  Lance hated what he saw and talked Pelosi into buying better properties so he’d get better clientel: lawyers, bankers etc.  Martin mentions Nadia and they tell him Lance brought her in a few nights ago.  She told them about the teacher who recruited her in Romania.  They had to send her back in because they needed the number one man.  It would take them at least another 3 weeks.  Lance told them she was 15 and only a child.  Martin tells them she was beaten up.

Beth doesn’t know Pelosi.  Jack tells her about the girls and trafficking.  She met Lance at the pier and he told her he had to do this. Sam catches Viv fixing her heart monitor.  She asks her not to tell anyone yet, “even Martin.”  She gets a call; Olivia (Audery Wasilewski) rented a 12 seater van.

32 Hours Missing

Olivia says Lance called a few hours after they left and told her to take the money from his boots.  He collected the van.  Viv and Sam find Nadia in the boot of Lance’s car dead with a note: THREE MORE WEEKS and his badge.  Martin thinks he’s not waiting around for the police.  Sam says the blood is HIV positive and belongs to Nadia.  The car belongs to Valerie.

Valerie wants witness protection.  The day after Nadia escaped, a friend of Pelosi’s was arrested, he thought someone had been talking so Valerie suggested it was Nadia.  He was at one of his warehouses in Queens, she called Lance but it was too late.  They found Nadia.  Lance was angry and told her he was a policeman.  Danny asks her what he meant when he said he’d take care of it.  She tells them about his lawyer friend.

Jack and Viv question Pelosi.  Viv rings up charges of child endangerment, exploitation and violation of  the White Slave Traffic Act.  Jack tells him he killed and tortured a 15 year old girl and they have evidence he killed a policeman.  He tells them he saw Lance a few hours ago.  He drove up in a van with a gun and took the girls.

Danny finds the lawyer, Wayne Aguliera (John Gallucci) an immigration lawyer.  He was at the University of El Paso with Lance.  He contacted the judge for 6 emergency T Visas.  Viv and Jack question Aguilera who tells them Lance had nowhere else to go and said he had to leave town.  He gave him money.  Jack comments he wouldn’t leave without his wife and takes Beth to him at the pier.  Jack tells him he found the car.  Lance says he saw them with the other girls.  They’re getting T Visas and Pelosi will talk.  Jack shakes his hand.

Danny and Martin make small talk about each other and Danny mentions Martin and Sam when no one’s told anyone there’s trouble in paradise.
Danny: “What have we got other than a little South Western flair?”
Danny: “I see you and Sam in a place just like this.  I do.  Barbecuing out back with the kids.  Uncle Danny coming over to shoot some hoops.”
Martin: “I’ve seen your hoop shot – you’d better start working on it now.”
Danny: “I’m unstoppable.”  Maybe someone should remind Martin in the season 2 opener Sam said she didn’t want kids.

Danny: “He’s not married because no woman would allow that.”  Well if she was from Texas she would, probably.  With his comment about the horns he must have angered a whole lot of red necks out there; he was married after all.

Danny: “We’ve got lipstick.”  Of course he would find that!
Danny: “Looks like somebody messed with Texas”
So Danny and Martin have been playing basketball together.

A much covered subject: slave trade from Eastern Europe, also covered in the season 3 episode of CSI:Miami where the girls also had their passports taken and locked away and in The Closer where the girls thought they’d become nannies.  As well as CSI:NY and just about every other show around.

It appears Viv also knows about Martin and Sam so despite Sam's objections to everyone finding out wonder if she told her or whether Viv found out like Danny and Jack did.

Sam: “Sounds like he’s got himself into some kind of a love triangle.”
Jack: “That’ll get you into trouble everytime.”  Jack and Sam always end up commenting on the subject of love, especially when it’s so close to home for both of them.

Danny and Martin sharing some more amusing moments: Martin: “It’s about time …I saved you half….I was talking about the stack of files.”
Danny: “D’ya mind?”  Funny Martin eating a sandwich and not his obligatory fix of junk food.  Danny eating for the second time this season.

If the police department had Pelose under surveillance why wasn’t he followed when he picked the girls up and when Lance turned up?

Danny:  she’s “directly responsible or she knows who did it.”  He was right she was responsible for Nadia getting killed to save herself and she knew who did it.  He usually gets the case breaking lines like asking what Lance meant when he said he’d take care of it.

Olivia called the FBI when Lance disappeared and not the police.  As for searching his office how come no one thought to look in the boots.

At least Viv was consistent and commented on the legal violations as she did in season 2 episodes too.  Strange how Danny mentioned calling the INS to Jack, maybe he thought this was the last thing on Jack’s mind and so he had to mention it.
Lance had blood on his face and part of his mouth too only no one thought of mentioning she was HIV positive to him.
Good to see Martin having to follow Danny’s lead this time re flashing! Badges.  Sam and Jack hardly getting soaked in the rain.

Twitter @mila255h

The Mentalist - 4.8: "Pink Tops" Review

Patrick and the CBI investigate the killing of an undercover cop, linking her murder to a drug dealer. Meanwhile Cho meets a prostitute who is enamoured of him.

A woman at a club leaves after receiving a text message, bumping into another woman along the way.   She's shot, (that was a woman's hand holding the gun so not much room for a slew of suspects).   Patrick (Simon Baker) comments Lisbon (Robin Tunney) looks rested.   Chief Henderson (Dean Norris) called for help.  Patrick notices two shots were fired to her head. Her name is Yolanda (Natalia Costellanos) and she has a stamp on her wrist from Club Luxure.   He also notices her polish was 'sloppily' applied...   She was also wearing a sports bra with which Lisbon agrees.   Patrick wonders why she was wearing a disguise, which was the key word for this episode, as will be revealed later.   Henderson knew her, she was an undercover cop, working narcotics.   Known as Yoli, her ID must be kept secret.   Henderson leaves after insulting Patrick and telling Lisbon to keep the "circus act under control." Hey that's just a reference to his roots, so to speak, especially since he and his father used to work the Carnie, so he wasn't off the mark there.   Lisbon refrains from "pushing" Henderson back.

Vega (Kamar de los Reyes) was the drug dealer and he didn't fit in with the club, something about him didn't spell 'club owner.' Nor did that music didn't sound right for that club, it seemed so amateurish, perhaps they should have taken a leaf out of CSI: Miami for club scenes.   Neither did those extras quite gel.   Patrick makes an announcement for anyone to point out Vega will be rewarded with $500, but nobody bites, pointing out, "my colleague is Five-O."  He approaches the man at the bar and Vega comments on liking Patrick's "swagger."   Patrick tells him he's "hiding profound anger." He covets respect and he calls Patrick, "pinstripes" referring to his suit, which Patrick likes.  

Henderson briefs them on Vega's, activities such as killing his competitors. He's one step ahead of them but not so the CBI, now that Patrick's on the case.   I am restraining myself from calling him 'Patty' as I have done so since season 1.   Rigsby's (Owain Yeoman) found a 911 tip made by an anonymous woman referring to a "dead chick."  Cho (Tim Kang) finds Yoli's credit card was used at a hotel.

Concepcion Residence,  Sacramento, California:  Elvira (Gina Rodriguez) Yoli's cousin was at the club with her and Yoli's husband , Lalo (Wilmer Calderone) asks about her work, which Lisbon can't discuss.   Patrick meanwhile makes a beeline for the kitchen and catches Elvira humming.   He doesn't believe they were like sisters.   She covets Yoli's family.   Elvira found condoms in her jeans and thinks she was having an affair.   Lalo throws her out.   Patrick couldn't leave without trying the spaghetti sauce.   He loves his food and tea.

La Meridiana Hotel:  Where Rigsby and Cho find the woman who made the call, Summer (Samaire Armstrong).   As Cho questions her she notices he has a bad back and she can make it better.   Summer calls her the "dead chick" again and she claims not to have made the call, which Cho plays back to her.   She ran to help but took her credit card.   Summer knows about Vega and his operation.   Cho agrees to drop the theft charge in return for info on Vega.   The Perry's raided his stash house.   Cho makes notes like he always does and she thinks he's doodling.   Lisbon likes her.   Van Pelt (Amanda Righetti) finds the text Yoli received, "open champagne at fave hotel."

Patrick checks out Yoli's desk at the stationhouse and Henderson tells Lisbon she wasn't having an affair but was sending out messages in gang codes.  Champagne meant cocaine.   The code was used by the Perry boys.   It seems Yoli was keeping a lot from Henderson about her work.   Henderson insists Yoli wasn't a dirty cop; prompting Lisbon to send Van Pelt over to Yoli's house to discover info on whether she was dirty.

Patrick looks at the photo with fellow officers, Trey (Stephen Bishop) and Bianca (Victoria Platt) who tells him the condoms are used for drugs.   Lalo calls Van Pelt "Robocop" and she seems to ignore his comment.   Yoli kept info on the children's computer, where Van Pelt finds photos of a vacant house, possibly the Perry's hideout.   Patrick isn't happy on their couch and doesn't accompany Lisbon to the Perry house since the vest probably isn't his size.   He shrinks at the sign of danger or trouble at this moment.   Trey comes in and removes his disguise, he takes the drugs find to the property room, as if Patrick didn't know that's what they do there with the drugs.   Knew the old distraction ploy would come into play, as Patrick spills his drink and then steals some phials.

At the Perry house they only find DBs.   Rigsby's been giving Summer chips/crisps and she says, "Wayne knows how to smile, was he in a boy band?"  Cho lets her go.     She calls him Kimble, cos obviously that's not all Rigsby did, i.e.  just buy her chips.  She posits being able to make him cry like a baby.   Lisbon believes whoever killed the Perry's also killed Yoli.   But Patrick has a plan up his sleeve as he enters the Luxure and plans on making a deal with the alleged owner for a cut.   He's able to just come in here, cos "the law knows no bounds" being sarcastic, just a tad, cos he just made a complete ass of the law in 4.1, when he was freed for killing the so-called Red John.   He knows it's really Vega's club and leaves the drugs.

Later in a moment of male bonding, ha, which we haven't seen between Rigsby and Cho in a long time,   Rigsby says, "that pro seemed like a piece of work." Cho adds her name is Summer, like she knows his name is Wayne, which gets our Rigsy all defensive.   Patrick is taken in an SUV, asking the driver to turn down the bass.   Cho and Rigsby lose his GPS signal and find his coat and shoes in an alley.   Cho seeks out Summer for more info.   He doesn't have time for games and cuffs Summer, he's worried about Patrick.   All she asks for is a bit of courtesy and tells him Vega is at an abandoned garage.   Patrick is missing his shoes more than his coat.   He wants to sell Vega drugs , or Vega will "end up shoeless himself."  Patrick can give him info on the Narcotics Task Force stash houses and Vega claims to have already received such an offer.   Patrick tries to convince him he's being set up by Bianca and Vega loses his patience, wanting to shoot them both.   Patrick claims to have taken out the Perry boys and also Yoli, but Bianca takes all the credit for the shootings.   "Five-O" appears to be thrown around a-plenty.   Now Vega utters it.  Patrick knew he'd be rescued, like he always is and wants his shoes.

Yoli trusted Bianca and used their code incase anyone else got the message.   Champagne meant  Bianca was in trouble.  Lisbon comments she killed everyone with the same gun.   It was all about money for Bianca.  If she couldn't beat them, she joined them and Lisbon tells her she can join them in prison.

Cho: "I wanna use you."  He wants Summer to be his confidential informant and she notices he's got a "mysterious feline vibe" going.   She'd snitch on her mother for cash and he asks what she did and smiles.   Patrick tells Lisbon he saw Bianca as a suspect as she never removed her disguise.   Lisbon: "It's time; we need to talk about Red John."  Patrick making a quick exit by pointing out Lalo.   Lisbon tells him what Yoli was working on and how she saved lives.

What was missing from this episode of The Mentalist was the lack of continuity from last episode about Red John's sudden "reappearance" or "resurgence." Not until he's mentioned at the end, but Patrick runs off, leaving us hanging again (well this show has gotten good at giving, no feeding us small morsels about Red John whenever the writers/producers feel the need.)   It's to keep us satisfied and glued.   Lisbon being tired in the earlier scene with her and Patrick, why was that, knowing she doesn't sleep that much at the best of times?   Anything to do with Red John's reappearance.  

Also there doesn't seem to be any press reports about the shooting last episode (4.7 Blinking Red Light) and more particularly whoever killed Panzer (David Paymer) was kept under wraps for a reason no doubt and more importantly; shouldn't this have opened up a whole new kettle of fish about who shot Red John and who Patrick really shot and killed in the season 3 finale.   Though he was cleared of murder and double jeopardy means he can't be tried again for murder, that's on the assumption he killed Red John, but if he didn't then he can be tried for killing someone else.   Also they can argue 'copycat' killing (again?).   Of course the tiredness could just be a red herring: meaning they've been busy with another case and Lisbon hasn't had a chance to speak to Patrick about Red John yet, but what about the brass and especially the new boss?

On the other hand, they could be touting Patrick as a possible killer himself in future episodes or further down the line, much further; so it doesn't come as a shock to viewers.   Either way, it does show character development on Patrick's part.   Even after the Red John reveal - he doesn't seem to be that affected by it, although he knew all along Red John is still alive and wasn't 'surprised'.   He's more 'settled' in his approach to cases now than he has been in the past at the mere mention of Red John.   Also Patrick hasn't retreated to his attic space, which is where he heads when he's contemplating; thinking or keeping secrets.  He did that last episode after Panzer was killed.

As for character development, Patrick was in a better position to understand Lalo's grief, losing his wife to murder too, but Patrick doesn't display any empathy, instead he chooses to question Elvira.  Or to put it another way, he disappeared quick smart.   Patrick also seems so much more bolder this episode, whereas he shies away from accompanying Lisbon to the Perry house. He has his own reasons for that; yet he gets himself into the firing line with Vega and thus drawing out the actual dirty cop.   This time he doesn't know the team will come to his rescue ASAP, as his GPS has been removed.

Moving onto Cho, who hasn't gotten any personal time this season and his burgeoning relationship with Summer, though he only wants her as his CI (confidential informant) and nothing else.   Well let's face it, he must like her as does Lisbon.   Oh and notice the smile from him.   Then there was Rigsby, providing her with chips, I was going to say 'servicing' her, but never mind!  She was hungry, so was he.   Food would be on the agenda with him.   Summer to Cho: "I bet you just doodle in that thing." Oh and the line where she tells him she can get him to "cry like a baby."  Which remains to be seen.   Also what happened to Cho's girlfriend, Elise from Blood In Blood Out, (probably just a fill in for that episode's storyline.)  Summer calls them by by their first names.  Wayne telling her Cho's name.   Had to be him.   Great the way Cho turned the conversation around onto Rigsby and his emptying an "entire vending machine" for her.   Rigsby's and Summer's topic of conversation must have included Cho.

Patrick being called a "circus act" was nothing new and he's probably been called worse but he has a go at Lisbon for not defending him, she's too tired mate.   Cho's still in pain over his car accident in 4.6 Where In the World is Carmine O'Brien,  was some good continuity.   Patrick: "Mind turning the bass down it makes me want to go to the bathroom." Another hilarious line.  Patrick loving his shoes, which he's been wearing forever (his lucky shoes?) which never matched his suits anyway. "I'm really disappointed about my shoes." As for Patrick's comment on Yoli wearing a sports bra and Lisbon agreeing - that didn't look like a sports bra, more like a 'push-up' bra to expose extra cleavage.   Also the hurried way in which she painted her nails and describing her as a tomboy, why didn't she take the time to polish her nails, since her make-up was immaculate.   As for not wearing heels and bruising her ankle, sure she didn't plod around in flats when she got married.   This scene appeared a bit rushed and added nothing at all to Patrick's ability to "analyze" such intricate details pertaining to Vic's nuances.

For a bad guy Vega didn't seem at all threatening or menacing  and Bianca did his dirty work for him anyway, at least as far as removing the Perry's and Yoli was concerned.   Her so called "best friend" which was so easy for her, considering it was all about money.   It was apparent she was the killer but Patrick's reasoning she was the only one who kept her undercover garb on, was lazy writing, all based on the observations of Trey.   Not every undercover cop will react in the way he did.  

At least Cho saved the day and the episode and trust a 'pro' to get him off kilter.   Some good parts in this episode and some not so good - it just didn't feel like the usual Mentalist episode we've come to expect and especially for a season 4 episode either.   I'm glad I wasn't the only one who feels this week was a bit of a letdown, as friends et al have made similar comments.   Oh and 'Five - O' was a nod to the other CBS ratings winner, Hawaii Five-O.

Yolanda's such a common name in this show, Van Pelt's psychic cousin is named Yolanda.   In A Dozen Red Roses, Yolanda Quinn was the name of the actress playing Marilyn Monroe.   Also in the Pilot, Patrick uses the "I can't sleep" excuse on the doctor.

Desperate Housewives - 7.6: "Excited and Scared" Review

 Hallowe'en on Wisteria Lane sees Susan fired from her job, Mike leave for Alaska and Bree finds out about Keith's probation for assault. Juanita is jealous of Grace and asks Gaby what's so great about her.

Mary Alice (Brenda Strong) narrates how Renee (Vanessa Williams) is afraid she won't be the centre of attention anymore and so she's decided to keep the tradition she had of throwing a Hallowe'en party in New York.  It's not for children since you can't swear in front of them.  Tom's (Doug Savant) mother, Allison (Lois Smith) asks Lynette (Felicity Huffman) to buy her some handcream.  She asks Allison to wake Paige up at 3.  Paul (Mark Moses) takes his wife, Beth (Emily Bergl) to a counsellor, who tells him he should "date" his wife.  She confesses she's still a virgin.

Susan (Teri Hatcher) admits to Mike (James Denton) what she was doing on the web in her lingerie and he's frustrated he can't provide for his family.  He should have taken the job in Alaska.  She tells him Paul is blackmailing her into selling their house and he wants to hit him with a hammer.  Susan stops him, she'll take care of Paul herself.

Juanita (Madison La Garza) brags how she amassed two pillowcases of candy last Hallowe'en.  She finds Gaby's (Eva Longoria Parker) necklace in Grace's (Cecilia Balagot) room and takes it.  Gaby tells her she didn't steal it, but she gave it to Grace as she's "poor." Next time they're at Aunt Rosie's, Juanita can "recover" the gold earrings she's missing, since Juanita's good at "recovering" things.

Lynette returns home to find Paige is still asleep and Allison accuses Lynette of shouting at her.  It's so obvious there's something wrong with her, but Tom refuses to believe it, until she goes missing after going to the market to buy more candy.

Susan visits Paul with a basket of muffins and after finding a thumb-tack hole in the wall from the calendar, she advises him he's in breach of his lease agreement and has 60 days to vacate her house.  She takes a muffin and pounds on it with the hammer, warning him that's what will happen to him.  (NB watch out for the muffin disappearing from the counter top in the next shot.)  She doesn't know if there are raisins in the muffins as she has rats.

Keith (Brian Austin Green) takes Bree (Marcia Cross) to see his apartment.  She's surprised as she was expecting a bachelor pad, not potpourri.  He has a female roomate.  Paul informs one of the mother's from Susan's school about her "extra curricular activities" and gets her fired.

Lynette finds several bottles of handcream in Allison's case and Tom insists she's fine because she recalls everything that happened when he was at Camp Kickapoo.  He won't take her to the doctor, just as he refused to see one when he was depressed.  Bree is reassured by Keith's roommate that there's nothing more between them.  Bree finds a letter from State Corrections addressed to Keith.  Apparently, Renee knows he's on probation for assault.  He defended his girlfriend at the bar.  Renee asked the bartender before she went out with him.  Renee suggests Bree have an argument with him and if he hits her, then she'll know he's violent.

Gaby makes a princess outfit for Grace and when Juanita sees her in it, she wants one too.  Gaby makes her go as a dog because she knows the dog will get more candy than some "little Mexican girl!"  (But Grace is Mexican too!)  Beth pays Paul a weird compliment after their date and he tells her he needs someone he can trust by his side, before he misread the signals and kisses her.  She slaps him and he wants her to leave.

Renee dresses as Marilyn Monroe at her party and Keith doesn't recognize who she is, even after she sings "Happy Birthday, Mr President."  He calls her Michelle Obama.   (Well he knows who she is!)  Lee (Kevin Rahm) also turns up dressed as Marilyn.  Bree receives unwelcomed advances from a man at the party, she's dressed as a cheerleader and asks Keith to deal with him.   He loses his temper and tells Bree that's who he really is.  Bree says everyone comes with baggage and tells him she's the Fairview lush.

Juanita cuts Grace's hair when she gets the crown stuck in it, after she sees Gaby hug Grace when she gives her a candy.  Carlos (Richard Antonio Chavira) calls Lynette to pick up Allison and Tom turns up to witness her slap Lynette.  Gaby smashes up her house with MJ's club and is stopped by Beth with a gun, telling Susan to leave her husband alone.  Beth and Paul consummate their marriage.

Juanita asks Gaby what is special about Grace and Carlos tells Gaby she has to stop seeing Grace for a while, they have to protect their daughter.  Gaby replies they're both their daughters.  Mike leaves for Alaska or he'll end up killing Paul if he stays. Tom takes Allison to an assisted living facility.

Mary Alice ends by saying that people are in fear, some are worrying, some are learning the truth, others are being sent away.  "The world is a scary place -- it's even more terrifying when we have to face it alone."

Ghost Adventures "Old Bullion Plaza School"

 

Zak mentions an old mining town of Miami Arizona, there to investigate the school of the title and what happened there over the years.  1860's silver was discovered leading to Miami, Arizona being built.  Bullion Plaza in 1923 was set up for for Mexican and Apache children showing segregation was still rife.  Students were beaten if they spoke in their native language.  Tom tells him the building is haunted - why else would you be there, dude!  A museum is in the school building now and he tells him of one documented death.  A man was already dead between the second and first floor.  No cause of death.  A lot of mystery surrounds the school and a lot of activity.  Zak carries out a visual exercise for the viewers to imagine the school in operation.  Zak introduces himself to the building.  I don't hear the talking maybe the camera didn't capture it.  I've listened over and also I just heard a knock.  

He conducts an EVP session by the stairs.  Some voices are captured.  First voice says "up over there." ??  Possibly telling Zak where he is.  Second EVP: "Alright"??  After the "yes" which sounds like a different voice; it says something like "what the f*ck are you doing here?"  Or something along those lines.  Tom tells them about a girl on the stairs he saw her and she giggled when he's been here.  Zak feels a cold breeze.  Zak does some singing to the little girl "I like to play with toys, I brought my boys..." sounds a bit rude doesn't it!! Ha.  Aaron tries a rap OMG!  On the top floor.  Tom has an arrangement with them that they don't come to his office after dark and he doesn't cross the room to the other side.  He's sensitive and at his age he can do without the hassle.  "Who's here in the hallway?"  Zak asks and he gets a gruff scream on the recorder.  The voice also says "...and a murder."  Was this the old man referring to himself?

Aaron hears a girl on the stairs, didn't hear anything.  But strangely Aaron hears it as if that song had an effect.  The sensor downstairs went off.  Zak feels something by the door.  Like a child telling him something bad happened.  Tom says someone else picked up the same energy in the closet.  Zak feels sad as though he was one of the children brutalized in the closet.  

Billy and Aaron go down to the basement talking with a paranormal investigator.  As Zak talks to another woman, a kindergarten teacher, Iris.  She was possessed in the video by a child she thinks.  The 'child' was channelling through her.  She gets emotional when recalling what happened to them.  Rita tells them of how she's always weary there.  She believes that bad things have happened to children.  Iris mentions they were brought down to the basement and were forced to do things and killed.  Zak wonders if their spirits are trapped here.  Rita mentions a paedophile teacher who used to harm children.  She caught a shadow figure and it turned up in the photo.  She shows them a photo of three children they caught.  

You know they actually look like they have faces and are surrounded by other faces too.Aaron says they look like they're shackled.  Jay gets scratched on his body near his neck.  The basement resident doesn't want them here investigating.  

Zak and Aaron stay in the main building and Jay and Billy go down to the basement.  Aaron asks for the 'girl' to reappear.  Zak sees a child-like doll and they don't know how it got there.  The motion infra red tracker cam detects something.  Zak gets a figure on the XLS.  A black rectangle appears and blocks out the figure.  To me it looked like when something bad is censored and you're not meant to see it, it's blanked out.  That's what happened here.  The figure touches Aaron.  Using the Trifield meter, Zak sees if the electromagnet energy is high.   On the second floor a female voice is caught on the spirit box.  Saying something like "are you finding a book?" ??  But they're not actually there when it happens.

Zak locks Aaron in the closet with the chair.  The way Zak says Aaron "voluntarily" enters the closet. Though he doesn't get anything inside.  He gets another voice on the spirit device.  Zak investigates the other side of the building alone.  He recites the Spanish alphabet as he recalls it.  On the static cam he captures a drawer opening by itself.  Maybe a spirit, maybe a Poltergeist? 

Billy feels something touched him in the head.  Jay asks him the same thing.  They hear a bang.  Jay captures an anomaly that looks like it's running from him as it goes round the corner.  Could it be a child getting back at being harmed.  They hear a moaning.  A rattling sound is heard.  They ask if something's trying to scare them.  Some planks of wood.  Billy says to knock something off the table.  They hear a metallic scratchy sound like a door.  It's like a small entrance to a concealed boiler/pipes room.  Wonder what went on in there?  Reminded me of the little room in the basement of the Monroe House in Paranormal Lockdown where Nick found those buried bones.  

The anomaly that Billy captures looks like a small person manifesting, landing on the floor and then scurrying away.  A child??  

Billy provokes and tells it to do something to Jay.  Then he feels angry.  Jay feels like something crawls on his face.  He also provokes saying he's not scared of it.  Something metallic is thrown at Jay.  

Zak calls it a "prolific investigation" of their career.  The walls have the pain of the children still etched there.  "A testament to those innocent souls who loved and died here."  A poignant episode.

The Closer 7.4 "Under Control" Review

A frantic mother searches for her son and Tao's (Michael Paul Chan) son, Kevin (William jay Behlendorf) brings him in to investigate.  The boy, Eric disappeared from voluntary Summer camp and no one knew was there or even missing since attendance wasn't taken.  Which is pretty stupid where children are involved.  Raydor (Mary McDonnell) finally gets to question Brenda (Kyra Sedgwick) over the Shootin' Newton murders and plays back the video confession to the killings by Turrell.  Rador claims Brenda knew his gang would kill him and Brenda saw them there.  Brenda insists she took him back home as per his request.  As for what happened to him, she calls it a "happy ending."  Which Raydor explains is why she wasn't recording the interview and how that confession gives Brenda motive.

Tao calls in Sanchez (Raymond Cruz) to help in the search and he talks with the mother, Tina's (Meredith Monroe) boyfriend, Marcus.  Who claims he doesn't want to help or get involved.  He's a yoga instructor.  Eric's parents are divorced and they bicker.  Tina notices the bike and it's propped up.  Clue for later.  Sanchez searches in the helicopter and spots a floating body in a nearby pool.  Kevin volunteers at the camp and helps them out with some information on the parents and other things.  He appears to be on the ball just like his father.  Pope (JK Simmons) suggests to Taylor (Robert Gossett) they get the press involved as soon as possible and meets Kevin.

Raydor tells Brenda her team are capable of handling the case without her.  Kevin and Tao have father/son issues and he needs to improve his grades which is why he doesn't have a car.  Kendall didn't find any signs of abuse or trauma on Eric.  Brenda talks with Glen, (Marcus Giamatti) the father and he isn't told about Eric.  He says he was at a gas station and then went to work.  Whilst Tina had her car detailed.  Gabriel (Corey Reynolds) finds that strange behaviour when her son is missing.  Of course they suspect her but Glen looks more like the real suspect with his overly abusing Tina over Eric and letting him ride the bike.  See at the start he asks Tine how long the bike was there and whether she saw it or not, directing a great deal of attention towards it.  Even saying she wasn't meant to let him ride it irresponsibly.

Gabriel checks their alibis and Kevin points out to Tao that Glen's left the interrogation room.  Why was he left alone anyway like that.  Usually Brenda leaves someone with them.  Glen hears Tina in the other room and storms in breaking the news about Eric to her.  Marcus (Shane Johnson) attacks Glen.  Kevin watches everything as it's the first time he's seen what his father has to deal with at work and it ain't pretty.

Pope asks Brenda about Raydor and she hasn't finished with the questions yet.  She has to deal with this case first.  Which really just gave her an excuse not to deal with it for as long as possible.  Provenza (GW Bailey) goes to find the counsellor.  Glen blames Tina, again with the blame.  Dr Morales (Jonathan Del Arco) doesn't find any foam in Eric's lungs so he didn't drown and was already dead.  He doesn't go into the autopsy room to tell her, preferring to stay outside.  A case which gets to everyone.  Brenda goes in, even though he's not put him back together yet.  He also found purple fluid in his stomach, chocolate and traces of sedatives, which can't be identified until tox results are in.  But if she has a suspect she can get search warrants.

Gabriel found Vicodine and Soma in Tina's house belonging to Marcus.  As well as an LVPD uniform.  Fritz (Jon Tenney) explains Marcus was a policeman in Las Vegas and had to leave before his wife filed a lawsuit against him and the LVPD for domestic abuse allegations.  Marcus told Tina from the outset he didn't want to be a parent and wouldn't marry her.  Glen calling that immoral.  He later proposed to her but she refused. Again suggesting she's the killer.  He was more of a father to Eric than Glen.

Tao's wife, Cathy (Patti Yasutake) arrives to take Kevin home and they quarrel over his being there and not being able to get a driver's licence.  Kevin says he won't drive away like Eric did with his bike, giving Brenda a clue about the bike.  Kevin's 16 and he can't treat him like a child.  Tao hugs Kevin saying he can hold onto him forever.  Clearly this case is close to home for Tao as he has a son too and is protective of him.  Which he has every right to be after what he sees in his line of work.  Brenda finds their conversation moving.  We have a situation with Tao and his son which is in stark contrast to the case involving Eric and his parents. Eric was the one who suffered his parent's anger and inability to get on, even for his sake.  He was used as a pawn by them both.

Brenda is angry she couldn't go to the CS cos of Raydor and Fritz asks if she wanted to be there when they found Eric.  She wants to see their divorce decree and settlement.  Tina took him for everything he had and then for everything he would make.  Glen wanted primary custody calling her an unfit mother.  Brenda is told by Raydor that she needs to get her own lawyer since Brenda maintains Turrell was her responsibility only as long as he was in her custody.  Tao has a hard copy of Glen and his alibi and Brenda shows him buying  a purple drink and a chocolate bar at the mini-mart.  He gave Eric the bike so he would pester his mother until she let him ride alone.  He admits he killed Eric so she couldn't have him and so she won't get his money anymore.  He took what she had and she'll have to live with that forever.

Seems like they were both unfit parents.  Tina wanted to torment him by having custody and by getting alimony from him so she didn't marry Marcus.  But he only wanted Eric to torment her back.  Eric was the innocent one here being pulled part by his parents until he is finally killed over their petty squabbles over money.  In short neither one deserved to have Eric.  Buzz (Phillip P Keene) tells Tao at least he got the killer.  Tao agrees to driving lessons for Kevin.  Flynn (Tony Denison) asks if anyone knows what Raydor is doing here.  Provenza replies they're the police and they're always in trouble.  Well, speak for yourself, Provenza attracts trouble judging from the last episode, ha.

Raydor takes Brenda to Turrell's house and shows her his blood and where he was eventually killed.  Her criminal liability would be cleared by her explanation that he wanted to go home and her responsibility ending but not from civil liability.  If the attorney settled then that would leave Brenda to take the blame.  Raydor: "for your own sake get yourself your own lawyer."   Does this mean Raydor is watching her back after all? Beneath all the facade Brenda is worried about this case and I wonder if she thinks she would have done things differently now.

As the title suggest everything isn't under control, not for Brenda and certainly not for Glen and Tina.  Oh what a horrible, selfish set of parents for Eric to have had the misfortune of having.

CSI: NY - 8.8: "Crossroads" Review

The murder of a judge calls into question his past cases. Jo meets the daughter from the Washington rape case again and Curtis walks free on bail, as he said he would.

A man comes too on the floor of an apartment and the TV plays in the background, a scene about self defence and not being believed.   He leaves on his bike.   A jury and judge arrive to view a CS and the judge is shot by a shooter on a bike.   Mac (Gary Sinise) picks up his rolling cigar.   Flack (Eddie Cahill) comments the criminal court judge was shot under the noses of the cops and the jury was sequestered.  Judge Vinnie Corsica (Brad Blaisdell) was presiding over the Markov trial, a Russian mobster.  Danny (Carmine Giovinazzo) talks about him being the "Sammy Bull" of Russian organized crime and Markov has "a dozen bodies on him." Mac: "Looks like it just went to a baker's dozen."  Groan that was definitely one of Stella's lines.  

Hawkes (Hill Harper) and Lindsay (Anna Belknap) process the CS.   Hawkes finds a smashed bullet.   Three are in the van and one bullet is missing.   Hawkes says the biker rode down the alley so there may be a blood trail.   The bullet must have hit his backpack since that was obvious.   Hey CSI:NY called the backpacks as 'backpacks' whereas CSI called them 'fannypacks.'  Lindsay walks the alley and meets up with Danny at the other end.   He tells her there won't be any blood trail.   The judge was on  a protection detail so the roads were closed, leaving the bike as the only mode of transport.   She mentions his backpack but doesn't think he could have taken the bullet with him, or at least hit the backpack.  

The bike was hit by a car and Danny finds glass from the car.   Mac gives a press conference and tells them they are using every possible resource to show how "powerful our system of justice is." That was an understatement.   He's asked questions about John Curtis (Jason Wiles).   His preliminary hearing is tomorrow.   Mac also defends Jo (Sela Ward).   It was a lab tech who blew the case, not Jo.   Which does not bode well for Lindsay, no really see later.   (Like I care.) Jo has "courage and integrity."  He tells the press Jo isn't working the rape case, which is what I said last episode and she wasn't working it either.   More's the pity.   She can't work it cos of bias.   Jo visits Curtis and wishes she could gloat but it would be at the expense of Ali and the other Vic's.   Curtis claims he will walk free which again was obvious.   Jo: "You will not walk away this time."

Sid (Robert Joy) finds the bullet killed the judge instantly and he found one in his kidney leading to him discovering traces of antifreeze in the tissue sample.   (Reminded me of Desperate Housewives season 7 when Felicia was poisoning Paul using antifreeze in his food and blamed it on Susan.)  It was thought he suffered food poisoning.   Hawkes says this wasn't the first attempt on his life.   Mac thinks the shooting and poisoning are related.

Mac talks with Senator Matthews (Jeffrey Nordling) who likes playing these father roles.   In Body of Proof he was Megan's daughter's father, a lawyer and in Desperate Housewives he was a step father and former agent who went on the run with a witness.   His daughter, Serena (Jenn Proske) is also there.   Mac tells him he always has a lot on his plate and his team always does a good job.   Lindsay goes through what happened and she is now going by Lindsay Messer and not Monroe Messer as she was before.   Jo had to walk past at that moment.   Mac has already said Jo isn't on the case so doesn't the Senator listen to the news? In such an important case, I would have thought he'd have known that; considering he was the one who got Jo booted out of the FBI.   Surprised he wouldn't have gone to Chief Sinclair and put his foot down already and had her removed from working the case through official channels.   Mac tells him if this happened to his daughter he'd want Jo on the case (and not Lindsay!  I would add.)

Danny found partial prints on the bike and food residue.   Also grey paint from an Audi on the bike.    Hawkes' bullet fragments matched a Russian gun.    Also a print was found on the casing belonging to Barshay.   Flack raids his house and finds it empty, but the furniture has been overturned and a window is open.   The Barshay's were away.   The place was cleaned.   Hawkes notices food particles on the table and brings in a doggy bag from outside.   Flack is reluctant for him to open that bag inside but it's a food doggy bag.   Great funny scene!  He finds part of an eaten sandwich inside.   All roads lead to food which was the key in solving this case.

Danny searches through the camera photos from the police car in the hopes of finding the bike or car and Lindsay had to turn up.  He thinks she'll be fine in court.   Jo talks to Serena who doesn't blame her.   It must have been difficult for her as a mother and a woman to watch Curtis walk free.   Jo forever thinking about everyone else says it's not about her.   Mac knows about Jo's visit to Curtis which wasn't a good idea.   Danny discovered the car was rented by Danshov, Markov's man and has three parking tickets from the same place.   Flack gives the car a flat and when Jo sees the tyre she gets an idea to check out the bike tyre since it's probably been changed.   Danny says the inner tube would have to have been patched so there'll be prints.   Danny: "Don't care what everybody says around here - you're good." So who is this everybody then, Lindsay ha.   That was Danny's little pep talk to Jo, how sweet.

Danshov's (Ivo Nandi) accent was funny.   He hit the bike and thinks the judge was crooked.   It would have been more opportune for them to blackmail him than to kill him.   He wasn't "squeaking clean."  Flack corrects him, "squeaky clean."  (Who was he, Ziva from NCIS getting his words wrong.)  The judge eats at the steakhouse and had an expensive lifestyle.   Jo looks into the judge's past cases.   Danny hits on a print from the bike to a Nicholas Albertson (Tony Oller).   Flack arrests him.   His funny line of asking whether the Porterhouse is as good as everyone says it is, even though it's not the right time to ask.   The show is skimping out on the Flack/Danny chase scenes now, they don't have far to run anymore!

Nick was the delivery boy and Flack tells him the judge was a regular there.   He denies everything and Flack posits he thinks it was just a coincidence the judge got sick there.   Flack's funny acting when he mimics Nick denying all.

Danny and Flack go over the facts and the route taken by the bike and come up with the bike coming from two different directions, meaning there were two bikes and thus two different riders.   Jo finds Nick's conviction wasn't in the Criminal Court database. She had to search for the file.   Nick stole gum and was his first offence.   Instead of community service, he was given three months at Forest Brook, a juvenile camp.   His co-defendant was Tommy Hill (James Preston) who got six months for a first offence.   If the computer file was erased why make the mistake of leaving behind a paper trail.   The camp is owned by Nelson (Casey Sanders) who got a fee for every child sent there.

Hawkes extracted a profile from the sandwich to Tommy, who is the killer.   Danny and Jo arrest Tommy and the backpack has a bullet hole, like I said.   Tommy admits to the killing.   He overheard him at the steakhouse.   Nick talks to Danny now and he got Tommy a job there.   Nick was more forthcoming with Danny than Flack, even though Danny is also a cop.   Nelson was also there with him.   The judge remembered Nick and they bought off his lawyer too.   Nick wanted to go to the police but no one would believe them.   Tommy knocked Nick down in the beginning where we came in.   The judge ruined lives and got away with it, as Tommy says.   So much for Mac and his press conference statement about the system of justice and Jo says it too.   As often said it's the only system there is.   Nelson kills himself.

Lindsay needs to talk to Ali (Beau Garrett) about the levels of GHB in her system which are inconsistent with the timeline.   Flack is willing to believe her but he's not a scientist as he's said in the past.  Lindsay had to drop the ball on this one - not that she could keep the info to herself but it's that lab tech ref.   At the hearing she testifies the levels of GHB in Ali's blood are "impossible." If she had that amount in her she'd be dead.   Curtis is granted lower bail.

Was Ali a plant, as an escort she could have been hired by the Senator to ensnare Curtis, wouldn't put it past him.   It's just all this looks pretty suspicious especially when it came to the GHB readings in her blood and getting the readings wrong.   No that Ali wasn't attacked by him otherwise why gloat but he seemed so sure he would get out.   Also maybe it wasn't meant to go so far as for her to be beaten.  As Curtis is adept at not leaving behind any forensics aside from the GHB, which any of his Vic's knew and so did the Senator and Serena, otherwise how else could the inconsistent GHB readings be explained.  Anyway I love me a good mystery and speculation too.   Let's see what happens next episode.

In the other case, if Nick hadn't interfered and gone after Tommy, it appears he would have gotten away with the killing. It was only the collision with his bike and him leaving it behind at the scene which led to Nick and through Nick they found Tommy.   Jo uses Danny's "boom."  Adam (AJ Buckley) was missing this episode and yes it was noticeable.

Sela and Jeffrey Nordling were both in the series Once and Again.   In CSI:NY 2.13 Risk, Mac finds a link between the death of a man on a subway train and the use of antifreeze, though not in the context of food.

The Closer 7.16 "Hostile Witness" Review

Brenda (Kyra Sedgwick) is on the witness stand in court and has a flashback to Provenza (GW Bailey) telling Stroh (Billy Burke) he's a free man after he was accused of rape.  This time he is defending George Harris ((Scott Michael Morgan) who raped Gweneth in a motel room and she was found dead.  Kendall (Ransford Doherty) tells her TOD was between 5-6 hours.  Gabriel (Corey Reynolds) points out her clothes were ripped and torn.  Buzz (Phillip P Keene) comments on how she was out alone on Valentine's Day.  Provenza adds she was 'Looking for Mr Goodbar.'

Tao (Michael Paul Chan) tells her Harris was arrested for rape and Brenda emphasizes he had two room keys, meaning he had a partner.  Morales (Jonathan Del Arco) must look at the Tox screen before he can determine what she was drugged with and she has bruises on her face.  She was handled and dragged.  Claire Baldwin (Amanda Mason Warren) the DDA states the pathologist's report has already been admitted and that she was drugged with rohypnol.  Brenda can only focus on Stroh.

Claire asks Brenda why she thinks Gweneth was murdered and Brenda replies since Harris was the last one to see her alive and he left his driver's licence behind.  Provenza finds the same scenario exists between Gweneth's rape and an earlier case involving Natalie Gilbert who has disappeared.  Perhaps she could ID Harris's partner.  The charges against Harris were dropped as far as Natalie (Julia Whelan) was concerned.  Flynn (Tony Denison) tells Brenda Stroh represented him back then and Provenza asks why he did that?

Stroh says the case gave "purpose to his life."  Brenda knows how to find Stroh and she tracked him using GPS since the Johnson Rule came into effect.  Stroh says they're his clients.  Brenda tells him DNA could prove useful in court and he places the dishes in the bowl of water in the restaurant.  Raydor (Mary McDonnell) reminds Brenda of the Federal law suit which has just been settled; seems everyone's still harping on about it though.  Raydor is still unable to prove who the leak is, cos it's going to be dragged out!  Stroh was also part of the lawsuit.

Tommy (Alex Solowitz) the doorman recalls Harris was the taxi driver and he picked up Gweneth.  Brenda shows him mugshots with Stroh and he recalls Stroh left the club earlier on.  Pope (JK Simmons) is angry at Brenda's investigation after he is approached by Claire.  Telling Brenda Stroh is representing the suspect.  Taylor (Robert Gossett) adds Stroh likes blondes.  Brenda reminds them of the creation of the Johnson Rule.  Claire says if the DNA confirms it then she can make a case for rape.  Brenda wants Harris charged with murder and so he'll give up Stroh.  She must prove it.  Taylor says the case won't go to court for a year so Brenda will have all that time, er, not really she won't.  Brenda will be able to get evidence. She must find the Vic first.  Pope insists, practically orders Brenda to treat Stroh as a defence lawyer.  Brenda:" you're always clear."

Fritz (Jon Tenney) finds Natalie in a mental institution as Marilyn Monroe.  Her licence matches Natalie.  She's back on her meds.   Brenda is so annoyed with Claire and calls her so competitive.  Fritz will see if Natalie is lucid and Brenda wants him to signal her in court.  Brenda is cross examined.  The DNA sample doesn't suggest that Harris raped her and Stroh tells Brenda it's only her opinion that she was drugged.  She can't determine when the drug was taken.  He tells her to read out Gweneth's COD, which was OD and the manner of her death is 'undetermined.'

Stroh tells the court he has two keys to his car, his house, "does that make me a rapist."  Well that was a rhetorical question cos everyone knows the answer to that, especially Brenda.  Brenda says 'yes' and points to Stroh.  Claire is angry and Brenda has "guaranteed us a mistrial." Well that's what she wanted all along so she would have more time to find evidence against Stroh, or at least get Harris to give up his partner.  The Closer in the courtroom, my kind of episode!  At least this episode fooled us into believing they were closing the case with Stroh so Brenda was tying up all her loose ends in the last season.  Brenda is still determined to get her man.

Brenda tells judge Crosby (James B Sikking) that Stroh really is a suspect in the investigation.  Gweneth ODed on drugs but as a nurse she would know the drugs would kill her, which is what Claire says.  Brenda replies murder suspects aren't always told they are such.  The judge orders a mistrial.  Claire agrees to a bail at $25,000 and not $75,000 as asked for by Stroh.  The case will resume in one month.  Brenda asks the judge for a removal order for a witness.

Sanchez (Raymond Cruz) says they re-arrested Harris for raping Natalie, after his mother posted bail, which is why it was set so low.  Flynn says Natalie knows her real name.  Brenda sees Natalie as a Vic but Claire calls her a witness and wants to question her, with Gabriel and Tao present.  Brenda wants Gabriel to get Natalie to look at the photo of Stroh.  Raydor reminds Brenda she doesn't have much time to speak with Harris before Stroh arrives.  Claire wants Tao and Gabriel with her as they're great on the witness stand.

Brenda only wants to make Harris aware of the charges against him.  Sanchez tells him they found Natalie and Brenda knows Harris didn't drug her.  His partner made Gweneth OD which is murder.  Natalie doesn't recall the club or how she got there and recalls a room in a motel.  Gabriel is sorry for what happened but she can put away who did this.  She didn't disappear as she was told when the jury heard she was taking drugs for her bi-polar disorder, they wouldn't believe her.  She doesn't know what happened.  Her life is destroyed and Claire doesn't give Gabriel a chance to show her Stroh's photo.

Claire tells her all she has to do is go to court as a witness and tell them she had sex without consent.  Brenda wants to offer Harris a reduced sentence in return for his partner, who drugged Gweneth.  He shouldn't take the fall.  Stroh tells Brenda she's the "worst loser I've ever met."  He found the GPS tracker and figured he was being followed by her, not Harris.  He calls her arrogant considering the lawsuit was settled.  More mention of that dreaded lawsuit.

Tao finds Natalie woke up early cos of the drug she was taking as the rohypnol was blocked by the enzyme and she woke up quickly.  Thus they upped the dose on Gweneth.  Raydor says Natalie refuses to ID him.  Provenza says Natalie is homeless so Brenda takes her home under the Johnson rule, for someone who wasn't happy with the Rule, she finds every opportunity to use the rule to her advantage.  As she needs protection.  Brenda is concerned about what will happen to Natalie when she's not here and the man will come after her again.

Fritz doesn't think Brenda is being fair dragging Natalie through the rape again since the GPS shows Stroh wasn't at the bars or the motel.  Brenda wants Harris and Stroh.  Natalie remembers she was at Stella's - the nightclub.  Flynn takes Stroh there and tells him "it's ladies night."  Natalie recalls the doorman, Tommy and then recalls Charlie, the bartender.  Harris's partner.  Brenda is livid, knew something like that was going to happen.  Stroh tells her he can't understand the point in drugging women to have sex with them, they should be free to fight.  Brenda says she can't make deals with murderers.  Stroh: "lighten up, you got your man, as always." Hey I said that earlier on about Brenda getting her man, but she hasn't.  Not the one she really wants to get!

Harris tells her Charlie met girls and agreed to hook him up.  Brenda gives Stroh dirty looks.  She was choking and he shook her.  She wasn't breathing and Charlie put too much rohypnol in her drink.  Brenda shakes Stroh's hand. "you'll see me again, count on it."  Would have thought she would have got his DNA or something, you know she could have scratched him or something.  Claire has told Pope how Brenda behaved towards her, condescending and harmed the prosecution of her case.  Raydor tells Brenda Pope believes she needs to bring the prosecutors into her cases earlier on.  Brenda is adamant she didn't provoke a mistrial.  The DA's office wants more open access to Major Crimes and Brenda can no longer investigate Stroh without Pope's approval.  She has to take his orders seriously and Brenda replies she is.

There Pope goes again, covering himself in light of this case.  Whether or not Brenda provoked the mistrial, made no difference in the end cos she didn't get Stroh and he was the one who was so arrogant, especially when he he knew he didn't rape this time but it doesn't absolve him of his crimes.  He's still guilty and I hope Brenda does nail the slimy criminal!

Although Brenda mentions the Johnson Rule for the GPS on Stroh's car, she still has a warrant for it.  Provenza; "Pope know about this...I take that as a 'no.'"

Brenda; "The Federal lawsuit is settled, Goldman is ancient history.  Who does the leak have left to inform - you?"
Raydor: "wouldn't that be great."  Isn't Brenda at all curious about who the who's been betraying her.  Great episode, every enjoyable.  Hated Claire though, ugh, she was also arrogant in showing she knows how to do her job.  In that respects, she was no better than Stroh.