There's not a lot I can say about this episode without entirely spoiling a major plot twist. However, I will say it's one of the strongest episodes of the series. Deception and intrigue are around every turn. Walt is being accused of harassment and racism by Nighthorse, with Nighthorse alleging that Walt went as far as shooting at his house. A Boston-based law firm sets up shop in Durant and offers Cady a very generous salary to work there. They praise her work on the Henry Standing Bear case, expounding upon how much they could use the expertise of acn ambitious local woman with strong ties to the Native American community. Cady uncovers something disturbing on her first assignment, but she can't share the information with her father because she signed a non-disclosure agreement.
The investigation of Branch's death plows full steam ahead. Soil found in the rifle used to shoot Branch is a possible match to Nighthorse's property. However, a judge refuses to issue a warrant to search Nighthorse's house because of Walt's alleged harassment. The episode's final scene will have you on the edge of your seat as Walt confronts Barlow Connally. Gerald McRaney and Robert Taylor play their parts to absolute perfection. Shocking secrets are revealed and you won't see the final twist coming.
Showing posts with label Western. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Western. Show all posts
Thursday, October 8, 2015
Monday, September 28, 2015
Longmire Rides On: "War Eagle"
Spoilers ahead! This week's episode involved a touchy chapter in U.S. history, deception, and old wounds that just won't heal. Walt is called to the scene of War Eagle, a former Japanese internment camp, because some local teens partying there reported hearing Asian voices coming from a building. Walt and Vic immediately notice that the donation box has recently been broken into and a HAM radio tower has been erected. They find War Eagle's caretaker Thorvin Hampton dead on the floor of his office.
While investigating the case, Walt and Vic find out that Thorvin recently unearthed a family secret. His father, who had been a guard at War Eagle, impregnated a Japanese detainee. The woman gave birth and Thorvin began trying to get in touch with his illegitimate half-brother. Ferg eagerly pitches in to find out who Thorvin had been talking to. The deputy is no stranger to CB technology, having used it as a kid to keep in touch with his father, a long-haul trucker. Ferg, using the cute handle High Plains Drifter, contacts a woman who knew Thorvin. She's local, so Ferg and Walt head out to talk to "Sunshine Sally."
"Sunshine Sally" turns out to be a crazy turtle lady; she has live ones of all shapes and sizes roaming her living room. She had also "catfished" Thorvin by mailing him a picture of a much younger, thinner woman in a bikini. There's a funny bit during her interview when Walt catches a wandering turtle in his ever-present cowboy hat. Sally expresses being hurt that Thorvin ignored her when she introduced herself at a bar, but still talked to her every night on the CB. She even moved from Florida to Wyoming to be with Thorvin.
Walt and Vic locate Thorvin's half-brother, now an old man with dementia, who's being cared for by his daughter. His daughter is also resentful of Thorvin's efforts to restore War Eagle in order to turn it into a museum/tourist attraction.
Also in this episode, Walt deputizes Henry so Henry can handle evidence in Branch's case. The soil samples from Branch's rifle don't match the creek bed where his body was found, further proving it was not a suicide. A fingerprint check reveals Jacob Nighthorse to be not Jacob Nighthorse at all. Rather, he's Jacob Blankenship, a Native American radical who was once arrested for assaulting an FBI agent.
Vic has a flashback to her abduction thanks to the sight of a man carrying a baseball bat. Walt recommends she seek professional help for her PTSD. Not sure if she will follow Walt's sound advice.
Henry answers one of the letters addressed to Hector. It was written by a single mother whose neighbor is stealing money from her. He sees her in a grocery store, unable to pay for all the food in her basket because she doesn't have enough money. Henry employs a little psychological warfare when the man comes into the Red Pony. He slips a letter under the bathroom stall that reads HECTOR LIVES and scrawls the same message on the bathroom mirror with a Sharpie.
So who killed Thorvin? "Sunshine Sally"? His half-brother Francis? One of the teens who broke into War Eagle's donation box? Watch and find out!
While investigating the case, Walt and Vic find out that Thorvin recently unearthed a family secret. His father, who had been a guard at War Eagle, impregnated a Japanese detainee. The woman gave birth and Thorvin began trying to get in touch with his illegitimate half-brother. Ferg eagerly pitches in to find out who Thorvin had been talking to. The deputy is no stranger to CB technology, having used it as a kid to keep in touch with his father, a long-haul trucker. Ferg, using the cute handle High Plains Drifter, contacts a woman who knew Thorvin. She's local, so Ferg and Walt head out to talk to "Sunshine Sally."
"Sunshine Sally" turns out to be a crazy turtle lady; she has live ones of all shapes and sizes roaming her living room. She had also "catfished" Thorvin by mailing him a picture of a much younger, thinner woman in a bikini. There's a funny bit during her interview when Walt catches a wandering turtle in his ever-present cowboy hat. Sally expresses being hurt that Thorvin ignored her when she introduced herself at a bar, but still talked to her every night on the CB. She even moved from Florida to Wyoming to be with Thorvin.
Walt and Vic locate Thorvin's half-brother, now an old man with dementia, who's being cared for by his daughter. His daughter is also resentful of Thorvin's efforts to restore War Eagle in order to turn it into a museum/tourist attraction.
Also in this episode, Walt deputizes Henry so Henry can handle evidence in Branch's case. The soil samples from Branch's rifle don't match the creek bed where his body was found, further proving it was not a suicide. A fingerprint check reveals Jacob Nighthorse to be not Jacob Nighthorse at all. Rather, he's Jacob Blankenship, a Native American radical who was once arrested for assaulting an FBI agent.
Vic has a flashback to her abduction thanks to the sight of a man carrying a baseball bat. Walt recommends she seek professional help for her PTSD. Not sure if she will follow Walt's sound advice.
Henry answers one of the letters addressed to Hector. It was written by a single mother whose neighbor is stealing money from her. He sees her in a grocery store, unable to pay for all the food in her basket because she doesn't have enough money. Henry employs a little psychological warfare when the man comes into the Red Pony. He slips a letter under the bathroom stall that reads HECTOR LIVES and scrawls the same message on the bathroom mirror with a Sharpie.
So who killed Thorvin? "Sunshine Sally"? His half-brother Francis? One of the teens who broke into War Eagle's donation box? Watch and find out!
Monday, September 21, 2015
Longmire Rides On: "Down By the River"
Thanks to my fellow members of the Longmire Posse and the good people at Netflix, us folks at home can once again ride along with the Absaroka County Sheriff's Department. If you haven't had a chance to watch Season 4 yet, this is your warning: SPOILERS AHEAD.
When we last left our heroes, Branch had a serious confrontation with his father Barlow. A gunshot rang out and the screen faded to black. The season premiere opens with Walt stalking across the prairie with homicide on his mind. He intends to kill Jacob Nighthorse, the man who hired a meth addict to stab Walt's wife Martha to death. Henry has followed Walt and convinces his friend not to go through with it.
Cady goes to her father, concerned that Branch isn't answering his phone. Walt can't get a hold of him either and senses something isn't right. He organizes a search party. Walt, Vic, and Ferg find a man's body in the river, dressed only in boxer shorts with a rifle by his side. It's barely recognizable as Branch. Everyone present is stunned. Suicide is initially ruled the cause of death due to the angle of the wound and the note Vic found in Branch's house. Walt, however, firmly believes that his deputy was murdered.
Meanwhile, Henry has signed over the Red Pony's deed to Malachi. Malachi is also now in charge of day-to-day operations of the bar. People are continuing to leave letters for deceased Cheyenne vigilante Hector, asking for him to intercede in matters such as abusive husbands and drunk uncles. Henry seems to be contemplating taking over where Hector left off.
The cast is in fine form, as always. Rookie actor Adam Bartley continues to show great potential in his role as Ferg. There's an especially heartbreaking scene where Ferg breaks the bad news about Branch to Cady. He chokes out that he doesn't know how he'll get through going to Branch's house to take back the fallen deputy's uniform and squad car keys. I cried myself watching it unfold.
The season's main story arc is intriguing. Even though I already know who killed Branch, it will be entertaining to see how Walt figures it out. I'm not sure how I feel about the implication that Walt and Vic could become romantically involved. However, I can easily picture Henry becoming the next Hector; after all, Lou Diamond Phillips did play one of the Lincoln County Regulators :-)
Boy howdy, what a start!
When we last left our heroes, Branch had a serious confrontation with his father Barlow. A gunshot rang out and the screen faded to black. The season premiere opens with Walt stalking across the prairie with homicide on his mind. He intends to kill Jacob Nighthorse, the man who hired a meth addict to stab Walt's wife Martha to death. Henry has followed Walt and convinces his friend not to go through with it.
Cady goes to her father, concerned that Branch isn't answering his phone. Walt can't get a hold of him either and senses something isn't right. He organizes a search party. Walt, Vic, and Ferg find a man's body in the river, dressed only in boxer shorts with a rifle by his side. It's barely recognizable as Branch. Everyone present is stunned. Suicide is initially ruled the cause of death due to the angle of the wound and the note Vic found in Branch's house. Walt, however, firmly believes that his deputy was murdered.
Meanwhile, Henry has signed over the Red Pony's deed to Malachi. Malachi is also now in charge of day-to-day operations of the bar. People are continuing to leave letters for deceased Cheyenne vigilante Hector, asking for him to intercede in matters such as abusive husbands and drunk uncles. Henry seems to be contemplating taking over where Hector left off.
The cast is in fine form, as always. Rookie actor Adam Bartley continues to show great potential in his role as Ferg. There's an especially heartbreaking scene where Ferg breaks the bad news about Branch to Cady. He chokes out that he doesn't know how he'll get through going to Branch's house to take back the fallen deputy's uniform and squad car keys. I cried myself watching it unfold.
The season's main story arc is intriguing. Even though I already know who killed Branch, it will be entertaining to see how Walt figures it out. I'm not sure how I feel about the implication that Walt and Vic could become romantically involved. However, I can easily picture Henry becoming the next Hector; after all, Lou Diamond Phillips did play one of the Lincoln County Regulators :-)
Boy howdy, what a start!
Wednesday, April 15, 2015
Justified Series Finale: "The Promise"
WARNING: SPOILER ALERTS THROUGH THE WHOLE VIDEO! Do not watch if you haven't seen last night's episode yet. My first attempt at a video review.
Thursday, April 9, 2015
Justified: "Collateral"
It seems hard to believe, but next week will be the last-ever episode of Justified. A lot has happened in recent weeks (bad me for not reviewing each of those episodes, but a lot of the content just seemed like filler to me). This episode was all about upping the stakes and setting the scene for the episode's last shootout.
The villainess Katherine was murdered in Wynn Duffy's Motorhome of Doom; Markum wants revenge. Duffy is trying to make a deal to become a protected witness. Art is back to running the show at Marshal headquarters. Ava has burned both Boyd and Raylan. With the help of her trusty Uncle Zachariah, she took off into the woods with at least most of the $10 million he stole from Markum. She also shot Boyd, who for his part, then staged a daring escape from his guarded hospital room and hit the road in a stolen police uniform.
Raylan's career as a Marshal is in jeopardy; he's been accused of helping Ava and taking a cut of the money. He's become a wanted fugitive himself. In the "previously on" opener, Art gave Raylan 48 hours to track down Ava and prove his innocence. Raylan set off into the hills without a badge in search of Harlan's most wanted after "borrowing" a Crown Vic.
But it's not Raylan who finds Ava trekking through the mountains carrying a backpack full of Markum's money; it's his steadfast high school chum Constable Bob. Having apprehended a federal fugitive, his future as Trooper Bob seems all but guaranteed. Boyd catches up after carjacking a man in a pickup truck. Constable Bob leaves Ava handcuffed in his Gremlin to confront Boyd. Ava tries to warn him, but there's a barrage of gunfire. Ava takes off again.
Later that night, Raylan and Boyd are having a tense standoff in the woods when a sound catches his attention. Boyd tells him that it's probably Constable Bob "on account of I shot him a couple times." Raylan finds his friend a short distance away with bullets in his gut and shoulder. Rather than waiting for an ambulance, Raylan manages to get Bob into the car and drive towards help. Bob is in bad shape and he knows it; he begs Raylan to keep him talking about Indiana Jones trivia, anything. (Medically, it really is a sound idea to keep an injured person awake to stave off shock for as long as possible). It's a truly touching scene between Patton Oswalt and Timothy Olyphant. The last we see of Bob, he's being rushed into the ER by a trauma team. Nothing further is known about his condition.
Back at Marshal headquarters, Assistant U.S. Attorney David Vasquez has a hairy bental fit about Raylan supposedly going rogue; he starts threatening everyone in the office with the loss of their jobs, or worse, federal prison time for aiding and abetting. Vasquez throws papers and scrambles another Marshal's desk. He furiously calls the FBI and tells them to join the manhunt. Art calls the office from the mountains, where he's trying to track down Raylan himself. Tim reports every detail of Vasquez's plan to his boss.
The underage outlaw queen of Harlan County, Loretta, has proposed that she and Markum become partners in the weed business. He has the money and connections to fund the operation; the people in Harlan know her and would trust the outsider Markum more if there was a familiar face involved. Markum seems to have agreed.
The big question for next week's finale is this: Will anyone leave Harlan alive? I surely hope Raylan and Constable Bob do.
The villainess Katherine was murdered in Wynn Duffy's Motorhome of Doom; Markum wants revenge. Duffy is trying to make a deal to become a protected witness. Art is back to running the show at Marshal headquarters. Ava has burned both Boyd and Raylan. With the help of her trusty Uncle Zachariah, she took off into the woods with at least most of the $10 million he stole from Markum. She also shot Boyd, who for his part, then staged a daring escape from his guarded hospital room and hit the road in a stolen police uniform.
Raylan's career as a Marshal is in jeopardy; he's been accused of helping Ava and taking a cut of the money. He's become a wanted fugitive himself. In the "previously on" opener, Art gave Raylan 48 hours to track down Ava and prove his innocence. Raylan set off into the hills without a badge in search of Harlan's most wanted after "borrowing" a Crown Vic.
But it's not Raylan who finds Ava trekking through the mountains carrying a backpack full of Markum's money; it's his steadfast high school chum Constable Bob. Having apprehended a federal fugitive, his future as Trooper Bob seems all but guaranteed. Boyd catches up after carjacking a man in a pickup truck. Constable Bob leaves Ava handcuffed in his Gremlin to confront Boyd. Ava tries to warn him, but there's a barrage of gunfire. Ava takes off again.
Later that night, Raylan and Boyd are having a tense standoff in the woods when a sound catches his attention. Boyd tells him that it's probably Constable Bob "on account of I shot him a couple times." Raylan finds his friend a short distance away with bullets in his gut and shoulder. Rather than waiting for an ambulance, Raylan manages to get Bob into the car and drive towards help. Bob is in bad shape and he knows it; he begs Raylan to keep him talking about Indiana Jones trivia, anything. (Medically, it really is a sound idea to keep an injured person awake to stave off shock for as long as possible). It's a truly touching scene between Patton Oswalt and Timothy Olyphant. The last we see of Bob, he's being rushed into the ER by a trauma team. Nothing further is known about his condition.
Back at Marshal headquarters, Assistant U.S. Attorney David Vasquez has a hairy bental fit about Raylan supposedly going rogue; he starts threatening everyone in the office with the loss of their jobs, or worse, federal prison time for aiding and abetting. Vasquez throws papers and scrambles another Marshal's desk. He furiously calls the FBI and tells them to join the manhunt. Art calls the office from the mountains, where he's trying to track down Raylan himself. Tim reports every detail of Vasquez's plan to his boss.
The underage outlaw queen of Harlan County, Loretta, has proposed that she and Markum become partners in the weed business. He has the money and connections to fund the operation; the people in Harlan know her and would trust the outsider Markum more if there was a familiar face involved. Markum seems to have agreed.
The big question for next week's finale is this: Will anyone leave Harlan alive? I surely hope Raylan and Constable Bob do.
Wednesday, March 11, 2015
Justified: "Dark as a Dungeon"
The episode began with Raylan gathering up Arlo's belongings and putting them in his old Army footlocker, which he took out to the lawn, poured whiskey over, and set on fire. The next morning, a man with a backhoe arrived to talk to Raylan about exhuming his parents' remains. Raylan is pulling up stakes in Kentucky to transfer to a field office in Florida so he can be close to Winona and Willow. He hasn't left yet because he has unfinished business with his one-time mining buddy and current arch-enemy Boyd Crowder.
Raylan had a sit-down with Markham and they discovered they have a common problem: Boyd. The thing standing in their way is Walker. Raylan makes a deal with the crime boss: He'll take care of Walker if Markham helps him get to Boyd. In exchange, Markham will get the land that belonged to Raylan's parents. Markham agrees and takes to a local radio station, offering a $100,000 reward for information leading to Walker's arrest.
Walker is at the Crowders' place getting stitched up at Ava's kitchen table. They decided not to kill him because he knows the combination to Markham's safe. Raylan pays a visit and is led right to Walker so the Crowders can collect the reward. Walker becomes the latest addition to the series' body count. Raylan also informed new boss Rachel that Ava's been burned as a confidential informant. At this point, Ava's ultimate fate is anyone's guess.
Only two items of Arlo's seem to have escaped the burn pile: a black-and-white picture of Raylan's mother Frances and a mystery key. The key turned out to open a shed on the Givens' property. Raylan goes inside, but there seems to be nothing at all in the shed. Raylan muses aloud that he used to have nightmares about what could be hidden out there; he and Frances were forbidden to go inside. This leads to him having a chat with his father's ghost, who claims it was nothing more than a quiet place for him to be alone. I'm not entirely convinced by that; there were some doors and small rooms in the shed itself that Raylan didn't explore. Still it was a nice symbolic scene about putting your past behind you.
Raylan had a sit-down with Markham and they discovered they have a common problem: Boyd. The thing standing in their way is Walker. Raylan makes a deal with the crime boss: He'll take care of Walker if Markham helps him get to Boyd. In exchange, Markham will get the land that belonged to Raylan's parents. Markham agrees and takes to a local radio station, offering a $100,000 reward for information leading to Walker's arrest.
Walker is at the Crowders' place getting stitched up at Ava's kitchen table. They decided not to kill him because he knows the combination to Markham's safe. Raylan pays a visit and is led right to Walker so the Crowders can collect the reward. Walker becomes the latest addition to the series' body count. Raylan also informed new boss Rachel that Ava's been burned as a confidential informant. At this point, Ava's ultimate fate is anyone's guess.
Only two items of Arlo's seem to have escaped the burn pile: a black-and-white picture of Raylan's mother Frances and a mystery key. The key turned out to open a shed on the Givens' property. Raylan goes inside, but there seems to be nothing at all in the shed. Raylan muses aloud that he used to have nightmares about what could be hidden out there; he and Frances were forbidden to go inside. This leads to him having a chat with his father's ghost, who claims it was nothing more than a quiet place for him to be alone. I'm not entirely convinced by that; there were some doors and small rooms in the shed itself that Raylan didn't explore. Still it was a nice symbolic scene about putting your past behind you.
Thursday, March 5, 2015
Going "Undercover" (Walker, Texas Ranger: Season 6, Episode 18)
I've been toying with the idea of starting a third (that's right, third) blog sometime in the near future. It would be another TV retrospect, this time about the glorious cheese-fest that is the 1990's action/drama/Western series I grew up loving: Walker, Texas Ranger. A wintry storm nicknamed Thor has me currently unable to leave my house with no less than 3 channels that air Walker reruns. What better way to test this concept than with a DVR recording of one of my favorite episodes? So without any further delay, I give you "Undercover."
Open with a shot of a neon sign that reads SPY THE ULTIMATE NIGHTCLUB. Carlos, a good-looking Hispanic man with long black hair, gets out of a red Dodge Viper convertible and goes into the building. He makes his way across the crowded dance floor. He must be a regular because various women shout greetings at him. He stops for a drink at the bar. A redheaded waitress named Nicole accosts him about not calling her. Carlos promises he will, kisses her, and excuses himself. He goes upstairs and a security guard opens a door for him.
In a private VIP room, three other Hispanic men are sitting around a table and point their guns at him. "Is this a bad time?" asks Carlos. The oldest of the three assures him that there's no such thing between friends and comes over to hug Carlos. Johnny reminds him about not calling Nicole. Carlos hands over an envelope full of money. Some bouncers drag in a nervous young black man named Ricky. Johnny asks where he's been. "I-I-I been around," Ricky stammers. Johnny punches him hard in the face. Ricky insists that he "didn't do nothin'."
Carlos looks uneasy and stands up to leave. Johnny tells him to stay. He lectures Ricky about the importance of trust in the narcotics trade: "Any one of us can destroy the other. And if we steal from each other, well, then there is no other recourse." Ricky promises to pay him back, but it's too late for that. Johnny shoots Ricky, who falls onto some conveniently placed plastic sheeting. Carlos drops his eyes. Nobody down in the club seems to have heard the gunshot over the pounding music. The bouncers wrap Ricky's body in the plastic and leave.
"Trust, it's essential to our operation," Johnny repeats to Carlos. I think he definitely gets it now, dude. "This is what happens when trust is broken." He adds, "And call that Nicole, she's a good girl." Johnny winks. Carlos says he will.
Carlos drives to what looks like an abandoned warehouse with Johnny's words about trust echoing in his head. He takes the freight elevator and we see that at least part of the building has been converted into probably illegal loft housing. Carlos takes a beer out of his mini-fridge and holds it against his forehead. I hear Tylenol works just as well. He freezes when he hears the whirr of the elevator machinery, closes the mini-fridge, and grabs his gun. Carlos heads in the direction he just came from and hides around a corner. The elevator door opens. Carlos pops out "Don't move!" A look of realization crosses his face and he lowers the gun. "Walker." We then see the Beard of Justice himself.
Cue the DIY theme song that is simultaneously one of the best and worst things about the show.
Carlos shows Walker and Trivette a classic cop movie posterboard depicting the hierarchy of the Vaqueros drug cartel, complete with a question mark in place of a photo of cartel boss El Vaquero. Walker thinks they should go ahead with the bust. Carlos disagrees because he's been on the case for 4 months. "You've been undercover too long," Walker tells him. Good Lord, Billy Queen was under with the Mongols for years. Carlos wants more time; he knows he can get El Vaquero. Trivette says they have enough evidence to bury the Vaqueros, but Carlos points out that the big boss could easily put together a new crew.
Carlos waits anxiously for the Beard of Justice to respond. Walker agrees to give him one more week, but that's it. The narcotics task force will take over. Carlos's eyes harden: "When the time comes, El Vaquero's mine." We get the sense there are Very Personal Stakes, a common theme in this show. Trivette leaves to take the drugs Carlos bought to the crime lab. Walker tells Carlos not to take his job personally. Carlos plays dumb, asking what Walker means. "I know about your brother," says Walker, "I know about Hector."
Black-and-white flashback time! A much-younger Carlos is walking down a street with his older brother, who screams at him, "I said go! What you always hangin' around me for, anyways? Stupid little jerk. Go on, get outta here!" Carlos isn't more than a few steps away when he hears Hector begging someone not to do something and a loud pop. Young Carlos runs back to find Hector flat on the sidewalk, bleeding from two holes in his chest. "Somebody help!" Young Carlos shouts. This statement echoes once and we're back in the present.
Hector, it transpires, was a junkie and shot by a drug dealer. "The day he died, it nearly killed my mother," says Carlos before swearing not to lose his objectivity. Yeah, I buy that. Walker seems convinced and pats him on the shoulder.
Thunder Karate. Blond-haired, blue-eyed Trent Malloy is supervising two students sparring each other. When the match is finished, he calls for the next pair: his teenage brother Tommy and another teenage black belt (Espinoza, according to the back of his gi). It should be noted that this is Karate Kid style bare-knuckle sparring. Both boys throw a series of wild, fancy kicks that don't come close to connecting. "Show me you can use your heads," says Trent. Tommy sweeps the leg, goes to the ground, and drops a heel kick on Espinoza. Trent ends the match and tells everyone to line up.
For Chuck Norris being so heavily involved, they didn't do a great job with one detail. What appear to be orange belts are standing in the front row next to the black belts. I took karate for about 8 years and that would never happen. Lower ranks are always in the back of the room. Anyway, the Thunder Karate students are set to compete in a tournament that weekend. Trent gives a winning-isn't-everything speech; if you learn from a loss, you haven't really lost. Someone whistles and applauds.
Speaking of The Karate Kid, we're about to meet Dallas's answer to Cobra Kai's Sensei Kreese: Jake Lyons of the Jake Lyons Karate Academy. He walks onto the dojo floor in street clothes and shoes, soundly mocking Trent. "I thought I'd drop by and give your students the opportunity to study under a real martial arts instructor," says Lyons. He turns to the class and loudly offers a month of free lessons at Jake Lyons Karate Academy. Nobody looks tempted. Lyons tries to persuade them by changing it to 6 months. "Don't you wanna learn how to fight?" Lyons asks Tommy, "That's right, you got a big brother for that."
Jake makes a final offer: a full year of free lessons. Walker, coming in with his gym bag, catches the tail end of this. "That'd be quite a bargain...if they were worth anything," he jabs. Lyons tells him that they'll see what they're worth at the tournament. Trent tells the class he's proud of them for showing restraint. Tommy bows them out and Trent dismisses them. Once the kids are gone, he tells Walker how frustrated he is. Walker offers to work the frustration out of him.
A shirtless Walker and shirtless Trent do a bit of shameless product placement by working out on a Total Gym, a piece of equipment Chuck shilled on late-night infomercials. They practice kicks and punches, then put their gi tops on again to work on their ground technique. Trent nearly defeats the Beard of Justice, but finds himself on the mat tapping out. Now he's even more frustrated with himself. Beard of Justice explains, "When you thought you almost had me, you got overconfident. Then I had you."
Later, Trent and Carlos go for a ride in the Viper. Trent asks how his best friend likes being a detective. Carlos tells him that going undercover to bust a drug ring is like a dream come true; working with Walker is "a little intimidating, the guy knows everything." Walker was a big influence on Trent because he used to get in trouble "rebelling against anything and everything." He doesn't know where he'd be if not for Walker's karate lessons. Sidebar: Nothing you learn about Trent in the other episodes featuring his character will give you that impression; he's the squeaky-clean preacher's kid.
Trent notices a scuffle in an alley and asks Carlos to pull over. A big redneck is pushing around a skinny homeless man, accusing him of stealing his car radio. "I may be homeless, but I ain't no thief," the man protests. The redneck goes to swing again, but Trent catches the punch. Redneck fights Trent while his pal fights Carlos. Carlos takes a few hits to the face and more than a few punishing body blows. Trent watches instead of, I don't know, trying to help his lifelong best friend? Carlos manages to knock down Redneck's Friend. He gives Fat Redneck a swift, literal kick in the ass, ordering, "Get outta here!" Fat Redneck and Friend hurry to drive away.
The skinny homeless man thanks them and introduces himself as Charlie Clark. "There's not a whole lot of folks who'd stand up for...someone like me," says Charlie. "If--If I can return the favor, I will." Carlos tells him not to worry about it. Trent hands him some money and says, "Take care of yourself, okay?"
Carlos inspects the damage to his face in the Viper's side mirror. Trent quips, "Your chin really gave that guy's knuckles a pounding." They get back in the car. Trent thinks it's time Carlos started taking martial arts beyond what he learned at the police academy. They can start right away. Carlos gives him the same look I used to give my mom when she mentioned karate: 'Really? That again?'
At Thunder Karate, Carlos has been outfitted in a brand-new gi and white belt. "I can take care of myself just with boxing," he says. In response, Trent delivers a wicked spinning kick, hitting Carlos in the stomach. Carlos doubles over with a groan. "All right, you made your point," he says when he gets his breath back. Trent teaches him some simple kicks and punches, then they work on a heavy bag. Trent is impressed that Carlos is picking it up so fast. "What can I say? I'm a good student," says Carlos. Trent fires back, "Or maybe I'm a good teacher" and playfully bumps him with the punching bag.
Undercover apartment. Walker gives Carlos a briefcase with $50,000 in it. "You only get one more buy after this," Trivette says. Carlos is concerned that Johnny will be suspicious. They instruct him to tell Johnny that there's a new buyer in town who has a distribution network but no drugs. Hopefully he'll want to meet the mystery buyer.
Spy nightclub. Carlos tells Johnny about the buyer who'll give Johnny $50,000 a week: "You can handle part of that, all of that, or none of that. It's up to you." Johnny doesn't like working with strangers, but "as dear old Grandmother used to say, a stranger is merely a friend whom you have yet to meet." Nice grammatically correct fortune-cookie adage. Carlos tells Johnny that he'll be able to meet the buyer that Monday. "Of course, and I mean no offense, he'll wanna meet El Vaquero." Johnny can arrange that.
Carlos and Johnny go to the bar for a toast. Afterward, they hug and Carlos leaves. Johnny puts his hands on the bar, thoughtfully looking at the two tumblers in front of him. He puts his fingers inside the glass Carlos used, turns it upside down, and carefully deposits it in the bartender's palm. "Have this checked out," he says. Of course like all movie/TV drug lords, Johnny probably has a PI and/or cops on the take with access to fingerprint databases.
Thunder Karate. Trent gives Tommy advice on sparring in the upcoming tournament. "Watch his eyes....Right before they attack, a lotta guys open their eyes just a little bit wider." If Tommy knows what's coming, he'll be prepared.
Undercover apartment. Carlos announces to Walker and Trivette, "Johnny took the bait--hook, line, and sinker." Walker wants Carlos to constantly stay in touch with them. "When you change the rules, anything can happen," adds Trivette. Walker will be glad when this is over.
The foreshadowing trifecta ends in the VIP room at Spy. Johnny's henchman Paco has a report for the boss: "The fingerprints on the shot glass belong to a Carlos Sandoval. Detective Carlos Sandoval." The name seems to mean something to Johnny, as he replies, "Sandoval, huh?"
Cut to a school gym. A banner on a wall reads SIXTH ANNUAL TEXAS KARATE CHAMPIONSHIP. There are a few shots of people sparring and doing forms. For reasons unknown, Trent is absolutely the only instructor on the floor who's not wearing a uniform. Everyone is wearing sparring gear despite the lack of it at Thunder Karate. Kevin, one of Trent's students, loses his sparring match. He apologizes. Trent tells Kevin that he did his best, so he's still a winner. Tommy tells Trent that the black belts just got their 15-minute warning. "Where's Carlos?" Tommy wonders, "I thought he was supposed to be here."
Undercover apartment. Carlos walks out the front door. Johnny's henchmen approach. "Johnny wants to see you," says Paco. Carlos tells him it's not a good time, "I got someplace I gotta be and I'm already late." Paco shoots a hole in one of the Viper's tires and menaces, "You'll see him now."
Tournament. Tommy suits up for his first match. Walker is sitting in the stands with Alex. The buttons are practically popping off her cardigan, not a good look for anyone, much less a woman her age.
Paco and Juan drive to a warehouse and drag Carlos out of the car. As they walk up the stairs, Carlos protests that he has places to go and people to see. "Callate, Carlitos!" shouts Paco, giving him a shove (for those who don't know, callate is Spanish for "shut up"). Carlos tells him to speak English. They push Carlos into a room. From the shadows, Johnny silkily apologizes for the inconvenience. Carlos sees plastic sheeting on the floor and comes to the horrible realization that he's been burned. "You said you wanted to meet El Vaquero?" asks Johnny. He drills Carlos in the stomach twice and grabs his face, forcing Carlos to look at him: "Then say hello, Detective." Johnny punches him in the jaw.
Tournament. Tommy is sparring and head kicks are apparently legal.
Warehouse. Johnny hits Carlos in the face again. He asks who else knows about the undercover assignment. "That's privileged information. I could tell you, but then I'd have to kill ya," the detective responds. Carlos, this is really not a good time to get cute. Carlos gets hit twice more, the second hit splits his lip. Johnny tells him that Carlos can die the easy way or the hard way. Carlos says he has no other option: "You're all under arrest." Juan laughs. Another blow right to the solar plexus.
Tournament. Tommy is down 2-0 in his sparring match. He hears Trent's voice in his head: "Watch his eyes."
Warehouse. Johnny asks if Carlos has had enough. I should say so; one of Carlos's eyes is swollen shut and blood is streaming from his split lip, not to mention the potential internal damage. Juan and Paco are having to hold him up. Clearly punch-drunk, Carlos chuckles, "You didn't knock me down, right? I'm still standin' here." Johnny hits him in the stomach.
Tournament. The camera focuses for a moment on the eyes of Tommy's opponent. Tommy blocks and scores his first point, then another. Lyons grabs the opponent by the front of his gi and growls, "Does the word 'telegraph' mean anything to you? Why don't you send him a letter, tell him what you're gonna do?" He shoves the student back into the ring. Tommy executes the leg sweep/heel kick seen earlier, scoring his third and final point. Trent pumps his fist triumphantly. Lyons scowls.
Warehouse. Johnny hits Carlos again. "Before you die, there's something you should know," Johnny says, "Your brother Hector who got killed in the street like a dog? The guy that shot him, it was me." He screws a silencer over the barrel of his gun. "And you know why? Because he betrayed me, just like you." Carlos, suddenly filled with adrenaline and Hulk-smash rage, pushes Paco to the floor and elbows Juan in the face. Carlos runs down the hall and leaps onto a desk. Johnny shoots him twice. Carlos half-jumps, half-falls out the window, screaming all the way. He lands hard on a parked car. Johnny tells Juan and Paco, "Get rid of him." When Juan and Paco go downstairs, Carlos is no longer there.
Tournament. Trent gives his little brother a double high-five. "That felt so good!" says Tommy. Trent reminds him that there are 4 more matches. Tommy walks over to his opponent after Lyons finishes yelling him. Tommy explains that he knew by the kid's eyes that he was on the attack and was ready for him. The kid looks like he watches to punch Tommy for being such a smug little weasel and quite frankly, I would too. "You Malloys all think you are so smart," Lyons says to Trent and I'm willing to be there's history of him bullying Trent in school, "I keep hearing about what a great fighter you are and I am not that impressed. I gotta say, I can't wait to get you on the mat." Trent tells him this isn't the time or the place, but he won't like it when the time comes.
Alex and Walker appear from the stands to congratulate Tommy for, well, not even being close to winning the tournament, really. Walker thought Carlos was coming. Trent says he tried to call and nobody answered. Alex is sure he's just running late. Walker calls Trivette to see if Carlos has checked in.
Homeless encampment. Charlie pushes a curious onlooker out of an area that's been turned into a sort of enclosed bedroom. Carlos is lying unconscious under some blankets. Charlie takes a rag and gently dabs blood and sweat off Carlos's forehead.
Warehouse. Johnny is sitting on a chair, which is on top of the plastic sheeting meant for Carlos's body. "Johnny, he's gone," babbles Paco, "You shot him. We were both there, we saw it." Juan is sure Carlos is dead. Johnny asks how a dead body walks away. "I want him found and I want him found now!"
Tournament. Walker hangs up his cell phone. He's learned that Carlos hasn't called in. Alex will draw up search warrants. Walker asks Trent to check Carlos's apartment. Everyone pats Tommy on the shoulder before they leave.
Homeless encampment. Daniel, the unofficial leader, confronts the man who was curious about Carlos: "You know the rules. You stole from the community. You cannot stay here." The man looks almost like Alan Rickman, so he will henceforth be referred to as Homeless Snape. He threatens that Daniel hasn't seen or heard the last of him. When Homeless Snape leaves, Charlie tells Daniel, "There's something you need to see."
He shows Daniel to Carlos. The detective is semiconscious and clearly feverish. "Oh my God," breathes Daniel, "This man needs a doctor." Charlie says they can't because he thinks Carlos is wanted. "And you brought him here?" Daniel asks. Charlie tells Daniel about being attacked by Fat Redneck and Friend, Carlos saving him, and wanting to return the favor. "You gave your word and we'll honor that. But if you really wanna honor your promise to this man, you'll get him some help," Daniel says gently.
Undercover apartment. Trent sees the Viper is still parked in front but has a flat. He sees the size of the hole and realizes that someone must've shot the tire out. Meanwhile, Paco and Juan aimlessly prowl the streets looking for Carlos.
Back at the homeless encampment, Charlie is worried because Carlos is getting worse, mumbling that "Mom's got dinner." He doesn't know what to do. "Trent," Carlos says a little louder, "I'm thirsty, Trent." Charlie remembers Trent and hurries out.
Ranger Headquarters. Walker briefs the task force about the raid. There's been no word from Carlos, so they're assuming something has gone badly wrong. Alex comes in to drop off the warrants. The task force moves out.
Juan and Paco have no luck with the homeless man they're currently questioning, so they approach someone who just happens to be Homeless Snape. "We're lookin' for a friend of ours," says Paco, "He's about 5'11", 185 pounds, longish dark hair. He may be wounded. We gotta find him." Homeless Snape wants to know how good a friend. Juan holds out a $100 bill. "Real good."
Homeless encampment. A rat watches from the ceiling as Carlos rolls his head on his jacket, which Charlie put under him for a pillow.
The task force raids Spy, then Walker and Trivette chase down two street-level dealers in Walker's beautiful silver Dodge Ram pickup. Well, actually, Walker drives while Trivette pursues them on foot. Walker grabs one of the dealers by the jacket collar while driving, pulls the dealer into the open window, and knocks him out with a palm-heel strike. Another raid later, Trivette says, "We got everyone but Johnny Prima, Paco Montalbo, and Juan Ortiz." Walker will look for Carlos while Trivette interrogates their suspects.
Thunder Karate. Trent's blue Corvette Stingray pulls up at the curb. He finds Charlie waiting for him. Charlie lets Trent know that Carlos is hurt. Trent tells Charlie to get in the car.
Homeless Snape leads Juan, Paco, and Johnny into the encampment. Daniel tells Homeless Snape he's not welcome there. "Why don't you tell that to my friends?" Homeless Snape challenges. Daniel repeats that they need to leave. Johnny hits Daniel, pulls a gun, and says, "Next one takes a bullet." Homeless Snape takes Johnny to where Carlos was being kept. All that's there now is a pile of blankets and a bloodstained sheet. Johnny steps out of the room, grabs a homeless teenage girl, and points the gun at her head. "Tell me where he is or she's dead," he threatens.
Trivette calls Walker's car phone. He just heard from Trent that Carlos is at a homeless encampment on Commerce and "he's supposed to be pretty badly hurt." Walker says he'll check it out.
Homeless encampment. The terrified teenage girl leads Johnny through the warehouse. Trent has just parked outside. Johnny finds Carlos on the bottom of a set of old bunk beds. He isn't surprised that Carlos chose the hard way because Hector was stupid too. Trent kicks Johnny's gun arm. Charlie wallops one of the henchmen with a piece of wood and gets knocked out for his trouble. Trent easily knocks out Paco but has a harder time with Juan, even though Juan is smaller.
Johnny cocks his gun and says to the very Aryan-looking Trent: "Easy, Jackie Chan." This is the most unintentionally hilarious line of the episode and it comes at kind of a bad time, breaking up the rhythm of the final fight scene. Walker comes in the nick of time and shouts, "Drop it!" Johnny whirls around, brandishing his gun. Walker shoots him and Johnny collapses. Trent rushes to check Carlos's pulse and reports, "He's alive." Walker steps out to call an ambulance. "You're gonna make it, buddy, hang in there," Trent soothes.
Cut to Carlos now recovering in the hospital, arm in a sling, oxygen tubes in his nose, face still beat to crap. Trivette, Alex, Walker, and Trent are gathered around his bed. Walker tells him that Johnny's been killed, the rest are awaiting trial. He tells Carlos not to worry about getting El Vaquero. "Johnny was El Vaquero," Carlos croaks, "Johnny made up El Vaquero to give himself an advantage in negotiations."
Juan and Paco admitted to being there the night that Johnny killed Hector. "He killed your brother because he wouldn't deal drugs," Walker explains. Trivette adds, "Hector wanted to get clean and Johnny wanted to keep him dirty. When he couldn't do that, he killed him as a warning to everyone else." Carlos is stunned. "All this time, I thought..." He can't finish the sentence.
Cemetery. Carlos, still in a sling, kneels in front of a gravestone, holding a small bunch of flowers. He crosses himself. The gravestone reads HECTOR SANDOVAL 1966-1985. Carlos sniffles, "I love you, hermano." He leaves the flowers and walks away, wiping at the corners of his eyes. Trent opens the Stingray's passenger door and pats Carlos on the back. Carlos gets in and Trent shuts the door for him. They drive off. End of episode.
Open with a shot of a neon sign that reads SPY THE ULTIMATE NIGHTCLUB. Carlos, a good-looking Hispanic man with long black hair, gets out of a red Dodge Viper convertible and goes into the building. He makes his way across the crowded dance floor. He must be a regular because various women shout greetings at him. He stops for a drink at the bar. A redheaded waitress named Nicole accosts him about not calling her. Carlos promises he will, kisses her, and excuses himself. He goes upstairs and a security guard opens a door for him.
In a private VIP room, three other Hispanic men are sitting around a table and point their guns at him. "Is this a bad time?" asks Carlos. The oldest of the three assures him that there's no such thing between friends and comes over to hug Carlos. Johnny reminds him about not calling Nicole. Carlos hands over an envelope full of money. Some bouncers drag in a nervous young black man named Ricky. Johnny asks where he's been. "I-I-I been around," Ricky stammers. Johnny punches him hard in the face. Ricky insists that he "didn't do nothin'."
Carlos looks uneasy and stands up to leave. Johnny tells him to stay. He lectures Ricky about the importance of trust in the narcotics trade: "Any one of us can destroy the other. And if we steal from each other, well, then there is no other recourse." Ricky promises to pay him back, but it's too late for that. Johnny shoots Ricky, who falls onto some conveniently placed plastic sheeting. Carlos drops his eyes. Nobody down in the club seems to have heard the gunshot over the pounding music. The bouncers wrap Ricky's body in the plastic and leave.
"Trust, it's essential to our operation," Johnny repeats to Carlos. I think he definitely gets it now, dude. "This is what happens when trust is broken." He adds, "And call that Nicole, she's a good girl." Johnny winks. Carlos says he will.
Carlos drives to what looks like an abandoned warehouse with Johnny's words about trust echoing in his head. He takes the freight elevator and we see that at least part of the building has been converted into probably illegal loft housing. Carlos takes a beer out of his mini-fridge and holds it against his forehead. I hear Tylenol works just as well. He freezes when he hears the whirr of the elevator machinery, closes the mini-fridge, and grabs his gun. Carlos heads in the direction he just came from and hides around a corner. The elevator door opens. Carlos pops out "Don't move!" A look of realization crosses his face and he lowers the gun. "Walker." We then see the Beard of Justice himself.
Cue the DIY theme song that is simultaneously one of the best and worst things about the show.
Carlos shows Walker and Trivette a classic cop movie posterboard depicting the hierarchy of the Vaqueros drug cartel, complete with a question mark in place of a photo of cartel boss El Vaquero. Walker thinks they should go ahead with the bust. Carlos disagrees because he's been on the case for 4 months. "You've been undercover too long," Walker tells him. Good Lord, Billy Queen was under with the Mongols for years. Carlos wants more time; he knows he can get El Vaquero. Trivette says they have enough evidence to bury the Vaqueros, but Carlos points out that the big boss could easily put together a new crew.
Carlos waits anxiously for the Beard of Justice to respond. Walker agrees to give him one more week, but that's it. The narcotics task force will take over. Carlos's eyes harden: "When the time comes, El Vaquero's mine." We get the sense there are Very Personal Stakes, a common theme in this show. Trivette leaves to take the drugs Carlos bought to the crime lab. Walker tells Carlos not to take his job personally. Carlos plays dumb, asking what Walker means. "I know about your brother," says Walker, "I know about Hector."
Black-and-white flashback time! A much-younger Carlos is walking down a street with his older brother, who screams at him, "I said go! What you always hangin' around me for, anyways? Stupid little jerk. Go on, get outta here!" Carlos isn't more than a few steps away when he hears Hector begging someone not to do something and a loud pop. Young Carlos runs back to find Hector flat on the sidewalk, bleeding from two holes in his chest. "Somebody help!" Young Carlos shouts. This statement echoes once and we're back in the present.
Hector, it transpires, was a junkie and shot by a drug dealer. "The day he died, it nearly killed my mother," says Carlos before swearing not to lose his objectivity. Yeah, I buy that. Walker seems convinced and pats him on the shoulder.
Thunder Karate. Blond-haired, blue-eyed Trent Malloy is supervising two students sparring each other. When the match is finished, he calls for the next pair: his teenage brother Tommy and another teenage black belt (Espinoza, according to the back of his gi). It should be noted that this is Karate Kid style bare-knuckle sparring. Both boys throw a series of wild, fancy kicks that don't come close to connecting. "Show me you can use your heads," says Trent. Tommy sweeps the leg, goes to the ground, and drops a heel kick on Espinoza. Trent ends the match and tells everyone to line up.
For Chuck Norris being so heavily involved, they didn't do a great job with one detail. What appear to be orange belts are standing in the front row next to the black belts. I took karate for about 8 years and that would never happen. Lower ranks are always in the back of the room. Anyway, the Thunder Karate students are set to compete in a tournament that weekend. Trent gives a winning-isn't-everything speech; if you learn from a loss, you haven't really lost. Someone whistles and applauds.
Speaking of The Karate Kid, we're about to meet Dallas's answer to Cobra Kai's Sensei Kreese: Jake Lyons of the Jake Lyons Karate Academy. He walks onto the dojo floor in street clothes and shoes, soundly mocking Trent. "I thought I'd drop by and give your students the opportunity to study under a real martial arts instructor," says Lyons. He turns to the class and loudly offers a month of free lessons at Jake Lyons Karate Academy. Nobody looks tempted. Lyons tries to persuade them by changing it to 6 months. "Don't you wanna learn how to fight?" Lyons asks Tommy, "That's right, you got a big brother for that."
Jake makes a final offer: a full year of free lessons. Walker, coming in with his gym bag, catches the tail end of this. "That'd be quite a bargain...if they were worth anything," he jabs. Lyons tells him that they'll see what they're worth at the tournament. Trent tells the class he's proud of them for showing restraint. Tommy bows them out and Trent dismisses them. Once the kids are gone, he tells Walker how frustrated he is. Walker offers to work the frustration out of him.
A shirtless Walker and shirtless Trent do a bit of shameless product placement by working out on a Total Gym, a piece of equipment Chuck shilled on late-night infomercials. They practice kicks and punches, then put their gi tops on again to work on their ground technique. Trent nearly defeats the Beard of Justice, but finds himself on the mat tapping out. Now he's even more frustrated with himself. Beard of Justice explains, "When you thought you almost had me, you got overconfident. Then I had you."
Later, Trent and Carlos go for a ride in the Viper. Trent asks how his best friend likes being a detective. Carlos tells him that going undercover to bust a drug ring is like a dream come true; working with Walker is "a little intimidating, the guy knows everything." Walker was a big influence on Trent because he used to get in trouble "rebelling against anything and everything." He doesn't know where he'd be if not for Walker's karate lessons. Sidebar: Nothing you learn about Trent in the other episodes featuring his character will give you that impression; he's the squeaky-clean preacher's kid.
Trent notices a scuffle in an alley and asks Carlos to pull over. A big redneck is pushing around a skinny homeless man, accusing him of stealing his car radio. "I may be homeless, but I ain't no thief," the man protests. The redneck goes to swing again, but Trent catches the punch. Redneck fights Trent while his pal fights Carlos. Carlos takes a few hits to the face and more than a few punishing body blows. Trent watches instead of, I don't know, trying to help his lifelong best friend? Carlos manages to knock down Redneck's Friend. He gives Fat Redneck a swift, literal kick in the ass, ordering, "Get outta here!" Fat Redneck and Friend hurry to drive away.
The skinny homeless man thanks them and introduces himself as Charlie Clark. "There's not a whole lot of folks who'd stand up for...someone like me," says Charlie. "If--If I can return the favor, I will." Carlos tells him not to worry about it. Trent hands him some money and says, "Take care of yourself, okay?"
Carlos inspects the damage to his face in the Viper's side mirror. Trent quips, "Your chin really gave that guy's knuckles a pounding." They get back in the car. Trent thinks it's time Carlos started taking martial arts beyond what he learned at the police academy. They can start right away. Carlos gives him the same look I used to give my mom when she mentioned karate: 'Really? That again?'
At Thunder Karate, Carlos has been outfitted in a brand-new gi and white belt. "I can take care of myself just with boxing," he says. In response, Trent delivers a wicked spinning kick, hitting Carlos in the stomach. Carlos doubles over with a groan. "All right, you made your point," he says when he gets his breath back. Trent teaches him some simple kicks and punches, then they work on a heavy bag. Trent is impressed that Carlos is picking it up so fast. "What can I say? I'm a good student," says Carlos. Trent fires back, "Or maybe I'm a good teacher" and playfully bumps him with the punching bag.
Undercover apartment. Walker gives Carlos a briefcase with $50,000 in it. "You only get one more buy after this," Trivette says. Carlos is concerned that Johnny will be suspicious. They instruct him to tell Johnny that there's a new buyer in town who has a distribution network but no drugs. Hopefully he'll want to meet the mystery buyer.
Spy nightclub. Carlos tells Johnny about the buyer who'll give Johnny $50,000 a week: "You can handle part of that, all of that, or none of that. It's up to you." Johnny doesn't like working with strangers, but "as dear old Grandmother used to say, a stranger is merely a friend whom you have yet to meet." Nice grammatically correct fortune-cookie adage. Carlos tells Johnny that he'll be able to meet the buyer that Monday. "Of course, and I mean no offense, he'll wanna meet El Vaquero." Johnny can arrange that.
Carlos and Johnny go to the bar for a toast. Afterward, they hug and Carlos leaves. Johnny puts his hands on the bar, thoughtfully looking at the two tumblers in front of him. He puts his fingers inside the glass Carlos used, turns it upside down, and carefully deposits it in the bartender's palm. "Have this checked out," he says. Of course like all movie/TV drug lords, Johnny probably has a PI and/or cops on the take with access to fingerprint databases.
Thunder Karate. Trent gives Tommy advice on sparring in the upcoming tournament. "Watch his eyes....Right before they attack, a lotta guys open their eyes just a little bit wider." If Tommy knows what's coming, he'll be prepared.
Undercover apartment. Carlos announces to Walker and Trivette, "Johnny took the bait--hook, line, and sinker." Walker wants Carlos to constantly stay in touch with them. "When you change the rules, anything can happen," adds Trivette. Walker will be glad when this is over.
The foreshadowing trifecta ends in the VIP room at Spy. Johnny's henchman Paco has a report for the boss: "The fingerprints on the shot glass belong to a Carlos Sandoval. Detective Carlos Sandoval." The name seems to mean something to Johnny, as he replies, "Sandoval, huh?"
Cut to a school gym. A banner on a wall reads SIXTH ANNUAL TEXAS KARATE CHAMPIONSHIP. There are a few shots of people sparring and doing forms. For reasons unknown, Trent is absolutely the only instructor on the floor who's not wearing a uniform. Everyone is wearing sparring gear despite the lack of it at Thunder Karate. Kevin, one of Trent's students, loses his sparring match. He apologizes. Trent tells Kevin that he did his best, so he's still a winner. Tommy tells Trent that the black belts just got their 15-minute warning. "Where's Carlos?" Tommy wonders, "I thought he was supposed to be here."
Undercover apartment. Carlos walks out the front door. Johnny's henchmen approach. "Johnny wants to see you," says Paco. Carlos tells him it's not a good time, "I got someplace I gotta be and I'm already late." Paco shoots a hole in one of the Viper's tires and menaces, "You'll see him now."
Tournament. Tommy suits up for his first match. Walker is sitting in the stands with Alex. The buttons are practically popping off her cardigan, not a good look for anyone, much less a woman her age.
Paco and Juan drive to a warehouse and drag Carlos out of the car. As they walk up the stairs, Carlos protests that he has places to go and people to see. "Callate, Carlitos!" shouts Paco, giving him a shove (for those who don't know, callate is Spanish for "shut up"). Carlos tells him to speak English. They push Carlos into a room. From the shadows, Johnny silkily apologizes for the inconvenience. Carlos sees plastic sheeting on the floor and comes to the horrible realization that he's been burned. "You said you wanted to meet El Vaquero?" asks Johnny. He drills Carlos in the stomach twice and grabs his face, forcing Carlos to look at him: "Then say hello, Detective." Johnny punches him in the jaw.
Tournament. Tommy is sparring and head kicks are apparently legal.
Warehouse. Johnny hits Carlos in the face again. He asks who else knows about the undercover assignment. "That's privileged information. I could tell you, but then I'd have to kill ya," the detective responds. Carlos, this is really not a good time to get cute. Carlos gets hit twice more, the second hit splits his lip. Johnny tells him that Carlos can die the easy way or the hard way. Carlos says he has no other option: "You're all under arrest." Juan laughs. Another blow right to the solar plexus.
Tournament. Tommy is down 2-0 in his sparring match. He hears Trent's voice in his head: "Watch his eyes."
Warehouse. Johnny asks if Carlos has had enough. I should say so; one of Carlos's eyes is swollen shut and blood is streaming from his split lip, not to mention the potential internal damage. Juan and Paco are having to hold him up. Clearly punch-drunk, Carlos chuckles, "You didn't knock me down, right? I'm still standin' here." Johnny hits him in the stomach.
Tournament. The camera focuses for a moment on the eyes of Tommy's opponent. Tommy blocks and scores his first point, then another. Lyons grabs the opponent by the front of his gi and growls, "Does the word 'telegraph' mean anything to you? Why don't you send him a letter, tell him what you're gonna do?" He shoves the student back into the ring. Tommy executes the leg sweep/heel kick seen earlier, scoring his third and final point. Trent pumps his fist triumphantly. Lyons scowls.
Warehouse. Johnny hits Carlos again. "Before you die, there's something you should know," Johnny says, "Your brother Hector who got killed in the street like a dog? The guy that shot him, it was me." He screws a silencer over the barrel of his gun. "And you know why? Because he betrayed me, just like you." Carlos, suddenly filled with adrenaline and Hulk-smash rage, pushes Paco to the floor and elbows Juan in the face. Carlos runs down the hall and leaps onto a desk. Johnny shoots him twice. Carlos half-jumps, half-falls out the window, screaming all the way. He lands hard on a parked car. Johnny tells Juan and Paco, "Get rid of him." When Juan and Paco go downstairs, Carlos is no longer there.
Tournament. Trent gives his little brother a double high-five. "That felt so good!" says Tommy. Trent reminds him that there are 4 more matches. Tommy walks over to his opponent after Lyons finishes yelling him. Tommy explains that he knew by the kid's eyes that he was on the attack and was ready for him. The kid looks like he watches to punch Tommy for being such a smug little weasel and quite frankly, I would too. "You Malloys all think you are so smart," Lyons says to Trent and I'm willing to be there's history of him bullying Trent in school, "I keep hearing about what a great fighter you are and I am not that impressed. I gotta say, I can't wait to get you on the mat." Trent tells him this isn't the time or the place, but he won't like it when the time comes.
Alex and Walker appear from the stands to congratulate Tommy for, well, not even being close to winning the tournament, really. Walker thought Carlos was coming. Trent says he tried to call and nobody answered. Alex is sure he's just running late. Walker calls Trivette to see if Carlos has checked in.
Homeless encampment. Charlie pushes a curious onlooker out of an area that's been turned into a sort of enclosed bedroom. Carlos is lying unconscious under some blankets. Charlie takes a rag and gently dabs blood and sweat off Carlos's forehead.
Warehouse. Johnny is sitting on a chair, which is on top of the plastic sheeting meant for Carlos's body. "Johnny, he's gone," babbles Paco, "You shot him. We were both there, we saw it." Juan is sure Carlos is dead. Johnny asks how a dead body walks away. "I want him found and I want him found now!"
Tournament. Walker hangs up his cell phone. He's learned that Carlos hasn't called in. Alex will draw up search warrants. Walker asks Trent to check Carlos's apartment. Everyone pats Tommy on the shoulder before they leave.
Homeless encampment. Daniel, the unofficial leader, confronts the man who was curious about Carlos: "You know the rules. You stole from the community. You cannot stay here." The man looks almost like Alan Rickman, so he will henceforth be referred to as Homeless Snape. He threatens that Daniel hasn't seen or heard the last of him. When Homeless Snape leaves, Charlie tells Daniel, "There's something you need to see."
He shows Daniel to Carlos. The detective is semiconscious and clearly feverish. "Oh my God," breathes Daniel, "This man needs a doctor." Charlie says they can't because he thinks Carlos is wanted. "And you brought him here?" Daniel asks. Charlie tells Daniel about being attacked by Fat Redneck and Friend, Carlos saving him, and wanting to return the favor. "You gave your word and we'll honor that. But if you really wanna honor your promise to this man, you'll get him some help," Daniel says gently.
Undercover apartment. Trent sees the Viper is still parked in front but has a flat. He sees the size of the hole and realizes that someone must've shot the tire out. Meanwhile, Paco and Juan aimlessly prowl the streets looking for Carlos.
Back at the homeless encampment, Charlie is worried because Carlos is getting worse, mumbling that "Mom's got dinner." He doesn't know what to do. "Trent," Carlos says a little louder, "I'm thirsty, Trent." Charlie remembers Trent and hurries out.
Ranger Headquarters. Walker briefs the task force about the raid. There's been no word from Carlos, so they're assuming something has gone badly wrong. Alex comes in to drop off the warrants. The task force moves out.
Juan and Paco have no luck with the homeless man they're currently questioning, so they approach someone who just happens to be Homeless Snape. "We're lookin' for a friend of ours," says Paco, "He's about 5'11", 185 pounds, longish dark hair. He may be wounded. We gotta find him." Homeless Snape wants to know how good a friend. Juan holds out a $100 bill. "Real good."
Homeless encampment. A rat watches from the ceiling as Carlos rolls his head on his jacket, which Charlie put under him for a pillow.
The task force raids Spy, then Walker and Trivette chase down two street-level dealers in Walker's beautiful silver Dodge Ram pickup. Well, actually, Walker drives while Trivette pursues them on foot. Walker grabs one of the dealers by the jacket collar while driving, pulls the dealer into the open window, and knocks him out with a palm-heel strike. Another raid later, Trivette says, "We got everyone but Johnny Prima, Paco Montalbo, and Juan Ortiz." Walker will look for Carlos while Trivette interrogates their suspects.
Thunder Karate. Trent's blue Corvette Stingray pulls up at the curb. He finds Charlie waiting for him. Charlie lets Trent know that Carlos is hurt. Trent tells Charlie to get in the car.
Homeless Snape leads Juan, Paco, and Johnny into the encampment. Daniel tells Homeless Snape he's not welcome there. "Why don't you tell that to my friends?" Homeless Snape challenges. Daniel repeats that they need to leave. Johnny hits Daniel, pulls a gun, and says, "Next one takes a bullet." Homeless Snape takes Johnny to where Carlos was being kept. All that's there now is a pile of blankets and a bloodstained sheet. Johnny steps out of the room, grabs a homeless teenage girl, and points the gun at her head. "Tell me where he is or she's dead," he threatens.
Trivette calls Walker's car phone. He just heard from Trent that Carlos is at a homeless encampment on Commerce and "he's supposed to be pretty badly hurt." Walker says he'll check it out.
Homeless encampment. The terrified teenage girl leads Johnny through the warehouse. Trent has just parked outside. Johnny finds Carlos on the bottom of a set of old bunk beds. He isn't surprised that Carlos chose the hard way because Hector was stupid too. Trent kicks Johnny's gun arm. Charlie wallops one of the henchmen with a piece of wood and gets knocked out for his trouble. Trent easily knocks out Paco but has a harder time with Juan, even though Juan is smaller.
Johnny cocks his gun and says to the very Aryan-looking Trent: "Easy, Jackie Chan." This is the most unintentionally hilarious line of the episode and it comes at kind of a bad time, breaking up the rhythm of the final fight scene. Walker comes in the nick of time and shouts, "Drop it!" Johnny whirls around, brandishing his gun. Walker shoots him and Johnny collapses. Trent rushes to check Carlos's pulse and reports, "He's alive." Walker steps out to call an ambulance. "You're gonna make it, buddy, hang in there," Trent soothes.
Cut to Carlos now recovering in the hospital, arm in a sling, oxygen tubes in his nose, face still beat to crap. Trivette, Alex, Walker, and Trent are gathered around his bed. Walker tells him that Johnny's been killed, the rest are awaiting trial. He tells Carlos not to worry about getting El Vaquero. "Johnny was El Vaquero," Carlos croaks, "Johnny made up El Vaquero to give himself an advantage in negotiations."
Juan and Paco admitted to being there the night that Johnny killed Hector. "He killed your brother because he wouldn't deal drugs," Walker explains. Trivette adds, "Hector wanted to get clean and Johnny wanted to keep him dirty. When he couldn't do that, he killed him as a warning to everyone else." Carlos is stunned. "All this time, I thought..." He can't finish the sentence.
Cemetery. Carlos, still in a sling, kneels in front of a gravestone, holding a small bunch of flowers. He crosses himself. The gravestone reads HECTOR SANDOVAL 1966-1985. Carlos sniffles, "I love you, hermano." He leaves the flowers and walks away, wiping at the corners of his eyes. Trent opens the Stingray's passenger door and pats Carlos on the back. Carlos gets in and Trent shuts the door for him. They drive off. End of episode.
Justified: "The Hunt"
This post will be a review/rant as it prominently featured my least favorite character in the series: Raylan's ex-wife Winona. I have never liked the two of them as a couple. The way Natalie Zea portrays this character, you never get the sense that she ever truly loved Raylan (or felt anything else toward him for that matter). When they rekindled their sexual relationship a season or two ago, she claimed to love Raylan while continuing to sleep with her then-current husband Gary, the realtor she left Raylan to be with.
This week, Raylan met his infant daughter Willow in person for the first time. Willow brings up a fan theory that both my aunt and I have: She is not Raylan's biological daughter. We think she was conceived during one of Winona's trysts with Gary; after his shady business dealings got him killed, she told Raylan the baby was his to trick him into going back to her. Indeed, Winona dumps the screaming infant on Raylan early in the episode without so much as a spare diaper. She complains to him that she never sleeps because Willow cries nonstop (which the baby does), yet still is in the mood to have sex and risk making another baby.
Anyway, Raylan takes Willow to the Marshals' office with him. Art is hanging around even though he's still technically on leave. Markham is in the conference room being interviewed about something and we learn he was a big fish that once escaped the chief deputy. I wish this scene had been longer because Nick Searcy and Sam Elliott had some great chemistry.
Boyd is growing suspicious of Ava because he knows she tried to leave via Limehouse's underground railroad. He drags her to his dad's old hunting cabin, though Ava heartily protests going. He forces her to drink a shot of bourbon. Boyd doesn't stop there; he hits Ava and tries to choke her, much like his brother Bowman (Ava's late husband). He drags her out into the woods and threatens to shoot her. Ava cracks and admits that she's Raylan's informant. Boyd asks for her help in getting to Raylan. Ava agrees because she's terrified.
The last two weeks have given us more input on Ava's past. Her father was a coal miner who died after being trapped in a collapsed mine for about a week, which caused Ava to be afraid of the dark as a child. The demolitions expert that Boyd hired to help with the safe heist is her uncle Zachariah. Also, ex-military enforcer for Markham, Choo-Choo, is no more.
Markum's beared henchman Walker is proving to be as dangerous and unpredictable a character as Quarles. After being shot at the end of last week's episode, he dug the bullet out of his own shoulder in a dirty gas station bathroom a la Patrick Swayze in Road House. To keep the Marshals from tracking him, he gave his credit cards to a couple of jackass frat boys on their way to spring break in Orlando. (It didn't work; they racked up big charges at a liquor store and porno place, raising the suspicions of Tim). He also threatened to kill said frat boys. When Walker's car broke down on a back road, he called in a fake hiking accident. He fatally shot the EMT and the paramedic who responded and stole their ambulance.
I have a feeling that Tim might get involved in tracking down Walker, given that he's a former Ranger sniper. He gets the honor of best line in the episode. Rachel states that they're "chasing their dicks" in regards to finding a suspect and he replies, "Sounds really weird when you say that."
This week, Raylan met his infant daughter Willow in person for the first time. Willow brings up a fan theory that both my aunt and I have: She is not Raylan's biological daughter. We think she was conceived during one of Winona's trysts with Gary; after his shady business dealings got him killed, she told Raylan the baby was his to trick him into going back to her. Indeed, Winona dumps the screaming infant on Raylan early in the episode without so much as a spare diaper. She complains to him that she never sleeps because Willow cries nonstop (which the baby does), yet still is in the mood to have sex and risk making another baby.
Anyway, Raylan takes Willow to the Marshals' office with him. Art is hanging around even though he's still technically on leave. Markham is in the conference room being interviewed about something and we learn he was a big fish that once escaped the chief deputy. I wish this scene had been longer because Nick Searcy and Sam Elliott had some great chemistry.
Boyd is growing suspicious of Ava because he knows she tried to leave via Limehouse's underground railroad. He drags her to his dad's old hunting cabin, though Ava heartily protests going. He forces her to drink a shot of bourbon. Boyd doesn't stop there; he hits Ava and tries to choke her, much like his brother Bowman (Ava's late husband). He drags her out into the woods and threatens to shoot her. Ava cracks and admits that she's Raylan's informant. Boyd asks for her help in getting to Raylan. Ava agrees because she's terrified.
The last two weeks have given us more input on Ava's past. Her father was a coal miner who died after being trapped in a collapsed mine for about a week, which caused Ava to be afraid of the dark as a child. The demolitions expert that Boyd hired to help with the safe heist is her uncle Zachariah. Also, ex-military enforcer for Markham, Choo-Choo, is no more.
Markum's beared henchman Walker is proving to be as dangerous and unpredictable a character as Quarles. After being shot at the end of last week's episode, he dug the bullet out of his own shoulder in a dirty gas station bathroom a la Patrick Swayze in Road House. To keep the Marshals from tracking him, he gave his credit cards to a couple of jackass frat boys on their way to spring break in Orlando. (It didn't work; they racked up big charges at a liquor store and porno place, raising the suspicions of Tim). He also threatened to kill said frat boys. When Walker's car broke down on a back road, he called in a fake hiking accident. He fatally shot the EMT and the paramedic who responded and stole their ambulance.
I have a feeling that Tim might get involved in tracking down Walker, given that he's a former Ranger sniper. He gets the honor of best line in the episode. Rachel states that they're "chasing their dicks" in regards to finding a suspect and he replies, "Sounds really weird when you say that."
Tuesday, February 17, 2015
Justified: "Sounding"
Ava has gotten even more squirrelly and wants to leave Harlan County, Boyd, and Raylan far behind. She went to Noble's Holler asking for Limehouse's help to disappear, even offering up her engagement ring as payment. Limehouse didn't take her up on the offer. Raylan had a come-to-Jesus with his informant, telling her that unless she cooperates and gives the Marshals intel to use against Boyd, she's going right back to prison. The episode also answered the question of what Ava's maiden name was: Randolph.
One of the more disappointing moments in this episode, at least for me, concerned fan favorite character Bob Sweeney (Patton Oswalt). Last week's trailer showed him in a nicer uniform driving a shiny new car; I was hoping that meant he'd achieved his dream of becoming Trooper Bob. Alas, he's still a constable, just pawned some of his stuff to get new toys. However, it is still perilous to underestimate Bob, as one of Limehouse's henchmen found out when he got a Taser shot to the nether regions.
Bob isn't the only one using electricity as a persuasive technique; Wynn Duffy used a cattle prod on a crooked prison guard who was fired after attempting to sexually assault Ava. Rachel and Tim are presumably trying to use that guard Feekus (sp?) to get information on Duffy and his connection to Markum and Katherine.
Boyd is still no closer to finding the right explosives expert to crack the safe at the pizza parlor. The one he hired this week succeeded in making something go boom, but probably lost his hearing in the process.
One of the more disappointing moments in this episode, at least for me, concerned fan favorite character Bob Sweeney (Patton Oswalt). Last week's trailer showed him in a nicer uniform driving a shiny new car; I was hoping that meant he'd achieved his dream of becoming Trooper Bob. Alas, he's still a constable, just pawned some of his stuff to get new toys. However, it is still perilous to underestimate Bob, as one of Limehouse's henchmen found out when he got a Taser shot to the nether regions.
Bob isn't the only one using electricity as a persuasive technique; Wynn Duffy used a cattle prod on a crooked prison guard who was fired after attempting to sexually assault Ava. Rachel and Tim are presumably trying to use that guard Feekus (sp?) to get information on Duffy and his connection to Markum and Katherine.
Boyd is still no closer to finding the right explosives expert to crack the safe at the pizza parlor. The one he hired this week succeeded in making something go boom, but probably lost his hearing in the process.
Friday, November 21, 2014
Longmire Rides On
As I blogged about before, fans of TV's Longmire were quite upset when the drama was axed, mostly due to perception that the audience was "too old." Not content to have the show fade off into the sunset, fans called for people to boycott the show's former network A&E. The creators immediately began shopping the Western around to other networks.
Months passed with no word on a possible new home. The fanbase, aptly named the Longmire Posse, never gave up hope. Each Monday, there were "stampedes" on Twitter to lobby for a network to save the show. I participated in as many stampedes as I could, studies permitting. Stars of the show including Adam Bartley (The Ferg) and Lou Diamond Phillips (Henry Standing Bear) joined in; Robert Taylor (Walt Longmire) posted YouTube videos, making cryptic comments such as "keep doin' what you're doin'" and alluding to things going on behind the scenes.
I picked up an issue of Globe earlier this week after reading that the magazine had done an exclusive interview with Adam Bartley. He echoed Robert Taylor's sentiments and expressed his gratitude for the loyalty of the show's fanbase. Less than a day after reading the interview, I saw a headline on Entertainment Weekly's website announcing that Netflix will be picking up Longmire for 10 episodes. Filming is scheduled to resume in New Mexico. Season 4 is set to premiere sometime next year. I can't wait to see what's next for Absaroka County's finest! :)
Months passed with no word on a possible new home. The fanbase, aptly named the Longmire Posse, never gave up hope. Each Monday, there were "stampedes" on Twitter to lobby for a network to save the show. I participated in as many stampedes as I could, studies permitting. Stars of the show including Adam Bartley (The Ferg) and Lou Diamond Phillips (Henry Standing Bear) joined in; Robert Taylor (Walt Longmire) posted YouTube videos, making cryptic comments such as "keep doin' what you're doin'" and alluding to things going on behind the scenes.
I picked up an issue of Globe earlier this week after reading that the magazine had done an exclusive interview with Adam Bartley. He echoed Robert Taylor's sentiments and expressed his gratitude for the loyalty of the show's fanbase. Less than a day after reading the interview, I saw a headline on Entertainment Weekly's website announcing that Netflix will be picking up Longmire for 10 episodes. Filming is scheduled to resume in New Mexico. Season 4 is set to premiere sometime next year. I can't wait to see what's next for Absaroka County's finest! :)
Monday, September 1, 2014
Long Live Longmire: Boss Without a Badge
After I wrote my initial post, a couple of commenters pointed out that I missed a fan favorite supporting character and I'm rectifying that here. When a detective from Denver wanted to make an appointment to talk to the sheriff, Walt's response was simple: "Talk to Ruby. She runs my life." Ruby (Louanne Stephens) doesn't only run Walt's life; she's the dispatcher/receptionist that keeps the Absaroka County Sheriff's Department in order.
Ruby is a kind soul, everyone's favorite surrogate aunt. Her strongest appearance is the Season One episode "An Incredibly Beautiful Thing." Local gas station owner Ellis is found murdered in his store after calling Ruby for help. Ruby is distraught by her friend's death and takes it upon herself to write his obituary since he has no family to do so. Ruby also possesses a dry wit and humor of her own. Hoping Ruby and the rest find a new home soon!
Ruby is a kind soul, everyone's favorite surrogate aunt. Her strongest appearance is the Season One episode "An Incredibly Beautiful Thing." Local gas station owner Ellis is found murdered in his store after calling Ruby for help. Ruby is distraught by her friend's death and takes it upon herself to write his obituary since he has no family to do so. Ruby also possesses a dry wit and humor of her own. Hoping Ruby and the rest find a new home soon!
Saturday, August 30, 2014
Long Live Longmire!
Does the world really need any more so-called "reality" shows? The heads of A&E clearly think so, as they've chosen to cancel its highly rated scripted drama Longmire after the cliffhanger Season 3 finale. Shows such as Duck Dynasty and various incarnations of Storage Wars, however, are safe. As a longtime member of the show's fanbase (known as the Longmire Posse), I am seriously disappointed.
The modern-day Western is based on Craig Johnson's book series Walt Longmire Mysteries. (If you haven't read them, I highly recommend picking up the first book The Cold Dish). Set in fictional Absaroka County, Wyoming, the books and show follow Sheriff Walt Longmire (played by Robert Taylor) who is solving crimes and trying to keep his life together after the death of his wife. The small-town police force consists of three deputies: local rich boy and nephew of the former sheriff Branch Connally (Bailey Chase), sassy Philadelphia transplant Victoria "Vic" Moretti (Katee Sackhoff), and baby-faced, kind-hearted Ferguson (Adam Bartley). Lou Diamond Phillips rounds out the regular cast as Walt's best friend since grade school and Red Pony Bar owner Henry Standing Bear.
Longmire features more than just Walt and company solving the crime of the week; each season had one or more overreaching characters arcs. In Season One, Walt learns that not only is Deputy Branch Connally running against him for Sheriff, Branch is dating his daughter Cady. Cady also learns that her mother Martha did not die of cancer; she was stabbed to death in Denver while she was in the city getting chemo treatment. Hints are dropped that Walt may have taken a trip to Colorado to avenge his wife's death. Season Two sees Vic dealing with a stalker, Cady being critically injured in a hit-and-run car accident on election day, and the outcome of the sheriff's race. I won't be spoiling Season Three in case you haven't seen it; let's just say things get interesting.
Besides the great storylines, Longmire has solid characters; the writing left me with strong biases, both positive and negative. Walt is a tough, old-school sheriff and a basically good man, though not above the temptation of taking the law into his own hands (and possibly even taking it too far). I admire Vic's Yankee spunk and empathize with her struggle to adjust to rural Wyoming life. I openly loathed Branch from the first episode; there was just something slimy about him and his entitled attitude didn't help matters.
Lou Diamond Phillips is pitch-perfect as Henry: a protective, strong, proud Cheyenne who'll stop at nothing to help those he cares about. Henry also has a terrific dry sense of humor (when Cady describes a physically attractive male bar patron, he responds "I am not a good judge of hotness"). Henry is also deeply spiritual when it comes to his culture and a valuable assistant whenever Walt's sheriff business takes him onto the local reservation. This show has really given Lou Diamond Phillips the best chance to shine that he's had in years; he deserves much more respect as an actor than he generally gets.
My favorite deputy has always been Ferguson, known in the office simply as "the Ferg." The words that best describe Ferg's personality include "awkward" and "shy"; but rather than being portrayed as the department's resident weak link or sad sack, he's competent in his own right as a fly-fisherman and outdoorsman. He wants to please his boss and sometimes worries that he's not good enough at his job. (Think McGee during his early seasons on NCIS). Ferg never had as much screen time as I would have liked, which is a pity because rookie actor Adam Bartley showed a lot of promise. For proof, Netflix the Season One episode "A Damn Shame" and watch what happens when Ferg tries to turn in his badge. Ferg really came into his own this season, finally standing up to Walt about being overworked and under-appreciated: "I know you haven't noticed, but ever since Branch started going crazy, I really stepped it up around here. And that's not easy with you two shutting doors in my face, treating me like I'm not even a part of this department. I do everything you ask and I do a good job, but if you want me to keep doing it, you can't just throw me in the corner at this little kid's desk and ignore me."
The modern-day Western is based on Craig Johnson's book series Walt Longmire Mysteries. (If you haven't read them, I highly recommend picking up the first book The Cold Dish). Set in fictional Absaroka County, Wyoming, the books and show follow Sheriff Walt Longmire (played by Robert Taylor) who is solving crimes and trying to keep his life together after the death of his wife. The small-town police force consists of three deputies: local rich boy and nephew of the former sheriff Branch Connally (Bailey Chase), sassy Philadelphia transplant Victoria "Vic" Moretti (Katee Sackhoff), and baby-faced, kind-hearted Ferguson (Adam Bartley). Lou Diamond Phillips rounds out the regular cast as Walt's best friend since grade school and Red Pony Bar owner Henry Standing Bear.
Longmire features more than just Walt and company solving the crime of the week; each season had one or more overreaching characters arcs. In Season One, Walt learns that not only is Deputy Branch Connally running against him for Sheriff, Branch is dating his daughter Cady. Cady also learns that her mother Martha did not die of cancer; she was stabbed to death in Denver while she was in the city getting chemo treatment. Hints are dropped that Walt may have taken a trip to Colorado to avenge his wife's death. Season Two sees Vic dealing with a stalker, Cady being critically injured in a hit-and-run car accident on election day, and the outcome of the sheriff's race. I won't be spoiling Season Three in case you haven't seen it; let's just say things get interesting.
Besides the great storylines, Longmire has solid characters; the writing left me with strong biases, both positive and negative. Walt is a tough, old-school sheriff and a basically good man, though not above the temptation of taking the law into his own hands (and possibly even taking it too far). I admire Vic's Yankee spunk and empathize with her struggle to adjust to rural Wyoming life. I openly loathed Branch from the first episode; there was just something slimy about him and his entitled attitude didn't help matters.
Lou Diamond Phillips is pitch-perfect as Henry: a protective, strong, proud Cheyenne who'll stop at nothing to help those he cares about. Henry also has a terrific dry sense of humor (when Cady describes a physically attractive male bar patron, he responds "I am not a good judge of hotness"). Henry is also deeply spiritual when it comes to his culture and a valuable assistant whenever Walt's sheriff business takes him onto the local reservation. This show has really given Lou Diamond Phillips the best chance to shine that he's had in years; he deserves much more respect as an actor than he generally gets.
My favorite deputy has always been Ferguson, known in the office simply as "the Ferg." The words that best describe Ferg's personality include "awkward" and "shy"; but rather than being portrayed as the department's resident weak link or sad sack, he's competent in his own right as a fly-fisherman and outdoorsman. He wants to please his boss and sometimes worries that he's not good enough at his job. (Think McGee during his early seasons on NCIS). Ferg never had as much screen time as I would have liked, which is a pity because rookie actor Adam Bartley showed a lot of promise. For proof, Netflix the Season One episode "A Damn Shame" and watch what happens when Ferg tries to turn in his badge. Ferg really came into his own this season, finally standing up to Walt about being overworked and under-appreciated: "I know you haven't noticed, but ever since Branch started going crazy, I really stepped it up around here. And that's not easy with you two shutting doors in my face, treating me like I'm not even a part of this department. I do everything you ask and I do a good job, but if you want me to keep doing it, you can't just throw me in the corner at this little kid's desk and ignore me."
However, all hope for the show may not be lost. Its production company Warner Horizon Television is currently pitching the show to other networks. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that Walt, Henry, Vic, and of course the Ferg will find a new home. It just makes good business sense to pick up a successful drama that has a six-million strong Posse behind it.
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
"The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford"
Or as I call it: "That terrible Western with Brad Pitt." The title itself is the first of many things wrong with this movie; it's too freakin' long. I’m amazed that they were able to cram it all onto the DVD case. It also takes away any real reason to watch the movie by telling you from the start: “Jesse James dies. Robert Ford killed him.” I know that people do know how certain movies like this will end (Titanic and Zero Dark Thirty come to mind), but this story isn't nearly as well-known.
The movie’s running time is about 3 hours. That wouldn’t have been so
bad if the director had made any effort to make the movie somewhat
entertaining. The characters are forgettable and the story goes in too many
different directions.
The movie took itself far too
seriously; others have dealt with Wild West-era outlaws in a far better
fashion. Young Guns and its sequel Young Guns II are perfect examples.
Screenwriter John Fusco did a terrific job of making Billy the Kid and his gang
of Regulators into people that we as the audience could root for. It had action
and humor, but had its serious moments and was honestly somewhat historically accurate.
Judging by the finished product and the DVD commentary, the cast had a lot of
fun making the movie. By comparison, every actor in Jesse James looked bored to death the entire time.
The movie’s worst offender as far
as wooden performances goes was Brad Pitt. He sucked even more than he did in Interview With the Vampire; at least
that time, he had Tom Cruise to back him by sucking even worse. Speaking of Tom
Cruise and Brad Pitt, is it somewhere in their contracts that every other movie
they star in must have homoerotic overtones? Top Gun and Interview With
the Vampire, I’m looking at you.
The homosexual subtext in Jesse James feels terribly awkward and
out of place. It is often hard to tell whether Robert Ford is obsessed with
Jesse Jame’s legend (much like Tommy O’Folliard and Billy the Kid’s
relationship in Young Guns II) or if
he’s actually obsessed and in love with Jesse James himself.
There was a particular scene that really bothered me in this regard. Robert was staying with the James clan and wandered into Jesse’s bedroom. In a voiceover, he describes how he admired the suits in Jesse’s closet and drank from the water glass Jesse had left on the vanity. Get ready for this; Robert also “smelled the aroma of talc and lilac on Jesse’s pillowcases.” We’re treated to the visual of Robert rolling on the bed, rubbing his cheek again the bedding.
Casey Affleck plays Robert Ford
as a very whiny, annoying, and creepy character. If the real Robert acted that
way, he’s extremely lucky that Jesse didn’t put a bullet in his head within a
few days of knowing him. According to imdb.com, Casey
Affleck’s portrayal of Robert Ford earned him an Oscar nomination for Best
Supporting Actor. Further proof that all Oscar judges care about these days is
how artsy and pretentious a film is rather than if the actors actually do a
good job in their roles.
I cannot emphasize enough that if
you watch this movie, you are merely an observer. Nothing draws you in or makes
you care about any of the characters. The movie feels like a dry, heartless
documentary produced for PBS. In fact, they should have sent the movie straight
to public television rather than ripping off those who went to see in theaters
and/or rented the DVD.
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Name That Quote #2 Answers
- "I think you're so blinded by inconsolable rage that you don't care who you hurt. When you can't tell your friends from your enemies, it's time to go."-Casino Royale
- "Oh, this is Hill Valley, although I can't imagine hell being much worse."-Back to the Future: Part II
- "As far back as I can remember, I always wanted to be a gangster."-Goodfellas
- "No one will go near it. People think it's 'aunted. And who's to say they're wrong? You see, years ago, somethin 'appened up there. Somefin not very nice."-Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
- "I gotta be crazy! I'm on a pilgrimage to see a moose! Praise Marty Moose!"-National Lampoon's Vacation
- "I don't bend over. It's too hard to stand straight again."-Mobsters
- "Does Aunt Ginny have barn? Maybe we could have the trial there. I can sew the costumes and maybe his Uncle Goober can be the judge."-A Few Good Men
- "You could kick the shit outta me in a fair fight; I know that. You're a little faster 'n me, strong enough. But I'm always gonna win. See, you fight schoolyard rules. Every time I lay down, you're done. Me, I fight 'til I'm dead...or the other guy is."-Lone Hero
- "What is my goal? To make you a happy, well-adjusted gangster?"-Analyze This
- "Me? I'm scared of everything. I'm scared of what I saw, of what I did, of who I am. And most of all, I'm afraid of walking out of this room and never feeling for the rest of my whole life the way I feel when I'm with you."-Dirty Dancing
- "Comin' up is Diehard Night. Free admission to anyone who was actually alive the last time the Indians won a pennant."-Major League
- "I got a judge just achin' to throw me in jail, slaughtered pigs, giant loud whistles. I ain't slept in 5 days. I got no money, a dress code problem. And a little murder case, which in the balance holds the lives of 2 innocent kids."-My Cousin Vinny
- "Are you a Mexi-can or a Mexi-can't?"-Once Upon a Time In Mexico
- "Oh, I have my dark days. I suppose that everybody does. The difference is that most people don't kill their husbands with an ax."-Shutter Island
- "When I stepped out into the bright sunlight from the darkness of the movie house, I had only 2 things on my mind: Paul Newman and a ride home."-The Outsiders
- "There are several sacred things in this world that you don't ever mess with. One of them happens to be another man's fries. You remember that and you'll live a long and healthy life."-Men at Work
- "You m-m-m-make me happy."-Tropic Thunder
- "I'm not complaining. How am I complaining? When do I ever complain about you practicing the violin at 3 in the morning, or your mess, your general lack of hygiene, or the fact that you steal my clothes?"-Sherlock Holmes
- "I'll make you famous!"-Young Guns II
- "No, I'm not okay. I've just been violated by a barnyard animal."-Shanghai Noon
Saturday, December 1, 2012
Name That Quote #1 Answers
I'm slightly disappointed that no one really responded to this feature. However, I'll keep my word and post the answers to last week's questions.
- "Oorah, Class 5506!"-The Guardian
- "Average foot speed over uneven ground, barring injury, is 4 miles per hour. That gives us a radius of 6 miles. What I want from each and every one of you is a hard-target search of every gas station, residence, warehouse, farmhouse, henhouse, doghouse, and outhouse in that area."-The Fugitive
- "I'm the thing what lives beneath the stairs."-The Devil's Own
- "These people aren't a ragtag buncha yahoos that drink beer and run around in sheets on Saturday night. They've got money behind 'em. They've got strong pockets of community support."-Dead Bang
- "Sarge, you got any advice on how to stay alive in Vietnam?"
"Yes, I do, Private. Don't go."-Tigerland - "What are you doing? You've burned all the food, the shade, the rum!"-Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl
- "You throw me idol, I throw you whip."-Raiders of the Lost Ark
- "Ladies, this is supposed to be history class, you know. Not sex education."-Kidz in the Wood
- Character 1: "So you guys usually pick up girls in the supermarket for fun?"
Character 2: "Usually, I throw 'em over my shoulder and carry 'em down a ladder."-Ladder 49 - "Sonny and my father always said when I got older, I'd understand. Well, I finally did. I learned something from those two men. I learned how to get love and give love unconditionally. You just have to accept people for what they are. I learned the greatest gift of all. The saddest thing in life is wasted talent and the choices you make will shape your life forever."-A Bronx Tale
- "Any thug can kill. I need you to take your ego out of the equation."-Casino Royale (Daniel Craig version)
- "Do not kill, do not rape, do not steal. These are principles which every man of every faith can embrace."-The Boondock Saints
- "I love the smell of napalm in the morning."-Apocalypse Now
- "Strike first, strike hard, no mercy, sir!"-The Karate Kid (1984 version)
- "Look at my driver's license. Expires 1987. Look at my birthdate for cryin' out loud. I haven't even been born yet."-Back to the Future
- "Come on! We're men; we're not pinatas. And we're really hungover."-Shanghai Noon
- "I can't stand him. He gets an idea in his head, he can't get rid of it. If I stay with him much longer, I'm gonna be a stiff in a photograph. The only chance I have is to get hellbent for leather now."-Young Guns
- "Water is for cowards. Water makes you weak. Water is for washin' blood off that uniform and you don't get no blood on my uniform. Boy, you must be outside yo' mind!"-Remember the Titans
- Bill: "What the hell did we do to deserve this?"
Chris: "Maybe it was that stripper we sent the captain on his birthday."
Bill: "I told ya we shoulda sent the woman!"-Stakeout - "If she screws it up, she can always fix your hair so your ears don't show."-Grease
Saturday, November 24, 2012
Name That Quote #1
Testing out a new interactive feature for my blog. Listed below are random quotes from 20 different movies. Comment with your guesses. Answers will be posted a week from today!
- "Oorah, Class 5506!"
- "Average foot speed over uneven ground, barring injury, is 4 miles per hour. That gives us a radius of 6 miles. What I want from each and every one of you is a hard-target search of every gas station, residence, warehouse, farmhouse, henhouse, doghouse, and outhouse in that area."
- "I'm the thing what lives beneath the stairs."
- "These people aren't a ragtag buncha yahoos that drink beer and run around in sheets on Saturday night. They've got money behind 'em. They've got strong pockets of community support."
- Character 1: "Sarge, you got any advice on how to stay alive in Vietnam?"
Character 2: "Yes, I do, Private. Don't go." - "What are you doing? You've burned all the food, the shade, the rum!"
- "You throw me idol, I throw you whip."
- "Ladies, this is supposed to be history class, you know. Not sex education."
- Character 1: "So you guys usually pick up girls in the supermarket for fun?"
Character 2: "Usually, I throw 'em over my shoulder and carry 'em down a ladder." - "Sonny and my father always said when I got older, I'd understand. Well, I finally did. I learned something from those two men. I learned how to get love and give love unconditionally. You just have to accept people for what they are. I learned the greatest gift of all. The saddest thing in life is wasted talent and the choices you make will shape your life forever."
- "Any thug can kill. I need you to take your ego out of the equation."
- "Do not kill, do not rape, do not steal. These are principles which every man of every faith can embrace."
- "I love the smell of napalm in the morning."
- "Strike first, strike hard, no mercy, sir!"
- "Look at my driver's license. Expires 1987. Look at my birthdate for cryin' out loud. I haven't even been born yet."
- "Come on! We're men; we're not pinatas. And we're really hungover."
- "I can't stand him. He gets an idea in his head, he can't get rid of it. If I stay with him much longer, I'm gonna be a stiff in a photograph. The only chance I have is to get hellbent for leather now."
- "Water is for cowards. Water makes you weak. Water is for washin' blood off that uniform and you don't get no blood on my uniform. Boy, you must be outside yo' mind!"
- Character 1: "What the hell did we do to deserve this?"
Character 2: "Maybe it was that stripper we sent the captain on his birthday."
Character 1: "I told ya we shoulda sent the woman!" - "If she screws it up, she can always fix your hair so your ears don't show."
Monday, July 16, 2012
Top 10 Quotes: "Young Guns II"
This was another popular post from the blog's previous incarnations:
1. Billy: I'll make ya famous!
2. (Chavez has just recited one of Doc's poems)
Doc: I never wrote that. I always meant to tell ya. William Shakespeare wrote it.
3. Arkansas Dave: (says variations of this line throughout the movie) You do know who I am, don't ya? I'm Arkansas Dave Rudabaugh. Ever hear of me? I killed 65 men, not countin' Mexicans and Indians.
4. Brushy Bill Roberts: I had small hands and big wrists and that has saved my life more times than Colonel Colt's Equalizer.
5. Jane: Patrick, I'm gonna part with a nasty secret. You used to make me hotter than a June bride sittin' bareback on a depot stove. But I don't share my bed with the law.
Garrett: And I don't keep with whores no more. So ain't we both content?
6. Chavez: (about Billy) The villagers say he's diablero, can change into a coyote, disappear, never gets killed. Me? I just think he's the luckiest white-eye in New Mexico.
7. Garrett: I've shot everything in the world 'cept you and you still wouldn't go below. This hurts, Kid, but I'm in a place I can't get out of.
8. Tom: What's "scum"?
Billy: Well, Tom, that's bad types. Politicians, bankers, cattle kings...scum.
9. Ash: Garrett! Get me off this animal! I have to have a movement!
10. Doc: You rode a 15-year-old boy straight into his grave and the rest of us straight to hell. Straight to hell. William H. Bonney, you...are not...a god.
Billy: Why don't you pull the trigger and find out?
Top 10 Quotes: "Young Guns"
This is was one of my most popular posts on my original blogs, so it seems fitting that I repost it. These quotes are in no particular order of awesomeness:
1. Dirty Steve: Did you see the size of that chicken?
2. Billy: See, if you got three or four good pals, why, then you got yourself a tribe. There ain't nothin' stronger than that.
3. Chavez: Many nights, my friend...many nights, I held a blade to your throat while you were sleeping. Glad I never killed you, Steve. You're all right.
4. John Tunstall: We're congregated here to learn to read and write. You'll need more than skill with a firearm to succeed in the new world, Billy.
5. Billy: You have to test yourself every day, gentlemen. Once you stop testin' yourself, you get slow. And when that happens, they kill you.
6. Dirty Steve: (repeatedly about Billy) He ain't all there, is he?
7. Charley: You sent a lamb into the slaughter and he walked out a king sheep.
8. Doc: Trouble? You think I look like trouble? I'm a poet, carrying flowers, of all things.
9. Billy: Reap the whirlwind, Sheriff Brady. Reap it!
10. Charley: We work for Mr. Tunstall as regulators. We regulate any stealin' of his property and we're damn good, too. Mr. Tunstall's got a soft spot for runaways, derelicts, vagrant types. But you can't be any geek off the street. Gotta be handy with the steel, if you know what I mean. Earn your keep.
Did I miss your favorite? Let me know in the comments!
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