As is the usual case for this series, the script is well-written and the acting is superb. The layers in this series are fascinating. Every time I watch each episode, I tend to find something I missed before. The interesting aspect I found in this episode is the advice Brenda ignores. While I would like to take lessons from this character in outright manipulation that she does so well, I find the greater lesson to learn from her is revealed in her character's flaws. First, Fritz tells her to take time to call her mother back and when she responds that both he and her mother know that her job must take precedence, he advises her that she will look back on her life and regret not making time for those she loves. In a later episode when she wails that she wishes that she had taken time to talk to her mother because her mother had no more time to talk to her, this advice that Fritz gave her becomes a foreshadowing of what is to come. Next, when she says she could never go to those lengths to close a case (after tearing the photo of Stroah off her desk and putting it in a drawer), and the retired detective tells her to never say never, it brings to mind the later lawsuits and the lengths she goes to to get a conviction against Stroah. Again, the script writers seem to be foreshadowing the character flaws that Brenda could have corrected if she had listened to advice, even when unsolicited.
3 Reviews
Are you willing to take that risk? I am not
biorngm7 May 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Everyone cast in the episode was near perfection, delivering a stellar performance. Tom Skerritt played the part as ordered; good to see him active although ten years have passed; born in 1933. The episode has no annoying characterizations by a cast member and it is worth the hour spent watching. A well-written story of murder, crime solving and pathos, all capsulized for the reader wanting details.
A man is found brutally murdered left in the area where victims from an unsolved case went missing, Elysian Fields region of Central Los Angeles. The detectives determine the victim was first dragged behind a vehicle inducing his wounds, then he was shot afterward. The victim's wallet is found by the Coroner on the body, identified as Howard Greeson, Lt. Flynn recognizes the driver's license picture, identifying him as the suspect in the murders of the two women. Flynn says they could not get a conviction and the Detective handling the case was known as Joey O. Flynn calls the retired Detective for assistance with the Greeson murder. Detective Joe Olin introduces himself to Chief Johnson, having retired before she came on board; he knew Lieutenant's Flynn, Provenza and Tao.
Medical Examiner, Dr. Morales, reviews the multiple wounds on the body, while Flynn speculates he was dragged behind a vehicle, slightly elevated, likely a truck. The doctor agrees with Flynn's assessment, he sent the internal information to toxicology, for them to determine the pain killers the vic was given; used to keep him alive after being dragged, but whose screams were held from annoying the killer. Provenza provides a background on Greeson, clean since he was a suspect, driving an old truck and until recently, he was a security guard at a mall. Detective Olin reviews the other victims with photos and bios. Dana Clarkson lived with Greeson for three years, engaged, but she postponed the wedding, later she was reported missing by her father. Katie West moved in with Greeson with her six-year-old daughter Jenna, who reported the relationship was not compatible; Katie disappeared before leaving Greeson. Detective Olin says since the bodies could not be located, a case could not be built.
Olin is surprised to hear the body was discovered in Elysian Park, because he thought the bodies were there in the area, but the fire road where Greeson was found was washed out at the time police went looking for the women. Brenda orders cadaver dogs to look in the park again. The dogs run looking while Olin divulges to Provenza he lost his prostate last year. The dogs find bodies wrapped in black plastic; Olin suggests the bags remain until they can identify any fingerprints as possibly Greeson's; Brenda agrees to have any prints compared to Greeson. Brenda hypothesizes Greeson was tortured after he identified where he buried the bodies. Flynn speculates the killer had Greeson dig up the bodies, then shot him in the head, leaving his wallet, allowing the identification to go quickly.
Brenda articulates to Fritz Detective Chavez served the warrant, found Greeson's girlfriend with a blackeye, bags packed heading out the door. Provenza calls Chief Johnson asking her to come back into work, because the families of the dead girls are at HQ; Olin told them of the found bodies.
First victim's father is present with her sister, second victim's brother with her daughter Jenna. Brenda confronts Det. Olin wanting the reason why he notified the families. Brenda, extremely angry, explains to Det. Olin he is retired, her priority is to find the depraved individual killing Greeson, then find who killed the women. Further insult complicating the case, Brenda learns the District Attorney called Olin. Olin tries to plead his case of interference suggesting Greeson could have others buried out there; he was living in Las Vegas for five years. Pope tries to subdue the situation, stating the women's bodies were found, let's talk to these people, following Brenda into the murder room.
Brenda informs the families bodies have not been identified; we would like time to prove who they are. Detective Sanchez brings in Greeson's girlfriend Kim Sherman who recognizes Todd West as the person coming out to Greeson's home; Todd is the brother of the second victim. Flynn insults Ms. Sherman, she slaps him, resulting in getting her arrested for assaulting a police officer. All family members request legal-council while Chief Pope recommends they reconsider. Mr. Clarkson talks back to Pope about his past pleas for police help falling short.
Brenda orders reporter Ricardo Ramos to be present, requesting she first talk to him, then he be present at the pending press conference called by Clarkson. Brenda has angry closing words for Det. Olin saying thanks for the help, promising to call him when his case is closed. Brenda poses to Kim Sherman, assaulting a police officer in a police station makes her wonder what she would be like in the real world with a boyfriend who beats you. The three have a heated discussion about the events since Todd West confronted Greeson; Sherman guesses the truck is still at work, with his gun under the front seat, where he kept it. Kim informs Chief Johnson the last time I saw Howard Greeson was when I confronted him about the missing girls. The way he looked at me I thought he was going to kill me; he never hit me before that night. Last seen he was at a bar in Clover City, and I did not want to be around when he came home. Carlos adds some insight to the case stating Todd and Katie West were twins.
Lt. Tao and Sgt. Gabriel discover a late-model, green truck outside the bar, keys in the ignition, a tarp in the back, underneath the tarp is a shovel, a steel cable with a loop on each end, a gun in the cab, the back seat covered in blood. At HQ, Doctor Morales identifies the bodies as Dana Clarkson and Katie West. Toxicology found high levels of morphine in the body of Howard Greeson. Tao verifies casings found at the crime scene were from Greeson's gun, prints from the truck matched those of Todd West from the coffee cup he used at HQ. Brenda orders Todd West brought in for murder charges, when Det. Olin pleads Todd's case in Brenda's office. Brenda requests Olin have Todd come in to prove his innocence and to close Olin's case. The retired detective invites West to sit with Brenda and tell the truth, because he doesn't have anything to hide, does he? Just answer her questions, you will be okay, because ducking behind a lawyer is going to make things worse.
Brenda sits with Todd West in an interview room telling him there is a lot of evidence pointing to you, but let's talk so we can eliminate you as a suspect. How can you explain your fingerprints on the victim's truck? I wanted him dead, but what I wanted more is to see my sister one final time and bring her home. Brenda is looking at a photo of grave #1, asking Todd, does anyone in your family take pain medication? Morphine, for example? Todd answers, no. Brenda presses on. Anyone that you know taking morphine? He answers no. Todd reacts angrily to the grilling about him assaulting Greeson. No one in the LAPD offered to help except Joe Olin, keeping this case alive. Why now did you persist with Greeson after ten years? Since Joe has retired, the LAPD has not done a thing. Joe was calling Greeson every year on Katie's birthday, to keep the case alive. He was not going to do it anymore, so I confronted Greeson. Brenda says why wasn't he going to do it anymore? I want my lawyer back. Fine, we can arrange that for you; she leaves the room.
Brenda enters the media room, excuses Carlos and Buzz, leaving Flynn and Olin. Mr. Olin why weren't you going to harass Greeson anymore? Olin says I don't know why he said that, I wasn't planning on stopping. Brenda shows the photo of the gravesites, stating the person digging up the bodies was looking for the scene of a double murder rather to see his sister, like you were detective.
Mr. Greeson would have gone willingly with a badge, even though the badge is retired, and it had to be someone Greeson knew. Tell me detective, how much time do you have? I could not understand why someone would do this now to Mr. Greeson, after all this time, unless time itself is running out. If you factor in the weight loss, the prostate you no longer have, the queasy stomach believed to come from the morphine, I am forced to conclude that you have cancer, and that you are dying. So, I will ask you again Detective Olin, how much more time do you have? Three to six months; I waive my rights in the interest of time. Brenda responds, Lt. Flynn cuffs are not necessary.
Brenda probes Olin after stating after such an illustrious career, how he could do this? The make-a-wish foundation refused to do it for me. I did not want to die knowing Greeson was not going to pay for what he did. Olin reviews his grizzly deed together with the taped confession he got from Greeson before the end. It was Greeson who lead him to those girls' graves; Olin hands Brenda a recording of Greeson admitting to it all, he adds, not for the faint of heart. Olin made Brenda pause to reflect on her own dwelling case of Phillip Stroh; there might be a case that lingers for any law officer.
Brenda is at her desk, Flynn comes in, requesting bail be set before Olin's trial. Brenda refuses on the grounds the detective might have a list where there are more like Greeson, and she cannot take that chance. Brenda tests Flynn, are you willing to take that risk? Because I am not. She hands off the recording of Greeson's admission of guilt to killing the girls, neither Flynn nor Brenda say they want to hear the tape; placing the recording in evidence unheard and no bail for Olin.
The make-a-wish foundation refused to do it for me.
biorngm8 May 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Everyone cast in the episode was near perfection, delivering a stellar performance. Tom Skerritt played the part as ordered; good to see him active although ten years have passed; born in 1933. The episode has no annoying characterizations by a cast member and it is worth the hour spent watching. A well-written story of murder, crime solving and pathos, all capsulized below for the reader wanting details.
A man is found brutally murdered left in the area where victims from an unsolved case went missing, Elysian Fields region of Central Los Angeles. The detectives determine the victim was first dragged behind a vehicle inducing his wounds, then he was shot afterward. The victim's wallet is found by the Coroner on the body, identified as Howard Greeson, Lt. Flynn recognizes the driver's license picture, identifying him as the suspect in the murders of the two women. Flynn says they could not get a conviction and the Detective handling the case was known as Joey O.
Medical Examiner, Dr. Morales, reviews the multiple wounds on the body, while Flynn speculates he was dragged behind a vehicle, slightly elevated, likely a truck.
Brenda confronts Det. Olin wanting the reason why he notified the families. Brenda, extremely angry, explains to Det. Olin he is retired, her priority is to find the depraved individual killing Greeson, then find who killed the women. Detective Sanchez brings in Greeson's girlfriend Kim Sherman who recognizes Todd West as the person coming out to Greeson's home; Todd is the brother of the second victim. Flynn insults Ms. Sherman, she slaps him, resulting in getting her arrested for assaulting a police officer. All family members request legal-council while Chief Pope recommends they reconsider. Mr. Clarkson talks back to Pope about his past pleas for police help falling short.
Brenda orders reporter Ricardo Ramos to be present, requesting she first talk to him, then he be present at the pending press conference called by Clarkson. Brenda has angry closing words for Det. Olin saying thanks for the help, promising to call him when his case is closed. Brenda poses to Kim Sherman, assaulting a police officer in a police station makes her wonder what she would be like in the real world with a boyfriend who beats you. The three have a heated discussion about the events since Todd West confronted Greeson; Sherman guesses the truck is still at work, with his gun under the front seat, where he kept it. Kim informs Chief Johnson the last time I saw Howard Greeson was when I confronted him about the missing girls. The way he looked at me I thought he was going to kill me; he never hit me before that night. Last seen he was at a bar in Clover City, and I did not want to be around when he came home. Carlos adds some insight to the case stating Todd and Katie West were twins.
Lt. Tao and Sgt. Gabriel discover a late-model, green truck outside the bar, keys in the ignition, a tarp in the back, underneath the tarp is a shovel, a steel cable with a loop on each end, a gun in the cab, the back seat covered in blood. At HQ, Doctor Morales identifies the bodies as Dana Clarkson and Katie West. Toxicology found high levels of morphine in the body of Howard Greeson.
The retired detective invites West to sit with Brenda and tell the truth, because he doesn't have anything to hide, does he? Just answer her questions, you will be okay, because ducking behind a lawyer is going to make things worse. Brenda sits with Todd West in an interview room telling him there is a lot of evidence pointing to you, but let's talk so we can eliminate you as a suspect. How can you explain your fingerprints on the victim's truck? I wanted him dead, but what I wanted more is to see my sister one final time and bring her home. Brenda is looking at a photo of grave #1, asking Todd, does anyone in your family take pain medication? Morphine, for example? Todd answers, no. Brenda presses on. Anyone that you know taking morphine? He answers no. Todd reacts angrily to the grilling about him assaulting Greeson. No one in the LAPD offered to help except Joe Olin, keeping this case alive. Why now did you persist with Greeson after ten years? Since Joe has retired, the LAPD has not done a thing. Joe was calling Greeson every year on Katie's birthday, to keep the case alive. He was not going to do it anymore, so I confronted Greeson. Brenda says why wasn't he going to do it anymore? I want my lawyer back. Fine, we can arrange that for you; she leaves the room.
Brenda enters the media room, excuses Carlos and Buzz, leaving Flynn and Olin. Mr. Olin why weren't you going to harass Greeson anymore? Olin says I don't know why he said that, I wasn't planning on stopping. Brenda shows the photo of the gravesites, stating the person digging up the bodies was looking for the scene of a double murder rather to see his sister, like you were detective. Mr. Greeson would have gone willingly with a badge, even though the badge is retired, and it had to be someone Greeson knew. Tell me detective, how much time do you have? I could not understand why someone would do this now to Mr. Greeson, after all this time, unless time itself is running out. If you factor in the weight loss, the prostate you no longer have, the queasy stomach believed to come from the morphine, I am forced to conclude that you have cancer, and that you are dying. So, I will ask you again Detective Olin, how much more time do you have? Three to six months; I waive my rights in the interest of time. Brenda responds, Lt. Flynn cuffs are not necessary.
Brenda probes Olin after stating after such an illustrious career, how he could do this? The make-a-wish foundation refused to do it for me. I did not want to die knowing Greeson was not going to pay for what he did. Olin reviews his grizzly deed together with the taped confession he got from Greeson before the end. It was Greeson who lead him to those girls' graves; Olin hands Brenda a recording of Greeson admitting to it all, he adds, not for the faint of heart. Olin made Brenda pause to reflect on her own dwelling case of Phillip Stroh; there might be a case that lingers for any law officer.
Brenda is at her desk, Flynn comes in, requesting bail be set before Olin's trial. Brenda refuses on the grounds the detective might have a list where there are more like Greeson, and she cannot take that chance. Brenda tests Flynn, are you willing to take that risk? Because I am not. She hands off the recording of Greeson's admission of guilt to killing the girls, neither Flynn nor Brenda say they want to hear the tape; placing the recording in evidence unheard and no bail for Olin.
A man is found brutally murdered left in the area where victims from an unsolved case went missing, Elysian Fields region of Central Los Angeles. The detectives determine the victim was first dragged behind a vehicle inducing his wounds, then he was shot afterward. The victim's wallet is found by the Coroner on the body, identified as Howard Greeson, Lt. Flynn recognizes the driver's license picture, identifying him as the suspect in the murders of the two women. Flynn says they could not get a conviction and the Detective handling the case was known as Joey O.
Medical Examiner, Dr. Morales, reviews the multiple wounds on the body, while Flynn speculates he was dragged behind a vehicle, slightly elevated, likely a truck.
Brenda confronts Det. Olin wanting the reason why he notified the families. Brenda, extremely angry, explains to Det. Olin he is retired, her priority is to find the depraved individual killing Greeson, then find who killed the women. Detective Sanchez brings in Greeson's girlfriend Kim Sherman who recognizes Todd West as the person coming out to Greeson's home; Todd is the brother of the second victim. Flynn insults Ms. Sherman, she slaps him, resulting in getting her arrested for assaulting a police officer. All family members request legal-council while Chief Pope recommends they reconsider. Mr. Clarkson talks back to Pope about his past pleas for police help falling short.
Brenda orders reporter Ricardo Ramos to be present, requesting she first talk to him, then he be present at the pending press conference called by Clarkson. Brenda has angry closing words for Det. Olin saying thanks for the help, promising to call him when his case is closed. Brenda poses to Kim Sherman, assaulting a police officer in a police station makes her wonder what she would be like in the real world with a boyfriend who beats you. The three have a heated discussion about the events since Todd West confronted Greeson; Sherman guesses the truck is still at work, with his gun under the front seat, where he kept it. Kim informs Chief Johnson the last time I saw Howard Greeson was when I confronted him about the missing girls. The way he looked at me I thought he was going to kill me; he never hit me before that night. Last seen he was at a bar in Clover City, and I did not want to be around when he came home. Carlos adds some insight to the case stating Todd and Katie West were twins.
Lt. Tao and Sgt. Gabriel discover a late-model, green truck outside the bar, keys in the ignition, a tarp in the back, underneath the tarp is a shovel, a steel cable with a loop on each end, a gun in the cab, the back seat covered in blood. At HQ, Doctor Morales identifies the bodies as Dana Clarkson and Katie West. Toxicology found high levels of morphine in the body of Howard Greeson.
The retired detective invites West to sit with Brenda and tell the truth, because he doesn't have anything to hide, does he? Just answer her questions, you will be okay, because ducking behind a lawyer is going to make things worse. Brenda sits with Todd West in an interview room telling him there is a lot of evidence pointing to you, but let's talk so we can eliminate you as a suspect. How can you explain your fingerprints on the victim's truck? I wanted him dead, but what I wanted more is to see my sister one final time and bring her home. Brenda is looking at a photo of grave #1, asking Todd, does anyone in your family take pain medication? Morphine, for example? Todd answers, no. Brenda presses on. Anyone that you know taking morphine? He answers no. Todd reacts angrily to the grilling about him assaulting Greeson. No one in the LAPD offered to help except Joe Olin, keeping this case alive. Why now did you persist with Greeson after ten years? Since Joe has retired, the LAPD has not done a thing. Joe was calling Greeson every year on Katie's birthday, to keep the case alive. He was not going to do it anymore, so I confronted Greeson. Brenda says why wasn't he going to do it anymore? I want my lawyer back. Fine, we can arrange that for you; she leaves the room.
Brenda enters the media room, excuses Carlos and Buzz, leaving Flynn and Olin. Mr. Olin why weren't you going to harass Greeson anymore? Olin says I don't know why he said that, I wasn't planning on stopping. Brenda shows the photo of the gravesites, stating the person digging up the bodies was looking for the scene of a double murder rather to see his sister, like you were detective. Mr. Greeson would have gone willingly with a badge, even though the badge is retired, and it had to be someone Greeson knew. Tell me detective, how much time do you have? I could not understand why someone would do this now to Mr. Greeson, after all this time, unless time itself is running out. If you factor in the weight loss, the prostate you no longer have, the queasy stomach believed to come from the morphine, I am forced to conclude that you have cancer, and that you are dying. So, I will ask you again Detective Olin, how much more time do you have? Three to six months; I waive my rights in the interest of time. Brenda responds, Lt. Flynn cuffs are not necessary.
Brenda probes Olin after stating after such an illustrious career, how he could do this? The make-a-wish foundation refused to do it for me. I did not want to die knowing Greeson was not going to pay for what he did. Olin reviews his grizzly deed together with the taped confession he got from Greeson before the end. It was Greeson who lead him to those girls' graves; Olin hands Brenda a recording of Greeson admitting to it all, he adds, not for the faint of heart. Olin made Brenda pause to reflect on her own dwelling case of Phillip Stroh; there might be a case that lingers for any law officer.
Brenda is at her desk, Flynn comes in, requesting bail be set before Olin's trial. Brenda refuses on the grounds the detective might have a list where there are more like Greeson, and she cannot take that chance. Brenda tests Flynn, are you willing to take that risk? Because I am not. She hands off the recording of Greeson's admission of guilt to killing the girls, neither Flynn nor Brenda say they want to hear the tape; placing the recording in evidence unheard and no bail for Olin.
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