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cards-onthetable · 5 years

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An Elusive Computer Post

Y’all, 99.999% of the time, I exist on my phone and tablet. It’s very rare that I do any Fandom Stuff or social media on my laptop. But tonight, after This Episode, I had to break out the big guns. I need to be able to type as fast as my brain screams words. tl;dr: EVERYTHING IS THE WORST AND I HATE IT. Hey I’ll do a fun little page break so you don’t have to scroll past this whole thing if you don’t want to. How nice of me.

Erin

OPENING SCENE AND ERIN’S ALREADY YELLING AT PEOPLE. COOL.

JUST DON’T with this foster parent (allegedly) killing a foster child thing. Foster parents have enough of a negative perception as it is... a foster parent who “cracked” and killed a child in her care certainly won’t help. And I know this won’t turn into a well-done, thoughtful Discourse on the lack of support and resources for foster parents who are caring for children with complex needs. So I hate it.

I’m so, so, so sad for this child.

Sidenote re: Sam saying “I’ve already got a mom” (explaining why he didn’t call his foster parent “mom”) - okay, BB, one actual sensitive portrayal here, thumbs up.

Welp Erin’s boss is an asshole but so’s everyone else on this show. What else is new?

And now Sam is locked out of his new foster home. Another nice tally in the Negative Portrayal column. This is disgusting. His appreciation for his previous foster parent is obvious (this kid’s a ten times better actor than fucking Will “Dead Face” Estes at this point) and I hate this entire concept. At least the show’s portrayal of the child in foster care himself is positive.

Now Sam’s at Anthony’s house and this is off topic, but for half a second can we appreciate that Sam is also a bajillion times better at apologies than Jamie Reagan? Nice.

If Anthony becomes Sam’s foster parent I will be SO ANNOYED. One, because I’m sure the show won’t even hint at an accurate process - it’ll be insta-parent, Anthony walks into some caseworker’s office and walks out with physical custody of a child (fun fact: it takes three months or longer to get licensed as a foster parent). Two, because it’s kind of another blow to the reputation of foster parents that this episode is painting - like the only suitable foster parent in a whole city of veteran, trained, experienced FPs is this newbie? This does not taste good.

This is a cute scene. Rather than Anthony being Sam’s foster parent, how about he becomes his mentor?

OH. NICE. EXACTLY WHAT I DIDN’T WANT. “I’m going to sign the papers later today. I’m going to foster Sam myself.” Can we please get some follow-up on this, BB? Let’s please see Anthony trying to navigate the waters of parenting a teenager who likely has attachment-related diagnoses and other challenges. Is Anthony going to get trauma-informed care training? Or is he just going to wing it and hope that it’s all magical and swell? Does he have a sensitive, non-snarky bone in his body? I’m on the edge of my seat. (LOL @ Erin being the voice of reason here.)

OH. WHOA WHOA WHOA. “It’s not like I always wanted a son, but one came knocking and I answered the door.” Remember that line above where Sam reminded us that he has a mom? Do you understand why this line made me gag? There’s a fine line you walk as a foster parent, where you’re performing all the duties of parenting this child as if they’re your own - but you have to remember and be sensitive to the fact that they’re not. Kids in foster care are a package deal, yo, they come with a whole other family too. For teenagers this is an especially important Issue.

This entire storyline was terrible. 0/10.

Fat Shaming (Frank and co)

Poor Witten, you guys. That is awful and terrible and dangerous that her partner can’t even make it up 4 flights of stairs. “I’m here and you’re fine” - but what if she wasn’t?

Did Sid Gormley just use the word “fat shaming” and argue that physical fitness does not affect a cop’s ability to do their job?

Cops who are on the beat should be able to pass a fairly high standard for physical fitness. The end, basically.

Family dinner (tossed in here due to the topic of conversation): Seriously? Henry’s going to talk about it being discrimination to require cops to meet a physical fitness standard that is a pretty basic aspect of their ability to do their job? Nice.

Oh, magical, Frank has come up with a Compromise that Makes Everybody Happy. Raise your hand if you’re surprised.

Danny

TBH I hardly noticed this storyline at all. I’m much too busy angrily scribbling all of the examples of Dismissive Jamie on my whiteboard. Oh well, win some lose some.

Jamko

The way Jamie brushes Eddie off during this whole New Partner Discussion is gross. Refer to yesterday’s Two Pronged Complaint for the details.

The Biggest Issues: Jamie minimizing Eddie’s experience on the job, and being too protective of her/failing to be an objective boss. Et cetera.

“wHaT eLsE dOn’T I kNoW?” suck a dick, Jamie Reagan.

Peep those obviously empty coffee cups that probably have a piece of dry ice at the bottom to make the “steam.” A+.

I’m going to keep track of how many times “female empowerment” is said in this episode. I’ll keep you updated.

So this “fraternal organization” that we’ve all been so stressed about Eddie joining is...basically a women’s intramural sports league? LOLOL so I’m super excited to watch Jamie sputter about how Joe died playing softball* and therefore Eddie shouldn’t join.

LOOK AT EDDIE. She is legitimately excited about the idea of playing softball, dude. That smile is as much personality as we’ve gotten out of her all season. CAN’T WAIT TO WATCH JAMIE “WET BLANKET” REAGAN SNUFF THAT RIGHT OUT.

This ~date night~ situation is hilarious in a Young Childless Couple way.

OH, so NOW Jamie’s interested in a legitimate conversation with Eddie, engaged and responding... with questions in a demanding, rude tone? I’m so annoyed at his whole handling of the Eddie’s-new-partner thing.

GOD why is everything a Female Empowerment Thing? Can’t women just... enjoy playing sports?

OH HERE’S WHERE IT GETS FUN HOLD ONTO YOUR BUTTS

BAD IDEA

YOU’RE ABOUT TO BECOME A REAGAN

THAT’S A NO-GO

NOW YOU’RE JUST BEING STUBBORN

“No, I’m being astonished that my fiancé is trying to tell me what I can and cannot do” SAME, EDDIE

I’m so angry that the scene cuts off there. Did they just go about their stupid dinner date with this Tension floating palpably in the air between them? Did Eddie pull out an “I think I’ll sleep at my place tonight” and stalk away in that red? satin? dress? ? I hope she poured his stupid ON TAP IPA (objectively the worst type of beer, btw) down his shirt and walked out.

I AM SO SAD watching this scene of Eddie backing out of softball.

“I’m not much of a joiner” is a DUMB RIDICULOUS LINE and Eddie says it TWICE, folks.

Witten doesn’t bring up Jamie at all - I therefore assume she doesn’t know Eddie’s a Future Reagan (which is a whole other issue, but anyway.) . Witten thinks Eddie’s backing out so as to avoid associating with Witten. So I assume Witten’s intentions with the softball invite were totally pure. IMAGINE THAT! A woman who wants to be friends with another woman, one who she works with and respects and wants to get to know better! With no ulterior motive! Someone please hit Jamie Reagan in the nostril with a dart.

I like Witten more and more. Can we replace all the Reagan storylines with Witten, Sam, and Old Eddie in dark jeans and a studded jacket?

A LAUNDROMAT? ONE: Shouldn’t Jamie, as A Reagan, have laundry in his building?* TWO: It he didn’t, why wouldn’t they do laundry for free at Frank’s house every week?*

I CAN SMELL THE TENSION and I am legitimately curious how they’ve coexisted between the date and now. How’s that working out, hmm - that “keeping work and home separate” thing?

“I DIDN’T TELL YOU TO, I ASKED” says Jamie. Shall we go back a few bullet points to when he told her it’s a “no-go”?

I NEED TO KNOW WHAT ELSE I NEED TO KNOW - Same, Eddie. Do I really need to reiterate how ridiculous this whole thing is - that they’re engaged without dating, and now finding out that maybe there’s a reason people date first, even if they’re best friends, because this is the kind of stuff you work out before you start shopping for your dress.

“Are we talking, or are we just talking smack?” SOME ACCUSATION from the dumbass who said ALL THE THINGS IN THOSE BULLETS UP ABOVE.

Finally, for once, Eddie is voicing some real and legitimate concerns. Are we going to get any sort of resolution or mature adult discussion of these things? NOPE!

Did he seriously just tell her to cut it out? I hate him so much. I hope somebody duct tapes him to the front of those washer/dryers and pulls out each individual eyebrow hair with tweezers.

This laundromat scene just exemplifies so many of the issues I’ve been rage blogging about all damn season. Jamie ultimately brushing off Eddie’s concerns without ever giving her real answers. Not having the respect for her to even take her thoughts into account. Barking orders like he knows it all, and Eddie isn’t capable of making her own decisions. At least this time that’s the actual point of the scene rather than the nasty subtext.

EDDIE AND DANNY SCENE: I’m actually surprised that this is the first time Joe has been mentioned. Watching the sneak peek I figured Jamie’s main argument against Eddie joining an organization would be that it’s what got his brother killed (being vague, obviously, since Eddie clearly didn’t know the details). Not that it’s improper As A Reagan. I hoped the context of the episode would make me feel a little better about this scene but it just feels even more out of place and poorly/choppily written. I like Eddie and Danny together - I’d like them to interact more. But this didn’t do it for me. Gotta meet that Joe Mention Quota* on the season, I guess.

FINAL SCENE: in summary, FUCK THIS.

Sidenote: When is someone going to get suspicious @ how often Eddie gets pulled into Sarge’s office?

For the record, I anticipated an eye-rolly “Ohhkay, maybe I overreacted...” speech.

WHAT WE GOT FELL BELOW EVEN THAT VERY LOW BAR.

Jamie explains himself. Fine, he has a right to do that, and it’s constructive in helping Eddie understand the man she’s about to marry (god don’t even remind me). BUT HE DOES NOT ADMIT ANY WRONGDOING.

THERE IS NO APOLOGY

THERE IS NO ADMISSION THAT HE MADE MISTAKES in how he spoke to her, ordered her around, and didn’t even stop for eight seconds to listen to what she had to say

THERE IS NOT EVEN THE VERY MINIMAL “I overreacted” type of acknowledgment.

“So maybe if I forget sometimes, you can remind me” THIS IS GROSS TOO because it essentially puts the burden on Eddie to teach/remind Jamie how to HAVE AN ADULT CONVERSATION AND NOT BE AN ASS. He could AT LEAST take responsibility for his own improvement in the Future.

Eddie said literally two words in this entire scene. There was no mutual understanding, no real agreement, no genuine Development in their relationship.

THIS IS NOT A SATISFACTORY RESOLUTION TO THIS CONFLICT.

This episode is called Rectify but NOTHING HAS BEEN RECTIFIED.

ALSO, this seems like an awfully Personal conversation to be having in uniform, Sarge. Are they even trying anymore?

HE JUST THREW A SOFTBALL GLOVE AT HER. Is that supposed to be... sweet? Touching? An admission of guilt/mistake/wrongdoing? TRY AGAIN, BB. NONE OF THE ABOVE.

WELL. If you’ve made it this far, I hope you’re as disgruntled as I am. Seems like plenty of y’all were quite unhappy with this episode as well. I’m enjoying your tweets and sadness. I’ve been the queen of this club for almost a year now. Welcome, make yourselves comfortable, there’s plenty of ice cream in the freezer. Just don’t sit on the far end of the couch. That’s my dog’s favorite spot.

*These four hilarious lines were taken from two important Outside Sources. Thanks for your contribution, Outside Sources.

#sandy hates it all #blue bloods #9 x 18 Rectify

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fixomnia-scribble · 6 years

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Blue Bloods 9x02 Recap & Ramble & Rant

Ahhh! My home internet has been down for a couple of days, and Tumblr mobile chokes on longposts, so here we be, a little tardy...

You know the drill…actually, I never did lay out the parameters of The Drill, did I?

These are just my thoughts and highlights.

Spoilers after the cut.

Feel free to chat about anything episode-related in the notes.

And happy Indigenous Peoples Day and Canadian Thanksgiving.

COLD OPEN TO: The One-Two. Enter Jamie, stunned, with a fine set of Sergeant’s stripes on his sleeve. GO JAMIE! The morning sun is hitting him just right, or something, because even in the cinder-block precinct, he’s kinda glowing.

Eddie, waiting outside the Lt.’s office, jumps up. He tells her he’s been transferred to the Two-Nine, which Eddie calls “a real zoo”. Jamie say the boss didn’t really give him a choice, which is interesting…I mean, as far as I know, anyone getting top marks on a major police promotional exam generally gets presented with a few nice options to pick from? Anyway.

It’s the end of an era, which Jamie seems to be trying to take philosophically. Eddie suggests she might apply to join him in his new digs. (Oh, no, no…you do not want to be that officer who got to chase her fiancé across town on account of his last name.) Jamie has the same hesitation but for a different reason: he wants to see what the Two-Nine is like before they both commit there.

“You look good in stripes,” she drawls, as she heads off to work. THEY’RE BEING SO SPOUSEY. I love The Banter but I could get used to this, too.

CUT TO: Office of E. Erin and Tony are gently interviewing Kara, a young black lady with a fresh black eye, who is trying to walk back charging her boyfriend with assault. It turns out that Billy Conroy is one of the top sports agents of the country. Seven months ago, the ADA assigned to a previous assault on her declined to prosecute him. He’s rich and knows everyone. HELLO TOPICAL NEWS STORY. You can practically see Erin swinging her football pads over her shoulders.

CUT TO: Office of D. Danny and Baez head to Carver’s office, but instead of Carver, it’s Gormley. He explains to them that written threats against Frank have begun appearing that match previous threat from an ex-cop, Roy Cross, who was allowed to resign instead of being fired for nicking money from a narco investigation. Danny asks why Threat Assessment isn’t taking it on. Sid replies that just that morning, Cross was spotted outside the hotel where Frank was having breakfast.

Now:

1. I sorta love that as soon as Sid is outside the One PP for any length of time, he calls Frank “your old man”, his physical speech gets more relaxed and his accent thickens. It’s a nice little nuance that reminds us how out of place he first felt in the One PP, and still does.

2. I really love that Sid has gone behind Frank’s back to enlist Danny and Baez into a de facto extra security unit, since Frank wouldn’t want any extra manpower expended on his behalf.

Sid asks them to rattle Cross’ cage, quietly, and keep it on the down-low.

CUT TO: Office of F. Baker (Baker! Baker! Baker!) is offering KELLY FREAKING PETERSON some coffee as Frank looms large behind them. Kelly declines. Bebe and Tom, both looking fab and classy as all heck, sit down to business. “What’s up?” Frank asks, as if their being within ten feet of each other doesn’t set car alarms off within a two-block radius. They are the Fred and Ginger of the NYPD / City Corp relationship.

Kelly explains that one of her attorneys was sexually assaulted while on a blind date. Damn, we really have a theme going tonight. She speaks very highly of Paula. She asks Frank to review the case personally – specifically the investigating detective, who made Paula “feel like she was the suspect.”

I take a quick break to make a cup of tea, because shit is about to get heavy, and for good reasons. These two cases are normal. This is how victims are treated, and feel, more often than not - and this is me speaking as a past police staffer and Victim’s Services worker who sees what the police are tasked with, too. And if there is to be any substantive change in the NYPD’s handling of sex-related assault and threat cases, it has to come from the top, and Frank is the one on the throne.

Bebe is investing her words with actual people she knows in mind. As I am as I write. Between this and Erin’s case, I can feel every woman and more than a few men leaning forward, going: “Get this right. Please get this right.”

Frank delivers the usual brief homily on Special Victims investigations protocols that generally work, meaning that in cop terms, there is either a solid case built, or not, and the work goes on from there. He’s not trying to convince Kelly of anything, though, knowing exactly what’s coming: Kelly points out that making a victim feel like they were asking to be victimized is just adding insult to injury. The insult is real, and the injury is very fucking real.

Frank is sympathetic and agrees to drill down on the case. Upon which Kelly admits that Paula is preparing to file suit against the NYPD. Frank merely sighs and says, “Look at you – burying the lead.” Kelly has convinced Paula to hold off until Frank had been spoken to.

“I was going to happily look into this for you; now I will just plain look into it,” Frank tells her. Kelly sees her exit and gets up with a muted “Thank you.” She swans elegantly out.

This is downright collaborative, for these two. Can they even function in harmony? For Paula’s sake, I hope so. Even for a high-powered city attorney, the guts it must take to go up against the NYPD for the sake of current and future victims of assault cannot be overstated.

Credits and title cards. Dorky couch wiggle / arm dance time.

CUT TO: Danny and Baez approach Roy Cross at a building site. Everyone makes nice with each other, at least as nice as can be made with everyone wearing a piece or two and wondering about each other’s motives. Cross insists he has no beef with the PC, and his reason for being in the vicinity of Frank’s breakfast meeting was that his favourite specialty shoe store is nearby – “Problem arches,” he says, handing Danny a receipt from said store at the time in question. “Sometimes a loafer is just a loafer.”

He assures Danny there’s no problem. But as he turns away, there’s a weird tension as he says, “Give my best to your old man,” and flicks his cigarette to the ground. If I were Danny or Baez, I’d wait until Cross was out of sight and grab that butt. Discarded in public place, clearly garbage…could come in handy. They have plenty of probable cause to investigate, especially with Cross’ past history and a directive from Sid.

CUT TO: Office of E, where Erin and Tony are still working in tandem. This time they’re questioning a young black ADA who declined to prosecute the case against Billy Conroy seven months ago. He agrees that he had plenty of evidence to indict but that it “was complicated”. Erin calmly (and with her new authority as Bureau Chief) asks him to walk her through the case. They head to her office. Martin, the ADA, says that he would have moved to indict, but that he was told to back off. He’d rather not say by whom.

“I’d rather be Brad Pitt,” Tony says, and aww, Tony, just be you, you loveable lugnut.

Martin alludes to the person in question no longer being with them. “Well then, if he or she has left the office, it should be easier,” nudges Erin.

“She didn’t just leave the office. She left the planet,” says Martin, which was perfectly timed and would be hilariously phrased if we weren’t talking about Monica, who died in Erin’s arms two weeks ago in Hiatus Standard Time.

“I did what I was told,” he goes on, “and I’m not looking to disrespect her memory, but what happened? Wasn’t justice.” He is visibly fidgeting, and I have a feeling he’s been hanging onto this for far too long.

Erin looks gobsmacked, crestfallen and newly determined all at once.

CUT TO: Office of F. Frank is brushing a finger against his moustache in a slightly menacing manner as Sid opens up an official interview with Palmer, the Special Victims Unit detective who was on Paula Thompson’s assault case. Palmer isn’t surprised to find himself called up. Thompson identified herself as a City Corporation Attorney right up front – whatever that it supposed to mean in this instance. She came in swinging her power titles around and therefore was looking for a fight? As a Corporation counsellor, she’ll take any chance to needle the NYPD? Something ain’t right here.

Sid explains in no uncertain terms that Thompson accused Palmer of unprofessional behaviour, and treated her like the perp. Palmer takes this in stride, explaining that he can see why she might feel that way, and that the interview protocol for victims means asking questions about the nature of the relationship between the victim and suspect, that “can’t help but sting”. Got that right. Palmer knows that Frank had a hand in writing the protocol, and maintains that it’s solid.

(Which may be so, in cop terms: a useful tool is one that quickly determines whether a case can stand up in court. BUT such tools aren’t useful in cases with minimal or no evidence, or previous established relationships, except to re-open wounds. As a Victims Services worker, I’ve had to explain to totally numbed victims that after being picked apart several times in succession, after the iniquities of the physical exam and having multiple strangers read the most horrific story of your life – they do believe you, and they want to help, but your case just won’t stand up in court. The best they can do is work on safety and security measures for you. That, too, hinges upon the availability of a whole other set of trained people and the emotional and mental presence of the victim.

/rant)

They ascertain that Palmer followed procedure by the book, but could not find enough to arrest the suspect. Sid outlines the quandary neatly by saying, “And if you don’t do your job, the DA can’t do theirs.”

“And that’s when rapists walk right back out the door,” says Palmer. He sounds sympathetic and somewhat frustrated.

CUT TO: The Two-Nine. Office of J? J’s new boss, anyway. I think I’ve seen Boss on other cop shows.

Jamie learns that the outgoing sergeant had some problems, mostly of his own making. He was more concerned with his golf game than his command. Jamie, very respectfully asks, “If I may, Boss, why me, though? A rookie sergeant?” Which is a pretty clever and layered way of learning more, in this instance.

We learn that in addition to “winning” the Sergeant’s exam, Jamie also won the Mayor’s Award at the Academy. A quick dig turns up what we all suspected: the Mayor’s Award means Jamie also clinched the highest overall score in his class, and was class Valedictorian. “So why not you?” his boss shrugs. He allows that having two PCs in the family doesn’t hurt, but that’s “pretty far down the list of why you.” Hee. I kinda like this guy.

“Here to help any way I can,” Jamie assures him.

“Then let’s put the fear of God into these guys,” says his new boss. Welp. At least he seems like he’s got Jamie’s back, but with what?

Jamie makes a brief suggestion to let his new guys get to trust him, but his boss states baldly, “Sergeant Reagan. This house is on fire. Hose it down.”

Well, then.

Jamie looks so absurdly young again, with everything to learn – and now as a husband as well as a Sergeant. And Will is nailing it. My hopes for S9 have lifted considerably.

CUT TO: An outdoor speech event is being staged along the river. Which one? Not sure. Frank’s detail calls Danny and Baez over to inform them that they found both Roy Cross and a semiautomatic pistol in the parking lot near the event. “Public park,” is Cross’ explanation. “Legally registered gun.” As if that calms all seas.

“Expecting trouble?” asks Danny.

“Dangerous world,” Cross replies. Uh huh. Doofus.

Danny and Baez bring him to the Two-Five for questioning, more or less under arrest, but not in cuffs or shackled to the table. “First time on this side of the table,” Cross remarks. Now we get the first sign of heat from him about the PC ending his career. Danny reminds him that he was working a drug bust in which money disappeared.

“You don’t have evidence I took a single dime,” Cross says, dropping the amiable-doofus tone for something rather more slick and a little sinister. Danny reminds him that the PC let Cross retire with his full pension, without being fired. “Imagine my gratitude,” Cross grumbles back. Well, yeah. If drug money went walking on my watch, on a case I was responsible for, I’d be pretty freaking grateful for that – if nothing else, it’s a statement that the PC didn’t think he was directly responsible, and it leaves him free to keep in contact with people who could re-open the investigation.

Then: “Do you believe in loyalty, Danny?” he asks.

Danny takes a breath. “Yeah, I believe in loyalty.”

Cross delivers quite a speech about his high-risk drug-interdiction task force, which suffered casualties, and that “If some of the cash belonging to some of the scumbags that killed my people finds its way into the pockets of their loved ones, I can live with that.”

Whoa. So either he lifted it himself or turned a blind eye. And he’s sore at Frank for letting him walk out of his job unscathed? Sheesh.

“Is that what happened?” Baez asks softly.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Cross snaps back. Again, whoa. This guy is morphing from amiable doofus to mission-oriented killer before my eyes.

As Danny tries to explain that his old man actually, really does mourn the loss of every officer under his command (um, yes, including his son), Cross spits out a whole new angry spiel about eulogies being cheap, and being there “after the cameras leave” is what’s important. Which, as we know, Frank believes too. Not so much with this guy. What’s his actual beef? Besides needing to have been cycled off his task force a few years earlier.

Danny is unclear as to the nature of the beef as well, but says he doesn’t care. He issues a warning and then he lets Amiable Doofus Mission Killer walk out the door.

CUT TO: The Two-Nine parade room. Sergeant Reagan glances through the side window as he approaches the door. There are clusters of officers chatting loudly, lounging around, and not paying attention to anything else.

“Officers,” Jamie calls, walking to the podium. “Muster up.”

Nobody musters very fast.

“I said, fall in. Move!” Jamie barks. I, um, whoa. A few officers eyeball each other. “On my command, open ranks for inspection.” Yes, SIR. Let’s not belabour that with anything too metaphorical, shall we?

“Open ranks. Move,” he says, more normally. They sort of do. About eighteen officers spread out, lazily. A couple are without hats. One has only one set of collar brass that I can see. Some are standing loosely at attention while others have their hands resting on the duty belts. Hoo boy.

Jamie walks down the line, calling out Officer Hatless (another hatless dude hastily covers up), and a female officer with a straggly ponytail. “And lose the red nail polish – this isn’t the junior prom.” Ooh, that’s mild for a double uniform code discipline. (Red nails, really?? Sheesh. Friend of mine got written up on account of a very neat French manicure leftover from a wedding.) Dude with ten years’ service has a visible tattoo on the back of his hand, which is also against regulations. I guess that means either wearing makeup on his hand or wearing gloves on shift the whole time.

Jamie recognizes an Officer Jordan for being squared away and passing Inspection, which I’m thinking isn’t going to earn Jordan any beers after shift.

“My name is Sergeant Reagan,” Jamie announces, returning to the podium, in that completely delicious gruff half-California-half-Nyawker accent of his. “I’m the new boss. If you pay me respect, you’ll get it back, with interest.” Aww. I believe it, too. “If you give me grief, you won’t know what hit ya.” Dude. Second-Season Jamie with the All-Night Throw-Down is BACK.

PHEW. Fanfanfan.

Establishing shot. NYC, why you gotta be so pretty? I miss you. (Hastily checks flights. Hm.)

CUT TO: Office of E. Erin wonders aloud why Monica would let off a serial abuser scott-free. “She was a good prosecutor,” Tony says reasonably, “She must’ve had a good reason for letting Conroy escape.”

Erin points out that when it came to prosecuting crimes against women, Monica was a bulldog. Um. Erin. You are literally in Monica’s job now. You can look up her files and things.

Tony knows that look, and throws a monkey-wrench in the work with a “You really wanna start staining her reputation?” Oh, Tony. What about the reputation of the DA’s office?

If Monica had a legitimate reason, then there’s no problem, says Erin. If not, then she needs to know.

CUT TO: Office of F. Oh, NOW Frank and Kelly are dancing. Frank has spoken with Thompson as well as Palmer, and finds them both credible. He can’t speak to other victims who have been interviewed by Palmer on account of the nature of the cases. That leaves them with a he-said-she-said, says Kelly, and “Whaddya know – he wins!” Damn, she’s even elegant when throwing hissy fits. Frank responds that Kelly’s suggesting that a male cop can’t interview a case effectively, but he’s got thousands of cases that say otherwise.

Enter Abigail, Debatus Interruptus.

“Nobody is saying that a man can’t be a good SVU investigator,” Kelly says placatingly, “But he sure as hell starts with a disadvantage.”

“Namely?” calls Frank, as she turns to leave. Tee hee. Kelly does not lay out the specific anatomical disadvantages, but with Baker standing right behind her, exclaims: “He’s not a woman!”

Baker doesn’t even blink.

“Few men are,” Frank says enlightenedly.

Baker doesn’t even blink.

She moves to close the door, but Franks asks her to stay.

“I think I got the gist,” she says.

“You take this to its logical extreme,” Frank begins, and then outlines a scenario in which every victim of sexual abuse should be interviewed by someone who matches them across all demographics. Cool! But not realistic.

“But,” says Baker, “Except.”

“Really?” says Frank, wearily.

Baker comes to life. She leaps into the chair in front of Frank, and outlines key research that proves that a female victim may not be as candid at opening up to a male as a female detective. Well, yes. And that the male detective may be hard-wired with an empathy gap. HOLY HECK I THINK I READ THAT PAPER IN CRIM CLASS NO REALLY THIS IS GREAT!

Frank protests, repeating that his male detectives have closed many solid cases, and that the detective in question seemed absolutely transparent. Baker points out that he has some excellent detectives who work hard to overcome those deficits, and she doesn’t buy Palmer’s seeming candidness, calling it being on best-behaviour. THANK YOU BAKER.

Frank also says “Thank you, Baker.” He asks about her gut-instinct on Palmer. She wasn’t in the room, she says, but she tells Frank he needs to follow up. How much do I love that he trusts her to keep him flying straight, and she’ll just swoop in and do so? I hope Baker finds her way further up the ladder. She needs to be getting in more supervisory experience and making key decisions, not just advising. Maybe she can sit the Sergeant’s exam next time.

CUT TO: Office of D. Nighttime. It’s like a 30’s potboiler all up in here, with the lighting and their postures and clothes. Danny is quietly musing that it’s just a matter of time before Cross strikes again. Baez agrees. Danny actually invokes The Old Days of In House Justice, in which serving up a beating got the job done. Baez is not impressed. She knows it’s personal, but does he really want to take it to that extent?

He’d prefer not to, but that’s not what’s on his mind: he thinks Cross must have insider access, either of his own or through someone else, to the PC’s daily schedule – such as his confidential breakfast meetings. (Why’d they let this mook go, again? They could totally have kept him on suspicion of threat and had 24 hours to investigate. But anyway.)

I love these two when they’re in sync. They make sense together, in an entirely sibling-y way, but less yell-y than the Reagan kids. They have each other’s backs. And Baez, for all she could do more of the heavy lifting script-wise if they’d only give her a chance, has lasted way longer than any of Danny’s other partners. (Oh, Jackie, where art thou?)

CUT TO: Downtown Manhattan. Autumn in New York, all twilight-y and picturesque. (I have just contacted my sister about a winter visit to NYC. Stay tuned.)

Erin takes a call from Tony. He’s been checking for a connection between Monica and “this prick Conroy” – his words. There isn’t one. But there was a connection between Conroy and Monica’s boss, Chief Assistant Whitney, aka Erin’ boss’ boss. (And there’s our complete cycle back to the episode title: Meet The New Boss indeed.) Tony suggests Conroy’s been buying his way out with choice sports tickets and boxes.

Tony gives his character reference of Whitney which is, succinctly ,”A back-stabbing weasel who likes to get people fired. Monica knew better than to cross him. I hope you do, too.”

The music of Dun Dun DUN plays.

CUT TO: Morning, back at the Office of E. Erin and Tony are pedeconferencing to a meeting room. Have these two even slept? They’re hoping they can get Conroy to confess. Erin has a bluff up her sleeve, and she does not fold.

We meet Typical Overgrown Fratboy Conroy and his female lawyer, because look, he obviously respects women or he wouldn’t have hired on to represent him, right? He’s not sure why he’s there, but sure, he’s happy to help.

“Because beating up women is against the law,” Erin says flatly.

Lawyer Lady says that Mr. Conroy has been charged with no such crime. Erin informs them she’s re-opening the case and has asked for Investigative Services. So everyone’s opening gambits are in place.

Conroy “feels awful that he frightened Kara – that wasn’t his intention.” May I give a shout-out and I HEAR YOU to everyone, woman or man, who has been gaslit to their face OR TO OTHERS in this way, by framing a violent event as “being misinterpreted” and “not his intention.”

“What was your intention?” Tony asks mildly.

Lawyer Lady shuts that down, but Conroy is feeling chatty. He admits to an argument, but claims it was never physical.

Whence the black eye? asks Erin. She is not here to waste time letting the tired script unroll. Conroy is a serial abuser who got away with it once and will not get away with it again, she states.

She cuts off Lawyer Lady and offers a one-time deal. Conroy will plead guilty to Assault in the Third Degree, agree to counselling and complete a Batterers program. If they don’t take the deal, Conroy gets charged with Assault in the Second Degree (which in Canada is only one rung down from Bodily Harm, which comes with mandatory minimums and Violent Offender status.) So that’s about as sweet a deal as he could expect.

Lawyer Lady and Conroy whisper. Erin regrets not learning how to lip-read. They decline the offer, with a smile. This surprises nobody. As they leave, Conroy asks Erin to “send my best to Kara,” with a sympathetic nod. I twitch, because yes, indeed, that is the next line in Gaslighting 101 manual. What a pity Kara had to over-react and waste everyone’s time like this. Clearly she’s Not Stable.

Chief Whitney happens to drop by to ask how it went with Conroy, since he was walking down the same hall. Actually, his excuse is even flimsier and slimier: “Oh, well, when you’re Chief DA, little birds always seem to find you.” Ew. Yuck. Whitney has to know that Erin has already had one superior attorney fired and prosecuted for fraud. He’s going to be watching her most carefully.

Whitney is well beyond Typical Overgrown Fratboy and into Soulless But Apparently Put His Dentist’s Kids Through College.

He readily admits to hanging with Conroy on the reg, even summering together. “The thing is,” he goes on, just as a friendly tip, “I like to know when my Bureau Chiefs dig up old cases.”

“I wasn’t aware of that policy,” Erin says, being a smart cookie. Show your receipts, bro. Put everything in writing. Whitney suggests a friendly lunch to “go over the ground rules” because this is all-new territory for Erin, and he’s just looking out for her.

Tony and Erin share a look of solidarity.

CUT TO: Detective Palmer, interviewing a sex assault victim, who, by the way, is Baker (Baker! Baker! Baker) in highly convincing makeup and casual clothes. She spins a tale of Tommy-the-boyfriend, who was too tired to go to the movies, but took offence to her wanting to go alone. “Tommy” grabbed her arm, threw her on the couch, hit her and then raped her.

Palmer continues down the standard list, about past assaults and whether she ever filed a complaint. Tommy’s hit her before, says Baker, but never forced himself on her. Palmer is open and approachable so far, polite but showing every sign of believing her. But then.

He goes on to explain that it’s harder to get a conviction on a spouse or partner, because of the complications of “saying no when it’s been yes so many times in the past.” Why waste everyone’s time, is his implication. Baker confirms: “You’re saying I just have to let him get away with it?” Palmer explains that that’s her choice, but unfortunately, he probably will get away with it. Which, okay, technically not incorrect, but again, not victim-centering, only conviction-centering

For me – just me – I wouldn’t frame his questioning as abusive or victim-blaming, exactly, but certainly dismissive and premature. Relationships are complex things. He didn’t uncover more than a tiny corner. He didn’t even ask about evidence or periodic escalations. He didn’t ask about past breakups, or children, for God’s sake. He didn’t ask about witnesses of past abuse, or offer her any kind of victim’s support services, safety planning, or even information about Peace Bonds or other non-investigatory paths. If that’s the protocol, it’s woefully incomplete. Having consensual sex one or more times with someone does not mean that non-consensual sex will be hard to prove outright. I don’t think that’s how Frank, who helped craft the protocol, would interpret it.

He asks her if he can’t get her a drink. “I’ve got everything I need,” says Baker. And how.

CUT TO: The Two-Nine. There’s an actual knock-down fight going on in the men’s locker room. Hatless Officer #1 is not coming out of it well. The other men are standing around yelling. Enter Jamie, also yelling. He breaks it up and demands to know what’s going on. The two combatants, the other of whom has a bloody nose, clam up, claiming there’s no problem.

“How come none of you were stepping in?” Jamie asks next. There is shifting of feet and looks directed anywhere else but at Sarge. Jamie puts them all on report. He sends them all out to do some freakin’ work, but calls back Jordan. Yeah, if things have disintegrated to this level, Jamie singling out Jordan isn’t going to go well for Jordan. I bet Jamie’s well aware of that, though. He tells Jordan (and us) that of all the shift, he’s the only one with no black on his record, but that won’t last if Jordan keeps his mouth shut like the rest of them. Jordan wants to tell him what he knows, really, but can’t.

SHOUT OUT to @ontherockswithsalt who first suggested that Jamie’s first challenge as a Sergeant should not be an attitudinal cop but a guy who reminds Jamie of himself.

Jamie threatens Jordan again with a write-up. Jordan glumly says better that than getting labelled a snitch. Jamie’s face seems to say he gets it, all right, but Jordan has to break ranks and meet him halfway if he wants his help. You can tell that Jamie really doesn’t want to ding him. Jordan gets that the new boss is actually pretty decent. They both leave looking pretty miserable.

CUT TO: Reagan House. Here’s hoping for a less tense dinner. Last week’s meal cannot have been digested well.

Henry opens with a cheery, “This lasagne’s incredible, Eddie.” Aww. Considering their years of Linda’s lasagne, that’s high praise. Eddie beams, explains that it’s her mother’s recipe, but it’s the only thing she knows how to make. (Hm. Thought she said she could cook? Continuity gremlins.)

I am still not psychically adjusted to Eddie in all these floral and fluttery dresses. I mean, Vanessa rocks that look, but it’s a far cry from badass Eddie. “—and Margaritas.” Jamie adds. AHAHAHA! Was he invoking their Margarita-fuelled first kiss all those years ago? Have we missed Margarita Mayhem and Lingering Looks in Eddie’s apartment, after shifts or lousy dates with other people?

Frank tells her that she shouldn’t feel obliged to do dinner and cleanup all alone. Eddie says she’s happy to, and gives them a wee speech (getting a bit choked up) about being so grateful for the welcome they’ve given her. (WHAAAT? Frank was all suspicious and reluctant and then the whole family threw a massive snit and left her out in the cold last week. The kids have been by far the happiest to welcome her as a new Aunt.)

Jamie, meanwhile, is exchanging coded eyetalk across the table, and muttering to his nephews out of sight. Hmm.

“Yeah,” says Danny, “I think this would be a perfect time to call a Code Blue.”

Jamie suddenly looks less relaxed. “I don’t think that’s necessary,” he sputters.

“I do,” says Erin, in something approaching her Mom Voice.

“It’s gotta happen sooner or later,” Henry says.

“That’s right,” Danny says. Then: “Dad?”

Frank, with eyes only for Eddie, says: “I particularly liked this lasagne.”

Eddie smells a whiff of BS. “What’s a Code Blue?” she asks.

“It means it’s time to talk about your wedding, Eddie,” Erin tells her. Eddie’s into this, for a moment, but:

“Jamie tells us you want a big church to-do, all the bells and whistles,” Henry begins.

Jamie ducks and pinches the bridge of his nose as if fending off a headache.

As Eddie falters that she doesn’t remember saying that, and Jamie tries to brush it off, Erin goes on, describing a huge venue for the reception. The PC’s guest list alone will be at least two hundred people. As Eddie tries to crawl out again, saying they haven’t made any firm plans, Henry beams and says expansively, “But that’s what family is for!”

Then Erin brings out the ammo: “You’re gonna look so beautiful in Mom’s dress.”

Eddie’s face begins to fall, as everyone piles in with agreements. She checks in with Jamie: “Mom’s dress?”

“The train’s kinda long, but once you get it moving, you’ll get used to it,” he assures her. His Soft!Jamie voice when talking to Eddie these days is doing things to me, jokester or no.

The gang reaches a crescendo when Eddie finally hollers “STOP! Stop stop stop! I’m glad you’re all very excited…but…” and reads them a fairly mild riot act about her and Jamie’s wedding being her and Jamie’s business. That their only job is to turn up and have a blast, and anyone who can’t handle that can look at pictures.

It’s not quite IMMA FEED YOU THE STEERING WHEEL Eddie, but it’s a partial return.

Silence. A round of applause. A confused Eddie, who thought she’d just put her foot in it and made another dinner really awkward. Danny explains the Code Blue tradition. Erin adds: being on best behaviour gets really old, really fast. Frank thinks it’s sneaky, which explains his first attempt to divert the oncoming train. Henry explains that family is all about telling each other the truth, sometimes the hard truth, but always with love, and that Eddie is part of it now.

Considering that one of Eddie’s few worries about marrying Jamie had to have been the fact that she was essentially also marrying a very loud, usually unified mob that includes her uber-boss, she might well have been concerned about her ability to hold her ground. I’m betting Linda hollered something fierce, probably about – I don’t know, what’s a potential Linda sore spot to poke? Her total competency being taken for granted? Maybe.

“So you’re saying you don’t care if I can’t cook as long as I can fight?” Eddie demands, side-eyeing Frank with all her might. “Well, yeah,” says Frank. That’s my girl. Her instinctual fighty-reflexes certainly saved Jamie, after all.

SIDE CUT TO: Reagan House, Sitting Room. Erin and Frank are sitting over drinks. Erin needs some advice about Whitney, who Frank seems to have heard of. She outlines the situation with Monica and Conroy. Frank delivers quite an enlightened speech about regarding all interactions through a rainbow of lenses, including how Whitney might have reacted if Monica was a white guy and not a black woman. Erin is surprised, to say the least. (Yay Baker!)

The fact that Erin looks him in the eye and say, “That’s very funny, coming from you,” is a quite a daughterly smack, which Frank looks like he’s just realizing how much he deserved – and how much he might have missed in his own family, over the years.

Frank’s right, though. Every person that Whitney overspoke to save Conroy was a person of color, a woman, or both: Monica, Martin, or Erin’s new direct boss. And now here’s Erin entering the fray: woman, yes, but white, with the Reagan banner wrapped around her. Whitney may deal with her differently depending on his biases.

CUT TO: One PP. A young man, Ronnie, is hustling like mad down a hallway, frowning at his phone. Garrett steps out and stops him, and introduces him to Danny and Baez. RUH ROH. Ronnie recognizes the Reagan name and looks impressed, or something.

They confirm that Ronnie is responsible for planning the PC’s schedule, and that he’s aware that it’s confidential. Even from his own personal e-mail. Ronnie gasps and protests that he gets calls all night long (which I’m sure he does) and needs the information handy.

CUT TO: The Two-Nine. Jamie’s boss tells him the Code of Silence ends now. The entire crew Jamie found fighting or standing by is to be transferred immediately. Whoa. Jamie asks to hang onto Jordan, and gets him.

Boss says that the One PP has approved Jamie’s list of One-Two officers to be transferred to the Two-Nine. Five of his buddies will be joining him, but not Janko. Boss can’t say why – that’s above his pay grade. Sigh. The battle of wills continues. Or does it? We don’t know if Frank took Eddie’s name off or if Eddie herself did.

CUT TO: Office of E. Erin’s boss – not Whitney, her direct supervisor, what’s his face – steps in. Erin asks to discuss the Conroy case. She outlines the few facts at her disposal, which is ballsy, I mean big-brass-ballsy, considering the newness of her position and her tentative balance with her boss as it is. But he agrees with her, philosophically, at any rate. Boss seems to have been waiting for something like this to happen, because he warns Erin that Whitney won’t go quietly, and will do a lot of damage on his way out.

He seems appreciate the heads-up that Erin is prepared to go in herself and defuse the bomb, or at least try to contain the detonation, since he will have to clean up a lot of the bits afterwards, too.

CUT TO: Street scene. A cruiser pulls up next to Frank’s detail car, which is parked in, well, a no-parking zone. An officer assures the beat cop that the PC is getting a haircut and will be done in ten or fifteen minutes.

Panning back, we see a man nearby, hunched and hiding, and listening hard. He enters the barber shop, hood up. We see the a man covered in hot towels in the barber chair. The sneaky dude lowers his hood – it’s not Cross after all but Ronnie. He looks scared again, and inches nearer the barber chair.

Danny appears around a corner, confused. He calls Ronnie by name. Ronnie pulls a gun and aims. And in the instant before he fires, Danny, Baez, the barber and the not-Frank man in the barber chair all get up and a bunch of shots ring out.

Ronnie is alive, lucky bastard, and Danny cuffs him and asks Baez to call a bus.

CUT TO: Sergeant Reagan, off shift, loping into a bar to meet his girl. Eddie’s wearing a sunshiney yellow sundress that recalls a similar dress Vanessa wore years ago for some event. She looks fabulous. I guess this is the new normal, Jamie and Eddie catching up after shift from their separate tours.

Eddie doesn’t let him stew in his ongoing dad-angst but tells him that it was she who asked to not be transferred. Maybe Frank is right about them not working together, she says. She’s worked hard for everything she’s achieved as a cop. She doesn’t want to lose it. It’s hers.

She fell in love with Jamie Reagan, she says. I get the flutters. “The Jamie part’s easy. He’s my partner, my lover and my best friend. But the Reagan part? I might need some distance. I don’t want to disappear.”

(I watch this bit about six times in rapid succession to be sure mine ears deceiveth me not.)

(Then: YES! I fistpump. This is why I wanted to give her her own family and backstory and everything. She’s not anybody’s add-on.)

Jamie nods slowly. Then: “Judging from how you handled that Code Blue at dinner the other night, I think you’re gonna do just fine.”

“I did kinda destroy you guys.” (Oh, I think they’re all still walking around.)

“Yeah. Bigtime.”

“I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

I take back everything I said about Will and Vanessa doing their best with limp lettuce sandwiches. That’s a couple season’s worth of heavy subtext and family dynamics to condense into a very brief exchange, and Vanessa just pierces it, with Will holding the space in that quiet but engaged way he does. Could it have been longer? Sure. But this was poignant and precise.

(Also SQUEEEE. I love yous and a ring! And I wanna hear more about Jamie being Eddie’s lover, damn overachiever and all, but hey.)

CUT TO: Morning. A hospital bed. Danny watching over Ronnie, cuffed to the bed.

Danny looks over and spies Cross, and heads him off. As Cross protests he’s clean, Danny literally frisks him in the ward. Cross tells a tale of his first year on the task force, and of taking down almost an entire family at a clandestine lab – except for an eight year old kid hiding in the closet. Ronnie.

Danny grudgingly admits that Cross must have raised Ronnie to be a good guy, considering he’s cleared to work at One PP. Cross insists that he was letting his vendetta against Frank go, especially considering he knew he couldn’t get past Danny’s investigation. What, then, Danny asks – was Ronnie trying to do his sort-of-old-man one last favor?

Cross asks to see him. Danny lets him, with a warning not to do anything crazy.

CUT TO: Office of F. Baker, Kelly and Frank are discussing Paula Thompson’s case. Baker gives her opinion that Thompson’s impressions were correct. Kelly, pleased but befuddled, asks what they did differently, which they decline to answer. Palmer will be reassigned. Frank promises to call Thompson himself, to give her the news and to apologize. Kelly is most appreciative and somehow manages to give her very professional and elegant thanks while also clearly wondering how drunk they need to get before blowing up the tension between them.

Frank directs the thanks to Detective Baker. Kelly remembers Baker is still in the room with them, and shakes her hand. Actually, I love the scenes the two women get together. I hope there are many more and they Bechdel the crap out of every one.

“It’s a good start,” says Kelly, as she leaves, elegantly.

Baker is deeply amused.

Frank explains that he’s not about to transfer good, specially trained detectives because of their gender. But he’s creating a panel to assess Special Victims protocol, and make recommendations. And he wants Baker to sit on it.

I rather think he’s clued in that Baker, like, oh, 98% of more of female cops, has her own experiences to bear on the project. Baker is a little stunned at how quickly that came together, but pleased.

“And Baker,” Frank adds, as she gets up to leave, “That was good police work, Detective.”

She smiles and nods her thanks.

“…for a girl,” he finishes.

For the second time in two episodes, Baker gives him The Look in full as she quietly closes the door.

WELL.

I’m feeling rather more optimistic about S9.

I predict Erin’s going to eviscerate her dodgy boss and get some great scenes, but not without metaphorical (not literal, I hope) bloodshed. Though she’s been involved in shootouts before, and recently, too.

I’m looking forward to Jamie and Eddie navigating all kinds of new balances and territory, and I can’t wait to see Eddie really going up against Frank or Henry about something they’re all deeply passionate about.

It occurs to me that SID’S PLAN WORKED. He, Garrett, Danny and Baez neutralized a threat against Frank without Frank even knowing about it.

I hope we see more of the kids, especially Nicky working through her NYPD application process, as she’s a season regular now.

And Frank and Kelly.

And Baker. (Baker! Baker! Baker!)

Given CBS’s dismal track record of its treatment of female stars and their storylines, and the ousting of head-jackass Moonves, can we hope for more highlighting of the women of the show? This seems to be, as Kelly said, a good start.

#blue bloods #recap #jamko #jamie reagan #eddie janko #frank reagan #danny reagan #maria baez #METOO #me too

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iamcmims · 6 years

Text

Just & True — Season: High Stone - Chapter Three

Previously: Chapter One / Chapter Two

Heather's car was approaching her father's house early in the morning with three coffees for Henry, Frank, and her. When she enters the house, she sees her father and grandfather in the kitchen. "Morning." Heather gives the coffees and sits down with them. Frank looks at his daughter and sees the weight of the cases she is working on, on her. "Long day today?" Even if she was not allowed to talk about this case, Henry was the ex-commissioner, and Frank was the current one, whatever she said would be safe between the three of them. "Indeed. If everything goes as planned, We will not need to go to trial." Heather already testified, so now she had to wait and see what the Judge will decide. Henry liked to talk about cases with his grandchildren. He gave them advice, asked questions about their case, showing that he was interested in their work. "And what do you think the verdict will be?", "Based on the evidence, the case, and the witnesses, he is guilty. He did not do the smart choice by doing a song about it and putting every detail of the murder in a rap song." Henry scoffed and took a sip of his coffee. Heather looks at her watch and stands up. "I have to go, but I will be there tonight for dinner." She hugs her father and grandfather and leaves the house.

District Attorney, Erin Boyle was standing in a court, holding up vinyl and reading its content on the back of it. "Footsteps on an empty street, who you think you gonna meet? Science dropped when my nine popped, I tanned that G on the back of his head, then I sparked his ass twice, made sure he was dead." The courtroom erupted in laughter when District Attorney Erin Boyle finished. Heather looked at the people surrounding her and sighed. "Your Honor, all due respect to Ms. Boyle's rapping skills, we object. She is quoting from a hit song my client wrote, not a confession." The defense attorney stood up as he spoke his objection. "Your Honor, it is the same thing. The defendant releases a song under the name Chuck McMurda, explicitly taking credit for the shooting of Anthony "Science" Reynolds on West 134th Street on February 2." Pleaded Erin."Haven't you ever heard of artistic license? You are confusing the artist with the crime he is describing." The defense attorney was trying to humiliate Erin, taking account of the audience behind him. "The defendant was in dispute with the victim. Witnesses place him in the vicinity of the shooting. We found the gun in his apartment." Recalls Erin, trying to prove her point. "Someone else put it there. It is not just my client's prints on it.", "There were details in that song that only the killer could have known." Erin did not understand how no one, including the judge, could not see that he was guilty, he was not even trying to deny it, he was proud of this song, bragging about it. The Judge sighs, "Let's have a sidebar. Approach.", "Judge," starts the defense attorney, "allowing this in as evidence sets a dangerous precedent." The Judge looks at Erin, "Ms. Boyle, I do not disagree. What about the First Amendment?", "No one denies the defendant free speech. We are just asking for the right to include as public admission of guilt in the case."Maintained Erin. "And without it, most of your evidence is entirely circumstantial. You have no witnesses, so you are using a song to try to tie the rest of your case together." Erin looks at the Defense Attorney and shakes her head, then looks back at the judge. "I do need to see more, Ms. Boyle. Otherwise, I am inclined to support the motion to dismiss this case before it goes to trial." Orders the Judge. Erin and the Defense Attorney leaves the sidebar, dismissing the case for now. The defendant looks at the audience where his friends are and smiles, Heather sighs. This was not good.

When Heather got out of the courtroom, her phone rang, when she looked at the screen it was Eddie Janko, Jamie's partner.

"Yes. -Heather, you should come to the 12 precinct. -What's wrong? -Jamie is in trouble. -I am on my way."

Erin Boyle reaches Heather. "Detective—," "This will have to be another time, my brother needs me.", "Yes. I know. That is what I want to talk to you about. Come here." Erin opens the door of a room, they both get in. "One of my colleagues gave me this video. You should take a look at it." Erin plays the video and hands her phone to Heather. The video shows Jamie stopping a man on a bicycle, the man falls to the ground, unconscious. The video stops, Heather looks at Erin and takes a deep breath. "How bad is it?", "Your family's name is the target."

Heather arrived at the 12 precinct, she spots Eddie and goes to her. "Where is he?", "I am here." Heather turns around and sees Jamie. "Are you okay?", "No, I am not, Heather. I did not do anything.", "We will talk about this somewhere else. Let's go." Another detective arrives with his partner, looking pissed. "Ms. Reagan." Heather turns around. "Yes?", "What do you think you are doing? This is my case!", "Not anymore." Jamie looks at his sister, confused. "What is he talking about?", "I am the detective lead on this case. Moreover, if you have a problem with that, consult the Mayor. It is his order. Let's go." The three of them heads to the Midtown South Precinct where Heather works.

Heather leads them to an interrogation room and closes the door behind her. "Okay. Tell me what happened.", "Okay well, there was this protest led by Reverend Potter and Gerry Guerrero, civil rights attorney.", "Great. They both hate our family. Keep going."

Flashback

Reverend Potter was holding a speaker, leading the Protestors. "It is time to end the abuse! Stop police brutality! What do we want?" The protestors screamed "Justice!" back. The Reverend added, "When do we want it?", "Now!" Scream back the protestors, once again.

NYPD police officers were surrounding the Police Plaza, forbidding the Protestors to reach it, Jamie and Eddie were one of them. "I thought they were supposed to stay on the walkways." Ranted Eddie. "They are, but they are looking for trouble." Answers Jamie, then adds, "and headlines. The right to protest, Eddie. As American as apple pie and bitching about taxes." Eddie smiles, then says in a further statement, "but we are not the bad guys." Jamie nods, "You are preaching to the choir. So is Reverend Potter." It was Civil Rights Attorney's turn to take his speaker, "we are sending a message to those in power! Whose streets?", "Our streets!", "Whose streets?", "Our streets!", "Whose streets?", "Our streets!" "Who is the other guy with the bullhorn?" Wonders Eddie. "That is Gerry Guerrero, civil rights attorney. Suing the NYPD in half a dozen cases. Not a favorite of the Commissioner's." The protestors approached the police officers who were blocking the 1PP. Jamie puts his hands in front of him to stop them. "Your people need to be over the walkways, Reverend.", Guerrero does not let the Reverend answers, and adds, "uh, Officer; we have permits.", "Not to block a government plaza. These cars need to move in case of an emergency." Clarifies Jamie. Eddie starts to move and shows the Protestors to move, "folks, behind the barricade, please."

End of flashback.

"Then what happens?" Demands Heather. "A fight started on the side, some other police officers tried to stop it, Reverend Potter asked if someone was videotaping it, turning it into police brutality. I told them to get behind the barricade, and back up if any of them got too close to the ongoing fight or the plaza.", "So you did not see what happened with the accident?", "No.", "Okay." Heather was writing everything down. "Jamie, what happened then?", "I saw a woman and her son. Apparently, she wanted to join the Protestors. I told her she could not stay here, that she should go back behind the barricades, the woman said she wanted to join the group, I added that this was a government plaza and that it was off-limits for the moment.", "Then?", "Then I saw a man arriving with his bicycle, he was going to hurt the child, so I called him out."

Flashback.

"Hey. Excuse—hey, slow down! Hey! Sir! Sir!." The man did not listen to Jamie. Jamie grabbed the bicycle, lifted it a little bit, making the man fall to the ground. Jamie went to him, "sir. Hey, talk to me." Many people were filming what was happening with their phones, Eddie heard Jamie screams, she turned around and went to him. Jamie looks at another police officer, "call a bus. We need a bus." The police officer takes his PA and calls the bus as Jamie demanded. Reverend Potter made the situation worse when he added, "this man needs immediate medical attention. You see that?" A

Protestor approached, "dude just belted that dude for no reason.", "No, that is not what happened. He was about the run into a woman and a kid." Jamie looks up at Eddie, "you saw, right, Eddie?" Eddie shakes her head, "no, I was over there."

End of flashback.

"Then Guerrero asked to see my badge number and my name; then he realized that I was a Reagan and smiled.", "Eddie, you did not see anything that happened?" Demands Heather one more time. "No, I did not.", "Okay. Well you told me that people were filming what happened, we just need to find out who was there and we will have witnesses.", "Heather, they were there to protest against us, do you think they will be witnesses to defend my case?"

Heather was in the office of Frank with Lieutenant Sid Gormley, Deputy Commissioner Garett Moore, and Detective Abigail Baker. They were watching the tv news where Reverand Potter and Civil Rights Attorney Guerrero were making a press conference about what happened with Jamie. "The victim of this unprovoked assault is still unconscious in the intensive care unit. We do not know how long he will be there.", "And for the record, the officer responsible is one Jamie Reagan." Adds Guerrero, making the crowd groan and boo. "That is the brother of Detective Danny Reagan and Heather Reagan who were the subjects of numerous brutality complaints themselves.", "Yeah, and the three of them are the children of the police commissioner. Ladies and gentlemen, this city used to have crime families called Bonanno, Gambino, Colombo, well, now we have the Reagans!" "They are good at what they do." States Garett. "They are going after my family." Remarks Frank. Heather goes to the window and watches outside, arms crossed. "And getting your attention and getting under your skin, which is exactly what—," "Is this the freedom of speech we sworn to protect?" The three men look at Heather who cut Garret in his sentence. "They know that they are hitting home, they are touching something sacred. This is not even about what Jamie did," Heather turns around and faces the three men looking at her. "this is about the fact that they hate our family. They hate the power my father has; they hate that they cannot have their business the way they want to." Garret looks at Frank, "I think we need to put out a neutral statement. The rider is in the hospital with a skull fracture. Furthermore, even with the video from the government buildings, it is not clear what Jamie did." Heather looks at Sid, silently asking him to step up. "He was protecting protestors who should not have been in that area! Potter and Guerrero are setting up for another lawsuit.", "They are throwing crap against the wall to see if it sticks." Defends Frank. "And based on that video they put out, some crap might stick." Heather walks closer to the desk. Sid steps in once more, "oh, they got ways of editing with those things. They make anyone look guilty.", "The three of you, please, take the earplugs out. There is a lot of legitimate use of force questions nationally. Us not taking this seriously is not going to make it go away." Heather takes a deep breath before adding, "so, what, we cave? We are talking about my family. I am not going to let them run on everything we have accomplished up until to this day. The ones that tried never did it again." Heather leaves the office under the eyes of the three men. Frank knew that Heather was not going to let this go, and he knew better than to step in her way, and he did not want to. These two men touched his family; Heather had carte blanche on this one.

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