CSI: Miami - 8.5: "Bad Seed" Review

CSI Miami goes all agricultural as they investigate the cause of an E-Coli outbreak from contaminated vegetables. Leading the debate that genetically engineered crops are bad for you, irrespective of cost and showing the dangers of big business versus consumer.

Delko (Adam Rodriguez) has a check up with his doctor who gives him the all-clear to return to work.   There he bumps into Alexx (Khandi Alexander) who is called to an emergency.   An unconscious woman is rushed in with respiratory failure.   Lauren's boyfriend, Ethan (Bobby Campo) describes her as mumbling and complaining of her head hurting.   Lauren dies and Alexx suspects she was poisoned.   They need Horatio (David Caruso).   Delko believes Ethan killed her and he was fooled by him having an engagement ring and wouldn't look him in the eye.   There could be lots of reasons for that and doesn't mean he's a killer.

Alexx has sent Lauren's blood and tissues to the lab.   Walter (Omar Benson Miller) says that poisons are absorbed by touch and are hard to trace.   Ethan explains their whereabouts and eating at a restaurant and he begins to cough.   It's so obvious something's going on with him, that he's not well, yet Delko in his rush to find him guilty before the evidence is in, doesn't pick up on this.   So yes, it was time to leave the lab, but not that it was for good!  How did passing out before him, seem even remotely akin to a confession.   On the contrary, Delko was  the "idiot" here.   Jesse (Eddie Cibrian) wouldn't have made prejudgements.

Delko analyzes samples from Lauren and finds the presence of E-Coli.   Horatio tells us that E-Coli is a poison.   Alexx believes it to be a newer and deadlier strain.   The health agencies will be too slow off the mark so Horatio needs them to investigate and find the source of the outbreak.    Natalia (Eva LaRue) constructs a DNA fingerprint to find the strain of the E-Coli.   Horatio tells them they need to treat this like any other murder.  They have no time for the usual channels, such as warrants and it was good to see Horatio not let his team get bogged down with all the red tape an investigation of this nature would require.   He expedites everything by telling them to act first and consequences be damned when lives are at stake.

Calleigh (Emily Procter) welcomes back Delko, as if this was the right time and place for that.   Delko finds the restaurant from the receipt in Ethan's wallet and Calleigh discovers that Lauren ate a salad but it's not kept for more than a day.   The E-Coli begins from the grower, Aunt Sally's Farm.   The chef passes the buck to the grower and so the cycle of blame continued down the food chain.

Ryan (Jonathan Togo) accompanies Walter and Jesse to the farm in a Three Musketeers type scenario.   Making Delko the odd one out.   This could have been the start of a beautiful friendship between the three, had it lasted!  With more funny comments.   These three really gel together.   They don't have a warrant to search the farm, but Ryan interjects that they have badges and these "rural types" aren't that well educated.   Seth (Jack Conley) won't let them run tests on  the farm until they have a warrant and Ryan tells him they're investigating a homicide.   Walter comments that these "rural types" can read their Constitution after all!  Jesse solves the problem as they have probable cause to check his employees Green cards.

Ryan and Walter return to the lab to check the samples of leaves, soil and stalks.   They shine a UV light on the card window and if it glows then it's positive for E-Coli.   The tests prove to be negative.   Horatio wants them to check the transporting truck as E-Coli is found on the outside of the plant.   This was enough to put you off salads and burgers for life!  Wayons (Lance Barber) the truck driver makes a run for it when he sees Tripp (Rex Linn) who has to give chase, in another funny moment.  Tripp says he didn't chase him until he started running.  

Horatio finds the truck is positive for E-Coli, Wayons reluctantly telling him that all the farmers work for a bigger company: Bixton Organic Food.   Calleigh comments their food is not organic, well it wouldn't be seeing as it's a big company, they go for all the shortcuts and cost effective production.   Walter says E-Coli is spread from faeces, in small amounts of diluted water.

Mackey (Steven Culp) the CEO, is questioned by Horatio with his lawyer present.   Well, hardly questioned, the lawyer did all the talking; who shows Horatio Wayons' contract,  they're not liable for any negligence.   Under Florida there can be no disparagement of agricultural products.   Horatio sends the team back to the farm.

Ryan, such a party pooper, tells them what they find will be inadmissible but Jesse explains what they do find will go to the Health Department.   Must Jesse always tell them everything, ha.   Walter suggests they search for the well.   Ryan warning, "don't get caught." Ryan finds the well, whilst Jesse is held at gun point by another farmer, Webb (Charles Parnell).  He's been the subject of "drift" whereby patented seeds blew onto his land and crop and he was accused of stealing.   Jesse didn't know seeds could be the subject of patents.

Walter filled the well with all of his cards which show positive for E-coli.   It's used for irrigation, but it's not the source of the outbreak.   Ryan meanwhile, sitting there attempting to clean his boots.   They wonder how faeces is getting into the water and it doesn't take them long to find the land over the hill is being used for farming cattle.   The cattle were really quiet, they had to get close to hear them.   That picture on the hill was so CGI!

Corn fed beef is not so good and it causes E-Coli as the cows digestive system isn't made to ingest corn,  Dr Miller (Caroline Aaron) tells Horatio.   Horatio believes this proves the case against Bixton but the doctor tells him it doesn't as there's nothing leading to the conclusion the DNA fingerprint from the manure matches the E-Coli strain on the farm.   Delko is enraged at her inferring that the disparagement laws are more important than the people.   Horatio knows she's a former VP of Bixton subsidiary and gathers the investigation won't be influenced by this.

Calleigh again tells Delko she's glad he's okay and he doesn't feel the same about this job, he saw Lauren die (and he didn't even call her by her name either.)  Alexx concludes Ethan isn't suffering from E-Coli, his symptoms are different to Lauren's.   He's only alive due to the respirator.   She gives them his biopsies and blood for testing.   Walter only knows  neuro toxins can display Ethan's symptoms, but there are many of them, as Jesse says.   Ethan ate a veggie burger and corn.   There was genetically engineered corn on Webb's land and Jesse retrieves a sample in a bid for Webb to get his own back on Bixton.  Natalia analyzes the corn, watched by Delko, then Calleigh and finally Walter, all asking, "She done yet?"

Natalia discovers a bacterial gene was added to the corn, resulting in Botulism bacteria, which transferred to the bacteria added to the corn to begin with.   Calleigh says there's an anti-toxin for this.   Horatio wants to talk to Mackey alone and promises there won't be any charges brought against him.   He asks how much a man's life is worth, Ethan's life.   Alexx informs them Ethan is brain dead and so the anti-toxin can't be used on him.   His life support is turned off.   Mackey says there was only less than 1% risk of botulism.   Horatio contacted the FDA and they're closing the farm down.   So much for Mackey arguing that they feed millions through these farming methods, irrespective of that, people are still starving so they're methods are still not good enough or even safe enough.

Horatio records their conversation surreptitiously and tells them Ethan's parents have enough for a civil case, as Mackey confessed. "See you in court." Calleigh realizes Delko is leaving as she says "CSIs not the only game in town."  She cries, but why, not as if he's leaving the State or the country.   No can't say he ever really left the show either!

Jesse surfs at the beach, whilst clearing the litter too.   Calleigh and Natalia help out at the community gardens and Walter and Ryan help to tear down the corn.   Horatio leaves a note on Delko's car: "I'll always be here.  H."

Probably a first for CSI:Miami where they're not able to do anything against big business and corporation dollars; as Bixton gets away scot free.   Paying out in a civil suit won't really affect them in the long run.   As for closing down the farm, Bixton or any of its subsidiaries will just start again somewhere else.

Food for thought, though the story here was fictional.   It's premise wasn't.   Seeds can be patented, only last year there were articles about corporations who sell GM (Genetically Modified) seeds claiming, for example, they could feed Africa with the use of their patented seeds.   Enough to send shivers down your spine, but also to make people aware of what can and does go into our food.

Desperate Housewives - 8.14: "Get Out of My Life" Review

Orson appears to be holding Bree to ransom kin her own home, without her realizing as he cuts her off from her friends. Susan finds out the identity of Julie's baby's father.

Mary Alice: "Orson Hodge had always known one thing, Bree Van de Kamp was the perfect woman for him.   When he was sick she nursed him back to health...and when he suffered a terrible injury she did things he couldn't.   So now that Bree was suffering Orson intended to take care of her."  Bree (Marcia Cross) tells Orson (Kyle MacLachlan) how she was abandoned by her friends after the dinner party.

Mary Alice (Brenda Strong) "Yes Orson Hodge knew that Bree was the perfect woman for him and now that he had her back, he had no intention of letting her go."

Mary Alice: "Lynette Scavo had discovered the silver lining of separation; shared custody.   For three glorious days a week, she had no child demanding her attentions.   No one to set an example for, and plenty of time to exercise - but Lynette forgot when it comes to being a mother, you can run, but you can never hide."

The twins were evicted and return home.   Lynette (Felicity Huffman) goes OTT about not letting them come back home after it's taken so long for her to get them out.   They claim they love her more than Tom and he's being unfair with his stupid girlfriend, so they don't want to live with him.  Julie (Andrea Bowen) isn't keeping the bay.   Mike (James Denton) suggests Susan (Teri Hatcher) stops hassling her.  Susan wants to talk to the father.   Mike warns it's Julie's decision and she'll end up losing her.

Gaby (Eva Longoria) calls Carlos (Richardo Antonio Chavira) for help with the girls who refuse to leave the park.   Carlos is meditating and she wants him home.   Karen (Kathryn Joosten) throws Roy (Orson Bean) out.   Orson prevents them from seeing Bree.

Mike arrives at the construction site to see someone plant explosives and set them off.   It's Ben (Charles Mesure) he took the loan against Mike's advice and wanted the insurance.   Mike calls that fraud and at least he doesn't think like a criminal anymore even though they had him roped into moving Alejandro's body.   Ben suffers chest pains.

Susan tells Lynette about Julie and she asks about the father.   The twins overhear this news.  Juanita (Madison De La Garza) and Celia (Daniella Baltodano) don't want to go to school and Roy makes them go, so Gaby wants to keep him around for longer.   She's done that before.  Julie talks to the father over the phone and meets him for coffee.   Susan hears this and sits there behind a newspaper, when Porter (Charlie Carver) arrives.   Susan is horrified as she used to babysit him.   Porter wants the baby and Susan likes and wants to support him now.

Gaby changes her mind about having Carlos come home so soon as Roy is keeping the girls in line.   Mike tells Renee (Vanessa Williams) about Ben and the loan shark.   Orson wants Bree to accompany him to Maine, so he can get her away from her friends and further get his claws into her.   Even suggesting they move there permanently.   He talks her round by lying, that her friends left her alone so they're not friends.

Roy warns Gaby that Juanita is god with an axe and so she should watch out for her.   Gaby wants him to stay for 16 days.  Karen wants to take him back and brings over his favorite apple pie.  Gaby tells her not to back down and Roy is still angry.   Gaby feeds the pie to the girls.

Ben refuses to accept Renee's money and wants to apologize and then wants to propose again properly.   Orson further prevents Bree from reconciling with the women with croissants and lies; they helped save her by calling him, but he replies he didn't want to upset her.   They came by the other day and it wasn't a good visit saying Bree deserved what happened to her and now Orson's stuck with her.   Gullible Bree falls for it after everything she's been through, it's not surprising.   She's forgotten what a manipulator Orson can be when he wants.

Susan breaks her vow and tells Lynette about the baby.   She's angry and wants to slap sense into Porter, agreeing with Julie about giving the baby up.   He'll only be excited for a week, which just shows the sort of children she and Tom raised.   Or at least her opinion of her children.   They should give the baby to people who are ready to be parents and what makes them ready anyway.  Just cos they want a baby.   Porter is concerned about this now and his whole life has changed and he can't wait to see his daughter.

Roy knows Karen was the one for him.  Doctor Delson (Robert Pine) tells Karen the cancer has returned and she'll need support from Roy.   Renee pays off the loan shark, Donny (Sal Landi) who covets her possessions.   Why invite him to her house instead of meeting him elsewhere.   Bree hasn't seen Orson so confident.   His life changed when he learned to drive and still she didn't get it.   He had the freedom to change things and followed Bree everywhere, stalked her more like and saw everything they did.   They didn't show Carlos helping them with the body before.   See he also wrote the notes to Bree.  She "won't believe where it's going to end up."  But they didn't go into whether or not he killed Vance.

This episode does not have an end narration from Mary Alice.   Instead we have Orson telling Bree everything he managed to do once he learned to drive.   That made a change from the norm.   Everything he did whilst driving involved stalking Bree.

The title is from a Stephen Sondheim musical, Bounce which had a name change to Road Show and the song wasn't used.

Last episode Gaby said Carlos was coming home in fourteen and  half days and here it's said 16 days, and remained 16 even after nightfall and a new day.

In season 1, Ah, But Underneath, Mary Alice referred to Gaby as "a drowning woman."  Here Carlos comments she's undergoing a "drowning fantasy." Renee is happy to help Ben out now he's in hospital and taken out a loan and the loaded gun has been set up for Mike.

In season 7's I'll Swallow Poison on Sunday, Gaby and the girls was staying with Bree, she roped Bree into keeping them in line.   Here she does the same thing with Roy, so that's another rehash.   Her scenes weren't really necessary other than to highlight Karen needed Roy, Gaby sends her away so Karen's alone to face the big 'C' by herself.   At least for now.   Selfish Gaby!

Castle - 1.9: "Little Girl Lost" Review

Castle and Beckett investigate the abduction of a little girl, leading Beckett to meet up with her old boyfriend and Castle to be even more curious than usual.

Castle (Nathan Fillion) meets Beckett (Stana Katic) and brings her coffee and pastry on a Sunday morning.   She wonders why he's not at home after slinking in from a scandalous night out.   He asks if she's jealous.  In his dreams, she's...shall I fill in the gaps by saying, she actually solves a case without his help, ha.   Beckett insists she's not grumpy, she's seen the cover art for his new book.   Castle's taken aback that she subscribes to his site (everything's about money with him; okay money and women to be fair!)  He tells her Nikki Heat's not naked, she's holding a gun, strategically.   Anyone who's seen the Castle books can see Nikki Heat is naked and holding a gun!  She's glad their partnership is nearly over.

Captain Montgomery (Reuben Santiago-Hudson) tells her a two year old girl is missing, abducted and the FBI agent has requested her on the case.   The FBI has jurisdiction over child abduction cases.   Thought the FBI had jurisdiction over all abduction cases? Will Sorenson (Bailey Chase) is in charge and is no longer in Boston.   The Captain doesn't care about their history.   Will has been back a few months.   Castle is a "writer of wrongs" as opposed to a righter of wrongs.   Actually could say he's both.   Castle says he'll be as "quiet as a mouse."  Yeah not likely!  He asks how she can be abducted when her parents are at home.   Angela's father, Alfred (Julian Acosto) is a painter.   Castle: "nothing like a little quality time with daddy." The lock on the window was opened from the outside and Beckett asks why there aren't any bars on the window, isn't that a fire hazard.

Beckett blabs she and Will were together 6 months.   Castle didn't ask.   She was the one who couldn't wait to tell him.  They met on a kidnapping case, where they got their man.   Castle is shocked at Ryan's (Seamus Dever) tie.   A gift from his girlfriend for their 2 week anniversary.   Beckett thinks the kidnapper knew the parent's routine (cos I said it was an inside job.)  The ransom call, again using voice distortion so it could only be one of the parents, or someone closer and Theresa (Judy Reyes) doesn't like Alfred.   Exactly $750,000 is demanded which is another giveaway.   No one asks for exact amounts like that.   Also Teresa's sister, Nina (Jacqueline Torres) is an accountant.   Which all adds up the main suspect.

Will tells Castle the job is about controlling the situation and emotions.   Castle retorts that Beckett and wanting her back isn't a demonstration of controlling his emotions.   He's written 26  best selling novels, correcting Will.   Also the detectives on TV "seem highly fixated on their sunglasses."  That's why he's shadowing Beckett.    A direct reference to Horatio Caine (David Caruso) in CSI:Miami, if ever there was one.   (Beckett is one detective who needs Castle's help in solving cases.)  It's fate that Castle ended up with Beckett.   She thinks the abductor knows the family well enough to know what to demand, er wasn't that already said.

Castle asks if Alfred sells any paintings.   Theresa and Nina hold the same contemptuous feelings towards Alfred.   Castle could've bought some paintings.  Alfred mentions Doug (Todd Waring) a former employee she fired.   Will doesn't want Castle in interrogation, no matter how big a fan Beckett is of Castle's, he won't let him in.  Castle asks how big a fan she is.   Doug threatened Theresa three months ago.   Castle doesn't believe it's him and he doesn't need a weatherman to tell him the sky is blue (or his choice of blue shirts) when Will denigrates him for having no formal qualifications to make such judgements.  Beckett suggests they should both drop their pants and get it over with, well that's self-explanatory.   Beckett says they have to "question everything we think we know" about the case and sends Castle home.   Now there's a first.

Martha (Susan Sullivan) gives a life coach lesson in his office.  Todd (Kurt Long) is a novelist and she told him about Castle's battle with writer's block.   He signs on for a year.   Castle suggests she should use the dining room table, it's near the beverages and sharp utensils.   Martha doesn't know who Castle's father is.   He wants a hug from Alexis (Molly Quinn.)  Martha talks about the "pea pod bond" between a parent and child, giving him another clue.   They don't use Castle's espresso machine when  Will says she likes Castle and Beckett replies cos he's interesting.   They kiss and Castle walks in on them.   Now he sees why "justice never sleeps, I think I know why."  He tells them Angela is adopted so the birth mother would have financial knowledge about them.   Will thinks they'll just be wasting their time on a Nancy Drew theory.    Castle reminds Beckett of what she said earlier, about when there's a child's life at stake, they must "question everything we think we know."  Castle adds the Nancy Dew jibe was a compliment as she solved all of he cases, just like has to for Beckett.  

Lucia Gomez (Jeannette Sousa) didn't sign any document and Angela's father, Juan (Francis Capra) has just returned from Iraq.  Beckett can't run in her heels and Castle gets to ride with Ryan and Esposito (Jon Heurtas).   Castle: "No good cop, bad Fed."  Will says Beckett has a way of sneaking up on people when she's questioning.   Castle comments on their kiss and Castle isn't jealous as Will couldn't reel her in.   Oh this conversation was maddening, she's not so great or that hot!  Juan can't have any children but he's surprised Angela's been kidnapped.   Ryan is still reading Castle's book.  Castle doesn't think he took her as he'd be with her now.   Beckett isn't losing this one as the child in their previous case was killed.

The ransom caller wants the money to be dropped by a  civillian and Castle volunteers ( which is what I said.)  He's already signed a waiver with the NYPD.   Theresa's animosity towards Alfred is shown again, another clue.   Beckett tells the parents they're not responsible for what happened, but they are, at least one of them is directly responsible.   Alfred wanted to make the drop so he'd be considered a suspect.   Beckett wants to explain about the kiss to Castle and she's thinking about Nikki Heat.  Castle knows Nikki (and Beckett) better than she thinks.   Castle's noticed she's not concerned for him, "screw this up and I'll kill you."  What would be her method/weapon of choice this time.

Will mentions how big a fan Beckett is of his, how she stood in line for an hour to get her book signed (wonder why Castle didn't remember that.   He'd have noticed her, cos she's a woman.)  Also how his novels saw her though her mother's death (that's mentioned again for next episode,)  Reading those books after her mother was killed, wouldn't she want to steer clear of those, or was it cos she needed help in looking for clues in her mother's investigation.   Castle sends her a text from the phone he's using, asking if they're making out.   Castle makes the drop and obviously there'd be an abundance of backpacks around.

Castle put the phone in the backpack (that's in reply to Beckett's question in the 1.6 Always Buy Retail episode, of what's with him and phones.) He sent her a text message so she can trace the ID.   The way Castle watches Alfred as if he suspects him, but it's not him.   The phone and mentioning it in front of the parents was another clue and Castle berates himself for not seeing who took the bag and would never want this to happen to Alexis.   The signal from the phone is lost and the parents were the only ones who knew.

Castle has photos from the CS he took again on his phone and notices Angela's favourite bunny is missing.   He's looking for a white rabbit.   Which Beckett didn't notice.   Castle says sometimes they entrust their children with family.   Nina has Angela and Alfred is glad to see her but Theresa can only blame him and be angry.   She worked all those years to supported him and he did nothing, nor looked after Angela like a father should.   If she proved him negligent she'd get full custody of Angela.   Well he's getting custody now and she'll have nothing.   If it was all about money to her and she paid for the adoption, then why did she want a child in the first place, she could've just kept the money for herself.

Will is staying in New York.   Castle says it wouldn't work between Will and Beckett since "he's the male you."  No Ying and Yang but only Ying Ying, a great Panda name.   Beckett calls Castle Obi (as in Wan Kanobi) and she's got a date.     Her life is private and she doesn't live it on page 6 like him.   There's more Nikki Heat to her than he knows.

Well Nikki Heat is based on his observations of Beckett and his imagination too, so she wasn't so clever when she said this, he still knows Beckett better than she does herself.   Didn't much like this episode, there was no chemistry between Will and Beckett, same as there isn't between Castle and Beckett, she just comes across as being cold.   Everything is just about getting one better on Castle with her and Will kind of turned out the same way.   Each going on about jealous feelings when she's not someone most men would be jealous over, no really, she's about as romantic as a wet fish!  Had to get that in since Will said he hooked her and Castle added he failed to reel her in!

It's the cross roads demon from Season 2 of Supernatural, Jeannette Sousa.   Another episode directed by John Terlesky.   Why do Castle and Beckett wear similar coloured tops most of the time, at the same time, they were both wearing black at one point.

Episode 2.7 Red Bulls of the Mentalist involved a kidnapping where in one case, the ransom was paid, but the son was never returned.   Also in the current CBI investigation, Patrick (Simon Baker) suspects someone is working on the inside of this abduction.  

Lie To Me - 1.06: "Do No Harm"

Two different cases for the team this week as one relates to a missing girl and one about a writer who has published a book about her time in her war torn country of Uganda.

Cal (Tim Roth) and Gillian (Kelli Williams) are called in after the disappearance of a couple's adopted daughter, Samantha (Madeline Carroll).   Peter (Bradford Tatum) and Lorraine (Megan Follows) have offered a reward for info and as usual this brings out all the gold diggers and low lives looking to score a quick buck.   There have been plenty of tips on the tipline.   Lorraine asks Cal if he has children - as does everyone - wondered how long that question would take to be posed.   Cal comes straight out with it and asks if they've killed Samantha, over and over.   The parents are genuinely shocked and distressed by this, leading Cal to conclude they didn't.   Outside, Cal sends the reporters away by giving them a false lead to the Happy Dragon restaurant.   The restaurant could do with the business and the couple needed their privacy.

Det John Hughes (Mahershalalhashbaz Ali) wonders whether Cal and Gillian are actually capable of doing this job.   Cal dispenses with a whole room full of 'tipsters' by weeding them out, with questions, leading only to about  a handful, who may have real info.   One is a little girl who tells them about a boy named Wayne (David Gore) who would look at Samantha.  

A publisher asks Ria (Monica Raymund) and Eli (Brendan Hines) to ascertain whether a book written by a former captive, Farida Mogisha (Christine Adam) about her time in Uganda, as the wife of a military leader, bears any truth.

Cal asks Wayne about his friends and suspects Wayne is hiding something in his room.  - where he plays the 'hot and cold' game with Wayne.   Reminded me of Patrick Jane (Simon Baker) and how he talks to potential suspects, in the Mentalist to find clues.   As did the scene where Cal removed any glory hunting; money-grabbing tipsters earlier on.   You know, the way in which Patrick would get them to raise their hands if they killed the Vic etc.   Anyway, Cal gets 'hot' and finds Samantha's backpack in Wayne's closet.   Gillian refers to it as a 'getaway kit', which children pack who have the intention of running away.   Wayne hasn't looked inside and has respected Samantha's privacy and inside is found some money with a psychiatrist's card wrapped around it.   Would've thought Wayne would have at least had some dirty mags lying around under the bed or something?   Either that card was a big clue; since this episode had a shortage of suspects, once her parents were eliminated, or Samantha left the card behind for a reason - knowing the backpack would be found.

The psychiatrist, Dr Christina Knowlton (Stacey Edwards) tells them she can't answer all of their questions and mentions the case of a colleague who called the police in a domestic violence case; where the husband subsequently killed his wife.   Cal asks if Samantha was being abused and she grips the arm of her chair, confirming a positive answer to his question.   Being a psychiatrist she sure couldn't control her emotions.

Eli and Ria order drinks from the bar, Ria a club soda and Eli a cranberry spritzer for which Ria comments he'd be beaten up where she comes from, and he replies the same where he comes from, too.   Farida tells Eli he'll sign his book for him if he comes to her speech later on.   Clearly Eli is in awe of her which doesn't bode well since that's how things generally work out.

At Peter and Lorraine's house, Cal receives a call from his daughter and gets angry, calling her a bitch.   Once again to gage the reactions and from their disgust, they find neither one was abusing Samantha.   Lorraine however admits she had a run in with Samantha when she was throwing a tantrum and accidentally burned her back on the stove.   Peter is distraught and disgusted at this, but Lorraine is clearly remorseful.   John checks out the hospital as her burns would require medical treatment.   Gillian tells Lorraine that any mother would have reacted that way with an adopted child and she shouldn't blame herself.   Cal notices Gillian isn't herself and suggests she should get a puppy and can put her in touch with Obama's people.   She shrugs it off with Alec having allergies and just sits in her office.

Farida tells of how she witnessed widespread murder, torture and rape, and child soldiers carried this out too.   She was made the wife of a military officer.  She appears to look nervous and Eli thinks it's due to her experiences.   Eli and Ria disagree over Farida, who signs Eli's book.   They report to the publisher that she's not lying, but Ria wants to look into it further.   The publisher walks off since she got her report and that's all she wanted.   In the inscription Farida asks Eli out and leaves her phone number.  He brings her to their office where she notices the wall of photos, which are expressions of truth.   Which is what they do here.  Farida touches her ear which is seen by Ria.   Wasn't Eli at least meant to listen to Ria since she's a natural.   He finds Ria with some of Cal's books, trying to 'educate' herself in the science of lying.

John's found a suspect -  a man, Kevin (Andrew Rothenberg) who was at the clinic who is a paedophile.   Cal notices he's excessively sweating.   He takes self-castration drugs and did see Samantha at the clinic.   Surveillance at the clinic shows Samantha turn up and when taken in she refers to herself as Jessica, saying she needs to return before her curfew.   Gillian believes she is afraid of her abductor and is protecting whoever it is.  Gillian tells Lorraine about adopting baby Sophie from Delaware but three days before the adoption would have been finalized, her mother took her back.   Lorraine should speak with Samantha as she's her mother and should tell her this.   Samantha was concerned for Heather, another  girl being held with her, they aren't allowed out at the same time.   John searches for Heather and finds a girl who was at a foster home.   The media chose to concentrate of Samantha (for obvious reason, cos of her colour.)

Ria watches a video of Farida where she talks about herself and then her speech changes. She's lying.   Eli takes Farida to the museum saying he hardly dates but tells her about Ria thinking she's lying.   Farida touches her ear again and admits she lied cos of the atrocities in her country which were going unnoticed, until she gave them a face - her face and spoke out.

Cal asks Samantha some questions but only gets to question 6 as he sees her swallow when he mentions Christina.   A photo of the Christina's daughter is found at her house, who died some years ago.   She died at the lake which is where they find her with Heather and a gun.   She was a good mother and told her not to dive into the lake.   Gillian is upset about Sophie and Alec doesn't want to talk about it - no he's too busy floozing.   Cal notices her grief and pain and wants to comfort her.

Eli told the publisher about Farida and copies of her book are being withdrawn.   He believes the only reason she wanted to go out with him is that deep down she wanted to be caught, he doesn't care.   Ria tells him he just lied.

Bad things come in threes and here they affect two of the characters, Eli who rues Farida, and Gillian isn't over losing baby Sophie.   Oh and Eli has to tell the publisher.   At least we get to see a little of their characters, how Cal would rather be there for Gillan as he knows what  a liar Alec really is.   The title being attributed to doctors - even though Christina isn't a doctor, she was causing harm to those girls she took, all because she lost her daughter.   Just like Gillian did, but she didn't behave in that way, showing just how such things affect people differently.   Was Eli right to tell about Farida's book when she wasn't really hurting anyone?   Then again he did his job irrespective of his feelings, since he would have done the same for anyone else.   Ria says she didn't have to lie and could have written about someone else.

CSI: NY - 1.4: "Grand Master" Review

Aiden and Mac investigate a murder at a DJ competition and Danny and Stella get their hands on a more apetizing kind of crime when they come across naked sushi waitresses.

A DJ competition is held to find the winner of the DJ Master Championship  2004 and the winner is DJ Banner (Ruel).  Aiden (Vanessa Ferlito) is from Brooklyn, as she mentioned in the previous episode too and tells Mac (Gary Sinise) all the children there wanted to be a Grand Master.  Mac prefers krunk.   MC Francois (Matias Masucci) the loser of the competition was smoking in the alley when he stepped in blood.   Flack (Eddie Cahill) questions the host of the event, MC Jayden Prince ( Dorian Missick)

In the second story, Danny (Carmine Giovinazzo) and Stella (Melina Kanakaredes) investigate Debra Gayle, a fashion designer found dead in her apartment.   Her PA, Madison (Olivia Burnette) found the body when she came in to collect her pay cheque, she had quit her job and claims she was already dead.   Madison let herself in and pulled Debra from the pool.   Debra had an abrasion on her forehead.   Her PDA was found in the pool and Danny notices a broken fingernail by her DB.   How could Stella have missed that.

Hawkes (Hill Harper) examines the DB.   Mac: "If you close your eyes, Aiden sounds like Queen Latifah."  Hawkes asking Mac what he knows about Queen Latifah could be viewed as a racist comment.   Banner was stabbed in the neck but he made it to the door, where a tread pattern is found.   A shred of paper is found at the CS and Mac also finds another blood stained piece.   There's no blood from Banner's neck so there was no arterial spray.   The weapon wasn't removed from his neck.   Banner was stabbed on the fire escape and ended up on the ground.   Three days before the murder a message was left on his voicemail constituting a vinyl scratching.   Disco Placid (Ricky Harris) helps Aiden identify the message.

Stella finds Debra was poisoned by blowfish so she couldn't swim in the water as she would have been paralyzed.   She visits the restaurant with Danny, where sushi is served on naked women, causing Danny to drool.   Stella comments she's only heard of naked sushi parties but not restaurants.   Blowfish (fugue) is served only to special clients as it's $500 per piece.  
Stella: "Oh that can't be sanitary."
Danny: "Who cares if it's sanitary, I wanna see the menu."   The great quips Danny had before the emergence of Lindsay on the scene. They return to Debra's apartment and collect samples from the fridge of water and also mouthwash.   Danny also notices her computer was used to access her Spring line two hours after she was killed.

The file in the toolbox found at the club had traces of blood and one of the workers, George Thomas (Billy Aaron Brown) has a record for assault and criminal possession of a weapon.   He appears to be lacking a motive and Aiden takes photos of his palms.   Returning to the CS Mac finds a piece of paper hanging from the window.   The office has a shredder where the paper was shredded and a bloody shirt is found in the toilet flush.   Paying a visit to Slick Vick productions, they find Vick (Master P) and Banner had signed a contract before the contest.   His clients are hung over the balcony in an effort to persuade them to sign with him.

Banner's manager, Prince says his contract had expired after the contest, but Banner had signed with Vick three days before and never had a chance to explain he had been coerced into signing.   He was only looking out for Banner and protecting him from people like Vick.   Mac: "In doing that, you became  one of them yourself."

Madison insists Debra was already dead when she took the designs and Stella thinks there had to be another woman present, duh, like the one in the restaurant.   Debra was one of her regulars.   Previously she worked as an assistant but was fired when she refused to sleep with Debra, but everytime she was at the restaurant Debra would always request her.   Danny: "That's just fine sweetheart, cos Tox'll do the talking for you."  Though she wears socks now, she put poison on her toes but doesn't show any remorse in doing so, even if she was in danger of killing herself.
Danny: "Here we are looking for the murder at the table."
Stella: "Here the murderer is the table."

Two very different episodes but all with the theme of murder in mind, Banner's manager killed him to protect him from vultures like Vick and she killed Debra to protect herself from Debra's predator ways.   There was no getting away  from her.   Don't know how Stella missed the nail and Aiden also misses the single blood spot on the shirt, both important clues and pieces of evidence.    There was an obvious bloop visible on the contract, instead of reading "breach" it read "breech of regulations" someone can't spell.  

Symba Smith was in the CSI:Miami episode In the Wind.   Disco Placid was in a CSI episode Anonymous and Aiden mentions here that he moved from Las Vegas to New York.   In CSI Evaluation Day, Warrick (Gary Dourdan) finds  a red bloody T shirt after discovering a prison toilet has red water.   In Table Stakes, Catherine (Marg Helgenberger) finds a red fingernail in the grass.   Also in CSI:Miami A Horrible Mind episode, Speed (Rory Cochran) pieces together a shredded essay.  And in 2.22 Rap sheet, a rapper survives after being shot at a night club and a fellow rapper claims his song was stolen.  

NCIS - 7.5: "Code of Conduct" Review

A dead prank-playing marine on Hallowe'en proves to be a mystery for the agents and plenty of suspects are afoot and plenty of laughs to be had. Tony picks his suspect, as usual and is sure he's on the right track.

Teens playing Hallowe'en pranks find a dead marine in his car which, prima facie, appears to be suicide.   Tony (Michael Weatherly) is on the phone to one of his Baltimore PD friends about a competition: Larceny Lotto.   A Hallowe'en tradition where they attempt to guess the number of disturbance calls on Mischief Night.   Tony explains for Ziva (Cote de Pablo) that this is the night before Hallowe'en;  and then guess the number of calls on Hallowe'en itself.   McGee (Sean Murray) reminds Tony that he hates Hallowe'en.   In the season 4 Hallowe'en episode Witch Hunt, Tony recalls he dressed up as an astronaut when he was little.   he also got lots of candy and his father made him throw it away.   Tony said he hated Hallowe'en and Klingons.   Well he's changed his mind.   McGee recalls Devil's Night when he was little on base.   Gibbs (Mark Harmon) calls Ziva "Agent David."

The DB marine, James Korby had a wife and step-daughter and Ziva thinks he committed suicide.   Ducky (David McCallum) reminds her looks can be deceiving.   If he was a victim of carbon monoxide poisoning, then his skin would be cherry red.   The body has been staged.   Tony refers to Ziva as Probie now, well McGee got past that title, but he didn't get past Tony's mischief making and teasing.   Ted Rogers (Perry Anzilotti) the neighbour across the street has a video tape.   Tony immediately hones on to his jumper.   Yes close your eyes and imagine Tony in one of those a few years from now, ha.

Ducky comments heat from the fumes would raise the victim's body temperature, but he's frigid.   Tony analyzes Korby's joke lab and potential CS.   He notices signs of a struggle as pranksters don't break their own jokes.   Ducky hears creaking inside the Vic, he shouldn't be so brittle and Ducky pulls out part of his throat, frozen.   The COD is possibly liquid nitrogen or dry ice.   McGee suggest to Tony they should focus on crimes in their jurisdiction, so much for Tony's Larceny Lotto.   Tony: "Thrill me, McGoblin." As soon as Tony sees the photo of his wife, Sara Korby (Stefanie Von Pfetten) Tony exclaims he didn't kill himself, since nobody married to someone that beautiful would off himself.   He predicts Sara did it, as in the past season 5 episode Leap of Faith; where he also predicted the blonde wife did it and he was right.   he also referred to her as the Black Widow.

McGee comments, sarcastically, that means they shouldn't investigate the case and should arrest her right away.   Ziva finds she checked into a hotel and Tony can't believe she would spend the night in a hotel, alone three days after her husband returned from the Middle East.   Hence the wife did it.   Ziva: "You always say that." Just then Sara walks in.   She says Hallowe'en was Korby's favourite time of year and her step-daughter, Rachel (Brooke Nevin) was with friends.   Both of them are her step-parents.  Sara was married to Rachel's father who was killed five years ago.   Korby had words with Ted as he complained about everything.   Tony adds he picked up on that, well he would since he's kind of like him.   That'd be Tony in ten years time then, ha!

Jimmy ( Brian Dietzen) makes a comment about the Vic, which Ducky doesn't like.   Ducky: "Not taking pleasure out of the nature of our victim's death are you, Mr Palmer."  Jimmy thinks it's sad and reminds him pf pranks he's not too proud of.   (Like cavorting with Michelle Lee in autopsy! a few seasons ago.)  Ducky finds he must have ingested liquid nitrogen, which upon contact with warm organic material, boils.   Jimmy uses a pumpkin to prove the point, pouring in liquid nitrogen and freezing the pumpkin.   Korby had scar tissue on his throat before he was killed.   COD was breathing in nitrogen gas which entered his lungs, suffocating him.   One gulp would be enough to kill him.   Jimmy drops the pumpkin, which shatters.     Ducky claims he was force fed this, so he was killed.

McGee watches Ted's video of the pranks and Ziva fails to see the humour or art in throwing toilet rolls.   Ziva: "Does your gut ever give you a  stomach ache Tony?"  Gibbs brings them apple cider and wishes them a 'Happy Hallowe'en' before telling them the break is over.   Ziva and Tony pay another visit to Ted and Ziva tells him they're not here for candy.   Tony: "Speak for yourself."  Cos he loves all foody things.  Ted filed police reports about Korby's pranks since they cost him time and money.   Tony: "There's a temper under that cardigan."  First Tony called it a sweater, now it's a cardigan.   He asks if he killed Korby.   He was working on his computer.   Tony doesn't trust a guy who doesn't give candy to kids, including Tony not getting any either.   In Witch Hunt Ziva commented that Hallowe'en must be a "Di Nozzo National Holiday."

Gibbs asks Abby (Pauley Perrette) why she's not wearing a costume this year.   (As in the season 4 Hallowe'en episode Witch Hunt, she was dressed as Marilyn Monroe.)  She replies after the Jonas Bros fiasco , Vance (Rocky Carroll) has banned costumes.  "McGee in skinny jeans didn't work." That was before McGee went trimmer, so they would have worked this year.   McGee does wear jeans now.   A car was signed out of the marine pool and Gibbs says only a marine can sign it out.   Abby examined a sample from Korby's stomach contents and found paint thinner, it was in his flesh from two months ago.   Tony asks McGee if no one came to his door on Hallowe'en.   Tony declares  he deserves a treat as Sara did it.   Sara has been married to marines, who are all dead.  "Three times is a pattern."  She's a "Black Ops widow."  McGee finds the car is sill missing.   Korby's Squad Leader, Barnes ( McKinley Freeman) didn't give him a good report.

Gibbs states, "What's funny in Boot Camp, isn't in battle."  He was ill a few days and no one had the biggest problem with Korby.   So Gibbs says he'll have to investigate everyone.   He refers to Private David Singer (Brian Patrick Wade).  They had a fight.   Tony: "Take a break, take a shower." Hey that's always one of Ziva's comments about Tony!  That he smells.   He says they don't like his pranks but none of them killed him and mentions Chris Norton.  

Tony: "Don't brag McGee, it's unbecoming."  Unless Tony brags, then it's OK.   The unit has a history and wasn't combat ready, their bad reports only began two months ago.   Ducky mentions the amount of things that can end up in lungs.   He discovers evidence of multiple contusions and abrasions, before Korby was poisoned the first time round.   Ducky had to reverse his autopsy process.   Gibbs says he was being taught a lesson, known as 'Code Red'.   I.e.  they tried to hurt him, without hurting him.

Tony conducts a mobile campfire: thinking on their feet.   He tells Probie to talk louder cos he can't hear her, which she does.   Gibbs tells her she's been a Probie for a week and she's not in Mossad anymore.   Gibbs suggests a mobile campfire.   Abby finds that Korby had lunch in his lungs which wasn't in his stomach.   Jimmy remarks the nitrogen carried the food to his lungs, there could have been food inside the container with the gas.   Gibbs kisses Abby and slaps Jimmy, it was good work.   Tony talks to Sara again and she's attracted to men with dignity and honor.   Now she's probably onto husband number 4, with Singer.   Who is there to pay his respects.

Tony stares at the ceiling and McGee asks him if the sky's falling down.   Tony comments it may as well be since his killer instincts were 'temporarily misguided'.   "What did my Probie sandwich find out."  But McGee's no longer a Probie.   Ziva replies no one knew of the Code Red.   Barnes lied to them because his promotion was denied before Korby was poisoned.   Tony and Ziva pick up Barnes and Tony comments on the German's being lovely, "Care to Oompah."  Gibbs accuses Barnes of poisoning Korby.  "Man up marine!" He did it for Korby since his pranks almost got them killed.   They knew of the Code Red and he put a few drops of paint thinner in his coffee, so he would be sent home.   The men in the unit found out and lost respect for Barnes as a leader.

Tony wants more apple cider, it was "de-cider-dly delicious."  Singer was at the spa.   Tony explains, guilty men object and innocent men explain themselves.   He falls into the third category of covering for his lover.   Ziva tells McGee if Tony's right about Sara she'll never live it down.   Sara's credit card was used to buy duct tape and a hose, but it's not her, so Tony's wrong - at least once.   Sara was at the spa but she couldn't cheat on Korby.   She borrowed Singer's car.   Tony thinks that would work on a jury of her peers; "a jury of tall, leggy, blonde bombshells." Gibbs takes a closer look at the image of Korby's car on the video.   Tony tells Ziva not to say anything about Tony being wrong about Sara.   So she doesn't.     But of course she should have rubbed it in his face, as he would have done!  The car was parked in the driveway.   The seat had been pushed forward so there wasn't enough room for Korby's legs to fit properly inside.

Rachel put the liquid nitrogen in the coca flask which was found in the trash with her prints.   She framed Sara to gain control of her trust fund, as well as Korby's life insurance policy.   Rachel says her father was juvenile.   (Remind you of Tony, anyone?)  McGee's keyboard foams up.   Tony loves Hallowe'en , it's officially his favourite holiday and he won the Lotto.   Ziva gives Tony a drink and his teeth turn blue.     The joke was on him, for once.

Thought this was a little higgledy-piggledy in the storyline with the jokes coming thick and fast at times, and most of the comments had been done before, especially the Hallowe'en ones about Tony.   First he hated it, so something changed in three years to make him call it his favourite holiday now.   Winning the Lotto had nothing to do with it of course.   Yes Sara was an obvious suspect and Tony would focus on her, being the spouse and that's usually the first one suspected.   Sara being married three times, remind you of Gibbs, he was married four times, but Sara will find number 4.   True to form, Tony no longer mentioned Gibbs being married that many times again as he said he wouldn't.

Brooke Nevin was in Charmed and in the season 1 Asylum episode of Supernatural.

The Vampire Diaries - 3.9: "Homecoming" Review

As the Homecoming dance draws near, Rebekah is eager to attend. Stefan lures Klaus back on the pretext of Mikael's death and everyone's set plans go awry.

Stefan (Paul Wesley) calls Klaus (Joseph Morgan) to inform him Mikael's (Sebastian Roche) dead, well he's been "daggered." One hour earlier:  They need to get their stories straight so Klaus will believe Stefan.   Mikael followed Elena (Nina Dobrev) into the house and Damon (Ian Somerhalder) vervained him.   Elena says Klaus will want proof.   Mikael adds Klaus will be dead by then, he'll be lured here and killed.   Mikael has the stake from the oak tree, a vampire can't dagger an original without dying, so it's up to Elena to kill Mikael.   Klaus wants to see Mikael's DB, just as Mikael said he would.

Klaus tells Stefan he can't lie cos of his compulsion and Stefan tells him he saw Mikael die with his own eyes.   Rebekah (Claire Holt) is also there and tells Klaus she saw it too.   Klaus's coming home for homecoming!  Damon thinks that was easy.   Elena pulls the dagger out of Mikael.   Rebekah tells Mikael nothing he says matters to her.   Mikael isn't after her.   Klaus killed their mother and she tells him they weren't killers and he turned them, he destroyed their family, not Klaus.

Caroline (Candice Accola) wants Elena and Bonnie (Kat Graham) at their homecoming and Bonnie thinks that's fine for her cos she has a date.   Elena wants Bonnie to talk about Jeremy, but Bonnie adds Elena shouldn't be angry at Jeremy.   Damon gets ready the wolfsbane grenades and has a secret plan.  "Well if I told you, it wouldn't be a secret."  Stefan needs a tie for the dance , he has to protect her or Elena will probably get herself killed by the homecoming queen.   Stefan is cynical about their plan cos his freedom rests on them, adding their plans fail cos their humanity gets in the way.

Tyler (Michael Trevino) wants a "real bite" and there's plenty of people about to feed on.   Caroline doesn't want him hanging with Rebekah.   Matt (Zach Roerig) is Rebekah's date and he's drinking vervain so she can't feed on him.   Tyler still harping on about Rebekah being hot.   Rebekah tells Elena this is her first dance since they were always running.   Rebekah warns Mikael can't be trusted, "no one in my family can."  Well she just gives herself away there, she can't be trusted to stand by and watch Klaus being killed either.   She's spent her whole life loving and hating Klaus and didn't think she'd be the one to help kill him.   Oh yeah, probably she'd do a backflip like Elijah to save him cos he'd talk her into it.   Elena gives Rebekah her mother's necklace to wear and then stabs her in the back, literally and metaphorically.   Lots of that going around this episode.

Damon refers to that as "very Katherine of you."  Elena cares too much and Damon says she's not really dead.   Damon doesn't trust Mikael or Stefan, so with so many trust issues it's a wonder their plan will work, or will it, judging on past experience.   He doesn't want Elena to be a part of any of it and of she trusts Damon then she has nothing to worry about.   Tyler brings the party to his place after the school gym is flooded, no surprises for guessing who was behind that.   Tyler is doing what Klaus wants: throwing a wake.   He's been planning Mikael's funeral for a thousand years and wants to reunite his family now.   Stefan doesn't know where Rebekah is .   Stefan wants his freedom but he'll only get that when Mikael is dead and the weapon is destroyed.

Damon asks why Mikael feeds on vampires.   Reply: bloodlust wasn't Mikael's intention, he feeds on the predators not the innocent, oh so that's why he slaughtered innocents from his village.   Damon has a plan which doesn't involve Stefan and Mikael bites him.   Damon: "You couldn't just break his neck."  Klaus has invited his own friends to the party, a bloodline of werewolves intent on  serving their master.   Tyler warns Caroline that Klaus knows what they're up to.   Caroline denies nothing and even if she did, she wouldn't tell him.   Tyler injects her.

Klaus thanks Elena for killing Mikael but this isn't the first time she killed an original, there was Elijah.   Klaus says she's always one step ahead of them and just a minute ago, Tyler said he's always two steps ahead.   Damon arrives and Tyler used vervain on Caroline.   Tyler can't fight his compulsion, he has to protect Klaus.   Damon and Tyler fight and Bonnie stops them.   Bonnie wasn't supposed to 'witchy' him.   Damon was the only one who could get in the house with the stake.

Mikael tells Klaus the hybrids can't kill him.   Klaus hasn't changed, he' still a coward hiding behind his 'playthings.'  He can still compel them.   Mikael threatens to kill Elena, there'll be no more hybrids if she dies.   Klaus has no one other than those he forced into loyalty.   Mikael stabs Elena yet again, only surprise, surprise, or not, it's actually Katherine.   Damon attacks Klaus and Stefan stops Damon, thus allowing Klaus to kill Mikael with the stake and he burns.   Klaus gives Stefan his freedom.

Caroline wouldn't have left the party if she knew her friends were there for Klaus.   Tyler says he can't be fixed but he's fine with that  and he won't turn unless he wants to.   The full moon controlled him, yes, but now Klaus controls him, so which is the worst of two evils?   Caroline won't turn her back on him now, no, she might get stabbed in the back if she does.   Damon was prepared for all of it and Katherine's run away.   They had Klaus and it would have been over, they're not getting Stefan back now.   Elena suggests they'll just have to let him go then.   Katherine calls Damon to say goodbye.   She is really willing to give up on Stefan so easily now, well putting aside she's got Damon now.

Stefan tells Katherine that Damon doesn't need to know where it went wrong.   Katherine was at the house when Stefan woke up and gave him blood.   Klaus told Katherine that if he dies then Damon dies too.   Katherine was hoping Stefan would stop Damon.   Katherine tells Stefan to "care enough to save Damon's life."  So Stefan foiled their plan to save Damon's life, yet again.   Katherine wanted to save Stefan and Damon's life and more talk about each other's humanity.   She wanted Stefan to get his humanity back cos she liked the old Stefan better.   She loves Damon and Stefan.   Sometimes she lets her humanity come back, but Stefan doesn't want to.   Katherine wants Stefan to get  angry.   Stefan calls Klaus to thank him for his freedom, Klaus took everything from Stefan and he tells Klaus "revenge never gets old."  Klaus will never see his family again.   Stefan: Klaus was always ahead of everyone for a thousand tears, "Was he prepared for this?"

Another episode with lots of twists which weren't that difficult to follow, after three seasons, that's come to be expected and we'd want nothing else from this show.   Though Katherine turns up out of nowhere to play Elena again, but no mention of where she's been hiding, especially since Klaus hadn't even returned to town yet and neither had Mikael.   The only thing on Caroline's mind was Tyler being able to throw a better party than her planned homecoming - oh and before I forget, Rebekah not being able to attend her first homecoming was funny, no it was.

 Don't have any sympathy for Rebekah.   Kind of poetic justice for her with everything she and Klaus have done over the centuries, she doesn't really deserve to go.  If push comes to shove; or backstabbing; don't think she'd have gone through Klaus being killed and especially not by Mikael.   He may be their father, but he's her brother and they've been there for each other through it all.   Besides it was obvious when she told Mikael she blames him for what they are: killers and vampires.   Although she doesn't hold the same feelings for dear mama, whose necklace she was willing to wear.   Mother bears some responsibility for them being who they are as well and for Klaus being part werewolf.

So where was I - ah the party.   Tyler only made it a better do than Caroline cos of Klaus and Tyler's under his compulsion so Caroline really didn't have anything to worry about, aside from not being kept in the loop about what her friends had planned.   Tyler was grateful for being sired by Klaus as he no longer has to change during a full moon, into a werewolf that is, and it's his choice whether he turns or not.   Caroline referring to Rebekah as an "evil blood slut." was also hilarious.

It seemed like an interesting and foolproof plan; Get Mikael to kill Klaus, get Stefan back, but nothing's that simple on this show, as Damon said, that was too easy when they lured Klaus back.   Being left to Stefan to spell it out again: their plans never work and this was no exception.   Pity no one can get that into their heads.   Yet Stefan went along since he wanted his freedom from Klaus and as he told Damon last time - it was so he can leave Mystic Falls.   Funny it was Katherine who talked about Stefan's humanity at the end; and her own, how she uses it sometimes.   But more so ironically, it was Katherine who instilled the thought of revenge into Stefan.   Probably having an ulterior motive in Stefan being the one to torment Klaus and exacting revenge on him for her.   Well she was after Klaus to be killed for five hundred years, she wasn't just going to let him get away.

Also mentioned again that it was Elena who killed Elijah, an original vampire, as she had to kill Mikael this episode in order for him to appear dead to Klaus.   A bit far fetched since he was brought back anyway, only for Klaus to kill him too, just as he killed their mother.  Mikael wasn't much of a vampire hunter when it came down to his own family.   He also didn't want Rebekah dead after all she's done with Klaus, why let her off, as I said last episode, he wasn't too overly concerned about her.   Think the writers were saving Katherine as a bit of a secret weapon and a surprise for us that only Damon knew about.   Thus his line about having a secret plan and not telling Elena.

Yet no one really trusted anyone  (aside from Damon and Elena to a point) since there was room for plenty of betrayal on everyone's part, especially Mikael, Stefan and Rebekah.   Mikael stabbing Elena to lure Klaus out , wouldn't it have better served its purpose if Mikael had been invited in beforehand.   Let's face it Katherine had to have been an Elena substitute as we couldn't have her being killed again, that'd be too same old, same old.   So Klaus was telling Katherine that Damon wouldn't survive, causing her to come up with her own plan.   Oddly enough Katherine's plan succeeded.   So Stefan's "humanity" led him to saving Damon once more.   But Damon is oblivious to this (at least for now) and Damon believes Stefan betrayed him to let Klaus live.   But he should have known from last episode Stefan would do anything to save Damon.

For a painful second it looked like Elena and Damon would kiss, luckily they didn't but they did manage to get closer still, as Elena says if Stefan's gone they'll have to let him go.   It's Stefan's turn now to hold Klaus to ransom.   Mikael even brought Klaus to tears.  Elena: "It had to be done.   Rebekah was never going to be completely on our side."

Damon: "Hey I'm not judging you.   It's very Katherine of you."  Elena: "Not the way to make me feel better about myself Damon."

Damon: "It was a compliment, sort of."  Now if we'd have been thinking down this route (or were psychic) with Damon talking about Katherine, then we'd have realized she would be involved.   No vampire fix over Christmas, but the show will return later and a lot later than January for some of us.

Supernatural - 6.13: "Unforgiven" Review

Sam begins to have flashes of memory and insists on returning to a town he's already been too, in contravention of the cardinal rule of a hunter. Never return to the same place twice.

Bristol, Rhode Island:  Samuel (Mitch Pileggi) and Sam (Jared Padalecki) hunt and Sam fires shots.   He's wounded in his arm and stopped by police as they leave.  They're agents and Sam beats the deputy up. Well, he practically tears him to shreds and doesn't care.

Present Day:  Sam's catching up on the news and mentions Mel Gibson.   Sam gets coordinates on his phone to Bristol where three women have disappeared.   They're mysterious coordinates to a town but it doesn't mean they should ignore it.   Dean (Jensen Ackles) reluctantly agrees to go and Sam notices the sign and recalls a memory , which is dangerous for him.   The sign reads: "Where memories are made."  The expression on Sam's face dates back to season 1.5 Bloody Mary, when he imagined he saw Jess on the street.

Dean finds the missing women were all brunettes and looking at the photo of one he says she has a wild side, "it's in the eyes." Sam thinks they had nothing in common but they did, you know something along the lines of Sam wishfully hoping they didn't. From Sam's mouth to God's ears, but he's done a runner.   Oh, off on a tangent, sorry.   A woman, Debbie (Pauline Egan) recognizes Sam.   Dean makes a pitstop and notices the photos by the loo and sees Sam in one of them.   Dean is Sam's new partner and claims the other one is in sex rehab, referring to Samuel, ha.   She touches Sam's shoulder and Sam has a memory of them together.   Dean: "She just cougar-eyed you." Sam's in the photo so was on a case in town.   Dean is adamant they need to leave.   Five men were missing a year ago and now it's women.   Dean: "Why the gender bend."  If I'm not mistaken that's almost an episode title for X-Files (Gender Bender.)

Dean tells Sam there's a reason why hunters never hit the same town twice.   It was one of Dad's rules.   Sam knows Dean is afraid he'll break his wall but he messed up here.   It's all on him.   Dean visits Nicole's roommate and finds Sam card there.   Sam came by a few times.   Sam is recognized by deputy Atkins (William C Vaughan)  and is arrested.   It's Sam's turn now (in 6.9 it was Dean's turn and yet no one took any prints etc.)  Atkins claims sheriff Dobbs (Joe Holt) is missing but Sam doesn't remember.  They usually go undercover as agents so why did Dean send Sam to the copshop if he's been here before?

Dobbs's wife, Brenna, (Miranda Frigon) sees Sam in jail and asks where her husband is.   Dobbs knew they weren't Feds and so did she.   She mentions Days of our Lives.   Sam has amnesia and can find answers if he can get out.   Also the way Sam said that was almost like he knew Dobbs was dead; especially when he apologizes.   Sam has a penchant for brunettes, particularly after blond Jess.   Debbie is killed.   Dean asks Sam how it feels to be a fugitive - well same way Dean felt back then and hey harking back to 1.6 Skin, Dean was the fugitive first and also in the Pilot, Dean was arrested before Sam ever was.

Sam got around with women and Dean's impressed.   Sam sees Brenna and Dean finds the connection between the missing women is Sam.   The text and the Vics were a way to trap Sam.  Sam needs the casefiles.   In a flashback Sam sees himself and Samuel sharing what they actually do with Dobbs and Brenna.   Sam calls what they do a 'business relationship' as "family slows you down."   They were hunting an Arachne and it came from Crete.   Vics included a man in the '30's.   Sam has a flash of making it come to them and lots of webs around the house.   Sam is watched.   Dean sneaks up behind Sam who almost shoots him again.   Sam doesn't recall anything to do with hell.   They should call Bobby or Rufus and argue about Sam's memories returning but he has to make things right now he has a soul.   His soul won't let him walk away.  

Dean: "Let's Memento this thing shall we?"  In a repeat of what Bobby said last episode, Like A Virgin.   Sam does some stringing using the file, photos etc and has more flashes of memory, in using Dobbs as bait.   Sam was just interested in the hunt and not in protecting Dobbs and didn't warn him what they were dealing with.   The Arachne took Dobbs.   Sam says he's got GPS on his phone and Samuel tells him, "You're as cold as they come."  Not really, Samuel was much colder.   He can talk after selling out his family.   He and Sam found Vics still alive in their cocoons, including Dobbs.   Sam insists they have to kill them as they've been converted.   Yet more head lopping follows.   Sam knows spiders, one bite can kill and the Arachne's worse.

Sam fired without hesitation which were the shots heard at the opening of this episode.   Dobbs returns as "Spiderman."  Brenna wants Sam home and can tell she's in trouble and is in the shed.   Dean: "My Spidey senses are tingling."  Sam and Dean find themselves in cocoons and Dean finds a shard of glass .   Dobbs accuses Sam of wanting his wife.   He wasn't turning when Sam shot him and fire didn't hurt either.   They're all like him too.   Brenna doesn't want to hear Sam's excuses.   Dean says he killed Spiderman and everything that happened last year wasn't Sam.  Sam knows it was him and he's said that before.   Dean keeps making excuses for Sam and what he did as soulless Sam in case he breaks the wall, but Sam has to atone for his mess.  Dean's trying to make him feel better and tells him not to be a bitch.   Sam has a fit and burns in hell.

This episode was a revelation, not only in terms of soulless Sam's past catching up with him but how much of a cold, calculating and emotionless individual he really was.   Something we saw back in 6.5 after his treatment of Dean and here it highlights what he did on the road even without Dean.   Thus Dean is justified in wanting Sam, no demanding his soul back.   He makes excuses for Sam in that it wasn't really him; but Sam knows better.   It was him and this has been repeated by the two many times over and Bobby takes Sam's side too as far as this topic is concerned.   Sam didn't so much as flinch when using Dobbs as bait, something the 'old' Sam has never done or would do.

Some funny moments in Sam's need to satisfy himself, sexually - and engaging in numerous one night stands following Dean's trend and in his footsteps but it wasn't funny in the sense of his playing with their emotions, but just his instant gratification.   In that respects Dean is impressed, to the point of being proud of his 'romantic' pursuits.    He encouraged Sam enough in the past to be reckless as far as chicks were concerned and soulless Sam obliges.   Romantic used loosely like Sam's morals, ha.

In some ways, this episode also showed how Dean used to be similar to Sam - but with a soul.   He wasn't ruthless when it came to looking out for Vics, rather he was focused and one tracked when it came to hunting.   Dean has evolved immensely as a character and grown.   He shows his caring side; something he never shared, let alone talked about.   It was good seeing Sam now and then, kind of side by side in the same episode.   Soulless Sam  concerned with hunting and never gave a damn about the consequences of what would happen if the Vics were already converted into spiders.

 In his haste to 'gank' he let loose more mutants to go on their way and gather more prey.  Sam's flashbacks were filmed in glorious black and white which makes a change and more effective to portray Sam without a soul - his world then would have been black and white: no right and wrong for him, just getting the job done.   Here only Sam's flashbacks were filmed as such in season 4 Monster Movie where the entire episode was filmed in black and white, so it was a nice plot device which worked well here.

The coordinates being sent mysteriously to Sam via text was so like Dad  when he used to send texts with coordinates when there was a case he wanted them to tackle.   Usually these were sent to Dean.

Jensen was in the daytime soap Days of Our Lives and he'll probably never get away from that being mentioned in this show.   Jared plays evil, cruel Sam so masterfully and gets to expand on his acting range too from lovable Sam, who never did wrong.

Sam: "...Trying to catch up, so Mel Gibson really took a turn for this past year."  Dean: "Or he's possessed...seriously think about it." Sam was meant to be catching up on the news. This is a reflection of something Dean would be concerned about, not Sam.  Agents Roark and Wynand, are references from the novel  Fountainhead by Ayn Rand - one of Jensen's fave books.

Arachna from Greek mythology was a goddess who became the world's first spider.   Once mortal and the daughter of a shepherd, she excelled at weaving.  Her pride got the better of her when her weaving was admired and she refused to acknowledge Athena as her teacher.   Athena challenged her and was shocked by her depiction of Greek gods in a less than flattering light and struck out at her .   Arachna was overcome with her emotions and hung herself.   Athena felt sorry and brought her back as a spider.  "For being so vain you will hang and spin forever," were Athena's words to her.

CSI - 12.3: "Bittersweet" Review

The discovery of parts of a human body at an art gallery showing leads to one of Sara's past cases. Also a dumped DB leads Greg and Morgan to a chocolate factory.

Nick (George Eads) is at an art galley with a thus far unnamed woman, who we're meant to assume is his date. They talk about the exhibits and she asks what's significant about the pieces.   Nick decides to play along with one exhibit, when some liquid drips onto his shirt which he identifies as human remains.   DB (Ted Danson) arrives at the scene and questions Nick on his date.   He replies she's Doc Robbins (Robert David Hall) niece, Callie (Caitlin Custer) and he's showing her around.   DB thinks there's more to it than that.   Nick has removed his shirt (well he's wearing a vest underneath!) and catches the dripping liquid in a cup.

The artist, Slade's (Theo Stockman) work is from things he found discarded at a rubbish tip and DB wants the location, or it's the Bastille (jail) for him.   Blocks of cement are found at the tip and DB takes a pair of metal racks for himself.   There's enough junk around without more being made.  Also noticing a discarded microwave.   A piece of cement is found with a human face and another chance for Nick to put his bug knowledge to use, that's getting common now.   Nick also spots the flower earrings and recalls a past case which Sara (Jorga Fox) worked on.  That of husband and wife team, Gina and Todd Sinclair.

DB is watching the tape when Sara arrives.   It wasn't shown to the jury since it wasn't found until after the trial and Sara posits Gina (Stacy Haiduk) claimed to have been under Todd's influence and thus served less time.   DB expresses his disgust at how she was released so soon.   Sara wants to work the case.   The Vic, Colleen (Chelsea Hobbs) is still in Vegas and someone needs to call her.   DB visits with her and leaves her his card.   She's supposedly suffering PTSD and refuses police protection.  Perhaps cos she has something to hide.

Sara visits Gina and lets it be known in no uncertain terms that Gina is a rapist, murderer and psychopath and they should keep their daughters away.   Sara also notices Gina's dog and she wants to search Gina's apartment for which she doesn't need a warrant.   Catherine (Marg Helgenberger) meanwhile seems to have her claws out for the CSIs, it certainly looks that way.   This time she 'bitches' about Sara behind her back, telling DB as Supervisor he shouldn't let her handle this case, seeing as former Supervisor she allowed one of her CSIs into a house alone with a serial killer.   DB thanks her for that.   What makes her think she's looking out for him saying she understands why Ecklie bought him in?   DB is a seasoned CSI himself, as I keep writing and he doesn't need her advice unless she's trying to curry favour with him.   You'll recall she did the same thing with Gil Grissom (William Petersen) over how he needs to be more "politic."  Catherine appears to be jarring now and a bit of an annoyance.

DB has words with Sara over her outburst and falling into the master manipulator's hands after her actions leave them open to a lawsuit and she's also revealed their upperhand to Gina.  My thoughts were Gina was a bit of a red herring and wouldn't be involved with the current kidnapping.   Colleen was more suspicious not being able to face her parents and choosing to  live alone.  No Vic would want to do that after such an ordeal.

The serial number on the microwave is traced to a Ryan Thomas (Michael Grant Terry) who describes a truck with a pretty woman driving and he's willing to give his DNA without quibble - trying to be clever or just plain stupid.   As I always say with suspects in CSI:Miami, they are forever trying to be clever or helpful.   Ed Burrows (Don McManus)  keeps track of Gina.   His daughter was killed by Gina.  His only revenge for losing his daughter at Gina's hands came with him beating up Gina.   It was good to see neither DB or Sara wanted him shot when he held the knife on her and DB allows Sara to talk him round.   They need her to help locate Colleen.   Turns out they didn't need her after all.  Sara says Gina has a Pomeranian dog and Samantha Chase has been missing three weeks and she used to walk past Gina's house.   Doc Robbins also found Pomeranian hairs under the nails of the Vic in the cement block.

Nick and Sara take the blocks apart for analysis.   DB questions Sara on whether she processed the blocks alone and she thinks she's done something wrong.   She had Nick to help.   DB was thinking in terms of an accomplice since the blocks would be too heavy to be lifted alone by Gina.    Ryan comes to mind.   Colleen is also missing as her mother comes in with DB's card.   Nick finds the DB's were dismembered by use of an industrial pressure washer.   As Ryan mentioned needing to get back to work he didn't exactly say what work was.

Henry (Jon Wellner) Catches DB's attention and then goes off a tangent when DB only want his results and he matches DNA linking Ryan as having relations with the Vic in the cement block.   There that's suspicions confirmed.   Colleen is found at the construction site where Ryan works carrying out the same torture and reprehensible treatment on Samantha, with Ryan videoing the entire ordeal.   She identified with her tormentor Gina, just as some kidnapping Vics suffer Stockholm Syndrome.   Colleen wanted to give Gina "another flower."

Greg (Eric Zmanda) and Morgan (Elisabeth Harnois) are called to the scene of a dumped DB, who isn't homeless.   Greggie wears a jacket and checks himself out in the mirror before getting out of the car.   Morgan wants to ask him a personal question about Nick and Callie and not about Greg.  Seems she's more interested in him than in Greg, or rather was she more interested in this cos she's new here and wants the lowdown, in which case why didn't she just ask Nick.  

Morgan is clearly enthusiastic about her work and she arrives at the autopsy early and Greg asks if he's late.   Doc finds chocolate in the Vic's lungs so he inhaled it.   Morgan comments her knowledge is her own work and not a result of nepotism.   DB asks if it was milk or dark chocolate as his wife will ask this when he tells her about it later.   They share a lot of things including his work.  Guess there had to be one CSI who is happily married with children, unless we don't have the complete picture yet about him.  He mentions a book to Greg and Morgan where a vat is talked about and that's what they should be looking for.   As Chad Ellis drowned  in one.

The Sinful Pleasures Candy Co is run by Angie (Kelly Hu) which sports a photo of a man covered in chocolate, whom Morgan finds pleasing, much to Greggie's chagrin.   They search the vat and Morgan finds a pubic hair, eeww, that'll have us wondering where the choc's been next time we eat it.    So if the Vic sustained 'BFT' (blunt force trauma) he was removed and Greg finds a drain where he discovers part of the skull.   Chad's DB was dumped.   Morgan eats chocolate for lunch and offers one to Nick, but he's happy with the chili he's got.   Was that Morgan making a move on Nick?   Greg comes in with info on the Vic, Chad's amber eye colour matches the same eye color of the poster model, Tristan Duran (Justin James Hughes) who happens to be one and the same.   He came looking for work with Angie and she turned him away.   The security guard dumped his DB.   This is a Class D felony Greg informs her and she also made a false statement.

Nick commenting to Callie, "The date's over."  Not a date as he says to DB later.   Doc didn't get a scene with his niece.   Also he trusts her to Nick's care as he'll be a perfect gentleman as our Nicky is.   CSI chocolate obsessed once more - like the chocolate eating poker player in season 3's Revenge is a Dish Best Served Cold.   Chad loved chocolate so he chooses to end it in a vat cos chocolate was his downfall, which would be all the more reason to fight his obsession instead of copping out like that.

Many cases are personal for Sara and it's good to see this hasn't  changed for her nor should it.   She hasn't done anything wrong aside from visiting Gina with both barrels blazing.   This episode was Bittersweet both cos of the chocolate content and Colleen becoming like Gina.

DB tells Nick about the Lady in Cement, book by Marvin H Albert and movie with Frank Sinatra.   Also The Road to Wellville by TC Boyle where a man drowns his stepson in a vat of macadamia butter.   Thus the chocolate vat.   Thought Greg and Morgan could have sussed that out for themselves.   DB loves his anecdotes and his digressions, but he doesn't like listening to others when they tell theirs - like cutting Henry off abruptly for his results.   DB mentions his son and he understands Ed doing what he did, also telling Sara children should be able to walk home from school by themselves.

At the end he asks Sara if she's eaten cos he's hungry and if she likes, Chinese, Sushi, Italian, Indian, and she smiles finally.   He continues to rattle off a list and he'll keep on doing it, which she knows.   So he's really trying to take an active part in the CSI's lives.   Morgan asking Nick about Callie and then seduces with chocolate but Nick wasn't falling for it.   Okay maybe not so much seduction, but you never know.   Oh let's hope not, don't want another love triangle.   Brass (Paul Guilfoyle) and Hodges (Wallace Langham) though mentioned in the show weren't actually in it.

CSI:NY 4.17 Like Water for Murder where the DBs had chocolate in their stomachs, a type found at a certain fashion show.   Also season 1.17 The Fall, where a wife forbade her husband from eating chocolate, who fell from a balcony whilst trying to retrieve some hidden candy.

Doctor Who - 5.9: "Cold Blood" Review

The Doctor attempts to save Amy and the others in an exchange of hostages and the plan goes awry when he discovers Alaya has been killed. Help comes in the form of one of the Silurians.

Eldane: "This is the story of our planet, of Earth.   The day - a thousand years past when we came to share it with a  race known as humanity.   It is the story of the Doctor who helped our races find common ground and the terrible losses he suffered.   It is the story of our past and must never be forgotten."

The Doctor (Matt Smith) notes the race is still asleep and they need to find the others.   The front door approach is good, but the backdoor is better too, at times.   The Silurians gas them.   Amy (Karen Gillan) the female is more resistant to the cold and is about to be dissected, but is saved  by an alert.   She's picked the creature's pocket  and she and Mo (Alun Raglan) get out.   She has to be nosy at times and presses the button on one of the chambers revealing Elliot (Samuel Davies).   Rory (Arthur Darvill) tells Ambrose (Nia Roberts) he's not the police and there's been a misunderstanding.  Rory would trust the Doctor with his life.  Ironic words for Rory.  And they need to keep the creature safe; cos Ambrose won't.

The Doctor is being decontaminated and he asks why he's not dead yet.   The Silurian doctor and Restac (Neve McIntosh) are the same rank.   She wants to watch him die.  The Doctor isn't an ape.  They want to remove his human germs but that's the only thing keeping the Doctor alive.   He then asks for celery.   He wanted celery in the opening episode, 5.1 The Eleventh Hour.   He's only here for the humans they took and exchange them for Alaya.  (Neve McIntosh)  Amy opens the lights inside the chamber and walks in, noticing the transport discs; a way for them to get out and takes their weapons.    The others are in hibernation.   The Doctor believes the moon aligned with the earth  and they thought they were facing the apocalypse, the rest of their species were attacked by the humans and died.

Ambrose demands a cure for Mack (Robert Pugh) from Alaya and threatens her with a taser.  She's only protecting her family.  Alaya taunts her into using the taser, she knew Ambrose would kill her as she's "the weakest."  Rory tries to save her, "You're not dying  - I'm not going to let you, not today." As the Doctor also says.   Poignant words from Rory in relation to the end of the episode, as there was nothing they could do for him.   Restac takes The Doctor and Nasreen (Meera Syal) to their court and Amy demands they be released.   But Restac takes the gun from Amy.   Malokeh, the Silurian doctor (Richard Hope) is ordered away.   Restac wants them executed.  The Doctor calls them Homoreptilia and they want the planet back.

Restac appears on the screen and Rory speaks for the humans, at least on behalf of some of them.  Amy calls Rory "clingy."  The Doctor wants Rory to handle this and Amy is ordered to be executed.   Eldane (Stephen Moore) demands their release as Restac isn't their commander.   Malokeh says they're not killers and neither are the humans, well he was wrong about both of them.  The Doctor calls them down using the transport discs and they should bring Alaya.   Even though she's dead Rory insists they have to return her.

The Doctor posits they both have a genuine claim to the planet and they need to discuss this, Amy and Nasreen are the best people to do this, to speak on behalf of the planet.   The Doctor explains to Nasreen that he and Amy travel in time and this is a "temporal tipping point" this will change reality so they have to do good here.   (Whereas at other times that can't be done.) Mack tells Ambrose this isn't about them and she needs to do this for Elliot.   Malokeh had no intention of harming Elliot, he was studying the young.   Eldane: "the future of both species...rested in their hands."  They're afraid they won't find any common ground.   Amy says there are areas not populated by the humans.   Eldane says they are able to bring new sources of energy and give them knowledge and technology beyond human bounds.

Restac awakens the other warriors and kills Malokeh for getting in her way.   So that's what he was saying about them being good in both species, but she's like Ambrose, though Restac kills one of her own.   The Doctor realizes something is wrong when he sees Alaya's body, "tell me you didn't do this."  Ambrose is so much less than the best of humanity, they had a chance here and were let down by one.   Ambrose tells him it's too late since she and Mack set the drill to burrow again.   After one warning the Silurians will return to hibernation.  Doctor: "This ends now!"

There's no cure for Mack, he's mutating and needs decontamination.   The Doctor needs to send energy up the channel to blow up Nasreen's life's work, the drill.   Eldane states they can use toxic fumigation and they'll have to return to their chambers.   Amy says he'll be killing his own people.   The Doctor is aware earth isn't ready for their return, the planet is to be shared in the future and he tells Elliot to pass that on, Elliot understands.   There's no time for Mack to be decontaminated, so in the process of attempting to save them, Ambrose loses her father.   They need to find his blue box.   Nasreen is staying behind to hibernate with them, she's found what she's looking for.   The Doctor sent them to hibernate promising a future of peace with the humans.

At the TARDIS they see the Crack again, but the Doctor wonders why it's here now and it's getting bigger.   Flashbacks to the angels episode: "the Byzantium and all through the universe - rips in the continuum." The Doctor is angry everyone knows what's happening except him, Prisoner Zero and the angels were all laughing at him.  "Where there's an explosion, there's shrapnel." He puts his hand in the Crack, Rory warns him not to and the Doctor screams as he pulls something out.   Restac zaps Rory and he recalls being on the hill. "I can't die here."

The Doctor has a flashback to 5.6 about time energy catching up to her and never being born; which is what happens to Rory (first and then the Doctor later.) The light from the Crack touches Rory and the Doctor shouts to Amy to get away from the light.   He pushes her into the TARDIS and locks it with the Sonic.   She'll forget him, if the light absorbs Rory, he'll never have existed.   The Doctor leaves and tells Amy, "don't forget him in your mind, if you forget him, you'll lose him forever."  Which explains why he was planting all those thoughts into Amy's head about himself.   So what happens if the Doctor recalls Rory, which he does, or isn't it the same thing cos he's not human.   Only Amy can remember them since it's her history.

The Clerics weren't part of Amy's world but this is her own history changing.   The Doctor tells her about Rory, "gorgeous Rory."  He can only help her if she remembers him and still save Rory's memory.   Flashbacks to Rory.   Doctor: "Rory still lives in your mind." The Doctor sees the ring box on the floor of the TARDIS.   Amy has forgotten Rory.   The site explodes.   Ambrose could have saved Alaya, but the Doctor tells her there's another way - she has to make Elliot "the best of humanity in the way you couldn't be." Amy's on the hill alone without Rory, she thought she saw someone else there for a moment.   The Doctor despairs over Rory and what is yet to come.   Eldane: "...the losses he suffered then and the greater losses that were still to come."  The Doctor pulled  a fragment of a burnt out TARDIS from the Crack, which exactly matches part of his TARDIS.

So Rory being lost and never existing, which is why I said it was ironic that Rory was fighting so hard to save Alaya, not only that he's a nurse, but he wasn't going to let her die, and no one was going to die today, except Rory and he is the best of humanity, as the Doctor puts it and yet he's taken from Amy and she can't remember him.   Kind of funny the way he can remember but she can't.   So he'll carry the burden of Amy's forgetting him and also her pain.   But we know Rory's not really lost.  This continues the arc about the Crack.

The Doctor asks for celery and this was worn by the fifth Doctor (Peter Davison) on his jacket, which was also said to have restorative properties, thus the Doctor asks for it here.   Parts of this episode was also filmed at Plantasia Botanical Gardens, Wales; where the episode The Doctor's Daughter was also filmed.