Melanie's Review
Laurie's Review
Melanie's Review:Of all the times that Due South brought a character back for a second go-round, (Caroline Morgan, Ian MacDonald, Randal Bolt, MacKenzie King, Buck Frobisher, etc.) I can only think of two such incidents when both appearances are equally compelling. One of them is Frankie Zuko's turns in The Deal and Juliet is Bleeding; the other is Gerrard in the Pilot and Bird in the Hand. Although the plot of this episode bears no resemblance at all to the pilot, I think the writers did an excellent job maintaining continuity between them.
We learn that Gerrard's corruption was not limited to covering up the problems with the dam, that he had managed to rationalize graft on a far larger scale then previously known is entirely believable. While this crime is in character for him, it's not just a rehash of what has gone before. The escape at O'Hare was an excellent teaser, and I admire the way they kept the escapee's identity secret until the last moment--and they trusted the viewer to recognize him, not identifying him until after the opening credits. (I wonder how many viewers did recognize him back when the episodes were first aired more than a year apart?) Gerrard's baiting of Ben throughout the episode is just perfectly done--before very long, I wanted to shoot him! ;-)
Bob's reaction to Gerrard's presense is hilarious on the surface, but surprisingly poignant beneath. Bob is usually agreeable and upbeat, but here he is in a fit of rage and yet is totally incapable of doing anything about it. His impotence mirrors Ben's need to control his own desire for bodily revenge. (This is one of those episodes in which I feel that Bob's presence serves mainly to illustrate Ben's thought processes for the viewer.)
Not that anybody expected it going in, but looking back-- Is is any surprise that Gerrard was in cahoots with another corrupt federal law enforcement officer?
Ray's business with the tape recorder. Was he having a bad day, or was he building an elaborate ruse with a tape recorder that was actually working perfectly?
More importantly, what was with Ray offering a weapon to Fraser? Was he actually hoping that Fraser would have a chance to use it, or was he just covering his bases? Or, as has been postulated here before, was it just a test, to see if Fraser still had his personal feelings under control?
Duesies:Ray: Ah. here it is. Lloyd P. Nash [snicker] You want to know what the 'P' stands for?
Fraser: Is it pertinent?
Ray: Not even close.Robert: Shoot him son. Shoot him between his rat-like little eyes. Don't walk away from me! This is your father talking. The bastard is in there bragging how he had me killed and all I ask is that you do one small thing for me. Shoot him in the stomach and let him bleed to death. Think of it as a son's gift to his father--you did forget my birthday.
Fraser: You were dead!
Robert: Still, one can have feelings. Not even a card!
Shock of the Week:Fraser's knife, plunged hard into the wall just inches from Gerrard's ear. Thwack!
Snack to eat while watching Bird in the Hand:Donuts, with sprinkles!
Grading:
Gerrard, Nash and the Feds A- Bob and Gerrard A+ Fraser and Ray B+ Overall Grade A (one of my favorite 2nd season episodes)
Laurie's ReviewThis is a standout episode. As Melanie said, Gerrard's and Zuko's two appearances are equally compelling, and in the case of Gerrard, suspenseful. I still remember my shock when I learned he was involved in Robert Fraser's murder, and most of the shock was due to his almost nonchalant attitude about it. It was necessary to bring this man back. One ep, even a two-hour one, wasn't nearly enough time for Ben to come to terms with betrayal of such magnitude. "He was your friend, you son of a bitch." There are very few moments in Due South where there is so much raw emotion (the words and the expressions on Ben's face are powerful indeed). But that's another ep, er story.
I think he was able to deal with his father's murder and accept that Gerrard was involved, as long as Gerrard was in prison. Take the man out of prison and it's no longer possible for Ben to calmly accept that justice has been served. "Gerrard is serving a life sentence. Whatever my feelings, they ended with his imprisonment." Now he has to deal with Gerrard out of prison and the resurfacing of all those feelings that "ended with his imprisonment."
Melanie asked parenthetically, "I wonder how many viewers did recognize him back when the episodes were first aired more than a year apart?" I saw Bird in the Hand before the Pilot so I had no idea who he was. I learned his identity from the agents when they visited Fraser at the Consulate. After I had a chance to see the Pilot, I immediately watched Bird in the Hand again and the full impact struck me.
Bird in the Hand is a psychological drama, and one of the best Due South has to offer. We learn so much about Bob and Ben, individually and in a father/son relationship. The war of emotions, again individually and between father and son, is waged in every conceivable form. And we can't downplay Ray's role. They don't discuss Gerrard much but we're still left with the impression that at some point since the Pilot they did talk about the murder. Ray knows how Ben is affected, and though the scene in which he offers Ben an opportunity to accidentally do away with Gerrard is played for laughs, it speaks of a profound understanding. We KNOW Ben knows what Ray is offering him, despite the innocent Mountie act.
I would agree, too, that Bob's presence is a window into Ben's mind. The things Bob tells him to do to Gerrard are things Ben can imagine doing, but imagining and doing are two different things. He's capable of thinking about it but to act on it would go against the grain. Ben is no more capable of killing the man who murdered his father than his father is of doing the same to the man who killed his wife. In theory he may believe in an "eye for an eye" but he doesn't practice it.
The fact that Gerrard is not portrayed as evil incarnate makes him all the more frightening. He's someone Ben has always known and trusted, he was a guest in the Fraser home, and I assume their relationship was much like that of an uncle/nephew. This makes the betrayal so much worse.
More comments, concentrating on the humor:
1. Ray is swamped with work after Louise dumps a bunch of files on his desk, but when Fraser asks him if he's busy, the answer is "nope."
2. At Nash's warehouse Rays says, "All right, so here's the plan. Good cop, bad cop." Fraser asks, "And I play?" I think this is ridiculously funny and I wonder how serious he is when he asks.
3. Ray's response to Fraser asking him if he recorded the conversation with Nash: "Yeah, it's a new policy. Anytime I go anywhere with you I record everything. Mainly because if I have to go to court, no jury will ever believe the damn things that come out of your mouth."
4. Ray responding to Fraser's query about what motive Nash would have for trying to kill Gerrard: "You know, sometimes you're the most annoying man I know. There's plenty of times I want to kill you and I'm your best friend."
5. Ray apologizing for being late because he helped somebody with a tire, Fraser's disbelief, and then commending Ray for helping the FBI.
6. Fraser removing Gerrard's handcuffs, Ray asking for them back and recuffing Gerrard. I love the look on Fraser's face.
7. Poor pampered Ray, not being able to sleep on a mound of pillows and blankets. I don't think five seconds of flouncing around was enough time for him to determine if he would be comfortable. No doubt he would feel a pea buried at the bottom. Dief appreciated it!
Also, the notes Ray wants Fraser to pin on his chest, the donut with sprinkles, Bob's weird suggestions for killing Gerrard, all things Turnbull.
We find out in this ep that Ray has allergies.
Bob is not only seen by someone else in Bird in the Hand, he's heard by several others when he yells "Let's get out of here!"
As a keepership I would choose Ray's bed of pillows and blankets.
Grade: Definitely an A+!
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