I rather like this episode! It's not in my top ten, or even my top twenty, but it's certainly in the comfortable middle with many other episodes that make me smile and make me think. I've been surprised at how many people dislike it.Before I go into any great detail, I have to admit that I know absolutely nothing about Voudon--I'm not even sure how to spell it! I have no way of knowing whether the writers and production staff took the trouble to do extensive research in order to portray the elements of the religion accurately, but I certainly hope they did.
"A church isn't simply a building, Ray--it's a state of mind." Whether or not the episode got the details right, I admire the respect accorded to the Voudon religion as it was depicted. Jerome is a priest who would risk his own life and safety to fulfil his duties in the traditions of his faith, and is accorded the respect and affection due his position. Even as our heroes interrupt the mourning service for Eduardo's late wife, the show delivers a message of condemnation for the sacrilege. I thought the music and dancing were beautiful and compelling, and I would have liked to see more of it!
In the end, the solution comes from within the religion's traditions and practices. I am very glad that Momma Lolla got to play a major role in Gutman's defeat, both in her actions and in her prayers. (On the other hand, I'm sorry that Jerome didn't play a larger role in the outcome.)
Meanwhile, back at the 27th, the non-Voudon players in this struggle (Ray, Francesca, Huey & Dewey) are indeed dealing with rampant superstitions. To them, the religious practices of the Haitians are a source of fear and confusion. Momma Lolla is not above using a little showmanship and taking advantage of the cops' ignorance and fear, but her little flim-flam act does not discredit her religious work or faith.
Jerome's feigned death should have been a unique event in the Dueniverse. I think that Fraser's similar "trick" in Dead Men Don't Throw Rice served to cheapen and diminsh Jerome's special skills and training. I would have preferred, at least, that Fraser acknowledge learning the skill from Jerome rather than having a separate history of being able to feign death.
The light subplot about Ray's stolen car was a welcome source of humor, but his reluctance to tell his father is dull and quite forgettable.
Duesies:Ray: They're shooting up the streets. How are we suppose to know it's not gang related?
Agent Goodfellow: Gangs? Aaron look ganged up to you? You got gangs of fat-assed forty-two-year-old white guys running around that we don't know about?Agent Goodfellow: Look--I got lots of information on the guy we're looking for. What have you got?
Ray: I got the license number.
Welsh: Very little escapes his eye.Momma Lolla: Mr. Policeman! There's a document called the Constitution of the United States of America. Have you read this document?
Ray: No. Well my eyes are kinda bad so--Welsh: What the hell was that noise? What is she doing?
Gerome: She's placing a curse on your station.
Welsh: In here, who would notice?Frannie: Oh my God, it's a werewolf!
Ray: Well let's go back in there and bust them for harboring a fugitive.
Fraser: We have no proof.
Ray: We got proof Fraser, you smelled the dog. . . . Smelled the dog. . . . Fraser! I think I've been working with you too long.Frannie: Okay, so the curse is lifted? Well, what about the grass, that's not normal.
Momma Lolla: Well I just threw around some seed and somebody starts watering em.
Frannie: So there never was a curse?
Momma Lolla: If it was that easy, everybody'd be doing it.
Moment of the Week:Momma Lolla shoving the Bill of Rights down Ray's throat. Good for her! The truth is, immigrants must learn a great deal about American government and history in order to achieve citizenship; immigrants usually know more about the constitution than most people who were born here.
Cringeworthy Moment of the Week:Mert the cleaning woman, giving her "expert" opinion about the cause of death.
Nitpick of the Week:Mort is out of town for a couple of days--so what, is he the only Medical Examiner in the city of Chicago? I've always been a little peeved at the idea of having a one-man ME's office in the police station's basement.
The Explanation:(Mama Lolla to Fraser)
"You first came to Chicago on the trail of the killahs of yo' daddy. And you stayed." (laughs) "So did yo' daddy."
Snack to enjoy while watching Mojo Rising:Coffee: black, no cream. Don't forget the cup!
Grading:
The Case A The Car C The Curse B+ Overall Grade B+
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