Melanie's Review
Laurie's Review
Melanie's Review:I'm of two minds about this episode. On the one hand, it has a basic, underlying philosophy that offends me and arouses deep.and painful memories. (Read the Vault Rant here.) On the other hand, it's fucking funny! Tightly plotted, witty, and chock full of character development, it's and episode I could almost love--if only. . .
If only! All it would have required is a little more dialog between Fraser and Ray, in which Fraser is led to admit that he made an error of judgement by risking the lives of the bank employees in order to protect the cash. If that had happened, Vault would probably have a place in my top ten list.
There's and A plot and a B plot and they're the exact same story--separated only by the vault door. The action dances from the vault to the lobby and back again, with a rapid-fire pace and a lively sense of humor.
There's a great deal of clever editing in this episode. In the opening teaser, Fraser starts to open the door to meet his new boss, and then we cut to Ray entering Welsh's office. Later, there's this wonderful back-and-forth exchange:
Harold: I need the specs for the door.
Fraser: Now, I don't have the specifications for the door, Ray. But I've been making calculations based on its thickness, the depth of the existing hole and the reflection of the tonal input as it percusses against my tuning fork.
Ray: Where the hell did you get a tuning fork?
Fraser: That's not important, what is important is that I have managed to ascertain that the bolts are eight point three inches from the outside surface.Morgan: How far?
Mr. Cooper: About eight inches.
Harold: We're there, then. That's nineteen point one minutes a bolt...
Fraser: ...nineteen point one minutes per bolt to drill the remaining holes, another two minutes after that to set the charges and then another minute to prime them...
Harold: ...and a minute to prime them.
The episode's guest characters were poorly developed, which is unusual for Due South. There was a tiny hint of a relationship between Morgan and the man who broke her out of prison, but that never went anywhere. The episode would have been essentially the same if Morgan had been replaced with the Donnelly brothers from Gift of the Wheelman--except perhaps there would have been a few dead bodies in the bank when the door finally opened. The bank employees were so underdeveloped they essentially disappeared; Fraser apparently did not consider there to be a hostage situation until Francesca was captured.
Instead, the episode focused is attention tightly on the friendship between Fraser and Ray, with Francesca stealing the show on the other side of the door.
Although Fraser and Ray seem to have put Victoria behind them, there are still many wrinkles in the fabric of their friendship. Locked inside a small room together, they have plenty of opportunity to air their grievances. Although Fraser wins the day from a policework standpoint, Ray manages to extract two concessions from Fraser: that he will ask Ray's permission before risking his life, and that Fraser will try to put his own needs ahead of his duty and act a little selfish for a change.
Meanwhile, Francesca discovers her inner Warrior. Showing the defiant spark that becomes so central to her character in the third season, Frannie is resourceful and tenatious. She never gives up! We also see the first taste of her malapropism problem, as she warns her fellow hostages about the "Norweigian Syndrome." Ironically, if any of Frannie's plans had worked, Fraser and Ray would have drowned!
The episode ends with an eloquent speech, and the best episode-ending plot twist of the series. Perfection!
Duesies:Fraser: Superintendent Moffat. Did he... uh, did he retire?
Ovitz: Promoted. The man spends seven years in that office, doesn't make one valuable contribution. One day he slaps a Mountie hat on a Mickey Mouse doll and...Ray: And the good news, Elaine?
Elaine: Uh, it could wait.
Ray: Elaine!
Elaine: They are burying you with full honors, Thursday at 3 o'clock. Don't be late.Ray: Is that how they punish Mounties in Canada? They make 'em dress like Americans?
Fraser: The upshot of this, Ray, is that we need a plan.
Ray: Well, there is a plan, Fraser, and it goes something like this: They drill the door. They blow the door. They shoot us with automatic weapons and we die.
Fraser: Hmmm. What about a happier plan, Ray? One in which we surprise them, we disarm them and we rescue the hostages.
Ray: And we do all of this with a tuning fork? Look, Fraser, if I had a choice between one of their plans and one of yours, I'd choose theirs. It's probably safer.Fraser: It'd be dangerous. You'd be risking your life. You'd have to trust me implicitly.
Ray: Yeah? Well, I don't trust you at all.
Fraser: You don't really mean that, do you?
Ray: Oh, yes, I do. I mean, why should I trust you? In the last two years you've risked our lives twenty-two times.
Fraser: Boy, I had no idea it'd been that many.
Ray: Yeah, well it has.
Fraser: I didn't realize you'd been counting.
Ray: Well, I just felt that I should because you didn't seem to pay any attention to it.
Fraser: I'm sorry if it upset you, Ray.
Ray: I am not upset, I just wish you would ask me about it, let me know in advance.
Fraser: How far in advance?
Ray: I don't know, how about an hour?Ray: No! No, don't tell me! Don't tell me. Just do it. Okay? Because if you tell me, two things are going to happen: one, I'm gonna know it's stupid, and two, you're gonna do it anyway. This way you can just do it and I won't know that it's stupid.
Ray: Where will we be in the mean time?
Fraser: Floating.
Ray: I realize that. Dead or alive?
Fraser: Well, there should be sufficient air left.
Ray: How much is sufficient?
Fraser: About an inch, give or take.
Ray: Oh, that much?
Fraser: What?
Ray: THAT MUCH?
Fraser: Oh yeah, yeah. That is, providing they maintain a constant rate of drilling.
Francesca: It's now or never. Auf wiedersehen. Hey! You with the drill! Take me!
Ray: What if they stop drilling?Francesca: You see? I have them right where I want them. They think I'm nuts!
Dief: Woof, woof, woof!
Mountie Will: Trouble?
Dief: Woof! Woof!
Mountie Will: Canadian?
Dief: Woof!
Mountie Will: Lead on!Ray: You see, Fraser, now this is how it's done. The criminals are inside and we are outside. Now, do you think you can remember that next time?
Question for discussion:Ray: My eulogy, I would have liked you to have delivered it.
Fraser: Well, I'm honored, Ray.
Ray: What would you have said?
Fraser: Well, let's see. I think I would have said that you were a good friend and that you never failed me.
Ray: I didn't, did I?
Fraser: Never. Well, except for that one time.What do you suppose Fraser was referring to?
Nitpicks:The biggest nitpck of all, of course, is the issue I discussed in my Vault Rant. But that philosophical problem aside, the episode was chock-full of techincal goofs and plotting errors. Where to start? How about with the fact that it is physically impossible to lock a vault from the inside. The wheel that extends the bolts into the frame is on the outside, as are the twin combination dials that lock the bolts in position.
I've known many a bank vault in my career, and I've never seen an emergency release lever--not that there couldn't be such a thing, but it certainly isn't "standard equipment." However, a small but functional air vent IS standard equipment, and it would be negligent for a bank to seal the vent off. It's there because bank robbers do occasionally lock bank employees inside the vault.
Another piece of standard equipment is the telephone. Why didn't they use it to call 911? That's what it's there for!
Why didn't Morgan force the bank employees to open the ATM while they waited? There's quite a bundle of cash in there.
This was an elaborately planned armed robbery, using forged ID's and an extensive knowledge of the bank's closing procedure. Morgan and her crew obviously intended to steal the money while the vault was still open. Then why did they bring explosives and a huge drill?
When Morgan and a different crew pulled off a heist in Free Willie, they wore elaborate disguises. Why did she choose to commit this robbery without masks or gloves? She even pulled the scarf from her hair before pulling out her gun! Even if the robbery had gone off without a hitch, there would have been abundant evidence to identify and convict them.
Fraser and Ray were having quite an argument before the drilling started, but they were interrupted by a loud BANG. What was that? Did somebody out in the lobby fire a gun?
When Harold first began to drill, the drill was positioned about two feet off the floor. Later in the episode, when Morgan shouted, "Don't just stand there, drill!" he brought the drill into position to start a hole about six feet up. Yet a few minutes later, Harold completed the first hole--about two feet off the floor.
How did Fraser and Ray know that Francesca was inside the bank?
When Fraser emerged from beneath the water (what was he doing down there, anyway?) the water was only about two feet deep. Just about then he announced that six holes had been completed, and there were only two to go. How is it that the water only rose two feet in the first 102.5 minutes, but would almost reach the ceiling in the next 41.2 minutes?
The money would not have been sitting out on open shelves. There are small vaults within the vault to hold the bank's cash.
US currency wouldn't be damaged by being soaked with water--but the documents, photographs and other precious objects in the customers' safe deposit boxes would have been damaged or destroyed because of Fraser's decision to flood the vault.
A vault door is made to fit its frame very well, but it's not hermetically sealed. Water would have seeped through the cracks steadily--the carpet outside the door would have been quite soaked by the time Harold drilled through all eight bolts.
Every vault I've worked in has had an electrical outlet for plugging in a currency counter or calculator. Even if there wasn't an outlet, there were two electric lamps mounted on the rear wall. They would have been electrocuted!
A vault door has massive hinges. Even though they drilled and blew the bolts, the hinges wouldn't have been affected. The vault door would have swung open, not crashed to the floor.
Moment of the Week:Thatcher: You're fired.
Fraser: Understood.
Ray's Big-City Wisdom:Hubris: Who do you think you are, anyway? Superman?
Pathos: We're gonna die in here!
Onomatopoeia: Glug, glug, glug. . . .
Irony: If they drown, it'll be because Frannie is trying to help them.I think Ray got it right the first time--Fraser's hubris (extreme self-confidence and willingness to tempt fate) nearly cost them their lives this time.
Loving the Music:Colin James' Leading Me On and Cha Shooky Doo.
Hating the Music:
The robbers' tock-tick-tock-tick-tock. . . twang theme. Makes me want to go hold up a guitar store.
Snack to enjoy while watching Vault:Pork chops and veal--yes, milk-fed!
Grading:
Conversations Inside the Vault A+ Protecting the Money F Morgan & Co. B Frannie Takes Charge A Overall Grade A-
Laurie's Review:Vault has always appealed to me. It's not in my Top 10 but I think it would make the Top 25. The comedy is priceless and the interplay between Ray, Ben and Francesca is as good as it gets. Since I don't take the would-be bank robbers too seriously (i.e., I never considered them that much of a threat to the patrons or employees of the bank), the dramatic, emotional impact of the hostage situation is greatly diminished. Though it has serious undertones, I definitely classify this ep as a comedy. Overall, it's thoroughly enjoyable and rewatchable. I'd love a tape of nothing but vault scenes strung together, without a break, just to see how smoothly the dialogue flows.
The two opening scenes - Fraser's conversation with Ovitz and Ray checking in with Lt. Welsh - are two of the best in Vault. Ovitz was a prick but I like the characterization and wouldn't have minded seeing more of him. Ray and Welsh: classic Due South. How long has Ray been with the 27th? And he still thinks he can pull one over on Welsh? Ray, Ray, when will you learn. I feel kind of sorry for him when he's being made fun of in the bullpen, but it is so funny!
The car scene is also extremely comical and revealing. Despite Ray's surface rudeness, it's obvious that he really does care for his sister. Francesca holds her own very well when she goes one on one with Ray. In this instance, Ray may have the actual last word ("thanks") but he's still conceding defeat, and I love the look on Francesca's face. Ray may act like he's in charge but it's very clear that Francesca controls their relationship. The little verbal detour is cute. One minute the siblings are throwing barbs at each other, then Ray is teasing Fraser about his uniform, and sharing the joke with Francesca.
I no longer watch the scenes which focus on the bank robbers. Sure, they're a central part of the story, but after the first and second viewings, they became unnecessary and boring, so my finger automatically goes to the fast forward button.
There are many good moments but the final scene ranks high on my list of "bests": Ben telling his new superior officer why he will not wear the blue uniform. He begins his not-so-short speech with confidence, explaining the tradition of the uniform and his pride in wearing it. He then begins his trademark stammering but eventually works up the nerve to assert, "I will not change my uniform." The introduction of Meg Thatcher is perfectly timed, and though we see her only briefly while she utters her famous words ("You're fired"), the stage is set for whatever you want to call it between those two. Ovitz didn't say much about her, but based on what he did say, I don't think we were supposed to expect a young, attractive inspector. Maybe someone more closely resembling Sam Thorn?
Observations:What's with Francesca and her gum chomping in this episode?
If this ep had taken place in Season 3 or 4, think Fraser would have taught Ray K to bloom, close, kick 'em in the head in the vault?
I just noticed for the first time in close-ups of Ray that his hair, short as it may be, stands up on end when it's wet.
How come we don't see Ray and Ben's shoes and socks floating around in the vault?
Something else I noticed for the first time: the gourds and mini pumpkins on one of the desks in the bank.
Isn't it very unFraserlike for Ben not to check if the unconscious Mountie is okay? He actually seems to think it's kind of funny.
Favorite Moments:Ben turning to look at Dief after Ovitz says the new inspector has already eaten two file clerks for breakfast, Dief whining and then going downstairs.
Ben sharing documents on Ray's "death" with Dief.
Ben's reaction to Ray and Francesca's bickering. Wisely, and perhaps uncharacteristically, he doesn't say a word.
The way Ben stares at the dead-animal cap and the visible wince when he catches his reflection in the window. Ray's reaction is equally notable.
Francesca telling Dief to stay in the car and not touch the radio. Of course, he jump out the window the moment she leaves.
The view of Ben and Ray's feet and lower legs (Ben standing still while Ray paces) as they discuss their options.
Every scene in the vault.
Scenes of Dief racing down the streets interspersed with the action back at the bank.
Ben annoyingly tapping his hands until he gets Ray's attention.
Ben sulking (definitely sulking, even though he doesn't sulk) after Ray gets on his case about not saying anything when the uniform he likes was taken away.
Mountie "Yutz" taking time to thwart a robbery and help small children cross the street.
The robbers floating away on the tide of water followed by Ben and Ray. I think it's a 10 on the laugh meter. I love Francesca's comment about her $49 shoes and the look on Morgan's face as she watches the spectacle unfold.
Francesca and Ray bickering at the end, the way Ben looks at her when she mentions kissing butchers, and the way Ben and Ray look at each other after she says, "and the next time I say five minutes, I mean five minutes. Clear?"
The closing minutes with Ben talking about his uniform and why he won't wear the new one. Marvelous speech, stammering and all.
Most Unlikable Kid on Due South:The obnoxious, ill-mannered boy who drips ice cream on the boots of the Yutz in a hat. Ray's going to be arresting him in a few years. . .
Duesies:Ray: Why are you wearing that? Where's the brown uniform?
Ben: I just had my first interview with my new inspector.
Ray: Went well, did it?
Ben: I'm on probation, Ray. Inspector Thatcher has reviewed my job performance and I gather she found my methods to be somewhat unorthodox.
Ray: Is that how they punish Mounties in Canada? They make 'em dress like Americans?
Ben: It's not exactly an American uniform, and the brown one was somewhat antiquated. I'm told this is the current fashion.
Francesca: I think it's kinda cute.
Ben: Thank you kindly, Francesca.
Ray: Look, you keep your eyes on the road and you, keep your eyes in your head.Ray: What is that? A dead animal? She can make you wear a dead animal on your head?
Ben: It's regulation.
Ray: Well, she's definitely punishing you.
Ben: She's my superior officer, Ray. She's not a field officer, mind you, but she's a very fine officer, a woman of considerable character.
Ray: Fraser, this woman hates you.
Ben: Ah, I believe so, yes.Bank Manager: I'm very sorry. I'll have to call head office and if you could just come back tomorrow. . .
Ray: Hey, I'm a cop. I may not be alive tomorrow.
Bank Manager: Well, according to this, you're not alive now.
Ben: Excuse me, Ray. Constable Benton Fraser, Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Sir, I am fully willing to vouch for this man's veracity.
Ray: See, a Canadian is vouching for me. Canadians do not lie.
Ben: Now, I think that's probably hyperbole, Ray.
Ray: He's also a Mountie. If you cannot trust a Mountie, who can you trust?
Ben: Again, Ray, I'm not sure I'd go so far as to. . .
Ray: Yes, you would.
Ben: I would.Ben: Ray, there is an inherent danger in all police work.
Ray: No, Fraser. What there is is an inherent danger working with you.Francesca: I refuse to be used as a pawn to make my brother forsake his duty.
Ray: But I know that they have her.
Ben: They don't know that you know. You see? It's the only way to protect her.
Ray: She's my sister.
Ben: She's also a very intelligent young woman, capable of handling herself in any given situation.
Ray: You really believe that?
Ben: Not at all.
Ray: Good, me neither.Ben: By the time they blow this door, this vault will be filled with water, and they will be met by a virtual tidal wave.
Ray: And where will we be in the meantime?
Ben: Floating.
Ray: I realize that. Dead or alive?
Ben: Well, there should be sufficient air left.
Ray: How much is sufficient?
Ben: About an inch, give or take.
Ray: Oh, that much?
Ben: What?
Ray: THAT MUCH?
Ben: Oh, yeah, yeah.Ben: Well, you know, Ray, there are worse things than dying.
Ray: Name three.
Ben: How about two?
Dief Moment:Explaining the situation at the bank to Mountie Will, who understands every word, uh, woof.
Keepership:At the risk of sounding greedy, I'll take wet Ben AND wet Ray.
Grade: A-.
If you want to sound off, or if you'd like to add a review to the site, let me know!
Back to North
Forward to Witness
Back to the Episode List