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January 31, 2007: What If She's Lying
Now this is more like it. The previous episode of Day Break brought up a couple of new plot threads without resolving anything – here, we’re finally seeing how all of the pieces of this puzzle fit together, and how a number of the major players in this series are involved in the conspiracy to frame Brett. Specifically, it seems that both Chad and Hopper’s sister Jennifer are being extorted into helping against their will: Neither one of them has much power in the greater scheme of things. More than anything else, what I loved about this episode, and the series in general, is that everyone’s motivations make sense. As the show’s mantra “decision… consequence” proves, sometimes these characters’ stupid mistakes in the past have spiraled into personal tragedies by the end of the day.
It all comes back to Hopper’s father (I forget, did we learn his name at some point? The best I can remember he was Brett Hopper Senior). It was hinted at in previous episodes that he died under tragic circumstances, and here it’s confirmed that he committed suicide, apparently just after retiring early with a fat bank account full of cash. Detective Spivak is still livid over that last fact. He insists that Hopper was a dirty cop who took bribes in order to get rich, and that his guilty conscience over the matter was what drove him to take his own life. When Choi gets in his face about whether or not Spivak has a personal vendetta here, I was asking myself the same question: are we finally going to get a reason why Spivak hates the Hopper family so intensely, beyond what would be required of hunting someone in a murder case? He’s like the Severus Snape of Day Break, the guy who spends every scene insulting the intelligence of those around him, acting shady, and holding a grudge against the hero and his family for reasons that remain murky. I want this guy to develop more shades of gray the way Chad has.
Meanwhile, Hopper Senior’s own family questions if their father managed to pad his retirement fund through less-than-wholesome means. Both Jennifer and Brett refer to their inheritance as dirty money, although I was a little unclear about why Brett was yelling at Jennifer for spending it. “You put your family in jeopardy for a couple days off and some new curtains?” he yells at his sister, but what should she have done? Left the money in a safe deposit box to collect dust? She couldn’t have known that dangerous people would come looking for that money some day, dirty or not. But even if I thought some of Brett’s logic was shaky, it’s always compelling material when he and his sister argue. She digs into him for not being around after their father’s suicide and leaving her to take care of everything. When Brett finally opens up and forgives his sister for using the money and promising to handle the situation, the day apparently changes again, the way it did when he apologized to Andrea. This time, Jennifer wakes up in the morning and trusts Brett enough to call him first thing and explain her dilemma to him.
The money was just a red herring anyway, since the villains really want the briefcase itself, which in turn has the murder file on Isabella Contrares. And speaking of the villains, the final reveal is that a politician named Tobias Booth may be the Big Bad running the whole conspiracy from a distance. There’s still a lot left unanswered for the last few episodes to take care of, but I finally feel like I’m understanding the general shape of the plot and why everyone is acting the way they are.
Well, maybe not Chad. He’s being blackmailed by the bad guys who are threatening to reveal his secret, whatever that is, but he’s clearly got more going on than just being a complete black hat. He cares enough about his ex-wife to go ballistic when one of the two ex-cop goons threatens to hurt her, and the conspirators argue that he may not even be afraid of whatever dirt they’ve got on him anymore – hence their decision to kill him via Jennifer.
Another highlight of the episode: the frantic montage of character deaths, reminding Brett that whatever choices he makes, someone almost always pays for his decisions with their life. It was a shock to watch Jennifer get hit by the car, and it’s telling that out of all people he’s watched die, this might have affected Brett more than anyone else.
So now we get to wonder what dark secrets almost half the cast is hiding, not to mention Hopper’s dad. Was he really a dirty cop? I’m hoping not, but a show as good as Day Break will probably surprise me with some huge revelation either way.
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Jan 31, 2007 9:27 PM
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After just having watched the 3rd new episode, I must lament again that this show didn't find the audience it deserved.
I just had a thought reading your recap, Jack. What if the secret the goons are holding over Chad's head, is whatever Det. Spivak threatened Rita with in WITNA? The event Spivak dug up from 2002 that Chad tried to make go away. Sounds to me like Chad is still pretty hung up on his ex, so much so that he's willing to put himself in a position to be extorted.
I have to say, the Brett Hopper we meet at the beginning of this day, although a good cop, really sucked at the relationships in his life. If you disappointed him even a little, consider yourself in the dog house with him. I really like how the day is forcing Brett to see the people in his life in a new light, and, moreover, that he does need them.
Now that Hopper has targeted Booth, I wonder if the buck really stops there. It has to stop somewhere.... there are only 5 episodes left to wrap it all up.
I just love how mind-bogglingly vast the conspiracy is I would love to chat with the writers to find out how they come up with the mythology and then break them up into stories.
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Jan 31, 2007 11:42 PM
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I still wonder if Hopper Senior is really dead or if his "suicide" was murder or ... and why does that file matter so much now?
Ugh - the questions still swirl ... and I've watched all four episodes! I still don't really understand the plot - and I guess that's what makes this such a great show (lament again) because just when you have an "aha!" moment, you stop smiling and scratch you head, "Huh?"
Can't wait for the next eppy to post on Monday!
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Feb 1, 2007 10:14 AM
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WAS THIS ON LAST NIGHT!?!?
Why is there a blog for Day Break? I've been waiting to watch them online, and then it never happened. Matt said that it would be back by the end of Feb - - is it there...?
Someone please explain - - thanks!
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Feb 1, 2007 2:04 PM
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Hawkman271-
There are 4 new episodes on abc.com. Jack agreed to continue the blog for us to collaborate ideas on the series. He is doing the episodes 1 at a time. We are currently discussing the second online eppy.
On to the eppy, so many things are happening that I almost need a white board to tie all the things learned from each eppy. LOL! This show just keeps getting better.
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Feb 1, 2007 2:20 PM
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Sorry Hawkman, I think I got your name a little wrong. 
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Feb 1, 2007 2:21 PM
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Thanks for the news. I don't remember seeing any updates about the show being online (finally).
Looks like I have some catching up to do this weekend...
Thanks again!
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Feb 1, 2007 2:47 PM
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