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« Raines
April 27, 2007: Closure
I think I’m going to have to start off with some of my favorite lines. The best exchange was Raines translating Boyer.
Boyer: how hard the plane hits
Raines: impact’s force
Boyer: water deepness
Raines: ocean depth
Hilarious!
Other good stuff included:
— "How many of the rest of you were sleeping with my wife? Very funny. Hands down."
— "Do you have an appointment?"
"No, I have a badge."
— "Do I need to explain further?"
"I wouldn’t be much of a detective if you did."
— "You calling me unprofessional?"
"No, I’m calling you a guy."
— "You’re a friend whore."
— "How’s it being back at work without him [Charlie]?"
"A little tough."
— "It’s tough to watch her leave, isn’t it?"
"Every time."
— "A no-hitter isn’t perfect but at least it’s close. Your marriage was a disaster."
I think I took way too many notes during this episode. I was feeling a little pressure, because it’s the season finale and I wanted to make sure to get all the details. I accidentally almost wrote down Libby instead of Sarah in a few places, not that I think Cynthia Watros' performance was reminiscent of her time on Lost. I don’t think that at all. She was great in this episode and Raines’ interaction with her and with her husband Andrew concerning her was really powerful.
Speaking of which, let’s get to the mystery. A plane crash ruled an accident by the NTSB is investigated three months later by the LAPD. Why? Because Raines’ ex-wife Sarah seems to think there was foul play. The captain is reluctant to let Raines take on this case because Raines was once married to the victim’s wife. He soon gives in and Raines and Andrew are off to investigate. Raines’ conversation with Andrew in the car was priceless. I love that Andrew was talking about how he couldn’t satisfy Sarah in bed, then switched to berating Raines for making him say those words. I really do enjoy the inner workings of Raines’ mind. When Raines learns Billings was planning a land grab for a football stadium, he thinks he might be able to prove motive if he can find someone who was willing to kill to keep their land. But at this point the investigation is still focused on Andrew.
Since he doesn’t seem to be getting very far very fast. Raines figures he’ll stir up some trouble with the ex. I do think he was inappropriate with her, but it’s hard to control your mouth when your heart is hurting. Wow, was that cheesy? I’m just saying that sometimes it's easy to say hurtful things to the ones you love to make yourself feel better (paging Mr. Baldwin. Mr. Alec Baldwin). I loved that Sarah smacked him, though. He was asking for it.
Andrew swoops in as the voice of reason and reminds Raines that four other people died in that crash. Maybe it wasn’t about Billings. How much does he know about the other victims? So the focus shifts from Andrew to all five of the plane’s passengers. I loved that they all appeared in the car until Raines made all but Billings stay. And he couldn’t seem to get rid of Andrew so he stuck around, too.
Billing’s wife Angelina, a former actress, inherited everything when he died. She was sunning herself and self-medicating when Raines dropped by for a visit. She wasn’t very helpful but did manage to let him know her husband hired a cop to investigate the death threats he was getting.
Cue the ex-cop, only he was investigating a mole in the company, not the threats. Billings knew someone was leaking information to the press about his plans and his whereabouts. If they knew where he was, they’d also know what Billings was traveling in. Raines visits Billings’ mechanic Craig to ask about the plane and learns he’s been cleared by the NTSB. But Craig took his affair with Billings' wife very seriously and killed him so he could be with Angelina. Raines' coaching Angelina through her lines was brutal. You could see him taking it so personally — like maybe Sarah said those exact same things to him when she left him. Craig didn’t seem to care that he killed four other people in the process. I really liked it when Raines did brief little bios on the victims so they could go to that special place in the sky. But Andrew sticks around. Why? Because Raines has one more thing to do.
He goes back to Sarah’s nice suburban house — the house she would have shared with her family — to tell her what happened. It turns out Andrew was never really there to help solve the mystery of his murder. He was there to help Sarah find closure, in a way. She’ll never really have closure, though, because she’ll always know something was missing, always wonder what her life could have been. But as Raines said, you don’t want to forget. It’s that sadness that lets you know how much the people who are gone meant to you.
Maybe we’ll end on a happy note? I loved this episode and I love this show. I really hope it comes back next year. In the meantime, here are some fun facts we learned about Raines in this episode:
— He may have started drinking when his wife left him. If he was already a drinker, his problem got worse when she left.
— Raines thinks lawyers are insignificant.
— Raines still owns the mattress he had when he was married, even though it’s uncomfortable according to Andrew and Billings (so it’s really according to him).
How could I forget Boyer’s little trip to Sacramento? I loved how Boyer tried to brush the highway patrol cop off when he got pulled over for speeding. He went all “official business” on him and still ended up with a ticket. It was that much funnier when the same cop pulled him over on his way back.
Please feel free to share your favorite lines, moments, etc, if I’ve left anything out (which I have, because I didn’t want this to be the longest post ever).
OK, this is the last thing, I promise. Did anyone else feel like there was too much closure for Raines during this episode? It all felt very final, but maybe I was just imagining that. Hopefully, I’ll see you here next year.
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Apr 28, 2007 2:44 AM
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I've seen all the Raines episodes that aired and have loved the show. It's very entertaining and has a great cast. I sure hope NBC gives it a chance to grow and brings it back.
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Apr 28, 2007 4:06 AM
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Libby, we've missed you! Please come back in a flashback!
I was glad to hear them refer to this as the "season finale." Make it so, please, NBC. This show is really growing on me.
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Apr 28, 2007 5:19 AM
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I hope this show is renewed as well. I have liked Jeff Goldblum since first he rode a motorcycle in "Nashville." But he's been underused by Hollywood in recent years, and "Raines" has been a great showcase for his unique talents.
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Apr 28, 2007 9:47 AM
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I've been really enjoying Raines, all due to Jeff Goldblum who elevates this above routine cop procedural. If NBC doesn't renew it, maybe TBS (The Closer crowd) would pick it up? Though it seems like the Medium crowd would love this show too and that's also on NBC.
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Apr 28, 2007 12:13 PM
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this is a great show.....much too adult or sophisticated for the young crowd, hence it won't get a big audience, plus it's on on Fri night....when all the 'youngns' are out. Hope it continues. However, I have a problem with the audio when Raines talks so I don't think I catch all his funny lines. I hope he garbles less next year.
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Apr 28, 2007 1:42 PM
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Every so often a great (yes, great--not OK--not good--simply great) show comes along. PLEASE let it stay on!!!
I hope by now, NBC (hello! 4th place!!) will take the hint that not every show has to be a reality show. Also, a show has to find it's audience in a good time slot. It started on Thursday night then was dumped on Friday--I swear, is failure what NBC is looking for??
I hope this show comes back--and if not on NBC then USA or TNT will have the brains to pick it up.
It was a truly GREAT SHOW!!!!!
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Apr 28, 2007 4:58 PM
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I love this show and Drive on Monday night but both are suppose to be dead in the water. I hate liking a show and the show not even given a chance. USA Today had Raines on its cancelled list weeks ago when it had the article on bringing back shows that were on the bubble. Raines wasn't given a chance at renewal. I wish TNT would pick it up.
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Apr 28, 2007 5:44 PM
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I don't think NBC has officially announced about this show. I really hope they bring it back. I don't know if anyone else out there thinks this, but it seemed like there were times I felt like Raines was channeling Jack Webb from Dragnet, in the way the dialogue went. Not EXACTLY like him, more like inspired.
As for the episode, Wow, how heartbreaking was the scene when he imagined what his Ex-wife's family would have been like had Andrew lived. This show, unlike most others I have seen, does show not only the crime and victum but also a lot of what is lost when people are murdered. Along with that scene and the bio's of the other 4 drives the point home, that there are a lot of other people affected.
I have an idea for NBC, if they don't want to make a full season, film enough episodes for filler during Heroes Hiatus time (or better yet, film a whole season and show it monday at 10).
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Apr 28, 2007 7:22 PM
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Does anyone know the name of the actress that played Angelina Billings in this episode of Raines. I know that I have seen her in other shows.
Thanks;
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Apr 29, 2007 4:41 PM
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jimreeves2, that was Jodi Lyn O'Keefe, who played Don Johnson's daughter on Nash Bridges.
Another great episode. I love how Andrew told him to pretend like he was talking on his phone--why didn't Raines think of that before? 
I really love this show, and hope that NBC brings it back next year, and I'm not even a big Jeff Goldblum fan. I'd really love to see them bring back Andy Barker, P.I. and Friday Night Lights, too. C'mon, NBC, you've finally got a few more shows that are worth watching. Don't screw it up now.
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Apr 30, 2007 12:02 AM
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I'm not holding out much hope that this show will come back for a 2nd season. I love it and I can't imagine a more quality program in that time slot, but apparently that's the problem. Too many people don't want to think that hard so we're stuck w/stupid and degrading reality shows. If a show starring Jeff Goldblum that has great, witty dialogue like this can't make it, I think we're doomed. I guess I'm a little bitter since Drive was cancelled, too, and I think both shows deserve better.
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Apr 30, 2007 12:27 PM
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Good Review Kara!
I loved this show, a little more each episode. For God's sake please NO MORE REALITY SHOWS NBC.
Let us have some fun without your ratings meter dictating what should stay or go. I'm always reminded that ratings for both Cheers and Seinfeld sucked at first! How about a little consideration next season?
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Apr 30, 2007 12:40 PM
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Matt1158 - I agreed with EVERYTHING you said (which is rare for me)! My heart broke at the end...
Speaking of the end... Does anyone have this taped or on Tivo and if so, could you please print here what Raines said to Sarah before he left? I know Kara paraphrased it well at the end of her blog, but it didn't have the emotional impact as when I heard it on Friday nite (I cried for almost 15 minutes afterward!). Thanks!
With that said, I REALLY hope this will come back... one of the smartest shows I've seen in a while!
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Apr 30, 2007 2:17 PM
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I really hope they keep this show. I love the quirkiness and it is definitely adult humor... you really have to listen sometimes. I hope this is picked up for next year. I was really surprised that the season finale was so soon!
Can't wait for the Closer to come back!
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Apr 30, 2007 4:00 PM
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