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June 20, 2007: Never Let It Get Personal
And the award for best episode in summer television goes to: Traveler, June 20, 2007. Take that reality television!
“Holy s---.” That’s all I kept thinking through this entire episode. It was all about Traveler (do we like "Traveler" or should I call him "Will"? I can't make up my mind). We had fights, deaths, explosions and even a little humor. First, there was the key. Was that guy Benedict supposed to be Benjamin Franklin? The actors here in Philadelphia look much more convincing. But who am I to judge? He helped Jay and Tyler, so he’s cool with me. The key led us to a lot of information about our friend Traveler (Aaron Stanford). In fact, it led us to about ten different Traveler aliases. Along with a gun, money and extra information regarding Traveler’s mission (the checks).
The Porter made a nice cameo. He shot Traveler with a tracking device last week, but it didn’t last. The device was cut out of Traveler’s leg and disposed of along the roadside. But somehow the people Traveler once worked for knew how to set a trap, and the Porter was left behind by Jay and Tyler in a shoot-out. I’m sure he survived.
A nagging question: How old is Traveler? The guy has expertise in explosives, combat fighting, secret identities and a whole bunch of other technical secret-agent government stuff. He broke a man’s neck with a jacket! That was proof enough for me that he is not the average graduate student who got paid off to blow up a building. So, when did he get this training? He asked to be assigned to the Drexler job two years prior. Traveler is obviously in his twenties, but I think he’d need some college education to be considered for this. And I’m not just speaking of the Drexler. He had passports from all over the world. He’s been around. This couldn’t have been his first assignment. Did he start fresh out of high school or does the government grab the talented and gifted ones at an early age?
There was no Kim in this episode, but our other heroine, Agent Marlow (Viola Davis), took the spotlight. She has always believed there was a “Will Traveler” and she finally got proof. Everything was explained to us. I really like how the flashbacks are tied into the story. We aren’t left confused in any way. As Marlow finds the identity of the body, Traveler is being interrogated by Kate (a coworker of some sort). Traveler explained exactly what happened at the scene of the bomb. That was entertainment television. Again, he broke a man’s neck with a jacket!
I’m so happy Kate died. I know I sound like an compassionless, blogging jerk, but I really didn’t see that coming! I thought she’d stick around for a few more episodes; maybe sleep around like a Bond-girl-turned-villain, but no. Traveler put those predictions to rest. "Never let it get personal." And if you come across someone who let it get personal, and you kill his girlfriend, you’re going to die, too. So, for future reference to my readers: Stay out of people’s relationships. It never works out well for the third party. And sadly, it didn’t work out for Maya (Sonja Bennett) either. Traveler’s revenge for Maya will not stop at Kate. He set up the car in the airport parking lot and I’m sure there is more to come... by the way, there were no previews of what Traveler will do next, so have no fear hate-on-preview-watchers! I will not ruin next week’s episode for you. Instead, I will ask and answer my own Traveler questions:
— Is Maya really dead? If so, I hope ABC gets her another job. If not, I think she faked the death tape and is working against Traveler. But most likely she’s dead.
— Was Agent Chambers' (Steven Culp) compliment to Marlow really sincere? I can’t say that I don’t trust him, but he is such an arrogant idiot, it pains me to watch him.
— Who is Joseph? Honestly, I don't care who he is right now. He's the boss and that's all I need know.
— Oh and can we get some better disguises? I know, I know... you have all been commenting for weeks about Jay and Tyler’s poor attempt to conceal themselves. I had been hoping for something so I wouldn‘t have to mention it. They are both good-looking guys and I am all for the shaggy hair look, but seriously? A Cubs baseball cap? That wasn’t even funny. Cut your hair, grow some facial hair and buy a Red Sox jersey!
I'm done. Please feel free to comment on anything and everything. I always check back to see what all of you think. And whether it is positive or negative, I enjoy hearing from you. 
Don't forget to check our Online Video Guide for clips of Traveler.
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Jun 21, 2007 12:42 AM
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Casey, I love your Traveler blog. And I agree, best episode ever!
I have one question for you. I couldn't really tell...did the white haired dude that the FBI captured (the same guy who stole Kim's pictures) blow up his cell and escape, or did he blow HIMSELF up?? Was that his burnt spot on the mattress? EW.
I think Maya is dead...but that would be interesting if she was setting him up. Loved the trunk explosion to end the episode! I did NOT see that coming.
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Jun 21, 2007 1:45 AM
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Iswanson63, thank you so much  I was also wondering what happened with the white haired dude. My assumption would be someone helped him escape. And that "someone" is most likely working on this case next to Chambers and Marlow. I'm sure they removed all belongings from him before locking him up... or he's just a really intelligent dude that still had some bleach and chemicals stashed on him. He must have created a small explosion so the guard would open the door. Then, killed the guard and somehow escaped.
If he has any extra bleach left he should use it on his facial hair, because that just looks hideous, but that's me being vain. Thanks again!
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Jun 21, 2007 7:27 AM
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Great blog, Casey...... I was literally on the edge of my seat watching this. How fun it is to actually be held captive by live TV again!
White-haired dude was evil. You could see him laughing inside as he was being questioned. I don't know who the actor is, but he did a great job!
I'm with the disguise bit, too. Talk about hiding in plain sight! Can't wait to see what happens next!
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Jun 21, 2007 7:48 AM
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I agree, Casey. It's a great blog. You summed up everything quite well. I agree that Kate deserved to die, but I wasn't expecting a wooden stake through the heart! I half expected "Will" to make a vampire joke. (I thought of a few!)
Was anyone else thinking of the movie National Treasure? This reminds me a lot of that plot so far.
Just exactly what is Neal McDonough up to? Does "Will" really think he's working for Homeland Security? I'm glad he set off the alarm & got the innocent people out of the building. If it's really Homeland Security, why did they set up two fresh-faced American boys? Why not two foreign grad students? Or was Tyler chosen because he's Tyler Fogg's son? The mind boggles.
I do think it's appropriate that there will be a rerun on the 4th of July!
Hidden Palms & Traveler have me watching television on Wednesday nights again. (But I still miss Lost!)
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Jun 21, 2007 8:04 AM
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I also gotta agree, this was a very good episode. Im thinking the person who helped the white haired dude escape is Agent Chambers. I dont know why but I just have a feeling that he helped that creepy white haired dude out.
I had a feeling that Kate had Maya on tape. But Will didnt seem all that eager to give out that infomation, even though he could hear Maya call out for help. Im thinking he already knew that Maya was dead.
More importantly.....I hope the Porter or what ever his name is isnt dead...cause I want to know who he really is and who he is working for. Porter is like Hawkins on Jerico....he is so mysterious. But unlike Hawkins, I dont know if I like him all that much. We'll see.
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Jun 21, 2007 8:42 AM
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My gosh, Traveler totally racheted it up this week! I was completely engrossed. I think I have decided that I like Will and am going to think the best of him until I find out otherwise. I think he may be working for a terrorist organization, but I also think that he's going against them by, for starters, not killing Jay and Tyler. Oh, and the hotel-that-was-not-a-hotel? Creepy. Did anyone else think it looked like a sound stage? Why would they do that?
I am starting to fear for Jay and Tyler's health if those boys don't soon get some sleep. Seriously, they've been running on adrenaline for well over two days now, give the boys a break!
Can I just say how much I'm hating Marlow's boss? At least he's thrown a compliment her way. Man's a jerk. Marlow, however, I quite enjoy, even if she is trying to chase down our boys.
Good job, Travelers all - can't wait for next week!
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Jun 21, 2007 8:52 AM
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Casey, two words for you: forged passports.
Two more: GO YANKS!!
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Jun 21, 2007 9:23 AM
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The evil Kate reminded me of Marg Helgenberger. That woman had a bad nose job. I couldn't stop looking at her triangular nostrils. Anyway, I was glad when she got whacked. And Will's comment about the tells was great. But why a sound stage for the hotel room? So that Boston library had cubbyholes which were like safe deposit boxes? What is that?
Great episode again. Great recap.
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Jun 21, 2007 9:42 AM
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Please help me out. Who was the actress who played Kate? She was so familiar and I was at least hoping her name would be mentioned today so I could 'imdb" her. Anyone? PS - I love this show, it certainly brightens up a dull TV summer.
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Jun 21, 2007 9:46 AM
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The actress who played Kate is Stephanie Niznik. She was Nina on "Everwood".
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Jun 21, 2007 10:00 AM
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Thank you, thank you, thank you kgloc. I was having a total brain freeze over this.
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Jun 21, 2007 10:07 AM
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I wanted to comment about them disguising themselves. We have to remember(as you look at the time noted on the screen) it has only been a matter of a couple of days so growing facial hair does take a little bit of time for some people. I think that they are hoping most people still wouldn't know their faces that well or they think the hats help hide their looks a little bit(the caps keep changing) Plus the fact that the FBI thinks that they already have changed their look and have been distributing enhanced pictures with what the FBI thinks the guys look like. Besides that, enjoy it for what it is, entertaining TV, a good story!
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Jun 21, 2007 11:45 AM
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Thanks for the ID on Kate.
Great blog and great show. It's good to have a show to look forward to.
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Jun 21, 2007 11:47 AM
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Does anyone know what ABC's plans are for this show? I think I heard that they don't expect it to be back this fall - but I hope that they, at least, give us an ending - if this summer is all we get. I want to know who the good guys are and who are the bad guys. Other than Jay & Tyler - it's pretty hard to tell.
I agree, last night was a great episode - can't wait for next week. In a summer full of re-runs - Traveler is a midweek -breath of fresh air.
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Jun 21, 2007 12:18 PM
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