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Cold Case Season 2 Episode 20

Kensington

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Episode Summary

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AIRED: 4/24/05

The murder case of a young mill worker is re-opened when Rush learns that a recent parolee admitted to stealing money off the victim's body.

Fan Episode Reviews (2)

A so-so episode

8.0

By luckydagangsta, Jun 05, 2008

While sitting in prison, James (from episode "Sherry Darlin") hears new evidence about his uncle Joe's 1985 murder. Evidence quickly turns to his fellow friends.

Nothing in this episode really popped for me. The storyline was medicore, but it just didn't have enough emotion. There wasn't enough of Joe's personality to make me feel for him. The flashbacks didn't provide much into what he was like. All it was about was how desperate he was after he lost his job and that trusted people too easily.

The leads given by the people weren't much to talk about either. The flashbacks didn't really contain anything besides a bunch of talk.

To me, I don't believe it was the worst episode, but it definitely won't be in my top 10. It's worth checking out, just don't expect much emotion.moreless
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A character from Lilly's past provides a new lead in the 1985 death of an out-of-work textile mill employee.

8.0

By luv2teach, Feb 17, 2008

"Kensington" has all the elements that make Cold Case successful: compelling characters, an appealing soundtrack (in this case, all John Mellencamp songs), and a satisfying resolution.

It also features a clever hook, bringing back James Hogan from the first season episode "Sherry Darlin'" to jump start the investigation. In "Sherry Darlin'", Lilly stepped close to the line in winning the trust of Hogan, who had confessed to a murder. This episode shows the consequences of her behavior, as Hogan assumes a closer relationship to Lilly than any prison inmate ought to have with his arresting officer. But this unusual relationship also emphasizes the side of Lilly's character that keeps her from allowing herself to be truly intimate with other people. It's a clever, revealing twist and makes sense, especially if you remember the earlier episode.

Although Hogan's connection to the current case stretches credulity--his uncle is the cold case--it seems clear that his motivation is not to solve his uncle's case but to see Lilly. But once the investigation is re-started, it is a solid and representative episode. The action focuses on four friends who were co-workers at a textile mill in the industrial section of Philly known as Kensington (where, we learn in other episodes, Lilly grew up--strangely, this angle is not developed). The mill shut down in 1985, leaving the employees scrambling to make ends meet.

The episode is a non-too-subtle commentary on the decline of American manufacturing: the distraught blue-collar families left uncertain and desperate with mouths to feed and bills to pay; the contrasting shots of the formerly busy mills with the ruined shells of buildings and dirty vacant lots; and the Mellencamp music, evocative of the '80's blue collar class. The storyline is solid, with a satisfying resolution. And the characters all seem well-rounded, which makes the tragedy at the center of the episode all the more difficult to absorb. These men don't always behave honorably, and they aren't always likable. But as the viewer is reminded, they were going through the same tumultuous changes as Kensington itself. It isn't the most memorable episode, but if you enjoy "Kensington," you'll enjoy the whole series.moreless
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Cast & Crew: STARS

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Jeremy Ratchford	Det. Nick Vera
Thom Barry	Det. Will Jeffries
John Finn	Lt. John Stillman
Kathryn Morris	Det. Lilly Rush
Danny Pino	Scotty Valens

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Cast & Crew: RECURRING AND GUESTS

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Bradley Stryker	Joe Young (1985)	Guest Star
Chad Allen	Monty Fineman (1985)	Guest Star
Jay Acovone	Tom Collison (2005)	Guest Star
Nicki Lynn Aycox	Christina Rush	Recurring Role

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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TRIVIA (1)
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- Silas Weir Mitchell reprises his role as James Hogan from 1-9: Sherry Darlin'.
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QUOTES (3)
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- Monty: You wanna watch me kill myself?
  Scotty: No joke, Monty, I wanna see. That last step off of the bridge, knowing you won't be in this world any more.
  Monty: Why?
  Scotty: Cause the ones you leave behind -- there are so many questions. If I watch you, maybe I'll be able to help your people.
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- James: I forgot to ask you something when you were here.
  Lilly: Okay.
  James: Who hurt you?
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- (Lilly is visiting an inmate.)
  James: Have you been getting my letters?
  Lilly: Yes, uh, thank you.
  James: They didn't come off creepy did they?
  Lilly: No. No, they were nice, James. Sweet.
  James: Then why'd you never write back?
  (Lilly looks sheepishly away.)
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NOTES (5)
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- International Episode Titles:
  Czech Republic: Kensington (Kensington)
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- Joe Young was murdered in August 1985.
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- International Airdates:
  - Denmark: May 4, 2005 on TV3+
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- Music Featured in This Episode:
  All the songs in this episode are performed by John Mellencamp.
  - Jack and Diane
  - Walk Tall
  - Face of the Nation
  - Hand to Hold on to
  - Between a Laugh and a Tear
  - Crumblin' Down
  - Lonely Ol' Night
  - Hurts So Good
  - Authority Song
  - Small Town
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- This is the second time an episode features music exclusively by the same artist. The first one was episode 2-4: The House, with music by Johnny Cash.
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ALLUSIONS (0)
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