A great episode but with one flaw...
8.0
"Great"
Horatio.
Though I hate abusers such as the biker Jake, Horatio Caine is becoming an animalistic dirty cop. In Reality Kills he hit a guy with his Hummer, in Happy Birthday, he man-handled an injured suspect in the back of his Hummer while Natalia watched uncomfortably and in F-T-F he hit a guy with his car door.
And now he's back to beating up abusers. Though back when he bet up the peadophile, we thought that was okay, cause surely it was a one time thing. But now, with a darker Horatio being shown every episode, surely it's a matter of time before someone like IA step in.
Other than that, the episode was good, I was planning on giving it a 10 until that last scene. Seeing some of the lesser seen team (Walter, Ryan, Natalia, Dave and Tom) out and enjoying each others company was a nice sight.
Its especially nice to see the team friendships, espeically with Horatio and Calleigh seem to be colder and more distant this season. Eric is borderlining cold, having a few occasional momments (mainly with Natalia, I noticed) where he's fun.
The room mate, Lucy, was a beleivable killer. Normally Miami can't produce a good I-did-it-but-regretted-it-the-second-I-did story. Lucy's story and reactions while spilling to Eric and Natalia were perfect, well done to her.
Also, the brother and sister story was good. I thought the guy would be a jealous/angry ex of the victim, but it turns out he was just angry for his sister. The sister was a nice show that, even the most defenseless looking of people (eg. wheelchair bound) can do well and be helpful to society.
Again, I'm going to break down my analysis into characters.
_____________________________________________________ Horatio: I think I've said enough about the darker Caine, I am hoping the writers fix this obvious problem, or atleast have a good reason for bad-cop H
Calleigh: I was laughing when they used another actress just to show Calleigh standing. It's still clever how they manage to hide the bump behind numerous objects like tables and cars. She was monotone this episode, not bad, but not pratically good either.
Eric: Like I said, borderlining. Though it was fun to see him help the girls renact the murder.
Natalia: I must say, Natalia seems to be the shows lifeline these days. Between H's new attitude and Calleigh's restrictions to the lab, she's really been shining lately. A playful, funny side of Natalia was shown while striking the dummy with another tech. Her one liners and teasing to both the tech and Eric earned a good few laughs.
And, though she showed some toughness when leading the brother off to question him, a bit of Natalia's weakness was shown this episode. The victim died as result of old abuse injuries, something that reminded the auidence and Natalia of her past and lucky escape. Eva LaRue captures the pained look while remembering perfectly.
Ryan: Oh poor Ryan! The poor boy just can't catch a break! From hanging to Delko for his life,been drugged, to diving for guns in stinky water, to getting a right hook from a derby giantess, Ryan is certainly getting his action this season! I also enjoy his and Natalia's friendship been shown this season. The pair are seen high-fiving and laughing at the end of the episode, at the derby.
Walter: Another fun time episode for Walter, something Omar shines while doing. His excitement of the derby is infective, making the audience anticipate some action (which we get in a wide-spread derby brawl - one Walter and Ryan jump in the middle of)
A great episode for Eric, Ryan, Walter and Natalia but as for Horatio and Calleigh...I've seen better, but lately only worse. I hope the writers fix thismoreless