Flashpoint

First In Line

Season 1, Episode 2, Aired 7/18/08

Episode Summary

Jack Swanson's young daughter Phoebe is in desperate need a heart transplant. When a suitable one becomes available, he races her to the hospital only to find out that because he had removed her from the recipient list, it is being given to another patient. A distraught Jack turns a gun on the surgical team and Greg must confront his own feelings while attempting to defuse the situation.moreless

8.2

EPISODE RATING: Great

207 votes

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Cast & Crew

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Enrico Colantoni

Sgt. Gregory Parker
Michael Cram

Kevin Wordsworth
Sergio Di Zio

Mike Scarlatti

Fan Episode Reviews (14)

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Well-developed and human

9.3

"Superb"

By Ali_Dee, Aug 19, 2008 Report Abuse

Although this is a plotline that has been done and done again, somehow they managed to capture what is truly at stake. This episode not only developed the characters more (learning that Sgt. Parker has a son) but it also added a human element. Both him and the "rookie" made mistakes that escalated the situation - without realizing at the time. All too often we watch police-based shows where the fact that they don't make mistakes makes the whole premise unbelievable.

The show in general really shows how easily a person can snap if pushed too hard. They did a great job of showing the "perp" in a more favourable light - he's not a cold-hearted criminal but a desperate father who will do anything to save his daughter.

Yes, it's a little too convenient that the patient gives up his heart for the girl at the end of the episode but in my opinion that's not the point of the show. The point is to resolve the issue and to save lives wherever possible.

I really appreciate the fact that there is no effort made to hide the fact that this takes place in Toronto (skyline, CN Tower, allusion to Tim Horton's) though certain things may have been edited out when aired on CBS.

This was a gripping episode that had me empathizing as much with the father as with the doctors and other personnel held hostage. I thoroughly enjoyed it.moreless

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Really good episode!

9.2

"Superb"

By JPPT1974, Jul 25, 2008 Report Abuse

This is what the SWAT teams in the world face each and everyday in trying to diffuse the situation in which they are facing. Like one reviewer says, this reminds them of the movie John Q. Where a fatehr will desparately risk his own life and sadly, the lives of others. When he can't get a transplant for his dying daughter. Greg tries to diffuse the situation when he talks about his own kid. And tries to help in anyway that he possibly can. It is neat to talk about personal lives in order to calm people down. Though as hard as it may be!moreless

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Some people miss the point!

9.0

"Superb"

By therockstop, Jul 25, 2008 Report Abuse

I have read some other reviews about this episode and I think people are missing the point. It is very far fetched that a man would hold a hospital hostage in an attempt to get his daughter a new heart. That was not the point of the episode, it was to me saying a father would do just about anything to save his child. I thought this episode was very emotional. I have kids and it hit home to me. I see unrealistic all the time on television and part of this was but the meaning is as real as it gets. It is obvious to me that anyone that would rate this episode with bad marks does not have children. A very touching episode and a much better one than the pilot.moreless

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Hospital held hostage!

8.6

"Great"

By emeraldmile, Jul 24, 2008 Report Abuse

Great episode!

This is the second episode of the series that I have seen.

I enjoyed the story about the father who took the hospital hostage to get his daughter her transplant. You knew the response team would never give it, but you were captivated by the father's determination and love for his daughter.

I was amazing that the intended heart recipient gave up his chance for the transplant. It was beautiful. I know some may find in unrealistic, but I like to believe their are people who are that selfless.

The captain got emotionally involved. I can't imagine that would not happen from time to time. I would thing every situation has the potential to strike a cord.moreless

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A dying girl desperately needs a heart transplant and her father will do whatever it takes to make sure she gets one, even if it means endangering his own life. The team is called in and Greg attempts to confront his own feelings to defuse the situation.moreless

10

"Perfect"

By ccynthiacc, Jul 24, 2008 Report Abuse

Very Good episode. It showed a father who would do anything to get his daughter a heart. It showed great emotion we also find out that the main character has a son who he has not seen in years and how much it affected him, it made him more kind hearted to the situation in that he knew what the man was going through although he did not agree with how he went about it. In the end the man who is suppose to be getting the heart passes on it so that his daughter can get it and live. Great episode with great emotions.moreless

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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Trivia
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- Jules takes her coffee with cream, no sugar and Ed takes his double-double. Edit
- Sgt. Parker's son is first mentioned in this episode. We learn that his name is Dean, he's 16 years old, and Parker hasn't seen him in 8 years. Edit
- Goof: When the team arrives at the hospital, Sgt. Parker is shown exiting and walking to the back of his vehicle. He is not wearing his bullet proof vest. As everyone is gathering gear, he is putting his ear piece in. However,as everyone turns to enter the building, he is suddenly wearing his vest. Edit
Notes
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- Music Jonathan Seet - Precious Things (at the end of the episode) Edit
- This episode was rated TVPG-V. Edit
- Original International Air Dates: Canada: July 18, 2008 on CTV Australia: January 11, 2009 on Nine The Netherlands: February 10, 2009 on SBS6 Czech Republic: September 9, 2009 on Barrandov Germany: May 13, 2010 on RTL2 Slovakia: January 11, 2011 on Markiza Edit
Quotes
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- Sam: We already know why the perp's here. Ed: He's a subject not a perp. Sam: He's a guy with a gun. Jules: He's a father in trouble. Edit
- Jules: Ten rounds, ten targets. You don't get to miss. Sam: I don't miss. Jules: Uh huh. This weeks mock-up is courtesy of Bob the Builder. Edit
- Greg: (To Jack) Jack, one guy walks into a place with a gun and gets what he wants, the next thing you know a whole bunch of guys say hey, maybe I can get the same thing. Edit
Allusions
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- Ed (to Sam): Make an entry into this Timmys, I'll have a double-double. Timmys refers to Tim Hortons, an iconic Canadian coffee shop responsible for popularizing the term "double-double", which refers to a coffee with two creams and two sugars. Edit