Standoff

Circling

Season 1, Episode 2, Aired 9/12/06

Episode Summary

An air traffic controller hijacks the control tower to protest his innocence after he is blamed for a plane crash that killed 180 people. Matt and Emily discover the hijacker might be dealing with more than the accusation when they learn his wife is having an affair.moreless

8.8

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Cast & Crew

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Ron Livingston

Matt Flannery
Rosemarie DeWitt

Emily Lehman
Gina Torres

Cheryl Carrera

Fan Episode Reviews (11)

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Plains.. many plains...

9.0

"Superb"

By Parricida, Jan 26, 2009 Report Abuse

Ok.. This one was different than I expected - an mid-air collision makes an air traffic controller to freak out and next day he comes in with a gun and takes everyone, including the plains on sky hostage. A nightmare.. And so Emily and Matt has to deal with the controller and trying to get plains down safely.

A really exciting episode, with really high stakes.. that kind of stunning and fast motion that nails you to the screen and first it looks really like so random - why he freaks out when Matt mentions the neighbor.. Well plotted and well done.moreless

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0 0
good episode...

9.0

"Superb"

By Fwirrel, Aug 28, 2008 Report Abuse

A plane traffic-control worker is accused of causing a plane accident which caused the deaths of 180 people. He takes the traffic-control tower hostage and the team has to talk him down. I liked the story in this episode; it was unique. Not only did he have hostages in the room, but he basically held everyone on the plane hostage. It almost reminded me of the first Die Hard movie. Anyways, the situation was diffused in the end and everyone is ok. Overall, interesting story with a great criminal which you feel bad for instead of just seeing him as the bad-guy.moreless

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1 0
very entertaining and had a very strong plot!!

9.6

"Superb"

By tara-marie247, Jan 09, 2007 Report Abuse

it kept us guessing to the end, i didnt know what would happen but matt and emily saved the day!! Also the at and mouse game Matt and Emily played was very cute and realistic to try to keep \"them\" a secret!! and nearly get caught in doing so...it is one of the crime/drama shows becaause it uses different scenerios to keep us, the ausience interested!!!
Standoff rocks hope it soes well!!moreless

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Great. Much better than pilot.

8.0

"Great"

By _seVen_, Oct 07, 2006 Report Abuse

This episode was really well written. I personally didn't understand what was going on in the beginning, it was a great surprise.

It was pretty realistic, too. And the ending was very emotional. The only complaint I have is that the plot was a bit predictable: I could see the 'wife - cheating on husband' thing from miles away.

The acting was really top notch, and the main idea(hijacking a plane controller room) was brilliant.

Standoff seems so far really promising. I'm really looking forward the upcoming episode; I'm curious what can the writers do to surprise us.

The episode is a solid 8.moreless

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Good Episode. I really didn't know what was going to happen until a few minutes before the end.

8.6

"Great"

By Devonwood, Sep 17, 2006 Report Abuse

Another good episode for Standoff. It's starting to prove itself as a great fall drama. I honestly thought all of the computers would be switched over before he noticed, but boy was I wrong. :D

The romance between Emily and Matt is escalating, and I can't wait to see where it goes throughout the season. The ending with Gina Torres was hilarious. So uncomfortable, lol.

The promos for next week's episode look good as well, and I'm looking forward to watching it. Hopefully, Standoff can have a successful season (and following House will help immensely) , so it will return next year.moreless

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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Trivia
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- When Emily received an activation call in the office, she mentioned to Matt, "We just got called in on a 7500." In the terms of aviation emergency transponder codes, "7500" means "Unlawful Interference" aka Hijack. Edit
- Cheryl's coffee mug reads "The FBI always get their man." Edit
- Early in the crisis, the HRT team leader explains that air traffic control towers at airports are responsible for takeoffs and landings and airspace within 10 miles of the airport, not TRACON. However, after John is taken into custody, the other TRACON air traffic controllers start directing which runways for planes to land on. They should have been directing aircraft to the destination airports and the airport ATC would have directed which runways to use. Edit
Notes
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- International Episode Titles: Czech Republic – "Krize v oblacích" (Crisis in clouds) Edit
- This was the first episode that used the opening credits sequence and the show's theme song. The main Standoff logo was also different. Initially, the logo showed Matt's silhouette bending down with Emily leaning on him. The new one shows the two standing straighter and back to back, and is much sleeker. Edit
- For this one episode, the main title theme is credited to Dirty Vegas. Beginning with episode three, it is credited to Steve Smith the vocalist for Dirty Vegas. Edit
Quotes
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- Matt: (to Cheryl) Lehman and I are seeing each other. Still. We figured that since there's no Bureau policy against it, and since we're doing good work according to you, we're gonna give it a go and see what happens. Edit
- Emily: I trusted you last night when you said that we should tell Cheryl about us. Are gonna double back on that? Matt: I'm not doubling back. I'm inching forward. Edit
- Emily: (trying to convince an air traffic controller to go back to his post) Look in my eyes. You don't know me, okay, and we will never meet. I am one of the two thousand passengers up there that you are responsible for, right now. I am up there. I am up there, sitting on a plane, anxious to get home. Please, am I gonna get home? Edit
Allusions
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- Tropic Gulf Pilot: If they don't clear us to land in the next 15, I'm going to set us down on the damn 405 freeway! In a short internet movie, 405: The Movie, a pilot makes an emergency landing on the 405 Freeway in Los Angeles. Edit