Standoff

Pilot

Season 1, Episode 1, Aired 9/5/06

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Episode Summary

The pilot introduces Matt and Emily, a man and a woman who deal with their personal relationship while focusing on their jobs as hostage negotiators. In this episode, the CNU deals with two separate crises: one regarding an estranged father about to lose custody of his sons and another revolving a young man who takes control of a coffee shop.moreless

8.7

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Cast & Crew

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Rosemarie DeWitt

Emily Lehman
Jose Pablo Cantillo

Duff Gonzalez
Ron Livingston

Matt Flannery

Fan Episode Reviews (18)

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I think it was promising star..

8.5

"Great"

By Parricida, Jan 23, 2009 Report Abuse

So, when I decided to watch some new series, I picked up some pilots and so far, this one sounds really promising. It starts already in action, what was really clever way and the way we learn about the chars turning that standoff - it was great. I liked that fast and moving style. But then we have that kind of drama and on that level, those chars look weird. I do not know if it was bad acting or something else.. but somehow it felt weaker and somehow fake.

But most of the time, this was really exciting episode.. Anyway, I am definetly going to watch a next episode.moreless

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0 0
good pilot...

8.5

"Great"

By Fwirrel, Aug 27, 2008 Report Abuse

The problem with pilots is that it has to introduce all of the characters and the main premise of the show. I have never liked pilots very much because they're all relatively slow and the story is always lacking because the characters need time for introductions. Anyways, this show dove strait into a situation, which was an actor that was losing a custody battle. I didn't think it was very interesting; however, I did like how the main guy character handled it. That's a great way to learn about his character in a short time span. Anyways, the other case was a kid that wanted to tell his mom a message. I also didn't think this story was very interesting. I thought it was sad how the mother just said she didn't want children. Overall, pretty good introductory episode with great character development, but not a great story.moreless

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Blockbuster Begining

7.6

"Good"

By awesomemel87, Jan 18, 2007 Report Abuse

What a start to what I now consider a must watch show, I make sure i am home from work in time to watch it every week and have to tape it if I am not around to see it. The sexual tension between Matt and Emily was brilliantly set up in this episode and sets the tone for the rest of the season. The storyline was griping from the first instant the audience was thrown into the action. Romance combined with intriguing storylines so far this show has the foundation to become a classic and has far exceeded my expectations of yet another average American cop show. I eagerly await the next episodes!moreless

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1 0
awesome show! i weill definatly continue to watch!

10

"Perfect"

By hockeychika, Oct 12, 2006 Report Abuse

definatly not what i expected! i didn not really think this would be a good show, when i first heard about it, so i didn not start watching it on TV, then one night when i was bored i decided to watch the show on the internet, and found it was awesome! It has the romance, and suspense i look for in a show, and there is not too much of eitheri will definatly continue to watch as this amazing show develops! I hope the network continues with this show, as i have heard rumors that it might be cancelled??moreless

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Great beginning, interesting chemistry, bit unoriginal case.

7.1

"Good"

By _seVen_, Oct 07, 2006 Report Abuse

This first episode of Standoff was very mixed. Firstly, I loved the way they started it. Secondly, I love the chemistry between Matt and Emily. But, the whole hijacking was sooo unrealistic. It was so...[unoriginal] hard to describe. Why always the arab people? Why always Osama? Why always AL Queda? Plus this episode aired 1 week before 9/11 anniversary..

well, that's dull. The ending twist was great, though. Corrupted human relationships can be more dangerous than you think...

Promising beginning, afterall. The main concept is brilliant, it's really only up to the writers now - the actors are perfect. If the writers can make up interesting situations,(more interesting than an arab terrorist hijacking a random store) then this show could be the sleeper hit of the season.moreless

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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Trivia
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- The ringtone on the cell phone that rings while Trent is holding the coffee shop hostage plays the theme from M*A*S*H, appropriately (for this situation, anyway) titled "Suicide is Painless." Edit
Notes
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- International Show Titles: Czech Republic "Policejní vyjednavači" (Police negotiators) Edit
- This is not the first time Rosemarie DeWitt and Ron Livingston have worked in the same TV series. Although they didn't have a scene together, and probably did not meet on the set, they both featured in the episode of Sex and the City's, "Hop, Skip, and a Week." It was the last episode of Ron Livingston's character, Jack Berger, and Rosemarie DeWitt had a small part as a legal aid in Miranda's office, named Fern. Edit
- Michael Cudlitz's character was originally named Frank Perry. The name was changed to Frank Rogers after the series was picked up by the network. Edit
Quotes
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- Emily: Trent, are you going to commit suicide? Trent Cunningham: (sarcastically) No. I just strapped a bomb to my chest because I had nothing else to wear. Edit
- (To Emily after she's made a deal with the HT to trade herself for his hostages.) Matt: You're putting yourself at risk. You're acting like me. Edit
- (Emily has just gotten off the phone with the HT.) Emily: He called me a bitch and an infidel. Matt: The sweet sound of progress! Edit
Allusions
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