by the way, east coasters -- now that you've seen it, doesn't all this hand wringing by the MSM critics about the gore seem a bit overwrought?

I don't like Web and not in the love to hate him but in the die die die get rid of him way.

See, I *loved* Web. He's one of those guys who's super-focused. Get the job done, no matter how you have to do it. (Or almost no matter, I guess.) The rules don't apply to him, because he's smarter, he's better. He's arrogant as hell, but he's also very good at what he does. And what he does is taking serial killers off the streets, not flippling burgers, so I'm willing to give him wiggle room.

Oh, and the other thing I loved was Rebecca ignoring Web's order. The DH was confused because he thought it was just going to be a simple arrest, and why was she putting herself at risk, but I thought that was one those things that's going to make her so good at this -- with her history, she probably *shouldn't* be a field agent/profiler/whatever (see: denied admission to behavioral sciences program), but Web knows she's going to get "inside" both the victim and killer's heads because of it.

And I forgot to mention the one-liners! My favorites were, "You think I'm scary?" and "Damn. I did that backwards." Oh wait, and "There probably won't be a trial." Heh.

Wow, thanks, AmyLiz.

You're more than welcome. I'm just glad it was as good as I wanted it to be, you know? I had a lot of faith after Wonderfalls, and your work on Angel (and, um, Buffy...) rocked, but I hate to get my hopes up for naught. You totally delivered. So, um, keep it.

Couldn't tell, Tim. I was averting my eyes during that stuff.

Speaking of Allyson, anybody seen her around?

Yeah. I think she's hiding 'cause she can't see the show for another half hour or whatever. HAH! The one benefit to being in the Midwest. I don't get shoutouts, but I've seen hers!

What would have really rocked woulda been if Victim #4 had purple hair.

As to the gore, I was even eating during, and it didn't really make an impact. I found it mild.

I don't get the complaint about gore at all. I've been more grossed out and creeped out by stuff I've seen on CSI.

Yeah, I didn't think it was gory at all. I mean, relatively speaking. You know. Or really, super dark.

I mean, of course it's dark, but not unbearably so. I can never figure out how to describe this, except for the fact that I like Lehane, can't read Vachss.

by the way, east coasters -- now that you've seen it, doesn't all this hand wringing by the MSM critics about the gore seem a bit overwrought?

Sheesh, they see a little face ripped off and they go back to momma crying. I didn't think it was supremely gory, really, and hey, they do have that graphic content warning.

she probably *shouldn't* be a field agent/profiler/whatever

Yeah, seriously. It surprised me that Web was all, "Suit up!" And no one commented on the fact that she wasn't field-rated or anything. Maybe I've been watching too much Alias.

Girl was a math major at some expensive uni. She's wicked smart.

I read that. Math an economics, right? I hate her.

Don't mind me, I have bitter jealousy issues. But I think I liked the show and will watch next week.

I liked that. Rebecca felt like a blank slate a bit, but she's meant to be. I liked the shock of the switch between the subdued speech she normally implied to the bright perkiness she exhibited when she went into the victim's head-space. The switch to the first person narration in the scene was unsubtle, but damnit if it didn't work for me anyway.

(Some of Rachel dialog came off a bit mumbled though, enunciation-wise--hopefully that'll get better.)

I agree with Matt that I'm not getting much read off Adam or Katie's character yet. Paul interests me--the character comes off a bit of a self-righteous prig, which is deliberate I think. Not so perfect with the goodness and caring and the voice of conscience. He has an agenda, and an ax-to-grind against Web. It'd be interesting to see him take Rebecca under his wing.

But the BEST thing about the show? Is Web. What a sick, ruthless bastard and I *adore* Peter Coyote in the role. More than anything, he's going to be the reason I'll stick around for the show.

Tim, not too gory at all. I don't do gore, it gives me nightmares.