Consuela, didn't the Raiders just get off again after a second trial?

Mistrial: hung jury (again). But I seem to recall hearing the DA isn't going for another trial, he's given up in disgust. I may be wrong on this.

Allyson, I know you didn't mean to snap. We're cool.

Lemme restate: I don't have a problem with Web doing what he did, because it was acknowledged as wrong within the text of the show, and shit like that happens. What I have a problem with is that if this is his standard pattern of behavior, and if this is our mundane world, then there has to be a really damned good reason for him to do that and get away with it consistently. It's a logic issue, more than an ethical one: having someone breach the procedural rules as a matter of course, and pay no penalty for it, either within or without the organization, makes my head go boom.

Sure, it happens: but isn't there always a review board for any suspect shooting? Aren't they going to ask what was said to the suspect? Aren't they going to quiz Rebecca, Paul, and Web on who was where, why they were there, how Web knew to be there, what order everything happened in? You shoot a suspect, they take away your gun and put you on a desk until they're pretty damned sure they understand all the whys and wherefores.

At the very least, Web's in for some unpleasant interviews, unless Ryan and Locke lie their asses off for him right off the bat. Even then, process demands it.

(And yeah, I had major major issues with Scully shooting Donnie Pfaster, too. The only suspect-shooting on network tv I ever thought was addressed properly was Luther Mahoney's. ::waves at erikaj::)

Anyway. I'll be watching next week, no fear.

A few years back, there was this creep in Orange County who abducted two teenage girls from a Lovers' Lane makeout session, hurt or killed their boyfriends (I can't recall), drove them out to a remote location and raped them both repeatedly. When the law caught up to him a firefight broke out, and he was shot and killed.

The sheriff in charge was reported to have said, "Well, that's one sumbitch we ain't gonna have to rehabilitate."

Cracks me up every time.

Anyway, that's what I imagine Web's thought process to be--no point in wasting any more time on you, jackoff.

I heard a rumor that the Maths multiply like tribbles if given the chance.

At the very least, Web's in for some unpleasant interviews

The reason I didn't have a huge problem with it was (and I guess this may make me morally suspect), we were shown that he got the right guy. Yes, shooting and killing is making Web judge, jury, and executioner, but that's an important thing to learn about him right off the bat. He's the kind of guy who doesn't even think twice about a huge action like that if he believes the situation warrants it.

A lot of people last night seemed to be irritated they didn't get a good read on all of the characters, but I don't think that's possible in one hour, especially the initial hour. If what Tim hinted at (somewhere, here maybe?) is true -- that one of the most important relationships on the show is going to be a triangle between Rebecca, Web, and Paul -- then they're the three people we need to know first. And what Web did on that platform is an enormous clue to his character.

I think, too, that the other info we were given about him -- Paul telling Rebecca that their team is essentially autonomous, that Web can pick and choose cases, and drop them at will -- may have been a clue that something like shooting at a suspect could get some hand-waving when he's the shooter. He at least set it up well -- no one was around by Rebecca, Paul, the suspect, and himself. And Paul wasn't supposed to be there. Not saying that's right, but if Tim can make me believe it's possible in the world of the show, then I'm good with it.

Not going to comment on show itself. It was great pulp fiction and I wont repeat what others have said about why.

However in response to:

Tim, I'm so reluctant to get involved in watching a new series, because it seems every time I do whichever network it's on yanks the rug out from under it.

OK - even though I'm not doing so well currently I spent a long time in the business world. And there is one instinct of mine I trust absolutely. I smell money; in spite of mixed pilot ratings The Inside is going to make a lot. Note that I'm not hedging; I'm making an out and out prediction. The Inside is going to be a huge business success.

I think it's going to be a big hit too. The numbers I've seen (but didn't completely understand) put TI at 4th but showed a marked increase from the "lead-in" show. Which I take to mean more people tuned in for TI. Now, mostly I've heard/read lots of "loved it" reviews. If all of them/us spread the word numbers grow, new viewers tell others, more viewers, etc. Just need a few more weeks. Plus, re-airing the pilot prior to ep 2 would be a good idea, FOX. let all the people hearing the hype who missed it, catch up.

Ratings wise, it got similar numbers to Firefly when it first started airing (well, in the ball park).

This isn't actually as bad as it sounds, I suspect, as I'm willing bet a large sum of money that The Inside will be a cheaper reoccuring cost than Firefly was. There's no mad CGI here and spaceships. (Although the 2 filmed pilot episodes may have ramped costs at the beginning).

However, next week's episode is going to be the crucial one. If there's a big fall off of numbers (see also: Firefly), that'll be bad. If the numbers stay, or grow, then Fox should hopefully go "Hurray!".

Tim, I'm so reluctant to get involved in watching a new series, because it seems every time I do whichever network it's on yanks the rug out from under it.

I've heard people say this a number of times, but I just can't understand this point of view at all. I'd rather watch something good no matter how briefly and how painful it is when it isn't allowed to tell the whole story, than not watch it at all.

I hear people who don't want to watch Wonderfalls because "it's only 13 episodes and they were cancelled" and they're insane. Really bugfuck crazy in my opinion. I watch it becasue it's good, and that should be all that matters.

While I wouldn't have given up even the 4 aired episodes of Wonderfalls for the world, I do understand people who get tired of becoming emotionally involved with good shows only to see them end prematurely. The sense of disappointment, when it recurs again and again, can effectively condition you against getting excited about a new series and setting yourself up for more disappointment.

If we were talking boys, I'd be gunshy. But we're talking television. As much as I wish I'd gotten more Firefly/Wonderfalls/My So Called Life, I'd rather have gotten what I did than nothing at all. In fact, sometimes I think of the brill ideas that never made it to the air, and that makes me sad. I don't have to gorge, or even eat regularly. But I do so like to taste.