Strega's not wrong, which is why I had two needless characters. I could argue that the doorman was a more pointless, more suspicious character. I could also argue that going to the detective who had previous experience with the prime suspect and could give us more exposition isn't all that out of line. I also tried to take the stink off it by having that character question whether Cole would actually murder. I notice not everyone went right to that place. The first note I got from the network was "we were going to say that it's too obvious the doorman is the killer... but then we kept reading."

Strega, you're too sophisticated. You need come be on my writing staff.

Heh. 'Kay! I only nitpick, though. But you can pay me in the occasional grilled cheese sandwich.

And no, I was wrong about the motive. I thought he was framing Cole for the crimes he'd convinced himself Cole had committed, to make up for failing to get him before. That part I liked, for the creepy, "I see you when I make love to my wife" thing.

All the S&M stuff hit some personal crazy-making buttons for me, which is probably why I had to step back and analyze the plot, which I didn't last week. So it was kinda like "Billy," where there were too many things in my head keeping me from just, y'know, watching the story.

Paul's never going to believe that Rebecca paged him, is he? Despite his work experience, he has no clue how deep the darkness runs in her.

I think you're right, and not just wrt Rebecca. I'm guessing he's going to get badly screwed by the moment when his concept runs screaming into a contradictory reality.

Emily, the trick is always how to set up something enough without tipping it too much. Sometimes if I can answer it for myself, I don't feel a need to put it in. I'll admit that in the pilot script I had maybe three more interactions with Web and Simon, but everytime we cut to them in the editing room I couldn't help but scream KILLER!!!!! HE'S THE KILLER!!!!!! Anyway, my thought was this: earlier in the story Mel says, "if we do throw up a net, he may smell it." So Web's thing would be, "If I sent you in there with an actual agenda, Lector would smell it. Er, I mean Simon."

Tim, is it possible for any of the rest of use to get a chance to see a script? 'Cause that'd be incredible.

The first note I got from the network was "we were going to say that it's too obvious the doorman is the killer... but then we kept reading."

Aw, that had to make your heart go pitter-pat. It's nice to know they send nice notes too.

I know Paul was freaked out about his wife when he got the page, but I was scolding him for leaving Rebecca to call for back up, because she was obviously going to run right over there first chance she got.

Oh, by the way Tim, this is the episode you got me with. If you keep this timeslot I'll have my folks tape Lost for me and watch it Thursdays this autumn.

Paul's never going to believe that Rebecca paged him, is he? Despite his work experience, he has no clue how deep the darkness runs in her.

Just like even Rebecca can't remember how she got out of the handcuffs. She's saying Brandt must have let her out, but she's got skills locked up inside she's not even aware of, much less someone like Paul. Web knows, though. He's just waiting for her to harness it with her own awareness.