Gar, the second was the Asian woman Sierra who busted in the door and shot the kidnappers. Although since she was followed by a tactical team I don't understand why they needed an active at all...

I can't even begin to describe how happy I was to see the Grr Arrgh guy at the end of an episode of new television.

delirious with joy.

If it is highly illegal, why do they have them sign something before it becomes final?

same reason that people sign surrogacy contracts. it's not legal, but it makes you feel better. Although, I'm not sure why what they're doing is illegal. It's not even prostitution, since they client isn't specifically paying for sex.

I'm so confused. What was the business at the end, with the dead bodies and the videotape? Was that a memory? Who was the naked guy watching the videotape? Was that Ballard?

very confusing.

Was anyone else squicked by the Summer/Eliza promos? They were just creepy and seemed designed to tingle the boy geek sensibilities (i.e. Eliza with with her leather clad leg propped up on the chair)

I'm not sure why what they're doing is illegal.

Is it true that some contracts are inherently null and void because the legal system considers them to be too outrageous and exploitative? Which might invalidate any agreement made by the Actives and open up things like unlawful imprisonment.

Was anyone else squicked by the Summer/Eliza promos?

That's what I was referring to when I said soft porn.

Is it true that some contracts are inherently null and void because the legal system considers them to be too outrageous and exploitative?

Yes. This would be a good example of a contract that is unconscionable by nature, and therefore cannot be enforced. Also, contracts for personal services cannot be enforced. You can be penalized for breach, but you can't require them to be performed.

Is it true that some contracts are inherently null and void because the legal system considers them to be too outrageous and exploitative? Which might invalidate any agreement made by the Actives and open up things like unlawful imprisonment

yes, like surrogacy contracts.

As I think about it, it might be a consent issue. it's like if you agree to be tied up for consensual sex, but your partner does something you don't like, you can withdraw your consent. The mindwipe makes them unable to withdraw their consent.

same reason that people sign surrogacy contracts. it's not legal, but it makes you feel better. Although, I'm not sure why what they're doing is illegal. It's not even prostitution, since they client isn't specifically paying for sex.

Well, from the first contract, it looked like some of the contracts are for sex. But more to the point, we appear to be talking permanent brain damage. I'm no lawyer, but that does not sound like something you can give permission for, especially when the reasons are non-medical. We have internal conversations at the beginning where the geek-in-charge-of-brainwashing and Mr. security were discussing how they were really great humanitarians, but if they were caught they'd go to jail for a long long time. From the promo for the next ep, it sounds like runaway actives are brought back by force. Which even if you agree to it in advance is kidnapping. Not a right you can give an employer.

Nice to see Reed Diamond

Has he got a portrait in his attic or something? I feel like he's been on my tv for way more years than show on his face.

I didn't make it through the ep. I think I might be breaking up with teevee. At the very least, I want to try seeing other people.

Was anyone else squicked by the Summer/Eliza promos? They were just creepy and seemed designed to tingle the boy geek sensibilities (i.e. Eliza with with her leather clad leg propped up on the chair)

Oh God yes. "Look at us hot girls! Be our dates every Friday night!" Ick.

There was all sorts of preemptive squick in this thread when the show was first talked about, and I didn't really get the visceral reaction. Seeing the actual show, however, I get the squick. It's uncomfortable to watch, but it's not not supposed to be. I'm intrigued by most of the goings-on.

I didn't get the point of the boxing scene either. I just figured Agent Helo had watched "Unfinished Business" way too many times.

And, yeah, I loved seeing all the familiar names in the credits. DeKnight! Manners! Craft & Fain! Minear!

I liked the boxing scene. And that's not merely shallow. I think it helped me with his character. He's the obsessive sort who'll inure himself to a beating and then click over into the zone and deal one out himself. I assume that carries over (or we're to assume it does) into what little he has of a personal life, and his professional demeanour.