Fragments 1x09 "Descent"

[Dale]

Presents:

"Descent"

Plot
John and Lyra Liddell find themselves caught in a troubling predicament. Wallace continues to distance himself from his team as Cereghino further drives a wedge between them. Kevin Black takes matters into his own hands with disastrous consequences.

Season Regulars
Joseph Fiennes --- John Smith
Rick Schroder --- Christopher Wallace
Maggie Grace --- Lyra Liddell
James Marsters --- Doe/The Watcher
Michael Imperioli --- Alan Cereghino
Roger Cross --- Kevin Black

Special Guest Stars
Reiko Aylesworth --- Maxine Carter
James Frain --- Marc Fretwell
Shin Koyamada --- Yoshino

Guest Star
Richard T. Jones --- Lieutenant Ford
Kirk Acevedo --- Officer Garza

[larah]

wow. such a fantastic episode. i luv you.

[Casablanca]

First off, I just wanted to apologize for how late I am, even if I read the episode quite a while ago. I needed to finish it up (it quite is the longest episode, thus far), and also, despite that, the greatest. Daz once said that episode 4 (I believe it was) was the worst so far, and I did not agree with that; however, this time he is anything but wrong in claiming this as the finest. It truly is; for it's wonderful suspense, it's finest display of the characters yet (they are all in top form), and the well written storyline, which brings this series from a rising saga to a sprawling epic. This is a defining episode.

There is so much good here, that to point out every scene, every storyline would be futile. I tried to memorize specific parts while reading, in order to mention them in my comment, but over time my brain got stuffed; and I forgot segments I'm sure deserve mention. Black is wonderful, Wallace too (wanting to save Lyra was a nice moment); but the steal of the episode is Doe, who wanders in a few scene humbly, and walks out leaving this reader mesmerized. He is so well done.

P.S.- Does anyone but me picture Doe looking like this?




I loved how the police were involved here, as that gave the show the sense of realism it needed. After turning half-science fiction; it is nice to have a reminder how real this all is. It stays in that middle ground territory wh8ich I love to be in, especially concerning the fact that the "retrievers" seem to be some government agency that no one knows about.

This show is slowly reaching its finale, and this is about the point where everything is aiming towards that. The direction is wonderful. This is a show who has given nothing, lost nothing; throughout its run length, thus far; and has held on to everything that makes it a success. It is a knowing, intelligent achievement that has a clear direction, and a clearer sense of what makes it work.

I am beginning to fall in love with the dramatic approach this is taking. The brilliant opening to the inner turmoil and conflict of decision making in some of these characters. I think Cereghino sitting, alone, in his room (a scene that lasted only a second) was one of the most well played and truly intelligent moves Daz made with this showing.

Black had to be, besides Doe, the stand out character here. His refusal to go too far, and his willingness to save Lyra and not feel the strain of guilt was a true, believable, and, at times, moving display; almost as moving as Wallace's fear of losing LYra.

Overall, a wonderful episode which stands as the first to formally surpass much movies. That is no hyperbole; these show deserves that accolade, and, in time, I believe it will earn that from wide recognition. However, as it stands now, it is to be left as Daz's obscure masterwork of suspenseful television.