"Raines" Season One Talkback (Spoilers)

[The Penguin]

there's a method to his madness
http://www.nbc.com/Raines/images/bios/jeff_goldblum.jpg
"I see murder victims. They're not ghosts, they're just figments of my imagination."Emmy Award-winning executive producer-writer Graham Yost ("Band of Brothers," "From the Earth to the Moon," "Boomtown") and star Jeff Goldblum ("The Lost World: Jurassic Park," "Independence Day," "The Fly") combine forces in "Raines," an inventive police drama that blends traditional noir storytelling with humor and intrigue.

Eccentric LAPD Detective Michael Raines (Goldblum) uses his unique imagination to focus on every murder case in such a way that the murder victims actually begin to take shape in front of him. At first, he thinks he's losing his mind, but he then uses the constantly evolving hallucinations -- which are figments of his imagination and not ghosts -- to help him discover the victims' killers. Raines struggles to accept this peculiar gift -- or burden -- and reconcile it with his daily life.

Also prominent in Raines' life are his understanding boss, Captain Daniel Lewis (Matt Craven, "From the Earth to the Moon"); an antagonistic uniformed officer, Remi Boyer (Dov Davidoff, "Third Watch"); Boyer's long-suffering partner, Officer Michelle Lance (Linda Park, "Star Trek: Enterprise"); sharp-tongued civilian employee, Carolyn Crumley (Nicole Sullivan, "MADtv"); his former partner, Charlie Lincoln (Malik Yoba, "Thief"); and therapist, Samantha Kohl (Madeleine Stowe, "The Last of the Mohicans," "We Were Soldiers").

"Raines" is from NBC Universal Television Studio.



Tonight's episode...
"Pilot" - Series Premiere
Thursday, March 15 @ 10 p.m. ET/9 CT on NBC
The death of a college student leads Detective Raines into a dark and tawdry world.

[MarineCorps]

Not bad. But they left it up in the air as to weather the people are actually ghosts or figments of his imagination. They didn't tell him anything to help break the case until after he had discovered it. Like his dead partner said he needs someone to bounce ideas off of, so the "ghosts" could be his way of dealing with the lack people to bounce his ideas off of. Still a good show but the fact that they advertised it as a psychic show annoys me.

[The Penguin]

For years I have strongly disliked Jeff Goldblum. I didn't like him in Independence Day, I hated Ian Malcolm in Jurassic Park and as a result I really don't enjoy The Lost World because he is the focus of it. After seeing the commercials for this show and then watching the first episode, Goldblum has won me over. I've warmed up to him a little bit the last few years, but I'm 'there' now. He is perfect for this character and I really enjoyed watching the man work.

And it was great seeing Linda Park of Enterprise back on TV. We didn't see much of here this week, but it seems Raines sees potential in her so expect we'll see a lot more of Hoshi.

In guest cast I was happy to see Reunion's Alexa Davalos as Sandy. It was interesting watching her character evolve as Raines learned more about her. As the case progresses, we feel like we are getting to know her, but we are actually getting to know Michael Raines.

The reveal that Raines' partner was a 'figment of his imagination' was a big surprise to me. Charlie seemed very real to me and Raines told Sandy the story about what happened to his partner and it seemed true. He's not listed as a member of the regular cast, but I hope we see him again.


Not bad. But they left it up in the air as to weather the people are actually ghosts or figments of his imagination. They didn't tell him anything to help break the case until after he had discovered it. Like his dead partner said he needs someone to bounce ideas off of, so the "ghosts" could be his way of dealing with the lack people to bounce his ideas off of. Still a good show but the fact that they advertised it as a psychic show annoys me.I don't think they left it up in the air at all. The reason Sandy wasn't helpful until Raines found things out was that she was just in his imagination. Raines goes to his partner because he needs a different perspective, but since he knows more about him, Raines is able to "make" him more interactive and realistic to the viewer. He is actually just boucing things off himself and the different perspective is still his own.

I don't know what you got out of the commericials, but I never thought it was a psychic show. The fact that every promo had "I see murder victims. They're not ghosts, they're just figments of my imagination" made things pretty clear to me.

[Duke]

I could barely pay attention the first half of this show, so I'll be skipping the rest of the series. I would've liked it better if it were a farce on all the the detective/psychic shows on the airwaves right now (which is sorely needed) like the initial teasers way back when made it out to be.

[Undrave]

I could barely pay attention the first half of this show, so I'll be skipping the rest of the series. I would've liked it better if it were a farce on all the the detective/psychic shows on the airwaves right now (which is sorely needed) like the initial teasers way back when made it out to be.

Yeah what'S up with that? It's like nowadays you can't have a TV show if your not a cop, a lawyer, a forensic expert, or you can see dead people!

[The Penguin]

Well the implication is that not a lot of folks will tune in tonight for Jeff Goldblum's new show, Raines, but if you want to give it a chance, catch it on NBC tonight at 10 p.m. ET.


http://library.toonzone.net/talkbacks/nbc.jpghttp://library.toonzone.net/talkbacks/raines.jpg"Meet Juan Doe"
Thursday, March 15 @ 10 p.m. ET/9 CT on NBC
When a body washes up in the Venice canals, Raines has to piece together a case that may send him over the edge.

[Nel]

Those "you killed your own family w/o knowing it" mysteries are so heart wrenching. I can't believe I actually like this show. It must be the interaction between Raines and the victim.

Thought his fake story with the shrink was funny.

[The Penguin]

I must admit I didn't like this one as much as the pilot (less interaction between Raines and the victim), but I still enjoyed his talking with Julio. I liked when he freaked out when he found out that Julio only spoke Spanish and then realized that Julio could speak whatever language he knew. ;)

It was tough watching Aurelio discover what he had done. What could have been a happy story went totally, totally wrong. :sad:

This episode did offer a little bit better look at the relationship Raines has with Captain Lewis and Officer Boyer. The shrink Lewis sent him to seems to have him figured out already. Dr. Kohl is listed as a regular so I look forward to seeing more of the them. Michael's biting sarcasm seems to have no effect on her.

[The Penguin]

Raines moves to its new night and new time, 9 p.m. ET after Identity.


http://library.toonzone.net/talkbacks/nbc.jpghttp://library.toonzone.net/talkbacks/raines.jpg"Reconstructing Alice"
Friday, March 30 @ 10 p.m. ET/9 CT on NBC
Deception and murder when a homeless woman (guest star Laurie Metcalf!) turns up dead.

[The Penguin]

Anyone for Raines this week? Two things I've meant to comment on in general is I like the Raines' voice over of the opening scenes (the pilot has been the best so far) and I really like the theme song, both the music and the visuals.

The thing about this episode that I really liked was how Alice really kept evolving over the course of the episode. Raines really had no idea who she was and every time he put her in a box, he found out something that didn't fit at all with what he was imagining.

The reveal that the Colorado deputy was actually her son sure shook things up from what Mickey (neat seeing Mike Genovese (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0312973/)) had told Raines. The whole identity theft ring was a topical motive that I had never thought about. I suppose that could is probably actually out there. I liked the nice good-bye Michael and Mickey gave Alice.

[The Penguin]

Well, let's give Michael Raines and his imagination one more shot as a discussion topic.


http://library.toonzone.net/talkbacks/nbc.jpghttp://library.toonzone.net/talkbacks/raines.jpg"Stone Dead"
Friday, April 6 @ 10 p.m. ET/9 CT on NBC
A 20-year-old drug dealer makes a deadly turn on the road to a better life.

[The Penguin]

"...Not a drunk, just crazy."

I love the dry wit of Michael Raines! I said after the pilot that this show had made me actually enjoy Jeff Goldblum and I'm really appreciating his sense of humor now. Thus far though, this show has been very Raines focused. Never have I seen a show where the supporting cast is so "supporting." I hope we get to know a few of them better soon.

It was interesting how Raines never let Jimmy get too evil no matter what negative things he found out about him. The added relationship with Charlie's son Jack was a nice balance to the investigation, but enhanced it; especially when Jimmy was in the backseat telling Raines that he could tell he was afraid that Jack would end up like him (Jimmy). Sam's insight was also a lot more interesting in this episode when it came to Jimmy's father and Charlie—I see her as being more key to everything now.

I liked how Raines used Jimmy's comic panels to help him figure out what happened to him. It was really touching when the comic shop owner (I hate it when I don't remember names) found out that Jimmy basically died trying to protect him. The part at the end with Raines and Jack and Jimmy drawing that picture was a nice moment.

Anyone watching this with me? NBC.com has it available too.

[Stewie]

Anyone watching this with me? NBC.com has it available too.I'm with ya Pengy. Well not in the thread, but I'm watching.

I can't believe you didn't like Jeff Goldbloom in Jurassic Park and Independence Day.

[Wonderwall]

Goldbloom is the man, I've always liked him, even in the Fly. At first I was skeptical about the show because it looked like another one of those people talk to ghosts or cop shows, but from what Ive read and the five minutes Ive seen its already more interesting. I guess I can attribute that to the awesomeness that is Jeff Goldbloom:D. I'll try to catch this series on NBC.com as i have class when the show is on.

[The Penguin]

Det. Raines is called on to help out a friend and discovers a lot more than he was expecting.


http://library.toonzone.net/talkbacks/nbc.jpghttp://library.toonzone.net/talkbacks/raines.jpg"5th Step"
Friday, April 13 @ 10 p.m. ET/9 CT on NBC
Raines uncovers a web of lies when a friend's wife is found murdered with an Aryan Nation insignia inscribed on her chest.

[The Penguin]

I didn't get to commenting on Raines last week, but I will plan to do "double time" this weekend. Join me, won't you?


http://library.toonzone.net/talkbacks/nbc.jpghttp://library.toonzone.net/talkbacks/raines.jpg"Inner Child"
Friday, April 20 @ 10 p.m. ET/9 CT on NBC
A disturbing murder and sexual assault case threatens to derail Raines' progress in eradicating his hallucinations.

[Wonderwall]

Well I saw a bit of last week's when he confronted the judge about what happened to his wife, that was a very intense character scene there. I always like the way Goldbloom sort of walks this rope of being cool yet raising his voice but not sounding angry. Its very hard to describe in words but if you see it, its pretty wicked. It was also a little creepy as well.

[Stuckey]

I always thought I was a Goldbloom fan, but recently I realized I don't care for him much at all. My feelings for this show are like my assumed feelings and realization about Goldbloom but they're occuring simultaniously. The cases, for the most part, have been more interesting than the cases on most detective/cop/lawyer shows. But it almost seems like Medium With a Guy, which is another show that I don't look foward to at all but can't stop watching.

[The Penguin]

When you'e a mid-season series you don't have as many episodes, catch the season finale of Raines tonight!


http://library.toonzone.net/talkbacks/nbc.jpghttp://library.toonzone.net/talkbacks/raines.jpg"Closure" - Season Finale
Friday, April 27 @ 10 p.m. ET/9 CT on NBC
Raines grapples with his past when his ex-wife convinces him that her husband's death was not an accident.

[Stewie]

When you'e a mid-season series you don't have as many episodes, catch the season finale of Raines tonight!And it won't have any more. Make that Series Finale.

[The Penguin]

I hate when I make myself a liar about posting. Anyway I have enjoyed Raines this season and think it could be a very good Friday show for NBC. I guess we’ll see what happens. Looking at the final episodes…

"5th Step"
I’ve been watching Star Trek: Voyager on Spike and the episode featuring Mark Harelik (Counterpoint (http://www.startrek.com/startrek/view/series/VOY/episode/104125.html)) sticks with me for some reason; so it was neat seeing him as the judge. Seeing Raines interact with a friend made things a little bit more interesting.

I suppose that’s the cliché suspect, but I really didn’t see the judge as being the one who killed his wife. I liked it, but it ended up being the classic ‘I did it to protect my good work’ reasoning.


"Inner Child"
This case was clearly rough on Raines and his imagination. When the child molester ended up dead, I wasn’t really expecting him to show up and start taunting her! That was a very crazy scene. It was lightened in a good way when Michael imagined her a gun and she kept shooting him!

Not every story can be happy, but it tough finding out that the dad killed his daughter’s killer. The ending scene with Raines talking him out of killing himself was touching.


But it almost seems like Medium With a Guy, which is another show that I don't look foward to at all but can't stop watching.I feel like no one appreciates these extra characters being 'figments of his imagination' rather than ghosts. I can grant some general themes maybe, but I don't think this show deserves to just be lumped in with the actual "talk to the dead" shows.


"Closure"
And now for the season finale!

I really liked seeing Michael interact with his ex-wife. It showed a different side of the actual man rather than through how he sees other people. At the same time, his version of Andrew showed some of his real thoughts and feelings too.

I once again liked the multiple figments of his imagination all of a sudden showing up in his car and then his figuring out who he could get rid of. It got a little crazy in there for a minute! :D And I liked how at the end, Raines gave every ‘spirit’ closure by telling the mechanic who it was he killed.



And it won't have any more. Make that Series Finale.Do tell. The futon critic (http://www.thefutoncritic.com/showatch.aspx?series=&network=nbc&daycode=&statuscode=2&genre=&studio=) has it listed as "on hiatus or fate to be determined."

[Stewie]

Do tell. The futon critic (http://www.thefutoncritic.com/showatch.aspx?series=&network=nbc&daycode=&statuscode=2&genre=&studio=) has it listed as "on hiatus or fate to be determined."http://shoutingintothewind.blogspot.com/2006/12/2006-07-watch-list.html
I don't know what her source is, but she's usually pretty good at this stuff.

[The Penguin]

http://shoutingintothewind.blogspot.com/2006/12/2006-07-watch-list.html
I don't know what her source is, but she's usually pretty good at this stuff.Hmmm, well I expect we'll find out totally for sure very soon. In the mean time, I'll maintain some good ol' false hope. ;)

[Stewie]

Hmmm, well I expect we'll find out totally for sure very soon. In the mean time, I'll maintain some good ol' false hope. ;)I'll hope with you.

[The Penguin]

Well it seems false hope did not do any good for Raines, but I do have some marginally good news. iTunes is currently having a special on NBC shows and you can get all seven episodes of Raines for $9.99 which is cheaper than it has been and is about like getting two episodes free. I'm looking forward to revisiting this show on my iPod. :)