From: H. Nunes <hwnunes@leland.stanford.edu>
Subject: "Crime & Punishment" (was: Re: Chris' hearing)
X-Xxmessage-Id: <A7559B10B90400F0@naranja-pc-175.stanford.edu>
X-Xxdate: Thu, 17 Dec 92 02:48:48 GMT
Organization: DSO, Stanford University
X-Useragent: Nuntius v1.1.1d12
Date: Thu, 17 Dec 92 10:48:51 GMT

I liked the 12/7 episode (titled "Crime and Punishment," BTW) although
somethings in the show really urked me.

You already know my fasination with the fact that the episode looked a whole
lot like any plain "Picket Fences" episode-- a show you should catch before
CBS decides to put something cheaper on at the 10:00 Friday night slot... the
place where shows go to die.

Lately I've noticed that my mind is turning to Swiss Cheese, but I swear that
when Mike first appeared on the show, he graduated sixth in his class at the
University of Chicago law school, not the University of Illinois, as was
stated in "Crime and Punishment."

Speaking of Mike, did he yank Maggie's chain or what.  Just sending her to
Anchorage to look through law books... sure she wouldn't refuse him, that's
not how the story is set up, but Mike's commanding order of flying down to
Anchorage to fetch some info was a bit much... very unlike the Mike we have
all come to love... JUST KIDDING!

Who the hell put Ed on the stand to say that Chris stole radios and stuff?  I
guess the purpose was to show how great a guy Chris was for warning people
what a harsh place this world is, BUT THAT SHOWS THAT HE IS STILL A CROOK!!!
As I remember from "Spring Break," Chris doesn't give back any of the stuff.

How many words did Marylin say in this episode?  Has to be less than ten...
AND THAT'S FOR TWO SCENES!!!

I love the yet another example of how balanced a show NX is... when Bernard
calls Maurice a biggot (that was a long time coming), it is later counter
balanced with Bernard's story about his experience with white people and that
white people don't have exclusive rights on racism... great scene.

The Daniel Steele line was a obvious as a parade coming up mainstreet.

What was it with Chris' sudden change 3/4 into the show?  He was so
comfortable with the fact that he was going to jail, then suddenly he wants to
practice his testimony with Mike.  I didn't catch anything that would have set
that off.

In "Thanksgiving," it is discovered that the "Joy King" or Joe King, Chris'
partner in crime back in Wheeling turned states evidence.  You don't think he
turned Chris in, do you?  Probably not.

When Semanski and Maurice walked by each other in the street... that was cold.

Is it just me, or was Maggie a little taken away be the trebuchet?  Her
exagerations started to seem foolish, almost 'girlish' about 3 seconds into
the speach.  Back me up on this, but is this the first time they called the
Medival seige weapon/catapult by its real name, a 'trebuchet.'

If the court room was cleared by the judge, why was Maggie sitting in there at
the end when the judge made her decision... if she was Mike's legal aid,
shouldn't she have been sitting a little closer?

Basically, I vomited when the judge used the term 'Chris-ness.'  SHEESH!

Bernard's explanation of the defense's stratagy in the trial sounded like it
could have came from Seinfeld, the show about "Nothing."  The "No-defense
Defense." ... or was it Yogi Bera.

For all you trivial buffs, Chris' graduating class was the Class of '81.

As for this show winning an Emmy for writing, sure, why not.  But the script
wasn't as strong as last years nominees "Cicely" and "Democracy in America,"
or last years winner, "Seoul Mates."  And you must keep in mind that Brand let
the cat out of the bag when he said that the show was not a drama, but rather
a comedy... like that means anything.

Well, another well done episode, especially technically.

BTW:  Emmy Award winner for Best Writing in a Drama Series is airing next
week, the Christmas episode "Seoul Mates."  See a kinder and gentler Maurice
to go along with a kinder and gentler M&J.

See Ya

Merry Christmas. Happy Hanukkah.  Happy Holidays.  What ever the case, have a
good one.