Cypher



As usual, spoilers and worthless comments on Jim and Blair's personal appearance. Very little literary value ahead. This is quite lengthy because there is too much good stuff in this episode.

Starting with the great scene of Blair in his boxers and that nice blue shirt. The woman is laying on him. She actually was paid to do this. Talk about died and gone to heaven. Blair looks so good, it is hard to describe it. Suffice it to say that he is one yummie guy. Blair is upset about seeing the dead body and Christine is bitchy right off.

Anyway, luckily, Jim comes home, looking mighty good in that t shirt and those jeans. He doesn't look the least bit upset when C. heads for the hills. Blair acts like he's a bit upset, but he takes it pretty well. We have the scene of Jim leaning on the pillar talking. Great shot of Jim. He looks really fine there. Blair is wonderful. I have absolutely no idea why the people on this show kept Blair's shirt on almost all the time. He is a good looking guy. Blair on the sofa is another good shot.

The story is being set up about the murdered dead people, and the yellow scarves. Jim and Blair go to a victim's funeral on the chance that the killer will come to show off. Blair makes a bit of a mistake when he sees the yellow scarf in a woman's hand and tips the killer off to their presence. A boring, long chase scene ensues with the killer jumping from the Cascade bridge. BTW, the stuntman got paid double that day, I hope, for jumping from that bridge.

Anyway, Jim looks really nice in the suit. I like that he is sitting in the choir loft by himself. He gets good camera angle. I like the scene when Blair comes out of the church and is pissed at himself for blowing it. He sits and runs his hands through his hair. Good shot.

The scene between Simon and Jim bears noting. Simon is all for cutting "the kid" loose. Have I mentioned that it irks me when they call a 26 year old man, a kid? I hope they mean it affectionately. Simon has rookies younger than Blair on his force. Does he insult them all by calling them kids? Is it because Blair isn't a cop that he's a kid? Sorry. Got distracted. Simon is all for cutting Blair loose, but Jim jumps to his partner's defense, saying Blair is the only one who understands. Good Jim.

So along comes the best bad guy in the series, Dr. Anthony Bates from Psycho. Oops, nope, this is Dr. Anthony Bates from TS. Actually, Bates looks pretty good cleaned up. It's later on he's slimy and creepy. It's only after you realize that he's the bad guy that he is yucky. He seems smart and intelligent. And he has a "thing" for Blair. Yes, he does.

I really like the scene in the loft where Jim is telling Blair to not talk about the case. They both look great there. Blair promises not to talk about the case, which he does anyway. And Jim tells him not to go to Club Doom, which he does anyway. The Club Doom thing I can forgive, but he shouldn't have told C. He should have left her home and gone to the club by himself. But that being said, in the car in front of the club, I don't blame her one bit for putting a lip lock on Blair.

When Blair bursts into Simon's office, he looks fantastic. He is so excited and he's figured out the entire case. Simon looks incredulous and the good psycho Dr. agrees with Blair's assessment. Jim, of course, just looks pleased. He knows Blair is a smart guy. The scene when Bates compliments Blair on his impressive field work is the one where he must decide, upon reflection, that Blair is his next victim.

Then we work our way to finding out Bates is Lash. Simon, Jim and Blair are really pissed when they figure this out. Bates has played them like fine pianos. Hey, he had us all fooled.

The only thing I'm going to say about the scene in the interrogation room is that Jim and Blair look absolutely sick talking to that old man. I think they would have just as soon shot the worthless guy right there. A mention on that actor. How do you cast for that part? "One ugly, miserable looking, chain smoking actor needed for disgusting short scene?" Taken separately, the actor did a good job. You hated him immediately.

On to the bad parts. Blair gets the heebee jeebees outside of the Anthro Building after he packs the bitchy C home. He goes home and is creeped out big time. He tries to call for Jim, but Jim is looking fantastic pumping iron at the gym. BTW, Jim's phone number is 555-1014. OH, did I mention that this is one of the few episodes we hear the call numbers for Jim. It's Zebra. Isn't that the same call for S&H? My memory banks aren't working but I swear S&H used Zebra, also. Makes note to check out Zebra thing.

Anyway, the scene of Blair being snatched is quick enough to let you know that he's gone. Jim is really upset that his buddy has been taken. He rakes that ex of his over the coals and figures out where Lash has taken Blair. In typical Jim fashion, he blames himself. Jim loves that guilt complex of his.

I'm not sure what to say about the scenes with Lash and Blair. They are stunning. Sexual. Sickening. Lash is totally out of control. The scene with the drum sticks gives me the absolute creeps. It is overtly sexual without Lash even touching Blair. Same with the scene when Lash finally puts his hands on Blair's face. You know Blair feels violated. I give extra points to the director for these scenes.

Blair's transition from panicked to in control needs mentioning. GM did an excellent job with his part. These scenes are some of the best acting that he does in the series, I think.

Blair is panicked right now, but that soon changes. Blair is a smart guy. He figures out how to push Lash's buttons. By the time Jim finds them, Blair has Lash angry beyond belief. Lash isn't in control any longer; Blair is, just with words. Lash is driven to the point that he's going to kill Blair to just shut him up, not to enjoy the transferrence of their personalities. The camera angles on the Blair/Lash scenes are really good. They get up close. You can see the emotions on their faces.

We are cheated out of reunion scene, but we do have the final scene in the bullpen. I must mention that Jim looks very appealing in that grey t shirt. Those shirts always show off Jim's body. You can tell the directors were telling us how good he looks. I can't argue there. Blair has on that maroon striped sweater. That color always looks good on him. It compliments his hair and eyes.

We end with the words that are forever etched in TS obsessed fans' minds. Blessed Protector. Jim seems more than pleased to be Blair's Blessed Protector, although when you think about it, Blair protects Jim just as much, if not more. It is a true partnership. They both looks extremely handsome in the last shot as the elevator doors close.

Oh, and we find out Blair has a nipple ring. Jim seems more than interested in that. Of course, this show isn't slashy. What am I thinking?

The End.

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