Post by shmeep on Oct 28, 2005 23:51:45 GMT -5
Seoul Man
by shmeep
Seoul Man opens with what appears to be a pretty normal day for Jim Dunbar. He buys coffee from a stand on the street, joking in a familiar way with the vendor, and then continues on toward work. Then he hears gunshots, screaming, and someone rushes past him, knocking the coffee from his hand.
A Korean grocer has been killed.
The squad arrives, asking for details. "Then the perp ran--you know--past me," Jim has to admit. This is the fourth Korean grocer to be killed in recent weeks and Marty harps on the fact that the whole spree could have ended had Jim been able to catch the perp.
Back at the squad, Jim gets called into Fisk's office to have a word with the Chief of Ds, who has been in with Fisk for some time. The chief is there to reprimand Jim for taking his gun out on the street. Jim goes on the defensive, reminding him of the waiver and stating that he was not waving the gun around.
"It was an instinctive move, Chief," he says.
"Those were instincts that you developed when you could see," the chief responds.
Then the chief drops another bomb. "We haven't got the results of your psychological evaluation yet, but I hope whoever you're talking to's pointing out that you can't do the same things you did before, Detective."
Jim seems to brace himself and answers, "I am well aware of that, Chief."
It's Marty's case and he is bent on seeing it as a chain of murders committed by a Korean. Jim believes the killer he allowed to escape is a separate incident. He and Karen interview Don Yun, a young man who was known to have had a problem with the family of the victim. Don begins the interview, fascinated by Jim's blindness.
"It reminds me of a dog I used to have. Only had three legs. Had to work twice as hard as the other dogs to get it done, but he did."
Without changing expression, Jim says, "That's very flattering. Thank you."
Don seems to realize he has made some kind of faux pas so he adds, "It's a compliment, man. I loved that dog."
Their interview is interrupted by news of yet another homicide that fits the pattern. At the scene, Marty and Jim go at it once again, Marty blaming Jim for having allowed the perp to escape and Jim being defensive. Karen and Tom calm them down and the two teams go their separate ways. Jim takes out his cane, seeming not to want to be dependent on anyone at that moment, but gives in to being led when Karen points out that he wouldn't be able to find the car on his own.
After another brief exchange between Marty and Jim at the squad, Fisk calls both men into his office, delivering one of his best lines of the series: "I'm asking both of you, when you gonna stop behaving like pissed off step sisters?"
"When he's respectful," Marty responds without hesitation. "When he decides he's part of a team."
"How am I not doing that?" Jim asks.
Fisk threatens disciplinary action if he has to speak with them about it again and then dismisses them. Marty leaves, but Jim turns back and tries to defend himself to Fisk without Marty there.
"Can I just say one thing?"
"No, we're done."
"It's not that I don't understand his point--"
"Then understand mine. This is not all about Russo being a jerk. You could learn some listening skills. Like when your boss says the meeting's over, it's over. Or when the Chief of Ds is handing you an ass kicking, you can just shut up, take it, and move on. Do you understand?"
"Yes sir."
"Good. Excellent. Get out."
Jim is in Galloway's office, apparently having just told him all about the situation with Marty. He's angry because he believes Marty is right and that he should have caught the perp. Galloway offers encouragement and then points out that their time is up but that he can talk about it on his own time if he wants. Jim says it can wait until the following week but Galloway informs him that this is their last session. That he's signed off and that Jim is fit for duty.
Jim's first reaction is to laugh, but in a stilted, caught-in-his-throat way.
Then his face changes as it hits him that he no longer has an excuse to speak with Galloway.
Galloway has some kind final words for Jim.
"Whether or not you decide to continue therapy, there is something I would like to suggest that you work on...Your difficulty in reconciling who you are since you lost your sight."
"Yeah, I know. I know."
"You've got to stop fighting so hard to prove that you're not the same 'cause you're not. Absolutely things you cannot do anymore."
"Yes. This is not news to me, Doc."
It's like the gentle version of what The Chief of Ds had said that morning, but Jim takes it much better, coming from Galloway.
"You're a different man," Galloway continues. "Different husband, and a different cop and from what you've admitted to me, there was room for improvement in all three. You can use this as an opportunity for a fresh start. When you realize who this new person is, that he has nothing to prove to anybody, you may not even want to be a cop."
Galloway's words sum up the entire point of the series beautifully. The concept of receiving a fresh start and using blindness in a positive way is what made the show so special.
Jim thinks a moment, then says firmly, "I'm a cop."
"Your call," Galloway says.
As Jim stands to leave, he says, "Hank, you're all better. Let's go."
At home, it comes out that Jim no longer has to see Dr. Galloway. Christie asks if he could continue going on his own, but quickly drops the subject when she realizes Jim isn't receptive to it. "You never have to see that man again," she says. "Even if you are crazy." She drops some change on the floor and the noise triggers something in Jim. It hits him that the gun used in the murder he "witnessed" was likely different from the gun used in the other crimes.
He tells Karen of his theory and she goes along with it, after first making sure he isn't just following a weak lead to make up for his own guilt over having let the perp escape.
They interview Don Yun's father, telling him they know the gun used in that killing was different to try and force a confession.
Feeling trapped, Mr. Yun says, "I were late but I no kill Mr. Lee."
Jim, looking particularly dreamy that day (thus, this screencap), says, "And don't start acting like your English is bad because that would be an insult to us."
They get their confession.
Tom, inspired by what Jim has done, decides Marty's approach has been too narrow and decides to look into suspects other than those who are Korean. Marty claims Jim just got lucky, but Tom says, "Look. I'm not so proud I can't learn from the guy."
They find a suspect, a white guy they had already interviewed, and go after him. Turns out, he's the serial killer. He makes a run for it, ironically slipping past Marty. Marty and Tom eventually catch him.
Fisk tells Jim a newspaper wants to do a story about him.
"They want to do a quote about the collar we just made," Jim asks, sounding very much like a team player.
"No, they want to do a full article."
"I'm not interested."
"Why don't you ask him when no one's around and he's not trying to show off?" Marty asks.
Fisk tells Marty he won't be getting any overtime that month.
"Did I ever tell you how much I LOVE working with you, Jim?" Marty asks when everyone else has gone.
Jim leaves the room. Marty follows him to the locker room, where the exchange gets ugly from the first words.
"What do you want, Marty?"
"What, is it my shampoo? That how you can tell it's me?"
"You give off a certain vibe."
"Oh yeah? What kind?"
"A bad one."
"Well, that's the first time anybody's ever said that to me."
"I find that hard to believe."
"I think maybe it's that you bring it out in me."
Marty slams a locker and comes in close, telling Jim about how his brother got two dogs to behave by locking them together in a garage.
"It's a good thing we're not dogs," Jim says, looking uneasy.
"Yeah, good thing. But you've gotta admit. If you had your sight, you know, me and you, we'd go a few rounds. Get this outta our systems."
"Don't let it stop you. Go ahead."
"Yeah, right. 'Cop Beats Up Blind Guy.' Those are great headlines."
"No. Cop gets his ass kicked by blind guy. That's the headline you're worried about. Go ahead. Do whatever you need to do. I swear to you whatever happens, I won't tell a soul."
"You love this. You love this 'cause you know either way, I lose. I kick your ass, I'm the bully. I don't, you're the king. I can't win, Jim."
"Well pick one! Do something because I can't keep doing this."
"Why don't you just find another home, huh? Nobody wants you here. This place ran fine without you. Can't you see that?"
Marty's expression changes, like he knows he's crossed a line. For a moment he even seems to have compassion in his face as he looks at Jim. He can see hurt in Jim's expression, something Jim never would have shown under normal circumstances.
"You're right," Jim says after a long pause. "You're right. You're right, Marty. You were here first. You want me to leave, I will."
"So I get tagged as the guy who drove you away?"
"Will you give me a break, Marty? You cannot have it both ways! If I stay, then we gotta work this out. Otherwise I'll go, but--look. Either way, I'm gonna be just fine."
"You know, would it kill you just relax a little bit, Jim? Just a little? Not come across like you're always trying to solve every little thing? We're a squad. We work together."
"Okay. I'm gonna do my best."
"Do your thing. But once in a while you could just--you--you--you could--you could see where--where I'm coming from."
"I get it."
"I mean, you don't always have to be the guy. You don't always have to--"
"I get it."
Both men are subdued, shaken, but the hostility is gone. Marty walks to the door, but turns before leaving and says, "I'll see you tomorrow."
It's what Fisk had said to Jim his second day at work when he seemed to have accepted Jim into the squad for reasons other than that he was forced to. Such a simple thing to say, but it seemed to have meant a lot to Jim at the time, hearing the routine farewell that included the assumption that there would be a tomorrow to be worked together.
"See you tomorrow," Jim replies.
Jim goes through another series of reactions when he knows he's alone. He laughs for a moment,
But then he bites his lip, looking even more shaken than he had allowed himself to look while Marty was there.
He sinks onto a bench, head bowed.
by shmeep
Seoul Man opens with what appears to be a pretty normal day for Jim Dunbar. He buys coffee from a stand on the street, joking in a familiar way with the vendor, and then continues on toward work. Then he hears gunshots, screaming, and someone rushes past him, knocking the coffee from his hand.
A Korean grocer has been killed.
The squad arrives, asking for details. "Then the perp ran--you know--past me," Jim has to admit. This is the fourth Korean grocer to be killed in recent weeks and Marty harps on the fact that the whole spree could have ended had Jim been able to catch the perp.
Back at the squad, Jim gets called into Fisk's office to have a word with the Chief of Ds, who has been in with Fisk for some time. The chief is there to reprimand Jim for taking his gun out on the street. Jim goes on the defensive, reminding him of the waiver and stating that he was not waving the gun around.
"It was an instinctive move, Chief," he says.
"Those were instincts that you developed when you could see," the chief responds.
Then the chief drops another bomb. "We haven't got the results of your psychological evaluation yet, but I hope whoever you're talking to's pointing out that you can't do the same things you did before, Detective."
Jim seems to brace himself and answers, "I am well aware of that, Chief."
It's Marty's case and he is bent on seeing it as a chain of murders committed by a Korean. Jim believes the killer he allowed to escape is a separate incident. He and Karen interview Don Yun, a young man who was known to have had a problem with the family of the victim. Don begins the interview, fascinated by Jim's blindness.
"It reminds me of a dog I used to have. Only had three legs. Had to work twice as hard as the other dogs to get it done, but he did."
Without changing expression, Jim says, "That's very flattering. Thank you."
Don seems to realize he has made some kind of faux pas so he adds, "It's a compliment, man. I loved that dog."
Their interview is interrupted by news of yet another homicide that fits the pattern. At the scene, Marty and Jim go at it once again, Marty blaming Jim for having allowed the perp to escape and Jim being defensive. Karen and Tom calm them down and the two teams go their separate ways. Jim takes out his cane, seeming not to want to be dependent on anyone at that moment, but gives in to being led when Karen points out that he wouldn't be able to find the car on his own.
After another brief exchange between Marty and Jim at the squad, Fisk calls both men into his office, delivering one of his best lines of the series: "I'm asking both of you, when you gonna stop behaving like pissed off step sisters?"
"When he's respectful," Marty responds without hesitation. "When he decides he's part of a team."
"How am I not doing that?" Jim asks.
Fisk threatens disciplinary action if he has to speak with them about it again and then dismisses them. Marty leaves, but Jim turns back and tries to defend himself to Fisk without Marty there.
"Can I just say one thing?"
"No, we're done."
"It's not that I don't understand his point--"
"Then understand mine. This is not all about Russo being a jerk. You could learn some listening skills. Like when your boss says the meeting's over, it's over. Or when the Chief of Ds is handing you an ass kicking, you can just shut up, take it, and move on. Do you understand?"
"Yes sir."
"Good. Excellent. Get out."
Jim is in Galloway's office, apparently having just told him all about the situation with Marty. He's angry because he believes Marty is right and that he should have caught the perp. Galloway offers encouragement and then points out that their time is up but that he can talk about it on his own time if he wants. Jim says it can wait until the following week but Galloway informs him that this is their last session. That he's signed off and that Jim is fit for duty.
Jim's first reaction is to laugh, but in a stilted, caught-in-his-throat way.
Then his face changes as it hits him that he no longer has an excuse to speak with Galloway.
Galloway has some kind final words for Jim.
"Whether or not you decide to continue therapy, there is something I would like to suggest that you work on...Your difficulty in reconciling who you are since you lost your sight."
"Yeah, I know. I know."
"You've got to stop fighting so hard to prove that you're not the same 'cause you're not. Absolutely things you cannot do anymore."
"Yes. This is not news to me, Doc."
It's like the gentle version of what The Chief of Ds had said that morning, but Jim takes it much better, coming from Galloway.
"You're a different man," Galloway continues. "Different husband, and a different cop and from what you've admitted to me, there was room for improvement in all three. You can use this as an opportunity for a fresh start. When you realize who this new person is, that he has nothing to prove to anybody, you may not even want to be a cop."
Galloway's words sum up the entire point of the series beautifully. The concept of receiving a fresh start and using blindness in a positive way is what made the show so special.
Jim thinks a moment, then says firmly, "I'm a cop."
"Your call," Galloway says.
As Jim stands to leave, he says, "Hank, you're all better. Let's go."
At home, it comes out that Jim no longer has to see Dr. Galloway. Christie asks if he could continue going on his own, but quickly drops the subject when she realizes Jim isn't receptive to it. "You never have to see that man again," she says. "Even if you are crazy." She drops some change on the floor and the noise triggers something in Jim. It hits him that the gun used in the murder he "witnessed" was likely different from the gun used in the other crimes.
He tells Karen of his theory and she goes along with it, after first making sure he isn't just following a weak lead to make up for his own guilt over having let the perp escape.
They interview Don Yun's father, telling him they know the gun used in that killing was different to try and force a confession.
Feeling trapped, Mr. Yun says, "I were late but I no kill Mr. Lee."
Jim, looking particularly dreamy that day (thus, this screencap), says, "And don't start acting like your English is bad because that would be an insult to us."
They get their confession.
Tom, inspired by what Jim has done, decides Marty's approach has been too narrow and decides to look into suspects other than those who are Korean. Marty claims Jim just got lucky, but Tom says, "Look. I'm not so proud I can't learn from the guy."
They find a suspect, a white guy they had already interviewed, and go after him. Turns out, he's the serial killer. He makes a run for it, ironically slipping past Marty. Marty and Tom eventually catch him.
Fisk tells Jim a newspaper wants to do a story about him.
"They want to do a quote about the collar we just made," Jim asks, sounding very much like a team player.
"No, they want to do a full article."
"I'm not interested."
"Why don't you ask him when no one's around and he's not trying to show off?" Marty asks.
Fisk tells Marty he won't be getting any overtime that month.
"Did I ever tell you how much I LOVE working with you, Jim?" Marty asks when everyone else has gone.
Jim leaves the room. Marty follows him to the locker room, where the exchange gets ugly from the first words.
"What do you want, Marty?"
"What, is it my shampoo? That how you can tell it's me?"
"You give off a certain vibe."
"Oh yeah? What kind?"
"A bad one."
"Well, that's the first time anybody's ever said that to me."
"I find that hard to believe."
"I think maybe it's that you bring it out in me."
Marty slams a locker and comes in close, telling Jim about how his brother got two dogs to behave by locking them together in a garage.
"It's a good thing we're not dogs," Jim says, looking uneasy.
"Yeah, good thing. But you've gotta admit. If you had your sight, you know, me and you, we'd go a few rounds. Get this outta our systems."
"Don't let it stop you. Go ahead."
"Yeah, right. 'Cop Beats Up Blind Guy.' Those are great headlines."
"No. Cop gets his ass kicked by blind guy. That's the headline you're worried about. Go ahead. Do whatever you need to do. I swear to you whatever happens, I won't tell a soul."
"You love this. You love this 'cause you know either way, I lose. I kick your ass, I'm the bully. I don't, you're the king. I can't win, Jim."
"Well pick one! Do something because I can't keep doing this."
"Why don't you just find another home, huh? Nobody wants you here. This place ran fine without you. Can't you see that?"
Marty's expression changes, like he knows he's crossed a line. For a moment he even seems to have compassion in his face as he looks at Jim. He can see hurt in Jim's expression, something Jim never would have shown under normal circumstances.
"You're right," Jim says after a long pause. "You're right. You're right, Marty. You were here first. You want me to leave, I will."
"So I get tagged as the guy who drove you away?"
"Will you give me a break, Marty? You cannot have it both ways! If I stay, then we gotta work this out. Otherwise I'll go, but--look. Either way, I'm gonna be just fine."
"You know, would it kill you just relax a little bit, Jim? Just a little? Not come across like you're always trying to solve every little thing? We're a squad. We work together."
"Okay. I'm gonna do my best."
"Do your thing. But once in a while you could just--you--you--you could--you could see where--where I'm coming from."
"I get it."
"I mean, you don't always have to be the guy. You don't always have to--"
"I get it."
Both men are subdued, shaken, but the hostility is gone. Marty walks to the door, but turns before leaving and says, "I'll see you tomorrow."
It's what Fisk had said to Jim his second day at work when he seemed to have accepted Jim into the squad for reasons other than that he was forced to. Such a simple thing to say, but it seemed to have meant a lot to Jim at the time, hearing the routine farewell that included the assumption that there would be a tomorrow to be worked together.
"See you tomorrow," Jim replies.
Jim goes through another series of reactions when he knows he's alone. He laughs for a moment,
But then he bites his lip, looking even more shaken than he had allowed himself to look while Marty was there.
He sinks onto a bench, head bowed.