Review
of Episode 17, In Your Philosophy
Story Link: http://www.crossingjordanencyclopedia.com/virtualseason7/episode17.php
Review by Julie (crossingboston)
Building on There
Are More Things (Than
Are Dreamt Of), Jordan and Woody try to figure out
how her brother managed
to attack Max in Miami and kill his parents in Boston. It's
obvious he had an accomplice, but Sophie, who James enlisted in his
devious
plan, was in Philadelphia. Or was she? Though
much of
the episode takes place in Miami, the crew at the morgue is doing what
they can
to help solve the puzzle, and Nigel comes up with key fingerprint
evidence that
clues everyone in as to just how the simultaneous crimes took place.
This
episode was an intense piece, with
lots of emotional—and plot—twists and turns. Jordan
continues the quest to figure out how James attacked her dad and killed
his
parents, and during a hospital visit to an unconscious Max, she admits
she
wishes she could have let go of her mother's murder, and promises not
to ask
Max about it again if he wakes up. Additionally, Jordan
lets Woody take care of her in the wake of a nightmare. It's unfamiliar
territory for Jordan, but she's increasingly getting to a place
where she realizes that
perhaps she doesn't have to go rogue alone.
Nynaeve brilliantly nailed
conversation (again).
Characters were well written, sounding just as they did in the
television Crossing
Jordan series. When Garret hesitated about telling Jordan that James's parents
were murdered the night Max was attacked, Jordan's
response "One word at a time, man. One word at a time",
was so
typically Jordan.
Harbor
Runner and Nynaeve teamed up to
create unique artwork, all shaped as pieces of a puzzle, each piece
requiring
the viewer's close attention, truly engaging the viewer in the solving
of the
crime. Also of note was Harbor Runner's clever reference in text to
Nigel's
excitement being akin to pleasure that comes from putting puzzle pieces
together. That comment tied the text to the artwork in a manner not
seen before
in VS7.
Music
in this episode was particularly well
chosen, and it would have been easy to imagine that some of these
musical
selections would have made the cut for the television series. Kim
Richey's A
Place Called Home and Griffin House's Only Love
Remains were perfect
fits, suiting the timing and tone of their respective scenes.
Nynaeve
also expertly recaptured James's
story providing fanfic readers with enough background on James to
understand
his place in the series but not too much detail that it was overkill
for Crossing
Jordan viewers. What resulted was a nice past episode
refresher. References
to past characters were also nicely interspersed through the episode.
Stiles came
up more than once, as did several others—Malden, Blackie
Conroy, Pete O'Malley, and a mention of a Pandora's box made this a
nice trip
down CJ memory lane. Additionally,
the
reference to El Jefe Kring being at the end of his career was priceless.
Only
one detail was a off for the episode…one
that appeared in the previous episode… There was a comment
indicating that Max
was a cop for nearly 40 years. That statement was definitely off. A
prior
television episode of Crossing Jordan referenced
Max's time on the
force, and it wasn't almost 40 years. The misstep wasn't critical,
though, and
more egregious errors happened during the television
series…such as Jordan's
two birthdays.
This
virtual episode read like part two of
a sweeps-month episode, bringing us closer to answering lingering
questions left
unanswered by the television series. Each installment of this Crossing
Jordan Virtual Season 7 series further proves the creativity
of a dedicated
group of fans looking to provide viewers and fanfic readers with a
truly
deserved resolution for the Crossing Jordan series.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Review
of Episode 18, Murder Most Foul
Story Link: http://www.crossingjordanencyclopedia.com/virtualseason7/episode18.php
Review by Julie (crossingboston)
While Jordan and Woody are handling a death
at the Ren Fayre, another Ren Fayre player dies. Did Woody curse the
play by
uttering the title "MacBeth", or is someone committing murder most
foul. At the morgue, Lily and Bug investigate the death of a seventeen
year old
girl. Though it's apparently death by suicide, the girl's best friend
insists
that isn't true.
Bourbon's
handling of the conversation in
this episode was remarkable, intertwining Shakespearean quotes with the
typical
witty banter that happens between morgue and BPD characters. It was
fascinating
to see Nigel quoting Shakespeare to Kate and to go at it head-to-head
in a
name-the-play contest with Jordan.
But most touching was Woody's use of Shakespeare (particularly after he
was so
intimidated by his particular lack of knowledge in that area) in what
was the
most important monologue of his life.
Art
Gal's artwork was tremendous, a nice
mix of Ren Fayre folk in costume and morgue characters. Nice touches
like the
detail in the picture with Woody stage fighting were proof that the
artists in
these episodes are dedicated to providing viewers with a complete
entertainment
package. Jilly and Nyn's art banners also provided the viewers with a
more
Shakespearean experience.
This
episode's musical selections were well
selected, adding to the episode's theme. The inclusion of The
Wooing of
Katherine was particularly brilliant, as it set a wonderful
backdrop for
Woody's proposal, one of the episode's notable moments. Also of note
were Bug
and Lily getting some "face time" as they looked into the death of a
high-school girl. Additionally, Kate kisses Nigel, and he is
dumbfounded and
can only mutter "there's Witchcraft in your lips, Kate".
The
only minor area of improvement was in
the speedy, convenient resolution of the teen suicide case. With all
the
investigating that Bug and Lily did, it was disappointing to have the
girl's
best friend simply come in and confess to their scheme to get the
attention of
Heidi's ex-boyfriend.
This
virtual episode, an amusing,
entertaining piece, provided viewers with some much deserved character
development that the television series' writers did not provide. As we
get
further along in Crossing Jordan Virtual Season 7,
it is apparent that
this team of writers and artists are dedicated to bringing the
"viewers", some much needed resolution.
~~~~~~~~~
Review
of Episode 19, Holy Water
Story Link: http://www.crossingjordanencyclopedia.com/virtualseason7/episode19.php
Review by Julie (crossingboston)
Ten
year old Marie Finnegan is dead, and
her autopsy is all over the map. She's been sexually abused, has poison
in her
system, and has had an anaphylactic reaction to peanuts. Topping it all
off,
she's received her emergency adrenaline syringe, but it didn't help.
Woody's on
the case, but he's having difficulty being up front with Jordan,
because the last person to see her was Father Paul.
Meanwhile, at BPD, Framus, Seely, and Capra
are in a childish (and perhaps overdone) game of deceipt, sabotage, and
kissing
up, as they try to score points with the captain, and more importantly,
score
Carvers' recently vacated office.
Mecedeme
penned this episode that once
again focused on a tough time for Father Paul and brought difficulties
between
Woody and Jordan. Woody initially tries to keep the truth from Jordan
because he fears she can't be objective. Then he's edgy and jealous
when Jordan
flat-out indicates that Paul is not responsible. Jordan and Paul have
some
interesting discussions about God, and a nice reference to Embraceable
You
regarding a "problem with the institution" (the church) slips into
the dialogue.
The
fighting about Paul that ensues between
Jordan and Woody lets the viewer know that just because Jordan and
Woody are
engaged doesn't mean it's all going to be smooth sailing (and thank
goodness
for that. The viewers would hate to see Jordan
dissolve into a doting, agreeable wife). Though they argue through much
of the
episode, Jordan and Woody have progressed to a point where instead of
leaving
things badly, they discuss their issues and apologize.
The
characters in this episode pretty much
seemed on point. Framus and Seely were remarkably well written. It was
easy to
picture Framus delivering the lines that were written for her and her
attitude
while she delivered them. But Capra…it was hard to imagine
her participating in
the kissing up and hoopla that went along with the "contest" for the
office. It was good to see that the office was turned into a storage
closet.
BigCJFan's
artwork truly added to the
episode. The banner was wonderful, especially with the daffodils in the
background. When I initially saw the banner, I paused on it for a few
minutes,
wondering how a daffodil could be an important "player" in the
episode. There were other great touches such as the depiction of
Carver's
office with a janitor standing outside the door. The details in the
shot (the
shield, the nameplate, the janitor), were all very good and were a clue
to the
amount of time and effort put into these virtual episodes by the
artists. The
other picture that was really interesting was the picture of Jordan,
Woody, and
Paul while Jordan is watching the interrogation. Her reflection
superimposed on
Woody's face was fascinating.
The
song Holy Water was a completely
appropriate musical selection for the episode, and the fact that it
carried
through the episode was very interesting. It almost became its own
character.
This
virtual episode had its quirks. Boston Garden was
demolished in November of 1997, so Woody's plans would have been for TD
Banknorth Garden. And the fighting over the office storyline was a bit
too
front-and-center. But the episode's strength was that Jordan and Woody
are
getting better at facing issues that anger them and they are learning
to
apologize, indicating that the future for them could be very good.
~~~~~~~~~
Review
of Episode 20, XX
Story Link: http://www.crossingjordanencyclopedia.com/virtualseason7/episode20.php
Review by Julie (crossingboston)
A
16-year old scholarship student at the
elite Sheridan School is found dead in the girls' locker room. She's clearly not like the
other students.
But who would want her dead? When Seely, Bug, and Capra handle the
case, they
find out that Seely's familiar with the place—because he was
a student there.
Meanwhile, Jordan is dealing with an ill Woody and the death of
an Iraqi immigrant.
With the help of homeland security and a hand from Kate, the pieces of
the case
fall into place.
Writer
bourbon put together this tremendous
episode that was filled with many references and allusions. It started
with a
comment from Woody and a picture of the Season 4 "Told You I was
Dying" t-shirt that made a brief appearance during Jump Push
Fall. Then
Seely, calls Bug Sanjaya, which calls to mind
NBC's horrific
move—putting Crossing Jordan opposite American
Idol. And there
was also a clever reference to a Tim Kring show that likely played a
part in
the cancellation of the Crossing Jordan television
series. Finally, a
reference to All the President's Men made this a
truly well-rounded
episode from the allusion perspective.
Another
element that gave this episode
depth was the research that went into the story arc surrounding the
death of
Amira. Information on honor killings and jambiya daggers must have
taken some
time, and that has not gone unnoticed.
This episode contained a nice mixture
of
seriousness, cultural issues (involving middle-eastern culture and the
culture
of the haves versus the have nots), and insight into some of the
characters. As
for insight into characters, it was funny to see Woody as the suffering
martyr,
soap-opera-watching type when he was sick. It was really interesting to
see
Seely from the other side, as the rich kid who bucked the rich-people
system. Seeing
his reaction to the disdain of Chet Grayson really painted a more
complete
picture of Seely. Yes, he can be obnoxious, but despite the silver
spoon, his
life, particularly in the rejection of the moneyed culture, has not
been easy.
And Kate…she stepped up to help an exhausted Jordan
re-examine Amira's body to look for something that would put the case
to rest.
When Jordan initially refused Kate's offer for help, Kate
persisted, revealing
that she's truly starting to recognize her place in the morgue family.
The
characters in this were particularly
well written, and the viewer was granted more insight to Kate, Seely
and Capra.
And as for Seely and
Capra…well, sounds
like there could be something there.
BigCJFan
and Harbor Runner teamed up to
provide artwork that added meaning and depth to the episode. Again, the
banner
was not only interesting to look at, but it provided a clue to the
episode, as
the two Xs representing the title of the episode were formed by jambiya
daggers. The "Told You I Was Dying" t-shirt picture was a
laugh…both
for those who know about the shirt and for those who don't. The picture
of
Capra and Seely in front of the trophy case was also a nice touch,
perfectly
fitting the scene description.
The
episode soundtrack was very good. Fever
was an amusing, appropriate choice. Amy
Winehouse and Sarah McLaughlin were also solid musical selections that
added to
the atmosphere of the episode.
This
virtual episode, the 20th
installment of the series, was a solid showing for this virtual season.
Well
researched and well written, this episode was a pleasure to "see"
from start to finish.
~~~~~~~~~
Review
of Episode 21, Cupid Schmoopid
Story Link: http://www.crossingjordanencyclopedia.com/virtualseason7/episode21.php
Review by Julie (crossingboston)
In
yet another holiday-themed episode, a
cupid-figure is attacking men using a bow and arrow. Woody, who is
still
battling a terrible cold, teams up with Berman to solve the Crime and
to keep
any more arrows from flying.
Madambeth
and NCCJFAN teamed up to bring
the virtual viewers this Valentine's themed episode, filled with
allusions to
past episodes (like the sword swallowing and bubble bath and the Tree
Hugger's
Guide references) and vivid scene descriptions, engaging the viewer
through
continuity and a sense of realness. From the
perfect penning of Phil
Berman's character (including the same obnoxious comments and demeanor
from his
television appearance) to the absolute nailing of Kate's character (as
well as
others), this episode truly played as a television episode would have.
The
essence of Kate was absolutely captured when she said: Little
chance of
that, I'd think, since they'll be headless, footless, featherless and
marinated
by then.
This
episode contained a nice mix of
romance, humor, and seriousness. It was touching to see everyone at the
morgue
trying to get Woody to surrender and go back home, but Jordan
must have rubbed off on him, and he cannot resist his need to solve the
crime
and make the streets of Boston Safe again. It was also interesting to
see three
"couples" (can we call Kate and Nigel a couple?) prepare to celebrate
Valentine's Day in their own ways, and each couple had to deal with a
change in
plans. Woody so wanted to make that first Valentine's special, but as Jordan
pointed out, they didn't need a romantic B&B for it to be so;
Nigel planned
a romantic rooftop dinner, but poor Nige, the unseasonably warm weather
was not
to be. And for Bug and Lily, a night alone together was on the horizon,
until
the Cupid crimes were solved. But Bug being Bug, was truly sweet. He
indicated
that a night with his 2 girls was just as special.
Harbor
Runner once again supplied fabulous
artwork. The banner commanded a viewer's attention, providing clues to
both the
crime and the theme for the episode. The detail in the pictures was
astounding,
particularly in the am Boston photo.
The fact that there were so many
time-pertinent headlines and the additional picture of the Patriots
made the
artwork all the more amazing.
Musical
selections were well chosen and
well timed. There was a great variety in the selected songs, with the
amusing Stupid
Cupid, to Frank Sinatra's My Funny Valentine,
to the completely
scene-appropriate My Bloody Valentine, each
complexity and depth to
their individual scenes.
There
were only a few items that perhaps
could have been improved. A couple of the pictures—the
initial scene-setting
picture, and the picture of Woody and Berman on stake out, might have
been
improved. The first picture was very difficult to view optimally
because the
scene was so dark. Understandably, the event happened at night, but it
took a
couple of adjustments to view the picture optimally. As for the picture
of
Woody and Berman, the perspective seemed a bit off. With all the other
tremendous artwork, however, these minor "flaws" did not take away
from the episode. The one other thing that seemed a bit off was the
ease with
which the group figured out that Cupid was holding the couple at his
childhood
home. It hardly took any thought at all.
This episode, the 21st
in the
series, provided virtual viewers with another entertaining holiday
episode,
something that truly would have been welcome in the television series.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Review
of Episode 22, Going to the Dogs
Story Link: http://www.crossingjordanencyclopedia.com/virtualseason7/episode22.php
Review by Julie (crossingboston)
In
a unique episode, Kate and Binky are reluctantly
thrust into the limelight at a dog show, with Binky accused of offing
his
competition. Meanwhile, a mime is murdered at a mime convention, and no
one is
saying a word about it.
Nynaeve
(who pulled double duty as episode
writer and artist) penned a real treat for Virtual Season 7 viewers. Humor was pervasive in this
episode, from the
jokes with the word "say" in them at the mime convention, to Seely's
disbelief that the corpse is a dog, to Binky's being held at BPD. The
episode
was filled with laughter and amusement, a nice contrast to previous
serious
episodes.
Another
welcome component of this episode was
glimpse into Nigel and Kate's budding relationship. Nigel is dedicated
to
proving Kate's and Binky's innocence in the murder of Lembas, and Kate
seems to
be more receptive to leaning on Nigel. It's certainly progress.
The
dialogue was extraordinarily funny,
both because of the topics, and because of the characters' deliveries.
Bug's
comment when Jordan and Woody kiss—Not in front of
the body. Please—was one
of the funniest lines, particularly because it was exactly the kind of
thing
Bug might say. And Woody's statement to the girl at the convention,
I’d
appreciate it if you didn’t tell anyone right now. You know,
silence is golden,
was just the kind of bad joke Woody would make.
Allusions
to past episodes were contained
throughout the dialogue and background scene setting. One background
segment
made reference to "sissy drinks". In another allusion, Jordan
references waking up covered in blood next to a dead Pollack. There was
even a
reference to Jordan's brain tumor.
Harbor
Runner and Nynaeve also added depth
and humor to the episode with a tremendous sampling of artwork. Many of
the
shots were clever and detailed, particularly the poster of Billy
Butcher, which
contained many details, even going so far as to include reviews from
the press.
Additionally, the mugshot of Binky, including his booking number, was
very
amusing.
Musical
selections continued the humor
theme of the episode, with Who Let the Dogs Out
appropriately leading
off the show, and The Sound of Silence and Our Lips Are
Sealed providing
a backdrop for the mime convention story.
Only
one thing really came to mind with
regard to improvements for this virtual episode. In the Binky/Lembas
storyline,
there were multiple references to autopsying a dog. Animals are not autopsied;
they're necropsied.
This
episode, the 22nd in the
series, provided virtual viewers light-hearted, amusing entertainment.
Though
humor dominated the episode, there was sufficient science, mystery, and
mayhem
to make this episode play out as would a television episode of the Crossing
Jordan series.
~~~~~~~~
Review
of Episode 23, On Ice
Story Link: http://www.crossingjordanencyclopedia.com/virtualseason7/episode23.php
Review by Julie (crossingboston)
After
a hit in a hockey game at TD
Banknorth Garden, hockey player Charles LeRoy is dead. The hit didn't
seem out
of the ordinary, but the athlete crumbled when the high-stick check was
delivered. Was it a freak accident that occasionally happens in hockey,
or was
it murder? Meanwhile, Lily is reaching a breaking point maintaining a
toddler's
social/educational schedule.
Mecedeme
composed an episode that combined Boston hockey
culture, continuity with previous episodes (televised and virtual), and
humor. The
Lily/Bug/Madeline story added depth to the
story, and lightened the burden of the weightier story surrounding the
crushed
skull of an athlete. Even funnier was the scene at the end with Jordan
and
Woody babysitting a screaming Madeline. Mixing a light and heavy story
produced
a nice, balanced episode.
The
humor in the dialogue was exceptional,
particularly because there were often exchanges that were delivered
using 2 or
more characters to play off each other to create a one-two punch and a
laugh.
Unfortunately for Woody, much of the humor in the episode was at his
cost, and
he wasn't amused. And Nigel deleting expletives while reading an email,
in
deference to Maddy, was a hoot.
BigCJFan
and Nynaeve provided artwork that
added creative layers to the show. The shot of the ESPN special hockey
edition
was cleverly done, setting an appropriate backdrop for the episode.
Additionally,
pictures of Madeline (age progressed), made the episode seem more
realistic.
Musical
selections made the episode seem
more genuine. Exciting Sports Arena was an excellent selection for an
episode
centered on a hockey game. And the inclusion of The Wiggles was
a riot,
and definitely appropriate for toddler-centered storylines.
Only
minor items came to mind to improve
the episode. The arena is Called TD Banknorth Garden. Sometimes it was
written
as Garden, others it was written as gardens. There were also some other
minor
editorial issues. Also, Maddy's screaming being due to gas would have
been more
appropriate for an infant on formula than for a toddler…but
we can take that
one with a grain of salt.
This
episode, the 23rd in the virtual
season, combined a complex, serious storyline with a less serious one
to
provide viewers with a balanced reading. Television and virtual Crossing
Jordan
viewers as well as hockey fans will regard this episode as an amusing
virtual
view.
~~~~~~~~
Review
of Episode 24, Howard's End
Story Link: http://www.crossingjordanencyclopedia.com/virtualseason7/episode24.php
Review by Julie (crossingboston)
The
morgue team and Woody all receive white
envelopes with instructions to meet Dr. Stiles at his office at 7. For
once,
it's not because of some bizarre murder, but it could be worse. Stiles,
who
noticed post-crash abnormalities in the team's psych evaluations, takes
the
DMORT participants and Lily on a state-mandated camping trip to face
their
demons and make the group once again feel like family.
But will things go as Stiles planned? Or will
he end up as frustrated with the team as the team is with the notion of
a
camping trip?
Madambeth,
NCCJFAN, and jmkw teamed up to
pen this episode that re-examines the thoughts, feelings, and actions
of the
group since the crash. For once, there is no murder. There is no
mystery. There
is only the thought of getting through the exercises Stiles imposes on
the
group and discussion of the crash and life ever since.
The
dialogue in this episode was
exceptional and seamless, particularly in light of the fact that three
writers
came together to create the episode. Additionally, Stiles' character
was so
true to form that it was easy to imagine him delivering his lines
throughout
the episode. There were many funny quotes throughout the episode, and
there
were even little inside jokes. It was especially humorous when Stiles
uttered
the following comment, "With Jordan
navigating, we all may end up in Canada if
we’re not careful", considering Jill Hennessy hails from Canada.
The
artwork in this episode, provided by
Harbor runner was especially great. The episode banner was fantastic
and
multilayered, capturing the attention of the episode reader.
Additionally there
were shots without human faces—one of Brian, the AV guy,
overloaded with
camping gear; and the shot of the "contraband" being turned in at
Stiles' request. These shots were clever pictures that added humor and
depth to
the show. Additionally, there were some other wonderful, complex
photos…the
group in front of the campfire, the shots in the tents, Lily on the
ATV, and
the shot of Jordan, blindfolded, being coached by Garret, that were
just
fantastic.
Musical
selections were wonderful
complements to their respective scenes. The inclusion of the Mission
Impossible theme provided a humorous, perfect backdrop. And
Bon Jovi's You
Wanna Make a Memory was well selected for an important scene involving
progress
in the Nigel/Kate relationship.
Throughout
the episode, Stiles manages to shrink
each character, helping them deal with issues that they might not have
recognized as having stemmed from the crash. And the ending of the
episode
pulled everything together quite nicely.
Only
minor items came to mind to improve
the episode. First, the episode required some serious suspension of
disbelief by
the reader. The state would never put two single people of the opposite
sex
together in any room (tent)-sharing arrangement. However, because of
the result,
I am sure we can all overlook that minor leap. Additionally, there were
some
editorial issues in the script. Neither flaw was anything that really
detracted
from the episode, though.
This
episode, the 24th in this virtual
season series, gave us a glimpse into the feelings of the team and its
members
since the crash and a resolution that the strength of the team will
continue to
grow as they move forward. Fanfic and television Crossing
Jordan fans alike
will view this episode as an amusing read.
~~~~~~~~
Review
of Episode 25, Righteous
Story Link: http://www.crossingjordanencyclopedia.com/virtualseason7/episode25.php
Review by Julie (crossingboston)
BPD
and the morgue crew are faced with
difficult cases. First, a young boy dies, and at first glance there
does not
appear to be a cause of death. A closer look reveals that the boy could
be a
victim of Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy, but is that really the case?
Woody digs
deeper into a cold case only to find that a jailed man did not commit
the
crime...and the chief was the detective on the case.
Authored
by Mecedeme, this episode provided
us with plenty of interesting banter and two very tricky cases. Both
Woody and
Jordan found themselves in difficult positions, questioning their moves
prospectively and retrospectively.
The
episode dialogue was high quality, and
it was good to see Emy own a scene. Seely, too was fantastic, as he
proved his
worth and intelligence, recognizing a potential cause of death in
Jason's case.
One line delivered by Seely was so classically Seely and so funny: I
told
you I’m not an idiot! I know how to Google. (mutters) And not
just to see how
many times my name comes up, either.
The
artwork in this episode, provided by
Big CJFan was not particularly plentiful, but there were some
interesting
shots. First, the picture of Bug's magnified eye observing the pupa was
very
clever and original. Then there was the shot of Jordan and Nigel at the
sink
tending to Jordan's bloody hand. The shot was brilliant, though
no faces were shown.
One
particular strong point in this episode
was Woody's continued role as caretaker for Jordan. He
showed her that he loved her by simply
being there, letting her know that even in her darkest hours, she will
not go
it alone. He was there for her on her terms, with silent strength,
something
she needed at the time. And when she finally did talk, he listened,
encouraged,
and pointed out her great strengths.
As
for areas for improvement, some of the
artwork shots seemed a bit off in perspective. First, the shot of
Jordan and
Nigel going through files had Nigel's face looking a bit off. The same
was true
of Jordan's face when she sat "drinking" at the bar
after
contemplating being poison to everyone.
This
25th episode in the Crossing
Jordan Virtual Season 7 series,
delivered a pleasant read and
interesting plots. Television Crossing Jordan fans
as well as fanfic
will find this episode a good, entertaining read.
~~~~~~~~
Review
of Episode 26, Father Knows Best
Story Link: http://www.crossingjordanencyclopedia.com/virtualseason7/episode26.php
Review by Julie (crossingboston)
In
a case involving the deaths of a family
with two young boys, Woody finds himself flashing back to difficult
times in
his youth, especially related to his father's behavior around the time
of his
mother's death. Can Woody keep it together enough to solve the case?
Meanwhile
Garret has a surprise visit from Abby—and his new grandson,
Matthew. Garret
fears that Abby has messed up again, but he may be in for an even
bigger
surprise.
Authored
by Madambeth and NCCJFAN, this
episode had an emotional touch to it, with both story lines centered
around
family issues. Additionally, the episode featured a poignant dedication
to
Madambeth's grandmother, who passed in the week preceding the episode,
and to
Madambeth, for her dedication to the project.
As
always, the episode delivered quality
dialogue especially where Garret was concerned. The lines penned for
Garret so
effectively captured the essence of Garret, that it was easy to here
just how
Miguel would have delivered the lines. Additionally, this episode had
occasion
to recapture one of Garret's finest lines in the history of Crossing
Jordan,
when he indicated that "one thing led to a mother".
One
of the strengths in this episode was
that it captured lines from the television series past (like Garret's
line
mentioned above), behavior typical of Garret (like when he mentioned
that he
wanted to be in the room when Abby told Maggie she was a grandmother),
and
information featured in the previous Virtual Season 7 episode
(the scene
where Jordan and Woody talked about part of the deal with the ring).
Harbor Runner 's artwork was
fantastic, and the black and
white banner was arresting to look at, commanding attention to the
artwork
right from the start. There was an excellent mix of black and whites,
easily
conveying the idea that the pictures denoted Woody's flashbacks. There
were
also some great shots of the present, including photos with and without
human
subjects. The shots of Matthew being held by Garret and the photo with
Abby
holding Matthew were incredible.
Music featuring a "family"
theme provided a nice
punctuation to the family-centric episode. Father Knows Best and
Teach
Your Children Well were excellent additions to their
respective scenes.
In
this episode, we see role reversal from
the previous Virtual Season 7 episode, and Jordan is
playing the caretaker for Woody. She
does her best to help him see that the mistakes that Calvin made were
not
Woody's fault. We also see Garret reacting to difficult news from Abby,
and
despite his initial hesitation, he seems to come around and see his
daughter as
an adult who is trying to do her best for herself and her baby.
As
for areas for improvement, some might
feel like the "mystery" in the episode was not mysterious enough, but
the weight of the family stories did carry the episode where solving
the crime
did not.
This
26th Virtual Season 7 episode
delivered strength in its family theme. Television Crossing Jordan fans and fanfic fans will find this episode an
entertaining and
poignant read.
~~~~~~~~
Review
of Episode 27, Slipknot
Story Link: http://www.crossingjordanencyclopedia.com/virtualseason7/episode27.php
Review by Julie (crossingboston)
Darrell
Martin (sickboy) is released from
prison and is found dead shortly after his release. Now Eddie considers
Woody a
suspect because he lied about his whereabouts during the time of the
crime. Did
Woody murder a man who once threatened his fiancé? And what
is it that Woody's
hiding? Nigel is uptight and edgy trying to deal with his feelings for
Kate,
especially since she refuses to address what happened in Littleton. Will he
spill the beans to his morgue colleagues about the liaison in Littleton? And will
Kate be willing to talk about it?
Authored
by bourbon, NCCJFAN, and jmkw, this
virtual episode featured seamless dialogue and the right mixture of
humor and
mystery. Dialogue was hysterical, particularly with regard to the
morgue crew's
responses to the idea of Nigel and Kate having sex. One of the funniest
lines
in the history of the Crossing Jordan series—both
television and
virtual—was Bug's reaction to Nigel's revelation. I’m sorry. I must
have had a cerebral event. I
thought I heard you say you had sex with Dr. Switzer. And
Nigel was written
beautifully. It was easy to imagine him delivering all his lines,
especially
those tempered with exasperation.
One of the great strengths in this was the
absolutely dead-on portrayal of Nigel. His angst was palpably
portrayed, and it
was not a stretch to imagine the facial expressions, mannerisms, and
tone of
voice he would have conveyed during this episode.
ArtGal and Almost-Something
provided phenomenal artwork.
The banner was multi-layered, revealing clues to the episode's
happenings. The
externals during the teaser were a nice touch reminiscent of the Crossing
Jordan television series. Two shots stood out as exceptional.
First, in the
picture of Kate and Nigel fighting, Jordan's
face appeared in the window. That shot was incredible and clearly
demonstrated
the artists' attention to detail. The other shot was the one of Jordan
watching Woody being interrogated by Eddie. Both shots were a clear
demonstration of skill.
The music was an excellent
complement to the episode. The
song Traffic Jam was perfectly selected for the
teaser. Zero 7's In
the Waiting Line was also an excellent addition to Woody's
interrogation,
inserted right between the questioning and the void left where Jordan once
stood.
There were a few flaws in the
episode. The only major flaw
was that Jordan seemed to have so much sympathy for sickboy,
Darrel Martin,
treating him like he was just a lackey who wasn't responsible for his
actions.
Based on what we know of Jordan,
she likely would have held him responsible for his actions, indicating
that he
made the choice to do what he did, even if someone was pulling his
strings.
Additionally, there were some issues surrounding Maddie (or is it
Maddy…I think
we've spelled it 2 different ways)…she said her first word
and was eating baby
food (she's about 1 now, so she should already be saying some words and
eating
solids).
Slipknot,
the 27th Virtual
Season 7 episode, was an interesting revisit to the Crossing
Jordan
past. Though television Crossing Jordan fans would
likely enjoy this
episode more than fanfic fans, the writers did a great job laying
enough
background to make the episode almost as strong as a stand-alone
episode.
~~~~~~~
Review
of Episode 28, Old Habits Die
Hard
Story Link: http://www.crossingjordanencyclopedia.com/virtualseason7/episode28.php
Review by Julie (crossingboston)
Jordan
and Woody are on the road, headed to
Washington DC to attend Drew Haley's Wedding. Meanwhile
racial tensions are on
the rise in Boston as three white members of Harvard's La Crosse team are
accused by an African American exotic dancer who claims she's been
raped.
NCCJFAN
penned this virtual episode that
balanced a torn-from-the-headlines, intense topic with a more
light-hearted
one. While Renee Walcott was tense and dealing with evidentiary
challenges and
directives, Woody was swatting at a bee during an outdoor ceremony. But
it all
came together in a way that made the reader appreciate both storylines.
The story had 2 great strengths. The first
was that unlike Mike Nifong in the Duke case, Renee handled the case
and the
evidence with great care, caution, and grace. She recognized the
gravity of the
situation and refused to manufacture evidence. The other moment in the
episode
worthy of note was an almost off-hand moment where Healy seems to
profile the
relationship of Woody and Jordan (as well as his own with Nancy). And what he
says…yin to yang…and that they found they can't
live without each other…really
seems to hit Jordan between the eyes.
Harbor Runner supplied
wonderful artwork that nicely
complemented the episode. The banner, juxtaposing Renee and a community
leader
at opposite sides, black and white, with justice in the middle was
apparently
simple but so much more. Throughout the episode, there was a true
showcase of
Harbor Runner's talents, with amusing photos such as Jordan and Woody
receiving
the invitation and Jordan and Woody in DC with a cherry blossom backdrop
while they are
holding ice cream cones. There
were also
more procedural photos with Bug, Kate, and Capra in the morgue. There
was also
a great crowd shot that was viewed through a window showing the mob
protesting
the case and marching for equality.
The music provided additional
depth to this virtual episode.
The selection of the group Social Unrest, with their song Static
Thought,
was perfect, not just because of the title of the song, but because the
name of
the band. And the music provided comic relief, with Mr.
Rogers' Neighborhood
and Life in the Fast Lane.
There were very few flaws in
the episode. There was one
instance where the word counsel should have been
used instead of council.
And it was hard to picture Jordan as
Bridezilla. Only one other thing could have added to the
episode…a picture of
Haley. I was surprised to find him as a guest but not have his picture
pop up
during the episode.
Old
Habits Die Hard,
the 28th episode in the Virtual Season
7 series,
combined elements from past Crossing Jordan
episodes and a recent
national news sensation. This episode is one that television Crossing
Jordan
fans, fanfic fans, and news junkies alike would appreciate.
~~~~~~~~~
Review
of Episode 29, How Does Your
Garden Grow
Story Link: http://www.crossingjordanencyclopedia.com/virtualseason7/episode29.php
Review by Julie (crossingboston)
Matt
Seely is having a rough go of things.
He seemingly wraps up a case where a 15 year-old girl is raped and
murdered,
but the confession is thrown out, because Matt may have been
overzealous,
denying the accused his right to counsel. To top it all off, when Annie
asks
the opinions of her BPD and morgue colleagues about Seely, no one
really seems
to think he's a nice guy. Will Matt's bad luck continue, or will the
case be a
wrap and the guy get the girl?
Bourbon
and jmkw offered up this bonus
Virtual Season 7 episode that dealt not only with a rape and murder,
but with
new and rekindled relationships. While Renee Walcott and Garret revisit
their
relationship in Garret's retirement place in the Berks, Seely and the
morgue
crew depend on forensics to wrap up a case when the confession's been
tossed.
This story was a solid
addition to the virtual series, because it gave viewers the chance to
have the
Garret/Renee story revisited, and to revisit past television episodes
(such as Murder
in the Rue Morgue and Crash). It also
built on the possibility of a
relationship between Annie and Matt that was established in previous
virtual
episodes. Also important was the fact that we once again saw a
vulnerable side
to Matt Seely, as he questioned his ability to be a cop and his choice
to
depart from the print media, the family's business.
The
dialogue in the episode was consistent
with the characters typical statements. It was especially interesting
to hear
the different characters offer their insight into Seely. Jordan
was particularly funny when Annie asked if Jordan
could think of one nice thing to say about Seely, and she responded: He…
can… rock a turtleneck like nobody’s business.
Nynaeve1723 provided artwork
for the episode. The artwork
was well placed, though a little on the sparse side, and there were
some great
shots, such as the quaint home that Garret purchased for his retirement
and the
creepy altar with burning candles.
Music in the episode was also
sparse, but the song Route
101, by Herb Alpert was well selected for its scene.
There were some flaws in the
episode. First, the VS7 banner
indicated that the episode was episode 28, but it was actually episode
29. Additionally,
some obvious details were overlooked. Sodium hypochlorite was
identified as
disinfectant for pools, toilets, sinks in hotels and hospitals. It also
disinfects and whitens laundry, as bleach. There was also a void in the
artwork. There were no crime scene photos and no photos that really
drove home
the father's grief at his daughter's death. Additionally, there was
very little
music added to the episode, and though I often wondered whether the
music made
a difference to me, it's absence did hit me.
How
Does Your Garden Grow,
the 29th Virtual Season 7
episode, was a nice
mix of past and present, television and virtual, mystery and
relationship. It
worked well as a bonus episode, particularly for television series
fans, but it
might have been a bit less meaningful to fans solely from the fanfic
realm.
~~~~~~~~~~
Review
of Episode 30, Ithaca
Story Link: http://www.crossingjordanencyclopedia.com/virtualseason7/episode30.php
Review by Julie (crossingboston)
Bodies
in the morgue are starting to pile
up. At first, it doesn't seem like there's any connection between them,
but
upon further reflection, it becomes obvious that they are all connected
to Jordan in some way and
that Jordan's half-brother James is behind it. Woody
sounds the alarm, bringing
Max back to Boston. Will the morgue crew and BPD be able to get
to James before he
gets to Max and Jordan?
Nynaeve
authored this quick-paced,
multi-layered Virtual Season 7 episode that
brought together elements of
the past and present to resolve the hanging storyline with James.
This story was a clever
addition to the virtual series, because the past television episodes
and past
VS7 episodes were all woven in both by James' inclusion in the episode
and by
his dialogue that made it clear he'd done his homework in learning
about all
those in the morgue family. In addition to James' references to past
episodes,
there were numerous other references to past episodes, including Jordan's
comment about missing the snakes and Kate's mention of the camera pen.
Dialogue
in this virtual episode was
spirited and on-character, especially with respect to James. It was
easy to
imagine him delivering the lines in his slow, deliberate, creepy
diction. Additionally
scene descriptions were so evocative that they enabled the viewer to
picture
the scenes playing out.
BigCJFan inserted episode
artwork that was dramatic,
featuring two black and white photographs, one with Jordan and Woody,
one with Jordan
and Garret. Both featured a violent looking red X through them, adding
to the
menacing atmostphere. Additionally, there was an element of humor with
the
artwork, particularly regarding the autopsy of Mr. Bunter, the man with
a
fetish for walking around in only highly shined patent leather shoes.
The music for this episode was
especially well chosen,
particularly the song It Ends Tonight by the
All-American Rejects. That
song completely captured the sentiment in the scene where James was
shot.
There were a few minor flaws.
First, the one that seemed to
have more impact was the lack of pictures of James. He was so central
to the
episode that it felt like there was something missing. Next, the drug
Preludin
was mentioned as being in a corpse's system. Preludin is no longer on
the
market and has not been for quite some time (but that was an issue that
only
pharmacists and other healthcare professionals would instantly
recognize.
Ithaca, the 30th episode in
the Virtual Season
7 series, blended past and present, inserting Max and James
nicely into the
fabric of the current crew at the morgue. The episode was exciting and
ended
with a bang.
~~~~~~~~~~
Review
of Episode 32, Mommy Dearest,
Part 1
Story Link: http://www.crossingjordanencyclopedia.com/virtualseason7/episode32.php
Review by Julie (crossingboston)
Jordan receives a call that has her rushing to pack
up her and Woody's
stuff for an early return from their backwards honeymoon. There is a
new lead
on who killed Jordan's mom. Will what transpires in Boston bring Jordan
what she's been seeking for so long? Will she finally know who killed
her
mother?
Though
this episode was written by a team
of writers—bourbon, jmkw, Madambeth, Mecedeme, NCCJFAN,
Nynaeve1723—it read
like a flawlessly crafted, single-author episode. The story was
remarkable,
from the struggle Jordan has with herself (and her apology to Woody) on
the plane, to the
events that happen in Boston that culminate in Max's arrest.
What
is truly amazing in this episode is
the writers' attention to detail…especially with their
inclusion of nearly the
entire cast of characters from episodes past. Sidney, Peter, Seely
(though
Seely is not mentioned in the Dramatis Personae), Cruz…all
had something to add
to the episode, each part adding to the drama.
This
virtual episode's dialogue read seamlessly
despite the great number of authors putting the parts together. Max's
character
continued to be handled in a true-to-Max representation of the
television
character. There are some truly great exchanges throughout the episode.
Lily
and Jordan share an exchange about parenthood that is truly touching.
And it
was wonderful to see Jordan truly listening to Lily and seeking her
guidance. There was also a
truly notable exchange between Kate and Jordan, where Kate says I
won’t be
careful; I’ll be perfect. It is in that moment that
Kate is woven into the
fabric of the morgue family. Finally, the passing of the baton from Max
to
Woody with respect to Jordan was truly great, and was a moment Crossing
Jordan fans have
been waiting to see for a long time.
The art team of Art Gal,
BigCJFan, Harbor Runner, provided
episode viewers with a visual feast. The banner grabbed the attention
of
episode viewers, demanding more than a single look.
Pictures bespoke the painstaking work put in
by the dedicated team, with complex photos adding to the illustrative
work. It
was great to see photographs including Sidney and Peter, and the photo
including the envelope provided an excellent visual pairing with the
text.
The music for this episode
almost became another character,
with multiple selections providing more than ample mood and dimension.
Aimee
Mann's Pavlov's Bell could not have been a more
appropriate selection,
as Jordan's response to the stimulus of a lead in her
mother's murder was
quite Pavlovian. And This Night by Black Lab added
creepiness to the
scene.
Very few items could be
interpreted as flaws in this
episode. Seely's omission from the Dramatis Personae was a small
oversight that
was hardly noticeable. And a description the murder scene at Vinnie
Fratelli's
discusses a white undershirt that no one would be able to see at that
time
since he's wearing a jacket and sweater, and no one's touched the body.
Again,
it's a minor blip.
Mommy
Dearest, Part 1,
episode 32 of Crossing Jordan
Virtual Season 7, was
a skillfully crafted group effort, worthy of the television series.
This
episode set the foundation for what promises to be an edge-of-your-seat
series
finale.
~~~~~~~~~~
