Lie to Me Review: "React to Contact"
Lie to Me made unique use of Cal Lightman on "React to Contact." Unique under-use, that is, as his typical skills weren't on display in helping an Iraq veteran work through some repressed memories.
I find it slightly interesting that going into the fourth of July holiday weekend that Fox decided to run an episode featuring a possible PTSD Vet needing help remembering the truth.
While the overall writing for this episode was decent, it really didn’t feel like a true episode of Lie to Me, given that they used a huge assortment of gadgets to help the soldier, from brain-scans to virtual reality recreations. The episode centered more on technology than on what Cal and his team really do well:read people.
Don’t get me wrong, there was a dash of reading in the episode, but overall it felt a little more CSI than anything else.
The technology aside, I also was a bit disappointed that story involved an issue with what first looked like regret over shooting a young combatant, and then turned into a friendly fire cover-up. We get it: war is bad and friendly fire really isn’t!
As someone who served in the USAF for two tours, I know firsthand that soldier’s can make mistakes. But can’t anyone have a “post Iraq trouble” episode with a more of a original take on it?
I did love seeing Cal spending time with his daughter, at least. I also loved that he talked about his father a bit, and that they put out a hook of that coming into play a bit more down the line.
Lastly, I do want to mention that my hat is off to the writers and Tim Roth for the use of his British dialect and speech. Not many shows would feature such great lines like “he's absolutely crackers” and make it sound so legitimate and apt.
What did you think of this week’s episode? Do you feel the story has been done before? Do you think the team was under-utilized? Check out a few Lie to Me quotes from the installment and comment away now!
Jim G. is a TV Fanatic Staff Writer. Follow him on Twitter.
More Lie to Me News
Fox Fall Schedule: Five Shows Canceled, Two Added
Lie to Me Review: "Killer App"
Lie to Me Review: "Gone"
Lie to Me Review: "Saved"
July 21st, 2010 6:39 PM
@MMM - Leo was in fact the best friend of the guy who died i.e. that is what Lightman sees Foster as.
July 15th, 2010 12:41 AM
Correct me if I am wrong. Earlier in the episode when they were showing the soldier pictures of his brain his "Fight or Flight" part of the brain lit up. Am I the only one who noticed that the same "Fight or Flight" lit up at the end of the episode when lightman saw a picture of his daughter?
July 7th, 2010 4:35 PM
How do I get that VR system they used.
July 6th, 2010 12:37 AM
I love lie to me. I really enjoyed this episode too!
July 5th, 2010 4:11 PM
The plot was basically Courage under fire, the Denzel Washington movie. But Enver Gjokaj was really good
July 1st, 2010 2:35 PM
His brain reacted a lot when he saw her picture... that means that he is very connected to her. In other words it basically means that he loves her. If you pay attention to the show you know that this is nothing new. For example at the end of the previous episode Cal says "She (Foster) is my Leo" to the Leo wife that loved so much her husband that she was capable of going to prison to keep his good reputation. This is only my opinion but I believe that we are going to see them (even more) together in this season or in the next :P
Rank: Recurring Character
July 1st, 2010 12:38 PM
I too like the reading people aspects over any kind of gimicks -- but I think I've seen that this show is on the bubble with regard to renewal or any more episodes being made for mid season fill in ... and isn't virtual reality, then, an attempt to pull in a new (or younger) audience?
Rank: Staff Member
June 29th, 2010 11:52 AM
His reaction to Gillian was a balance of love and fight/flight, which you would expect in a trusted business partner.
June 29th, 2010 11:28 AM
Does any know what was Lightman's brain reaction when he saw Fosters' poc? Love?