As the title suggests, this week’s Lie To Me explores relationships—what makes them and what breaks them. The A and B stories’ themes connect very well, but the real kicker is the way Cal’s case reflects his life—in particular his relationship, past and present, with his ex-wife, Zoe (an excellent Jennifer Beals), who shows up in his office with a case and perhaps a more personal agenda. As the team sorts through cases of murder, arson, and manslaughter, the question on everyone’s mind seems to be: What does Zoe want?

We’ve heard about Zoe before, with enough rather bitter little asides from Lightman to suggest he’s not yet over this break up. "Better Half" confirms that suspicion, from Cal’s first glimpse of Zoe lounging in his office. I’ve been a bit worried that Lightman’s character is a little too controlled and competent—we need to be invested in whether he gets cases solved, even though we know of course that’s the point of the show. It’s a hard line to walk, but this episode was an excellent step in the right direction. From Zoe’s teasing opening line about Cal no longer liking women in masks, Cal is off balance. His opening line to her captures his focus for the show: "Why are you here?"

The ostensible answer is to help Zoe, an assistant US Attorney, solve a difficult arson case. The wife’s mother died in the fire and a witness says a television reporter was seen fleeing the scene. The problem? The witness is the family’s five year old son, so there’s a credibility issue. The team gets to work, sorting through the lies, half lies, and possible implanted memories. Torres is astonished at Zoe’s relationship with Cal, first because of the flirty overtones and then because of the bitter undertones. Zoe correctly identifies contempt in a photo of a suspect, and with a glance at Cal, says she’s quite familiar with that one.

She also has a bit of an issue with Foster, wryly responding, "Ah yes, Gillian," and "She’s calling" to Cal when Foster indicates she wants to talk to Lightman privately. To Zoe’s resentment, Foster is Cal’s confidante and she sees her role as getting him to see past his desires to face the truth. Gillian makes him admit that he’s usually a mess by the time Zoe leaves his life again, and she only enters when she’s between relationships. Cal fights this contention, but rather half heartedly. He hasn’t yet asked Zoe how her relationship with Roger, her boyfriend of a year, is going.

Article Author: Gerry Weaver

Gerry loves film, books, a few television shows (House, True Blood and Lie To Me come to mind), and writing about them.

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