Warning: mild spoilers
Synopsis or treat, smell my feet, give me something good to eat: "Lupo and Bernard initially believe the death of Sid Maxwell, an underwear fashion company photographer, to be asphyxia-related, but a photographer's revelation leads them to a discovery of the victim's true identity and a suspicious website with threatening posts."
Hell of a show title, isn't it? After a couple weeks of getting bogged with BlogWorld and Technorati work, I missed a heck of L&O review opportunities. One episode trashed reality television, Jon & Kate Plus 8, and starred Jim Gaffigan. That's a Sussman triple play.
But this title, "Human Flesh Search Engine" ... I couldn't ignore that. The title forced my hand. Plus, this one guest stars The Daily Show Rob Corddry. He may not play a murderer or a deviant, but he sure as heck can pull off the prototypical Internet tough guy.
But the episode begins with a blonde girl doing a scandalous photo shoot. Hey, that's fine by me. That night the short-tempered photographer of the shoot is found dead in his own apartment, David Carradine-style. The sooner everyone stops talking about AEA, the better. And wouldn't you know it, after their first suspect fizzles out (these guys never seem to get it right the first time, and yet they're the best in the business), they stumble on a second motive — one time he was text messaging while driving. Kill him!
No, seriously, kill him. That's what a vigilante social justice website (fictitiously labeled flashposse.net) did when they posted a picture of Maxwell DWTXTing, following that up with more personal info about him.
The title "Human Flesh Search Engine" is an allusion to a Chinese Internet community that pools its collective knowledge to reach a common goal. One was notorious for uncovering the identity of a woman who killed a kitten with a stiletto shoe. And in Flash Posse's case, "concerned citizens" found Maxwell's car registration, which led to the posting of his address, and the security code to get into his apartment. So somehow after an AEA death, things get weirder.
They eventually find a — how do I put this gingerly — crazy-ass psycho banshee who makes her daughter a human sacrifice who posted on Flash Posse, and sure enough, she had the means and opportunity to finish off the undie photographer.
The way they found her — by rounding up all the Internet tough guys who posted about Detective Bernard and Sid Maxwell on Flash Posse and grilling them in the interrogation room — was masterful. Moreover, it's every Internet user's dream, isn't it? Don't you just want to find that one person who comments on Blogcritics that you just absolutely cannot fucking stand, get them in a room and shine the light on their face, nullifying any purported intimidation? Tough skin and pasty skin are mutually exclusive, and they cast the perfect Brian Posehn-pigmented characters for the role.
Article comments
1 - denise michaelson
interesting article.
2 - mary
When i saw this episode i was surprised to see the similarities of the things that are happening to me. I am trying to find a way to stop what is going on but i am unable to since i am not computer savvy. Im looking for anyone that can help me in finding a way out of this situation im in. If there is someone out there that has extensive computer skills i would appreciate the help. [Personal contact info deleted]