Monday, January 10th, FOX brought back Lie To Me for two back-to-back episodes, almost completing the third season, as the show, to many fans' dismay, was not given the order for a back nine. "Funhouse" and "Rebound" showcase what's been working for the show and what has not, with "Funhouse" being the stronger episode.
"Funhouse" was obviously meant to be the Christmas offering, as Christmas carols and Christmas trees unobtrusively appear in the background. As a mystery, the writing is strong, but not stellar, as I guessed the guilty party very soon after she was introduced into the story. However, the exploration of Cal's character, picking up on many of the strands weaving their way through this season, was beautifully handled.
The plot centers around the plight of a man in a private mental hospital whose daughter fears he may be getting overmedicated on purpose by the staff to keep him there instead of getting better. Emily brings the case to Cal, because she is friends with Amanda, the man's daughter. That in itself is enough to get Cal's attention, but he's also shown a special interest in helping kids in trouble several times in previous episodes, possibly due to his own troubled past. When Amanda looks at him and says, "I just want my dad back, Dr. Lightman," Cal decides to help the girl.
This scene with Cal, Emily and Amanda illustrates a central theme of "Funhouse": what exactly is being passed down, either through genetics or environment, the Lightman family tree? Emily shows just how much of Cal's ability to manipulate she's picked up, as she gets her friend to talk by making mistakes as she tells her friend's story. Cal points this out to Amanda (and the audience) when he says, "She's slippery like that." Emily shoots right back, "That I get from him"—and the stage is set for the audience to wonder to what traits are being passed down and whether they are positive or negative.
The plot concerning Amanda's father unfolds nicely, as Cal finds himself committed to the hospital for 48 hours observation after he punches an orderly and collapses. Between hallucinations of his mother and father, Cal tries to determine how Wayne and he are being fed hallucinogens, but comes up empty when he searches the head psychiatrist's office for something illicit. Fortunately, a talk with Loker leads him to remember he gobbled a muffin at Amanda's house and it was just after eating the treat that he began to feel ill and unbalanced. Sure enough, Wayne gets the homemade muffins every day, specially made by his daughter.
Article comments
1 - Latitude24
I was struck by Cal saying at the end of "Rebound" that [their] science is open to interpretation, since that's what everyone in the episode was doing.
We see from the beginning how interpretation affects beliefs and decisions. Lily wants to interpret all that cash in the brief case as related to George's work. While watching Gillian on her "date," Cal interprets her comments as thinking he's sexy, Loker interprets the scene as Gillian acting. Cal (in a kind lie) interprets the photo that George truly cared for Noah. Cal interprets Gillian's look at the end as saying that he's sexy. And the final scene with Emily basically spells out the differences in Zoe and Cal interpreting Cal.
All in all, I enjoyed both episodes. I also noticed in "Funhouse" that when Cal was speaking to his parents in his hallucinations, that he communicated to them not as a child but as himself now. I think he has coped much more effectively than he thinks he has.
Oh, and there are 3 more episodes in the truncated Season 3. I wish FOX would stop with the ADD programming and commit, maybe do a little more advertising. 2 People's Choice awards means that something is working!
As always, love your reviews!
2 - Gerry
Latitude24, thanks for such an interesting comment! I think the idea of the role of interpretation in Cal's science has been a big theme this season and you're right, "Rebound" had many examples of people interpreting what actions mean.
My interpretation (hah!) of Cal's talk with his dad is that he's still pushing that issue as far away as he can and has only just admitted to himself he's scared of what he may have inherited from him. I think he's coped more with his mother's death--the theme there seems to be recognising it's time to let his guilt go. I think having to talk to Emily about her grandmother opened up a lot of those feelings for processing. He's not talking to Emily about his dad, yet.
And thanks for catching my slip with how many episodes are left--I've corrected it.
Here's crossed fingers for Lie To Me getting a season four.
3 - JakeG
This is a wonderful show. The audience loves it, why doesn't Fox see that?
4 - Anon
Not exactly: "Sure enough, Wayne gets the homemade muffins every day, specially made by his daughter."
The muffins are made by his sister (his daughter is eating them as well, hence her struggle with feeling crazy as well.)
5 - Andrew
Latitude24 > I was struck by Cal saying at the end of "Rebound" that [their] science is open to interpretation, since that's what everyone in the episode was doing.
Don't take that too seriously.
I remember once Cal was talking about science is open to interpretation, just when he was making bad excuse to upset publisher. and he got a hefty advance on the book. and he even hasn't started to write it. That's why Gil said "Oh, please. Not that AGAIN." :-)
btw:sorry for poor english.
6 - Carol
Gerry, any chance you'll be reviewing the remaining episodes for the season? Really looking forward to your take, especially on the finale!
7 - Gerry
Carol, I have been thinking of doing a season wrap up, since I wasn't able to do the reviews for the last three. Thanks for the note!
8 - Todd Kinney
I've scanned the comments quickly so my apologies if this is a repeat question. I was curious to find out the name of the band playing the music in this episode. I've noticed that this happens a lot with many series. Love it if they'd just add a linked section to displayed featured artist. Cheers
9 - Gerry
Hi Todd, I'll try and help. I looked it up and the music was by The Jam. I found links to the two songs, Going Underground and Mr. Clean
10 - amerirish
I am so P.O.'ed that Lie to Me has been cancelled. I loved this show! :-(