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l0v3's review of "Cold Case: 'Static'"

Video: Cold Case - 'Static'; Season 4, Episode 6
Original Air Date: October 29, 2006
Character: John "The Hawk" Hawkins.
Roses: 5/5

Plot in a nutshell: Cold Case is one of many crime dramas on the small screen dealing with a team of criminologists working on old, unsolved cases in Philadelphia.

Back in 1958, a radio DJ from was found face flat on his desk, lying in a pool of his own blood and a gun resting in his hand. The case was dismissed as a suicide, but its is reopened later, when a computer geek discovers footsteps hidden in the audio track of the DJ's last taping. It's up to the team of criminologists to determine whether it really was a homicide and pick out the guilty from a myriad of potential suspects,including a bitter ex-wife, a young protege and a rather obsessed teenage admirer.

Review: I haven't seen Cold Case nor heard of it, but I enjoyed watching the show nonetheless. All the characters are pretty interesting people, but it's pretty much CSI without the gory evidence in place. Although there was the usual back story with one of the criminologists' having issues with his brother, I was like 'Get on with it already! Bring on the Hawk!' In other words, Hawk's story was obviously and pretty much the highlight of the whole episode.

Chip is freaking amazing in this. The first time I saw him in 'Static' he blew me away and nearly moved me to tears (I'm tough, even for a girl!) I was so scared to see it again because it had swept me away with such emotion, and I didn't want to get depressed for another week. I never realized just how versatile of an actor Chip is; the proof is all in Whose Line, and 'Static' is no difference. His performance was simply wonderful and intense. The quality of his vocals was stunning; Chip was able to make you believe he really was a cool, rock n' roll 50's DJ by his voice alone. That howl of his still sends chills down my spine.

Now this is the part where there are SPOILERS. If you're one of those people that pull their hair out when someone spills out the juicy details of your favourite soap opera, go away NOW!! Otherwise, prepare to read a huge essay over the awesomeness of Chip's character.]

The Hawk is such a magnetic character. He's charismatic, energetic and inspiring, and he's humble all the while. One thing I admire about him is his passion for music; he refuses to bend in to the will of the record companies for the pure love of rock n' roll even when he got famous and became a powerful music icon. He even plays music done by 'colored' people because he's so open minded. As well, he treats his protege Bones as an equal, not some kid who's working for him in the background. But the most important factor about the Hawk is his relationship with the teenage girl, Jenny, who turns out to be the daughter he had to leave due to his instability as a young man. When she continuously pursues him, of course it's natural to assume she's another obsessed, teen aged fan. Then she gives him the one thing that has tied them together, even when Hawk hadn't been there for her as a child: 'Scarlet Rose', the song Hawk wrote for his baby girl before he left. A sweet lullaby from a father promising his endless devotion to his daughter even as he parts, it's a song that'll leave you tearing your tissue box apart. The scene where Jenny and Hawk meet, as well as the scene where they officially reunite as father and daughter make you realize just how similar in personality the two characters are, and you didn't even notice it at first. The chemistry between them is impeccable, with both the characters and the actors.

Then there is Hawk's relationship with his ex-wife, and the reason behind his murder. Of course, his ex-wife Dottie doesn't want to see her child whisked away by her ex-husband, who left them. The story that Dottie doesn't want her daughter to chase her dreams in fear she'll crash and burn is honorable, but it's also the reason why she pulled the trigger of the .38 caliber gun that killed Hawk. (Hawk basically wanted to take Jenny to L.A. so she can pursue her dream of becoming a singer, as well as be the father he should've been to her.) It makes Hawk's story even more tragic, as he and Jenny will never be able to spend time with each other, and their relationship should at least make you think twice about your own relationship with your father or father figure.

A rather amusing suggestion is to watch this episode with your dad, snuggle up close as you do and see if he cries.

Fangirl corner: Just a little random note; did you like the segway above? XD

I'm still left speechless by Chip's performance. He was just so.... (insert random, loud, incoherent squealing here). 'Scarlet Rose' is currently on my MP3, and I love listening to it before I go to bed. It's such a sweet, soothing song. And oh, did I mention that Chip should totally get his own radio show and play rock n' roll tunes 24/7?!?!? But then he wouldn't do improv and that would make a very unhappy l0v3... mebbe 24/3. Or 12/3. Chip could get tired. Something I noticed: in some parts, Chip kinda reminded me of... (insert drum roll here)...

JEFF! How? The scene below is a pretty good example :P

l0v3's favourite scene: Hawk finds out Bones was paid to play a song on his radio show by the record company and finds himself in trouble (basically, he could be charged for 'payola', or commercial bribery). Going to a club to confront Bones, Hawk finds Bones with two ladies, Bones unsuspecting that they are actually hookers.

Hawk: They're hookers, Bones.

Bones: What? Lulu's a dance student and Gigi's a -

Hawk: Stripper. Seen her act. Umbrellas.

Forgiveness for the rather lengthy review, but it was hard not to go into detail because the whole episode overall was simply fantastic, and it's worth watching over and over again for the sake of Chipophelia!