S03.E06: Reports of My Death

[ElectricBoogaloo]

Walt contends with a media frenzy when a long-lost heir who went missing 30 years earlier is found dead; Henry makes a risky decision on his own.

[SimoneS]

Parker Stevenson! When I saw the picture of the young Welles, I thought he looked like Parker Stevenson and then voila, he appeared! Oh, memories of my youth. I have not seen him in anything in forever. I am glad that he is still working here and there.

 

Oh, Henry. At least, he now knows the truth about Deena. I am glad that we are getting some progress on the mysterious death of Martha Longmire. I can believe Malachi is behind it all, but Nighthorse's involvement surprises me. It did crack me up seeing Nighthorse call Branch unreliable when he was backing him in the election against Walt not too long ago. I find it hard to believe that Nighthorse would deliberately attempt to murder Branch given his powerful father and dangerous uncle. That does not make a lot of sense to me.

 

Not sure why Cady is trusting that other lawyer with Henry's case so easily. However, I liked how she busted into Henry's bar and then barged into the room demanding that her father and Henry include her. It is about time.

 

I liked Vic trying to stand with Branch who does look like he is losing it as his hygiene gets worse. If Vic was going to tell Walt, she would have done so already. Branch should be grateful that she cares because otherwise he is basically on his own.

 

I laughed when Vic jumped at the bird. They freak me out too

Edited July 8, 2014 by SimoneS

[ElectricBoogaloo]

Ha, that cracked me up too. "What the hell is with all the birds?!" When we were dating, Mr. EB's roommate had several birds and I was not a fan.

 

When they first found the guy and Walt thought it was the rich guy, I thought come on, you guys need to do a DNA test! I couldn't believe they waited so long to bring that up. It wasn't until Parker Stevenson showed up that it was even mentioned, which seemed ridiculous. No one in the family has seen him for decades and you're basing your guess on sketches that guess what he might look like 30 years later? You have the body right there. Cotton swab that shit!

 

Heh, the nephew was an annoying twerp. "I tweeted it." At least maybe now Walt is beginning to come around on the handiness of cell phones!

[JackONeill]

Maybe it's just me, but I found this to be a good episode, even though it was still slow.  But I'm getting a sense that on the global front we're moving ahead (albeit at a glacial pace).  I thought the mystery was good and different, if somewhat . . . boring.
 
It does strike me odd, given who Branch is, that his father and Lucien are kept out of things until the writers need them for something.  From what I've seen of Branch's father, he'd be all over someone trying to murder his son.  And I think he's got the money and balls to take on Nighthorse.  But that's a completely different story, so I guess we won't see it.

 

I was mildly amused by Vic's response to the birds.  But it seems they (the writers) and she are trying to hard to be the comic relief.  I think the actress is good at what she does, but they seem to have her "over-doing" it.  I do like that she seems to be trying to care for Branch.  But is she doing it out of niceness, or because of the whole bad thing in Philly?  Don't know.  Seems . . . confused.

 

Seems like the sheriff's department might need a few more people, what with Branch off (literally) in the woods, and Vic getting side-tracked with him.

 

Is it just me or did Robert Taylor sound desperate when he was calling Ferg at the beginning of the episode?  I'm sorry: Longmire should never sound desperate!

 

I really like how Cady barged in on Henry and her father.  Good for her.  But the other good thing is that they ALLOWED it.  Good for them.

 

One day Longmire will get a cellphone.

[ElectricBoogaloo]

But is she doing it out of niceness, or because of the whole bad thing in Philly?

I think it was partly out of niceness and partly out of suspicion/worry. She knows that he kidnapped and drugged that guy (due to Billy Riggins' confession) which means she knows he lied about it to her and she doesn't know just how far off the rails he could go as this investigation goes on. I think she's trying to keep an eye on him to keep him from doing any more crazy stuff because she doesn't want to see him ruin his career, go to jail, etc. And whatever issues she may have had with him running against Walt, he has been an asset to their little team. If he blows it there isn't much hope that Ferg will be able to pick up his slack. I mean, Ferg is a nice guy but he isn't the most effective person in the sheriff's office.

[Ohwell]

It does strike me odd, given who Branch is, that his father and Lucien are kept out of things until the writers need them for something.  From what I've seen of Branch's father, he'd be all over someone trying to murder his son.  And I think he's got the money and balls to take on Nighthorse.  But that's a completely different story, so I guess we won't see it.

That strikes me as odd as well.  I can't believe that Branch's father isn't more involved in who tried to kill his son.

 

I don't know how many more episodes there are, but I'll be happy when we finally get to the bottom of who killed Martha.  This has dragged on so long and I hope it hasn't harmed the show to the point that it's not renewed.  As much as I love Henry and Ferg and Ruby, this show was beginning to become an afterthought for me.

[dubbel zout]

Not sure why Cady is trusting that other lawyer with Henry's case so easily.

I know; anvils for a double-cross or something are falling heavily here.

 

Parker Stevenson looks great. The prep school picture of him cracked me up. He looked like such a baby!

 

Heh, the nephew was an annoying twerp. "I tweeted it."

 

I loved that, as well as his bored "duh!" delivery.

 

I'll be happy when we finally get to the bottom of who killed Martha.

 

Same here. I don't think the story was necessary in the first place—it's not as if her murder was what prompted Walt to become a cop. I guess I'm liking how things are coming together, though. It's taken too long, but at least it's happening. They'd better resolve the mystery this season. Even with a twelve-episode season, it's gone on too long.

[JackONeill]

Oh, one more thing (maybe two, or three).  I think it was kind of cute that the writers had Branch basically speak for the viewing audience when he said something like this to Vic, "I know you got the hots for Walt."  I wonder what Ruby thinks.  And why hasn't Cady picked up on it?????  (But, again, that's another show.)

 

Also, again, Martha wasn't killed in the books.  She died of cancer.  I think the writers wanted something that could be played out over several episodes.  Well, okay, maybe, but this story was introduced at the end of Season 1.  And it's not the most scintillating story around.  (No offense to the dead Martha.)  I mean, they just introduced Malachi this season.  (Yes he'd been mentioned before, but when he was I never got the sense that he was some super-duper bad-ass.)

 

One last thing (maybe).  Does Branch think he can really "take" David Ridges?  Ridges took out Hector.  And Branch is still moving kinda slow.

[SimoneS]

The absence of Branch's father and uncle weakens his story. I wonder if it is an oversight by the writers or a budget issue or the actors' lack of availability. I would expect Branch's father to hounding Walt and threatening Nighthorse and Malachi with his own henchmen while looking for David Ridges. 

 

Ferg knows about Vic and Walt (whatever it is) and Branch has long figured it out so  Ruby must know also. Cady is never around so I expect that she is in the dark. 

Edited July 8, 2014 by SimoneS

[JackONeill]

I suspect that budgeting has a lot to do with how many actors they have on set at any one time.  But the bigger reason why we're not seeing Branch's daddy or Lucien is because the show's name if Longmire.  So, it's Walt 24/7.  And while I understand that, the writers should at least throw in a line every now and then, something like having Ruby say to Walt, "Well, Branch's dad called again and he wants to know whet the hell's going on."

[CoderLady]

The Connallys seem to be a family where they stay out of each other's business. Sure, the usual big-buck patriarch in TV dramas would be all over the authorities if something happens to his offspring, but even during the campaign for sheriff Branch's father (forgetting his first name) was pissed off but backed off after Branch told him he was going to run his campaign honestly.

 

Seeing him at the hospital would have been normal but it's nice that they skipped the usual blustering and threats something like this would have generated on Law & Order.

Edited July 8, 2014 by CoderLady

[dubbel zout]

Branch's dad seems exasperated with him half the time anyway.

[Ohwell]

I thought that house that the rich folks had was big but kinda ugly.

[SimoneS]

Heh, the nephew was an annoying twerp. "I tweeted it." At least maybe now Walt is beginning to come around on the handiness of cell phones!

 

The nephew's nonchalance was funny. Walt does seem to be coming around to using that newfangled thing called a cell phone.

[Curious5]

I sure don't think Vic cares in any way about Branch.  She would have reported the kidnapping except she's afraid the same problems will develop again as in Philly.  Her reaction to the birds was stupid - maybe overplayed  but in the story line, Walt should have told her afterwards to grow up.

 

Cady is not the daughter  anyone would want.  As a lawyer she sure isn't smart.   When she doesn't even know definitely what the ramifications are to take off the tracking device  spells a BAD lawyer.

[dubbel zout]

When she doesn't even know definitely what the ramifications are to take off the tracking device  spells a BAD lawyer.

 

That was pretty WTF for me, too. You don't need to be a lawyer to know Henry won't be welcomed back with a band and balloons. What sort of lawyer is she supposed to be? I'm not sure I'd trust her to notarize my car loan.

Edited July 8, 2014 by dubbel zout

[ali59]

I am glad that we are getting some progress on the mysterious death of Martha Longmire. I can believe Malachi is behind it all, but Nighthorse's involvement surprises me.

 

  It doesn't surprise me at all.  Didn't we here a mention last season about Martha opposing the construction of the casino?  In my book, or Nighhourse's book, that would put her on the endangered list.

[seamusk]

Cady is not the daughter  anyone would want.  As a lawyer she sure isn't smart.   When she doesn't even know definitely what the ramifications are to take off the tracking device  spells a BAD lawyer.

 

She's a lawyer.  That doesn't mean she is a criminal lawyer or knows much of anything about criminal law.  She would have learned some in law school, but the truth is that when you start practicing in another arena, and it becomes less critical, you will not remember much of it. The other lawyers were mad incompetent so it made sense for her to give it the college try.  But it's a risk since it's not her area of law.  The fact that she has been somewhat competent in an area of law that she doesn't practice is actually impressive. Or would be in real life.

[shapeshifter]

I was hoping the camping trip would create sparks between Branch and Vic, who actually seem suited to one another, IMO.

When Cady climbed in Henry's window, I thought: She really did grow up on a ranch. But then she went all stupid once she got inside.

[SimoneS]

I was hoping the camping trip would create sparks between Branch and Vic, who actually seem suited to one another, IMO.

 

I don't see Branch as suited to Vic or even Cady. I know that he is all sympathetic because he got shot, but he was in bed with Nighthorse scheming and deceitful during the election, right up to the moment that David Ridges almost killed Cady. 

 

 

It doesn't surprise me at all.  Didn't we here a mention last season about Martha opposing the construction of the casino?  In my book, or Nighhourse's book, that would put her on the endangered list.

 

But if Nighthorse went around killing everyone who opposed the casino, it would be quite the murder spree as I am sure that lots of people were and are still opposed. What makes Martha's opposition so worthy of a violent death? Something else has got to be going on here for any of this to make sense.

Edited July 9, 2014 by SimoneS

[JackONeill]

Another thing that bothers me:  Henry's been presented as being a man of his word (which I believe).  Yet, he has at least twice jeopardized Branch's $100,000 bail.  (Although maybe the first time not as much.  I guess he was just walking the boundaries of his confinement.  Still.)

[shapeshifter]

But if Nighthorse went around killing everyone who opposed the casino, it would be quite the murder spree as I am sure that lots of people were and are still opposed. What makes Martha's opposition so worthy of a violent death? Something else has got to be going on here for any of this to make sense.

Maybe it was just to throw Walt off his game?

[JackONeill]

And, Shapeshifter, I'm not sure if it's ever been said Walt was against the casino.  I mean, he probably was, but as the sheriff he's duty-bound to obey the law. Which means that he'd arrest anyone who was illegally protesting the casino if it came to that.  And just because Martha may have been against the casino, so what?  I think Branch's dad, who has more sway and money than Martha, was probably against the casino.  Like someone else said, there are probably lots of people against it, even some Native Americans.

 

But if this is just merely a case of Malachi taking revenge on Walt (for having him arrested) by killing Martha -- that seems far-fetched.  And cheap.

 

There's got to be more.  (There better be.)

 

It seems as though Malachi and Nighthorse have all of a sudden hooked up.  I don't remember Nighthorse ever mentioning Malachi.  (Maybe I missed it somewhere but I wish the writers had dropped some hint awhile back that they were in cahoots, then I wouldn't be sitting here scratching my head wondering if they just pulled this out of the air.)

Edited July 9, 2014 by JackONeill

[ali59]

But if Nighthorse went around killing everyone who opposed the casino, it would be quite the murder spree as I am sure that lots of people were and are still opposed. What makes Martha's opposition so worthy of a violent death? Something else has got to be going on here for any of this to make sense.

 

I'm sure you're right!  I just can't see another reason for her violent death, yet.

 

But if this is just merely a case of Malachi taking revenge on Walt (for having him arrested) by killing Martha -- that seems far-fetched.  And cheap.

 

Do we know the timeline for Malachi's arrest and Martha's death?

[SimoneS]

Walt's own hypothesis is that person who ordered his wife's murder wants him to suffer. If this is why David Ridges hit Cady along the side of the road, then Walt is on the right track. Since we know that Nighthorse was involved with Ridges, it is a high probably that Nighthorse and Malachi are the ones behind everything. My problem  is that the writers did not do enough to play him up as Walt's nemesis. Nighthorse has mostly been an afterthought since the series started. What did Walt do to Nighthorse to make him hate him so much?

Edited July 9, 2014 by SimoneS

[shapeshifter]

What did Walt do to Nighthorse to make him hate him so much?

I was thinking about how Walt always catches the perp, and how that could thwart a lot of both Nighthorse' and Malachi's operations, so killing his nearest and dearest would be the only way to destroy him and get him out of the way. But then there's this:

Walt's own hypothesis is that person who ordered his wife's murder wants him to suffer.

--and "suffer" doesn't quite jive with just wanting him out of the way.

[dubbel zout]

What did Walt do to Nighthorse to make him hate him so much?

 

It'd better be something GIGANTIC. Killing Walt's wife and gravely injuring his daughter seems a bit extreme to me. Make Walt suffer by gaming the justice system so none of his arrests stick. Or mess around with his bank accounts. Or start rumors that Walt plants evidence. Bodily harm is pretty rash.

Edited July 9, 2014 by dubbel zout

[JackONeill]

I guess it's still early, but they haven't explained how Malachi got out of jail.  (I assumed he knew someone, or had bribed someone - which wouldn't be known yet.)  But I thought Walt was pretty convincing to the prison board.  I know this stuff happens in real life, but it seemed to be a real slap in the face of Walt to let Malachi out early.

 

Another thing: if Malachi is that connected, he must have known he'd get out of prison early (or, at least, be protected while in prison).  That seems to further the opinion that his beef with Walt (though a big beef) doesn't rise to the level of murdering his wife (as many have said).

[SunnyBeBe]

If this is some big conspiracy to punish Walt, (murder of his wife, set up of his best friend, attempted murder of his daughter and murder of Branch) I wish it would have been more amusing and not so annoying.  Was the Denver detective who as so annoying previously, also in on it?  

 

With everything they have going on in their jurisdiction, why is the fact Branch held that guy and forced him to take his own drugs such a huge deal to Vic?  I mean, it's not like he really harmed or killed the guy.  

[margol29]

I seem to remember, I think it was the episode before this one. When Walt left the house and Martha told him to be careful, he drove off in a vehicle with an anti-casino bumper sticker. So both of them must have been opposed to it.

Edited July 10, 2014 by margol29

[RandomX]

 With everything they have going on in their jurisdiction, why is the fact Branch held that guy and forced him to take his own drugs such a huge deal to Vic?  I mean, it's not like he really harmed or killed the guy.

Feeding someone hallucinogens against their will (or without their knowledge) is pretty bad news. He could have adverse psychological reactions in addition to illness, and obviously hallucinating can pose it's own risks to one's health and well-being.

That said, Vic was likely more concerned about Branch acting recklessly, going overboard with the vigilanteism and lying to her (and Walt) about what he was up to. Oh, and the downward hygiene spiral, too!

[DittyDotDot]

This was a fairly solid episode if you ignore that Cady, the lawyer, didn't seem to know how to be a lawyer and the hijinks they have Vic doing for comic relief. This stuff with Vic and comedy would have worked for me back in S1--she being new to "country" and all that--but it just seems like her acting all girly about going camping was a little off at this point. And I understand that Cady isn't a criminal attorney, but even I know that Henry tampering with that ankle bracelet alone would get him sent back to jail, not to mention his being out of his pen. And whoever pointed out the richy rich's house was ugly...I totally concur. But then, I find most mansions ugly and obnoxious.

 

Anyway, overall it was a pretty good one.  I enjoyed the little mystery of who was who even though I was muttering "DNA test" about one minute in. And I enjoyed Branch going all survivalist in trying to find that David Ridges cat. And I enjoyed Henry getting to take a walk, so to speak. The funniest part to me was when Longmire said it was all starting to feel like a great big conspiracy....Ha, Ha, Ha. Well why don't you just have one of your characters come out and state not only the obvious, but that thing that you want the audience to understand more than anything. Ha, Ha, Ha.

 

But if this is just merely a case of Malachi taking revenge on Walt (for having him arrested) by killing Martha -- that seems far-fetched.  And cheap.

 

There's got to be more.  (There better be.)

 

I'm still betting on all these "suspects" that Walt is investigating are going to end up being McGuffins, I think the killer will be closer to home somehow. Just feels like they introduced all these guys so they could have cases-of-the-week to use for episodes to me. However, I suck at speculation, so I could be miles off on this one. I agree that if it turns out that Malachi had Martha killed for revenge over having him arrested it will feel cheap.