S02.E05: Play the Hand You're Dealt

[MyAimIsTrue]

Bull navigates the unfamiliar rules of a Native American tribal court when his college roommate is accused of committing murder on his reservation. Also, Bull meets Marissa’s new boyfriend, Kyle.

[TJtrack99]

Are my fiancée and I the only ones watching this show? That...is probable. 

Anyway, I liked it fine. The different rules were at least interesting, even if everything else was a bit predictable.

They're totally setting Kyle up to be an adversary in a future episode, right? (I was going to call him "Marissa's boyfriend" but his name is right up there ^ Haha!)

[JessDVD]

We watch this as it airs usually. It's got its bumps but I still enjoy watching it. I felt the same way about this episode, predictable but still enjoyable. I felt like they spent too much time looking at the volunteer juror/eventual perp for him to not be significant. Come to think of it, wouldn't everyone else find it suspicious that this guy has never volunteered to be on a jury until now? Although they all hated Bull's friend enough that they probably wouldn't have noticed or cared.

The amount of time they spent on Marissa's boyfriend, with the specificity of his current career ventures, to me seems like it absolutely is setting up something, and with the predictability of this show so far, makes me think it will be something, likely that the residents of the area object for some reason and one of them will turn out to be Bull's cousin's sister's daughter's former roommate and ask Bull to help them take Kyle to trial. I'd be fine with being wrong.

[shrewd.buddha]

Random observations from last night's episode:

• Love has turned Marissa into a giggly schoolgirl who has lost any powers of observation gained from working with  Bull over the years. 
• Marissa's story is all about the boyfriend now - so she does not play as big a part as usual in helping with the trial.
• Marissa will soon be pitted against Bull in a case involving her boyfriend.
• All the negative observations and judgments Bull has about Marissa's boyfriend are even more true about himself.
• Bull is back to defending completely innocent clients who have been accused of murder because of shoddy police work. 
• Little to no jury profiling or psychoanalyzing in this episode (not that it matters, because, again, there is no jury verdict because this was about detective work and not about persuading the jury).
• Are we supposed to believe reservations have big casinos but that no one there has access to the internet for facebook accounts, etc. for Cable to plunder through? 
• I liked the attorney who was assigned to Bull's friend's case.
• Did the prosecution and tribal police really think this was what happened ?: The victim sends Bull's friend a text requesting he visit to talk. The friend instead shows up with a rifle and shoots him. Then he hides the rifle and goes to see if the victim is dead, getting blood on himself. The he calls the authorities to report the crime and waits for them to show up and arrest him. 
• Why is Bull acting like a lawyer? Two lawyers are present, but Bull is the one talking to the Chief, standing up, objecting, etc. 
• Why was Bull looking back with a smile at the end of the episode? His friend has a serious gambling problem and most likely an alcohol problem. From appearances, the friend has not been doing very well for himself. He doesn't seem to have family or friends and almost all of the community does not like him. He was on the reservation because he was kicked out of almost everywhere else. Now he is off to continue gambling in a new environment. 
  Is Bull  a lousy psychologist - a lousy friend - or both? 

Edited October 25, 2017 by shrewd.buddha

[jerseyflower]

I enjoyed Bull's inner monologue at the beginning, I think we've all been in that situation. 

I thoroughly disliked his old college friend so it was hard to care whether he was found guilty or not.  I am enjoying this season more than last, Bull seems more human and a little quirkier.  

I too foresee drama with Marissa's bf, he seems too good to be true.

[LuvMyShows]

I really like this show, in spite of the unrealistic-ness.  I always enjoy the way that Bull asks prospective juror questions that seem bizarre and off-the-wall, yet that get at some underlying trait or characteristic.  I started watching because of the psychology angle, and how things develop and change during the course of the investigation.

For similar reasons, I started watching another new show, Wisdom of the Crowd.  If you haven't watched it, check it out.  I don't think the numbers are great on it, so it may not be around long!

[HurricaneVal]

@shrewd.buddha is shrewd indeed.  We're totally being set up for a Bull vs. Marissa's showdown.  I did like his internal dialogue through the whole "meeting Marissa's boyfriend" scene, I like that they're letting Michael Weatherly do his thing rather than rigidly confining him to the Dr. Bull character we saw from last season.

I'm kind of disappointed in Marissa though.  She's such a smart cookie, but she's fallen for this obvious shyster.  Mark my words, something's going to go down in that urban renewal project, and it ain't gonna be pretty.

[Netfoot]

Not so sure there will be a courtroom conflict with The Boyfriend.  But when he was showing her the property and telling her what he was going to build, I was waiting for him to hit her up for money.

[Aliconehead]

I also believe there will be court room drama with the boyfriend 

[MommaBee]

Where was the reservation located?  Because they were 'driving' up. 

[Voice of Joy]

Ditto on the "we're being set up for a Marissa's boyfriend showdown."  Honestly at this point, I like the boyfriend better than I like her.

[marina to]

On 10/25/2017 at 10:58 AM, shrewd.buddha said:

• Why was Bull looking back with a smile at the end of the episode? His friend has a serious gambling problem and most likely an alcohol problem. From appearances, the friend has not been doing very well for himself. He doesn't seem to have family or friends and almost all of the community does not like him. He was on the reservation because he was kicked out of almost everywhere else. Now he is off to continue gambling in a new environment. 
  Is Bull  a lousy psychologist - a lousy friend - or both? 

I thought the smile was connected to his friend saying Bull's a smart guy but can't predict the future. Pretty sure Bull knows he's going to end up back in trouble - hence the "I'll always take your call" - but you can't help someone who doesn't want to be helped. His friend isn't wallowing in depression though but in hope. And with the future comment his friend reminds him that sometimes one beats the odds. Seeing that glimpse of the confident man he knew makes him smile.

[webruce]

I was thinking the trial would have more "reservation difference" twist and turns. I think it was 'The Good Wife" that had troubles with a Military trial, or something that had a lot of problems fitting in. But Chief Tsosie and councils, Taima Peshlakai (Macks) and Han Locklear ,were straight forward. Taima did help a lot and I would like to see him again also. (Checked names on IMDB.) Did think that juror Joe Chavis and casino Guard Koi Platero, grew quickly to be suspects. Didn't think for awhile that the concrete work would hide the rifle. Figured it would show up at Makya 'Mack' Benally's place, since Bull visited it. Didn't figure that weather would keep Mack from running.

Edited November 9, 2017 by webruce
Caps, missed out on caps.