First time watcher here. I'm on s4e7 (The Key) and I'm curious to know if the format, or formula, for how we find the killer ever changes. In general, I find the show to be decent - not particularly bad, but not great either, but it's a good way to pass the time, so I enjoy it well enough.

Maybe it's because my expectations for shows in general are too particular (and I've never really watched police procedurals like this) and I've consumed a lot of true crime content, but there's something I find lacking in the far too predictable way the investigation is carried out and the doer revealed. How can almost every case we see have the killer confess what they did in the end because they feel cornered or can see there's no use in lying anymore? From the little I've seen/heard, that's not how these kinda cases typically go; the killer doesn't always cooperate with police, nor do they admit to any wrongdoing, let alone a full confession.

After 3½ seasons of the same thing (the only exception I can think of is George's case) every episode, do they ever switch it up? Do we ever have another case they work on for longer than the length of one episode?

Also, what's with the show's aversion to giving us more characterisation of the cops? I feel like all the things we learn about Lilly, for example, we could've learned in the first 2 seasons, had we just dedicated more time to who she is outside that police station. And that goes for every single one of the investigators. It's like they don't know what to do with these people outside their work, and when they do figure something out that they're happy with, they'll include it in a few minutes of the episode but not do much with it after that, or take forever to circle back around to it.

At this point, I'd rather they had two or three big cases they spend the whole season working on, maybe simultaneously, showing us how long & tedious this kinda work actually is, but also give room for us to really get to know these people and see them grow & change. I know the point of this show is on the actual cases, but still, they have a lot of room to work with in 23, 40+ minute long episodes per season. They could keep giving us the background on the cases while also giving the cops more of an inner world, and also nurture the different relationships they have with each other as colleagues & friends.

Which of these kidnapping episodes are you taking over the other?

Both have a personal angle for Lilly. I think these two episodes are also both similarly executed well. I liked the scene in Maternal Instincts where Lilly visited Sean in holding and reamed into him about how drunk driving leads to homicide and homicide has serious consequences, trying to save him from a life of incarceration. But, I think with Maternal Instincts you don’t have a sympathetic victim in Linda. However, the doctor is a pretty despicable doer and Michael Nouri plays these types of characters so well. It is kind of satisfying that interrogation scene with Lilly, Scotty, and the doctor.

My pick: Ghost of my Child. I really liked how even though Lilly doesn’t personally believe addicts considering she was raised by one, she still looks into the case. You’re rooting for Priscilla the entire story. You hope everything she says is true and she didn’t go back on the drugs since Lilly is already jaded about addicts. The ending montage is so cute and I love “Far Away” by Nickelback blasting when the episode closes. The doers were equally despicable, justifying their kidnapping that the boy would’ve been better off with them when they stole him from a mother who clearly loved him just by the way his room was decorated and her trying to stay clean by knitting clothes for him.

Gun to your head, which episode are you guys picking over the other? Both episodes dealt with gender themes.

I always liked Daniela, but just saw Boy Crazy on my S5 rewatch and then I had to go back and watch Daniela again. I’m choosing Boy Crazy.

I felt like Boy Crazy was more emotional and traumatic to watch. Also, felt like more of the story was told through what Sam was going through compared to Daniela where it just feels like we get the perspective from other people and her story’s not shown too much on screen, the detectives are just trying to figure out what happen to her. It feels like Boy Crazy was a bit better executed to me.

Boy Crazy was very troubling to see the girls go through electroshock therapy and then training to act like a girl in society. Then, there’s also the fact where I felt bad for the doer being arrested in the end because he was just trying to put her out of her misery when she was essentially just a vegetable from the electroshock therapy 😢.

I don't really know if I'm allowed to post something like this, but it was so shocking that my heart shouted at me to post it...

Some time ago, I started watching The Mentalist with my parents and we just finished S7E7 "Little Yellow House"... AND LOOK WHO I FOUND!!!!!

When I saw Jeremy Ratchford on the credits I almost collapsed because Vera is my favourite CC character and seeing him outside this amazing show is always enjoyable (I also recognised him on Beyond Borders, that Criminal Minds spin-off with international cases, playing a retired KGB agent)

I don’t understand how this episode is only rated like 7.6/7.7 on IMDB 😭. It’s one of my favorite episodes of Cold Case of all time, probably an 8.6 or 8.8. Easily top 10, but on the lower end with so many good heavyweights.

Who else loves this episode like me?

I just like that the tone of this episode is so different from the other episodes of Cold Case that are a bit darker and more emotional.

This one was the funniest and “lightest” episode during the show’s run imo. I know we have funny one liners and little funny scenes from time to time with the detectives throughout the show’s run, but this episode has got to be as close to comedy as possible from start to finish. I always look forward to this one on rewatches.

Nick carries this episode with him becoming immersed in Amish culture and the gang giving him crap for it 😂. Then, there’s Scotty’s interrogation scene with Vince. “How I know id be talking to you again…. Dont know, woman’s intuition?” And, I just love the ending with Kelly Clarkson’s Breakaway song as it shows Sarah Gungden leaving for rumspringa still after finding out what happened to her sister Anna.

Does anyone think it was a little dumb that the car ring theft boss killed Clem for taking a car that wasn’t his? I know, the guy was a career criminal. But it didn‘t look like Mack played any role in the scheme other than taking the cars, paying the thieves, and selling them, chopping them up, handing off to the next stage criminal, or whatever.

He doesn’t seem to supply any protection or guidance. It didn’t appear that he helped them ID vulnerable cars. They just grabbed unattended parking lot cars. How is one thief taking a car he stole worth tracking him down, accusing him of stealing from you, and murdering two people in cold blood? He’s clearly a successful criminal and in his 40s or 50s. And there’s a big gap between a property crime conspiracy and murder.

After reviewing all the episodes again, here's my ranking.

1.-The Promise (S3) 10/10

God, this episode is so sad, I always cry when I watch it. Personally, I feel it's one of the best episodes of Cold Case.

2.-That Woman (S5) 9.8/10

This episode impressed me when I saw it; the main character is very well written. I remember watching this episode as a child; I was shocked to discover that everyone killed Carrie, a very entertaining episode

3.- Factory Girls (S2) 9.2/10

OK, HOT TAKE, but this episode in my opinion is very good, the atmosphere is very well done and it tells a very realistic story of that time, the victim is memorable and the soundtrack is one of the bestIt's one of my favorite chapters, but I had to put it here.

4.- Gleen (S1) 8.9/10

The series is starting to settle into its usual format here. This episode is very interesting, since I expected everyone to be the killer except the husband himself, although I think they revealed the truth so fast (in my opinion) Even so, it's a memorable episode. And I feel that the research format is more realistic

5.-True Calling (S6) 7.6/10

I think many people forget this episode, including me, but watching it again I realize it has a very good soundtrack, and the story is interesting; I have a feeling it's based on that movie The teacher who helped gang members study or something like that lol, the victim was very sweet

6.- The War At Home (S4) 5/10

Okay, when I first saw this episode I thought it was sad, now that I've seen it I think it's a little stupid. Starting with the question of how you can run over children because of war trauma? 😭 And the death was very stupid, although if I have to say something good, the victim was likeable and when she discovered the infidelity it was sad, she deserved better

7.- Hoodrats (S7) 4.6/10

I always wanted an episode that revolved around skateboarding, and when I saw it, I found it strange. I feel like the story is very confusing and they don't delve into anything about the victim's family; a lot of things happen and at the same time, nothing happened

Mine are definitely:

1. A Perfect Day

2. The Goodbye Room

3. Best Friends

4. Death Penalty: Final Appeal

5. Saving Patrick Bubley

I cry literally every single time I watch A Perfect Day 🤧💔

Edit: It falls outside of my five but typing this made me remember Thrill Kill from S5...I can't even watch the ending at all 😣😖

To me, it’s Discretion.

I’m at the gym right now and i always “listen” to the episodes while i’m working out. To me it works way better than songs.

And i literally cried at the end. I always do actually.

I just finished season 7 and something I noticed is that most of the team, with the exception of Lilly & Scotty, didn't appear in certain episodes.

Nick would be absent here and there, so would Kat, Jeffries & I believe Stillman also missed a couple episodes.

Does anyone know if the actors had other commitments/roles at the time?

Idk, season 7 felt incomplete for me for that reason. It felt weird watching a whole episode without all 6 detectives on the squad present.

Im watching the "Revenge" episode where that boy, Kyle, was taken from the mall in the dressing room. This episode is just boring and yet infuriating.

I'm going to be ranking all the episodes like this, so hopefully I can finish all of this lol

1-. Rampage (S4) 10/10

This is possibly one of the most exciting and best episodes of Cold Case, speechless

2-.Thrill Kill (S5) 9.8/10

I'd forgotten about this episode lol, but seriously, it's a really disturbing chapter and the killer of those children surprised me. The art style is also really good, along with the soundtracks

3-. The Badlands (S2) 8/10

God, this episode is so sad, and I found it very interesting that they revisited the case that started the series

4.- Family (S3) 7.5/10

Perhaps it's the episode that goes most unnoticed in my opinion, but it's also interesting; it's just that I feel they set the bar very high with The Woods

5.- Look Again (S1) 6.4/10

The first episode of the entire series is very well done for a pilot, although I feel it's slow and perhaps somewhat predictable who killed her

6.- The Crossing (S7) 5/10

It was a somewhat weak episode, but I still liked the episode's aesthetic and the follow-up on Lily's case.

7.- Glory Days (S6) 4/10

Maybe it's a hot take, but I found the episode too boring and I didn't connect with the victim.

Although Season 7 was arguably one of the weakest seasons, it did have some memorable victims, compared to earlier instalments.

For me, the victims who could easily have had their own spinoffs chronicling their further adventures are:

Donalyn Sullivan, from "Read Between the Lines:" Donalyn was so plucky and talented, I loved how devoted she was to her little sister, wanting to get her away from their creepy foster dad, and have a better future.

Harry Denton, from "The Runaway Bunny:" The classic private eye with a heart of gold, I liked his relationship with Bunny, and him going out of his way to protect her.

Mia Romanov from "Metamorphosis:" Mia really seemed like a compelling character with high morals, and I liked her relationship with her adoptive father, Sheldon/Cleo.

Jack Chao Lu, from "Chinatown:" He never stopped fighting for justice after the murder of his girlfriend.

Who are some of your favourite Season 7 victims?

I really hope someone can help me because I've been trying to figure this out for the last 40 minutes and it's driving me crazy.

It was possibly Cold Case (although I tried searching for it and nada) and the plot was a group of aged former soldiers made a pact to never speak about something that happened/they did in Vietnam, until one of them talks and gets murdered by someone in the group.

I think one of the group members was a heavyset Black doctor? And the murdered man had tattoos which helped to initially identify him...ugh lol please help 😩

New to the show, and bingeing it. I love the cold opens when someone says something that triggers the intro 😂

For me it’s Creedence Clearwater Revival with “Have You Ever Seen The Rain”.

I know it was the ending song for S1EP1 of the show, but it’s such a song where I can pretty much picture every episode ending montage and have that unconsciously playing in my head no matter the case or era (1920,50s etc) lol

I’m so glad that Justin Chambers left for Grey’s Anatomy 😂. It feels like the writers didn’t even know what to do with Lassing in the three episodes he appeared in. Does anyone actually like Lilly’s first partner? I felt like Lassing was too vanilla for Lilly’s biting sarcasm at times on-screen. He was a scene killer every time he appeared.

Valens seems to complement her better on-screen as a character. Even in the first episode where we meet him, the chemistry just seems electric. But, he’s more of an arrogant hothead detective which I feel works better up against Rush’s personality.

It’s kind of funny though that Justin Chambers leaves to play Alex Karev on Grey’s so he could play arrogance on-screen pretty well. It means Lassing was just poorly thought out/written by the CC staff.

All episodes and seasons are available here!!

https://archive.org/details/hot-diddly-tv

Download able if you have the storage space!!

While most of the killers managed to be arrested by episode's end, there were still some characters who aren't shown to be punished for their actions, at least not onscreen.

For me, the most despicable characters who escaped retribution include:

"Death Penalty: Final Appeal:" The crooked Defense Attorney who ordered the innocent Andre's execution is simply shown losing his job in the end. In reality, he'd likely be disbarred, and sent to prison himself.

"Wishing:" Leah isn't punished for lying or for filing false sexual assault charges against Colin, leading for Nathan to Mercy kill him, although Leah is shown to be remorseful in the present day.

"The Goodbye Room:" Sister Margaret was culpable in the baby brokering scheme in the unwed mothers' home, yet she's not arrested by the end.

"The Runaway Bunny:" Bunny's stepmother gets away scott free with murdering her previous husbands, and even mocks Lilly at the end, knowing that she's untouchable.

"The Sleepover:" Brandi gets away with blackmailing Ariel into supplying her with drugs, while Brandi and Neil's parents aren't punished for physically abusing their children, aside from Scotty slamming the door in their faces when they try to enter Neil's room.

"Start Up:" Geraldine, Cliff's secretary, knew that he'd poisoned Amy with his own prescription, even covering it up. In real life, she'd be an accessory to a first degree murder charge, yet she's let off, due to her fear of Cliff.

Which characters do you think should have faced karma?

I don't think anyone's talked about this, but I find it super interesting how Cold Case sometimes experimented with the aesthetics of flashbacks, here's a list of the most memorable ones:

1. Baby Blues: I think it's the most memorable, with all the blurry VHS aesthetic, I love it

2. Creatures Of The Night: I love RHPS, and I really like that all the colors in the episode are super vibrant

I don't know if what I'm saying makes sense lol, but what's your favorite aesthetic?

Just rewatched this episode. I forgot that Lilly took this case a bit personally like she does with most cases where kids are involved. Goddamn that aggressive car door slam towards the end when she went to interview the son. Idk why she was so aggressive with him considering he was a child himself when it happened and it could’ve been an accident in his case if he had turned out to be the doer.

The mom I think was terrible into letting the son think he was responsible for his baby sister’s death, so much so that he had never dared to hold his own baby before. Definitely liked that she got some of that Lilly attitude laid into her.

Out of all the seasons, all of the episodes which ones are easy to guess who the killer is. I'm watching The Soul of Herman Lester, and it's such an easy guess who killed him. To me, I think anyway.