Jason on Lie to Me - "Beat the Devil"

[wpgrace]

I understand and agree, Lilly... I'm still bummed we never got the chance for Josef to show his scary vamp side, tho.
We saw Mick enraged as a vamp, which was cool, and we got hints of the "bad" stuff both boys did.
We also got clues about Josef's anger and his version of the "rules".

He would have been a truly frightening vamp... the very most charming, if capable of cruelty and anger and equipped with their own particular sense of moral outrage, always are the very most frightening. And Josef would've been like that. And Jason has at this point SO proven he coulda done that.

It woulda been a memorable scene.

[susieb]

susie, it's interesting that you mention him returning in another episode. As we were waiting all those weeks for this episode to air, my biggest wish (aside from June 7 coming sooner) was that his character wouldn't die. I was thinking that, innocent or guilty, if he didn't die they could always figure out a way to bring him back.

Do you think there are possibilities there for him to reprise this role? Maybe they study him in prison? Or he escapes?

Maybe I'm being too greedy, but I just want to see more of the dynamic between Martin and Lightman.


grace, I think the big difference between Josef and Martin, for me anyway, is that Josef is a vampire. I expect --and accept -- certain things from him. Even though Jason could have absolutely sold it, I just don't think I ever would have been as chilled to the bone with Josef letting lose as I was seeing this icy control from a human.

Lilly, I soooo agree with everything you said.

Admittedly, I was a goner from the first scene with Jason. Because I like him so much, I was prepared to like his character. And I did... I did. I know, it's twisted. But there it is. He was my personal definition of truly terrifying. The charm exuding from that adorable face as he said things like "I wanted her bike." The hair stood up on the back of my neck. I think it would be fabulous if Lightman, et al, studied him or in some way followed this case. The scenes between Jason and Roth were And I hope that TPTB at all the networks and all the shows are paying attention. Jason gives new meaning to "the bad guy."

Yup. Josef is a vampire. I could believe just about anything from a vampire. Not to mention Josef's manly bravado and extravert personality. Martin is human. A human coiled so tightly... whoa, mama!

[Lilly]

It woulda been a memorable scene.

It certainly would have. **sigh** You get no argument from me on that.


If anyone's wondering, "Beat the Devil" is up on iTunes.

[nutmegger911]

susie, it's interesting that you mention him returning in another episode. As we were waiting all those weeks for this episode to air, my biggest wish (aside from June 7 coming sooner) was that his character wouldn't die. I was thinking that, innocent or guilty, if he didn't die they could always figure out a way to bring him back.

Do you think there are possibilities there for him to reprise this role? Maybe they study him in prison? Or he escapes?

Maybe I'm being too greedy, but I just want to see more of the dynamic between Martin and Lightman.

This is one of the unfortunate side effects of so many crime dramas on television. Actors are generally either cast in a "starring" role (I'm including all the regular crew here) or "bad guy No. N". In order to keep folks' faith in the capabilities of the crime fighters (which is necessary to keep the show going) there aren't many opportunities to bring a guest star back. IMHO

[susieb]

This is one of the unfortunate side effects of so many crime dramas on television. Actors are generally either cast in a "starring" role (I'm including all the regular crew here) or "bad guy No. N". In order to keep folks' faith in the capabilities of the crime fighters (which is necessary to keep the show going) there aren't many opportunities to bring a guest star back. IMHO

Nutmegger, I know... but Criminal Minds has done this more than once and, as a viewer, I loved it. And I'm certainly not saying I think it will happen (JD being brought back), but rather that I wish it would. (And I wonder if Tim Roth might wish it, too. )

[allegrita]

I agree with your last line, susieb. I bet Tim Roth relished the opportunity for his character to encounter someone so amazingly cold-blooded, so charming, and so (apparently) irredeemably eeeeeeeeeeeevil as Martin... and I'm sure he loved working with Jason, because he's professional and he works his @$$ off. And besides, he's really good at what he does--good actors must love working with other good actors...

I can't help but think this is going to be good for Jason's Hollywood buzz. If he's not nominated for an Emmy over this role, there's something seriously wrong with the world.

[Lilly]

I really hope you're right about the buzz, Alle. And that the right people are buzzing.

Sadly, I think this performance is way too nuanced and understated to garner Emmy attention for a guest appearance. I certainly hope it does make people sit up and take notice, but I'm afraid it isn't the kind of "over-the-top" role likely to be submitted. I sure would love to be proven wrong.

[eris]

Watching it online now!

[jmc]

I agree with your last line, susieb. I bet Tim Roth relished the opportunity for his character to encounter someone so amazingly cold-blooded, so charming, and so (apparently) irredeemably eeeeeeeeeeeevil as Martin... and I'm sure he loved working with Jason, because he's professional and he works his @$$ off. And besides, he's really good at what he does--good actors must love working with other good actors...

I can't help but think this is going to be good for Jason's Hollywood buzz. If he's not nominated for an Emmy over this role, there's something seriously wrong with the world.

One of the critics said something about 'why is this man not on my tv every week' and that is the big question.

What I really want to know is how he never seems to age. His face looks like untroubled youth and

Spoiler:

he looked so d*mned cheerful waterboarding the English guy.

That did make me think Bundy.

[Lilly]

And there does seem to be a common theme in the reviews...

In addition to Mo Ryan's comment yesterday:


Link: Today’s TV Addict Top 5: Reasons why you best be watching FOX between 8-10PM tonight

2. Jason Dohring

Not only does one of our favorite VERONICA MARS alum make a triumphant return to the small screen tonight, with a killer (pun intended) guest gig on tonight’s LIE TO ME, the artist formerly known as Logan Echolls is so rockin’ in the role you’ll walk away asking how the heck Dohring isn’t headlinging a series of his own.



Link: TVSquad: 'Lie To Me' - 'Beat the Devil' Recap (Mid-Season Premiere)

But I digress ... I loved seeing Jason Dohring of 'Veronica Mars' -- he needs to have a regular show again -- and it was cool watching Martin and Cal's creepy game of cat-and-mouse. Or maybe psychological chess.

[Lilly]

His face looks like untroubled youth and

Spoiler:

he looked so d*mned cheerful waterboarding the English guy.

That did make me think Bundy.

Spoiler:

"You ready to die?"

[allegrita]

[eris]

There's something about people who usually play comedic or laid back roles that make them exceptionally creepy villains. (And, in real life, that's why people like Bundy, Dahmer, Gacy, etc. were never considered dangerous.) Watching that switch flip is off-putting and unnerving.

Look at the roles played by people like Robin Williams and Jim Carrey when they went dark. Look at something like Dexter. There's nothing more terrifying than the guy who can compartmentalize his life to the point that killing is no different than taking out the trash. (What was that line of Gacy's about "A clown can get away with murder".)

And, for the record, JD made a great whacko.

[librarian_7]

EEEEK!

Now there's a young man who enjoys his work...or does that fall into the hobby classification? (And yes, I'm talking Martin...not Jason!)

Lucky

[francis]

Just watched it online. Jason was terrific as the evil wolf in sheeps clothing.

Spoiler:

When he attacked the woman in the office I jumped.
He got away with so much until he got busted.