What also struck me was how lush both Kowalskis' apartments were furnished and decorated. They bespoke a past utterly dissimilar from Fraser's sparse style, a life that the mountie never knew nor would ever have. This isolated niche (as apart from all the wild chases, the action and the cases out on the streets), in which we get a look at Stanley Kowalski's past and the memories he treasures, emphasizes his pain in a very clear, very poignant way.
I also don't understand how Stella could act so acridly towards Stan in GFTS. Unless there is deep psychology behind all this.
All in all, I like seasons 3 and 4 better than the previous ones. I mean, they were good raw stuff and heart-warming to watch, but I watched four episodes from the last two seasons in a row and couldn't get enough of them!
Hat (if I'd be wearing one) off to Paul Gross.
Ray Kowalski is jealous of Councilman Orsini who is dating Ray's ex-wife, Stella. He and Fraser are assigned to protect Councilman Orsini when they foil an attempt to kill Councilman Orsini. Callum Keith Rennie, as Ray Kowalski loses his temper, runs around angry, looks heartbroken, is rude to Fraser, tries his best to still win his ex-wife's heart. Callum Keith Rennie is very watchable in this episode. One can really see how he's feeling, he looks very vulnerable, his emotions very much on the surface. I believe alot of people can relate to his plight. Stella is rather mean to him because he is trying to put an end to her romance with Orsini, but not completely. One can tell that no matter how angry she is at Ray, she still cares for him. She just doesn't want to have a relationship with him any more. It's all very sad and it feels very real.
The moments I like in this episode was when Ray and Stella were dancing on the ship. He closes his eyes and suddenly they are dancing all by themselves on the deck of the ship. The fantasy fades as Orsini politely interrupts saying that the music is over. Another moment was the ending where Ray is alone in his dark apartment and starts dancing by himself with this lovely music playing in the background. The way this scene was filmed poignantly portrays Ray's longing for Stella and the futility of it all. It's very rare that one sees something like that in a "Due South" episode. The only "Due South" episode that shows some fancy camera work that really adds to the emotional quality in an episode is in the magnificent "Victoria's Secret".
On the lighter side, Fraser has found that his ghost father has moved into his closet at the consulate! Fraser keeps on hearing noises like chainsaws and hammers in his little room at the consulate and he is perturbed! Funny scene was when Inspector Thatcher and this doctor were trying to do a psychological analysis on Fraser and Fraser's eyes keep moving around when he hears the noises that no one else in the room can hear. The puzzled look on Thatcher's face was really funny. There was that great scene where Fraser finds his father has set up his own cabin in Fraser's closet. Fraser is trying to talk to his Dad about how to help a friend out who has women problems. Fraser Sr. talks up a storm but yet can't answer Fraser properly. "Thanks alot, Dad" says Fraser oh-so-sarcastically. Inspector Thatcher hears Fraser talking in the closet and opens the door. Fraser has the look of a deer caught in the headlights. Inspector Thatcher just looks disgusted. I think whatever romantic thoughts she ever had for Fraser died right there! Paul Gross and Camilla Scott have such a wonderful comic touch and their chemistry together is undeniable!
It's a very good episode with a great plot twist that I never saw coming. I like the way how they portrayed Ray's doggedness and his little craziness and I like the way how Fraser is very supportive and protective of Ray.
All in all, this episode really had everything. It had a good story that kept one interested, a good semi-tragic romance and great quirky "DS" moments.
There was one very interesting scene in this episode. The first morning when Frazer and Stanley show up for their body guard duty, they notice that Stella has apparently spent the night. This drives poor Stan nuts and he hangs his head on the steering wheel and sighs. The alderman comes over to the car and waves a copy of a newspaper which describes the previous nights events. As the alderman walks by Benton's car door, Frazer opens the door and hits the alderman firmly in the leg. Stan thanks Frazer and Frazer tells Stan to keep quite. The scene fades with Stan surpressing an evil grin.
I found this action to be somewhat out of character for Frazer, I can not think of another time when Frazer carelessly hurt another human being. So was this an accident or did Frazer let Stan's grief get the better of him. We may never know. But I loved that he did it and I really love that he may have done it on purpose.