PLAYING CARDS WITH COYOTE

When I first heard the title of this episode I immediately thought of Wiley Coyote with Simon's face. I think I was wrong. In traditional Aboriginal lore, the coyote is often portrayed as a trickster, which does not describe Simon at all. Simon may be the most intelligent man on earth, but he's too self confident in his abilities to talk himself out of trouble using intellectual mambo jumbo to resort to tricking people. In contemporary lore, the coyote is often portrayed as inventive and evasive as well. I believe the coyote they were referring to was Lloyd Simcoe. From previous experience playing poker with Simon, he knew the odds were stacked against him, but he also learned that in order to win he would need and ace up the sleeve. Literally and figuratively, Lloyd took steps to ensure he would come away the winner. There is no shame is changing the game, right?

Mark and Olivia were also taking steps to change their futures. They've renewed their, er, intimate relationship and are being as honest as possible with each other. Olivia tossed away the slinky undies Mark had bought for her, dismayed and disgusted since that's what she was wearing in her flash. Mark too, took steps to change what he saw by drawing out the 3Star Guy and, oh yes he did, he killed him. But as we saw there's three to take that one 3Star Guy's spot.

Tracy woke up with a recurring nightmare. One she's had for two years. She explained to her father why she didn't return home immediately (nice of them to take care of her, get her prosthetic leg and teach her how to walk again). She saw an entire village population of women, children and really old people being wiped out. After she'd informed her commanding officer, she and the other soldiers were sent into a trap. She only left Afghanistan because she was worried the Jericho mercenaries would go after Kamir Dijon and the IEC, to get to her. No one must know that she is alive. Ooops, Mark knows and I'm sure Olivia will soon too.
Jericho are military contractors. A polite way of saying mercenaries. Basically they do the dirty work no one wants to be associated with and demand much money for it. At least, that's my take on it. The Jericho, as we learned, identify themselves with three stars tattooed onto their left forearm. I have a feeling that Jericho are deeply entrenched in not just the government, but also whatever the symposium of scientists (read Simon, Lloyd, Gordon Myhill , Elizabeth Rhee, Phillipe Tarhan and Gabe Clayson) are into. By the way, who thinks the man who took the case of rings and shot the lead Jericho dude is either Gordon Myhill or D. Gibbons?
Speaking of the rings, it is beginning to look as if those people who did not pass out during the GBO were wearing one. See the above close up (I'm getting good at the screenshots, aren't I?). The symbol looks as if it's the Greek symbol for Alpha. In electronics the Alpha is the symbol for "transistor." Also, when combined with H (H-alpha) it is an "emission" line created by hydrogen atoms. The large man mentioned that there was one ring missing. Who wants to bet that Suspect Zero still has his?

Janice tried to resign so she could take sometime to re-evaluate where her life is going and what she wants for her future. Unfortunately Stan refused to accept her resignation, which is good because Janice has a great eye for detail and Mark is going to need her. Not to mention the obvious fact that they are so short handed it's almost funny. Quickly she is put back into action protecting Ingrid Alvarez, who witnessed the 3Star Guys killing Neil Parofsky (an aeronautical engineer) in the alley behind her bird shop. I would never have had the presence of mind to use my cell phone to record it (I admit to being more likely to wetting my pants and running away in a cowardly attempt to preserve my life.)

The FBI realizes they have a mole. Interesting how D. Gibbons knew they were coming to Utah. The coordinated attack on the LA Field agents. They take advantage of the fact that 3Star Dudes killed the wrong witness and use Ingrid Alvarez as bait. Unfortunately, Mark kills the man before he can kill either Dimitri or Mark. Another unfortunate thought? Dead men can't spill the beans, and they are back to square one.

I have an idea who the mole in the office is, but I'm going to keep my big mouth shut for a bit. It can be one of two people from what I can tell, and right now both are very suspect in my eyes.

Take a look the picture above. It's the notice that Nichole took off the cork board at the hospital. I can't read it, but I have a feeling this is how she ends up being drowned on April 29th.

DID YOU NOTICE?

The e-mail addresses all ended with @nlap.us.com? What is nlap?

Dylan instantly became silent, almost defiant, when Simon walked into the hospital room. I don't think the kid likes him very much.

I read somewhere that Dominic Monahan bases his characters after the traits of animals and that Simon is modeled after the behaviour of a preying mantis. If you get a chance to watch it again, keep you eye on Simon when he is confronting Lloyd at the hospital and after the poker game.

Aaron's vision appears to be coming true, so he now believes that what he saw MUST happen.

Olivia believes that what she saw must NOT happen.

Mark, is conflicted because he saw his life in danger and doesn't WANT it to happen, but isn't sure if he can believe that events can be changed.

Even brilliant surgeons with great legs need to fold the laundry.

Nichole is standing on the lookout over a cliff and just down the coast a little ways is the hotel where Olivia and Mark are holed up.

The opening song is titled Unthought Known by Pearl Jam.

QUESTIONS:

How did Dimitri find Celia in order to send her the letter and why didn't he deliver it himself?

Who is taking care of Charlie?

How many people have slapped Simon for being so arrogantly, rub-it-in-your-face smug in his extreme intellect?

Is Lloyd almost as smart as Simon?

Where do Lloyd and Simon work?

Who were the two men sitting at the poker table with Lloyd and Simon? They had to be someone they knew and trusted since they were talking about going public and all.

Did Mark purposely kill the 3Star Tattooed guy and does he really think he has leveled the playing field and changed his future?

Who is the mole in the FBI office?

QUOTABLE QUOTES

"If Al's death proved anything, it's that our choices matter now more than ever"

"I've had to check myself into the hospital to have my bruised ego x-rayed."

"You want to wager the fate of millions of people on the outcome of a poker game?"

"Twenty million deaths on our shoulders......If that doesn't qualify us for Godhood, then tell me what does"

And, my favourite...

"Am I keeping you awake, Cupcake?"

Just a quick explanation. Both Simon and Lloyd used some very big words and phrases in this episode (they think they're so smart). Quantum Suicide is explained here. I have a general idea of what it is, but I need a bit of time to get it into my own words.

QED = quod erat demonstradum. Literally it means "which has been demonstrated". Simon arrogantly believed that since he had won all the previously played hands he would win the next hand. Unfortunately he didn't factor Lloyd's "ace up the sleeve" play into his calculations.

I admit that I am so not liking Dom's new character. But I am loving to hate him.

Next week is 1.09 Believe.