Valentine's Day
Directed By: Clark Johnson
Written By: Tom Fontana
Munch gets the case of the suicide of a college student, but Brodie thinks Alan Schack (Neil Patrick Harris), a drug dealer and mutual acquaintance, might have goaded the other student into killing himself. Bayliss and Kellerman investigate two bombings of two separate people that turn out to have a connection to the murder of the Korean store owner Kellerman and Lewis had investigated. Pembleton reluctantly accompanies Mary to marriage counseling.
This episode contains examples of:
- Call-Back:
- Dr. Cox frets about having to check the spelling on her father's tombstone.
- Mary brings up how Pembleton stopped believing in God.
- A Day in the Limelight: Brodie gets to shine in this episode.
- Dramatic Irony: Lewis and Dr. Cox talk while waiting outside of Judge Andahl's office, unaware a bomb is sitting in the office getting ready to go off that could kill both of them.
- Dude, Where's My Respect?: Brodie feels this way when Munch won't give him respect even after he helped Munch solve the case. Giardello points out Brodie has to earn that respect.
- Gallows Humor: As Bayliss and Kellerman investigate the crime scene of the first body, and an officer states they found an ear:Bayliss: Friends, Romans, countrymen.
Kellerman: Ear today, gone tomorrow.
Dr. Cox: You guys are sick.note - Good-Times Montage: A series of scenes near the end of loved ones getting together on Valentine's Day, including Lewis and Barbara.
- It's Personal: Ben, the son of the Korean shop owner killed, has been delivering bombs to those he holds responsible not just for his father's death, but also for the murderer's acquittal. Kellerman points out he should have gone after Luther Mahoney, and Ben says he was saving Mahoney for last.
- Pride: Mary brings up how Pembleton's pride is getting in the way of their marriage.
- Russian Roulette: Schack ended up killing the student by playing Russian Roulette with him. Munch is skeptical because there were five bullets in the gun, but Schack admits he set it up that way.
- Screw This, I'm Outta Here: After Pembleton is late to Olivia's baptism, Mary decides that's the last straw, and says she's going to her mother's.
- Waxing Lyrical: When Giardello talks to Pembleton about the strained relationship between him and Bayliss:Giardello: Whatever problems you two are having, just remember one thing; "all we are is dust in the wind."
Pembleton: I had no idea you were a Kansas fan, Gee.
