Asylum
Season 3
Episode 149
Original broadcast information:
· Canada: November 16, 1997
· United States: Week of November 10-16, 1997Written by Paul Quarrington
Directed by George Bloomfield
Significant Guest Stars: Dean McDermott (Constable Turnbull), Wayne Robson (Damon Cahill), John Evans (Gus Fillion), Kurt Reis (Eddy Herndorff), Joe Pingue (Sandor), Scott Wickware (Brian Kilrea), Jennifer Dean (Officer Tibbet), Ravinder Toor (Andreas Volpe), Catherine Swing (Shelley Byron)
Featured music: Boring Days, performed by Race
Official Synopsis:
When Kowalski is framed for the murder of a gang boss, Fraser arrests him in order to provide asylum at the Canadian consulate until Fraser can track down the real killer.
Unofficial review:
When I found out Asylum was the first episode shot with Callum Keith Rennie as the new Ray, I began to regard it from a different point of view. It's not just another episode in the middle of season 3, but the first time CKR and Paul Gross worked together, and the introduction of CKR to the dueSouth set.
Given this, CKR does an astounding job in this episode. He slips into the role of Ray Kowalski effortlessly; he and Paul Gross have excellent chemistry, and none of the awkwardness one would expect from two actors working together for the first time. However, part of me wishes Asylum had been shot later. CKR seems to be on his best behavior - he didn't seem to ad lib any lines, and he doesn't seem to be at the point where he can make Paul Gross laugh just by looking at him. The characters have excellent chemistry, but PG and CKR seem to later develop a spark, or nuance, that isn't yet present in Asylum.
But of course, I'm being far too picky. Asylum is a feast for F/K slash writers. It focuses on character development and the deepening Fraser/Kowalski relationship; sometimes to the detriment of the plot, but that can be easily forgiven. To it's credit, DueSouth has always used plot as a vehicle for character development instead of the central focus.
The episode starts out with one of those developments. Thatcher is giving last minute instructions to Fraser before she leaves for the spa when Ray calls. Fraser apparently doesn't want Thatcher to know Ray's on the other line, and pretends it's a man calling for information about Canada. I love their conversation - Ray and Fraser remind me of a couple of kids, waiting for the parents to leave, speaking in code so no one will know what they're up to. And Fraser even shares some dry humor with Ray, going along with Ray's question about the Ice Queen by answering, "It can be a cold climate."
The conversation also leaves a lot of room to speculate about exactly why Ray was calling Fraser. Did they have a standing date to meet every night? Did they have a specific date that night? How exactly did Ray know he'd be gone that long? It was still daylight out - the shadows were long, but it still seemed several hours before it could be considered night. Or maybe Ray was just being considerate, not wanting to keep Fraser waiting for him in case he was gone too long.
The phone call is interrupted by Volpe, who comes around the corner of the alley oozing attitude. Volpe gets what? one minute of screen time? It's a damn shame - the man deserved more, not only for himself, but for the effect he has on Ray. Ray looked hot hard, and oozed enough attitude to match Volpe's, ounce for ounce.
The patdown scene is, simply, scorching. Volpe's eyes linger on Ray's groin when he's down on his knees, presumably looking for a wire. Ray smiles after Volpe grabs his balls. Ray asks to return the favor - lordy, did he get down on his knees fast or what? Even the dialog afterwards, when Volpe asks, "Are you satisfied?" and Ray replied "I'm never satisfied," is loaded with attitude and innuendo. Here, CKR seems to be playing Ray as completely gay, and I happily buy into it for the duration.
There is more to this scene, however, than just a pulse-quickening glimpse at stud!Ray and a slash fantasy accelerant. We get to see the cocky, streetsmart cop who we can believe earned those citations Fraser recited in Eclipse. We know that Ray is a good, competent cop before this scene, but the Volpe patdown really brings that to life with thumping music to set the mood.
Ray and Volpe quickly figure out they've been set up, but not before Volpe is shot and Ray is knocked unconscious. The shooter swaps his gun for Ray's and runs off. Ray awakens to find an extremely high-strung, almost psychotic Officer Tibbet, screaming and pointing a gun at him.
Ray evades Tibbet and runs straight to the Canadian consulate, where bursts through the doors and throws himself onto his knees screaming "Fraser!" It is - breathtaking; for Ray, for the viewers, and in all probability for Fraser as well. (Side note - I'm of the belief that Fraser begins to fall in love with Ray from the first moment, is truly in love by Strange Bedfellows, and had the nerve to declared his love in Seeing is Believing. IMO, he certainly loves Ray by this episode.)
Ray's actions are even more meaningful when we later learn he does not realize he'll receive asylum at the consulate. He runs to Fraser out of pure instinct.
Another testament to Ray's trust in Fraser is shown in the next scene. As Fraser is tending to his wounds with a homemade salve, Ray recounts the story, telling Fraser he has doubts about what happened, and that he might have killed Volpe himself. That shows an incredible amount of integrity - a lesser man would have denied the possibility both to himself and to Fraser.
Fraser does take advantage of Ray's predicament, and with a glance at the picture of the Canadian flag, he reads Ray his rights and slaps handcuffs on him. I have to wonder what was going through Fraser's head as he was arresting Ray. Was Fraser experiencing a bit of glee at the thought of Ray being a captive on his home turf? I certainly like to think so.
The next few scenes give us information about some of the guest characters, and introduces some plot points. We learn Damon Cahill is a serious asshole on many levels, and is out to get Vecchio one way or another. We learn Ray is covered in blowback from being on the shooting range that morning, and is unable to prove he didn't fire a weapon. We also learn the consulate toilet - apparently, the *only* toilet in the consulate - isn't working.
Huey and Dewey go to the consulate to arrest Ray - I find it interesting that they know where Ray is, and seem pretty sure he's with Fraser. Where else would he be? They learn that they can't arrest Ray while Ray is on the consulate grounds, and Ray finds out he's a prisoner, expected to watch curling and drink tea with Turnbull while Fraser does some legwork. For the volatile and energetic Ray, sitting back while Fraser leaps into action, it's going to be tough to take.
The next few scenes show Fraser checking on evidence at the scene of the crime, and picking up Ray's secret files at the precinct. He openly declares, to Kilrea, Welsh, and Frannie, that Ray Vecchio did not shoot Volpe. It's been speculated that the real reason Fraser is doing all this is to make sure Ray Vecchio's name remains unsullied, but I don't get that from this episode at all. Fraser seems to be interested in helping his friend and partner, Ray Kowalski, avoid going to jail for a crime he didn't commit.
The next scene is the Fraser stripdown. Fraser shows up from the precinct, declares he's not empty-trousered, and proceeds to strip down - first goes the Sam Brown, then the Serge, then, in a dramatic sweep of the arms, the suspenders and the trousers. Fraser seems to be showing off to Ray a bit here - he could have easily excused himself and stripped down in private, or gotten the files out of his pants in less dramatic fashion.
His eyes remained fixed on Ray's face all the time; he wants to see Ray's reaction to his show. Ray doesn't flinch at all, and, in fact, seems to stare at Fraser's groin level. Men simply do not look at other me - there. It's normally a serious breach of etiquette, and for Ray to do that implies a high level of intimate comfort. (Turnbull, funnily enough, became bored and quickly turned back to the curling game on TV.)
A bit later, a fully-dressed Fraser is looking over the information with Ray when Welsh and Cahill show up at the consulate. Cahill's attempt to get Fraser to turn Ray over to him by insinuating that he suspects Ray of corruption completely backfires... Fraser simply will not believe Ray is capable of the crime.
Right after Cahill's visit, though, Fraser seems to have some doubts about where his duty lies. He visits his father, who tells him his duty lies with his heart. Fraser accepts this and leaves the closet, prepared to do what he needs to do to help Ray. This scene isn't very long, and it's not played up or OTT, but I believe it's one of the most significant in the episode.
Bob Fraser is once again playing the matchmaker between Benton and Ray. So often Bob Fraser's advice is contradictory or useless, but in this case it's clear and decisive. Also significant is his choice of words - he doesn't say Benton's duty is to his friendship or his partnership, but to his heart. Benton understands that perfectly.
Also, it might seem that Benton is struggling with his decision to be deceptive in order to help Ray. Compared to other times when he has to make this decision, however, it seems rather easy for him. He experiences far more angst when stealing a box of Milk Duds to help the imprisoned Ray Vecchio, in Witness (season 2). He fears lightning is going to strike him when he uses unusual tactics to delay proceedings later in the season in Dead Guy Running. And he's a physical and mental mess when he chooses to bluff Lady Shoes in Odds.
If you believe Bob Fraser is really a ghost, then this is a matter of Benton checking with someone else before he does what he really wants to do. If you subscribe to the notion that Bob Fraser is Benton Fraser's superego, then Benton is simply running a quick check to make sure his priorities aren't in opposition to his morals. Either way, Benton Fraser's choice is clear, and he proceeds to help Ray with few qualms.
It's also a sign that Fraser *is* checking his conscious, which is something he didn't do when he was with Victoria. He's fully cognizant of what he's doing when he's helping Ray.
Fraser leaves the consulate again to gather information, and Ray decides he can no longer wait around in the consulate. He devises a plan - borrowing Turnbull's Mountie uniform so he can sneak past Huey and Dewey, who are waiting for him outside the consulate. This not only shows that Ray is clever, but that he understands Turnbull well enough to know he'd rather let Ray borrow a Mountie uniform than pee in the sink, and knows Huey and Dewey well enough to realize they won't recognize him while he's sneaking past.
Ray as a Mountie is adorable! He immediately gets captured by Herndorff, which is only slightly off his original plan, and is dragged into a garage and tied up next to Fraser. Fraser, totally unphased by either Ray's presence or the fact he's dressed as a Mountie, actually compliments Ray on the fit of the uniform. I love their mini-conversation about the uniform; it's a bit like the discussion about the eagle feather in Eclipse, or Goedel's theorem in MotB - the world is falling apart around them, and they just talk to each other, as if nothing is more important.
This scene also brings out more of Ray's quirky personality. It was amusing when Ray goes into the "hound you beyond your grave" routine - as if wearing the uniform gives him the same mental attitude as the other crazed Mounties we meet in dueSouth. We also have Ray's reaction to going to jail - he's afraid of the "food, the conversation, the sexual hijinks." And more of him not being very good at waiting.
Ray's energy, his need to be *doing something*, really manifests itself in times of crisis, the more imminent the trouble, the more pumped for action Ray gets. Even the approaching cruisers don't dampen Ray's relief and pleasure when the wolf spit slobbered over his face that announces Dief's arrival. An odd time to pause, however briefly, to revel in affection, but it seems so fitting. It seems so - Ray.
Dief fetches a knife and frees Fraser and Ray, and they hide by hanging on the ceiling rafters. Fraser offers encouragement by telling another story about himself - not an Inuit story, or a legend, but something personal. And after Kilrea leaves, Fraser's simple "I knew you could do it," is touching and tender. It never fails to amaze me how much emotion Paul Gross can put into a single line.
During the Welsh visit, we have further plot development, we see Welsh
surprised at Fraser's sparse accommodations, but best of all, we get to see Ray wear Fraser's clothes. We also see, for a brief moment, Dief, in Fraser's office, playing with something that looks like socks or underwear. This brief scene has much slashy potential. Why does Fraser, who could write a book on manners, not let Lt. Welsh in right away when he comes to the door? Is he giving Ray time to get dressed? Is Ray wearing Fraser's clothes because he's cold, because he likes the smell, or because it turns Fraser's crank to see Ray wear them? Why is there underwear or socks on Fraser's normally immaculate floor?
Also worth noting is what Ray tells Welsh - or doesn't tell Welsh - in this meeting. Even though Welsh says he believes Ray did not shoot Volpe, and seems to be supporting Ray as much as he can, Ray does not share his doubts about the shooting with Welsh. Instead he denies it without reservation. It's definitely Fraser, and only Fraser, that he trusts completely.
Um, I'm fast-forwarding through another scene with Sandor, and the OTT scene in the boxing ring with Officer Tibbet, because we find out later little of this was relevant to the plot resolution, barring speculation. to where Ray tries to escape the consulate.
The pivotal scene where Fraser stops Ray from leaving the consulate reveals the depth of trust between them. Ray, who is feeling tired and hopeless, (and probably has to use the bathroom), once again trusts Fraser enough to tell him, in an emotional and heartfelt speech, that he doesn't know if he shot Volpe or not. Fraser responds with understanding and love, telling Ray he has absolute trust in him because he's Fraser's partner and friend.
I'm not really sure if Ray believes there's a chance he shot Volpe, or if he's somehow testing his relationship with Fraser. He has to hear that Fraser trusts him, believes in him - he wants Fraser to tell him everything is going to be all right. If it's a test, Fraser passes; he trusts and reassures Ray.
Unfortunately, we never find out if Fraser tells Ray what his plan is. My guess is that Fraser did not, which would contribute to the issues regarding trust brought up later in Mountie on the Bounty. Another interesting note is that both Fraser and Dief walk away before Ray indicates he's going to stay, another indication that Fraser and Dief really *do* know Ray, very well.
The next morning, the extradition team - which looks more like an invasion force or a swat team - shows up at the consulate. Fraser, at his best on his home turf, immediately takes control of the situation. He confiscates weapons, and gathers the police, the suspects, and the press in a room, where he starts talking about the case in the ala Sherlock Holmes or Hercule Poirot.
What's most interesting about this scene is that Fraser lies - he out and out lies, in front of police, in front of cameras, and in front of Ray and Turnbull. And he doesn't seem to get emotionally distraught over it. I realize I mentioned this before, but the more I compare his behavior in Asylum with his behavior in other episodes, the more I realize that Ray Kowalski is on a completely different level than anyone else in Fraser's life, and the more I come to believe that given the right circumstances, Fraser would do just about anything for Ray, and that Fraser feels morally and ethically safe about it, trusting in Ray as he does.
Things aren't really tied up in the extradition scene. Too many loose ends are left dangling, and we realize that much of what we had thought was relevant to the plot, was actually unnecessary filler for the episode. Much of the time used for the Fraser/Fillion scene turns out to have been wasted, it seems, as was the boxing scene with Officer Tibbet. And there was no closure to the connections between Kilrea, Tibbet, and Cahill; and it is never made clear what Cahill's connections to Fillion and Herndorff were. Given the air time dedicated to these players, some clarification at the resolution should have been made. A few sentences of dialogue at the final consulate scene would have done the trick.
All in all, though, the concentration on the relationship between Fraser and Ray really makes up for the weakness of the plot resolution. The episode is just so rich in F/K moments it and takes a long look at the issues of trust between them. It's interesting that the level of trust in this episode is so deep, and to know that it won't be long before issues of trust come up again in Mountie on the Bounty.
Odds and Ends:
The shooter swaps guns with Ray, putting the murder weapon in Ray's hand, taking Ray's gun with him. This seems to be ignored later on.
Fraser reads Ray his rights American style.
The evidence Fraser finds at the crime scene is never mentioned again. I also find it strange that it hadn't been previously cleaned up by Kilrea.
There is, apparently, only one toilet in the consulate. If there were another place to go, Ray would never have convinced Turnbull to let him leave the consulate. Someone suggested that the problem could have been with the main line, not just the particular toilet - but that still leaves me wondering how everyone in the consulate held it for so long.
Ray keeps his secret files in a book called Canadian Impressionism. Is he developing an affinity for all things Canadian, or is it significant that the book is hollowed out?
Fillion mentioned he hated painting clowns, which is a reference to John Wayne Gacy, who painted clowns as a hobby.
Ray was born 3 weeks premature.
Fraser was born in a barn.
Even though Ray complains about the curling and almost gets into a fight with Turnbull over it, he later talks about a "bonspiel", which shows he was paying attention. He's open-minded and quick to learn.
I found Cahill's rant about beating the snot out of Haiti, et al, a bit over the top. True, it was supposed to show he was belligerent and unthinking, threatening Fraser with force when he should have followed the law, but I found it to be an overly indulgent swipe at America.
I also found Officer Tibbet's character a little over the top. I understand it was supposed to show she was uptight; perhaps hand-picked by the bad guys because there was a good chance she'd shoot and kill Ray, making the frame job easier. But her personality was clearly established in the teaser. The boxing scene was unnecessarily long and tiring, and took away from time we could have spent with Ray and Fraser.
The scenes where Ray tried to make Thatcher moan - on the phone, and later, on the street - were mildly amusing, but unnecessary. I wonder if they were trying to offset some of the homoeroticism of the episode by inserting a bit of het.
I really enjoyed the brilliantly absurd conversations between Huey and Dewey. They're funny and realistic, and another reason I love seasons 3 / 4.
The scene where Cahill takes Thatcher is worth mentioning, too. It was nice seeing Thatcher take care of herself and Cahill; I like when women are portrayed as competent and strong. A heck of a lot better than her moaning over the phone. I also enjoyed watching Fraser compliment her. If he had read the lines with any emotion, it could have been interpreted as attraction or romantic. Instead, it sounds as though he's reading from a book entitled, "How to Flatter Your Superior Officer so Your Butt Doesn't End up in a Sling." It contrasts the very emotional way he reads his lines with Ray - even the simple "I knew you could do it," is more touching than anything he says to Thatcher.
Quotes:
I don't think there are any instances where CKR ad libbed his lines. Although he did an amazing job fitting into the role of Ray Kowalski, he was probably on his best behavior for Asylum since this was the first episode he filmed. There are a few interesting quotes, though:
Ray: So the Ice Queen is still there?
Fraser: Yes, sir, it can be a cold climate.
Fraser (to Kilrea): No, I'm in the closet for an altogether different
reason.
Ray: Hey, you're empty handed!
Fraser: But I am not empty trousered!
Bob Fraser: Your heart is where your duty lies, son. Your head is just along to help with the driving.
Ray: I'm not going to jail. . . the food. . . the conversation. . . sexual hijinks. I can't handle it.
Fraser (to Officer Tibbet): Well, you're a switch hitter. My mistake.
Droolworthy moments:
Ray is adorably fuckable throughout this entire episode. He's hot when he's oozing attitude, and he's irresistible when he's vulnerable.
Still, I give the Fraser stripdown top honors in the droolworthy category, even though Paul Gross manages, somehow, to keep his tongue in his mouth.
The Volpe patdown scene follows closely - both Ray and Volpe are almost
unbearably hot in the teaser.
Ray in the Mountie uniform is pretty cool too - as is Turnbull in his underwear, for all the Turnbull fans out there.
Slashiness factor:
Oh, they are sooooo doing it!
Well, ok; I really believe they didn't get together until during or after Call of the Wild. Still, I rate this episode a 9.5 on the slashiness scale. I'd give it a 10, but we need a little room at the top for Mountie on the Bounty.
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