Mountie and Soul

Season 3, Episode Number: 147

Original broadcast dates:

Written by R.B. Carney, directed by Steve DiMarco

Official synopsis
Kowalski is coaching in a boxing program for gang kids. When his protégé seriously injures another kid in the ring, Fraser and Kowalski begin an investigation that leads them into the seamier side of boxing.

Guest stars
FRANKO DEVLIN - Ron Canada
LEVON - Sharrieff Pugh
MORT - Jan Rubes
DESK SERGEANT - Lynne Deragon
MASON DIXON - Gene Mack
DERON MARTIN - Andrew McLean
JAMAL MARTIN - Chris Collins
DUVAL EDWARDS - Jeremy Kerr
ROLLIN' 22 - Omari Forrester

Music
SLAVE TO YOUR LOVE
Performed by: Dutch Robinson
Written by: Dutch Robinson and Saby Buccella
Published by: Long Way Home Music Publishing and Buccella Publishing CUBICALLY CONTAINED
Performed by: The Headstones
Written by: Hugh Dillon and Trent Carr
Published by: MCA Music Publishing, a division of Universal Studios, Inc. Courtesy of: Universal Music

(The above information taken from the official web site www.duesouth.com, what follows is purely unofficial <g>.)

Episode review

Right from the very start it is made very explicit that we are on Ray's territory here, in his world and he is the one who is the guide. His is the first voice we hear in the teaser. It is obvious that he is very much at home in this world and knows it. He is confident, cocky and very "up" and as the teaser goes on to show us knowledgeable, for an amateur, despite any lack of recent personal practice in the ring.

There is also a distinct contrast to the involvement of Ray Vecchio with the community. His antagonistic relationship with Zuko is what immediately comes to my mind. I don't think we ever see Ray Vecchio involved in a community program in the same way; even his positive interactions with the community seemed to be based works on favors and connections for the most part, but enough of him.

Ray Kowalski's own attitude and level of involvement are more similar to Fraser's own. In fact, Ray's opening explanation of the rules and customs of this world is a nice parallel to Fraser's Inuit tales, and of life in the North West Territories. Indeed Mr. Carney gives us a neat little verbal analogy in the "wildlife rescue program" comment from Fraser.

Fraser, of course, is not one to be led around by the nose but he is content to follow Ray for all his pushy, alpha dog banter. Both of them are obviously enjoying themselves enormously. They are sparking off each other and we get a very visible demonstration that these two men are friends as well as partners. The teaser is packed full of indicators of the state of their relationship and partnership, which are further developed in the episode itself.

The conversation between Fraser and Francesa about Dief, is a favorite of mine purely for Fraser's deadpan delivery. It also very neatly underlines just how unsuitable the two are for each other and is a good contrast to the relationship depicted between Ray and Fraser throughout the rest of the episode.

Ray and Francesa's banter is very brother, sisterly. They obviously have a close relationship despite the fact he is not really her brother. We learn that Ray is a good coach for a beginner and an amateur. His protégé, Levon, has won all his fights. I also very much like the fact that we also see Ray watching for trouble, constantly in cop mode despite the fact he is off duty. To borrow a phrase from the inimitable LaT, a grace note that reminds us just how good a cop Ray is.

Fraser is clearly fascinated by Ray's "moves" in the boxing ring, despite Ray's initial clumsiness. He nods his head when Ray says "he still has all the moves" and he is visibly distracted at the start of the conversation about Ray's boxing career. But then, of course, Ray's butt is bouncing off the ropes, practically in Fraser's face for most of that conversation. Neither Francesa nor Fraser step back but Francesa definitely looks uncomfortable and flinches instinctively. Fraser picks up Ray's rhythm and stays exactly where he is, eyes facing forward - even without slash colored glasses on - that is, to say the least, unusual. We learn that Ray gave up boxing when he married Stella. A small indicator perhaps of how unsuitable the two of them were for each other.

Levon’s opponent is Deron, a member of the rival gang, the Rollin’ 22s. Deron is trained by Franko Devlin, a man whom Ray obviously respects and idealizes and with good reason. Devlin has trained some of the best fighters but has never been able to keep them once they made it to the big time.

The smart, snippy dialogue is one of the many fine things about this episode, and the teaser contains one of the best examples of how to deal with why Fraser is in Chicago in the whole series.

The set up and knock down of
" . . .killers of his father . . . you don't want to know. Bare knuckle fighter."
"No Ray I only wrestle bears."
is just perfect.

That it is followed by the very sexy "mmph" sound from Ray after Devlin leaves them is just icing on the cake.

One of the things I find most appealing about Mountie and Soul is the technical skill on display, the camera work, the lighting, etc. It all provides an elegant skeleton for the fast paced, witty, and intelligent script. It is something that is worked in from the very beginning of the teaser.

The first long tracking shot overlaid with Ray's voice and the lighting of the scenes in the gym, for example. The use of shadow and light is very interesting in this episode. The lighting is very stark; there is a great deal of contrast between light and dark especially in the first half of the episode. That degree of contrast is not a common feature of color film; it suggests black and white film, which brings me neatly to the title of the episode. Knowing Due South's penchant for allusions to movies and borrowing plot lines from the classics I did a little digging around on the IMDB web site. And sure enough I came up with "Body and Soul" - a 1947 black and white movie directed by Robert Rossen. This film-noir boxing epic is supposedly the grandfather of all boxing movies; "Raging Bull" amongst others is said to owe a lot, in both plot and style, to "Body and Soul". While I haven't seen "Body and Soul" the obvious title similarity suggests that the cinematographic style of this episode, if nothing else, is a tribute to that movie. The only common plot element I could discover from the Internet Movie Database is the fact an amateur boxer wins a fight against a professional. In "Body and Soul" he is taken on by a corrupt promoter, and this is could be stretched, perhaps, to be a hint that Devlin is not all that he appears.

The lighting also reminds me of some of lighting effects you more commonly see on stage and is perhaps a visual reference to the dual gang aspect of the story line and to West Side Story.

The interaction between Welsh and Francesa is also, very relaxed and friendly, these are two people who like each other. Welsh’s presence at the boxing match itself is yet more evidence that not only do Ray and Welsh have a good relationship but as has been suggested previously, knew each other prior to Kowalski’s arrival at the 27th Precinct.

Levon is clearly outclassed by his opponent. He does eventually get in some good punches and Deron is knocked out. We later learn that he has been taken to the hospital in a coma. The ringside Ray and Fraser double act during the boxing match never fails to make me smile. The overdone innocence of Fraser's "we have a towel?" is quite the best moment of it all.

Levon is very upset over the result of the match - he is "the good kid" Ray thinks he is. Fraser lets Devlin and Ray handle it, leaving it to their area of expertise. He only steps in when Ray tries and fails to persuade Levon not to go to the hospital, in order to offer his support to Ray. Ray offers to protect Levon and accompany him to the hospital. Fraser, of course, will go with them and neither Ray nor Fraser has to say anything to confirm that. Once outside, Levon attempts to apologize to Deron's brother, Jamal. Levon disappears during the subsequent fight, as does Jamal. The lighting at the end of the fight scene is interesting, it is very stage like, with its extreme shadows, as are finishing poses of the fighters, flat on the ground with Ray and Fraser standing over them.

Fraser and Ray arrest the rest of the participants in the fight. Their return to the station marks the start of the police work in this episode. It is also shows us that the actual investigation is very much secondary. This episode is about Ray and Fraser’s friendship above all else. Fraser and Ray are deep in a debate over the use of helmets in boxing when they return to the station. So much so that they are unaware of anything else, including the desk sergeant.

Paul and Callum are both in fine and vibrant form here. Paul in particular seems to be reveling in the opportunity to show the more relaxed side of Fraser. The reactions of the other actors in this scene are also very well done, in an understated fashion. The desk sergeant’s amused exasperation (in what I believe is Lynne Deragon first appearance), the glances the gang members exchange and the bemusement of the man leaving the men’s room. It is the little touches like this that make due South for me.

Ray and Fraser are enjoying their debate enormously. Ray gets to Fraser, unwinds and relaxes him in a way we very rarely see. It is obvious that he is extremely comfortable with Ray, he is smiling and laughing. Ray apparently knows who Hieronymous Bosch is and Fraser seems to expect him to know. Ray’s interest in /love of art has been posited before, one of the first things we learn about him in BDtH is that he knows what he likes to look at in Art. His reference to "old Dutch paintings" in SiB is another early indicator of this aspect of his personality. I think Ray’s artistic leanings are more than demonstrable and I also think Fraser is very well aware of them, even at this still relatively early stage in their friendship. Their debate ends when Fraser gives into Ray but it is quite clear that it isn’t a real surrender and both of them know that. He seems utterly beguiled by Ray’s playful posturing.

The lighting is such in this scene that once Ray and Fraser leave the men’s room, their faces are quickly obscured by shadows. That Paul and Callum manage to maintain the pace, tone and tenor of their friendly debate with just their vocal inflections and the odd gesture kills me every time.

"Vacuum street" – to me that sounds like an Callum ad-lib that was either rescued by a very quick witted Paul or one that was incorporated into the script.

Again we have a very stage-like lighting trick of a change in light intensity over the same set

to indicate the start of the next day. Francesa openly ogles a guy whom I think we see later during the steriods conversation in the corridor.

Fraser and Ray have evidently been out all night. This shows the level of Ray’s commitment and concern. Fraser is, of course, backing him every step of the way. It is business as usual between Francesa and Fraser. Ray only interrupts Frannie's flirting with Fraser when she starts to get physical in her suggestions. She, for her part, ignores him. Welsh tells Ray to pick up Levon on suspicion of homicide and we learn that Jamal is dead.

Onto the mortuary and for what I believe is the first demonstration we ever see of the Fraser and Mort tag team and their deliberate tormenting of Ray. We also get to see Ray’s obvious distaste and dislike for "the cold meat party" for the first time. He does however take Mort’s teasing and sarcasm in good humor. Fraser and Mort are very sympatico and they play off each other nicely. Welsh and Ray spar over whether Huey and Dewey should take over the case. Welsh gives into Ray's demand to be kept on the case but pointedly questions Mort about the battered state of Jamal's body.

This is a very nice ensemble scene, albeit all too briefly, we get to see Beau Starr and Jan Rubes show their stuff very nicely indeed.

Ray calls Fraser on leaving him out to dry with Mort over testing for the diuretic found amongst Jamal's belongings. Ray more than capable for sticking up for himself and Fraser's "suffit of face" remark is an acknowledgement of that as well as an apology. This scene is one of the few signs that this episode belongs where it does in the season. It seems, to me, to be one of the few discordant notes that indicates they are still feeling out the parameters of their partnership. Their general intimacy, ease and comfort level would otherwise seem to demonstrate to me that this episode more properly belongs later in the season – certainly after Asylum and MoTB, as has been previously suggested in this forum. This minor miscommunication is also perhaps a foreshadowing of a more serious one that comes much later in this episode.

Ray’s handing out orders and advice back in the Squad Room demonstrates the truth of Fraser’s comment. It also shows us that he is very much part of the machine, very much at home. Huey strikingly asks Ray’s advice about Dewey’s body odor. This seems, to me, to be something he would not have done with Vecchio. It also reminds us that is only a short period of time since Huey, himself, acquired a new partner. They evidently are not as close as Fraser and Ray.

Ray’s arrival at the Rollin’ 22s headquarters gives us another glimpse of his somewhat impetuous driving style. I find it very intriguing that there is loud music playing in the car as they come to halt. A canon example of Ray’s taste in music and as you would expect it is very dance orientated.

Once they are outside the club Ray keeps it very cool and calm. He rolls with the ritual posturing and smoothes over Fraser's indignation over the "bad ass uniform" comment. Ray quietly goes about his business. He hands over the bribe that will get them into the club, to see Duval Edwards. He wants answers, and he goes about getting them in the most efficient way possible. Fraser giving a lecture to the gang members on the door about the use of the lanyard is pretty funny, to me at any rate.

The conversation in elevator is interesting in that it plays up the differences between the two men. Their different areas of expertise in particular. It is also seems another reminder of how young their partnership is. Ray questions Fraser's behavior with Mort. His manipulation of Mort still seems odd to Ray at this stage. Perhaps because he doesn't try to manipulate Ray himself very often, they are on the same wavelength and Fraser doesn't need to push Ray into doing things. At least not as often as he had to do so with Vecchio.

Ray's little demonstration of street slang could have been awkward in the hands of two less skilled actors but Callum makes it sound very naturalistic and Paul's face acting, depicting equal parts quiet bemusement and fascination, more than helps the scene along.

They get their meeting with the leader of the Rollin' 22s, Duval Edwards. Ray takes charge, he keeps it on point, he wants Duval to rein in his gang members. He doesn't let Duval get away with anything during their brief conversation. Ray's trademark sarcasm is once again to the fore. Once it becomes clear that Duval is not going to cooperate, Fraser steps in and there is a mini debate on the North American trade agreements and drug trafficking, which is both funny and serious. due South is very good at rooting itself in current affairs without getting bogged down in political commentary. This conversation has nice parallels with the comments on the state of the arts and arts funding in Canada, in Perfect Strangers. They do obtain one useful piece of information from Duval, that Jamal cleared his brother's locker at the gym out the previous night.

Fraser and Ray return to the gym once more and we get to see Devlin in action as trainer. We also learn the name of his assistant, Mason Dixon. And I am sure it more than obvious where that name comes from. After Dixon's sparring match is over, Fraser notices a cut on his forehead. Significantly it appears to be an old injury.

This scene is also noteworthy for Ray's behavior. We learn that Ray doesn't know Fraser was carrying the antibiotic ointment. This offhand comment could suggest that he knows what Fraser normally carries in his cartridge case. Now my work colleagues, even ones I am close to, do not have an intimate knowledge of what I carry around in my bag. Alternatively it a very small indication that we are still in the early stages of this partnership. Ray simply doesn't know that Fraser is in the habit of carrying around first aid equipment. However I don't think you could spend time around Fraser and be surprised that he was carrying something like that. Ray is holding Fraser's Stetson as they walk from the ring to locker room. It looks like an old habit by this episode; he is positively fondling the hat as they walk.

Once in the locker room Fraser and Dief do the sniff test on Jamal's belongings. Ray's wry little "You don't want to know" to Devlin is his only outward reaction to this, he takes it very much in his stride and is only really interested in what Fraser has discovered. It is a nice demonstration of how well all three of them work together and quickly they have knitted into a team.

As they are leaving the gym Levon calls Ray and asks for his protection from members of the Rollin' 22s who are chasing him. They save Levon from the gang and then Ray has to arrest him on suspicion of murder.

This sequence is memorable for several reasons. Ray's hand rests on Fraser's chest throughout the phone call; he is very much inside Fraser's personal space, even for these

two, and neither man displays any discomfort about that. Levon evidently trusts Ray completely and that makes the fact that Ray has no choice but to arrest him even more difficult for him. Ray asks for Fraser's support and he gets it unquestioningly. Fraser knows exactly how hard it is for Ray to arrest Levon and he even tries to make it easier by repeating the charge in the face of Levon's disbelief. Ray looks at Fraser the entire time he his reciting Levon's Miranda rights, which he does so quietly and without a single stumble.

The acting from all three cast members during the arrest sequence is superb. Paul and Callum wring every bit of emotion and nuance from the script with nothing more than a look, exquisite face acting.

Huey and Dewey interrogate Levon back at the station while, Welsh, Fraser, Frannie, Ray, and Dief observe. Ray doesn't make any attempt to hide his distress. Huey and Dewey are not overly harsh and Welsh is right when he tells Ray that. Ray knows it but he storms out anyway. Welsh knows that Ray is upset and accepts Fraser's attempt to smooth it over.

Fraser comes in search of Ray and asks Francesa if she knows where he is. She tells him with appropriate sisterly sarcasm that Ray has gone some place to think. Fraser attempts to walk off without thanking Francesa and in fact only does so when she calls him back. The pointed glance he gives the hand she tucks through his arm at the beginning of the scene is in marked contrast to his earlier non-reaction to Ray's hand on his chest.

Fraser has no trouble in tracking Ray down at the gym. He knows exactly where Ray goes to think. Incidentally I think this is a classic demonstration of how Ray deals with stress and upset. He works it out of his system physically, either by dancing or in this case boxing. A very masculine way of blowing off steam and incidentally pretty healthy.

Whenever I encounter Femme!Ray succumbing to tantrums and tears over burnt toast or cold coffee or whatever, I want to shake the authors in question and point them to this scene.

Fraser wants to make Ray feel better and Ray suggests they spar. Fraser is reluctant to hurt or embarrass his partner. It is obvious that Ray is out of practice. Fraser attempts to keep it light and playful in an effort to cheer his friend up but eventually succumbs to Ray's goading and hits him. Seeing that Ray really does need to let off steam he suggests that Ray spars with Dixon. This has the inevitable result and Ray takes a battering but that is no real embarrassment, Dixon severely outweighs Ray and is a professional. While Ray is being thumped all over the ring, Fraser questions Devlin and we learn that Devon had trouble keeping on weight so could not have been taking the diuretics to lose weight.

The scene that follows in the locker room is one of my personal favorites in the whole episode. Ray and Fraser sound like an old married couple. And yes I do think it is significant that Dief is all over Ray in this scene.

Fraser and Ray leave the gym and as they go we learn that Fraser wants to head back to pick up the results "that he didn't ask Mort to test for" and Ray seems unsettled and exasperated by this. Mort has indeed conducted the tests and we learn that Jamal was not taking the diuretics so they must belong to his brother.

We, then, move on to one of the nicest visual conceits that due South ever uses. The scene in the corridor where Fraser and Ray discuss the evidence and come to the conclusion that Deron was using steroids. The scene is shot from their point of view and for each conversation point there is a visual tag that corresponds exactly to what they are talking about. Nothing is missed at all. It is a thing of beauty and the fact that they did all that - for what 30 seconds of an episode - absolutely gets me every time. As I have said previously it is the little touches that make the show for me.

Ray and Fraser are in tune and perfectly in step, they both stop in the doorway when Ray realizes that Devlin must have given the steroids to Deron. It is interesting that Fraser is cast in the role of cynic during this scene. Both Ray and Welsh want to believe the best of Devlin. Again this highlights another of the similarities between the partners, Fraser usually believes the best of people particularly ones he is close to or respects.

It is also evident that both Welsh and Kowalski share a great love of boxing. Could this be why they know each other and seem to have such an established relationship? It is pure speculation of course but I like the idea of Welsh having been Ray’s boxing coach. However despite his high regard for Devlin Welsh doesn’t hesitate to give Ray and Fraser his backing. He trusts them to do a good job and get Devlin if he is guilty.

Deron has woken up from his coma so Ray and Fraser confront him at the hospital about Devlin and the steroids. Deron is defensive and very loyal to Devlin but when Ray pushes him about his brother's death he confirms their suspicions.

Fraser and Ray head back to the gym for a show down with Devlin. Ray keeps his sunglasses on when he walks into the gym. A lovely touch that indicates that he feels the need for extra armor in order to do this. Devlin admits to giving Deron the steroids and Ray arrests him. However Dixon intervenes and helps Devlin escape. Ray and Fraser run them down outside and Fraser pushes Dixon into admitting that he murdered Jamal to protect Devlin. Dixon escapes to the roof with Ray and Fraser in pursuit.

"Cubically Contained" starts playing as they make their way up on to the roof. The choice of music is the one major aspect of this episode that bothered me before I did this review and I am still not sure why the music was chosen for this episode.

I like both songs, particularly "Cubically Contained". Indeed, I initially bought the DS soundtrack to get my hands on it and "Oh, what a feeling" from Eclipse. I also dig the fact that "Slave to your love" and "Cubically Contained", while being very different musically, have a common theme of recovery, from co-dependent/bad relationships and addiction respectively. The songs could be a commentary on Fraser and Ray's past relationships, or on the friendship between Dixon and Devlin. Is it significant that "Cubically Contained" is playing while Fraser and Ray go after a man who murdered someone to protect his friend, who was effectively pushing drugs? Everything else about this episode is very carefully layered and I can't believe the music was chosen accidentally or just because it sounded good. But I can't settle in mind why these two tracks were chosen.

Ray and Fraser display just what a well-oiled machine they are as they try to track Dixon on the roof. However he takes them by surprise and all three of them fall through the glass roof into the boxing ring. Once again we are subject to the unique physics of the due South universe and no one shows any ill effects from the fall.

Another slight nit pick about this scene. The special effects are slightly ropey here and it is quite obvious the glass is landing on them from the side rather than from above.

Ray hands Fraser his Stetson and pushes him out of the way. He quite obviously wants to take on Dixon alone. However it is soon clear that he is no match physically for Dixon. He asks Fraser for help and Fraser gives him verbal advice in the form of references to classic boxing matches. This spurs Ray into landing at least one good punch, which he seems to feel almost as much Dixon if not more. But it takes a reference to Chicago fighting style for Ray to pull off a victory. He head butts Dixon and knock him out and almost knocks himself out at the same time. The match ends with Fraser holding Ray's hand up in victory, and incidentally keeping Ray from joining Dixon on the canvas.

I don't know what Fraser says to Ray at the end of this scene as he holds Ray's hand in the air, it looks very much like "You did it."

The tag scene is a lovely mixture of playful and serious. We get a boyish replay of the boxing match from Ray to a very stoic and uninterested police officer. Fraser needles Ray about the head butting before it turns serious and Ray calls Fraser on not backing him up against Dixon. To be fair to Fraser, Ray did push him away and wanted to take on Dixon alone. However he did ask Fraser for help, which he obviously felt he didn't get. Fraser's help, even if it wasn't quite what Ray had in mind, did result in Ray's victory. This more serious miscommunication is the most obvious sign in the whole episode that they are still feeling out the parameters of their partnership. Both of them take it in their stride and move on, which says a great deal to me about the level of trust and ease they obviously have even at this early stage. Indeed Fraser is feeling confident and relaxed enough to "get down with his bad self" and unsuccessfully try out some street slang as they leave. Apart from the fact it makes me laugh I really dig Fraser being relaxed enough to be playful around Ray.

This episode is a showcase for Ray and Fraser's relationship, both working and personal. It very clearly, in my opinion, establishes each as the most suitable partner for the other.

Droolworthy moments

Callum is hot all the way through this. There is a great butt shot as Ray gets out of the car at the Rollin' 22's headquarters and a lovely butt and crotch shot of Ray while he is on the roof. If I had my way, Ray would wear those tan pants much more often. I am very fond of the mainly olive green T-shirt and tan pants combination we are treated to in this episode. Best moments, for me, are Ray’s feral grin as he faces Dixon in the ring at the start of their final confrontation and bruised and battered Ray in the tag scene. What can I say bruises just enhance the man<g>.

For Paul, it is quite definitely the aftermath of his spar with Ray. Sweaty and tanned!Fraser is very hard to beat.

A mention must also go to the actor who plays Levon, Sharrieff Pugh. I am sucker for a shaved head and good muscle definition.

Slash-O-Meter Ranking:

Ignoring all the literary and cinematic homoerotic overtones to boxing itself, for me this 45 minutes of "sweet science" is one of the slashiest episodes of due South. As LaT once very correctly observed off list to me, some time ago, if they don’t go off at the end of this and have sex…. I have to agree with her as I did then. The chemistry simply sizzles throughout the whole of this episode. Their relationship is still very young at this stage but I could see them working off some steam in bed, very easily, and I like to think that's where they are headed at the end of the episode. Their comfort level and ease with each other also suggests a very close relationship. And there is of course the way Ray fondles the Stetson. My slash rating: 8 and that is only because it is so early in their relationship.

Erica

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