CRACKER: MIND OVER MURDER: TRUE ROMANCE {PART 2 OF 2} (TV)
Summary
One in this dramatic crime series, based on the British program of the same name, about hard-drinking psychologist Gerry "Fitz" Fitzgerald, who juggles a teaching career, a dwindling practice, a radio program and consultant work with the LAPD.
In the second half of this two-part episode, Michael is hesitant about his romantic evening with "Nina," and when he spots her many photos of his father, she incapacitates him and restrains him, as she has done with her other victims. Fitz makes a public plea to the killer to release his son; he and Judith are joined by Detective Hannah Tyler when the killer calls Fitz again and reveals that Michael is still alive. Lt. Fry cuts the call, trying to force her to call from a traceable landline, and Fitz begins to despair about the hopelessness of the uncaring universe. "Nina" calls again and demands that Fitz meet her at the Roosevelt Hotel; Fitz makes Tyler swear not to reveal his whereabouts as he heads out to meet her.
At the hotel, Fitz tries to appease the glamorously dressed killer, assuring her that he "understands" her, but when he convinces her to take him to her home, she is grabbed by the cops, as Tyler told Judith of his plans to confront her alone. Angered, Fitz interrogates "Nina" alone, shocking Judith by revealing the truth of Michael's recent loss; the criminal refuses to disclose Michael's whereabouts. Fitz has a brainwave and discovers her real name, Janice McCarthy, and confronts her about her lies, suggesting that she is attempting to construct "the ultimate game of chess" with him. Janice refuses to back down, however, countering that he has been using examples from his own unhappy life in his class lectures for several years now. When Fitz declares that he would die for his family, Janice demands to know why he had an affair with Tyler if he is such a devoted husband and father.
Judith confronts Tyler, who admits to the relationship. The real Nina, Janice's sister, is stunned by the news of Janice's actions and notes that their father is not dead, contrary to Janice's claims. Fitz declares that Janice was abused by her father and is taking out her "middle-child syndrome" rage on other men; Janice eventually intimates that she witnessed her father abusing Nina in a bungalow at their family home. Fitz guesses that she is symbolically holding Michael there. Learning that youngest sister Louise has recently married, he taunts Janice with the knowledge that her sisters "got everything" from their father because they were willing to deny their traumatic past; Janice finally gives up the address. The detectives burst into the bungalow just in time to save Michael from a fatal dose of electricity, and Fitz bids Janice a cold farewell before heading to the hospital to visit Michael. He then begs his wife to come home. Judith states that while she believes in his strong love for his children, she no longer senses any true feeling between the two of them. Includes commercials and promos.
Details
- NETWORK: ABC
- DATE: September 25, 1997 9:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:57:55
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:50696
- GENRE: Drama, police/private detective
- SUBJECT HEADING: Drama, police/private detective; Psychology; Murder; Marriage; Kidnapping
- SERIES RUN: ABC - TV series, 1997-1998
- COMMERCIALS:
- TV - Commercials - "Seven Years in Tibet" motion picture
- TV - Commercials - AT&T phone services
- TV - Commercials - Alpha Hydrox skin lotion
- TV - Commercials - Certs breath mints
- TV - Commercials - Cortexx hair conditioner
- TV - Commercials - Crest toothpaste
- TV - Commercials - Folgers coffee
- TV - Commercials - GlaxoWellcome smoking cessation program
- TV - Commercials - JCPenney stores
- TV - Commercials - La-Z-Boy chairs and sofas
- TV - Commercials - Level 2000 Pure Rain soap
- TV - Commercials - Pantene Pro-V hair care products
- TV - Commercials - Radio Shack stores
- TV - Commercials - Toyota automobiles
- TV - Commercials - Visa credit cards
- TV - Promos - "20/20"
- TV - Promos - "C-16: FBI"
- TV - Promos - "Hiller and Diller"
- TV - Promos - "Home Improvement"
- TV - Promos - "NYPD Blue"
- TV - Promos - "Soul Man"
- TV - Promos - "The Practice"
- TV - Promos - "Total Security"
- TV - Promos - "Two Came Back"
- TV - Promos - ABC College Football playoffs
CREDITS
- James Sadwith … Executive Producer, Created by, Adapted by
- Gub Neal … Executive Producer
- Peter Locke … Executive Producer
- Scott Brazil … Co-Executive Producer
- Jim Leonard Jr. … Co-Executive Producer
- Natalie Chaidez … Producer
- Steve Turner … Associate Producer
- Len Goldstein … Associate Producer
- Whitney Ransick … Director
- Jimmy McGovern … Based on the series created by
- Paul Abbott … Based on the episode written by
- Roy Hay … Music by
- Angelo Badalamenti … Theme Music by
- Robert Pastorelli … Cast, Gerry 'Fitz' Fitzgerald
- Angela Featherstone … Cast, Detective Hannah Tyler
- Carolyn McCormick … Cast, Judith Fitzgerald
- Robert Wisdom … Cast, Detective Danny Watlington
- Josh Hartnett … Cast, Michael Fitzgerald
- R. Lee Ermey … Cast, Lieutenant Fry
- Sarah Paulson … Cast, Janice McCarthy
- Scott Sowers … Cast, Detective Parker
- Gretchen Egolf … Cast, Nina