Question A

[Jonetta]

Kim and her team show up at Doctor A’s dig, along with DI Tom Travis, both claiming jurisdiction over the discovery of human bones. Woody and Tom’s supervisor resolve it by forcing Tom & Kim to work together, leaving Kim’s team to work independently on other cases. Your thoughts about the decision at the time and in hindsight? What strengths/weaknesses were exposed?

[Sharon]

I think it was a good call. Everyone knew that there was a problem between Kim & Travis. I'm sure they thought that working together would help them work through the past issues.

I didn't understand why Kim's team didn't touch base with her though. It felt like everyone wanted to prove something to her and forgot the basic rules of investigation. I expected Bryant and Dawson to butt heads, but Stacey really surprised me. I expected her to touch base with Kim when she suspected a problem. At a minimum I expected her to talk to Bryant or Dawson. She is not ready for field work yet.

[Jo Ann]

Stacey's secrecy really surprised me, too. I thought she'd at least confide in Dawson.

[Jonetta]

I really thought it was a mistake at the time. However, despite their friction, both Kim and Tom are excellent detectives and no matter the moment, the case was always going to come first.

That said, Kim’s team had never operated without her leadership. She’s the glue that holds them together and makes them shine. They had to learn to perform without her and blundered miserably at first. Plus, she really didn’t put Bryant in charge and he’s a reluctant leader.

The experience has bonded them, though. They’re going to be a better team as a result.

Stacey’s behavior didn’t surprise me at all. Kim’s been the only one who believed in her and she was aware of that. Without her there, she retreated inward. Bryant and Dawson didn’t really notice or try to figure out what was going on with her.

[Lisa - (Aussie Girl)]

Yes, it did seem a bit strange that Kim still wasn't checking back in with her team. They were left a bit rudderless. Perhaps one of Bryant's weaknesses, he is not a leader but a great wingman to Kim.

I enjoyed Stacey taking a greater role in the story and getting to learn more about her. It was a surprise that she had attempted suicide years before but even though she felt compelled to find out the truth about Justin going off without backup was a huge mistake. If Kim would have been there it never wouldn't have happened.

[Sharon]

Great points. I forgot that the team "as is" came together when Kim was transferred.

Even though Bryant doesn't want a promotion, I thought that he operated as head detective in the past. I'm not sure where I got that though. I thought that he would perform better on one case. Unfortunately, Bryant and Dawson let their differences get in the way.

I'm with you Lisa, I enjoyed getting more information about Stacey. She is an interesting character. Very introspective, with a good sense of humor, and quick to jab at Dawson.

I understand that Kim is the only person who believed in Stacey. However, Stacey does have a good relationship with Dawson. At a minimum, I thought she would grab him at some point.

I can see her investigating in the office, with the computer and making phone calls. I can even understand her talking to Justin's mom. What surprised me is that she didn't go to Kim with her suspicions even though her inner voice was telling her to contact Kim.

[Lynn]

I just didn't really understand it. It seemed counterproductive to have only one person from a team join another, especially when there had been so many rumors regarding Kim and Tom, but it just goes to show that supervisors can have reasons for doing things that aren't clear at the time.

[Robin]

I actually thought it was a good idea for the bosses to put Kim and Tom Travis on the case together. They could either work out their differences or kill each other in the process. Something had to change.

I liked that we got to learn more about Stacey's background. I was surprised that she didn't check in with Kim about her suspicions with Justin's suicide.

I think the whole team eventually learned how to work together without Kim's directions. It just took them a while to get used to the new way of doing things.

[Jonetta]

Robin wrote: "I actually thought it was a good idea for the bosses to put Kim and Tom Travis on the case together. They could either work out their differences or kill each other in the process. Something had to change..."

I agree, Robin. Their bosses knew they both were skilled and would put the case above their issues. They were right. It wasn’t always pretty but it worked.

However, even Kim didn’t see what would happen to her own team.

[Jonetta]

Lynn wrote: "I just didn't really understand it. It seemed counterproductive to have only one person from a team join another, especially when there had been so many rumors regarding Kim and Tom, but it just go..."

They separated the case into two segments. Kim could have managed her team differently but she put Bryant in charge and turned her back. They made mistakes but she should have kept her toe in her own office. This one was on her.

[Lisa - (Aussie Girl)]

And it does seem a bit out of character to not check in with her team even though she was seconded to the other unit. Was it a case she had too much on her plate with Tom or she had confidence in her team to carry on without her? Whatever the reason I think they all grew through the experience even though Stacey's misstep could have been fatal.

[Jonetta]

I don’t know, Lisa. I think she truly believed Bryant was up to the task and would call her routinely. She should have set the expectations, despite the fact that Bryant should have known to do so.

[Lisa - (Aussie Girl)]

I guess Bryant always sees himself as the 2IC. Although he didn't like the idea of Dawson being in charge of him either. I guess he likes to feel that his superior aka Kim is worthy of that role and his as supporting hers.