Cary Fukunaga's 'The Alienist'

[BestGirl]

I don't understand why Kreisler et al are wasting their time trying to put together a psychological profile of this guy when they have a solid clue to his identity in his silver teeth. When Kriesler told John to see a dentist he said it sarcastically but it was by far the smartest thing that could've been done at the moment.

How did the killer know Kreisler, John, Sarah and the Isaacsons were investigating the crimes? Wasn't their investigation supposed to be secret?

 

[squeekness]

Yes, but how many people have silver teeth? Not sure they kept lots of records back then.

 

[BestGirl]

Probably not that many. Anyway, chasing down silver-toothed people still ought to be more useful than determining who in the city has a traumatic past with sadistic tendencies and an ability to climb buildings. That literally could be just about any able-bodied young man.

The more I think about it, the more I believe the book should've centered around the Isaacsons. They're in the best position to solve the case.

 

[scarlet-witch]

How did the killer know Kreisler, John, Sarah and the Isaacsons were investigating the crimes? Wasn't their investigation supposed to be secret?

He was spying on them when they were investigating the body on the roof. When he took John's sketch book.

 

[scarlet-witch]

Does Kreizler have some mommy issues of his own? Damn.

I really hate that set up where they open the door, but it's really someone else. I wasn't crazy about this episode as it all felt like set up, but it was still good.

 

[squeekness]

Yeah, the good doctor isn't all perfect like he'd like everyone to think, lol. And I already had a feeling the rich guy was a red herring. Too easy.

 

[scarlet-witch]

I'm glad Teddy fired that cop though.

 

[BestGirl]

I liked the two Silence of the Lambs tributes, with the scene in the prison and fakeout involving the police attempting to arrest the villain.

Kreisler's a bit of a loon himself, if his fury over Sara's suggestion of an overbearing mother is anything to go by.

Speaking of, Kreisler's belief that Willem can't be the killer because the killer preys on lower class boys doesn't sit well with me. Perhaps the killer only chooses lower class boys because he knows their deaths won't get as much attention, or he knows that they'll be more easily lured in by money. I'm sure Kreisler will be proven correct because this is fiction and he's the hero but it's still a dodgy conclusion.

 

[Deck Rickard]

I liked the two Silence of the Lambs tributes, with the scene in the prison and fakeout involving the police attempting to arrest the villain.

Kreisler's a bit of a loon himself, if his fury over Sara's suggestion of an overbearing mother is anything to go by.

Speaking of, Kreisler's belief that Willem can't be the killer because the killer preys on lower class boys doesn't sit well with me. Perhaps the killer only chooses lower class boys because he knows their deaths won't get as much attention, or he knows that they'll be more easily lured in by money. I'm sure Kreisler will be proven correct because this is fiction and he's the hero but it's still a dodgy conclusion.

Ha! Yeah, I didn't even think about that. And it's even funnier because Buffalo Bill is on this show.

Anyway, a couple things on this show aren't sitting right with me. First, the whole thing with the wrong address at the end. This is a wealthy, affluent family in New York. How is it that the police commissioner can't find out where they actually live?

Second, the guy play Roosevelt is just awful. No personality at all. How did he land that role? Who is he related to?

What exactly is the deal with Kreisler's arm? I didn't even realize that was a thing until they brought it up. Did I miss something?

And yeah, Kreisler's logic about the killer doesn't seem completely sound, for the reasons you mentioned.

 

[scarlet-witch]

I don't think they've explained how he injured his arm, but I imagine they'll have to with the amount of attention they give to it.

I think Kreizler is a bit to arrogant to consider that he could be wrong about something, he'll probably get a reality check at some point.

I don't mind the actor who's playing Teddy. He's usually playing stoners or military people so this is a nice break.

 

[squeekness]

The book said his arm was a birth defect.

 

[Deck Rickard]

What’s weird is that in the latest episode, he shook someone’s hand with the bad arm. I’m not sure if that was a blooper, or if he is able to use it in some capacity.

 

[squeekness]

In the book it was short, maybe half the size. Like a T-Rex little baby arm.

 

[BestGirl]

What’s weird is that in the latest episode, he shook someone’s hand with the bad arm. I’m not sure if that was a blooper, or if he is able to use it in some capacity.

I think it's just weaker than his strong arm, so he probably just doesn't use it for much, especially for anything requiring coordination or weightlifting.

As for the address, it was a place Willem was holing up rather than the family household. His mother knew where to find him but not the police.

Yes, Geraghty is terrible as Roosevelt. The casters couldn't see past the superficial resemblance between the two.

One other thing about the investigation bugs me: we saw Sarah writing to mental institutions all over New York asking them if they had a sadistic patient with a predilection for young boys. This really should've been the first thing they did!

 

[KevTravels]

I've episodes 2-5 to binge, so hopefully I can really ENJOY

 

[squeekness]

I'm sure you will. This show is super well done.

 

[scarlet-witch]

Damn, Kreisler, that was uncalled for.

 

[squeekness]

He doesn't have much in the way of social skills.

 

[scarlet-witch]

He doesn't have much in the way of social skills.

Still, that reaction really surprised me. And he didn't even apologize.

I got annoyed during Stevie's encounter with the actual killer because of course the two watching him would get distracted, but I feel bad that the little boy John was talking to is the one that suffered for it.

 

[Marvolo]

Damn, Kreisler, that was uncalled for.

That really could be the subtitle for the entire show.

"The Alienist: Damn, Kreisler That Was Uncalled For!"

 

[squeekness]

Hee hee, that would work.

 

[KevTravels]

I'm sure you will. This show is super well done.

Thanks. I might have to DL episode 6 to binge along since I've a lot of studying this week.

It's great that Bruhl is getting more well known. Excellent actor.

 

[squeekness]

Yeah he was one of the reasons I was so happy this was being made.

 

[BestGirl]

That was the best episode so far. The two stakeouts were so tense and for once their plan mostly made sense. Up until the point Marcus yelled at the killer to stop rather than just, you know, walking up to him and apprehending him. *headdesk*

The boy who played Rosie was simply incredible. He managed to portray such world weariness that I felt he really was a child prostitute.

Random thought: why did they use Stevie as bait? He was a bit older than the killer's average victim.

I'm probably going to be the only person who holds this opinion, but I felt strangely sorry for Connor when he killed Willem. When he insulted Willem he seemed to be expressing a good deal of self-loathing for having covered for a rich pervert for years.

 

[squeekness]

I guess they figured Stevie's street smarts would help keep him safe.