A Perfect Day

Another reviewer raised the point that detectives were able to identify a 60-year old murder because both the attending doctor and detective were still alive and could remember her. This is typical of 'Cold Case' stories. In addition, virtually all the people associated with old crimes are still living in the Philly area.

Solving cases like this in real life where I live (a new Western city) would be virtually impossible due to the more transient nature of the population. This may have been one reason the series is located in Philly - an old Eastern city where people stay put.

As long as you can accept the above scenario 'Cold Case' will appeal to you even though some stories really stretch believability.

It took me a while to warm up to this series while watching reruns on ION TV. One has to realize that in order for this series to work, the writers had to provide clues to the detectives that sometimes stretched the boundaries of credibility. With that in mind, this particular episode covers a home scenario that far too many of us have had to endure. I am not ashamed to admit that I sat there completely transfixed by the amazing acting and directing job done by all of the main actors, including Maridith Monroe, Michael Roderick, Charlotte Stewart, the twins, Amy and Zoe Schlagel and all of our regular cast. Director Roxann Dawson (Lt. Torres of Star Trek Voyager) is seeing her best moment in this episode. Whether she personally had this experience or not, she and the show's writers have created a timeless expression of what so many families have gone through. The episode covers spousal and child abuse with a chilling note of restraint. You may not actually see the worst of the physical and emotional moment, but the story demands that we slowly come to realize the secretive manipulation that occurs when a husband develops an insanity that compels him to injure or kill those he loves. And, I can say from personal experience (in my childhood) that wives who discover they are victims of the insanity will cover up the crime when there seems no reason to do so - sometimes ignoring the problem until it is far too late to save their own children. Family abuse is also one of the most emotional, difficult and dirty sides of police work. I will rate this episode as one of the most riveting and poignant portrayals of an all too common social sickness. As a man I don't often tear up during a television show. But, this one jerked my heart out.

Great story and how times have really changed. I love how Cold Case always surprises fans with a cast comprised of an odd actor from older shows. Glad to see Charlotte Stewart (LHOTP) in the cast (she also had a very small role in The Office ). The end was unexpected and very sad. This show never disappoints. I love also how the show adds depth to the main characters and sub plots developed each week, so really if you miss an episode you may not want to skip an episode. Only at season 3 and looking forward to many tearful episodes to come. Hoping to see more development of the main characters' personal lives.

"Cold Case" is often a very sad and moving show--and "A Perfect Day" is clearly one of the saddest and most moving. So, my advice is to watch this one but have some Kleenex nearby--you'll likely need them.

The show begins with the discovery of the skeleton of a child--dead 40 some years and at the bottom of the river. Who was the child and how did she die--this is the job of the cold case team. The trail leads to a very sad case from the 1960s involving domestic violence and a mother who is trapped. I'd say more, but don't want to spoil the episode for you.

Overall, this one was very sensitively handled and an emotional show. It is the sort of thing that, when done right, is great because it touches you so much--and the script and acting were tops. Well worth seeing.