Johnny Eames & Daughter

This scene from Last Street in Manhattan S10E4 completely blindsided me! I had this preconceived notion that Eames was a Daddy’s girl and their relationship was a doting father to his spunky daughter. Of course it might have been that way in the past, but not now.

No wonder Eames is so walled in. I question if she’s ever had any warmth from this father especially when sober. There were no touches, no words of affection. She snarks and he doesn’t notice or chooses not to notice. She might even be holding back... When I see this it explains why she has almost never touched Goren in their 11 or 12 years as partners (just check the Bump/Touch list!). There are certainly no ODAs (Open Display of Affection) from this woman. I’m starting to think that it’s not just Goren who has survived a difficult upbringing.

We know Eames mother had a stroke, but we don’t know if she passed away or is in a home. Whichever, Johnny Eames is not doing well, unless you regard sitting in his chair drinking and smoking all day a good quality of life. It looks like Alex doesn’t think so – she caps his whiskey bottle and empties his ashtray with a stony expression. I wonder how many times a week she does this? Her demeanor is not that of a child that’s happy to drop in on her parent with a smile and easy conversation. Is she just uncomfortable because Goren is there? I think not.


I found it interesting that Alex emphasizes her father's bigotry in front of Goren. We all know Goren is getting tons of information about them both without Alex speaking a word. He watches her fuss around with interest, perhaps even surprise. He appears comfortable in Johnny Eames' home, he may have been there before, but he still refers to him as Mr. Eames.

Do you think Alex was appalled that her Dad equated Bobby with Driscoll in such an insulting way?
“He’s a monster.”
“But smarter than he looks.” (from Goren)
“Just like you Bobby”
OMG! I think I would have shot my Dad!!! Alex tells her Dad to eat his sandwich…. (and shut up, would be the subtext)



Do you think it’s the booze talking when Mr. Eames complains about no grandchildren? He seems to have pretty selective memories concerning a certain surrogate pregnancy. That was a horribly cheap shot on his part. Does the lack of grandchildren from Alex reflect on him or does he feel that Alex isn’t complete without children?
Now normally Goren and Eames would exchange glances after a comment like that from a suspect, but Goren looks down before that can happen. And it looks like she isn't going to do the eye contact thing anyway.

The best part of this scene was after they left. It was wonderful to see Goren put his own sad history behind  to make such a sweet comment praising, supporting and encouraging her with a simple, “It’s good he has you”.
It’s a personal comment so out of the norm for these two that she brushes it off with “Yeah, whatever”. Do you think she realizes how significant his words are? Perhaps not at that moment.
Goren is not the only person with a difficult parent relationship. Maybe he’s taking the opportunity to return some of the quiet non-judgmental support she always provided for him. Good on him! He’s come a long way.