It is official according to The Reel Blog.com that the title of the second two parter, season 9 premiere is "Puntland". Judging by the casting information this episode is heavily inspired by the Somali pirate attacks, and even the title
Puntland is the region of north-eastern Somalia; also known as the Land of the Punt according to the Egyptians.

Now for the casting call list:

Pt. 1 list

[HASSAN] 30s. Male. Somali-American. Born to a Somali tribal sheikh as one of 40 plus children, Hassan and his sister, Kadra, were raised and educated in the states but now are starting to embrace their heritage and homeland. Sharply dressed, and very handsome. A seemingly "normal" guy, but behind closed doors he is hiding a dark and violent mission ahead of him. It is hard for him to tell Jill, his American girlfriend, that he has no option but to cut ties with her, due to family obligations. Working with the owners of a company that illegally ships weapons, Hassan is thrust into a dangerous role that tests his honor and ruthlessness.

[VAN DEKKER] 40s. Male. Any Nationality. Initially thought to be the head of an international security organization, the detectives discover questionable photos which show that his past is entangled with a shipper of illegal weapons overseas. Upon investigation Van Dekker’s involvement with volatile countries and his motives are proved to be anything but above board.

[KADRA] Mid 20s. Female. Somali-American. Strikingly beautiful. Born to a Somali tribal sheikh as one of 40 plus children, she and her brother, Hassan, were raised and educated in the states but she has ambitions for her brother of returning to their homeland to a position of power.

[LOFTEN] 30s-40s. Male. Dapper businessman. Owner of Loftair, a company that owns old airplanes and flies weapons all over the world. After his business partner is found dead, detectives and the FBI question his shady dealings and further investigate his work.

[WENDY STARK] Mid 30s. Female. Attractive FBI Agent. She is called in to further investigate a federal case that is overlapping with a case the MCS has started investigating. When the detectives discover that she is taking over their case, she must professionally face their frustration and anger.

[RON HEGEL] 30s. African-American. Male. An FBI Agent working with Wendy Stark investigating a federal case that is very personal to the MCS. He gives the detectives the hard truth that they have to stop investigating this case while he and his partner take over.

[JILL PIKE] Mid 20s. Caucasian. Female. Very attractive American girl. Supportive girlfriend to Hassan, her Somali boyfriend, even though his family isn’t very tolerant of their multi-ethnic relationship.

[JOLIE] Late Teens-Early 20's. Female. The privileged daughter of a wealthy businessman. She is shocked by the news of her father's death when she comes home to an apartment teeming with detectives. She gives the detectives details of her father's work in shipping illegal weapons and divulges the names of his partners.

[MARYA] 20s. Female. Gorgeous American girlfriend of a Swiss millionaire 30 years her senior. The two engage in some thrill seeking activities and are mutually opportunistic. But their wiles eventually catch up to them.

[TARAS BROIDY] 50s-60s. Male. An exotic millionaire. Any Nationality. Wanted by police for trading illegal weapons. He and his young girlfriend engage in some thrill seeking activities and are mutually opportunistic. But their wiles eventually catch up to them.

[MULLAH] 50s-60s. Male. Somali. A Muslim learned in Islamic theology and sacred law. He offers to help Hassan learn the history of his great grandfather, who defeated the British. Speaks one of his lines in Arabic. ACCENT REQUIRED.

[DR. LAVENTHAL] late 30s-40s. Male. Cocky plastic surgeon who sees his work as "art". Finds out that one of his clients, Marya, was recently murdered, and he gives MCS information about her.

[LIONEL SUTTON] 50s. A snobby upper class building manager. After being presented with a search warrant, he begrudgingly lets the detectives into the penthouse apartment.

[MILGRAM] 60s. Wall Street executive of an investment banking firm. Is Roy Loften's silent business partner shipping weapons all over the world.

[AYUB] 30s-40s. Male. A Pakistani-American technician who is able to analyze and identify the micro components of weaponry. His allegiance may be to the criminals rather than the law. SLIGHT ACCENT.

[TRISTAN] 20s-30s. African-American. An intimidating presence. Appears in the shadows as a watchful eye throughout both episodes, sometimes as a security guard, an assistant or a limo chauffer.

[OMAR] 60s-70s. A Somali tribal sheikh, who is with his large family boarding a private trawler for a celebration. Once on board the boat is attacked by a large vessel thinking they are Pirates.
[TIMIRO] 60s. Somali wife of tribal sheikh, Omar. Clutches a gold-threaded sari as her and her husband huddle against the cabin of their trawler during a violent attack.

[CAPTAIN] 40s-50s. Male. American or European Captain of a chartered luxury yacht cruising the waters of the Horn of Africa. He navigates the yacht during a violent attack of Pirates on a nearby trawler.

[SOMALI CAPTAIN] 40s. Male. Captain of a small coastal trawler that has a tribal sheikh and his wife on board during an unexpected attack at sea. Shouts to his crew in Arabic.

[DETECTIVE WALSH] 30s. Male. Any Ethnicity. Detective who gives details at a crime scene to the MCS Detectives.

[MILLIE] 20s. Female. Van Dekker's assistant who informs him that the police are entering their security office.

[ENGLISH WOMAN] 30s-40s. Wealthy. On her cell phone, she is excitedly recounting her experience aboard a luxury yacht during a violent attack as it is happening. ENGLISH ACCENT.

[HELMSMAN] 30s-40s. Male. American or European. Assists the Captain of a luxury yacht during an attack of a nearby Pirate trawler.

[MILES] 20s. Male. Detective. Pops his head in to the conference room to inform the detectives that a suspect is on his way to the investigation room.

Pt. 2 list

[GLORIA JUSTIN] 50s-60s. Female. Dean of Arts at NYU. Questioned by members of the MCS, she fondly remembers a former charismatic arts student who had "a very unique world view."

[DEPUTY COMMISSIONER TURNER] 50s. Male, African American. Distinguished and poised, the commissioner has called a member of the MCS into his office to deliver some big news.

[BIANCA TORELLI] 40s. Female. Along with the Deputy Commissioner, she has been sent from Internal Affairs to deliver some big news to a member of the MCS.

[TOM PILEGGI] 60s. Male. An attorney escorting his innocent client, who’s accused of being linked with piracy and arms trafficking, through a mob of reporters.

[REPORTER] 30s. Male/Female. Part of a large crowd of press clamoring to get answers from an accused criminal, this reporter gets a question in

Interesting. With filming supposedly beginning next Friday, all of this should have been sewn up long before now.

If filming actually starts on time next week, I'll be very, very surprised.

WHEEE!!!!!

If it's written by Michael S. Chernuchin, Walon Green, and/or Timothy J. Lea... it should be pretty good!

Yes, I agree, with you, I'll be very very suprised, also It does sound like it will be a really really good episode. WOW, thats a long list!!

I think this is interesting. Usually these lists say things like, "questioned by Goren and Eames" or "gives information to Nichols and Wheeler", etc. This one says "questioned by the detectives" or "has to give MCS bad news". As though they don't know exactly who their MCS detectives will be? Less than a week from beginning filming? And have we heard anything about who will be replacing Captain Ross? Maybe they don't need a captain anymore, just like they don't need a DA.

It says the case is very personal to MCS, I hope that dosen't mean they are killing one of them off and asking the rest to investigate it.... Also it says the one of the detectives will be getting news from IAB, it had better be good news. This may be how they think they can write Goren and Eames off the show (and Ross...) if this does end up being there last episode... NON OF THEM HAD BETTER DIE! AND THEY HAD BETTER HAVE A DECENT ENDING!!! not like how they screwed up with Logan's goodbye.

They may have to switch it all around and show the two-parter as the season finale!

*giggle*


FLUFFALANCHE!!!

And we know USA has no problem swapping eps around!

Please please please . . . 8 more G/E eps !!!

::crosses paws and ties tail into a knot ::

::uncrosses paws in order to go find more cotton balls and write more postcards::

FLUFFALANCHE !!!!!!

I liked Logan's ending. At first I thought, "That's IT?!" But the more I watched it, the more I began to like it.




From you lips to USA's ears!

it's true I haven't watched Logan's ending over and over again.... I just thought he should of had a final moment back in the squad room or something with Wheeler or Ross or both. I mean I just felt like they all clicked and should of had-not a sappy goodbye-but a goodbye all the same. Just something. but to each there own. I'm glad you liked it.

yes, Yes, YES! USA network need to listen to us, 8 more well written G/E episodes before a very very good send off!

Well, that's true. The three of them having a drink in the captain's office would have been a nice touch. Throw in Goren and Eames and I would have been in heaven!

Everything is still soooo up in the air. Negotiations still seem to be going on......No word from KE or EB. I really don't see this as a the first episode of season nine. I don't think it is unreasonable to think that this episode may happen later in the season. IDK, something has to be said soon!!!

I wonder about the title. Is it because Goren, Eames, and Ross are being "punted" from MCS?

ROTFL! I had a similar thought!

If I have my way, it's going to mean that USA had to punt in order to stay in the game.

The two minute warning has sounded and...OHHHHH!!! INTERCEPTION by Goren! Hands it off to Eames! Look at that girl fly!! And...wait a minute...there's Ross, coming in for the final round...Eames passes it to Ross as all three make a sprint toward the end zone!!!


TOUCHDOWN!!!!!!

And the game goes to....TEAM LOCI!!!

From your lips to USA networks ears.

For anyone in the NYC area, OnLocationVacations.com (and some other sources! - thanks danicharlie ) is reporting that LOCI will be filming starting tomorrow...this website has been very reliable in the past, so I would keep checking back with them in the days to come for more information.

On Location Vacations - Filming Locations for Oct. 16th

Your Welcome!!

Fluffalanche arrives in NYC. Dozens stare in shocked disbelief as mountains of fluff cover city.

"I couldn't believe it!" one bystander said. "It just rolled in...like a giant snowball. We had to wade through four feet of it just to get to the deli! Unreal!"

"Some of it's kinda sticky," observed a young boy as he reached down to put his small hands into a mound of the stuff. "It tastes like marshmallow candy, too!"

Authorities say schools are closed and businesses are shut down for the day due to heavy traffic snarls and downed power lines. Children and adults alike are taking advantage of the strange events. They are all flocking to Chelsea Piers with their hands and pockets full of the stuff. There is even a giant "fluffman" being erected down on the piers, though it bears a remarkable resemblence to a very famous actor. This reporter may have to brave the "fluff" and head on down to Chelsea Piers to check things out. Full report at eleven.


GO TEAM LOCI!!

[quote name='Outerbankschick' date='Oct 16 2009, 12:14 AM' post='1215879']
Fluffalanche arrives in NYC. Dozens stare in shocked disbelief as mountains of fluff cover city.

"I couldn't believe it!" one bystander said. "It just rolled in...like a giant snowball. We had to wade through four feet of it just to get to the deli! Unreal!"

"Some of it's kinda sticky," observed a young boy as he reached down to put his small hands into a mound of the stuff. "It tastes like marshmallow candy, too!"

Authorities say schools are closed and businesses are shut down for the day due to heavy traffic snarls and downed power lines. Children and adults alike are taking advantage of the strange events. They are all flocking to Chelsea Piers with their hands and pockets full of the stuff. There is even a giant "fluffman" being erected down on the piers, though it bears a remarkable resemblence to a very famous actor. This reporter may have to brave the "fluff" and head on down to Chelsea Piers to check things out. Full report at eleven.


GO TEAM LOCI!!
[/quote

Great one!! Very cool!!

LOVE IT!!!

So it's 9:30 in NY.....how will we know if they actually do any filming today and what actors are there?

There has to be people in this forum who are in New York!

I'm hoping we put enough feelers out and will get some info soon..the waiting sux!

It would be nice if we could google the address and then pan the camera around a bit to sneak a peek.

I'm in NYC, but unfortunately I couldn't make it out today ...besides, they were in Staten Island, much harder for me to get to than Manhattan.

Though to make up for it (I guess...LOL ) here is an update about where the filming took place:
Staten Island Live

Gunfire! Explosions! What do they have in store for us? haha

No word as to whether or not the filming actually took place. Of course, if it did, it could only have been the guest actors...IF they were even signed yet.

And in honor of this day, I am currently eating a "fluffer-nutter" sandwich!

GO TEAM LOCI!!!

And take heart folks...filming means nothing to the people who scrapped THREE episodes from S8 and shot new ones!

I know this is kinda late, but for anyone in the NYC area (Brooklyn more specifically), LOCI is filming there in 2 locations. One is Russell Street and Nassau Avenue, and the other is Kent Avenue and N. 11th Street. I didn't know about this until now, but it would be cool if someone were able to make it over there!

On Location Vacations: NYC Filming Locations (10.22.09)

I'm not sure if these locations are still for "Puntland" or not, but it's a two-parter, so it's possible...

Does anyone have an update on this?

I was looking for information if Wikipedia knew who might get killed but this is all it said:

Detective Eames with her partner Detective Goren (Vincent D'Onofrio) & Captain Ross (Eric Bogosian) will be leaving the Major Case Squad after the season 9 premiere 2-part episode, "Puntland".

I'm on the request list for an e-mail if the person with the info ever reveals. I check everyday and haven't heard anything. It's frustrating to have that info posted and then have no follow through. If I hear anything, I'll find a way to get the info out. I would appreciate anyone else who finds out to do the same. I am not good with suspense and am dying to know.

These roles each mention "detectives". If there is going to be a death, I would think it would happen sooner in the episode rather than later, so they can solve the crime, show the funeral, etc. So, I am back to thinking that it is the Captain that gets killed.

One time my sisters and looked through the house to find our Christmas presents early. We found them, but it then ruined Christmas morning so we never tried that again. In that vein I have tried hard to avoid this thread. I kind of don't want to know everything that happens in the finale before it even airs. But with the info spilling into all the other threads it's kind to avoid any spoilers.

I kind of want to kick that writer who leaked the death story. I hate that kind of stuff. Just leak a little to get people all worked up but give them no resolution. And what's the point of leaking it now? I can understand leaking it closer to air date to get people interested in watching it but we're several months out.



Yes, wilmingtonfan. It's frustrating when people point out that they know something you don't know and have no intention of telling you either. Again, why bother?

As long as were all speculating, add my vote to the Ross group. I haven't read anywhere that 2 of the three characters quit. We just know they're leaving right? I'm hoping if Ross gets killed that the other two go on to get transferred together to some other area where they are needed. Some type of promotion or something. If we have a death AND something like Goren being under investigation for something then I'll have to throw a brick through my television screen. If one person has to die the other two better leave with dignity.

Reading this, it definately implies that it is the captain that is killed...........

Not necessarily. I can think of several reasons NOT to assume it's Ross being killed:
--an article or blog post somewhere stating it leans toward Eames being killed has just the same validity as the single unsubstantiated rumor about Eric Begosian supposedly saying something about it being his character. In other words, it's up in the air.
--just because the roles say "detectives" doesn't mean the death can't occur at the END of the episode. Goren and Eames might investigate the case and question witnesses, but that doesn't mean one of them won't be killed by the end of the episode.
--the casting call with the description of roles probably was released before the decision was made to kill off one of the characters.
--if USA really wants to ramp up the drama and suspense, it would make sense to have an event like the finality of the death of one of the characters occur later rather than sooner in the Season 9 premiere.

It's no secret some fans want it to be Ross rather than Eames, but it doesn't have to be that way. I can see Goren quitting after Eames is killed and Ross taking the fall, as someone posted on another thread. This scenario has much more dramatic punch than killing Ross. I don't see the same kind of drama or emotional impact in this scenario that would cause both Goren and Eames to leave.

I also wouldn't assume USA has any Plan B to rescue LOCI if and when the show tanks after G/E leave. The cold-blooded way they have created and dealt with this situation suggests, at least to me, that USA might want to put the kebosh on there ever being another G/E episode again. Everything they have done so far in this situation indicates they want LOCI to have a brand new start with a brand new cast AND brand new audience, totally disregarding the feelings and opinions of fans who have been following the show for eight years. It's similar to The Godfather, where one of the characters says something like, "it isn't personal, it's only business."

Excellent post Skeptic007. I think your analysis is right on. I think they are creating a new show and the promise of Goren coming back or even thinking of a Goren & Eames rescue is just talk to try to keep the fans tuning in. I hope that VDO & KE don't go back after the way they have been treated. I hope they have a lot of success in their new ventures and hope they will do another series. I would like to see VDO on an HBO or Showtime series where the seasons are shorter and there is more creativity allowed.

Believe me, I'm not naive, here. I keep thinking Vince will never return, either. In the radio interview, he clearly didn't want to talk about the details of his departure, which could be taken as "I may return, someday" or "I'm just being classy and not trashing the network". But, why would he say, "Don't be surprised if Goren pops in from time to time"? Some say he may have said that before he knew how the final ep was playing out, possibly w/ Eames being killed. But, in the radio interview, he still said something to the effect of "the door is open". He could've just said, "Goren's not gonna die" and left it at that. But, he actually added in about the door being open. Why give false hope to the fans? I agree that USA would sooner let the show be cancelled rather than ask Vince back. But, what if other networks caught wind that Vince was again interested (maybe the independent movie thing wasn't providing job stability or a "stay close to home" guarantee) and offered to buy CI from USA? Seeing the rabid fan base for CI, who's to say another network wouldn't pick it up? Especially if the newpaper ad campaign thing catches on and the networks see how loyal the fanbase really is. And, maybe one of the execs happens to be a big CI fan. You never know. Vince even said he didn't have a real plan for work. I think he just couldn't accept what was going on at USA and was left no other choice than to get out of a disgusting situation. But, that doesn't mean he was ready to leave after just 2 eps. We all know he likes to give things a good ending (re-doing his Orson Welles performance). If the right people were involved, maybe he would return, one day.

So, I hope they don't kill Eames. But, if they do go that route, another network could always say she was in witness protection all that time or working undercover. USA may not care what they do to the characters, but those things can be explained away in the future, should CI have new execs at the helm.

In a way , I hope you are right. It would be nice if another network picked it up and brought back G & E or there is some exec change, but I am not as hopeful as you. I am so discouraged by the way this whole thing has been handled with so little disregard for a fan base EARNED over 8 years and the cavalier way they have treated our actors. I still don't believe it is all about money -- they did spend $10 million on the advertising campaign for White Collar after all. I guess that is what makes it seem more personal to me and why I am not over it yet. I have no faith that they will do right by any one.

Ten million? Frack them!

I know -- can you believe it? It was in an NYT article about it. After I read that I decided I would be damned if I would ever watch an episode of that show and I hope the ratings tank -- they were down last week. (of course, not that I had planned to watch anyway)

This death might be something simple,almost in passing and not sinister, like a heartattack. We might not even see it on screen,just hear about it. Oterwise things get overdramatic and sentimental, melodramatic like SVU.

Flatpack, if they've got the gall to work us all up over these weeks and months for something so trivial as a heart attack, I'll kill the Powers That Be in real life.

Well, not really. But I'll boycott NBCU even harder.

Giggle. I understand that, and it may be that the most dramatic thing about any season 9 will be the death of the audience!

But remember Ross was popping pills at the drinks machine during season 8 which might indicate an underlying illness that might lead to his death, which would show dramatic logic and be less contrived than any sudden killing.Season 8 was primarily constructed around a series of correspondences to previous episodes (too numerous to list here),so a heart attack would be a neat correspondence to the "heart in a box" in "Frame". The impact could then be shown in the surrounding responses rather than the death itself,as it was in "Endgame".

I sort of like that scenario,so it probably wont happen! Anyway, after Puntland my viewing attention will go on to the new Wallander series with Kenneth Branagh ,airing next year on PBS. Im not interested in the lighter Nichols LOCI.

I've heard Wallander is a great series. Is it only avaliable now on BBC or does it run on any US channels currently? I would like to check it out.

Hey lovebug. You missed the first go-around. It was on PBS in May. I really liked it and am glad to hear there is another series coming. Kenneth Branagh was great in the role and I remember some stellar cinematography. Netflix has it if you're a member of that. Not sure if your local rental store would have it or not.

I've also heard good things about the series. Was it on Mystery? I like Brannaugh.

Yes,Wallander is the only consolation now that Goren/VDO is leaving his role. The visuals were stunning and Branagh creates a similar intensity to VDO. Also the writer,Henning Mankell, was very pleased with Branaghs interpretation of his work.
They have finished filming the second trilogy,wich will be Faceless Killers, The Fifth Woman and The Man who Smiled.They will be shown on PBS and BBC I next year.
The whole Wallander series as mystery novels by Henning Mankell are available to read, and the first Branagh trilogy is available on DVD, in both regions I think. There is alot of extra material on the DVD including an interview between Branagh and Mankell.The character of Wallander has many similarities to Goren.I wonder if Branagh knows about Goren,although the Wallander novels were finished long before LOCI started! And oddly enough, there is a character called Goren in the novels. Apparently its a common Swedish name!

Ok, promise (well maybe) this is the last time I'll be off topic about this on this thread.

I agree Flatpack. I haven't watched it again since May but I remember some beautiful visuals from Wallander. The Swedish countryside was put to good use. I love mysteries that are as much about the sense of place as they are about the characters and story.

I agree that there are some similarities to season 8 Goren. He's a man doing his job while barely getting through and he looks it. Here's a quote attributed to Branagh that I got from Wiki.

Branagh describes Wallander as "an existentialist [...] who is questioning what life is about and why he does what he does every day, and for whom acts of violence never become normal. There's a level of empathy with the victims of crime that's almost impossible to contain, and one of the prices he pays for that sort of empathy is a personal life that's a kind of wasteland."

And this quote from a critic. Does it sound like another show we all know and love?

The Times's David Chater called Branagh "superb as Kurt Wallander", and the series "one of those superior cop shows in which the character of the detective matters more than the plot


And as a music fan another thing I loved about the show was the song used in the opening. The song is Nostalgia by Emily Barker & the Red Clay Halo. I ended up downloading the whole album. I love it.

Oddly enough, I could see Ross dying from something like that, out of all the characters he's been on the most medications (at least I think). Or they could do it where Ross finds out he's terminally ill and later on he chooses to sacrifice his life in a sticky suitation (limited options, he knows he's gonna die either way, something like that).