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lizlemonesq

Jack & Claire Interactions Masterlist Pt. 2

This afternoon I've added House Counsel, where the relationship has deepened A LOT. Y'all are going to enjoy this update today. TONS of clips and it's gone way beyond subtle.

If you haven't seen Part 1 yet, please indulge!

We last left Jack & Claire squabbling over generational differences in "White Rabbit" after some flirting over the previous episodes. By the time we start "Competence," I agree with this OG poster's assessment that the relationship between Jack & Claire has started. Let's take a look!

E6: Competence

  • There's lots of near-shouting from Claire when they disagree about how Jack treats Van Buren and about withholding evidence from the defense. It doesn't necessarily suggest a romantic relationship in itself, but she's found her footing with him and is even more assertive than in "White Rabbit." https://imgur.com/a/Xi4NMYi; see also https://imgur.com/a/ld50ktS
  • The more combative dynamic plus their physical interaction suggests they're closer than mere colleagues now. Couldn't Claire hand him these papers across the desk? https://imgur.com/a/pIuBOgd
  • Continuing on in that scene, their fighting is almost like foreplay. Who leans in toward someone as they get angrier and angrier?! https://imgur.com/a/pLcHcYB
  • These are two people rubbing up against each other AT WORK and disappointed when they're interrupted by the boss's phone call. https://imgur.com/a/ftAUqTI

E7: Precious

  • My biggest question here is whether Adam is oblivious or if he doesn't care that Jack & Claire are nonverbally acknowledging that they're in a relationship DURING A MEETING WITH THEIR BOSS. He does always seem to be looking down. https://imgur.com/a/vGSE9gj
  • A commenter on one of the old Geocities sites believed that Claire's looks from the tragically devoted husband to Jack in this scene said a lot about what she knew she could and couldn't get out of her new relationships with her boss. What do y'all think? https://imgur.com/a/bX5C2yf
  • More passionate arguing and Adam practically asleep over there in the corner. TW: Outdated and offensive language regarding disability. https://imgur.com/a/58mnbEc
  • Here we are again, sitting closer than coworkers should on a public bench. Look at Claire's back arm. https://imgur.com/a/eaEAzjE

E8: Virtue (verdict spoiler below)

  • A general note: The subject matter of this episode is uncomfortably close to our underlying storyline, so I want to note that no woman should EVER feel forced to sleep with their boss to get ahead, and we're just having fun here. If there was a hint that Jack made Claire uncomfortable I'd never make these posts.
  • Check out the way they look at each other here, and their tones of voice, especially when Jack narrows his eyes and asks "just between you and me." https://imgur.com/a/udjXsvG
  • Well THAT backfired. And another hot fight is interrupted by hapless Adam. https://imgur.com/a/cwopXQa
  • Wait a second. IS Adam so oblivious? His joke here seems to have Jack dumbstruck. https://imgur.com/a/5zcqi9X
  • Our pair are thrilled with their fresh verdict, maybe more so because there's now a line in the sand between the defendant and Jack. https://imgur.com/a/3dryCBz

E9: Scoundrels (verdict spoiler below)

E10: House Counsel

  • First note: JESSICA WALTER GUEST STARRING ROLE ALERT. And she really was married to her husband on the episode!
  • This episode contains an absolute cornucopia of evidence. Buckle the hell up.
  • Why does Claire stand behind the desk like this? I find it bizarre. She seems very irritated here and kind of defensive. https://imgur.com/a/d2JCKo9
  • This is one of the best displays of how their age difference affects their work and personal relationship. Claire maintains this air of moral purity and still seems horrified when Jack is friendly with the defense. This scene makes me wonder how long she's been practicing. https://imgur.com/a/L5kAU53
  • Continued debate and flirtation, with an off-putting touch of condescension from Jack, in poor Adam's office. They know each other very well by now. He touts Paul's pro bono work in law school for a women's group to impress Claire. When she sits to hear him lecture about justice, she looks at him suggestively while saying "noble cause." https://imgur.com/a/eUCmITS
  • Here Claire has had it with the lectures but Jack is preoccupied by his friend's betrayal of principle. He gets RIGHT up next to her at the end of this clip. It's the middle of the day! The door has a window in it! Keep your distance, you two. https://imgur.com/a/kVykWKi
  • YOUR BOSS IS RIGHT THERE! BREAK IT UP! https://imgur.com/a/1UYSfDR
  • ARM LINKING! The best evidence yet. She reaches for his arm to comfort him after he snaps at her. They're together. https://imgur.com/a/Lzf9wqY
  • Speechless. Snuggling in front of the boss. And listen to Adam's comment. https://imgur.com/a/tV816yF
  • Claire is all but drooling here. https://imgur.com/a/qRZCAsj
  • Look at the way she's leaning on the wall, getting into casual mode, and he shuts her down. As the Geocities poster pointed out years ago, it's not necessary to take separate elevators if you're going to part when you reach the lobby. He leaves alone to signal they're not going home together. https://imgur.com/a/ic0QBrA

As always, due credit to the Geocities posters (links below) who pioneered this mode of L&O romantic analysis!

https://web.archive.org/web/20021008072458/http://www.geocities.com/televisioncity/studio/9418/episode.html

http://web.archive.org/web/20021020112224/www.geocities.com/Broadway/2503/jcepisodes.html

I also found some fun Claire gifs and content on tumblr. https://bsinart.tumblr.com/

Posted Aug 17, 2021, 1:08 PM UTC · edited

2019
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