Training Day - A SpoilerTV Tribute to Bill Paxton

Like many of you, I learned early Sunday of the unexpected death of Training Day star Bill Paxton at the age of 61. Paxton was an everyman actor, finding something in every role he took that appealed to the everyman in us all. Solider, scientist, astronaut, historical legend, it didn’t matter, in each role he found some part of each character that connected with people. And you get the feeling he was just scratching the surface. His was a unique talent from a unique man, gone far too soon.

I have been a Bill Paxton fan for many years, my earliest recollection being of him as Private Hudson in Aliens. I have followed his films for years and count Twister, Apollo 13 and Mighty Joe Young among my favorites. He is one of the main reasons I chose Training Day as one of the first shows I would review for SpoilerTV, I knew if he was involved the show was going to be worth watching.

So, instead of my typical review of the latest episode of CBS’ Training Day, I’m going to do something a little different in tribute to Bill Paxton, actor. To appreciate Paxton’s talent, one need only look as far as “Code of Honor”, the latest episode of the series.

Frank Rourke, the character he portrayed, is a complex, complicated man and Paxton was beginning to hit his stride in the role, showing us new layers of Frank each week. Many of those layers were on clear display in “Code of Honor.”

First, we had Frank the father figure. Katrina Law was another reason I chose Training Day, so having two of my favorites share the screen became an added bonus. Any scenes between her and Paxton became my go to scenes of each episode, and this week was no exception. After learning of Rebecca’s past, her dynamic with Frank, and his role as the father figure in her life was apparent in an opening scene. You can feel their connection and protectiveness toward each other in a brief father-daughter talk about trusting Kyle, the new-comer and in Rebecca’s eyes, the threat to her family.

Next is Frank the role model, to Carlos (Johnny Skourtis), the informant. From the first time they met, Frank and Carlos had a special relationship. Carlos was first nabbed with drugs by Frank and his then partner, Billy, (Kyle's father -Cassius Willis). Frank became a role model for Carlos, who wanted to be a cop but couldn’t because of his size, so he settled for being Frank’s PI their special name for confidential informant.Frank made him feel important treating him as more than a confidential informant, watching Carlos grow, play ball and have a family, a family that suddenly included Frank.

Which brings us to Frank the friend who is devastated when Carlos is murdered in a hit by the Yakuza at the docks during a bogus drug deal, and then Frank the protector, putting aside his anger at the FBI when he learns they knew Carlos was going to be killed at a drug buy, to take care of Carlos’ wife and daughter.

We see Frank the cop, arguing with his boss, Lockhart (Marianne Jean-Baptiste) about turning the case involving Carlos’ murder over to the FBI. He fights to get justice for his friend.

Then there’s Frank the mentor, showing his rookie trainee, Kyle (Justin Cornwell) just how far he’ll go to protect those he cares about and to get justice, even so far as to walk boldly into a Yakuza run pachenko club to find those who murdered his friend. We learn too, that when things got hairy Kyle did step up and have Frank's back.

You have Frank the leader, giving his team the chance to save themselves before taking on an army of Yakuza thugs when they find the drug shipment at the center of Carlos’ death. But being the leader he is not one member of this team, and yes this includes Kyle, backs away. Frank is the kind of leader that invokes loyalty, the kind of leader who tells his team he’d rather be there with them, facing probable death, than anywhere else.

And finally, you have Frank the cowboy, going alone to take on the head of the Yazuka, armed with just a baseball bat Carlos had given him as a gift the day he had asked Frank to be his daughter's god-father. Frank carried a little bit of Carlos with him in that bat and with every swing finally found the justice his friend deserved.

And there you have Frank Rourke- father, mentor, role model, cop, protector,leader, cowboy and friend all in one episode portrayed by one man– Bill Paxton, actor, a talent gone far too soon. RIP Bill, your talent and your heart will be missed.

SpoilerTV sends it condolences to Bill Paxton’s wife and children and also to his Training Day Family.

As further tribute, I’ve asked my fellow SpoilerTV writers to share their thoughts and favorite roles of Bill Paxton. Share yours in the comments below.

From my fellow writers at SpoilerTV:

DarkUFO - I first remembered him as Private Hudson in Aliens. But the film that I really remember but it's quite a little known one was Frailty. He played a very different character to what we are used to. Really good film that you should check out.

Kristie Bihn - Everyone has their favorite Bill Paxton film moment, but my favorite role is one he played on television. For me, he'll always first be Bill Henrickson from Big Love. Whether it's film or TV, the man never had a role he didn't fully capture. What a loss.

Samantha Benjamin - He was in 3 of my favorite childhood movies, Titanic, Mighty Joe Young & Twister. I've only watched the pilot of Training Day so far, and he was the best thing about the show. Was one of those actors that just had something about them.

Laura Markus - I adored the man in Big Love. I haven't finished the show (and I certainly plan to do so sooner than later in light of recent events) but he brought such an energy to every scene he was in. It was impossible not to root for him and appreciate what he was doing. He had chemistry with everyone, which was immensely important for a role like this. And then of course the movie Twister, a silly movie indeed but his performance was energetic and charismatic, nonetheless. He was a charming force and he will be missed greatly.

zandarl - From fighting Aliens to chasing Tornados Bill Paxton showed such diversity as an actor . It was in a lesser known film one false move where he played police chief Dale 'Hurricane ' Dixon that he really stood out . Know for his charisma and charm throughout Hollywood he will be sadly missed . Another light gone from us but up to the heavens.

Maxine Sutton - I loved Apollo 13 not for Tom Hanks but for Kevin Bacon and Bill Paxton. I thought that where Hanks brought a romanticism to the role of Lovell, Paxton and Bacon made the film more real and relatable.

Lisa Macklem - I'm going to vote for him in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. He delivered a fantastic performance - and the tributes are rolling in from every actor on AoS - they all loved him, especially Brett Dalton, who said he Paxton wasn't just his character's mentor, he became one in real life. Clark Gregg became good friends with him - and Training Day was being filmed on the same lot as AoS - they'd often hang out, bump into each other in makeup....

Aimee Hicks - Bill Paxton was an extraordinary actor who left this world far too soon. It is without question that he still had a lot to offer the industry. Sadly, his immense talent was lost to the world, but worst of all a father and husband was taken from those who loved him. Their lives have been shattered, but hopefully, they can find some solace in knowing that he was loved and adored by many. Through his work, he gave so much to so many people simply by doing a craft he was born to do. If any actor was born destined to be a performer it was him. When he was working he made it all look so easy because acting just came so naturally to him, much like breathing does to the rest of us.

The first thing I remember seeing him in was Twister, a movie that I still love and adore to this day. That movie might not have seemed like it at the time, but it is a true classic. That movie really started off the disaster movie craze, because everyone wanted to be a badass just like Bill Harding. Apollo 13 was another shining example of his incredible acting prowess and another eternal classic. Then there was his very fun turn as a bad guy on Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D., and while everyone wanted to hate the character for essentially turning Ward to the dark side, it was Bill Paxton and it is impossible to hate anything that man did. He made it so this sinister character was someone that the audience could connect with even if they really didn’t want to. His talent was only surpassed by his genuine natural kindness. It was always evident in every interview he ever did, but all one has to do is listen to what all of his co-stars would say about him. He was a performer that was adored by all that knew him and all that were lucky enough to see one of his amazing performances.

RIP Bill Paxton, you were an extraordinary man who was taken from this world far too soon. Thoughts and prayers go out to his friends and family.