Dr. Cal Lightman quotes from Lie to Me

Ria Torres

Guys like that don't change.

Cal Lightman

Not generally, no, which is why this case is so interesting.

Cal Lightman

That's a charming story.

Cal Lightman

Do you mind? I missed lunch.

Manny Trillo

Stopping by for lunch?

Manny Trillo

My life is in your hands.

Cal Lightman

(still eating a sandwich) I couldn't agree more.

Ria Torres

Do you think it might be helpful to clue me into your little experiments?

Cal Lightman

Nope.

Cal Lightman

Hey, if she has strong feelings for Trillo, then she has to learn to put them aside.

Gillian Foster

Oh, so I guess if-if someone's got to teach her to how to avoid her feelings, then you're the most qualified.

Ria Torres

Whatever

Cal Lightman

Oh, that is the kind of emotionally-detached scientific analysis we value around here.

Ria Torres

He's a criminal. He's a fantastic liar.

Cal Lightman

He's an appalling liar. He's atrocious!

Cal Lightman

You need to stop making this personal.

Ria Torres

I'm not making this personal.

Cal Lightman

Yeah, you are!

Cal Lightman

Your procerus doesn't move, which means you had your nose fixed, right? You don't strike me as particularly vain, so what is it then? Who was it? Was it your dad? You dad smack you around? Huh?

Ria Torres

I know violent people. They don't change. You said so yourself: most people learn this kind of trigger.

Cal Lightman

I'm sorry about before. (Ria raises her eyebrows at him) Sometimes I see so much, I don't know how not to tell people.

Ria Torres

Yeah, I get that.

Cal Lightman

You're right; most people don't change. Right? I've been there, waiting for it, hoping for it, and then they just... don't.

Cal Lightman

But there are a few, I think, who can.

Ria Torres

Any other life lessons?

Cal Lightman

(leans forward in his chair) When someone... bashes you around, who's twice your size, just whenever he feels like it, you learn to read emotions pretty fast. We adapt to survive. Your abuse made you a natural. He made you what you are.

Ria Torres

(takes another unsteady breath) Well, I'll be sure to thank him.

Ria Torres

So what about you?

Cal Lightman

Nah, I'm not a natural. I had to learn this.

Ria Torres

Why did you want to learn? What, you all of a sudden became obsessed with facial expressions? (she reads his face) I didn't think so. So who was it? Who made you who you are?

Cal Lightman

You going to be okay?

Gillian Foster

(unconvincingly) Sure.

Cal Lightman

No, 'cause I can do this one on my own.

Gillian Foster

No, not a chance. Look, I know what you're thinking and it's not going to be a problem. I'm fine.

Cal Lightman

Off the record?

Yeah, off the record. (to camera man) Turn the camera off.

Cal Lightman

It's my understanding that, uh, Samantha Birch was seen with an unidentified man leaving a restaurant called the Happy Dragon.

Thank you. (to camera man) Let's go.

Cal Lightman

Well, the Birches could use some privacy. And the Happy Dragon could definitely use the business.

(referring to Cal) It's going to take him forever to listen all these people.

Cal Lightman

Fortunately, I won't have to.

Cal Lightman

You know, you were very good back there with Mrs. Birch. Very nurturing. Maybe you should get a puppy! I could talk to Obama's people.

Gillian Foster

Alec has allergies.

Cal Lightman

Poodles! No fur. They have hair.

Gillian Foster

That's not what it's about.

Cal Lightman

He's got something for us.

Let's hope.

Cal Lightman

No, I'm telling you.