tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post931619920547305664..comments2024-03-28T18:01:28.997-04:00Comments on What's Alan Watching?: I'll stop the world and melt with youAlan Sepinwallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03388147774725646742noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-7040531201462049852007-08-21T14:36:00.000-04:002007-08-21T14:36:00.000-04:00Amen. The compound seems contrived to me. And it...Amen. The compound seems contrived to me. And it seems like they are using it as way to make the show more like The Soprano's. Which it doesn't need. The family politics are more than enough for me. I think the compound would be more interesting if we saw less of it. <BR/><BR/>What I'd like to see are flashbacks that show how Nikki & Margene came into the family. I thought we were going to get that. HBO had a special about BL that showed a flashback after Nikki had her first baby. I thought we might get glimpses into that world but we didn't.<BR/><BR/>I'd also like to see Bill try and bring in a fourth wife. The politics of that would be interesting. I thought we were getting that with the waitress story line but they kind of copped out.<BR/><BR/>I agree with Curious George that seeing bill without his money would be fascinating. I hope the writers think to take that route. Right now I think they are laying the foundation of mechanisms that would (ironically) put Bill in charge of the compound. But I could be wrong.<BR/><BR/>On a slightly different note, has anyone else noticed that the promos are trying harder than ever to make this show look like The Sopranos? It's like they took the Soprano's promo template and plug in Big Love clips. Which is crazy since this show reminds more of Six Feet Under than The Soprano's.Tom O'Keefehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00618372280521433193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-68924486285095775892007-08-21T13:54:00.000-04:002007-08-21T13:54:00.000-04:00I may be imagining this, but it seems like HBO and...I may be imagining this, but it seems like HBO and the producers have really pushed for viewers and critics to portray "Big Love" as heir to "The Sopranos." (Middle-aged suburban guy dealing with family/Compound rather than family/Family).<BR/><BR/>Amazingly, I think the writing and acting of the "family" portions are comparable. The wedding scene had so much going on, it reminded me of the "Great Room" scene after Livia's funeral. The interaction between Bill and Sarah was every bit as powerful as the "College" episode.<BR/><BR/>On the other hand, the Soprano mob scenes contained similar drama and depth of character. If Vince Curatola and David Chase decided to make a series about the backstory of Johnny Sac, I'd watch every episode. <BR/><BR/>You can't say that about any of Bill's Compound foils (including the Greens and the Weber Gaming folks). There, it seems like the writers are just trying to pile up oddities in order to break the "Twin Peaks" record. <BR/><BR/>Sadly, most of the compound stuff is not necessary, except as a way to show Nicki and Bill's background. There is enough drama for the Henricksons just in dealing with "everyday life" such as Barb's family, neighbor Pam, etc.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-50363683708047666152007-08-21T12:34:00.000-04:002007-08-21T12:34:00.000-04:00BTW, the voice-over for the trailer called next we...BTW, the voice-over for the trailer called next week's episode the "season finale of 'The Kill Point'." Has Spike commissioned (or is considering) a second season? I can't imagine how that would work. If it follows the cops, it could work, except they've already gone through nearly every cliche in the book. If it follows the cops and the robbers, it'll quickly become another "Prison Break." Have you heard anything?afogliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02820361829972093800noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-9444188203874554222007-08-21T11:07:00.000-04:002007-08-21T11:07:00.000-04:00There was a razor placement in "The Kill Point" an...There was a razor placement in "The Kill Point" an episode or two ago when Horst's wife visits. It wasn't quite as obvious as this one though. But as blatant as this was, it only gets second place in the most blatant product placement of the night following "The Dead Zone's" big, honking Visa ad. Nothing like turning your characters into brain-dead spokespeople for a few second while displaying a huge product logo to ruin a show.afogliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02820361829972093800noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-75186625695709781302007-08-21T09:06:00.000-04:002007-08-21T09:06:00.000-04:00I thought it odd that Donnie Wahlberg was shaving ...I thought it odd that Donnie Wahlberg was shaving but didn't catch on that it was a true product placement. (I didn't notice the brand.).<BR/><BR/>You are correct that this episode was lame in that only the minor bit characters were slain in the gun battle (which, by the way, illustrates that no one on television can aim very well or hit a target with automatic or semiautomatic weapons).<BR/><BR/>This episode also convinced me that Dana Ashbrook's character is surplussage and he should return to Twin Peaks immediately.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-33324163806995416192007-08-20T18:42:00.000-04:002007-08-20T18:42:00.000-04:00The product placement was annoying, but at least t...The product placement was annoying, but at least they didn't actually have "Horst Cali" (worst name ever) use the razor and convert his SWAT leader comrade to heterosexuality with his close, smooth shave. That woulda been overboard.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-20047190296915114972007-08-20T14:25:00.000-04:002007-08-20T14:25:00.000-04:00All I know is that Omar the Sniper better get invo...<I>All I know is that Omar the Sniper better get involved at some point, because while I won't complain about Michael K. Williams getting a paycheck, I'm going to feel awfully teased by his presence if he's just window-dressing.</I><BR/><BR/>Speaking of window-dressing: Dana Ashbrook better have a bigger role in the finale, too. What's been the point of having him locked up in the mechanical room with the girl if he (and/or she) isn't going to do anything else except give Wolf two more hostages? I hope he's not being wasted (especially just to get wasted at the end so at least one of the hostages dies).<BR/><BR/>Otherwise, I've been thoroughly enjoying this show. I even put off watching "The 4400" until tonight so I could see "The Kill Point" first.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-23269832383005405642007-08-20T13:56:00.000-04:002007-08-20T13:56:00.000-04:00Really, what I would like to see on Big Love is th...Really, what I would like to see on Big Love is the destruction of the only thing that truly holds the polygamous family together: Bill's money. To live the lifestyle, one has to either live on the commune or be independently wealthy. Bill and Co. could not live, thrive, and survive without his income. I'd like to see them try.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-86846446795946808912007-08-20T13:43:00.000-04:002007-08-20T13:43:00.000-04:00I know how you feel about Big Love. I sort of comp...I know how you feel about <B>Big Love</B>. I sort of compulsively watch it even though I like some parts better than ever. (Truth be told, Ginnifer Goodwin is the glue that keeps me watching.) It was great seeign Ellen Burstyn and Philip Baker Hall as it was with Bonnie Bedelia earlier this season. I will miss it once HBO goes away at the end of this month.Edward Copelandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12463676135131274426noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-63010821878852492832007-08-20T13:39:00.000-04:002007-08-20T13:39:00.000-04:00And I'll back up Nicole and J as well concerning u...And I'll back up Nicole and J as well concerning upcoming episodes. From 'Human Nature' on through 'Utopia', the ride is intense. Enjoy!Toby O'Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06999037844031101965noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-66107173270739568562007-08-20T12:54:00.000-04:002007-08-20T12:54:00.000-04:00What Nicole said. You should post a bulletin that...What Nicole said. You should post a bulletin that anyone who's been scared off by the quality of the third series should definitely rejoin the show this week for "Human Nature."Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07278397835543484753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-87127630864468485432007-08-20T12:35:00.000-04:002007-08-20T12:35:00.000-04:00You've definitely been choosing the right BIG LOVE...You've definitely been choosing the right BIG LOVE episodes to single out this season, Alan. I found the meat of this week's episode-- the wedding, basically-- to be the most powerful material since "Kingdom Come"; it almost hurts to think about how great this show would be if Juniper Creek didn't figure into it at all. Season Two has been all about Barb's misgivings about her lot in life; I believe that Nikki's worries about Barb's love for Bill and the family not being enough (voiced at the end of an early episode, maybe the first IIRC) has been borne out. She seems doomed to pay forever for indulging her husband's need to bring on more wives in the first place-- Burstyn questioning what kind of man doesn't think such a beautiful family was enough was a real stinger-- and the addition of these sister-wives and their kids has sealed her fate in an Ibsen-esque fashion. It's been interesting to see her kids head down separate tributaries, with the son embracing the principle (albeit in a perverse interpretation that lays bare Bill's selfish, compromised version of it) and the daughter rejecting it brazenly. That scene with her father on the dance floor was just a jaw-dropping repudiation of his values. <BR/><BR/>Riveting stuff. Can't wait for the finale.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-31310635487987922812007-08-20T12:32:00.000-04:002007-08-20T12:32:00.000-04:00I agree that 42 was very similar to last year's Sa...I agree that 42 was very similar to last year's Satan Pit/ Impossible Planet, but I think the idea behind this episode was to make a real time thriller, which doesn't work when there are commercial interruptions. And since the BBC doesn't air any, the episode didn't have the 24 clock for the breaks. Sci-Fi should have aired it as a whole and placed the commercials before and after... it was 42 minutes long so there was definitely time.<BR/><BR/>I have to admit that at this point I was not entirely thrilled with this third series because outside of Smith and Jones and maybe Shakespeare Code the episodes were okay, with some good moments, but nothing that blew me away. <BR/><BR/>But, it gets so much better. Not that I want to raise expectations so high that viewers are disappointed, but if the upcoming two parter doesn't make you a fan of Tennant, and Who in general, then nothing will.Nicolehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11317568565085893849noreply@blogger.com