South of Nowhere - 2x08 Commentary
Dec. 2nd, 2006 06:49 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
trancer212x08 - Objects May Be Closer Than They Appear
I'm still not sure how I feel about this episode. On one hand, from a writing/narrative position, I think it was one of the best of the season. It flowed naturally. Scenes were organic. There was less filler and extraneous characters taking up space for the sake of airtime (except Aiden but that's because I'm beginning to hate him).
And yet, I get to the otherhand where it all felt.. rushed. In the course of the ep four characters reach dramatic conclusions Arthur has to be there to protect his daughter, Spencer discovers how much she needs her family, Paula realizes what losing her daughter ultimately means and Ashley discovers, in taking Spencer, she has a family that cares for her (Spencer and Arthur). I understand the narrative choices that were made and how they had to go from A to get to Z yet, like I said, it really felt rushed.
I felt not only shortchanged on the Spencer/Ashley arc, but also Paula's arc as well. I really loved her conversation with Chelsea. And totally noticed the irony of Paula being a better mother to someone else's daughter. But, there was no scene between when she leaves for work and welcomes Spencer home that fully explained her 180 degree turn. Not that I'm saying she *shouldn't* be distraught over her daughter running away but a *little* reflection regarding her part in Spencer's running away wouldn't have hurt.
If anything, I feel like this should have been a two-parter where the rest of the Carlin clan could deal with the fallout.
And then there's Spencer and Ashley who are, like, the world's wort runaway's. They weren't even gone for a friggin' *day* before they decided to pack it in and call home. Put this way, Buffy was gone for three months. Hell, even Marissa on The OC made it for a couple weeks before running home to Mama. Here? Not even a day!
I can totally see Ashley removing the spare tire for beach equipment but, if I'm to believe she's done this before, she *doesn't* withdraw a buttload of cash before hitting the road!?! Let alone driving along the emptiest, most boring stretch of road on the face of the planet.
Of course, all my criticisms go right out the window with Arthur's speech at the end. Guh! That scene made me want Arthur as *my* Dad!! And then Ashley's hug. I've said it before but that poor kid's like a kicked puppy that wants nothing more than to be loved but is still wading through the giant defenses she's put up around herself to keep from getting hurt. So it was really sweet to see her so unguarded around an actual adult. Plus, if there's anyone who needs a supportive with no strings adult in their life, it's Ashley. I swear I just wanna pick her up and put her in my pocket! Along with Spencer.. where they can actually make out!
I'm still not sure how I feel about this episode. On one hand, from a writing/narrative position, I think it was one of the best of the season. It flowed naturally. Scenes were organic. There was less filler and extraneous characters taking up space for the sake of airtime (except Aiden but that's because I'm beginning to hate him).
And yet, I get to the otherhand where it all felt.. rushed. In the course of the ep four characters reach dramatic conclusions Arthur has to be there to protect his daughter, Spencer discovers how much she needs her family, Paula realizes what losing her daughter ultimately means and Ashley discovers, in taking Spencer, she has a family that cares for her (Spencer and Arthur). I understand the narrative choices that were made and how they had to go from A to get to Z yet, like I said, it really felt rushed.
I felt not only shortchanged on the Spencer/Ashley arc, but also Paula's arc as well. I really loved her conversation with Chelsea. And totally noticed the irony of Paula being a better mother to someone else's daughter. But, there was no scene between when she leaves for work and welcomes Spencer home that fully explained her 180 degree turn. Not that I'm saying she *shouldn't* be distraught over her daughter running away but a *little* reflection regarding her part in Spencer's running away wouldn't have hurt.
If anything, I feel like this should have been a two-parter where the rest of the Carlin clan could deal with the fallout.
And then there's Spencer and Ashley who are, like, the world's wort runaway's. They weren't even gone for a friggin' *day* before they decided to pack it in and call home. Put this way, Buffy was gone for three months. Hell, even Marissa on The OC made it for a couple weeks before running home to Mama. Here? Not even a day!
I can totally see Ashley removing the spare tire for beach equipment but, if I'm to believe she's done this before, she *doesn't* withdraw a buttload of cash before hitting the road!?! Let alone driving along the emptiest, most boring stretch of road on the face of the planet.
Of course, all my criticisms go right out the window with Arthur's speech at the end. Guh! That scene made me want Arthur as *my* Dad!! And then Ashley's hug. I've said it before but that poor kid's like a kicked puppy that wants nothing more than to be loved but is still wading through the giant defenses she's put up around herself to keep from getting hurt. So it was really sweet to see her so unguarded around an actual adult. Plus, if there's anyone who needs a supportive with no strings adult in their life, it's Ashley. I swear I just wanna pick her up and put her in my pocket! Along with Spencer.. where they can actually make out!
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no subject
on 2006-12-03 04:17 am (UTC)I like that they showed the other side of Paula (the side she seems to resever for her sons and their connections) where she can be accepting and non-judgemental. It makes her character more three dimensional and at the same time also calls into question exactly why she's homophobic - she can acknowledge her faith has issues with abortion but is still able to put that aside for Chelsea.
Arthur is great. Ashley really does resemble a kicked puppy a lot of the time. Spencer is a bit of a film geek. Chelsea and Clay made up. Glen hardly had any scenes (thank you) and Sean got to be wise - definite plus points.
But no kissing? Worst runaways ever.
no subject
on 2006-12-03 05:38 am (UTC)Yeah, and then to tease us with the "twice" comment. Sometimes, heh, I think this show actually hates its viewers.
I think the whole speed thing can be applied to the entire series.
Yep. There's still this 'stumbling to find its footing' feel to the show. Sometimes they get it right but I do wonder how the show would fare under a less restrictive network.