I can’t believe how hard this was for me. But, then again I can, because our show is made up of so many great moments. And anyway, there really is no wrong answer here, right?
So how did I go about making my picks? It occurred to me, as I stressed over this entirely too much, that I should just go with what strummed my heartstrings. What a roller coaster of emotions this took me through: Giddy, laugh out loud-get the giggles-happy, frustrated, moments of “A-hah!”… sad, angry, gut-punched, …all of these with heart palpitations to boot. Not to mention the ones that make me want to grab David by the ear and tell him to knock it off, as well as some that are so damn hot they threaten the threshold of fire alarms everywhere. But strangely, some of those didn’t make it to the top of my list.
So here’s my list of favorite scenes (today, anyway…) and why I picked them. And while most of you will probably put yours in order by favorites, I just couldn’t possibly do that to myself!
The One That Makes Me LOL-Get The Giggles-Happy: David mimics Maddie in “My Fair David”I can’t watch this scene without laughing out loud and grinning ear to ear. It begins with Maddie upset with David because she found him in all out limbo party mode at Blue Moon. Apparently his afflicted personality has sent her over the edge and she’s leaning towards the dissolution of their partnership…but not really. David swaggering and lumbering along behind Maddie, making fun of her behind her back in front of all the employees as she lectures him on the value of being mature, grown up and responsible, sends me into a little fit of giggles. She thinks she’s doing him a favor, teaching him a grown-up lesson or two so she can function stress-free on the job.
Come to find out, it’s Maddie who learns a thing or two…and not just about David, either.
The one That Makes Me Go “A-Hah!”: One of the car scenes in “The Next Murder You Hear”You know the one. David accuses Maddie of being hung up on Paul McCain. Maddie accuses David of being jealous, and to save face and steer the conversation away from how he truly feels, he states that for him to be jealous McCain would have to have something he wants. He doesn’t, so how could he possibly be jealous?. Boy did that come out wrong. And he knows it, too. He only had to look Maddie in the eye to see she was slightly hurt by his rebuttal. It’s one of the first real pieces of what is going on between partners besides murder mystery and cases that we get to see.
And, by the way, David is just jealous, jealous, jealous!
The One That Makes Me Feel Gut-Punched: David standing in the rain at Maddie’s doorstep ready to profess his love when you know who answers the door in “Blonde on Blonde”.After being worried about her all day, Maddie refuses to tell David what’s bothering her (which is a really great scene as well…sigh!). He follows her all over town and then lands himself in jail. He’s dirty, smelly, beaten and bruised; yet, he decides, or he thinks, that the truth will set him free, that it was time for the itch to get scratched. Cue the music because that is what makes the scene so heart wrenching. If you don’t believe it, try watching that scene without sound just as the police car drops David off in Maddie’s driveway. (Ha! I did this by accident, by the way…) Al Jarreau’s voice singing the very song they first danced to in the pilot, “Since I Fell” is just pure genius. But then, THEN David pounds on Maddie’s door, excited, nervous with flowers in hand, but determined to put an end to the guessing between them. Only that guy Sam opens the door. And then leaves him there…in the pouring rain…stunned and hurt that Maddie actually did what she said she was going to do. I don’t think there was a single woman that didn’t feel their stomach sink to their toes. Mine still does to this day.
And Sam? He’s a S.C.H.M.U.C.K.
The One That Is Just Plain Hot: The fantasy kisses in “The Man Who Cried Wife”I know, I know, there are some other hot scenes that are probably worth much more to mention. I haven’t forgotten Zack and Rita in “The Dream Sequence…” or the bed scene in “Atomic Shakespeare”, but those really aren’t David and Maddie. What about the end of “I Am Curious…” or the garage kiss in “Witness…” you ask? Well, I agree those are in the hotness ranks. But, I like the fantasy kisses at the end of this episode because of how it not only expresses how they truly feel about each other, but the unfolding understanding going on between Maddie and David that runs deeper than the physical or sexual attraction. The entire episode is about living life with a little spontaneity, putting those lists of pro’s and con’s aside occasionally and running barefoot. And that it’s possible to live a passion-filled life with a little spontaneity in order to live life to it’s fullest without leaving common sense behind.
And while the kisses are in fantasy form, it is truly their own desires. But, it gets tricky. From which perspective do you see this scene? Is it Maddie’s desire to kiss David, be kissed or both? The same goes from David’s viewpoint. Who’s fantasy is it? I think it’s pretty clever writing…if it was what they intended.
Besides, didn’t you believe it was the REAL thing the first time you saw Maddie kiss David’s face off? That oughta tell ya’ something…
“That’s the thing about spontaneity…a little goes a long way.”-- David Addison, Jr.
The One That’s Another Gut-Check: Maddie’s voicemail in “Cool Hand Dave II”David has finally been released from his two week stay in prison and still determined to go to Chicago to fetch Maddie. He enters his apartment and begins packing, listening to messages on his answering machine. First, Maddie tells him, begs him actually, to please don’t come to Chicago as she couldn’t possibly stand to go another fifteen rounds with him while she tries to figure everything out. Besides, she hasn’t told her parent’s yet that she’s pregnant. And if he really cares, he won’t come. But, that doesn’t stop him from throwing clothes into his suitcase. He’s tired of playing by her rules. Then he hears Agnes who is very concerned about HIS absence and a funny message from Bert. And then, Maddie’s voice again, thankful that he has respected her wishes, acknowledging what he has been going through. And then she tells him she loves him. The sound of her voice is soothing , yet torturous. He rewinds the tape so he can hear her say those three little words again. And then he slowly unpacks the clothes he has thrown haphazardly into a suitcase.
My heart leaps and palpitates with the lump that forms in my throat. Maddie’s rules would have to do a little bit longer.
(Bruce is fabulous in this scene, but I must mention the incidental music. Upon entering his bedroom, we hear “David music” through a soulful harmonica. When he decides to stay put a while longer in LA, we hear”Maddie music”on a piano instead. I’ve always loved that!) The One That Strums My Heart Every Which Way Possible: When Maddie returns to Blue Moon in “Tracks of My Tears”She’s been gone for four and a half months, didn’t write, made two phone calls to David that ended up on his answering machine, and he’s been to Hell and back again….several times, actually. But the moment he sees her, the moment their eyes meet, I feel all is right with the world again. And then Maddie starts to lose her nerve….okay, understandable, but my heart does a flip-flop. David finally coaxes her into her office where he is so obviously glad she’s back, ready to pick up right where they left off, possibly willing to forgive all of the last four months because she’s come home. But, she wants to wait. For what? That’s what he’d like to know.
That's what I'd like to know! Her attitude makes me squirm because you know and I know that David won’t be able to take anything but yes for an answer. An argument ensues and my bubble is burst, only to have hopes renewed when he comes back and they fall easily into each other arms again. But, something in Maddie’s demeanor makes me nervous…or angry? He hears her words, the final two blows, but finds one thing just as unbelievable as the other. And to cover up and protect his own frayed heart, he laughs off the insane possibilty that Maddie Hayes married a man she met on a train and has known for three whole days. Because the other was the near fatal blow. She tells him the baby isn’t his, but to leave Sam out of the equation. His face seems to say “I just can’t win for losing”, but he recovers quickly and hides behind the ludicrous situation Maddie has presented to him.
So much for forgiveness. Did I say this one makes me angry?
Which is why I love my next pick…
(
okay…technically, I know this might be a whole Act instead of a single scene, but when I started this one I just couldn’t leave any part out! I suppose if I were MADE to, I’d settle for the meeting of the eyes in the outer office….)The One That Fills My Heart To Overflowing: The hospital scene in “Maddie Hayes Got Married” where Maddie tells David she still loves him.Finally, after all of the madness and chaos, Maddie follows her heart. She’s just been told by David that he won’t be in the office on Monday morning and that she just doesn’t understand how the last five months have made him feel. Knowing she might have lost her chance with him, eyes glistening, she tells him she’s sorry for hurting him and that she loves him. But the clincher for me? She tells him she wishes that the baby she is carrying was his. I love this scene not only for what transpires between them, not only because David is willing to open his arms to her again, but for the direction Maddie’s character has taken. She’s not only open and honest with David, but with herself.
And it makes ME feel wonderful.
The One That Makes Me Go “Oo-la-la!”: The opening office scene where they first see each other after their two week vacations in “The Son Also Rises”First, I must say I’m dumbfounded that I didn’t put this episode on my Top 6 list! Not sure how that happened, as I ended up watching the entire thing with the intentions of only watching the first scene in Maddie’s office. Cybill and Bruce are terrific, it’s chock full of sexiness, there’s great overlapping dialogue and character development galore. I wish I could just say the entire thing is one of my favorite scenes. But, I shall carry on…
Maddie and David have returned from their respective vacations. We are led to believe, through her conversation with Agnes, that Maddie didn’t really have all that great of a time in New York, as she seems to make up a few little white lies as to her activites while there. David, on the other hand, looks to have had a good time in Mexico, given the way he makes his flamboyant entrance into the office.Though, he does seem a little anxious to leave the Wobblies with their “La Bamba” dancing, asking Agnes if Maddie has made it in yet. I think he thought of Maddie the entire time, hence the maracas he bought for her. I love this scene because it’s one of the few times we get to see how much they are glad to be in each others company. Absence apparently made their hearts grow fonder, and I find as I watch David pace around Maddie’s chair and sit on her desk, the two of them eyeng each other with teasing adoration, so did mine. Everything about this scene-- the lighting, the sound, wardrobe, make-up, hair, is just downright sexy and the way Maddie says “missed you” makes my tummy all a flutter!.
A big “Oo-La-La” moment for me.
The One That Makes Me Want To Stand Up, Cheer, And Give David A High-Five: The famous speech in “Father Know Last”How much can aa guy take until he either snaps and runs away, or snaps and fights? We find out when… (Well….I have to remind you…or I probably don’t, but anyway)…after David returns from a two week stay in prison, gets a message on his answering machine that Maddie loves him because he didn’t come after her in Chicago, Blue Moon is a sinking ship, Mr. Hayes decides to pay him a visit (perfect timing, Alex…) and then tells him over lunch that he wished he was younger so he could kick his ass for what HE did to Maddie, and to top it off, his biggest fan, Agnes, turns on him. But Agnes manages to punch some life into him and he goes chasing after Maddie’s father and lands himself on the same flight Mr. Hayes has taken back to Chicago via Denver.
And then we get the speech we all love. (A definite highlight in Bruce’s contribution to the show. He was fabulous!) David’s heartfelt apology for the things he admits he’s done wrong and his confession of undying love for Maddie. He stands before this tough guy, Alexander Hayes, and fights! And in no uncertain terms, he tells Mr. Hayes, as well as remind all of us, exactly what he’s been through. That he’s put himself on the chopping block more than a few times in his and Maddie’s relationship, that he’s told her how he feels about her, even asked her to marry him, (apparently…) but in the end, he’s tried to make Maddie happy by playing by her rules. He’s waited, still waiting, and will keep waiting, but now it’s up to Maddie to make the next move.
So, Mr. Hayes… don’t come around here making David the villain—don’t blame this on him. Marry her? Does he love her? Mr. Hayes, he’d give up his life for her.
…er…sorry…but, this scene always makes me want to join in the good fight!
The One That Kills: The elevator scene in “Between A Yuk and a Hard Place”Okay, I know there are a gazillion things wrong with the whole story line of Maddie losing the baby and probably a whole other bazilion things that are wrong with this episode alone. BUT, I have always loved the elevator scene. I love when people are forced together under uncomfortable situations and are made to confront issues they’d just as soon do just about anything to avoid. And that’s what happens here. Agnes and MacGillicuddy sabatoge the elevator and leave Maddie and David to face their demons. It feels claustrophobic, the music stinks, and Maddie won’t look David in the eye. It makes me squirm, it makes me want to play thrapist and get them to talk, it makes me want to grab them by the ears and tell them to look at each other for Pete’s sake. And then, David explodes over the hideous renedition of “You Must Have Been A Beautiful Baby” and sends Maddie over the edge. A warm feeling flows through my entire body and my own tears can’t help themselves….I swear I can’t get through it with dry eyes! After all of the denial between them about what has actually happened…..and the whole episode is about denying true feelings…they finally face the thing that built a wall between them. And although it’s a short moment, we do see how much they still love each other and for that brief time, the world has been put back on it’s axis.
Do I feel there are some flaws in how this scene ended? Yes. (besides, what’s the flipper for…) But for me, I always take away that moment where David and Maddie connected.
True bonds can never be broken.
And boogety, boogety, boogety….that’s all folks!