REWATCHING: FETAL ATTRACTION

[witness]

Well, I watched this episode just a few weeks ago, as soon as my Season 4 DVD box arrived. Given that, it's likely obvious this is a favorite of mine. So I'll start off with a couple of basic questions:

1. What are your thoughts/feelings about Terri?

2. Describe the chemistry between Brooke and Bruce/Terri and David.

[goldilocks]

I can't say that it is one of my favourite episodes, mostly because of Maddie and David being apart...But still there are some moments in the episode that I really appreciate!
Well, regarding the questions:

* What are your thoughts/feelings about Terri?

Terri is a nice, sweet woman with a sense of humor and she is may be a good friend as well... I just don't like to see her with David, nothing personal, but it just drives me crazy! When I see her with David doing Lamaze classes...it makes me angry and jealous, jealous, jealous! There should be Maddie instead of her!
And there is one more thing that makes the image of Terri mean for me: how could she come to David in the middle of the night ant tell him about her feelings, knowing that he has someone, someone he cares about, someone he is in love with?! It is not very nice, miss Knowles Not at all.

*Describe the chemistry between Brooke and Bruce/Terri and David*

It is an easy question to answer, because there is NO CHEMISTRY between them! No door slamming, no shouting, no arguing, no reconciliation....No nothing! As David said: it is just so simple with you! It is not hot, it is not cold!
In fact, it seems really boring to me.

[diane]

I haven't rewatched...so I guess I shouldn't jump in....but I have very definite opinions about David and Terry, so I am gonna jump in.

David and Terry are definitely not a "romance" in the Maddie and David sense, but I really believe there is love there...the good kind of love shared by two people, who although they are not destined to be together, each can help make the world a better place for each other.

There are lots of long term relationships, including marriages, that you see every day that are based on just this kind of love.....it is peaceful, comfortable and mutally beneficial. Sometimes, long term best friends can be the best kind of match. This kind of match would not have worked for David and Terry, however.

I think when David met Terry, he was a bit weary of all the drama, and looking for a little peace. Had Terry not been as strong as she was, and as caring about David's long term well being, I think she could have manipulated the situation to her advantage. But as a smart woman, she realized the best thing she could do for both David and herself, was merely to be there as support, to help David find his way back to what he really needed and wanted -- Maddie! And David helped her through a lonely and difficult period in her life to a time of great joy, where she gets what she really wants.....her baby!

I also think that the David/Terry "friendship" was a great plot device......one of the major complaints about Maddie not always "getting" David seems to be because she doesn't always get to see the sweetness that is in him, that we the viewers get to see. With the Terry situation, Maddie gets to see David in a different light.......

I think Terry and David (hence, Brooke and Bruce) had great chemistry........friends forever!

[tattybytatty]

1. What are your thoughts/feelings about Terri?
Terri is a strong and independent woman but also very sweet.
Actually she needs David as much as he needs her at that moment, so I see their relationship initially as an "exchange of favors."
Of course, as she is very much weakened by pregnancy she ends up mixing her feelings for David, but from him I do not see any confusion, what emerged most part it was just friendship.


2. Describe the chemistry between Brooke and Bruce/Terri and David.
I agree with Goldilocks, I see no chemistry between them, just say a good "rapport." ;D

[jpen]

May 26, 2010 1:47:44 GMT -5 witness said:

Well, I watched this episode just a few weeks ago, as soon as my Season 4 DVD box arrived. Given that, it's likely obvious this is a favorite of mine. So I'll start off with a couple of basic questions:

1. What are your thoughts/feelings about Terri?

2. Describe the chemistry between Brooke and Bruce/Terri and David.

Great questions, witness. I agree that the "chemistry" between Terry and David is certainly not what we see with Maddie and David. As David says, things are "easy" between them...because neither of them really has more than warm feelings at stake. They like each other, and they've been there for each other at an emotional and difficult time for them both.

That said, I think Terry is a great character. It would be so easy to demonize any woman that's not Maddie...but Terry's just a great gal, funny and smart, someone you'd love to hang out with, eat cheeseburgers with, etc. I think the writers did a good job developing the role, and Brooke Adams does a terrific job playing it!

[jpen]

Here's a few other questions that popped into my noggin:

1. Do you see any changes to/development of Bert and David's relationship since "Tale in Two Cities"?

2. What do we find out about David's perspective on his relationship with Maddie through his interactions with Terry?

3. From the "Totally Trivial, but I've Always Wondered..." Department, what the heck is lying on the bed next to David (in close proximity to his boxer shorts ;D) when Terry knocks on the door? (It's black and rectangular, and looks an awful lot like an iPhone, but that would be weird...)

[witness]

May 26, 2010 16:25:33 GMT -5 jpen said:

3. From the "Totally Trivial, but I've Always Wondered..." Department, what the heck is lying on the bed next to David (in close proximity to his boxer shorts ;D) when Terry knocks on the door? (It's black and rectangular, and looks an awful lot like an iPhone, but that would be weird...)

jen, after I read this, I ran over and cued up my DVD to the scene. When I recognized the item in question, I began LMAO. Assuming Dave has a TV in his room, I would definitely say it's a REMOTE! Difficult to identify a remote from '87 or '88 I know, but mine (from '97 I believe) has been found in that position on many occasions, so I know whereof I speak.

[beesnbears]

Funny you mention these little extra trivial things.....anyone notice the picture on his nightstand? Looks to be The Three Stooges!

[beesnbears]

My thoughts on Terri is David was very fortunate to come across someone like her while waiting on Maddie!

Agree with jpen , it would be really easy to make her the bad guy, like the real blonde bad guy that shows up in Season 5.

2. What do we find out about David's perspective on his relationship with Maddie through his interactions with Terry?

This question is exactly what I've been thinking about since I rewatched earlier this week. Terri is so different from Maddie in many ways, yet, there are some similarities, too. Hence, maybe that is why David is just a little attracted to Terri. Though, I don't think it's of a sexual nature. I think the chemistry is there, just a different kind of chemistry where two very good actors make you believe that something is there.

Terri is like Maddie in that her heart seems to be golden, yet she seems to have an easier time expressing herself than Maddie does at the moment. That's evident by the fact that she comes to David's apartment in the middle of the night to be open and honest with him, yet not trying to come between David and Maddie. She really has no clue yet as to what is going on with David and Maddie's relationship.

And who comes to David's apartment many months later? Maddie wants to tell David how she still feels about him then, but still struggles with the right words and gets completely off track in that conversation.

Another way that Terri is like Maddie is that she is very independent and somewhat strong-willed. Yet , she is soft spoken, choosing her words carefully from the time she meets David at Blue Moon until she has her baby in "Maddie Hayes Got Married" or "And The Flesh..." when David helps her bring her baby home, for that matter. She doesn't ignite and shoot flames from her tongue like Maddie can! I know, we never really saw Terri get angry much, unless you count the drive with David to Maddie's wedding and then screaming at them in the hospital. Still, I don't see her as one who would express herself so hot and heavy like Maddie can.

Something that I feel certain was done on purpose with Terri is her wardrobe. She wears the soft pastels like Maddie, yet they are a little more casual and soft looking....sweaters, pullovers, leggings, etc.. It makes her appear to be easy going...much like David.....

So, it's really no wonder that David describes his and Terri's relationship as easy or not hot or cold. He is completely flattered that Terri, whom he has known for a few weeks(?) comes to his apartment and so easily confesses her thoughts and feelings to him. And I'm sure part of his inability to respond to her is because it had NEVER been that way with Maddie!

So, I think David's perspective on his and Maddie's relationship is one of frustration, i.e. no phone calls from her...or letters...yet he still wants to continue getting ready for her return because of the ways Maddie is different from Terri. He loves Maddie because she is hard to read sometimes and she keeps him guessing, which for him can be invigorating, stimulating....and any other of those "ing" words! Maddie sets his world on fire with fire-engaged tongue lashings. It's that lightning in a bottle thing that we see between the two of them since the Pilot.

Just as Terri's wardrobe was designed to suit her personality and is soft and easy looking in David's eyes, Maddie's is the opposite....another thing David loves about her. Sexy, classy, sophisticated....and tough!

Maddie challenges David....professionally and personally.

I believe it was mynamesjohnny who said it best on another thread: "Take a look at David's eyes when he first sets them on Madolyn Hayes, the Blue Moon Shampoo girl". He still looks at her the same way, almost 4 years later.

Now....after all of that.....I completely agree with diane. Terri was used as another plot device for us to see another side of David. It drives viewers crazy because Maddie isn't aware of everything David is doing and what he has gone through in her absence.

It made us keep coming back, didn't it? And NOW....we rewatch!! ;D

Whew....hope I made some sense......

[goldilocks]

beesnbears, great post! I like it so much!

[beesnbears]

1. Do you see any changes to/development of Bert and David's relationship since "Tale in Two Cities"?

I think Bert has gotten to know David better since "Come Back...". And I think the same could be said for David getting to know a little more about Bert. He did take Bert to "blow off steam" in "Tale in Two...". Unfortunately they chose to do more than drink...When you think about it, only a true friend would practice Lamaze breathing with a pillow up their shirt....relaxing their "little piggies"!!

Having said that, I don't think David would admit that he is actually friends with him!

I get the feeling that Bert feeds off of Agnes as far as concerns about David and Maddie. But, I think Bert really wants to look out for David by easing case loads, etc.. He seems sympathetic to David's moods and knows David is hurting with Maddie in Chicago. And he let's David save face all the while. Mr. Addison is the coolest person ever!

I believe David has come to depend more on Agnes as well. She does run Blue Moon and can read him like a book!

The office scene in this ep with the pillow stuffed up Bert's shirt still makes me laugh out loud today! ;D

[bluemoonshampoo]

Hmmm - this is not one of my favourite episodes because I don't like seeing him take all the Lamaze classes with another woman etc and feel that we missed out seeing him and Maddie taking a class together which would have been great. In fact, that's what kept me going here, I thought to myself, it's okay he's doing this for Maddie so he's ready when she comes home to him.

The scene where Terry turns up at his house to confess her feeling about him really upset me the first time around...I was like, no I've had too much, don't throw another obstacle in the way of my favourite couple making up! However, as an adult, I appreciate that this exchange showed us yet another side of him and did actually emphasise his feelings and what he was going through with Maddie - so it grew on me. I enjoyed the fact that she was a strong and independent woman that he had a friendship with; proving that this is what he could also have with the Blondie if she let him. I can even say I like Terry now!

There is part of this ep that I really like though and that's when Maddie receives the baby books- as I feel that this is the pivotal moment when she decides it's time to go home, back to David. Little did I know that 'TOMT' brought more heartache with it :-( It would have made more sense for her to return home and try to work it out with David at this point...Glenn's idea of introducing Walter was like a tennis ball appearing in an American Football game- as in what the?! I have a rant bubbling here but I'll save that for the TOMT thread.

[rose35]

Mar 11, 2011 11:07:38 GMT -5 bluemoonshampoo said:

Hmmm - this is not one of my favourite episodes because I don't like seeing him take all the Lamaze classes with another woman etc and feel that we missed out seeing him and Maddie taking a class together which would have been great. In fact, that's what kept me going here, I thought to myself, it's okay he's doing this for Maddie so he's ready when she comes home to him.

The scene where Terry turns up at his house to confess her feeling about him really upset me the first time around...I was like, no I've had too much, don't throw another obstacle in the way of my favourite couple making up! However, as an adult, I appreciate that this exchange showed us yet another side of him and did actually emphasise his feelings and what he was going through with Maddie - so it grew on me. I enjoyed the fact that she was a strong and independent woman that he had a friendship with; proving that this is what he could also have with the Blondie if she let him. I can even say I like Terry now!

There is part of this ep that I really like though and that's when Maddie receives the baby books- as I feel that this is the pivotal moment when she decides it's time to go home, back to David. Little did I know that 'TOMT' brought more heartache with it :-( It would have made more sense for her to return home and try to work it out with David at this point...Glenn's idea of introducing Walter was like a tennis ball appearing in an American Football game- as in what the?! I have a rant bubbling here but I'll save that for the TOMT thread.

LOVE your review of this BMS! Yes i didn't like Terri in beginning either, but again with age see her differantly. How could she not start to feel something for David anyway after what he is doing for her! But i agree we got to see David do all the lamaze stuff with Terri and not once did we get that with Maddie except for thier cute talk about classes in the end of And The Flesh Was Made Word. I too loved how Maddie was so touched to learn David sent her those books and yes that was the push she needed to come back home to him and yes Walter was not needed after 4 & 1/2 months of obstacles! UGH Look forward to your rant on Tracks of My Tears!

[snappysara]

Great to read all of your thoughts on this episode. I have put off watching it again until this evening but it wasn't as bad as I had remembered.
The Bert pregnancy scene is quite funny (If we put aside the ever burning problem that David and Maddie still aren't being filmed together).
I like Terri. I think we put up with her much more than A**** as at this point she is not an actual threat to David and Maddie. Even when she turns up at his apartment. I quite like this scene. David sprawled out on his bed in his boxers, scruffy hair and those unwashed sheets! When there is a knock at the door - we all hold our breath willing and expecting it to be Maddie. Of course we are disappointed that it isn't but Terri's speech is very brave. I love the way that David sits on his weight machine and how what he is hearing from Terri is very different to what he heard from Maddie the last time he sat there! he is looking particularly gorgeous with the lighting showing off his green eyes. His "I don't know" in answer to Terri's speech is the first sign we have of a possibility that he could have feelings for someone else other than Maddie. I think David's monologue here is as good as the one to Maddie's father on the airplane. A brilliant and effortless performance, it is as if he is making it up as he goes along. And then..... the most exciting part.... we get to see David's kitchen!! I also think that Maddie realises in this episode that she wants to go home to David. This makes our hearts sing - at last. "I don't really care who the father is, it is more important who the father is going to be" This is what we expect from Moonlighting. The goodbye scene with her parents is again great acting on her part and brings a tear to my eye. It does however leave me wondering how the writers could have got the next few episodes sooooooooo wrong.

I am continuing to work my way through all the posts on the site - wishing I had been here years ago

[1987]

Great post SnappySara - makes me want to watch this one tonight
I too, was a year or 2 late posting on episodes. So keep on posting, they are being read!

Also, I loved Terri from the beginning and never viewed her as a threat. I've also never had any hate for Sam. But don't even get me started on She Who Must Not Be Named......