Post by jpen on Oct 15, 2008 13:40:30 GMT -5
Was happy to find this thread...I think about this issue all the time!
All of my moments are mentioned above, so I'll try not to belabor the point. First, I will never hold with those cynical TV critics who say that letting Maddie and David consummate their relationship ruined their chemistry. In fact, I think the writers strung us along until the last possible moment (particularly considering the reruns and hiatuses we had to endure); if they had waited any longer, I think there would have been considerable fan backlash. The chemistry was still in full force after IACM; were it not for logistical issues (most obviously Cybill's pregnancy), I think she and Bruce could've had a grand ol' time exploring relationship issues on behalf of their characters.
I chose multiple moments because, after each one, I took a mental deep breath and said, "Well, this still might be salvageable"...at least until #5 below (though I have a very, very hard time with #3):
1. Maddie goes to Chicago
2. Maddie marries Walter
3. "A Womb with a View": I'll save my full rant for the AWWAV thread, but the end of this episode was three things Moonlighting had never been before: insensitive, offensive, and cruel.
4. Season 5 episodes acting like Season 1 (Plastic Fantastic Lovers, I See England...): There are a few shining moments here (David, the "teenymobile," & the pearls; the shower scene in "I See England"), but they are brass, not gold.
5. The Annie arc: What's that sound? Oh--nails in the coffin. Virtually unforgiveable because: a) She's. Maddie's. COUSIN. and b) we see David happier with her than he was ever allowed to be with Maddie. Makes me want to kick things.
6. Lunar Eclipse: Like a jerk boyfriend/girlfriend who, not content with leaving you, tries to tarnish every good memory of the relationship that you have. Worst possible ending to one of the best shows ever; makes me want to throw AND kick things. The only salvation for me? Great future fan fiction like Virtual Moonlighting, which somehow spun silk out of the dross of Season 5. To me, VM is what Seasons 4 and 5 could have been--it keeps M & D's relationship going while still being true to their characters. Kudos to you, Diane et al!
All of my moments are mentioned above, so I'll try not to belabor the point. First, I will never hold with those cynical TV critics who say that letting Maddie and David consummate their relationship ruined their chemistry. In fact, I think the writers strung us along until the last possible moment (particularly considering the reruns and hiatuses we had to endure); if they had waited any longer, I think there would have been considerable fan backlash. The chemistry was still in full force after IACM; were it not for logistical issues (most obviously Cybill's pregnancy), I think she and Bruce could've had a grand ol' time exploring relationship issues on behalf of their characters.
I chose multiple moments because, after each one, I took a mental deep breath and said, "Well, this still might be salvageable"...at least until #5 below (though I have a very, very hard time with #3):
1. Maddie goes to Chicago
2. Maddie marries Walter
3. "A Womb with a View": I'll save my full rant for the AWWAV thread, but the end of this episode was three things Moonlighting had never been before: insensitive, offensive, and cruel.
4. Season 5 episodes acting like Season 1 (Plastic Fantastic Lovers, I See England...): There are a few shining moments here (David, the "teenymobile," & the pearls; the shower scene in "I See England"), but they are brass, not gold.
5. The Annie arc: What's that sound? Oh--nails in the coffin. Virtually unforgiveable because: a) She's. Maddie's. COUSIN. and b) we see David happier with her than he was ever allowed to be with Maddie. Makes me want to kick things.
6. Lunar Eclipse: Like a jerk boyfriend/girlfriend who, not content with leaving you, tries to tarnish every good memory of the relationship that you have. Worst possible ending to one of the best shows ever; makes me want to throw AND kick things. The only salvation for me? Great future fan fiction like Virtual Moonlighting, which somehow spun silk out of the dross of Season 5. To me, VM is what Seasons 4 and 5 could have been--it keeps M & D's relationship going while still being true to their characters. Kudos to you, Diane et al!