Johanna
3rd Level
Stranger who? Stranger me? They don't get any stranger...
Posts: 671
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Post by Johanna on Jun 16, 2006 8:46:07 GMT -5
I've heard and read lots of times people saying that Maddie didn't break the 4th wall because she didn't do it well, and that it was more of something David would do. I never got that, I thought no matter who did it, it was enjoyable to me. ;D
But here is, imo, Walter showing us how someone can break the 4th wall badly. When he leaves the office for the very last time (aka his second time?) he says goodbye to the staff, then looks into the camera and says: "Okay, are you happy now?" The first times I watched it, I didn't get who he was talking to. Could've been adressed to Maddie, or anyone in the staff. It just felt crazy to me (not in a funny way), and unnecessary. But maybe that's just me..
Btw, did any other side character ever do that?
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Post by funkycat on Jun 16, 2006 16:33:26 GMT -5
I remember watching these episodes when they first aired and being really angry with Maddie for getting married! I gather from reading various postings and articles on this site that this was a pretty well universal reaction.
I always felt that the writers/creators felt that they had got themselves into a corner with the whole Maddie / Walter thing and they extricated themselves from it as best they could. At the time I remember feeling that Walter/Denis Dugan was talking to us - the disgruntled members of the audience.
I think the reason that you perceive this as a bad wallbreaker, Jkalen is because it is said with spite/malice. All other wallbreakers that I can remember are fun, cheeky or otherwise cute asides. I can't recall any other character apart from D & M breaking the fourth wall.
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Post by diane on Jun 16, 2006 21:08:25 GMT -5
I love Walter breaking the fourth wall!
It was such a highlight.........Maddie's marriage was universally hated by all fans, and was the fodder for all tabloids and entertainment magazines.
I really thought it was perfect.
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Post by babyhayes on Jun 17, 2006 2:04:45 GMT -5
I have to agree with Diane - I like this wallbreaker, as I see it as the writers accepting that Maddie marrying Walter wasn't perhaps the most popular decision ever made. He is definitely talking to the audience in my opinion and is a good moment because I don't think you would be expecting him to suddenly turn to the camera and address us directly. I also don't see it as bitter, but with a little wry humour which is quite clever as I think you can feel a little sympathy for him. Or am I being too soft? ;D
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Johanna
3rd Level
Stranger who? Stranger me? They don't get any stranger...
Posts: 671
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Post by Johanna on Jun 17, 2006 3:58:02 GMT -5
I find that so interesting, however a bit shocking, that you really liked it. Don't change my opinion, though, I still get the heebie-jeebs... I do feel a little sympathy for Walter, and wish we could've told him from the beginning that a mariage to Maddie would be doomed.
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Helen
1st Level
Posts: 29
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Post by Helen on Jun 22, 2006 15:25:32 GMT -5
Could someone explain to me please what breaking the 4th wall means? I presume from reading the posts it's to do with the character speaking directly to camera to the viewers but I'm not sure exactly where this phrase comes from. I did like this episode & I liked the way that Teri mentioned to David that Walter had been calling her, it makes you hope that they have a happy ending together & that all the loose ends are tied up.
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Post by funkycat on Jun 23, 2006 3:24:34 GMT -5
You're right Helen it is when a character (in ML usually David) speaks directly to camera. The idea of a '4th wall' comes from the notion of a set having usually only 3 walls with the fourth wall existing only in the audience's imagination as we visualise the set being a 3D proper room. For reasons of camera positioning (or in the theatre - audience positioning) the 4th wall is not built. As an audience we suspend disbelief and watch the action as if we are privy to conversations taking place in a room. By breaking the 4th wall this supension of disbelief is broken and we are reminded that we are watching performers. ML did this very well as not only did the characters speak directly to the camera but they also made reference to themselves being characters in a TV show. Hope this somehow makes sense!
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Post by adyjdy on Sept 21, 2006 22:40:17 GMT -5
I thought Walter breaking the 4th wall in this one was pretty appropriate. The plotline was universally panned, and I think it was fairly clever for the writers to tap into our collective anger and speak to it, directly. I don't know about anyone else, but I remember when he said, "There, ya happy now?" I screamed back at the TV, "YES!"
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graycav56
3rd Level
I can't imagine not rewatching with you next week.
Posts: 948
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Post by graycav56 on Mar 5, 2007 11:36:00 GMT -5
I think Walter's wallbreaker was the most unexpected and probably the funniest since the "give a flying fig" byplay.
You almost always expected to have Dave or Maddie or one of the regulars do that, but a guest star? Unheard of!
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