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Post by diane on May 19, 2009 19:28:13 GMT -5
I had some difficulty with questions this week. I guess because we are looking at not an original M&D story, but a Shakespearean tale that in my opinion is almost perfect, and that the writers used, to fit our detectives into well known existing characters. As an English major and a theater buff, I cannot count the number of times I have seen "The Taming of the Shrew" presented. I could be ignoring some obvious questions, so please feel free to add any that occur to you
Don’t get me wrong, Atomic Shakespeare is one of my absolute favorites............I’m just not sure it is..........hmmmm..........well, there we go......question #1.
1. Is Atomic Shakespeare a “Maddie and David” story? Do the characterizations ring true? Do we learn things in any prior or subsequent episodes that show up in the teleplay?
2. How do you like the title? What do you think it means?
3. Besides the obvious Shakespearean connection, there are many things in this episode influenced by classic television (at least the classics of my youth). Can we discuss some of your favorites?
4. How did you like the little touches that linked the story to everyday Blue Moon life? Which was your favorite link?
5. I know I am predictable…..what is your favorite quotable quote?
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Post by lin212 on May 19, 2009 20:19:45 GMT -5
Thanks for the questions, diane. These will take some pondering, but here goes.
1. Is Atomic Shakespeare a "David and Maddie" story? Do the characterizations ring true?
Well, we all know that The Taming of the Shrew was GGC's inspiration for ML, so the basic premise of the play should ring true. At first glance, in AS, we have Petruchio trying to make a quick buck by marrying "wealthily"...quick buck is the key. Then we have him pursuing Kate who runs from him. There is banter and plenty of bawdy innuendo. We even have Petruchio singing and slamming doors. Kate's quest for respect and partnership remind me of Maddie in Gunfight when she demands that she accompany David into the bar. And then we have Petruchio winning Kate over with his charm.
These are the first thoughts that come to mind. I'll have to ponder a little more...
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graycav56
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I can't imagine not rewatching with you next week.
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Post by graycav56 on May 19, 2009 20:20:22 GMT -5
I figured I'd start with No 5:
5. I know I am predictable…..what is your favorite quotable quote?
Zounds! What Mounds! (Naturally)
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graycav56
3rd Level
I can't imagine not rewatching with you next week.
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Post by graycav56 on May 19, 2009 20:24:33 GMT -5
2. How do you like the title? What do you think it means?
Interesting. One post on the episode thread mentioned it to be like George Clinton’s Atomic Dogs song by his Funk group with their fancy costumes and over the top acts. Others consider the Atomic part as in Atomic Bomb, where they take the established Shakespeare play and blow it all to hell!
I kinda go with the latter.
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graycav56
3rd Level
I can't imagine not rewatching with you next week.
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Post by graycav56 on May 19, 2009 20:28:22 GMT -5
4. How did you like the little touches that linked the story to everyday Blue Moon life? Which was your favorite link?
Oh, there were so many. The BMW logo on the horse’s blanket. The sunglasses. The slamming of doors.
My favorite was the overlapping dialogue in iambic pentameter! How tough was THAT?!
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Post by manitobadesigner on May 19, 2009 20:28:55 GMT -5
I figured I'd start with No 5: 5. I know I am predictable…..what is your favorite quotable quote?Zounds! What Mounds! (Naturally) I have to agree with "Zounds, what mounds!", Grey. And add to that "Goest thou to hell!" and "If I be waspish, best beware my sting!"
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Post by lin212 on May 19, 2009 20:32:35 GMT -5
2. How do you like the title? What do you think it means?
Honestly, this is a head scratcher for me...unless it is a euphemism for Shakespeare in the 20th century. I know that the epi titles were cleverly devised, so it must mean something fantastic. I hope someone has great insight on this one.
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Post by lin212 on May 19, 2009 20:49:40 GMT -5
Favorite quotes -
There are a lot of great lines in this one, several really pushing the envelope. A couple of my favorites:
"Lady, thou art mistaken. A gentleman never unsheaths his dagger before he is married."
"Tryest to plow this acre and thy blade may get broken!"
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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 May 19, 2009 20:52:11 GMT -5
1. Is Atomic Shakespeare a “Maddie and David” story? Do the characterizations ring true? Do we learn things in any prior or subsequent episodes that show up in the teleplay?
Oh heck, I LOVE this episode. It was so totally unexpected, so absolutely fresh and so well produced that I very much enjoyed watching it again.
I think there are some similarities, but some diversions that had to be made to keep somewhat to the classic script.
Petrucio was the closest to his ML character, probably followed by Lucentio/Bert, then Bianca/Agnes and I think Katerina/Maddie was the furthest apart.
I figure that the thing that came to me most was how both Petrucio and Katerina changed, met in the middle, to make their eventual love work. Petrucio showered her with kindness and she returned with a softening of her shrewability. They even came to an agreement in the last scene, where he had to admit his mistake, that it was indeed the sun and not the moon, and that her love meant more to him than any dowry.
If ONLY Maddie and David could have come to such an accommodation.
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Post by lin212 on May 19, 2009 20:56:42 GMT -5
4. How did you like the little touches that linked the story to everyday Blue Moon life? Which was your favorite link?Oh, there were so many. The BMW logo on the horse’s blanket. The sunglasses. The slamming of doors. My favorite was the overlapping dialogue in iambic pentameter! How tough was THAT?! Agree, gray, these all were great. If I had to pick just one, I would say the BMW logo. That was inspired.
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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 May 19, 2009 20:56:46 GMT -5
3. Besides the obvious Shakespearean connection, there are many things in this episode influenced by classic television (at least the classics of my youth). Can we discuss some of your favorites?
Ah, Warner Brother’s Cartoon music as well as the outlandish dynamite in the suit of armor. The Honeymooners reference: "Bang zoom! I hope they like these jokes on the moon Kate, 'cause that's where you're going!"
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Post by jpen on May 19, 2009 20:58:22 GMT -5
I'm gonna have to jump on these Q's later tonight, but just had to take this opportunity to give gray kudos for the avatar...forsooth, 'tis a hit! A very palpable hit! ;D
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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 May 19, 2009 21:01:21 GMT -5
I'm gonna have to jump on these Q's later tonight, but just had to take this opportunity to give gray kudos for the avatar...forsooth, 'tis a hit! A very palpable hit! ;D Thanks Jen! I had a couple of options with this great episode, but anytime I can get me in the virtual sack with Cybill...I'm there!
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Post by lin212 on May 19, 2009 21:09:21 GMT -5
3. Besides the obvious Shakespearean connection, there are many things in this episode influenced by classic television (at least the classics of my youth). Can we discuss some of your favorites? The Honeymooners routine is right up at the top. Bruce and Cybill do an awesome job - they are perfect as Ralph and Alice (or should I say Jackie Gleason and Audrey Meadows?)
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Post by jpen on May 19, 2009 21:16:39 GMT -5
3. Besides the obvious Shakespearean connection, there are many things in this episode influenced by classic television (at least the classics of my youth). Can we discuss some of your favorites? The Honeymooners routine is right up at the top. Bruce and Cybill do an awesome job - they are perfect as Ralph and Alice (or should I say Jackie Gleason and Audrey Meadows?) Yes...and don't you love that Petruchio says (I'm paraphrasing): "Tis the moon, which is where you'll go!" in their argument in the bedroom. (Funny thing, actually--that line is not in the copy of the script I have.)
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