graycav56
3rd Level
I can't imagine not rewatching with you next week.
Posts: 948
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Post by graycav56 on Oct 21, 2009 20:54:40 GMT -5
8. What is the purpose of the gas station altercation?
I think it was a bit of a change of pace. The previous couple of scenes had a Sam vs Dave flair, where here the rivals had to team up to defeat a much larger threat. I think this equalized them somewhat. To me it humanized Sam a tad, as up to this point he seemed infallible (good looks, Yale, low density polymer inventor, particle physics astronaut); but even Luke can get his ass kicked by Bubba in a gas station.
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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 Oct 21, 2009 21:07:26 GMT -5
2. David, in the opening scene: Is he really thinking that Maddie "got horizonty" with Mr. Anonymous?
I don't really think so. I go back to an earlier post where I mentioned that Maddie would not go to sleep with a new dude in the hooch. At least she would not have slept so soundly that she would not have been awoken by Dave's knocking at the door. No, this new guy is SOMEBODY. He is there, she is asleep and he knew her name, speaking it with a familiar ring. There is more to the handsome mug than some pickup at the corner watering hole, but Dave isn't sure yet.
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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 Oct 21, 2009 21:21:14 GMT -5
6. Why is Maddie so insistent on keeping her date with Sam? Do you think she understands that David is jealous?
I think you all hit around this. Maddie is completely unaware that Dave and Bert followed her last night, that Dave was incarcerated, that Dave was at her door...with purloined flowers no less. All she knows is that she got a message from an old friend (a VERY close old friend we later find out), they met, had an apparent good time and want to continue the engagement. Running into Sam has allowed her to put those "pinching chastity belt" feelings aside for the moment, so things are good as gold.
Likewise she wouldn't consider David to be jealous because as far as she is concerned, Dave knows NOTHING about Sam, and they have never met. She does not see them as rivals for her affection at this point. I don't think Maddie considers Sam to be a (rekindled) love interest at this point either.
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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 Oct 21, 2009 21:33:18 GMT -5
11. OK, time to confront the blue-eyed elephant in the room: Sam. What are your impressions of him, based on this episode?
Ya know, this was inspired casting. I like Mark Harmon. I think he is a good dude, both as an actor and a person. When I saw him at the door at the end of BOB I absolutely cracked up. What a perfect foil for David Addison. They couldn't have done better if Tom Selleck would have been there.
Some of the younger folks on the board may not understand the importance put on Sam being an astronaut. To those of us of a certain age, an astronaut was the pinnacle of achievement. When you were a kid you knew every one of the Mercury pilots and watched every Gemini and Apollo mission from lift off to splash down. So Sam had the perfect job, the perfect education, the perfect looks, a wonderful demeanor and a history with Maddie that rivaled the recent experiences that she had with Dave. We don't yet know Sam's intentions, but by the end of the show it is a bit clearer. This was more than a chance encounter. So yes, Sam is all that and a bag of chips. But Dave...Dave is SALSA! Let the games begin!
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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 Oct 21, 2009 21:41:57 GMT -5
10. How would you characterize Maddie's reactions in the bedroom scene? What is she thinking at the end?
She was thinking "Why couldn't this be that dashing young Cavalry Captain from Philadelphia?"
She's conflicted. Now she knows there is a contest with her as the top prize. I'm sure that isn't entirely foreign to her, but now it is between two men who she is obviously fond of. The returning lover who has to compete with her memories of his former self in one corner and the unconsumated passion exhibited by the man who has been at her side through thick and thin and three seasons in the other corner. I suppose Maddie had to take things to the next level to see where here true feeling lie. Sam...you're up!
At the end, here is where "I" am at a severe disadvantage, not being a chick and all. But I look at Maddie and I think she has determined that Sam, wonderful Sam, just doesn't butter her biscuit. She isn't sure Dave can either, but I think this scene shows that Sam is out of the running. Dave may not win, but Sam definitely won't.
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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 Oct 21, 2009 21:52:09 GMT -5
3. Why does David want to refuse the Johnson case? To me, it seemed not so much that David wanted to refuse the case, but to show Maddie how well he has come to know, understand, and respect her points of view. He thinks he can predict her every move. But this is no longer the deal. When David says, "Nice to know things are finally loosening up around here" it is with a note of sarcasm and a look of discomfort on his face. David has been thrown off course by Maddie's sudden personality shift. He thinks he's going to meet her halfway, prevent an argument, only to have her fly past him in another direction. Couldn't have said it better if I tried. And I DID try, but gave up.
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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 Oct 21, 2009 22:32:36 GMT -5
This was one of those episodes I had to VHS and watch later, therefore I have it with....COMMERCIALS, all courtesy WPVI, the ABC affiliate in Philadelphia.
The VCR kicked in right on time, so I don't have any before the credits, but afterwards:
Taster's Choice Coffee Dodge Daytona
First Break Dean Witter Financial (with Dick Carson, Johnny's brother) Post Natural Raisin Bran Cereal (with John Denver) Heinz Ketchup TV Ad: Emmanuel Lewis Special
Second Break Advil Jeep - now with 4 liter 6 cylinder power TV Ads: Dynasty, Hotel, TV Movie Amerika Ocean Spray Liquid Concentrate Nissan Sentra, Stanza and Maxima Million Dollar Movie: The Spy with the Perfect Cover
Third Break Fritos Corn Chips Peppermint Scope Crest Tartar Control Toothpaste Hellmans Mayonaise TV Ad: Good Morning America
Fourth Break Fresh Lash by Mabelline Buick (Save up to $1200 if purchased by April 30, 1987) TV AD: Carol Burnett Special (with Whoopie Goldberg, Robin Williams and Carl Reiner)
Voice over end credits ABC News Special Our World The Colbys Another ad for the upcoming Carol Burnett Special that follows
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witness
3rd Level
"We're quite a pair, aren't we?"
Posts: 857
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Post by witness on Oct 21, 2009 22:53:40 GMT -5
Here's a question (3-parter): It's obvious David does not want Maddie to know about him being on her doorstep at 4am. Why do you think he almost lets slip that he and Sam have already met? Why do you think Sam pretends they haven't? Is Sam helping Dave save face, or does he have an ulterior motive? Guys, perhaps my ego needs a little stroking here; it's my first time posting a question(s) and I really want to know what y'all have to say!
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witness
3rd Level
"We're quite a pair, aren't we?"
Posts: 857
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Post by witness on Oct 21, 2009 23:12:42 GMT -5
In essence, David drowned all his most attractive qualities--the ones that would make Maddie choose him over Sam--in that oddly-colored (seriously!) wine. Jen, you crack me up! I always figured that was cranberry juice because the only red wine that even remotely resembles that color is Pinot Noir. And Pinot, as far as I know, was not a common grape of choice until it was showcased in the hit film Sideways (2000). So, there could not have been a worse facsimilie of Cab or Merlot at that dinner table.
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Post by jpen on Oct 21, 2009 23:21:09 GMT -5
10. How would you characterize Maddie's reactions in the bedroom scene? What is she thinking at the end?She was thinking "Why couldn't this be that dashing young Cavalry Captain from Philadelphia?" Oh, gray, you know it! ;D Agree, though I'm not sure she's made a definite decision as far as Sam goes...otherwise, her answer when he asks her to be "wife and wife" would've been pretty simple. I also sense some guilt and--perhaps unexpected--loneliness. This whole thing started because Maddie was looking for a physical connection with someone. That was a bust, and then Sam showed up, offering a potential emotional connection as well...but Maddie, honey, you're not feelin' it--and you know it. But I think she's wondering--if she can't connect with this "perfect" guy...can she connect with anyone at all? Which leads her to think about a certain ripped-blazer-wearing, smart-aleck, passed-out mess of a guy...
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witness
3rd Level
"We're quite a pair, aren't we?"
Posts: 857
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Post by witness on Oct 21, 2009 23:35:03 GMT -5
As far as the flying thing, jpen and I were pm'ing earlier and she made reference to the book Diane mentioned , "Fear of Flying" by Erica Jong, back in the "Blonde on Blonde" Rewatch thread. Didn't put this together with this scene until now, but boy it would fit if the writers were trying to be cute!! My goodness, bees and jen: Astute much?
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Post by jpen on Oct 21, 2009 23:44:12 GMT -5
As far as the flying thing, jpen and I were pm'ing earlier and she made reference to the book Diane mentioned , "Fear of Flying" by Erica Jong, back in the "Blonde on Blonde" Rewatch thread. Didn't put this together with this scene until now, but boy it would fit if the writers were trying to be cute!! My goodness, bees and jen: Astute much? Aw, shucks, witness, thanks...always knew those years of textual analysis would come in handy sometime!
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Post by jpen on Oct 22, 2009 0:02:41 GMT -5
Here's a question (3-parter): It's obvious David does not want Maddie to know about him being on her doorstep at 4am. Why do you think he almost lets slip that he and Sam have already met? Why do you think Sam pretends they haven't? Is Sam helping Dave save face, or does he have an ulterior motive? Guys, perhaps my ego needs a little stroking here; it's my first time posting a question(s) and I really want to know what y'all have to say! Great question, witness. Here goes: I think David is reconsidering his vow of silence about being at Maddie's in the wee sma's. After all, he has shown up at Chez Bray (sp?) with the express purpose of declaring his feelings to her, so I think he figures his cards are gonna be on the table anyway. As for Sam, I don't think he's trying to help David save face...he's got not one ulterior motive, but two: 1. If Maddie finds out now that David was at her door, she might want to know why Sam hadn't shared this little tidbit of info with her before. 2. Sam has waltzed back into Maddie's life after what seems like a pretty long absence. Therefore, he has no idea how things stand between David and Maddie. But he's no dummy--there aren't too many reasons why a guy would show up on a gorgeous woman's doorstep at 4am and then claim what he had to say was "not important." Sam assumes David is a rival, on some level, but he doesn't know how Maddie feels. The best defense being a good offense, Sam cuts David off at the pass, effectively blocking David's access to/communication with Maddie--which he (Sam) will do again and again: -when he comes back from the head too soon -when he carries David to the car -when he goes to David's apartment (in IACM) -in the garage in IACM Perhaps this sounds too Machiavellian for a nice boy from Chicago...but I sure don't trust our Shammy!
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witness
3rd Level
"We're quite a pair, aren't we?"
Posts: 857
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Post by witness on Oct 22, 2009 0:59:50 GMT -5
9. At what point does Maddie decide she's going to sleep with Sam...and why? 10. How would you characterize Maddie's reactions in the bedroom scene? What is she thinking at the end? Thought I would tackle these together. Maddie's ultimate decision comes when they are dancing in her bedroom, although I'm certain she's been thinking about it ever since Sam's arrival. Because now, instead of having to satisfy that urge with a stranger, she can quench at least some of the fire with an old lover. But even while they are dancing, it looks like Maddie is trying to feel it, trying to get into it, closing her eyes to block out thoughts of her other dinner companion and/or to imagine his are the arms that are holding her. At the end, Maddie is thinking, "Uh-oh...I'm in deep do-do here." She tried to forget about David by giving herself to Sam. It didn't work. She has come to fully realize the gist of what David was trying to convey at dinner, and that she has a veritable conundrum on her hands.
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witness
3rd Level
"We're quite a pair, aren't we?"
Posts: 857
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Post by witness on Oct 22, 2009 1:59:06 GMT -5
11. OK, time to confront the blue-eyed elephant in the room: Sam. What are your impressions of him, based on this episode? This is difficult. I have a dichotomous view of Sam, because he's a very dichotomous character. Basically, Sam is a good guy. Smart, accomplished, charming, funny, humble, etc. But at one point his "aw-shucks" persona made me say, "Ok, enough for crying out loud." But when Sam takes over paying the check, and David says, "I'll get you back, Luke," Sam's response of "I know you will" is touching because it shows he understands one thing we all know and love about Dave: he's a man of his word. Then, we have Sam's fear of flying story, which is a one-upmanship ploy that crashes and burns. So, at this point, I still have a mostly positive impression (gasp!), but there are some subtleties of manipulative behavior that don't sit well with me.
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