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Post by finefinegoodgood on Apr 19, 2011 12:53:15 GMT -5
Sandra - what a great great list! Loved all your picks! And I agree...what a great project this has been! So fun! It has made me go back and watch a few episodes I have not seen in a while.
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Post by finefinegoodgood on Apr 19, 2011 13:06:22 GMT -5
SIM - great job on your list so far! I love Bride of Tupperman as well! Glad to see it was included in your list...
and BMS...they got banged...LOL...the doors that is! HAHA!!! You kill me.
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Post by diane on Apr 19, 2011 13:30:37 GMT -5
Very nice start, Stayed.
I too love the datus interruptus scenes....love the all of a sudden, a little nervous and uncomfortable feeling in the elevator when the dynamic changes from coworker to prospective suitor. Love that they can't settle on anything they both love.....really doesn't look like this is gonna work out long term, huh? Hahaha! Fooled us!
Looking forward to your others.
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Post by stayedinmostly on Apr 19, 2011 15:33:45 GMT -5
I too love the datus interruptus scenes... Love that turn of phrase, Diane. Thanks for the encouragement so far. Here are the rest of my favourites. 5) The Son Also Rises: Welcome to Season Three This perfectly captures the excitement of an office romance, when you know that you will see the other person every day without having to admit that you are interested in them. There is a freshness and vitality to it, presumably because of the summer break in filming. It’s so clear that David and Maddie are both thrilled to have the chance to see each other again after the time apart, and that David doesn’t want to spend any more time than absolutely necessary with the Wobblies before he can get Maddie alone in her office. And then Maddie’s whispered, “Missed you” is a delightful hint of things to come. 6) The Man Who Cried Wife Murderer/murderer maybe The energy of this scene captivates me, with Maddie grabbing David’s tie and pulling him into the car even as she criticises their client's lack of self-control. There is such variety in Maddie’s tone of voice, from the shriek of “Relax?” and the Miss Piggy-style “Aha!” to the icy coldness once she realises he isn’t abandoning the case. Sometimes I have to watch this scene just as an antidote to the sadness and fatigue she exudes during season 4. The way the scene is staged - following them as they walk away from the client’s house, and as they stand arguing on either side of the car, and then as Maddie talks from inside the car - is a good example of the naturalistic style which seemed so unusual on tv at the time. As we know, in ML the car isn’t simply a way to get from A to B, but an essential backdrop of their lives, another stage for their fights and, ahem, their romance.
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Post by stayedinmostly on Apr 19, 2011 15:36:57 GMT -5
7) The Dream Sequence Always Rings Twice Rita sings ‘Blue Moon’
This episode is responsible for my love of Big Band music. Although the flashier ‘I told ya I love ya’ gets a lot of attention, the moment when Rita sings ‘Now I’m no longer alone’, in a scene laden with the growing attraction between Rita and Zach, gets me every time. For me it sums up all the unexpected joy and excitement that David brings into Maddie’ life. A great moment in a classic episode.
8) Brother Can You Spare a Blonde? If only you knew...
Maddie dances with Richie, and then the focus moves to David in the corner watching them together, unable to bear it, unable to look away. For a show where dialogue was everything, this scene said it all without words: you know exactly how much this hurts him. When I first watched this scene, it was like a thunderbolt. I knew it was love: David and Maddie, me and Moonlighting. Never the same again.
As so often with ML, the music captures the mood perfectly. I tried to track down this song for years – if only the internet had existed then – even to the extent of trying to sing it once in a record store. I still have a mix tape that my best friend gave me around that time. She knew all I wanted was this one song and didn’t want me to get my hopes up, so the tape is labelled simply, ‘No it’s not the one where she dances with somebody else’.
This is one of my favourite episodes, so almost every scene has something to recommend it, but special mention also for the epilogue where Maddie and David carefully sound out how the other is feeling after Richie’s departure: “You drop him off at the terminal or did you park your car and walk him in?” “Parked”. Cleverly written, pefectly acted, a little ML gem.
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Post by stayedinmostly on Apr 19, 2011 15:58:53 GMT -5
I'll end with a confession; as you may have noticed I haven't chosen any scenes from after the middle of season 3. Much as I love the angst-ridden scenes or the 'nearly' moments in their romance, I do also find it painful to watch them, remembering how frustrated I felt when I first saw them and knowing how it's all going to turn out. I thought of including the "morning after" scene in the office in To Heiress Human just because, before the dreaded P word is mentioned, we have a glimpse of how they might have been together if the plot had taken that turn. I love to see David trying to engage with her fears and reassure her. But I wish I didn't have to hear what she was saying. So, I return to the joy and light touch and potential of the early seasons because I'm a great big COWARD. But I realise that to ignore the later years is to disown part of the DNA of Moonlighting, the fact that the sincere human drama is as important as the comedy and banter.
Anyway, thanks for listening. Having to rewatch these scenes for this project is the best homework I've ever had.
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Post by sandra on Apr 19, 2011 16:03:35 GMT -5
Stayedinmostly,
loved your picks - quite a few unexpected ones, but nevertheless great ones! And what I loved best was your confession in the end - I'm SO with you here! Thanks, great list.
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Post by jpen on Apr 19, 2011 18:14:02 GMT -5
Stayedinmostly, Terrific job! You sprinkled a lot of astute observations in with some fun personal connections (the mix tape cracked me up). This one really jumped out at me: This was one of the few occasions when it made perfect sense for them not to kiss. You can tell from the slight movement of David’s mouth that he wants to, but he also understands that she is off-balance and unlikely to be feeling in a romantic or trusting mood. This time, it isn’t about their relationship, and that makes this scene so tender and nuanced.
I've never thought about it that way before--that it makes sense for them not to kiss because it's not about them. You can feel David wanting to reach out and touch her, and you can feel her wanting to be comforted...but it's not a romantic moment at all, much more elemental. Thanks for another wonderful walk down memory lane!
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Post by finefinegoodgood on Apr 19, 2011 19:34:56 GMT -5
SIM - Glad you choose The Man Who Cried Wife...that was on my long list...so Im glad it got included by someone.
I loved the extra little bit you threw in at the end of Brother Can You Spare A Blonde..."I still have a mix tape that my best friend gave me around that time. She knew all I wanted was this one song and didn’t want me to get my hopes up, so the tape is labelled simply, ‘No it’s not the one where she dances with somebody else’." Personal stories are the best!
Great great job SIM!!! Loved your picks!
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Post by Hazel on Apr 19, 2011 19:48:13 GMT -5
You've created an awesome list SIM, and while I tend toward the angst myself, I definitely see the appeal of such a terrific collection of lighter scenes. They really are some of ML's very best stuff, and it would have been nice to see them get back to that in the later seasons as well. Well done!
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Post by beesnbears on Apr 19, 2011 22:26:26 GMT -5
Super job, stayedin!
I've always loved that little elevator shot in Bride of Tupperman as well. The look on David's face is priceless when Maddie agrees to go out with him. And Maddie isn't sure how to react to it. Superb acting, yes?
Thanks for your list of goodies!
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goldilocks
3rd Level
You know he is perfect for me...but you and me...we...we..
Posts: 887
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Post by goldilocks on Apr 20, 2011 6:30:11 GMT -5
What a terrific list, Stayedinmostly! Enjoyed it very much. My personal favorite is the dance scene from 'Brother Can You Spare a Blonde?'
'When I first watched this scene, it was like a thunderbolt. I knew it was love: David and Maddie, me and Moonlighting.'
The same here, for me this episode and this scene were the last proof to wash away my doubts, I watched it and I was sure - they ARE in love. And doesn't a jealous David look hot? ::)Adorable! So glad you've mentioned this scene! Thanks for your amazing list!
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Post by diane on Apr 20, 2011 7:49:21 GMT -5
Very very nice job, stayed! It is hard to look at these scenes differently after all these years, but I think that is the most amazing thing that this project has had each of us accomplish.
I especially love this observation.....
As we know, in ML the car isn’t simply a way to get from A to B, but an essential backdrop of their lives, another stage for their fights and, ahem, their romance.
I would even go so far as to say that the car was a supporting character. Between the car and the doors, these supposed inanimate objects helped tell the story. They should have had a contract!
Loved your point of view, stayed! Glad you were a part of the project!
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1987
1st Level
Learning something every day
Posts: 210
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Post by 1987 on Apr 20, 2011 7:57:56 GMT -5
Stayed in mostly: such a great list! How observant this was about the Man Who Cried Wife argument: "The way the scene is staged - following them as they walk away from the client’s house, and as they stand arguing on either side of the car, and then as Maddie talks from inside the car - is a good example of the naturalistic style which seemed so unusual on tv at the time. As we know, in ML the car isn’t simply a way to get from A to B, but an essential backdrop of their lives, another stage for their fights and, ahem, their romance." This is so true. The staging and set up of this scene I have always loved and you put into words why. This is one of the reasons Moonlighting (especially season 3) holds up well today. And this sums up my daily life perfectly: "For years my children have wondered why I often say “Monday, David” instead of just “Monday” but even after showing them this scene it didn’t make any more sense. It’s not as though it’s the funniest line ever, but it is an indicator of how often I watched this scene that even the trivial lines became embedded in my mind." How many times a day do I quote this show and it sounds like utter nonsense? Except to about 12 other people all over the world who speak my same language. It is so nice to know I am not alone Great personal story. I loved this! Finally, the mixed tape was PRICELESS! I couldn't have gotten through my adolescence without mixed tapes. I'm sorry, but iPod playlists are just not the same. Thanks again SIM - very enjoyable!
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1987
1st Level
Learning something every day
Posts: 210
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Post by 1987 on Apr 20, 2011 8:03:44 GMT -5
"I would even go so far as to say that the car was a supporting character. "
I love this Diane. So true. That car almost seems like their child. I get so sentimental on the rare occassion I see a BMW from that era. I believe the last car scene we got with just the 2 of them was in Perfetc. This almost seems fitting as Perfetc was supposed to be the season ender. (I can't thank you enough for sharing that bit of information with us!)
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