Post by queensgirl on Apr 22, 2006 11:13:48 GMT -5
Father McDonovan makes for an interesting character. He at first appears to be innocent and wants only to help; then he starts talking about his personal interest in the woman at confession, and suddenly things are a good deal more worldly than they seemed. So, who is he, and what is he really all about?
Quite often the clients and/or criminals and the hullabaloo in their lives reflect the nature of the relationship between our two detectives. Many times the cases deal with infidelity and other kinds of personal deception. When the subject is murder, once the two get to talking about it, we start to understand the real issue is often why people go over the top when under the sway of their feelings for somebody else. Even in stories that deal with personal property, such as ‘Portrait of Maddie,’ the focus shifts to egotism, loneliness, isolation and the question of what could happen if you do take the risk of reaching out.
Here, however, we see a unique way of establishing the ‘reflection’ character—instead of large numbers of characters who each play out some aspect of the issues between the two leads, we get one person who embodies both halves of the question. McDonovan gets to play two sides, one the honorable man who has an upbeat nature, is very trusting and tries to see the good in everybody, and the other a creature of the flesh, just an ordinary sort who is beginning to understand the lure of emotional love and physical attraction. One side tries to think out the problem; the other gets tired of waiting and wants to do something about it.
…Sound familiar? ;D
As ever, it takes a crisis to provoke our heroes into overcoming their fears and letting their real opinions fly. There is also a strange sense of acceptance that kicks in. While they are talking to the priest, although Dave doesn’t actually say he’s sorry, he does act considerably more relaxed and less judgemental. He chooses to ask why the man is in such a rush, instead of jumping to express his moral indignation. He is altogether more polite and less indignant than he was before. It seems David finally realizes how tough this was for the priest, not the easy choice David thought it would be. The world is not so black and white after all—but in spite of this, Fr. McDonovan still looks to be a happy, resilient person. He makes the decision that’s best for him, even if he hasn’t planned out all of his future, and Dave is man enough to stand back and say it’ll have to be all right. Maturity on all sides.
Maddie talks about her own attempt to see the other person’s point. I had to laugh as I felt sorry for her that once again, it didn’t work out, and her attempt to finally be open and forthcoming was met by disinterest. For once she’ll go along, talk about what’s on her mind, step outside her standard way of thinking, and what does she get? Nothing! Again! It’s enough to make you scream.
So. One step forward, two steps back, three steps sideways, and I think we’re going to fall over. But you can’t get anywhere unless you know the truth. Will the good people in the office see that? Will they be able to act on it? That’s open to question. Learning is not always the strong suit of Blue Moon.
However, because Fr. McDonovan gamely battles his way through his private dilemma, and remains a good person at the end although he’s chosen to make a big change, he offers something new to the two who are so used to making a lot of noise but never getting at the heart of things.
Hope.
Quite often the clients and/or criminals and the hullabaloo in their lives reflect the nature of the relationship between our two detectives. Many times the cases deal with infidelity and other kinds of personal deception. When the subject is murder, once the two get to talking about it, we start to understand the real issue is often why people go over the top when under the sway of their feelings for somebody else. Even in stories that deal with personal property, such as ‘Portrait of Maddie,’ the focus shifts to egotism, loneliness, isolation and the question of what could happen if you do take the risk of reaching out.
Here, however, we see a unique way of establishing the ‘reflection’ character—instead of large numbers of characters who each play out some aspect of the issues between the two leads, we get one person who embodies both halves of the question. McDonovan gets to play two sides, one the honorable man who has an upbeat nature, is very trusting and tries to see the good in everybody, and the other a creature of the flesh, just an ordinary sort who is beginning to understand the lure of emotional love and physical attraction. One side tries to think out the problem; the other gets tired of waiting and wants to do something about it.
…Sound familiar? ;D
As ever, it takes a crisis to provoke our heroes into overcoming their fears and letting their real opinions fly. There is also a strange sense of acceptance that kicks in. While they are talking to the priest, although Dave doesn’t actually say he’s sorry, he does act considerably more relaxed and less judgemental. He chooses to ask why the man is in such a rush, instead of jumping to express his moral indignation. He is altogether more polite and less indignant than he was before. It seems David finally realizes how tough this was for the priest, not the easy choice David thought it would be. The world is not so black and white after all—but in spite of this, Fr. McDonovan still looks to be a happy, resilient person. He makes the decision that’s best for him, even if he hasn’t planned out all of his future, and Dave is man enough to stand back and say it’ll have to be all right. Maturity on all sides.
Maddie talks about her own attempt to see the other person’s point. I had to laugh as I felt sorry for her that once again, it didn’t work out, and her attempt to finally be open and forthcoming was met by disinterest. For once she’ll go along, talk about what’s on her mind, step outside her standard way of thinking, and what does she get? Nothing! Again! It’s enough to make you scream.
So. One step forward, two steps back, three steps sideways, and I think we’re going to fall over. But you can’t get anywhere unless you know the truth. Will the good people in the office see that? Will they be able to act on it? That’s open to question. Learning is not always the strong suit of Blue Moon.
However, because Fr. McDonovan gamely battles his way through his private dilemma, and remains a good person at the end although he’s chosen to make a big change, he offers something new to the two who are so used to making a lot of noise but never getting at the heart of things.
Hope.