Post by M.A.Y. on Nov 20, 2002 6:29:52 GMT -5
Trouble in The Neighborhood....
I'm not sure what to think about this episode. I guess I'll start with the most troubling aspect: Lulu's case. This was one of those "ripped from the headlines" plots that shows like Law & Order are so fond of. Generally, I'm not a big fan of that kind of plot inspiration. Episodes that attempt this always seem to have a "been there and done that" feeling to them that lessens the entertainment value for me. And a murder mystery just doesn't seem like the right direction for the show. Particularly when it's done so poorly. If Hollander is going to try this type of thing again he's going to have to do better than the obvious. I'm sure most viewers figured out that it was Hugh who murdered the girl, long before the "giveaway" scene with the stuffed bunny, when Hugh muttered his first "I'm gonna need a lawyer".
The stuff between Nick and Hugh was interesting. Any plot points that give us a look at Nick's past are always welcome. So Nick's mama made him play with a kid who used to "beat the crap" out of him! Could this be a small part of the reason why our boy Nick has so much trouble making friends? Burton really gave Jake a difficult task in trying to find some of Nick's friends! Does he have any? Watching Jake dance around the fact that he and Nick really aren't "buddies" was as amusing as it was telling. Nick is a very isolated young man. His father doesn't know much about his life, he's in love with Mrs. Olsen and he won't talk to her, he doesn't hang out with Jake outside of the office, so I guess that leaves us with...Kim.
I still don't like this character (mostly because I think she's been miscast). But it was good of her to offer Nick the perspective that Burton's gift of $33 was meant as a joke, and though they seem like they are closer, I wonder if it's still just a sex thing. What do you think?
It seems like Hollander missed a golden opportunity to build some tension in a Lulu-Nick-Kim triangle. Mrs. Olsen has got to be feeling lonely and all of her previous curiosity about Nick should be bubbling up to the surface by now. I mean who can forget all the heat generated in that kiss from Shelter! Nick needs to plant another big one on Mrs. Olsen and then leave her to sweat alone in the heat until she comes to her senses!
This episode had both sides of the father-son dynamic. There was both tension and resolution. Burton's desire to give Nick a party shows a new thoughtfulness on his part and the gift of the watch was truly a very loving gift, especially since it originally came from Nick's mother. But seeing them struggle with each other is much more interesting because it seems truer to where the characters are in their relationship. When circumstances force them to show their love for each other it makes for a better interaction between them. I think most viewers love to see how the distance between father & son makes it difficult for them to communicate and understand each other.
There was some trouble in this Neighborhood and it might mean trouble for the show.
Overall, a very average episode.
I'm not sure what to think about this episode. I guess I'll start with the most troubling aspect: Lulu's case. This was one of those "ripped from the headlines" plots that shows like Law & Order are so fond of. Generally, I'm not a big fan of that kind of plot inspiration. Episodes that attempt this always seem to have a "been there and done that" feeling to them that lessens the entertainment value for me. And a murder mystery just doesn't seem like the right direction for the show. Particularly when it's done so poorly. If Hollander is going to try this type of thing again he's going to have to do better than the obvious. I'm sure most viewers figured out that it was Hugh who murdered the girl, long before the "giveaway" scene with the stuffed bunny, when Hugh muttered his first "I'm gonna need a lawyer".
The stuff between Nick and Hugh was interesting. Any plot points that give us a look at Nick's past are always welcome. So Nick's mama made him play with a kid who used to "beat the crap" out of him! Could this be a small part of the reason why our boy Nick has so much trouble making friends? Burton really gave Jake a difficult task in trying to find some of Nick's friends! Does he have any? Watching Jake dance around the fact that he and Nick really aren't "buddies" was as amusing as it was telling. Nick is a very isolated young man. His father doesn't know much about his life, he's in love with Mrs. Olsen and he won't talk to her, he doesn't hang out with Jake outside of the office, so I guess that leaves us with...Kim.
I still don't like this character (mostly because I think she's been miscast). But it was good of her to offer Nick the perspective that Burton's gift of $33 was meant as a joke, and though they seem like they are closer, I wonder if it's still just a sex thing. What do you think?
It seems like Hollander missed a golden opportunity to build some tension in a Lulu-Nick-Kim triangle. Mrs. Olsen has got to be feeling lonely and all of her previous curiosity about Nick should be bubbling up to the surface by now. I mean who can forget all the heat generated in that kiss from Shelter! Nick needs to plant another big one on Mrs. Olsen and then leave her to sweat alone in the heat until she comes to her senses!
This episode had both sides of the father-son dynamic. There was both tension and resolution. Burton's desire to give Nick a party shows a new thoughtfulness on his part and the gift of the watch was truly a very loving gift, especially since it originally came from Nick's mother. But seeing them struggle with each other is much more interesting because it seems truer to where the characters are in their relationship. When circumstances force them to show their love for each other it makes for a better interaction between them. I think most viewers love to see how the distance between father & son makes it difficult for them to communicate and understand each other.
There was some trouble in this Neighborhood and it might mean trouble for the show.
Overall, a very average episode.
?I feel like shaking the woman......She's maddening.
---cloud9
after the promising scene on the bridge! Fortunately, there were these father&son's very good moments. I liked Kim the first times, but in the Neighborhood, she was out of place and the fun between them was over. In the middle of the show, I surprised myself waiting for 
scenes from the next episodes