(no subject)
There is going out in style, and then there is going out with something that is positively aplomb, and - dare I say it - with the finishing line in sight, ER has really hit its stride. As a rule, I am not in favour of bringing back old cast members for a farewell reunion: people move on, and in the grand scheme of things, what do goodbyes matter, compared to all that goes before? But they've been clever about this. It's worked, and I've found room in my heart for characters old and new, and enjoyed it all.
Last week they were promoting the Clooney return for all it was worth, but it was the return of Dr Benton that did it for me. I'm not oblivious to the Clooney thing, but Dr Ross for me is all bedside manner and no trousers. Dr Benton didn't only walk the line between arrogance and compassion, he strode down it, and it always made for brilliant TV, this episode included. He made a checklist seem cool! Plus, his relationship with Carter was almost my favourite thing on the show, and to see the two of them together again was truly a thing of joy.
And this week they gave my ship its happy ending, which it turns out is all it takes for me to carte blanche all the mangled love-triangling it took to get there. I love that after more than her fair share of steamy scenes Neela's story should end with a smile and a quiet moment across a room.
I've been rewatching the first series of Ashes to Ashes alongside the second, and the more I see the more I fall in love with it, which is how it should be with good cult TV. That's probably all it is, but it's enough. :)
I like to think if you hold back a little bit on your sexual tension it's not because you're trying to wean your audience off it but because you want them to want it more. And Alex's belief that Gene might really exist means their relationship, too, has to be grounded in something more real. The dynamic is bound to evolve, and for every moment I find myself there going, "Enough with the plot! Get on with the flirting!" there's another moment that's all teamly and tender and has me lighter-waving on the floor. Last week's episode had me at "Fire up the flipchart!" The thought of the two of them up all night with multi-coloured markers and spider diagrams sends me into palpitations. And I love it when Gene plays Sam Tyler to Alex's Gene.
I miss crazy!Alex a little bit, but I like that she's settled in (she's been shopping! For cardigans!) It's so nice to see her proud of her team, and contemplating what it might be like to stay for good.
There would have been a great ITV Sunday tea-time series in Gene going to Devon. I can see him shaking up the country police force against a background of scenic seaside shots and colourful locals. I'm thankful that it's not to be. :)
There's talk about a possible third series, and some kind of big reveal that will explain everything, and it occurs to me both that I am not yet ready to say goodbye to these characters and that resolution is the last thing I want for them. I'd like to see Alex get to Molly, somehow, and I'd like to think that Sam is out there, somewhere, but really, what I want most is for them all to spend their ever after whiling their evenings away at Luigi's, as per usual.
Episode 5 starts in minutes, so I must run. But I can't go without wishing the most wonderful of birthdays to dear wisteria_. I'm always so glad you're here, and I hope you have a happy day!
Last week they were promoting the Clooney return for all it was worth, but it was the return of Dr Benton that did it for me. I'm not oblivious to the Clooney thing, but Dr Ross for me is all bedside manner and no trousers. Dr Benton didn't only walk the line between arrogance and compassion, he strode down it, and it always made for brilliant TV, this episode included. He made a checklist seem cool! Plus, his relationship with Carter was almost my favourite thing on the show, and to see the two of them together again was truly a thing of joy.
And this week they gave my ship its happy ending, which it turns out is all it takes for me to carte blanche all the mangled love-triangling it took to get there. I love that after more than her fair share of steamy scenes Neela's story should end with a smile and a quiet moment across a room.
I've been rewatching the first series of Ashes to Ashes alongside the second, and the more I see the more I fall in love with it, which is how it should be with good cult TV. That's probably all it is, but it's enough. :)
I like to think if you hold back a little bit on your sexual tension it's not because you're trying to wean your audience off it but because you want them to want it more. And Alex's belief that Gene might really exist means their relationship, too, has to be grounded in something more real. The dynamic is bound to evolve, and for every moment I find myself there going, "Enough with the plot! Get on with the flirting!" there's another moment that's all teamly and tender and has me lighter-waving on the floor. Last week's episode had me at "Fire up the flipchart!" The thought of the two of them up all night with multi-coloured markers and spider diagrams sends me into palpitations. And I love it when Gene plays Sam Tyler to Alex's Gene.
I miss crazy!Alex a little bit, but I like that she's settled in (she's been shopping! For cardigans!) It's so nice to see her proud of her team, and contemplating what it might be like to stay for good.
There would have been a great ITV Sunday tea-time series in Gene going to Devon. I can see him shaking up the country police force against a background of scenic seaside shots and colourful locals. I'm thankful that it's not to be. :)
There's talk about a possible third series, and some kind of big reveal that will explain everything, and it occurs to me both that I am not yet ready to say goodbye to these characters and that resolution is the last thing I want for them. I'd like to see Alex get to Molly, somehow, and I'd like to think that Sam is out there, somewhere, but really, what I want most is for them all to spend their ever after whiling their evenings away at Luigi's, as per usual.
Episode 5 starts in minutes, so I must run. But I can't go without wishing the most wonderful of birthdays to dear wisteria_. I'm always so glad you're here, and I hope you have a happy day!