Swingtown: Go Your Own Way
What does Nadia Comenici, civil liberties, Harry Reems and bowling have in common? They were all woven into this very topical episode of Swingtown, one of the best of this summer series thus far.
The undercurrent of swinging and sex was still there, but the theme of the show was more about choice and control, who makes them and and who has it.
The Millers aren’t in synch. In fact, Susan is the first to say it out loud, turning to Trina for guidance. I really like how the women on this show are becoming more real with each episode and less types. Trina is so much more than the wanton from the pilot.
She’s smart and supportive, not only to Tom, but to Susan and Janet too. The scene in which she opens up to Tom and reveals her fear of losing him was the most tender moment yet on the show.
Politics were front and center in the show, but not Ford vs. Carter — which should have been on their minds in the summer of 1976, if you ask me (it’s in the title credits, but that’s it).
No, the politics centered on the U.S. government suing actor Harry Reems to censor his appearance in Deep Throat. As Sylvia says in the show, the Decker’s fundraiser was to help Harry’s defense fund, not to support pornography.
When Susan was challenged by Sylvia because she doesn’t know anything about the issues — she thought the Decker party was another swinging session — then is basically warned by Bruce to not go, she asserts herself. Susan reads about the subject, goes to see Deep Throat — alone– then reaches out to Janet for support.
To Bruce, Susan using her brain and asserting her independence is unsettling and he reacts by turning childish and churlish. All through the show, he’s condescending Bruce, kissing the little lady’s head, asking where’s my dinner? Bowling with Roger is more important than anything Susan has to say. In the end, he turns away from her in bed. Is that a punishment for his wife, no sex?
Speaking of sex on demand, Roger and Janet have a very set schedule for sex — every other Friday night and no veering. But Harry Reems changes things. Janet supports Susan by showing up at the party. Harry flirts with her, which is interesting because he rejected Gail (Samantha’s mom). After the party, back home with Roger, Janet gives her husband a look and they go at it in the kitchen. Thank you, Harry!
Ultimately, all the women express themselves. Laurie challenges Logan to make a choice based on intellect, not emotion. Janet and Susan and Trina lock arms in support of each other and their desires to be more than just their husband’s wives. Even Samantha and her mother embrace. When B.J. sees how Samantha cares for her mom, he gives her a sign of approval — a perfect score, 10.0, just like Nadia in the Olympics. Using the same grading system, I give this episode of Swingtown a 9.8 — only Nadia is perfect.
Other points of interest
— The Rialto movie house — a single movie theater, not a multiplex — should have looked more like what it was back then, a porno theater. There were no X ratings on the marquee.
— The actor playing Harry Reems (Rick D. Wasserman) was quite good, but the standee of Harry was all wrong. The moustache was right, but Harry had a very hairy chest. I don’t know about you, but I demand accuracy in the depiction of porno stars from the era.
— Actor Bob Balaban directed this episode and it made a difference. In 1976, he was in Maude and Close Encounters of the Third Kind, so he has a good handle on the times. He also showed a good handle on Swingtown. He really explored the characters and issues that haven’t been touched upon before. I hope he directs more shows.
— I loved the contrast between the Tupperware party vs. Deep Throat party.
— Talking to Janet, Harry says he did the movie not to make a political point about censorship. “It was a job,” he says. Amazingly, he got only $250 for the movie. Harry actually came off as a nice guy caught in a weird situation, but was he really that innocent — or naive? How could he have not known that doing Deep Throat was going to be controversial?
— Janet tells him that she’s into sales, mostly to women. Is Harry looking for a job when he says, “I’m pretty good with women.” Probably not.
— As the show progresses, Bruce is a becoming more and more of a jerk. It’s okay for him to see Deep Throat, but not Susan? He loves the sex with Susan, but he doesn’t like how she’s changing.
— Samantha’s mom is still a mess and getting worse. I think she’s heading for a suicide attempt. Sam’s already scarred, what would a suicide attempt do to her?
— Singer Helen Reddy finally made an vocal appearance with “I Am Woman.” You knew it was just a matter of time before the female liberation theme was used.
— Laurie’s comment to her mother for standing up to her father, “Way to go, Mom.” It underscored the choice that Susan made and the importance of that choice. She set an example for her daughter…and all women.
— The swinging Deckers choose not to join the orgy in the basement. Tom says he wants alone time with his wife.
— “I just want to know where all this is taking us?” Bruce wonders at the end of the show. The viewers might be wondering the same thing, but whether we see Swingtown through to 1977 and beyond remains a mystery.
– Just an observation, but the Decker’s kitchen looks much too 2008. Those are granite countertops and the color is a warm red. In 1976, there should be avocado green and formica everywhere.
Catching up with The Closer and Saving Grace
All things considered, the summer television season is off to a pretty good start. I’ve been enjoying My Boys, The Middleman, Fear Itself, and So You Think You Can Dance, to name a few. The schedules might be a little heavy with the reality programming at the moment, but that’s changing soon enough. Over the next few weeks we have the likes of Eureka, Psych, Burn Notice, Stargate: Atlantis, Monk, The Closer, and Saving Grace all making their returns.
With those last two in mind, I thought I would point everyone to some handy recaps the fine folks over at TNT put together to get us back up to speed before the shows return on July 14th. Each of the videos manages to crunch the last season down to about four and a half minutes, and I’ve embedded them after the jump.
For reasons only those at TNT know, the embedded videos are really small. If that’s not a problem, here they are. If you would rather see the bigger version you’ll have to follow these links to the official sites for The Closer and Saving Grace.
Jennifer Hudson - Spotlight Video and Lyrics
Spotlight by Jennifer Hudson, Music Video and Lyrics
“Spotlight” is written and produced by Ne-Yo and Norwegian production duo Stargate for Jennifer Hudson’s self titled debut album.
The song was released digitally on 10th of June 2008 as the album’s first single.
Here is the official video, listen and enjoy.
Jennifer Hudson - Spotlight Lyrics
Are you a man who loves
And cherishes
And cares for me?
Is that you? Is that you?
Is that you? yeah…
Are you a guard in a prison
Maximum security?
Is that you? Is that you?
Is that you? yea eh…
Do we stay home all the time
Cuz you want me to yourself?
Is that you? Is that you?
Is that you? yeah…
Or am I locked away
Out of fear that i’d find
Someone else
Is that you? Is that you?
yea eh…
Chorus:
Well, I don’t like
Living under your spotlight
Just because you think
I might find somebody worthy
Oh, I don’t like
Living under your spotlight
Baby, if you treat me right
You won’t have to worry
is this a relationship
Fulfilling your needs
As well as mine
Is that you? Is that you?
Is that you? yeah…
Or is this just my sentence
Am I doing time?
Is that you? Is that you?
Is that you? yeah…
If this is love
Real, real love
Then I’m staying no doubt
Is that you? Is that you?
Is that you? yeah…
But if I’m just a prisoner
Then I’m busting out
Is that you? Is that you?
yeah…
(Chorus)
Oh, you oughta be
Ashamed of yourself
What the hell
Do you think you’re doing?
Loving me, loving me
So wrong
Baby, all I do is try
To show you
That you’re my
One and only guy
No matter
Who may come along
Open your eyes
Cuz baby, I don’t lie
(Chorus 2x)
Jennifer Hudson - Spotlight Song Information
The song peaked at #51 on U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay.
Her debut album ‘Jennifer Hudson‘ is set for release on September 30, 2008.
The music video was release on June 24, 2008 & directed by Chris Robinson.
The video was introduced by Jennifer Hudson on BET’s 106 and Park on 24 June 2008.
Released June 10, 2008
Recorded 2008
Genre Contemporary R&B, pop
Length 4:50 (Album Version), 4:10 (Main)
Label Arista
Writers Mikkel S. Erikson, Tor Erik Hermansen, Ne-Yo
Producer Ne-Yo, Stargate
Gotham Tonight Episodes 3 and 4
Gotham Tonight #3 & #4
The Pitch: Gotham City News has two new episodes of Gotham Tonight. In the third episode, above, Mike Engel explores the sad increase in fear toxin related deaths, and the possible return of Johnathan “The Scarecrow” Craine. There is also an explanation behind the whysoserious security camera video that can be found on whysoserious.com/laughtilithurts. The fourth episode, below, deals with Lt. James Gordon and his new Major Crimes Unit. Also does his possible connection with Batman alienate him from the rest of Gotham? Also are the dead Sal Maroni members victims of The Joker.