Six Feet Under: That’s My Dog - VIDEO
Do not adjust your web browser. You are now entering the Retro Squad, where we are reviewing past episodes of classic TV shows.
Originally aired on July 18th, 2004 — Arguably the best episode in Six Feet Under’s five season run (ignoring the stellar finale of course), “That’s My Dog” is a seminal installment for Michael C. Hall’s David Fisher. A culmination of David’s fears, inadequacies, and worries all collide at the same time as he faces death at the hands of a sadistic crack addict named Jake who takes him on a joy ride to get high. The events change David for good as he develops crippling attacks of paranoia that stay with him until he tackles his demons near the end of season five. You can’t have a discussion about Six Feet Under without bringing up this episode.
After picking up a corpse to bring back to the morgue, David stops to give a lift to a man named Jake. He claimed to have run out of gas and needed a lift to the nearest station. However, things take a turn for the worst almost immediately as Jake begins to torment, harass, and beat on David.
He forces David to empty out his bank account at an ATM, they buy crack rocks in the middle of a park at night, and after Jake gets high, he makes David do the same. They eventually end up in an alley and while David begs for his life, Jake pours gasoline all over him while waving a gun. He makes David close his eyes or he’ll shoot - but drives away in the morgue van instead, leaving David alone in the dark alley.
For a character as timid as David - someone who constantly questions their ability, has reservations about his sexuality, and generally just doesn’t have all that much self-esteem - this is pretty much the worst thing that could have happened to him. However, I think David surprised everyone by using it as a stepping-stone to better himself.
Sure, he was a mess following the ordeal and encountered Jake again numerous times in his head, but in the end it made him stronger. He realized that worrying about foolish things like Keith referring to him as “honey” (implying that David was Keith’s wife) over the phone just don’t matter when you look at the big picture. Family matters and you could make the argument that these events led directly to David becoming so passionate about adopting children.
It should be noted that Michael Weston, a fairly low-profile character actor, made the role of Jake pretty damn memorable. And creepy. And scary. I think his casting was part of the point though. This wouldn’t have worked as well if the role had been given to someone more recognizable. This type of stuff (unfortunately) happens every day and the clichéd moral of the story is that evil doesn’t have a face. You just don’t know. For that reason alone, this episode was wildly different than anything we’d seen before on Six Feet Under.
Following are a few videos pertaining to the episode. One is the opening death, i.e. the body David had to pick up, followed by a conversation he had with Keith earlier in the day. They discuss Keith’s upcoming job which will keep him on the road for three months and he stresses that it’ll be good for David since it will show him “that he doesn’t need to worry.” So far from the truth. There’s also a recap of the episode which features some of the scenes between Jake and David. Truly a classic piece of TV work.
McKellan and Caviezel captured for AMC’s remake of The Prisoner
I don’t know how they keep doing it; AMC that is. Not only have they brought us stellar series (Mad Men) after stellar series (Breaking Bad), but now they’ve managed to snag two big-time Hollywood names to join the cast of their remake of one of the smartest shows in television history. What started as rumor, that even we at TV had a hard time believing, is now fact. Both Jim Caviezel and Ian McKellan have been cast in AMC’s remake of The Prisoner. Caviezel is set to fill Patrick McGoohan’s shoes as the titular “Number Six,” while McKellan will step into the role of “Number Two.”
AMC’s The Prisoner is scheduled to be a six-part mini-series. It hasn’t been made clear if those six parts are one hour, two or a combination of both, but either way the original wrapped up in 17 so there’s no reason to think we can’t get a satisfying tale in six installments. With casting of the two principals announced, it’s actually safe to say now that this thing might really get made. AMC is cruising right along with their original programming, and after forty years, I think we’re due a re-imagining of this classic series. And unlike the disastrous The Andromeda Strain at A&E, I have faith that AMC won’t let me down … don’t let me down, AMC!
As a huge fan of The Prisoner and honestly couldn’t think of a better time culturally for a remake. The first series was very much a response to the paranoia of the Cold War and mistrust among Eastern and Western bloc countries. Luckily, so to speak, we’re in just such an era of mistrust and paranoia now with the ongoing “War on Terrorism.” With Homeland Security and the other activities we’ve taken to doing in this country, it’s not too unreasonable to think that a government agent who abruptly resigns with no explanation might be held and interrogated to find out why he quit. And while I can’t speak for the UK, and am not even sure if this new series will be set there as the original was, I’d imagine the tensions and sentiments would be at least similar.
The Tudors season two — An early look
If you are excited for season 2 of The Tudors on Showtime but can’t wait until it airs on Sunday March 30th, check this out. Showtime is making the season premiere available to fans online now. Just click here and enter the password: Royal.
For an early look at the show, read on past the jump…
Last season left us standing on the precipice of great change in England. The Roman Catholic church was losing influence in Britain as followers of Luther were rising in the shadows. The king wanted to annul his marriage to Queen Katherine. The Howards (Anne’s uncle) and the Boleyns were positioning themselves closer and closer to the monarch, using Anne as their pawn. Anne, in love with the king and pressed forth by her own ambition, had persuaded Henry to give up the queen and marry her. She told Henry she would not have sex with him until they are properly married. She promised him a son, an heir he desires above all to keep the Tudor family in power. Indeed, it’s power and how its used that will push the plot forward in season 2.
From the season premiere, I can tell that we will see a new Henry this season. Yes, he’s still the same insatiable, gluttonous, passionate king he was in season one but now, he only obeys his own desires (and those of Anne who has bewitched him). Last season, Cardinal Wolsey and Thomas More provided counsel for the frivolous king. And this season, with Wolsey (Sam Neill) dead and More (Jeremy Northam) less influential, Henry has unlimited power. When asked if this season was more difficult than the last, Jonathan Rhys Meyers said, “It brings some very real and new challenges. I had to find a way of reinventing Henry that made him seem older, more cynical and controlled. His temper gets much worse this season and he gets more vicious. He’s going down that long and dangerous road to loneliness and paranoia.” I’m sure, like last season, Rhys Meyers’ performance will be nothing short of excellent.
We’ll also see the decline of Anne’s and Henry’s turbulent love this season. You can detect this decline in the very first episode. He’ll tire of Anne. She’ll get desperate to keep her place in his favor. And, well, I think we all know what happens from there.
Speaking of Anne Boleyn, I love Natalie Dormer in the role. In fact, I find her sexier than Natalie Portman in The Other Boleyn Girl. Of course, Portman is a stunning beauty and definitely beared the burden of that film. But, Dormer has a different appeal as Anne. Her chemistry with Rhys Meyers great too.
There is one thing I would like to see more of in The Tudors. I think George Boleyn (Nick Dunning) and especially Uncle Howard (Henry Czerny) should play more of a role in Anne’s ascendance. I know they work behind the scenes but I would like to see some scenes where they push Anne to continue her role with the king, maybe even ask her intimate questions about their relations.
Finally, Peter O’Toole joins the cast as Pope Paul III, successor to Pope Clement who procrastinated in giving Henry his annulment. From what I saw in the first few episodes, I don’t think Showtime will regret casting O’Toole as the pope. He looks truly amused with the character, like he has fun acting the role. O’Toole commented about the appeal of The Tudors, “It’s one of the great drama of all time. The blood alone is amazing. I think Henry was responsible for the deaths of over 70,000 people. Imagine!…He went from this golden figure–which he was as a young man–to an utterly decadent and corrupted human being.”
Well, I say, let the decadence, the corruption, the blood, and especially the sex BEGIN! Don’t forget to watch the episode early at Showtime’s site.
Smallville: Hero
(S07E13) With regard to Smallville, and at the risk of sounding slightly racist, the token African-American from the first few seasons is back (which is more P.C. to write than “the token black is back”). Since then, he’s become a meteor freak and a walking commercial for Stride gum at the same time.
Let’s hear it for the token band One Republic. They must have gotten a good minute of air time. I bet money they’re a Warner Brothers label (part of the same empire as the CW and Smallville).
Kara’s amnesia remains a plotline that will undoubtedly resolve itself right in the nick of time before the season’s end. At least having amnesia gives her an excuse of having poor musical taste.
This episode was very retro to the first season. We had the return of Pete Ross and the return of a Kryptonite monster of the week. In this case, they happened to be the same person.
In more ways than one, the Kryptonite gave Pete a swelled head. In effect, between the stretching and the promotion, Pete turned into a stick of gum. Stride Gum must be so proud. Also, could Chloe’s line about the flavor lasting so long have been more of a product placement? I think not.
Why didn’t Pete notice that his gum was glowing green? For that matter, why didn’t Clark feel the Kryptonite every time Pete had a stick of gum in his mouth? It was also pretty obvious that Pete’s powers would quit once he stopped chewing, something Lex used to his advantage later in the episode.
The series continues to wink at the comic book incarnation of Superman. In the comics, it was Jimmy Olsen who became Elastic Lad. In the case of Smallville, it was Pete Ross. At least Jimmy took the photo.
I did like Pete’s take on the paranoia of knowing Clark’s secret. In virtually every incarnation of Superman, SOMEONE has been tortured to learn his secret identity. In this case, a little paranoia never hurt.
As a corporate lackey by day myself, I’m well-aware that company e-mails are company property and Lex was well within his rights to take the image from Chloe’s e-mail. Chloe was just being whiny. I guess the show had to make up for the lack of Lana.
I am glad that Pete got to say a goodbye this time. If I recall, they let the actor go between seasons and he never really got a “farewell” episode.
On a final note, if Kara had asked me to stay at my place, I would have smiled and shut the door too. Lex is a lucky bastard. I’m sure Kara will know what she’s gotten herself into soon enough.