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.
Could Criminal Minds be the next CSI?
After the success of the CSI franchise, it’s only natural that CBS would look at other shows on its lineup for spinoff possibilities. Oddly enough, the lucky show isn’t World’s Greatest Dog, but Criminal Minds. According to Executive Producer Ed Bernero, talks between CBS and ABC studios, who produces Minds, are currently underway, saying, “It’s safe to say there will be something soon.”
Because the Criminal Minds spinoff is still in the discussion phase, there’s no news on exactly what the new show will entail. But, since there are obviously many more specialties within the FBI besides criminal profiling, chances are the new series will focus on one of those. As is the case with most spinoffs nowadays, the new series will probably be introduced via a “backdoor pilot” in an upcoming Criminal Minds episode.
As for whether or not any current castmembers will be spun off, Bernero basically shoots down the idea while technically leaving the door open. He says that while he doesn’t think that will happen, “it’s possible characters could be on both shows… All options are open.”
So there you have it. CBS may or may not be doing a Criminal Minds spinoff, which may or may not deal with a different FBI specialty, which may or may not include current cast members. Do those of you who watch Criminal Minds think a spinoff is a good idea? Do we really have another CSI on our hands, or is the Criminal Minds franchise destined for the trash heap?
Not new Spaced, but it will have to do
The American DVD collection for Spaced is finally coming out, and Simon Pegg, Jessica Hynes and Edgar Wright will be promoting it through their US invasion. Well, by “US invasion,” I mean they’re going on a four-city tour, screening episodes and answering questions in NYC, LA, San Diego’s Comic-Con, and Austin. That’s sort of an invasion, yeah?
Anyway, I was just sitting here and feeling sorry for myself, like I do, doubly so this time because I won’t be able to attend any of those inevitably textbook events. Then, I stumbled across this recent blog entry from Simon Pegg.
Remember when it looked like McG and the big bad Americans were about to take Spaced and turn it into a monster for Fox? Dig through that repression; it’s in there somewhere. During that time, the original creative minds were feeling pretty crummy, but Pegg, as the writer that he is, decided to approach the situation with a Spaced short. Fortunately, the American Spaced pilot died and Pegg never had to continue with this little side project. However, he has posted the first draft for us all to enjoy. It revolves around Tim making a tape featuring the whole gang for Daisy’s 30th birthday, and hilarity ensues.
It’s amazing how strong the characters from this show are, especially considering the fact that they were had only 14 episodes. I laughed even as I read through the script, because each and every character’s voice and tendencies were so clear in my head. That’s the way to pick out a genuine Spaced fan, folks: just listen to the way they read “What-you-doin’?”
Flintstones complete DVD set coming later this year
I haven’t seen an episode of The Flintstones in many years. It was one of my favorite TV shows as a kid, and I watched them as an adult, too, but it’s just one of those shows that I haven’t gone back to in the past five or ten years. I’ve been thinking about buying the season DVD sets (there are six seasons), but now it looks like I’m going to hold off on that because there’s a complete series set coming later this year!
Warner is coming out with this cool-looking set that will house all six seasons in a special box that looks like a TV set (albeit one made of rocks with rock knobs). The DVDs themselves will slide into holders that are book-shaped and contain all of the info about what’s on each DVD.
No word yet on extras, but the individual sets for each season contain extras such as rare, unseen footage, original storyboards, documentaries (including a guide to raising a child in the Stone Age), promo spots, and the original pilot (The Flagstones).