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Untold: The Murder of Air McNair (2024)
The Title is Misrepresentative.
The first 50%(at least) of this documentary is coach Jim Fischer's journey (along with the Houston Oilers) to Nashville Tennessee and the now Titans run to the Super Bowl following the 1999 season. Taking second fiddle but also included is Air playing for HBCU Alcorn State University - this I believe OK to be included - in build up to the homicide, but not so much of the rest.
So, eventually the producers get to the murder of McNair. And then the second decedent at the scene. And it is "revealed" the second dead person is married Air's girlfriend/mistress 18 yo Sahel 'Jenni' Kazemi and she the perpetrator of murder suicide. It takes a while to reach this point, with repetitive archival footage of newscasters getting the viewer here.
Once we get to this determination by the police,no forensic evidence is offered to back it up. The only reason presented is a few days before the deaths, Jenni is busted for DWI and is unhappy with Air's tardiness in bailing her out.
After the producers accept the conclusion of murder/suicide, they touch on two possible other scenarios, but don't follow up, and stay with what seemingly less than competent Nashville PD's version of things.
Conclusion: when the murder is finally presented, it is a very weak true crime drama.
Blue Lights: Love Knows (2024)
Plenty to See Here, Don't Move Along.
Cop talk(sort of).
Of course TV must dramatize, but all and all much realism in this episode.
For those familiar with the tribal ways in working class Protestant Belfast, we see both the "say nothing" culture, and the law abiding citizens sick of violence and bullying by paramilitary drug gangs. All accurately presented.
Also the portrayal of police under pressure as the team tries to keep the lid on the feuding drug gangs in the fictional neighborhood of Mt Eden* ("I got your back" bonding, internal tensions, commanders stressing out over the whole situation) is well done.
Grace's partner Stevie shows the human side of policing with his great sympathy for a citizen suspected of breaking the law concerning assisted suicide, while Shane's harsh treatment of an ex-con at a police check point causes Annie some distress. Good cop bad cop I guess, just like real life.
Other things of interest, Lee the enigmatic owner of The Loyalist Pub continues to cause this viewer to ponder what his game is, and enthusiastically anticipate finding out. Finally (and happily) Officers' Tommy and Aisling budding romance continues apace much to the satisfaction of the distaff owner of the diner they meet at half way between Belfast and Derry.
Six Feet Under: Tears, Bones and Desire (2003)
Not Bad.
Though some of this episode borrows from the acclaimed movie "The Unbearable Lightness of Being". Not that this is a bad thing, but this reviewer believes that this should be noted.
Other than that, it is a typically enjoyable SFU episode. As always, one must take the story line as entertainment, to avoid getting upset with some of the scuzes that come and go in the series.
The joys and hardships of human relationships concerning love and commitment are front and center as usual. Beside this, there is the random and interesting goings on as the characters navigate life inside and outside of the funeral business.
M*A*S*H: Trick or Treatment (1982)
Not Bad.
Broadcast on Oct. 31, 1982, hence the title, as Halloween and, of course, many wounded have come to the 4077th.
On top of that, a group of Marines known for their misbehavior, "The Pusan Pirahnas," are whopping it up at Rosies, which leads to some non-combat related injuries/need for medical attention. The first was a Marine private with a pool ball stuck in his mouth. Played by George Wendt, the comedic interplay between him and David Ogden Stiers is quite funny. Interesting overlap: the acclaimed and popular TV series "Cheers," with Wendt playing Norm, debuted just 30 days prior on September 30, 1982.
Also showing up after involvement in a crash during a drunken in reverse jeep race, is a Corporal Hrabowsky, played by Andrew Clay. It is so early in his career that "Dice" is not included in his end credit name. Instead of the in your-face misogynistic humor "The Dice Man" is now famous for, he plays it as a likeable, not so bright lug. Interestingly, at the time, there was a major league baseball player named Al Hrabowsky. Better known as "The Mad Hungarian" for his antics on and off the field. Hmmm...
During surgery scenes, being Halloween night and all, the cast members give various accounts of possible supernatural events they have been party to. This results in poo-pooing and, of course, mild condescension from Major Winchester. And this then leads to a funny prank on him by you know who (plural).
Colonel Potter gets in one of the "war is bad" monologs Mash is famous for when an Army MP arrives to arrest Hrabowsky for destroying a local family's chicken coop during the jeep race. And Father Mulcahy gets squeezed in late and ends up saving a man's (mortal) life, a good guy as always. It was also nice to see Kellye Nakahara in her recurring role as LT Kellye Yamato RN at a time when roles for Asian-Americans were very limited.
Finally, foreshadowing? Prior to the start of taping, by majority vote, the cast had decided this would be the last season. Throughout its run, the characters on Mash rarely referenced dates. Perhaps because the Korean War lasted three and a half years and the show 11. However, in this episode, Hawkeye says that for all their efforts, they deserve the year 1954 off. To me, this is a nod that the end of the conflict (and the show) is in sight (the armistice was signed on July 27, 1953). Also, Hawkeye mentions recurring character psychiatrist Dr. Sidney Freedman, though he does not appear in the episode. I think this is part of the setting up of Dr. Freedman's significant participation in the Grand Finale.
Wrestlers (2023)
Very Good!
I am not usually one for either of the following: being philosophical in my considered reviews; and in the same reviews using qoutes from others, even very good examples of wisdom that they might be.
However, today I have decided to do just that.
To take the first lyric from the 1960s classic rock song "We Got To Get Out Of This Place" by The Animals: "It's a hard world to get a break in". Each of the seven episodes hammers this home.
But by the time we get to the finale, both of the Ohio Valley Wrestling season, and of the series, what I feel applies is this. A line from the famed poem Desiderata written by Max Ehrmann. "With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.
La legge di Lidia Poët: Episode #1.1 (2023)
Off To A Good Start.
There is enough out there of what this series is about so I wont cover that.
Great sets from the 1880s in Italy/Europe at that time of the world of the upperclass. My co-watcher, who is a great fan of Downton Abbey, remarked even better sets of than in that famed period piece. Enrico's lavish home, once Lydia vacated the rooming house, reminded me of The Royal Palace in Caserta (the interior at least).
Early on, there is a scene, let me say, "inspired" by a famous scene from Gone With The Wind, but *shrug*. Matilda De Angelis as Lidia Poet kicks it navigating the open discrimination against women at this time in Italy while also working the system to try and end distaff exclusion from the bar.
Good solving and wrapping up and explaining the who done it by Lidia. Also her investigating skills, in the face of dismissal due to here gender by everyone else involved, shine through
Finally, the last scene, Jacobo stands up Lydia, then is seen instead surreptitiously entering the basement of a grand home, and says "Nicole" in the fade to black ending. Who the hell is Nicole? I suppose we shall see...
Casual Sex? (1988)
Best Overall Description Of This Film?
Chick Flick? Perhaps. Rom Com? Maybe. Great Movie? Yes!
I saw it way back in 1988, when it was first released. It was then topical about STDs catching up with the sexual revolution and also the emotional dangers of "casual sex." And good comedy too. I must say, thirty-plus years on, it has stood the test of time. And I am so glad I watched it again; I had forgotten how good of an ending it has.
Gal pals Stacy (Lea Thompson) and Melissa (Victoria Jackson) have gone to a singles'-oriented health spa. Stacy is a now celibate (due mostly to fear of AIDS) formerly sexually indiscriminate woman, and Melissa is not a virgin but might as well be. Also there as a guest is "The Vin Man," hilariously played by Andrew Dice Clay. Dice plays it PG, not R, even though the movie is R-rated (a few bare rear ends from time to time), which is good.
Stacy and Melissa are there to find relationship-worthy men. The Vin Man? He is looking for casual sex! The interactions of these three (with each other and other cast members) are just funny.
Also, I was greatly entertained by the two main characters, often speaking directly to the camera/audience, and their dream sequences.
And I must say, if a viewer does not come away uplifted after the final scene, they should check their heart; it might be made of stone!
An end note. The movie comes from a play written by a woman (Wendy Goldman) and a screenplay written by two women (Wendy Goldman and Judy Troll) and directed by a woman (Geneviève Robert). What I remember, from my own dating experiences in the 1980s, and what I saw real women like Stacy and Melissa go through back then. This movie is quite realistic. I must think women behind the project is a big reason.
Bookie: A Square Job in a Round Hole (2023)
Great Series, Great Episode, Great Wrap Up!
Let me say a few things, before I review this final episode. A warning: I will reference some specifics, but no spoilers.
Since is it the last episode, I will start with a short blurb on the entire series. Would I call it a "dark comedy"? No, I will call a noir comedy though. A world a illegal bookies trying to make a living, a crooked cop, and some low life degenerate gamblers. Plus funny(and often random) goings on, family dramas, and great interplay between the two main protaganists bookies Danny (Sebastian Valmont er Maniscalco) and Ray (Omar J. Dorsey). All and all Bookie a winner(pun intended)!
Now for the final episode.
The impact of the louche(to say the least) aspects of the business seems to be causing Ray to lose his tenious grip on his domestic situation/marraige with wife Sandra and her son Anthony. Understable if you watched episode seven.
Now for Ray's twenty something mistress. Anyone of us of a certain age, who interacts with teens and/or those in their twenties, can relate, oh those smart phones!
Quite unexpectedly, to this reviewer, for the first time since episode one, Charlie Sheen pops up, playing himself again. He gives Ray relationship advice and clears his gambling debt with a hilarious piece of sports memoribilia. Great scene!
Finally, what happens at the end, is a killer and a splash, and quite a good way to wrap things up(or pause them if we are in store for another season).
The Godfather (1972)
Watch it in one sitting.
This movie is widely regarded professional movie critics as one of the greatest films of all time.
I myself am in one-hundred percent agreement with this assessment.
Fifty years on from release what can I add to the canon of reviews that has not been said? This! For you young people (or anyone else) who have not seen it yet or seen it but not start to finish I say the following. Block out some time and watch it beginning to end on one of the streaming services. No watching it on AMC or TCM with all their commercial breaks. Dont watch it over two nights. It is long but to fully appreciate it, do yourself a favor, and watch it all at once!
Homicide Hunter: Lt. Joe Kenda: Drive Thru Murder (2012)
"Details May Have Been Altered."
What does this part of the opening disclaimer mean? To keep "the innocent" from being tracked down and harassed by unstable viewers, some names and minor details have been changed? Giving Lt. Joe Kenda a bigger role in cases he might have only been tangentially involved in? I do believe this happened toward the end of the nine year series' run. Or are there occasions where "artistic license" is taken to blend fiction with fact? In the case of "Drive Thru Murder" I think this last one happened.
Let me take a step back though. I began watching and became a fan of Homicide Hunter about halfwalf way through it's run on Investigative Discovery, say 2015. Recently I became a subscriber to NBC's Peacock streaming service and was pleased to see the first three seasons of HH(I wish it were all of them though) carried. Even with watching marathon broadcasts/binging from time to time, many of these oldest episodes I have not seen.
So I ended up watching Season 2, Episode 6, "Drive Thru Murder". There are a few things I did not care for. These are: gratitious crime scene photos; and scenes that seemed contrived and/or filler.
True crime is true crime, but to me I prefer whodunit instead of many gory pictures of dead bodies, although I understand sometime such photos are part of the story. Homicide Hunter overall is great in this regard, usually relying exclusively on reenactments and not real images. However this episodes keeps showing and showing two explicit crime scene photos of the victim, a murdered young woman who was an assistant manager at a fast foor restaurant. Also there are similar murder scene recreation photos of the actress playing the victim, so things get a bit confusing.
Now for the seems contrived. The first suspect is a former police officer, whom the narrator tells us lost his job because of the murder victim. And what did this former cop do? He screwed up by filing out a report on a fender bender the deceased was in! I suppose so, but it seems like a stretch, both the firing and a revenge killing over this. In any case, he has an alibi and is dropped as a suspect.
Kenda also checks out a teen-aged girl who worked at the fast food joint who had told others the assistent manager, words to the effect, she was a *the b-word*. C'mon! I know all leads must be checked out, but is this a serious suspect? What high schooler working a minimum wage job does not think their boss is a *the b-word* and/or a jerk? Anyway, she was quickly cleared. Filler to me.
Finally, two more plausible suspects get on the radar, so this is good.
However, when these more solid suspects emerge later in the show, Kenda tells us that cell phone location records help nail the quilty party. But as user reviewer arficus says in their review, cell phones were rare in 1994 when this killing to place. A quick search on Yahoo finds they did not come into common usage until the early 2000's. From my own memory of 1994, a beeper(?) maybe, a cell phone(?) probably not. They were around, but were so expensive (both the phone, and the "air time") that non-rich people or those without corporate expense accounts rarely had them. So this part is very much at variance with the ways of that time.
Finally, when Kenda does determine who the actual killer is(I wont say who no spoiler here) it is because this person is a complete idiot who early on (both before and after the murder) easily gives themselves away. So much so that a great deal of the show is superflous to me.
Trivia: The actor who plays Kenda, Carl Marino, his real life wife Ilona, appears as a travel agent in a non-speaking role.
Homicide Hunter: Lt. Joe Kenda (2011)
Kenda is Great!
Watching this show and listening to real life Police Lieutenant (retired) Joe Kenda recount murder cases he worked/solved in his career is a joy.
His deadpan delivery and dry humor, bring to life murders and the circumstances surrounding them. ¡Viva la muerte! (long live death) a battle cry of the Nationalists during The Spanish Civil War one might say, but I digress.
What I like best are the recreations. Younger Kenda well portrayed by actor Carl Marino humanizes detective work. Through interviews with witnesses, informants, and others, Kenda gets his man (or women). And the fine voiceover by narrator Josh Casaubon ties things all together.
Another thing I appreciate as a viewer of many true crime shows is that sluething (rather than crime scene photos or videos, as on some shows) is the focus of attention.
My only quibble? I wish Marino as Kenda did not smoke so much.
Columbo: Double Shock (1973)
OK, But Not One Of The Best Episodes.
Even though the teleplay was written by the late great Steven Bochco, he of Hill Street Blues and LA Law fame.
First off, watching the opening credits, I was surprised and pleased to see listed as a guest star the leggy and beautiful Julie Newmar*. Ms Newmar plays Lisa Chambers, the new age-y fiancee of murder victim Clifford Paris.
Also for you "9 to 5" and "Tootsie" and etc fans look for a younger Dabney Coleman playing a detective and acquiting himself well in this guest character role.
Anyway the police are called when wealthy fitness afficionado Clifford is found dead by Lisa and fussy housekeeper Mrs. Peck on his rowing machine, but we viewers have already seen that an unknown person has actually electrocuted him in his bath tub. Who done it and why?
Of course Lt. Columbo figures it out. Unfortunately, Columbo's famous method of tracking down the quilty party by asking a series of seemingly bumbling and dumb questions is absent. Instead, the case is solved(barely IMHO) in a more mundane way, with a stopwatch, a damp towel, and a TV on the fritz.
Among the suspects are the Paris twin brothers (nephews to the dearly departed), both played by Martin Landau. One a pompous TV cooking show host, the other a staid banker.
The banker twin is also a degenerate gambler, and this is an important part of the story, but Columbo's trip to Las Vegas to find this out seems like filler.
Finally, oh the lighting in this episode. Honestly, thirty minutes into it, I did not know if I was watching Peter Falk in "Columbo" or Dan Curtis in "Dark Shadows," if you get my drift!
*She the first of several lovely and skilled ladies to portray Catwoman in the Batman TV and Movie franchise.
Derry Girls: The Night Before (2022)
Humor, Cultural Anthropology, and Symbolism...
...how can one beat that?
The episode begins with a montage of The Troubles and sensitive Erin's apprehension on the hoped-for peace to follow.
The girls sneak into Our Lady Immaculate College late at night. They do this to find out how they have done on their exams because they are very nervous about them. At a chance encounter that day headmistress Sister Michael in her usually feigned indifference implies they did not do well. After gaining entry into the school, they are unwittingly enlisted to participate in a burglary which they had interrupted. The girls are subsequently taken into custody.
After an anxious (and funny) ride to the station house, during interrogation the first thing that comes through is the deep mistrust of the R. U. C. (police) by the Catholic community. Interestingly though, the R. U. C. Is not portrayed as a one-dimensional adversary, instead it is humanized as officers trying to do their best under the difficult circumstances of the times. Especially so with the world-weary Chief Constable Byers well-played in a cameo by actor Liam Neeson.
A second story line is Seamus, a feral cat taken in by Erin's family patriarch Joe "Da" McCool. It seems Joe refused to put a bell on Seamus even as it is found to be a great slayer of wildlife. Finally, after Seamus kills a neighbor girl's pet rabbit, Joe relents and the cat gets a collar and a bell. I hope this reviewer is not making too much of it, but I see the untamed cat as an allegory to 20+ years of violence and mayhem and mutual antipathy in Northern Ireland. To me, the collar and bell represent the peace process/Good Friday Accords and ties things into Erin's talk of cautious hope that opens the episode.
As these two story lines unfold the actors as usual play their well-defined characters with great comedic skill.
Married with Children: All-Nite Security Dude (1991)
This is a Great Episode!
Things start out with Al coming home to Peggy and telling her that he has been temporarily laid off from the shoe store. He then goes off on a riff about the obese women he holds responsible for it, not very nice but still funny.
Peggy of course is unsympathetic and soon Kelly and Bud, then Marcie and Jefferson, show up and an insult-fest against Al occurs. Talk about "piling on"! But it is appropriate I guess since the episode soon turns football themed.
Unemployed Al ends up as a night watchman at Polk High where he has the opportunity to relate to Bud and his current love interest Trixie* (played with trashy perfection by actress Dorit Sauer) "The Story". This tale of Al's former athletic glory is somewhat interesting and engaging, especially him running over rival player Spare Tire Dixon, to score the winning touchdown and win the 1966 City Football Championship. If not to Bud and Trixie, to this reviewer at least.
Alas Al screws up and gets canned after just one night on the job. The reason being, that night multiple burglars descend on Polk High and steal the place blind, including the trophy from the 1966 championship.
Three days later Al is contacted by Spare Tire, played by Bubba "Tastes Great/Less Filling" Smith. Smith displays his usual likeable mix of dry humor and slight air of menace. Anyway, Spare Tire has the trophy and believes Al's touchdown was not valid, and wants to meet in person about it. Al accepts. After a humorous race to the bottom between the two of them where they argue over who has had more of a disappointing life since their days of high school stardom ended, Spare Tire challenges Al to a physical contest for the Trophy. Who wins? No spoilers here, you will have to watch the episode for yourself!
*Like all of Bud's love interests it seems, Trixie doesn't bother to hide her distain for him - poor Bud.
Stranger Things: Chapter Three: The Monster and the Superhero (2022)
Two Robb-eries Don't Make a Right.
One scene involving Hopper is cribbed from the 1987 movie "The Man Who Broke 1000 Chains". Nancy and Robin finding information concerning killer Victor Creel in The National Enquirer is right out of 1997's "Men in Black". Honesly, I loved and enjoyed much the first two seasons. But from what I have seen since then, I think from a creative point of view the series could well have ended after those first two seasons. But who am I to deny Netflix and all involved their pay day? Then why am I still watching you might ask? Well I will tell you. It is my girlfriend, she is a big fan of the show, all seasons, all episodes.
Virgin River (2019)
Soap Opera.
I must say my rating is derived only from my complete watching of season one, that was all we could take.
Basically, a soap opera along the lines of The Hallmark Channel (relationships take over the story to the expense of most everything else) except included in the drama is an armed gang of very unpleasant illegal marijuana growers who show up from time to time to be unpleasant.
Likeable lead characters nurse practitioner Melinda "Mel" Monroe and bar owner operator Jack Sheridan are complex (and good looking) characters. As they each try to overcome their troubled pasts, the story seems to spin its wheels rather than move ahead.
Mel's acerbic boss Dr. Vernon Mullins is beyond crusty, instead annoyingly irritable most of the time. His is "wife" Mayor Hope McCrea(he cheated her 20 years ago and they have been separated ever since but cant seem to get divorced bitter as she is). When it comes to being the town busy body, Hope is beyond annoying. I am not saying every series on Netflix must be happy happy happy. But the miserable world of these two, I dont see anything from it that creates desirable investment in the characters.
Some positives are the two lead characters are compelling and played well by the actors. Jack's second in command at the bar John "Preacher" Middleton(played by Colin Lawrence) is amiable (except with a dead-beat employee) and compassionate with a single mom who has fled an abusive relationship.
The Stranger (2020)
If You Can't Find Anything Else...
The namesake of the series, she is attractive and enigmatic, Hannah John-Kamen plays the part very well. Some of the scenes are decently crafted suspenseful noir, in keeping with the theme of the mysterious stranger. But there is just too much is going on, sometimes it becomes hard to follow. Mysteries abound, but ultimately many are not answered. It seems every episode must replay a scene from the first one of an outdoor teen-age rave party, even though that subplot is muddle and secondary to what she (The Stranger) and the other main character Adam Price(played by Richard Armitage) have going on. As for the parts of the story that are wrapped up, the ending is not that satisfying. I must say Adam's father a greedy and amoral business man who also was a serial philanderer the role is played with such skill and nuance by actor Anthony Head by the end I actually like the character sleaze ball that he was. Finally the interplay between chief detective Joanna Griffin(Siobhan Finneran) and her underling officer Wesley Ross(Kadiff Kirwan) is entertaining.
Ted Lasso (2020)
Not Sure Why Such Acclaim For This Show.
I know fiction is not documentary but the premise to me seems beyond reality. I mean, an owner of a British soccer team who wants to tank it can find no easier way to do it than bringing in American college football coaches?
Main character coach Ted Lasso he talks too much and his folkisms get tedious, though he does have a good heart.
Team captain aging Roy Kent whose days of glory are long past it gruff and none too likable. Phil Dunster does a good job playing young hot shot player Jamie Tart, as the conceited big headed jock. Promiscuous groupie (tautology?) Keeley Jones brings soap opera goings on into the story and not much else.
At times various characters are supportive of each other concerning stresses both professional and personal. But at other times the dynamics between them seem weak.
All and all one season is enough for me.
The Gilded Age: Tucked Up in Newport (2022)
Entertaining Machinations Continue.
Per previous episodes, railroad magnate George Russell is now facing the charge of manslaughter, because it has been determined the derailment causing fatalities in Millbourne Pennsylvania was caused by faulty axles, and it seems use of the axles was directed by him to save money. He is obviously not wild about being found guilty, but more than worry about any sentence the judge might impose, he is very very concerned it will torpedo wife Bertha Russell's so-far baby steps toward acceptance into the New York society's highest tier (aka "The Four Hundred"). Away from New York in Newport, the over-bearing old money Mrs Mamie Fish is not so subtlely hinting to Bertha that exclusion will be the family's fate should things not go their way in court.
George is convinced a foreman Mr Dixon at one of his rail yards is responsible for the substandard axles and was stealing funds for quality ones, installing the bad ones, and pocketing the difference. However his secretary Mr Clay, his lawyers, and his investigators (much to his chagrin) can find no evidence that this is the case, and things proceed to a judge who will decide if the case shall go forward to a jury trial.
But wait! A chance encounter by Marion Brook with George's stenographer at Bloomingdale quickly leads to proof that Mr Dixon is the culprit.
George is not only exonerated - but the judge declares he (George and to us viewers Bertha also) leaves the courtroom with "his reputation intact". Off the hook, how convenient! And quite a clipped end of this part of the story to this reviewer.
Now to Newport. Again, per past episodes, it is clear Aunt Ada's son Oscar Van Rhijn is a closeted homosexual. A dandy-like social gadfly, Mr MacCallister OK, but Oscar openly having a male lover in the 1880s, c'mon on!
And as was the case during The Gilded Age, old money accounts/assets were trending down, and new money accounts/assets up up and away!
So in addition to wanting to hold onto his place in high society, Oscar desires a wife for financial reasons, as it seems the Van Rhijn's family riches are not what they used to be. So Oscar has set his sights on the Russell family's wealth, by hopefully marrying their daughter, Gladys. Oscar's boyfriend, John Adams, is aware of all this and accepts it, but he is none too happy about it either.
Up to this point Oscar and John have been great party pals, hanging around socially together as "friends", both enjoying the life of the idle rich. Now though Oscar is concerned of possible gossip about their relationship and tells John to stay home and not to come along with him to the upcoming festivities in Newport. But John has other contacts in The 400 and ends up in Newport anyway, to Oscar's surprise(discomfort too probably), but Oscar is nothing if not pokerfaced.
At the Newport Casino(more a country club than gambling house) John impresses Mrs Fish, who invites him to dinner with Oscar, Mr MacCallister, and what she calls "The New People"(The Russells except George still in New York). At the dinner, Oscar is charming/ingratiating himself with Bertha, seeming to believe the path to marrying Gladys runs through her mom. Bertha, though, is actually more interested in saying the proper things to Mrs Fish and does not pay much attention to Oscar. Meanwhile polite, well mannered, and handsome, John is hitting it off quite well with Gladys! Hmmm... how will this all play out? I guess we must wait and see in Season Two.
OK, I have covered what to me are the most significant goings-on in this episode, the rest I will summarize. Aunt Ada's snobbery about new money continues unabated, but seems to be having less and less impact on those around her. Housekeeper Miss Armstrong's disdain for Miss Scott comes to a head, and it is not pretty. The Van Rhijn house footman, young Jack Treacher, shows his sensitive side to housegirl, sweet Bridget. Can she overcome her past traumas and will anything come of his desire for romance? Let us hope so! Mrs Fane tries to warn Marion off of Mr Raikes, but does not seem to make any headway with her.
Finally there is the interesting ending scene where on the sly, Mr MacCallister engineers an unauthorized tour of the Astors' just renovated Newport Mansion for Bertha. There is a disruption though and the way it ends seems to be saying loud and clear, "you have a ways to go to join the 400 Bertha Russell"!
Married with Children: Married... with Who (1991)
Welcome aboard Ted McGinley.
AKA "The Patron Saint of Shark Jumping" by that popular website that documents the event(s) which cause a successful TV show begins its decline. Ted prior to MWC had most famously helped ease out of the TV world of the living The Love Boat and Happy Days.
Fortunately for MWC McGinley now permanently joining the cast (he appeared in 1987 as Normon Jablonsky in "It's a Bundyful Life Part 2") did not swing the grim reaper's scythe this time. MWC stayed on the air mostly funny as ever for seven more years.
So after drifting around in a promiscuous fog since her hubby Steve left her during the prior season, neighbor Marcy has found a husband in Jefferson D'Arcy(McGinley).
The episode is very entertaining. All the Bundy family cast embrace the plot with enthusiasm, their usual funny selves, and sensitivity for Marcy's plight (not!) Anyway after Marcy and Jefferson realize they got married in a drunken haze the night before, they decide they want to stay together and have a "real" wedding ceremony. When Al and Peggy learn there is $2040 to be spent, they offer to cater/host it in their back yard. Unknown to the happy couple, Al and Peggy have designs on the money, her a vacation trip to Hawaii, him payment on a lot ( fittingly at Lake Chicamocomico) for a future retirement cabin. With this in mind Al cheaps out in every way possible on the shin dig. What a welcome for Jefferson to Bundy-world! But in an unexpected twist at the end Jefferson gets a little revenge for this on Al.
Seinfeld: The Trip: Part 1 (1992)
Not So Good. Both Parts 1 and 2.
Kramer has a "treatment" of a movie he is trying to get made. Along the way he meets a nice young lady. Soon she ends up murdered and dumped along a road ala the hillside stranglers. Oh isnt that funny - not! Also the detective investigating is way over the top - not particularly funny either. Jerry and George arrive in LA for Jerry's Tonight Show appearance (why Kramer is there first isnt really explained). It is some what funny George his annoying self with other guests on The Tonight Show Corbin Bernsen and George Wendt. Jerry's performance bombs and he blames it on hotel house keeper Lupe for throwing away his hand written joke list. George has a crush on Lupe and goes on and on it is not her fault. Resolution of murder isnt very good either though cameo by Keith Morrison he of the ghoulish voice on NBC's Dateline is a nice touch.
Holy Rollers: The True Story of Card Counting Christians (2011)
Some What Disappointing.
The movie starts with the premise that the Christians take down the casinos for big bucks. But instead of raking in the dough they seem more often than not being asked to leave the premises and/or losing rather than winning at the tables. Leaders seem to not always be able effectively manage the team and some are not up to the skills needed to be a successful card-counter. These group dynamics get tedious. Card-counting is presented at the being easy at the beginning, but then many they take into the group struggle and with some even being suspected of stealing (no spoiler but one in a very crazy way). To me the dichotomy between adherence to Fundamentalist Christianity and gambling is not resolved, as hard as members of the team try to.