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Post by snacky on Aug 19, 2014 6:00:02 GMT
MM has a wonderful ensemble cast, and every episode reveals something something about some of the backgrounds of the various characters or offers them the chance to learn something new. When these bits and pieces of character trivia are remembered for more than one episode they turn into "character development" and give MM an aura of smart continuity. Most of the time character development potentialities are just dropped and forgotten, though.
What character potentialities would you like to see rescued and become part of general character development?
Here are some I'd like to see.
I'd like to see more references to George as a freemason: this may be reinforcing some of his stranger ideas! I'd also like to see him bust out with some kung fu skills, showing he was so impressed by his experiences in Chinatown that he followed up. Also, was there a hint he has a talent for reading languages when he was able to read the name of the Chinese restaurant? Maybe he can suddenly impress everyone by being able to read Chinese! Anyway, there are a lot of George elements that I'd like to see continuity for.
On Tumblr I saw a complaint about lack of "diversity" on MM. There was an idea that a native character (or perhaps the puzzle solving janitor!) could be added as a regular character by making them an informant. Also since the Pinkertons are being brought in this season, they can add more diversity to the regular cast as well. Anyway - that was a good point. MM has addressed racism, but perhaps it's time to engage in some "show don't tell".
Emily - I don't even know where to start since her character development has been rebooted so many times. I like Weird Science Emily exploring the boundary between life and death. Perhaps there are similar "medical experimentation" scenarios she can get into? Maybe she can rent herself out to the Pinkertons as a sort of medical expert detective and perhaps compete a bit with William and George?
Higgins - I always thought he should take up with a rich widow and become a "kept constable".
Mr. and Mrs. B - I see Mrs. B getting fretful as her oldest son leaves the nest, but soon all her time is taken up with the merge between the temperance and the franchise movements: leading to tumults and arrests and clashes with Mr. B. (And probably more hot sexy time at Station House 4 - I don't think that will ever get old for them). Mr. B will have too much desk time because of his injuries, which will allow time for him to resort to other interests he's displayed over the course of the series: theater, opera, apparently attracting the great historical figures of the day to Toronto to sign his autograph book...
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Post by Fallenbelle on Aug 19, 2014 11:50:39 GMT
I'd like to see a Julia storyline about her past that could potentially pass the Bechdel Test.
Plus, more Mr. And Mrs. B sexytime or any interaction at all would be fabulous!
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Post by snacky on Aug 19, 2014 15:31:36 GMT
I'd like to see a Julia storyline about her past that could potentially pass the Bechdel Test. Plus, more Mr. And Mrs. B sexytime or any interaction at all would be fabulous! How about Mr. B calls it for a change, somewhere other than the Station House? I must admit I get confused about Julia's past. Her father didn't want her to be a doctor, but he was a doctor and he let both her and Ruby attain a good education and set them up for rather independent lives. Her father liked Ruby better, but she's more independent and wild than Julia - Why? Why does Julia put up with Ruby needling her about her clothes and tastes in music: if father liked Ruby better and Ruby is always stealing her boyfriends, why not cut her loose? Enquiring minds want to know! |
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Post by Fallenbelle on Aug 19, 2014 15:56:18 GMT
I'd like to see a Julia storyline about her past that could potentially pass the Bechdel Test. Plus, more Mr. And Mrs. B sexytime or any interaction at all would be fabulous! How about Mr. B calls it for a change, somewhere other than the Station House? I must admit I get confused about Julia's past. Her father didn't want her to be a doctor, but he was a doctor and he let both her and Ruby attain a good education and set them up for rather independent lives. Her father liked Ruby better, but she's more independent and wild than Julia - Why? Why does Julia put up with Ruby needling her about her clothes and tastes in music: if father liked Ruby better and Ruby is always stealing her boyfriends, why not cut her loose? Enquiring minds want to know! Because Julia felt responsible for her after her mother's death? Although, that might be more fanon than canon. It may be a prickly relationship, but Ruby does love for and care about Julia-backing off William when asked, trying to stop the wedding, etc. This relationship def needs more exploring. |
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Post by snacky on Aug 19, 2014 20:10:17 GMT
I clearly need to make some inroads at fanfic.net if there's enough MM stuff to constitute fanon, lol. I might buy Julia feeling responsible for her mother's death as deep background. The show should bring that into canon.
I guess Ruby does make up for her obnoxious side, but Julia is still hurting. I love the theory she is subconsciously imitating her sister.
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Post by wildhorseannie on Aug 22, 2014 1:33:16 GMT
I think George, Margaret, and Henry are characters that really show off the writing skills on this show. They all started (and could have stayed) minor characters, yet they all developed and grew, just as people do in real life. I'm always excited about any revelations/developments in their lives.
Specifically, I'd love to see George write another best-seller. That seemed like a plot point that got dropped rather suddenly. It's such a great outlet for his, ehm, creative imagination. And it's definitely time for Henry to get a girlfriend! I would just like to see more of Margaret and the boys in general...not only are they great characters on their own, but they add a unique depth to the Inspector's character that is notably lacking elsewhere in the show.
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Post by snacky on Aug 22, 2014 2:49:34 GMT
Specifically, I'd love to see George write another best-seller. Good one!  I'd like to see George get famous for it and the Inspector have to ask for his autograph! (And maybe start offering plot suggestions...). |
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Post by wildhorseannie on Aug 22, 2014 2:59:14 GMT
Specifically, I'd love to see George write another best-seller. Good one! I'd like to see George get famous for it and the Inspector have to ask for his autograph! (And maybe start offering plot suggestions...). A la Conan Doyle and the "Hound of the Highlands!" |
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Post by snacky on Aug 22, 2014 3:10:03 GMT
Good one! I'd like to see George get famous for it and the Inspector have to ask for his autograph! (And maybe start offering plot suggestions...). A la Conan Doyle and the "Hound of the Highlands!" The Inspector already kowtows to George's superior Freemason rank...  |
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Post by Fallenbelle on Aug 22, 2014 13:35:19 GMT
I think George, Margaret, and Henry are characters that really show off the writing skills on this show. They all started (and could have stayed) minor characters, yet they all developed and grew, just as people do in real life. I'm always excited about any revelations/developments in their lives. Specifically, I'd love to see George write another best-seller. That seemed like a plot point that got dropped rather suddenly. It's such a great outlet for his, ehm, creative imagination. And it's definitely time for Henry to get a girlfriend! I would just like to see more of Margaret and the boys in general...not only are they great characters on their own, but they add a unique depth to the Inspector's character that is notably lacking elsewhere in the show. Yes-there definitely has to be more George escapades-he's just too fun to not do anything with him.  I'd also like to see him in a relationship that's a better fit for him. I like Dr. Grace's character, but not as a love interest for George. I think it was Snacky who suggested that he needs to find a girl around his own social station because he needs to spoil her with little trinkets and such-I love that idea! Speaking of Emily Grace, I really like the actress and I think she's doing the best that she can with a role that seemingly changes from week to week depending on writer's whims. I like her slightly dark, macabre side, and would like to see this more as well. I don't think she has to be shipped-just let her be herself for now. |
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Post by Fallenbelle on Aug 22, 2014 13:38:27 GMT
The Inspector already kowtows to George's superior Freemason rank... And why can't anything more be said about that? It doesn't need to be a central plot line again, but a mention here or there would be nice.  |
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Post by snacky on Aug 22, 2014 16:33:10 GMT
The Inspector already kowtows to George's superior Freemason rank... And why can't anything more be said about that? It doesn't need to be a central plot line again, but a mention here or there would be nice. References to George as a Freemason is my number one "bring back" request! I was just chiming in with "and another thing" to kowtow to when Annie brought up the books... |
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Post by wildhorseannie on Aug 22, 2014 20:03:37 GMT
I think George, Margaret, and Henry are characters that really show off the writing skills on this show. They all started (and could have stayed) minor characters, yet they all developed and grew, just as people do in real life. I'm always excited about any revelations/developments in their lives. Specifically, I'd love to see George write another best-seller. That seemed like a plot point that got dropped rather suddenly. It's such a great outlet for his, ehm, creative imagination. And it's definitely time for Henry to get a girlfriend! I would just like to see more of Margaret and the boys in general...not only are they great characters on their own, but they add a unique depth to the Inspector's character that is notably lacking elsewhere in the show. Yes-there definitely has to be more George escapades-he's just too fun to not do anything with him. I'd also like to see him in a relationship that's a better fit for him. I like Dr. Grace's character, but not as a love interest for George. I think it was Snacky who suggested that he needs to find a girl around his own social station because he needs to spoil her with little trinkets and such-I love that idea! Speaking of Emily Grace, I really like the actress and I think she's doing the best that she can with a role that seemingly changes from week to week depending on writer's whims. I like her slightly dark, macabre side, and would like to see this more as well. I don't think she has to be shipped-just let her be herself for now. I agree about Georgina's acting skills...she can only do so much with what they give her, but it's obvious she has a lot of potential. Before I took a break from the site, I had suggested that a female investigative reporter (think Nellie Bly) would be the perfect match for George. I think the writers really fell through on the perfect opportunity to insert such a character after the arrest of Patty Glenn. Now that George and Emily are old news, it would be a great time to bring that up! If either George or Henry get new girlfriends, it would be nice to see them be from the same social stratus. There seems to a lop-sided-ness to the show in having all the girls be of a higher station than their suitors. |
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Post by Hodge on Aug 22, 2014 21:42:48 GMT
Yes-there definitely has to be more George escapades-he's just too fun to not do anything with him. I'd also like to see him in a relationship that's a better fit for him. I like Dr. Grace's character, but not as a love interest for George. I think it was Snacky who suggested that he needs to find a girl around his own social station because he needs to spoil her with little trinkets and such-I love that idea! Speaking of Emily Grace, I really like the actress and I think she's doing the best that she can with a role that seemingly changes from week to week depending on writer's whims. I like her slightly dark, macabre side, and would like to see this more as well. I don't think she has to be shipped-just let her be herself for now. I agree about Georgina's acting skills...she can only do so much with what they give her, but it's obvious she has a lot of potential. Before I took a break from the site, I had suggested that a female investigative reporter (think Nellie Bly) would be the perfect match for George. I think the writers really fell through on the perfect opportunity to insert such a character after the arrest of Patty Glenn. Now that George and Emily are old news, it would be a great time to bring that up! If either George or Henry get new girlfriends, it would be nice to see them be from the same social stratus. There seems to a lop-sided-ness to the show in having all the girls be of a higher station than their suitors. One has to remember that the ladies of MM are modern women and men of their social class may not take kindly to 'their women' working outside the home. On the other hand the lower classes are used to women having to work and are much more accepting of this. Also both William and George seem to be workaholics (though George less so as we have seen him socializing with Henry) so where would they get the opportunity to meet women? Work seems to be the obvious place and given that there are no female coppers and there just happen to be two female Drs./coroners it's not surprising that the men are attracted. |
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Post by snacky on Aug 22, 2014 22:53:12 GMT
If either George or Henry get new girlfriends, it would be nice to see them be from the same social stratus. There seems to a lop-sided-ness to the show in having all the girls be of a higher station than their suitors. That's a great point! I think it was a side effect of making Emily a carbon copy of Julia, but this is starting to get a bit weird. Maybe it's the only way the writers can think of to come up with "empowered" women since only wealthy women would be able to get an education...? But then again Anna was pretty empowered, and I doubt she had much in the way of a formal education. I still see Henry as a "kept man" some day, but other than that, it would be nice to see some lower class girls making good, too. Red Emma is still one of my favorite recurring characters (besides Anna). |
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