|
|
Post by Fallenbelle on Oct 7, 2014 13:04:54 GMT
Okay, so my reflections! They're a bit rambly right now, but I haven't yet calmed down. Perhaps I can be more intelligent tomorrow! Love W&J this episode! How are they so flippping adorable? Seriously, they were so squishy. Something's going on with that voracious maneater! Sorry-the woman who runs the docks-don't remember her name! Checking up on William to see if he was single-why do I think she's going to make an indecent proposal next episode? Something tells me that she's not taking no for an answer so easily. She's a wealthy woman looking for a new toy, and William being unnerved by her was kinda cute. I must say, it was kinda nice to see a man be subject to unwanted advances for once. Nice gender parity, MM! Too bad she's not interested in Higgins-he'd love that arrangement.Love, love, love Mrs. Brackenreid this episode! She wants her husband who was "full of piss and vinegar" back. Not an old man waiting to die. She cut to the quick, and basically told him to get his $#%t together. She's the perfect woman for him!  My husband is a Red Green fan, so he's happy to see Slorach. I don't hate him, but I want Brax back!  Love how Brax was the one who came down to the docks and saved William, made sure the boy was okay, and went on the clean the place up himself. My husband was laughing at this part, and saying it was very Gangs of New York. I guess it was. The episode was a little dark, but I liked it, and I'm okay with that so long as it isn't every week. Judging from some of the episode descriptions we've already seen, I think this season should be a good mix-which is wonderful, IMO! So, given the W/J issue: I was disappointed to learn that no date has been set yet. Is anyone else wondering if it might be William who's dragging his feet here? I think the comment that alluded to real estate conversations was quite telling in that he's starting to become quite aware that perhaps he doesn't have/make enough money for her. That's got to be hurting his manly pride. He's been working for years to be able to provide a solid middle class lifestyle for his family, and while he's done an admirable job, it's still not enough to keep Julia in the manner in which she's become accustomed. When asked about the date, she seemed hopeful-and is it just me, or was he almost wincing on the topic. I'd love for someone to prove me wrong, but I think William is now the reluctant one-he's probably comparing himself to Darcy financially (and sexually) and he thinks he's coming up short. At any rate, I love how the writers are addressing this issue-this class/money difference thing is not a topic to be swept under the rug lightly. I did get to finally see it, but the quality was less than ideal (overloaded servers/competition from other MM fans is my guess), and I'll try rewatching again later to make better note of minute facial expressions and tone. |
|
|
|
Post by Hodge on Oct 7, 2014 14:42:55 GMT
I think this is an area where the Murdoch world and the real world depart ways. George says something outloud about making three dollars a day at some point. The only time I've seen George mention how much he earns is in Let Us Ask the Maiden when William says to him you'll own a house like this one day and George replies not on $1.25 a day. |
|
|
|
Post by Hodge on Oct 7, 2014 14:49:35 GMT
I doubt William or Brackenreid were earning around $3.00 a day, that's over $700 a year for 5 days a week. In Murdoch of the Klondike William had almost $200 worth of gold and he said it was almost half what he earned in a year. I doubt he's had a $300 raise in three years. I think William also has an investment or two. (Thanks to George). He has Canadian Bonds. Hope they're a better investment for him than they would be today! |
|
|
|
Post by Fallenbelle on Oct 7, 2014 15:17:14 GMT
This guy stole my line! And he's wrong about the bubblegum!  Actually, I think Brax deserves the asskicking and gumchewing award. Not gonna lie, that scene with him at the end was totes hot. |
|
|
|
Post by Fallenbelle on Oct 7, 2014 15:20:57 GMT
All of our actors were excellent, and I was particularly glad to see Arwen Humphry again- wouldn't more development toward her character and Brackenreid's relationship be amazing? I'd trade all the Crabtree and Grace scenes in the world for more Mr. & Mrs. Brackenreid and their boys, to be honest. That said, I am definitely thawing on the Emily front. As long as they give her storylines other than her fling with George, I might even like her by the end of this. Who knows? That's it for tonight! I might post more tomorrow, before class, if I'm at least partially conscious. XD Hubby and I have been watching and at one point within the last few days he asked me if the Inspector's wife and children have left him because you never see them. He commented that it was sad that he always had to be the fifth wheel on Julliam and Gemily dates. :DLOL. |
|
|
|
Post by Fallenbelle on Oct 7, 2014 15:24:06 GMT
Well said! I loved it. This ensemble cast is fantastic!! Thank God the wait is over. Definitely a darker vibe. I read Yannick saying in 'The Toronto Star' that much of this season's focus will be on the waterfront. The writers were very clever with the way they handled Brax's situation. The flashback scenario was not a surprise but I hadn't anticipated their focus on his emotional damage. It's a nice spin that will continue to bring Margaret into the picture. Pretty crafty too about the wedding date, or not, but I'm a bit annoyed. William said the wedding would happen "soon" but it is clear that several months have already passed, a la Brax recovery, yet the wedding date is still "soon". Hmph. Again, I'm not surprised but hmph. I LOVED Julia's new wardrobe! We'll have to see how the writers juxtapose the darker tensions of society's wider issues with W/J lighter side. For me the contrast was almost jarring. I love that playfulness. It was my favourite part of S7 and they've continued it but it came across as almost frivolous to me against the dramatic tension of the dock fight and the suffragette protest. As predicted, Julia is in jail, William is hurt and neither one can help the other. Excellent angst for snacky  . Bring on Part 2. Can't wait for next week. To heck with Thanksgiving. I'd love to know what others think, but do you think William's the reason no date has been set? Opinions, please! |
|
|
|
Post by Fallenbelle on Oct 7, 2014 15:26:27 GMT
I LOVED Julia's new wardrobe! As predicted, Julia is in jail, William is hurt and neither one can help the other. Excellent angst for snacky . Julia went shopping? Bring on the angst! Yes, I think she had at least 4 wardrobe changes and all were lovely! Don't worry, our boy knows how to bring the angst. He excels at it! But this time, I think he's the source of it. |
|
|
|
Post by Fallenbelle on Oct 7, 2014 15:38:40 GMT
Having William move into Julia's house would make him feel like a kept man. He's a traditionalist when it comes to providing for his family so they need a clean slate that they buy together. It may be a 70/30 split but at least he's contributing. There's also the question of where he feels he will ultimately fit into the social strata of the neighbourhood. I don't think that is something that has ever really been on his radar until now. Agreed about the kept man part-I think he's been so concentrated on just winning and wooing her for so long, that their differences are just now being noticed, and I definitely think it's bugging him. He wants to be the traditional male provider, and Julia doesn't need him, so that's got to hurt his manly pride a bit. I wonder if Julia just decides to surprise him with a house-I don't think he'll handle it well. Thing is, Julia doesn't need him-she wants him-which is a very feminist, modern position. She's marrying him because she loves him, and wants to share her life with him- not because she needs his social standing, or his money. She's not worried about William being after her money, but I hope that she realizes quickly what a sore spot it is for him. I think she may already have a clue, but a bit early just yet-hopefully a few more clues will drop about that next week. |
|
|
|
Post by Fallenbelle on Oct 7, 2014 15:41:23 GMT
William had his knees knocked from under him, whilst on the ground he was kicked and coshed but not in the head. No, not the faaaaaace! Save the pretty! Fear not! No prettiness was harmed in the making of this episode. All violent marks were left in places not visible. Like the knees and ribs. Ouch.  |
|
|
|
Post by Fallenbelle on Oct 7, 2014 15:42:16 GMT
Yannick complained about suffering and had to go home to rest, but I thought it was for a different episode. Maybe he gets roughed up more than once this season! That funny look may be just a bad acting choice. There are times when I question Yannick's choices, like that scene at the end of Ragtime where Julia summons him for "determined woman" kissage, and Yannick looks...nonplussed? Also, I thought the way he went down in the promo looked kind of "stagey". But I'll see how it looks in the context of the actual show. It was almost a smug look but I'll have to watch it again. Darn it!! There was just something about the way he was replying to Julia's comment and the looks on his face in this scene but maybe I'm just reading something into it that's not there. The ep he had to rest was much later. Once you rewatch it, I'd love to know your take on it. |
|
|
|
Post by Fallenbelle on Oct 7, 2014 15:48:18 GMT
I think this is an area where the Murdoch world and the real world depart ways. George says something outloud about making three dollars a day at some point. Oooh, I think you might be right. I want to say that this might be season 7-possibly even Journey to the Center of Toronto. Hubby and I bingewatched season 7 over the weekend and I think I remember hearing this in the last few days. However, I call another continuity error. They should totally hire us to check for continuity. |
|
|
|
Post by snacky on Oct 7, 2014 16:43:40 GMT
All the beat-downs were a little shocking, but the way I see it is "gang violence" is only one aspect of the period, and this two-parter is where MM is doing that aspect of the period. I don't think we're going to be seeing those truncheon things on a regular basis. I think it was good to establish that these aren't cartoon character villains in the same way Gillies was. While I was wrong about the woman in black being the mother of the O'Sheas, I was right that she was the villain running the docks!  I really enjoyed the Inspector's storyline: I admire how quickly the writers folded in the failure of the justice system and the threat to Margaret. Thank goodness he's back, though! Whew. He's really central to MM. I agree William is worried about supporting Julia in the style she is accustomed - and I think Julia may have caught on to that when the Inspector mentioned why William wasn't/can't be promoted. I didn't see any smug look after their neighborhood walk. I just saw some nervousness on William's part. It was unclear to me who was stalling on setting a date. Both were saying "soon". William has a way of stalling forever under those circumstances, especially if he is waiting for Julia to do something, or if he has let fear of Julia's lifestyle expectations get the best of him. I hope Julia realizes what William is worried about and has some preemptive chat. Poor Julia was so sure William would rescue her from jail! I hope that turns out to be the case! I don't think William was injured that badly - at most he might have a cracked rib, but he was standing with George at the end of the ep. |
|
|
|
Post by snacky on Oct 7, 2014 16:51:42 GMT
Agreed about the kept man part-I think he's been so concentrated on just winning and wooing her for so long, that their differences are just now being noticed, and I definitely think it's bugging him. He wants to be the traditional male provider, and Julia doesn't need him, so that's got to hurt his manly pride a bit. I wonder if Julia just decides to surprise him with a house-I don't think he'll handle it well. Thing is, Julia doesn't need him-she wants him-which is a very feminist, modern position. She's marrying him because she loves him, and wants to share her life with him- not because she needs his social standing, or his money. She's not worried about William being after her money, but I hope that she realizes quickly what a sore spot it is for him. I think she may already have a clue, but a bit early just yet-hopefully a few more clues will drop about that next week. Absolutely - ALL these points!!!! I hope Julia realizes this very quickly before it snowballs. The bottom line is she doesn't need William as a provider - the traditional male role. William needs to realize that just as he was willing to marry a divorcee, she is willing to marry a man that's outside her social class. And if they are marrying for love, that means she who has the money can buy the house. He is bringing other things to the marriage. Conveniently "inheriting" a house so no financial transactions are involved might also workout psychologically... |
|
|
|
Post by ziggy on Oct 7, 2014 16:52:33 GMT
I can’t say that this lived up to the hype about this two parter but it wasn’t bad. It had multiple, interesting storylines, the actors did very well as usual and the production was great. However, for me, it lacked the mature, intellectual strength both in mystery and in scripting that attracted me to MM in the first place. I don’t know what it is about this writer that always leaves me feeling that the story could have been told in a more interesting way.
I was glad to see Brackenreid physically up and about. I hadn’t thought about the psychological and emotional effect of his injuries. He had a traumatic experience and it was evident for us to see. That was very well done. There’s still some work to be done there before he is fully back to normal. As long as the O’Sheas are free to roam about in such close proximity and carry on the way they are, he won’t heal properly. But he is on the mend and is ready now to take action, so I am quite hopeful for a full recovery.
I must say I was worried for Yannick. William came down hard on his knees when he got his legs knocked out from underneath him. I felt the pain. I think Yannick had an operation on his knee sometime this summer. I hope he didn’t crack a bone. With all the cycling he does on and off screen, he needs his legs and from all indications, he had another incident with his knees further into production that required him to take things easy for a while. I hope he is alright.
The women are doing well with their cause but I hope Julia is not left to float around like she has nothing to do other than organize protests whilst she waits for William or someone to marry her. It’s getting more and more difficult for me to see her as an independent, intelligent doctor and someone I once thought would become a woman of substance.
They didn’t need to bring Slorach in just to make him look like a buffoon. He had no purpose in this episode. I hadn’t expected to see Brackenreid this episode but our cranky ol’ red head was the only Inspector they needed. Let’s hope part 2 helps to lift things up a bit.
|
|
|
|
Post by Fallenbelle on Oct 7, 2014 16:54:47 GMT
While I was wrong about the woman in black being the mother of the O'Sheas, I was right that she was the villain running the docks! Poor Julia was so sure William would rescue her from jail! I hope that turns out to be the case! I don't think William was injured that badly - at most he might have a cracked rib, but he was standing with George at the end of the ep. Is it really wrong that I hope she's a red herring and really all she is a maneater who wants William served up to her for her next feast. While I think that Julia doesn't need William, she does want him to ride to her rescue. That's how he provides for her-with affection, adoration, and security. And will soon be performing other services as well. |
|
.
