(Untitled)

[mandysbitch]

Hello? (*tap, tap*) Is this thing on?

I've just finished watching the series in its entirety and I wrote a quick review and put it in my LJ. That post is locked, but in the interest of generating a little discussion (or something) I'll repost it here (with some editing):

Comments

[linaerys]

In the commentary, Greenwalt et. al. talk about how the major dramatic tension from the whole series was going to be making the viewer ask "How real are his emotions?"

I love the cracks in the facade. And they are so slight.

For starters, he's more attached to people than you think he is. He seems genuinely attached to Gail and wants to see her promoted

Also, twice he messes up something on his person, like his tie, or his collar, so that Gail can fix it for him--yes, it's very good to get her feeling maternal and/or girlfriendly about him, good for her loyalty, but at some point his motive doesn't matter--he's doing things to make her feel good.

I LOVE Gail. I loved her improvisation in "Chinese Box". I was very worried for her, but she turns out to be so badass. That is such a great episode--like when the cat jumps out at her and she shrieks and then Profit, all nekkid, rolls his eyes. *LOVE*

Yeah, Profit at least has a reason to be who he is, but Bobby? I'd love to hear some theories.

I want to discuss in great detail what was going on with that last episode. Because it seems like for a while Profit is trying to undermine Pete and get his job, but he shifts to trying to keep the family together . . . which leads to my terrible Mary Sue idea, but we won't talk about that . . . and the Gracens become the family he never has, the one he wants. It was a speedy shift, but the creators knew the end was coming, so I think they wanted to wrap up what would have been a season-long arc into that last episode.

And Profit's girlfriend? That was interest too, because it seemed like they were trying to paint her (a little OTT if you ask me) as someone who could be a "soulmate" and you do have to wonder what would have happened if she never betrayed him. They were too much alike though, except he was much much better at it.

[mandysbitch]

In the commentary, Greenwalt et. al. talk about how the major dramatic tension from the whole series was going to be making the viewer ask "How real are his emotions?"

There are commentaries on the dvds? How many? Worth buying the dvds for?

some point his motive doesn't matter--he's doing things to make her feel good.

And this is what you have to *love* about someone who may or may not be a sociopath. Yes, he is doing it to make her feel good but he gets a positive out of making her feel good so is he being selfless or self-serving? It's difficult to tell. Certainly we had a lot of debate in Oz fandom about Keller's apparently selfless acts (see, you really need to watch it *g*).

Bobby? I'd love to hear some theories.

I'd say a cute little girl with blonde (or red) hair that figured out from a *way* too early age that she could use her sexuality to get what she wanted. There's an element of abuse there - she's certainly not been 'protected' by a loving and caring family, but she doesn't appear to be as damaged as Profit either. What reason does she have to remain with Profit's father all these years if not our of some vague sense of attachment? Did he have money? If she stays with Chaz, I'm inclined to believe she may actually care for him.

And yes, I think she cares about Jim -in her own perverted way.

it seems like for a while Profit is trying to undermine Pete and get his job, but he shifts to trying to keep the family together .

Which worked better for me - because it's more complex than the revenge fantasy Joanne attributes to Profit. And didn't Profit say "revenge is for the weak?"

In the end, this position would be more sustainable in the long term for the show - had they been given that opportunity. That way the show wouldn't be about Jim trying to get on top (which could only be a thing for a season or two), but about Jim trying to keep the company (his family) together. Ah, now I'm just *sad* that the show didn't get the chance. :(