Harper's Island re-watch: Ka-blam & Bang
A bit later than my last post but still well within the time limit between now and the next time I'm suppose to post. After watching the next two episodes of 'Harper's Island' (which I do on Mondays when they show them back-to-back), I had many thoughts and grievances to post. So here they are. And once again, if you haven't watched 'Harper's Island', please check it out. And even if you haven't you can still read this if you don't mind spoilers. I try to explain myself and the basics of the episode whenever I can.
** Light Spoilers beyond here for anyone who hasn't watched this super-fly horror miniseries yet. **
Ignoring the ickiness and dickishness of the bride's family, I did manage to enjoy these two episodes because they have more sheriff screen time. (Yay, for more Sheriff Mills!) Even as an island sheriff Jim Beaver gives off his Bobby vibe which is equal parts gruffness, reservation, and folksy southern-ness mixed with underlying caring and concern which seems to come out when he's investigating poor Kelly's staged suicide or when he's with his daughter. (It's the same sort of gruff caring his aforementioned character "Bobby" has in 'Supernatural' when he gets mad at the Winchesters but it's only because he cares so much about them and doesn't like the boys to risk their necks like a bunch of "idjits"! ☺) Abby's coldness for her sheriff daddy is a bit sad but we're starting to get the picture as the series goes on.
For as much as islanders Abby and Henry have concerned father figures, that's how much the bride's own father is self-involved. I think that says something about Abby and Henry who are nice middle class kids from an island (and maybe Jimmy should be included here but we don't ever meet his parents). Especially when compared to the well-off Wellingtons (yeah, the name pretty much says it all.) On the bride's side of the family, we've got a father who hired his daughter's rich ex-boyfriend to come sabotage the wedding by trying to "win back" Trish (and I know I said he's unconcerned not two lines ago but actually I think it's only partly true; he may be concerned that his daughter won't truly be happy with a lowly island boat cleaner like Henry, but he's most definitely more concerned that she's marrying beneath her social class). But I don't want to get sidetracked as there's still more bad apples in the Wellington family tree. The bride's sister, Shea, is pretty much a crappy mom who doesn't pay attention to her creepy little daughter. But that's nothing compared to her uncaring husband cheating on her with his wife's step-mother, Papa Wellington's wife. (Or in terms non-viewers can understand: the dude is banging his step-mother-in-law! That's some Maury crap right there.) And as for the bride-to-be herself, Trish, though they don't come out and say it I think they're subtly hinting that she may have cheated on Henry in college with her ex or something. I can't remember if this was ever confirmed or denied on the show. I'll have to keep watching and see.
Taking a step away from complicated families, I continue to fawn over Cal, the totally adorable British guy whose girlfriend should be so lucky to have him instead of the other way around! Curse you Hollywood for presenting such adorable, hot guys as quiet and "nerdy", thereby getting my hopes up that I too may find someone like that in real life. *sigh* But I did enjoy how Cal's chicky-poo helped him get revenge against Sully. (The ole' tar and feather technique never gets old. Even if the tar is replaced with honey.
) Henry finds out about Trish's ex, Hunter, but doesn't confront her about it. And it would appear the serial killer John Wakefield is still alive despite the fact that Sheriff Mills told everyone he shot and killed the S.O.B. Or it could be some copy cat who's obsessed with the Wakefield murders (like how Cal's girlfriend Chloe is obsessed with Wakefield trivia or whatever but I don't suspect her because she doesn't seem to be, how do I say this... "smart enough" to pull off these new killings. Even back when I first saw the show I didn't think Chloe could be the killer. I mean, I know I should've suspected those who seem least likely but that little blonde stick? Come on.)
Someone who *did* get my attention on the "he/she could be the killer!" front was Shane. He's been a jerk to everyone for the past few episodes and if I thought a womanizing flirt like Sully didn't deserve a nice guy like Henry as a friend, you can bet crazy ole' "runs over Henry's brother and ties him up in a shed" Shane is not good enough to say a passing hello to sweet lil' Jimmy, let alone be his best friend or whatever. Seriously, I forgot how crazy and evil Shane was around this point and I don't remember if Jimmy talks to him about what the hell was going through his mind or whatever but I do remember thinking maybe Shane was the killer back then. Then I figured since we're only about 1/3 into the story, they probably wouldn't reveal the killer so soon so maybe he was some kind of accomplice. In any case, thank goodness Abby saved Henry's brother from Shane's crazy murderous hands and thank goodness the sheriff came back in the nick of time to help, choosing not to believe Shane when he played innocent. (Way to follow your gut instinct, Sheriff!)
From crazy killer wannabes to creepy may-grow-up-to-be-killers: the creepy little girl, Madison, continues to be creepy and annoying. But then her parents don't seem to care enough to supervise her so should I blame her for acting out? ... Yes. Yes I should. If you saw that scene with her sitting on the floor chanting "One by one" in that cliché, quiet, horror movie kid voice you'd know this goes beyond simple lack of discipline. That kid is totally Damien's long lost sister or something and she needs to be locked into a loony bin. Or exorcised. She's one of the reasons I don't wanna have kids. The other reason is guys like Sully who exude pure cockiness and should probably stick to blow-up dolls and strippers instead of hitting on other guys' girlfriends. But at least he's not crazy like Shane.
Winding this long summary analysis thing down: Abby causes a weird reaction in a psychic, because what bachelorette party would be complete without a psychic who senses evil in an insecure girl whose mother was killed on the island, amirite? Well I'd say the bachelor party was better but not by much and only up to the part where Henry and his groomsmen find a quarter million bucks in an abandoned boat. If I were them I totally would've taken the money but I'd have to do some serious Googling to figure out how to keep it safe in case they do belong to shady guys. (It's amazing the kind of stuff you can find on the internet.) Somewhat forgettable nice-guy Booth is the next victim and it sucks that he had to bite the bullet - somewhat literally and self-inflicted to add insult to injury. Actually, I don't think this was the first accidental death. Henry's pal, Booth, died in the fourth episode ('Bang') but the previous episode ('Ka-blam') had another accidental gun death with Trish's ex-boyfriend (who extorted money from her daddy in exchange for his silence on the whole "Trish's daddy paid her ex-boyfriend to come ruin the wedding" thing.) And Henry's uncle or whatever died falling through a rickety, moldy wooden bridge or something, didn't he? Geez, the Harper's Island murderer is kind of slacking off.
BTW, Though there was no Jimmy in the third episode, he does appear in the fourth for my additional dose of adorable hotness but with an added dose of scruffy, handyman and funniness, No wonder Abby gets with him at the end of 'Bang'. (Never has a title been more appropriate.
) Abby and Jimmy are so adorable but I also love her scenes with Henry. I can't help but think these three hung out when they were younger, Three Musketeers style. And if they didn't, they should have. Oh well.
** Light Spoilers beyond here for anyone who hasn't watched this super-fly horror miniseries yet. **
Ignoring the ickiness and dickishness of the bride's family, I did manage to enjoy these two episodes because they have more sheriff screen time. (Yay, for more Sheriff Mills!) Even as an island sheriff Jim Beaver gives off his Bobby vibe which is equal parts gruffness, reservation, and folksy southern-ness mixed with underlying caring and concern which seems to come out when he's investigating poor Kelly's staged suicide or when he's with his daughter. (It's the same sort of gruff caring his aforementioned character "Bobby" has in 'Supernatural' when he gets mad at the Winchesters but it's only because he cares so much about them and doesn't like the boys to risk their necks like a bunch of "idjits"! ☺) Abby's coldness for her sheriff daddy is a bit sad but we're starting to get the picture as the series goes on.
For as much as islanders Abby and Henry have concerned father figures, that's how much the bride's own father is self-involved. I think that says something about Abby and Henry who are nice middle class kids from an island (and maybe Jimmy should be included here but we don't ever meet his parents). Especially when compared to the well-off Wellingtons (yeah, the name pretty much says it all.) On the bride's side of the family, we've got a father who hired his daughter's rich ex-boyfriend to come sabotage the wedding by trying to "win back" Trish (and I know I said he's unconcerned not two lines ago but actually I think it's only partly true; he may be concerned that his daughter won't truly be happy with a lowly island boat cleaner like Henry, but he's most definitely more concerned that she's marrying beneath her social class). But I don't want to get sidetracked as there's still more bad apples in the Wellington family tree. The bride's sister, Shea, is pretty much a crappy mom who doesn't pay attention to her creepy little daughter. But that's nothing compared to her uncaring husband cheating on her with his wife's step-mother, Papa Wellington's wife. (Or in terms non-viewers can understand: the dude is banging his step-mother-in-law! That's some Maury crap right there.) And as for the bride-to-be herself, Trish, though they don't come out and say it I think they're subtly hinting that she may have cheated on Henry in college with her ex or something. I can't remember if this was ever confirmed or denied on the show. I'll have to keep watching and see.
Taking a step away from complicated families, I continue to fawn over Cal, the totally adorable British guy whose girlfriend should be so lucky to have him instead of the other way around! Curse you Hollywood for presenting such adorable, hot guys as quiet and "nerdy", thereby getting my hopes up that I too may find someone like that in real life. *sigh* But I did enjoy how Cal's chicky-poo helped him get revenge against Sully. (The ole' tar and feather technique never gets old. Even if the tar is replaced with honey.
) Henry finds out about Trish's ex, Hunter, but doesn't confront her about it. And it would appear the serial killer John Wakefield is still alive despite the fact that Sheriff Mills told everyone he shot and killed the S.O.B. Or it could be some copy cat who's obsessed with the Wakefield murders (like how Cal's girlfriend Chloe is obsessed with Wakefield trivia or whatever but I don't suspect her because she doesn't seem to be, how do I say this... "smart enough" to pull off these new killings. Even back when I first saw the show I didn't think Chloe could be the killer. I mean, I know I should've suspected those who seem least likely but that little blonde stick? Come on.)
Someone who *did* get my attention on the "he/she could be the killer!" front was Shane. He's been a jerk to everyone for the past few episodes and if I thought a womanizing flirt like Sully didn't deserve a nice guy like Henry as a friend, you can bet crazy ole' "runs over Henry's brother and ties him up in a shed" Shane is not good enough to say a passing hello to sweet lil' Jimmy, let alone be his best friend or whatever. Seriously, I forgot how crazy and evil Shane was around this point and I don't remember if Jimmy talks to him about what the hell was going through his mind or whatever but I do remember thinking maybe Shane was the killer back then. Then I figured since we're only about 1/3 into the story, they probably wouldn't reveal the killer so soon so maybe he was some kind of accomplice. In any case, thank goodness Abby saved Henry's brother from Shane's crazy murderous hands and thank goodness the sheriff came back in the nick of time to help, choosing not to believe Shane when he played innocent. (Way to follow your gut instinct, Sheriff!)
From crazy killer wannabes to creepy may-grow-up-to-be-killers: the creepy little girl, Madison, continues to be creepy and annoying. But then her parents don't seem to care enough to supervise her so should I blame her for acting out? ... Yes. Yes I should. If you saw that scene with her sitting on the floor chanting "One by one" in that cliché, quiet, horror movie kid voice you'd know this goes beyond simple lack of discipline. That kid is totally Damien's long lost sister or something and she needs to be locked into a loony bin. Or exorcised. She's one of the reasons I don't wanna have kids. The other reason is guys like Sully who exude pure cockiness and should probably stick to blow-up dolls and strippers instead of hitting on other guys' girlfriends. But at least he's not crazy like Shane.
Winding this long summary analysis thing down: Abby causes a weird reaction in a psychic, because what bachelorette party would be complete without a psychic who senses evil in an insecure girl whose mother was killed on the island, amirite? Well I'd say the bachelor party was better but not by much and only up to the part where Henry and his groomsmen find a quarter million bucks in an abandoned boat. If I were them I totally would've taken the money but I'd have to do some serious Googling to figure out how to keep it safe in case they do belong to shady guys. (It's amazing the kind of stuff you can find on the internet.) Somewhat forgettable nice-guy Booth is the next victim and it sucks that he had to bite the bullet - somewhat literally and self-inflicted to add insult to injury. Actually, I don't think this was the first accidental death. Henry's pal, Booth, died in the fourth episode ('Bang') but the previous episode ('Ka-blam') had another accidental gun death with Trish's ex-boyfriend (who extorted money from her daddy in exchange for his silence on the whole "Trish's daddy paid her ex-boyfriend to come ruin the wedding" thing.) And Henry's uncle or whatever died falling through a rickety, moldy wooden bridge or something, didn't he? Geez, the Harper's Island murderer is kind of slacking off.
BTW, Though there was no Jimmy in the third episode, he does appear in the fourth for my additional dose of adorable hotness but with an added dose of scruffy, handyman and funniness, No wonder Abby gets with him at the end of 'Bang'. (Never has a title been more appropriate.
) Abby and Jimmy are so adorable but I also love her scenes with Henry. I can't help but think these three hung out when they were younger, Three Musketeers style. And if they didn't, they should have. Oh well.