META: Full of Women: an analysis of episode 2x04 (part I)

[chamekke]

Update, 25-Aug-2017:
Seeing a bunch of ugly broken Photobucket images? See my post on how to fix it.
For Loz, who wanted this :-)

Comments

[lozenger8]

Oh wow, Cham. I have nothing but respect here. Nothing insightful to say at all, except that you've definitely highlighted some things I've never even thought of.

And, OK, perhaps the tennis togs were purchased for the undercover op, but still: we're seeing a Sam who's adjusting to his new reality, however reluctantly. Possibly he hates himself for that, and hates 1973 for forcing him to 'accept' it as his new home so far as to buy clothes within it. It's like he's stuck in a Sims City and is finally fed up with the default clothes that come with his avatar.

You know what? You're so right. I've always discounted this and the jogging scene before, saying I feel like 2.04 needs to show us Sam acclimatising more, but, yes, it does show it, just very subtly. Off to read part two!

[chamekke]

*nods* I think Sam is a very stubborn customer. He refuses to fix up his flat or move to a new one, after all (and we know from his reaction in 1x01 what he thinks of it!), right? So I can only assume that when he's bought new clothes, it's because he felt (reluctantly) that he HAD to. And he probably hated himself for it, because by doing so he was giving credence to the 'reality' of 1973.

(Thanks!)

[basaltgrrl]

And this is just part one??? You have no peer. I have no words.

This is brilliant, stunning. So perceptive. I'm blown away. I adore that you've done this.

[chamekke]

XD Thank you! I'm delighted that you like it. I was genuinely worried that it was way too verbose!

[_lethe_]

I'll comment on your essay at part 2, but I find the way Denise's bloodied mouth echoes Gracie's lipstick-smeared one rather striking. I don't think any symbolism was intended, but I just noticed it here because you placed both screencaps close together.

Great work!

[chamekke]

I find the way Denise's bloodied mouth echoes Gracie's lipstick-smeared one rather striking.

Ooh, good catch! I hadn't even noticed that. It's very striking indeed, once you notice it!

I suspect you're right and that there was no intended connection between the two... but it's a good example of how rich this episode is with wonderful synchronicities.

And, thanks! ♥

[talkingtothesky]

Chammmm. This is wonderful. ♥ I've loved reading it so far, it's divided into great sections that make it very accessible.

I hadn't noticed quite how much red there is before but blimey.

Sam really should have known better with Suki, shouldn't he. I've always assumed he's just jealous, but Sam's not usually that unprofessional, surely? (Ok, he kind of is. Sam, Sam, Sam. :P) He does try to be understanding with Annie in this ep, fails miserably of course, and I suppose there's really not anywhere he and Gene can go to talk police business privately. Sam is so buttoned-up tight in this setting that yet more sexuality on display seems to offend him.

You're so insightful and observant and good at details, Sam could learn from you. :) Off to read part 2!

[chamekke]

Sam really should have known better with Suki, shouldn't he. I've always assumed he's just jealous, but Sam's not usually that unprofessional, surely?

Sam's motivations are often a bit obscure in this ep, so really it's open to interpretation! Personally I can't see why Sam would be jealous of Suki, not sexually anyway, unless you're seeing the scene through slash goggles, in which case, fair enough ;-) But to me this is probably the LEAST slashy episode in canon (with the possible exception of Roger sliding his arm behind Sam's back when they're sitting together on the sofa), so I don't see it as sexual jealousy at all