Well, I saw the scenes.
I'm less appalled than expected. The juxtaposition of Victor and
Nikki, both making rebound decisions, but both CLEARLY thinking of
each other, was perfect. The song highlighted how wrong this marriage
was, and that was the point. "Same song, but a little off...".
Melody Thomas has been so ardent in the press about how wrong every
piece of this is...and she's having fun playing it. She thinks Nikki
started this (!) by flaunting David in public. [Interesting...she
takes the blame...she doesn't blame Victor for going to Sri Lanka or
whatever].
She then is quick to note this is Nikki's TENTH (!!!) wedding. And
she calls the relationship(s) "rebound". So, I think she has a keen
sense that this is a mistake being made by the characters, but I also
think she realizes it makes for some fun story beats. I think she
thinks Nikki is going to suffer at David's hands, and she believes
Nikki is going to deserve it. Very interesting take...to play someone
you basically don't like or respect.
Still, the musical montage was effective. Thomas Scott's face clearly
registered fake-happiness, a frozen smile. Braeden was LITERALLY
_chewing_ "Sabrina's" mouth ("open-mouthed heterosexual kissing" IN
THE EXTREME...pushing her against the wall). It made even me feel a
bit uncomfortable...but I think that was the point. (I also marvel at
how Sabrina is playing Victor..."I will draw you a bath"...she TOTALLY
gets what makes this man tick...it is servitude and idolatry). I love
Sabrina more everyday. She has picked Victor up for the controlling
narcissist he is, and she is feeding him. It is brilliant. I can't
tell you how happy this story makes me (and yes, I am referencing
Braeden's new current phrase).
I was touched by Nick and Victoria playing paper football. In a quick
glance, it harkened back to their childhood, but showed that THEY were
maintaining the family bonds even if their less mature parents could
not. Shirl has been railing against the immaturity of Victor and
Nikki--their stuckedness in the past--but I think that is what was
being skillfully written here. These are two 50+ year olds who are
stuck in dysfunctional patterns...and the older they get, the more
pathetic they get. That is (to my eyes) compelling.
On another note, these last episodes could not feel more LML-ish...but
in a good way. The musical montage and 24-style split screen at the
end (I'm guessing that is really Josh Griffith), the use of humor
everywhere, the "realistic everyday business" (paper football,
pictionary). These were all the things I sang high hosannas about in
Summer 2005.
At the same time, we know what negative cost came associated with
those improvements...stories that went nowhere, characters that acted
like strangers....for many, Clear Springs was the triumph of style
over substance and plot over character.
It is so clear that the 18 WGA writers now on staff (18!!!!) both
bring genuine writing skills, and muddy the show's momentum to no
end. There is better show-to-show editing going on, but I don't have
faith in the ability to (a) plot out long arcs, or (b) keep energy and
momentum high. I should add, with Jill/Kay/Paul/Neil and others on
the backburner, I'm also still not convinced that this show is any
closer to using its veterans well.
