[6.07]: "New Terrain" (Discussion Thread)
Nov. 6th, 2009 07:16 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
weber_dubois22 posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
nbc_mediumFriday, Nov. 6 (9:02-10:0 PM, ET/PT) "New Terrain" - When Allison's car is wrecked, the SUV she rents turns out to have some unusual features, including a satellite radio that allows her to hear other people's conversations, on MEDIUM, on the CBS Television Network. Guest Stars Include Faith Prince ("Huff," "Spin City") and Todd Louiso ("High Fidelity"). The Episode will starts two minutes later than usual, due to a two minute add on for Ghost Whisperer.
Well, its been quite the week this week and last. All the news for the upcoming episodes of season six just seemed to flood in right after the most excellent "Bite Me" Halloween Special, thus leaving me with very little update the community with, besides revenue, premature axing predictions and a article on a one-shot guest appearance who starred in High School Musical. Surprising and unsrprisingly, there were no Promotional Stills released for this episode (hence the Season 4 picture above), which makes me rather sad and wondering what CBS was thinking in that capacity.
Now when concerned with "New Terrain" howerver: I thoroughly enjoyed this episode. The case is somewhat cut-and-dry, but with the twists and subplot concerning Ariel and vehicular damage, it was certainly a compelling cut-and-dry. With that said, I was slightly surprised that the opening sequence (via Allison's dream) was Ariel, Bridgette and Marie in the car, as I suspected that it would be a scene that would arrive later on (perhaps because I figured it would have something to with the case Allison would be working on). Anywho, the interaction between Ariel and Bridgette this time around, was without discord, and unconsciously thought provoking when Bridgette brought up the question of could've possibly brought up the word she was supposed to be spelling. Marie's "They have a room for that?" response just sealed the deal.
Alas, the lighthearted moment between the sibblings was broken when a truck driver, with a Duel (1971) mentality decides to grow impatient and nudges the 1991 Station Wagon out into the flow of traffic. That was a particularly tense moment, well played by Vassilieva, Lark and, I guess, Carabello (honestly, Bridgette and Ariel were screaming so loudly, I don't think I even paid attention to Marie's reaction to the entire thing).
I loved how when Allison woke from her nightmare, it was like a scene right out of the earlier seasons of the show. Instead of just cutting to the title sequence --- which has become more of the norm nowadays ---, they actually show Joe, reacting to Allison's sudden wakefullness, followed a really funny bit of him pleading to his wife to goback to sleep while she expresses her anxieties toward Ariel being able to drive. But how crule was it to cut right to the title sequence when Allison recieves a call and is told that her car had been in a accident?
We're left to assume the worse until it returns from comercial break. There's enough ambiguity in a series of brief shots to lead the viewer (or just me) to believe that Ariel and the girls were in the car, until you see Ariel (after Joe) step into the frame, confused as to what happened in her absence. Turns out a girl with a drivers permit was the reason for the damage to Allison's car, and judging by the girl's mother alone, I assumed she was by herself when it happened and the mother arrived on the scene, relieved that her daughter wasn't hurt. (I must say, this show needs more of Joe sprinting =D.) I got a chuckle out of how beside herself Allison is beside with relief that her dream didn't come to past. With the way Joe and Allison's conversation about the future of her station wagon, however, I figured Allison would bring up the "I had the girls in that car, we can't get rid of it" argument, to further demonstrate her attatchment to the danger-prone vehicle.
This episode, however, brings into further light, why "The Spirit of Friday Sweepstakes" is being sponsored by GMC, though. Its a practical advertisement for the car itself, only its not blatant nor does it ruin the episode in any way. Allison's choice of vehicle was much like the previous car Joe bought in her stead in Season 4's "Car Trouble", only its not a Jeep. The banter between Joe and Allison about her discovery of the bluetooth system in the car, was incredibly cute. I especially love when after Allison tells Joe about her car's unusual feature, he makes the remark about her being able to overhear his conversation with Mrs. Portman on the phone. Smartass. I'm really enjoying the banter between these two since the previous episode, its very quick witted and funny to boot. I liked that the car's sudden ability to overhear conversations in other people's vehicles was used sparingly and only when necessary, so it didn't get annoying like the "lie buzzer" in S5's "Truth Be Told".
In concerns with the crime, I loved how they slowly showed you pieces of it taking place, its aftermath, or coming together. The testing of the jacket-bomb, the hold-up at the bank (that Allison was too late to prevent) and then the entire proceedure of defusing the bomb after everyone was evacuated from the building. The writers and the actor who play the one-man bombsquad, Wilkes, really did a good job of making feel for this character, then reveal that he was culprit behind the entire bank hiest. Though universes apart from each other, I couldn't help but think of "Swordfish" in certain moments of the reveals (the suicide bomber jacket, sans the ball-bearings, and the mysterious woman coming to collect the chash), only without the high-budget color saturation and general blandness.
The moment where Allison listens in on the exchange between Sanborn and Welkes, created the right level of tensity, so when the explosion occured, you thought that both Sanborn and Wilkes were dead. I really thought this guy was going get away scott free with the crime, when his girlfriend, Erica Duvall fumbled the ball and rented the GMC, plus carelessly left evidence to her existence via her CD, in the car.
Which brings us probably the most interesting part of the episode. The actual story behind Allison's attatchment and reluctance to let go of that old station wagon. The fact that her father gave it to her (during her Senior Year of College) and she had a "Ariel" moment was more worried about how she would be perceived riding in a beat up car (while her father was more concerned about saftey), only to have him die on four days later, was quite the shocking tale. I sympathized however, with her need to hold onto to that one last physcial memory (assuming that's what her issue with letting that thing go was all about). I certainly hope the numerous accidents she's had both in waking and dreaming life, wasn't her father trying to tell her to get a new car. There are subtler ways, man.
Alas, when all is said and done, I'm quite sad to see the old car go. I'll always remember those five years we had together, though [sniffles]. You were awesome, DuBoismobile.
On Ariel's side of things, I'm really enjoying that ahe seems to be taking more of the initiative with her dreams and figuring them out on her own, instead of freaking out so much. Not to there was anything particularly difficult with her vision(s) of Jamie's troubled mother, Lauren (I'm going to suspect she's got a major drinking problem?) and Jame's demise, but when she didn't go to either her parents for help or advice and left them baffled, I wasn't sure how it was going to work out. Her going up to Jamie and explaining what she saw, however, felt like I'd jumped into the middle of a conversation. I half expected Jamie to friegn belief and get into the car with her mother anyway. So the ending, put a smile on my face.
Overall, great episoe. I can't wait for next week's eppy. David Arquette returns to direct and it should be great, not to mention another display of Sofia's stellar acting chops.
Well, its been quite the week this week and last. All the news for the upcoming episodes of season six just seemed to flood in right after the most excellent "Bite Me" Halloween Special, thus leaving me with very little update the community with, besides revenue, premature axing predictions and a article on a one-shot guest appearance who starred in High School Musical. Surprising and unsrprisingly, there were no Promotional Stills released for this episode (hence the Season 4 picture above), which makes me rather sad and wondering what CBS was thinking in that capacity.
Now when concerned with "New Terrain" howerver: I thoroughly enjoyed this episode. The case is somewhat cut-and-dry, but with the twists and subplot concerning Ariel and vehicular damage, it was certainly a compelling cut-and-dry. With that said, I was slightly surprised that the opening sequence (via Allison's dream) was Ariel, Bridgette and Marie in the car, as I suspected that it would be a scene that would arrive later on (perhaps because I figured it would have something to with the case Allison would be working on). Anywho, the interaction between Ariel and Bridgette this time around, was without discord, and unconsciously thought provoking when Bridgette brought up the question of could've possibly brought up the word she was supposed to be spelling. Marie's "They have a room for that?" response just sealed the deal.
Alas, the lighthearted moment between the sibblings was broken when a truck driver, with a Duel (1971) mentality decides to grow impatient and nudges the 1991 Station Wagon out into the flow of traffic. That was a particularly tense moment, well played by Vassilieva, Lark and, I guess, Carabello (honestly, Bridgette and Ariel were screaming so loudly, I don't think I even paid attention to Marie's reaction to the entire thing).
I loved how when Allison woke from her nightmare, it was like a scene right out of the earlier seasons of the show. Instead of just cutting to the title sequence --- which has become more of the norm nowadays ---, they actually show Joe, reacting to Allison's sudden wakefullness, followed a really funny bit of him pleading to his wife to goback to sleep while she expresses her anxieties toward Ariel being able to drive. But how crule was it to cut right to the title sequence when Allison recieves a call and is told that her car had been in a accident?
We're left to assume the worse until it returns from comercial break. There's enough ambiguity in a series of brief shots to lead the viewer (or just me) to believe that Ariel and the girls were in the car, until you see Ariel (after Joe) step into the frame, confused as to what happened in her absence. Turns out a girl with a drivers permit was the reason for the damage to Allison's car, and judging by the girl's mother alone, I assumed she was by herself when it happened and the mother arrived on the scene, relieved that her daughter wasn't hurt. (I must say, this show needs more of Joe sprinting =D.) I got a chuckle out of how beside herself Allison is beside with relief that her dream didn't come to past. With the way Joe and Allison's conversation about the future of her station wagon, however, I figured Allison would bring up the "I had the girls in that car, we can't get rid of it" argument, to further demonstrate her attatchment to the danger-prone vehicle.
This episode, however, brings into further light, why "The Spirit of Friday Sweepstakes" is being sponsored by GMC, though. Its a practical advertisement for the car itself, only its not blatant nor does it ruin the episode in any way. Allison's choice of vehicle was much like the previous car Joe bought in her stead in Season 4's "Car Trouble", only its not a Jeep. The banter between Joe and Allison about her discovery of the bluetooth system in the car, was incredibly cute. I especially love when after Allison tells Joe about her car's unusual feature, he makes the remark about her being able to overhear his conversation with Mrs. Portman on the phone. Smartass. I'm really enjoying the banter between these two since the previous episode, its very quick witted and funny to boot. I liked that the car's sudden ability to overhear conversations in other people's vehicles was used sparingly and only when necessary, so it didn't get annoying like the "lie buzzer" in S5's "Truth Be Told".
In concerns with the crime, I loved how they slowly showed you pieces of it taking place, its aftermath, or coming together. The testing of the jacket-bomb, the hold-up at the bank (that Allison was too late to prevent) and then the entire proceedure of defusing the bomb after everyone was evacuated from the building. The writers and the actor who play the one-man bombsquad, Wilkes, really did a good job of making feel for this character, then reveal that he was culprit behind the entire bank hiest. Though universes apart from each other, I couldn't help but think of "Swordfish" in certain moments of the reveals (the suicide bomber jacket, sans the ball-bearings, and the mysterious woman coming to collect the chash), only without the high-budget color saturation and general blandness.
The moment where Allison listens in on the exchange between Sanborn and Welkes, created the right level of tensity, so when the explosion occured, you thought that both Sanborn and Wilkes were dead. I really thought this guy was going get away scott free with the crime, when his girlfriend, Erica Duvall fumbled the ball and rented the GMC, plus carelessly left evidence to her existence via her CD, in the car.
Which brings us probably the most interesting part of the episode. The actual story behind Allison's attatchment and reluctance to let go of that old station wagon. The fact that her father gave it to her (during her Senior Year of College) and she had a "Ariel" moment was more worried about how she would be perceived riding in a beat up car (while her father was more concerned about saftey), only to have him die on four days later, was quite the shocking tale. I sympathized however, with her need to hold onto to that one last physcial memory (assuming that's what her issue with letting that thing go was all about). I certainly hope the numerous accidents she's had both in waking and dreaming life, wasn't her father trying to tell her to get a new car. There are subtler ways, man.
Alas, when all is said and done, I'm quite sad to see the old car go. I'll always remember those five years we had together, though [sniffles]. You were awesome, DuBoismobile.
On Ariel's side of things, I'm really enjoying that ahe seems to be taking more of the initiative with her dreams and figuring them out on her own, instead of freaking out so much. Not to there was anything particularly difficult with her vision(s) of Jamie's troubled mother, Lauren (I'm going to suspect she's got a major drinking problem?) and Jame's demise, but when she didn't go to either her parents for help or advice and left them baffled, I wasn't sure how it was going to work out. Her going up to Jamie and explaining what she saw, however, felt like I'd jumped into the middle of a conversation. I half expected Jamie to friegn belief and get into the car with her mother anyway. So the ending, put a smile on my face.
Overall, great episoe. I can't wait for next week's eppy. David Arquette returns to direct and it should be great, not to mention another display of Sofia's stellar acting chops.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2009-11-07 05:44 pm (UTC)Preview of Next Weeks Episode
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOsCkABU_gY
no subject
Date: 2009-11-07 08:11 pm (UTC)But then again, what could top last week's.
Few observations: NO CELL PHONE IN THE CAR ANYMORE. Was I the only who cheered?
I miss the good ol' Allison-Scanlon-Devalos interractions. Beyond the disbelief from them and the need to prove herself from Allison, which I still find unfortunate. You'd think they'd believe her once in a while after six years. Also, what happened to the Allison/Joe fuzzies! We got nice banter and a head-on-the-shoulder moment but I miss the cuddles, the kisses and Allison's bubble baths.
Sofia was truly wonderful, but I like it if they'd concentrate on Allison more. So- not looking forward to next week's episode. Think I'll just go re-watch some season 4.
no subject
Date: 2009-11-08 03:40 pm (UTC)Scanlon seems more believing of Allison than Scanlon, they really have to make Allison completely wrong if they're going to continue with the scepticism.
I miss the Joe/Allison fluff too. I understood after the coma, however find myself missing the cuddles too.
I was hoping that Ariel's first boyfriend was going to be a gradual, get to know him over the course of a few episodes thing, not just the usual boy for one episode like they've done in the past.
Wasn't my favourite episode since I guessed the bomb defuser was in on it immediately.
no subject
Date: 2009-11-08 09:02 pm (UTC)Also, what happened to the Allison/Joe fuzzies! We got nice banter and a head-on-the-shoulder moment but I miss the cuddles, the kisses and Allison's bubble baths.
Same here. So much in fact I feel compelled to write Mr. Glenn Gordon Caron and inquire where at that goodness went (it just might be the writers for this and previous season).