"The Hero"
A review by Jenni:
I was thinking about this episode for some reason a couple days
ago. I can't even remember why. But it made me want to
watch it so I did.
What I love about this
episode:
First, I really like parables and folk tales and things of that
nature. So Tess opening this episode with the story about the man
who ran from lions was cool. And very apropos for the situation.
Monica's
brown hat made me nostalgic for the hat craze of the early to
mid
90s. I miss my big, floppy, flower hats...
Monica tells James: "Where I come from people don't always have to be
busy. Sometimes they just sit back and enjoy the peace."
That's a great endorsement for Heaven with me! Especially
considering just while watching this episode I started a grocery list,
made a mental list of today's chores, and debated knitting.
Single-tasking is a dream. Nothing-tasking... Paradise!
This episode made me appreciate my parents. I never really felt
anything approaching the strain Matt does in this episode. They
expected good grades, of course, but would never have pushed us into
some elite college or similar.
I like that the angels are very pro-play, pro-free time here.
Monica specifically warns James about pushing Matt to burn out
mode. It's a way of life I think many of us could really stand to
hear more about!
It seems weird to compliment a shooting scene but... I think that
procession of shots was really gripping. The use of shadow,
extreme closeup, juxtaposing the dove with Matt... very effective and
played at one's emotions. I still jumped when the gun went off,
even though I knew it was coming.
I've loved this quote for a while. Monica says it to Matt: "There
are meadows out there waiting for you and bright skies and loving
friends and a life so full you can't even begin to imagine! Oh
Matthew, God loves you so much. Now fight, fight for
yourself." That's a really great endorsement of Earth.
Even though the part itself wasn't fun, it is fun to see Bryan Cranston
in this. He's one of those actors that, when I first saw this,
I'm sure I didn't notice. But now I'm like "Hey, it's Bryan
Cranston! And he has really shaggy hair!"
I like that Monica can hear and communicate with Matt at the
hospital. I'm glad Matt could open up with someone, be listened
to, and comforted. However... I'm thinking she shoulda opened up
with "I'm
an angel." It'd freak me out to already be in a hospital and then
have the reporter following my dad come off like a mind-reader!
When Matt kisses his dad's head after James finally fesses up...
I do not blame Tess for tearing up. That is a very tender
scene. Aww.
I do think it's funny that Tess tears up and then outright denies it
even though it's obvious she's crying. And then at the very end
when she tells Monica to save a tissue for her. Cute.
However... I also have an issue with that despite its being
amusing. More on that below.
What I didn't love about this
episode:
I know James was a good person at heart but he really bugged me
a few times. The basketball court scene was just terrible.
And then talking up your son during an assembly at his school???
Do ya want the kid to be despised? Not a good idea. At
least he eventually apologizes for these things but still...
Admittedly I started drawing triskeles in my notebook at points
(slightly ADD, I guess) so maybe I missed something but... I have a
problem with how Monica produces the suicide note. She just tells
James "I found this in the basement." If you were James wouldn't
you wonder what the reporter lady was doing going through your house
when you weren't there?
I think these people definitely have some emotional honesty
issues. I do not get a good vibe when Tess tells Monica "You
can't go around crying over every job." I mean, sure, Monica
shouldn't start wailing and beating her chest all the time. But
crying over a happy ending? What's the problem with that?
I'm beginning to think Andrew's issues make a whole lot more sense than
I ever thought...
Lingering questions:
Does
the dove actually speak and can Monica understand it? Maybe this
has
been established elsewhere and I just don't recall. But when Matt
grabs the gun and heads to the basement, the dove flies to Monica and
coos. Then she looks troubled as if it told her what Matt was
doing.
So I kinda think it does talk but I dunno.
Are "boards" the same as ACT/SAT? They're one of those things I
hear about on TV and movies but I don't think I ever took a board
exam.
Parts that made me feel
swoony:
No AODs. Sad. But the aforementioned Tess dialogue did make
me think about Andrew's reticence. Poor love. I gotta
wonder if she ever said that to him... Cause Monica does cry a
lot so clearly she just chose to ignore it. But what if he didn't
and actually does want to cry more but keeps remembering that!?!?
Ahhh!!!! And now "All Fall Down" by OneRepublic came onto my
iTunes. I love Andrew...
Random thoughts:
I can draw triskeles! I guess I didn't have many random
thoughts. Except at one point I did think James' partner looked
like Liam Neeson. But maybe I just wanted to see Liam
Neeson. He is a fine looking man. And Adam and Andrew
weren't in this so...
Back
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(The
photographs used on this
page are from "Touched by an Angel" and
owned by CBS Productions, Caroline Productions, and Moon Water
Productions. They are not being used to seek profit.)
