Season 5 got some shade thrown at it, and if you really feel like it doesn't continue to justify its existence, then nothing I can say can or should change your mind. That is a huge bummer, thinking it out-stayed its welcome. But I'd like to point-out Mr. Harmon had to do a MASSIVE course-correction, deal with the loss of his two best physical comedians, and SAVE THE GODDAMN SHOW all within 13 episodes. Name another show that has ever done anything like that.
And if your argument wonders aloud where they have to go from here, I think we pretty clearly have come, with extremely economic grace, to the season where we have to deal with Jeff and Annie. Something that happens to mirror what is happening in Mr. Harmon's life. You think that won't be worth watching?
Even it it would fail, haven't relationships been the weak link in many a great sitcom? Won't it be exciting to watch it try? Even the mighty 30 Rock shoehorned in a half-dozen uninteresting significant others and cooked up story lines for Julianne Moore or Salma Hayak that didn't justify the minutes away from the writer's room. Liz's had a better batting average, but we still had Wesley Snipes, repeatedly. And honestly, don't both the people Jack and Liz settled down with seem more like placeholders that just happened to be there when the story ended? They couldn't handle a romantic relationship--it is dangerous, messy business, and with both your stars over 40, not something the public is really clamoring for anyway.
But accomplishing a meaningful romantic journey, with already well-established characters is a truly difficult challenge, but so valuable. Think of how poorly done Ross and Rachel were, and how we still cared about it. America is not good at love stories, or hasn't been for years. Rom-coms have a bad reputation now because no one knows how to do them right, not because they're inherently stupid. A list of Great American Love Stories, well what do you think?
4 comments:
Jesus, has this blog really been around for ten years?
Anyway, slightly off-topic, but if you want to see a Dan Harmon show that doesn't rely on romantic subplots, I highly recommend Rick and Morty. The concepts and writing are really top notch. The "Doc and Marty McFly" conceit lasts just long enough to get you interested in the show, and is pretty much abandoned before it gets old. You seen it yet Ben?
HECK YES Rick and Morty is the truth. There will be a reckoning, at the end of the year, to decide which show takes 1st place with me: R&M or True Detective. Both have stuck with me for very different reasons.
My favorite episode of Rick and Morty, for those who want to give it a try, is episode 9 "Something Ricked This Way Comes"
Embarrassingly enough, the most resonant quote has been Chris Parnell's doltish dad Jerry with "Life is effort and I'll quit when I'm dead!" which has been my tongue-in-cheek mantra when considering giving up on something. Speaking of which, we may not have set the internet ablaze with content for the last 9 years or so, but it sure is nice to have a community message board that doesn't exist to put money in anyone's pocket. Just a weird backwater whose most hit post involves a picture of Doug with a colossal pizza. As it damn well should be.
Oh dude I totally missed your other post where you had Rick and Morty right there at the top. Sorry man. I love it though. Like you said -- it sticks with you. I'm kind of desperate for the new season to show up. Heard it wouldn't be until December or later though.
Boy I wish there was a way to watch Rick and Morty without a cable subscription...
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