Saturday, November 24th, 2007
10:30 Man From Atlantis
12:30 The Office
01:00 The Knights Of Prosperity
Man From Atlantis. Episode 2 is a curious mixture of things that work very well, and things that really don't work at all. It's a fast-moving plot-driven sci-fi adventure, but it sacrifices characterisation, clarity and (in the final scene) logic. While the opener was slow and thoughtful at first, gradually building momentum as time went on, the second two-hour movie hits the ground running and never lets up. Three holiday-makers are killed in a genuinely shocking opening scene, we learn that Dr. Merill has left the Navy and taken Mark Harris with her to a government-funded Foundation for Oceanic Research, but when word reaches her of the peculiarities surrounding the three deaths, she grabs Mark and they head out to investigate. Back at the Foundation, Merrill's co-worker unearths a strange rock from the sea-floor and, out in the nearby communtity, two unearthly people have come ashore and are having strange encounters with the locals. While at the morgue, Dr. Merrill and Mark hear of the strange twosome and spearhead a search. Before long, Mark has found them, battled them and found them to be just like him in a number of ways. Could this be the answer to his questions about himself?
Whew! And that's just the first third! It goes on like that, zipping along and being very enjoyable. Unfortunately, the character-work on the mysterious amnesiac Mark Harris, which was done in the pilot, has been abandoned and now he's just a strong silent hero. As such, it must be said, he gets some cool scenes. His second battle with the aliens takes place underwater and shows him to be a truly formidable opponent. Later on, when they have taken control of the Foundation's submarine, Mark calmly steps up and disarms them. Using brain, as well as brawn, in a truly awesome moment of super-hero coolness.
The aliens themselves are interesting and well cast (Tiffany Bolling and Burr DeBenning who I've alway liked), but it's not exactly clear what their plans are. They come ashore, wander aimlessly, complain a lot about being hungry, talk about things they intend to do but, after a few encounters with Mark, they basically give up on all of that and push the self-destruct button on their ship (I think). It doesn't help that one of them tells Mark a lot of lies to enlist his aid. Was it all lies? Was some of it true? Which parts? How are we to know?
The movie's final Big Scene is a supposedly emotional death scene where the female alien and Mark appear to have developed strong feelings for one another. How? When? There's even a god-awful moment where he gives her a kiss, so that she will know the sensation of one before she dies. Huh? Isn't Mark supposed to be The Innocent? How does he know these things? Hasn't he got amnesia? Wasn't the whole reason for him staying at the end of the pilot so that he could learn about the surface world? How did he learn so much so soon? (He must have had a busy couple of weeks, lucky bugger.)
In short, despite weaker elements, I liked it. Mark is an awesome hero, and when he goes into action (with that superb theme music playing in the background) it sets the pulse racing.
The Office. Season 4, Episode 7. With Michael off in the woods playing Suvivorman (don't ask!) Jim is left in charge. And, gradually, becomes just like Michael. Not exactly an original plot, but handled superbly. The change is subtle and makes perfect sense. I especially loved the way Pam contrived at one point to set him up for his fall. The writers are writing these two just perfectly this season, and it's great to see them having fun with one another in this way. And being a happy, normal couple.
As awesome as the stuff in the woods was, the best scene was the conversation between Jim and Michael at the very end. Michael, now clad in Dwight's Battlestar Galactica sweatshirt (don't ask!) said some wonderful things to Jim in what is a series high-point for both characters. Man, this is a great show.
The Knights Of Prosperity. Episode 11. After a duff episode, the show bounces back in fine form. Eugene poses as a Russian Importer/Exporter (who sometimes does both on the same day!) and lures Ray Romano to a nearby sports bar, while the others steal his safe. The mishaps of stealing the safe (one Knight trapped in a wall, another Knight on fire, etc.) are hilarious and the show pauses at the very end for some solid character work in the closing minutes. Donal Logue makes Eugene very, very funny and he gives him a whole lot of heart when the script calls for it. Great work.
Highlight? The Office.
Man From Atlantis, The Knights Of Prosperity, The Office
