Wednesday, July 29th, 2009
07.00 Arrested Development
01.00 Barney Miller
Arrested Development. Season 2, Episode 6. "Afternoon Delight" Christmas Party.
The conventional wisdom of television is that "You don't change a formula that works". Yet, AD did just that.
In Season One Michael was the president of the company, and making Gob the president at the start of season two was a stroke of genius. Michael being at the head of the company made him a focal point for the family and generated an endless source of conflict on the show. Pushing him to second place within the company doesn't in any way impact upon the conflict between him and his family (because they still need him for everything) but it creates even more conflict between Michael and his brother and involves Gob more tightly in the storylines that concern the family.
More changes in season two: Lindsay has a storyline now (she wants to have an affair) and it makes her a much more interesting character.
Barney Miller. Episode 10. "The Guest" The guys protect a mob witness.
And nearly get killed in the process. There are lots of funny lines, but this is more a drama than a comedy. And a compelling one. Barney learns a costly lesson when he doesn't take the threat seriously and Wojo nearly pays with his life.
I've often read that the gang on BM are the most realistic cops ever portrayed on TV. Maybe. They're sure a bunch of realistic people, too. They make jokes, yeah, but they make mistakes, too. And they agonise over them.
This is a good Chano episode. He asks the guys to put their own personal money into a sting operation to catch a drug dealer. Makes a refreshing change from sit-com plots about guys taking cash off their buddies to put into wacky scams.
Highlight? Barney Miller (drama)
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A Briefing With Michael: One Year Ago
Arrested Development, Barney Miller
