Friday, December 18th, 2009
05.00 Friends
08.30 I Dream Of Jeannie
09.00 The Rockford Files
Friends. Episode 9. "The One Where Underdog Gets Away" Thanksgiving.
Solid episode where everyone gets something funny to do (particularly Joey). Paulo is mentioned again, thus keeping the (new) serial aspects of the show alive.
I Dream Of Jeannie. Episode 4. "The Marriage Caper" Tony's marriage gets closer.
When the pilot was made Tony was engaged to be married, but the writers/producers obviously decided right away they didn't want to retain that element of things. They could have had the fiance vanish without explanation, of course, but they correctly chose to devote an episode to it.
It's an unfunny episode, where Jeannie does very little, but - at least - they resolved the problem head on.
None of the comedy is particularly great. And the resolution does make Tony and his former fiancee seem a tad shallow, seeing as how easily everyone accepts the end of the engagement and her decision to marry a different guy right away.
Never mind. At least it's done now.
The Rockford Files. Episode 8. "The Big Ripoff" Insurance scam.
Typically complex story, with a guest star (Jill Clayburgh) who doesn't really seem to have any reason being there.
The episode opens with a long sequence that has no dialogue. Just music, and lots and lots of story. Jim is in Europe, shadowing a woman (Suzanne Somers) who may have helped her husband fake his death.
Eventually, our hero returns to the USA and the script has words again.
In the end, Jim is totally swindled out of any cash reward by a mean-spirited insurance investigator but has the last laugh when the crook (at the centre of the story) sends him a reward. It's a lovely ending, and it allows Jim to come out on top. But, in truth, it makes no sense. Why would the guy send Jim these paintings? What did Jim do for him, exactly? At most, all he did was suggest that the guy try and make a deal. Is that worth a huge reward from a guy that we have no reason to assume is, in any way, decent.
Also, what was the point of the Jill Clayburgh character?
So, sure there are flaws here but the script/story is otherwise really good and it's a very, very enjoyable episode. These points here are just niggling things that occur after the credits have rolled.
Highlight? Friends (thanksgiving)
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Friends, I Dream Of Jeannie, The Rockford Files
