Friday, October 17, 2008

OMG's JFC Discussion

Episode 2: "His Visit: Day 2"

We get to see more of John in this episode - literally and figuratively. Meet Freddy. John and Butchie pick up chicks. Linc is linked with Cass? Shaun hits the surf and goes under Mitch rises up. John shifts shapes? and just makes the earth move? Kai takes John by hand. Cissy hands Mitch some shit only Cissy can do. Bill and Zippy on the road.

What are your favorites moments?
Favorite lines?

What was writer Kem Numm telling us about John, the whole Yost and Company and the state of the things happening at Snug Harbor?Kem might have been the writer on this one but you know Milch put in all the swears .

Both of today's post will be open through Saturday.

32 comments:

Anonymous said...

You gave us a link to a great precis with pictures, etc. Sorry I didnt save it. Could you reprise this link please. Thank you

Special K said...

Glad to help - here it is:
JFC -Calamity Dan

Anonymous said...

thanks! I'll save it!

Special K said...

Is Austin naked made everyone speechless?

prairiegirl said...

There is alot in this 2nd episode that are favorites of mine:

Austin nekkid on the toilet
Freddie calling John "a mope"
a "horrendous dump"
A+ on the fume control
John's credit card - geez, Butchie
is kind of nervy going crazy
with that
Austin nekkid on the toilet
Butchie & John @ the marina,
Butchie leading John by the
hand & trying to figure John
out
Austin nekkid on the toilet
Freddie looking like "Bowzer in
Sha Na Na Na" lol
Austin nekkid on the toilet


How would you like to wake up in the morning and wake up to see that vision of Austin laying on his side, his eyes dreamily on you. Holy cow. Everything else fades to black, I tell you.

Special K said...

Love the Austin would show the innocence of John, but some of his expression and his mannerism.

One of my favorites is how he would stick his hand out for people to take it just like a little kid would

Anonymous said...

Since Austin Nichols is the subject tonight, He's on TV "House of Usher" TMC(w), {American Cable}. Did not know that Beth Grant the stuck up Teacher from Donnie Darko is in this movie also. Looks like 70's horror film.

destiny said...

I love your summary of the episode PG.

Austin does have a lot of great expressions in this episode. I like the way he watches Butchie while he is sleeping. And of course we do get to see a lot of Austin in this one. ;)

ONe thing I didn't remember from the first time around is the earthquake right before Shaunie's accident. It signals the way everyone's life is about to shift.

Special K said...

The earthquake happens when Freddy punches John, it shows that everyone's life is about to shift and that John is the catalyst for that change.

prairiegirl said...

I also like the appearance of Dr. Smith in this one. Not only is he a looker, but he's an interesting, one of the few genuinely likeable characters. I wonder if he's kind of like Saul/Paul on the road to Damascus. After he gets involved with John and Co., he just drops his practice in the snap of a finger and takes up working in a clinic.

prairiegirl said...

I also like Austin's facial expressions in this one. That smile when he looks at those cardboard cutout pictures of the girls in the liquor store is classic. And when he wrinkles his nose in Butchie's bathroom is subtle but hilarious. He's great at facial expressions without saying anything.

I had to do a Staples/Wally World run. Had a really interesting/friendly conversation with an 80+ year old Wal Mart greeter man on my way out. He saw my Cubs jacket with the Harry Carey patch on the arm and proceeded to tell me about why Harry had to leave St Louis. He lived in St Louis for 60 years. Talked about Dizzy Dean & Jack Buck. I could've talked to him forever but I did have 2 6-packs of lemon flavored Nestle water in one hand and dang, that thing was heavy. What a great guy & converation right out of the blue. I bet he would've had a ton of great life stories to tell. He was just a great storyteller. Right there in ol' Wal Mart. Blessings to you, guy!!

destiny said...

It is interesting about the doctor. Here he is in a profession where he's doing important things, and helping people, and yet it is seemingly not enough. And of course with Shaunie he runs up against the fact that conventional medicine can't save everybody. Or maybe anybody.

And I'm still not sure what point is being made with Shaunie and the bird saving each other.

prairiegirl said...

Yeah, Dr Smith was already doing good things, helping cure/heal people. Not sure why he just dropped that all of a sudden. I think it's funny later on when he helps Freddie.

Special K said...

I think there is a some type of gathering of discples/apostles story in JFC. Dickstein reminds me of Matthew, Ramon as a caretaker - would he be Mark?, Barry would be probably Bartholomew, Dr. Smith would definitely be Luke, who was a doctor. And in the the apostle did just drop everything and followed.

But you are right PG it could be seen as a Paul/Saul moment too.

Anonymous said...

I enjoyed the whole thing. Two of
my favorite scenes was when John
in the bathroom and when John told
Butchie that he was from Cincinnati. Also Zippy bringing
Shaun out of his coma. Also the
new owner getting nervous and him
getting spaced out. Austin is just
great with his acting and just
excellent with his expressions.
I guess it shows that there are
still miracles in the world.
Wicked, you asked what we sewed
where I work. We had government
contracts. There were Army helmet
covers that went on the Army hats,
tote bags for different businesses, coinbags for the U.S.
Mints in Denver and Philadelphia
which I sewed that U.S. $25 printed on them. They were small
coinbags mostly but there were a
few medium and large. I also sewed
handkerchiefs (khaki brown) on two
sides for the U.S. Army. They also
have sorting screws (all sizes)
and a packaging job where pages
of instructions and so many screws
are put in plastic bags and then
stapled together for one of the
factories in one of the local
towns. Those were all the jobs.
It is for disabled people-some
with mental challenges, heart
disease, diabetes, depression
and anxiety (like me). You can only make one certain amount and
keep your Medicare drug card and
your benefits. It kept you on your
toes. Like I say, it may be weeks
before things pick up. It is really bad everywhere. I forgot to
say that the new quarters went in
the new coinbags!
Has Ted ever indicated whether
Baby Tile was a boy or girl? Has
he ever said publicly when he was
wrong about a story? In my heart,
I really do hope that Jake and
Austin can stay together despite
the obstacles. I have a question-
IF JUST IF Jake and Reese were to
marry in the coming future, promise that you will keep OMG
going! There are some great folks
here. One of my favorites is
Prairie Girl so hello! Just imagine coming home to Austin's
long arms at night! Now I think
that would be GREAT! Keep me posted on how he does on OTH! So
sorry for such a super long post!
Have a great weekend! It has turned cold here, foggy and dreary, just the good weekend to
stay at home and Read! Take care
of yourselves!!

Anonymous said...

I have to agree with Chris with
what he said the other night. It
was well thought out and spoken
just right. The "He's very supportive!" comment just didn't
sound right to me. Why be so evasive and all? Why not just say
"Yes, we are dating" or something
to that effect! I think Chris is
right too. I look for the Austin
and Sophia are dating and looking
to set up home together stories
to start soon. And maybe they are
engaged stories too! I am very
sorry to hear Jake and Maggie's
parents are divorcing. My own
parents divorced when I was 16
and it's very hard no matter what
your age! Now I will let you go
and have a great weekend everyone.
You think about it and in a way
Ted was right. It does make you
think that Austin might just get
fed up one day and just leave and
call everything quits. Everyone is
human and can only take so much! I
really hope that does not happen
for that would be awful. Anyway,
enough of my jabbering and take
care of yourselves and have a
good weekend!!

prairiegirl said...

Good morning all you schnoozers! Up and at 'em!

Kacie, I'm going to say hi to you over on the other line cause well, you know what happens when I "get to talkin' and all" lol

I'm going to re-watch this episode again in a bit while I have my cereal (yeahhhh, with black walnuts. I think there'll still be a cup left, hope) so I'll be refreshened for later.

Interesting, Special, about the disciples. People dropping what they were doing or who they were hanging with to become part of this "community" drawn around John's appearance. Dang. Kind of eerie.

Anonymous said...

One of my other favorite scenes
was when John was in the hospital
bathroom and looked up at the
skylight at the top of the roof.
It seemed like the spirit of God
descended and made Shaun well when
he came out of his coma. I also
enjoyed the two men distracting the gang of reporters at the hospital. It also shows the dangers of surfing and you have to
be really knowledgeable and have
to know what you are doing. Or you
could really get severely hurt or
even killed. Now I will SHUT UP!!
Is the Laundrette discussion next
weekend? What times does it start
on Friday or Saturday?

prairiegirl said...

Kacie said:
One of my other favorite scenes
was when John was in the hospital
bathroom and looked up at the
skylight at the top of the roof.
It seemed like the spirit of God
descended and made Shaun well when
he came out of his coma.


Wow, I remember when John was at the hospital and went to the bathroom, but I must have forgotten that bit about the light shining in on him. I've definitely got to go and rewatch.

Kacie, please go back to the other post cause I sent a special message to you - I need you to see it, ok?

I'm going to miss My Beautiful Laundrette. And I watched it last weekend (didn't hardly get it AT ALL, tho, guys! Darn, I couldn't understand through their accents 3/4 of the time.). I'm going camping with my sister & a friend who has a 5th wheel. But I'll look forward to coming back & reading the discussion. Maybe it'll help me out, lol

Anonymous said...

Prairie Girl, no, I do not knit or
crochet! I just do not have the
patience for it! I do read a lot.
Wicked, Special K, and Prairie
Girl, what is your opinion to
this question of mine: Do you
think that Jake really does love
Reese and has decided to go to
being "straight" and they will
marry? Do you think it is just
remotely possible that Ted has been wrong all this time-that his
sources were wrong? Do you wonder
where Ted gets his sources?

Wicked said...

Re-watching this episode reminded me how much I love the character of Bill Jacks.

PG and Kacie, I really love you guys and your posts and would love to meet you both sometime! :) PG has told me she might come to visit soon and I'm holding her to that.

destiny said...

For all of his eccentricities, Bill is able to connect with someone--Shaunie (and his birds of course), probably his deceased wife too, which is why I think he tries to hold on to her in any way he can.

I think most of the characters have trouble connecting, and yet over the course of the show you see that even the most damaged ones are able to do so.

Blue Velvet said...

My favorite scene in episode 2 is John in the hospital bathroom imitating the guy in the next stall. Austin's comic timing, his facial expressions, mannerisms and mimicking abilities were a complete surprise to me. I still laugh thinking about that scene.

Good point about the apostles/disciples, Special. I think you've hit on something with that idea. I have to take the time one of these days to follow that thought through the whole series a little further.

I also love all of the supporting characters on JFC. They aren't all likeable, but there's something intriguing about each of them that makes you wish that Milch had been given the time to reveal their backgrounds and motivations a bit more deeply. I remember that Brian Van Holt had mentioned in an interview that episode 10 (the last episode) was just the beginning the the whole JFC story. Too bad HBO didn't have the foresight or sense to let the show continue for another season.

prairiegirl said...

Maaaaaaan, there's some rumblings from beneath the covers, lolll!
They do live!!

I gave up on y'all. lol And I actually like this episode better than the last one.

Blue Velvet, I agree. I wish HBO had shown a little patience with this show. I don't know, I guess it was a money thing? Well, of course ratings number 1, probably. I wonder if it was expensive to shoot, too, or something? Actor salaries?

I think Bruce Greenwood (that's his name, right?the guy who plays Mitch?) is great looking. But in this episode, he is pretty much a jerk. And I don't like the girl who makes movies, I'm not sure of her name. She makes a play for Mitch and he just ho hum, leaps right into bed with her. And that part of their relationship doesn't ever seem to make a play anywhere else in the series. I don't get that at all.

Notice how Butchie made the comment on the pier about how he wasn't feeling sick? I take it he means he isn't having withdrawal symptoms. Although I notice that in the car ride with John and the army guy, he starts rubbing his arms again, like he's starting to feel antsy for a hit.

I like the gay guy, I don't know for sure his name. I'm terrible with character names, lol. He is intriguing. What happened in his old hotel room that spooked him out so, I wonder? He's a sympathetic character, I think. He and Ramon. And I love how later on, Freddie & his buddy get involved in that motel community. It's hilarious.

Wasn't Bill afraid of heights or something? And that's why he never did go upstairs but in the last episode, I think, he goes upstairs to "let go" of his wife's room or something like that? I noticed when he went to the hospital, he struggled up the stairs instead of going up the elevator. Either because he had the bird under his jacket or he's claustrophobic, not sure. And he was so stinkin obvious holding that bird under his jacket, it made me grin. Good grief, he looked like he could've had a gun under that jacket the way he was acting. I would've had him searched the way he was acting. But I really like his character. He cracked me up.

Kacie, I'm going to give my big emphatic answer to your first question on the other line, lol! Guess what it is? I can't wait to let go.

prairiegirl said...

PG has told me she might come to visit soon and I'm holding her to that.

Cast it in granite & pound it in with a stake, Wicked, a la the Flintstones. Lord willing, I'm thinking next spring if it works out for you & the Mrs, eh? If we can hash out a weekend. Winter's great because it's a slow time at work for us, but winter's no good for traveling & trying to walk around. So I'm thinking spring; don't think it'll be easy even waiting til then. I'm ready to come out now, Lol! come out, made another funny. on a roll, lol

We have to turn in all of our requested time for V in January because the ol bosses like to plan it all out on this big calendar and let us hash it out when there's conflicts. It's not that you're held to it; heaven knows people change them around like crazy, barter & trade & swap, but for the most part, you try to get alot of it where you want it the first time around because there're alot of us with 5 weeks of vacation. And I'm thinking if I can get it in with enough notice, maybe some of the other members of the gang can make it too, like netb & Destiny? Eastcoast fan, would you be up for it? Special? Tom? Who else? We'd have a mini OMG convention. Wouldn't that be something? We could have a rip roaring, laugh filled time at some dive where they don't care if we sit at our table all night long. I can see it now. (Fantasy Warning!!!) We'll call it a Teething Convention complete with banner and a big cardboard cutout of a big white tooth. Patrons will think we're a bunch of dentists, LOLLLL! Little would they know. wink

I'd let you all do the talkin, tho, cause I get shy in big crowds, lol. But it'd be great. Needs to be a place with great cheeseburgers, Wicked, cause I love me a great cheeseburger & fries. You be thinkin on it, k? LOL! We have some time, I think.

and this had absolutely nothing to do with JFC, I'm afraid.

Special K said...

Austin was really good in this episode. Love the aping and copying of those around him.

Both bathroom scenes made me laugh. Talk about capturing a fish out of water moment - and it kind of reminded me of the movie Starman in a way.

He really studied and refined a lot of his performance to make it look so effortless.

Gotta say say one of my favorites is Austin in the car with Butchie and Freddy him in the back seat driving. And you wonder why I think he should do comedy.

Maybe it just my background that I see a lot biblical and theological parallels in JFC. Its is Milch is trying to do a modern telling of the Gospel. Now the profanity is the language of the modern people I think is what is trying to say.
But he does profane flawed twist to showing the peoples lives that John comes into. But that is not far off the mark if you look at the Gospels. Christ spent time with what was considered less than stellar company by the Pharisees and Sadducees.

Kai and Cass I think could be Mary (not the Virgin Mary) and Martha?
Mary and Martha were not Apostles but were key to that group and his time on earth.

I still have a hard time was Rebecca at this point. But think that is what Milch wants. He wants you to be uncomfortable with her because she is uncomfortable with herself.

Love Bill, Ed just eats this part up like candy.

Clarity said...

I really love every time John says "Butchie Instead". I don’t know what it means but it makes me smile every time. I also liked the scene where the credit card goes through mysteriously and they walk out with the cardboard ladies. Butchie tells John not to enjoy himself to much with them or he'll have paper cuts (priceless)…

I also missed the earthquake scene the first time around. It does seem to signify major changes for everyone but it was done so discretly in the backgraound that you really didn’t notice it in relation to the overall picture.

I also got a "disciple-like" feeling to the motel manager and everyone else at the motel but not until much later in episodes 3 and 4.

I also noticed the music more this time. There was a great song playing when Shaun was getting ready for his heap and the guy cut his foot. I'll have to look at the soundtrack if there is one to see what song that was. If anyone can help me out there it would be great.

I agree with you Special, Ed OWNS that role. Lots of untapped talent there.

I really don’t understand why the blond woman is there or what her purpose is. Is she supposed to be trying to break up Mitch and his wife? What would that do for Shaun??

Sorry this is so long but I won't be back online til later on tonight.
Have a good day everyone.

Anonymous said...

Special and everyone,

I'm sorry I've missed most of the discussion this weekend on episode two. I'm away from home and not able to watch my DVD at present.

Agree that there are many references to disciples and to spirituality. Not sure if I mentioned last discussion about much of the discussion of themes in BBM being of either a religious nature or with a basis in Greek Literature.

My recall of episode 2 makes me think of Austin and wonderful characterization of John, the facial expressions, the aping, as Special mentioned, the freshness of his reactions to his surroundings and what he is learning. The characters as they are gradually revealing something else to us in this crazy story.

That's it for me at present. Hope all have a great weekend.

Seaweed

Special K said...

One thing that changed this episode. Opening credits - Austin in Ep 1 had his name with water, and the starting in Ep 2 it is bird.

Water can be a symbol of healing, cleansing, redeeming power.

Bird can be a symbol of hope, peace or new spirit.

Anonymous said...

To me, John in a way seemed like a
messenger from God. I also think
Ed O'Neill did a fabulous job! I
also wish that they had renewed
the show for another year!!
Prairie Girl, I left you a small
note on the other thread before
this!!
Let us know when the Laundrette
discussion is and also the next
JFC discussion is. I am looking
forward to it.
Prairie Girl, the way the economy is, it really may be the
next several weeks and months before I am called back. All you
can do is take one day at a time.

Florida Tom said...

The Nation is still alive. We wait.

Special K said...

1 More to Go.

GO SOX!!