The Knick: Season 1 (Episodes 6-10)

October 11, 2015October 13, 2015 EmmaLeave a comment

SPOILERS: Don’t read this review if you have not yet seen or don’t want to know details from the Cinemax series The Knick.

Episode 6

Whoa, the health inspector says they are looking for “Typhoid Mary!” She is a cook that has (unfortunately) come into contact w/ many people in the city. After that scene, Cornelia and Algernon have a nice chat (they were tight- growing up in the same household.) Hmmm… I wonder if this is just a brother-sister vibe? I doubt it, seeing a few of the S2 promos.

Awww, Lilian died! Dr. G tried to save her, but couldn’t. How will this affect him and his wife?

Bertie and Elkins are out on a date, strolling arm in arm, and chatting. They are having a good time. Both express their admiration for Dr. T. Elkins says that being close to such work as “intoxicating.”

Barrow is amazed by the x-ray machine; he says the x-ray is “like looking into his soul” (LOL- bet it’s a pretty dirty one)!

Dr. G’s wife won’t accept that their baby is dead. Harriet offers a solution- maybe she can take care of the baby girl that was recently left at the doorstep of her orphanage. It could ease some “melancholia” (depression).

Dr. T and Bertie perform (successfully, this time) the surgery that Dr. Christensen had tried so many times. Dr. T gives part of the credit to Bertie; the young man is VERY happy/proud.

Later that night, Dr. T discovers the secret clinic that Dr. E has created. He is pissed off, but then he sees the advancement that Dr. E came up w/ re: hernias. (The “colored folks” hold jobs that cause hernias a LOT, Dr. E adds.) “This is good… This is more than good,” Dr. T comments w/ admiration.

Typhoid Mary was found and captured, thanks in part to Cornelia. She is congratulated by her father, fiance, and even his father. Ewww, what was up w/ that (super-creepy) scene w/ Cornelia and her soon-to-be father-in-law!? Is she going to be in danger if she joins that family? She better break off that engagement! I thought that something horrible was going to happen!

Episode 7

A mob attacks the hospital after the death of a policeman who was trying to break up a street fight between a black man and a white man (he had insulted the black man’s lady by assuming she was a pro). A few of the staff has to move out the Negro patients- fast. While they’re downstairs, they (of course) pass through Dr. E’s clinic. Cornelia is VERY impressed; Barrow is astonished/angry. Dr. E says he purchased most of the equipment- didn’t steal. Dr. T says he stole the obstetric equipment (we know he and Bertie experimented on the Chinese pros in the previous ep).

When they come to the Negro hospital in “Little Africa,” there is a doctor there, Moses, attended Harvard (like Dr. E) Cornelia helps out- she’s no shrinking violet (and she even brings up a funny childhood moment she shared w/ Dr. E.)

Later that night, Cornelia and Algernon go back to check on the damage at The Knick. They’re surprised to find that the secret clinic is intact. Cornelia compliments him on ALL he’s accomplished. Then she admits that she was SO scared for him. They share a long, passionate kiss (whoa, BIT of a surprise there)! Then he bends her over one of the examining tables. I’m going to say that those two have been IN LOVE for a LONG time!

Dr. T walks Nurse Elkins home, she invites him in, then even into her room. Her roommate is not home this night. She asks for help to take off her uniform (was NOT surprised by her boldness there). They spend the night together.

Episode 8

We see John’s bedroom- he and Lucy Elkins lying in bed; she feels guilty about sleeping w/ him (w/o marriage). He tells her that here and now is all there is. We learn that his father was devout, but also a drunk and mean. If she wants to be w/ him, then that’s all that matters.

“We need cocaine to exist!” Dr. T tells Bertie while he’s trying to ask Elkins out on another date (LOL- that young’un doesn’t realize that she’s NOT interested anymore!) Cocaine is not available- the VERY little out there has already been claimed.

We learn that Drs. T and E have published a paper together which will be presented at the Metropolitan Surgical Society. (Of course, Dr. E can’t go.) Dr. T notices that there is something different about Dr. E (that’s love, we know).

Before the presentation, Dr. T injects himself w/ cocaine. A Jewish doctor presents after Dr. T- he is impressed w/ this man’s work. (We know that the Jews have a separate hospital.) Bertie’s father is at this event (ugh, what a jerk)! He says that his son “worships” Dr. T, but he wants a different life for Bertie. Dr. T says he has invested a LOT into Bertie, and that he has “talent.” (That’s good to hear!)

Dr. G’s wife is freaked out when he and Harriet bring the new baby girl over, understandably. Dr. G eventually calms her, explaining that this child needs them. (Awww, he cares so much already!)

Cornelia heads off to the hotel where Dr. G lives; she insists that Jesse go home (b/c she’ll be working late). At the hotel, they joke a bit, then Algernon seriously: “Aren’t you scared about what we’re doing?” She’s only scared that “I won’t be able to stop.” (Yowza, it’s gotten hot! But I’m kinda scared for them.)

During a consultation, Dr. T gets mad when asked if he’s OK by Dr. E. Seems like MANY people have been asking him that lately.

Barrow continues asking around for money, going to a bigwig, then to the head of an Orthodox church.

Poor Bertie- he tells his father he’s in love w/ a nurse at his job! His father, who suggests he work w/ that talented Jewish doctor from the seminar, seems happy about that. (Isn’t that how it goes sometimes though? The guy that is seen as suitable to marry isn’t the one that a gal wants in her heart!)

We see Typhoid Mary being questioned in court in 2 separate scenes. She may not have symptoms, but still have the disease; Bertie tries to explain this to the judge, but he lets Mary out of prison. The inspector, Cornelia, and Bertie are greatly disappointed.

Dr. T has to leave the operating room- he doesn’t look well. (Uh oh, that’s NOT a good sign!) Elkins tries to go after him, but is needed to bring supplies. (I think that gal is going to get her heart broken, sooner or later.)

At Woo’s, Dr. T asks for 3 bowls of opium (that’s a LOT apparently). Woo is also indebted to him, we learn. In his sleep, Dr. T dreams of the moment when he discovered Jules dead. But the weird thing- he sees himself through Jules’ eyes! (Is HE getting close to death? Yikes!)

Episode 9

Dr. T breaks into a pharmacy… and gets caught! Barrow and Capt. Robertson come to talk to the police, then give bribes to get the tall, dark, and destructive man out. Whoa, the financier knew about Dr. T’s addiction all along! Barrow suspected it, but didn’t want to believe such a thing.

Lucy comes to Dr. T’s house, worried and wanting to help. He’s going through withdrawal- acting paranoid and feeling that there are bedbugs on his skin. And we already know re: his energy and hallucinations.

Dr. T is in the papers- even Collier knows what’s going on! He offers to get some coke (or any other drug); Barrow can’t believe his ears.

Back at the hospital, some of the staff are talking re: Dr. T’s arrest and addiction. Dr. E says that he showed ALL the signs.

Whoa, Cornelia is pregnant! Algernon kisses her and says that he wants to keep the child. She says that she would, too (but he’s a colored man, he finishes). We can tell that he’s VERY disappointed/upset. She asks if there is any other way, but he tells her that surgery is the only option.

Lucy goes to see Woo and asks about getting cocaine. (This gal is in deep now!) He propositions her after complimenting her “dainty” foot. Eww!

Harriet is upset b/c Grace is now also dead, like Lilian. She wonders how Everett will cope. Cornelia mentions faith, but the nun says “faith isn’t always a comfort.” (Yes, religious folk can have doubts, too!)

Lucy lies to John, saying that she got coke by selling her bike (she didn’t). She also sneaked into the Jewish hospital (called “German Hospital”) and stole more coke. (She’s in VERY deep!)

Eleanor is taken away (in a straightjacket) to the insane asylum. Dr. G helps by providing the cloth doused w/ chloroform.

Episode 10

Awww, such a tough ep, esp. the scene where Algernon tells Cornelia: “I can’t kill my own child.” She gets a ride from Cleary (MANY of her class have needed his help); she is surprised when she sees Harriet. They are friends, but never revealed these things to each other. Algernon broke up w/ Cornelia (saying “our affair was a mistake”) before her bridal shower/luncheon. She is in tears; she meant that having the abortion was a mistake.

Poor Eleanor has had her teeth removed, Dr. G is shocked to see. The doctor at the asylum says it’s common practice. (Ouch!)

Dr. Zindberg comes to observe at The Knick- this makes Dr. T mad (and also jealous). Later, Dr. T says he’ll devote himself to research; Dr. E will take the lead in surgeries. Dr. T asks Bertie to spy on Zindberg for him.

Barrow wants to get introduced to Woo; he wants to kills Collier b/c he owes the man $10,000. Dr. T says that Woo is not the type of man one wants to get involved w/ (thinks he can’t die).

It turns out that the generous Dr. Z DOES want to collaborate w/ Dr. T, he tells Bertie in his office. He’s getting close to finding a way to do blood transfusions, he reveals.

Barrow goes (alone) to see Woo, saying that Dr. T wants Collier dead. (Whoa, this guy has SOME nerve!)

“I don’t care what you like. I need to work,” Dr. T tells Nurse Elkins when she comments on the effects of his drug use. Dr. E tells her not to give the coke to him, but she says the alternative is worse.

The night before the wedding, Cornelia’s brother (Philip) reveals that their father has NOT been making good business decisions lately. Philip has been living/working in San Francisco; he has also traveled the world and hunted. He’s NOT keen on this marriage.

Cornelia has a sleepless night. Algernon gets ready for her wedding, but we can see that he’s upset. While Cornelia gets married in the church, Algernon boxes w/ a big man out on the street. He eventually gets knocked out!

After the ceremony, a frantic Lucy finds Bertie, then begs him to help John. The young doc gets angry, shouting: “I don’t have to do anything!”

We see Dr. T and he nurse next in another doctor’s office. He has seen many such coke addicts recently, esp. wealthy women.

The board decides to move The Knick uptown (in that time, this meant any area above 14th St). We know that Dr. G has fallen out w/ Dr. T, who himself is no good now. And the only one w/ skills (Dr. E) is a black man.

Dr. T has killed a young girl (transfusion gone wrong)- OMG, what can happen next!? He’s taken by Elkins and Bertie to a private hospital that specializes in the treatment of cocaine addiction. “Time to start getting better,” a doctor calmly tells him as he gets into a bed. The camera closes up on a bottle marked “heroine.”

The Knick: Season 1 (Episodes 1-5)

October 11, 2015May 1, 2018 EmmaLeave a comment

I’m bing-watching this Cinemax series, directed by Stephen Soderbergh, on HBO2 today. Of course, the main draw is Brit Clive Owen, who sports a thin mustache on the show. It’s SIMPLY riveting, even if you’re a bit squeamish re: blood (like me)! The setting is early 1900s- an important era for medical innovation. I recommend it to those who are looking for a shot (forgive the pun) of realism in their medical dramas. ALL the actors are good- many of whom I’ve never seen before!

SPOILERS: Don’t read this review if you have not yet seen or don’t want to know details from the Cinemax series The Knick.

Episode 1

In the series premiere, the head of surgery (at The Knickerbocker, a public hospital in NYC that serves mostly poor, working-class patients) shoots himself after many failed operations on pregnant women w/ complications. The man working directly under him, Dr. John Thackery (Owen), gives an eulogy for Dr. Jules Christiansen (Matt Frewer, nearly unrecognizable w/ long fluffy beard/shaved head) in a Catholic church, then is quickly promoted to his old friend’s post. We can tell from his tone/words to the nun after the funeral that Dr. T doesn’t put much stock in religion.

So, who will be the new Assistant Chief of Surgery? Dr. T, who is brilliant/arrogant/confident, wants it to be the young Dr. Everett Gallenger, who has been working under him for some time. The wealthy lady whose father currently finances The Knick, Miss Cornelia Robertson, puts forward her choice- Dr. Algernon Edwards. He studied at Harvard, then worked in London, Paris, etc. Dr. T is quite pissed off about this, even threatening to quit.

Dr. Edwards (Andre Holland- a theater actor who recently played Andrew Young in Selma), to almost everyone’s shock, is a black man (whoa)! Dr. T thinks this is the last straw- he’ll only be a distraction, making the important work of the hospital even more difficult. But he has to give way or the electricity won’t be put in.

We also learn that Dr. T is a habitual cocaine user (whoa again)! A young nurse, Elkins, recently arrived from West Virginia has to help him out by injecting him in his house (just before a crucial surgery).

NOTES: This show is based on the life of a real, pioneering, yet quite flawed surgeon (not unlike the lead character). Yes, cocaine was used (in small quantities) in the early days of surgery, as we see here. Doctors created their own tools, like the metal tubing we see inserted inside patient’s stomach.

Episode 2

A young nurse gets accidentally electrocuted during a surgery. It turns out that the wiring for The Knick is faulty. Dr. T says that the contractor should be “beaten and tarred.”

Dr. T sits her down and calmly explains to Elkins that he has things (his drug use) under control. He thinks she had been avoiding him; she says not at all. The lives they have inside the hospital are different from the lives they lead outside, he says.

Dr. Edwards is in some dark, cluttered basement room (his office). He barely gets to do any work, though he expected this type of treatment. Dr. E searches for the black woman who had a swollen arm, then drains the liquid from her arm. She wonders about his work. Later, we see that he can fight (boxing) when attacked by a young/angry/jealous black man.

NOTE: Tenderloin District, where Dr. E lives, was considered to be a notorious/red light area of NYC; in modern times, it has some of the most expensive real estate in Manhattan. Wow, how times change!

Episode 3

An old flame of Dr. T’s (now married) comes to see him in his office. Her husband (w/ whom she’d expected a “calm life”) has run off- she doesn’t know where. When he uncovers her facial coverings, we see the VERY scary-looking effects of syphilis. It turns out that her husband was seeing another woman on the side (who was infected). He explains how her nose could be reconstructed; it’ll go rough though. (Awww, it’s so sad!)

Dr. E has a secret side clinic going on the late night hours! We learn that he is providing a much-needed service to the black population of the area. He sees the careful stitching of a seamstress- she can work alongside him as a nurse. We also learn that Dr. E’s mom is the long-time/beloved cook of the Robertson family!

Dr. T wants to have cadavers to practice on, but only has access to dead pigs. The manager complained that The Knick is competing w/ Cornell, Columbia, and NYU.

Everyone is worried re: (the rapidly spreading) typhoid fever. Rumor has it that the new immigrants carry it (yeah, blame ALL the worst stuff on poor immigrants). Dr. T sets that right- it’s not just a disease of one’s lifestyle.

The eager/kind/idealistic doc, Bertie, and ambitious Dr. G break into a prominent surgeon’s house to get the latest medical journals. (Wow, we’ve come a LONG way!)

Elkins assists Dr. T during the reconstructive surgery on his old girlfriend Abby’s nose. She starts commenting on the “proper lady”- he shuts her up w/ one of his quick cutdowns.

Dr. E loses a patient- perhaps for the first time. Later on, he takes out his aggression on a man who challenges him to fight.

Episode 4

The ep opens w/ drunken/rowdy mean stomping on rats for enjoyment. Ugh, that just looks terrible! (Hey, history was NOT all pretty.) Then, another OMG scene- a grieving widow gets pig remains instead of her husband’s body! His cadaver will be used for practice/ experiments (of course).

Dr. E freezes during a surgery, but Dr. T yanks him out of it w/ an insult. Drs. G and E almost get into a fight (whoa); the doctors observing break into a laugh afterwards.

The self-important/burly health inspector (who we met in E1) is back. He goes to a wealthy family’s home (w/ Miss R as a sort of liaison) whose patriarch recently died. He asks about the dead man’s “character,” staff, and then moves on to “toilet rituals.” LOL!

Flasback: We see a Christmas party w/ Abby, Dr. T, and others- laughing, joking, and drinking. Abby says that they should stay home, but John wants to drink/party more. (Yes, that’s the type of behavior that made her leave him.)

Later, Abby (who is all bandaged up, but recovering) says “I should have chosen you.” He disagrees about that- she chose the wrong husband, but HE wouldn’t have suited either. Elkins stands outside the door and listens in on their private convo. Hmmm… I definitely think she is intrigued by Dr. T!

Cleary, the bearded/big ambulance driver blackmails the nun (Harriet). He somehow found out that she performs abortions on the side (illegal at that time, of course). He wants a cut of her profits.

We meet Dr. E’s father, Jesse, the carraige driver of the Robertsons. He formally invites his son over to the mansion for dinner, then asks about his work. You can tell that he is proud of his son (awww). “Can’t be more until there’s one,” his father quietly comments upon learning that his son is the ONLY black doctor in the entire city working in a white hospital. They see Dr. T walk out and Dr. E comments “I may be better.”

Dr. E’s mother wonders why her son rarely comes to see her. He has to suffer some indignaties during the convo w/ Capt. R and the father of Cornelia’s fiance, Mr. Hobert who owns rubber plantations in South America. Philip, Cornelia’s fiance, wants them to soon move down to Ecuador. She doesn’t seem too pleased about that! Dr. E looks disappointed, commenting that it’ll be tough to get her out of NYC. (Notice how her family calls him “Algie” and he calls her “Nealie?”)

Elkins follows Dr. T to his usual opium den in Chinatown. She sees him lying on the arms of a young Chinese woman- both are passed out. She quickly rushes away.

Dr. G resents Dr. E, as we see in the domestic scene w/ his wife and (super-cute) baby girl. Well, no surprise, but Dr. G says that some at The Knick call Dr. E “Dr. Darkie.”

Cleary rushes to get a young woman to The Knick. Dr. T says that she tried to end her own pregnancy (yikes)! Unfortunately, she dies on the operating table. Bertie’s father watches this all, then comments to his son: “There is only poverty in poverty and struggle in struggle!” He says he climbed out of a place worse than this hospital, and is clearly disappointed that his son works there (thinking it “romantic”). The younger Dr. Chickering says that he wants to learn from Dr. T.

The poor girl who died came over by herself from Russia, Cleary tells Harriet by her fresh grave. He comments on immigrant life. The “look and terror” he saw in her eyes was too much. He decides that he’ll find girls who are “needing her services and send them your way.”

Elkins forlornly watches Dr. T get in a hired coach to head off to his opium den. (Yeah, she has an infatuation w/ him!)

Episode 5

OMG, an old/drunken barber sends a guy off in a cart after he can’t treat him! Dr. E has a Cuban patient w/ a hernia, but (at first) explains it using “big words” that confuse the man. Dr. E says he can perform surgery using a wire- the man (a cigar roller) agrees.

Dr. T is surprised when a noted gangster (owner of “cathouses”), Mr. Collier, is brought in by the manager for a rush surgery. In the operating room, two other gangsters sit and wait, guns in their belts. We know this manager likes to gamble and spends time w/ young prostitute.

We see the head housekeeper and some staff of that big/fancy house where the health inspector and Miss R are visiting. They are so well off that they eat ice cream each day. Hmmm… is this making them sick?

Dr. T tries to get the board to see the importance of an x-ray machine. Some of the men say they should move The Knick to a new location to be near the donors. Miss R says that “almost every other hospital has moved uptown,” so the poor need The Knick even more.

Mr. Barrow (the manager) tells his favorite pro that he stole money from his employer. A cop later approaches him about getting an introduction to Collier; he has a business idea. Cops bring in “a lot of girls who hook for no one,” so he can bring some in to be under Collier’s “protection in a nice place.” He has a lot of mouths to feed. (Yes, everyone is out for something!

Cleary argues w/ a husband re: his wife’s (possible) abortion. They argue re: religion and sin for a bit. Later, Harriet explains that “the child was too far along- 7 months.” It’d have “been a sin” to abort this baby.

Oh no, Dr. G’s baby girl may have meningitis! She won’t stop crying since breakfast, his wife says. They quickly head out for a hospital.

While Dr. E and a group of ladies are performing hernia surgery (using silver wire), a nurse and her beau pass through their room, so they shut off the light. They wanted to hook up- notice the mention of “French letters.” After they leave, it’s lights on and back to work. LOL!

Barrow and the cop (a police sergeant) bring in three girls for Collier’s brothel. One is a black woman; Collier says she should refer to herself as an “octoroon.” They will be housed, fed, protected and regularly examined by a lady doctor. (Hey, that’s better than fending for themselves on the street!)

Hmmm… something happened to Capt. Robertson in Nicaragua; Dr. T helped him out. When Dr. T comments that his daughter could be running The Knick in 10 years, the financier laughs and replies that he’s expecting “a gaggle of grandchildren.” Dr. T wonders if Cornelia knows this (hehe, he gets her).

Dr. T learns that Gallenger’s baby (Lilian) is sick. He sees Elkins outside w/ her bike and they have a nice convo. He comments that he “envied her freedom” when he saw her riding the other day. Her bike is blue (like her eyes). She offers to teach him how to ride. Dr. T sings a little ditty as he goes for a spin on her bike. (Oooh, I really liked seeing this light-hearted scene!)

The Affair: Season 1 (Episodes 6-10)

October 5, 2015October 5, 2015 EmmaLeave a comment

Episode 6

Whoa, this ep has surprises! Alison has been helping move drugs for her family, as we viewers may have suspected. This is a HUGE shock to Noah, of course.

Speaking of drugs… We meet Max (Josh Stamberg), a handsome investment banker and Noah’s closest friend. He plays the fun-loving party guy, but is feeling low after a bitter divorce and losing custody of his son. Max snorts coke in the taxi; Noah concludes to Helen that Max is “a mess.” Later on, Max meets and hits on Allison at The End, the club for Summer people that Det. Jeffries asks about (in the present time).

After Max leaves, Noah and Alison dance and then spend the time night together in the adjacent hotel.

Episode 7

We see Whitney (Julia Goldani Telles- one of the ambitious teen ballerinas on ABC Family’s Bunheads), Noah, and Helen w/ a therapist in her Summer house. The girl thinks that Helen is having an affair w/ Uncle Max (LOL- the irony)! She sensed for SOME time that knows that there was tension/unhappiness in her parents’ marriage.

Helen makes Noah take Martin over to the Lockhart ranch to say sorry/goodbye. Noah and Alison have their awkward moment. Cole is kind to Martin, taking on “a very fatherly role” (Kellie Knezovich on Afterbuzz TV). Speaking of fathers… At the Butler house, Bruce (John Doman) is majorly pissed off b/c a Vanity Fair article came out where Margaret (Kathleen Chalfant) called herself his “editor” and “collaborator.”

Oscar threatens Noah and asks for $10,000 to keep his affair secret. Noah goes to Max for money to pay off Oscar. Max can’t believe he had an affair, but asks Noah not to get all sentimental and tell Helen.

Maybe it just made me feel better to be seen as someone. Something successful. You just see me as potential unfulfilled. You’re waiting for the guy you married to happen. -Noah admits to Helen

Noah goes on a run and falls to the ground. He thinks he’s having a heart attack, but it’s a panic attack (b/c he can’t keep his secret anymore). When they get home, Noah spills his guts. (I wasn’t thinking this would happen SO SOON!) Helen always knows everything that happens to him until now, so she is confused/stunned. They have a terrible fight (of course)! When Helen goes to sleep, Noah gets a text from Oscar. He told her, so Oscar can have NO hold over him.

Back at the Lockhart house, the brothers are talking about Oscar. Scotty wants to beat him; Cole wants to make peace.

Cherry burns the note (from Noah) that was stuck at the bottom of the pies instead of giving it to Alison. She wants her to end the affair and NEVER tell Cole, b/c she’s been “selfish enough already.”

Cole, Scotty and Alison go to Oscar’s to apologize. Scotty screws it up by punching Oscar in the stomach. Oscar tells Cole the person who did see him make the call was the guy Alison’s been seeing. Scotty and Cole beat up Oscar.

Listen, I never thanked you. -Helen says to Alison
For what? -Alison asks, confused
For what you did for my daughter. -Helen replies
It was nothing. -Alison says quietly
No. It wasn’t. -Helen returns earnestly

Alison goes to NYC to see Jane (the college girl who was waiting tables at The Lobster Roll). They both go to Helen’s store, and she is there (awkward)!

Cole is at Jane’s place when Alison gets back. The brothers looked for the cocaine, but it wasn’t where it was supposed to be. Cole thinks it was whoever she’s been seeing moved it. He demands to know who it is, BUT Cole can’t believe it’s Martin’s dad!

Cole decides to sell the ranch. Cherry wants to handle it, cover it and get a loan from the bank.

When my dad died, I figured out this trick for dealing with the pain. Because it would come in waves, you know. And then, just like a wave, eventually it passed, so I’d just start to count. One, two, three, sometimes twenty sometimes a hundred. Sometimes I make it all the way up to three thousand. I knew if I could just keep on counting, that eventually it would pass. So when, when Gabriel died, I tried that again. I’d wake up in the middle of the night and I’d be sweating and I’d just feel that darkness bearing down on me and I’d try counting, but this time it just wouldn’t work because it’s too dark and I’d forget the numbers, and I’d forget what order they’re supposed to come in and the only thing, the only thing that made it better for me, made it so I could just breathe, just for a second, was you. And I thought if we could just keep on moving forward, if we could just move forward that eventually everything was gonna get better. It didn’t get better. It just got worse. Sometimes I wonder if it’s him. That this is his way of telling us if he can’t be there, then we can’t either. -Cole admits to Alison

Late that night, Cole asks Alison not to take her pill. He wants to start this part over again.

Episode 8

Do you know why I married you? -Helen asks
Because you loved me? -Noah replies
I thought you were safe. -She admits

Wow, the above lines are the ones that MOST stuck out for me (in the entire show so far)! Don’t they just sound so REAL!? Eps 8-10 just takes you on a journey; these are VERY well done. At the start of Ep 8, Helen and Noah are at dinner at their favorite restaurant. She coldly/quickly rejects the gift (a necklace) that Noah picked out from Tiffany’s. Noah is disappointed, we notice clearly.

When she can’t attend a literary award ceremony for her father, Noah decides to go instead. He finds that Allison is working as a waitress there (yeah, it’s SUCH a small town). Allison gets an urgent call re: her grandmother (who’s VERY close to dying); Noah gives her a ride to the hospital. Noah and Allison’s accounts of that night (and what was said) differ GREATLY in this ep!

In Allison’s account, this is what happens: Noah offers to stay to take her home later, but she says no and tells him to take care. While she’s arguing w/ Athena over the DNR, Noah comes into the hospital. Noah tells Alison letting her grandmother go is an act of compassion. Later, Noah takes her home. Before she gets out of the car, Noah tells her he loves her. Alison says she loves him, too.

Seems to me this girl might have been your muse and now that she’s gone you’ve forgotten you’re afraid of the page. You got to harness that disappointment, son. If you know how to use it you might actually produce something worth reading this time. -Bruce gives some advice to Noah

I esp. liked how we got to see a more human side of Bruce in this ep! He revealed to Noah that he fell in love w/ an undergrad in Michigan when he was just starting out as a young prof. Bruce thinks about this girl everyday, BUT he went back to his wife, young child, and the comfortable life they had established together.

Episode 9

Please stay. -Cole begs Alison
I love you, but I’ll die if I stay any longer. I don’t want to die. -Alison replies before heading to Manhattan

Allison comes into the city and spends the good part of a day w/ Noah; he even invites her to his brownstone (yikes, that is NOT classy). I thought this was a BIG violation! Noah then shows Allison a (VERY small) apt. that needs a tenant soon; she is confused, then angered by the situation. Is she just supposed to WAIT around for him!?

Alison, it’s a temporary solution to a really complicated situation. –Noah says re: the apt. he has found

Noah’s barely 17 y.0. daughter, Whitney, is pregnant (not a BIG shock there). We’d had hints about her spending time w/ Scotty (a noted ladies’ man who’s “closer to 30 than 20”). At the Planned Parenthood office, Noah is (understandably) mad when he sees Scotty.

I love her, Max. I wasn’t lookin’ for this. I tried to get away from it, but I keep comin’ back to her. This isn’t some midlife crisis. -Noah explains his relationship to his best friend

What did you think about that (random) suicide? From Max’s high-rise patio, Noah sees a young man casually walk out on a ledge and jump off a nearby building.

Episode 10

Part One: Noah

Noah is right back where he started, swimming at the local pool in Brooklyn. The gal who once hit on him is engaged and he notes he’s separated. That doesn’t stop him from hooking up w/ her.

Quick cut-away scenes of Noah visiting his kids at home and at school events while getting w/ various women, including a fellow teacher. He is also writing his book.

Noah’s called into an office of some sort. He then heads into the NYC Dept of Education’s “padded room.” He’s there for disorderly conduct. The guy he’s sitting next two has been attending for two years (yes, THIS can happen folks)!

Wisely, Noah decides to write his book with his spare time. He starts on Chapter 3. The season change and he continues to write until he reaches the end of his novel. His seat buddy leaves him a message as everyone but Noah files out. “You’re my hero,” it says.

When Noah shows Harry his book, he says its extraordinary. Harry wants it in stores by next fall and offers him something in the low six figures. He goes a step further and says he’ll get his gal Friday to start a rumor that Harper Collins is looking at it so Noah can get $500k since he didn’t bother with an agent and a bidding war. Noah admits he’s recently separated; Harry is surprised (it’s almost been 4 mos.)

He lost his job, half his friends, and lives in a box. Harry thinks it sounds wonderful. When Harry asks him if he misses his wife, Noah flashes to Alison, instead.

Noah’s with Jeffries (in present time). He was called in just for questions about his car. Jeffries knows where to find him; a swanky Greenwich address or something. As he’s leaving the police station, a tow truck driver is coming in. Noah’s worried and runs toward the guy.

I want you to come home. I miss you. I can’t do this alone. I hate my life without you. You know. You know, you used to like me because of how I am, I thought you chose me for the way I am — you did! You did, you wanted a certain life and I gave that to you. You, you were tired of being poor. You wanted a big family. I could have stopped that, too. I didn’t need to have four kids to make up for the wasteland that was my childhood. You never gave me a chance. You never said, ‘I’m different now. I want something else.’ You just took it all away. But I can change. I can change! And I have been working with Dr. Gunderson two time a week and I have new tools now… -Helen begs/pleads w/ Noah

Noah is called home by Helen. Her mother hired a PI to build a case against him in divorce court. She has the video from the abortion clinic. He hasn’t told her about the school issue. She doesn’t want to divorce him (surprise there)! Helen breaks, she’s angry he left her without ever saying he was missing something in his life. They get together (he does her from behind); it doesn’t seem like a positive/happy event AT ALL.

Noah has the tow truck guy in his car, and asks what Jeffries wants from him. Noah wants the guy to lie. There’s a price- $20,000. Noah wants to give him the cash tomorrow, but the dude wants it today.

Noah and Helen talk to Whitney. They want to press charges for statutory rape. Whitney wonders how old is Alison. Helen told the girl that Noah was a “sociopath.” Whitney thinks they’re BOTH messed up!

Later, Noah says Whitney was almost 17 and probably knew what she was doing. Helen wants to press charges, whether he likes it or not. She changes her clothes in the bathroom; Noah wonders why. He asks if he should leave, but Helen REALLY wants him to say.

Noah gets a text in the middle of the night from Alison. Whitney is there. Helen and Noah call her mom to watch the kids; Noah gets into a BIG fight w/ his mother-in-law. On their way to Montauk, Helen compares Noah to her mother.

When they arrive, Alison steps outside. Helen inquires if Scotty is inside, but Alison says he’s gone, she doesn’t know where. Helen and Noah head into the kitchen and meet Cherry. Whitney calls Alison a “traitor.” Helen wants to take Whitney home. Cherry appeals to her, saying she would have stopped Scotty if she had known. Did Helen call the police? Not yet, Noah says. Cherry begs them not to call the police.

Helen’s so annoyed she wants to leave immediately and screams at Alison to stop staring at her husband. Cherry suddenly stands up for Alison. She thinks everyone in the room did terrible things, but they should just all say goodbye.

As they’re leaving, Scotty comes downstairs. “Did you get rid of her, Mom?” Noah attacks him in the yard, strangling him. Cole shoots a pistol in the air and threatens Noah. With the gun aimed at his head, Noah looks at Helen and then looks at Alison. He looks back at Cole, who cocks the pistol.

Part Two: Alison

Alison is meditating by a lake. She appears to be at a retreat with her mother and her man (Dennis). Athena thinks she found a guy for Alison- he’s centered and there to find himself. Since she’s recovering from toxic dynamics, Dennis highly recommends celibacy. Alison is ready to leave, even though Cole is still at the house.

Alison arrives at Phoebe’s (the musician friend) and tells her all about Noah. Alison doesn’t want to go back to Cole. She’s never been alone, but she wants that now. Phoebe doesn’t recommend being alone. Alison remembers the time Noah pulled her back to him as the most perfect, erotic moment of her life. They were circling each other ever after trying to get back to that moment. Phoebe says they never can, because it wasn’t real.

When Phoebe wakes up, Mary Kate (Alison’s sister-in-law; the jam maker) has arrived for a day of surfing. She doesn’t want anything to do with Alison b/c she left her family. Alison asks for a ride back to the house. When Alison arrives, Cole comes out, unaware she’s in the car. Cole fixed up the house (it should help her when she tries to sell it).

Cole has no idea where he’s going to go. She want to sell him the house or just give it to him, so he can have something he loves. They get into an argument about being together and love and memories that can’t be erased. She hasn’t seen Noah since she last saw Cole. She doesn’t want to forget about Gabriel, but wants to forget about him. Out of the blue, she wonders why he wasn’t watching Gabriel for three minutes. He want to know why she didn’t take him to the hospital. Cole tells Alison to get the hell out and never come back again.

Mary Kate comes in with the news Whitney is at the house. Whitney says her parents want to charge him with statutory rape. Cole wants to know where Scotty is. When Cole learns she’s only 17, he admits he doesn’t know what to do. Cherry wants to appeal to her as a mother.

Cole knows if he was Whitney’s father, he’d want to kill Scotty. They ALL need to talk together. The only way it will happen is if Alison makes the call.

Skip to the tow truck guy, Jake. He recorded the conversation in the car about the payoff (we know that was true)! Jake can’t keep the money, but nobody has been turned in or anything. Jeffries is watching the same video Helen had. He’s smiling. Someone pokes her head in; Steve’s on the line, he says it’s urgent. Jeffries takes the call, “Hey babe, what’s up?” (So, he never even had a wife!)

Whitney asks why Alison was screwing her dad when Cole’s “so hot.” Cole is in the kitchen and tells Noah to get up. Cole is surprised that’s how he talks to his kid, but it makes sense, since Alison “doesn’t respond to kindness.”

Cole gets his pistol out and lays it on the table. He’s waving the gun around in the kitchen and pointing it at Noah, demanding answers. Alison finally gets him to train the gun on her. Then he puts it to his head. Maybe he should shoot himself, so she can have that issue burned into her mind for the rest of her life?

Alison calms Cole off the ledge using the memory of Gabriel. Noah realizes the pain they were both in and Cole leaves the room. Helen wants to know if he’s coming. Noah isn’t; he and Alison remain in the kitchen. Noah runs to Alison and grabs her, telling her it’s OK.

Flash to the future and Alison and Noah are in the living room together. Alison has just put down their baby girl. Noah’s book is being made into a movie. She’s proud of him. (They ALSO look and seem like NEW people- doing well, being happy together.)

There’s a knock on the door. It’s Det. Jeffries. He’s looking for Solloway. Noah’s under arrest. Alison promises to get him out of this.

What Should I Watch NOW?

September 4, 2015September 9, 2015 EmmaLeave a comment

The Affair (Showtime) – My 2nd blog post on S1 Eps 6-10 will be up soon. S2 premieres SUN, OCT 4th- YAY!
Alpha House (Amazon Prime) – 2 seasons are now up; you can’t go wrong w/ John Goodman; fans of Homicide (like me), will get a treat in seeing Clark Johnson.

The leads of Alpha House: Who knew REPUBLICANS could be so much FUN!?”

Aziz Ansari Live at Madison Square Garden (Netflix) – Who DOESN’T love this guy!?
Being Mary Jane (BET/Netflix) – 2 seasons are now up on Netlix; this is a MUST-SEE drama starring the (always FAB) Gabrielle Union; better and even more realistic than Girls & SATC) read my review of S1 here.
Black Mirror (Netflix) – Read my review here.
Broadchurch (BBC/PBS/Netflix) – Read my review of S1 here.
Catastrophe (Amazon Prime) – This show is INSANE… and insanely good; see it RIGHT NOW!!! Carrie Fisher has a recurring role, too!

Catastrophe is written by Sharon Horgan (Irish) & Rob Delaney (former theater actor/comic).

Daredevil (Netflix) – It’s more like a cop show, NOT a typical superhero one. This is a MUST-SEE for L&O: CI/Vincent D’Onofrio fans!

daredevil_wilson fisk_vanessa — In *Daredevil*, Wilson Fisk (Vincent D’Onofrio) is the supervillain who’s awkward w/ women.

Empire (FOX/Hulu) – Read my review here.
The Fall (Netflix) – Read my review here.
Fruitvale Station (Netflix) – A slice-of-life film about Oscar Grant (Michael B. Jordan), a young dad who was killed by a transit cop in San Fran; his mom is played by Octavia Spencer.
Grace and Frankie (Netflix) – Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Martin Sheen & Sam Waterston (WOW, what a cast!) star in this SMART/FUNNY life-after-divorce comedy.

grace-and-frankie-date — Grace (Jane Fonda) tries online dating… & meets an overeager beau in *Grace and Frankie*.

Happy Valley (BBC/Netflix) – Read my review here.
House of Cards (Netflix) – 3 seasons are now out; def check out S1 (if you don’t have a LOTTA time)!
Orange is the New Black (Netflix) – MUST-SEE for anyone who wants to see diversity/women/& just LOL.
The Politician’s Husband (BBC/Netlfix) – A UK miniseries that shows us a V different side of David Tennant, who gets caught up in his ambitions, along w/ his wife, played by Emily Watson.
The Slap (Netflix) – I watched the original Aussie version of this miniseries; it’s got a large/diverse cast incl. two FAB ladies: Sophie Okonedo (Brit; Hotel Rwanda) & Melissa George (Aussie; In Treatment: S1). Each ep is told from a different perspective.

the_slap_ladies — Essie Davis, Melissa George, & Sophie Okonedo play lifelong pals in *The Slap*.

The Affair: Season 1 (Episodes 1-5)

August 29, 2015October 5, 2015 Emma4 Comments

NOTE: This post contains spoilers for the Showtime series.

Episode 1 (Series Premiere)

We are introduced to the leads- public school teacher/first-time author, Noah Solloway (British actor Dominic West- best known for The Wire) and a waitress named Alison Lockhart (another Brit- Ruth Wilson- who didn’t LOVE her in the Jane Eyre miniseries!?), along w/ their respective spouses, Helen (Maura Tierney from ER) and toward the end of this ep- Cole (Joshua Jackson). Though Noah is middle-aged, he is handsome and stays fit by running and swimming (“me time”). In the first scene, a pretty young woman smiles and gets close to him at the local pool, but gracefully backs away when he shows her his wedding band. Later that morning, Helen laughs in Noah’s face during a NOT so opportune moment, which hurts his male ego (no doubt)!

Each ep is told from the viewpoint of both Noah and Alison; as co-creator Sarah Treem explained somewhere in between their accounts is the truth. The other co-creator, Hagai Levi, was also one of the minds behind HBO’s In Treatment. As in True Detective (sidenote: I’ve seen some of S1), the story takes place in 2 time periods- the present time (where Noah and Alison are being interviewed individually by Det. Jeffries). Alison mentions her baby daughter and the sitter.

Noah’s family includes 4 school-age kids (Whitney, Trevor, Martin and Stacey), including 2 rebellious (you’ll learn JUST how difficult) teens. Noah and Helen seem like a happy married couple; they are still VERY into each other. The family lives in a Brooklyn brownstone, but is going to spend the entire Summer (3 mos.) at the house of Noah’s in-laws, the Butlers. Bruce Butler is a prolific author whose books are now being made into feature films. When Martin complains that he doesn’t like Grandpa, Noah quickly agrees w/ him.

On the way to the grandparents’ place, the Solloway’s stop at a diner where they meet Alison, who waits on their table. Alison first makes an impression when she helps save Stacey from choking. Helen was panicking, not knowing what to do, but Alison told Noah the girl had to be put upside down then hit hard on the back. Wow, that was a tense scene! Alison gets VERY affected; she rushes off to the ladies’ room to have a cry, wash her face, then settle herself.

Notice how Alison has her hair flowing down and looks more glamorous (wearing makeup, looking tan) in Noah’s account? The camera zooms down to her body (hips, legs) as he checks her out. But in Alison’s account, she has her hair pulled back and is not wearing makeup (looking pale/wan). VERY interesting- we see this difference ALSO in the meeting (by chance) on the beach.

Whoa, what about that ending!? It was SO weird, and we can see that this show is going to be dark! Only in Alison’s account do we learn the real story; in Noah’s eyes, it was quite shocking.

Episode 2

Noah fantasizes about Alison; when Helen comes in, he says he needs “me time” (LOL). In such a small town/community, Noah and Alison can’t possibly avoid each other. At a farmers market, Stacey wants to get some homemade jam that is being sold by Alison and her young sister-in-law. Martin wants to be a ranch hand at the Lockhart ranch, much to the (pleasant) surprise of Helen. Noah is stunned when Cole rides over to discuss the job w/ the boy!

Cole’s mother, Cherry (Mare Winningham), makes a comment about how if Cole and Alison have another baby, she can help. They can come live on the ranch, she says nonchalantly, as if Alison is incapable of handling her own child. Awww… look at poor Alison’s face! So, we wonder if Cherry (deep down) blames Alison for the death of her grandson.

At the Butlers party, we learn that Bruce has had a long-term mistress from both Helen (who gets quite distraught) and her mother. As Noah comforts Helen, he spots Alison, who is working as a server. She borrowed a dress from her (thinner/younger) co-worker, so it’s VERY tight and makes her feel uncomfortable. Men are checking her out, including Bruce (ugh). As we suspected, Bruce IS a jerk, who casually undermines Noah in front of both relatives and friends.

Marriage means different things to different people. -Alison says to Noah on the Butler’s private beach

We learn that Noah regrets marrying young (right out of college); he wishes he had had some time to himself. Helen (need to learn more about her) was beautiful and rich, plus he loved her, so he decided to take the plunge. I’m sure MANY people can relate to this; I’ve heard this sort of comment from those who were raised up in religiously conservative households.

Did you notice how in Noah’s version, Alison kisses him first? But in her memory, he was the one who made the first move. Hmmm… Viewers pointed out that Noah (w/ his wife, kids, status, etc.) has MORE to lose than Alison (who’s also married), though they’re both attracted to each other and unhappy w/in their respective marriages.

Episode 3

You have an honest face. -Bruce’s editor says about Noah

Noah has a lunch meeting w/ Bruce’s editor, Harry (this guy liked Noah’s book); they commiserate re: their situations. Noah pitches a new book idea; it will be about a couple having an affair, but w/ a twist (the woman will be murdered). Also, he will delve into the commercialization of Montauk. The editor looks very interested/pleased about it. And who could miss the irony of the “honest face” comment!?

To Helen, who makes the world seem good. -The dedication in Noah’s book

In this ep, BOTH Noah and Alison become more bold/careless (EX: kissing in the library). She said that Noah reminds her of her grandfather who was also a “storyteller.” Lem Gonsalves (Afterbuzz TV) cleverly correlated this to mean that Noah is a liar. Good one there!

We learn that Alison is not ONLY a waitress; she worked as a nurse. When she sees the sick little boy and his mom, Alison can’t wait to get out of the hospital. Later on, she cuts herself on the beach (ouch); this is her coping mechanism. There is another mention of Alison’s baby (present time period).

We also learn a lot more about Oscar, who not only owns The Lobster Roll, but has plans for expanding his business to include a bowling alley. He was kicked out by his wife, so is sleeping in his office above the restaurant. Oscar is annoying and brash, but he does have some supporters. Cole (and his brothers) as we see at the town hall meeting, are NOT happy about Oscar’s ideas. When Cole mentions their dead son, Alison is VERY shocked/upset, as this seems inappropriate.

Episode 4

Noah refers to Alison as his “research partner;” he is still hesitant and conflicted about being w/ Alison. She, on the other hand, wants to be w/ him, BUT is also conflicted. They are also awkward w/ each other, which makes it more real-world (as noted by hosts on Afterbuzz TV); this is NOT usually what is shown re: extramarital affairs. On the ferry, Noah (Aside: Notice how he’s sometimes clumsy?) spills coffee on himself. Then he spots an older lady hugging and chatting w/ Alison, so he hangs back for a while; later on, he lies to this same woman about how he knows Alison (via Helen and yoga- a bit humorous). Yes, viewers, the lying had begun on Noah’s side!

They say this island is haunted… -Alison

The affair is (FINALLY) consummated on Block Island! But just before that, Helen calls while Noah and Alison are at the bar, and he had to do the whole “I love you, too” goodbye (realistic, yet awkward). As they look out over the cliffs into the ocean (which is a VERY romantic setting), Noah and Alison talk a bit about their past. These two have an emotional connection, and it is getting stronger.

Easy!? There is nothing easy about you, Alison! -Noah exclaims

The part w/ the mirror where Alison sees herself (w/ a man who’s NOT her husband) was a GREAT directorial move. When Noah notices the scars on one of Alison’s inner thigh, and she gets VERY angry and shuts down; this totally confuses/hurts Noah. I think he’s slowly realizing that she’s not an “easy” or “free-spirited” woman, as he (and we) may have assumed in early eps. The part w/ the dresser (Did you think it was funny/lighthearted or not?) showed us a more mischievous side of the pair.

What do you see in me now? -Alison asks Noah after revealing her most painful secret

On the way back to Montauk, Alison reveals that she “had a son” (Gabriel) who drowned 2 yrs ago. Awww, such a sad moment! Noah is (obviously) affected by this, being the father to four kids himself. Instead of rejecting her, as Alison expected, Noah kisses her passionately. As one reviewer on IMDB, “Noah breathes life into Alison.” Wow, what a GREAT observation!

Episode 5

Scotty is the one who died! We finally learn that from Det. Jeffries (in the present time scene).

Cole and Alison have a VERY awkward (and almost silent moment) in the early morning when he comes back to get the surfboard wax and instead of sleeping, Alison has put on a a cute dress. Afterbuzz TV hosts wondered if he’s not really surfing, but maybe doing the same thing (having an affair), which hadn’t crossed my mind. To me, Cole seems to be very stuck in his own head when not consumed by the family/family business.

Noah and Alison have a rendezvous at her girlfriend’s house (in Ditch Plains); this lady is a musician who usually travels the world and is not around. They both look so eager and happy when they see each other in this cozy/comfy setting. It turns out that Noah and Alison come from similar backgrounds; his dad was a truck driver and his mom was a waitress.

Our story has ended. -Athena comments about her latest romantic relationship

Speaking of mothers, Alison’s absentee/carefree mother (who now calls herself Athena- haha) enters the story. We find her at the North Shore nursing home. Grandma (who has Alzheimer’s) doesn’t recognize Athena, but is quite happy to see Alison. We learn that Athena has broken up w/ her latest bf or husband.

While Noah and Oscar are having a drink together, Scotty comes into The Lobster Roll looking very serious. We see more interaction between Oscar and Scotty. Are the friends, frenemies, or just business associates (and if so, WHAT sort of business)? Hmmm…

On day you’re going to regret choosing him over me. -Athena says to Alison before leaving town

At dinner, Cherry gives Alison her wedding band. Perhaps she is sensing the tension/trouble between her daughter-in-law and her son? Or maybe she’s just being nice? Athena thinks that Cherry is trying to lockdown Alison to the Lockhart family even more than before; this sparks anger from Cole. He points out that it was HIS mom that took care of Alison after Gabriel’s death, not Athena. I REALLY liked this scene b/c it revealed more about Cole, Alison, their past and both mothers.

The scenes related to Whitney’s bullying of a classmate were VERY well done (as well as timely/realistic). Parents often don’t know what their kids/teens are doing online. The Butlers wanted to bring in a lawyer b/c they were (once again) concerned w/ money (ugh). As a teacher, Noah knows just how terrible it can be for picked-on students.

Knightleyemma

Film reviews & more via a South Asian American/female lens

Tag: TV

The Knick: Season 1 (Episodes 6-10)

The Knick: Season 1 (Episodes 1-5)

The Affair: Season 1 (Episodes 6-10)

What Should I Watch NOW?

The Affair: Season 1 (Episodes 1-5)

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