|
Post by DonnaJo on Aug 6, 2008 15:00:01 GMT -5
As a 46-year-old man who's largely grey and whose goatee is almost completely white, I'm thrilled to see an actor (namely, VDO) who isn't trying to look 25. Personally, I like the scruffier Goren, and I'm proud to see an actor who looks his age. Maybe that's just me? ;D Welcome cadesdad!! Sorry I didn't respond sooner. First, it's great to have another male posting. Techguy & Jefferaldo are constantly overrun with the girly point of view, although they do a great job of holding their own! I normally prefer a man to go with his natural hair color, really I do. My husband is going grey naturally, and to me he looks great. And I like VDO's hair color, the grey & black mix. But I think that Vincent's beard is very uneven. Splotchy. If it was all grey, or all brown or salt & peppered evenly, that would be fine. The inconsistency in color makes him look sloppy, unkept. At least to me. It doesn't always look that way, it depends on the light & the angle. How shallow I sound! Sorry......
|
|
mick
Rookie
Posts: 2
|
Post by mick on Aug 6, 2008 16:28:52 GMT -5
I've read this message board for years, (and even joined for a while a couple of years ago), but I haven't had the time to join in until now. All of your messages have made my viewing a lot more fun!
I liked this episode...I agree with several others that the "soap opera" aspects were missing, and that's what I liked about it. It wasn't as clever as most of the episodes from the first three seasons, but it was a straight up "solve it" case, and I'm content with that.
I also agree that Goren should lose the beard, but I liked the way Goren and Eames went about the case. A "B-" grade for me...
|
|
|
Post by annabelleleigh on Aug 6, 2008 17:33:37 GMT -5
A great big welcome to the party Mick. I'm glad you decided to join in. The more the merrier.
AL
|
|
|
Post by Techguy on Aug 6, 2008 21:01:14 GMT -5
Yeehah! Thanks to Cadesdad and Mick, the male population of this board has increased by 2! With Jefferaldo MIA most of the time, the additional testosterone couldn't have come at a more opportune time. Welcome aboard guys!
|
|
|
Post by goreamesfan on Aug 6, 2008 21:12:42 GMT -5
Add one more male voice to the board and one more vote for Goren to lose the beard and get back into suits. The new look not only makes Goren look OLDER than his years (IMHO) but also seems out of keeping with the old Goren, who always wore a suit and only missed a shave when he was hot on a case. The new look makes it look like he doesn't care anymore. I guess maybe it's intentional, but I'm ready to see Goren get his act back together.
|
|
|
Post by DonnaJo on Aug 7, 2008 5:59:28 GMT -5
Hey goreamesfan. Haven't seen you around for awhile.
This is great, another male opinion. Try and stick around if you can, since the Men's Club seems to be growing! ;D
I also miss the subtle implication (the stubble) that Goren was up all night working on a case. He always managed to wear a suit.
The mothership seems to be the only one of the three franchises where the Detectives still dress very professionally. Detectives Lupo and Green were on last night, a episode repeat from this past Spring, and both were in full suits and white dress shirts and ties. I wonder if the dress code at Major Case will change back under Walon Green?
|
|
susan1212
Detective
Yeah. I get that.
Posts: 444
|
Post by susan1212 on Aug 7, 2008 6:20:39 GMT -5
Human beings are such a paradox. What makes a child hate his/her parents so much, yet commit such horrendous wrongs ( i.e. dishonesty, violence, cruelty, murder, ) towards others in the hopes of gaining their unattainable love? What makes others in the same position become depressed, give up, and direct their pain inwardly? What makes others in like circumstances decide to be the opposite of their parents and be loving, caring people who make a difference in the world? Even though we often classify ourselves by finances, value system, and ethnicity, each individual is different and has different reactions to the same situation. Nature and Nurture - our genes mixed with our upbringing - are the basis of who we are.
This episode was “ripped from the headlines”, as are most. How scary is that? My comfort is that these stories are “news”, not commonplace. It is still shocking enough for writers to do a show on it. It is still fascinatingly unusual that we want to watch, and examine…from a safe distance. Does that mean there is more good than bad in the world? All we can do is hope … and try. As Jewel has said, and I repeated to my son and daughter -in-law on their wedding day , “Only kindness matters.” Kindness breeds love and peace.
Is there a television show other than LOCI so thought provoking? I think not.
|
|
|
Post by DonnaJo on Aug 7, 2008 6:46:29 GMT -5
So beautifully put, Susan my friend. To answer your question, I truly believe that there is more goodness than evil in the world, although stories of goodness are often overshadowed. Simple acts of kindness don't usually make the news.
And what has always been consistantly shown, never altered, never compromised, and never wavering, (regardless of facial hair or clothing), is Goren's inate goodness.
|
|
|
Post by annabelleleigh on Aug 7, 2008 8:43:23 GMT -5
While I truly appreciate your sentiments, S1212 -- you are one of my favorite writers on this site -- to my knowledge these questions are not so mysterious. In recent years there have been numerous studies of adolescent morality which I believe to be the heart of this story.
I know of one 2004 study from the University of Australia, Sydney which provides a credible hypothesis that answers these questions. I don't expect anybody to read it, so here's the Cliff Notes version:
Adolescents high in positive moral values are far more likely to be found in stable families in which both spouses are open and adaptable to societal changes and also honest and communicative with each other and their children.
In short, it's really more about the parents than the kids. And I think that's where "Legacy" failed. Take out the Internet stuff -- Facebook and MySpace are simply new platforms for acting out -- and the story that emerges is one about the consequences of failed parenting.
The mothership has addressed the topic of adolescent morality many times over the years and -- IMHO -- much more successfully. Those episodes offered characters and situations as complex as real humans are. "Legacy" -- and other episodes this season, also IMO -- presented two-dimensional stereotypes and, in this case, missed the point.
The actual Horace Mann story -- and thanks again Random for providing the links -- is far more complicated, and has been portrayed much more as a product of the behavior of the adults involved. This rings true for me.
I know that TV dramatists only get about 45 minutes to tell a story, but that's the gig. Brilliant talents can pull off a tough subject like this one, and do it consistently. "Legacy" did not spring from brilliance.
AL
P.S. Oh my I guess I'm fed up, but I'm also hopeful that creative team changes will step up the game in Season 8.
|
|
|
Post by cadesdad on Aug 7, 2008 10:13:58 GMT -5
Interesting discussion of the role of parenting on the adolescent characters we've seen in the various incarnation of L&O. I agree that much of a child's actions are informed by their home life, but I'm not convinced that all of it--there is choice involved in many cases.
In Goren's case, I think the writers have come to rely on a kind of emotional shorthand: they know that faithful viewers know Goren's backstory and how bad parenting has shaped his life for good and bad. However, I think the stories about negligent parents and bad kids are getting pretty threadbare.
|
|
|
Post by pie714 on Aug 7, 2008 23:20:54 GMT -5
What is the name of the actress that played Tessa?
|
|
eva
Silver Shield Investigator
Posts: 86
|
Post by eva on Aug 8, 2008 1:35:22 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by pie714 on Aug 8, 2008 2:20:28 GMT -5
Thank you, eva!... And you're a god!!!
|
|
|
Post by annabelleleigh on Aug 8, 2008 12:18:51 GMT -5
Interesting discussion of the role of parenting on the adolescent characters we've seen in the various incarnation of L&O. I agree that much of a child's actions are informed by their home life, but I'm not convinced that all of it--there is choice involved in many cases.,,, It's a valid point, C-Dad, and I'm glad you made it. At some point in our lives, all of us have to take responsibility for our own actions. However, physically, mentally, experientially, teenagers are not yet fully formed adults. That makes them vulnerable, morally and socially, and I deplore adults -- especially parents and teachers -- who fail to behave accordingly. BTW, glad to have you on board! I'll look forward to more of your posts. AL
|
|
|
Post by Patcat on Aug 8, 2008 12:25:21 GMT -5
I don't mean to pound this point too much, but it seemed to me that the one responsible adult was Tessa's Mom (although I'm not crazy about the performance of the actress playing her). She was trying to be a good mother and teacher, and for her efforts received abuse and threats.
Patcat
|
|