I feel like I say it every week, but it needs to be said again. This show is a brilliant piece of art, one of the most relevant and powerful stories being told in any medium today. David Milch is creating a work that fosters emotions and creates ideas in the audience unlike pretty much anything else I’ve ever seen on TV.
Shows like Twin Peaks and Six Feet Under have delved into metaphysics, but I’ve never seen as sustained a journey into big issues as I have here. This is to TV what Grant Morrison’s work is to comics, stories that address issues that are not of consequence to individuals, but instead touch on the progress of humanity as a whole. That is what the show is about, the way that people can move forward by coming together.
There’s so much to talk about here. Lately I’ve been watching each episode at least twice, so I probably won’t be able to fully assess this until another viewing. But, even after the first ten minutes, I knew this episode was going to be something really special. I’d argue that this is actually the best episode of the series yet, with each scene finding a unique kind of magic.
One of the most magical was Cass and John’s trip out to the field. First we got the 'funny at first, creepy in retrospect' discussion about whether they made a sex tape. Then, a beautiful piece of music came on the soundtrack and we saw the two of them out in nature, John imitating the statue and standing on the tower. Both this sequence and the opening with Butchie surfing placed me in a trancelike state, perfectly lost in the rhythm of the visuals. The best filmmakers are able to hypnotize you, trap you in a moment with the characters, make you feel what they’re feeling. These scenes worked on a subconscious level, the slow, beautiful visuals bringing me to the same place as the characters. It’s something we don’t get enough from cinema.
Films and TV are so concerned with reaching a narrative endpoint, they don’t stop along the way for beautiful moments like this. In fact, you could argue that’s the whole appeal of this series, spending time in moments that would ordinarily be passed by. People ask what’s the point of the hotel guys or Linc or any of the characters, but why do they have to mean anything beyond what’s in the moment? I love watching Ramon oversee the motel, or seeing the interaction between Palaka and Freddie. It’s not all about reaching some endpoint, the journey is what matters. This is a show about the creation of a community, the network of people gathered around this hotel, and the joy of it is watching them interacting with each other. That can mean seeing the hypnotizing beauty of the field scene, or the goofy comedy of a Palaka moment — both are equally valid expressions of what the world is.
Article comments
1 - John (Real name, I promise)
I agree 100% with you. I have never seen anything like this show before. I am completely enthralled with it. HBO must give JFC at least a second season......or, we could just get more reality TV. Someone shoot me please.........
2 - Anthony B
Right on...one only hopes the powers that be at HBO see the show in a similar light. Breathtaking.
3 - crazywater
Reading your review is like watching this show, hoping for the best but ultimately suffering extreme disappointment...
4 - The Spewker
Sorry, I'm not jumping on this bandwagon. I tuned out after episode five. I was a big Sopranos fan. Naturally, I was hoping for a good substitute. Not that the show isn't good, it's just not my cup of tea. Art is great for theatre, a playhouse, or a museum. TV is not the place for it, not even cable. The show has gotten too weird for my tastes, and I consider myself new age and enlightened. When I turn on the tube, I want a story with a traditional format, not an evolving work of art with characters who seem to be cast because they know Milch. Now, even powerful surfing scenes can't turn this baby around for me.
5 - John (Real name, I promise)
My wife and I both were huge Sopranos fans as well and we were sorry to see it end. Look, I know that the show isn't everyones cup of tea but when I heard about it I convinced my wife to give it a shot and she loved it. In this age of reality TV, and much to my dismay I do catch myself watching some of the shows, isn't there room for a show like this? Just because Milch uses some of the same people from Deadwood doesn't mean that they aren't great at the parts they are playing on JFC. This show is fresh and new and I think we need something like this on TV. Just my opinion. I could be wrong, and I frequently am.....Just ask my wife......
6 - Patrick
John, you're not wrong.
7 - Melody
Sorry but these people are unlikable, theres nobody to root for, and the show's pacing is too slow.
And it doesn't help that some of actors have no talent. Everytime I watched an episode all I see is screeching profanity. And John acts more like a second rate Rainman.
8 - John (Real name, I promise)
Sorry you don't like it. As I said it ain't everyone's cup of tea.
If you are referring to Rebecca De Mornay's (screeching profanity) character Cissy, I too thought she was a bit munch until the episode where JFC confronts her about what she did to her son. That realization would turn any mother into a screeching banshee, I'm sure.
9 - Neil
Agree, this show is fantastic. The 'in your face' super-naturalism combined with unexpected dialog. It is very interesting how polarized peoples' opinions are, either they love it, as we do, or they have tuned out and not given it a chance.
Maybe these characters and this setting are boring to people, then add the non sequitars and it just alienates.
If this show doesn't do well in the ratings, it just gives more ammo to keep telling the same boring tried and true stories, as well as more reality TV, etc.
That said, I think this is going to come together beautifully and lots of people will come around, after its out on DVD. At least I'm hoping, seems like a lot of folks have given up hope on this.
10 - Carlos
Many have given up, but many now seem to be catching the buzz/wave. More people are starting to watch, including those who are finally getting over the Sopranos ending/Deadwood cancellation and are prepared to give this a second chance.
I also have a bunch of friends who generally watch no television dramas who are hooked.
Anyways; I agree with the DVD comment; I hope HBO has a sense how many they are going to sell, and doesn't shoot themselves in the foot by canceling the show before they have a chance to find out.
11 - Mike
Shows got me hooked can't wait for 9:00 on Sunday, In the end it may end up a waste on time, but we'll also have, Hairlip, and the waitress that pulls her top over his head, and the shot of Tina's tatoo as she got out of bed. Now, the new hippie dude looks real cool, and with a little luck the thing will end up with them all getting wet and being happy.