(11-29-2016, 09:00 AM)irukandji Wrote: I think this is probably my first post in this topic. I admit, I haven't given it much thought. It isn't as though Grimm is equivalent to a show like the Twilight Zone, where the viewer's intelligence is tested with each episode.
"We" currently watch Grimm and started Game of Thrones (we are on Season 2), House of Cards (we are also on Season 2) and Season 1 of Outlander this year.
That concludes our entertainment watching. But to your point, those series do not repeatedly insult their viewers intelligence. The writers of Grimm seem to delight in seeing how much B.S. the viewers will accept before they dump the series.
(11-29-2016, 09:00 AM)irukandji Wrote: Izzy, you judged Sasha as the best actor among the cast. In your opinion, he displays a wide range of talents and abilities. I don't have a hard time believing he's a captain in the PPD, but does that make him the best among the cast? I was thinking about the part he plays and really, what range is there to it? I mean, he's a sometimes good guy, sometimes bad guy. I don't see a lot of depth to his character.
Off the top of my head a few spring to mind (remember I have never watched a grimm episode twice, so the things I mention are the things that made an impression on me and are not comprehensive).
Range:
Sean the Royal - I believe he made a very believable regal/royal character when interacting with wesen who knew what he was. He took on a different persona and projected authority and command in a different way. There was a scene where he made some wesen bow before him...it was very powerful, he came across a royal and carried that to the screen very well.
Sean the villain, act I - During the first couple of seasons they were setting Renard up to be the big baddie of the series. He played the character perfectly in my estimation. There was an aura of mystery,not only due to the writing but the way he projected, an element of regalness, but an undercurrent not only of political power but physical power. More there was a sense of deadliness and heartlessness. A direct contrast to what is below when I mention the new Captain.
As Captain - As someone who knows a lot of LEOs I can say he does a very believable job - at first as an authoritarian boss, then the writers softened the character some and mad him more involved in caring. It really was a “new” Captain Renard, the villain focus was off him and he became a more supportive character. It was very apparent when discussing Sgt Wu, and the concern he expressed for Wu as an individual. It was a shift in character and I think Sasha carried it off very well. And it was a believable shift in terms of acting although very incongruent in terms of overall character and plotlines.
Renard as Jack-the-Ripper - that was a very different set of physical mannerisms, inflections, drama, etc, and Sash did it very well. It was a fun diversion and Sasha got to demonstrate a sort of odd comedic bend and had a different sort of timing and delivery.
Renard + Juliette - I thought the side of him with the Juliette romance thing, trying to control it, the kiss aftermath was interesting but another aspect and almost a different character emerged. Outside the ridiculousness to the plotline, I bought the Renard portrayal on all aspects.
Renard and Adalind baby making – that scene was raw and nasty and I bought it. So much for the controlled, gentleman projecting Renard.
Renard, the cowing – This version emerged with the Bonapart plotline. I interpreted it differently than others, but clearly Sash was projecting an unsure, nervous, demure, subservient, if not afraid Renard. He did it well and it was very believable.
I can contrast this with David G. who to me has been given several opportunities; I have only bought him in one role, as Nick the daddy. I never bought his grief role, his lover role, or most importantly him as Nick the cop. And that observation extends beyond his role in Grimm. On the other hand I think Claire Coffee has pulled off her persona shifts very well, in direct contrast with Bitsie Tulloch who has never convinced me in any role.
One more comment, it is not so much depth to the character as the actors ability to portray whatever emotion or aspect of the character they are given to work with that I am evaluating. In my view, you cannot penalize an actor for playing a character you do not like or not having depth, because that is scripting. What you can judge is how believable they make the portrayal without respect to the script.
The character actors have an easier time of it, they often play the same role in various series and you judge them a bit differently as they do not get the range of opportunities to show different persona too often. If they are lucky they get a chance to play a wider range of character once or twice in an entire series run. For example Frank McGrath of WagonTrain was the consummate character actor. But he did get one breakout episode (over 8 season and 272 episodes) in "Little Girl Lost" (see footnote #1). Character actors count themselves very lucky to get an opportunity like this once in a series. Currently the character actors are Monro, Bud, and Wu.
(11-29-2016, 09:00 AM)irukandji Wrote: You mentioned something very interesting about how being a father opens up deeper feelings in men. Sasha's character became a father in the series. Yet he really did nothing with it. He was a bastard child and fathered a child who is a bastard. Yet we have no idea how he feels about that aspect of his life. Even if he went into complete denial or owned up that he wasn't cut out to be a father, that would be something at least.
I should clarify, being a father dramatically impact SOME men, not all men. Some men take it as a life defining role and alter their own character as a result. It is not universal, but for some very, very profound.
I have to agree with your observations. I am sad that the scripts did not opened this aspect up for exploration. Given the amount of overt exposure the character has been given it would be nice to explore this type of theme. It is yet another wasted opportunity by the writers.
Kindest regards,
Izod
Footnote(s)
#1 You can find Little Girl Lost on YouTube. It is more than worth watching. An episode like this would ever be shown on TV today with its religious theme. This episode was real odd ball for Wagon Train, touching on the supernatural, religion, faith, and kindness. It is rather amazing.
reference:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0743018/
And in the spirit of the season, there are a couple of exceptional Christmas themed episodes of Have Gun Will Travel that are well worth a view.
The first is Be Not Forgetful of Strangers.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0597482/
It is stunning.
And another good view is The Hanging Cross.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0597608/
None of these shows would be produced today and more than the Peanuts classic A Charlie Brown Christmas would ever make it to the screen.
Oxford commas are so totally rad!.