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cjmitch23
Reviews
Boston Legal: Made in China (2008)
Exit Stage Left
This second last episode was part of a two hour finale and should not be reviewed separately but since it must be, I will persevere. Like most planned series finales, the writer(s) is required to tie together all the loose threads into a pretty bow while simultaneously making an interesting and hopefully compelling episode. For loyal viewers, there will always be disappointment, most of which is directed at the fact that, as a loyal viewer, one didn't want the series to end in the first place. We would like to believe that these characters who somehow meant something in our lives can continue to live on in some, albeit unknown, reality. To that end, this episode with the next has done that.
In its typical controversial way, this episode explored several topics with its usual liberal interpretation of what the outcome should be. Those who watched and really paid attention to other episodes could easily predict on what side the writers and producers will truly support. For those few that do not believe this, I would have to ask you to start at the beginning and re-watch the series. Right wing politics always acted as the foil against which they could present their liberal biases (and I say biases with all the love I can). Denny Crane acted as a right wing bastion so far on the right as to approach buffoonery (also said with love).
Although I do not specifically write reviews that contradict other reviews, my impetus for this review was my disappointment in a previous reviewer, I am sure you know of which I am speaking. The show set up a difficult situation which is expected and navigated its way through in its usual liberal way. To suggest that the Chinese government is truly embracing Capitalism is laughable. Chinese corporations are state owned and in turn state financed. When a Chinese corporation buys outside its country, the purchase is made with state finances. I am not making a judgment, I am stating a fact. Chinese Human Rights abuses are measured against the backdrop of Today. There is no doubt that most if not all mature nations passed through a period of Human Rights abuses on their way to maturity, (The US and Slavery, Canada and Native rights, Britain and colonialism, the Vatican and the Inquisitions, this list could go on for a long time). Whether this is just a phase that China is passing through on its way to maturity is left for the future to realize, for now, it cannot be doubted that abuses are occurring.
Thank you to the writers and producers for giving us a thoughtful and studied show, for fighting against the pressure to turn out meaningless blather and for entertaining us for nearly five years.
Due South: Free Willie (1994)
A Fair Beginning
Coming off a strong Pilot, this episode would not be classified as one of the best but it began to set up the main relationships that would develop during the series. Fraser, who would constantly insert himself into situations as the polite, intrepid, do-gooder with unwavering integrity. Ray, the reluctant buddy/comic foil and Lt Walsh, the weary, put-upon leader.
A strange example where the plot is not as good as the story. Fraser and Ray solve the case with Holmesian logic and capture the bad guys in a very good action sequence. Lots of humour as the Canadian from the Far North tries to weave his ways through the vagaries of concrete jungle of Chicago with the cynical assistance of Ray.
Get Smart: Mr. Big (1965)
Entered in Character
Mr. Big was an excellent starter episode to an iconic series. The story was well developed and nicely paced. The major characters to whom we are introduced, Max, 99 and the Chief enter the episode fully in character as if we had just been privy to a what a day would be in their, to them, perfectly normal lives.
Max, Agent 86, is a well meaning, if only slightly inept and barely secret, Agent for Control, He bounces back and forth between brilliance and pratfalls and introduces us to some of what will become classic lines, "that's the second time I fell for that....", "would you believe...".
99, stunningly beautiful and mostly under-appreciated for her contributions to the success of the mission.
Chief, the long suffering leader of Control, an international Agency based in the US and reporting to the President.
Further, we are treated to an array of barely functional gadgets that will reappear over the life of the show. The Cone of Silence, the Shoe Phone.
There are far too many gags to list and I wouldn't want to anyways because they truly need to be seen to be appreciated. The comedy that came out of Get Smart would set the stage for many comedy shows and movies to come. Mel Brooks and Buck Henry had brought farce and satire to television comedy that had previously been mostly formulaic.