I finally got my wife to give in and watch Homeland. She was
quite the skeptic, especially after my previous post on the show, as she really
doesn’t like scary or disturbing shows/movies and was turned off by what she
believed the show was. However, she quickly became hooked watching the two seasons
over the last 2.5 weeks.
There has been much talk about the show --- from the
unconventional plot (American war hero turned terrorist), to its delving into
mental health issues (electroshock therapy), to it sweeping the Emmy’s (is it
really that great a show?). However,
there have been those “Moments” that just get you and leave you in awe --- of
damn that was great.
Perhaps the greatest standout moment to both me and my wife,
was Season 2 Episode 5 “Q & A”. In the middle of this episode is a solid
15-20 minute, hold your breath scene, of simply incredible filming, writing,
and acting. We watch Carrie completely open her soul in an attempt to get Brody
to do the same. 98-99% percent of the dialogue belongs to Carrie, but in no way
does that mean that Brody is outclassed. His defeated demeanor and expression, coming
to terms with just being completely beaten, downtrodden, and abused but yet
clinging to the most minute of possibilities of somehow still denying the
accusations and thinking he’s going to be able to continue on “normal life” (in
his case being a terrorist/reforming US foreign policy). His shrinking into the
fetal position following the interrogation hoping, praying that this isn’t
real, his life hasn’t come to this and that he can still be a fetus hidden in a
womb is truly a piece of art. Carrie realizing that the only possible way for
her to truly break Brody and get him to come clean is to go through the
cleansing and purification process herself. This scene perfectly depicts so
many feelings we all feel --- we wish we could share the utter and complete
truth of everything we are thinking and feeling. But we can’t; it is far too
scary and dangerous to ever divulge all that information. But yet, Carrie is able to do what she needs
to. Maybe she had reached her bottom with her mental breakdown and that was the
only reason she was able to truly be open and come clean.
My point however is to realize and make note of the truly
great excellence from all aspects of that scene. This got me thinking of couple of my favorite
acted scenes in TV off the top of my head.
Tami & Julie Taylor --- Friday Night Lights Season 3 Episode 10 “The
Giving Tree”
The scene is the sex-talk between Tami and Julie after
good-ol’ coach walks in on his little princess in bed with Matty. I’ve never
had the real-life experience of this but I imagine this is how I would want it
to go down. Julie realizing that the independence she has always wanted from
her parents has in some ways arrived, but at the same time she was still stung
by the guilt of disappointing them. But the real star is Tami. Here she
exemplifies the mother we all wish we had. She perfectly handles the difference
in the situation from Season 1 where she tries convincing Julie to keep her
hands to herself. Then, Julie was 15 and making a rash decision with a boy she
hadn’t known for very long: this time, she’s 17 and far more convincing when
she says that she is in love with Matt and that he loves her. Tami reacts perfectly:
this isn’t an issue about grounding, or about punishment, but about ensuring
that they can discuss this in the future. It strengthened our love in Matt
& Julie and provided free acting and parenting lessons in one.
Jerry & George
--- Seinfeld Season 1 Episode 2 or 3 “The Stake Out”
Yes, I know how could I take “one moment” from Seinfeld? Of
course, there are hundreds of scenes I could have taken, but this one scene
early one truly just exudes brilliance in comedic acting and sets the stage for
what’s to come from these two characters. The scene is George and Jerry waiting
in lobby of an office building, Jerry is hoping to bump into a girl he met at a
party, and they are discussing their back story for why they are in the
building. This scene sets the tone for all future quirky wacky deviant absurd
creations that George is able to manifest out of thin air. It gives rise to his
complete inability to remain calm under pressure, immediately cracking and
blowing the plan. It also highlights his insecurities and desperate plea for
attention and glory and to be a highly respected architect. The scene really just set the stage for
arguably the greatest comedy in history.
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