RatCreature (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
ratcreature) wrote2003-11-16 12:05 am
ratcreature) wrote2003-11-16 12:05 am
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Jeremiah: Deus Ex Machina
I'm way behind in watching the Jeremiah episodes, so I've just now watched 2x04 Deus Ex Machina:
I'm getting less patient with the whole Mr. Smith thing. The episode is very aptly named, I guess the title refers as much to the divine intervention via Mr. Smith, which once again was central for the plot, as to Mr. Smith seeing things or portents or whatever on these photographs, which after all come literally from a machine. (BTW, in the last scene I didn't notice anything unusual in the photographs, were we supposed to see something, and I just didn't, or does just Mr. Smith see these things?) Like I said before, I find Mr. Smith himself quite likable, but really in the long term divine interventions aren't all that great for a story.
Or maybe I'm just grouchy because I had some other problems with the episode too. One was, that while I can take some pathos with the whole "let us build a new world" thing, I'm less than enthused that Theo's motivation for supporting Marcus is that she's pregnant now and wants a "a better world for her child." The other was that the community (or gang?) Kurdy ran into left me cold. One thing I liked in season one was that with Jeremiah and Kurdy on the road we got to see all those different communities and a lot them felt quite three-dimensional and believable, but the group this week felt really flat. I mean, I have a hard time believing that their community full of sociopaths who are only together because they like to kill others would work over a longer period. The whole group felt like just another plot device.
I actually liked the somewhat strange visual effects though, especially the brief fade to black effects in that rhythm that seemed like a heartbeat during the scene with the destruction of the camp and when Mr. Smith killed that guard with the bat. I felt quite disoriented and surreal, and it seemed the "heartbeat" rhythm got faster too as the scene progressed, anyway it increased my anxiety, and I assume those were the intended effects, as they fit the scene well.
I'm getting less patient with the whole Mr. Smith thing. The episode is very aptly named, I guess the title refers as much to the divine intervention via Mr. Smith, which once again was central for the plot, as to Mr. Smith seeing things or portents or whatever on these photographs, which after all come literally from a machine. (BTW, in the last scene I didn't notice anything unusual in the photographs, were we supposed to see something, and I just didn't, or does just Mr. Smith see these things?) Like I said before, I find Mr. Smith himself quite likable, but really in the long term divine interventions aren't all that great for a story.
Or maybe I'm just grouchy because I had some other problems with the episode too. One was, that while I can take some pathos with the whole "let us build a new world" thing, I'm less than enthused that Theo's motivation for supporting Marcus is that she's pregnant now and wants a "a better world for her child." The other was that the community (or gang?) Kurdy ran into left me cold. One thing I liked in season one was that with Jeremiah and Kurdy on the road we got to see all those different communities and a lot them felt quite three-dimensional and believable, but the group this week felt really flat. I mean, I have a hard time believing that their community full of sociopaths who are only together because they like to kill others would work over a longer period. The whole group felt like just another plot device.
I actually liked the somewhat strange visual effects though, especially the brief fade to black effects in that rhythm that seemed like a heartbeat during the scene with the destruction of the camp and when Mr. Smith killed that guard with the bat. I felt quite disoriented and surreal, and it seemed the "heartbeat" rhythm got faster too as the scene progressed, anyway it increased my anxiety, and I assume those were the intended effects, as they fit the scene well.
no subject
no subject
Yes, I have that reaction, too. *g* I'm still very invested in this show, despite my disappointment with some aspects of this season. I've been posting about it pretty regularly. Do you know about the Jeremiah community
I don't know if I'm just in the wrong corner of LJ, but there seem to be very few people who watch or talk about Jeremiah (or who might write some Jeremiah fanfic to help getting through these disturbing hiatus periods Showtime likes so much).
Anything could happen, I suppose!
no subject
*waves*
I think the series has potential, but overall I'm quite disappointed in it. I'm especially disappointed in what they've done with Theo. It feels to me like she's been gutted this season. She used to be strong, savage and unpredictable, now she's just annoying and sappy. She's made the transition from homicidal dictator to madonna much too quickly and smoothly.
I do like Smith though. My theory is that he's a telepath. There was an episode last season when the carnival kids were being kidnapped, remember that? And there were hints that there was some sort of children's cult that seemed to be paranormal - either some supernatural or psychic elements were hinted at. It's been a while so I don't remember details, but I do remember being really intrigued by the premise. Anyway, I think Smith is somehow tied in to that, that he's some sort of receiving telepath who's being controlled by the same forces that are involved with the cult, although I have no way of backing that up :-) But I do think he represents an intriguing new element. My biggest concern is that JMS has said that even if the show is renewed for a third season, he's leaving. I learned from my comic book days to follow the writers, not the titles, so the fact that he's leaving has me very worried.
Anyway, just wanted to let you know there's at least one more viewer!
Re: *waves*
A telepath, I hadn't considered that. I haven't rewatched most of season one so my memory of that carnival ep is kind of fuzzy. I'm not sure though telepathy could really explain all of Smith's uncanny insights. But I agree that it'd be sad if JMS left the show.