(although there are subplots involving some very trite cases Mantegna's Will Girardi must solve)
Okay, this I'll agree with. So far the cop subplots have been downright pedestrian.
Instead, we get the Old Testament Jehovah: full of commands, vengeful, and capricious (thus the small-town crimes Mantegna tackles).
I think this is the crux of the matter; he's interpreting the show differently than the rest of us. The many variations of God have repeatedly emphasized free will and that Joan has a choice. Hell, it was done at least twice just last night. The fact that God keeps reminding her of what he'd like her to be doing is not commanding or vengeful. It's just annoying and it makes Joan feel a sense of obligation. And considering its God, that's pretty assuredly the intended effect.
Joan of Arcadia soothes its audience by having it identify with Joan -- the logic therefore being, you're special, you can make a difference -- without asking people to make any real sacrifices or take any real chances, which is what lay-people call illogical and what believers call a leap of faith.
And exactly what other show makes people make sacrifices or take chances? Because this is entertainment and if that's the new meausring stick then every show on TV is in trouble.
Yeah, not a wonderful review, is it? The author seems to ignore the fact that TV can be used to make a statement about the human condition without needing to incite action. Hell, it's a necessarily commercial enterprise in the first place! He should be happy that even a few shows can raise the level of discourse and actually say something, rather than just reveling in the muck of humanity like the interminable gross-out reality crap that's shoved in our faces.
But this was interesting: Hall seems to have a thing about judgment
I never made the connection between the two shows, actually. They don't seem that similar in the way that CSI and WaT and CC do. Which is probably a good thing since JA is getting pretty damn annoying, whenever I catch it, at least.
no subject
Okay, this I'll agree with. So far the cop subplots have been downright pedestrian.
Instead, we get the Old Testament Jehovah: full of commands, vengeful, and capricious (thus the small-town crimes Mantegna tackles).
I think this is the crux of the matter; he's interpreting the show differently than the rest of us. The many variations of God have repeatedly emphasized free will and that Joan has a choice. Hell, it was done at least twice just last night. The fact that God keeps reminding her of what he'd like her to be doing is not commanding or vengeful. It's just annoying and it makes Joan feel a sense of obligation. And considering its God, that's pretty assuredly the intended effect.
Joan of Arcadia soothes its audience by having it identify with Joan -- the logic therefore being, you're special, you can make a difference -- without asking people to make any real sacrifices or take any real chances, which is what lay-people call illogical and what believers call a leap of faith.
And exactly what other show makes people make sacrifices or take chances? Because this is entertainment and if that's the new meausring stick then every show on TV is in trouble.
Yeah, not a wonderful review, is it? The author seems to ignore the fact that TV can be used to make a statement about the human condition without needing to incite action. Hell, it's a necessarily commercial enterprise in the first place! He should be happy that even a few shows can raise the level of discourse and actually say something, rather than just reveling in the muck of humanity like the interminable gross-out reality crap that's shoved in our faces.
But this was interesting:
Hall seems to have a thing about judgment
I never made the connection between the two shows, actually. They don't seem that similar in the way that CSI and WaT and CC do. Which is probably a good thing since JA is getting pretty damn annoying, whenever I catch it, at least.
Thanks for posting this! It is much appreciated.