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« Dirty Sexy Money
Episode Recap: “The Lions”
What a fitting episode title for the second installment of Dirty Sexy Money. Truths were revealed and secrets were kept hidden a little longer. So much happened in this ep, I don’t even know where to start.
Some immediate highlights:
• The photo shoot as “rebranding the family as fresh, hip”.
• Patrick announcing his candidacy for the Senate based on his girlfriend’s suggestion.
• Tripp reciting William Wordsworth.
• Tripp speaking Swedish.
Fantastic lines:
Juliet: “I want to be normal size!”
Brian: “She’ll take you back if I have to shoot you at her out of a cannon.”
Nick to Daisy: “Tell me no one from the family called.”
Daisy to Nick: “No, just the lion wrangler.”
Tish: “We’re all capable of everything.”
One of the things I love most about the show is the father-and-son theme. Nick and Dutch. His relationship with Tripp is very much like father and son. Tripp and his sons, Brian and his, the list goes on. The different ways that Nick and Brian interact with Brian Jr. Even though Brian is unwelcoming to his son, Nick brings Brian Jr. into the family in the way he wanted Dutch to include him.
One of my favorite scenes was when Brian kicked the cab while talking about having lied to his wife and children on behalf of “Gustav, the Swedish orphan.” Later, Brian asked Nick, “What are you going to do about the kid?” I love that Brian. “God bless!” He may just be the most interesting of the Darling children. Showing his cruel side he lectured his son, “If it were up to me, you wouldn’t even be here,” alluding to something more than just not there at the rectory. “Just act Swedish.” Did we see a tiny glimmer of kindness from the bitter Brian when he sent the boy to bed? Perhaps he and Nick are half brothers? Or could it be that Tish and Dutch had two children, Brian and Nick, the other set of twins? Hmmm.
As for the actual twins, Jeremy and Juliet, I’m not sure if they are getting on my nerves or if they're cute and comic relief. Though I must admit, the idea that Jeremy was writing songs with JT cracked me up. And I find Karen a little one-dimensional. I’m waiting for her storyline to blossom.
Did anyone get the sense that the plane mechanic was paid to lead Nick down a particular road?
Nick showed his integrity by taking the subway to work for the wealthy. Then he got caught stealing Tripp’s journal and couldn’t quite lie about it to the maid who was quite matter-of-fact about her payment to keep quiet — $500. She’s got her own pricing system. Her whisper, about “med school” regarding the kind of college Dutch’s similar actions helped put her daughter through, cracked me up.
OK, so did Lisa have a job in the first show? They were living off his salary as basically a pubic defender; she must have worked. She’s definitely got nothing to do now, which makes sense since Nick was handed $10 million last week, yet they still remain in their relatively modest apartment. And she keeps telling Nick he shouldn’t be working for the Darlings. Wonder if she’ll be won over.
To get the heat off the boy, and perhaps to assuage his guilt, Nick admitted to stealing the journal. Tripp got remarkably upset when Nick accused him of perhaps killing Dutch. Tripp told Tish, “We’ll get through it, you, and me, and Nick,” (and perhaps by default, Dutch — the fifth Beatle, so to speak). I got the sense that Tripp is a deeply family-oriented man and is the glue that holds the family together. Tish seems like a grand manipulator and I wonder, is it her guilt or her grief speaking?
We learned who knew about Tish and Dutch’s affair and who didn’t. Tish admitted it started out as “a necessity and became a lifestyle.” How can she think Tripp didn’t know? Let’s call it denial. She told Nick, “Your father was my great love.”
The final scene when Nick returned Tripp’s journal was so moving and well crafted; Donald Sutherland is a master of subtlety. Tripp suggested the possible combination for the lock on Dutch’s briefcase, adding, “It’s Tish’s birthday.” I didn’t want that clasp to click. There was the pause as Nick thought about the consequences of it unlatching. I held my breath. It was heartbreaking when the combination worked and the shot of Tripp’s face, having to acknowledge the betrayal in a very real way. I had to go back and rewatch it because it was so emotional and played so beautifully.
Two down and I can’t wait for No. 3! But for now, our Online Video Guide will have to suffice.
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Oct 4, 2007 3:17 AM
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I also like this show. The part that had me cracking up was when Tripp spoke Swedish to Brian Jr. I'm still laughing at that But I was just waiting for one of them to say " He looks like Brian"....one can only wish.
I like the loyalty that Jeremy has with his twin Juliet. Jeremy not sleeping with her rival cause "she stole my bangs"...give me a break(that rivalry reminds me of Jessica from BB and her rival who stole $5 from her....idiotic)
Anyway I also think that Nick and Brian are half brothers. They just have to be.
But one thing I don't get. Since Tripp knows that their oldest son Patrick(I think he is the oldest) has a thing for transsexuals, why would they want to push him out into running for the Senate, knowing good and well that this well that this family secret will come out of the closet?
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Oct 4, 2007 4:33 AM
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Please Lizzybelle, no BB8 references, I am just about over my addiction. It was not pretty.
I gave this show another go and liked it better. I watch Life at an earlier time as I like that show too.
One thing I missed last week. How come the son dressed as a priest has a wife and kids. What exactly did I miss?
Thanks!
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Oct 4, 2007 4:46 AM
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First let me say this was a really good blog entry Paula.
Second, I love this show. I think Donald Sutherland adds layers with his mere presence which is sorely lacking with a lot of series.
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Oct 4, 2007 5:06 AM
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sorry nsgal, Im still getting over my BB addiction.
But to answer your question about Brian, the son who dresses as a priest....my guess is that he is either an Episcopalian or a Presbyterian Priest. And thats why he is married with children.
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Oct 4, 2007 5:37 AM
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Great episode. I realized I LOVE Donald Sutherland. The scene at the end when we find out for sure that Tripp knew about the affair... it was so beautifully done and it made me sad. You can see the love between Tish and Tripp and I can't wait to see how it all plays out. I too, can't decide if I am irritated or charmed by the twins.
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Oct 4, 2007 8:07 AM
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Whoops, posted it too soon...
The twins- I think maybe when we start to learn a litte more about them I might like them more. Right now, they really don't have any big stories so I don't know what to think yet. I look forward to this show and will continue watching.
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Oct 4, 2007 8:08 AM
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...Good morning...Great blog, Paula; what you say about the final scene, I agree; don't know why, but when the clasp finally clicks and Tripp closes his eyes, that got to me; I even cried a little...footbalfran: me too! last night I realized I love Donald Sutherland...
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Oct 4, 2007 9:33 AM
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Great blog entry! Thank you!
I really liked this episode. I felt so sorry for Brian's innocent son, who is so willing in his desire to be loved, and accepted, that he keeps on keeping on. Will Shadley - child actor portraying Brian Jnr. is a truly remarkable child.
I'm just wondering if Tish might in fact be the one who murdered Dutch - either directly or inadvertently? Who knows? I guess in time all will be revealed.
The twins are a complete bore to me, and I'm just wondering if the show would've been of greater substance if the characters of the twins were never created, and instead, greater focus placed on the other siblings' spouses and families - Brian's family; the Baldwin guy who is running for mayor family etc. I find the twins a complete distraction; a waste of time; and a BORING storyline to date!
Otherwise, really good episode.
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Oct 4, 2007 10:05 AM
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Love this show. Glad to have it. Hope it lasts. Kind of scared to like a new show the way they cancel so quickly.
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Oct 4, 2007 10:12 AM
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Great episode last night.
And why do I have a feeling that Brian, Jr. will end up being more of a part of Nick's family than Brian's family??
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Oct 4, 2007 10:37 AM
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Wow, I enjoyed the pilot episode, but I really liked this one. Donald Sutherland has played so many villain-type characters that I forgot he can really act. His reaction when that briefcase opened brought me back to the movie Ordinary People where his performance inspired so much empathy in me for his character. I also did not want the lock to click at that point of time. I was hoping it was Nick's birthday, but I am sure he would have tried that already.
I actually liked the twins better this episode. Well, more Jeremy than Juliet. He just cracked me up this week.
It was a bit ironic yet sweet that when Patrick's "girlfriend" gave him the advice to go for it, that will most assuredly spell the end of their relationship. Tripp was right though, things like this are like splinters and will inevitably want to get out.
I loved the entire family picture scene from beginning to end. How fitting that they could just put some random girl in Juliet's place without the family really noticing the difference at first (or really caring for that matter.)
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Oct 4, 2007 10:57 AM
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Hi again Shannonm93 (I gave you a shout-out on the Pushing Daisies blog) - And why do I have a feeling that Brian, Jr. will end up being more of a part of Nick's family than Brian's family??
I thought that initially, but I am reconsidering seeing how much Brian has already softened towards Brian Jr. I actually thought at first that Nick would take care of Brian Jr, then Brian would end up adoring the kid and resenting Nick (again) for also "taking" that from him.
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Oct 4, 2007 11:06 AM
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I really love this show, and it's cast, though I could do without the twins, at least for now. Young, spoiled, clueless? But then it does add to the comic relief. Nobody noticed a stranger in the midst of the family photo shoot? Preoccupied bunch you think?
I thought Tripp didn't know, or admit to himself, that Dutch and his wife were having an affair. I thought when he went out to the balcony and she later thanked him for coming after her that he was wondering whether there was a relationship, and when he mentioned her birthdate and hoped it wouldn't open, as did all of us and Nick as well, THEN he showed there was no longer reasonable doubt.
I HOPE there's another villian in the story, other than one of the family, because wow are they ever on top of my watch list. Fantastic show, terrific acting, and lordy what's going to happen next!!
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Oct 4, 2007 11:40 AM
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I agree 1,000% with what you said in the blog about the final scene with the combination on the briefcase and Tripp's reaction - heartwrenching!
After the first episode, I thought that Nick was probably a product of the affair between Dutch and Tish, but if that is true, then he slept with his half-sister years ago (Karen), and I don't believe they would do that on the show. Also, if Tish gave birth to Nick, wouldn't he have been raised as a Darling? Yet I still feel like he is a Darling; I just can't figure out how, LOL!
And I agree that the airplane mechanic wasn't to be trusted!
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Oct 4, 2007 12:22 PM
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