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Episode Recap: "Go Your Own Way"
Tonight in Swingtown, those dirty, dirty Deckers are having a party to raise money for the legal defense of Harry Reems, the real-life star of the adult film Deep Throat, who is being prosecuted by the Nixon Administration -- in an effort to distract the public from the Watergate scandal, says Sexy Bunny Lady Lawyer Sylvia (the vibrant Erin Daniels, who played Dana on The L Word). Susan unwittingly accepts the invite to Trina's party, unfamiliar as she is with Mr. Reems' oeuvre. Once the cat is out of the bag, though, courtesy a nude cardboard cut-out of Reems -- with detachable "censored" black bars -- Susan wrestles with the same issues we all do when it comes to pornography and censorship, and eventually decides to both see the film in question and go to the party anyway, whether Bruce likes it or not.
Bruce's reaction to Susan's act of defiance is probably the most interesting revelation of the episode. Repeating a theme of the show, Bruce seems more than willing to explore swinging, and all its implications, but he most definitely wants to do it in private, where it's hidden from public eyes. Just like Susan's wallpaper graffiti. I have to admit that I find the see-sawing openness of the Millers to be a tad annoying. One week Bruce is pushing Susan into a group shower at the cabin, and the next he forbids his wife to go to a party because "it's pornography." More significantly, Bruce bristles at the idea that Susan has "all these opinions," and is making choices, a theme presented with the added political weight of the abortion debate.
Oh, my stars! Janet left her Tupperware at home and went to the porno party as well! To support Susan, she says, but it's clear that her pot-induced breakthrough is having residual effects. She attempts to appear shocked and disgusted, but ends up getting charmed by Reems, and she and Roger have a nice moment where they semi-admit that they enjoyed the film. Later at home, inspired by the evening's screening, they get down to replicating its major themes.
B.J. and Rollergirl continued their sweet flirtation tonight, which includes her infatuation with Olympic gymnast Nadia Comaneci, and Nadia's mother, who must be better than her own blowsy mama, who shows up tonight to flirt awkwardly with Reems ("Linda Lovelace didn't exactly invent that move, you know," she slurs at him). Tonight's "'Tween Time in Swingtown" vignette culminates in B.J. presenting Rollergirl with her own 10.0, and I have to admit that my heart grew three sizes upon seeing B.J.'s toothy grin and the momentary joy it brought to the damaged Rollergirl's face.
Meanwhile, Laurie continued her semi-chaste affair with her hottie summer school teacher Mr. Stephens, capturing the attention of her boorish ex Logan, who attempts to blackmail Laurie into reconciling. Instead of taking the bait, though, she takes a page from her mother's book and doesn't allow a man to make her choices for her. By the end of the episode, as Helen Reddy's feminist anthem "I Am Woman" swells on the soundtrack, the two Miller women share a moment of sweet victory. "Way to go, Mom," Laurie says when she finds out that Susan went to the party. And Molly Parker's sunny face breaks into the most complicated and satisfying of smiles, conveying the pride she feels both in her daughter's admiration -- and in herself.
A sidenote: Last week, I made a goofy, juvenile plea for Swingtown's characters to just GET IT ON already. I understand that some of you might have interpreted that to mean that I am a rube who has completely misunderstood the point of the show.
So let me explain.
First of all, I am a rube.
Secondly, I get that Swingtown isn't about sex, it's about freedom, and how tasting new freedoms affects these characters, in particular our shiny protagonists Susan and Bruce Miller. And so far, it has basically been an interesting journey. I do really like the show. I think the way it incorporates changing gender roles and the political context of the 1970s, for example, is innovative, definitely not your usual ironic, oh-dear-look-at-how-big-the-collars-are kind of tired nostalgia (see: That '70s Show).
That said, here's what I should have written instead. I think that Swingtown might pack more of a punch, might have more of an electric charge, if the Millers were more actively engaged in the swinger culture that the Deckers embrace so lustily. It's then that we'd really see, in a much more dramatic fashion, how their characters develop. Maybe I'm just being impatient (and maybe a little bit pervy too), but I think the sooner Swingtown pushes its little baby birds out of the nest of monogamy and definitively into the big, scary world of swinging, the sooner the show will truly become the summer fun we all want it to be.
(Also: I know a lot of big words, but meh sometimes just works.)
Next week: There's an auction, at which Janet (sporting a sassy new hairdo) writes a check that Roger can't cash because… he's been fired!
How did you like "Go Your Own Way"? And do you agree with me that more swinging might ultimately make for better drama?
Watch full episodes of Swingtown in our Online Video Guide
Purchase selections from tonight's soundtrack at Last.fm
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Jul 4, 2008 2:18 AM
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Helen Reddy sang "I am Woman" not Anne Murray
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Jul 4, 2008 8:32 AM
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Thank you, lllwolf. Confusing those two woman, let alone their voices, wow.
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Jul 4, 2008 8:44 AM
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I didn't start watching this show at first. But last weekend, I noticed it was available in the On Demand menu so I checked it out. I ended up watching all of the episodes in one sitting.
I actually think this is a pretty good show. I *love* the music and also like the characters - well, for the most part. Bruce is irritating. I agree with you about your comments of it's okay when it is his idea to cross the line, but when his wife wants to on her own volition that's a different story. It's like he wants her to embrace this swinger lifestyle, but doesn't want to accept any of the repercussions that may come along with it - including no dinner on the table because your wife is at a theatre watching Deep Throat!
Outside of Bruce and tired storyline with Roller Girl and her mother, I think this is a good show. Not sure how the ratings for it are faring, but I hope CBS will at least give it a chance to find its viewership.
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Jul 4, 2008 9:04 AM
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I am a fan of Swingtown mainly becuase it's a mildly interesting show compared to other summer shows and it passes the time during the week. I think the next weeks episodes and afterwards will be really interesting. I read someplace that many of the characters have secrets that will start forming next week and come out in future episodes.
My only dislike is the storyline with Laurie and her teacher. Laurie reminds me of the modern teenager that wants to grow up so fast and wants be act & treated like an adult. Yet, forgetting that they can't handle adulthood before their time. Isn't she like 16-17 years old?
I have a feeling that Laurie's relationship will get out (Logan will not tell b/c he loves her) but someone will walk in on an intimate moment. Or the teacher will show his true colors and has a thing for messing around with his students.
I just hope this show starts to improve in it's storyline becuase at times the previews are more exciting than the show.
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Jul 4, 2008 10:34 AM
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I love this show! I too saw this show for the first time last week and immediately watched all of the other episodes on demand. I think it's interesting how much they are "getting away with" on network TV. It would be great on cable but it's so much more subtle and about character on network TV.
I loved That 70s Show too but totally agree that this is a more accurate view of the 70s. I was born in 1970 and this show is the view I saw of what "life would be like when I grew up" minus the swinging. My parents had astrays from the Playboy club and now I wonder if they actually bought them or went? Now I want to know. Deep Throat was the first porn movie I ever saw (at too young of an age I must say- a teen at least- it was left at my friend's house and we secretly watched it after school one day). We just giggled and thought it was gross. I thought grown up life was going to be all about disco and cool clothes.
This show is really great to me for that reason. I feel I can relate to it.
I hope it stays around.
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Jul 4, 2008 10:54 AM
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I looove this show. Even what could have been potentially a 2-dimensional character like Janet is written with interesting complexity. Trina totally rocks. I find myself agreeing with almost everything she says, and she easily could have been written as scheming and manipulative. My wife was even saying that she can't remember the last time she saw a show in which a woman was in charge of her opinions and sexuality and not somehow portrayed as 'bitchy' or punished in some way.
I still disagree with the blogger about the Millers. It's waay more realistic that people opening up for the first time aren't just going to immerse themselves in the lifestyle and suddenly become wild and crazy. There are going to be speedbumps. It's obvious Bruce doesn't get the broader implications of an open marriage - he just saw it as fun, whereas Susan gets that this lifestyle is part of a broader opening up of her role as a woman in society. So it makes total sense that there would be inconsistencies. And as we see with Trina and her hubbie, open relationships still require work and are subject to the same fears and jealousies. The difference is that they actually talk about them (gasp!).
Even the bit with Laurie and her jealous ex. That scene did not got where I expected to. Even though I love the show, I hope we get a nice resolution at the end of these episodes, because I would prefer it as a 'miniseries' - I just think that subsequent seasons would just water things down and eventually take the show into cliche 'dramatic' territory. It would be sooo easy. Thus far the writers have skillfully avoided that. I hope it keeps up. This is my favorite adult drama in a long time that did not involve some sci-fi or fantasy element.
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Jul 4, 2008 12:08 PM
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Oops, Helen Reddy! Thanks, guys -- fixed!
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Jul 4, 2008 12:31 PM
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B.J. presenting Rollergirl with her own 10.0, and I have to admit that my heart grew three sizes upon seeing B.J.'s toothy grin and the momentary joy it brought to the damaged Rollergirl's face.
Wow, me too; what a nice touch. Whenever I wonder (or my wife asks) why I watch so much TV, I usually don't have a good answer, but it really boils down for me to moments. Moments where your eyes water up, where you have to swallow hard, or you're so surprised you have to watch it again. That one qualified on all counts. What a nice moment. It made the whole hour worthwhile. Way to go, Swingtown.
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Jul 4, 2008 3:36 PM
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Swinging is certianly one of the most fascinating topics of our (any) generation. It pushes the envelope with regards to conventional marriage vows where it would seem to make more sense for couples to re-marry and restate a new set of marriage vows so all guilt is removed. This way they can redefine their "mission statement" as to what their marriage is about. This is not necessarily a bad thing since I happen to beleive conventional marriages allow the other person to own our sexuality which seems to be an unspoken condition, if not the sole reason they got married in the first place. I think marriage should be more than just the unspoken notion that our spouses own each others sexuality when in fact it is, or should be a personal individuals choice to make in life.
But the most fascinating thing of all is that once fidelity is no longer the cornerstone of the marriage; they have to redefine what the congealing forces are and what keeps them together. Of course some of us could never love someone that has the desire and gumption to be with another person. We might be able to deal with them having desires for someone else but that is as far as some of us can go.
There comes a time when any would-be swingers have to decide when and if they are going to cross that line and should do so having a good idea as to why they are doing it. It shouldn't be like "two-orphans-in-storm", the way some of these characters are depicted. What we are missing in the show is the reasons aside from the desire to be intimate with other people; this is natural by the way, in spite of what we would like to believe. Is it because they feel sexual desire and chemistry, or is it because they feel a deep affection or a love for the other person (trouble). Or perhaps it's just the idea it's fun and exciting to be with someone new; which it is by the way.
I would like the show to reveal why the various characters personally believe the idea of an open marriage is a good one since this too is a very individualistic choice to make and there-in lies the fascination, at least for me. The human psychology in dealing with this matters is utterly and eternally fascinating since it reveals so much about ourselves when we see others deal with such matters firsthand.
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Jul 5, 2008 11:27 PM
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I see it more as a very specific piece of the arc from the so-called repressive 1950s, to the free love communitarian challenge to convention in the 1960s, to the hedonistic selfish recklessness of the 1970s, ending in the repercussions and consequences of the 1980s. Well maybe not ending, but there certainly was a swing back in the opposite direction once the reassessment began.
Regarding the Nixon Administration prosecuting Harry Reems, if we've just celebrated the Bicentennial, Nixon has been out of office a couple years.
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Jul 6, 2008 1:51 PM
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Harry Reems was arrested for conspiracy to distribute obscenity across state lines a month before Nixon broke down and resigned. The trials leading to his conviction and its subsequent overturn on appeal lasted through 1977. What they did get wrong was that he supposedly only got paid $100 for his work, not $250.
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Jul 6, 2008 9:00 PM
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Another good episode. Count me as a fan of the 10.0 scene. Very touching indeed.
I loved Susan stepping up and going to see that movie, and telling Janet that no one was concerned with her when she told her. Loved Janet making friends with Harry and having him invite her to the basement! And she looked tempted.
tristram and peepee make some great points about swinging and the lifestyle and relationships. I too hope they tell why they have dived into this scene.
LOL to Janet dropping the tuperware containing the tomato soup and all the ladies gasping. I loved the reminder of the introduction of their handy little products.
And good for Janet and Roger getting it on in their kitchen, and not on a Friday.
And finally, Mickey (it is you doing the recap right?) I just thought "you horndog" when I read your comment about getting it on already. I believe that is the phrase we used back in the late 70's early 80's to describe the likes of you!
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Jul 7, 2008 5:42 PM
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peepee, these are all good questions , and I would be SO happy if the show actually explored them, but I'm not sure they'd spend all that time philosophizing about open marriages. The Millers have obviously been caught up in something and haven't thought it all the way through yet - they're just acting on impulse, as opposed to makign a conscious choice like Trina and her hubbie have done. Trina's comments reveal the most about the reasoning behind it. Though I just hope it's not a situation in which she's convinced herself this is good for her because it's the only way to keep her husband.
I think we're already getting a sense of the implications of the 'swinging' lifestyle, as evidenced by Susan's continuing 'liberation,' so let's hope they'll be able to explore the reasoning further.
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Jul 8, 2008 2:35 PM
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