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July 8, 2007: Pants on Fire
I don’t know how everyone else feels, but I’ve always been an April fan. It’s been like a look at the bizarro Diana. Of course, now she’s more like Diana-lite — or the female Gary Navarro (Sharif Atkins’ character, who could read minds and was therefore hired by the government). Yes, it was a little like a rehash of that second-season episode, but it seems in keeping with the cyclical nature of this season in the context of the larger mythology of the show.
It certainly seems convenient that all of our main characters’ loved ones who’ve taken the shot develop abilities instead of dying (as 50 percent are supposed to), but it’s to be expected. In terms of abilities, April sure developed a convenient one. OK, maybe not convenient considering it got her boyfriend killed, but if she can prevent murders by getting corporate bigwigs to confess to hiring hit men to kill whistle-blowers, she’s at least contributing positively to society.
Even though we knew it was coming, it was still a relief to hear that our other Skouris girl would be staying in Seattle. I’m a little uncertain as to her situation with Ben (is Maia ever wrong?), but I wouldn’t be crushed if they didn’t stay together.
But let’s consider the Baldwin family’s side to this episode. Shawn is going to run for city council and seems to have the makings of an excellent politician, and his stand puts him on the same side of the Promicin battle as his uncle. At the same time, Kyle is hiding Isabelle while becoming a fierce defender of Collier’s policies. Are Isabelle and Collier on the same side now? Or is this one of those “the enemy of my enemy is my friend” kind of things? I have to admit that I found it surprising that Kyle wouldn’t want his father to take the shot. It’s understandable that he wouldn’t want Tom to be in that other 50 percent of takers, but he’s seemed so adamant about his mission that I guess I thought he would go for it without hesitation.
Here’s something to ponder for next week (pretend you hear that scary truth-telling sound): If you could have April’s power, would you use it for personal gain?
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Jul 8, 2007 10:34 PM
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If I had her power, I'd probably use it for personal gain, provided I could do so without anyone else being harmed. If I had to let a crime take place or let a crime go unpunished - I'd like to think I wouldn't.
As for Kyle's reaction to his Dad being on the list - I wasn't so sure that he was against his Dad taking the promicin out of fear for his death or because Kyle thinks it would be "wrong" for Tom to take it, but more that he knows how much his Dad is against taking it and he's either not sure his Dad will, or he's concerned about what it will take to get him to do so. I don't think Kyle wants to see his dad forced into it.
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Jul 8, 2007 11:32 PM
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First episode this season! (Or at least that's the way I wish to think of it!)
Glad to see an episode with mostly all familiar faces. I don't want to see an "extra crispy" unless it's Kevin, Kyle, April, or Tom(???)
April is a "human truth serum"... similar enough to Gary Navaro's power, except that she has to ask the questions, and the answers are out loud.
Is Maia ever wrong? She hasn't had much of anything to say this season at all (like 6 words total).
Is Isabelle telling the truth? Or are Cassie and her working together to manipulaye Kyle? How convenient Tom's name was on that indecipherable list.
I'm not sure I love Kyle and Shawn not being buddies anymore. We'll have to see how Jordan's entrance will affect that relationship.
What is NTAC's deal this season? I could not care any less about Meghan or her father. In fact, NTAC seems to have no "balls" this season. We need a Nina or Ryland to kick ass over there.
Can't wait until next week!
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Jul 8, 2007 11:34 PM
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I thought this ep better than the previous ones this season.
I have always been a big fan of Natasha Gregson-Wagner so I was glad to see her back. (It's not so much that she's a super great actress, but I always liked her mother, so I'm biased!) I've seen her in better roles than this, but maybe she's going to get better with her role with NTAC.
I agree that NTAC is poopy this season.
And as for Kyle's Promicin ability? What is it exactly? That women can bend him to their will????? Dumb, so far.
Anyway, kudos for a better episode, but it's still not up to par.
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Jul 9, 2007 12:01 AM
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Not sure if I believe Isabelle about how she broke the code and if Tom's name is truly on the list. She may be playing helpless while she's regaining her powers.
Buh-bye Ben, don't let the doorknob hit ya. Maybe he can take the shot and be the one sigificant other of a regular who dies from it - that would make his character useful for a few seconds.
Cassie was strangely quiet tonight. You'd think she'd be pushing Kyle and Isabelle on translating the book.
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Jul 9, 2007 12:05 AM
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I could be wrong, but didn't she say last week that she wouldn't bother him again if he went to that particular address..where the accident happened?
If so, then hopefully she is gone.
Oh, and I forgot, about your question, Leah. Heck yeah, I'd use it. What mother wouldn't????
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Jul 9, 2007 12:15 AM
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She said she wouldn't bother him again if he decided NOT to go. But he did, so she'll be back.
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Jul 9, 2007 1:54 AM
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Yeah I would defiantly would want April's power. Out of all the promicin induced powers....this is the only one I would consider taking.
I do have to agree that NTAC is starting to get lame this season. I think if they did have Ryland back it would add some of the orginal spice as it did during the first season.
I cracked up when April asked Tom if he had any feelings towards Diana...and he did.
Im thinking Cassie and Isabelle are working together. They have to be. How else Isabelle could decipher that book in the first place.
And when will Richard be back?
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Jul 9, 2007 3:16 AM
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Plus this is just a random question......will there be an Eureka blog here? Please tell me yes.
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Jul 9, 2007 3:18 AM
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I have no recollection of what Ben does, but if he can do it in Spain or France, why can't he do it in Seattle...? Real people (in love) would make it work, even if it meant finding a new job. Right...?
Seriously, does anyone really want Ben to stay on the show?
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Jul 9, 2007 10:20 AM
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I believe Ben's an artist. And yeah, I imagine he could do that anywhere.
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Jul 9, 2007 10:27 AM
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I don't care about Ben. I want the original characters and storylines back.
Small amount of posters here today. Is that indicative of lack of viewers??
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Jul 9, 2007 11:00 AM
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I was never crazy about the Diana/Ben storyline. I always liked her with Marco and the workplace relationship dynamic, but the writers pretty much threw that relationship out the window. I have a feeling that the writers will keep D & Ben together (even long distance) because of Maia's prediction last season.
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Jul 9, 2007 11:23 AM
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Put my name on the list for a Eureka blog. That show is hilarious, and Colin Ferguson is so great!
As for The 4400, I could do without Ben, too, but I also think they're going to keep him around. They'll probably break up for a while, only to get back together and marry, per Maia's prediction, toward the end of the series.
As for April's power, I was a little confused by it. It seemed as though when she asked only certain questions to people, they had to tell the truth. Other times when she asked a question, it didn't seem to affect the person she was asking. I got annoyed real quickly with the truthtelling sound and the characters looking at the camera. While I really like the show and have been watching it from the beginning, I thought this storyline was a bit weak.
The better story, I felt, dealt with Kyle and Shawn. Will be real interesting now that they're on different sides of the fence. And when are we gonna see Jordan again?
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Jul 9, 2007 12:28 PM
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I must be in the minority here, I like Ben with Diana. He is not involved in the whole 4400 stuff so she can have a safe haven. Her daughter, sister and co-worker/best friend are all neck deep in that stuff. Love Tom but look how he is suffering over the Alana disappearance, his son and nephew.
NTAC is very tame this season, strange. Isabelle, not sure what is going on with her at all. On the one hand I want to believe she is changing but on the other, how did she translate the book's code? I am thinking the book came from the future and somehow wound up in the past. She is from the future for all intents and purposes so I guess it isn't a stretch. Yeah where is Richard, I miss him!
Heck yeah,I would use the truth serum ability for personal gain. But the one thing to remember with that is - don't ask a question you really don't want to hear the answer to.
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Jul 9, 2007 12:35 PM
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