In This Section
|
« Day Break
December 13, 2006: You Brought My Family into It. I'm Just Playing Along!
I hate to sound like a broken record in my praise of Day Break, but almost every episode has been better than the one before it, and tonight’s was no exception. So much happened that I was amazed the writers managed to cover all this territory in the span of an hour.
Let’s start off with easily the biggest plot twist of the night: Brett’s mild-mannered sister Jennifer is somehow involved with the conspiracy, too. When I saw Chad get gunned down the second time around, and it revealed that Jennifer was the assassin, I was sure that she couldn’t possibly be acting of her own will. In other words, I had a really hard time believing something as out-of-the-blue as the revelation that she’s really moustache-twirling evil. I thought that I could see her crying as she iced him, and my suspicions were proven correct when the real criminal mastermind — the boss of shadowy guy (who we now know is named Detweiler) — threatened her in his car. Clearly she’s being manipulated into doing the dirty deeds of the conspiracy. But why her? What leverage do they have on her?
Although they’ve done some variations on it in the past, this episode was also the first real time that they’ve pulled the Groundhog Day trick of editing the show so that Hopper speeds through the things he already knows (like getting from busting up Damien’s little birthday with family to finding the photo at the church). Or having Hopper handle the same situation in vastly different ways: First he punches Detweiler as soon as he opens the door, only to find his wife packing a freakin’ shotgun. Immediately cut to him on the next day, acting a bit more diplomatic.
I really liked the way the trail of clues for Isabella’s murder made sense and were easy to follow; but at the same time, Hopper’s investigation always finds interesting ways to exploit the fact that he can redo the same day over and over again. The stuff with Isabella’s mom was a bit creepy, as she insists that her daughter is still alive and well. Maybe I’m just being naive, but I can’t believe this woman is so crazy that she’s imagining her daughter living in her house. I don’t think the writers would drop such an interesting plot development just for the sake of making her character kookier. There’s got to be more here than what we learn in this episode. I hope.
On the other hand, I thought the visit to the church with the Spanish-speaking nun was the only part of the episode that felt forced to me. I guess I just get annoyed whenever a character in a television show or a movie is assumed to be so incredibly wise that they can know everything about a person and make such Yoda-like declarations as “It’s not her soul that he seeks.” On the other hand, I liked the subtle moment when Brett Hopper is staring at the crucifix in church. Although the show doesn’t need to explain it, I think Hopper is wondering if maybe a higher power is the one responsible for the time repeating, and if so, why. The episode doesn’t stop to have Brett ask these questions out loud, but maybe it’s better that way: Something this strange probably works best as just an unsolved spiritual mystery (just like how Groundhog Day also never thought to provide an explanation).
This episode also came up with a number of great ways to violently murder people, including the clever ‘paint the windshield and grenade the car’ method of choice for eliminating Damien. Nice reversal in the end, having him catch the assassins and return the favor. Or the horrific fate that Detweiler is subjected to in the end: being buried alive under a dump truck full of dirt. And apparently, he’s killed just to show Jennifer that the Mastermind means business!
Which brings me back to the most important question of all: What is the central aim of this conspiracy? Even Hopper’s willingness to confess to Garza’s murder and turn over all the evidence to them isn’t nearly enough to make them stop their plans. Likewise, Detweiler is so afraid of them that Hopper's sticking a gun in his face doesn’t faze him at all. What could these shadow guys possibly be up to? That’s the mystery which drives all of the other smaller ones, and so far, I’m stumped to explain it.
|
TVGuide Links:
|
|
|
|
Dec 13, 2006 10:43 PM
|
Great job, Jack! This episode really blew me away, too. I can't believe they were able to pack 6 whole days in to an hour.
The day is still changing on Brett. Things are happening that have never happened before. Chad gets killed, Jennifer is the shooter, Damien got killed. And somehow ALL the disparate threads are involved in the conspiracy. Brett realizes that stealing the book from Chad makes things worse. So has he learned all that he needed to from the Murder book so he can just leave it in Chad's car from here on out? We know who Isabella is, and finding her led to finding Detweiler, but we still don't know the WHY of her murder. And how the conspirators zeroed in on Brett and his family, and how Garza found out about all this in the first place and why he was killed. One thing though, Jennifer got the message of how serious this all is (borrowing a phrase from the hostage episode). She understands these folks mean business. It would seem they are the ones responsible for the bruises on her arms, don't you think? Oh, is it possible that Jennifer was the one who killed Garza? Is that why she left all those phone hangups on his answering machine?
Apparently, Brett's gunshot wound is pretty much healed, because the morning he stayed with Rita, she didn't seem to notice anything. That was a really nice scene, and totally understandable that he would take time to spend with her, considering the insanity he's reliving over and over.
Another thing we saw, is that Andrea is still getting Eddie to a rehab center, so that change seems to be sticking to the day. I wonder what other changes are happening that will stick to aid Brett in ending this day.
Just curious, is anyone out there keeping count of how many times he's relived the day so far?
|
|
Dec 14, 2006 7:19 AM
|
Great episode indeed....
Questions:
1. Wasnt those guys the detectives looking for hopper, inside the car with the sister?
2. watever happened to IA's case against Andrea, it looked pretty bad when the show started, but now it seems to be nothing?
3. Are they really going to cancel the show without letting us see the end?
|
|
Dec 14, 2006 7:48 AM
|
In the car when, kingkrims? Whenshe saw Detweiler get killed? I only saw the creepy dude and we don't know who that is. it definitely wasn't the cops.
A couple of episodes ago when we saw Andrea's boyfriend Eddie, Andrea had had decided to take Eddie to rehab and told Hopper that she decided to come clean about what went down and let the chips fall where they may. I assume that since we heard last night that on this version of the day she took Eddie to rehab, she will also decide to tell IA the truth, but Chad cancelled their meeting (remember, one of the conspiracy henchmen had come out of Chad's office hen Andrea had gotten there for the meeting. The henchman was on his cell phone saying that Chad lost the Murder book).
I really am hoping they let the show play out, but if they don't, I think they'll show the rest of the episodes online. i'm happy when I see scenes for the following week.
Jack, any word on how the ratings were for last night's episode?
|
|
Dec 14, 2006 10:00 AM
|
|
This show is terrific! Quite frankly I don't have high hopes for it continuing, but it will be a great example of the limited run series idea that has been floating around out there for awhile. 13 weeks from beginning to end with a complete story told.
|
|
Dec 14, 2006 10:29 AM
|
The only thing that kept going through my mind at the conclusion of this episode was, WOW! That was a great show!
I appreciated the fast-forwarding of Hopper's knowledge because it kept the key elements in place without jumbling up the viewers' memories of what's gone down before, too. This way, we're on the same page as Hopper instead of trying to connect dots we may or may not remember.
Do we all agree the conspiracy has something to do with Hopper's Dad?
And they didn't drop the IA stuff with Andrea - she had a meeting that got cancelled, and on the subsequent days, it wasn't important to follow up on that to get tonight's very important answsers. I'm sure we'll revist that next week.
Ditto on the ratings - anyone know how we did last night? LadyK2000 has it right - this show is a GREAT example of a limited run series telling a complete story. ABC should sit up and take notice ... as should everyone else.
|
|
Dec 14, 2006 10:40 AM
|
I agree with you wholeheartedly, Jack. This is a great show and the only thing I can think of that has kept if from getting more recognition is that Lost fans are pissed at ABC for taking off their show for so long. I also love Lost, and can't wait for its return, but am loving Day Break while it lasts. What's the official word? Will it be moved to the web in three weeks, or will they move it to the 10pm hour for the completion of its run? Hopefully the latter, but this will be one show I will follow wherever it goes to finish the story.
As for the person threatening Jennifer in the car at the end, that was not Detweiler, who was being buried under sand at that moment. I think that is the first time we've seen that character so far, and can't recall the actors name, but I remember him as the district attorney in the first season of Joan of Arcadia.
|
|
Dec 14, 2006 10:55 AM
|
|
I think that they needed Isabella’s mother to be in her own time loop in order for Hopper to find the box of matches box five years later and have this clue point to Detweiler. I suspecting that Hopper will have to come back for those earrings later.
|
|
Dec 14, 2006 10:58 AM
|
This was a really good episode! And they do keep getting better and better each week.
I just wanted to let everyone know, that maybe if we all go to abc.com and write them a quick note saying we all love the show and we don't want it to go off the air, maybe they'll keep it on till the end if they get enough people to write in.
All's you have to do is go to the "Day Break" page, and go to the bottom to the FAQ's, click on that and the first question is "How do I contact the ABC TV network?" Click on that, then click on "audience relations dept." then just fill in the quick form. I already did it yesterday and they sent me an email back just saying "we received your comment, and we can't write everyone back, but we appreciate your interest in abc...etc. etc."
Anyway, I think it's worth a try!
|
|
Dec 14, 2006 12:17 PM
|
|
What a great show needs to run it's course so ABC keep it on the air for the last 5 weeks.
|
|
Dec 14, 2006 1:23 PM
|
|
I think they had the mother be crazy/living in denial just as a means to justify having the jane does room be in pretty much the same condition as it was 15 years ago so that Hopper could find the clues he needs to further his investigation. If the lady was right in the head she would have thrown away stuff like the matchbook years ago.
|
|
Dec 14, 2006 2:30 PM
|
Wow. I put a lot of stuff in this ep. I didn't even realize that was Hopper's sister at first doing the shooting of Chad. That was shocking.
I like how Hopper is figuring out how to make the best of things in his actions. He now knows that stealing the murder book will cause quite a few deaths. As everyone else, I do think Hopper's father is the key. Something about that old case set all this up.
Good point tjj50 about Jennifer's bruises. They very well could be from the bad guys and not her husband. Hopper may have thrown the poor guy through the glass for nothing on one of those days. I love how this blog makes me think of different angles. Good eyes everyone.
Isabella's mother is probably suffering from dementia or Alzheimer's (sp?). My grandmother had dementia and she would think she was back in her college days. So that could explain the mother's condition or it could be as simple as she is blocking that event from her memory.
I must say that the deaths in the ep were shocking. Chad getting gunned down and the guy getting blown up by a grenade. And then the gang leader guns them down before he could get killed. And then in the end where the bad guy gets covered in sand. What a way to go there! Shocking stuff.
I don't think they will go back to the Andrea IA case. We already pretty much know what she did in that situation. That it was all for her boyfriend. The show doesn't need to delve into it anymore.
I have been very entertained by this show. It's got good twists and turns. FYI, the ratings were not good this week. They were down even more than the last 2 weeks. I have a bad feeling that the last few episodes will be shown online and not over the air. That's too bad.
|
|
Dec 14, 2006 3:18 PM
|
ABC has no idea what a great show they have in Daybreak! Last night's episode was excellent. Fast paced and jam packed.
I agree the father figures into the conspiracy somehow. But I also wonder how the gang and the skinheads along with Garza figure into a young woman's murder. I got the feeling from Daetwiler's parting comment that he along with the henchmen were reliving parts of the day too. Or at least are aware of it. Was it just me?
I am about to send ABC an email about the show.
|
|
Dec 14, 2006 3:44 PM
|
|
I forgot to say. Great shout out to Asia last night. They have gotten a lot of play recently in movies and TV shows. Since John Wetton is back with the group, an Asia resurgence is coming!!
|
|
Dec 14, 2006 4:08 PM
|
that asia moment had me chuckling. I mean I was thinking to myself "oh the typical music that no one likes scene", then it played out long enough for me to still chuckle at it
kinda bummed that this show isnt doing well. I felt like if it did better and ABC threw some more money at it, it could end up like a second 24. The twists are all that crazy (exept when andrea woke up and did something different), still I'm inerested in teh show and the plot. I also enjoy that the show STILL deals with actions vs consequences regarding what Hopper does. Just like the pilot stated "action...consequence.."
the show isnt for everyone, but I kinda wish it wasnt failing so badly to connect. the fact thta its limited run ahd me excited the first few days that I might get a little mini season of this every year. I was REALLY curious how theyd set up a second season.
|
|
Dec 14, 2006 7:01 PM
|
|
|
