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April 23, 2007: No Turning Back
“Everything has meaning. There are no accidents.” — Susan Chamblee
Up to the halfway point of the episode, I was originally going to complain that the episode wasn’t living up to the standards of the previous ones. Boy, was I wrong. The first half was exposition that set up major events to come in this and future episodes. Where to begin? How about the Jump Start? I couldn’t understand why everyone had no idea where they were going based on the clues considering that the location was shown on the map in the film. Of course, rewatching that scene revealed something that I missed the first time — rather than representing their actual location (considering they were in Georgia and the map was of Colorado), it was just an example of how the Jump Start works. My concern here is that if it confused me (because I wasn’t paying attention), what about how it would affect the casual viewer who tunes in? Then again, I’m not the brightest bulb in the box, heh. Anyway, I hope we get to see more of these types of variations in the future. (FYI: the Jump Start seems to be loosely borrowed from The Amazing Race’s Fast Forward clue, except with less crime involved.)
I do like how Tully was singled out as the driver that would receive the chance to jump ahead. I recall posters commenting on how Tully’s last leg didn’t seem as impressive because there were other drivers already at the drive-in theater leg. Mr. Smith states that the Jump Start will be awarded to the person with the “most improved overall ranking” — that person being Tully. Apparently, Tully and the Tully-mobile (did anyone settle on a name yet?) did indeed jump farther ahead than any of us had realized.
There was also some debate about whether Tully had a criminal past. As it turns out, it is revealed that he was the driver in past bank holdups. Kathryn was the one who changed Tully, which helps explain why he is so very desperate to get her back (besides the fact that she is his wife). If Tully wins The Race, I hope that he doesn’t end up reverting to his old ways because of all the various things the Consortium is making him do. Maybe this is another way the various members of the organization influence The Race, which brings me to…
Susan and Leigh just can’t win, even with a confirmation from Above that “you will win The Race, Leigh.” Their partner, Ivy, jumped ship (car) and shot out their tires; the garage had no replacement tires; the Preston’s drive-through screwed up their order (another Preston’s reference), and more. They end up coming into last place at the drive-in theater, only to be informed by Mr. Smith that they were eliminated. When they picked up Rob and Ellie’s phone from the side of the road, I couldn’t believe that it would be that easy to get back into The Race. Leigh even says, “They are going to take this (phone) away, too,” and how right she was. Obviously, that accident was caused by the Consortium, but my question is simply: “Why?” Was it because they took the phone? Are all “eliminated” contestants killed off, or some other reason? Maybe the only characters killed off are those not in the opening credits. If so, then John Trimble’s days are numbered. I did enjoy the hit-and-run accident. OK, that didn’t sound right. I mean, I enjoyed the way the scene played out. Although not as impressive as Corinna’s parents' crash, it had its moments. Some of the visual effects were not as effective as I would have liked.
Before we found out that Sean was shot, I thought it would have been ironic if the security guard’s gun discharging would have hit someone. Sean is in the opening credits, so no worries to any Sean fans out there.
Wendy’s child is in a safe house, but I’m still a little hazy on the details. There appear to be many children in the house and although the caretaker, played by Cindy Williams, informs Wendy that she cannot keep her son there anymore because of possible people spying on the house, shouldn’t the caretaker be more concerned that the entire house’s occupants will be found out? To clarify my meaning, if Wendy is attempting to hide her son from her husband and then her husband locates what he thinks is the safe house, wouldn’t it be in the husband’s best interest to contact the authorities and shut it down?
What’s the deal with Rob’s commander dressed in camo, lounging on the edge of his desk (instead of behind it) when Rob is finally able to call in? Is that regulation garb when working in the office? We now know what is going on with Rob and his wife. I think that if he fully explained that his wife had deleted everything and that they are newlyweds, I think his superiors might be lenient. Then again, maybe not.
Browncoat alert: Tully’s Jump Start requires that he and his teammates rob a bank of a safety deposit box. This is not the first time that Nathan has had to rob a “vault,” the kicker being that the cell-phone message even states, “in the vault.” Am I reaching? Probably.
Vroom!
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Apr 24, 2007 1:34 AM
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Actually camo can be the uniform of the day on a military base. When I went to get my dependent's ID, the people in the office were in camo. I said, "It's not working. I can still see you." The clerk actually smiled!
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Apr 24, 2007 3:52 AM
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How could the husband shut the safe house down? It's a battered women's/children's shelter...certainly nothing illegal or even vaguely immoral going on there to serve as any basis for shutting it down.
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Apr 24, 2007 4:55 AM
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I liked the episode... The fatal crash at the end that took out one of the Katrina girls was pretty good... Agreed, not as "wow" as Corinna's parent's wreck, but I thought to myself, these wrecks are gonna be pretty cool to watch...
I knew that Sean was gonna get hit by the bullet when the gun went off cause he was the one laid out on the floor... 2 thoughts came to mind during this scene... First, man that rent a cop ate his wheaties (sp) and two I was reminded of Michael, Linc, Aldo, Sucre and Mahone... Boy do I miss PB... Anyhow, if anyone can save him, Tully and his driving will do it...
As for the military guy and his wife... I would have left her on the side of the road w/ the race phone and been done with it... I mean, I can understand wanting to keep your husband out of harms way, but come on, you know there is gonna be some harsh concequences(sp, ouch, sorry) for doing that... I even know that and I am not in the military... But anyhow, she is on my "roll my eyes" list for now...
Missed seeing the dad & daughter team... Yeah, we saw em at the beginning, but that was it...
Ivy, with the gun, holding Wendy hostage to drive in the race cause she can't drive... Nuts...
Anyhow, until I think of something else or till next week... Take care y'all...
Oh, how were the ratings last night, anyone know?
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Apr 24, 2007 8:13 AM
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Love it! I couldn't believe it when the truck came back and smashed the little red car....OUCH!! I also didn't expect the security guy to be shot. I didn't realize it was gonna be so dangerous for them, but I guess it is.
Anyone know how it's doing, I know it's early to ask but networks pull shows so fast you never know. I hope it stays....I love it.
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Apr 24, 2007 9:59 AM
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At my house we got the cliched "TV goes out at a crucial plot point" moment.
Just as they were about to show the video to the racers the TV cut to our local weather guy telling us about the high wind/thunderstorm warnings in the area. I've never seen them actually cut from a show to air the weather alerts. They're usually dependent on the scrolling alerts. Eh, oh well.
At least it was at the beginning so I had the entire episode to figure out what the hell was said.
I agree with someone else that I don't see what is wrong with a safe house. It's not a crack house. But it's only "safe" if abusive husbands/fathers (or even wives/mothers, I suppose) don't know where it is.
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Apr 24, 2007 10:11 AM
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Nice review. What a brilliant episode. I really enjoyed this show, and have to say that I'm enjoying Drive all round, really. I was so glad to see Susan and Leigh back - I liked them in the first two episodes, and hoped that they weren't just going to be forgotten. Of course, Susan was killed, and now Leigh's on her own. That car crash was pretty brutal.
The bank robbery, of course, turned out to not be as simple as the group had planned. Are these things ever? And now Sean is shot. Great. I like the way this program keeps me guessing, and but also keeps me caring about the characters. I just can't believe the ratings aren't higher (although I haven't heard anything about last night's episode). This is good, fun stuff. And seriously, who can turn down the chance to see Nathan Fillion? I could watch him paint a wall.
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Apr 24, 2007 11:16 AM
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I don't understand the low ratings, either. I assume people weren't intrigued by the promos because it seems if someone watched the first episode they would be pretty much sucked in like I was. It's definitely getting better each episode. So now that Leigh got picked up hitchhiking, does that mean the guy will become her new partner. She has him driving her right to the pit stop so how else would she be counted in the race unless the driver who got her there is also in the race? I guess they will have to make an exception for her anyway since she was already eliminated and she's clearly going to be an ongoing character. I like the idea that each driver has a sponsor that helps them out, it never occurred to me until I read last weeks blog. I watched both that one and this episode back to back last night so am just catching up. Anyway, I really like Nathan Fillion, like everyone else on this blog apparenlty, and was a fan of Firefly so I really hope he finally gets a series that sticks around awhile.
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Apr 24, 2007 12:11 PM
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I love this show. Sweeps starts this Thursday so next week is very important so we can keep this show alive. Monday night is now my favorite night with Drive and then Heroes. I start work evenings soon so thank God for my DVR.
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Apr 24, 2007 12:15 PM
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As I'm sitting on a military base right now, I can tell you that desert camo with the sleeves rolled up is the appropriate uniform as of April 1. Just like us civilians, unless we have a meeting that requires a suit, etc, they don't have to wear the dress uniform every day.
But back to my main comment... both my husband and I think that the rent-a-cop isn't exactly what he appears. We think he REALLY works for the consortium and that they will clean up the mess at the bank. Mal, I mean Tully, really seems to have a few tricks up his sleeve, though, and I'm curious to see where he's going to take Sean.
Good Episode, I do hope this show lasts. Lots of questions, very few answers and it keeps you guessing.
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Apr 24, 2007 12:16 PM
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According to tvguide.com listings, there are only two more episodes of the "first season."
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Apr 24, 2007 1:09 PM
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That was reaching, Robert, but as a fellow Browncoat I don't mind at all!! Keep 'em coming! I usually am so wrapped up in the current storyline that I never catch parallels (I even missed the Hyperion reference on Bones). Well, that and I am also usually doing something else while watching TV. Anyway, I love seeing all the ways everyone connects all these shows, etc.
I was a little ticked off at the military guys wife. As a veteran myself I could completly understand why he is so upset. Besides going to jail (and death) the fact that he is now seen by his entire unit as a deserter is enough to upset him. Even as a newly wed, how could she not know that AWOL = brig?
I am also confused by the "safe house". What kind of safe house takes infants with no other adult family member staying there too? Obviously she couldn't tell the woman what she is doing, so how does the director (or whatever) know that the mom just didn't leave him. You would think Social Services would be involved.
But- enough of that. This is a fun show to just sit back and enjoy, not over analyze. That's why I like it. I think it would fit better in the summer months.
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Apr 24, 2007 1:09 PM
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My problem with the army guy is that if he was eally knowingly AWOL why would he call base to find out about his friend? He even offered to report for duty yet the higher up insisted he was lieing and said he would be court martialed.
Tully's car was changed in the opening credits. How ever the other cars don't all match up. Wendy is still alone in the opening credits. Ivy and Leigh are seen driving together in a car that we have yet to see. We see the daughter in the back seat but no sign of dad. Wouldn't it make more sense to show her driving?
I loved Tully and Corrina discussing the jump start challenge.
Tully: When did you start caring about my life
Corrinna: Around the time you saved my life
Tully: which time
Corrina: The second
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Apr 24, 2007 1:31 PM
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Honestly how do you have a second season once the race is over?
New information we picked up this week therace phone do not call out. That means for all those speculating that the phone Wendy uses to contact the safe house was not given to her by the race people. I too am confused as to why and how Wendy was able to leave Sam in a safe house by himself and how anyone could have found it.
Does the consortium know that one of it's racers is an AWOL solider? How will they cover up the bank robbery/gaurds murder?
Why was it neccisarry to kill Susan? Why not just have her "arrested"? Why such a permanint solution. Do yu think they know Leigh is still alive?
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Apr 24, 2007 1:37 PM
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Any clues suggestions why the racers were treated to a montage of car crashes? Do you think it was some kind of warning?
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Apr 24, 2007 1:46 PM
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