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« John From Cincinnati
Episode Recap: "His Visit: Day Two Continued"
Instead of dispelling the theory that John might be Jesus or some other heavenly entity, the events in the latest episode seemed to substantiate that possibility. Much to Dr. Smith's amazement, Shaun was healthy enough to go home with his family, sans Mitch, who took off with Cass after his argument with Cissy. Meanwhile, John recounted Shaun's recovery to Kai and Linc in his usual cryptic sentences, even though he was with them the whole time and had no way of knowing what happened.
John politely informed Kai several times that he was still planning on boning her. When he announced the same to everybody at the Yost house, and added that he might have to "break her jaw first" for some reason, Butchie told him to make her see God. Kai took him to the surf shop and called his bluff on the boning by inviting him to feel her up, but "t--s don't ring a bell" with John, so she took him back to her trailer instead.
Once there, it started to look like she might bone him after all, even though she admitted to having misgivings about taking advantage of a slow, hot guy. Surely this is a dilemma most women encounter at least once in their lifetimes, I have to imagine. Anyway, this is when John told Kai to see God, her eyes crept into her head, and the visions began. Add that to the levitation and the reanimation of the dead and I think John has enough miracles under his belt to qualify for sainthood at the very least.
When Kai came to, she said it felt like her piercings were in a furnace while she was under John's trance. John replied, "See God, Kai," in a tone that seemed to remind her of the immensity of such an experience. It looked like all of the people she saw in her visions had a similar reaction. At least he didn't break anyone's jaw though, right?
The visions:
— Butchie scoring drugs
— Vietnam Joe clutching his knee as he fell to the ground outside of the Yost house
— Ramon waving his hands at his chest as if it were hot, while Barry gathered a package of what I can only imagine was spilled soup off the ground
— Butchie attempting to shoot up, only to end up clutching his head in severe pain
Butchie later told the doctor his implants got hot. What implants might he be talking about here? Hair implants? Metal plates from a surfing accident? It was mentioned so casually I felt like I should've known already. Dr. Smith responded by saying the burning sensations might have been caused by intravenous drug use, but quickly added that he wouldn't dismiss a more paranormal reason, and cited Shaun's recovery. Butchie then filled him in about his dad levitating and John's magical pockets.
I should also mention how Cissy flipped out on Butchie for having the audacity to presume he has the right to give his son permission to skate again so soon after nearly dying. Talk about powerful acting by Rebecca De Mornay! And I thought she had a point when she accused Mitch of thinking of no one but himself. What kind of jerk won't go see his grandson after a day like that?
There's a lot happening in this show despite the fact that it's only the third episode, but there hasn't been much development as to what John's purpose is. Just what I need, another mysterious show like Lost! Ah well, I'm already hooked. Besides, next week's episode looks great. Did I really hear Cissy tell Linc that she needs him? Could that be out of context or what? Also, Mitch levitates in a hotel room he's sharing with Cass. Again, out of context or are those two going to be doing some God-seeing of their own? Also, John is going to have an altercation with a gang of young ruffians he hitches a ride with. One of them pulls a knife on him, clearly threatened by his autistic nature. I wonder what special power John will rely on this time.
The writers do a good job of cutting the tension with lots of humor. Here are some moments that cracked me up this week:
— Freddy's anxious rant in the car about cutting the newsman into "50 f---in' pieces"
— How Freddy unnecessarily broke Palaka's wrist so he could get inside the hospital to find out how Shaun was doing. At least he had good intentions, right?
— When Barry asked Meyer and Ramon if the cardboard cutouts were animate or inanimate
— Bill and Freddy's argument outside the Yost home as Palaka savored every second
— When Bill and Freddy teamed up against Barry, Meyer and Ramon by not allowing them to bring the Yosts soup. "I don't care if you're bringing a Sikorski helicopter!"
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Jun 25, 2007 12:27 AM
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I love mysteries and unknowns, but it is the members of the Yost family that really keeps me wanting more. Like everyone else, I am very curious to know who or what John is, but I'm even more curious to know why the Yost family was chosen.
John is seriously becoming one of the funniest characters on TV, his comments keep me laughing long after the episode ends.
There are so many perplexing things going on and so many questions, I just don't have a clue about anything that's going on.
I'm just not used to thinking this much during the summer.
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Jun 25, 2007 3:41 AM
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The line about "breaking" Kai's "jaw" was from Ep 1.
In the surf shop, Butchie tells John that he should "bone Kai." But adds, jokingly, "That you'll probably have to break her jaw first."
The entire John/Kai scene was the first time I've seen the "Doh!" look leave John's eyes and something else come into focus, almost as tho' the quasi-autistic personality is just camoflauge.
I also liked the prequel to Kai's visions in the hospital where John again told Linc (Luke Perry) that "the end is near." Milch has dropped big hints that something big is on the horizon for not just the Yosts but humanity. (Let's hope we get to see it played unlike Deadwood where we are still waiting with baited breath for the promised movies to tie up the story.)
What's interesting to me is that, of all people, Butchie the junkie, seems to be catching on the quickest to the fact that John is the nexus for all of the weird events that are swirling around the Yost family.
Rebecca DeMornay deserves an Emmy nomination, at the least, for tonite's performance. She was intense, passionate and severely pissed off. Very much like a wife, mother and grandmother trying to keep a family of self-centered, egotistical f****** from flying apart.
The girl that made Tom Cruise a "man" (at least cinematically) is now a woman and it's great that Milch allows her to be exactly that. It's not just that he cast a woman who is Cissy's age, but also that her part is written as close to reality as it can be within the rigidity of the one-hour drama format.
Of all her clan, Shanunie seems to be the only one who is stable and well-adjusted. Rather amazing considering the severely dysfunctional environment he's lived in his whole life.
During Kai's view through God's eyes, we saw Butchie scoring, obviously not through "Steady" Freddie. It's a very unusual drug dealer--especially one as high up the food chain as Freddie--to care whether or not a junkie dies. But Freddie obviously feels protective not just toward Butchie but the whole clan.
One of the funniest scenes tonite was the one where Bill Jacks and Freddie begin with a phallus-comparison contest and end up teaming up to drive away Ramon, "Attorney" Dickstein and Barrie the--few beers short of a six-pack-- lottery winner from intruding into the Yost demense. (I find it even funnier that the heroin dealer has a firmer grasp on reality than Ed O'Neill's paranoid, retired, parrot-toting cop.)
Lastly: the previews for this week's ep shown last week, showed Shaunie's mother coming back into the picture. Yet she was nowhere to be seen in the episode.
My guess would be that her scenes fell victim to the constraints of time. If they had been flawed, I doubt that Milch would have included them in the previews.
Speaking of Barry, the walk to Room 24 and his reference to Debbie Boone had my wife and I nearly rolling on the floor with laughter. Only Milch writes dialogue like that; priceless.
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Jun 25, 2007 5:04 AM
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This show is just brilliant. After watching episode 1 I thought that this show was too weird to waste time on but then I read Tom's recap some things fell into place and I said I'll give it another look and I am really glad I did. To everyone out there who gave up after episode 1 what a show you're missing.
A gripe about comment though, as someone who never watched Deadwood but has had shows end prematurely please give up the weekly digs as to whether this show is going to make it and just enjoy it while its here.
I can't wait until next week so to tide me over I'm going to watch the 3 episodes back to back on Thursday.
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Jun 25, 2007 8:56 AM
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I find this show so boring. I watch it last week and turned in last night because there was nothing else on, last week show was okay but tonights was boring. Everyone acting is overboard or slow and I do not get the whole point of this show. But since I do not like it I will not tune in again.
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Jun 25, 2007 9:04 AM
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I think that anyone who comes into contact with John for some reason unknown to them selves are willing look out for the Yost family.
I mean Freddy wanted to kill Butchie then he helps him and his family out and acts as a protector. He even told his lackey that he didnt know why. The way everyone John had contact with showed up at the house.
Maybe I'm reaching though.
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Jun 25, 2007 10:16 AM
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Great show - I am totally hooked!
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Jun 25, 2007 11:16 AM
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I enjoy this show, and will keep watching, but I would like to know why that kid is playing Shaun? I'm kinda waiting for it to be revealed in the story that he is some type of robot, I've never seen such poor acting on any HBO show. Were they so desperate for a kid who could surf & skateboard, they decided whether he could act didn't matter?
I love all the other characters, and think each one was cast perfectly. I only wonder who that kid is related to, or how he ever passed an audition, let alone how he has everyone on the show fooled into thinking he can act. Can't they all notice?
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Jun 25, 2007 12:51 PM
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I've watched 3 episodes hoping it'd get better but it doesn't. I can't believe they cancelled Deadwood for this flaming pile of poo. The supernatural aspect is interesting but beyond that this is one of the lamest shows HBO has ever put on tv. The ratings haven't been very good either. The "actor" playing Shaun couldn't act his way out of a paperbag. With Rome, Sopranos and Deadwood all gone there isn't much left on HBO these days. Maybe its time to check out Showtime.
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Jun 25, 2007 12:59 PM
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this show is fantastic!i watch each episode multiple times because i love it so much.there is so much going on that is left for the viewer to discover the shading and sublety of the story is incredible.in ep 1 when john and butchie are walking beside the surf shop the whole side is painted in a mural i watched this on slow motion and it is a crucifixion scene.why would the Yosts put a crucifixion scene on the surf shop? so much deeper than anything else on television.
when john says he will break kais jaw it was because butchie said in episode 1 the he might have to to shut her up.
i am so tired of people criticizing shauns acting the character is shell shocked and the only time he can open up is on the waves.try living in that house in that house for 13 years see how stiff you would be around adults
sorry my post was so long but im very passionate about this show
dont move me youll rip the artery
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Jun 25, 2007 1:46 PM
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Grayson Fletcher plays Shaun, and those of you who are complaining about his acting should know that he's NOT an actor. He's a 16-year-old skateboarding phenom who was approached by Milch and company to be a "consultant" on the show (along with Keala Kennelly who plays Kai and is a champion surfer), and who was cast in the role after the producers determined he was right for the role they were developing. So give the kid some slack. I personally think he's doing a great job for a first time actor, and the innocence he brings to the role is perfect.
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Jun 25, 2007 1:55 PM
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i agree about grayson he is great i think the role is spot on and my daughters think he is gorgeous
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Jun 25, 2007 2:01 PM
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Keala Kennelly is ranked number 2 in the world in woman's surfing.
As Pisces228 (aka Mrs. Pain_Man) posts, neither she nor Grayson Fletcher have ever acted before. David Milch cast them to lend authenticity to the surfing aspect of the show--which they do brilliantly.
If you grew up in the San Diego area*, you'd know that the way Fletcher and Kennelly are playing their parts is EXACTLY how so many surfers and skaters--and my brother skated for years--act, talk, walk, right down to their posture.
No one's seeing bad acting. What you're seeing is nothing but the truth about the surfing/skating scene. (BTW, my brother built his own half-pipe as well.)
John is clearly one of those "love it" or "hate it" shows. If you hate it, WHY are you watching it?
"There's [300] channels of $@#& on the TV to choose from" (to quote Roger Waters). Surely there's something else for you if you can't tap into Milch's vibe.
*(Imperial Beach or "IB" is 30 mins so. of Downtown San Diego and is the most "Southwesterly city in the US"--as the city's marquee boasts. It is also just as seedy and run down as you see on the screen. It's been that way forever. The city has so little money that there is no IB police department; it was closed 25+ yrs ago. The San Diego Sheriff's Dept handles the policing chores.).
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Jun 25, 2007 2:59 PM
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I am enjoying the ride. Lots of quirky questions to ponder through the first season. Definitely some history w/Cissy & Linc. How long did Mitch hang onto the fence before Butchie showed up to help? Average folks w/strange behavior all around. I especially enjoy the bizarre Bill and his magical birds. It's not all about the destination, and I love that.
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Jun 25, 2007 3:57 PM
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It's not all about the destination, and I love that.
I think we're on the same page here sunnycc. Too often, shows are so plot-driven (e.g.: Law and Order & CSI) that the importance of the characters and the mise-en-scene are forgotten. These aren't mistakes that a David Milch makes. The destination is important, but the journey is more than just the sum of the road signs.
Except that I think Milch is going somewhere with this. As I've said before, let's just hope HBO gives him the chance to get there (and that no HBO executive nitwits put it in danger by beating the h*ll out of their girlfriends in public on the Strip here in Vegas).
I just watched an intense little indie flick called The King with Gael Garcia Bernal and William Hurt. It was one of the reviews of the movie I read that reminded me of John (to paraphrase):
there are so many layers in this show that each bite, so to speak, shows you just how complex and rewarding it is.
In other words, unlike 90 out of 100 series/movies, Milch respects us enough not to spoon-feed us every detail.
It's also wonderfully refreshing to find a producer/writer like Milch who doesn't see his show (unlike, say, David Kelly) as a platform for political propaganda.
Milch is aiming for much bigger targets than the tempests of the moment.
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Jun 25, 2007 4:27 PM
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