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« October Road
March 15, 2007: The Return Home
I remember hearing about this show a while ago. I’m one of those extremely nerdy people who pays attention to all the pilots that are greenlit by the networks as well as those that get picked up to be series. Did I mention I’m a nerd? I was excited about this show in particular for three reasons: Bryan Greenberg, Laura Prepon and Tom Berenger. These three names alone made me want to watch it. I never got into One Tree Hill, but I loved Bryan Greenberg on HBO’s Unscripted. I was so disappointed when it didn’t get renewed for a second season. And Laura Prepon is our beloved Donna or “Big Red” from That '70s Show. And Tom Berenger. I think he’s just a great actor who doesn’t seem to be getting much work. And I have to say that the talents of all three of these actors are underutilized here.
But I’m not saying the show doesn’t have potential. I think this is a great concept. I was one of those kids who couldn’t wait to get out of my small town after high school graduation, so I moved 3,000 miles away. But it’s not like I wrote a best-selling novel in which I made all my friends look like schmucks and had a lot of apologizing to do about it, either. I never promised to come back after six weeks of backpacking through Europe. Can we say baggage? Almost everyone here has quite a lot of it.
There are a lot of characters, and some of them we really only see for a few scenes. Our main character is Nick Garrett. All the men in his family have nut allergies and his “people” made him change his first name to the more pretentious and perhaps more literary Nicholson. Hannah is Nick’s high-school sweetheart, the girl next door — or to be exact, 547 steps away from Nick’s door. The girl he left behind is the mother of 10-year-old Sam, who might be his son. Eddie is Nick's best friend and was supposed to be his business partner upon Nick's return. His other friends include: an agoraphobic hermit since 9/11 (Phil), a girl who works in the local bar (Janet), a guy who is happily married with two children (Owen), and a guy who seems to be the group’s screw up (Ikey). We’ve also got Nick’s Dad (the Commander) and brother (Ronnie), as well as Nick’s high-school rival for Hannah’s affection and the one who currently has her heart (Ray). There’s also college student Aubrey, who seems to have caught Nick’s eye. I think that’s everyone.
“It is the fool who fails to return to the place of his last happiness.” Nick is trying to live the glamorous life of the literati in New York City. He’s blocked after the success of his first novel so his editor suggests he return to his hometown to teach an intensive one-day writing course since John Irving just dropped out. I think this is a great setup to get Nick back home, and things have certainly changed in the 10 years he’s been gone. When he gets there, he’s greeted warmly by some — and not so warmly by others. Everyone mentions the book, since all of his friends except Ikey ended up in said novel. Nick apologizes for portraying them in what might have been a negative light. Yada yada. The most interesting of the reunions is with Hannah. I think there is some good sexual tension there. And I loved when Nick did the math on Sam.
“Never settle for anything less than an unexpected adventure.” After his disastrous lecture at the college, Nick can’t leave fast enough. But his last night in town somehow convinces him to stick around. Although his friends feel abandoned and betrayed, there are still a lot of unexpected adventures to be had according to Nick. We’ll see.
There are definitely some things I can do without in future episodes. Please ease up on the literary references. He’s a writer. We get it. I enjoyed the music, but I felt there were times when the music was relied upon too heavily to tell the story. Use your words.
A few of the reviews I read for this show say October Road really hits its stride in Episode 4. I think I’ll stick around for that. Let me know if you will.
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Mar 16, 2007 3:20 AM
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I liked it and I wanted to see more. I didn't really like the hazy/foggy background in a few of the scenes but I really like the cast and Tom Berenger was a surprise. So far I hope this show comes back next year.
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Mar 16, 2007 3:40 AM
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I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this show, but I tend not to make final judgments (bad or good) on just pilots. I'll wait to decide after a few more episodes, but it seems like a smart series with a real good story.
I’m one of those extremely nerdy people who pays attention to all the pilots that are greenlighted by the networks as well as which pilots get picked up to series.
I thought I was the only one!! Things are a lot more interesting when new shows crash and burn right outta the gate, when you are aware of what pilots were passed over for it. I'm sure people would be amazed if they knew how many potentially great projects never make it on air.
Don't worry karahowland, I don't think you're a nerd, you just like to be well informed
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Mar 16, 2007 5:00 AM
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I gotta say it...MOUTH! Mouth has been getting around lately. He was in Zodiac and now this. Alright, Mouth!
And he got to knock Eddie down, what a great little WB reunion of it's small side characters.
-George Stults (Eddie) played Kevin's brother on 7th Heaven (and in real life)
-Nick was of course Jake
-Aubrey's college friend was Mouth.
And this show is loosely based on the guy who wrote Beautiful Girls. I LOVE that movie. Must be the Massachusetts girl in me.
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Mar 16, 2007 8:41 AM
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I actually really liked this show. I was a little worried after some of the reviews I have read but I gotta say I will stick around and watch it next week for sure. However, I still want Men in Trees too. Is it possible to have both?
Anyway, I love Bryan Greenberg, he is one of the main reasons I used to watch OTH. I really thought he and laura had some great chemistry.
It will be interesting to see how the next episodes play out.
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Mar 16, 2007 9:00 AM
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I've been watching the preview for this and was excited to finally see it. I've loved bryan greenberg for a while and I think this will give laura prepon a chance to show her stuff after that 70's show. it was a little slow going but i'll stick with it for a while as I've also heard about it hitting it's stride around ep. 4 or 6.
The one issue that keeps bothering me is Sam's age. Hannah said he'll be 10 in 2 months, say May, which would mean he was born in May '97. The beginning indicates that Nick left after hs of 1997, which would mean she would have had to be really pregnant when Nick left. But she got pregnant and had Sam after Nick left, so Sam can't be almost 10! I know it's stupid, but the discrepancy is driving me nuts!
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Mar 16, 2007 9:14 AM
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It was very forgettable for me. There was nothing I liked and nothing I hated. Just bored me.
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Mar 16, 2007 9:15 AM
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peng9803-
Sorry I must correct you on this, but Geoff Stults plays Eddie here. George Stults plays Kevin on 7th Heaven.
I really liked the show. Can't wait to see more.
Did Ikey say he slept with Owen's wife?
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Mar 16, 2007 9:24 AM
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you are right, Sam cant be almost 10, unless she was pregnant way before Nick left...and I'm sure he would have noticed that. Good catch.
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Mar 16, 2007 9:25 AM
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I really enjoyed the show, and I think there is huge potential! Can't wait for next week!!
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Mar 16, 2007 9:28 AM
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I wanted to like this show so bad because of Bryan Greenburg. He was the only reason I watched "One Tree Hill" as long as I did. But this show just isn't doing it for me just yet. I think I'll stick with it for awhile longer, but I'm not impressed so far. Like the original poster said, a lot of good talent seems to be going to waste here.
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Mar 16, 2007 9:36 AM
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I liked it. Small annoyances. I hope the writers take their time to explain the plots.
It's worth a second look.
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Mar 16, 2007 9:43 AM
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Just wanted to mention about Sam being 10...I don't think they mentioned what month it currently is there - often times when shows are on they are not in tune with reality time, so it may very well not be March on the show. They couldn't have predicted that they would air in March. So she could have been preggers when he left and not known.
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Mar 16, 2007 9:46 AM
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I too agree with lauriann. If you read the Q&A with Bryan on this site you will see he says that the show has been on the back burner for a while.
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Mar 16, 2007 9:58 AM
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I don't like Bryan Greenberg, so I don't care much about October Road!
Where is the blog for Raines?
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Mar 16, 2007 10:26 AM
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