What the heck, man?! Of all the DZ episodes to do a sequel from they chose the most plain and average story to continue off of. That's the most frustrating thing in the world because they made a ton of amazingly incredible shows that are ripe for a good continuation, to which I lost hope long ago of any of them ever continuing, other than Greg Stillson getting 3 episodes a season. I was actually getting over the standalone syndrome. But then they go ahead and decide to surprise me and do a sequel to an old episode
and chooses the most non-integral, almost bland, one! I think I wrote the least about it in all the reviews I've ever done for TDZ on IMDb. That's saying something. Very weird choice indeed.
Once that fact was gotten over, the episode was great. While not giving us new takes or new feelings that we didn't already know about OFP and his ex fiancé and husband who are raising his son, it managed to move me because of the intensity of how they expressed themselves. And there was also the one little big new revelation that TDZ is bringing us, so it was even newsworthy. It was past due to have a show about the Walt-Johnny-Sara triangle this year. And yes, I did say Sara's name. After 10 episodes this season, the much-missed missus finally accumulated more face time than Dana Bright's one appearance this season. And just by a nose, too, as this is the last episode before the season finale, and you just know we'll too busy with Stillson to see much of Sara.
Everyone acted great in their roles. I also don't think there's a better fit for Walt than Chris Bruno, yet something was a bit off for a drop of his delivery this time around. There was a peak of desperation and anger that I don't feel he reached at some high points. It may had something to do with the writing for him, which was also slightly messy. For instance, the villain of this show wanted Johnny to find her alone. The writers made this possible by having the big investigator dude tell Walt that he should go home for the night, which facilitated Johnny going home by himself, getting the call to come over without anyone else, and then departing solo for the hideout. So, it all fits nicely. Even so, Walt, at the coroner's place, should have been expected to put up a big fight about not being able to work on the case to rescue his wife, to which Johnny should have properly calmed him down. But instead of taking a fit or trying to defy the orders, Bannerman simply said, "alright," allowing us to move on with the story. Sorry, but it just seemed like a quick stepping stone to get to the next part with no real dedication to the coroner's office scene. To be told realistically, every step of the way has to be covered intently. Walt is a great character and has been rightfully positioned as one of the most important people on the show right next to Bruce. TDZ should therefore make every effort that his lines and acting is that more crisp. 95% of the time it usually is, but loving this series, I'm always going to be a perfectionist for it.
There was also some Canadian-style blah acting from Neil Dennis, who made a brief appearance as the delivery boy working at the medical factory, but that isn't really such a big deal. I am used to the emotionless Canadian acting style after watching plenty of Degrassi and Are You Afraid of the Dark and I realize that, for such a small role, TDZ wasn't going to fly someone outside of Vancouver for this bit part, so it was accepted. Of course, for the record, not all Canadians have that style. Toronto-born Nicole deBoer is incredible in her role as Sara and I'd love to see more of her on this show! In the end, everyone thanks everyone and loves each other. I am still waiting for that one thing that has not really been said yet, though. I want Walt and Sara to both let Johnny know that he is a huge part of their family and that it may be an odd relationship, but Johnny is an official member, and after all he's done for Walt, Walt should feel that he owes it to Smith to allow him to be the closest extended part of their family. After saying that, they can even flashback to the first episode where Walt, Johnny and Sara are eating together and Walt says to Johnny something along the lines of, "Oh cool, my son plays hockey I mean, our son err, all our son." It sounds a bit mushy but I'm sure the fabulously talented writers in TDZ can make it sound more corny than mushy, which is fine by me! 8.5
Once that fact was gotten over, the episode was great. While not giving us new takes or new feelings that we didn't already know about OFP and his ex fiancé and husband who are raising his son, it managed to move me because of the intensity of how they expressed themselves. And there was also the one little big new revelation that TDZ is bringing us, so it was even newsworthy. It was past due to have a show about the Walt-Johnny-Sara triangle this year. And yes, I did say Sara's name. After 10 episodes this season, the much-missed missus finally accumulated more face time than Dana Bright's one appearance this season. And just by a nose, too, as this is the last episode before the season finale, and you just know we'll too busy with Stillson to see much of Sara.
Everyone acted great in their roles. I also don't think there's a better fit for Walt than Chris Bruno, yet something was a bit off for a drop of his delivery this time around. There was a peak of desperation and anger that I don't feel he reached at some high points. It may had something to do with the writing for him, which was also slightly messy. For instance, the villain of this show wanted Johnny to find her alone. The writers made this possible by having the big investigator dude tell Walt that he should go home for the night, which facilitated Johnny going home by himself, getting the call to come over without anyone else, and then departing solo for the hideout. So, it all fits nicely. Even so, Walt, at the coroner's place, should have been expected to put up a big fight about not being able to work on the case to rescue his wife, to which Johnny should have properly calmed him down. But instead of taking a fit or trying to defy the orders, Bannerman simply said, "alright," allowing us to move on with the story. Sorry, but it just seemed like a quick stepping stone to get to the next part with no real dedication to the coroner's office scene. To be told realistically, every step of the way has to be covered intently. Walt is a great character and has been rightfully positioned as one of the most important people on the show right next to Bruce. TDZ should therefore make every effort that his lines and acting is that more crisp. 95% of the time it usually is, but loving this series, I'm always going to be a perfectionist for it.
There was also some Canadian-style blah acting from Neil Dennis, who made a brief appearance as the delivery boy working at the medical factory, but that isn't really such a big deal. I am used to the emotionless Canadian acting style after watching plenty of Degrassi and Are You Afraid of the Dark and I realize that, for such a small role, TDZ wasn't going to fly someone outside of Vancouver for this bit part, so it was accepted. Of course, for the record, not all Canadians have that style. Toronto-born Nicole deBoer is incredible in her role as Sara and I'd love to see more of her on this show! In the end, everyone thanks everyone and loves each other. I am still waiting for that one thing that has not really been said yet, though. I want Walt and Sara to both let Johnny know that he is a huge part of their family and that it may be an odd relationship, but Johnny is an official member, and after all he's done for Walt, Walt should feel that he owes it to Smith to allow him to be the closest extended part of their family. After saying that, they can even flashback to the first episode where Walt, Johnny and Sara are eating together and Walt says to Johnny something along the lines of, "Oh cool, my son plays hockey I mean, our son err, all our son." It sounds a bit mushy but I'm sure the fabulously talented writers in TDZ can make it sound more corny than mushy, which is fine by me! 8.5
