The crew was lucky that the sun was shining and the scenery looked beautiful during filming of this episode, since the idyllic warmth and pastoral sheen only intensify the sadness and emotional weight of this tale of war-related tragedy.
The plot takes quite a long time to get started, as Tod and Linc drunkenly debate "the Meaning of Life" --which actually helps "set the scene" and create the feeling that their journey into the countryside is some sort of mythical quest, an encounter which will test their humanity almost to the breaking point--at least in LInc's case. It is quiet and understated, and very sad---especially so considering Linc's idolization of his former officer.
The subplot involving the neighbor girl Beth pushes things even further into the emotional crucible, as we see the Lieutenant about to lose his only friend--a 12-year old girl whom he relates to as his peer. Hers is also a story fraught with sadness, as we first see her consigning her favorite childhood toys to a 'ceremonial' immolation in the woods, in preparation for her departure for school.
Again, as seems to be the pattern thus far with Linc, Tod plays the hardhearted voice of reason.
A complex and slightly overwrought episode that still manages to tie everything together neatly at the end, thanks to the "mantra" which Lieutenant and his mother recite to one another--hence, the importance of the old car he restores for her as a birthday present.
And just when you thought that the heartbreak might become totally overwhelming, Mrs. School (mother) unexpectedly lifts everyone from the emotional depths into an upbeat but bittersweet resolution that poses as many questions as it answers. But who cares? At least our "Shining Young Man' has been rescued, if only in his own mind. LR
PS-- Interesting casting of Jane Rose as the mother, an actress with whom I was unfamiliar. Her bio indicates she was a well-respected NY stage actress, who was active in theater programs for the blind. The producers must have felt that her sensitivity to people suffering from disabilities was especially helpful to her portrayal.
The plot takes quite a long time to get started, as Tod and Linc drunkenly debate "the Meaning of Life" --which actually helps "set the scene" and create the feeling that their journey into the countryside is some sort of mythical quest, an encounter which will test their humanity almost to the breaking point--at least in LInc's case. It is quiet and understated, and very sad---especially so considering Linc's idolization of his former officer.
The subplot involving the neighbor girl Beth pushes things even further into the emotional crucible, as we see the Lieutenant about to lose his only friend--a 12-year old girl whom he relates to as his peer. Hers is also a story fraught with sadness, as we first see her consigning her favorite childhood toys to a 'ceremonial' immolation in the woods, in preparation for her departure for school.
Again, as seems to be the pattern thus far with Linc, Tod plays the hardhearted voice of reason.
A complex and slightly overwrought episode that still manages to tie everything together neatly at the end, thanks to the "mantra" which Lieutenant and his mother recite to one another--hence, the importance of the old car he restores for her as a birthday present.
And just when you thought that the heartbreak might become totally overwhelming, Mrs. School (mother) unexpectedly lifts everyone from the emotional depths into an upbeat but bittersweet resolution that poses as many questions as it answers. But who cares? At least our "Shining Young Man' has been rescued, if only in his own mind. LR
PS-- Interesting casting of Jane Rose as the mother, an actress with whom I was unfamiliar. Her bio indicates she was a well-respected NY stage actress, who was active in theater programs for the blind. The producers must have felt that her sensitivity to people suffering from disabilities was especially helpful to her portrayal.