Three Rivers - news, links, discussion - part 11 *SPOILERS*

[redwinter101]

You all make very valid points and I agree on pretty much everything BUT... I don't know if it's because it was the last episode, or because Kuol has been such a special character (and I really felt Andy's desperation that he might die) or just because I thought Alex was fantastic, but I got totally caught up in the story. The scene with Kuol's letter had me blubbing - and I seriously thought this show would never manage to evoke that kind of emotion. So I had a little cry and waved farewell to what might have been.

Red

[r1015bill]

I got a little choked up on that scene too. Owiso is a very talented actor and was definitely a bright spot on TR. I left a note on his facebook page that I hope we see more of him.

[PNWgal]

You all make very valid points and I agree on pretty much everything BUT... I don't know if it's because it was the last episode, or because Kuol has been such a special character (and I really felt Andy's desperation that he might die) or just because I thought Alex was fantastic, but I got totally caught up in the story. The scene with Kuol's letter had me blubbing - and I seriously thought this show would never manage to evoke that kind of emotion. So I had a little cry and waved farewell to what might have been.

Red

Agreed. I enjoyed this episode, very much.

I'm so happy we didn't lose Kuol, and if it has to end, at least we had that resolved.

I so wish we could have seen more about Andy's potential trouble with the police. I LOVE DB Sweeney and would have loved to see the two of them butt heads over Uncle Mike.

All in all, Three Rivers disappointed in many ways, but if they'd continued in the vein of this episode I think they maybe could have been more successful.

[aolver]

I cringed for a while. That storyline about the guy falling and hitting his head on the gurney and dying? At first I thought the doctor was going to say "got ya"....yeah, that's how lame that was. She was SERIOUS! That was a laugher. Glad Kuol got his heart, but WTF? And I also saw Mick in that episode. Alex's facial expressions were SO reminiscent of Mick that it made me wispy for a second. Nothing was resolved ex. for Kuol, but the end was sweet. Where did CBS get these writers from?

[redwinter101]

The final numbers:

http://tvbythenumbers.com/2010/07/04/tv ... ttle/56083

Apologies for the change in format - out of my control, I'm afraid.





Red

[darkstarrising]

Thanks, red. The numbers may not be spectacular, but better than they were. Considering this is a summer holiday weekend that a lot of folks have family get-togethers, I'm surprised that many watched.

FWIW, I left some feedback at CBS, thanking them for showing the last four episodes, and praising the intent of the show. There are probably a lot more people aware of organ donation as a result of the show. For those that were already aware but reluctant to sign up, perhaps a few of them were swayed as well.

I also (politely) told them that I thought they missed multiple opportunities with the show. Basically, I paraphrased my post about being done in by simple math. There were just too many characters, too many subplots leaving too little time for character development.

I'll let you know if I get a reply (I have in the past).

[r1015bill]

If the mods thinks this belongs somewhere else, please move as desired.

The actor who played Kuol made such an impression that I'm watching him via his facebook page. He posted this interview for a play he's doing in the Williamstown Theatre Festival. I was most surprised by what I assume is his natural accent.

http://williamstowntheatrefestival.blog ... -long.html

[darkstarrising]

thanks, r1015bill.

It's amazing how by changing a voice pitch or accent, an actor can have you believe in their characters...when I heard Alex's natural voice the first time, I couldn't believe how well he'd nailed an 'American' accent.

Williamstown is less than two hours from here....mayhaps it's time to see a play

[wpgrace]

Hmmm... I was eager to come see how my girls enjoyed the final ep... I didn't get to watch it last week, but I've caught up now.

I do agree that the donor story was a stretch AND I will add that they spent WAAAAYYYYYYY too much time, yet again, with the guest roles... and I did not care for that guest doctor in Knoxville. She had no bedside manner at all.... Jeez!!!

But the Andy moments were really nice. I too loved the peek into Mt. Washington Andy... and his deep-down-distraught over Kuol's seeming fate during most of the ep. And his adorable imitation of Kuol... "soonds goooood." Really well done, and it musta been a hard ep for the actors to do.

I don't really get the part where Alfre's telling Andy he needs someone to love him... is that not Lisa after all? It seemed pretty settled last time we saw them... they could not at least keep that story line moving forward?

And Alle... as to your complaint that they made the older woman who didn't survive her heart surgery mean and difficult so that we pulled for Kuol and not for her... you were suddenly expecting subtle? Didn't you read your own post from last week, BabyGirl??

All in all, a decent send off... left me with gratitude for Alex's final scenes, Kuol's excellent outcome, and a lot of if onlies...

[Lucy]

I cringed for a while. That storyline about the guy falling and hitting his head on the gurney and dying? At first I thought the doctor was going to say "got ya"....yeah, that's how lame that was. She was SERIOUS! That was a laugher. Glad Kuol got his heart, but WTF? And I also saw Mick in that episode. Alex's facial expressions were SO reminiscent of Mick that it made me wispy for a second. Nothing was resolved ex. for Kuol, but the end was sweet. Where did CBS get these writers from?

I saw Mick from the beginning with the green shirt, then then striped shirt, and ALL the expressions and "mickisms"....I was home sick for ML then.

CBS went to the street corner and held chick buckets up.......that is where they got the writers........

I knew a guy who had a stroke at a young age after hitting his head repeatedly (like the motorbike rider), but he didn't die.....weak premise there, I agree!

[Fleur de Lisa]

I am late to the party as I am now watching the last 3R--it's been a busy summer!

I have not read previous posts so as not to 'spoil', but I have a few observations before I watch the remaining 20 minutes. (One of the fleurettes has commandeered the main television in the midst of my viewing!)

Is it just me, or does Dr Andy evoke strong memories of Mick in this ep?? I've seen "Mick-glimpses" before, but never as much as I have in this particular episode. His facial expressions and voice inflections are taking me back in time.

Also, and I hope this not make me to appear callous, but I wanted both of those skateboard dudes just gone. I found that storyline annoying. Again, I haven't watched all of it yet, so, maybe the camera guy will redeem himself.

The beginning was so cool and very Hurt Locker-ish. This show may have had it's flaws, but it's intros were usually stunning.

As was it's lead actor.

[darkstarrising]

Alas, dear Fleur, the camera guy doesn't redeem himself, and that particular storyline was indeed annoying on so many levels...

As for the Mick flashbacks, I think you're seeing them as there were so many touching / emotional moments for Andy in this episode, especially with Kuol. One of the attractions that Mick held (for me, anyway) was that he was such a sympathetic /empathetic character. You felt his pain, his loneliness. He tried to do what was right, when his very nature would have allowed him to do so much wrong and get away with it. In Andy's case, he feels Kuol slipping away, despite everything he's done for him. You're seeing Andy's humanity, much like you saw Mick's.

[LoveBite]

Hi Fleur
Yes, a lot of us thought of "Mick" during the last episode of TR. Don't know if Alex was subconsciously (sp?) evoking Mick's mannerisms into Dr. Andy, but it sure did seem familiar. No complaints here, though. Andy was ok, but Mick was the BEST (sigh).

Carol
*LoveBite*

[allegrita]

Dark, I think you've really captured why so many of us felt echoes of Mick in the last ep of Three Rivers. Andy's feelings of sadness and loss regarding Kuol... and his regrets about his earlier, misspent life, really gave him opportunities to show his more emotional side. It's easy to empathize with Alex's characters, because he portrays their emotions through his body language. That's what I saw in Andy during that last episode: the wonderful nonverbal communication of Andy's (Mick's, Will's, etc. etc.) feelings and reactions to the situation. The words became secondary at times during that last episode.

I'm glad Alex let go and allowed himself to emote in that last ep. If he'd done so before, instead of being intimidated by trying to "live up to" a character based on Gonzo Gonzalez-Stawinski, I think he might have been able to salvage Three Rivers. But oh lord, that's a big burden to put on our guy. So I'm just going to enjoy what we were given, and be happy that I felt an urge to give Andy a sympathetic hug. Because that's what Alex's characters usually inspire in me, and I'd been missing that in Three Rivers.

[Fleur de Lisa]

Alas, dear Fleur, the camera guy doesn't redeem himself, and that particular storyline was indeed annoying on so many levels...

As for the Mick flashbacks, I think you're seeing them as there were so many touching / emotional moments for Andy in this episode, especially with Kuol. One of the attractions that Mick held (for me, anyway) was that he was such a sympathetic /empathetic character. You felt his pain, his loneliness. He tried to do what was right, when his very nature would have allowed him to do so much wrong and get away with it. In Andy's case, he feels Kuol slipping away, despite everything he's done for him. You're seeing Andy's humanity, much like you saw Mick's.

As usual, you stated everything I felt far more eloquently than I ever could. It was the empathetic mode, along with that certain amount of intensity that Alex always conveyed in Mick. He had that soul-stirring look in his eyes and the ability he has to convey emotion, and teariness, just astounds me. It was Mick redux, that's for sure. Your humanity reference knocked my socks off (well....if I had been wearing socks, they would have flown across the room, it's hotter than hell here)--it captured the essence of those moments so well. Now, if he only would've picked up that annoying cop by his throat and lifted him about 3 feet off the ground while talking through clenched teeth, we really would have had the complete Mick effect!

Yeah, those stoner skater dudes were complete filler. The juxtaposition from them to the guys training at the National Guard site was striking. Couldn't have been 2 more different sets of individuals!

And Kuol? Quite possibly one of the most endearing characters I have seen on television in recent memory. That man was brilliant in that role. He never once wavered in his portrayal.
He still reminds me of SBJ's dude in her amazing fic, though!

LoveBite~~agree with you on all points!