Three Rivers - news, links, discussion - part 8 **SPOILERS**

[lafluffy]

Get out the tomatoes: I find little dramatic tension in ep 2 just like ep 1. The doctors to me are ciphers, while the real stars are the patients, donors and families; those scenes invariably move me and seem so real. I think we just don't have much time to get to know the cast. Andy is underwhelming as a character. There are small shining moments of pure grace, a gesture, a joke. Which makes this all the more disappointing.

Right now TR makes ML look like pure genius.

[allegrita]

No tomatoes, honey. You make a good argument. I am working under the hope that they'll find their stride. It has potential. If you have high expectations, I'm not surprised that they're not being met (yet). Have a hug...

[lafluffy]

Aw, thanks.

Actually, I had few expectations. And because of those lovely moments (and Alex) I do live in hope! Had to throw in that comment about ML just because it came to mind; I realised it made me appreciate it even more, and I didn't think that was possible..

[redwinter101]

And here's the promo for next week, posted on YT by DEb (purpldy):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXFQoO0JokQ

Red

[helloeeze]

Get out the tomatoes: I find little dramatic tension in ep 2 just like ep 1. The doctors to me are ciphers, while the real stars are the patients, donors and families; those scenes invariably move me and seem so real. I think we just don't have much time to get to know the cast. Andy is underwhelming as a character. There are small shining moments of pure grace, a gesture, a joke. Which makes this all the more disappointing.

Right now TR makes ML look like pure genius.

You are right, there is not a lot of dramatic tension. That's why the three-colored graphics before the commercials seem out of place They convey more excitement than there is in the actual episode.

[francis]

I just watched this week's episode and I'm totally in love with it. The pace was right, I choked up a few times, it was more realistical (maybe except for having an inept coordinator), and I really felt for the team and the patients and the donor's mother. It all came together. We have wonderful moments of character exposition with the doctors, we have suspense without frantic running around, we have better dialogue. I even understood it better than the other one, it was pronounced more clearly, and had not so much medical lingo. There wasn't so much emphasis on how great the technique is. Maybe I'm just getting used to it.

In my opinion it was a risky decision to swap episodes. People who watched football last week and tuned in the first time, might be easier hooked with this one. But bad and lukewarm reviews of the last one might have brought people to already give up on the show. We'll see how it pans out. For now, I can't wait for the next episode.

[jmc]

Right now TR makes ML look like pure genius.

Moonlight was pure genius. I never expected TR to approach that. I was hoping for watchable and competent. for Alex.

[wpgrace]

Am I sooooo predictable? I can't help it--I'm a sucker for eyelashes a mile long... attached to eyes that gorgeous...attached to a face that wondrously expressive...attached to a brain so creative and a body so expressive.

You noticed the shadows cast by the eyelashes... I noticed the way he gripped and held the beer bottle... to each her own, dear Alle... as you said, attached to all the rest of him and all...

[Fleur de Lisa]

Adored this episode. I haven't been watching links, reading spoilers, etc. -- really wanting to just feel like a 'real' audience member to get a true feel for this show, an honest reaction. And this episode really hooked me. It made me care about the characters, wonder more about them, etc--and not just Alex. Loved the interactions between him and Alfre---those 2 have a great dynamic and for him to not only be able to hold his own with her, but actually be on the same acting level, says a lot about his talent.

Even if I had never seen Alex before, I really believe I would be attracted to his acting skills--not even addressing how he looks. Actually, I found myself focusing so much more on what he was saying and how he was saying it, than how he looked! His emotions are so easily read on his face--just amazing to watch him be able to act in a role where he can show such a wide variety of feelings. From "Spongebob" giggling comments, to the ending saying: "We're gonna work this out", with teary eyes. God, that scene just sealed the deal for me, and I pray the rest of the viewing audience as well.

I really wish this had been the premiere episode, but CBS just loves doing things differently and I am not going to even contemplate their decision making processes!!

ETA: Francis--just read your post, and I agree with every single thing you commented on! I am notorious for not going back and reading previous comments---too much of an ADD girl sometimes! But your reactions to the episode mirrored mine to a tee.

[aolver]

Quite a difference in opinion here. I'm still working on my opinion. Loved the balcony scene, and we are starting to get a glimpse of Andy's private life. If the show sticks around long enough I think the look into their lives could be interesting. I may grow to love it, but ML is still the ONE.

[PNWgal]

This episode was SO much better than last week...which disturbs me.

If last week's episode was supposed to be the SECOND episode and THIS week's episode was supposed to be first...I'm a little concerned for future eps. If the "first that was supposed to be second" was that terrible, I truly hope the rest aren't that awful.

As for this one - I very much enjoyed it. The pacing seemed a little less frenetic, but the storyline seemed a little jolting. I'm not sure what the purpose of the donor being a criminal - that felt just a little bit gratuitous (not as much as the bomb threat, though). But...I got caught up in the story and I actually CARED about what happened to everyone involved. And I got a little choked up at the end, so it tugged at the heartstrings.

And - I love Alex. I do. I'll watch anything he does. But - the one that impresses me consistently is Katherine Moennig. She. Is. Wonderful.

And...I know I shouldn't say this...but there was a few places Mick peeked out from underneath Dr. Andy.

[librarian_7]

Have to agree with you about Katherine Moennig. Wow. She's great, and I hope the TR fanbase is catching on to that!

Lucky

[jmc]

This episode was SO much better than last week...which disturbs me.

If last week's episode was supposed to be the SECOND episode and THIS week's episode was supposed to be first...I'm a little concerned for future eps. If the "first that was supposed to be second" was that terrible, I truly hope the rest aren't that awful.

That's the worry for next Sunday. Will the real Three Rivers please stand up?

And the speed at which they're burning through plots. Donor's a criminal and a bomb threat on the way back on the same case?

And...I know I shouldn't say this...but there was a few places Mick peeked out from underneath Dr. Andy.

You give me hope. I haven't seen it but since I generally go slack-jawed when he's on screen, it takes me a while to gather it all in. Somebody mentioned there was music playing in the background, too, but just like on Moonlight, I never heard it.

[clair]

You give me hope. I haven't seen it but since I generally go slack-jawed when he's on screen, it takes me a while to gather it all in. Somebody mentioned there was music playing in the background, too, but just like on Moonlight, I never heard it.

OMG jmc I thought it was just me. I was always so surprised to have a friend mention the music on Moonlight. Way to engrossed in the subject matter.

[librarian_7]

TV by the Numbers has ratings...and, OUCH. Not good.

http://tvbythenumbers.com/2009/10/12/tv ... line/30177

Lucky