Miracles, episode 2: The Friendly Skies
Jun. 13th, 2023 11:34 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
annavereThis was basically an The X-Files episode, and it was either the best that never was or I should re-evaluate that show.
Dang, the opening credits are pretty.
I want Evelyn's backstory. Her medical condition is a great way to beat metal detectors but I assume Alva actually hired her for the near-death experience that went with it. He said he was stalking Paul because Paul's a good investigator, but I have a hard time believing his two helpers have had near-death experiences by sheer coincidence. And does that mean he also had one? Is that what started him on his mission, whatever it is?
I mostly find myself intrigued by the team. Alva's got that Watcher vibe, intending to observe strange phenomena, not interfere, while Paul cares about the people and gets involved with their lives. Evelyn sympathizes enough to help him break the rules but she's clearly used to Alva's methods. Alva knows Aramaic, so again with the Watcherness (different brand, same impeccable style and uneasy acceptance of authority).
Was surprised to see the government guest star was played by Christopher Cousins, who was Ted Beneke on Breaking Bad. They got quality actors on this show. The plot was pretty much what I remember The X-Files as being - unexplained phenomena happens, they sweep in to investigate, the government covers it all up and no conclusions are drawn or solutions found. However, it has more soul than I remember from The X-Files, as alongside the conspiracy iceberg, the writers dished up both gruesome (death by autopsy, yeesh) and wondrous occurrences - and the ending was quite moving.
It lacked the beautiful style of the pilot and was a curious choice for second episode. Paul has only just joined the team and while all three leads featured, they spent most of their time in separate interviews. Their interactions were furtive and the setting claustrophobic so I don't have much concept for how they interact with each other as yet. It's not really a complaint, just an observation.
It does have an enjoyable level of literacy. No action scenes, no procedural structure, just a number of subplot discussions about metaphysics and the nature of reality. This show was so doomed.
Dang, the opening credits are pretty.
I want Evelyn's backstory. Her medical condition is a great way to beat metal detectors but I assume Alva actually hired her for the near-death experience that went with it. He said he was stalking Paul because Paul's a good investigator, but I have a hard time believing his two helpers have had near-death experiences by sheer coincidence. And does that mean he also had one? Is that what started him on his mission, whatever it is?
I mostly find myself intrigued by the team. Alva's got that Watcher vibe, intending to observe strange phenomena, not interfere, while Paul cares about the people and gets involved with their lives. Evelyn sympathizes enough to help him break the rules but she's clearly used to Alva's methods. Alva knows Aramaic, so again with the Watcherness (different brand, same impeccable style and uneasy acceptance of authority).
Was surprised to see the government guest star was played by Christopher Cousins, who was Ted Beneke on Breaking Bad. They got quality actors on this show. The plot was pretty much what I remember The X-Files as being - unexplained phenomena happens, they sweep in to investigate, the government covers it all up and no conclusions are drawn or solutions found. However, it has more soul than I remember from The X-Files, as alongside the conspiracy iceberg, the writers dished up both gruesome (death by autopsy, yeesh) and wondrous occurrences - and the ending was quite moving.
It lacked the beautiful style of the pilot and was a curious choice for second episode. Paul has only just joined the team and while all three leads featured, they spent most of their time in separate interviews. Their interactions were furtive and the setting claustrophobic so I don't have much concept for how they interact with each other as yet. It's not really a complaint, just an observation.
It does have an enjoyable level of literacy. No action scenes, no procedural structure, just a number of subplot discussions about metaphysics and the nature of reality. This show was so doomed.
no subject
Date: 2023-06-14 07:55 pm (UTC)I've occasionally seen the primary guest actress show up in things, and I always remember how good she was in this.
Thank you again for sharing your thoughts about these! As mentioned in the other episode post, I think Evie's dynamic with Alva doesn't really get screen time until mid-season, but I may be misremembering.
no subject
Date: 2023-06-15 01:22 am (UTC)Oh, and which episode is that picture of Kurdy from?
no subject
Date: 2023-06-15 05:24 pm (UTC)So funny!
I believe that was a promo picture, not from a specific episode...but it might have been from Strange Attractors? I'm honestly not sure.