From the first time I saw the previews, I knew I had to see Wanted for myself. It had elements of the Matrix and Equilibrium, but also elements of that lame driving movie whose name I cannot recall. None of my friends wanted to see it, but it did have Angelina Jolie and Morgan Freeman in it so how bad can it truly be?
I did some research and discovered the move was based on a trash comic in which all the world’s super-villains decided to band together and use their vast collective powers to eliminate all the world's superheroes and rewrite reality in a darker image. The series was full of amoral behavior and was a parody of many other “good” comics. The series was nothing more than a sad attempt to tear down the heroes we grew up loving. The writer is an angry, sick man who needs mental help and should never be allowed to write another comic again.
Keeping that in mind, I watched the film. The first thing I have to say is that the effects and action is breathtaking, boarding on the surreal. The assassins can do incredible things due to their ability to pump adrenaline at impossible rates. Time slows down for them. Remember that it is a super-hero comic film, though only a few elements of the original story are used.
Enter the key protagonist, Wesley Gibson, a man I can identify with. He works a dead end job, has no direction and is plagued with anxiety attacks. To further complicate things his live in girlfriend is cheating on him with his best friend. He is recruited by the assassins because his father was recently killed by an assassin who left the organization.
This is the part I do not understand, they train him by physically beating him up … all day every day. Each night he sleeps in what seems to be a bath of icing that can super heal him. I guess that it was supposed to make him want to figure out why he wants to join them, or maybe it is just to add a tad of the brutal aspects from the original comic. Regardless that is a good 20 minutes of the movie I can do without, even though we get a nice view of Angelina Jolie’s butt.
The assassins get their orders of whom to kill from the loom for fate. I wish I was joking, but there is a scene where Sloan (Morgan Freeman) is standing over an old looking loom reading the next target they must kill. I guess in a super-hero movie I can accept that. If I can accept a boy being bitten by a spider and gaining powers, why not this?
There is also the ability the assassins have to curve a bullet. Once again, I shut off my brain to accept that fact. You will too … just do it and enjoy the visual effects of the movie.
Wanted has an underlying theme of knowing who you are. At the beginning of the film, Wesley is lost. He has no control over his own life. He doesn’t even have the guts to leave his girlfriend and tell his back stabbing best friend to die. Wesley is always apologizing for everything. Essentially he doesn’t know who he is or believes himself to be a nobody. He was a sheep. During the course of the movie we see him growing more assertive, and at the end he is in total control of his life. He becomes a predator, a wolf.
There is a double whammy of twists in the movie. I might have seen them coming if I did not shut down my brain to watch the movie. I was pretty much stunned by them, and greatly enjoyed the end results. The final battle is pretty neat looking visually. I loved seeing Wesley running through a building gunning down dozens of people and taking their weapons in mid air. It was very shadowrun-ish.
My favorite scene is the death of Angelina Jolie’s character Fox. One of the twists is that Sloan has ignored some of the targets generated by the loom, which included most of the assassins and Sloan himself. When this is revealed Sloan gives them a choice, follow the code and take their own life or break the code and use their abilities to change the world as they see fit. The other assassins choose to break the code. Fox smiles and fires off one shot, that circles the room killing all the assassins and finally herself. The music is haunting, the effects great and physics be damned … it was bloody cool! On a different level it shows that Fox believed fully in the assassin’s code even if she had to die.
Overall I have to give this movie 7 out of 10 stars. Guilty pleasure or not Wanted entertained me and made me think about how much control I have over my own life.
I did some research and discovered the move was based on a trash comic in which all the world’s super-villains decided to band together and use their vast collective powers to eliminate all the world's superheroes and rewrite reality in a darker image. The series was full of amoral behavior and was a parody of many other “good” comics. The series was nothing more than a sad attempt to tear down the heroes we grew up loving. The writer is an angry, sick man who needs mental help and should never be allowed to write another comic again.
Keeping that in mind, I watched the film. The first thing I have to say is that the effects and action is breathtaking, boarding on the surreal. The assassins can do incredible things due to their ability to pump adrenaline at impossible rates. Time slows down for them. Remember that it is a super-hero comic film, though only a few elements of the original story are used.
Enter the key protagonist, Wesley Gibson, a man I can identify with. He works a dead end job, has no direction and is plagued with anxiety attacks. To further complicate things his live in girlfriend is cheating on him with his best friend. He is recruited by the assassins because his father was recently killed by an assassin who left the organization.
This is the part I do not understand, they train him by physically beating him up … all day every day. Each night he sleeps in what seems to be a bath of icing that can super heal him. I guess that it was supposed to make him want to figure out why he wants to join them, or maybe it is just to add a tad of the brutal aspects from the original comic. Regardless that is a good 20 minutes of the movie I can do without, even though we get a nice view of Angelina Jolie’s butt.
The assassins get their orders of whom to kill from the loom for fate. I wish I was joking, but there is a scene where Sloan (Morgan Freeman) is standing over an old looking loom reading the next target they must kill. I guess in a super-hero movie I can accept that. If I can accept a boy being bitten by a spider and gaining powers, why not this?
There is also the ability the assassins have to curve a bullet. Once again, I shut off my brain to accept that fact. You will too … just do it and enjoy the visual effects of the movie.
Wanted has an underlying theme of knowing who you are. At the beginning of the film, Wesley is lost. He has no control over his own life. He doesn’t even have the guts to leave his girlfriend and tell his back stabbing best friend to die. Wesley is always apologizing for everything. Essentially he doesn’t know who he is or believes himself to be a nobody. He was a sheep. During the course of the movie we see him growing more assertive, and at the end he is in total control of his life. He becomes a predator, a wolf.
There is a double whammy of twists in the movie. I might have seen them coming if I did not shut down my brain to watch the movie. I was pretty much stunned by them, and greatly enjoyed the end results. The final battle is pretty neat looking visually. I loved seeing Wesley running through a building gunning down dozens of people and taking their weapons in mid air. It was very shadowrun-ish.
My favorite scene is the death of Angelina Jolie’s character Fox. One of the twists is that Sloan has ignored some of the targets generated by the loom, which included most of the assassins and Sloan himself. When this is revealed Sloan gives them a choice, follow the code and take their own life or break the code and use their abilities to change the world as they see fit. The other assassins choose to break the code. Fox smiles and fires off one shot, that circles the room killing all the assassins and finally herself. The music is haunting, the effects great and physics be damned … it was bloody cool! On a different level it shows that Fox believed fully in the assassin’s code even if she had to die.
Overall I have to give this movie 7 out of 10 stars. Guilty pleasure or not Wanted entertained me and made me think about how much control I have over my own life.
06/23: Six Labours of Bandit
I have a good friend named Tutie who often astounds the group with his simple proclamations. He has an exceptional gift for cutting to the heart of the matter with the precision of a surgeon and the elegance of Tim Robbins. No matter the situation, we can always depend on his witty remarks to give us a good chuckle. One of the more memorable was when we were playing D&D and the group was bantering with the evil wizard of a tower. Before the battle was to begin he exclaimed, “If you were just going to kills us, why did you ask our names?”
This week my wife and kids will be enjoying a vacation in the hot land of Florida at Disney World. As I hate travel, I am staying home. Normally, I use this time to clean the house and lounge around in my underwear. Like clockwork Tutie pointed out that it would be an excerise in frustration since once the family returns they would wreck all my hard work. This is a very true statement since that is exactly what happens.
Instead, much like the twelve labours of Hercules, I have taken on a number of projects around the house. Much to my neighbor’s dismay, I will be doing many of them shirtless. The list thus far is:
Finishing the Gaming Room Recycling Bin
Complete Building of the Miniature Cabinet Doors
Build the Network Hub Door
Catch up my D&D Campaign Notes
Clean my Gaming Room
Build the Kids two new PCs
I have until Sunday to complete these six labours. Sadly, the computers may be a hold up since shipping can cause problems. I may have to find something else to replace it, depending on what new egg says.
This week my wife and kids will be enjoying a vacation in the hot land of Florida at Disney World. As I hate travel, I am staying home. Normally, I use this time to clean the house and lounge around in my underwear. Like clockwork Tutie pointed out that it would be an excerise in frustration since once the family returns they would wreck all my hard work. This is a very true statement since that is exactly what happens.
Instead, much like the twelve labours of Hercules, I have taken on a number of projects around the house. Much to my neighbor’s dismay, I will be doing many of them shirtless. The list thus far is:
Finishing the Gaming Room Recycling Bin
Complete Building of the Miniature Cabinet Doors
Build the Network Hub Door
Catch up my D&D Campaign Notes
Clean my Gaming Room
Build the Kids two new PCs
I have until Sunday to complete these six labours. Sadly, the computers may be a hold up since shipping can cause problems. I may have to find something else to replace it, depending on what new egg says.
04/01: Some Exciting News!
I have good news and bad news for my loyal readers.
The bad news is I have found a high quality spartan costume from the movie 300 at a good price. For 24.99 I too can charge into battle wearing only a cape and leather underwear!
The good news is I cannot get this until after RoundCon.
I am not sure what my current fascination is with amauture voyerism. I think that maybe this is my version of a midlife crisis as I force people to stare at my pasty abs. Or maybe RoundCon prep has finally caused me to snap and go over the deep end.
Regardless, I am almost done with con prepartions and look forward to having one ady of rest tommorow before I have to be at the hotel.
The bad news is I have found a high quality spartan costume from the movie 300 at a good price. For 24.99 I too can charge into battle wearing only a cape and leather underwear!
The good news is I cannot get this until after RoundCon.
I am not sure what my current fascination is with amauture voyerism. I think that maybe this is my version of a midlife crisis as I force people to stare at my pasty abs. Or maybe RoundCon prep has finally caused me to snap and go over the deep end.
Regardless, I am almost done with con prepartions and look forward to having one ady of rest tommorow before I have to be at the hotel.
03/19: Loving My New Painting Area
When I bought my house three years ago I allocated space to a painting area beacuse I love to paint miniatures. It is one of my hobbies that I greatly enjoy, and quite frankly I am damn good at it. For me D&D and Champions are just another excuse I have to paint miniatures.
Since I moved in I have not been painting. I set up the area and hung a cabinet on the wall to store my supplies. Sadly, one month later the cabinet came crashing down due to the sheer weight of my miniatures and the fact that it wasn't really designd to hang on the wall. I was devastated as I had to sort through the wreckage and see what was broken. A few were.
A short while ago I stopped playing most computer games and I found a new creativity that I had forgotten. With a week I started cleaning out the cornor and installed some sturdy wire shelves. I did not like the idea of having wire shelves but they actualy look good and work well in the space. It took me a while but the area was reorganized and set back up to paint miniatures agian. Oh, how I looked forward to actually sitting down and doing some real painting. I think the last time I painted was ayear ago at StellarCon.
I am happy to report that tonight I finished 5 pieces! I have also started working on a very epic custom piece that would retail for about $90 when you add all the parts together. That one will take me some time, but the D&D party will see it soon enough in game. Believe it or not this changed the ending to my current D&D module. The final battle will be far more interesting than I had orginally planned.
This weekend I hope to make some real progress on finihing my display cabinets. By friday the Secondary doors should be installed and hopefully by the weekend I can finish the primary doors and set the glass. I had an idea for how to custom make the shlves since they have to be 16" deep and be able to display hundreds of finished pieces. I will make some seven or eight tier shelves! In theroy they will have the ability to pull out so they can be viewed up close, but that is still on the drawing board.
Since I moved in I have not been painting. I set up the area and hung a cabinet on the wall to store my supplies. Sadly, one month later the cabinet came crashing down due to the sheer weight of my miniatures and the fact that it wasn't really designd to hang on the wall. I was devastated as I had to sort through the wreckage and see what was broken. A few were.
A short while ago I stopped playing most computer games and I found a new creativity that I had forgotten. With a week I started cleaning out the cornor and installed some sturdy wire shelves. I did not like the idea of having wire shelves but they actualy look good and work well in the space. It took me a while but the area was reorganized and set back up to paint miniatures agian. Oh, how I looked forward to actually sitting down and doing some real painting. I think the last time I painted was ayear ago at StellarCon.
I am happy to report that tonight I finished 5 pieces! I have also started working on a very epic custom piece that would retail for about $90 when you add all the parts together. That one will take me some time, but the D&D party will see it soon enough in game. Believe it or not this changed the ending to my current D&D module. The final battle will be far more interesting than I had orginally planned.
This weekend I hope to make some real progress on finihing my display cabinets. By friday the Secondary doors should be installed and hopefully by the weekend I can finish the primary doors and set the glass. I had an idea for how to custom make the shlves since they have to be 16" deep and be able to display hundreds of finished pieces. I will make some seven or eight tier shelves! In theroy they will have the ability to pull out so they can be viewed up close, but that is still on the drawing board.
03/14: Lost ... without Watching
I missed last night's episode of Lost but was able to catch up by reading wikipedia's summery of the episode. I may continue to "view" the series this way as it is far less frustrating and time consuming.
What I liked was how the show cut in the past with Jin and the Future with Sun. It is ashame that Jin has to die at some point in the show, but we knew this season there would be a lot of death. I was also happy to hear that Bernaud is back, I always liked his character.
People are claiming this episode was the most shocking of the new season. I find that hard to believe as nothing I have read is "shocking" to me. I will go back and watch the episode just to be sure ... and if it isn't shocking prepare for an epic rant.
What I liked was how the show cut in the past with Jin and the Future with Sun. It is ashame that Jin has to die at some point in the show, but we knew this season there would be a lot of death. I was also happy to hear that Bernaud is back, I always liked his character.
People are claiming this episode was the most shocking of the new season. I find that hard to believe as nothing I have read is "shocking" to me. I will go back and watch the episode just to be sure ... and if it isn't shocking prepare for an epic rant.
First Tutie and then Martin quit the game on server 5. Tutie got tired of being farmed by one specific person. Martin ended his account after his new city was declared a threat and attacked by someone much bigger than him. Sadly, I am now joining them.
For the past two weeks I have been under semi-regular attack by one member of a large alliance. Most of the time I have been able to divert resources to my second city and prevent them from getting anything. Over the course of the attacks I consistantly built troops and hide them in my oasis. Well last night I finally built up enough troops to deal with the attack from the smaller city. My troops did well and destroyed almost all of the invaders with only acceptable losses.
Apparently the invader did not think I should defend myself and has launched an all out attack on my kingdom. Currently I have 4 incoming attacks on my main city. After seeing this I have set my account to delete and will destroy my warehouse/grainery to prevent the enemy from getting anything.
I am still active on Server 6, but as for Server 5 ... I am done.
For the past two weeks I have been under semi-regular attack by one member of a large alliance. Most of the time I have been able to divert resources to my second city and prevent them from getting anything. Over the course of the attacks I consistantly built troops and hide them in my oasis. Well last night I finally built up enough troops to deal with the attack from the smaller city. My troops did well and destroyed almost all of the invaders with only acceptable losses.
Apparently the invader did not think I should defend myself and has launched an all out attack on my kingdom. Currently I have 4 incoming attacks on my main city. After seeing this I have set my account to delete and will destroy my warehouse/grainery to prevent the enemy from getting anything.
I am still active on Server 6, but as for Server 5 ... I am done.
03/07: Lost ... ::sigh::
I watched Lost again this week hoping to find some answers or at least be able to tell whom are the good guys and whom are the bad guys. Once again the writers foiled my enjoyment by giving me an hour of crap.
Most of the episode focued on Juliet, a character I really do not like. We got to see her past and discovered she was having an affair with Goodwin. To make matters worse, Ben liked her and decided to do everything he could to set up Goodwin to die.
The drama concluded with the two people from the freighter claiming they were working against Ben and disabled some sort of gas weapon system, to prevent him from using it. Now what really bothers me about this is somehow Ben who is locked up knows they are trying to disable the system and has his people contact Juliet.
How in the name of Zues' butthole can he make contact with his people while locked up?
I found a list of things the writers have promised to reveal this season and so far have not.
1) What happened between Ben and the real Henry Gale
2) How Ben was caught in Rousseau's trap on the survivors' fifty-eighth day will be explained.
3) The four-toed statue will be addressed.
4) Why the Oceanic 815 was in the trench at the bottom of the ocean will be explained.
5) What happened in the Hatch during its implosion will be explored.
6) Who was in the coffin will be shown.
7) The fate of Sun and her unborn child will be made clear.
8) What happened to Dr. Marvin Candle's arm will be addressed.
9) How Libby wound up in the mental institution will be shown.
10) What happened to Ben's childhood friend Annie will be revealed
I personally fear the answers given we have 7 episodes in which to explain things.
Most of the episode focued on Juliet, a character I really do not like. We got to see her past and discovered she was having an affair with Goodwin. To make matters worse, Ben liked her and decided to do everything he could to set up Goodwin to die.
The drama concluded with the two people from the freighter claiming they were working against Ben and disabled some sort of gas weapon system, to prevent him from using it. Now what really bothers me about this is somehow Ben who is locked up knows they are trying to disable the system and has his people contact Juliet.
How in the name of Zues' butthole can he make contact with his people while locked up?
I found a list of things the writers have promised to reveal this season and so far have not.
1) What happened between Ben and the real Henry Gale
2) How Ben was caught in Rousseau's trap on the survivors' fifty-eighth day will be explained.
3) The four-toed statue will be addressed.
4) Why the Oceanic 815 was in the trench at the bottom of the ocean will be explained.
5) What happened in the Hatch during its implosion will be explored.
6) Who was in the coffin will be shown.
7) The fate of Sun and her unborn child will be made clear.
8) What happened to Dr. Marvin Candle's arm will be addressed.
9) How Libby wound up in the mental institution will be shown.
10) What happened to Ben's childhood friend Annie will be revealed
I personally fear the answers given we have 7 episodes in which to explain things.
02/29: Lost ... In Time
I eagerly watched Lost this week as the episode promised to focus on Desmond, one of my favorite characters. What is there not to like about him, he is scruffy and has an awesome accent. Plus, his story is really the only true love stoy within the show. We all know I like a good love story.
I really enjoyed the overall story of Desmond of the past trying to making contact with Penny of the future to stablize himself in time. Despite being a complete rehash of the Next Generation episode "All Good Things", the end where Desmond did finally make the call and got to hear Penny's voice was good enough for me. Penny had believed his crazy story and had been waiting for him to call her.
What I did not like is the overall idea of time travel via conscinous. This is similar to Quantum Leap, just not as fun. Are we going to be forced to swallow such rubbish for another three seasons with the writers boldly claiming everything can rationally be explained? Last I checked we have not been able to prove time travel works on any level.
I was surprised to hear the term "Unstuck in time" which was originally coined in a the novel Slaughterhouse-Five and then later used on Dr. Who and Babylon 5. I personally believe they got the referance from Babylon 5 since I do not believe the writers of Lost read anything that is not thier own work.
Next weak it looks like Daniel is going to activate the island's field again and probably kill everyone that doesn't have a name or cuase more time traveling nonsense.
To recap, we learned the following:
Love Conquers All: Penny still loves Desmond despite him disappearing for eight years. This proves my theroy that hot women with money are attracted to scruffy looking men.
Daniel is Obsessed: Daniel is completely obsessed with his own research that involves time travel. Yay, another sterotype!
That is all for this week folks!
I really enjoyed the overall story of Desmond of the past trying to making contact with Penny of the future to stablize himself in time. Despite being a complete rehash of the Next Generation episode "All Good Things", the end where Desmond did finally make the call and got to hear Penny's voice was good enough for me. Penny had believed his crazy story and had been waiting for him to call her.
What I did not like is the overall idea of time travel via conscinous. This is similar to Quantum Leap, just not as fun. Are we going to be forced to swallow such rubbish for another three seasons with the writers boldly claiming everything can rationally be explained? Last I checked we have not been able to prove time travel works on any level.
I was surprised to hear the term "Unstuck in time" which was originally coined in a the novel Slaughterhouse-Five and then later used on Dr. Who and Babylon 5. I personally believe they got the referance from Babylon 5 since I do not believe the writers of Lost read anything that is not thier own work.
Next weak it looks like Daniel is going to activate the island's field again and probably kill everyone that doesn't have a name or cuase more time traveling nonsense.
To recap, we learned the following:
Love Conquers All: Penny still loves Desmond despite him disappearing for eight years. This proves my theroy that hot women with money are attracted to scruffy looking men.
Daniel is Obsessed: Daniel is completely obsessed with his own research that involves time travel. Yay, another sterotype!
That is all for this week folks!
02/21: Lost with Lost?
I have no idea why I must torture myself and watch LOST. The show lost its charm a long time ago and the writers have learned to answer questions with more questions. For me the show is an exercise in frustration. I have been watching the new season since I was hoping to get some answers, but those do not seem to be forth coming.
What did we learn this week? Here is my list.
Ben has a fuckton of money. Somehow he has access to millions and millions of dollars. So much that the ghostbuster on the freighter wanted to blackmail him. How does he expect to get paid? It’s not like there is an ATM on the island.
Something bad happens to Claire. I was shocked to find out at the end that Kate is caring for Aaron. Stranger still is the fact that jack did not want to visit because of the baby. Using plot logic something happens to Claire and Jack is unable to save her. I have to give the writers some credit, I would not expect a move as bold as killing off the single mother on the show.
The island has a temporal distortion around it. Apparently the helicopter that left a day ago still has not reached the freighter yet … and somehow it is not out of fuel. This indicates that the island is surrounded by a bizarre temporal field which defies science completely blowing away the producers/writers statement that everything can be rationally explained. The lesson here … they show’s staff has their head so far up their butts that they enjoy their own stink.
John Locke is crazy! I was amazed at the scene where Locke fed a hand grenade to Miles. I suspect he is going native and will soon be using war paint and leading some sort of revolt.
Thank god I have Monk to watch this week.
What did we learn this week? Here is my list.
Ben has a fuckton of money. Somehow he has access to millions and millions of dollars. So much that the ghostbuster on the freighter wanted to blackmail him. How does he expect to get paid? It’s not like there is an ATM on the island.
Something bad happens to Claire. I was shocked to find out at the end that Kate is caring for Aaron. Stranger still is the fact that jack did not want to visit because of the baby. Using plot logic something happens to Claire and Jack is unable to save her. I have to give the writers some credit, I would not expect a move as bold as killing off the single mother on the show.
The island has a temporal distortion around it. Apparently the helicopter that left a day ago still has not reached the freighter yet … and somehow it is not out of fuel. This indicates that the island is surrounded by a bizarre temporal field which defies science completely blowing away the producers/writers statement that everything can be rationally explained. The lesson here … they show’s staff has their head so far up their butts that they enjoy their own stink.
John Locke is crazy! I was amazed at the scene where Locke fed a hand grenade to Miles. I suspect he is going native and will soon be using war paint and leading some sort of revolt.
Thank god I have Monk to watch this week.
02/21: Monk
I have just heard that my favorite TV show, Monk, has been renewed for its seventh season. I am pretty excited about it since I am a huge fan. Unfortunately, this could be the last season as the cost of the show continues to rise. Considering the two part season finale, I have the feeling that Monk will end next season.
The two part finale has our favorite OCD private investigator on the run for a murder he did not commit. The first part was phenomenal. It was refreshing to see Monk have to use his skills to outwit and escape the law. All the time his OCD hindered him. My favorite scene was when he was running through the woods touching every tree and sewing up his torn jump suit. That was hilarious! The poor police dogs got tired of stopping at every tree with his scent on it.
Eventually he makes it back home to his assistant, Natalie Teeger and ask her for help. One of the detectives showed up at her house to keep watch in case Monk tried to contact her. Natalie outwits the detective in a very funny scene involving a blender and a power drill. I laughed so hard at the scene. She gives Monk some cloths and money and tells him to find the real killer.
The episode ends with Monk getting shot on the dock by Captain Stottlemeyer. I did not expect the episode to end that way and was completely shocked and generally upset by the tragic turn of events. It has been torture waiting for the final part of the season and that airs in just two days. I guess I can watch Lost to give me something to do … but that will just irritate me.
As I watched the episode it showed that Monk can overcome his fears and phobias when he needs to. This indicates that there is indeed hope for him to live a normal life and eventually remarry. It also reinforced something I have been sensing for a while – that He and Natalie are in love, but they don’t really know it.
When Traylor Howard was cast as Natalie Teeger, the producers were looking for someone who could potentially be a love interest for Monk. Initially the storyline was dropped and in theory saved for later. This would explain the various comments both characters have made about how the other reminds them of their deceased spouse.
In watching reruns of Monk I have come to see that in truth Natalie does care for Monk deeply. During the Reunion episode she went back inside to be with Monk when she found out that his old classmates did not think much of him. He was the outsider, a joke to them. She stood by his side and was mistaken for a couple several times.
They are also very close, more so than anyone one else in their lives. They spend holidays together and confide in each other. They also just hang out and do nothing together. It was sad when Natalie told Monk that her husband deserted his unit after his plane was shot down, especially since she always told her daughter that he was a hero. Natalie has also asked Monk to explain the birds and bees to her daughter … a very funny concept, though in the end it was touching. Monk talked about how he met Trudy (his wife) and how he knew it was true love.
What brought on the discussion about Natalie and Monk as a couple? Well in the season finale they kiss! There has been a good bit of negative reaction to that tidbit. I am personally excited about the prospects because it means character growth and story potential. I am a sucker for romance stories, yes I even like some chick-flicks. I must be doing something right since I am married. Deal with it.
I think some of the fan community doesn’t like the idea because they do not recognize the signs of two people being in love and not realizing it. At the moment they are best friends. Often couples start out as friends. Though in the past adding romance to a show between two main characters has proved disastrous.
For me the perfect way the seventh season should end is with Monk solving Trudy’s murder and then confessing his love for Natalie after several episodes. Oh, he would have to be reinstated to the police force as well. That would complete the typical hero’s journey storyline and give everyone a happy ending.
The two part finale has our favorite OCD private investigator on the run for a murder he did not commit. The first part was phenomenal. It was refreshing to see Monk have to use his skills to outwit and escape the law. All the time his OCD hindered him. My favorite scene was when he was running through the woods touching every tree and sewing up his torn jump suit. That was hilarious! The poor police dogs got tired of stopping at every tree with his scent on it.
Eventually he makes it back home to his assistant, Natalie Teeger and ask her for help. One of the detectives showed up at her house to keep watch in case Monk tried to contact her. Natalie outwits the detective in a very funny scene involving a blender and a power drill. I laughed so hard at the scene. She gives Monk some cloths and money and tells him to find the real killer.
The episode ends with Monk getting shot on the dock by Captain Stottlemeyer. I did not expect the episode to end that way and was completely shocked and generally upset by the tragic turn of events. It has been torture waiting for the final part of the season and that airs in just two days. I guess I can watch Lost to give me something to do … but that will just irritate me.
As I watched the episode it showed that Monk can overcome his fears and phobias when he needs to. This indicates that there is indeed hope for him to live a normal life and eventually remarry. It also reinforced something I have been sensing for a while – that He and Natalie are in love, but they don’t really know it.
When Traylor Howard was cast as Natalie Teeger, the producers were looking for someone who could potentially be a love interest for Monk. Initially the storyline was dropped and in theory saved for later. This would explain the various comments both characters have made about how the other reminds them of their deceased spouse.
In watching reruns of Monk I have come to see that in truth Natalie does care for Monk deeply. During the Reunion episode she went back inside to be with Monk when she found out that his old classmates did not think much of him. He was the outsider, a joke to them. She stood by his side and was mistaken for a couple several times.
They are also very close, more so than anyone one else in their lives. They spend holidays together and confide in each other. They also just hang out and do nothing together. It was sad when Natalie told Monk that her husband deserted his unit after his plane was shot down, especially since she always told her daughter that he was a hero. Natalie has also asked Monk to explain the birds and bees to her daughter … a very funny concept, though in the end it was touching. Monk talked about how he met Trudy (his wife) and how he knew it was true love.
What brought on the discussion about Natalie and Monk as a couple? Well in the season finale they kiss! There has been a good bit of negative reaction to that tidbit. I am personally excited about the prospects because it means character growth and story potential. I am a sucker for romance stories, yes I even like some chick-flicks. I must be doing something right since I am married. Deal with it.
I think some of the fan community doesn’t like the idea because they do not recognize the signs of two people being in love and not realizing it. At the moment they are best friends. Often couples start out as friends. Though in the past adding romance to a show between two main characters has proved disastrous.
For me the perfect way the seventh season should end is with Monk solving Trudy’s murder and then confessing his love for Natalie after several episodes. Oh, he would have to be reinstated to the police force as well. That would complete the typical hero’s journey storyline and give everyone a happy ending.
