THE NEWSROOM: Aaron Sorkin is My New Television Hero. Again.

Jul 6, 2012 | 4 comments

[NOTE: This blog post is written after viewing only the premiere episode of THE NEWSROOM. All opinions herein are solely based on one  episode… so far…]

I have a list of favorite TV Shows. While it’s no secret that FLASHPOINT tops the list, the remaining Top Ten tend to blur together. My order of preference depends on what my mood is. Generally, you can always interest me in watching any of the following:

Frasier reruns
Cheers reruns
Friends reruns
Blue Bloods
NCIS
Once Upon a Time
Touch
The Waltons reruns
The West Wing reruns

Of course there’s many more. Anything on the Food Network. So You Think You Can Dance, Nat Geo programming…

But I’m especially fond of THE WEST WING. In its day, it set high standards for plot, character, directing, writing… it’s now one of the high bars that other shows aspire to reach: “Not since THE WEST WING has there been such a show…”

And now, finally, six years later, there’s a show that just might be on par. And the best part? It too is a creation of Aaron Sorkin.

The commercial caught my eye: dramatic storyline, well-known actors. And then. This:

From Aaron Sorkin,
Creator of The West Wing

I’m a huge fan of Aaron Sorkin. His scripts are well-developed. He treats his audience with intelligence and respect. His characters have real struggles. And not everything is neatly finished.

Needless to say, I had to find a way to watch the show, even though I don’s subscribe to HBO.

Enter the internet. The 72+ minute pilot was available online at HBO.com.

I’m not one to stream shows through the internet. I find it to be tedious and halting.

But after seeing several previews for THE NEWSROOM, I decided to take a chance. I was fairly skeptical as I had to register at HBO.com, confirming I’m over the age of 18 and legal to watch “MA”-rated shows. MA stands for Mature Audience. I was concerned what the show might include. After all, HBO isn’t often known for their late-night, uh, family friendly films, shall we say…

I was fully prepared to stop the show at any moment. I’m not one to go in for naked bodies and illicit acts just for the sake of a storyline. I held my breath for nearly 73 minutes and found myself gasping again when it was over.

The pilot episode was fairly predictable. In true Aaron Sorkin fashion, he introduces the characters through resolving an event. Some characters come late to the party but boy! are we glad they showed up! Because in Act II, the main crisis arrives. This is where we get to see the troops in action. And in Act III, the pilot episode wraps up but not too neatly. Sorkin leaves us wanting more and waiting with baited breath for the next Big News Story… and the soap opera that goes on behind the scenes.

Jeff Daniels sets the stage as beleaguered news anchor man Will McAvoy who may or may not have had a meltdown which may or may not have resulted in his getting fired or in his staff quitting. Once that storyline is set, we are brought little by little into

THE NEWSROOM

where we meet the other characters. Through banter, conversation, and reports we learn the backstories and current struggles of nearly everyone involved. We see who has drive and who’s just along for the ride. And we see who might step up to the challenge of making Will the best news anchor, again.

The only reason for the MA rating was the occasional use of the F-word. I have to give kudos to Sorkin and the entire creative team here: They didn’t insert obligatory cuss words just to do so. Each blurt was strategically placed in conversation as a punctuation to a dramatic statement. That made it all the more useful and appreciated. I’m not a fan of the F-word in entertainment. But it does occasionally come out in moments of high stress in real life, and that’s how it was portrayed here.

I look forward to being drawn back into a new world created by Aaron Sorkin. His characters are always complex, thorough, and real. His stories are plausible. And even when it’s predictable, it’s always very, very enjoyable.

And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!

Sweeten my tea and share:

Mojo TV Review: “Once Upon A Time”

Feb 14, 2012 | 0 comments

I spent the weekend catching up on episodes of ABC Network’s “Once Upon A Time” and I’m so glad I did!

Airing on Sunday nights on ABC, “Once Upon A Time” is a great mix of storytelling.

Emma Swan is a bounty hunter. On the night of her 28th birthday, 10-year-old Henry arrives at her apartment, announcing that he is the son she gave up for adoption. Further, he tells her, she is the only one to save them.

Everyone who lives there has forgotten their origins. They are all characters from Fairytale World, but due to the Evil Queen’s curse, they have been transported to Storybrook, Maine. Anyone who tries to leave ends up hurt.

Henry is the adopted son of Storybrook’s Mayor, Regina Mills. She will do whatever it takes to rule over all. Of course, she needs the help of Mr. Gold, who owns the entire town. Henry’s teacher, Mary Margaret Blanchard, befriends Emma and the two of them work together to discover the truth.

Just as soon as you get sucked into the modern drama, the show transports the viewers back to Fairytale World and shows the characters in ways previously unthought of.

There’s the town psychiatrist, Archie Hopper, who represents Jiminy Cricket.
Mr. Gold is fashioned after Rumplestiltskin.
The Mayor is, of course, the Evil Queen.
Mary Margaret is Snow White and Emma is her daughter who, as a baby, was magically transported to the Real World.

Many other people correlate to fairytale characters. Some appear just for an episode or two. Some are recurring background. Granny’s is the local diner everyone eats at.

Did you ever wonder about the characters outside of the few stories we’re familiar with? How, exactly, did Rumplestiltskin become so wicked? What happened to Gepetto? Who were the parents of the Princes and Princesses?

This show is full of wonderful dialogue, excellent scenery and stunning costumes. The characters are more in-depth than those portrayed in children’s stories. There are entire backstories to every legend, and this show brings them together with rich history and descriptive events.

It is not as simple as Good vs. Evil; there are choices being made constantly to protect loved ones, ways of life, and life itself.

While the main story is about breaking the curse, the subplots are just as enjoyably detailed. The great acting leaves no doubt that Henry is absolutely Emma’s son, that James is Prince Charming and Mary Margaret is Snow White. The struggle between Emma and Regina to each be Henry’s mother is a constant battle that uses manipulation, spilled secrets, and in some cases just good detective work.

This show has been a must-watch in my household since the first episode. It’s one of the very few that takes our attention away from all distractions, that beckons us to unplugged for sixty minutes and be enthralled.

If you haven’t watched “Once Upon A Time”, I strongly urge you to do so. No matter what your favorite fairytale, you’re bound to discover a whole new perspective… maybe even a whole new world.

And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!

Sweeten my tea and share: