Slings and Arrows: Geoffrey's Return First Watch
August 10, 2014 6:01 PM - Season 1, Episode 2 - Subscribe
A farewell; a return; a new career opportunity, twice; another return.
The desperate flicking of the lights, and finally the fire alarm, to get the minister off the stage.
The Greek tragedy and comedy masks!
The whole business with the chameleon. As much as Sloan seems so terribly young when he's debating whether to buy a Playstation or an Xbox, I just love that little moment of him being genuinely engaged and generally caring about something, even a reptile.
I think what really hooked me, the first time I watched this show, was how Geoffrey really does care about fulfilling Oliver's last wishes even though there's clearly little love lost between them (and Anna does too even though of course she can't bring herself to actually raise the subject) -- that, more than anything, makes me believe what Geoffrey says in his not!eulogy, about how great it was before it all went to hell.
Geoffrey's in an interesting position -- close enough to Oliver, and Ellen, and New Burbage as an institution, to be able to speak clearly and truthfully about what he thinks has gone wrong, and at the same time not beholden to anyone there, not in a position where he has to mince his words. (It was interesting rereading Hamlet in that light -- Hamlet's in a similar position, though I think it's more that Hamlet's too distraught/depressed to filter his thoughts too well!) But when he gives the eulogy for Oliver, it feels like speaking truth to power, and when he goes off on Ellen at the end it just feels mean.
posted by Jeanne at 10:12 AM on August 11, 2014 [1 favorite]
The Greek tragedy and comedy masks!
The whole business with the chameleon. As much as Sloan seems so terribly young when he's debating whether to buy a Playstation or an Xbox, I just love that little moment of him being genuinely engaged and generally caring about something, even a reptile.
I think what really hooked me, the first time I watched this show, was how Geoffrey really does care about fulfilling Oliver's last wishes even though there's clearly little love lost between them (and Anna does too even though of course she can't bring herself to actually raise the subject) -- that, more than anything, makes me believe what Geoffrey says in his not!eulogy, about how great it was before it all went to hell.
Geoffrey's in an interesting position -- close enough to Oliver, and Ellen, and New Burbage as an institution, to be able to speak clearly and truthfully about what he thinks has gone wrong, and at the same time not beholden to anyone there, not in a position where he has to mince his words. (It was interesting rereading Hamlet in that light -- Hamlet's in a similar position, though I think it's more that Hamlet's too distraught/depressed to filter his thoughts too well!) But when he gives the eulogy for Oliver, it feels like speaking truth to power, and when he goes off on Ellen at the end it just feels mean.
posted by Jeanne at 10:12 AM on August 11, 2014 [1 favorite]
I liked Sloan, he's genuinely decent. He's not deliberately set up as dick boyfriend who gets in the way of the "real couple". I love that even Ellen is perplexed as to why he is with her.
posted by BAKERSFIELD! at 12:45 PM on August 12, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by BAKERSFIELD! at 12:45 PM on August 12, 2014 [1 favorite]
I like the way that the morticians seem like such a nod to Shakespeare. They comment on the action without being exactly in the action. It seemed like a very theatrical touch.
posted by GenjiandProust at 6:27 AM on August 13, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by GenjiandProust at 6:27 AM on August 13, 2014 [1 favorite]
I think of them as Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, essentially. (And to be honest I think there could have been a fascinating spinoff series just about them and their backstory.)
I love that even Ellen is perplexed as to why he is with her.
I've never gotten that from the show. Can you expand without spoiling future episodes?
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 8:56 AM on August 13, 2014 [2 favorites]
I love that even Ellen is perplexed as to why he is with her.
I've never gotten that from the show. Can you expand without spoiling future episodes?
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 8:56 AM on August 13, 2014 [2 favorites]
I thought the skinny mortician looked familiar - Julian Richings has a recurring part as Death on Supernatural.
posted by oh yeah! at 4:46 PM on August 15, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by oh yeah! at 4:46 PM on August 15, 2014 [1 favorite]
....as well as an exceptionally creeeeeepy recurring role in Orphan Bloack, which is Shakespearian/SF/horror.
posted by Jesse the K at 2:56 PM on August 16, 2014
posted by Jesse the K at 2:56 PM on August 16, 2014
To me it seems like Ellen saw Sloan as a hook up sort of thing but then he goes against her and the audience expectations by taking the relationship really seriously from day one. He also seems completely blind to the age difference and just carrying on like they are both 20-something. Perhaps bemused is a better description for Ellen's reaction to this.
posted by BAKERSFIELD! at 10:50 AM on August 24, 2014 [2 favorites]
posted by BAKERSFIELD! at 10:50 AM on August 24, 2014 [2 favorites]
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Richard's complete personality, in 7 words: "I can't comfort you; I'm on hold."
Seeing Neil Barclay (the minister) again is making me seriously consider going back to the Shaw Festival this summer.
posted by still_wears_a_hat at 9:03 AM on August 11, 2014 [3 favorites]