Melanie's Review
Laurie's Review
The quality-television fairy has apparently waved her magic wand over my tape collection. I went to review Body Language yesterday evening and discovered that the carefully labelled videotape that includes this episode is, in fact, completely blank.I have no idea how I should feel about this. The good new is, I'm now off the hook for watching Body Language. The bad news is, I don't have White Men Don't Jump to Conclusions, All the Queen's Horses, The Duel or Red, White or Blue either. Life is weird.
Anyway, it's been so long since I've seen this episode that I don't really feel qualified to go into great detail about it. But I gotta have a word about Milton Berle. In the prime of his life, he was known as Mr. Television, but I have never understood what his appeal was. In vintage clips from Texaco Star Theater he's occasionally good for a smile or even a small chuckle, but on Due South he was absolutely useless. The whole cowboy-themed, barbecue ribs 'n' exotic dancers with a side of organized crime just served as a crude cartoon setting for a wooden actor.
I have wondered before, and I'd be pleased to know if anyone has an answer for me: Did the production staff and/or the actors know that the show had been cancelled when they made this episode?
Best line of the Week:Fraser: Mmmmm-mmm, mmmm mm mmmmm mmmm-mmmm. Mmmm mmmm mmm--mmmm mm mmmmm mmmmmmmmmm mmm-mmmmmm mmmm mmmm, mmm mmmmmm. Mmmm mmm!
(What was so great about it was that Ray understood every word.)
Surprisingly enough, I can combine several of my regular features.Fantasy Moment of the Week:
Fraser somehow knowing that there would be a vital clue in the odor of a rat's breath.
Dief Moment:How did Dief know which rib recipe was the right one? He didn't smell the rat's breath.
Snack to eat while. . . um, while fast-forwarding through the blank tape:Barbecued ribs with Mama Litvak's secret sauce.
Overall grade: F
Laurie's Review:Body Language is the only Season 1/2 ep I dislike, and rather intensely. I'm not fond of Starman either but that's only because it bores me. I can think of no redeeming qualities in this ep, though there are occasional scenes that I can watch in between the fast forwarding. Sorry, no priceless moments for me, but Fraser's "oh dear" after Ida leaves is cute. That's not nearly enough to carry the show and make it watchable.
It's the whole strip club thing (I won't rant, I refuse to rant). That aside, this ep is poorly written and the jokes fall flat. No one's acting abilities are showcased, except for the rats. Nothing made a favorable impression on me and if this had been the first Due South ep I ever saw, I seriously doubt I would have watched again.
Ida is the most annoying woman I've seen on Due South; she makes Katherine Burns look like someone I'd pick to be stranded on a desert island with. Yes, I know Milton Berle is a legend, but he is painfully embarrassing to watch.
Hmmm, in addition to Fraser's "oh dear," are there any other moments I can stomach. I love Meg Thatcher's glare. I was surprised that she didn't order Ida to leave though. I also liked her words to Fraser as he tried to explain why he was late: "I think that is all I care to hear about it, Constable. Perhaps you will take the assignment I'm about to give you as an opportunity to reflect on the importance of punctuality."
Ray getting knocked over and breaking his glasses is an endearing scene.
Fraser moving his foot off the crack in the sidewalk and whistling.
Best line:Ida's friend saying to Ray as she returns his sunglasses: "If you ask me, though, you got such nice eyes, it's a shame to cover them up." So true!
That's it, can't think of anything else I like. I'll be generous and give Body Language a D-, only because I'm not mean enough to give it the F it truly deserves.
If you want to sound off, or if you'd like to add a review to the site, let me know!
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