Laurie's Review
Melanie's Review
Laurie's Review:Despite its weaknesses, I love this ep and it's one of my favorites, the main reason being the charm of seeing Ben at home and interacting with his neighbors. One Good Man, along with The Blue Line, teaches us so much about Benton Fraser - who he is now, why he's the man he is and what he was like as a boy. All in all, an excellent character study.
As the show progresses, we find that there's not just one good man, there are four: Ben, Ray, Dennis and Mr. Mustafi. They all exhibit different acts of kindness and are spurred by varying reasons but their compassion shines when it counts.
The scene in Ben's apartment as the utilities are shut off is especially appealing. There's very little dialogue and the original music fits the mood perfectly. Ben is mildly exasperated but takes it in stride. As each utility is shut off, he moves on to something else, and is ready to call it a night when the electricity is finally shut off. I wish he had used his lantern for awhile until he heard the scuffle in the hallway. After the earliest eps, I think the lantern became decorative.
At no time is Ben concerned about losing his apartment. He could easily move on but he likes it there and he knows the other residents have no one to speak for them. He realizes that, unlike the others, he is in a position to find another place to live, almost anywhere in the city. He lives there by choice, whereas the others, due to financial constraints, have few options. They are truly at the mercy of the landlord. Ben will not abandon them. Twice he tells Ray he, and his neighbors, will not move. They're going to exercise their rights.
It's not just Ben who finds out that Ray has been married; the TV audience learns about Angie as well. It was convenient for this story to create more of a background for Ray but it's not very convincing since no hints were dropped earlier. Francesca's ex-husband was never mentioned after The Pilot (at least I don't think he was), and Ray's ex wasn't mentioned before One Good Man. He should have had an ex-wife from day one or not at all. Better yet, there should have been a different substory involving the Riv. An ex-spouse definitely demands prior reference.
I don't particularly enjoy the end scene with Ray and Angie - perhaps if another song had been used. Lock, Stock and Teardrops doesn't speak to the scene at all, and I can't imagine it's supposed to be Ray and Angie's song. The music coordinators have an excellent track record for pairing the perfect song with a particular scene but they fell flat on their faces with this one. I usually miss the dialogue as I mute the sound so I don't have to hear the song.
Moments I like:Ray and Mr. Taylor exchanging comments on classic cars - Taylor still seems human at this point. He's also on a first-name basis with Ben.
The "oh dears" from Ben and Ray while the guys are at Al's shop.
The city hall travels of Ben, Ray and the dollar.
The meeting of tenants in Ben's apartment and Dief seeking refuge under the bed.
Mackenzie King asking Ben if he's listening and his honest reply, "Not really, no."
The red long johns, need I say more?
The scene outside the apartment building after the elevator incident. Mr. Mustafi is leaving and Ben goes after him. He (Ben, not Mr. Mustafi) looks gorgeous.
The sentimental, nostalgic tale of Grandma Fraser rescuing the children from the fire.
Ben stumbling with his words before he finally gets a grip and refuses, very politely, of course, to yield the floor, and the way the council members and audience become more and more interested in his speech.
Ray's willingness to help his friend by using the money earmarked for the Riv.
Dief lamenting the loss of his favorite dish and Ben telling him they can always get another one.
The neighbors, led by Mr. Mustafi, showing up at Ben's door (what's left of it) to clean the mess in his apartment.
Question:How do you suppose Ben convinced Ray to climb the building?
Duesies:Ray: Look, Benny, if you want some help, you're going to have to register a dispute.
Ben: You sure?
Ray: Yes. That's what they do here. They handle disputes.
Ben: I won't be making a fuss?
Ray: Well, of course you will. That's the whole point.
Ben: Ahh. I don't have to raise my voice, do I?
Ray: Look, there's no polite way to dispute. You just jump right in there.
Ben: I see.
Ray. Okay.
Ben: Okay.
Ray: Let's go.
Ben: I demand.... Well, no, I don't. I, I respectfully request. Um. Well, no, actually, just speaking strictly for myself, I... Ray?
Ray: We have a slumlord who's trying to illegally evict a whole building full of poor people.Ray: Why are you in this car with me?
Ben: Because you said you'd drive me.
Ray: Oh, no, I didn't.
Ben: Oh, yes, you did.
Ray: Well, I've changed my mind.
Ben: Ah, well. . .
Ray: What are you do-? Just shut the door, will you? Okay, shut the door.Ben: Ray, do you think I expect too much from people?
Ray: Well, take our climbing up the side of this building, for example.
Ben: Okay.
Ray: Is the building on fire?
Ben: Uh, no.
Ray: Is there a helpless person trapped up on the roof?
Ben: No.
Ray: Is there a hostage to rescue?
Ben: Not that I'm aware of.
Ray: Then we're climbing this building because?
Ben: Oh, I see. Because I expect too much from people?
Ray: Exactly.Ray: You know, you're wasting your time.
Ben: Possibly.
Ray: The best you're going to get is a bad case of laryngitis.
Ben: Probably.
Ray: Lozenges?
Ben: Cherry flavored?
Ray: On my way.
Ben: Thank you kindly.
Grade: A.
Melanie's Review:My favorite thing about this episode is that it focuses on Fraser's home and his neighbors. There are other episodes that remind us of Fraser's connection to his community (in particular Diefenbaker's Day Off, They Eat Horses, Don't They?, A Cop, a Mountie and a Baby, and Eye for an Eye) but nowhere do we get such a long and leisurely picture of the people in that building. I firmly believe that Fraser's removal from civilian life in the 3rd season (because he lived in the consulate) was an unfortunate flaw with that incarnation of the show.
Early in the episode Ray says, "This whole neighborhood is a slum. Cleaning up one building is like dropping a good apple in a barrel full of bad ones. You can't win." The episode strives to prove that statement wrong: not only can the one "good" building save the whole neighborhood from demolition, but one "good" man can be the inspiration that leads his neighbors to civic responsibility, pride of place, and optimism. I actually think that Dennis is the "one good man" of the title: Fraser alone can only manage a delaying action against the destruction of his home, but Dennis is the one who finds his soul and makes a stand between his neighbors and the wrecking ball.
I can understand why Fraser warmed to his future landlord. A "25 cents all-you-can-dry" policy--I might have believed in Taylor's generosity, too!
Taylor was a great character. Friendly, handsome, a sharp and well-connected businessman. He's clearly comfortable with working just barely inside the letter of the law, while showing not on ounce of compassion or conscience. Another "villian" was the complex and unfeeling bureaucracy at City Hall, which was very well represented by the intricate route of Fraser's dollar from floor to floor and desk to desk. Potter, on the other hand, was too much of a Scrooge stereotype, with his pills and his "throw another log on before you go."
Fraser and Ray climbing the outside of the building was unnecessary and too campy for Due South. The Batman & Robin moment did not make sense in context (see mega-nitpick below) and detracts from the episode. Points off for that. :-(
I was touched by Ray's unexpected and extremely unpractical generosity in paying out his Riv money in hundred-dollar increments in order to fill the City Council chamber with citizens, but I was disappointed to learn that his "sacrifice" was not so much of a sacrifice that it made it impossible for him to replace his Riv. Yes, I know that money is money and he gave a hell of a lot more of it away that night than any sane man should--but I thought the point was that he had to give up his hopes of replacing the Riv in order to help Fraser save his home. Both Ray and Mackenzie fretted quite noisily about what this Capra-esque crusade would cost them, but in the end there was no real evidence that either actually lost anything.
Much like Mojo Rising, this episode has a weak B plot that doesn't tie in with the main plot at all. That Ray will find another puke-green Riviera is a given, so there's no suspense and little interest to all that business with his cousin. As for Angie's appearance, there's only one way I can make heads or tails of it, and that's the slash interpretation. If Ray were in love with Fraser, then it makes some small amount of sense for him to not reveal that he has been married before, and to be hesitant and tongue-tied when faced with the evidence. (Sort of like the old toast: To our wives and lovers. May they never meet!) Even when he finally reveals the truth, he is awkward, close-mouthed and irritable.
The sublime scene at the end, as Ray remembers his first Riv, is the only thing that saves the "Angie & the Riv" plot from a very low grade indeed. However, I would have preferred that they introduce Angie in an earlier episode, build to this sweet, romantic moment in the Riv, before concluding the arc logically and satisfyingly with the dilemma of loyalty and doubt in The Duel.
What's with the double title? One Good Man, a.k.a. Thank You Kindly, Mr. Capra. I just can't figure out what happened there.Perhaps it was like the naming of Baltimore's baseball stadium: half the staff wanted One Good Man and half the staff wanted Thank You Kindly, Mr. Capra and in the end they couldn't resolve the dispute any other way but using both. But in a series that did not actually use the episode titles on-screen, it seems silly to invest time and effort in a title dispute.
Another possibility that occurs to me is that the episode is known by one title in some sources and a different title in other sources. At RCW's auction I saw a handwritten episode list for the 3rd season, and it included the title Rashomon for the episode that we know as Seeing is Believing. Perhaps Thank You Kindly, Mr Capra was a working title, existing in enough sources to make it necessary to cross-reference the earlier title in order to avoid confusion.
But this is just rampant specualation. Anybody know the truth?
Duesies:Fraser: Oh, well, how much can a frame be worth anyway?
Ray: Frame?
Fraser: Yes. It's spot-welded. It is quite excellent work. Except for the slight contour on the brazing here, you really wouldn't know that this car had been severed in half. I'm sure there's still a lot of it that is salvageable. . .Fraser: Ray, City Hall has a responsibility to govern and protect all of its citizens whether they vote or not. It is called a social contract.
Ray: Yeah, well, maybe in Canada there's an igloo for every Eskimo and a seal in every pot, but here in America, if it doesn't get votes, it's dog meat.King: Bagels, Warren. Not muffins, not cheese Danish. Just a plain honest-to-God water bagel.
Warren: You know, Mackenzie, there are reporters in Korea who would thank their boss for bringing them a rice-coated water beetle--
King: Well, sweetie, I would eat a beetle for you any day. . . on a bagel!Fraser: Good night. . . Stop stealing the blanket.
[whine]
Fraser: You're an Arctic wolf, for God's sake.
[whine]
Fraser: You're getting soft. I hope you realize that.Speaker: . . . put in to make it safe, is now in grave danger. It's a threat, I tell you. A threat to every man, woman, and child living in the greater Chicago area. Certainly there are those who will scoff, who will jeer. But they are urban dwellers. They have yet to experience the scourge of the suburbs. The green death. The blight we call crabgrass.
Ray: Time's up, buddy.
Speaker: Excuse me. According to Parliamentary Law, I have the floor.
Ray: You have the floor?
Speaker: Yes. I have the floor.
Fraser: He's right, Ray, he does have the floor.
Ray: Now he has the floor.Ray: You know you're wasting your time.
Fraser: Possibly.
Ray: The best you're going to get is a bad case of laryngitis.
Fraser: Probably.
Ray: Lozenges?
Fraser: Cherry-flavored?
Ray: On my way.Fraser: On my ninth birthday, I wanted a guppy, but again I received another book. And finally by my eleventh birthday, I realized that my toy box contained virtually no toys a'tall. Rather it was lined with some of the most seditious reading material available through mail order. . .
Taylor: Dennis, you realize you're fired.
Dennis: Hmm. Stuff it in your ear, Goldilocks.Mustafi: We, uh, heard your place was a mess. . . You really should set a better example, you know.
Fraser: Understood.
Dief Moment:I have no idea what that glue was in Fraser's bowl, but it didn't look very appealing. (A little water or milk, Ben, you might have a decent pancake batter.) Anyway, feeding that raw gunk to your wolf. . . no wonder he's got a junk food habit.
Fourth Runner-Up Nitpick of the Week:When the elevator starts to fall, Fraser manages to leap out onto the second (or perhaps first, I'm not sure) floor. But why was the door to the shaft open?
Third Runner-Up Nitpick of the Week:
I can't see what it is that Mr. Kline thinks is "tasteful" in the opening scene. Ray refers to a rat-infested wall covering. Can anybody figure out what it is that they're talking about? I think they goofed with the camera angle in that shot.
Second Runner-Up Nitpick of the Week:
It sure took Dennis a long time to shut off the water and electricity. Fraser was cooking when the gas was cut, shaving when the water stopped, and reading in bed when the lights went out. Did Dennis stop between each task to watch tv? (In that case, perhaps he waited until after "The Simpsons" to cut the electricity.)
Runner-Up Nitpick of the Week:
When all is said and done, only Dennis has a lease. The building won't be torn down, for four years at least, but Taylor is still the landlord and he decides what the rent will be for the remaining tenants.
(Huge, multi-faceted) Nitpick of the Week:
Let me see if I can get this straight. The City Council holds a public meeting to take questions from its citizens, lets "crabgrass guy" into the building and then locks the door. (Huh?) Fraser and Ray climb up the side of the building (holy vertigo, Batman!) to gain entrance to this supposedly public forum. Mackenzie lets herself in through the back door, which means that Fraser and Ray didn't try some more conventional ways of gaining access before doing the Spiderman act. [Deep breath]
Okay, so Fraser forces his way to the microphone and starts talking--and the timekeeper starts the clock. The council chairman repeatedly interrupts him with questions. One of the things she wants to know is, "These other tenants, your neighbors--where are they tonight?" Well, how were the other tenants supposed to get into the locked building? Interestingly enough, the timekeeper tries to cut Fraser off even though half of his time has been taken up with interruptions from the Chair.
Then (surprise, surprise) Mr. Taylor shows up. Okay, so I guess he gets in because he's greased the right palms. Then Ray goes outside and *lets the door shut behind him*--but apparently that pesky locked door problem has been solved because the paid guests all manage to get inside with no fuss. [a fellow listmember passes a glass of water, and I take a sip]
And Fraser starts a fillibuster--how? The US constitution actually establishes that no Senator can be stopped from speaking without a vote of 3/5 of the Senate--that's a fillibuster. As long as a Senator keeps talking, the business of the Senate cannot be continued. There is no such provision for the House of Representatives, however, so debate in the House can be stopped at any time. Now maybe the Chicago City Council has a fillibuster rule, but I can't imagine that it holds for an ordinary citizen--much less a non-citizen in a red suit. In other words, the council members could have just gotten up and walked out, or they could have had Fraser forcibly removed from the podium.
Okay, I'll stop now. I yield the floor, and I thank you for listening. ;-) [pops a cherry lozenge]
Runner-Up Moment of the Week:Fraser's story of his grandmother in the fire. That's the one really moving moment in his long speech, as far as I'm concerned.
Moment of the Week:
Ray and Angie in the Riv.
Been There, Done That:They recast an established character with a younger, cuter, blonder actress. They'll do that again later, by hiring a younger, cuter, blonder. . . Husky.
I Didn't Notice That the First Time:At the picket, Mackenzie asks in frustration, "What's the matter, doesn't anybody limp?" Mr. Mustafi obligingly breaks into an exaggerated limp.
A Real Chicago Landmark:The building they showed as "City Hall" (when Fraser and Ray went in to lodge a complaint) is actually the Wrigley Building--built as the headquarters of the Wrigley chewing gum company.
Snack to enjoy while watching One Good Man:A bagel. Not muffins, not cheese Danish. Just a plain honest-to-God water bagel.
Grading:
Fraser and his Neighbors A Landlords B- City Hall B+ City Council C Dennis A+ Angie and the Riv B- Overall Grade B
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