Melanie's Review
Laurie's Review
Melanie's Review:I usually like Due South's unusual episodes more than its traditional ones, whether gut-punching drama like The Ladies' Man or slapstick humor like The Man Who Knew Too Little. Invitation to Romance is no exception. No, you didn't get me wrong--I cringe at every self-centered warble that comes out of Katherine's mouth--but I do love the episode.
We may hate Katherine's guts, but then her guts are not there for us to love. Wanting to strangle Katherine is every bit as valid an emotion as wanting to shoot Victoria--it's exactly the effect the writers, directors and actor were trying to achieve.
If they were paying Jane Krakowski by the word, she'd be a very wealthy woman. Katherine never shuts up, never even slows down! As irritating as the character is, I have to give credit to the actress for doing such a fine job with her rapid patter and vapid expression. Comedic timing is a very difficult thing, and Katherine is all about timing.
Sandwiched between episodes of ponderous drama, Invitation to Romance is as effervescent as a champagne bubble, as frivilous as the frosting on a wedding cake. A spirit of play pervades the story, from Dief's hide-n-seek to the basketball game on the radio to the real and imagined games of "dress up." There is almost nothing here to take seriously--even the confrontation at the dump has more to do with the future of Katherine and Nigel's marriage than with the gun in Nigel's hand. I can't take him any more seriously than Moffat in his underwear.
Unexpectedly, there is almost no "crime" in this story, and no investigation to speak of--except for Ray's decision to follow Dief's nose. The work Fraser and Ray do together is busy work, a pointless task assigned by a feckless boss. The ultimate confrontation is less a conflict of law than a conflict of hearts--and neither of our heroes is directly involved.
Invitation to Romance resembles Chicago Holiday in its structure, except here we follow the trail of the invitation instead of a matchbook. Back and forth across town, doubling back again and again, Fraser is always one tantalyzing step away from discharging his duty.
A few weeks ago I groused that a Fraser-centric episode hadn't left Ray with much to do but follow Fraser's lead and complain. This episode is different; Ray takes the initiative and make good (if somewhat unconventional) choices.
DuesiesMoffet: That's what Canada needs.
Fraser: To be feared by tailors?
Moffet: Along with every other American.
Fraser: Do we have a plan to accomplish this sir?
Moffet: Yes, but I'm not at liberty to reveal it at this moment. The important thing is that you not undermine our efforts with all this nice guy stuff.Fraser: Well actually I think you misunderstand--
Katherine: I misunderstand? Oh that's very nice. That's very nice that you accuse me of not understanding. I'm too rash, too emotional, incapable of reason, huh?
Fraser: Well, no, I didn't mean that. What I meant was--
Katherine: Well let me tell you something about me. When I want something, I ask, when somebody says something, I listen. I don't grab people and throw them to the ground when they're trying to learn French and if I do, well at least I apologize.
Fraser: Well I-I-I'm terribly sorry but you misunderstand, you see you were about to be hit by a truck.
Katherine: Oh. Why didn't you just say that in the first place, I'm not a mind reader.Fraser: Well this isn't just mail Ray, this is a highly sensitive Canadian document.
Ray: Oh! You guys planning an invasion?
Fraser: Well, I'm not entirely sure. I think I may have said too much already.
Ray: Well don't do it today alright? Cause I'm going to be sitting on my couch enjoying the basketball game and the tipoff's in five minutes.Fraser: I'll just be a minute.
Ray: All right, I'm counting down, Fraser. One, two, three, four. . .
Fraser: Technically that's counting up.
Ray: Get the hell out of here! Nine, ten. . . .Fraser: You see sir, all I'm attempting to do is deliver a letter to you.
Nigel: Then give me the letter.
Fraser: Oh dear, uh, she took it with here didn't she? This really is not going particularly well. If you will excuse me sir I have to pursue your fiancée otherwise I might not be able to catch her. And I Thank you kindly for your patience.Announcer: I'm not sure I can even describe it!
Ray: Commentate! You're the commentator!Katherine: I told you, I have to pick up the license now, the wedding is tomorrow.
Clerk: and I've told you I can't issue it unless both parties are present.
Katherine: Well, if you don't issue it, we can't get married and since we're getting married tomorrow you have very little choice in the matter. I don't know why you can't see that.
Clerk: You see where it says "Bride and Groom must appear in person?"
Katherine: If you keep repeating yourself we're not going to get anywhere.Clerk: You're marrying a deaf-mute Mountie and you didn't recognize him?
Fraser: Perhaps I can explain.
Clerk: If he's deaf-mute, why is he talking?
Katherine: Now you're criticizing the handicapped? Well I think your superior will be very interested to know that you refuse to give marriage certificates to the physically challenged. God knows their lives are difficult enough without insensitive bureaucrats like yourself preventing them from getting married. And if that's not enough--Katherine: I don't recall saying anything about a hoop.
Tailor: Oh yes, I remember it was on the twelfth fitting you said, "Put a hoop in it."
Katherine: Oh don't be ridiculous, why would I say such a thing?
Tailor: Perhaps because you wanted a hoop. You see I wrote "hoop" here.
Katherine: Well maybe you wanted a hoop, it's your writing. How could it be what I wanted when I don't want it? That doesn't make any sense now, does it?
Tailor: Which is why I didn't put a hoop in it.
Katherine: Oh, how clever of you. Should I try it on?Katherine: You don't even drink champagne?
Fraser: No I just never felt the need. You see I think all to often people drink in order to escape from uhh--well uh, perhaps just one bottle.Ray: Let me think this through. If Fraser were with a beautiful woman, where would he end up?
Dief: [woof]
Ray: No,no,no that's you and me. Come on, think. Okay, what is the most unglamorous, unromantic place you could possibly take a woman?
Dief: [woof]
Ray: Oh come on. A garbage truck? Not even Fraser is that-- Hold on, Benny!Fraser: He's not going to listen to reason. How many bullets you got left Ray?
Fraser: One. [fires it into the air] I'm not going to shoot my car. I blew up the last one for you and I'm not doing it again. Fraser: Well actually, that's not what I had in mind.
Ray: Good, cause I wasn't going to do it anyway.
Fraser: Well I know that Ray, what I had in mind was you and I creating some kind of diversion while Katherine made a run for that shoot over there and slide down to safety. Well, unfortunately you're out of bullets.
Ray: I lied.
Fraser: Oh, well--in that case do you think you can get a clean shot of the rear bumper?
Nitpick of the WeekMoffat wants Fraser to deliver a very important invitation for a party that's being held tonight???
Dief MomentSmelling Fraser in a passing garbage truck--and convincing Ray to follow!
Super Mountie Power of the WeekSpecially stiffened brim on the Stetson, suitable for throwing!
Second Runner-up Moment of the Week:Tailor: Are you Miss Burns' fiancée?
Fraser: No.
Tailor: You must be very pleased.Runner up moment of the week
Fraser's non-committal look and extremely subtexty remark about Ray wearing the red serge.
Ray: You don't want to know why I'm wearing your uniform?
Fraser: I just assumed it was something personal.Moment of the week
Jasmine on the phone,.culminating with the excellent "I'm sorry, I don't speak French. Je ne parle pas Francais."
Snack to enjoy while watching Invitation to RomanceChampagne--perhaps just one bottle.
Grading
Katherine A
The Invitation A
Moffat & Jasmine A
Overall A
Laurie's Review:This ep is very well written and acted. It's madcap, it's almost a laugh a minute, and it even has a few tender moments. But I don't care for it. Why? Katherine Burns. She is so obnoxiously irritating that I find her almost intolerable to watch. So, I fast forward through most of the scenes she's in. Fortunately, there are enough without her, and Ben and Ray compensate in a most delightful way. I don't fault Jane Krakowski; she did an excellent job in the role. I just don't care for the person she portrayed. I know that's how she was written and if she had been a different kind of woman the episode also would have been very different and probably would have lost much of its charm.
There aren't many Due South eps I don't care for but Invitation to Romance is the only one that I have no major criticisms of, other than that I don't like a particular character. It's a classic comic story, doesn't have a complex plot, has no twists, and it flows smoothly and predictably. Maybe there will come a time when I can learn to like Katherine Burns (I watch with an open mind, I really do) and then I'll be able to fully appreciate what those who love this ep see in it.
There is one scene with Katherine that I do enjoy. She resembles a real person as opposed to the caricature she is throughout most of the story. She's rational, serious and sensitive. The scene in the garbage truck is flawless and there's a fine blend of comedy, nostalgia and tenderness. She even succeeds in getting Ben to open up and talk about himself. She's lost most of her annoying edge by the final scene, comes to her senses and dumps Nigel. No better place to do it either than at the city dump.
We're accustomed to watching others, usually Ray, being irritated with Ben. Well, now the shoe is on the other foot, and there are times when it's very obvious he really has to work at remaining calm and patient with Katherine. That's the only enjoyment I get from scenes with Ben and Katherine. I like an exasperated Ben.
Ray is his usual lovable sarcastic self. What a transformation during his two stints as doorman! I'd like to know why!
Jasmine should have been a semi-regular instead of appearing in just two eps ( I think it's only two). I can't say the same about Insp. Moffat though. He's best in very small doses and I would have grown tired of him very quickly if he had been a regular in the cast.
Moments that I like:Moffat talking about the Americans fearing the Canadians and being taken seriously, all said while he's in his underwear. Serious, indeed.
Ben then does his part by not telling the elderly woman where he's from when she asks.
Ben's sheepish grin when Katherine says, "Excuse me. I found my fiancé."
Ray writing the "Dear Canadians" note. He pronounces Fraser correctly!
Ben's "JUMP!" is cut short by Katherine jumping on him.
Is this the only time we hear the words "due south" spoken on the show?
When Katherine asks Ben if he ever does anything reckless or wild or stupid, he answers no. That's not entirely true because he's often reckless, though he may not see it that way or care to admit it. I'm sure we all can think of numerous times he's endangered someone's life in a wildly bizarre way.
I love Ben using his hat Frisbee-style to disarm Nigel.
I have to add a best-dressed category for this ep: Ray at the end. He looks so fine in his tux.
Nitpicks:If the invitation was really an important document and had to be hand delivered, I hardly think Fraser would be wandering all over holding it in his hand - it would be secured in his pocket. Even though he doubts it's anything more than a party invitation, it's not like him to be so careless. Better yet, he should have used the Consulate car instead of being chauffeured by Ray. But, then, we wouldn't have the pleasure of hearing Ray complain about having his day off disrupted.
This ep takes place on a weekday. What's with the basketball game during the day and then again in the evening? Something more for Ray to whine about?
Where is the Honeymoon Hotel? In Waukegan? When Ben and Katherine are in the taxi, it's still light; when they arrive at the hotel, it's dark. Also, when they first arrive, it's dry. When Ben leaves it's raining and the pavement is wet. A few moments later when Nigel arrives, it's dry again.
How did Ray end up on the guest list? I can't imagine Insp. Moffat invited him - he's such a bad influence on his liaison officer. More importantly, why is Nigel Ellis on on the guest list? Is his company contracted to pick up the Consulate's trash? Whatever the reason, I guess word didn't reach Moffat that Ellis is "dirtier than the garbage he hauls."
Duesies:Woman at clerk's office: If you don't want him, I'll take him.
Fiancé: Honey.
Woman: Look at him!Tailor: Are you Miss Burns' fiancé?
Ben: No.
Tailor: You must be very pleased.Katherine: My mother wanted me to wear her wedding dress. Of course, always the rebel, I had to go out have my own made. Now look at it.
Ben: Well, you know, dry cleaners can do, uh - absolutely nothing with that.Nigel: You've got a lot of nerve, for a Canadian.
Ben: Detective Vecchio, Miss Burns; Miss Burns, Diefenbaker.
Nigel: You really didn't do anything with this guy in the red jacket there?
Katherine: I'm not going to tell you, Nigel.
Ray: Tell him!
Katherine: You either believe me or you don't. There's no way to prove a virtue.
Ben: Perhaps you could try.Ray: That was quite the buffet. You know what I love most about Canadians? They're real easy to elbow out of the way.
Dief Moments:Leaping through the air and knocking the gun from Nigel's hands. Go Dief! Followed by sliding down the garbage chute. I like the way he "listened" to the conversation and made his run for the chute according to Ray's plan.
Keepership:The button that comes off Ben's tunic, not that I think he would ever have one loose thread let alone two in one night.
Grade:C. There are many A moments (almost every scene with Ben and/or Ray), but Katherine knocks the grade way down.
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