Melanie's Review
Laurie's Review
Melanie's Review:Perfect Strangers is an episode that I have mixed feelings about. There are a number of absolutely marvelous moments and a few nice scenes, but the episode as a whole is sadly mediocre. None of the guest characters registered as much more than stock-types, and the story struck me as being uneven and dull. Most of my favorite Due South episodes have either deeply developed A plots only, or meticulously entwined A and B plots. I like intricacy and character development, and it seems to me that "Perfect Strangers" has little character development and an A and B plot that have absolutely nothing to do with one another.
Okay, okay--so the one item of character development that does exist is the B story--Thatcher's decision to adopt a child and her mis-communicated way of asking for Fraser's help. Having Thatcher decide to adopt a child is actually a pretty massive bit of character development, but because it has absolutely no sense of continuity with anything that comes before or after, I'm left feeling that it was inserted into the story in order to 1) fill some time, and 2) set up the cute misunderstanding. If it had been part of a significant story arc or even a small multi-episode development I'd have bought it more willingly.
The way the mis-communication was developed, however, struck me as clumsy. First, we have Fraser carrying on an unprofessional exchange with his father in Thatcher's presence. Can he really not remain silent long enough to get out of his boss's hearing before responding? Then there's the conversation in the taxi, where a conveniently misplaced pool of melting ice forces Thatcher to practically sit on Fraser's lap. Then she manages to describe her intentions using words that plainly point toward a pregnancy (I've been thinking of having a child, "having" a child being a euphamism for giving birth), and a romantic/sexual proposal (You're a surprisingly sensitive man . . . We'd have to be discreet).
This week has been All the Queen's Horses week for the Favorite Scenes thread, and I've been thinking about the "holy hairpin" scene in that episode. That's a gem of blocking and acting, positively smoldering with restrained passion, Fraser/Thatcher at its best. The Fraser/Thatcher business in Perfect Strangers is a crude piece of glass jewelry in comparison.
I absolutely hate the music during the opening chase scene. It reminds me painfully of the harsh music used for seemingly endless car chases in some of the earlier episodes. Not my cup of tea at all. Pair that up with Ray's unnecessarily brutal handling of his suspect and you get a scene that makes my fast-forward finger itch. Less hard rock, more Watching the Apples Grow, please.
The A plot is a mathematical construct with no heart: two murders, two killers, no depth of character to victims or killers. The grieving father is the closest thing to an actual character in this whole lukewarm A plot. Clues just fall into their laps--Sonny's poster, Chantal's pin, the airplane in the photograph, Chad's famous face, Nick's stupidity. I'm still not sure how Chantal's uniform pin ended up in Sonny's hand. Was Evers, that sentimental wuss, actually wearing it when he killed Sonny? Lucky for our heroes that he was, because the pin is the one and only clue to tie the two murders together.
I take it that Draco had injured his paw, and they had to write it into the episode to explain the bandage? If something had come of it--for example, if Dief had been unable to run to Fraser's aid at some crucial moment--then I would have bought it. Instead, the whole hurt paw business feels tacked on, as does Frannie's never-mentioned-before-or-ever-again interest in psychology. I guess my overall feel for the episode is that it was tacked together out of many unrelated pieces: a little of this, a little of that, a touch of something else.
DuesiesRay: That's a police recreation?
Fraser: It's interesting, isn't it? The Government funding of the arts in Canada produced a glut of filmmakers at the same time as American domination of Canadian cinemas left these enthusiastic young artists with very few arenas in which to ply their craft.
Welsh: That's a human tragedy, ConstableRay: How many of the French live in Toronto?
Fraser: Actually, very few. Most of the non-English population is composed of Italian, Portuguese, and Chinese.
Ray: They speak French?
Fraser: Not really, no.Man: Hey, you need Leaf tickets?
Ray: Leafs suck.
Man: Leafs rule.
Ray: Hawks rule!
Man: Hawks suck!
Ray: You suck!
Fraser: You are bilingual, Ray.Ray: Oooh. The mother ship.
Fraser: I can't imagine that the mother-child bond can be improved upon by technology.
Thatcher: You're right. . . I'll get her one of those electronic security bracelets. That way she can keep track of it.Fraser: On a more personal note, sir, it does feel quite good to be back in the saddle again.
Thatcher: Yes. The bit between the teeth. Two thousand pounds of pulsing horseflesh between your legs. . . .
Fraser: I was speaking metaphorically, sir.
Thatcher: As was I, Constable Fraser, as was I.
Fraser: What was that all about?
Bob: What was what all about?
Fraser: You know perfectly well what I'm talking about. Inthatcher Spector's loins.Fraser: What are you talking about?
Bob: Grandchildren.
Fraser: Grandchildren. . . Dad, you cannot have grandchildren. You are dead.
Bob: So you keep telling me, with overmuch glee, I might add.
Fraser: Oh, for God's sake. . . .
Bob: Oh, come on, son. Is it going to kill you to giver her a leg over?
Fraser: A leg over? Dad, I really don't have time for this.
Bob: That's what I said. Look what it got me.
Fraser: Well, that's a different story. There you are. Leg over. . .foot down. . . thigh up. . . lunatic!
Shout-OutThis is a new category, inspired by a tradition on the Mighty Big TV site. One claims a shout-out if one sees or hears something in an episode that could have been a personal message just for you. I claim a shout-out because General Bowman has a scanner (for listening to police/emergency radio) just like mine.
Second Runner-Up Nitpick of the WeekDid Fraser actually enter Nick Evers' apartment without a warrant?
Runner- Up Nitpick of the Week
"He's that guy." "I know that guy." What is this--a police department or a social club? "He's that guy" doesn't help solve the case, folks. If you have information, give it.
Nitpick of the Week
Nick Evers has a lovely view of Lake Ontario from his office window. Toronto has a whopping big island just offshore; Chicago doesn't. And is that the CN tower I see?
Second Runner-Up Moment of the WeekFraser's explanation for the lavishly produced crime recreation on the videotape.
Runner-Up Moment of the Week
Fraser reading the Mahler score, keeping time and even cuing the orchestra as he "listened."
Moment of the Week
Ray's exchange with the ticket scalper. Not only is it funny, but it turns the heavy-handed stereotype stuff (too clean, polite Canadians, etc.) on its ear.
Runner-Up Cringe-worthy Moment of the WeekFrancesca's question about "air conditioning." Despite her celebrated tendency toward malapropism, this just made her look stupid. The business about "Pamela's Dog" was almost as bad.
Cringe-worthy Moment of the Week
The business about the melted ice in the taxi's seat. What the hell was that about? A lame excuse for a close ride in the taxi and a lingering camer shot of Camilla Scott's ass. Talk about manipulation--the consulate *does* have a car, after all.
"Hey, now wait a minute!" Moment of the WeekThe war of 1812 ended with the Treaty of Ghent, which declared the war a tie--literally, Status Quo Ante-Bellum. No winner, no loser.
Mountie Super-power of the WeekMaking a homemade parachute work like a hang glider.
Snack to enjoy while watching Perfect StrangersAn entire pizza and a gallon of water, but you'll have to pee ten times an hour.
Grading:
The Murders B The General B+ The Baby B- Overall Grade B
Laurie's Review:This is one of those eps that when I hear the title I sometimes have to rack my brain to figure out which one it is. I rarely connect the A and B plots with the same ep, and I tend to mix it up with other eps that aren't entirely memorable, Strange Bedfellows, for example. I love Seasons 3/4 but oddly, unlike Seasons 1/2, I really have a difficult time matching some of the stories with their titles. There are definitely standout moments but all in all, Perfect Strangers is a rather boring, non descript hour of Due South. The guests are less than exciting and were it not for the string of good lines from the regulars, there wouldn't be much worth sitting through.
Melanie commented that Frannie's never-mentioned-before-or-ever- again interest in psychology feels tacked on. In a way it does, but it also seems in character for the someone flighty Francesca, kind of like the interest of the week until she discovers what she really wants to do with her life. And Fraser couldn't have had his epiphany if she didn't have her psychology book with her. Maybe Francesca and Turnbull read the same book since he tells her in Mountie on the Bounty to think of the color yellow to calm her down.
Anyone else notice a couple dialogue similarities between Hunting Season and this ep? Just coincidence? When General Bowman arrives in Chicago, he's asked if his visit is business or pleasure. His response: "Neither."
When Maggie MacKenzie arrives in Chicago, Fraser asks, "So what is it that brings you to Chicago? Business or pleasure?" Maggie's response, "Neither. I'm on the trail of two men."
At the end of Perfect Strangers, Bowman says to Percy, "Say it. Say it!"
Percy: I did it.
Bowman: Did what?
Percy: I killed your daughter.At the end of Hunting Season, Maggie says, "I just want him to say it. Say it!"
Torelli: All right, all right, I pulled the trigger. I killed your husband.The end scene is the best part of the ep. It's poignant, humorous, gives us a rare glimpse of the softer, gentler side of Meg Thatcher, and showcases Fraser at his awkward, stammering, rambling best, with his slicked back hair and school-boy nervousness. Oh, but I feel so bad for him as he leaves the room in embarrassment.
Moments I like:Fraser listening to Mahler.
Fraser parachuting off the roof and the reaction of the workers. This is so reminiscent of some of the early Season 1 eps. There weren't as many Super-Mountie antics later on.
The airport scene, Ray's bi-lingual encounter with the Leafs fan and the visit to the Mothership. And it's nice to see Fraser treated with respect there.
Ray taking note of all the stuffed animals on Chantel's bed and asking, as he holds a rabbit by the ears, "How old was she? Twelve?"
Insp. Thatcher closing the door while Fraser is still in her office and then opening it in his face. But why did he say, "Sir, Sir" and wait for her to open the door? Why not do it himself?
Thatcher hiding the consulate keys under Turnbull's hat. Doesn't make any sense but it's kind of funny.
I love discussion walks through the station and in this ep we have Fraser, Ray and Welsh moving about, with Fraser and Ray trying to explain to him who killed whom.
Lt. Welsh taking a nap in the holding cell (getting his super ego in touch with his id).
Fraser actually looking nervous at the prospect of being shot, and the relief when Ray shows up and tells Percy to drop the gun.
The closet/office scene between father and son. I love Bob rocking by the fire, holding the baby bag, the apparent end and Bob saying, "It's not over yet, Son."
Is this the only time Francesca wears glasses?
Melanie nitpicked:Did Fraser actually enter Nick Evers' apartment without a warrant?
No warrant, but he did have a legally obtained key. Does that make a difference?
Cringe-worthy Moment:Insp. Thatcher: Did you just say loins?
Fraser: Oh, no, Sir. Loins? Sir? Loins? Sir-loins. Sirloins, possibly, because I have been - I have been thinking about a good piece of meat. . .
Duesies:Thatcher: Fraser. Ah, I'm afraid that I may uh sometimes underestimate you.
Fraser: Not without justification, I'm sure.Thatcher: Fraser.
Fraser: Yes, Sir?
Thatcher: Fraser.
Fraser: Sir?
Thatcher: Don't say Sir every time I say Fraser, Fraser.Francesca: Hey, Ray.
Ray: Look, we're working here, Francesca, and my super id is completely groovy. If I ever start to drool, you'll be the first one I call, okay?
[I like the way he points at Francesca and how he says "you'll be the first one I call, okay?"]Fraser: Nice work, Ray. What took you so long?
Ray: I got a little lost in the long grass there.Bob: This was your baby bag. It was good for 40 below. Of course, a little 60 below never hurt anybody unless they were wearing Bermudas. Well, he can't be reared in this jungle. We'll have to move north.
Keepership:Fraser in the final scene. I just want to wrap my arms around him and give him a big hug. And I wouldn't wrinkle him.
Grade: B.
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