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The Affair Showtime Series Episode 3 Highlights: Starring Dominic West, Ruth Wilson & Joshua Jackson

Posted on October 28, 2014 Written by Pinar Tarhan

Episode 3 Highlights

The Affair cast: Joshua Jackson, Ruth Wilson, Dominic West, Maura Tierney. — The Affair image via fan forum. From left: Joshua Jackson, Ruth Wilson, Dominic West and Maura Tierney.

For a thorough plot summary and review for the first episodes, please read The Affair starring Dominic West, Ruth Wilson, Joshua Jackson and Maura Tierney: The Good, The Weird, The We’ll See.

Warning: There’ll Be Spoilers.

Once again we have the story told first in Noah (Dominic West)’s point of view, and then Alison (Ruth Wilson)’s, and they continue to show the other one is the more active “pursuer.” But this time we get a bit more into their daily lives:

Alison is originally a pediatrics nurse, and her waitressing is way to help make ends meet until she can face sick children again.
Noah’s mother-in-law is actually as obnoxious as his father-in-law, if not more. She is still complaining about Noah not making enough money, in front of Noah, and mentioning the private schools they paid for. Noah has taken shit from his in-laws since he was 21, when he married Helen (Maura Tierney).
Noah starts to work on his book, though he mixes pleasure with business as Alison becomes his inside person. In Noah’s version, he asks to be friends, and that even though he is really into her, he can’t have an affair. In Alison’s version, Alison says she can’t have an affair because it’s her hometown. In Noah’s version the affair starts. In Alison’s, it doesn’t.
Alison’s boss at the diner, Oscar, wants to build a bowling alley next to the diner. Cole (Joshua Jackson) is against the change. He wants the town to stay the same. This gives us a great look into how he might not be into change as a person, and how this might have harmed their marriage. Because circumstances can change people, especially an extremely traumatic event like a child’s death. Alison has probably changed, and she is also likely going through depression as we find out she also has a self-cutting habit.
In Alison’s version, we get the impression she really doesn’t like Cole’s brother Scotty (Colin Donnell).

3rd episode felt a bit slower in some parts, and it was a little less shocking (as opposed to what Noah’s older son pulled off during the beginning of episode one.). However, it got us a bit more into the daily lives of our characters, and where they were, especially mentally, when the affair started. The crime element, and the fact that we don’t know who was killed and why, keeps adding a bit more mystery.

We also don’t know where they are now. Is the affair still on? Did they leave their spouses and get together? Or are they with the families they started with? Alison mentions a sitter; she has a kid now. Whose kid is it? Maybe she adopted?

There’s still a lot to find out, and it’s told and shot humanely enough to keep me interested, and I’m seriously against cheating. Yet, for some reason, even though I’m pissed at what they are doing and I’m rooting for their spouses to find out (to kick their asses), I can’t hate either Alison or Noah. Maybe I was charmed a bit by Noah’s (Dominic West)’s cute curls and swimming body too.

Kidding aside, it’s a show that earns your attention and keeps it. Fingers crossed for it to stay this way.

More on Joshua Jackson

Gossip starring James Marsden, Lena Headey, Norman Reedus, Kate Hudson & Joshua Jackson

The Shadow Dancer starring Joshua Jackson, Claire Forlani and Harvey Keitel

Cursed starring Christina Ricci, Joshua Jackson & Jesse Eisenberg

Fringe starring Joshua Jackson, Anna Torv & John Noble

Lay The Favorite Review: LTF starring Bruce Willis, Rebecca Hole, Joshua Jackson & Catherine Zeta Jones

The Affair starring Dominic West, Ruth Wilson, Joshua Jackson and Maura Tierney: The Good, The Weird, The We’ll See

Posted on October 26, 2014 Written by Pinar Tarhan

the affair dominic west ruth wilson — The Affair image via variety.com.

The Affair’s airing its 3rd episode tonight on Showtime, and I wanted to catch you up on the plot before things got more complicated (and to help you decide if you were wondering whether the show was worth your time.)

The Affair :The Plot

Noah Solloway (Dominic West) is a public school teacher with one published book and a creeping existential crisis. How can he not? Married to his college sweetheart Helen (Maura Tierney) with 4 kids (one teenager and one about to become one), obnoxious in-laws (though the father makes the mother seem like an angel) and a second book he’s too blocked to write.

Alison (Ruth Wilson) is a younger, depressed waitress who has lost her child a few years ago, and she’s still not recovered from it. Her husband, Cole (Joshua Jackson) runs the family ranch with his brothers, and even though he seems better than Alison, he’s not exactly the picture of happiness either.

Noah and Helen pack their kids to spend the summer at her rich parents’ house, and on the way, they meet Alison at the diner she works for. There’s instant connection between her and Noah, though we’re given two different accounts as to how the affair came to start:

Both Noah and Alison are giving their separate statements at the police station. There’s apparently been a murder, which Noah thought to be an accident, or so he says.

As we listen to the start of the affair in two parts, we realize both sides show the other one as the pursuer, and themselves as the more emotional, and hesitant-to-cheat one. We also realize they’re keeping some bits to themselves as their voices tell one thing and the scenes show another.

Two episodes in, we don’t know who the victim is, or whether Alison and Noah are viable suspects.

The Good

I really like how both Noah and Alison’s versions differ from each other. In addition to painting the other one the “pursuer”, they also tend to show the other one’s spouse worse than they actually are.

For instance, in episode 1, Noah started first, and when we were first introduced to Cole, I thought he was a total ass. Then I listened to Alison, and I thought he was a really decent guy struggling in his own way.

Neither spouses are monsters, though Alison’s marriage seems a bit more troubled because of the loss of her son and her inner turmoil.

Noah also comes across as humane enough, even though he doesn’t have much more reason to cheat than some resentment towards in-laws and monotony of such a long-term relationship.

It’s refreshing to see marriages and spouses reasonably fine and nice, as opposed to making one or both sides insufferable so that the audience will empathize more with the cheaters.

The “cheaters” also do a fine job at coming across flawed but likeable. Sure, you’d not like to be their spouses, but these are people you wouldn’t mind being friends or family with.

The two different points of view add a nice level of mystery, and make us doubt both Alison and Noah, as we know the actual version is somewhere in between. Or maybe they are telling an agreed-upon version. Or maybe one of them is more honest than the other. We don’t know.

The series also has an honest, realistic and non-soapy feel despite the subject matter.

The Weird

Adultery is not the world’s most comfortable subject, especially if you are a romantic at heart and never have cheated on someone.

And it’s one thing to watch a habitual cheater who keeps cheating on their partner again and again. You’d like to believe those people would be easier to catch and dump (I’m on the let’s dump all cheaters wagon, unless the cheated party is a psychopath). But portraying Noah as a decent, family-oriented man who’d normally not do this… It’s a bit creepy. And scary.

Alison doesn’t seem to be the cheating type either.

Because it offers this disturbing theory: Anyone can, and will, cheat under the right circumstances: they just need to be depressed enough, disconnected enough, lonely enough, misunderstood enough, attracted enough….

And it’s the ultimate pet peeve of mine when Noah at some point will say :I’ve never cheated before.”

What does he want? A medal for keeping it in his pants for so long? Sorry, pal, you made your decision to keep it in your pants when you proposed. You don’t just get to have a family and a young mistress simultaneously without suffering any consequences.

I’m cutting Alison a bit more slack. I’m not condoning her cheating, but she’ll be more susceptible to questionable behavior – she has lost a child. That does give her the right to be off the rails; though I’d rather she did therapy instead of someone else’ husband.

The We’ll See

Currently The Affair fun and interesting enough to keep following. I like the cast, the location and the storytelling method.

It just might put you a bit further off marriage, though.

Have you seen The Affair yet? What did you think?

Fun note: One of Cole’s (Joshua Jackson)’s brothers is played by Colin Donnell (Tommy from Arrow).

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Other Posts on Joshua Jackson:

Gossip starring James Marsden, Lena Headey, Norman Reedus, Kate Hudson & Joshua Jackson

The Shadow Dancer starring Joshua Jackson, Claire Forlani and Harvey Keitel

Cursed starring Christina Ricci, Joshua Jackson & Jesse Eisenberg

Fringe starring Joshua Jackson, Anna Torv & John Noble

Lay The Favorite Review: LTF starring Bruce Willis, Rebecca Hole, Joshua Jackson & Catherine Zeta Jones

One Week starring Joshua Jackson

Suits starring Gabriel Macht, Patrick J. Adams & Gina Torres: A Witty, Fun & Addictive Legal Dramedy Series

Posted on August 23, 2014 Written by Pinar Tarhan

Suita series poster, Gabriel Macht, Patrick J Adams — Gabriel Macht (Harvey) and Patrick J. Adams (Mike). Image via epictvshows.com.

Premise

Harvey Specter (Gabriel Macht) is the star attorney at Pearson Hardman. He’s great-looking, very smart, witty, confident, and to top all, he is the best closer in town. He can win in court, but he mostly doesn’t even let cases go that far. Unsurprisingly, he’s about to become a senior partner.

Mike Ross (Patrick J. Adams) is a different kind of genius. He has a photographic memory: once he reads something, he doesn’t even forget a comma from it. He’s street smart too: he’d be a great lawyer. Unfortunately, his best friend Trevor (Tom Lipinski) always gets in trouble dealing drugs, and his attempt to help Trevor gets Mike expelled from college, thus killing his dream.

Mike has, however, decided to cash in on his smarts: he enters the bar exam for other people, passes with flying colors and charges them for it. He also begrudgingly agrees to sell drugs for Trevor, one time, because he needs the money for his grandmother, who raised him after his parents died), as she needs looking after in a specialty home. Yep, Mike’s life is complicated.

When Pearson Hardman’s associate-hiring time starts, Harvey unwillingly agrees to hire a fellow Harvard associate. The problem? Harvey wants someone unconventional and exceptional like him. And he meets his match when Mike suspects the guys waiting for him at the hotel are cops and crashes Harvey’s interview. He ends up having to tell Harvey the whole story, impressing him. And when his knowledge of law surpasses Harvey’s, he gets hired, starting one of the most fun bromances on the screen, as well as creating one original conflict.

Of course Mike still has a lot to learn when it comes to practical stuff, and he is smitten by the smart paralegal Rachel (Meghan Markle), who gives him his orientation. They hit it off, but she doesn’t date anyone from work.

So Mike will now need to survive Jessica, annoying junior partner Louis (Rick Hoffman) who’s always jealous of Harvey, other associates, his feelings for Rachel and his anger with Trevor.

As Mike gets to learn how law and grey areas work, Harvey (occasionally) gets to show his more compassionate side, though he’ll never admit it.

And if the office politics might make you not want to be a lawyer, you’d still probably love to work with Donna (Sarah Rafferty), Harvey’s pretty and equally witty secretary.

Suits Series Cast: Gina Torres, Patrick J. Adams, Sarah Rafferty, Meghan Markle & Gabriel Macht — Suits Series Cast (from left): Gina Torres, Patrick J. Adams, Sarah Rafferty, Meghan Markle & Gabriel Macht. Image via kdramastars.com.

Why Suits Is So Much Fun

– The exchanges and relationship between Harvey and Mike.

– Not that many courtroom scenes:

I read somewhere that Suits was the show about lawyers with the less amount of court scenes, and I tend to agree. But that gives the show its own vibe, and it’s consistent with the show’s premise as Harvey is “the best closer”. In fact, I was disappointed by Season 3, when we see the inside of a courtroom more often.

– Louis.

Like all brilliant men, Harvey might be tough to work with or for sometimes. It’s especially tough for Louis (Rick Hoffman), since he’s always been in his shadow. It doesn’t help he lacks the looks, the gentler touch when it comes to others and the wit. But he is still one of the best characters of the show, going back and forth between obnoxious and likable. Harvey puts Louis down any chance he gets, and Louis’ weirdness doesn’t help matters. So Louis is always looking for ways to stab Harvey in the back, though he could probably be won over easily with more kindness and compassions. Problem is, it’ s one of Harvey’s favorite hobbies to make fun of him. Whenever Louis is around, hilarity ensues. Good new is, he appears a lot.

Frankly, while I’d hate Louis in real life, I love watching Rick Hoffman playing him to the extreme, and I enjoy his character’s (occasionaly) honorable moments as well as back-stabbing attempts.

– Most movie and TV show references since Supernatural.

Harvey and Mike often exchange movie quotes and make movie/TV show references, so it makes it for a fun watch when your two favorite characters seem just as obsessed about these media as you are.

– Intelligent entertainment with great twists.

Suits is an intelligent, highly entertaining legal drama with more office politics, battles and changing power levels than you’ve seen in a legal drama (comedy.) It has its emotional moments too, and the cast pull off their roles brilliantly.

– Enough romantic tension: not more, not less.

The show doesn’t lack romantic tension and story lines, at least on Mike’s side. Harvey’s private life is colorful, though he’s not the one to be someone’s boyfriend. But worry not, we’re given an satisfactory explanation on why he’s the way he is.

– Jessica.

Go feminism, is all I can say. She’s tough, smart, mostly fair, respectful if you deserve it and a good ally. She makes one hell of an enemy, and would intimidate the hell out of any man. Frankly, I like her even when she’s working against Harvey. I just didn’t like the storyline with her ex husband. Worry not, it was all legal matters really. But he got far too much respect for a… Nope, not gonna tell ya. I ain’t spoiling anything.;)

– Donna.

She is like the Patrick Jane of legal secretaries; only she doesn’t have the baggage and revenge fantasies. She also doesn’t need to hypnotize or trick you to know things. She also has an awesome wardrobe. She’d be right at home working for Cal Lightman, really.

Suits has been renewed for season 5. The show was created by Aaron Korsh.

Please not that this raving review has been mostly for seasons 1 and 2, I’m not that crazy about season 3 – but that’s for another post.

Recommended Shows for Legal Drama/Comedy Lovers

The Good Wife starring Juliana Margulies (more drama)

Boston Legal starring James Spader and William Shatner (more comedy)

The Practice starring Dylan McDermott (all drama)

Shark starring James Woods (drama)

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The Good Wife: Overview of the Strange Season Five & That Solid Finale

Posted on May 24, 2014 Written by ripitup

Spoiler Warning: This post can contain spoilers about any The Good Wife season or finale.

The Good Wife season 5 — Image via zap2it.com

What a weird season that was! They killed one of my three beloved characters (Eli, Diane and Will). In fact they killed my favorite character Will Gardner (Josh Charles) – the leading male character of the show in the middle of the season.

But even before Will died, things had gone a little awry:

– Most cases weren’t that interesting.

– I wasn’t crazy about Florick/Agos, especially since “Florick” got there because she wanted to stay with her husband even though she had feelings for Will- like that’s how you make healthy career moves!

– She chose Peter (Chris Noth) over Will (I’m not letting this one go!)

– They overplayed the music in most episodes where it started ruining the ambiance instead of complimenting or enhancing it.

– They used a guest star way too many times (talking about” Colin Sweeney”, not Michael J. Fox – I love him, and his weirdo character, so he can become a regular for all I care),

– The whole out-to-get-Alicia Will was starting to get old (even though it was understandable)

Josh Charles as Will Gardner — The G in LG. Will Gardner: funny, charming, creative. He is missed. Yes, I know he is fictional:) Image via tvline.com.

And then, just as I was thinking they had forgotten about Hunter Parish’s character Jeremy (the young guy they charged for murder), the storyline became a curious one. They also hired Finn Polmar (Matthew Goode) to oppose Will and voila…we suddenly had a court shooting, a new recurring character, grieving friends, an obnoxious Peter and a Will-less show.

But writers came out OK in the end. They brought on constantly scheming Louis Canning (Michael J. Fox), a friendship was born between Alicia and Finn, Alicia (Julianna Margulies) kicked out Peter because he was being an ass, she slowly got her groove back – along with the show.

In the finale we had the separated Peter and Alicia, state-attorney candidate Finn not backed up by Peter (because he taught Finn and Alicia were a thing), Canning and David Lee trying to out-vote Diane (Christine Baranski), Kalinda (Archie Panjabi) kind of dating Cary (Matt Czuchry), and poor Eli (Alan Cumming) trying to prevent Peter from sleeping with 20-something interns….

I was a bit bored, and somewhat annoyed by the season 4 finale. I didn’t care about Peter and his votes, Alicia changing her stance at the court, and her making out with Will – only to join Cary and stay with Peter.

SEASON 5 FINALE EVENTS

But this finale gave us fighter (but emotionally worn) Diane, a loyal Kalinda (to Diane), spying Florick/Agos, fighting Cary and Alicia on a possible merger with Lockhart and Gardner.

Cary took his point on not wanting to merge to the extreme, and fessed up the idea to Louis Canning, who in turn came up with a plan C – resolving the firm that means so much to Diane.

Eli needed a quick, already-vetted state’s attorney candidate since Peter backed up from endorsing Finn, and already hated his opposition. They decided to offer it to Diane – who now had another complicated move to consider.

But the spying FA learned about Cary’s betrayal, and Alicia was enraged.

Finn decided to withdraw from the race because they had something on a case they’d use against him, while Alicia supported his decision either way.

Zac was about to graduate so a pre-ceremony family dinner was in the works, but Jackie and Alicia’s mom (Stockard Channing) doing their own thing while being themselves and drinking made things funnier, and put Peter in the middle as Alicia was still caught up about the merger option.

Diane did however something unexpected, and ultimately very logical: she asked to join FA on her own, with her clients and turned down Peter’s offer, who had pulled quite a number on her about her judgeship.

Alicia got to her son’s ceremony at the last minute.

Goodbyes were said to Zac.

But my absolute favorite moment is the ending where Eli got the “no” call from Diane, and stared at Alicia in such an adoring way where we nearly, almost thought he was going to say he had feelings for her…or something like that. He had that pre-romantic confession look. But this is Eli, and it was a pure, unspoiled, awesome Eli moment as he said:

“Alicia, would you want to run for State’s Attorney?”

A shocked Alicia says “What?” and then it ends.

So I’m sticking for the sixth season, fingers crossed for seeing more Finn, more riveting cases and some Alicia action – whether she gets it from Finn or someone else. She did grieve for Will for months, add the summer, and we should be fine with her romantic storylines…

How did you find the season finale? What were your favorite/least favorite moments of the season, or the finale?

Recommended Shows for Legal Drama/Comedy Lovers

Suits starring Gabriel Macht & Patrick J. Adams

Boston Legal starring James Spader and William Shatner (more comedy)

The Practice starring Dylan McDermott (all drama)

Shark starring James Woods (drama)

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