Post by rielle on Jul 15, 2013 20:38:04 GMT -5
Despite being well aware that this episode could have been much better, and would surely have been different with Ross appearing as Artie, this episode stayed with me a long while, and was one of the first I watched again when TNT was running our favourite programme in syndication.
And I think I understand why: Along with Murderous Spring, Pistoleros, Death Masks, Lord of Limbo and a dozen other eps, along with a number of scenes in other eps in WT see some of that rarely shown vulnerability in our calm, cool, otherwise unflappable James T. And I always liked that in a hero, a lot. Not that Jim West should be an emotional wreck a lot of the time that would be just as bad if not worse than the stoic business; but that he should have moments, maybe a couple of hours here and there, maybe a few days, as in Pistoleros where he's however reluctantly, more open.
Now, maybe that doesn't make sense to all the kindly readers. And I have to insist I'm not talking about all the lovely fanfic angst involved with hurt/comfort stories. I'm talking about the human process of catharsis, by which it benefits everyone involved to watch a character being enacted who shows us emotions other than anger, outrage and vengeance if the character happens to be male, or emotions other than anxiety, jealousy and longing, if the character happens to be a female. And getting to see those other emotions was even more rare in the mid to late 60s. So it was like a breath of fresh air.
Another thing I particularly like about WT is the scene in which Jim has to think very, very fast in order to keep from being shot and to keep Frank from becoming another unwilling felon. Jim's got a good head on those handsome shoulders and he shows it here. I like that. a lot. So, what d' all y'all think?
And I think I understand why: Along with Murderous Spring, Pistoleros, Death Masks, Lord of Limbo and a dozen other eps, along with a number of scenes in other eps in WT see some of that rarely shown vulnerability in our calm, cool, otherwise unflappable James T. And I always liked that in a hero, a lot. Not that Jim West should be an emotional wreck a lot of the time that would be just as bad if not worse than the stoic business; but that he should have moments, maybe a couple of hours here and there, maybe a few days, as in Pistoleros where he's however reluctantly, more open.
Now, maybe that doesn't make sense to all the kindly readers. And I have to insist I'm not talking about all the lovely fanfic angst involved with hurt/comfort stories. I'm talking about the human process of catharsis, by which it benefits everyone involved to watch a character being enacted who shows us emotions other than anger, outrage and vengeance if the character happens to be male, or emotions other than anxiety, jealousy and longing, if the character happens to be a female. And getting to see those other emotions was even more rare in the mid to late 60s. So it was like a breath of fresh air.
Another thing I particularly like about WT is the scene in which Jim has to think very, very fast in order to keep from being shot and to keep Frank from becoming another unwilling felon. Jim's got a good head on those handsome shoulders and he shows it here. I like that. a lot. So, what d' all y'all think?