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Wow.
They really were expecting to be cancelled, weren't they? There's just no way
around that one. And I'm sure that "Tempted" will be it, but I think
we should now have some smaller glimmer of hope. Because, despite everything,
Brown and Esensten managed to pull off one of their once-in-a-soap miracles. Yes,
they need to find a new line of work, but while their successes are few and far
between, when they do have a hit, it's really great. If PC really had ended
with "Tainted Love," I would have been happy, because it was a high
note to end on.
As we've known since the beginning, PC's strongest point, in both old
format and new, is the way the characters work together. Whether they're battling
Greg Cooper, or the superflu, or even vampires, when these folks click, they really,
really click. In fact, that's one of the advantages of a smaller cast. That's
why "Time in a Bottle" was better than "Fate," and it's why
"Tainted Love" was the best of the three. I could quibble about some
of choices with which actors to spotlight, but when you love something like PC,
you love it warts and all, and I really can't complain too much.
There have been in inevitable comparisons to Buffy, especially with
PC now having its resident vampire slayer in one Lucy Coe. It's been said
in the press, and on the net, and around water coolers across the world, that
while the action and the funny dialogue may be what gets you into Buffy's showroom,
it's the emotional authenticity that makes you stay. Same thing here. If the cast
has been playing this material with anything less than 100% commitment, it wouldn't
have worked nearly as well. We accept the characters' fears, and their hopes,
and their joys and sorrows, because in PC, as Sunnydale, vampires are
real.
Okay, enough with the navel-gazing. On to the climax and denouement.
Lucy: Wow, what can I say? What needs to be said? I suppose on some level I'm
disappointed she wasn't the one to kill Caleb. If I had my druthers, Michael would
have thrown himself in front of that crossbow bolt, but since I do have my background
as a good Catholic boy, and since God makes such infrequent appearances on the
soaps, I can deal with a little bit of divine intervention. And also, that they
dealt with it on-camera helped as well, with the expression of doubts to Kevin,
and his assurances that she did save the day, and he loved her no matter what...it
was the best thing to happen to Lucy in years, possibly ever. And Lynn was fantastic.
I seriously hope she puts together an Emmy reel next spring.
Kevin: As hard as it is for me to believe I'm saying this, Jon Lindstrom deserves
an Emmy for his work throughout "Tainted Love." Both Kevin's disbelief
in the vampires and his dogged determination to protect both Livvie and Lucy from
Caleb were perhaps the best acting that man has done in a long while. It's certainly
the best material he's had. And I hope PC knows what a treasure it has
in Kevin and Lucy; we saw throughout the climax, again, what once-in-a-lifetime
chemistry those two have.
Alison and Jamal: Speaking of once-in-a-lifetime...they were reduced, again,
to a supporting role, but they are such troopers, and so great. If one image sticks
in my mind from the whole novella, it's going to be Alison, biting her lip in
pain, and then slicing her hand open so that Jack could feed.
Ian and Eve: They got lost mid-way through the story, but even they managed
to redeem themselves in the end. I could do without Eve's moonings over Michael,
but at least Julie Pinson was acting them well this time. And I have faith that
seeing her in new-mother phase in "Tempted" will be a treat.
Chris: Well, unfortunately, we only saw the money-obsessed, mustache-twirling,
villain-cum-comic relief Chris this outing. Which is not to say Nolan North doesn't
excel in the roll, but he needs to be given a chance to fly before the end.
Karen and Frank: Another good couple. Regrettably, they were back-burnered
after their star turn in "Time in a Bottle," but even in their smaller
roll in the final chapter, we got to see Marie Wilson's big smile, and Jay Pickett's
big shoulders. They deserve some face-time, too.
Gabi: If Ion Overman had been playing Gabi this well since the beginning, we
would all have much better feelings for her. But Gabi vamped (so to speak) her
way through until her capture with those over-glossed lips, as served as the show's
main momentum during the middle of the story.
Jack and Livvie: As they are a much-better matched pair than Livvie and Caleb
(in height, acting ability...), taken together, they're not so bad. All my complaints
to the contrary, if we look at central couples on other shows, we could do a lot
worse. It's only when paired together, or one-on-one with Caleb that that they
really start to suck (sorry). And Jon Lindstrom can bring anyone up to his level.
And I would be remiss if I left off our wonderful supporting players. Charles
Keating has to be the coolest man ever, and his James was the perfect heavy to
play against Lucy and Kevin. And Brian Gaskill's Rafe was enigmatic enough (not
to mention such a cutie-pie) to make me hope we see in "Tempted." Of
course, the real find of the summer was Father Vicente. The actor, who's name
I have been unable to locate, had a part lasting all of two days, but he made
an impression on the whole of the audience. I hope he returns as well.
And finally, of course, Caleb: I'm going to miss Michael Easton, but I'm hoping
this is it for him. Because Caleb was meant to be like one of Buffy's Big Bads;
once he's defeated, he stays dead. To borrow a phrase, Michael Easton swung at
the fences and hit "Tainted Love" out of the ballpark.
Okay, wow, that was longer than I'd hoped. I guess I'll see everyone next month
for "Tempted". If we've only got one more book, or two, or a whole year,
I'm ready for it.
As the ABC voice-over guy himself said, "You thought it was the end? Well,
it's only the beginning."
Bring it on.
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