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Reviews
Heartland: New Horizons (2016)
A Most Unusual Storyline
Ty and Amy's storyline was one of the strangest in the show's nine-plus seasons. First, Bob's passion for the Gobi bears seemed abrupt and out of character. The character has always been laid-back and accepted that some animals can't be saved; suddenly he's full of zeal for this cause in Mongolia. Second, he seemed puzzled that Ty would want to stay with his pregnant wife. A veterinarian especially should understand a father's instinctive need to stay close to his pregnant mate.
Third, for Ty, deciding whether to tend to Mongolian bears or his pregnant wife should have taken about two seconds. Amy will have enhanced emotional, physical, and financial needs during her pregnancy. It is Ty's direct responsibility to fill those needs - not his father-in-law, grandfather-in-law, or anyone else.
It might have been more understandable if Ty were offered a chance to make more money by working a few months in a reasonably distant location, say Toronto or the US. But a volunteer mission to save endangered bears on the other side of the world? Come on! The writers even seem to address the absurdity through Tim's outburst at the dinner table.
Fourth, Amy is naïve about the support she will need during her pregnancy. She seems to think pregnancy will be a breeze and won't affect her normal routines too much. But this is actually in harmony with her character, so realistic enough.
Heartland is an interesting show. Sometimes it depicts family relations realistically. Peter and Lou's breakup has seemed almost painfully realistic. Other times, it is totally unrealistic - for many episodes, Jack and Lisa's marriage seemed more like a friendly business relationship. In this episode, a realistic relationship takes an unrealistic turn. It's still the best show on television, though.
Heartland: The Pike River Cull (2014)
A Warmhearted Episode with a Still-Strange Relationship
This episode follows up on the movie "A Heartland Christmas," and closes some of its outstanding story threads, such as the relationship between Tim and Joanna. It is pleasing to see Will continue to be generally a happier, more kindhearted character. And of course it is nice to see Ty and Amy reunite again, though it seems that so many Heartland characters could avoid relationship problems if they would simply sit down and talk things out. Instead, they often address important issues in brief exchanges that end abruptly, without either party fully expressing their feelings, explaining their actions, or reaching any understanding or agreement.
Jack describes his marriage with Lisa as "independent," after she called it "non-traditional" a few episodes ago. This continues to seem bizarre. Their relationship appears only slightly closer than when they were broken up last season. The main differences now are that she (but not he) is wearing a ring and seems to show up for a meal or two every few episodes. Is this a healthy, fulfilling marriage? Occasional dialogue (such as Will's sharp analysis of Jack's problem in this episode) indicates that the writers understand that it is not and may be planning to address it. Still, the fact that these two even entered such an unstable union is hard to accept.
Heartland: There and Back Again (2014)
A Fine Episode with A Very Unsatisfying Element
This episode is mostly warm and delightful, like almost every other one. Amy's story after returning from Europe is intriguing. And Amy and Ty's experience with the ranch was especially strong and realistic: they lost the house, yet most in the family - even Ty - understood that this was for the best because they really couldn't afford it to begin with.
But the episode's other story, which could have been the strongest, stretched reality to the very limit: the aftermath of Jack and Lisa's long-awaited marriage.
First, the proposal: it was a relief to see Jack finally propose to Lisa in earnest in the last episode. But to do so without resolving the deal-breaking issue in their relationship -- how their different lives would work together between France and Canada - made little sense for the show's two most mature characters. Their reasoning - basically that love would find a way - did not seem befitting for two rational-thinking people.
Second, the wedding: Jack and Lisa decide to elope. It seems unlikely that these two, who treasure Jack's family so much, would so quickly agree to exclude them from such a special event, but all right; this is within the realm of possibility.
Third, the marital arrangement: these happy newlyweds -- Lisa was positively beaming at the ceremony -- voluntarily keep their marriage secret for *months*, while continuing to live in separate homes as if they were still only dating? Come on! What husband would ask this, and what woman would agree to it?
Fourth, the marriage announcement: Jack weakly refuses to tell his family he is married until Tim finally does it for him. This deeply hurts his bride, who ultimately asks Jack if he regrets marrying her in the first place. What is wrong with this man? Jack is consistently shown as a proud and supportive family man. He boldly introduced Georgie into his household a few seasons earlier. But now he is hiding his own wife? Outrageous. This is not the character we've come to know.
I know that some of these decisions were for production reasons - for instance, Lisa continuing to go to Paris allows her character to be missing from episodes where the actress is not needed or available. I also understand that characters are written to do some things for the purpose of creating drama. But undermining Jack and Lisa's relationship in such a bizarre way just seemed unfair, after faithful viewers waited most of eight seasons to see this couple marry. I hope the writers -- who I would normally commend -- will soon begin depicting these two as the healthy and productive married couple that both characters, and their audience, deserve.
Star Trek: Picard (2020)
Is This the Star Trek You Once Loved?
Many have expressed that the third season of Picard is a return to the old Star Trek - and not just its characters, but its values, its spirit. Is this so? In some ways, yes. For instance, through three episodes, it has avoided promoting divisive social and political views. But in many ways, this show couldn't be more different than its predecessor, Star Trek: The Next Generation:
1. It's physically darker. Almost every scene so far is set at night or in the dark, creating a tense, foreboding atmosphere. TNG used warm, brighter colors to create a familial and optimistic environment, even in the depths of space. That environment established the show's world as a place we wanted to visit every week.
2. The story itself seems darker. The stories in TNG were generally uplifting. The enemy was often defeated by empathizing with it, negotiating with it, or by the crew working together to reason a way out of the situation. So far, this season's story just involves a superior ship chasing and trying to destroy the heroes' ship while all the main characters fight each other. It's often so unpleasant, which leads to the next point.
3. Characters and relationships are unpleasant. Every main character is in conflict with another, and a number of them are angry and sullen. Take Captain Shaw, who seems to always be angry and snarling at someone. The same with Jack - cynical and bitter. Even Picard has bitter exchanges with Beverly and Riker. As for Raffi, bless her heart, but the woman needs therapy. She has to be one of the most unstable Star Trek characters in the show's entire canon.
Why is everyone so unhappy in the future? Because TV writers believe that good drama needs conflict. Fine. But how do you depict that conflict? TNG established a peaceful future where mature characters developed warm relationships with each other, and wasn't that show successful? Those characters fought their challenges, not each other, and many of us loved it for that.
4. It loves violence. Star Trek: Picard seems to enjoy depicting as much violence as a TV-14 rating will allow. Through three episodes, we've seen disintegrations, impalements, beheadings, sucker punches, and big, concussive phaser and torpedo blasts. Most of these come with sharp crack and boom sound effects that make them seem extra destructive.
On the other hand, TNG marginalized violence. Battle scenes were efficient, never lusty. Phasers, the series' main firearm, barely resembled a modern weapon and were usually used only to stun. This underscored the show's focus on a peaceful future and showed that people of that future valued human life.
5. It loves swearing. Characters swear in anger or frustration throughout each episode. The writers likely feel this makes the show grounded or realistic. But in TNG, swearing was rare. Yes, this may have been due to television standards back then, but it supported the idea that people in that world were at peace.
So what's the verdict on this show, Star Trek: Picard, season 3? Is it better than the previous seasons? Probably. But is it some bold return to the old TNG and its unique values? In terms of tone, atmosphere, and outlook, the answer is no - that show barely got made even 30 years ago, only then because of its powerful creator, and the likes of it may never be seen again in this sad world. So continue to enjoy the old series, which was unique, and boldly held out hope of a bright, peaceful future for mankind. And keep looking forward to a future full of hope and peace. TV writers may not believe in such a world anymore. But I do.