John From Cincinnati (HBO)

[Gaddabout]

I have so many questions but I don't even know how to ask them. This show is so odd.

 

[Cheesebeef]

See God Kai.

Holy Crap. Show kicks ass.

are you still not seeing the Christ figure? After someone says "Jesus Christ" and then camera racks focus to John in the background instantaneously?

after the third episode, I'm officially hooked. The Doctor was by far my favorite character of tonight's show.

 

[Gaddabout]

are you still not seeing the Christ figure? After someone says "Jesus Christ" and then camera racks focus to John in the background instantaneously?

I thought that was a little heavy-handed, especially after the "lesson" John taught Kai. But if there were any doubts where they were going with this character this episode cleared it all up.

If anyone has any insight into what Linc is up to with Cass and all the subterfuge, you've got my attention. That's one storyline that's got me wondering what I missed for not paying attention to the first episode (I was posting on this board from my laptop for that one).

 

[Southpaw]

are you still not seeing the Christ figure? After someone says "Jesus Christ" and then camera racks focus to John in the background instantaneously?

after the third episode, I'm officially hooked. The Doctor was by far my favorite character of tonight's show.

For lack of a better name, then that will suffice. The medicine man is a bit freaky. I think he will end up porking Sissy.

The troika of Ramone, the Lawyer and motel owner are a good sideshow. Anything to read into their choice of Pea soup as the menu choice to bring to the Yost household for the grieving family, which wasa eventually dumped on the street??????

Freddy, aka Charlie from Deadwood, is a touch of reality.

Next week the muggers are in over their heads, maybe????

 

[Southpaw]

I thought that was a little heavy-handed, especially after the "lesson" John taught Kai. But if there were any doubts where they were going with this character this episode cleared it all up.

If anyone has any insight into what Linc is up to with Cass and all the subterfuge, you've got my attention. That's one storyline that's got me wondering what I missed for not paying attention to the first episode (I was posting on this board from my laptop for that one).

I'm thinking Linc and Cass are the vehicles for the smarmy side, although Mitch will probably end up porking Cass. Since Cass is an opportunist I'm guessing Mitch levitates for her and she tries to commercialize it.

 

[Southpaw]

Luis Guzman's delivery of the line "I'm half deaf from the leaf blower" alone would have made this episode

John from Cincinnati: His Visit: Day Two Continued

Posted Jun 25th 2007 12:40AM by Julia Ward

(S01E03) Let that be a lesson to you, young padawans. If you're going to get pierced downtown or any other place the sun don't shine outside of Saint-Tropez, it could come back to haunt you given any major religious experiences... or bonings.

I'm bestowing this episode with the alternate title "Burning Sensation." Everything came to a head in a massive montage of sizzle - Kai's piercings, Butchie's implants, Vietnam Joe's shrapnel, Ramon's pea soup spillage and Palaka's hand.

I love this kind of stuff. I spent a couple of years following around religious pilgrims to earn a fancy pants anthropology degree. I read a ridiculous number of books about people's religious experiences and theories of existential connection and liminality. Since this is a TV blog, I'll spare you the better part of my navel gazing, but there's something kind of beautiful about all this oneness at the margins. But, is there anything more beautiful than Dayton Callie?

I have a few ideas for some John from Cincinnati spin-offs. First up, there's the Ramon, Lawyer Dickstein and Barry show. They make a hilariously motley crew. Luis Guzman's delivery of the line "I'm half deaf from the leaf blower" alone would have made this episode worthwhile.

But, the show I really want to see is the Steady Freddie show. He'd just sit in his car listening to Sarah Brightman and commenting on whatever was going on outside. His sidekick Palaka would come by with coffee every once in awhile. I hope these guys are going to be series regulars. They're damn funny. Freddy even got the night's best line, "Retired cops don't get my name, what time it is or pissed on if they go up in flames." And, yet, he's so compassionate. I heart Freddy. I just don't want him to break my hand.

As for the other performers, the jury is no longer out on De Mornay for me. Chica needs to take it down a notch. I know it's a tough role. She's got to be the worry warrior - the bitch from hell who's been hardened by pulling everyone back from the precipice over and over and over again. I appreciate the character, but De Mornay's shrillness is unbearable.

The weakest component of this show, aside from De Mornay's histrionics, is Mitch and Cissy's failing marriage. I really don't care about this relationship and that's a problem seeing as the Yosts are at the center of the show. This universe literally revolves around them. Every other character on this show is either trying to protect them or exploit them. Why? Because they were good surfers once? Closer to God? It would be more convincing if they were at all tolerable as human beings.

Shaunie is the exception, of course. He's the innocent, the real thing. And, now, he's a walking, talking, halfpipe-skating miracle. The last image of Shaun skating with that amazing song (anyone know it offhand?), the flashbulb and John's "See God" incantation was especially well done. This show has had some amazing set pieces in its first three weeks. The Sarah Brightman-accompanied escape from the hospital, Shaun on the half-pipe, episode one's freak-out in the Snug Harbor parking lot. I know this show has proven to be a weird and disconcerting little adventure, but I feel like it came together in a satisfying way this week. I'm in.

As for next week, it looks like everyone's starting to connect the miraculous dots. I'm glad someone finally acknowledged that John has magic pants. I've gotta find out who is tailor is.

 

[CardFan67]

This weekend we caught up on this show watching all three episodes together off of HBO on Demand...

My wife is mesmerized... she said it gives her goose bumps. I like the show but am not magically drawn in as my wife is. We are torn between whether it is referencing JC or more of an extra terrestrial type being.

She loves it, I like it, so that means we both love it...

 

[Evil Ash]

This show just keeps getting better and better

 

[Renz]

This show just keeps getting better and better

Love it!

 

[CardFan67]

This week left me kind of empty... Lots of meandering and not much meat - got a little bored with Al Bundy's bird conversations. I still am liking it though, it is an aweful fast hour of entertainment which means I must like it more than I think. Wife still absolutely loves it.

 

[Gaddabout]

This week left me kind of empty... Lots of meandering and not much meat - got a little bored with Al Bundy's bird conversations. I still am liking it though, it is an aweful fast hour of entertainment which means I must like it more than I think. Wife still absolutely loves it.

Seemed like they really wanted to establish parameters for John's character.

Spoiler

The part about John's stabbing and subsequent healing seemed downright providential. He was giving people roles to play, important roles. Rather than healing himself, he used Joe. He rescued Cass from Linc (and Mitch) by giving her a soul-saving mission. He confirmed the doctor's new faith and reinforced Butchie and Kai's romance. The whole time he's spouting things he's heard, but they seem to be exactly what everyone needs to hear at the moment.

We can also see Linc's role slowly emerging as not just some misunderstood bad guy. He really is the devil of the group.

 

[Southpaw]

Missed it last night. HBO on Demand tonight. Gotta love it.

Girlfriend says no way she will watch a show about surfing.

 

[Southpaw]

Done. Saw it. Best one yet. John is the healer. Nothing drags. This is grad level psychology/philosophy/social therapy.

Took care of the Viet Nam stressed dude. Cass is getting cured. Bill & Freddy are Siamese twins seperated at birth. Bill is definitely the answer man. He fills in the blanks. The Doc may end up the Medicine man /Shaman/ whatever.

Who is the new hottie in the Convertible? Sissy is still nuts.

That motel may end up a Temple of healing complete with burning bush, fountain at Lourdes and pictures of Mary on the bedspreads. Who knows? They allready have the three wise men.

 

[Renz]

Who is the new hottie in the convertible?

Shaun's mom.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Shaun's mom.

yup.

 

[Gaddabout]

Shaun's mom.

And she's a porn star.

 

[CaptTurbo]

And she's a porn star.

In real life? Oh God please tell me its true and tell me her name!

 

[Southpaw]

Shaun's mom.

I feel dumb. Thanks for the insight.

 

[Gaddabout]

In real life? Oh God please tell me its true and tell me her name!

The character is. I have no idea who she is in real life.

No, really ...

 

[Southpaw]

The character is. I have no idea who she is in real life.

No, really ...

Did I miss a scene or what? All I remember seeing, is her driving up and asking where Butchie was. No introductions or explanations that I remember.

 

[Gaddabout]

Did I miss a scene or what? All I remember seeing, is her driving up and asking where Butchie was. No introductions or explanations that I remember.

I read it on the HBO site that explains what happens on each episode. It's surprising how much you learn by reading those. We're supposed to make inferences based on vague camera references.

http://www.hbo.com/johnfromcincinnati/

 

[CardFan67]

Did I miss a scene or what? All I remember seeing, is her driving up and asking where Butchie was. No introductions or explanations that I remember.

Yeah there was a scene with the grandmother, Sissy and Butchie regarding her...

 

[Southpaw]

Aha!

 

[CaptTurbo]

The character is. I have no idea who she is in real life.

No, really ...

SHe is stunningly beautiful.

 

[Mike Olbinski]

I am really annoyed that I stopped watching this...I missed the two-part second episode...and I can't find it anywhere.

iTunes doesn't have it, and I can't find it anywhere else. Maybe I'll try bit torrent.