Episode 2, Dummy focuses on relationships. The words left unspoken, the desire to get to know your partner better and unrequited love. These are the undertones of a rather humorous story involving the Dandy Lion Car company’s release of a new eco-safe car and a murdering crash test dummy. Did the presence of the crash test dummies reminded you of the 80s when they were popular car safety commercials or am I aging myself a little bit?
While the first episode set up a rather sweet fairy tale this week the first signs a growing relationship blossom. Chuck wants to know more about Ned. Ned isn’t particularly comfortable sharing too much, mostly due to the secret he’s hiding, which is he was inadvertently responsible for Chuck’s dad’s death. We all know this will come out eventually and while Chuck is a very understanding, even logically thinking woman, one has to wonder what will be her first reaction.
We also have another look at Olive (Kristin Chenoweth ) sweet; wear your heart on your sleeve Olive, the waitress at the Pie Hole, who is in love with Ned. Watching her feel more alone as she watches Ned give Chuck the attention she has long since desired I felt a little sad because I can relate to watching the man you want fall in love with another woman. When Olive break out into song, Grease’s “Hopelessly Devoted To You”, I sighed, but in a good way! It was a wonderful segment, which makes good use actress’ talent.
I’m still in love with this show and the developments between Ned and Chuck are satisfying. They had a couple of “touching” moments and I think most could see the show going in this direction, but I will admit I was surprised it happened so quickly. For me this is satisfying because I am tired of shows constantly dragging out the “when will they” scenario. This unique courtship budding between Ned and Chuck I’m sure will not have some pitfalls most couples run into, but I think that part of the charm is the love knows no bounds attitude. It is enjoyable to suspend reality for an hour each Wednesday evening to revel in those feelings a fairy tale about true love would give me as a child.
With another sweet and dare I say perfect episode brought to us by writer/creator Brian Fuller and director Barry Sonnenfeld I anxiously await next Wednesday. Of course there is still the question: Will the other directors continue with the same feel or will we see a loss of quality? We will find out when the 4 th episode airs on October 24th. I am hopeful that the quality and feel will remain, but I can’t ignore that I am the optimist!
This post was Authored by Meli, Our Resident Authority on all things Pushing Daisies
October 15th, 2007 at 7:38 pm
Wow, what a glowing review for a horrible episode. I love the shows premise, lead characters and actors but to butter this episode the way you did is a bit excessive (much like the show itself).
This show just tries so hard to be cute when it doesn’t have to. From the daisies to the dandelions to the pies to the rubber glove for carpool handjobs. It works so hard to be cute it forgets it’s a story.
And honestly, look at your review and you fell right into their trap. You praise its originality yet you say nothing in the review about what this weeks plot was. Seriously, it’s a 15 minute story with 45 minutes of filler (singing, staring, narrating etc). If “cuteness” is all an audience gets out of it then how can that be a good review or a good show?
I’m not attacking you. I just feel the show is already losing direction with so much focus on budgets and novelty and zero focus on story. We aren’t 6 years old you know.
(BTW. Jim Dale is a fantastic voice but he is used far too much. This isn’t an audiobook, this is visual so let the audience understand a character with our eyes rather than overlong descriptions.)
October 17th, 2007 at 4:31 pm
Other opinions are never unwelcome.
I can take criticism…or at least I try. And it’s cool if you see the show in a different way that I do.
I genuinely love this show and I don’t see myself falling into their trap. The show is fun, lively has well written dialogue and good actors who are believable in their roles. I do understand where you’re coming from; however part of what I love about the show is it’s cuteness. I realize the storybook nature of the show is not going to appeal to a lot of people, which is why I fear this show may not last beyond the first season.
My reason for not talking about the plot is I am trying to stay away from recapping the episode, but perhaps I should try to incorporate it a bit of the plot into the review. I wrote this based on the impression the episode left on me. I’m new at writing reviews, so bare with me.
I will agree that Jim Dale’s narration in this episode was over used, but it didn’t take away from my enjoyment on a whole.
BTW ….I did reread my post and damn, I need to proof read better before hitting send. You were nice not to mention it.