BrainDead

[Steve C.]

I am trying to figure out if TS is attempting to do the "ball-a-mer-(?) more" accent. It's almost annoying at times. They should get a dialect coach if that's what he's aiming for.

Thankfully the main core quartet work so incredibly great together, along with the pacing and dialogue, you can go with the flow. (The ensemble/whole cast, well, kudos to the casting director).    

[Someone in a Tree2]

I believe Red is the Senior Senator from Delaware, so yeah, presumably that's what passes for a Baltimore accent here. I kind of like how looney-tunes it is, but it sure sounds like his voice coach was John Travolta circa HAIRSPRAY. If the show weren't so damn entertaining, the accent would bug me a lot more.

Speaking of which, I loved how off kilter that scene with the hot bug-on-bug hate-sex was. One scene I did NOT find funny was the pseudo-torture of the bug guy they duct-taped up in Rochelle's loft. All I could see was a really creepy call-back to the near-waterboarding of Laurel last episode every time they ladled alcohol down his gullet. Is that really what the creators had in mind?

[John Adams]

Steve C. said: "I am trying to figure out if TS is attempting to do the "ball-a-mer-(?) more" accent. [...] They should get a dialect coach if that's what he's aiming for."

The what....?

I think his voice coach was Moon Unit Zappa:

 

 

[John Adams]

Someone in a Tree2 said: "If the show weren't so damn entertaining, the accent would bug me a lot more."

Ha! You said, "bug me".

 

[SmoothLover]

Well the accent does draw attention to itself but I agree, the main quartet is so adorable that it is easily forgiven. Tony has never been one of my favorites although I thought he was very good in the p!ay he did with Diane Lane at the Mitzi.

[John Adams]

Someone in a Tree2 said: "One scene I did NOT find funny was the pseudo-torture of the bug guy they duct-taped up in Rochelle's loft. "

First off - NICE loft. I could (want to) live there...

I kept thinking how unnecessarily violent they all were with the bug guy. Both the actor cast in the role, and the writing of the character were adorkably sweet. The actor was cute as a bug's ear [Ha! I said "bug's ear"]. In the scene where he attempted to attack Laurel in the kitchen, he apologized for dropping the knife. It was only when he innocently bent over to pick it up that Laurel (somewhat over-violently) subdued him.

While he was being interrogated, he gave a pretty innocent explanation for how Laurel got cut with the knife. He then went on to say something to the effect of, "You could easily overtake us".

I didn't understand Laurel's "a-ha!" moment that followed. (The "You said us" thing...) Of course he said, "us". It's been obvious to all of them, for quite some time that the bugs were an "us". I did not understand Laurel's "revelation", there.

But there's a lot about this show that I think doesn't make sense (because of the writing). I'm finding that the best way to follow what's going on in each episode is to go online to find the title of each episode:

    1.    The Insanity Principle: How Extremism in Politics Is Threatening Democracy in the 21st Century
    2.    Playing Politics: Living Life in the Shadow of the Budget Showdown -- A Critique
    3.    Goring Oxes: How You Can Survive the War on Government Through Five Easy Steps
    4.    Wake Up Grassroots: The Nine Virtues of Participatory Democracy, and How We Can Keep America Great
    5.    Back to Work: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Congress and How It Gets Things Done (and Often Doesn't)
    6.    Notes Toward a Post-Reagan Theory of Party Alliance, Tribalist, and Loyalty: Past as Prologue
    7.    The Power of Euphemism: How Torture Became a Matter of Debate in American Politics
    8.    The Path to War Part One: The Gathering Political Storm
    9.    Taking on Water: How Leaks in D.C. Are Discovered and Patched
    10.    The Path to War Part Two: The Impact of Propaganda on Congressional War Votes

Even when the plot makes no sense (i.e., Laurel's "us" reaction, and why after 80% of the season has aired, there still seems to be confusion among the "trusted" characters that the bugs exist, etc.), knowing the title of the episode helps me to understand the intended focus. I don't always feel like the writers get those intentions across effectively, though.

[bwayrose7]

Haven't been on the boards as much lately, but I've been loving this show too! I started watching because of the TGW writers and the cast, but I've grown fond of it on its own at this point. It kind of reminds me of Pushing Daisies- anyone remember that show? The morbid, deadpan humor and absurdity just makes it work. And the musical recaps. I am in love with those annoyingly catchy recaps :)

[Jordan Catalano]

Sadly wih the ratings what they are, I have a feeling that the 10 episodes of this show that make up season 1 will be the only ones we'll ever see. 

[John Adams]

bwayrose7 said: "It kind of reminds me of Pushing Daisies- anyone remember that show?

I ADORED "Pushing Daisies"! It was so whimsical. I also appreciated how frugal they were regarding set pieces/props. It was very enjoyable to spot how creatively so many items were re-purposed in subsequent episodes.

[...] And the musical recaps. I am in love with those annoyingly catchy recaps :)"

Yup -  me, too.

[dramamama611]

After I posted that I don't pay much attention  to ratings, I did go and seek them out for this show.  And, sadly, I agree with Jordan. This might be the last of what we get.  

[Someone in a Tree2]

Bummer to hear how crappy the ratings are, but talking to my friends and coworkers bears this out-- not a one of them (save my husband) ever watches this show. I wish I felt there was a growing groundswell of support out there for show with this kind of off-kilter brilliance, but alas, it looks like you guys here on BWW are it.

John Adams, where do you even see the titles for each episode? Have they been appearing onscreen each show and I've just missed them every time?

[Call_me_jorge]

Jordan Catalano said: "Sadly wih the ratings what they are, I have a feeling that the 10 episodes of this show that make up season 1 will be the only ones we'll ever see. 

 

"

Aren't summer ratings always lower? Especially since the Olympics are on? So they may give them a pass. I love this show, I hope it can go onto the regular season schedule.

[mpkie]

John Adams said: "Both the actor cast in the role, and the writing of the character were adorkably sweet. The actor was cute as a bug's ear [Ha! I said "bug's ear"]. In the scene where he attempted to attack Laurel in the kitchen, he apologized for dropping the knife. It was only when he innocently bent over to pick it up that Laurel (somewhat over-violently) subdued him."

Rochelle (Nikki M. James!) was the one who was attacked, it was her loft.... and the attacker? None other than Santino Fontana! I haven't watched him in any other TV shows, but I'm definitely obsessed after seeing him in 1776 and Mr. Rosewater! Honestly, when they said, "we can't keep him here," I was like, "Why not!? I'd totally keep him tied up! Nudge nudge wink wink." Mary Winstead (Laurel actress) isn't a professional singer, but just happens to have a mean, mean voice as well, and we only got to hear the joke-y version of it in a past episode.

It's just unfair that in a show with a crazy talented musically-inclined cast, the only singing that happens is in the intro by someone who doesn't play a character. *grumble grumble*

John Adams said: "I didn't understand Laurel's "a-ha!" moment that followed. (The "You said us" thing...) "

I had the same confusion with Laurel's "us?" reaction. Not sure, but maybe he actually meant "us" as in bugs + human counterpart b/c that IS a revelation, especially in light of her father being infected. If the human part is still actually there (well, minus right brain) and desires to be coupled with the parasite, as Santino Fontana's character seems to imply exactly that, that's a new development. Of course, that could just be the bugs talking bs.

Also for those people who love the musical recaps, have you not watched Galavant? The Galavant recaps were epic, and in my opinion, funnier and catchier than this show's (that doesn't detract from BrainDead's own awesomeness in  'musical recap' execution, of course). The recaps were sung by the Jester and they were so cheeky that they made fun of how "annoying" they were in the recap/show itself. Still sad it didn't renew for a third season. And will be sad if this doesn't renew.

[John Adams]

Someone in a Tree2 said: "John Adams, where do you even see the titles for each episode? Have they been appearing onscreen each show and I've just missed them every time?"

They haven't been shown onscreen, which I think is a fault. I came across them accidentally when googling for an episode guide. If you google, "Braindead episode guide", the search results will pull up sources that list the episode titles. TV.com and epguides.com are two sources.

[John Adams]

mpkie said: "Rochelle (Nikki M. James!) was the one who was attacked, it was her loft.... and the attacker? None other than Santino Fontana! "

DOH! Of course! (I should have known that!)

mpkie also said: “It's just unfair that in a show with a crazy talented musically-inclined cast, the only singing that happens is in the intro by someone who doesn't play a character. *grumble grumble*”

That’s Ben Folds.

mpkie also said: “I had the same confusion with Laurel's "us?" reaction. Not sure, but maybe he actually meant "us" as in bugs + human counterpart b/c that IS a revelation, especially in light of her father being infected.“

Ooooh! That’s interesting and makes sense! Thanks for that!

[Someone in a Tree2]

Did everyone else on our thread miss this week's BrainDead episode too? (Thankyou Olympics Closing Ceremony.) Sounds like we didn't miss much, according to the Vulture Recap lady who only gave the episode a measly 2 stars. Really hope the show powers on to an amazing finish but my optimism is slipping week by week now...

 

[Petralicious]

I thought it was great! Who knew Laurel was such a ho-bag! MM? Eeewww!

[SmoothLover]

I felt like this last episode stalled a bit. Perhaps it was because some of the supporting characters were either missing or barely had any screen time. The 2 supporting black actors give the series urgency.

[WhizzerMarvin]

Any episode with two seconds of Rochelle and zero (yes, ZERO) Gustav is a weak episode.

It had some good moments, but was a slight dip in quality after the highs of the past few weeks.

My two favorite moments were:

Gareth talking with the IT guy and telling him that he's the only one who appreciates him. "Why should I believe you?" "Because I just said it."

And Red sampling the brain splatter on the wall and then remarking that he was one of the great minds of his generation. In lesser hands a total groaner, but Shalhoub killed it. (Literally)

[Call_me_jorge]

I loved Beth!

[John Adams]

Petralicious said: "I thought it was great! Who knew Laurel was such a ho-bag! MM? Eeewww!"

Me! (see Post #29)

[John Adams]

When this show first aired, I was really hoping for a limited-run (until the elections), comedic version of The West Wing, with similarly smart political commentary. It's not turned out to be that at all.

Still, it's a guilty pleasure. I won't miss it if it goes away after one season, though.

[Petralicious]

John Adams said: "Petralicious said: "I thought it was great! Who knew Laurel was such a ho-bag! MM? Eeewww!"

Me! (see Post #29)

 

"You were right John Adams!!!!  I guess you have Hoe-dar!  

I mean 24 partners just in college, Well she is a liberal! :)

How did she have time to graduate? Oh wait, she slept with her professors! 

[Steve C.]

After a slow start for me, I've really grown to like the satire of "BrainDead" but it is so so much the actors and acting that I've become a big fan of. This regular cast and the guests stars really know how to sell this story. These guys do so much with a wink and a smile; Beth is a hoot, great to see Tracie Thoms, plus the regular cast. (I still don't get TS' accent, but it does make his character more of a pill to swallow). It probably won't last on CBS but maybe they could move it to Showtime or CW.

Just the thought of Laurel with Michael Moore and then to see it was so hilarious! I was wretching right along with Aaron Tveit!

[SmoothLover]

I do not see it running past the summer. I hope they write a grand finale though!!!!!

[WhizzerMarvin]

Another episode without Gustav. Ugh 

Why is it focusing on all these things we don't care about? I want to see Laurel, Gustav and Rochelle take down the bug people. Anything else is a bit extraneous- pregnant wife and Luke's multiple affairs? Boring. Gustav and Rochelle making the committee raise both hands and run into walls? Awesome.