November 2009 Archives

Last night we were introduced to Keiko Arahida, (Yuko Takeuchi) the mystery woman from Bryce's flashforward.  Simply put, I loved this story and I'm happy that we finally got to see their visions come full circle. I'm a sucker for love stories.

As for Keiko's character, I really like her. She's smart (studying mechanical engineering, biomedical engineering and robotics) but I couldn't help but to see a hint of what's called the "model minority" stereotype.  This stereotype is based on the idea that Asian Americans are the epitome of success that other minority groups should follow.  As model minorities, Asians are seen as outsiders when it comes to whites but are viewed as superior in relation to blacks and other groups of color; this has been used as a mechanism to divide minority groups.  As the exact opposite of the yellow peril image, model minorities are "well educated, come from close families and are law abiding," (US News and World Report). Who knows, maybe I'm reaching here.

It's apparent that her family's dreams were placed Keiko's shoulders. According to her mother, Keiko's education and new career would ensure that she would never have to work in the family restaurant. After getting the job, she realizes that she's unhappy and wants something more in life (Bryce, rock and roll, tattoos, sushi) and ultimately quits after she is asked to serve tea to a group of colleagues all because she was the only woman in the department. I admire her independence and her decision to chase down her "American Dream" as she ventures to Los Angeles and I hope she becomes the next Bob Dylan and finally meets Bryce. She's far from the stereotypical images I talked about in my last post.

Maybe it's cliché but I liked the authenticity of having to read subtitles when people are speaking their native language(s) in television shows and movies. I'm glad the producers chose to incorporate that in to the show.

Looking forward to tonight's episode.  Ever since the "on-the-edge of your seats" premiere episode, I've secretly wanted to know more about Dr. Varley's story.  Tonight marks the beginning of his search for the Japanese woman in his flashforward. I'm guessing there's a love story involved here and if I'm right that would be really cool. I (almost) trust the producers to handle this storyline right and not characterize this woman with any of the traditional stereotypes: "dragon ladies, china dolls, lotus flowers, the list goes on.

I will also be keeping an eye out for more developments in the friendly, "father-daughter" relationship between Det. Wedeck and Janis.

My favorite web site Racialicious has started a weekly FlashForward Roundtable where the previous week's episode is dissected with a particular exploration of how race (and social) constructs have affected characters and storylines.

Roundtable points to ponder:

1.      There was a general sadness and shock at Al's death and like me, the roundtable members thought he had so much more to give

2.      Al's death and the taboo subject of black men and suicide

3.      "America's obsession" with black men making the ultimate sacrifice in television shows and movies

4.      Zoey being referred to as a "bridezilla" all because she chose not to believe Demetri's fate. Ha!  Had to laugh at that one.

5.      Mark's character has no depth. He doesn't really fit or add to the show. Can't mix melodrama with action.

Check out the entire discussion!

Zoey is back. I knew this would be the episode where the ice between she and Demetri would finally be broken; it was smashed to pieces.

Despite her efforts to remain positive about their relationship, Zoey finally puts Demetri "on blast" for being "checked out" since she arrived from Seattle.  She blames him for using the blackout as an excuse for coming home late and being non-communicative. Maybe I'm biased but I can't say I blame her for finally letting him know she really feels.

Later on in the episode, Demetri finally tells Zoey that he lied about having the same flashforward as her and that he didn't have one at all. I liked Zoey's little speech on choosing "hope," but I have to say that we don't really know if Demetri was in her flashforward like she claims. Now that they've reached this point, I hope we can all move on. A new storyline for these two is long overdue.

I have to start off by saying that this was by far the season's best episode.

Viewers got a little bit more background on Demetri and Al's relationship during the elevator scene where they reminsece about the days when Demetri would "crash" on Al's couch and play videogames together. While Al recalls Demetri cheating during the games, Demetri jokingly responds by saying that he simply "found a way to change the game." Those words come back to haunt him when Al decides to end his life as a way to change the "FlashForward game," and the fate of his coworkers.

Through his flashforward, we finally learn what Al has been (secretly) struggling with; the accidental death of a mother at his own hands. He saw suicide as a way prevent his, Demetri's and Mark's visions from happening--now Demetri can focus on Zoey and the wedding, and Mark can begin to work on his marriage. We see clips of these things beginning to take place during the montage at the end of the episode were Demetri is reading Al's letter.

 My question is, was there another way he could have tried to prevent Celia's death from happening?

RIP Agent Gough, we'll miss you.

One of the things I noticed about last week's episode is that Demetri and Al seem to have to somewhat of a big bro/little bro relationship.  I think this element of the show has always been there, but was given some spotlight as we watched Demetri and Al venture out and investigate Janis' attacker. Demetri (big bro) is seen throughout the episode giving Al a hard time, calling him names, and I think he makes reluctant Al go on the trip. All in all, it's good fun and it's good to see that their relationship (black man/Asian man) was highlighted throughout the show.

And of course there had to be one down fall in the episode...Dylan's Halloween costume! I thought I misheard his father when he was describing (lost) Dylan's "pimp" costume to the security guard. Come on, of all the costumes...why this one? Never mind the fact that it's cliché, it's downright racist and stereotypical.  The clock, the crooked hat, the saggy pants...all reminds me (and everyone else) of one person, Flavor Flav. A lot of bloggers touched on this issue, with reactions ranging from subtle disappointment, to thinking it was the best Halloween costume in show. To me, there's nothing humorous about having a white kid dress up as someone who's unabashedly known in the entertainment industry as a "minstrel," a "coon" and a disgrace to the black community. Despite his earlier involvement with Public Enemy, Flavor Flav is known today as a "VH1 lackey," bearing gold teeth and the clock among other damaging characteristics.

Does Dylan's "playful" costume, give off the message that because he is white, it's okay, it's harmless? What if Dylan was an African American boy? We would our reactions be different?