The key story last night was that John gets stabbed, is badly wounded, and left on the side of the road, maybe dead. He's discovered by Vietnam Joe. Now we know that John will survive - if he can bring others back from near death, surely he can do it for himself - but the way he does it is especially interesting and likely important. He has Joe put Joe's hand over John's heart, and this somehow draws some cosmic energy from Cass (who was recently boned by Mitch - I don't know if that's important, but I wanted to mention it), and John's on the road to recovery in Joe's jeep.
Meanwhile, Cass is suddenly much more than a pretty face - she's somehow part of John's world, even to the point that when John later tells her to "see God," she takes it much more in stride than did Kai, last week.
Speaking of which - Kai's in great form in this episode, too, explaining just what happened to her when John said "see God" to her last week. Rings and "hardware" in crucial parts of her body heated up - same as the implants in Butchie's head last week - so now we know of at least three amazing consequences of John's presence: (a) levitation (Mitch), healing (Shaun, Butchie's drug problem, John), and heating of metallic things in the body (I hope no one has fillings in their teeth)...
Word of the show: Well, "dumping out" was mentioned once again, and "boning" lots of times, but the new one was "hammer" - as in "bringing down the hammer" (in this context, see boning).
This has got to be one of the strangest, odd but oddly powerfully shows on television, with a pace and a story arc all its own...
And I'm really loving Joe Strummer's Johnny Appleseed under the opening credits - in fact that song, and the whole opening montage, may be the best TV opener since The Sopranos...
See also reviews of other episodes ... Episode One ... Episode Two ... Episode Three ... Episode 5 ... Episode 6 ... Episode 7 ... Episode 8 ... Episode 9 ... Episode 10
See also John from Cincinnati: The Meaning in a Sentence or Two
7 comments:
Another great episode tonight, episode #4 "His Visit: Day Three"
It's too late and I'm too tired to post thoughts about it, but I'll list the songs that I was able to identify so far.
Synthesizer song during healing scene- I'm not sure but a few people are saying it's David Byrne. Will update.
Peter Gabriel - "In Your Eyes" (don't laugh!)
Outro/end credits song is The Yardbirds - "Over Under Sideways Down" from an album that I actually bought when it was new!
(yeah, I'm old)
Just out of interest, this LP was noteworthy for being the first recordings with new guitarists Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page, having replaced the recently departed Eric Clapton. Eventually the group broke up and evolved into Led Zeppelin.
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{B^|)>
Agreed on pretty much all points. I am really getting into this show, and hate waiting an entire week to see what is going to happen.
I hope this one survives, because I have heard that the show is losing viewers in droves. It is one of those shows that requires a little patience and some time to appreciate. At least it's on HBO and not NBC or it would have been canceled already.
This show is so *^@#ing funny; I can't help but laughing uncontrollably at the use of language. This is a well written show, which really uses the the capabilities of its actors to their fullest. Ed O'Neill is just phenomenal as the over involved and protective neighbor,Bill. The first episodes were slow moving and a little morose, but the fourth episode seems to have found the shows pacing more finely tuned. As is standard with HBO series the music is just outstanding.
I have really enjoyed this show from the beginning. For some reason, I keep thinking this show has been made in religious context (miracles..."end is near"..."see God"); however, as I continue to watch, I am beginning to realize that it may simply be designed for people to think about who they, personally, want John to portray, be it religious, spiritual or extraterrestrial.
The show seems to focus more on people with drastically different lifestyles and personalities doing extraordinary things more than anything else.
Now for my religious rant.
While all of the characters think John is providing all of these miracles, couldn't it simply be that John is merely showing them how to live by his example and showing them that each are significant in this world?
John does not stray even though they are all screwed up. He is without judgement and stays near without forcing himself upon them. Everyone is drawn and mystified by him.
He gets stabbed in his side.
John from Cincinnati = JC...that is a stretch.
I really hope this show doesn't get cancelled!
This show is awesome. How could you have more fun writing about it than talking about it? Are you an idiot? JFC makes you think and makes you feel. John no doubt is a conductor of some sort of divine power with a distinct purpose in his pursuit of Butchie and the rest of the Yost family. Again, David Milch has brilliantly shown how one person can affect the lives of so many people. People should withhold their damnation of the show until the season ends and it has had a chance to show what it is fully capable of. By that time I'd imagine most would understand just how well written it is. One aspect of John I really like is how he has the ability to read people's minds, which is evident countless times, including at the hospital when he repeated to Kai what he could not have heard concerning Shaun's health. John constantly says things to people that he couldn't possibly know. (To Vietnam Joe, "You didn't leave me behind, Joe" or "Tomorrow is another day.) These quotes have distinct meanings to the lives of the people who he says them to. Also pretty cool is how he has the power to cause trances/visions/mind control in other people, which was evident with Cass (and Kai) when he got her to come pick him up and had here in a seemingly euphoric state as if she were in awe or the presence of God. How his powers tie into the newfound powers of the Yost family is yet to be reveale; and whatever John's purpose and whatever he knows I just cannot wait to find out.
-James from Ohio
anon, Howard, anon2, grizzo - good points, all...
james from ohio: yes, I'm an idiot...
heres my take on the character representations that havent been mentioned. In my opinion the show is a play on a miriad of "biblical" stories..or something to that effect. Im still a little confused at times, but love the show, and cant wait till next week!
Freddie reps the man crucified next to jesus that asks for forgiveness (the good, lovable drug dealer, if you will). Palaka the other bad guy crucifed next to jesus, that doesnt believe (ALLEGEDLY)
Linc reps the devil
The bird is a representation of Shaun, who is, like John, the (a) Holy Spirit.
The Yost men rep the holy triad: Father, Son, Holy Spirit
Bill reps Peter the apostle, he want to leave the yosts alone (as peter denying christ) but cannot.
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