Slings & Arrows 3.2: Vex Not His Ghost
The second episode of Season Three of Slings & Arrows airs on Sundance tonight at 8pm. It will also be repeated throughout the week, in case you have something else you want to watch tonight.
Use the comments section of this post to discuss the episode. Any comments I may have will also be posted in the comments section. Word from Canada is that the major themes for the season will be revealed in this episode.
You can continue to discuss last week’s episode here. Discuss Season 1 here and Season 2 here. Future episodes for Season 3 will be posted as they air on Sundance.
WARNING: Comments may contain further discussion of the show, including potential spoilers. Click through only after viewing the episode. Commenters may discuss this episode as freely as they like, though Canadian readers are asked not to post spoilers for any later episodes.
By the way, did you know that William Hutt (Charles) has been performing at the Stratford Festival in Canada since its very first season in 1953? That’s hot.
February 28th, 2007 at 10:31 am
I was particularly impressed with the writing in this episode. The dual storytelling of King Lear and East Hastings: The Musical was so funny that I wondered how I managed to watch TV in the days when I couldn’t pause it to laugh hysterically. I also liked some of the camera work. When Charles names Lear’s daughters, the camera pulls back to reveal them one by one. I also liked the reveal of Oliver from behind the minister’s head in the second therapy session.
Susan Coyne (Anna) was fantastic in this episode. She rejects Richard’s advances? I always thought she had a thing for him. Maybe she doesn’t like the “new” Richard.
And Jerry is the understudy for King Lear? Did we learn nothing from last season? If Jerry doesn’t have the gravitas to understudy Macbeth, how is he going to be Lear’s shadow? I vote for Frank. He did say he woke up wondering if he would ever get to play King Lear.
There’s some potential in the conflict between the new castmembers, Sophie and Paul, and their roommates from the musical. Paul was annoying in the scene in the bar. I wonder what role he’s playing in Lear. My guess would be Edgar. Sophie is very likable. I hope they do more with her.
The only buzz kill in the episode was Oliver. Except for “Two Pickets to Tittsburgh” he was completely depressing. Maybe he’ll be more fun now that he has a higher purpose. Darren Nichols, on the other hand, is an absolute delight every moment he’s on screen.
I understand why Geoffrey was reluctant to stand up to Charles. But is it likely that Maria the stage manager, who can recite the union rules chapter and verse, would stand by and put up with his behavior? Maybe someone who knows the union rules better than I do can tell me, but aren’t there regulations preventing actors from giving each other notes during rehearsals?
I thought the ending was a little abrupt. “As far as we get”? Is that the new “The show must go on”? I guess Jerry better make sure he learns his lines this time. Though deep down, I’d still like to see Frank play King Lear.
Actually, I’d really like to see Kevin Kline play King Lear. And Iâ’m heading out to do that right now!
March 5th, 2007 at 1:12 pm
So Annalisa and I are in agreement that Charles isn’t actually dying, but just a junkie….
March 5th, 2007 at 1:13 pm
This was undoubtably one of the most outstanding episodes of the series in my view. Truly. And I too was surprised that the lingering chemistry between Richard and Anna didn’t bear fruit. Maybe later…….
March 6th, 2007 at 4:22 pm
I’m going to have to disagree with the ‘Lisas. If Charles isn’t dying, why would he tell Geoffrey something that might cause him to cancel the play?