Week of May 31 - Fancy Footwork

[mlm828]

It's the final week of the re-watch, time for "Fancy Footwork." The gun issue is resolved, and Jim spends some quality time with a speed bag.

[rducasey]

Jun 1, 2008 23:47:43 GMT -5 mlm828 said:

and Jim spends some quality time with a speed bag.

nuff said..................there could have been ten minutes of this and cut out the dancing, and that would have been just fine with me. Undoubtably my favorite scene.

[mlm828]

Jun 2, 2008 20:17:23 GMT -5 rducasey said:

. . . there could have been ten minutes of this and cut out the dancing, and that would have been just fine with me.

I didn't dislike the ballroom dancing story line as much as some people (you know who you are ), but that final dance scene was way too long. If the show had to end, I didn't want it to go out like that.

[maggiethecat]

That ending was so controversial that, once upon a time, the admins here had contemplated a Write Your Own (and presumably better) Ending Contest, entries to be posted anonymously (by sending to one of the admins, who would then post them), and winners in various categories to be determined by a poll and rewarded with karma points.

Maybe when The Great Anniversary Re-watch is finished we should revive this idea. I mean, whether or not you liked the Faux Astaire number, it . . . did . . . go . . . on . . . longer . . . than the shoot-out at the bank, and I think we all agree they could have done a lot more with that time than they did.

Thoughts, anyone?

[mlm828]

I like the idea of an alternate ending. As far as I'm concerned, the real end of the episode is when Jim decides to give up the gun, informs Fisk of his decision, and walks out of the squad. This is the true end of the episode's main story line.



The long dance scene seems like tacked-on filler, especially since there is no story line at all with Christie in this episode.

I would have preferred to see the episode end with Jim leaving the squad, with perhaps some scenes added earlier in the episode, or scenes that are in the episode lengthened. For example, when Marty says his peace to Jim about the gun, the scene ends with a very brief shot of Jim.



I would have liked to see more of his reaction.

One alternate ending which has been suggested is a scene between Jim and Christie, in which they talk about his decision to give up the gun. But there was a scene kind of like that at the end of "Under the Gun," where Jim says how he feels about giving up the gun. So another scene of that type might have been redundant. Perhaps there could have been a scene between them that morning, before they leave for work, showing Jim is still undecided and conflicted about the decision, leading up to his talk with Fisk. Then the episode could have concluded with its natural ending.

On the other hand, if rducasey is writing the alternate ending, we could go back to the gym at the end and give Jim some more time with the speed bag. ;D

[hoosier]

I was and was not happy with the ending. Waaayyy too much dancing. I still think a quick flashback at how Jim arrived where he was could be an alternative ending.

Back to the episode--

Was part of the reason Jim finally decided to relinquish his gun due, in part, to his last conversation with Bo? Bo didn't feel he could quit boxing because what else could he do? He had no job prospects and he had money problems. He evidently had well-wishers but what did they do? Wished him well but gave no concrete help. Was that when Jim realized what he had? How far he had come? He had his job back and co-workers who were not only finally accepting him but were willing to go out on a limb for him, he had proved to himself and the brass that he still could do his job and he and his wife were working to mend the rift in their marriage. He had gotten his life back and more so what was he trying to prove by carrying a gun? Prove to himself that he was as capable as he was before? He had told Bo that so many people had to start over again and maybe it was time to practice what he preached. Give it up. Face the cold hard facts about why he was reluctant to give it up. Acknowledge that Marty, and all the other nay-sayers, were right--what would he do with the gun anyway, accept that it was more of a hindrance and a problem than a help. Prove that his skills at negotiation more than compensated for the lack of a weapon--he handled an enraged Bo at the gym without resorting to pulling his gun even though Karen did, though Jim didn't know that. While it was painful to do, Jim left his gun in his locker and walked out the door.