(S01E09) First of all, let's all give ABC three cheers for finally giving Men in Trees a decent time slot. Actually, it's a pretty terrific time slot-- directly after Grey's Anatomy, which had more than 13 million viewers last week. That's the highest rated show on television right now and it's going to be a lead-in for Men in Trees. Spectacular! ABC has also picked up a full season of Men in Trees. It's funny, really. ABC originally scheduled Ugly Betty and Men in Trees for Friday nights and now they're both on the biggest night of television.
This week's episode, The Menaissance, just unhinged everything, didn't it? I was so excited about the way Marin and Jack's relationship was maturing. After they had sex back during episode five, "Talk for Tat," I wondered what would happen between them. But, it turns out that having the two main characters hook-up early in the first season is not such a bad thing. They backed off because neither of them was ready for a relationship, and they became friends. Then, last week, things started simmering again between them. Jack definitely was interested in Marin... and now it's all blown to hell because Marin had an article published in The New Yorker that's all about Jack. (By the way, I have that issue of The New Yorker at my house and, no, it's not actually in there)
I don't think Marin ever clearly conveyed to Jack that the publishing of the article wasn't her choice. But, it doesn't really matter to him anyway. The fact that she used their relationship as fodder for a book was enough for him to sever his friendship with her. You can't blame him, really. He was just starting to come out of his shell with her and then he gets humiliated (let's face it: no matter what she wrote, that guy would be humiliated). Marin betrayed their friendship- though not on purpose, and with pure intentions. It was a heartbreaking storyline, but I was very happy that the writers didn't easily wrap it up at the end of the episode. In fact, that's one of the things I adore about this show. Each week feeds into the next. The characters don't suffer a crisis one week and suddenly recover from it the next. Even the Patrick-Mom-MomMai storyline isn't over. You know there's going to be some lingering jealousy with Patrick's mom over Mai.
I was also happy that we got a little more Teresa. Her character has seemed so cold-hearted ever since she dumped sweet Ben, but now we finally get to learn a little of her motivation. She used to sing back-up for Jewel (who, at one point, sounded like a dying elk during her performance) and she used to get beat up by her boyfriend. When Ben learns this, he suddenly starts to feel... something for her other than hate. Maybe it's just pity. Anyway, I liked his realization that he helped her get strong enough to leave him.
The only storyline that bothered me this week was the Jane/Plow Guy story. I know he was supposed to be a smoldering hot snowplow operator, but he just gave me the creeps. He just smiled at her and tried to be all cuddly. And, is she socially inept or what?
During the next episode (which doesn't air until Thursday, Nov. 30th at 10 pm), Marin travels back to New York. But probably not for long. Oh, and Plow Guy returns.
TV Squad Ten: Top Ten ESPN shows from worst to first
Andy Richter: The TV Squad Interview
Have any questions for Vik Sahay of Chuck? Ask them here!
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
11-11-2006 @ 3:07PM
heinlein said...
I don't think that Jane is socailly inept, more like she just puts her job first. To me it looked like she was just looking for an one-night-stand if even that. She seemed to shy away whenether he showed some real emotion. She also called Marin her best friend, so my guess is that she is uncomfortable with open up herself in general, and even more so to open up for some kind of love.
Reply
11-11-2006 @ 3:42PM
TedSez said...
This is yet another example of a show about someone who works in media that has no idea of how media works. There's absolutely no way that a) a writer's agent would have submitted a first draft of something to any magazine, much less the New Yorker; b) she would have done it without telling the writer; c) that neither the agent nor the magazine would have informed the writer that the piece had been accepted; d) that the magazine wouldn't have contacted everyone mentioned in a memoir to make sure the basic facts were correct (especially in the post-James Frey era; and especially in the case of the New Yorker, which is famous for its fact-checking department); e) that the legal department wouldn't also have gone over the facts of a memoir in which real people are mentioned; and f) that the writer wouldn't be given a chance to go over editorial changes before the piece was printed.
I understand that we're supposed to suspend our disbelief about things like this. But this is generally a well-written show, so I think it's fair to expect a more realistic portrayal of the publishing process than on, say, "Suddenly Susan."
Reply
11-11-2006 @ 4:04PM
LA said...
TedSez--I didn't know all that, but I even thought that was a bit far fetch! anywho! I like the show...it's light hearted and fun---after watching all the crime dramas---Men in Trees is good old-fashioned fluff but it's good fluff, I like the storyline...
My friends & co-workers have been having a discussion about the "real men"...we asked the same ???, so to see it on this episode...well, i got over the why and how an editor could submit the article without the writers approval.
Reply
11-12-2006 @ 3:31PM
Mary Wickerd said...
I loved the "plow guy". He didn't need to say much because he is a shy, gentle, manly type. I hope he returns for more than one episode. Jack is alright but too complicated. I like tht they put in a less complicated character.
Reply
11-12-2006 @ 6:03PM
Deena said...
Am I the only person freaking out about the fact that it will be 20 days in between episodes? I barely made it when they delayed airing Menaissance by a week and forced a 13 day break. It is torture to have to wait and now I fear that they will not air the second part of the upcoming New York episode in the week immediately following the Nov. 30 showing of part 1. There is so little else on TV worth watching that live to see the few shows I like. Yes, it is obvious that I LOVE this show, so if anyone can find New York Part 2 in the TV listings for Dec. 7th PLEASE let me know...
Reply
11-13-2006 @ 3:26PM
Stormy said...
I'm with you, Mary! PlowGuy is soooo... sexy. Jack broods too much. I wish desperately that ABC would do the next day episode playbacks online. Has anyone else called/wrote about this? I have repeatedly, but have not been answered. (That may help with your MEN withdrawals, Deena.)
Reply
11-13-2006 @ 12:02AM
Joyce Day said...
I did not find Plow Guy creepy at all! If I were a single woman I would grab on to him and never let go. Very handsome, attentive, and lovesick, that's the kind of creep for me. When I saw him on the previews for the next episode I was very happy because Jane could do a lot worse than him. If I were her I'd be moving to Alaska not today but yesterday.
Reply
11-13-2006 @ 4:21PM
DOONELL said...
I heard a great song "I'm the one who will love you the most". Anyone know who sings it?
Reply
11-13-2006 @ 9:55PM
jmb said...
Yes, Deena, I'm freaking out, as soon as a "Men" show is over I can't wait until the next one and was very disappointed when there was a week in between episodes. And evidently I'm not like everyone else and so excited it will be on Thursday nights. Personally I come home and crash on Friday nights and it was so nice to have some "fluff" to look forward to. To me Thursday nights have the only good shows right now, Ugly Betty, My Name is Earl and The Office. I don't know if I'll be able to get them all in now. I'm heartily sick of the nightime soap operas like Grey's Anatomy and all the other "doctor", "police", "forensic" crap. Well, except "Monk". Just hoping "Men" doesn't turn into a nightime soap opera. I think the writers have alot of imagination a hope they keep 'em coming with new characters etc. My husband even likes the show and has used it as conversation at his job. He's wondering how many city women will be moving to Alaska lookinf for real men. It's refreshing to know that other women are sick of tassle loafers and wanting to see some logging boots etc. Thanks! abc
Reply
11-13-2006 @ 10:01PM
jmb said...
p.s. I like plow guy. Like to believe it was love at first sight for him and that Jane just doesn't know how to let her feelings show or what a relationship like that would lead to for her.
Reply
11-14-2006 @ 8:35PM
The World Jewel Forum said...
Jewel didn't sound anything like a dying elk. She's a wonderful performer. Her song was great. I thought it was great how they wrote her into the script. BTW, Jewel has made several appearances in shows as herself this year including "The Young and the Restless", "7th Heaven", and now "Men in Trees". It's like acting without having to pretend to be someone you're not. Call it "Acting-Light" if you will. ;)
The World Jewel Forum
www.JewelForum.com
Reply
11-18-2006 @ 1:20AM
soj said...
I'm not quite sure from one moment to the next exactly how to take this show, seriously or comically, but that's a big part of it's charm. It's like peanut butter on a slice of green apple - a surprising combination of wry and sweet, silly and deep. A refreshing and entertaining look at relationship, the show takes some sagaciously hilarious jabs at current attitudes between men and women, while underscoring what really counts: be real, be yourself! It's a delightful hour with lots of surprises that I look forward to each week (albight, on the DVR after the kids are in bed).
Elmo reminds me of Juneau or Ketchikan. The only aspect missing is a greater Native American element.
PS: It was a pleasure to see and hear Jewell on the show. Jack's character is performed flawlessly, always. Is no one curious about where Sara has run off to?
Reply
11-18-2006 @ 8:09PM
Jennifer said...
DOONELL, the song is sung by Brett Dennen
Reply
11-24-2006 @ 1:21PM
Casey said...
Hey, anyone catch the Fendi bag in the episode?? I'm desperately trying to find out what the bag is. Thanks if anyone knows!
Reply
1-26-2007 @ 12:14AM
Sherman said...
The music on this show never fails to please.
Tonight's episode (Thurs Jan 25th) ended with a funky love song. Lyrics went a little something like this..."lovin me, I'm lovin you, I swear I got it going on. Come and get crazy with me!"
Would appreciate knowing who recorded the song.
Thanks
Sherman
Reply