(S01E07) "Most valuable lesson: it's all about relationships."That would seem to be the motto for Swingtown. It is all about relationships. On the marriage front, Tom and Trina's open marriage, which has been the model for marital bliss till now, has hit the rocks. Okay, maybe not the rocks, but there have been some rough waters.
Tom's interpretation of the rules aren't in synch with Trina's. In an interesting twist, Trina's photography -- which was never mentioned till tonight -- gave her a chance to see things through new eyes. She was using an Instamatic at the lake, now she's got a 35mm camera and she develops her own film. Who knew?
As the characters develop, the relationship between Susan and Roger continues to intrigue me. Up to now, I thought it was more Roger infatuated with Susan, but after this show, I think she's smitten with him. That final scene, her sitting in front of the air conditioner, touching her sunburn shoulder where Roger had touched her while Bruce slept alone, spoke volumes.
While Roger's predicament is poignant, especially since he seems too good to act on his feelings for Susan when he's committed to Janet (who is bending over backwards to be an understanding, supportive partner), Bruce is revealing himself to be as shallow and obvious as his displays of wealth -- the three-piece suits, the Cadillac convertible. The scenes with Melinda are all about his ego. Bruce is a player -- or he thinks he is -- but he doesn't see that Melinda is playing him. The poker game was a metaphor. Will Bruce gamble that he can sleep around and not lose Susan?
Overall, Swingtown is still working for me. I'm still interested. I'd like to see how these characters evolve, especially once the summer is over and the Deckers close the pool. Will CBS book another set of Swingtown episodes for mid-season? That remains to be seen.
Other points of interest
-- Rex (hot bod) identifies Trina's camera as a vintage SLR. Um, that was not vintage. I had that camera in 1976 and it was new!
-- Loved Bruce pouring on the Paco Rabanne. But later on, during the poker game, in the midst of a power outtage, why was he still wearing a long-sleeve shirt? Roll up your sleeves, man!
-- I keep expecting Tom and Trina to refer to a marriage manual. Honesty is the thing between them, but when Trina said, "We need to revisit the rules," she was right.
-- Developing pictures in a power outtage? By candlelight?
-- Did he or didn't he? -- to quote the 1960's hair color commercial. Was Bruce faithful or did he take up Melinda on her offer. I think his needing a shower meant he slept with her.
-- Trina comments about Roger and Janet's marriage: "Maybe honesty is overrated. Ignorance is bliss."
-- Why is the show so overlit? It's like the film has been overexposed. The entire episode lacked richness, kind of like an old Kodak snapshot from the 1970's.
-- Where are they going with Laurie and Doug? Is he going to take the dream job? Why wouldn't he? Comparing his opportunity to the stories Bruce and Roger tell of their choices, you have to think that Doug would be better off grabbing the dream job while he can.
-- Thanks to Susan, Roger is finally able to confess to Janet, saying, "I need more. I want more." Janet answers, "You got it." Janet remains the most surprising character on the show.
-- I liked Susan's do-it-yourself attitude about doing the wallpaper by herself. Very Martha Stewart of her, but how did she finish it so fast (even with Roger's help)? I couldn't do it.
-- Did you notice Burt Reynolds on Dinah Shore's daytime talk show? He was in his white tuxedo jacket from At Long Last Love, the huge big screen musical bomb, directed by Peter Bogdanovich. They were off by a year; the film opened in March 1975; this is August 1976.
-- They snuck in another party. I don't think they've missed a week yet.
-- BJ, Ricky and Samantha are all out of sight, out of mind. Logan, too.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
7-18-2008 @ 12:26AM
Gin said...
Looks like the writers took the fans advice and put the kids out of sight for now. I think Trina has become my favorite character...she's definitely evolved from the pilot episode.
Still love the show, hope it doesn't get canceled.
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7-18-2008 @ 8:44AM
Danielle said...
Great episode last night.
Love reading the recap since there is always something I missed. Didnt realize that pic was from their lake trip. DH and I knew it looked like a lake or beach, but didnt realize it was from their trip a few episodes ago. Also, didnt realized she was touching the spot where Roger touch her...Very interesting.
Bruce cheated? Say it isnt so. I really didnt think he would do that to Susan, but after him needing to take a shower..hmmm...Im wondering...you know how those stories make you think otherwise. Maybe it really didnt happen..anything is possible. I couldnt believe his coworker gave him a proposition. Bruce "is one of the good guys" as she said. I guess since he wasnt flirting w/ her, she decided to take matters in her own hands.
Tom also had sex w/ that blonde chick? I honestly didnt think he did have sex..just Trina interpreted it that way b/c she answered the phone. From what I got from the end, when shes developing her pics, that he did tell her that he did???
Okay..wondering about next week's episode where they show you a couple kissing against a building in B&W...who is that? DH and I couldnt make it out.
FYI...I love Trina too! She's so sexy...just something about her!
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7-18-2008 @ 11:45AM
Bas said...
I just have to comment that I'm really liking this show! Every time they showed the trailer before it aired, I would say that there was no way I would be watching that lame show. But now, I love how the characters are developing. The "swinging" plays such a small part in the overall scheme of things. But I guess they couldn't call it "FindingYourselfand FemaleEmpowermentTown."
I think the school is going to recind their job offer to Doug after Laurie's ex exposes their relationship.
Yay to Janet for her support of her husband in the wake of his confession! I think all these changes taking place are the hardest on her, but she's making the best of it.
Shame on Bruce - I think he did cheat on Susan. I really liked him at first, but I've slowly been losing respect for him. I think Susan will finally wake up and see that there is a whole world out there that she has been missing out on, and she'll tell Bruce that she wants more, a la Roger.
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7-18-2008 @ 1:04PM
Mike in Seattle said...
By 1976, the Nikon F Photomic FTn that Trina was using was an old camera. The F2 was out and the last generation F bodies had the "Apollo" plastic tipped wind lever that her FTn didn't have. It matched her description of a camera someone in 1976 would have had who was picking up an old hobby.
As for developing by candle light, it is possible she exposed all the prints before the lights went out and held them to batch the developing later.
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7-19-2008 @ 1:13AM
nattyff said...
i could be that bruce just needed a shower because he was swetting like a pig al day long???, i don't think so anyway... he isn't one of the good guys in my opinion... (really don't like him)
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7-20-2008 @ 2:01PM
Scott said...
Love this show. Love it. Love it. Love it. It's the best, most entertaining hour on TV right now, and I hope it comes back!
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7-20-2008 @ 11:07PM
Carissa said...
Everything everyone else said! I still cannot stand Laurie.
The one thing that is really standing out for me, as someone who was at least alive in 1976, is their white skin. EVERYONE was tan. This is Hollywood, I know they can use that cool spray on tanning bed to make them look authentic. We were even using QT if we couldn't get in the sun enough. It was all about the tan. My friends mom used to lay out on one of those silver thingies to really capture it. Bring on the tan!
I loved the view of those goofy gold plates hanging on Janet and Roger's wall. My mom had those damned things. I love that they have done so well with the ambiance, other than the tan.
I'm surprised at how much I dislike Bruce. At first I thought Roger and Janet had the more "traditional" roles in their marriage, but now I see how incredibly shallow Bruce is, and I really feel for Susan.
How many more episodes? I love this show, and do not look forward to the end!!
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7-28-2008 @ 2:41PM
Myndi said...
I never thought I would, but I love this show. For another take on this episode, check out this link:
http://www.spunkybean.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=561&Itemid=54
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