The end of the road West

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  • Russell Brown,

    Yes, it ain't over till tonight, and we'll see you afterwards too.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • Russell Brown,

    Meanwhile, here's the trailer for what comes next from Griffin and Lang -- the superhero-themed (but apparently still well Westie) The Almighty Johnsons.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • Emma Hart,

    I had a serious discussion (yes, in a pub) about whether the real protagonist of OF is not Cheryl, but Loretta. It's my theory and I'm not entirely convinced by it, but Loretta is the character who changes over the six series. She's the one who has a character arc. (There was some disagreement about whether Munter changed in about the second series, or his writing just got better, as with Ianto in Torchwood.)

    I'm approaching tonight with a certain amount of dread and a reminder that Hamlet is a tragedy.

    Christchurch • Since Nov 2006 • 4651 posts Report

  • Graeme Edgeler,

    How's your trip been?

    They killed Aurora. I stopped watching and never saw another episode.

    Wellington, New Zealand • Since Nov 2006 • 3215 posts Report

  • Kyle Matthews,

    It's my theory and I'm not entirely convinced by it, but Loretta is the character who changes over the six series.

    I get the impression that Cheryl only changed in season 1, and not really since.

    I keep expecting Van to be the one that changes, but it never quite happens.

    I'm picking Pascalle and Wayne to run off together tonight, though I'm not sure I'm happy.

    And I can't see how it can finish tonight - how can that all be wrapped up in one show?

    Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report

  • Craig Ranapia,

    Meanwhile, here's the trailer for what comes next from Griffin and Lang -- the superhero-themed (but apparently still well Westie) The Almighty Johnsons.

    It can't suck any harder than No Ordinary Family without turning into a black hole that swallows the galaxy.

    North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12370 posts Report

  • Craig Ranapia,

    I had a serious discussion (yes, in a pub) about whether the real protagonist of OF is not Cheryl, but Loretta. It's my theory and I'm not entirely convinced by it, but Loretta is the character who changes over the six series.

    I don't think anyone really "changes" in OF, but something much more interesting (and difficult) is going on -- you're presented with these very broad caricatures, and just when you think you've got everyone's number there's a shading or a twist laid on. Pascalle is always going to be dumb as a stump, but she's got an emotional intelligence that's easy to miss. Loretta was never as big a reptilian bitch as she'd like everyone (herself included) to believe. And so on...

    North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12370 posts Report

  • Richard Aston,

    I'm picking a reasonably optimistic ending which would be out of character for the writers but I sense the writers have developed a certain affection for these characters and may not want to kill/maim them off.
    Then again Hamlet didn't end well.

    I agree Loretta has developed some interesting complexities over time.

    Northland • Since Nov 2006 • 510 posts Report

  • Simon Bennett,

    Hi Russell - re The Almighty Johnsons - not at all Westie, and not really superhero-themed. More anti-superhero. In a modest, kiwi bloke kind of way...

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 174 posts Report

  • Emma Hart,

    Pascalle is always going to be dumb as a stump, but she's got an emotional intelligence that's easy to miss.

    Yeah, I know I'm supposed to like Pascalle more than I do. I don't. I can't fucking stand her, which has made her storyline this series difficult for me.

    I would really like to see Jethro take a fall tonight.

    Christchurch • Since Nov 2006 • 4651 posts Report

  • Andre Alessi,

    as with Ianto in Torchwood.

    Well, at least Cheryl's more appealing than Gwen.

    Devonport, New Zealand • Since Nov 2006 • 864 posts Report

  • Megan Wegan,

    Yeah, I know I'm supposed to like Pascalle more than I do. I don't. I can't fucking stand her, which has made her storyline this series difficult for me.

    It's not so much that I can't stand her. I just don't care about her. I don't find her particularly interesting.

    So the only thing I felt about the whole Pascalle/Judd thing was: Eeew. Ick.

    Welly • Since Jul 2008 • 1275 posts Report

  • Matthew Littlewood,

    It's always been Munter's missus, Casey, that has set my teeth on edge. They never figured out what to do with her, and as a result she's constantly shrill.

    I've actually enjoyed this series more than a lot of people, it seems. Sure, it's been a slow-burner, but there's been something almost comforting about the way certain actors have really settled in their roles, and the family dynamic has been fascinating- Prebble, Starr and Torrance have been particularly nuanced this time around, while it's interesting how they've managed to make Aaron Spiller seem (almost) sympathetic. He's such a dead-on archetype that I'm amazed he hasn't been written before- I mean, we all know someone similar to him, right?

    Today, Tomorrow, Timaru • Since Jan 2007 • 449 posts Report

  • Megan Wegan,

    it's interesting how they've managed to make Aaron Spiller seem (almost) sympathetic. He's such a dead-on archetype that I'm amazed he hasn't been written before- I mean, we all know someone similar to him, right?

    I believe Emma has already covered this.

    Welly • Since Jul 2008 • 1275 posts Report

  • Richard Aston,

    I would really like to see Jethro take a fall tonight

    Me too, what a complete asshole he's become.

    Now munter - he's my man ( along with Judd) his unexpected rifs off into philosophy are wonderful

    Northland • Since Nov 2006 • 510 posts Report

  • Grant McDougall,

    They're knocking the series on the head at the right time, well done on its producers, etc, for having the guts to do so.

    We know from the pre-season trailer that someone kicks the bucket but Judd or Cheryl are too obvious for it to be either.

    As much as I also think Jethro's a terd, it'll be someone less obvious, like Haden, that's my pick. As long as it's not Munter, I'd be ok with anyone else kicking the bucket, but please, not Munter.

    Dunedin • Since Dec 2006 • 760 posts Report

  • Kyle Matthews,

    I would really like to see Jethro take a fall tonight.

    That would cause a cheer in my household.

    It's only when I see Anthony Starr elsewhere (I saw a trailer for the Waterfall movie the other day) that I'm reminded how well done the Jethro/Van thing is on OF. I never think of them as the same actor, they're so different. We love Van and hate Jethro, as we're supposed to. A credit to the writers and performer.

    Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report

  • Richard Aston,

    I'd be ok with anyone else kicking the bucket, but please, not Munter.

    Munter should have his own series

    Northland • Since Nov 2006 • 510 posts Report

  • Geoff Lealand,

    Aaron Spiller has become the most interesting character--a drongo with real heart. The Gooch--well, there is something too oily and ferrety about him. Eric just plain smells.

    The Old Man and Ngaire still deserve something particularly unpleasant.

    Screen & Media Studies, U… • Since Oct 2007 • 2562 posts Report

  • Josh Addison,

    Aaron Spiller has become the most interesting character--a drongo with real heart.

    Possibly the most likeable, too - when everyone else is acting out of pride or spite or self-interest, he always just does what he thinks is right. Of course, "what he thinks is right" is often something bloody stupid...

    [Edit: Likeable? Maybe "genuine" is a better word.]

    Onehunga, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 298 posts Report

  • BenWilson,

    Loretta: I think Craig was spot on at the start of the season picking her as being set up as the new head of the West House. It's been a nice arc to watch.
    Jethro: I don't think he's being set up for a fall. I think he's going to realize that Judd was actually a good person, and realize that he himself could be better. He is a mummy's boy, and may realize that the raw hurt dealt to Cheryl was a consequence of his and Grandpa's failure to ever accept what Judd stood for.
    Van: His quest for true love will be concluded, I expect. A happy ending for him by the hand of Judd, goes to my Jethro point above.
    Grandpa: Will find himself completely ostracized.
    Pascalle: Who knows? She's random.
    Judd: An important arc - to fall for a criminal family, attempt to reform them, succeed for a number of seasons, but to finally break when the loneliness of Cheryl's absence, and the ceaseless hostility coming from the unreformable, and the neediness of the reformed daughter cause him to make a stupid, stupid mistake, is a tragic arc.
    Cheryl: Gotta disagree with Emma, this is still the main arc. OF is still all about Cheryl, her courageous attempt to rise above her criminal past, escape her criminal husband, better her fortunes, reform her family, protect them from crooked cops and just plain crooks, and to go down for them, in the end. She goes down. Not sure in what way, but if Loretta is to rise, she must fall. Perhaps she takes to the bottle?

    If they're homaging Shakespeare, it won't be Hamlet. This story is nothing like that, it is not a story of vengeance. It's got elements of many other Shakespearean tragedies, though. Romeo and Juliet, Antony and Cleopatra, and King Lear all spring to mind. All end in bloodbaths.....

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report

  • Carol Stewart,

    I wonder if Wolf and/or Nicky G will reappear?

    The first episode was a cracker but overall this series has been a bit lame plotwise. I agree with Megan about the Pascalle/Judd thing being ewww and icky, but I thought the Bailey/Jethro/Van threesome thing was double ewww and double ick.

    Wellington • Since Jul 2008 • 830 posts Report

  • Kyle Matthews,

    I thought the Bailey/Jethro/Van threesome thing was double ewww and double ick.

    That was clearly the intent of the scene though - to show the difference between Van and Jethro.

    I think Van and his girl will get married tonight.

    Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report

  • Sacha,

    Shakespeare also fond of reuniting the cast on stage for the finale. Weddings are good for that. But is it OK if your friend's mother gives you a Woody?

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Craig Ranapia,

    Jethro? Eww -- the little boy who never got that Oedipus Rex isn't a role model. Desperately craves his Daddy's approval, and sublimates it into whatever the fuck psychosexual pissing match he's got going on with Wayne. The perfect cap would be Cheryl finally getting up to speed on what a manipulative sack of crap he really is.

    I agree with Megan about the Pascalle/Judd thing being ewww and icky

    To be fair, Pascalle and Judd get the whole eww-some ickyness better than anyone. :)

    Eric just plain smells.

    Oh, I think Angel would keep him on a very short leash -- and he'd learn to like it. :)

    North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12370 posts Report

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