The Red Buttons story wasn't exactly bad, but it interfered with the story about Mr. Roarke and guest. It was a bit corny, being that Buttons was so old already. In so many ways, this show was geared towards children, and maybe they did that on purpose, one story for kids, the other for grown ups. I know I'd have appreciated this one better as a child. Props for the ever delightful Frances Nguyen here.
Now! For The Return. It is a pity that I watched part 2 of this storyline first (another episode taking place in season 3). The story works, and I'm quite pleased with it, but it could have been so much better! First, I truly loved the casting of Samantha Eggar. She is the perfect counterpart to Mr. Roarke. The interspersed story of friendship between Mr. Roarke and Tattoo is very touching, as well. What I didn't like: they call it The Return because the characters are privy to a story whose episode never aired, so it's very frustrating to this viewer! Since I'm watching the episodes in random order I had to go back to the list and see that, nope: this is the first, there wasn't another where another actress, a la Darrin Stephens, might have played Sam's character.
So my beef is this: we were deprived of seeing their backstory. They really ought to have made it a 3 parter. But more than that, we are also deprived of a seduction scene, for which Ricardo Montalban was legendary in the Golden Age of Hollywood! (Just watch him sing with Esther Williams "Baby it's Cold Outside" to see what I mean, or watch him in action, dancing with Cyd Charisse; both clips available on YouTube.) In fact, there's no seduction scene at all: a 3rd party connects them, so neither had to do any work. I suppose time constraints and all. This ought to have been one of those 1h30 min episodes. So, here besides the plot holes, the gaps for which are filled by Tattoo at the end ("Boss, you knew all along that..."; "Yes, of course I did, but I had to..."), we also are to believe that Roarke didn't know that she had the hots for him, and he simply brought in 3 other guys, whom he thought would include her prospective suitor. His powers of perception didn't work here?
I also get that an "old Hollywood" seduction scene from Roarke wouldn't have worked in the traditional sense, being that he is the host and wouldn't take advantage of his female guests the way Tattoo would, but they could have skipped the Red Buttons story and simply have given us flashbacks to said crucial (yet imaginary) episode which never happened. That would have shown us their exchanging glances like teenagers, as Mr. Roarke makes a similar analogy. So, this put a damper on the whole episode for me. Otherwise, Helena Marsh was just lovely, sweet and kind and their story worked pretty well. I don't much have an opinion on the somewhat disappointing ending because I know what comes next in their part II. The boy wasn't annoying here, but he had minimum acting, thankfully.
Highlights of the show: Tattoo's jealousy and the denouement of this substoryline. Helena Marsh looking impossibly gorgeous in a lovely medium green ensemble at the very end of the show. (Let it be known that redheads look their very best in green, yet so seldom wear it on TV, in favor of unflattering-to-them reds and pinks!)
All in all, glad to have finally watched this episode. 8/10 and sure to rewatch it soon, FFWDing thru Red Buttons' story.
Now! For The Return. It is a pity that I watched part 2 of this storyline first (another episode taking place in season 3). The story works, and I'm quite pleased with it, but it could have been so much better! First, I truly loved the casting of Samantha Eggar. She is the perfect counterpart to Mr. Roarke. The interspersed story of friendship between Mr. Roarke and Tattoo is very touching, as well. What I didn't like: they call it The Return because the characters are privy to a story whose episode never aired, so it's very frustrating to this viewer! Since I'm watching the episodes in random order I had to go back to the list and see that, nope: this is the first, there wasn't another where another actress, a la Darrin Stephens, might have played Sam's character.
So my beef is this: we were deprived of seeing their backstory. They really ought to have made it a 3 parter. But more than that, we are also deprived of a seduction scene, for which Ricardo Montalban was legendary in the Golden Age of Hollywood! (Just watch him sing with Esther Williams "Baby it's Cold Outside" to see what I mean, or watch him in action, dancing with Cyd Charisse; both clips available on YouTube.) In fact, there's no seduction scene at all: a 3rd party connects them, so neither had to do any work. I suppose time constraints and all. This ought to have been one of those 1h30 min episodes. So, here besides the plot holes, the gaps for which are filled by Tattoo at the end ("Boss, you knew all along that..."; "Yes, of course I did, but I had to..."), we also are to believe that Roarke didn't know that she had the hots for him, and he simply brought in 3 other guys, whom he thought would include her prospective suitor. His powers of perception didn't work here?
I also get that an "old Hollywood" seduction scene from Roarke wouldn't have worked in the traditional sense, being that he is the host and wouldn't take advantage of his female guests the way Tattoo would, but they could have skipped the Red Buttons story and simply have given us flashbacks to said crucial (yet imaginary) episode which never happened. That would have shown us their exchanging glances like teenagers, as Mr. Roarke makes a similar analogy. So, this put a damper on the whole episode for me. Otherwise, Helena Marsh was just lovely, sweet and kind and their story worked pretty well. I don't much have an opinion on the somewhat disappointing ending because I know what comes next in their part II. The boy wasn't annoying here, but he had minimum acting, thankfully.
Highlights of the show: Tattoo's jealousy and the denouement of this substoryline. Helena Marsh looking impossibly gorgeous in a lovely medium green ensemble at the very end of the show. (Let it be known that redheads look their very best in green, yet so seldom wear it on TV, in favor of unflattering-to-them reds and pinks!)
All in all, glad to have finally watched this episode. 8/10 and sure to rewatch it soon, FFWDing thru Red Buttons' story.
