Favorite line from "Swingus Interruptus," last night’s awkwardly titled episode of Swingtown: Laurie telling Doug, "You realize you have more John Denver albums than my mother?" Priceless. Also, an indication that the youngsters (and I’m including the youthful schoolteacher here) are more mature, or at least more uptight, than the adults.
Look at Roger: Still a little boy, dreaming of what he’d like to do when he grows up — love that typed list of job options: City Planner, Firefighter, Electrician, Real Estate Agent, Reporter, Stockbroker, Gravedigger. Why he left off Astronaut and Shortstop, I don’t know. No wonder Janet felt like she was losing him to a fantasy world she can’t enter herself.
Tom and Trina were both chafing under their decision to put a moratorium on swinging. I think that’s the real reason Tom kissed Janet, not just to build Janet’s confidence. I predict that the Deckers’ moratorium is just about over — and though they don’t have an inkling just yet, the Thompsons may be the unlikely couple that leads them out of it.
Meanwhile, Bruce (Jack Davenport, pictured) confessed to Susan thathe made out with Melinda (twice! Once at her place!), and Susan took itsurprisingly in stride. Seemingly mature, but then, how did that leadSusan to decide that what they needed was a trip to the Pendulum sexclub, with the window-shopping-only Deckers? (I wondered how the Thompsons were going to be roped in this time; I’dnever have guessed that muffins would be involved. Also, this was one more time that I was relieved that Swingtown airs on CBS and not Showtime, ’cause I really was fine with having what was happening behind that Pendulum curtain remain left to the imagination.) And how did Susan decide that what the Millersneeded was a swap back at home with the glamorous Brad and Sylvia? Nowonder Laurie and Doug — whose minds were on the televised Republicanconvention (well, at least part of the time) — were stunned andappalled by the pot-smoking, slow-dancing, omelet-frying foursome.("I’m in hell," observed Laurie, horrified to discover the limitations of her own supposedly liberated attitude, and speaking for all of us who’ve squirmedat Swingtown’s watching-your-parents-gettin’-it-on vibe from thebeginning.) Okay, Laurie and Doug had been making out, too, but Lauriewas right to note that her parents no longer have any moral standing tocriticize her behavior, and Bruce was right that things are getting outof hand, though he seems unwilling (as in the famous box-of-pornlecture) to acknowledge his own responsibility for the example beingset for the kids.
Speaking of which, the younger teens are finally back (Am Ithe only one who missed B.J., Rick, and Samantha?), and their basementparty may have been the most revealing moment of the show. (Oh, and howgreat was it to see them playing Pong, like it was the latest Xboxgame? Loved that almost as much as I loved watching Laurie open a boxof Freakies cereal. Used to eat that all the time when I was a kid.Still remember the jingle; be glad, dear readers, that you can’t hearme singing it right now.) I still think Rick is protesting too much in order to cover up same-sex desires that he himself may not be fully aware of, aswhen he loudly asserted that he didn’t want to go into the closet "with a dude" during spin the bottle. He ended up in there with Sam instead, whoquickly gathered that Rick has strong feelings for B.J. (Funny how Rickcould tell her that she’s just another stray B.J. has taken pity on,without realizing that he might be B.J.’s biggest pity-friend of all.) When she assured Rick she wasn’t trying to take B.J. away from him, he kissedher way too aggressively, leading to yet another incident where he waspunched out by a girl. She later complained to B.J. that she’s not intogames, and he said he wasn’t either, then kissed her; this time, shedidn’t mind. These two may have the simplest, healthiest relationshipon the show; if they’re really not into games, they’re the only ones onall of Swingtown.
Questions: Do you think there’s anything to Brad’s "seasons of passion"theory? What’s the ideal job for Roger? What’s going to happen betweenRick and B.J.? Will Tom tell Trina he kissed Janet? Will Janet tellRoger? And what disaster awaits the couples with the forthcoming returnto the cabin teased in the preview?
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I really enjoy this show, and I hope CBS will keep in on after the summer. The move from THursday nights to Friday worries me. I think all of the actors are wonderful to watch. CBS–KEEP IN ON!!!
You didnt mention how Bruce was about to get it on w/ Sylvia and Brad “likes to watch”. I was like, WTF, Bruce is getting everything and Susan is left fantasizing. Anyways, I love this show, it’s such a great release from everything else.
No, you aren’t the only one that missed the kids. No, I don’t think you’re on the right track. Yes, it was hilarious when Tom kissed Janet. No, this is not a good review.
oops. I meant no you aren’t on the right track with Rick being gay. A woman is getting between friends. Nothing more, nothing less.
C’mon, cld9, wake up and smell the subtext, of course Rick is gay. Go watch the episode again, and check out the struggled expression when he asserts that he’d never go in the closet with a dude. And the way too aggressive “crap, this girl’s on to my secret” kiss in the closet. He’s totally gay. Not that there’s anything wrong with that.
I love this show! What an escape…the acting is good and I actually didn’t hate Laurie tonight. I hope CBS makes a good decision and keeps this show going…Trina is my favorite character!
No comment on the best line of the night? When Janet returns the dress to Trina and appologizes for the stain? Nice insight into what happened behind that curtain…
I thought that this was the best episode yet because there is now a lot of unpredictability in what is going to happen next. People are changing and it is really interesting to contemplate where character development is going to take plot lines.
Really… Is that what you call a review…? Did you even watch the show? If you do not like being the reviewer of this program, please recuse yourself and have somebody else do it. I like to read these reviews to pick up things that I missed but if this reviewer can do no better than this, I will stop with this page. If it is because the show is on a Friday night and you want to go out and party, again, please recuse yourself. The show does deserve better than this!
Look, you need to get over this “eyyew, it’s like watching my parents have sex” thing. Those of us who are not twentysomethings can’t watch people mixing it up on shows like “One Tree Hill,” etc., without feeling like we are voyeuristically watching our kids. So “Swingtown” is just right for us. If you don’t like it, please decamp to “Gossip Girl.” Thank you.
Look, you need to get over this “eyyew, it’s like watching my parents have sex” thing. Those of us who are not twentysomethings can’t watch people mixing it up on shows like “One Tree Hill,” etc., without feeling like we are voyeuristically watching our kids. So “Swingtown” is just right for us. If you don’t like it, please decamp to “Gossip Girl.” Thank you.
I thought this was a good episode. I am really starting to dislike Bruce. He seems conflicted about what he wants from Susan. First he got mad when she wanted to go to the Harry Reams party without him and now he’s back to swinging with her? That doesn’t make sense. Also, he was only so upset at the end of the episode because he was horrified by the thought of Laurie having a relationship with her teacher. If Laurie and Doug wouldn’t have caught Bruce and Susan, the swinging would have continued as scheduled! Bruce is a dope. I’m actually in agreement with Laurie now. Her parents have no right to tell her how to live her life after she caught them in the act.
Swingtown is the best written show on TV…and it keeps getting better and better each week, as the layers get peeled off each character. LOVE TRINA! And JANET?! That little minx has SO much in store for us, you can tell! I laughed out loud at Janet’s “stain on the dress” comment…let’s hope CBS reads these blogs and supports this gem of a show they have. there’s nothing like it on TV, and it shows AMAZING promise!
This is the first show in almost a decade that has me tuning in every week and feeling sad when it ends. Please, CBS, keep it on. If you can keep resurrecting that God-awful “Old Christine” from the dead, you can keep “Swingtown.”
I said last week it was a bad sign that CBS moved it to the Friday night graveyard and now EW has moved this from a tv watch to the blog. I have never liked Susman’s reviews. I LOVE this show! Like others have said, it has real drama and characters growing and changing. I have never liked Bruce. I still love all the women and Tom has grown on me. Especially love Janet’s move from the perfect Susie Homemaker to a more ‘real’ woman.
Amy Wilkinson’s reviews of Swingtown were so incisive, bring her back to cover the show! Bruce is a loser. Susan deserves better. I smile every time I think of Tom kissing Janet. There has to be a great conversation between Susan and Laurie coming, that is the best parent-child relationship in the show.
I think Swingtown should be a summer series. It’s nice to have a fresh relationship/drama series on network TV during the months when everything else is reruns and “reality”. This and SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE are the only primetime network shows on my DVR. Thank God for Bravo and The Soup. CBS…how about swinging again next summer?!
cld9, Rick is gay. That’s something I actually like about this show; that it has the potential to follow the sexual revolution and give us all an idea of how far we have and haven’t come in 32 years. I hope CBS sticks with this show. The characters are well written and interesting and there’s a lot of potential for some great storytelling. Oh, and Grant Show is hot, porn star mustache or not.
I love the show all the actors are great. It brings us all back to a great time in history
It seems a lot of people are having a hard time with the show but think about it, it was the 70’s you cant change what happened in some peoples lives.I’m sure the viewing audiance of this great show are most likly over the age of 20 or 21,
Remember how people all had a problem with NYPD Blues another GREAT show that showes Dennis Franz Ass the whole world was in an up roar but that show lasted over 10 years showing more than just some ass.
I hope CBS keeps this refreshing show there are many story lines to cover
Great episode. Favorite moment was Tom kissing Janet. These two have chemistry. Like seeing Janet and Trini becoming friends and love the Susan(Molly Parker shines in this role) and Roger possible relationship down te road. Love all the characters on this show. Great cast and writers. Please keep this show CBS!!
I love this show. It would be great to see it back next summer.
I think the kiss that was most exciting was def the Tom/Janet kiss. I have been waiting for that forEVER. And Roger’s reaction to Bruce telling Susan? You could totally tell how disappointed he was that Susan didn’t freak.
And who knew that knowing the President of France was hot? Worth a try maybe?
Remember when he got punched out by a girl for spreading lies about having messed around with her? And he’s the one who wanted to sell the (hetero) porn mags? And he suggested Spin the Bottle and then made a big deal over spinning a boy, when most boys would just spin again? Poor thing’s trying way too hard to look straight. And, most of all, he looks at BJ with such longing, it hurts to watch. Lovely and realistic storyline that makes me ache for any kid who goes through that.
This is the first show in ages that leaves me thinking about it all week. The characters are fascinating, and the performances are top notch, especially Miriam Schor and Grant Show.
CBS: I hardly ever watch your network, but I watch this one. Hold on to this show, please!
One week Susan is this woman who asserting her freedom as a woman and the next she’s an insecure wife who wants to take her husband to a sex club so she can watch him cheat on her. They need to make up their mind on the direction they are taking Susan. As usual, Janet was the delightful character on the show. Her and Tom has MAJOR chemistry. I think Tom is attracted to her and that kiss was great. I liked how Roger was uncomfortable with the whole sex club and swinging thing. He is so shy and sweet. I hate the kids storyline. Sick of Sam’s attitude and BJ following her around like a lost puppy. But at least I can take them over that Dark Crystal looking daughter Laurie. She reminds me of a younger version of Aughra from the movie.
Yawn. What a boring review.
Obviously, you’re unfamiliar with the premise of ‘Do as I say, not as I do.” A popular sentiment that needs to be resurrected immediately. Parents should be parents. Kids do not – and should not – rule the world. Sorry.
I’ll overlook your first sentence, but I must correct you. It should be, “She and Tom have MAJOR chemistry.”
This show deserves a “real” review, it’s completely different from anything else on right now. Love how the music sets the time and place, songs I had forgotten all about! I’m sure they’re trying to attract different age groups to watch the show, but I’m completely uninterested in all the kid stories, including Laurie and her teacher. All the adults are great, so many different potential stories there!
Yeah GS needs to get over the whole “feels like I’m watching my parents” thing. I love this show. It’s the best thing on CBS in years, and I hope they keep it. I would like to read reviews on EW by someone who gives the impression that he/she actually likes the show.
If you want good reviews, recaps and message boards to discuss ST, go to television without pity (one word) dot com