Episode 7 - Soldier Boy

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80sFan

Just one more chapter...
Jul 14, 2015
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Pennsylvania
I didn't see a post on this episode yet...

I was shocked when
Bill jumped out the window. I thought they imagined it!
I really wish they'd have left the Yellow Card Man out of the series altogether...unless HE is going to be the "second shooter"?
I can hardly wait a whole week for the finale!

What did you all think?
 

raggedyman79

Well-Known Member
Sep 6, 2013
126
602
44
Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States
I enjoyed most of this episode, even though it was table-setting for next week's finale. Bill's exit was sad, but obviously not as sad as the writers were hoping, since last week's episode made him so awful. It was odd to see Sadie so affected by his death, seeing as how I don't think they'd had more than five minutes of screen time together.

When they opened with a jumble of past and present, I was worried the whole episode was going to be Jake imagining himself to be back in the present, with people telling him the trip to the past had all been a hallucination or something. I was glad to be proven wrong. I still felt that his recovery happened a little too quick, but we only have so much time left, so I can live with it.

Oswald again was interesting in his small scenes; the scene with him and his mother was a good one. As was the scene with the Yellow Card Man; I felt very distressed watching him emote, which is meant as a compliment.

My favorite scene came right after that though; Jake's sudden rethinking of his mission, and asking Sadie to give it up, go back to Jodie, and live a peaceful, happy little life, was very sweet, the kind of life we all dream about. Her determined response is definitely in keeping with her character, and I wonder how it plays to those in the audience who don't know what's going to happen to her. (I say that assuming her fate will be the same as the novel; I read a review of the entire miniseries indicating that the ending had been slightly tweaked, but I don't know how it will change.)

I liked that the episode ended on the calm before the storm; we know the confrontation is coming, but in those last moments, Lee is silently awaiting his destiny alone in the window. He has had lots of these moments alone, and they seem to be the moments that count; the small, wordless beat in the park where he sees the route JFK's motorcade will take seems to be THE moment where he decides to act. For such a brash, loud character, it's interesting to note that so many crucial moments have mostly been silent and alone.

I was bummed that Miz Mimi exited offscreen; not that I expected a death scene, but I guess I thought we'd get more than just the revelation that she had died. I'm just glad that overall the character was as significant on the show as she was in the book.

I'm excited for next week's finale. I want to see how it ends.
 
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Patricia A

ReMember
Jul 10, 2006
12,887
13,846
63
Puget Sound
I have to say that something about this episode felt a little frayed around the edges. It didn't ring true somehow. It's like the characters are rushing through traumatic events like they didn't even affect them.
So and so died horribly. Oh sad.... let's go find the McGuffin now. Okay, let's go.
In my very humble opinion, if it isn't important to the characters in the story that somebody dies, don't put it in the story. It's an unnecessary distraction. It also makes the characters seem disingenuous, or worse, wooden.
When Sadie told Jake he couldn't let a man be murdered, she didn't say anything about it being JFK, the President of the United States! She would be frantic. This was not just an ordinary murder. This was a historical event of epic proportions that somebody time traveled to prevent. That's a BFD. So act like it.
I never expected this show to be faithful to the book, however I hope it doesn't stray too much further from the truth of good story crafting.
Now after saying all that... I'm still enjoying watching it. Call me constantly spoiled. Stephen King stories are nothing if not distinctly honest. This last episode and a half lacked that honesty.
 

skimom2

Just moseyin' through...
Oct 9, 2013
15,683
92,168
USA
I have to say that something about this episode felt a little frayed around the edges. It didn't ring true somehow. It's like the characters are rushing through traumatic events like they didn't even affect them.
So and so died horribly. Oh sad.... let's go find the McGuffin now. Okay, let's go.
In my very humble opinion, if it isn't important to the characters in the story that somebody dies, don't put it in the story. It's an unnecessary distraction. It also makes the characters seem disingenuous, or worse, wooden.
When Sadie told Jake he couldn't let a man be murdered, she didn't say anything about it being JFK, the President of the United States! She would be frantic. This was not just an ordinary murder. This was a historical event of epic proportions that somebody time traveled to prevent. That's a BFD. So act like it.
I never expected this show to be faithful to the book, however I hope it doesn't stray too much further from the truth of good story crafting.
Now after saying all that... I'm still enjoying watching it. Call me constantly spoiled. Stephen King stories are nothing if not distinctly honest. This last episode and a half lacked that honesty.
images-1.jpeg
 
Mar 18, 2016
10
67
46
I must say I've been surprised at how well they've done this series. The changes that were made, at first felt disconcerting, but eventually I warmed up to them. As to this episode, I felt it was the most 'horror' of the show so far and rooted it there.

I do look forward to see what changes are made to the finale, but hope certain elements of the book are kept.
 

80sFan

Just one more chapter...
Jul 14, 2015
2,997
16,167
Pennsylvania
I've just reread the ending of the book (starting with an hour before the motorcade made its way past the book depository) this is one of the best endings of any story I've read...I really hope they don't change too much for the show.
 

Brooks

Well-Known Member
Nov 4, 2014
99
429
44
Just watched this episode and I enjoyed it. It is the calm before the storm.

My one complaint is Bill's death and his use throughout the series. Yeah, I realize Jake needed a sounding board but you drag this kid from KY and make him sit alone for days on end listening to Russian . Then, when he starts hanging out with the neighbors, you call him crazy and institutionalize him. He is subjected to daily shocks as part of his treatment plan. Then, when convenient, you go visit him and start grilling him again. No wonder the dude flew the coop to his demise. I realize they had to do something with him but he seemed to be a poor afterthought.

I think Jake should have had reoccurring dreams talking with Al. Then no "Kentuckians" would have been harmed in this film :)
 
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Patricia A

ReMember
Jul 10, 2006
12,887
13,846
63
Puget Sound
Just watched this episode and I enjoyed it. It is the calm before the storm.

My one complaint is Bill's death and his use throughout the series. Yeah, I realize Jake needed a sounding board but you drag this kid from KY and make him sit alone for days on end listening to Russian . Then, when he starts hanging out with the neighbors, you call him crazy and institutionalize him. He is subjected to daily shocks as part of his treatment plan. Then, when convenient, you go visit him and start grilling him again. No wonder the dude flew the coop to his demise. I realize they had to do something with him but he seemed to be a poor afterthought.

I think Jake should have had reoccurring dreams talking with Al. Then no "Kentuckians" would have been harmed in this film :)

I couldn't agree more.
 
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