Kevin Nauta (prydonia@accn.org)
Mon, 26 Jan 1998 10:27:24 -0800
Emily Hunt wrote:
When Kenny left Sarah began to become Lynda's bestfriend more than she
had before but I think Kenny's job was mainly taken over by Frazz. I know
this> sounds funny but Frazz did seem to become less dumb in the later
episodes.
> As I watched the later episodes first, I didn't even realise that Frazz was> supposed to be dumb until I saw the first episodes. This probably
was point> about Sulliven and Kerr's recruitment plan working. If you
still are> unconvinced about Frazz just watch "Head and Heart". Frazz is
giving Colin> sensible advice (although still remaining slightly bored he
manages to> realise what a fool Colin is being) whereas before, in
episodes such as> "Interface" he just goes along with anyting that Colin
does. He even takes> the "let's be nice" stance (along with Spike) on the
Mr Winters issue. And> thus he begins to fill the gap that Kenny left.
>
> And so ladies and gentlemen in conclusion (sorry it is just that I haven't> had a debating fix for a while) I would like to say that as
there were no> direct character substitutions when Kenny left, his place
was filled by an> intelectually improved Frazz (with some help from
Sarah)
>
> Please tell me what you think about this
Kevin, loaded up on painkillers and peach tea, replies:
Fair enough, here goes.
When Julie assumes the assistant editor's chair, she takes over Kenny's
job, but never Kenny's role in the series. I'm not convinced by your
argument, though I'll agree we see a definate change in Frazz toward a
more intelligent and more professional person. Your theory has some
problems. First, in order to fill Kenny's role, Frazz would have to have
some influence in how the Gazette is run, and by his own admission in
QUARTER TO MIDNIGHT, Lynda and Frazz still do not get along. Frazz's
presence in the story conference in HEAD AND HEART is one of the few
times you'll see him involved in any major decisions on the paper.
Second, his reputation as lazy continues after Kenny's departure, as
Julie and Lynda still joke of it in UNXPECTED.
So who does fill Kenny's shoes? Sarah has some behind the scenes
power in season four--Lynda looks to her to confirm her decision to
re-hire Julie--but I think the best answer to the question is Spike in
the fifth season. Spike challenges Lynda's decision to print the Winters
story, handles labor-management difficulties in FRIENDLY FIRE, senses
Lynda's in trouble before anyone else and leads the rescue effort in
QUARTER TO MIDNIGHT, is at her side late at night in the newsroom during
WINDFALL, and bravely challenges Lynda's ethics yet again in THERE ARE
CROCODILES.
> By the way Kevin, I like the satirical approach to "Day Dreams"
Nick Stringer's performance as Sullivan was great, and that bit of
satire worked. Sarah's vignette was poetic justice, and made up a
little for all the crap dished out on her (and Kenny) through the years.
Frazz and Colin came off looking horrible. Julie's bit violated
continuity because Sullivan said Lynda wouldn't be able to be seen or
heard by the others. And in the end, has Lynda really learned anything?
And is it Katherine who has been whispering in Lynda's ears?
Kevin, wondering who has been whispering in my ears all these years,
and I'm not O'Brien, either.
--
T H E P R E S S G A N G M A I L I N G L I S T
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