Saint Debbie/Ep 10 - Installment 4

I think I am experiencing some type of writer's block here and I think I'll blame it all on Alva (LOL). Got to thank Kay here because she's collaborated with me on this entry--thank you, you are such a lifesaver. Yes, the stalling was intentional, just can't get anything out of this pea brain of mine especially since it's not a Paul centered episode--call me selfish but this is a Skeet Ulrich blog.

I'm inspired!

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In this portion of the episode, the best part I think is the conversation between Paul and Alva at Debbie's porch. It seems like they've switched roles here somehow, well, no, it's Alva who is not his usual self at all. I felt like Paul was feeling the frustration he had when he usedto work for the church. He's trying to prove his point to the unusually skeptical Alva here. He knows that Alva has fallen for Debbie but Paul knows the grave consequence of letting the whole town down will be much more catastrophic than breaking Alva's heart.

Paul is especially compassionate here towards Danny, concerned how devastated he will be when he finds out that his sister isn't really a saint. Paul's got it all made for him here, balancing the entire town on his shoulders and trying hard to open Alva's eyes so that Alva will realize that his gut instinct is leading him on wrong. Still, Debbie's pheromones are stronger, clouding Alva's senses, especially his natural investigative self.

Good thing there's a girl called Evie. Finally some help for Paul. This ex cop whose pretty face always gets in the way of how people percieve her on first meeting. Paul here, is working on his gut instinct and have not had the chance to really investigate the facts, but Evie is the one who really cracked this case. Interviewing the local officer from town, she gets away with some information that they can work with. She obviously knows how to talk to fellow officers as this officer gave her the respect she deserved.

Unfortunately, she had to prove herself to the snappy 83-yr-old-oxygen-lugging-woman who lives in a trailer about 100 miles out of town in Wyantville. Can't blame Evie for being irked at her after she says she's pretty but not really smart. Darn well proved herself there. She's way ahead with her keen ex cop eye. In such a short time, she's already deduced that the lady had been lying about not being in Three Springs for a year and that she's already noted that there were three tire tracks leading into her property.

Check out Paul's expressions, he was definitely awed by this smart girl!

The old lady was stupefied, stunned and I think regretful for saying that to her. Then she puts her foot deeper into her mouth when a car roars up the drive to the trailer and out comes the man who threw the snake at Debbie.

The plot thickens.....

Have you noticed that this story gave an avenue in showing the SQ trio their own distinctive role as a cohesive group and can you name it for each of them?

I had a conversation going on in my head about what Paul was thinking when she rattled off her observation to the old lady, thought I'd leave this to the readers - his expressions say a thousand words -- what do you think was he thinking through this?

I read a comment about Paul's hair here, I know at least one of you had noticed it in this entire episode, care to share what you have in mind?

Racing in the blood

For the NASCAR fan out there...

Skeet where are you these days??

He looks great in this suit!

Habeas Corpus

Okay, all of you TMoODers!! We need your help! This post was born out of pure frustration. SF and I were whining about how much we need some fresh Skeet news, how anxious we all are to hear something regarding future projects. After the recent comments on how much we love ALL of Skeet's movie and television characters, we decided to petition them for any news they might have.

Dear Mr. Jack Bull Chiles,

It is with most sorrowful regret that I write to you this day. The lovely, genteel ladies of Skeeterville fret and pine over your absence, and that of Mr. Skeet Ulrich, he of the storied Carolina Ulriches. I fear we will all succumb to the vapors if we do not receive word of your arrival soon. Whatever is keeping you scamps away?

You know how much we adore your courtly, Southern manner...why, we must hide these giggles and blushes behind our fans at the mere mention of your names! Having two tall, strong, handsome gentlemen in residence, especially now that the social season is upon us, would be most welcome. I declare, I nearly swoon at the thought of you flirting with me here in the parlor! I beg you, Mr. Chiles, hasten your return, do not tarry for a moment, and please have Mr. Ulrich accompany you. I will be forever indebted to you both, and most appreciative in my favors....

Always and affectionately yours,

Miss Katy-Lynn Wilkes Carlisle Beauregard Ashton Sommersby

Ok TMoODers just some Friday fun here, make up your own personal letter/plea to Skeet using characters he played in his movies/TV roles. Be creative and enjoy it, think that MAYBE he might read our sentiments one day!

Saint Debbie/Ep 10 - Installment 3

Great.

I happen to be sandwiched between two great TMoODer writers, such huge shoes I'll be filling here for the next couple of days. Top that off with less than usual Paul/Skeet time and this entry makes it really really exciting--right!

Let's just hope I'll do some justice to this next 15 minutes of this episode as I haven't done one of these for a long, long time.

Here goes...do try to keep your head from hitting the keyboard.

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It picks up when all hell breaks loose and Paul runs after the snake man and Evie tries to calm Daniel down. This leaves Alva all open to score major good guy points from Debbie by heading over to the snake and doing the chivalrous deed of grabbing its head and putting it away and out of harm's way inside a guitar case.

Playing up the damsel in distress role, Debbie fishes for some loving from the only guy she has eyes for by moaning the magic words-"ow", "ouch", "it hurts". Now tell me, even for a stoic character like Alva, you'd think--nah--that won't work but, wow! he's got it bad here even insisting they go to the doctor and putting his arm around her.

Ow. Ow.

God bless the Saint and her Savior.

In the hospital, Paul paces back and forth next to Debbie while Dr. Bigler and Alva discuss her prognosis. It seems as though they've come across a self healing saint, won't even be needing a bandage.

Debbie still oblivious of Paul, who is right there up close and personal (by jove!), she glances over his shoulder over to Alva and the doctor. She has to rave on Alva's braveness to Paul (don't rub it in now). With a deadpan face he replies with "Yeah--he's like James Bond and Tarzan rolled into one".

With pen on pad paper, Paul becomes the determined detective by asking Debbie if she knew anything about what just happened to her. She doesn't know and for a split second there, Paul registered doubt on his face. Daniel suddenly interrupts and turns the conversation into a knock knock joke that elicited a very cute smile from Paul.

Alva enters and tells her she can go home. Excited and suddenly remembering that she had to be somewhere with Daniel, she jumps up and startsto leave. Paul offers to bring Daniel to church. Debbie proceeded to turn down Paul's offer if it were not for Alva who is just oozing with persuasion on this episode. She of course agrees. Paul thinks, you can have this one Alva.

Alva and Debbie arrive at her house. She immediately transforms into a self conscious gal, scrambling to tidy up the room and offers Alva something to drink and rattled off on all kinds of excuses from a messy house to being unable to go grocery shopping. She is firmly stopped by Alva, firmly as in, grabbing her upper arm and leading her to the nearest chair. After handing her a glass of water, the SQ investigator in him comes back, asking her questions that seem to lead to some solid conclusion but...Debbie is clever enough to turn the attention to him instead. He clarifies he doesn't speak the Queen's english but hails from Scotland. Alva finds out that their parents died in a car crash and Debbie was left to care for Daniel by herself at a young age. They realize they have something in common, that they have not been able to date as much.What a great match, don't you think?

Signs that Alva is in love...hint: notice the location of Alva's hands

Signs that Alva's been taking lessons from Paul... Can you identify what they are by these shots?

If you put yourself in Debbie's shoes, why do you think you'd be so nervous/jittery around Alva? Alva had immediately zeroed in on Debbie, why do you think the attraction was instantaneous?

Paul seem to show more of his uniqueness as an investigator here, is there something that only Paul noticed that made him to start doubting the authenticity of this so-called miracle?

Coming up next--some real investigation finally goes on.

Patience

Well, fellow TMoODers, we are all getting antsy, wondering what Skeet's next project will be. Today, a friend of mine gave me a cute little turtle. Her name is Patience and this is her message...

I believe in you!
Goals in life are never
as far away as they seem.
Take one step at a time,
you will realize every dream.

So, let's all take a deep breath, send good thoughts Skeet's way and let him know we are waiting patiently for him to return and wow us with his underrated, but most appreciated acting skills!

You know you're a TMoODER when...

I was on holiday from July 28 to August 21, and I missed TMoOODing!
Soooo! You know you are addicted when:

- I took the book and movie with me!

- I did not re-read the book, but was always glad I brought it, just in case.

- I did see the movie three times: once with a sister, and once each with 2 different friends! I HAD to watch it with them, I did not trust them to get the story without my help!

- I checked Therapy for the TMoOOD as often as I could, and found that it sometimes didn't work well. Boy, was I glad to get back to my computer where it seems TMoOOD works best!

- Sometimes I had trouble finding the blog, but found that if I used the words Therapy, Skeet and Ulrich I had better luck!

- I started thinkin' 'bout Ray and Livy one night, and a story started forming. The next morning I wrote down some of my thoughts! The story isn't done yet, but soon!

- I had rented a car, and no word of a lie, "We're at half a tank." really happened!

- And the best one: I was walking through Wal Mart and my attention was drawn to a bin of DVD's. I almost walked by, but something made me skid to stop. It was really eerie. The first thing I saw was our Skeet looking at me from a DVD bin in Wal Mart! It was 'Chill Factor' and it was on sale for $5.88! I can afford that! So I bought it, and have seen it, and the best thing about it is Skeet! Not a movie to win awards, but his acting sure wins our hearts every time: Right!

mande5

Ep 9 - final thoughts and movin' on!

I hope you enjoyed these installments of "Mother's Daughter". First and foremost,I really owe huge thanks to P+P5 and SF--they provided those INCREDIBLE screen caps using their technical support and wizardry!

I had a great time doing this episode--after I got over the jitters! Everyone has done such tremendous work on their episodes, it's a challenge to keep the quality at such a high standard. To all those who came before me, I salute you! :} To those who follow, relax and have fun!

Oh, I overheard this conversation by accident. (Alva was miffed at having to drive the SQV* back to Boston, while Skeet loaded the blimp with sauerkraut balls and candy Buckeyes. By the way, Skeet, you were a wonderful houseguest, hubby hardly knew you were here!)

Alva--Blast it, mate! I finally catch up to you, and you are off on yet another venture! May I be so bold as to ask, where to now?

Skeet--(With a grin!) You bet! Essentially, I'm making some return visits. First, I'm scootin' thataway, back down to Jecorbin's. Y'know, she's a fool for Patron and pecans! My next site, I'll be heading into the West, targeting Skeetrfan--she's making me waffles with Ghirardelli chocolate. Mmm....sounds good! Finally, I'll tractor back East to re-connect with P+P5--she's missin'me--for some ice cold Iron City, brats and ping-pong! We might even have time for a Steelers game!

Alva--By Jove, are these women never satisfied?

Skeet--(with raised eyebrows)I doubt it, but your guess is better than mine! These TMoOD'ers will do anything to make me happy!


*courtesy of jecorbin

Mother's Daughter -- Fifth Installment

Returning home to Pennsylvania, Elizabeth is left with the realization that she may have had ten more years with Hannah than she was ever supposed to have. She seems to take comfort in that, and in the love of her two remaining children.

Here are a few of my observations from this episode...
Although the mothers came from two severely different worlds, they were bound together in both love and grief for their daughters.

If not for the Director's commentary, I would not have noticed that when Hannah threw up icy pond water, you could actually see frosty vapors coming out of her mouth. Kudos for such an eerie effect!

I was impressed with Elizabeth's competence, how strong and unflinching she was, determined to find the answers she needed to help her daughter. She held her own in any situation, whether dealing with an elder in her community or these 'paranormal experts'--outsiders who may have mistaken her faith and way of life for meekness.


I thought that Paul was particularly strong in this episode. Usually, Alva takes the lead, setting the tone somewhat as to how things will be handled. From the beginning of this case, he seemed to hand the reins over to Paul. Because Paul's life was forever changed by the death of his mother, he was determined to do everything he could to spare Elizabeth and Hannah that same painful fate. **Skeet was outstanding in this episode! He instinctively kept Paul 'in control' while still allowing us to see his vulnerability and emotional distress over his failure to 'save' Hannah.

It seems fitting to show some examples of a very popular Amish quilt pattern called Sunshine and Shadow. In this episode of Miracles, I noticed a constant theme of dark vs.light, good vs.evil. This was a 'dark' episode, not just in content, but in how it was filmed. The use of light and shadow to illustrate the changing mood and tone on this show was impeccable! This went so far as having Paul in a crisp white shirt, and Alva in darker clothes. Hannah, in her traditional black Amish dress, virtually 'became' Lucinda once she put the white dress on. And even the solitude and deep darkness outside Hannah's bedroom window, against the bustle, life and light in the view from Lucinda's.

(next and finally...movin' on!)