Gimme Some Lovin’
The Eighties are a vast source of inspiration for books, tv shows, and movies to this day, but this week’s Necessary Roughness made it clear that the average person can learn some wise lessons by simply listening to tunes from the era. If Cindy ‘Buttons’ Luck would have plugged her ears with Robert Palmer’s music, she might have recognized her symptoms years earlier! “Might as well face it, you’re addicted to love.”
This week the doors to V3 were opened a little further. It’s nice to know who are to be expected on which floors. I find it rather pleasant that Dani’s secretary is this informative. “Second and third floors are the balls. Basketball, baseball, football. Fourth floor is the ‘er’s, actors, writers, directors. Fifth floor: Models, designers and stylists.” The company is a lot to take in, especially when you’re not used to the speed of the immense amount of information given. I think my head would spin even before attending the staff meeting and I’d probably need a nap to process it all! So kudos to Dani for managing it all so well. Not that she had much of a choice, with a hands on, efficient assistant like Paloma…
It became very clear in this episode, that Nico is working at V3 to gather evidence against the company, probably due to a deal he made with the FBI. Connor seems so open and trustworthy, someone who tells it to you straight. He’s a self-made man whose company is his pride and joy. I simply cannot imagine him dipping his toes in a dirty pool and risk his baby. I don’t want to jump the gun, but if anyone might be shady, I’d put my money on V3’s CFO, Troy Cuttler. He’s too eager to get rid of Dani, someone who has a reputation of being difficult, opinionated, and who stands for truth and morality. She can’t be controlled! Dani is not someone you’d want to have snooping around when you’re a crook! And then there’s his line of “Connor is sloppy. I’m not.” He didn’t give specifics, but the implication that he’s the one running the show was made, and whomever is holding the leash, is the one who’s got the power. I’m keeping a suspicious eye on him. Of course it is possible that, even though Connor is a good man, he is dealing with bad people who extort him into performing criminal activities… These are all speculations, obviously: Regardless of what is actually going on, it will be an interesting journey, finding out the reason behind Nico’s presence at the company.
What was that, Connor? Dinner Wednesday night? Why, sure!
If this was Connor’s way of asking Dani out on a date, casually wrapped, and presented as an order, it was remarkably effective. I wonder if there are any men out there who will take his example and just tell women they’ll be having dinner with them. I’m sure though that this method only works when you have the charm and looks of McClane. However, there’s a chance that such a confident, dominant approach will make the heart of certain women beat faster in any case, so why not at least try it. If it’s a huge miss, you can always laugh it off and pretend it was a joke… Connor’s ‘invite’ might have been seen as a business dinner at first, but he made it clear it wasn’t when Dani refused to drink. Where I couldn’t see much interest from him in Dani on a romantic level in the premiere episode, this week there were times I thought differently. While I’m still a Danico shipper at heart (I learnt the right terminology!), a d-tour via McClane Paradise is certainly not against my principles. On the contrary: Bring it on! From the twinkle in Dani’s eyes which I caught several times during this episode, I’m quite certain the only thing holding her back is the fact that he’s her boss. Then again, so was Matt and that wasn’t what kept them apart.
I adored how enthusiastic Dani got when the Buttons’ poster showed up on the screen and she started talking about how much her daughter (and I am going to take a leap and assume she herself too) used to love the travel videos. Part of it was probably due to her being thrown into the deep and having something to grab onto, helping her not to drown. Which she did full-force! Everyone nodding and smiling friendly as if she was mentally challenged: Funny. Her catching on to that (or just realising she was having an uninvited rant), and dropping out with an embarrassed expression: Hysterical!
What I love most about Dani, is that she’s not a push-over. She’s got her principles and she’s not going to bend them for anyone. Her demeanour on the film set, wishing Cindy Luck (or actually the trailer door the actress was behind) ‘good luck in the clink’ within thirty seconds of announcing her presence, was a perfect example of that. I find this especially impressive since Dani seemed to be quite taken with the child star’s career earlier. Dani knows who she is, doesn’t need others to confirm her self-worth (although even strong women need to be told how great they are at times–just throwing that out there), and stands by her beliefs. She’s an inspiration and I think that both the Necessary Roughness writing staff as well as Callie Thorne should take a deep bow for that accomplishment.
The life of a child star is challenging, to say the least. There are those who can cope with the pressure, the press, the money and the fame, but there are too many sad examples of those whose lives ran rampant. Mary-Kate Olsen, half of the famous Olsen twins, suffered from anorexia nervosa, Drew Barrymore was addicted to drugs before the age of thirteen, and I’m sure more recent examples of Britney Spears and Lindsey Lohan don’t even need to be given. It is too easy to be smug about the paths of destruction these child stars find themselves on. As anyone can take away from Cindy’s story, these children are exploited, squeezed out like oranges just so the general public can feast upon their cuteness. It is important to remember that, unlike adults who become famous, these kids, if they were even given a choice, were not developed enough to fully grasp the consequences of a career in the spotlight. There’s a reason why twelve year old’s can’t marry or vote in the United States–they are impressionable, dependant, and still in the process of growing up and figuring out who they are. It is not healthy for anyone to be worshipped and adored by millions, let alone someone whose brain is still in development. Let’s just say that I don’t think it’s surprising that so many child stars develop psychological and / or behavioral disorders. When I watch The Soup and Amanda Bynes is made fun of again, I don’t laugh. I can only mourn the sadness of a young life destroyed so tragically.
Now, I do have an issue with Miss Luck’s tattoo. Not with her getting the ‘LARS4EVA’ tattoo, distasteful as it may be, but with the way it appeared on her back. For some reason, on television (and in movies), new tattoos are always looking perfect. It is as if someone just DREW them on. Which is of course the case! The thing about tatoos though, is that they takes at least a week to heal, and unless that was the unlikely case here (there was no mention of ‘next Thursday’ when Dani and Cindy talked about the nude scene, just ‘Thursday’.), the flesh around the tattoo should be red and swollen. After four to five days, it is usual for a tattoo to go through a period of peeling, which doesn’t look very sexy at all. So of course I understand why it isn’t shown, but it always bugs me to infinity–and beyond–when reality is presented so much brighter than it actually is.
After last week’s episode and apparent goodbye to TK and the Hawks, it was good to see that I’d gotten the vibe completely wrong and that both will still be in play this season. With so many changes already happening in the show, I’m glad they decided to keep this storyline flowing. After all, it would not be Necessary Roughness without them!
TK is really trying to work with coach Wizinski, and I’m proud of him for that. It’s not easy biting your tongue and swallowing your pride. I could almost hear him count to ten when he was ordered to play Quarterback instead of his usual offence position! The fact that he’s willing to do that, in the hopes of being awarded with a championship ring around his finger, speaks volumes about the growth of his character. He’s able to see past current obstacles and go for the prize at the end, not just for a quick fix. I was immensely proud of him also, for choosing a contract with V3 (and being able to see Dr. D. again) over a night of passion. He’s turning from a boy into a man.
I can’t believe I didn’t think of TK’s solution to keep seeing Dani though. I had a huge ‘DUH!’ moment when he decided to get signed by V3. I tend to make problems too complicated, while most solutions are usually as simple as toast. Or, you know, a delicious, healthy Subway sandwich.
