Scott Patterson - Aliens in America 1.07 - Purple Heart ~ episode discussion

**Brilliant Disguise** · 11-12-2007, 01:21 AM

Stressed out over midterms, Raja horrifies the Tolchuck family when casually begins smoking. When he explains that it is common practice in Pakistan for people of all ages to smoke, Gary and Franny tell him they both struggled to quit and smoking is forbidden in their home.

However, without letting each other know, both Gary and Franny begin sneaking cigarettes with Raja in the garage.

Meanwhile, Justin witnesses Claire's heartbreak when her boyfriend Jeffrey breaks up with her. When Justin's attempt to cheer Claire up is misunderstood by her friends, she is embarrassed and mocks Justin in front of their classmates.

Angry and hurt, Justin decides to disown his sister, and Claire is surprised by how much she wants to win back his trust.

Fred Savage directed the episode written by Rob Ulin.

pinkpaisley · 11-12-2007, 10:15 AM

This Fred Savage?

Can't wait to see Smoking!Scott!

**Brilliant Disguise** · 11-12-2007, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pinkpaisley (View Post)

This Fred Savage?

Can't wait to see Smoking!Scott!

Yup, that's him. The little boy from The Wonder Years!

**SPA** · 11-12-2007, 08:20 PM

Well, this was a crazy episode. Really corny. Franny, Gary and Raja in one group; and Claire and Justin in another storyline. I giggled a bit and shook my head a bit as well. Really off the beaten path this time around. Corny, is the only word that comes to mind this time. Franny inhales; Gary doesn't. Gary holds his hand up to receive a light for his cigarette they way easter coasters do. It put a smile on my face.

voncey · 11-12-2007, 08:54 PM

I thought the episode was very funny -- it's probably my favourite so far. Again, Raja and the parents steal the show from Justin. Raja, Franny and Gary screaming at each other in the kitchen was hilarious.

pinkpaisley · 11-13-2007, 03:11 AM

Not many replies yet.

The episode was ok. Not my favourite, but it was alright. I liked seeing Raja lose control. And the screaming match when they were quitting was amazing!

Other than that, I thought Claire had already broken up with Jeffrey. Not in the ep where she texts him, but the one after.

Could be just me, though.

Ms. Isabel · 11-13-2007, 03:36 AM

Quote:

I thought Claire had already broken up with Jeffrey. Not in the ep where she texts him, but the one after.

She broke up with him and got back together with him ['cause of his Say Anything gesture] in the second episode. He wasn't mentioned by, or seen with, Claire again until tonight.

I think my favorite part was Gary's tie getting caught in the garbage disposal, "How did this happen?" SP had me cracking up for a good couple of minutes.

pinkpaisley · 11-13-2007, 03:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ms. Isabel (View Post)

She broke up with him and got back together with him ['cause of his Say Anything gesture] in the second episode. He wasn't mentioned by, or seen with, Claire again until tonight.

I think my favorite part was Gary's tie getting caught in the garbage disposal, "How did this happen?" SP had me cracking up for a good couple of minutes.

I loved that as well! And his pants being on fire!! Sure looked like he did his own stunt there!

Cappuccino · 11-13-2007, 05:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by voncey (View Post)

I thought the episode was very funny -- it's probably my favourite so far. Again, Raja and the parents steal the show from Justin. Raja, Franny and Gary screaming at each other in the kitchen was hilarious.

Raja cracks me up each time I see him. The guy is just hilarious

I like his scenes with the parents although I'm still not over Gary/Scott Scott/Gary.

Quote:

I think my favorite part was Gary's tie getting caught in the garbage disposal, "How did this happen?" SP had me cracking up for a good couple of minutes.

Same here. I still have a smile on my face when I think about that scene

Smoking Gary - can't help it but it was hot

crazyboutscott · 11-13-2007, 05:48 AM

Not my favorite episode but it was okay. I did love Gary getting his tie caught. I thought that was very funny. My other favorite part was the melt down in the kitchen. Other than that is was just alright for me.

Pasadora · 11-13-2007, 08:19 AM

Okay, I've just seen the episode. It was okay. Had some funny lines.
I liked seeing more about the brother/sister relationship.. and how they stood up for each other when it was important.

And I really like when Gary and Franny are hugging. That's such a sweet thing. Maybe I like it so much because we didn't get to see lots of hugs between LL.

And I think Amy is great. She acts really well, IMO.

KbatMO · 11-13-2007, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPA (View Post)

Well, this was a crazy episode. Really corny. Franny, Gary and Raja in one group; and Claire and Justin in another storyline. I giggled a bit and shook my head a bit as well. Really off the beaten path this time around. Corny, is the only word that comes to mind this time. Franny inhales; Gary doesn't. Gary holds his hand up to receive a light for his cigarette they way easter coasters do. It put a smile on my face.

I noticed the details too ... "Scott doesn't inhale!" Amy/Franny does. Yep - he knew just how to cup his hand around the flame as smokers do who live in cold or windy places - I smiled too. Hmmmm and never mind! For the rest - Scott did wonderful slapstick bits (if you like the genre!) extremely well ... had some of the best laugh-out-loud moments watching a TV show in a long time. (Other than news satire shows; perhaps the occasional Curb Your Enthusiasm.)
For those who remember (or have seen the reruns) ... Laverne and Shirley from the 70s the opening "Shlemiel! Shlemozel!...." That kept running through my head watching Scott last night. (And didn't they work for a Milwaukee brewery ... i.e., in Wisconsin?!) Translation: the shlemiel is the person [not very smart, to be polite; "you idiot!" otherwise] who accidentally sets the hapless shlemozel on fire. Gary's nearly "Isadora Duncan-ing" himself in the disposal... then trying to put out the box fire with a badminton racket, shaking his foot (also on fire!), with a cig hanging out of his mouth. It isn't often you get to see someone play both shlemiel + shlemozel! I think it's the best physical comedy Scott's ever done (which BTW is much harder than it looks).
Aside from that ... I liked the kids part a lot too (though naturally I'm biased toward the adults). Claire to Justin in front of the little Jewish gravesite - "I'm sorry I killed your turtle." Truth to tell - Raja stole practically every scene he was in ... especially when he was "jonesing" on nicotine. Leading up to my fave of the episode: "Are you saying that you have a problem with me? Are you saying that you have a problem with me?" Shades of Robert DeNiro in Taxi Driver. ("You lookin' at me?") Raja totally gave as good as he got ... and Franny topped it. I hope they use that clip for award nominations. Superb ep. ... I give it

(out of 4!)

Rest in peace, Shlomo the turtle!

**SPA** · 11-13-2007, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pinkpaisley (View Post)

Not many replies yet.

The episode was ok. Not my favourite, but it was alright. I liked seeing Raja lose control. And the screaming match when they were quitting was amazing!

Other than that, I thought Claire had already broken up with Jeffrey. Not in the ep where she texts him, but the one after.

Could be just me, though.

I think everybody thought that Claire had broken up with Jeffrey because of Buck coming to the Tolchuck's front door and saying "Damn" when Claire answered it -- in Metamorphosis. Why would she go out to a party with the girls without her own boyfriend. Yea, I thought she and Jeffrey and broken up as well.

Did you see the position of Scott's left leg when his tie was caught in the garbage disposal? He can almost to the splits!!!!

Cappuccino · 11-13-2007, 11:53 AM

Oh I think the second drag went right into his lungs

The way he sucked on that cancer stick looked pretty much as if he inhaled that one.

And there was a mistake in it

He takes the cigarette out of his mouth but then it is back in when Franny comes out of the house but we never saw him putting it back although he was in the picture the whole time.

Elissa5 · 11-13-2007, 12:18 PM

I really liked last night's episode. It was one of the best ones, IMO. Raja again was superb as he always is. Scott was great too! Franny did a good job too! I loved the whole smoking and getting caught/fire storyline.

And this is probably the first episode that Justin didn't annoy me. He was not acting like an immature idiot, more like a sensitive brother. I liked his and Claire's interactions in the episode too. I was so glad to see that Claire was more upset about her brother not talking to her than her boyfriend breaking up with her. That really impressed me. Maybe she is not so shallow after all.