Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip - Studio 60 1x13 - "The Harriet Dinner Pt. 1" Episode Discussion (1/29/2007)

***KervyQT16*** · 01-28-2007, 05:31 PM

From T.V. Guide.Com:

Part 1 of 2. The cast and staff attend a dinner in honor of Harriet, while Jordan and Danny are stuck on the rooftop. Meanwhile, things between Harriet and Matt deteriorate rapidly.

Oh noes!

Mandy

SpySyd · 01-29-2007, 10:12 AM

Spoilers for the episode ahead:

Wow... I never liked Simon that much, but now I really can't stand him. The way he behaves with Darius is so... condescending and downright ridiculous. Just because you're afro-american, you *have* to write sketches about that? That's so... limited. I felt bad for Darius. He deserves better than *just* be the "black writer".

I also felt somehow bad for Matt. He didn't mean anything bad, he simply didn't think about it. He's gonna lose Harriet for good and that's gonna hurt

I'm glad Danny apologized to Jordan. He did behave like a child before... but that roof scene was pretty nice.

Poor Tom... He should know better than listen to Matt's relationship advice

The highlights of the episode were once again Jack's scenes. He was pretty funny with Tom, especially the second time at Harriet's dinner. Hehe. My fave scene was the one with Jordan though. There's really something special between them, at least on the professional side. It's like they can read each other's minds and like Jordan, I'm curious to find out why Jack hired Hallie. It really seemed like there's another reason than the "official" one.

Nab · 01-29-2007, 10:30 PM

This was a good episode, and I'm looking forward to next week.

Plots-

The snakes: Seriously, was I the only person that was secretly waiting for Cal to say, 'I've got a snake in my mother----ing studio!' Or was that just me?

It was a good C-plot storyline, but I still wish the writers would give Cal more to do each week.

Danny, Jordan, and all that jazz: I don't know, I think Jordan has a point: it does seem out of the blue for Danny to be 'in love' with her. She has a right to be a little 'wtf?' about that. Frankly, I'd be worried if she just rushed into Danny's arms. As for Danny, I love him, but he should have known better than to do the whole 'crazy 'round the clock courtin'' that he did last week. He was much better with Jordan this time around, and I actually started to believe that, ok, Danny's had a thing for Jordan since day one and it's only grown.

Jack and Tom's girl troubles: I'm liking Jack more and more, but did he have to ruin Tom's Thursday night.

And, poor Tom. He should have known better than to take love advice from Matt! I felt very bad for Lucy, when she came to the table. (Side note: Tom/Lucy's scene in Tom's dressing room was cute. So cute. They are my 'Aw, too sweet' OTP for this show now.

) As for Kim...who knew she was so randy and slutty? She wants her some Tom...bad.

Matt, Harriet, and "Luke": In theory what Matt did was very sweet. In the real world, it was...well, it's like Matt's ok being in love with Harriet and not being with her, but he wants her to feel the same about him. And, the moment he even thinks someone else is showing interest in Harriet, he jumps up with a 'She's mine. I'm in love with her!' type thing. I get that Matt's still in love with Harriet
(and she with him.), but it's hard to watch. Because, they are comfortable in their breakup. It is like they're still dating, just without the sex and the kissing. Maybe, they do need to really 'breakup' in order to find their way back to each other?

Simon's cracking down: I think I understand where Simon is coming from, but I also understand where Darius is coming from. Simon has wanted more black writers since day one, because he wants more things on the show that reflect real African-Americans, or at the very least give them something to relate to. Darius is young and just starting out, and he doesn't want to get traped in that sterotype of only being able to write 'black comedy'. They both have good points, but they both seem too sturborn to listen to what the other has got to say.

Random: Loved Jack popping up when Kim was about to kiss Tom. Also, did anyone else notice that the snake-guy would look at his fingers whenever he talked about the snakes biting? Guess he's been bitten, a lot.

Random Character Stuff-

Jack: As I said above, I'm liking him more and more. I'm also very interested to see why he hired Hallie. Because, there's clearly more to it then he's saying.

Jordan and Jack: They really click when it comes to work, and I love their scenes.

Harriet and Jordan/Harriet and the other cast members/writers: I love that Harriet and Jordan have become great friends, as I'm sure they need someone to talk about their love lives with. I can see it now.

And, it was sweet that Harriet gave everyone tickets to her thing. Just sayin'.

Couples-

Jordan and Danny: I've seen the spark for the long time, but I never saw it happening this quickly. Still, I'm looking forward to seeing where it goes.

Harriet and Matt: I think I said it all above, but I'll say it again: They really need to 'let each other go', if they are to stand a chance of getting back together for real.

Tom and Lucy: Their scene in the dressing room was so...cute and awkward and just a little hot. Just like all young couples are when they are just starting out. But then, the scene at the table...

Tom shouldn't have listened to Matt. And I feel badly for Lucy, who seems to have had a bad string of men recently.

Preview-

Next week looks awesome!

sanna_o75 · 01-30-2007, 04:18 AM

Where can you watch the promo for next week??

mattandbrad · 01-30-2007, 06:05 AM

great post Nab.

I loved this ep too.

I have to say that I sided with the guys in this one.

First, I can understand Harry's feelings about the way Matt went about it given their history. I just really felt that Matt was sincere even if it was because he tried to beat out Luke. I do agree with Nab that maybe they do need a clean break to figure out if they are really meant to be . I am hoping that they are.

Danny/Jordan roof scenes were excellent. I was so, so glad to see Danny realized he went about things the wrong way , "I have to change what I'm doing." YES!
That said, I could also see Jordan 's POV with not understanding where it all came from suddenly. But, Danny's response was right on when he said "it's not a decision." So true. you cant control when you fall in love and who its with, it just happens. Besides that, I thought Jordan was too tough on him. He apologized flat out and admitted he was wrong and I was glad to see him not back down from her responses. I love him even more now. p.s. OMG, Brad looked amazing !

Jack/Jordan scene was really good, and also Tom's brief scene with Jack.
I agree with Na also about Simon and Darius. At first , I was put off by Simon's attitude, but I can now see both sides.

The "snake-keeper" was hilarious and Cal was great as always.... MORE CAL PLEASE !!!

Lucy/Tom was so sad. Let's hope Tom doesnt take Matt's advice again .
and yes, wow , did Kim ever let her hair down ! LOL

The funniest moment for me was at the Harriet dinner, meeting the other high-bidder and finding out it was NOT Luke. Hilarious!

next week looks great again . I can't wait.

sanna_o75 · 01-30-2007, 06:43 AM

Oooh, I want to see that promo now! And it's not out on youtube yet. Annoying...

I thought it was so funny when Danny started to jump around and then Jordan goes "I think you got him...."

ellie_dakota · 01-30-2007, 01:23 PM

So, first of all I feel bad for Darius. I understand where he's coming from and even though I kind of get where Simon's coming from too, I think he needs to back off Darius a little. The guy basically just started writing for the show, he needs to get some of his work on the air and figure out what he's good at and Simon is not helping.

I liked Jack's scenes with Tom, mostly at the dinner. His facial expression after Jordan asked why he really hired Hallie bothers me though. Or rather, the look on his face after Jordan left, bothers me. Probably because I don't like Hallie, so the sooner we find out what's going on there, the happier I'll be.

Oh, Matt. *shakes head* I don't think you have a clue what you're doing. At this point, I can't help but feel sorry for him. He really needs to figure out how he feels about Harriet and what he wants, because what they're doing now just isn't working. I loved his reaction to finding out who her other date was.

He got himself all worked up over nothing.

I wasn't very happy with Jack for breaking Tom and Lucy's date, but I was even more annoyed with Tom for listening to Matt. Has he been paying any attention to what's been going on with Matt and Harriet? I mean, really.

Then again, maybe it's just karma coming back to get him for advising Matt to go to that club and get a boot signed to get back at Harriet. Maybe they should just stop taking advice from each other.

I felt bad for Lucy. She got all pretty for the dinner and then found Tom there with Kim. And who knew Kim was hiding a whole other persona? It's almost enough to make me feel bad for Tom, but not quite.

Cal! We got Cal. We don't get enough of Cal. I can't believe they're going to send a coyote down there though.

Finally, Danny and Jordan. I

them. I'm glad that Danny realized his mistakes, but also defended his feelings for her. Yes, his declaration of love was sudden, but that doesn't mean it's not sincere. I'm also glad Jordan said that she thinks he just feels sorry for her. It's a natural assumption given her condition and their friendship, and it's something I think they should have talked about more. I loved it when he realized a snake was loose and was jumping around. Actually, it took me back to TWW, he just seemed so Josh in that moment.

Can't wait for next week.

***KervyQT16*** · 01-30-2007, 06:28 PM

This episode was a great leap forward from Monday. All in all it was pretty good, not pre hiatus but a vast improvement. Some thoughts:

We’ll I’d like to punt Matt in the face. He just has this smugness about him in the way he’s dealt with Harriet from auction to dinner. It’s like he assumes that Harriet will be satisfied with his sloppy seconds – he doesn’t want her but he doesn’t want anyone else to have her. I think Luke had valid point about Harriet needing “a lot more”. She’s a great person (which Matt fully knows) and he’s holding her back with the amount of himself he’s willing to give. Don’t get me wrong, still love Matt, but he needs some “grow up” time. I do believe that Matt and Harriet are soul mates but I think Harriet needs to experience things without, to enjoy her life in a way that it doesn’t relate to him and Matt of course needs his ‘time out’ for them both to be together.

Bigger punting honors go to Simon. He’s just being awful. I think that Darius is trying to define himself as a writer first and foremost. I don’t think he’s trying to hide his heritage; he just doesn’t want that to be the only thing about him. I felt, at the dinner, that he was really trying to open conversation between them only to be rebuffed and rebuke. Stupid jerk.

Danny and Jordan where really great! Jordan’s mistrust of Danny seems a bit misplaced in my opinion since who better knows what they are feeling that the person whose feeling it (Danny) but I could understand why she might worry that his feelings for her might have something to do with her being pregnant. I think they are kindred sprits and I just love watching Amanda Peet and Bradley Whitford chemistry sparkle. The snake stamp was precious.

Tom is such a dummy. How could he listen to Matt? Matt’s love life is a mess, and has been a mess. Silly Tom. I was actually holding off on Tom/Lucy because I felt like I was already super shipping two couples but they are too cute to miss. It’s almost easier to watching their coupling than D/J and M/H because it’s uncomplicated (mostly) and easy (or would have been if Tom had just been honest). They have a unexpected sort of sexiness about them. And, as for Tom he had a new costume. Yay! Still, Lobster Tom reigns supreme.

Digging on Kim in her “hot” dress and in the promo, including her “I’d like Tom Jeter to take of his pants” and Jack’s deadpan follow-up. As for Jack, I am just super suspicious as to his relationship with Haylie. The dark part of me thinks he might have had an affair with her and now he feels like he has to make up for it. I hope not since his character seems to have such a rigidly charming backbone. Ah, speculation.

Also, so happy to see Cal. The whole snake thing was adorable…snake, ferret, coyote and who knows what else?

Mandy

iheartbsb · 01-30-2007, 06:56 PM

I feel like judging by the lack of comments here, this wasn't everyone's favorite episode. It was okay for me. I liked Jack stuff. I've really started enjoying his character alot more. I like his interaction with all the other characters. I like how he admitted to Tom that he doesn't really like to rely on other people which made him appreciate what Tom was doing for him.

I feel like his reason for hiring Hallie is to replace Jordan when she leaves to have her baby. But that won't come out for a while.

As far as Matt and Harriet...I'm bored with them already. I thought they were cute, but now the show is more about them than it is Studio 60 and I don't really care for that. It's getting to be worse than Ross and Rachel.

I like Jordan and Danny. I understand where Jordan is coming from, but I hope she can see that maybe Danny is really in love with her--if he ultimately decides that yes, he is in fact in love with her and that she is wrong...he is not feeling sorry for her.

Simon is getting really annoying. I don't understand his purpose, but what's strange is that Matt is going along with it, so there must be something real there. *shrugs*

Tom...Tom, Tom, Tom, Tom. *sigh* Poor Tom. The minute Matt came up to Tom I knew it was all going to go downhill from there. That Asian girl is getting a little ridiculous though.

mattandbrad · 01-30-2007, 08:07 PM

I too am surprised by the lack of posts about this ep. I did enjoy it alot . I like the recent focus on the couples, BUT I do agree iheartsb, I don't want this to be the focus of the show. It's been great up to now, and I did miss the fact that there was no scenes about the "show" itself. That said, I'm still standing by this show not matter what.

**tidbit2008** · 01-30-2007, 10:14 PM

I'm late, I know.. but here it is, my "review."

I could have shot Matt. I mean seriously. For one thing he wouldn't shut up. But nooo, he just kept digging that hole

How do you say, insert foot in mouth? *just shakes head* I'm with Nab, they need a clean break. If for no other reason than to knock some sense into Matthew.

I'm glad Danny apologized. I think it showed maturity and acknowledgment of Jordan not being ready for anything like this. You could tell it hurt him to say he'd stop, but he said it anyway because he thinks that's what she wants. I think it's dawning on Jordan that he really cares about her and isn't just in love with the idea of being in love with her. And the "I think you got him," too funny

The cell phone service thing wasn't realistic. They were in the middle of Los Angles on a roof top. We've seen them talking on their phones inside the building. It would have made more sense for them to do one being dead and the other being still in the building or something. But no service? o_0

Tom/Lucy might be a really really sweet OTP. I hope they get everything worked out. I'm with yall. Tom should know better than to take relationship advice from Matt of all people.

Another good Jack eppy

Him telling Jordan to shut up in the meeting was funny. I'm kinda worried/curious about the Hallie mess. At first I was thinking uh-oh she's gonna be a mistress or ex-mistress or something, but then that doesn't seem like Jack. Which leads me to worry he brought her in, in case Jordan screws up again *bites lip* Either way, I'm not too fond of Miss Hallie.

Simon is probably trying to help Darius, but the way it's being written.. it comes off as Simon showing his ass.

Cal! I heart me some Cal. He's so funny "it's slang!" Seriously. The whole snake thing is funny. Anything that means more Cal is alright by me.

It wasn't a bad ep on the whole. A step in the right direction after the ick that was Monday. Promos looked good. I'm very curious to hear what Matt has to say.

Nab · 01-30-2007, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iheartbsb (View Post)

I feel like his reason for hiring Hallie is to replace Jordan when she leaves to have her baby. But that won't come out for a while.

That was my first thought, as well.

Quote:

Originally Posted by iheartbsb (View Post)

As far as Matt and Harriet...I'm bored with them already. I thought they were cute, but now the show is more about them than it is Studio 60 and I don't really care for that. It's getting to be worse than Ross and Rachel. .

You know, as much as I love these two, I think I have to agree. Looking back, their story line is sort of the romantic-focus of the show. But, it is getting to be a bit much. Lately (or for the last two or three episodes) the episodes have seemed to focus heavyly on Matt/Harriet and Danny/Jordan. As much as I like the couples, I am hoping that after the Harriet Dinner episodes, the show goes back to focusing more of the show, station, and other characters a bit more.

Quote:

Originally Posted by iheartbsb (View Post)

Simon is getting really annoying. I don't understand his purpose, but what's strange is that Matt is going along with it, so there must be something real there. *shrugs*.

There has to be something there, I agree. Matt seems to have no problem with what Simon is doing, so I'm hoping that Simon's beef is more than, 'You're black, you should write for me...the black actor on the show. Why? Because, as a young black man, only you get where I'm coming from.' Because, to be frank, that excuse is a little closed minded. Simon can be hard to 'get', but I do enjoy him (most of the time.). So, I hope it can be worked out, without getting perchy and without making simon seem...right. 'Cause, I really don't think he is. Darius has a write to not want to write a sketch, even if it is with/for another black man.

dubenko_junkie · 01-31-2007, 12:27 AM

I adored Jack this episode.

As for Hallie (can she go away yesterday?) I think Jack brought her in to save Jordan's ass. He's made reference to the fact that her job was on the line before. Her disdain for 'illiterate' programming could cost the network a lot of money so by having the obnoxious Hallie around he's actually doing Jordan a favor.

Doubt she sees it that way though.

Just throwing this out there, copied from a conversation I was having on livejournal.

**tidbit2008** · 01-31-2007, 08:35 PM

Hey I think I've seen you somewhere before

I say we kidnap Hallie, lock her up in a crate, and put her on the first ship leaving for Antarctica

Quote:

I think Jack brought her in to save Jordan's ass. He's made reference to the fact that her job was on the line before. Her disdain for 'illiterate' programming could cost the network a lot of money so by having the obnoxious Hallie around he's actually doing Jordan a favor.

Hm, hadn't thought of it that way. It is another possibility, not necessarily a bad one. Although, it may mean we're stuck with Hallie for a while.