JoA Recaps for Season 2

shrams · 31 Oct 06 :: 07:30

It wasn't? It was the first time I could recall. Do you remember when she said it before?

It always seemed to me that Adam showed his feelings for Joan, and told her how he felt, much more often and more easily than she did. Probably because she had the God thing to hide, and he didn't have a huge secret (after "Jump") that might make her change her feelings about him.

TheCentralScrutinizer · 31 Oct 06 :: 16:34

Other people have said the same thing. You're not the only one. One time is I think at the end of The Election, when Adam comes to tell her he got the internship. When they're hugging ecstatically, you can hear her say, "I love you." I think there are other times before that, but I'd have to go back and check. And there are other times later, of course. She tells him in Independence Day when she turns him down in the camper. And I always kinda thought, "Adam I don't just like you", in No Bad Guy counts.

Deb

shrams · 31 Oct 06 :: 17:40

Nah, to me, "I don't just like you" doesn't count quite the same way. I guess she was taking a step forward, but I never heard her actually say the words "I love you" until this episode. So many of her actions and words were either ambivalent, or appeared hurtful, even hostile, and the fact that she never explained them really counted against her.

See, I'm not entirely on board the "Joan and Adam are this wonderful couple" train. At times they were very good for each other, but I never really got over my intense dislike of Joan. I didn't like the way they regressed her character in Season 2. It seemed like instead of making her seem like an "average" girl, they were sliding her towards the lower end of the spectrum. At least, that's how it appeared to me. She not only made stupid choices, but most of the time she didn't learn from them. I think a lot of the time Adam did learn from his mistakes, though not always.

Maybe it's just that Adam seemed more real to me, more like someone I would want to know, and Joan was someone who (like Judith, though not on the same level) I would avoid, rather than seek out for friendship.

TheCentralScrutinizer · 31 Oct 06 :: 18:51

OK, well The Election counts. And while Joan irritated me sometimes, I did love her. She meant well and she tried hard. Most of the time. That's good enough for me. And even as self-obsessed as she could be, I never doubted that she loved Adam. But maybe I'm just projecting.

BTW, as far as Joan's behavior regressing, yes it is poor writing, but at the same time a cardinal rule in TV shows is that the main character never really changes.

Deb

shrams · 01 Nov 06 :: 04:55

I thought it was only in sitcoms that the characters never change, and never, ever learn from their mistakes.

Usually the dramas I like are the ones where characters do change, sometimes for the better, sometimes not. When they remain static, I get bored, especially if I'm not all that drawn to them in the first place.

I often find the sidekicks or minor characters more interesting than the lead, in almost any show. For instance, I didn't much care for Buffy, but I adored Xander and Willow. And Oz.

I thought the first half of Season 1 showed Joan as more interesting and likeable, but around "Recreation" she started getting mean, and incredibly self-absorbed. Plus, I really have a problem with all the times she lied. Somehow, lying about God-related stuff just seems wrong to me. There were times I liked her in the second season, but not all that often. I was annoyed at the writers that they wouldn't let me like her, because of the unbelievable way they were writing her.

TheCentralScrutinizer · 01 Nov 06 :: 05:53

You know what, I always love sidekicks and secondary characters best too. Hey, that's why i am here and not on amtamfan. I absolutely adored Willow and Oz and Xander and Tara, and Spike before he was a regular. I understand what you're saying about Joan. And Buffy had a lot of the same problems, actually, which kept her from being totally loveable. Or in later seasons, even remotely likeable.

But I really do love Joan. It probably has a lot to do with Amber's reading, actually. She was just kind of adorable, even when I wanted to smack her. To use another Buffyverse example, I adore Angel. Not in a fangirl, I have wallpapers of him way. I never did that. But he was a very compelling side character and I loved him as a main character too. And it had an enormous amount to do with the way Boreanaz learned to have so much fun wth him. No matter how annoying Angel got, I always enjoyed watching him. I don't mind characters who are exasperating and flawed at all. They're often my favorites.

Let me use the other Barbara Hall show as another example. On Judging Amy, I loved Maxine best of all. And not just because I'm a huge fan of Tyne Daly since I was a little kid and she was on The Rookies with her hubby, Georg Stanford Brown (one of my all-time favorites shows). Well, OK, a little because of that. But also, Maxine was very unpredictable and she made me laugh. Dude, my dog is named Lacey and she's almost 17 years old, if that tells you anything about my Tyne thing. And really, all of her characters are challenging. None of them are completely loveable or even likeable all the time. Second to Maxine, I loved Vincent. Totally flawed guy you often wanted to just clock in the jaw. But so affecting and fascinating. Maybe it's the writer part of me, but I just really got that guy and even when he was a jerk, I understood. And I loved Donna (she sure evolved) and Bruce and even David and Eric. The whole annoying bunch of them. Oh yeah, and Amy? She was OK. I didn't tune in to watch her, frankly.

Which kind of brings us to JoA. I watched the pilot because I love Mary Steenburgen since 1980 when I saw her and the man who would become her husband and the father of her children in Time After Time. I'll check out anything she does. I loved that first show and watched it from then on. But my focus shifted very quickly to the gang of kids. Before long, I was paying more attention to Adam and Grace than anyone else. I totally agree that Adam is a magnificent creation and a better person (pre-character assasination) than Joan. So is Grace, for that matter. Um, and I also love Lily. Shows you my taste.

Also, I still think a 3rd season might've turned things around. Especially if they listened to the fans complaints about the problems in S2. Since Chris said TPTB told him that Joan and Adam were like and old married couple and eventually things would work out, I really hate that it didn't happen.

And I didn't mean no characters on TV change, I'm talking only about the main character. Aside from the obvious growing up kind of stuff, most of them remain pretty much the same as they were in the beginning, essentially. Amy Gray certainly didn't change. The side characters are always the ones who evolve. I think that's why we love them so much. Adam, Grace, Luke and Kevin all grew and changed. Joan, not so much, except maybe for getting even more cynical than she was in the beginning. That's a fairly realistic stance, even if it's not a pleasing one.

Deb

shrams · 03 Nov 06 :: 06:24

I never saw Judging Amy, unless perhaps there was an episode that Chris was in, so I can't make comparisons with that. I wasn't really expecting to make an emotional connection with the teenage characters, but Adam got to me right away. Joan was...offputting. Maybe it's because I don't personally know anyone who is a teenager now, and things are so very different than when I was that age. Joan's family is nothing like the family I grew up in, except for some of the dynamics between Kevin and Luke.

I wanted to see Joan slowly start to learn various lessons, and start to grow up, but instead it seemed like she stubbornly resisted any change in that direction. Sure, she didn't like taking on all the responsibilities that adulthood entails, and wanted to postpone it. But she just didn't come across as the kind of person I would want to know, or spend time with.

I liked a lot of the other characters to varying degrees, but if it hadn't been for Adam, I might have given up on the show. They started reducing the elements that made the show unique (the whole God angle) in favor of making it more viewer-friendly. Oddly enough, they seemed to think one way to do that was to bring out the worst in Joan, rather than show the best. The show was supposed to be about people striving for their potential, but it was like Joan was throwing that away, much as Judith threw her life away, in favor of being "normal" and fitting in, and behaving like so many other teenage characters. It was just disappointing.

shrams · 03 Nov 06 :: 06:27

Some short reviews of less-than-favorite episodes, and one longer review for one of my favorites::

DIVE

I may or may not get around to doing a longer review of "Dive", the latest Joan of Arcadia episode, but the upshot of it is that Joan was told by God to do something that scared her. Which she thought meant she should try for the diving team. Her brother Luke also tried out for the diving team. Both "Female Girardi" and "Male Girardi" failed miserably, but Luke did confront his fear of looking like an idiot. Which he totally didn't.

Joan eventually figured out the scary thing God wanted her to do was to visit Judith's grave and finally let her go. Adam went with her and stayed in the background while Joan admired the headstone and told Judith goodbye. Adam comforted her and they then presumably went to visit his mother's grave. But we didn't get to see that.

Lucyfer came out and admitted to Will that she has "feelings" for him, and they're interfering with the job. As in, she's afraid to send him out on dangerous assignments...which is why there are rules and regulations against superiors and subordinates getting involved. Plus there's the whole Will-is-happily-married-with-3-kids-thing. Sexual harassment much? I don't know where this is going to end up, but I hope it doesn't wreck the Girardis' marriage or Will's career.

We have to wait till January 7 for the next episode. I've read spoilers for the next 3 eps, and am happy to note that Adam has more to do in them than he did in this episode.

GAME THEORY
On to my other show, which I'm stubbornly clinging to with ever-waning optimism. So, is Joan a total idiot or what? Don't answer that. I wish the girl would learn some lessons and remember them five minutes later. Adam is still awesome, and the main reason I'm still hanging in there. Grace and Luke aren't used enough, Helen is losing my interest, and Will needs to change jobs, fast. Something with less stress, perhaps. I've been foaming at the mouth over spoilers I've stupidly read for the next five episodes, and I hope my conjectures and conclusions are proven wrong. I'd love to be able to love this show again. Writers, get your act together, or may God smite your lazy asses.

QUEEN OF THE ZOMBIES...was even better than I'd expected. It wasn't at the level of Xena's "Bitter Suite" or Buffy's "Once More With Feeling", but then, it wasn't meant to be. It was meant to be one of the most spectacularly disastrous high-school musical productions in history, and it succeeded! The script and songs were re-written 5 days before the show, Adam was given one entire weekend to design and build the stage designs. They worked perfectly in miniature, but when it came to the full-size ones...tombstone malfunction, everything that could fall down did...and Joan sang a terrific solo as the Zombie Queen, in the midst of all the carnage. Adam handled it far better than expected...he seemed to delight in the chaos.

Finally Joan and Adam had an actual meaningful conversation, during which Joan realized it would be better for them to each pursue their own college dream, than to keep trying to find a school they can both attend. They would only be miserable if they were just there to keep the other happy. God made a memorable appearance as the play's manic writer and director, encouraging the cast, songwriter, and stage crew to adapt and appreciate the changes life brings. It wasn't till the end of the episode that Joan finally realized that Johnny Broadway was actually, "Johnny Godway"." Heh. At one point he put his arm around Adam, with his hand on his shoulder, and Adam gave him his usual, "Dude, I don't like being touched," nervous look. You'd think God would remember Adam doesn't like to be touched...then again, touched by the hand of God? If only you knew, Adam!

Several storylines were advanced significantly; Andy dropped his lawsuit against the Girardis, so his parents kicked him out, and Pa Girardi decided Andy should live with them until he gets himself together. Okaaaay. Will is also taking some time off work, some of his many accumulated sick days, to try to sort out what to do about his grabby, vindictive, psycho boss. Good luck! Grace got jealous, which angered her further, because it made her feel "like a girl" but she got over it when Glynnis smacked her down for it.

Joan is now getting more confident of her own abilities, and is realizing she can't cling to Adam forever (fun as that may be) and she's got to figure out what she wants to do with her future. About time she made some progress! That makes 4 "A" episodes out of 13 so far; the season is rapidly improving.

Last edited by shrams (03 Nov 06 :: 19:35)

shrams · 06 Nov 06 :: 06:07

I don't think I did a recap/review of "Romancing the Joan", perhaps becase it was one of the eps I really disliked. I didn't like Roger, his behavior, Joan's reaction, etc.

19th February 2005
9:35pm: Joan of Arcadia "Independence Day"
God, how I hate lazy, sloppy, OOC writing. Some parts of it were very good, but how dare they mess with my Adam! Trying to turn him into some typical, testosterone-poisoned, inconsiderate asshole. I've been trying to find ways to justify his behavior, but the best I can do is assume someone (maybe Friedman, for a giggle) has programmed an Adam-bot that is about as realistic as the Buffy-bot. It looks right, the voice is right, but the words and actions...obviously there was a programming glitch somewhere. I actually liked Joan (in some ways) more than Adam in this episode. That is just plain wrong on so many levels. Bring back my beloved show, and my beloved Adam, and get rid of all the stupid Sweeps-inspired idiocy. It ain't working. The ratings suck, and are at 50% of last year's ratings for the 16th episode.

I'm sure there will be more ranting and raving to follow, until I see evidence that this aberration in character has been rectified. We didn't even get to hear the apology! Instead we got more stupid music that was supposed to take the place of any actual dialogue. I like U2, but damn, people, that was unnecessary. Hm, do I want to hear a song that has lyrics that might fit in with the scene, or do I want to hear the actual words the characters have to say to each other? Difficult choice, not. I suspect the songs are more effective when one is familiar with them and already knows the words. If you have to struggle to understand the words and their relevance, and it takes concentration away from the scene, it's a pain in the ass. What is happening to my show?!?
Current Mood: pissed off

shrams · 06 Nov 06 :: 06:10

Shadows and Light
25th February 2005
10:21pm: My show is back! (insert the Snoopy Dance here)
Tonight's Joan of Arcadia was awesome, and I was afraid I'd never be able to say that again. Good, tight, writing with characters that are, well, in character. The real Adam is back, and feeling very bad about the way he treated Joan. As he should. At least now his hormones have subsided enough that he can think again. Apparently one of the characteristics of testosterone poisoning is that it shuts off all higher brain function. Anyway, hopefully he won't be a jerk (anymore) about wanting to have sex with Joan. With any luck, he'll wait till she's ready. What a concept!

Some very nice scenes tonight, excellent acting all around (with the exception of This Week's Duff, who was better than she has been, but still, not up to the level of the regulars). There were shout-outs to the fans, so I think Someone is reading the comments on the boards and taking some of them to heart.

Added later:
27th February 2005
2:23pm: For your amusement...
From the Joan of Arcadia episode "Shadows and Light"

I've transcribed the scene where Adam unexpectedly breaks in on Grace in the Biology closet, where she's waiting for an expected make-out session with Luke. Adam knew she'd be there, as he was looking for her to talk about something Really Important. Let's listen in:

Grace has her back to the door, heavily applying lip gloss. Adam comes in, not even attempting to be quiet.

Grace: Fire up those lips, Whiz Kid.
Adam: (An expression of disgust, quickly suppressed) Uh, Grace...
G: (Turns around, startled. After a moment to think) Okay, you could choose to forget, or I can inflict brain damage.
A: I'm sorry, I -- I just...Listen, I, uh, I kinda, I have an issue that, uh...
G: Okay, lose the Hugh Grant stuttering.
A: (deep breath) When Jane and I went to the concert, we spent the night in the back of my dad's pick-up truck.
G: Do I really wanna hear this?
A: We didn't do anything! But...I wanted to. And I tried.
G: Dude, there are certain images I don't want seared into my brain.
A: Grace, she told her mom.
G: Ha, ha, ha, ha. Nice knowin' ya, Rove.
A: Look, she -- she said that her mother was cool, okay, and, you know, and that she understood.
G: (sitting down and looking at him face to face) And you believe that?
A: No. Heh heh. No, mn-mm.
G: You had to choose someone who has a good relationship with her mother.
A: So what am I going to do?
G: You could invent a time machine.
A: I have to sit in Mrs. G's class every day. See her in the hall, at their home -- she has to write me a letter for a college recommendation!
G: And you want me to tell you that she really does understand, because she knows that underneath all of this that you are a decent, upstanding guy.
A: I am.
G: I know. But to a mom, you're just another pimply, pubescent horndog trying to get into her daughter's pants.
A: (Covers his face with his hands) Oh. Oh, God. How the hell did this happen?
G: Ask the little friend in your pants.
A: (Gives her a look of annoyance, anger, disgust, and chagrin.)
End of scene.

Earlier, when Joan was trying to explain things to her mother, that Helen shouldn't be mad at Adam:
Helen: He's a 17-year-old boy. He can't help the wiring.

Now I know the episode must have been filmed a week after the previous one, and finished a few weeks before airtime. There's no way they could have changed things between the week "Independence Day" aired and this ep. Still, much of this is exactly what the fans were saying, pro and con. It's like they knew what we would be thinking!
Current Mood: amused

TheCentralScrutinizer · 06 Nov 06 :: 07:02

Shrams, thanks for posting those today. You feel the same way about ID and S&L as I do! You're annoyed and amused by the same things. Teejay will probably agree with what you wrote about ID and I know she digs S&L too, especially the Pimply Pubescent Horndog scene, whis is a clip we watch conatnatly.

S&L is really special as an A/J ep and also, to me, as a Chris fan. He got to do everything he does best in that ep. I love him in every single scene. I've also watched the one with Helen a million times. And the one where he bangs his head on the locker. And the one where he comforts Joan in the hallway. "...I don't really matter right now." Great ep.

The last great ep.

Deb

shrams · 06 Nov 06 :: 09:10

Ah, you're right there...the last great ep. (Sniff.)

Tomorrow I'll post the reviews for Secret Service, and something I wrote just prior to Trial and Error. I'll have to check, but I don't think I actually did a recap of T&E or anything afterwards. I think I was too shocked and disheartened to spend that much time reviewing or transcribing any of it from then on.

Last edited by shrams (06 Nov 06 :: 09:11)

shrams · 06 Nov 06 :: 09:58

I'd forgotten about this journal entry. Better late than never.

Joan of Arcadia, "Only Connect"
I've seen the episode twice now, so I figured I'd better get my thoughts in order here. I'll put them under a cut for those who haven't seen the ep yet.

I love the continuity of this show. It's obvious the writers have some kind of overall plan, which is always nice. I think Barbara Hall said she's only planning out about a season at a time, but so far it's working.

I like Joan's new look. I think the bangs give her face a softer, younger look, and I like the rather old-fashioned dress. She's trying really hard to suppress the colorful part of her personality. I didn't like the way she was treating Adam, almost like he was a casual friend instead of her boyfriend. Her hug was
very brief, and after just a few minutes she said she had to go, and gave him a quick peck on the cheek. Then he called after her, and she kind of stopped, but didn't turn around. I did like the way she was looking around at everyone around her, obviously wondering if each person who looked back at her was God. It seemed like Adam was really trying to let her know he's okay with her the way she is, or at least the way she was. He doesn't think she's crazy, and I'm sure we'll hear more later about why he came to that conclusion. The fact that he would use what little free time he had in the summer to research people who claim to have talked to God, that told me a lot about how much he cares about her. Joan wasn't in a mood to hear it, but maybe she'll think about it later.

I like Grace and Luke, but I'm wondering how long this "contract" she drew up is going to last. I think she's really afraid of what other people will think, which is at odds with the way she usually behaves. I loved her talk with Joan in Joan's room, especially when she had the lampshade on her head. I think Andy's lawsuit against Will is going to have repercussions throughout the season. I like the idea of Will having a continuing storyline rather than the "cop story" of the week that gets neatly tied up by the end of the episode. I also like seeing Kevin a bit more light-hearted, more well-adjusted. Of course, this lawsuit will probably cause all kinds of nightmares for him, literal as well as figurative, but it might also be an opportunity for both growth and healing, for Kevin, and possibly for the whole family.

The scene in the bookstore with Sammy and Joan; he was asking her for help, and she wasn't able to give it. I think it was too late at that point for her to do anything that would have changed what his wife did, but it seemed to me he had no one he could ask, and thought Joan could offer some insight. When Heidi showed up in her bathrobe, with the remains of Lucinda, I saw that as a good example for Joan of someone who does have psychological/psychiatric issues. Later, when Helen showed up at the police station to talk to Will, she was talking loudly and wearing a bright red coat, which really stood out with all the blue lighting. I wonder if that was supposed to be a parallel to the inappropriate confrontation with Heidi talking to
Sammy at his place of work.

Joan breaking up with God was heartbreaking, but also slightly amusing, especially since it was Cute Guy God, the first incarnation she saw spoke to. It's going to take more than flowers or jewelry to win her back, Big Guy. I hope Joan will try to open up to Adam about all the things she's really feeling, because I think she needs a friend who she can really trust. I think he'll do anything to help her out; within reason, I hope. I don't want to see the kind of declaration of love that ends up with someone getting hurt.

I know a fair number of spoilers for the next 7 episodes, so I won't go into those, but it looks like the writers really know what they're doing. There are very few throwaway scenes or lines in this series. Or, as PowerWalkerGod said in "Death Be Not Whatever," when Joan is confused about what God is saying, "It's not for now, it's for later." I think it's the same with a lot of the things that are puzzling or upsetting viewers who don't know what all is coming. I have faith that it will be explained in time, if we're patient enough to wait. And if not, that's what spoilers are for.

TeeJay · 06 Nov 06 :: 15:53

Oh yes, I looove the pimply pubescent horndog scene. It's somehow so un-Adam, but that's what I like about it. He's certainly coming out of his shell a little more. I love backboned Adam. What I hated about this scene (or rather about the writing in the episode to follow) is that Grace tells him he's a "decent, upstanding guy" and he agrees. Aaaaank! Proven wrong just one week later. To everyone's dismay. <sigh> But I positively love Chris's rubberface action in this scene.

Yes, I also loathe ID. And just like you, Shrams, I hated it that we don't even get to hear the apology. Makes me wanna write it. Well, at least it used to. But I'm wrapped up in so many other things right now... Maybe one day I'll get inspired. I think actually someone at FFN wrote a little something about it, I'd have to look at up some time.

-TeeJay

domesticelefant · 06 Nov 06 :: 17:52

TeeJay wrote:

Oh yes, I looove the pimply pubescent horndog scene. It's somehow so un-Adam, but that's what I like about it. He's certainly coming out of his shell a little more. I love backboned Adam. What I hated about this scene (or rather about the writing in the episode to follow) is that Grace tells him he's a "decent, upstanding guy" and he agrees. Aaaaank! Proven wrong just one week later. To everyone's dismay. <sigh> But I positively love Chris's rubberface action in this scene.

Yeah, I like that scene too.

TheCentralScrutinizer · 06 Nov 06 :: 18:42

Like the Only Connect recap, Shrams. It set me to wondering though, have you ever read any of our recaps?

Deb

shrams · 07 Nov 06 :: 03:22

Thanks.

I need to read the recaps for No Bad Guy and Requiem. I read the one for Double Dutch. I think that's all the recaps that are up at the moment.

I've been swamped with working on my novel, and I'm involved in several other fandoms -- this one is lower on my list than it was two years ago, or even a year ago. I'll need some time to catch up to speed. There's a lot of stuff here I haven't read yet. Once I get some obligations taken care of, I'll have more time.

Last edited by shrams (07 Nov 06 :: 03:26)

TheCentralScrutinizer · 07 Nov 06 :: 03:45

Just wonderin'. Actually, I kind of have this theory that a lot of people who end up here won't read our content. But 1X02 through 1X18, and 2X01 through 2X04 are up. They're in the JoA tab on the main page. TeeJay hasn't posted very many on the MB, just the last few she's written. Our content is all navigable from the main page. We also have lots of Chris movie and other show synopsis in the Filmography, under About Chris on the main page.

Deb

shrams · 07 Nov 06 :: 07:00

Okay, thanks for letting me know exactly where to look!

I just checked, and I did read some of them a couple of weeks ago, I think. I've now read through 1-11. I'll check the rest out as I have time. I'm not used to reading recaps of just the Adam & Joan stuff, but it does at least cut to the chase!

Last edited by shrams (07 Nov 06 :: 07:14)

shrams · 07 Nov 06 :: 07:25

I believe these are the last two recaps I have.

Joan of Arcadia - Secret Service

I had mixed feelings about this one, but I think it's opened some doors for other things that can be explored. I found it somewhat amusing that Will, who's usually so competent as a cop, is so bad at handyman stuff. It was nice to have some lighter moments. It's too bad Helen was getting so discouraged, but luckily Adam said the right thing at the right time, and I think Helen is a bit intrigued by a student who has a lot of potential but has a very different outlook on life.

As she said, if she feels there's nothing more she can teach Adam, it might really help her to have another student to mentor. I thought the old physicist in the bookstore was God. I was convinced of it, till Luke saw the picture. Still, it's a good example of how God can sometimes work through people who don't even realize they're sort of working as an agent of God. So not only was Joan performing 'secret service' in not recognizing the ripples, but so was this physicist. He did seem to be trying to help Luke, but I doubt he realized how much of an influence he was. Loved Grace and Luke at the steakhouse.

Lilly and Kevin are interesting together, and amusing, but I thought the kisses at the end of the ep happened a little too soon. She's an intriguing character, but somehow I don't see Lilly and Kevin as a long-term couple. Good thing that wasn't a more serious accident, or it might have really upset Kevin. As it was, he seemed to handle it fairly well.

Oh, and Friedman and Glynnis need to just become an official couple. Friedman is getting irritating again, and I like it when I could actually like him somewhat. Adam and Joan...I still don't quite get what was going on. Did he really have the interview at Rhode Island? I think he did, and it was rescheduled. Instead of calling Joan and telling her he had the weekend free after all, he decided to take some time for himself. He should have returned her calls, even if just to say, "Hey, plans changed, but I'm sorry, I'm just not in the mood to talk right now. I need some time to think about stuff." She might not have taken it well, but neither of them handled the conversation well.

They're just not very good at talking to each other, most of the time. Adam also needs to figure out whether he can be alone with Joan without have a sudden attack of hormones. It seems to me most guys learn, in one way or another, how to deal with it, without having to avoid their girlfriend until she's ready to have sex. I think they've both changed, but they're going in different directions.

I wish Joan weren't quite so insecure all the time where Adam is concerned, but it doesn't help when he actually lies, or won't return her calls, or can't explain what he's thinking. Things don't look too good for the two of them unless they can both spend some time alone figuring out what they want, then talk to each other. And yes, the God conversation absolutely has to happen at some point if there's going to be any real trust and security in the relationship. If Joan doesn't volunteer the information, Adam should bring it up and insist they talk about it. Then watch the sparks fly.

Loved Goth God and Tough Guy God; loved Lilly totally dissing Homeless Guy God with no clue who she was talking to.

Not liking what I've heard of upcoming episodes, but maybe they'll work out better than I think.

shrams · 07 Nov 06 :: 07:30

Note: I obviously wrote this before the episode aired. Afterwards, I couldn't bring myself to go over the episode again and again in order to do a recap. Plus, I was so disgusted, with the episode, the writers and the ridiculous way they wrote Adam, I just was too discouraged to continue.

Current mood: hopeful

Joan Girardi vs. Adam Rove & Former Fans vs. Adam

Warning, spoilers ahead for the next Joan of Arcadia episode, "Trial and Error" to be aired 4/1/05, a most unfortunate date.

Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. I'm here on behalf of my client, Adam Rove. Since, as you know, the American judicial system allows every defendant representation, I am here as Mr. Rove's defense attorney.

It seems as though my client has been put on trial without a sufficient amount of evidence. The defendant is accused of committing infidelity with one Bonnie Nolastname, a student at the same school attended by Mr. Rove and Ms Girardi. There has been much supposition and speculation, based on hearsay and circumstantial evidence. We are here to look at the facts.

The facts as we know them, are these: Mr. Rove and his girlfriend, Ms. Joan Girardi, have been dating for a little over a year. During that time, they have had many difficulties, individually and as a couple. They come from different socioeconomic backgrounds, and different family structures. They have only known each other for approximately a year and a half. Ms. Girardi is 17 years old, as of last November. Mr. Rove turned 17 very recently.

In the past Ms. Girardi destroyed a piece of artwork created by Mr. Rove, with no explanation ever given. This caused a rift between the two that lasted for several weeks. Despite Ms. Girardi's many attempts to apologize, without a sufficient explanation of her actions, Mr. Rove was not able to forgive her for this act of vandalism. Ms. Girardi has admitted to doing other things that have appeared to be done for the sole purpose of hurting Mr. Rove, though she claims to have a good reason for doing so. She has not provided an explanation or motivation for any of these actions, just pleaded for forgiveness.

Mr. Rove has suffered emotional damage and separation anxiety due to the suicide of his mother. He has been extremely patient and understanding towards Ms. Girardi's often eccentric behavior, and put his own feelings aside unless a traumatic memory is triggered. In such events the need for self-preservation overcomes the need for love and acceptance.

Both Mr. Rove and Ms. Girardi have been observed on numerous occasions, in front of witnesses, arguing or disagreeing passionately. Witnesses have claimed that both are prone to overdramatization and histrionics over offenses that seemed to the witness to be trivial or not warranting each such strong reactions. Ms. Girardi has several times accused Mr. Rove of being unfaithful, and on one occasion, provoked a physical fight in the school hallway with her best friend, accusing her friend and Mr. Rove of cheating on her. Mr. Rove was one of the people attempting to break up the fight.

Ms. Girardi was suspicious of Mr. Rove's motivation in hiring one Stevie Marks, female, as his assistant at his work at a design studio. Ms. Girardi's chief objection was that Ms. Marks was too blonde and perky to be able to do the job she was hired to do. Mr. Rove later admitted that, despite his general aversion to perkiness, he hired Ms. Marks more for her ability to provoke jealousy in Ms. Girardi than specifically for her qualifications as an artist.

On a recent occasion, both Mr. Rove and Ms. Girardi lied to their respective parents, in order to spend a weekend together attending a concert out of town. Due to a regrettable lapse in communication, neither of them inquired deeply enough into the nature of the sleeping arrangements, and whether such accommodations were intended solely for the purpose of sleep. Each had different plans for how the evening would go, and the combination of their lack of communication and mistaken assumptions led to a very upsetting, frustrating and disturbing weekend for them both. Mr. Rove claimed later that he didn't know the reason for his actions, and regretted his behavior. It was suggested to him that perhaps his hormones had overbalanced the logical functioning of his brain, a condition sometimes known as "testosterone poisoning".

Shortly after that, Ms. Girardi questioned Mr. Rove's lack of attention when she was speaking to him. He explained that he was tired due to spending the previous night writing a paper that was due for school. When further questioned, he explained that he had to finish the paper early, because he had plans to go to a college interview that weekend. The interview would take place in another state. Ms. Girardi inquired whether she could attend the interview with him. Mr. Rove was not enthused about the idea, and tried to discourage her from going with him, citing her mother's likely reaction at the thought of then spending the night together anywhere. Mr. Rove also questioned his own ability to control his hormones, and subsequent reaction to those hormones, should he and Ms. Girardi once again find themselves sharing the same sleeping quarters.

Ms. Girardi later found out that Mr. Rove had not attended the college interview and had in fact, not returned three of her phone calls. He claimed the interview was postponed, and he subsequently decided to spend time alone. He doesn't know why he didn't return phone calls, but didn't think he should have to explain his every action and motivation to Ms. Girardi. Recently, both Ms. Girardi and Mr. Rove became acquainted with Bonnie Nolastname, who seemed, to witnesses, to exhibit a rather extreme and perhaps unhealthy fixation on Mr. Rove.

These are the facts as we know them so far. The rest of my opening statement is speculation based on the script of a mock trial. At a school event, Ms. Girardi was chosen to prosecute the case in the murder of A. Giant. She suggested Mr. Rove play the part of Jack, the accused killer. During the course of this mock trial, which has not yet taken place, she will accuse him of other crimes in addition to murder. She will accuse him of selling a cow because it no longer produced milk, and stealing a goose from the giant, before killing the giant. The goose is alleged to have produced golden eggs, which would presumably have set Jack up for life, financially. This would have been the ultimate nest egg for Jack's future.

During the course of the trial, Ms. Girardi will employ some imagery that is heavily laden with metaphors designed to have emotional impact. In fact, these metaphors are likely to stir the emotions of not only the defendant, Mr. Rove, but also the prosecutor, Ms. Girardi. Given what we have seen of Ms. Girardi's rather excitable nature, and tendency to jump to conclusions, it is quite possible she will invest these metaphors with deeper meanings that have associations in her mind with her relationship to Mr. Rove. It is unknown at this time whether Mr. Rove will understand the full implications of these metaphors, but given his rather sensitive nature, it is likely he will feel overwhelmed, and since he often has trouble expresses his feelings, he may respond emotionally rather than logically to the accusations.

It is likely that their behavior will provoke strong reactions to any witnesses of the trial. In fact, these witnesses may be confused as to the vehemence of the defense, and may well wonder if both participants are indeed following the script, or are deviating from the script to further their own agenda. It is quite possible that this mock trial will cause errors in judgment on the part of both participants.

In response to the strength of emotions these two individuals have demonstrated in the past, it is quite possible that the emotions stirred up by the mock trial will carry over into their personal relationship. They made both have difficulty separating the events of the case and their presentation at the mock trial from their own feelings, imagination, and insecurities.

It is quite possible that if these two individuals do not learn to communicate their feelings in a timely manner, rather than waiting for a future time to express their thoughts, they will be unable to continue their relationship as it stands now. They are both extremely emotional, perhaps even highly strung individuals, who have very different ways of coping with stress. Neither of them responds well to stress regarding their romantic relationship. There seems to be doubt in both of their minds regarding the true feelings of the other about their relationship. There appears to be insecurity and mistrust, as well as communication difficulties, that would seem to inhibit a truly emotionally and physically intimate relationship. It is also quite possible that these individuals have differing views of their relationship, and mutually exclusive goals.

It might be advisable for both parties to take some time apart, to consider their own needs, and the needs of the other, and determine whether their mutual needs can be met by each other. I ask you to consider the facts, and find Mr. Rove not guilty of the heinous crime of cheating on his girlfriend because she wouldn't have sex with him.

Last edited by shrams (07 Nov 06 :: 07:32)

Susanna · 07 Nov 06 :: 09:19

nicely done shrams.

Last edited by Susanna (07 Nov 06 :: 09:20)

TheCentralScrutinizer · 07 Nov 06 :: 20:35

Sorry, gonna have to find him guilty as charged. You can send him to me for punishment.

That was really cool Shrams! Thanks for posting.

Deb

shrams · 08 Nov 06 :: 06:56

Thanks! When I first posted it, there was no reaction, since hardly anyone reads my journal, and only one of them used to watch JoA. By that time he was a very casual viewer.

Yeah, it broke my heart to find my client was actually guilty. I honestly felt betrayed, like he'd lied to me. Almost like he was a real human being, and not a fictional character.

TheCentralScrutinizer · 08 Nov 06 :: 16:54

I just remember my first reaction was exhaustion from crying so hard along with Adam. Well, not so much along with Adam as with Chris. It was that night that I first went, my God this guy needs an Emmy! I spent the rest of that night chasing Chris info all over the Internet. It wasn't really until a few days later that the impact of what had been done to the character really hit home. And then I was just incredibly sad and disappointed.

You don't wanna get me started on how I feel about the ep now.

Deb

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