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Journeyman 1.11: "Home by Another Way" |
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Monday, 10 December 2007 |
By John Keegan
Visit Critical Myth for an archive of John's TV Review archives, with more than 1100 entries.
Despite my high expectations for this show, I’m still impressed by how strong the writing has become. Ever since the shaky first half of the pilot, I’ve been deeply impressed by the maturity of the writing, and that hasn’t changed. The same elements keep bringing me back for every new episode: the insightful exploration of personal relationships, the implications for Dan and Livia, and the dense continuity. Loose ends are few and far between, and that gives the audience a reason to return.
This episode certainly delivered on the first promise. Christmas-themed episodes can be too much of a temptation for a writing staff; they can become mired in nostalgic sentimentality or pretentious self-importance. Above all, they have the annoying tendency of including a holiday-inspired message, draped in the potential for long-term character growth, but often a momentary nod to audience expectation.
This Christmas episode was far more compelling because it left most of the clichés off the table. Instead, it explored some of the realistic aspects of the holidays. Dan found himself remembering his father’s decision to leave, worried that he might be forced to make the same decision. Katie found herself suffering the aftereffects of the traumas of “Blowback”, finding an unexpected ally in the process. Jack and Theresa struggle with the prospect of a future together, even as Jack wrestles with the reality of keeping Dan’s secret. There’s no sense of immediate or magical Christmas resolution to any of the issues; it’s all just a stepping stone to the next crisis.
Similarly, the implications for Dan and Livia had less to do with the holiday and more to do with the inevitable consequence of their situations. The possible layoffs at the Register were established long ago, so regardless of the holiday timing, the issue was going to hit the fan. Dan’s lack of performance was likewise established, a reasonable outcome of his unexpected travels. Livia’s personal situation had been slowly revealed in recent episodes, but Dan’s family life was clearly meant to factor into her decision to marry. It’s all just peeling back on the layers of the story.
Which is why, in the end, the resolution of the layoff situation was such a disappointment. Dan’s gambit should never have succeeded, at least not as presented, and it all smacks of the holiday-inspired sentimentality that the writers had so carefully avoided. More to the point, it hinged on the idea that various characters, otherwise quite observant, would fail to recognize the similarities between Dan Carson and Dan Vassar. Granted, Dan’s ability to reverse his own layoff could be cathartic to anyone currently suffering the same indignity, but it just seems too easy and contrived.
In the end, it’s the difference between an excellent episode and just a very good one, which is hardly a bad position to face. Had the network had its way, this would have been the final episode for “Journeyman”. Thanks to strong fan support, at least two more episodes will see air. Hopefully those episodes will give this first (and possibly only) season an even better sendoff.
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