In Parentheses

Through the Ages: Kevin McKidd

2009-11-26T18:11:00.000-08:00

There are actors who come along once in a while that have something unique to offer when it comes down to their style, mannerisms and on screen translation of the written word. For me, Kevin McKidd is one of those actors. Like many of you, I watch him every week on Grey’s Anatomy as Dr. Owen Hunt a badass trauma surgeon with his own demons who hearts the SGH badass Cristina Yang. It’s a love at first sight story, which has won the hearts of millions every week. At the same time McKidd has had a solid career in film and television through the years since the early 1990s. People are always asking me what else they need to check out when they see Kevin’s work on Grey’s, so I would like to take a look back at some of his works, bringing it back to where he is now. Since his rap sheet is quite long, I will focus on certain ones that I think everyone should see at some point if they are interested in seeing how much Kevin has changed as an actor. I am going to begin with a personal favorite of mine.

Trainspotting (1996)

While a lot of people know Kevin McKidd from Grey’s Anatomy and HBO’s Rome, my most vivid memory of Kevin was when saw him in Trainspotting (1996) by Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire) , I remember it because it was the year after I graduated from high school and it was the only film at the theatre that we hadn’t seen that summer ,and we ended up loving it so much we saw it multiple times. I don’t know what it was about Trainspotting that spoke to us, but we became obsessed with it, and I remember I always loved Tommy out of all the characters I think because he reminded me a lot of a friend of mine who was a rugby player. Kevin McKidd’s performance as Tommy a footballer/drug addict running around with a group of guys raising hell in Edinburgh was nothing short of gritty and raw. It’s a film about the city as much as it is about the generation of young men, but I love how it tells a different story that does not necessarily have the happy Hollywood ending. It is of course a British film, nothing Hollywood about it but it has become one of the most important British films of the 1990s. I am glad that this was my first introduction to not only Kevin McKidd but also Johnny Lee Miller (Eli Stone) and Ewan McGregor (Moulin Rouge) , who are also still working actors. I have to say it is still one of my top five movies of all time.

Bedrooms and Hallways (1998)

My favorite indie work of Kevin’s is the Rose Troche film Bedrooms and Hallways (1998). This film is dear to me for several reasons, and is a wonderfully honest tale about a guy named Leo who at 30 decides he’s had enough of his boring/fialed love life and starts a therapy group session. I love this film because it doesn’t force its style on you, as some indie films do. You also immediately relate to Leo and his struggles. How many of us have been at a point in our lives when we feel we have failed at all our relationships only to become even more confused when we do take a chance as Leo does. This film is also the first time we see Kevin McKidd and James Purefoy brilliantly work together, (and will again later on in Rome) as he plays “Brendan” a man Leo ends up having a “relationship” with. The lovely Jennifer Ehle, who many know and love as “Elizabeth” in the BBC Pride and Prejudice mini-series, plays “Sally”, Leo’s former girlfriend who he reconnects with and becomes even more confused about the path he should take. This film is filled with humor, especially from the group therapy leader “Keith” (Simon Callow) who steals a lot of the group therapy scenes. I have to say Kevin’s performance as Leo really shows the range he can have as an actor, as he is brilliant in this film as the audience instantly connects with Leo because his story is so universal no matter what sexual orientation you may have. This is one of the films my film professor friend plays in his Gender and Cinema class and is always a favorite among the students.

Anna Karenina (2000)

One of the things I love most about Kevin McKidd is that he will do several mainstream and independent films, but will then take part in a period piece like he did in The Masterpiece Theatre production of Anna Karenina (2000). This adaptation of the Tolstoy novel is one of the best interpretations I’ve seen. Kevin plays Count Vronsky along side Helen McCrory as Anna Karenina, and both are brilliant. It’s of course the typical saga of a love triangle compromised by social and economic standards of the time period. At first I wondered how well Kevin would make as Vronsky because Vronsky was supposed to be a dark haired brooding man, but I was pleased to see that Kevin portrayed Vronsky beautifully and brought a whole new interpretation to the character. He makes Vronsky even more heartbreaking than I’ve seen in other interpretations and a more fascinating character in general which is sometimes hard to pull off with a character that is so well known. The chemistry between Kevin and Helen McCrory is undeniable on screen and the whole production was just well done in terms of the authenticity and level of acting in general. If you are a fan of period pieces the DVD of this series is a great way to spend a lazy weekend or to wind down after a crazy holiday season.

16 Years of Alcohol (2003)

I think my favorite character study that Kevin McKidd has performed in was as “Frankie” in 16 Years of Alcohol a film by Scottish director Richard Jobson. Frankie is a young Scottish man whose life has been wasted so to speak, as a child of an alcoholic, we see how Frankie is desperate to not become the person he loathes most, his father. It’s easy to take a first glance and say it’s a rip off of Kubrick’s A Clockwork Orange, but while the film references Clockwork (there is a poster in Frankie’s room) it is far from a re-telling of that film. If anything, I think Frankie is the anti-Alex because he realizes his failures even though it may be too late. I also love the theatrical quality of this film, you can tell from how some of the shots are composed and just the way the script flows, theatre as well as photography has been a big influence on the look of the film. I would say that this is one of the best works to see Kevin McKidd stand alone in a dramatic role.

AfterLife (2003)

Released the same year as 16 Years of Alcohol, the family drama AfterLife tells the story of Kenny Brogan (Kevin McKidd) when he ends up at a crossroads in his life having to decide between familial obligation and the chance at moving ahead in his journalism career. A film by Alison Peebles, the work brings about the discussion regarding the daily struggles of families dealing with Down’s syndrome. It is a topic that is personal for me as I worked for 5 years in homes as a counselor for adults with mental and physical disabilities. The stress families are under is unbelievable especially when their family members reach adult age and are at odds as to what care they need, or what should happen to them after the primary caretakers are gone. Unfortunately I’ve seen struggles like Kenny’s first hand, and have to say I was very pleased to see how the film dealt with such a topic. It also touches on euthanasia, the topic of the breaking story Kenny is working on, an issue that still gives rise to heated debates. I also thought the actress who played Roberta (Paula Sage) was amazing in the film, as well as Lindsay Duncan who played the mother. Kevin was wonderful as Kenny, who was very conflicted through out the film, his performance really makes you root for the character. He also has a great balance of drama mixed with humor that is sometimes hard to pull off in a film that has such dark topics

Gunpowder, Treason and Plot (2004)

I think one of my favorite period pieces that Kevin McKidd has done has to be Gunpowder, Treason and Plot (2004) where he plays “Bothwell”. A mini-series depicting Mary Queen of Scots’ (Cleméncé Poésy) brief reign and why it fails is very compelling and impressive in its production value. I always found Bothwell an intriguing character in history because it was difficult to tell whether he truly loved Mary or not depending on what you are reading (or watching). Kevin portrays Bothwell in such a conflicting way and it is what makes him mesmerizing to watch. I also loved the chemistry between Kevin McKidd and Cleméncé Poésy, for an actress so young at the time she was brilliant as Mary Queen of Scots. I highly recommend this series for those interested in Kevin McKidd’s work but also to those who love Scottish history because it’s a very well made series.

ROME (HBO, 2005-2007)

HBO’s series Rome (2005-2007) has to be one of my top five shows of all time. It was so brilliant in how it was conveyed onscreen as you were truly watching your favorite historical characters come to life. I really loved everything about this program except the fact that it ended so soon. Lucius Vorenus and Titus Pullo are figures reportedly mentioned in Caesar’s writings and Rome is basically from their points of view. The series reflects the transition period from the Roman Empire to the autocratic empire, and Vorenus is struggling as he has just come back from war, adjusting to his daily life that has its own dramas while existing in between social classes. Pullo is his best friend and their friendship provides a lot of humor in spite of everything they go through. Kevin’s role as the tortured “Lucius Vorenus” was nothing short of amazing. It reunited him onscreen with his Bedrooms and Hallways co-star James Purefoy who portrayed “Mark Antony” and with Ray Stevenson as “Pullo” and an amazing cast too many to name. I enjoyed how the lives of Vorenus and Pullo were parallel to Caesar’s world. Many of Kevin’s scenes haunt me to this day, I would mention some of them but some of it is too spoilery if you have not seen the show and are not familiar with Roman history. The battle scenes had such breathtaking cinematography and choreography, that they rival even the best fight scenes in films like Lord of the Rings. If you are lucky enough to have an HDTV it is visually stunning to watch. While it can be gory at times, it is fairly accurate and I think if you were a fan of “I, Claudius”, which partially inspired Rome you will be very impressed.

Grey’s Anatomy “Owen Hunt” (2008-Present)

Grey’s Anatomy has been a favorite show of mine for years. I was one of the few who started watching it prior to the big Super Bowl episode that catapulted it into a household name. I started watching the show because Sandra Oh has been a favorite actress of mine for years here in Ottawa. So of course, my favorite character to this day is Cristina Yang (Sandra Oh). Imagine my happiness when I learned Kevin McKidd was to join Grey’s and that his character Owen Hunt was to be a love interest for Cristina. At first I kind of wondered how these actors would click, knowing both of their extensive work aside from Grey’s, and their style. In just a few seconds I realized I had nothing to worry about, the sparks just flew off of my television screen between Hunt and Yang. Owen Hunt, as we soon discover is struggling with PTSD when he returns stateside to work at SGH after his surgical team is part of a tragic ambush where he is the only survivor. Part of what I love about their story so much is how we see Yang and Hunt work through his issues while forming an incredible bond. It is also a very mature love story that has none of the will-they-or-won’t-they concoctions that are so tiresome. PTSD is also a topic that needs more exposure in mainstream media so I was really pleased with how they handled various issues as Hunt’s storyline progressed. Having a best friend in Afghanistan at the moment, Hunt’s story is really giving me some insight as to some issues I may have to deal with myself at some point. I also love how we see Yang change before our eyes because of helping Hunt with his issues. She is definitely changing for the better, as we see Hunt go further in his recovery, with Yang as part of his inspiration. I have to mention that Hunt is my favorite non-original character on the show now. It’s a nice to finally have an adult male on the show, a nice change from having so many male characters that have been immature and wishy washy in the past. I would like to see the writers explore his recovery further, but it seems like they have other things in mind for Hunt right now. Whatever the future holds for Hunt and Yang, it is certain that Sandra and Kevin have amazing chemistry together and continue to impress me each week.

CONCLUSION
It was hard to decide which works of Kevin’s to include in this. I know some of you are probably wondering why I chose certain works over others, especially Journeyman. Basically I wanted to accomplish two things: 1) Create a list for those who keep asking me what works of Kevin’s they should check out, and 2) To give props to works that are examples of how he has evolved as an actor over time. I thought it was very important to highlight a lot of his independent work in Scotland as many of those films continue to be underrated. It also would have been too long of a list to include EVERY work of Kevin’s, so I obviously just chose the ones that I re-visit from time to time, or let people borrow when they want to see more of him. I think I may end up doing a part two of this essay at some point just to cover some more of the UK/Scotland work and his other film projects as they happen. For now though, I hope that this is useful to someone who is looking for more information on Kevin, or is just interested in his career in general.

Thank you for reading,

Maya

Grey's Anatomy 6.05 "Invasion"

2009-10-19T19:57:00.000-07:00

The "invasion" of Mercy West peeps was really over done, but I guess that is to be expected, but it really didn't affect me the way that they seemed to build up in the promos. Karev and Reed reminded me of Cristina and Alex in the first couple seasons, that dynamic has changed of course, but I didn't really enjoy the scene, it reminded me of Owen's vulture speech from last season--recycled? Although I am kind of loving the Everwood love fest on GA lately.

I never really liked Izzie, she is like dramazilla most of the time, and since she has been ill, it has magnified obviously. I agree with the staff and the chief that she is too emotional to be practicing and I thought that her lay off was well founded. I did feel sorry for Alex, I wonder how he will come back from it, if she returns. Cristina's reaction to him was interesting though not out of character, she's come a long way with Owen but in terms of everyone else, still has a lot of muck to get throguh.

I love how everyone migrates to Mer's room. Not only were the residents there, but even their interns who are now residents. I love Cristina's point about how she doesn't know what she's fighting for because she really doesn't. Out of all the residents, she is the most lost, she has no attending to keep her in check with cardio and is freaking out about it.

As for Owen, the showdown with Owen was unavoidable. I mentioned in another post how I think Owen is failing at being a teacher to Cristina, and tonight kind of proved my point. Even though cardio is her area, she still has to learn all areas of surgery and Owen giving her surgery to the MW Hot Eyes was kind of lame even for Owen. Emotionally, Owen is kind of bad at knowing when Cristina really needs him, he can't read her yet, as far as he knew, Cristina was being just competitive about surgeries, he was in professional mode, he doesn't seem to realize how her education is being tortured by having no guidance. I think part of it is that Owen wasn't really an academic per se, in the same way that Cristina and some of the other SGH people are, so perhaps its just a army mentality with him. Who knows. But I was glad she got up in his face, but since she really didn't tell him anything, he has to figure it out himself. Cristina is super depressed, I just wish Owen would take off his Mercy West blinders to see it. I am finding this whole aspect boring, its such a waste of screen time.

One good thing to come of it was Cristina's break down. For her to say she missed Burke is huge, but I'm glad she said that it wasn't the relationship she missed. You knew then that she was talking about professional aspects and learning. Someone like Cristina who is the best at everything she does is not feeling challenged at all and feels like a 'ghost' as she said to Mer. The whole thing reminded me of when she finally broke down after the miscarriage. I Love sandra oh for scenes like these, she makes up for there being hardly any Owen time in the entire episode. I have been in her situation of not being challenged enough by a job that you love and being torn by what you should do. It sucks, especially when everything seems like it should be working out.

Derek was completely boring, I find Lexie being threatened by someone hilarious, and its amazing there were no Lexie tears in this episode. I may have to write the date down.

The stuff with Callie/Mr. Torres/AZ was good, finally seeing how they can work as a couple.

So not the best episode, i.e. too much of a lack of Owen and Cristina time..

6.04: "Tainted Obligation" Grey's Anatomy

2009-10-09T03:45:00.000-07:00

Good Things: Alex and Cristina. They totally brought on the comic relief tonight. It reminded me a lot of Alex and Cristina from earlier seasons. I love how Alex is still trying to support Izzie in spite of his own hatred for roughing it.

Cristina is still on the competitive war path, but she has a right to be freaking out. No attending is employed for her specialty and everyone keeps telling her she's a rock star, but if rock stars don't practice, they suck. And that was her main point to the chief. Regardless, I loved all the comic relief of her pimping herself out for surgeries and Owen catching her, the boys tricking her into the thingy surgery was hilarious of course it reminded me of when Derek tried to get Mark to hit on Cristina. I wanted to see Owen get paid back for that, I guess there was no time, again..

Mark was awesome in this episode. I thought we could really see how he has changed from being with Lexie. His whole outlook is different. He could totally relate to Walton. On a side note Walton's son played by Tom Amandes was Debra Mooney's son on Everwood, and Debra Mooney played Owen's mom LOL That aside, I loved how Mark just accepted this guy's issues and wanted to do what his patient wanted rather than what was best, or to make the family happy. I also love his speech to the family, they were control freaks that just didn't want to acknowledge their dad has a sex life and were really just interested in his money. I also think part of it was Mark finally admitting he wasn't getting any younger.

Glad Callie got what she deserved to be an attending

Merediths stuff was great tonight but i think given the content of this episode, it should have been two parts. I always love Ellen's scenes with Jeffery Perry, he's one of my favorite character actors. That being said I like that this episode tackled the Mer/Thatcher story, but I felt it was kind of sugar coated too much. This reminded me of an episode in the 3rd season when a kid was asked to be a donor for his dad who was beating his mom on a daily basis and Alex talked the kid into it because it had happened to him. I did love that Derek was supportive of whatever decision Meredith wanted to make, though he was still watchful of her .

Owen/Izzie-thought the pairing was good, and like that Owen gave izzie the chance to prove herself in the OR again, even if it means at Cristina's expense. At the same time, Owen was the only one who WOULD have taken a chance on Izzie because he doesn't know her past with Denny, etc. And this was a case of her relating too much to the patient which in the end cost him his life. I also think part of what influenced his decision was when Izzie said the line about how she wouldn't be alive if Cristina hadn't fought for her surgery, I think in that instance, Owen was sympathetic because Cristina had fought for his life as well.

The Chief I think is going to do a complete turnaround, he realized he wasn't doing his job he was trying too hard to make the board happy, but after the amazing speech Cristina gave him, he realized that he was failing his students which in dthe long run fails the patients and the hospital. I think he's finally getting his head out of his arse and will shake things up some more at SGH.

Bad:

Ok first I really like Chyler Leigh and I like the character Lexie, but she has been crying in every episode so far this season. It was fine in the premiere I expected it, but last week was a bit too much, and I found her too hysterical this week, so it didn't have as much of an impact as it should have. Although Mark was right to chastise her about talking it over with him before giving the green light for a surgery on herself I think she is more like Cristina in terms of relationships, she is still very disconnected and doesn't think about certain things because she's so used to being independent.

I think its kind of lame we are supposed to believe Callie and AZ have this deep, meaningful relationship now. I like them as a couple, but the writing is very inconsistent and I think I need more scenes to be able to buy them as a couple

All in all the episode was much better than last week, more well rounded, but again there was a huge lack of OC time which needs to be brought back around soon. 3 stars.

Ask Matt Column: My Q about the Grey's Anatomy Premiere

2009-09-29T04:01:00.000-07:00

Question: Just wondering what your thoughts are on the Grey's Anatomy premiere? I thought it was one of the most well-rounded episodes they have had in a long time. Loved the premise of the five stages of grief; the structure reminded me of that episode of Lost when the losties catch up with the other survivors. I first wanted to mention the standout performance of Sara Ramirez. Having followed her since Broadway, I know what a great actress she is onstage, but she really blew me away. Callie is kind of like the middle child that people forget about, but when something big happens, she's the one that seems to know what to do, even when she's in such grief. I think the most powerful scene was when she i.d.'d George and you felt the emotion just by watching her reaction in silence. Loved the confrontation with the Chief, also good were the scenes with Callie, Lexie and Mark. I think I like the idea of Mark and Lexie across the hall. I also wanted to say how much I loved the scenes with Owen and Cristina. The therapy sessions were very well done. I loved how the second session was constructed and made you think they were having a private conversation, then the camera pans and shows you that they are in a session with Dr. Wyatt. Kevin McKidd and Sandra Oh can deliver an amazing scene even with little or no words spoken. Both are just amazing to watch. Pretty much all the characters had high points. I loved the use of multiple voice-overs at the end, It will be interesting to see how everyone fares by the end of the season. Thoughts?—Maya

Matt Roush: For me, it was one of premiere week’s most deservedly successful openers. Devoting two hours to putting George to rest paid the character and actor proper respect, and as you said, gave much of the ensemble a chance to shine (although Callie’s third go-round of hysterics may have gone a bit too far for my taste, and the laughing at the funeral became overdone, not unusual for this show). The mix of sorrow with humor kept the emotion of it all from becoming too maudling, and I liked the way the episode also weaved in what’s going to be one of the season’s biggest stories: the impending merger with Mercy West and how that will shake up the status quo for each of these doctors. Even when Grey’s drives you crazy, it’s still one of TV’s most enjoyable series.

Ask Matt Q's from the past: Owen Hunt

2009-09-05T17:12:00.001-07:00

Question: Welcome back! I'm curious to see what your thoughts are on Owen Hunt and his development on Grey's Anatomy so far? I personally am very impressed with Kevin McKidd and Sandra Oh's work. Their acting styles complement each other and I find the material concerning Owen and Cristina well written, even though it may not amount to much screen time. I was concerned at first with how the PSTD story line would play out, but I find that it has just the right balance and I am more interested in Owen and Cristina in every episode. The episode where Owen is in Cristina's shower recounting his past surgery still haunts me, as well as his recent panic attack. The fact that he has become completely dependent on Cristina for support is also a testament to how Cristina has evolved as a character. Owen on the surface is a tough, badass surgeon, but at the end of the day he's a lost little boy that just needs to be taken care of. Kevin McKidd is impeccable at honing into the raw emotions of his characters. We see that in Owen's emotionally charged scenes, but also in scenes like the recent episode with Faye Dunaway (which was amazing) where he has a very observant/mature quality to his personality. As his PSTD becomes more prominent, which seems to be in the next new episodes, it will be interesting to see how this takes a toll on Owen and Cristina's relationship, but they seem to have a level of maturity that is rare on Grey's. Your thoughts?—Maya

Matt Roush: I think you nailed it, that on a show where even characters like the Chief act like mewling cry-babies too often, there’s a maturity and gravity—and drama that transcends soap opera—in the Owen-Cristina relationship. They’re playing the hell out of it. And hasn’t the show gotten better since the ghost of Denny dropped out of the picture? (I’m liking the show enough again that I didn’t even mind being called a “douche” by association in last week’s hilarious South Park episode, associating Grey’s in a demonic plot by Disney involving the Jonas Brothers and their purity pledge as a front to sell sex to minors.)

Ask Matt Q's from the past: Grey's Anatomy

2009-09-05T17:06:00.000-07:00

Question: After reading your “finale watch” review about the Grey's Anatomy finale, I have to say as a long-time fan I was very satisfied in spite of the cliffhangers. The show basically came back from the dead. I loved the fact that Meredith and Derek are past all the crap and are just happy together and don't even need a real wedding to prove it. I was especially happy with how Cristina and Owen turned out. I've said this before, but I think Kevin McKidd and Sandra Oh kept fans like me watching this year. I was wondering your views on the shortness of the scene with Owen and Cristina visiting his mother for the first time. I have to say as a fan I felt kind of robbed of the conversation, especially seeing a great actress like Debra Mooney only getting one line. I realize it’s a finale, but it was a major goal that Owen had been preparing for, and it could have been handled better, although I was impressed that Cristina went with him and basically stuck up for his mother. On the flip side, I think we really got to see how much Cristina has evolved. I honestly don't remember seeing her smile so much in one episode. Many of her situations with Owen reminded me of scenes with Burke from earlier seasons, such as the "I don't want you to die" and "I love you" moments. Her speech to him in the vent was just amazing. Sandra Oh is such a master of mixing drama and comedy, and Owen's reactions to Cristina reminded me a lot of the "before" Owen in the season premiere. Only this time around, Cristina was able to save him from getting wrecked again. I also took note of the parallels between the characters and the accident victims in the season premiere, for some of them coming around full circle. There was also an interesting parallel with Cristina and Bailey: two of the most vocal and brutally honest characters on the show, both struggling when they realize what they have to do to get to that happy ending, or just have peace of mind. Also, what do you think the chances are for Sandra Oh and Kevin McKidd getting Emmy nominations this year? On a side note, regarding Brothers & Sisters, I know you have commented previously that the Ryan character was not working on the show, I have to say I agree as well. I think it’s just the personality of the actor with me. If Ryan was played by someone else, I am sure it could be a bit more interesting. My favorite moment in the whole series has to be that "silent" breakfast table scene with the Walkers in Mexico. It reminded me of a warped version of Woody Allen's dinner scenes. I hope next year for both shows the writing is more balanced than it has been.—Maya

Matt Roush: You and me both. I’ve made no secret about how impressed I’ve been by the Cristina-Owen arc: painful, powerful, passionate and finally redemptive for both emotionally repressed characters. Can’t wait to see what’s next for them, and I’m betting that we’ll see much more of Owen’s mom, now that it’s established she’s being played by someone as wonderful as Debra Mooney. (I also wondered if maybe part of their reunion scene was cut, but maybe her appearance was just a tease of things to come. I can only imagine the sparks between her and Sandra Oh.) As for Emmy nominations: It’s possible. Sandra Oh is accustomed to Emmy attention, and this was a strong season for her. Kevin McKidd’s a little more of an outsider, but he’s a solid choice, and may carry some industry cred from his Rome stint on HBO. Fingers crossed. Read on for a fan’s all-encompassing perspective on Grey’s fifth season. It’s long, but I promise you I trimmed it by about half.

Old Ask Matt Q's "Grey's Anatomy"/Owen Hunt

2009-09-05T17:01:00.000-07:00

Question: I am absolutely fascinated with Owen Hunt (Kevin McKidd) on Grey's Anatomy. I love the dynamic between Hunt and Yang and also how we are able to see him at two different points in his life in reference to his posttraumatic stress disorder. He was literally the walking dead in last week's episode until Yang snapped him out of it with her own personal story involving her father's death. Hunt's PTSD will be an interesting thing for Yang and the rest of the hospital staff to deal with. Yang and Hunt also seem to jump past certain areas in terms of how they connect with each other, but I hope that it is not a slow-building relationship. When they first met, there was an instant attraction, they made out and they have already "fixed" each other at one point or another physically. Mentally, both are complete chaos. Derek's comparison of Yang to single malt scotch was a cool analogy, considering that single malt scotch is the snowflake of whisky, Did anyone notice in Hunt's "cameo" the week before, he orders whiskey at Joe's but changes his mind. Foreshadowing? There are some things about Yang that Meredith will never understand, and I think Yang is the only one who can help Hunt come to grips with his PTSD. I also think that Hunt will help Yang get over the debacle that was Burke, but he will force her to be more personal than she has been even with Meredith in order to get through to him. I have high hopes for this character, in spite of all the irregular writing that has plagued others like Izzie and Callie. It is also great to see Kevin McKidd back on television. I thoughtJourneyman was prematurely cancelled and loved him in Rome. At the same time, I hope the Grey'swriters will explore Hunt's PTSD responsibly and not glamorize it for the sake of ratings. — Maya

Matt Roush: I agree that Hunt/McKidd is the most encouraging thing to happen to Grey's Anatomy in quite a while. I'm not sure I want the show to explore so fully the PTSD angle that it would be at the expense of the more combative and charismatic sides of his personality, but the instant sparks between him and Yang were electrifying — and I really enjoyed the scene where he humbled himself before Derek and Sloan to say he needed their guidance to operate on a different sort of battlefield. And who wouldn't love someone who has no use for all the hanky-panky going on in this oversexed hospital? Finally, a grown-up! More, more, more of this guy. And by the way, single malt scotch "the snowflake of whisky?" Niiiice.

Ask Matt Q's from the past: Mad Men

2009-09-05T16:58:00.001-07:00

Question: Being such a fan of Mad Men, I envision certain filmmakers directing an episode or two. I have always thought that a director like Martin Scorsese or even the amazing Hong Kong director Wong Kar Wai would have interesting takes on NY in the early 1960s. In particular, Wong Kar Wai's style is rich in voyeurism, and he has such a fascination with the early 1960s. If you have seen his film In the Mood for Love, it is shot similarly like Mad Men, but he has an interesting way of incorporating music and movement. The Coen brothers would also be an interesting choice for obvious reasons. I was wondering if you thinkMad Men would benefit from different directorial styles, or would it make the show's style too jumbled, as I consider it more like art television rather than an ordinary TV drama.--Maya

Answer: An interesting idea, especially considering the show airs on AMC (the middle initial standing for "Movie"). It's a very seductive notion to have masters of cinema take a crack at a show that looks (more than most) like a classic movie each week, but given the tight budget and schedule on which this show operates, and the tight control Matthew Weiner exercises over each detail in each episode, it's hard for me to imagine this working logistically. Besides, as Weiner would be the first to say, he's working with a stable of some of the best directors in TV today. Still, what a cool idea.--Matt Roush

My Recent "Ask Matt" on True Blood and Nurse Jackie

2009-09-05T16:54:00.000-07:00

Question: This season of True Blood has been truly amazing. At first I was just happy that Lafayette was alive, but as the season went on, I am kind of glad that we were able to get out of Sookie and Bill's head a bit, and get more than one-dimensional versions of the other characters. I liked how they split up the time between Dallas, the Fellowship and Bon Temps. These last few episodes with all the black-eyed zombie likenesses of Bon Temps citizens is an obvious reference to the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. One of the things I love most about the show is how allegorical it is while also breaking the conventions of what we thought we knew about vampires and such. The unlikely bond of Jason and Andy has been hilarious to watch. Two people that have done nothing but loathe each other are on a mission, totally reminiscent of the rednecks with shotguns in all those zombie movies. As far as Sookie and Bill go, like you mentioned last week, Eric is there to make you want to choose sides, but like many I love the banter between Eric and Bill and don't want it to end. Also whoever says they don't want to see a Lafayette/Eric dream sequence is not being honest. Hoyt and Jessica are completely adorable. How tragic a realization that you will be a virgin the rest of your days even though you're not. I like that she is kind of the teenage daughter Bill never got to raise. It’s one of the relationships in the show I have enjoyed watching most, because like Tara and Eggs were once, they seem too good to be true. I am secretly hoping that Hoyt will get Jessica to turn him. What a great way to get back at Mamma. I also wanted to mention Nurse Jackie. I really enjoyed the show this summer. I am always drawn to characters that have a double life such as Don Draper in Mad Menand Walt in Breaking Bad. Jackie is one of the best conflicted female characters to come along in a while. You almost hate her because of the things she does, but then she does things that totally conflict with your original opinion, especially when you see her with her adorable husband and children. With Nurse Jackie, I love the other characters just as much, especially O'Hara (Eve Best, who I now wish I had seen on Broadway), and Zoey (Merritt Wever) who is just laugh-out-loud funny with perfect comedic timing. I think what I like most is that unlike other medical shows, like ER, it is less rushed and more concerned with the character development. It’s not ramming style down your throat, just telling the story, which I can't get enough of. Thoughts?—Maya

Matt Roush: A lot to digest there. I agree with most of your points, but don’t really see a link with post-Katrina except for the fact that it’s set in Louisiana and there is much chaos (albeit of an orgiastic nature as opposed to post-disaster despair). Hoyt and Jessica may be my favorite relationship on the show right now, but the new buddy team of Jason and Andy brings me great joy as well. As for Nurse Jackie, we’re very much on the same page, and I liked how you put her in the same company as those AMC anti-heroes. She is at least as big a mess as those guys.

True Blood: "Keep this Party Going" (review)

2009-06-22T20:35:00.000-07:00

Not sure where to begin with this episode but it was crazier than the premiere I thought. First we have Lafayette, still in Fangtasia's basement/dungeon/whatever. Banter with Eric was hilarious considering the circumstances. Is there blood in my hair?? Ha ha. Poor Eric and his hair, dont know how I feel about the shorter look...hmmm. Have to say that scene with Lafayette getting the pin out of that redneck's leg was pretty gruesome. Although I'm guessing its not the most gruesome scene we have yet to see. The scene with the crazy gun lady was hilarious. One thing I notice about Lafayette, he can pretty much sum up what you're like within two seconds. He's street smart but lacks a lot of vampire ettiquette.

Jason's on his way to vacation bible vampire hating school. His ride reminded me of the Strangers With Candy episode when Jerri ended up part of a cult. Of course Jason charms his way into the group, making an enemy of his roommate. Fun times. That vampire hater 'skit' was so bad that it was funny, but you see how traumatized Jason is about his past. Aside from Bill, I think he's the most conflicting character on the show.

Tara's dating. But Maryann literally has power over Sam. How do you make a shape shifter shift exactly? Will he eventually get stuck that way? She's getting creepier and creepier by the minute. Arlene and Terry are so cute, I love them, at least Terry's straight up mentally ill with his PSTD. Not hiding it like Renee was. Even though he's a redneck and a loser/alcoholic, you almost feel sorry for Andy but not quite at least not after you see him dance.

I like how Sookie is trying to make things right with Jessica. I think Jessica is still to naive to hold a grudge against Sookie for what happened, and is actually happy about being a vampire. Though once she's had time to simmer and digest what has happened i'm guessing she'll want to settle the score. It was kind of funny seeing Bill trying to buy clothes for Jessica, and then running into Eric who the sales person thought was his gay vampire lover. I kind of like the banter between Bill and Eric even though its obvious they're not really friends. Sookie and Bill are kind of like Jessica's foster parents now, but I wasn't surprised when she go Sookie to bring her to her family's house. It was an interesting twist though to have her totally turn on her abusive father. Love how Bill knew exactly what was going on and showed up at the right time. Though I suppose they will have to have more make up sex after this fight, because its' going to be a big one.

Oh and Lafayette becoming vampire? Keep this party going indeed!

True Blood: "Nothing But the Blood" (review)

2009-06-16T20:52:00.000-07:00

Oh Bon Temps how we've missed you. It hardly seems a year has gone by since we have been engaged in the world of Sookie Stackhouse and all her misfortunes. The most shocking perhaps was finding out that Lafayette (Nelsan Ellis) is alive. If you are familiar with the novels, you are aware that Lafayette's fate is pretty much fatal. One of my favorite characters, I was totally happy to see him, in spite of the dungeon. What is that all about anyway? My guess its under Fangtasia but not so sure, but yay for Lafayette being alive!

That aside, I think its interesting to see how Tara (Rutina Wesley) and Jason (Ryan Kwanten) are both finding themselves on what they believe to be life changing paths. Tara's interrogated by Andy and co. at the station regarding "Ms. Janette's" mysterious death. Her mother getting the third degree from the complete stranger Maryann, you almost feel sorry for her. Tara, now totally charmed by Maryann (Michelle Forbes) whose mysterious ties with Sam (Sam Trammell) are yet to be fully discovered. We know she has something to settle with him but what exactly? I like that Sam still has some dark secrets, poor guy can't get a break can he? First Sookie ends up back with Bill after Sam risked his life to save her from Rene, then Tara is scooped up by Maryann and some mystery guy that he knows nothing about. Can't get any worse can it? BTW Maryann, what's her deal, she obviously has some kind of supernatural-ism we don't know yet, is she a vampire? A shape shifter? Or just some effed up metaphysical mess? Then we have Jason who is totally convinced that he is supposed to join the church of latter day vampire haters, aptly named the "Light of Day Institute" poor misguided Jason, has he learned nothing? Obviously not, waiting for the eminent scene from Borat to replay itself at some point. Always great to see Jessica Tuck by the way, I have missed her on my tv screen.

Comic relief of the evening was of course Bill (Stephen Moyer) and his new 'daughter' Jessica (Deborah Ann Woll) the 17 year old vampire that he made last season and passed on to him by Eric (Alexander Skarsgard) who is leading investigations against crimes against vampires. In an odd way it is sort of a way for Bill to experience the teenage angst as a parent that he never did with the family he abandoned after becoming vampire. At the same time, you can see how he is morally struggling with what he lets Sookie know and what he hides from her. As she discovers he killed her uncle, even though it was to settle the score for her, she has the right to be angry of course. But it is another example of how vampire politics, score settling, whatever, will continue to be a struggle for them. If they even keep being a couple after this.

I guess we can pretty much count on Arlene (Carrie Preston) ending up with Terry (Todd Lowe). You have to feel sorry for the poor girl, the man she loved turned out to be a crazy vampire hater and slayer of women. While Terry has his own issues like PSTD, I think they'll be good together, I mean it can't get any worse for Arlene than being engaged/married/whatever to a serial killer.

All in all I love how everything has been set up so far. The suspense, and mystery are there full swing, and I am sure will continue to gain momentum. So interesting to find out what exactly is going on in that dungeon, and also what really happened to Ms. Jeanette, though I'm fairly certain she's the one that Bill fed on. Now if only Sunday would arrive quicker :)