The "Rescue Me" Appreciation Thread.
06-07-06, 02:00 PM
#1
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The "Rescue Me" Appreciation Thread.
"Rescue Me" is the finest show on television right now! It is smartly crafted, witty and incredibly well written. No show has me go through the gambit of emotions week end and week out. No show has thrilled me this much in years.
Denis Leary's Tommy Gavin is the best written character in a serio-comedic drama in sometime. He is the best tortured anti-hero hero ever. He makes me laugh, cry, and cheer. He actually makes me cheer for him despite the many, many flaws he has as a character. He is so finely crafted and makes him infintely watchable. I don't think Denis is playing too much of a stretch as I am almost sure that he is in many ways Tommy and that is what makes him so rich and so great in this role. Sometimes you know a role an actor/actress was meant to play and Tommy is his. No other character he has or will play will ever compare.
And nothing else compares to this ensemble as well. Each character is perfect and the actors in the roles are perfect. They each have personality and a new layer you discover each week. Perfect casting.
I just want to show my overall appreciation and love that this show is on the air and hoping that it is for many years to come.
Denis Leary's Tommy Gavin is the best written character in a serio-comedic drama in sometime. He is the best tortured anti-hero hero ever. He makes me laugh, cry, and cheer. He actually makes me cheer for him despite the many, many flaws he has as a character. He is so finely crafted and makes him infintely watchable. I don't think Denis is playing too much of a stretch as I am almost sure that he is in many ways Tommy and that is what makes him so rich and so great in this role. Sometimes you know a role an actor/actress was meant to play and Tommy is his. No other character he has or will play will ever compare.
And nothing else compares to this ensemble as well. Each character is perfect and the actors in the roles are perfect. They each have personality and a new layer you discover each week. Perfect casting.
I just want to show my overall appreciation and love that this show is on the air and hoping that it is for many years to come.
06-07-06, 02:17 PM
#2
DVD Talk Legend
On a related topic, anyone who loves Rescue Me and is not aware of Leary's previous series, The Job, should do themself a favor and check it out. Half-hour comedy series from the same creative team as Rescue Me (Leary and Peter Tolan), and even features a couple of Rescue Me actors (Uncle Teddy for one).
It is a great edgy comedy series, which of course is why it didn't survive on the major networks.
It is a great edgy comedy series, which of course is why it didn't survive on the major networks.
06-07-06, 02:21 PM
#3
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Originally Posted by bunkaroo
On a related topic, anyone who loves Rescue Me and is not aware of Leary's previous series, The Job, should do themself a favor and check it out. Half-hour comedy series from the same creative team as Rescue Me (Leary and Peter Tolan), and even features a couple of Rescue Me actors (Uncle Teddy for one).
It is a great edgy comedy series, which of course is why it didn't survive on the major networks.
It is a great edgy comedy series, which of course is why it didn't survive on the major networks.
And on a Rescue Me note, I 110% agree. Amazing show. I think the DVDtalk review of season 2 puts it well...
"Gavin is not at all a typical television hero. Capable of both heartbreaking insight and unthinkable cruelty, Gavin is a walking time-bomb, visibly coming apart at the seams throughout the show. But what makes Gavin special is his tremendous sense of magnetism. Leary calls on every ounce of his formidable comic talents to turn his complex character into one of television's richest portraits. Gavin's emotions twist and turn in the wind when the rest of the world leaves him hanging, but Leary doesn't go for easy sympathy. Gavin's tremendous self-loathing is clear on his face, but so is his monumental ego."
06-07-06, 02:50 PM
#4
DVD Talk Special Edition
I cant say enough about this show. It's just about as perfect as it gets for me. Dont know if I've ever watched a show/movie that can be fall on the floor funny one minute and then have you sucking back tears the next.
Something is seriously wrong if Dennis Leary doesnt get a emmy for his performance. The scene last season where he has Sheila's girlfriend hit him and then breaks down was just heart breaking. The whole episode you could just feel the emotion of his son's death build and build until it exploded, just a amazing piece of acting.
The rest of the cast is superb, and the writing is the bread and butter.
Love it, Love it, Love it.
Something is seriously wrong if Dennis Leary doesnt get a emmy for his performance. The scene last season where he has Sheila's girlfriend hit him and then breaks down was just heart breaking. The whole episode you could just feel the emotion of his son's death build and build until it exploded, just a amazing piece of acting.
The rest of the cast is superb, and the writing is the bread and butter.
Love it, Love it, Love it.
06-07-06, 04:01 PM
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Originally Posted by CKMorpheus
"Gavin is not at all a typical television hero. Capable of both heartbreaking insight and unthinkable cruelty, Gavin is a walking time-bomb, visibly coming apart at the seams throughout the show. But what makes Gavin special is his tremendous sense of magnetism. Leary calls on every ounce of his formidable comic talents to turn his complex character into one of television's richest portraits. Gavin's emotions twist and turn in the wind when the rest of the world leaves him hanging, but Leary doesn't go for easy sympathy. Gavin's tremendous self-loathing is clear on his face, but so is his monumental ego."
06-07-06, 04:27 PM
#6
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This season just reconfirms that this is my favorite f/x series and probably #2 or #3 behind the Wire and Deadwood.
06-07-06, 04:43 PM
#8
DVD Talk Hero
BTW, I absolutely adore Rescue Me, and am genuinely stunned by Leary's acting - the boy's got more chops than I ever imagined.
But the show does have some things that annoy me... this excerpt from dvdVerdict perfectly sums up the only thing that may be wrong with it:
Despite being a well-written, witty, and gripping show, the writing has a transparency to its plot points that borders on the inanely predictable. These deux ex machina plot points are foolishly obvious to even the most casual of observer. With the exception of Tommy (because who the hell understands that guy?), the motivations of the characters and plot directions are surprisingly transparent and the show often bends the rules of realism and common sense in order to create the most painfully awkward and fitting punishments that would make Dante proud.
Examples of the above:
I like the show, I really do, but I grow weary of shows that are unnecessarily cruel to their characters out of some perverse sense of boredom. The show cares more about karmic justice than it does about realism and it absolutely revels in punishing its characters for every minor infraction. This style of writing works spectacularly when everything clicks, but stumbles into repetition and predictability more often than not.
But the show does have some things that annoy me... this excerpt from dvdVerdict perfectly sums up the only thing that may be wrong with it:
Despite being a well-written, witty, and gripping show, the writing has a transparency to its plot points that borders on the inanely predictable. These deux ex machina plot points are foolishly obvious to even the most casual of observer. With the exception of Tommy (because who the hell understands that guy?), the motivations of the characters and plot directions are surprisingly transparent and the show often bends the rules of realism and common sense in order to create the most painfully awkward and fitting punishments that would make Dante proud.
Examples of the above:
Spoiler:
I like the show, I really do, but I grow weary of shows that are unnecessarily cruel to their characters out of some perverse sense of boredom. The show cares more about karmic justice than it does about realism and it absolutely revels in punishing its characters for every minor infraction. This style of writing works spectacularly when everything clicks, but stumbles into repetition and predictability more often than not.
06-07-06, 08:36 PM
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Originally Posted by Derrich
Better Anti-Hero, Tommy Gavin or Vic Mackey?
D
D
06-07-06, 09:56 PM
#12
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Originally Posted by bunkaroo
On a related topic, anyone who loves Rescue Me and is not aware of Leary's previous series, The Job, should do themself a favor and check it out. Half-hour comedy series from the same creative team as Rescue Me (Leary and Peter Tolan), and even features a couple of Rescue Me actors (Uncle Teddy for one).
It is a great edgy comedy series, which of course is why it didn't survive on the major networks.
It is a great edgy comedy series, which of course is why it didn't survive on the major networks.
Anyway, Rescue Me has arguably been my favorite drama since midway through its second season. I enjoyed the first season, but the second season was a true tour-de-force and the third season is off to a great start.
06-08-06, 06:04 AM
#14
DVD Talk Legend
Originally Posted by bunkaroo
Let me clarify-the Job is quite different from Rescue Me, but I think you can see the similarities in the comedy side. I enjoyed it very much.
06-08-06, 08:56 AM
#15
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Originally Posted by Chew
I picked up The Job due to Rescue Me being one of my current favorite shows. I liked it for what it was, but it's not in the same league.
Yeah, but
Spoiler:
06-08-06, 10:01 AM
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Originally Posted by slop101
BTW, I absolutely adore Rescue Me, and am genuinely stunned by Leary's acting - the boy's got more chops than I ever imagined.
But the show does have some things that annoy me... this excerpt from dvdVerdict perfectly sums up the only thing that may be wrong with it:
Despite being a well-written, witty, and gripping show, the writing has a transparency to its plot points that borders on the inanely predictable. These deux ex machina plot points are foolishly obvious to even the most casual of observer. With the exception of Tommy (because who the hell understands that guy?), the motivations of the characters and plot directions are surprisingly transparent and the show often bends the rules of realism and common sense in order to create the most painfully awkward and fitting punishments that would make Dante proud.
Examples of the above:
I like the show, I really do, but I grow weary of shows that are unnecessarily cruel to their characters out of some perverse sense of boredom. The show cares more about karmic justice than it does about realism and it absolutely revels in punishing its characters for every minor infraction. This style of writing works spectacularly when everything clicks, but stumbles into repetition and predictability more often than not.
But the show does have some things that annoy me... this excerpt from dvdVerdict perfectly sums up the only thing that may be wrong with it:
Despite being a well-written, witty, and gripping show, the writing has a transparency to its plot points that borders on the inanely predictable. These deux ex machina plot points are foolishly obvious to even the most casual of observer. With the exception of Tommy (because who the hell understands that guy?), the motivations of the characters and plot directions are surprisingly transparent and the show often bends the rules of realism and common sense in order to create the most painfully awkward and fitting punishments that would make Dante proud.
Examples of the above:
Spoiler:
I like the show, I really do, but I grow weary of shows that are unnecessarily cruel to their characters out of some perverse sense of boredom. The show cares more about karmic justice than it does about realism and it absolutely revels in punishing its characters for every minor infraction. This style of writing works spectacularly when everything clicks, but stumbles into repetition and predictability more often than not.
I don't disagree with this assessment, and I also think the show's characters are sometimes TOO extreme (especially Tommy's ex, and most of the women characters for that matter), but the dialogue is so well written and acting so strong that I'm able to overlook these flaws.
06-08-06, 01:49 PM
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I've been a Leary fan for a long time (as an actor), and I LOVED "The Job". As much as I was upset at its cancellation, "Rescue Me" has certainly been something good to come from it.
MEJ, like most shows, it would be a richer experience if you could see the show from the beginning, especially since S1 and 2 are already out on DVD. There's a lot of backstory to the characters that you should see, though there's still a lot to enjoy if you just jump in.
MEJ, like most shows, it would be a richer experience if you could see the show from the beginning, especially since S1 and 2 are already out on DVD. There's a lot of backstory to the characters that you should see, though there's still a lot to enjoy if you just jump in.
09-16-11, 01:05 PM
#20
DVD Talk Legend
Re: The "Rescue Me" Appreciation Thread.
BTW, I absolutely adore Rescue Me, and am genuinely stunned by Leary's acting - the boy's got more chops than I ever imagined.
But the show does have some things that annoy me... this excerpt from dvdVerdict perfectly sums up the only thing that may be wrong with it:
Despite being a well-written, witty, and gripping show, the writing has a transparency to its plot points that borders on the inanely predictable. These deux ex machina plot points are foolishly obvious to even the most casual of observer. With the exception of Tommy (because who the hell understands that guy?), the motivations of the characters and plot directions are surprisingly transparent and the show often bends the rules of realism and common sense in order to create the most painfully awkward and fitting punishments that would make Dante proud.
Examples of the above:
I like the show, I really do, but I grow weary of shows that are unnecessarily cruel to their characters out of some perverse sense of boredom. The show cares more about karmic justice than it does about realism and it absolutely revels in punishing its characters for every minor infraction. This style of writing works spectacularly when everything clicks, but stumbles into repetition and predictability more often than not.
But the show does have some things that annoy me... this excerpt from dvdVerdict perfectly sums up the only thing that may be wrong with it:
Despite being a well-written, witty, and gripping show, the writing has a transparency to its plot points that borders on the inanely predictable. These deux ex machina plot points are foolishly obvious to even the most casual of observer. With the exception of Tommy (because who the hell understands that guy?), the motivations of the characters and plot directions are surprisingly transparent and the show often bends the rules of realism and common sense in order to create the most painfully awkward and fitting punishments that would make Dante proud.
Examples of the above:
Spoiler:
I like the show, I really do, but I grow weary of shows that are unnecessarily cruel to their characters out of some perverse sense of boredom. The show cares more about karmic justice than it does about realism and it absolutely revels in punishing its characters for every minor infraction. This style of writing works spectacularly when everything clicks, but stumbles into repetition and predictability more often than not.
I'm three into season three.
First two season are terrific but the spoiler section above is what really bugs je about then first two seasons.
Not only that but everything that happens is to the extreme.
Someone gets Alzheimer's and then tries to kill themselves. Someone learns he has a child with a drug addict and the addict dies of an overdose. Too over the top.
As I said I'm three I to three and these have been great episodes.
The drama is chilling and the humor is spot on.
Leery is amazing, has he won an Emmy for this show?
Something that seems to pop into my mind is that this show is
Spoiler:
Anyway season three is great so far looking forward to the rest.
Also sorry to bump a five year topic but I didn't see another one to, bump.
09-16-11, 01:55 PM
#21
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: The "Rescue Me" Appreciation Thread.
Have fun going through the rest of the show's run, you've already seen it at its best. There's some shitty episodes and recycled plot lines that you'll get tired of from here on out.
