11/21 "Tidings of Comfort and Joy"

[tvfan0101]

Our last new episode for probably six weeks, tonight's episode not only was aired with only one commercial break following the opening credits and one before the closing credits, it also saw the long awaited return of JJ Pryor.

It was strange watching it without commercials, to be honest. The short fade to blacks where the commercial breaks would go were nice, though. It was great not having to wait through the commercials.

I think the best scene, even better than JJ walking into the house, was between Jack and Pete at the store:

Jack: "He's not coming home, Pete. He's not."

It was just tragic, to see a man who for so long believed his son was coming home to final have it hit home that maybe, just maybe, he may not be coming home after all. And despite the fact that JJ did end up coming home, the scene was still a nice touch.

I hope the writers will be following up one what looks to me to be a case of post-traumatic stress syndrome for JJ. He obviously went through his own personal hell while fighting/MIA and that just does not go away. We saw a bit of it tonight and it would be silly to just ignore it.

I wonder if Beth and JJ will be getting back together now that he is back. With her hating her family so, I cannot see Jack or Helen trying to kick her out of the house. And I doubt JJ can afford to purcase a place for the two of them.

All in all, a great episode.

As an aside, did anyone else really enjoy the long, cinematic Ford commercial after the episoded wrapped up? I thought it was terrific.

[Daisy2800]

I have friends and family fighting in that war and to see Ford play upon their sacrifices and their deaths to have monetary gain and to sell a few mustangs outrages me... I can't believe people buy into this... People are dying over there.... and all Ford cares about is selling a few mustangs... unbelievable..... I can't believe capitalism has come to this.....
Help us...

[tvfan0101]

I have friends and family fighting in Iraq as well and I think this commercial was incredibly powerful and equally as tasteful. Did you notice how long it was? That length of commercial costs a lot of money. And how many shots of Ford cars did we see? Two or three, tops. It was about the people and it was about the emotions.

It was a very nice gesture on behalf of Ford for our fighting men and women overseas.

"We at Ford wish everyone in the Armed Forces a safe return. For your service, you have our gratitude."

But this has gotten off the subject at hand. I never intended for this thread to turn into a discussion on the Ford commercial. It was just an afterthought.

Back to American Dreams, folks.

[Daisy2800]

The dad saying that while he was over fighting what kept him giong was thinking about the car. I honestly hope that my family is wanting to return home for the sole reason of living, and to see their children again, and to be happy again, not to be able to have a mustang.. i hurts me that they are talking what my family is fighting for and wanting us to buy thier cars. there is nothing nice about htis, it is purely american greed!

[tvfan0101]

I doubt anything I say here is going to change your mind about this - from what you said in the other thread I think your anger at the ad is misplaced anger towards corporations. So, I am not going to say anything else about the ad. You are entitled to your opinion and I am to mine.

[Daisy2800]

I appriciate your maturity, It just hurts to see my feelings be turned into a comerical, I almost feel like I am being mocked. But we'll just leave it at our own opinions, that is the best way.

[mygeneration]

Was, without a doubt, the best episode aired in all three seasons. The layered scenes and emotions had my tears flowing for the full hour.
This show is destined to be a classic. I just hope it stays on Sun. nite when I'm always assured of seeing it.

MG

[razzamatazz]

Wow, sounds like a fantastic episode!!! I can't wait to see it, with tissues in hand.

And now I'm going to be really shallow, reveal my beth and JJ shippiness and ask about how the JJ/Beth scenes. What happened between JJ and Beth and how did the kiss at the end between them come about?

[Trish Marie]

It was to me, a very emotional hour, from the beginning of American Dreams, to the end of the Ford commercial.

I cannot say enough about tonights American Dreams, so I won't even start.

The Ford commercial had me thinking more about our people in harms way all over the world then it had me thinkjng about cars, but I can understand how anybody with family or friends in the armed sevices would be very sensitive to the subject.

My respect, thoughts and best wishes go out to them.

And thank you American Dreams for a great show.

Trish

[stepperry]

I think might hurt by the that Meg is still anti-war even now that he is home. He was happy to hold son. When did they know that JJ was going to be home? Does anyone that JJ seemed distant to his family?

[KimB]

Yes a 3 tissue episode

1- for when JJ walked into the house and held little Johh for the first time

2- thinking about the 5 weeks til a new episode

3- the Ford commercial at the end
Honestly, I never thought of it as Ford trying to earn a buck by appealing to peoples feelings about the war. It reminded me of those Hallmark commercials you see when they air Hallmark Hall Of Fame Made for TV movies. I don't wan to further this discussion on whether Ford was justified in selling this way but one thing surprised me, I didn't know they still make Thunderbirds.

[mygeneration]

Hey Raz,

She was holding the baby and he asked if he could feed him. While he was feed "Trip" he looked at her and laid it on her.
I hope the writers don't take the cliche approach and try to make JJ into this brooding, screwed up Nam vet.

[mygeneration]

Originally posted by stepperry
I think might hurt by the that Meg is still anti-war even now that he is home. He was happy to hold son. When did they know that JJ was going to be home? Does anyone that JJ seemed distant to his family?

JJ is distant because he has just been through a tremendous ordeal and hasn't had time to adjust.

They found out he was coming home just after Dad and the others went to midnight Mass....the phone rang and Meg answered it.

That's when I lost it and started bawling.

[mygeneration]

Originally posted by tvobscurities
Our last new episode for probably six weeks, tonight's episode not only was aired with only one commercial break following the opening credits and one before the closing credits, it also saw the long awaited return of JJ Pryor.

It was strange watching it without commercials, to be honest. The short fade to blacks where the commercial breaks would go were nice, though. It was great not having to wait through the commercials.

I think the best scene, even better than JJ walking into the house, was between Jack and Pete at the store:

Jack: "He's not coming home, Pete. He's not."

It was just tragic, to see a man who for so long believed his son was coming home to final have it hit home that maybe, just maybe, he may not be coming home after all. And despite the fact that JJ did end up coming home, the scene was still a nice touch.

I hope the writers will be following up one what looks to me to be a case of post-traumatic stress syndrome for JJ. He obviously went through his own personal hell while fighting/MIA and that just does not go away. We saw a bit of it tonight and it would be silly to just ignore it.

I wonder if Beth and JJ will be getting back together now that he is back. With her hating her family so, I cannot see Jack or Helen trying to kick her out of the house. And I doubt JJ can afford to purcase a place for the two of them.

All in all, a great episode.

As an aside, did anyone else really enjoy the long, cinematic Ford commercial after the episoded wrapped up? I thought it was terrific.

I agree with you, but as I said in an earlier post, I hope they don't turn JJ into this screwed up Nam vet. I think they should and will deal with the post stress issue, but plenty of my generation came back from Nam and led normal lives. I hope they go that direction.

The Ford commercial was a very nice touch.

[Daisy2800]

Thank you Trish.... It is very sensitive issue

[wolf paws]

I haven't watched the epside all the way through, but enjoyed the parts when Helen announced to Jack and everyone else that JJ was finally coming home, when JJj walked through the door and everyone hugged him and he got to hold his son at that time and also near the end. I also liked the Ford commercial.