"Change"--(Pilot Episode) Discussion Thread

[BensonFan]

Ok, I said I'd get these threads going, so let's kick off with the pilot episode, "Change".

Love the intro! Haven't seen it for years and years. Benson gets out of the cab, gets checked at the gate, hosed down by the gardener and chased by the dogs.

A pretty good intro episode, although I still think the story of Mrs. Gatling being eaten by horses is nuts!

My favorite line is definitely the "Reverend Benson Jackson?" line used by Gov Gatling. I'm telling you, that one can still make me laugh when I hear it.

Missy Gold was adorable when she was little, wasn't she?

I'm trying to figure out why the first John Taylor (seen only in this episode), David Hedison, was called "John" on the show but when Lewis Stadlen took over the part, he was called "Taylor" (?)

And did anyone else notice that James Noble's hair in this episode looks considerably darker than even the second episode? Did they dye his hair darker to make him look younger (and then just abandon the idea altogether?) or are my eyes deceiving me?

I loved Benson and Katie's dialogue..."what are you doing here?".."What are YOU doing here?" "Is this what our relationship is going to be like?".."I hope not; it's exhausting!" The two of them hit it off immediately and you could see the chemistry. It's really cute.

If I think of anything else, I'll post it.

[blink]

Thanks to the DVD it's the first time I've seen the intro and the state police at the gate would be very realistic due to the fact that they are the governors security in most states. Yes I agree the story about the demise of the late Mrs. Gatling was nuts but Noble's delivery of it was priceless. What a great actor.

[BensonFan]

Originally Posted by blink

Yes I agree the story about the demise of the late Mrs. Gatling was nuts but Noble's delivery of it was priceless. What a great actor.

Very true. Can't argue with that.

[svt65]

Well, considering his wife's first husband got killed by an elephant, I wonder how comfortable he feels around the larger-sized animals?

Sometimes I'm amazed JN could tell those stories without completely losing it! That one's has to be real since he's talking about his very loved wife, but I'm still trying to figure out which ones are not (since he admitted that only *most* of them are true).

Still waiting to get my DVDs from Amazon... will try to comment when they arrive.

[BensonFan]

Originally Posted by svt65

Well, considering his wife's first husband got killed by an elephant, I wonder how comfortable he feels around the larger-sized animals?

Yeah, he got killed by an elephant and she got killed by horses. Talk about bad luck with animals, huh?

[malicedoom]

Yeah, a very solid "pilot". And I had NEVER seen the original intro - didn't even know they HAD a 'unique' intro for the pilot - the only one I had seen was the syndicated intro - which is completely different, and MUCH shorter. These DVDs rock.

[BensonFan]

Originally Posted by malicedoom

Yeah, a very solid "pilot". And I had NEVER seen the original intro - didn't even know they HAD a 'unique' intro for the pilot - the only one I had seen was the syndicated intro - which is completely different, and MUCH shorter. These DVDs rock.

That's what's so cool--without these DVDs I doubt you'd EVER see that intro again. And lots of people are seeing it for the very first time. We absolutely need all the remaining seasons released because I'm enjoying the hell out of Season 1!!

[malicedoom]

Same here - I could not agree MORE. I was so excited at first when TV Land announced they were adding Benson, then was just the opposite when I saw how badly they were chopped up (even adding 'new' commercial breaks in the middle of scenes where none originally existed! - ARGH!), so being able to now have the first 24 eps of one of my favorite shows... UNCUT (!!!) is truly a treat.

To me, this was never your 'ordinary' sitcom, so to see it presented as such in re-runs just kills me. By chopping off the last few minutes of every ep (as the syndicated versions do), you're really missing the true 'conclusion' of almost every story! Not anymore, at least not with Season 1! Whoo-hoo!

[svt65]

I’m so geeky, I’m taking notes as I watch! Comments ever welcome...

1 -- Change.

The extended intro for this episode was nifty. We actually get to see the dogs, and look, there’s Benson’s future office! Great wide shot of the living room, it looks huge!

Agree with BensonFan, the rapport Katie and Benson had was obvious from the beginning, though I did feel it had ebbed by 7th season.

I love how Gene has his hair here, not combed back. Oddly, he also looks taller than usual to me -- maybe b/c of the smaller desk?

I was surprised to hear (from the bonus featurette) that Olivia was supposed to have died fairly recently. I never got that impression, b/c neither father or daughter seemed to be particularly distraught. I always felt she had passed away a couple of years earlier.

Yes, the Governor’s hair did appear darker here, especially when the lights hit it. His mention of how he got into politics hints that the previous governor was dishonest. Poor state, what a history!

“I hear you!” I always thought they should have had Benson -- as he got used to Kraus doing that -- sort of wait for her to yell it before getting back to work; playing a more active role in this long-running joke.

Nice different angle shots of the mansion, no standardised shots yet! Did they do this for other episodes? I recall they did some for the Bookburner.

Wonder if those portraits (the man and the woman) on either side of the fireplace were meant to show an especially important gubernatorial couple? I’m a history major, so all those pictures fascinate me.

I liked Katie’s line better with “suicide.”

Evidently since the governor started talking late, he is now intent on making up for lost time! :-D

My fave ep line(s): I don’t care if it was changed, my vote’s still going for Katie’s suicide line!

[catsrule]

I watched the first five episodes of Benson over the weekend. I'm so glad it came out on DVD. Here's hoping all the seasons are released.

[BensonFan]

Originally Posted by svt65

I was surprised to hear (from the bonus featurette) that Olivia was supposed to have died fairly recently. I never got that impression, b/c neither father or daughter seemed to be particularly distraught. I always felt she had passed away a couple of years earlier.

Good observation. I don't think Katie even once mentions her mother throughout the entire series, does she? I guess some people are just less emotional about death than others!

[MikeL]

i like to see it wish it be on utube or something that be great

[BensonFan]

I saw it last month on AOL Video....I think they have all of the Season 1 episodes up there, or at least quite a few of them.

[robyrob]

well, i am finally caught up enough to start watching my Benson dvd - I really enjoyed the heck out of the pilot, the writing was so fast and wild - the jokes still hold upgreat even today.

and two important notes: they are definitely NOT in Oregon or Idaho.

[catlover79]

I just watched the pilot of Benson for the first time ever. The last time I saw the show was in syndication back in the mid/late 1980s!! The pilot is a lot of fun - and I had no idea David Hedison was even in the pilot before watching it!! I wonder why he never made it to episode 2.

Anyway - the episode was a lot of fun, the writing was strong, and the cast is terrific! Missy Gold was a very talented (and cute!) child actress. I'm happy that she has gone on to lead a very stable and happy life after Hollywood - as DR. Gold!!