Love Lasts Forever: Episode 1.11

Early Observations:

1. I just realised that Mick's (gratuitously in the buff) surprising orgy of exercise actually makes it less gratuitous because it is justified: this happens after the last desperate and emotionally charged scene with Beth- I doubt that vampires need exercise. Mick does it to deal with intense feelings that have nowhere else to go. Yep, "an immortal with mortal feelings"- so unsupernatural!

2. Hands down, for me the extended scene of Josh's dying and their attempts to save him, is the most transcendent and penultimate of the series so far. Transcendent, because I found it a meditation on war/violence, and the life and death, and the human condition and fate, and the agony of what it means to be human. Mick said it all, "He's human". Beth wanted Mick to change human destiny and he wouldn't. Kudos to Mick for being so freaking strong and wise. How terrible for him to realise that sooner or later he will have to make a choice again.

I think I see a bit of homage to Terrence Malick in this who did "The Thin Red Line". Tho Josh is a bit of a cypher, he seemed so freaking human and real in this scene, his suffering very real, their attempts to rescue him shown graphically and intimately, with music that just enhances the poignancy, the sorrow and the grief- nary a false note, imo. It elevates the exigencies of being human to its most noble, tender, exquisite and keenly affecting level. It was poetic in its scope.

3. I love how Mick has a vision of how to live his life, and rules he tries to stick to, and no one can interfere with that. It takes great moral strength and courage to go against the tide and emotion. Which just throws up, in even greater relief, a frightening future where he will have to choose death or a half-life for Beth. Unless we are convinced that there can be a total upside to being a vampire- I wouldn't put it past the writers. Meantime, it becomes clearer and clearer that Mick possesses frightening power- not only power over life, but also over death. Makes him almost godlike.

4. I was absolutely shocked that Mick would got out for revenge- I don't think we've seen it to this degree before and he had absolutely no qualms about it. Has he changed somewhat? I was also stunned that he did it so publicly! Hello???? Is he gonna need the Cleaner. Will this come back to huant him at some point?

5. He rushed to see Beth as soon as he cleaned up. Wearing my fave coat of his- the tailored one, all nicely pressed, the hair brushed, no sign of blood anywhere. Wonder what she would have thought of the carnage he left behind. He's right- she has no idea what it means to be a vampire!

I loved that he rushed to see her. He cared about what she thought of him, of his decision. He wanted her to see the reality. His feelings are more obvious now, so much more involved in his actions and behaviour. I imagine those feelings are gonna get him into some trouble.

6. Loved the trenchant observation about bartenders always having a gun; he anticipated it. Hilarious! Sometimes he is the vessel for writers' commentary- like the equally hilarious dismemberment of the pretentiousness and venality of Hollywood producers in 12:04: Episode 1.08.

7. Homage to Beauty and the Beast with the final shot of Beth, Mick's absence empahasised and framed by the curtain blowing gently behind her- soooo the TV series, and soooo Cocteau! I always notice curtain scenes, because it affects me so- especially in the Cocteau film. I love Ron Koslow! (still hate him too).