I can't stress enough how much Joe Morton brings to "Eureka". Morton's one of those actors with a face and bearing you just trust and respect. He can play a likeable guy, a strong leader, a tortured and confused soul. I have followed him for years, whether it's been great turns in John Sayles flicks--and it's saying a lot that Morton is a fav of Sayles'--having the lead in the shortlived TV series "Under One Roof", playing a memorable role as a former boxer turned transvestite on "New York Undercover", or even his guest stint as Whitley's love interest on "A Different World". Even his bit in "Terminator 2" is memorable. The anguish he feels at what his work has caused for the future is palpable, and I hated to see the character die.
It's a crime that Morton hasn't gotten the major roles and respect he deserves. He's done a lot of stuff, but never got to that A-list on TV or film. And while I'm really happy to see him get steady work on "Eureka", and like the steadiness his character brings to that world, I keep hoping to see him get some meatier roles. That's especially true as long as the showrunners seem hesitant to give him a real life. Like I said, he's mayor now, but that angle's not explored, and I really dislike them killing off Kim--twice. And for those of you young 'un's who don't understand my praise of Morton, do yourself a favor and look up his great performances in the movie "City of Hope" (a John Sayles joint), the shortlived but well done TV series "Tribeca" (which co-starred Carl Lumbly and Lawrence Fishburne), and especially, the classic Sayles' film "The Brother From Another Planet". That last, in which Morton plays an alien slave on the run, is an amazing performance given that he speaks not a word, and must convey everything with just his facial expressions and body language. I wonder if the "Eureka" showrunners really understand what a great asset they have in Morton...? ----- Original Message ----- From: "Tracey de Morsella" <tdli...@multiculturaladvantage.com> To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Monday, August 24, 2009 8:58:50 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: RE: [scifinoir2] "Eureka" Thoughts They are the best actors however, some of the guest stars and recurring characters are also good, Frances Fisher (Eva Thorne); and Tamlyn Tomita (Kim Anderson); and Debrah Farentino, (The Psychiatrist) are some that come to mind From: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com [mailto:scifino...@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Keith Johnson Sent: Monday, August 24, 2009 2:57 PM To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] "Eureka" Thoughts The best actors on the show are Joe Morton, Richardson, and Ferguson. All of them are good actors, and I think they honestly rise above material that tries to make them cliches too much. Ferguson is a stronger man than Carter gets to be: that befuddled schtick gets old. Richardson has more warmth and personality than her tough Allison character. Morton actually makes Henry the most well-rounded character, a tribut to the man's phenomenal talents (I think he's one of the most underrated and underused actors working). But I keep noticing that even as I like the stories--and I am liking this season--i keep seeing "types" in all the characters, main stars and guests. They are very by-the-book at times. It's the actors that seem to rise above it with their likeability and acting chops. They need to round out the characterizations just a bit... ----- Original Message ----- From: "Martin Baxter" <truthseeker...@hotmail.com> To: "SciFiNoir2" <scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com> Sent: Monday, August 24, 2009 7:39:36 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: RE: [scifinoir2] "Eureka" Thoughts Tracey, for a minute there in last week's ep, I thought that the Carter-Tess storyline might be challenged by the introduction of Billy Campbell's "Dr Manly" character, consideriung the way she was goo-goo-eyeing him at first, and the malfunctioning baby monitor that had Carter and Allison linked up sympathetically. "If all the world's a stage and all the people merely players, who in bloody hell hired the director?" -- Charles L Grant http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQUxw9aUVik To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com From: tdli...@multiculturaladvantage.com Date: Sun, 23 Aug 2009 22:25:49 -0700 Subject: RE: [scifinoir2] "Eureka" Thoughts I was getting sick of the silly Fargo side plot distractions, but last week they did not have one, it seemed more like season one (which was my favorite), so I am starting to like it again. Getting rid of the sister who found everything wrong with him was a good move too. I realize they need conflict, but I do not think it worked with her. I also like that they decided to have Carter move on, if they are not going to get him together with Alison, then let him move on. I like the chemistry that he has with the new woman and that they did not pretend that he and Alison never existed. I’m also had the moved away from everyone calling him stupid and let the theme shift back to he as the commonsense guy often being the one with the big ideas. I get the sense that maybe they experimented and are returning to what worked in the first place. I did not like the 5 day stupid think either. I’m not sure why they keep pursuing that angle. I hope it is a fluke. By the way, I liked the husband on True Blood, but I think he is just a guest star with at best re-occurring status. Let’s hope there are no Fargo bowling or car stories next week and that they stay on track From: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com [mailto:scifino...@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Keith Johnson Sent: Sunday, August 23, 2009 8:53 PM To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Subject: [scifinoir2] "Eureka" Thoughts Everyone watching the new season of "Eureka"? I must saying I'm enjoying it, even more than last season. I think that's because Carter is noticeably more instrumental in solving cases than last year. Every ep so far, as the big brains discuss string theory, M-branes, and quantum mechanics, Carter's always the one guy in the room who cuts through the superficial coverings to get to the heart of a problem. Indeed, one wonders how the scientists can do anything: as smart as they are, they seem to exemplify what my mom used to say about "Book sense, but no common sense". Fortunately they have also toned down the Carter-is-kinda-dumb thing too. Tracey mentioned that last year that had gotten out of hand. There are still some moments like that, but I frankly don't think they're needed. Carter's obviously not a supergenius, so let's lose the "Uh...English please? I'm clueless" schtick. A couple of weeks ago, for example, Allison spoke of the space object coming to Earth in 126 hours, and Carter looks confused. Allison then had to amend and say "five days"! Give me a break: you telling me Carter, an intelligent and highly competent man of the law, can't figure that out? Again, good thing that angle is being minimized. Some other thoughts on the show: * I like the new lady brought in, who runs Section 5 (?) At first she irritated the hell out of me by belittling Carter's intelligence, but I like the tender side and sense and humour she has. * Good to see that Carter is falling for the new scientist. For some reason I never really liked his love for Allison, and it's less appealing to me this season for some reason. I say let that angle die, and let him move on. * Anyone know why the guy who played allison's ex- and new-husband left the show? I thought he was coming back, but here he's on "True Blood" now. * When is Henry going to get a life and a love? I hate what they did by killing off his love, and this recent--spoiler!--storyline of bringing back a computerized copy of her, then killing it off? WTF?! And speaking of that, Henry is mayor now, but doesn't seem to do any mayoral stuff. He basically still sports the mechanics' garb, when he's not at GD running experiments. Does he even have an office at city hall? * Carter is sheriff, charged with keeping all law and protecting everyone in the town, including those at Global Dynamics. Yet he doesn't have a high security clearance. Allison refused to discuss the oncoming spaceship with him because of that, and that top secret section that's been reopened is off limits to him without an escort. Okay, I guess I'm confused: if he's "only" the sheriff, maybe he wouldn't have top secret clearance to everything at GD. But, more times than I can count, Carter risks his life by entering some high dangerous lab to fight a creature of living ooze, gravity wells, etc. In fact, Carter's the *only* person who consistently tackles these dangers, which usually means he's finally brought in to these top secret discussions. Is it logical, therefore, for his clearance to be relatively low? 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