In an episode called ''The Thanks of a Grateful Nation,'' written by John Wells and directed by Mimi Leder, the brooding character of Dodger (Jeff Kober) left China Beach and returned home to his parents with his half-Vietnamese infant son. The last three episodes offer striking and contrasting illustrations. Chances are taken and, more often than not, they pay off. Equally important, the actors are given scripts that refuse to be easily predictable. A first-rate performing company of regulars helps considerably. Gradually, however, ''China Beach'' began finding its own distinctive voice, all the while setting off in unexpected directions to encompass broader themes and more sensitive issues. assorted sexual alliances, complete with lots of muscles glistening in the jungle heat. Viewing the Vietnam War through a rest-and-relaxation center next to a United States Army base in Da Nang, the series seemed bent on playing down unpleasant realities -drugs, fragging and the like - while exploiting the more standard fare of television entertainment, i.e. (After tonight's episode, the series will take a short break and return on April 16 to begin a Mondays-at-9 schedule.) ''China Beach,'' which was created by the writer John Sacret Young (''Testament,'' ''A Rumor of War'') and William Broyles Jr., a former editor in chief at Newsweek, did not get off to a promising start. A current example is ''China Beach'' on ABC, now in its second full season and still mustering only borderline ratings on Wednesdays at 10. Prime time remains dedicated to safe formulas and reusable stereotypes.Įvery once in a while, though, an exception slips through the cracks, somehow transcending the limitations of the grueling weekly grind. Inventive, imaginative, adventurous: these are just a few of the adjectives least likely to be applied to the bulk of weekly television series.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |