tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6678481478994191244.post3492677629644647379..comments2024-03-24T03:19:39.745-04:00Comments on Just About Write: The Mindy Project 3x04 "I Slipped" [Contributor: Ann]Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6678481478994191244.post-69554333381201208522014-10-10T11:55:26.826-04:002014-10-10T11:55:26.826-04:00TMP is capable of having 1 minute without jokes. E...TMP is capable of having 1 minute without jokes. EX: break-up scene, Danny's first I love you, fireplace scene, etc. It's true what Ann says that it seems like it's all in pursuit of the joke and not about anything else. For instance, Danny using "America was building on trying things" to prove his argument was odd because it just seemed like running circles around the issue without finally getting to the point. Was the "weed" joke worth it? eh...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6678481478994191244.post-22892415473664381592014-10-09T01:33:15.842-04:002014-10-09T01:33:15.842-04:00OMG, preech it :) I can't believe how delibera...OMG, preech it :) I can't believe how deliberately with holding Danny is this season. "I don't want you to be anything" has GOT to be the worst sentiment he could have had in an episode like this. It literally doesn't have a meaning. He owed Mindy much more than that. The episode ended with him still heavily implying that he remains sexually bored by his gorgeous gf. I'm also so sick of the fat jokes. mindy is perfect.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6678481478994191244.post-56089459406101368762014-10-09T00:00:39.589-04:002014-10-09T00:00:39.589-04:00Oh, and I should have written "Ann". So...Oh, and I should have written "Ann". Sorry about that! Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6678481478994191244.post-160265727048325342014-10-08T23:39:40.756-04:002014-10-08T23:39:40.756-04:00Hi Anne,
For one, I love your tumblr and that'...Hi Anne,<br /><br />For one, I love your tumblr and that's part of the reason I was excited to respond. I really enjoy reading your take on the show.<br /><br />I loved your points about the communication, because they helped me to see this episode a little differently. I was like many people in finding it immensely disappointing. It's not because the material offends me or that I think Danny was pushing Mindy; that's not my problem. <br /><br />The problem with this episode is the same as my whole love/hate relationship with this season. I LOVE seeing Mindy and Danny as a couple. I love the comedy aspect of it; it does always manage to make me laugh! I'm disappointed in Danny this season in general. In seasons one and two, one of the things I've always loved about Danny is his soft spot when it came to Mindy, which was otherwise near impossible to see. He was this grumpy old man character, but something in him cared about Mindy, and in the most subtle of ways. In so many episodes, he has been the FIRST one on line to check up on her - when Beverly punched her, he was the first in the room, when Josh cheated on her, he abandoned his own plans to stay with her, when she was chickening out with Casey, he walked to the fire escape...the list is endless. I don't see that soft spot anymore. Some may say that that's because their relationship has evolved now that they're a couple. That's understandable; I don't expect the same level of outright pursuit anymore. But there have been so many opportunities for him to show that softness - to say something in Mindy's defense, maybe, when Cliff basically said a ton of men have been on top of her, or that Mindy was a horrible person, or when his mother said she didn't like her. He defended her more in Weiner Night to a bunch of strangers when they WEREN'T dating than he does now.<br /><br />While I like that he told her he doesn't expect her to be anything, and that's the closest to that softness I've seen, it makes me feel almost disappointed that that's it. Instead of just saying that he doesn't expect her to be anything and stopping there, it may have been nice if he reminded her something that he particularly LIKES about her. We know he loves Mindy, but we don't know why; if we had the slightest insight into what it is he loves so much about her, or that he cared about her enough to speak up for her when people are putting her down, then I'd find his declarations of love in season 2 to be more believable. Even the simple sort of, "You're great" that we got from the end of Sexting - it didn't have to be poetry. <br /><br />I don't think a few sweet lines are asking too much, especially considering the abundance of insults thrown Mindy's way this season. If one more person (particularly DANNY) makes a point of talking about how she's not skinny, doesn't exercise, has a big ass, or anything else that ridicules her not-so-rail-thin-but-not-obese stature, I think I'll throw something at the TV. Danny can make some variation of a weight dig every episode, but he can't throw out any terms of endearment beyond "I don't want you to be anything"? That's a bit of a let down.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6678481478994191244.post-83145179769964257992014-10-08T22:03:45.355-04:002014-10-08T22:03:45.355-04:00Very good analysis. I'm pretty sure these 15 w...Very good analysis. I'm pretty sure these 15 will be the last for The Mindy Project so I'm very let down by the lack of romantic development when there's not much time left. I almost wish that their goal was to make me less interested in them as a couple because that's what happened. I don't really care and get more enjoyment from the comedy now. I think that they might be trying too hard to separate Mindy and Danny from the stereotypes of protagonist coupling. They've taken it to the extreme opposite end. I'm just not excited about their future.... like at all.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6678481478994191244.post-39814671734249119202014-10-08T16:20:45.330-04:002014-10-08T16:20:45.330-04:00Ok I'm so glad I saw this bc I also felt like ...Ok I'm so glad I saw this bc I also felt like the minority. It's awesome ppl are showing concern and watching shows critically, specially when it deals with consent. However watching last night's episode I found it to be one of the funniest so far this season and very truthful (Peter's"No you won't" response to Mindy's thought that maybe she'll like it had me legit LMAO). In relationships(even good ones) communication and expressing sexual desires isn't always the easiest thing. Ppl were criticizing Mindy and the sedatives storyline before we even saw the episode and although I don't agree with her or anyone doing that, it doesn't make a woman any less of a feminist bc she tries to do something to please the person she's with. It doesnt make Mindy a weak character for wanting to go that far, a lot of ppl feel insecure in relationships and I think that's a message that was definitely conveyed by the end of the episode. Similarly Danny's "Asking sucks" to me is not some misogynist abuser proclamation. He's pointing out that asking for things you want in relationships can be awkward. Just bc you love the person doesn't mean you're not afraid of being judged or of their reaction. And he is pointing out that it did kill that particular moment. In other words he means what he actually said. He didn't say "asking sucks...I'm just gonna force myself on you next time.."just that the spontaneity of that moment was ruined. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6678481478994191244.post-70158068432375601042014-10-08T15:14:24.105-04:002014-10-08T15:14:24.105-04:00Ann, please note that I did begin my response that...Ann, please note that I did begin my response that referenced you before I saw yours! I agree with most everything you say about the show and appreciate/enjoy your reviews and commentary. :) So thanks!Jessica S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/13058718647561208802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6678481478994191244.post-58554611080870487482014-10-08T15:11:23.958-04:002014-10-08T15:11:23.958-04:00I very much agree with your sentiments re. this ep...I very much agree with your sentiments re. this episode and also regarding episodes two and three. I know Ann didn't like episode two, but that felt more like Mindy and Danny to me (and the overall balanced tone of the show actually); it also had more warmth to me, along with meatier stuff for Messina with regards to his mother. <br /><br />I will also admit that this episode was the first time one of the kisses between Danny and Mindy felt forced/a bit awkward for me. I think it may have been the first one with the apple pie, but I'll have to rewatch to check. I felt their strong sexual chemistry in episodes 1 and 2, but less so in 3 and 4. <br /><br />I think I am just waiting for the show to dazzle me with a really great and in-character story arc, something touching, surprising maybe? But in definite need of some more romance and Messina "heart eyes." :) All this said, I do appreciate that Mindy and Danny are totally together and still enjoyable and lovable!Jessica S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/13058718647561208802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6678481478994191244.post-14237870297947466682014-10-08T14:43:07.297-04:002014-10-08T14:43:07.297-04:00What's interesting is that I don't think M...What's interesting is that I don't think Mindy Kaling would want us to see them as incompatible. I think they try to sneak the romance in where we don't expect it which makes them seem wishy washy. Bottom line is that the writers are not all on the same page. They want us to forget all the unflattering moments when they randomly decide to be a romantic comedy again. I don't know about Selfie... that girl seems super annoying with the hair and ginormous sunglasses ;)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6678481478994191244.post-7845665166713365292014-10-08T14:39:31.808-04:002014-10-08T14:39:31.808-04:00Funnily enough, I actually thought last night'...Funnily enough, I actually thought last night's Selfie was an entire episode about a man telling a woman not to act like a slut. I'm not saying he wasn't right, and I'm not saying that this isn't a message some women need to hear (for their own good, if they ever want to be more than a booty call). But I think it would have been way better if that message had come from another female -- and if the show was held to the same standard and put under the same microscope Mindy was, people would be OUTRAGED. There have been many times when Danny could have pointed to Mindy's sexual past and made some kind of pointed comment (such as in Indian BBW) and didn't. Even in the Pilot, he commented on both Mindy and Jeremy misbehaving, not holding her to a different standard because she was a woman. This show has always been careful that way, and I liked that Danny very much does NOT judge Mindy, where many men might.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6678481478994191244.post-57522468280872946822014-10-08T14:25:35.092-04:002014-10-08T14:25:35.092-04:00Thank you for being so sweet. The #1 compliment yo...Thank you for being so sweet. The #1 compliment you can give a writer is on her writing. #2 on her looks, especially if you say her nose is not big. (Or maybe that's just me???)<br /><br />I agree with most everything that you say, honestly -- that Jeremy is underutilized for how great a comedic actor Ed Weeks is, that Ike was used surprisingly well this episode (and in a great way with the others), the laudable nerve of the writers to 'go there,' the ups and downs of the consent issue being addressed, and the dissatisfaction of the "I love you." And 100% agree with "the team of writers is talented enough to make TMP a great watch without the will-they or won't-they trope, but I'd hate to lose the warmth/character development."<br /><br />(I think 3x02 did more character-wise than 3x03, but I also just think it was badly written and stilted--poor pacing, but definitely a better step for characters than Crimes & Misdemeanors, which was mostly just very funny).<br /><br />I also disagree on excusing Mindy being an imperfect doctor. She went to Princeton, and I don't, and even I know the danger in mixing sedatives and alcohol. As someone who is presented as a competent doctor, I wish they would have just made her have the drugs.Annhttp://overanalyzingtelevision.tumblr.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6678481478994191244.post-11779945749431028192014-10-08T14:18:57.590-04:002014-10-08T14:18:57.590-04:00(In response to the other anon)
I think you'r...(In response to the other anon)<br /><br />I think you're right, but I also think in the process of making a joke the writers are making it appear that way. Like when Danny says "eh" in response to Mindy's being good with her mouth. The "enough" stuff also got into that territory when he said "We don't need that stuff. We don't need to have, for lack of a better term, fireworks." (I do think he said this in a misguided attempt to make her feel better, but STILL--taking a joke too far at the expense of character plausibility)Annhttp://overanalyzingtelevision.tumblr.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6678481478994191244.post-43848887990279360042014-10-08T14:16:46.246-04:002014-10-08T14:16:46.246-04:00"I'm just grieving the loss of my romanti..."I'm just grieving the loss of my romantic show." <br /><br />Me too, anon, me too. And the issue that I have is, they had so many pieces in play to make this coupledom as romantic as the courtship, if they could only remember the history of this couple!!! I mean, can you imagine that the same Danny that kissed Mindy on the back of a plane and said "One...two...three...four?" is the same guy that tried to justify attempted anal by saying "that's what you do in America"? Comedy in place of romance. (And no, I don't like their sexual incompatibility either. I miss Danny with stars in his eyes for how much he likes Mindy--this Danny doesn't have that)<br /><br />Can I recommend to you You're the Worst and Selfie? They're both romantic and reasonably contained. Selfie has a tone very similar to Mindy--slightly ditzy but completely competent woman, curmudgeonly and lonely man, chemistry--with a little visual flair to keep it interesting. You're the Worst is more realistic, and I love it--it jsut finished its first season and had a really great romantic arc while still being funny.Annhttp://overanalyzingtelevision.tumblr.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6678481478994191244.post-65407273777039720202014-10-08T14:11:06.649-04:002014-10-08T14:11:06.649-04:00I didn't get that he thought it was boring. Hi...I didn't get that he thought it was boring. His statement that being with her was "enough," to me implied just that, that just being with her was enough excitement for him. This was, after all, the guy who got hauled to a sex therapist by an ex because he was too boring in the bedroom. Of course, I'm sure he didn't share that with Mindy, but still, I felt the point was that her fears were unfounded.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6678481478994191244.post-70887805102705038832014-10-08T14:08:49.757-04:002014-10-08T14:08:49.757-04:00I guess, being a frequenter of Twitter and Tumblr,...I guess, being a frequenter of Twitter and Tumblr, I've been getting most of the negative without the positive. The first time I watched it I thought it was silly, but the second time I thought it was actually quite good. Not as deep an episode as I know Mindy can do, but with some serious discussion that the other episodes didn't really have (C&M&E had what I felt was a tacked on resolution--this one had to happen, given that Mindy was admitted into the hospital).Annhttp://overanalyzingtelevision.tumblr.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6678481478994191244.post-7345794764134141222014-10-08T14:06:19.836-04:002014-10-08T14:06:19.836-04:00Chris's acting reminds me of Indian BBW and Th...Chris's acting reminds me of Indian BBW and The Other Dr. L, which also shows him discussing sex in a similar, strange way. (Like the cold open of BBW always seemed weird to me, but I justified it as, "Danny's just insecure Mindy won't be as sexual with him as she is with others") I think he prefers the silences and I think there was the opportunity for silences in the script that the writers chose not to take--and I do think the pursuing of a joke over character development makes him uncomfortable, being a New York method actor or whatever over a sitcom comedian. (I hate that TMP is going for the joke this year--I always felt they didn't do that when it mattered, which is why I loved The Desert fight so well and Be Cool's breakup--and I agree 3x01's fire escape scene was the only real shining of character consistency)<br /><br />That all said, Chris did do a pretty good job in parts this episode. I love the way he says, in response to Mindy drinking scotch, being highly sexual, and listening to 'the blues,' "no, you don't" (like those things) or "this isn't you" or something like that. But then they went into the "old shoe" joke, so, eh, whatever.<br /><br />But with all that said, Annhttp://overanalyzingtelevision.tumblr.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6678481478994191244.post-67482746667926653282014-10-08T13:58:38.124-04:002014-10-08T13:58:38.124-04:00I think it's really confusing and a really sen...I think it's really confusing and a really sensitive issue. That's why when I write I try my hardest not to touch on anything remotely political in that sense--it's not a topic I often feel comfortable addressing because it is not hard to upset people while talking about it. Hopefully I did a good job making my review more about the characters and less about that fallout.<br /><br />That being said, I think I cover my thoughts to your response in my review pretty well--that it wasn't as bad (to me) as it was to some people, but that the furtherance of a joke (in the cases I mentioned) impeded viewers from seeing that it wasn't that bad. Danny was, compared to the last episode, surprisingly lucid in how he handled Mindy--he was always asking how he was and expressing concern whenever she seemed to be doing something just to appease him. I appreciate seeing that side of the character, and I wish that he'd been allowed to say "I don't want you to be anything" without the tacked on America part. If that makes sense.<br /><br />So yes-- I agree with you. I do understand why people would be mad--the message could have been clearer if they were going to approach this topic--but, to me, it wasn't as controversial as it at first glance appears. (Is this message cogent? I'm feeling kinda scatterbrained right now. My bad.)<br />Annhttp://overanalyzingtelevision.tumblr.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6678481478994191244.post-65363951671538304952014-10-08T13:38:43.407-04:002014-10-08T13:38:43.407-04:00I just love your reviews, whether I agree or disag...I just love your reviews, whether I agree or disagree. I'm glad you pointed out the improved B-plot and better use of the supporting characters. I think it was Jeremy's best episode in a long time. Morgan's scenes were great too - I like the 'big-hearted' side of him, especially in how he relates to Mindy and the other doctors. <br /><br />I loved that they had the guts to 'go there' with regards to the topic of anal sex. I wasn't as offended as some others by the 'slipped' thing, because I can relate. Not specifically in terms of the subject matter, but b/c my wonderful husband and I do not communicate well when it comes to sex - even after 13 years of a very happy marriage. So I found that part extremely believable...and I might actually be inspired to try to talk more openly with my hubby b/c of it. <br /><br />I also found the drugs-and-alcohol thing to be believable. Doctors aren't perfect, and certainly not these ones. After all, Mindy needed Morgan to grind up her birth control pill and put it in her coffee. She was willing to take a risk for Danny, but she was hella nervous, and so she did it. I think they did manage to cover the consent issue within the parameters of an established relationship, although I think that the glibness of the "it sucks to ask" undermined that somewhat.<br /><br />All that being said, the episode left me a bit unsatisfied. I was so disappointed with the "I love you". I almost felt like it was done deliberately to go off-course from rom-com fans' expectations. I think you're right that we need to try to approach the show differently. For that matter, Kaling herself said they were going for the Lucy-Ricky dynamic. I think this team of writers is talented enough to make The Mindy Project a great watch without the will-they or won't they trope. But I'd hate to lose the warmth/character development. I thought they did that well in the first two episodes, but less so in the last two (I think we have differing opinions on Eps 2 and 3, to some extent).<br /><br />I will be interested to see how the next few episodes play out. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6678481478994191244.post-46472404919102867822014-10-08T13:25:28.528-04:002014-10-08T13:25:28.528-04:00100% agree! Chris really shines in the romantic an...100% agree! Chris really shines in the romantic and comedic scenes with Mindy but hasn't been nearly as compelling this season. His performance seems off and the writing is occasionally erratic. I agree that many potentially great moments devolve into a sloppy and desperate angle at a throwaway joke.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6678481478994191244.post-3730421954702649432014-10-08T13:15:49.286-04:002014-10-08T13:15:49.286-04:00I think my major gripe is Charlie taking a steamin...I think my major gripe is Charlie taking a steaming dump on some established character development. I'm not as outraged about the sexual theme. It was absurd but clearly not meant to be seen as violating. I'm just grieving the loss of my romantic show. They are still pulling out some comedy gems but the romantic charm is borderline gone. They occasionally reference what sounds like a very healthy sex life only for Danny to report that it's boring. I'm sorry but that is such a romance killer given that I think we all expected them to be very sexually compatible. I thought it was going to be some out-of-control happiness in that area for them. I'm worrying that the most we can hope for is Danny's mom coming back which is so the opposite of sexy :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6678481478994191244.post-44204484200462539492014-10-08T13:09:36.457-04:002014-10-08T13:09:36.457-04:00Completely agree with your review and with Jessica...Completely agree with your review and with Jessica S. Don't have a lot more to add. While initially not a fan of the premise, I really liked the episode when I watched it. Most reviews and comments out there are also positive.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6678481478994191244.post-29583456516643271502014-10-08T12:44:55.875-04:002014-10-08T12:44:55.875-04:00"That’s a fault of The Mindy Project writers ..."That’s a fault of The Mindy Project writers this year—in the pursuit of the joke, sometimes they go too far." I feel like I could write a book on your review of the show (it was great by the way!), but your point about knowing when to stop is what I will address because I 100% agree. When I was watching that scene with Danny and Mindy in the hospital and he said that he didn't want her to be anyone else, I was loving it. And then Danny continued.... Season 2, this conversation wouldn't have devolved into an attempt for a joke, but would have continued romantically and allowed forward movement for their relationship. You are also right that the message wouldn't have been lost had they stayed on point. <br /><br />I wish Kaling wrote more of the episodes because 3x01 was the only episode that seemed mostly character consistent. I love this show but hope they can still manage to build towards something this season (#team proposal too!). I also adore Messina but actually find that he has not seemed as comfortable acting as Danny this season and I believe it's because of the inconsistent material he has been given, which is a shame. I only critique because I care. Thank you for caring and for writing! :)Jessica S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/13058718647561208802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6678481478994191244.post-64503701400397934002014-10-08T12:27:25.695-04:002014-10-08T12:27:25.695-04:00I don't think you're in the minority. Just...I don't think you're in the minority. Just about every recap and article I've seen about this episode, including no less than Jezebel, liked it. There just seems to be one really vocal Tumblr poster who loathed the episode and is now only posting asks that agree with her. I'm sorry, but everyone isn't walking around with a rulebook all the time. Danny did not do anything remotely approaching rape, and he backed off the second she said no and was very apologetic. I actually thought the episode had a GREAT message about consent and boundaries. The mere fact of a character doing something stupid (and that's what it was -- stupid, not evil) does not mean the writers are advocating said conduct. But, in this case, the thorough talking about it made up for anything anyway.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com