SwingTown Episode 6: "Friends With Benefits"

[JustAskJulie]

Friends With Benefits

Trina's reminiscences with her high-school sweetheart fan Tom's jealousy. Susan attends a meeting of the Ladies Auxiliary, but Janet is the one who makes an impression

.

The only thing I can remember from the previews is Roger losing his job... (which I'm guessing is where the "friends with benefits" idea comes from - his friends still have benefits).

[socolais]

Bruce and Roger have a lot of mutual confidence and respect. I imagine the "friends with benefits" part could be where Bruce quietly offers to cover Janet's check and allow Roger to break the job loss news to Janet at a more private time. TV drama being what it is,,, something tells me it is unlikely to go smoothly.

[cplnuswing]

Somewhere online I saw an interview with the actor that plays Tom and he made reference to this episode when Trina's old flame comes to visit and said something like "some things happen that really ought to get people talking!"

It was a vague hint, but I took it to mean that it would be even more controversial which immediately led me to think some MM maybe? From the preview we already know a MFM may be in the cards. Guess we'll find out tomorrow night

[OnHArry]

Watched it tonight my first episode so I missed the build up to this. The writing seems wooden the acting okay, it sort of reminds me of some of the shows in the seventies, poorly acted and written.

However it did portray swinging fairly accuratly I think, as the pilot, Tom was it, went for the threesome but had doubts and misgivings owing to the fact this guy was his wife's high school sweet heart. That bit seemed authentic.

I wondered as I watched it though, what would the other guy be thinking when he figured he was getting his old girlfriend to cheat on her husband and then found hinself in bed with her husband to? That must have given him pause.

[cplnuswing]

Originally Posted by cplnuswing

It was a vague hint, but I took it to mean that it would be even more controversial which immediately led me to think some MM maybe? From the preview we already know a MFM may be in the cards. Guess we'll find out tomorrow night

Well, another theory proven to be wrong, I was guessing Trina's friend to be bi. This was the most explicit swinging scene so far, so keeping in mind this is network tv after all, I guess that is what the interview referred to. (BTW, anybody ever recall a threesome being actually shown and not just implied on network tv? That may be a first, at least in my memory)

This episode was kind of slow in a way, but I liked the main theme of self-sacrifice for someone you love - I'm happy if it makes you happy. Susan wasn't that interested in the charity group, but decided she could do it and still be true to herself since it was important to Bruce. Roger had a terrible day but instead of going to Janet for consolation, did everything he could to make her big night perfect for her. Tom could have prevented Trina from playing with someone she obviously wanted to that he felt threatened by, but didn't.

From the previews, next week looks very interesting.

[driveajeepnaked]

I loved this episode!! Got to love the Trina n Tom even more this week, a good understanding of their relationship, and the sweetness and trusting with her ex-b'friend...

Janet is gonna be a surprise yet, and I think the Susan/Bruce relationship is going to be the deepest one to be discovered and the most tumultuous in the long run ...

The teach and Laurie relationship is very interesting, and I think that in the mid 70's that was a common occurrence, as stated before in other posts... I had a huge crush on my 7th grade math teacher in 1974 - and ended up being an accountant, and he's a client of mine now... and I won't dare tell him how I felt at the time, or why I landed in accounting... (But that was a way off topic drift... sorry...)

What happened to the BJ and Samantha story-line this week??

CWTNW...
(Can't wait till next week)

Val

[beachguyz]

Interesting episode. I'm disappointed that Tom may have cheated. It appears that Tom's insecurities are getting the best of him.

Janet looked great. The program needs to focus on her. She can be developed as a character and I would love to see her get pounded by Bruce and Tom while Tina and Susan do Roger.

[JustAskJulie]

BJ went to camp, so his storyline went with him. My guess is since it's two weeks at camp we won't see them next week either.

This week had some twists and turns, but it made me like Janet & Roger that much more, and Janet looked damn good all dolled up. Next week doesn't look to good based on previews and the synopsis provided for the episode.

[sweet_tna]

Originally Posted by cplnuswing

This episode was kind of slow in a way, but I liked the main theme of self-sacrifice for someone you love - I'm happy if it makes you happy. Susan wasn't that interested in the charity group, but decided she could do it and still be true to herself since it was important to Bruce. Roger had a terrible day but instead of going to Janet for consolation, did everything he could to make her big night perfect for her. Tom could have prevented Trina from playing with someone she obviously wanted to that he felt threatened by, but didn't.

From the previews, next week looks very interesting.

Another good episode. I liked how Susan realized that she could still do something for Bruce and still be true to herself. At first I was disappointed in Roger for keeping the bad news from Janet. But when he told Susan he just wanted her to have that night to enjoy, I really found myself liking him for that.

As for Tom and Trina, I'm not crazy about them playing with the ex. Tom wasn't really okay with it, and the guy had the nerve to tell Trina, "he doesn't have to know." Kiss of death in my book!

I'm also not thrilled that it appears Tom did cheat after all. And I may have to wait two weeks to watch the next episode, 'cause we'll be on vacation (can't very well ask the mother-in-law to record it for us!).

=)

[JustAskJulie]

I don't know if Tom cheated yet, but he's definately going to (with the blond), from the looks of things. I am actually liking Roger more and more as a husband. I think that of all 3 guys he is probably the most caring and most open to just wanting his wife and marriage to be happy. He truely gets the idea that if the Mrs. is happy everyone is. I think he really would do anything for her.

[Thrax]

I really enjoyed that Janet got the Farrah Fawcett hairdo for the big shindig.

Hubba hubba.

Thrax
P.S. And, as a side note, where exactly is my poster?
P.P.S. Mom?

[cplnuswing]

Originally Posted by sweet_tna

As for Tom and Trina, I'm not crazy about them playing with the ex. Tom wasn't really okay with it, and the guy had the nerve to tell Trina, "he doesn't have to know." Kiss of death in my book!=)

Yeah, I didn't really like it either because of the guy's actions, but was ok with it since it worked with self-sacrifice theme and it was kind of presented that way. To her credit, Trina wasn't interested in the cheating, and was ready to call a halt to playtime as soon as Tom expressed some discomfort.

Originally Posted by JustAskJulie

I don't know if Tom cheated yet, but he's definately going to (with the blond), from the looks of things.

I'm hoping that turns out to be misdirection and it doesn't go down the way we think it will. Not holding my breath though, cheating seems to be the theme next week. Bruce/Susan and Tom/Trina by anybody's definition, and even Roger/Janet by the vanilla definition since it appears Roger may bring up the idea of swinging to Janet.

This show's best line was Tom's "so, tell me, just how wet are you?" comment on the phone. I could see the glow from heads bursting into flames all across the country as that little bit of double entendre made it onto network tv

[SW_PA_Couple]

Originally Posted by JustAskJulie

I am actually liking Roger more and more as a husband. I think that of all 3 guys he is probably the most caring and most open to just wanting his wife and marriage to be happy. He truly gets the idea that if the Mrs. is happy everyone is. I think he really would do anything for her.

This is the major impression I received from this episode. A man's job is to make his wife happy -- not to promote yourself by sucking up to the boss or the bosses' spouse.

If the actors (as asked in another thread) are not here at the Swingersboard, then the writers certainly must be. Every thirty seconds viewing this episode I was thinking, "I've read that at Swingersboard."

I like the way they are including camera and editing techniques from the 1970s such as split screen with two women at two ends of a telephone line and horizontal-wipe screen dissolves.

And I agree with Thrax, when Janet showed herself in that Farrah Fawcett hair style, I almost cummed in my pants. I change my vote. She's the one I would want, not Susan.

~Michael

[sparky615]

OMG i couldn't believe the Janet makeover! She was smokin'!
The whole Susan and Bruce thing..... I'm split in a way. Yes, we in a long term relationships realize that one must occasionally sacrifice and do something we hate in order to make nice. That's the only way it can work. But....where do you draw the line, and who gets to draw it?

[2inVT]

Originally Posted by beachguyz

Janet looked great. The program needs to focus on her. She can be developed as a character and I would love to see her get pounded by Bruce and Tom while Tina and Susan do Roger.

Typical swinger comment!

What cracks me up is that I'd bet a good portion of the viewers are thinking exactly that, but only a swinger would actually say it LOL.