SwingTown Episode 10: "Running on Empty" Discussion

[cplnuswing]

Overall, probably the weakest episode so far. In fact, I sat down to post about it last night after the show ended, thought for a minute, and nothing jumped out that made me want to talk about it right then.

As a few others have mentioned, I have liked that the swinging couple Tom and Trina are shown to have the best relationship skills by far of all three couples. That fact has probably been lost on the majority of viewers, but it is nice to see swingers continue to be portrayed in a positive light.

The scene with the most potential for me was Susan trying to explain stepping outside of monogamy when challenged by Lorrie. That scene could have been really good but instead never really developed in the direction I wanted it to go and stayed sort of shallow by focusing more along the typical lines of a teen daughter's defense to her mother of her feelings of intense young love for someone. I would have liked to seen that conversation happen between Lorrie and Trina, or maybe even Lorrie, Trina, & Susan with Trina using her sharp perception to really open things up between Lorrie and Susan and where they each find themselves in life and their relationships.

Tom's handling of awkward situations was deft as usual, and his comment wondering how anything can be "freaky and boring all at the same time" pretty much hits the Roger & Janet nail on the head.

Three episodes left, get ready for the Roger/Susan train wreck. It's a comin' and the swinging Deckers are going to be the only ones left standing I think

[LFM2]

Sorry, Double post!!

[LFM2]

Originally Posted by cplnuswing

Overall, probably the weakest episode so far. In fact, I sat down to post about it last night after the show ended, thought for a minute, and nothing jumped out that made me want to talk about it right then.

This was us! it was a horrible episode. A few laughs, but that was about it. Even if I could write home to mom about this, I still wouldn't waste the ink.

As a few others have mentioned, I have liked that the swinging couple Tom and Trina are shown to have the best relationship skills by far of all three couples. That fact has probably been lost on the majority of viewers, but it is nice to see swingers continue to be portrayed in a positive light.

Abso-freaking-lutely!!

The scene with the most potential for me was Susan trying to explain stepping outside of monogamy when challenged by Lorrie. That scene could have been really good but instead never really developed in the direction I wanted it to go and stayed sort of shallow by focusing more along the typical lines of a teen daughter's defense to her mother of her feelings of intense young love for someone. I would have liked to seen that conversation happen between Lorrie and Trina, or maybe even Lorrie, Trina, & Susan with Trina using her sharp perception to really open things up between Lorrie and Susan and where they each find themselves in life and their relationships.

Again, you're right.

Tom's handling of awkward situations was deft as usual, and his comment wondering how anything can be "freaky and boring all at the same time" pretty much hits the Roger & Janet nail on the head.

This was one of the parts that made me laugh.

Three episodes left, get ready for the Roger/Susan train wreck. It's a comin' and the swinging Deckers are going to be the only ones left standing I think

I think it's coming, too. It's going to be a doozy!!

[TNT]

Originally Posted by SW_PA_Couple

One particular thing took me on an instant nostalgia trip. In the 70s, you could not simply whip out your cell phone and get in touch with somebody. You had to pull to the side of the road and find a phone booth. And if nobody was home, there was no way to leave a voice mail. If someone called, no caller ID box to check who it was.

~Michael

Yep...and do you remember party lines? We had a neighbor who was on our party line and was constantly on the phone...drove my parents crazy. My grandparents were the one of the first and few who actually had a "private" line in our area...it cost extra back then.

Originally Posted by cplnuswing

The scene with the most potential for me was Susan trying to explain stepping outside of monogamy when challenged by Lorrie. That scene could have been really good but instead never really developed in the direction I wanted it to go and stayed sort of shallow by focusing more along the typical lines of a teen daughter's defense to her mother of her feelings of intense young love for someone. I would have liked to seen that conversation happen between Lorrie and Trina, or maybe even Lorrie, Trina, & Susan with Trina using her sharp perception to really open things up between Lorrie and Susan and where they each find themselves in life and their relationships.

I agree. I was really wanting that scene to develop more. I was really wanting Susan to tell Laurie there is no comparison between an 18+ year relationship and a "new love" relationship and, that yes, you can still feel the same way about someone after all those years as you did when your love was new (I know Ted and I do) and, that with all those years comes a deeper love and understanding of each other that allows you to explore and play with each other within those bonds of love (although, I'm not yet sure if Susan and Bruce feel that way about each other).

It was pretty funny around here Friday night. It was our weekly family dinner where all the kids come over for dinner. The conversation of what shows we were all watching came up...our oldest brought up that she had been watching Swingtown and that she liked it and was really enjoying it. We didn't get into a real deep conversation about it but, our oldest knows we are swingers. We're hoping that, and feel fairly confident, that she sees more of Tom and Trina in her daddy and I than the other couples.


Teresa

[cplnuswing]

Originally Posted by TNT

Yep...and do you remember party lines? We had a neighbor who was on our party line and was constantly on the phone...drove my parents crazy.

Sure do. One time when I probably 5 or so my Mom was complaining that she was wanting to use the phone but the next door neighbor was on it as usual. So what did I do? Innocently picked up the phone and blurted out "My mommy said it's time for you to get off the phone, she needs to use it." She came back in the room about the time I was hanging up and asked what I was doing playing with the telephone and I told her. She was mortified

[JustAskJulie]

Originally Posted by cplnuswing

Sure do. One time when I probably 5 or so my Mom was complaining that she was wanting to use the phone but the next door neighbor was on it as usual. So what did I do? Innocently picked up the phone and blurted out "My mommy said it's time for you to get off the phone, she needs to use it." She came back in the room about the time I was hanging up and asked what I was doing playing with the telephone and I told her. She was mortified

That's priceless! Glad to see you haven't changed

[vegaskid]

Well, I for one want to see what happens next.

[Thrax]

I was surprised, and pleased, to note that Freakies cereal was on R&J's breakfast table in that episode.

I was in high school or so when that cereal was sold and for some reason my nerdish group glommed on to it. (Hey, if you can't get laid, go for the weird! And you still won't get laid!) I had a Gargle t-shirt (long since in the landfill or recycled as rags) and I still have four or five of the original Freakies magnets that were promotions in the cereal boxes.

Although the series probably won't survive, I appreciate the effort of the crew to make things mid-'70s-like. I've only had a few occasions to work on movie/tv sets that were not set in the present world, so I really appreciate the attention that Swingtown set dressers are paying to the fashion and background of the '70s.

Thrax

[sahajacpl]

Tom and Trina seem to be an ideal couple in the lifestyle in so much as they communicate very openly with each other and also enjoy having sex with other partners without jealousy. They are a very positive influence on the other two couples.

Susan has experienced sex with someone other than hubby and seems to be exploring her way in the lifestyle. It will be interesting to see where Janet and Roger end up. If only they open up to each other and Janet is willing to explore her sexuality by engaging with someone other than hubby. But that may be too much to ask of Janet as she is portrayed.

[personal416]

Originally Posted by jjmcd

[snip]

So we will all have to buy it when it is on DVD>

Jim

iTunes is your friend!

Our evening schedule doesn't work for TV, so the only way we can watch ST together is via downloads from iTunes.

Personally... We like all of the character development... most of us have experienced what goes on in T&T's basement or the adult playfulness 6 couples at the cabin eventually had, but the insight and communication (or lack thereof) is what keeps us coming back for me... as Trina would say, it's the pealing back of the layers.

[des1re06]

I was happy to see the story line with Trina & Tom taking a break to get closer to each other and resolve the "cheating" incident. To me, it reinforced the fact that we're into each other as couples first, and if there are issues in our marriage, those need to be dealt with before swinging continues.

Bruce is having a hard time letting go of his "little girl". We all face this as parents. At the end, he realized he couldn't "order" her to do what he wanted.

I'm glad Janet and Roger are seeing a therapist. They both have issues they need to deal with.

[two42lovers]

We had the truth-telling between Bruce & Susan with their daughter Lorrie(younger brother & his buddy right there in the room, too.) Really loved the scene where Trina & Tom bailed on Janet & Roger, saying "THAT'S what it's like to be normal?" and decided to start swinging again.

[JustAskJulie]

Did anyone catch the conversation as they were unloading at the cabin... Bruce told the boys they could do some target shooting.
BJ: We only have one gun
Bruce: well share.
Rick: "we tried sharing once, that didn't work out so well"
BJ: "don't talk about her!"

The look on Bruce's face was priceless.

Another great line that said so much for Tom & Trina:
Trina: "Are we enough?"
Tom: "Baby, most days we are more than I can handle"

[shes_in_parties]

Originally Posted by TNT

We're hoping that, and feel fairly confident, that she sees more of Tom and Trina in her daddy and I than the other couples.

Well, you have the same initials!

I never thought this show was even intended as more than a one-shot summer drama...kind of a beach read. Still, it would be great if it got picked up on cable.

As for this episode...I also really liked the conversation with Susan and Laurie, and how Laurie's ideals are not as enlightened as we might have thought...she is still a kid. But more interestingly, are Susan and Bruce even in love? Roger and Janet obviously are, despite their issues; they might make better swingers for that reason. I predict they end up as swingers with Bruce & Susan divorced.

[personal416]

Originally Posted by shes_in_parties

Well, you have the same initials!

I never thought this show was even intended as more than a one-shot summer drama...kind of a beach read. Still, it would be great if it got picked up on cable.

As for this episode...I also really liked the conversation with Susan and Laurie, and how Laurie's ideals are not as enlightened as we might have thought...she is still a kid. But more interestingly, are Susan and Bruce even in love? Roger and Janet obviously are, despite their issues; they might make better swingers for that reason. I predict they end up as swingers with Bruce & Susan divorced.

The first couple of episodes it really looked like Bruce and Susan had a good connection going on... but as things have evolved, Bruce has been made to look like a real ass at times and unable to translate his "trader empathy and ability to read people in the market" to those that live in the same house with him.

I agree regarding Laurie... for just having spent the summer reading and understand the viewpoints of philosophers and how she can relate to their views, she sees things with her parent as rather "black and white". I guess in her defense, she is experiencing a first love situation, and I'm sure more than one of us have experienced tunnel vision in that situation.