TV: HBO's The Night Of

[Hivemind]

I think a company that has shown a penchance for providing you with shows that contain twists and turns will likely continue to provide that in their programming. It works. And there's no reason to assume that this show won't provide them either, considering what has preceded it. I think this show's greater potential is if twists and turns are woven into the plot. I think it would be a lesser show if it was simply a docu-drama of the penal and criminal justice system and the interactions within.

HBO has plenty of shows that do not rely on plot twists. The Night Of is pretty clearly much closer to the mold of Oz and The Wire than it is to Game of Thrones or The Sopranos. It's about presenting an examination of a real system, not about creating a high budget, high drama soap opera.

Plot twists don't automatically increase something's quality.

 

[McOilers97]

If this was a docu-drama at the end of the day, that didn't tie in plot points, then yes, it would be unsatisfying as a fictional drama.

If there's no killer, and this is all one big exercise is showing how inmates live together, and how defense and prosecutors work the system, then that's bloody boring for an HBO show.

Plot twists and turns would make this show more superior than this show without them.

Plot twists tend to draw in more viewers, but I would argue that if not used sparingly/properly then they are damaging to a show's quality.

HBO hasn't been known to use massive plot twists in their best programming, so I'm not sure what you mean there. I think the reason that HBO's programming is so revered is because they don't typically pull any punches; the shows are just so well acted, tightly written and emotional (in terms of conveying a compelling message about some aspect of humanity or life) that they don't need or want to use cheap twists to make people watch them.

 

[KesselBuiltMyHotrod]

I liked Alison. Hope she hangs around.

 

[chicagoskycam]

The episode went all wonky on me. Nas is all of sudden a bas ass, showing his possible aggressive side.

I couldn't even watch the packet swallow scene and what the hell is Stone hoping to accomplish by chasing a violent felon in to an abandoned building.

 

[FLYLine27*]

Nas being a badass all of a sudden was kinda stupid and unrealistic. He also gained some serious size in what...3 days?

 

[silverfish]

Think this was my favorite episode so far.

The whole 'Nas becoming a badass thing' I thought was actually well done. Sure, it was quick, but it did a good job emphasizing how much we just don't know about Nas; and I think that was well-crafted.

I don't think he did it, but I have more doubts than I did before that episode, and I think that was the point.

 

[Burner Account]

The episode went all wonky on me. Nas is all of sudden a bas ass, showing his possible aggressive side.

I couldn't even watch the packet swallow scene and what the hell is Stone hoping to accomplish by chasing a violent felon in to an abandoned building.

Wondered that as well. And picking up a weapon (I get the need to defend one's self). But the episode seemed to go all over the place.

Focus of the episode was definitely on figuring out who the killer is. Interesting to see Box put the map/timeline together.

 

[chicagoskycam]

Nas being a badass all of a sudden was kinda stupid and unrealistic. He also gained some serious size in what...3 days?

I'm hoping it took place over a decent amount of time but the episode left us no clue how long. There should have been some time lapse scenes, ect.

 

[chicagoskycam]

I had this great visual of Gandolifni buying the cat toys at the store. The more it focuses on Stone's life I feel like we missed out.

 

[Hivemind]

Focus of the episode was definitely on figuring out who the killer is. Interesting to see Box put the map/timeline together.

I really liked how it showed an accurate depiction of how police can use a paper trail most of us don't even think about to figure out where we are. ATM receipts, EZ pass receipts, cell towers connected to, etc. And it wasn't some stupid CSI scene, but an accurate accounting of the type of systematic tracking we've subjected ourselves to semi-willfully.

I had this great visual of Gandolifni buying the cat toys at the store. The more it focuses on Stone's life I feel like we missed out.

Yeah, a lot of the Stone-centric scenes make me think about similar things.

 

[ArGarBarGar]

Yeah, would have preferred Nas become a little less "badass" in such a short time.

Though at the very least they are establishing what Nas has to do to earn that protection from Freddy. He is a new asset that can be molded into someone to protect his assets.

 

[KesselBuiltMyHotrod]

Stone hunting down Duane with a pipe is some of the dumbest **** I've ever seen for a "smart" show.

 

[ap3x]

Was hoping for some character development going on, but him becoming a bad ass in such a short time was pretty weird indeed. At least they went back to show him being vulnerable + Freddy's puppet afterwards again. Box putting the timeline together + Trevor with Helen (who crosses him out as a witness later on) were two of my favorite scenes this episode.

And seems like that Dwayne guy wasn't that unimportant after all. Be it just for the sake of having a new suspect or him being involved in any of this (drug related).

 

[RayP]

What the hell was that? Didn't like that episode at all.


Also, what was up with the ending? I didn't understand, or get what they were trying to hint at....?

 

[ap3x]

You're talking about fading out the same way as they faded in (blue neon light)? I've got no idea. Some technical reference to the drug or something?

 

[What the Faulk]

Stone hunting down Duane with a pipe is some of the dumbest **** I've ever seen for a "smart" show.

I've got more of a problem with this than Nas "becoming a badass". What's the end game if he does find him?

 

[RayP]

You're talking about fading out the same way as they faded in (blue neon light)? I've got no idea. Some technical reference to the drug or something?

Yeah, that. I don't claim to be the smartest guy by any stretch, but I didn't even have a guess to what that was about.

 

[ArGarBarGar]

I've got more of a problem with this than Nas "becoming a badass". What's the end game if he does find him?

There has to be a reason he is chasing after this guy. Is he going to try and get him to testify? If he is the murderer what information is he going to give him that leads him to exonerating Nas?

Also was anyone annoyed by the girl in the high-school talking about defending Hitler? "Hitler killed my grandparents." Wow you moron Hitler committed genocide as the leader of a country this guy defends people charged with crimes in the United States.

 

[silverfish]

One thing that was interesting was the photographer guy that Box brought to the scene. He took a picture entering from the back gate and going up the stairs of that person's POV of the kitchen. The view was highly blocked by the bad angle and the railing.

Could imply that whoever did kill Andrea came through the back gate, and didn't see Nas passed out in the kitchen because his view was blocked.

EDIT - and one more thing was the way Stone played off what Nas was doing during visitation. Chandra was visibly like... what is going on here? But Stone played it no mind. Played it cool. Even though he knew exactly what Nas was doing.

Basically like, Nas, you ain't low. Know that.

 

[chicagoskycam]

There has to be a reason he is chasing after this guy. Is he going to try and get him to testify? If he is the murderer what information is he going to give him that leads him to exonerating Nas?

Also was anyone annoyed by the girl in the high-school talking about defending Hitler? "Hitler killed my grandparents." Wow you moron Hitler committed genocide as the leader of a country this guy defends people charged with crimes in the United States.

For him to testify the court would have to subponea him. He doesn't seem like the type of guy to show up. Still, what's Stone going to do? Beat a confession out of him? Make a citizens arrest? His best bet is convincing Box this is a person of interest or he's pretty much screwed. Either way, that was a pretty horrible scene in a good show. What Stone really needs is this guy in jail - maybe he has an outstanding warrant.

One thing that was interesting was the photographer guy that Box brought to the scene. He took a picture entering from the back gate and going up the stairs of that person's POV of the kitchen. The view was highly blocked by the bad angle and the railing.

Could imply that whoever did kill Andrea came through the back gate, and didn't see Nas passed out in the kitchen because his view was blocked.

EDIT - and one more thing was the way Stone played off what Nas was doing during visitation. Chandra was visibly like... what is going on here? But Stone played it no mind. Played it cool. Even though he knew exactly what Nas was doing.

Basically like, Nas, you ain't low. Know that.

Stone said to Nas, "I know you have to do this but if you get caught you're never getting out of here.."

 

[silverfish]

Stone said to Nas, "I know you have to do this but if you get caught you're never getting out of here.."

Yeah, I know, but it was more of the way that he knew the whole time what Nas was doing there, but didn't do anything about it. Made no signal that something was going on. Just kept talking about what he was talking about. Until the end when he called him out with that quote that you've got there.

It was a good contrast with the way Chandra was handling the scene. Before he got the coke, Nas was looking over at Petey, and Chandra kept looking where Nas was looking to see what was happening. Stone staring straight ahead. Nas is trying to swallow the coke, and Chandra has this wtf look on her face. Stone, on the other hand, just talking to Nas as he would normally.

Very subtle, smart play.

 

[chicagoskycam]

Yeah, I know, but it was more of the way that he knew the whole time what Nas was doing there, but didn't do anything about it. Made no signal that something was going on. Just kept talking about what he was talking about. Until the end when he called him out with that quote that you've got there.

It was a good contrast with the way Chandra was handling the scene. Before he got the coke, Nas was looking over at Petey, and Chandra kept looking where Nas was looking to see what was happening. Stone staring straight ahead. Nas is trying to swallow the coke, and Chandra has this wtf look on her face. Stone, on the other hand, just talking to Nas as he would normally.

Very subtle, smart play.

Stone has a ton of experience in this situation. Chandra does not. It was so obvious, I actually thought Nas was going to choke.

 

[Burner Account]

One thing that was interesting was the photographer guy that Box brought to the scene. He took a picture entering from the back gate and going up the stairs of that person's POV of the kitchen. The view was highly blocked by the bad angle and the railing.

Could imply that whoever did kill Andrea came through the back gate, and didn't see Nas passed out in the kitchen because his view was blocked.

EDIT - and one more thing was the way Stone played off what Nas was doing during visitation. Chandra was visibly like... what is going on here? But Stone played it no mind. Played it cool. Even though he knew exactly what Nas was doing.

Basically like, Nas, you ain't low. Know that.

That was my favorite bit of the episode, I think. Because Stone doesn't say anything initially, Nas believes - and the audience is led to believe - that he is actually being somewhat sneaky and may be swallowing the coke unnoticed. But Stone wasn't fooled for a second

The show also does a good job of examining the perception of the accused. I.e. Stone saying "I wish you hadn't done that" of Nas's shaved head. Also thinking back to the orange vs. blue jumpsuits.

 

[b1e9a8r5s]

For those wondering how Gandolfini would handle the cat toys, what about hoping the fence chasing after the guy?

 

[chicagoskycam]

For those wondering how Gandolfini would handle the cat toys, what about hoping the fence chasing after the guy?

He'd just drive a Suburban through it... They should have left that scene out.