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Enlightened Season 2 |OT| Even agents of change get cancelled sometimes.
- Thread starter anaron
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See, I love the Cogentiva crew so that aspect is fine with me. I would have loved the people upstairs focus had it been on Damon, Judy, Krista or Janice. In S1, they were the faces of Amy's Abaddon life and sharing that past with her, it made everything extra personal and heartbreaking. I know Chip Esten is on Nashville but wasn't season 2 of Enlightened filmed before production on that show started? I need to see that fucking douche!
And in general, the first season's slow, deeply personal guiding with the floating episode to episode design deeply greatly contributed to making that viewing experience all the more unique and astounding.
But I'm waiting on tonight's finale to decide how I feel about "preferring" (I really do love them both) one over the other.
Salon: HBO, please renew “Enlightened”!
Emily Nussbaum: The Hummingbird Theory
I've been thinking the same. I honestly think they have deliberately stayed quiet to test what sort of reaction Enlightened would garner and whether it actually could gain any sufficient buzz and press. Since the show's future uncertainty forced its viewers to scream about it, people are more aware of the show now than ever, and it's all been done through the campaigning of critics and fans.
Yea, exactly.
While there has been some nice hype and awareness, it just doesn't seem like it was enough. I certainly hope I'm wrong, but I don't think we're going to receive good news.
Then again I don't know what's on HBO's slate for next fall and spring, so maybe there will be room on the schedule and in the budget for another 8 episodes of Enlightened.
While there has been some nice hype and awareness, it just doesn't seem like it was enough. I certainly hope I'm wrong, but I don't think we're going to receive good news.
Then again I don't know what's on HBO's slate for next fall and spring, so maybe there will be room on the schedule and in the budget for another 8 episodes of Enlightened.
RatskyWatsky
Hunky Nostradamus
I think the opposite will happen. Everybody is pleading with HBO for the show to be renewed and critics are heaping an almost hyperbolic amount of praise on this season. Outside of huge ratings successes, this type of reaction is pretty much what HBO lives for. Like anaron, I think that they've been drawing the renewal announcement out in order to gain the maximum amount of exposure/attention. I think it will be renewed.
Maybe I'm in denial, but after this whole thing, I just don't see the show being cancelled.
But if it is....
What the critics should have done is threaten HBO by telling them something like, "If you don't renew Enlightened we're not going to continue to heap ungodly amounts of unearned praise on Lena Dunham and Girls."
Dr. Feel Good
Banned
Absolutely fucking great. It's going to be a shame if that's it, but that was a good way to end the series if that's it.
JacksUsername
Member
Great finale - part of me hopes this is not the end, but I'd also feel satisfied if it were. I think most of the characters overcame their major hurdles, and while there would be plenty of aftermath to explore, the main story arcs have a good sense of closure. Now I just need closure on the actual fate of the show itself.
-Pyromaniac-
Member
Great episode.
Totally. And my god, what a perfect thing Mike White did there by including a callback to the pilot and having it be a role reversal of meltdown Amy with Szidon.
"He seems upset."
Perfect.
Indeed, that whole scene was just... Too much. Too perfect.
I thought the same thing! This was just a really great episode. I wish I didn't see the promo and clips, as three minutes of a twenty-five minute episode is a decent amount, but I was completely engaged the entire time, and I was starting to have heart palpitations. I really think this episode showcases all of Amy's personality, from her want to do good to her naiveté and narcissism. That said, I think a lot of the reason this episode worked so well is because it was being built up to throughout the season (and to a much lesser extent, last season), and was an excellent culmination of everything Amy's worked towards. I've enjoyed season two quite a bit, but I wouldn't want season three to be even more plot-driven. I thought this episode was a decent ending to the series, and while I love the show and would obviously love more of it, I'd be okay with this being how the show goes out, and I'm not all too sure that a third season would feel satisfying and not just extraneous.
You really feel that way? I think there is SO much left to show and tell.
And can we talk about the Krista scene?
That might've been the show's crowing moment for discomfort, as she heads to accuse what is obviously the wrong person. And then the crushing sting in having Krista's husband fucking throw her out of the room. I mean, it was obviously warranted, but it was probably the most aggressive way someone has dealt with Amy and it just broke my heart to see her (once again) make a complete ass out of herself to the point of sealing her perception as complete lunatic to these people.
Oh I think there is too. But it definitely functioned as a series finale should it be cancelled.
That might've been the show's crowing moment for discomfort, as she heads to accuse what is obviously the wrong person. And then the crushing sting in having Krista's husband fucking throw her out of the room. I mean, it was obviously warranted, but it was probably the most aggressive way someone has dealt with Amy and it just broke my heart to see her (once again) make a complete ass out of herself to the point of sealing her perception as complete lunatic to these people.
Oh I think there is too. But it definitely functioned as a series finale should it be cancelled.
I definitely think there are stories that can be told, I just don't know if there's an entire season of them. They can certainly explore the repercussions of Amy's actions and her relationship with Levi and Jeff, but I don't know where her character arc would go, and I like having things open-ended. I like that the season ends with Amy's life now being new and exciting and not tied down to external things, and I think that's how the show should end, rather than with a definitive scene showing Amy's life in order.
I might just not be particularly imaginative though. I'd obviously be thrilled if the show were to get renewed.
I actually cringed as she started walking into the hospital. It was such a deliciously uncomfortable scene.
I'm sort of split on the idea. I kind of feel like Amy needs a break.
Me too. At least, I'd like the show to become a balancing act of season one & two's structure, with a return to being a little more low-key.
I think by-design it can't really be AS plot-ey as this season was though, so I'm optimistic it'll turn out well. The idea that
Amy will be let in to see what others think about her is enticing as hell
Same here. I don't want things to ramp up even more. I feel like this episode was a release of all the tension that was building up, and I don't want that to all immediately spike up again.
SpeedingUptoStop
will totally Facebook friend you! *giggle* *LOL*
This show needs to get renewed so damn hard.
I actually had to think about why she looked up for a second. Then it hit me. Truly masterful TV.
dead souls
Member
Great episode and it would make an absolutely wonderful series finale.
Yes! That was fantastic!
Might have to be the best quote to sum it all up.
What an incredible finale, giving so much but leaving much more to be wanted. Love that Tyler had his ending
I felt so empty when the credits started to roll. All that and Amy gets a side column on the front page but am I glad Helen smiled and seemed proud.cubicle47b
Member
Just watched the finale. Great episode. It capped the season (and the show) perfectly.
Oh man that episode was perfect. I showed it to a friend who hadn't seen the show before, and although it's an unconventional episode for the show in that it takes place away from Amy, my friend was totally sold.
Domcorleone
Member
This show is truly one of the best shows ever. Its my therapy and entertainment every week. I hope HBO renews it.
RatskyWatsky
Hunky Nostradamus
Very good season finale, though I thought that it worked really well as a series finale should it come to that. The final shot of Amy walking down the street was just beautiful.
Amy's meeting with the Abbadon executives was glorious. The walk to the meeting, the meeting itself, and then the walk to the elevator really were just perfect. Perfect.
I about cringed myself to death when Amy went to the hospital to accuse Krista of leaking the story to Abbadon. That might've been the most groan inducing scene in the entire series. I had my hands covering up most of my face for the entire scene.
I didn't even get that until now. I was wondering why she was looking up at the ceiling of the elevator./dense
Amy's meeting with the Abbadon executives was glorious. The walk to the meeting, the meeting itself, and then the walk to the elevator really were just perfect. Perfect.
I about cringed myself to death when Amy went to the hospital to accuse Krista of leaking the story to Abbadon. That might've been the most groan inducing scene in the entire series. I had my hands covering up most of my face for the entire scene.
I didn't even get that until now.
I was wondering why she was looking up at the ceiling of the elevator./densethat was superb. very very satisfying.
amy in the head office. the entire scene. amy helping out tyler despite being "betrayed" by him. amy with levi on the steps. walking down the street feeling big and happy. so beautiful.
i was a little worried last week that the show would crumble under how much was left for the finale, but white making it such a pure amy episode worked fine and allowed it to deal with all that plotty stuff in the style that i wanted. i mean i'd have liked more cognetiva and tyler stuff, but as lunch said it's a perfect encapsulation of amy as a person in thirty minutes as well as a great resolution to what they've built up to this season.
i did think the symmetry with zaiden in the lift was a bit too cute, though looking up for the turtle was perfection.
i had to pause for a minute to mentally prepare myself when i knew what was about to happen. so painful.
after she calls tyler that little oh no oh no and turn around to look at the hospital from dern was such a perfect expression of pure regret too. when you fuck up and realize it how near impossible it is to rectify it ;_;
looking forward to krista and amy in season 3
amy in the head office. the entire scene. amy helping out tyler despite being "betrayed" by him. amy with levi on the steps. walking down the street feeling big and happy. so beautiful.
i was a little worried last week that the show would crumble under how much was left for the finale, but white making it such a pure amy episode worked fine and allowed it to deal with all that plotty stuff in the style that i wanted. i mean i'd have liked more cognetiva and tyler stuff, but as lunch said it's a perfect encapsulation of amy as a person in thirty minutes as well as a great resolution to what they've built up to this season.
i did think the symmetry with zaiden in the lift was a bit too cute, though looking up for the turtle was perfection.
i had to pause for a minute to mentally prepare myself when i knew what was about to happen. so painful.
after she calls tyler that little oh no oh no and turn around to look at the hospital from dern was such a perfect expression of pure regret too. when you fuck up and realize it how near impossible it is to rectify it ;_;
looking forward to krista and amy in season 3
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