anyone noticed a small anti-Bush, anti-neocon subtext to Joan Of Arcadia?

[Syrinx]

It seems that, at least in the most recent episodes, there is a little off-hand comment by one of the characters that seems to be a little dig at the evil ones.

Tonight, some of the characters were discussing appropriate gifts for Grace, for her bat mitzvah. Friedman suggested "How about ten shares of Halliburton stock? It's the gift that keeps on giving." Then he made that little hand gesture, signifying money, where you rub your other fingers against your thumb.

And there was a similar line in last week's episode, but I don't remember what it was.

Anyway, that's another reason to support what is really a very thoughtful, well-written, well-acted television show.

[faithnotgreed]

1. absolutely - most evident was about a month ago. episode

called "election" and there were some underlying jabs taken. ive watched it from the beginning and enjoyed last year much more but am still grateful its on at all

on edit: oh yes - now i recall in the same (election) episode that God was a young man in an army fatigue jacket, then he was playing guitar under a tree. i thought they were making reference to kerry though i may have read into that.

[Syrinx]

2. I love the show

Even though I'm a man, and it sort of seems like it should be a "chick show." And despite the fact that I mainly like comedies like Arrested Development and the Simpsons, etc. But it is truly a unique drama. And I think we, as Democrats, might learn a thing or two about the "values" issue from it (though I think this values stuff has been really blown out of proportion by the talking heads).

[faithnotgreed]

5. clearly joan struggles and is just an average kid trying to do right but

certainly making mistakes as anyone would. in fact the mom is the only other one who is trying to seek out/explore religion.

the creator of the show clearly is trying to show an accessible and loving God as opposed to the one who is pushed by the hard right. with joan, God is questioning and playful and ever present but is not just going to hand out all the answers. its about love and acceptance which is God. but many have been exposed to quite the opposite so im glad this show is around.

i can tell they are trying to widen? their audience this year or at least target a younger crowd so ive been disappointed that theyve gone mainstream teenage of late but its gotten better than the first few episodes this season.
i enjoy that they show joans friends and their lives, i just wish it contained more of the flow that last year did. i think it seems a little different, more disjointed. but again, im grateful its on the air

im glad you enjoy it. did you watch from the beginning?

[Syrinx]

8. I don't remember if I watched the very first episode or not

But I think I did. For some reason. I thought I was going to hate it. But I didn't. At all.

In fact, I think it may have turned me from atheist to agnostic. That's how good the show is.

And maybe it isn't so bad that I have a crush on Grace. I'm 38, and she's a high-school student. But the actress that plays her is really 29. ;)

[Syrinx]

3. oh yeah, I remember that one now

It was where the student newspaper guy was running against the "cool" guy. And the news guy was obviously much more qualified than the cool guy. And then Joan and Judith got video of the cool guy kissing another dude. And they were going to use it to win the election. But decided that it wasn't right.

Obvious reflection on the "Swift Boat Veterans For Truth." I loved it.

[faithnotgreed]

4. thats the one.... they also had the jock make a disparaging remark

about france, just like certain people do when they dont have anything factual to say

[flamingyouth]

6. Yes, I definitely noticed it tonight

I love that show. I'm spiritual but don't consider myself religious. I think my favorite part of tonight's episode was when Joan asked God why there were so many religions, and she said, "Because everyone sees things in a different way," or something like that. I wish I had taped it, or at least written down that line. It really resonated with me.

Amber Tamblyn is a terrific actress.

[faithnotgreed]

7. yes - i was glad for that part as well. its so true and i wish

more people could know how God is love, and not what many humans have pushed for so long. of course there is accountability and choice and all the rest but its so beautiful, whereas many people understandably have turned away in anger and confusion.

im glad you like the show. i think ive seen you post about it before and im happy there are others on the board who enjoy what it has to offer.

[flamingyouth]

10. I love that show

And I think it's great to see how well-received it's been, both by critics and by audiences.

I don't have kids, but I think this would be the kind of show I could watch with children. They address very serious issues. I almost always find myself thinking about the episode after I watch one; and that's certainly rare on TV these days.

I also give them points for having a disabled character on the show. I think Jason is represented fairly, both as a relatively happy and highly functioning member of society, but also as a person with some resentment. I think it's pretty realistic.

:hi: to you! I wish you a very happy holiday season, however you celebrate it! :hi:

[faithnotgreed]

11. thank you so kindly. of course i wish you and all here just the same!

thats a good point about jason/kevin. its so important to have representation on television. i had thought this about tonights show when they presented several Jewish voices. i thought that was important because its not just a guest actor and then they move on. these are fairly active characters and it just adds more credibility. im surprised and disappointed though that there arent african americans. i think that is my one hope for the show.

best wishes to you and again im glad to know others watch regularly

on edit: i love that graphic you have there!

[flamingyouth]

12. Thank you!

There have only been a handful of African-American characters on the show. One was Kevin's co-worker and girlfriend at the paper (played by Sydney Poitier's daughter - my mind is a blank and I can't remember her name), and the other two were fellow police officers with Joan's dad.

It's definitely a pretty white show, I'll grant you that. :hi:

[Syrinx]

9. I agree with everything you say

Don't really know what to add. :thumbsup:

[tjdee]

13. Amber is very talented....miss her on GH!

I don't watch GH anymore, LOL, but she left before I stopped and I was a bit disappointed.

Think she's got a couple of daytime Emmys...very talented.