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The Resident: He'd Really Like to Put in a Central Line (2021)
Frustrated by the attempted coercion
I really like this show. There have been scenes in earlier episodes that made me shake my head, but overall it is well written, well directed, and well acted. Several of my favorite actors from previous series are either primary, regulars, or have made guest appearances.
However, the storyline with Conrad, Trevor, and the patient who chose to not have a pacemaker implanted and did not want to be resuscitated was incredibly frustrating. He clearly articulated a belief system. Who were they to try to force him and/or coerce him into accepting a procedure he didn't want?! And to bring in a psychiatrist to make sure he had full mental capacities just because he expressed a belief in "other worldly powers"!? What?! Good for the writers to have her say that even if a medical expert disagrees, a patient can indeed exercise his/her faith when it comes to end-of-life decisions - having faith does not make someone insane!
But what almost pushed me over the edge was the scene with Conrad at his bedside acting like his own lack of belief in a Higher Power and the possibility of Life after Death was more "right" than the patient's belief in that very possibility. That section of dialog was insulting to all of us watching who do, in fact, believe in Eternal Life and in God's perfect plan especially when from an earthly/human perspective it makes zero logical sense - that is the very essence of Faith! Many of the world's major religions have a doctrine of some type of eternal life.
(Point of fact, just a few episodes earlier, Conrad led their friend group in a Pagan dinner ritual - so, was he acting in a diminished capacity that Halloween night? Should someone have intervened and told him he was irrational for bieving Nic could hear their thoughts?!)
I can partly excuse the writers for Trevor's part of this storyline because his character is brash and arrogant. He is still learning. Not sure I like him ... but I'm giving this new character time and space to grow up.
In fact, the saving grace (pardon the play on words) was AJ's conversation with Trevor instructing him to turn around and listen to his patient and to Conrad (although at that moment he was also trying to manipulate the patient as I said above). As a, in his words in a previous episode, lapsed Buddhist AJ understands faith and a patient's rights to refuse treatment.
This show is set in the American South and too often the writers seem to forget that part of the story. Our faith, however we choose the express it, is woven into the fabric of our lives. There are churches, synagogues, and/or mosques on every corner. We pray before meals and school sports games. We say things like "can I get an 'Amen'"? And "we need a 'Come to Jesus' conversation" - even if we are Jewish or Muslim or nothing.
Do better, writers! Do better.
Good Witch: Not Getting Married Today: Part 2 (2017)
"Wherever that's from"
I enjoy this series, but Martha's flippant statement about traditional readings during wedding ceremonies is insulting to viewers of Christian faith. She and Cassie talk about finding a memorable reading for Martha's son's upcoming wedding. Martha says, "Love is patient, love is kind ... wherever that's from." Seriously? It's from the Bible, New Testament. And it's part of a passage that it read at most church ceremonies. It is disrespectful to viewers to have Martha say that so dismissively.
It Was Always You (2021)
Where did they film this?
The town, the outdoor location shots, the tree house, the art studio, and the home! Wow! Where can I find a career that affords the blessing of living here?! I've been to Victoria, but these locations were new to me.
SPOILER WARNING
I was a bit leery of "the bride falls in love with her potential bro-in-law" storyline, but the fact that the siblings were childhood friends and neighbors with the bride made it a bit more plausible.
Tyler Hynes is wonderful in all of his movies. Easy to see how the girls fall for his characters. And Erin Krakow is always darling. They are a good pairing.
I do feel sorry for Giles Panton, though. His Hallmark characters seem to get dumped a lot!
A Christmas Tree Grows in Colorado (2020)
Tone Deaf in 2020
Some spoilers in my comments..
I've appreciated that Hallmark has tried to create Christmas and Hanukkah movies that show life as we want it to be rather than how it is in December 2020. However, this movie was really tone deaf as it relates to how a town could turn around its economy.
Many of our cities, towns, neighborhoods, and individual citizens are hurting financially, emotionally, and mentally this year. To depict a mayor and city officials as having the authority - and then actually exercising it - to take away someone's personal and private property using eminent domain is outrageous. And to have zero characters in the movie take a stand against that kind of government over-reach was truly unbelievable.
I forced myself to watch the whole movie because I had to see for myself whether the script would turn for the father and daughter and their tree, or would stay the course and manipulate them into giving away their tree. How disappointed I was. It's Colorado! Literally thousands of gorgeous huge pine trees available. Why take this guy's tree out of his front yard? And why on earth would he fall in love with the woman who caused all the trouble?
This whole movie made me sad. It could have been a creative way to celebrate first responders (fire fighters), small towns, small business, adoption, outdoor activities, and following your dreams. The actors cast for the lead roles are good, but not even they could overcome a bad plot.
One Royal Holiday (2020)
Best Hallmark Movie in a Long Time
This movie is like the Hallmark movies of 15-20 years ago. Excellent cast full of actors who can actually act and sing. Thank you for bringing in 4 Tony Award nominees/winners! The plot was a little bit Cinderella, a little bit fish out of water, and a little bit Christmas in Connecticut. Well done, Hallmark. I hope this is a preview of more good 2020 Christmas movies to come. Goodness knows we need it.
Love at the Shore (2017)
Ummm, too many misses
I fell in "like" with Amanda Righetti's soft-spoken, yet tough-as-nails, acting abilities when she was a cast member on The Mentalist. Peter Porte, however, is just a tad to pretty. And they really had only a forced chemistry.
Why didn't they rent a house with their best friends? That made zero sense.
Why rent a beach house and expect quiet work hours? Unrealistic!
Why didn't Lucas take the investors to the big event at the Camp to show them a bit of the Camp experience instead of going out drinking? Why would anyone who was interested in investing in KIDS prefer to go out partying instead of going to see the kids?
Additionally, Tybee Island is a stone's throw from where I grew up. So, Hallmark, take note of several incorrect script and location and costume items:
1) it's the "beach" never the "shore"
2) Tybee has an historic lighthouse, you missed an opportunity to showcase it. The puny, rundown one you showed was an affront to southeasterners.
3) in the summer, it is NEVER EVER chilly. She wouldn't have wanted or need a cardigan for a walk on the beach or an out door dinner.
4) speaking of hot and humid, her long thick hair would not behave survived out of a ponytail or braid - it would be sticking to her neck and face all day long.
5) another reviewer mentioned this: no Savannah? Are you kidding? She's a teen fiction writer! Of course she would visit Savannah. So would the summer camp! Home of the Girl Scouts!