In the sixth episode of the second season of Pushing Daisies, Ned’s “reunion” with his half-brothers brings a murder case to the team’s attention, one that affects Ned poorly. Intrigued? Then it’s time for Mark to watch Pushing Daisies.
Oh god, the heartbreak of abandonment. It hurts.
- I know I’ve mentioned this in practically every review, but this episode is yet another example of the fine line the writers deal with. It’s funny and brutally heartbreaking at the exact same time. HOW? HOW DO THEY DO THIS? How can I be horrified one minute and then clutching my face and trying not to cry the next one?
- Magic.
- It’s not magic. It’s good writing. It’s evidence of how these writers know how to blend tones. It’s the combination of the words in the scripts and the imagery used in the sets and costuming.
- Is this weird to say? This show looks like it was made by a bunch of best friends. Like, everyone clearly gets along, loves what they’re doing, and wants to create the best show in the universe.
- Let’s talk about magic. This goddamn show is magical, so I don’t know how it took so long for their to be an episode specifically about magic.
- For Ned, though, this is not an exciting time. Once again, here is a brilliant demonstration of emotional triggers. Because Ned associates his father with magic tricks, he can’t deal with being around magic at all. It reminds him of his traumatic past and his father leaving him behind.
- This very same relationship is represented in Maurice and Ralston, since the same father abandoned him, but can also be found in the loss of the Great Hermann, whose murder forced them once again to deal with being left all alone.
- OMG so much loneliness. 🙁
- I just can’t get over how fucked up it is that this man abandoned three sons. I don’t think I could find a way to forgive him as a character, and I barely know him! But that’s related to Ned’s conclusion in the past episode. Ned only knows his father through a few brief and horrible actions, and it’s these moments that define who he is for Ned. Still, I can’t sympathize with Ned’s father because what the hell???
- You know who doesn’t make this any easier? Dwight Dixon. I am even more confused before by his presence because I cannot figure out what it is he wants. Naturally, I don’t trust him. He’s creepy, he’s clearly using Vivian for his own needs, and he’s willing to dig up a body to get what he wants. We get confirmation that he did indeed know both Chuck and Ned’s fathers, who all worked as UN peacekeepers. Obviously, the pocketwatches of all three men are important, but why? Monetary value? Sentimental worth? I don’t get it! Yes, he gives Vivian a story about this, but I really don’t believe him at all. I don’t! Why should I? WHY WAS HE IN PRISON FOR 22 YEARS? And how does he know the truth about Chuck’s mother?
- Oh god, Kerri Kenney-Silver is barely recognizable as Alexandria. I’m so used to her as Deputy Wiegel that this was jarring to watch. Bravo, though! I love when you can’t recognize who an actor is.
- Anyway, there are a couple of really sweet moments (not including that heartbreaking scene at the end) that I wanted to talk about. Like Ned purposely bonding with his twin half-brothers. He didn’t have to do this, and I do like that the writers don’t have Ned immediately jumping to be best friends with Maurice and Ralston. It’s still an awkward situation for him, you know?
- I also loved that the twins offered to help Alexandria become the Great Alexandria. That was a good choice.
- I don’t sympathize with what the Geek did, but it’s interesting that this episode is all about sons who feel like they disappointed their fathers. So is this why Ned’s father abandoned so many sons? Ugh, I NEED TO KNOW WHY.
- It’s fascinating, then, that Chuck gets to be one step closer to her mother while everyone else is separated from their fathers. The entire roleplay sequence is one of the sweetest things this show has done, and it’ll always remain a favorite of mine. My god, they are so close to being able to actually communicate with one another. And honestly, I don’t know why I thought that this series would end with Chuck confronting her aunt/mother. I think it’s far more possible, based on how Bryan Fuller’s shows have ended, that Chuck will never get to break that rule. Fuller hasn’t really allowed that before. Still, I’m not going to deny how wonderful it was to see Chuck bond with her mother despite the impossible.
- Goddamn it, Dwight Dixon is going to find out something now. SHIT.
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