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Post by MelMac on Apr 17, 2005 22:23:10 GMT -5
I just recently watched "The Good Samaritan," and thought it was a good episode, but a scene left me with a question.
When I watched the opening scenes, when the fire trucks and squads are going to the apartment fire, it sounds like they are using the call tones used for Station 51 in "Emergency!" Also, does anyone know if the person doing the dispatches is Sam Lanier, the person who did the calls on "E!"? The funny thing is, the same tones are used twice, once at the very beginning, and then a couple of minutes into the show before Ralph pulls up his stationwagon to meet Bill.
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Post by HoudiniDerek on Jan 1, 2006 2:48:06 GMT -5
I have no clue about that. However, I was watching this episode again and I think this quote sums up the episode from Ralph's point of view...it also sums up HEROES overall too in my opinion: True heroism is remarkably sober, very undramatic. It is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever cost, but the urge to serve others, at whatever cost. ~Arthur Ashe Discuss amongst yourselves.
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Post by HoudiniDerek on Jul 18, 2006 23:41:01 GMT -5
I watched it again and noticed some more items of interest...to me anyway. First, I didn't think much of Burchett, but he has great script ideas...one being this episode and PLAGUE. First, does anyone know if Katt was really having trouble talking and it was worked in later or was this contrived? If not contrived, it shows how quick people have to adapt to work on sets, just like in real life. Second, I still wonder what the dog biscuits are made of? They aren't real are they? Is it a cookie or something they got baked to help the show? Hmmmm. I like the little boy story, but they seemed to force it in there. He wandered away from the morning camp-out with the family and wandered THAT far away that a search party could not find him? You think the family could have found him within a few miles. Then, the radio said that the boy could not last another night. How long was he out there? And most search parties would continue until there was NO hope or until snow came down...not just the threat. It was a great story element, but a little forced to me. I know that Bill did a sneaky thing to Ralph by asking him to holograph Ira's shirt, but it was funny and Bill apologized because he was desperate. Nice way to tag that on about Harlan after Ralph brought it up. On Bill's case. He has 36 hours to bust these guys...by Monday...and yet, they are robbing banks. Most banks are not open past noon on the weekend...if at all. That seemed a little contrived too. During the chase from the bank, that was a great car chase scene. Ralph didn't even change because he thought Bill was going to catch them. Then, the car ran out of gas...which was funny, but realistic. Can Ralph fly without the cape? After finding the boy, he ran back. That makes it seem as though he can't fly. But why does the rest of the suit work then? Why can he still holograph without it tied on and such? Seemed odd. Great new suit power introduced...two actually. Ralph sucks up the tear gas, which was never seen before...never again either I don't think. Then, the rubbing of the hands to make the boy warm, which is seen again...mainly when Ralph is cooking. A nice subtle power on both accounts.
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Post by HoudiniDerek on Jul 18, 2006 23:42:18 GMT -5
Another thing. One bank robber tells the other that he should not show his face so much, but the other robber responds they will all be dead. Yet, they left everyone alive. Why?
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Post by HoudiniDerek on Jul 18, 2006 23:46:40 GMT -5
Had to hate how none of them ever wore seatbelts. Bad image for little kids.
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Post by MelMac on Jul 19, 2006 11:27:40 GMT -5
Had to hate how none of them ever wore seatbelts. Bad image for little kids. That unfortunately was the image back then that seat belts weren't cool or to be used. Other shows showed that too. That's probably why I liked writing the wreck scene in "Switcharoo." It would've made a great episode, not just because Pam's wearing the suit, but it teaches the importance of wearing a seat belt, as it saves Ralph's life. And, I answered my own question after getting the "Emergency!" collections. It is the call tones and Sam Lanier talking. I also remembered that Lanier reall was a dispatcher for LA at one time. The closeup squad scene is also from there as well. Pretty interesting note there. Exposure in cold weather will affect people pretty quickly, even in a slightly warmer climate. He's also a smaller boy without a coat, so he'd suffer the symptoms faster. Lucky for Ralph the boy was just barely conscious when Ralph found him. Otherwise, it contradict his comments in "200 MPH fastball." As far as running over flying, it's a forrest with plenty of chances he'd crash into a tree. While Ralph'd be all right, the boy might not have been. That was more for his safety than anything. And, I like the idea of the friction heat to warm the kid to bring him around. Obviously warmed up Bill to but didn't blow up the car. I've always thought the dog biscuits were real, as you never see him actually take a bit out of them, and if he's chewing one, it's already in his mouth. It'd been easier to try and use cookies shaped that way, but it's possible that they didn't look like dog biscuits and hence would ruin the illusion. I also liked the power where Ralph could inhale the tear gas. It was a nice touch when Ralph started talking that a bit of the gas escaped from his mouth. Added to the illusion that he really did that. Where did Katt have trouble talking? I don't remember that. The banks bit is true too, unless the guys were going to break in without tellers, which is possible too (and, my bank is open at 1 p.m. on Saturdays, and banked at one that was open until 3 p.m.) I do like this episode overall, given the balance between bad guy and helping others scenarios. The final scene with the firebug stealing from the monastery was a funny way to end it too.
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Post by HoudiniDerek on Jul 19, 2006 13:42:53 GMT -5
When Bill comes over to hear Ralph's new idea, his voice his hoarse and I wondered if it were real or imposed. As for not flying, I know that he could have crashed, but then I wondered if maybe he can't fly without the cape. As for the bank, Ralph gets a holograph with the bank and there are tellers there. As for the dog biscuits, a couple of episodes have him bite down and chew, so I thought maybe they were fake...or maybe he liked them. I know people that have tried them and hate them...regardless of flavor. Some shows had the seatbelt mentality, but too many did not. It was odd to have messages like those in this episode or in CAPTAIN BELLYBUSTER about being good and such, but to NOT have on your seatbelt is so blatantly obvious.
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Post by MelMac on Jul 19, 2006 14:02:49 GMT -5
When Bill comes over to hear Ralph's new idea, his voice his hoarse and I wondered if it were real or imposed. As for not flying, I know that he could have crashed, but then I wondered if maybe he can't fly without the cape. As for the bank, Ralph gets a holograph with the bank and there are tellers there. As for the dog biscuits, a couple of episodes have him bite down and chew, so I thought maybe they were fake...or maybe he liked them. I know people that have tried them and hate them...regardless of flavor. Some shows had the seatbelt mentality, but too many did not. It was odd to have messages like those in this episode or in CAPTAIN BELLYBUSTER about being good and such, but to NOT have on your seatbelt is so blatantly obvious. Oh that bit... Ralph had smoke inhalation and it irritated his throat. Pam brought him the hot tea and after he sips it, he says she forgot the honey. That's usually used to soothe an irritated throat. It was part of the storyline. That's why I cringe too when I hear his voice break in "... or high tech crime" because when I had an irritated throat (courtesy of photographic stop), my voice would break at times and sound like that. (I know, I'm a girl, but it can happen as my voice gets lower a bit when that happens ). OK, forgot about him actually biting the dog biscuits and eating them. My guess is he liked them or after biting them, he found a way to get rid of them when he wasn't seen in the shot. Culp could have found a way to make it easier on him too, such as adding a flavoring on them or coating part of them in white chocolate like they do the gourmet biscuits as some chocolatiers. (OH, drawing straws, but possible.) And, as far as the cape, I think there was one script, the unmade "The long fall at ten, four and two" that touched on that issue somewhat, but you'd have to ask The J-Man, greenguy or MyTatuo about it.
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Post by HoudiniDerek on Jul 19, 2006 15:20:50 GMT -5
Probably was in the works and got nixed. I just always wondered about such things. The cape does very little...unless it is the ONLY reason he CAN fly.
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Post by jopierce on Jul 27, 2006 9:08:03 GMT -5
As for the dog biscuits, a couple of episodes have him bite down and chew, so I thought maybe they were fake...or maybe he liked them. I know people that have tried them and hate them...regardless of flavor. Well, when I was younger and GAH was just out, I already shared the love of Bill Maxwell. So I started eating dog biscuits! Everytime I gave one to the dog, I would steal one for me.
I really didn't like them, but thought they must be great if Maxwell was enjoying them. I bet RC felt the same way - necessary to get the job done...
What I enjoy is watching now to see how he holds the box of biscuits to purposefully show the little dog on the box. Just to make sure that everyone knows what he's eating... even if you didn't know it from other episodes, it was clear each time... great staging...
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Post by HoudiniDerek on Jul 27, 2006 9:33:13 GMT -5
Still I wonder what they were made of. They might have NOT been dog biscuits...or very flavorful ones that didn't taste too bad. Makes you wonder if he developed a taste for them.
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Post by billswoman on Aug 6, 2006 12:15:53 GMT -5
In the beginning of the ep, as MelMac referenced, isn't Bill screaming into the mic for back-up, then later he said Carlisle's ticked off at him for not calling for back up? I always thought that was very unfair. Or am I thinking of another ep?
I like the little boy element thrown in, btw; I think Bill's so sweet in that part. I love how he laughs and goes, "Me too!" to the kid, when the kid says how he's always wanted to be a G-man.
I LOVE the ending; I think teaming Harlan and Ira together was a wonderful idea.
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Post by HoudiniDerek on Aug 6, 2006 18:29:45 GMT -5
I do too. In LOST DIABLO, you worry about him being blind and living alone, but here he has a companion, which is nice. It is also touching about how Bill worries about him...both real and feigned.
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Post by jopierce on Aug 6, 2006 18:36:16 GMT -5
I also noticed that Harlan looks like he used the money (ie., Gold) Bill and the others gave him to get a nice trailer by a lake... Remember, Harlan was out in the desert, right?
Or is this just my memory playing tricks on me?
I am sad that Ira and Harlan don't turn up more often in future episodes.
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Post by HoudiniDerek on Aug 6, 2006 18:37:48 GMT -5
I agree that Harlan probably used the money to some degree. I am sure he either bought a new trailer or had it moved onto some private land of his...and he has been there a while since he knows how to get around and such to the lake.
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Post by jopierce on Aug 6, 2006 18:57:20 GMT -5
I would think that he also used the money to get some new duds. I think he probably also goes out cruisin the town with Ira... Maybe once a week he takes Billy out on the town, cruisin for dames...
Harlan: Ah, Billy, you've gotta meet this dame I met down the bar. Josie's her name...
Bill: Are you setting me up, pard?
Harlan: I think you'll like her. She's got a great personality...
Bill: It was bad enough when Pam set me up on a blind date... now a blind geezer is setting me up? Gimme a break...
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Post by HoudiniDerek on Aug 6, 2006 20:08:44 GMT -5
I can just see THAT. I think Harlan might like women who are more into him than Bill.
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Post by herald7 on Oct 8, 2011 10:31:44 GMT -5
OK, I find it interesting that this episode aired so close to "Dreams" which had a very similar plot line, that of Ralph trying to use the suit to help individuals, rather than the whole world. It's like the series made a conscious decision to take a break from the save the world episodes for awhile. Pam practically admits as much at one point: "Bill, we spent all this time favoring your side, I think it is time we started concentrating on what Ralph thinks is important." Say, do you think that's how Cannell's conversation with the Network guys went? Lol I did wonder about Ralph's sore throat in that scene. It doesn't seem to serve any purpose. Though I suppose you could argue it's just to give Ralph a reason to move around in the scene while Bill and Pam are talking, rather than remain static. Plus it gets compounded when he inhales all that smoke later. So perhaps the lesson here is that helping others can be painful! ;D In any case, I always found Bill's concern about it rather touching.
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Post by prometheus74 on Oct 9, 2011 3:28:38 GMT -5
Perhaps Katt had a cold in real life, so they incorporated his sore throat into the story? By the way, being the Obsessive-Compulsive that I am, I can't help but be a little bit "agitated" by the fact so many of the episode threads are entitled: "___________question". ;D Would any of you moderators be able to remove the "question" from the episode title? There are at least 4 or 5 such threads, including this one.
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Post by herald7 on Oct 9, 2011 7:42:08 GMT -5
Perhaps Katt had a cold in real life, so they incorporated his sore throat into the story? I do actually remember someone asking him that in a podcast interview once, lol. He said he didn't really remember but it was possible because the dialogue was often having to be changed even on the set. It's honestly hard to tell. It seems pretty realistic, on the other hand, hello, he's an actor, that's kind of the point! Lol
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