Hi Paully,
I wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed your wonderful "Apollo" review. I VERY MUCH enjoyed all the photos, and appreciate how much work you put into this.
And Becca is right - your English is excellent. I don't think many of us could have expressed ourselves as well in another language. Thank you!! And if we ever write anything that is not completely clear to you,
please let us know and we'll explain as best we can.
I agree with you, I think that the beginning of "Apollo" was meant to be "believed" - and from your reaction, Mr. Frankel very much succeeded. There is a device used in writing and the theater called "suspension of disbelief." It basically means that for the moment, you should let go of your beliefs - especially things you believe could NOT happen. This is often used in science fiction and fantasy. Just "suspend" (or put on a shelf) what you normally would believe and just enjoy what is being shown for your entertainment.
Perhaps some people would never believe that Scotty and Kelly would have a fight or that Scotty had a "surprise wife" he never talked about - BUT these were both portrayed in a very believable way! The beginning WAS meant to be believed - at least enough for a seed of suspicion to be planted in the viewer's mind. And these events helped build to a most interesting story - with some very interesting characters.
Mr. Frankel used his own background and expertise in the aerospace industry to add a very "real" flavor to this episode.
I, too, found it interesting that you used the term "typical" American story - and I understand your explanation fully. "..... the average American living rooms, apartments, children's bedrooms (as in "Little Boy Lost"), TVs (as at the very beginning of "Trial by Treehouse"), of course the big and long American cars (as the one used by Bobbie and Roger in "Apollo" or the car Marisa escapes with in "So Coldly Sweet") and finally the big amusement park in "Little Boy Lost".
Unfortunately, some of the things you viewed may not be all that "typical" or "average." In the 60's, many people did drive big American cars, but even more were driving Volkswagens and small Fiats. Alan Loden (Ron Howard's) bedroom was definitely not typical. In fact, that is what Kelly and Scotty talk about when they visit it. Alan lived in a very elegant house, and his room was filled with lots of materials things - which his father bought to try to cover up for his not being there for his son. Alan's home and bedroom were not average, but more upper-class.
We really don't see too many American homes in I SPY - except Scotty's Mom's apartment - Aunty Alta and Uncle Harry's farmhouse in "Home to Judgment" - Vicki's house in "Trial by Treehouse" (and the TV part at the beginning IS typical) - and Aram Kanjarian's home in "Lisa." ... Most of the other stories take place overseas. But I guess what we found so interesting in watching all the foreign locations on "I SPY," you found interesting in watching the American episodes. (I guess we can go with the famous expression "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder." )
Thank you again Paully for a wonderful review. We look forward to more ....
And did your sunglasses arrive??
All my best,
Tatia
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