THE RACE - season 2

[Kruemi]

Fortnightly Discussion of a Randomly Chosen Episode – 03.01.10



The Race – season 2

What an episode for the first discussion in 2010 !!

The Race was, IMO, a great way to begin season 2. There I found everything what I love the show for: conflict, drama, fun and even some romance.

One conflict: Although most townspeople had learned to accept Michaela as Dr. Mike, the male part of them wouldn’t allow her to go as far as to take part in a horse race for this was their domain. As to get her will, she needed to trick the jury. Although she won the race, she wasn’t pronounced the winner. Actually, I liked that she didn’t insist on getting the prize but was just happy to have made her point .
Another conflict: Is it really ridiculous when a boy wants to bake? Here we have the problem the other way around: should Brian be allowed not only to make a cake but even have fun doing so?
Of course I am aware that both conflicts are an expression of the same problem: how to overcome stereotyped thinking? The second example shows us that it is possible when there is someone who is willing to look over the edge of the plate (I hope this expression exists in English, it does in German ). Grace was just great; it didn’t even occur to her to think it strange when she suggested for Brian to try to bake for the competition.
However, when there is only a little group (in this case Michaela, the Cooper kids, Sully and Myra) that has to stand up against a much larger majority it needs a lot more time and proofs before the mass starts to think. (Even 140 years later there are still enough men in the world who think that women only exist to serve them.)

The drama: It was horrible that this young man had to die only because Dr. Cassidy was an incorrigible male chauvinist. He didn’t even consider Michaela’s diagnosis, let alone accept her help. This part of the episode showed where stereotyped thinking leads in the end.

But now to the funny parts (I couldn’t type quick enough to get here ):
- “Just heading back to town!” – I had to laugh how Michaela tricked CD and Sully and passed them.
- It was hilarious to watch the reverend, Jake and Loren taste the cakes – and even more so their reaction when they realized that Brian’s was the best - and Brian couldn’t remember what he put in.
- “Don’t swing your hips.” - “I never swing my hips!” – “Whatever ya do, don’t.” LOL … I thought it funny that ALL the males that where in the conspiracy watched Michaela exercise - including Wolf.
- The look on Myra’s face when she recognizes Michaela
- Loren’s gruff expression when he hands the cup to this ‘young man’ who’d ruined his bet

As to the romance, which is just recognizable in subtle gestures: the saddle Sully made for Michaela, that he suggests to ride Flash in the race although it is against his principles, his showing her the route although he doesn’t want her to ride, the rose he gives her in the end. Happy sigh...

Although I left out the other townsfolk, I’d like to mention Jake in the end: I didn’t expect him to give the winner’s garland to Flash. I wonder why he did it – because all people were cheering for Mike and her horse? Hmm... Maybe it was a little sidekick against Hank, too . I know there is much more to say: about Hank or Matthew, but I hope some of you will do this part for me .

Anyway, did I already mention that I love this episode ?

[Anne]

Krümi, you know I'm not one to write reviews, but I enjoy reading them, and I completely agree with you on this episode. I love it and it'll always be in my list of top faves.

Originally Posted by Kruemi

- The look on Myra’s face when she recognizes Michaela

Hahaha, or Mike's desperate glare at Myra, 'please don't say anything' was priceless.

Oh... and before I forget about it. I LOVE this episode.

[Ella]

Wonderful intro, Kruemi.
I already started to write a post, but was interrupted on Sunday.

Originally Posted by Kruemi

The Race was, IMO, a great way to begin season 2. There I found everything what I love the show for: conflict, drama, fun and even some romance.

You are so right. It's a perfect mixture of the best incredients.

I think the writers were thinking about a way how they could bring the actual theme of the series back: a woman who had to face male prejudice and fought for her acceptance as a doctor. The townies had accepted her in the meantime, but what about a male colleague? What if she wanted to step into another area where only men were accepted?

Dr. Cassidy, as much as I hate and despice him, is a great character imo. (I love to hate the moment when Michaela introduces herself to him and he looks around, thinking this was a joke.)

My favourite moment is a Brian one: when he gets to know that his pie needs a 'name' and he wants to call it Mr. Bray.

What I was always wondering about this episode is: where does it happen? I mean, the scenery, it's not the meadow or is it? Where are they? I always have this thought, when I watch this episode: where are they?

I come back if I have more to say. Something deeper maybe.

[Geertrui]

I love this episode! The perfect episode to start the second season, it’s a classic one in all her facets, humour, drama and romance. It has his serious moments too, dealing with the prejudice that women can’t do what men can do and vice versa, which resulted in a sad event. Happily there is Michaela who’s determined to stand up, fight for justice and make the townspeople think.

It all begins with Snowbird. It’s great that she gives Flash as a gift. “She will run for you” great line!

When I was watching this episode again, I was surprised to see that there are many funny scenes. Well actually comments that aren’t supposed to be funny but are rude and painful for instance Loren’s. For some reason you secretly start laughing.

Originally Posted by Ella

I love to hate the moment when Michaela introduces herself to him and he looks around, thinking this was a joke.

I’ve to admit I like that scene. But to state it clearly, that’s the only scene I didn’t yell at the screen. Doc Cassidy is such a jerk… a person I love to hate.

The award for the cutest character goes to Brian, making his surprise pie or was it a Mr Bray-pie?
There was some fuss at the start of the race because no one has seen Bill in town before. Myra says she did and tries to seduce the men. Brian turns back and giggles. That little moment was cute too!

This episode is a sequence of great scenes, like when Michaela tucks up her hair and put that hat on. Her look and the kids reactions are priceless. I can go on and on! And I haven't mentioned the romantic scenes yet, happy sigh.

[Kruemi]

Huzzah ! again for this episode we all like .

Originally Posted by Ella

What I was always wondering about this episode is: where does it happen? I mean, the scenery, it's not the meadow or is it? Where are they?

I've never looked very closely, but I always assumed they are somewhere in the back of Grace`s Café for there were all the things they needed for the baking .

[Gemma]

Huzzah ! again for this episode we all like .

ehem, may I say I don't like this episode... I know it's something very subjective. But it annoys me a little bit. Apart from some particular reason OT. I don't like it because I would have preferred to see Sully racing. After all his trauma with horse riding it would have been great to see him on a horse.
My son adores this episode though and I have watched more than 5 times I would say.
What I love the most of this episode is the music, that part specially composed for the episode. I made a homemade arrangement editing the episode sound.

[Kruemi]

Originally Posted by Gemma

Quote:
Huzzah ! again for this episode we all like .

ehem, may I say I don't like this episode...

Yep , you may . That's the great thing about this board . And I will adjust what I said above: Huzzah! again for this episode that many of us like .

[cooperkids]

Originally Posted by Gemma

ehem, may I say I don't like this episode... I know it's something very subjective. But it annoys me a little bit.

Okay, now that someone else has come out and said they don't like it, I can add my two cents. Actually, I've just been busy and so I haven't had time to watch it again--which I still haven't. By the way, great intro, as always, Kruemi. It's not that I don't like this episode, I guess it's just more that I don't know why Michaela felt she needed to participate. Gemma, your suggestion about Sully being the rider is one I hadn't considered, and I would have liked that, but sometimes Michaela just irks me in how she has to be part of everything, always proving everyone wrong about her, as if she's almost insecure herself. [I feel the tomatoes coming.]

Why isn't it okay that the guys have this one thing? Yeah, they rub it in her face but, c'mon, look who we're talking about here. Since Gemma mentioned Sully being the rider, I am going to go with that and say the episode would have been just as great had that been the case, with Dr. Cassidy and his prejudice against Michaela being the issue that she has to deal with, which leads to the death of that young man. Brian's desire to bake also works in nicely as a different perspective on the issue of going against stereotypes.

I enjoy this episode for the funny moments it contains, but Michaela's decision to ride in this race is something I just feel was unnecessary.

[Ella]

Watch out, Cheryl and Gemma, tomatoes on your way!!!

Originally Posted by Gemma

I would have preferred to see Sully racing

May I admit that I would have liked to see that too? Sully and Hank racing against each other and their hair flying in the wind. I wouldn't have mind to see that. Why has always Michaela to be the hero?
Nowadays she would have been emancipated enough to stand aside and cheered for her man, knowing that she could do it just as good as he and knowing that nobody needed a proof for her many abilities.
But not in the Dr. Quinn time. Michaela had to prove herself over and over again. That's why we were not allowed to see Sully. (Which is a shame indeed.)

Originally Posted by Cooperkids

Why isn't it okay that the guys have this one thing? Yeah, they rub it in her face but, c'mon, look who we're talking about here.

I find this extremely interesting. Again I think we have to see this from Michaela's point of view (it's in her personality) and from the point of view of a woman in the 1860th who has an occupation where she has to fight against male prejudice. For Michaela all this is connected.
But in this special case, imo, it's mainly because of Colleen that she wasn't willing to let the men go away with their chauvinistic attitude. She had to give Colleen an example.
They had this conversation about this matter, but I believe, especially after this incident with the dead rider, Michaela felt the need to show Colleen that woman could achieve everything if they just wanted and nobody had the right to talk them down just because they were woman.

[Kruemi]

Originally Posted by cooperkids

I don't know why Michaela felt she needed to participate

In the beginning it was the excitement about her new horse. When she learned women weren't allowed, she tried to get the rules changed but when that didn't work, she looked for another rider. In fact, she asked Sully to ride Flash but he refused to do it. Then she asked Hank (even made kind of a contract with him and accepted less money in case Flash would win only to see her horse in that race) who disqualified himself by beating Flash. Michaela was only determined about participating herself AFTER this young man had to die because of Dr. Cassidy's prejudice. Only then she wanted to prove that she could do as well as a man, not only in regard to her doctoring.

[saffleechy]

I dont think Michaela would have been Michaela (as annoying as she can sometimes be) if she hadnt ridden in the race. Her desire to always prove her abilities in the face of prejudice is a bit of a theme in the whole show and we, the audience, are meant to roll our eyes along with the townsfolk when she gets on her "I'm gonna show them" routine. I like the point about her setting an example for Colleen. It shows a good connection there and a healthy sense of leading by example. The first season was Dr Mike earning the children's respect and love even in the face of great prejudice. Now, the relationship has changed to the point where she can share these choices with her children and have them choose for themselves and even suggest ways of standing up to prejudice. It was colleens idea after all.

I love this episode. There is something so thrilling seeing dr Mike beat them all at their own game. And as a woman, my heart does cheer for her. The little funny moments and cute moments are what make the episode for me. My fav moment, ammongst others, is when she and Sully come to the meet and Loren, Jake and Hank comment on her appearance. Let's face it, she does look great and its wonderful that she can embrace her beauty but not let it control her.
Just a thought (or five)

[Ella]

I try to add all the existing videos in the DQ-video-library to their episodes, if there is already an existing discussion that is. And we have a video for The Race too. Made by Sophy.
YouTube- DQMW-Video-Library - Season 2 - The Race

[cooperkids]

Originally Posted by Kruemi

In the beginning it was the excitement about her new horse. When she learned women weren't allowed, she tried to get the rules changed but when that didn't work, she looked for another rider. In fact, she asked Sully to ride Flash but he refused to do it. Then she asked Hank (even made kind of a contract with him and accepted less money in case Flash would win only to see her horse in that race) who disqualified himself by beating Flash. Michaela was only determined about participating herself AFTER this young man had to die because of Dr. Cassidy's prejudice. Only then she wanted to prove that she could do as well as a man, not only in regard to her doctoring.

Thanks for clearing that up. I didn't remember that part; though it doesn't necessarily change how I feel about her decision to participate, it at least makes more sense.

[Geertrui]

That's ok, Gemma and Cheryl. Your input is appreciated as much as all the others .

I believe too that the death of the rider is a turning point. Michaela had accepted that she is not allowed to the race. Prejudices like these can be dangerous as the incident shows us. Yes, I think that Michaela had to participate.

Good point about Colleen! Emancipation does not happen in one generation.