CIVIL WARS - season 6

[Kruemi]

Fortnightly Discussion of a Randomly Chosen Episode – 31.1.10



Civil Wars – season 6

I haven’t watched this episode very often, but it lingered in my memory as a funny one. Now that I re-watched it for this discussion, I affirm this impression – for almost two-third of it.

There are three conflicts to handle: the one between Hank and Horace, the next between Loren and Preston, and the third between Dorothy and Grace. While I think the formers are akin to a screwball comedy, the latter saddens me. It isn’t funny at all.

Let’s have a look at the first couple: Preston is such a rat; he had the time of his life tricking Loren. I admit though that he makes me laugh when he tries to show that Loren is lying about his condition. And he and Loren are too funny when they try to bribe Michaela.
As to Loren: In the beginning I actually feel sorry for him. He didn’t weigh his words when he put on this advertisement, which was something new for him (well, apart from the stuff he sold for that singer Gilda such-and-such (I’m terrible with names, and I only remember her first name because we have her here as )). He looked like a child that had fun with a new toy.
Well, I know it is wrong, but Loren cracks me up when he fakes first his fall (what do you think: did Orson Bean that himself or rather a stuntman??) and then his injury. I think the Preston/Loren fight is the funniest one because it is harmless; no one gets hurt in the process.

This can’t be said about the second conflict. Whilst the first nose breaking was just an accident (sorry, Horace, but it made me laugh; not only when it happened but later too, when Hank described it), the next one was pure violence and not funny at all – only what became of it when both men tried to prove that they were in the right.

As to the third fighting couple: I can’t believe Dorothy made such a fuss because of 13 ft, especially with Grace still having a very difficult time after Anthony’s death. She keeps insisting that she doesn’t want to upset Grace but with the same breath she wants to see the proof of what Robert E. told her about his property. Actually, I don’t really understand why Robert E. is defending Dorothy who should just have let it go. She had no intention to expand her office; she was just in love with the thought she could have more property.

However, to all three cases applies that they could have been solved quite easily right in the beginning: if they all had thought of a compromise. Since no one was willing to give in, Michaela had the thankless task to tell them to do so. Btw, I love Michaela and Matthew’s interaction in this episode .

I believe it was on the official DQ website where I read that this episode was meant to bring some lighter mood into the show after the preceding two-part episode A Time to Heal. I think they succeeded.

[SadieCass]

Because I happened to have this in my computer when you posted this today, I went ahead and watched it

I think you're right. This had a lot of mixture of lighthearted fun and seriousness.

One problem I did have with it though...Loren's involvement in the kerfuffle about lawsuits and getting back at Preston. While it is not out of character at all...this is shortly after he lost Marjorie and it doesn't seem to be a part of him in this episode. I would think it would still be a huge thing considering just months (or weeks, depnding on interpretation of time line) later he's still grieving enough to sell his store and leave town!

Sorry, that was one thing that just struck me as I got to thinking about the different story lines in it. At least Grace is shown grieving (and drinking) STILL (appropriately) over Anthony's death...but Loren is excited over the special drink that came in? It's just out of place to me.

[Ella]

I know what you mean, Sadie, but actually I don't think that it is unrealistic.
It was a bit like this when Ingrid died. Matthew's real pain came out only after a while a few episodes later.
Grace had to live with her fear for Anthony's life for a long time and when he actually died and her worst fears came true she really broke down and didn't seem to ever recover.
But Marjorie's death (just like Ingrid's) came out of the blue. Matthew and Loren, both were heartbroken, but then tried to get back to 'normal life' at first, before they realized that this was not possible just like that. That the pain inside of them was too great. Both tried to change their lives completely then.
I think this is not unrealistic. This time in between might be a kind of denial.

In Civil wars we meet a Loren, who was seemingly his old self as if nothing had happened, the businessman who wants to be cleverer than others. I must say that I was glad when I saw Loren like this. It was a relief, because I was afraid that we might 'lose' Loren, the Loren we knew, when Marjorie died. But I also didn't question it that he seemed to get a grip on himself.
We could also assume that he thought that there were people who still needed him: Dorothy, Brian (Sully was still away after all). Maybe Point Blank when Michaela nearly died too, reminded him of his Marjorie's death, so that he wasn't able to put his loss aside any longer. Well, that's at least my interpretation of Loren's psyche.

Originally Posted by Kruemi

I believe it was on the official DQ website where I read that this episode was meant to bring some lighter mood into the show after the preceding two-part episode A Time to Heal.

This is what I always thought, and why I like this episode very much. Season six is so dark and sad sometimes, often actually, and I just miss some elements of the earlier seasons there. The townies fighting against each other and coming back to each other again. A slightly confused Michaela right in the middle of everything. The Horace-Hank-confrontation. Loren and Preston who both want to be such clever dicks. The gathering at the church. (I don't know why, but I just love episodes with gatherings at the church.)
I'm really grateful for Civil Wars in the sixth season.

Of course there is also a message in the episode and -I don't know the exact quote - but Michaela names it when she is talking to Matthew: what are all these little unimportant things compared to Sully's case. She could have also said compared to everything that had happened in some episodes before. Or in other words: do we really have to fight about every little thing? Is it worth to risk even friendships just to be the one who is in the right? People should take care about the important things and be a bit more relaxed about knicknacks. And so on and so on.
But, to be honest, I don't think that this common wisdom is what makes the episode important, but the fun.

[SadieCass]

Originally Posted by Ella

I know what you mean, Sadie, but actually I don't think that it is unrealistic.
It was a bit like this when Ingrid died. Matthew's real pain came out only after a while a few episodes later.

LOL. Well, to be honest...while I understand this theory (and your explanation behind)....I always hated the choppiness of Matthew's coping as well. It all just felt off to me.

However, as I said...I can understand your interpretation on it....and maybe you are right...I just don't know that I still care for how it was handled...in either case.

[Geertrui]

I have to admit I don’t care much for this episode. However, I like the conflict between Loren and Preston. But as to the other conflicts, I find them too far fetched. Maybe it’s just me and my sense of humor but I don’t find it funny (apart from the conflict between Loren and Preston). The subject covered in this episode is hard to use humor imo. I feel the tomatoes coming.

[Dr. Slicker]

I like tomatoes with mozzarella on ciabatta much, so no chance of throwing them away...

Originally Posted by Ella

Or in other words: do we really have to fight about every little thing? Is it worth to risk even friendships just to be the one who is in the right? People should take care about the important things and be a bit more relaxed about knicknacks.

That´s true, but why didn´t they obey this truth?
The Dorothy-Grace-conflict for me is the proof, that their relationship is more a good acquaintance than a friendship. Not thinkable in this way, if it was a good or even deep friendship. And Dorothy´s attitude in this episode for me is quite similar to her "personal atmosphere" in "Dorothy´s Book" - a bit cross-grained and on the go for a good fight. It seems, that Dorothy is eagerly searching for an independent status and for respect. Perhaps a consequence of being frustrated and alienated in her private life before and after her sanctuary in Colorado Springs.

I must confess, that I like Horace´s shiners... They are outstanding spruce and the symmetry of blackness with the two eyes is impressive. Horace is back from depression to be the same old narrow-minded grouchy guy he hided so succsessfully before the marriage with Myra. His yearning for integration into the town-macho-group finally failed.

For me Loren´s commercial enthusiasm is a mixture of an almost automatic reflex and - as stated by Ella - a kind of suppression. Better to have a good deal than to sit down and ruminate. When he realizes, that Preston pulled him over the barrel, he isn´t man enough to lose. It´s a kind of endless cockfight - funny at the beginning, boring at the end.
And Preston seemingly acts out his sarcastic vein. He is always kinda inapproachable with this virtue, like being forced to hide his weakness with placing an attack against people.

[Lynn]

I like the relationship between Michaela and Mathew like adults here

[MissyRose]

I must admit, reading this, I feel increasingly shallow.
You're all finding these deep messages and meanings in the smallest symbols, and I just think it's a funny episode.

[Kruemi]

That's not shallow - that is how it is supposed to be!! As I said in the beginning of my post: I remember the episode as a funny one. When I just watch for relaxing, I rarely think about any meanings... I just enjoy (or don't :lol_2: ) what I see. But when I re-watch for the discussions here, I kinda transform from the watcher into a critic. And hearing the opinions of other critics often gives me a new view at things which can heighten the pleasure of watching but sometimes lessens it as well.

[LuvLee]

I also thought this was a funny, light-hearted episode.......great timing with a lot of the sadness and darker storylines preceding it!

Oh the Preston/Loren lawsuit was hilarious! To me it really did bring out that both of these men had a lot of "greed" issues, which was true and shown in other episodes too. Oh the attempt at bribing Michaela with the baskets of goodies! LOL

The Dorothy/Grace lawsuit bugged me no end!! I never warmed up to Dorothy and thought she was not a nice person or a true friend in many, many episodes! There just is no reason in this world I would ever even **think** of suing someone (let alone a friend!!) in a time of the loss that Grace experienced!!! And then just for a few feet of store space?? This to me did indeed show that Dorothy was a very selfish and petty person and always put herself above everyone!!!

Hank..........while I totally understand his frustration with Horace.......the second time of actually hitting him was wrong. But the first one was an accident and Horace being so angry still at Hank wanted to "stick it to him" and try to get back at Hank. I don't think Horace was ever a happy person after Myra left. Or starting with shortly after Samantha was born actually.

Matthew handled himself brilliantly!!! Definitely showed his knack and understanding for legalities!!! I also loved his and Micheala's relationship in this episode!!! But it was one of the episodes without Sully and I missed him sooooooooooooooooooo much!!!! LOL

[Geertrui]

Originally Posted by LuvLee

The Dorothy/Grace lawsuit bugged me no end!! I never warmed up to Dorothy and thought she was not a nice person or a true friend in many, many episodes! There just is no reason in this world I would ever even **think** of suing someone (let alone a friend!!) in a time of the loss that Grace experienced!!! And then just for a few feet of store space?? This to me did indeed show that Dorothy was a very selfish and petty person and always put herself above everyone!!!

The whole thing between Dorothy and Grace doesn't sit right to me too. Dorothy can be curious but this case it's too far fetched imo. I have the impression that the producers had a lack of imagination and quickly invented a case. Well, that's the way I feel.
I don't agree with Dorothy being selfish. In my opinion she is a person who loves the people around her.

[Amber]

I agree, the whole story line between Dorothy and Grace felt forced...I would like to think that Dorothy wouldn't do something like that, but not being the biggest fan of Dorothy myself, I'm not completely sure. I do feel that Dorothy genuinely cared about the people around her, but, IMO, she did have her selfish moments...still I have trouble imagining her fighting Grace over something so petty. It was a more lighthearted episode than many in season 6 (poor Horace and his shiners!), but had its more serious moments too. Not one of my favorite episodes, but a fun one to watch sometimes...