He was like that in the show, too (Face, not Kyle, I mean) - ever notice that evil grin whenever he was tossing explosives around? LOL
Sidebar - I wonder how much Kyle/Ruckus influenced the concept of Face/TAT - at least at the start when it was supposed to be a more "gritty" show. And how much that played into Cannell and Lupo wanting Dirk for Face. I mean, the movie was released in 1981/1982 (depending on which site you visit), and then TAT in '83. Fun as the show was, I think it could've been interesting if it had gone more the "gritty" route. Just a little musing on my part ;-)
I mean, the movie was released in 1981/1982 (depending on which site you visit), and then TAT in '83. Fun as the show was, I think it could've been interesting if it had gone more the "gritty" route. Just a little musing on my part ;-)
I do agree, I think later series (3 & 4) lost a little of what the guys were actually capable of etc. Forgot the SF side of it all. I actually like S5 Theory of Revolution episode, because it put their skills back to the test. Made *me* realise better what SF was about too ;o)
Yeah, I think that's why Seasons 1 and 5 are my favorites, because the writers actually remembered who these guys were. I know the actors all took off with in the comedic direction, but given the kinds of scripts they were handed, what else could they do? :p
I do agree, I think later series (3 & 4) lost a little of what the guys were actually capable of etc. Forgot the SF side of it all. I actually like S5 Theory of Revolution episode, because it put their skills back to the test. Made *me* realise better what SF was about too ;o)
To me it's like there's three "levels", your normal soldier, commandos, and then Special Forces. Special Forces have their own kind of mystique don't they? I mean look at the fascination in this country with the SAS. We fell in love with these guys back in the Iranian Embassy siege and we've worshipped them ever since.
Yeah, definitely the three levels. SF were actually called triple volunteers - enlist, Airborne, SF. The commando-types - that's where the Recondo School in Nha Trang came in. Volunteers from all branches, if they qualified, could attend this school which was taught by SF. It was quite an honor to actually graduate from there - especially since in order to graduate you had to survive your first recon mission ;-) But the SF was definitely the Elite - and from reading some of the personal accounts and history, they knew it - and took advantage of it LOL
He was like that in the show, too (Face, not Kyle, I mean) - ever notice that evil grin whenever he was tossing explosives around? LOL
Like all men, he's a boy inside. Heh, I remember when writing Freaks, the team only managed to impress the client's sulky teen son once they blew up a truck. Male bonding through property destruction. ;-)
Sidebar - I wonder how much Kyle/Ruckus influenced the concept of Face/TAT - at least at the start when it was supposed to be a more "gritty" show. And how much that played into Cannell and Lupo wanting Dirk for Face. I mean, the movie was released in 1981/1982 (depending on which site you visit), and then TAT in '83. Fun as the show was, I think it could've been interesting if it had gone more the "gritty" route. Just a little musing on my part ;-)
It was Dirk's very next job wasn't it? Doesn't he say in the commentary that Ruckus was good training for The A-Team?
As much as Ruckus was grittier than The A-Team, the ending where he basically scares the crap out of them, without killing or even seriously hurting any of them is very A-Team.
But I agree I'd have liked to see more about the effects of the war on them. Not to the extent of them still being like Kyle right into the 1980's since they couldn't have worked the way they did if they were still so badly affected.
And of course that was one of the first series that was showing Vietnam vets in a generally postitve way, not as crazies, or emotionally crippled, the way most were portrayed in the 1970s. What other ones were there? Magnum and a couple of his friends and Crockett and Castillo on Miami Vice are the Vietnam vets I can think of right away. Were there others?
But I agree I'd have liked to see more about the effects of the war on them. Not to the extent of them still being like Kyle right into the 1980's since they couldn't have worked the way they did if they were still so badly affected.
yeah, sometimes watching the show, and then reading some fanfic, I do think, did these guys really suffer because it doesn't seem that apparent on the show. I know that it IS ten years on, but even so, Murdock is the only one still *suffering*. But then maybe he's suffering for all of them.
Sound Of Thunder gave us a taste that they didn't like being back there.
I suppose, now that we are older we want more from the show, but really it WAS for kids ;o)
I think, if it wasn't for POW camp mention, I probably would have been okay with their being okay ;-) Despite the press and media portrayals, most Vietnam vets went on with their lives without anything other than "normal reactions" to the war. But just for dramatic value (TAT had that occasionally LOL) I would have liked the others to have "shared" some of Murdock's "quirkiness". Then again, maybe the very fact that they had no problem blowing things to bits, shooting up neighborhoods and driving everywhere like it was the Indy 500 was that manifestation :D
You know, I've just watched Recipe For Heavy Bread (had it on in the back ground whilst I played with my son...no way was he having a nap ;o( )and if this one doesn't cover the POW camps, I don't know which one does.
So these guys did suffer because at the end Lid Duk Koo or however you spell it, says "you saved my life" and Hannibal replies, "No, you saved ours." Quite a strong message there.
Also, your story came flooding back to me too ;o) Well done you!!!! ;O)
Then again, maybe the very fact that they had no problem blowing things to bits, shooting up neighborhoods and driving everywhere like it was the Indy 500 was that manifestation :D
yes something tells me, that could be how the *handle* the real world lol! ;O)
I would have liked the others to have "shared" some of Murdock's "quirkiness".
Well, I've often said Face has a more active fantasy life than Murdock. Murdock plays at being a movie director in Bend in the River. Face in Range Rider thinks he can actually get away with being a real producer! :D
Then again, maybe the very fact that they had no problem blowing things to bits, shooting up neighborhoods and driving everywhere like it was the Indy 500 was that manifestation :D
There were a few that alluded to it, but it never was a 'focus point'. But you brought up a good point - there weren't that many shows on TV where vets were portrayed positively - or at least, functioning. And the movies were worse - they were either psychopaths or unable to do anything that wasn't kill or be killed thinking. Like Castillo - that always irritated me the way he was some kind of Ninja/Mystic Super Hero. Gad.
That said, I would really have loved to see more of the Sound of Thunder or Nice Place type eps. But that goes along with the writers remembering they were SF ;-)
That said, I would really have loved to see more of the Sound of Thunder or Nice Place type eps. But that goes along with the writers remembering they were SF ;-)
lol! I suppose there are different writers for different eps, and some just didn't quite get the SF angle right did they?
Yeah, Castillo was just very odd altogether. :D And Crockett had some issues now and again, if I recall right (Been a long time since I've seen it.) But Miami Vice was more of a purely dramatic show than TAT or Magnum P.I., so it would explore that side of it a bit more, I suppose.
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Sidebar - I wonder how much Kyle/Ruckus influenced the concept of Face/TAT - at least at the start when it was supposed to be a more "gritty" show. And how much that played into Cannell and Lupo wanting Dirk for Face. I mean, the movie was released in 1981/1982 (depending on which site you visit), and then TAT in '83. Fun as the show was, I think it could've been interesting if it had gone more the "gritty" route. Just a little musing on my part ;-)
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I do agree, I think later series (3 & 4) lost a little of what the guys were actually capable of etc. Forgot the SF side of it all. I actually like S5 Theory of Revolution episode, because it put their skills back to the test. Made *me* realise better what SF was about too ;o)
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To me it's like there's three "levels", your normal soldier, commandos, and then Special Forces. Special Forces have their own kind of mystique don't they? I mean look at the fascination in this country with the SAS. We fell in love with these guys back in the Iranian Embassy siege and we've worshipped them ever since.
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Like all men, he's a boy inside. Heh, I remember when writing Freaks, the team only managed to impress the client's sulky teen son once they blew up a truck. Male bonding through property destruction. ;-)
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It was Dirk's very next job wasn't it? Doesn't he say in the commentary that Ruckus was good training for The A-Team?
As much as Ruckus was grittier than The A-Team, the ending where he basically scares the crap out of them, without killing or even seriously hurting any of them is very A-Team.
But I agree I'd have liked to see more about the effects of the war on them. Not to the extent of them still being like Kyle right into the 1980's since they couldn't have worked the way they did if they were still so badly affected.
And of course that was one of the first series that was showing Vietnam vets in a generally postitve way, not as crazies, or emotionally crippled, the way most were portrayed in the 1970s. What other ones were there? Magnum and a couple of his friends and Crockett and Castillo on Miami Vice are the Vietnam vets I can think of right away. Were there others?
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yeah, sometimes watching the show, and then reading some fanfic, I do think, did these guys really suffer because it doesn't seem that apparent on the show. I know that it IS ten years on, but even so, Murdock is the only one still *suffering*. But then maybe he's suffering for all of them.
Sound Of Thunder gave us a taste that they didn't like being back there.
I suppose, now that we are older we want more from the show, but really it WAS for kids ;o)
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So these guys did suffer because at the end Lid Duk Koo or however you spell it, says "you saved my life" and Hannibal replies, "No, you saved ours." Quite a strong message there.
Also, your story came flooding back to me too ;o) Well done you!!!! ;O)
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yes something tells me, that could be how the *handle* the real world lol! ;O)
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Well, I've often said Face has a more active fantasy life than Murdock. Murdock plays at being a movie director in Bend in the River. Face in Range Rider thinks he can actually get away with being a real producer! :D
Then again, maybe the very fact that they had no problem blowing things to bits, shooting up neighborhoods and driving everywhere like it was the Indy 500 was that manifestation :D
It would certainly be good for relieving stress.
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Agree 100%! LOL That aspect of his character opens the door for so many plot lines ;-)
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That said, I would really have loved to see more of the Sound of Thunder or Nice Place type eps. But that goes along with the writers remembering they were SF ;-)
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lol! I suppose there are different writers for different eps, and some just didn't quite get the SF angle right did they?
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