big red tractors
Apr. 3rd, 2008 11:59 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
grimorieNBC announced its 08-09 line-up and they've apparently moved Life from Wednesdays to Fridays.
I've been informed that the Friday, 10 PM time slot is akin to a kiss of death for a lot of shows.
Oh, NBC, just when I thought you wouldn't pull a FOX, you do this!
I really hope that's not the case for Life and hoping against hope that the NBC folk change their minds.
Keeping Zen,![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-community.gif)
pers_pineapple is doing a re-watch of Fill it Up the season finale of Life. You should all join in,the discussion's free flowing and lively.
So, last night, I was surfing the net and had somehow... ended up purchasing a copy of Life's original pilot script back when Charlie Crews was called Billy Crews.
*cough*
(Yes, apparently, I am that obsessed.)
There are three versions of the pilot floating around, the first version of the pilot, which from what I've read had a lot of different scenes from the aired pilot and the second unaired pilot whose only difference is the title card.
The script is closer to the first version of Merit Badge than the one we already know. It also has a different feel from the aired pilot.
The first obvious difference is that the episode opens with Dani, waking-up from her one night stand. Dani, who wasn't cast at this point, is a little older than the Dani we have on screen. Reading this script also made me realize (not that I didn't before) how much an actor/actress adds to the character. script!Dani feels a lot more generic than our Dani. She has the damage and the same anger but she felt a lot more tacked on to the episode than part of it.
Part of this might have to do with how Reese and Crews meet. In the aired pilot, Crews soaks up the sun as Reese seeks out Crews and once found wastes no time and immediately turns around and walks back to the crime scene, forcing Crews to follow along and ask: "Are you Reese?"
And Reese, without stopping replies, "Detective Reese."
Then on the walk to the crime scene, other cops would look at Crews suspiciously, eliminating the need for a long scene where the cops would have an anvily exposition talk about Crews, just like what they did in script and the first version of the pilot:
The script version starts out with Billy Crews ignoring Reese as she introduces herself. I'm not going to lie, I didn't like this version of the meeting, not only because it felt generic: partner introduces herself to the lead. This version didn't feel like Dani Reese could be the senior detective, compared to the aired version where she calls Crews then tells him what's what and let him decide to follow her in or just stay put.
Also, I have to admit, because of how Billy Crews was introduced I felt an instant dislike for him, which isn't fair considering this was just the start. Also, strange because Billy Crews was just another version of Charlie but reading over the script did little to change my opinion.
Right off the bat Billy Crews came off as condescending and rude and this, again, shows how much the an actor adds to the role because Damian Lewis makes Charlie Crews work and his Charlie Crews never felt condescending. Charlie can be rude and self-involved but he can also be very charming.
Another difference between Billy and Charlie Crews is that Billy was released from prison 10 months before the series started, while our Charlie was released four months. But Charlie's a lot richer than Billy because people suspect the Billy's settlement money is 'only' up to $10 million, while our Charlie is suspected to have $50 million. Plus, Billy Crews is, aside from being condescending, a *lot* angrier than our Charlie. Or, our Charlie is much better at fooling people than Billy.
In the original script, Reese and Crews reported to Captain Chaskes, Rand doesn't have a specific description for Chaskes just that he was the captain. Most of Chaskes dialogue was given to Davis and Dani. I've been so worried about the new character arriving that I've forgotten to worry about Davis. What will happen to her now that they have Tidwell in the mix?
In the script, Davis has a much more reduced role than the one she has on screen. Here Davis is just Dani's old friend in the Force, working in the same department but not directly reporting to Davis. In fact, the scene where Davis asks Dani to rat Charlie out was in a whole different setting. Instead of the office, it takes place in someone's apartment during a girl's Poker Night with other female cops.
Rand also recycled some elements in the script that were cut and placed them on other episodes i.e.: The 'You know what you eat in prison?' 'Crap?' discussion in Serious Control Issues originated from this lost Game Night scene, in a bizarre turn, it was Davis saying Charlie's line and an unknown female cop saying Reese's line.
Other interesting tidbits:
1. During the scene where Constance and Charlie (or Billy) were having their UST filled moment in Constance's kitchen in the script, they were actually not alone in the house. Constance's husband was also home but in another room.
Yeah.
Say it with me people: AWKWARD.
He even walks Crews out the door!
Reading this does nothing good for my outlook of Constance. I do like the hints we have of Charlie and Constance's backstory but I really don't like it when someone in between is caught up. Especially, considering this brief scene, how likable the husband is. Of course, since this was not aired, Rand and Co might go in another direction with the husband.
2. Billy Crews' tattoos. In the script he has one tattoo on his back, that just read: DEATH and one word on his chest: LIFE.
It must be a popular tattoo in prison because Mark Rawls had a similar tattoo on his knuckles, okay, it read LIVE but hey, potato-potahto.
3. The child murder case in the first draft was far more elaborate than in the aired pilot. Not to say that it was better, just more elaborate and personally, I like the aired version a *lot* better.
4. Even in the first version, Rand seemed very interested in making Dani and Charlie's partnership work. As the episode wound down Billy Crews and Reese begins to exhibit the same mind meld mode Charlie Crews and our Dani Reese exhibited in the show. I liked the scene, when after they both figure it out Reese and Crews pause for a second to grin at each other triumphantly until the Captain ruined the moment by saying: 'Is there some mysterious reason you two are still standing here?'
Heh. Dorks.
5. Dani is a dog person, or at least, she feels more kindly towards dogs. The script had an extended version of the teaser scene where Dani remarks on the dog's loyalty. That's another thing pretty consistent with Dani from the start, she puts a lot of stock on loyalty.
6. Interestingly, in this version Dani didn't seem to have an alcohol abuse problem, or if she did, it wasn't apparent to anyone but Dani yet.
7. Captain Chaskes seems to be an ornery, sarcastic guy and if Rand follows the template, Tidwell might be the same only younger and with a more booze, womanizing and gambling. I just hope this doesn't mean a reduced role for Lt. Davis.
8. Script!Dani Reese is estranged from both of parents, not only from her father. She mentions that while Davis missed her during the Wednesday night dinner her parents might not have missed her.
It's really interesting how adding and deleting some scenes changed the tone of the episode and the show. Despite some pacing issues in the pilot episode, the aired version turned out a lot better because of what they did.
I've been informed that the Friday, 10 PM time slot is akin to a kiss of death for a lot of shows.
Oh, NBC, just when I thought you wouldn't pull a FOX, you do this!
I really hope that's not the case for Life and hoping against hope that the NBC folk change their minds.
Keeping Zen,
pers_pineapple is doing a re-watch of Fill it Up the season finale of Life. You should all join in,the discussion's free flowing and lively. So, last night, I was surfing the net and had somehow... ended up purchasing a copy of Life's original pilot script back when Charlie Crews was called Billy Crews.
*cough*
(Yes, apparently, I am that obsessed.)
There are three versions of the pilot floating around, the first version of the pilot, which from what I've read had a lot of different scenes from the aired pilot and the second unaired pilot whose only difference is the title card.
The script is closer to the first version of Merit Badge than the one we already know. It also has a different feel from the aired pilot.
The first obvious difference is that the episode opens with Dani, waking-up from her one night stand. Dani, who wasn't cast at this point, is a little older than the Dani we have on screen. Reading this script also made me realize (not that I didn't before) how much an actor/actress adds to the character. script!Dani feels a lot more generic than our Dani. She has the damage and the same anger but she felt a lot more tacked on to the episode than part of it.
Part of this might have to do with how Reese and Crews meet. In the aired pilot, Crews soaks up the sun as Reese seeks out Crews and once found wastes no time and immediately turns around and walks back to the crime scene, forcing Crews to follow along and ask: "Are you Reese?"
And Reese, without stopping replies, "Detective Reese."
Then on the walk to the crime scene, other cops would look at Crews suspiciously, eliminating the need for a long scene where the cops would have an anvily exposition talk about Crews, just like what they did in script and the first version of the pilot:
PATROLMAN ZERCO
I heard your new partner carries a shiv instead of an automatic.
Reese does not smile at this. She keeps looking for Crews.PATROLMAN KREBBS
I heard he wears his cuffs instead of carrying them.
This one gets a little smile out of Reese. But then...MALE VOICE FROM BEHIND THEM
That's good. I heard he always climbs into the back of the patrol car. Get it? The back of the car.
Reese and the cops turn to see a MAN in a SUIT behind them. 35 years old and eating an apple, DETECTIVE BILLY CREWS.
The two cops smirk and look away. Reese doesn't look away.Dani Reese
Detective Crews...
Crews finishes his apple but does not answer. He is staring at the body of the dead boy as Reese introduces herself.DANI REESE
...Dani Reese. I was expecting to meet you at the station.
Crews still does not answer, just stares at the dead boy.
The script version starts out with Billy Crews ignoring Reese as she introduces herself. I'm not going to lie, I didn't like this version of the meeting, not only because it felt generic: partner introduces herself to the lead. This version didn't feel like Dani Reese could be the senior detective, compared to the aired version where she calls Crews then tells him what's what and let him decide to follow her in or just stay put.
Also, I have to admit, because of how Billy Crews was introduced I felt an instant dislike for him, which isn't fair considering this was just the start. Also, strange because Billy Crews was just another version of Charlie but reading over the script did little to change my opinion.
Right off the bat Billy Crews came off as condescending and rude and this, again, shows how much the an actor adds to the role because Damian Lewis makes Charlie Crews work and his Charlie Crews never felt condescending. Charlie can be rude and self-involved but he can also be very charming.
Another difference between Billy and Charlie Crews is that Billy was released from prison 10 months before the series started, while our Charlie was released four months. But Charlie's a lot richer than Billy because people suspect the Billy's settlement money is 'only' up to $10 million, while our Charlie is suspected to have $50 million. Plus, Billy Crews is, aside from being condescending, a *lot* angrier than our Charlie. Or, our Charlie is much better at fooling people than Billy.
In the original script, Reese and Crews reported to Captain Chaskes, Rand doesn't have a specific description for Chaskes just that he was the captain. Most of Chaskes dialogue was given to Davis and Dani. I've been so worried about the new character arriving that I've forgotten to worry about Davis. What will happen to her now that they have Tidwell in the mix?
In the script, Davis has a much more reduced role than the one she has on screen. Here Davis is just Dani's old friend in the Force, working in the same department but not directly reporting to Davis. In fact, the scene where Davis asks Dani to rat Charlie out was in a whole different setting. Instead of the office, it takes place in someone's apartment during a girl's Poker Night with other female cops.
Rand also recycled some elements in the script that were cut and placed them on other episodes i.e.: The 'You know what you eat in prison?' 'Crap?' discussion in Serious Control Issues originated from this lost Game Night scene, in a bizarre turn, it was Davis saying Charlie's line and an unknown female cop saying Reese's line.
Other interesting tidbits:
1. During the scene where Constance and Charlie (or Billy) were having their UST filled moment in Constance's kitchen in the script, they were actually not alone in the house. Constance's husband was also home but in another room.
Yeah.
Say it with me people: AWKWARD.
He even walks Crews out the door!
EXT. HOME OF CONSTANCE GRIFFITHS - NIGHT
Crews and Connie's husband walk down the driveway.CONSTANCE GRIFFITHS' HUSBAND
It's been a lot, hasn't it? The appeal, the DNA testing, the press.
Just two guys strolling down the driveway.BILLY CREWS
Yeah, I guess so.CONSTANCE GRIFFITHS' HUSBAND
No guessing. Lots of phone calls, sleepless nights. Lots of tears. She cried a lot. Did you know that?
They are at the bottom of the driveway. A beat, then...CONSTANCE GRIFFITHS' HUSBAND
Look, now that you're back on the force, got your life back, maybe... you can give my wife back to me.
(looks at Crews, then...)
Maybe you don't have to come around here so much anymore.
Reading this does nothing good for my outlook of Constance. I do like the hints we have of Charlie and Constance's backstory but I really don't like it when someone in between is caught up. Especially, considering this brief scene, how likable the husband is. Of course, since this was not aired, Rand and Co might go in another direction with the husband.
2. Billy Crews' tattoos. In the script he has one tattoo on his back, that just read: DEATH and one word on his chest: LIFE.
It must be a popular tattoo in prison because Mark Rawls had a similar tattoo on his knuckles, okay, it read LIVE but hey, potato-potahto.
3. The child murder case in the first draft was far more elaborate than in the aired pilot. Not to say that it was better, just more elaborate and personally, I like the aired version a *lot* better.
4. Even in the first version, Rand seemed very interested in making Dani and Charlie's partnership work. As the episode wound down Billy Crews and Reese begins to exhibit the same mind meld mode Charlie Crews and our Dani Reese exhibited in the show. I liked the scene, when after they both figure it out Reese and Crews pause for a second to grin at each other triumphantly until the Captain ruined the moment by saying: 'Is there some mysterious reason you two are still standing here?'
Heh. Dorks.
5. Dani is a dog person, or at least, she feels more kindly towards dogs. The script had an extended version of the teaser scene where Dani remarks on the dog's loyalty. That's another thing pretty consistent with Dani from the start, she puts a lot of stock on loyalty.
6. Interestingly, in this version Dani didn't seem to have an alcohol abuse problem, or if she did, it wasn't apparent to anyone but Dani yet.
7. Captain Chaskes seems to be an ornery, sarcastic guy and if Rand follows the template, Tidwell might be the same only younger and with a more booze, womanizing and gambling. I just hope this doesn't mean a reduced role for Lt. Davis.
8. Script!Dani Reese is estranged from both of parents, not only from her father. She mentions that while Davis missed her during the Wednesday night dinner her parents might not have missed her.
It's really interesting how adding and deleting some scenes changed the tone of the episode and the show. Despite some pacing issues in the pilot episode, the aired version turned out a lot better because of what they did.
