Swingtown (1.5)

Thursday, July 3^rd @ 10 PM

CBS

Swingtown – Season 1, Episode #5 – “Go Your Own Way”

Against Bruce's wishes, Susan attends a free speech fundraiser in connection with the film, "Deep Throat." Defying Bruce, Susan attends the fundraiser at the Decker's home to benefit the legal defense of the star of the controversial film. (CBS.com)

Manatee: I think Susan and Bruce need to pay more attention to what their kids are doing.

Marmot: When you think about it, they're terrible parents. While I was watching, I wondered, has Susan ever even talked to her son?

Manatee: I'm pretty sure they've never met before. And not only do they take no interest in their kids, out of nowhere Bruce has this hissy fit about his wife not being home to cook, clean, and pick him up at the train station. How 1950!

Marmot: The writing is so uneven on this show. Why is he so uppity about a porno when he and his wife had sex with other people? Together!

Manatee: I think the writers are trying to get all the 70s themes into just a few episodes and into almost each character. It started out as 3 separate couples with completely different ideas, now they are meshed.

Marmot: Also, what was going on with the teacher and the daughter? She brings him a donut, then sits outside his office for hours, then talks to him in the hall for 2 minutes and declines a ride home? None of that made sense.

Manatee: I feel like the daughter/teacher scenario was a little anti-climatic. There was build up to some crazy sex scene, which never happened. And then build up to the Ex-Boyfriend telling on the teacher to get him fired (I'm sure in the 70s that was still a no-no), and then that never materialized. The only good thing, I hope, is that this is the last of that d-bag ex boyfriend.

Marmot: That kid is terrible. Where did they find him? And I don't get what the drama is; they're waiting until he isn't her teacher anymore for the inevitable hook-up. It's the 70s, the sexual revolution. Who cares?

Manatee: Honestly, neither of those kids looks their parents. Maybe they are not really their kids! Just some roommates. I mean that's how Susan treats them.

Marmot: It's kind of a common theme on this show. Roger and Janet haven't spoken to their weirdo son since the first episode.

Manatee: Why put kids in the show anyway?

Marmot: I don't know. I guess to normalize life, but they're stupid and boring. I bet you could just quit writing the kids in and no one would notice.

Manatee: Note to Writers, Take our suggestion and get rid of the kids. Overall, do you enjoy the show?

Marmot: Mostly. I'll definitely see it through to the end of the season. I like it's tone a lot, and the characters aren't terribly boring. I wonder where it's going, but I don't mind that it's taking it's time to get there.