Topic Posted by: Allison
Date Posted: Fri Nov 13 17:03:00 2009
Additional Comments: For me at least, one of the most important consequences of Brad's tragic death was Jack's questioning his view of himself as the guy who can rush in and fix anything. Time after time, Jack has done just that, failed to call for backup, or wait for backup, and jumped into a dangerous situation guns blazing. And before now, it has always worked out. The subtext is that Jack is special, superhuman almost, he doesn't have to do things the way the rest of us do. But then he went and shot Brad. Sure, it might well have ended the same way if he'd waited for assistance rather than rushing into an unknown situation. But he'll never know that. And there's also the question of his drinking.
I at least found his self doubt to be very compelling and his grief poignant. I felt more sympathy for Jack than I have for years. But then this "Jack gets his groove back" trip started. Jack goes to Philly, ignores the police and saves the day. Then Jack goes to S. Carolina, punches Mike in the face knocking him unconscious, but Mike wakes up and Jack wins the race for him so it's all ok. The previews for next week look like more of the same. And before we know it we'll have our old "I can't do wrong" Jack back, just when I was starting to like the guy again.
Posted by: Linny Date posted: Mon Nov 16 13:06:42 2009
Message:
So far, I'm not impressed. I liked his talking down a suicidal Ben Franklin and the darkness that was involved with that. I don't like the reason for his roadtrip or the fact that he's basically doing the exact same things that got him on the road in the first place. So how many roadtrips would he have to go on to soothe his conscience if he'd killed someone on that track? That was thoughtless and reckless and it was even more messed up because MIKE of all people pointed out that fact that Jack was endangering other drivers' lives and Jack completely ignored him.
Oh well, this is the same Jack who endagers the lives of his children when he decides to "hot dog" it and find their kidnappers on his own.
Posted by: Roxie Date posted: Sat Nov 14 0:49:47 2009
Message: I TOTALLY agree with you. Jack is back to doing what he does best. Being the superhero that saves the day with no regard to the dangers to other people. He raced that car with no experience knowing he could crash and take out other drivers, but tough. He is Jack Snyder! He has learned nothing! He's just running away and still doing what he's always done. If only he had stayed in Oakdale and faced his pain and grief. He was really becoming a decent and likeable ''human being'' there for a while until he tucked tail and ran.
Posted by: Rex Date posted: Fri Nov 13 22:36:22 2009
Message: I think it is the fact that Michael Park (Jack) really didn't get along with Austin Peck (Brad) is reason this Jack-gets-his-groove-back storyline is happening. Methinks Park didn't want to have anything to do with Peck and therefore you have Jack not dealing with his brother's death ,a death that he caused, and instead leaves Oakdale trying to handle his grief in a different fashion (IRL Brad would have been suspended and would have to face IA over Brad's death's).
Meanwhile Peck is still on the show with his crazy ghost storyline that invovles only two other castmates. Jack killed his brother by accident and he should face up to this and more instead of racing cars in South Carolina. But real life issues off screen have made it that Jack has just about forgotten about his brother now and he seems to have more interesting things to do. Park and Peck can't have a scene together anymore hence two different awkward storylines.
Posted by: Bertha Date posted: Fri Nov 13 19:34:25 2009
Message: I think part of Jack's actions lies in the fact that he has a death wish. Not only did he shoot his own brother but he has Janet for a wife.
Posted by: dandyfop Date posted: Fri Nov 13 19:03:16 2009
Message:
It has just been lame so far. Reminds me of those tv shows where the drifter floats from place to place helping people- like Highway to Heaven or something. Jack goes from town to town solving problems and saving lives, while trying to find Katie a new ride? I am half expecting him to fetch a cat from a tree and save a drowning child. Jack playing hide and seek with Carly is even more lame- obviously done just to drag things out.
I think they took what could have been a compelling story for Jack and made it very silly. When all is said and done I don't look for any change from either Carly or Jack- but I suspect for fans of the couple that won't matter. IMO putting them back together just for the sake of having them together without some explanation for in particular Jacks behavior, accomplishes nothing. I think it does more harm than good- makes it more obvious than ever that carjack has jumped the shark.
Posted by: MartyB Date posted: Fri Nov 13 18:02:27 2009
Message: I don't see this as Jack thinking he can't do any wrong or getting his mojo back at all. It's more about his identification with the individuals that he's helping out. They are having life struggles as Jack is right now & it resonates with him. As for punching out Mike (talking wasn't going to stop the galoot from killing himeslef now was it?). This journey is also about coming to terms with what happened to Brad. The "two beers" had absolutely nothing to do with the outcome. Waiting for back up from Oakdale PD Uncle Ralphie would have killed all three of his victims by the time they arrived. I think that this is heading into a more humbling experience for Jack & I think it's been fun & interesting. I for one am enjoying this journey & one that Carly will be on now as well.
Posted by: gallyn Date posted: Fri Nov 13 17:20:33 2009
Message: I understand your point, even if I don't agree. Yeah, some of this "Jack rushes in" stuff is over the top--WAY over the top. As Mike (usually not a Mensa candidate) pointed out, Jack didn't have any experience racing, and could have endangered the other drivers with his inexperience.
What I see, is less "Jack trying to fix things", and more "Jack's learning everyone has their issues to overcome and shouldn't be ashamed of needing help". With a dash of a death wish thrown in.
I mean, I didn't miss the irony in Jack telling Mike there was no shame in needing help---it seems to me the last time Jack lost his job (well, maybe not the last time--he seems to leave it every year for a spell) the last time he was married to Carly and lost his job when he took part time security work at WOAK, Carly KNEW it was killing him and it was her scheming to oust Nick Kasnoff from the force that was the breaking point in their marriage.
