MovieChat Forums > A Million Little Things (2018) Discussion > Quite a start

Quite a start

posted 6 years ago by BlonDeWig (20)
26 replies | jump to latest

I was mildly interested in seeing this because it stars Ron Livingston, the main character from one of my guy’s favorite movies Office Space, and James Roday, a main character from a beloved series of mine, Psyche. Love seeing Roday in something else. Interesting beginning to the show with all the twists and turns and I can’t help but feel Roday’s acting on Psyche is what got him this part considering they’re pretty similar characters, lol. I almost feel like I’ll see a pineapple somewhere in here at some point.

IMDb, bastards that they are for discontinuing their message boards, say the show has 6 eps. I’m not hooked into the show, but I’ll watch them. It has a Desperate Housewives feel with reversed genders, and I appreciated the men being portrayed as not just having feelings but expressing them, as shown during one character’s quick breakdown at the hockey game. I like that. Men don’t need to be “strong” all the time, they can be vulnerable and don’t need to suffer ridicule from other men when they do. I know some will roll their eyes and think it’s furthering a feminist agenda by making men look “weak”, but this is the very mindset the show is fighting. Do women feel that their man is weaker for showing their true feelings or sharing their personal demons? I should hope not. I personally don’t, but I don’t know how prevalent that thinking is among women as I’ve never asked another one, or if it’s an excuse created by men to continue suffering in silence.

Too bad this isn’t on the old IMDb where a few dozen other people could weigh in.

[–] Xcalat3 (3705) 6 years ago

I also liked the pilot, seems like a very heavy show about friendship and loss. I hope the rest of the season keeps up this level of quality.

[–] BlonDeWig (20) 6 years ago

Hi X! [wave] I do too, I’m gonna stick with it for as long as it airs.

[–] Xcalat3 (3705) 6 years ago

Hi there! :)

[–] exatera (3944) 6 years ago

All I can hope for is that the writers actually have a story in mind, rather than packing every creative idea they had into the pilot - I've seen that happen with too many shows on network TV.

The first ep felt a bit overstuffed, but I'll give it a chance for now.

[–] BlonDeWig (20) 6 years ago

It did have a lot going on, but I’m hoping it’s all just setup to bigger and more surprising payoffs...what other shows are you referencing when you say that? Curious if I’ve seen/liked any of them myself!

[–] exatera (3944) 6 years ago

I don't really watch network TV, but I remember for instance that only the first episode of Cougar Town was actually funny, and Leverage (was that network?) only had two good episodes, and Tyrant (basic cable, if I recall) quickly got embarrassing to watch, etc.

This drastic drop in quality doesn't normally happen after the first episode in cable and Netflix /Amazon shows.

[–] ChalupaBatman99 (188) 6 years ago

Help a person out. Was there something that his secretary found that might've given a clue to why he killed himself? I know they showed her picking up his folder a few times so I guess that was important. Also, what was the secretary deletin on the computer at the end of the episode?

I had someone talking to me so I couldn't give the show my undivided attention.

[–] exatera (3944) 6 years ago

Yeah, it was an envelope marked "Delilah" (his wife), which the secretary never actually passed on to her.

And then we saw her deleting the "Rutledge" files, whatever they pertained to. My guess is that building that was Jon's last deal.

[–] ChalupaBatman99 (188) 6 years ago

Thanks

[–] BlonDeWig (20) 6 years ago

Somehow I missed what was written on it, but that makes sense. The secretary knew his phone password too, there’s no telling what she may have done on it beforehand that we haven’t even seen yet.

Think they were having an affair?

[–] PrimeMinisterX (8331) 6 years ago

I think they were probably having an affair, yeah.

And apparently his wife was having an affair with his friend, who was cheating on his own wife. So it seems like in this show there are just love triangles everywhere, and no one is loyal, and that is a big turn off for me.

I was kind of enjoying the pilot up until the last 10 minutes or so when the full extent of the infidelity was revealed. Infidelity is not entertaining to me.

[–] Xcalat3 (3705) 6 years ago

I also think he was having an affair with the secretary, and from this latest episode it also seem he had financial trouble?

[–] PrimeMinisterX (8331) 6 years ago

Yeah, as you say, seems like he was also having an affair with his secretary.

I'll give it a few episodes but as of right now the show is feeling like a bust. They could've done something good here, but as of right now it seems like a misguided attempt.

It's clear that ABC is wanting their own This Is Us-style emotional drama, but right now this show is feeling pretty far away from that show in terms of quality, content and its ability to satisfy the viewer.

[–] SammiWin (1112) 6 years ago

That's interesting how you say no one is loyal, I got that feeling too and this show is supposed to be about "friendship" - go figure huh?

[–] PrimeMinisterX (8331) 6 years ago

Yeah, exactly.

I suspect that the thrust of the show may be that everyone has to realize that they WEREN'T actually great friends to each other and these experiences teach them to be better than they were before, and to strive for something more authentic.

But if so, I'm just not sure how well that's going to work.

[–] Xcalat3 (3705) 6 years ago

human relationships are messy, even so called best friends betray each other, i think it s good the show shows that even close friends mess things up. that being said i was hoping the show would be more deep than some guy sleeping with his friend's wife etc..

[–] SammiWin (1112) 6 years ago

Well, I'm going to give the second episode a try. There were more things wrong with the show though imo.

[–] PrimeMinisterX (8331) 6 years ago

Yeah, the story is just failing to really grab a hold of my interest. I am on the edge regarding whether or not I want to continue after the second ep.

Like I said in a few other posts, ABC wanted a show of their own to tap into the This Is Us magic but this ain't that show.

[–] PrimeMinisterX (8331) 6 years ago

I think I am just particularly sensitive to the subject of infidelity. It is such a serious betrayal that I just feel like if you would do something like that to your friend, you really are not their friend at all. It is not a run of the mill fuck up.

[–] TheChamCham (60) 6 years ago

I don't think they were having an affair, but there may have been unrequited love on the secretary's part and that's why she is being loyal to him ie: hiding the folder, deleting things, not telling the wife,etc. Also, because she feels guilty for not being able to stop him from jumping. I also don't think the wife/friend affair is why he did it. If it turns out that way I'll be very disappointed. Divorce the wife for infidelity (NO alimony for her !!!),get custody of your kids, punch your "friend" and go on with your life. Living well is the best revenge. I think it was financial/medical issues.

[–] BlonDeWig (20) 6 years ago

I like the medical angle. It’s gotta be something unpredictable though, like a brain tumor that could shift any time and paralyze/kill him suddenly, otherwise the timing doesn’t make sense.

[–] Xcalat3 (3705) 6 years ago

/I think it was financial/medical issues./

I also I think this was the case.

[–] exatera (3944) 6 years ago

Wait, how is hiding the folder - being loyal to him? The folder was for his wife! If anything, this is a betrayal.

[–] TheChamCham (60) 6 years ago

@ exatera- I wrote that before we knew that her name was on the folder, but I think there were two, one at the office and the other in his home office.

[–] exatera (3944) 6 years ago

They showed the name on the envelope from the start, I am guessing you guys missed it.

[–] TheChamCham (60) 6 years ago

I guess we did ! Thanks !