Is it just me, or is there just a little something missing from the later "Wings" episodes which don't have the original opening (the Sandpiper flying through the air and landing while the cast credits appear), but rather have the cast credits superimposed over the opening "teaser" scene?

These "opening-less" episodes are still funny and well-written, but that original opening had a charm all it's own, and set a pleasant, relaxing mood for the episode which was to follow.

Does anybody else feel this way?

in one way I do see what you mean and another way I thought I had remembered the later episodes having them ... Ill check once though ... :D

As much as I liked the opening sequence, I don't really mind the show just starting. I'm taping the episodes, and its easier for me now. I don't have to hit "pause" when the beginning credits start anymore. I did record them for a few eps, but I don't think its necessary to watch them for every single ep. I don't know if this is true, but I'm assuming that without the opening credits, the actual show time is about a minute longer, so I appreciate that.

One thing I have noticed though is that Wings usually has very abrupt endings. I'm not excpecting it to end, and then all the sudden, its the end credits.

I noticed that one last night, I was expecting the episode to have a different ending as it did, I thought maybe we would see Helen crawl out from underneath the table and maybe have some of the cast members say a few more lines




Originally posted by HaskellGirl

One thing I have noticed though is that Wings usually has very abrupt endings. I'm not excpecting it to end, and then all the sudden, its the end credits.

Those "abrupt ending" "Wings" episodes could have been influenced by the "I Love Lucy" school of comedy writing.

Unlike other sitcoms which have nice, neat little endings, many "Lucy" episodes would abruptly end...sometimes even leaving a few loose ends in the plot.

Years later, Lucille Ball commented on those abrupt endings, saying that the "Lucy" crew believed in leaving the viewer wanting just a little bit more, leaving them interested enough to keep tuning in week after week.

I've also noticed those abrupt "blackout" type of "Wings" episode endings, and they HAVE reminded me of many "I Love Lucy" episodes....and "I Love Lucy" is not bad company for a sitcom to be in!

For TV anyway. It gives you a better feel as to place and time of Nantucket I would think. Sort of like the opening of TAXI or MASH. As for the end I do like that approach, leaving you hang a little to having you almost continue the story in your mind to give some closure to it!

Originally posted by HaskellGirl
As much as I liked the opening sequence, I don't really mind the show just starting. I'm taping the episodes, and its easier for me now. I don't have to hit "pause" when the beginning credits start anymore. I did record them for a few eps, but I don't think its necessary to watch them for every single ep. I don't know if this is true, but I'm assuming that without the opening credits, the actual show time is about a minute longer, so I appreciate that.

same thing i was gonna say

Not to mention that you get 30 seconds more showtime than titling.

I also really like when the episodes have the opening credits sequence. I think the opening credits really set the mood for the show. I also love the Wings theme song, a sort of modernized version of (I believe) a movement of one of Schubert's piano sonatas.