Nothing wrong with Season 5... so far anyway...

[Edster2973]

Hey all (now WHO do I sound like with that kind of greeting?)

Like most of you, I purchased Season 5 of Good Times the day it was released, but I hadn't gotten around to watching it until now. I'm always playing catch-up with my DVDs; they're released faster than I can watch them. For those interested, I was finishing up watching Dallas Season 3.

Anyway, given how poorly received Season 5 is on these boards, I was expecting to hate it right from the beginning. And without Esther Rolle during this season, I thought that'd be easy to do.

Well, I've only watched the first 5 episodes so far (Penny's debut and the episode where Thelma moves out) and I have to say I've enjoyed those episodes more than I thought I would.

Sure, I miss Esther Rolle but her absence is at least plausible, and seeing how the ensemble works makes me realize that her stardom on the show was as dependent on that ensemble as the ensemble was dependent on her.

With Esther gone (temporarily thankfully), the show focused on Willona. To some of you, especially Solomon, this is unforgivable, but I really think the show gained a new depth by doing this. When Willona was laying into Penny's abusive mother, she revealed that she had been on her own since the age of 16 and knew what it was like to be alone and without a husband. And then when Willona realized she needed to be Penny's mother as much as Penny needed her (even though she had just got done saying to Thelma that she preferred the single life) made the Willona character appeal to me more than ever. She became a much deeper character to me because of this.

Prior to this, I had regarded her as an affectionate, funny side character who had tough times but was able to laugh at life. But she isn't just a side character. The Willona character is a bit of a survivor who is able to laugh at life simply because she chooses to and not because she is the gossiping flake that she was previously depicted as. When Penny's mother made the decision to leave Penny, Willona, almost in tears, decides to perk up and try to make the situation lighter. And we almost buy her cheerfulness because she was that good at keeping a stiff upper lip (probably from years of practice); we only know her heart was breaking because we, the audience, saw how it crushed her just seconds before.

That's about it for now. I just wanted to share my reactions thus far on Season 5. Like I said, I've only watched the first 5 episodes, so I'm not defending the season as a whole.

And please, no one misunderstand me about my point. I'm not trying to say Season 5 was better than the previous seasons (actually, I'm enjoying it a bit more than Season 4) or that it was as good either. All I'm saying is that it wasn't total crap. It had its good episodes too (it had better opening credits, that's for sure!). Sure, it stank without Esther Rolle, but hey, she voluntarily left. She supposedly was angry with how black ghetto life was depicted; it's funny how her disdain for that depiction always accompanied demands for more money! From that side, I can forgive the show up to a point. Besides, without her, it gave us the opportunity to learn more about Willona, and thus far, I have liked what I seen...

Ed

[craftman]

Originally Posted by Edster2973

Hey all (now WHO do I sound like with that kind of greeting?)

Like most of you, I purchased Season 5 of Good Times the day it was released, but I hadn't gotten around to watching it until now. I'm always playing catch-up with my DVDs; they're released faster than I can watch them. For those interested, I was finishing up watching Dallas Season 3.

Anyway, given how poorly received Season 5 is on these boards, I was expecting to hate it right from the beginning. And without Esther Rolle during this season, I thought that'd be easy to do.

Well, I've only watched the first 5 episodes so far (Penny's debut and the episode where Thelma moves out) and I have to say I've enjoyed those episodes more than I thought I would.

Sure, I miss Esther Rolle but her absence is at least plausible, and seeing how the ensemble works makes me realize that her stardom on the show was as dependent on that ensemble as the ensemble was dependent on her.

With Esther gone (temporarily thankfully), the show focused on Willona. To some of you, especially Solomon, this is unforgivable, but I really think the show gained a new depth by doing this. When Willona was laying into Penny's abusive mother, she revealed that she had been on her own since the age of 16 and knew what it was like to be alone and without a husband. And then when Willona realized she needed to be Penny's mother as much as Penny needed her (even though she had just got done saying to Thelma that she preferred the single life) made the Willona character appeal to me more than ever. She became a much deeper character to me because of this.

Prior to this, I had regarded her as an affectionate, funny side character who had tough times but was able to laugh at life. But she isn't just a side character. The Willona character is a bit of a survivor who is able to laugh at life simply because she chooses to and not because she is the gossiping flake that she was previously depicted as. When Penny's mother made the decision to leave Penny, Willona, almost in tears, decides to perk up and try to make the situation lighter. And we almost buy her cheerfulness because she was that good at keeping a stiff upper lip (probably from years of practice); we only know her heart was breaking because we, the audience, saw how it crushed her just seconds before.

That's about it for now. I just wanted to share my reactions thus far on Season 5. Like I said, I've only watched the first 5 episodes, so I'm not defending the season as a whole.

And please, no one misunderstand me about my point. I'm not trying to say Season 5 was better than the previous seasons (actually, I'm enjoying it a bit more than Season 4) or that it was as good either. All I'm saying is that it wasn't total crap. It had its good episodes too (it had better opening credits, that's for sure!). Sure, it stank without Esther Rolle, but hey, she voluntarily left. She supposedly was angry with how black ghetto life was depicted; it's funny how her disdain for that depiction always accompanied demands for more money! From that side, I can forgive the show up to a point. Besides, without her, it gave us the opportunity to learn more about Willona, and thus far, I have liked what I seen...

Ed

That's cool Edster, keep an open mind about season five. As much as I love Good Times, I liked the first disc of season 5, BUT, to me, the first 3 episodes of disc 2, "I hate 'em, I wish they were never born!" Ha Ha.

Those 3 episodes seem like (as other posters said on here) Three's Company episodes. They don't have nothing to do with living in the ghetto or trying to make it through tough times.

Then about the Willona and Penny relationship, I'm starting to see what Retro meant. It's like Penny is just there to try and make stale jokes, she really don't have a purpose because they're not focusing on the mother and daughter relationship.

Now there are a few episodes that's may favorite in season 5, like.....

Penny's 4 parter

Thelma Moves Out

Willona, The Fuzz

Penny's Xmas (a little boring tho)

Where's There Smoke

I Had A Dream

Write On, Thelma

and That's Entertainment, Evans Style

I wanna know what you think about the first 3 episodes of disc 2.


Another thing, I know Good Times pretty much word for word and say the words along with the actors in the first 4 seasons. In season 5 and 6, they don't have good classic lines that's memorable enough to remember and it seems weird that I don't speak along with the show. That just puts in perspective for me, how under par the last 2 seasons were.

[Living In a '70's Dream]

I also recently began to watch the 5th season of Good Times DVD. I was impressed with the Evans Get Involved eps. I was actually brought to tears in some of the emotional scenes..and I was actually impressed with Janet Jackson's acting ability (I honestly thought she brought a lot of depth to the Penny character)..So far I am STILL on the first disc, so let's wait and see if my perspective changes...

[craftman]

Originally Posted by Living In a '70's Dream

I also recently began to watch the 5th season of Good Times DVD. I was impressed with the Evans Get Involved eps. I was actually brought to tears in some of the emotional scenes..and I was actually impressed with Janet Jackson's acting ability (I honestly thought she brought a lot of depth to the Penny character)..So far I am STILL on the first disc, so let's wait and see if my perspective changes...

Yes, please let me know when you check out the first few on disc 2.

[Living In a '70's Dream]

Originally Posted by craftman

Yes, please let me know when you check out the first few on disc 2.

Will do

[Edster2973]

Originally Posted by craftman

Yes, please let me know when you check out the first few on disc 2.

Originally Posted by Living In a '70's Dream

Will do

Same here...

Ed

[TVFactFan]

Originally Posted by Edster2973

Hey all (now WHO do I sound like with that kind of greeting?)

Like most of you, I purchased Season 5 of Good Times the day it was released, but I hadn't gotten around to watching it until now. I'm always playing catch-up with my DVDs; they're released faster than I can watch them. For those interested, I was finishing up watching Dallas Season 3.

Anyway, given how poorly received Season 5 is on these boards, I was expecting to hate it right from the beginning. And without Esther Rolle during this season, I thought that'd be easy to do.

Well, I've only watched the first 5 episodes so far (Penny's debut and the episode where Thelma moves out) and I have to say I've enjoyed those episodes more than I thought I would.

Sure, I miss Esther Rolle but her absence is at least plausible, and seeing how the ensemble works makes me realize that her stardom on the show was as dependent on that ensemble as the ensemble was dependent on her.

With Esther gone (temporarily thankfully), the show focused on Willona. To some of you, especially Solomon, this is unforgivable, but I really think the show gained a new depth by doing this. When Willona was laying into Penny's abusive mother, she revealed that she had been on her own since the age of 16 and knew what it was like to be alone and without a husband. And then when Willona realized she needed to be Penny's mother as much as Penny needed her (even though she had just got done saying to Thelma that she preferred the single life) made the Willona character appeal to me more than ever. She became a much deeper character to me because of this.

Prior to this, I had regarded her as an affectionate, funny side character who had tough times but was able to laugh at life. But she isn't just a side character. The Willona character is a bit of a survivor who is able to laugh at life simply because she chooses to and not because she is the gossiping flake that she was previously depicted as. When Penny's mother made the decision to leave Penny, Willona, almost in tears, decides to perk up and try to make the situation lighter. And we almost buy her cheerfulness because she was that good at keeping a stiff upper lip (probably from years of practice); we only know her heart was breaking because we, the audience, saw how it crushed her just seconds before.

That's about it for now. I just wanted to share my reactions thus far on Season 5. Like I said, I've only watched the first 5 episodes, so I'm not defending the season as a whole.

And please, no one misunderstand me about my point. I'm not trying to say Season 5 was better than the previous seasons (actually, I'm enjoying it a bit more than Season 4) or that it was as good either. All I'm saying is that it wasn't total crap. It had its good episodes too (it had better opening credits, that's for sure!). Sure, it stank without Esther Rolle, but hey, she voluntarily left. She supposedly was angry with how black ghetto life was depicted; it's funny how her disdain for that depiction always accompanied demands for more money! From that side, I can forgive the show up to a point. Besides, without her, it gave us the opportunity to learn more about Willona, and thus far, I have liked what I seen...

Ed

Just keep watching-lol

[Brian Damage]

Season 5 isn't as bad as some people might think.

[TVFactFan]

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

Season 5 isn't as bad as some people might think.

I know no one wants to believe this but Penny caused the ratings to drop.

[Jinxey]

Originally Posted by craftman

That's cool Edster, keep an open mind about season five. As much as I love Good Times, I liked the first disc of season 5, BUT, to me, the first 3 episodes of disc 2, "I hate 'em, I wish they were never born!" Ha Ha.

Those 3 episodes seem like (as other posters said on here) Three's Company episodes. They don't have nothing to do with living in the ghetto or trying to make it through tough times.

Dammit people....lol
What were the first three episodes on disc 2???

For the record, writers Kim Weiskopf and Michael S. Baser (who joined Three's Company's writing team during the fourth season) wrote some episodes during Good Times' fourth and fifth season and became story editors for the show's fifth season.

[Jinxey]

Originally Posted by Jinxey

Dammit people....lol
What were the first three episodes on disc 2???

Were they:
Bye, Bye Bookman
Thelma's Brief Encounter
Requiem For A Wino

[craftman]

Originally Posted by Jinxey

Were they:
Bye, Bye Bookman
Thelma's Brief Encounter
Requiem For A Wino

YES, 3 of the WORST episodes in the whole run of the show. There are some others, but those are 3 of them. IMO

[TVFactFan]

Originally Posted by craftman

YES, 3 of the WORST episodes in the whole run of the show. There are some others, but those are 3 of them. IMO

Well out of those 3, Requiem for a Wino was the most watchable

[vashti1999]

Originally Posted by RetroTVCollector

I know no one wants to believe this but Penny caused the ratings to drop.

Don't you think they would have dropped even without Penny? If it were just J.J., Thelma, Michael, Willona and Bookman, no James, no Florida, would the ratings be any higher? It's not fair to say Penny is the cause.

Having said that, even though I've always been someone who said I loved all six seasons of Good Times, I have to admit the majority of season 5 episodes don't stand up well to previous seasons. That's not to say it's completely bad, but I don't have the same love for these episodes as I do the classic older ones.

[TVFactFan]

Originally Posted by vashti1999

Don't you think they would have dropped even without Penny? If it were just J.J., Thelma, Michael, Willona and Bookman, no James, no Florida, would the ratings be any higher? It's not fair to say Penny is the cause.

Having said that, even though I've always been someone who said I loved all six seasons of Good Times, I have to admit the majority of season 5 episodes don't stand up well to previous seasons. That's not to say it's completely bad, but I don't have the same love for these episodes as I do the classic older ones.

The fact that show went backward, i blame Penny. All the Evans Kids were almost grown and then a 11year old is added? Made no sense