Big Man on Mulberry Street- not even in my top 10 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

dlemond · 03-08-2006, 04:04 PM

Having recently watched this episode after not having seen it since it's original broadcast, I have to tell you, it's not so great.

In fact I'd go as far as to say it's just OK.

I have no idea why it has this reputation as one of the best episodes of Moonlighting.

Besides it being very talky and very soap opera-ish, it seemed sort of contrived to me. Actually, very contrived.

Making David have an ex out of the blue and then having her turn out to be gay? Yeah, and... the point is? They had to go to NY for this? And to have David even skip the funeral, and have a lousy scene in the cab? BORING.

And I will not even agree if anyone says it was providing a depth of character and a better understanding of David and Maddie's relationship.
You can skip this episode and you will not have missed one vital point about the dynamic of their situation.

The only redeeming feature of the whole episode was Maddie's speech to David when he walked in the hotel room, everything else was blahh..

And the whole dance sequence to me seemed like a filler- not even particularly memorable if not for the song itself (which is a good tune).

Sorry, this episode does not rank anywhere near my top 10.
Or top 20 for that matter.

kismet · 03-08-2006, 04:34 PM

I so agree with you on this episode.
It has never been one of my favorites. I haven't even watched it yet on DVD.

In my opinion, this isn't even a David episode - it's a Maddie episode. When I think of great performances, Cybill comes to mind. HER hotel scene is one of the best in Moonlighting. Other than "wit well run dry" and the hotel scene, nothing really sticks in my mind. I know that Bruce worked hard on the dancing - but what I remember about the dancing was that Cybill looked uncomfortable, not all the hard work that went into the other stuff.

Tamm · 03-08-2006, 05:25 PM

Totally agree with you Kismet. This episdoe is more about Maddie's reactions to David than David himself. The dance is long and I got fed up with it but the hotel room scene is good and Cybill is fantastic in it

laura a · 03-08-2006, 07:10 PM

I always fast forward the dance scene bit to where they kiss, thats what i watch it for. Maddies little speech in the hotel room was wonderful ,i love the look on both their faces when his says "don`t go "(i remember watching that scene for the first time and sooo wanting them to jump each other there and then!!)But your right ,it`s one of those episodes that you have to keep fast forwarding and skipping to get to the good parts.

adyjdy · 03-08-2006, 07:29 PM

GASP! SPUTTER! SPIT TAKE!

I am absolutely shocked to find that there are fans who don't care for this episode. I mean you’re all entitled to your opinions, obviously, but WOW this is my absolute favorite, bar none.

I actually missed this one during the original run, one of very few and when I watched it for the first time with the DVDs I found myself actually not breathing during most of the episode. It’s so full of emotion and those tiny little looks, whispers, statements loaded with meaning that have kept me comin’ back for 20 years.

I feel like I missed A LOT about their relationship by not seeing this episode for so many years. Mainly, something you mentioned, Tamm, Maddie’s reaction/feelings toward David.

I’ve always felt through the whole run that we had SO many opportunities to see David’s feelings for Maddie, and his softness under the rugged exterior. Maddie, not so much. It was so nice to see her stripped emotionally naked

sitting there on his bed. I feel like we get so few opportunities to see the emotional arc of this relationship from her point of view.

What do you guys think? Do Maddie’s feelings for David get equal time during the series?

laura a · 03-08-2006, 07:41 PM

I must admit that there are more good parts then bad parts in this one and you have mentioned them all .I have always loved both their little epilogues, hers when he comes back to his hotel room and his when he comes into her room.But there are a few that i dont like, - the fight that they have about Maddie not going to the funeral(i don`t like the way David grabs her face when he says"look at me"),also the dance scenes that he has with the `other` woman,and the taxi cab scene at the end,Dont get me wrong i do enjoy watching this episode. But i think i`ll sit on the fence with this one.50/50.

ryangie97 · 03-08-2006, 08:22 PM

I'm a little shocked as well that some don't like this ep. I LOVE it. I liked the dance scene, but mainly liked it for the hotel room scenes, both Maddie and David's speeches. I thought the part about David not wanting Maddie to go the funeral was very funny, esp. where he offers to take her to one from the paper

And the end scene on the plane, very sweet

kismet · 03-08-2006, 08:35 PM

Ooooh, I forgot about the last scene. I love the airplane scene.

This is still an episode in which I like scenes but not the entire episode.
I also like David's hotel room scene.
I think it comes down to the fact that I do not LOVE episodes in which I feel there is a threat to Maddie and David's relationship (on David's end). If there is a female around that can possibly take David from Maddie, then I have a hard time liking the episode. On the other hand, I didn't feel as threatened when Sam was around. Maybe because I liked the jealousy shown by David.

If you go back on some of my earlier posts (even on other forums), I felt the same way years ago. Big Man is not one of my faves, BUT some of the scenes in it are on my faves list.

bluevelvet · 03-08-2006, 09:23 PM

Oh, thank you, Ryangie and adyjdy. I didn't want to be the only dissenting voice. I love this episode, right from the funny beginning all the way to the plane scene. One of my favourite scenes is when David tells Maddie he has to go to a funeral. I love Bruce's acting here. And when he calls from the bar to tell her he has arrived safely. There are so many great scenes but I have never felt the urge to forward through to them. I love the anticipation! And I love the dance sequence, yes probably more for the song than anything else, but I do love it!

ryangie97 · 03-08-2006, 10:26 PM

Oh yes the phone call. For some reason I just love David's voice in that scene. And that he's wondering where she is, very sweet.

Tamm · 03-09-2006, 07:08 AM

I do agree that there are some great moments in this episode and you have mentioned them all. Its just that there are other bits I don't like so much. Overall its a good episode just not a favourite for me.

Also in some of the scenes I get distracted by Maddie's funeral outfit

CyBr · 03-09-2006, 07:20 AM

I'm so glad I'm not the only one who loves this episode! I think it's one of the best of the series and Bruce and Cybill are both wonderful in it! I think it's an important one for their relationship because they finally let their guard down with each other. It was a major move on Maddie's part to fly cross country for him and it was a major revelation for David to tell Maddie about his marriage, even if he couldn't bring himself to tell her the whole truth. I love the scene in his room about going to the funeral. They act like a married couple! Although it doesn't sit completely right to me that he wouldn't take her to the funeral after she came all that way, you understand how hard this whole experience is for him. I didn't even understand the subtleties of the dance when I first saw it, but now I see all the parts of his marriage, the break up (for another man) and Maddie entering the picture. I did wonder how Maddie guessed that before he told her, and how she knew he was bartender. Anyway, this is a long way to say I love this episode!

adyjdy · 03-09-2006, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CyBr

I love the scene in his room about going to the funeral. They act like a married couple!

That was my first thought when I watched this scene! Especially the part where he makes her face him. In fact, I think my husband has done that to me. Sometimes I get that from them with the way they speak and their body language with one another. Whatever is going on on the surface, there is such an underlying assumption of trust there.

MulberryGal · 03-10-2006, 05:36 AM

Wow, I never realised that this episode was a 'love it or hate it' one!

I'm firmly in the love it camp, but then I doubt if anyone would be shocked about that, with my name!

Mul

Tamm · 03-10-2006, 06:03 AM

I watched this episode again last night in case I was missing something. Afraid I still feel the same, accidently pressed a button on the remote which stopped the DVD and I couldn't be bothered to find the place and carry on.

A few (little) things bother me. I like the idea of a dance scene, I love how they go in and out of the sequence through Maddie. But I feel it is just too long, no matter how great the dancers I get bored. And how did Maddie get into David's hotel room? The "guy at the desk" wouldn't give her the room next door but let her into David's room

Why is Maddie's suitcase so huge, its like she was going on a month long holiday! And on the subject of size, the shoulder pads on Maddies funeral coat are enormous.

OK these are all really minor things and there are great moments in the episode but for me the little irritations in this one just bug me too much so I always fast forward through them

03-08-2006, 04:04 PM	#1
dlemond Hey, I know you. Moderator Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 03, 2001 Location: New Jersey Posts: 6,751	Big Man on Mulberry Street- not even in my top 10 Having recently watched this episode after not having seen it since it's original broadcast, I have to tell you, it's not so great. In fact I'd go as far as to say it's just OK. I have no idea why it has this reputation as one of the best episodes of Moonlighting. Besides it being very talky and very soap opera-ish, it seemed sort of contrived to me. Actually, very contrived. Making David have an ex out of the blue and then having her turn out to be gay? Yeah, and... the point is? They had to go to NY for this? And to have David even skip the funeral, and have a lousy scene in the cab? BORING. And I will not even agree if anyone says it was providing a depth of character and a better understanding of David and Maddie's relationship. You can skip this episode and you will not have missed one vital point about the dynamic of their situation. The only redeeming feature of the whole episode was Maddie's speech to David when he walked in the hotel room, everything else was blahh.. And the whole dance sequence to me seemed like a filler- not even particularly memorable if not for the song itself (which is a good tune). Sorry, this episode does not rank anywhere near my top 10. Or top 20 for that matter.

03-08-2006, 04:34 PM	#2
kismet I'm addicted too! Senior Member Join Date: Jul 14, 2004 Location: Pennsylvania, USA Posts: 1,239	I so agree with you on this episode. It has never been one of my favorites. I haven't even watched it yet on DVD. In my opinion, this isn't even a David episode - it's a Maddie episode. When I think of great performances, Cybill comes to mind. HER hotel scene is one of the best in Moonlighting. Other than "wit well run dry" and the hotel scene, nothing really sticks in my mind. I know that Bruce worked hard on the dancing - but what I remember about the dancing was that Cybill looked uncomfortable, not all the hard work that went into the other stuff.
	__________________ "....being crazy 'bout a woman like HER is ALWAYS the right thing to do." -- TLPS "The only thing new under the sun is the truth you don't know." -- BW "What a babe. What a dish!" -- BW re CS

03-08-2006, 05:25 PM	#3
Tamm Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jul 24, 2004 Location: Scotland Posts: 408	Totally agree with you Kismet. This episdoe is more about Maddie's reactions to David than David himself. The dance is long and I got fed up with it but the hotel room scene is good and Cybill is fantastic in it
	__________________

03-08-2006, 07:10 PM	#4
laura a moonlighting maniac! Frequent Poster Join Date: Jun 30, 2005 Location: Hampshire, England Posts: 376	I always fast forward the dance scene bit to where they kiss, thats what i watch it for. Maddies little speech in the hotel room was wonderful ,i love the look on both their faces when his says "don`t go "(i remember watching that scene for the first time and sooo wanting them to jump each other there and then!!)But your right ,it`s one of those episodes that you have to keep fast forwarding and skipping to get to the good parts.
	__________________ Praying? Lose something? or did you finally come to your senses!

03-10-2006, 05:36 AM	#14
MulberryGal Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Aug 04, 2004 Location: England Posts: 333	Wow, I never realised that this episode was a 'love it or hate it' one! I'm firmly in the love it camp, but then I doubt if anyone would be shocked about that, with my name! Mul
	__________________ You can lead a horse to water but that doesn't make him a duck Maddie Hayes: I wouldn't want you losing any more sleep over me. David Addison : Believe me, if and when I ever find myself over you, the last thing I'll be thinking about is sleeping.

03-08-2006, 07:29 PM	#5
adyjdy Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jan 04, 2006 Posts: 59	GASP! SPUTTER! SPIT TAKE! I am absolutely shocked to find that there are fans who don't care for this episode. I mean you’re all entitled to your opinions, obviously, but WOW this is my absolute favorite, bar none. I actually missed this one during the original run, one of very few and when I watched it for the first time with the DVDs I found myself actually not breathing during most of the episode. It’s so full of emotion and those tiny little looks, whispers, statements loaded with meaning that have kept me comin’ back for 20 years. I feel like I missed A LOT about their relationship by not seeing this episode for so many years. Mainly, something you mentioned, Tamm, Maddie’s reaction/feelings toward David. I’ve always felt through the whole run that we had SO many opportunities to see David’s feelings for Maddie, and his softness under the rugged exterior. Maddie, not so much. It was so nice to see her stripped emotionally naked sitting there on his bed. I feel like we get so few opportunities to see the emotional arc of this relationship from her point of view. What do you guys think? Do Maddie’s feelings for David get equal time during the series?

03-08-2006, 07:41 PM	#6
laura a moonlighting maniac! Frequent Poster Join Date: Jun 30, 2005 Location: Hampshire, England Posts: 376	I must admit that there are more good parts then bad parts in this one and you have mentioned them all .I have always loved both their little epilogues, hers when he comes back to his hotel room and his when he comes into her room.But there are a few that i dont like, - the fight that they have about Maddie not going to the funeral(i don`t like the way David grabs her face when he says"look at me"),also the dance scenes that he has with the `other` woman,and the taxi cab scene at the end,Dont get me wrong i do enjoy watching this episode. But i think i`ll sit on the fence with this one.50/50.

03-08-2006, 08:22 PM	#7
ryangie97 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jun 21, 2005 Location: usa Posts: 144	I'm a little shocked as well that some don't like this ep. I LOVE it. I liked the dance scene, but mainly liked it for the hotel room scenes, both Maddie and David's speeches. I thought the part about David not wanting Maddie to go the funeral was very funny, esp. where he offers to take her to one from the paper And the end scene on the plane, very sweet

03-08-2006, 08:35 PM	#8
kismet I'm addicted too! Senior Member Join Date: Jul 14, 2004 Location: Pennsylvania, USA Posts: 1,239	Ooooh, I forgot about the last scene. I love the airplane scene. This is still an episode in which I like scenes but not the entire episode. I also like David's hotel room scene. I think it comes down to the fact that I do not LOVE episodes in which I feel there is a threat to Maddie and David's relationship (on David's end). If there is a female around that can possibly take David from Maddie, then I have a hard time liking the episode. On the other hand, I didn't feel as threatened when Sam was around. Maybe because I liked the jealousy shown by David. If you go back on some of my earlier posts (even on other forums), I felt the same way years ago. Big Man is not one of my faves, BUT some of the scenes in it are on my faves list.

03-08-2006, 09:23 PM	#9
bluevelvet Member Occasional Poster Join Date: May 11, 2005 Location: New Zealand Posts: 43	Oh, thank you, Ryangie and adyjdy. I didn't want to be the only dissenting voice. I love this episode, right from the funny beginning all the way to the plane scene. One of my favourite scenes is when David tells Maddie he has to go to a funeral. I love Bruce's acting here. And when he calls from the bar to tell her he has arrived safely. There are so many great scenes but I have never felt the urge to forward through to them. I love the anticipation! And I love the dance sequence, yes probably more for the song than anything else, but I do love it!

03-08-2006, 10:26 PM	#10
ryangie97 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jun 21, 2005 Location: usa Posts: 144	Oh yes the phone call. For some reason I just love David's voice in that scene. And that he's wondering where she is, very sweet.

03-09-2006, 07:08 AM	#11
Tamm Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jul 24, 2004 Location: Scotland Posts: 408	I do agree that there are some great moments in this episode and you have mentioned them all. Its just that there are other bits I don't like so much. Overall its a good episode just not a favourite for me. Also in some of the scenes I get distracted by Maddie's funeral outfit

03-09-2006, 07:20 AM	#12
CyBr Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jul 17, 2004 Posts: 515	I'm so glad I'm not the only one who loves this episode! I think it's one of the best of the series and Bruce and Cybill are both wonderful in it! I think it's an important one for their relationship because they finally let their guard down with each other. It was a major move on Maddie's part to fly cross country for him and it was a major revelation for David to tell Maddie about his marriage, even if he couldn't bring himself to tell her the whole truth. I love the scene in his room about going to the funeral. They act like a married couple! Although it doesn't sit completely right to me that he wouldn't take her to the funeral after she came all that way, you understand how hard this whole experience is for him. I didn't even understand the subtleties of the dance when I first saw it, but now I see all the parts of his marriage, the break up (for another man) and Maddie entering the picture. I did wonder how Maddie guessed that before he told her, and how she knew he was bartender. Anyway, this is a long way to say I love this episode!

03-10-2006, 06:03 AM	#15
Tamm Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jul 24, 2004 Location: Scotland Posts: 408	I watched this episode again last night in case I was missing something. Afraid I still feel the same, accidently pressed a button on the remote which stopped the DVD and I couldn't be bothered to find the place and carry on. A few (little) things bother me. I like the idea of a dance scene, I love how they go in and out of the sequence through Maddie. But I feel it is just too long, no matter how great the dancers I get bored. And how did Maddie get into David's hotel room? The "guy at the desk" wouldn't give her the room next door but let her into David's room Why is Maddie's suitcase so huge, its like she was going on a month long holiday! And on the subject of size, the shoulder pads on Maddies funeral coat are enormous. OK these are all really minor things and there are great moments in the episode but for me the little irritations in this one just bug me too much so I always fast forward through them