Should Maxine gotten shot in the "Gun" episode (Season 6) - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TMC · 02-14-2020, 05:08 AM

Instead, the writers bring in this other friend of Laura's named Josie (played by a pre-Boy Meets World Trina Magee-Davis) who we had never seen or heard about prior to this episode. Wouldn't it had worked better in terms of wanting an emotional attachment if it had been some what a regular on the show getting shot?

"Very Special Episodes" seem to often be guilty of just making disposable characters for these things, which seriously hurts their potential for impact. Like remember that Family Ties episode "A, My Name is Alex", where Alex Keaton is grieving over the sudden death of a friend who up until then, we never heard about or seen?

Maybe it would've been too extreme to have a Winslow family member or even Urkel get shot. But still, had it been a character that the viewers already know beforehand (if not Maxine, then maybe even Waldo or Weasel), we would actually have some genuine emotional investment in their survival.

The one problem with Maxine getting shot though is would've likely been completely out of character for Max to have a gun or to tell Laura to buy a gun for protection. And since this was a Laura-centric episode, it's doubtful she's not going to be influenced by Weasel to get a gun.

JO Sweet Heart · 03-01-2020, 10:10 PM

I think that the right thing was done by having the victim be a classmate of Laura and Max. Max of course is the person who holds the girl in her arms and while the confrontation happens, Laura is trying to hook herself up with a piece. To me, the writing couldn't have been better.

God bless you always!!!

Holly

02-14-2020, 05:08 AM	#1
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 127,532	Should Maxine gotten shot in the "Gun" episode (Season 6) Instead, the writers bring in this other friend of Laura's named Josie (played by a pre-Boy Meets World Trina Magee-Davis) who we had never seen or heard about prior to this episode. Wouldn't it had worked better in terms of wanting an emotional attachment if it had been some what a regular on the show getting shot? "Very Special Episodes" seem to often be guilty of just making disposable characters for these things, which seriously hurts their potential for impact. Like remember that Family Ties episode "A, My Name is Alex", where Alex Keaton is grieving over the sudden death of a friend who up until then, we never heard about or seen? Maybe it would've been too extreme to have a Winslow family member or even Urkel get shot. But still, had it been a character that the viewers already know beforehand (if not Maxine, then maybe even Waldo or Weasel), we would actually have some genuine emotional investment in their survival. The one problem with Maxine getting shot though is would've likely been completely out of character for Max to have a gun or to tell Laura to buy a gun for protection. And since this was a Laura-centric episode, it's doubtful she's not going to be influenced by Weasel to get a gun.

03-01-2020, 10:10 PM	#2
JO Sweet Heart Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Mar 11, 2012 Location: East Tennessee Posts: 7,929	I think that the right thing was done by having the victim be a classmate of Laura and Max. Max of course is the person who holds the girl in her arms and while the confrontation happens, Laura is trying to hook herself up with a piece. To me, the writing couldn't have been better. God bless you always!!! Holly
	__________________ Go here to check out my most favorite singer, James Otto, when you can!