Swingtown Eposide Synopsis & Review
Season 1, Episode 2 - 'Love Will Find A Way'
Written By: 2YAHOOS
Episode Synopsis
A visit to the Chicago Playboy Club is the back drop for after work celebrating with co-workers and new friends. Susan & Bruce continue to explore their newfound friendship with Trina & Tom, while the old neighbors, Janet & Roger find friendship with the new couple next door will not easily replace Susan & Bruce. The teen story lines also move forward with the runnaway Samantha leaving home to live in the woods only to returns once B.J. tells her that her mother doesn't realize she left and Laurie's crush on her teacher is made crystal clear as she dumps her boyfriend.
Episode Review
We love the show so far and can not believe that a fair treatment of the lifestyle will last on network television. The story lines are complex and show a great deal of variety, if the writers are not lifestyle people they sure have done a fair amount of solid research. We really appreciate that the characters thus far represent a wide range of people and are not limited to a particular set of stereotypes. However, I will acknowledge right off that all of the characters are in fact stereotypes. Given time and an ability to grow the characters beyond the stereotypes the show should be a huge success.
Some of the most interesting nuances from the lifestyle have not been missed in creating the story lines. The different couples all represent very distinct stages in and out of the lifestyle. Particularly interesting was that they captured that the Vanilla couple, Janet & Roger, were not just typical prudes about the sex, but that there was an underlying jealously that extended to the non-sexual changes in Susan & Bruce's life. Often, we find that Vanilla people are often upset about the boundries they have created and simply judge others who do not conform; rather than adjust their own situation.
In addition, the Newbie couple status of Susan & Bruce captures all of the guilt and excitement of new found adventures. We expected jealousy to be an overacted typical slap in the face approach. However, the subtle approach the show is currently using is something to applaud and adds a great deal of credibility to the show. This underlying theme is to be expected but we how the writers show people who are capable of dealing with it differently than it has been historically portrayed. Particularly in that it was not necessary lost or overcome completely regardless of how experienced you become. If I am correct I believe the show will show a divulge that jealously is based in a lack of trust or self-esteem as it in cheating or betrayal. I believe the story lines have already hinted that the writers plan to point out the difference too.
OK, now everyone had to love the being "outed" storyline and the corporate blackmail that went along with it was classic. I particularly know a vast majority dread and worry about having a similar experience. Special credit had to be given for Trina's I told you so! line, how many of us have not heard that before after doing something particularly stupid after being forewarned. Not me I assure you! (LOL) Let's face it, it was also a generous nod to the women are always right axiom so common in the lifestyle.
We all know playing with Vanilla people can bite you in the ass but most don't pass on guilty pleasures or tend to follow rules.
Lastly, I like that the show generally show that lifestyle people are just more active socially and generally pursue healthier lifestyles. Yes, there is drug use and drinking, how can you realistically do a show based in the seventies without recreational drugs and alcohol. I think the show will loose big if they concentrate too much on drug use. It has to be addressed to be credible but if they make it the focal point of the show it becomes a show about drugs not the lifestyle.