Episode 3: KEY WITNESS

In the discussion of the last episode, there were some interesting questions raised about the connection (or lack thereof) between the working scenes and the at-home scenes. The two halves of episode 3 seem to have a link, although not a narrative one, in that they both feature a camera.

To me, photographing his wife while she's stuck under the bed seems to vindicate his failure at work, but also reads as slightly sadistic. There's nothing to suggest real cruelty in their marriage (they're always so happy, after all). But there is something about how the scene is shot, particularly the shot from behind as she struggles to dislodge herself, that raises questions about the voyueristic aesthetic of the series as a whole.

What do you guys think? I was talking to a friend who didn't see it that way at all. He saw the bed scene as simply another quirky moment of domestic bliss. Am I reading too far into this? 

Re:Episode 3: KEY WITNESS

I did happen to read that final scene in the same way as your friend, and since there is a lovely sort of voyeurism about marriage as a whole, I didn't immediately pick up on a larger context as you have, although I do think the comment has a lot of merit.

I also agree that the sequences are fitting together more tightly, and that's largely because the relationship matters to me now. The opening scene--and particularly the strength of Bronstein's acting--tells the audience so much about that character that up until that point, we hadn't access to. It tells us for example how and what he prioritizes, how there's a sort of selfishness to his approach that belies a fervent discontent with his profession. Shared so openly like that, it's really easy then for that last scene to matter and for, as you mentioned about the last episode, the characters to matter in an 'Annie Hall' type of way.  

Cameo by Williams is also interesting, and in that scene more so than the final did I note a sort of voyeurism, particularly with shot design, ie. framing from outside the car windshield. The anecdote itself threw me a bit in length. I wasn't entirely sure what I was to gather from it, but ultimately it didn't really concern me because all the pieces were working together so much more efficiently.

I also cared a whole lot more about Mary's character for two reasons: first, we finally get to see her alone, and we begin, as an audience, to understand that her character is pretty sympathetic and--for lack of a better word--adorable; second because shot design avoided profile here. Episode two is a lot of profile, and I often find that difficult to connect to. It was definitely nice to spend some time with her.

Seems like more is working here, at least for me, but I'm still not sure where we're going with it, or if we're going anywhere, or if any of that matters in the least.    

Re:Episode 3: KEY WITNESS

I laughed out loud at that scene... woke the cat up, spilled my tea. It was funny, not sadistic. How could you NOT take a picture?

That scene made me finally like this series. I was unsure of whether or not I would give Buitterknife more of my time, but now I'm hooked. That sort of stuff happens, she wasn't in any real danger, she wasn't saying "please" or "it hurts, help me"... no harm.

If it turns out to be a sadistic, if that was the intent, then please don't come to my house.

Their relationship is real, it's funny, it's healthy. If you can't laugh about all that kind of crazy shit that happens, then you might as well just stop watching (and make that therapy session every two weeks instead of every four). 

Re:Episode 3: KEY WITNESS

Porcupine, that's an excellent observation regarding his photographing her as a means of dealing with his videotaping failure earlier in the day. I missed that and I think you may on to something there.

I really like the shot composition of her stuck under the bed. I found myself very worried that when she was adjusting the leveling thing that somehow she was going to get seriously pinched. Yet I kind of hoped that she would get hurt to see how he would deal with it since she seems to be the more caring and nurturing partner.