Post by sparklingblue on Sept 30, 2006 15:56:54 GMT -5
admin said:
The absolute best look in Sensitive though is THE SWEATER which is even more gorgeous on DVD where I could actually see the patterned squares underneath are BLUE. To me it's always looked all grey-black on TV or tapes.I suppose for me much of the appeal of this scene really does lie in this sweater and how great he looks in it. But the whole scene is just very romantic, with them attempting to discuss their feelings honestly, and the affection between them being so palpable that it makes you feel warm even if they are on a rainy, windy beach.
I love that bataka scene in Sensitive. It's wonderful to finally see Steele unleash his anger and frustration (unlike Laura who has a hair trigger temper and unleashes at will) because he does it so rarely -- so it's all the more explosive and powerful in this instance. The fact that I also think everything he says is absolutely spot on true just makes it better.
Interestingly, while Laura whacks him several times with the bataka he only bops her on the head (rather lightly) once when she brings up "commitment". So even while Laura or the other couple previous to them were going full out with their batakas, he's physically still quite gentle with her while exploding all over her verbally.
Interestingly, while Laura whacks him several times with the bataka he only bops her on the head (rather lightly) once when she brings up "commitment". So even while Laura or the other couple previous to them were going full out with their batakas, he's physically still quite gentle with her while exploding all over her verbally.
It is these touches that make Pierce's performance as Steele so excellent and the character so real. Now having the chance to see all episodes "un-dubbed", I have been paying attention to these nuances more than I did before since I wasn't focussing so much on the story anymore (having seen the episodes often enough to be familiar with the plot), and I think that often little changes of his tone of voice or small looks or gestures say so much and make all the difference.
Which reminds me of a wonderful observation on the commentary by Gleason and Butler in License, of how Pierce plays 'the not yet Steele' handling Laura with such gentlemanly care in the aroused with curiosity champagne scene. He does, and it becomes one of the innate characteristics of Steele . The dialogue itself could have been delivered in a much more obvious cocky, pushy, macho etc manner. But he manages to be flirtatious, sexy, playful, challenging and yet still respectful and gentlemanly which makes his come-ons vastly more appealing and disarming.
Precisely my thoughts. He can get away with saying a lot of things that other (dare I say lesser) men would get in serious trouble for. With him, it is always a tease where, delivered without the qualities you mentioned, it would be just a turnoff. Take Andy Osnard for instance, or even Julian Noble.
As for Mildred objecting to the towel clad Steele in My Fair Steele -- I think the lady doth protest too much. And it's not as if he hasn't changed in front of her before -- Steele Away With Me anyone? (oh wait maybe that was the 5th season in Mexico? Must do research.) And of course Mildred was staking her claim with Roxie -- she didn't interrupt all those dates and kisses with Steele and Laura just out of a burning need to be efficient at the work place.
Far be is from me to keep you from your research; I won't give away in which episode he undressed. I was always suspicious of Mildred's zeal to interrupts any romantic interludes Steele had or could have had.