Feelings

My Review

This episode was shown completely out of order in the U.K. as episode 8 instead of episode 3. The episode was used for the story in the Fame sticker album which was issued here before the episode aired. As I was collecting the stickers like mad (although I never quite got them all and had about 4 missing), I already knew this story very well before I watched it. So this episode held no surprises for me and was a little disappointing. That's not the fault of the episode or the show but higlights how previews and spoilers and advance knowledge can spoil a person's enjoyment.

The main story was put together to try and teach Gene Anthony Ray a lesson for his constant lateness in real life on the show. I'm not sure it worked that well because his behaviour got worse in season 3 where he was actually suspended from the show for 5 weeks.

Season one seemed to be more about the kid’s ambitions and them striving to achieve their dreams. It was upbeat, exciting and feel good to watch. Nearly every episode left the viewer on a high. However season two showed more of the down sides of Fame and dealt with the rejection that came with it. The kids seemed to lose their confidence and the episodes are much more down beat. Perhaps it’s more realistic but not as entertaining in my opinion.

This episode it’s Leroy’s turn to be rejected. I have to say that I don’t buy it at all! If he was auditioning for a part in a show or play then I could understand it but for a dance troupe, he would have got the part no problem. They have already shown that Leroy is a phenomenal dancer so they can’t now pretend he’s still got a lot to learn in that department, his academics yes but his dancing no. So this story didn’t work for me.

Julie too is feeling down and rejected because she didn’t win the competition and now loses her confidence. Plus she’s dealing with issues with her Dad. To me it feels like the Leroy and Julie plots are the same. This is supposed to be the first time that both Julie and Leroy haven’t got a part or won something, but I don’t think so, both have lost out on things at the school before.

For me this episode is very weak and to try and inject some drama and interest the writer comes up with red herrings to make it look like Leroy maybe back in a gang and Julie’s parents may get back together. I have real problems with both these parts of the story there is no real reason to try and fool the viewers apart from to fill the episode. It’s almost like they are clutching at straws to make it work but for me it still doesn't.

Coco sees Leroy in the wrong part of town and starts telling students and teachers that Leroy maybe back into gangs. The fact that there could be a much simpler explanation doesn't seem to come into her head. If Leroy was back into gangs he probably wouldn't be turning up to school at all so it makes no sense for her to think this. Plus when she sees him at school why doesn't she just ask him what he's up to instead of following him every day?

Julie lives with her Mum so would know if her Mum was acting all happy or had had meetings, letters or phone calls from her Dad. Julie’s Mum wouldn't be able to keep this kind of news from her so it makes no sense for her to think her parents are going to get back together just because Doris mentions it.

There are a couple of nice scenes though and the Lydia and Leroy scene near the end is quite touching and Debbie’s performance is excellent. Also the scene where Doris tells Coco and Danny that her psychic knew about Leroy’s dance troupe because she rents the building is very funny but who knew Doris went to a psychic?

Morgan isn't in this episode and Lee barely gets anything to do but the rest of the cast are served well, even some of the dancers get more to do with Michael Delorenzo singing. Although, I don’t buy that Michael would be so willing to give the part back to Leroy. Later on in the series Michael is much stronger and competitive. He would want that part and work his butt off to keep it.

Albert sings or rather talks his way through a song which is nice and Debbie is vocally very strong on There’s A Train, which is a nice song. Bruno is supposed to have written this song and its amazing how much of the songs and music Bruno is supposed to write he must work very hard. As for Lay back and be cool that was never a favourite of mine.

A couple of nit picks:

- When Shorofsky first talks to Julie she is practising in the music cubical but has the door open so he can hear what she’s playing. There doesn't

seem to be any point in going in to a sound proof room and leaving the door open. However the script wouldn't have worked if the door was

shut as Shorofsky wouldn't have been able to hear her.

- The camera angles during the show where Julie is playing and the dancers are performing are very odd. This is obviously because they

haven’t bothered to employ any extras to fill up the auditorium as the audience, so the camera has to stay away from shots where the

audience should be seen.

- When Coco and Danny are running after Leroy they aren't very far behind and they are calling out to him so how does he not see or hear

them. He seems totally surprised when Coco does finally accidentally on purpose meet up with him a few days later and has no problems telling

what he’s been doing so why run away from them and hide what he’s been doing? Oh I forgot there wouldn't be a story if he comes clean

straight away.

- Shorfosky tells Julie that it is music that got him through the war but in season one's "Reunion" it is stated that he left Germany and went to

America before the war so this seems to be a contradiction.

Episode Pictures

Eartha Robinson as Eartha

Stephanie E Williams as Stephanie

Jim Mckrell as Mr Miller