The Incident

Jesse lies unconscious in the hospital. Dyrenforth has conducted an investigation into what happened to cause the accident but everyone tells a different story. On a rainy night while waiting for a bus Sherwood, Dyrenforth and Chris debate what has been said, who's lying and who is telling the truth.

I know this episode sparks mixed reactions from many fans and the first time I saw it I wasn't so sure about it either but on repeated viewings I have come to really like it. It certainly is very different from what we have come to expect from "Fame", which isn't a bad thing. It's far darker and with no real explanation of what really happened can leave the viewer a little confused but for me that's the appeal.  I think it stands up to repeated viewings and we see the subtle differences in the camera angles, positioning of people and their performances depending on who is telling the story. For instance Jesse and Nicole end the "Slave To Love" songs on different differently, Nia is on the left the first time but on the right the second time. So each time I view it I notice different things. Things are very atmospheric with an impressive score by John Debney, although at times things can seem a little slow. The first minute and a half all we've heard is Chris say "I don't get it" and then at the end nothing happens for a few minutes apart from Sherwood and Dyrenforth standing looking at the rain. Although I like the atmosphere it almost feels very laboured and slowed down.  

The Inspiration of the episode is a Japanese film "Rushomon" by acclaimed film make Akira Kurosawa and we see a homage to him with the sign over the theatre that Sherwood, Dyrenforth and Chris are sheltering under. The script caused an investigation by the Writer's Guild Arbitrators as MGM accused writer Michael McGreevey of ripping off their film "The Outrage" starring Paul Newman. "The Outrage" was actually a westernised version of the original "Rushomon".  Executive Producer Donald Reiker had actually rewritten McGreevey script and had indeed copied the story often shot for shot from the "The Outrage". Compensation was paid out to the writers and McGreevey was given a Teleplay credit instead of the usual writing credit.

Although I like the episode I do think it could have been improved upon. I have an issue with the character of Mr Torrence. We don't know him and only have the various stories to go on but as he is different in each one it's hard to know his character. Even when he gives his own story he doesn't actually come across as that nice. So even though we see both Jesse and Nicole in a new light the story does seem weighted in their favour. What I think would have worked so much better is to have brought back Morgan Stevens to guest star in the episode. He could have written a play and decided to come back to the school to try it out. We already know his character and although he could have changed a little this would have been worthwhile for the audience. Also as the episode is a little light on cast members with 6 regulars missing having a character come back would have eased that problem a little. 

I also think it should have been the teacher left unconscious rather than Jesse as his condition really seems to be glossed over. It is mentioned that he's been unconscious for 24 hours and we see flashbacks to the investigation, which obviously happened after the accident but wouldn't some of the characters, particularly Nicole actually be at the hospital with Jesse? Had it been the teacher it's more realistic for life to carry on as normal. Also the recovery happens rather too quickly and of course the incident is never mentioned again!

We do have some nice continuity in the form of Mrs berg being psychic so I like that. Although when we first see her giving her statement what she says makes no sense. She states "I was leaving the office and I sensed something..." however we actually see her coming down the stairs in the lobby heading towards the office!!

Also the street that Sherwood, Chris and Dyrenforth are standing on seems incredibly quiet. They are supposedly waiting for a bus but there is virtually no traffic at all. Are there really any streets in New York on a bus route where there's no other traffic?

I like the song "Shelter Me" and having heard the original by Joe Cocker feel Jesse's version is far superior.  Jesse's performance is very dramatic and of course there's a nice irony of singing "Shelter Me" while being out in the rain.  "Slave To Love" is okay but not a favourite of mine but the visuals and costumes do look very good.

My biggest issue with the episode is that I don't feel it's a season finale. Also as it's Sherwood's last episode it would have nice to have some reference made to that. It's nice Carol has a main roll in the episode but the emphasis is on the story rather than the characters debating the story.  With so many cast members missing it does feel very empty and something more upbeat would have been a best ending. Even the previous episode "Losing It" with it's flashes back to Leroy's audition would have made a better finale than this. However, Michael Hoey's book does state that this episode was supposed to be earlier in the season but  it was pushed back in the run a number of times and just ended up being the finale, so I guess for once I can't be to hard on the writers and producers.  

Original  air date in U.S.A 24th May 1986

Original  air date  in U.K. on The Children's Channel  Broadcast early 1993.

Original air date in Italy 03rd October 1987

Original  air date in France 08th March 1996