Pretender 1x07: A Virus Among Us

[kerravonsen]

And the Pretender watching continues...

Hands up who would like to have Jarod as their substitute teacher?
(Hands up those who would like to have Jarod, Sydney and the Tenth Doctor as their substitute teachers all at once? (!!))

The A story was... well, I've seen better dramas with virulent viruses in them.

The eccentric-character-of-the-week this time wasn't quite so weird as some of the others, I think. Quirky, yes, but actually less approachable than many of the others. And yet Jarod again enters with his non-judgemental curiosity; I think he really wanted to know why someone would play so many instruments so badly, rather than just dismissing him and being annoyed.

The B story.
Mr. Raines again. So creepy. So psychotic. Maybe the only way to get ahead in the Center is to be completely unafraid of anybody.
Then Sydney agrees with Raines that they need Jarod. What's going on with that?

Ah, Sydney. Were those clippings all things that Jarod's simulations had caused?

"Tell me the truth about my parents."

Sydney hesitated too long, I think.
Of course Jarod can't forgive Sydney if he can't forgive himself.
No, I don't think it was Miss Parker who sent the clippings, it isn't her style at all. I suspect that it is the "mysterious insider" who sent the info in the previous episode.

Miss Parker... the Roach Motel, ha! The obvious way to get out of that would be to take their shoes off. Hmmm.

"I have a new job."
...
"You've got roaches?"

The thing that strikes me about this is that Jarod doesn't care what the "status" of a job is - he wants to experience life and people in all their variety.

Comments

[jthijsen.livejournal.com]

My hands are both up! Jarod, Sydney, the tenth Doctor (plus Daniel, because he'd drive at least one of them to distraction)? I don't think they'd get around to a lot of teaching, but the class would certainly pay lots of attention...

It just occurred to me that Mike Rowe reminds me a little of Jarod, he certainly has a similar (if not quite so naive) attitude towards all kinds of jobs.

[kerravonsen]

I don't think they'd get around to a lot of teaching, but the class would certainly pay lots of attention...
(grin)
Oh, I think the class would learn stuff, but it probably wouldn't be stuff on the curriculum. 8-)

[astrogirl2.livejournal.com]

(Hands up those who would like to have Jarod, Sydney and the Tenth Doctor as their substitute teachers all at once? (!!))

Oh, man, yes! That would be the funnest thing ever. :)

Mr. Raines again. So creepy. So psychotic. Maybe the only way to get ahead in the Center is to be completely unafraid of anybody.

I'm kind of beginning to think that. Acting unafraid of Raines seems to work pretty well for other people later on, too.

Then Sydney agrees with Raines that they need Jarod. What's going on with that?

I don't remember that exact scene. But, really, what else is he going to say?

Were those clippings all things that Jarod's simulations had caused?

Apparently so, yes. And not nice things, either.

The thing that strikes me about this is that Jarod doesn't care what the "status" of a job is - he wants to experience life and people in all their variety.

Yeah. I was going to say, he really is completely non-judgmental... Except, of course, he can be extremely judgmental, just not about that kind of stuff. :)

[kerravonsen]

I was reminded of your delightful Jarriere-at-the-Center story... because, yes, trying to figure out who is in charge at the Center is almost impossible. And there's no logical reason why Raines should have as much power as he has, unless the "make everyone afraid of you" method is the only real method of powermongering at the Center.

[astrogirl2.livejournal.com]

It might not be the only method, but I imagine it's one of the more effective ones. :)

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

Ah, Sydney. Were those clippings all things that Jarod's simulations had caused?

I think so, And Jarod probably realises it too, if he's found out about those events. After all, he doesn't know about things like the Beatles.

[kerravonsen]

After all, he doesn't know about things like the Beatles.
??? I mean, yes, I know that Jarod doesn't know about the Beatles, but I don't understand how this connects with your previous sentence.

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

The things happened in the past, so he'd only know about them by reading. He doesn't seem to read about anything unconnected with his current interest however, or he'd know more popular culture.