NOOOOOOOOOO!: The Racialicious Roundtable For Flash Forward 1.7
Hosted by Special Correspondent Arturo R. García
“The Gift” marked, I hope, a real transition point for our team of protagonists. Because we got to see Al as not only sympathetic, but close to well-rounded; his sacrifice, I feel resonated for the viewers. More on this later. Meanwhile, this episode provided another glimpse into why the death of our alleged lead protagonist, Mark, would *not*.
The big problem with Mark is this: until he wore that Police shirt under his jacket, I had no idea the guy *liked* anything. We’re told he loves his wife, but the chemistry between them hasn’t ever been there, even in the “good times.” Until this week, he didn’t crack one joke (compared to Demetri, who’s been at least able to pull off the facade of joviality at times). Like I said last week, he’s a melodramatic character in an action-oriented series. (Another symptom of forcing melodrama where it doesn’t belong: The “pensive” little music videos that seem to close every episode. This week it might have stirred genuine emotion, had we not had to deal with one for most of the season.) I also don’t think Mark is as engaging to the “casual” fan as the showrunners may want to believe. If Brannon Braga and Co. aren’t careful, they might have another Claire Bennet on their hands. Now, to the week’s big topics:
As intense as the final sequence with Al was, I’m disappointed that Dem didn’t get to ask: Hey, what if Celia gets killed by somebody else? Wouldn’t that still make her flash forward come true? Nontheless, I’m sorry to see him go.
Mahsino: While I did scream “f-ck this noise” at the screen, I love how Al was/is technically the one that proves that the flash forwards aren’t set in stone and that he was able to actually make a change. That being said, why couldn’t Mark be the one to take one for the team? I think he knew the risk that Celia might die, but at least he wouldn’t have to live with the guilt. (And I can’t be the only one that wished they would’ve closed the show with Simon and Garfunkel’s “Cecilia“, seeing as they have a propensity for inappropriately-placed music).
Andrea: ::side-eyes Mahsino:: What struck me is that this is a Black man who committed suicide–a statistic that is rarely discussed within and outside Black communities, though, thankfully, that silence is starting to crack. At the same time, what deeply disturbs me is Al sacrificed his life for a narrative, whether to prove or disprove it. Again, the death of a character of color furthers a plot.
Diana: I was mad. I was already vested in Al and really wasn’t ready to see him go. The writers did have to address whether the flash forwards were set in stone to allow the story to go forward, but I didn’t want to see a POC be a casualty. We’ll see if this becomes a pattern. I’m willing to continue watching for now.
jen*: Yes, you can change things. But you don’t have to *die* to do it. Al struck me as smarter than that. Maybe it was too difficult to live with the guilt, but I’m sure gonna miss him. I suppose I knew something was gonna happen when I saw his name listed as a ‘guest star’ in the opening credits, but wow. All that to convince people not to roll over and take it? I’m ticked that it had to be him – there are SO many superfluous characters that could’ve gone instead.
Earlier in the episode, though, we got to see Al engage in some welcome jocularity with Mark and Dem. Though the three of them are the worst undercover ops I’ve ever seen; why would you discuss clues in front of a potential witness (even if she was sympathetic and “goth-hot”).
Mahsino: I feel like they’re so used to aimlessly chasing and shooting at people that they forgot how to do real sleuthing.
Andrea: LOL
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