right now: ALL NEW hidden palms

This week's episode, "Ghosts," was beautiful to look at, though not overflowing with new info, new developments, or really anything new. That's no problem since surface is at the center of the show's project thus far. I'm happy just to watch the shine, the skin, the surface. Which leads me to my favorite image of episode two, this beautiful, enigmatic shot of the stainless-steel fridge door in Johnny's house:




The Carpet Matches the Drapes:
Similarly, I enjoyed this shot, in which Johnny's mom Gail [Karen Hardy] matches the curtains in his room. My image doesn't do this moment the gasp-worthy justice it deserves. Even the shadows on the blinds appear to be properly coordinated with the palette of the drapes.



In fact, I apologize for the quality of all the images. Even though it takes me ages to capture, crop, and select them, I must admit that they cannot compare to the show in HD. It's truly stunning.

Kenneth and I both loved the credit sequence-- perhaps the one thing that was new in this week's episode. It's reminiscent of the blissed-out hypereality of early Claritin ads.



Follow-Through
Episode 2 maintained two elements established in the pilot.

1) Concern with the readerly:

Cliff: Well, look at Read-ee Readerson here. That's great.

2) Bed headedness-- more beautiful sheets and pillows.

I don't think Johnny's been in the house a full week and already his bed has been remade and refashioned. Lovely.

Depilatory
This week's sponsors included two depilatories! Leading me to worry over my relationship with Hidden Palm's target demographic.

1.


2.
Alyssa Milano looks great at 34 years of age. Dig the arching of the eyebrows when she says "Veet!"


Messy Drunk
Okay, so Nikki was also new to the show as a flame or fling (Johnny: There's history.) from Johnny's days at rehab. Rehab romance-- though surely not unheard of-- does veer toward the televisual. Less idealized, though, is Nikki's propensity for relapse, which she demonstrates in a big old sequence during which she climbs up on stage with a band; hitches up her boobs; grabs the mike; demands, "You guys know any Beyoncé?"; sort of sings along to Route 66; falls off the stage; vomits into a trash can; etc. Incredibly uncomfortable to watch.



Changing Complexion

Johnny's skin doesn't look so good during the party scene.



It's during this part of the show that Greta articulates a great gay-- or male?-- logic. [Some quick background info: Eddie was Greta's boyfriend before he killed himself and Johnny moved into his house.]

Johnny: What was Eddie like?
Greta: How much time you got?
Johnny: Oh. So, I'm guessing he set the bar pretty high.
Greta: You're here. You'vegotthatgoingforyou.

Mind you, I think a little bad skin can be hot on a teen. But, thank goodness Johnny's face cleared up during the walk home from the party...



...just in time for his big, hot smooch with Greta. It was really hot. Kenneth declared that sparks flew when these beautiful kids kissed. Part of the intensity was surely due to the mien(s) of the actors. However, part of it came from the fact that they held this pose for a really really long time:



I may have blushed. Or something.

Is Eddie Dead?
The episode's devilish conclusion: