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'Big Shots': Last Call
I don't know if this is actually its finale, but it is the last filmed episode of Big Shots. *Sniff* I think I'm going to miss my Desperate Businessmen...
Spoilers!
Duncan
So, Terrence is officially dead. Which means no more Paul Blackthorne on whatever episodes may appear in the future. Boo. I'm hoping for a secret twin brother - this is a soap opera, after all. Anyway, as Duncan and the guys hash out their various issues at the Country Club, two police detectives appear and ask him to come with them to the station to answer some questions. Detective Winters, the lead on the case, runs through the whole scenario and points out how ridiculous it sounds. Really, he just wants some insight into Zack's motivation for shooting Terrence and where he might be. Duncan says what he knows about Zack, which is virtually nothing as almost everything the kid said was a lie. Winters then shows some surveillance footage of Duncan complaining about the dearly departed and Zack offering to kill him. Duncan asks if the Detective is inferring something, which he says he isn't. He only notes that Zack feels a connection to Duncan and gives him his card in case Zack tries to get in contact. Later, with the rest of the crew in tow, Duncan attends Terrence's funeral. He sees Victoria, Terrence's sister, whom he slept with but ended messily before approaching Lizzie to offer his condolences and apologize, asking if there's anything he can do - she angrily says that the police showed her the surveillance tape and that he's done quite enough.
The next day, Duncan goes to Reveal expecting to meet the new Chairman of the Board and get word on a time-sensitive proposal he'd submitted. To his surprise, Lizzie is the new Chairman as Terrence has left her his entire estate, including his controlling interest of Reveal. She then announced that Duncan's proposal is being put on hold so she can review it. Duncan protests, saying he's been working on this for a year and that it's solid. She assures him that if it is, she'll vote to approve it when she was ready.
After the meeting, Duncan argues with Lizzie and makes the situation about him when she's really just trying to do what she thinks Terrence would want her to do. Victoria walks in at this moment and it gets a little awkward as one of her comments clues Lizzie in on her past with Duncan. They go off to lunch and talk. Victoria is sharing quite a few personal tidbits about Terrence that Lizzie never knew. Victoria offers to bring her and childhood videos or pictures she might find and Lizzie is appreciative.
That night, while drinking with the dudes at the Country Club, the bartender informs Duncan that his corporate card has been canceled and cuts it up in front of him. Originally, Duncan had been saying that being the focus of Lizzie's anger is the least he can do right now, but he can't seem to not make this situation about himself as he picks another fight the next day at Reveal.
When the Board finally makes its decision about the proposal, it's not the news Duncan was expecting. They rejected it but, as he's determined, he goes around Lizzie's back and appeals to them. The proposal gets approved this time and it causes them to get into another fight, an even bigger one in which Duncan questions Lizzie's competence. He immediately apologizes but that's not really something that can be taken back. Before they can truly resolve things, Victoria pops up again only this time she's not being quite as civil as before. Turns out she didn't come to the wedding because she never wanted Lizzie and Terrence to get married in the first place as she believed Lizzie was still in love with Duncan and adds that she's contesting the will.
Lizzie is flabbergasted and, after Victoria leaves, Duncan offers to help and urges her to fight. But she doesn't want his help and is too tired to deal with all this and she goes home. Later, Duncan goes to see Victoria and asks her to back off Lizzie, that she would never have hurt Terrence and that she has the most integrity of anyone he's ever known. Victoria agrees, mainly because Lizzie was there an hour before and signed over all of Terrence's estate, save the shares she came in with.
That night, Lizzie comes over to Duncan's place and pours her heart out. She's devastated that Terrence died before they could really be happy. When he makes a move to console her, she stops him. She needs to know that she can be happy with someone other than him and she starts crying harder. All Duncan can do is just sit next to her.
The next day at work, the Board assembles at Reveal to figure out what's going to happen next but before they can proceed, here comes that pesky Victoria again. Predictably, she's decided to stick around to continue her brother's work and to make Duncan's life a living hell. But at least he gets a special delivery of the news clipping announcing Terrance's death with a message written across it in red ink - "Are you proud of me, Dad? - Zack." I'm sure that brightened up his day. Because that's not creepy at all.
James
Since they've split up, James is finding it difficult to work with Katie because he's still into her and because she smells good ("So today you suddenly smell like sexy cake."). She asks if it's too much - she's trying out a new perfume - and he asks if she's dating someone else. Huh. Interesting leap. Clearly James isn't dealing with this whole "back to being friends" thing very well so he decides to divide the workload to lessen the amount of time they spend together in close quarters. He tells her to put a team together to work on the quarterly reports and he'll get a team together for the other project. When Katie meets with her team members, she lets them know that James won't be working with them this time and that she'll fill him in their progress as they go. That's when Natalie the Hateful Office Wench makes a "you work close together" remark, much like she did last week. Katie raises and eyebrow at it, but doesn't really react to it.
The next night, James goes to a restaurant to pick up dinner for himself to-go and he sees Katie there with Ted McMannis, CEO of a rival company. Reacting as most would if the person they were still in love with was laughing at dinner with someone else, James confronts her about it the next day but quickly apologizes as it's none of his business. While true, Katie offers an explanation anyway and reveals that it wasn't a date, it was a job interview. James is not happy about this. I'd even say he was angry, especially because she didn't discuss the situation before going out on an interview. Katie admits she doesn't want to leave but she doesn't like the idea of people thinking she got her position because she'd slept her way through the ranks, thus invalidating years of hard work. James attempts to convince her to stay, saying that it's rough for the moment but they'll get over it.
Before they can get into it further, Natalie the Hateful Office Wench pops in. James leaves and the Hateful Wench hands Katie her portion of the quarterly report. Except she didn't make a change that Katie told her to make. When Natalie asks if Katie had run the changes by James and makes another "working close" remark, Katie gives her a well-deserved verbal smackdown telling her that maybe if she works hard enough then maybe she'll actually get a promotion and be in a position where other people can question whether she got her job based on merit or because she was banging the boss. The Hateful Wench totally got served so she apologized and scampers away to make the corrections. Katie then marches into James' office and lays a big smooch on him. They're back on and Katie isn't going anywhere so they celebrate by doing things that are inappropriate in the workplace.
The next day, James tells Ed, head of the Board, that he and Katie are dating and that they will go to HR and fill out the paperwork and such. Ed says if it were any other CEO they'd be having a very different conversation. Before leaving he mentions that his wife always thought James and Katie would make a great couple and asks if they'd like to have dinner that night. The answer ends up being yes and when they go out, Ed's wife is being very chatty with Katie saying that she never liked James' ex, etcetera, etcetera. Katie tries to excuse herself to the bathroom but the wife comes with her leaving James and Ed to wait in the bar for their table. Ted McMannis shows up and joins the guys for a drink, which Ed goes to buy. While he's gone, Ted starts making inappropriate comments about not getting to hire Katie out from under James, both literally and figuratively. And James doesn't appreciate it...so much so that he pushes Ted face down onto the bar table and holds him down by the neck. Ooo...how Alias of him. Well, not entirely. If he was really channeling Vaughn he would've punched him in the kidney, broken his nose, and possible crushed his throat. Good times. At any rate, Ed, Ed's wife and Katie all show up and are shocked by what they see.
At the office the next morning, James is waiting to hear from Ed and the Board to see if he's fired or not - which he's thinking he's not but there's sure to be repercussions. Katie asks what Ted said to piss him off so much, he lies and says he made a comment about Stacy sleeping with his dead boss.
Brody
Brody rented a secret, separate apartment for all his stuff. It's a "guy's pad" full of video games, big screen TVs, parlor games and assorted other things he can't have at the house. He comes in one day and finds Jenelle there. He freaks out a bit expecting her to put a kibosh on the whole thing but when she says she understands, he's a bit dumbstruck. when she wants to do "Brody Stuff" with him, he's super-dumbstruck. They start out sort of okay but as soon as Jenelle isn't good at something she wants to move on. Then, all of sudden, she starts getting better than Brody at a lot of the stuff and that just sucks all the fun out of it. He decides to pack everything up and get rid of the apartment, telling her that he just wants to go back to how they were before. Jenelle gives one of the moving guys some extra cash to lose a few boxes and maybe take the foosball table home to his kids. The next morning, that same moving guy shows up at the Country Club where Brody's having breakfast. Brody hands him an envelope full of cash and the moving guy verifies that everything is back in the apartment just like it was. Brody knew what Jenelle was up to and planned accordingly.
Karl
So...Karl and Marla finally tell Wendy about their affair and that Marla's baby is Karl's. They get kicked out of the house, predictably. Karl tries to by her something shiny to get back in her favor but that doesn't work. Marla then goes and apologizes, telling Wendy how awesome she is and that she wants them to raise her baby. That touches Wendy and Marla gets back into the house. Later, Marla and Wendy come back from dinner or something and Karl is there waiting for them. He reads Wendy the wedding vows he wrote when they got married and says he still loves her and blah blah blah. Wendy is touched but before she can vocalize that she forgives him, she runs to the bathroom and makes nice with the porcelain god. She comes out and hugs Karl and explains she's been feeling nauseous for the last few days. That's right. She'd pregnant too. Yawn. At least we won't have to deal with that whole "secret affair" aspect of the storyline anymore.
Other Assorted Tidbits:
- Where the hell is Cam during all this? Sure, Crazy Zack is on the loose but you'd think that attending her mother's new husband's funeral would be worth some face time.
- Speaking of Crazy Zack, I'm not a big fan of that particular turn in storyline. Sure, every soap needs a lunatic but I think the progression to psychotic killer was a little quick. And I'm hoping he hasn't gotten his mitts on Cam because the whole hostage thing is so expected.
- Again I say boo on no more Paul Blackthorne. Maybe Terrence can show up in a dream sequence. Or Lizzie will wake up one day and find him in the shower, thus erasing the events of the last 3 episodes.
- I can't say enough about Nia Long and Michael Vartan. They both make such brilliant choices in their seasons - the facial expressions, the pauses, the little looks. I think they have better chemistry than he did with Jennifer Garner.
- I'm finding all this stuff with Duncan to be entirely too much. If and when the show comes back on the air, they should give his storyline a brief break, let Duncan breathe. Not that I don't love Dylan McDermott. I do. I just think the complications of his storyline can be...exhausting. I mean, how much stuff can go wrong all at once? Granted, considering his past this is just one giant karmic backslap but still, as a viewer I just need some fresh air.
Quote of the Night:
"I think that I saw that once on an episode of Falcon Crest." - Detective Winters to Duncan regarding the circumstances surrounding Terrence's death
So this is it (at least for now). What do you think of the show? Do you want it to return? Will Crazy Zack start boiling bunnies in Duncan's apartment? Will Brody ever have a more significant plot line? Share and discuss!
Bring back Bigshots!!
Jay | Jan 25, 2008 6:02:39 AM | #I hope this show gets renewed. I really love it! It's must see TV in our house. The lack of new pilot shows due to the stike may save Big Shots for anothe season at least! I love my desperate men!!!!!
Lisa | Jan 25, 2008 7:13:44 AM | #i've actually grown to like this show, despite it's flaws. i wish they tempered the karl and duncan storylines. too soap-operaish. i like the vartan storylines paired with christopher titus. titus/charisma go well together. it's been nice seeing him get a bit more than the usual "errand boy for duncan" roles.
tony | Jan 25, 2008 7:36:53 AM | #The show is getting better.
I love the chemistry between Charisma/Titus. Glad to see him get more of the story.
But I would like to see Janelle at home. SEE what Brody has been talking about for the entire series./
I really enjoy this show,and find it to be great camp and very fun. Was anyone else shocked that "Shots" was on so many worst shows of 2007 lists?
My only problem with this show is concerning Duncan:
One word; SHAVE!!!!!!
Your the CEO of a cosmetics company for God's sake and you can't opperate a razor. It may be sexy (I'm straight, so you tell me ladies) but professionals don't look that way.
I loved last night's episode! It had great balance all around – humor, drama, screen time for the guys. The show set up too many stories for the series to end. ABC better bring it back in the fall.
Loved James going ‘Rambo’ on the guy. There's going to be some fallout from that. The scenes between James and Katie in his office, she smelled like "sexy cake". LOL I just love these two together!
James lied to Katie about what the guy said, but it really would have hurt her to know the truth.
I really liked Brody's secret place.
I agree with Don, Duncan needs to shave. A little stubble is okay, but his seems to be pretty heavy.
I've never understand the dislike by so many critics for this show. It's fun and very entertaining!
SouthernGal | Jan 25, 2008 12:26:54 PM | #I too am a Big SHots Fan! Keep this show! It's getting better!! and who doesn't love Brody and Janelle? I want to see more of their characters! And JAmes & Katie together is great! Keep it going!!!
Jana | Jan 25, 2008 12:35:17 PM | #Love the show! My favorite is Brody and Janelle. I look forward to the show ALL WEEK. It's better than Grey's!!
Kate | Jan 25, 2008 1:10:40 PM | #I hope Big Shots returns. I agree that they have made too much of Duncan he is not the centre of this show Michael Vartan is why not use their best asset. If they had not made so much of the sleeziness of Duncan and made his plot more realistic I think the critiques would not have been so against this sow. I agree as a CEO they should have Duncan shave - a scrappy CEO would have got the sack in real life. But I guess with the shave he might look more bland than he is. And I totally agree re the chemistry between Michael Vartan and Nia Long - I think they are wonderful together but then thats because they are both exceptionally talented. They are the couple/non-couple that I have wanted to see more of. I love their banter and they make you believe that they have been friends for years. Also Brody needs more of a role. And as an absolute contrast to James I like Karl's woes. So much less of Duncan, lots lots more of James and James and Katie and develop Brody and Karl.
rose | Jan 25, 2008 1:15:06 PM | #I thought it was funny that Terrance was so involved in magic and tricks. Could that have been a nod to his previous show?
I had the same thought about Duncan needing to shave while watching last night.
William | Jan 25, 2008 2:06:46 PM | #I agree with others about Duncan- they're giving that character way too much time.
I feel like they're rushing the James/Katie storyline. I can understand their attempts to make each episode self-contained, but it's still too fast. I want to see more of them!
And more of Karl and Brody, too!
Perhaps they need to try focusing on only a couple of characters per episode and tying the character arcs together by some kind of theme.
This would allow us to see more of what's going on with the characters (rather than listening to them talk about it) and help the show feel more "connected" overall.
Right now it feels like there's too much going on in each episode and it's all disjointed.
This show has potential- I hope it gets a chance to work out the rough spots!
Ally | Jan 26, 2008 6:04:50 AM | #PLEASE don't make this the last show. We love it at our place! And, hey, let's not sell Karl and his story short. Everyone raves about all the others, but Karl, Marla and Wendy are my personal faves! Great chemistry -- especially between the girls, and I love the comedy. And last week, we actually saw those characters have some depth.
Jen | Jan 27, 2008 5:03:15 PM | #one of my favorite new shows, hope it comes back. the guys are all great, but i love paige turco too! she plays well off of dylan.
amy | Jan 28, 2008 12:35:41 PM | #i love this show.james and katie are the hottest tv couple ever!
polk | Feb 5, 2008 10:23:05 AM | #Agreed. James and Katie are such a hot couple! I say ABC should give the show another season!
Trish | Feb 7, 2008 5:53:04 PM | #I agree with all the posts here and I hope they give this show another season.
DT | Feb 12, 2008 11:34:55 PM | #The "reason" this show gets so-called low ratings is because ABC dropped the ball by stopping 'all' promos for it, and not giving it another chance by at least trying to switch it to a new day and time, like it did with just about every other show on that network. I am "praying" with 'everything' in me, that until (or unless) they bring back 'Big Shots', that every other show in that particular day and time slot drop like a rock. One of the "best" casts in the business, and ABC treats them like trash. My heart goes out to each and every one of them.
Jean K. | Feb 15, 2008 4:44:28 PM | #I so agree with almost all the posts here. Especially with Tony, Don, Ally, and Jean K. I feel the same re ABC treating a show loaded with more talent than any other on TV like trash. The highly touted Grey's lead-in has been totally trumped by the direct competition of W/O a Trace. I have noted that other shows so far have not fared any better against them. I totally agree that Duncan has been hogging all the air time. Michael Vartan is the one most people tune in to see and his chemistry with Nia Long is terrific as others have noted. Also, ABC totally dropped the ball in not hyping Charisma Carpenter's appearance and the show's return from its mini-hiatus - was that a delightful and jaw-dropping twist or what - that she was Janelle! Loved it! I agree too that they are trying to do too much in each episode. I also agree that they have rushed the romance with James and Katie - but boy was it fun to watch! They were adorable in the afterglow! To Don, yes I've been surprised and quite sad to see the show on the "worst" lists - it almost feels like the critics have had it in for the show from the beginning by not giving it a second look after Rob Thomas was brought in to fix it. What's up with that? I am losing so much respect for ABC and how they have treated this show that I don't even feel like watching their other shows - even Eli Stone despite my adoration of Victor Garber. I look at everything and think "so what's so much better than Big Shots about this?" I do think, however, that the Karl threesome and the idiotic trannie storyline turned the critics off hugely - and for good unfortunately. Still can't believe they didn't give this cast of heavyweights a second look however...
Sorry my post is so late - I just stumbled on this section tonight. I never saw the show listed on "Shows we watch" and since the critics have been so hateful, I assumed Zap was part of the negative wave and wasn't recapping it.
I also stumbled upon this well after the fact, but I want to second a number of comments one here:
1) The out of the blocks killer for this show was the tranny storyline. It was both stupid and offensive.
2) Duncan gets too much screen time.
3) Duncan needs to shave.
If it does come back, which is unlikely given how much ABC must be paying for so many actors of this calibre in a low rated, critically bashed show, I hope they take these ideas into account and make some needed changes.
Darlene | Mar 21, 2008 6:44:43 PM | #I thought this show was cancelled mid-season which really pissed me off cuz I love it! So I missed a lot of eps including when terrance and lizzie apparently got married and then he died?! I did get to see this ep, though and I hope it comes back. Duncan and his stupid make-up or magazine company storylines are annoying. I like the conflicts between james and Katie and Karl+baby mamas=fun fun fun! I also like that Brody is more behind-the-scences but they did reveal his wife which was cool. I hope they keep it cuz I hate it when networks toss these little gems in the trash and keep the popular scum-of-society shows like lost and american idol. But hey, ratings don't lie and if people are brainwashed enough to watch that garbage then so be it.
gigi | May 19, 2008 10:52:52 AM | #My husband loves this show! He calls it the male soap - and I agree there is enough eye candy on both sides and we are hoping they try again with some new episodes.
sandy | May 22, 2008 6:53:16 AM | #BRING BACK BIG SHOTS! My husband and I love to sit down and watch this show together. It's fun to see the things that men actually are thinking and go through. Please ABC Bring it BACK!
Stephanie | Jun 5, 2008 1:15:29 PM | #LOVE the show!!! Pulllleeeeeze bring it back!
deb | Jun 8, 2008 8:27:34 PM | #Really like the shows, especially James and Katie.
Scarlett | Jun 20, 2008 10:25:07 AM | #I absolutely love the show. The characters are great. Me and my boyfriend always watch it together, truly an enjoyable show, I love to hear how the guys think.
Please keep the show and bring back next season.
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