I watched episode four of "John from Cincinnati" and ....

Episode four.

The doctor quits. He's probably still paying off his student loans, one miracle happens and he quits.

John gets picked up and roughed up.  But the episode is structured so that you know a miraculous healing is ahead.  In other words, the scene is devoid of dramatic tension.

Ed O'Neill is ranting to his parakeet.

Butchie suddenly doesn't seem like such an a-hole.  He apparently told Kai to get frisky with John.  Nonetheless, they've got something going on.

Link seems like an even bigger a-hole, now that it's clear he told Tea Leoni (lookalike) to get frisky with Mitch.

Mitch levitates before Tea.

Every bald white guy on this show is the same.  Some have tattoos, some have briefcases. 

The problem is that for every interesting character on this show there are two, or maybe three prescriptively weird and tedious ones: PTSD Joe, motel owner, doctor quitter ... and, I'm afraid, John from Cincinnati.  Shaun, Sissy and Butchie aren't enough to carry this thing.

(Earlier: My enthusiasm for David Milch's project was ebbing after three.)   

Comments

[seandubs]

This is probobly the most interesting show that I have seen on TV in years. It grabs from the moment I turn it on until the ending credits. What makes this show compelling is the mystery of the charaters, especially John, and how they all fit together.
This show has made me remember all of the feelings that I had after watching the x-files for the first time.
The show has a lightening quick pace and always leaves you wanting more. The pseudo-religous inferences are by far the most interesting part of the show. I know this show is going to be great.
Unfortunately I also realize that it will probobly be canceled without any real understanding of what is happening.

[Sliv]

I thought the thing began to find its feet after Episode Three, but last night was a major regression. I'm locked-in enough to HBO Sunday at 8 to likely keep an eye on this mess, but my money's on one season and out at this point.

[Travis Fox]

We finally watched episode 4 last night and I must say that I thought the stabbing of John was dramatic and intense. It just happened so quickly and having "Vietnam Vet Guy" find him still all bloody and left for dead on the side of the road gave the illusion that perhaps John could only heal others and not himself.

As far as the "Ed O'Neil rants to his bird" bit, I'm more convinced that something is more afoul here. (birds...fowl...I'm so funny) Exactly what was Butchie motioning to Kai about being upstairs in Bill's house? It looked to me as if Butchie was trying to tell her that Bill's wife was still upstairs, but no longer alive. Which only ADDS to the creepy factor of this show...and might have something to do with Bill's ranting. More than once it appeared that Bill was ranting to (whatever, whoever) was upstairs, rather than the birds themselves.

I'm not saying that last night's was as strong as episode three, which as someone else noted, really seemed to tie the show together nicely, but I still am curious to see where everything is headed.

[Aaron]

A reader writes ...

Mr. Barnhart:

I am writing in an attempt to pursuade you give "John from Cincinnati" another chance, or two. Your column on Sunday indicated you were giving the show one more opportunity to win you over. Admittedly, the fourth episode was not overwhelming, so you may have decided to give up. I hope not.

It is just too soon to stop. My wife and I love the show. Its peculiar characters, catchy dialogue, and overall edginess have kept us coming back for more. We have watched each episode more than once, and find them better with each visit. Foreshadowing, the hysterical back-and-forth conversations between Bill Jacks and Steady Freddy Lopez, the sequence of events, and more do well a second and third time. Yes, the language is over-the-top, but that's the beauty of HBO; each series is not for everyone.

Look how long it took for "The Sopranos" to catch on. Even the final season had many viewers bored with the first three or four episodes, only to discover that groundwork needed to be in place. Those who were disappointed did not, we believe, truly understand the show. "John from Cincinnati" may catch on, maybe not. But it is too soon to surrender.

For now, these reasons should be enough to continue. Yet to come, will Zippie, Bill Jacks, or John utimately reveal other mystical talents? Will Cissy and Mitch make it? Will Kai actually see God? What is with the heat that surfaces in the bodies of the characters through piercings and metal plates? And, what will we discover took place in the motel room that has Barry Cunningham so freaked?

Mr. Barnhart, you may say, "Who cares?" We say, "Ride the Wave." We believe the show is fun, unusual, and intelligent.

Your faithful readers,

Bruce and Judy

[Verbal Jeff]

I also read your article in the Sunday paper and it prompted me to look you up and post. Based on your blog update after episode 4, am I right in guessing that you are moving on?

I'm still sticking with it and I'll explain why. First, I don't think this is a great show by any stretch of the imagination, BUT, I do believe it is way above average and sufficiently different to keep me interested. Maybe because I'm also one of those "Lost" people, I'm a little more accustomed to not necessarily getting all the answers right away (if ever). With that show, I went from frantically pausing and replaying with my Tivo, researching the "reality game" on the Internet, and ultimately giving up on ever understanding (or caring to) the "deeper" mysteries of the show. Now, I just sit back, relax, and enjoy the excellent writing, acting, etc.

I think that experience has allowed me to appreciate John from Cincinnati in a slightly different way. Almost immediately, I decided not to care too much whether Ed O'Neil is talking to his bird, his dead wife, himself, or God. I just think it's kinda cool that he gets the opportunity to say "I was sent here by my bird".

-Jeff

[Aaron]

These responses, and Rebecca De Mornay, are helping me feel better about my decision to keep watching. That said, I would remind everyone that "Lost" started to drift in its second season, not its first. Also I suspect that we've seen all the sides of Ed O'Neill and motel owner and Luis Guzman and the bald guys and even Mitch that we're ever gonna see.

[NastyNate]

I didn't enjoy this episode I thought it was a mock.

[Grace]

BRING BACK DEADWOOD!!! *@&$%*@^&#$(@*!!!!!

[B. Eden]

It is an understatement to call this show weird. But, it may turn out to be some of the best TV produced in a long time.

John From Cincinnati is the first show I've watched in some time that makes me think, and it's symbolism is continually challenging in attempting to decifer what's going on . . . akin to a chess match. It's chaotic, with an underlying semblance of some spirtual order and wonderment.

In my opinion, John From Cincinnati is an artistic breath of fresh air, and is a welcome diversion from the beaten paths of cops and robbers, medical and reality show monotony!