Luck

It's like being at the track and snooping on owners and trainers trying to find out what's going on.


Ohhh it's so secretive. *fart* I'm just dying to see who Teddy or whatever the mysterious guy is named. I hope it's Christopher from the Sopranos.

Look at this character! Guess what he's thinking while he looks off into space!! Ohhh I bet he's complex!

[Honu]

Originally Posted by Coach Pants

It's like being at the track and snooping on owners and trainers trying to find out what's going on.


Ohhh it's so secretive. *fart* I'm just dying to see who Teddy or whatever the mysterious guy is named. I hope it's Christopher from the Sopranos.

Look at this character! Guess what he's thinking while he looks off into space!! Ohhh I bet he's complex!

If you dont like the show why do you keep watching it? Just asking.

[Rudeboyelvis]

Originally Posted by Honu

If you dont like the show why do you keep watching it? Just asking.

I won't answer for Coach, but I'll say that for me, it isn't that the show is "unwatchable" - it's simply that it is not very good.
We all have ties to the idiosyncrasies that go on at the track each day, so in that respect it's worth a look, but the program - for a program's sake - is not near HBO standards. Most everyone I know that is not associated in some form or fashion with the industry, whether a fan, owner or an employee, has given up on it already. It is just uninteresting. Sorry.

[Left Bank]

Showing animals getting injured (twice now) is not a good thing.The show needs to do something because it is losing my interest also.

[Kasept]

Originally Posted by Left Bank

Showing animals getting injured (twice now) is not a good thing. The show needs to do something because it is losing my interest also.

It may lose your interest but I'm confused as to citing the concept of showing animals getting injured as an issue. Horses, and riders, don't get injured as a matter of course in the game? There's was a fatal breakdown in the first episode as a vehicle to establish in unaware viewers the legitimate concern that horse and rider are at risk every trip. It was done to establish the 100% real tension that accompanies every single race at every single oval in the world.

And in fact, I've read on TV critique boards that people were subsequently concerned in the races and training sequences since that the horse focused upon might get hurt... Right! You're supposed to be concerned that they could get hurt... Every morning they work out. Every race. Every afternoon in their stall. The thrown shoe that cut Pint o' Plain is a minor injury but another example of the myriad of bizarre mishaps that imperil horse and rider. That's an underlying reality of the game. Your heart is in your throat every waking minute. About EVERYTHING.

Milch is delivering the message in one way or another, on track and off, that involvement in the sport is an endless high wire act. I get the complaints that it isn't moving fast enough for those that are close to the sport. Those of us that follow the game closely are less likely to see the show as a spectacle and assault on the senses because we're all immersed in the assault. But there are a great number of people that had no idea of what goes on at the racetrack going in to the series, that are already fascinated but what they're watching.

What I've enjoyed most is the way the show was billed before debuting as not really being about horse racing, but about 'people with the racetrack as a backdrop'... Bullschit. It's turned out to be 100% about horse racing and nothing else. It's Milch trying to show to people that look quizically at the sport what being involved in the game is like. And why it's like no other sport, business or lifestyle.

[mclem0822]

I am so impressed with John Ortiz, he has such a feel for this character. I think he's really doing quality work here. I am enjoying the show more each episode, i think the storylines and the characters are interesting. Obviously opinions vary, and the critics on here are entitled to their views. But i am excited about this show, i think it is growing stronger, and i look forward to seeing the additional characters and stories to come.

[herkhorse]

Saw episode 5 last night. It was only 45 minutes long and nothing really happened. I guess their saving it all for the last 3 furlongs.

[richard burch]

Originally Posted by Left Bank

Showing animals getting injured (twice now) is not a good thing.The show needs to do something because it is losing my interest also.

i tend to shy away from the race scenes until i know nothing or something happened. it's a good time to make a cocktail when they are racing.

but otherwise my wife and i love the show. i really like the stutterer and stevens.

I knew Israel was a goner as soon as he appeared on the scene; figured that Ace's man (Farina) would be offing him, though. They're gonna make fish food out of Israel, I think.

The Escalante character (Ortiz) is far and away the guts of this show; what a job that guy does. There are about a dozen or more Hispanic horsemen that I know in the Ocala area that are LESS believable than him in that part!
He's got the language down exactly right; looks like he's gonna turn out to be an "all right" guy after all, after being portrayed as a greedy slimeball in the first episode.


Ocala Mike

[tector]

Originally Posted by Ocala Mike

The Escalante character (Ortiz) is far and away the guts of this show; what a job that guy does.

Absolutely correct sir. Hoffman--in this show--can't carry his jock strap.