Ever wondered where the “we’re all interconnected” theory came from? And no, I’m not just talking about the “Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon” game (which, ironically, is not mentioned in the article). This article from the National Post starts off talking about the Six Degrees television show, and then examines the different manifestations of this theory in book, play and movie form.
I don’t usually have time to put effort into a full-blooded review of the BR episodes that air each week, but I had mentioned in the first EPM Podcast that I had heard that things really start to come together in Six Degrees around the 5th episode. Well, the 5th episode “Masquerade” aired last night and I have to say that that analysis was spot on. It was probably the best episode since the Pilot.
***WARNING!! Spoilers for last night’s episode!!***
No, we did not learn what was in Mae’s box, but we did learn the “mystery” around who she is and why she is on the run. And I at least have a guess as to what The Box contains now (and it is not the Needles of Fire…at least, I HOPE not). The Carlos/Mae interactions were wonderfully done, and Jay and Erika played the scene at his office beautifully. I am really starting to get more comfortable with the Whitney and Laura friendship, which had started a little too “out of the blue” for me. The party scenes with them two were pretty funny. I loved to hear Damian talk about his girl to Whitney in the limo. I’m glad that Whitney is not getting over her ex-fiance so easily, even if he was a cad. I like what Laura’s character (and her daughter) bring to Mae’s character and to Whitney’s character, but I think we need to get more into what is happening to her alone. From the previews, it looks like we’ll see some of that in the next episode, as well as more about Damian, who was on the backburner most of this episode.
The only part that remains a bit clunky for me is Steven’s relationship with the young thang. The actress is doing a good job, but she and Campbell just don’t have any identifiable chemistry. I love Steven’s efforts to be a better dad to his son, and the Ecstasy/aspirin mix up was both hilarious and painful to watch a recovering drug addict go through. I was overjoyed when he broke it off with the girl, but then they made up in the end and I was bummed. I’m pretty sure that she is a plot device, like Whitney’s fiance was, but I’m just ready for her usefulness to be done with, thankyouverymuch. She reminds me a lot of Jenny from Alias.
So, like I said, a really solid episode with lots of potential. And I am eager for the next episode (which I haven’t really felt actual anticipation for another episode since the Pilot) — which makes next weeks repeat of Grey’s that much more aggravating. We will get a new episode, but not until two weeks (on Nov. 2nd).
What did y’all think? Talk here or in the EPM forums. 
And according to this article by Susan Young at InsideBayArea.com, JJ has done some housecleaning — and the results should please the audience.
From the article:
Abrams says “Brian” felt more promising and that its promise had not been realized during its run last spring. And there was internal strife that Abrams says he simply didn’t want under his company’s banner.
So he took the opportunity to clean house. Most of the changes happened behind the scenes with new writers, some new producers and more support for creator Stevens.
“A lot more happens (in the premiere episode) than happened in all the episodes last season,” Abrams says. “I wanted to plow more story, not just one event discussed again and again.”
…
The result of Abrams’ expert tinkering, based on the two episodes sent out for review, is a much more intriguing show. It is, as Abrams says, the same show but it’s now working on all six cylinders.“Brian” comes off much funnier and offers a much bigger emotional pay-off.
WAB returns tonight at 10/9 Central.