Discussion for Episode 11: Life of Brian

General discussion about the nineteen episodes of "My So-Called Life". Note: Our episode guide can be found here.
RCBS
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Re: Discussion for Episode 11: Life of Brian

Post by RCBS » Jul 11th 2011, 2:21 pm

Pretzels.
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Re: Discussion for Episode 11: Life of Brian

Post by Mutajon » Jul 11th 2011, 4:20 pm

RCBS wrote:So, why did Brian not accept Angela's offer to dance?
I think the answer is in the title of the next episode - self-esteem.

It's obvious that Brian would have loved to hold (her hair smelled incredible) Angela and dance with her, but after she scoffed him just a few minutes ago, how could he look at himself in the mirror if he did?
"Aaaand dance by the light of the mooooon"

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Re: Discussion for Episode 11: Life of Brian

Post by RCBS » Jul 11th 2011, 8:53 pm

Pop tarts.
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Re: Discussion for Episode 11: Life of Brian

Post by Mutajon » Jul 12th 2011, 2:24 am

Great song :)

She not only called him heartless, she also scoffed him when he suggested that they may dance or want privacy. She was really mean and heartless towards him. I think that's the only scene in the entire series where I found myself feeling like I actually dislike Angela...
"Aaaand dance by the light of the mooooon"

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Re: Discussion for Episode 11: Life of Brian

Post by Nicky_Driscoll » Jul 12th 2011, 11:30 am

I think the reason that Brian didn't dance with Angela, is she was very clear that it wasn't like a date or something... For a moment, he had some self-diginity and wasn't going to bow to Angela. He knew what was up... He wanted her to want to dance with him to dance with him, not show Catallano that she was there and other boys were interested.

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Re: Discussion for Episode 11: Life of Brian

Post by RCBS » Jul 13th 2011, 2:19 pm

Grapes.
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Re: Discussion for Episode 11: Life of Brian

Post by Jody Barsch* » Jul 15th 2011, 4:00 am

RCBS wrote:seriously though...she only called him heartless due to actions of her own. Then apologized and was trying to reconsile. He should have sucked it up and danced. They may have found some chemistry.
That's one of my proudest moments of Brian; I love that he doesn't dance with Angela. I especially love how he turns her down "Not with you". (And then the beauty of the show's writing and insight -- Brian immediately back steps from such a harsh stance with a qualifier about not caring about dancing, which mildly helps them both save face.) While I don't think Angela's to blame for Brian's choices in this episode -- prior to that moment she hasn't used him -- and so he doesn't have a reason to be angry with her, in my eyes, he definitely shouldn't dance with her. She hasn't done anything to deserve to be the girl who is unconditionally loved. I don't find her apology all that heartfelt or self-aware. She asks Brian to dance because she thinks he won't say no. Jordan didn't work out, and Brian's supposed to be a sure thing, regardless of her own behavior. That's when she takes him for granted in this episode, and Krakow rigtfully shuts her down. Cue one of my all-time favorite line deliveries: "They are going to have such a terrible time."
RCBS wrote:Pride should never stand in the way of opportunity.
The thing is, it wasn't an opportunity. If I was being really cynical and uncharitable, I might say it was an 'opportunity' for Angela to save some face, but I think that'd be inaccurate.
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Re: Discussion for Episode 11: Life of Brian

Post by Superjesus » Jul 15th 2011, 4:20 am

It would have been too easy for them to have Brian and Angela dancing together here.

The fact is, Angela was a total female dog (for lack of a better term) to Brian in this ep. It wouldn't have been right for Brian to just forget everything and dance with her now that she needed him (as opposed to the other way around). As much as Brian may be in love with her, he has feelings and she's just driven a road train over them. That doesn't get mended in a few minutes or with a dance at some lame school event.

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Re: Discussion for Episode 11: Life of Brian

Post by Natasha (candygirl) » Jul 15th 2011, 7:53 am

Superjesus wrote:As much as Brian may be in love with her, he has feelings and she's just driven a road train over them. That doesn't get mended in a few minutes or with a dance at some lame school event.
Brian is idealistic and he wants Angela on his terms, meaning he wants it to be real. He doesn't want some pity dance from her, but especially not after everything else that happened regarding the dance. Some guys might have jumped at the chance to dance with their dream girl, just to be close to her and be able to touch her, but Brian would rather have nothing than a fantasy. Like he explains in Self-Esteem, the reason Shakespeare is in love with his mistress is "She's not just a fantasy. She's got, like, flaws. She's real."
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Re: Discussion for Episode 11: Life of Brian

Post by Kbranagh » Aug 21st 2020, 5:34 pm

God what an episode....what an emotional roller coaster! Jason Katims knows how to play with the fellings of the characters and the audience as well.
The character of Brian is so well written and so well portrayed and in some occassion is more powerful than Angela her self! For me the writers soon realize that and this is reason for an episode like "Life of Brian''.
This hour is so fresh and so well written, with a special direction from Todd Holland, genious director that i know from "Malcolm in The Middle"!!
"Life of Brian" also has a special vibe and energy like only the "Pilot" and "Why Jordan can't read" i'm very glad that the show is back with a such powerful episode after the last two a bit "normal" . Like i said, the episode is a roller coaster but with all the mess, with all the misunderstood, the characters for me did the right things....all the characters! Ryanne acts in that way only the help Rickie to have fun with someone(finally), Angela maybe use Brian again but this time she's honest immediately about her motivation but Brian in this occassion is blind and of course don't understand! Brian maybe treated bad this new girl Delia but...at least is honest because is in love with someone else! Better be honest up front. i like Delia very much, she's adorable and she look like a mini Winnie Holzman :-P I don't know what are the plans for her but i hope to see her again, another excellent character in the mix.
This episode, however, in a way breaks my heart because i sadly realize that there is no time and space for a romantic relathionship between Angela and Brian, they are still so far way from each other and the "obstacle" of Jordan is still so big! Angela she has definitely a fellings for Brian, is the point of the all show, the concrete prove is the "sex" look that Angela gives to Brian in the bike scene at the end of "Strangers in the House" but....those fellings are still blocked from all the passion/ obsession with the Jordan character! Also.... Angela for me don't want admite to her self to "love him" because Brian is a nerd and she's afraid to the reactions of the school and friends. And Brian is still reluctant to tell her because he has a problem of self-esteem of course and most important he don't want to lose her as a friend! So..... they are both stuck at the moment! The only hope for something to chance is some kind of dramatic event-tragedy for the character of Brian to push forward this relathionship, like in the "Strangers in the House" with Sharon.

Ps.1 the parents of Brian still remains in background with no body but only as a voice, i wish to see them before the ending of the series.
Ps.2 i liked very much the growing- male bonding between Graham and Brian, all the scenes between them are always great and Graham has finally convince him to help with some domestic works after the fiasco in "Father Figures"
Ps.3 Rickie is a great character and maybe the most sensible of the entire cast, when the writers try to move forward with him as well is always great and the final scene with Delia and the dancing, wow what a splendid moment.
Ps.4 Again no scenes between Angela and Sharon, i still waiting.
Ps.5 the line that Jordan tell to Angela "Like the way you are" is very similar to the line that Angela tell to Brian at the end of "Strangers in the House" i don't think is a coincidence.

Grade: A-
"Or something'

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