Jenny Bicks on "The Indecent Proposal"

Episode Date: February 15, 2007

Dear viewers and readers…

If you watched last night, it is quite possible some of you want to kill me today. So, let’s address that right up front. Don’t kill me. And yes, Jack proposed. And if you listen closely to what he tells Ben in the Chieftain, you will understand why. To answer your most frequently asked questions on this…

Yes, I know exactly where all of this is going. I had the entire first season planned out before we started shooting our first episode (in fact, as the show runner you must “pitch” the arcs for all your characters before the network or studio lets you spend their money). I’m a big fan of planning. So, please try to stop worrying. It will all be okay.

No, I don’t think Jack is less of a man for doing this. Here’s the thing—I set up that he could not get involved with Marin because of some girl named “Lynn.” It would be bad story telling not to introduce her. Yes, they got back together quickly. But she had left just four months prior, they have been together since they were 15, and he takes care of her. That is the dynamic I wanted to express a bit more in this episode. He is a guy who “does the right thing.” I find that sexy, by the way. That he is loyal. And wants to take care of that baby. Even though it is not his. Some of you will agree, some of you won’t. Will he learn that perhaps this decision is a tougher one than he thought? Watch the next episode.

I also know there is only so long you can go without showing the flaws of your characters. Jack could not go on being just the man of few words who seemed in many ways perfect. We plan for five years here (and yes, our ratings have been going up—so thanks for the continued support!). He has to have something to come back from. And if—IF—it doesn’t go right with Lynn, trust me he will have to fight for Marin. She is a woman who stands by her convictions. And that’s why we love her. I think the showdown they have at the end of this episode is some of the most beautiful acting Anne has done so far. When I started writing this episode I had a few key lines in my head—one of which was Marin’s in this scene: “You know what I’ll never get? How you could open your heart to someone who broke it into pieces, but you couldn’t open it to someone who just wanted to heal it.” To me, it summed up so much of what Marin and Jack have been through. She did that line proud.

Other things I love in this episode? Annie Potts and Colm Meaney could not have been more perfect as Annie’s parents. Colm and Derek’s scene on the couch even made our sound mixers laugh. And trust me, they are a tough audience. Seana Kofoed (Jane) also did some of her best comic stylings in this episode. Her face, trying not to be drunk, on her line “is this an intervention” is genius. And Celia enduring a make-over in the hands of Mai…

Oh and yes, Grandpa Michael Patrick can be spotted in another one of our episodes, as an entirely different character. A “Men In Trees” scarf goes to the first reader to find his other cameo!

Okay. Thanks for reading, you guys. And yes, we read all the posts you send back to us. Even the mean ones that we won’t put up here for everyone else to see because my Dad would come and throw a slipper at you if he read them. Trust me, it’s for your own good.

The show will be off the air for a few weeks. Don’t panic, we will be back in March. I have seen parts of the next episode and it is worth the wait!

Thanks again for all the support. We call MIT “the little show that could.” And it’s because of all of you that we are succeeding.

Jenny

Comments

[Darvi in Illinois]

Hello Jenny (and the other writers),

I am a new convert to your show (something about it being moved to Thursday nights...LOL) but I absolutely LOVE IT!!! I am totally hooked and can't wait to see where you go with it. I love Anne Heche and the rest of the actors on this show. Keep up the good work and keep making me laugh (and sometimes cry) each week!

[Gail MacDonald]

Obviously I'm not the only one who's getting more and more disappointed with how the stories are going with regard to Marin and Jack. I'm ready to stop watching what I considered to be one of "my favorite" shows. I'm really unhappy and sick of seeing what Jack's character is doing to spoil it all. Writers, start your engines and start turning things around, or I'm out of here.

[sheila131]

I HAVE TO SAY I LOVE THIS SHOW. WHATEVER YOUR DOING IT IS WORKING, BECAUSE I WISH IT WAS ON TWICE A WEEK. IT ALWAYS LEAVES ME WANTING MORE. SO I HOPE THERE MANY SEASONS TO COME, AND NOT A LONG PAUSE IN BETWEEN. THANK YOU FOR SUCH A GREAT SHOW

[Age 27]

I just wanted to say that I love MIT. It is wonderful when you can spend an hour and gasp at every line before the commercial break or laugh out loud. Perfect cast & writing. Thank you!

[Sara]

I can't believe I am actually going to write in your blog. Hopefully, you will not think it public worthy :) My main motivation here is purely selfish in that I want that MIT scarf. I think the Grandpa Michael Patrick character was in the episode where one of the Elmoeans died. He was the elderly man who passed away and Jack made a eulogy at this man's funeral. Marin unknowingly finds his winter coat to wear because Mai confiscated all of Marin's clothes. Marin "replaces him" and is getting to be seen as an Elmean herself, especially when she takes a jump in the lake at the end of this episode.
By the way, I love the show. I am sticking with you on this journey; I have faith that it will be worth the trip.

[Lisa in TN]

I love love MIT. I hope it has been picked up for a long time. I hate the idea of Jack being with Lynn but I think I do understand it. I don't think right now that he is worthy of Marin. Now he'd have to do a lot to win her back in her eyes as well as some of our eyes. Marin said it best as you quoted in their ending lines together.

Anyway, keep up the great work. I will be on pins and needles til March...it's hard enough waiting from week to week.

Lisa

[Robin-North Carolina]

Hi Jenny--Thanks so much for such a GREAT show--loved it since the pilot! The cast and writing are superb and what gorgeous scenery--sure makes me want to relocate. My hat's off to you for making Thursday night so special. Keep up the great work!

[Laura]

I love the show!!I think the way its being written is what keeps us all coming back.Everyone wants to see if Jack and Marin get back together.
It's understandable that they would go through other things to find their way back to each other.
The chemistry with all the characters is Awesome!!!They really are like a real community.Love it!!!

[Ruth]

Yes, I am frustrated by Jack & Lynn but thank you, thank you for your "explanation" & your tease as to things might not be so perfect. Lynn really doesn't seem to loving towards Jack so I still hope she leaves. Jack definitely should have to fight for Marin... what a wonderful woman she is and I agree that the final scene was GREAT! Looking forward to the next episode. This so reminds we of Northern Exposure which was one of my most favorite shows. Keep up the good work! Thanks Jenny - great episode and terrific blog.

[Suzanne]

Thank you so much for not showing the gays on last nights show. For the first time in years my husband is actually watching a show that he loves and laughs at through it entirety. He was really turned off thought last week when you came up with the gay thing. In fact, he said he would stop watching it, if it continued. So hats off to you, on a great show last night!

[Keely from NY]

I just have to say that I LOVE Men in Trees! I'm so relieved to have read your posting - I was distraught last night when I didn't see coming attractions for the next show. I'm also excited to see that the show has a five year plan...count me in!!! Thank you for giving me something to look forward to each week!!!

[gigi]

O.K. this is mean and won't get posted but.....when Jack finally gets it together I hope J. Bateman doesn't stick around. She is a horrible actress and only takes screen time away from the other interesting characters in Elmo. That being said, I've always loved Annie Potts. Thanks for finding a place for her! She's perfect as Annie's mother.

[tj]

What can I say....the ending with Marin and Jack just was perfect! I've been waiting for Marin to stop being that nice "girl" and come full force swinging-and she did. That's what we need more of. I still do not believe the whole Jack and Lynn deal(even though they have "history" together), there is just no chemistry with the two (unless that's what you guys are trying to portray). Either way, it was a perfect ending. Please don't have Marin in the next episode all of a sudden forget what she said to Jack from this epi...and becoming BFF w/Jack or Lynn (that seems to be the case with these past few episodes)...let her continune to show her emotional side; that's what we love and that's what is more realistic.

Love this show!!!!

[tj]

Loved the ending scene with Jack and Marin....that's what we've been waiting for and that's what makes it sooo much more realistic. Please continue to show more Marin and Jack conflict instead of them shooting pool and becoming best buddies...it's just not real.

I love MiT!!!!

[Sara]

Loved the showdown at the end with Jack and Marin. I was dying to see how he would react to what he saw. Also, I've said this before but I want to mention it again... I love Jane's character!!

[Jo]

Loved this episode the most. Very Very funny. esp. Sarah when she discovers Eric is a man of the cloth. Almost fell off the couch. Also when Marin decides to bruch her teeth naked. Wow Cash sure is working some sort of magic on loosening up Marin and her rules. :)
Thanks alot for doing such a great job. Looking forward to the next episode, you have me hooked!

[Peyton]

Okay, I have to admit, I was stunned last night when Jack proposed. BUT, a proposal does not a wedding/marriage make!!! I am holding out hope that things will work out between Jack and Marin. Good to see a little spark of frustration in Jack about everyone second-guessing him. Marin did herself proud in telling him how she felt. Oh but Cash, now, he is a nice diversion!! I was glad that Jack saw him and Marin kiss. Just a little payback.

Again, this is THE best show on TV in a long, long time...I hope ya'll keep em coming so we can enjoy the town of Elmo and it's charcters for years to come. Keep up the GREAT work!!!

[Angelworks]

Please-- who plays the pastor introduced in last nights episode?

It's driving me crazy that I can't place him!

TY.

[Nora]

I.LOVE.THIS.SHOW!!!!! Love the characters, storylines, a bit of NYC thrown in! and Elmo. :) I love when it is Thursdays because I know Men In Trees will be on tv soon! Will you have any merchandise available for the show? And I hope there is a DVD of the first season, with hopefully lots of fun extras. This is one show where I even enjoy watching the repeats! Thanks for giving us viewers an amazing show to watch and get involved in. Oh - and I totally love the line you mentioned that Marin said. Right after she said it, I was like, Wow. That is great writing and really expresses how Marin feels. Thanks again for an amazing hour of television!

[Kay]

This episode was wonderful.....Just hate that we have to wait so long for the next one....but I understand, patience is a virtue......

[Donna, NL, Canada]

Well, just when I was still trying to adjust to my little let down last week....BAM!!!! What an episode!! I enjoyed each and every moment...Annie and her family....the minister and Sarah....but the ending with Jack and Marin....it was priceless!! Marin's words to Jack about choosing someone who broke his heart into pieces, rather than someone who wanted to heal it.....FANTASTIC!!!! Love Marin's strength...and love learning more about Jack (although I still don't like him with Lynn!!) Wow...!!! Wonderful episode. Way to go MIT!!!!! Can't wait for the next one.........

[dawn]

I loved how Celia finally realized how happy Patrick was with Annie. That was so sweet!!!!

Grandpa was in a truck in the 2nd epi with the fish? When Marin hitched a ride to her radio show?

Anyways... I hope the show in 5 weeks is worth waiting for... I'm starting to lose my enthusiasm for the show, but I still watch for other characters beginning to get more storylines.

[Marlese]

I absolutely LOVE the show. It just so happens that I am an early riser so sometimes I miss an episode. I did watch last night's episode and was stunned about the proposal, but was rewarded with Cash. Who is he?!! I suspect that he will be the pain in Jack's side... Looking to see more of him!

[SR in New York]

Am I the first to post???..that episode must have pissed a lot of viewers off and you had to delete them to keep those slippers on your father's feet - seriously there were like 5 or 6 stories going on at once, the direction and behavior of jack's character is making me want him and Marin be together ..Cash's character seems to have more roundness than Jack's these days

[Chiana]

Love the show!

Willing to ride out the Jack/Lynn/Marin storyline because it is being written so we see the conflict of all.

Loved Jason O'Mara as Stuart, Marin's publisher, and would much rather see him develop a relationship with Marin than Cash. The Cash character is falling flat for me. I'm hoping that he is going to be someone that comes into Marin's life teaches her a life lesson and then moves on - quickly.

I would love to see more of Celia and Supervisor Richard Ellis (Currie Graham). I'm holding out hope the Jane and Sam can work things out.

Loved, loved, loved the additional of the minister (Nicholas Lea) in Sara's class. I can guess what the paper's were about that Sara was served with at the end of the show. Looking forward to that storyline with Sara and the minister developing a relationship through it.

Casting Annie Potts and Colm Meany was a coup!