Jenny Bicks on “Power Shift”

Original Air Date: September 15, 2006

Welcome to the very first episode we ever shot as a real series. I wanted to do a quick blog on this episode since we hadn’t started our week-to-week writer blogs when this first aired way back in September (on Friday nights…remember those days?) The pilot was shot the previous March, and so this was our first episode together as a cast and crew (shot in July—if you notice Anne and Emily looking a little hot in their winter coats on the street…they were! It was close to 90 degrees that day).

When you write the first episode after the pilot, there is so much to “re-set” (network language there) about your characters and how everyone fits in. I tried my best to lay in this info in an elegant way, but it’s tough. It makes you appreciate how far you’ve come (we are currently about to start shooting episode 20 of 22) and how easy it is now for all our Elmo characters to interact without introducing themselves.

For some of you, this episode may be the first time you realized that Ben and Theresa were separated when we started the series, that Annie followed Marin to Elmo, and that yes, Sara was the town “hospitality hostess” (prostitute). The episode also re-introduced Rocky the Raccoon, for which I remain sorry. Raccoons are not indigenous to Alaska, and no one had told me. So, sorry everyone. But he (Elvis) is a damn cute and talented raccoon.

Thematically, I needed this episode to separate Marin, finally, from Graham and allow her to make her first steps towards integrating into Elmo. This does not happen without fits and starts. In the end, I wanted to start selling Elmo as its own character. Elmo is a place where, even if people don’t always like you, they will support you. I find this to be true of many small communities and I think it is a beautiful thing. This is what keeps Marin in this world—they accept she is learning and are there to catch her when she falls.

I love watching the early interactions of Jack and Marin. They are so tentative with each other here…but you can still see the sparks. I still enjoy that final walk along the railroad tracks with them. Besides being a beautiful cinematic moment, it really shows these two connecting. And when Jack finally smiles at her? Man. That’s good.

You also get to meet Ian, Jack’s brother, for the first time in this episode. He came back in 105 (the Anchorage episode) and will re-appear in our next-to-last episode. He’s a trouble maker, that Ian.

Some housekeeping matters…congrats to SUZANNE FROM VANCOUVER who correctly identified Grandpa Michael Patrick from his first star turn in “Talk For Tat”! Susan, e-mail us your contact info and the MIT scarf is yours! (We promise to not put your info on the site!)

Also…AIR DATE ALERT. Do not panic. Next week ABC will re-air “The Buddy System” (where Patrick discovers Buzz is his dad) and then they are using our timeslot to premiere the new show “October Road” for a few weeks. We should be back on the air with ORIGINAL EPISODES on April 12th, and then pretty much get to run new episodes all the way through May sweeps. Yes, it sucks we are off that long, but it’s great that we can run our new episodes after that without interruption. Please do not forget about us, keep writing to ABC and us, and keep checking back here for more blogs and fun.

Jenny

Comments

[Shum in Brazil]

We don't get the break here in Brazil and for that I'm grateful. We just got episode 6 and I'm quite happy that Ben finally got some courage.
Again, I'm really happy with the series and just hope the next episodes are as much fun as these have been.

[Jimmie Sue Robinson]

I LOVE THIS SHOW!!!!! I can't quite put my finger on WHY but I really miss it when it isn't on. That is why I checked this site because I was worried when they announced a new show on Men in ... time slot. Thank goodness it is only a temporary thing.

I don't normally feel much of an attachment to a show but I even chose to follow this show rather than stay with Shark which is on at the same time. And we liked Shark a lot. But my husband and I both love this show and he is really hard to please. So keep up the good work and keep the laughs coming too. That one part tonight where all the people in the bar said they had slept with Marin even the female cop was incredibly funny. What a treat this show is.

Hey, please show the pilot again for those of us who missed it.

[LaDonna]

First off I have to say that I love this show. Normally I don't bother with checking out the sites but I got a bit panicky when I heard that another show would be taking Men In Trees time slot and I had to find out why. What a relief to know that it will be back. Although it's killing me waiting to see if Marian and Jack ever get together but I guess that's what makes a great show!

[Lynzee]

Thank you for explaining the interruption in my all time favorite TV program. Please, please, please let's do everything we can to keep this show going. The cast is magical. The chemistry is beyond belief. I'm having withdrawal pains already but will try to keep it together until April 12th! Men in Trees ROCKS!!

[LaDonna]

Oh I forgot to mention I loved the show last night even if it was a rerun (thankfully one I didn't see). How awesome is it for a town to stand up for a newcomer after all she did to them in the past few days. I'm so relieved to see that Marian turned Gram down. Once again, LOVE THE SHOW!!

[gigi]

Really love this episode and the early interactions of Jack and Marin. I am really upset that MIT will be off air for 6 weeks. Have contacted ABC with a complaint and also will not watch October Road because they chose to preempt MIT to air it!!

[Bonnie]

WHAT DID WE DO WRONG? WHY ARE YOU PUNISHING US LIKE THIS? WEEKS WITHOUT MIT, I CAN'T STAND IT!!! ALL KIDDING ASIDE THIS IS THE BEST SHOW ON TV IN A LONG TIME! IT'S SO CREATIVE AND FUN TO WATCH EXCEPT FOR LYNN, PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF GOD GET RID OF HER. JACK'S CHARACTER WENT FROM BEING A MAIN ONE TO NO MORE IMPORTANT THEN JEROME (SORRY JEROME). TO ABC IN GENERAL WHY DO YOU MESS WITH THESE GOOD SHOWS SO MUCH? YOU MOVE THEM AROUND THEN HAVE THEM OFF FOR WEEKS AT A TIME AND THEN WONDER WHY NUMBERS ARE DOWN. YET YOU MANAGE TO SHOW GREY'S ANATOMY TWICE A WEEK, GET IT TOGETHER ALREADY WILL YA'? WHY CAN'T OCTOBER ROAD GO IN ONE GREY'S SLOTS? I REALLY HOPE THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE AS TICKED AS I AM AND NOT EVEN WATCH OCTOBER ROAD TO SEND YOU GUYS A MESSAGE OF HOW STUPID YOUR SCHEDULING IDEAS ARE.

WRITERS OF MIT, KEEP UP THE EXCELLENT WORK. YOU ARE SO TALENTED AND WE SEE THIS SHOW GOING ON FOR A LONG TIME BUT SERIOUSLY, LYNN HAS TO GO AND SOON!!

THANKS FOR LISTENING, JUST HAD TO LET OFF A LITTLE STEAM.

[cassie]

Thanks so much for the blog. Loved the episode the first time around and even more so the second time because it reminds me of what was and hopefully will be an Elmo without Lynn!! Ian is great and, as we've seen in the Anchorage episode, can really get Jack going. I think he may be the one to snap Jack back from martyrdom! It will be extremely difficult to do without my favorite show for 6 weeks. Have been contacting abc and will boycott that new show because of how they came about their timeslot. In the meantime I'm counting the days until Jack and Marin will be returned to us along with the other loveable residents of Elmo (you'll notice I said loveable residents!). Can't wait to see what you've got up your sleeve for the rest of this season and beyond!!!!

[Barbara]

JennY: I do not know how to contact ABC so I hope you will give them this message. I was not into GA so I never saw it until MIT came along. Now that they are throwing this new show in I will not be seeing GA until MIT is back on. How stupid can they be. I guess I go back to NBC until April 12th. Wish I knew if this message gets to them but I think I speak for quite a few people. Big disappointment.

[Dawn in Florida]

Okay May have been a rerun but, at least it was MIT.. And one of my favorite episodes so, not so bad. Still ticked off that MIT will be off the air for several weeks. I guess I will find another channel to watch on Thursday nights @ 10. I refuse to watch the new show. I will happily return when MIT does.
Jenny I have to say that I loved this episode the first time and I loved it even more the second time. As we have now gotten to know Elmo it fits perfectly that the residents would stand up and all say they had slept with Marin. Just to back her up. The sparks between Marin & Jack I have missed that. And goodness the looks Jack Tupper can give. We haven't seen those looks since Lynn (I hate saying that name) stepped in.
In the meantime I will keep writing to ABC. I hope everybody out there does at least once. MIT has to be supported.And as many of you have asked How? In letter you can find the address on the abc.com website under contact us. Contact Us is also where you'll find a form to fill out. Can't wait for the new episodes!

[Sarah]

I LOVE this show! Last night I saw a commercial for "October Road" which was to air in MIT's time slot! So glad I read the blog--I was afraid one of me new favorite shows was going to leave. Keep up the great writing!

[T. L. Williams]

I really look forward to watching "Men in Trees" each week, and I'm disappointed that there is an interruption in the programming. It almost makes me want to have a bad attitude about the premiere of "October Road." Wake up ABC, you've got a great hit on your hands--capitalize on it!

[CJ Anderson]

THANK YOU for letting us know the situation about next week.

I fell asleep last night (fortunately always tape the show incase) and just heard that there was this new show going to be in place of MIT. GEEZE I was outraged and came here ready to blast ABC and tell me to put you back!!! vbg.

Im gonna write them any way and thank them for having you on during sweeps and following Greys!

[Peyton]

I enjoyed last night's episode because I had missed the original airing. I was upset when I saw that ABC was airing a new show in MIT's time slot, I will take your word that you will be back in April. Why oh why, do the execs get you hooked on a new show, then move the time slot and/or stop showing new episodes?? That drives me crazy!! This is THE BEST show on TV, I don't want to watch a new show....I want my MIT!!!!! See you in April!!

[CJ Anderson]

I was so please with the wonderful blogging that I wanted to subscribe to the feed.

When I click on the subscribe here - all I got was something to down load which I did, but my computer doent know what it is to open it.

Would you please write instruction under the subscribe to blog feed for us to foolow so we can immeidately respond when you post something?
Thanks.

[kp]

It was fabulous to finally see that episode. Is there any chance that ABC will post more past episodes online while this other show is airing? I started watching part way through online (I lack cable and have lost my bunny ears...) and would really like to see the early episode I've missed.

[Tiffany]

Bring back MIT, not interested in a new show in this time slot! WHAT is ABC thinking?? Apparently NOT thinking! Thanks

[Minnesota's MIT fan]

Jenny-THANK YOU, Thank You, Thank You! The reassurance that MIT will be back In April with new episodes- very helpful! Yes, I love that you are airing earlier episodes then we can show new viewers why this show is so great! Keep up the great work-can't wait till April!

[Joan Wilson]

Hi Jenny,

It was so refreshing to watch your show and give it a chance this time. I live in Anchorage. I moved to Alaska 20 years ago from another big city -- Chicago, just after college. I have also lived in Wrangell St. Elias, Dutch Harbor, Juneau, Fairbanks, and Angoon. So I consider myself a bit of a purist about this State. Hence, believe it or not, when I first saw this show and saw the raccoon, I tuned out. I did not even give the show a chance, because I became so devoted to my adopted State and put off by misrepresentations of it. Thankfully, your move to Thursday following Grey's Anatomy, gave me the opportunity to give your show another chance.

Notwithstanding some minimal errors, I grew to understand that you were conveying the real Alaska. The kind people, the way a stunning mountain can make you feel big and small at the same time, the sense of family you develop with friends because you have left your own people, the sense you can start over and reinvent yourself, and speaking from experience, you can fall in love with a really great guy born and raised here. Alaskan men are a breed apart in so many kind, gentle, yet oddly Carrhart and masculine ways that your characters, Jack, Buzz, Ben, Patrick, and Jerome portray. I could wax on. But, I'll stop.

So back to my purist ways, just for a second -- just a few more tips, in case, they are useful. There are no caribou in Southeast Alaska (I imagine the siting of your imaginary quirky town). You probably can't take a bus to Elmo either (Jane getting off the bus just bothered me -- sorry). If you need cute little animals, you can feature, sitka black tailed deer, wolves, a wolverine (no maybe not a good idea -- not cute), maybe a wayward lynx, cute little ravens. Oh, don't do the Northern Exposure mistake and have crickets in the background. There are no crickets here either. And, it does get dark in the winter. But, I imagine shooting in the dark all the time would not be that much fun.

Okay, I'll stop being a critic. Thank you for the characters and the show. I very much enjoy giving your show a real chance this time. You probably have enough sources for advice on Alaska now, but if you need any, just email at fbxwilsons@yahoo.com. Thanks again,

Joan

[Joan Wilson]

One more thought -- I think Marin needs a dog. Or someone does, nearly everyone has dogs here.

[pat]

Men in Trees, my favorite show on TV. It's a pleasure to turn in a competely enjoy a television show. It's been a long time, since I've looked forward to a TV show.Thank you and I hope I will be able to look forward to this show next season.

[BIG Fan]

Thanks for letting us know your next air date--we were all in a panic that the show was being replaced by October whatever--WHEW!!!!!!!!!!!
Best show ever on TV---CAN NOT wait until April!!!!

[Cecilia]

Jenny,

This is a relieved :
1- hello
2- sigh - as you are back, even if not soon but you are back
3- hurray !!! same reasons as in 2.

Apparently broadcasting has its own rules unknow by the common run of people, we are defeated by them as we miss the show ! Very much. I mean new episodes.

See you next week then, even for re-runs !

[Jeanne]

This is my favorite new "girlie show!" I was so worried when they said they were going to put a replacement show in this time slot. I will not watch it! I want MIT back on. Last night's repeat reminded me why I liked the show. The characters are adorable and it is so nice to watch a show where noone is dying or getting murdered. Can't wait for April.

[sueinky]

I love the show!!!!!! I was worried that you guys were cancelled with that new show being put in your time slot. I don't even mind watching the the reruns but a week without MIT is like a week w/o sunshine. Keep up the great work... and I hope there will be a season 2,3,4 etc.