Foxx buried his own wounds to softly effect his character and leave us a record that is boundless. That show, that character only improves with the years. "Aunt Esther" being "Fred's" sister-in-law, "Elizabeth's" actual sister is a stunning achievement and a well thought out casting decision. She brings "Elizabeth" to life, makes her real. Makes us notice her then when Foxx cites her continually. We feel that loss, wonder what she was like, was she beautiful? We're they beautiful together at prime? What was "Lamont" like as a infant? It leads to many incredible moments as when Fred is harkening to "Elizabet," not so much in the heart attack act (because that is slap stick), but, in everything else that she is cited in, it's awesome.
Yep. And she never speaks after the thrice "Dayum." Just an anquished animal cry from the soul. Rolle had to go somewhere that day of shooting in order to evoke that moment onto film tape. You damn rights she did. She did that for her fellows and for us. And we're repaying her a small token by discussing this today.
There's nothing today that compares to these 70's sitcoms. Black or white. I love the Office but it's really just candy compared to what came out in the 70's. Those sitcoms could be funny but at the same time cover issues going on in this country. Some were silly like Three's Company. But just looking down the list: Good Times, All In The Family, MASH, Welcome Back Kotter, Taxi, The Jeffersons, Happy Days, Barney Miller, Sanford & Son, etc. No doubt the heyday of the sitcom.
damn, I never thought of Esther that way. that is an elegant post.
She's the conduit between the past that we're not privy too and the present. "Fred" has been in their childhood home, dating "Elizabeth" socializing with "Esther" before "Esther" became his SIL and before he had license to ridicule her. "Fred" never forsakes "Esther." Ever. To do so would be to repudiate "Elizabeth" and that the producers would never permit because they've meticulously crafted "Fred" so that the character would never forsake "Esther." She is, aside from "Lamont" the blood link back to the time that we're not privy too, but, that as dedicated fans we can build in our minds and live out because that is what the producers want of us and for us. That they make a dollar & a dime off our allegiance is for a different space in time.
"Elizabeth's" "Theme" is insitiuted half way thru the series, because we responded to the writers work and the producers decision and they come to us then and give us that "Theme"....it's a magical theme, and is out of character for 99% of what as come before. That's why it's so special and so possessive for us. It's our and it's not overdone nor overused, so when it plays we put the world away and watch "Fred" go back to when "Elizabeth" was on earth. It's not for Foxx or "Fred" though. They don't need it. They've already proven that. It's for us, the fan, because we deserve and asked for it subconsciously. And NBC gave it to us.
Did I ever tell you about my Uncle Louie?
There's a great Barney Miller that was on toward the end of the run. It's concerns the Latino detective (I forget his character's name). He's had to kill a perpetrator. Had to shoot him to death in the line of duty. Of course we're not shown the shooting, just the aftermath. The detective has retreated to his apartment. And Miller comes there trying to counsel him. They spend a few minutes together, Barney trying to get this man to come around, to calm him, to get him back from the edge. From going over that edge and possibly shooting to death another human being in the same day.
Miller finally leaves. And the cop just breaks down in racked sobs. The fade out is affected and we're left with the pieces.
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