harriet wrote:

I forgot to say one thing about supporting characters, after reading the mini-treatise posted by Ralph. I always thought it was obvious that because the dorama format is usually 10, 11, or 12 episodes, a lot of the supporting cast is thrown in to flesh out all those hours of storyline. To be crass and cynical about it, a lot of it is "filler." Sometimes it's done well, and sometimes those ancillary storylines are a bit frayed around the edges.

That's the point I was making. In a 12 episode drama you cannot prolong the solo scenes between the two lead actors for such a long duration. So the supporting cast are absolutely necessary to flesh out 12 episodes.

I suppose the point is moot. No director, writer, producer would ever make a 12 episode drama with just 2 people, no supporting cast, no extras.
Only on Broadway do you have the occsional play with one actor but that is limited to 3 hours. The audience would be paralyzed after 12 hours.

cori wrote:

I just started Kekkon Dekinai Otoko the other day so I'm only on the 2nd or 3rd episode. It's a bit slow, but I like it so far. I really had to laugh in the first episode when.... Click on button to reveal/hide spoiler: the female doctor ripped his pants off. Damn, she really had some skill.

LOL! That's my fav scene.

ralphm1999 wrote:

I suppose the point is moot. No director, writer, producer would ever make a 12 episode drama with just 2 people, no supporting cast, no extras. Only on Broadway do you have the occsional play with one actor but that is limited to 3 hours. The audience would be paralyzed after 12 hours.

But that's not what the discussion is about. It's not whether the drama would hold with ONLY two characters, because obviously it wouldn't and we've yet to see a drama with just two characters. The discussion is about the IMPORTANCE of certain characters over others. I agree completely with shin2. Although every character (major and minor) holds an element of importance, there is always the central character that reigns above the rest, and everyone else becomes secondary. The reason why this drama is so grand is because each character is given importance. Not one person is useless or "just there". At the same time, the minor characters are despensible (as in the plot could still work), whereas Abe's character and Natsukawa's character are both indespensible. Without them, there is no story.

Of course, we all have our biases and we're all fans of a particular actress and actor, but as shin2 said, if you think objectively, opinions change. I love Ryoko-chan, but if another actress played her role, would I be as adamant that her character is ever important? Certainly not.

@Ralph: Your great granddaughter in Hariet's ava is abosolutely delicious! >>gushes<<
_________________

Wanna trade? My Drama List (UPDATED: July, 2013)

This discussion reminds of high school English Lit. class. People would get into heated discussions about whatever we were reading and what the author "really meant" And the teacher would ask me, "What do you think, Mark?" and I'd answer, "It was o.k., I liked it" The teacher would do this: and I'd get a C-

gaijinmark wrote:

This discussion reminds of high school English Lit. class. People would get into heated discussions about whatever we were reading and what the author "really meant" And the teacher would ask me, "What do you think, Mark?" and I'd answer, "It was o.k., I liked it" The teacher would do this: and I'd get a C-

LOL.

We must've been classmates: I got the same C-.

Wynter wrote:

@Ralph: Your great granddaughter in Hariet's ava is abosolutely delicious! >>gushes<<

Arigatou Gozaimasu
Did you notice the resemblance?

gaijinmark wrote:

This discussion reminds of high school English Lit. class. People would get into heated discussions about whatever we were reading and what the author "really meant" And the teacher would ask me, "What do you think, Mark?" and I'd answer, "It was o.k., I liked it" The teacher would do this: and I'd get a C-

Wow, she was very forgiving.

bmwracer wrote:

LOL. We must've been classmates: I got the same C-.

LOL! I'm surprised, considering you like to voice your likes and dislikes.

@Ralph: I honestly did notice! She's a spitting image for her great grandfather.
_________________

Wanna trade? My Drama List (UPDATED: July, 2013)

Wynter wrote:

Wow, she was very forgiving.

They would make allowances because I'm "special"

Wynter wrote:

LOL! I'm surprised, considering you like to voice your likes and dislikes.

Thing is, I hated reading that stuff, and my comprehension was near-zero.

Thought I posted here before but seems I didn't. Must say a great show! Abe rocked yet again with a great character.
Also as a guy who doesn't care much for romance I was surprised to see I thought about who he would end up with! I actually wondered about if he dated one of the "other" main girls! They must have really got me into the story.
_________________

I finished the drama a few hours ago. Here's my lame review which I'll probably edit later on:

This drama is about Kuwano, a self-centered, eccentric architect who has borderline OCD and lack of people skills. His frequent encounters with his next door neighbor, a female doctor, and co-workers help pave way to make him more sensitive to the people around him and become more "human."

I really enjoyed that this drama was more laid-back than other comedies. It wasn't flashy, it wasn't trying too hard, it was simply just a drama depicting someone's life and the scatters of humor that came with it. There little moments that almost seemed "Groundhog Day"-like (the bar scenes with a rival architect, his konbini and video store trips; his growing affection for Ken, the neighbor's dog), yet it made me laugh.

Click on button to reveal/hide spoiler:

The drama didn't end with a spectacular moment of Kuwano finally finding the woman of his dreams and having a "just married" scene, but followed the suit of the rest of the drama--a sweet, yet awkward subtle moment.

Perfect ending to a wonderfully simple drama.
_________________

Japanese drama trades (on hiatus)

Currently watching: Netflix stuff

cori wrote:

I finished the drama a few hours ago. Here's my lame review

It's not lame, it's concise. There's a difference.

Glad you enjoyed this wonderful drama so much, Cori.
You wrote a great assessment of it, imo.

Guys, do you think there could be a good follow-up to this series? (As far as I know, there's not going to be one). I'm curious as to what you all think.

Keps wrote:

Guys, do you think there could be a good follow-up to this series? (As far as I know, there's not going to be one). I'm curious as to what you all think.

Honestly, I don't see how. The only question left to resolve is "Will they or won't they?" and I think it's better that it's left up in the air like it is now. This drama is kind of like "Long Vacation" a sequel would only be a let down, IMHO.

gaijinmark wrote:

Honestly, I don't see how. The only question left to resolve is "Will they or won't they?" and I think it's better that it's left up in the air like it is now. This drama is kind of like "Long Vacation" a sequel would only be a let down, IMHO.

I agree don't see how they could without some character alterations. Which would ruin the charm.
_________________

-�����A�t��

My niece is currently watching this drama... And struggling through it quite a bit.

bmwracer wrote:

My niece is currently watching this drama... And struggling through it quite a bit.

Too slow paced for her? Just tell her to focus on Abe Hiroshi's dreamy eyes and the episodes will fly by. Or Ken-chan's dreamy puppydog eyes.

Enna wrote:

Or Ken-chan's dreamy puppydog eyes.

She's like her uncle: she thinks real dogs have snouts and are larger than cats.

bmwracer wrote:

She's like her uncle: she thinks real dogs have snouts and are larger than cats.

Aaah how could you not love Ken-chan? He was so funny looking he was cute.

bmwracer wrote:

My niece is currently watching this drama... And struggling through it quite a bit.

Really? How far through have you gone so far?
_________________

-�����A�t��