Today I saw this episode for the first time, on Pure Flix. I have become a major fan of Jefferson Moore's work -- this episode is like everything I have seen him write, act, or perform in, to date. I'll review the whole series when finished, but I just wanted to shout out how impressed, indeed moved, I was with this episode.
The dialogue is crisp, clean, clear -- like much of Jefferson's work, every word counts, none are lost, none are mumbled -- reminds me of classic radio dramas of the 1930s through 1950s. In 30 minutes, sometimes just 15 minutes, those radio shows had to grab and hold your attention while moving the plot, characterizations, and meanings forward to an important ending.
Jefferson Moore's programs are like the Twilight Zone without the dark edge. Simple sets and settings, putting you right where he wants you, like in a top notch stage play. Also, I liked how there are shots from outside in the dark city, or of the lighted building at midnight, to give more texture to the screenplay that is otherwise tightly wound up in the dialogue.
This episode especially impressed me because the radio broadcast and radio station details were covered correctly. Most shows that feature a radio host as a main character just don't get the radio part right. Frasier, a wonderful show, completely blows the radio part. We don't mind, we're enjoying. But in this "Thomas" episode, they have all elements, and include shots of radio dials and lights and displays to put you right there. I love that stuff anyway, but the way the radio program flows, the interaction with the producer / board guy, it is how radio was back in the day.
Tom Luce delivered a stirring performance as the radio talk host -- some of the best acting I've seen for a pivotal "antagonist" role. A shout back to the best of Twilight Zone style, just loved it. In just a few seconds you understand his character and, like him or not, you grasp where he is coming from. Perfect voice work for a radio show -- notice he does his own promo loops, you hear them in the intro and outro parts of the radio show.
I won't spoil the end -- but it choked me up. I wish I could tell that to Jefferson and Tom personally. And the message is 100% clear.
(Not that anyone cares, but this is my first review of anything by Jefferson Moore. What has taken me so long? I'll post more, I just love his work.)