This week’s issue was a lot of
fun to write. We had a great time writing it together
and
imagining… what would it be like to watch “The Journalist”
*with*
Andrew? We figured it’d be partly philosophical, partly
hilarious, and a whole lotta awkwardness! ;-) We
actually
wrote this some time ago but decided that December 1st, 2006,
the 10th
year anniversary of the original airing of "The Journalist,"
would be a
great time to share it all with you. We hope you have as
much fun
reading this as we did writing it! You'll notice times
in
parentheses. Those times roughly match up with the DVD
scenes. So, for example, (2:00) means the scene being
discussed
happens about 2 minutes into the DVD version of "The
Journalist."
Until next time!
Jenni
Jess
Liz
And now…
Watching
“The Journalist” with Andrew
Jess O'Neill, Lady Beth, and Lady JenniAnn sit on the couch in
the
Willowveil TV room. Jess is holding a bowl of popcorn
and Lady
Beth is munching on her chocolate chip cookies and sipping
iced tea, a
bottle of water also sits on the floor beside her. Lady
JenniAnn
ceremoniously sits a box of Kleenex on the coffee table in
front of
them.
LJA:
::blushing::
Just in case we need em, ya know...
The other two nod solemnly. Lady JenniAnn sits
down and
grabs her
chocolate rice cakes and blueberries. She takes a deep
breath
then hits play. The three women watch, entranced, as
"The
Journalist" begins to play...
Lady
Beth: ::whispering to Lady
JenniAnn and motioning to her rice cakes and berries::
How can
you eat just that?
LJA: ::shrugs
and
answers as if
her response makes total sense:: Andrew makes me want to eat
healthy. Manion's the one that makes me want to eat
junk.
Lady Beth:
::shakes her
head
and refocuses on the TV::
All three are so involved
in it from
the start they don't hear the
approaching footsteps in the hall.
Andrew:
::from the
hall:: Lady JenniAnn, are you
here? I wanted to let you know I was back in case
you wanted to
discuss plans for Supervisor Appreciation Day.
::walking into the
room, noticing the TV:: Hey! That's me!
Well, John
playing me.
The three women
jump to their
feet,
startled, and Lady JenniAnn
scrambles for the pause button.
Andrew: No
reason to
stop. I'd actually like to watch with
you ladies if I could. It's been a while since I got
a chance to
watch the show. ::looks expectantly at them::
LJA: Well,
uhh...
::shuffles around nervously:: Thing is... us
watching "The
Journalist" can get quite messy. ::starts twisting
her ring
around her finger::
Andrew looks at the other two with a raised eye
brow.
Jess:
::smirking:: She’s not
kidding but if you don’t mind
excessive Kleenex use and even the occasional throwing
of food at the
TV screen…
Andrew: You’re
serious??
Food-throwing?
Lady Beth:
::nonchalantly:: Generally not. Just
sometimes.
Andrew:
::laughs:: I
think I can manage. If it’s all
right… ::looks at Lady JenniAnn::
LJA:
::smiles:: Of course
it is. Hey, if you're gonna stay you may as
well join us in
snacking. Rice cakes?
Blueberries? ::holds her snacks
out to him::
Andrew: ::eyes her
offerings
warily:: I don't know...
LJA:
::laughs:: Yeah,
everyone says the rice cakes are like
styrofoam. Feel free to
search the kitchen and grab whatever ya
like. There's definitely
ginger ale in the fridge.
Andrew:
::brightens::
Thanks,
I'll do that! ::leaves the
room::
Lady
Beth: ::chuckles
knowing full well that the three women have
ginger ale stocked in each of their fridges
just for him. She
also keeps extra cause there are times she
likes a ginger ale as well.::
LJA:
::surveys the room::
How are we going to sit? I really
don't think all four of us can
squeeze onto the couch. And I know we
all wanna sit by Andrew but
he only has two sides... ::pauses and
sighs:: Someone
*could* sit on Andrew's lap...
Lady
Beth: ::rolls her
eyes,
knowing full well what Lady JenniAnn 's
intentions are. It's quite obvious
that Lady JenniAnn would like
to sit on Andrew's lap but knows that it
isn't going to happen.
She mutters:: Oh brother...
All three
chuckle and then Lady
JenniAnn promptly stops.
LJA: ::face is bright
red:: I sooo did not mean to say
that out loud.
::frantic:: Oh my gosh! Did he
hear? Oh my
gosh! ::turns towards the entryway::
Lady Beth: He's still
out of
earshot and in the kitchen so he hasn't
heard a word. Mind you, one of these
days he's going to hear you
and it'll be quite embarrassing.
LJA:
::sighs with
relief:: Well, at least today is
not *that* day. I'll
forfeit the couch if ya both promise to
never, ever, never tell him I
said that. NEVER. ::giggles
nervously and then moves to the
nearby rocking chair::
Lady Beth:
::teasingly::
Now would I ever do anything like that?
LJA:
::just looks at her not
sure how to take that
statement:: You're just kidding,
right?
Before Lady Beth can answer,
Andrew
re-enters the room carrying a bag
of chips and a bottle of ginger ale.
Andrew: Thanks, for
this
Lady JenniAnn. ::holds up the
bag
of chips and then notices she's
changed location:: I really
didn't intend to take your
place. You can sit on the couch.
LJA: ::shakes her head
erratically:: Nope, you stay
on the couch. I'll stay
here. It's for the best.
::blushes in recollection of her
slip up earlier:: Believe me.
Andrew: Well, thanks.
::sits
down:: So what have you three
been talking about other than the
episode you're watching?
Jess:
Oh girl stuff.
Lady Beth: Nothing you'd
be
interested in.
LJA: ::nodding
profusely:: Yes, not the
least bit interesting to
you! At all!
Andrew: ::looks at
them
suspiciously and then looks
at Lady JenniAnn
:: What's going
on? ::cocks an
eyebrow:: They're up
to no good, aren't they?
Lady Beth:
What?
Moi? I'm never up to
no good. I'm
sweet, innocent, quite
angelic actually.
All four of them
to start laughing
like crazy.
Andrew:
::looking at Lady
Beth and
using a brotherly tone
of
voice:: Shall I
remind you of a certain
recent incident that
showed how you could
have gotten yourself
into some trouble, young
lady?
Lady
Beth: It was for a
good
reason, though.
I mean I was only
doing what I thought
was right.
Jess::
True, she was only
doing
her job. You
can't fault her for
that. She was
being good.
LJA: But
we're not really
talking about work
are we?
::nervous,
afraid her slip
will get back to
Andrew if this
continues::
Can
we start the
show?
Please?
Andrew:
Just from being
around the
three of you
like I have, I
highly
doubt that it
involved work or
anything related
to work.
I'm
going to have to
keep my eye on
all of you.
Lady
Beth smirks
but doesn't
say a word.
Andrew:
::notices this
and
can
tell that her
mind has gone
in another
direction.
He smiles and
his green eyes
sparkle with
amusement::
Get your mind
out of the
gutter.
Lady
Beth: Like
yours never
goes there!
Andrew:
::shakes his
head:: Nope,
never.
Lady
Beth: Oh
that's right,
angels never
think like
that.
How
could I
possibly
forget
something like
that? ::rolls
her eyes but
is
still
smiling.
She enjoys
bantering like
this with
someone and
rarely had the
chance to do
so before
arriving in
Dyeland.
She
then rushes
off to make
more popcorn
and soon
returns with a
large bowl
of it,
buttered but
unsalted.
She plants
herself in her
spot
again.::
Okay I'm ready
now.
Lady
JenniAnn
restarts the
DVD and
they all
watch,
entranced.
(2:00)
The group
watches as Sam
confronts
Andrew and
Monica.
Some
giggling
ensues when
Andrew dares
to suggest Sam
is out of his
jurisdiction.
Jess:
::mystified::
What's
up with
Andrew's hair
there?
It's kind of
weird...
LJA:
::chuckling::
Haha!
Sam is totally
sassing ya out
there, Andrew!
Jess:
Whoa...
careful
Andrew!
Andrew:
::grins::
You know
me, always the
troublemaker!
Lady
Beth: See, I'm
not the
only one who
likes to cause
trouble.
Now I have
something to
use should I
ever have
to...
Andrew:
::pretending
to be the
injured
party:: Yes I
admit, I can
cause
trouble when I
want to but
it's nothing
compared to
what you can
do!
Lady
Beth:
Puhlease,
don't act
so innocent
around
us. We
know
what you're
like!
Jess:
::in a feigned
disagreeable
voice:: You
can't fool us
there,
buddy.
LJA:
::with
complete
sincerity::
Andrew is
utterly and
completely
innocent.
He's very
nearly
perfect.
Andrew:
::blushes then
refocuses
on the TV::
LJA:
::continuing::
And I would
never cause
any trouble,
either.
Lady
Beth: ::gets
up and moves
towards Lady
JenniAnn 's
chair, checks
her forehead,
and then
checks for a
pulse.:: Yep,
she's alive
and
breathing
which means
she can cause
trouble as
well.
Jess
starts rolling
with laughter
and
agrees.
Andrew just
smirks
knowing full
well that Lady
JenniAnn can't
deny anything
cause she
would be
reminded of
past events by
the others.
Andrew:
::turning to
face
Lady
JenniAnn :: I
do believe
that they've
caught onto
your act.
LJA:
::flustered,
afraid they
will rat her
out::
But...
but...oh
crikey!
The
intro scene
ends and the
theme
song begins
playing.
Jess
begins to
sing.
Jess:
::really in
the
moment::
When you walk
down the
roooooadddd....
Heavy burden,
heavy
looooadddd...
The
other three
eye her
curiously.
Andrew tries
to mask a
chuckle.
Jess:
::after the
song
ends::
What??
LJA:
::giggling::
Nothing,
nothing at
all...
Wonderful
performance.
Okay, now it's
back...
::stares at
the TV while
popping
blueberries
into her
mouth::
Lady
Beth: Jess,
keep your day
job.
Jess:
::throws
popcorn at
her.::
(4:20)
Rocky has just
introduced
herself to
Andrew in the
episode.
LJA:
::sighs
dreamily::
Rocky's
got no idea
how lucky she
is to
meet you...
(5:30)
As
the episode
progresses,
Rocky and her
new cameraman
proceed
to the
Wittenbergs’
home. As
the
two stand on
the family's
doorstep, it
becomes clear
JenniAnn's
quite taken
with
something.
Andrew stares
at her with a
raised eye
brow.
LJA:
Gah!
Just
look at
John
there!
He looks
gorgeous set
against those
golden fall
leaves behind
him.
They set off
his
hair and his
eyes and...
::blushes and
focuses on her
bowl of
blueberries::
Jess:
::equally
enamored::
Look how
Andrew's hair
shines in
the
sunlight...
wow!
Andrew:
::unsure how
to take
this praise
and whether
it's
directed at
him or
John::
Thanks?
I think...
Lady
Beth just sits
there not
saying
a word as this
is going on
but
does give a
quiet
chuckle.
The other
three look at
her wondering
what was going
on in her head
for her to do
that.
She doesn't
give them an
explanation
but just takes
another cookie
after taking a
large gulp of
water.
(9:20)
Andrew and
Rocky proceed
with
their
interview.
JenniAnn
begins to
giggle as the
activity at
the
Wittenbergs’
increases.
The children
on the TV dash
around the
living room
with Andrew
valiantly
trying to
capture their
playfulness.
LJA:
Ooh!
Look at
that
quick camera
work.
Good job
following the
kids about,
Andrew!
Errr...
John.
Or...
John as
Andrew?
This is kinda
weird...
(10:40)
Now comes the
first big
moment.
Rocky has
launched into
her news
segment as
Andrew and
Monica watch
from
nearby.
JenniAnn
begins to
fidget in her
chair
uncomfortably.
LJA:
::looks at the
real
Andrew,
pained::
Augh...
It kills
me to see you
smile so
proudly about
your footage
and then...
then look
so stricken
when... when
you realize
what Rocky
did...
Please,
please tell me
John
over-acted
it! That
you weren't
*really* so
disturbed!
Andrew:
::stares at
the TV for a
moment, lost
in memory, and
then at
JenniAnn.
He shakes his
head::
No... I
can't say I
felt John ever
over-acted in
his portrayal
of me.
That was a
difficult
moment.
I'm just glad
Monica was
there.
Jess:
::noting TV
Andrew's look
of
astonishment
and
concern::
I
agree with
that
look...
::shakes her
head gravely::
Lady
Beth: Same
here.
Why
Rocky did
that, I don't
know. I
almost feel
like I could
have throttled
her for what
she did.
Andrew:
Trust me, it
wasn't easy
to not do
anything at
the time.
(12:30)
Andrew
explains to
Monica
about what he
saw at the
Wittenbergs'
and how Rocky
took great
liberty with
the footage.
LJA:
::shakes her
head
furiously::
Why isn't
Monica
believing
you?! I
would! I
always
would...
I...
::starts
rocking in her
chair
frantically::
Andrew:
::not sure how
to
calm
her.
He's half
afraid she'll
go track down
Monica at that
very moment
and chew her
out::
I'm
sure she just
didn't want to
believe Rocky
was capable of
deceit.
After all, she
had been very
nice to
Monica.
But I do
appreciate
your
loyalty.
I'm glad you
trust me like
that.
LJA:
::momentarily
appeased::
I do, very
much. I
think we
all do, right?
Jess:
::nods eagerly
and then
directs her
attention back
to the
screen::
Monica!
Stick on
Andrew's
side!
Come on!
Andrew:
Really, this
was hard for
Monica, too.
LJA:
::sighs::
Such
loyalty...
On *your*
part, Andrew.
Andrew:
::shakes his
head
realizing
they're not
going to get
over this
Monica thing
any time
soon::
Lady
Beth: She
probably
reacted
like that
cause
she...
::cuts
herself off::
Jess:
What were you
going to say?
Lady
Beth: Maybe
Monica reacted
like that
cause she's
not used to
seeing Andrew
in that way,
kind of
vulnerable.
It's a side
she's
not used to
and doesn't
know how to
react to it
and that
scares her to
some
degree.
It's just a
thought.
::hangs her
head cause
she isn't sure
how the others
would react to
how she saw
things.::
LJA:
Makes sense to
me. I
feel like that
about Adam
sometimes.
But when
Andrew's like
that I just
wanna...
::catches
herself,
remembering
he's actually
there, then
speaks in a
cheesy voice::
throw him a
party!
(14:10)
Monica and
Andrew are
talking
amongst
themselves.
Again,
JenniAnn
starts to get
very agitated.
LJA:
::quoting::
"Predicting
the weather is
not as easy as
it
looks?!"
What the heck
does that have
to do with
this,
Monica?!
Andrew's your
friend!
Believe him!
Andrew:
::looking at
Lady Beth and
Jess::
Is she always
like this
about this
episode?
Jess:
::distracted::
Uh
huh, every
time.
::growing
agitated
herself::
I still can't
believe Monica
took Rocky's
side
instead of
Andrew's!
Hello?!?!?
How long has
Monica known
him?
Andrew:
::matter-of-factly::
Only about one
year.
Jess:
::rolls eyes
at
Andrew:: Well
that's still
longer than
Rocky, so
there!
::smirks::
Lady
Beth: Yes,
JenniAnn's
like
this every
time she's
seen the
episode.
That's just
from what I've
noticed.
You're right
though, Monica
has known
Andrew longer
than she's
known Rocky so
I
can't explain
why Monica is
taking sides
with Rocky.
LJA:
::oblivious
that she's
been spoken of
and is staring
at TV
Andrew::
Poor love...
Andrew:
::shakes his
head,
feeling
a bit
awkward::
(14:40)
Andrew,
knowing he
must do
something, has
returned to
the
Wittenbergs.
Again, Lady
JenniAnn
sighs.
LJA:
Oooh...
Andrew
against the
leaves
again!
Ooh and
now John's
running...
Look at him
go!
Andrew:
::with a grin
and a
smart-alecky
tone::
See John
run. Run
John, run.
LJA:
::playfully::
See
Andrew
mock.
Mock Andrew,
mock.
(15:50)
Andrew
confronts
Rocky
and defends
his decision
to visit
the
Wittenbergs.
LJA:
Yay!
Defending
yourself to
Rocky!
And in
flannel!
Go Andrew!
Andrew:
::laughs::
I find
the flannel
helps.
(17:00)
The
confrontation
continues
with Andrew
growing more
agitated.
LJA:
::seemingly
forgetting the
real Andrew is
in the
room::
Aww!
Running his
hand through
his
hair!
I just wanna
hug him and
never, ever
let
go...
::suddenly
remembers he's
only a few
feet away and
blushes::
Err... I
mean...
Did I mention
how much I
like that
shirt?
Jess:
::laughs::
Lady
Beth: I'm not
saying a
word cause I
don't want to
be
incriminated.
Andrew:
::looks at her
with a
twinkle in his
eye:: And why
is that?
Lady
Beth:: Cause
you don't
want to know
what I think
of that shirt
and
other
things.
::shuts up::
(21:10)
Rocky explains
to her
viewing
audience about
her second
meeting
with Annie
whose head was
bandaged.
Andrew looks
on, deeply
trouble.
Eventually he
and Rocky
speak.
LJA:
::quoting in a
mocking
tone::
"Too nice a
guy!"
Don't
you ever, ever
try to change
that,
Rocky!
It's not, NOT
a
problem!
Andrew's great
just as he
is! "Too
nice!"
Ha!
(22:00)
Now
comes the
fateful scene
where everyone
gathers in the
newsroom to
watch the
children be
removed from
the
Wittenbergs.
The four in
the Willowveil
TV room watch
intently as
the TV Andrew
grows more and
more
troubled.
Eventually he
flees the
room.
Jess:
Oh no!
LJA:
::eyes
brimming and
very
upset::
Oh...
oh...
::gets up and
begins to walk
away from her
chair::
Andrew:
::looks away
from his TV
doppleganger.
Confused, he
whispers to
the ladies on
either side of
him:: Is
*she* going to
flee the room
now??
Lady
JenniAnn does
not flee the
room
but instead
moves behind
the couch
and stands
behind
Andrew.
She places a
hand gently on
his
shoulder.
LJA:
::sympathetically::
I'm sorry you
experienced
that.
Andrew:
::turns and
smiles
sadly at her
and squeezes
her
hand::
Thanks,
JenniAnn.
LJA:
::returns the
smile
and then seems
confused about
where to
go:: I,
uh, think I'll
stay
here.
I... I don't
wanna sit by
myself for the
rest.
Andrew:
::begins to
get
up:: I
can
stand.
You sit
down.
LJA:
::shakes her
head and
stops
him::
No...
Please
don't. I
feel jittery,
anyhow.
I should
stand.
Andrew:
If you're
sure...
::settles back
into the couch
much to Jess
and Lady
Beth's
delight::
Jess:
::muttering::
I'm
certainly glad
Monica didn't
go after
Andrew.
She didn't
even believe
him. She would
have made it
worse!
(24:00)
Monica and Sam
discuss
what's just
happened and
Andrew fleeing
the newsroom.
Jess:
::mockingly::
"I just
don't think he
sees the whole
picture."
Monica, are
you
blind?!
Whoa...
LJA:
Naw, she goes
blind later
in the season.
Lady
Beth and Jess
just roll
their
eyes at her
comment.
(24:40)
The episode
continues.
Andrew again
returns to the
Wittenbergs’.
This time they
let him
inside.
LJA:
::practically
cooing::
"Could you
open up your
hearts just
long enough
for me to
apologize!"
Oh! I'll
open up my
heart!
Andrew:
::awkward
silence::
(32:00)
It's finally
come... the
prayer on the
stairs.
LJA:
::openly
crying,
she steps
around and
plucks Kleenex
out of the
box and plops
unceremoniously
on the floor
with them:: Oh
boy...
Oh Andrew...
Jess:
::puts her
hand over her
mouth and
watches
silently::
Lady
Beth: ::in a
quiet voice::
Well, this
does prove a
point I've
been
trying to make
for years.
Andrew:
May I ask what
that is?
::signals Lady
JenniAnn
to stop
the show for a
few
minutes.
She does.::
Lady
Beth: In my
opinion, this
whole thing
that it's
unmanly to cry
is
a crock.
Men are human
so they have
emotions just
like
women.
That includes
being sad,
frustrated
and, at times,
even
feeling the
need to
cry. I
believe that a
man - whether
he's
human or an
angel - is
more of a man
if he's able
to show all of
his
emotions and
not hide
anything that
he's feeling.
Jess: How
come you've
never
mentioned this
before?
Lady
Beth: It's
never come up
so I've never
said anything
before.
I was also
unsure as to
how everyone
would react to
how I felt
about
this.
Jess: I'm
glad you've
said
something now
cause I have
to agree with
you.
It's about
time that men
do prove that
they are
capable of
showing
emotions
instead of
having them
all bottled up
inside.
LJA:
You can add my
vote to
that as well.
Andrew:
::runs his
hand
through his
hair, unsure
how to react
to
this at first
but realizes
that they're
just
expressing
something that
needed to be
expressed::
Lady
JenniAnn
starts the
show
back up.
(35:00)
Andrew moves
to the garage
where he
speaks to the
Wittenbergs.
Horace asks
Andrew how he
knows the
truth.
Jess:
::coughs and
blurts
out::
Angel!
LJA:
:smiling
goofily
through
her tears, she
turns around
to face
Andrew who she
is seated in
front
of:: The
glow!
::quoting
again, this
time
Zelda::
"You're an
angel, aren't
you?"
Yes! One
of the very,
very best!
(42:50)
Monica does
her revelation
scene and
Rocky learns
that she,
Sam, and
Andrew are all
angels.
LJA:
Oof! I'd
feel
pretty
bad if I found
out you were
an angel
after all you
went through!
(43:15)
Now the
episode moves
to the
final scene in
the
Wittenbergs’.
Andrew films
Rocky as
Monica looks
on.
LJA:
::gleefully::
Leather
jacket!!
Lady
Beth: Hubba
hubba hubba.
The
other three
just start
laughing.
Andrew: I
take it you
like
me in a
leather
jacket?
Lady
Beth:
::sarcastic::
No, I
just said that
for the sake
of saying
it. Yes,
I like you in
a leather
jacket.
There are some
men
who look good
in a jacket
like that and
some who don't
do it justice
at
all.
LJA:
::sighs:: You
do it
justice,
obviously,
Andrew.
(45:00)
The
episode draws
to a close
with the three
angels staring
up
at the
magnificent
lunar eclipse.
LJA:
Well...
that
is an
awesome
episode!
John was so
wonderful in
it!
So... that was
pretty
accurate?
I mean...
emotionally
and all?
::looks at
Andrew with
concern::
Jess:
::dreamily::
My
favorite part
was the
leather
jacket...
Andrew:
::laughs::
Yes, Lady
JenniAnn it
was very
accurate.
And, Jess, I
really did
wear a leather
jacket.
::winks::
The
same
three women
are gathered
in the TV
room.
Lady JenniAnn
stands near
the TV,
pushing the
DVD into the
player.
LJA:
Okay... and
now...
"The Violin
Lesson"!
::shouts::
Andrew, ya
ready?
Andrew:
::runs in with
some
drinks::
Yes, go ahead
and
start.
Lady Beth,
here's your
iced
tea.
Jess, your
Fresca
with
cherry.
JenniAnn, your
coffee.
And my ginger
ale!
::once
finished he
moves to his
seat::
Lady
Beth:
Thanks,
Andrew.
This was a
really good
idea.
Much better
than that
little couch.
Jess:
::nods and
then
chuckles::
Theatre
seating in a
TV
room.
Excellent
idea.
Lady
Beth: Oh yeah,
nice comfy
theatre seats
with cup
holders for
multiple
drinks and
someplace to
put my cookies
and popcorn.
Jess:
Man, I don't
know how you
do
it but I'd be
visiting the
washroom
with all that
you drink.
Lady
Beth: Well I'm
just used
to drinking
water and the
iced tea is an
added
bonus.
Now let's get
on with the
show. I
need my fix.
The
others look at
her but won't
ask
what she means
by her fix.
LJA:
::whispers to
Lady
Beth
and Jess::
Frankly, I
don't care
what we
have to drink
or where we
have to
sit.
Just as long
as we have
him...
All
three stare
dreamily at an
oblivious
Andrew and
then focus on
the
episode.
JABB
207
JABB
TOC
(Photo Credits: The photographs used on this page are from
"Touched by an Angel" and owned by CBS Productions,
Caroline
Productions, and Moon Water Productions. They are
not being used
to
seek profit.)