Did anyone besides me feel that the relationship between the Bishop and Luka wasn't ever really "sold" enough? I never felt that the bond was cemented enough between them was strong enough for Luka, say, to spend all Sunday in church with him, eh?

-- Andreaux (andscott@email.com), February 16, 2001

Answers

Hey I like your subject title, that's cute--but he's Croatian--anyway: Luka did treat the Bishop at least three times in a short period, and it was obvious that the Bishop was striking a chord a little harder in Luka every time. Luka's obviously been thinking about him, as he said in the beginning of the episode. I think it was believable that he'd be in church with him.

-- LeeS (leestein@goudarock.com), February 16, 2001.

What about the Catholic and the Croat?

-- Andreaux (andscott@email.com), February 16, 2001.

Or the Priest and the Proctologist?

-- Andreaux (andscott@email.com), February 16, 2001.

Did anyone else think Luka seemed a bit irritated by Abby interrupting his revery at the end. It seemed like he was trying to search the "woods" for that loving God he used to know... then real world steps in just before he quite gets it. I've liked the whole Bishop plot... great acting, great theme. I think in one way or another we all want to trust in a higher being... if just for someone to blame when the going gets to tough. I can believe in a Luka who has tried to asuage his own guilt by blaming God. I can believe that the key to him forgiving himself (for leaving his family at an unfortunate time, and for killing a man) is to forgive God first.

Too bad that the key to Christianity is that we can't make ourselves "right" first... only Jesus Christ can forgive those sins. I have a feeling that Luka is beginning his battle against his own soul!

-- Mollie (mollie@adelphia.net), February 16, 2001.

I was waiting to see how Luka would respond to being "interupted", but then he put his arm around her and walked home. As much as I think this relationship won't last, I'm glad he has someone to go home with at the end of the day...Abby is thinking like I would...she can't begin to fix anything, but she can "interrupt" his disturbing thoughts and take him away from them for awhile. This, of course, only temporarily helps him, but it is also about not letting him feel alone. I think Abby is acting very realistically.

-- Elaine (mrsclooney78@hotmail.com), February 16, 2001.

I thought when I saw Luka warmly put his arm around Abby at the end that maybe Luka felt a little more alive inside after his latest encounter with the Bishop. I think that was the first interaction and first genuine sign of affection we've seen between the two of them that he's initiated. I also think that the writers have done a great job building the relationship betwen the Bishop and the Bosnian.

-- Michelle Kelly (michellek@penchart.com), February 16, 2001.

Andreaux, I don't think it had anything to do with a "bond". We are often drawn to people who can give us something we need. And vice versa. It was obvious that Luka needed to be taught, we all do at times. And we get our education in some of the damndest, transitory places. We get or give what is needed, then we move on.

Personally, I thought the speech was a little contrived (watch for the baseball bat!) but I was able to avoid the concussion by spotting it in time. (I was like, ok, yeah, yeah, I get the point already.)

What I want to know is this. What does this have to do with the guy he killed, and the reprecussions from that?

-- S. Trelles (trelles@ix.netcom.com), February 16, 2001.

I have been waiting all season for them to at least mention the fact that Luka violently killed someone, and I thought that the Bishop was gonna bring some closure to that. I know that the guy he killed wasn't exactly the model citizen, but if I were him, I would still feel guilty. I am glad though that the Bishop was able to help him come to terms with the death of his family, however it happened, but I did kind of have a hard time believing that their bond was strong enough. And those titles were too cute!

-- Mallory (mallory_1523@yahoo.com), February 16, 2001.

Did anyone else notice how much taller the Bishop is than Luka? It was obvious when Luka was holding up the Bishop while walking to the alter in the church. Luka usually towers over everyone. I wonder if this was symbolic that Luka has finally found someone who he can "look up to" (someone who can bear his sorrow) OK, a title idea. "The Dying and the Disillusioned."

-- violet (violet@pon.net), February 17, 2001.

Did anyone else think of that Luka looked like the Hunchback of Notre Dame as he crouched during the Litany of Saints?

-- violet (violet@pon.net), February 18, 2001.

As far as the comment about the Bishop towering over Luka....I had to look this up because we saw "Babe" again recently and James Cromwell looked like a giant in that. His bio states that he is 6' 7" (and he is only 57 years old). They call him the "gentle giant".

-- Jo Reed (jojoreed@home.com), February 25, 2001.

Speaking of James Cromwell...he's just been cast for the lead in a new drama on CBS to be produced by JOHN WELLS & LYDIA WOODWARD! It's called "The Second Act" and he'll play a recently retired U. S. Senator who returns home and reconnecs with his three grown daughters and their families. There's a 13-episode commitment by CBS to the drama. I guess TPTB liked what they saw when working with JC or maybe his role on ER was just one long audition. :) Thought you might like to know Wells & Woodward have another series coming if you like their other ones. Interesting that this one will be on CBS though since the others are on NBC.

-- Diana (dilynne@juno.com), March 10, 2001.

Yes, I do understand what you mean, Andreaux. I would have appreciated a little less bat. But, nonetheless, it was a necessary vehicle to propel the plot forward and allow us to understand Luka's past. I also wish that we weren't treated to a video re-enactment of how Luka lost his family. I felt it was too manipulative. I would have preferred it if the writers, instead, allowed him to simply recall his memories through voices in his head, so to speak...like he thinks about what happened to his wife and children and the audience simply HEARS what events (bombs) took place and what they/he did and said as he's recalling those memories...

-- Malik (Texdina@aol.com), August 06, 2001.