Locker Room #18: Danny/Carmine: Welcome to the Insane Asylum!

[PerfectAnomaly]

Here's a link to a new interview with Carmine on TVGuide.com. It contains a S5 spoiler, so read at your own risk.

http://community.tvguide.com/blog-entry/TV-Show-Blog/Tv-Previews/Carmine-Gi/800047725

ETA: Oops! Sorry about the double post.

 

[Top41]

Here's a link to a new interview with Carmine on TVGuide.com. It contains a S5 spoiler, so read at your own risk.

http://community.tvguide.com/blog-entry/TV-Show-Blog/Tv-Previews/Carmine-Gi/800047725

ETA: Oops! Sorry about the double post.

Is it me, or does he not sound happy in that interview?

TVGuide.com: The catch 22, though, is that "Child's Play" kicked off a storyline which some fans have called the best... and some have called the worst, because of how waylaid the Danny-Lindsay relationship.
Giovinazzo: It's funny to me, the perceptions and feelings about that, because Danny has been courting Lindsay for it seems like 2-1/2 seasons. It got to a point where I was like, "Would I really continue to go after her like this? After I've been a stand-up a guy trying to break through...?" Then they had her story come out, showing what was holding her back.

Further evidence at his unhappiness at the initial way DL unfolded. It was so badly done...it made Danny look like a wuss and Lindsay look like a bitch.

TVGuide.com: One reader asks: "How is Season 5 looking for Danny and Lindsay?"
Giovinazzo: Right now, I'm sorry to say, it seems to be really stagnant. [The writers] are as troubled as the fans are about figuring out what to do with all that.

To me that says TPTB had no clue what to do with DL...

Spoiler: s.5 spoiler

and so they decided to run with the pregnancy when it landed in their laps, quite literally.

TVGuide.com: What do you like most about playing Danny?
Giovinazzo:I guess it's that he gets to express himself and be the one that people can relate to a bit, or at least riles them up a bit. He goes through more of the human emotions you don't normally see a cop go through. He doesn't always have to keep himself in check like Mac or Flack. I've heard a couple people say, "Where did Danny's b---s go?" But A), I can only work with what they give me, and B), at some point he's got to realize that he needs guidelines and boundaries.

Wonder if those "balls" comments came from TalkCSI. "A" sounds again like maybe he's not so thrilled with some of the stuff that made it seem as though Danny had lost his balls...he's kind of distancing himself from the whole thing by saying he can only work with what they give him. I think he takes some of the comments personally, which is understandable. I imagine after playing a character for four years, you'd take criticism of that character pretty personally, especially if you care as much about your performance as Carmine clearly does.

Spoiler: s. 5 spoiler again

No matter what unfolds, I'm sure Carmine will do a bang up job with the storyline.

 

[calleighspeedle]

I get the feeling that he doesn't like doing interviews...maybe that's just me.

 

[Top41]

I get the feeling that he doesn't like doing interviews...maybe that's just me.

I've never gotten that feeling; he's actually pretty talkative. :lol:

But it does seem like when this interview was conducted, he didn't know a lot about what was coming up in the season. He's dead on about how the writers have handled DL--putting the brakes on and then hitting the gas. It's all 0 to 60 with that storyline.

 

[calleighspeedle]

I think the way they have handled the Danny/Lindsey relationship is great. I can't wait to see what's in store for them in season 5.

 

[CSINEWYORK000]

Source:stolenglances.

 

[Poppet]

Wonder if those "balls" comments came from TalkCSI. "A" sounds again like maybe he's not so thrilled with some of the stuff that made it seem as though Danny had lost his balls...he's kind of distancing himself from the whole thing by saying he can only work with what they give him. I think he takes some of the comments personally, which is understandable. I imagine after playing a character for four years, you'd take criticism of that character pretty personally, especially if you care as much about your performance as Carmine clearly does.

It does sound like he takes it a little personally, which as you said on one level is understandable, but all the posts I have read make it pretty clear people think Carmine is a very good actor it's just they don't like the way TPTB have handled his character which I imagine he has very little say in. From reading his interviews it seems he is as much in the dark as we are as to what TPTBs intentions for his character are, which must be as frustrating for him as it is for us.

TPTB seem to like having a certain level of ambiguity in story lines as it gives them the option to change directions as and when they want but it is the same ambiguity that frustrates viewers. They need to start making it clear what the situation exactly is and who knows what etc.

 

[JellyBelly]

TPTB seem to like having a certain level of ambiguity in story lines as it gives them the option to change directions as and when they want but it is the same ambiguity that frustrates viewers. They need to start making it clear what the situation exactly is and who knows what etc.

I honestly think tptb have gone way too far with the amibiguity in this instance. I definitely think Carmine must be feeling pretty frustrated with the ambiguity. In fact, there was a short interview on the net a few weeks ago (from an Asian TV network IIRC) where he was talking about being so confused re. Danny and Lindsay and how difficult that made things for both him and Anna. Actually I think he particularly talked about how difficult it was for Anna because Lindsay isn't as established a character as Danny.

 

[calleighspeedle]

Herre's some pics of Carmine in from my photobucket.:drool:

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b119/calleighspeedle/Carmine and Danny photos/carminedanny5.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b119/calleighspeedle/Carmine and Danny photos/carminedanny1.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b119/calleighspeedle/Carmine and Danny photos/carminedanny3.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b119/calleighspeedle/Carmine and Danny photos/carminedanny6.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b119/calleighspeedle/Carmine and Danny photos/carminedanny2.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b119/calleighspeedle/Carmine and Danny photos/carminedanny8.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b119/calleighspeedle/Carmine and Danny photos/carminedanny7.jpg

These 2 pics are from: Carmine Giovinazzo Daily...thanks.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b119/calleighspeedle/Carmine and Danny photos/behindscenes3.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b119/calleighspeedle/Carmine and Danny photos/006.jpg

 

[Poppet]

I honestly think tptb have gone way too far with the amibiguity in this instance. I definitely think Carmine must be feeling pretty frustrated with the ambiguity. In fact, there was a short interview on the net a few weeks ago (from an Asian TV network IIRC) where he was talking about being so confused re. Danny and Lindsay and how difficult that made things for both him and Anna. Actually I think he particularly talked about how difficult it was for Anna because Lindsay isn't as established a character as Danny.

I totally agree.

Do you have a link to the interview you mentioned as I would be interested in watching it - thanks

 

[Top41]

It does sound like he takes it a little personally, which as you said on one level is understandable, but all the posts I have read make it pretty clear people think Carmine is a very good actor it's just they don't like the way TPTB have handled his character which I imagine he has very little say in. From reading his interviews it seems he is as much in the dark as we are as to what TPTBs intentions for his character are, which must be as frustrating for him as it is for us.

Yeah, I think it's got to be hard to really not know where they're going to take your character at all, or who he's supposed to be with or how he's supposed to feel about who he's with. It's a testament to Carmine's acting skills that he performs as well as he does with that ambiguity.

TPTB seem to like having a certain level of ambiguity in story lines as it gives them the option to change directions as and when they want but it is the same ambiguity that frustrates viewers. They need to start making it clear what the situation exactly is and who knows what etc.

I honestly think tptb have gone way too far with the amibiguity in this instance. I definitely think Carmine must be feeling pretty frustrated with the ambiguity. In fact, there was a short interview on the net a few weeks ago (from an Asian TV network IIRC) where he was talking about being so confused re. Danny and Lindsay and how difficult that made things for both him and Anna. Actually I think he particularly talked about how difficult it was for Anna because Lindsay isn't as established a character as Danny.

To be fair, that's partially her fault. AJ established Adam with one line; part of the onus of that is on the actor to think about his or her character and figure out what that character is thinking or feeling in each scene--even if it's just to inform the performance. Obviously that's hard with the ambiguity, and that's a big misstep on the fault of TPTB, but one of the things about Carmine's performance as Danny that I really admire is that he always manages to do that and take us right along with him. I love how Danny reacts to everything so emotionally.

 

[PerfectAnomaly]

TPTB seem to like having a certain level of ambiguity in story lines as it gives them the option to change directions as and when they want but it is the same ambiguity that frustrates viewers. They need to start making it clear what the situation exactly is and who knows what etc.

I honestly think tptb have gone way too far with the amibiguity in this instance. I definitely think Carmine must be feeling pretty frustrated with the ambiguity. In fact, there was a short interview on the net a few weeks ago (from an Asian TV network IIRC) where he was talking about being so confused re. Danny and Lindsay and how difficult that made things for both him and Anna. Actually I think he particularly talked about how difficult it was for Anna because Lindsay isn't as established a character as Danny.

To be fair, that's partially her fault. AJ established Adam with one line; part of the onus of that is on the actor to think about his or her character and figure out what that character is thinking or feeling in each scene--even if it's just to inform the performance. Obviously that's hard with the ambiguity, and that's a big misstep on the fault of TPTB, but one of the things about Carmine's performance as Danny that I really admire is that he always manages to do that and take us right along with him. I love how Danny reacts to everything so emotionally.

Exactly. Anna is starting her fourth season as Lindsay and I still can't predict how or why she will respond to/in situations or what is in character and out of character for her. All I know is that she's from Montana, she was the sole survivor of a horrible multiple homicide, she does demonstrations with evidence and she's Danny's girlfriend. That isn't all the fault of the writers.

Knowing the character - getting into her head and learning more than the superficial facts about her would help clear up some of the ambiguity the writers have created. The actor can't just sit back and be passive. They have to develop and know their character in order to be convincing. They also have to project what they have developed for and know about their character so the audience has a clue as to their motivations and behavior patterns. Just reading the lines and using the same facial expression for practically every emotion doesn't cut it.

In contrast, no matter what ambiguity the writers leave or how TPTB tries to change Danny's character, Carmine's performances are always spot on and hold true to the Danny originally created even if it's just a tiny bit.

 

[JellyBelly]

Do you have a link to the interview you mentioned as I would be interested in watching it - thanks

Sorry, I've tried to find it. It was posted on another site a while ago but I can't remember which one. Other than what I've already said, he just ended up saying it was probably planned that way to create the drama or tension or something like that.

To be fair, that's partially her fault. AJ established Adam with one line; part of the onus of that is on the actor to think about his or her character and figure out what that character is thinking or feeling in each scene--even if it's just to inform the performance. Obviously that's hard with the ambiguity, and that's a big misstep on the fault of TPTB, but one of the things about Carmine's performance as Danny that I really admire is that he always manages to do that and take us right along with him. I love how Danny reacts to everything so emotionally.

I agree she has to be partially responsible but the main responsibility/blame lies with the writers imo.

 

[Poppet]

I think that fact that Lindsay isn't as established as a character as the others in the programme is down to Anna. She has been in the show for 3 seasons now and had a good amount of screen time compared to others like Adam and Sid who are much more defined as characters.

The lack of definiton in regards to Danny and Lindsays relationship on the other hand it totally down to the writers and them wanting to appeal to everyone. To me there are two separate issues here.

 

[MakeTracksCowboy]

^^^ i agree with you Poppet very well said.

i look at Danny and basically any character you like on TV:

as the years go on with a favorite character it's like getting to know a friend. when you first meet someone they act a certain way. then once you get to know them well you get to see different sides of them.

as fans we've been involved with Danny and the cast for 5 years and now that first impression of them is starting to come undone and we're seeing a totally different emotional, annoying, whatever-you-wanna-call-it side. we've never seen Danny with a girlfriend before, we don't know if he's dedicated to them like his is with Lindsay. maybe with girlfriends he becomes someone else.

i think a lot of Danny's reasonings and Lindsay's reasonings for their actions and the frustrations that come with it comes down to the writers not giving us enough clarity and backround on the two of them.

i don't want to see D/L be the main focus all the time b/c the show has so many other awesome characters that need to be focused on. Danny still needs a lot of growth as character and i think this season could see a lot of it if the writers can write something sensible this year.