Why Lindsay REALLY Must Go (Pt. 2)

[Faylinn]

Rad said:
By herself, she was.......well...an extremely confusing character. With her, I realised I had to make excuses & come up with my own explanations for why she was behaving the way she was. I NEVER have that problem with any of the other actors.

I agree. When _____ does a scene, you know what their intent is. You might be curious about what else it could mean (adding depth to the scene), but you know why they're acting that way in the first place. With Lindsay, it seems like you have to try to figure her out in any given scene--was she upset? Curious? Thoughtful? Is the character behaving this way or that way, or is it the actress? Often, it doesn't really make sense...

 

[Rad]

Top41 said:
I'm glad to see I'm not the only reviewer who finds Lindsay "one-dimensional" and "stand-offish."

Oh! But judging by the number of posts in this thread, you definitely r not.

I actually saw the thing with Danny as the opposite: he was wisecracking with her, and she had something of a crush on him. In season three, I saw it as a complete reversal.

That's interesting. I didnt see it that way. Maybe I shld rewatch Season 2, but who wants to sit through Danny & Lindsay again..

I agree that she's been better this season, though interestingly I've noticed it does seem like her screentime has been cut. With the exception of the upcoming Amityville episode, Lindsay really isn't much of a factor this season. With less screentime and less emoting, I can definitely deal with Lindsay. She's a weak link, and the show would be better off without her, but what's happening now seems like a compromise, and that I can live with.

Yep! Me too!

 

[Carrieattheprom]

I noticed that Danny and Lindsay didn't share a scene this week. Remember when the writers kept putting them together even when they were working on different cases? That felt so forced! I know Mac and Stella were working on different cases, but their scenes together felt far more natural.(Yeah, even with that song at the end of the episode) Part of it is the chemestry between the actors, the other part was the writing itself.

 

[Rad]

Faylinn said:
I agree. When _____ does a scene, you know what their intent is. You might be curious about what else it could mean (adding depth to the scene), but you know why they're acting that way in the first place. With Lindsay, it seems like you have to try to figure her out in any given scene--was she upset? Curious? Thoughtful? Is the character behaving this way or that way, or is it the actress? Often, it doesn't really make sense...

I know. Remember the scene where Danny & Lindsay were talking in the lab abt Danny rescuing Hawkes in "The deep"? I laughed at the number of interpretations that everyone came up with. Classic example of the viewer having to decide what Lindsay was conveying.

 

[Lorelai]

Interesting review. Makes you think, if someone who never knew that perfect team from S1 and therefore can't compare, can tell that there's something wrong, and points to her .. well that says a lot.

But I agree with you completely that she's never really found her footing with the character. That's why Lindsay comes off as "one dimensional"--there's no depth to her. Unlike all the other characters on the show, it really doesn't seem like Anna puts a lot of thought into Lindsay and her feelings and motivations.

It's sad that 2 years later they still don't know who she is. They are still experimenting.

When contrasted with actors like Carmine or Eddie or Hill who obviously do put so much so much thought into the characters they're playing, she sticks out.

That's a big part of the problem. Being around people who are clearly born to do this job, makes her lacks even more obvious. Acting with such amazing actors just won't make her better. You’d think that maybe it’s catchy and she’ll get better, but at this point I gave up all hope for that to happen. Maybe if she would be in a daytime drama she could pass by unnoticed, but being in primetime, just nope.

With less screentime and less emoting, I can definitely deal with Lindsay. She's a weak link, and the show would be better off without her, but what's happening now seems like a compromise, and that I can live with.

Me too. If she's gonna be in front of my eyes for a few minutes and on light scenes, I could fast forward and ignore her. It's the constant shoving her down my throat what makes me sick. And most importantly, do not alter the others to prop her anymore. That’s just wrong!

I agree. When _____ does a scene, you know what their intent is. You might be curious about what else it could mean (adding depth to the scene), but you know why they're acting that way in the first place. With Lindsay, it seems like you have to try to figure her out in any given scene--was she upset? Curious? Thoughtful? Is the character behaving this way or that way, or is it the actress? Often, it doesn't really make sense...

:lol: Yup, we seem to read the same in all the scenes except Lindsay's. What I do is look at the others, if x looks worried, well that's the mood of the scene, whatever her face is.

I noticed that Danny and Lindsay didn't share a scene this week. Remember when the writers kept putting them together even when they were working on different cases? That felt so forced! I know Mac and Stella were working on different cases, but their scenes together felt far more natural.(Yeah, even with that song at the end of the episode) Part of it is the chemestry between the actors, the other part was the writing itself.

One of the things I've learned so far from CSI Ny is that the actor can save or kill a scene, the character, the episode.

 

[adorelo]

OK well, Hi. I have read the majority of posts on here but I am sorry if I repeat anything someone has already said.

I have been advised by several people to come on here and post what alot of people are thinking. I am actually going to quote mself to make matters easier.

I am an actress myself and, personally, when I read a review or talk to an audience member, I love to hear what they thought of my character.

I have played rather mean characters in the past and I love it when people come up to me after and say, "Oh, I hated Jessie." or "You're so diferent in real life." It tells me I am doing my job properly. That when I am on stage or camera, they see the character rather than me.

I think CSI_in_training (in the 'why arn't you posting thread')said it perfectly. We may not like the character, but we must respect the actress for being able to portray the character that way.

In CSI:Miami, for example. I dispise the character of Natalia (well, she is actually growing on me now) but I LOVE Eva La Rue. I would never say I 'hated' Eve for how she plays Nat. If anything I say well done for making me dislike Nat when I like Eva so much.

So I have read that peole think Lindsay is "One Dimensional" and "Stand-offish" but did it every occur to anyone this may be the way the writers want her to be portrayed.

To give an exmple, I spent the entire first few seasons of Without a Trace thinking Samantha was cold. But then we found out things about her past that explained it all. I guess what I am trying to say is that I don't agree with you.

I am by no means discrediting your opinons, after all that's all we really base out posts on. But she wouldn't be a character if she didn't have a purpose. Script writers do not spend time developing and writing characters if they do not have a point to them. That would be a waste of time and money.

All I am saying is, try to think of the reasons behind her personality, think why the writers have made her the way she is.

There is always a reason.

Jodie
xx

 

[PerfectAnomaly]

adorelo said:
OK well, Hi. I have read the majority of posts on here but I am sorry if I repeat anything someone has already said.

I have been advised by several people to come on here and post what alot of people are thinking. I am actually going to quote mself to make matters easier.

I am an actress myself and, personally, when I read a review or talk to an audience member, I love to hear what they thought of my character.

I have played rather mean characters in the past and I love it when people come up to me after and say, "Oh, I hated Jessie." or "You're so diferent in real life." It tells me I am doing my job properly. That when I am on stage or camera, they see the character rather than me.

I think CSI_in_training (in the 'why arn't you posting thread')said it perfectly. We may not like the character, but we must respect the actress for being able to portray the character that way.

In CSI:Miami, for example. I dispise the character of Natalia (well, she is actually growing on me now) but I LOVE Eva La Rue. I would never say I 'hated' Eve for how she plays Nat. If anything I say well done for making me dislike Nat when I like Eva so much.

So I have read that peole think Lindsay is "One Dimensional" and "Stand-offish" but did it every occur to anyone this may be the way the writers want her to be portrayed.

To give an exmple, I spent the entire first few seasons of Without a Trace thinking Samantha was cold. But then we found out things about her past that explained it all. I guess what I am trying to say is that I don't agree with you.

I am by no means discrediting your opinons, after all that's all we really base out posts on. But she wouldn't be a character if she didn't have a purpose. Script writers do not spend time developing and writing characters if they do not have a point to them. That would be a waste of time and money.

All I am saying is, try to think of the reasons behind her personality, think why the writers have made her the way she is.

There is always a reason.

Jodie
xx

I think a lot of us who dislike Lindsay/Anna have tried to figure out how she is supposed to be as a character. The arguement we've made repeatedly is that from the writing and portrayal, we can't figure it out and after two seasons on the show that's not a good thing.

My interpretation is that the audience is supposed to like Lindsay and see her as a part of the team as well as a viable romatic match for Danny. Everything I see in the writing and the portrayal contradicts that. Even if I did clearly see what was intended for the character, that doesn't change the fact that I think Lindsay is a poorly written and developed character and that Anna Belknap is not a very good actress, at least in this particular role.

Stating this in no way means I am discounting other's opinions or trying to change them. And I don't think it's insensitive or mean for me to say how and why I don't like the character or the actress' portrayal of the character. Critiquing Anna Belknap's performance is NOT making a judgement about who she is as a person, it's merely expressing an opinion about her performance as a certain character.

 

[adorelo]

At the moment I am simply looking at the character of Lindsay, on her own, not her interactions with anyone else.

Off this, I can understand where your views are coming from. She doens't seem to do much. But again I must say that this is for a reason.

The producers of these TV shows go the great lengths to find the right characters for the parts. They will not hire someone (even an extra) if they are not right. Belive me, I have been turned down for a few roles becasue I was not 'what they were looking for'.

Her interactions with the other characters, especially Danny, seems a little... forced at times. But I think this is because of lindsay rather than Anna. I would like to see more and see how she develops in the future before properly developing my opinion of that area.

Like I said, I am only offering up my opinion. This is all about friendly debate and I enjoy hearing you're views on the characters.

Much Love,
Jodie
xxxx

 

[Elsie]

I've always struggled to work out exactly what the writers are trying to achieve with the character of Lindsay. And I would have to say that I think they have been inconsistent with her, which certainly won't have helped.

But personally I simply find that the character is not believable. For example, when the writers (IMO) write something which requires her to emote, it simply doesn't come across that way on screen. I didn't mind her in most of season 2, and find that so far this season she has been, for the most part, OK. In my opinion, she is better at lighter stuff.

adorelo said:All I am saying is, try to think of the reasons behind her personality, think why the writers have made her the way she is.

There is always a reason.

Sometimes the reason is more complex, I personally don't think that writing can be blamed for it all. Lindsay had her 'big secret' storyline, if there was any reason for the writers to make her character 'stand offish' then surely that would be it? But in my opinion, it wouldn't explain away the lack of depth or believability.

The producers of these TV shows go the great lengths to find the right characters for the parts.

I'm sure they do, but I'm sure that sometimes they can make mistakes. Anna herself has said that she wasn't great in the audition for the part, but she must have done something right as they hired her anyway. I wonder if they changed their mind about what they wanted from the character? Obviously the original 'Summer Hamilton' role was completely different from Lindsay Monroe, so maybe they were never really sure what they wanted to achieve with the character.

 

[adorelo]

I agree they have ben inconsistant with her, but that is down to the writing. She is working with what she has.

Maybe she is struggling with the character. And I hope that, if she is, the writers will take this into considoration and help her out with scenes she can work with untill she gets bck on track.

I think Anna could do something great with Lindsay.

 

[Faylinn]

Lindsay is a combination of writing and acting for me. Sometimes the writing is inconsistent or it's hard to decipher what they're going for with the scene. A lot of the time, the acting doesn't pull me in or convey to me what the character is supposed to get across. The differing interpretations of Lindsay's behaviors and motivations and whatnot are proof of that, I think.

So no, it's not just the actress, and no, it's not just the writers, but they aren't meeting in the middle and I think it shows.

I love "Torchwood", but I'm not a huge fan of Owen as a character--but even though I don't like him, he doesn't make me enjoy the show less. He's a character that people seem to either love or hate. I never doubt the acting, and the writing for him is consistent even when they show different layers to his personality. There's just something about Lindsay that's different for me. On all of the shows I watch, there are probably characters I don't like, but it's not the same. *shrug*

 

[PerfectAnomaly]

Elsie said:

adorelo said:
The producers of these TV shows go the great lengths to find the right characters for the parts.

I'm sure they do, but I'm sure that sometimes they can make mistakes. Anna herself has said that she wasn't great in the audition for the part, but she must have done something right as they hired her anyway.

Anna also said that she asked Hill Harper, with whom she had worked before, to "put in a good word" for her with TPTB. Just like in other professions, it's not always what you know but who you know. I have no idea if that's why she got the part, but the fact that she admitted her audition was bad and she called in a favor can make one wonder why she did get the part.

 

[Top41]

I personally think if Anna could do something great with Lindsay, we would have seen it by now. Melina was given that crap storyline with the stalker boyfriend that made Stella act out of character and yet, as horrible as that storyline was, Melina was awesome.

Contrast that with Anna. The dark secret actually wasn't a bad storyline--it was traumatic and emotional and could have been a very interesting thing about the character. But it just wasn't, because Anna's acting was so bad. She couldn't pull off the crying, she came off as flat when she should have been emoting (like in the scene with Mac and Stella when she told them she was going to testify in the trial), etc. I agree that some of it is the writing for the character, but really, some of it is Anna, too.

Fay brings up Owen from Torchwood, who I think is a good example. Personally, I really love the character but I can see why many others hate him. But the writing for him is complex and the actor who portrays him is great. The writers do want us to dislike him sometimes, and they get that across well, with good writing and Burn Gorman's acting.

Contrast that with Lindsay. We're not supposed to dislike her--that's not the intention the writers have when they write for her. But many of us do, and I think that's telling. I think I'd actually like her more if she was a character that was being written so that we were supposed to dislike her, if that makes any sense. Like Owen--he's a little shit sometimes, but you kind of get where he's coming from as the show progresses, and that makes him interesting. Lindsay has none of that depth.

 

[poison girl]

^^ We're not supposed to hate Lindsay but we do, and I think that's the main problem. She was supposed to be the kindness in person, the perfect girl with a very dark past who did get over it and went to the big city to make her dreams come true, but instead we get a multi-personality woman who breaks down in the middle of an autopsy after standing in the middle of a room full of teenagers deads and say that's anything compared with what she've seen.

Maybe the scipters have part of the blame in here, of course they are, but maybe their fault is to try to make a personality to suit Anna's acting skills and not find any. Now they're trying to make her some sort of lab tech who smiles too much and too false for my liking, but hey, maybe they finally find some personality for her (Scrunch in a Christmas episode maybe :lol

 

[Lorelai]

Top41 said: He said Lindsay sold Flack out (by showing Mac the evidence of Flack's team raiding the drug den with the black cocaine) and that he (Flack) was still mad about that!

Faylinn said: He might have been joking, but I could see him wishing that she'd come to him with the evidence first--the way she did bringing Danny the DNA results in "RSRD".

Thas was posted in Flack’s topic..


About her giving Danny the heads up in RSRD, do you see it as a generous act? I remember someone saying a few weeks ago in this tread that it was the one & only moment that Lindsay wasn’t her “it’s all about me” usual self. I didn’t get that feeling. She clearly had a crush on Danny, she wanted a piece of his @ss. Makes sense to want his @ss safe then. And make herself look good in his eyes, while she's at it. :lol: Again, it comes down to her. That much for hoping she’ll have someone’s back for real. The prove of true caring would have been to do the same for Flack. Again, one more prove that she just doesn’t fit.

By Lindsay not seeing Flack as part of the family, she only proves that she is the one who’s not part of the family. Again.