Break a Leg

Hey everyone.

My name is Albert and my last name happens to be Baranovsky. I know, there's Yuri, Vlad, now Albert? Don't worry, I'm not another brother. I'm not even a grandfather. I'm just their father and I have a question for you.

I've been arguing with my sons (and sometimes with my wife) about my son in-law, David Penn. More specifically, about his character. I understand that he has a hard, strange life with big, strange challenges but he's too serious for me. I want more irony, more sarcasm, even a smile here and there. I want him to relax and enjoy his life a little bit, but my family doesn't agree, so I decided to ask all of you guys what you thought.

Is David Penn too serious?

Soon we'll have my mom's borscht recipe up and we'll have the whole family participating!

As far as irony and sarcasm, I think David has plenty of that. Smiling is something we don't see much (I remember thinking that it was kind of weird to see Yuri laughing in the bloopers). It would be cool to see him relax a little and get happy, but it doesn't really seem to be part of David's character (yet).

Personally, I believe our Little Mr. Penn has little to be jolly about at present. He is swept up in a world so far beyond his understanding that he must put forth immense effort just to remain merely confused. As the situation becomes more dire and bizarre, David's consternation will be the one thing that will cause his audience to empathize with him. Were he to make light of this obtuse reality, we the viewers would wonder what kind of sick mind could delight in such chaos. He suffers and we feel for him for that; pity him, maybe. Is David Penn too serious? No. He's just a man.

jennifer's reply is spot on.

I think David's character is perfect the way he is. It's pretty humorous when you throw such a character in the same environment with other characters. Also, when he finally smiles for a good story-related reason, it will be more meaningful.

Jennifer, stop your pretentious rambling. I haven't I told you to stop hanging out with these actor types and get a REAL job, honey? Oh, and remember, my company dinner tonight at 6:00!

*GASP*

plot spoiler or general silliness?

Do I still need to pick up your dry-cleaning?

PLOT SPOILER OR SILLINESS!?!?

Only time will tell, Kevin. Only time will tell.

And time is such a gossip.

Yes, the dry cleaning and how about some flowers ... real ones this time ... not a romantic looking leaf, darling.

That leaf represented everything that was beautiful about nature. It was an allegory. I just...are tulips ok?