Wonderful scene, better than the "Emily" scene in the Broadway production with Paul Newman as the Stage Manager. But Danes has always been overrated. This is a multi-camera shoot and this is not a single take of Danes reaction.
I wrote a comment here several years ago, but it seems to have been deleted. A few things that I've always noticed about this scene, even as a 12 year old in the 90's is how for once, Rayanne does not have her usual elaborate hair styles (no funky braids, unnatural hair colors etc) her hair is just flat and straight, she's not wearing her usual mismatched clothes or dark lipstick. I believe this was done on purpose to show that Rayanne was so depressed/distraught that she didn't even care to keep up her usual appearance, which she ALWAYS did. This is one of the only times I remember seeing her look this way on the show. As a preteen I got that scene was supposed to be sort of a metaphor for the situation going on between Angela and Rayanne, but now at nearly 40, Rayannes lines from Our town make me think about high school and youth in general. Typically our problems as teens seem so HUGE to us, a breakup with a friend or boyfriend/girlfriend can feel like the end of the world when we're 15, and I don't think many of us appreciate being young and in H.S till way after its over. It's fleeting, yet when we're doing it, it seems like it'll never end. Now I would do anything just to go back again, and I'd embrace my adolescent problems with a smile, lol..Compared to my adulthood problems, my teens were a breeze and my "problems " were so simple in hindsight. I never actually saw or read the play for Our town but by this scene it's obvious it's partly about appreciating life and not realizing what you have till its gone. This scene is so well done, even the little attention to detail like Rayannes toned down look, it STILL saddens me that we never got another season of this amazing show!
The hands-down best actor in that series was "Angela's" mother, played by the wonderful Bess Armstrong, also great in the early Tom Hanks' film, "Nothing In Common," with Hanks and Jackie Gleason.
Not by those who've seen it. Not only is it a wonderful interpretation of Wilder's scene near the end of "Our Town," it adds an extra layer because of Rayanne's betrayal of Angela. This is really brilliant.
When I saw this scene I really understood the difference between good and amazing acting. Claire danes was amazing in this and she barely said anything.
When I was a teenager I watched this episode like 200000 times and never cried...but now in my 30s I'm balling my eyes out. realizing mortality is a hell of a thing. Great Scene
Eons later and here I am doing a search for what was arguably the best and most standout scene of this entire series. Quite possibly the only one that I even remember specifically. I surprised myself that I still remember the words; even the emotional inflections from the actresses! Lol. This scene single handedly lead me to the wonderful play and in hindsight, maybe even my love and passion for the industry. It still resonates so deeply with me. What a nice nostalgic gem ❤️
Elizabeth Darvell I don't know if I could because she was a BESTIE. Men are whatever but your best friend hooking up with your man/ex is something I don't think I could get over.
+Vitaluv Yeah but Rayanne was also intoxicated. .not an excuse but we tend to not have the best judgement while under the influence of alcohol. While I never hooked up with any of my best friends boyfriends I did however hook up with people while drunk that I never would have if I had been sober..this was back in H.S..I think the reason Angela forgives Jordan but not Rayanne is because she wanted him so bad. Ever notice that even in real life if a woman gets cheated on or is betrayed they usually blame and hate the other woman and forgive the guy? Love blinds us and makes us want to overlook the bad things. I can understand why she forgave Jordan and I believe that if the show continued she would have eventually forgiven Rayanne but their friendship would never be the same. From what I've read the writer of the show was going to have Angela get with Brian in the 2nd series so I'm guessing she would have gotten rid of both Jordan and Rayanne and just stayed close to Ricki and maybe even Sharon. Unfortunately we never got to see that. .
Such an exemple of a writing and acting masterclass. Maybe is because I’m more like Angela and Rickie, I felt so angry with Rayanne many times. But just like, came back infatuated with her. It’s truly heartbreaking, but there are people we need to say goodbye to, even though we really love them. It’s tragic to think about what possibly became of Rayanne’s future after her breakup with Angela.
I just started watching this again last 49 years old I know crazy lol but amazing how a show can take you back to those crazy awkward years in high school.
One of the more powerful scenes ever, on television! I've adored Claire Danes and "MSCL" since first seeing them, decades ago. A few days ago, my 16 y/o daughter decided to begin watching it also. We sat together and enjoyed pouring through the several DVD's I have. Now she understands my fervor. This show needs to be revived, with a new cast, but the VERY SAME philosophy, mind set, attitudes. DO NOT turn it into another PC CORRECT piece of shit!
yeah this show ruined the play though. Thornton Wilder the author of Our Town complained the play was never performed properly and that it should be performed with sincerity but not sentimentality. This episode didn't do the play justice.
You understand that in the world of the show, they were high school students, right? And in the reality of the drama, the lines were actually a commentary on Rayanne's betrayal; the play - as wondrous as it was and still is - was not the point of that line reading at all.
I think that was the whole intent of the scene. It wasn't that Rayanne was really thinking about how to interpret Wilder's words properly but that she was caught up in the emotion of betraying someone she loved and how much it hurt her. That's what makes it so moving and beautiful.
it's a PROGRAMME, not a "show". A show is what you see at the theatre. I know they say 'show' for TV programmes in the US, but the US needs to change to fit in with everyone else. Say 'programme' not 'show'. And your spelling should change too, and say 'mum' not mom. Mom is wrong. Plus I've never heard of 'Our Town'. US culture isn't really relevant to me.
And who the fuck made you the grand emperor? Why does anyone have to change to fit anyone else? It was a beautiful show, series, program, season, whatever you want to call it. And while it's mum in some countries, it's mom in others, mama in others, and other words in other languages. I realize you're trying to be a major prick, so congratulations on a goal achieved. It must feel so righteous to be so pompous and yet so unloved and unwelcome.
I realize you're trolling, but if you want to discuss the need to fit in with others, the majority of Europe drives on the right hand side of the road.
Preciosa serie la miraba en 1996 cuando la dieron aca en Uruguay .Que recuerdos me vienen a la mente cuando estaba en los veinte, el primer amor y esa decada de mi vida que fue la mejor.
