When Television And Music Join Forces

I did not mention television once yesterday! Not once! Time to make up for that, as today I would like to discuss some synergistic musical television moments. Those times when no matter how good a scene is, it turns magical when paired with just the right song. Likewise, sometimes a song by itself ranges from good to awesome, but becomes unforgettable when used on a show in just the right way. Here are some of those times, in my humble opinion (™Patty and Angela Chase):


1. "Full of Grace" by Sarah Mclachlan in "Becoming, Part II" ("Buffy")

This one is classic. Almost any "Buffy" fan will agree on that! Following up genius Christophe Beck must have been tough, but "Full of Grace" is perfect. That beat, that tiny beat after "Close Your Eyes" ends, right before the opening strains of "Full of Grace" -- it's this perfect moment of stillness between the horror Buffy's been through and the crushing depression to follow.


2. "Hallelujah" by Jeff Buckley in "The Model Home" ("The O.C.")

I'd fallen in love with this song before I ever watched "The O.C.," and didn't think it could make me feel any more than it already did. But "The O.C." music people are pretty unfailingly awesome. I thought that in the first several episodes, the Ryan/Marissa relationship was very compelling, that you got a sense of two seemingly very different people drawn together by a desperate loneliness that they kept hidden from everyone but each other. And in this scene, with the empty house, the fire, the frustration and the sadness, "Hallelujah" is the perfect song -- haunting and complex, and the line, "It's a cold and its a broken Hallelujah," says it all.


3. "Harder Now That It's Over" by Ryan Adams in "The Storm" ("Felicity")

Oh my word! This scene is so hard to watch. Keri Russell's such a phenomenal actress, and this episode is absolutely heartwrenching. Her letter pleading with Ben to look beyond the surface -- beyond the useless words, to what they have together that goes so much deeper -- makes me cry every single time. And "Harder Now That It's Over" is lovely without intruding on the voiceover and the montage (yay!) of bittersweet Ben and Felicity moments. Aww.


4. "Return To Innocence" by Enigma in "The Zit" ("My So-Called Life")

I love the way this show can take something so trivial as a pimple and use it as a catalyst to bring healing to Angela's relationships with both Sharon and her mother. And I always loved this song, because it kind of makes me feel like I'm flying. It's so perfect for this moment, where Angela watches Sharon and her mom, and Danielle and Patty walk down the runway in the fashion show. I think it really captures that fleeting period of time as a teenage girl, where your relationship with your mother is so confusing, because you keep clashing since you're growing up and think you know everything, but you're also still a girl who wants her mommy. It's like in this moment, Angela sort of realizes that no matter what a person's age, she wants to feel special and beautiful, and the more we can all help each other and ourselves feel that way, the happier we'll be.


5. "My Lover's Prayer" by Otis Redding in "From Where To Eternity"
("The Sopranos")

Another show that does a GREAT job with its music. Otis Redding's voice is so plaintive and wonderful. And maybe it's just my own interpretation, but I think his hopeful words in "My Lover's Prayer" belie a resignation to a sadder fate. Kind of like most of the characters on "The Sopranos." This episode makes you think that maybe Christopher's going to turn his life around as he has his otherworldly experience, but attempts at positive life changes never really work out too well for the people on this show. "My life is such a weary thing," indeed.

©2005