O#&$^TO&*^$!
Jul. 22nd, 2011 01:25 pmNevermind the title; it has nothing to do with this entry, but rather, it's an expression of my current mood.
Last night I finally saw one of the Perry Mason episodes I've been trying for thirteen or so years to see: The Case of Paul Drake's Dilemma. It was cut, unfortunately, so I ordered the uncut immediately afterward.
But it was awesome with as much of it as was there. Mr. Burger's reluctance to prosecute Paul was very obvious, just as I'd read it was. He really looks rather agonized as the case goes on and it's looking worse and worse for Paul.
And while mulling over his interaction with Perry and company in that episode and countless others, I have come to a strange and yet sensible conclusion. I'm surprised it didn't occur to me before, actually.
Perry and Mr. Burger are friends. Very, very strange friends (and rivals too), but friends nevertheless.
It's so logical. Think of the times they've gone to lunch or dinner or the times Mr. Burger has popped in at Perry's office or vice versa (generally on official business, but still, it's Mr. Burger's whole relaxed attitude about it, such as in The Lame Canary). Mr. Burger even feels relaxed enough in The Lame Canary episode to make the wry comment that closes the episode. The five principle characters really seemed like a group of friends in that epilogue scene. And in The Curious Bride, when Perry uncovers the true murderer, Mr. Burger's reaction is very very interesting. He stands up from the table they're at, places a hand on Perry's shoulder, and basically promises that he will see that the true murderer is prosecuted while Perry's client will go free.
And things like lunches, dinners, and office visits are taken in stride by all the characters. No one seems to find it the least bit odd, in spite of Mr. Burger often feeling on the rocks with Perry in the courtroom. I think the only time any of the characters found any of their interaction odd is when Lieutenant Tragg is surprised that Perry and Mr. Burger are trying to solve a case together in The Prudent Prosecutor. (That is not the only time they've tried to work together, though.)
Even though Mr. Burger is often not pleased by Perry's courtroom antics and tricks, Perry seems to respect him a great deal (although that doesn't stop him from making teasing comments in some episodes). He is adamant that Mr. Burger would not stoop to bugging his office in The Rolling Bones. (Paul, on the other hand, isn't so sure---but Perry is proven right.) And in The Purple Woman, Perry reads an article to Della that Mr. Burger wrote.
They also tend to call each other by their first names at times. Very interestingly familiar with each other for rivals.
All in all, I'd say the evidence is stacking up.
Last night I finally saw one of the Perry Mason episodes I've been trying for thirteen or so years to see: The Case of Paul Drake's Dilemma. It was cut, unfortunately, so I ordered the uncut immediately afterward.
But it was awesome with as much of it as was there. Mr. Burger's reluctance to prosecute Paul was very obvious, just as I'd read it was. He really looks rather agonized as the case goes on and it's looking worse and worse for Paul.
And while mulling over his interaction with Perry and company in that episode and countless others, I have come to a strange and yet sensible conclusion. I'm surprised it didn't occur to me before, actually.
Perry and Mr. Burger are friends. Very, very strange friends (and rivals too), but friends nevertheless.
It's so logical. Think of the times they've gone to lunch or dinner or the times Mr. Burger has popped in at Perry's office or vice versa (generally on official business, but still, it's Mr. Burger's whole relaxed attitude about it, such as in The Lame Canary). Mr. Burger even feels relaxed enough in The Lame Canary episode to make the wry comment that closes the episode. The five principle characters really seemed like a group of friends in that epilogue scene. And in The Curious Bride, when Perry uncovers the true murderer, Mr. Burger's reaction is very very interesting. He stands up from the table they're at, places a hand on Perry's shoulder, and basically promises that he will see that the true murderer is prosecuted while Perry's client will go free.
And things like lunches, dinners, and office visits are taken in stride by all the characters. No one seems to find it the least bit odd, in spite of Mr. Burger often feeling on the rocks with Perry in the courtroom. I think the only time any of the characters found any of their interaction odd is when Lieutenant Tragg is surprised that Perry and Mr. Burger are trying to solve a case together in The Prudent Prosecutor. (That is not the only time they've tried to work together, though.)
Even though Mr. Burger is often not pleased by Perry's courtroom antics and tricks, Perry seems to respect him a great deal (although that doesn't stop him from making teasing comments in some episodes). He is adamant that Mr. Burger would not stoop to bugging his office in The Rolling Bones. (Paul, on the other hand, isn't so sure---but Perry is proven right.) And in The Purple Woman, Perry reads an article to Della that Mr. Burger wrote.
They also tend to call each other by their first names at times. Very interestingly familiar with each other for rivals.
All in all, I'd say the evidence is stacking up.