Tarzan: "When someone needs help, I help. Don't you?"

Acclaimed singer/guitarist Jose Feliciano gave life to the theme song for the short-lived TV series QUEEN OF SWORDS. The haunting lyrics and music by Steve Plunkett and Spencer Proffer played gently in the back of my mind as I watched this second episode of the WB's TARZAN. The song spoke of the masks that we all hide behind. Each one of us plays a role in life trying to appear as though we truly occupy a certain position in life. Quite often, though, that appearance is merely a mask hiding who we really are. In the second millennium of this age many people feel the need to pretend to be something they are not just to get by. "Tarzan John," a man not affected by the quickened pace of materialistic 2003, does not wear the mask.

Or at least that is what the producers want us to think. In this beautifully crafted second episode we have the pleasure of meeting "Tarzan John's" aunt "Kathleen Clayton," expertly played by veteran actress Lucy Lawless (no need to add a hyperlink here, just type her name into an Internet search to find numerous of pages dedicated to the actress—though none of them official, oddly enough). I admit that I find her to be one of the finest actresses working today. I recall Mariette Hartley telling her "don't quit your day job" on the ROSIE O'DONNELL SHOW in 1997. Fortunately, Ms. Lawless didn't listen. We learn that "Kathleen," a.k.a. "Kate" to brother "Richard," also wants to control the one third share of Greystoke Industries that was left in limbo twenty years ago when their brother "John," the third "Clayton" sibling, was killed in a plane crash in the Republic of Congo along with his wife and son. "Kathleen" puts up a front as a very busy and powerful woman running ‘STAR Magazine.' She is one who apparently does not have time to dwell on the past unlike "Richard" who kept going back to the jungle to look for the family's remains. "Jane Porter," who is now on a quest to learn more about the mysterious "Tarzan John" learns about "Kathleen" in an Internet search and goes to visit to find out if "Kathleen" might prove to be a worthy ally. Ms. Lawless played the part of the busy executive with great aplomb. I'd be scared to approach her in her magazine offices so it makes sense that only a police detective could get that far into her inner sanctum. When "Jane" asks "Kathleen" why she wants the one-third of the trust fund, a mask falls. Rather than actually being the type-A executive out to grab all the cash she can, like "Richard," "Kathleen" explains that she wants to give the money away. She explains that Greystoke once cared about people when her father and older brother "John" were in charge. However, when "Jane" suggests that "Kathleen" could still control the trust because "John, Jr." has been found alive, "Kathleen" instinctively slams the mask back on in order to protect herself from a cop possibly on the take and in "Richard's" pocket. Ms. Lawless' facial glances and timing made the viewer understand "Kathleen's" feelings.

Another mask falls when "Kathleen" goes to visit "Richard in his "Greystoke" office in order to scope out whether or not the detective might have been telling the truth. In the first episode, he wore loose fitting clothing and spoke of wanting to help "Tarzan John" after reintroducing him into American society. We knew he was lying, but the characters around him may have been unsure if he was a good guy or not. In the second episode of TARZAN, "Richard only wears fine business suits and clearly tells "Kathleen" that he wants the one-third trust in order to "keep Greystoke strong." "Richard" is not the caring brother wanting to help his nephew that he pretends to be, rather he is a powerful businessman and he wants to become more powerful no matter what steps he has to take to achieve his goal. This was a very tense scene in which the tension was heightened by shooting both characters from the same angle rather than one being placed higher (hence more powerful) than the other. For now, at least, we know that "Kathleen" and "Richard" are on an equal playing field and each needs a pawn to help his or her side.

"Jane's" boyfriend "Michael" is also unmasked in this episode. Last week he wanted to marry her. This week he wants to give her more time to think…that is, until he sees her with "Tarzan John." His mask falls when he pushes "Jane" to marry him again. "Michael" does not love "Jane" so much as he wants to be the man to have her. "Michael's" Jekyll and Hyde behavior towards "Jane" creates much conflict for her (so much so that she tells everything to her younger sister whose role so far has just been to explain Jane's behavior to the audience). Unfortunately "Michael" dies a tragic death so we do not know where this conflict might have led.

The criminals of the week tied nicely into the theme of "Richard's" commandos trying to capture "Tarzan John." The commandos seem to know "Tarzan John" better than "Jane" does. They try to lure him into situations where he has to help people so they can trap him. "Jane" wants to know why "Tarzan John" always leaps into the fray to help the commandos' prey. "Tarzan John" replies "When someone needs help, I help. Don't you?" This is when the last mask falls...or at least falters. "Jane," and the audience, wonder if she really wants to help people on the street including "Tarzan John," or does she just help because she likes the power and the thrill the adventures give her. We know that she is afraid of her own mask, because she requires "Tarzan John" to wear some of "Michael's" clothes rather than his own tattered shirt and jeans. She tells him that he can't go around New York in tatters. (Au contraire, Jane! That is just one of the many outfits one can wear in NYC and blend in.) "Jane" wants "Tarzan John" to hide behind a mask like everyone else, because she is slightly uncomfortable with the idea that there is one person who is free and comfortable to be who he is.

The scene in which an injured "Tarzan John" is introduced his "Aunt Kathleen" was very moving for me. Again, as I admitted above, this is probably because Ms. Lawless' acting moves me so. The camera shot her face from ever so slightly below, so that even though all the actors seemed to be about the same height, she appeared a bit more powerful and able to provide help in the scene. The slightest movement of her eyes as she looked at "John," an almost imperceptible curl of her lips, and the hesitation and timbre of her voice as she asked about, and at the same moment recognized, her long lost nephew--now all grown--made me feel the years of loss she had felt along with the sudden rush of joy in finding this boy who was a treasure in her family and the son of her beloved brother. Finally, maybe she had an ally; maybe "Kathleen" had family again. The only thing missing that I would have liked to have heard would have been "Tarzan John" uttering something like "Aunt Kate." At the times Travis Fimmel spoke as "Tarzan John" in this episode his voice gave hope and encouragement in his few words. He comes across as a hero I wish was roaming my streets today. Perhaps "Kathleen Clayton" hoped for that same recognition and this is something on which other episodes could be built.

I didn't enjoy Sarah Wayne Callies' work as "Detective Jane Porter" as much in this second episode. She seemed a little weak as if she was working hard to act rather than acting to look natural. Though the series is entitled "Tarzan," Ms. Callies really had to carry most of the episode. As a new actress to television, this is rather difficult, but based on her performance in the first episode I believe she will step up to the challenge in the weeks to come.

I continue to like the writing in the series. In this episode and in the last, all the bits and pieces from different character lives intersect and tie together in the conclusion. I have not been left with wondering how something happened or where something came from to help the problem. (I still do not understand how "Harry Potter" suddenly got out of a jamb in the first movie of the series!) The cinematography is beautiful, the editing and the direction all seem tight. At first, I wondered how they would carry the show forward with "Michael's" departure as "Jane's" love interest (unless he returns ala the SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN), but now I see that just keeping "Tarzan John" safe will create quite a few future stories. Logically the courts should rule that "John Clayton, Jr." is a legal, adult, citizen of the United States and that he can travel about freely and control the one-third trust on his own. Since "Richard Clayton" is rich, powerful, and has much of the criminal justice system in his pocket, protecting "Tarzan John" will be a challenge. Are "Detective Porter" and "Kathleen Clayton" up to it? We will see.

I give this episode 10 out of a possible 10 skyscraper jungles for an excellent conclusion to the introduction of the "Tarzan meets Jane in NYC" story.

Taram (TVtome.com)