A flip from Dionysus to Apollo?
Jazzage
There's been a lack of musical content on the recent shows and
it seems we've responded here in the the newsgroup in our own
ways: we have exchanged tapes amongst ourselves, shared how our
musical tastes have been broadened by the show, Jason reposted
an article specifically relating to musical content, etc. We
have all felt the absense of the musical element, perhaps?
Now, music is associated in classic theatre (read: Greek) with
the demi-god Dionysus; Dionysus represents rebellion, chaos,
energy, drunkenness, bacchanalia, etc. Basically your Grand Master
of good times. Good times as in the first four seasons of NX.
The Dionysian is opposed by the Apollonian: Apollo is rational
and controlled, the god of "higher truth" over chaotic energy.
Apollo is the god of all plastic energies, sculpture and form.
Apollonian theatre is more moralistic, well-defined and "harmonious".
So, has the show finally "sobered up"?
I would suggest that, yes, the show in this season has done a major
turn-around from the Dionysian towards the Apollonian. Look at the
inferences: the fact that the music is all but gone is the single
greatest "clue" towards the movement away from Dionysian energy to
Apollonian control. Chris the DJ used to fill our ears with music
and spoken word, now he is more concerned with the form of his
trailer's porch and taking pictures of his statues. I also note
that Kevin mentioned Michelle's butt as being a saving grace of
this season, but another example of sculpture-like form.
Going back to "Dinner at 7:30", Chris' speech about self-knowledge
already informed us of of the Apollonian direction the show is
taking. Nietzsche wrote:
"Apollo, as ethical deity, exacts measure of his disciples, and,
to that end, he requires self-knowledge. And so, side by side with
the esthetic neccesity for beauty, there occurs the demands "know
thyself" and "nothing overmuch." Nothing overmuch, indeed!
So the Apollonian raises it's head, the Dionysian retreats (Chris,
the Dionysian representative, has left twice in the last week: from
both council chambers and from Ed's dinner). I wonder how this theme
will reverberate in the rest of the programs - remember Tranquility
Base? Chris wants to get smashed, but can't find anybody to drink with
him. At least he's still _trying_ to tie into the Dionysian. Maybe.
ciao amigos!
Chas
cand...@lewiston.com
---
"..music is distinguished from all the other arts by the fact that
it is not a copy of the phenomenon..but is the direct copy of the
will itself, and therefore exhibits itself as the metaphysical to
everything physical in the world, and as the thing-in-itself to every
phenomenom. We might,therefore, just as well call the world embodied
music as embodied will; and this is the reason why music makes every
picture, and indeed every scene of real life and of the world, at once
appear with higher significance..." - Friedrich Nietzsche
TTrocc7007
Very cool stuff here. Is in fact NoEx the Bullfinch of OUR lives?
Your Fred Nietzsche quote is PERFECT.
Tom Troccoli
Jazzage
Glad you liked it. From one musician to another, I had a feeling you'd
appreciate that quote. :)
Chas
"it's only rock-and-roll but I like it"
SCR36
I'm so glad you brought this up. In "Burning Down the House", in the fling
scene, Chris thanks Maurice for "playing Apollo to my Dionysus in art's
Cartesian dialectic." Your discussion fits right in with that.
Ok, I'm not at all versed in the Greek theatre or Nietzsche's interpretation of
Greek dramas, so you'll have to forgive me for barging in with uninformed
opinions.
I agree with you about the lack of music in the later seasons (except for the
wonderful Baroque music we get from Cal) signifying the move away from the
Dionysian, but I'd say that the first four seasons were not only Dionysian, but
also Apollonian, in that the shows were a "controlled" chaos, sort of like an
abstract painting that may seem like a bunch of scribbles or dabs of paint, but
is a carefully designed work of art. But then again, what do I know? :-)
PS: That's a great quote from Nietzsche on music. Is that from his "Birth of
Tragedy"?
Sandy - LA
Chas wrote:
> There's been a lack of musical content on the recent shows and
> it seems we've responded here in the the newsgroup in our own
> ways: we have exchanged tapes amongst ourselves, shared how our
> musical tastes have been broadened by the show, Jason reposted
> an article specifically relating to musical content, etc. We
> have all felt the absense of the musical element, perhaps?
>
> Now, music is associated in classic theatre (read: Greek) with
> the demi-god Dionysus; Dionysus represents rebellion, chaos,
> energy, drunkenness, bacchanalia, etc. Basically your Grand Master
> of good times. Good times as in the first four seasons of NX.
>
> The Dionysian is opposed by the Apollonian: Apollo is rational
> and controlled, the god of "higher truth" over chaotic energy.
> Apollo is the god of all plastic energies, sculpture and form.
> Apollonian theatre is more moralistic, well-defined and "harmonious".
>
> So, has the show finally "sobered up"?
>
> I would suggest that, yes, the show in this season has done a major
> turn-around from the Dionysian towards the Apollonian. >>(I'm cutting out
some great stuff for bandwidth.)<<
Jazzage
> I'm so glad you brought this up. In "Burning Down the House", in
>the fling scene, Chris thanks Maurice for "playing Apollo to my
>Dionysus in art's Cartesian dialectic."
Thanks for mentioning that. It verifies that the writers were aware
of the Apollonian/Dionysian aspects of art and theatre.
> Ok, I'm not at all versed in the Greek theatre or Nietzsche's
> interpretation of Greek dramas,
Don't worry, I'm not a philosophy or theatre prof either. As for
Nietzsche, well, he'd probably say we were all wrong anyway. :)
> I agree with you about the lack of music in the later seasons
>(except for the wonderful Baroque music we get from Cal) signifying
>the move away from the Dionysian, but I'd say that the first four
>seasons were not only Dionysian, but also Apollonian, in that the
>shows were a "controlled" chaos, sort of like an abstract painting
>that may seem like a bunch of scribbles or dabs of paint, but is a
>carefully designed work of art. But then again, what do I know? :-)
I think you're right - if there is a "cartesian dialectic" to art,
then it follows that both aspects must work to together to create
synthesis. So there's both Apollonian and Dionysian elements in
this season as well as in the first five. But I think you'll agree
with me here, the first five seasons were predominantly "dionysian"
in the sense of their musical content, the 'quirkiness'/unexpected
plot twists that reflect chaos rather than formula, and the joy
that each episode brought to the viewer without their having to
_think_ about it. These are the very elements that are missing,
or at least are in remission, in season VI.
However, I think the writers were well aware of what they were
doing, as Apollonian/Dionysian opposition has been reflected in
recent plotlines. In "The Big Mushroom", for example, Ed is afraid
of the computer. The computer is technology, science - Apollo is
the god of science and rationality. Now, the German philosopher
Heidegger postulated that "technology" creates an attitude in
humanity that leads to treating things as MEANS rather than as
ENDS. So it's not a question of a mistake in continuity, of Ed
being wary of computers when he used them quite comfortably in
the past, as much as his now being somewhat aware that "technology"
can actually change the way a person treats the world. Ed is
basically a non-rational character, and his "weltanschauung"
as a shaman embodies that essence. He probably doesnt want to
lose his intuitive compassion for other people and for nature
itself.
This theme is repeated in "Mi Casa, Su Casa". The thing that Ed
becomes involved with (Maurice's house) literally changes his
personality! What did Chris say in "Up River"?: "What's a house?
It's a metaphor for the mind." The mind, rationality, Apollo.
Apollo/technology changes people's attitudes...just look at the
attitudes season VI creates in the newsgroup. There have been
more nasty arguments concerning this season than all of the
previous five combined!! I think that Heidegger was right on...
I also think the 'technological attitude' may also have something
to do with Chris' apparent personality changes:
"I've traveled the spiritual route. There's no answers there.
Only questions and paradox. But this, technology, it's something
I can get behind. Deis Novus. You know what I mean?"
"No!"
"The new God. What do you say?" ('Zarya')
Then, in "Full Upright Position", Chris actually _puts himself_
into a technological creation, while in the background plays
"Frankenstein"...
"What's the sun? It's kind of like a brain."
- Chris, before his technological ascension in F.U.P.
(yup, I really have been trying to figure this season out..<g>)
IMO, while it seems that the show in general has gone formulaic,
ie 'Apollonian', a few of the characters are hesitant to walk
the way of that solar deity. Ed is fearful of technology and the
"house"; Joel is leaving his more "rational self" behind and
becoming more intuitive, calm, etc. And Holling's resistance
towards moving into a house shows he prefers the Dionysian:
he'd remain above the bar, the very domain of Bacchus himself!
(What was it Shelly was buying in Ruth Anne's - grape leaves??)
Here's to the hope that the quirkiness and music comes back,
and Dionysus again reigns supreme (but don't get your hopes up -
we will probably have to wait for the first season to begin
again <g>). And here's also to Apollo, who while being somewhat
dry and predictable, at least bestows the power upon our _minds_
to enable us to try and figure out just what the hell is going
on this season!!!!
Chas
cand...@lewiston.com
> PS: That's a great quote from Nietzsche on music. Is that from
>his "Birth of Tragedy"?
Yup, picked it up at Powell's in Portland just before Cicelyfest.
The synopsis on the back cover reads: "Nietzsche declared that
Greek tragedy achieved greatness thru a fusion of elements of
Apollonian restraint and control with Dionysian components of
passion and the irrational. In Nietzsche's eyes, however, Greek
tragedy had been destroyed by the rationalism and optimism of
thinkers like Socrates. Nevertheless, he found in these ancient
works the life-affirming concept that existence is still beautiful,
however grim and depressing it may be at times." My argument is
based on Nietzsche's - what was once NX has been 'destroyed' by
the 'rationality' of this season. Hey, I guess that means we
are witnessing a replay of the history of theatre! Good to know
that the show is still based squarely on the classics. :P
PPS thanks for playing Dionysus to my Apollo in Usenet's
Cartesian dialectic ;)
SCR36
>PPS thanks for playing Dionysus to my Apollo in Usenet's
> Cartesian dialectic ;)
Thanks for indulging me. You are my Chris Stevens, man! You even look like him.
The thing that got me really hooked on NX was Chris's literary & philosophical
ramblings. Believe it or not, this is what turned some people off. Anyway, I'm
so glad that we can carry on where Chris left off.
> "What's the sun? It's kind of like a brain."
> - Chris, before his technological ascension in F.U.P.
Of course! Apollo is the sun god and represents the mind. Never noticed that
before.
This is why NX is more like literature than a TV show.
Sandy in LA
jazzage
> Thanks for indulging me. You are my Chris Stevens, man! You even look
like him.
Uh, I personally think I look more like Charles Bronson.
But thanks (I think). ;0
>The thing that got me really hooked on NX was Chris's literary &
>philosophical ramblings.
Exactly. One of the first eps I saw was the original rerun of Cicely;
when Kit started in on the Hegelian dialectic and freedom of will, I
knew I had found "my" show. I've seen it three or four times since
then, and it has never ceased to amaze me. Well, maybe ONE or TWO
episodes.... :)
> Believe it or not, this is what turned some
> people off. Anyway, I'm so glad that we can carry on where Chris
> left off.
It's a wonder this show is taught in college. I find it's a
great inspiration to try and learn what the heck they're actually
"trying to say".
> > "What's the sun? It's kind of like a brain."
> > - Chris, before his technological ascension in F.U.P.
>
> Of course! Apollo is the sun god and represents the mind. Never noticed
> that before.
Neither had I! I talked to Marie at the chili cook-off about the
ideas in the show, and she said that she, too, notices new things
upon each viewing. It's definitely an inspired program; inspired
works continue to inspire through repeated exposure - one of the
reasons works such as the Bible continue to remain top-sellers. :)
> This is why NX is more like literature than a TV show.
I agree with you 110%! :)
ciao, companero
Chas
cand...@lewiston.com
>
> Sandy in LA
Patience99
Sometimes I think I read this ng just for his musings (and Erik's great
song-filled analyses of the daily eps).
I find myself hanging on to daily NX viewing for the same reason -- the
Chris/lit/philosophy angle. (But, wasn't it great when he decided that Casey
was just about "that" feeling -- nothing more?)
Frankly, Joel got on my nerves, and so did Maggie by the fourth season. Maybe
that's why we find ourselves bored in the beginning of the sixth season -- many
of the eps leave behind the "Chris in the Morning" thread that weaves the muse
through the thematic fabric of the shows.
As long as we are talking mythology here -- would Roslyn (Cicely's lover) be an
Athenian symbol? Just thinking aloud here, folks. Besides, Athena is my
highest aspiration (besides the celibacy -- I think that part'd kill me!)
--Patience
WingMoose
one!!!
I second your thoughts about Chris and his commentary. It always pulled
everything together...in a sublime and spiritual way. His musings, albeit
sometimes trite and cliche, were most definitely appropriate to the
storyline. And they made the viewer stretch and see connections where they
might otherwise be missed. And that element was usually missing in the late
episodes.
Chris is my hero!!!
Marie
Patience99 wrote in message
<199807211941...@ladder01.news.aol.com>...
jazzage
> Yes, I agree that Chas is the Chris of our newsgroup...in more ways than
> one!!!
Well you see, me and Stevens pulled time together down in Moundsville;
we used to rap alot. In fact, he used to check out books from the library
on *my* card - he left, the books were late, and I got stuck with the
fine! Stevens STILL owes me.... ;)
> I second your thoughts about Chris and his commentary. It always pulled
> everything together...in a sublime and spiritual way.
It's been said here by others: Chris was the voice of the Chorus. The
chorus has definitely taken a back seat to the individual this season!
But like Sandy said, at least we can carry on our own chorus here on
the newsgroup, even when it seems to be gone from the show.
Anyway, thanks, ladies. Nice to know that someone's getting something
out of this. I only hope I can keep it up! (no viagra jokes, please <g>)
cheers