Swingtown "Double Exposure" (2008)

I find myself falling into the Swingtown PR premise. Tune in for the swinging, stay for the character drama. It's a sure sign that a show is doing well if it can break out of it's blurb premise within the first couple of episodes. Sure there is still evidence of the swinging lifestyle and its implications in the lives of the main characters and it's serving as the catalyst for the character growth of Bruce and Susan but it's serving more as a backdrop where the action of the show happens to be unfolding rather than the show being just about swinging.

In last night's episode Bruce and Susan began to question the exclusivity pact they made last week as they both came to accept that while in love with one another the original allure that lead them to experiment in the pilot isn't so quick to disappear after taking part for one night. I think the audience can more easily identify with them since they are very much in love although in a bit of a rut in the pilot. You can tell just by the way the characters look at one another that there is true love there and they're not just looking to score with someone else for the hell of it. The swinging has allowed them the opportunity to be more open with each other and actually be more honest than they might have previously been. "All options are on the table" does not mean that next week they'll join a giant orgy with barnyard animals but that they can discuss the possibility (well maybe not of that) with one another openly instead of trying to hide from each other how they really feel.

The swinging does serve as the catalyst to break conventions of conformity as we saw last night where Susan decides to rip down the wallpaper she hates and have everyone write and draw on the wall whatever they want. She's not the same woman she was when she first moved into the old house and the contrast in housewarming parties goes to show how much she has changed in such a short amount of time. On the one hand she has Janet's more button down approach and on the other Trina's sexually charged approach. Susan approaches a middle ground with the wall decoration party. It creates a more informal, fun atmosphere without relying on sex as the main party attraction.

My one minor issue with the show so far as we have seen the benefits to swinging but none of the other problems which could easily arise. We got a bit of it tonight in that Susan began to suspect Bruce of wanting to be with other women than her despite their pact however he quickly able to dismiss her fears and it is actually her that brings up the idea of ending their pact. Obviously the beginning of the series is meant to convey the fun aspects of this particular lifestyle to draw the audience in and make them comfortable with such a non-traditionalist lifestyle. Eventually though the ugly side of the choices these characters have made will eventually present themselves but for now we're having fun just being along for the ride.

Favorite moment: I would have to say Susan's breakthrough that occurs while Janet and Trina are sniping at each other over their conflicting party styles. Susan's statement that it is not her party or neither of theirs followed by her running to the wall and ripping off the wallpaper is the physical manifestation of her taking her party back. The fact that she then slides her blouse down to expose her shoulders while still wearing modest clothes goes to show that Susan is embracing the basic idea behind swinging: the freedom to do what you want but not heading to the far extreme of embracing anything and everything.