Episode #2 Summary: Yankees ESPN Miniseries “The Bronx Is Burning”
The Bronx Is Burning — Episode #2 (aired 7/17)
Oliver Platt’s performance as Yanks’ owner George Steinbrenner is getting as big as his expansive belly. In contrast: John Turturro’s understated turn as manager Billy Martin. Maybe back then George really was a clownish jackass. Or maybe he still is…
SUMMARY
:: Martin and Steinbrenner make up before Opening Day, promising to compromise and learn from each other. But after an early-season slide, George demands that Reggie Jackson bat cleanup.
:: The .44-caliber killer murders again and NYC cops name a dedicated task force to bring him down. The first letter in which he refers to himself as the “Son of Sam” is read aloud at the precinct. Creepy.
:: The first connections between the two plots: A conversation between Steinbrenner and a newspaper writer cuts to a similarly composed talk among cops, in which the murderer is called “paranoid” and “schizophrenic”. Hmmm.
:: The Yankees read–and resent–Reggie’s famous interview in SPORT Magazine. His attitude isolates him from the rest of the team and, in particular, pisses off Thurman Munson. Reggie demands to be traded. Jimmy Breslin (the spot-on Michael Rispoli) fills the papers with “Son of Sam” info — which both Reggie and George read.
EXTRAS
Woefully short this week, maybe 30 seconds. Graig Nettles, a consulting producer on the movie, discussed the fallout from the magazine piece. His opinion: “We had a lot of straws in that drink.”
Hopefully these extras are just teasing what may end up on the DVD release…
GEEK NOTE: Michael Rispoli, who plays journalist Jimmy Breslin, also appeared in Spike Lee’s Summer of Sam, about the same NYC summer.
Miss the episode? It’s available online via ABC: The Bronx Is Burning Episode #2
Other Posts of Interest
- ESPN’s “The Bronx Is Burning”: Episode #3 Recap
- Episode 7: ESPN Miniseries “The Bronx Is Burning”
- Episode 6: ESPN Miniseries “The Bronx Is Burning”
- Episode Summary #1: Yankees Miniseries “The Bronx is Burning”
- Episode #5: ESPN Miniseries “The Bronx Is Burning”
No Comments
No comments yet.
Leave a comment