Brokeback Mountain: Our Community's Common Bond > Brokeback Mountain Open Forum
TOTW 05/08: What do you make of the "Maybe Texas?" scene?
Brown Eyes:
--- Quote from: injest on February 20, 2008, 06:16:52 am ---huh, my thought at that moment was that Jack was thinking of Ennis. Going to Mexico for a little relief is one thing....starting a new relationship with a man that knew him was different. to me it showed he was thinking of moving on from Ennis. and was very torn by the idea.
--- End quote ---
Yes, absolutely, I agree with this. I think Ennis is weighing heavily on Jack's reaction to this rather-fast proposition from Randall.
I'm using the word "stunned" here... in that I think he's trying to quickly process all of these fast moving things happening somewhat unexpectedly at this social event. The fact that he sits silently and doesn't respond verbally to Randall on the bench before the women come out seems to indicate that he's really pondering all of this.
Although, I don't know that Jack was thinking of leaving Ennis here... I think he was weighing the impact of having an affair with another man on his ongoing relationship with Ennis. I don't think Jack was at the point of maybe-quitting Ennis until that last lakeside fight.
belbbmfan:
This is an excellent thread!
--- Quote from: BBM-Cat on February 19, 2008, 09:10:57 pm ---Thanks LauraGigs - you hit the nail on the head, empathy was certainly lacking. I always kind of cringe when I watch the 'Maybe Texas' scene, thinking Jack missed a big opportunity there. I don't think Jack displaying empathy and reassuring Ennis' fears would have ultimately changed anything as far as outcomes, but at least Ennis might not have felt so alone in his experience (rational or irrational). How I wish Jack had given just a tiny nod of acknowledgement or a soft 'yeah' to Ennis' questions about people 'knowing' or 'suspecting'. But as others have alluded that would have meant admitting to being queer.
And you're right, the perfect setup for Ennis to get together with Cassie.
--- End quote ---
Jack's lack of empathy or understanding wasn't new. I never quite understood why Jack responded so 'detached' to Aguirre's message to bring the sheep down. He didn't seem all that bothered. Ennis was clearly upset at this. And used money as an excuse. I always wondered if Jack understood what Ennis was saying or better, not saying at that point. He responded by offering Ennis a loan, which was not the answer Ennis wanted or needed.
And speaking of money, is just struck me that Jack was talking money in this scene, about making a profit and the inflation eating it all up, maybe not a very considerate thing to do seeing as Ennis was always 'in the poorhouse'.
And I was thinking about the fact that in this scene they are talking to each other without really hearing what the other was saying. It really reminded me of one of the first camp scenes together, Ennis cooking, Jack bitching about 'the no fire bullshit' from Aguirre. They were talking but not having a proper conversation where they actually listen to what the other is saying. Much like in the maybe Texas scene. Another bookend?
LauraGigs:
--- Quote from: belbbmfan on February 20, 2008, 02:10:45 pm ---Jack's lack of empathy or understanding wasn't new. I never quite understood why Jack responded so 'detached' to Aguirre's message to bring the sheep down. He didn't seem all that bothered. Ennis was clearly upset at this. And used money as an excuse. I always wondered if Jack understood what Ennis was saying or better, not saying at that point. He responded by offering Ennis a loan, which was not the answer Ennis wanted or needed.
--- End quote ---
I don't think Jack understood what Ennis was saying/not saying in that earlier conversation.
In Ennis' mind, the summer (and their idyllic relationship) is OVER, and he must immediately make the emotional transition back to straight, engaged, acceptable-to-society, etc. So he is thrown for a huge loop and is processing it all at once, when he thought he'd have the rest of summer to make that transition.
I think Jack, optimist that he was, didn't know that the end of the Brokeback job meant the end of their relationship. He is certain they'll make some kind of plan when they get down from the mountain (or assuming, as in his loan offer, that they'll still be in contact somehow).
But anyway, that's an awesome point – that the "Bring em down" conversation is so similar to the "Texas" one. Ennis is deeply troubled, and Jack is offering a solution to the immediate, superficial problem and not the more crucial, underlying problem. A total parallel (maybe not in the palindrome/bookend sense, but definitely a consistency in their relationship).
Artiste:
Wondering too:
--- Quote --- I always wondered if Jack understood what Ennis was saying or better, not saying at that point. He responded by offering Ennis a loan, which was not the answer Ennis wanted or needed.
--- End quote ---
...
May I say that I think that Jack had some spare money since he had worked there the year before?? !! Right??
So, he offerred some $ to Ennis?? As one way to keep on to befriend Ennis, as well as to show him his affection and love.
But Jack did that being puzzled too, since he was sad that both were leaving!! Jack had time to think since the news, but Ennis had not and so acted and re-acted impressively, and became sad since he was to leave Jack!!
What do you think you and all too??
Hugs!!
THE WINGS:
Excellent thread! I'll attempt to add my two cents worth.
I think this is one of the defining moments of the whole film. Here we have Ennis finally verbalizing his own fears in more than a few words. You can tell he has been thinking about their relatioinship, and wants to know how Jack feels. Then we have Jack, again trying to "circle" ever closer to Ennis, in an attempt to realize that "sweet life" that he so desperately wants. In my humble opinion, I think that by now, Ennis wants this too, but his fear is still holding him back, as is obvious by his response to Jack's suggestion of 'getting out of there' to "Maybe Texas". Probably, by this time Jack is beginning to see that it is very unlikely things will progress much from here on.
He seems slightly interested, when he meets Randall, but in their bench conversation, I get the sense that he is still thinking of Ennis, and hasn't given up on their relationship, at least not at this point.
Just my thoughts on this important scene.
THE WINGS
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