I feel like there should be a letterboxd entry for this ep, really really enjoyed it.
Maybe the first time I’ve been much more invested in the filmmaking than the golf during a competition round. This might get covered on the Cut or a TS recap pod (I do not remember if that’s a thing,) but I was curious about the editing choices on this one.
Was there significantly less chatter during the round due to exhaustion/nerves or was that a conscious editing decision to drive home the tone and setting of the episode? Are you thinking about what the tone of the episode might be beforehand and while filming or do you just try to get as much footage as possible and figure it out in the editing bay?
Kind of unrelated - how nervous do you guys get before a day like this that both competitors might just lose their swing and then you have to try to fit a bunch of bad golf against an unbelievable backdrop?
I noticed this as well, and thought some TC/Randy commentary could’ve helped release some of the tension. Perhaps it was editing choices, but just came across as incredibly uncomfortable and not necessarily enjoyable. Just a grind in this wildly beautiful place in the middle of the “night”.
After the first 4-5 holes it seemed like Soly was dialed (playoff hole notwithstanding) and was gonna go out and get it.
I could see that for sure. I enjoyed the decision to let this very serene place speak for itself without too much interruption, but the competition “narrative” or whatever took a little of a back seat at times. I personally didn’t care about the competition this season that much, but I get why that might have been a bit jarring for others.
I felt it could have gone either way until the interstitial with Soly talking about his previous experience at Lofoten.
I honestly thought this was a soundtrack choice dropped in to underscore the tension. Holy crap. The lengths NLU will go to for that Whoop activation money. @FrankWalker gotta be disgusted.
I enjoyed the eerie silence. Thought it allowed me as a viewer to really appreciate the visuals and then I think it heightened the stress/tense level both Soly and Neil were feeling. They both really wanted this, and I think the silence allowed that to be front and center… not to mention the dope music.
What stuck in my head afterwards was, and maybe it was the music and the different color warmth of the various shots, but I kept/keep thinking: “Man, fucking DJ went from Wes Anderson to Paul Thomas Anderson. This shit is like There Will Be Blood or something, but golf. This is incredible, and the Nest membership is a fucking bargain.”
