When The Game first premiered in 2005, I was intrigued by the relationship of the two main characters, Melanie and Derwin. She was an intelligent young woman who tweaked her dreams to help her man realize his. She was supportive and kind and helped keep him grounded.
But it couldn’t last, could it? Derwin cheats. They break up. His ex-girlfriend gets pregnant. Melanie tests his son for paternity and pisses Derwin off. It seems like as more times goes on, the more miserable they are together.
And I understand that drama sells. I really do. Seeing a happily married couple dance around screen with no problems whatsoever might not be so entertaining (are you listening, Reed Between The Lines writers?). But in a show with multiple relationships, it would be nice if at least one of the couples were stable and happy in love. Derwin and Melanie are the ones who come closest, but I didn’t have high hopes for them prior to Tuesday’s premiere.
Turns out I was right. The episode opened with Melanie and Derwin arguing about her keeping her abortion (Derwin’s?) a secret from him. Of course viewers who caught the season four finale weren’t surprised as Melanie made the admission in the final minutes of that episode.
But I find myself wondering what the writers are thinking. Are Derwin and Melanie headed for an eventual happily-ever-after even though they had to crawl through broken glass to get there? Or are they just one of those dysfunctional couples who think they’re better together when in reality they need to be far, far away from each other?
Derwin even said it himself in the premiere: “People ask me all the time, why are you with that girl? She’s nothing but drama.”
They’re always in a fight about something, Derwin stays stomping off, and nothing ever really feels like it gets resolved for these two. How refreshing would it have been to see Derwin and Melanie renew their vows in the premiere, rededicating themselves to each other and their marriage? How awesome would it have been to have them move past the BS that has crippled their relationship and have the show go back to what it used to be about – being in a relationship with a professional athlete.
Here’s some storylines that could make sense for the pair:
- Couples counseling. I know secrets and lies make for juicy TV but getting them out in the open could be entertaining as well. And it would be good to see them go through alllll their issues and work things out.
- Derwin gets traded. Twice. Part of being in “the game” is the fact that your life can be uprooted at any time. Let’s say Derwin gets traded to a different team. How do they cope? What if he got traded again?
- Janay moves for a big gig, leaves DJ with Derwin. How will Melanie do if Janay isn’t in the picture as much? Will they be able to pretend to be a nice happy family if they don’t have to worry about the baby mama (boy, I hate that term)?
I feel like everybody was a bit rusty on their acting, but as for Melanie and Derwin, I love them so much more when they’re on the same page. When they argue it’s so over the top. I’d love to see couple’s counseling and more time with DJ.
The main problem I have with the show is the fact that Executive Producer, Kelsey Grammar is behind it. There’s (Chaos) and too much of it. IMO, Chaos does NOT mean Entertainment. Between my friends and I, my family, my neighbors and in my community, the LAST word (that I know of) that’s ever used to describe our reality and lives is “Entertainment”. I’m not suggesting that it’s a horrible show; I’m just stating that I would rather see a Alvin Toussaint/Bill Cosby, Stan Lathan, Tim Reid, etc., in the Executive Producer’s chair……..
It’s all a ratings game for sure, with all the unreality shows The Game has to compete with I don’t see Melanie and Derwin having that trip to marriage counseling. As far as Kelsey Grammer being executive producer I don’t have an issue with that, he did a great job when the show originated and he was Executive Producer on Girlfriends and that show covered vast differentials in the storylines. Let’s hope that the writers on The Game will keep it interesting.
I think Derwin and Melanie had the best storyline of the night actually. It only made sense to pick up where they left off from last season. I wish they still would have revealed who told Derwin about McHottie. But I think Derwin and Melanie ended on a good note.
They were able to put aside their differences. It was nice to see her hosting such a great party for her stepson and keep her cool even though Janay talked to her like the help and interrupted their sweet moment by fridge. Stuff like that does not go down often in real life. I also think it was great that Derwin was able to see all the crap and pain that Melanie has to live with because of choices he made. He realized that he wouldn’t have been able to do the same had she kept Trey’s baby.
I do think they are a happy couple, but all couples go through seasons of discord. Marriage is a roller coaster and love that Melanie and Derwin are willing to fight for their love, tune out the haters and stay on the ride. I do think that now that they’ve made a promise to be 100% honest with each other they will have less drama with each other this season.
I don’t think they ended on a good note only because he went and punched Trey out. Now how do you think Melanie’s going to take that? She’s going to think Derwin isn’t really over it and the drama continues…Sigh. It was fine until the punch. The punch made me think the writers just don’t see it for Melanie and Derwin. I hope I’m wrong. 🙂
I wrote to BET (or maybe I should’ve wrote Kelsey Grammer) because I didn’t really care for the comments that Jason was making and the direction they are going with his story line. Plus, I saw and this could be just me, that as far a dark-skinned black women are concerned on the show their either Strung Out druggies passed out on Malik’s fine marble, baby mama’s interfering with Derwin’s happy marriage, or Ghetto stereotypical (Chardonnay, really?) BW punching bags for Jason’s continued hatred for BW. I, to say the least, wasn’t impressed or entertained.
How does everyone feel about the latest episode that aired? 2/28/2012 I too wish that they have just a happy marriage, it always seems like there is something going on. Janay seems really happy and I hate that now Derwin’s behind may be upset cause she is with another man. I mean dude come on. Aside from the storyline tonight, i want to talk about the thing i hate the most about the show. It’s how the show is going. OK if I am not mistaken in the earlier seasons whenever an episode would end the next would pick up where the other left off. I am really irritated with how when something drastic happens that leaves you in suspense we may not find out about until another episode if ever. What is up with that?? Does anyone have some insight into that?