The Drummer Got it Right
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Let me begin by acknowledging that once again, I’m late to the game.
This time, it’s about Daisy Jones and the Six. Because I’ve refused to pay for a Prime subscription, I missed out on all the hoopla surrounding its release this past spring. When Amazon made it really difficult to avoid getting a free month of Prime, I caved and didn’t uncheck the box that said I really wanted it. Then I lost track of when it would renew, so now am stuck paying for one more month. Did you know you actually have to check a box to get a reminder that your free trial is expiring? I think a lawsuit might be pending.
But I digress…
Anyway, I finished the rest of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel that I’d started while at a friend’s and just last week binged Daisy Jones and the Six. I’d never even heard of the book, and only knew about the comparisons to Fleetwood Mac. Honestly, I wasn’t sure I’d be that interested in it.
Oh my goodness.
SPOILER ALERTS COMING…
I watched the final episode twice. I needed to absorb how the pinnacle of success could—at the same time—be the destruction of the very thing that created that success.
I’ve read a couple of less than glowing reviews about the series and have to disagree with those critics who felt that the supporting band members were not given enough screen time or character development. If you were paying attention, you saw exactly how each of them viewed themselves, their positions in the band, as well as their individual ideas of success.
With much of the focus on the love triangle between Daisy, Billy and Camilla, it could be easy to not pay as much attention to keyboardist Karen, guitarist Graham, bassist Eddie and drummer Warren. But for some reason, I was drawn to Warren’s story. He was so happy-go-lucky right from the jump. He enjoyed being in the band, he enjoyed the drugs, and he also enjoyed working for a boat company when Billy’s addiction caused the inaugural tour to be cancelled. He was happy to spend his royalty money on a fur vest.
Warren could be happy doing whatever, wherever.
That’s a gift. And one just as valuable as the raw talent that Billy and Daisy possessed.
One of my favorite scenes came after the band played SNL and Warren made a play for the movie star who hosted that episode. When she responded in kind, his reaction (are you serious?) was simply adorable. He’d put himself out there, and it paid off—much to his surprise.
You guys, Warren married a movie star!
Perhaps Warren was just less complicated than his bandmates? I found myself wondering about his upbringing. What caused his world view to be so even-keeled? At the end, as it’s all falling apart, Eddie the bassist informs Warren that he’s quitting because he’s been slighted by Billy and he’s tired of playing second fiddle.
Warren replies: “so what if you’re not the guy! You’re in the biggest band in the world right now. You get to fly around on jet planes and sleep on $100 bills and we get to play songs that millions of people listen to and they love them! What, that’s not enough for you?”
Eddie responds: “maybe I’m looking for a little more out of life than you are.”
I’m not sure Eddie ever found what he was looking for.
But I know Warren did.
How about you? Have you found what you’re looking for?