Rose Leslie (Clare); Episode 4 – HBO’s The Time Traveler’s Wife, new episode every Monday.
Written by
Jude Bautista
Clare (Rose Leslie) literally grew up loving him. Today, she turned 18. The day she had been planning for months, even years how to best seduce Henry, age 41 (Theo James). Instead it quickly turned into an argument. Tempers escalated when she found out from her time traveling future husband that he never proposed to her. Which made her even angrier.
Clare: You never proposed to me? Sorry, what? You didn’t propose? Henry: Um, well, we knew what was gonna happen. You know, it was inevitable. Clare: No, it isn’t. Henry: Yes, it is. That’s how it works. But it’s in the future. Makes no difference. Clare: Yes, it does. Henry: No, it doesn’t. That’s how time works.
Clare: I’m not gonna marry you because time says I do. I’m gonna marry you because I want to. And no way am I gonna marry you unless you propose. There will never be a better time or place. My 18th birthday. Right here. On the very spot where I groomed you. Husband, propose!
He looks at her in disbelief ‘What?’. He realizes the futility of arguing and relents, falls down on one knee. Henry: … Clare Abshire, wife… will you marry me? Clare: Hmm… umm… Henry: What’s “hmm”? She starts unbuttoning her dress Clare: Well… I mean, you wouldn’t buy a car without a test drive, would you? Henry: That’s not gonna work. I’ve seen you naked before. Lots of times. Clare: At 18? Henry: Clare. How shallow do you think I am? (She completely undresses and they make love for the first time.)
Rose Leslie (Clare); Episode 4 – HBO’s The Time Traveler’s Wife, new episode every Monday.
Episode 4 of the HBO series THE TIME TRAVELER’S WIFE, may well be the funniest of the series. Comparable to any SEINFELD or CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM episode. CURB…with Larry David is also HBO produced.
Most of it was in Clare’s apartment in Chicago, where Henry meets her best friends Gomez and Charisse for the first time over dinner. This is where writer (and executive producer) Steven Moffat has made his biggest imprint so far. The apartment scene was expanded and had many surprises not included in the bestselling novel by author Audrey Niffenegger (who is also a consultant in the series). Nor was it in the now cult classic movie version with Rachel McAdams and Eric Bana. But film director Robert Schwentke and the adaptation by Bruce Joel Rubin did a splendid job to widen the fan base in its release, 2009.
Rose Leslie (Clare); Episode 4 – HBO’s The Time Traveler’s Wife, new episode every Monday.
Some of the visual style from the movie was duplicated in the series, such as shallow depth of field, creamy, dreamy background surrounding Clare’s face now frames Rose Leslie. It’s her strong willed take on the role that has intrigued audiences and critics alike. Rachel McAdams herself has praised Leslie’s performance.
Rose Leslie (Clare); Episode 4 – HBO’s The Time Traveler’s Wife, new episode every Monday.
Clare’s Bisexuality
Moffat departed from the novel by adding a bisexual experience for the role of Clare. Again another courageous take. On episode 3, Clare experienced sexual abuse, not from Henry. Although, Clare’s bisexuality may be an even bigger risk here. As the novel is basically a heterosexual romance mixed in with science fiction. Some book fans may find it too radical a departure from the original.
Rose Leslie (Clare) with Theo James as Henry 28; Episode 4 – HBO’s The Time Traveler’s Wife, new episode every Monday.
As much as the book dealt with Clare’s infidelity, it is amplified here not just because of the bisexual experience but it was with more than one partner. As racy and sexually charged as all that sounds, it’s treated with awkwardness and, yes, humor. That’s how Moffat shines, injecting it with humor makes it more real and relatable. And he does so very efficiently, in a few short sequences, in one location he is able to deal with the intro of Henry to Clare’s best friends Charisse, Gomez and his ‘condition’.
Steven Moffat wrote the brilliant teleplay and is also Executive Producer. Episode 4 – HBO’s The Time Traveler’s Wife, new episode every Monday.
Charisse
Clare’s best friend, Charisse Bonavant is played by Natasha Lopez. In the book, Henry describes her, “Charisse, who is short and round in a very pleasing way, all curves and long black hair. She has such a kind face that I have an urge to confide something, anything, to her, just to see her reaction. She’s a small Filipino Madonna.” That’s a legit Pinoy connection for viewers here in the Philippines, from the author. Possibly inspired by countless nurses and OFWs in Shy town.
Natasha Lopez as Pinay BFF Charisse Bonavant. Episode 4 – HBO’s The Time Traveler’s Wife, new episode every Monday.
True to that description, she manages an ‘Ay Dios Mio!’ in the scene that may give away her ethnicity. Lopez, however, is actually Puerto Rican. She has appeared in the film RUNNER, RUNNER (2013) and TV series LAW & ORDER SVU (2019) and THAT DAMN MICHAEL CHE (2022).
Director David Nutter and Natasha Lopez (Charisse); Episode 4 – HBO’s The Time Traveler’s Wife, new episode every Monday.
Ingrid
The fraught dinner is made even more dramatic when it is crashed by Ingrid, Henry’s on and off crazy ex-girlfriend played by Chelsea Frei. For viewers to immediately get her persona, she has the slept-in-eyeliner looks, platinum blonde hair of 90s Courtney Love. For those too young to remember, Courtney Love is a grunge rock legend, lead singer of HOLE, known for her wild ways, to put it mildly.
Chelsea Frei as crazy ex-girlfriend and Courtney Love lookalike – Ingrid. Episode 4 – HBO’s The Time Traveler’s Wife, new episode every Monday.
The role of Ingrid was completely cut in the movie. In the novel, she only had a very brief encounter with Clare: “The intimacy of their pose takes my breath. She is blond, and beautiful in a very German way, tall and dramatic… As I get closer, I realize that they aren’t kissing; they are fighting.”
From left: Desmin Borges (Gomez), Chelsea Frei (Ingrid) and Natasha Lopez (Charisse); Episode 4 – HBO’s The Time Traveler’s Wife, new episode every Monday.
Moffat was right in creating this ‘scene’. She’s too integral a character to leave out. Episode 4 is where, Ingrid meets them all at the same time. The exchange of thinly veiled insults between her and everyone else makes it hilarious. Actress Chelsea Frei had experience with another edgy, intense role, playing the lead in the TV movie VICTORIA GOTTI: MY FATHER’S DAUGHTER. Even here in Time Traveler’s Wife, Frei is able to portray BOTH her comedic and dramatic acting skills. I hope to see her in other episodes.
Theo James plays Henry at 28 and Chelsea Frei (Ingrid); Episode 4 – HBO’s The Time Traveler’s Wife, new episode every Monday.
Two Henrys
As if Ingrid crashing the dinner wasn’t enough, older Henry (41) also makes an appearance, while 28 year old Henry is there. Even Clare who grew up with the concept of time travel is unnerved by the experience. This particular episode is so much wilder, more hilarious and entertaining than either the book or movie could muster.
Theo James plays from left: Henry at 41 and Henry at 28; Episode 4 – HBO’s The Time Traveler’s Wife, new episode every Monday.
Technically, it was also the most difficult to put to screen, one where director David Nutter and VFX supervisor Mark Russell made seamless. Theo James (Henry) appears in two versions of himself during the whole dinner.
Theo James (both Henrys) and Chelsea Frei (Ingrid); Episode 4 – HBO’s The Time Traveler’s Wife, new episode every Monday.
One of the ways they achieved this was a computer controlled camera crane (techno dolly) that revolved around the dinner table. It can duplicate the exact same camera movement and position precisely for different scenes. As they shot the scenes twice with Theo James as young Henry in one scene and old Henry in the other.
They needed a Computer controlled crane – Tech Dolly to shoot the Two Henrys. Episode 4 – HBO’s The Time Traveler’s Wife, new episode every Monday.
The Time Traveler’s Wife | Anatomy of a Scene: The Dinner Party From Hell | HBO
HBO GO – PLDT
The series is also available on HBO GO, their streaming service. PLDT has a promo which slashes the regular price. It’s a great deal considering it includes many more award winning series like the upcoming WESTWORLD (season 4) and GAME OF THRONES prequel HOUSE OF THE DRAGON, even BARRY (season 3 – created and starred in by SNL legend Bill Hader). Taking advantage of the promo before HOUSE OF THE DRAGON premiere in August would be wise.
You can actually stream the first episode for free on the official HBO website: https://www.hbo.com/the-time-travelers-wife
Theo James plays Henry at 41 and Chelsea Frei (Ingrid); Episode 4 – HBO’s The Time Traveler’s Wife, new episode every Monday.
Theo James (Henry): I’m sorry. I am sorry for everything, but knowing is not a right. Knowing is hell. Love over time is death or loss. Those are your only two exits. Chelsea Frei (Ingrid): How long do I have? Henry: I’m not gonna tell you that. Ingrid: At least tell me that. Henry: No. Ingrid: At least tell me that. Henry: Not very long. Ingrid: Jesus!
Henry: I don’t have very long either. All right? Nobody has very long. Nobody gets out of this alive. But what are you gonna do, huh? You gonna hide? Junior, what do we do? Henry (28): Live like we’re gonna live forever. Henry: And you know what? You’ll only be wrong once. Ingrid: (Sniffles) I loved you.
Theo James plays Henry at 41 and Chelsea Frei (Ingrid); Episode 4 – HBO’s The Time Traveler’s Wife, new episode every Monday.
Henry: Then we must have had some good times. You get to keep those. (Ingrid sniffles, sighs ) Henry: Don’t spoil the memory of good days with the regret that they’re over. It’s all gonna be over. And sooner than you think. Take it from a time traveler.
Ingrid sighs, Henry disappears before their eyes, everyone gasps.
Desmin Borges (Gomez): Did you see that? He disappeared! Did… did you see that? Rose Leslie (Clare): Shut up, Gomez. Gomez: Oh, my f***ing God! Ingrid: F**k you all!
Chelsea Frei as crazy ex-girlfriend and Courtney Love lookalike – Ingrid. Episode 4 – HBO’s The Time Traveler’s Wife, new episode every Monday. (20)
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Desmin Borges (Gomez); Episode 4 – HBO’s The Time Traveler’s Wife, new episode every Monday.
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Theo James plays Henry at 41; Episode 4 – HBO’s The Time Traveler’s Wife, new episode every Monday.
Theo James plays from left: Henry at 28 and Henry at 41; Episode 4 – HBO’s The Time Traveler’s Wife, new episode every Monday.
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Visual Effects Supervisor Mark Russel; Episode 4 – HBO’s The Time Traveler’s Wife, new episode every Monday.
Theo James plays from left: Henry at 28 and Henry at 41; Episode 4 – HBO’s The Time Traveler’s Wife, new episode every Monday.
From left: Desmin Borges (Gomez), Chelsea Frei (Ingrid), Rose Leslie (Clare) and Natasha Lopez (Charisse). Episode 4 – HBO’s The Time Traveler’s Wife, new episode every Monday. (28)
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Director David Nutter; Episode 4 – HBO’s The Time Traveler’s Wife, new episode every Monday.
Theo James plays Henry at 28 and Chelsea Frei (Ingrid); Episode 4 – HBO’s The Time Traveler’s Wife, new episode every Monday.
Director David Nutter with Theo James (Henry 41) and Chelsea Frei (Ingrid). Episode 4 – HBO’s The Time Traveler’s Wife, new episode every Monday. (31)
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Natasha Lopez as Pinay BFF Charisse Bonavant. Episode 4 – HBO’s The Time Traveler’s Wife, new episode every Monday.
From left: Chelsea Frei (Ingrid) and Natasha Lopez (Charisse). Episode 4 – HBO’s The Time Traveler’s Wife, new episode every Monday.
Natasha Lopez as Pinay BFF Charisse Bonavant. Episode 4 – HBO’s The Time Traveler’s Wife, new episode every Monday. (34)
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Desmin Borges (Gomez); Episode 4 – HBO’s The Time Traveler’s Wife, new episode every Monday.
Rose Leslie (Clare) and Desmin Borges (Gomez); Episode 4 – HBO’s The Time Traveler’s Wife, new episode every Monday.
Rose Leslie (Clare) with Theo James as Henry 41 and Henry 28. Episode 4 – HBO’s The Time Traveler’s Wife, new episode every Monday. (37)
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Chelsea Frei as crazy ex-girlfriend and Courtney Love lookalike – Ingrid. Episode 4 – HBO’s The Time Traveler’s Wife, new episode every Monday.
Natasha Lopez as Pinay BFF Charisse Bonavant; Episode 4 – HBO’s The Time Traveler’s Wife, new episode every Monday.
Rose Leslie (Clare); Episode 4 – HBO’s The Time Traveler’s Wife, new episode every Monday. (40)
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Rose Leslie (Clare); Episode 4 – HBO’s The Time Traveler’s Wife, new episode every Monday.
Theo James plays Two Henrys in (The Dinner Party From Hell – Episode 4), HBO’s The Time Traveler’s Wife, new episode every Monday.
Chelsea Frei as crazy ex-girlfriend and Courtney Love lookalike – Ingrid. Episode 4 – HBO’s The Time Traveler’s Wife, new episode every Monday.
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Rose Leslie (Clare); Episode 4 – HBO’s The Time Traveler’s Wife, new episode every Monday.
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Theo James (Henry) and Rose Leslie (Clare); Episode 4 – HBO’s The Time Traveler’s Wife, new episode every Monday.
Food for thought by Writer / photographer Jude Thaddeus L. Bautista 