Three months ago, I wrote in this column, that despite Jerry Maake’s death appearing foolproof after he was killed in an inferno, I wouldn’t be surprised if he was written back into the script.
Well, last week, The Queen’s well-loved but no-nonsense cop fondly known as Robocop did just that. The original RoboCop starred Peter Weller as the dedicated policeman Alex Murphy in a 1987 action superhero thriller of the same name.
After he was attacked and murdered by a ruthless gang of robbers, Murphy is brought back to life by a group of scientists as a superhuman law enforcer and protector of the powerless.
However, Maake’s return to the world of the living is not clear. He is discovered by his sister, Boi Maake (Marah Louw) inside a house they used to share. It was locked and she is surprised that everything inside looked so clean.
Then she discovers that her brother is back, although she thinks he is a ghost.
Creators of soapies such as The Queen should take viewers more seriously. Maake’s explanation is that the individual who rescued him from the flames and subsequently perished was a homeless person with a heart of gold.
The way Jerry explains how he survived 😂. The script-writers of #TheQueenMzansiS2 don't take viewers seriously. pic.twitter.com/cU5Xk7uC4b
— Maphitha! (@SenzelumusaSeth) October 24, 2017
He then decided to fake his death so that he could frame his nemesis, Harriet Khoza (Connie Ferguson). This was after a sensational courtroom drama that introduced viewers to Bakang, a brilliant lawyer played by Thato Molamu.
Incidentally he is Maake’s son but one he never knew.
Granted, the Maake character was one of the best loved in the series and his death shocked many, but the manner in which he was exited and returned to the storyline is problematic as the explanation is not convincing.
He is supposed to have been burnt to ashes, at least he should return with some scars to lend some authenticity.
The scriptwriters and directors can do better. It was not so long ago when Khoza was also resurrected from the dead after she was shot in a hail of bullets, buried and returned with an implausible explanation.
Viewers of soapies understand that this is a make-believe world, but at the same time they comprehend that even in the realm of fantasy there are limits in terms of how far facts can be stretched. Once the story becomes far-fetched, viewers feel that their intelligence is being insulted by lazy writers.
So seriously Jerry Maake pulled a Stefano Dimera on us??? I want my emotions back #TheQueenMzansi pic.twitter.com/27pnVn6yKL
— Miss Kay (@Khauhelo_R) October 24, 2017
As far as film genres are concerned, it is general knowledge that RoboCop is science fiction and Murphy’s incarnation as a cyborg superman is part of a fascinating storyline. The same cannot be said about The Queen.
👇🏽👇🏽👇🏽👇🏽👇🏽 same WhatsApp group. Bo babes of never die #TheQueenMzansi pic.twitter.com/kdQhDiGVcV
— Lis (@Events_Loft) October 24, 2017
While they busy with #BlackMonday, can we discuss matters of national importance. #TheQueenMzansi
[Video: Ferguson Films] pic.twitter.com/0kedCiteve
— NDALOYENKOSI (@LeloNdalo) October 30, 2017
* Catch The Queen on Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) on weekdays at 9pm.