A Gentle Rain Production Details

Production order:
32

Airing order in the USA:
32

Original air date:
February 17, 1989

Writers:
Linda Campanelli & L.L. Shelly Moore

Director:
Gus Trikonis

Director of Photography:
Stevan Larner A.S.C.

Production Designer:
John Mansbridge

Editor:
Craig Ridenour

Music:
Don Davis - main theme by Lee Holdridge
 

Cast:

* Joey, the child in the photograph and in the accident flashback, is Nicholas Trikonis, son of the episode director Gus Trikonis (source: Above & Below: A guide to Beauty and the Beast, p. 85).

Literary references:

• Title and overall theme - the idea of mercy towards a repentant wrongdoer, and of acknowledgement of personal responsibility as a "deed of mercy".
The working title of the episode was initially "Above this scepter'd sway", also from a line of the scene.

W. Shakespeare, The Merchant of Venice (1597), Act IV, Scene 1 (Portia to Shylock):
    "The quality of mercy is not strain'd,
    It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
    Upon the place beneath. It is twice blest:
    It blesseth him that gives and him that takes.
    Tis mightiest in the mightiest. It becomes
    The throned monarch better than his crown.
    His scepter shows the force of temporal power,
    The attribute to awe and majesty
    Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings,
    But mercy is above this scepter'd sway.
    It is enthroned in the hearts of kings.
    It is an attribute to God himself.
    And earthly power doth then show likest God’s
    When mercy seasons justice. Therefore, Jew,
    Though justice be thy plea, consider this,
    That in the course of justice, none of us
    Should see salvation. We do pray for mercy,
    And that same prayer doth reach us all to render
    The deeds of mercy"

• Vincent reading to Catherine, final scene

W. Wordsworth, Ode on Intimations of Immortality, from Recollections of Early Childhood (1807):
    “What though the radiance which was once so bright
    Be now for ever taken from my sight,
    Though nothing can bring back the hour
    Of splendour in the grass, of glory in the flower;
    We will grieve not, rather find
    Strength in what remains behind;
    In the primal sympathy,
    Which having been must ever be;
    In the soothing thoughts that spring
    Out of human suffering;
    In the faith that looks through death;
    In years that bring the philosophic mind.

    And O, ye Fountains, Meadows, Hills, and Groves,
    Forebode not any severing of our loves!
    Yet in my heart of hearts I feel your might;
    I only have relinquished one delight
    To live beneath your more habitual sway.
    I love the Brooks which down their channels fret,
    more than when I tripped lightly as they;
    The innocent brightness of a new-born Day
    Is lovely yet;
    The Clouds that gather round the setting sun
    take a sober colouring from an eye
    That hath kept watch o'er man's mortality.”   

Musical references:

none

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Supervising Producer:Stephen Kurzfeld
Producer: George R.R. Martin
Produced by: Kenneth R. Koch

Co-Producers: Alex Gansa, Howard Gordon
Created by: Ron Koslow

Executive Producers: Paul Junger Witt, Tony Thomas, Ron Koslow
Associate Producer: Anthony Mazzei
Coordinating Producer: David F. Schwartz
 

Unit Production Manager: Tony Brown
1st Assistant Director: John Hockridge
2nd Assistant Director: Joseph John Kontra
Art Director: Joseph Hubbard
Set Decorator: Peg Cummings
Property Master: Allan J. Gordon
Literary Consultant: Patricia Livingston
Main Titles: Robert Farina, Chris Arnold
Script Supervisor: Patience Thoreson
Beast Make-up: Margaret Beserra
Make-up Artist; Fred Blau Jr.
Hair Stylist: Josephine McCarthy
Costumers: Mary Taylor, Ron Hodge
Sound Mixers: Pat Mitchell, Rick Ash
Sound Editing: David Hankins
Music Editor: Carl Swartz
Stunt Coordinator: John C. Meier
Special Effects Coordinator: Gary Bentley
Costume Designer: Judy Evans
Casting by Joyce Robinson C.S.A. & Penny Ellers C.S.A.
Beast designed & created by: Rick Baker
Matte Painting & Special Visual Effects: Illusion Arts
Lenses and Panaflex ® Camera by Panavision ®
The persons and events in this program are fictitious. Any similarity to actual persons or events is unintentional.
Copyright © MCMLXXXIX By Republic Pictures Corporation
All Rights Reserved
This program is protected under the laws of the United States and other countries. Unauthorized duplication, distribution, or exhibition may result in civil liabilities and criminal prosecution.
In association with Ron Koslow Films
A Witt-Thomas Production
Republic Pictures ®
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