Coxfires

Of course, you can, but you also don't necessarily get preggo right away, many of my friends had to go at it for a while before finally getting preggers. Not that I am condoning unprotected sex AT ALL because that is just dumb for many other reasons than just pregnancy

I know but, heck, it takes sometimes more than a few tries!

That fast? They banged mere hours ago and it was her first time...now if they had been at it for longer why not, but right now...

You say it so perfectly. Having a role to play does not always mean being the CHOSEN ONE!!! Harry Potter style. I like that they did not got for that trope. I read so many comments like "why bring Jon from the Dead if he doesn't kill the NK" and things like that. Jon was the one who rallied the troops, the Wildlings, who convinced Deanerys to come fight in the North with the Dothraki and the Unsullied. Without Jon, no Dany, and without Dany, her dragons and her army, Winterfell and probably Westeros would have been wiped. Jon might not have fought NK one on one but he was the one who made it possible for the NK to be defeated. And everything you say about Bran is also spot on. So yes, Arya dealt the final blow but it was thanks to other players and everyone being where they had to be when they had to be.

The smallest fighter taking out the biggest...The Little Bear was a badass until the end

Yeah I don't understand all the hate, and I don't even like Jon! People talk about a plan, but how do you plan when you are ournumbered, cornered, fighting friggin undead people who can get back up again and again? It was a Last stand from everyone, they were going down fighting knowing their chances to win were next to nothing, and praying that the dragons would kill the NK while limiting the deaths. Jon, Dany, everyone gave all they could within their capacities.

Need to recharge the magical batteries?

That was bloody epic, and deserves to be seen in a movie theater Melissandre lightning the Dothrakis swords was visually stunning. The battle was messy as it should have been and I don't mind at all, because real battles aren't proper and organized House Mormont deserves all the honors. Lady Lyanna went like a boss. And Jorah...Dany breaking down in tears, yeah I expected it but still... Theon was absolved and died knowing he earned forgiveness...We also miss Alfie Allen who has been nothing but exceptional And Arya saves the day, saying Not Today to the God of Death! Not Jon, not Dany, no fierce relentless little Arya. When Melissandre told her "Blue eyes" I knew, but add the fact that it was with the dagger Bran gave her with the move she used last season.... I don't care what people say I loved loved it. Tyrion and Sansa...beautiful On another note, I am surprised by the low death toll amongst the named characters. None is safe yet, but I was expecting a greater reckoning

Great list but I'd add Davos, because he rocks.

I'd be all for an Orient-express murder style too, so many people have valid reasons to off her. On another topic, I'd be bummed if they killed Gendry because I have a fondness for the character. I liked that despite being Robert's son he still represented the common folk in a way. I know he is only a peripheral secondary character, and there is no time left to see the impact of his lineage (he is a distant cousin to Daenerys and Jon, after all) but bringing him back solely To be Arya's boy toy for a night...meh.

She just reconnected with her family (and herself) and now she will probably lose them all right afterwards. Gendry is one more person to lose in the battle. I see why she wouldn't feel ecstatic.

There must have been an idiot chopping onions next to me when Jaime knighted Brienne...I was not expecting to be touched like that, but goddamn Gwendoline Christie killed it. Her smile at the end...That was everything. There was so much in this episode, it was really heart-wrenching to realize so many of these people are hours away from their death. For all the complaints I can have about the writing these past seasons, I am still so so invested. I both can't wait and dread next episode. This really felt like the last goodbye.

I really wish this is not the end but that sounds utopic. That Mira killed Yanek and probably her Other and her kids subsequently was cruel but fits her. Talk about revenge best served cold. God I will miss this show. The main cast was so exceptional and the characters writing was so good it is a shame to lose this, especially since the story could have now gone other places, the worlds expanded...argh Some stories were closed but it still feels like a lot is unresolved for the characters, and as one who didn't mind the plotting too much, I would like to know where Alpha Howard will go, what is going on with the Quayles because nothing is resolve there, see Howard Prine be a substitute father to Baldwin and maybe reassess his choices, see where Prime Emily goes now knowing Mira is dead and her feelings for Alpha Howard, watch Naya Temple be awesome...I will really, really miss ghese characters (and Peter Prime!!! I need to know if he is still watching his rugby matches 24/7!!!) Really saddened that good TV is overlooked. And I still hope the show will get some recognition but part of me thinks it will go under the rug (especially with GoT ending ghis year) Maybe it required too much attention, needed more humor (I feel only Peter provided some comedy at times) or simply a better network/advertising)

Argh! I went on holidays and missed 2x09 and 2x10! Just watched this one and wow, Olivia Williams. Fantastic scene, and yet still a lot of unsaid truths between the Emilys. Alpha was the origin of the report and accepted to have her silence bought with promotion... true representation of individualism I know Ian looks bad, but I get him. Love isn't easily overcome. Yes Mira is a huge danger but it is hard to be heroic when someone else life is endangered, and even more when you have already experienced loss. All too human That management is a bunch of old idealistic/ self-indulgent idiots isn't that far fetched, and I'd say they kinda had it coming by acting the way they did, even if Mira benefited from their idiocy. Naya Temple is awesome, this needs to be said a million times. And Betty Gabriel rocks. And what about JK during his parting with Emily P? Beautiful beautiful poignant scene, that is some perfect TV here. Now I need to wait for tonight to watch what I hope isn't the last episode forever....please Gods of TV, have this show be pickedbup on another network!!!

Fixed

What a beatiful episode this was, the character studies in Counterpart are just so so tasteful! The reveal that Emily Alpha crossed to see the daughter she never was touching on so many levels. That she played the same "game" her mother made her play, great call back. And for Howard P! To discover that a "stranger" could come and take his daughter for days...Same for Emily P. And Howard A. being treated by his "daughter" , there was so much going on! And the Quayles, incredible scenes. The distance those two went through, how different they both are compared To the same episode last year! Clare facing her endoctrinement (and as underlined above, for the actress herself) and her conflicting feelings about Mira, reassessing her whole life, wow. That was deep. And Peter, judgemental at first but understanding and comforting afterwards. I loved seeing him go to Naya (because SHE ROCKS). I know some will complain it was too slow for them but such powerful character writing is rare. What a show.

Yes, a many layered scene, but having watched every episode since season one, it was as satisfying as tiramisu Tiramisu rocks, perfect allegory

I don't think Howard Alpha will die, but the poor guy really deserves a break. He looked a bit disappointed when Emily told him she didn't come for him. Clare seemed pretty vexed that her old cell got to be together when she was on her own in her fake marriage. Oh and the irony when she rips into her dad and tells him he has no say about the man "she" chose. Too many layers in that scene. Naya's speech about there being only one truth, I really loved it. I'm not a believer but I really like that the show introduced a character that is one and to have her point of view on this predicament is very intersting. And the character/the actress rock, what a fantastic addition to the cast. Finally, a small short scene that I loved: Howard Prime and Peter short talk. The level of salt in Peter's words was approaching the Dead Sea's. Oh yes Howard, yesterday i asked for your help and you told me to go kill myself, sure, what can I do for you today?

I agree, Naya is awesome. Astute, honest and not scared of telling it how it is, I just love this character. I really want to see where she goes next. This episode felt like replacing the pawns on the chess board. I really like Clare storyline, getting out of endoctrinement and seeing it for what it is. Maybe being isolated kept her away from the mindset all shadows are in, add baby Spencer and Pope's tape to the mix and her faith in the cause severly wavered. I feel like the theme of this episode was that every character had it with being toyed with and said what to do. Peter, Clare, Ian, P!Emily, Naya, they all said "Screw this" to the higher ups and went with their gut feeling Poor Alpha Howard! Seriously, for a guy who didn't want anything else than his quite boring life, he's been put through the ringer and it keeps getting worse for him Prime Quayle is alive (and hilarious). Useless for now but with Counterpart that means we are not done with him.

Agreed, I would like to see that there is no determinism and that humans are in the end capable of deciding that there are other ways than antagonising each other. Utopist, for sure, but reaching synergy rather than destruction would be a great message. I'd even settle for indifference.

It's clearly an ensemble cast, but J.K. Simmons is still the highest profile actor of the bunch. James Cromwell is probably as well known, but he's only been in a few episodes so far. I wasn't paying super-close attention, but I don't think any of the regulars were even listed in the opening credits of this episode You are right he is and he deserves all the praise but it always bugged me when I read critics reducing the show to his performance only. Sure, he is astounding in his double role, but S2 more and more demonstrates that the script is the real #1 strenghth. This episode had none of the main cast and was the Best of the series. Early season 2 had Olivia Williams being terrific as both Emilys, Harry Lloyd was fantastic in s2e5 and Naznin rocked it last season in her origin story. Sure it helps when the actors elevate the material and find synergy with it, but a good script prevails IMO.

I don't find it hard to follow, but it is true that it requires attention. It is not a show you put in the background and let run, every scene has an impact, a detail that will count later on or a point to make. When I watch Counterpart, I give it my all attention, but not everyone wants to do it and I understand it. Some want to watch TV to relax and it isn't that kind of show. It also has no humor at all and that might tip off some people too.

I think it goes beyond that. Yanek case was extreme but I felt like jealousy/envy is also a factor, little by little, two versions that used to be identical stop recognizing each other and start being doubtful and suspicious about each other. But I think that Yanek is wrong, that his way of seeing things is tainted by is own experience, and he can't see past that. The two ladies last season and the Lamberts had a very different view of things, but Yanek seems to want to generalize his own vision.

Absolutely loved it. Another one that will need rewatch. Thank you Counterpart for answering questions, being suspensful, providing great human psyche insight, character studies... This is TV at its finest. Further analysis later on Side notes: once again, a tape was at the center of the story, does Justin Marks have a special relationship with tapes?? Anyway, excellent example of the Butterfly Effect, how something so menial ended up having massive worldwide consequences

While everything you point out is valid, what I wanted to say is that at this point Management is still such a conundrum that nothing they say can be taken at face value. Their level of knowledge and engame are still unknown and I wouldn't put it past them to deliberately let thing happen. Remember that the opening crédits are the Go game, and for me, everything is a move. Look at Prime Management, promoting Emily this season while demoting her in the last one and now saying that sur went rogue. I personnally feel that there are underlying motives and choices that de don't know about yet