roctavia

Agree with a lot of thoughts on the new Murder She Baked... I was very excited for it, and while I still enjoyed it, it was disappointing in some ways. They definitely set up a lot of red herrings and then just had no resolution to them... Like they set up that Ronnie was on the run from her husband, but I assumed he was abusive and that's why she was being so secretive... The earring ladie's husband never even showed up, and how was she a homewrecker if she was dating the gym guy? I mean, it sounds like he did things for her or wanted to date her? But that's on married guy and not her, even if she took advantage of him giving her things.... I think the fired trainer was the robber, but they never showed him getting arrested or anything... I guess we're just supposed to assume so?? I like the Norman actor (He's so fun on Tacoma FD) so it was nice to see him back, but trying to recreate a love triangle at this point seems silly... it was never much of a triangle IMO and Mike was always the one she was more interested in. Can she and Norman just be friends? I was hoping the mom would push to set him up with the sister and it would be magical or something... I don't like the idea of Hannah and Mike enjoying being engaged, planning a wedding... and then still having another guy around to make a triangle.... If they wanted a triangle then they shouldn't have rushed an engagement... so hopefully they can just keep him around to be her cool friend and she can set him up with a nice lady or something. I did miss the other sister, not sure if that was a casting issue or just a decision to change the relationships around/make Mike be overly busy with policework to make relationship drama? The mom was way over the top this time, especially with the clunker of a book.... but it was still nice to have another one of these mysteries. I like the main cast, so it was still fun to watch before really thinking through the mystery and the plot :P

And here I was thinking throughout the episode how nicely they've built the relationship, like they get to kiss sometimes, and just have good chemistry together, without jumping right to a marriage proposal... and the I love you was well done and felt earned to me.... But WTF now!!?? Not often do we get cliffhangers for these movies. Will be interesting to see how we got to where I assume the next movie will start. This mystery was good, though I feel like the 101s are always a little better of a mystery. Sure, they can all be a bit predictable since we spend the movie guessing that every new face could be the bad guy, but this one had some good twists that weren't entirely predictable. Though all the affairs was kind of funny to me- I'm cheating on you, now you fell in love with someone else who's married and has a crazy husband... secret baby reveal etc. It was good to get our cast into a new setting though, so all the other characters were new. It was nice to also get some more back story on Amy's family and also Travis's childhood. Overall enjoyed it, but now I want the next one, like now!

I don't dislike Mary or Joh, I just don't know what else they can add to their story that we haven't already seen... prequels are hard because you already know how the story ends, especially when it comes to Mary and John... some of the other hunters that we don't know as well might be more interesting, and would have to be cast with younger actors anyway, so Rufus and Bobby could happen... We also have Jack as the new god, which means he could rebuild/bring back anybody... or put some of our favorite dead characters somewhere besides heaven and let them do stuff... Crowley and Gabriel stuck in planet 2.0 or something... pick an alternate reality... something.... I just feel like John and Mary will either be missing a lot of the fun monster stuff that I love about supernatural, or it will ruin everything we've seen in actual Supernatural to make the new show interesting... Hell, I'd take alternate universe John and Mary where she didn't die or something.... that could be interesting... but our John and Mary, we already know their story.

I'm all for more spinoffs of the supernatural world, but I just don't get this plan... I feel like we already know enough about Mary and John and their relationship.... and didn't John not start hunting until after Mary died, since he didn't know about it? That's kind of a big thing to retcon, since they already turned it into Mary's family being the hunters.... I watch Supernatural for Supernatural stuff.... so is Mary going to be sneaking off to hunt?? I dunno.... I just think there are better spinoff options in this world....

I enjoyed this episode, though as someone who doesn't eat seafood, the food itself was hard for me to imagine.... but it seems like all 3 chefs did good work and I was a little stressed over who would go home, so I'm glad they didn't send anyone. Overall I like Kwame, but his one comment about Shota's lack of two ways (I think that was the comment) did have me sort of confused, since he just seemed really harsh with that one comment... it struck me as off for how the discussions usually go... But I had forgot about it by the end of the episode until seeing others mention it here. I do wish Shota had thought to put a 2nd bite on the plate, even if it wasn't truly a sushi bite, but I understand not wanting to put out food that he knew wasn't right. I don't think that's the same as forgetting an item... and if the menu hadn't said 2 ways, the judges wouldn't have cared at all. Though I feel the same in this case about Dawn's potatoes, they weren't a necessary part of the dish or the challenge and she didn't get any on the dish... it's more like omitting an extra, potentially unneeded component. Like others have said, and Gregory told Dawn- she is making dishes with too many components, she needs to simplify if she can't get everything done. I also though that Gabe should have cut one of his tortillas, or cut them all into 3rds or something and give everybody 2 pieces... Granted that would take more time, but it means everybody gets the dish, even if it's not exactly what Gabe had imagined. I think each chef had little issues throughout this challenge, probably mostly due to the short time frame to do it all in... so I'm fine with having a final 3.

Something like 75% of all people in the world are lactose intolerant.... We just like our cheese and other dairy despite the consequences... :P

A good portion of adults in general have some degree of lactose intolerance.... different lactose containing foods can be more or less problematic for different people as well. Someone bothered by milk may not have a problem with cheese, some lactose intolerant people can handle yogurt, some can't handle the smallest amounts of dairy. The challenges were probably also lined up long before the season started, so they had no way of knowing which chefs would still be left during the cheese challenge. It's also not like this is the first time they've had a challenge based around cheese or other dairy. This seems like something to complain about just to find something to complain about. Top Chef just can't win, they are throwing it in our faces by showing BLM for half a second, but are also be racially insensitive having a cheese based challenge....

I felt so bad for Dave in that one, since he made good food for the cast, but completely didn't understand the directions... So not like he ran out of time, but misheard the directive for the challenge. I really liked Dave in the 1st season.

I don't know if I'd say they are bad people... they do bad things... but also have drug addictions that turn good people into not so great people, work a stressful job that is basically lying all the time... I mean, I guess it takes some ambiguous morals to do that kind of job... but were they that way before, or did the job and the addictions push them that way? Not that it is an excuse for Robin's actions.... but her addiction problems/mental health issues certainly help her along this destructive route. I don't think she's trying to be purposefully malicious... but she's so screwed up, it's screwing up anyone she comes in contact with.

Thank you. I tried to figure it out from the thread, but not watching it makes it still a little confusing :) But that's all I need to know.

Is there still someone coming back from LCK again? I don't pay enough attention to how that works, since I hate it. That is another reason that I am fine with Jamie going home this week... it sounds like her dish wasn't good, but also I dislike the whole concept of LCK, even though they have to compete to make it back, it just bothers me. Same thing with the Tim Gunn save thing they added to Project Runway making something he "Had" to do each season, not just a very special circumstance. Even though we've had winners that have come from LCK, it still has a little asterisk for me, not because they aren't great chefs, but they were still eliminated.... But I also don't hold being a top chef winner as something super esteemed compared to just being a great chef.

But in a restaurant your chef won’t be just about to add the sauce to your dish when someone says times up, you can’t add the sauce anymore. They would also be plating the dish without worrying about a countdown clock and can take some extra time to make sure everything is on the plate. I would have been perfectly fine if Dawn had gone home, the cheese was an actual part of this challenge, her missing items in the other challenges weren’t necessary parts of the dish to meet the strict requirements of the challenge (aside from the tofu one, which she was disqualified for in that round). I get the frustration that she keeps missing things… but something about her food seems to be good to many of the judges, even if they don’t all agree… and we can’t taste the food, so we can’t know for sure if it was good or bad… but I don’t think there is some judging conspiracy to keep Dawn because of non-cooking reasons.

Watched the first season earlier this week, just in time to catch season 2 :) Its a really fun/ entertaining show, I enjoyed both seasons. The more background on people’s families was nice…. It makes sense why they are the way they are. Robyn really spiraled this season, hopefully season 3 will lead to her getting some help. It’s fun to see all the crazy scandals and how far they have to go to cover it up. I wish we had a few more episodes this season, but am glad to see they got picked up for a third.

Danny Michael Davis is perfect when he is used in just the right amount... we've seen a lot more of him this season, but aside from the drugs episode, it has been fleeting enough that he hasn't overstayed his welcome. Him and the candle was hilarious and also seems like the kind of thing a kooky boss like him would do.

Really enjoyed this episode, as others have said, it tied things up really nicely just in case we don't get more, but also opened some doors for another interesting season. I wouldn't expect max to fully have the powers, but that this is some other type of glitch or whatever when Zoey's power goes haywire... or Zoey was able to open herself up to him, which turned it into him hearing her heart song.. or they have no idea and will run with something when they get another season :P It was a neat way to end the episode and give Jane a chance to sing. I do like how they handled the break up with Simon. Even with Zoey wanting to break up, I'm glad it wasn't one sided and gave Simon some agency to speak for what he wants, what works for him and that their relationship wasn't working even though they had a close bond. Hopefully they can get back to a friend place, since I really enjoy the actor. I'm glad they picked up the thread of supporting minorities in small business, it's a great new role for Simon as a character. The scene with Mitch was just wonderful, I'm glad they worked the song and dance into it as well. It definitely brought the feels and the tears. Maybe not quite as much punch as last season's finale, but it was really special. I'm glad they found some ways to bring him back for a couple of episodes. I definitely want to see another season, but I won't be completely crushed if this is the end.

It was still entertaining, but agree with the predictable patterns and illogical police work stuff. I am kind of annoyed that they walked back the kiss from the last episode, not that I want to watch people sucking face or anything, but these movies are so unrealistic in the relationship aspect of things, just let people date and kiss once and awhile, not just at the very end of the movie or at the very end after like 4 movies or something :P I don't expect them to imply that all of the people are like sleeping together or anything, but a little affection is nice, and I was glad they moved forward with something in the last movie.... The mystery itself was complex which made it a little more interesting, and they at least introduced a bunch of new people, not just one new character that somehow would have to be the killer... so hopefully they will keep getting better at this. Not sure what to think of all of the back in boston stuff, but I suppose that's something that can carry through a few movies before finally getting a resolution... though I expect they will do some stunt casting like they did for the Hailey Dean mysteries that the big name celebrity suddenly in a couple of movies will be the big bad in the long standing case... This is me exactly. He was fine, but I didn't find him a great fit for these movies. We'll see if the new guy is better acting wise... He's good looking at least, we know that much :P

I don't like the added stress of not having enough cooking space for each competitor.... Maria wouldn't have struggle with her tortillas if she'd been able to cook them on a regular cook top... or even with regular oven space. Jamie also had to come up with another option for her dish when there wasn't any oven space. I think it worked in her favor, but still... why can't they each have their own section of oven/grill/cooktop whatever? I just hate those extra challenges, like when chopped only has one ice cream machine etc. Otherwise it was an interesting challenge, though I'm surprised there were so many similar dishes... a lot of chicken... I'm surprised nobody did a pasta.. I mean, I know not all pastas reheat well, but it's a comforting dish... even like a spaghetti and meatballs or something... or lasagna... though I can see time constraints there.... Not surprised on Avishar going home, his dish sounded really bland and there were a lot of questions about the texture that made me suspicious the meat was tough.

Oh, for sure, I fully expect them to end up back together at some point... but it'd be good if they have some distance about it.... let them be with the other people for awhile and then next season (assuming we get a next season) they whole will they/won't they stuff with start up again. Or at least that's how I would do it, since it seems like there is no option but the triangle...

I'm hoping the therapist meant love, like friendship love, since there are different kinds of love... and we can love people different ways at different points in our lives. That he was pointing out to Zoey that this particular memory wasn't just about loss, but forming another important relationship in her life. I would like to see Max go off to New York and Zoey be okay with that. She wants to be with Simon. I think last episode the therapist was correct that she was more freaked out about losing her friend to New York, not that she loved Max so much and needed to be with him. At least that's how it played for me. not that she can't have some confusing feelings in there, too... but still. Max can go away and she and Simon can have some great months together and then i'm sure if we get another season it will all hit the fan then and we'll be stuck in love triangle hell forever.

I made it mostly to the end, but not the whole final episode... not willing to watch Bill die again... and jumping back to the first episode leaves a much better taste, the first season is so good...

What started as just a few clips on Youtube, trying to remember some things from the last couple seasons turned into me actually re-watching some of the final season. Not sure if I'll actually watch the final episode, since I hated it so much (gee, why has it take almost 7 years to revisit this show I was once obsessed with?) but I am glad to be reminded of some of the fun things about the final season. I mean, it was still bad... so bad... and even re-reading my own optimistic posts on here from earlier in the season kind of made me laugh.... But I can find the humor in the really bad flashback wigs and some of the backstory we didn't need but got anyway in said flashbacks... and also some good character moments from my favorites... I haven't made it to the last few episodes yet when things get rushed (while somehow dragging ass) and even stupider.. but I can always enjoy Eric and his ten gallon hat... and I still fast forward all of Lettie Mae's bullshit... makes me so mad that Tara got screwed out of the final season.... But anyway.... True Blood was an interesting ride with a pretty amazing case who did the dumb shit the writers wrote.... The reboot idea is lame, and I do so, so , so miss Nelsan Ellis in this world.

I thought it was a fun challenge, and really, they were still being judged on how good the food was, not necessarily if it completely fit the them. The winning dish didn't seem to be all that related to comedy, but it tasted really good, so... The movie theme thing was just a place to start. I didn't like the contrived scoring, especially when you knew the one team was going to "come back" and tie things up, but overall I think the correct team won. Not bothered by the auf this week, though I think I would have been okay with any of the bottom going home.

Can't complain about the winner, but man, the execution left something to be desired!! The drive in thing was a cool way to still sort of have some audience, but other than that, it was kind of a snoozefest. The opening was fun with all the different outfits, but then my FFwd button got a lot of action through most of the interviews and other stuff. The memorial for Chichi was really nice, so I'm glad that was part of this.... But those lip syncs.... Did Rose say she hurt her leg during her interview? Her moves seemed pretty lackluster for her being a dancer, so in some ways I wasn't totally surprised Kandy was the winner, but still... if anything Gottmik vs Symone was a much better "finale" lipsync. With Kandy and Symone it was just going through the motions. I'm not usually a big fan of the finales anyway (though that's a trend with most of these competition shows I watch) I like the challenges and having to get creative and do other things besides lip sync and look good....

I don't mind the Campbells soup quickfire, but to me I usually want quickfires to be creative quick thinking, often with unusual ingredients... I still love challenges like make an amuse bouche out of things from a vending machine, or the shop at a gas station thing. It gets us interesting food and creativity and also funny things like the cheetoh stuck in a snickers bar.... It's also a chance for the chefs to make a mistake without it costing them the competition (why I hate the sudden death quickfire deal) so they can try to be more adventurous. This weeks winner and loser weren't surprising. Kiki got a lot of screen time and after lots of screen time last week, I had a feeling it was the death edit... plus not taking Tom's advice and also lots of clips of her saying the food was great and she nailed it etc. It sucks that she couldn't rely on her equipment to work well in that environment but then I wonder why do they even provide it if it won't work well outside and with the wind etc aside from letting chefs screw up. I like sweet and savory dishes, so all of the fruit stuff sounded really good... the past that they described as a cheese plate looked really good to me, but also probably because I can imagine the flavors together a bit more than some of the other dishes. I'm not a seafood person so the scallops, fish and oysters didn't sound that appealing to me, but I get what Gabriel was going for with his 3 flavor.... I would have eaten the separate fruit toppings he made :P I wish we could taste some of these sauces, especially when the judges rave over them so much...

The comments while they were eating the food seemed to back up who was sent home... I was not at all surprised to see Brittanny in the bottom and even less surprised she was sent home, solely based on what they had to say about her food during dinner and then during judging. She was also on the chopping block last week and to me didn't seem very confident in her cooking...