hertolo

No, Leo is cute, with that smille and everything. He's not a classic dashing womanizer, but then I guess that's the point. I don't think the show makes so much fun at Russia, but rather at the Aristocracy in general. I love the show as well. I think it's a good starting point for a discussion on history, historiography and our modern culture of memory. Because it is fun at first. And it takes up so many clichees that we can ask: Wait, really? I feel that's worth more than trying to be as historically precise as possible.

It‘s so sad that this show doesn‘t seem to spark much interest. I‘m only slowly getting through all episodes, but this is because every one of these first three has been excellent and a story in their own right. I love the humour and the sarcasm. And even though everything is exaggerated and not realistic, it hits the points it‘s wanting to make.

I dont know. Too many tropes, irrational decisions and too much violence. Not that I couldn‘t take it, but that‘s just not how life works. As I‘ve only heard bad reviews, I guess I‘ll pass on the other episodes.

Don't get me wrong, I don't want to exuse them. And that is why a clear shift is seen between the seasons. But "slightly" enhanced? Maybe it's my European perspective speaking here, but it all seemed a little bit much fantastical to me. So yes, I kinda forgot about Montys two helpers, but I did just assume they had to leave as well... What the football team did was more than banter, but I strongly believe to them it only seemed as banter. That's the very problem with so many of these topics: you first have to convince the perpetrators thzt what they are doing is really bad. I thought I had singled out that important distinction better in my post. Sorry for that then. Monty intensified the homophobic atmosphere himself at the football team, which seems oh so typical. Maybe when he was gone? In any case, you are right, I can't speak to the general level of homopjobia in the younger generations. That very interesting discussion would also flood this thread and not be appropriate. I just spoke of my personal impressions and you did then of your very different own. Fair enough. With Winston, sad and pathetic are the same to me here. I still hold, had Winston had a group of friends himself, he never would have "fallen" so much for Monty. It is not his fault he doesn't have a support group like Alex or Tyler had. (that was a condcious decision by the writers). But not having any friends in high school happens - and it changes the whole game. It's a sad story, doesn't make what he did (allegedly) right by the way. So, I see you, I want to apologize for any harsher tones I chose - i did so because we are on a web forum here -, but i still hold on to most of my points.

Guys and Girls, shows like this aren't meant to be a realistic depiction of Life. Just count all the horrible trauma that has happened over four seasons. And all these strange antics, the characters get into. How much time do they have on their hand? So a lot of the questions and discussions (college interviews, SAT, why were those two at the end speech?) are easily explained by how a TV show is produced. No need to explain them in universe, the point of the show is another. And it has learned compared to season 1. For example, they show Jessica and Diego getting a HIV-test. Unnecessary scene, but such an important one. It was a little bit of a PSA, but I found it tolearble. And I'm not the primary public for this show. The show seemed a lot more gay in this season. It might seem strange to see the Football Team suddenly so acceptable, but I do believe that the environment that made Monty feel so uncomfortable was just banter. The tragic is that the boys making that banter didn't get how hurtful their words were. Kids these days are a lot more accepting. Still, being able to explain away a shift in tone doesn't mean that that shift doesn't exist. Lastly, I want to repeat that Monty is by far the saddest character of this season. In the end, he is still alone, even though all he probably wants is a genuine human connection. Which is why he latched so much onto Monty. I do think he would have let it go if Clay hadn't broken him and Alex up. It's a sad story, and maybe one that hit a bit too close to home for me since I had a similar challenge after coming out. So that is what I mean by "it doesn't have to be realistic to be a real story". Magical Realism and all that.

Add me in to the line that didn't understand why they had to use the name Rock Hudson. If you change his life arc so radically, you may as well just give a new name. I can see the merits of this alternative history. It's optimistic tone tells us more about todays societal discussion though. But that's okay, we can have other avenues for serious discussion of the media. Series are entertainment and also have the task to wet the appetite. And I do think that this series manages this marvelously. I also like the emphasis that culture is just as political and most often a more productive investment of your energy than politics - if you want to change society. We have a bit lost our belief in the transformative power of cultural works. This shows the effect very competently. And I lastly also agree that Netflix does wonders for Ryan Murphy. The mini series format with beginning-middle-end and completed story arcs works so well. I am wondering if the next step is not to shorten these story arcs and we are back at movies - after the 24-episode seasons that was all the hype before streaming and binge watching came around.

I am not as fast in watching so yes, these threads always are a bit strange. Three episodes in, I kinda like the season, especially Uthreds son seems interesting. Otherwise, there is much repeating of tropes, situations, discussions. The world is apparently always ending. But I like that the show makes me go on wikipedia tangents still.

Yeah, what a gay episode. Jack may become a little bit to Mary Sue-like. I know, he lies to his wife and has been to jail, but he is so morally upstanding, it‘s a bit annoying. A little bit of homophobia would have the character appear more realistic or life-like in my mind. He will get some flaws in the next episodes, I am sure. I‘m still waiting for the transformation of Rock Hudson. He was such a huge star, he would have needed to be talented? Also his insecurities here don‘t really jive with him knowing what to do at the gas station in the Pilot. I guess, they needed to knock him down for the transformation into superstar that is coming (unless we are not that alternative history-ing).

I like this episode as it made the „culture is political“ argument so very well. I usually nowadays hear it about European Integration, but it is as true here. Works of Culture can shape our imagination and contribute to a societal discussion, and politics will react then afterwards since it is democratic and democracy is slow (and that‘s a good thing by the way). But I can see how this will result in alternative Hollywood history. That just makes the series relevant for today‘s discussion on societal questions. It is okay, we have documentaries for the facts, this show is about the „feelings“.

Yeah, this show is ridiculous. But I love it nevertheless. Just go with the flow. They ended all the story arcs this season, tieing a neat little bow on a third act-story. Very classic storyline. But then they add a little „two months later“ that can open everything up for an epilogue season. And even if they add a few more seasons after that, these first three seasons will be the storyline they set up to tell. An exposition opener that leads to the main drama set-off (season 1), a diversion that could have led somewhere and introduces other players (season 2), and the solution to the drama that started it all (season 3). But I of course will watch whatever they do. Some more comments/answers to questions: Yeray really would have made more sense as a 30-year old (living alone, being rich, Carla not really wanting to be with him since really that‘s nearly another generation, her father wanting to make business with him). Christian is obviously absent because the actor is busy with other stuff. I‘m sad they never got around to introduce Omars and Nadias sister.

I liked this episode: Seeing the Milkoviches again and that confusion about who murdered the Parole Officer. Also the kneeling storyline. And the racist aunt. But yes, it seems the storylines are getting shallower and shorter. Seems like they ran to the well one too many times. But it has been a good run for shameless anyways.

For those who didn‘t like this episode or who wanted something „that would move the story forward“, just remember a few episodes back. We got a scene where Jason got all his memories back. That was over in a blink of a second and then he was reserved enough in hell to get Janet out of there. That felt a bit strange, right? We as viewers didn‘t believe it quite (also because it‘s Jason). This is the same here. If Chidi is about to give the answer, we do need to believe he is capable and that is why him remembering his whole life is so important. It makes us understand the genius that will be the next few episodes 😉 As to the discussion on Tahani‘s soulmate, I am on the side that she doesn‘t need to be paired off at the end of the show. First, that is what Michaels speech to Chidi was all about: not everything is neat and clean and you just can‘t force it. Secondly, they got the whole eternity waiting for them, why does she need to have someone now. And Thirdly, exactly because we are talking about eternity here, is that construct of a monogamous two-sided relationship really the end of all wisdom? There don‘t need to be crazy orgies. But we are talking about heaven with no responsibilities here. The options are endless. They really don‘t need to pair off Tahani with anyone. That‘s a huge point of the show for me: it‘s good to challenge some tv-truths from time to time. And btw. Why didn‘t they give us that Chidi-Jason Soulmate pairing. That would have fitted perfectly.

What a wonderful show. Very self-conscious, but doesn‘t take itself too seriously. Full of plotholes, but they don‘t really matter. Very meta, but set design is more important in that regard than plot. 🙂 This universe doesn‘t have to make sense in itself, it‘s just a good story that makes you think. And that‘s good enough for me.

Just discovered this show by the way of youtube recommendations and had to watch that one clip a few too many times to understand it. I guess, I‘m going to catch up slowly now...

Nah, I can‘t see them making the soulmate thing canon for heaven. That would really push the idea that monogamy is right and everything else is wrong. I do think that they will go past that in the resolution of the story. The episode was good, I definitely get the impression that this show is on its home stretch. They still have a lot of fun and again: you learn a lot by watching the show. See Solipsism.

Yeah, it‘s way over the top. I prefer realistic portrayals. They teach me more than those allegorical over the top theatre performances. Too many references, no heart. So much like early Glee. As it‘s funny and good to watch on the side, I‘ll give it a third episode.

That was .... bland. I have to agree with everyone else who posted so far. I had to double-check, wait that wa the "finale"? You broke of in the midst of all the posts. It's a strange show in that there is a big plot that moves forward, but each episode can totally reset everything and be just about a bearwoman. I mean I watched them on the side while eating and they were good for that (you can't f.e. do that with the Good Place and all its side gags), but yeah, I wouldn't pay money to see that show. I'm probably going to watch part 3 anyways though...

Simone isn‘t there to torture Chidi, she‘s to test Eleanore. Can Eleanore agree to her being happy with Chidi? (And yes, Simone‘s reaction was golden) But I do like the idea that the test isn‘t how it seems to be set up. Too many questions remain open: Like, what‘s the impulse for the new humans to try to get better? As pointed out, in the original, two of the candidates knew they weren‘t supposed to be in the good place. Or, the missing concept of the soulmates. That was necessary to give some sort of drive to the first season. Without it, meh... That‘s why I‘m sure there‘s some big twist coming in the second half of the opener next week. As we are basically at the same place we were at the start of the episode, and that never happens with The Good Place. I can see some merit in the swap of Janet or Michael theory. Brent could have some role, he‘s played by a familiar actor. I don‘t know, we‘ll see. I still enjoy the show and I am glad that they chose to end the story and not drag out the concept. The ending is always very important (I‘m hoping for the books there). And thank you for shirtless demon, what‘s his name again? I‘m just glad he‘s on screen.

There's also the shirt change proven by instagram... In the end, this resolution just makes for a better set up for season 3 I guess. If they wanted, it could have been enough. But it's not so blatant a misdirection it's totally unbelievable. Polo being hard and clear of mind again, after being willing to admit everything just before... Well okay. Again, I'm very much looking forward to the next season. I watch this (and casa del papel and that cuervos show on netflix) to train my Spanish, so thanks for explaining that accent of Valerio to me. I very much appreciated his presence btw... Hrmpf. 😉 Otherwise, yeah, ridiculous show, but entertaining.

I'm new to this show, and came here for the queer thing, but I found it strangely entertaining. Much more entertaining however is reading up on the candidates twitters, instagrams and so on about what really happened. Mindboggling, but also logical that everything is differend behind the scenes. Also, I feel like I should drop this article here. It is very good: https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/natalieadler/mtv-are-you-the-one-queer-dating-reality-tv-bisexual

Oh, you‘re too fast for me. I guess I‘ll be back in a few weeks when I caught up and everybody has moved on :)

Got up to episode two of the second season. Still love the over-the topness of the set design, behaviour and the beautiful obviously not 17-year old actors. I don‘t think I like where they are going with the story but its probably realistic. I like the new additions so far, because why not go full soap opera? The most intriguing storyline for me is still the Muslim Family since it‘s the only realistic one? But wow, that scene in episode 2 between Ander, Polo and Guzman.... Why?

I loved this episode. It adds new gods and paints a picture. Classical American Gods, not telling a straight story. Tech Boy is great, so is Columbia. And Odin is full of shit. Maybe Gaiman intentionally hold back with the White Supremacy connection because he didn't want to tell that story personally? But Odin would be a really really dark character. I believe, fandom to series and the MCU would be included in the worship of Media. After all, sitting on the couch watching TV, all you do is entertaining yourself passively. What is not ticked off and what makes the fan conventions special is Fan Fiction. When people take a story and make it their own and debate it and clash over it. Fan fiction would be a angry self-righteous God, always clashing with others for the sake of it. That makes me think, is there a God of trolls? And lastly, about Shadows Mum. I always thought there must be some connection to Native Americans because of the Buffalo. Maybe that's why.

Slow in catching up, just wanted to add one thing. Mr. World to me is every conspiracy theory come to live. It‘s the shadow world government that people think exist and therefore exists. That‘s why he and his cronies are dressed in black and have such bland names. And that‘s why he thinks he gets to command (New) Media and Techboy. And that‘s why he always wants more information and can never get it, because (conspiracy) he thinks there must always be something more hidden. Because of course, the world is bad and run by a shadow government. Now there‘s another explanation or dimension having read the books but no need to get into that here.

No, because he forces her to change into a worse and non-prepared costume. He can be uncomfortable with it & they can talk it out. But the way he talked to her about it is not a healthy way to solve a relationship dispute. Instead of a compromise, he had to show his superiority. And that‘s bad. Similarly, after the hazing* he dealt with his pain in the bathroom and then got back to Cassie to prove his masculinity. It would have been so much more healthier had he taken her up on her proposal to talk about his feelings and insecurities. But he doesn‘t trust her, so at the moment that‘s not a relationship, but a periodical get together of two people needing something at that time. One needs to learn how to do an adult relationship, and that requires trust. But he is afraid that after they maybe break up, Cassie will talk about him (or even now already). So, my point was more about toxic masculinity than him thinking her costume is slutty. He‘s entitled to that opinion. *which I agree was no rape. That would be so much more fucked up and Cassie for sure would have called the police. No, that was a standard college hazing, not necessarily the best thing to do either.