cardigirl

The highlighting comment is interesting because during the first read-thru, Loretta messed up because she hadn't highlighted one of her lines. Just a call back to that first episode. I mean, I know that actors do that with their scripts to more easily find their lines, and I imagine a stage director is highlighting stage directions, for lighting cues, etc. But interesting nonetheless.

Ha! @shapeshifter beat me to it! Also, thanks, Snazzy Daisy, for reminding me about KT's suspicious behavior and the fact that her office door was closed. You really brought up all the supposed clues that were dropped.

Upon re-watch, one thing I noticed was that prior to finding the "ghost," Oliver was calling Mabel and Charles to show them the matching handwriting to the note he found in Loretta's book. After he found the ghost and realized how close he had become to becoming just like him, he took the guy's advice to heart about thinking about what he really wanted and to fight for it. Despite learning that Loretta was violent. After that encounter, Oliver was all for deleting evidence. I think he was so frightened of becoming a "ghost" he went against his friends.

Same here! Loved that bit. I'll have to re-watch this (as usual) there is a lot to unpack. Loved Mabel this episode, she's growing so much. Still not sure about Tobert, but he does get some great lines. I really don't see him as the murderer, so he probably will be. LOL. Howard and KT on stage was wonderful. If you've ever done theater, in any capacity, (high school, college, amateur, or professional) you gotta love a backstage storyline. Gosh I love this show.

I don't really think Joy did it, or at least, she did all of it. She may have been responsible for the first incident, as revenge for Charles, but I don't think she was the one pushing/shoving/accidentally tripping Ben down the elevator shaft. BUT ... I kind of hope she did. 😁 😈

Well lookeee here (or don't if you DON'T WANT TO BE SPOILED.)

I remember when I watched the episode being appalled at the fact the hospital didn't clean him up much. There was still blood on his face, which he said was because he bit his tongue when he passed out. (ouch!)

Or is that red from the "blood" that was coming out of his mouth?

We saw Charles threaten Ben, but we didn't see him punch him.

Well, they have set Loretta up to be someone who never got her big break. That's not to say she wasn't in plays throughout the years, Oliver's casting assistant said she knew her and thought she was a bit vanilla, but solid, meaning capable. So she must have been known in the acting community. Just not on Oliver's radar. I can see Dickie being her long lost son, more than Ben. Do you think all the animosity between Ben and Loretta came from her rather than from Ben? What Ben said to her at the read-through, "don't upstage me" indicates to me Ben's insecurity with his ability to do Broadway, and since Oliver told him she was fabulous, he wanted her out, because he didn't want anyone drawing focus away from him. And she responded with lots of venom (maybe, but that pig comment was so angry, coming from her). I thought it was sweet--is it any less charming than putting a tooth under your pillow for money? I think I was mostly wondering why Oliver wasn't freaking out and finding someone to try and put it back in. If it was one of his own, adult teeth, he's gonna need it. Baby teeth are different. Now he'll have to get an implant or at least a bridge to fill that gap. It's not a small thing to lose an adult tooth. That's why I was kind of weirded out by that whole thing. Why weren't they doing more to take care of his tooth? (I know, it was supposed to be a funny bit and I'm being far too literal.) I did like Loretta's apartment, and Oliver's delight is seeing "art!"

I'ma going to put this in spoilers. I have a completely wild guess based on only a few observations, and I have been wrong the past two seasons, so I have no particular powers but I think the murderer may be Check at your own risk, and don't comment until show's end. Thanks! 😘

Oh I do hope not. Poor Oliver, to lose a son he never knew about. As someone else said earlier in this thread, Loretta does not seem too broken up about Ben's death. If she were his mother, even if she gave him up, wouldn't she be somewhat grieving?

I dunno about Loretta being Ben's birth mother. Of course, we have no idea about Ben's family. He introduced Dickie as his brother, he told Charles that when he got fired from Brazzos, he was supporting his mother and brother, but that leaves his back story wide open. If people are theorizing that Ben may have a twin, I guess Loretta could have given up a child for adoption. Ben, if he didn't know, could have been horrified when he found out. But that's all speculation at this point. This show is really good at giving wisps of information without revealing much of anything. LOL. I'm not fully back on the Joy wagon yet. All that breaking glass for the aquarium, and also not being aware enough that Charles was hesitant about the engagement. She didn't sound reassuring when he asked her straightforward questions, she just got incensed, and then went to test cakes. Jan also left in a huff when the trio didn't fully welcome her. She stabbed herself to throw off suspicion. I understand why Charles is nervous about choosing poorly again. Also, he did accomplish breaking the engagement, albeit somewhat messily. Poor Oliver. He's so smitten with Loretta and then she uses the exact words written on Ben's mirror, to describe Ben. He lost a tooth to a rock hard pork chop, and then she encouraged him to throw it away. Weird date. The ferry was lovely, but the tradition was not charming. He stayed with it though, and then found Loretta's book of Ben. Wonder if that will change his feelings. I liked the callback to Zazz and Jan being an item last season. This season has done a lot to tie itself back to previous characters, which I appreciate. A strong episode, with fan service of Tobert suspecting Howard's boyfriend, Jonathon, as many fans have. I liked getting to hear Jason Veasey (Jonathon) sing and still think he's on the suspect list. And Tobert was at least less monotoned tonight.

This schedule shows no interruptions.

We aren't? *cries*

Well, it seemed more like an obsession with fish and the fish store. Plus, when she encouraged Charles to make an omelet to calm himself down and it worked, he was even able to do the patter song perfectly, Joy then said "No! It's a crutch! I'm your omelet now, Charles." UGH. She wasn't being understanding, she was being manipulative and controlling. I didn't find it attractive in the least. And poor Charles is easily manipulated and controlled, unfortunately. Look at his track record with women.

I think he intended to torture a confession out of them, as he believed THEY had killed Ben, although, killing them after might have figured in to it.

She may be responxible for the first attempt. The police think they have the guy. They arrested crazy stalker guy.

I think she was meant to be Diahann Carroll in No Strings from 1962. That's the musical the song "The Sweetest Sounds" is from and she performed it in the Broadway production. Rosharra Francis is the actress who portrayed her in this episode.

I thought this was probably the weakest episode of season 3, thus far, and yet, I am still all in for the season. I love this idea, the characters, and the general feel of the program, so I'm always gonna want more. I rather like that they are giving the side characters a bit more and I also hope the original trio is back together soon. I'm not getting the vibe expressed after episode 3 about Loretta not making it out of the season alive, until Oliver sent that text, "Dinner?" As we didn't see the reply, or her rehearsing with the group when Charles was doing his patter song, maybe something is up. Bring on next episode!

I enjoyed Joy so much last season and was looking forward to seeing how that relationship had blossomed, but I guess the writers decided to make her kooky and not in a great way. Ugh. I love Andrea Martin, but like Charles, I'm looking for a way outta this relationship. Why, why, why does she have to be dotty? Looks like old Charles is in it for sex only. I really liked the concept of the "white room" and Charles' experience with trying to do the "talking" song. He was great when he performed it in the apartment. LOL. I'm glad to see Cinda but like others have said, I hope Mabel doesn't end up trusting her. I hope not. That apartment she renovated is beautiful, and she did a great job, but I hope she figures out a way to stay in the Arconia all on her own.

So ... my initial reaction to this episode was that I didn't enjoy it as much as the first two, but upon re-watching it, I enjoyed it much more. Oliver shutting himself in the kitchen so he could rant "You're screwed, Putnam!" was hilarious. I laughed out loud at that scene! 🤣 I still found the conversation between Mabel and Tobert weird, and the way Jesse was delivering his lines was so very monotone. I was bored. I ended up really liking the lullaby on the second viewing. Very pretty.

Quoting myself here because I want to build on the theory ... While I'm not sure I buy the "Ben-is-talking-to-cookies" theory completely, I wanted to add that Howard provided the cookies for the table read. So another link between Howard and the murder. Also, yes the table read and opening night are months apart, but at the table read, EVERYONE there became aware of Ben's cookie addiction, so they would know he wouldn't refuse a gift of a plate of cookies. Just some thoughts.

The understudy is Howard's love interest from season 2, I believe. So that puts Howard in line as a suspect, getting rid of the "star" so his true love could get a break. (Not sure if this is a theory I'm going to stick with, or if it's just a fleeting thought. 🤔)

I didn't love this episode as much as the first two. And I wasn't impressed with the nanny lullaby, considering who co-wrote it (Sara Bareilles), but I did enjoy the duet that Meryl and Ashley sang. (Kimba is up to something!) I'll admit, I was very tired when watching this, so will watch again for more perspective. I didn't really believe that Tobert and Mabel could have a whispered conversation and not be overheard by Ben's brother. I did enjoy their "banter" though. Tobert seems a little old for Mabel, but what do I know. Interesting also that Ben's brother has signed on to manage Loretta so quickly after his brother's death. Will report back after watching again.