[RIP: Characters We've Loved and Lost]

RIP, Bob. What did he say? "The nightmare has to end; it doesn't have to end who you are". Loved that.

Poor Bob, it was bad enough he suffered such a brutal end on The Wire, he fared no better on Walking Dead.

[RIP: Characters We've Loved and Lost]

You were Da Man, Hershel.  RIP Merle, you magnificent bastard.  Also another shout-out for Dale.  He had his faults, but his death was probably the most brutal on the show so far the way it dragged out.

[The Telltale Game]

I have finished season 1 and the expansion 400 Days, and am one episode into season 2.  I've really enjoyed it so far.  Lee and Clementine are great characters, and there are many others.  And the events in the game are every bit a sad and brutal as the tv show.  Keep in mind that this series is really an interactive story with a few gameplay elements in the form of quicktime events (i.e., a lot of key or button mashing), and some fairly simple puzzle solving.  If you look at it in this context as opposed to expecting an actual game like Far Cry, then you won't be disappointed.  And the cool part is your decisions do have an impact on the story and they even capture those decisions in recaps before subsequent episodes.  I also want to try Telltale Games' Wolf Among Us, which is also supposed to be very good.

[Season 2 Discussion]

RIP Bob Seger...I've heard "You are so beautiful" at so many family weddings, now I can't get the "you are so acceptable" version out of my head.

Wait, he's still alive, don't write him off yet!  Though "You are so Acceptable" might put him six feet under.

[Season 2 Discussion]

The makeup person for the show deserves a medal.  Finally Daya and Cassia's hair are fixed (as well as Cassia's makeup)!

 

I read online that Mo was hitting on Danielle's friend's teenage daughter.

 

I wish I had hosted the show.  I would have asked Danny, where does your father get the ridiculous idea that mixed marriages aren't accepted in this country?

[S04.E08: Chupacabra]

I think Juliette needs to get in touch with her inner hexenbiest and embrace it.

[S25.E12: All Or Nothing]

This was a continuation leg (aka, double-length or to be continued) which means that the pit stop is only to pick up the next clue and any other instructions.  The first to arrive do not win a prize and the last to arrive do not have to complete a speed bump.  So, there was really nothing that happened that was 'unfair' to the other teams.  

 

 

They didn't have two NELs in a row.  And the Candy Scientists didn't finish last on the previous leg.

 

The previous leg saw the Candy Scientists finish second out of four, losing a footrace to the mat against the Dentists.  The Wrestlers finish last to be saved by a NEL. 

 

The final leg began in Manila, with the Candy Scientists leaving the pitstart second and the Wrestlers (the NEL team) leaving last.  Brooke & Robbie faced a speedbump wherein they had to transfer all the goods from a vendor's broken bike to a new one.  The leg continued with basket ball, bike racing and delivering of coconut brooms, etc.  Amy suffered from the heat about midway in the leg, but Phil gave the Candy Scientists a clue and they raced on to Los Angeles, where the teams jumped through broken glass, rescued Oscar from the ocean waves, and overcame a memory challenge in a container yard, before racing to the finish.  The Wrestlers were eliminated mid-leg, and the Candy Scientists took the prize.

 

Now, that last leg might have looked like two legs to you and me, because it was broadcast as two episodes but from the racers perspective it was one leg.

 

You're both sort of arguing semantics.  Yes by the rules Phil and the producers decided on, it was a continuation leg, but really anytime you hit the mat that's a leg, and they just finagled it not calling that a leg so they could get four teams in the final.  That's still the first time they ever did that before the final destination.  It was just weak, even arguing that it's a continuation leg doesn't change the fact that nothing they did in Manilla mattered at all - all four teams still were on the same flight no matter what.  You could have completely eliminated that whole previous episode and had the teams go from the ox/mud pits straight to the airport, same thing.  It's okay I guess mid-season to fill out the episodes, but at the end being last on the mat should always have consequences.

[S25.E12: All Or Nothing]

Well I don't feel like the best team won this time, but whatever.  I do think it's kind of lame to have two NELs in a row and then the final leg.  Made them seem sort of pointless, you know?  And Amy and Maya received no penalty whatsoever for finishing last on the previous leg, no speed bump and not even a later start than the other teams.  So I did think it was unfair to the other teams that Amy and Maya got to start the last leg even with them.  I hope they don't do that again, it should either be the final three or if it's four then the fourth place team needs to be at some disadvantage, just like the last place team on other legs.  I knew Brooke and Robbie were finished when the other teams had all left city hall and they were still lost in Santa Monica.  Yeesh.  (and seriously, it's not that hard to follow the signs and get on the freeway to downtown from LAX, don't know why it was such a problem for them and the dentists)  I did like them even though Brooke could be obnoxious, they made me laugh.  I guess Bethany had trouble with that container challenge because she must have had a good 15 minute head start at least on the others.  The dentists had their usual navigation trouble in the beginning that they could never overcome.  I was pulling for the surfers to win.  I'm happy for the candy girls and all, but the finish was sort of meh.

[S29.E14: This Is My Time / Live Reunion]

That was unexpected some. When I had heard that the Twinnies were going to be on, I felt a deep dread that we'd be subjected to more cries of "TWINNIE!" over and over. On the Amazing Race, I thought of them as the CAPSLOCK TEAM, because it was like they were always shouting.

 

So I was quite happy when Nadiya got voted out first.

 

And now I'm quite happy that Natalie won, she played a terrific, strong and intelligent game, she deserved the victory. 

 

I didn't expect that.

I had the exact same feeling.  I'm not a fan of people who get on these shows and then get brought back again.  They've had their fifteen minutes, time for someone else to get a shot.  And they did seem overbearing in the beginning so I was glad Nadiya was gone right away.  And I continued to dislike Natalie with her loudmouth assault on Rocker an episode or two later, but as the game wore on she won me over with her very smart playing, and took over control of the game near the end which is the mark of a winner.

[S29.E14: This Is My Time / Live Reunion]

Something Reed said, and Jeff sort of repeated, was how Missy doled out and ate more rice than they should have. And she somehow convinced everyone (off camera, to us) how pitiful she was and woe is me.... so she started getting freebie rewards that she didn't earn. And she got to stay in the game by sitting on the sidelines. I think there's a lot that went down in camp we weren't privvy to, which is why she gained the disrespect of most of the jury. She didn't win a single challenge, she didn't do anything to contribute to team wins that I can recall.

I wish it had been Keith, Jaclyn and Natalie in the final 3, just to hear what Keith would have said, and the fact that Jaclyn might have been the only sob story (which would have stuck out like a sore thumb). It would have been a much more interesting final, for me.

True about Missy, I didn't forget how she had squandered their rice.  I didn't dislike her, but I knew she couldn't win because while the broken foot wasn't her fault, before that she hadn't done anything in the game except play the alliance strategy very well.  And she did get a good share of unearned perks.

 

Reed's "Wicked Step Mother" speech gets the Sue Hawk award.

 

I agree with Blue Jay, Jeremy just came off as an ass last night.  Keith went way farther than you, dude, and it wasn't by luck.

 

Anyway, congrats to Natalie.  As soon as she got Jon voted out I picked her to win the whole thing.  Too bad Keith didn't join Missy and Jaclyn's conversation last night, he might have been able to give Jaclyn that one little push to vote out Natalie, as she was already considering it.  Wouldn't have mattered to Jaclyn in the end, as the mock vote by Probst showed that Keith would have won if he made the final three.

[Season 2 Discussion]

I don't disagree that that he had no intention of staying with her - I think they made an arrangement that benefited them both. Except it didn't.

Agree to disagree, but I don't see Dani as this poor, meek, gullible, kind woman.

I see her for the narcissistic, manipulative, emotional drain that she is.

All that crying and blubbering? It doesn't make me empathetic towards her ... It makes me want to fly to NoWhere, Ohio and slap her clear across the face for that bullshit.

 

Oh I agree that Danielle is responsible for her own situation.  Someone in her family should have bonked her over the head.  I don't think he ever intended to stay with her though, because from the very beginning her never behaved toward her with any affection or even gave the impression that he liked her as a friend.  I don't see how this arrangement benefited her at all.  What exactly does he give her?  He has no job so can't provide money.  He clearly doesn't want to be intimate with her.  He says he wants to help with the kids but I see no connection or interaction between them and him whatsoever.  So what does she get out of all of this other than marriage status?

 

I don't think Mo or anyone of the spouses get the green card upon marriage.   Where Mo might have been 'taken' is that Danielle is in massive debt, they may not have a roof over their heads for much longer, and she doesn't have the money to pay for the paperwork.  Since Mo can't work until he gets his green card, Danielle is responsible for both their bills.

 

Flip the genders.  If this was happening to Jason & Cassia or Justin & Daya, where they were in danger of being homeless, would they be considered a loser? 

He's a loser because he is entering into an arranged marriage simply so he can get a foothold in this country, nothing more.  He's a zero, he has nothing to offer to anyone.  No one owes him a home in this country; if he wants a roof over his head he can earn it.  He went ahead with this marriage with full knowledge of her debt and employment status, so that's his problem.  He has nothing, so Dani's creditors could never get anything out of him and he'll be long gone soon anyway.  Daya at least is acting like a mother to Justin's daughter.  I actually think Cassia is a loser too.  She's needy and selfish, and has a miserable personality.  I couldn't stay married to her for 48 hours.

[Season 2 Discussion]

I get the feeling that INS used to be very diligent about sham marriages back in the day, but is now asleep at the switch.  I have someone in my own family who is mentally disabled and lives in a home, and a Filipina worker there married him, got her green card, and took off.

[Season 2 Discussion]

He may be an asshole, but he's not the biggest asshole in this couple.

He wanted a green card and perhaps a chance at a better life? I almost feel that he was honest with Danielle about his intentions and her delusional ass is the one who built up this fantasy.

He didn't put her daughters at risk. He didn't get her phone cut off. He didn't get her evicted. He didn't make her lose her job.

I see him as someone who entered into a business transaction and has fulfilled 100% of his obligations only to realize that he's been taken.

I honestly think that DANIELLE should be punished. She is the one who "imported" this man. She is the American citizen and the one who should know the immigration laws in our country.

But he's in a catch 22. He's not innocent so he can't outright report her because it will be him who is punished/deported.

How exactly has he been taken, and why would he ever report her?  She gave him everything he wanted.  She brought him over here and enabled him to get his green card.  He has no intention of staying with her after the marriage, never did.  He's a conman and a user, and she's just lonely and gullible.  He's nothing but a loser and he needs to be deported.

[Season 2 Discussion]

I'm happy for Amy, I think she's great.  Brett talking to his mom within earshot of Daya was such a reality tv setup.  Lame.  Cassia returns with another makeup disaster this week, pink lipstick to go along with her wingtips and two-toned hair.  Daya takes second place with her multicolored mane.  These two should go on one of those extreme makeover shows next.  Dani's son gets the fashion award, walking his mom down the aisle in a short-sleeve pullover, cargo shorts, and tennis shoes.  Nothing says "Don't care" better!  Mo the green card conman managed to top himself this week for not kissing his bride.  And the Duncan Hines wedding cake was awesome, I loved how the camera kept zooming in for a closeup.  Wedding of the Year!

[S04.E09: Tupperware Party Massacre]

A roller coaster tonight. Loved the cop accepting Dandy's offer so quickly and emphatically. Dandy just may be the last man standing. 

The cop should have held out for at least two million, he had Dandy over a barrel.

 

Dandy's "puppet" in the beginning was especially creepy, have to give them props for that.

[S29.E13: Let's Make A Move]

I don't think Keith gets more than a couple of votes, one of them from his son.  People don't see him as a good strategist at all, just someone who has benefited mostly from circumstances.  He is a good competitor in challenges, though.

[S29.E13: Let's Make A Move]

I don't see Natalie not making the final three.  Once there she has the strongest case to win.  She's won challenges, and as a single player missing her sister from the start, she has not only made it this far but is now the one pulling the strings.

[S29.E13: Let's Make A Move]

Jon was done in by his overconfidence.  He now follows in the grand tradition of Survivor "nice guys" who got taken out, going back to Colby in Australia.  Had he played his idol then Jaclyn would have been voted out. He would have been next but he'd still be a favorite to win immunity challenges and make it to the final three that way. (like Kelly in season 1)

 

Here's my prediction for the finish:

 

Jaclyn is doomed unless she wins immunity, and she's not good at those.  Missy and Baylor wouldn't want her in the final three because she gets an automatic vote from Jon and also one from Alec.  Two votes right there.  So your final four is mom/daughter, Natalie, and Keith.  Natalie would want to keep both Baylor and Missy in the final three because if one of them is on the council, the other one gets their vote so an advantage.  So with Missy/Baylor/Natalie in the final three, Natalie wins.  Baylor really hasn't done much besides playing the alliance game.  Same with mom, who also has been gifted with some rewards she didn't win from other players, and has had a pretty cushy Survivor experience up to twisting her ankle.  Jon and Jaclyn would throw their votes to Missy, Alec to Baylor, and I believe the rest of the votes go to Natalie.  Reed would never vote Baylor or Missy, though Josh might give his to Missy.  If Keith wins immunity (which could definitely happen), then Missy probably goes and it's Keith/Baylor/Natalie.  Natalie still wins.  Baylor would get Jon/Jaclyn/Missy, Keith would get his son's vote, and Natalie would get the rest.  But who knows, voting is unpredictable.

[S01.E09: Harvey Dent]

The thing that makes Batman so great is the complex relationships he has with ALL the villains.  I don't think Joker and Riddler would know what to do without him.  His early relationship with Selina is a good prelude to this.  You also see it with Gordon and his relationships with Dent, Nygma, and Cobblepot.

[S04.E08: Blood Bath]

I never knew Thredson's actual age, which is why I said it was either a very young Thredson, or Thredson's mentor. In the latter case, and if the psychiatrist is shown again, a wider shot of the office could show an intern Thredson in the background or something of that nature.

Could be, and also tv shows are often notorious for their bad timelines and totally ignoring characters' real ages.

[S04.E08: Blood Bath]

Well this episode sure lived up to its title, literally and figuratively.  Both kills could be seen coming a mile away, so I was also less shocked than I might have been.  I did like the conclusion to the story of Elsa's legs though.  I think it would have been merciful to kill the father after the tar and feathers, I can't see him surviving that and his end would have been slow and agonizing.  The way he was screaming it seemed that they were pouring scalding hot tar on him, so all of his skin would have been burned off.  But maybe it was just lukewarm tar, lol.

 

I'm not sure that the psychiatrist is Thredson.  This is 12 years before Asylum, and in that one he is like in his thirties.  That would make him an awfully young psychiatrist in Freak Show.

[S29.E11: Kind Of Like Cream Cheese (11) / Still Holdin' On (12)]

Someone upthread mentioned Circe.  But I was also thinking of the person whose name is on the tip of my tongue and won't pop off of it despite her being one of the most well-known Survivors ever.  She won twice.  The Puerto Rican lady whose tag line was kind of "as longs as it isn't me" as she was always providing a number for an alliance that wouldn't vote her out.  I loved her style of play and feel dumb I'm blanking on her right now.  Help me out guys so I can do a Homer Simpson "d'oh" to my forehead.

That was Sandra.  Yes, she has the bragging rights as the all-time Master Survivor.  For a former champion to win it again is really impressive.

[S29.E11: Kind Of Like Cream Cheese (11) / Still Holdin' On (12)]

Why did it never occur to Natalie and Baylor to take out Jaclyn?  I would think if I was either of them that I would want to bring Alec into the final three.  If Baylor made it to the final three with her mom and Alec, her or her mom were sure to win.  If Natalie made it to the final three with Alec and either Missy or Baylor, she's probably be the winner.  Takling Jaclyn out would have isolated Jon and put Natlie in the advnatageous position of being the player in the middle, able to stay aligned with Missy and Baylor or flip and use Keith and Alec to pick off Missy or Baylor.

 

And they really need to get rid of immunity idols on Exile island.  It's a ridiculous advantage to give to someone who is basically there because they lost.  So now they get a clue and loads of time to find a hidden idol without any distractions.  At least idols hidden by the camp can be competed for.

[S25.E09: You're Taking My Tan Off]

I really wanted the cyclists to win the whole thing.  But they were in trouble no matter what they did on this leg.  If they didn't try for the fast forward, they would have had to get to the u-turn first because the other teams would have seen them at the road block and been sure to u-turn them.  I thought it would have been tremendous if they upset the surfers at their own game.  And they were so close to getting it down, just one or two more tries...  The scientist girls were annoyng with their obsessing about u-turning the cyclists.  It was so stupid, if the cyclists got the fast forward then they would be in first, if not they would be in last anyway.  The wrestlers can't go soon enough, they're a couple of overgrown brats.  The dentists are mildly annoying, but I don't hate them or anything.  He's too smug, she's mostly alright.

 

Edit:  During the massage Segment I kept thinking about the chest waxing scene in Forty Year Old Virgin.  I was waiting for one of them to yell out, "Kelly Clarkson!"

[S02.E11: The Akeda]

Wow - I just realized you are right - Moloch IS defeated so the "breakup" is over... and even if it isn't, Goffman plans to spend the rest of the season "explaining" Katrina so that at the end of the season, we will all bow down to her glory and understand why Ichabod does a "I'm so sorry for misjudging you oh great Katrina - your history FULLY explains that you are absolved of all sin and are perfect in thy sight!" and then takes her into his arms and they flit off for a second honeymoon while Katrina defeats all of the evil doers and Abbie is relegated to picking cotton in the field for a new Katrina corset.

Yes I'm bitter.

I think the breakup is still on.  Moloch's defeated but you know this apocalypse thing is still going and Henry is probably going to take it over.  And Abraham is still waiting in chains for his mistress to return.  I think the Witnesses are still important.  There is obviously some task that must be done to end the apocalypse altogether that only they can perform.