swimmyfish

I always thought Scandal would work better as a high school drama because it seemed so ridiculous to me that world leaders would be so juvenile and incompetent. Sigh. The Elementary Elementary sounds so adorable! I would watch that.

I really liked Pimento this episode - pairing him with Holt was smart, since Holt tends to bring out the best in everyone. Pimento also really reminded me of Jake when he was running through the alternate-career scenarios, except that Pimento doesn't necessarily see himself as the hero in any outcome. He's like the Faith to Jake's Buffy. I loved the Holt-impression contest at the beginning of the episode, and Boyle's impression made me laugh out loud, but I was strangely disappointed when it turned out to be correct. Although it is always nice when Boyle gets to be insightful. I hope there's going to be a web extra sharing Holt's thoughts on Lemonade - as a nation, we really need that right now.

The show said outright that the architects do not see humans before they arrive in their destination - living humans appear as nothing more than red dots on a map. I would imagine that Trevor was aware he didn't have the correct Eleanor; we've seen Real Eleanor is an openly good person, and I think those tendencies would be on display even in the Bad place. Trevor, being terrible, could have noticed that he didn't get the fun trash bag he was expecting, but did nothing to correct it. Why would he? He still has someone to torture, after all.

Me too. On a related note, does anyone know which Haley Joel Osment movie Garrett was describing?

I watched this clip when I got home last night, and his genuine sadness that kept slipping through was almost too much on what had already been a difficult day. But I did find comfort in his closing, that the election is over but this is not, that he will continue to use his platform to hold Trump accountable.

Just when I thought "Lord, not another story about control of the Marbella," it turns out it was all in service of Jane realizing that Petra is really Anezka. I love that this show clearly knows what it's doing, and so, even though I am worried about the ominous note the narrator struck for Michael and Jane, they've established that no matter how firmly they set up a zig, you've always got to be ready for a zag instead. Also, I am SO READY for Petra to come back! I like Jane and Raf teaming up to save her, and I am excited for the world of hurt she will bring down on Anezka.

I think I'm a little too stressed about the actual election to find the ballot-box mishap funny, but I really like the continuing theme of Cheyenne knowing everyone's secrets. It was nice to see the guy who cut off his thumb came back! Too bad he's kind of a creep, though. Not sure I like what's happening with Jonah and Amy - I like them as friends, but don't really see a lot of chemistry between the two of them. I know Amy's marriage is supposed to be unhappy, buy it's okay to have a workplace story that doesn't have a romantic subplothe. Also, I really liked Glenn'so skittishness around the U-word - nice callback to the finale/premiere.

Seeing Chidi interact with his actual soul mate was so great and so sad - it's nice to see that, minor clerical error aside, he and Real Eleanor really are perfect together. Real Eleanor was a surprise - just as accomplished as Tahani, but without the desperate need to impress. I really like her, but I'm torn about her coming between Chidi and Fake Eleanor. Michael's line of the night, on why they would create a bad Janet: "Unclear." It was all in the delivery, but I laughed and laughed at that. Jianyu's scene with Janet was sweet but I have to object to the idea that she's the only one who's nice to him. Tahani has wanted nothing more than to enjoy his company, and it would've been nice to see him acknowledge that. I am very intrigued that she's on to him now. Also, was she wearing the blue, Alice in Wonderland style dress again during their confrontation? I'm also curious why Trevor hasn't outed Jianyu as a fake. Is it possible he's supposed to be in the Good Place? I was concerned that Michael was giving Trevor ideas when he was telling him off the the end! And I can't believe we have time wait until January to find out what happens next!

This was such a good episode. Janet handing Michael the cactus made me laugh so hard, even though I knew that was definitely going to happen. Best joke of the episode, imo. I was glad to see a flashback of Eleanor where she was hanging out with other terrible people. It makes a good point that doing something shirty to a shirty person is still a shirty thing to do. I also enjoyed this particular plot because, much as I love the Internet, I've always been really bothered by those kind of viral stories. I did think our Eleanor got off the train awfully quick - that seemed like a pretty quick turnaround from Michael, although it is nice to see how much he values Chidi's input. Also, while there is a lot to choose from, I think the worst thing about Trevor is that he knew he had the wrong Eleanor all along! I was also a little disappointed that the Dress Bitch wasn't part of Trevor's entourage. On the downside, this is the first cliffhanger where I don't immediately want to know what happens next. I'm not hooked by the appearance of Other Eleanor; in fact, myou initial reaction was to worry what's happening with the real Jianyu. But, I am sure the writers will continue to exceed my expectations, no matter how many Eleanors we end up with.

I thought of that, too! I wonder how many points he'd lose for wearing the boots, not because he liked them, but because he thought he was cool enough to make them look good. I really enjoyed the Chidi flashbacks. They really didn't tell us anything new about him, but I kind of like that we do have at least one character here who is exactly what they seem to be. I actually gasped when Janet died, and was then relieved when she was immediately resurrected. I also appreciated that she was wearing a new outfit, because I had just been thinking how that actress was probably really tired of that one dress she always wore. An overjoyed Michael who loves suspenders and paper clips is a good Michael, but a bitchy Michael is maybe the best Michael? Knowing how desperate Tahani is for positive feedback made his repeated little digs at her all the more hilarious - for an eternal being, he can be really mean. I'm really intrigued at the concept of the train, and I hope that wasn't just a one-off plot device for this episode. I'd love to find out where Tahani's sister ended up, or the real Jianyu; having a way into and out of the neighborhood opens up a lot of storytelling possibilities there. Overall, this was a pretty good transitional episode - it wasn't the strongest, but it set up some interesting things and I'm very excited to see where they go next.

Maybe he'll do the Harding/Kerrigan story for season 2 of the upcoming Feud series? It might be a stretch thematically, but at least we wouldn't have to wait so long?

I found Tahani asking Janet to help her plan the restaurant opening to be like her most successful event in life was very telling phrasing - she let Janet fill in the details of what that event actually had been, and then just nodded along and threw is some ridiculous sounding details of how widely it was praised. I agree that maybe she's not quite what she seems either, and I'm curious what her actual backstory is. (I'm willing to bet that she spent at least a little time in life in Eagleton, Indiana.) I do wonder, though, if there are so many people in The Good Place seemingly by accident, what Michael's role will turn out to be. He seems genuinely concerned at all the problems in the neighborhood, so I will be surprised if he's in on whatever is going on. I am also very anxious for more scenes between Michael and Eleanor - Ted Danson & Kristen Bell both have really strong energy on this show, and I'd like to see them play off each other more.

It looked to me like she put on like a little white cape or something, which, contrasted with the blue of her dress, make her resemble the Alice in Wonderland from the old animated Disney film. Although it is certainly possible that isn't at all what she was wearing - I'll have to rewatch tomorrow to see if I still see it. :-) On other topics, while there were some very good bits in this episode, I don't think it all hung together very well. I liked the super intense chef who was actually very happy, I liked Jason's flashbacks and am excited to see just which plan it was that got him killed (I mean, we know it was the last one, but what was the plan itself? Was he blowing up another boat?), and I could probably watch Ted Danson playing with suspenders for an entire hour. I also really liked that Eleanor was selfish in wanting to keep Jason's secret primarily so her own wouldn't be exposed, but was genuine in her praise of Chidi, and I loved that Chidi seemed touched by her praise. But all at the same time made it feel like a very overstuffed 22 minutes, and none of the ideas really got the development they deserved. Especially the suspenders, because, really: they are so dumb. Additionally, it was set up in the pilot that Eleanor probably hasn't taken someone else's spot in the Good Place, because Michael got her name right even if he got her life wrong. But now, if Michael thinks Jason is Jianyu, does that mean the real Jianyu is in the Bad Place? Still, I'm really enjoying this show and looking forward to see where it goes. I do wonder, though, if seeing 3 episodes in one week has made me a little impatient to find out what comes next?

I don't think anything happened. She looks at the sinkhole, but then walks away. My question is if there's any significance to her being dressed like Alice in Wonderland in that shot.

I still find Gina consistently funny, but I was very surprised by her behavior in last night's episode. Isn't this the same character who was so devoted to Captain Holt that she accompanied him to the Marketing Department just last season (or wherever it was that Wunch sent him)? I wouldn't expect her to be any more emotional than Rosa, but I did expect at least some acknowledgement that she missed the Captain.

I'm glad I'm not the only one who's feeling tapped out on Tig Notaro. She's an interesting performer, and I understand that she had an incredibly series of events, but I understand that because I've heard it and read it and watched it already. I mean, I certainly feel like a jerk for saying that, but at the same time, I'd like to hear some new material.

I was disappointed that the strike ended in just one episode, but I understand that the show does indeed need to get back to the business of being a workplace sitcom. I hope they follow through on the 'to be continued. . . ' of that plot, though. I did enjoy how their strike got co-opted by other issues. I'm also extremely impressed that Jonah has 1500 followers on Twitter! And what is he tweeting, generally, to attract that, ah, let's say 'diverse' crowd? Other things I enjoyed: Jonah's tiny fedora Amy's skirt on the second (or first official) day of the strike Myrtle pointing out that their jobs are nothing special The new employee who's super into vaping Dina's enthusiastic "I can for sure do seven!" after offering to do 50 or 100 pushups. On the other hand, not enough of Glen. He is my favorite character on the show - it's nice to see a boss who's lead by his good nature and genuine caring about his employees, even if he is not the most effective leader and kind of a buffoon.

I'm disappointed that there was no follow-up on how Andrew is doing. I gasped with delight when he offered to go that baseball game with Johnny - that's probably the nicest, most human, thing I've ever seen in the history of this show. And then, dumb Johnny had to go and say he's waiting for his ex? Crushing. Basically, I just would like to know that Andrew has moved on and is happy with someone who's not hung-up on their ex.

I watched this online over the weekend, and was very pleasantly surprised to find myself laughing out loud a number of times. Driver's character did seem a little, let's say 'strong' here and there - more than once, I felt like I was attending a lecture, rather than watching tv. But, overall, as a pilot this was really good, and I look forward to seeing where it goes.

It would have been great if this episode aired during Star Trek week, because Spencer really looks (and acts?) like if Data tried to pass as human. Except that Data seemed more capable of genuine warmth, which is a little alarming for Spencer. Also, I truly hope that someone from actual pop star Katy Perry's security team was made aware of this episode and knows now to keep a lookout for this guy. Gullible is one thing (although, really, believing that an actual pop star - and a married one at that - would be anonymously chatting with randoms for six years goes a little beyond gullible), but his refusal to accept that the relationship had ended is entirely different. That he's hearing coded messages in Katy Perry's songs that he thinks are just for him? I have no psychological training, but that isn't normal. And it's not, like, quirky, or cute, or a sign of his depth of feeling. It's a genuine problem, and should probably be addressed.

Constantine was like the Chris D'elia of the American Idol pantheon for me - there was a performance he did where he stuck his tongue out really quick, like a lizard catching a fly, and I don't remember what song it was but I still shudder at the thought of it. That being said, it's nice to see that he has some self-awareness and is enjoying his soapy career for all that it's worth. But Lil' Sweet forever!

I don't know if maybe my mom had one, or if I was just completely desensitized by the preceding outfits, but I saw that peach top and thought 'hey, that one's not so bad.'

I was 100% with Grace on dumping Mark, not because of his weird toe thing but because he took his shoes AND SOCKS off as a guest in someone else's home? Uninvited? Who does that? Even without six toes, no one wants to see your bare feet on their (roommate's) fancy sofa while they're just trying to watch tv. Ugh. I'm getting mad all over again just thinking about it.

I think Yael views Everlasting as one long job interview. We haven't really seen her interacting with the other contestants (that I recall), but she is really making an effort to ingratiate herself with the producers crew. I don't think it's all just to stay on the show - I think she's hoping it'll be a stepping stone to her career path.

I got an extra credit, and I joined the illustrious list of names Dave gets wrong! What a fabulous way to kick off a week!