Jordan Baker

I'm nearly four years late to this show. I'm also many decades removed from my high-school/college years. Nevertheless, I was extremely moved by the story of Connell and Marianne. The first few episodes (when they were still in Sligo) especially got to me. I'd never seen Paul Mescal before watching this show, but I certainly understand now why he's become so acclaimed. Daisy Edgar-Jones (whom I'd seen in "Under the Banner of Heaven") was excellent in this as well. I thought everything about the show was terrific.

I seem to be in the minority in that I didn't hate this episode. In fact, I was happy that much of the show was about Babe (and, to a lesser extent, the other swans). I think Naomi Watts did some fine acting here. Everything I knew about Capote and the Swans before watching this show came from reading The Swans of Fifth Avenue. Babe (as I recall) was portrayed as a woman for whom style was paramount and for whom perfection was always the goal. In that book, we're told that Babe got out of bed early every morning so that she could put on a full face of makeup before Bill saw her. (This is reminiscent in the show of Babe's putting on make-up and dressing flawlessly to go to her chemo/radiation appointment.) In the book, we're told that her children lived elsewhere because Babe didn't want to bother Bill with having those pesky children around. I don't know how accurate the book is, but it does seem to track with the events in the show. I find the story fascinating, even if the show could have been tightened up. The moment that stood out for me in this episode was the scene at Babe's wake/memorial where Slim, Lee, and C.Z. were trying to figure out when they would meet for lunch. Oh, and Bill surrounded by four or five younger women. I have no idea whether any of this was accurate, but it certainly didn't paint any of these people in a good light. (The exception was her maid, who seemed genuinely distraught.) I've been listening to the Done & Dunne podcast, which has some reviews of the first few episodes and (more interesting to me) information about Capote and the Swans (among others). There's at least one episode devoted to Babe Paley. It might be of interest to those who want to learn more about these characters.

I had high hopes for this show. I thought it might be a clever mystery with interesting characters. Alas, it was more convoluted than clever, and the characters were only mildly interesting. Some (most notably, Imogene) weren't interesting at all. Was the ending some sort of set-up for a second season? If so, I think I'll pass.

I couldn't agree more. The four performances were outstanding, and I think all of them should have been nominated. Especially Andrew Scott. The film was so inventive, I would have expected the screenplay to be nominated, if nothing else. I watched this in two parts. I wasn't sure I'd make it all the way through, and I took a break about 30 minutes in. I did manage to finish it the next night. I was spoiled about some of it, and so perhaps that's why I was able to finish it. Even knowing the story, I was moved to the point of tears multiple times. And the sense of dread was palpable. What an honest, if gut-wrenching, depiction of grief and loneliness.

Mine, too. I thought it was really good, starting with the opening needle drop on "It's Impossible." The acting is great across the board, but I am particularly struck by Tom Hollander. He so completely inhabits this role. I find that I am appalled by Truman, disappointed in Truman, and sad for Truman, all in the course of one episode. I remember thinking he was terrific as Mr. Collins in Pride and Prejudice, but this role is on another level. I also found this episode incredibly sad. From Babe's cancer treatment to the slow dance with Bill to the (perhaps imagined?) moment between Babe and Truman, I found myself tearing up. I think the dance hit really hard, knowing that this was Treat Williams' last role. I'm in for the rest of the ride.

So happy that Matthew Macfadyen won. He is good in everything, from Tom Wambsgans to Mr. Darcy.

This episode felt like it was from one of the early seasons. It was head and shoulders above the other episodes in Season 6. Lesley Manville was amazing, as she is in everything. And I thought Imelda Staunton did a great job too. Just a great episode all around.

Oh, nor can I (speak for the mood of the UK)! I was thinking about what the polling indicated (as described in the episode), which did seem to represent the mood of the people. I'm guessing the mood was partly a reflection of Diana's death and partly people thinking "Why the heck do we need a monarchy in this day and age?" When the people with the odd, specific jobs were sitting in a row, waiting for their turn at explaining (and possibly saving their jobs), I thought immediately of my time in the corporate world when people would know layoffs were coming and would be waiting for the phone call or the email notifying those who were safe and those who weren't. And, yes, part of me thought--everyone goes through this. What makes these people special? But, yes, tradition. I do get it. While I did agree with many of Blair's recommendations, I also understand that he too could be tone deaf. I cringed when he used the word "radical" in front of the women's group. Those women were never going to like him, and he (inadvertently) did his damndest to make sure that was true. As to Charles? Yeah, I agree with your assessment. Not a fan. Thanks for your thoughtful response.

As soon as the hymn began, all I could think of was Monty Python, who used it to great effect. I can't say I enjoyed this episode. I guess we were supposed to applaud the queen for rejecting Blair's suggestions (which she asked for, BTW). I found that the royal family, once again, could not read the mood of the country or, worse yet, did not care about the mood of the country.

I just watched the finale. I too was spoiled when I googled something about the show. This was a good season, with a great group of contestants and a very entertaining new partner for Noel. My one criticism is about the judging. I thought Abbi's dismissal in the third episode was a very bad call, and, as much as I enjoyed Matty's personality and how far he'd come since the early episodes, I thought Josh was robbed in the finale. I agree with the poster who said that the judges seemed to hold Josh to a higher standard.

Thanks to you and Scarlett45 for your answers. Yes, I was thinking of the Buckingham Palace rooms.

I agree with those who think that Charles is getting a very positive edit this season and particularly in this episode. The other royals? Not so much. Prince Philip is insufferable, as he's almost always been throughout the series. The queen is cold and really bad at reading the mood of the people. I'm not a fan of the royals. (I remember, long ago, a co-worker breathlessly asking me if I was going to watch Charles and Diana's wedding. He was speechless when I said no.) But I did come to admire Diana. Whatever her faults, she actually tried to do some good in the world. I understand the outpouring of grief about her death. Oh, and a question--when did Elizabeth and Philip begin sharing a bed again? Weren't they shown, in earlier seasons, in separate rooms?

I was surprised by several things in this episode. I was almost sure Dan would go home. Wrong. I thought Josh would win Star Baker. Wrong. When Paul and Prue were discussing who was in line for Star Baker and who was in trouble, I thought they'd include Tasha in the in-trouble group. Wrong. I'm assuming Dan was spared, as others have said, because he tries more unconventional flavors. I'm not exactly sure why Matty won Star Baker over Josh, but it was a close call, and I like them both. And I'm still unclear about how much the Showstopper counts because Tasha's Showstopper was deemed "disappointing" and yet she wasn't mentioned along with Christy and Dan.

I wasn't sure where to put my thoughts on the Timothee Chalamet commercial (for Bleu de Chanel). Holiday commercials? It does seem that fragrance commercials appear mostly during the holidays. Commercials that outrage, etc.? It does annoy me, but I don't think my reaction rises to the level of outrage. So Scratch-Our-Heads it is. Let me say that I've seen TC in three movies--he was good in Ladybird, very good in Call Me By Your Name, and somewhat forgettable in Don't Look Up. I have nothing against him; I think he's a talented actor. But this fragrance ad is just odd. Who is the audience? Is it people who find TC so appealing that they'll run out and buy Bleu de Chanel? Is it people who know that TC is dating a Kardashian (ugh) and just want in on anything Kardashian-related? I'm showing my prejudice here. I'll admit that my opinion of TC went down a few notches when I read about the Kardashian thing. And (full disclosure), I'm allergic to most perfumes and so am unlikely to enjoy any fragrance-related ad. But, seriously (scratching my head, per the category), is this an effective commercial? BTW, I saw this commercial several times today while the NFL games were on. Maybe the audience for the commercial is football fans?

I knew Nicky and Rowan were goners, but I was still sad to see them go. Both had very winning personalities, and both made me laugh. I do agree somewhat with those who find Dan a bit arrogant, but I'm willing to admit that I'm still ticked off that he survived (over Abbi) in spite of his having a bad, underbaked Showstopper. Josh is my favorite. I know he's an engineer/scientist of some kind, but I don't think I knew until this episode that he has a PhD. What is the correlation between engineers/scientists and baking? Is it precision? Innovation? Both?

I'm late to this episode. I'm also seriously disappointed. Abbi was one of my favorites from the beginning, and I was sad to see her go. More than that, I don't think she deserved to go.

While I've always been impressed by Mimi, I have really been taken in the last few weeks by the very, very tall model who walked in Bishme's gown (in this episode). I'm sorry I don't know her name. The way she posed was really breathtaking. And, yes, the format of this finale was such a far cry from those of years past. I so enjoyed seeing the interviews with the designers in their own spaces. I wonder whether the rushed finale is simply a cost-cutting decision or whether Bravo has just given up on this show. 🙁

Excellent article. Thanks for posting it.

I'm disappointed Rami isn't there.

No. Just no.

Every time Charles was transported to the White Room, all I could hear was the song of the same name by Cream. If we're putting in our wish list for a Broadway star for next season's cast (assuming there is a next season), may I suggest Raul Esparza.

It seemed to me that the judges abandoned the whole double-bind thing and just went with the outfits they liked. Brittany's outfit had no modesty component, Rami's dress didn't really have an oversized component, and Laurence made another jumpsuit. I'm OK with the way things turned out (Rami is still my favorite, and he definitely benefited from the loose interpretation of the challenge), but, to me, the two outfits that best fit the challenge were Korto's and Bishme's. They were far from the best outfits on the runway, but they met the brief, unlike some of the top outfits.

I felt as though two of the judges were watching a different runway show than the one I watched. Elaine was . . . well, Elaine. And I have no idea who the guest was (I'm old), but I didn't think much of her comments, either. Only Brandon and the guest designer got it right, IMO. I'd have selected Bishme's outfit for the win, because I though the jacket was fantastic. Plus, as amazing as Laurence is, she's done the cone bra thing twice now. Anna should have been on the bottom. Didn't Brandon say he could see the crotch on Anna's model? Shouldn't that be disqualifying? Yes, we all knew, if Rami were ousted, Christian would save him. I, for one, am glad he did. I think the guests are getting worse each week. One of the Real Housewives next week? Blech.

I'm happy to see so many nominations for Succession, but I fear that the categories with multiple Succession nominees might result in the award going to a non-Succession nominee. For example, Brian Cox, Jeremy Strong, and Kieran Culkin are all nominated for Best Actor in a Drama Series. I think they were all magnificent, but I would give the nod to either Kieran Culkin (my personal favorite) or Jeremy Strong (who is always, always good). But I think what will happen is that the award will go to someone else, probably Pedro Pascal. I didn't watch The Last of Us, although I understand that he was very good, but my heart belongs to Succession, and I really want to see Kieran Culkin or Jeremy Strong win. Same for the Best Supporting category. I am all in for Matthew Macfadyen to repeat his win. But he has heavy competition, including among his own castmates. (I did see The White Lotus, which I thought was just OK.) I'm happy to see Alan Ruck nominated. He really did shine in the last season. Fingers crossed for multiple wins.

I agree with many of you that the right person won and the right person was eliminated. But, to me, the rest of the judging was crazy. Anna's being in the top elicited an out-loud NO from me. Not only was the dress a repeat of the Unconventional Materials one, but it was just unattractive (to my untrained eye). And who would look good in something like that? Yikes. I found it interesting that the judges were defending their decision to put Anna in the top. Didn't one of them (Brandon?) even say he knew the other designers wouldn't understand the decision? Was this segment taped after the meltdown in the waiting room? I am puzzled by Rami this season. He was one of my favorites in Season 4, but he seems to be struggling. I wanted to like his dress, and I did like the zipper idea, but the dress didn't fit his model very well and it wasn't flattering. I'm just happy he wasn't sent home, and I hope he ups his game. What was the point of the shopping trip? I'm sure it was fun for the designers, but was it really just a commercial for the credit card?