krimimimi

Thanks, everybody, for taking me seriously enough to answer that. That's been very helpful. (I'm still looking for the basketball fan terminology, because "you, Lakers fan, you" lacks a certain pithiness. Preferably non-pejorative.) I've decided to avoid "foodie" (and also deleted "yuppie," yikes!), and people will just have to figure out my particular flavor of nuttiness for themselves, which they should do quickly enough. It's not exactly well hidden. (Oooh! Frying pans! Boxwood! Blackbirds! Wildlife! Dogs! And that's pretty much me in a nutshell.) That's incredibly kind, thanks. *beam* :D No blog, because the laws here governing them are loathsome. (I mean, would you be willing to post your full name, home address and telephone number on your posts? Gah! I find it absurd.)*Unsurprisingly, I also am completely unsuited for twitter. ;-) "Artful hobbyists" is a beautiful term. (I've already noted it for future use.) It's *so* much better (and more charitable) than "socially awkward geek." Which is probably where I wave "hello" to folks like the trainspotters and twitchers and give them the secret members only thumbs up... Ubiquity is very difficult to determine at a distance. The same is true for connotations. You can look up a word to get its bare-bones meaning, but that won't do much to reveal its flavor. Slang will end up being like subway tiles and chevrons, by the time you notice it, you're probably better off letting the trend continue on its way out without you. Just keep calm, and... oh, no, wait. * And yet another serious peeve of mine: it really grates when governments lose the plot and over-regulate, and I feel like I have to (grudgingly) agree with that annoying super-libertarian relative of mine... I swear he has an Ayn Rand shrine somewhere, I just know it. We agree virtually never, so when we do, something has generally gone very wrong. First, thanks for linking to chowhound; I'd forgotten about it. I have already found discussions about the no-knead breads there, so maybe that will solve my other problem. Color me chipper. Next, if you weren't referring to users of that site, and you called somebody a "chowhound," wouldn't that be rude? Doesn't that still mean somebody who eats a lot? Or has that gained widespread positive use? (I can just see the next pitfall looming... Now I'm getting paranoid.)I hadn't realized the term "foodie" was so old. I think breaking it down to pejoratives vs. self identifiers helps me a lot. It's a pity that you can't look these things up reliably. Dictionaries lag behind the common language, and the urban dictionary... has really gotten worse. I had to look up "SAHM," and they give you "Depending on the context, an acronym for either 'Stay-At-Home-Mom' or 'Shit-Ass-Ho-Motherf*cker'" and I can't believe that second one is a thing. Anywhere. They need to have something like that, but where no one under 18 can upvote definitions. On the other hand, "for f*ck's sake" is very definitely (at least) an English thing, and doesn't make huge amounts of sense either. Logic only gets you so far...

Asher in his jammies made my day. Love the "Nom nomming." I also bought that he would try to lighten the mood. You can't stay down forever, bits of normal (well, for Asher) have to creep back in. He really is such a kid. He frequently strikes me as the "youngest," or at least the most emotionally immature (and vulnerable) behind his douchery. Plus I like when characters bring the funny. Especially when the rest of the show is so dark. Excellent point. I'm quick to complain about shows, so I really ought to take a moment to praise the HTGAWM PTB for this. Just because your fans recognize a sensible plot line for how things *could* proceed, does not mean you should give up the perfectly reasonable, (somewhat) well founded and engaging plans you have for your storylines to go digging in the gutters for the most crack-addled, nut job theory out there, just so "no one saw it coming." (Side-eying Marlene King there.)Chances are, fans will have come up with most permutations anyway. Along those lines, because we've pretty much covered every conceivable hook-up by now, you don't need to do a last minute re-write and have Godzilla!Asher meeting up with the ghost of DA Smugface for improbable and cringe worthy ghost sex. (Side-eying Grey's there.) I make no secret of my dislike for Wes's character or eagerness to see him gone. Haters gonna hate, so my wanting him gone is kind of expected and in some senses meaningless. Somebody who likes him, on the other hand, having had enough, that's *interesting.* What I would really like to know is why somebody like you (and others) who like(s) the character think(s) he's outstayed his welcome?Also, beyond the (subjective) pretty, if Wes fans wouldn't mind pointing out some of the things you like about him? I find that can help resuscitate a character in my eyes. For example, I liked his friendship with Laurel, until there again it highlighted him as a user and taker, and not a giver. They might be able to dial it back, but I'm not entirely sold. What sells him for you? It's hard enough keeping up with who actually did what. Keeping up with who knows what doesn't always happen for me. I thought Bonnie killed Rebecca first and foremost to get them out of their kidnapping dilemma. So it wouldn't have mattered if she was guilty or not of killing Lila? Beyond making Bonnie feel better about "only" having killed a murderer? Or what was the deal there? That, plus it had the added bonus of trying to restore the old status quo. If Anna became not only single, but also unattached, no strings, no child or shared custody with an ex...I am also pretty sure that you can't just *give up* the kid if you're married. You can leave husband and child, but you can't just adopt out the husband's kid without his consent. So I couldn't help but wonder if part of this scene wasn't just to make me doubt things Eve says. Like: Yeah, but was she in therapy for that reason? Or is that just Eve's revisionist history, what she has rewritten to better come to terms with Anna's leaving her? ("It's not me, it's your homophobia and/or self hate. Either one will do. Yup.") Personally, I think given Anna's past, it would be more likely that she's in therapy because she was a victim of abuse. And Anna clearly says she and Eve were over before things started with Sam. Of course, Anna is probably defensive about the "married to her (previously married) shrink" thing, so probably not entirely trustworthy either. I think the problem is he doesn't get enough screen time that highlights his character. The show runners clearly know what they have there, and they seem more focused on his other... attributes. But I'd bet Nate lost a lot of "friends" and acquaintances while his wife was so ill (it can really distance you from people), and that the rest will have flaked on him when he was considered guilty. That makes a person bitter, and it isolates even further. Plus I think he's not considered clearly "innocent," and there's way too much mess surrounding him, and I'd bet a lot of people just put distance between themselves and him. I can totally see him valuing the one person he has left, however counterintuitive it may seem. If these peole don't have a couple of burner phones lying around for stuff like this, they deserve to be spanked. Then you can prove the neighborhood, but not the individual. Then Anna would just argue that one of the over-eager cops outside phoned it in. (And the cop who took the call would pass a polygraph.) In theory, if that were the case, and Bonnie hadn't checked, it would have given the cops a jump on their search and decreased the time team Keating had to shred. Doesn't have to be bulletproof, just has to create doubt.

Coincidentally, I just made sweet and savory buttermilk waffles. For dinner. Yum. Being an adult has it perks, if you remember to take advantage of them. We had a super cheapo waffle iron before, and it died, so we upgraded slightly to one that allows you to swap out the plates between waffles, those sealed sandwiches and grill plates. Moulinex, on sale, probably twice what we paid for the single use machine that died, and this one has now been in use longer than the other. Wasn't terribly expensive at the time, and for us, space is at a higher premium. IIRC, Good Eats had a nice ep about waffles, where Alton also talked about what makes a good iron. The answer wasn't "expense." Probably on YouTube. ETA: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=h3in0JurBe8 from the 7:00 minute mark. A little silly as always, but does a good job of explaining why things matter. (Weight (heavy is good), size (too large isn't a good thing), shape (round is best))

I think it's not just college vs university, but isn't it also a question of definite articles? Like in English it's "my mother is in hospital," but in American there's a "the" in there? Thought that was also an issue with regards to higher education, but, sadly, my English is too eroded. Also, I was vaguely sure that the use of "ask" as a noun is colloquial English, and slowly creeping overseas. http://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/ask_2It has to be slang, though, because http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/ask doesn't accept it as a noun. Oh yeah, those people are the worst. Oh wait, it was me.** Hmm. And I'm not embarrassed. Hmm, some more... Ok, you're giving me hope that maybe I'm just not getting it right. So, I'm going to just level with you guys. 1) I wasn't raised (or taught English) by a native speaker.* 2) Although in the distant past I've spent decent chunks of time in the U.S. and Canada, for the last 25 years or so, I've mostly been cavorting around non-English speaking parts of the EU. 3) I haven't spoken to an American in at least 2 months. 4) If I've spoken English during that time, it has been exclusively to non-native speakers who actually learned "English" (as opposed to "American"). Honestly, my language skills are atrophying, and getting completely mixed up (American/Canadian/Oxford English -> smoosh! conflated!), which is why I'm trying to get myself to post here. Use it or lose it, and frankly, I've lost enough. So this is my first time using the phrase "foodie." And lo! It is apparently a less than popular word. Hmm. That went well. So please help me out: does it not mean what I think it does, or are people like me socially unacceptable? (Ouch. I might need to find a bigger rock to crawl under...**) Here I was, so proud of my use of the vernacular. *sigh* Does it automatically map to "hipster?" I'm too old and frumpy for that. Plus basically housebound. I don't think hipsters can be housebound; it's really the antithesis of "cool." But maybe I don't understand "hipster" either. (20 to 30 somethings, urbanites, too cool for you, and probably weird clothes. Possibly fond of microbreweries? Except we have several breweries (some small) around here that have been here for decades, and they aren't particularly cool. Maybe it's cultural?) What I'm trying to express: basically, I think it's a good thing if you are the kind of person who can sing the praises of a frying pan for two paragraphs, that you recognize that you are "not normal." That's non-judgmental. Those people (like myself) are simply not your average bears. And that's okay, in my book, it's just not "average." I have a friend who once rhapsodized over a page and a half about her new nutmeg grater. Bless. (Surely she must be even less normal than I am. Thank goodness.) Unfortunately, she pretty much sent it to everyone she knew, and she took a lot of flak for it. So seriously, what are we? What is the colloquial term for that? (Preferably not "awkward," thanks.) People who like sports gather together in front of televisions and scream their little hearts out and that's all fine and good. I can't recall ever cheering or jeering at Nigella. So what do the people who love nutmeg graters and frying pans do? It's not like we congregate. Ok, there's potluck. I have food allergies and cook for way too many people who seem to have every allergy but mine. I regularly host a potluck group where egg, milk, gluten, alcohol and pork are off limits. The last two are for religious reasons of some of the attendees. (I'm going to joke and say we get together and eat wood pulp. It's all good. ;-)) Because of the allergies, I get to eat out maybe twice a year. It usually doesn't go well, and my available options are so limited that I basically only try it at all for social reasons. So pretty much: if I can't cook it, I don't get to eat it. That is marvelously motivating. If I want bread with a really great crispy crust, I need to figure out how to make it happen. (Still working on the no-knead stuff. The crust was phenomenal, but the bread a bit of a let down. Why? Whywhywhy?) So does this make me a foodie? And if yes, are foodies reviled? And if so, is that just because they like food, and that's silly, or would you bring the same lack of acceptance to bear on, say, basketball fans? (And what are they called? My husband likes the Lakers. I just call him "masochistic," but there's got to be a more general term.) Is it an unaccepted minority thing, or just that the majority doesn't like whichever particular group of fanatics? And thanks in advance for explaining it to me. (Either way, I probably won't try using the term "foodie" in public again, but it would be nice to know.) * I was, however, raised by a grammar Nazi. As such, of course, I hate the pedantic half of you on principle. ;-) Sigh, you remind me of "home." <3 ** Dear, Grammar Nazis: I know that "to be" is intransitive and should be followed by the nominative, but consider it pretentious. If I know the rules, I can break them. (Consciously, at the very least.) Ditto ending with "under," but as it's no longer modern to orient sentence structure respective prepositions by the Latin model, I refuse to let antiquated rules dictate my actions. (My personal grammar Nazi was very thorough. :-))

Oh my god, Sandman, that's horrible! I'm so sorry for your loss. I can't imagine having to witness something like that, but at least your were with him. I'm the exact opposite of "those" people Maharincess and DeLurker were talking about. I think pet people feel the loss of a pet more keenly than the loss of most people, we're just not supposed to say so. Pets are best friends, and kids, and constant companions and leave furry sized holes in your gut when they're gone. But they also fill hearts with love. There is no loving a pet without the very probable risk of loss, but when the pain subsides (and it does over time), that love always remains. I hope you'll soon be able to find some comfort in the good memories. My life is so much richer for every fur buddy I've known. I challenge anyone to honestly say the same about people.

Anger is hard to maintain long term, and when you're struggling to survive, frequently counterproductive. As a family person, I'd hope his energy is directed first and foremost towards ensuring their survival. Resistance is a luxury not everyone can afford.

Ideally something like this The curve helps the tea bag nestle while being squeezed. I use a *lot* of loose leaf tea in bags I fill myself, so I don't always even have the string to work with. At upwards of a quart of tea a day, the tongs were a real finger saver. And yeah, works on lemon slices, too. (Pretty sure I got mine at Bed, Bath and Beyond or the kitchen wares store that used to be across from it for less than Amazon wants, but then I had to leave the house for them. ;-)) I'm glad that was the item that caught your eye, because it has most consistently been on my favorites list and is the cheapest. It always makes me a little sad when visitors don't get it. But I guess they're coffee drinkers.

I don't know anyone with a Copper Chef pan, and find most infomercials painful. (Netflix has completely changed the way I spend sleepless nights.) But top among my favorite kitchen things is definitely a pan, so that might not be a bad idea. I was lucky enough to get a Silit Ceraprotect pan for about a third of what they usually go for a while back, and if I wasn't already married, and lived somewhere where marrying inanimate objects was a thing, I would totally elope with that puppy. It's amazing. The one I have has a plastic handle, but they come with metal handles too, and if so can handle temps up to 400* C. So oven would definitely work. I don't actually use my frying pans that way, so don't think it really matters that I have the plastic handle (that can only handle oven temps up to 150* C). I had always dreamed of having Calphalon pans (even as a kid, I was a foodie) and was lucky enough to get a non-stick Calphalon frying pan set a decade or so ago, but they were such a let down. And in retrospect I realize it's largely because I couldn't keep my husband from using them over too high heat - we weren't using them within specification. But we expect pans to do more. The Silit Ceraprotect pan I now have, in addition to being cheaper than the Calphalon, is so much better. It doesn't have PTFE, which the predecessor did (and we totally were using it long after we should have disposed of it for health reasons, because I couldn't bear to just throw it away), so that's a relief. But it too wants you to follow some rules. For example, you shouldn't use olive oil, because olive oil doesn't cope well with the heat, and will ruin the non-stick properties of the pan. So I usually use cholesterol-free canola instead. I pan-fried battered feta cheese the other day - required little oil to do so, and I can literally clean up using a paper towel when I'm done. I've never owned (or used) a pan that let me do that before. I actually *enjoy* cleaning that pan, and I hate doing the dishes. If you are likely to stick to spec, I can recommend it wholeheartedly, if not, I'd steer clear. (In use almost daily.) My next favorite kitchen doohickey is a tea bag tong. Only four or five bucks, super well spent. No more spinning the damn bag around my spoon only to have it sploosh back into my cuppa. No more burnt fingers. Adore it. Not many other people get that though. It's not exactly flashy. (In use several times daily.) Then I really like and very regularly use my Braun food processor, which I didn't want, but Mr. mimi decided I needed. He was right. I think I used to make him do the "blending stuff in small batches" work with the old blender, and never realized how frustrating that was. This is *so* much better. Made cole-slaw this weekend, mayo, leek soup, tomato sauce, and even my own cocoa mix. All with that machine. So basically it gets used almost every day. My only secret there is I have it on my counter, because if I had to get it out all the time, I probably wouldn't. We don't have much counter space, and it's the only thing I've got on permanent "display." And it totally deserves it. And next runner up would be a 12 buck apple peeler, corer, slicer crank. My uncle had one, left over from WW II by the look of it. We teased him mercilessly. Until it was time to bake an apple pie. Sold. We ran out and got our own. Even just for snacking on apples, it's an improvement, and apple consumption in our household has really risen. Since owning it, four sets of our friends have decided they need one, too, and purchased one. I don't think any other product we own has ever convinced that many people of its usefulness before. (Usage varies from a couple of times a day to a few times a week. We go through phases.) And then we used to use the heck out of our bread machine, in part because you could set the timer and wake to a fresh loaf, and because it didn't heat up the whole kitchen in summer. But we've stopped using it as much at the moment. I think because I'm experimenting with artisanal breads, and because it's winter, and heating the house doesn't seem like such a bad thing right now. I expect come summer, we'll fall back in love with it. (When in use, in use once or twice a week.) I don't think it necessarily takes a lot of money to shine as a product. Four of the five things I listed were under $35 (except the Silit pans are usually a good deal pricier), two of them significantly so. What it takes is filling a need *well*, but that seems to be fairly rare.

Spitballing, but my take was his job as the actual dude who buried the bodies, and presumably exhumed them if need be, was supposed to provide him with an added level of security (also why it was a family business). The reality of it, though, is I think for chain of custody reasons, there might be someone from law enforcement present in the event of an exhumation, which sort of blows the whole retrieval thing. So maybe they only use poor people who die of obvious causes. (Paperboy killed by falling piano.) No heirs and no questions. But whatevs. I can listen to that actor talk forever, might not have caught all the details while I was focusing on the voice...

I envy you. I managed to quit Quantico, which was a relief. I think I need a final straw moment to get over stuff. The way they're going here, it's doubtlessly only a matter of time. *sigh*

And you're right, that is entirely down to the acting, and the reason I am increasingly coming to dislike her character. I wasn't a fan of what the set up meant for her character, because although I thought a certain dependency would be probable (and justifiable), it's not something I enjoy watching. But since then, she should have come into her own some. She should be more confident and independent. And if they must insist on her feels for the thoroughly uncharismatic Agent Neckbush (although I'd much rather they didn't), then I'd like to see her selling it as attraction and passion and not desperation ffs. At least, not if you're trying to sell her as a strong person. Ugh.

To be honest, despite my love for Patterson and enjoyment of her Nerdmuffin, I'm pretty much hate-watching because basically everything I liked last year got cancelled. Nevertheless, I can't help pointlessly searching for sense in the senseless. So, and just winging it here, they mentioned that those coordinates/ that location was used as a safe harbor for evil bad guys. And were then surprised to discover not only the plane but a terror cell. Presumably even before the plane was there, the "evil bad terror dudes" had been using it as an HQ! (limitless reference there) to hatch their various nefarious plans. So I guess the point is their presence was detected by the tat-crew, and relevant regardless of what plan the ebtd were carrying out. So even if the fibbies didn't thwart this particular plan, then there would always be a next one to stop. (Assuming the terror cell has embraced a "puritan" work ethic and keeps cranking them out.)

As the avatar might suggest, I wouldn't mind seeing Ms. Drew return to my screen. But I'd really miss Shahi here, because her character turned out so much better than I had expected. (I actually quit watching because she was made a regular. Netflix thankfully allowed me to see the error of my ways.) Also, there's no way they're going to dye her hair red, she hasn't got the coloring, and I'd be really annoyed that one of few canonical redheaded characters should go brunette.

Club sandwiches? Calzones? Or anything stew/chili/curry-like that cooks in just one pot. I think I can cope with no hot water in the kitchen, you just boil some and add it to the dishwater. We used to have to do that at my grandparents' cottage. But without my hot shower in the morning, I don't function. </first world problems>

The flashbacks made me realize how much I'll miss the Nerdmuffin. But I was glad to see the shrink. He's pleasant. And appropriate. Well, technically the bad dudes said they *weren't* quite ready, but were moving things up because the appearance of FBI peeps on their doorstep made them nervous. Love the nick: "Better Love Interest Dude" because he so is. I had forgotten how much I hate the way Weller speaks. It was slightly improved, but I'm never going to like Agent Neckbeard. So much hate that Jane's response to the BLID was attacking him. Way to learn more and work a source. Wench. There was a quote recently in the media thread about how JA/Jane sees jane as a strong person, and then I see her making those googly eyes, and just think WTF? That was my single favorite line of this series. Pretty sure her number is pi. Try 314-1592...

So he really is like 9? Lol! Too funny. So the posts about him Sonny/PS being significantly younger than Barba/RE aren't so off...

Is that the name of the guy stuck living across from her? The one who gets to charge in when she fails to pan fry toaster waffles? (Liz and Tom *so* can't take care of themselves.... I now have images of them hollering for Boz when the wee babe's diapers need changing...)

Or maybe Mr. Kaplan? Although to be that good at her job, she's either a wiz at compartmentalizing, or a stone cold sociopath, so I'm not sure if that doesn't disqualify her. Also, maybe white bearded henchmen? But he's got the "doesn't talk much" bonus Daniel mentioned going for him...

While I think you appreciate him more than I do, Princess Lucky, you have beautifully described what I *do* like about Carisi. (I'd amend that I like the Benson/Barba interactions. And I think possibly the only swoon-worthy moment for me with this show was Fin scooping up his partner Amanda after she got shot. (Although it was a bit cheapened for me, because I also felt it was only there to sell us on Fin's guilt or pain, that she was shot because of him, but whatevs.) I think I still like Fin/Rollins the best of all, we just see so little of Fin these days...) While I like Carisi’s character for many of the reasons Princess Lucky listed above, I'm not as enamored of him as some here. My deep, dark, secret UO is that I don't find *any* of the men left on this show particularly physically attractive. (Please don't shoot me, though.) I *do* like that not everyone in a show needs to be a fashion model, and I really *love* that so many people (here at least) seem to find them attractive. It makes me think you're seeing the characters with your hearts more than your eyes, which I find very sympathetic. Frankly, it gives me some hope for humanity, in stark contrast to this show itself. (I mean that in the warmest, fluffiest possible way, and am not trying to be dismissive of assorted crushes. And I do appreciate Carisi's tush and Barba's vests, fwiw.)So while I don't think I am *more* concerned when somebody in the show kicks Carisi, as opposed to one of the other characters, I would *absolutely agree* that I'd cheer if Barba were to say things to Olivia that he says to Carisi. But. 1) Let's be honest: that's me, being a dick. Olivia bugs me a lot of recent years, and I have a hard time remembering that I used to like her at all, never mind why. 2) Just because I'm being a dick over in my corner cheering, that doesn't mean Barba wouldn't also be a dick for behaving that way. Or that I fail to recognize that fact. And 3) one of my peeves with Barba's character of late is that he *isn't* saying the same kinds of stuff to Carisi *and* Liv and the others, and "just" being a general (universal) ass, but that he picks a doofy harmless guy and is specifically a jerk to him. In some workplaces, that's actionable. In no workplace is that professional. That said, I had felt that that was also a manipulation on the parts of the writers, and was kind of annoyed. It didn't seem entirely organic to Barba to me, and I had wondered if they were putting Barba in a less favorable light to prop Carisi a bit. So I also really appreciate the part I bolded above, because if that's how you see Sonny, then clearly that's how some people *can* see him, and quite possibly how Barba sees him too, which explains the disdain and makes it a more legitimate character choice. Your opinion helps validate the writing for me, if that makes sense? Otoh, that's *not* how I see him, and playing devil's advocate and particularly in light of your nick, I can't help but also wonder if some of your disdain isn't caused (in part) by the same reason and annoyance I feel towards the writers? Only where I am directing that towards the behind the scenes folks, you've possibly directed it more towards the character propped at the other's expense? If that were the case, then the Barba character clearly wouldn't have the same motivation, and your opinion of Carisi's character would validate my negativity towards the writers. So bizarrely either way, the fact that we disagree leaves me feeling one of my opinions is right. (Ergo: either the writers or Barba suck.) (And like a good Polyanna, I'm choosing to ignore that it also proves that one of my opinions is wrong. :-)) I also think Benson is a crappy boss for similar reasons (her behavior towards Amanda and Carisi both). Although Amanda does bring some of that on herself, and although I no longer remember the specifics, I have the feeling that most characters on this show have done stuff where IRL I think they should have gotten the boot, or at least serious blowback, I can't remember Carisi doing that (off the top of my head). Was there spmething like that? The Carisi equivalent to Amanda's going rogue?

Second one aired, but third one for those two wacky kids, because they renewed their vows back in season 1 (iirc). (That provided them with the chance to interrogate Tom's "brother.") My take away from this ep is Lizzie's cool with and happy to forgive people who try to kill her, but continually revisiting the the "I must keep secrets from you for your own good" plot is a hanging offence. At first I thought that makes her an even less sufferable idiot than normal. Then it dawned on me: she and I are in complete agreement for once.

The second floor for an English speaker is the same as the third floor for an American. Maybe that's it?

I, for one, would love to see more pictures of the furry types (past and present) nearest and dearest to your hearts. And I'd bet I'm not alone on that count. More pics, please!

And I just realized that I completely missed my opportunity to send oodles of disposable razors to the EPs over the break. D'oh.

You know, people keep saying that, and I usually accept that without thinking about it. But off the top of my head, I don't think that's necessarily true for this season and the last. (Fuzzy about the one before that, so I won't mention it.) We had McGee/Delilah relationship/ cohabitation/ long distance drama/ wheelchair stuff (and can I just say that I appreciate that NCIS and NCIS NOLA have integrated characters with disabilities into their storylines), all sorts of Bishop relationship crap and the visit to her family (I like Bishop ok, but those marriage SLs did her no favors), the horrible Abby family stuff (she was my favorite in season 1, I will never understand what they did with her. I liked her brother, improbably, even less that her, and after the ep I liked her even less than before just for coddling his stupidity), some Ducky stuff with his secret mystery club and family / flashback stuff, and even Jimmy the autopsy gremlin became a father. Heck, even Dorny and Fornell had some stuff. Tony's SLs are more diffuse in my memory. I guess the Jeanne stuff and his ex from the NSA. Oh, his dad! How could I forget his dad? That's a lot of stories for other, non-Gibbs people. I may have conflated some older seasons' events there, but for a show about solving the crime of the week, that's a fair amount of SLs for their characters, and I like that. Some shows skip that entirely, and their characters feel so interchangeable as a result.But I will say the Gibbs stories carry more weight for me. (Which is why I generally take the "Mark Harmon vehicle" comments at face value.) I think that's mostly because I like him more that the others. Or I guess I might even like Tony more than Gibbs, but am frequently frustrated by his writer induced buffoon-iness, which Gibbs doesn't suffer from. Ultimately that reduces my enjoyment of Tony, plus Gibbs' character frustrates me the least.

Still, I prefer Mombatrosses any day to Demon Spawn storylines. Bring on the Momsters! I think all of this shows just how hard the writers have to wrestle, with themselves *and* the story, to keep Lizzie relevant. Pity they couldn't have taken advantage of the situation to phase her out for a bit and realize how much good that would do the series. But then they'd take flak for lack of females, and the one who's left is considered "masculinized"* by virtue of being a one woman battle machine. But Samar is so much more pleasant to watch, not only because I don't gnash my teeth and wail whenever she appears on screen. *I disagree that competence with weapons or hand to hand is an inherently masculine trait. I think it is inevitable that the characteristics that make someone good at a given job be applied equally to other people good at a job, regardless of gender or other "stuff."