Ellaria

I agree. While I do not need to be spoon-fed explanations, I am having trouble with Kim's deep dive into behavior that could potentially cause disbarment (or worse). And yes, why for Acker? Because of her childhood memories? We know that she values her pro bono work but why this case? She has been conflicted for awhile about her work for Mesa Verde but this turn against Kevin seems abrupt. I, too, would like to understand more. Perhaps some of us haven't seen someone behave like that and perhaps we have. Regardless, it is irrelevant to characterization. I love Kim but I, too, am having trouble with her behavior this season. I don't think that viewers' reactions should be dismissed so easily. I agree. Some of the story lines feel that they are being drawn out unnecessarily. I'm still enjoying the show but not as much as in the past. I'm getting impatient; I want the story to arrive at its conclusion with Cinnabon Gene. Is that unfair to the storytelling process? Probably but I think that much of that is inevitable when you know what is coming. IMO, everyone's opinion is valid. If some viewers - like myself - feel that some of the story lines are being stretched out unnecessarily, it should not be dismissed. We can disagree but it doesn't mean that the opinion is wrong, should not be expressed or that the show isn't for a particular viewer.

This may be heresy but I’m not interested in Mike’s adventures in carpentry in Mexico. I did enjoy seeing Gus in sunlight for a change, especially in that spiffy suit. That small village with the fountain memorial to Max was charming until I realized that it is a symbol of the revenge that Gus is seeking. Kim’s spiral into self-sabotage is hard to watch. She identifies with the underdog rather than the wealthy, confident lawyers and executives that she works with. Her animosity towards Kevin is a bit sudden but, even worse, it may be putting her on the path of no return with Jimmy. Something will ultimately pull her back but I can’t imagine when or how it happens. An observation: Howard is relaxing at home barefoot but wearing his tie, dress shirt and slacks. Odd. Don’t most guys want to take off their ties as soon as they can? Thanks for the explanation. I couldn’t tell what she saw in that photo.

Karlie’s dress was awful. Completely unflattering. Now that I have watched the final runway...meh. Everyone showed something interesting but there was not an entire collection that wowed me. Nothing was truly fresh or original. Victoria had some lovely pieces, especially the last white gown, but there was way too much tan in her collection. I admire Nancy but there was something lacking overall. Sergio creates impeccably designed gowns but the fringe pushed some of those designs into caricatures. Geoffrey...I’m not convinced of the appeal of his collection. It was too dark and heavy-looking. Geoffrey seems like a good guy but he is exhausting to watch. Hopefully his success here will provide him with confidence. In retrospect, this was a disappointing season. No single designer stood out. The challenges seemed gimmicky. Frankly, the judges need another shake-up. We are stuck with Karlie but Nina can go. I’m not crazy about Elaine because I think that she is wildly inconsistent. I’m neutral on Brandon. The bright spot is Christian as mentor because I think he is able to relate to the designers in a way that Tim never could.

I completely forgot that the Finale Part 2 was on last night. Guess that indicates my level of interest in the season. Thanks to all who shared links to the collections. I will watch the show tonight. I believe that Geoffrey can benefit from the mentorship, probably more so than Victoria or Sergio. Overall, a lackluster season. Thank you for saying this. I completely agree.

Agree; it was beautifully done. Mendelsohn and Winningham had great chemistry.

Same here. I also could have done without the extended scene of spitting in the sink. Agree. Gus was one of my favorite characters in BB because of his complex nature and his intelligence. So far this season, he has spent most of his time in semi-darkness while looking off into the distance. I hope that there is a greater role for him this season and, if so, it needs to develop quickly. Note to Lyle: run...there are plenty of fast-food establishments that need a conscientious manager. I love Jimmy but I don’t love his tendency to be a petulant jerk. I can accept that his feelings about Howard are complicated. However, politely declining the job offer and walking out on lunch would have been the more mature way to go. Sigh...but that’s not him... An excellent observation. It really makes me reflect back on poor Gene and his lonely nights in Omaha. He had a choice and he chose poorly. I’m not enjoying it as much either. Kim is my favorite character, too, and I’m growing impatient with her. While I don’t think that she will be physically harmed, she needs to tone down her self-destructive tendencies. I need to believe that she is a smart, savvy woman that will walk away from Jimmy, Mesa Verde and everything else that is destroying her self-respect and common sense. Mike...I’m getting tired of his journey. There had to be a better way. Thrilled to have Hank and Steve back. Dean Norris is an incredible presence.

Thanks for this info. I'm not sure that the explanation on the podcast is valid. I agree that it wasn't well-placed. Didn't she say "Who's Terry" in the cave? If so, why would she need to go along with the cover-up while in the cave? The people in the cave were Ralph, El Cuco and maybe Claude.

I enjoyed the finale and the series as a whole. Sure, it could have been compressed into a few less episodes but that fact didn't detract from the show for me. The casting was brilliant. I could watch those actors endlessly, especially Mendelsohn and Winningham. My son read the book and warned me about the ending (without providing any specifics). Having read a ton of King's novels, I am well aware of the "let down" endings. I've accepted that most of his tales are about the journey and not the destination. I can live with that. The shoot-out in front of the cave was incredibly tense. Screaming "get down" at the TV had no affect. Andy, Howie, Seale and Alec deserved better.

Agree 100%. The CDFA mentorship - awarded to the appropriate person - could be the most valuable (and life changing) aspect of the Grand Prize. (Yes - of course - the money is nice, too.) The mentorship seems best-suited to a designer with raw talent that is trying to hone their aesthetic and establish a unique place for themselves in the world of fashion. It also requires that designer be accepting of constructive criticism and demonstrate a willingness to make changes. Sergio is NOT that person, from what I have seen. He is talented. He can construct intricate designs in a short amount of time. Many of his looks are lovely, appealing to a very specific clientele. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with focusing on a particular clientele, especially if you have success with it as Sergio has. However, he is resists critiques and is shocked when he isn't showered with praise. He doesn't seem interested in growing and adapting his skills. A designer will benefit from the mentorship only if they are committed to getting better. While he seems to be a good guy in his interactions with other designers, he is obstinate when being critiqued. I'd rather see the mentorship go to a talented designer that needs guidance and is willing to listen. Geoffrey seems ideal for it. The winner of PR is always deemed to be the "best" designer of that season. I'm not sure that the mentorship prize is well-suited for the winner. Perhaps it should be a separate prize that is awarded to a different designer.

In the past, I hated when they eliminated one of the finalists prior to Fashion Week. It is unnecessary, manufactured drama for TV. Hope that they avoid it this time. I’m not wild about some of these looks but the designers worked for five months. Let them all show their collections. I’m sure that Geoffrey’s intense emotions are real but it is hard to watch. Sergio doesn’t seem to have absorbed any of the critiques that he received throughout the season. Nancy has interesting ideas but the execution fell a bit short. As for Victoria’s looks, why was everything so beige? Nancy’s liquid dress is my favorite and I prefer it with the cowl.

Yes...that’s pretty much what it looks like: specialty grocery store, 3-4 restaurants, movie theater and a condo complex surrounding a small brick house.

I'll try but there are a LOT of great comments about Kim in this thread. She is proving to be one of my favorite characters in the BCS/BB universe. IMO, perception is reality in this instance. What her childhood was actually like may not matter. What she remembers from her childhood may be another thing. And what she described to Acker may be something else entirely. Regardless, she was genuine in her desire to help him, to do right by him. She was trying to find common ground. She failed. Excellent comparisons. I don't think that Kim is at the point of no return but it's close. She is conflicted, both morally, professionally. She tried to guide Acker to do what Mesa Verde demanded - using different methods - and wasn't successful. She straddles the line between "right and wrong" with Jimmy. She is tired of the demands of Mesa Verde and soothes her conscience with her pro bono work but always gets back to the work that "keeps the lights on". She is being pulled in different directions constantly. It can't go on much longer. Yes - the bottle tossing was out of frustration - a WTH move. RS is incredible in the role because her quiet frustration (and desperation) blasts thru the screen. The world is pointing her to places that she doesn't want to go. Great description of "home" for Kim. She is smart and self-confident. If I had to guess, she is probably wondering how her life ended up on it's current path. This is a strong statement because it speaks to Kim's confidence and sense of worth. Kim has to make a choice, probably very soon. She needs to find a place where she is comfortable professionally, doing work that she is proud of. She needs to see Jimmy for who he is - Saul - and accept that his path long ago diverged from hers. Kim needs an epiphany and I suspect that Angry Acker/beer bottle throwing might push her to that point. The question in my mind is what does she reject first: Mesa Verde or Jimmy? What is her first step to self-preservation?

Always good to see certainty on the part of a viewer. The writers and actor did their job. However, that wasn't my point. Kim's story - truth or fiction - will have a greater impact on her decision-making going forward than it did on cranky Mr. Acker. It is a turning point for her.

There is a similar situation not far from where I live. A gym and a Starbucks were built near a modest home on woodsy, undeveloped plot of land. It is an area without any sort of commercial properties in the area. Mr. Disgruntled Homeowner didn't sell initially when the redevelopment began. That was about 10 years ago. Today, there is an entire shopping/entertainment complex wrapped around his house. It is a strange site. I often wonder how it got to this point. Anyway, my concern about the show's fragmented plot lines ended with this episode when Jimmy met with Lalo and Nacho. Loved when he was quoting his fees to Lalo thinking that it was a deterrent only for Lalo to have that amount - and more - in his wallet. Great to see Hank and Steve again. Hank calling out Jimmy on his pseudonym was brilliant. That's the Hank that I know. I'm getting bored with watching Gus shrouded in shadows and/or looking off into the distance. I assume that he will do something awful soon - hopefully not involving Nacho or his father - because this is getting tedious. Kim is getting pushed to her breaking point. I have no idea of whether or not she lied to Mr. Acker (?) but I suspect that she chooses a different life soon. And count me among those that hated the bottle-tossing scene.

100% agree with these statements. I don’t need anyone to advise me on my viewing experience - not a friend or a columnist or a show runner. I’ve been burned too many times by show runners (Lost, Mad Men, GOT). It is art. Everyone involved in it’s creation puts their own touch on it, however minimal. And everyone involved in viewing it experiences it in a unique way. I hate being told what I’m supposed to think by a show runner. It negates the entire purpose.

@stormy weather...that was an excellent post. I agree completely. I question how much Victoria or Sergio would benefit from a CFDA mentorship since neither seems particularly adept of accepting constructive criticism. Marquis seems to have the raw talent that would benefit from that type of guidance. Same here. My fear of heights gets worse with age. I couldn't believe that the runway was down steep stairs with the judges viewing from afar. That was silly, IMO.

Since I am one of the posters that said it was "inevitable" that Marquis didn't move forward, I will explain my opinion. It is pretty clear that the judges have favorites - Victoria being one of them. I LIKE Marquis - not just his designs but how he presents himself. I think that he was a worthy competitor. However, it was obvious from the judges' critiques that he wasn't perceived as one of the four strongest designers...unfairly, IMO. I'd love to see a collection from him but no one asked me. This competition is about perception. Lots of silly rhetoric is tossed around in those critiques. And a lot of worthy designers don't get a chance. Please don't criticize use of a word without understanding intent. The judges/producers made his elimination "inevitable" but that doesn't mean that it was justified.

If I had a dime for every time someone said The Vessel, I could retire. Rachel Brosnahan was a zero as a judge. Nina continues to be nasty and, yes, sometimes it is warranted, but I’ve seen and heard enough of her to last a lifetime. Love Geoffrey but not his latex panty. It looked like half of an outfit. I guess I liked Nancy’s the best. I knew that Victoria would move on and I fear that she will be the eventual winner. Sorry to see Marquis go but it was inevitable. This entire season has been completely underwhelming.

I agree with these statements. I don't think that Kim departs the story line because she is killed in the drug wars or otherwise. As @sistermagpie says, Kim's death would have a very profound effect on Saul. Rather, I think that is much more impactful for her to finally walk away from him (self preservation?). Kim's rejection will devastate him. He wants to make her happy. He wants her approval. I think that he loves her. However, none of that comes before his own needs and his selfish desire to win. I don't think that Kim ends up with Howard. She may go back to HMM for a time but eventually I think that she moves out of Albuquerque. I'd love to see her meet up with Gene in Omaha.

Ugh... the return of Hector Salamanca. One of my least favorite characters in any show ever. I understand that the drug cartel story line is a crucial component of the BCS/BB universe. However - minority opinion here - I’m bored with it. I like Nacho but his plot line is moving along at a snail’s pace. I dread where I think it will end up and part of me wishes it would just hurry up and get there. Maybe now that Nacho and Jimmy have crossed paths again, I can get a bit more engaged with Gus and the never-ending collection of annoying Salamanca family members. The slow disintegration of Jimmy and Kim’s relationship is painful to watch but it is made compelling because of BO and RS. They make their roles feel lived-in. Watching Kim process Jimmy’s evolution into Saul is extraordinarily well-done. I continue to marvel at Jimmy’s ingenuity and wish that he would put it to good use. I have nothing nice to say about cranky Mike.

I'm having a hard time deciding which Salamanca family member is less annoying. Watching Lalo for a full season is going to make me crazy. Love that these characters are finally back but this was a slow episode for me. Glad that the show moved past the German construction workers story line early in S5. Gene's path is still one of the most intriguing parts of BCS for me. Loved his resolve about not going on the run again and I can't wait to see how he stands up to the cab driver.

In retrospect, yes, the designers seemed decidedly less nervous. Maybe it was known beforehand that this would be a non-elimination challenge. And, if so, I'm OK with it. (Sorry, Victoria.) I've watched years of PR and the "design for the normal woman" challenge usually sends some of the designers into fits of anxiety and rudeness. The designers were pleasant and appeared to enjoy working with their clients. None of the dresses - other than Nancy's - were intricately designed or particularly unique. I don't blame that on the designers themselves for a "lack of effort." Rather, why couldn't this have been a 2-day challenge? If the goal was to give these women a custom-designed dress that they could actually wear, then there should have been more time to create/execute. IMO, the lack of commitment to the challenge comes from the show itself and it's producers rather than the designers. I am looking forward to seeing what results from the avant-garde challenge because that will be a test to see how far they can push their design esthetic.

Nancy’s dress was lovely. She truly considered how to design for her model. Sergio’s dress was pretty and I prefer that type of fit on a pregnant woman rather than one that is tight and revealing. (When I was pregnant, I wanted nothing to do with form-fitting clothes.) The fit on Brittany’s dress was not good. Didn’t care for Geoffrey’s dress but his model looked confident in it and really sold it. I have nothing positive to say about Victoria’s look and don’t understand the judges’ excitement over it. Glad that no one was eliminated. All of their models looked good and seemed happy. Finally, PR does the right thing! Is Victoria complaining about a non-elimination? Seriously!

Agree - it does look like a different show. I have mixed feelings.

New trailer released: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDJbFA32_QY Still not sure if I will be watching this season.