Ellaria

I know that I should not be shocked by the actions and decisions of the BBC - especially those of Martin Bashir - but I continually am. The fact that no one bothered to stop the airing (or the filming) of this interview is shameful. It is easy to criticize Diana’s decision to participate. I don’t know what she expected as result. Maybe she simply wanted her voice to be heard. However, the deception and manipulation used to convince this vulnerable woman to cooperate is beyond awful. The show is hitting us over the head with the idea of obsolescence - the Britannia, the Queen’s TV, the BBC…and, yes, of course the Queen herself. Loved the scene of the Queen, QM and William with the new TV programming and the satellite dish.

I enjoy the episodes when The Crown visits past actions of the Windsors and attempts to place them in context of current (in show) events. I think that it was important to show that King George and Queen Mary refused sanctuary to the Romanovs but I agree that, regardless, they likely would never have left Russia alive. I also don’t think that the show was suggesting that the murders of the Romanovs were the fault of the King and Queen. Rather, I think they were showing us their desire for self-preservation above all else. Again, this is in context of a highly fictionalized show, but I was hoping for a reveal that she did understand everything he said. The relationship between Penny and Philip seemed sweet, innocent and fulfilling for two lonely people. I can, however, understand Elizabeth’s feelings. It’s not impossible to realize that she and Philip may have shared love and support in their later years but not many common interests.

Lesley Manville is brilliant as Margaret. Loved seeing Timothy Dalton. I enjoyed this episode because, despite so much of it being known, it still felt “new.” Perhaps it is the cast. Imelda Staunton and Jonathan Pryce inhabit their characters with weariness, a feeling that they have playing their “royal roles” for much too long. I’m glad that not every minute in this episode was devoted to the failing marriages of Elizabeth’s children. The subtle undercurrent of those issues was well balanced. Unlike last season, I’m not bothered by the fact that I remember many of these stories playing out in real life. I also don’t care about what has been fictionalized. The acting is excellent and I am being drawn into every scene.

I was surprised to see that a full episode was devoted to Mohamed Al-Fayed. It was an excellent episode and highlighted all that has been written about his desire to be recognized as part of British high society. Great to see Alex Jennings again. He really is brilliant as the Duke of Windsor. I enjoyed the break from the Charles/Diana drama.

I like the new cast. Dominic West is proving to be an interesting choice for Charles. So far, I like the tone that the narrative is taking. John Major is clearly aware that the Windsors are a house of house of cards right now.

Excellent article! This season has been a disaster for so many reasons. It’s a shame because the bakers are a likable group. It’s hard to know if they are as talented as previous bakers because the challenges have, for the most part, have not given them a chance to shine. I hope that the show runners - and judges - take the criticism into account and get back to what made this show so delightful. I believe that Paul and Prue are part of the problem this season; much of the criticisms have been brutal and not constructive. In past seasons, the challenges were interesting and fun. As an inexperienced baker, I have always been tempted to buy something in a bakery (chocolate babka) or to follow a baker’s recipe and try to make it at home (soda bread). This year, I have not been tempted by any of it.

Disappointing week but not necessarily for the same reasons as Paul and Prue stated. Agree. The structural bakes are going too far this season. IMO, most of them don’t look appetizing. Since we can’t taste any of it, looks are important. Also, the time constraints work against the bakers’ ability to deliver tasty, attractive bakes on a consistent basis. Spring rolls? Sigh…

I love Anothony Horowitz’s books so I’m enjoying this show. Even though I read the book, I don’t remember all of the details so I am still paying close attention. The show is handling the “mystery within the mystery” aspect quite well. Lesley Manville is terrific. I love her conversations with Atticus Pünd.

Structural bakes are fine as long as the contestants are given proper time to execute them. A Halloween centerpiece is very different from a Halloween centerpiece that has to hang from a hook. If the latter requirement is necessary (for whatever reason) then give them more time. This contest is supposed to be about artistry and taste. Since, as viewers, we can’t appreciate the taste of their creations, we have to rely on presentation. Engineering is fine when it works. When it doesn’t - as is often the case lately - it benefits no one. Right now, allotted time is fighting against creativity in these challenges.

I love Halloween so I enjoyed this episode. Seeing the bakers in costumes was great. I agree about the s’mores. The proportions were way off for me. Too much marshmallow. What I like about s’mores is the subtlety of the biscuit, melty chocolate and marshmallow combined together. This may be an unpopular opinion but I’m getting tired of bakes that need to do something else such as hanging from a hook or the standing mask. I don’t need these bakers to be civil engineers. Make it look interesting/fun/gorgeous and tell me that it tastes amazing. It causes me to lose focus on the bake itself and the ingredients. Instead, I’m wondering if it will hold together for the judging.

Interesting, unexpected and sad. It was a long road but Jimmy finally accepted the consequences of his actions. This was always going to be his end.

Well…consider that he may not be successful in reaching the vacuum cleaner guy. He is a desperate man on the run. His actions may not be logical.

If he wants to disappear again, that’s where the vacuum cleaner shop is, I think. In a greater sense, I’m not sure that anything or anyone has to be there for him. It just seems that’s where the series should end.

I don’t have much to say about wildfires but the car looks burned in the trailer. That video about fake diamonds is clearly reminding us that Gene 1) has diamonds and 2) knows that they are real. Because I believe that this show ends in Albuquerque, he must go on the run with the diamonds and whatever amount of cash he was able to access in a hurry. He has another set of license plates and a police radio; both can aid him in while he is on the run.

Posting this in the Spoilers thread because some don’t watch the trailer for the next episode… Although the dialogue is hard to comprehend, it sounds like Saul is out of breath and repeating the make/model # of a vacuum cleaner. I hear “Hoover, max extract pressure, pro model 60.” Again, it is hard to hear (intentionally, I assume). This could be the code used when he calls for another “disappearance.” If so, does it mean that he is either in Albuquerque or headed that way?

Love the reference to Chekhov’s diamonds. Yes, they have to come into play but I don’t think another vacuum cleaner visit will be successful. (And not because Robert Forster is dead.) And I agree…this story doesn’t end in Omaha. My guess is yes… Gene has always had a quick getaway planned. He does have that police radio. Right…he has a head start. Is that enough? Maybe depending on how far away Marion lives. Get back to his house, grab the stash under the floorboards and get going. Drive to a remote location and change the plates. I imagine the first thing that the police will do is get to Marion’s house and ensure that she is safe. Then they will begin to sort thru the Saul/Gene identities and likely contact the Albuquerque police. And, in the meantime, they will speak with Jeff who will tell them about the nature of their crimes. I think that Gene gets back to Albuquerque. That’s where it ends for him, one way or another.

I’ve been wondering about the diamonds for awhile. We never saw how they came into his possession. (Sure…we can guess but, at this point, it doesn’t matter.) We know that he has them and I believe that the diamonds may aid him his plans to flee. Or, at the very least, he thinks that they will. Agree. He has time to run, if he chooses. He is low on options right now.

This is a great analysis. Jimmy - like Walt - takes everything too far. He had to go back to cancer man’s house. He had to engage in identify theft instead of ending scams with Jeff and Buddy. I’m sure there are other examples. It’s never enough. However, there is one key difference between Jimmy and Walt: Walt had a terminal cancer. He was willing and able to take certain risks when returning to Albuquerque because he knew his days were numbered. I agree that Jimmy will also go back to Albuquerque to “set things right” but, in this instance, I’m not sure what that means. Who will he see? His old life is gone; he destroyed it and everyone in it. I’m not sure that he is ready to accept the consequences of his past.

Wow - that was tense! And Kim’s life is reduced to discussions about Miracle Whip. It may never amount to anything but I’m glad that Cheryl knows the truth about Howard. Marion is not a dummy. She thought something was strange when she peered out of her window last week and saw Gene yelling at Buddy about his dog. She rightfully questioned why Jeff called Gene instead of her after getting arrested. Gene calls her with a plan and info about the differences in bail proceedings between Omaha and Albuquerque. Jeff has been in trouble before. Something is off for her and she searches…and finds Saul. Perfectly logical? Perhaps not. Possible? Definitely. I have gone down a lot of holes in my random Internet searches. That’s likely what Marion did. Gene - the former elder law attorney - gets taken down by a perceptive elderly woman using whatever technology is available to her. It’s perfect!

Well said. Ultimately, Gene is bringing himself down. He engaged Jeff in “victimless” crime to shut him up. After telling him that their scam was over, he went back for more, seemingly in response to that phone call to the sprinkler company. However, this time it’s different - calculating, cruel and relentless. I think it’s perfect that an elderly woman will be the vehicle to his downfall. His story will come full circle, starting from his time as an elder law attorney.

I’ve been wondering about the diamonds for awhile. It is fine to speculate where they came from and who paid him with them. It’s another thing to wonder what role - if any - they play going forward.

Agree. My first question is - and apologies if I missed this point - how did Gene acquire the information that Kim worked at the sprinkler company? Perhaps that’s why we didn’t hear the conversation…it’s a conversation that amounted to nothing. The likely take-away is that Gene never made contact with her. The result is anger and frustration. It would be interesting to know if this was his first attempt to contact her. I don’t know if there will an entire episode devoted to Kim. I wouldn’t object but the focus seems to be on Gene and his eventual downfall.

Assuming that this is correct and not a misdirect by Odenkirk… I think that Marion and her computer’s search bar will prove troublesome for Gene. Jeffy agreed that targeted the cancer-stricken man wasn’t a great idea. If he decides to confess any of it to Marion, she will protect her son. Of course, I’m always wrong about these things.

This was Gene’s choice. He could have run away again but didn’t. We now know that this episode occurred less than a year after he became Gene. It is just enough time for him to accept that living in the shadows, living on the run, isn’t for him. My assumption is that he will continue to embrace Saul. Much like Walter White before him, he doesn’t want to hide.

Agree. it is much more dramatic knowing that Jimmy is less than 12 months into his lonely existence as Gene. My wild (and usually incorrect) guess is that he will continue to embrace his Saul/Slippin' Jimmy ways. His cover has already been blown, even if its only Jeff. He knows what he has to lose and may not care. What is his life now anyway?