Vella

Overall, I really liked this season. It moved around and managed a lot of different faces and stories and kept them all connected reasonably well. For ten 40 minute episodes, it covered a lot and yet still found small moments (Barrel buying a pizza and then enjoying his dinner watching a movie) to plop into a random episode. Now, there certainly were story problems, more notably, the Maddie end of interning at the DA's office. While I can believe she'd score a summer job there, I don't buy the amount of freedom she had just roaming around, completely unsupervised. I had to laugh every time she had her phone with her. Just, no. That would not be permitted AT ALL. Then she enters the CIU and there's no fob to get in? No secretary to hand things off to? She can just wander in an office when nobody is there? When they're knee deep in a case involving potential misconduct by her father? There's no way she'd be permitted near that office. The only times I bought how she got information was when Tom first told her and when she overheard the DA rattling off while they left the CIU. THAT is how people find out random shit they shouldn't know in their office: GOSSIP. But everything else? Horseshit. Way too unbelievable. It's called the Conviction Integrity Unit and yet there's NO protocol for security? I get the storyline of Maddie being in the DA's office, but there are so many better ways for her to find out that information. That aspect was really poorly done. I also really didn't buy Bosch's shrug when Maddie admitted what she did. Not only in terms of what she was doing was very much illegal and would have lost her the job but also that she could have potentially been arrested, potentially compromised her scholarships/schooling, would most certainly have looked like Bosch asked her to snoop for him. Also, it should have freaked him out that she was willing to do these things TO HELP HIM because she felt the need to protect him and was willing risk HER future to do that. All of that should have set him off, not only as a cop, but as her father. I did enjoy the notion that it was THIS recent article in the LA Times that blew Bosch's cover and not say, the several other times he and his picture were prominently featured in the past. Nope, just THIS time. The idea that Bosch could go undercover in LA is a bit much. Finally, I quite liked the way the show doesn't really hide the fact that Bosch can be a real asshole. The whole Christina Henry thing was really interesting and I like how the show kind of sprinkled bits and pieces about it throughout the season. It suggested she was personally motivated, but at the same time, kind of acknowledged that he screwed her over back in the day. I like Bosch, but he's a bit of a dog and fuck up.

I know the show got glowing praise, but I'm finding more and more that it's really a 'you like it or you hate it' show. Too bad I'm in the 2nd category. When a show lets me know that it's going to sacrifice character in favor of lazy plot movement THIS early in the series, I believe it.

Wow. That was incredibly disappointing. Right from the first episode, the show made decisions that came across as lazy, handwave writing, but this episode really takes it. The MOMENT everyone learned the assassin was using Eve's name should have kicked EVERYTHING up a security notch. Instead, Bill and Eve go to Berlin and bumble around like friggin' tourists with no protection of any kind and no awareness of their surroundings either. Neither consider the stolen bag may have been grabbed by the person who just killed a man using Eve's name. Bill, who had in this short time, been presented as a seasoned MI5 agent, with a young child at home with oodles of police contacts in Berlin not only does not tell anyone about the bump but upon seeing the same woman at the train station inexplicably begins to make one stupid decision after the other. He doesn't call Eve right away. He doesn't call any Berlin contacts for backup. This woman is an ASSASSIN and yet he becomes stupider and stupider as the moments pass and he is so CLEARLY being led to his death. I don't buy it for a second. What an absolute shame that already, the writing is forcing characters to make decisions they simply would not make because it's more dramatic or it's easier to kill character B off. If this sort of thing is already happening in episode 3, I can only imagine how stupider the show will get. By and large, I'd really liked the show, but it's better to get out now than watch the next few episodes hoping things will get better. Too bad, but that's it for me.

That ending was a gut punch, but I had mixed feelings with the show overall. Some things worked, others didn't. I actually really liked the RollerWorld storyline, I thought it was a great balance to the dark of the Cesar/Santos story. I loved the Oscar/Cesar day on the beach and Oscar giving up his dream to ensure Cesar had a good home life, but at the same time condemning Cesar to a life in a gang. I loved Abuelita, I loved her interactions and bond with Jamal. I loved Jamal in general. I loved Ruby, he's easily the star of the show. I really liked Monse, I liked her being bossy and prickly and moody, she wasn't a get a long girl in a boy group, she stood out and spoke up. I did not buy Olivia giving Cesar an out and breaking up with him. I don't buy she wouldn't feel hurt and betrayed by what she saw going on at her quinceanera between Monse and Cesar. I don't buy Monse feeling almost ZERO guilt over making out with Olivia's boyfriend and all the lies she told and kept telling. I don't buy Olivia giving Monse her blessing like some fairy godmother and just bowing out like that. No way. These are TEENS and Monse/Cesar DID do Olivia wrong. There would be hurt feelings and lashing out all around. But it goes with the general apathy in the writing for Olivia, she is basically there for Ruby to crush on, Monse to talk to (about a guy) and to be a third wheel in Cesar/Monse. She was never her own character. I would not be surprised if she's the one that dies and doesn't return for Season 2, especially now that it's come out the actress isn't even Latina. Like WTF show runners? I utterly and completely LOATHED everything that went on with Jasmine. From the intense over-sexualizing of a TEENAGE GIRL, to these ridiculous gross outs they kept shoving at her character to the way the group treated her and acted like she was a disease to the way she had zero social awareness to the not surprising fact that all of this was heaped on a fat girl. Because fat girls are gross and so it's okay to make them the objects of ridicule and scorn. I see you show, I see what you did there, so fuck you big time on that bullshit front.

Overall, I enjoyed this, moreso because of the actors working extremely well together and individually. The stories were often dull 'Robinson in peril' tropes and there were far too many of them. With only 10 episodes, they should have focused on character development, but if the show gets a second season, maybe that'll happen. The show badly needs re-directing and better writing. One of the things I absolutely loved was the dynamic of Maureen/Smith. Women who are in control of themselves and of their destiny. The last two episodes in particular highlight that Maureen and Smith are the focus, John does not even appear in episode 9. He's missing for a bulk of episode 10 and his story is definitely the B one. So often, when the chips are down in shows/movies, women are relegated to the back seat, while men play heroes but not here. Maureen and Smith are front and center, their back and forth and battle for control is such a refreshing thing to see. Molly Parker and Parker Posey played so well opposite each other and once Maureen knew who Smith really was, their dynamic became so much more interesting. I liked the girls, I'm so glad they weren't fighting over a stupid boy and that by and large, they were good to each other and had a strong bond. Will was fine although he really did one stupid thing after another in the last few episodes. Don was a nice comic relief and they seemed to dial it back just a titch, which was a relief. Toby Stephens is fantastic, I can completely get what Black Sails fans have been raving about with him and I certainly hope he gets more to do if there's a second season.

Okay, I laughed when Maureen and John finally got out of the tar pit and they sounded like the Chipmunks. I knew it was coming but I still laughed. I'm also liking their interactions more and more, the actors have great chemistry and putting a little light snarky banter works really well. The bit about Maureen not thinking of the tunnel to begin with and John dryly remarking that it was so obvious? They need more of that. I liked Will/Penny bonding, although Will learning to 'fly' looked hella boring and more suited to a 5 year old than a preteen. Smith being frustrated that laying the parts of the robot together and the robot not magically fixing itself was fun. My guess is that ultimately she'll fix the robot and like in the original series, it'll follow her commands only, giving her the leverage and protection she's been looking for. And of COURSE Vijay immediately blabs about what Penny told him, because of COURSE Penny blabbed to him for no reason because of COURSE she overheard her parents discussing it because of COURSE they were talking about this HUGE problem out in the open instead of in a closed room. These lazy tropes are tiresome.

Don is such a freaking moron. He's the one pointing out how the more fuel they take, the lighter the east side of the ship will be and the more likely the ship will fall over the edge. We're then told it will take 3 hours to get all the fuel. So what does Don do? Wait until the VERY END before going to get the proof. When it's the MOST dangerous, and taking his sweet ass time while doing it. And the CONSTANT joke cracking and smarming is getting to be WAY too much. I don't actually mind the characters overall although the pace is excruciatingly slow. Smith is a delight, she's so calculating and cold. There are times where it seems like she genuinely wants to help out and get along and be semi-decent and then she pulls a giant NOPE! and is horrible. I love it. I find it disappointing that the only thing they could think to do with Penny, a snarky, smart kid with a rebellious streak is to have her fixate on a boy. Ugh. And Will sending his robot off a cliff while crying his eyes out over the 'best friend' he's had for like, 5 days? WTF? I don't get how this world is dangerous and yet Penny and Will can just wander off for HOURS without telling anyone anything and everyone sort of acts like they just went to the playground or something. I mean, it's not like their camp was just attacked by 2 enormous creatures that could have killed many people were it not for the robot. It seems like there's a genuine arch for the 10 episodes, but within each episode, there's a boatload of meandering, it feels like time just gets wasted. I wonder if the writing would be more on point if we just followed the Robinsons, Don and Smith and saved all the other survivors for Season 2. If there's a Season 2.

I can't help but think Jessica is reflecting on everything Trish had said and done in the last few days leading up to the shooting. How she didn't see Jessica's mother as Jessica's mother. How Alisa was just a monster needing to be put down. She kept insisting that Jessica would not be with Alisa by choice, and yet, this was something Alisa had pointed out (taunted really) to Trish earlier when they had their prison visit. Alisa was important. No matter what, she was Jessica's family and Jessica could not and would not ignore that and that when push came to shove, Jessica would 'choose' Alisa over Trish. Alisa was a threat to Trish's place as top dog in Jessica's life. Trish loved Jessica but she was insecure and jealous of her as well, not only regarding the super powers but now, with Jessica's growing connection to Alisa. Despite the fact that Jessica insisted Trish meant more than anyone, Alisa meant a lot to Jessica too and if anyone could 'dethrone' Trish, it would be back from the dead with superpowers Mama. I think Trish genuinely feared for Jessica's safety and didn't want Jessica in the position of killing another person, but I also think Trish killed Alisa for her own much darker, selfish needs. She didn't call out, she didn't let Jessica say goodbye, she didn't think, she thought and acted as she had done for days, the way an addict would. Jessica would reflect on that too, if she'd only really focused on getting Trish the help she needed, Trish might not have gone down the path she chose. The one that cost Jessica so much and the one that pretty much blew up their relationship. So much messiness. I hope season 3 unpacks ALL of that.

It's weird what things can totally take whatever inclination you might have to watch the 2nd season just completely out of you. Watching Madani get completely and totally undermined and cut down for nothing at the carousel was it for me. She plays ZERO role in what happens. She doesn't get to even say a word. Doesn't get to rescue the kids, doesn't get to distract Russo or take a shot at him for Sam. Absolutely nothing. She gets to show up, stand there and basically wait for Russo to shoot her in the head. That's some bullshit. What little power her character has in that scenario, the show just rips it away from her. Not really surprising that it happened to the female lead, but it still pissed me off.

I agree on the horrified front, but definitely not on the judgemental angle. I don't buy that. Karen was kidnapped and held against her will, her life on the line and killed Wesley in self defense. He was absolutely dangerous and threatening her life. Matt would see that and feel GUILTY that he didn't keep her safe, that he had somehow failed to protect her. He cares about Karen, I don't believe for a moment he'd hear her story and judge her for a split second choice that very likely saved her own life.

That speech though, that was amazing. I don't think I've ever seen an actor do something SO different. It was beautiful and I loved how he thanked 3 women at the end. Including his mom.

I got the impression that they steal only what is necessary and when it is necessary because they live very much off the grid. The main purpose of what they're doing is tracking down and killing those involved in the labs. Robbing banks would only bring more heat on them and put them at a far greater risk for getting caught or killed. They stick around because Kali helped them and they, in turn, feel loyal to her and what she wants to do. I would imagine all of them have pretty terrible backgrounds where they were used, abused and cast out and had been living pretty desperate lives when Kali came along. Killing people who hurt Kali and others like her is a way for them to strike back against those who hurt them.

It was long overdue that he admitted that. And Monica admitted that they handled things just as badly. It was a good scene. This is one of the key things that drive me CRAZY about the writing. Trying to suggest that what Jason did and what the Quartermaines were the same level of BAD, when it's SO far from the truth. To even TRY to equivocate the 'sides' is completely ridiculous. It would be generous to give the Quartermaines 10%, if THAT. JASON is the reason for why the relationship went the way it did. It is almost ENTIRELY on him. Once he stole Michael? That was it. Jason mealy mouthing about not being fair followed by Monica immediately taking ownership of half the blame is a friggin JOKE. Monica spent two decades grateful for whatever piece of bread crumb Jason decided to scrape off the bottom of his shoe and sneeringly fling in her direction all the while knowing he would not life a FINGER to help her know her grandson. She never celebrated a birthday with Michael, never saw him grow up, never went to school functions or spent a holiday with him. NONE of it. Neither did his own FATHER. Jason did that. And when he put Michael firmly with Sonny, he re-established how much of an asshole he would ALWAYS be when it came to the Qs having any kind of relationship with Michael. And felt pretty damn smug about it too. Ugh.

She probably doesn't really want to do much press, and she can probably command a little bit more clout in not being required to do a lot of promotional stuff, including BST. I got the impression, both this season and last, that the kids did the heavy lifting. Harbour's done a good chunk, but the focus really seems to be moreso on the kids than anything. My guess is if WR wanted to do BST or a lot of interviews, Netflix would fall over themselves to arrange things however she wanted.

Plus, Millie's 13. She's well spoken, creative, intelligent and not afraid to speak her mind or share her feelings, which is GREAT. But she's still 13. That brain is still 13 no matter how 'wise' she may seem. It wouldn't surprise me at all that her fondness for Matthew Modine bleeds into her perception of the El/Brenner relationship. That's to be expected from someone her age.

For Season 3, I'd love it if from the time we left Season 2 to when Season 3 begins, everything has been CALM. Our crew has actually enjoyed a period of calm and normalcy. I'd also love to see a deepening of relationships between our crew, and mix it up again. Hopper/El and Dustin/Steve were great match ups so do it again. Maybe this time, Steve could have graduated and works for his dad as he thought he would, but he finds it unsatisfying. Perhaps he and Hopper begin to bond over the new Season 3 mystery, leading to the potential of Steve becoming a cop. Maybe, in readying El for proper school, Nancy has become her tutor, but also taken on an older sister role too. I'd love for the six kids to all be friends, especially El/Max. Give Joyce a story that doesn't revolve around being terrified for Will. Let her be a mother figure for El. Let Hopper/Joyce be adults because it seems those two getting together will happen. Do something different with Billy. Obviously, the Upside Down and Mind Flayer is not done with Hawkins, so let the slow menace of that creep back into things. Before, El opened the gate. The gate is now closed, so maybe this time, the gates between dimensions are being forced open from the Upside Down. Bring Mr. Clarke, as the resident scientist, into the thick of things and maybe Mrs Wheeler. Work with the cast the show already has.

Eleven was taken at birth, but Eight was taken when she was a girl, the picture from the article that Aunt Becky showed El was one of a little girl who went missing from London and she looked to be around 4 or 5. I'm guessing most of the earlier kids were taken a few years after being born whereas El was taken almost immediately.

Sonny is such a bumbling fool. He claims to not know who Jason is to Fakeson and in the VERY NEXT SENTENCE, calls Jason by his name to Fakeson, making it abundantly clear he DOES know Jason. Then he turns around and whispers who Jason is to Dante, like he's a kid spilling a big secret. If he was just going to blab to Dante 30 seconds later, why did he pathetically try to lie to Fakeson about it? Also, why does Fakeson not recognize his old face? But I did like Carly trailing after Jason to the PCPD, crazed glint of "Love ME, Pick ME!" in her eyes. Oh, I've missed that Carly. The previews look even better.

He was sitting in a lawn chair, enjoying the view.

I really loved this episode. You get the reminder of the invitation of El being offered a home. She had it with Mike, with Hopper, with her Aunt and then with Cali. All offered safety and acceptance, but El is changing, going through her arc of discovery and identity. Being with Hopper was safe, it was stability and having an adult who genuinely cared about her, but it was stifling and lonely. She finds her aunt and mother and learns more about herself and what happened early on but again, can't stay, her mother actively says 'no' when El says she's home. She moves on to Cali, who knows so much of what El is experiencing and again, gets that information she's craving but ultimately, Cali's path is not El's path. Cali's home is not El's home. El has come full circle and is going to where she truly feels is home. As an aside, I really liked Cali and I really love the decision of making her Indian. It's not often we get to see Indian characters. Like ever. So kudos to the show runners on this point.

Bob making a reference to maybe moving to Maine. Hah! Honestly, I hope Bob is the real deal because he's such a great guy for Joyce. He's good to her sons, treats Will like he's a regular kid, is a source of happiness for Joyce and he actually LISTENS to her when she talks about her fears. I wonder if the camera Will had with him will reveal footage that he actually IS in the Upside Down when he has these episodes. I mean, why else have him take the camera if it's not going to capture something important?

I don't think I've laughed this hard in a LONG time while watching GH. First, Sonny and Jason getting their guns up and staking out the hotel. Then Sonny comes in yelling threats and waving his gun like a big boy while Jason lurks above on the roof, looking down through the skylight. Gee, why is he there? Then his smashing the skylight and jumping down without missing a beat to wave his own gun around. So fucking funny because it's so fucking stupid and juvenile. And yet, this is 2 decades of watching these two assholes saving the day while cops like Dante get little more to do than stand around stupid faced while the REAL heroes get shit done. Finally we're back on the docks with the damsel and Jason waving his gun around, getting another kill notch on his belt since his return and by the looks of it, will jump into the water to save Sam. Again. Seriously, 20 damn years of this show ruining shit.

I think what I enjoyed most about the Sonny/Jason brag/whine/tantrumfest is not so much that the show is acknowledging these two pathetic man babies are who they are and won't be changing anytime soon, but rather that the show is STILL attempting to suggest that the Morgan/Corinthii quad is the most healthy, noble, true display of family and friendship that anyone has ever seen before. STILL. They genuinely believe that S, C, Sam and Jason are the best of the best. The writing is never "look at how genuinely awful and dysfunctional these 40 something and 50 something people are, individually and collectively". Because really, what grown assed man proudly declares that his reason for being is changing the sheets every time Sonny and/or Carly decide to shit the bed? I'm guessing SBu was thinking of the dollar signs these show running fools had thrown at him while saying those lines. No wonder he's been so animated. And the show certainly didn't surprise with the casual dismissal of all the horrific shit Robin, and by extension her child, went through from the moment she sacrificed herself for Jason's useless ass. Good to know Jason wrapped up his reaction with a "she deserves to be happy" and not a fucking BLOOD OATH to serve HER for the rest of his days for all that SHE endured to save his worthless ass. Never change Jason.

I honestly thought I'd missed the "DNA is a match!" scene because there is no way police would reunite a long lost child with their family without first confirming with titanium proof, that there is DNA match to the family. She literally walks off the street and without knowing a THING about her, they just hand her over to strangers. They don't know if she's dangerous, what her medical state is, why she only 'remembers' things when Carisi eagerly supplies the details. They hadn't even investigated the white van story before the girl was already announced publicly as Emma. There's dramatic licensing and then there's THIS.

Oh, I don't believe this at all. Jason did nothing to shape Michael into a decent person, primarily because Michael really isn't a very decent person. Michael was raised by 3 amoral, vile people and he's only SLIGHTLY less awful than them, so if anything, Jason did exactly what S&C did, which was virtually nothing.