LiveFromKevin

I think everyone has a neighbor or coworker like Dan. Don't think it has to do with heritage. Probably upbringing somehow.I already posted kind of a Mike defense, and I can't argue with the voice thing (silly reason to dislike someone, but whatever). Stupid and sucks at challenges, though? He's not Joe but he's been in the mix for every individual challenge (even did decent on the pole, which is clearly not geared toward guys with his build). If they had more challenges with strength-based components, people would be complaining it's too easy for him. Yeah he's getting a golden edit and lots of confessionals, but he's talking about his game and worries about making himself a threat and how he probably will need the idol once Joe's gone. These are smart considerations and it seems like a lot of these players aren't thinking that far ahead. Max Dawson was smarter than Mike, but that doesn't make Mike stupid. Eating a scorpion might make Mike stupid, admittedly.

Agreed. I'm really not understanding all the Mike hate on this board. Yes, he's aligned with a bunch of douches, but that has a lot to do with BC's winning (or at least not-losing) streak at the beginning. The biggest aholes from WC (Max and Joaquin) and NC (Vince) were gone before the merge, before they formed bonds with people we like. Not to mention, Mike's "kill the power couple" strategy in his first two tribals is smart. Plus he seems to be on-point in social game, identifying threats, and knowing how to play the game (which he showed this episode in the idol hunt). We've yet to see if his "claim Joe has the idol" play works, but it's a bold, fun plan. Yeah, the "hero" edit is over-the-top, but blame the producers for that. Mike's ideal number one was Kelly, who seemed likable, but now he's saddled with a couple of dummies and making the best of it.Speaking of those dummies, MY GOD. Dan and Rodney are THE WORST. I was hoping Dan would get blindsided so bad after he was so condescending to Shirin. Plus the "girls alliance" was an interesting possibility. I'm really wondering if Sierra ever actually planned to take out Dan and someone talked her down (Tyler or Mike, presumably, we weren't shown) or if she was totally playing the other girls (which I feel like production would hint at, so I doubt). Wouldn't surprise me at all if Tyler hashed it out with Carolyn before Tribal, too.

I think Norman busts out a "Sheeeeit" in one scene while he and Tommy are discussing Clay Davis, if I'm not mistaken. I did a Season 1-4 rewatch recently (just got a little burned out before S5), and I think I remember it. Btw, I love that the coffee pot scene is the focus of the article. Such a small moment, but so telling of the out-of-touch character that Carcetti is. And it's great that the show is smart enough draw just enough attention to it. Lesser shows would beat you over the head by having the entitled character throwing a fit (about a mayor-elect taking orders from a lowly detective) or complaining that he doesn't even know how to operate the coffee maker.

Different strokes for different folks, some people get jealous easy. On the "don't stare at the vagina" thing, I kinda get it. It's not so different than if someone has a giant mustard stain or something. It's one thing if you're at a nude beach or locker room or something, but it's different when you're having a conversation with someone you just met.

The less he talks, the more impressive his gameplay seems.

I'm going to follow Wes's lead and quote myself to show how much I agree with him.

Totally disagree with the "never" part of this. I'd never say it to a stranger, I'd never say it in anger, but Dan CLEARLY didn't mean it in any kind of offensive way. I'm not a total bro or anything, but I understand (and partake in) the way guys jokingly give each other shit about anything and everything. Yeah, Dan clearly misread both that a) he and Rodney have the kind of relationship where they can rib each other and b) Rodney was capable (or willing) to see how Dan meant it. Rodney was looking for a reason to get offended. Yeah, when Dan realized this was a line that he crossed with Rodney, he should apologize and explain that he didn't mean anything. But I really don't think that Dan could've forseen that. I love my mother as much as anyone, but I'm not going to get offended if someone mock-insults her in such an obviously innocuous manner. I'm not saying Rodney should just sit there and take it if it bothers him, but a mature person would be like "whoa, Dan, my mom's off-limits, man" and say in the confessional "yeah, what Dan said bothered me, but I know he didn't mean anything by it, love ya, Ma". I feel like Rodney would have the same (over)reaction if instead of "haha, well you're mother's a whore", Dan had said "haha, well Tom Brady's a pussy". Dude just totally ignored the tone and was so ready to be offended (which seems like every Boston sports fan on social media's default setting). Lindsey's God comment was the other side, where it came from a place of anger, and intentionally disrespectful. Outside of Mike's (private) confessional after her outburst and his tattoo, we haven't seen Mike really refer to his religion much. Sure, the tribe probably asked him about his tattoo and he explained a bit to them, but we've seen no reason for her to throw it back in his face like that. I'm agnostic and I felt like that crossed a line. I'm glad to see Mike didn't take the bait and start a giant fight about that. That said, Mike was kind of being a dick around camp so I could see why he was frustrating his tribe mates. To sum up: I'm pro-mother, meh-Dan, meh-Rodney, but didn't think Dan was totally out of line. I'm meh-God, meh-Mike, but Lindsey was.

Totally agree. Changing the subject, much love for the theme song. Wouldn't have expected "They alive, dammit!" to be as catchy as it is.

Just watched the pilot. VERY funny. My big concern so far is that it'll get too New York-masturbatory like a lot of shows do, but I was able to get past that in 30 Rock, so it very well could be worth it.

I'm surprised at how many people have commented that they dislike Jackie. I thought she did great at staying positive after her partner struggled with the puzzle box, and seemed pretty upbeat overall (and not in an annoying way, a la Hayley). Honeymoon seems to be over for Kurt and Bergen. Not sure if I like the one that couldn't eat the noodles, seemed kinda bratty in his confessionals and during the task. All other couples seem okay. I feel like I have no idea who Matt and Ashley are, though. The Detour options seemed pretty unbalanced again this week (unless you're Winter Olympians). I get the argument of "well you don't know how far apart each option is", but that's terribly unfair unless the contestants are given some clue. It's one thing for the producers to say "this one's easier, but far away" and "this one may take a while, but it's closer" or even subtly hint that. Because that would make it part of the strategy. In both episode one and episode two Detours, I don't think that was part of the clue, so the tasks (and distances) should've been theoretically comparable (which again, they don't really seem to be unless you're a team of dancers or athletes, and even so, dancers/athletes don't have a similar DISADVANTAGE at identifying one saki bottle or eating noodles).

I think the scene you're talking about is between Mike and Dan (maybe when Dan was in the speedo), and I assumed it was Boston Rodney in the background. He's not in focus, but the frame looked similar enough.

Shocked Dave didn't pick the colonization/occupation of New Caprica in Battlestar Galactica.<br /><br />There's also about two episodes in every season of Game of Thrones that would qualify.

The show really put me off by starting with the Donna flash-forward. All the" jokes" in that segment fell flat and the dialogue with Keegan-Michael Key felt like it was written as satire of the "too-perfect" couple, but it was clearly meant to be sincere. Craig's wasn't any better, but the show started to hit it's stride with some quality Andy gags. Overall I thought they were all too perfect and sappy, but at least I was laughing periodically.

My only problems were that the Detour options seemed totally unbalanced (really? You only have to pick ONE bottle?) and the incredibly long time we had to watch players fail at the dancing task. That got old in a hurry.

Yikes, just yikes.