Captanne

So, I only saw yesterday's episode up until the point Shiloh threw Sam on the couch and threatened to rape her. Suddenly, we went to the Zelenskyy-Whatsit meeting (wow, awkward). So, I turned over to Fiji-Uruguay in the World Cup of Rugby. So damned exciting! So exciting that, until this very moment, I forgot about the preemption and only just remembered that the game was vastly more fascinating than a violent, child-kidnapping, rape scene. Just goes to show ya, TFGH can screw anything up.

Yeah, but God offered "deals", too. And pretty awe-ful ones. He bet the Devil he could get Job to sin. (Job 2) (And the "pull the rug out" trick with Abraham and Isaac was pretty stunningly ghastly).

Silly question -- but one of my favorites of AHS was/is "Hotel". Did they bring back the same actor to play NightStalker? Because the cast of Hotel was brilliant (I mean everyone including the serial killers).

OMG, boring is right. "Edgy" is not what has me talking about Kim and the serial killer/mind transplant/navy SEAL/annoying actor/original stunt casting guy. What has me talking about it is that it's a self-inflicted wound by the very writing staff of their own show. I'm pretty sure that's not the viewer conversation the writing staff is encouraged to create.

LOL That's right. My gripe, when it comes down to it, about the current plot line is that it undermines a show that is about a medical community. It's a self-inflicted wound. Didn't this show used to employ a medical ethics advisor or some such human being?

Just watched episode one last night. I'm an amateur Franklin Expedition historian, which is what brought me to Dan Simmons' book and then to this series. I was unaware of the self-imposed isolation of the Japanese families when they emigrated to the US in the 30s and 40s. So, that's interesting. The big difference I see here from the first series is that the horror factor is real and comes into play from the first ten minutes of the story. For me, that makes this much more a rival of American Horror Story than the Franklin Expedition story did. They both have started taking historical mysteries and serializing them -- but the FE was more of a history lesson until the Tuunbaaq started bouncing around. American Horror Story (even "Roanoke") makes no attempt to tell history accurately.

(This conversation is fascinating about medical ethics -- of which I know nothing. Although I know a whole lot about ethics from a philosophical standpoint -- my PhD is in Kantian ethics). As a lawyer, it makes perfect sense to me that American ethics would have shaken out that Kim owes no legal duty of care because she is not Franco's doctor of record (except, what about the Samaritan laws?) Franco probably doesn't fall under the Samaritan laws since there is no immediate threat to his health or anyone else's* but I don't know. Here's the problem -- if I step away from the crazy and imagine this was real life -- he'd be a guinea pig in a metaphorical bell jar in a think tank. The fact is that he is a science fiction lab rat for an experiment that took place against his will. No doctors/hospital/laboratory in their right minds would let him go out into the world in this condition. That's part of what makes the Mad Scientist and Shiloh villains -- that they did this to people and then turned them loose on society. We wouldn't even be getting to a "love in the afternoon" drah-mah triangle -- he never would have left the hospital. Somewhere in that mess, there is a profound medical ethics problem on behalf of the GH medical community (perhaps as simple as who his doctor of record is -- couldn't they report to the AMA for advice?) and, by extraction, the writers who create the narrative. Yes, the patient's right to leave "against medical advice" is a powerful patient right (I've used it myself) but there must be limits. *In re: A threat to anyone else's health -- another problem. This procedure is so radical and unknown -- how does the GH medical community know he doesn't pose a threat to anyone? They can't possibly know that. /overthinking

I thought maybe there is an Odin thing going on there and Preacher becomes powerful enough to rival God.

I never liked the look of the Franco actor when he was on the other soap and was saddened to see he was brought over in the same boat with the rest of that cast. (TBH, I don't like the actor Franco, either, and although I was fascinated by the serial killer story*, that smarmy stoner did nothing for me and I wish we could change that stupid name). So the whole plot line -- other than the serial killer part -- is utterly lost on me in both iterations. *This belongs in the UO thread but I love Jason and Sam so I was really into the whole serial killer thing. /shh don't tell

Nice tie in for the Holy Grail -- as that's what the cantina is called.

I'll be okay with that (I don't have any investment in Liz and haven't since her "een" on the end of anyth-een with an "ing" on the end of it) if there is some sort of comeuppance for Kim's unethical behavior. The show needs to recognize her breach and take away her license to practice medicine. If this infraction was about not paying parking tickets or running out on a restaurant tab, that would be one thing -- but it goes to the fundamental tenets of medicine.

For me, it doesn't matter what memories Franco now has or who he thinks he is or who he wants to be. He is a patient who underwent a strange and dangerous mind-altering experiment against his will. He is now suffering mental delusions because of it. He should be under a doctor's care and there are ALL KINDS of laws that can declare him non compos mentis. It's the procedure and the results that cause that situation. Kim is supposedly a doctor, right? She is supposedly in her right mind, right? She hasn't had any bizarre alien tests or procedures or fevers, right? She is suffering a breakdown because of the death of her son and the influence of Franco's medical condition (that should be treated and not indulged for her own benefit and horniness, FFS.) Honestly, and only in my opinion, she is the ethical nightmare. Franco is a victim here. And therein lies my problem with the show as it exists -- based on a hospital narrative structure. Metaphysically speaking, the writers are revealing a fundamental misunderstanding of the duty of care in a bargain with "love in the afternoon" being more interesting and getting more people to buy Zimbalta and Swiffer Wet Jets. To my mind, that is professionally corrupt and really colors my opinion of the series in general.

Believe it or not, I was thinking about this as I woke up this morning -- I have a feeling that there is some "Odin" shit going on with the writer of this comic and Jesse's character. Our Preacher may end up as a rival God to the Christian/Judaic God. Hence the lost eye. The irony is that the Old Guy with the White Beard is the one who starts Jesse on the look-alike (pun intended) with an Odin sort of omniscient being. https://norse-mythology.org/tales/why-odin-is-one-eyed/

Casey the Alien (as I recall) didn't bring into question the fundamental ethics of the doctors on a show that supposedly centers around a Hospital. I mean, we're talking core structure, here. Not the Ice Princess (was that the Demetrios diamond in the sky thing?) I dunno -- this problem is definitely soapy but it unravels the fabric of the stuff the drama is based on. The doctors should be having ethical questions (can I operate on my son? frex) rather than committing grievous ethical infractions all in the name of nooners.

mostlylurking, I think you put a finger on why the Drew/Kim thing is bugging me so much. Right now, Frankendrew is in the throes of a severe mental illness brought about by a renegade science experiment that was done without his consent (Kim even said that to him yesterday). Anyone who is a doctor should be treating him or at least encouraging him to return to the hospital for care. In no way, shape, or form should they be indulging his sexual fantasies that are brought on by the procedure. I saw the GH Twitter feed yelling about "rape" and didn't agree. This is more of a medical ethics disaster. I mean, it's seriously depraved and any doctor who is indulging him has their own mental issues. They should have their licenses revoked. I'm talking about it because it is a problem with the series that should be looked into. I'm not sure how plot lines like this don't mark the demise of the series.

I have to say that I'm finding the Kim/FrankenDrew business over the top creepy. She says no and he keeps pulling shit on her. Gross. (Mind you, I'm reading captions while on a treadmill, but even if she's sending mixed signals -- I saw her say no so quit it and leave, dude). It's just creepy as shit. Probably doesn't help that I find the actor playing FrankenDrew revolting.

For me, the happiest moment of this entire series was when Tulip and Cassidy were driving and Humperdoo was in the back seat, sticking his head out the window and joyfully crooning, "Humper-dooooooo" into the wind. Adorable.

"Platypult" is going down in perpetuity. That is the most wonderful thing EVER. And I wouldn't put it past this show to use one.

The Tate-LaBianca murders are not only famous because of the victims but also because Sharon Tate was married to Roman Polanski and carrying his child. His later accusation of raping a child, an accusation that led to him fleeing the country for the vast majority of his life, makes for a compelling narrative. Looking at it from Tate's murder in 1969 through the rape and absconding from justice in 1978 and you have quite a story to tell. Manson may or may not have triggered the entire sad chain of events.

Just finished series two -- enjoyed series one but found it just missed the mark of "really great" because the girlfriend was so badly miscast. Series two -- really great ++. Loved it. The show has gained confidence which is sort of metaphysical because so has the profiling FBI team. One subtle thing I liked -- Ted always asking Gregg to leave the room or leaving him out of conversations. He's a rat -- and Ted treats him like one. I enjoyed the Wendy subplot and found it intriguing because of its complexity. I was a teenager/twenty-something during the Atlanta Child Murders and I remember it taking forever to solve. I remember the FBI involvement. I remember Wayne Williams -- but I didn't remember that he was never charged with the actual Child Murders. The country simply assumed he did it and never looked back. (I still feel comfortable with that conclusion but I'm glad it's been reopened.) If this show wins any Emmys it should be for the opening credits and the cameo by Kemper. Manson was great -- I loved the threads of sanity in the complete insanity and I liked the performer. I am not fond of the Brian story line because it's so drastic and seems kind of forced. Really? A guy who studies murder for a living has his child directly involved in a murder? OTH, I do like seeing the FBI and the local community dealing with it.

I love Hinterland. I just wish there was more of it.....Wales is spectacular. (It's also cheap to film in so you'll find a lot of British murder mysteries are actually filmed in Wales.) Speaking of Wales, Eve Myles' new show, "Losing Faith" is on season two and is okay. I think she's way overrated by the Welsh but she is a very popular actress.

Yeah, I just watched it last night and God stands there in the opening scene saying, "He's part of the grand plan" and makes it pretty clear that Humperdoo is not Jesus. In other words, Jesus is there as part of the summit and is being treated like Hitler, like a VIP with a seat at the table. Humperdoo, on the other hand, is a cretin and God is afraid he's being treated like an afterthought. So He keeps asking after Humperdoo's welfare to make sure he's not forgotten about. I like your interpretation and I'm not sure it's any different than what I'm saying. I think GMTA.

I love the Angel -- he reminds me of Blank Reg from Max Headroom.

The Real Jesus is there for the Heaven and Hell summit. Humperdoo is God's creation and He is clearly invested in him as some sort of "other" son. (I, too, thought he was originally supposed to be Jesus.) The way this show runs, it reminds me of comic books, which is why I like it so much. I can visualize all of the show on the page (if that makes sense). I'm sorry for Steve the pilot -- but in a way, he reminded me of Roy Batty from Bladerunner -- screaming at God for killing him before his time and wanting more life. It's the age old struggle -- but this time we had Jessie, God's representative on Earth, fumbling impotently in between the two. Vulnerable Man killed by Fate and railing at God for letting it happen -- while the Priest, who is supposed to have God's power vested, can do nothing. I liked it. As for sacrilege -- this show is full of sacrilege. I'm sure the comic book was/is, too. If you're going to bring "Preacher" to life, that's what you're committing to. I, for one, enjoy it. It makes me think. (I'm a practicing Episcopalian, by the way. And I'm not afraid to think for myself.)

The whole Shiloh plot line makes my skin crawl. I guess it's a nice thing to say that the actor really brings the creepy horribleness but the headlines in today's newspapers bring enough. I don't need it in my escapism soap, too. I tend to tune the Shiloh performances out. (You know when there are annoying ads on the television or social media? You can tune them out because you know in just a month or so there will be something else in its place? Yeah. Like that. This plot line can't go on forever the way it is right now.)