Tatum

Yeah, since this was originally pitched to TNT, I wonder if it went through a few iterations before ending up on Amazon and that's why nothing really makes sense. Also: And: And also: Basically, the show to me seems like it had a series of disjointed scenes they wanted to film- for example, the inside of the doctor's shed- and are trying to form a backstory to tie them all together, which is why everything is so convoluted. It's really too bad, because the three main character's storylines are compelling for sure- a character seeking redemption, a somewhat normal person who's grief and rage has turned them into a monster, and a monster struggling to find redemption but ultimately unable to do so- but the show has been one far fetched plot contrivance after another to move the story forward.

I find this show interesting, but also super baffling. How is Emma in witness protection? The bad guy was already locked up? Who did they think they needed to protect her from? Also, what's the point of trying to get her to remember when it appears the bad guy would tell anyone who asks who he killed, how he did it, and why he did it? (I mean, yes, he messed with the parents but they play plenty of clips of him talking to psychiatrists about how and why he did it). And if he did admit to killing a number of women, and their bodies were all recovered, why was Mary so insistent that Theresa was "taken" by the serial killer? She's delusional if she thinks a serial killer merely kidnapped her daughter instead of killing her- despite killing numerous other young women around the same time- and has kept her alive and safe all this time, and Theresa would just saunter home someday, completely un-traumatized by her seven years as a captive. And in what world would the FBI let their psychiatrist just stash someone in witness protection in his own cabin? Wouldn't babysitting their witness fall to like a field agent or something, in a previously cleared safe house? Did I miss something important in an early episode and Emma isn't actually in witness protection and the doctor isn't actually with the FBI? Because that would make a lot more sense. I don't mind the whole "woman with checkered past wants to just keep her nose out of trouble yet winds up stepping into a bigger mess inadvertently" premise of the show , but there is just too much going on and too many conflicting or nonsensical storylines. The whole thing feels like a mess that could have been cleaned up with just a few changes. ETA: I did find the relationship between the creepy doctor and his wife intriguing. He seems completely bored with her but then he also takes the trouble of stalking her and listening in on her therapy sessions. And I can't tell if his possessiveness regarding Emma is romantically fueled, or if he just sees all his women patients as his own personal pet projects.

I thought she seemed okay for most of FM...she didn't get much screentime until the end, and that certainly did her no favors. I would have cut her some slack over her tantrum on FM if she didn't go on to have one every time she was voted into elimination. I thought she was much more obnoxious on the Duel, the Ruins, and the one where CT went crazy on Adam. She's not responsible for his behavior, but she did throw a freaking grenade in the room. She was also mildly obnoxious on the first Battle of the Exes, but nowhere near as bad as earlier shows. By the second battle of the exes (in what would be her final appearance) I thought she seemed a lot more mature. Then again, I suppose nearly 10 years had passed between her first and final season.

Yeah, I think Winnie Cooper was charging like $80. I've never bought one or received one, but if Joe Perry ever throws his hat in the ring, I will buy one for my dad.

Haha, not only do I not find him remotely sexually attractive, I would bet my next paycheck he royally sucks in bed. Chelsea can yap all she wants about their hot sex life, but dollars to donuts that woman has never had an orgasm in her life and Cole probably has no idea what a clitoris is. I am sure Chelsea goes to her little suburban sex toys parties and talks about sex like she's some kind of guru, because she thinks that's "edgy", but I would bet in private Chelsea is super self conscious about anything to do with her vagina, or asking Cole to try anything different, or hell, even asking him to do oral, and something tells me he doesn't take a whole lot of initiative. She may boss him around on non-sex related items, but I can't see that transferring over to their sex lives. Hee!

Right? I mean beauty is in the eye of the beholder and all, but I've found Cole at best to be attractive in a bland, sexless way, and that's before he starts speaking.

Could be that, but I think honestly Chris and Kail are just two assholes who have no compunction about using the legal system to hurt each other, and abandoning that plan once they've made up. I would bet Kail sees cops/an arrest more as a way to get Chris into trouble then a venue for getting help for herself.

Oh damn Chelsea. This is going to cost you a bundle in legal fees, even if you win.

I suppose in most domestic cases, the victim is likely the only witness to the actual abuse. If they won't cooperate, there's no way to get a conviction. I was friendly a few years back with a few cops, and I remember they said they hated domestic calls, because they were dangerous and frustrating. One recalled a time they pulled the abuser to the ground, and were working on handcuffing him, when the victim (who was beaten and bloody) jumped on their backs-with a kitchen knife- to stop them from taking her husband away. I don't recall if she called them in the first place and then regretted it, or if someone else called without her permission. Although that was an extreme case, they said most of the time they arrested the guy knowing full well he'd be back to beating his wife the next week.

I have been watching the older seasons on CBS All Access and I am SO BUMMED that for whatever reason, the Fresh Meat episode with Diem's meltdown isn't on there. It skips from episode 14 to 16. I wanted to see it because as I understand it, Diem was pissed that Tina chose her and Derrick to go into the final elimination, along with Darrell and Aviv. As those were the two strongest teams left, that makes perfect sense from a strategic view which was exactly what Derrick and Diem thought when they did THE EXACT SAME THING a few rounds earlier, sending in Theo and Chandra. I couldn't catch the whole meltdown, just what was highlighted during the "previously on...", and Diem is squawking, "We PROTECTED you!" to Tina. Diem, you chose not to send her and Kenny in when you had the chance because they were a weak team and you wanted them in the final because you knew you could beat them. Let's be real here. Kenny and Tina would be stupid to not take the chance to get one team eliminated who could surely beat them. Theo showed the same level of graciousness after losing when he took several minutes to bitch to the camera about how short Derrick was. It seems that when people make an "alliance" on these shows, someone always assumes this means whoever they are in an alliance with ought to just step aside and let him or her just have the victory. Watching Gauntlet 3 now. I find it HILARIOUS that the vets (except Casey) thought Johnny was more expendable than Big E. I didn't watch the first time, but I know how the finale turns out. Those vets must have felt pretty stupid. I love the part where the vets are wandering away and someone (I think CT) says, 'if Johnny gets force field, he's done. He's got no legs,' or something to that effect. I think Gauntlet 3 was John's official turning point from "not exactly progressive on social issues and has some sexist ideas, but isn't a bad person overall," to "oh my god, full on misogynistic cruel asshole with 0 redeeming qualities other than the ability to complete a Cross fit sequence". eta: for whatever reason, CBS All Access through Amazon Prime is limited. I got the full eppy going through CBS's app directly, and I got to see the meltdown in full glory, and it was even better than I hoped. First of all, I am pretty sure Diem called Tina the C word. They bleeped it out and did it as a voice over, so you can't read her lips, but I don't think it was "bitch" and it was definitely a one syllable word. I am not even sure they bleep out bitch anymore- I recall a montage where Wes called Casey a stupid bitch multiple times. On top of that, Diem says she is the reason Tina is still there, which is completely delusional because at that point Tina had been in exile twice. And again, it wasn't like Diem chose to not vote Tina in out of kindness- it did not make strategic sense to do so.

I am watching Fresh Meat 1 and I am really shocked that both Evan and Kenny seem almost...nice. It is so weird to watch them knowing how they would eventually behave on later seasons. I am really disgusted with the number of "Tonya is a dirty slut" sentiments though. It's in just about every episode, and quite a few Fresh Meat kids who didn't even know her or witness her previous behavior were jumping on the bandwagon. And Tina, shut the fuck up. "Let me tell you something about Tonya. She talks a lot of shit, and can't back it up." Um, unlike you, Tina? Tonya is mentally ill and generally under the influence of some controlled substances on just about every season, and she still manages to regularly outperform you. Like Aneesa, you usually have a size advantage over your female opponent, and that is your only asset. You suck at everything else, and I bet Evan and Kenny would be quick to say that you hit like a girl.

Right, it was an incredibly stupid thing to say. What I think Aneesa was thinking was that Diem would win (since going into the finals round she had done better than Jodi on the first round) and Aneesa would still get credit (in Diem's eyes) for not picking her. I think she was sucking up to Diem thinking she wouldn't have to follow through with it. It would be interesting to watch if Aneesa hadn't made that promise though. Granted, Diem would have no reason to assume she wouldn't be going in, since Svet was Aneesa's closest friend and Jodi wasn't an option, but Diem probably would still sulk about it. Aneesa handed her a legitimate gripe on a silver platter. I have never cared for Aneesa though either. She likes to try and sabotage her own teammates when she doesn't like them and she was a complete raving bitch to Shavoun on one of the later Duels.

That is SO irritating. I think she thinks she's being adorable or something, like Artem can't stay mad at her when she acts like that. She is seriously immature.

I agree. I think she was kind of hoping he'd leave her in the previous season so she wouldn't have to be the one to call it. That scene last season (or maybe the season before) where Bryan has his tribal freakout and is telling Brie about it, and said something like, this just makes me realize how much I love you and need you, to Brie, and Brie gets this look on her face that can only be described as a deer in the headlights. She recovers, but I really don't think she was expecting that and she was not surprised in a good way. Usually she gave in whenever they disagreed (if she was even ballsy enough to disagree in the first place) and now she's just like, this is what we're doing. Come along if you want. Byeee.

You know what's weird about Jenelle? She is completely lacking in any emotional attachment to her kids, her mother, her siblings, her friends- but damn that girl is a barnacle when it comes to romantic partners. She is cringe-worthy levels of needy and attached to the men in her life. I believe she has never been anything but indifferent to Jace (as her child, not counting as a weapon she can use against her mother), and became indifferent to Kaiser once Nathan was out of her life. I think she has virtually no feelings for her children other than what resources they provide her to fuck with people she feels have wronged her.

For some reason, that just delights me to picture Kail walking into a 6th grade health classroom and taking a seat at the back so she can hear about how condoms work.

She ALWAYS did that. Even CT pointed out that her little tantrums were par for the course when she didn't get her way. Although I will say it was pretty of stupid of Aneesa to say she wouldn't send Diem in. Aneesa later clarified she said it because she thought Diem would win, which made no sense because if Diem won, Aneesa couldn't have sent her in. It was a dumb thing to say. Regardless, it's not like Diem did anything for Aneesa or made any kind of deal with her so for Diem to whine that Aneesa had no "integrity" was pretty stupid also. It's not like they had a quid pro quo deal and Aneesa reneged after Diem did her part. In Diem's world, I guess, one ill advised comment in the heat of the moment trumps an established friendship with someone else.

Oh god. "It's so unfair, because I have won...if I had beaten my opponent". Yeah, that's usually how it works Kina. (OK, that's not exactly what she said. She said her body gave out when her heart and her mind were set on continuing. So I guess by her logic I should consider myself an Olympic gymnast because it's only my body that can't do a backflip- my heart totally could).

Just randomly saw something from Reddit in which someone summarized a podcast Kenny did. The reddit post was two years ago; not sure when the podcast was. The only items I thought were noteworthy is that Kenny still hates Wes, sees Susie with some regularity, does not watch any Challenge seasons, saw Evelyn fairly recently (from the date of the podcast) and she ignored him/was short to him, and the best part: considers the Tonya allegations to be a cloud that forever follows him and he has had trouble getting jobs and dates because of it. In our victim blaming and rapist apologist culture, I would like to personally high five whatever woman heard this story, believed the victim, and declined a date with Mr. Beautiful over it. ETA: I forgot, and this was pretty interesting, although maybe common knowledge here. Evan and Johnny were both good friends of Kenny's but they did not like each other. They would grudgingly work together but things were strained.

There is a lot of speculation that Kim is the one who told Tonya what happened (hearing it secondhand months after it happened) which could be true, but I believe most of her on record complaints were prompted by how the girls in general were treated by the boys, not anything specific to Tonya. JEK make no bones about the fact that they consider the women on the show to be useful only for sex and entertainment when one of them gets pissed off. If any girl dare speak up for herself or another woman, she's immediately called a dumb bitch or a retard and told to shut up. Any guy that tries to defend them is almost immediately shunned as well. Most of the guys that try and defend the girls are on the outside anyways. Even Derrick gave up trying to reason with them, as he was generally a fringe member of the alliance anyways and needed these guys for the final mission. You'd think the women on the show would have banded together but instead they all turned on each other in order to be the Cool Girl that "gets it" and was allowed into the JEK inner circle. But other than Susie (damn that bitch does play a smart game), being the girl allowed in to JEK's world never did any girl much good (just ask Paula, Johanna, Ibis, Sarah, Camilla, and Nany).

Kenny was pretty awful to Tonya during The Island as well. I always wondered what was up with that. Someone posting on TWOP who had ties to production/filming (unverified, but all their insider information seemed very plausible) said that Kenny absolutely hated Tonya and no one really knew why. I think Tonya was desperate for approval from the in crowd, and desperate to believe they tormented her to show their affection. Susie and Veronica were both inexcusably cruel to Tonya on earlier seasons, but it seemed like both women were prepared to give Tonya a wide berth this time around. I think Susie in particular did not care for how many people thought she was a bitch after seeing her on Inferno 3. Which she undoubtedly was. But Evan and Kenny were terrible to her. Nonstop mocking and humiliation and no one other than Wes was willing to say anything about that. I remember Hollywood Kim going on record as saying after that experience she would never do another challenge again.

I don't think she was a bad person, but she was prone to throwing tantrums when she didn't get her way (she did it on Fresh Meat, she did it on the Duel, she did it on Rivals*, and she did it on the first battle of the exes I think), and she certainly could be a shit stirrer. And this is minor, but there was one episode (I think Ruins) where she went up against Tonya for an elimination and lost. The minute the episode aired, Diem was on her blog squawking that she lost ON PURPOSE and she had to go home for another reason, and Tonya certainly did not beat her at her full potential. *I'll cut her a little slack on Rivals because she said after the season was over the medication she was on caused massive mood swings which was confirmed by several people on the boards as being accurate. I have been able to find most of the older seasons on Youtube, which is really cool because you get the original songs and the pop ups for late 90s shows, and I believe everything after Fresh Meat is available on some platform, but Inferno 3 has long been elusive. Daily Motion uploaded episodes 1-4 but that's the most I've ever found. I forgot how much I hate Danny (Austin). Just watched the battering ram eppy and the opposing team wins, and Danny stomps off and bitches that his team lost because "the girls on the other team listen to the guys and the girls on our team don't". Like it's just a given that guys are smarter and the only way girls can be useful is to just accept whatever strategy the big strong men say and then cooperate fully.

I liked that loophole, since so many elimination challenges gave advantages to the bigger/heavier person. That infuriated me. He, Kenny, and Johnny were the ONLY ones who bullied Tonya (Susie and Veronica did not like her and wouldn't defend her, but neither were they going out of their way to torment her). Yet after her breakdown, Evan pulls everyone in and lectures them all on how "they" had to stop. Wes was like, um, I haven't bullied Tonya. Syrus hasn't bullied Tonya. Cohutta hasn't bullied Tonya. You and your cohorts are the only ones who have. And Evan rolled his eyes like Wes was just being petulant, but he was absolutely right. Evan pushed and pushed, Veronica inadvertently was the straw that broke the camel's back, and the guys vilified Veronica and acted like they were the saviors sweeping in. It was gross.

I mean, you don't lose 30 pounds on accident. I have no idea what her daily diet looks like, but it's pretty safe to say it was severely modified from what it was 2004. It is pretty clear she is restricting calories in a way that she wasn't as a teen. I don't know if that was in an effort to please Jay or stay relevant in Hollywood, or both. Or maybe neither.

I cannot think of a single redeeming quality of Jenelle. Yes, Chelsea and Leah are lazy and vapid, and Kail is a violent hosebeast, but at least all three women have some measure of legitimate affection for their kids, even if they don't always do right by them. I am convinced Jenelle feels nothing for her kids if she can't weaponize them against some adult in her life.