Mari

Well, and if the logic is that Regina can easily brush off killing Snow and David, because they're not real, but she can't see harm come to Henry or walk away from Robin, what does that say about how Regina feels about Snow and David? Because they've been shoving the Regina/Snow friendship down our throats for a long time now, and the message I get from that logic is "Regina doesn't give a fig newton--or any other type of newton--for Snow."

Would they have original songs composed, or would they just use Disney songs? Because it wouldn't shock me at all if the characters burst into songs from their respective cartoon musical. It would either be completely unrelated to whatever passes for the episode's plot, or the plot would be twisted so that whatever Disney song they were singing made a vague sort of sense.

Maybe too expensive to produce?

Plus, it helps if the humor is actually humorous.

Well, she had a Henry, Snow, and David back home, but no Robin . . . With WishRobin, her needs would be met. Does anything else really matter?

Another thing that made me laugh was near the end--the Holmes parents asking Sherlock what to do, because "You've always been the adult." Considering how all three of their children turned out, their concepts of adulthood and proper nurturing have to be suspect. Or they were an early Baskerville genetic experiment.

I . . . um . . . I . . . just figured that Mycroft's "noir" movie was a very specialized type of porn. Did anyone else have that impression, or was it just me?

Plus, what she was talking Sherlock into was closer to his nature; he is insatiably curious, and supremely confident in his observational skills. It was really just talking him into doing stuff he really wanted to do, deep down--answer his questions about her, and the past, and current problems. With John, it ran contrary to his nature. He's been shown as someone who enjoys having a female in his life, but he's never been disloyal. In fact, in the very first episode, much is made of his loyalty. It's supposed to be impossible to hypnotize someone into doing something that is against their basic beliefs/self. It would make sense that he'd break out of the spell.

So, asking for a friend. Does having a texting affair count, if you were somewhat mind-whammied by Samara from The Ring movie franchise?

Ooh. . . I didn't even notice it until you pointed it out, but you're right. It's petty, but that's gonna bug.

Dorothy: There was a comment made in the first pairing of episodes that talked about someone (can't remember what she was called without rewatching) being gone, and therefore no more witches would be born. I've been just assuming that the person they were talking about was Dorothy's bio mom, and Dorothy is a witch without any training. The funeral scene established that while the power is natural for them, it does require specific training. Of course, you know what they say about assuming. . . Anna: I didn't get the impression she was truly loyal, so much as ambitious. If she can prove her loyalty and usefulness, while undercutting the other Blue Hats, she'll gain status. West: And, absolutely yes--West is interesting, but if she's going to stay interesting for me, she's going to have to move beyond damaged addict.

Well, it would add another layer to the scenes where Snow mothers Regina. So, would EmmaRegina be as rude and condescending?

True. They might want to reboot to The Regina Show, but how well would that play with the ratings? Regina was supposed to do the heavy lifting this season and carry the plot, and that doesn't seem to have worked out. Would the network really be interested in renewing and rebooting it into something that would be even more Reginacentric?

Well, this, and the being married to a super-spy-assassin type who is buddies with your nearly super-powered detective best friend. Honestly, the most ridiculous and difficult to accept part of the "John's secret texting affair" is that apparently Mary and Sherlock didn't know. Um. . . how? And in what reality would John think he could get away with it, with those two in his life?

Okay, usually I really enjoy Trish. But, why, oh, why, did the Murtaugh family think setting Riggs up was a good idea, when he is so very clearly still in deep mourning for his wife and child? How could that end well? It was just far more stupid than any of those characters have been so far.

Plus, while she was beautiful and capable, she was not likely to have more children. She was aging out of prime childbearing years, and that was important, too.

It might not be an exciting theory, but it is a pretty common story. Some things are tired for a reason. There are lots of parents with special needs kids that do an amazing job balancing their parenting time between their children. There are also parents that don't. I've watched more than one family member and friend struggle with this issue. Having Floki, Helga, and Siggi around to help would actually make it more understandable for her to focus her attention on Ivar--she knew the other boys were cared for, and could focus her extra attention on the one she saw as needing it the most. Especially since when Ragnar was around, he tended to focus on the others and not interact with Ivar much. It wouldn't necessarily need to be neglect; I don't think the other boys were neglected. But kids are more likely to be close to the people they spend time with, and they notice when mommy/daddy/grandpa/grandma/auntie obviously favors one of the others. Typically, it makes them act out or pull back. I don't think it is the only thing going on, but it makes sense as a factor. Additionally, Aslaug did change after Habard, but some of that is likely guilt over Siggi, and guilt over what nearly happened to other boys. Aslaug saw Habard as healing Ivar, and the show implied that she saw the deaths of the village children, and then Siggi, as the price Habard required for healing Ivar. It makes sense that she would change after that, too. Being with Habard when her own boys nearly died, with Siggi's sacrifice in their place, was something that changed her entire world--or, at least her perception of it. It finished her marriage--not because of the sex, I believe, but because Ragnar pretty much wrote her off for not being vigilant enough (in his opinion) with the kids. It drove home for her that that was all she was to him; his interest and affection were definitely elsewhere. Between Ivar needing her, and her own toxic emotional soup, of course she was closer to him.

That . . . would not be festive. Let's avoid that. :)

So . . .is it possible to use too much garlic on the potatoes? Because if it is, my house smells like I managed it. Merry Christmas to those that celebrate it! (Happy midwinter holiday of your choice to those that don't!)

Plus, she's a teenager. Regina's at least 65--probably 70. She should have recognized the humanity of other people long, long ago. (And in a land far, far away.) Both characters were status-conscious, contemptuous of others, and self-centered, but only one of them is a teenager. Disclaimer: Yes, I know that lots of teenagers are amazing, generous, kind, and loving people. But lots of teenagers are immature, and are just currently going through some unpleasant growing pains. Regina doesn't grow. Cordelia does.

Um. . . Not if A&E were in charge of the dialogue. It would be "How could I have done this to Regina? How can I support Regina? How will this cause problems for Regina? I'm a horrible person for not letting that villain kill me or my loved ones. Is Regina okay? I can get this gaping wound checked out later, if Regina needs me." If the performers were able to say their head canon motivation, I'd probably like it.

Welcome, @bent and broken! So, there are total counters, now? I didn't know that! Awesome! Wait. . . What if people don't like me? But, dang it, I really want people to like me! And the affirmation is a balm to my spirit! I have to shore up my diminishing self esteem some how. Hit the button! Hit the button! Hit the button! Hit the . . Oh. Wait. That might be demanding and rude. Nevermind. :) Quickly changing the subject, hoping you don't notice my childish behavior . . . We're due to get another serious snowstorm this weekend. I'm really grateful for my snowblower, and that I have a holiday day on Monday. I can just sleep in and not worry about work.

I've thought it was partly his physical disability and Aslaug defining herself and her place in history through her motherhood. He was the child almost killed in infancy, who would likely have the roughest time of it in life. I think, at least at first, she just didn't see the others as needing her in the intense way that Ivar did. The more focused she became on Ivar, the less attention she paid the other boys. Not only would that make her relationship with Ivar stronger, simply because he was her focus, but, well, kids notice stuff like that. It would change how they interacted with her, and Ivar, and just sort of spiraled. (At least, that's my theory.)

According to the Vikings wikia page on her, she was born in 750, while Bjorn was born in 781. So, if Bjorn is supposed to be in his mid-thirties, now, Lagertha'd be roughly fiftyish. And, wow, @Sakura12. That's impressive. I'm possibly a tiny bit jealous. Just a tiny bit. I typoed. Sorry. According to the page, she was born in 765, making her 50. She'd've been about 16 when Bjorn was born. http://vikings.wikia.com/wiki/Lagertha

Well, that would explain how she stays so dewy and youthful, despite the males aging around her. :)