DearEvette

Chalsen is one of the writers that stunk up Sleepy Hollow in Seasons 2 and 3. So there you go.

Basically it sounds like the guy who created the show, Miller, and is the showrunner, doesn't really know how to run a tv show. They have the control of their set and environment. Directors of tv shows are not like directors on a movie set. Sure they are the 'boss' of that episode, but they come and go and many times they only have a couple of actual directing gigs under their belt. Episodic tv directing sometimes works as a resume builder. The showrunner and other high level EPs are the authority. Reading between the lines, it sounds like Crawford had some anger issues even before the episode in question. Having a director quit because of his outbursts sound somewhat like the early rumblings of what went down with Thomas Gibson on NCIS. The stakes were much higher with that show because the it and he was massively more popular. I am not saying he is totally to blame for the chaos behind the scenes, because obviously he isn't, but you don't get network mandated therapy for being 'passionate about safety.' Also it sounds like that particular episode was particularly hazardous and possibly Crawford as a director, backed by an inept showrunner, didn't have as much control over the set as he should have. Also, reading between the lines, it sounds like he does not have the disposition to be in charge if his go to emotion is anger.

Studio appointed therapy after one reprimand? Damn, how angry did he get? Also some anon poster oh so casually tries to slide Damon Wayans under the bus? Even if he isn't some rage monster, there is obviously some dysfunction on the set.

I recited it once for... a trivia contest, I think? Anyway, I sung it in my head head while reciting it out loud. Funny thing... the way I recited it was with the same pauses and cadence of the song. That "establish justice and ensure domestic tranquility" part comes out really fast. LOL.

Man, that one does hurt. I can't tell you how many times later in life I used some of the simple principles introduced in those shows, so easy to remember because the songs were so catchy. School House Rock is the sole reason I know the preamble to the constitution.

Oh... I adore the Peter Grant series. Also the audiobook versions are great. While not quite as awesomely awesome as Kate Daniels, their Hidden Legacy series is pretty good and they just announced they have signed a contract for three more books in the series. And their Innkeeper series is insane fun.

Like this better than the first episode despite some logic flaws and the insistence of moving the plot at the expense of character. Th biggest flaw of course is with the way they needed to get Dr. Smith hooked up with the Robinsons. It made no sense for her to strike out on her own, not knowing if anyone else was out there with them. And oh how lucky she was to shoot off the flare just when the Robinsons can see it. Too much plot convenience. Just made no sense. As to the character's motivations, that is where I think it gets really interesting. On the mother ship she was in what looked like a medical gown of some sort. She just didn't look like she was all there, she was in no uniform and had no clearance to get on any of the Jupiter ships. I wonder if she really is a sociopath? Or a member of the team who had a psychotic break? Someone who slipped onto the ship and got caught? A paid saboteur? We know her real name isn't Dr. Smith but she has so easily slipped into that persona that you almost forget that. The story she told Don about her brother sounded authentic. Until of course she said to the Robinsons "I always wanted a brother." Which tells me she comes off as a pathological liar. But why is the real question. Is she evil or is just a con artist with a highly developed survival skill set? Still liking how fucked up the family is. I do think if a family is really fractured under normal day-to-day circumstances, then a situation of extreme duress will go one of two ways -- it'll either solidify them into a team, allowing them to push away the petty or it will magnify the stress fractures in the relationships. Obviously the show is choosing to do the latter for now. I am seeing more clarity in the family dynamics though: Mrs. Robinson is a control freak who has been used to making all the decisions and won't relinquish that just because Hubby's back. Mr. Robinson is trying to find his role back into the family despite being an absentee dad for so long. Judy is the perfectionist like her mother, very wedded to rules and proper way of doing things. Also having some PTSD issues. Penny is the typical middle child trying to be seen and heard. And Will is the baby who now has a new and powerful pet. Also, I am really liking Don ... and his chicken.

I think I have only ever watched a few episodes of the original and don't remember enough about it to make comparisons to this. So this is really like a whole brand new show to me despite the name /reboot status. I decided to watch because I developed mad crush on Toby Stephens during Black Sails. He alone brought me to this. And well,I like sci fi tv. Like a lot of people, I though first episode felt a little clunky, even though it was nicely tense (and I am writing after seeing the much better second ep). I did find myself FF in places because I just wanted to get past some of the more talky bits. One thing I did like was the family dynamic. I liked that the two teenagers seemed like, well, teenagers. They were appropriately snarky, a little rude without being really nasty, but underneath it all still cared for the family and each other. Jury is still out on Will. I don't want him to become a precious plot moppett, but understand he had to create a rapport with the robot. The dad and mom were very interesting. Wonder what caused the rift in the marriage? Was it just him being absent so much? Was it a combo of absence and neglect? The mom herself gives a bit off of bit of a controlling vibe. Like that she is the brilliant scientist, though. It might be a controversial opinion, but I also like the decision for the Dad not to treat the kids as kids no matter their age in a survival situation. If they had to undergo a rigorous series of training in order to be approved to colonize a new a planet, then they need to be able to rise to the challenges in dangerous situation. The emphasis on 'it is just like you did in your training' or 'you went through training for this' that he kept saying made sense to me especially since he has a soldier's mentality. The mom's insistence of thinking of them as her children doesn't work in the survival situation they had. She knew how quickly the water would freeze etc. she was trying to shield them and that doesn't help anyone out in the end. I thought the episode ended strongly and let me anticipate the next episode, despite the Deus Ex Machina of the Robot who has just the sort of skill set necessary to save them and keep them warm.

I believe the eligibility date of this award was calendar year last year. So a good chunk of Season 1 would have been included in their deliberation. As far as the judging, I think it depends on what criteria or rubric they use when deciding what makes for a best drama? Given the TIU win, I would imagine that simply the number of LGBTQ characters in a show or even the face time of said characters may not be all that is weighed when deciding. William as a whole person, who just happens to be LGBTQ, was a great and very rich representation. He was a poet, a drug addict, a father, an artist, and a sensitive soul. And his story, as told through present day and flashbacks was a really strong character study. The 'Memphis ' episode alone was fantastic. It could be they loved the idea that a story told about an LGBTQ character didn't need to center his sexuality to be meaningful and worthy of the award. And that alone was what made it impactful?

I am just sad we didn't get to see what Darabont could have done with the show. Say what you will about the stupidity of CDB in season 1, they were never boring. and that season they had a clear goal: get to the CDC. After Darabont left even Glen Mazzara wasn't so bad. I mean, season 2 was set on a farm with them all hanging out with a new set of characters. I shudder to think of how Herschel and family's intro and development would have been handled under Gimple. But what we got with Mazzara -- that is how you introduce new important characters to a show. Michonne, Sasha & Tyreese were the last characters I think that got good intros and some development as new main characters, but outside of Michonne being so iconic that she almost didn't need any introduction, I don't think any of them got the deep character beats that Herschel, Maggie and even Beth to a lesser extent, got in season 2. Also I think the deaths meant something. Shane's death at the end of his escalating issues with Rick and their power struggle fed into the Rick/Lori problems. It was powerful, well done, tense, and impactful in a way that Carl's death, imo has not been. I will agree that Sott Gimple can write. He has written some really excellent episodes. I mean, he wrote 'This Sorrowful Life' and gave Merle a great send off. But it is clear that he is way above his head in showrunning. He just can't translate what he can do in one episode into a whole season. So yeah, it is kinda sad to think of what could have been with this show in better hands. The remaining characters deserved better.

It was always showing up in my Hulu list with a show description of being as a 10 episode series. So I never even thought of this as being the last episode. That said, i love that they didn't drag out Ryn and her sister's finding each other, or Sister Mermaid getting out or them finding Chris. I think it is a smart decision to wrap some of the strings up mid-way, up only to leave other ones dangling to ramp up to bigger stakes. I wish more shows would do stuff like this. When the jail break happened for both "Donna" and Chris I think I was dancing in my seat with happiness. Yeah! Also It was well done and pretty tense. Very curious to see what happens now. Also I wonder how much stuff the older set in the community know. Just like Helene (who -- yeah I think may be family) I wonder if the Doctor knows more than he's telling? Finally, I am still loving the relationship between Ben, Maddie and Ryn. They care for her and care about building her trust. Maybe now that she is the water for a bit, they can bone without interruption though. Ha!

Yes this was a horrible filler episode. But filler episodes don't need to be inherently bad. 'Enter Flashtime' (the one with nuclear bomb) was a great filler episode. Sigh. This season started so strong! With Barry coming out the of the speedforce and the Devoe's being great adversaries. But the writers are committed to making everything a big damn mystery so we'll (supposedly) be ZOMG! Surprised when everything is revealed. But they've lost control of the story...again. It was a terrible decision to kill off the original DeVoe actor. He and his relationship with Marlize was what made the DeVoe's so interesting. Not a single on of the actors who were put in place as the avatar of DeVoe has been in any way as interesting or compelling as the original actor. They actually make the scenes rather silly. Only Marlize is still holding that down. Also why continue to hide their plan from the audience? Why not let us clue in a little earlier one what the whole deal is? In order to spin wheels until they reveal all we are getting derailed by too much pointless Ralph drama and now they are throwing in some Harry drama at the last minute. Ugh. It is like they can't help themselves. They can't let themselves be great.

I had to re-watch. I think upon second viewing what really takes the Beebo/Mallus fight over the top for me is the sight of Beebo's fur rippling in the wind. Also when he put on his mad face.

Unpopular opinion, but I was ok with Nate and Amaya. He was just the right person to bring her up to speed on pop culture stuff and she was just goofy enough at times to receive it in the spirit it was given. I am thinking of the George Lucas episode specifically. I did think their ending was sweet and that they were really in love. Those crazy kids. I'll put the rest under spoiler just in case....

The episode title should have been Dull and Annoying. This was really the worst episode of the season. The Dull - The Breacher B-plot - Harry and that damned Hat - The Meta of the week The Annoying -Ralph -Using Iris as a Ralph Apologist -Ralph morphing into Joe -Ralph -How easily a meta can get out of the meta dampening cuffs -Barry's speed not being fast enough when the plot needs it (he could have saved the car falling and gotten Null into Star Labs before she could pick the lock on those cuffs) - Ralph The only interesting thing was Marlize.

I'd say that was Nate. He still has one of my favorite quotes of the whole season re: Beebo from the God of War episode: "He's so damned huggable!"

This was so fun. I loved them getting sidetracked my Mallus' pronunciation. Of course Mallus would be so petty himself that it would matter. I loved Mick shading the crazy Hawk, flying chicken people. Because the Hawks deserve all the shade. I loved their first really deformed, kinda sickly looking champion. Because, of course. I loved all the previous character call backs. Caesar is still pissed at Mick. Blackbeard is still pissed at Captain Jiwe. Helen has become an Amazon warrior and Kuasa has not been torn by bitterness. I loved the entire Beebo Mallus fight. I think I giggled it delight and disbelief of what I was seeing the whole five minutes. No matter what anyone says about Nate, he is responsible for giant Beebo. Of course Beebo wants cuddles. He's so damned cuddly! I loved all their comrades standing around cheering the fight even though they were mentally saying 'WTF' And I especially love how the show just leans in to its own lunacy. This is why it works so well.

Exactly. While I think they have really hit their stride with characters like Mateo, Cheyenne and Sandra, they seem to have lost a handle on Garrett.

Are they making him so super annoying so that they can kill him off and nobody will care. Because I am on board with that.

Pacing -- too much of nothing happening and the feeling that no time is passing even over the course of several seasons. They are treading in syrup. Plotting -- Instead of concentrating on telling an actual story with a beginning, middle, end and set up anticipation each season for the next season, they are too enamored of trying to create 'OMG' moments. They are attempting to hit all the 'important' milestones in the comic books without the proper connective tissue. There is no excitement, no anticipation just ok we hit that mark, on to the next one. Character consistency -- most anyone who follows a narrative need a character to either identify with or to root for. The hero's journey is a classic narrative for a reason. In increasing efforts to create those 'OMG' moments they are relying on shocking kills or introducing characters that are more a collection of personality tics than actual personality. The problem is the shocking kills end up not really mattering because they don't allow the story to capitalize on them in meaningful ways. They are just used for shock value. And the new characters are just too flat and ridiculous to actually connect with. In the meantime the long time characters have become lobotomized or made to do out of character things just to further plot and get to the 'OMG' moments. Not understanding your audience -- The extreme close ups. The stand alone episodes that follow one character. The dialogue that attempts to be meaningful and deep. All of this just feels like they are desperately attempting to infuse art house sensibilities into a show that really should just embrace its Saturday matinee adventure pedigree. People aren't trying to watch a Wim Wenders film. This is a comic book. Stay in your lane and just deliver the thrills.

There is a fucked up sort of genius in this show that one week we get Bibby and the next we get Teddy. So Macabre. I can appreciate DG thinking outside the box and doing something so avant garde. I really dig it. I just think this episode wasn't as clever as I think he thinks it was supposed to be. It just felt, I dunno, self aware. But Lakeith Stansfield is definitely the person to carry this episode. He was stellar. All things considered, though, I still prefer Bibby.

Agreed. If he had done it after she admitted to it. But he did it before. At that point, he only had his suspicions with no actual proof. And up until she admitted it, even we in the audience are unsure. Does Garrett have a bad palate? Is she just a lousy brewer. But he was costing her sales based on up to that point just on his supposition which is why I call it a dick move. Until he knew definitively he was just being a jerk because what is it to him if some people were buying her beer? In the end the whole storyline was ultimately packaged as the metaphorical kid pulling on the pigtails of the girl he likes -- which still makes it rather bad.

The cold open was funny as was the break room chat about Amy's dating preferences. Also, Dina, Cheyenne and MAteo's mad-libs for Amy. "Amy is the SAD one' LOL. I found Glen pressuring of the staff and Garrett's interaction with the craft brew lady off putting. It is one thing to suspect or even discuss with Jonah but to announce it other people it a dick move. What does it matter to him if she's re-branding. I found her sales patter kinda funny, though -- it was sooo pretentious and fake. It does sound like someone has an axe to grind against craft brews. Also Amy's storyline didn't make sense. The beverage guy already knew and was accepting that she was Latina. She didn't have to prove anything to him. It was the coworkers who don't connect her with the Latina identity.

Ha! Yes. My own reaction, was 'Well, ok" as well. And I loved the expression on their faces. So far I like everyone -- with possibly the exception of Ben's parents who seem like they come out of the "WASPy restrained rich people with murky motives" central casting. And Yeah, Calvin is a piece of work, but Xander is fab and tempers him a bit. But I am enjoying their side plot following up on Chris. I also wish they'll break Helen out of her role as Mermaid Whisperer and person who drops ominous hints. I want to know more about her background. We are getting the idea that there is some friction between her and Ben's family. The Admiral is standard fare government villain. I had to roll my eyes at his "Keep this project on track and keep her alive.!" Dude, he just told you that she was probably dying with the aggressive pace of the project. I hate people like that who make impossible demands . I am liking the main guy who is overseeing Sister Mermaid -- I think his name is Aldon?. Has he been mind-wooed by her or is his onset of conscience his own doing? Hopefully he'll go rogue -- or more rogue than he went in this episode. At any rate, I really want Sister Mermaid out of the tank! I cant imagine it is a very stimulating acting challenge for the actress but I do appreciate they are making them so super intelligent. Also, I just want to see Ryn interact with her own kind. I love the little throwaway that there are many of them. Maybe we'll see some other sisters, brothers and cousins. I think Ben, Maddie and Ryn make a very strong central group. I agree the writing for them is really good and doesn't seem cliche. I would hate for it to devolve into a romantic melodrama. I like the complexity they've introduced into that relationship. Let's just say I am not opposed to some intra-species threesome. Really enjoying this so far.

I enjoyed Jesus Christ Superstar so much! The casting, the staging, the live audience... it really moved. But yeah, Brandon Victor Davis is a snack. He was so riveting to watch as Judas.