ribboninthesky1

I think his father is dead, right? This reminded me of another dropped plot point. I assumed Teddy was lying about his father committing suicide, so I figured the gun had something to do with his death, not the brother's. Too many plot points, too little time.

I didn't care about either guy beyond them being shirtless. That said, I guess it didn't occur to Angela that Tyrique proposed mostly because he walked in on Nate doing so? I guess, Angie. I loved the color of Piggy's dress and her hair and make-up were fabulous. But the dress itself seemed too billowy for her petite frame. I don't think the show ever addressed why Raymond lost Darmon to start with. Or maybe I missed it. And he never really displayed any business savvy. So for Leah to hand it over plus Franklin made me chuckle. And how you throw your father out of HIS house? I was also rolling when Angela confronted Olivia. Whew, the L. Scott scenery chewing bouncing off Yaya's mediocre acting was too funny. Angela, you'd rather take Olivia's money than Teddy's, even though she set up your mother for drug dealing? Girl, what? Anyway, I shall miss the fashion. And I hope to see some of the actors in other work.

I chuckled when she dramatically gave Teddy the hand while hugging Leah. Soap at its finest. I thought the tone of the last episode was different as well. Like the showrunners suddenly remembered that they needed to address plot points that had been dropped. Angela doing a complete 180 on Teddy last episode, only to do a 180 again to beg him to help Piggy and declare she'll do whatever, and then get salty when he tells her his condition of leaving Oak Bluffs. Raymond is awfully smug for a man living in his father-in-law's home. I'll be surprised if this is renewed. Doesn't seem to have the social media buzz and/or ratings to keep it afloat. I assume that's the gun Teddy used to kill Tyrique's father. Still don't understand how drugs are in the mix, unless it's something to do with Teddy's dead brother.

Exactly - the plot boomerangs are a mess, might as well celebrate the fashion! Agreed with all the outfits, would add that Leah looked fabulous in green. Oh, I also loved Angela's hat at the funeral. I wondered about this too. But I'll reach through the plot hole and speculate that perhaps Eva and Piggy had southern relatives?

Yes, you expressed this better than I did. I appreciate a robust discussion and have no issue with critique. Some characters/actors generate more discussion than others. Sometimes writing can be muddled. I have and will continue to critique characters, actors, and writing. But if it ever gets to the point I'm incensed by the leads' or even the show's very existence, it's time for me to move on. Not like they're going anywhere, especially if it's a reasonably popular show. Regarding the bolded, same!

I don't hate watch shows. There's so much content available these days to choose from (arguably TOO much content but another opinion for another day). If I like a show, I'll keep watching. If I don't, I won't. I can't imagine watching a show where I hate/strongly dislike the lead/leads.

I was wondering how many episodes were left, so I decided to take a peek in this thread. I'd be very surprised if this is renewed. At least we get more Debbi Morgan.

Right? And the rose water/coconut oil/honey pound cake sounded dry as hell. But I'm a southern black woman - I've never had a (decent) pound cake without butter. And that's not counting the standard flour, eggs, sugar. Plus the fit was terrible. The fashion was all around lackluster for me. I think the only outfit I liked was Leah's dress at the daytime event. In other news, I noticed the alternative episode titles this time around - Just Desserts vs Freedom ain't Free. Lance Gross is delicious, but I still side-eyed Tyrique showing up at Angela's home expecting them to pick up where they left off. The Tyrique/Raymond alliance might be interesting, but Raymond is also more like Teddy than he wants to admit. Willing to use whoever to get his company back. I assume we won't see much of Debbi Morgan anymore. I wish Angela would have listened to Piggy about playing it cool regarding Teddy.

Or a utility closet, at least? Hell, where do they live? No reason that Harry couldn't do his thing from their home. Couldn't have been any less reckless than doing it at the bar. But then we would have missed the "hilarious" bickering, I suppose. It really was a convoluted way to do it. Yeah, Harry is free to be in public. But as a viewer, I couldn't care less if he can show his face at the bar or outside. He's not much of a fighter, so it's not like he can do anything if Mel or Robyn were to get in a tight spot during a case. I though Delilah's boyfriend made a good argument against college, though I also think Delilah was right to call him out. If you're a straight A student, it's a lot easier to get a full scholarship to the school of your choice. I would have liked to hear more about what he wanted to do, like a trade. The trades don't get much love on TV (or social media), but labor shortages in certain areas have persisted for years. More physical labor yes, but also lucrative. I can only hope he's not going for the generic "entrepreneur" BS. I still enjoy the show, yet I understand. I find most of the cases of the week forgettable. Best part of the episode was Latifah's scenes with the young female rapper.

She also said that when she was deported, it took her almost/over a year to get back to NYC. Now, I think this was just sloppy writing, but it also implies that the gangs in Mexico didn't pursue killing her. Meanwhile, in the US, her son was taken from her, he has disappeared, no authorities can be bothered to help her, Pedro is being trafficked in an illegal adoption scheme, and she gets a gun pulled on her. Presumably the ICE agent would have killed her even if the other man did/could not. I mean, it's not exactly a ringing endorsement of safety in the US. Six of one, half a dozen of the other.

I thought maybe the twist would be that the dog was being triggered by Tim entering the security code rather than dislike for the girlfriend. In any case, I had a lot of sympathy for her, as I was attacked by a dog as a child. I thought her concerns were perfectly valid. I'm rather ambivalent towards dogs, and I probably would have ended the relationship. Not because of him being a dog owner, but because of his indifference about her fear. Tim ain't the only hot guy in L.A, and they haven't been dating that long. I understood why Nolan wanted some space from Bailey to process, as she should have told him. The way this show writes about abusive relationships is very odd. Yes, they provided contact info at the end of the episode (and apparently only this episode), but it's still strange. Agreed with others in wondering where the actual rookie is. Maybe it's covid-protocol related?

If Kevin Hart shows up, I'm throwing something at my TV. OTOH, if they want to go the biracial route and cast the father as a hot Filipino or otherwise Asian actor, I am okay with this! I also endorse a hot Latino actor. They still have the secret laptop that Harry stashed in the wall for Mel to find and is presumably super encrypted. They're still in business! It's real out here! In my cynical mind, I believe that Noth's behavior in his personal life was likely known to the industry, and it was overlooked as long as there were no public accusations. And well...

I thought Robyn said that Delilah was spending time with her dad. When would she have had the time to take the key? And why? I thought the point of the scene was threefold - Robyn expressing vulnerability and doubt, Vi affirming her, and Vi inadvertently giving Robyn the idea of how to find Pedro. I just Googled this, because I was in disbelief. Sigh. The writing for Harry and Mel has certainly improved this season. I actually think it might have been more entertaining if my theory of Harry's arrest being a front to get him free had panned out. As it was, it was a bit anticlimactic. Gonna be honest - I was kind of surprised Alma was happy to remain here with Pedro after all the drama. I thought it would have been an interesting twist for her to choose to return to Mexico, but I guess in the end she and Pedro would still be safer in NYC? I'm curious to know what the show will do with Bishop. Recast? Dismiss the character? Introduce another CIA asset that Robyn was close to?

I just looked up Skyfall and I hadn't realized it had been 9 years since it was released! I thought it was more like 2015, but that's Spectre. I remember reading speculation after Skyfall's release that it was meant to be Craig's last film. But given how successful it was at the box office, they threw money at Craig for the other 2. The most memorable thing about Spectre for me was the opening sequence in Mexico City. I'm one who enjoys the Bond films more for the cinematography and shooting locations more than plot, and this film delivered on that front. I'm also okay with the Craig era villains being less than memorable, but Rami Malek's talent is lost on me. He seemed to be channeling Javier Bardem's Silva. I didn't care one whit about the James/Madeleine love story. Mathilde was super cute. Craig is gonna be a tough act to follow. I will always remember the absurd backlash when he was first announced. Bravo to him for making the role his own.

This didn't get entertaining for me until about three quarters into the film. I think the missing spark was a few things: poor pacing, reliance on nostalgia and social commentary, weak supporting cast chemistry and Keanu Reeves phoning it in. Thank goodness for Carrie Ann Moss. I felt the same about Yayha Abdul-Mateen II as Morpheus. Made me appreciate Laurence Fishbourne so much more. This is what I mean about cast chemistry - the um...trinity of Reeves, Moss, and Fishbourne carried the films even when it sort of derailed by the 3rd one. Weaving as the nemesis. The supporting cast from the original films just worked. I mean, Apoc and Switch died about halfway into the 1st film, and yet the actors left a bigger impression on me than supporting cast in this one. All that said, the original films changed the game for special effects. I thought this film built upon that legacy rather well.

Well damn! Can these shows give her more to work with? She was kind of terrible in the pilot. She's gotten better, but Yaya DaCosta isn't the strongest actress. The writing isn't that great, either, but she's not exactly elevating the material.

I read on Twitter that she's also on Power? I'm glad she's booked and busy, but yes, the show is wasting her talent. Early on, I actually wondered why she couldn't just be Angela's mother (and alive). The rest of the history could be the same, and drugs need not be in the storyline at all.

Yikes! I mean...agreed. I try to give child actors leeway, but I actually think the Christopher actor was better when he was younger. Guzman is fine when opposite stronger actors, but when he isn't...meh. As long as they bring back Chim, I'm not remotely invested in Eddie's fate. Chim's absence is more glaring with each episode. I liked the scenes between Hen and Buck. I liked that Buck was still just "okay" at the impromptu gathering. Sometimes the holidays are blah no matter the reason, and that's okay. Doesn't always have to be magical. I don't think the wives were there. It seemed to me like they were at one or the other's house? As for Buck's gift, I too would have preferred the portable generator.

Ha! Maybe next episode. But maybe the latter should have been the episode title, heh. You're right. I still enjoyed all the chest porn shared with us this episode. Kudos to Jeff Hephner in his scenes. He was hilarious and sad as Jack. Like??? Not that Piggy can't be forgiven later, but at least be a bit upset? She was so pissed about Nate bringing drugs into the house because of Nikki. That shouldn't magically become obsolete because it's your aunt. Bless Debi Morgan, she sold that absurd dialogue. I wish I cared about Angela's business, but I do not. The fact that she never considered other investors...sigh. Not to mention there is the loose end about Eve Vaughn's arrest and Teddy's involvement. Did he set her up? If so, why? And why would he get involved with the Darius death at all? It's not like his leverage over Piggy would do much good. L. Scott Caldwell was really leaning into the Olivia ruthless. I don't think she and Joe Morgan have had the chance to chew scenery together? And yet, I still had a twinge of sympathy that she didn't and doesn't have a say in the family business. Raymond comes by his ruthless nature honestly, chile.

Not seeing the correlation, especially since it was a team effort. No one would have even known where Lopez was if Wesley hadn't agreed to the Elijah deal. The audience knew the Angela/Wesley riff was connected to La Fieragate, but Nolan did not. Once she told him to mind his business, that should have been it. I forgot all about Wesley being wealthy. OTOH, he presumably values the work he does because he's not doing it for the paycheck. So I am kind of sympathetic in that regard. Still, if he would have told her the truth early on, much drama could have been avoided. But this is TV, so drama it is! I think you've predicted a future storyline.

I'm not a Lucy fan at all. Still, I thought she was the least Butinski of the three (I'm including Nolan and Aaron). I immediately disliked the sister for a few reasons, but particularly because until Tim called her out, she was gaslighting him about their childhood. To me, that was worse that her trying to convince him to see their father. I've never been a Nolan fan, but to have the white male cop who is barely an officer lecturing the Latina female detective on excessive force was completely unnecessary. I also didn't like how he kept pressing her for details on her and Wesley. Their marriage is absolutely none of his business. He was utterly insufferable this episode. I've liked Aaron, but he was 2nd to most annoying behind Nolan with his projection. I love Harper, but she exacerbated the situation with her ex. He was obviously trying to reach out and talk to her. It's possible that he might have been willing to discuss the move, but she deliberately avoided him because she was being childish about their sexy times. I mean, what if it was an actual emergency about their daughter? I'm on the ex's side 100%. I appreciate that she was realistic about what might happen, as she handled it so immaturely. Right??? I have no idea what the writers were smoking in this episode, because wow.

Thanks, I hadn't noticed it at all! Now I'm also curious why the difference. I usually skip past the opening credits, so that may be why I missed it.

I watch this on Hulu. If I didn't receive the "new" episode in my Keep Watching feed, I'd forget to tune in. I wasn't interested in this show at all (Lee Daniels is usually a deterrent). Several episodes had aired before I started watching and so I binged a bit. A show like this might benefit from a streaming service that releases all episodes at once. The pilot wasn't great, but I agree the show has improved. Still, I mostly watch for the pretty - the people, the fashion. I will give the showrunners credit - they subverted my expectations with Angela and Leah. I expected more acrimony. She departed 2 episodes ago (or was it the last episode?). She left a note saying she was going back to Boston. She seemingly got spooked when Tyrique was asking about his father's death, as she was the girlfriend of the man who was friends with him? I think? I could rewatch to verify, but eh. Close enough. That storyline has potential, but they've all but dropped it. If it's coming up again, they don't have much time to explore it. Can you elaborate on this? I haven't noticed it. He's barely been on this show - I remember him in the pilot and then this episode. Didn't realize he was on Power (a show I sporadically watch when I sign up for a free trial or get the Amazon special). I remember the Lauren actress from way back on Lincoln Heights, so it's a trip to watch her as yet another teenager. An older one, but a teenager all the same.

Throwback party! Can I be honest? I objectively appreciate the Harlem Renaissance as a cultural touchstone in our history. However, I've never been a fan of flapper fashion. In truth, I don't think the style is flattering to women - clothes, hair, or make-up. That said, Raymond wore the HAYEL out of his suit at the party. Whoo chile. I'm so glad that Leah skipped the interlude with Jack, and availed herself of her snack of a hubby. She deserves! Alternatively, Tyrique seemed to be channeling The Mask ala Jim Carrey. Perhaps he should have consulted with Raymond. I like that Angela is leaning in with her relationship to Leah. I expected more antagonism, but it's nice to see them progress as sisters. I also appreciate the theme of strength vs vulnerability. Just about everyone was struggling in one way or the other, and some handled it in a more healthy way than others. Tyrique in particular needs help.

That might be Vi herself, but she would be seriously injured rather than killed. Then Robyn will have to go scorched earth again! Hmm, you may be right. OTOH, there is sometimes a guest role with an antagonist Fed, but we weren't introduced to such a character. That's why it didn't feel real to me. Would have been a prime opportunity to introduce someone with a grudge/animosity towards Bishop for whatever reason. Plus, the show made a point to tell us just how off-radar Harry was, so even as they traced the hack, I was confused how they knew who HE was.