Shangrilala

Somebody pointed out Charles' odd preference for things from the 40s and 50s. Yet, he's theoretically supposed to be a child of the 90s. Maybe the kid in the video isn't "charles." That's something Spencer came up with and applied to the video. But maybe Charles is part of a different leg of the family - Mr. D's older brother? Perhaps he had 2 twin boys and a baby girl, and Mrs. D just happened to be holding her and talking to her nephews. We don't hear her say "Allison" or "Jason" or "Charles", right? We hear her say "boys, come say goodnight to your sister" and then "what good boys you are." Plus the style of the video is older, not something that would have come out in the late 90s. Whack job theory here and it's now fully coming together. 1) Going back to Ali's halloween story about the girl stabbing her sister, and her mother finding her holding the knife. Perhaps Charles had a family. A girl and two boys. And the girl flipped and killed her two brothers. Charles and his wife lost everything. They split up. She remarried and gave birth to another girl, Sarah Harvey. Charles in the meantime, started going a little crazy, and so... 2) The DiLaurentis family was frightened by all that they saw and witnessed. They had their own young family to worry about, so they moved to Rosewood and cut ties from Charles, he makes Mrs. D increasingly uncomfortable. However, Mrs. D. feels a guilt, hence her involvement in Radley and her commitment to her neice, taking her out, being called Aunt Jessica, etc. The girl doesn't know she's actually an aunt or blood relative. 3) In the meantime, Charles sees his brother and wife growing as a family. Beautiful daughter, handsome son, both of which he lost. He goes nuts and wants his family back and revenge for the life he lost. 4) Somebody who knows Charles gets concerned and call the DiLaurentis family in Rosewood, the night that Ali goes missing. That's why we see Mrs. D on the phone asking for somebody to call her, she's very concerned, and her not wanting Ali to go out. He's the one who hits Alison over the head, and she's so stunned, it's her husbands brother afterall, she doesn't know what to do, so she buries Alison crying "Why would you do that???" Okay, this is a stretch but you could blame shock and horror at what she just witnessed. 5) Alison is gone, and he snatches Sarah Harvey. Keeping her as his new daughter in the dungeon. He then learns that Ali is alive and starts following her returned life into Rosewood, the girls, etc. and he learns about "A." He becomes obsessed, steals the A game, and voila. It leads us to where we are now. So the original Rosewood A-team still exists, and this A is just...a psychopath. This would work going forward because Oh, and Charles is ex-military where he worked in some tech/engineering capacity and that experience is helping him do stuff now. I don't know why, but in my mind that makes sense.

A couple of questions. The makeovers - did only Aria get a haircut? Why? If A was trying to recreate a look from the year Ali "died," he should have left her hair longer and just put the pink into it. I feel like from a psychological standpoint, cutting a woman's hair means something, I just can't remember? Spencer definitely looked more like old Spencer with her clothes, however, Emily and Hannah looked the same to me. What were their makeovers? I read an article that talked about two big reveals that we didn't know about, that happen in this episode. The first one, they said, was right in the first minute. I'm assuming that is Sarah Harvey, they showed her to us right away watching the girls run through the prom bunker. The other one was supposed to be tied to the video, they said there is more to that video than what we saw at the end of last season. And I think that's right, they showed Mrs. D kneeling down next to the boys in front of the video camera. But was there something more that I missed? I'm not sure I get what was so revealing about that moment? I don't trust MonA. I have no reason to trust MonA. If you look back at all of the seasons, with the exception of Ian, if I remember correctly, Mona is tied closely to every A. She was A in season 2. After Radley, she was still part of the A team, working with UberA and Toby. She knew about Ezra's surveillance of the girls and was in cahoots with him at some point. I can't remember her interaction with Shauna, but let's face it, nobody cares about Shauna. As others pointed out, in all of her searching through the bunker, how did she never hear or see Sarah? Her "no" to Charles after Emily asked her if she was sure she didn't know anything else seemed like a ploy. And hey, the girl let herself get locked into Radley for a time. This girl doesn't do things half-assed, that's for sure. Why not a hole, too? This is MonA. Have you ever fully trusted her? I have issues with the character of Charles. Mainly because while I can seem him angry at the DiLaurentis Family and Allison, I have no idea why he would be torturing 3 or 4 girls that he never knew. It makes zero sense to me. Why take them back to the year Ali was first "murdered" if he wasn't even part of the picture back then? Why is he not torturing Jason or Mr. DiLaurentis? What the heck did Hanna Marin ever do to Charles? I, too, thought there was more than 1 A during that montage of Ali arriving in the woods and the girls burning down the room. I'll have to go watch it again, but it seemed like there was an A watching from the control room, which we know is not at the park, and then there was an A in the bunker. Or, if the Rosewood PD shut down the control room at Campbell Farm, there's another control room somewhere (in the bunker, I'd assume). But either way, I saw it and said "there's 2." Which makes sense. Has any A ever fully operated alone? Shauna might have, but let's face it, Shauna was a dumb A. And she was in cahoots with Jenna anyway. I stand by my theory. A is really the A-team. And certain characters have always been and will always be on the A-team. Mona. Jenna. Lucas. Andrew (Charles?). And the tracker in the shoe was dumb. Come on Caleb, you're better than that. Embed that thing in her arm or something.

So this ep was a tribute to creepy movies, right? The call from inside the house is an old horror movie from the 80s I think. Mona in the hole was right out of Silence of the Lambs. "A" staring at them through the glass was from another one...maybe Scream, I think? Were there others? Sarah locked up,and counting the days I think was also a reference, just can't remember which one? Great ep. I was sufficiently creeped.

I'm kind of speechless. I keep looking at her, and searching for Bruce. It's a beautifully done photo, very glamorous looking. It's interesting, Vanity Fair says to read her story. I never considered that Caitlin has a story, I assumed that her story and Bruce's story were one in the same. But am I wrong? Does Caitlin have her own story to tell?

I agree, for the most part. However, I do agree that they way JG delivered the scene was a little odd. She leaned in with this little smile on her face, ready for some gossip, as opposed to saying it out of concern, which is the context that you described. I could be a little more sensitive to that though. My husband's father committed suicide when he was young, and it's not a topic that he shies away from necessarily, but it's a story that he chooses to share, on his terms, with those who he feels comfortable with. It normally makes people initially uncomfortable. You say the "I'm so sorry" and then there's this awkwardness. Then people act differently for a little bit anytime the word father comes up in conversation. Val had just arrived in LA. She didn't want or need that "tip-toeing" until she was ready for it. I say all of this based on our initial introduction of Val, which was this carefree, fun, breezy girl excited to be out in LA. I know everybody liked Tom. I liked him initially too. However, I really disliked it when Kelly dumped him and he just sort of squirmed his way back into Val's arms about 20 minutes later! That wasn't cool. I was a David/Val fan. They had awesome chemistry. And they were hot together. Easily the best looking couple on the show.

Doesn't Kylie know that the duck face pose is out? I mean, I'm a 37 year old living in the NJ suburbs and even I know that.

Spare me. Kris is crying because she knows perfectly well that this is doing her no favors. So far it's come out that when she met Bruce he was already transitioning, that he had 36B breasts, was taking hormones. That he was cross-dressing for the duration of his marriage, and would go out cross dressed when out on the road during speaking engagements, meeting people as "her." Couple that with how we've seen Kris marginalize Bruce all of these years, she knows how she looks. Like an opportunistic bully. Plain and simple. With all of this information, I wouldn't be surprised if those rumors that Kris kept "bruce in line" by threatening to reveal his "dirty little secret" were true. Let me ask any of you this question. Would you marry a man who had breasts and was taking hormones and actively beginning the transition process when you met him? I can say with certainty I would not. Why? Well, the most important reason would be because I would feel that he (I guess I'm supposed to use he in this scenario? Not 100% sure of pronoun usage) was personally going through something that needed to take precedence over any new relationship. Hey Kris...your roots are showing.

Here's what I learned from this episode: Kylie has absolutely zero personality. We thought Kourtney was dead behind the eyes? Ladies and gentleman, we introduce Kylie. Kendall thinks her sister looks idiotic.

Isn't Black Chyna (UGH - add me to the "Can't believe I just typed that" camp) friends with Kim?

What did Kelly do to Val first? It kind of just depends on your perspective. 1) Kelly gossiping about Val to Donna, and her father committing suicide. There's a scene at the Walsh bbq to welcome Val where Val asks the girls to join in the basketball game and they both bow out. As Val skips away, Donna comments how great she is. And Kelly says "yeah, I can't believe how well adjusted she is" or some such thing. Donna says what do you mean and Kelly says "well I probably shouldn't tell you this but..." Some people viewed that scene as Kelly just talking with her friend. Others viewed it as pretty bitchy on the part of Kelly, as something like that is really serious, and she wasn't giving Val the chance to enter the LA scene on her own terms, not to mention "psychoanalyzing" her bereavement period of her father after just 1 year of psych. At that point we hadn't even seen Val smoking her joint and calling everybody avacado-heads. And quite honestly, that's news that Val should have shared, with people that she wanted to, as she got to know that and felt comfortable. 2) Kelly catching Val smoking pot in the Walsh home, then running around calling her things like "closet stoner" and a "pot head" and asking everybody what they thought of Valerie, all because Valerie brushed it off as incense when Kelly asked her about it, followed by her psychoanalysis on who Val was, and making her out to be this damaged soul, while people were just getting to know her. The show was clearly trying to set it up as "Kelly is onto this girl," but it kind of just came off as bitchy, unfriendly, unwelcoming, and, well...bitchy. Val should have been able to share the news of her father with people as she felt comfortable. She was under no obligation to share the pot smoking with Kelly, and as Donna said, maybe she didn't want Jim and Cindy to find out. Which was a perfectly reasonable explanation. My own personal opinion? Kelly was jealous at first sight because this girl was a knockout and she was becoming beige-er by the second in season 5. Not to mention, I always viewed Kelly as primo-bitch of 90210 (as opposed to Brenda) and then Val waltzed in and was ultimately better at it, and looked better while doing it.

That would make sense if they even talked to each other. But they've had no communication for well over a year now...right? I just don't get it. Is she hoping for some kind of reconciliation?

I don't understand why this divorce hasn't happened yet.

There's just so much wrong with this statement. For one, I'd be very happy if Kylie got off of her current track. There are much better tracks for Kylie to be on at this point in her life. Not to mention, she's been hanging around Tyga for a long time now. Where were they until now? And this, too, irritates me to no end. Guess what, Kris and Bruce? Kylie is your CHILD. You are her parents. First and foremost. Not her friends, not her manager, her PARENT. That does not mean that you have to embrace her dating a 25 year old. That does not mean you just accept that "she'll date who she wants." It means you PARENT. And if you don't want her dating a 25 year old rapper who has a baby with somebody else, then you put your foot down. Maybe she will sneak around, maybe she will push back, that's to be expected. Her reaction will be typical. Your reaction should not be just sit back and worry from afar. Furthermore, not all kids are the same. Just because Kendall had the maturity to jet set around the world modeling and carve out this awesome career for herself means that Kylie is the same way. At 17 years old, she is still an adolescent. She is a teenager. She is not an adult. Stop acting like she is and get your damn parenting act together. Gawd. I hate this "I'm her friend!" mentality of parents these days. You are her parent. Open your mouth and speak up about something other than white walls, dark floors, and shag rugs. Rant over.

Okay, North is cute. I still think she looks like Kourtney, especially the top photo. As a mom of a 3 and 2 year old, I'm looking at these pictures, trying to figure out who I'd be more like. Truth be told, I'd probably be photographed more like Kim if my youngest had a candle she wanted to light/play with. Which is holding her very tight/close and watching carefully that she doesn't set herself on fire. Yes, she looks very at ease with Khloe, but I'd say Khloe is almost too relaxed with her in front of the open flame. Just my opinion, though.

Eh, I don't know. Ever been in a college dorm the first week or two after the first year students move in? There's plenty of "this is how you wash your laundry" going on. Same with ironing. And pumping gas, for the kids who come from NJ. There's a lot of stuff wrong with Kylie moving out at age 18 and buying a whole house in Calabassas, but ironing is probably the least of it. Especially considering she will no doubt have house staff. Kourtney, Kim, Khloe all moved out before the Kardashian show. They probably had to learn how to do laundry and iron because yes, there were times when no one would do it. I doubt that will be the same for Kylie. Kourtney sure has gotten herself onto a toxic pendulum with Scott. When he's off the wagon, she "doesn't want to kick him when he's down" and when he's doing better, she's optimistic that he's taking care of himself and things will get better. If she keeps up with both of those mindsets, nothing will change. And if she doesn't want to kick him when he's down, then take necessary steps when he's doing better to keep him doing better. In other words, get him in to see a shrink when all is fine. Don't wait for him to self-destruct.

REgarding the clothing line, the first thing I thought was Nordstrom. They have the Kardashian kids collection there, and I'm pretty sure they also carry Rob's sock line. While I hope to god Nordstrom doesn't do it, there is already an established relationship so while I would be disappointed, I wouldn't be surprised. Afterall - Kim has been in vogue. She's gone to the Met Gala. She's much klassier now. I thought Kim look horrible at the Met Gala. She looked much better last year. That said, I think anybody that sports the "almost naked look" on the red carpet looks terrible. I feel kind of bad saying that, as a woman I feel like I should be applauding these women, who have curves, who have had children, who are not stick thin, for being so gutsy. But at the end of they day, I really think the look should only be done if you're britney spears or Pink performing on stage at the VMAs or some such thing. I actually loved Rihanna's dress, it was pure drama and for the Met Gala that works. I'd rather see Kim try something like that than continue to bare her T&A for all the world to see. We've seen it all before. Speaking of seeing it all before...the selfie book is out. Salon did a review of it that was kind of brilliant. To summarize -- it's a train wreck. It's stupid and vapid yet you can't stop staring. http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/books/2015/05/selfish_kim_kardashian_west_s_book_of_selfies_reviewed.html When I think about the book and the time that it covers, in hindsight I'm a little surprised Kim did it. I mean, it lays all the plastic surgery out, in chronological photographic order, for all the world to dissect.

You can take your argument and logic and reverse the roles. Just because Bruce has the male anatomy, does that automatically define him as a male? I think Bruce actually did a decent job of addressing that. From what I understood, from his perspective he has always been a woman, but had a male anatomy so had to live the life of a man. However, his heart and his "soul" was female. His explanation to his kids, that she's always been there, she's not new, because "she's me" (or some such thing) also clarifies this a little bit. This is actually a bit of an eye-opener for me. I always assumed that when somebody transitioned, it meant that they literally changed from Man to woman or vice versa. They became a new person. I didn't ever view it that they were always that person just stuck in the wrong body.

Per usual - Kendall looks gorgeous (and age appropriate - ahem). Khloe and Kris are trying to hard. And Kylie looks like a 2 dollar whore. I can't speak to Kourtney because I can't really see her outfit, but I'm sure she's fine. She doesn't seem to try as hard as the rest of them, so already she wants points for that. And why does everybody praise Khloes new look? I think she looks terrible. Her skin tone is better suited for her dark hair. Her makeup is always too harsh. And yes she's lost weight, but she's lost weight before. Khoe's weight tends to fluctuate, no big deal. I don't think her weight makes her unattractive at any size. Her personality is what does it.

Oh Bruce. Be who you want to be and finally be who you know you are, but for the love of god, don't be a smoker.

Since when does Bruce smoke?

I read an article on the Washington Post, that talked about this most recent episode, highlighting the cost of fame as it applies to Rob. And it referenced back to Khloe talking about how only Khloe, Rob and Lamar know what went on in that house, how dark it was, and how it made her "do dark things." So I'm just going to say it -- I can't help wonder if something sexual happened between Khloe and Rob (or maybe all 3?) that has started this downward spiral. "Do dark things" sounds awfully dramatic for drug use.

TONS of pictures in this article. Ignoring the fact that North has a $600 camera (I realize that in the context of their millions, $600 is my equivalent of $6, but still), I'll be honest, it looks like a good trip. I have several friends who are Armenian, some more attached to their culture than others, however this year, especially, they are ALL talking about the 100th anniversary of the Armenian genocide, they are all involved in the movement to get the events formally recognized as genocide, and they are all commemorating it in their own way. So I'm not surprised to see that the Kardashians are doing this. It's not like all of a sudden, out of the blue, they are announcing, hey, we're Armenian. So I can't fault this trip, too much. And in these pics, you see North really taking in all of the sites and she looks adorable. Kanye is smiling. Kim looks relaxed in some of them. There are some pics of them with their cousins. And if you scroll down, there's a fabulous picture of Khloe giving Kim the stink eye. That alone is worth the look. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-3032681/22-month-old-North-West-totes-600-camera-enjoy-day-sightseeing-Armenia.html

Those church pictures are some of the most bizarre photos of this family I've ever seen. I can't quite figure out why, I think part of it is because while they are going to church on the holiest day of the year in the Christian faith, they look like they are dressed up for P Diddy's White Party.

Out of curiosity, has Bruce Jenner transitioning been confirmed anywhere? Or is it still just speculation?

I never got the impression that Sally was jealous of the bond, either. That's interesting, where did you pick that up? For a lot of the season, I wondered about the point of Sally. She was portrayed as a straight-forward devoted wife and mother, kind of helpless. We saw that Robert had the mean streak. We saw that Sally had little to do with business decisions on the Inn. We saw that Robert disregarded Sally's feelings in wanting Danny back with the family. We saw that she didn't argue with Robert that he had removed Danny from the will. In many ways, it set things up that Robert controlled everything, was this powerful and well-respected man in the community, but in private life there were some things going on that were pretty horrible. But along the way there are little signs that wasn't quite the case. I'm wondering if Danny was right: Was Sally the worst one of them all? Was she the one who was ultimately the most selfish, the cruelest, but in her "quiet" way? Sally made the choices that were best for her, even in the worst times for her family. That level of selfishness, especially in the context of the tragedies suffered by the family, is a cruelty in it's own way.