pasdetrois

Forgot to say that I believe these guys consider themselves southern gentlemen. They need to dust off their southern etiquette books, because bedpost notching and guffawing lewdly about bonking random women is trashy (the ultimate southern insult). As my mother would have said, their behavior -- in public no less -- is common as dirt. And Craig has absolutely no inner depth. He's all facade and pretense. He annoys Shep because he wants to be a Shep - the effortless trust fund life. I'm sure he's got his eye on the Olindo's wealth.

Craig is giving me the Talented Mr. Ripley. Cameran has the looks and wardrobe to die for. One of the truest things I've ever read is the nanny's testimony that Kathryn considers her children to be toys or dolls. I'm pretty sure her substance abuse kept her from bonding with her children. Plus, she's a wealth-seeking narcissist, so there's that. Agree that Shep is headed to TRav-land. Combined with his judgmental nature, it's not a good look. And speaking of looks, I think this show has held up a mirror to Shep's face. He's used to adoration and doesn't know how to handle it when viewed unfavorably.

Haven't watched in awhile; tuned in for Dwight. When did Cynthia turn into a topless Pearl Bailey? Her schtick is the big hair, which she constantly pushes out of her face, the clown boobs hanging out of her dress, and the wise cracks with the vocal fry. She used to be an elegant woman. WTF is wrong with Kandi, putting her painfully shy child's private business on TV? That's trashy.

I laughed my damn fool head off late last night as I watched episode 2. It's the quick-witted banter: "go tell the Barbies" and "do a taco block." When poor crabby Pumps was fumbling around in that tiny lower bunk, threatening violence, I lost it. I watched the episode twice last night. I looks like from the credits that Jennifer is the exec producer who packaged the show. Hope the show keeps its format and is renewed. Pumps was surely suffering the effects of her divorce, which she alluded to in episode one. Her closet being a mess, the house's curb appeal kind of let go...many of us have been there. I'm sure she'll land on her feet.

After euthanizing so many old or sick pets, including helping with EUs at the shelter where I volunteer, I have decided that once they are beyond recovery there's rarely a right time for EU - there isn't always an indicator that removes all doubt. I've convinced myself that doing it earlier rather than later is the way to go. Many animals instinctively mask pain, so often they are worse than we realize. And while their death is agonizing for us, it's freedom for them. (I feel the same way about humans, but that's a discussion for another message board.) My deep condolences to breezy and stewedsquash. You did the right thing, the only right thing.

I try to comfort myself that a seasoned hunter knows how to kill animals swiftly and with a minimum of suffering. But having many hunters in my family, and having hunted myself as a child, I know that there are often times when the animal doesn't die immediately and they do suffer (although adrenaline spurts may help some). And the trapping that these people choose to do is inhumane; those pelts are mostly to generate income. I think this series has slowly exposed the viewers to this topic. Andy from Life Below Zero said last season that a lynx he trapped was still alive after being in the trap for awhile - possibly a day or two - and I briefly saw it struggling as it hung. Heimo stated in this recent episode that their primary wintertime activity is to trap to generate income. So as much as I love watching these folks, and admire their personalities, tenacity and values, I can't ignore the fact that they choose to make a living off of animals' suffering. It's ironic to me that these are all white people who moved to the arctic refuge, with the exception of Edna, taking Alaska's natural resources to eat and generate income. Plus, the US Postal Service pays for many supplies to be flown to remote parts of Alaska - taxpayer-subsidized food and other supplies. I never thought about this stuff until some of the participants on Life Below Zero bragged about taking resources while simultaneously disparaging all the people who live in developed areas and go to work every day. One thing I love about The Last Alaskans is that they don't indulge in that kind of bragging and sneering. Rant over. Still love the show. Loved seeing the two brothers figure out how to navigate the river, with a boat stuffed full of beautiful dogs. (How do they pee or drink water while they are in the boat for long hours?) Also love Heimo's bittersweet ponderings - he lives in the moment and appreciates what he has. Can't wait to see Bob and hopefully Ruger.

Love this so far, although I was perturbed at the producer-manipulated blind date hi-jinks. These women don't need producer manipulation - hands OFF please. The women remind me very much of my family and friends in southwestern Louisiana - hard working, bright, successful, and funny. Lots of drama over time, but they survive with a sense of humor and confidence. Speaking of which, do we know what Lee does for a living?

My family loves Labs and has had them for generations. We go for the English version - the stubby-looking ones, and have friends with the taller sleeker kind (an American look). Currently a debate is raging over family dinner tables over the relatively new silver and gray Labs, as yellow, chocolate and black are the traditional colors. I loved the episode with the Labs and Cheetahs - genius idea! However, I rolled on the floor at the chagrined statement that the zoo Labs are not fat. Lab owners everywhere, including myself, struggle to keep our dogs at a healthy weight. We regularly sidle into vets' offices and declare hopefully "I don't think my dog is overweight." And are usually gently shot down. One of those zoo Labs was FAT. My Lab once ate everything he could reach in the ice box, having opened the door himself, and had to be rushed to the ER vet for bloat. A friend's Lab climbed up onto the top of her piano and ate the beautiful and expensive Christmas ornaments that had just arrived in the mail.

I'm new to The Zoo (calling Dr. Seuss) and am catching random old episodes plus the new season. Loving it and appreciate hearing the message that "zoos are for conservation." I stopped going to the National Zoo 30 years ago when the great apes were caged in small solitary display cages (now improved). Long ago, the original Smokey Bear was housed at the National Zoo, and he broke my heart, with his arthritis and patchy fur from the fire. I do wish they'd reduce the length of some of the THs. Give me succinct explanations and then show me the fat fuzzy baby penguins toddling about. When I'm having a bad day, I watch the Cookie video on YouTube. I chuckle at the new HI vet - tshirts and flip-flops, a beat up truck and surf board, as compared to our local vets here, all buttoned up in and boxed in tiny consultation rooms. I guess the new HI vet was recruited to replace the vet who died of cancer. I wonder what happened to that vet's staff.

Catching up on episodes. I'm more drawn in with each one and perceive some kind of linear story emerging. Love the opening sequence. If anyone is curious about the paintings, there's this: http://www.dailyartdaily.com/young-pope-paintings-opening-explained/ All of the imagery is fantastic. And I appreciate the dialogue too. Whose photo was Sister Mary clutching when she was sobbing prostrate on her bed? Was it Andrew? One quibble: all the topless women - gratuitous to the storytelling. I demand nudity equality if we're gonna have nekkidness and wanton sex. Does this pope ever work? He seem to do nothing but stroll languidly about the place, like a jaded rich playboy.

Lagertha dropped the mic. Last week, Aelle's crazy battle helmet reminded me of this: http://www.halloweenexpress.com/yellow-rubber-wig-p-3006.html

The parents weren't apparently evil, but I bet there's a lot of troubled history from the divorce and step-family situation. The stepfather seemed to be very dogmatic in the face of facts and guidance - smug and determined to have his way. Imagine spending a lifetime with that kind of parent if you are a troubled kid. The friend stated in her TH that he would explode upon hearing that she had criticized his parenting and need for control.The mother is very emotional and resistant in the face of family suggestions and Ken's guidance and she probably deferred to the stepfather always. Plus Diana apparently had no relationship with her father - another trauma. Couple that with the parents' refusal to acknowledge Diana's molestation and you have a formula for her despair and rage - we saw Diana's rage, specifically about the stepfather - during the intervention. I think Diana's whining about what school she attended was only because she was already suffering, so seemingly simple problems were elevated for her. Ken understood all that and handled it well. I do think there's something to genetics. I've seen it in my extended family and also certain ethnic groups.

I think I know that kangaroo. His name is Brolga and he is featured on Kangaroo Dundee. He's massive and he spends every camera moment trying to beat the crap out of the guy who rescued him from his dead mother's pouch.

You know who infuriated me? Those deeply enmeshed, clueless Mormon parents who wore jaunty outfits and peppered their conversations with sprightly colloquialisms ("Crackers and Cheese"). They were reduced to living in a run-down apartment, deeply codependent, and drinking themselves to death while their anguished children watched, helpless. Yet they would lapse into their puritanical schtick for the cameras. Hyun may indeed be one of the worst. I remember thinking her early life must have been traumatic, and she deeply, deeply resented anyone who didn't have as hard a life as she did. That was part of her anger at her daughter.

Funny you mention the accent. Not knowing anything about the show, I tuned in to hear his wonderful English accent and voice. He's an underrated actor - I think all those years of partying and romantic intrigues kind of delayed his career growth. But his American accent is great. (Side note - for years I assumed he was related to John Phillip Law.) I'm cautiously optimistic. I'm not Catholic but grew up in deeply Catholic southwest Louisiana. I'm always up for a TV show that hasn't been done before. Giggly Priest who's usually leaning against a wall threatens to steal his scenes. And when the pope first appeared in the broad-brimmed white hat my thoughts flew wildly to Palm Springs Lady Who Lunches. I believe the pope wears red Gucci shoes, no?

One of my all-time favorite movies is Mrs. Brown.

Juliet strikes me as one of those people who do not believe depression is real. You know, the type who says "pick yourself up and stop being so sad." Her frame of reference is so self-centered that she cannot begin to relate to someone whose experiences are different than hers. I think whoever invented the term Special Snowflake had Caroline F. in mind.

Except when she hears a director call action - in her head. Lord, those pathetic fake crying scenes on her driveway and in Phaedra's office. She's like a very bad drama student being given scenes to run. The tremulous little voice, the downcast eyes, the halting speech....

I'm all over this like white on rice. The first episode was well done - beautiful locations and costumes, fantastic acting by Sewell, and the story moved along. I was surprised at the implication of Victoria's crush on Melbourne, and I could have done without so much of the Snidely Whiplash characters endlessly plotting to dominate her. I've never gotten the impression from other productions and books that the governess wielded so much power. I enjoyed seeing the little snippets of real life - the servants selling Victoria's cast-off gloves and used candles. I hadn't heard the Lady Flora story.

My grandmother was from "Little Norway" MN. Thanks to the childhood trauma of lutefisk, I have a coffee mug with the word lutefisk on it and a big red "No" stamp over it. I do still eat lefse at Christmas.

I shouldn't laugh walnutqueen but I did. When I put my 16 year old Lab down, I brought a sausage biscuit. He happily snacked and was distracted as the vet was doing her thing. A good friend gave me the suggestion, which she used with her cat's euthanasia. I also had the vet snip some of his curly fur for me to take away. They weren't doing the paw print thing back then.

My good friend who is a psychotherapist always says that damaged souls are drawn to damaged souls. Many people go back to former loved ones that they supposedly hate. So Letty's self-destructive behavior, with the dalliance with Sean, doesn't surprise me. It's the story of her life. I'm not able to "like" the charming Javier because he is a stone cold killer. Jacob belongs with granny because Sean ain't no walk in the park either.

As I watched I wondered if the writers were being politically correct - being careful not to portray Muslims in a bad light. The entire scenario -- very little reaction by the praying Muslims to the invaders - they didn't even turn around to see who had entered the room -- seemed unrealistic and therefore weirdly off-kilter for the show. I don't like the sex slave storyline. I understand there were slaves used for sex, but earlier scenes of her enjoying the sex with multiple brothers seemed unrealistic. Ratings grab? Helga just looked demented wandering through the mayhem, looking for the harem girl while Vikings thrashed all around her.

I think these women believe they are fetching and youthful when they drink and screech and climb up onto bar tops. They're not.

Just binged over the holidays. I appreciate that this series can be enjoyed by kids, but I was often bored. All the derivation was predictable. I needed much less of the frantic bicycling and screeching moms and more of the bad guys' back story and monster views. It's always a mixed bag when you have lots of young actors. However I felt that Millie Bobby Brown and Charlie Heaton were outstanding; the four boys were pretty realistic too. Random: El's swimming onesie took me to Kanye's "fashion collection," and Steve's voluminous bouffant reminded me of Chewbacca. Also, the bad wigs didn't promote the storyline at all, nor remind me of the 80s.