mjc570

What a lovely group of contestants, I like them all. It's clear they have varying skill levels, but they are all interesting. Just about all the bakes, even (or especially?) the messy ones looked delicious. I've never heard of mini rolls, or malt loaves but I would love some. Maybe I'm over -sensitive but I didn't really like the ostrich story, I felt sorry for it. I feel like they shouldn't have elevations the first week to let them get over any tent nerves, with a double elimination perhaps on the second week.

I have to laugh about the judging, not that I necessarily disagreed with the result. I agree that Caleb and Jacob deserved 3rd place in comparison to the other two, which I think were more technically proficient. Wayne and Zack's dragons were very disappointing, but I thought they took the judges' suggestions to heart and incorporated stories on each level that were very personal and interesting. It doesn't seem, though, that this story telling really was a factor. Mark and Steven's build really had no story aspect, but the wood warden was well done, and the waterfalls were really well done.

Not if you're speaking French, ha ha. To be fair, I know a lot a people say it that way, and it is (I think) a permissible usage per various dictionaries although not the primary entry.

Liked the episode except for the extended homage (and, seriously, why the repeated dropping of the perfectly good "h," does everyone shop at Tar-je?) to the dead friend. I know it was supposed to humanize the guy, but really, it was unnecessary and overdone. With the respect to the build themselves, I liked them all. I really disagreed with the automatic pass for the one furthest from the wall, I think it could have been a factor in judging them. I liked the DIY moms' totally creative cardboard castle, too bad about the telescope, but those markers looked great. I think the various teams' strengths are pretty clear by this point (ie, like Zach and Wayne being technically superior but not a lot of creativity), so it will be interesting to see what the final challenge will be.

S11E1: It was so good to watch this episode - all the gang is back (although some look quite a bit older), complicated story line with multiple suspects, family issues.

I have to speak up that although I very much liked Buzzy, my first choice is still Ken. I think he handles himself well, and has the right amount of personality (ie, not overshadowing the contestants or the game itself) but clearly is in control and keeps the game moving. I also like his sense of humor. Also for what it's worth, since I'm on a binge here, I very much disliked LeVar (although I will always be grateful for Reading Rainbow), I thought he was pretty bad, and also didn't like Mayim, and not just because of those awful commercials. I don't think any of the guest hosts or others mentioned give off anywhere near the sense of decency that Alex (and Mr. Rogers, of course) did.

I thought that was a really good, fun challenge. Although all the remaining contestants are good builders, I do think the right pair was sent home, the bro/sis puppy was cute, especially the tennis ball, but just not up to the others. I doubt they'll make the top 3, but my faves are still Dave and Richard because I love seeing a teacher/student connection. I liked the whole puppet idea, it let their personalities come through as well as opportunities for each team's special skills (like the DIYers granny sweater was really nice, it looked like it actually was crocheted, sort of). I really hated all those challenges where destruction was built in. So now I not only have to FF Will, but his puppet as well.

I enjoyed it, including the ending. I actually felt bad for Ram and Dean, but they did deserve to be punished for they did. I liked that Elizabeth finally did something for the housekeeper. I just hope that in all the Cassie grief they don't lose sight of the fact that it was Sunny that actually solved the case.

I thought this was a pretty good episode, Will wasn't too annoying, all the builds were interesting, the right teams won and were sent home. I really liked Dave and Richard's garden, especially the windchimes. My only dislike (actually, pretty close to hate): those sleeves on Amy's jacket. Ugh.

S4E4: I'm glad they're making progress on the case, because I'm finding everyone pretty irritating in some way or another. Cassie - wow, her husband and son are amazingly accepting and supportive, but maybe she needs some plain talking to (especially about her father, I don't understand why she considers "that woman" - whose name she won't even say - as some kind of gold-digger). Sonny - his own experiences with subtle and over racism are making it difficult for him to objectively look at Ram. Speaking of Ram: what's the point of the wife/baby drama, it doesn't humanize him at all. Elizabeth -ugh, pay that woman's gas bill at least, will you. Moving on to Fiona - I don't even see the point of having this character, unless it's to have 2 woman so there is some question of identification . I do like the charity guy and his lovely family, the show has done a good job of making him a decent person, which I assume is a reaction to the Walsh killing. I'm not sure how many episodes there are, but it seems to me that it could be wrapped up in the next one. The obvious weak point is Fiona.

I loved this episode. I don't care whether they met the challenge or should have been eliminated, driving that thing (which was awesome, by the way) off the table like that was the funniest thing - I'm still laughing, and since this is an entertainment show, well done. I have a real soft spot for Chicago/Brooklyn, maybe because my son is a teacher. But I liked that they won the derby because of smart and strategic driving and demolishing - I could see how focused the driver was. I didn't have a problem with the Utah moms going - I think it was only a mater of time, although I do remember their wonderful hat. I agree with those who are turned off by the arrogant ones - especially the big sushi brother. That remark about how many times he's been in (driven?) a Lambo was just off-putting. I hate to say this, but I do think the various bro teams are really really good, and a notch more skillful than the other teams remaining. Or, that could be editing, I don't know.

I liked the first episode, but I couldn't even make it more than 10 minutes into this one. I was so completely bored by the girls drug stuff and whatever came after it that I deleted not just the episode but the entire series from the recording queue.

Could someone remind me why Ray was driving the cab? (Aside from real life parallels, of course) Was it just to make money? Also - I was a bit confused by what I thought was an older Ray (with hair) at his trailer (or caravan, I guess) which I took to be in the future - but then it was Ray with short hair doing his taxi gig. My take on the the 2 guys - Ray knew they were planning on robbing him (or it was later clear, killing him) by them insisting on him driving to a deserted beach at night in a rain storm. I'm sure he killed them, by that evil smile at the end, but I think if they hadn't threatened him, he wouldn't have. I'm really sorry this show is over, but I'm glad it didn't drag on too long.

Much as I love Nicola Walker and her character Cassie, I kind of feel that her Dad had a point. She really didn't quite qualify for her pension, the force recognized the difficulty and tried to accommodate her. I think the fact she couldn't act rationally by taking a temporary job that did not involve fieldwork, plus how she lost it in the last case (and had to be bailed out by Sonny several times) shows that she is a bit fragile mentally and I question her fitness to serve. Maybe it shows a lack on my part, but she was so emotional dealing with the last serial killer I was surprised she had (almost) 30 years of experience. Of course, I'm over thinking this, I guess they needed some reason to bring her back (and as a viewer I am so grateful, I love this series) but I think it could have been done a bit more carefully.

I have to admit that I liked this more than I thought I would. I only really watched it for Connie Britton, and she (of course) did what I thought was the funniest scene - cutting her teenage son's lobster because "lobster meat is so tough." I was surprised the manager expressed sympathy for Lani, showing some remorse about what she was going through.

I agree about the sometimes ridiculous writing, where our hero i(and now Ms. Perfect Maddie) s never wrong , but I attribute it to Titus Welliver being EP.

Wow, I did not see that coming. Ray sure is a handy guy to have around in case of emergencies. I think next week is the series finale, and if he doesn't go full Rambo I will be very disappointed, I really would like to see him morph from the Magician (perfect name for the way he makes problems vanish) to Avenging Ray. p.s. Nice to see he votes

This is the first episode I've watched in several years. but I call shenanigans. Having Michael be in the top 4? No way. His offering was not only super simple, but as such should have been perfectly done and presented. His was not - at all. And raving over chocolate ganache - come on, these judges have never had it before? Also have to say, how much I love Sherry, not just as a fabulous baker but also as a person. I would watch her every week.

Re: Episode 6 I've never been a fan of Kelly MacDonald, but I think in this series and especially this epidote she was terrific. I really felt for her; yes. she was corrupt but unlike the other bent coppers in this series, I think the fact that she was groomed by her pedophile uncle has to make a difference. She didn't, as an adult, make the decision to give in to the pressure put on her without a context. Legally, no, of course it doesn't make a difference. but certainly makes her actions more understandable. About Hastings and his hypocrisy: I don't know why TPTB wrote a story line that was so completely out of character for him- I guess to inject some drama (although the injury to his wife was minimal (I think), or as a message to Adrian Dunbar that anyone can be written out of the show (I have no idea how this works, don't take this seriously) to create a suspicion that he was H even though he was the least likely person, but unless this really is a series about corruptibility, how anyone and everyone is susceptible, I didn't see the point. Certainly there was no growth whatsoever in his character. So, I prefer to pretend it never happened.

But that doughnut looked delicious, and I craved one

Anyone still watching? I'd love to discuss S6E5 --

I liked this episode, and thought the winners were well-chosen. I completely disagree with who was sent home,. I thought even though the engineers hat fell apart pretty quickly, so did the other (sorry, can't remember anyone's name)., but the engineers' was much better built and visually arresting. I liked that it allowed the contestants' personalities to come through a bit. Also: Both brickmasters looked terrific.

Much as I love Uzo, her wardrobe and house (and Joel K.), I realize I have no interest whatsoever in anything else, neither the various patients nor the therapist. I'm checking out for the rest of the season.

I've seen the first 3, like it so far. More than I thought I would, actually.

I liked Buzzy, but I have to admit that I am still Team Ken.