CeeBeeGee

He's so beautiful too, this choice of outfit does him no favors at all.

Are there any collegiate scholarships offered for figure skating? Gymnasts have a fallback plan if they don't make the Olympics (and of course some do both). Is there anything like that for skaters?

So many great comments. And yes, yet another incredibly sad episode. I loved the title card with the victims' names reminding us of the damage and carnage this monster left behind. Keep reminding us of their names, their faces, their humanity. It took me awhile to place him--then I got it and flew to Wikipedia to confirm it. Oh man, when Lee appeared I nearly jumped out of my seat. I wanted to throw my arms around and say "Run, you sweet older gentleman! You don't deserve this! None of you deserve this!" Absolutely loved Norman's brutal reading of Andrew. Who the HELL do you think you are, issuing a list of demands like that? You're nothing more than a jumped-up poser and gigolo. Gallo hit it on the nose--you are the lucky one, not Norman. My God, he was willing to pay for your education, I would be ecstatic if someone offered to pay for my Master's. That's insanely generous and you just threw it away petulantly. Agree with everyone that Cody Finn is fantastic. He brings such dimension and depth to this role, with such minute readings.

Ashley specifically said she was not criticizing Zag, but the loophole that allows such programs. There's nothing to "be above." Zag is a gold medalist and a very public figure now--this comes with the territory. I doubt Elaine Zayak cared when her gold-medal winning program at '82 Worlds was likewise criticized for lack of composition. Heck, maybe they'll revamp the Code and add the "Zagitova" rule, against backloading. And the idea (coyly advanced by the reporter) that unless you're competing at the Olympics, you're not allowed to have an opinion is just silly.

Okay, I have some leftover responses from last night (the posts I made earlier today were from my work browser). Re: the "Rivalries" video narrated by Tara: BLECH. Yes! She was lovely! I LOVE Elena Rodionova, she's so adorable. Come on over to the US, Elena! I was hyperventilating in sympathy for her, and actually talking to the TV. That poor, poor woman. We all love you, Gabby!!! Ugh, that DRESS. Ug-lay. (FWIW, I quite liked Med's FS and thought she would win.) I much preferred Alina's sassy vixen-red classical tutu. She really needed matching red boots. And this makes me wonder if anyone's ever skated to The Red Shoes? Don't forget Vera Caslavska of Czechoslovakia in '68, when they forced her to share the gold with a Soviet gymnast, turning her head away during the Soviet anthem. Or the famous "Blood in the Water" water polo match in '56 between the Soviets and Hungary. Oh my God, that's hilarious. Tara isn't exactly a household name there! How freaking adorbs!

Yup. One reason I like Ashley (in addition to the fact that she's the only US woman who has given us a World medal in the past 12 years) is that she was pretty outspoken about opposing Russia's anti-LGBTQ policies. I'm not even that crazy about her skating (frankly, I prefer Mirai's and Karen's skating to Ashley's) but I have zero problem with her using her platform or calling out shady judging. She doesn't go after other athletes; she goes after the system. And I really don't think the media was expecting Mirai to apologize for not medaling--but it is not out of line to ask someone why they did so well in one event (the team) and then faltered quite noticeably in the individual. She's not a child and this isn't her first time at the rodeo. This is what the media does for every athlete, not just Olympic skaters. They ask for an explanation.

It's the cases that are killing me. (And the genders--I really wish there were a dictionary that indicated which gender a word is.) And all the exceptions!

That interview was a disaster. And yes, she will be remembered for it, much as Nancy Kerrigan is still remembered for her snide remark re: Oksana Baiul as much as for the attack. Dumb, dumb, dumb, Mirai. Nobody expects you to throw yourself off a cliff in remorse but that kind of glib crap ("in my mind I went for it" and "this is all just icing," are you kidding me?) is not going to fly. If you don't want to try your hardest, there were plenty of skaters left at home who would've jumped at the chance. And throwing poor Gabby under the bus to deflect "aggressive questions" (Welcome to the Olympics, Mirai! The press is not there to fawn on you) was completely uncalled for. She is not a kid and she really should've known better. And with these results, the US ladies' team is now the Romanian women's gymnastics team. (For non-fans, they didn't even qualify a whole team to Rio--this, the country that gave us Nadia and as a team had never finished off the podium since the '70s.) I don't blame them individually but something has to be done. Ninth, 10th and 11th place is terrible.

Wait, what? She yanked Tara out of roller skating, very much against Tara's will, at the age of ten, something like that. She knew there was no "future" (read: Olympic gold medal and the attendant endorsements thereof) in roller skating and there obviously was in ice skating. Ugh, that story about her loudly complaining about the jacket. "Can you believe what they're doing to poor Tara?" Tara wasn't the only Olympian in that delegation, lady! And I doubt Tara would've even noticed if you hadn't kept yammering on about it.

He seems like kind of a jerk sometimes. Dropping Gracie Gold via media was pretty classless. Plus I think someone here mentioned that Kwan's split with him had something to do with his wanting a cut of her endorsements--like, are you not already very well compensated for the training you provide? I don't think coaches should ever try to get a cut of their athletes' outside money--that has nothing to do with them. Calling Kostner "sad" for continuing to do what she still does very well--she is still among the best in the world, even if not quite as good as before--and bringing up her age smacks of ageism. I think she's still a gorgeous skater and it's not as though Italy has a huge stable of skaters ready to take her place.

I love her too. (I am not really a fan of her bars--I prefer the He Kexin/Beth Tweddle style but I think Aliya is very graceful on floor.) She just seems very drama-free and yet still a fierce competitor. Plus a bonus for splatting in the second half of the program.

The Americans might not be friendly toward the Russians because the Russians are such poor losers. Vika Komova accused the Americans of using steroids after the Russians ended up in 4th place behind the Brits at 2015 Worlds, and after it came out that Simone was on medication to control her ADD, medication that was known and allowed by the IOC, there was some very unpleasant name-calling and accusations in the Russian media, pushed by some of the gymnasts, including Maria Paseka, themselves. Not to mention Svetlana Khorkina's rantings after she came in second in the AA in Athens. (I will say, contrary to tacky Al Trautwig's (Shut up, Al!) characterization of her as a diva, Musty seems to have always acted very gracious toward the Americans.) Larisa is a breath of fresh air compared to that kind of toxicity. Anyway. Back to skating! This is why I've never liked Plushenko. You were outskated in Vancouver (and in SLC). Just admit it.

Well. So was Yulia Lipniskaia's. And Tara Lipinskis (OMG that dirndl...). Clearly it didn't hurt them that much! But they were interesting to watch in a way that (IMO) Bradie isn't.

That was Sochi. They screamed for the Russians and then sat on their hands for everyone else.

Christopher Bowman was a one-man scandal industry all by himself. Sarah and Tara definitely were not favorites, especially Sarah! That podium was expected to be Michelle, Irina and either Sasha or Sarah. Sarah finished the short in 4th position and had the skate of her life to end up with the gold--she was helped out by the ordinal system and the fact that the other three made errors. Tara was a favorite for silver but everyone expected Michelle to take gold if she skated cleanly, which she did. Christine Brennan wrote a great book, Edge of Glory, about the '97-'98 season and how bewildered everyone was at the results in Nagano. Jeez. How sad. It's clear she is still struggling. I think it's disgusting the bank took that medal from her, I don't care how much she owed. Debi is an icon. I wish I could buy it and give it back to her.

My guess is that it is so US enemies (spies, etc.) can't copy the uniform to impersonate someone in the services.

I thought it was weird Jeff was sleeping in the barracks! I was going to text my dad and ask if that was some kind of training thing or something but Jeff was at least a lieutenant jg, he wasn't that junior. The Navy is the senior service (Navy brat for my infancy--in fact I was born in Coronado and my father was stationed at the base in San Diego). Yeah, Jeff was a sailor, NOT a soldier. Agreed. I love the focus in the victims, in contrast to how so many such programs focus on the killer which often ends up making him fascinating. I am also loving the backwards narrative structure.

"She deviated!" "And I'll bust her for it. Tomorrow." The Doors' "The End." Adam's flawless LP in the team skate helped USA get the bronze. He did what he was sent there to do. Ice Castles!!!!! I love that movie both ironically (heroine skating in the dark, with cables and metal tables in the corner? What could possibly go wrong) and un-ironically (her last skate really is stunning). It's such a weird mixture of super-specific insider knowledge about the sport (the discussion about the waning importance of the figures) and total cluelessness about the sport (no girl/woman was throwing 3As back then and nobody in the movie ever seems to do a short program). Still. Love it though (and the remake was terrible). When she was a junior, yes. I wanted to start my post with this comment but can't figure out how to do that when you're playing to multiple comments--the box at the top won't move: I just saw Nathan's LP and burst into tears. That was an AMAZING skate. To bomb in the short and come back like that--I am incredibly proud of him. That was just fantastic. Hearing Tara and Johnny get so excited was great as well. Just--good for you, Nathan. Good for you.

OMG that mom! With her crazy origin stories for Surya--yes, I can well believe this post. From what I've heard, Surya has always been very gracious to the fans--her bad rap comes from her intimidation of other skaters during warmups and her refusal to accept the 2nd place on the podium at '94 Worlds. Unlike certain audiences past *cough Sochi cough* OMG is this from Stripes?!?! I love that movie! Yes, as you two both say he looked shocked. Poor kid. I left an encouraging post on his FB page.

A little more context about the statement of the Knierims after their free skate. They literally found out about the shooting moments before stepping onto the ice and it sounds like they were genuinely horrified and upset.

Interesting article on Dave lease. FWIW I prefer the old blog style rather than having to sit through these long videos.

And did she earn it! That was one of the most brilliant LPs ever, IMO--beautifully skated *and* choreographed. She really rose to the occasion. That was so awesome to see! Good for them :) Huh, you think Kulik was artistic? Interesting,I always just saw him as a jumping machine--consistent and perfect but just there to hit his jumps. Adam himself made the team the same way and he's a good friend of Ashley's so I doubt he's taking a dig at her. He doesn't seem to be that petty anyway. Oh my God. Sotnikova, your LP choreography included waving bye bye to the audience and playing tug of war. You wouldn't know skating artistry if it knocked you up. (Lord, remember her exhibition skate? Where she got tangled up in all those...semaphores?) You've been smart and have barely skated since Sochi--don't remind us of the shitshow where somehow your PCS score mysteriously jumped 30 points all so they could gift you the OGM. Utter fucking travesty that neither Carolina nor Mao beat her in the LP. I am still so bitter about that result. Please stop trying o destroy the sport I love. And that AUDIENCE in Sochi! God, they were so effing rude. Somebody else gave a great write up of Sasha. All I can add is that she was absolutely gifted and gorgeous, but she simply could not compete. Her SP in Torino was stunning. But ys you could see the terror in her eyes when she skated out to start the LP. Christopher Bowman!!! One of my favorites. Bowman the Showman! David Lease had some hilarious posts abut him on the Aunt Joyce blog. Bowman was SO talented, such an incredibly charismatic performer. Very sad ending though. I remember we wanted a TV show called "Bitch, Please" and I think either Johnny or Dick Button was wanted to host it :)

The next episode is called "Don't Ask Don't Tell"

I personally am so upset and sad over these victims. Like, after last week's episode I went through this whole soul-searching thing, asking myself if I should be watching this, is it right to watch TV like this. I finally decided I should at least bear witness to the suffering these people experienced. If they had to experience this, this horror, this torture, this nihilistic degradation and destruction by a work-shy grifter and loser, a pathological liar and narcissist, at the very least I could bear witness. Poor Jeff. Poor David. It's just all so awful and sad.

That scene was so beautifully acted and written. What a wonderful nuanced reaction for the father. Did David actually call 911 and hang up? I thought if you did that, then 911 would still send someone out to investigate.