ratSenoL

General thoughts. I didn't expect the jump forward in time, but it was handled brilliantly. I really appreciated how the exposition was spread across many scenes and came from a variety of characters instead of one long boring speech from one character. It not only caught us up with the overall passage of time, but also efficiently showed us what individuals had been doing, where they had transitioned to, and how they were reacting to the interim events. I'm not happy that Naomi is off the Roci at all! I am enjoying the character and actress interacting with new characters, but the Roci crew seems incomplete without her. I'm not sure who David Straithairn is, and why some are so excited by his presence: his accent was all over the place and that kept taking me out of the moment. Please let him find one accent and stick to it. The actor who played the guy Melba killed--where have I seen him before? (Not that it matters.) Asavarala's new jewelry was a bit distracting, but I thought maybe it was intended (by her) to project a desire to be transparent. Wow, the effects from the Belter's sudden deceleration going through the Ring was disgustingly gory, but it effectively conveyed that the Ring is dangerous and not to be approached lightly. I think I scared the dog when I fist pumped and yelled "YESSS!" when Miller, um, The Investigator, made his appearance. Can't wait for the next one!

Notcreative enough beat me to it: I think the numbers on the flags are the number of walkers rounded up. Bicycle Dude rounded up 12 in the moving van and then put up a flag with 12 on it. The town had a flag with 451 or so. Is it conceivable that they cleared 451 walkers from the town (that seems about right for population of a small town), luring them into those tanks and setting some on fire? Assuming that is the case, it raises a big question: to whom are they communicating this information? Is there a large group of Vultures coming behind them? The shelves were empty because they (the Vultures?) cleared them, though for what purpose we haven't seen yet. Perhaps Bicycle Dude and friends clear Walkers from an area and then other members of the group come behind them to clear the town of anything useful for consumption or trade. Anybody remember the number over the building with all the walkers from last episode? Amusing that they chose to title the ep, "Another Day in the Diamond." The baseball stadium in the episode is normally called Dell Diamond and it is the home of the Triple-A Round Rock Express,

I enjoyed the episode for the most part, though I thought the pacing was a bit off. I was pleased with myself for picking up that Chuck and Judy were played by the same actress. It generally felt like a love letter to the shippers. I am not a shipper, but I can agree that the inconsistencies in MS over the years has been frustrating and somewhat distracting from the show. Bottom line: after everything Mulder and Scully have been through--not to mention having a kid together--their relationship should evolve. It would be helpful to the viewer to have that evolution reflected as the seasons go by, though I'm fine with the show Not dwelling on it. As to this episode in particular, I think it might help to pretend that it aired prior to the last one ("This"?). Someone way up thread mentioned that it may indeed have been aired out of order. Then, it makes more sense. In "Plus One," MS have another one of their deep conversations and "ATTHS," that sort of brings them back together after their breakup last season. Then, the following episode ("This"), they're just an old married couple drooling on the couch side by side having fallen asleep to late night TV. Then all the relationship stuff makes sense and stops distracting from the storyline. (Though, that doesn't explain how they're in the office in "Plus One" and kicked out of the office in "This." Oh well. I'm sticking to it!) We'll have to see how that holds up as the season progresses. Or maybe this is all just a daydream of Scully's while she's watching Mulder die of the virus at the end of last season.

Wow, Nicole was Keira Cameron (Rachel Nichols' character in Continuum). I had to look her up because it was driving me nuts trying to figure out why she seemed so familiar. She couldn't have been more different here. (I miss Continuum!) Perhaps John Larroquette wants to dial back (he's 70 according to IMDB), so the show is setting him up to do that? My bet is they'll somehow make it possible for him to tether with Baird so the Flynn can go ... be Flynn.

I'm only up to the fourth book, but I'd definitely say the relationship progresses much more slowly, and it's not a big part of the story by any means. I'd say Walt is pretty ambivalent about the relationship (Vic as girlfriend), as he discusses it with Henry, but he makes plans to ask Vic out on a real date. Also, Vic is so different in the books than she is in the series, so it's a tad more logical. The Vic of the books is tougher and worldlier, yet still a bit of fish out of water after going from Philly to Wyoming. I like the Vic in the books a lot; not so much the one in the series. They really toned her down in the series. Also in the book, Walt is grooming her to become the next sheriff so that he can retire. Cady is barely on the books until the third one, and she's in Philly there. If you like the character of Walt, and you like a good mystery set in less typical settings, I would definitely give the books a shot. They're way better than the series, as is usually the case.

Well, it's over. There were a lot of good things in this episode and season, and a number of not so good ones. Many of you have hit on the things that were not so good, especially Cady's depiction in this season. Bottom line is she's not ready to be sheriff. I think there will come a day when she is ready, but the end of this episode is not that day. She needs to figure out who SHE is, Cady Longmire, not Walt/Martha Longmire's daughter. When she has had time to do that (and lear a lot more about the Cheyenne!), she'll be ready. In many states, sheriffs are elected and do not necessarily need to be law enforcement to get elected. (Though, FWIW, in the books, Walt came from a military police background, so that's where he got his experience. I just finished Another Man's Moccasins, where he his time as a Marine investigator in Vietnam was explored as part of a storyline. He was just as "Walt" there, LOL.) Don't get me started about Walt usurping tribal traditions for his own ends, however noble his justifications for them, like Vic needing to finish the triathlon to help heal. It's still tone deaf at best. I'm meh about Vic & Walt, but wasn't surprised. I did enjoy the scene where he was teaching her to care for a horse. But then Walt turned around and retired and went treasure hunting, giving Vic space to figure out here next moves (like run for sheriff, cough cough). In the books, they do get together (at Vic's instigation), so perhaps the show runners felt they had to go there. One of the things I enjoyed about the series is watching the Indian and white characters dance--back and forth--toward greater understanding--and eventually respect--for each other. In particular, in the beginning Walt and Matthias were at odds over everything and avoided working together even when it would have served the cause. Now, they work side by side as a team. I really like it when characters actually grow within a series, and they all did here to greater and lesser degrees. Even Walt. So, all in all, I'll have to give this series a B. I will miss the very strong acting performances, the not so typical mystery storylines, and the cinematography. (If you are having buffering issues with Netflix, it is most likely that your Internet speed is inconsistent, though it could also be too slow. The first thing you should do when experiencing buffering with any streaming service is to unplug your router/modem for at least 60 seconds to reboot it and force it to reconnect with the Internet pipeline. You may find that your buffering troubles go away after rebooting. If they do not, then let your Internet provider know that you have having speed consistency and buffering issues. You may need a new router/modem or there may be issues with the lines coming in to your house. I speak from experience.) See y'all.

I've always enjoyed the show's willingness to tell stories that aren't often told on TV today, especially about modern Native American life, but I don't think it did any favors to this sick-child-whose-parents-won't-treat-him storyline. I can't help but feel if the boy's (Tate?) teacher had done all the testifying before the tribal council, the outcome might have been different. I get that Cady is supposed to be a "chip off the old block," but her role in this story was out of character for the Cady we've come to know. (I know, as Mr. ratSenoL always says, "It's in the script ....") And, what is the deal with Zach? He's got nothing better to do all day long than to watch a drug dealer's home and record its comings and goings down to the minute? No one has thought to ask him, "What are you doing here?" I'm wondering if he's either (1) DEA (or some other type of Fed) OR (2) NeoHector?

Idiot stick, indeed! Walt has completed his transformation into Horatio Caine, and I'm not even surprised anymore by his willingness to flout the law and basic forensic procedure in his pursuit of his own justice. I'm so ready for this show to be over, but I can't stop watching to see how it plays out. I will say this ep. was nicely directed; it's always amazing to me to see an actor working his butt off while directing an episode. Though, of course, Peter Weller is possibly more accomplished behind the camera than in front. Also, I thought KS knocked it out of the park with this one. Her depiction of coming to terms with losing her baby, and her role in that, was so brutally honest. I wonder if her soul searching will lead her down a different path. One can always hope.

I accidentally found an insightful vid at Fast Company magazine: https://www.fastcompany.com/40469932/anthony-bourdain-on-how-and-why-to-say-no-when-you-finally-reach-success I enjoyed it as well. I particularly liked how it gave you enough background info to really see how Tower came into himself as a chef and executive chef. I also liked that it didn't flinch from Tower's flaws like some documentaries do. Edited to add that I have no idea why previously merged these two disparate things.

Well, I guess we're never going to find out now.

Caught Evelyne Brochu (Delphine) in a trailer for the new Peter Dinklage flick Rememory (on io9). Looks like an interesting film.

A very satisfying ending to a show that I will very much miss. I've really come to love these characters and all their flaws. One thing that did really bug me, though, is Sarah walking away from taking her test (and presumably improving her lot in life with a GED). While it was consistent with the Sarah we met at the beginning of Season 1, it is not consistent with the Sarah that she grew into over the course of the show. She learned to fight for what she loved and for what she knew was right, so why would she not finish school (in the form of a GED) so that she could get a better job and improve her lot for herself and her daughter. I think Rachel redeemed herself in the end and deserved her freedom, but I'm not sure she earned a place with the sestras. I thought her end was fitting. I love the babies' names. I really loved the last scenes with the sestras just hanging out being sisters with no worries other than normal mundane stuff. Now they can heal. Man, I'm gonna miss this show!

I've always felt that Jennifer and Cole seem like siblings (despite the one kiss) so I won't be surprised to find that turns out to be the case.

I'm loving Jennifer this season! "Your spirit animal is a turducken!"

Well that was quite a left turn at the end! I wish I had time to go back and watch all the episodes for clues about Azra to see how they lead to that last scene. (Can Baji turn the power back on?) I'm try to remember anything other than the Widow's untranslated book, Baji's compass, and the magazine picture. I'm glad we got the payoff of Sunny and Veil's reunion, but I've had a feeling that Veil wouldn't survive ever since she had to kill Edgar earlier in the season. The fight scene with Quinn definitely required a level of suspension of disbelief. I kept having to remind myself that Quinn was once a formidable clipper who was able to rise to Baron. Since we never saw the guy work out, it's difficult to swallow that his skills remained on par with Sunny's.

Wow, just wow! I love these characters, and I'm really enjoying watching them grow as they deal with this complex world. I've gone from being meh about both Amos and Bobbie to them being my favorites. Anybody catch Adam Savage on the science ship? Ughh, it's going to be such a long wait to find out what Fred does with the protomolecule and how mad Holden is at Naomi.

For what it's worth, in the books (Caliban's War, I think), it is mentioned multiple times that Ganymede is a place that (Belter) women come to have babies, though I've forgotten why--clean air, good food access, and lots of doctors, maybe. So, it's not a stretch to think that the protomolecule researchers did stake out Ganymede in search of recently born infants with Mei's genetic disorder or any other genetic disorder they could manipulate for their own ends.

That look on Veil's face after she hides the tumor X-ray from Quinn (when he's walking out of the room) is veeeerrrrrry interesting. I know she needs him, but I don't think she's curing him at all. I think she's treating the pain but letting the tumor grow so that Quinn will die and she can get away (and get justice for her parents).

Did anybody catch TM helping Stephen Colbert poke fun at, um, current events last night? (Google "Tatiana Maslany skit on Stephen Colbert 2/15/17 if you want to find it on YouTube.) I didn't know she was set to be a guest, but I cracked up as soon as I saw her in the skit.

(Maybe this should go into the Media topic, but since it's about material in this episode, I'll put it here.) Last Night's Expanse Was More Proof That It's the Best Scifi Show on TV has some good insight into the Amos character here along with interviews with SS and WC about the episode and specifically the scene where Amos tells Holden to handle the scientist like a pedophile. Apparently, it helps to have read the novella, The Churn, to gain some insight into Amos. Apparently I also completely misread the character and impugned the actor's choices. Now I'm looking forward to seeing how Amos deals with everything coming at him.

Thanks for putting the idea of a Greek tragedy into my mind. Thinking of Walt's behavior in this season in this way makes it more palatable to me for some reason. I enjoy the character in the books, but the show's Walt has really become self-righteous, self-absorbed, thoughtless, and tiresome in this season. Maybe now that he sees the real game with the property, the old Walt will shine through, but I don't have much faith. Thanks also for explaining what an asymptote is. That also changed my take on the episode. When I watched, I felt like it was a breakup, but if an asymptote is a line that can't really be crossed, then maybe Henry is telling Walt, "You're being an Ass, and you're so close to crossing that line, but you haven't yet." Or so I hope. In the books, the friendship between Henry and Walt is deep and rich and you just know they'll always have each other's backs no matter how much they might push each other's buttons. TV seldom does a good job of representing true friendships (between two men or two women), so I'm not surprised here. I actually like Vic more this season than I have in awhile, mostly because they gave KS more to work with than just leer at Walt. At first I hated the baby storyline, but it's letting the actress shine through and show us more of what I know she's capable of. I love Graham Greene as the bad guy; he looks like he's having a blast. He's a delight every time he appears on screen. Mostly, I keep watching for the Henry and Matthias storylines; I like Jacob, too. I love that their characters are complex and that they don't always make good choices, but they usually make choices intent on helping their people or those they love. I'm still really annoyed with Walt, but I'll probably watch final season when it comes around.

Walt is turning into Horatio Caine. The only thing keeping me watching to the end are the characters and storylines of Henry, Vic, Matthias, and Cady.

Very intense episode! I think I might have screamed a little bit when Rick bit the guy's neck. Did anybody else think it was weird that Daryl told Rick that Beth was "Gone. Just gone." Does Daryl think that Beth just up and left? (By herself?!) Did she do that? I thought someone took her.