mrsdalgliesh

Oh show. Sigh. Still pretty, still passing the Bechdel test, but not much else. I think they missed a prime opportunity this week -- to have Elizabeth (and husband) be unable to fix something. For just a moment, I thought they might go there. Show what a heartbreaking job this would be. Make the case *for* people in Africa by showing what happens when we don't act. Add some sliver of realism to the proceedings. What was I thinking? The state department on this show is being run by about 8 people. Not a single under- or deputy secretary of any country or region. Realism? Yeah, right. In the only good news, Erich Bergen has been taking eyebrow acting lessons from Alan Cumming. Excellent reaction shot during the speech.

Wow. That was bad. I never got into Grey's Anatomy because, while I enjoyed the writing and I can enjoy a prime time soap, I couldn't accept a hospital staff that was so thoroughly self-absorbed. I loved Scandal because, with a DC setting (already surreal in RL), everyone could be self-absorbed and plot twists could be ridiculous and it was all fine. Make fun of politics and politicos, please! Plus, see quote above. But even watching only a third of this episode at regular speed (the rest was FF), it was hideous. I have to assume that Tony Goldwyn, who had a full acting and directing career before this show, is ready to leave because there is nothing redeemable about him anymore. Yeah, I can't even work up enough interest to type any more ab.....

I don't have a storyline to propose -- but I think this season's shift to talking about a specific not-Elizabeth daughter may be TPTB setting up Megan Boone's departure. When the show started, it was All About Lizzy. Whether or not she was Red's daughter, she was the center of everything. Only one problem: MB couldn't keep up with Spader. Maybe audience response/comment had a bit to do with it, or maybe it was just that obvious to TPTB (which includes Spader, right?). So what to do? Reset with another actress. Give MB a storyline that can end with her dying in glory, or going into hiding, or going bonkers, whatever. Set up an *actual* daughter for Red who has disappeared.

This is how I read it, too. Peter initially asks Alicia if she's okay with him endorsing and then standing off to the side (as Eli wanted), so it's a big deal when he stays on stage with her later. (favorite part of the recap: "WELL, THAT'LL DO.") I appreciate the comments that caution against seeing any mental illness of Elsbeth's as a character flaw or a dis against her. Plenty of us are coping/excelling while having a mental illness, so that in and of itself shouldn't be a negative. I think what bothered many of us (at least me) was that she seemed to be tanking in court -- something that had not happened before.

Ok. I love this show and I am not bailing. That said, I think they're in the weeds a bit this season. Thanks for Elsbeth*, Josh, David Lee, and the 2 second reaction shot between Eli and Elfman after the first Alicia/Peter confrontation. I rewound that at least 3 times. But speaking of Shiny Objects, those treats did not distract me from (a) the lack of any mention of Bishop's $$ which, considering that he's unambiguously evil, should merit at least a pause; and (b) the fact that not a single person in Alicia's office commented on her decision to run. "Good luck at the announcement" would be the least they could do; I mean, some of them have got to have questions about this and yet it's never been discussed! *terracool makes a good point about Elsbeth. I didn't mind a peek into her brain and some of it seemed right to me, but we've never seen her nearly throw a trial. She couldn't pull it together and I didn't like that. I liked the callback to the concrete hallway outside the announcement room and the show did a great job with the montage at the end. Marissa as Alicia's ass't. YES!! ETA: Although I'm sure the ransomware story was full o' technical flaws, I thought it made complete sense that Diane would be the one to infect the office and have her email sent to her old address. She's used to being high enough up in the food chain that someone else is responsible for *how* it works -- she just uses it. On the other hand, Diane "infecting" the office, and "holding it for ransom" was a TWO-ANVIL-worthy metaphor. Ouch.

So at some point, someone decided that Dad couldn't "just" be a religion professor, he had to have a military background, too. And no, not just any military background, but a Marine Corps pilot (which to a civilian sounds sexier). I'm a nerd, I guess -- I think college professors are plenty sexy. Ok, I'm a college professor, too. Everyone was pretty tonight and Tea got to fire someone. Thank you, show. Very relaxing. (I lived through the 80's as an adult -- *that* was nuclear tension.)

Oh, that's right. I'm sorry that I know you're right. :-)

Samantha84 got one of the Nell-in-combat episodes -- the other was the one last season where she was left alone at the boathouse with David from Numbers and had to knife him in the leg and side to keep him from killing her. She also shot a car to get a suspect to stop way back when she first appeared. But yes, please stop with the Nell-as-substitute-Hetty, both in and out of costume. I do think they're making an effort now to have Eric show his strengths, and I loved it when the Justice Dept guy said "tell me everything," and Eric got that gleam in his eye. The rest of that was a little too comic, but only because other parts of the episode were so serious. Like Trini, I watch this as fluff, but do enjoy the return of villains and callbacks to previous episodes -- and unlike Trini, I ship Deeks and Kensi, so I really liked seeing some focus on them in this episode, especially how it started. The scene in the boathouse was well done by both. Then, for the inside baseball fans, it was fun to see DR's husband/ECO's brother as the gunman Nell shot. That must have made for some good off-camera jokes.

Welcome to Moooooooooooe's! Me, too!

This is the level of unreality I can cope with. All I want is to watch Tea Leoni, the good relationship they've created with Tea and Tim Daly, more forceful Bebe Newirth, and nice scenery. Apparently we're going to have to worry about SoS's male aide (the one picking up her clothes) and daughter due to the Unmotivated CloseUp (TM Roger Ebert). That's fine. Just keep being pretty without bringing Mr. SoS into the international fray like last week.

Yes. I mean, that's Connie Nielsen and she's not just stopping by the show for a 2 minute appearance. And if not, why wouldn't Peter have told Eli why he was keeping the intern around? I keep thinking about Cary. I can hear a conversation in which Alicia says to him, "But I'm running because of you, because of what Castro did to you," and Cary replies, "I would rather you had paid attention to our firm and not let it get taken over by Diane and Company and made decisions I opposed." Because this Alicia is not even in the same room as her moral compass right now. I think it was only a week or two ago that I wrote, of the Kings, that they earn things on this show. But this Alicia? I don't think they've earned it. ETA: The baroque music was missing this episode, wasn't it? Was there a soundtrack at all?

QUIT! DO NOT RUN! ARE YOU INSANE? I'm visiting my parents and this was the basic tenor of the family shouting at the television -- and that was *before* the final scene in the parking lot. If the Kings are taking Alicia forward in this, I really have to wonder if we're going to be seeing "Breaking Bad 2: Alicia Boogaloo." I mean, I get the reactionary nature of her decision. Castro is an ass. There's probably some "I could be better than Peter." Ok, fine. I can buy that, even if I hate it. But would that desire completely override her relationship with her brother and son? Would she really run knowing that Bishop is funding her? Is that the character we know? We've seen her compromising more and more, but I didn't see her as this morally disturbed, at least not yet. P.S. Nice audio manipulation of the wine pouring at the start of the episode. Sounded like Niagara Falls. P.P.S. Cary, now with pretty much no control over his life and business. So sad. P.P.P.S. See the 2 posts above mine.

It's interesting to compare Denzel's two appearances. The previous one was his first, and he -- like many of the first-time American guests (think Jake Gyllenhaal) seemed a bit anxious about the format and the host, and then settled in once he knew he was in good hands. This time, he was actively making Graham a part of his stories and bits. Don't really know anything about Gemma Atherton but she was a good guest, engaging the others from the beginning and comfortable with the audience as well. Loved the bit with the horse riding/stunts/look back. And Peter Capaldi was terrific; I thought he was pretty tolerant of how Graham initially presented Dr. Who as if it were his first successful acting job. There was a broader picture by the end, but I thought he showed good character in not immediately blurting out, "I've been acting for years, you know!"

Nathan Lane is in a play on Broadway and, unlike Alan C, is not doing double duty. (It may have something to do with age, and something to do with the role -- AC is doing a role he's done before). I will take these problems if it means the show keeps filming in NYC and gets one fantastic guest star after another. BTW, Alan C posted a tweet in which he said something like "guest starring for three episodes: my wig!" The Gloria Steinem fantasies seemed exactly right. This is what would happen in my mind, anyway, if I were in Alicia's situation. It's not something I'd admit to anyone, but I'd be imagining it. This is what Alicia did with Will's last phone message. I think the writers and JM do a great job of giving us a glimpse into Alicia's inner life --- much more so that any show I can think of. It's not always complimentary, but it rings true for me. I hate what's about to happen with this campaign, but I will say that its one good side is more Alan Cumming as Eli. If I were a writers for this show, it would be damn tempting to write the campaign plot just for that reason.

Lots of chess pieces moving around, but not a lot of logic. The theme wasn't "Dear God" at all -- it was "how can I lose control of my own life?" (and yes, I do know that could veer around to "Dear God" but I'm not going there right now.) Cary can't make a single decision that won't come back to bite him; he made up with Kalinda (and how) and his timing couldn't have been worse. He had a beer with Kalinda -- what could be wrong with that? Alicia is responding to everything around her (I knew Michael Cerveris would make a good troll) and letting it move her towards a bad decision to run for SA. Diane is out for vengeance and that means molding FA to her image -- and with both Alicia and Cary sidelined, she'll get to try. It was a very frustrating episode. (I have a feeling they ran pretty long. There was at least one bizarre cut and I also think they must have intended to have a reveal around the Linda Lavin phone conversations ("he didn't say that, he can't have said that," etc.). I did, as always, enjoy seeing RSL. Pity they couldn't do more with him over time. Probably his decision. I don't know what place LG (or whatever they're going to call it) will have in this show anymore, but I agree -- Cary is definitely on a trajectory towards leaving.

Barbara Hall, writers, whoever: if you wanted the Sec of State's husband to be involved in her work (and I'd argue you could do this show without that happening), then you SHOULD HAVE GIVEN HIM A JOB WHERE THAT MIGHT HAPPEN. You didn't. So no, you can't. do. this. It's RIDICULOUS. I'm shouting, I know, but I love Tea Leoni and her gravely voice and her one or two facial expressions, and I want to watch her on my teevee. Don't make it impossible.

I am pretty sure that there are people who were in law school with that doggie sling gal who could tell us what really went on there. She was in her last semester? Yeah, as in "my first semester was my last semester." Yikes. Damon is going to take that and run away with it. Those two drumpants people were in the project for entirely different reasons. He wanted to take the money and run and she was devoted to the concept. It was fun/awful to see that play out (good job for spotting that, producers!) on the spot, especially with Mr W. pressing all their buttons. Buh bye! Ninja guys were a cautionary tale. The only ones I felt for were the sponge-pet guys. I felt like Laurie could have fixed that price point issue and been a good partner, but what do I know? I was suckered by the story. :-)

Matt Damon's exact words were "This is the most fun I've ever had on a talk show," but I think he'd agree with your paraphrase. That episode was one of the best ever. The show posts the drink orders after a series is over (S15 is up right now) and many of the guests are only drinking water -- but those who need a little help get it. The everyone-on-the-couch format *is* part of what works, but I have to give credit to Graham, who makes it look easy but is really gifted, and to the Brits and other guests who "get" the show and prod the others to engage in conversation with each other, not just the host. Some U.S. guests are favorites because they regularly participate, like Cameron Diaz and Bradley Cooper. I don't watch any American talk shows, but I've been watching this on YouTube for several years (it doesn't get cut for time as it does on BBCA). You can get completely lost in the clips and full episodes over there. Don't say I didn't warn you.

Yeah...I don't think so. Law shows are always going to be unrealistic, but Shondra already has me ignoring bizarro world over on Scandal and I don't have anything left for a supposedly amazing criminal defense attorney who goes to trial (repeatedly) before she's fully investigated and prepared. And I don't mind a flawed lead character, but this is some boomerang shit Viola Davis is being asked to play. She's an amazing actress who can convey anything -- so why are they writing Annalise as though she's appearing in panels of a comic? In fact, the whole thing plays that way. I can see the "stills" in my mind: Wes' wide-eyed surprise at something in the center of a panel focusing on the courtroom observers, insecure Laurel shrinking into the shadows of one early panel, then winner Laurel coming to the forefront in a later one. The focus on Annalise's face as she questions a witness in one panel, her tear streaked panic face in another as she rats out her husband. BOOM! AH! NO! WHYYY??? Maybe I can only watch one show like this and I'm already watching Scandal.

anna, I've always wondered about the inconsistency with that. No show bible, apparently. It was "kids" when he asked Kensi to babysit them in S2 (?). Then it was just a daughter for a long time, including in Afghanistan when we saw the picture of his wife and daughter in the sleeve of his jacket. So..who knows?

Someone on the "How to Get Away With Murder" thread, in which those with knowledge of the law were justifiably peeved at the inaccuracies, mentioned that he would never have to worry about this because network television wouldn't make a show about accountants. This was almost that. He should come on over and hate watch with us. This is on my DVR only because VOD doesn't let me fast-forward to the Spader scenes. And I agree with micat -- why bring ML Parker on and prevent her from doing any scenes with JS? This show.

This. The season finale was weak, so I was glad this was much better. S5 was about Deeks and Kensi and that's fine -- they both had interesting arcs -- but I had missed a focus on the Sam and Callen partnership. "I've never seen you so excited about a suicide mission." That's what I wanted to see. They both used their skills, they both faced death in their own ways, and then they kicked ass. Loved the scene when they surfaced and Sam could be funny again -- and the Deeks/Kensi reaction before and after. Now let's deal with Hetty and her role in sending Kensi to Afghanistan. That should have some ramifications and I'll be sorry if they only deal with it via DC/higher-ups and not with the team as well. Kensi and Deeks, in particular, should find out and be pissed off. You wrote it, guys, now deal with it.

As one of the other posters said, this scene didn't work. The tears were genuine, either because she was truly upset or because she hated herself for manipulating Wes. The hands on chest action was either her being highly sexualized or feeling him for a wire, or trying to make him uncomfortable. It was all over the place. Viola Davis is a goddess, but even she couldn't make that scene any clearer. The students are meh. Seen them before. It's like MadLibs fill-in-the-blanks casting. Wes at least has the next-door neighbor (who knows something about sorority girl's murder) to give him interest. For now (and I'm in the "I'm in until I'm out" group), I'm going with the following guess: 1. I agree with COmputerGeek that Bonnie and Sam are banging and that Annalise doesn't know that. 2. I think sorority girl is a red herring as far as the flash-forward murder of Sam. She'll be a separate case altogether. 3. Bonnie kills Sam, the students find him and assume Annalise did it, and they're trying to protect her.

Yes, I agree -- Diane was presumptuous. Also, the shirtless homeless guy was too much (unless he's Chekhov's shirtless guy which, knowing our writers, he very well may be!). Despite those little things, I only had one thought when the episode ended: I love this show. It earns its moments. When Diane whispered "goodbye" on the elevator, I almost started weeping. I don't know if the show led us there before, but they are making sure there is no question about Bishop. This is not a guy selling weed out of his greenhouse. What a horrible position for Kalinda et. al. to be in. Gah. And yet I have that voice that says, "you took him on as a client, what did you think would happen?" And yet our system says that everyone deserves a competent defense. And yet, and yet... Love this show (even when it's giving me an ulcer). And remember, people: they are doing this 22 shows a year. Makes 8 and 10 and 13 episode "seasons" look easy.

I appreciate that -- and I admit, I'm probably not the targeted audience. :-) (Lord, I hope I've never been that clownish!) Still, I'm going to hope they tone everything down and trust the irony more, especially with Anthony Anderson, who is capable of getting the point across no matter what the tone is.