SnarkyShark

Ok. Is this show TRYING to convince me to stop watching? I'm sick of all the melodramatic storylines that I flat-out do not like. None of them have the buildup required to make them convincing. Honestly, my AP English class could write better. I wish this show would trade melodrama for subtlety. I can think of several storylines that would be more appropriate. 1. Reese going through therapy as part of her psychiatry residency—There is a good space to explore some of Reese's underlying self-esteem issues and the dynamic with her mother, which has been touched upon but not really explored. 2. More of Latham and Rhodes together—The two of them have come to develop camaraderie. It would be fun to see them progress and this provides the show with an opportunity to incorporate actual medicine rather than melodrama. 3. Will/Natalie friendship—I can't see them as a couple, but I would be open to learning more about their history if it is done authentically and I think they could be good as friends. 4. Robyn character development—We still only know her through the context of her relationships with Dr. Rhodes and her father. The mental health storyline isn't necessarily a bad premise, but the current direction is far too melodramatic. Instead, the focus needs to center around Robyn and how this impacts her as a person. It is important to acknowledge how her mental health issues affect those close to her, but Robyn should not become lost in a storyline centered around her. 5. Choi and Army Doctor—This ship has sailed, though I was always curious as to why there was very limited mention of their relationship. The few scenes where we saw them interact were enjoyable. This storyline is worth building because it provides more layers to Choi outside of his career and experience in the Navy. It is also a normal relationship where the couple has different workplaces. Refreshing. 6. Noah maturing—This needs to be a gradual storyline for it to be convincing. I have previously chronicled my dislike for Noah and his lack of hard work. He had a rare redeeming moment in that one scene after April's miscarriage. Great! Let's see more of him actually caring about other people! Let's explore what factors catalyze him to start working towards being a good doctor! For instance, he could (questionably) become an ED resident next year along with one or two others, who would be new characters. The other new residents would have dedicated, focused, and competitive personalities, basically the opposite of Noah. The show can now use this contrast as a foundation, writing good scenes where Noah interacts with the other residents who do not tolerate his attitude. At first, Noah would be confused by their hostility and respond by staying away from them because they are too uptight for him. Over time, Noah would witness small moments where the other residents interact with their patients, and be surprised by their sincerity and kindness, allowing him to realize that their perceived uptightness is truly focus and commitment to becoming the best doctors possible. Noah would start to feel as though he is falling behind his peers and begin to see his inadequacies; when he compares his interactions with patients and colleagues to those of the other residents, he sees that he is not taken as seriously. He comes to understand that way for him to earn respect is to work hard and listen to patients and more experienced doctor. So gradually we see him listen more thoroughly to patients, utilize advice of other doctors, and actively solicit second opinions when he is unsure. Noah doesn't necessarily become deathly serious, but we can see his sincerity and focus when it counts. Honestly, Noah does not have to be an unlikeable character, but if the show does not shift its writing of him, he will be doomed as the most loathed character on the show. I apologize if this post is too long. I would love to hear everyone else's proposals for improved storylines.

I don't really have an issue with cowboy boots because they can worn more subtly, especially if the bride has a full length dress. This allows the bride to wear the shoes she likes without them having to be completely front and center, and she can show them off in some of the pictures. However, I'm not a fan of the flannel shirt over a wedding dress. It just takes away from the overall look, and I feel like there are better ways to incorporate flannel into a wedding. Weddings are a time to look (dare I say it...) sophisticated, but it doesn't mean everything has to be super formal. I think about it this way: will you cringe and be embarrassed to look back at those pictures in five to ten years? If so, then do some rethinking. Remember that flannels are something that you can wear on any day of your life. You might only wear a wedding dress once, if you are lucky. Don't ruin it by wearing something tacky.

Yeah. I think the first one is actually realistic for Joy to wear, whereas the second is not. I agree that alterations would take away from the dress. Honestly, I would be more curious just to see Joy try something like that on because it shows off her (potentially scandalous) curves just a little bit.

@Sew Sumi, I could possibly see Joy wearing that dress. It would work well with her boots. My only concern is that the neckline could look rather matronly, as if the cut was meant for an older woman. She is young after all, so I would like to see her look youthful on her wedding day without crossing the line and looking like a child. I do enjoy the dress speculation though, and here is another option. I feel like this dress is modest, yet simple and elegant. The natural waist and A-line silhouette would flatter Joy's figure.

I'm frustrated because this show keeps pushing storylines I don't like. The episodes from later in this season have all felt very forced, making it hard for me to watch. I'm just not feeling Manstead, but the show will continue to force it down my throat. To me, it seems like Will and Natalie don't have a lot of romantic chemistry. They would make a boring couple because the only reason they are together is that it is supposed to be that way. I find them more interesting as friends. I still don't like Noah. His personality and attitude frustrate me. He has this air of entitlement about him and it doesn't seem like he is willing to work hard to deliver good care. I'm fine with him being more lighthearted than other characters, but he needs to grow up and take his responsibilities seriously. Becoming a doctor takes work, and Noah will never learn if he expects others to tell him the answer. His lack of maturity is exhausting. The job requires focus and knowledge. True confidence will come with experience. I am waiting for him to be more humble about how much he has to learn. I'm begging at this point. PLEASE DON'T PUT NOAH AND SARAH TOGETHER! DON'T YOU DARE! Personality-wise, the two are total opposites that will not mesh well together. They have a more blatant lack of chemistry and would make a completely uninteresting couple that does not adequately compliment each other. In contrast, Sarah and the lovely Splendorkable already compliment each other. Both are fairly serious people who match each other intellectually. Splendorkable balances out Sarah by being calm and patient when she is stressed and anxious. He has this quiet strength and confidence that makes him a great rock for Sarah. More importantly, I see an aspect of maturity in their relationship. They respect and appreciate each other as individuals and give the other space to be themselves. It frustrates me that this show seems to have something against stable relationships. I (obviously) like several aspects of the Sarah/Splendorkable relationship, and I wish the show would let it progress naturally rather than throwing out a good foundations in favor of a new storyline. Honestly, if they want a new relationship storyline I would prefer they pair just about anybody other than Noah and Sarah because they are the last two I could see as a couple. On another note, it doesn't seem appropriate for Robin to be Sarah's patient. There are too many preexisting personal relationships between Robin, Sarah, and Dr. Charles that make the dynamics more complicated. Given fact that this is likely to be a complicated case, it would be a better idea for Robin to go to an outside psychologist who is more experienced. Such an individual could better assert their authority and manage the challenges of Robin and Dr. Charles' relationship. With Reese being under Dr. Charles for her residency, he has serious potential to undermine her whereas an experienced outsider might better command Dr. Charles' respect.

Agreed. Now I do not know what all Jill has access to in El Salvador, but I would guess some of it is because she baked it in a rectangular pan rather than a loaf pan, which is... different. A loaf pan does mean a longer cooking time, but it cooks more evenly and results in a nice, moist bread. I have always baked banana bread in a loaf pan, and it turns out well. Then my family will make it disappear within two days, and there are not anywhere near nineteen of us. From what I can see in the picture, it also looks totally monochromatic. Usually banana break has darker spots throughout the inside, like this. Now that looks tasty. Jill's just looks dry and sad.

Not sure how much luck Jana will have with husband-hunting because I would guess that options are limited. Besides, someone needs to take care of the Duggar kids. On another note, I am glad she ditched the dreaded Gothard-approved banana curls. Her hair looks much prettier and more natural to me in this picture.

I'm bummed for Lilli. It seems like she got screwed over with song choice, but her stage presence was still strong. Her last two performances were great, and I hope that is enough to save her.

I'd like to see him try, because I doubt he nor a book is a good authority on quality education. Not to brag, but my high school is actually ranked in the top 10 Catholic high schools in my state by Niche. We learned about Catholicism as underclassmen, but the focus went beyond dogma and the Bible. As upperclassmen, everybody took a Social Justice class, which taught students about how religion and values connect to real-world issues instead of wardrobe choices. Beyond the religious aspect, we learned about evolution and had real sex-ed, not just the abstinence-only kind. And guess what? 100 percent of graduates went on to legitimate colleges, not clown colleges.

Thirteen years of Catholic school might make me biased, but I'd also guess it makes me better educated than Ben.

The Duggars, apparently. The whole thing made me cringe.

I have no idea where they are going with the storyline between Reese and April's brother. I sincerely hope it's not a romance, because they have no chemistry and April's brother just makes me cringe. I will never forgive Reese if she cheats on Splendorkable with him. I didn't understand the whole, "We don't communicate well," bit last episode. It seems like the show is shoving them towards a breakup, which makes me mad. Reese and Splendorkable are honestly one of my favorite relationships on the show, so they better not ruin this. Splendorkable is nerdy, but seems caring and nice. Reese can do so much better than April's brother. Ugh!

Until I read the names and examined the pictures more closely, I though they were the same baby! They definitely look like siblings, but Henry's hair is lighter.

I do hope the pants are here to stay. It's sad that the girls are raised without the option of wearing them.

I would guess because God only tells them what they want to hear. They supposedly live a godly lifestyle, so why would God be telling them to change??? Gothardism seems to try to stamp out critical thinking abilities, so I doubt any of them think critically about what God is saying.

Carlin's outfit is cute, and actually looks like something normal people would wear. I appreciate that the Bates girls seem to be able to do modest in a less cringeworthy way.

Helmets would be nice, but the bar is low already. Not to mention, the girls are riding incorrectly sized bicycles IN DRESSES. Some of those dresses look long enough to possibly get caught in chains or wheels, and the girls are more likely to run into trouble if the bikes they are riding are so big their feet cannot touch the ground. Those girls will never be allowed to experience riding a bike in pants, so it hardly makes a difference anyways. I probably am being nitpicky here, but one of them is also wearing flip flops. That might be okay for short distances, but if one falls off or gets caught in the chain...ouch. I know few people who have gotten injuries from the bike and flip flops combination.

Those denim skirts are a special kind of awful. The flip flops and/or tennis shoes elevate the outfits even more.