badabingo

I used to work for a different studio producing network shows, and I would track common themes that online respondents would say and send them upwards to the big guys making decisions. I can't speak to how much they took those comments into account, but I imagine ABC/Disney has someone similar to my former position on their payroll. Unfortunately, a lot of TV decisions are guided by numbers, not quality. As long as the ratings come back with a sizable viewership, studios don't care if the fans are happy or not. Scandal suffered a pretty bad slump for the majority of season 6. It returned to a normal rate towards the end, which probably told the show runners that everything is fine.

I thought the second half of s5 and the first half of s6 were just flat out boring. But I think the last few episodes actually connected of this season. We will never see Scandal hitting the mark with season 1-2 accuracy, but I thought they managed to pull it together at the end. People seem to forget that the show is called Scandal. If you want something without the corniness or unrealistic plots, then go watch House of Cards.

Meh... I feel like the first half was so weak. It felt like Shonda betting on classic dynamics that have worked in the past, but are now just plain tired. Mama Pope is dynamic and arresting, but they threw so many pointless monologues at her. don't get me wrong, I loved what she was saying. The part about cultural appropriation? YQY. But it had no purpose. Were we supposed to believe that after 15 minutes of being kept in a cell, she went so off the wall to drag society for miosgynoir? She spent like 20 years in a cell not as roomy and successfully to escaped. It was like the writers said, "Oh, fans love Maya? Let's fill twenty minutes with a coo coo for cocoa puffs soliloquey and they will love it because they love her." I would have liked Fitz's talk with Mellie about when he was shot. It was moving, except for the fact that he left out what really happened. They hated each other's guts in the car. If my memory serves me well, literally the last thing he said before he got shot was a snide comment to her. Did like Quinn's pregnancy. That was unexpected and very well executed. But the second half was beautiful. Fitz's final goodbye to the White House? Geez, I was crying. The scene with Luna was so delicately acted that I knew something was off. I just didn't recognize that I knew something was off until Cyrus revealed himself. I loved the final scene with Olivia and Cyrus where they recognized the monsters in each other. Game recognizes Game. 30 minutes before it ended, I was wishing that they solved the big bad and the Fitz/Olivia scene was the series finale. But after that ending, I guess I don't mind another season.

It was nice to get some closure on the parent's and their situation. The kids and Mickey are so much fun I kind of forgot that their parents were still MIA. And oh, god, how awful they are. Poodle is full of just as much shit as Mickey, she just makes the perfect villain. The only thing I worry about is how it ended. I hope they live in the city apartment or get a home insurance check. A change of scenery would be nice, but I am not interested in watching them struggle with being poor. The comedy of them being spoiled and rich... and getting away with it, was what made this season so funny.

I knew from the first scene of Kenneth getting JJ into his apartment that this episode would be equal parts hilarious and heartwarming. Ray's explanation for wanting a robe was funny, but I found him and Jimmy's mini-plot to be boring and, well, awkward. But what a nice conclusion to the cliff hanger they left us on three weeks ago. I think that the DiMeos were well meaning. The conversation was more about how they deal with his independence than JJ himself. They weren't saying, "JJ will do this..." They were saying "What will we do..."

tbh, the first scene had me gagging. we could have gotten the message that he was a cheating bastard without the visuals of Geoffrey Rush banging a secretary. Other than that, I thoroughly enjoyed the premiere. It is smart and thought provoking. I thought the parallels between the beginnings of Nazi Germany and our current political climate to be sobering.

I honestly really liked that Maya immediately held JJ responsible for cheating. She didn't coddle him or blame the teachers. She knows his intelligence and pushed him to try. Kenneth's longing for academic success was hilarious as well!

I like how this episode covered how politics mix with human emotion and complicates things. With Penn Moder seeking out the white mom and the current governor backing Joey's mom, what should be about their loss is now a political swamp. Well done.

I think the writers felt pressure to wrap everything up so quickly. The recent episodes feel.. very.. condensed. But other than that, I'm happy with where it ended. While I do want more from these characters, I know its probably for the best if it doesn't return for season 7....

It was nice to see a different side of Sabrina. Underneath that cool bitch persona is someone really struggling with her emotions. Also worth it to see her snap back into her old self at the end.

I think the production of it all is lacking. It has a cheap networky feel to it. I think the material would have been much better handled on Netflix or premium cable. The actors are great, but some of the writing is hokey. With that being said... I am in love. It is so important that this topic is being aired on a network (with seemingly no limitations to content). I like even further how they set it up as opposing cases of police brutality (or possible police brutality in the Campbell case). The Blythewoods are entering a complex narrative that blurs racial lines and political allegiances. I am intrigued and interested at what is to come.

Idk...This episode seemed to cross the line between dark comedy and just plain dark. Maybe it is because Ben wasn't present with his adorable cuteness.