Wyndsong

Wait, so every crew member on the Titan is under 25 years old except for the main cast? That seems...improbable. But this is just illustrative of the writing of this series. Nostalgia has helped to carry the series but it can only do so much. There's no sense of urgency, no plan, no logic. Like I said, I'm still here because of the nostalgia, but it's hard to handwave a lot of this away. Also, Wesley Crusher was my first TV crush. I'm bummed Wil Wheaton wasn't involved in some way. I still don't quite understand what happened to his character--and I watched season two where it was supposedly explained. That was even more of a mess than this season.

I'm still enjoying the show but I find Alex so annoying and don't care at all about her romance with Spencer. The never-ending peril -- Lions! Shipwrecks! -- it's just so over the top. Get them to the Yellowstone already and I might change my mind about them, or at least become more invested. I'm interested in what's happening in Montana. That's where the story is for me. I fear they might drag Spencer and Alex's journey out to the end of the season, unfortunately.

All I got from this episode was that Anson Mount is very attractive. Wow. Meh episode otherwise. Weakest of the season but so far enjoying the series.

This is my guess as well. Cassie seemed to rule her out because she had no back tattoo but temporary tattoos are a thing. And what other purpose does she serve this season? I've always been kind of meh on Kaley as an actress but she has impressed the hell out of me with this series.

I love this explanation. And I agree, the bond between brothers was beautiful. Ivar really came a long way as a character.

I like this. All three of Ragnar's remaining sons followed part of Ragnar's path. Ivar went out gloriously in battle, Ubbe found the new land and world that Ragnar always sought and Vitserk followed the Christian path that Ragnar flirted with. Ivar was not a character I liked but he carried the show after Ragnar died. The actor was charismatic and the character was fascinating. I also was a bit confused on why he essentially killed himself at the end. I thought he was doing something to save his brother but no I guess he just wanted to go out on his terms. All said and done, I'll miss the show and will probably check on the spinoff now that I know it exists.

This is my reaction to the entire season, especially the part about Father. He was so endearing.

My biggest problem with this show are the hand-picked titans. Aside from the first, the football player, they've all been unimpressive to varying degrees. They're just not suited to the challenge of Mount Olympus. Aside from Jessie Graf, I've never heard of any of them either. I doubt they bring in new viewers. If they have another season my suggestion would be to let the current division champs start the season as the Rock's titans and see if they can be picked off by the new challengers or defend their titles. We know they can handle Mt Olympus and are formidable opponents, the audience will already have a connection with them and it will make things a bit more exciting.

Since Charlie can't use the power of the loom on her own, I'm assuming Sara and Astra will somehow be able to help. I get the feeling Sara's new powers are tied to her interaction with Charlie's sister, and Astra was being groomed to be a replacement sister. I just love how unabashedly batshit this show is and how it all just works. I loved that it turned out to be a demon dog because of course it did. I don't dislike Ava but there's way too much of her this season and not enough Sara. The show needs to work on that STAT.

This isn't about differing political views. I don't share the same views as Bristol Palin or Rick Perry but wasn't bothered by their participation. Sean Spicer is different. He went in front of the cameras day after day to gaslight, obfuscate and straight up lie to the American people. That, to me, is unforgivable and I don't think he should profit from that. I suspect this is also why Tom objects.

ABC should have just cast Melissa McCarthy impersonating Sean Spicer. Now that would have been fun.

BoycottDWTS is trending on Twitter right now. Spicer's involvement is even being discussed on political shows. A lot of people are bewildered and/or downright pissed by his involvement. It's a new low. I realize they've had political figures on in the past but this is different to me. Spicer is on another level. He doesn't deserve redemption.

I'm furious that they cast Sean Spicer. DWTS is my feel-good, joyful show. Spicer is disgusting and for the first time I'm thinking about not watching. The only way this could possibly be redeemed is if he's paired with Jenna and they go out on the first week. Show, why would you do this?

I don't think Julianne owes Amber an apology either. The whole thing was ridiculous. They put Julianne on the spot just as much as Amber, and it wasn't fair to either one of them. I thought Julianne explained her point without needing to apologize. Her job is to critique the dance. That's what she did. How Amber took that criticism is on her. And I say this is someone who doesn't even like Julianne. As far as the dancing, I like James the best. Laurie is amazing, no doubt, but she's actually ruining the season for me. She's so good that it seems like a foregone conclusion that she'll win, and that takes the fun out of it. She's deserving of it certainly, but it takes all the suspense out of it.

As usual, I was more interested to hear which pros were returning than anything about the so-called stars. Bummed that Mark is sitting out. I couldn't stand him at first but he's really grown on me. I also used to like Val and Maks but both have started to bug. Not happy Maks has returned. Glad to see Gleb back, especially if it means that Tony finally takes a season off. Derek...sigh. He's never going away is he? Also very happy Emma has returned. I just wish she'd be given a contender just once. Sadly, she'll probably be the first out. Cheryl and Ryan will be interesting, though possibly not in a good way. I'm going with Rick Perry as first out, which makes me sad for Emma but glad he's gone. No one in the cast really excites me but that's usually how it goes. As the season goes on, I'll find a favorite.

If this is true, why do they keep torturing us with it? I wish they would just get rid of it entirely.

I was underwhelmed. Too many contemporaries, and the freestyles themselves had to be pared down to the basics to make them seem different from the big productions we've seen all season. That seems backward to me. Ginger: I think she did okay with the crap Val gave her. What was he thinking with that freestyle? So boring. But Ginger is rather unforgettable and boring so I guess it makes sense. She is a competent dancer and deserved her place in the finale but I never warmed up to her. Sorry she was injured though. Nyle: I like Nyle well enough but I wasn't impressed with either of his dances. Quickstep is clearly a tough style for him, though he did improve on his first quickstep. I can see why people loved his contemporary but I hated it. I just don't get the style. It's so overwrought and melodramatic, and just plain ugly to me. Too much throwing each other around and not enough softness for me. Despite this, I think the 10s were deserved. Not my favorite, but I can see why others loved it. The best part was the song. Disturbed's version of the song is my current obsession so I was happy to see it on the show. Paige: Paige's salsa was awesome. That's what I wanted to see from her in the freestyle. What was Mark thinking with that boring contemporary? I liked it better than Nyle's because it was softer and more lyrical but I still was disappointed. She is a firecracker and he should have tapped into that. I think Nyle has this wrapped up, and I'm okay with that. He is what the show is about. No dancing experience, a great partnership and journey, and an important message. People eat that up. It doesn't hurt that he's good-looking. Paige will likely come in second. I gave her all my votes and would prefer her to win. She had her own growth, though it was internal. When she started off she was timid with Mark, uncomfortable with the emotion and touching, and now she is doing lifts with no hesitation and her partnership with Mark is touching. What she gained from this show will stay with her forever and was a delight to see. Ginger should get third. I think she is a nice, genuine, and warm person, a good dancer and has worked hard. She should be proud of how far she's come.

Hayes' elimination reinforced why I don't like having children on the show. While he did better at keeping it together than poor Willow did on her season, he was still heartbroken. What does that have to do to the self-esteem of someone that age? You're a good dancer but America didn't like you enough. I watch this show for the cheesy fun, not to watch children get their souls crushed. It really takes a lot of the fun out of it.

Now that I think about it, it was obvious Gary was going home as soon as they showed Carlos as the other one in jeopardy. They're still doing the not necessarily the bottom two thing, right? If Carlos was going home, no way the producers could resist putting Alexa in jeopardy with him. Oh the drama! I guarantee when it comes time for one of them to be eliminated, that is exactly how it will go down.

Bindi's partnership with Derek is actually making me like him. I didn't think that was possible, but I like how gentle and protective he is with her. This is a side of Derek I needed to see. For once, he's putting the focus on his star and not the other way around. I admit I teared up during a couple of the dances, but nothing really stood out to me. I'm glad Gary went instead of Carlos. Carlos needs a big breakout dance or I fear he will be going soon, Andy too.

I think it's time they give up on any pretense of casting stars. Most of these people don't qualify, in my mind. I think the same format but with regular people would work just as well. Look at shows like American Idol, the Amazing Race. People pick their favorites based on personality and skill. They seem to be open to it with the casting of people like Noah and this new train hero. Just go all out. I can't say I'm excited about any of these "stars." Bindi is probably the one I'm most looking forward to but I'm not a big Derek fan. So many of them are sleazy reality "stars." Despite my affection for Dancing With the Stars, I loath reality TV. On the plus side, at least there's no clear front runner. It really is wide open right now.