Kaiju Ballet

Maybe a lot of this is being shown to justify why he's not performing at the level one would expect, given the fact that he's so well-known. I'm not sure why undercooked lamb can ever be forgiven over having a non-cohesive dish. Despite Tyler's babbling about dragons (I had a seriously puzzled expression over that), I did find his acknowledgment of Top Chef's positive effect on him as a chef to be gracious. I was really moved by Brother's story, and the pain he still seems to feel from that fifth grade memory. I'm glad that the show touched on how "heritage" can (still) be a source of shame for people who don't fall into the Epcot Center version of non-mainstream acceptability. This season does have really likeable contestants! I'm always relieved that Fatima delivers (especially if the worst thing that can be said is that the flavors are there but snobby judge has had better versions) Fatima seems absolutely delightful. Chris deserved that win, especially when we saw the contestants falling on the biscuits like a hungry horde of zombies. I was jealous of them!

This. From Radio Times article apparently Clara's appearance was the very last scene shot by Moffat.

Agree it's tough to say goodbye to Capaldi. And Bill. Love, love, love Bill. The special was loaded with great gems. Some for me were: “I don’t really know what to do when it’s not an evil plan.” Neither does Moffat. “One imagines those words are attached to some actual meaning of some sort” Archie says what I think a lot of the time. “Hello. You stupid old man.” Oh, it’s Clara. I couldn't stand her, but I’m kind of glad to see her here. “And don’t go forgetting me again, because quite frankly, that was offensive.“ And....we're back. Go away, Clara. “When you’re already dying, you’re entitled to think your day couldn’t get any worse, but here you are. “ A great LOL moment, directed at Nardole. Who would’ve thought that I would miss Nardole so much? “Now I’m all made of glass, not just my nipples.” Could do without thinking of Nardole nipples, though.

I liked the Twist. If it were a situation where 3 were not unanimously set against the 4th, it could effectively help preserve the vote of the person who became the last juror (for the person who won the advantage, even if Devon didn’t) It also was an advantage in which the holder could—and did, as we saw—“prep” the person she wanted to win. From what we were shown, Devon had every chance to win—he was given the opportunity to practice, but chose not to after his flint broke. He also chose the slower method of building a pile of magnesium chips. Two choices that he made that cost him. The jurors saw that the advantage was not shared with Ben, so Ben’s success was even bigger in that the challenge was a surprise to him. It also emphasized quite dramatically his coming back yet again after having his back against the wall. And selfishly, it made that tribal exciting for me, as opposed to a summary execution. I was surprised that Chrissy believed that she would beat Ben at Tribal in her TH. I think Devon was also a credible threat if she brought him to the Final 3. I'm curious who Ben would have voted for in that scenario. The difference, for me, between Chrissy vs. Ben’s “obnoxiousness”/poor social gameplay wasn’t a gender one so much as how Chrissy made it personal, whereas Ben would have behaved the same regardless of who was trying to get him out. (Note how three of the jurors that Ben supposedly had personal beef with still ended up voting for him) I hated the behavior from Joe, “I read your face. Thank you, babygirl” but I loved Lauren’s bluntness and being upfront that it was about the game, not the individuals. Also as others have pointed out, Chrissy seemed to feel that only she was allowed to make the moves that she was angry at other players doing. I wondered if they cut out from FTC any speculation that Chrissy was herself biased against women—or if that came mostly from interviews with pre-jury boots. And yes, that reunion was mostly a waste of time and teaser of what could have been, but not gonna lie. I did get something in my eye with the surprise reunion of Ben’s Marine Brothers.

That might have been why Chris Blue was featured so prominently the last few episodes and last night. His performance was definitely riveting, but the song itself was just another production element. Chloe is wise to put a lot of work and thought into the visual aspect of her performances. I love Billy Idol, but that duet was awkward to watch. I did enjoy Chloe's reaction to hearing that she was getting to duet with him, though. And speaking of "The Look" it was great that Jessie J chose an understated outfit when she emerged in the middle of Nedra Bell's performance. That made her stand out in a good way, and focused on her amazing voice in the midst of an already spectacular show. (Everyone in that piece sang brilliantly!) That duet beautifully highlighted Addison's tone. Miley must have felt a lot of pride that the top three were people originally on her team. I remember feeling surprised when Blake and Adam made their steals, so good on them, too!

AFAIC, Nedra Belle won the Voice.

I thought she kept going off-key in her original, which is a problem I've always had with her singing. Bette Davis eyes should have been done earlier in the comp. It's too monotonous for a finale, and maybe the staging made her sound as if she had to keep catching her breath? When she was singing into the mirror, it looked like the beginning of a routine from So You Think You Can Dance. I just voted for Brooke. I thought she deserved it, I've enjoyed her throughout the competition and last night she was probably the most consistent for me, followed by Addison. Adam's voice sounded shrill next to Addison, and I hated how he drowned her out. It's a shame, it's one of my favorite duets too. It was sort of anticlimactic when it finally happened. I would have rather she used her distinctive sound to make me see a well-known song in a different way. Miley is my fave, too. And I loved how it was mentioned that three out of the four finalists originated on Team Miley. I had a different take on Wrecking Ball--I thought it was generous of Miley to share that song with Brooke. To me, it requires more control over one's voice, and the song is so strongly linked with Miley (and that video!) that it was a great expression of how much Miley invests in her artists. It seems that the show does more elaborate staging for their anointed ones. I keep thinking back to Miley's pitch in the Blinds, "I will fight for you to get the songs you want" and maybe get the production that enhances the performance. After all, in previous seasons we know Gwen is all about the styling (eyeroll) but to me Blake's been the more canny one especially when it comes to artists who aren't country.

@SamAdegoke's been retweeting praise for speaking Yoruba with the actor playing his father. I loved that, too, and the scenes between Monica and Fallon. Both Monica's disgust at being turned into a cliche of a scholarship kid with a dad in prison, and the dad's about being stereotyped interlaced beautifully with overt-racist grandpa "I’m not a racist. I was just going to say that homosexual really can dance.” Campiness plus unexpected depth -- Happy Birthday, Jesus indeed!

I was really impressed with how that scene went down. Hakeem showed a huge level of maturity in agreeing to let Annika remain a part of Bella's life. Plus telling Annika to stop crying because she was upsetting Bella. Annika looked stunning in the both the white lacy shirt/pants outfit and the red dress, Hakeem and Jamal in tuxes on stage were delicious (they also were able to meld their completely different dancing styles into a seamless and entertaining performance), Cookie's dress from the ball--magnificent! The costume designer for this ep outdid him/herself. I've been increasingly in awe of Trai's acting, but with that pantymelting cover? More of him singing, PLEASE! After all, if Lucious recovered from his brain injury with synesthesia, maybe Andre's musical talent can also suddenly emerge? DD's comeuppance (and I loved her being referred to as DD from the stage!) was served Lyon-style and well worth the wait. I hope that Lucious thinks of Andre's confession as a result of the psychotropic drugs still in his system--that is, if he doesn't forget it altogether due to having more immediate things to worry about. Demi Moore looked scary as hell at the reveal. (Spoiled for me because of the preview or seeing her name in the credits so I kept expecting her to show up. Plus the needle in the neck isn't really Shine's MO) Also fingers crossed that Eddie's new need to make serious money at Empire doesn't foreshadow both Lucious and Cookie being stuck in a Misery storyline for the rest of the season. And writers, if that's where you're going, please remember that Eddie caused the strike that happened recently and the Empire staff may respect him as a music legend, but hate him as a person in charge. Thirsty is awesome. I like Becky in small doses, partially because for me GS is still limited as an actor. I still have trouble believing that she went from Lucious's PA to the head of A&R so quickly, whereas other actors give me less issues with even more ludicrous plot contrivances. Somehow I don't think we've heard the last of Diana....

Thanks for posting the video--I never would have seen it otherwise! :-) Interesting because I remember it being off-putting the first time she was shown meeting with Blake and he commented how she knew what she wanted. It's obviously paid off! I admire that, plus the fact that she was so gracious about dueting with Noah Mac. I really enjoyed that duet and wished Noah had chosen a better song and won the fourth spot. "Competent" is a perfect word for Red. I liked him in his blinds but he just wasn't memorable to me in subsequent performances. I was also unfamiliar with all the songs he performed, so that probably didn't help. Kudos to him if he actually did benefit from the coaching, and the connections he's made from being on the Voice. Like that. I did like Adam C even though he wasn't my cuppa. I don't have a heart, it seems -- I wasn't moved by his performance Monday night, but I was pleased he had a chance to sing for the save.

Great observation. I think that helps explain a lot of Chloe's popularity, since all of her productions have been showy and dramatic, and she's proven that she can put on a great show. Addison's a lot more understated, but since the emphasis on the voice vs a glitzy production is now flipped, she's been coming in second to Chloe. I also agree about Miley becoming a favorite coach, but I still like Blake for the obvious care he has for the members of his team. I still remember his surprise gift of guitars to each of the four members of his team a few seasons back and it seems people who've gotten to work with him continue to do so. I was impressed with Miley in her first season; this season she's been less about grabbing attention for herself away from the contestants in her attire (with a few exceptions. Still in denial about the pink ruffle thing) and more about what will make her team members performances memorable. I liked Jennifer's free coaching in the Blinds, and her unabashed enthusiasm for singers on other coaches' teams, but wasn't a fan of her song/performance. I started fast forwarding when she got up from the piano and padded forward on her bare feet, doing whatever she was doing with her voice. I missed that, and ugh. ITA, although I do like the fact that she's used her seventh place finish to remind people not advancing (Shi'Ann) that being eliminated is not necessarily the end of their singing careers. That's a perspective that none of the other judges can bring.

Thanks for posting this! Does "JHud Productions" have a reputation for helping contestants after the show is over, like Blake does? I'm imagining an alternate universe where Chris Weaver is being helped, and Noah Mac gets what he needs for actual success, however he defines it. (I don't think being in an ensemble Vegas show and taping infomercials driving around in a sponsored car fit his idea of success) Good point about Noah Mac's West Coast fanbase not really a factor in the twitter save. The writing was on the wall when Blake gave that impassioned plea to the Twitterverse to save Red. Adam L is not the greatest spokesman for his people (other than for Addison the Unicorn) --Why is he compelled to remind everyone that Adam C keeps getting to the bottom but fights his way back as if that's a good thing on this show? (I might be wrong--has there ever been a winner who was in more than two Twittersaves?) That Vegas thing they trotted out was.....not good. I want to believe that Miley means what she says about helping her contestants like Brooke, regardless of the show's outcome. I hope Miley will be back as a coach at some point. Speaking of Brooke, she looked stunning in that striped dress. I'm sorry for her that right now it seems Chloe is a lock to win, especially if Chloe gets a gospel song or something like Hallelujah.

This is a great analysis. In an earlier episode post, someone commented that they hoped this reboot does more with its move to Atlanta. I like their using the complex race relations that exist within Atlanta/South politics and economy to build story and characterization --so many more story possibilities already than in the original Denver setting. They're really building a lot of depth into Culhane's character and backstory, aren't they? Meeting the parents was so sweet. Agreed! He's the bitchier version of Alfred from Gotham. I keep thinking that the character might be a parody of all the trust fund kids running around being outraged about privilege, but I don't think the show wants us to laugh at Steven. I'm not sure what the show wants to do with Steven--whatever it is, so far it hasn't been entertaining or all that compelling to me. It doesn't help that the actor doesn't do it for me either--he's just there. Even when he's "kidnapped" I found myself hoping that it would be an opportunity to swap out the actor, rather than worried for the character. On the other hand, I like the actress who plays Crystal, even if I've been too lazy to learn her name. I just wish that we got more of a sense of why Blake fell in love with her, as its becoming more and more apparent that the person he thought he loved doesn't really exist. They went out of their way to show that she's not a golddigger, so maybe it's saying something more disturbing about Blake that he's smitten with a cypher? Elizabeth Gillies continues to knock it out of the part.

Mrs. Dubois has really set a new bar for villainy, with her lower-than-low blows and compromising the ethics of scores of people at this point. I'm enjoying the fact that she's even willing to destroy her nephew in order to get at her nemesis -- how far does her obsession go? Even Angelo seems cartoonishly unlikeable and due for some comeuppance at this point. (And Anika's not off the hook either) I hope Cookie's retribution, when it comes, is really delicious. That was an eye-opener about Shyne. This season he's really been on the right side of things--isn't this the same guy who was smacking Nessa around? But I agree with an above poster, that he's been shown as more of a father figure to Hakeem than Lucious. Hakeem desperately needs to grow up, apparently losing his daughter wasn't enough of a wakeup call. It was super-sweet to see him jamming with Jamal. I am still positively gleeful about this reveal. I also applaud the writers because we've seen Andre clearly have hallucinations before (eg. dead wife) so this reveal was shocking yet firmly rooted in the backstory they set up for Andre over several seasons. I was so caught up in the confrontation between the two that I was yelling "she's got to be wearing a wire, Andre. Don't make any admissions out loud!!!" On a bittersweet note, that baby in the prison hospital scene was absolutely adorbs. I was worried that the baby would be killed, so it was almost a relief to hear that she was put into the system.

ITA. He's still preferable (to me) than Chrissy. I also admire how he completely controlled the result of that Tribal--although I thought for sure that Devon knew he had an HII from that scene where he was making a fake one. The moment Lauren handed her shell to Mike, I almost expected cartoon music to come up. It was surreal, I was hoping she was giving him a fake necklace bit, anything other than her essentially ending her game right then and there. She was the person I was rooting for to take it all. Depending on whether Mike survives to FTC, it's definitely a move he made that influenced the game and casts a more favorable light on his earlier wack-ass moves. So far he has a better resume than Ashley. At this point it was the correct move for Ben to vote Lauren with her advantage off over Chrissy. Lauren is arguably the bigger threat/ vote getter at FTC than Chrissy.

My heart sank when I saw that she was going to be performing "At Last." I was cringing for her, she sounded off-key and stripped the song of any nuance. I think she knew she did poorly, in her mad dash off the stage -- suave move of Carson's to pull her back on, quite literally--to get her coach's notes. That said, it was kind of Jennifer to remind both her artists after the twitter vote that she had been voted off in seventh place. I also hope that Shi'Ann can get the training she needs. I feel like we watched her go through a growth spurt onstage over the course of this competition, but it just wasn't ever going to catch her up with the other contestants in time. I wasn't a fan of the Danielle performance, but it had more to do with the monotony of the song rather than her voice. I did like her glittery microphone. Wasn't familiar with Portugal the Man before this show, but liked them. Also wondered if Adam L was having moustache envy--the lead singer pulled off that look that Adam was trying so hard with weeks ago. I am also enjoying his pawing at Carson lately while Carson gamely ignores him--Carson's really good at his job ! (see again Carson's reining Shi'Ann back onto the stage after her disastrous Twitter Save performance).

There’s so much subcontext here to chew on, underneath a really entertaining episode. Calvin’s observation that Eddie treats him as if he’s picking cotton. Tory, grabbing the mike from a Porsha and preaching to a predominantly black crowd about standing up to the Man. The Black Aristocracy represented by BAMF Phylicia Rashad vs. The Hood Nouveau Riche of the Lyons. Eddie and Thirsty, side by side, a contrast in men in suits and how business is conducted Re: Cookie’s calling people “stoopid” and treatment of Porscha. For me, it's been a consistent way of showing the outrageousness and fierce maternal force of nature that is Cookie -- this is the same woman who took a broomstick to Hakeem in the first episode. There’s something sweet about Jamal’s response when she talks to even him that way, almost like he sees it as a mother lion swatting her cub playfully. It’s funny because whenever they show young Cookie, it’s hard to believe that’s the same girl. It didn't seem like that's how she was raised but that’s what she became when she was thrown out of her house and started a life with Lucius. That being said, I’m glad that Porscha finally stood up to Cookie. At that moment I really wondered, how is Porscha ever going to be able to come back from that? But it really was a great moment, where I think Cookie really heard her. Rather than respond like Eddie (which is what I expected Cookie to do) she acknowledged what was really needed – more overt respect and appreciation! -- and delivered it. The scene in the boardroom made total Empire OTT sense, in that Calvin didn’t even want to strike in the first place. The decision was forced on him by Eddie (and hooboy that’s going to play out, I’m sure) when Calvin was pleading with Cookie to intervene. I did think that Eddie was going to save the day by getting Lucious to do a stripped down album as the first release of 20x20. We’ve seen enough flashback scenes of Lucious in his home studio laying down tracks all by himself.

Has anyone ever implemented a secret agent plan like Devon did? That was absolutely brilliant, as was his strategizing on vote-splitting. That being said, Lauren became the frontrunner for me tonight (she'd been quietly growing on me). I also wouldn't mind Ben in the F3. Mike, Mike, Mike. SMH. I was hoping for some brilliant strategy to come out of your mouth back from Tribal, but nope. You might just end up at F3 as a goat. Ashley will have to get off the coattails and initiate some smart Big Moves(tm) soon if she wants to be a contender. Right now her best bet would be a F3 against Ryan and Mike. How out of context was her TH "It's my game to lose"? Or was it the alcohol? Are there gifs of Ryan's and Chrissy's shocked expressions anywhere? That almost made up for a lackluster season so far. I also loved their scrambling to team up with people that they've snubbed, only to get payback. Sweet!!! I'm just hoping that neither rebound enough to use it as part of their resume, and that everyone remembers that Chrissy won immunity and has a higher chance of doing it again than Ryan does.

Agreed, and it wasn't helped by Adam L's mugshot demeanor throughout the whole performance. One thing I appreciate about Miley is how generally exuberant she seemed to be singing with her team. Pass the tissue box over here. Awww, I enjoyed Blake's song. Maybe because I only really listen to country music on this show, and thought it was a sweet little love song. Agree about Jennifer seeming extraneous, although I thought her throwing a huge denim shirt (Blake's?) over her glamourwear was kind of cute. Then again, if they had used Miley that might have been kind of awkward as it was a love song about setting up a home and family together.

Cannot. Unsee. Drunk-acting. (Even though I did like Christmas List) It does explain a lot of the excessive mugging and face-pulling. I do prefer her to the earnest head nodding/head shaking Lacey Chabert though. I did laugh at that too. Setting aside the sheer contrivance of having the estate manager stay in the room that an actual family member uses, it seemed like a small, windowless storage room without any decorations. The bed was tiny, too, and looked like one of the set displays for Bed in a Bag from Bed, Bath and Beyond. I also laughed at the scene with Danica McKellar's character dressed in matching pajamas with her sister and mother. I know it was meant to show how close they were, but all I could think was "was there a sale?" The living room they were in was way more luxe than anything at the mansion. Wasn't this also reminiscent of the movie Sabrina, with Humphrey Bogart/Harrison Ford as the stick-in-the-mud older brother and William Holden/Greg Kinnear playboy younger brother? I don't know what it was about Andrew Francis, but his character never seemed like a serious contender from the get-go. I'm also a huge fan of Crown for Christmas, and this newer movie isn't even fit to be mentioned in the same sentence for comparison. The social awkwardness that worked in other films like CFC for Danica McKellar's character was almost unwatchable here. CFC would also have interesting direction choices, like closeups of the tea service while tea was being poured, as reminders that this was a luxurious setting even if corners were being cut elsewhere. As for Coming Home for Christmas--it was really hard to buy how DM's character was now a sought-after event producer on the basis of that lackluster holiday gala. They must have really rushed through production and filming--this same kind of slap-dash detailing wasn't noticeable in the director's other Hallmark movies. It did get points for acknowledging the sister's annoyance at losing out on the sale of the mansion, but that she would be getting other work. Might be worth checking out the CfC director's other 2017 fims: A Christmas Prince and Christmas in Evergreen.

I continue to be perplexed at the accolades thrown Chloe Kohanski's way. Maybe it's because I keep preferring the original versions (by far) of the songs she's given. While I liked her suit, I was distracted by the busy graphics and the thick chemical burn-looking makeup on her eyes. Unfortunately, I remember that more than her actual performance. Poor Shi'Ann. I initially rooted for her because she does have undeniable talent, but she's just not ready yet to perform at this level. It's almost cruel to keep her. When the backup singers started walking onto stage to join her, she seemed to look even younger, like a kid trying to hold her own unsuccessfully among grownups. Obviously it's not just a chronological age thing. Noah Mac was awesome in his performance and interpretation. In the opening montage, his speaking voice stood out from all the others--he wasn't featured as much but that little bit was golden. He's become the one I look forward to seeing. Addison was my big surprise of the evening. Her tones were so sweet and controlled, I wasn't even distracted by the cheesy visuals on the screen. Her styling was perfect for her too. The whole performance was enjoyable, and a true standout. I don't hate the opening spot going to Brooke and Janice closing the evening. Davon did well, although I still mourn not being able to see what Chris and Moriah would have done. Totally agree with Star Aristille's assessment of Keisha. I want to like her, but that performance was not something I could root for. It was a mash up that didn't work.

I'm still stunned at the loss of Chris. Wow, that song choice was pure sabotage. Just based on the previous week's rendition of I Put A Spell on You, I expected another perfect song choice, powerfully executed. There had to be some strategery going on, as with her comeback artist (who I also expected great things from) saddled with an impossible song. Lucas butchered one of my favorite songs by Prince, and there was no coming back from the moment he attempted that voice going upwards and ending in a "hiccup". I think he knew it too when he was performing. I also hated Chloe's rendition of Time After Time. I appreciated that the show made a huge point of showing that she put effort into making the song "her own" but it was still close enough (to me) that it invited comparison, and the more obvious tweaks felt like distractions where she veered from the original. Noah has really been the big surprise to me. That "leaked" performance was the right choice to hype up the night. I actually preferred his version over the original -- he's proven to be not only thoughtful in his arrangements, and gifted vocalist but he has the charisma as a performer to sell it. There was an earlier discussion comparing him to Hunter Plake, and I think Noah has the charisma, personality and depth in his voice that Hunter lacked. (Obviously I'm not a fan of Hunter's) I also think that he benefited from Jennifer being a much better coach than Gwen, just based on the technical advice J gives on singing and performance. Noah's growth and evolution on this show probably owes a lot to that.

Lol, I just looked it up to see that it's a real thing--I thought it was an elaborate sketch (ok, maybe I wasn't paying too much attention). I wasn't really aware of Blake before watching the Voice, but yes, I've grown fond of his personality and especially his awkward dancing since! And splashing around in the shallow end of the pool, what the heck was that thing on Adam's lip? I was so distracted--and I normally love listening to the coaching parts but I kept wondering if that thing was an alien life form, caterpillar or leftover Halloween porn 'stache. Re: Emily. Agree with the technical proficiency (near flawless), but lack (for me) of feeling. I just couldn't connect with her while she was singing. I also couldn't get it out of my head that she looked a lot like David Bowie, and would have loved to have heard her do a cover of one of his songs. Glad that Addison is staying around so I can get to "know" her better--this season has felt so rushed that I can't really remember too many singers until they perform.

Either would be awesome!!!! I already love Elizabeth Hurley playing opposite the OG Alexis herself, Joan Collins on the Royals. I'm a big fan of that OTT show, so I'm all in on Dynasty Redux! Another vote for more Nana Visitor here! She looked incredible in both episodes, and I agree her whisper to Crystal is a good sign that she might return. Maybe even become a hire or involved in some way with PR. I like the way the Fallon is written and acted, but her acceptance speech seemed a bit strange considering how savvy she’s otherwise been shown to be. Using the time to take a swipe at her stepmom, and antagonizing the main investor in her new start up? Weird, and inconsistent with the boss bish up to now I've been convinced she is. Her showdown with Blake emphasized that she hasn't been shown capable of playing the long game. That's a huge character flaw, but also an area where Alexis can step in and give her the mentoring she desperately needs. I hope it gets at least a few seasons. It's not Riverdale, hitting it out of the park within the first few episodes, but it's got potential. At least Sammy Jo seems more clearly defined (at least now that he has Anders getting all chessmaster with him). I’m really wanting to like Crystal, really I am. I like the fact that she’s Latina, and a business professional. (I wasn't a fan of original recipe Krystle) Jury's still out on her criminal backstory. But I feel like Crystal—and Stephen—are characters that the writers haven’t really figured out yet. There's not enough to her that I can see why Blake is so madly in love with her. This episode was about Crystal’s first day as a COO and her insecurities about it. Great premise, but it’s hard to take her seriously, because she hasn’t even been shown (other than the pilot) doing any job effectively. Her life on this series has been one PR disaster after another, but instead of springing into Olivia Pope mode -- or any other badass female character in a nighttime soap -- she reverts to a damsel in distress, albeit in really gorgeous clothes. While I cackled at her shoving Fallon into an open grave in a previous episode (still want that gif!), in this episode, her splattering Fallon with the champagne seemed juvenile. Like, that's how you're clapping back? Even Nana Visitor's brief screen time conveyed how much more ominous it is for people who cross her. As COO, her first concern should be that the video could hurt the company and not in trying to assuage her guilt in sexing up a sick woman's husband. Stephen--the character and actor seem to be placeholders. (Granted the original recipe Stephen seemed that way too) I kinda wish they'd recast and use the opportunity to make him more like a charismatic Chuck Bass type character, something with more dimension, except with a foundation to run.

I loved this episode, at least the part about the funerals and wedding. It resonated with me because Jessica's father was exactly how I see her -- completely pragmatic, blunt and accepting that their interactions had evolved over time to be exactly was needed from one another. I'm also distant with my relatives, and kinda envied the fact that Jessica and her dad had that understanding without worrying about what other people thought. Louis was insufferable here, although coming out of good intentions (and unresolved issues with his own dad). They got a lot of humor out of his attempts to force Jessica and her father to conform to having the kind of relationship that he felt they should have, but that didn't sit well with me. As others have commented, his lying about the father's impending death was surprisingly out of character; the seeming ease he felt doing it even more so. The irony was that helped demonstrate (at least to me) how actually way more honest the existing relationship between Jessica and her father was, rather than trying to force one that looked better to everyone else but was supremely uncomfortable for the only two people who should matter. I did find the triplets hysterical. I laughed out loud with the reveal of the sister's mini-skirt and her sassy sashay from the casket; another LOL moment was the "flower girl" nonchalantly tossing out petals from the basket attached to her walker.