frenchtoast

That makes sense, too.

I really appreciate that this episode is not just some random adventure--even it is sort of structured that way--and instead included how everyone is handling all the stuff that has happened since the beginning really. They are not in a good place and it's hard. I'm glad to see that all that has happened before has not been forgotten and it's being shown how it is affecting them. I really hope they get the Marauder back. And finally, I'm trying to understand the episode title. I'm going with they, as a team, are in the middle of making a change and moving to something different and therefore crossing into something new. I guess?

@paigow I didn't see it, my husband told me. He was looking up to see if the voice actor that plays Omega played Chuchi which I knew she didn't he just wanted to see. It's the same actor from Clone Wars. But given that voice actors will have many roles in an episode--Rampart's actor voiced one of the Pantoran guards which I picked up on right away--he was just poking around to see who did what and somehow found that. And I was shocked because I didn't think the actor was that old. Either way, he's apparently been doing a lot of stuff. And to hear that the title and to see your avatar was a little jarring. Fun, but weird. Like the cake with Enterprise written on the Millenium Falcon.

Glad to see Echo follow his heart and do what he feels he needs to do. But the BB will be the lesser for it. Though I do hope it means we get to see more of Rex and Cody. Hahahahaha! Rampart got played. But holy crap, Palpatine is such a huge manipulator. Yeah, asshole, they followed orders, as you knew they would. And screw you, Rampart the Clones did too and they got screwed same as you. So...welcome to the Empire. My husband thinks Rampart will be killed. I don't think Palps or Tarkin would feel it would be worth it. He was a good antagonist so that will be missed. OH! And holy cow just parade Omega in front of him!! WHAT? I guess he was never given that information all that time he was on Kamino. But that's a risk that should have been avoided. I was kinda hoping that they would fly the Venator because that would have been awesome, but then I realized they meant the escape pods. Hahaha, Wrecker still isn't good with heights. (Gotta admit, I'm with him though).Great two episodes. I have a feeling there will be some more filler episodes following which is a bit disappointing. They did say tired of waiting on Cid. And now Echo is gone, so maybe it won't be entirely filler. ETA: @paigowEvery time I see your avatar, I smile. Love me some Q. While checking the voice actors for the episode we discovered that the actor who voices Bail Organa was on Encounter at Farpoint. Which is mind-blowing to me. And I thought, given your avatar, you might find that interesting.

Yay, Rex. And Senator Chuchie. And Senator Organa. I do like the intrigue episodes. And Rampart is so smug. Seeing him get annoyed with her was awesome. But why was Organa meeting with her so secretly. That seemed a little forced. The filler episodes haven't been terrible but I really do appreciate these wider world episodes. Those clones at the bar, talking with Chuchie, it was hard to watch. Seeing her realize that these Clones were indoctrinated to just be soldiers, to only want that. To realize that they will perhaps outlive being a soldier and what that might entail and how bewildering that is. I mean, even Omega doesn't say family she says squad. It's so depressing.

I mean, he was shown in the trailer so I'm glad we got to see him again. I guess? I never particularly liked that youngling arc--circus performers, really? It was also when Hondo really started to wear out his welcome for me. One thing I did notice is they were using live rounds, not stun. Which, yeah, those are not guys you stun. Poor Tech relegated to exposition once again. Though, do we really need an explanation of Order 66 again? I did appreciate that the minute he reached out for his lightsaber the guys were going to take him with them but they also understood Gungi's fear and mistrust. I liked how there was no hemming and hawing or debating. They were going to help the Wookies full stop. This episode was animated beautifully, too. That flickering flame on the thrower. Dang.

Greyhounds have a particular muzzle for that issue, but maybe there is something similar for other types of dogs? My greyhound have the basket muzzles without the stool guard. Basket muzzles allow dogs to receive treats and drink but they can't cause any damage when playing with other greyhounds. When the greyhounds are let out in a group to play be they racers or a group of retired racers, they are muzzled because even in gentle play their thin skin can easily tear. Some of the adopters I know use the stool guard when they let their dogs are out because they will eat the poop. The hounds are acclimated to it, it's not a punishment so it works out well. I believe in some countries dogs are muzzled while on leashed walks so they can't just graze on the sidewalk. A muzzle would allow Cosmo to sniff to his heart's content but prevent him from eating dangerous stuff. I know muzzles get a bad rap because most people associate them with aggressive dogs, but after being around greyhounds so much muzzles became a tool like a leash and harness.

I hope they're not giving Tech a lot more time to just kill him off. Because that would make me very unhappy. So, we got a pod race episode. I hope all this talk about Cid not being trustworthy starts nudging them towards joining Rex or something more meaningful for them. If I'm being generous, it's a nice light episode after such a dark one.

That's true. It just seemed like more time had passed with the boys and Omega than when we see Crosshair. A month on Kamino (or longer?) and then recovery. But yeah, Rampart was playing him so it had to be following the heist. But he could have taken a long time to recover and who knows, maybe he was sitting around waiting to get back in and Rampart was dicking around with him. Oh, and it was good to see Clones working like the highly skilled soldiers they are. What a waste. What an absolute loss and waste.

I really hope so. And I hope we get to see it. A friend texted me that it was another dark Clone Wars episode and it sure did feel like it. I just hope Cody learns about the chip because he deserves that. So good to see him again. And hey, we got to see Rampart again--hope he shows up more. He's so deliciously smarmy. Is this show an anthology like Clone Wars or is it chronological? Because this seemed like it would have happened before the war chest heist.

The guy who shot him is Vice-Admiral Rampart who arranged Orn FreeTaa's assassination attempt last season. And then blamed Cham Syndulla for it in order to take control of Ryloth. (Orn Free Taa was in an uneasy power sharing alliance with Cham Sydulla from the Clone Wars so there was definitely tension.) He also is in charge of the War Mantle project wherein the Clones are being replaced by recruited soldiers/conscripts. I believe they are referred to as TK troopers, but the whole hierarchy is weird to me. Oh, he was also the officer who is charge of blowing up the cloning facilities on Kamino. I hope we see more of him--I like seeing more baddies from the Empire than just Tarkin. I think what's interesting is that he wanted badly to destroy them following what happened on Ryloth but it seems he's putting his ambition ahead of revenge and would rather not any effort into finding them/punishing them. It does also mean that Crosshair did not inform Rampart that the Batch survived the bombardment which may be interesting going forward. Of course it may be a dropped thread, too. Also, Tech took out a trooper with a freaking broken leg. Hot damn. Tech has always been my favorite but holy hell he was kind of a badass this episode. I think Echo understands better than anyone what it feels like to be a weapon used against one's will. And I would imagine he would like to save as many as he was saved. I also think that's why they use stun instead of bolts/bullets whatever it is. The soldiers--clones or otherwise--really are just being used and they have a certain amount of sympathy. Also, if you want to stay under the radar not leaving a trail of bodies helps. Thieving is one thing. Killing is another. And the killing is what will grab attention.

My daughter had strep last week/weekend. We mentioned how surprised we were to the doc and she said it's been going around lately, more than the flu or Covid. We were also a bit surprised because daughter had gotten her tonsils out a few years ago. Yes, you can still get strep but it certainly helps reduce getting it. Not for my daughter, sadly. And it's the first time she' been sick in over 2 years, so there's that. Last year she wore a mask at school and this year she decided not to.

In the Jill and Derick topic, @Zella said about naming the kids: I just have to say I unintentionally named my two kids A-names. And then found out they were the names of the victims of Lizzie Borden. (If Lizzie Borden actually killed her father and stepmother). We lived not far from Fall River (had jury duty there within a stones throw of the house) and my daughter was appalled when she discovered the link. It was also unintentional. I did get a little bit of shit about the names we chose though not because of the two reasons listed above. I can totally understand why parents choose not to announce the names until after the baby is born because holy cow is it frustrating.

I believe the actual word incel is a portemanteau of involuntarily celibate. But they are a big online menace who feel women owe them attention and sex and that feminism ruined their lives etc. The person who went on a rampage in Toronto a few years back self-identified as an incel. While I don't Tim adheres to the entire philosophy, the rage and the view of women lines up.

The trailer for season 2 dropped which means I have to start speculating. So, not sure if this is valid but there is some talk that that is Cody with Crosshair at the 33 second mark. (And 44 seconds and 47) If that's Cody....that's going to be tough to watch. Crosshair was a dick prior to Order 66--he picked fights with the regs pretty often. But Cody was not like that. Cody knows Crosshair--he called the Batch in during the Clone Wars. Seeing Cody perhaps confront Echo and maybe even Rex? Hurts my heart. But hey, Rampart is back so that should be interesting. He's a pretty good villain--cold, calculating, and while he'll kill and destroy to achieve ends, he rarely gets his hands dirty. Seeing him shooting a blaster was interesting. And lastly, with the helmet on, Omega looks a lot like Boba. Which, she should, I guess it's just easier for me to see without her hair.

I had been seeing/hearing that Bad Batch was going to be unceremoniously dropped because it was having issues or some such. So seeing a trailer and a fall premiere date is wild. I am looking forward to it. Taking some speculation to the speculation topic.

From the Jill and Derrick thread: I just had to note that I lived in MA and we paid about 4,000/year in property taxes on a little over a quarter of an acre and 2,000 sq ft house. Here in TX, we pay about 12,000/year on less acreage (it's like 7000 sq ft lot) and a slightly larger house. And the whole spiel that we'll save money because there's no income tax is a hoot and holler because...no. We are paying waaaay more in taxes. Also, sales tax is more here. I am not familiar with AR but it would seem it would probably be less but like @Zella pointed out the taxes are going to have to be raised quite a bit to keep up with services. Cost of living is a weird thing and it really does vary a lot between states. But holy cow I need to shout loud and long about how people think moving to TX will be cheaper than living in MA. It is in no way cheaper and quality of life is not the same either.

Taking reply to Small Talk

I saw that on the Weather Channel yesterday morning! It's unreal. Had to show my husband who is big into trains.

I love Dr. Kat. Her history of the month round is probably my favorite thing of 2021.

The couch we had before we bought these LaZBoy couches were loose and I hated it because they moved. Both the seat and back cushions are attached in our current couches and that has its own issues--can't always get what drops in there and I know there are crumbs that I'll never get to. As for getting used to a dog, @laurakaye, I second the walking and feeding. Especially the walking. And toss treats as you're walking and hopefully seeing how thrilled the dog is (most adore walks and treats) it might make you more comfortable? You're also moving, the dog isn't solely focused on you but it knows you're there, and you can get closer or increase distance as you feel necessary. And maybe play outside a bit, too (with your daughter around). Something that you can do where you're not in a confined space and the dog is doing something it loves will hopefully create a positive feedback loop.

Three years ago we bought new couches from La Z Boy. Initially I was pretty sure I wanted leather but we were shown a fabric made from recycled plastic that we liked a lot and it was easier to care for than leather. I needed something that had recliners and these function in such a way that you don't need much space behind in order to deploy the footrest. I don't know that I'll be able to find the information but I'll see if I can dig it up. The couches themselves are pretty plain and bland looking, but I do like that I can vacuum under the couch without having to move them. The recliner is electric and is sooooooo slooooooow and the vacuum grabs that cord so that can be annoying, but overall, I'm very happy with the couches. And they are very easy to clean.

Yes, I knew they were linked with some pretty terrible stuff, including being assholes about health insurance, too. (There was a Supreme Court case and they can deny birth control coverage to their employees. Assholes) And I also avoid WalMart if I can (and I usually can) and never eat at Chick Fil A either. Or what @jcbrown said. It's a shame because there is a yarn I would like to try that is a Hobby Lobby brand but I will not step foot in the store.

Yeah, it would be great but this neighborhood and our former neighborhood are full of kids having so much fun there is just no way we could do that. Not as many people decorate here and I don't know if it's an HOA thing (they'll ding you for decorations too early) or just a low interest thing. We did a lot with our old house but we cut back significantly here. We still had decorations and Mr. Toast could not resist using the fog machine but it was definitely less.

I bought 4 bags of candy and we are nearly out. We may run out this year. Ugh.