frenchtoast

Depends on who you ask, I think. I enjoy it for what it is. It's not great or groundbreaking television. I let all of the completely unrealistic and nonsensical stuff go right past me. It's just a bit of fun with the family. I liked Agent Carter, too, but that was lucky enough to have fewer episodes, so it was tighter storytelling.

No need for spoiler tags in here. I tagged the topic so people would understand there will be discussion about what will happen to Cromwell, Henry and all the rest of the characters in the book that will be released (looking forward to it!) and the episodes that will be made following the book. So rather than tagging the posts, the topic has the big warning that spoilers will be here.It's a site policy--lesser known history, like in the Vikings, should get tagged since it essentially gives away plot. So this is like a spoiler topic in another forum, even if it actually happened hundreds of years ago. I hope I cleared that up? (And I removed the tags that I forgot to after I moved the posts. That probably caused the confusion. Sorry!)

Let's move on from the teddy bear charity, and by extension, the debate about how best to give to charity.

Heads up folks, I moved some posts to the new History topic created. It's a fascinating time period, and I hope there are some excellent discussions.

Here's a place where we can discuss how Henry came to the throne, how he ruled (and how the various courtiers and advisors behaved) and how each wife met her end. Basically, the history of the time, including his children and his predecessors. The spoiler tags are for those that don't want to know how it all ends up.

What great news!

Folks, please be careful about posting about the family and not each other. Phrases like, "You think" and "You all say" etc area bound to be taken badly. "I like the Duggars" and "I think the family is a fine example" are fine because they are what your feelings and not other posters. Thanks!

I know we can get stuff online. It's just not fair that walking past the boys stuff in Target--loads of stuff. Walking past the girls stuff, not so much. But, yeah, they're not marketing to girls/women and they don't care. She's not really interested in toys, but she would notice that they switched out Widow for Cap in that toy set and wonder why they would do that. Because seriously, that makes no sense.

It didn't feel like a cliffhanger to me. If they had left it with him walking into the tunnel with the box of drug paraphernalia then it would have been the cliffhanger of did he use or not. But for this I feel like we're left with the idea that there will be fall out from his actions next season and left to speculate what it will be. Much in the same way that last season ended with Sherlock and Joan going in different directions. It wasn't a cliffhanger, we knew they were separate, it was just setting up the for the next season. I get the same feeling. At first, I thought the conversation with Alfredo's mom was somewhat out of place. I appreciate now that it was there to show how friends and families still love and live with addicts and their actions when they relapse.

I don't know how much self loathing I can take next season. He was so genuinely disgusted by himself as an addict, how he talked about himself and he never wanted to see that again. It reminds me when he was talking to Joan about his sobriety date. The control matters to him and he didn't have it. It is completely understandable why he didn't, but he hates that about himself. I think Joan was trying to say that he does such good work, he helps so many people, that he can't be defined by the failure. But I understand why it matters to him. And right now, I don't care that Oscar might be dead. What he did was so heinous and cruel.

It would not surprise me at all if he used. The talk with Alfredo's mother was sort of like Chekov's gun, no? I don't want him to, he was trying so hard. But I think everything that had happened--not just that day, but everything with Kitty and Watson and Andrew and Alfredo--it became too much for him and at that moment, I think he escaped. It breaks my heart, but it's not out of the realm of possibility. In fact, it's more probable that he would relapse, sadly. I'm just glad Watson is there with him. What a way to end the season, by hinting at Papa Holmes? I don't know what they'll do next, but that episode will take a bit to digest. Also, I want to kick Oscar in the head a few times, too.

I got the feeling that it was meant sarcastically. Either way, I'm happy that he's not all angsty, or at least, not all the time. All of the villains seem to be their own brand of crazy and it can be a hoot to watch. I wouldn't want to ever be in the same room with them, but they are highly entertaining. And Ward does add a nice bit of tension to story, so I'm good with it.

If you see a mod note, please don't discuss it or argue it in topic. We do try to be discreet. If you have a question, please ask a mod via PM. You can find the mod team in the pinned topic.

I saw it again on Saturday and it did make it a better movie for me, though I couldn't laugh with most of the audience at the first, "Didn't see that coming?" because I'm bummed he died. But, after the first time I saw it, it felt disjointed. I described to someone as a series of vignettes kind of linked together by battles. But on second viewing, knowing the main plot lines, it was much easier to get the tone and feel of the movie. I actually enjoyed it more. I remember walking out of Winter Soldier and nearly buying a ticket for a second showing. I didn't feel like that after Ultron. But after a second viewing, I'm really looking forward to the Blu-ray release to be able to see it again. One thing that I think is just me, but I get the feeling that the image of the fallen Avengers that Tony saw is the flip side of the monument that we see during the credits. It just feels like such a hopeful way to end a somewhat depressing film. Even though they "won" it feels like they lost some of the friendship and team that they had built. It's still there, but like Clint said, they took a hit and they're not over it. They still have the friendship and team work, but they need time away to see how they fit together now. I can see why there wasn't a shwarma scene at the end. It wouldn't have felt right. Even with a second viewing, I still feel like Ultron's feelings and motives aren't quite fully developed. As great as Spader is, the character still feels thin to me.

Are you me? Because I've said that too. But, yeah, those Crest commercials do nothing for me because I could give a flying pig whether or not I pass muster with my effing hygienist. And my hygienist and dentist have been awesome to me, but still. No. And I hate those whitening commercials too. Eff you, I'm going to drink coffee and red wine and I don't care that it's staining my teeth. To bring this back to commercials that I don't understand, I never understand perfume commercials. Most of them are just headscratchers for me.

Folks, if you're going to talk about Josh and David Waller, please take it to Josh's topic. Or the Sweet Fellowship if talking about David Waller and Josh. (And yes, given the comments just preceding this, I did just giggle at that.) Thanks!!

Please folks, the Duggars are the topic here, not their fans. Commentary about their fans and what they post is not only off topic, but it just invites a flame war which we don't want. So, please, let's keep it to the Duggars.

Heads up folks, I moved some posts over to the Small Talk topic.

I'm just glad that the show is entering this discussion showing both sides, and give both sides equal validity and weight. It never felt anvilicious to me, but it did surprise me and make me think and I've enjoyed reading the debate. It's too bad we only have two hours of the show left, but I do look forward to next week because I don't think it will be resolved, and next season will continue the discussion. Hubby and I felt for sure that it wasn't Bobbi that was Iced initially. We thought she tricked Kara somehow. So that was a surprise when we saw her on the floor. And I really need to hang out with Coulson, Hunter and Fitz. It's interesting to see how Fitz and Simmons are starting to come back together but also realize there are some differences between them. They've changed, and that's a good thing because no one is static. But it's sad to see how they might never bridge that chasm. They'll still be friends, but never as close as they once were.

HundFan said in the Jill's Delivery Topic: Contractions are discomfort!?!? WHHAAAA?? I went to two classes--Lamaze and a Childbirthing Preparedness Class (basically this is what we'll happen, here's how to swaddle, infant CPR) The Lamaze teacher was awesome--c-sections have saved countless women, the goal is a safe and healthy mom and baby. Whatever you need to do. The nurse that taught the Preparedness class said something that stuck with me and was true: You'll hit a point in labor, when you're in transition (contractions are really intense, they're coming in rapid succession and you're not pushing yet) that you will think you can't do it. And she was absolutely right, and I was so thankful she said that because I remembered it as I was saying to my husband, "I don't think I can do this." For both labors, even though I knew what was coming with the second, I had that moment of, "Oh shit, I can't do this." I am truly grateful to have been given support and instruction (and I even took a refresher course with my second) because dang, no one should ever feel guilt or shame for bringing a life into the world. Ever. As a side note, for my first, I wasn't allowed to push for an hour, so pushing was a huge relief for me. Contractions as a discomfort. HA! It reminds me of my orthodontist saying the braces aren't painful, it's just pressure. Bullshit. It's painful pressure then.

I moved some posts over to the Gimme That Old Time Religion topic since the conversation turned to religion. Hopefully, the conversation will continue there because it was very interesting. Thanks!

I enjoyed the movie, but I'm really starting to see the Marvel Villain Problem. Because as much as James Spader was awesome as Ultron, I didn't really get what he was doing and why. And thinking about it, the only villain that I understand is Loki which is problematic since he's essentially just whiny, petulant and resentful. I love him, Tom Hiddleston is fantastic, but it's probably not a good if there's only one memorable and understandable villain. We should remember more about the villain than they are the Maguffin. Honestly, I'd rather watch that the arms dealer and the Twins wreak havoc then listen to Ultron ramble. I'm most likely going to see it again. (Might be my Mother's Day present, which given the recent discussion I find kind of hilarious) I hope I can figure out Ultron better.

I think it's a knock on Apple--Android is available on lots of different devices etc. And Apple is very proprietary. At least that's what I took Be Together Not the Same to mean.

I mean clothing. It also goes for women's clothing, too. I shouldn't have to look and search when it's out in front so much for guys.

I see their point, but I think they're lacking context. Bruce and Natasha were surrounded by an idyllic family (that Clint had hidden) and they were responding, emotionally, to something they could never, ever have. They've done terrible things and no matter what they do, they don't think they can ever find that oasis that Clint has. That's a big loss, and they were sharing it. And, personally, I don't see why it somehow weakens her character to say she wants children. Now that she's more of an adult, and has formed relationships with her fellow Avengers, most especially Clint, I don't see how it makes her less of a feminist to say, I am feeling that loss. Is she only allowed to be a super hero by not having desires that are pretty normal? That's a tough sell. Which isn't to say her only worth comes from birthin' babies and the movies have never shown that. I just think condemning her for wanting children is kind of taking away her chance to be a fully formed person. On the flip side, I am really angry at the marketing. Seriously, we'd like all of the Avengers, including Natasha. I'd like to see merchandise that my daughter can purchase in her section--and not just Black Widow stuff. Cap and Iron Man and Thor stuff, too. She doesn't want Elsa stuff, she wants Iron Man stuff. They're losing money, because parents are willing to pay for it. When we can find it. Heck, she really wants Groot stuff and we can't find that in her area. It comes down to buying it in the boy section which is stupid.