Souris

I am ALL about the Yul/Sophie and Yul/Wendell alliances. Calm, low-key people for the win! It was kind of weird seeing so many people being all “Who do you want to vote out? I don’t know, who do you want to vote out? I don’t know, who do you want to vote out?” I just want Michelle voted out. Still bitter she won instead of Aubrey. I would like to have seen Earl play again. Seriously, how do you not vote out Boston Rob first? And then Sandra? (idol notwithstanding) I find Tony the most annoying. He can go anytime.

That was the most seamless live ep I’ve ever seen! I kept forgetting it was live. Really, really well-done by all involved! Even the kids nailed it.

Brian Boitano posted a longer version of that undercover video I mentioned. Terry Gannon also recognized him.

They showed a taped bit of Brian Boitano attending the breakfast in disguise as a local reporter interviewing the skaters. The sound was crap where I was, but it seemed nobody recognized him except Jean-Luc Baker. Scott Hamilton didn't. 😂

I got to go to the men's free skate -- my first time seeing an ice-skating competition in-person. Quite a different experience than on TV! As much as I like Nathan, he was definitely over-scored with multiple wonky landings. Not surprised, though -- it's Nationals. The crowd was incredibly supportive of Vincent. Terrific skate, knowing how little prep he had. His exhibition skate showed a lot more artistry, so I wish they could tap into that for his competitive programs. He and Tomoki did a fun fist-bump routine when they were on the podium.

Nathan Chen makes hard jumps look so effortless.

Alysa had the jumps, and congratulations to her, because that’s what the sport is now and the judges wanted to send a message internationally that the U.S. has a quad queen too ... but, damn, Mariah was magnificent. What a skate! Such a shame for Bradie about the fall. I think Alysa would still have won regardless, though. I was happy for Gracie for a pretty good skate, but like others, that interview made me go “Uhhhhhhh” and be concerned.

So shocked to hear about Maia Shibutani! How scary for her. My fingers are crossed for her. Eff cancer forever.

Kellee’s statement.

So impressed with Bradie’s improvement. She really stepped it up. Though her short-program dress was tragic. Really enjoyed the Japanese ladies, too. So surprising (but also nice) not to see Russians all over the top three after the short. Nathan was great, though I didn’t think the end of his music worked well. It seemed to just sort of trail off. But the step sequence was fun. That shirt sure was something. As a friend says, it was “a lot of look.” I love Jason, but I just don’t like people skating to Schindler’s List. It doesn’t sit well with me. People applaud moves during it, and it jars me. It seems inappropriate.

How did two U.S. dance teams (three total) end up using “Too Darn Hot”?! That’s rather random to duplicate.

The man was Brian Boitano. Not sure who the woman was.

That really bothered me. I was under the impression that it was a secret contraband plane that made regular smuggling runs. Suddenly it’s a giant jumbo jet that Gilead knows about? And nobody noticed the offloaded cargo got replaced with kids and notified the Gilead authorities? Or turned the plane around? Whut? WHUT? I suppose it’s possible that the crew was somehow in cahoots with the Jezebel guy — maybe some contraband always comes along with the Gilead-sanctioned cargo, and Jezebel guy paid them off against the promised paintings. (Speaking of which, I doubt Lawrence is gonna part with them, so Jezebel guy got rooked.) But that requires us to head canon an explanation. So sloppy. It should have been the Handmaids getting on the plane. The Marthas aren’t the ones being raped every month. The plane looked pretty packed. I think it’s possible some Marthas chose to stay behind so there would be room for all the kids. I admit to tearing up at the end when the kids all came out, Rebecca and her father reunited, and Luke was hopefully looking for Hannah. But the whole success of the mission was ridiculous. Not even remotely plausible.

Both those reasons are why I thought it was stupid of June to just let her die. They could have all kept a close eye on Eleanor until the plan finished. As apt as Eleanor was to spill the beans, she was just one variable, one who could be controlled if they put in the effort. Her death could have created other variables, like Lawrence backing out of the plan or June being sent to another house immediately, which June couldn’t control. Just stupid. While Eleanor obviously couldn’t be taken to a hospital, I thought they could have possibly forced an emetic down her to get her to vomit up whatever drugs were still in her stomach, which could maybe have been enough to save her. (And where the hell did she get enough pills to OD on???)

Amy Manson, our dear Merida, has a role in a Josh Whedon HBO series, with Jane Espenson on the writing staff.

Oh yeah. Love it! Simone Manuel and Caeleb Dressel were dominant as expected. It’s such a shame that Katie Ledecky was sick — glad she was able to come back and gut out the 800. Regan Smith sure seemed to come out of nowhere (to me, anyway) to destroy the backstroke records. Kathleen Baker REALLY has her work cut out for her to get back on top in the U.S. after her pneumonia and broken rib. The U.S. didn’t seem to do quite as well in relays as usual, though they absolutely crushed a few.

Very sad! TVLine story.

You can get a free trial that lasts a week -- if you wait until all the eps are uploaded, you can binge them. You can do the same for YouTube Live, too. So that would you give you two weeks between the two services.

Pic of Colin for Right Stuff role. I'm very glad his hair isn't quite so period-authentic short.

Colin has been cast in the NatGeo version of "The Right Stuff"!

From the ep 8 trailer, finally Lydia backstory!!

This season is so disappointing. I loved the first two seasons, but this season is not good. I feel like they have zero plan or end game in mind, so they’re just spinning their wheels. There’s no narrative flow or progress anymore. It’s becoming more and more ridiculous that June isn’t dead or in the Colonies. How did she not get even one harsh word from Commander Lawrence for getting his wife in that situation?? This season is making me so sad. I cannot possibly convey how little I wanted to see Serena and Fred dancin’ and romancin’ one another. Ugh. That said, I’m actually looking forward to next week.

I'm concerned Lifetime is just burning this off with showing two eps at a time.

I’m enjoying this. It’s light and fun. Good summer fluff.