Ilovepie

I appreciate this perspective, and normally I don't mind differences between books and movies/shows if they are true to the source material to some degree. I will say it bugs me more if I read the books first (like in this instance) more than the other way around. For some reason, it's easier to replace a tv show character with what I see in my mind by reading after the viewing but it's harder when I created a version in my head first. And here it's even more muddled - there are the real life people, the book characters and then the various shows. Siegfried, Helen and Mrs. Hall have all had significant backstory changes this go around that are hard to ignore and become something of a distraction as I am watching. I do like all of them on this show, including this version of Mrs. Hall, but I feel like the last couple of seasons her character has become a little formulaic. I am glad she was given more to do this episode than flit around Skeldale alternately chastising/encouraging Siegfried and Tristan.

Thank you! That took me right out of the show. No idea it was that old because it does seem to be a very modern era phrase. I liked this episode with Mrs. Hall, but this show is getting farther and farther from the books with this character. I can't decide if I like that or not. It was good to see her doing something other than solving "the boys" problems for once.....I do feel like her role in the house has been reduced to a formulaic "Audrey sorts it out" type of plot between Siegfried and Tristan and this was different, albeit in a very sad way.

I don't see anything even remotely romantic in the interactions between Joel and Ellie. In fact, I was thinking that some of how Joel talks to Ellie reminds me of how Din speaks to Grogru. My heart did break a little for her when Joel referred to Tess as family but Ellie as cargo. You could see it hurt her. Not cool Joel! I have seen articles on social media where people are disappointed at the lack of violence in this show, but for me, it comes as a welcome relief. There are ten thousand other shows people can watch if they need to see abundant carnage. I like that this one is spending as much time making quality characters as it is on prosthetic monster mayhem. Although much like all of these type of shows, the actual humans left at the end of the world are the biggest threat. Still, Kathleen doesn't seem like your average apocalyptic maniac, so I look forward to seeing where this goes.....

I totally agree with this about Bill. I do wonder if he would ever have had the courage to act on his feelings though if it was not the end of the world. I am glad Frank fell into his pit. ;-p

I was wondering about Bill's backstory - from the show perspective, not the game. This was Bill's first time with a man, and he tells Frank he had been with a woman before. I've been wondering if pre-pandemic, was Bill a closeted gay or was he hetero? He was alone in that village for FOUR YEARS. Like, totally alone. I cannot fathom the crushing loneliness of that. I know he was a loner type before the fungus, but it's one thing to be a loner and completely different to be living like last man on earth. I am a hetero woman, but honestly, if I was isolated like that for that long and a nice woman came along, I don't think I would say no.....

What a beautiful, quiet episode. Not playing the game, I loved it. It's so rare to see someone survive the apocalypse and live "normally" for not just a few months (I'm looking at you Walking Dead), but a lifetime. And that Frank and Bill, two people who would probably never have met in pre-fungus years, found the loves of their life like this was wonderful. Every scene just added to the whole picture so much that by the end it's heartbreaking, and yet, I found it weirdly hopeful at the same time. They survived to old age and died with dignity on their own terms, not from violence from raiders or FEDRA or fungus people. Could Frank have lived longer had this happened in an age where treatment was available for whatever was wrong with him? Maybe, but as someone who has watched a loved one suffer through multiple rounds of chemo and still succumb to fucking cancer, it's hard not to see that this is in some ways a more peaceful way to go. Anyway, lots to think about, so good on them...... This show is doing an amazing job creating fully realized characters in a short time. My favorite moments were when Frank showed Bill the strawberries and their joy over them, and Ellie's amazement of riding in a car for the first time. It's the little things...

Definitely not - when I went to bed last night I had nightmares of that scene with that thing "kissing" Tess - those tendrils moving into her mouth will stay with me a long time unfortunately. RIP to another great Anna Torv character - her time was short but impactful. Her speech to Joel was heartbreaking, and once more, Pedro Pascal makes the most of saying everything while saying nothing, at least here I can see his facial expressions! And kudos to a show for actually showing damage to his hand for beating a man's face in with it - I hate when people fist fight in shows and movies and their hands have no damage. Hair line fracture indeed....... The other thing that grossed me out completely was when that doctor cut into the dead woman's leg. Ewwwww........... OMG you are so right!!!!!! We watched this while we ate dinner because I didn't think I could stomach eating while watching The Last of Us and it was a good call, but dang, I was tearing up while I was trying to eat! This show and the dang horses! I had to watch an episode of UK Ghosts after Last of Us to calm down before bed! ;-p

I completely agree! The most successful catfish are ones who know the person or pick someone similar to themself in every way except looks, but I did love Rebecca/Seaburn from season 1 and River/Lee from season 3. I think they both actually did a pretty good job. My favorite catfish exchange was between Mama Carol/John getting sex tips from Alyssa. So cringe but so hilarious, and even funnier now that John and Alyssa are dating IRL! My favorite catfish fail was Jack/Emily with the horrible makeup challenge. I couldn't stop laughing at that one. Paul/Parker was also awful - same problem that the guy this season playing his daughter had but in reverse. Why did this young girl think she would know anything about playing a middle age man??? And actually, Shooby was pretty terrible this time around, but he knew he was in trouble with that persona. At least he went out with a bang!

Other than Season 1, Seasons 2,3 &4 weren't any more successful than these newer seasons. I just appreciated the sheen of respectability that the earlier seasons had - they at least still seemed like they were actually trying to match successful couples. Now it's "The Most Dramatic Season Ever!". I don't want that. I don't like that it's glorified summer camp with everyone living in the same apartments and honeymooning and hanging out together. It's a low rent reality show. Not a "social experiment". There's absolutely nothing relating to real married life about the show anymore. And the people being cast? Most belong on that Unmatchables show....

I think the only way to make it a more even playing field is to have everyone playing start the game at the beginning and then eliminate them one by one until you have the final five. In five seasons only one player who was not there at the start of the game won. Also, in five seasons only one catfish has won. I don't know but that says something needs to change.

Totally agree! And seeing Tom falling all over himself to apologize to Chaz - like, why was everyone bowing down to Chaz and Sam? Shubham was right - I wish "jennifer" had sided with him. People always talk a good game when they introduce themselves about how they are in it to win it, but then they get into the game and are like "these are my friiiieeendssss"..... if Chaz wanted to win, he would have sent his "wifey" or "bestie" home and not Oliver who was not threat for anything.

So true! The most frustrating thing was the Shubham (Sasha) was right! And they all ignored his/her logic which was sound if you are actually there to win. If they had joined "the rebellion" they could have picked off Chaz, Raven and Sam one by one. Instead they were top three. Snooze. It's like they all are clinging to their false pride of "I was myself the whole time" like it's some badge of honor. And Sam's indignation over the rebellion trying to get out the OG people - girl, it's a game! And a ridiculous attitude when she had her own alliances and was working against them! Not a cute look at all. I do think overall these people were nice, but almost too nice. I was rooting for "Jennifer" because they were more interesting together than they were apart and I liked their vibe together. I can't decide if they were successful as the hacker - they did get Sam to turn on Tamira, but they overplayed their hand using the "wifey" line. Still, genius to vote Tom last that last blocking. Maybe they should do all catfish pairs. Something needs to be done to shake it up. Or bring all previous players back as catfish (like Shubie). Or start with all players there at the same time and pick them off until final five because the ones who are there at the start do have an advantage. I do love seeing them all become friends after it's over. And my favorite, Mama Carol (aka John) is dating Alyssa the vagina girl!

I have not read these books, but my husband and I really enjoyed this series! All of the characters were interesting and the stories were engaging. I did think the town seemed so "dead" every time they panned through it. Like, where were all the people? Sometimes it did feel like the only people who lived in Three Pines were the characters we saw. I was most engaged in the story of the residential school and Blue. Absolutely gutting. I also watched Reservation Dogs this year, and I feel like it has been a big education for me on indigenous people. I am glad their stories are getting told.

Would like to add that the fungus here reminded me more of The Expanse (proto molecule anyone?) than Walking Dead.

I don't play video games and I was burnt out by Walking Dead when Glen died, but this show has my favorite Baby (Grogru) Daddy so I was immediately in. And I didn't even realize my girl Olivia Dunham from Fringe was in it! Bonus! But seriously, how they made me care so much about Joel's daughter in one hour was great, yet brutal. Knowing nothing about the video game, I'm excited for this one. With Madalorian coming back in March I'm calling 2023 the Year of Pedro and I am here for it!

Ah - I haven't gotten that far - we just finished season 2. I am glad they gave him more to do - he comes across as fairly dim the first season. I am glad they are making him not so dumb..... That is cool - I might go check it out. I don't doubt that the house in real life is much cooler than the American version. My issue with the state of the house is much like your feeling like everything works out too easily for the Americans - I find it completely unbelievable that they could use the house for weddings or events in it's current state and it kind of takes me out because it's just not believable to me.

I kind of agree - he was my least favorite the first couple of episodes, but I think in terms of his character arc, he's become more interesting and funny. When he howled for the "bitches" to help with the robbery laughed so hard! I also loved his moon landing conspiracy and laying in front of the fireplace like a dog in the Christmas episode. I feel like a lot of the other ghosts in the UK version haven't really evolved much since episode one. Fanny is funny to me for her Edwardian fussiness, but it's pretty one note. And although Thomas is annoying, I will never not laugh at him dancing. I found a gif of that and it's become a favorite of mine ;-p The state of the house is part of the plot on both shows, but that house is just soooo junky. The exterior is cool, but the inside seems much more decrepit than the American counterpart. I do appreciate that Alison had to go get an outside job (did Mike? I don't remember). Sam has continued to pursue her writing which is an outside source of income on the American version. Mike seems much more useless than Jay who at least was given a profession that he uses in running their B&B..... I watch a lot of British tv, and I do agree that they are often tonally different. I like the kind of gothic tone of the UK version more than the bright cheeriness of the American version, but on both shows, there have been wins and losses.

I live in a school district where the kids are not allowed to go to school in costumes at all for Halloween so it's a little disconcerting to see that, but in what world was Melissa's costume appropriate for a teacher???? She was basically wearing the equivalent of a swimsuit with tights!

Agree on all points! I didn't go back and look, but did Helen get a new wedding dress or did she reuse the one from her first wedding? I love how everyone just keeps working because farming is a 7 day a week job. The TB plot was stressing me out - I was afraid James would have to put down an entire herd on his wedding day. Glad it was only one cow. I am not sure I buy that Tristan had never had to put down an animal before in their line of work.....I am still upset by the story where James had to put down Hugh's beautiful horse..... Siegfried and the rat was funny - it reminded me of the books in which Siegfried is always poo pooing people's attachment to their pets yet always has a pack of dogs trailing him everywhere he goes.... I was not a fan of the ring subplot because it seemed so cliche and done a thousand times.

Having now watched season 1 of the UK version on HBO Max, this is exactly why I prefer the American version. Way too many scenes of people talking over each other - like I get it, it's crazy making, but enough is enough. I like that Sam made a truce with the ghosts much faster than the British version where they were still wanting to get rid of them up until the last episode of the first season. I like that in the American version the house wasn't so far gone and they keep finding things on the estate to help pay for the repairs, where on the British one it just seems like a total decrepit money pit with no way to pay for the repairs. As far as characters, I prefer Hetty, Sas, Isaac, Sam & Jay to their British counterparts, but everyone else is a wash. I do like Fanny & Kitty though, and I cannot stand Flower on the American version. I also like that each character on the US version is easily identifiable for the era they came from, whereas the British one I spent the first few episodes trying to figure out what era Kitty, Fanny, Mary and Thomas came from -they all seemed to blend together. I will continue to watch both, but overall, for me, the American one wins.

It is a thing, and I think it looks absolutely frumpy in high waisted jeans. Funny story - saw a hack to use a smaller belt around your waist and then tuck the bottom up under it so your shirt/sweater looks "tucked in" but not lumpy in the front of your jeans.......ok back to the show.... I loved the Trevor/Hetty hookup! I think in some ways they are very similar - robber baron and wall street guy? I guffawed when he said "sorry - too close" and she said "not close enough!" I also loved Hetty - "Trevor, if you come across any morphine do it!"

Ha! I said "where's Vecna?" when Elora's eyes turned white and she floated up. I really want to like this show, but I find it really boring, and I feel the show would be 100% improved if Kitt didn't exist. I cannot stand her.

Finally caught up, and wow. Those had to be the ugliest show stoppers ever on this show. But considering this disappointing season that featured challenges ranging from bizarre to gross to downright offensive, I guess I shouldn't be surprised. The producers need to go watch the early seasons - whoever is picking these themes (it can't really be Paul and Prue can it?) needs to be fired. I will say that this cast was lovely. I would have been happy to see many of them win, but Syabira was so far ahead all season it was kind of anti-climactic. My personal favorite was Sandro. Has there ever been a sexier baker in the tent? ;-p

Well now I'm kind of bummed as what was planned for season two sounds a lot more like Hill House. I really wish he had incorporated these season two plots into this season instead of the club stories. I would have liked it a lot better.

Thank you! I am late to the party here (busy holiday week), but I could not figure out how Cassian knew where Luthen's ship was - this totally makes sense now. I loved that exchange. I wonder if hearing Maarva's speech helped change Luthen's mind about Cassian. His little smile was perfect - you could see his wheels spinning on what he could do with a guy a like Cassian on his side...... This show was amazing. Tony Gilroy really knows how to amp the intensity - that funeral scene - wow. By the time the music stopped I was fairly jumping out of my skin waiting for whatever was going to drop! Maarva's speech - incredible, and yet, only the third best on this series! What!??? This from a franchise with such gems as "I have a bad feeling about this" and "Hello There". Talk about an upgrade in dialogue! I don't know what Karn is doing with Dedra, but it is creepy and I am here for it. They are both awesome. Mon Mothma - cold as ice. Her turd of a husband deserves whatever happens from this exchange. Yet another "Climb!" - I think that should have been the name of this show. Still, glad Bix got out with some of her marbles intact. Glad that Maarva got to fight the Empire when Brasso started beaning people with her brick. Bring on the next season! FIGHT THE EMPIRE!!!!!!