Lois Sandborne

Since the finale is supersized, I think we're going to see the arcs of everyone's paradise experiences, capped by Michael making Eleanor an architect before he goes through the peaceful door.

My dad of all people loved their Skin So Soft lotion. When pressed, he said it was a good insecticide, but I never verified that, only that he loved it. I've long wanted the show to do a kind of redemption tournament, for people who caught particularly bad breaks or came up against steamroller opponents in the middle of a run. And, especially for Wally (I believe?) whose Sgt. Pepper FJ I'll never forget even if I don't remember his name. It would probably be impossible and unwieldy, but I still want it. I liked the ABD category, but all the machines eluded me. Even food processor. I said blender. And Alex, Veronica's not buying Kraft Dinner when she's got national prize-winning mac and cheese at her fingertips! Come now.

Hooray for Ken. It's clear this win means a lot to him, and he earned it. I'm thrilled for him. This was a really fun event. Everybody from Alex on down to the clue writers and music producers seemed to be having a great time and giving it their all. I don't know if there have been cooler wordplay categories than the Roman numerals one or the before-during-after one from the first match. I guessed Brutus for the Shakespeare FJ; Othello never even crossed my mind, unfortunately. I was proud to get Arcadia correct, even though I only know it because of the TV show Endeavour. Nothing about James seems socially awkward to me.

I read the clue when it aired. I think they've been lenient about that sort of thing before. They could have been here. I'm not sorry to see the end of Karen's reign, but I wish her no ill. I wonder if there'll be any difference in her play by the time of the next TOC. I was proud of myself for pulling martinet out of the air on Lisa's DD. I'm also giving myself credit for FJ because I waffled between Cristian Ronaldo and [first name unknown] Messi without ever having seen a soccer game or really knowing how soccer works.

I, too, learned that Nichelle Nichols anecdote from Drunk History. It's underrated as an educational program, wonder why. I laughed really a lot at Ken's Don Ho guess last night, but I looked up Don today, and no, it was definitely a dumb guess. Xanadu instead of Hearst Castle also made me LOL, but I saw the sense in that one. Still rooting for you the most, Ken! He was so relieved getting that second FJ. I hope he keeps it up. I don't seem to mind James as much here playing against people more his speed; he definitely seems more chill. But I didn't care for the Philadelphia bit, so I guess I still don't actually like him. I hope Brad has a better game, or match, tonight. As a Louisianan and a jazz fan, I felt for him when he answered Beale Street for that Louis Armstrong DD. That was a tough one.

I don't dislike Karen, but I am ready for her to go. I agree it feels like she's coasting because she hasn't had to face anyone really challenging. She makes mistakes like Puerta Rica in each game, and she's had her share of boneheaded guesses that never work against her because her opponents can't capitalize. I know winning Jeopardy has a lot to do with luck in general, but for me, she's had enough and yeah she can go now. But in other unpopular opinions, I came here to say that not accepting Gregorian was the wrong thing.

The original UK version has featured actual seniors, and they tend to be super cute approaching the dances (and not for nothing, they tend to be the people most open to the matchmaking aspect of the show). So I hope this version also makes room for some older older people too. I like a lot about this, basically Jenna, the choreographers, and the dancing. I really don't like the competition angle they wedged in where someone definitely has to win and someone definitely has to be rejected. Not to keep beating that "the original is better" drum, but it's more interesting to wonder whether two people actually made a connection than which one the main single will pick.

That was some bullshit.

Poor Steph. All those little cascading crises piling up on each other out of nowhere, you could just see her getting more and more anxious. I was actually amazed when Paul went to hug and comfort her after the showstopper. It was clear how cut up about it all she was. Alice's pork pie and scotch eggs looked amazing. Her chocolate cake sounded good to me as well; too bad she used only cocoa powder and couldn't get it looking well. But David is a worthy winner for sure. He's been a strong player all series, and everything he made this week looked beautiful. I've never heard of Armagnac, but he's definitely not the first person to tip in too much of some obscure liqueur, and that was really all they had to hold against him. That cheeseboard was super impressive. It wasn't until Paul commented on it that I even noticed that the tablecloth wasn't real. I was also a bit surprised when they cut Steph from the winners' discussion so quickly. I know they say they judge week to week, but she's been so dominant this series, it was just a bit of a shock not to hear at least a cursory discussion about her strengths and her chances. I hope she doesn't go back to watch that part.

Those cakes in the linked article are beautiful. They are popular, and I've seen a lot of very pretty ones. The look of David's final result doesn't really stand up to the best examples, but I would bet that those immaculate creations took more than 4 hours to produce, and that their bakers didn't also have to make a sugar cage to plop on top. David's been a pretty polished contestant so far, and he certainly has a style. He's good at precision and making things very attractive. I was listening to the Bake Down podcast this week or last, and Jane mentioned noticing how neat his bakes generally are, but also his work station. I agree with everyone who's unconvinced by his flavor sense though. I still think it is Steph's game to lose, but if David manages to find a way to put celery across as the next taste sensation, he could walk away with it. Alice is the dark horse.

Every week starts with them going, "Oh, I don't really know much about [mundane and ubiquitous baked good of the week]." Next week Alice is gonna say, "Oh dear, I've never really made finals before." So sad to see Rosie go, but it really could've been anyone, and it would've been sad no matter who it was. They never would've let it be Steph, I guess, even though she struggled this week. Loved the ties for poor Henry. It must've been really hot though for them to take them off so quickly. I laughed at Sandi trying to be excited about domed tarts. I also laughed at rhubarb being as sweet as David gets. Alice's mocha, hazelnut tart sounded really good, as did Steph's chocolate orange opera cake. David's box turned out prettiest, but they all seemed rather beside the point. I thought they'd done St. Honore before, but couldn't remember when. It does kind of support the idea that they're running on fumes. But I suppose it makes sense to have it as a technical too. There's a lot of skills as Mary Berry would put it. I'd rather have them repeat a challenge than, say, have them randomly build a brick oven and make pizza in it.

I agree, although it feels like Ru doesn't know what to do with this or how to relate in response. That workroom walkthrough was kind of dry. I need young Blu to spend some of that sass on a worthy target, or it's all for naught. No point in picking at Divina with some of these other outsized egos lounging around waiting for action. I'm starting to like Cheryl and Divina. When they kept showing Divina in just that tarp ruffle that looked like trash bags around her neck I didn't see the vision, but her finished look was like a Vivienne Westwood calling card, right down to the eyelashes. Meanwhile, the Vivienne's was nothing special, painted neck or not, Michelle. And Baga's craft project could've been in the bottom easily. It reminded me of Monet XChange's sponge dress, but not as well made. I can't wait to see who we'll get for Snatch Game.

What a strange week. This is the first time I've really paid any heed to the griping that this crop of bakers isn't skilled enough, because when they can't nail tart crust? I thought all of the showstoppers looked kind of cool, even Henry's pie stack, but I don't understand how they all wound up so dry. It's still just pie, y'all. I'm in line with the people thinking David should've got star baker. No one was really exceptional, but he had an okay signature, won the technical challenge, and his showstopper was more impressive looking than Steph's, even if it had salty filling. I've said before that I don't care much about who wins week to week, but in a week like this there's just no reason to plump for Steph who already has three titles over David who has none. Who's Adam Hills?

Not Patrice Rushen, lol. I just caught up with all the episodes, and this one was my favorite. The writing is really good, at least for the family stuff. The schoolkid scenes are kind of corny, but it's still early. I agree kid!Santa Monica is a bit extra, but she's funny to me, and I'm really loving Tika Sumpter and Mark Paul Gosselaar. I'm also here for Mariah's theme song.

Wow. Yeah, those can be their own thing then. True, but her tone, and coming as it did in the middle of criticism led me to think it was an insult. She might've said homemade though, as someone else suggested, which too, is no compliment. I was trying to think of a regional US comparison for the Essex stereotype, but I can't pinpoint anywhere quite the same. Sort of like New Jersey's image, but add in more new money/social climbing. I definitely can't speak to the "why," but I imagine it's a bit like all stereotypes develop; some lazy observations that are easy to blow up into generalities, and thrive because the larger group not being maligned gets to have a good time with it without thinking too much. I usually don't watch Extra Slice, but I did this week especially to see Michael's interview. He was delightful, and handled the dinging over his cheesecake with grace. Apparently he "thoroughly" greased his Bundt pan, but in hindsight thought if he'd tried tapping the top it might've come out. (I still think the middle was too hot and needed to cool down more.) And bonus, as many random bits as they show of Henry being adorable, many more go unseen.

After catching up on the first two episodes, I agree. It's putting me in mind of the first few US seasons. There isn't any cash or goods or services in the offing, and the grand prize is coming to the US. And a large handful of the queens seem new, or downright green, in Scaredy Kat's case. I don't know the depth of the UK drag community, but a lot of these girls seem not super familiar or not super strong at your basic slate of drag skills. These lip syncs ... The personalities are good though. I don't mind Cheryl as much as they seem to, and I like The Vivienne and Blu whatchamacallit. You can definitely tell that just the opportunity means a lot to them all.

So you do get it. You just don't think the gag is funny.

Ugh. I came to see if there was news about the movie, and now I'm pissed off. Not only do we now have to jump through trial/sign-up hoops, but we have to wait all the way until April at the earliest to see a movie that's already finished? In what world?

So we meet Colleen! I know there's humor in having her be innocuous and actually kind of cool, so Dina's hatred can reach maximum absurdity, but I would've preferred having some kind of reason for Dina disliking the woman enough to want to plant meth on her. Even if the reason itself was ridiculous. Genuine LOL at Amy going, "aw," and wanting to pat Jonah on the shoulder when he called himself tall, and then just walking away. This was a good episode for her in general, being firm with Dina as controlling the burgeoning Dina/Colleen/Garret triangle as well. Mateo popping up at the store every once in a while makes sense for now, especially with Marcus staying at his aunt's house, but I do wonder what the long game is there. Are they saving Sandra's wedding for sweeps? Colleen was Heidi Gardner from SNL.

It felt like a wheel-spinner episode, certainly. I hate to bang an old drum, but there's a reason prestige/faux-tige series like this don't often stretch past 8 eps a year. The last couple weeks have reminded me of The Leftovers in its first season, dragging out particular sensationalistic elements of the show to gin up intrigue and atmosphere, and letting actual plot development slow to a trickle. I mean, unless Sharon Lawrence's womb tomb is really going to move us toward Obie's death Krystal's full FAM reckoning, we don't have to spend 15 minutes on it.

Every once in a while when I'm practicing self-care, as the kids call it, I think of Primmy asking if there's any lavender for her bath, and Julia answering, "No, but we do have some 20 Mule Team Borax." I knew Jean Smart and Richard Gilliland got together on the show, but I never knew it was Delta Burke who hooked them up. I love that. And that he was her ex to boot. If those "unauthorized" behind-the-scenes biopics were still in fashion, I would be thrilled with one about the DW set.

Same. I really had in mind some of those storied, celebrated village fetes. Also, is "bubble waffle" a UK term for funnel cakes? If so, I move that we immediately adopt it stateside. I thought so too, and I thought it was unfair of the judges ( ... Prue ... ) to call them homely. I didn't see where the color was any more uneven than Steph's batch of buns, for example. But I have admittedly lost perspective because I think Alice is adorable and want no harm to come to her. I agree with this, and I don't think anyone cares much about Prue at all. Can you imagine anyone flipping out because Prue Leith shook their hand as a sign of approval? I'm no big fan of Paul and the whole persona/mystique he's so invested in, but it's pretty plain each week that he's giving out what critique is being given, and Prue's just echoing him. You can even see it when she sets a technical and is purportedly the expert on whatever obscure 16th century pastry they're supposed to turn out. I also agree with those who say she's been straight up rude this series, which only makes her lack of concrit even worse. This was my thought too. They clearly jibed, and Helena seemed to welcome Noel's interludes and take up a lot of his time, but he's at more of a loose end now, which comes across as doing way too much. I'm sad to see Michael go, although I have no grounds for the feeling. I don't mind that the show is full of personalities. I really have enjoyed watching everyone this year, even the weaker/less consistent bakers, although I do think the standard has still been pretty high. I do find that I'm not so much watching for the competition anymore. I can't say it's beside the point, because I don't think I'd yet tune in to watch 12 congenial people have fun with recipes for 10 weeks, so we do need some tension, but I'm personally more excited to see who'll help Rosie pick her cake up off the ground than who will be star baker.

I think Krystal realized before that FAM is a ripoff i.e. there's no way for 1000 people to get rich selling window sparkler to the same 10000 people, so only the top tier were making money, but I can buy that the idea that no one at all is making money except Obie was new to her. As much as she always hated the concept of FAM, everything she's seen from the true believers and chief acolytes projected wealth and success, and as far as she knew, all those people were hustling products and/or recruiting dupes the same as she was. Understanding the extent of all the lying, the manipulation, and the cult-like reverence is new. I loved this episode. For all the fawning over Succession that people are doing, this show is the one actually holding our economy and the idea of dreams and entitlement accountable. All of the FAM tapes are in English, indeed. I enjoyed seeing Obie and Sharon Lawrence taken down several pegs with the fundraiser, putting their whole scam in perspective and dropping tidbits about these legal troubles. Can't wait 'til he's murdered. Meeting Cody's mother was a revelation. Shout out, Mary Steenburgen; I can never hate you, but the condescension that oozed out of you made me want to try. I really, really want to know why Cody's father is in jail now, but it's still just prurient curiosity. I don't think it'll be important for plot or character reasons. Cody warning Krystal away from his mom, however, was portentous. Is Ernie in fact going to start a cult? His final scene with Krystal was grim; I'd like to see him with his wife again soon. His whole journey in this episode was tragic. Designing Women has a fantastic episode featuring a MLM scheme like Mary Kay, and there's a funny exchange about this unceasingly perky woman who talked herself out of a burglary. I couldn't help but think of that watching the robbery scene. It ended differently here though. I'm just going to ignore the proposal business for now, and wait for a combo of the court system and Mirta Herrera's upcoming expose to deprogram Cody and Ernie, enrich Krystal, and unshackle all the downlines in the wake of Obie Garbeau's murder. All this animal stuff has to mean something, I continue to believe?

I think I love poor Alice. Or something. I definitely want to give her a hug at least, after she stands there, week after week, nodding mutely at whatever Paul and Prue say. You are a good baker, Alice! You are! In these early episodes, there's always someone I'm 100% sure has never been on the show before and was just added to mess with me. This week, that's David. I lol'd at Noel starting to go up and comfort Michael in his time of distress but thinking better of it and ducking out of there unseen. I had such hopes for Dairy Week to be interesting. I saw caramels, cheesecake, parfaits, cream puffs, mousse, creme brulee, and all sorts. But instead, we got "bake a cake with yogurt." It wasn't a very imaginative set of challenges. I'm glad Michael and Priya scraped by though. I don't have a real argument for saving either one of them over Phil, but what can you do. Color me clueless on mishtis too. I still don't really get it. Some of them were just whatever kind of random custard, like Michelle's rice pudding, and some were the solid bars and shapes made with the cooked milk. I couldn't really follow how well or how poorly anyone was doing, because I didn't know what they were supposed to wind up with.

I realized during this last ep that I'm low-key spending the series waiting for someone (Krystal) to kill Obie. Not waiting for him to die, because during the several fakeouts in this episode I kept yelling at the screen that he couldn't die since he deserved to be murdered. Krystal or the mysterious man with his life ruined should do it, but really anyone can. Ernie can. Cody can. Newly bitter "Security" Guy can. He just needs a violent death. I'm trying to piece together whether this show is rocking with any actual mythology or if it's just leaning in to those eerie elements. The water, the fire, the dead animals, the different takes on "god." Whatever they're doing, it makes for a super-interesting atmosphere. I've never seen this kid playing Cody in anything before, but he's impressing me. He held his own with Skarsgard and he's holding his own with Kirsten Dunst too. And he was willing to dunk his head into a toilet. Good for him.