ToxicUnicorn

I came away from the episode thinking that Caleb was not taking any drugs at all; it was all an act. It's easy enough to say, "I'm going off to capture Alex, the all-Star renegade FBI agent who is trying her best to stay under the radar. It should take me about 10 minutes so get into character as a junkie. I'll lock you in for overly dramatic effect because that's how this show rolls." I could not give a crap about Miranda's problems, which means the show made a huge misstep, because I would be very interested in a well done story line about a career woman's trajectory in national security. However, I have found Miranda to have been written as an abrasive character all season long, and I want her off the screen by now, so I'm all for her demotion. And Liam can't carry any sort of storyline. He's incompetent, he's an oaf, and he slept with a student. I also think the actor has been phoning it in since the beginning, which used to annoy me, but maybe I should respect him if he is the only one who realizes that this show is not worth it. The only one I like at this point is Nimah. This is probably right. That stinks.

Another interesting article from Vulture on influences that have shaped Crazy Ex-Girlfriend

--- Trent to come back for maybe an episode. With Audra (his Rebecca stand-in) as his girlfriend. Fun ensues when they go on a double date with Josh and Rebecca. That's a funny idea. Yes, I wouldn't mind Trent coming back around. Although I'd rather see him pop up with Valencia. I don't need to see more of Audra Levine's character. Her storyline skirted the line of striking a mean tone, which I didn't want to hear in this series. I would love to see more exploration of Paula's issues next season, with Rebecca getting to play the (slightly healthier) sidekick role. I don't actually care about any of Josh's or Greg's gang at all. White Josh seems sweet, but I don't particularly want more of him, Darryl (who I can't take seriously) or Hector. I love Heather, though. Agreed. And while they're at it, I want to hear more of Rebecca's resume. More feminist pole dancing jokes, please. Those crack me up. Most of all, another Astaire-Rogers black and white homage. First of all, I love those. Second of all, it's nice to get a dose of old school elegance every once in awhile, even though it's just another way to serve up the satire. Settle For Me is still one of my favorites..

This show is stupid and so am I. I don't think human traffickers get people into the country through indecent exposure.

Thanks, ElectricBoogaloo. Also, a "whole-nut"! ("Hole-nut")? I wish Rachel had spelled it out for me. That would have been in character.

Broadway/theater ignoramus here : I know of Groff and Morrison, but nothing of Tveit or a Graceland show. However, since I usually find myself liking whatever Rinaldo does, I guess I should check into it. As for the Season 1 finale, I had to look up Lea Salonga, since the name was familiar but I couldn't name any projects offhand. Much to my surprise, I saw that she was the original Miss Saigon in 1989. Yes, I vaguely remember that happening ... the big hoopla over the discovery and promotion of a young star and Asian (Filipina, I see) in a major vehicle.

Fantastic interview: Occasionally, I'm very proud of how American culture has evolved.

I vote for Cleo57 to be my designated poster. What she said. This would be an interesting twist. At the end of the season, I'm convinced Santino can handle any material. I'm not so sure if Vincent is capable of portraying Josh as anything but a cartoon character, but I am willing to give it a try. I was so happy to see a buff, bro, positive, non-sexist Asian love interest (who is also good at singing and dancing) that I think I've cut his character a lot of slack. Josh gives fun reaction shots, and he conveys a lot of sweetness, but the playing against type of being kind of dim makes me wonder if it would be possible for Josh can evolve into having a coherent discussion with Greg. I'd love to see it, though.

Who thinks of that balloon? I want to become that person's best friend. Rachel, Donna, and Santino are so freaking talented. I love them. I agree that Donna looked fantastic, delivered that number flawlessly, looked great, and I was disappointed. I wasn't expecting her number to be mad like that! The only solution --- more songs for Donna in season 2. I don't take tv shows too seriously (not to say that I don't watch with great enthusiasm) but I actually felt a pang of sorrow for Greg. I was sad to see the big Josh and Rebecca moment. I had gotten over Josh, already. Looking forward to Season 2~

Yes to all of this. Furthermore, it was just mean to dangle the possibility that Hannah might get something done and then yank it away from us like that.

So far, I haven't taken on trying to sort out the religion v cult issue. I'm too confused as it is - I've been viewing it through the lens more of corporate culture, or even (dare I say) political cronyism. That is, some people seem deeply invested in maintaining the power structure and controlling what others believe and how they behave. Sitting around with a wire helmet on your head reminds me of having to go to meetings. What do you do if you are Eddie and you have both feet planted on the inside but kind of wish you could get out? To me, it's his struggles against his constraints, Cal's struggles to preserve order and get ahead, and Sarah's blind following of whatever that keep me somewhat interested. (Although my interest is fading.) This could be Amazon or the NSA. All that's required is that the head of the organization thinks he's on a just mission and there is a struggle for power at the top. Then again, I am usually the last one to find the religious subtext in anything, and I wish something would happen.

I relate to these two (at least, I understand these two) more than anything else that is going on. Ashley feels like an outside because she is hiding the secret that her home life is precarious; she has found a confidante in Hawk who not only doesn't judge her but plays the white knight (standing guard outside the school showers for her). Acceptance is attractive at that age, as well as gratitude. I agree it's a standard adolescent love story, but given that they seem to be finding a piece of normalcy while being surrounded by judgmental bats**t crazy adults (something I still identify with), they have a bit of an underdog status that I can root for. Also, I think Hawk is being played decently by his actor. But - mileage may vary.

This woman seemed to come out of nowhere, I had no context for her other than what she said. How does she know Eddie? Did Eddie ever tell her he would help her and then change his mind? I must have missed something. I did not know that. Thanks!

Not an online game, but this description is giving me the jitters to play NetHack. Oh, dear God, so much of my life back then went to NetHack ...

I hope the title of this episode means Paula will get a big musical number. I have been waiting for another one for far too long. Preferably with a portion that is a duet.

Rinaldo, any insight on the inspiration for the UTI song? I immediately thought about the 80s, but I wasn't sure why (except for the references to the Tom Cruise movies Risky Business and Cocktail).

Happy Greg is a delight - another huge vote for UTI, although I think it was all about the performance rather than the song. Santino practically overflowed with charm. (Is that a thing? That should be a thing.) Seeing Santino's charisma and musical chops just makes Grumpy Greg more sexy, because you just know that he's keeping all of that bottled up. The flirtation between Greg and REbecca during the UTI song that was noted earlier was really cute. Those two work so well together. Josh's angry dance made me laugh out loud. It was such a perfect throwback to the 80s. In addition to Footloose, I got Flashdance. Very funny, although I did wonder if there was a double. Nice for Rachel to tweet that it was all Vincent. Rebecca's song barely registered because Greg's number was so awesome. Next best was Heather's cameo. Glad to see her back, and I agree that was a great way to use her character. Usually I roll my eyes at imitation shows, but I wish there would be a slew of imitators of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. I love it so much.

I'm getting the pleasure of my first re-watch with someone who has never seen the show. The first few episodes of season 1, which had me SO LOST the first time around, unfolds beautifully this time. So far, it's like going back to a restaurant where you had a great date and having it be even better the second time. Everything is so clearly imagined at the start...I'm stunned by how efficiently the politics of the po-lice are laid out, and how clearly the comparisons between the police and the Barkley group are made.

I heard, "all you saints and seculars", vote for her. Your version makes more sense.

Team Pharrell: I'm happy Hannah, the surprisingly growly elementary school teacher, goes on. I have no problem with Daniel being saved. I would have preferred listening to Moushumi or Caity more than Emily, but I am not at all surprised Pharell saved special unicorn Emily. Even though I don't like listening to her, it's an ok decision because at least she is creative. I think Pharrell is right if he is betting that Moushumi doesn't need his help or the exposure anymore to have a career. I think she'll have plenty of success, and might even be better off without doing her (same) thing week after week. Team Blake: Adam (who is appealing personally in a Cole Vosbury kind of way) and Mary Sarah were no surprise. Justin and Joe are fair eliminations. I'm quite disappointed that Katie Basden (who sang Georgia Rain) was not chosen instead of Paxton. Paxton hasn't registered on me. Then again, I suppose I'm glad Blake's team is not all country. I think Katie was partly a victim of being on a season that also had a Caity and a Kata. Hard to keep track of them all. It's only now that I realize that she is the one I liked best of the three. Team Christina: Alisan - of course. Falsetto Nick with his adorable walking toddler? Gosh, that toddler is cute. I don't vote, so don't hate me, my ovaries make me think that way. Saving Brian Bautista is fine, although I wish Tamar hadn't messed up so much this week. She was capable of so much more. I am not as excited about Christina's team now, though, than I was before the knock outs. Team Adam: I'll confess, one of the attractions of competitive reality for me is seeing people have a happy moment. Laith had that kind of happy moment and I enjoyed it. I'll bet all of Ann Arbor is voting for him furiously. Shalyah is a fine audience choice. And then ... Adam chose Owen over chirpy earnest New Hampshire Caroline? I was shocked. In any typical year, Caroline makes the cut. However, I can imagine what she will sound like, so I'm very pleased to be able to watch Owen instead (although he needs a makeover so his look becomes more memorable). Group Sings: For me, Hey Brother is one of the most tonally unpleasant songs to emerge over the past thirty years. I'll show myself out now.

I ate my own post, so here's the short version: I loved Owen and completely agreed with the comments: I felt every moment of that song and thought it was beautiful. I am going to call him Uber Owen because he transported me tonight. Still Crazy ... is my very favorite Paul Simon song, and I did not appreciate Emily's version. I also don't really like her voice. However, I do hope she finds a supporting role in the music business somewhere, because I am happy to acknowledge that she shows a lot of creativity. Just don't touch Paul Simon again. I feel similarly about Laith. Clearly has good instincts. I loved that he was articulate in the intro package. I just don't think he's got star quality. Close, but not quite. Daniel's version of When I Was Your Man made me miss Will Champlin. I adored Will's version. Daniel's voice sounded surprisingly thin to me for the first half of the song. Shalyah's standing ovation was over the top based on her vocals alone. However, she put every fiber of her being into that song (Listen) and I respect that a lot. Caroline did a beautiful job with a song I hate. I think I hate Sia songs. Terrible choice for Brian N.

I can't remember an hour of The Voice that I liked less. That was bad. I'll have to defer to people who know that Alisan showed major vocal chops with Cry Baby. I didn't hear a bad note, and I thought the whole thing was consistent (unlike some people who diva things up inexplicably) but the word I would have used is "overwrought" - except Alisan seemed genuinely into it. Which - good for her, I guess. I hope she goes back to singing tenderly next week. I don't really like her rock side. It makes me uncomfortable, the way that rock girl contestant of Cee Lo's never did. Agreed on all counts. Mary Sarah bombed terribly, plus I LOATHE that song. I hate that song so much I might hold a grudge about that choice, which is too bad, because I really liked Mary Sarah's blind audition. Nick's version of Stay did not work. His little boy is really cute, though, and I'm not moved easily by the family hangers on. Cantaloupe girl's father? Stone cold from me. Nick's little boy? Adorable. I was glad he got another shot, but in no way does he deserve to Stay. Tamar imploded, which was terrible to see and hear. Also, I didn't like her new look. It was very dated. Katie's performance of Georgia Rain was probably my favorite performance of the night. That was lovely, but it wasn't that memorable for me because I have never heard that song before. Still, she's now on my radar. I wasn't as impressed with Brian as others seem to be. I like Adam's voice for now. Can't remember the others, but my vote is for the Aretha version of Natural Woman. I always think of the Big Chill soundtrack when I hear that song.

Their bits together have been a lot of fun. I think Christina deserves a lot of credit for having loosened up so much on this show. Not everyone can walk into a reality show and be a natural. Look at Carson (and I've always liked him). Also, from reading the boards, Christina started the show in the middle of a lot of personal drama (divorce, etc.). Until I see for myself that she can't work with another woman on this show, I'm not going to believe it.

Re: Caity vs. Joe I was glad to see this battle, and I loved Joe, despite his nerves. He has at least as much talent as many who have appeared on The Voice stage, and I have liked him more than quite a few who have made it to the lives. I was rooting for him to get stolen as well. Caity had a very weird way of pronouncing "honesty". Other than that, I have to admit she did well, but she was helped out a lot by being paired with Joe, who complemented her nicely. Blake's battle of The Chain between Brittany-Trey was not good, and I'm very disappointed that he kept Brittany. In my alternate universe, Trey should have won and Joe should have gotten the steal (instead of Brittany winning and Trey getting the steal). I can't remember the middle battles too well. I thoroughly enjoyed Laith-Matt, and wish Matt had been kept over one of these forgotten winners.

The Alisan-Lacy battle of California Dreamin' is something I wish I could wash from my brain. Maybe I will consider electroshock treatment. MizArk beat me to it; my favorite rendition is the Dana Owens/Queen Latifah version. I don't even like the Mamas and the Papas original, but QL made the song so much more palatable to me. I still have hope for Alisan. I agree her choices on Blue Bayou were restrained, and I am hoping she is so much more confident than Matthew Schuler that she will be able to wrestle good coaching from Christina. Although I have criticized Christina for overemphasizing diva runs in the past, I feel like her suggestions this season have been more in the vein of "change up the original in an interesting way", rather than "show off and belt here". Until I read the comments here, I thought Christina was showing more restraint and taste. Please, Christina, prove me right. Be the "Say Something" Christina that I love. I really enjoyed the Caroline-Mike "Like I'm Gonna Lose You" battle and SO WISH Mike had been stolen and Lacy had not. In fact, of the steals so far: "Maybe I'm Amazed" Katie "It's a Man's Man's World" Malik "Lady Marmalade" Shalyah "Electric Feel" Jessica "Elastic Heart" Maya "Sugar" Brian "California Dreamin" Lacy I think Mike deserved a steal more than anyone except Malik and Brian. (I can't remember Katie and Jessica, but I wish Maya and Lacy had been given bus tickets home.)