justmehere

So - there were some good episodes in season 6 and some good scenes in lesser episodes. But the physical fight between Josh and Toby was too much as was the flashback with Kate and Leo - failed attempts to breathe some life into things. Also, Josh the indispensable campaign manager who can't seem to do anything right with the maverick congressman, who won't listen to the guy he hired and is always right anyway despite never having run a national campaign, so why did he want Josh? Then, the endless talking about things that I forgot 30 seconds after they were said made it something I watched casually rather than something where I was riveted and wanted to catch every word. It's not that they didn't talk about policy in the earlier years, it's that they were human stories, not just endless political rambling. There's the one where a Korean war vet died; the one with a young Mrs. Landingham who helped shape Jed; the one where Bartlet stayed on the line with a nervous sailor during a hurricane; the one where Leo described his pleasure in a drink - the way the ice sounds in a glass; the one where Josh put his hand through a window due to his PTSD; the ones with CJ and her secret service agent; the one where.... and on and on. As small as those bits sound, they were representative of bigger, human stories. Plus, the little humanizing bits worked: Danny gave CJ a real goldfish; Bartlet took 2 different kinds of pain pills; Sam mistook Leo's daughter's class to mean that she was a student, and so on. Yeah, there was some good in S6 - I remember being moved by Bartlet visiting wounded vets in an early S6 episode - but most of it was just kind of there. Now, I've just watched the first episode of S7, and I hate what they've done to Leo. He's been so diminished. Maybe it's the reality of someone having had a heart attack and trying to come back... but then he's brushed aside and portrayed as not having a clue about campaigning - as if he had no experience at all with such things (I know he wasn't the one speaking publicly before, but he's not an imbecile) - and his ideas are generally dismissed. It started with the awful conflict with Jed about the mid-east peace talks and went from there. There's an occasional throwaway scene with Jed being so glad to see him, but there's no real interaction between them. I mean, there was a moment in this one where he tries to get Jed to back off of education changes, and Jed asks what Leo would recommend as chief of staff, but even that seems uncharacteristic, as if Leo had forgotten that viewpoint so easily. By the end of the episode, he and Santos are communicating a little better, but knowing what's going to happen... I can't stand to see Leo so diminished. (I can sort of see where both Josh and Leo are sticking to old ways that they know rather than evolving with the times, but I just don't think either one is handled well. They've made original, beloved characters look like fools. Uh, well, Josh did often screw up. but still.) Meanwhile, Toby has all but disappeared. Frankly, I don't remember the shuttle-leak story well though I've seen the season at least twice before - so I won't weigh in - but mainly, I miss Toby and Sam, the idealists. I miss the charm and the humanity and the stories that made me really feel things. It's not necessarily a bad show at this point, it's just so, so, so different, and I prefer the "other" one.

I guess the "OK"s didn't bother me because I don't recall that as much. The "yeah"s were fine too until there started being too many in a row in a single conversation. Separate thing: I think someone mentioned this before, but there are no English subtitles on the season 6 discs. Easier for me to catch a lot of quick dialog by also seeing it, so now I'm missing some.

Beyond the fact of Sam leaving, one thing always really bugged me. There was a line in one episode where Toby was talking about Will taking over as Deputy Communications Director, and Toby said that after Sam loses the election, he should become a senior advisor to the president, that it was time for him to move up. Then there's no other mention of it. I understand the drama around Rob Lowe's departure, and then Sorkin's, but that situation at least needed a throwaway line about Sam deciding to stay in CA - or something. Instead, he just disappeared without a word. I finally bought a complete series set recently. I'm currently early in season 6 and finding it harder to watch as it goes. It became more a bunch of talking heads than engaging people interacting, and don't get me started on the rift between Bartlet and Leo. I'm not sure I can handle the upcoming election stories and the shift in focus away from the main characters. As someone posted earlier, the show lost its charm. (Although I will say that the incessant "yeah"s in S2 (I think) did get to me.) Side note: The book, The Mixed up Files ... also features in the show Mr. Robot - it's Angela's favorite book.

I enjoyed a lot about the finale. -That everyone gathered for the wedding - friends old and new. -Checking in with Max and Phil - who both seemed happy and in their right elements. -Caroline visiting -- agree with peeayebee that the "release" with her mother's death motivated her to reach out. A parent passing does prompt contemplation and even self-evaluation. Good on her for taking the step. -I appreciated Duke's expression of love toward Sam. Duke seemed to get her "powers" back in England - seeing Phil and Ben as the young people they still felt like inside with each other - and she was only "problematic" (though far less than the other girls) when she felt insecure about having lost her gift. And now, with a touch more maturity, she sees more to her mother than just "mom"; she can see the person her mother is. -I remain a little confused about Frankie, who has been fairly absent the last couple of episodes. She did have some lines here, but I have no idea about her now. Hoping that she, too, has outgrown the bad behavior - she was at least neutral in recent appearances. -I also appreciated Sam's discovery that she's actually pretty happy. It's very easy to get caught up in taking care of things and managing day-to-day life, to the point of losing sight of the good that is also present. I think she was aware on some level - the cooking was an expression of joy, and I think she enjoys gathering people in (in most cases) - but it finally clicked for her that yeah, even with all the recent changes, things are good, and she's happy. She's moving on, putting Phil's house up for sale, leaving a party at her house and going for a drive like she wanted to do without worrying about everyone else. As for the guy living in her old house... something still could come from it, but it doesn't have to. She doesn't require someone to sweep her off her feet - the prompt that clicked for her since there hasn't been any focus on her dating for some time. Basically, Sam will finally live her own life. I liked all the shooting stars and such, but I especially loved her wink at the end. She's got this and is going to be just fine.

I think the portrayals of the daughters are extreme, but there is a true thing about kids being great around friends and others yet terrible to their parents, in part because it's "safe" to let everything out with them. They don't have to put on a front or pretend. With teens, too, there's the element of testing their independence, another longer version of terrible twos but with greater vocabulary. They do generally become human again... Max seems to have lightened a bit since she had to be responsible while Sam was away. (I could have done with a shorter version of the drunken emoting though.) And Sam has finally begun to call them out on some things, which is good. Pamela Adlon is doing a podcast for this last season - I haven't listened yet, but I'm kind of interested to hear her point of view on these girls. Or maybe it's an L.A. thing and they're considered normal?

Sad to learn this news. I liked them a great deal.

So, so happy for Shoma and Vincent, and for Yuma. Yuma is young and will no doubt do great things going forward. And YAY for Camden! Talk about good timing to skate maybe his best ever! Ice Dance played out as expected, though I had faint hope that somehow Chock and Bates would earn silver. Mostly, I'm happy they made the podium. I continue to enjoy Hawayek and Baker, and I'm very happy they made the top 10. It seems like next season could be very different - wondering who all will retire. I'll be sad if some decide they're done, but there are some very interesting skaters still to watch. Lastly - how refreshing not to have the Russians. It felt fair and exciting and like anything could happen. Well - again, Ice Dance was somewhat predictable, but not in an unfair way.

Mariah seemed to struggle on every jump, not to mention that opening combo. It's a shame. Alyssa is good, but she still looks "new" to me. Mariah was in her own way though. She wasn't alone - lots of nerves today. *Edit - Or what ChicksDigScars said. Both Loena and Kaori were great. Am really happy for them both.

Poor guy, he was great at the Olympics. What an awful reason to have to withdraw. Eyes on next season...

Agreed. Hoping that ranting to herself leads to direct comments.

I love Sam, and I have a glimmer of hope for her now. First, running into her friend and him offering her a directing job in San Francisco. Second, quitting the movie job that felt so bad to her, going against her ingrained need/belief to work-at-all-costs no matter what it costs her (not blaming her for it, what with supporting 3 kids and an ex). Third, her long rant after Max cancelled and Frankie left, about all that she did to prepare for an evening she absolutely told them about and that they were selfish about. I have hope because she discovered what uplifted her, left behind something that didn't, and because she didn't just accept the shitty treatment from her kids, she really bitched about it (as I recall, she previously tended mostly to accept with little comment - or maybe a single sarcastic line). A small step, but a step. I hope that she has reached her limit and will do some things differently going forward, especially, mostly, that she will go to San Francisco and direct and choose that just for herself. The kids are ingrates. Well, Duke has been generally OK - the verdict is still out on her. Max is still the absolute worst. The less we see of her, the better. And if she is trying to get pregnant...spare me. Please, please, please, do not let her fuck up Sam finally having a chance to do something for herself. (Rather, don't let Sam let her fuck it up.) As for Frankie... well, she is obviously a lot more capable than Max, but she can also be awful. So there's a sisterhood that keeps things from Sam because Sam overreacts? Gee, is Sam maybe completely exhausted from working hard, from taking care of everyone in her sphere, from trying to meet everyone's needs, and getting nothing but shit for her efforts? And they judge her while treating her like shit? She reacts because she has to handle everything, and it's always something, and they are ingrates. Sam welcomes in everyone, takes care of strangers (pink phone), continues to be there for her kids, always, and.... I can't remember specifics from other seasons, but there were various examples of her being there for, and being exceptionally kind to people she just met. And she still has the energy and enthusiasm to fangirl over a childhood idol. I love Sam. Anyway - I hope that this final season has Sam finally taking care of herself and finding some peace for herself. (She did buy herself the car she wanted - that's one thing.)

I recorded the Gala on USA but then decided to watch on Peacock after seeing reactions here to the commentary. I then went back and re-watched a few skaters on the USA recording. Interestingly, some camera angles were different - though both NBC, yes? Peacock did a better job in general, IMO, and no commentary was a bonus. Thoughts on a few skates (not necessarily in order of appearance): -So great to see Vincent Zhou - what a rough break he had. I'm so glad he at least got to skate in the Gala. -Enjoyed the very brief moonwalk that Shoma Uno did in his routine. -Alysa Liu was fantastic. Impressive that she learned a routine so quickly (how much notice to they give those they invite?) I love that some of the other women treated her like a little sister. -Kaori Sakamoto was so filled with energy and fire, maybe even more than her competition skates. She was great. -Both Keegan Messing's and Nathan Chen's skates were fun. -While I understand being a little tired of slow sameness in programs, I LOVED Chock and Bates' routine, which I had seen before and am so glad they used here. It was beautiful, soft, and romantic, and more than that, it looked genuine. No need for acting or manufactured glances or touches. Others are, of course, performances, and not everyone is in a relationship off-ice so... yeah. But this soft, slow program was especially lovely because of their personal connection. It seems they deliberately avoid that in competition - which is fine and probably smart - but I enjoyed seeing it here. -Also not a new routine, but Yuzuru Hanyu just about had me in tears. His skate was so beautiful and so moving, and the performance seemed more mature than previous times (makes sense, being older). I thought this one in particular was better on Peacock, both for camera angles and for no commentary interrupting it. And watching that performance does make me wish there was an artistic-only category for single skaters. Imagine the choreography. -Missed seeing Jason Brown. How do they decide who to invite?

I hope Chock and Bates don't retire. Seems like they are simply getting better, and I want to see more from them.

Never mind.

But H/B lifts are great. Tanith mentioned how steady and strong he is. It's a prejudice to judge against them - him in particular - for height.

Agreed. I just wanted to hear more specifics about areas of their performance.

Tanith has been pointing out the reasons for lower levels from some of the early skaters. She was full of praise for H/B but didn't explain why some of their levels were low. I find them quite lovely and don't understand why they don't score higher, so I wish she had explained more about their performance.

I'm late responding to this. It's too sad to think about, but of course the day will come. In a couple things I read, he said he hasn't decided yet. (Same w/Yuzuru, actually - a standard answer right now, I suppose.)

No worries. I made an assumption too. Sorry if my response came across poorly.

Could be - but Yuma didn't. I haven't noticed if those from other countries also do this with their flags/anthems. If I'm wrong - OK. @annzeepark914 said: And Schindler's List. I don't want to hear music that reminds me of the horrors of those death camps while watching skaters leaping and spinning on an ice rink. I totally get this, especially if it's treated lightly. --Jason Brown is Jewish and gay, and he did this program as a personal tribute. From comments elsewhere, many see it as respectful and thought it was very moving. Opinions obviously vary - just offering another view.

I noticed in one shot that Shoma Uno also had his hand on his heart during the U.S. National Anthem. Respect to him for his show of respect.

Not Shoma's best skate but he's at least got Bronze. Loved that his coach's first words were to ask if he was all right.

Is this his first competition this season? The scoring page didn't show any "season's best" information. I feel so bad for him, but the rest of the skate was lovely.

Here's a time schedule, though it's in Beijing time: https://results.isu.org/results/season2122/owg2022/FSKMSINGLES-----------FNL-000100--_StartListwithTimes.pdf Start to finish it's just about 4 hours, so more like 12:30 ET by the end of Nathan's skate. It's been 2 hours, we're halfway through, resurfacing now, then warm up, and the next skater Is scheduled to start at :43 past the hour in whatever time zone.

Aw Donovan - he was landing jumps in the warm-up. Maybe nerves got to him. Still, he's at the Olympics and participated in the final skate with a season's best score. It would be great if he got more opportunities from this.