readster

You pointed out pretty much what I was saying in my post. They have the characters making stupid decisions because they are being stupid. I pointed out with David, they could have had it that he walked out because he had a break down that built from an abusive home, having constant unemployment, having his brother die, and seeing he couldn't be a good father because he didn't have a great home life. Instead: "I'm a man-child who keeps saying 'I love you' " to a woman who he has constantly screwed up time and time again. Jackie new this guy was loser, everyone pointed it out to her, yet she keeps letting him do this. Or she forces the family to "want" her around because she feels that with Rosanne dead no one wants her around? Umm... huh? As for Becky she put herself on that road when she couldn't bare the thought of her boyfriend leaving and her parents couldn't "pay" for the school she wanted to go to. Yeah, we get it, the Connors don't think things through, they just jump and do it. Like how last season when Chuck and Dan got into the argument about how they aren't retired because of making bad decisions. All Dan had to tell Chuck way back when that as great as it would be, he finally had a job he could do and retire from one day. Then he the fact it was : "Hey, some extra money, what a great idea, goodbye Civil Service job!"

Yeah, and they still continue to use Baby D when they "need to acknowledge" him. I think instead of trying to keep throwing in more characters because "we don't have this actor around anymore" why not focus on the ONES they STILL have! Junior is still a mess and just because you have the other characters basically saying: "you are wasting your time and doing nothing." How about finding a solution for them? Not throw in: "Well, you can't force them or they will never do it." No, Junior hasn't done ANYTHING but be told by everyone else he is doing NOTHING. He isn't having a 'gap year' he has no direction, not even going there. The writers don't know what to do with Junior and now the actor is just getting a paycheck and instead of trying to have Junior start: "a business" work with Dre as an intern or even volunteering at the hospital or something. They just have him complaining how his parents are sell outs or making him dumber than Jack. Plus, they it's: "Well, we don't know what to do with with Junior, let's bring in a new character because it's more fun to write and less of a challenge." Yeah, you know what that leads to? Over budget and cancellations.

Yeah, I feel like with David they just spun him out of control and didn't stop for one second to go: "You know, that's too much even for him." I think it would have worked better if David spun out more from his brother, Mark dying. That seeing his own son, Mark growing up started upsetting him more or the fact he didn't know how to deal with a teenage daughter with Harris and just had a break down. Turning him into: "I'm a man-child who can't deal with crap because I grew up in hell." was too much. Even throwing him with Blue, who was even a more off the wall character and I felt a waste of Juliet Lewis's acting ability because she was a caricature "new age" 40 something character that NO ONE cared about. Yes, Jackie broke down and it was so well done by Laurie Metcalf, but they sadly pointed out the main problem with Jackie. She continues to spin in the same problems that have dictated her life. She leans on someone else to get her out of her problems or deal with emotion issues. Instead of you know going; "I don't need a man to make things better" or how about: "Yes, I have a son, why don't I take the first step and start mending things up." Oh no, it's back to: heavy drinking/break down, "oh I have money, let's blow it on some big gamble instead of going over investments or something." Wash, rinse repeat. I know they want to stay in tune that The Conners have always made on the fly decisions and never take a step back to think things through. However, at their ages, it gets to a point where: "I'm getting to old to think like this anymore."

I know people tell me I'm wrong, but given Haley and Dylan's track record. I just find it very impossible to believe that Haley just forget to take her birth control pills for a day or that Dylan didn't use a condom when not only he was he married to a woman who had children of her own. That she most likely decided: "I have enough kids, so keep yours boys in check." Especially considering the "one time" we met Dylan's "Doctor Wife" she called him on saying something stupid or when he wasn't thinking things through. Sad to say, I say that Dylan's ex was a better fit for him, just like Andy and the Professor were better fits for Haley. They knew when to call them on their crap, but at the same time encourage them to be better. Dylan and Haley are the blind leading the blind and will continue to be dependent on others like Phil and Claire long after they die. They don't know how to function by themselves.

The diner, the camping trip gone wrong and the retirement home were some of the biggest surprise places that Wilson showed up at. However, I have to admit, the way they tried to keep his face hidden over the years (except for the original season 1 intro and Beach Boys episode) were well written and placed. Even Earl Hindeman admitted he was impressed a lot of times with the staging.

Something that has been bothering me is for the past two seasons they have had Steve talk about his ex-wife and how she took everything including the dog. So, here is something interesting, why have they never gone into why the two never had any children? Was it mutual? Could they not have children? Steve has formed a relationship with Jackson. Both Fernado, Steve and Jimmy agree, they are spooked by Max at time and love Tommy. Yeah, I get it, but even if there is a season 5 and if Steve did marry DJ, he would be a stepfather and most likely the other "father" that Tommy Jr would know. I also find that weird when they just gloss over something like that, especially on a revival show like Fuller House. If Steve went off to medical school, met someone and then was married for a good portion of a decade. Yet, we find out it was a marriage that just drifted apart and Steve regrets he didn't try for DJ before he met his ex. What happened in his first marriage to the point, she got the dog and his old house.

Yeah, they had it where it was either Randy a year behind or two years behind Brad. Then all of a sudden it was: "Let's just make them a year apart and Mark was the surprise." Which they hammered in our heads when Jill was: "We can't have another kid, our lives will be over!" Of course in real life JTT was 7 months older than Zach, but of course JTT was pretty short and why they did that later on. Mark seemed to stay consistent in age and schooling. When the show ended after 8 seasons, Mark had just turned 6 by the end of the first season. When in real life, Noah was a year older than his character in real life. Of course it was just like with Al and his mother, you have it where Al is upset that everyone makes fun of his mother and is at her beckon call. Then starting in season 5, Al goes back and forth between that and: "Why won't she let me have my own life?" Mode when he's with Ilene and later Trudy. Yet, will then jump on Tim or anyone who DARES to make fun of her or point out how controlling she is, even Wilson.

Characters on a TV show have other friends outside the ones showed all the time or every other episode. Wow! That's a thing? Kidding, yeah I know at least other TV shows mention other friends or people they know even if they never really show them. As those show runners say: "They have to have lives outside of the main cast and its easier to mention people now and again, or it would get expensive." However, with AMLT, it's like these people are their end all be all BFFs.

If they are hoping for a spin off from them, it won't work.

Right because even though it became a joke on The Middle, Frankie and Mike would either tell Brick: "Would you stop doing this crap or think things first." To where they even called the school on things going: "Umm... this is way over the top and you know it, how about you TALK with your staff on things." Yet, with Brad, it was all glossed over, with the worst was when Brad got caught by the police throwing bricks at an abounded green house. Where that episode was handled great by everyone involved. However, Brad's things on the first few episodes of detention were never resolved and given that not even 10 episodes later, Jill would really start her over board parenting and jumping to conclusions. They glossed over Brad's problems or acted like the school had to handle Randy's issues and at times blamed Randy for getting himself in his situations. Instead of: "Excuse me, but what the hell is wrong with your school ignoring bullying and letting students get embarrassed from stuff other teachers know is wrong?" They repeated it with Mark by having the middle school gloss over things like sudden personality changes, things that parents wouldn't want going public and even never calling things in. I think by that time, the writers wanted to try "new things" but turned them really unrealistic. Same with on The Middle with how Brick had his quirks and staff acted like he was acting out when the principal or guidance consolors knew Brick's previous issues. Yet, never shared that or the fact the schools didn't create a 504 or IEP plan when the writers excuse for these plot holes were: "Well, then Brick get's stereotyped." Of course just like why people always forgot who Sue was. The writers/producers excuse was: "It's funny." No, it was the first season, after that you wanted these people to looked at my doctor to see if they had dementia or short term memory problems.

Yep.

Right and all he did was: "Nothing" and then later when Mark was talking to him, Brad didn't even try to explain what he did, just how horrible it was to be in there. The problem is, even when you have "non involved" parents or ones that are: "Well, whatever, high school only matters as long as you pass." Parents do get to a point where they are tired of always being called by the school or hearing that they must once again, drop their kid off for Saturday school or something. They get tired of it. I'm surprise there was never an episode where Brad didn't get a FULL talk on how tired of they were he got detention in the series. Because up until his rapid talk girlfriend came up later in season 5. He was in detention a lot and then he no longer was in trouble outside the car accident and smoking pot in seasons 6-7. It was like: "We are tired of Brad going to detention too, let's get him a girlfriend and a life." Yet, never explained WHY Brad got detention.

I just noticed watching the 5 season starting and Brad got detention TWICE the first and second day of school. Even when Mark asks him what it was like, and Brad saying how horrible it was being MADE to finish homework. Yet, he wouldn't tell Jill why he got detention. I never got the boys schools, they would have called home or sent letters on WHY they were getting detention, especially on the 1st DAY of school. Where, really even back in the mid 90s, detention wouldn't be until second week of school. Schools usually wait until the second or third week of school for detention. Usually because they don't have staff to run it or the fact that most teachers don't start work until the second or third day of school. To give Brad not even a couple hours in and then just have it be: "Well, Brad is being 14 with his nothing talk." Umm... if that would have been my kid, I have in the chair until he told me WHY he was there. I also found it odd that Randy could get in trouble or would tell Tim and Jill that he was bored and getting in trouble because of lack of challenge. However, Randy getting bullied and almost being hurt would never get reported or talked about by the school and you are really expected that for all of Mark's goth phase in middle school, not ONE teacher didn't go: "Hey, Mr and Mrs Taylor, what is going on with Mark?" While Jill was always freaked out and Tim was confused all the time. Plus, when it started, Mark was in 7th grade and it was the same middle school since they referenced Randy and Mark being there when Randy was finishing 8th grade. So, really no teacher didn't go: "What brought this on?" Oh, but watch a video of your mother bad mouthing her professor and that's "fine."

Plus, they made her a regular and isn't it amazing that someone who is a native from China all their life has no accent what's so ever? Ryan is trying to avoid taxes on the Bud shop? Oh yeah, Ryan that is going to not lead to you being audited and losing the business that you and Kristin FEEL needs to stay in business. I'm with Mike, just let the place go or sell it to someone who knows how to run a business.

They keep portraying the parents on this show to be: "We have to be strict, but we have to be fun." to: "Oh hell no! What are you thinking! Even though I'm counteracting myself." My nephews during this age were NOT allowed to be alone in their room with their girlfriends. My nieces now who are almost done with high school, my brother-in-law and sister-in-law would hang any boy upside down and toss him on the fence if they even tried that. The writers of this show DO NOT know parents and kids these days. They either over exaggerate helicopter parenting, friend parenting or act like they are all super hormone crazed that they would go after a teacher if the shoe fit.

I also agree because all Claire is doing is: "Haley and Dylan are going to kill our future grand children and we need to be there and do everything for them." Believe it or not, helicoptering grand parents are becoming more of a thing. Even those who weren't helicopter parents to their own children growing up. Instead of maybe giving some suggestions or something with their own kids and hoping they taught them right. They go into this: "We are going to be dead one day and we have to make sure they raise their own kids 'perfectly'." Then when they are dead, their kids don't know how to parent their own kids or when they truly need advice, they can't get it and then really screw up. People are so paranoid that kids are going to commit suicide from watching bad youtube videos, get addicted to devices and not know how the real world works or believe everything is going to be handed to them. They don't know how to function as an adult, outside of people letting kids make mistakes and learn from them or just try to curb them from getting addicted to things. Instead, you get a society that can't handle pressure or get insulted over the stupidest little thing.

Her heart attack seem to move her back to those OCD problems. They established that her OCD was part of her for years growing up and when she focused on work or her talents, it went away. Even going as far that her mother had these problems too growing up. It started after several patients ended up dying on her watch and she threw herself into research trying to have people live and that lead to the "inject non-lethal aids virus into a kid with new immunity." Who could magically escape from a lock outside isolation room. It was the kid being magically cured and not having any issues that lead her to be cured again. However, when Ben became a fire fighter and more likely he could get himself killed on a regular basis (because you will live so long at the hospital) she stressed herself out like her mother and had a heart attack. Then apparently her near death experience made her snap out of it and realized life is too short and you have to do what makes you happy and let Ben continue. Then of course, the entire first season finale of Station 19 happened and Bailey once again started losing it, blood pressure going high again, not able to control her emotions. So her solution? Tell Ben to move out until she can go back to normal, which made ZERO sense! So much, that before the winter break, Richard called Bailey on her crap and even said: "You think that not having your husband around is going to magically make yourself better? When he has been the best thing to happen to you after your ex-husband left you? Or that you go back to not having any issues at all?" "You needed his help, not kick him out." And we are now where we are with Miranda Bailey.

They really are trying to paint Kenneth as that guy who: "Ran fast young, but made too many bad decisions and is now poor." They have gone to that well since season 1 and yet, never explained where all his money is going or that he is just bad at budgeting. He isn't making chump change at the grocery story as general manager, he took on as JJ aid to start getting himself together then took the store manager job to as he put it: "Pay the rent and still have a life." Yet, he constantly goes on how he has no money and yet uses all his free time with the family. I don't want the writers to then magically show that Ken is paying off bookies from bad gambling deals from a decade ago. However, they need to give a better explanation instead of: "I'm broke again for some reason."

Why it was the writers not reading it for what it is. Basically: "It looks like a phone booth, we are having our character SAY it's a phone booth."

No, they announced next year will be the FINAL season, even cast saying that they are ready to move on. However, they don't have an episode count. As doing a half season and burning through the fall or breaking up like a normal full season. With Splitting Up Together pretty much up on the choppping block. The Sue Heck Spin-off nixed and unknown if The Connors, Fresh off the Boat, Single Parents or A Million Little Things, getting a renewal for the fall. It is still a waiting game.

My problem is Maggie after breaking down from lack of energy and so forth, took the REST of the afternoon to finish with everyone. Usualy 5Ks are late mornings or very EARLY afternoons. Especially, where they were trying to get the daughter to go back and do it. They all acted like they ran the 3 miles in 10 minutes, but then took 3 HOURS to walk it from the halfway mark. Yet, everything with the bank scenes was happening before and during the 5K. The time line was way, way off. As for Ashley, at this point what exactly is she doing? Trying to spare everyone and just disappear? She was making payments, Gary realized the "fake name" was an acronym the guys used when they got stuck in the elevator. The bank got all this on Delilah because "They were stuck in court" before Christmas. The names were forged. The only thing the really leads up to is that Jon was a moron who tried to make millions and yet set everyone up the river and Ashley is basically thinking she is protecting a dead man when she is really put herself up for major jail time instead when she just needed to just come clean and be: "here is the money, here is what Jon did. Give the real money to his family and let's be done with this." Instead they have plotting and doing stupid things like a C-list super villain.

I know, the Dr. Who fan in me went: "You guys don't know Dr. Who at all!"

No, apparently it was Dylan's father who threw him out saying he couldn't take his dead end life anymore. Now, apparently we are learning that Dylan took after his mother who didn't do squat and his father couldn't deal with both him and his "seperated" wife. I don't care at this point, I would have had Phil and Claire going: "Oh no! It's Haley and Dylan and our future grand children. The rest of you get the hell out of here!"

That's the problem, the writers could have just nixed everything with Dylan's previous marriage and just moved on basically going: "Hey, I married a moron and I'm taking the kids and running." Instead now, we are to get that he has partial custody and has to deal with all of this? In Claire and Phil's house? You are throwing us 4 more background, useless characters that are NOT going to add anything else but show just how much, Dylan should be no where near Haley and also show that he should not reproduce AT ALL! Then add in seeing Dylan's upbringing and then his parents apparently had a problem with him? He tried to be like them! Of course he ended up a moron and doing stupid things. Just like YOUR kids Claire can't function by themselves, you DID EVERYTHING for them!

Plus, to show where Dylan got his original: "I have to be a rockstar!" when he was in high school and his odd singing choices. Dylan is as much a product of his parents nastalia or having to "parented right" just like Haley is a result of Claire's helicoptering and Phil's "parent as friend" raising. It backfired on all of them and got two 25 year olds now soon to be parents that have NO idea on how to be adults.