Traveller519

From a purely charisma perspective, Tom seems to be representing the early days of the Palin selection, where her mere presence completely monopolized the McCain campaign. At least in the early stages he seems to have a good enough head on his shoulders that he wouldn't be caught in a Couric interview scenario, but I wonder what if there's going to be some reveal as to what happened during that time off. A little surprised that they showed, Selina to be uncomfortable with the bike, her primary interest outside of power has always seemed to be fitness and her appearance. I mean she ran 10K with little to no issue after walking through a plate glass door. Most fitness fans I know are big fans of bikes.

An episode I loved all around just fell out on the bottom at the end with the Brain-Rape firm. Ugh, I liked the initial joke with them, about Richard being excited to actually talk about his IP, but there's no way from 4 minutes and a single whiteboard drawing they'd be up an running that fast, right? I don't know much about programming (like is programming even the right word here). I get the narrative of having to overcome obstacles, but I need these guys to get a win every once and again.

Way to close strong, B99! Terry and Gina do play so well off one another, them in the observation room was fantastic. "What's going on?" Terry's uncomfortableness with the pat down was splendid. This whole season has done a great job at showing us the things that break Holt's stoicism, whether it's pettiness, embarassment, or in this case, hurt feelings. What grace was bestowed upon us for Andre Braughter to play this role?

A lot to like tonight, solid monologue (and I liked how he sold it at the end thanking everyone for bearing with him) the lumberjack skits were great, and the line up was fun. I was glad to see him team up with Kate and Andy again late in the show. The Rock did pull off the male character in the Jemma skit much better though.

From a "Feel Hard" moment. At the end when Barry asked Adam how he was doing, and Adam couldn't even find the words to express his emotion, and Barry gives him the big brother hug... Damn you show!

I really hope the wedding is a send off to Oleg and Sophie. I wouldn't mind keeping Oleg on his own, his antics were always somewhat amusing, at least, but I won't be able to take anymore of the show with full on Sophie. She is just a black hole of a character that sucks the life out of every scene she's in, which is a shame because I've previously enjoyed a lot of what Jennifer Coolige does. What I miss the most about the early seasons where the "broke people scenarios" of shopping at Thrift Stores, extreme couponing, and spoiling yourself with a bit of extra money every now and again. If there's some serious re-tooling, I'll consider another season just for my enjoyment of the Beth and Kat chemistry and occasional Garret Morris perk. If it looks to be more of the same, I may officially throw in the towel.

I thought the server breakdown was going to give me my own breakdown, one setback too much. So it was nice to see them get the win with the neighbor and then see Hooli is way behind on nucleus. Though as usual, Erlich pushed himself way too far.

I hope this means a new episode of Dyke and Fats. Hopefully with CK's Captain/(Chief?) tiptoeing around the issue. ETA: Some commentary on Keenan. Last year, early on I thought he'd overstayed, but he's been an incredible workhorse these past few seasons that have seen a lot of cast turnover. Very few people can balance the sweet and tough like he can. As good as Taran is in so much of what he does, when he tries to go for the sweet character it really seems put on. I actually think Pete may be able to fill that role as he gets a bit more talented.

Really liked this episode, though it may have been fueled a bit by being watched via DVR late following a long flight home from Chicago. The monologue was so refreshing. I would have liked some more meta stuff (Kate, "Mom, I'm sorry that I came out to you on National Television." Mom: "When did you do....ooooooo"), because that's just me, but of course Keenan's Mighty Ducks clip was great and filled that void. Reese's clip was her at 18, seemed much older than the rest. That Cougar Den talk show would have been worthwhile but the fucking fart joke sank it. I have no further qualms with Weekend Update. The chemistry is maybe a bit lacking, but I think they're doing a much better job of playing off one another. They both look much more natural, and they work well the guests. I don't think any change needs to be made there. I can't quite figure out why we needed celebrity impersonations in the pictionary sketch. It was the only thumbs down I had on an otherwise great skit.

This was a brilliant episode. I think it addressed the male-dominated cast critique of the first season well through the running commentary on benefitting from adding a women, but it needs to be the right person, and all the best if it's a women, but it's great if she is a woman, but..." Trying to explain the situation from all sides. Glorious. And I think Jared captured it well. And of course the new Engineer is a lady, and shown to fit in perfectly with the screwing with one another nature of the group. So of course the show is called "The Lady" but also reference's Russ's in home technology, where he also has his girlfriend vote his extra vote, while Monica is shown to be the one person on the board that knows how to walk the equation. Then to tie it off, there's jilted Erlich who tries to regain some feeling of control by his interactions with Jin Yang, mirroring what's going on with Russ and his girlfriend, but as usual it's Jin Yang's outward and forthrightness that ends up exposing Erlich's insecurities. Excellent examination of the Gender relationships of the show.

I think the show is playing up a real good dynamic in this Amy/Jake relationship. They both know they have feelings, but value the friendship and their respective careers that complicating those is a terrifying proposition. I think that's a very real and adult issues that many people feel in the workplace. Where Parks dealt with Amy & Ben sneaking around despite the rules in it's terrific third season, this show is dealing with the characters combating their own emotions and logistics. I've long been a Gina supporter as I thought she added a good countering force to a lot of the happy go lucky ensemble. That said, I've noticed her character has mellowed and is not quite so outrageous and I feel like they've really dialed her character in. She's still quirky and can be biting, but she fits much better into the plots now. She had some great lines in this episode, The Charles to Terry scale, the ass that won't quit, being buried with her phone, and needing to get in contact with Pam Grier to serve frozen yogurt.

Who likes tracking shots? Not only Skye's fight, but there were some great smaller ones with some of the dialogue. Nice to see some directors go a against the Michael Bay, Heavy-Cut format! The flat line sound next to Lincoln felt very appropriate, it captures his acting well. Great episode leading into the move with the subtle references early on. The more exposition-y ones towards the end of the show were a little on the nose, but I liked the set up. Now, off to the theater!

Acting is still top notch, and the dialogue is as snappy as ever. My issue is that with the change in office, these fuck-ups that used to not feel like they had any real impact because of the nature office of the vice-president and being mirrored against Selina's inability to accomplish anything because of the office seamed at least realistic, now don't seem like they'd be hand-waved quite as easily, even with "senior level" firings. I hate that I'm making a (This Sitcom isn't realistic!!!!) observation, because I don't think they should be, but I'm not feeling the Selina as President stories as much, and I think that's why.

I'm worried about Amy's character. The writers seem a bit stuck with her. While Melissa Fumero is managing to eek out some laughs with her reactions shots and expressions, the actual character isn't going anywhere right now. The over-achiever and eager to please Holt jokes have played out, despite there being multiple times where she's acknowledged she needs to address it. While Gina's actions are those of a shitty person, at least she's funny. Throwing the Salad out the Window while saying "I'm an even nicer person" was good for a laugh. Also "[The rats] were definitely running away from it." Get me back to Amy being funny, whether it's dropping one liners and zingers with the rest of the team (i.e making fun of Charles' STDs), pumping herself up with some sweet dance moves, or acknowledging how weird it is that her boyfriend's boxers have bathing suit liners.

So, end of last week, Richard is ready to stand up to Gavin, but then obviously hears him out, and listens to Monica's rationale and tries to go to the team with the proper talking points. When they push back he's easily swayed by Henneman's pitch to do his own thing, and again can't properly convey the talking points. Does Richard know what he wants? He seems to have talked himself into thinking he wants to build his own thing, but the stress is eating him alive.

Maybe it's Stockholm Syndrome, but I've enjoyed the second half of the season much more than the first half. There are still some things I wish they'd clean up, like moving Andy on to anything else, exploring Alex's pressure issues and therapy from last season and find something routinely better for Manny and Luke, but at least everyone (and the writers) appears to be trying again. This was a good tie off with the neighbors. Unlikely in real life, but it's a sitcom, so I'll take the begrudging acceptance and reconciliation over common ground. And I like that they did it with Phil still not being comfortable with the idea. Steve Zahn's character explaining hiding in plain sight, was great. Getting Phil together with his Zahn and Kevin Hart neighbors for an episode of man-childness would be good.

Necessary for the Wall Street/Wal-Mart joke though, right?

Yup this is definitely one show where you need to just ignore the continuity. Adam and Barry have been seen riding the bus together, though. "What are you talking about? Your Dad's right over there! He sold us our sectional!" This show definitely kills it with its guest stars. Bryan Callen, Ana Gasteyer, and Dan Bakkedahl in one episode. Grand!

Well, show, if you wanted me to enjoy Ward being back, the two weeks set up with Lincoln sure did the trick. Man, is that guy boring. Deathlok sure is cool all independent and figuring out his own-self though.

I wonder who the casting agent is at Warner Brothers that loves The Wire (well, we ALL love The Wire). The Dark Knight Rises had: Tommy Carcetti, CIA Agent; and Bunny Colvin, Army Captain/Bridge Protector. Gotham has had (that I can recall): William Rawls, Crime Boss/Mama's Boy; Clay Davis, Asylum Warden; and now Brother Mouzone; Research Executive.

But what happened to Ben's Shirt!?!?!?!?!

Yes, that was Michaela Watkins for both, and as the same character I believe. I could buy that a school would have one of the other teachers teach a health class. But mostly I think it's to make use of Michaela's comedic timing.

Oh Sisterhood of the Apartment of No Pants, you guys never cease to amuse me. "Eh, she's kind of a roommate, when she's here." "I guess I'll see you there." "What?" "That's a pretty crappy drawing." I only wish Ivy was around rolling her eyes at both of them. I thought Selina's dress was appropriate. I think Selina's supposed to be in the 14 age range where she can play up to dealing with the adults but still has a bit of that youthful innocence that a few years younger Bruce sees in her. Bruce sent over a dress that would be appropriate for someone his age. I'm sure she would have looked great in a sleek ball gown, but it wouldn't have worked palling around with Bruce.

Wow, this show is pulling no punches with showing that everyone has their Bad as well as Good Characteristics. Even Todd, who up to this point has been the most sympathetic character, was shown to have a pretty vicious petty/insecure streak. New Phil appears to be just as shallow as regular Phil but has the physical attractiveness to get away with it, kind of like a male Melissa.

This episode really paired up well with the Silicon Valley episodes.