Traveller519

After nearly two years since the last season aired, a season that was burning plot like, well.... the analogy here would be too on the nose, it's been rather enjoyable to sit and let the characters interact. Sure some of it's overly goofy, but it let's us fall back in love with the characters. Unfortunately that likely means we're going to lose some next week, in the most heart wrenching way. I would really have enjoyed hearing what Bran and Tyrion discussed. I feel like Bran could have really worked the Three-eyed Raven powers to a sound strategy, or at least got him off the sidelines. I LOVE that Brienne has gone from the reviled daughter of a Lord who was subject to outright bullying from her male peers and unintentional bullying from her own father, to a respected member of the seven Kingdoms. Holding the utmost respect not only the like of the Stark women, but three very different men for very different reasons, only one of which is truly sexual (though his respect is of her total offering). She has the acceptance she always craved but could never admit to.

That was the consensus in my living room tonight. Which was made, while we were all squirming agreeing we didn't want to see it! "No no nononononono we've known her since she was 12!" I guess she got all the spears from Hendry she was after.

The title of this episode could not be more fitting for this series as a whole. It wasn't always good. But it always embraced it's crazy

I refuse to believe Kevin would ever wear a beard that robust. But... I kind of love it..???

"But They are our Babies" "No, you only see them that way..." Umm NO, YOU HAVE AN ACTUAL BABY! Seriously, what was the point of adding Davante from a writing perspective? It led to a very slight pregnancy storyline, a post-partum depression episode, and the quickly abandoned what-if Bow doesn't go back to work story. In an episode where Junior's feeling of obligation to care for his brother is impacting his social life, the fact that he couldn't be written into his parents discussion of their children was very telling.

Gay of Thrones for Winterfell (Winterfella!) has been posted! I honestly thought it was a bit subpar. Especially for having Bryan in the chair, who is one of Jonathan's most reliable guests. But I'll chalk it up to the fact that they were off for two years, and the fact that they get this turned around in less than 48 hours to be remarkable. The "Looks" commentary and montage is particularly well done though. I was hoping Jonathan would be commenting on Bran's creepy popping up all over Winterfell.

In re-watching Season 7, I got the impression that Jon (right and honorable Jon) felt that he owed it to Daenerys to bed the knee after her rescue mission. He saw the potential of her as a leader in that moment, and saw it as something he could never be. I truly believe Jon doesn't want to be Lord of Winterfell or King in the North, he really just wants to fight the Night King and then help keep order. He has no desire for the politics or administrative responsibilities of ruling, in any scope. Of course the fact that the Queen he has deferred to is insanely beautiful and also finds him appealing turned out to be a nice little bonus. Even if her pets/kids won't leave the room when they're trying to have some fun together.

While watching Nico and Brie, I came to the realization that I am ready for Brie to ditch Nico and end up with Guy Who Just Bought a Boat for the all-time worst couple on the planet. Nico will be forced to counter with Divorcee Who Just Bought a Miata (This has to be Cecily, right?) to it's own disastrous effects.

Exactly, Amy really turned me off this episode. Her character is supposed to be one that a) understands Jake, despite his emotional issues and b) thoroughly prepares for all situations. That conversation would have happened before they got married, and if somehiw the water-park discussion was accepted by her as the end of it, she wouldn't be giving him an ultimatum in that scenario. What kind of Selfish crap is "I don't want to be starting-over" when your partner tells you they're not ready for kids now, but are at least open to the possibility as their life continues to evolve? That's not the Amy we know. She's not someone willing to dispose her partner because they don't represent an absolute avenue to a hypothetical next step. Terry's advice to Jake was spot on. If he's not 100% on board with kids at the moment, he shouldn't be taking a leap of faith just to placate Amy. It's very disappointing that when he presented his reasons to her she dismissed them and then threaten to walk away if he didn't accept.

I've taken some time to reflect, and I've come around on it more as time has gone on. On first watching I let the fact that Paul and Lindsay get married again really get to me. I just hate that outcome so much. Paul as an active participant in the Vernon and Becca Throuple was a far better outcome for all parties. He motivates them to become more responsible, they let him live in the moment among society. I get that somewhat leaves Lindsay "out in the cold" but her character arc was all about her independence and finding out who she was outside of any relationship (romantic of familial). Pair that with the idea that they are both bad for one another really makes them being remarried seem like a cop-out. At least Future-Jimmy (acting as our surrogate) vocalizes this is a bad idea. I would have been fine were it still Lindsay's wedding, but it's some new partner. Or perhaps the Florist, or Sam, or Doug Benson. BUT This show is truly Jimmy and Gretchen's story, and I feel like it ultimately did right by them. The treatment of the day and their feelings felt genuine to the characters and while it's nearly impossible to imagine them as parents from what we've experienced thus far, the notion that when they're faced with that outcome they respond accordingly does feel earned, because they have been through so much together. I'm also glad the show did right by Edgar and Jimmy with the former acknowledging his failure at the time, and Jimmy looking through the big picture. Gretchen's response to Edgar in the car also felt real, as did Lindsay's. Edgar's personal growth story really wrapped up last season, but he played a good supporting role this season, even as the last minute destructor. I had hoped the little girl would be his, maybe with Dorthy, maybe with someone else, but still he feels happy. The episode had some great little moments too: Lindsay's song and everyone immediately going to their phones. Though I wish there had been a Ty and Boone lyric we got to hear. Vernon's emotional roller coaster with the Best Man role and the pictures beforehand. Killian's Sceintology is actually a great little gag The "three years-on" montage may be becoming a trope for half-hour comedies in their conclusion. But it's a nice little post-mortem. Even if it's becoming cliche, I enjoy it. The music in this show was always on point. Thanks, "You're the Worst" You were certainly the show of my early-30s. I look forward to what all participants do next.

While the official line of the show is that which party everyone belongs to is not addressed, it's quietly demonstrated that Selina et al belong to the Democrats. There are some clues from policy positions, and characteristics of people in the party and the opposing party. i.e. Selina a former Maryland Senator running against O'Brien a Texas Senator for the Presidency. That's why the NRA support was such a great little tag, it's part of identifying Jonah as this bizarre wild card in the party's nomination. Officially his party is more anti-NRA policies, so the NRA loved being able to latch onto him. Speaking of guns. I've got to wonder what Selina's unfiltered quote to Mike (Buzzfeed, the print edition...) will turn into. She's so used to talking to him like he's on her staff she just let fly despite the fact he had a recorder in front of her. I don't think anything will ever top the "Consistency... with Change" campaign motto, but "New. Selina. Now." may be equally fantastically dumb.

There's one little throw-away bit from the episode that I thought was exeptionally well done. Thomas Middleditch's character at the Private Club. The cameo works on any level no matter how familiar you are with the show. If you’ve been watching the whole way through and remember his character from the First Sunday Funday in Season 1 (5 years ago), it obviously works on that level because he plays it similarly. If you forget the character (or haven't seen the episode) but just recognize Thomas Middleditch the actor/comedian, you could easily place this club as a place where the "real" Middleditch visits (the show exists in a universe with a "real" Ben Folds, Doug Benson, Paul F. Tompkins, and hell Tony Shaloub, after all). If you have no idea who the character or the is he’s just a guy pissed off these new guys are grabbing the attention in his club. I only started watching in Season 2 and then found the Season 1 episodes afterward. I admit that I recalled Middleditch had played a character on the show, but I had to look it up to who it was, which episode, and the nature of his character. But the scene still worked for me even though he doesn't speak. I kind of enjoy viewing it through all three lenses.

I think I have to disagree with you both here. I completely buy that reaction from someone on the eve of their wedding day, who has been through so much to come to terms with the fact that this is the right decision. The scene with him hugging his Dad, was one of release of his personal demons and of what lay ahead. And as much as I love Edgar, and am happy to have him be the stable force that he has been this season, that was such an incredible dick move for him to pull. He litteraly started off the morning publicly encouraging them to kiss with Lindsay. If he's come to this realization, even if he's hoped Jimmy or Gretchen would realize it themselves, dropping that bomb in the manner he did is earth-shattering for anyone. In Jimmy's perception it's as much a betrayal as he previously pulled on Gretchen, which he's only recently come to acknowledge. I know Edgars been expressing his concern, but two episodes ago he was actively trying to help Jimmy be there for her, if his perceptions in the past 2-3 weeks (show time) have changed so much, I hate to say it, but I think he has to swallow it and let Jimmy and Gretchen take the leap for themselves, but be willing to be there to pick up the pieces if he needs to (just realizing the metaphor back to the broken glass...unintentional). I kind of dug the Gretchen and her mother moments, because by the time it boils over we (like Gretchen) are hoping to get the carthasis, but her mother is unwilling, or unable, to afford it to her. It wraps up the emotion that much more. I really don't want Paul and Lindsey back together. I like the space they've been in from the latter half of the previous season through the bachelor/ette party. They love and care about one another, and are respectful to each other willing to help one another out, but they've been through it twice and know that they don't work as a married couple because they can't give each other what they want. Overall I thought this episode was fantastic. Every scene with Edgar and Jimmy was exquisitely shot, whether it was the montages or the tight shot final discussion. The emotion in Gretchen's scenes were palpable. The comic relief was a bit of a letdown, but nice to see Paul not just cave to Vernon and Becca, and the over the shoulder of the contract was hilarious. Excited, but nervous as hell for next week.

I'm a little amazed that Ike Barinholtz hadn't appeared previously on Brooklyn 99. It seems like one of his characters would have been a natural fit in any number of roles. Tonight, true to form, he was.

The quality run continues. The new life in the show is infectious. A little surprised we got the two Jake/Amy plots back-to-back, but it was nice to have an episode with some levity after least week. The B plot was good too and is helping add some much needed depth to Boyle. I was expecting him to proclaim Jake his actor following the auditions. I'm glad they followed the plot right through the end.

It was similar to the Season 1 episode of Master of None, where Dev and Rachel compare Instagram posts they made of the same brunch and the comments on Dev's are things like, "Looks Nummy!" while Rachel's are things like "I want to eat your butt." The examples are ramped up (mostly) versions of real life interactions, but they're grounded enough in situations we can all recognize to hit home that little bit more. The episode was great, in my opinion! I'm psyched that it was Stephanie Beatriz who directed it. The move to NBC appears to have really given the show a sense of comfort around its production which has reflected in its quality. The renewal news is tremendous too! The Final Stand-off with Holt added some great levity to the end of the episode. Charles can be far more tolerable when he's playing the straight-man, and I adored his and Terry's Greek chorus approach to Holt this episode.

What a Twitter Diva! Since this afternoon he has already changed his Twitter Handle. It's now @AndreBraugher Somebody has already swooped in on the old one. I've updated my original post to hopefully head off confusion. Thanks for highlighting it.

Andre Braugher has joined Twitter... https://twitter.com/AndreBraugher And his first tweet is all sorts of Captain Holt delightfulness I suspect that with the positive momentum of the show. He's going to make one more push for that Best Supporting Actor Emmy, and that those around the show have suggested a social media presence will help. The female cast is pretty twitter active supporting the show, so I'm sure they'll help carry him.

The core cast has been so fleshed out I'm really enjoying some of the dives into the extended cast. Great episode for Johnny Atkins (which... Wow. Didn't think I'd have said that), Carla, and Dave Kim; as well as some nice further developments with the non-Barry and Geoff JTP (JTP!). I thought the parallels to the Jokers was particularly nice too. "Smiles???"

I'm all for B99 diversifying out a bit more with these special types of episodes every once in a while. And I am glad we got to see the other cast. Amy waking up to Jake and the Crime Scene Investegator may have been my favourite. Well that and Holt's presence at the scene, and his references to the ACTUAL two best detectives he knows. I'd love an Amy centered episode before season's end. One from her perspective that maybe shows how separated from the detectives she now is. Think about this same episode but with Amy instead of Jake and Rosa. One where she only sees the other cast in passing while she goes about her day. That would feel tragic.

Well, it was better than the, re-assign Amy's scheduling episode from earlier in the season, but I still wasn't a fan of Amy being willing to give up her position for Sheldon. She's intelligent enough to know that she was a much larger contributor and would have fought tooth and nail for that. Or, at least Blossom would have. I'm having a hard time adjusting to earnest Siefert too. I keep waiting for his other, exasperated, shoe to drop with respect to the two of them.

Good gravy, I love this band of dorks! It's so good to have them back in my life. I enjoyed diving into the backstory of Hitcock and Scully. Would have loved to have seen them cross paths with 80s Holt through some fashion. We've really only seen him from the 70s. I really enjoyed that all the stories tied together. That's when the show is at its best. The strength of the cast is when they can play off each other.

Erica and Barry's back-and-forth about how the wedding got to this point was fantastically well done, and really captures the essence of Barry's character. His impulsiveness matched with his passion. I think my favourite line was "I'm not ready to get married, I'm still a child. I get angry and jealous when someone else gets a present and I don't!" I wonder if the wedding would have gone through had Schooled not officially been picked up, giving them a good option to defer it. Now, I'm secretly hoping for the return of Jamie Weisman. I liked her calm presence set against Barry's... Barry-ness. The Adam story was actually very touching. I think a lot of us try to alleviate tension or tragedy with humour to help ourselves, without really understanding how it may impact those around us.

Just give D'Arcy all the awards now. You could completely see each character as she played them. Though I have to guess we did skip over roughly 74 years of Jeremy Bearimy time of Jason enjoying being the proud owner of a pair of boobs (great shape, size, and so close together!!!)

I do enjoy the thought of Scott doing a little cross-country road trip in the Ant-Van. It's a long trip from San Francisco to Upstate New York. He's got to have some fun adventures that will serve as a nice contrast to Tony's time in space.