Trini

Finished Season XII; This was pretty much Season XI, part 2, so points for being somewhat consistent. Although I think they had some better ideas and execution this time around. Costume notes: I guess keeping everyone else in the same clothes means that that there's more money for Cat's flamboyant custom suits? I like the leather jacket that Lister has been wearing the past few seasons, but no so much with the rest of the outfit. The scarf they tie around his neck is not working for me in particular. I liked that they addressed that Lister and Cat are getting older. While they still don't give Cat much to do, I appreciate the energy and consistency Danny John-Jules brings to role even after all these years. The finale, "Skipper", was probably the best out of XI and XII. For me at least, it had a bunch of laugh-out-loud moments, nice callbacks to earlier seasons, plus, I love a multiverse story! Seeing the different versions of the characters was fun. I can quibble about how they ended the episode, but I guess they had to get back to the status quo. ---- So they're going to revisit Felis Sapiens in the 'Promised Land' special/movie; cool, but I refuse to have expectations, though. I kinda wonder what a remake/reboot of this show would look like; but sci-fi comedies are a bit more common today, so it wouldn't be so unique.

Gonna attempt to make some eclipse themed cookies for the upcoming solar eclipse. (My town is in totality!) I've got two ideas; 1) layer two flavors/colors of dough together to simulate an eclipse, and 2) decorate shortbread cookies to simulate an eclipse. I'll try and post some pics if I'm successful!

'Immigrant Dad Talk Show': Well, I don't know if immigrant dads favor their daughters enough to brush off a $12k Sephora bill, but can confirm they are disappointed in their sons. (Sorry, bro!) Ugh - can also confirm this.

Two 2024 Hugo award nominations : https://gizmodo.com/hugo-awards-2024-nominees-glasgow-worldcon-1851376821

Is this the same brother we met before? I honestly don't remember his story.

"Adult", animated revival of Good Times at Netflix: https://tvline.com/trailers/good-times-reboot-release-date-trailer-netflix-1235192981/ Thanks, I hate it.

TV reboot topic over here: https://forums.primetimer.com/topic/30368-f-u-reboot-mania-express-your-hate-here/

Opening night for Water for Elephants was last week, so reviews are out if one wants to find them. But I thought this was interesting, with quotes from and photos of Gustin: https://www.townandcountrymag.com/leisure/arts-and-culture/g60267813/grant-gustin-broadway-water-for-elephants-opening-night-photo-diary/

I'm up to S3, episode 14; so the next set starts the clone arc. Didn't realize it (and the aftermath) took up so much of the rest of the season. And then they start the New Krypton arc as well. Random notes: Hey! Cress Williams as a villain! So Black Lightning wasn't his first time in a DC universe! Don't think they fully accomplished it, but you can tell some effort was made to be culturally sensitive (for the 90s at least) in that episode. I had remembered that there was an episode where Clark admitted that he was a virgin to Lois, and that there was a virtual reality episode that even back then I thought was dumb; however I did not remember they were the same episode! I guess it's good that I'm a "completist", because I was seriously thinking of skipping that one. Interesting that they had a plot with neo-nazis and it's still relevant today. For some reason, I thought the show had introduced Lana Lang in Season 1, not season 3. Surprised she was only in one episode.

Well, even though it's not the typical crime procedural, I guess I gotta accept that this is still going to be a 'murder of the week' show. ::sigh:: But I did like that looking for a horse was something different. Eh - Billie was alright; but it didn't make sense for her and Colter to be working together and flirting with each other if she really did screw him over last time. She can be here once a season. I actually want them to resolve that just so we can move on, and be done with it.

Recent developments hint at more Red Dwarf to come? 'What’s Going On With Red Dwarf?' [ETA:] Durrr... This was a year ago, sorry.

Thoughts on Season XI: I'll start with the shallow; it's weird that they keep re-designing the sets. It's really obvious that everyone's older (and wider). Barrie's got a slightly better-looking wig(?). Cat's suits are still fab! It's nice that they actually have a budget for special effects. They really use time travel too much on this show; and lampshading that doesn't help! I'm surprised that no one mentioned that they had created a time paradox in "Give and Take". I still enjoy the characters, but they're clearly significantly older at this point, so it's now starting to look odd that they're still up to the same old antics, and haven't matured much. (Some, but not much.) They have an entire ship to themselves, why are Lister and Rimmer still rooming together?? So we FINALLY get a Cat A-plot episode, and ... it's all over the place? We finally meet a female of his species ... but not really. Then it devolves into a monster plot. Kinda disappointing. Okay, one more series and a special to go!

I know they had retconned a couple of things, but I don't think it's been established that Arman was in an "arranged marriage" that he didn't want to be in. And while Arman has not been great to Nadia, last season I think the show did establish that they still love each other (even while he's also kinda in love with Thony). But my main thing is even if they don't 100% trust her, everyone's on the same side essentially, wanting to find Arman. They should be working together. And despite Nadia trying to get a deal with the FBI, I actually don't think she'd rat anyone out, because the stakes are too high. But you know, apparently there's not enough drama and conflict.

Forgot to mention: Still annoyed with them delaying Robyn/Dante. We're in Season 4, and they still can't go out for drinks? Come on!

The show had been away for so long, I'd forgotten that most plot twists are of the 'how can this situation get worse?' variety. Well, that's on me. So of course Fiona and Chris are stranded in the desert, of course Thony jeopardizes her position with Sin Cara, of course the FBI can't help Nadia. And again, I don't get why Ramona and Jorge don't trust Nadia - Arman's wife who also has criminal dealings, so she's savvy about certain things, more than Thony. But I guess they want (even more) drama. On a positive note; I do like that they're getting a little deeper with Fiona and Chris.

Interview and preview of the next episode: 'Sofia Pernas Teams up With Husband Justin Hartley—Scoop on Characters’ Messy Past'

They haven't lost me yet, BUT, he just killed a guy - yes, in self defense - and it just got shrugged off. I feel like that should be kinda a bigger deal since he's a private citizen and not officially law enforcement (not that it's much better even if he was).

Like a lot of these "man" products, it's just marketing; there's no difference. They're trying to get more customers.

Yeah, Reenie is the piece of this show that isn't quite clicking with me yet. The premise is that Colter travels all over, but then he's got a lawyer ex buddy that ALSO travels all over the place? Also, I think they need to let Colter/Hartley loosen up a little more. Again, let's have some cases without murders. So we had a bit of Action!Colter in this one. However, are we supposed to believe he got away scot-free for throwing a guy off a building? Is Reenie that good a lawyer?

Fashion highlights: I'd say everyone's coats, but Robyn's patterned one especially. Also the Brunette wig when Robyn was undercover. I thought this was a good one. Although it was a stretch that Bad Guy would immediately let his not-really-a friend who just got out of prison in on ALL his criminal operations. In any case, I did like Mike Epps as a guest star. Dee's dad is getting divorced? I don't see why they're introducing this plotline; it's not like we see him or his wife (I don't remember if they have kids) regularly anyway. Are they planning some story that requires him to be single? Was also lowkey hoping Harry would get involved with the cyberbullying B-plot.

When Thony is tasked with cleaning cars for Ramona, she comes across a distressed woman in need of medical attention. Fiona attempts to return to the States and Nadia confronts Agent Russo for information about Arman's disappearance. Airdate: March 19, 2024

Neither am I, but she's better than Garrett, who I never liked. I'd say that's a strong possibility. But there's may another candidate according to casting news (in the Spoiler topic). I hope not. I think they need to move on from Luca's health being always in peril.

Not a bad idea; but good luck, because I feel there'll be no way to please everyone or even most fans no matter what they do with this particular IP.

Eh, they've got that female FBI agent taking the 'law enforcement' role, so I don't think it's that big of a loss. Seems like she'll have an arc with Nadia. Now, the Arman-shaped hole in the show is much harder to fill.

Not a misdeed, but since it had been discussed here before; Oprah addressed her resignation from WeightWatchers on Jimmy Kimmel: 'Oprah Winfrey Reveals Why She Quit WeightWatchers Board of Directors'