Trini

I feel like I'm going to get whiplash from all the plot twists this season, just based on the first two episodes. And I'm not as invested since Thony is facing essentially the same types of threats as the previous seasons. I am kinda interested in the new characters, though.

3x04 synopsis:

Hey, this time he's looking for an animal! (I'm sure it won't be that simple, though.)

Started Season X. In typical RD fashion, they don't really acknowledge the events of the previous seasons. The only thing that carried over was that Kochanski is out there in space somewhere. But I do like that this season is pretty much 'back to basics'. Just the core crew getting into silly situations and annoying each other. In superficial concerns; it's supposed to be the same Red Dwarf ship, but it's all new sets, and new special effects. Which is fine, but it's a little weird to see this show have a budget of more than $500 - LOL! Also I'm pretty sure that they've got Chris Barrie in a wig now; not sure if it's a full one or just the front/top to cover his receding hairline. On the other hand, Lister's dreads have never looked better! Going episode by episode: “Trojan” —Interesting to meet another one of Rimmer’s relatives; the moose gag and Stirmaster gags were funny. “Fathers and Suns” — Okay, I thought this was a great comedic take on the implications of being one’s own father. Lister talking to himself as if he’s a separate person was hilarious! And even though I know they don’t care about continuity, this father plot reminded me that Lister actually has sons in another dimension; does he even think about them? “Lemons” — Really? Another accidental time travel plot? I think this one had the flimsiest reason yet. All so they could do ‘What if the crew met Jesus?’ as a plot. “Entangled” — This was a so-so episode. “Dear Dave” — So this was clearly their budget-saving episode. It’s interesting that because Holly's not around they gave other machines personalities. And this is the second plot that involves Lister and fatherhood. Should I be hopeful that they’ll come back around to his twins eventually? “The Beginning” — Took ten seasons, but Rimmer finally grew something of a spine! I liked the moment of Cat helping him in his own way, too. Let Cat do more things! Nice end to the season.

What is up with the pacing?? We only just found out about Paolo and now we're leaving him behind? I did like the subplot with him and Chris (even though everyone was being way too chill about the situation), and I thought we were going to see a bit more of them and Fiona in the Phillipines. I hope we see Paolo again, because it seems a waste to cast that guy for just two episodes. Not sure what to make of this new branch of Arman's family yet. Having an uncle and nephew be close in age happens in real life, but it's a little confusing here. Don't see the point of them threatening Nadia; everyone's on the same side trying to find Arman. Thony's chopping up bodies already; I feel like it shouldn't get any worse than that, but it's only episode 2.

Some Oscars BTS info: 'How Choreographer Mandy Moore Harnessed the Kenergy of Ryan Gosling and 62 Kens for “I’m Just Ken” Oscars Performance' 'How Ryan Gosling Planned Out Every ‘I’m Just Ken’ Performance Detail, From Marilyn Monroe’s Inspiration to the Cameraman Kiss '

I came across this, which has a bit of explanation: ' ‘Wheel of Fortune’ Contestant Returns for Second Chance After Show Makes Mistake'

Disappointed but not surprised, seeing as how there had been little news: '‘The Batman Part II’ Delayed a Year to 2026'

I mean, I hope at least the people actually at the Oscars got something out of it? Because it did NOT work watching the televised version. Yeah - the dancers were distracting and unnecessary, although I didn't mind having singers. Of course the worst part was not being able to clearly see/read who they were honoring.

They had fun, but I wish they'd gotten a couple more trophies:

At Primetimer: 'Miss Scarlet May Have Lost the Duke, But She's Already Changed the TV Landscape'

I know there were a lot of behind-the-scenes events that affect this season, but WOW, that was just so much resetting and new information. Maybe they could have spread that out more? Not only is Arman missing (but I know that out of the show's control), but his aunt just happens to be the leader of a drug(?) cartel that he screwed over last season (or was it Season 1)? So Thony and Fiona's cleaning business still exists, but who is running it? Because you know were not going to see any of that. So suddenly Chris is in the Philliphines(!), which is the main reason why we suddenly find out about Paolo, who just suddenly found out he's father to a teen. Also I wasn't clear on who was threatening the family. And now Luca is in danger of being taken by CPS; but on the other hand, right now there's nobody else around to look after him when Thony's busy. It looks like Nadia's storyline will mainly be with the FBI? Don't think I like that. But I'm in for now; but if this season turns out to be more misery than not, I'll be out.

3.03 synopsis:

Yay! for a comic, but also 'boo'; because this seems to mean that Season 2 won't be out until summer! Ugh, I just want more of these adorable dorks!

I'd usually expect some Dune 2 co-stars to cameo, but it's Oscars weekend.

Well, this was just weird in general. And it's more of a special than a series. I guess it works as a tribute to the show, and a way to acknowledge it's 20th anniversary, but - as the kids say - the vibes were off. Also I don't like it when things get too 'meta'. A wink and a nod is fine; but if the entire plot is winks and nods, that's a problem. And I don't know anything about Coronation Street, so those references flew right over my head. Still plan to finish the rest.

I'm going to need a few lower stakes episodes, like as a breather; because so far there's been at least one dead body/murder in each episode.

Another fun thing to do with this show is play 'Guess which scenes PBS had to censor and/or cut for time'. Gonna have to make a list of my favorite episodes/scenes/lines from Seasons 1-8.

Well, I actually liked 5/8ths of the season; but the last 3 episodes were a mess. Apparently there were production issues? It showed. Especially the finale. So there were some big, crazy changes compared to the previous seasons, but I thought it was a return to form, and funnier than Season 7. Rimmer's back! Holly's back! The resurrected Red Dwarf crew added a new dynamic. Kochanski was less annoying, but overall I felt she didn't really add anything to the show. Also Chris Barrie is doing peak physical comedy. They still refuse to give Cat stuff to do besides punchlines (like, not even a subplot with Lister??); however I did appreciate the silliness of him having a dance number. Again, this show doesn't always need to make sense -- BUT -- a couple of things I thought really didn't make sense: The ship having its own Suicide Squad?? Literally everyone was dead and now they're alive; they should be thanking Lister & co.,or at least getting info from them, not keeping them in prison. Making Captain Hollister a quasi-villain was weird. Well, onward to 'Season' 9; it's going to be weird to see everyone older.

Quotes from the cast: 'The Cleaning Lady cast on pushing ahead after the loss of one of their own'

I'm about a third of the way into Season 3, and yep; this is definitely where Teen Me fell in love with this couple! Lois and Clark are adorable; it sucks when they fight; also adorable when the Kents give relationship advice; they actually talk about their feelings! There's really not many (any?) other shows that actually explore what it means to be a superhero couple. And again it's been a hoot to see who guest starred on this show -- Jonathan Frakes! Shelley Long! For various reasons (but mostly budget for sure), they couldn't use Superman's more famous villains from the comics in the show; so it's interesting seeing how they had to find different ways to create threats for Superman. I know clone shenanigans is coming up later, but the season is good so far.

Showrunner interviews / Season 3 premiere commentary: 'Adan Canto Honored in Cleaning Lady Premiere: EPs Explain How His Death Changed an ‘Arman-Driven’ Season' 'The Cleaning Lady bosses on Thony’s journey without Arman and how the season honors Adan Canto' 'How ‘The Cleaning Lady’ Is Keeping Adan Canto’s Memory Alive in Season 3' '‘The Cleaning Lady’ EPs Wrote Season 3 With the Hope Adan Canto Would Return'

*SIGH* 'MTVE Studios Not Moving Ahead With ‘Jodie’ Animated Movie'

I assume conflict of interest, but you'd have to ask her.

Well, smeg - forum ate my post. One more try: Some last second speculation before the premiere: Keeping in mind that Adan Canto's death is way more tragic and meaningful than anything that can happen on this silly , fictional TV show, It just sucks that the show is losing Arman, and that there won't be a proper payoff to the Thony/Arman relationship. However, without Arman, hopefully they'll have more focus on Nadia building her own empire. Two of the new male characters sound like new love interests for Thony; I really hope don't attempt yet another love triangle. They had really cooled down Thony/Arman last season, so I suppose it would be relatively easy to pair her with someone new, but who knows if the chemistry will be the same. But I'm more interested in Thony using her smarts to find a way out of her circumstances; I don't like that's she's going to be in debt to yet another criminal. Looks like Fiona has a new love interest in the Phillipines; so I'm guessing she'll be there for at least a few episodes -- if not half the season.