S02.E13: The Princess and the Hacker

[FormerMod-a1]

Quote

Rakesh is stunned when his new soulmate app suggests that Lulu, the princess of an African nation, is his soulmate, instead of Jaya. So, when the God Account sends Miles Lulu’s name, Rakesh takes the lead on figuring out how they can help her. Also, Ali reveals her cancer diagnosis to Arthur and Trish.

Original air date: February 16, 2020 

[mommalib]

Good episode tonight my only gripe is what they are doing with Miles and Cara. I mean they are trying to keep them apart romantically but the reasoning is so weak and shows a lack of creativity on the part of the writers. It feels like it's for nothing. I just hope that one of them don't hook up with anybody because that will take my annoyance to another level and i'm already turned off.

[Lonesome Rhodes]

Ali gets to make reckless quality of life choices.  It's in character for her to have made this choice.  It's also in character for her to not have already had the first assessment by the fertility specialist.  It's only her life at stake.  No biggie.  Of course she would choose to dwell in unnecessary ignorance when time is of the essence.   

The attempt to parallel the brave choice of LuLu to put her life on the line for a greater cause and Ali's by TPTB was dirty pool.  At least the King had a chance to protect his daughter.

I bet that was one heckuva extemporaneous debut on the world stage by the future Queen.  Zain ain't done, either.  Not by a longshot.  Maybe literally so.

The reporter knew Zain was to be King if LuLu were to be discredited.  Then again, she had already reported LuLu's progressivism.  1)  She would never have agreed to the new deal because she knew Zain was likely to be King.  2)  The "damning" news was already out!  What new news was there, anyway?  Insanity.

Nice start to the marriage, Trish.  You chose the daughter's needs over your husband's.  Then again, he signed up for a healthy dose of disappointment, didn't he?   If Trish privately went to Arthur with Ali's "side" in this, great.   An attempt at added understanding is a good thing.  But, no.  She took Ali's side and supported her.  She then refused to tell her husband what she had done.  Trust is in such abundance in that nascent household, eh?  

Lulu sure brought it with that red dress/winter coat combo.   George Peppard would recognize.  Wow.

I was truly enjoying this ep as the stories were setting up.  It seemed "old school" GA to me.  The Rakesh romance arc was particularly charming.  Yet, TPTB simply could not resists several misdirections.  Each was unnecessary.  They could easily have taken the characters to where they ended up with some straightforward exposition.  Here again, the show was too clever.  It needs healthy doses of "feel good."     

 

 

[Yeah No]

I agreed with your whole post, @Lonesome Rhodes.  Ali making an ill advised choice bugs me.  It was ridiculous, who would do that?  Do people actually do that?  Of course she's going to die now, right?  And go down being brave and noble about her choices.  Who will end up with her eggs?  Even if she lives she can say she risked her life for a higher purpose.  I'm not buying that it's worth risking her life for, but whatever.  Same for Lulu's risk.  Again, whatever.  The way both stories were handled to force those parallels was hard to swallow.

Of course Trish would side with Ali.  Of course she's a hypocrite.  She tells Arthur he has to stand by her in everything but then doesn't stand by him?  Ho-kay, then, I guess we shouldn't have expected anything else from her.

Rakesh thinking his app HAD to make Jaya his "one and only soulmate" was beyond naive and unrealistic.  Seriously?  And this guy is supposed to be a rational adult?  How the show could make him that far gone is very disappointing and insults his and our intelligence.  But of course it happened so he would have to make a sacrifice for Lulu's higher purpose.  Of course, that makes it OK, what were we thinking?  Obviously that we were thinking at all got in the way of appreciating any of this. 

I agree that the premise for keeping Miles and Cara apart is flimsy.  It's so weak the actors are having a difficult time selling it.  I can almost see the "this is ridiculous" look coming through on their faces.

Mr. Yeah No is very caught up in seeing me as a young woman in Cara.  He thinks there's something about her that reminds him of me, down to the way she wears her hair, her face shape and expressions and what she wears.  And I can't really argue with him too much because it is flattering, sort-of.  It just makes me depressed that I'm not still that young and skinny....He told me to try to envision what the actress will look like in 40 years.  Hard to do, and who would want to?  I can barely accept seeing ME as I am now, 40 years from Cara's age....

Edited February 17, 2020 by Yeah No

[Brian Cronin]

Women delaying chemo to freeze their eggs is extremely common. I mean EXTREMELY common. Like, it's absurd how common it is and for the show to not get across how common it is was annoying. Very few oncologists would ever give a patient shit over it. Quality of life is a major deal for ALL patients, so if you want to have kids then yeah, chemo would probably keep that from happening, so patients freeze their eggs before starting chemo ALL THE TIME. "If this would affect your chances even 1%, you shouldn't do it." What the fuck? No, dude, a 1% chance change in exchange for her being able to have kids is an easy deal for many, many women and there's unlikely to actually be a 1% change in odds due to waiting a month. 

I don't even mind the father making the argument (as obviously, he's in an emotional state with his daughter having cancer like his late wife) and Miles had a similar excuse, but the oncologist shouldn't have come on as strong. This is SUPER common for women to do. 

[UNOSEZ]

Lulu really did kill it in that red coat... And I immediately forgot Jaya existed... Like others the reasoning behind miles and cara's break is confusing.. I don't mind them being apart... I've felt for a while Cara was too flimsy for miles... But to have them be on the outs and friends at the same time is confusing... 

[Orbert]

5 hours ago, Brian Cronin said:

Women delaying chemo to freeze their eggs is extremely common. I mean EXTREMELY common. Like, it's absurd how common it is and for the show to not get across how common it is was annoying. Very few oncologists would ever give a patient shit over it. Quality of life is a major deal for ALL patients, so if you want to have kids then yeah, chemo would probably keep that from happening, so patients freeze their eggs before starting chemo ALL THE TIME. "If this would affect your chances even 1%, you shouldn't do it." What the fuck? No, dude, a 1% chance change in exchange for her being able to have kids is an easy deal for many, many women and there's unlikely to actually be a 1% change in odds due to waiting a month. 

I don't even mind the father making the argument (as obviously, he's in an emotional state with his daughter having cancer like his late wife) and Miles had a similar excuse, but the oncologist shouldn't have come on as strong. This is SUPER common for women to do. 

That's good information, and it should have come up in the episode.  I still question her decision, but it's her choice, and at least knowing that many others make that same decision should have come up, instead of leaving many of us wondering if she really had her priorities straight.

Her cancer was described as "aggressive" and to me that sounds like something you start treating immediately.  She'd already waited a few weeks until after Arthur and Trish's honeymoon, and now she wants to wait another month or so.  That would scare the hell out of me, but again, not my decision.  So let's just let this aggressive cancer continue to grow for another month.  After all, if she survives, she wants to be a mom someday.  I was with Miles; being a mom won't happen if you don't survive the cancer.

Maybe changing the odds by 1% isn't huge, but when it's literally life or death, I tend to go with maximizing odds, period.  What if it had been 10%, or 20%?  What if they'd said that each week you delay treatment reduces your chances of survival by X%?  Actually I was kind of expecting something like that.

I agree, the forced parallels between Lulu's situation and Ali's were... forced.  The only parallel I saw was a young woman and a father that doesn't agree with her.  Ali didn't ask for her situation; Lulu specifically sought hers.  One was about a single life, and the family it affects; the other was about the future of a nation.  One was about a young woman and her choice; the other was about convincing her father to choose her.  Okay, I'll stop.

Edited February 17, 2020 by Orbert

[lh25]

I'm still bothered by how Raj can get into any system anywhere.  Being able to look up Lulu's schedule at Columbia?  No problem, just one command.

As far as delaying chemo to freeze eggs, I thought this was interesting.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-fertility-breast-cancer-idUSKCN1BV2QY

"When chemotherapy is needed soon after a breast cancer diagnosis, doctors generally advise that it begin within four to six weeks to avoid hurting women’s survival odds."

[Boofish]

By episodes end, I too thought Lulu was my soulmate. What an absolutely delightful character she was. She is now a clear second behind the private detective Ray and moved Fliss to number 3.

[twoods]

I thought it was hilarious that Rakesh’s soulmate is a princess considering the actress that plays Jaya is a princess on The Resident. 
 

Stop ruining Cara and Miles, you fools. They are such a delight and always make me smile that they don’t need to keep throwing drama at the two of them.

I can see why Ali wants to freeze her eggs before she goes through chemo because that is a very big deal. Oncologists know this already so it made no sense why her doctor was unsympathetic with her ordeal. 

[Brian Cronin]

4 hours ago, lh25 said:

"When chemotherapy is needed soon after a breast cancer diagnosis, doctors generally advise that it begin within four to six weeks to avoid hurting women’s survival odds."

Oh yeah, it's not like she should wait a couple of months to start, but as that quote notes, waiting a month or so is very normal. 

And the time needed is all based on where Ali is in her cycle. If she just started ovulating, they could get it done in a week. The month is if she just happened to have JUST finished ovulating, so they'd have to wait until the next month. 

[Trini]

So are they done with Rakesh and Jaya? I liked Lulu and thought she and Rakesh were cute together, but I thought it was weird that they were pushing them when we know that he's still in love with Jaya and wants her back.

Thought it was interesting that Miles wasn't really a big part of the Suggestion of the Week; has that happned before? But i did like that Rakesh was more central in this one.

I think the part with this week's case might have been stronger if they'd spent more time with the father (the King).

Again, the show wants conflict where they really doesn't need to be any -- Ali wanting to delay treatment for a short while to freeze her eggs didn't seem at all outlandish, but actually reasonable. Of course Arthur and Miles would worry and disagree, but it all seemed like needless DRAMA since they were going to end up supporting her anyway.

But I'm glad Ali had more to do, and she got a one-on-one scene with Trish. (Still don't like that cancer is what her story is.)

BTW, I was surprised when Ali said that Miles had more memories of their mother; I thought it was established early on that Ali was the oldest. Have I had it mixed up this whole time??

8 hours ago, twoods said:

Stop ruining Cara and Miles, you fools. They are such a delight and always make me smile that they don’t need to keep throwing drama at the two of them.

The other example of needless drama. They're cute, the actors have good chemistry, just let them be together! Just let my fluff show be fluffy!

[Court]

On 2/17/2020 at 6:24 AM, Brian Cronin said:

Women delaying chemo to freeze their eggs is extremely common. I mean EXTREMELY common. Like, it's absurd how common it is and for the show to not get across how common it is was annoying. Very few oncologists would ever give a patient shit over it. Quality of life is a major deal for ALL patients, so if you want to have kids then yeah, chemo would probably keep that from happening, so patients freeze their eggs before starting chemo ALL THE TIME. "If this would affect your chances even 1%, you shouldn't do it." What the fuck? No, dude, a 1% chance change in exchange for her being able to have kids is an easy deal for many, many women and there's unlikely to actually be a 1% change in odds due to waiting a month. 

I don't even mind the father making the argument (as obviously, he's in an emotional state with his daughter having cancer like his late wife) and Miles had a similar excuse, but the oncologist shouldn't have come on as strong. This is SUPER common for women to do. 

Yes, exactly. Also, it's not anyone else's choice on what Ali chooses to do in regards to her treatment. Whether her Dad agrees or not, it doesn't matter. They need to support her, period.

 

I loved this episode except the end with Cara and Miles. It's stupid they broke up. 

[Yeah No]

On 2/17/2020 at 6:24 AM, Brian Cronin said:

Women delaying chemo to freeze their eggs is extremely common. I mean EXTREMELY common. Like, it's absurd how common it is and for the show to not get across how common it is was annoying. Very few oncologists would ever give a patient shit over it. Quality of life is a major deal for ALL patients, so if you want to have kids then yeah, chemo would probably keep that from happening, so patients freeze their eggs before starting chemo ALL THE TIME. "If this would affect your chances even 1%, you shouldn't do it." What the fuck? No, dude, a 1% chance change in exchange for her being able to have kids is an easy deal for many, many women and there's unlikely to actually be a 1% change in odds due to waiting a month. 

On 2/17/2020 at 11:39 AM, Orbert said:

That's good information, and it should have come up in the episode.  I still question her decision, but it's her choice, and at least knowing that many others make that same decision should have come up, instead of leaving many of us wondering if she really had her priorities straight.

Her cancer was described as "aggressive" and to me that sounds like something you start treating immediately.  

I'm sure most people don't know that and I think the show making it look like Ali was taking a very ill advised risk was not fair nor realistic for the audience.  Besides, I'm now reading that studies are suggesting that women with breast cancer don't need to delay chemo. to freeze eggs.

On 2/17/2020 at 4:21 AM, Yeah No said:

Rakesh thinking his app HAD to make Jaya his "one and only soulmate" was beyond naive and unrealistic.  Seriously?  And this guy is supposed to be a rational adult?  How the show could make him that far gone is very disappointing and insults his and our intelligence.  But of course it happened so he would have to make a sacrifice for Lulu's higher purpose.  Of course, that makes it OK, what were we thinking?  Obviously that we were thinking at all got in the way of appreciating any of this. 

Quoting myself here - C'mon, I can't be the only one here that thought this.....

[tennisgurl]

Miles and Cara not being together continues to be so so stupid. Its all so contrived as a way to keep them apart for the sake of drama, on a show where half the appeal is the lack of contrived drama! 

On the other hand, I loved Lulu, who not only is upping the shows coat game yet again (that red coat looked amazing!) but seems like a really awesome character, and she and Rakesh really do seem like they could be soulmates. Its sad that it presumably wont work, what with her being a future queen and all, but I would love it if we got to see her again at least. 

The plot of the week in general was pretty interesting, even if I would have liked a few more details about Lulus country and what exactly her views are and what the issues of her country are. It sounds mostly based around gender equality and the article she commented on were about girls and education, and we know that Lulu is progressive, but it was all so vague that I was left wondering what problems their country had and how bad they were, and what Lulu is going to do about them. 

I was confused Ali saying that Miles had more memories of their mom than she does, isnt Ali older? Was Ali just not around very much and Miles was the one who hung out with her the most? Or has Miles been older and I just didnt know? The stuff with Ali wanted to put off treatment just seemed so needlessly dramatic, in the way that a lot of the family stuff has become lately. I dont know a whole lot about infertility, egg freezing, and cancer treatment, but I feel like this isnt the huge enormous deal that Arthur was making it out to be. Apparently its a decently common thing for women to do, but even her doctor acted like Ali just announced she was forgoing treatment and would just be eating egg salad sandwiches as treatment. I dont know, it just seemed like the kind of conversation that could have been backed up with more information and not just Arthur freaking out and Ali digging in. Like, shouldn't getting treatment for cancer be something that brings everyone together, and just creates even more drama? Also, has being a mom been such a big deal for Ali before? Yeah its not something you might not talk about all the time, but if its such a big dream for her that she is basically risking her life, you would think that her wanting to have a kid would have more backing it.

Edited February 23, 2020 by tennisgurl

[andromeda331]

I just want to thank everyone who posted about how common is for women to freeze their eggs before starting chemo and doctors are supportive of delaying chemo for it. I've never heard of that so when watching the episode I was totally thinking along the likes of Arthur and Miles with the start chemo right away don't wait until I came to read here (that and everyone I've know who's had cancer died from it or was way past the childbearing years) and was very surprise to learn from all your posts that it is common and went off to research it further. That's great. I really wish they had put that in the episode at least have Ali's doctor say it. Thank you so much.  

[Lunula]

Officially deleted this show from my DVR, I just can’t take it anymore and the writing obviously isn’t going to get any better. Such a cute show when it began, but they’ve made everything so non-sensical and stupid that I can’t even hate watch with any gusto.

[SnarkySheep]

How on earth would this soulmate app even work? Just matching people by interests? Because I'm kinda thinking there are any number of people out there who share similar interests, and the things that Rakesh and Lulu mentioned (like enjoying certain movies or being adventurous in trying new foods) were hardly unique things. But it made Lulu, out of all the people in the world, pop up as THE match for Rakesh?

And how convenient for him that she just so happened to be attending Columbia! What would happen to matched "soulmates" who were on opposite parts of the world?

Yeah, I need to stop overthinking this... 

[Trini]

Watched this one again; minus the plot with Ali, it's really cute. It was nice that Rakesh had more of a leading role, and he had good chemistry with Lulu.
 

On 2/23/2020 at 11:19 AM, tennisgurl said:

On the other hand, I loved Lulu, who not only is upping the shows coat game yet again (that red coat looked amazing!) but seems like a really awesome character, and she and Rakesh really do seem like they could be soulmates. Its sad that it presumably wont work, what with her being a future queen and all, but I would love it if we got to see her again at least. 

I'd love to see her back! (But with the way this show is going, it would probably happen just to make Jaya jealous or something.)

Also, this episode made me realize that unlike the other characters, we haven't seen any of Rakesh's family. I can't remember if anything has ever been said about his parents, etc.

[SnarkySheep]

On 3/10/2020 at 7:41 PM, Trini said:

Also, this episode made me realize that unlike the other characters, we haven't seen any of Rakesh's family. I can't remember if anything has ever been said about his parents, etc.

IIRC there was only one mention, early on, that Rakesh was living in the basement of their house.