S03.E04: The Talk

[formerlyfreedom]

Quote

Eddie’s injuries put a strain on his marriage as he secretly continues to manage the pain from the accident. Rome struggles with his movie and finds an ally in Shanice. Maggie continues her journey in England and grows closer with Jamie.

Airing Thursday, December 17, 2020.

[hoodooznoodooz]

This is the “winter finale”? What does that even mean?

I have been binging Netflix and Hulu. This is one of the few network shows I (hate) watch. 
I suppose it could be worse...? Imagine A Million Little Undoings or The Undoing of A Million Little Things.

[formerlyfreedom]

2 hours ago, hoodooznoodooz said:

This is the “winter finale”? What does that even mean?

The broadcast networks have been using 'winter finale' for the last show of the year for awhile now. Looks like the show will be back in March 2021.

[nexxie]

I’m wondering if Eddie will blame his sister for bringing their neighbor’s drowning back into his life - landing him in the lake town and the bar.

[KaveDweller]

This show isn't coming back until March? It just started back up.

I didn't think the music coach was that rude to Sophie in his initial conversation. He tried to avoid giving any feedback, but when she pushed he said she played okay but wasn't passionate enough. How much nicer could he have said she didn't make the cut?

I knew that Danish was not meant for Maggie. Who lives with a roommate and assumes that food someone left out is for them?

Dumb question, that actually is from the preview. Eddie said he wakes up in pain every day. But if he is paralyzed, can't he not feel anything? In the hospital he couldn't tell when Theo was leaning on his leg. So, where is he feeling pain? I don't understand the medical diagnosis, I guess. But his hiding the pills is shady addict behavior.

[historylover820]

I found this one a mixed bag. There were things in every plot that I liked and things in every plot I didn't like at all.

Sophie's dreams? Eh. First time I ever remember her saying she wanted to make a career in music. I also thought it was just something like a hobby.

While I absolutely loved the talk between Eddie and Katharine, I kept getting angry at Katharine. It's only been, what? Two months since Eddie's accident. I can't say I blame him for not wanting to have sex right now. He feels broken--he IS broken--and you would think anyone who is partially empathetic would understand that.

Still not interested in Rome's movie, and started fuming when we found out that it was initially Jon's story. Because, really? I like the realization at the end better, but still absolutely not interested.

Well, we now have a comparison date toward this show and in real life. When it comes back on March 4, this show's universe will be just about a year behind us. (When did Boston lockdown? Here in Kansas City, we locked down mid-March. I remember because I've been working at home now for 9 months).

But the one thing that absolutely tickled me--

I was fully expecting to come in here and ask "Who else thought Jamie should have said, 'What the hell, Bloom? You ate my Danish???????'" I was really not expecting him to say, while not the same thing, was kind of along my thinking. He doesn't want a serious relationship. And I loved that. And that was his Danish.  Loved that. But, I'm dreading that he will eventually absolutely crave a relationship beyond the casual sex with Maggie.

23 hours ago, KaveDweller said:

Dumb question, that actually is from the preview. Eddie said he wakes up in pain every day. But if he is paralyzed, can't he not feel anything? In the hospital he couldn't tell when Theo was leaning on his leg. So, where is he feeling pain? I don't understand the medical diagnosis, I guess. But his hiding the pills is shady addict behavior.

That doesn't actually surprise me. I don't know a lot about paralysis, but I know that amputees feel "phantom pain" in their missing limbs. I've heard a lot of paralyzed people do have a lot of pain. I'm thinking probably around his break.

Looking up:

According to the Christopher Reeve Foundation:

A type of chronic pain called neurogenic or neuropathic pain often accompanies paralysis – it is a cruel irony for people who lack sensation to experience the agony of pain.

ETA: I continued looking up this website about pain in paralyzed people, and I kind of found it interesting. Webpage: https://www.christopherreeve.org/living-with-paralysis/health/secondary-conditions/pain

[readster]

15 minutes ago, historylover820 said:

 

While I absolutely loved the talk between Eddie and Katharine, I kept getting angry at Katharine. It's only been, what? Two months since Eddie's accident. I can't say I blame him for not wanting to have sex right now. He feels broken--he IS broken--and you would think anyone who is partially empathetic would understand that.

 

Back in the first season, you had Regina want to go back to regular sex with Rome and of course he couldn't due to his depression and his medication. She acted like: "Hey, just like old times." That's twice they have depicted the women on this show just ready to jump into bed instead: "They have some major shit going on with their lives right now, you just don't get over that and go back to things." It makes less sense because Katherine has been so hesitant with Eddie on things given his past. Now, she wants to jump his bones when the guy can't walk and is in pain most of the time and relapsing again. I mean huh?

[MsNewsradio]

24 minutes ago, historylover820 said:

Well, we now have a comparison date toward this show and in real life. When it comes back on March 4, this show's universe will be just about a year behind us. (When did Boston lockdown? Here in Kansas City, we locked down mid-March. I remember because I've been working at home now for 9 months).

Boston declared a state of emergency on March 10th, had our first major shutdown wave (limitations on gatherings/bars/school closures) starting the weekend of March 15th (basically trying to stem crowds for St. Patrick's Day weekend). By the following week, everything was on lockdown. Haven't set foot in the city since (also been working from home).

[KaveDweller]

30 minutes ago, historylover820 said:

Well, we now have a comparison date toward this show and in real life. When it comes back on March 4, this show's universe will be just about a year behind us. (When did Boston lockdown? Here in Kansas City, we locked down mid-March. I remember because I've been working at home now for 9 months).

I think Boston locked down in mid-March. My company has an office in Boston (I am in NJ) and all our offices closed the same week, which was mid-March.

I wonder if Delilah will get stuck in whatever country she is in. 

26 minutes ago, historylover820 said:

That doesn't actually surprise me. I don't know a lot about paralysis, but I know that amputees feel "phantom pain" in their missing limbs. I've heard a lot of paralyzed people do have a lot of pain. I'm thinking probably around his break.

Looking up:

According to the Christopher Reeve Foundation:

A type of chronic pain called neurogenic or neuropathic pain often accompanies paralysis – it is a cruel irony for people who lack sensation to experience the agony of pain.

ETA: I continued looking up this website about pain in paralyzed people, and I kind of found it interesting. Webpage: https://www.christopherreeve.org/living-with-paralysis/health/secondary-conditions/pain

Thanks, that is an interesting read.

[circumvent]

6 hours ago, KaveDweller said:

Eddie said he wakes up in pain every day. But if he is paralyzed, can't he not feel anything? In the hospital he couldn't tell when Theo was leaning on his leg. So, where is he feeling pain? I don't understand the medical diagnosis, I guess. But his hiding the pills is shady addict behavior.

I don't think the show explained well enough the reason for his paralysis, or at least I don't remember. It wouldn't surprise me, being this show, no consultants, no concern for continuity. But the brain can do tricks to anyone. What I am sure is that Eddie will walk again because he has friends who are family and with the power of love he will walk and it will be the biggest inspiration porn episode of all, with suspenseful music, lots of tears, something incredibly wise from Theo's mouth, and a big celebration when Delilah and Maggie come back just in time for the biggest even they will ever experience in their lives.

[geauxaway]

I just assumed he meant he’s in pain in his upper body.  I’m sure his back, neck, head, arms are in bad shape too after the impact.

I could have done without the Theo sex talk.  Do you guys do what’s on page 46?  Yeah, kids don’t ask that to their parents. Kids don’t want to put sex and their parents together.  Except for our precious Theo.

[ElectricBoogaloo]

As soon as I saw Eddie putting his prescription drugs into an aspirin bottle, I started the countdown to someone accidentally taking one. Will it be Theo who then has to be rushed to the hospital for maximum guilt?

9 hours ago, KaveDweller said:

I didn't think the music coach was that rude to Sophie in his initial conversation. He tried to avoid giving any feedback, but when she pushed he said she played okay but wasn't passionate enough. How much nicer could he have said she didn't make the cut?

I agree with all of that. In addition, anyone who is auditioning for a prestigious music program should be able to handle feedback as mild as that. Just because you can play an instrument competently doesn't mean that you're good enough to get in when they're only taking nine people.

But I knew that Andrew Leeds was too recognizable for him to be a glorified extra with three lines, so when he later saw Sophie playing on the street I was like ugh, great. And for the record, I don't think that she was impressive enough while busking to merit his "wow." I hope Sophie doesn't end up sleeping with him or somehow getting involved with him in any way other than being his student.

Although I'm not that interested in the plotline with Rome's movie, I'm glad that the show is going back to Jon's depression, as well as Rome's. That was a huge part of S1 and it's an important aspect of the show.

I'm glad that Maggie and Jamie are on the same page about not being in a serious relationship, mostly because I really enjoy their friendship. They have an easy rapport and are comfortable talking to each other about her research, his ex-wife, and which color of Gatorade is the best.

Hated the 10,000 Maniacs cover at the end.

[nexxie]

So Delilah took her empty baby blanket and headed to France - is that where the actress (whose name I can’t recall) is waiting out the pandemic?

Sorry new episodes won’t be available til March - still enjoying this one.

23 hours ago, KaveDweller said:

I didn't think the music coach was that rude to Sophie in his initial conversation. He tried to avoid giving any feedback, but when she pushed he said she played okay but wasn't passionate enough. How much nicer could he have said she didn't make the cut?

 

13 hours ago, ElectricBoogaloo said:

I agree with all of that. In addition, anyone who is auditioning for a prestigious music program should be able to handle feedback as mild as that. Just because you can play an instrument competently doesn't mean that you're good enough to get in when they're only taking nine people.

The guy went too far with that crack about music being a good hobby for her - it was unnecessary and unkind. Something like that can stick with a kid and, after hearing one song, the arrogant ass had no way to know whether she could have a career in music.

[historylover820]

6 minutes ago, nexxie said:

 

The guy went too far with that crack about music being a good hobby for her - it was unnecessary and unkind. Something like that can stick with a kid and, after hearing one song, the arrogant ass had no way to know whether she could have a career in music.

I don't think that was necessarily unkind. It may have been unnecessary.

Because feedback like that does happen in real life. Lucille Ball was famously kicked out of her acting classes because a teacher told her that she absolutely will never have a career in show business. The Beatles were turned down in their first record audition because guitar bands were on their way out. This seems to happen a lot more than people think.

But, it's not necessarily unkind. He really wasn't rude about it. He didn't know her backstory, nor did he really even need to know. What he heard was a competent guitarist, but nothing special than any of the other 100 guitarists he probably had already seen. If anything, his feedback was remarkably mild. Compare what he said to what Simon Cowell has said to performers in American Idol. 

In fact, I rolled my eyes at him being wowed by her performing on the street. I'm not exactly a trained musician, but I've heard other street performers just as good, if not better, than Sophie in real life. 

[nexxie]

It’s not up to this guy to decide whether someone’s music should be a hobby or a career - especially after hearing one song.

[Clanstarling]

On 12/16/2020 at 12:29 PM, nexxie said:

I’m wondering if Eddie will blame his sister for bringing their neighbor’s drowning back into his life - landing him in the lake town and the bar.

That's what I wondered. I mean, she did jump to conclusions herself and dragged Eddie into it.

11 hours ago, MsNewsradio said:

Boston declared a state of emergency on March 10th, had our first major shutdown wave (limitations on gatherings/bars/school closures) starting the weekend of March 15th (basically trying to stem crowds for St. Patrick's Day weekend). By the following week, everything was on lockdown. Haven't set foot in the city since (also been working from home).

I started working from home per-emptively in early March (have a spouse who is immuno suppressed), but not by much since things shut down on March 16th here. Fortunately my entire job can be done online - and video meetings are rare.  My boss floated the idea of me working from home permanently, if HR and powers that be think of offering that. Hell yeah.

59 minutes ago, nexxie said:

So Delilah took her empty baby blanket and headed to France - is that where the actress (whose name I can’t recall) is waiting out the pandemic?

Interesting thought, which would make it sense given that Maggie is "in England" and has scenes each week, and so far Delilah has not.

Edited December 18, 2020 by Clanstarling

[Lady Calypso]

1 hour ago, nexxie said:

So Delilah took her empty baby blanket and headed to France - is that where the actress (whose name I can’t recall) is waiting out the pandemic?

Not sure, because they were filming these episodes back in August/September, so the pandemic was still in effect and she had to have been filming in America. But maybe she decided to take some time off from filming for personal reasons?

I had a feeling that the music teacher would end up helping Sophie in some way. No surprise at all with how that storyline went down. I knew Music Teacher would give her criticism that would lead to Gary giving him a sanctimonious speech. I knew Music Teacher would end up teaching her because of some sappy, yet average, song in public. 

37 minutes ago, nexxie said:

It’s not up to this guy to decide whether someone’s music should be a hobby or a career - especially after hearing one song.

He can't stop her from pursuing it as a career, but he has the power to continue seeing her as his student or not. She went to audition for him to get into his program. He didn't accept her into it. This is how auditions work, as cruel as it may seem. She's an above average singer, but this kind of career path is difficult enough to pursue. That, and I'm kind of sick of shows making it seem like this career path (music, acting, directing, anything Hollywood related) is the only path for younger characters to take. They're doing it with Rome and his self indulgent movie. Some shows, more often than not, have a character who is a director making a movie about themselves. And some shows also have teenagers choose a path that is ridiculously hard to get into while ignoring that there are hundreds of other jobs they could be showcasing, such as graphic design or interior decorating or, hell, even pursuing a teaching career. 

What would have been so wrong with Sophie keeping music as a hobby and being interested in another area to go into? So Music Teacher wasn't wrong and he was very polite to her. He gave her the truth without being cruel. He complimented her performance but just said he didn't see enough passion to warrant her into his program and he suggested that it stick as a hobby. She asked for criticism, and we've seen much worse criticism from characters on shows in this exact situation. Sophie still handled it well, despite the fact that I hate that Music Teacher somewhat gave in. But those private lessons are going to be expensive, right? 

The Theo asking questions about sex is, I guess, normal for a kid around his age to finally get The Talk but it's still awkward when they don't treat Theo his age most of the time. He's either too young or too old. But I was more surprised at how they had Katherine oblivious to the fact that Eddie is nowhere near ready to have sex again and how he's still healing physically and emotionally to be thinking about sex. And yes, Eddie hiding pills in the Asprin bottle isn't going to end well. 

The Maggie/Jamie plotline is so awkward and I kind of guess how it's going to end.

Poor Darcy. I feel so bad for her. I hate that Gary called Maggie, though. I hate that Darcy is going to get her heart broken by Gary, or that they will just eventually break up because the show HAS to have Gary/Maggie end up together for reasons. 

[geauxaway]

4 minutes ago, Lady Calypso said:

knew Music Teacher would give her criticism that would lead to Gary giving him a sanctimonious speech.

That reminds me.  No one else was bothered, creeped out or concerned a random adult male came and sat down in the auditorium?   Everyone else in attendance appeared to be the students who were auditioning.  I saw no other parents.  

[historylover820]

1 hour ago, Lady Calypso said:

I had a feeling that the music teacher would end up helping Sophie in some way. No surprise at all with how that storyline went down. I knew Music Teacher would give her criticism that would lead to Gary giving him a sanctimonious speech. I knew Music Teacher would end up teaching her because of some sappy, yet average, song in public. 

He can't stop her from pursuing it as a career, but he has the power to continue seeing her as his student or not. She went to audition for him to get into his program. He didn't accept her into it. This is how auditions work, as cruel as it may seem. She's an above average singer, but this kind of career path is difficult enough to pursue. That, and I'm kind of sick of shows making it seem like this career path (music, acting, directing, anything Hollywood related) is the only path for younger characters to take. They're doing it with Rome and his self indulgent movie. Some shows, more often than not, have a character who is a director making a movie about themselves. And some shows also have teenagers choose a path that is ridiculously hard to get into while ignoring that there are hundreds of other jobs they could be showcasing, such as graphic design or interior decorating or, hell, even pursuing a teaching career. 

What would have been so wrong with Sophie keeping music as a hobby and being interested in another area to go into? So Music Teacher wasn't wrong and he was very polite to her. He gave her the truth without being cruel. He complimented her performance but just said he didn't see enough passion to warrant her into his program and he suggested that it stick as a hobby. She asked for criticism, and we've seen much worse criticism from characters on shows in this exact situation. Sophie still handled it well, despite the fact that I hate that Music Teacher somewhat gave in. But those private lessons are going to be expensive, right? 

 

Yes. This. Well said.

He's a music teacher, and apparently a very prestigious one. He can't just let everyone into his program, even if they are the main character on this show. In fact, I think he really shouldn't be giving her private lessons, but, of course, show.

Now, Sophie should know better than anyone that life isn't fair and you can't always get what you want. But, right now, she really probably doesn't have a clue what she really wants.

When I was her age, I was going to be an Oscar-winning actress. Oh, wait, I can't act. In my 20s, I was going to be the next biggest writer/director. Except I have no experience, couldn't get into film schools, have no connections. And can't write. In my late 20s, I was going to be a history professor. After all, I have my master's in history. Couldn't get into a Ph.D program. Then in my 30s, I started work as an admin at a university and saw what professors have to put up with. No thanks. Now, in my early 40s, I want a stable job that will allow me to pay off my student loans, pay my bills, give me health insurance, and let me retire before I die.

Dreams change. Goals change.

Sophie should ask Eddie about being a professional musician. Obviously, he's got other priorities right now, but he would be a good one to get some advice from.

[gonzosgirrl]

3 hours ago, nexxie said:

It’s not up to this guy to decide whether someone’s music should be a hobby or a career - especially after hearing one song.

In This Is Us the record company told Rebecca (who was already gigging professionally) she was 'Pittsburgh good' after her audition. Not everybody in the world is kind, or even diplomatic. 

Edited December 18, 2020 by gonzosgirrl

[tennisgurl]

Gary has actually been a lot better this season, but cringy Gary returned with a vengeance when he ran out on stage to defend Sophie from the Evil Music Teacher right in front of everyone, I had such serious second hand embarrassment. At least the show seemed aware that he was being ridiculous and Sophie called him out, but even that was ruined with the sappy staged run in for the music teacher to hear Sophie's playing on the street. Really, I didn't even think what he said was that horrible. Him telling her that she sounded like a hobbyist was rather rude, but she DID ask for feedback, and if she wants to make it as a professional musician, she is going to have to develop a thicker skin because she will hear rejections a LOT meaner than that. Sophie sounds fine and all, but she does sound like someone who plays music as a hobby, she isn't so amazing that I immediately think she can make it professionally. Really, why cant music just be a hobby? Why does TV think that all artist interests have to be how someone makes their living, and not just something they do for fun?  

I really like Darcy and she is really good for Gary, but with Gary calling Maggie, I know that poor Darcy will exist to be a place holder for Maggie and a walking PSA about the plight of veterans who will disappear into the ether with all of the other walking PSA characters. 

Rome's movie being Jon's suicide has always made me feel a bit uncomfortable, and this week is made Rome uncomfortable as well. I am sure that they have touched on this, but have Delilah and the kids said how they feel about Rome using their dad/husbands death as the basis for his movie? Even using his last words to them in the script? Rome being totally shocked and horrified did seem pretty weird to me. Like, what did you think this was going to look like? I am glad that they are going back to Jon's death and Rome's depression and attempted suicide, all of that got rather lost in Rome's adoption story, and the movie being more focused on him and his depression and grief does sound better than being word for word just repeating Jon killing himself in the first episode. I thought that the actress left when she freaked about that Regina and Rome CLEARLY need to talk more about Rome's attempted suicide. 

Its really weird how they are now deciding to write Theo as getting old enough to google big busted lady websites, when normally they write him as being eternally three years old, but it did lead to a good story for Katherine and Eddie. I am so glad that they actually talk about it, and I found both of their fears understandable based on their past. Yeah intellectually I am sure that Katherine knows that this is because Eddie is dealing with this life changing injury, but it has to bring back bad memories of the lowest points of their marriage, while Eddie has to know that is Kathrine has stuck with him through all of this that she will certainly stand by him now, I am sure that its still hard to think about getting intimate right now feeling so broken and weak. I am really glad they talked, but there are still the pills hanging over their heads now. 

I am glad that Maggie was freaking out what nothing and she and her roommate are on the same page, Maggie in England is WAY more likable than Maggie in the US. Not looking for her and Gary to reunite at all, they really bring out the worst in each other. 

Winter break already? I guess we should be happy that we got this much. This brief batch of episodes has been quite a bit better than the last season at least, in that it had some plots I actually liked and no one was terribly aggressively awful, at least that much. Is it a coincidence that Delilah has been across an ocean...

[nexxie]

9 hours ago, gonzosgirrl said:

In This Is Us the record company told Rebecca (who was already gigging professionally) she was 'Pittsburgh good' after her audition. Not everybody in the world is kind, or even diplomatic. 

Also an arrogant asshole. That said, she was an adult auditioning for a professional job - not a kid hoping to get into a student program.

Not everybody is kind, that’s for sure - and the world would be a better place if the unkind ones were called on their shit instead of elevated to positions of power.

So Gary calls Maggie to talk about Darcy’s situation? That’s gonna go over about as well as talking to the ex went over with Weeping British Woman who let Maggie into Jamie’s flat.

Edited December 18, 2020 by nexxie

[Cathy Santoni]

How old is Theo?? Also, he’s basically looking at porn, but doesn’t know what sex is? The fact that he googled “woman big boobs” does not scream ‘knows nothing about sex’ to me. It seems like if he was curious about the human body, he would have just searched “naked girl” or something like that. Eddie and Katherine need to install some parental controls on that iPad that Theo apparently uses freely. Also, I’m sorry, I know he’s a child, but his voice is like nails on a chalkboard to me.

Rome is so intense. He seems exhausting to be around.

[geauxaway]

5 minutes ago, Cathy Santoni said:

How old is Theo?? Also, he’s basically looking at porn, but doesn’t know what sex is? The fact that he googled “woman big boobs” does not scream ‘knows nothing about sex’ to me. It seems like if he was curious about the human body, he would have just searched “naked girl” or something like that. Eddie and Katherine need to install some parental controls on that iPad that Theo apparently uses freely. Also, I’m sorry, I know he’s a child, but his voice is like nails on a chalkboard to me.

Rome is so intense. He seems exhausting to be around.

The thing is, Theo is well old enough to have his own tablet and probably even a Nintendo Switch, yet he’s always on his moms iPad getting into stuff he shouldn’t (isn’t that where he saw the message about his dad or whatever). And yes, the sex talk happens, it just kills me that his ONLY questions to his parents was about THEM doing it.   Like really?  My son started sexual health class in 4th grade and his concerns were his voice and the body hair “all over mom.  It’s going to be here and here and here.”  

[Madding crowd]

I thought the episode was kind of boring. I’m glad Rome changed the sketch from the movie; you can’t have something like that when the person has a wife and kids still around.

I have never liked Maggie and still don’t. I think it’s because the character is supposed to be kind of insecure and lost but the actress plays it with a superior quality like she is better than everyone. 

 

[geauxaway]

5 hours ago, tennisgurl said:

I really like Darcy and she is really good for Gary, but with Gary calling Maggie, I know that poor Darcy will exist to be a place holder for Maggie and a walking PSA about the plight of veterans who will disappear into the ether with all of the other walking PSA characters. 

Agree.  And I’m honestly kind of tired of the PTS with ALL vets.  Why can’t Darcy just be a happy mom? I have plenty of friends that are vets that were in the Middle East  that are fully functioning non PTS adults. Served proudly, discharged and got on with their lives.  But nope.  Every single time one is portrayed on a show it has to be the most of the most trauma.  
 

***I am very aware of the reality of veteran trauma, I just don’t think that every single character on TV has to be the extreme case.

[circumvent]

9 hours ago, geauxaway said:

***I am very aware of the reality of veteran trauma, I just don’t think that every single character on TV has to be the extreme case.

My feelings, exactly.

I am not sold on the talk. The kid fake awkwardness and the one question from page whatever didn't convince me. I don't have kids but I was one and my sexual curiosities were shared with friends first. Today there is internet, so maybe that's one difference but "big boobs"? That's something he would have searched if he was in a more advanced stage of discoveries, like jerking off. If he had to ask if mommy and daddy "did it", he would probably searching body hair or if girls grow hair too. But it is Theo, maybe they have two or three different writers that don't communicate with each other writing his lines.

Sorry Sophie, you are not "wow". Pretty average, really. That plot of not acing audition for some reason but being accepted as a private student was already used in another show a few years back (The Fosters).

I am still trying to remember if I was as immature as Maggie at her age. I don't think I was. I was in an open relationship with someone but it wasn't silly like that.

Gary tries and tries but he is still the one who can't stop getting into people's business without being invited. Insufferable. 

And I am not really interested in Rome's movie either. I do agree that the first poster was terrible but I sense that the actress and Rome will have a thing because they will identify with each other and I don't see any chemistry there.

[Winston Wolfe]

23 hours ago, ElectricBoogaloo said:

But I knew that Andrew Leeds was too recognizable for him to be a glorified extra with three lines, so when he later saw Sophie playing on the street I was like ugh, great. And for the record, I don't think that she was impressive enough while busking to merit his "wow." I hope Sophie doesn't end up sleeping with him or somehow getting involved with him in any way other than being his student.

Yeah, the Music Teacher was giving off a weird kind of vibe and Sophie is a vulnerable, attractive young woman. The thought did cross my mind that the show might go down that road.

18 hours ago, tennisgurl said:

Its really weird how they are now deciding to write Theo as getting old enough to google big busted lady websites, when normally they write him as being eternally three years old, but it did lead to a good story for Katherine and Eddie.

Theo's fascination with big boobed ladies might be the most interesting thing about him, lol. Still, emotionally I can figure out if he's supposed to be 6 or 12. I didn't develop an interest in those kinds of things until junior high, and Theo appears to be a late bloomer in most things.

18 hours ago, tennisgurl said:

Winter break already? I guess we should be happy that we got this much. This brief batch of episodes has been quite a bit better than the last season at least, in that it had some plots I actually liked and no one was terribly aggressively awful

Pretty decent partial season, and painfully short. Seems like Nash is getting out of his own way, I haven't read any posts about him clowning on social media lately. I'm somewhat disappointed that the pandemic will be written in, based on past history this show won't handle it well.

21 hours ago, Lady Calypso said:

Poor Darcy. I feel so bad for her. I hate that Gary called Maggie, though. I hate that Darcy is going to get her heart broken by Gary, or that they will just eventually break up because the show HAS to have Gary/Maggie end up together for reasons. 

Totally agree. And when Maggie returns and gets back together with Gary the toxic co-dependency will resume. Kind of surprising that once separated from the core characters, Maggie has turned into a fairly enjoyable character.

Edited December 19, 2020 by Winston Wolfe

[historylover820]

22 hours ago, ElectricBoogaloo said:

As soon as I saw Eddie putting his prescription drugs into an aspirin bottle, I started the countdown to someone accidentally taking one. Will it be Theo who then has to be rushed to the hospital for maximum guilt?

 

I didn't get that this is what Eddie was doing. What I thought he was doing was putting his pills in plastic bags and keeping them on him. Then replacing his empty prescription bottle with aspirin. That way he won't have to use the awkward grabber if he needs his pills. And replacing the pills so Katherine won't know that he's taking them. She might get suspicious if she sees empty prescription bottles.

Because while I don't like Theo, I'm hoping they don't pile more guilt onto Nash's punching bag. Plus, dead or dying kid really makes me uncomfortable.

And I don't think the actor who plays Theo is a good enough actor to pull it off.

(Man, I hate dumping on him. Dude is just a kid. But I've seen child actors way way way better than him.)

Plus, right now, Eddie is still thinking pretty rationally and soberly. He's just starting to take them again, these pills are prescribed, he's probably not yet popping them like they're candy or something. I mean, squirreling them away isn't the most rational thing I've seen and then hiding what he's doing. But he's not stupid or high enough right now to not think that he won't be found out if he puts his pills in aspirin bottles. 

My guess, which I totally missed the revelation about who hit Eddie and why, so take my opinion with a grain of salt, is that Eddie will be the one to OD. Because he is the eternal punching bag, but I would hope dead or dying kid won't pop up in this show again.

[circumvent]

19 minutes ago, historylover820 said:

And I don't think the actor who plays Theo is a good enough actor to pull it off.

(Man, I hate dumping on him. Dude is just a kid. But I've seen child actors way way way better than him.)

And that only shows how creatively weak the writers are. When actors are bad, they just stop writing plots for them, they involve them as little as they can. In this case, they keep giving the character these weird stories that only make it obvious that the kid is bad. It actually works against the actor, if he decides to follow this career. Too many bad scenes pile up against him in the end.

[Winston Wolfe]

14 hours ago, historylover820 said:

My guess, which I totally missed the revelation about who hit Eddie and why, so take my opinion with a grain of salt, is that Eddie will be the one to OD. Because he is the eternal punching bag, but I would hope dead or dying kid won't pop up in this show again.

Saw David Guintoli recently on a Comcast interview show. Dude's all kinds of awesome. But Eddie? Major Drama Queen. If he does OD on Opioids, I wouldn't blame Katherine for coming to the conclusion that he's more trouble than he's worth.

On 12/18/2020 at 5:31 PM, Cathy Santoni said:

How old is Theo?? Also, he’s basically looking at porn, but doesn’t know what sex is? The fact that he googled “woman big boobs” does not scream ‘knows nothing about sex’ to me. It seems like if he was curious about the human body, he would have just searched “naked girl” or something like that. Eddie and Katherine need to install some parental controls on that iPad that Theo apparently uses freely.

"This is what I'm saying" (TM Paul Buchman). You make a great point Cathy - that was far too specific a search for a kid that just has a general interest in sexuality and the human body. Theo (probably innocently) was headed down the road to hardcore porn. Not good.

On 12/18/2020 at 5:31 PM, Cathy Santoni said:

Rome is so intense. He seems exhausting to be around.

Rome has really become that, hasn't he? Last season Rome was the coolest of the male characters, charming with an easy sense of humor (as opposed to Gary who tries so hard to be edgy-comical) who drove a Tesla!  As the show has moved forward, Rome has become this big ball of tension that no one would want to be around. The change seemed to start at about the same time as the movie project, IMO.

[geauxaway]

2 minutes ago, Winston Wolfe said:

The change seemed to start at about the same time as the movie project, IMO.

Which was supposed to be the ONE thing that was going to make him happy by following his dream and getting out of corporate advertising or whatever it was he was doing that was killing him.   

[historylover820]

1 hour ago, Winston Wolfe said:

Saw David Guintoli recently on a Comcast interview show. Dude's all kinds of awesome. But Eddie? Major Drama Queen. If he does OD on Opioids, I wouldn't blame Katherine for coming to the conclusion that he's more trouble than he's worth.

Yeah, every time I watch AMLT, I'm reminded how much I absolutely loved Grimm. I attempted to get the full series of Grimm on blu-ray when my stimulus came in back in May or something, and the set arrived missing two discs. So, returned them to Amazon. Now, I'm in the process of getting Grimm on blu-ray a season at a time. Just got season 1 on blu-ray and season 2 is on its way to me. Will pick up seasons 3 and 4 probably in January or February. 5 and 6 later in 2021.

Because he is a really good actor, and he's killing this part. And at least this arc now is something meaty that actors dream about. But, my love for Eddie is absolutely based in my love for David Giuntoli.

(And my defense of Gary also stems from my love of James Roday Rodriguez because I adore Psych. But, man, Gary can definitely be sanctimonious.) 

[Fable]

5 hours ago, Winston Wolfe said:

Theo's fascination with big boobed ladies might be the most interesting thing about him, lol. Still, emotionally I can figure out if he's supposed to be 6 or 12. I didn't develop an interest in those kinds of things until junior high, and Theo appears to be a late bloomer in most things.

They really need to start writing Theo as older instead of some precious little tyke.  I realize the actor doesn’t appear to be aging, but he is, and there are plenty of people who look young for their age.  Of course, then again, since Charlie doesn’t age either, maybe Eddie has some rare genetic code that keeps his offspring from aging. 

[Clanstarling]

17 hours ago, Cathy Santoni said:

How old is Theo?? Also, he’s basically looking at porn, but doesn’t know what sex is? The fact that he googled “woman big boobs” does not scream ‘knows nothing about sex’ to me. It seems like if he was curious about the human body, he would have just searched “naked girl” or something like that. Eddie and Katherine need to install some parental controls on that iPad that Theo apparently uses freely. Also, I’m sorry, I know he’s a child, but his voice is like nails on a chalkboard to me.

Rome is so intense. He seems exhausting to be around.

We found out our youngest daughter (same age as Theo - I guess) had searched for "boobs" on the internet with her friend (who slept over the night before). That's when we learned we needed a password on our computer. Mind you, it wasn't "big boobs" and she was curious about her own body. Still, she was already interested and aware, and we were very open with any questions she had. I remember, at the same age, instructing kids that babies did not come out of the butt - because my mother taught me the facts of life and theirs didn't.

So anyway, the point is, I don't think his search is all that strange, even for a child who looks and acts younger than his age - but they really didn't provide any lead up to get there. Facts of life all over and done with in one episode. But asking about the parents - yeah, I don't buy that.

Edited December 19, 2020 by Clanstarling

[ams1001]

Puma Thurman. 😄

[Clanstarling]

13 hours ago, ams1001 said:

Puma Thurman. 😄

Maggie's Puma Furman was pretty good too.

[hoodooznoodooz]

On 12/18/2020 at 8:10 PM, Madding crowd said:

I have never liked Maggie and still don’t. I think it’s because the character is supposed to be kind of insecure and lost but the actress plays it with a superior quality like she is better than everyone. 

 

I have been trying forever to figure out why she irks me so. I think you articulated it. Thank you!!!!!!

[sweetandsour]

I would have found it way more consistent with the way Theo is written if he had googled "big boobs" because that was an insult used on Spongebob Squarepants ("you big boobs!") and he didn't know what that was supposed to mean.  And then his reaction to the search results was more like Kevin McCallister in Home Alone, when he finds Buzz's nudie magazines.  "No clothes on anybody!  Gross!" or whatever Kevin says.  Katherine and Eddie's preparation to talk to Theo about it still could have led to their talk about their own relationship.

I think Sophie is fine as a musician, but she wants to go to a music institute where "fine" isn't good enough.  It's probably not as competitive as MIT is, but no one would be "fine" at a STEM subject and be successful there.  If anything, Sophie would constantly struggle in and of herself, and in comparing herself to peers, at a music college.  At the same time, she'd see other people who were successful through social media, not a school, and be even more dubious about her path.

Also, who is going to pay for this private music tutoring?  I don't think Andrew Leeds gets paid in corner-store ice cream.  Sophie hasn't even talked to Delilah about this.  I've been having doubts for a long time about Delilah's financial situation since her reprieve to keep the ouse in season 1 seemed short-term, not long-term.  Restaurants don't get into the black quickly, if at all.  The previews do make it clear that the restaurant is in fact having problems.  I wouldn't be surprised if Jon set up college funds for his kids that he never plundered, but I don't know.

I think the recap of this episode over at TVLine is titled "Sometimes a danish is just a danish."  More like "Sometimes a danish is really someone else's danish."

I hand-wave how overwrought Rome always is about his "Invisible" movie since I know it's so personal to him.  But it really makes me wonder what he'll manage after making this movie.  As much as it seems he has a lot of problems handling other people's input or handling of "Invisible," once he's working on stuff that's not his big life story, he's going to have to deal with the reality that work is just work sometimes.

[NoThyme]

In the previews it shows that Maggie's cancer is back. I wouldn't be surprised if she dies. 

[Anosmia]

On 12/18/2020 at 6:31 PM, Cathy Santoni said:

Also, I’m sorry, I know he’s a child, but his voice is like nails on a chalkboard to me.

His voice is like nails on chalkboard to me, too! Ditto with Danny’s voice. It’s whispery-scratchy and really gets under my skin.

I laughed at Katherine thinking that Eddie was the one Googling “big boobs.”

[Winston Wolfe]

3 hours ago, NoThyme said:

In the previews it shows that Maggie's cancer is back. I wouldn't be surprised if she dies. 

That's possible, but it's likely to be the catalyst for a Gary-Maggie reunion. We all know it's coming.

2 hours ago, Anosmia said:

I laughed at Katherine thinking that Eddie was the one Googling “big boobs.”

She may have taken it personally, as in, "so that's what you're into these days? No wonder you haven't touched me lately."

4 hours ago, sweetandsour said:

As much as it seems he has a lot of problems handling other people's input or handling of "Invisible," once he's working on stuff that's not his big life story, [Rome's] going to have to deal with the reality that work is just work sometimes.

There's some of us who constantly need "a grand campaign" at work to make life tolerable. It ain't easy, trust me.

[Miss Bones]

On 12/19/2020 at 7:51 AM, historylover820 said:

I didn't get that this is what Eddie was doing. What I thought he was doing was putting his pills in plastic bags and keeping them on him. Then replacing his empty prescription bottle with aspirin. That way he won't have to use the awkward grabber if he needs his pills. And replacing the pills so Katherine won't know that he's taking them. She might get suspicious if she sees empty prescription bottles.

This is what I gathered, also.

12 hours ago, Anosmia said:

His voice is like nails on chalkboard to me, too! Ditto with Danny’s voice. It’s whispery-scratchy and really gets under my skin.

Yess!  Last week, I was going to post that everyone on this board is always commenting how insufferable Theo is, and how bad the actor is, whereas I find him to be a much stronger actor than the Danny actor, and far less grating.  At least Danny's post-pubescent voice sounds less like a 3-pack-a-day smoker, but his acting is so poor, and they try to give him these heavy storylines.  Don't get me wrong, Theo is annoying, but I don't think the kid is as bad an actor as some of you do-- I just think that they give him terrible lines, and they try so hard to make him "the overly precocious child", and it is getting really irritating now that he should be getting older, but he is a perpetual 5 year old.  They are allowing Danny to age, however, the kid's acting has not improved.  I cringe/eyeroll at most of the things he says, especially when they try to portray his and Gary's relationship like that of 2 peers.

[readster]

2 hours ago, Miss Bones said:

This is what I gathered, also.

Yess!  Last week, I was going to post that everyone on this board is always commenting how insufferable Theo is, and how bad the actor is, whereas I find him to be a much stronger actor than the Danny actor, and far less grating.  At least Danny's post-pubescent voice sounds less like a 3-pack-a-day smoker, but his acting is so poor, and they try to give him these heavy storylines.  Don't get me wrong, Theo is annoying, but I don't think the kid is as bad an actor as some of you do-- I just think that they give him terrible lines, and they try so hard to make him "the overly precocious child", and it is getting really irritating now that he should be getting older, but he is a perpetual 5 year old.  They are allowing Danny to age, however, the kid's acting has not improved.  I cringe/eyeroll at most of the things he says, especially when they try to portray his and Gary's relationship like that of 2 peers.

I agree and they came out right out of the gate with Danny basically outing himself and this was suppose to be "special" at such a young age. Plus, dealing with the fact his "crush" was open to his own parents on his feelings. Then you add in Theo's lines and the scenes he gets and the same with Danny. They just come across as bad, poorly delivered and make it where they don't sound anything like a kid their age or even one "younger" at that age. At least with Theo's reaction to "boobs that aren't mommy's" and so forth. He just isn't at that age where it's plaguing his mind. Then again, Danny was plagued thinking he "had to be everything to Elliott" when they are just 12 going on 13. That part actually came across as realistic, but the writing and how it was shown were just really, really bad. 

[Brookside]

Why are the characters so stupid?  Sophie is trying to make music busking, but doesn't silence her cell phone.  Rather than go somewhere private to rehash his new relationship with Maggie, he sits on the stairs within earshot of everyone else in the house, including said new girlfriend.

[smartymarty]

Quote

It’s not up to this guy to decide whether someone’s music should be a hobby or a career - especially after hearing one song.

He isn't the decider, he's giving an opinion. Like everyone will about her talents or lack thereof. I was disappointed that Sophie didn't hear other auditions of musicians superior to her so that she'd get a sense of where her talents lay on the spectrum. I considered going to college for piano, an idea I quickly discarded when I toured the college and discovered what it entailed. Sophie has jumped from going to Harvard (b/c that's so easy to get in) to "I'll be a musician!" without any clue.

The answer to Theo's question about page 46 should have been "That brings up an important point -- you never ask about other people's sex lives. It's not polite." Maybe I was dense as a kid, but it didn't occur to me how the sperm got to the woman until it was more greatly explained in 9th grade health class.