S02.E05: Trick or Treat

[sadie]

Wouldn’t it have been a way better story if the REAL Miranda met up with Che. You know, the strong opinionated woman who had a point of view, direction and personality. I could see a Che responding to that type of person. Why did they feel they had to make Miranda needy, clingy, and basically flopping around like a teenage girl. Add in Che is written as a selfish person who seems to have no real interest in Miranda as a person. The fact that as soon as Che faced some difficulties instead of leaning on their partner, who they supposedly love, they tell Miranda they need time alone. This woman followed you across the country to support your dreams, is twisting herself into a pretzel for you and you can’t be bothered to have her around when life isn’t peachy for you. Does CN really think this is a beautiful coming out story. It reads more like an abusive one sided relationship, is that really what the intention was here? 

[Baltimore Betty]

On 7/14/2023 at 8:46 PM, Sailorgirl26 said:

I'm with you on Molly Dodd --no clue and 30 Rock--never watched, no desire to. 

30 Rock was a brilliantly funny show, I loved it but YMMV.  Molly Dodd was the main character of a show, The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd staring Blair Brown, I really liked that show, it was in the late 80's.  Funny, I can remember that but I cannot remember what the reference was from this episode, such as life, lol.

I noticed some silly things like all the chips in the baskets (sit com focus group), were BBQ flavored, why would the dry cleaners call the other guy if it was George's dry cleaner and I thought it was illegal for a store to resell used mattresses and when the mattresses were clearly in plastic and new why would Carrie say anything bed bugs?

Miranda should get her own place somewhere between Che and Brady's home since she is the one complaining how far she is from school, Che and Brady.  The fact that she has to wake Brady up or he will sleep till noon is sad, Steve is there why can't he do it? Has Brady come up with a plan since he is skipping college? He should go just to get away from that house.

Other things that bugged me, Rock is asked to model for RL, prior to any photos being taken a release has to be signed and in this case by the parents because Rock is a minor, Harry is a lawyer and was worried something was not right with it all, did he read the release or ask a question about any grey areas, my thought it was a normal release, what was the pay for this job anyway? Did it cover anything other than just this campaign like a magazine cover or a billboard? Harry should be more savvy about how to go about researching pay scales and releases...I would have asked Miranda if Harry was too busy putting on that stupid costume.

Also, they were able to just breeze in to the studio space without security?

Carrie is too quick to judge George, she even said she was not making any snap judgement's anymore but does it anyway.  George had a lot going for him and one project deadline issue and she is out? I kinda wished the guy lifting his bike up stairs would have accidentally knocked Carrie in her head as he was heading up the stairs.

 

[Baltimore Betty]

On 7/15/2023 at 7:32 AM, sadie said:

I’m 55 and I didn't realize going to a bar, meeting some random guy and taking him home and sleeping with him was still a thing?

100%. Did they all learn nothing from Looking For Mr. Goodbar? I guess they are trying to show that 60 year olds are vibrant, sexual creatures that are so empowered they can meet a guy and have sex with them and then enjoy "the walk of shame" the next morning...that is not empowered that is skanky and unsafe behavior these days.  If any of those women were looking for a relationship with those guys that is not the way to do it, they had hookups, not a relationship, that is why I was surprised that Seema let Pump Guy stay the first night.

She could have made vibrator time part of their sexy time instead of a "you didn't do it so I will" moment although Pump Guy totally acted like an ass about it.

 

[RedDelicious]

I was irrationally annoyed by Rock jumping on the trampoline and doing the same pose every single time. That is super nit-picky, but here we are. 

[ichbin]

On 7/13/2023 at 5:02 PM, Sailorgirl26 said:

Che. Is. Just. Not. A. Good. Character. 

And that falls squarely upon the showrunner and writers putting an emphasis on social issues alone above storyline instead of artfully melding them together.

[T Summer]

8 hours ago, Baltimore Betty said:

100%. Did they all learn nothing from Looking For Mr. Goodbar?

We're on the  same wavelength... 

5 minutes ago I was  washing dishes thinking about Nya saying "These one night stands are amazing!" when she and the others were sitting at the bar.

Thinking about Carrie and Franklyn ending their thing, and Carrie discounting George for what I personally think is an issue that could've been overcome. Not that she doesn't have a perfect right to do that and doesn't have her reasons... just that  choosing another guy to spend  Thursdays with means all the risks of letting another stranger in... safetywise, healthwise etc.

 

I started thinking about the danger of going home with someone the night you meet them and the movie Mr. Goodbar popped into my head!

Not so unbelievable that one thought would lead to the other, just that  I read your post 5 minutes after I was thinking about it.

 

 

 

[Rebecca berkowit]

31 minutes ago, T Summer said:

We're on the  same wavelength... 

5 minutes ago I was  washing dishes thinking about Nya saying "These one night stands are amazing!" when she and the others were sitting at the bar.

Thinking about Carrie and Franklyn ending their thing, and Carrie discounting George for what I personally think is an issue that could've been overcome. Not that she doesn't have a perfect right to do that and doesn't have her reasons... just that  choosing another guy to spend  Thursdays with means all the risks of letting another stranger in... safetywise, healthwise etc.

 

I started thinking about the danger of going home with someone the night you meet them and the movie Mr. Goodbar popped into my head!

Not so unbelievable that one thought would lead to the other, just that  I read your post 5 minutes after I was thinking about it.

 

 

 

Could that be why they went to a five-star hotel?  To make sure the guys would be safe?  I was wondering why they wanted to go there and meet rich men if they didn’t want to see them more than once.  Maybe it’s a good place to meet a one night stand?  After all, they’re leaving town anyway.  

[Paws]

Just saw this last night. If they want to lecture us that we’re all bigoted, how do they address the fact that nobody had any issue with Rocks coming out storyline? THAT is a contemporary issue that families like Charlottes are dealing w all the time. They did a decent job with that one. Che, however….no.

[millennium]

On 7/13/2023 at 8:56 AM, TakomaSnark said:

I took the focus group scene as MPK trying chastize the audience for rejecting Sara Ramirez/Che. Don't you feel bad? You should!!!

Well, I don't.  From their first appearance, Che was a boorish, unlikeable and entitled personality -- not to mention tragically unfunny for someone allegedly a comic.  

In any gender or sexual orientation, Che would have been hard for me to take. 

It didn't help that the series tried to strong-arm the audience into accepting Che and Miranda's relationship as a perfectly reasonable and organic development despite decades of character development that said otherwise.    People resent being told what they should like or accept, or to be criticized when they refuse to be coerced.   A good metaphor for this was the Che Diaz "comedy concert" where the show attempts to make us believe Che is hilarious and wildly popular when our eyes and ears are telling us quite the opposite.  The backlash was so widespread that "Che Diaz comedy concert" is now an internet punchline.

 

[BellyLaughter]

It's as if they thought they were doing something so progressive with Miranda's story arc in making Che non binary and a woman that we would all marvel in their progressiveness and really champion this brave new world they were trying to live in.  Sadly in all of that desperation they completely forgot about likability ... and believability 

 

[Meedis]

On 7/13/2023 at 12:01 PM, Lethallyfab said:

I had to double-check to see if ‘The Americans’ has recently been added to Max.

I was reminded by Charlotte and Harry's costumes that I never did finish watching The Americans series.   I was elated to find it on Hulu.   Thanks show.

I actually did enjoy this episode....it definitely felt like an old school SATC episode.   Also loved the Hamilton shout-out with Chris Jackson.

[Miss Bones]

On 7/14/2023 at 5:46 PM, RedDelicious said:

Oh, one more thing before I go 😊 Miranda starting her day by saying f*ck into the bathroom mirror is me every morning. I’m glad we could connect on that one thing.

SAME!  😁

On 7/14/2023 at 10:36 PM, Rebecca berkowit said:

They WERE new.  But, in the dialogue they kept having Carrie trying to talk Miranda out of buying a used mattress, and talking about how gross used mattresses were.  The dialogue implied they were used mattresses.  They were clearly not.    Makes.  No.  Sense.  This show is so lazy.  Did the set designers not read the script, where it talked about USED mattresses?   It bothers me, sorry.  

For the record, I have purchased a used mattress, and it was wrapped in plastic.  There is a person in our area who buys mattresses back from people that are still in the warranty period--Like when you can try the bed for 1 month, and if you do not like it, you can return it for refund--and then he resells them for way cheaper.  He sanitizes them and puts them back in plastic, before reselling them.  So... it's not that crazy.

[RedHawk]

On 7/14/2023 at 3:51 AM, Yeah No said:

[snip]

But even if we might soften on Che, we're definitely having our faces rubbed in the total mismatch between Miranda and Che, and it's not making Che look all that good in the process.  So I'm somewhat confused.  Are we being set up for a breakup or just a typical somewhat rocky on-again, off-again relationship?  Probably the latter.  Is anything ever really over on this show or its predecessor?  Not if they can squeeze more story out of it.  It looks to me like Miranda might actually end up meeting someone else or she may start having misgivings about leaving her son and husband.  I feel like her sudden guilt about "neglecting" Brady is a setup for her feeling the pull to go back home to both him and Steve, and her taking her friend's offer for a place to stay might give her opportunities to meet other people.  We'll see.

[snip]

I don't know, I wasn't loving the "penis pump guy" segment.  Yeah, it was more like the single romp days of old, and I like that idea, but somehow I cringed at it nonetheless.  I felt this last week too with Harry's retrograde ejaculation bit and of course Miranda wearing a strap-on.  I don't think it's just because I've changed into a prude or anything because I can still watch similar stuff on SATC and not feel that way.  I think it has something to do with both the writing and the acting.  I find something awkward and cringey about it now.  I can't verbalize it any better than that.

I'm starting to feel like we're heading in the direction of a big reckoning for Miranda, even though everything we hear from MPK interviews etc. says that's not going to happen and it's gonna be Miranda-Che all the way (why? why? for the love of God why?).

Yet I can see in some ways it's being set up for Miranda to look at her entire treatment of Steve over the years and re-evaluate their relationship and her part in its demise. Like the throw-away "when Steve moves out" thing she keeps saying and "I don't feel I can ask anything right now". Like, she's not even questioning her assumption that because Steve said he'd move out that's what should happen and what she expects to happen and what is even the right thing for Steve, Brady, and herself. Plus, there's her guilt for "abandoning" Brady and not being honest with her near-adult son about what was happening in her life. After months of immersion in Che-mania Miranda now runs back every morning to make pancakes, carve pumpkins, and decorate the stoop with him like when he was a child. (Even calling him "Pumpkin", a childhood nickname?) No wonder he's totally freaked out and says, "This is not her!"

As for the Pump Guy scene, it was so obvious to me how Samantha (Kim Cattrall) with just her facial expressions would have brought out the full comedic aspect of needing to use the vibrator and then having Pump Guy object by repeatedly yelling "Not cool!" Seema (RC) could have pulled it off if there had been better dialogue and perhaps directing. The intention of the scene wasn't comedy, however, so I don't know what the point was really. I didn't like it either. And yes, that gear looked like something from a medical museum! At least have him explain that, like Trey, he has heart issues and can't take Viagra. 

On 7/14/2023 at 12:57 PM, amarante said:

Actually it was worse than that because evidently they were shopping for a used mattress.

Most thrift shops won't accept mattresses or anything related to beds because of bedbug issues.

And why would ANYONE be buying a used mattress - mattresses are plentiful and not expensive just for a "mattress" and bed frames are equally inexpensive if one isn't trying to get something super stylish. 

On 7/14/2023 at 10:23 PM, greekmom said:

I thought that the bed frames were used but the mattresses were new.

I also thought that Miranda went and made Brady breakfast due to guilt more than anything.  She feels major guilty about things with Che.

The whole used/new mattress thing was stupidly confusing. Miranda needed a bed frame, preferably twin-sized, and surely would have purchased a new mattress. I thought it was illegal to sell used mattresses, anyway. More crappy writing. Don't this team even use a whiteboard to keep things straight? 

On 7/15/2023 at 12:51 PM, amarante said:

I thought they would be mistaken for aging hookers. That is where high end escorts trawl for out of town hookups. 

Totally! I was waiting to see who would be offered money (another recall of a SATC ep, the one where a guy left money on Carrie's nightstand) and how they all would react. Early bet was on Nya because she had never done the hotel bar thing.

Must say, her character is getting the most stunning men! I guess that was MPK's compensation to the actress for taking away her part in the Miranda-Nya relationship story and sticking her with little to do.

I could imagine Seema sometimes going to upscale hotel bars with friends. A couple of my friends and I do that occasionally, not so much to meet men (though that's always a possibility) but to dress up and enjoy the vibe. However, none of us would ever take a guy we just met to our home or go to his hotel room. 

On 7/13/2023 at 2:56 PM, Rebecca berkowit said:

I thought the scene when they are walking into the Halloween party was hilarious.   “I’m Helen Gurley Brown.” “I thought you were… You.” “When do I ever wear bows in my hair like this?” “Yesterday.” 

Most "Miranda" Miranda has been this entire series. Loved it.

On 7/13/2023 at 6:18 PM, zamp33 said:

I am guessing Rock may have been in their own way referencing the name Rose - 4 letters/starts with Ro - my son is trans and when he changed his name he did accept my input and and used something that referenced the name I had given him at birth. 

Or perhaps Rock liked Rock Hudson? Since Harry and Charlotte love Elizabeth Taylor I am guessing Rock watched Giant at some point in their lives. 😂

My thought was that Rose wanted to be tough-cool like "RAWK!" music.

Edited July 17, 2023 by RedHawk

[Rebecca berkowit]

3 hours ago, Miss Bones said:

SAME!  😁

For the record, I have purchased a used mattress, and it was wrapped in plastic.  There is a person in our area who buys mattresses back from people that are still in the warranty period--Like when you can try the bed for 1 month, and if you do not like it, you can return it for refund--and then he resells them for way cheaper.  He sanitizes them and puts them back in plastic, before reselling them.  So... it's not that crazy.

Good to know.  But somehow I doubt these writers thought that far.  I doubt Carrie did, either.  Also, we shouldn’t have to rationalize everything so hard.  Just put an obviously used mattress in the store if you want to make that the focus of a rant by Carrie.  

Edited July 17, 2023 by Rebecca berkowit

[Baltimore Betty]

3 hours ago, RedHawk said:

As for the Pump Guy scene, it was so obvious to me how Samantha (Kim Cattrall) with just her facial expressions would have brought out the full comedic aspect of needing to use the vibrator and then having Pump Guy object by repeatedly yelling "Not cool!" Seema (RC) could have pulled it off if there had been better dialogue and perhaps directing. The intention of the scene wasn't comedy, however, so I don't know what the point was really. I didn't like it either. And yes, that gear looked like something from a medical museum! At least have him explain that, like Trey, he has heart issues and can't take Viagra. 

THIS! This is why adults in their 50's+ should actually get to know someone before you jump in to bed, the baggage factor is real! Seema could have really liked the guy after getting to know him THEN he could have been honest about an issue, a pump is a lot to spring on someone when you have enough swagger to pick them up at a bar, a pump is a relationship conversation in my book or at the very least a conversation prior to leaving the bar!

[Blackie]

On 7/14/2023 at 12:42 AM, txhorns79 said:

I was a little confused about Che's apartment.  Che mentioned that they were going to pay for it with the tv money, but wouldn't the show have filmed in California?  I just didn't understand why they would go ahead with a New York apartment if they would have been required to spend a good portion of the year in Los Angeles. 

 

 

I came to ask the same question.

The focus group was harsh but not untrue, it looked like the worst kind of sitcom.

 

[topanga]

On 7/15/2023 at 7:32 AM, sadie said:

And The Americans is in my top 5 favorite shows of all time! The costumes were amazing and I would have totally gotten it if I had seen them at a party. 

Loved the costumes. I didn't recognize Charlotte till she said who she was, and then I was like, "Of course. She's rocking the "Elizabeth in the kitchen" look."

I wonder if Nya was afraid since, you know, Elizabeth killed Karen Pittman when she played Lisa on the show (inside joke). 

Pretty good episode. Still don't like who Miranda has become, even before Che came into her life. 

 

On 7/16/2023 at 7:51 AM, Baltimore Betty said:

Other things that bugged me, Rock is asked to model for RL, prior to any photos being taken a release has to be signed and in this case by the parents because Rock is a minor, Harry is a lawyer and was worried something was not right with it all, did he read the release or ask a question about any grey areas, my thought it was a normal release, what was the pay for this job anyway? Did it cover anything other than just this campaign like a magazine cover or a billboard? Harry should be more savvy about how to go about researching pay scales and releases...I would have asked Miranda if Harry was too busy putting on that stupid costume.

Also, they were able to just breeze in to the studio space without security?

I'm gonna fanwank that all of the release and contract signing happened, but they just didn't show it.

But the security was indeed lax. 

[Rebecca berkowit]

14 hours ago, topanga said:

Loved the costumes. I didn't recognize Charlotte till she said who she was, and then I was like, "Of course. She's rocking the "Elizabeth in the kitchen" look."

I wonder if Nya was afraid since, you know, Elizabeth killed Karen Pittman when she played Lisa on the show (inside joke). 

Pretty good episode. Still don't like who Miranda has become, even before Che came into her life. 

 

I'm gonna fanwank that all of the release and contract signing happened, but they just didn't show it.

But the security was indeed lax. 

Yeah, I’m sure some time went by between the initial phone call and the photo session, where probably all the legal stuff was taken care of.

Edited July 18, 2023 by Rebecca berkowit

[Kleav]

On 7/13/2023 at 11:35 AM, luna1122again said:

OMG, how I loved Molly Dodd

With an adorable David Strathairn…

[TakomaSnark]

16 minutes ago, Kleav said:

With an adorable David Strathairn…

Let's not forget the wonderful Richard Lawson as Detective Nathaniel Hawthorne!!!

[Mellowyellow]

hehe I loved the beginning when Carrie swore that she was in costume otherwise why would she wear that outfit with the bows in her hair. I love the fashion on this show but Carrie totally wears random things like that!

I really enjoyed this episode! Harry and Charlotte are hilarious and I loved the conversation where she tells him to leave or he'll never be a fun person again. I have had conversations like that with Hubby but in reverse.

I feel sorry for Che. I feel like they flirted with Miranda and then suddenly found themselves in this.....situation with this discombobulated, needy lady and they don't quite know how to dig themselves out of it! Granted I did not watch S1 properly so maybe they chased Miranda and I missed it but I feel like they feel sorry for Miranda and wished they could just reset all this nonsense and not have to deal with her! Miranda is always in Che's face, being over the top, insecure and smothering.

ETA why is Cynthia Nixon playing Miranda like she is two decades older than Carrie and Charlotte? Even Enid and Bitsy come off as being fairly consistent with their old selves whereas Miranda's speech and movements sometimes makes it look like she needs to be placed in a home.

Edited July 18, 2023 by Mellowyellow

[luna1122again]

10 hours ago, Kleav said:

With an adorable David Strathairn…

And Fred. William Converse Roberts. I had a crush on him too. 

And RIchard Lawson is Beyonce's stepdad! 

[txhorns79]

23 hours ago, Miss Bones said:

For the record, I have purchased a used mattress, and it was wrapped in plastic.  There is a person in our area who buys mattresses back from people that are still in the warranty period--Like when you can try the bed for 1 month, and if you do not like it, you can return it for refund--and then he resells them for way cheaper.  He sanitizes them and puts them back in plastic, before reselling them.  So... it's not that crazy.

I didn't know this, but apparently many states have laws about used mattresses and how they can be resold.  You have to have them professionally sanitized (the sanitizers will put them in plastic) for the resale, so what we saw in the thrift store was nothing out of the ordinary.

 

[luna1122again]

5 hours ago, Mellowyellow said:

I feel sorry for Che. I feel like they flirted with Miranda and then suddenly found themselves in this.....situation with this discombobulated, needy lady and they don't quite know how to dig themselves out of it! Granted I did not watch S1 properly so maybe they chased Miranda and I missed it but I feel like they feel sorry for Miranda and wished they could just reset all this nonsense and not have to deal with her! Miranda is always in Che's face, being over the top, insecure and smothering.

ETA why is Cynthia Nixon playing Miranda like she is two decades older than Carrie and Charlotte? Even Enid and Bitsy come off as being fairly consistent with their old selves whereas Miranda's speech and movements sometimes makes it look like she needs to be placed in a home.

Che didn't chase Miranda. They came on strong at Carrie's apartment (which was squicky and inappropriate) and then they basically ghosted her for months. She was just one more groupie chick to Che, I think, til she asked for more. 

And I agree that Miranda seems old...when she's with Che. She seems mostly like herself with Charlotte and Carrie, we even get some original version Miranda snark...but around Che she's needy, meek, supplicating, and it all reads older than she is, somehow. She LOOKS older around Che, too, and not just because Che is younger. I don't know, but it's weird. And I guess she's like that around Steve and Brady right now too. Meek=frail and needy, when it comes to Miranda. 

[TV Diva Queen]

re the lax security at the RL photo shoot.....Why wouldn't they let Harry in?  He's her agent/attorney/father.  They (security) don't know that doesn't always wear that wig, he would be allowed in there.  

[Jax7917]

I’m trying to understand what Carrie’s guy did that would make him such a dealbreaker . Sure , he had a big thing going on at work and at the moment he was swamped but some people actually … work . The guy was super handsome, really nice and seemed like a catch . She could’ve given it some time before writing him off . 
 

I understand why they had to break Steve and Miranda up . You cant have all the main characters married on this kind of show . But then the writers continue to have her in a serious relationship anyway so it makes no sense . For a couple of seasons they should have Miranda going through different people like in the original and having some quirky thing wrong with them . Hoping they make her single soon .

[Rebecca berkowit]

2 hours ago, luna1122again said:

Che didn't chase Miranda. They came on strong at Carrie's apartment (which was squicky and inappropriate) and then they basically ghosted her for months. She was just one more groupie chick to Che, I think, til she asked for more. 

And I agree that Miranda seems old...when she's with Che. She seems mostly like herself with Charlotte and Carrie, we even get some original version Miranda snark...but around Che she's needy, meek, supplicating, and it all reads older than she is, somehow. She LOOKS older around Che, too, and not just because Che is younger. I don't know, but it's weird. And I guess she's like that around Steve and Brady right now too. Meek=frail and needy, when it comes to Miranda. 

Yes!  She DOES look older around Che!  She looked like she was 80 in that restaurant scene.  

2 hours ago, TV Diva Queen said:

re the lax security at the RL photo shoot.....Why wouldn't they let Harry in?  He's her agent/attorney/father.  They (security) don't know that doesn't always wear that wig, he would be allowed in there.  

He was in disguise so he could ask the cameraman about whether they were perving on the models.  I think he figured if he dressed like that, a fellow-perv might admit something to him.  He couldn’t just walk in as Rock’s father and then start trying to pump them for info on child porn like that.    Of course, it didn’t work.  

1 hour ago, Jax7917 said:

I’m trying to understand what Carrie’s guy did that would make him such a dealbreaker . Sure , he had a big thing going on at work and at the moment he was swamped but some people actually … work . The guy was super handsome, really nice and seemed like a catch . She could’ve given it some time before writing him off . 
 

I understand why they had to break Steve and Miranda up . You cant have all the main characters married on this kind of show . But then the writers continue to have her in a serious relationship anyway so it makes no sense . For a couple of seasons they should have Miranda going through different people like in the original and having some quirky thing wrong with them . Hoping they make her single soon .

It wasn’t because he had to work.  It was because he seemed to have an unnaturally close relationship with his partner.  She thought it was as if he had a wife, and she felt like the third wheel.   At least, that was the intention for this plot.  It wasn’t executed very well.  And it wasn’t realistic - why would the dry cleaner call this guy’s work partner about his dry cleaning?  Is he the emergency contact for that, too?  That’s not a thing.  Even if they were unnaturally close.  The whole thing just seemed bizarre rather than a real-life dealbreaker issue.  

Edited July 18, 2023 by Rebecca berkowit

[RedHawk]

3 hours ago, Rebecca berkowit said:

It wasn’t because he had to work.  It was because he seemed to have an unnaturally close relationship with his partner.  She thought it was as if he had a wife, and she felt like the third wheel.   At least, that was the intention for this plot.  It wasn’t executed very well.  And it wasn’t realistic - why would the dry cleaner call this guy’s work partner about his dry cleaning?  Is he the emergency contact for that, too?  That’s not a thing.  Even if they were unnaturally close.  The whole thing just seemed bizarre rather than a real-life dealbreaker issue.  

I got it when the other partner said, "He's creative, I'm business." The partner has always felt like he had to wrangle the "creative" (software) guy. They  probably use the same dry cleaner and have for years, so they let him know when his partner hasn't picked up clothes for weeks.

It was funny when that guy started kvetching to Carrie about his partner and it did sound like a spouse complaining. Loved how she slid out of the bed and that one-sided conversation and just left him talking! He had already exhibited an annoyance toward Carrie's very presence in his partner's life, so yeah, she didn't feel like taking that on. In this New York City Fantasyland there will be plenty more handsome, single, rich men who will be quickly attracted to 57-year-old Carrie.

[T Summer]

So what that George and his partner had settled into an unhealthy work/business dynamic when George wasn't in a romantic relationship and it wasn't causing problems?

With what is going on out there today, that's a problem that seems like it could be easily overcome. George if he got into a relationship with Carrie or someone else, would probably see the need to   establish clear boundries with his partner. Might even take a few therapy sessions, but so what? He has the money.

I'd rather deal with that than someone unmotivated to work/earn who maybe want's to lean on me financially. I'd rather deal with that than someone who's a cheater or addicted to substances or pron or whatever.

Kind of a high class problem, no? He's tall, he's fit, he's doing well financially... has his own business w/ a partner, he's not socially inept etc.

Carrie has to stop disqualifying men.

 

[Rebecca berkowit]

1 hour ago, T Summer said:

So what that George and his partner had settled into an unhealthy work/business dynamic when George wasn't in a romantic relationship and it wasn't causing problems?

With what is going on out there today, that's a problem that seems like it could be easily overcome. George if he got into a relationship with Carrie or someone else, would probably see the need to   establish clear boundries with his partner. Might even take a few therapy sessions, but so what? He has the money.

I'd rather deal with that than someone unmotivated to work/earn who maybe want's to lean on me financially. I'd rather deal with that than someone who's a cheater or addicted to substances or pron or whatever.

Kind of a high class problem, no? He's tall, he's fit, he's doing well financially... has his own business w/ a partner, he's not socially inept etc.

Carrie has to stop disqualifying men.

 

I think the writers are going with what worked on the original show.  The original was about the loser guys these four women kept meeting, and their various misadventures in the world of sex and dating.  It’s just not a great look on a 50-something widow.  When you get older, you become more mature, usually.  But, if they showed mature women behaving maturely, there would be no show.  Still, this plot didn’t work very well.  It’s like they switched the tone from character-driven dramedy to farce very abruptly.  There have been too many seasons, movies, children, marriages, etc., and we are too invested in these characters at this point, for them to go back to something like that.  Their lives have evolved.  

[RedHawk]

39 minutes ago, Rebecca berkowit said:

I think the writers are going with what worked on the original show.  The original was about the loser guys these four women kept meeting, and their various misadventures in the world of sex and dating.  It’s just not a great look on a 50-something widow.  When you get older, you become more mature, usually.  But, if they showed mature women behaving maturely, there would be no show.  Still, this plot didn’t work very well.  It’s like they switched the tone from character-driven dramedy to farce very abruptly.  There have been too many seasons, movies, children, marriages, etc., and we are too invested in these characters at this point, for them to go back to something like that.  Their lives have evolved.  

Indeed, and so have ours! When this series was being promoted, before the premiere of season 1, I thought MPK and others were touting it not as a continuation of SATC so much as a different show with the three original ladies and some new characters. Maybe that's why we expected the three OGs to be shown as 50-something women living lives and dealing with actual things 50-something women might experience, with a bit of comedic flair at times, sure. Yet when we get these random parodic scenes like on old SATC amidst more serious scenes and we began the new series with Big's death and funeral, well, we don't quite know what we're to think.

I mean, it bugs me that Miranda apparently is an alcoholic, and we saw her go to one meeting this season (which mostly served as a place for her to go when she was bored and lonely without Che) and I noted that she is drinking Perrier when the others have alcohol. But it's never mentioned elsewhere. Has she admitted to Steve that she is an alcoholic? I don't recall if she did in S1. She didn't bring it up in therapy, or any of her other issues for that matter. Like, if they writers are going to give her a drinking problem, how about maybe folding it in to some of her nearly inexplicable behavior/character change?

[Rebecca berkowit]

42 minutes ago, RedHawk said:

Indeed, and so have ours! When this series was being promoted, before the premiere of season 1, I thought MPK and others were touting it not as a continuation of SATC so much as a different show with the three original ladies and some new characters. Maybe that's why we expected the three OGs to be shown as 50-something women living lives and dealing with actual things 50-something women might experience, with a bit of comedic flair at times, sure. Yet when we get these random parodic scenes like on old SATC amidst more serious scenes and we began the new series with Big's death and funeral, well, we don't quite know what we're to think.

I mean, it bugs me that Miranda apparently is an alcoholic, and we saw her go to one meeting this season (which mostly served as a place for her to go when she was bored and lonely without Che) and I noted that she is drinking Perrier when the others have alcohol. But it's never mentioned elsewhere. Has she admitted to Steve that she is an alcoholic? I don't recall if she did in S1. She didn't bring it up in therapy, or any of her other issues for that matter. Like, if they writers are going to give her a drinking problem, how about maybe folding it in to some of her nearly inexplicable behavior/character change?

It’s Saved by the Bell - the Miranda edition.

[bluegirl147]

On 7/18/2023 at 9:59 AM, luna1122again said:

And I agree that Miranda seems old...when she's with Che. She seems mostly like herself with Charlotte and Carrie, we even get some original version Miranda snark...but around Che she's needy, meek, supplicating, and it all reads older than she is, somehow. She LOOKS older around Che, too, and not just because Che is younger. I don't know, but it's weird

Honestly  I see Cynthia Nixon with Che.  For me she isn't Miranda in those scenes.

On 7/16/2023 at 9:53 PM, millennium said:

From their first appearance, Che was a boorish, unlikeable and entitled personality -- not to mention tragically unfunny for someone allegedly a comic.  

But MPK and Cynthia Nixon thought Che was great and was going to be beloved by viewers.  They were wrong.

 

[violet and green]

Finally got around to watching it. Well, it was better than last week.

I am disappointed Peter Hermann has been ejected so summarily. Minor quibble: if Carrie hadn't been standing there like a moose, he would have barrelled straight into traffic, so it was nuts for the script to insist she caused his accident.

Loved the Charlotte and Harry scenes. Anthony enjoyable in his brief moments.

The show takes a nosedive when it focuses, as it does for far too much of the time, on new-Miranda. I don't care if she's twitching around in front of Che or on her own or with another of the new "characters" they've unnecessarily studded this show with, it's too much Miranda. And it is not the Miranda we knew for 94 episodes and two movies, prior to this doddery old lady version that is an insult to most modern 80-plus-year-olds. I have a friend who is 93 who is more youthful in her movements. That weird "old lady" arm shake she did in the restaurant scene, yikes.

I don't think it is at all helpful to have that grumpy 40-year-old as a main writer.  What does anyone of 40 know of the inside issues of women in their mid-to-late fifties? Nothing.

 

 

[giovannif7]

7 hours ago, violet and green said:

Finally got around to watching it. Well, it was better than last week.

I am disappointed Peter Hermann has been ejected so summarily. Minor quibble: if Carrie hadn't been standing there like a moose, he would have barrelled straight into traffic, so it was nuts for the script to insist she caused his accident.

(snip)

 

 

Well, he did have the green light to proceed through the intersection, so it is on her for blocking the right of way. And I agree, he shouldn't have been written off so quickly.

 

 

[Scarlett45]

On 7/18/2023 at 6:13 PM, RedHawk said:

mean, it bugs me that Miranda apparently is an alcoholic, and we saw her go to one meeting this season (which mostly served as a place for her to go when she was bored and lonely without Che) and I noted that she is drinking Perrier when the others have alcohol. But it's never mentioned elsewhere. Has she admitted to Steve that she is an alcoholic? I don't recall if she did in S1. She didn't bring it up in therapy, or any of her other issues for that matter. Like, if they writers are going to give her a drinking problem, how about maybe folding it in to some of her nearly inexplicable behavior/character change?

That would be stellar writing. You could write this series!

[CeeBeeGee]

 

On 7/13/2023 at 10:53 AM, thesupremediva1 said:

Peter Hermann is still fine as hell. It would have been a lot funnier if he HAD been "my David" - wonder if Charlotte would have remembered him!

Harry and Charlotte are the best part of this series. They're providing fun, family, continuity, AND sex. I wish we could focus more on them and less on poorly drawn ancillary characters or even Miranda who is still such an unrecognizable doormat.

He is my favorite eye-candy on Blue Bloods. *Rowr*

And yes, Harry and Charlotte are the best. Loved their sotto voce conversation at the shoot.

 

On 7/13/2023 at 3:36 PM, Rebecca berkowit said:

Che:  from the first scene, is just awful.   Pulling a total pissy attitude when you were woken up accidentally, because Miranda has to wake up early because she has responsibilities and doesn’t just stay up all night smoking pot?   Making Miranda walk on eggshells and keep apologizing for it? When you can easily go back to sleep when she leaves, because you sleep all day anyway!  But then interrupting Miranda’s sleep because you need rolling papers for your pot buddies?  This is not an equal relationship, despite what Miranda thinks.  They are not “both” missing sleep, though they are keeping different hours.  And later, pushing Miranda away and crying about your TV show and how it took you 45 years to figure out who you are and the network just ruined that for you? (Your identity is that fragile?). And crying about how are you going to afford that apartment?  Why did you rent it when the show wasn’t a certainty? (For a moment there I thought they were going to have Miranda pay for it!). With Che it is always about Che’s needs, Che’s problems.  Just awful.  That behavior from a guy would get the guy kicked to the curb.  

THIS!!!!!! What a colossally stupid move! An apartment in Hudson Yards? With such an uncertain future??? WTAF! What an unforced error!

And co-sign the rest of it. What a selfish, selfish creature.

 

On 7/13/2023 at 4:25 PM, DoubleUTeeEff said:

I'm an asshole because when everyone at the focus group raised their hands to say something negative about Che Che Binks, I laughed heartily. I didn't feel bad for them at all. They are kind of boomer humoring in that sitcom, so Che deserves to hear the criticism, even if they are going to ultimately disagree with it.

As did I. In fact I too raised my hand...

 

On 7/14/2023 at 11:14 AM, RedDelicious said:

Also Sex and the Single Girl is a great read. I have the hardcover but my dog ate the dustjacket. Helen Gurley Brown was way ahead of her time.

She definitely was, although her "frothy career girls having sexy fun" rhetoric was a little dated by the early '90s. Around that time, when people first started talking about sexual harassment at work and the idea entered the public consciousness for the first time, she issued this hideously tone-deaf editorial shaming women who had come forward as killjoys and harridans and shared a very strange anecdote about her days as an office girl. She talked about how the men in the office would chase the girls, corner them and pull up their skirts to see what color underpants they were wearing. (Mad Man shows this happening in an early episode, it might've been the pilot. I recognized the behavior immediately.) Pretty much everyone was like "uh, that's assault." But HGB thought it was just all sexy good times.

 

On 7/14/2023 at 4:27 PM, Yogisbooboo64 said:

Mariska Hargitay, you’se a lucky heiffa, yo man is FOINE!!  His ‘friend’ was a straight up dick, I was cracking up at how Carrie got out of the bed to leave.

For me, once a man mentions ED, the thrill is gone….nothing makes my girls deflate quicker than a man who has to pump-pump-pa-pump his peen!  Loved Seema finishing herself off, even turning up the noise a bit while he whined.

Wish I could’ve produced a smidge of give-a-fuck for Che but didn’t.  They were treating Miranduh how she used to treat Steve, like when they got annoyed with her bumping into the chair as she got ready to leave the apartment in the morning.  And was I the only one who thought Miranduh’s ‘eat shit’ speech was for the viewers who dare to not like Cheranduh?

Caarrie sliiiiiiding off the bed was hilarious, just eeling her way out of there.

OMG, that was great, Seema turning up the volume. Cry more tears, manboy. Who the hell scolds someone over using a vibrator when they weren't able to get their partner off? You got your so fuck the rest of the world? Really?

CN, please know that MIranda's stupid rant--which made even Che cringe--just makes us laugh harder at your self-insert fan-fiction. Che and the new lobotomized Miranda suck.

 

On 7/15/2023 at 7:32 AM, sadie said:

Che, oh Che. I’m sorry but a 45 year old that still spends their nights getting stoned, playing video games and partying until 4am is beyond for me. Miranda calling Che a “night owl” made Che’s behavior sound much less infantile than how it read to me. And I dated an asshole once that did things like Che acting bothered they were accidentally woken up, if I coughed in the middle of the night he would sigh loudly to express his disgust that I woke him up. He was an asshole, Che is an asshole and it has NOTHING to do with them being binary.

I can't even wrap my brain around such juvenile behavior. How do they accomplish anything when they're sleeping until noon every day? They want to make their pilot a success, yes? The career of an actor takes discipline. You're getting headshots, submitting yourself, shooting reels, editing them--it's exhausting.