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Celebrating 1,000 NCIS-franchise episodes

S01.E06: Week Three in Utopia - A

Tara Ariano

By Tara Ariano
in Utopia (US) [V]

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ghoulina

ghoulina

Taylor....oh, young boys. "You should be flattered that I'm cuddling with you since older women pay me to do this" - do what now? I would have hauled my ass out of that hammock and never looked back. 

 

Bella is crazy and annoying as fuck (she's either laughing or crying, how can you take her seriously?), but there was no reason for Mike to publicly humiliate her like that. Call her out on her unilateral decisions, but don't make a spectacle of it. I mean, he flat out said he wanted to try and make her leave. What a douche. 

 

And did he have a frozen pizza box on his hand as part of his king costume? Yea, that's a wise choice financially. 

 

Red had sex under the barn, then threw a total tantrum, complete with stomping and throwing paper around. He went from 14 to 5 in the span of a day. 

 

LOVED Rob and his Stark "Winter is Coming" speech. It needed to be said, and he wasn't nasty about it. I am doubtful everyone will stay on course, though. Their "Utopia Experience" was a good idea. But I don't see it working as a long term money-making solution. I can't see them having THAT many fans, let alone those who live in the area. People aren't going to flock from all over America to see Chris's magic marker drawings.

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North of Eden

North of Eden

(edited)

Man, the visual in my mind of Red copulating with his not the sharpest tool in the box wife underneath the feet of his fellow Utopians is frankly horrifying. Almost as scary is thinking about how small the population of males in Red's town are if women are fighting over HIM!

 

Chris has no storyline now that he is apparently not knocking boots with Bri. He's an extra in a crowd scene like Doc Nikki.

 

I sure wish we could see the stuff on the feeds about Aaaron and Kristen being all kinds of shady. None of that comes across in the actual episodes. In fact they make Aaron look almost saintly.

 

The midwife....good to see Carol from the WALKING DEAD is getting other roles.

 

If this show didn't have Bella and Red they would have nothing. It so clear how much DAVE contributed to the initial episodes. I for one loved the crazy and chaos he brought. There has been NOTHING aired since that has matched the sheer entertainment and over the topness as the spectacle of Dave and Red having a hissy stomping the fruit cans...bar none!

 

Sadly I have a feeling that all the people at UTOPIA day are the sum total of UTOPIA fans in southern California. For all its faults I'll miss this show when its gone.

Edited by North of Eden
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ElleryAnne

ElleryAnne

Bella is crazy and annoying as fuck (she's either laughing or crying, how can you take her seriously?), but there was no reason for Mike to publicly humiliate her like that. Call her out on her unilateral decisions, but don't make a spectacle of it. I mean, he flat out said he wanted to try and make her leave. What a douche.

 

 

 

No kidding.  I knew about that from the live feed thread, but seeing it - even edited - really showed how dickish he was about it.  Of course, it was all played out as part of the narrative to show how wonderful Aaron was for suggesting after the weekend money that they buy the water filter for her.  As if.

 

It's so annoying that they're editing the episodes to tell such a different story than the live feeds show.  

 

And was Mike walking around with his hair up in a Pebbles Flintstone style ponytail at one point?

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bagatelle

bagatelle

The editors add all that doopy-doo background music to make the episodes more appealing. I can just imagine what it's like for people watching the live feeds, not having background music to influence the way they are supposed to view the cast.

 

Speaking of the cast, it might be nice to have some mature people and not keep adding Taylor type airheads.

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BusyOctober

BusyOctober

When this show is cancelled in a few weeks I'd love it if the producers don't tell the Myopians and keep them trapped there. FOX would make more money from the live feeds. And bonus for the other mactor famewhores in SoCal - there'd be 15 less selfish, immature, uninformed, unemployed, STD-riddled people standing in the casting call lines for a chance to be on TV.

 

This Utopia crowd makes the casts of some "Real World" & "Big Brother" seasons look like Rhodes Scholars.

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OakGoblinFly

OakGoblinFly

Man, the visual in my mind of Red copulating with his not the sharpest tool in the box wife underneath the feet of his fellow Utopians is frankly horrifying. Almost as scary is thinking about how small the population of males in Red's town are if women are fighting over HIM!

 

Chris has no storyline now that he is apparently not knocking boots with Bri. He's an extra in a crowd scene like Doc Nikki.

 

I sure wish we could see the stuff on the feeds about Aaaron and Kristen being all kinds of shady. None of that comes across in the actual episodes. In fact they make Aaron look almost saintly.

 

The midwife....good to see Carol from the WALKING DEAD is getting other roles.

 

If this show didn't have Bella and Red they would have nothing. It so clear how much DAVE contributed to the initial episodes. I for one loved the crazy and chaos he brought. There has been NOTHING aired since that has matched the sheer entertainment and over the topness as the spectacle of Dave and Red having a hissy stomping the fruit cans...bar none!

 

Sadly I have a feeling that all the people at UTOPIA day are the sum total of UTOPIA fans in southern California. For all its faults I'll miss this show when its gone.

 

Why show, why?

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ProfCrash

ProfCrash

Oh I don't know, Aaron is coming of like a douche on the show. Questioning buying pads and tampons? Really? Seriously?

 

Mike is actually worse then I thought he was based on the live feed discussion. Seriously asshole? Parade out in a stupid costume made with a Degorno pizza box and tell Bella that they sent back the filter. Really, you didn't demand accountability when Aaron spent $500 on pizza and booze but you are upset that Bella ordered a water filter? Yes, the water filter is probably not really needed but neither was the pizza and tequila.

 

Kristen is no marketing genius. What the heck has she actually done?

 

The Utopia experience was fine, I have no problem with it but there is no way that it is a long term thing. Not too many people are going to want to come back and see the inmates.

 

I am betting that there is a full fledge apartment under the barn that they are allowed to use when loved ones are there since the loved ones didn't sign up for the show and don't want to have sex on the show. Because there is no way that Red found the "one spot" in Utopia without a camera and they didn't put a camera in there. I have no problem with that but why not just say that there is a place they can go when family is there for some privacy.

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In Pog Form

In Pog Form

Almost as scary is thinking about how small the population of males in Red's town are if women are fighting over HIM!

That might not actually be the case. It may be that Red is actually a catch compared to the other menfolk in his town. Scared now?

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backformore

backformore

That might not actually be the case. It may be that Red is actually a catch compared to the other menfolk in his town. Scared now?

Red's wife was also very young when she claimed him as hers and had other people chase the competition away.  

Red didn't want to date her, because she was so young.   But then, as soon as she TURNED 16 - they got married!  It was a very weird conversation, she came across as bragging about how she landed this man, as if everyone was envious.  

 

Though I do think that Hex ( I think it was her who did it)  is given lines to say, and gets some instruction from the producers.  Some of her lines seem scripted, not natural, with nobody talking over her.   Others are quiet, and wait for her to say her line,  like "How did you guys meet?"   So Mrs Red  can tell the story.  

 

Maybe I'm reaching here, but every once in a while, I see a "scripted"  quality to the show -  like in a sitcom, where the timing is just right, people talk one at a time, laugh at the right moments, and give someone else a turn to talk.  

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Wandering Snark

Wandering Snark

(edited)

And one more layer of the shows ruse of "cut off from the world" falls as Red gets a conjugal visit from his wife. Though I'm trying not to think about that *shudder*. Anyway so much for all that talk of "And they won't see their loved ones for a whole year!!" tenet of the show.

 

Growing up with three older sisters I'd think nothing is quite as personal as feminine hygiene products... who wants a guy picking what style/brand etc. of product they'll get? I think Bella was just trying to make a statement of "who's in charge" by asking and then throwing a fit about it like the whole gender had been slighted. But don't worry girls, most of you will be back home before your first period.

Edited by Wandering Snark
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nottopbravo

nottopbravo

 

Maybe I'm reaching here, but every once in a while, I see a "scripted"  quality to the show -  like in a sitcom, where the timing is just right, people talk one at a time, laugh at the right moments, and give someone else a turn to talk.

 

For me, the best scripted reality shows are the ones that you don't feel are scripted.

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ElleryAnne

ElleryAnne

ut every once in a while, I see a "scripted"  quality to the show -  like in a sitcom, where the timing is just right, people talk one at a time, laugh at the right moments, and give someone else a turn to talk.

 

 

My guess is that certain people are encouraged to take conversations in a particular direction so that production can get the footage they want.  I don't think they can actually script the scene, but I do think they can nudge it to go in certain directions.    Then again, production interference seems rampant on this show, so what do I know.  

 

I get the feeling that sometimes a scene falls into place and the dopes remember that it's likely to be seen by viewers so they all go into "I'm being watched" mode.  I noticed it in the scene in the last episode when Bella was asking the guys to say how they felt about women being in charge for a few days, and they were all tripping over themselves with comments to make themselves sound enlightened.  I didn't feel like they were scripted exactly, but I did feel like they were aware of performing at that moment.

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Rahul

Rahul

And one more layer of the shows ruse of "cut off from the world" falls as Red gets a conjugal visit from his wife. 

 

They're not even trying to keep up that façade anymore. 

 

Speaking of Red's wife, did she strike anyone else as developmentally challenged? 

 

Why is the show giving Aaron this hero edit? Is FOX's PR team advising the show not to portray another person of color as villainous, after the whole Dave debacle?

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jumper sage

jumper sage

Red's wife was also very young when she claimed him as hers and had other people chase the competition away. 

Red didn't want to date her, because she was so young.   But then, as soon as she TURNED 16

I just ran over here to say the same thing.  Like, holy shit!

 

Speaking of Red's wife, did she strike anyone else as developmentally challenged?

At best.  Meth head at worst.

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APSimpson

APSimpson

Aaron shooting down Bella's request for tampons really bothered me. What a guy. There's something really unnerving about Aaron. He strikes me as the type of person who'd be in an abusive relationship and he'd be the abuser. When he said something along the lines of women being "hormonal" and thus questioning them being in charge was rather nauseating as well as ironic considering how emotional and confrontational Aaron can get. Aaron has been the biggest bitch on the show so far. Who needs PMS?

 

That's not to say that I'm a fan of Bella, but her request seemed reasonable to me. I also find it uncomfortable that Aaron seems to be the one in charge of the ordering. Why leave it up to him? Shouldn't more than one person be deciding this stuff?

 

As bad as Aaron is, Mike is just as bad. Mike seems like one of those cowardly bullies full of conflict and shame and only striking when he senses the group would approve. His sadistic little mockery of Bella shows how nasty this guy is. His effeminate anime hair and that smug look on his face is perfectly punchable. His whiny speaking style contrasted with his crass humor just makes him more of a villain to me. Can't stand the guy or his henchman Aaron.

 

Having said all of that, these are human beings and there are going to be some "come together" moments like Aaron and the group presenting the water filter back to Bella. Nice moment, but doesn't make up for those real moments when we really see who people are.

 

I have no problem with Red. He's comical, harmless and provides some fun on the show. Even when he's arguing with Bella it's still kinda cute. I thought his wife and kid were sweet people.

 

Starting to like Rob more, and hoping somehow he will be the one to stand up to Mike and Aaron at some point, but that's doubtful as the direction of this show seems to be "kumbaya."

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DeLurker

DeLurker

They are less than 30 miles from Hollywood so I imagine it is easy to find a bunch of unemployed actors willing to come out for the day with the delusional hopes of landing the next opening in Utopia or a nano-second of screentime.  And if they were fronted the money to cover the charge?  They'd come in droves.

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wirebitersm

wirebitersm

I am shocked Bella uses Tampons. For someone who hates microwaves you'd think she would have done some research into tampons.  Need to get someone to fly over and drop snickers and healthy menstrual products. I really wish the show stole an idea from The Hunger Games and people could pay to send items to someone.

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Wandering Snark

Wandering Snark

 

The tampons thing makes me think Aaron's never woken up next to a woman whose monthly visitor came early.

 

Agreed... however, I don't think he was making some grande statement about all of womenkind, just that in his opinion feminine hygiene products fell under the umbrella of 'personal' items and thereby should be purchased personally not in the grocery with the pizzas, tequila and Sour Patch Kids.

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Andromeda

Andromeda

(edited)

From what Aaron said when he apologized, Bella is trying to make out she needs a water filter for her health! Because she's against fluoridated water. OMG, there are no words. Fluoridation in water has drastically reduced cavities in children and adults, and even if you hate the idea on principle, it's only for a year (or more likely another month), and it's not because she has a health condition of any kind. That's pure misrepresentation, and total bullshit. (It's like the anti-vaccers scare.) I bet Red's hometown doesn't have fluoridated water.

 

The revolving door of visitors is ridiculous. I thought these people were supposed to be on their own. Delivery people, family, vets, doctors (two already), fans, neighboring people. There's no sense at all that this is anything but a summer camp for grownups, not a whole separate society. So, they've belied the name and they need to cut out the "utopia" crap. They have arts and crafts, archery, swimming in the lake, campfires, skits, medical aid whenever they need it -- totally summer camp.

 

And yeah, Red's child bride seems mentally challenged to me (maybe a former meth head.)

 

Rob is a chauvinist douche, but Bella and her goddess circle crap embarrasses me for womenkind. If all women were like her, telling people to hug it out after a meeting, I would never want women in power positions, either. 

 

These people keep misusing words -- The latest is the skinny polyamorous chic called the teary confessionals "smarm." I believe she meant sentimentalism, and I have to agree. Get to business. BTW, how do they do laundry? Did the place come with a washer/dryer set?

 

Does anyone else think the idea of trying out different governing styles was producer driven? I doubt this crowd would come up with it on their own. Because they didn't even assess the anarchy experiment, they just moved on to the women rule experiment. I assume that's what they're doing -- joke-glasses host guy didn't really explain. I suppose I can't be surprised they aren't having intellectual discussions about societal structures, but the promos made it sound like they would. Then they cast a mactor (former escort?) like Taylor who doesn't even know what a democracy is. *sigh* My grown son and I had a more interesting talk about what sort of government you might set up in such a situation in the 15 minutes it took him to make dinner, while I was watching (and rolling my eyes.)

 

Red going off is ridiculous. If he doesn't even agree to the women-in-charge situation, he needs to be punished as much as Bri, who he wanted to "lynch."

 

This show has devolved into Big Brother, what with all the love crap and hammocks and swimming. SO, so boring now.

 

The Utopia Experience was so fake. Everyone arrived at the same exact time! Yeah...um...they were obviously bussed in by the producers. We're not that dumb, show!

Edited by Andromeda
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ElleryAnne

ElleryAnne

Bella is trying to make out she needs a water filter for her health! Because she's against fluoridated water.

 

 

This is actually the kind of situation where I thought the show would be interesting, because I wanted to see how people would work together in spite of different beliefs and philosophies.  I wanted to see if they would try to accommodate each other, or whether they would bully or disrespect the ones with less popular beliefs (but beliefs they still honestly hold) whenever they outnumbered them.  From the standpoint of starting a society, it's an interesting question.  I forgot to factor in production interference, though.  I don't believe, not even a little bit, that Aaron wanted to get that filter for Bella.

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technorebel

technorebel

Nor the teeth which proves it.

There are other reasons for losing teeth.  In my case, it was the type of chemotherapy I received which made my teeth so brittle, they kept breaking off below the gum line.  After a while, I just couldn't afford to keep pouring money into trying to hang onto them what with the high cost of dental care.  But I do have lovely well-fitting dentures and am able to eat anything.  I don't know why Red runs around without any.  I'd never be seen without mine.

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Rahul

Rahul

Does anyone else think the idea of trying out different governing styles was producer driven?

 

Oh, absolutely! Very little (aside from the vile personalities and psychiatric disorders of some of these people) isn't producer driven.

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