Morning Joe: All Episodes Talk

[Chloesmom]

19 minutes ago, XOQueens said:

https://www.rawstory.com/2018/04/scarborough-uses-racial-epithet-slam-dwayne-johnsons-presidential-bid-hes-qualified-lawn-boy/

Thanks for posting this xoqueens as I thought I was being too sensitive.  My takeaway was not only racist but also an us and them mentality.  I kept cringing through the whole interview.

[teddysmom]

1 minute ago, Chloesmom said:

I kept cringing through the whole interview.

My reaction was laughing at the thought of him screaming at everyone "with Cheetoh dust on their shirts" for calling him a racist. 

He's not a racist, or a chauvinist!!! He just thinks and says stuff that they say. 

When Michael Brown was shot, he didn't say "I don't want to discuss the criminal justice system" as it relates to young black men because it's their behavior that gets them killed. 

He didn't say "the St Louis Rams holding their hands up in a show of solidarity of "Hands Up Don't Shoot" was the last straw and he couldn't take it anymore." 

(These are quotes of Joe's taken from a US News & World Report story about his comments after the Ferguson incident). 

He didn't berate and insult women he works with and treat them like they aren't as smart as he thinks he is..

Yeah...right..

[teddysmom]

45 minutes ago, WhineandCheez said:

His face looks like bread with raisin eyes and poofy hair (a vain search ensued to find an image to accompany this post)

I couldn't find Joe but here's Mika (the pancake with the strawberry lips) 

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/263108803200620277/

Edited April 5, 2018 by teddysmom

[XOQueens]

Hm. ?

[millennium]

2 hours ago, teddysmom said:

Johnson calls himself "movie franchise Viagra".   I don't know what other franchise he's been in, but bringing him into Fast & Furious got it to the point where they're now making a ninth movie. He may be a nice guy, but anyone who say stuff like that has an ego that would make him believe he could be President. Sorry Dwayne, being POTUS isn't quite the same as starring in a stupid movie franchise that should have ended back about F&F 3. 

I know he's been in a thousand movies, but do you ever hear anyone say, "Can't wait to see that new Dwayne Johnson movie coming out?"   Or, "The Rock is my favorite actor?"   I never considered him anything more than filler, just a stand-in when they can't get a brand name actor.

2 hours ago, Chloesmom said:

Thanks for posting this xoqueens as I thought I was being too sensitive.  My takeaway was not only racist but also an us and them mentality.  I kept cringing through the whole interview.

Interesting.   I never considered there was anything racist or elitist in the comment.   I saw "lawnboy" as a metaphor for unskilled labor, like a high school kid who mows your grass.   In terms of politics, Johnson IS unskilled labor.   

[stormy]

Steve Schmidt must have at least some buyer's remorse. 

Sarah Palin? Arnold Schwartzinegger? (whose own wife didn't know he had an illegitimate son and was accused of groping during the campaign).

Good Lord the amount of Stormy Daniels in Dwayne Johnson's closet.

Aside from all things, I like Steve and when he called trump an imbecile this morning I had a good laugh.

[oakville]

20 minutes ago, XOQueens said:

Hm. ?

Which key demo is Joe talking about?

The ratings for all 3 cable news shows in the morning are higher now than pre Trump. 

The ratings are avilable on ShowBuzz Daily 

[millennium]

35 minutes ago, oakville said:

Which key demo is Joe talking about?

 

Snarky early risers.

[WhineandCheez]

Quote

I know he's been in a thousand movies, but do you ever hear anyone say, "Can't wait to see that new Dwayne Johnson movie coming out?"   Or, "The Rock is my favorite actor?"   I never considered him anything more than filler, just a stand-in when they can't get a brand name actor.

Mika is that you? Hey Mika, Dwayne Johnson was in "Star Wars" and "The Wedding Crashers." (or was it another movie that Joe is always trying to get her to watch)

At this point, I would welcome The Rock as a candidate like those people at the gates waving in Jesus with the palms.  I haven't heard anything about him being a shyster like Trump is, and his horrible family.

Edited April 5, 2018 by WhineandCheez

[Nidratime]

Quote

Schmidt likes celebrity candidates

Like Sara Palin?

 

Quote

Thank you, Scarborough, for sticking in a pin in the lunacy of Dwayne Johnson running for President.   Steve Schmidt should be banished from the show for defending him as a serious contender.

I winced a little when Joe said lawn boy, although the implication was that Trump was a lawn boy too -- replacing one lawn boy for another. However, I am 100% behind Joe in terms of not wanting another inexperienced celebrity winning the presidency. There are plenty of earnest, intelligent, thoughtful politicians in this country who are better suited to run and win. Just because the average American is only fixated on a handful of people who have already run or who are constantly in the news doesn't mean they're not out there. How many average Americans across the country knew about Barack Obama, or Bill Clinton, or Jimmy Carter for that matter. These men were all in politics or public service - in their states -- for years yet most people weren't aware of them until they made their presidential runs. There are, no doubt, qualified, capable, good public servants out there most of us just aren't as familiar with yet. No need to recruit out of central casting.

 

Quote

I don't disagree with the need for integrity, but I am angered and repulsed by the (apparently) new system of thought that insists celebrities (pretty people who can emote and remember lines written by somebody else) with zero political experience should be determining the fate of the entire free world.

Plus, it seems to suggest that being a politician, an executive, or a legislator is child's play and anyone can do it. Sure at the local level a newbie can run and get experience. But, president of the United States?! How many politicians can walk into a leading role in a major motion picture, a play, or a new TV series? These days, evidently, we require more training for that than for president.

[millennium]

1 hour ago, WhineandCheez said:

Mika is that you? Hey Mika, Dwayne Johnson was in "Star Wars" and "The Wedding Crashers." (or was it another movie that Joe is always trying to get her to watch)

At this point, I would welcome The Rock as a candidate like those people at the gates waving in Jesus with the palms.  I haven't heard anything about him being a shyster like Trump is, and his horrible family.

 

So now I'm Mika.   Permit me to raise my leg in jubilation.  (Oh, and I won't be in tomorrow.)

Was he in Star Wars like Dustin Hoffman was in Star Wars?   I have seen all the Star Wars films (I think) except Last Jedi.  I don't recall Johnson.

Just because we don't like one President doesn't mean we should rush into the arms of the first self-styled savior who comes along.   A lot of people didn't like Bill Clinton.   Look what happened.   A lot of people didn't like Barack Obama.  Look what happened.  

We're supposed to learn from history, not repeat it.

I think Scarborough was right on the money when he called bullshit on the Rock/Oprah/Mark Cuban candidates.

Edited April 5, 2018 by millennium

[teddysmom]

5 minutes ago, millennium said:

Was he in Star Wars like Dustin Hoffman was in Star Wars?   I have seen all the Star Wars films (I think) except Last Jedi.  I don't recall Johnson

No he was not.  He was on an episode of Star Trek Voyager as an alien wrestler. 

Justin Theroux is in Last Jedi for 10 seconds.   

The other franchise he re invigorated was GI Joe.  I can see him taking over for Wahlberg in Transformer movies at this rate. Or maybe he'll play Samantha in Sex and the City 3 movie since Cattrall wants nothing to do with it. 

 

6 minutes ago, millennium said:

I think Scarborough was right on the money when he called bullshit on the Rock/Oprah/Mark Cuban candidates.

I can't believe after what we're living thru currently that anyone with no political background, or gov't experience is being touted as a 2020 candidate.   Can we get thru 2018 mid terms before we start the 2020 bullshit? The press bitches about "I can't believe we're talking about 2020".  Then stop talking about it!! You decide what topics you discuss on your programs! No one is holding your grandmother hostage! STFU about 2020. 

[XOQueens]

Since we have recently been talking about his place on the panel: Jeffrey Goldberg from The Atlantic just (finally) fired Kevin Williamson. Too bad they won't bring this up, with or without Goldberg in studio, on Morning Joe. Or maybe they will. Joe loves to talk about controlling women and their bodies.

ETA: Morning Joe family member Noah Rothman has been on Twitter defending Williamson since the news broke. If I believed in hell, I'd have to think there'd be space for these two.

Edited April 5, 2018 by XOQueens

[oakville]

6 hours ago, XOQueens said:

Since we have recently been talking about his place on the panel: Jeffrey Goldberg from The Atlantic just (finally) fired Kevin Williamson. Too bad they won't bring this up, with or without Goldberg in studio, on Morning Joe. Or maybe they will. Joe loves to talk about controlling women and their bodies.

ETA: Morning Joe family member Noah Rothman has been on Twitter defending Williamson since the news broke. If I believed in hell, I'd have to think there'd be space for these two.

Who's Kevin Williamson?

6 hours ago, teddysmom said:

No he was not.  He was on an episode of Star Trek Voyager as an alien wrestler. 

Justin Theroux is in Last Jedi for 10 seconds.   

The other franchise he re invigorated was GI Joe.  I can see him taking over for Wahlberg in Transformer movies at this rate. Or maybe he'll play Samantha in Sex and the City 3 movie since Cattrall wants nothing to do with it. 

 

I can't believe after what we're living thru currently that anyone with no political background, or gov't experience is being touted as a 2020 candidate.   Can we get thru 2018 mid terms before we start the 2020 bullshit? The press bitches about "I can't believe we're talking about 2020".  Then stop talking about it!! You decide what topics you discuss on your programs! No one is holding your grandmother hostage! STFU about 2020. 

I have been watching Joe shout doom & gloom about the GOP being DESTROYED in the midterms, yet the RCP Politics page shows the GOP is slightly favored to win 204-201 seats. The rest are tossups. Joe should try and find out what's going on rather than repeating his talking points.

[oakville]

7 hours ago, Nidratime said:

Like Sara Palin?

 

I winced a little when Joe said lawn boy, although the implication was that Trump was a lawn boy too -- replacing one lawn boy for another. However, I am 100% behind Joe in terms of not wanting another inexperienced celebrity winning the presidency. There are plenty of earnest, intelligent, thoughtful politicians in this country who are better suited to run and win. Just because the average American is only fixated on a handful of people who have already run or who are constantly in the news doesn't mean they're not out there. How many average Americans across the country knew about Barack Obama, or Bill Clinton, or Jimmy Carter for that matter. These men were all in politics or public service - in their states -- for years yet most people weren't aware of them until they made their presidential runs. There are, no doubt, qualified, capable, good public servants out there most of us just aren't as familiar with yet. No need to recruit out of central casting.

 

Plus, it seems to suggest that being a politician, an executive, or a legislator is child's play and anyone can do it. Sure at the local level a newbie can run and get experience. But, president of the United States?! How many politicians can walk into a leading role in a major motion picture, a play, or a new TV series? These days, evidently, we require more training for that than for president.

Schmidt recommending  Palin was close to  picking a celebrity candidate. She was a first term Governor with less than 2 years experience of a very small state. It was a "Hail Mary" candidate to counter the excitement over Barack Obama.  I still don't understand how no one beat Gov Arnold in 2003.

[oakville]

Morning Joe ratings drop on April 4th to 987,000 viewers with a .11 in the 18-49 Demographic. It is ranked 88 out 150 top cable shows.

April 3rd show had 1,048,000 & April 2 had 995,000 total viewers.

http://www.showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-top-150-wednesday-cable-originals-network-finals-4-4-2018.html

In April 2016, Morning Joe had a 0.07 rating & 512,000 viewers. New Day was drawing 370,000 viewers. The Trump Presidency is good for business. No wonder they freak out every day about him. Tomorrow will be another Stormy morning.

http://www.showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-top-150-monday-cable-originals-network-finals-4-25-2016.html

Edited April 6, 2018 by oakville

[XOQueens]

1 hour ago, oakville said:

Who's Kevin Williamson?

He said women should be hanged for having abortions and compared a young black child to a primate, among other things.

[zentropa]

11 hours ago, millennium said:

Snarky early risers.

Hey that's me!

[madfortv]

Does Joe think if he calls Trump a democrat often enough, the republicans will turn against Trump?  Joe just stated again that Trump is a democrat.

[oakville]

7 hours ago, XOQueens said:

He said women should be hanged for having abortions and compared a young black child to a primate, among other things.

Whaaat? I don't agree with that. How can you be pro-life & want to kill the moms?

[oakville]

42 minutes ago, madfortv said:

Does Joe think if he calls Trump a democrat often enough, the republicans will turn against Trump?  Joe just stated again that Trump is a democrat.

This is one of Joe's classic lines & line women voting in the rain

[oakville]

Friday Recap. It's Jeb Bush Friday!. Joe defended Jeb as well prepared to be President. Ben Sasse is Joe's new hero! He's a true conservative.

Joe is fooling around with his  glasses back off and on. Mika & Joe are in the cozy Washington Studio. Ratner & Willie are in NY.

Mika is re wearing her royal blue dress with a blue & white scarf.  I love that outfit.

Ignatius is still trying to wonder if Trump has a calculated plan!. LOL!

They should stay in the studio together.

Free trade is a big discussion topic. Michael Steele is on the set as well. He agrees with Joe.I like his beige vest.

Joe is bragging about knowing who Milton Freedman is .

Joe forgets that Reagan put quotas on Japanese cars in the early 1980's until they built car plants in the USA. They do now.

Joe bashed Trump for being a Democrat.

This is like a high school economics class. Free Trade vs Tariffs.

Steele is mad at the GOP for being quiet.

The #1 rule on MSNBC for GOP pundits is you must say that "Why are Republicans silent on Trump's stupid policies?"

Joe forgot that there are Democrats like Sherrod brown in Ohio that also support tariffs.

[Chloesmom]

Thanks as always for the recap oakville.  I just tuned in in time to hear them mocking Pruitt and his crazy spending.  It made me laugh how Jake Sherman could barely get out what he was saying about that ridiculous armor plated limo request because he was laughing so hard.  And watch they are going to keep him around.  Blech.

[Landsnark]

I wonder if the panel on set can actually hear Joe's hard-on for Stormy's attorney throb?
His irrational... jealousy?  Hate?  Envy? of Stormy's attorney is bizarre.   (I've written "is bizarre" on this board about 43,000 times)  His aggressive smackdown of Ignatius was rude and - yep - bizarre.  Ignatius is correct.  It IS a big deal that the President openly affirmed he is totally unaware of the Stormy Daniels NDA.  His blank signature and positive affirmation that he's unaware of it means there is no contract in place.  Simple.  Even if Trump is lying, it gives Stormy's attorney fodder to nullify the agreement and get her PAID to be quiet.  For this particular scandal, it's a huge deal.
But Joe would have none of it.  He snapped at Ignatius who rolled his eyes, and Joe kicked it to some other woman.  Ignatius' face looked like he was thinking, "Why the fuck do I do this show?"
In the earlier segment, Joe asked the guy to his right a 2 minute question that became a story that became a Mika interruption that became a question again.

Earlier than that in the same segment, Mika pretended to take notes on Trump's scandals as Joe rattled off things.  I HATE Mika when she tries to be cute and involved and one of the guys and in on the joke.  It actually makes me squirm.  Not a good squirm.  Super bad, uncomfortable squirm.  ("Squirm" is fun to write.)

[oakville]

6 minutes ago, Chloesmom said:

Thanks as always for the recap oakville.  I just tuned in in time to hear them mocking Pruitt and his crazy spending.  It made me laugh how Jake Sherman could barely get out what he was saying about that ridiculous armor plated limo request because he was laughing so hard.  And watch they are going to keep him around.  Blech.

On Fox News they said that PRuitt could replace Jeff Sessions. 

It looks like a good show today. I will watch the rest later tonight

3 minutes ago, Landsnark said:

I wonder if the panel on set can actually hear Joe's hard-on for Stormy's attorney throb?
His irrational... jealousy?  Hate?  Envy? of Stormy's attorney is bizarre.   (I've written "is bizarre" on this board about 43,000 times)  His aggressive smackdown of Ignatius was rude and - yep - bizarre.  Ignatius is correct.  It IS a big deal that the President openly affirmed he is totally unaware of the Stormy Daniels NDA.  His blank signature and positive affirmation that he's unaware of it means there is no contract in place.  Simple.  Even if Trump is lying, it gives Stormy's attorney fodder to nullify the agreement and get her PAID to be quiet.  For this particular scandal, it's a huge deal.
But Joe would have none of it.  He snapped at Ignatius who rolled his eyes, and Joe kicked it to some other woman.  Ignatius' face looked like he was thinking, "Why the fuck do I do this show?"
In the earlier segment, Joe asked the guy to his right a 2 minute question that became a story that became a Mika interruption that became a question again.

Earlier than that in the same segment, Mika pretended to take notes on Trump's scandals as Joe rattled off things.  I HATE Mika when she tries to be cute and involved and one of the guys and in on the joke.  It actually makes me squirm.  Not a good squirm.  Super bad, uncomfortable squirm.  ("Squirm" is fun to write.)

I wonder how much the guests get paid to be on the show?

Does The Washington Post have a deal with MSNBC?

I would love to be a guest on Morning Joe.

[XOQueens]

12 minutes ago, Landsnark said:

I wonder if the panel on set can actually hear Joe's hard-on for Stormy's attorney throb?

Oh god. I may never be the same. His hated of Avenatti is so weird though. They both have a common enemy so it makes little sense.

Joe's glasses are back. What is going on there? 

[XOQueens]

Joe and Mika are both being weirder than normal today. He was even weird and aggressive to the stock market cut in guy. Mika goes for minutes looking like she's sitting shiva and then overcompensates with cackling and WOW!

[WhineandCheez]

Quote

 I HATE Mika when she tries to be cute and involved and one of the guys and in on the joke.  It actually makes me squirm.  Not a good squirm.  Super bad, uncomfortable squirm.  ("Squirm" is fun to write.)

When you listen rather than watch you notice various things.  One is that only when Joe is on does Mika revert to her muttering little side-comments under her breath, typically about Trump.  When she was host she said everything clearly and strongly, not that little passive aggressive muttery stuff.

Edited April 6, 2018 by WhineandCheez

[Kemper]

Caught the last few minutes of the show...they were BOTH expounding that it's Already Friday!  Or some such.  Meek-a ... isn't this Tuesday for you?  Has she been on 1 day or 2 this week?  If it is one day...then today is Monday for her.  

[XOQueens]

Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh! GUYS! POPCORN!

[teddysmom]

20 minutes ago, XOQueens said:

Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh! GUYS! POPCORN!

I think I have a new crush. 

Joe still doesn't realize Avenatti's long game is to play Trump in the media and get him to do exactly what he did yesterday. Open his big mouth and destroy any defense he had against Stephanie.  And apparently the Old Country Lawyer ain't too bright either. 

Edited April 6, 2018 by teddysmom

[stormy]

God I'm a annoyed with Joe this morning. Patting Jeb Bush on the back over and over for things he was saying in 2016. Jeb was right! Who cares? Did you cover his every word and rally as breaking news?  Did you answer his calls live on your show? Did you act all chummy with him?

Then the quoting everyone from Tip O'Neill to Aristotle. WTF Joe, do you stay up all night googling things to say in the morning?

OT but if David Ignatius is going be on set, someone give him a phone book to sit on.

PS. Oakville,  I would love to see you on MJ!

Edited April 6, 2018 by stormy

[Chloesmom]

16 minutes ago, XOQueens said:

Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh! GUYS! POPCORN!

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!  Man that guy knows how to throw shade.  I bet Ignatius is retweeting it as we speak.  

Fabulous!  Thank you xoqueens!

[XOQueens]

3 minutes ago, teddysmom said:

I think I have a new crush. 

I think Mika must too. That's the only explanation I have for Joe's insanity on this topic at this point. Lol

[Chloesmom]

GAH!  Of all the mornings I missed most of the show.  C'mon Mediaite, I need to see that clip of Old Country Lawyer -vs- Real Lawyer!

[XOQueens]

1 hour ago, oakville said:

I would love to be a guest on Morning Joe.

This would be totally on brand:

Coming up, our very own Morning Joe chronicler, oakville, joins the set. Next on Morning Joe.

[Landsnark]

46 minutes ago, XOQueens said:

Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh! GUYS! POPCORN!

yes yes yes yes yeeeesssss!!!  Oh yes.  Man, I guiltily love political news coverage that is interchangeable with gossipy cat fighting.

[Eliot]

48 minutes ago, XOQueens said:

Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh! GUYS! POPCORN!

Damn! I just came here to post that Tweet! I am in love with Michael Avenatti.

[Landsnark]

28 minutes ago, stormy said:

PS. Oakville,  I would love to see you on MJ!

Joe:  So, Oakville, what is your favorite moment of mine from the show?
Mika:  Pfff, I don't even own a computer.   What is a "b l o g, or, you know, whatever?"


The segment with the former President of Mexico was great.  He was like "fuck you, Trump.  We'll spend our $50 billion yearly on corn with Argentina."

[maggiemae]

I was tuning in and out since there was quite a bit of breaking news on CNN - lol, it was worth a snicker when Mika called Armageddon a "show."

[Chloesmom]

Ok, I found the Avenatti cliip.  Geez, who whizzed in Joe's Cherrios this morning (well, now besides Avenatti)?  And he just totally backhanded Ignatius who was making the same points that several other people at the table/locations made.  I also saw him snot off to Brian Sullivan at the tail end of the jobs reports segment (I loved Brian's reaction which was zero).  I knew when I first tuned in and saw they had matching outfits on it was going to be one of those days.  I'm glad CNN goes back to normal next week so David Gregory will go away and I can watch them instead.

[teddysmom]

12 minutes ago, Chloesmom said:

k, I found the Avenatti cliip

where did you find it? 

22 minutes ago, maggiemae said:

Mika called Armageddon a "show."

Maybe she was referring to her "show". 

[XOQueens]

I wonder if Joe will respond. 

[Chloesmom]

18 minutes ago, teddysmom said:

where did you find it? 

http://www.msnbc.com/morning-joe

Scroll down a bit, it's the one with Trump standing in the airplane with anxious aides staring nervously over his shoulder.

7 minutes ago, XOQueens said:

I wonder if Joe will respond. 

Me too.  Xoqueens, do you have to be a Twitter member to get to that tweet as I can't seem to find it?

[Ladyrain]

3 hours ago, oakville said:

Whaaat? I don't agree with that. How can you be pro-life & want to kill the moms?

That's the whole nonsensical conundrum of the far right/(evangelical?) line of "thinking".  They'll shoot up abortion clinics and kill doctors because abortions kill babies.  Kill one in order to not kill the other.  Because, you know.....right to life, and all.  Drives me nutz. 

[XOQueens]

5 minutes ago, Chloesmom said:

http://www.msnbc.com/morning-joe

Scroll down a bit, it's the one with Trump standing in the airplane with anxious aides staring nervously over his shoulder.

Me too.  Xoqueens, do you have to be a Twitter member to get to that tweet as I can't seem to find it?

Twitter member! I ? this phrase. He put in Joe's username before any text, so it only shows up on Avenatti's page if you click "Tweets & replies." 

[millennium]

I slept through today's show.   I feel richer for it.

[Chloesmom]

2 minutes ago, XOQueens said:

Twitter member! I ? this phrase. He put in Joe's username before any text, so it only shows up on Avenatti's page if you click "Tweets & replies." 

Thanks xoqueens, that's my problem as I am not a member it won't let me see the Tweets and Replies.  I had an account for about five days and got pelted with so many requests (that I now know are/were bots) that I just shut the whole thing down.  Maybe I'll have to sign up again as I hate to miss a minute of good snark . . . :)

[Ladyrain]

2 hours ago, XOQueens said:

Oh god. I may never be the same. His hated of Avenatti is so weird though. They both have a common enemy so it makes little sense.

Joe's glasses are back. What is going on there? 

I think Joe has not gotten over what happened ?last week?  2 weeks ago? when Avenatti was on the show and it was Mika, of all people, not Joe, who asked the question that went viral all over the media, asking if Stormy Daniels was physically threatened and he answered, "YES".   Bingo.  Chalk up a big win in the Mika column for that.  You know that Joey cannot handle being upstaged, and definitely not by his little love-bug.   Was it right after this that Mika was MIA, Joe was in his bunker, and we were all speculating about what was up with all that?  -------   I bet there was trouble in paradise over that one, and now Joey has it in for Avenatti for (innocently) being complicit in allowing little Meek-a to overshadow Squinty, if ever so briefly.

[XOQueens]

1 hour ago, Landsnark said:

yes yes yes yes yeeeesssss!!!  Oh yes.  Man, I guiltily love political news coverage that is interchangeable with gossipy cat fighting.

I have the afternoon off so I'm going to re-watch The Day of Mika's Big Scoop interview, also known as Michael Avenatti's First Meeting with Morning Joe Scarborough, and see how Joe acted to him then. I'm invested in this weird ass plot now.