S08.E03: Fly Me to Kowloon

[radishcake]

Quote

Hank finds romance in Hong Kong. Divya treats a repo man. Paige convinces Evan to rethink their parenting path.

[Aliconehead]

I do love Tommy Dewey the guy that played the repo man. I am also glad the Evan was mature and wonderful about the IVF. Really can't stand the Hank love life stories. They are just horrible. 

[AriAu]

What happened in this episode. I watched it and 12 hours later, I have no idea what I watched. This has never been a really deep show, but it is usually interesting, but this was nothing. And everything that happened with Boris (one of the great snarky characters ever) was obvious.....and boring.

[candall]

Wow, Evan was sensitive and mature.

Wow, the Hong Kong liaison was neither the secret villain nor the new conveniently geographic-adjacent love interest.

(Hee, this show is so fluffy, it doesn't take much for me to have a "wow" reaction.)

****************************

Mark F. must have "plus one exotic shooting locale" scribbled into his contract.

I knew sick kid would be a decoy, but using sneaky guy's own kid was a nice twist, which I don't recall seeing before.  Points!

[zxy556575]

It's hard to judge when the episodes all blur together but this is in the running for worst ever. The number of characters I can stand on this show dwindles ever lower, Boris not being one of them.

[Ms Lark]

 I only liked this ep due to Constance Wu (anticlimactic Hong Kong liaison) from Fresh off the Boat. I had hoped she'd be the new love interest for the summer since that would keep me entertained. Although, not near as much fun as her FotB Jessica/Mom character. Well, we may see her again down the road. There's hope.

Now, I'm just watching for completion and the hopes that Evan wins a Darwin Award.

[twoods]

I was wondering why the love interest looked familiar- didn't realize it was Constance Wu. I liked her and wish she was the love interest instead of what seems to be coming by next week's preview.

Evan continues to be the best character on this show. He has really matured from the first few seasons.

Figured Sebastian Roche was going to be shady since he does shady so well. Good to see Mike from Code Black as well. 

Edited June 2, 2016 by twoods

[cee]

I've been to Hong Kong, so I loved that storyline for that reason. It looks like it's all wrapped up and Boris got his happy ending. Too bad about Amy Wang and Hank breaking up.

I didn't like that Jeremiah was missing, but Divya was given a complex patient of her own. She did complex procedures without breaking a sweat while very pregnant. I think the writers were sending a message. Very cool. 

Edited June 2, 2016 by cee

[SusanwatchingTV]

I've always hated the Boris story lines, so most of this wasn't good for me.  I think Hank's handy-dandy cute-meet gal was somehow using him, although how, exactly, eludes me.

I love Paige and Evan, so that was good, but I'm feeling irritated that they aren't going to give us the happy ending for everybody we want in this light fluffy escapist show.  I want Hank to have a good real relationship that lasts, and for P&E to have a baby and be happy.  We got that for Divia, why not others?  Jeremiah found peace with his relationship with his parents, so I'm happy with that for his happy ending.

Let's just get everybody else to a happy place and let this one ride off into the Hamptons sunset at Oheka, k?

[marcee]

Hank usually has zero chemistry with his love interests, but in this case, I was actively squicked by his scenes with this girl - seriously grossed out. It was negative chemistry. He's not unattractive. She was gorgeous. I don't know what it is. But ewwwwwww.

[ganesh]

On 6/1/2016 at 9:22 PM, Aliconehead said:

Really can't stand the Hank love life stories. They are just horrible. 

In the first and second season, while you're building the show universe, you do stuff like Hank's larks abroad and hooking up to CW music. This has been an ensemble cast with a lot of storylines for a while now. This was just unnecessary.

Although, on the other hand, I liked how the woman was all about her job first. It's patent bs that Hank was all "I'm looking for something more." No, you really aren't. You never were. Too bad the writers haven't figured that out. 

Not for anything. I like going to conferences and attending talks and panels. Sure, yeah, you go out and drink later, but you never know who you will meet that might turn into a research opportunity. Aside from how ridiculous it is to leave Berkeley untenured.

Nice backdoor brag, Divya.

I don't have kids, but is a few months trying to get pregnant really time to panic?

I don't question Divya's ability to handle the patient, but wouldn't she be required to say she's a PA and not a doctor? They treated the line "oh you're not a doctor?" as a throwaway, but it's a good point. Why couldn't they have Jeremiah supervising?

Glad to see Paige again. One thing of many that I do like about Evan/Paige. He rarely holds anything back from her. 

I have to give some credit to the writers for turning a typical wacky plot with the IVF into a nice outcome. 

Boris on Royal Pains: Plot more complicated way more than it needs to be. Hank and Boris are always weird together. He talks to weird to Boris. 

Edited June 3, 2016 by ganesh

[snarktini]

52 minutes ago, ganesh said:

I don't have kids, but is a few months trying to get pregnant really time to panic?

 

Sounded awfully premature to me, too. My friends were certainly in despair/panic after a few months, but they didn't move on to IVF until more like a year had passed if not more. If only because it's incredibly expensive! And invasive. It's not to be taken lightly. The exception being parents running out of time (over 35-40), but Paige and Evan aren't that old yet. Right? I spent a good part of their scenes trying to remember how old they actually are. Yes, there is so little going on of interest in this show that I'm calculating character ages to pass the time.

52 minutes ago, ganesh said:

I don't question Divya's ability to handle the patient, but wouldn't she be required to say she's a PA and not a doctor? They treated the line "oh you're not a doctor?" as a throwaway, but it's a good point. Why couldn't they have Jeremiah supervising?

 

If there is one profession that needs rebranding, it's PAs. When she said, don't worry I'm a physician's assistant, I hoped he knew what that means because it doesn't sound like someone qualified. In reality, PAs are highly trained and I prefer them for primary care. But just from the name it sounds like the low-level person who checks you in and takes your readings.

[twoods]

IVF is better in their case because of Evan's sperm issue. They have been trying for a year (since last season which was last summer), so IVF is the way to go. They know about the shots and how expensive it is- that's why Evan didn't bring it up sooner. Surprised at how realistic this one storyline is on this show. 

[ItCouldBeWorse]

5 hours ago, twoods said:

IVF is better in their case because of Evan's sperm issue. They have been trying for a year (since last season which was last summer), so IVF is the way to go. They know about the shots and how expensive it is- that's why Evan didn't bring it up sooner. Surprised at how realistic this one storyline is on this show.

Yes, there's no point in waiting any longer for what might be a miracle (hope they don't go there; not realistic) given Evan's fertility issues.  If they want kids now and can afford IVF, there's absolutely no reason to wait.  His sperm aren't going to get any better, and her eggs won't improve with age, either. It will be tough for her for a while, but better to attempt to get the process over with while she's young and healthy.

Edited June 3, 2016 by ItCouldBeWorse

[ganesh]

Has it been a year for Evan and Paige? I thought it was only a few months. I still like that there's a couple on TV that actually talk to one another. 

It's too bad they didn't take the opportunity to get into what being a PA is all about. Like I said, I don't question her ability to care for the patient, but I think his question was legit and not addressed well. 

For that matter, why does she want to go to med school? The cost alone. And it's going to be a huge upheaval in her life. When would she finish? 45?

[KaveDweller]

7 hours ago, ganesh said:

Has it been a year for Evan and Paige? I thought it was only a few months. I still like that there's a couple on TV that actually talk to one another. 

It's too bad they didn't take the opportunity to get into what being a PA is all about. Like I said, I don't question her ability to care for the patient, but I think his question was legit and not addressed well. 

For that matter, why does she want to go to med school? The cost alone. And it's going to be a huge upheaval in her life. When would she finish? 45?

It's been since the previous summer, so that's a minimum of 9 months, if you count September to end of May. But I think they were trying for the bulk of last season, so it's probably closer to a year.

[Nokids]

Just speculation, but who thinks Fonzie is involved in all the shenanigans?  That's why Boris didn't want to tell Hank who he suspects.  Of course, I still don't really understand why they want his DNA, to prove he has what he said he has?

[lh25]

Quote

Of course, I still don't really understand why they want his DNA, to prove he has what he said he has?

That confused me to, since they used Hank's blood.  Maybe to make it look like the drug works wonders?  I'm lost on this part.  I agree, Fonzie might well be part of this, they sure dropped his plotline.

[KaveDweller]

7 hours ago, lh25 said:

That confused me to, since they used Hank's blood.  Maybe to make it look like the drug works wonders?  I'm lost on this part.  I agree, Fonzie might well be part of this, they sure dropped his plotline.

I was lost on that part too. Wasn't the point to prove Boris was patient zero? Which he was, so no reason to give fake blood. Unless they wanted the reporter to look like a liar? I never pay 100% attention during the Boris stuff, so I could easily be missing something.

[Willowsmom]

I think the entire point was to keep anyone from getting Boris' DNA. I don't get the feeling they thought any further.

[chitowngirl]

I don't think Eddie's "schemes" are that high tech or complex. Or even International.

[ganesh]

Boris' plots have been largely separated from the main show. I'd be really surprised if Eddie had anything to do with this. Like OOC surprised.

[Crs97]

Man, the scenes with Hank and the girl were awkward, as I don't think Marc has ever had much romantic chemistry with anyone.  I also thought it was a set up so my favorite exchange was Boris telling Hank he had her checked and Hank saying he would pretend he didn't hear that.  I like Boris so was happy to see him happy with his wife and son.  No idea what the intrigue is, but it's Boris so I'll stay semi-interested.  More than I am about Hank's love life.

I loved the dinner party conversation; Raj made me laugh several times.  Evan is a sweetheart.  I hope they don't make him stupid again for plot purposes.

[morakot]

I loved seeing HK and Kowloon (though it was a little disconcerting the way they flitted seamlessly from one side of the harbor to the other...)

I didn't realize the LI was Constance Wu - nice to see her in a different role. I feel sorry for any woman trying to look like Hank's constant head bobbing is attractive. Has it been getting worse or am is it because I'm seeing him as a bobblehead figurine now?

Edited June 6, 2016 by morakot

[ganesh]

40 minutes ago, morakot said:

I feel sorry for any woman trying to look like Hank's constant head bobbing is attractive. Has it been getting worse or am is it because I'm seeing him as a bobblehead figurine now?

I can't not see it now. 

[Callietwo]

On June 2, 2016 at 5:47 PM, marcee said:

Hank usually has zero chemistry with his love interests, but in this case, I was actively squicked by his scenes with this girl - seriously grossed out. It was negative chemistry. He's not unattractive. She was gorgeous. I don't know what it is. But ewwwwwww.

I had to look away...it was so disturbingly gross for some reason.  I just couldn't watch when he put his hand up to her cheek ... YUCK

On June 6, 2016 at 8:09 AM, Crs97 said:

I don't think Marc has ever had much romantic chemistry with anyone.

I was sure he'd played the younger man having an affair with an older woman in a show once and I felt he had great chemistry but I cannot find any details of what role or show it was; I thought it was Judging Amy but came up empty.  It was the first time I'd really noticed him as an actor and he had great chemistry with the actress.  Maybe I have the wrong actor, but I was pretty sure it was him.  

[Willowsmom]

Maybe you are confusing him with Dan Futterman. He played Amy's brother and they look a lot alike.

[Callietwo]

No, it was Marc.. it took a while to find but it was his character Leo on Once and Again where had an affair with Karen, played by Susanna Thompason.  He had chemistry with her, at least.  

[lookeyloo]

On June 2, 2016 at 5:47 PM, marcee said:

Hank usually has zero chemistry with his love interests, but in this case, I was actively squicked by his scenes with this girl - seriously grossed out. It was negative chemistry. He's not unattractive. She was gorgeous. I don't know what it is. But ewwwwwww.

OMG I was wondering where to put this.  There is something about Hank or Mark that lacks some kind of chemistry with any love interest.  He seems like a bad kisser.  Evan and Paige look plausible as an in love attracted to each other couple.  Odd for me because my "type" is small dark ethnic men, which means Hank/Mark would be it, but, blah, nothing.

[withanaich]

I think there's something about him that makes him seem very brotherly. It's not that he's ugly or annoying, it's more that he seems like everyone's brother. That makes it very unfortunate when they keep trying to set him up with all these women. At best I think: nah, not buying it and at worst: ewwwww. He has (brotherly) chemistry with Evan, he has (brotherly) chemistry with Divya, he even has (brotherly) chemistry with Paige on occasion. Just let the dude MacGuyver up some life-saving techniques and leave romance (and Boris) out of it.