Unpopular Opinions Thread

[Barlowe]

15 minutes ago, Katy M said:

Everybody gets their big break at some time, though.  What had Sandra Bullock done before Speed?  Love Potion Number 9?  Maybe a couple other small movies?  It's not that Kevin is in-demand. It's that he happened to get this one movie role.  They didn't create the movie specially for him.  Stallone didn't say "a Kevin Pearson movie.  I so have to be in that." 

Except for the fact that the executive threatened he would get Kevin blacklisted in Hollywood for leaving the show and his million dollar contract. There's a difference between an unknown/small-time actor and a disgraced actor who should be cautiously approached for a role like RDJ in Iron Man. Even the theatre production was wary but knew he would draw numbers in as a former tv star, not to mention that a lot of actors go into theatre to try to rehab their image or get some credibility back.

[Aloeonatable]

Quote

No, but Ron Howard called Kevin, asking specifically for him

He asked for him because he saw Kevin in an off-Broadway play, liked his performance, and thought he would be good in the movie role. Kevin is not the star of the movie so I find that storyline believable.

[OtterMommy]

2 hours ago, ShadowFacts said:

My possibly unpopular opinion is that this last episode kind of put the lie to the 'Kevin has no one, Kevin is the ignored middle child' idea.  Jack (too much super family man to begin with) was pouring on the attention to the whining chicken-pocked little Kevin, and was over-the-top fan to teenage football great (not just good) Kevin. 

Cosign on this.  I mean, I can still believe that Kevin believes he was the overlooked child, but the facts--as the show has given them to us--do not support that.  Hell, Kate can say she was not treated fairly, Randall can say he was not treated fairly, and Kevin can say he was not treated fairly.  That doesn't mean that any of them were actually treated unfairly.

[Wings]

9 hours ago, laurakaye said:

It was him, I have seen him before (and I checked the cast list for this episode).  And it takes me out of the scene because I am having a hard time buying that Kevin is actually this in-demand actor who all the big names want to work with.

I agree.  It is easy to suspend belief when watching Men in Black but much more difficult in dramas especially one that touts it as a story that is,  just like us.  <eye roll> I have not seen myself reflected in any aspect!  I chalk it up to poetic licence and they push that very hard.  LOL  

A better name would be, Nothing Like this Happens.   :^)

Edited October 19, 2017 by wings707

[Katy M]

16 minutes ago, OtterMommy said:

Cosign on this.  I mean, I can still believe that Kevin believes he was the overlooked child, but the facts--as the show has given them to us--do not support that.  Hell, Kate can say she was not treated fairly, Randall can say he was not treated fairly, and Kevin can say he was not treated fairly.  That doesn't mean that any of them were actually treated unfairly.

He was definitely overlooked at the pool.  They were more concerned about Randall hanging out with the black people at the wrong end of the pool and Kate's weight.  I'm not saying they meant to ignore him almost drowning, but the certainly did.  And, they did drop a sex discussion with him to tend to a freaking out Randall.  Randall's problem was more urgent, but again, it did happen. I think the show wants to show us that Kevin has reason to believe that he was the left out child, but not go so far as to paint Jack and Rebecca as neglectful parents, and I think they've done a pretty good job.  It's hard to get the balance right on that, because you don't want to make either side looke really bad.

[OtterMommy]

10 minutes ago, Katy M said:

He was definitely overlooked at the pool.  They were more concerned about Randall hanging out with the black people at the wrong end of the pool and Kate's weight.  I'm not saying they meant to ignore him almost drowning, but the certainly did.  And, they did drop a sex discussion with him to tend to a freaking out Randall.  Randall's problem was more urgent, but again, it did happen. I think the show wants to show us that Kevin has reason to believe that he was the left out child, but not go so far as to paint Jack and Rebecca as neglectful parents, and I think they've done a pretty good job.  It's hard to get the balance right on that, because you don't want to make either side looke really bad.

I agree that the pool incident was unforgivable and inexcusable. 

But--in other instances--when you have 3 kids and 2 parents, one child will inevitably have to wait while a parent (or parents) tend to another child with a more urgent need.  I also have a hard time believing that Jack and/or Rebecca never were in a situation where they had to tell Kate or Randall to wait while they tended to some need of Kevin's.  So, other than the pool incident, I don't think that Kevin was overlooked--but I can understand how, in the story he tells himself, he felt he was overlooked.

[ItCouldBeWorse]

Kevin was the least outwardly needy of the kids. He fit in better with his peers, so his parents worried about him less. The least needy child likely does get the least attention. It's not a reflection on his parents, it's normal. They can't tell that he's needy on the inside.

[CleoCaesar]

On 10/14/2017 at 0:05 PM, leighdear said:

Yeah, I'm basically hate-watching now.  In my mind, this thread is not the "Unpopular Opinions" thread, it's the "I'm just hate-watching and have nothing constructive to add to the main conversation" thread.  And I feel like you're my people.   ;-)

Same here. This thread is keeping me going with this joke of a show. Manipulative, cheesy dreck.

At this point the only characters I don't find annoying are Tess and Annie.

[kili]

Quote

 So, other than the pool incident, I don't think that Kevin was overlooked--but I can understand how, in the story he tells himself, he felt he was overlooked.

There was also the light and the airplane incident. When Randall had a light turned on in the shared room after midnight preventing Kevin from sleeping on a school night, Rebecca did not tell Randall to either do his homework in the kitchen or turn off the light. She told Kevin he had to be more understanding of Randall and put up with the light.  Only Randall's needs mattered even though there were many other reasonable options available.  When Kevin said that he made model airplanes with his father, we were shown flashback after flashback where he tried to entice his father to help him, but Jack was constantly busy with the other two children. 

What is strangest about the pool incident is that Kevin was the only child who couldn't swim so he should have received the most attention. He got none.

Unpopular Opinion: Randall is kind of spoiled. He's used to being the center of attention and I think that is causing him problems with Deja and his unhappiness that his wife is connecting more easily. He should just be happy that somebody is connecting with the child.

Edited October 18, 2017 by kili

[Brookside]

I'm not sure where I should go to die.  I asked on the "normal" thread whether anyone found Jack skeevy, and was sent here. Now I'm in the vortex. Heeeeeelp.

[laurakaye]

10 minutes ago, Brookside said:

I'm not sure where I should go to die.  I asked on the "normal" thread whether anyone found Jack skeevy, and was sent here. Now I'm in the vortex. Heeeeeelp.

You're in the right place.

To each their own, but I don't find Saint Jack very attractive, either.  He does have that oily bohunk thing going on.  He never looks clean to me, and I'm still a bit unsettled by that whole scene where young Kate is lovingly cupping his face after he tells her about his drinking problem.  

Edited October 18, 2017 by laurakaye

[CleoCaesar]

The horrific pornstache and long greasy hair alone make Jack completely unappealing to me. Add in his annoying cheesy speeches and creepily controlling (sorry, "romantic") gestures...the guy is not exactly a prize. Oh and the alcoholism and jealousy.

[dju]

17 minutes ago, Brookside said:

I'm not sure where I should go to die.  I asked on the "normal" thread whether anyone found Jack skeevy, and was sent here. Now I'm in the vortex. Heeeeeelp.

 

I'm interested in that opinion, it's not just because of the way he looks right? You're getting some sort of intrinsic vibe from him? And was it just in this past episode? 

I don't find him skeevy, per say, but he's certainly problematic for me. I don't know if the show is going to explore his patriarchal like tendencies or sorta just let them sit there to be accepted without question. It's believable for a man to utter comments to and about his wife, however in jest, about her eyeing up male actors and about the way she subtly critics him but to just let those comments sit there without unpacking them, and to have Jack be continuously telegraphed as an upstanding husband in almost every single episode is troubling for me. The show has barely addressed Jack's dominating attitude, that I can remember, one moment was when Jack comes home drunk and they have this back and forth dialogue where Rebecca tells him, "I won't have you drinking in my house" and Jack CHUCKLES through his "oh, you're house?" line, which for only being three words, has HUGE implicational subtext of him subconsciously/consciously seeing himself as the one with the control and the one with the power in their marriage, but she immediately shuts that down with her defiant, "I won't."

Their argument about him not wanting her to go on tour because of Ben is another example but it really only told you that he's clearly had that possessive/jealous behaviour before and Rebecca's labelled that as him 'spiralling' not that this was necessarily wrong behaviour for him to have, purely because that argument ends with him almost being deemed right with his, "I never saw myself as being in your way, Bec." So I'm really hoping we're going somewhere with that aspect of his personality and will explore that it's wrong and that it shouldn't ever be seen as a sign of love nor romance.

I think back to the episode where Miguel attempts to take Jack golfing for his birthday and those men dismiss their wifes, speak poorly about them and argue that they golf just to get out of the way because everything they do is wrong. Jack's 'you know how mom tells me to do something in a nice way but is actually being mean' line was starting to feel a tiny bit like that which has me nervous. Because I don't know if I'm supposed to be seeing the similarities in that and if that's intentional! Also, I have a lot of thoughts about a showing I apparently want to stop watching *gives self a massive side-eye*. 

[leighdear]

1 hour ago, Brookside said:

I'm not sure where I should go to die.  I asked on the "normal" thread whether anyone found Jack skeevy, and was sent here. Now I'm in the vortex. Heeeeeelp.

I find him totally skeevy, from the greasy hair & the pornstache to his desperately earnest speeches, formulated to convince everybody of everything.  He's got Snakeoil Salesman written all over him. 

And could Kate have been just a little bitchier, a little snottier, a little more self-obsessed and a tad more rude to Toby?  Cause I'm thinking she just outdid herself tonight.  And she's singing at a Bar Mitzvah?  Seriously?  For 13 year-old boys? That's absolutely ludicrous.    

[Guest]

3 hours ago, leighdear said:

desperately earnest

These may be the two most perfect adjectives for Jack.

[Aloeonatable]

Quote

The show has barely addressed Jack's dominating attitude, that I can remember, one moment was when Jack comes home drunk and they have this back and forth dialogue where Rebecca tells him, "I won't have you drinking in my house" and Jack CHUCKLES through his "oh, you're house?" line, which for only being three words, has HUGE implicational subtext of him subconsciously/consciously seeing himself as the one with the control and the one with the power in their marriage, but she immediately shuts that down with her defiant, "I won't."

I read that comment differently. I saw him meaning it was their house, not just hers. 

[leighdear]

So with Kate knocked up, are we going to see them do some incredible personality shift where she becomes the thoughtful, kind, benevolent madonna, full of sweetness and contentment?  Or will we get a sick, obsessive, hormonal banshee that continually lashes out at people she "loves"?  Really, THIS is the best storyline they could come up with for her?

Yep, I still despise her.  My hatewatch vibe is SO incredibly active, I wish I could harness the energy to run my A/C.

Edited October 19, 2017 by leighdear

[SWLinPHX]

On 10/18/2017 at 9:38 AM, Aloeonatable said:

Brian Grazer is Ron Howard's partner on all his movies, so not a surprise to see him playing the producer.

 

I am going to have to watch those scenes again because I'm not sure that it was Jack filming.

Amazing how perfect HD home video shot on a camcorder from the mid-1990's (Kevin as a teen playing football) was even when shown on a current large screen HDTV.

 

On 10/18/2017 at 3:33 PM, CleoCaesar said:

Same here. This thread is keeping me going with this joke of a show. Manipulative, cheesy dreck.

At this point the only characters I don't find annoying are Tess and Annie.

Glad I found this thread.  I was a little in awe with the pilot episode so I binge-watched the first season over the summer but it got more schmaltzy and less real to me.  A little contrived with Jack being such a wonderful, sensitive "Super Dad" and Toby constantly fawning over Kate.  A little nauseating at times.

And how long are they going to drag out the mystery of Jack's death?  It's getting ridiculous now and too obvious they are trying to keep it some amazing secret we're all dying to learn.  And once his death is revealed, how effective will his flashback scenes be?  Is that why they are holding out, so Milo gets to stay active on screen?

[ShadowFacts]

12 hours ago, dju said:

I think back to the episode where Miguel attempts to take Jack golfing for his birthday and those men dismiss their wifes, speak poorly about them and argue that they golf just to get out of the way because everything they do is wrong. Jack's 'you know how mom tells me to do something in a nice way but is actually being mean' line was starting to feel a tiny bit like that which has me nervous. Because I don't know if I'm supposed to be seeing the similarities in that and if that's intentional! Also, I have a lot of thoughts about a showing I apparently want to stop watching *gives self a massive side-eye*. 

I think 'actually being mean' line was just poor writing, a clumsy attempt at explanation to Randall.  It was a clunker.  Jack's behavior in the video store was more alarming to me and that seemed intentionally written that way.  (But it's hilarious that you are side-eying yourself.  I sort of am side-eying myself, too.)

11 hours ago, leighdear said:

And could Kate have been just a little bitchier, a little snottier, a little more self-obsessed and a tad more rude to Toby?  Cause I'm thinking she just outdid herself tonight.  And she's singing at a Bar Mitzvah?  Seriously?  For 13 year-old boys? That's absolutely ludicrous.    

I was wondering about that -- what exactly would she be singing, and would it be a capella, karaoke or what?  Because she's not in a band yet.  They did this on Gilmore Girls but with a band and it was comedic.   

[Brookside]

12 hours ago, leighdear said:

 

And could Kate have been just a little bitchier, a little snottier, a little more self-obsessed and a tad more rude to Toby?  Cause I'm thinking she just outdid herself tonight.  And she's singing at a Bar Mitzvah?  Seriously?  For 13 year-old boys? That's absolutely ludicrous.    

 

But don't you think she'll be a natural at getting the whole room up for Hava Negillah?

[Katy M]

13 hours ago, laurakaye said:

You're in the right place.

To each their own, but I don't find Saint Jack very attractive, either.  He does have that oily bohunk thing going on.  He never looks clean to me, and I'm still a bit unsettled by that whole scene where young Kate is lovingly cupping his face after he tells her about his drinking problem.  

I don't find him particularly attractive, but I don't equate "not attractive" with "skeavy."  I think Skeavy is more an attitude than the way you look.  A disturbing, gross, "I feel really uncomfortable around you" persona.

[dju]

On 19/10/2017 at 3:29 PM, Aloeonatable said:

I read that comment differently. I saw him meaning it was their house, not just hers. 

I completely understand this reading. I interpreted it as her being metaphorical, because she was explicitly talking about his drinking and the behaviour he exhibited due to that drinking, and that it didn't belong in a home that she was apart of and was essentially running herself aka my house, rather than her actually staking her claim on the house. Especially because they are both very aware of the fact that he bought it. I don't think she would, in any other context, have said 'my house'. She was making the point that it had turned into her house because he was absent and that she wasn't going to let the drinking continue any longer. But respect your interpretation and that it's probably the majority's view.

 

On 19/10/2017 at 11:18 PM, ShadowFacts said:

I think 'actually being mean' line was just poor writing, a clumsy attempt at explanation to Randall.  It was a clunker.  Jack's behavior in the video store was more alarming to me and that seemed intentionally written that way.  (But it's hilarious that you are side-eying yourself.  I sort of am side-eying myself, too.)

2

Haha, glad I'm not alone on the side-eye front. And I've come to share this view, the Randall scene was very clunky writing because they try, obviously and painfully, hard to insert humour on the show and don't care so much if the way they go about it is lazy, sloppy or nonsensical.

[Aloeonatable]

Quote

And how long are they going to drag out the mystery of Jack's death?  It's getting ridiculous now and too obvious they are trying to keep it some amazing secret we're all dying to learn.  And once his death is revealed, how effective will his flashback scenes be?  Is that why they are holding out, so Milo gets to stay active on screen?

This whole death watch has really gotten old. I am not interested in the how and when, I like to focus on how Jack impacts his family's lives. That is why I don't think once I see how Jack dies my interest in him will change. After all, we already know he is dead and we've known from at least the 5th episode of the first season. 

[leighdear]

11 hours ago, dju said:

I interpreted it as her being metaphorical, because she was explicitly talking about his drinking and the behaviour he exhibited due to that drinking, and that it didn't belong in a home that she was apart of and was essentially running herself aka my house, rather than her actually staking her claim on the house. Especially because they are both very aware of the fact that he bought it. I don't think she would, in any other context, have said 'my house'. She was making the point that it had turned into her house because he was absent and that she wasn't going to let the drinking continue any longer.

I totally agree with this.  My home is where my family is, regardless of the physical structure of walls & roof that contain us.  And I understood her use of "house" in the same context.  When he drops out and she becomes the "single" parent, I see him having to bend to her ultimatum.  Because I don't believe a functioning drunk parent like Jack has any business being around those kids.  

[NutMeg]

On 10/21/2017 at 4:36 AM, Aloeonatable said:

This whole death watch has really gotten old. I am not interested in the how and when, I like to focus on how Jack impacts his family's lives. That is why I don't think once I see how Jack dies my interest in him will change. After all, we already know he is dead and we've known from at least the 5th episode of the first season. 

My main problem with the "death watch" (love this way to call it!) is that it hinders the development of the kids' (and older Rebecca's) character, because they are supposed to have been affected by how it happened, and so until that is known, they will remain two dimensional at best.

What I mean by that is that we'll keep on having randomly one of the three act in a way that doesn't gel with what we thought we knew of them (like Kevin in the episode when he was filming with Stallone), so basically they will remain unknowns because TPTB want to keep shocking us.

[OtterMommy]

5 hours ago, NutMeg said:

My main problem with the "death watch" (love this way to call it!) is that it hinders the development of the kids' (and older Rebecca's) character, because they are supposed to have been affected by how it happened, and so until that is known, they will remain two dimensional at best.

What I mean by that is that we'll keep on having randomly one of the three act in a way that doesn't gel with what we thought we knew of them (like Kevin in the episode when he was filming with Stallone), so basically they will remain unknowns because TPTB want to keep shocking us.

Exactly!  One of my (many) complaints about this show is that is just treading water for the most part.  Randall and Beth are doing something new with the fostering story line, but there really isn't much growth there (I mean, Randall is still just as clueless about the world not revolving around him as he was last season).  Kevin and Kate (and Toby) are still just...Kevin and Kate (and Toby).  Even the older scenes with the younger characters--which SHOULD have some sort of at least "barreling towards an inevitable event" seem to be just there because they keep jumping back and forth.

As I've said, I couldn't care less how Jack died.  But, until they tell us what happened--whatever it is--this show is just going to continue to flounder in terms of character and plot development because everything is hinged on this one thing that people are quickly losing interest in.

[Wings]

@NutMeg and @OtterMommy  I agree with both of you.  

 

Of course Kevin is now an addict.  Jesus.  Someone has to have success in something right?  Or is this going to be 12 weeks of angst every season?  Kate will miscarry, Kevin will loose any chance of a career and end up stealing and living in his car, Deja will be up to no good with something horrific.  :^) 

I have a hunch the rave reviews will stop and give way to criticism.  

I like Chris Sullivan. he is a witty man and it comes through in Toby.  

[Lithogirl]

I don’t like perfect Randall or perfect Jack. I really despise Kate. Not a fan of the foster daughter either. The only two characters I like are the two who come in last on many viewers lists...Kevin and Toby. Although even I hated the weird scene with Toby dancing to Hootie in a public place . Thus I find myself on the UO thread.

Edited October 25, 2017 by Lithogirl

[Wings]

3 minutes ago, Lithogirl said:

I don’t like perfect Randall or perfect Jack. I really despise Kate. Not a fan of the foster daughter either. The only two characters I like are the two who come in last on many viewers lists...Kevin and Toby. Although even I hated the weird scene with Toby dancing to Hootie in a public place . Thus I find myself on the UO thread.

 Same.  I might like Miguel when he enters the picture, too.  

[SunnyBeBe]

Is it possible the regular opinions are now as negative as the unpopular opinions?  I think so.  lol  It seems a lot of viewers are not amused.  That opinion may be popular on both threads.  

Edited October 25, 2017 by SunnyBeBe

[leighdear]

48 minutes ago, SunnyBeBe said:

Is it possible the regular opinions are now as negative as the unpopular opinions?  I think so.  lol  It seems a lot of viewers are not amused.  That opinion may be popular on both threads.  

Yeah, but if we take our less-than-glowing opinions to the regular thread, then we're kind of harshing their love vibes & crapping on their enjoyment.  As I said waaaay upthread, I'm never afraid to speak my mind, even if it differs from 99% of the other people in the conversation.  I'll be respectful and won't attack folks. 

But my feelings for these characters and the storyline?  Disdain, dislike and disgust just don't come close to covering most of them.  So I'll stay in the shade.  

Edited October 25, 2017 by leighdear

[Aloeonatable]

So now an unpopular opinion is that I still like this show.

[leighdear]

I'll give the writers a bit of credit.  They did have Kate say "I'm pregnant" before she said "We're pregnant".  

So we may have gotten close to the max level of dramatic show tropes in this episode: Dying father in nursing home, presumed dead-in-the-war brother revealed, drunk, pill addicted brother embarrassing girlfriend, brothers fighting, abused child finally "bonding", pregnant woman lashing out, horny dude doing a clean sweep for desk sex and car accident.  

I'm sure I missed a few dozen more anvils.  

[Guest]

How about Randall literally falling to his knees in response to his wife calling his smoking hot brother 'smoking hot'?  

I love how the elder deaths on the show come with fair warning, like there's a visible timer on the person's head.   First William's and now Pa Pearson.   Handy for deathbed shmaltz.  

And I love how Kevin's face looked slimed throughout and no one noticed.  His whole thing felt a little SNL skit to me.  

I knew Kate and Madison were about to crash.  I was sure Deja only wanted to go to NYC to run away, though, so good for them not doing the obvious there.  

[Conotocarious]

8 hours ago, Aloeonatable said:

So now an unpopular opinion is that I still like this show.

I’m right there with you. Still enjoying it. It’s actually the only TV show I watch (besides Jeopardy, which is a game show) because I generally hate TV.

[laurakaye]

3 hours ago, Winston9-DT3 said:

How about Randall literally falling to his knees in response to his wife calling his smoking hot brother 'smoking hot'?  

What was that about, anyway?  Who does that?  And what did it mean?  Beth seemed nonplussed, but I was like - what is Randall even doing here??

If I walk into a bathroom and see a grown man standing in front of a stall and then a 12-year old girl comes out of that stall?  I am calling security STAT.  And it's ridiculous that Randall, father to two daughters, would think for one second that it was okay or even remotely justified to head on into the women's bathroom.  I don't care how "awkward" Randall is supposed to be, that was really stupid.  That whole scene was shooting for "emotional breakthrough" and it landed somewhere on "creepy stalker guy with no boundaries."

For me, Kate used to be a cardboard character.  Now she's highly unlikeable in every way.  So at least she's developing a personality.

Toby.  Um....police?  There's a strange guy here who just jumped over the counter to hug me, is making my customers very uncomfortable, and just dumped a bucket of ice water all over the floor.  Oh - he's supposed to be charming and cute?  My bad.  Gotta go and clean up the mess he made, since he just left with his adorable girlfriend.

I am finding very little to like about any of these characters.

[Guest]

28 minutes ago, laurakaye said:

What was that about, anyway?  Who does that?  And what did it mean?  

I think it was supposed to mean that Randall could not bear the awkwardness of hearing that Kevin's hot, from women in his family.  Despite that Kevin has been called the pretty one their whole lives, and has a career of being eye candy for the nation. 

And/or that he literally sees Deja as family now and can't cope with the idea that she doesn't see Kevin as a real uncle like Tess and Annie. 

But mainly it was just an excuse for a Pearson to act over-the-top dramatic because half the audience thinks it's adorable when they do that, I think.

[BlancheDevoreaux]

On 10/18/2017 at 6:35 PM, CleoCaesar said:

The horrific pornstache and long greasy hair alone make Jack completely unappealing to me. Add in his annoying cheesy speeches and creepily controlling (sorry, "romantic") gestures...the guy is not exactly a prize. Oh and the alcoholism and jealousy.

Add me to the list of people who think he looks skeevy.  Wash your friggin hair, Jack.  And the stache really isn't working.

On 10/25/2017 at 10:37 AM, wings707 said:

@NutMeg and @OtterMommy  I agree with both of you.  

 

Of course Kevin is now an addict.  Jesus.  Someone has to have success in something right?  Or is this going to be 12 weeks of angst every season?  Kate will miscarry, Kevin will loose any chance of a career and end up stealing and living in his car, Deja will be up to no good with something horrific.  :^) 

I have a hunch the rave reviews will stop and give way to criticism.  

I like Chris Sullivan. he is a witty man and it comes through in Toby.  

I feel like the show has taken a real step back this season.  I really enjoyed last season and the emotion behind it but I feel like the writers and producers got together and discussed how people were loving how this show gave them "the feels" and decided to kick it up a notch.  I feel like they are trying to make us cry every episode which results not in me crying but instead feeling annoyed.  Can't some just plain normal and good stuff happen? Especially to Kevin.  Clearly he comes last to his parents but do the writers also have to dump on him?

On 10/25/2017 at 0:02 PM, Lithogirl said:

I don’t like perfect Randall or perfect Jack. I really despise Kate. Not a fan of the foster daughter either. The only two characters I like are the two who come in last on many viewers lists...Kevin and Toby. Although even I hated the weird scene with Toby dancing to Hootie in a public place . Thus I find myself on the UO thread.

I like Randall but agree that he is almost too perfect.  Kate started out marginal and has gotten worse each episode to the point that I don't like her at all.  Jack is annoying. And then Kevin... I love Kevin but why do the writers have to suck so bad at writing for him?  I was so excited to get some Kevin-centric episodes this season and they go and give him a drug addiction.  Can't they just let him be good at something?  As far as the scene with Toby dancing around, yes that was weird.  Very weird.  But I was so sure that they were going to play Having My Baby and was about to throw up.  Since they didn't go that route, I was much more okay with the scene.

[dju]

I'll go so far as to say that I don't think it's sudden. The show from day one has been trying hard to push emotions,  to get the audience to buy into how unprecedented the writing is but people can be fed the BS hidden amongst what's being sold as gourmet food only for so long before realizing it's all BS. The sexism on the show and the show predominately being written from a male perspective are things I wasn't always mindful of in the first season but are now all I think about, once you realize it's there, it's unavoidable, but the fact that it's so internalized and accepted is terrifying. If they didn't hold themselves in such high regard, and by they I mean the writers, Dan, the stars, I might be more inclined to give them a break but they act like this show is above criticism and is doing things that other shows are not which couldn't be further from the truth. 

Edited October 27, 2017 by dju

[laurakaye]

15 hours ago, dju said:

I'll go so far as to say that I don't think it's sudden. The show from day one has been trying hard to push emotions,  to get the audience to buy into how unprecedented the writing is but people can be fed the BS hidden amongst what's being sold as gourmet food only for so long before realizing it's all BS. The sexism on the show and the show predominately being written from a male perspective are things I wasn't always mindful of in the first season but are now all I think about, once you realize it's there, it's unavoidable, but the fact that it's so internalized and accepted is terrifying. If they didn't hold themselves in such high regard, and by they I mean the writers, Dan, the stars, I might be more inclined to give them a break but they act like this show is above criticism and is doing things that other shows are not which couldn't be further from the truth. 

Love this post.  Not only are the writers and actors not allowing the viewers to feel their own feelings (I am reminded of Mandy Moore's statement that if we're not sobbing, we're "doing it wrong" and Milo offering to write us all a pass for a day off work) but there's the endless cast round-tables where they praise each other's awesomeness, and the interviews where Fogelman & Co. feel the need to point out all the deep character development that we haven't been shown because they can only fit so much greatness into one show.  This show is not as deep as they think it is, and the viewers are not nearly as blinded by tears as they think we are.

[Blakeston]

20 hours ago, laurakaye said:

What was that about, anyway?  Who does that?  And what did it mean?  Beth seemed nonplussed, but I was like - what is Randall even doing here??

I know a whole lot of people who would be disturbed if their spouse called their sibling "smoking hot." Certainly most of the married women I know wouldn't want their husbands to say that about their sisters.

Obviously I don't think Randall has to worry about Beth cheating on him with Kevin, or anything like that - but it's still not a pleasant thing to hear. I'd hope that he was being melodramatic for humor's sake.

[Guest]

If my sister was JLo or some celebrity known for being smokin hot, I think I'd be more likely to yawn than fall to my knees.  But I think you're right, it was supposed to be Randall being funny.  

[potatoradio]

Clearly Randall was adopted into the wrong family. Anyone who can storm a women's bathroom and lurk outside a stall and peer in as a 12-year-old girl explains the horrors of being whipped with a rolled up spring fashion issue of Vogue? That's Parenthood's Braverman behavior all the way. I waited for Randall to stop staring and say, "well, you know, we Pearsons tend to resolve our innermost, life-shaping traumas in about an hour, so let's get one more poignant stare and then come on out. You can re-enact the scene from 'Pretty Woman' where she flings a snall across the room because high class seafood hijinks, amirite?"

Sit down, Toby. "Your' pregnancy does not give you a pass to commandeer a restaurant and play YOUR (of course) 'happy song' and do some godawful pole dance/Flashdance wreck while people are merely trying to eat their food. 

Kate, you sit down a million times and get the fuck over yourself. I get it - you like to hide away from the world because death and fat. That's your choice, but it makes you a really, really unrelatable and unlikable character. 

On the other hand, I enjoy disliking Kate more than any time Sophie appears on the screen because she's better than NyQuil and a glass of Chardonnay for putting me to sleep. And you need to be awake for this show to brace yourself for the anvils and wash the sticky morass of cliche and corniness off of you afterward. 

Has there ever been a show where the unpopular opinions thread becomes the hideout for those who like the show while the regular ep. thread becomes the hate watch thread? That almost happened with Parenthood, I think, and this show seems well on its way to the same kind of derailment. I never liked this show as much as I liked the first few eps. of Parenthood, but the continual promos of this show being the most well-written, moving, tearjerker since...well, there is no comparison with Jack Pearson, man who can probably cure the opioid crisis with one sit down heart to heart but yet can't find a bottle of shampoo.

Anyway, nothing brings out my meanness like a show that thinks a bit too highly of itself and manages to cheapen and add nothing to social issues that deserve nuance and thoughtfulness. And thank god you're all still here, or then, yes, I would cry!

[ShadowFacts]

7 hours ago, laurakaye said:

Love this post.  Not only are the writers and actors not allowing the viewers to feel their own feelings (I am reminded of Mandy Moore's statement that if we're not sobbing, we're "doing it wrong" and Milo offering to write us all a pass for a day off work) but there's the endless cast round-tables where they praise each other's awesomeness, and the interviews where Fogelman & Co. feel the need to point out all the deep character development that we haven't been shown because they can only fit so much greatness into one show.  This show is not as deep as they think it is, and the viewers are not nearly as blinded by tears as they think we are.

The other day I saw the composer of the soundtrack on a show, can't remember which, where he said he cries sometimes while he is writing music for the show.  The crazy hooha has infected all corners of this.  I mean, on the one hand, I'm glad when a man can escape toxic masculinity and express emotion, but somehow this goes beyond that.  I don't care for it being monetized this much.   

[JudyObscure]

2 hours ago, potatoradio said:

the horrors of being whipped with a rolled up spring fashion issue of Vogue?

LOL Thank you for this.  I had to play that part back twice because I thought I must have missed something.  When I was growing up, pre-internet,  all  the women took stacks of magazines because they were cheap and usually sold in groups,  Redbook, Glamour, Good Housekeeping, Life, Look, Vogue and Bazaar all for one low price.  Not once did it never occur to me to think you were supposed to be pretty to read Vogue, anymore than you had to have a sparkling clean house  before you could read  Good Housekeeping.

My wild wonderful little mother whipped me on an almost daily basis, with wooden coat hangers, hairbrushes, tree switches, fly swatters, belts and -- her weapon of choice -- yard sticks.   I understand that having a man you barely know attacking you with anything at all, would be horrible, but I think Deja would blame the man not the  subject matter of the magazine.  What if it had been Field and Stream?  What then?

My father hated all seafood, so I had shrimp for the first time ever, at the dinner where I was introduced to my future mother-in-law. I ate every last speck including a dozen tails. We all laughed so hard it broke the ice.  They never let me forget it either.

[MaryPatShelby]

On 10/26/2017 at 0:46 PM, laurakaye said:

Toby.  Um....police?  There's a strange guy here who just jumped over the counter to hug me, is making my customers very uncomfortable, and just dumped a bucket of ice water all over the floor.  Oh - he's supposed to be charming and cute?  My bad.  Gotta go and clean up the mess he made, since he just left with his adorable girlfriend.

This scene really annoyed me too; another one of Toby's grand gestures that the show thinks is so wonderful and romantic and don't-we-all-wish-we-had-a-guy-like-that special, and it's really none of those things.  It's just a guy, being an ass, and causing more work for everyone affected.

[leighdear]

15 hours ago, MaryPatShelby said:

This scene really annoyed me too; another one of Toby's grand gestures that the show thinks is so wonderful and romantic and don't-we-all-wish-we-had-a-guy-like-that special, and it's really none of those things.  It's just a guy, being an ass, and causing more work for everyone affected.

The part I loved most?  Toby's favorite song is one that got Hootie & The Blowfish sued by Bob Dylan.  Seriously. Since their lyrics used some of Bob's (as a tribute), Bob's management sued Hootie & the boys and they had to pay a settlement.  Darius Rucker even said in an interview years back that it's his least fave of all their songs.  And yeah, they should have gotten permission, but......

Nice.  Really, just an excellent song to memorialize your joy over your unborn child.  Idiots. 

[laurakaye]

I was listening to two co-workers talking yesterday in the lunchroom...heard the phrases "dump water on himself" and "can't believe she's pregnant."  I asked if they were talking about "This is Us."  They were.  They asked me if I watched, and I said, "well, I don't want to upset you."  They said, "What do you mean?"  I said, "I hate-watch it so I can snark about it."  They said, "what is wrong with you?"

LOL...I really need to learn that you cannot talk about this show with just anyone.

[CelticBlackCat]

I'm not a Hootie fan with or without his Blowfish, so that song only made the diner scene that much more cringeworthy, not anything close to endearing.

[Guest]

I was ok with the Hootie song, because I love Hootie, but also because I was pleasantly surprised they didn't pick something totally sappy and on-the-nose (if misinterpreted) like Buble's "Just Haven't Met You Yet".