S03.E08: Recurrent

[formerlyfreedom]

Quote

Rachel confronts her mother; Serena gets ambushed by someone from her past, threatening her relationships with the remaining contestants; Chet struggles with Gary's offer.

[earlbny]

Does this mean Rachel rape story is finally over with? That whole thing just wanted a complete circle. We learned nothing. Rachel is not better or worse.

 

Suddenly there’s a line you don’t cross? it’s OK to murder a few people  but if you bring the someone’s ex you cross a line? I don’t watch those other shows but from what I read this idea was stolen from them. I guess they’ve run out of original ideas.

 

Not enough people watch this show to change the conversation. 

 

When Rachel and Quinn are on top of their game and not dealing with stupid soap drama they are a force to be reckon with. All others should be afraid very afraid.

 

The artist formally known as man bun definitely looks like he’s had some sort of surgery. His chest looks weird.

 

I can’t believe we have two more episodes left and we have yet to address the mess that was season two.

 

The finale looks whack.

Edited April 17, 2018 by earlbny

[HunterHunted]

What was the point of Rachel going to confront her mom when it was the same bullshit conversation they always have. Mom: "Rachel, you're sick." Rachel: "Mom, you're sick." Lather, rinse, repeat, snooze.

I don't know why everyone was acting like Rachel and Quinn didn't or wouldn't know all about Serena and George. There is no way they wouldn't have found out about it in the process of picking Serena as the suitress 

Last week Jay was upset because he saw himself spiraling with all of the drugs and now he's somehow caught feelings for Alexei. This show has the worst continuity and understanding of narrative arcs.

Madison made a complete dumb mess of things for no good reason and why would Rachel leave Madison in charge when she's previously only relied upon Madison when Jay wasn't around. Jay was absolutely around, but Rachel suddenly forgets that he's her go to guy so that Madison can fuck things up.

I don't know why Chet would be trusting Gary, a guy who previously lied to him for years and cheated him out millions of dollars. Gary stole $18 million from Chet, but Chet suddenly trusts Gary because Chet wants an Emmy. How fucking stupid is this show? Also if Chet wants an Emmy that badly, then he can use some of that purloined money towards a serious Emmy campaign for Everlasting.

[LittleIggy]

The only way Chet will ever get an Emmy is if he buys one from a pawn shop or estate sale. BTW, I can’t help but like Chet because the actor who plays him is so appealing.

Why was Rachel hitting on the shrink. Her mother is a devil. Scary looking, too.

[earlbny]

12 hours ago, LittleIggy said:

The only way Chet will ever get an Emmy is if he buys one from a pawn shop or estate sale. BTW, I can’t help but like Chet because the actor who plays him is so appealing.

Why was Rachel hitting on the shrink. Her mother is a devil. Scary looking, too.

 If you had gone to the UnREAL event at that film festival in NYC this past February your opinion of Chet would change. Don’t give me wrong he’s a nice guy. However during the Q&A he rambled on for so long.  If it was an award show they would’ve played the music and gone to a commercial.

I find that this show goes in circles. Everyone flip flops every episode and ends up back at square one. Rachel is no different now than she was before the whole rape story. Same goes for Quinn,Chet and everyone else. 

I have no guesses yet on how it’s going to end. BTW just because nobody died this season does not give you a pass.  I still hold all of them accountable.

Edited April 17, 2018 by earlbny

[voiceover]

I stopped watching after ep 2; couldn't sleep tonight so I tuned in just in time to watch Serena's meltdown -- eh -- and Rachel's takedown of BritGuy.  That was actually Season 1-decent.

The rest of it seems to be the hamster wheel I left behind.  It brings me no joy to admit this.  At least Girlfriend's Guide to Divorce spiked my hatewatch with house porn.

[Ms Blue Jay]

I loved the Colin Egglesfield stuff with Serena melting down.  I thought it was fantastic.  I was riveted.  The writers can write something realistic, and the actors can deliver it if they must.  Before this, I never really thought much of the actor playing Serena.

So, I really liked this episode, and I'm really excited for the 2 hour finale now.

[Token]

I didn't buy anything that the show served up in this episode.

- Rachel is now trying to fuck anything that moves after 'liberating' herself from her mother?  That whole thing was just weird and unrealistic.

- Did Jay really think that he had a romantic relationship with Alexi?  It was apparent from the start that it was a blow-jobs-for-drugs type of relationship from the start.  That romantic dinner set-up in the trailer came out of no where and I don't believe for one second that Jay would ever do that.

- There's no way in hell a strong woman like Serena would react in such a hysterical manner when seeing her ex, to the point that she made herself look like a bunny boiler.  She would have calmly explained, over and over again, that George ignored her in a callous manner and that he was out looking for a child to get married to.  I didn't buy her reaction at all.

Add in Rachel's skeletal looks this season and it's just getting painful overall the watch this crap.

[earlbny]

Jay fell for the fake romance this show creates.

In the preview for this episode they made it seem like Madison did this really bad thing. Something really big. Madison goes nuclear. "Madison what did you do" then after it all plays out it just reverted into the same old ‘Madison makes a dumb mistake. Rachel swoops in and fixes the mess.

Edited April 17, 2018 by earlbny

[walnutqueen]

RacHell's mother might be right about one thing - she has a narcissistic personality disorder.

[chick binewski]

13 hours ago, Ms Blue Jay said:

I loved the Colin Egglesfield stuff with Serena melting down.  I thought it was fantastic.  I was riveted.  The writers can write something realistic, and the actors can deliver it if they must.  Before this, I never really thought much of the actor playing Serena.

So, I really liked this episode, and I'm really excited for the 2 hour finale now.

I agree about the meltdown. It was the first time I liked this season as much since the premiere. Caitlin Fitzgerald can act but they're doing the same thing here as in Masters of Sex - she's not being given a lot. 

Speaking of, give Brandon Jay McLaren something instead of following Rachel saying 'I think you're in trouble'.

[niklj]

This episode left me with many questions.

How many times can Madison mess up without being fired?

How many times can Rachel tell Serena she didn't know x was going to happen, she swears?

Is this show still feminist, y/n?

What was the point of Tracie Thom's character?

Why did Jay think Alexei was ever pursuing a relationship with him?

How gross was Rachel's mom's victim blaming and protecting a pedo? (OK answer is: very)

Is this show live? How will they edit Rachel's part out of Jasper's interview?

Why are we supposed to care about Gary, really?

Lastly, will Grant ever find love?

[nittanyvolleyball]

I was guessing she was going to go to August to seduce him, but interesting turn of events that it was Alexei. I guess in a way maybe Alexei wanted to prove he wasn't gay and doing that with Rachel would help?

[earlbny]

3 hours ago, nosleepforme said:

I'd be willing to cut them some slack, because in real life character development is not linear, people jump back and forth and don't take one linear path. That being said, I don't think it was the writers' intention here. They were just looking for a reason to have Alexei eliminated this week and to have some scenes for Jay. Personally, I think they could have gone into a more interesting direction with both Jay/Alexei beyond just the drug supplier thing.

 

Has the actual The Bachelor won an EMMY? I don't know why anyone on this would feel like a trashy show such as Everlasting could win an EMMY.

 

There's still the finale and Alexei on coke.

 

Both Rachel and Quinn already brought in Exes in the past though. In season one they brought in Mary's abusive ex-husband for "television gold". I think they do whatever serves them. In this case it didn't serve them, because they wanted to portray Serena as this sympathetic business woman who can have it all (and because Serena serves as a softer mirror to Quinn).

 

Rachel's storyline was kind of dumb, but I love anything that gives Shiri Appelby the chance to play "messed up". She's been typecast as the sweet American Mary Sue-type of girl for so long, when she's really good at playing "messy".

Also, why did the therapist have a camera in Rachel's truck? He's one to talk about crossing boundaries.

 

There is so much contestant/crew member sex on this show. Now Rachel suddenly seduces Alexei. It would have made more sense if she had gone to August, since she's been moist in her pants for him all season long. But Alexei- have these two even shared scenes this season?

 

I am really enjoying this show regardless of how dumb it gets, so I applaud the writers for creating a fun guilty pleasure.

My expectations for the finale are so low. You can blame S2. However I have some thoughts about it which I posted in the spoiler thread.  It's so frustrating seeing Shiri always play the sweet American Mary Sue-type of girl. She's so much more then that. So that is one thing I love about UnREAL. She can do anything but sing. I like shows that don't go the obvious route. I want to be able to go I did not see that coming. I also want to see characters grow for better or worse. Rachel is no different then she was in S1. We've already knew her mother was crazy. Rachel's mom reminds me of a more crazy version of Leonard's mother on Big Bang Theory. 

Edited April 18, 2018 by earlbny

[dubbel zout]

4 hours ago, nosleepforme said:

There is so much contestant/crew member sex on this show. Now Rachel suddenly seduces Alexei. It would have made more sense if she had gone to August, since she's been moist in her pants for him all season long. But Alexei- have these two even shared scenes this season?

I think Rachel knew Alexei wouldn't need much persuading.

[slaterain]

Well Alexei was cut so no longer a contestant - not that that has stopped her before. August was with Serena. She wasn't going to touch the douche-Brit and no interest in the firefighter either. She was flying high after supposedly cutting off her family and wanted to get some. Didn't surprise me. 

[HunterHunted]

5 hours ago, nosleepforme said:

I'd be willing to cut them some slack, because in real life character development is not linear, people jump back and forth and don't take one linear path. That being said, I don't think it was the writers' intention here. They were just looking for a reason to have Alexei eliminated this week and to have some scenes for Jay. Personally, I think they could have gone into a more interesting direction with both Jay/Alexei beyond just the drug supplier thing.

I would have been fine with Alexei and Jay mutually catching feelings while talking over Passport to Dance especially since we and Alexei know that ending up with Serena doesn't allow him to pivot to the dance show. I can see Alexei being confused about his feelings for Jay because he's comfortable around gay men and this dance show has reignited his passion for dance. I can see Alexei being pissed with Jay because Jay keeps providing drugs and half pushing Alexei to Serena all because Jay is trying to make Alexei more viable to host the dance show. Plus it leaves Alexei with coke problem, no real connection with Serena, and a relationship with Jay that is fundamentally manipulative. I can even see Jay catching feelings as Alexei strings Jay along until Passport to Dance is off the ground. But this dumb drug fueled binge and make out session as some motivation for Jay to suddenly have real feelings is an improper foundation.

5 hours ago, nosleepforme said:

Has the actual The Bachelor won an EMMY? I don't know why anyone on this would feel like a trashy show such as Everlasting could win an EMMY.

Nope. It's never even been nominated.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Primetime_Emmy_Award_for_Outstanding_Reality_Program?wprov=sfla1

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Primetime_Emmy_Award_for_Outstanding_Unstructured_Reality_Program?wprov=sfla1

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Primetime_Emmy_Award_for_Outstanding_Structured_Reality_Program?wprov=sfla1

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Primetime_Emmy_Award_for_Outstanding_Reality-Competition_Program?wprov=sfla1

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Primetime_Emmy_Award_for_Outstanding_Documentary_or_Nonfiction_Series?wprov=sfla1

5 hours ago, nosleepforme said:

Both Rachel and Quinn already brought in Exes in the past though. In season one they brought in Mary's abusive ex-husband for "television gold". I think they do whatever serves them. In this case it didn't serve them, because they wanted to portray Serena as this sympathetic business woman who can have it all (and because Serena serves as a softer mirror to Quinn).

If the premise of the show is to make viewers believe in true love, then undermining Serena doesn't do that. Bringing Mary's abusive ex in does fit because the premise isn't that everyone is potentially a match for the suitor. It's that one of the women is. Mary can be easily sacrificed on the altar of crazy damaged woman who is desperate to have a man save her. Bringing Serena's ex back only serves Quinn and Rachel's narrative if they both appear to be mutually hung up on each other or he's still into Serena.

[dmc]

Well....

They are really selling me on Quinn and Chet

Rachel is a mess, I wish she would just get some real treatment from a real therapist.

I never thought Alexei was gay.  I think he just do anything for drugs and/or opportunities.

No Jeremy YEAH

Serena...ehhh...let's be real...most of us have been made crazy by a relationship before...this incident does not make her crazy. 

I have never trusted August. 

The doctor is also not trustworthy.

Madision is a Chet, not smart, very little talent but high opinion of herself.

[Bubbles]

8 hours ago, dmc said:

Serena...ehhh...let's be real...most of us have been made crazy by a relationship before...this incident does not make her crazy. 

Yeah, that seemed like a classic case of a man-child who's too afraid to actually break up with someone so he just ghosts her and then acts all "bitches be crazy" when she comes after him for an explanation. 

[dmc]

8 hours ago, Bubbles said:

Yeah, that seemed like a classic case of a man-child who's too afraid to actually break up with someone so he just ghosts her and then acts all "bitches be crazy" when she comes after him for an explanation. 

YEP!!!!

[Whimsy]

On 4/17/2018 at 12:22 PM, Token said:

- Rachel is now trying to fuck anything that moves after 'liberating' herself from her mother?  That whole thing was just weird and unrealistic.

I found that unrealistic as well as the therapists reaction.  He pushed her, rightfully, away because of dr/patient stuff but then he was crying because she was sleeping with someone else?  Girl is totally messed up, but I don't get his reaction.  

On 4/18/2018 at 6:27 AM, nosleepforme said:

Also, why did the therapist have a camera in Rachel's truck? He's one to talk about crossing boundaries.

Since he was in the control room watching all the monitors, I just assumed that was one of the rooms.  I don't know why Alexei was still in his room since all the reality shows I've watched where a contestant gets kicked off it appears they immediately leave the premise but I guess that could be more fakiness. 

[Token]

1 hour ago, Whimsy said:

I found that unrealistic as well as the therapists reaction.  He pushed her, rightfully, away because of dr/patient stuff but then he was crying because she was sleeping with someone else?  Girl is totally messed up, but I don't get his reaction.  

Since he was in the control room watching all the monitors, I just assumed that was one of the rooms.  I don't know why Alexei was still in his room since all the reality shows I've watched where a contestant gets kicked off it appears they immediately leave the premise but I guess that could be more fakiness. 

I thought the person crying was Jay, because she was having sex with Alexi?

[jhlipton]

On 4/18/2018 at 12:59 AM, niklj said:

What was the point of Tracie Thom's character?

To make Chet jealous, so he would consider Gary's offer.

5 hours ago, Whimsy said:

Since he was in the control room watching all the monitors, I just assumed that was one of the rooms.

The therapist has his own camera in Rachel's truck as well.  That's how he saw her tantrum earlier.  But the sex scene was in Alexi's room.

3 hours ago, Token said:

I thought the person crying was Jay, because she was having sex with Alexi?

I thought it was Jay was well.

[dubbel zout]

It was Jay.

[HunterHunted]

6 hours ago, Whimsy said:

I don't know why Alexei was still in his room since all the reality shows I've watched where a contestant gets kicked off it appears they immediately leave the premise but I guess that could be more fakiness. 

Alexei shouldn't have still been in his room. Contestants are usually quickly whisked off to sequesterville. Though the link below refers to the Amazing Race, there is usually some type of sequester for eliminated contestants on every competitive reality show.

http://amazingrace.wikia.com/wiki/Sequesterville

[Whimsy]

1 hour ago, dubbel zout said:

It was Jay.

That’s what I get for not really paying attention. That makes more sense. 

[Miles]

I don't buy that they couldn't use that atomic bomb. You could cut around her crazier reactions, portray him as coldhearted and her as distraught. That would give you sooooo much sympathy.

Kinda sad that Alexi turned out to be a douche. It was pretty clear that he was into Jay, but he couldn't even admit it to himself. I guess I'm alone in thinking that, but oh well.

[aradia22]

The boy Quinn woke up with did not look straight. There were any number of reasons but his butt was definitely too cute. I'll say this for UnREAL this season. They aren't skimping on the eye candy.

Chet is a MORON. His first two guesses for Quinn King's password were Quinn and King. Jesus.

Quinn's wrong. Rachel doesn't take personal days. She just fucks up work days. Also, this is a HORRIBLE time to leave Rachel in charge.

I thought Chet got into a spa. He got into Fiona's house!?! Is no place in the UnREAL world secure?

There's something hilarious to me about the peanut gallery of the final four guys having their own reactions. I really enjoyed it throughout the episode.

How is Madison going to be a good producer if CHET of all people can play her this easily?

What is the writing on this show? Rachel confronts her mother and they cut away in the middle of the scene? Also, she is a horrible mother and a horrible therapist. My God.

Wow, lot of girlfriends for Jasper.

Also, why is there so much candy in the background of the living room when they're looking at the photos. None of the guys can possibly eat that stuff and have those bodies and it's weird decor. 

George is an asshole but Serena also reacted badly to his attempt to ghost her.

Oh, poor Jay. But I totally don't get Alexi. Is he bi and just not willing to admit it because of Russian culture? Or is he legitimately straight but he doesn't really care about sex, especially if it gets him drugs?

Rachel's going for the jugular with Jasper. I'm into it.

Once again, it makes no sense to air this show week to week. What if she picks Jasper? You can't make him look like a piece of shit and then come around try to redeem him again. That's what you create the narrative after everything has been filmed. This is like trying to operate on American Idol rules except there everyone is as bland as possible and not having drama every week. 

Oh, Dan. If we weren't always wrapped up in producer drama it would be nice to meet some wardrobe and makeup people and the rest of the crew. Obviously you don't want to pay too many salaries for speaking roles but you know, you could pay for something if you ditched Jeremy and whatever love interest he has for the season.

I'm glad Jay apparently isn't going to have a drug problem but it's lame how they abandoned both that and his bf so easily. It's like the show doesn't want him to have storylines.

Why does Quinn act like Graham doesn't have a script?

Rachel, what? No. You can't just start kissing your therapist. I am glad she finally found a guy on this show who didn't fall in love with her. 

OMG, Serena. I think she suffers from low self esteem. You cannot keep having sex because people are mildly nice to you.

LOL, Rachel/Alexi. First of all, girl... Second of all, at least cover the camera.

[aradia22]

Quote

How many times can Rachel tell Serena she didn't know x was going to happen, she swears?

Is this show still feminist, y/n?

What was the point of Tracie Thom's character?

Why did Jay think Alexei was ever pursuing a relationship with him?

How gross was Rachel's mom's victim blaming and protecting a pedo? (OK answer is: very)

Is this show live? How will they edit Rachel's part out of Jasper's interview?

Why are we supposed to care about Gary, really?

Lastly, will Grant ever find love?

Seriously, Serena is dumb for trusting Rachel at this point. Even if she still believes Rachel has her best interests at heart, she evidently doesn't have enough control over the show to be a useful ally if this kind of stuff keeps happening.

Not feminist.

To have awesome hair and let Quinn leave the claustrophobic Everlasting set? But I agree it was a waste of Tracie. 

Because Jay's an idiot this season. I'm guessing he might also be new-ish to relationships. Xavier is the first bf I remember. And he mentioned not having told Jay's mom so either his mom doesn't know he's gay or doesn't know he's in a relationship. He was feeling bad about Xavier and the codependent relationship they had developed and on the coke high I can see how he might have confused all of that for catching feelings. The tears at the end watching Rachel and Alexei was a bit much though. 

Very.

The show is not live. I think reality shows sometimes include the producer's voice these days. But they can also just edit around his words.

I don't.

Who's Grant?