S04.E02 Episode 2

[CarpeFelis]

I could’ve sworn Angry Guy locked Alison’s office door. How the heck did Ben get in to rescue her?

They always have discrepancies in the POVs, but it really took the cake this time. In Cole’s POV, Alison is doing everything she can to avoid selling the Lobster Roll, but in hers, she wants to get rid of it. WTF?

[mochamajesty]

5 hours ago, LilaFowler said:

I forgot to mention this but I find it really perplexing when the show depicts the characters' recollections as being so wildly different. It's not just a matter of perspectives or minor differences, either. Take Cole and Allison's meeting at the Lobster Roll. In his version, she was there but was under-dressed and behaved inappropriately. In hers she didn't show up at all and Cole ripped her a new one over the phone for it. This happened again when he came to rescue her and her car: he jumps the battery and leaves, in her version he goes with her to the school and they have an entire conversation along the way. I don't think these are small things: someone is remembering conversations that possibly never happened, or hallucinating people being at places when they weren't. Is this setting up yet another Allison-is-troubled-and-crazy season?

I have conducted fact-findings at work, and it astounds me how two different employees can see the world in two different ways.   Our biases color our world.  Noah sees Alison as a sexpot, so she's sexy in every scene.  Alison is depressed(?) and sees herself as a mess, so she's frumpy in every scene.  Alison sees Cole as a penis, so.....

I can't explain the events listed above though.  

15 hours ago, gingerella said:

@Lemons, thank you for refreshing the collective memory here!  People dont just "take care of their status", it's not like signing up for Facebook. It's an arduous process for which this country does not make it easy. Hence another reason people fly under the radar. But I digress, and because I dont want to get into a political debate on immigration, let's just say, decent human beings deserve to be given the benefit of the doubt that they're in country other than their own birth country for reasons that we may or may not understand, but that make them no less 'worthy' than someone who was simply lucky to be born in said country. Case in point, I'd be happy to take Alison, Helen, Helen's parents, Vik's mother, Noah, and his oldest daughter, and send them to another country permanently, and keep people like Luisa, who seems like a decent  person. God I hate this show now. Did I say that enough already?!

Louisa (as we are discussing the show) ticked me off with her rant to Cole.  Yes, the process is arduous, and it should be.  As Louisa listed all of the reasons she didn't qualify for a green card, I remember thinking, "Yes, how dare we expect people to actually contribute to this country in some way to stay here.".  The requirements that she listed were not unreasonable.  Her anger at Cole was misplaced - did she expect him to apologize?

Maybe she was upset with him for the "breaking his neck looking for Alison" move - and I totally get that. But the show picked an odd way for her to express that.

I was shocked when Cole suggested that she try again.  Of course you try, and keep trying.  But I expect this to come up again and perhaps she will be deported by season's end. 

[scrb]

Pretty sure the differences in POVs do not only involve Alison and another character.

Seems like differences are more the rule than the exception.

However, I don't know if these differences really matter in the overall storytelling or it's just a way to get viewers engaged for noticing these differences.  Kind of like Westworld dropping easter eggs for people to discover.

[Double A]

On 6/24/2018 at 2:15 PM, sasha206 said:

Uh wait...Cole gets his faced drawn on by kids.  Decides to get his rifle and shoot people.  Luisa grabs the rifle...and they start laughing.

I mean, if my husband's first reaction is to go out and shoot at kids who drew on his face, I wouldn't laugh.  I would be on the run and buy a new identity.

And how is it that every man seems to want Allison?  i don't find the actress nor her character that attractive.

Welp gotta laugh to keep from crying. Where's she gonna go?

[sasha206]

3 minutes ago, Double A said:

Welp gotta laugh to keep from crying. Where's she gonna go?

I just found that completely disturbing that he runs off with a rifle to find the kids.  She has to yell at him to give the rifle back and warn him he can't go shooting at people.  She grabs the rifle, he falls, and then  laughs when he's on the floor? 

If my husband's first reaction to a childish prank is to get a rifle to find the kids and you have to warn him he can't just go around shooting people, I find it hard to believe that you'd be laughing about it.  I'd think you'd be like holy fuck, this guy is a nut.  I'd go anywhere but stay with someone that could come than unhinged and grab a rifle that easily over someone drawing on my face.   

Just another completely unrealistic scene in my view.  

[Double A]

17 hours ago, DFWGina said:

My husband and I remarked on this.  I cannot believe anyone in the restaurant business would order it well done.  No way you go to any restaurant and order meat that way if you are with other industry folks.  If you don't like meat (you can't if you get it well done), order seafood or pasta.

That totally took me out of the moment too. Cole seems like a guy who knows his way around a steak.

3 minutes ago, sasha206 said:

I just found that completely disturbing that he runs off with a rifle to find the kids.  She has to yell at him to give the rifle back and warn him he can't go shooting at people.  She grabs the rifle, he falls, and then  laughs when he's on the floor? 

If my husband's first reaction to a childish prank is to get a rifle to find the kids and you have to warn him he can't just go around shooting people, I find it hard to believe that you'd be laughing about it.  I'd think you'd be like holy fuck, this guy is a nut.  I'd go anywhere but stay with someone that could come than unhinged and grab a rifle that easily over someone drawing on my face.   

Just another completely unrealistic scene in my view.  

No disagreement here. Just sayin homegirl's got limited options and none of them good so cue the inappropriate laughter when your husband freaks out.

[attica]

19 hours ago, chabelisaywow said:

You know why the dual perspective doesn't work - because none of these people can be trusted!

This is exactly why I love the dual perspective! Of course they can't be trusted! Me, I enjoy the puzzle presented by unreliable narrators.

PSA: indelible markers (such as may be used to draw dicks on faces) are fat-soluble. Which means they are easily removed with oil or grease.

[sasha206]

29 minutes ago, Double A said:

That totally took me out of the moment too. Cole seems like a guy who knows his way around a steak.

No disagreement here. Just sayin homegirl's got limited options and none of them good so cue the inappropriate laughter when your husband freaks out.

I can't remember but what was she doing prior to meeting and marrying Cole?  Seems like she was able to survive pre-Cole.  

[preeya]

26 minutes ago, sasha206 said:

I can't remember but what was she doing prior to meeting and marrying Cole?  Seems like she was able to survive pre-Cole.  

I may be wrong, but wasn't she a bartender????

[LilaFowler]

She was a bartender and sleeping with one of Cole's brothers.

[preeya]

1 hour ago, LilaFowler said:

She was a bartender and sleeping with one of Cole's brothers.

Actually, I do recall her tending bar, but when Cole introduced her (Luisa) to Alison he said she was the manager of the restaurant.

[LilaFowler]

Wasn't she being paid under the  table? I don't know that job titles matter in that case. Additionally, how did she and Cole get a marriage license? Wouldn't she be required to show some form of ID? She doesn't have a driver's license and I am assuming she doesn't have a valid passport anywhere.

[chabelisaywow]

Quote

Cole seems like a guy who knows his way around a steak.

that's why it stuck out to me (not political at all - now if he had asked for ketchup, maybe)

I've been on a Bourdain binge too - he said, when meat was about to go bad, they would just serve it to people who ordered well done

By then - you can't tell a cheap piece of meat from a filet mignon

[Razzberry]

Now I'm wondering at the real meaning of a well done ribeye.   To me it seemed like a critique of Cole's palate, but I haven't seen a lot of earlier episodes.  Then too, I forget whose perspective it was.  It would have to be his own, right?  This show is gonna drive me nuts.

[teapot]

1 hour ago, Razzberry said:

Now I'm wondering at the real meaning of a well done ribeye.   To me it seemed like a critique of Cole's palate, but I haven't seen a lot of earlier episodes.  Then too, I forget whose perspective it was.  It would have to be his own, right?  This show is gonna drive me nuts.

I could not focus after that.  Me, I like my steak pretty much still alive and about to run away.

and the perspective thing?  omg it's so true!  so my boy-child didn't get confirmed like the rest of us sorta-Catholics in the family b/c he was going through an atheist phase & torturing his CCD teachers.  we had a big long talk about it & I told him if his heart wasn't in it, not to do it (you have to do all these retreats & community service & I could just imagine him being the most annoying person on the planet so wanted to spare the rest of the world!)

while talking to him and his lovely very Irish Catholic girlfriend a few weeks ago, he said 'remember when you said that I could either get confirmed or go out and get a job?'

yeah, no.  he was fifteen at the time.  but he swears he's right!!!  perspective is insane.

[lightninggirl]

On 6/25/2018 at 3:54 AM, chabelisaywow said:

the only thing I got out of this episode was that Cole ordered a rib eye, well done.

Cole, I used to like you, but goddamn. You want some ketchup to pour over that beefleather?

[Double A]

12 hours ago, sasha206 said:

I can't remember but what was she doing prior to meeting and marrying Cole?  Seems like she was able to survive pre-Cole.  

She was tending bar at The End and doing Scott who was her manager in his boat. She was surviving but look at how she's living now. 

[chocolatine]

I'm not a steak eater - only fish and poultry - so Cole's request for a well-done ribeye went right over my head. Your guys' comments are cracking me up!

On 6/26/2018 at 9:54 AM, sasha206 said:

I can't remember but what was she doing prior to meeting and marrying Cole?  Seems like she was able to survive pre-Cole.  

They first met when she was babysitting for the married woman who Cole was sleeping with (whose husband caught them in the act). Later Cole went to see Scotty at his boat, and Luisa was there sleeping with Scotty. Then Luisa discovered that Scotty was dealing drugs and broke up with him. Cole gave her a ride to her bartending job, then went in for a drink and stayed the whole evening talking to Luisa. The Cole went to the beach house where Alison had turned up, they had sex and conceived Joanie.

Edited June 27, 2018 by chocolatine

[LuvMyShows]

I'm confused about where Alison works vis-a-vis Montauk.  Way back when, Noah got very pissy about how far away it was.  And the worker who told Alison that the conference would be in Montauk, seemed to be saying it in a way that meant that it's not just the next town over.  So why on earth would Alison call Cole, and why would he come, from multiple hours away in Montauk to help jump start her car?

Wasn't she being paid under the  table? I don't know that job titles matter in that case. Additionally, how did she and Cole get a marriage license? Wouldn't she be required to show some form of ID? She doesn't have a driver's license and I am assuming she doesn't have a valid passport anywhere.

Seems like a very valid point!  Also, it would seem to be very easy to spin her possible new hospitality industry employment with the Japanese group, as the "specialized skill" (I think that's what she called it) green card criteria Luisa was saying that she doesn't have.  She and Cole could take the buy-out/franchise opportunity, she could take the job and they could move to Miami for a few years, she could become a citizen, and then with all their money they could move back to Montauk and buy whatever kind of business they wanted to run.  Heck, they could probably come back and run the Lobster Roll, since they would still be part of the ownership group.

[JenE4]

I didn’t understand why Hot Sober Guy With Erectile Dysfunction went into Allison’s office, pretended that he was looking for someone upstairs, had her walk him upstairs, then came back down and said lolz, I’m really from the VA and came to see you all along. Huh?? Did that make sense to anyone? I would get if she was just so alluring that he wanted to come back down to get her number or something, but HSGWED went TO see her and then pretended he wasn’t? Granted, I was dozing off a bit, so maybe I misunderstood. But good thing for HSGWED he met  Mountauk’s (or, now unnamed NJ town 3 hours away) answer to human Viagra, and he’ll just be HSG by the next episode he’s in. Sorry, dude, you’ll never make it your 5 months and 2 days, but, don’t you worry, Allison’s magical vagina will save you—until it ends up destroying your life by season’s end. So the big mystery of the season is where’s Allison. I suppose we’re supposed to think unhinged client’s husband took her out. But I’m going with HSGWED. Sure, he’s alluring and her hero and all that, but that pretending to visit someone else upstairs thing is a big red flag. Well, either that, or I suppose she pulled a Noah Solloway and kidnapped herself. But, fear not, some hot sex with HSG (Decidedly WITHOUT Erectile Dysfunction) will knock whatever demons that caused her to do that right out of her.

[LilaFowler]

9 hours ago, LuvMyShows said:

I'm confused about where Alison works vis-a-vis Montauk.  Way back when, Noah got very pissy about how far away it was.  And the worker who told Alison that the conference would be in Montauk, seemed to be saying it in a way that meant that it's not just the next town over.  So why on earth would Alison call Cole, and why would he come, from multiple hours away in Montauk to help jump start her car?

Seems like a very valid point!  Also, it would seem to be very easy to spin her possible new hospitality industry employment with the Japanese group, as the "specialized skill" (I think that's what she called it) green card criteria Luisa was saying that she doesn't have.  She and Cole could take the buy-out/franchise opportunity, she could take the job and they could move to Miami for a few years, she could become a citizen, and then with all their money they could move back to Montauk and buy whatever kind of business they wanted to run.  Heck, they could probably come back and run the Lobster Roll, since they would still be part of the ownership group.

That's where I'm thinking his story could possibly be heading this season. He'd not only have to give up the Lobster Roll but a treasured tie to Allison and easy access to Joanie. I feel like that's going to be his Big Decision: Allison and Joanie, or Luisa.

[chabelisaywow]

Quote

Now I'm wondering at the real meaning of a well done ribeye. 

I'm sorry - I was the original poster.

TBH - I'm not familiar with how scripts are written, but I'm assuming that it was improv.

I can't imagine the script said:

COLE: "I will have the ribeye, well done."

As this is not information that will be crucial to the storyline.

It probably said (Cole looks around, places order).

So the meaning is most likely - Joshua Jackson doesn't know how to eat a steak.

[chocolatine]

11 hours ago, LuvMyShows said:

Also, it would seem to be very easy to spin her possible new hospitality industry employment with the Japanese group, as the "specialized skill" (I think that's what she called it) green card criteria Luisa was saying that she doesn't have.  She and Cole could take the buy-out/franchise opportunity, she could take the job and they could move to Miami for a few years, she could become a citizen, and then with all their money they could move back to Montauk and buy whatever kind of business they wanted to run.  Heck, they could probably come back and run the Lobster Roll, since they would still be part of the ownership group.

The official term is "extraordinary ability", and the bar for that is pretty high; being good at hospitality and speaking another language is not enough. I know because I went through that process myself, and I was able to get it only because I work in a highly specialized STEM field and had letters of recommendation from Ivy League professors and Fortune 500 executives. I have also never entered or stayed in the country illegally.

2 hours ago, JenE4 said:

I didn’t understand why Hot Sober Guy With Erectile Dysfunction went into Allison’s office, pretended that he was looking for someone upstairs, had her walk him upstairs, then came back down and said lolz, I’m really from the VA and came to see you all along. Huh?? Did that make sense to anyone? I would get if she was just so alluring that he wanted to come back down to get her number or something, but HSGWED went TO see her and then pretended he wasn’t? Granted, I was dozing off a bit, so maybe I misunderstood. But good thing for HSGWED he met  Mountauk’s (or, now unnamed NJ town 3 hours away) answer to human Viagra, and he’ll just be HSG by the next episode he’s in. 

He said he was looking for the grant office. It looks like Alison's institution applied for a VA grant, and the VA sent HSGWED to do some due diligence. He probably did need to go to the grant office, but played dumb and pretended to be lost in the building so he could meet other employees and get a feel for how the place is run.

Oh, and I think he'll be down to just HG by the end of the season, or maybe even just G. The abstinence is supposed to go hand in hand with his recovery, so getting involved with Alison will probably lead him to fall off the wagon.

[JenE4]

9 minutes ago, chabelisaywow said:

I'm sorry - I was the original poster.

TBH - I'm not familiar with how scripts are written, but I'm assuming that it was improv.

I can't imagine the script said:

COLE: "I will have the ribeye, well done."

As this is not information that will be crucial to the storyline.

It probably said (Cole looks around, places order).

So the meaning is most likely - Joshua Jackson doesn't know how to eat a steak.

I took it as his other dining mates were eating some fancy-shmancy dishes (paella with farro and whatnot) and here’s stupid Cole who doesn’t even know enough about food/the restaurant business to know that’s ruining the steak. He’s over his head with this whole franchise deal, and the well-done ribeye underscored it.

[grommit2]

15 hours ago, LuvMyShows said:

I'm confused about where Alison works vis-a-vis Montauk.  Way back when, Noah got very pissy about how far away it was.  And the worker who told Alison that the conference would be in Montauk, seemed to be saying it in a way that meant that it's not just the next town over.  So why on earth would Alison call Cole, and why would he come, from multiple hours away in Montauk to help jump start her car?

Seems like a very valid point!  Also, it would seem to be very easy to spin her possible new hospitality industry employment with the Japanese group, as the "specialized skill" (I think that's what she called it) green card criteria Luisa was saying that she doesn't have.  She and Cole could take the buy-out/franchise opportunity, she could take the job and they could move to Miami for a few years, she could become a citizen, and then with all their money they could move back to Montauk and buy whatever kind of business they wanted to run.  Heck, they could probably come back and run the Lobster Roll, since they would still be part of the ownership group.

Let's see:  I think Alison phoned Cole from her condo up in Montauk.  She had her kid and needed to get her to school, also in Montauk. 
Also,  yes, her trainee job is several hours away from Montauk. And everyone is right:  this is a ridiculous distance to travel for any job.  An actual filming location might help, but is irrelevant unless the story line references the travel time somehow. 
And BTW:  the California scenes are reported to be in the Morro Bay area, California.  This is south of Monterey, north of LA. Reports say that this show, and a few others, relocated to California to take advantage of production tax credits.

[GeminiDancer]

On 6/26/2018 at 5:56 AM, mochamajesty said:

Louisa (as we are discussing the show) ticked me off with her rant to Cole.  Yes, the process is arduous, and it should be.  As Louisa listed all of the reasons she didn't qualify for a green card, I remember thinking, "Yes, how dare we expect people to actually contribute to this country in some way to stay here.".  The requirements that she listed were not unreasonable.  Her anger at Cole was misplaced - did she expect him to apologize?

Maybe she was upset with him for the "breaking his neck looking for Alison" move - and I totally get that. But the show picked an odd way for her to express that.

I was shocked when Cole suggested that she try again.  Of course you try, and keep trying.  But I expect this to come up again and perhaps she will be deported by season's end. 

I think her frustration and her subsequent lash out at Cole was very human. We know that she wants to contribute to this country, and she clearly has by going to school and working (she wasn't getting a dime of a tax refund from her bartending days). I think she sees the situation with the Lobster Roll as an opportunity that she would have dreamed to have and never thought could be real. Now it is real, and there are two barriers that she has no control over: She can't travel to Miami to be an even bigger contributor and Cole's reluctance to franchise because of his link to Alison. It sucks to feel that. I'd love to see some of Luisa's perspective.

Since we're seeing it in Cole's perspective, I bet he knows that she knows something's up between him and Alison.

[Tikichick]

20 hours ago, JenE4 said:

I took it as his other dining mates were eating some fancy-shmancy dishes (paella with farro and whatnot) and here’s stupid Cole who doesn’t even know enough about food/the restaurant business to know that’s ruining the steak. He’s over his head with this whole franchise deal, and the well-done ribeye underscored it.

Underscored it in a very heavy handed way.  That approach to writing really works against me as a viewer immersing in the story versus observing it like a scientist or a detective looking to unearth information. 

[Milburn Stone]

On 6/25/2018 at 1:12 PM, chabelisaywow said:

You know why the dual perspective doesn't work - because none of these people can be trusted!

If the perspective of any of these people could be trusted, it would negate the show. The show is telling us that no person in this thing we call life is capable of seeing reality objectively. I find that a fascinating (and instructive) point of view. Now, not everyone will. But those who don't, shouldn't be watching The Affair, unless they want to be frustrated.

[Chaos Theory]

Every steak  has a different fiber Prime Rib works great rare and meadium rare because it is cooked slowly at a low temp.  Ribeye however is more medium to medium well.  But some people like ribeye rarer but you should cook it a lot longer at a lower temp.  So really Cole asking for it well done may be socially inexperienced because a lot of people think they should eat steak rare but it really depends on the cut and personal preference.   

[Duke2801]

I (straight woman) find the actress who plays Alison attractive;  my partner refers to  her as "Duck Face" from her Luther days. So.... yeah there ya go.  Attractiveness is subjective. That said, yes, it is annoying when a character is portrayed as not being able to encounter a single man without the man having sexual interest in her.  

On 6/25/2018 at 4:16 AM, mochamajesty said:

How old is Louisa now and how many years has she had to get a green card?  And why is any of this Cole's fault? And no I see no difference between an illegal and someone coming to this country illegally. 

And I didn't recall them mentioning her status before tonight. It's like the writers pulled it out of their behinds. 

 

I shook my head during your entire post. Staying seated when someone is coming at you agressively in a locked.room takes Herculean.levels of ... I don't even know what. Alison is still in training I believe. I don't think that the average person could do that. 

No. The "previously on..." scenes before the episode clearly showed a scene where she told Cole she came her illegally in a prior season.

Quote

the only thing I got out of this episode was that Cole ordered a rib eye, well done.

Ha- that and the waitress commenting "excellent choice." Is it possible that nobody in the Hamptons/Montauk area knows anything about steak?  

[scrb]

You know, the ribeye discussion points out how the show has people dwelling on minutiae.

Really most of these small details doesn't make much of a difference to the overall drift of the story.

Why do the writers think these small details matter?

[Razzberry]

I'll admit that I laughed along with Luisa and Cole about the gun incident.  It seemed almost heartwarming, or maybe just a relief to someone laughing for a change.  But then I thought, wait, this is an alarming level of poor impulse control.  He struck me as much more level-headed than that. 

 

Any guesses on what their home is worth?

[LilaFowler]

In Montauk, a home that close to the water would be worth millions. That's why it was odd that Luisa was making such a big deal over the $2.1M offer. I thought to myself, that's probably less than their property is worth.

[scrb]

True but presumably they'd get a piece of the franchising revenues so there would be indefinite income.

Luisa bemoans not being able to be what, a hostess or a manager at a restaurant or hotel?

With the money coming in, she could just have others wait on her rather than waiting on clients, which is what hospitality business is.

[Milburn Stone]

3 hours ago, LilaFowler said:

In Montauk, a home that close to the water would be worth millions. That's why it was odd that Luisa was making such a big deal over the $2.1M offer. I thought to myself, that's probably less than their property is worth.

Agree. That made no sense. I almost thought I must have misheard and that the offer was for 2.1 billion. Which would be a tad on the generous side, but no more ridiculous. :)

Edited June 28, 2018 by Milburn Stone

[JenE4]

4 hours ago, Duke2801 said:

Ha- that and the waitress commenting "excellent choice." Is it possible that nobody in the Hamptons/Montauk area knows anything about steak?  

 

3 hours ago, scrb said:

You know, the ribeye discussion points out how the show has people dwelling on minutiae.

Really most of these small details doesn't make much of a difference to the overall drift of the story.

Why do the writers think these small details matter?

I’m going to double down on analyzing the minutia. “Excellent choice” was in Cole’s memory of the event, so it’s likely she did not actually say that, and this scene illustrated that WE realize Cole is out of his element with this high-class restaurantuer franchise deal but HE doesn’t realize it. the “little details” are the entire point of the show—what is this character’s motivations and emotional state for seeing this event this way, while this character saw it that way? Cole’s so focused on what Allison is doing “wrong” with this deal and being distracted by Allison not being there, punks that HE got hooked on drugs, and how his illegal immigrant wife is harshing his mellow or whatever, that he’s not acknowledging his OWN shortcomings: sitting down with some young folks drinking/on drugs/that he already had a problem with. Why would ANYONE think that’s a good idea? And especially to take a swig of the drink—and then grab a GUN to go after them?!? Former drug dealer turned upstanding pillar of the community? GTFO, Cole! Putting Luisa in that situation to drive and not understanding her situation. And, YES, ordering a well done steak in front of the franchisees. It’s the same way we see women falling all over Noah because Noah Solloway sees himself as God’s Gift to Women. Cole sees himself as Upstanding Member of Society and All Around Good Guy. And WE in the audience see cracks in both of those facades.

3 hours ago, LilaFowler said:

In Montauk, a home that close to the water would be worth millions. That's why it was odd that Luisa was making such a big deal over the $2.1M offer. I thought to myself, that's probably less than their property is worth.

True!!! Luisa was all, “You can buy back your family ranch!!” Uh, you apparently could have already done that!!! Granted, Cole’s construction business built it and we left off last season having some shady goings on with the town inspector. So either that was a pointless one-episode story arc, or we’re going to come back to that that maaaybe something shady went down with the construction finances because....Cole’s NOT the Good Guy.

Edited June 28, 2018 by JenE4

[Milburn Stone]

40 minutes ago, JenE4 said:

the “little details” are the entire point of the show—what is this character’s motivations and emotional state for seeing this event this way, while this character saw it that way?

Thank you.

[scrb]

Except the small detail differences come up in the other characters' POV segments too.

If they used it judiciously, it might be worth paying attention.  But it seems to be an exercise like those old Sunday morning comics where there are two drawings side by side and you're suppose to pick out the differences.

It's like a puzzle exercise, not a storytelling device.

[grommit2]

8 hours ago, LilaFowler said:

In Montauk, a home that close to the water would be worth millions. That's why it was odd that Luisa was making such a big deal over the $2.1M offer. I thought to myself, that's probably less than their property is worth.

That is truly one doozy of a house.  Much larger than what we saw starting last season.  And on the water.  The real estate site Zillow says there is a 3BR/3Ba 2,000 sqft house on water for $2.2M.  It looks about half of the Cole house. Also, recall that they sold the Cole/Alison house & land, with beach fronting property in a previous season (although the house burned down).  Beachfront out there is worth millions.  A question would be whether they are still in the, ummm..."alternative pharmaceuticals" business.  And the taxi business may have been sold off, or just dropped.  Yes, they plunked down money on the Lobster Roll, but that seems to be making money.  A question would be whether Alison got anything from Noah as part of the divorce.  So, Cole/Alison/Luisa should be financially rolling in the cash. 

[DNR]

On 6/25/2018 at 1:52 AM, Armchair Critic said:

Run away new guy, hooking up with Allison is only going to cause you trouble.

Alison’s new paramour will soon be a drunken sex addict with a rifle at the top of the Montauk Lighthouse thinking he’s in the Middle East . Run Ben ! 

[Lady Iris]

On ‎6‎/‎25‎/‎2018 at 2:33 AM, DiabLOL said:

Wow that felt like an 18 hour long episode about the boring problems of some very unpleasant people. 

Amen! I don't mind slow paced deliberate story telling but without the sexy heat and flash of attraction ala 1st season of "The Affair" it is just about boring people with complicated lives. I think that's my problem with this show, its just so snoozy overall.

 

Run nice PTSD guy. Please run. You don't wanna get into any of that.

[preeya]

3 hours ago, Lady Iris said:

Amen! I don't mind slow paced deliberate story telling but without the sexy heat and flash of attraction ala 1st season of "The Affair" it is just about boring people with complicated lives. I think that's my problem with this show, its just so snoozy overall.

 

Run nice PTSD guy. Please run. You don't wanna get into any of that.

3

That's the problem; he does want to get into that. That being Alison.

[Blakeston]

I can't buy that Cole would ever believe that ordering a ribeye well-done in front of important clients would be a good idea. He grew up on a ranch and works in the restaurant industry. If they wanted to show that he was out of his element, there are so many better ways the writers could have chosen.

As for how Alison handled the violent guy, it was certainly bad form for a professional, but it's entirely consistent with her character. We've seen over and over again that if someone yells at her, she shuts down completely. Like a Westworld robot who's been instructed to freeze all motor functions.

Edited July 1, 2018 by Blakeston

[LoveLeigh]

I also was surprised Cole ordered it well done, but I always say: very well done, burn it..... so I related. Maybe the writers were trying to show he is a little bit "schmucky?" That was written in that scene for a reason. 

On 6/28/2018 at 2:22 PM, LilaFowler said:

In Montauk, a home that close to the water would be worth millions. That's why it was odd that Luisa was making such a big deal over the $2.1M offer. I thought to myself, that's probably less than their property is worth.

That offer was absurd. It was very odd. It was actually peanuts. In reality I really think it would have been closer to 20 million. 

[Rockfish]

Although I do like the different points of view, when they’re drastically different I get pulled out of the scene trying to work it out in my head—but that’s me being too literal. But what I really enjoy about watching the show is coming here and reading all the drastically different POVs; I find it fascinating. For me, all I could feel was empathy for Luisa’s plight and further annoyance at Cole for his blasé reaction to her situation, which has no easy solution. (I’m an American living in Canada, and my spouse and I made two simple errors on one of the forms, which caused a delay in my immigration. And although I knew eventually everything would get straightened out, I was under tremendous stress at times, so I completely understood her panic.) So I was surprised to see harshness directed toward her. But I’ve never been a fan of Cole—to me, he’s often a passive-aggressive jerk, and I think he’s lucky to have patient Luisa.

I was cracking up when watching Alison get saved by new cute guy, anticipating all the comments here, lol.

Edited July 1, 2018 by Rockfish

[Razzberry]

I like Luisa, maybe even more than Alison.  However, I felt she was too judgmental about Alison (at least in Alison's POV).   I can't explain A not even letting people know where she was - this seems unforgivable, imo - but having a mental breakdown should mitigate that somewhat, and to me there's little difference between that and having to be hospitalized for any other illness.  Yet everyone acts like she took off with some guy and partied.  I doubt that Cole would need supervised visitation had he taken off for a few months. 

[nara]

On 6/25/2018 at 2:09 PM, N. Bluth said:

 

Hey, when Cole caught that kid "freebasing" lol, why did the kid run? If the kid truly thinks Cole in in no position to bust him for anything, why run? Oh yeah--drah-mah.

 

Cole may not be able to bust him, but he can still beat him up or shoot him for robbing him and drawing on his face 

[GalvDuck]

Late to the party.  I just started watching after Dina Meyer tweeted that she would be appearing in a few episodes this season.

So, quick question, if you don't mind.  I used the search function above and didn't find any previous posts about EMDR here in the show's forum.  Was 4x2 the first mention of it?  Alison called to speak with someone about a conference and mentioned she was a trainee.  If it wasn't the first mention of it, how long as she been working on training for it?  

I'm interested in seeing how it plays out for whichever character participates in the therapy.  I haven't seen it depicted in a film or TV show before.  Just in real life on a personal level.  Think I'll be watching for here on out.  Thanks!

[TV Diva Queen]

On 7/1/2018 at 10:16 AM, DakotaLavender said:

I also was surprised Cole ordered it well done, but I always say: very well done, burn it..... so I related. Maybe the writers were trying to show he is a little bit "schmucky?" That was written in that scene for a reason. 

That offer was absurd. It was very odd. It was actually peanuts. In reality I really think it would have been closer to 20 million. 

THANK YOU -

I wanted to read through all the comments before I came out of my apparent cloak of shame.  I enjoy my filet well done.  It makes me positively nauseous to eat or see the meat when its red.  Not sure why people think they're way is the right way, but damn, I enjoy my filet.  I only eat filet at steakhouses in Chicago, so I'm getting a good cut of meat and only one time about 35 years ago, did the server come back and tell us that the chef wouldn't "prepare our steaks well done,  and can we change the temperature or pick something else?  my mafiosa fiancee (we didn't marry) stood up, threw $20 on the table for the appetizer whispered to the server to tell the chef to go fuck himself and we quietly walked out. 

My name is TV Diva Queen and I like my filet well done.

Edited July 2, 2018 by TV Diva Queen

[grommit2]

5 hours ago, GalvDuck said:

So, quick question, if you don't mind.  I used the search function above and didn't find any previous posts about EMDR here in the show's forum.  Was 4x2 the first mention of it?  Alison called to speak with someone about a conference and mentioned she was a trainee.  If it wasn't the first mention of it, how long as she been working on training for it?  

I believe this is the first mention of the EMDR conference.  
I am assuming this "EMDR" refers to the Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy.  I do not recall Alison going through this particular therapy, but it would certainly apply to her situation.
Last season (#3) after going through therapy herself, Alison mentioned that she had been offered a job at the center. Of course, given the practice of presenting scenes from two different viewpoints,  the job offer was greeted by general doubt.  I am not clear as to how long she has been in training because there seems to have been a time jump between seasons #3 and #4.