We're starting a band and calling it Christopher Sunday!
In our conversation over drinks, we discuss all of the awesome things in this episode: Kevin Sr., 5 minutes of Christopher Sunday, soliloquys, swearing, arks, Grace, medicine, cheese, Eddie Rabbit, using a pen to rewind your cassette tape, having purpose and finding your own Personal Jesus, preferably lounge-style.
BONUS BONUS BONUS!! YOU get a BONUS, and YOU get a BONUS.... EVERYONE GETS A BONUS!
In this Bonus Episode (did we mention it's a BONUS EPISODE?), listen as Ken and Lisa discuss the similarities (besides character names and the big one, are there even any others?) and differences (many) from the novel to the TV show. Also, what they like and don't like about the novel... I mean, do we even like Nora in the novel? *gasp*
Ken and Lisa may go on a bit about how genius the TV show is and how Lindeloff is a genius for seeing the potential in the novel. Novel or TV Show... which will win? *laughing emoji*
Listen as Lisa and Ken talk.... for a LONG TIME... about OMG IT'S THE CABIN EPISODE! IT'S THE PATTI EPISODE! IT'S THE CABIN EPISODE! So much to unravel in that cabin - what are you doing Patti? Ugghhhh... baldy. And is The Leftovers predicting our future with freaking Yeats poems?! Also discussed: True Meg coming out, Nora throwing extreme shade at Lori, Trouble is not just a game under the bed and guess what... NO ONE IS OKAY, JILL!
Listen to this monster-huge episode of TV is Awesome here:
You guys... it's THE NORA EPISODE! Listen to Ken and Lisa discuss all the things their brains forgot from first watching. So. Many. Things. We bet you forgot, too. A Slayer song during the shooting scene, WHO Did This Signs, Lucky Charms, non-FDA approved pills, martinis, let's go to Miami... something something about Tommy and Christine...and more!
In this installment, we discuss THAT scene with Gladys *shocked face emoji*, creepy woods, Patty talks!, Lori has a breakdown (but finds the bucket of whistles wicked fast) and Keven's ongoing issues with technology, which this week involves the nicest dry cleaners in town (well, they were).
TVisAwesome is back and better than ever! Man, I love this blog. But my former format, while awwwwesommme and thoroughly rewarding, was a lot of work. A lot. SO now we are entering TVisAwesome version 2.0: same awesome, now in bite-size bits! Sometimes, like this entry, I'll go a little longer. But I envision some fast blast entries just so I can get some things out into the world. Let's see how this goes. (Ed. Note: Now that I have re-read this entry, I see that it is exactly like everything I've ever done. So bite-sized versions will be soon, rather than now. Carry on.)
Oh my god, they're still walking.
I watched the last four episodes of TWD all in a row last night (yeah!). And here is what's clear: while still amazing, wow was it getting sluggish and dare I say, boring? I'll tell you how I know some parts were slooowwww: I WAS FAST FORWARDING THROUGH PARTS OF THE SHOW. I never thought I would say those words. But there I was, with my finger on the button, saying to myself "yup, still walking on the tracks... still walking on the tracks." Good grief, enough of the character development! Let's move some things along here! Having said this, some of the backstory has been good: Carl is growing before our eyes and we needed to see how his emergence into adulthood would transpire (typical teen angst + pudding, evidently), and the Michonne flashbacks were interesting and... let me check. Nope that's about it. We already know all about Daryl and his history and he's a tough guy with a warn heart yada yada yada. We already know that Beth-girl believes that people are good, or some bullshit. The entire episode about Bob (we don't care about his back story - fast forward) and Maggie and Sasha could literally have been 10 minutes. I guess we learned some new stuff along the way, like peeps going to D.C., a gang of ne'er-do-wells roaming around and of course, Terminus.
Bad. This is really, really bad.
But I change my tune when we get to last week's episode: the entire episode was a masterpiece. A devastating masterpiece. Slow? Maybe. But the layers of what's happening in this episode blows away any "let's just live up high somewhere" or "Daryl, y u so ornery" back-and-forth from the previous episodes. This episode painfully exposes where everyone's mindset is now. In a nutshell, the world is shit and there are no easy answers and sometimes the people are scarier than the zombies. Mika is very certain that she can kill walkers but not live people. "Never" she says. Carol says "but what if they're trying to kill you?" Damn fine foreshadowing if I ever saw it... in two ways: poor Mika gets killed in the very way Carol was trying to warn her about, and Carol has to do what Mika said she never would. Excruciatingly well crafted, this episode was riveting and I cried so hard for so long, I could barely see by the end. The opening scene, with it's idyllic kitchen setting and lace curtains, offset by what we learn is Lizzie playing with her friend Iwanto Eatu, was so jarring that I rewound it twice (I was sure I had missed some type of context for this). By the time we get to that actual scene in the show, all bets are off with Lizzie. But nothing could prepare us for the actual sight of Lizzie, hands dripping with blood, a stabbed and dead Mika behind her, and baby Judith on a blanket. She is one messed up little girl, and we all know what has to happen. I suppose the part Tyrese plays in agreeing with Carol that Lizzie needs to die (because "she can't be around people") somewhat lessens the second blow to him that day: when Carol reveals that it was she who killed his love Karen. As Tyrese says, Carol feels the heaviness of what she did and it will be with her forever. (We know this awareness is a recent development for Carol - that she only feels the full impact of her actions now that she had to kill Lizzie). In one of the best, most poignent scenes of the year, over puzzle pieces and a gun, Tyrese forgives her.
Can't stay here anymore
The struggle of finding normalcy in this screwed up world is an ongoing theme with TWD, and ever more so this season. What I find interesting this season is how the show continues to demonstrate that pre-zombie normalcy (this idyllic little house, the house where Daryl and Beth were (normal for Daryl), the funeral parlor, a place up high for Sasha, even the great set up at the prison) is ultimately unattainable. Which I get. But for some reason, it's almost like the desire for normalcy is pitted against the desire to be with other people. Like it's one or the other, and somehow the people win out. Sasha voices this most clearly: "what the hell are we doing out here? Let's just find someplace up high and find food and forage, etc." Why is that a crazy idea? The show itself seems kind of inconsistent in what it thinks, too. In the most insane debate, Bob says he needs to go with Maggie because "she's all alone," leaving Sasha... literally all alone. Um, what? In the end, I don't think the show is necessarily thinking some of these discussions through, and they're probably not trying to convey some big life lesson. They're just trying to get these peeps to Terminus. That's where the good stuff is gonna happen. I bet.
Other Stuff:
- I was just thinking of what it's gonna be like when everyone gets to Terminus. Rick told Carol she couldn't be with the group because he couldn't let her near his kids. Well, there's some irony now.
- I appreciated this Lizzie storyline for being a pick-up from the comic, although not directly (in comic, it's actually Carl who steps up and takes out psycho kid). It's pretty genius how they get some comic stuff into the TV show in different contexts and with different characters and have it make an impact.
- where's that baby? Yeah, yeah... she's probably in a backpack on Tyrese's back, but this was a long scene with no baby and I swear Tyrese turns and I couldn't see anything. Anyway, how lucky is everyone that Judith is a dream baby without colic, or hunger pains, or ear infections, etc.
- One overall thing that's been bugging me this season: While the gang was still at the prison, a really big deal was made about Daryl, Michonne and others going far and wide to scavenge, report back, etc. After the prison, with a weak Rick so you know they didn't go far, how the heck had no one been to that cafe place? how has no one seen Terminus signs before? what kind of trackers are these people? Where did they go all those months? I mean, besides the vet hospital, I guess.
*sigh* *deep sigh* I mean, will there ever be an episode of MM with Sally where I don't hold my breath the entire episode and then something horrible happens to her and I end up saying "Poor Sally" for days and days? (Rhetorical. We all know the answer.) And although I am serious when I say this happens every time, it doesn't lessen the shock and disgust we all felt when Sally saw Don with Sylvia. My mind was putting all the pieces together as she was entering the kitchen and just when I was thinking "oh, I hope they're not doing it when Sally..." BOOM! OF COURSE THEY WERE DOING IT WHEN SALLY WALKS IN. I felt a lot like Don looked following that scene. Let's pause and recap Poor Sally's experiences to date: Glen Bishop, gets caught masturbating at sleepover, grandfather lets her drive then dies, mom and dad divorce, new stepdad Henry, new stepmom Megan, often responsible for younger brothers, gets period while playing hooky with Glen Bishop, nasty stepgrandmother Pauline is mean and freaks her out by talking about nurses getting murdered, sees other stepgrandmother Marie and Roger getting it on at a restaurant, has random run-in with thief who plays mindgames about knowing her father (while home alone with brothers). AND THESE ARE ONLY THE ONES I REMEMBER!
Please give this girl an Emmy RIGHT FREAKING NOW!
Can something good happen to this girl?! And even with listing all of these not-awesome, potentially life-altering experiences, I think this episode with Don is the final straw for our Poor Sally. Her relationship with Betty never really was and now her beloved Dad is a liar and a cheat. I don't think Sally recovers from this, really. I've written about Poor Sally at length in previous entries, so I will just leave it at this... beatnik or hippie? Cuz it's one or the other next season. (Aside: I'm no psychiatrist, but if I was I would say these awesome things. I bet.)
Let's talk Don Draper. This season has certainly been a seemingly long, strange journey with us seeing Don uncharacteristically not in control due to lots of mind altering events, both pharmacological and just life. In previous episodes, Don was in altered states due to B12 shots (ha!) and some damn powerful hashish business. Oh, and that almost drowning thing. Arguably the most powerful mindbending that has happened, however, has been delving into his own memories. It started with a cough and then we were privy to how Don was raised in a brothel and through multiple scenes, we are left to think that Don's attitude toward sex is... what? I think up until this point, Don's attitudes, shaped so young, were tied into power, money and not anything to do with love really. However, it's no coincidence that Don is uncovering memories of the prostitute who cared for him while he was sick then slept with him now that he is so into Sylvia. His first and probably true association of sex is that of caring and motherly love. And who is a more overtly caring mom than Sylvia? Sylvia keeps saying that no one was supposed to fall in love during their affair, but I think Don is in love with Sylvia and probably for the first time in his life. I'm not sure that Don ever loved Betty or Megan (even in trippy, hashish-induced, near-death experiences... you'll recall that he was envisioning Megan as a "second chance" not necessarily his love. Also, he already messed up that second chance.).
I felt like this after that scene, too
The question now is, does Don have the self-awareness at this point to realize that what Sally witnessed directly parallels his own young life experiences? Will he acknowledge that Sally probably needs to talk about this? I want to say that based on Don's reaction post-event, i.e. pacing in lobby, not sure what to do or where to go, he will have a new understanding and sympathy for Sally. But my sad, realistic bet is it all gets swept under the rug, as usual. We all know, though, that things swept under rugs don't always stay there.
Speaking of which, Peggy's discussion with
Pete's mom threw her and all of us back to
Problem solved
Seasons 1&2 ("think of your baby together") and simultaneously reminded us all of Peggy and Pete's painful history (painful for her, I don't know what for him) and just how far Peggy has come since then, mostly due to Don telling Peggy to sweep the baby and subsequent hospitalization under rug ("this never happened"). This sets us up for one of those quintessential Mad Men scenes, where it seems like nothing is happening, but SO MUCH IS HAPPENING: Peggy, Pete and Ted stuck in a bar, flight grounded due to weather. The chemistry between Ted and Peggy was so palpable that even Pete could see it. Then Ted leaves and it gives Pete and Peggy some bonding time where they talk about Pete's mom, among other things, and then Pete acknowledges that Peggy really knows him and Peggy acknowledges the same. Not in any sexual way, just the kind of way where two people share a history. But by the time Ted comes back, wether or not he thinks something is happening between Pete and Peggy I don't know, but he definitely feels like a third wheel at the table. We find out later that this is probably when Ted decides to check out of the Peggy chemistry class and devote time to his homelife. This is a typical Peggy scene this season. This whole season has seemingly been about the mad men in her life letting her down, leaving her on her own, shutting her out... scurrying away, if you will. Don keeps shutting doors on her, Ted rebuffs her when she says her and Abe broke up (or more hilariously "he was stabbed" and they broke up), Abe leaves (obvi), even Stan Rizzo says no to helping her deal with rats in her apartment. But when we see our industrious Peggy Olson has solved the actual rat problem by getting a cat, we are certain that she will deal with her other rat problem with as much ingenuity and confidence in being by herself.
"Frenchy, that wise, wise sage" - Peggy Olson
And now, the Bob Benson discussion. Even though the big news from this episode is that Bob Benson revealed himself to be gay, the real news is there is no news! Bob Benson continues to be as mysterious as ever! So Bob hits on (of all people!) Pete Campbell in a subtle, not-so-subtle way. This does not necessarily explain everything. While I feel other people are sort of saying "Oh, that's it, that explains why he's such a mystery," I just can't get on board with that. I'm still as mystified as ever. I guess that argument is that Bob is gay and doesn't talk about his personal life for fear of retribution? But that was never the enigma of Bob Benson... he is definitely not lacking in confidence (thanks in part to those trusty self-help albums!). It has always been about how he seems to be everywhere all the time just when people need him, often with coffee. Bob seems to know how to read people, and wether that's in order to get ahead, or wether he's a genuinely helpful nice guy or a secret spy, we still don't know and his being gay (or not) doesn't answer any of that. Yet. Could it be that Bob is picking up on something with Pete that he thinks revealing that he his gay could somehow help him advance in the company?
ooooo.... mysterious... or not. I don't know.
I mean, it seems out of character for Bob to make such a bold reveal without having some sort of indication, right? Or not. Like I said, Bob seems to be a confident guy not afraid to take chances, so perhaps this is Bob Benson completely embracing his homosexuality and is confident in showing it. Pete is clearly not on board with this, though I am not sure Bob is convinced of this based on his facial expression leaving Pete's office. But as with everything else Bob Benson, does that facial expression say "oh crap, but I'm going to hide it" or "he'll be mine?" It's a mystery........
Other Things:
- In writing this entry, I'm reminded of Don's "this never happened mantra" (he has used that more than a few times) and I have a sudden, horrible fear: is Mad Men going to end like Lost??!?!?!? Oh My God... I can't even...
- Looking back at what I am writing about Sylvia, the motherly love sex thing works, however, I am reminded that the most powerful relationships Don has had with women, namely Anna Draper and Peggy have been decidedly non-sexual. Are these Don's most powerful relationships with women?
- Need to talk about Ted more. He has his own issues going on with Don Draper. I feel a great synergy between how Ted feels now and how Peggy felt for a long time, until she walked away. Sooner or later, Ted will understand that he treats everyone that way. He's not really special. But for now it makes for some great lines: "Imagine if every time Ginger Rogers jumped in the air, Fred Astaire punched her in the face."
Back from our hiatus! Let's just say TV is Awesome is coming to you from a different awesome place than before. Just a few quick one today and then hopefully it will be back to normal soon. Oh, if you haven't watched the Revolution preview on demand and are waiting for tonight, then skip this until tomorrow. *BIG FAT SPOILERS*
Pants Pants Revolution
I don't think I can put into words how out-of-my-mind psyched I was for this show to start. I mean, did you SEE this trailer?! Airplanes falling out of the sky! No power for nobody or nothin'! Wrigley Field just covered in grass and vines.... VINES! I couldn't wait, so I watched the pilot special preview on demand last week. I had high expectations for this show, and even though it is much different than what I thought it would be, I think there's some pretty good potential going forward. HOWEVER (BIG HOWEVER IN ALL CAPS), I have to say I was annoyed by some decisions made by the show. And here is where I go on my "TV has come too far" rant: One of the challenges facing a show like Revolution is that it places us sometime in the future where, after "the blackout," (all electronic devices cease to work: electricity, cars, airplanes, etc) everything is about survival... where to find water? medicine? how to get along in this world with militias and bad guys everywhere? This is exciting! But we have sort of seen this before (Lost, The Walking Dead, the movie I Am Legend, any post apocalypse thing ever) and so we as an audience automatically start thinking along the lines of "well, if there's no power, how do they do (this) and (that)?" So, the challenge for them (the show) is they better make those (thises) and (thats) believable, otherwise we're gonna check out. So it is with this that I say, TV has come too far for me to have to think about "how, in this post-apocalyptic world of sorts, did Charlie find the EXACT right fitting pants and and the timelessly cool bomber jacket and the cool, cross-functional boots?" I mean couldn't she have ONE THING that didn't fit quite right or something? On any given day, I am in real life are wearing multiple things that don't fit right - and this is with access to EVERYTHING. Yes, yes, I get that these clothes were probably her moms, but I think you know what I mean. Come to think of it, I think they ALL have perfect pants!
The Perfect Pants Gang
Moving on to the other pet peeves that I categorize as "typical TV things that we don't need to have happen anymore": Charlie is saved by the uber-hot, roughly-same-age baddie who pops up just to save her and now we're supposed to think is a goodie? Uncle Dude wipes out about 10 guys all by his own self (we knew this was going to happen because "he's really good at killing people") and then NO ONE goes to pick up all the weapons from the dead guys. Isn't that rule number one when you are in a post whatever world where people have already tried to kill you and will be trying to kill you again very soon and for the rest of your lives? I don't know, I haven't actually been a survivor in the post apocalyptic world, but I would be collecting weapons like my kid collects baseball cards. I bet. Don't even get me started on how Mr. Baddiepants makes ice at the end. I know, I can assume that he has one of those secret electronic gizmos, and maybe that's to show us how bad he is (he has electronic power and he is using it to make ice for his drinks! the horror!).
Electronic gizmo thingy...er, amulet
Alright, so now that I've beat this thing up, let me restate my BIG TV RULE: I always, always give the pilot a pass. Pilots have way too much going on to not. The pilot is busy trying to set up character structure, plot points, throw some intrigue in there, etc. Again, I think this show has potential and there are several things I am interested in seeing more of... Obviously, I am very interested in finding out who the woman on the farm is talking to ON HER SECRET COMPUTER with her Secret Electronic Gizmo. Definitely want to see more of Google billionaire dude and when does he get to reveal his Secret Electronic Gizmo? For all his macho macho business, I am interested in seeing where Uncle Dude takes us and what's next. And why did the power go out and will it ever come back on? And really, for a pilot, isn't that all it needs to do... get us to tune in next week for more? Job well done, Revolution because I am definitely sticking around for this one.
Other Stuff:
- I've been reading about the upcoming season of The Walking Dead and I'm thinking this might be the season where I actually pee my pants while viewing
- American Horror Story: ditto above
- Too many new shows to mention that I already love and/or can't wait to start obsessing about, but here are two: The New Normal (so great!), The Mindy Kaling Project (will be great, I just know it!)
- Glee came back and it was FAB.U.LOUS! Love the new peeps and love the Mckinley High and NYC storylines. Kate Hudson was pretty great, even though I was prepared to think she sucked. Also, I just couldn't stop thinking "that skinny bitch has had TWO babies!"
So glad to be back! Hit the comments with your feedback!
So much awesome TV, so little time to write about it. I've been away for awhile (oh blog, how I've missed you!), but starting back up with two of the biggies! While I can go about writing and dissecting many a TV show, these two are the most like literature to me. The intricate plot lines, the dialogue heavy with deeper meanings, the observations of what it means to have honor, live a good life... all of these things found in great writings I argue can be found here in these two shows. Of course, Game of Thrones has a slight advantage being that it is adapted from books, but successfully putting this fantastical world into a visual medium is no small feat. Mad Men views more like books read... slower paced, less action, but no less riveting and meaningful.
Game of Thrones
Color me IMPRESSED! For someone who is a huge fan of the books, I have been so happy with the true character portrayals, the rapid movement of plot points and almost verbatim dialogue. However, lately I have been most impressed with some of the shocking switcharoos! And so natural are some of these diversions from the book that I have had to stop and think, "wait, did that happen in the book?" The most shocking for me was the last scene of the latest episode where Dany returns to find her people killed - Irri among them! - and her dragons missing. Missing! I outright gasped at this and it sent my head spinning. I'm not sure I like this turn of events, but I am verrrrry interested to see where this goes. (Aside: I wonder if GRRM needs to approve all plot twists that deviate from the books... he must, right? He is the only one who knows how things evolve and ultimately end, so he would have to advise on whether these things will make sense down the line. Right?)
Where are my dragons?!
Of course, some of these twists I don't understand. For example, why is it Tywin at Harrenhal? I did have to think for a long time as to whether or not Tywin would have ever been able to know Arya before Roberts death. And while I land on "no, he probably didn't," I feel funny about this turn of events, not just because it's different, but because Tywin's character is supposed to be an all-knowing puppet master. He knows all, he sees all, he controls all. So now we are in the position, as a viewer, of knowing he seemingly does not know all, see all. Also, the looming threat doesn't seem quite as grave as when Roose Bolton was running the joint (in the book) with his eery disposition and love of leeches. Now Roose Bolton is riding along with Robb Stark, and nary a leech to be found. This may play out fine, but it seems this switcheroo has served to diminish the strength and scariness of both Tywin and Roose's characters. One more thing about Harrenhal that I think needs to be discussed is that there is certainly not the seemingly endless dire circumstances portrayed here as they were in the book. Yes, this is an hour long once a week TV show, so I certainly understand that they can only do so much to make the viewer understand the horribleness and desperation Arya experiences here. This becomes important when Jaqen H'Ghar informs Arya that basically he will give her three lives (kills them, he will) for the three she saved (including him). So when she names the Tickler as the first to die, the viewer may take pause and wonder why she didn't say Joffrey, who is the most hated and number one on her list, or Cersei or even Tywin. In the books, you understand why she chooses the people immediately around her, as the conditions at Harrenhal are truly horrific for days and days and days. I'm not sure the viewer is getting the full impact of her story.
Get used to this acting from her lower lip
But away from Harrenhal, all of the storylines are stellar and are moving along with great speed and intensity. And I have said it before and will say it again, this has to be the absolute greatest casting job anyone has ever done on any show ever. To the point where, full disclosure here, I actually do not like the character of Ygritte in the book. Okay, hate. But upon our first meeting of Ygritte here, aside from her weird habit of pulling in her bottom lip when she talks (trying to be a fierce wildling, are we?), I find her somewhat captivating. I'm not sure where this will go, but I am not hating her like I expected to. I probably will upon the first uttering of "you know nothing Jon Snow." But until then, I suppose I'll save all my hate for Joffrey and Theon.
In the other story line of Davos Seaworth, where under orders from Stannis he accompanies Melisandre on the DL to a place near where Renly is camped out, I was so happy that it played out on screen almost exactly as I envisioned it in my head when reading it. Melisandre gives birth to an evil shadow. Serious kudos to HBO for showing this explicit scene exactly how it was written - there were no cutaways, we saw that evil thing come right out of her. This is probably one of the most riveting scenes, and certainly the one full of the most magic up to this point.
Yup, that's an evil shadow demon crawling out of there
Once birthed, this evil shadow actually kills Renly. Of all people, Catelyn Stark and Brienne of Tarth are the only two in the tent when it happens, helpless to take any action because it happens so fast. No one believes the shadow story, so Catelyn and Brienne are seemingly on the run. (Aside: does anyone who has not read the books know anything about Davos Seaworth, our Onion Knight? I feel a disservice is being done to this character by glossing over his past, why his devotion to Stannis is so strong, his strength. Based on what i have seen so far, the casual viewer may think he is just another one of Stannis' lackeys. I love this character, so I am hoping this is rectified over the upcoming episodes.)
oh, and have you seen this?
Awwwwwesome
Other Stuff:
- So is this war nurse Talisa from Volantis replacing the Jeyne Westerling for our Robb Stark? It certainly seems so, with Catelyn Stark giving him the "you are betrothed to another" speech. P.S. War nurses?! What the hell are war nurses in this world?
- Another peculiar change of events is when Jon Snow volunteers to go with Halfhand on their mini expedition. Again, I am not sure if people who haven't read the books even understand what's happening up in those snowy mountains, but I am fairly sure that Halfhand specifically requests Snow to join him, for reasons that become clear later. Maybe these things I am referencing don't happen on the show? But if they do, then I am not sure Jon volunteering for this expedition will make sense.
- Littlefinger meeting with Tywin and recognizing Arya. Yeah, that happened. Right? What the heck does this mean?
- Unnecessary Understatement of the Year: Tyrion remains the man. HE SLAPPED JOFFREY. AGAIN!
- Missing the little frog people Jojen and Meera Reed. I hope they show up. They're very necessary, don't you think?
- Can one of the deviations from the books be that Sansa kills Joffrey? Like, next week?
Mad Men
Each and every episode has been better than the last. So good, they're like mini-novels, each one of them ladened with visual imagery that speaks volumes more than what is being said on screen. Of course, the most resonating is the episode where Roger and Jane take LSD and end up on the floor discussing the end of their relationship, and then Don and Megan in real life on the floor (after a thoroughly intense scene where he chases her through their apartment), discussing how to continue their relationship.
floor talk
The artfulness of each shot, each piece of dialogue and the character development on this show in incomparable. Of course, that's not to say that it doesn't get deep down raunchy at times (see: Peggy giving handjob to stranger in a movie theater). But isn't that what Mad Men is all about? The illusions of what people want to see, want to be... and what they really are. You can talk about comraderie, family tradition and campfires, but when it really comes down to it... you're talking about baked beans. Peggy is becoming Don, but is that what she wants to be? And who knows what the hell Pete is becoming... or is. (None of it is good though.) It is so interesting that here and now, Megan is the character that actually speaks truthfully and pointedly about how things are and what she wants. In every episode, Megan is good for at least one "truism." Of course, the most recent is in the episode Lady Lazarus and her decidedly brave move to tell Don that she wants to follow her dreams and become an actress. She is embracing a new life and taking control of what she wants.
The Lady Lazarus episode is so chock-full o' English major bait, I am almost giddy with all of the deep existential meaning of every scene, every piece of dialogue, every action. Predominantly, with Pete and his Lady Lazarus, or, errr... Beth Dawes (hello, Rory!).
She seems depressed, no?
I can only assume that they named this episode Lady Lazarus, a reference to Sylvia Plath's poem of controlling one's death as a release from burden of the body, as a parallel to not only Megan finding her new life, but to Pete finding Beth so captivating and beguiling that upon realizing she wants nothing more to do with him (after their one night stand) states "why do the women always get to call the shots?" (To which Harry Crane, of all people says "because they do.") Pete is so clueless that while Beth is clearly depressed and not in control of her life, he views her as in control of everything. Sylvia Plath's Lady Lazarus is about a woman's control (of her own life, of taking her own life) and where she states "out of the ash I rise with my red hair and I eat men like air," the power is found after death. Clueless Pete considers Beth a man-eater, whose rejection will ruin him. Perhaps I had it right by calling Beth Pete's Lady Lazarus... and she may actually fulfill the suicide outlined in the poem. There is a feeling to this Pete and Beth story that is somehow much deeper than any of his earlier transgressions. Pete seems more fragile here (I mean, Lane did just beat him up not too long ago, and the *child* he was hitting on in driving class thinks he's ancient, making him hyper aware of his own mortality) - he just seems much more desperate. With a title like Lady Lazarus, I fear for Pete and the guns we know he has and the life insurance policies we know way too much about.
Other Stuff:
- Peggy's disappointment at the non-proposal from Abe was palpable, but only slightly mitigated by Abe's obvious sincerity. I do think Abe feels that this is a commitment on par with engagement. Too bad Peggy doesn't feel this way.
Sigh. This poor girl.
- Don's almost free fall into the elevator. What.The.Hell. This is classic Mad Men, to jolt us out of our passive viewing where everything *up here* seems okay, and then blammo! *down here* elevator doors are revealing open shafts. (Please see blog entry xx for more on my Up Here - Down Here theories.)
- Need to write pages and pages about Sally Draper and her big girl outfit and her big girl night out with the adults to see her Daddy win an award. How devastating to have Roger be the absolute coolest guy to her the whole night, and then to have her walk in on him and her, um... step-grandmother?... getting busy in a backroom? I just shake my head for this poor girl. I think she needs a sword named Needle and some "dancing" lessons to get out of there alive.
- We need more Joan.
That's all for today! Tell me all your cares and woes as it relates to GoT and MM. What are your thoughts on the changes from the books to the show? If you haven't read the books, tell me your thoughts on these characters. Is Mad Men the visual literature I think it is?
Last night, TV was SO AWESOME that my brain almost exploded. Three of the best TV dramas ever were on, two with season premieres. Of course I am talking about the season premieres of Game of Thrones and The Killing (back to back eps!), while the third episode into the new season of Mad Men was also on last night. Let's just say there was some hyperventilating happening at about 8:45. All of these shows were deeply engrossing in their own, super fabulous ways. And while they are probably three of the most different shows possible, one unifying theme (besides strong characters in general) has to be the boatload of mom issues on these shows: missing Mitch, powerhungry-powerless-powercrazy Cersei and thyroid complications for Betty.
Where to start? To fully bask in my joy, I will start in order of viewing...
The Killing
Due to a DVR glitch (*shakes fist in general direction of Comcast*), I had to wait until the 10PM viewing of The Game of Thrones, so I watched the first hour of The Killing, then took a GOT break, then came back to TK. This required more switching of gears than you would think.
The genius of this show is that dialogue is used sparingly and the weight of meaning and communication relies very heavily on facial expressions, or lack thereof. Because of this, the acting on this show is just incredible (sings: ...innnnncredibbbbbbble...). Also, EVERY.WORD.IS.LOADED. I spend a fair amount of time rewinding to make sure I have heard every word correctly. Last night's episode picked up pretty much right where we left off at the season finale.
~~ rant break ~~ Last year The Killing, after an absolutely phenomenal season, took a beating from reviewers and bloggers in regards to the fact that their season finale did not reveal the killer of Rosie. I found all of these negative comments to be preposterous. Besides the fact that the season finale had a terrific twistaroo in the last few seconds to set up season 2 with Linden realizing that some of the evidence against xx had been faked and/or planted possibly by her own partner (Holder) AND some seriously crazy shizzle happening with family friend Belko, no one ever promised that we were going to find her killer in season 1. Isn't it much more exciting to have a twist where the guy who you think all along has done it, hasn't? The Killing is such a far cry from your traditional murder mystery in just about every way, that I almost can't explain this backlash. Why would anyone think The Killing would be typical? I love this show so much and find it so brilliant, that I actually feel differently about Stephen King now, who publicly came out and criticized the show's finale. ~~ rant end~~
Stan emoting through his eyes, and stuff
As far as the gut-wrenching, slammed-by-a-truck emotional impact every episode had last year, this year is slightly different, if only because Moms (Mitch Larsen played by Michele Forbes) has disappeared and she was just heartbreaking in every scene. Picking up the emotional load are the sons, sis-in-law and hubby, although they had their fair share last year as well. Brent Sexton as Stan Larsen (hubby/dad) is probably the greatest emotional actor on TV. He comes off gruff with his boys who are so lost in this impossible situation, but you can see him breaking just underneath the surface. He just doesn't know any other way to deal with it. In the Most Opposite Statement Ever, Stan says, "the less we talk about this stuff the better" to sis-in-law Terry, who is basically taking care of the boys and is desperate for acknowledgement that the boys need to talk. You can see his turmoil on his face, when he wants to be comforting but just doesn't know how. Of all his emotions, anger is winning out, so that's what you get. His scene with Belko in the police interview room, when Belko is proudly telling Stan that "he got him" (meaning: shot primary Rosie murder suspect Congressman Richmond after killing his own sexual deviant mom) is just pure, amazing, dig-down-deep acting. His face conveys sadness, confusion, guilt, love, disillusionment... so perfectly that Belko exclaims "don't look at me like that!" repeatedly and ends with "that's not fair." It's not. Nothing in this crazy world of The Killing is fair. So, this is why after Belko kills himself in police custody, the police not providing security for the Larsens, and the police not getting the right guy for murdering his daughter, Stan goes to his mobster friends and puts a hit on the real killer. Will the mob find the right guy before Holder and Linden? dun-dun-duuuuuuuh...
Linden is talking to the wrong guy
Speaking of confusion, guilt and disillusionment, we start off with Linden figuring out there's been some shady police shenanigans messing up her Rosie Larsen case. When she finds out the photo from the tollbooth, the most crucial piece of evidence against Richmond, is fake (!), she has no other choice but to think that her partner (who tracked down the photo) is dirty and goes to her Lieutenant with this info. My reaction: "NOOOOOOOOO! NOT HOLDER!! AAAARRRGH...". But we believe along with Linden, because that's what the evidence is pointing to. As we follow Linden in her continuing investigation, all expressionless and snapping gum, do we know everything she is feeling, thinking? No, but we know that she is always thinking, those wheels are always turning. And emotions? She has them, but you'll barely know it. (Aside: her tiny, mini-explosion of emotion towards her son Jack (<-this poor dude) with "you are my son and you belong with me" and subsequent vending machine confession of "I love you" to Jack are kind of painful, but sum up her entire character.)
Holder and.. wait, aren't those corroborating witnesses back there?
As for Holder, he is smarter than your average crackhead bear. He begins to suspect some similar dirty cop shenanigans and submits a different backpack into evidence (to a very specific forensics dude very specifically determined by the Lieutenant) than Rosie's very bloodied pack that showed up on the Larsen's doorstep (...from the real killer who we now know is still out there but now the police can't help or admit to it because that would make them look stupid.... *gasp* *inhale*). When the info comes back that the only prints were Rosie's, we know along with Holder that some crazy shizzle is happening and he is soooooo in the middle of it. We already know that his friend and confidant Gil, who supplied him with the photo, is a bad dude from earlier scenes that show him talking to the opposing candidate for Congress' team. Holder only finds out when he tells Gil what happened with the backpack and then it's out: Holder was specifically chosen for this case because he was a crackhead who needed a chance and who was going to believe him if dirty secrets got out? Gil says "you wanted the badge more than you cared that you were taking shortcuts."
When Holder figures out how messed up everything is, he goes to see Linden who still suspects him of being the dirty one. Frustrating for us to watch, as Holder begs Linden to talk to him while Linden quietly waits on the other side of the door. Holder waits in the hallway, twirling his new Detective badge, then ultimately leaves the badge in the hallway as he walks away. This better get cleared up fast, because I need Holder and Linden on the same team. I think the world does. Well, my world.
Other stuff:
- Duck is the new Lieutenant! (Mad Men peeps will get this.)
- This Seattle hospital is the worst. A Congressman gets shot on live TV and it's the biggest story in the city and the doctors and nurses are all "whatever. he can't walk. whatever." They should definately have taken Richmond to Seattle Grace.
- Sooooo... the other candidate running for Congress is the one planting all the evidence within the police department to get Richmond arrested? how is this going to play out now that we know Richmond is not guilty?
- What, if anything is going to happen with Stan and Terry? I think it will be horrible, but I think it might be inevitable. They are both so lonely and sad and overwhelmed. I feel sick just even writing about it here.
- Linden... someone's watching you watching other people... snap, snap, snap goes the camera
Game of Thrones
Switching gears to some medieval fantasy awesomeness, Game of Thrones came back with a jam-packed premiere - woot! I'm not sure how they pack an hour of TV into, like, 14 minutes... at least it only feels like 14 minutes. Must be some R'holler Lord of Light magic for sure.
First, I have to say that the casting on this show is amazing... everyone looks pretty much like I picture them in my head from the books. My one exception is Stannis, who I expected to be bigger, broader, and sterner. I didn't think he looked this way particularly last night, but in previews for next week, he looks more the part.
I wish she had killed him instead
Fraking Joffrey. The most hateful character in the history of ever. He is played so perfectly by Jack Gleeson that I wonder if he regularly gets slapped walking down the street. In the opening scenes, we see what the boy king is all about: his right-hand man "Dog" slaying opponents for sport, then it's nearly death by wine for drunkard ex-knight Dontos when he commands that he get "more than his fill." Sansa and Dog to his rescue on that one, when he instead makes Dontos his fool, but we know Sansa will pay for that. Later, we see Joffrey talking to his moms, Queen Bitch Cersei and he confronts her about the "disgusting rumors" he's hearing about her and his Uncle Jamie. She denies of course, but Joffrey then demands to know about any of his father's bastards that may be hanging around. He asks in the most loathsome, vile, Joffrey way possible which results in The Slap Heard 'Round the Seven Kingdoms from Cersei. Like Tyrion's slap last season, it was cathartic (see epic 10-minute slapping session here). But last season, Joffrey wasn't king, he was just a sneering, sniveling, privileged, overindulged kid. Last night's slap was riveting, not only because it was his mom doing the slapping, but because Joffrey is now King Douchebag and in that instant you're not sure if he will have her killed on the spot or not. He says as much (that he has the power to kill her) and Cersei's face shows that while she loves her child, she has groomed a monster. We then see scenes of babes and children being ripped out of mother's arms and stabbed on the spot by the king's knights - Joffrey is having all of his father's bastards killed. Just one is not found: Gentry is on his way to the wall.
Jon Snow, you beautiful bastard
To the Wall! At the Wall, our Jon Snow (*swoon*) is no longer even at the Wall, as a group of the Night's Watch have started an expedition beyond the wall to see what's happening with the wildlings and see if more intel can be discovered on those pesky undead wights. They stop by ol' Craster's - nasty wildling Craster who makes his daughters his wives on an infinite loop. "What happens to the boys?" asks Jon Snow. Oh, wise, clever, amazing Jon Snow! (No matter what that bitch Ygritte says... but I digress into unseen territory - sorry!) We don't get an answer to that $100,000 question in this episode. There is much made of Jon Snow's good looks here, but just somewhat more importantly we learn of Mance Rayder, a former wearer of the black who abandoned his vows, now calls himself King of the Wildlings and is gathering an army to march South of the Wall.
South of the Wall, all hell has broken loose. Joffrey's kingship is being challenged by several players: Stannis Baratheon, Robert's oldest brother, who sends out word to all corners of the world the truth that Joffrey is not a Baratheon but a product of Cersei-Jamie incest (along with sis Myrcella and lil bro Tommen); Renly Baratheon, Robert's youngest brother who believes himself most kingly and beloved by the people; Robb Stark, son of Ned Stark, who declares himself King of the North and seeks vengeance against Joffrey and the Lannisters for the death of his father at their hands.
Speaking of hands... THE BEST PART OF EVERYTHING: Tyrion Lannister returns to court in place of his father as The Hand to the King. This dude. Tyrion and his whipsmart cleverness returns in fine form: "Don't get up. More ravishing than ever, dear sister. War agrees with you." The truth is I could fill this whole blog entry with just Tyrion quotes and rhapsodize about this character endlessly. For now, and for your sanity, I will post the video below of the best Tyrion scene ever and say that Peter Dinklage plays this part to perfection. Perfection! I smile every time he is on the screen because he is just that awesome. And, things are going Tyrion's way, so I can.
Tyrion being the freaking MAN
The red comet means only one thing: Dragons. We find Daenerys and her dragons struggling in some far-flung desert, miles away from anything. Her horse given to her from Drogo, symbolically collapses and instead of collapsing, Daenerys finds the strength to give strength to her followers (encouraged, of course, by her right hand man Jorah who gives her her strength, you see? lots of stregnth talk here.) and gives instructions for her guards to go in all directions to find civilization. I'm pretty sure dragons and people alike eat the horse, but we didn't see that.
So much else to talk about, but as things evolve, I will delve more into various factions of characters. Here's some of the other stuff I didn't even get to:
- Robb Stark has Jamie Lannister captive, knows about the incest, knows about him pushing Bran off the wall, is sending word to the Lannisters with a list of demands for Jamie, and is preparing to send mom Catherine to treat with Renly to see if they can all be friends. Let's just say Robb's busy.
Call him what he is: Kingslayer
- Bran is seeing things in his dreams as his direwolf, or we are to assume
- Great use of direwolves in this episode: Although I don't think we saw Jon Snow's Ghost, we see Bran's direwolf Summer in the weirwood, and we see Robb's direwolf Grey Wind menacingly in the cage with Jamie.
- We are introduced to new characters Melisandre and Davos, both loyal to Stannis. Melisandre says Stannis has been chosen by the Lord of Light to be the King of the World, so he abandons his old gods. Davos shares others views that this is not right, but keeps quiet, as he is a loyal subject of Stannis. We find out Melisandre has legit powers when someone tries to poison her and there is no effect. In other news, I heart Davos Seaworthy.
- I didn't even talk about Littlefinger and that very cool albeit not very character-like chiding with Cersei. Littlefinger says knowledge is power, Cersei instructs her men to slice his throat and stops them just before it happens demonstrating that indeed, power is power... for however briefly you may have it. - Much to P's chagrin (he has not read books), I groaned every time I saw freaking Theon Greyjoy on the screen. I can't help it - it's visceral.
I feel like this episode is somewhat of the calm before the storm... or rather, the gathering before the war. You get the sense that even though some things seem positive, things are changing minute to minute.
Mad Men
Switching gears again into a different kind of unrest, Roger sums up the whole episode with "When are things going to get back to normal?" HA, oh Roger! Normal is gone, whatever that was. You're getting old, you gotta get hip to the times of 1966. Nothing is going to be the way it was, silly.
As part of the overarching theme of old vs. young/new, there's a pivotal scene where Roger is experiencing a downward spiral in his struggle to be relevant in his own ad agency ("I'm tired of holding on to the ledge") as a result of Pete's public coup of a client, and then Don tries to give him some perspective with the real downer that "Betty has cancer." Really? Well, maybe. Roger replies: "oh, real life. I gave up on that."
Betty gets the "good" news
Oh, Betty. Betty's back, and there's more of her to love (*air quotes*). Mostly to cover January Jone's real-life pregnancy, the character of Betty has put some weight on. We knew things weren't perfect in the Francis household, based on Betty herself saying so at the end of last season. But what is this? The doctor finds a lump on her thyroid and we see her weight gain as a symptom of possible cancer, whereas up until that moment, it was just a symptom of ennui (<-- also the name of my new emo band). When she finally hears the results that the lump was benign and says "I love to be put through the ringer and find out I'm just fat," you would think she would be more relieved, but she seems almost disappointed. Did anyone else notice that Betty was seemingly more relaxed, more affectionate and generally less toxic in this new body? Yes, a lot had to do with this life threatening news, but I'm feeling that the moral of this story should be "eat ice-cream, doubles if you want, and just enjoy what life has to offer, especially your kids." But this is just not going to happen with Betty Francis. Despite her husband proclaiming, and actually demonstrating, his love for her no matter her size, she will not believe it. I predict a trip back to the doc for diet pills and we will have a raging, pill-popping Betty she-devil to deal with in the very near future. And then Sally will run away and become the youngest hippie in history.
Betty's Sundae is the name of this pic and my band
How very appropriate that as Betty is looking for Mother's Little Helpers (sorta), Don is being sent to see the Rolling Stones about a possible ad campaign based on the client's teenage daughter's listening choices. This is a new Don, as an old Don would have told the client "not gonna happen." But new Don has a 20 something wife and is trying to... what? fit in? renew? go with the flow? Or maybe it's just Don realizing he is NOT in the know anymore with what resonates with people these days, thus the interrogation of the teen backstage at the show. His age shows there, though, when the girl says "You guys don't want us to have any fun just because you never did," and he replies "No, we're just worried about you" as if he is talking to Sally.
Are you the secretary? And she still hires him!
In the other great sub-story line supporting the big themes of change and evolution, two words: Michael Ginsburg. I LOVE this dude. The addition of the Michael Ginsburg character represents so much: will he be the Pete to Peggy's Roger? will he in fact outshine Peggy as seemingly everyone is telling her? if nothing else, he represents a sign of the changing times, and specifically evolution in diverse personnel as he will be the first Jewish person on staff, and this quickly on the heels of the hiring of Dawn, Don's secretary and the first black person hired at SCDP. But above all that, this dude is fantastic and rivals Roger for best one liners (something Roger will resent immediately). Who doesn't love a guy who says his stomach sometimes sounds like the F word when it growls? When he says "I have no hobbies, no girlfriend, no friends" I simultaneously wanted to yell "Danger! Danger, Peggy Olsen!" and "awwww...". He is different and a bit irreverent and definitely not conformist, so he is about to shake up the place. A little more shaking up is a good thing... maybe some French duets in the hallways?
Tell that stomach to watch it's mouth
Other stuff:
- Don called Betty "Birdie"... I swear I have never heard him say that before, but I Googled it and I guess it's a thing (I recall other nicknames such as Betts, but not this one). In any case, on the one hand it was kind of shocking to hear him using such a personal nickname when talking to her, given all of their history. On the other hand, it was endearing and heartfelt and comforting to her in her time of need.
- Sally didn't finish her sundae. Probably because of the horrible eating disorder she has as a result of Betty's cruel mothering, specifically that awful scene at the dinner table. I don't think any of us forget that.
- What up, Harry Crane? Dude is 10x more cringeworthy this season, which is fantastic.
- The look on Don's face when backstage and one of the girls says "advertising? like Bewitched?" is absolutely priceless
- Megan, getting washed over with advertising. I love that skill.
So much to talk about here! What are your thoughts on all of it? I am trying like heck to figure out this commenting problem, so give it a try and see if it works. If not, email me and I can post for you!
I think I will start this entry by saying at the :38 mark of last night's The Walking Dead finale, I said (out loud to the room) "It's only been 38 minutes?!?!" So now that we have established that it was a jam-packed episode, let's dive in to the awesome chaos (oh, and turn your speakers up for the soundtrack).
Herd is the word
LCT: AHA! So THAT'S where that gigantic herd of walkers came from! This was such a revelation, because it pieces together a bunch of things: first, Rick saw that helicopter when he was in the city back in Season 1 Episode 1, so those damn zombies have been walking since then! Second, this means we are getting closer to potentially figuring out where that helicopter went (or where it's from, or both). This also raises the question, how long has it been since Rick woke up? Given that winter is coming (evidently) and it was hot and summery at the start, it has to be only 3 or 4 months, right?
KC: Yes, I loved how this episode started! I thought it all made perfect sense and really, it was just damn bad luck! I was so intrigued by the helicopter - I didn't remember Rick seeing it in Season 1. You're thinking it was a flashback to the time he saw it and it's taken all these months for the walkers to make it that far? Interesting: you would think they might repeat that scene of Rick seeing it the first time to remind us if that was the case, but I can still buy your theory. I guess that means they were eating Rick's horse, no? Great set up for whatever is coming up next. By the way, is this the first time we've seen events that were outside the perspectives of our characters?
LCT: I totally thought that was Rick's horse they were eating. Rick saw the helicopter and then tried to follow it on said horse, then turned and found the hoard of walkers in the street with the tank. So, maybe it's not from when Rick was there (we saw some stuff happening in downtown after that) but soon after? I don't know if we have had that "outside" perspective before, but I think they did it as a reminder of sorts as to Rick's journey. Now that he's the king.
In other news, RIP Herschel's Farm. That was a pretty amazing scene, and finally Carl is doing what his parents tell him (give that kid a cookie!) Also, ewwwwww.... zombie brains on Herschel.
KC: Poor Herschel... I'm not going to miss the farm though, good riddance (of course, they'll probably be stuck in that prison we see at the end for the entirety of season 3). So many disgusting/AMAZING gore-tastic moments in this episode. It's hard to believe this airs on non-pay channel television. Oh sad background characters who were just there to be zombie fodder. I don't remember your names, but I'm sure you were lovely people.
Total crap
LCT: Fucking Lori... never mind that all of a sudden she's crazed because "where's Carl? he was supposed to be upstairs!" (crazy eyes everywhere) and all that crap. I mean, I think I've beat that to death and I don't think there's a viewer left in the world who thinks she does even an okay job. But I wanted to leap through my TV and punch Lori in the face when Rick was telling her what happened with Shane. How dare she? HOW DARE SHE?! Yes, fine, so "she's mad at herself" or whatever... but this is unacceptable. I can't even find suitable words to express how much I hate this character. I am so sick of her and her not-watching-her-kid-driving-off-by-herself-stupid-crazy-eyes-all-the-time. ALL.THE.TIME.
KC: Agreed. Her ridiculous freak out over Carl aside, her reaction to Rick's truth telling was mind boggling. SHE GOT WHAT SHE WANTED! Bad acting and terrible writing.
LCT: I don't know what they are doing with her character. The creative team seems to defend her actions and write her into ridiculous situations... how will they ever turn that character around if they are in denial?
I need a heroooooo...
Now let's talk about Daryl... racing off on his motorcycle to get Carol with the sounds of Bonnie Tyler's Holding Out for a Hero blasting in the background! Oh wait, maybe that was just in my head. (Note: this was back when I wanted a Caryl thing to happen. Those days are long gone, my friend. long. gone. See further down for details.)
LCT: Andrea - FREAKING BADASS SURVIVOR ANDREA! (insert Destiny's Child here). I kept telling her to climb a tree, but now I'm not sure that would have helped because, you know, those things walked all the way from downtown Atlanta, so they're not gonna let a little thing like a tree stop them. So she ran, she ran so far away... and then whoooopah! HOODED AWESOMENESS with 2 chained walkers (with no arms, and no jaws) and a machete! For peeps who read the comics, you know who it is. KC - I am VERY interested to know what your reaction was to this scene. My reaction was to hit P's leg and yell "SHUT UP! SHUT. UP!" I couldn't believe she showed up right then! Also, there's this about Andrea: she doesn't know Shane is gone, she doesn't know who this hooded character is, and she may or may not know that the farm is gone. Interesing.
DayyyyyUM
KC: Go Andrea! I wanted her to climb a tree too, but then I figured that the zombies would gather around and trap her there. I was not expecting mysterious hooded figure as I've been able to avoid any spoilers. So intriguing! Does she have pet zombies on leashes (chains)? Most of the people we've met in this world are familiar types not that different from ourselves; but as we head more into dystopia land, I'm guessing we'll see more outlandish people shaped by this strange new world. I can't wait!
LCT: The final scene with the group... lots to discuss here:
LCT: Okay, when did Carol become such an asshole? Who the... what the...? What is her problem? Daryl said it best: "What do you want?" and she says "A man of honor" but she's looking to Daryl to be that person? Daryl is the greatest thing in the world for answering "Rick has honor." See, Daryl gets it... why doesn't everyone else? Never mind... I take back all my Carol-Daryl (Caryl) musings. She doesn't deserve him.
KC: I think the writers have trouble with Carol - they don't seem to have a handle on who she is from week to week (which is also a problem with Lori). I could never get behind a Caryl situation I think because I pictured more as a mother figure to him. Now, I just hate her... you need to be zombie lunch, Carol.
LCT: So Rick knew they were already infected... SO WHAT? Why is this a big fucking deal? First, I don't think he explained very well that he wasn't sure about it. He starts to say "You know how crazy Jenner was" but never really gets to plead that case before everyone is all over his shit. Also, what would it have changed? Rick says this, but no one has an answer. What would it have helped at all?
You're all infected already. Maybe. Who knows, I'm crazy.
KC: I do understand the group feeling somewhat betrayed that he didn't tell them even as I understand why he didn't. The way it was revealed was party of the problem, during a high pressure situation when everyone is just about losing their shit.
LCT: T-Dog! I like that they are making him this alternate voice, with him saying they should go to the coast. When he first said this, I thought that makes sense. I was thinking a boat would be the place to be, and P said go on an island. But now I'm thinking, none of that is good because everyone is infected soooo... it could be more treacherous in isolation? I don't know... everyplace is effed.
LCT: Very telling after all that anger towards Rick that Rick lays down the Rick Law and says like it or leave it and no one leaves. Not even asshole Carol.
LCT: Rick! RICK! Super badass RICK!
KC: Rick rules!!! Literally!
KC: By the way, really liked the Glenn/Maggie scene when he told her he loved her. Moving, I thought. It was also so wrenching to have Herschel pulled away from his farm - I actually thought he was going down with it. Love the actor and the character, so I'm thrilled he will be around for next season, at least for a little while.
LCT: With the introduction of Michonne and the very public casting for the character The Governor, Season 3 is shaping up to be epic! I am terrified of it. Absolutely fucking terrified. Full disclosure: I stopped reading the comics because of some stuff that goes down with these new characters. So disturbing. Like, couldn't-read-another-page disturbing. Who knows if they will stick to the comic or deviate, but whatever happens, it will be unlike anything you've ever seen on TV before.
Pete seems more fragile here (I mean, Lane did just beat him up not too long ago, and the *child* he was hitting on in driving class thinks he's ancient, making him hyper aware of his own mortality) - he just seems much more desperate. With a title like Lady Lazarus, I fear for Pete and the guns we know he has and the life insurance policies we know way too much about.
