General Drama

[AVorlon]

Yep, I still get DVD's in the mail from Netflix, just like back in the olden days of 2012. 

I'm looking forward to the next episode of "This is Us", which is out of its normal time slot and airing after the Super Bowl. We get to see how Jack died, but we sort of already know. 

I record these things to watch later, and they say to allow extra recording time in case the game goes late, which is what usually happens.    Damn those Crock Pots!

[karolm]

My old Crock Pot was in the garbage the next day.  Have never cried before watching This is Us.  I was inconsolable for

the whole show.

[AVorlon]

I love "This is Us",  The acting is superb,  and the writing is even better.  The latest episode tied so many things together that it was amazing. From the wise old doctor showing up, to the urn that the daughter has on her mantelpiece to the favorite tree where everything is going to be okay.  It all tied in with everything we've seen before in a perfect way. 

While I'm here ,  I'm going to give a shout-out to Star Trek Discovery.  I vote for the Hugo awards some years, which go to the best science fiction in written or dramatic form. I have a hard time figuring out which episode to nominate, since they were all excellent.  I'm going with the season finale,  which had all of  the visual elements that the other episodes had, but calls back the original series in a way that only true fans would appreciate.   

[thymeimpala]

On 20.2.2018 at 6:04 AM, AVorlon said:

While I'm here ,  I'm going to give a shout-out to Star Trek Discovery.  I vote for the Hugo awards some years, which go to the best science fiction in written or dramatic form. I have a hard time figuring out which episode to nominate, since they were all excellent.  I'm going with the season finale,  which had all of  the visual elements that the other episodes had, but calls back the original series in a way that only true fans would appreciate.   

Seconding that shout out. Star Trek Discovery is one of my favorites, and I think nominating the season finale was a good move. As a yearlong Trekkie, I was very pleased with the way they did that one

[AVorlon]

I really liked the season finale of "This is Us". It seems too early for that, and now we have to wait until next fall for new episodes. At least we know a few things that are going to happen, like a new romance and a trip to Vietnam to get some answers. Also, Toby suffering from depression again and spending all day in bed, which is what his parents were warning him about. 

It was also realistic that Deja didn't get magically "fixed" by one conversation.  Jack's old baseball bat was handy, and she used it.    

[copssister]

Since Randall and Beth's "Worst Case Scenario" game was so prevalent this episode.....I have some horrible thoughts about the glimpses into the future that I need to let go.

1.  Kevin and Zoey (adorable coupling, TIS Writers!) are flying to Vietnam because they receive word from Jack's (or his brother's) illegitimate child left behind - and the half-sibling throws a wrench in the dynamic of the Big 3.

2.  Toby's depression is triggered by a medical diagnosis for Kate that is not favorable.

3.  Beth and Randall's worst fear of Deja killing them in their sleep almost came true - Deja kills Beth and Annie, leaving Tess and Randall behind to go and see her in prison.  YES, I realize how horrible this thought is - which is why it's my worst case scenario!

I really enjoyed the writing in this episode.  We know the writing team is able to bring the tears, but this episode was filled with so many milestones on their rocky journey of Season 2.  How sweet to see Kate recognize and clarify to her mother that she, indeed, was trying to be her!  We had Kate finally release Jack as the primary focus of her life to make room for a man who loves her at least as much.  We saw Kevin admit they all have held their breath since Jack died (wonder how Beth, Toby and Miguel felt when he said that!) and we had Randall proclaim he cannot control everything.  Lastly, despite the rumors flying around the 'net about Jack's aged appearance, the writers did NOT torture us with Rebecca being struck down as Kate and the boys walked up the aisle.  I'm not liking that we have to wait 6 months to see the Pearsons again, but I did really enjoy this season.

[MrsGryn]

We have been watching "The Terror" on AMC; three episodes aired so far. It's a combination of historical drama and supernatural suspense/horror, based on a novel that was based on a true story of two English ships lost in the Arctic looking for the Northwest Passage. The ships themselves, along with some mummified remains of the crew, were found in the last couple of years. 

I'm not a big fan of horror/suspense but am really enjoying the series so far. It's 10 episodes, stars Ciaran Hinds and Tobias Menzies, who for us will always be Caesar and Brutus (or Mance and Edmure for GoT fans). Anyway, it's pretty good.

[Kyara]

I have it recorded, but haven't watched an episode yet. Thanks for the positive review.

[ShyLurkerGuy]

So I watched the series finale of OUaT after basically skipping the season after episode 3 after finding out this season’s Hook was actually Wish-Hook from the parallel wished pocket universe/realm of recent seasons. It’s kind of telling that although it’s obviously the last part of an at-least-2-parter that this wasn’t a heralded 2-hr series finale event.

The finale seemed like it was all about resolution for the die-hard fans while not too critically plot heavy with the finale cameos for casual viewers which I didn’t really mind and found myself mildly enjoying. I think all the characters got decent if milquetoast send-offs. I can’t really say if Rumple/Gold’s resolution was clever, but I found it satisfying. Speaking of milquetoast, even the appearance of a twisted young Wish-Henry was more of a passing disinterested “Oh that’s where they were going with the family-man-Henry arc; how very ‘It’s a Wonderful Life.’” Also, I like the acknowledgement that if anyone was a core character of the entire series from the pilot episode, it wasn’t Emma or even Henry but ultimately Regina. Mild positives aside, as curious as I was after realizing Wish-Hook had a tweenty-ish-year-old daughter dating Zelena’s somehow tweenty-ish-year-old daughter, I’m not sure I really want to bother rewinding the season of mostly new characters.

On a tangential note, I watch SyFy’s The Magicians, and watching OUaT’s Blue Fairy is weird for me because the actress’s supporting character in The Magicians started out similarly but was OH!-SO-VERY UN-OUaT where we find her in the most recent season of The Magicians. Granted, it’s fair to say that part of the appeal of The Magicians is it’s commitment to being a dark sexy bitingly-sarcastic completely anti-Disney/OUaT, anti-Narnia, anti-Hogwarts, anti-dumbed-down-YA/Shadowhunters take on a fictional magic-universe set in a contemporary world which I think narratively hits more than it misses. YMMV

Edited May 21, 2018 by ShyLurkerGuy
because I’m overly picky about the writing in my posts

[copssister]

We surrendered after the very same episode, SLuG.  It wasn't the first time I gave up on the series - but before last season I'd caught up via Hulu before last season (2016-2017) began.  I read a few recaps this morning on the finale and must admit that I much prefer yours over any  have read.  Something about Rumple's sacrifice resetting all the timelines (??).  I gave up on the show at the right time - never could get into Lucy or her mother (annoying) and since a timeline reset must mean AdultHenry never existed (I assume), then there's really no reason to take a 2nd pass at trying to make it through what ABC considered a bonus season.  I'll just remember the gang all happy at Emma/Hook's wedding.  Much better plot for a series finale.  

[ShyLurkerGuy]

It’s a good thing that Big Bad 50 Shades of Grey Wolf died back in season 1, considering how many sheets of green he might have asked for a cameo appearance.

Speaking of wolves, I don’t think Ruby showed up either, but I don’t remember whether or not she was written out. The doctor is busy in the realm of iZombie. And outside of Granny, Grumpy, and Jimmeny, I can't think anyone else from season 1 actually warranted a cameo. I mean, did we really need to see David Charming’s ex-wife? And of course no one acknowledged OUaTiW since that was a circle no one could really square into the main series.

And I gotta ask, did the appearance of Maui’s hook make anyone else wanna Moana? Yes, that’s How Far I’ll Go for a pun.

Edited May 21, 2018 by ShyLurkerGuy

[MrsGryn]

Your punditry is legendary.

[AVorlon]

Just got done watching "Trust" on FX.  It was a great show about the kidnapping of John Paul Getty's grandson in the 1970's, and it was a great example of how serious actors would rather do TV now.  This is serious drama with no superheroes or  explosions or car chases every ten minutes. 

Instead you get serious material with Donald Sutherland and Hilary Swank. 

It was interesting that they called this the season finale , instead of the series finale . I have no idea what story is left to be told. . 

[uaintjak]

Maybe something like The Terror on AMC, where that story is finished but they'll take up something new and different for season 2.

[MrsGryn]

Anyone watching "Colony" still? This third season has really picked up the story with a big reveal, and killing off a major (but not main) character.