DRW50

Still making my way through season 2. The best for me was everything with Bran and Theon and Osha. So. Good. So good. I love the way we learned of the overthrow of Winterfell - Theon walks into Bran's room when he's half-asleep. Bran just can't understand what's happening. And Theon tries to tell him what's going on and tries to tell him how to react. Theon's hesitant in what he says, because deep down, he knows he's not good at any of this. He's waiting for other people to tell him how to speak. He's waiting for a coronation. The part where Bran says "Did you hate us the whole time?" breaks my heart. So few words, such a killer delivery. The boy who plays him is just great. And it just gets worse and worse as Theon continues to have NO idea what he is doing, butchering an execution he was goaded into, as Bran screams and pleads for help, a junior prince now aware that he is completely lost. Osha saves the day, with a series of beautiful performances from Natalia Tena. And you know on paper it might seem a little questionable that someone who is kept as a servant for the Starks has to use her body to save these kids, but the bond between Osha and Bran is so strong and so far outside any idea of master and servant (I think she is the first friend he has ever truly had and I also think she's one of the first people who has ever "gotten" him), that I just can't see it that way. I loved the scene where Osha, Bran, Rickon, Hodor, and Luwin got away in the dead of night. I could watch an entire show about this group. I could watch an entire show where Osha and Bran talk about their dreams. I think this is my favorite group of characters on the whole show in this season. Alfie Allen - again, terrific performances. Theon is just such a pretender, but not in a way where I can hate him, because deep down, he knows it too. Allen gives his work such texture and sells the frustration of a man who keeps waiting for respect he likely will never receive. Renly's death - eh. It just felt a little rushed/lackluster, and I didn't know Brienne well enough to feel her anguish. I find Loras to be immature so while I was sorry he lost the man he loves, I wasn't as affected as I should have been, because he sort of always acts that way. I can't quite get into Margaery, because she doesn't feel like a real person. She seems somewhat machine-like. I did enjoy Brienne and Catelyn learning to trust and respect each other, and Brienne's love for formality and customs is a nice contrast to the Starks. I find Davos to be a fascinating character, as he does seem to truly be a good man, with morals, in spite of his cynicism. In a way he doesn't fit into the show, but the show also needs him. I'm glad that the show realizes they shouldn't overuse Melisandre, but I have to admit I wish she'd pop into Kings Landing to stir up some trouble. The whole Kings Landing group seem to be marking time, which I get (Jaime is gone, Tywin is, as always, away), but they're all caricatures at the moment. Joffrey is evol and stoopid, Cersei is a neurotic and ineffectual failure, Tyrion saves the day. For such an interesting family, they all seem to have become very drab. I think the idea of the riot scene was a brilliant one, but the execution wasn't the greatest. I know they have a limited budget, but I never believed any sense of threat. I started laughing several times (when Cersei had to duck into a concealed area like the paps were asking her if she was really [!@#$%^&*] her brother, not like wild and starving denizens wanted to tear her heart out, and then when that poor guy was taken down and we saw someone waving his arm, in a very Monty Python-esque moment). The only part that worked for me was the attempted rape sequence, which was genuinely terrifying, and had that incredibly powerful scene with Sansa and Shae, where she wanted to confide in Shae and Shae, while sympathetic, warned her to NEVER tell ANYONE her true feelings. Arya...well, I could take or leave Arya, and I also feel like her story mostly consists of marking time, so these scenes were just there for me. Jaqen H'ghar is an interesting guy and as with the other magical characters, GoT is smart to not overuse him. I will give the show and GRRM some points for coming up with this as a way to wait a little longer before Arya herself has to start murdering people, as that's a very dark road. I do enjoy the Arya and Tywin relationship. Maisie Williams and Charles Dance work well together and Dance is a brilliant guy to watch - I'm glad the show realized this and didn't just make Tywin a one-note monster. Jon Snow...I have a soft spot for Jon, I have from the start, so I'm somewhat biased about his material. I'm mostly glad they're away from the incest igloo. I'd been waiting to see Ygritte for a while. She reminds me so much of a young Patsy Palmer, it's a little tough to get past at first. I do think she's interesting, and I liked the scene where she asked for nothing more than a quick death. Jon couldn't do it, because he's not that type of man who could cold-bloodedly kill a woman (I'm sure part of it might have been because of "feelings" too, but it was more than that). Then we had the comedy moment where they snuggled close and he was, presumably, trying to play hide-the-boner. I did laugh at that. Rose Leslie and Kit Harington did the commentary for this episode and when the writer of the episode speculated that Ygritte put the cloak over her head before running from Jon, it was to keep out from the cold, Leslie said no, it's that they'd had her run to see how she looked, she couldn't run for [!@#$%^&*], and they had a double brought in. Leslie also said that several men had recently come up to her and started singing the theme song in her ear. Robb...oh Robb. Such a gorgeous man, and an intelligent man, and yet so stupid. Falling for Talisa is a terrible idea. I've heard some fans say that Talisa doesn't work as a character because her views against war and slavery are written for a modern audience, not for what would have been felt in the day. I can understand that, but I still like her. I like Oona Chaplin's work in the role. She's firm but not sanctimonious. She can laugh at herself. She stands up for her beliefs. She has a real spark in her eye. It's not difficult for me to understand why Robb fell in love with her at first glance. Richard Madden does such a wonderful job playing Robb's love for her. He doesn't go all gooey-eyed (well he kind of does, but...) like an idiotic teenage parody you see on a lot of shows. He's challenged by her and he didn't even know he wanted to be challenged by a woman that way. There's something he does with his eyes and his mouth when he looks at her or laughs with her - it makes you feel happy, even though you, like poor Catelyn, know this is very, very, very wrong. Dany. So we finally get to the "where are my dragons?" stage. It took a lot longer than I'd expected based on the parodies. Learning that most of this story in this season was just sort of made up by the show helped explain some things. I haven't really minded this down period very much, because we're seeing Dany learn the limits of her power, which she needs to know. I also think Emelia Clark works well with the guy who plays Xaro. That brief bit where Dany and Louise from Hollyoaks were semi-patronizing Dany's Dothraki servant (who is later murdered) reminded me again of the consistent strain of colonialism in Dany's personality. Anyway, the highlight of these two episodes for me was when Jorah talked her out of marrying Xaro for power by pointing out how she had to earn armies and how she had such a kind, gentle heart, etc. And in that moment I swear you finally saw Dany realize that Xaro was right - Jorah is in love with her. I think this is the last thing she wanted to happen, because she sees him as her best friend, her truest adviser. Not as a lover or a husband. It's very sad to watch, but also satisfying, in some way. I guess this is what people read old Victorian novels for.

Of course it was more realistic. It wasn't real life, but it was more realistic than Dallas (which mostly just revolved around how many times they could tell a story about Sue Ellen being drunk and JR getting some tail while losing Ewing Oil), Dynasty (which went out of its way not to be realistic - deliberately so), or Falcon Crest. The mere sight of the characters doing laundry makes it more realistic, let alone the rest. If this person didn't like Knots Landing, that's fine, but their post is very elitist while claiming to be against elitism.

Last year I felt like I was somewhat spoiled, between the 1979 clips and the 1986 episodes that were uploaded on Youtube. I still want more though. I'd be so happy if a 50s or 60s or 70s episode popped up. Even one.

I think that to many voters, the ACA will always be seen as a failure. The media and the GOP did a good job of setting that idea in stone. And the Democrats certainly did their best to help. If the GOP had sense they'd just quietly and backhandedly praise the numbers. Instead they are being hysterical idiots, but it doesn't matter, because they will win anyway.

Well I'll give you that it makes a whole lot more sense than the theories I'm seeing that Beth is going to save everyone because Rick appointed her the new sheriff.

I think Carol's a real survivor and a very strong person, but the whole Chris Jericho fanfic of Carol riding in to save the day has never quite worked for me. Carol tends to avoid direct confrontation if she can. She wanted to leave rather than deal with Rick at the end of season 2. She went to Rick instead of Tyreese about the murders. She accepted her banishment. It makes sense, given her history, but it means that she's generally not going to be in there to go Rambo. The first time I've seen Carol directly confront a situation was when she told Tyreese about Karen and David. I think that may show where she's heading, and she will become more upfront, but I don't think that's where she's been up to this point.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/walking-deads-andrew-lincoln-terminus-692169 http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/walking-dead-spoilers-robert-kirkman-692168

Lindsey McKeon tweeted today that she will be back on Supernatural again later this season (she hasn't been on since 2010). I never liked her as Marah Lewis, but she's always done a great job on that show (she plays Tessa, a reaper).

Reminding us of how popular Sunset Beach was in the UK, an article on disappointing series finales mentions the show. http://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/seven-worst-tv-series-finales-3337492

In spring or summer 1972, OLTL's Patricia Roe (Eileen Seigel) had to care for her ill mother. Frances Sternhagen filled in for her.

I think she latched onto Glenn because he has become her safe place. Anyway, Scott Gimple and Andrew Lincoln bonus clip. Andrew is so charming and funny. And he caught that Rick should recognize Tara. I'd totally forgotten that.

I wanted to see Carol and Tyreese and the baby, but on the other hand, I was so sure if they were in this episode it would be just so that Carol and/or Judith would die. I didn't want to see that. From what Kirkman said, I get the feeling that I don't know. Rosita, Tara, and Gareth (too lazy to write actor names right now, sorry) have been made regulars for next season. http://www.seattlepi.com/entertainment/tv/tvguide/article/Walking-Dead-Promotes-Andrew-J-West-Alanna-5364076.php

I don't think it will happen (and I'd rather it not happen than it be teased and me turn into one of those fans of another pair who was on tumblr last night raging about A SEASON OF LIES!!!!), but moments like Michonne telling Rick that she knows he's OK, because she's OK...that trips my OTP buttons. Anyway, speaking of Rick and Michonne, apparently this was a deleted scene from the finale. Looks like it must have been another part of Terminus? http://zuzzolek.tumblr.com/post/81295624496

He looks pretty damn good in that jacket and jeans though.

If anyone wants to see Jonathan Jackson in concert. http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2014/03/31/stars-of-nashville-including-charles-esten-clare-bowen-jonathan-jackson-sam-palladio-kick-off-their-first-concert-tour/249532/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Tvbythenumbers+%28TVbytheNumbers%29

http://www.thewalkingdead.com/season-4-finale-comic-to-show-comparison/ http://www.thewalkingdead.com/finale-post-mortem-interview-with-robert-kirkman/

I sometimes wonder if that's one of the reasons (zombie fatigue) why the show is now so much about the threat of humans, although I realize most zombie movies also tow that line. I agree that in a sense nothing is ever quite good enough. I notice that mostly when the same people who were angry about the farm and the prison got angry when the characters were on the road. The show isn't perfect, not even close to perfect, but in some areas, like characterization, and attempts at diversity, I do feel like they've made great strides. And I tend to wonder if that's one of the reasons their ratings have held up. I kind of laugh when I see people get enraged at the idea of this show being mentioned in the same breath as Breaking Bad, as I saw in the AV Club comments section tonight. I don't see the reason for fury. Is Bryan Cranston going to be pelted with tomatoes or something? It's just elitist fanboyism.

You know I don't think I've ever REALLY liked a finale of this show. I had issues with the first one because Jacqui's suicide seemed so random and I thought the whole thing with everyone outside the CDC avoiding death from that huge explosion was a little ridiculous. The second season was the best in terms of finales, but, as you've mentioned before, Carol wanting to break away and Rick doing the tyrant act was somewhat jarring. The third season finale was...not good. This one was the best since the second. I liked that they played with us about assuming someone would die. Even at the end, when Carl was slowly walking toward them, I was sure he was going to get shot. In a way, fans will be angry, because they want blood. They want what the media cynically calls "Red Wedding moments." I'm glad the show subverted that but I do wonder if some fans may tune out. What did you think of the flashbacks?

I felt like the show panicked over ratings losses and canned everything going on in that season.

You could hear his pants being unbuckled too, couldn't you? I was shocked that scene made it on air. It's amazing, if not surprising, to think that you got that and you got a man's throat being ripped out, but you can't say !@#$%^&*]. I mostly wonder if someone is going to pull Rick back from the brink or if this is who he now will be, from this point on. If someone does I think it will be Carl. Michonne and Rick are so vital to each other now. I love their relationship, even if it's never what I want it to become. I heard some people saying that the show is being hypocritical for supporting Rick and not supporting Carol, but if anything, I think tonight was the death of what made Rick oppose Carol's decision.

sorry

Good cliffhanger. It's a neat twist to not kill anyone and yet make me terrified for everyone. I can't wait to see dark Rick. He's been there a few times before but he only comes out every so often and then Rick's shame/sense of fairness take over again. If that's gone then it's going to get really nasty. I can't wait to see it. I'm glad they left Carol, Beth, Judith, and Tyreese for next season. And I loved the scenes with Rick/Michonne/Daryl/Carl, together and separately. I'm not a big Daryl fan but he truly shines with that group. Now I'm wondering if Carl will be the one to save Rick from the brink. The flashbacks, I'm glad they went with them, just to show the contrast of what Rick was, and what he (and the group) now are.

Thanks. I wasn't sure. So I guess everyone was in the containers? I wonder how many are still alive...

[!@#$%^&*]. I just don't think the show knows how to handle that type of thing. I can't believe they went that far. I love Michonne so much.