What I Watched Today

(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)

 

 

Shahs of Sunset

MJ tells Tommy to never call again, and she’s going to get pregnant with someone else. She is seriously out of her mind. He’s the best thing that’s ever happened to her. At least since I’ve been watching this show. She wakes up with him next to her though. He came back at midnight. She tells him that he was coming at her really hard. She wonders what happened to their decision, but he wants to make sure they’re ready. She asks if he sees neglect of love in her. she says they’ve been talking for a year and time is of the essence. She asks if he wants to make a commitment to being healthy, and he says yes, a commitment to being adults. Good luck with this. MJ starts to draw an affirmation board on the wall. She lists parenting class; diet and exercise; and sobriety. Tommy jokes that now she’s ruined it. She says she doesn’t want a bastard, and marriage comes before anything happens. I’m still puzzled that anyone uses that word, other than when cursing someone out, but then I remember she has Vida for a mother.

Mike goes to see his lawyer. He tells us that there’s a six-month process to end a divorce. He thanks the lawyer for making it as painless as possible. The lawyer tells Mike that everything is done, and they’re walking away with their own assets, waiving any future claims of alimony. In his interview, Mike says that for the first few years of the relationship, he and Jessica were on Cloud 9, and spent every day together. They had the wedding of their dreams, but anyone in a real relationship understands that there are trials and tribulations. We flash back to some of those, including Mike cheating. Mike says he can’t change the past; it’s done. He signs the papers. The lawyer says that it usually takes a couple of months to be finalized.

The gang travels to NYC to see GG’s play. When they get to the townhouse rental, Mike says that GG probably took the best room already, and Tommy suggests that GG has already peed in the corners to mark her territory. A concierge greets them, saying her name is Georgia. MJ asks if she can get some Chinese food. Mike says that him and this group of Persians are going to lose their sh*t in the city. GG and Shalom come downstairs. Everyone checks out their rooms. Mike breaks out the tequila. Reza and Adam are visiting a rabbi, and Mike thinks they should be married again, so it’s by an honest person. We flash back to Asa officiating at their wedding, and Mike brings up how Asa lied about her pregnancy. In his interview, he says him, GG, and MJ are on the same island; a friendship not based on trust isn’t a friendship.

GG says Shalom is supportive, but not thrilled that she’s going to kiss someone in the play, which he just found out. MJ asks if it bothers him – truth – but he’s saved by the doorbell. It’s a ton of Chinese food. Reza asks how they met, and Shalom says J-Date. Mike says that GG has dated nearly every nationality, so why not throw a Persian Jew in the mix, noting that he’s the best guy she’s dated. MJ toasts to GG being able to hear now. In his interview, Reza says she’s been trying to get her life in order, but she’s three seconds from biting someone’s head off. Mike says he’s going to drink them all under the table tonight.

Adam asks GG how she thinks Shalom is going to react. Tommy asks if he’s seen any of it, but he says he’s not going to be there. Adam thinks he should be more supportive, but he’s annoyed about her kissing another man, and decides to leave. Reza can’t believe it, and follows him upstairs, with MJ not far behind. He asks why Shalom is leaving. Shalom curses Reza and MJ out. Reza wonders why he’s freaking out, and reminds him that his name means peace. Mike says he’s jealous, and asks if GG’s ego is her amigo. He says it’s the way she protects herself, and she’s going to lose Shalom. He encourages her to talk to him. Reza asks if Shalom is crazy. Shalom gives us all the finger on his way down the stairs, and says he’s bouncing. GG can’t find her shoes. Reza wonders how the night went south so quickly.

Mike tries to get Shalom to come back in. He tells Shalom that he doesn’t know what he’s doing. GG says the entire play is about sex, and he’s known it the whole time. Shalom comes back in, and Mike says it’s just a show, but Shalom says it’s about money. He asks GG if she’s broke. She says what if she’s trying to pursue that kind of career. In her interview, MJ says that Persian men are jealous and overbearing, and a horrifying experience to try to live with. Either you have to live like a nun or don’t date a Persian. GG says it’s not about money. She found something she’s passionate about that keeps her sane. She’s been working hard at her acting; she’s not just an effing slut. Reza asks if there’s tongue involved. She says no, and Mike says maybe she should explain that. Shalom says he’s not a bitch on a leash; and he goes to bat for her. Mike says they’ve rallied behind him. Shalom says they’ve been his family, but he has family, and wants to go back to them. GG wonders why this is coming out now. He’d told her it wasn’t a problem.

Shalom says he left his family for the relationship. Reza says he’s lived it since he was a kid. His dad turned his back on his family, and he deals with sh*t like this from something that happened in Iran fifty years ago. He knows all about it. He talks privately with GG, and says it struck a chord. She says this came out of nowhere. MJ says neither one of them are being productive. This, coming from someone who was totally unreasonable just the night before. Tommy calls to MJ upstairs. She tells GG to do it the old-fashioned way, and tell him what he wants to hear. Reza calls it an old Persian trick. He suggests she tell Shalom that Saturday is her last night.

They go downstairs. Reza gets everyone else out, saying he has something to show them. GG asks what Shalom is talking about with his family. He tells her to keep his family out of it. She says there was no conversation. He won’t even look at her. In her interview, she says she’s put away her ego and stubbornness to be better for him, but he’s just another d*ck. She says he doesn’t respect her, and wonders what she did. He tells her she’s crazy right now. She tells him that he’s the person yelling at everyone and running down the street. She has a right to have a reaction. He says he does too. GG says she can turn it up, and starts getting loud, and saying bring it. She tells him that she’s better when people stand up to her. She say,s you wanna go, let’s go. Shalom heads for the door, and she tells him to do what he does best – run. She says he’s being evil, when she’s been nothing but nice. On his way out, he tells her good life. She tells him good luck with his. The door closes behind Shalom and his suitcase.

Tommy asks where they’re registering for gifts, making us all laugh. Reza asks Mike if he’s happy he’s single at moments like this. Reza thinks it’s easier dealing with another man. He won’t fight at that decibel, because he can say and do things he can’t take back. Adam sits with GG. He tells her that he’s sorry about the outcome, but applauds her for sticking up for herself. He says let’s talk about a bigger issue. What’s she going to do about the tattoo? She laughs. Everyone turns in. Reza is glad he’s not single. He says that sh*t is too much drama for anybody’s mama. Adam says so they’re going to do surrogacy, right? MJ tells Tommy that she appreciates him.

Shalom texts GG, saying they need to talk. She goes outside.

Reza says he’s a Persian alarm clock, doing that yodeling thing, and going into each room. Reza sees that GG isn’t alone, and asks what’s going on. She says she went to meet with Shalom. Adam asks if it’s him, and GG says no, it’s just a random guy. (She’s kidding.) Reza wonders how she got Shalom to come back. He says they’re seeing the rabbi, and want to lay out the plan for the day. When they gather downstairs, GG says that Shalom sent her a text to meet him in Times Square, and shows Reza her engagement ring. We see the proposal, and there were illuminated signs that says GG will you marry me? along with her photo. No surprise, it’s a gorgeous ring, a bedazzling diamond square, surrounded by smaller diamonds. Reza and MJ congratulate her. Tommy wanders downstairs, wearing red Christmas-themed pajamas. Reza demonstrates how GG should walk around with her ring prominently displayed. He tells Mike that they just went from DEFCON 5 to engagement. In his interview, Mike says this just might work. Reza says that he and Adam have to leave, but wants to meet afterwards. I would assume that Shalom planned this all along, since renting Times Square, including signage, probably has to be booked ahead. So did he stage the fight?

Reza and Adam go to the 6^th Street Synagogue. They want to raise their kids Jewish, and are meeting with an orthodox rabbi. Reza wants their kids to have the structure he didn’t have. The rabbi says that life is a sacred journey. Adam asks if he has to convert. The rabbi tells him no, but it’s a different experience when shared. He says that Adam and Reza’s sensibilities are the same, and explains that a non-Jew is still given space in the community, and nothing will stop him from belonging. Reza talks about meeting with a surrogacy doctor, and the rabbi says he and his partner had children that way. It was a powerful way to be actively involved, as the body is a powerful space. Reza asks what to say when the kid asks who their mom is, and the rabbi explains says they told their children that they’d asked the biological mother to help them. He tells them a kid who’s loved is fine. Reza gets weepy, and says how grateful he is. The rabbi tells them that we care most about the things that are hardest, and difficulty shouldn’t be feared.

Everyone goes to a jewelry store. Mike wants his guy to give MJ a deal on a watch, since she’s the cheapest person ever. It’s a $10K watch, and she gets it for $7.5K. Mike says she’s valuing herself at a higher level, which means her life is progressing. She gets Tommy a watch too, and tells us she loves him more today than ever. That part of her looking for a reason not to believe in love, is gone. For lunch, they go to a restaurant called Hunt & Fish. Reza and Adam join them. MJ shows off her watch, and Reza is shocked. Mike shows them a picture of himself on his phone, where he’s loaded down with gold chains, saying he had a hip hop moment. MJ gives Tommy his gift. She says it’s symbolic of her telling him that she’ll always have time for him. Wonder how long it took for her to think that up?

Reza wants to run something by the group. He suggests hiring a party planner, and throwing a party to celebrate everything. He asks who Mike will bring, and he says his mom. He explains the different levels of having a relationship with a woman, and says that once they meet your friends, next thing is a double-date and you’re in the dating zone. It took him a year to introduce Jessica to his parents. MJ asks how she is. He says she’s cool, and GG says she saw her during her rehearsal period. Reza asks if they’re in a good place, and Mike says it’s awkward. They don’t know how to feel, but he’s always going to love her, and would always be there for her. In his interview, he says that for a year, he thought about what he would have given up to fix it. GG and MJ think that they’ll get back together. Reza tells Mike that whatever his decision is, they’ll embrace it. In his interview, Reza says that Mike is still in love with Jessica, and thinks he should try again. He can’t live with one foot in, and one foot out.

Next time, skating in the city, the Shahs go to Queens, GG performs, and Mike meets with Jessica.

Fear the Walking Dead

Everyone mills around the pantry. Alicia hands out something that looks like Gatorade. Madison tells someone to turn on the air. Alicia sees that Blake has a wound, and he quickly covers it up. Ofelia says there’s a problem. There’s no air coming through. She says they have to get out of there. I don’t know what’s up with this show, but again the background soundtrack is way too loud.

Troy buries Jake. He tells Nick that Jake was better than they are; that’s why he’s gone. Nick says that his brother is dead because of the mess brought down on them. If they die, it’s because they failed.

Alicia works on a calculation. She says they have two hours before carbon dioxide kills them. Crazy Dog says the best case is them dying from it. Alicia thinks they can buy time. Fewer people means less carbon dioxide, and some of them have been bitten. Crazy Dog suggests lice checking, but Alicia says they can’t force them. She says they’ll kill him if he tries to kill them, but he says they’re already dead.

Alicia gets everyone’s attention. She says they’re all scared. They don’t know what’s happening out there, and they’re less sure in here. The vent is broken, and their only airway is blocked. This means if they can’t fix it, they suffocate. The enemy isn’t what’s out there, but time. The more people who are in there, the less time they have. So, she’s asking for those bitten to come forward. There are no takers, and I laugh. Crazy Dog says it’s the hard way then, and stares at Blake. Blake lifts his shirt, showing the bite mark. Another guy comes forward, followed by a woman, and people start to stand up.

Nick tells Troy that there are too many of them. They need to create a way through them. Troy thinks they should blow up the fuel lines, distracting the zombies, and make a break for the pantry. Alicia gives Ofelia a gun, and asks if she’ll be okay up there. Ofelia says sure, and asks if Alicia will be okay down here. Ofelia climbs into the ventilation system.

Alicia looks at Blake, and he opens up a box of painkillers. He explains to the bitten people that it will knock them out. Alicia says, then you’ll be taken care of. Someone points out that there’s not enough ammunition. Another guy asks if they’ll be stabbed, and a woman starts crying. An older guy says he doesn’t feel so bad, and maybe the bite wasn’t that deep, reminding me of the Black Plague scene in Life of Bryan. The people start arguing, but Christine says that morphine is the best feeling in world. They’ll be in heaven before they get there. One of Walker’s men volunteers to go first. They go into another room. He lies down, and Alicia injects him. When he’s out, she stabs him. We don’t really see it, but it looks like it’s the base of his skull. She comes out crying, and drops the knife. Christine hands it back to her. She says that she knows it’s hell, but those people have done their part, and she has to do hers. They need her because she’s strong. Don’t break on them now.

Troy and Nick have decided to blow the fuel lines to distract the zombies. Nick shoots the line, and the zombies turn toward the smoke and fire, because they’re not super bright. Troy drives the truck through the horde. Heads roll, and blood drips from the windshield. Troy crashes the truck, T-boning a parked car, and he and Nick jump out, shooting and making a beeline for the helicopter. Somehow, they get inside, where Troy collapses with laughter.

Blake is last. He tells Alicia she has to do this now. He rolls up his sleeve. He tells Alicia that he’s sorry, and she says that it’s okay; it’s gonna be okay. She injects him. He slips away, and I wonder why they just didn’t let them overdose on morphine, and stab them as soon as they were dead?

Alicia comes back out, and everyone is staring at her, which I’m sure really helps things.

Ofelia crawls through the vent with Crazy Dog behind her. She tells him that they have to turn around, and go feet first. Apparently, turning around isn’t easy in a tight space, and is kind of like parallel parking in NYC. Crazy Dog starts banging on the side of the metal tunnel, and Ofelia tells him that he’s going to hyperventilate. She tells him to breathe, and counts. He begins to calm down.

Alicia says she shouldn’t have brought them there. Christine tells Alicia that her husband was in the first tower when it fell. She tied calling his cell over and over, because then there was a chance she might hear him again. Even when you’re hopeless, hope is all you have. Alicia has given them a few precious hours; there’s no shame in that. Christine says that she met her second husband in a support group; he was a first responder. He made her laugh. She says good sex is fine, but if they’re not funny, forget it. I agree. Alicia asks who brought her there, and she says it was her second husband, Jerry. Jerry was convinced the towers were the beginning of the end, and the ranch felt like a perfect fit. They spent their last years hiding from the world, when they could have been exploring it. She asks Alicia to promise her to never make decisions based on fear

Crazy Dog tells Ofelia that it hasn’t happened in a while, and he’s sorry. Ofelia says no need to be, and asks if he was in Iraq. He tells her yes, and she says her dad saw stuff that haunted him until the end. It’s the price you pay. He says his son was terrified of him, and he’d had an episode one of the last times he saw him. Ofelia asks if he’s ready.

Christine and Alicia talk about fun things they’ve done. Christine burned her bra at Woodstock. Alicia talks about a talent show at summer camp. She was supposed to sing This Land is Your Land, but when the music started, she froze and couldn’t remember the words. She looked out, and saw Nick’s face like he was living it with her. He ran up on stage, and forgot everything too, so he blasted out this land is your land over and over. Then after the twentieth time, he took giant bow, and everyone applauded and gave him a standing ovation. She says they loved him. Christine asks if they were close, and Alicia says when they were kids, but it changed. She looked up to him when she was young, more than anyone, even her dad. She starts to nod out, and sees that Christine is asleep. She tells her to wake up. She looks around, and everyone around them is sleeping. She gets up, but she’s groggy, and finds it hard to walk. Everyone is either asleep or on their way.

Zombies surround the helicopter. Nick runs the propellers, so there’s some nice slicing action, but some break the window. Troy says it’s quite a place to die, but Nick says they’re not dying.

Alicia talks to herself, while she struggles to look around. She drags herself to some steel shelving, and pulls herself up. She sees a ranch woman turned zombie, feeding, and it comes after her. She takes out the knife, and keeps pushing the zombie back, as she tries to get a better grip. The zombie gets her down – and falls on the knife. Um… she better get to whoever that one was feeding on. Yep, they’re all starting to stand up.

Ofelia and Crazy Dog continue on. Zombie sounds can be heard from outside. They finally reach the vent, but they’re both struggling not to pass out. Ofelia tells Crazy Dog to help her up. As she climbs, the zombies get louder. Crazy Dog passes out, and Ofelia falls, a zombie falling on top of her. I guess it was stuck in the vent. She keeps him at bay, and then shoots him. She starts to climb again.

Alicia is seriously outnumbered. She pushes the now really dead woman off of her, and kicks a zombie in the head. She stabs it, and fights another off. She calls for Christina, but she’s out, so Alicia quickly drags her out of the fray. I dunno. She looks dead to me. Alicia locks the gate behind them. She grabs a gun, and puts a cartridge in. As the zombies come toward them, she shoots them.

Troy tells Nick to choose, you or me, but something starts blowing up. The lights go out in the pantry, and sparks shoot out of the fixtures.

Troy tells Nick, you or me, choose, but something starts blowing up the lights go out in the pantry and sparks are shooting out of the fixtures. Alicia runs out, and zombies crowd her, but she throws them off left and right.

There are gunshots and zombies drop. The cavalry is here. Madison and crew arrive, along with Nick and Troy. Alicia tries to get Christine to wake up, but that’s a no. Walker tells Madison that they have to go or be trapped. Alicia stabs Christine in the head.

Looking out to the range, Madison says it could have worked. Nick says they got there before he and Troy did. Madison tells him that they have fuel enough to go where they need to – the trading post. They supply up, and can be at the dam by morning. Madison asks if Walker told Ofelia, but he says she’s still in shock. Madison tells her that her father is alive, and her to bring Ofelia back. Walker confirms that it’s true. Madison says that he thought Ofelia was dead and is desperate to see her. Madison says that they have to move, the explosions are attracting more. Alicia comes out, and I wonder why she looks like she desperately needs a shower, when Madison, Victor and Walker look fresh as daisies.

Madison and Nick hug Alicia. She asks where Jake is, and Nick shakes his head. I suddenly wonder if Alicia will end up being pregnant. She asks how, and Troy says that he was bitten, and had to be put down. She asks Nick where the horde came from. He doesn’t know, and says that Troy saw it coming and tried to warn them, but it was too late. Madison tells Alicia they’re leaving soon; they found Daniel at the dam. Alicia tells her to stop pretending. No place is safe. It doesn’t exist, yet they kill and die for it. She doesn’t have to choose Madison’s way. Victor says that there’s water and walls at the dam, so it’s the best choice. Walker tells them let’s move while it’s still daylight.

Alicia asks Madison to show her where they’re going on a map. Madison says they’ll be there by morning, and Alicia says she’s not going. Madison thinks that she’s still in shock, but Alicia says she’s seeing things more clearly than ever. Madison’s way doesn’t work, and won’t. She needs to find a way to live for herself, and she can’t do it running in fear, or with any of them. She’s not asking; she’s telling. Madison can’t force her to come. With rations and a weapon, she can survive. Jake showed her a place, but she needs to go there alone.

Walker starts the truck.

Alicia drives away. Nick asks Madison if he should follow, but Madison doesn’t want to lose them both. Nick says he’ll make sure she’s safe, and meet them. She won’t lose anyone. Madison tells him to take Troy along, and promise he’ll come back.

Madison gets in the fuel truck. We hear Woody Guthrie’s This Land is Your Land, as we see the pantry full of zombies and real dead. Everyone heads toward their respective destinations, and the song continues as we see the expanse of land.

Next time a ball pit full of zombies, Alicia sees someone, and Daniel asks #WhereIsOfelia.

This Land is Your Land