Category Archives: fantasy

Dec10

December 9, 2017 – Z News, Sacrificing for Family & a Couple of Thoughts

Posted on by
Standard

What I Watched Today

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

 

 

I was hoping to recap Z Nation, but wanted to cry when it wasn’t On Demand yet. Usually it is the day after it airs. Hopefully, it will show up before the next episode. BTW, there’s no news of it being renewed yet, so if you love it as much as I do, let the SyFy channel know.

Once Upon a Time

A carriage is driven through the forest. Rapunzel is driving, with her husband Marcus and their two daughters in the back. She says she always finds a way for her family. She steps out and goes through a gate. She stoops to gather up some radishes from a garden, and a cloaked figure appears, asking who dares to pick something from Gothel’s garden? and the radishes disappear from her hands. She tells Gothel that her husband is sick, and her children haven’t eaten in two days. Gothel says many come to try and steal her magic, but she’s selflessly risking Gothel’s ire for radishes. It’s rare to find a flower growing amongst the weeds of human nature. Rapunzel says she’ll meant no disrespect and will make payments. Gothel asks what she’ll sacrifice for her family, and Rapunzel says anything. Gothel says they have a deal. Suddenly, thorny vines wrap around and dig into Rapunzel’s wrists, then disappear.

Rapunzel finds herself in a tower with no way out. She tells Gothel that she didn’t agree to this. Gothel says she swore to pay the price for her family’s happiness, and there’s a difference between hers and theirs. Rapunzel says they’ll look for her, but Gothel says they’ll never find her. Rapunzel yells out the window, but the tower is in the middle of a dense forest, and like in Alien, no one can hear her scream.

In the kind of real world, Victoria is in the visitor room at the jail, looking at the scars on her wrists. Ivy/Drizella walks in, and tells her orange looks better on the women in the Netflix show. Victoria says her wardrobe has something in common with Ivy; she’s been stuck with what’s been thrust upon her. She asks why Ivy is there. Ivy says Victoria has taken a family heirloom from her, and Victoria asks if she means Anastasia’s body. She knows Ivy wants the magic within her, and says they both know what she wants to do. Ivy tells Victoria that she has all her assets now, and telling her where Anastasia is, is the only way to get out of jail. Victoria says she doesn’t need Ivy to get her out. Ivy says she’ll find Anastasia herself. She has Gothel helping her now. Victoria says she always gravitated toward any mother figure she could, and asks if someone didn’t get enough hugs. Ivy tells her have fun in prison. Victoria says it’s not the first time someone tried to lock her up, but they learned the lesson that when it comes to her family, she always finds a way. Apparently, she’s the wicked stepmother and Rapunzel.

Lucy asks Jacinda if they can invite Henry over to share the good news that she’s back for good. Jacinda says they’ll talk about it tomorrow, and to get ready for school. Sabine tells Jacinda that Lucy keeps trying to parent trap her. Jacinda says she went to Roni’s to see if she and Henry could work things out, but he’d left for San Francisco with Roni. The bartender was vague about the details, only saying that Roni needed a ride.

Weaver visits Victoria. She says she’s missed their talks. He asks if she enjoyed the talk with her daughter, but Victoria says not since she was four. He says given her current situation, she has little to offer. She tells him she needs help getting to Anastasia, and asks why he’s pretending not to be concerned that Gothel is out of the tower. Weaver doesn’t understand what her nonsense means. She talks about all the knickknacks he’s been collecting, the great love he’s been separated from, and the dagger he can’t get rid of. She asks how the search for the Guardian is going, and says if he helps her today, she’ll share some information with him. She calls him Rumpelstiltskin, and he tells her she has a deal.

In the tower, Rapunzel ticks off the days as her hair grows longer. She sees lanterns floating in the sky outside her window, and gets a scathingly brilliant idea. She anchors her hair, and tells herself to be brave as she climbs out the window.

In Hyperion Heights, Rogers asks Victoria how she got out. She tells him determination. She didn’t get where she is by waiting for others to improve her odds. He tells her that he didn’t ask for a TED talk; he wants to know how she beat the charges. Weaver comes out of the station, and tells Rogers it’s his doing; he didn’t get a warrant. Rogers says there was immediate danger, but Weaver says the judge didn’t see it that way. Rogers knows Weaver is getting something out of this, and he’s going to find out what. Weaver suggests he not cross him. He gets in the car with Victoria, and she says she needs some things to wake her daughter. They have a few stops to make.

Victoria goes to Jacinda’s place. Sabine says a fugitive is here, and Victoria says she’s a free woman. She’s there about her long-standing agreement with Jacinda. Jacinda says she’s not getting Lucy back, and Victoria says she’s there to do the opposite. She’s removing all claims to her granddaughter. Sabine asks what the catch is, and Victoria says there is none. She was testing Jacinda by asking her to sign Lucy over, and she failed, but now she’s passed. She reached out to Nick, and she’s glad he’s back in Jacinda’s life. Jacinda wants to know where this is coming from, and Victoria says she was forced to think about what’s important, and it’s Lucy’s happiness. She gives Jacinda a doll Lucy is fond of, and says family is worth fighting for.

To confuse me even more, young Anastasia is the one sending up the lanterns in front of her home in the enchanted forest. Her sister Drizella says it’s been six years, but Anastasia says she’s not giving up on their mother, and something feels different about tonight. Rapunzel walks out of the woods, and Anastasia hugs her. Marcus comes out, and says he thought she was dead; all he found was her tattered cloak. She says it was a trick. She’d promised Gothel anything for her family to thrive, and was locked away in a tower. Another girl comes out, calling him father, and he tells Ella to go back inside. He tells Rapunzel that she’s his stepdaughter, and introduces her to his wife, Cecilia.

In the present, Gothel tells Ivy that her mother’s entanglement with Rumpelstiltskin is going to prove meddlesome. Ivy says she can team up with the Seven Dwarves for all she cares. If they follow her, she’ll lead them to Anastasia. Gothel tells her it’s a mistake to underestimate Victoria. Ivy asks if she’s speaking from experience. In her experience, her mother always takes wrong path and made poor choices because of it. Now she has to deal with her.

In the fairytale world, Rapunzel pours tea for her daughters. Anastasia says they came for her company, but Drizella says she’s thirsty. Marcus arrives, and asks if they’re ready to head back to the manor. He needs to speak with Rapunzel, and they go inside. He tells her the girls love her. Anastasia speaks about her constantly. Rapunzel says Drizella seems more distant by the day, and he says to give her time; she was very young when Rapunzel left. He takes her old cloak out of his bag, saying he mended it. She’s surprised he kept it. He places it around her shoulders, and says if she hadn’t made the deal, he would most likely be dead and the girls would be in the street. The family owes all their happiness to her. She asks if he still loves her, and he says of course. The girls mean everything to him, but so does Ella and Cecilia. I guess bigamy isn’t against the law in the world of fairytales.

He leaves, and Gothel appears, telling Rapunzel that she’s too strong for tears. Rapunzel thinks Gothel is there to put her back in the tower, but Gothel says no; she admires her resourcefulness in escaping. She knew Rapunzel would escape, and is curious to see if she’ll sacrifice someone else’s happiness for hers. She gives Rapunzel a cartoonish mushroom, something she picked up in Wonderland. She tells Rapunzel to squeeze it into Cecilia’s drink when she least expects it. She can make her go away, and have her family back. Rapunzel throws it into the fire, and says she’s not the kind of person to harm an innocent. Gothel says maybe she’ll find other happiness, but if not, she might come to see it her way. Another mushroom materializes.

Back in Washington state, Nick looks over the papers, and tells Jacinda that Lucy is hers. It’s finally over. She’s glad she called him. She owes him a future life. He kisses her, and she’s like, whoa, and says didn’t want to do this. Nick says he must have misread the signs, and Lucinda says it’s not about him. She’s glad he’s back in their lives, and wants him to have a relationship with Lucy. He says him too, and leaves. Jacinda picks up the mix tape that Henry gave her.

Rogers pulls a fire alarm, and goes into what looks like an evidence room. He sees his Captain Hook hook in a plastic bag, and looks puzzled. He finds a box of folders regarding all of the players in this story. He wonders what Weaver is doing.

Rogers sees Sabine at the food truck, and is impressed at how spiffed up it is. Sabine says they’re nearly ready for the big ball. He tells her that he’s following up on the fire, and she says Weaver already did. He says they need more details, but he didn’t want to bother Weaver on his day off. He asks what she and Weaver spoke about, and Sabine says he told her about how the door was jimmied with a knife he found in the dumpster. Rogers asks if she can describe it, and she draws him a picture of the dagger. She says it didn’t look like something you’d break in with; more like something out of a Tim Burton movie. She tells Rogers that Weaver kept shoving it in her hand, asking if felt anything. She asks what this is about. He says he doesn’t know, but he’s going to find out

Victoria and Weaver go to a mausoleum. He tells her they’ve been followed since they left the police station. She’s aware of it, but not concerned; she has a plan for those two. They open a vault, and Victoria takes out a huge purse, saying it has everything she needs to wake Anastasia. Weaver finds it odd that she wants to reunite with one daughter, when the other waits outside. He had a son who thought as little of him as Ivy does of her, but he never stopped trying to make things right. She says good for him, and he tells her that he ended up losing his son. She tells him not to compare his grief to hers. He has no idea what she’s been through. He says he knows what it’s like to seek reunion, and the costs involved. He paid them, and then his son did. She tells him that she can’t stop now that she finally has a way. He asks where the information is that she promised. Victoria says he’ll get it when Anastasia is awake. As for Ivy, she hasn’t been her daughter for long time.

Back in the day, It’s Drizella’s birthday party. Rapunzel is serving, and Cecilia approaches her, telling her it’s her daughter’s birthday; she should be celebrating, not working. Cecilia wanders off, and Marcus tells Rapunzel the girls get along; maybe the parents should take a cue from them. He says the girls need her, and she says Drizella didn’t even smile at her gift. She sees Drizella getting all excited about Cecilia’s present.

Inside the house, Rapunzel smashes a mirror, and sees the mushroom. She takes it, and squeezes it into a lemonade.

Fast forwarding, Drizella and Gothel go into the mausoleum, but see only Weaver. Drizella asks where Victoria is, and he says long gone. They need to learn how to tail someone better. Gothel wants a moment with Weaver. When Drizella is gone, he wonders how she bought into Gothel’s mother routine; she’s not a mother to anyone. She says mother means different things to different people. She tends to their needs like she can with his. She never thought she’d see a pout on the Dark One, or love in his heart. He says there’s always a time for firsts, and she asks how Belle is. He tells her don’t dare say her name, and she remarks that she struck a nerve. He’s never getting back to her unless she helps him. He says he doesn’t need her help, and Victoria is going to wake Anastasia. Gothel says whatever role she’s assuming today, Victoria neglected to ask the cost, and the cost is the loss of an innocent’s belief. She asks if he has any idea where his great granddaughter is.

Lucy sees Victoria at school. She wants to give her something, and takes the Once Upon a Time book out of her bag. She tells Lucy that she was right. Fairytales are real; her family and belief are all real, but she doesn’t know the whole story. Victoria tells Lucy to come with her, and she’ll tell her the rest.

Lucy is surprised to find out that Victoria is Rapunzel as well as Lady Tremaine. Me too. Victoria says Marcus’s last name was Tremaine, and she took it from him. Lucy says she knew her mom was Cinderella, and Victoria says her unfettered belief is what makes her special. Lucy sees an illustration of Rapunzel using the mushroom, and is shocked that she poisoned her mom’s mom. Victoria says the witch tricked her. She needed her family to be together again. Lucy asks if Cecilia died, and Victoria says no; she could never do that. It only caused her to flee. She didn’t know Marcus would chase after her. Eventually, the family was reunited, and they even welcomed Ella in, but the story didn’t end there.

It’s winter in the enchanted forest. Rapunzel and Marcus watch as the girls build a snowman. Rapunzel says the three seem like sisters. Marcus says he’s been thinking about how much she’s done for the family. The snowman’s hat blows away, and Ella chases after it onto a frozen lake. Anastasia follows her. Their parents are too busy making googly eyes at one another to notice. Marcus tells Rapunzel it’s time he did something to show how much he cares. The ice cracks, and the sisters fall in. Marcus goes after them, diving into the hole they fell through. He pulls out Ella. Rapunzel screams, where’s their daughter? He says he could only grab one.

In modern times, Anastasia is in the hospital on life support. Lucy asks why Victoria is showing her this, and Victoria wants her to see how the world really is, even for the people in the book. She only did what heroes would do. She sacrificed everything for her family, and only got pain in return. Fairytales are real, but happy endings aren’t. Lucy says happy endings are real if you work for them. She believes her family will be together again, and Victoria isn’t a part of her family. Victoria says she believed it too, for far too long; it’s already too late. She shows Lucy her phone, where she has a video of Nick kissing Jacinda. She says Henry means nothing to her. Lucy cries, and Victoria says their stories are the same. They’re separated from those they love, and willing to do whatever it takes to get their families back. Henry has already left town. She tells Lucy that when you’re betrayed by people, you must let them go. She says it’s time to let her belief go. Lucy closes her eyes, and a tear falls on the book. She runs out of the room. By the look on Victoria’s face, I’m guessing a tear is what she needed.

In the old fairytale days, Rapunzel brings Anastasia to Gothel, who says as long as her last breath is in her, she hangs between life and death. Gratitude alone is not enough to wake her though. Anastasia will be going to the tower. Rapunzel says she’s done nothing wrong, and Gothel says it’s not a punishment; it’s a test. She needs a Guardian. When Rapunzel sacrificed everything for her family, Gothel thought she had potential, but she couldn’t resist the temptation to harm an innocent. Perhaps someone else will do better. Rapunzel says if Anastasia is in the tower, she’ll scale it brick by brick. Gothel says she’s made improvements, and there’s magic to prevent any escapes. She checks her pockets for something, and Rapunzel holds up a vial. She says Gothel taught her, when they least expect it. She throws the vial on the ground in front of Gothel, and Gothel disappears, poof! in a cloud of black smoke. Rapunzel tells Anastasia that she’ll bring her back.

In the modern-day hospital, Victoria takes the tear off the book with and eyedropper.

Out on the street, Weaver asks an officer if she’s seen any sign of Lucy. The officer gives him a backpack they found. She asks if he’s sure they shouldn’t contact her mother. He tells her to just keep searching, and remember to report directly to him. Rogers comes by, and shows Weaver the picture Sabine drew of the sword. He asks who Weaver is looking for. Weaver says that’s his business, and to stay out of it. Rogers says he’s been in Weaver’s locker, and he has files on half the town. He can’t tell if Weaver is a dirty cop, or the best one he knows. One minute, he’s talking in riddles, and the next, he’s shutting Rogers out. He can’t shake the feeling that Weaver is trying to tell him something, so just spit it out. Weaver says he’s looking for someone, like Rogers is. Rogers asks what Victoria has to do with it, and Weaver says he thought she could help him, but he was wrong. It’s hard to put into words, but he’s been separated from his wife, Belle. He’d do anything to get to her, and this is in service to that. Rogers believes him, and asks what he can do to help. Weaver says tonight they have to find Lucy.

Victoria approaches Anastasia’s bed with the eyedropper.

Lucy goes home, and Jacinda asks what’s wrong?

Victoria drips the tear onto Anastasia’s forehead. Her eyes open.

Lucy keels over.

Anastasia asks what happened, and Victoria says she saved her. When it comes to her family, she always finds a way. Ivy looks through the window, and walks away with tears in her eyes.

Next time, the winter finale – someone wicked returns, Regina suggests fighting witches with witches, and the first strike ignites a war.

💍 Will Anyone Get Married?

Re 90-Day Fiancé – still working on my monthly dissertation, but it looks doubtful that any of them are making it to the altar. David turned out to be an obnoxious drunk; Luis (who held such promise) didn’t realize that when you marry a woman with children, the children come with the deal; Andrei is a control freak; the guy half of the couple whose names I don’t remember argues with her over wedding plans and refuses to talk about sex (they’re both virgins); and Azan and Nicole are a no, just no. I sense a pattern here…

👘 In Other News…

I got an e-newsletter from a fashion website. The subject line said, the coat of your dreams. It wasn’t. Not even close.

WeekendTime

 

Dec4

December 3, 2017 – The Dead Invade the Sanctuary & Christmas Shopping Cheer

Posted on by
Standard

What I Watched Today

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

 

 

The Walking Dead

Rick sits in the container. Someone opens it. It’s Tardis Jadis and her cohorts. He tells her it’s not too late; the offer stands. Join them or die. She takes his photo. I guess this is a thing now? She tells him to turn around, and she takes a picture of his nakey behind. Her assistant drafts a letter. He asks why the pictures, and she says, after. He asks, after what? and he’s closed back into the container.

Eugene ponders his crappy life, and takes notes. What he knows, what he doesn’t know, and things he wasn’t aware of. There’s a knock at the door. It’s Dwight. He’s well aware Dwight is the fifth columnist. He’s been charged by Nathan to figure it out, so needs him to cease and desist his back stabbery. In exchange, he’ll keep what he knows to himself. Dwight grabs him by the collar, and sits him down. He says the Saviors are finished. Negan is finished. This place, what it’s been, is over. Food and water are running low, the workers are angry, and the Saviors are scared. All he has to do is nothing. Wait, and let it play out. He asks if Eugene can do that. He’s seen what happens, heard the screams, and smelled the burning skin. Dwight says that’s coming. Once you do those things, you become them, and there’s no going back. Eugene says he thinks about being safe a great deal, and it’s what’s important; what cranks his shaft. He says it’s not perfect, but they’re Saviors, and they save. He tells Dwight his cloak and dagger is on the QT. Just do nothing to anyone within the walls of the Sanctuary, and it will stay that way.

Eugene goes downstairs, where the zombies are clamoring at the windows. A Savior tells him he could use some help; Gabriel is getting worse. He has an infection, maybe more than one, and it’s only a matter of time. Eugene wishes he could help. He wishes for Razzles too (do they still make those?), but if wishes were horses and all that. Dude asks him to stay with Morgan, while he tries to find some Chinese herbs; maybe Eastern medicine will help. Gabriel nearly coughs up a lung, and tells Eugene to sit; Eugene looks worse than he does. Eugene says, he looks like a potato in a sh*t casserole, and sits.

Gabriel reaches for some water, and Eugene helps him drink. He coughs some more. He asks if Eugene is going to help him get Dr. Carson out. Eugene tells him there’s a Wilkes-Barre of walkers out there, and he doesn’t see it happening. He’s a small person, who doesn’t stick his neck out for anyone but himself, and stays in his lane. Gabriel just wants him to do the right thing. Eugene wonders what the definition of that is, since it’s different things to different people. Not going by other’s definitions has kept him staying vertical, when so many have gone horizontal. Gabriel tells him it requires faith, and the trusting belief that God is guiding him, and has a plan. Eugene says that’s absurd. Gabriel says he’s a man of science, but not long ago, would have found it impossible to believe that the dead could walk. (He has a point there.) Gabriel says maybe it’s not impossible. He’ll know what the right thing is when the time comes. He takes Eugene’s hand, and when Eugene takes it away, he sees a red dot on his thumb.

Morgan sees the zombies outside the Sanctuary through his gun site. He hears Daryl say he’s got something. Daryl drives up in the truck.

A Savior whose name I don’t remember visits Eugene. She asks if he’s fixed her boombox. He asks if she’s not distressed they’re trapped. She says she was already trapped. He asks if it’s possible for him to have the second bottle despite the delinquency. He needs it. She asks if he’s making jet fuel, but he says he needs it to sleep. She gets it; she needs help sleeping too. She tried to stop this. They came to him, and asked for help. He could have changed this place to something better, but took care of himself. She gives him the bottle, saying she hopes it helps, but it won’t. Negan summons Eugene.

Daryl says, make it happen. He tells Michonne to cover him. He’s going to crash the truck through the zombies and into the into the building. Michonne is concerned that they’ll be killed, but Daryl says  the workers are on other side. Michonne says it’s risky. Tara says they’ll work with what they’ve got, and Morgan says they’ve got him; Daryl is covered. Rosita thinks they should wait it out; it could go bad. Tara says it almost did go bad, and Daryl says they don’t have the Kingdom anymore. Rosita says Rick went to talk to the scavengers, and thinks they should wait for him. Tara says she knew about the weapons, but didn’t say anything, and look what happened. Rosita says it’s happening without her; she’s out. Michonne decides to see it through, but Rosita asks if it’s easier to risk everything than stay and wait. Michonne says she used to believe that, and Rosita says she wishes Sasha had realized it. Daryl says let’s go, and he gets in the truck with Michonne.

Negan sits at the head of the boardroom table with Lucille. Eugene sits down. Negan tells him if things don’t get fixed soon, a lot of people will die. His people, not him. He’s too good at this, but he doesn’t want to see them die. He doesn’t want to see Eugene eaten. It’s about pooling and organizing strength, and he’s strong. He wants to make sure Eugene knows he knows that. Eugene says their pages are utterly and completely one and the same. Negan holds out his hand. Eugene starts to kiss it, but Negan says he was going for a handshake, and tells Eugene to stand up. He understands the confusion; he rarely does this sh*t. Not many get mutual respect from him. Eugene says work needs getting to, and leaves. Negan smiles.

Eugene works on the boombox. He examines the speaker. He goes to the basement, wearing a miner’s headpiece with a light, looking around in the dark. He sees Sasha’s coffin, and flashes back to her bursting out of it, zombified. He opens it and finds the iPod he gave her. He sniffles a little.

Morgan tells Daryl to cut the engine before he draws walkers. This should be awesome if it works, or even if it doesn’t. Tara gets out to go for a cover spot. Daryl asks Michonne if she’s up for it. She says she came to see for herself if things would work, but she doesn’t get to know that. None of them do, but she does know things are working now, and they need to trust things will keep working. What they’re about to do, is it worth risking that? Daryl says it is for him. She hopes it works, but she can’t do it. She says she shouldn’t, and gets out, looks at Tara, and walks away. Tara says he has Morgan and the snipers; they can do this. Daryl says they will.

Outside on the second floor, Eugene sets the iPod up on a glider that looks like it’s made out of a kite. He talks into the recorder, and says stuff I don’t understand. Dwight tells him not to turn around

Tara runs around the compound, and sees the zombies trying to get into the Sanctuary. She radios that she’s there and ready. Morgan is ready. The lookouts are ready.

Dwight tells Eugene to get up, and back away from that thing. He has a gun, and Eugene gets all shaky. He says he’s attempting to save people’s lives. If Dwight kills him, he’ll be killing a great many innocents. Dwight asks if he’s aware that Negan is going to kill all his old friends. Eugene says they were former traveling companions. Dwight says he’s working with them to keep people alive. They can get rid of Negan, they’re almost there. Eugene says Negan ain’t the dyin’ type. Dwight says he is, and he’ll either execute Eugene or he can take his chances of being shot in the back. Eugene turns the iPod on, and cranks up the sound. The glider takes off, and floats above the zombies. Wtf? I guess he’s trying to lead the zombies away using Dolly Parton. Dwight’s hand shakes.

Daryl starts the truck. Dwight shoots at the glider rather than Eugene. Tara just shoots. Eugene turns around, and Dwight is gone. Morgan shoots. Daryl drives. Eugene ducks. Daryl puts cinderblock on the gas pedal to hold it down, jumps out of the truck, and it slams into the building. Morgan says, clear to the south. Daryl and Tara run as the zombies swarm into the Sanctuary.

The Saviors shoot at them, but they’re way outnumbered. Eugene has a panic attack. Dwight can’t believe it. Regina machine guns, but why bother? Just run. Eugene freezes on a landing as the bodies pile up at the bottom of the stairs, and they still keep coming. Eugene just blinks at the zombies reaching for him.

Eugene goes to Gabriel’s room, and says his invitation is declined. He won’t end up like Sasha or him. He can’t do this. Judge him, but he’s staying alive, and doing what takes to lock that down. He’s going to make sure Dr. Carson stays right there, since staying alive requires his expertise. He’ll survive; it’s all he knows how to do. Morgan is like, go to hell.

Negan tells Eugene he hopes Eugene realizes the storm of sh*t (his favorite word) he’ll be dumping on Rick as soon as he’s clear of the sh*tstorm Rick dumped on him. He asks how it feels to be his second, and to save people. Eugene says it feels great, and he’s solved some other problems. Negan is thrilled that Eugene has made more bullets, calling him magnificent. Eugene agrees he is. Regina and Dwight come in, and say that the dead have taken over the lower level. Negan tells them that Eugene has solved a way out of this mess, and he says he has a topper Dwight looks at him, I’m sure thinking he’s a gonr. Eugene says he’s fixed the intercom. Negan asks if that’s it, and Eugene says, sorry. That kind of thing cranks his shaft. He leaves.

Alone in his  room, Eugene listens to the shooting. He shivers and cries. He should cry. He drinks the liquor straight from the bottle, throws up, and drinks some more.

Rick is hauled out again. A scavenger takes him to the trash heap, and forces him to his knees. A zombie with a helmet is brought out, snapping and snarling. Jadis says, time for after. Rick pops the guy holding him in the nose, and manages to fight, even with his hands tied. He grabs the stick the zombie is attached to, and twirls the zombie around in a circle, so that it nails everyone else. Until it’s head pops off. Rick goes after Jadis, who has a gun, but he trounces her anyway. He gets her on the ground and puts her face a few inches from the zombie’s head, which is still alive and gnashing its teeth. He tells her the others won’t attack today, but they will. They can play their games, draw pictures, sculpt all the sh*t they want, but he’s leaving; maybe they should just run. I agree. They’re not super effective. Jadis signals her people to lower their weapons.

Rick asks if they’re done, and she says, yes. He helps her up. He tells her the Sanctuary is surrounded twenty deep. He tells her to come with him. When the others meet them, they’ll ask for surrender. He alone kills Negan. He asks if there’s a deal, and she says, after, the Saviors things; their things. Rick says, all of theirs; a fourth. Jadis says she gets to sculpt him, and he says no sculpting. His boots and clothes now. I think she likes him.

Rick leads Jadis and company out. He sees some zombies feeding on one of his snipers, and shoos them away. He uses the radio, asking if anyone copies, but there’s nothing. He takes the gun and climbs up the tower. He focuses on the Sanctuary, and sees it empty of zombies. He’s like wtf? but shakier.

Next time, they just have to survive the night, Maggie and Jesus join up with the others, and the big confrontation with a shocking (they promise) ending happens. It’s a 90-minute mid-season finale preceded by a marathon starting Saturday night.

😵 That’s all she wrote tonight. You try dealing with the AOL upgrade that’s more like a downgrade while finishing your Christmas shopping.

🎇 The Fantasy

Shopping Shopping6.gif

👺 The Reality

Shopping4 Shopping3

🎅 Total Delusion

Shopping2.gif

😎 Done

Shopping5

Dec2

December 1, 2017 – JASON REVEALED, a Barbershop Rumble, a Hexaquote & Weekend Reality

Posted on by
Standard

What I Watched Today

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

 

 

General Hospital

Diane remarks on what an eclectic gathering it is. Carly tells them that Jordan and Curtis brought Andre back to answer a few questions. Andrew tells Carly that Curtis texted him, the guy who used to be her best friend. Carly says they’re still friends, he’s just not Jason. Andrew tells Andre to tell the truth; he’s Jason Morgan and the other guy is his twin brother.

At the hospital, David sees Alexis, who apologizes for not returning his texts. She’s embarrassed that he had to extricate himself from her clutches. He says he didn’t mind, and there’s nothing to be embarrassed about. He just doesn’t want to take advantage of her when she’s on the rebound

Julian shows up at Ava’s apartment. He asks if she missed him.

Elizabeth asks Andre, after everything Jake has been through, how could he? Andrew says Andre sabotaged his kid and stole his life. Jordan reminds him that Andre is still in custody, but Andrew asks how she can be objective when she had a relationship with him? Curtis says she went all the way to Cuba to find him, and wants answers herself. Diane says the commissioner is hardly objective, and Andrew says neither is she. Diane tells him feelings are irrelevant. What matters is what she can prove. She can subpoena Andre, and the process could take two weeks to two years, or they can settle it now. Spinelli tries to interject, but she stops him, saying the question is for her client and his brother. Both Jason and Andrew agree to settle it now.

Franco wants to leave, but Elizabeth says she needs to be there, so he decides to stay with her. Diane tells Andre it’s not a legal procedure, but his Miranda rights are in effect. He can remain silent or have a lawyer present. Andre says he’s already been read his rights. He understands what he says can be used against him in court, and he’ll probably get what he deserves. He explains that he developed a procedure to map and transfer human memories. He’d hoped that patients suffering from dementia and Alzheimer’s could have their memories preserved and restored. Diane says neither one suffers from those conditions, and asks how they got involved. Andrew says he began his research with the WSB, but they had ethical concerns and shut him down. She asks who financed him after that, but he doesn’t know. The money was sent by wire transfers from offshore accounts. He knew it was possible the procedure could be misused, but thought the long-term benefits outweighed the risks. He tested the procedure on identical twins – Jason Morgan and Andrew Kane.

Alexis blames her daughters for insisting she go out and socialize, and Sam practically ordered David to ask her out. He says he’s enjoyed their time together and would like more, but he’s aware she’s just off a rough break-up. She tells him her ex-husband was just released from prison. He hasn’t been exonerated, but was given a conditional release. David asks if that’s good or bad news, and she says it depends on who you ask. He says he was talking about for her, and she says she has no idea.

Ava hugs Julian, and asks how it happened? He says it’s a long story. She asks why he didn’t let her visit. She went to Pentonville more than once, but every time, he refused to see her. He says he wanted her to go on with her life, and it looks like she has. He tells her that her face is amazing; it’s like new. She wouldn’t go that far, and asks why he’s not in prison. He says he’s been given a conditional release. In the light of Olivia-J’s statement, the verdict has been set aside, and he’s awaiting a new trial. He wonders if his bedroom is still available. Griff shows up with flowers. I’d say that’s a no.

Diane asks if Andre understood them to be willing participants, but he says they never spoke before the procedure; when he first saw them, they were sedated and unconscious. Curtis asks if that didn’t send off any alarms, and what kind of doctor is he? Andre says a desperate one, on the verge of a breakthrough. Jordan says he sold his soul for it. Diane tells them they’re getting off track, and asks if he knew which was Jason and which was Andrew. He says he did. He was instructed to map Jason’s memories, and give them to Andrew. She asks how it affected Jason, and he says it didn’t. It’s like making a copy of your hand. You have the copy, but your hand is unaffected. Andrew’s memories were replaced, and he believes he’s lived Jason’s life.

Andre mapped Andrew’s memories as a baseline, and imprinted Jason’s over them. She asks if he has any idea why the backer wanted the procedure done on Andrew, but he says they never spoke directly. The backer’s goals and motives are a mystery.  They were taken away by the same people who brought them, and in in 2015 one of the subjects surfaced in Port Charles. Andre was expected to establish residence, and monitor him. Andrew goes nuts, grabbing Andre by the collar.

Alexis tells David that she did something bad and self-destructive, but she can’t talk with anyone about it. David says she can talk to him and he’ll keep it confidential. She says Julian’s attorney begged her to see Julian. He’d run afoul of another inmate, and his life was at risk. She was concerned enough to find his sister, but couldn’t get access to her. So, she found out who was paying her attorney’s bills, and blackmailed – no, extorted them. David says extortion suggests physical violence, and she says she would have given his name to a mobster, and he would have been buried in galoshes, or fed to the fishes, or whatever they do. She was prepared to use it for leverage. She says she’s compromised her ethics every time Julian was in her life. David asks why she did it then. Alexis tells him that even after all he’s done, she doesn’t want Julian dead. He asks if it’s because she’s a good, conscientious person, or does she still love him?

Griff gives Ava the flowers, and Julian asks if he’s putting in overtime loving thy neighbor. Griff says he’s no longer a priest, and Julian asks if that was before or after he started sleeping with Ava. Ava is like, hey! and he says sorry, but he finds it ironic that the man who gave them so many lectures on guilt and morality found his way to her bed. She says Griff saved her life, explaining about what happened at the Russian clinic. She tells Julian that Griff also rescued her last night. She did something not as dangerous, but equally impulsive, and he saved her. She and Griff have a meaningful relationship, and he needs to respect that. Julian apologizes, and holds his hand out, but Griff has no intention of shaking hands with his father’s killer. Julian takes this as his cue to leave, and says he’ll text Ava his contact info when he figures out where he’s staying. He tells them to enjoy their new relationship. Ava apologizes to Griff for Julian’s awkward sense of humor. Griff says he’s a murderer, and asks why he’s out of prison.

Andrew asks Andre if he pretended to treat his kid so he could watch him, but Andre says he didn’t pretend. He did everything in his power to help Jake. Diane asks if Andre knows who is who. He says he does, and she says, then tell them. They have the right to know. We do too! I say to the TV.

Andre says they won’t have much use for him once the truth is out, so he’s taking a last chance to explain his intentions. Alzheimer’s and dementia are soul destroying conditions that lay waste to lives. Sam interrupts, saying no one feels sorry for him, and calling him cruel and greedy; he’s acting like it’s no big deal. He took Andrew’s life away and sold it to the backer. Screw him and his intentions; tell them who is who, so they can be done. Andre says he was sent to Port Charles to monitor Andrew. YES!!!! Jason is Jason. Carly pokes Sonny, and Sam looks at her husband.

David apologizes for being intrusive, but Alexis says it wasn’t. She just opened up a vein. Being in AA, she wants to share all the time. He asks if she’s the reason Julian was released, and she says she’s a major factor. He says, despite the negative impact on her life? She tells him there were a few positives mixed in. He is Sam’s father, and also donated bone marrow to save her grandson’s life; she’ll always be grateful for that. She had some of her happiest months with him, but he was lying to her, so although she’s relieved, she has no intention of ever letting him in her life again. Julian appears, and says hello. =

Griff says Olivia-J changes her story, now Julian gets a new trial? Ava says he was coerced. She threatened his family, and he was never a willing accomplice. Griff says maybe not, but he was willing to have his father killed, and there will never be justice for that. Ava asks if they have to revisit that ugliness. Griff says he gets that she loves him, but he sees a man who keeps committing crimes and gets away with it. Ava asks if that isn’t where forgiveness comes in. You believe someone who’s damaged and flawed can be better and change. It doesn’t erase what they’ve done, but it heals them and yourself. Griff asks if that’s what he told her, and she says many times. He calls himself a hypocrite, saying he can’t find forgiveness in his heart for Julian.

Andrew asks how much Sonny is paying Andre? He’ll get away clean, and all he has to do is lie. Andre says he’s not lying. Andrew says he knows his life and memories, and asks why Sonny is turning on him. Sonny says he has nothing to do with this; he gives his word. Andrew says his word means nothing to him anymore. He has a life of his own, and wouldn’t work for him, so Sonny sold him out. Sonny says he has it wrong. Diane asks Andre if he has any proof, but there’s nothing he can access. Jordan asks an officer to take Andre to booking. Andre tells Andrew he’s truly sorry, and Andrew says he truly does not care. Andre is taken away, and Andrew tells Sam it’s time to go. Spinelli says he has proof. The longer this goes on, the more painful it becomes. He has proof that Andrew is Andrew.

Andrew says Spinelli is a hacker, and could create a fake data file. Spinelli says he could, but why chose to inflict more pain? Prolonging this just causes more distress and confusion. His goal is to establish the facts. What Andrew does with them is his business. Curtis suggests Andrew listen. At least he’ll know what he’s up against if he decides to fight. Spinelli takes out a picture of Andrew with his original face, dressed in a uniform. Spinelli says he commends him, calling him “sir.” He’s a Navy SEAL.

Ava tells Griff she’s not making excuses for Julian, but he’s spent his entire life living up to their father’s expectations. Victor was ruthless and brutal, and that was the code Julian was expected to live up to. He vacillated wildly between emulating his father and getting away from him. He’s not like Sonny; it doesn’t come naturally. He was playing a part, pleasing a man who’s long in the grave. Griff says that doesn’t bring his father back, and doesn’t make it any easier watching Julian walking around. He can’t be around it. She wonders if he’s asking her to choose between them.

Alexis introduces David to Julian. Julian asks if he’s treating her, and David says they’re just friends. He tells Alexis he’ll see her later, and jets. Julian asks how long they’ve been friends. She says Sam introduced them and he was at her house for Thanksgiving. She tells Julian this is his first and only warning; stop following her. Don’t make her get a restraining order. He says he’s not following her. He’s there to see a doctor.

Spinelli tells Andrew that he served with honor, has a distinguished service record, and multiple medals and commendations. He went AWOL, and there was no indication of trauma, no conflict, no reason; he simply vanished three months prior to Jason being lost and presumed dead. He thinks the backer might have thought it best to acquire him before Jason, but Diane says the road to hell is paved with speculation. He says he has no more facts, but Jordan does. Being the commissioner, the Navy file is at her disposal. She goes to the laptop.

And we have a match! She tells Andrew to see for himself. He says they’re electronic records, and Spinelli could have created them. Diane says they can issue hard copies, and can match them. In the meantime, she’ll move on the cold case files from 1996. Curtis says they both got screwed, but facts are facts. Waiting around for the hard copy isn’t changing anything. He’s a Navy SEAL, and it’s an impressive badge of honor. Andrew says it would help if could remember one thing about his old life, but he doesn’t. He just remembers Jason’s.

Ava tells Griff that she wasn’t expecting Julian’s release, but she’s happy he’s free, even if it’s conditional. She can’t turn her back on him. Griff isn’t asking her to. He’ll respect their relationship, but hopes she can respect his feelings. He doesn’t want any pretense or to make polite conversation. He doesn’t consent to anything Julian has done. Ava asks what it means for them, and he says she has to decide if she can be with him if he can’t be around Julian.

Julian tells Alexis that he needs to have a bone reset. He had no idea she’d be there, and she doesn’t need a restraining order. She says that remains to be seen. He’d thought they might be in a better place, but she says it’s better for her is she’s far away from him.

Curtis asks Jordan if she saw the look on Andrew’s face when he realized his entire life belonged to someone else. She says Andre has a lot to answer for. Sonny tells Diane to add a bonus to her bill. She tells Jason this one if free, but if he needs her in the future, her normal rate has gone way up. He thanks her for believing in him, and she says he was a pleasure to advocate for, not like some people, and looks at Sonny. She can count on him being reasonable. Spinelli tells Jason maybe he and Andrew should have a private conversation. Jason tells Spinelli he did great, but Spinelli says it doesn’t give him back five years, or console the man who unwittingly took his life. Jason thanks him, and he says it was an honor and a privilege. He hugs Jason until Jason finally says that’s enough. Jason thanks Carly and Sonny, telling them when he was planning his escape, he knew they’d be there for him. Carly hugs him, and Spinelli thinks libations are in order. Sonny asks if that means he wants a drink. Diane tells Jason he still needs to get some paperwork processed, and he tells her to go with them. Everyone leaves all happy.

Andrew asks Sam what she thinks. She says he’s a hero, but he says only on paper. He has no connection to Andrew Kane. Aw, he looks so sad.

Alexis is glad Julian was released, and says a second trial could conceivably go well. She hopes he uses the opportunity to turn his life around, but she can’t be involved. He says because of Sam and the grandchildren, there will always be a connection. Alexis says he’ll have to talk to Sam about that. She can’t participate; he’s worse than a fifth of vodka. David comes by, and asks if everything is okay. Alexis says she was just leaving, and asks him to text her about the restaurant he wants to go to. Julian tells David to be good to Alexis. David says that’s so inappropriate on so many levels, he wouldn’t know where to start, but Alexis is smart and independent, and can speak for herself.

Ava tells Griff that she has no intention of turning her back on either of them. It’s called compromise, a concept her brother never quite grasped. Griff says he’s heard of it. She says in these particular circumstances, it means she’ll arrange her life so there’s as little interaction as possible. She’ll see Julian on her own time. He says it might be more complicated than she realizes, but she says she’s a complicated woman; simplicity bores her. She can make it work, as long as she doesn’t lose him. He says he’s not going anywhere, and kisses her.

Elizabeth says Franco is quiet. He doesn’t have much to say. He’s disappointed. No one has ever accused Drew of being warm and fuzzy, but they managed to coexist. There’s no way Jason can grasp or care that he did crazy things because he had a brain tumor, or that Jake improved. He got through when no one else did. Elizabeth says Jake has confusion enough in Jake’s life, now she has to tall him who his father is. Under normal circumstances she’d have him talk to Andre, but she isn’t in a hurry. She tells Franco that Jason would never do anything to intentionally hurt their son. He’s not going to demand anything; he’ll wait until the time is right. She has faith in him when it comes to Jake.

Andrew says it’s like a slow-motion nightmare; like the game where you pull blocks out one by one, until the structure collapses. He’s found his long-lost twin, but the kicker is, he’s the one who’s lost. He’s not Jason Morgan. It’s the last block. Sam says that’s not true. He says she heard Diane; he can take everything. She says it doesn’t matter, but he says it does to him. Everything they’ve built can be taken. He wonders what they’re going to tell the kids. Sam calls him “Jason,” and is like, oops. He walks out, and tells Jason that he doesn’t care about the DNA; they’re not brothers. Jason tells Sam to take care of herself, and leaves.

On Monday, Franco tells Andre he needs a session, Robin asks Elizabeth not to do that, and Nelle has a Christmas present for Michael.

And once again – YESSSSS!!!!! I called it. It would have been pretty embarrassing had Steve Burton not been Jason, since I’ve been calling him that from the jump.

Z Nation

In Chicago, 10K and Lily look for the others. It’s foggy, and there are suds floating in the air. Foam party! They can barely see two feet in front of them. Lily says it’s FUBAR. 10K bayonets a zombie, and says they have to find Roberta. Everyone is wearing some kind of covering over their mouths.

Doc and Murphy are also in the mess, whacking zombies. They enter a cabin. It’s Sketchy and Skeezy in a barbershop, along with barber Sal. Sketchy says, what’s up, Doc? He’s wearing half-beard, and calls it avant-garde. Doc says they can’t stay; they have to find Roberta. Sketchy says if she still has a pulse, she’s his kind of gal. Doc reminds Murphy that he’s always said, never get out of the boat, but Murphy isn’t anxious to get back in the toxic sh*t either. Sketchy says nuclear fallout, plus chemicals, equals zombie frappe. Murphy thinks the barbershop is the last sliver of paradise, and Roberta is indestructible…ish. Sal asks them to leave their weapons in the box at the door. Murphy insists his cane is just a walking stick, but the barber isn’t fooled. Murphy says they’re getting off on the right foot. He sits in the chair. Doc watches at the window.

Roberta slogs through the sudsy gloom, calling for the others. She starts to feel weird and dizzy.

Murphy says he could die and go to heaven, and the two swindlers tell him, don’t say that, in tandem. Doc can’t find the right memory to remind him, but feels strongly that Sal’s face must have relevance. The barber says his mind is playing tricks, and Doc says, could be. There’s a discussion on the difference between telekinesis and telepathy. Doc says he’s done both on peyote, as well as teleporting. Murphy snores in the chair. Doc says they’re on a one-way trip to hell, and he still finds time for a nap. I’m on that same trip lately, and wish I could catch a nap. Sketchy and Skeevy keep cringing every time Sal puts the razor near Murphy’s throat.

Sketchy looks nervous as the barber shaves Murphy. Sal says his name is short for Salazar, and Doc asks if he’s Albanian. Sketchy and Skeezy hide behind one another. Sal says he’s Greek, and that they invented the sandwich. Sketchy says it was the Romans, so they could eat on the go while raping and pillaging. Murphy says they’re both wrong. It was invented by the fourth Earl of Sandwich because he didn’t want to leave the poker table. Sketchy talks about Thomas Crapper, and Doc says if it was the other way around, they could be eating a crapper and taking a sandwich. Everyone ponders this.

Sketchy says if looks could kill, Sal would knock them dead, and are obviously trying to warn Doc and Murphy. Doc says they’re like ships passing in the night; some harbor, and some torpedo and sink. He suddenly says, Albany, then, Albuquerque. He’ll figure it out. He gets all Zen and meditates, while Murphy asks Sal about baklava.

Above them in the attic, an odd, gigantic leprechaun-looking guy has a gun. Below them, zombies clamor in the basement. Is this like Sweeney Todd?

Roberta continues on. She coughs, and pushes suds out of her way. A zombie tries to grab her, but she mercies it. She sees someone in the dusk, and they run from her.

Murphy is impressed with Sal’s work. He wants to check it out from the back, and Sketchy tells Sal to grant a man his last request. Doc lights a joint. Sal reaches for the chair lever, and Sketchy and Skeevy start talking about a tanning bed Sal has in the back; it’s solar powered. Murphy wonders why they’re acting like everything is a matter of life or death. The dude upstairs looks down through a hole in the floor. He catches Sketchy’s eye, and wiggles his bushy eyebrows. Sketchy shows Murphy to the tanning bed, asking him to sign some papers for his protection, Murphy grabs the clipboard, tosses Sketchy out, and throws the papers on the bench, and. The top sheet has GET OUT! written on it, but he doesn’t see it.

Doc is still wondering where he knows Sal from. Skeezy tries to stop him from broaching the subject. Murphy opens the tanning bed, and we hear zombie noises. He closes it again. Doc gets a scalp massage, and says Sal has magic hands. Sketchy asks if he’s fresh off the boat, and he says by way of Detroit. Doc recalls his good times there. He starts talking about a guy he knew there named Tony Cueball, which was weird, since he had hair down to his knees. Sal says he’s never heard of him, as he tests the razor. Doc suddenly sits up, and says he knew it. It’s Tony. He knocks the wig off of Tony’s head, and he’s bald. Tony opens a trap door (it is like Sweeney Todd) , and Doc nearly falls into the crowd of zombies reaching up from downstairs. Sketchy and Skeevy fight with Tony, and the guy upstairs shoots an opening in the floor, and drops down. Tony tells them to say hello to his little friend. Sketchy and Skeevy say they tried to warn them, and Doc says, next time, try harder.

Outside, Roberta follows the stranger. He’s dressed in a protective suit and wears a helmet. She sees a giant stingray floating through the murky sky. It descends.

Tony tells his little friend, otherwise known as Tiny, to take it easy; they’ll kill them soon enough. Murphy thought they were friends, and Doc says he’s not even a barber. Tony says it’s never been personal. Doc talks about how Tony sucker punched him, stole everything he had, including his underwear, and left him to die. Tony says it was business. They hear something outside the door, and Tony says he’s going to shoot first, and no questions. Sketchy says if that’s who he thinks it is, he’ll want her alive. Doc says, mama brings the pain. Tony tells them they’re the chattiest bunch of marks in the apocalypse. Murphy is surprised it’s a robbery; he thought it was a bunch of sadists. Sketchy says they’re not sadists, they’re capitalists. The door opens, and 10K and Lily come through, saying don’t shoot; they’re unarmed. Murphy tells them that they look like they smell. 10K doesn’t feel good, and throws up, creating a domino effect, and everyone else throws up. It’s like that scene in Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life. It goes through the floorboards, where the zombies lap it up. I’m totally grossed out, but then I laugh since, out of all the gory stuff, this is the thing that makes me go, eww!

Roberta follows the stranger. He signals for her to halt. A zombie walks through, but never notices them. She says she needs his help.

Tony says it’s still a robbery. Sketchy and Skeezy get Tony to drop his guns, and chaos ensues, with everyone fighting, and slipping and sliding on the… you know. The machine gun drops down through the trap door, and Doc says he’s too old for this sh*t. Tony is too. Tony says he needs to settle the last score. This is fate giving them a chance to reconcile the past. This time, he will kill him. Murphy comes out, telling everyone to run. The tanning bed zombie – an over tanned, tall blonde, whose skin is totally sagging on her bones – is out.  Sketchy and Skeezy get thrown toward her, and the three of them fall. She snaps at them, and Tiny pulls her off, stomping her head to a pulp. Tony tells Tiny to take that thing out. Skeezy says he’s been bitten, and wonders if he’s going to tan. Sketchy tells him he’s going to Z.

Roberta keeps following the stranger through the foam. She starts to falter, and keels over. She sees the black rainbow.

Skeezy doesn’t want to die. Sketchy says he might go Z, but he won’t die. Sketchy tells him the barbicide (the blue stuff they put the combs and brushes in) will kill anything. Skeevy chugs it down, and Sketchy tells him that he wasn’t supposed to drink it. Tiny and Tony draw their guns. Tony remembers Sketchy and Skeezy conning him once before, and wants to kill them. He doesn’t have enough bullets, so he suggests he and Tiny cut off their arms and legs, and throw them in the basement. Doc says to do them justice, but Tony insists cutting off arms and legs seems just. Skeevy and Sketchy start to argue, and Murphy says to do it the old-fashioned way. Tony wonders if he means dissolve them in acid. Murphy tells the con men that fate decided to screw them; the only game is survival of the fittest. Toss them out and let Darwin do the rest. Tony gives Sketchy a gun, and says there’s one in the chamber; make it count. Sketchy gets sniffley, and Sketchy grabs the gun and puts it to his own head. He threatens to be a mad Z, but Sketchy tells him that he has so much to live for in the next eight to ten minutes. Why don’t they heed Murphy’s advice about the Darwin thing? He’s talking about freedom, independence, choice, a man wrestling fate, riding on the wings of destiny. Tony likes his own idea better. Doc says sometimes the best weapon is upstairs, and asks for a hat.

They count the ballots. There’s a tie between limbs and exile. Tony says somebody didn’t vote. Everyone looks at each other. Doc asks Murphy if he voted, and Murphy says after the Gore/Bush election, it didn’t seem worth it.  

Two guys come in. While they’re getting sick, Sketchy steals a key. Everyone starts talking at once, explaining what’s happened, and Murphy asks if they want to vote. Sketchy wants to say goodbye to Skeezy. He grabs Skeezy, kissing him, transferring the key. Skeezy asks why he never said anything, and Sketchy says he didn’t think he had to. One of the men recognizes them, remembering when they crossed paths before, and how Skeezy bit him. He says he thinks this SOB bit him, and Sketchy says Skeezy bit him too, right here, by his heart. They throw Skeezy out the door. We hear him yelling, and Sketchy says, we get it, you’re dead.  The two men draw their guns, and says it’s an old-fashioned stickup.

Sketchy says whatever they do, please don’t put them in the basement. It’s cold and dark, and he can’t go down there. He’s scared of confined spaces. One of the thieves asks where the booty is – the basement? He thinks they really want to be there, and they order everyone downstairs. The basement door opens, and the zombies rush out. Operation Bitemark (minus Roberta) and Sketchy leave the others in the basement. We hear shooting, and Tony and Tiny come out, covered with blood. Tony says it’s time to end this. Everybody dies. Sketchy asks if he doesn’t want to make a speech or last words.

Someone is trying to get in the door, and the group moves over, leaving Tony and Tiny to face whatever comes through. The door bursts open, and the metal handle on the inside flies off, impaling Tony and Tiny. They slide to the floor. Sketchy asks Skeevy what took him so long, and accuses him of swallowing the key. Doc says they planned this the whole time, and Sketchy says they tried to cut him in, but he almost tanked the whole thing.  Murphy says they’re either masterminds or lying. Doc says he believes them when they’re lying, and he’s scared when they’re not. Murphy asks, all this for what? Sketchy says retirement. They’re taking over the barbershop. Doc says they need to find Roberta.

Roberta opens her eyes to her wasteland vision. The stranger tells her to get up. She has to get up. Roberta sits up, and he tells her she has to keep moving. She picks up her shield and the containers from the lab. Suddenly, the skies are clear, and she’s on a normal road. The man says everything depends on her, and she sees it’s Dr. Teller. He walks away, saying he won’t be there to help, and disappears. The others join her. Murphy says they’ve been looking for her. She leads them down the road. Murphy asks what happened to Sketchy and Skeevy, and Doc says they’re following their own dream. We see a Route 66 sign.

Back at the barbershop, Sketchy tells Skeezy, this is the life. He asks what they should do next, and Skeezy says, get a dog. He wonders if there are any left, and figures there are, somewhere. Sketchy looks at the new haircut Skeezy has given him. A half-haircut to match his beard. He says it’s perfect. The zombies downstairs make noise, and he stomps on the floor. He tells Skeezy they’re ready to kill the competition. Skeezy says they were born ready. They laugh like hyenas, and we see that the name of the shop is Curl Up & Dye.

There was no preview.

Quotes of the Week

Go to the mirror and slap the first person who shows up. – Iyanla Vanzant

Outrage is a hobby for some people. – Chris Sullivan

All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt! – Charles M. Schulz

Part of my identity is saying no to things I don’t want to do… I check in with myself throughout the day, and I say, “Do I really want to do this?” and if the answer is no, then I don’t do it. And you shouldn’t either. – Lady Gaga

You are braver than you believe, smarter than you seem, and stronger than you think. – A.A. Milne

Many things—such as loving, going to sleep, or behaving unaffectedly—are done worst when we try hardest to do them. – C.S. Lewis, From Studies in Medieval Literature, Compiled in Words to Live By  (Ain’t it the truth?)

😎 How I Still Get…

Weekend-Baby

😺 My Hopes & Dreams…

Weekend-Kitty&Duck

😒 The Reality (but not for the same reason as the Dowager Countess)

Weekend-Downton

Nov27

November 26, 2017 – The Aftermath Outside the Sanctuary & Weekend Thoughts

Posted on by
Standard

What I Watched Today

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

 

 

The Walking Dead

Sigh.

Rick takes a note out of a microwave on the side of the road.

Carl opens the gate at Alexandria, letting the caravan in.

A memorial is created at the Kingdom, remembering Shiva, and the others that we lost.

In a voiceover, Rick says the plan is working. They’re winning. They’ve lost people, but when it was over there weren’t any Saviors left standing. Maggie says, Jesus took prisoners. They’re holding them until they decide what to do. Carol tells about the ambush. She, Ezekiel and Jerry are the only ones left. Rick says it’s scarier than he thought it would be. Sasha was the first, and they need to make it right for them. He’s headed to the next step. The Sanctuary is cut off from any supplies. They’re to meet there in two days to end it, and win it all. They fought every step of the way to this moment. The path led them to who they are, to each other, and to now. This can be their last fight.

Jesus passes out food to the prisoners. Maggie is irritated, but he says they had a bumper crop of turnips; even the Saviors didn’t want them. I understand, having had more zucchini than I could handle one year. Gregory says to build a gallows already; save the bullets, and be done with it. Maggie tells him to go inside – now. He says she knows he’s right. Maggie tells Jesus that he shouldn’t have put them in this position. He wonders what they’re fighting for, but she says they have to end it. He tells her they have to make sure what’s left was worth what they lost when it’s over.

Jerry says the King isn’t receiving visitors, but Carol knocks anyway. She says they promised to meet Rick, and need everyone who can fight. Jerry tells her Ezekiel wanted him to go away, but this is what he does. Henry asks if he can help, but Carol tells him to stay there.

Tardis Jaundice Jadis and the Garbage Pail Kids have captured Rick. These people are weird and annoying. Jadis asks what he wants, and he says the same thing he wanted before – a deal. She says they killed his people. He says they killed some of hers too, but they need him, and his people need them. She knows they have the numbers to take the place. He announces the Saviors are finished. Negan and his people are trapped by walkers. Until they surrender, they stay there. He’s there to offer a better deal; it’s their choice to forget Negan, switch sides, and be part of what they’re building together. Or they’ll be destroyed. Threats and dreams. He passes out the Polaroids that he took after the attack. His people know he’s there. What they do next, depends on what Jadis does right now. She smiles, and says no. Rick is led away. She says he talks too much. Ha-ha! He does.

In his old office, Gregory tells Maggie that people who aren’t leaders always think they know better. It’s not so easy. Maggie thinks it was easy for her not to sell out Hilltop to Negan. He says what he did was in the best interest of the community. She says he was scared, and tried to save himself. He tells her not just himself. He’s sat in the leader chair. She needs someone to tell her it’s okay to follow her gut. Jesus might try to make her feel bad, but she’s the shepherd, and they can’t have wolves among the flock. It’s that simple.

Michonne decides to go out and look for Rick. Rosita tells her not to, but she won’t listen, so Rosita gets in the car. Tara tells Daryl he was right not to kill Dwight. They wouldn’t have gotten this far without him, but when it’s over, she wants to be the one to kill him. Daryl says maybe they could do it together. Geez. It was an accident for Pete’s sake.

Jesus looks through the fence as he guards the prisoners. A Savior asks if this is what he signed up for, but he doesn’t respond. The Savior says he was by himself for a while. Different guys kept taking over, but he didn’t care since he was getting food. They sent him to put up a fence, and now here we are. Jesus tells him to stop. None of them are innocent. The Savior says he’s no angel; there’s no such thing.

Rosita asks why Michonne needed to come out. Michonne says it’s like a siren has been going on in her head that she can’t turn off. She helped get it started, and needs to see it, turn the alarm off, and go back home.  Rosita seems satisfied with her answer. They hear something, and Michonne tells her to stop the car.

It sounds like opera. Rosita doesn’t think it’s the Sanctuary. Neither does Michonne, but she says they don’t know. They walk into the woods, ready for a fight, following the music. They come out and move toward the building it’s coming from.

In the middle of the woods, an impaled zombie grabs for a bag hanging from a tree. A guy kills it, and it’s the guy from the gas station a couple of episodes back. Carl makes himself known, explaining that his dad was firing warning shots at the gas station, and introduces himself. The man says he’s Saddiq. Carl asks if Saddiq wants food and water. He remembers Saddiq saying his mom told him to help people, and Carl’s mom said to do what’s right. He tosses the supplies to Saddiq, who drinks greedily from the water bottle. Carl is glad he found him, and tells Saddiq that he and his dad are in a community. He asks Saddiq to answer honestly. How many walkers have you killed? Two hundred and thirty-seven, give or take a couple. How many people have you killed? One. Why? The dead tried to kill him, but they didn’t. Carl asks if the traps are how he killed so many. He says that’s only part of it. His mom hoped that killing them freed their souls. Maybe she was right. Carl asks if it doesn’t just make things harder, interfering with his own survival. Saddiq says you have to honor your parents. Carl says if he did that, they wouldn’t be talking, and he wouldn’t be asking him to come to the community.

Henry whacks at zombies with a stick in the woods. Carol shoots them, and says kids who go into the woods are never seen again, or if they are, they’re monsters. He says she needs fighters, and he’s fighting. He asks if she was going to the Sanctuary by herself, inferring that it’s not too smart. He wants to kill the ones who killed his brother. Carol asks if he knows how to use the stick, and Henry tells her that he watched her train people. She tells him to stay close.

Tara approaches Jesus, and tells him Maggie said to bring the Saviors in. He tells them two at a time, and they’re led into a pen. Maggie says they’ll feed them and not mistreat them, but won’t stand for anything less than total cooperation. Gregory says they can’t let people they don’t trust run around inside their walls. She says she grew up on a farm, and knows about sheep and wolves. Two guys grab Gregory, and walk him in with the Saviors. He acts like Sylvester the Cat, grabbing at things, and dragging his feet, trying to keep them from putting him in the pen. Savior Jared tells Maggie she’s going to get her people killed, but oh that’s right, she already did. He tries to grab one of the guard’s guns, and she cracks him one. She says she might regret her decision, but he’ll definitely regret his.

Carl and Saddiq hear zombie gurgles. Zombies are feeding on a deer, or moose, or Bigfoot, or something. Several zombies stagger toward them. One gets up close and personal with Carl. Saddiq stabs its throat, but they keep coming. It’s a pretty tense, oh sh*t! moment. Carl is totally trapped, and Saddiq gets one down, but he’s struggling. Finally, Carl gets a grip on his gun, and shoots them. I was starting to like Saddiq, then I remembered. Don’t like anyone on this show and invest nothing. Carl says he’s responsible for Saddiq now; that’s how it works. Saddiq doesn’t want to make trouble, and says Carl’s dad didn’t want him. Carl says sometimes kids have to make their own way and show the parents. Good point.

Michonne and Rosita follow the sound. They go inside a warehouse (?), and hear people talking. It’s two Saviors, a man and a woman, talking about saving asses and how what’s done can’t be undone. Tara and Michonne sneak around. Michonne accidentally kicks a tennis ball, and the Saviors see it. They draw their guns. Rosita takes out her gun. The Saviors shoot, and Michonne takes off. The Saviors search for them, one of them whistling. Tara looks in a box, and pulls out a drill. I think.

Michonne jumps out, getting the best of the woman, but she rallies, and they duel. She calls to her partner. He comes into view, and Tara points a gun at him. He says she’s not going to use that thing – which is like, a villain’s famous last words – and that wasn’t a gun, it was some kind of fire launcher. The second the words were out of his mouth – whoosh! – like Enoch, he was no more. The woman drives off in a truck, the back of it carrying large speakers, blasting the opera. As she gets to the intersection, BOOM! She’s T-boned by a garbage truck. Daryl is the driver, and Tara came along for the ride. Rosita says, that was too close, and Michonne says, it was.

Daryl says that was a Savior, and Michonne explains they found them scavenging. Tara asks why they’re out there, and Michonne tells Tara that she has to see the Sanctuary. Rosita says she does too. Rosita asks what about them, and Daryl says they have work to do; all of them.

Carol makes another try at seeing Ezekiel. Jerry says still not seeing anyone. She tells Henry to cover his ears, and points her gun at the door. Jerry says it’s not locked. Carol goes inside.

She finds Ezekiel, sitting on the floor in front of his throne, Shiva’s empty lead in his hand. He knows what she wants, and what he should be doing, but he can’t. She tells him the people out there need him. He says he played a part, and the stakes were their lives. He still played it; he knew, and yet he smiled. He can’t be what they need. He asks her to please, just leave him alone. Carol starts to leave, and stops. She asks why he kept coming to visit her? Ezekiel says it was his duty to make sure she was okay. She says she was okay; why did he really? He tells her that she made him feel real, not a fiction. Tears roll down Carol’s cheeks. She says he is real – to her, to the Kingdom; the people need their king to lead them. He says she could lead them, but she says it has to be him. He inspired them to build this place, to believe in something. He has to help them grieve, to move on, to end this. He owes them. Henry needs him. The people need King Ezekiel, and if he can’t be the king, do what he does best, and play the part. Carol says she has to act every day. It bothered her at first, but it’s who she is, and she’s still standing. They have to act like everything is normal. It’s what they need, and what he has to give them. Ezekiel says he can’t.

Jared works at cutting the bonds on his wrists with a rock. The guy who was talking to Jesus, slaps it out of his hand. He says Jared will get them all killed. Keep it together, and this place will be theirs. Gregory broods.

Aaron, Maggie, and Enid sit in Maggie’s office. Aaron says he keeps forgetting Eric is gone. He has moments where he thinks he’ll see him and be able to talk about how he’s feeling, and his mind catches up. He remembers, and the pain is knowing it won’t ever happen. Enid knows the feeling. He asks if it gets easier. Maggie says no, but it helps to do something about it. Jesus comes in, and tells them Gregory is trying to suck up to the Saviors; she did the right thing. He thanks her, but Maggie says, not so fast. She thinks they might be bargaining chips. Maybe they can trade them for some of their own people, so they might need them. But if they don’t, they can’t let them live. Jesus looks sad. Aaron walks out.

Aaron packs up his car. Enid asks where he’s going, and he says he’s going to make sure they win. She wants to come, saying he’s right; they need to win. He tells her to get her stuff, and some food. They might be gone for a while.

Daryl drives to an empty lot. He looks through a pair of binoculars, and gives them to Michonne. She sees the Sanctuary, and it’s coated with zombies trying to get in. Daryl thinks they should end this thing right now.

Jadis draws an A in chalk on a storage container. A naked Rick looks out from inside. She, and the garbage people (Talking Dead calls them the Heapsters), leave Rick at the dump alone.

Next time, inside the Sanctuary, Dwight has a talk with Eugene, and Eugene gets a gun held to his head.

🎆 It was a long weekend in more ways than one, and included my birthday, which included martinis. I’m trying to ignore Real Housewives of Atlanta, or at least not concentrate real hard on it, and I like to compile my 90 Day Fiancé thoughts into a once a month fiancé rant, so the Dead stands alone. Hope everyone had a lovely holiday weekend. Now, back to work.

🐶 For the Dog Lovers…

WeekendPup

🐱  For the Cat Lovers…

WeekendGrumpyCat

🐙 For Everyone Else…

WeekendOwl

 

Nov25

November 24, 2017 – Broadcast News Zombies, Chuckles the Clown & Quote Quintuplet

Posted on by
Standard

What I Watched Today

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

 

Today, General Hospital was replaced by football, and Once Upon a Time was replaced by Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town. So in keeping with this week’s theme of gratitude, I’m thankful Z Nation was on.

Z Nation

To make this an easier read, the show flipped back and forth from the past – a zombie attack at a television station – to the present – Operation Bitemark discovering the station.

We see a weather broadcast. All seems normal.

Kaya locks herself in a safe room, and watches as the Zona soldiers look around. She tells Nana that they won’t find them unless they know where to look. She turns on the monitors. She wonders what they’re looking for, and says Simon would know. She gets on the radio with a mayday from Kaya in the Skya, requesting assistance. She tells Citizen Z if he’s out there, she needs him. The main dude looks at the camera, holding up his radio.

Doc wishes they could do something. Murphy says they’re even, since she can’t help them either. Roberta says they need to find a way to boost the signal. They see the remnants of a small plane in the street, and looking up, a huge satellite dish on a roof. Roberta says that ought to boost their signal.

The building is barricaded from the inside. 10K says the town must have turned fast, and suggests breaking down the doors, but the others are concerned the noise might alert the zombies.

Breaking news. The weathergirl, Carly, sits in the anchor’s chair, and talks about the flight crash, and says terrorism hasn’t been ruled out. She gets applause from the other staff, and intern Doug tells her it was very newsy. Station manager Bruce says it’s not about her, just deliver the information simply and with empathy. He tells the staff disasters mean eyeballs glued to the screen, and it’s action news time. Jack, the real news anchor – a Ted Baxter (The Mary Tyler Moore Show) type – walks in, and asks if he missed a memo, thanking Carly for keeping his seat warm. He’s. Bruce wants a live report, and two guys run out to the news van.

Doc opens the same van. They find a lot of supplies, along with some gas. Roberta says the van isn’t going to drive again, but she has the keys to the news station. They go inside, and she says somebody made a stand, and never left. 10K hopes it’s not a trap. Murphy asks if they heard that. They didn’t, but we did. A zombie flies out of one of the rooms in attack mode.

Carly cries in the bathroom. She gives herself a pep talk, telling herself to embrace her moments. Someone starts banging on the side of the stall. She sees their shoes, and asks Helen if she’s sick, adding that sometimes Taco Tuesday fights back. She talks to herself in the mirror, saying it’s showtime, as Helen makes zombie gurgling noises inside the stall.

Doc comes out of the same stall that Carly did, and sees a zombie trying to get out of the adjacent one. He opens the stall, and whacks Doug in the head with a hammer. In the hallway, he tells Murphy something horrible happened in there, and Murphy says to have some dignity. Doc says that’s not what he meant, but Green Bay is the TP capital of the world (I verified this – it is), and the first to develop splinter free TP.

Kaya watches the men searching the place, and wonders what they’re looking for. She sees someone open the secret door, and gets her gun ready. She watches as they come down the ladder, and cracks them in the face with the butt of the gun. She tells Nana to stay back, and prepares to shoot. She asks what they want, and turns the man over. He says he wants to see his boy. It’s Citizen Z. Finally. She tells JZ that it’s his father, and the boy embraces him.

Simon wonders if he’s really there. He’s dreamt of this moment for two years. He says it was a long walk. She says his stupid little plane went down, didn’t it? He says the pilot did everything he could, but was mercied on impact. He tells Nana that Kaskae was a great man, and saved his life. He gives her a necklace that Kaskae wanted her to have. He asks about JZ’s name, thinking Kaya named him after the rapper, but she says it’s Junior Z. She totally named him after his dad. She tells him that he owes her 600 diaper changes.

Operation Bitemark goes to the basement, where they find a gas-powered generator.

Bruce tells someone on the phone that he doesn’t care if everything is grounded, get the chopper in the air. They have survivors, and they’re going live to the crash. Jack tells the viewers that there was a plane crash near Green Bay, and preliminary reports say there are survivors. They go live to the crash site, where we see the two reporters running as zombies are attacking them. Jack keeps asking them to describe what’s going on, and they lose the feed. Carly tells the viewers that they’re having technical difficulties. The scene is chaotic, and they’re working to verify any information. Jack asks why the reporters were running from the story, and the lights go out.

10K gets the lights working at the station. They look around, and Roberta says it looks like nothing has been touched in eight years. Murphy says zombies are bad for your health; film at eleven. Roberta tells the group to look for anything that can help them contact Kaya.

Kaya tells Simon that they have uninvited guests. She wants to make it clear that she thought he was from Zona, and her hitting him wasn’t a passive aggressive move. She asks what they could be looking for, and Simon tells her it was a top-secret base for thirty years; it could be anything. Kaya hasn’t intercepted anything from them in a while, and Simon wonders why they would leave a rich, hermetically sealed Z-free paradise. Why are they here?

Roberta and Lily try to adjust the satellite dish. Murphy says, everyone dead; film at eleven. He tells them he’s just a natural. Doc asks if being a zombie messiah not enough; he wants to be an anchor too? Murphy starts reading from the teleprompter about the crash, and they hear zombie noises.

The reporters come back from the field, one bleeding badly. The other says everyone is going insane; someone bit Mike. Bruce says that the survivors must be in shock, but the reporter says he doesn’t think so; he’s the one that’s in shock. Mike tells them to stay inside; it’s not safe. Bruce decides to put him on the air. The other reporter thinks he should go to a hospital, but Bruce says they’ll just bandaid him up. Jack says it looks brutal, and announces a special report. He says their reporter, Mike, has just returned from the site of disaster. He’s going to tell them in his own words what he saw. Mike just stares at the camera, and Jack says he knows it was a harrowing experience, but try to tell the viewers what it was like. Mike looks like he’s about to pass out, and projectile vomits on one of the staff.  Jack calls for a medic, and Mike grabs the other reporter, biting him. He starts to grab and bite whoever is closest. Jack says they’re going to a commercial, and to call security. He books, but Carly stays at the desk, telling the viewers a curfew has been issued, and to stay indoors. It’s not clear if the mob behavior is related to the crash. Bruce calls for a first aid kit, but gets bit instead. Doug tells Carly they’ve got to go. She asks what’s happening, and he thinks it’s zombies. Mike comes toward them, and they run. Carly says they need to get to the roof. They grab cameras and run toward the stairs. Jack is trying to sneak out, and is stopped by Mike. He tells Mike that what he needs are antibiotics. Jack sees Bruce coming toward him from the other side, and asks if it’s a problem with contract negotiations. He’s won nine Emmys, and is the face of the station. Bruce and Mike converge on Jack, and feast on his neck.

Doc crowns a zombie with a hammer. 10K joins him and Murphy, showing them an Emmy he found. Doc thinks the place went down during a newscast, and it would make a helluva blooper reel. Zombie Jack pops up from out of nowhere, and 10K tosses the Emmy to Murphy, who puts it through Jack’s eyeball. He says now he knows what local Emmys are good for.

Kaya tells Simon that she can reroute power and lock them in. She calls the leader the man with a plan, and they watch the Zona emissaries on the monitors. Simon wonders again why they would travel from a secure paradise to a wasteland. He sees a zombie he calls Scampy, and says he thought he’d lost him. He’d run a pipe through him – we see it’s still through him – but he won’t die. Kaya says he’s one of the mad Z’s. She’s had unconfirmed radio traffic about them. One of the Zona soldiers shoots him, but it only pisses Scampy off, and Scampy attacks him.

Kaya and Simon venture out. Kaya says it’s a real bummer, and Simon tells her it explains a lot. Scampy sees them, and Kaya tells Simon, here comes your friend, but he says it’s more like an acquaintance he keeps murdering. Scampy waits at the bottom of the stairs. Simon tells Kaya he’s smarter than the average Z, and she says, let’s hope we’re smarter.

Simon asks Scampy, what’s up? and says sorry about the pipe. The pipe gets stuck in the stair railing, preventing Scampy from getting to them. Simon and Kaya take off. Simon tells her that he thought he’d lost Scampy seven years ago. She says for someone who’s been through eight years of a zombie apocalypse, he’s unrealistically optimistic. Scampy makes it up the stairs, and they run, but the end of the hallway has no stairs and it’s too high to jump. Simon tells Kaya to get back, and shoots Scampy in the knees. I say the eff-word out loud because this doesn’t slow him down any. He’s like Yul Brynner in the original Westworld; he just keeps coming. Simon keeps the pipe between them, and bends Scampy over the railing. Kaya helps to push him over, and he falls, but he’s lying there still alive dead undead. Kaya asks if this is for real. She sees the man with a plan, and yells to him, asking what he wants. She and Simon head in other direction.

Lily and Roberta decide to go to the roof.

Carly grabs Doug, and pushes him into the ladies’ room. They block the door with a garbage can. She starts to put soap on a paper towel, and tells Doug to get toilet paper. They can make the floor slippery for those things. He opens a stall door, and before Carly can stop him, Helen comes out. She kills Doug, and starts to go after Carly, but slips and falls on the paper towel Carly dropped, cracking her head open. Before Carly can take a breath, Doug gets up. She whacks him with her purse, and shoves him into a stall. She goes out into the hallway, and there are zombies everywhere.

In the hallway, Operation Bitemark is confronted with the zombie news team.

Kaya tells Simon that he’s not just smart, but impossibly brave. He says he didn’t come all this way to die in front of her. He kisses her, and she says, two years away, and he’s a better kisser. He tells her absence makes the heart grow fonder. She says she’ll kill the power; he can capture the dudes. He leaves, and she says she loves that man. Me too. I’m so glad to see him back. Where’s Pup though? Did he die in the crash, or did he not go with Citizen Z? If not, where is he? The important questions.

Roberta tells everyone to run for the stairs.

Carly runs up the stairs, the zombies following her. She falls, and drops her phone. She hears the chopper pilot say that he’s approaching, and she somehow grabs her phone, the zombies grasping at her. She says she’s coming, and slams the roof door in their dead faces.

Kaya looks on the monitor, and sees someone in the control room. She tells Nana, who’s just been calmly smoking her pipe through the whole thing, to stay quiet. She goes to the control room, and sees the man with a plan fiddling with the computer. She cocks her gun, telling him that she’s Kaya in the Skya, and he’s in the wrong control room.

She fires a warning shot, and says now that she has his attention, who is he and why is he there? He says it’s of critical importance, and she asks to whom. She hears Simon and gunshots, and the man starts to get up. She tells him to sit right there, but he says it’s time for him to go. She keeps the gun on him as she’s backing into the hallway, and he sits back down. Simon is methodically shooting zombies in the knees. Scampy is back – come on now – and they struggle. Another zombie grabs Simon’s leg, and Kaya whacks Scampy from behind. They proceed to beat both zombies to a pulp. They see the Zona helicopter take off. Simon tells Kaya that they have to figure out what they were looking for. Kaya says she had him, but had to let him go; sorry. He says she saved his life, and she tells him that he owes her one then.

Carly tells the pilot she’s at the landing pad, and he’s her only way out. He tells her he’s inbound, and will be there in five minutes. She sets up the camera as zombies bang on the door. She says it’s an Action News Nine special report from the top of the broadcast center. The crash pales in comparison to the epidemic of the dead or something, whatever they are. Because she’s a professional, she’ll broadcast when she can, but they should take care of each other and be safe. It’s all they can do now. The helicopter starts to descend, and the roof door starts to open against the barricade.

Operation Bitemark goes out onto the roof. Roberta says they’ve got to make a long-distance phone call, and Lily hooks up the equipment. Zombie Carly comes at Roberta, who shoots her. Murphy says the door was barricaded from the outside, and Roberta says she died alone on the roof. Doc says she was waiting for Chopper Nine to rescue her. 10K says, that is harsh.

Kaya tells Simon that whatever was on the disks has been wiped clean and transferred to a hard drive. Nothing is recoverable. They hear Roberta’s voice coming through. Simon says it’s Citizen Z there, with Kaya in the Skya. Roberta says she heard Kaya’s mayday, and asks if she’s okay. Kaya says she is now; Simon’s home. Simon asks what their status is, where’s Murphy, and how about Addie and the others? Roberta tells him that they lost contact with Addie, Lucy is dead, and she and Murphy escaped Zona. He says that Zona just attacked them, and stole all of their files. They don’t know what was on the disks, but the name on the files is Black Rainbow. Roberta says black rainbow is real, and we see her black rainbow vision.

Next time, the last sliver of paradise, and barbershop zombies.

Ted Baxter’s Ad-Lib Eulogy for Chuckles the Clown

Ladies and gentlemen, sad news. One of our most beloved entertainers, and close personal friend of mine, is dead. Chuckles the Clown died today from – from uh – he died a broken man. Chuckles, uh, leaves a wife. At least I assume he was married, he didn’t seem like the other kind. I don’t know his age, but I guess he was probably in his early sixties; it’s kind of hard to judge a guy’s face especially when he’s wearing big lips and a light bulb for a nose. But he had his whole life in front of him, except for the sixty some odd years he already lived. I remember, Chuckles used to recite a poem at the end of each program. It was called “The Credo of the Clown,” and I’d like to offer it now in his memory – “A little song, a little dance, a little seltzer down your pants.” That’s what it’s all about, folks, that’s what he stood for, that’s what gave his life meaning. Chuckles liked to make people laugh. You know what I’d like to think, I’d like to think that somewhere, up there tonight, in his honor, a choir of angels is sitting on whoopee cushions.

Quotes of the Week

He who has God and everything else has no more than he who has God only.  – C.S. Lewis, From The Weight of Glory, Compiled in Words to Live By

Fashions fade, style is eternal. – Yves Saint Laurent

If you want to be happy, do not dwell in the past, do not worry about the future, focus on living fully in the present. – Roy T. Bennett

We all have chapters we’d rather keep unpublished. – Lord Grantham, Downton Abbey

Don’t be pushed around by the fears in your mind. Be led by the dreams in your heart. – Roy T. Bennett

WestworldYB2

Yul Brynner in Westworld, obviously the bad guy

 

 

 

Nov20

November 20, 2017 – Negan’s Confession & a Few Extra Things

Posted on by
Standard

What I Watched Today

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

 

 

The Walking Dead

They say “previously on The Walking Dead,” and I fill in, they killed of any vestige of hope we had, and my desire to root for anyone.

Gabrielle prays, saying he might die, and very likely will. He’s not asking to live, but to be given redemption. He no longer fears death, but fears a fruitless death. He asks God for purpose.

There’s a knock at Gregory’s door. It’s Simon with wakey, wakey, eggs and pancakey, that he made himself. He says a lot of love is on the tray. Gregory did the right thing. He called Simon when things got dicey at Hilltop, and followed instructions. Gregory keeps babbling, and Simon tells him that he doesn’t need to explain himself over and over. He did the right thing every step of the way. He tells Gregory that the reason he was brought there is that they’re not standing on the precipice of greatness, and he said he could solve the problem. Today is the day.

Negan is having a board meeting, Gregory sits at the table, and says thanks for having him. Negan fiddles with Lucille. Gregory says he understands the difficulty of Negan’s position. He doesn’t like killing people any more than Negan does. Negan says he likes killing people. Kill the right people at the right time, and everything falls into place, and everybody’s happy; some more than others. Negan says by killing one, you can save hundreds more. That’s what they’re about; they save people. A light bulb comes on over Gregory’s head, and he says that’s why they’re called the Saviors. Dwight wants to go out for a smoke, and Negan wonders if he doesn’t want to hear the rest. Dwight tells Negan to just tell him where to go and what to do, and he’ll make it happen. Dwight leaves, and Negan asks where they were, saying oh yeah, Gregory doesn’t like to kill and he does, under the right circumstances. Gregory says he likes to stop a conflict before it starts, and suggests he go back to Hilltop. He’ll tell them if they join in this meaningless crusade, they’ll be out on their asses. Negan asks if they still listen to him, and he says Hilltop is his house. He’s still the guy; always has been. Negan wonders if that’s indeed true, why didn’t know about the widow leading an army of his people straight up his ass with Alexandria? Negan thinks he’s playing both sides. Is listening to him the right way to go, or is it the right place and time for something else? Gregory starts stuttering about not being aware of the rebellion until it was in motion. Simon says he believes him; now make Negan believe him. Negan puts Lucille on his shoulder. Gregory says he let a fox into his henhouse, and she and her people took advantage of his generous nature. He sees that now, and will fix it. Simon tells him, lay down the law, and things go back to being copacetic. If not, kill everyone there, and the other communities will get the message. They’ll achieve equilibrium. Negan smacks Lucille on the table, and says people are a resource. People are the foundation of what they’re doing there. He uses Lucille for emphasis as he talks. He asks who the hell do Simon thinks he’s talking to, and if he’s confused as to who’s in charge. He asks if Simon if “we’re” backsliding, and please tell him they’re not. Simon says they’re not. It was a pronounced event in a fragile moment. Negan says, hell yes it is. They need to win it all. Plan A is taking Rick, the widow, and King Assface alive, and making them dead in a public and constructive way, and make them all watch. Kill the right people, in the right way. Negan looks out the window, and we hear shots. He tells Simon they need to have a chat, and he can bring his friend. Negan opens the door, says well, sh*t, sorry, I was in a meeting, and they start to go outside.

Negan and Gabriel are together in a trailer, zombies clamoring at the windows. Negan takes Gabriel’s gun from him, calling him a baby. He says Gabriel “done good,” and made a smart play. The sit together on the floor, and there’s an amazing shot of them, with a silhouette of the zombie hands grabbing at the window in the background. Negan says Rick is an a-hole, and Gabriel says he’s an a-hole. I literally LOL, which I didn’t think was possible after last week. Negan says, yes, he is, but Rick is going to get people killed. Gabriel says, killed by him, and Negan says he killed widow’s husband and the ginger, but he didn’t get them killed. That was Rick; there’s a big difference. He watched Gabriel try to save Gregory, and wonders why he’d stop for that bearded pr*ck. Gabriel says he fears a fruitless death, and Negan asks if he’s kidding; Gregory split on his ass. He asks if the point of his life is saving that d*ckhead, and Gabriel says there’s some reason he did what he did. Maybe he’s there to take Negan’s confession.

Savior Yago is lying by the side of the road, bleeding to death. Rick and Daryl interrogate him. They ask who won at the chemical plant, and Yago says, no one; everyone’s dead. He’s the only one left. Him, the king, his yes-man, and some weird psycho lady. His people, Rick’s people, all gone. He dies, and Rick stabs his eyeball or whatever. We don’t see it.

Negan is sure about one thing; his people think he’s dead. He tells Gabriel that he doesn’t have sh*t to confess. He asks why Gabriel became a priest. Gabriel says he loved God and loved people, and wanted to bring the two together. He wanted to help people through difficult times, and help them through their weaknesses. Negan says he’s been doing that in one way or another his whole life. He says people will start dying in there, because he’s not there to stop it. He whistles.

Regina thinks they can assume Negan is dead. Simon reminds her that they’re all Negan, and they try to form an escape plan. Eugene thinks they’ll be attacked quickly, but Regina says they can use the workers as a distraction. Eugene says that’s no good either. The workers outnumber them. Dwight says he’s right. The workers have the numbers that they need on their side, and there are snipers everywhere. Right now, they have to deal with the other part. Someone in here made everything out there happen. Simon tells him that when they find the subhuman who did this, they’ll kill them slowly in front of everyone, over the course of a few very long days. He looks pointedly at Eugene, and says, good meeting. Make today the best today it can be. At least he didn’t say, today is the first day – oh, you know the rest.

Eugene visits Dwight, He wants to give Dwight his sincere thanks for his support. He also brought cukes from his private stash, and tells Dwight they’ll find a way out of this pickle, pun intended. Dwight shows him a chess game he made. Dwight touches the board and Dwight tells him to be careful; it’s still drying. Eugene says he fully understands he’s being looked at in the Benedict Arnold situation, so he’s doubly grateful.

Gabriel asks Negan if he helped the weak before this. Negan says, kids. If you don’t show them the way, they turn out like garbage; little a-holes become big ones. You have to show them the way because people are weak. Gabriel says Negan is weak; killing the innocent is weak. Negan agrees he’s weak, but that’s not why. A zombie hand busts through the window. Negan thinks they should wait a little longer, and see if his people can pull it together. Gabriel asks why he’s weak. Negan pontificates on how he uses his weaknesses to drive his strength, and he’s strong as sh*t. The last guy in charge at the Sanctuary allowed the people to be weak. He makes them strong, and they make the world strong. Gabriel is going to be his new, special project. He’ll make him strong, and they’ll find his purpose. Gabriel says he’s already strong; he’s killed; he was a part of the satellite outpost mission. Negan tells him that he’s not talking about killing people while they’re sleeping. Gabriel asks again why he’s weak. They might be dead soon. Doesn’t he want absolution and forgiveness? It costs nothing more than saying the truth aloud. Negan says he never killed anyone who didn’t need it. Gabriel says the workers are treated like slaves. Negan tells him it’s economy. No one is a slave or starving. Gabriel asks about his multiple wives, and Negan says no women were pressured into marrying him; everyone made the choice. Gabriel asks if there was a first one, before all this, a wife he made vows with. Gabriel grabs his gun back, but Negan is distracted by a zombie getting through, and beats the crap our of its head with Lucille. He tells Gabriel he took his shot, now it’s time to go,

Daryl and Rick come out of the woods, and see an overturned truck. Daryl asks Rick to give him a hand, and they pull out a container of explosives. Daryl puts them in his backpack, saying can use them to blow the Sanctuary, and let the walkers in. It will be theirs by sundown. Rick says there are workers with families in there. They’re workers, not fighters. Daryl says if they don’t surrender, maybe they’ll all fight, and they don’t have the Kingdom as back-up. Rick says they’re not doing this, and Daryl says maybe he’s not. Rick tells Daryl they have a plan, and they’re sticking to it. Daryl says things change, and walks away. Rick follows him, saying they’re not doing this. Daryl punches him, and says it’s not Rick’s choice. He starts to continue on, and Rick jumps on his back.

Eugene plays video games. The power goes out.

Rick and Daryl continue to fight. Daryl gets Rick in a headlock. The truck starts to smoke, and they both run. Nice going, I think, as whatever they could have used from there blows up.

Rick can’t start the jeep. Daryl rides up on his bike. Rick tells him there’s a plan, and he’s got to see it through. Daryl says they have to win. Rick asks if he’s walking, and Daryl gets ready to roll. He asks if Rick is sure about what he’s doing. Rick says he is, and they head off in different directions.

Negan talks to Gabriel, who went into another room or closet or something. He says he has Lucille to help them get to the Sanctuary. Gabriel has the gun, and he should use it, but most important, they have each other. Negan endears himself to my heart in perpetuity for not saying importantly. He tells Gabriel that people are a resource. He doesn’t want to kill Gabriel; he wants Gabriel to work with him. Gabriel says he’s killed before, but that’s not his greatest sin. He locked his congregation out of the church when it happened. He listened to them die, because he’s a coward. He failed them, and failed God. Every day he works to lessen his failure, and be of service and purpose now. He offers Negan assurance of pardon, penance, and absolution. Show him they’re working as equals. His only way to a future is if he confesses.

Negan says what Gabriel did is horrible, cowardly, spineless sh*t, but guesses that’s what confession is supposed to be. His first wife was his real wife, and only real life; till death did them part. He lied to her, and screwed around. She got sick, and when she went, it was messy. He couldn’t put her down. That’s how he was weak, and what he’ll confess. Maybe they do bite the big one there. Gabriel comes out, and says Negan is free. Negan punches him in the face, and says thank you; he can keep the gun. Negan tells Gabriel that they’re going to have to put the dead’s guts on themselves. He says putrid decaying organs, cooking all day in the sun; how many people have gotten sick from this? Gabriel says he’s from Georgia, which is apparently a joke I don’t get. Negan hacks apart the zombie he killed, and they put entrails all over themselves.

Commercial break. Red Machete. Does anybody care?

Negan says, let’s make some noise. They yell, and he bangs Lucille on the wall. He opens the door, and lets the zombies in. Negan and Gabriel walk out, and we get up close and personal zombie shots. Gabriel falls, and the zombies notice. One tries to bite him, and Negan smashes it in the head. Now attention has been drawn to them, and they start to kill zombies; Negan with Lucille, and Gabriel with his gun. The look up, and zombies are about to jump down on them. I’m wondering if Gabriel got bitten.

At another meeting, Savior Gavin gripes that his deliveries aren’t coming through. Something happened. That Rick guy happened. He’s been hitting outposts. Laura runs in, saying the workers are coming upstairs. They go into the hallway, and the crowd looks like a bunch of angry union workers about to go on strike. Simon tells them that they’re designated to the ground level factory floor and the garden. A worker says it’s too hot inside, and no way are they going outside. Simon explains they need to conserve fuel, and it’s a shared sacrifice. The worker says his tone isn’t working. Dwight says they need time, and the worker says they need water. They’re supposed to be protected in exchange for their work. They need a plan for getting out. One worker wants to know where Negan is, and another asks if he’s dead. Simon orders everyone to return to the factory floor, and a worker says they’re not going anywhere. Regina says, I am Negan, and shoots the woman. She asks if anyone else wants a bullet. They hear whistling, and everyone kneels down.

Negan asks why she had to go and do that. A lot of fine folks thought he was chewed up, never to be crapped out again. He’s not dying until he’s damn good and ready, and right now he’s ready for a sandwich, shower, and massage, maybe all three at once. After that serious business, he has things to attend to, like talking to his right-hand man. They’ll figure how all this happened and why, and then go back to what they’ve always done, save people. A worker says, thank you, Negan, and another says, thank God for you. He looks at Gabriel, and says that’s why he’s the man. He tells the guards to gently take him to number two. Gabriel is led away. He looks at Eugene. Eugene’s bottom lip trembles.

At yet one more meeting. Negan says they need to figure out where the guns came from; find out when they went missing. This came from one of their own. He throws a backpack on the table. Eugene sees that there’s read paint on it, and looks at a paint smudge on his finger. It’s the same paint that Dwight used on the chessboard.

Rick walks along a creek. He looks up, and sees a helicopter. It flies past, and he continues walking.

Negan sees Eugene, and says, yo, Dr. Smarty-Pants, and tells him that he has a big chance here. If he solves this, he’ll make Eugene very happy. But even if tries his best, and can’t figure it out, Negan assures Eugene that he’ll kill him quickly, so he doesn’t have to see the horrific things that will happen when they run out of food and water. In other words, he has Eugene’s back either way. Does Eugene have his? Eugene nods.

Rick keeps walking.  A guard in a tower sees him, and blows a whistle.

Eugene knocks at Gabriel’s cell door. Among other things, he says they’ve eaten dog together, so that joins them in some manner for life. He wants to formally welcome him. He took it upon himself to bring welcome wagon items, in hope of providing some relief. He knocks again. When there’s nothing, he unlocks the door. Gabriel is sweating and shaky. Eugene wants to take him to Dr. Carson, but Gabriel says they have to find Dr. Carson asap. For Maggie.

Next time, Jadis and the trash people (sounds like a group) are back, and Carl finds himself in trouble.

👹 Interesting postscript – on Talking Dead, Lisa Edelstein said she thought perhaps Simon had been in charge when Negan arrived, hence the exchange about Simon backsliding. He’d also talked about what a mess it was when he got there. Very astute. She was obviously paying attention.

😪 I never got a chance to watch Once Upon a Time, but hope I can catch up before the next episode. It was a busy weekend after a truly hellacious week selling on eBay. Seller. Nightmare. Customer.

 👍 An Appropriate Quote

Ah, work — it’s second only to families in forcing us to spend time with people we’d rather not be in close contact with. – Alison Green, Ask a Boss, The Cut

⚡  More Negan Backstory

http://ew.com/tv/2017/11/19/walking-dead-negan-big-scary-u-805/

WalkingDeadNegan

Nov18

November 17, 2017 – A Meeting on the Footbridge, a Zombie Saint, Not Once & a Quote Quinary

Posted on by
Standard

What I Watched Today

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

 

As Riff Raff said in Rocky Horror, a decision had to be made. Once Upon a Time had a two-hour episode tonight, overlapping Z Nation, which is not being shown again tonight. Z Nation, I choose you, especially after the disappointment that was Walking Dead last week. If it’s possible, I’ll do an extra blog using On Demand tomorrow.

General Hospital

Curtis is at the gym, using the punching bag. Andrew comes in, and thanks him for taking the case. He asks if Curtis found evidence that he’s Jason Morgan. If this dude isn’t Andrew, there are a few of us who will be embarrassed. Carly, Sonny, me…

Elizabeth, Franco, and Jake get ready for movie night. Jake goes upstairs. Franco asks if Jake picking a movie about twins is an eerie coincidence. Elizabeth says he doesn’t know about it, but thinks they should tell him what’s going on. Franco says that’s the last thing they need to do.

Kiki is studying in the gallery when Ava comes in. She asks if Ava wants to talk about her passing along the flash drive. Ava says it was a wonderful gesture, but turned out to be disappointing. Griff told her no doctor would risk performing the surgery. Kiki is sorry didn’t work out, but also glad.

Nathan and Maxie walk in as Maxie is telling Chet that Amy is really Ask Man Landers. His sister loves him so much, she did it to get him the care he needs. Nathan tries to cover, saying that’s not what Maxie meant, but Amy says it’s true. She’s Ask Man Landers.

Nina visits Sam to discuss the Crimson budget. She tells Nina that Jason isn’t there. Nina asks her if she’s not co-owner with Jason, or whoever he is.

Jason sees Robin on the footbridge. She says she knew he’d be here.

Franco tells Elizabeth it’s confusing enough for him; he can’t imagine what it would be like for Jake. Elizabeth asks, what if someone else tells him, or he sees the man again? Franco thinks it’s Jason’s news to share, but whatever she decides, he backs her up. She says he has a good point. She’ll talk to Jason (or whoever he is). The doorbell rings. Franco answers, and I wonder why Elizabeth no longer answers the door. He assumes it’s a process server, but it’s a package. He brings it inside, and it’s the painting of the brothers. Elizabeth asks who it was, and Franco tells her, karma. Geez, it wasn’t even in a crate. It just had a piece of cloth wrapped around it, not even tied.

Nina tells Sam that if Jason isn’t Jason, the company could be in flux. Sam tells her it’s none of her business, but she says it kind of is, since it puts the sale in question. Sam is sure it will be fine. Nina says she feels bad for the other one. If he is Jason and his story is correct, she understands what it’s like to wake up and find out that everyone has moved on. At least she didn’t have to fight for her own identity. Sam says he’s not the only one it’s hard for.

Jason tells Robin that Sonny told him she was alive, but he couldn’t believe it. It’s good to see her. Robin says Sonny said he had his old face, but seeing him… He knows it’s a shock, but everything will be okay. She says it makes no sense. How can this be? He says because it is it’s him, Jason. She knows that, right?

Amy explains to Chet about how she started the blog. She called it Ask Man Landers in honor of him. He always gave her the best advice, and teased her, saying he was Man Landers. When she gave advice, she would think of what he would say, and have the right answer. Telling him isn’t hard, but telling him why is. He’s her hero. Everything she is, is because of him. He’s brave, strong, courageous, and smart, and she watched him and learned. When the blog turned into a book deal, she used the advance to pay for his treatment. She lied about the VA because she knew he was too proud to let her help him. After everything he did for everyone else, and serving his country, she wanted to be his hero, even if he never knew it.

Nina tells Sam, sorry, she didn’t mean to upset her. Sam says it’s okay, but she needs to be alone. Nina thinks that’s the last thing she needs. Sam says they’re not friends. Nina is an employee, and she wants to keep it professional. Nina says years ago, when they were fighting over Silas, she didn’t think they’d ever be working together, but here they are. She says people change and move on, and doesn’t think either of them are who they were years ago. She thinks Sam might be resistant because the guy who came back is really Jason.

Robin doesn’t know what to think. She knows Sonny believes in his core that he’s Jason, and she sees someone who looks like him. Jason says the last thing he remembers is being shot in the back. The next thing he knew, he was in a Russian clinic, where it took him six months to escape. Robin tells him about how the guy she’s known as Jason took her place in an elevator rigged with a bomb. He has Jason’s heart and spirit; who else could he be? Jason says, he’s his brother; his twin.

Curtis tells Andrew that Betsy’s trail went cold. He wants to sit tight, and maybe he’ll get a hit on her credit cards or bank account. Heather isn’t talking – literally. She took a vow of silence to repent or something. He tells Andrew, that girl cray. Andrew needs answers, and Curtis says he’ll keep digging, and maybe find them in a new direction. Andrew says he might have one – Andre.

A note with the painting says that Andre thought he’d return this, and Franco knows the right thing to do. Elizabeth asks what he meant, and Franco tells her that he has no idea. In his last session, Andre had told him to move on from his past, so that’s what he’s going to. She hopes he’s not going to destroy it, but he says he’s not. He says to tell Jake to save him some popcorn. He’ll be back.

Chet asks how Nathan got involved, and Amy says her readers wanted to know what she looked like. She stole a picture of Nathan, and when he found out, he made her take it down. When the book deal happened, the publisher wanted to meet Man Landers, so he became the face of the brand. He’s a cop, and technically committed fraud. Chet asks why they did all this for him, and Amy says because she asked them. Nathan says he made a huge sacrifice in serving his country. Amy says he probably hates all this, but hopes he doesn’t hate her. Chet hugs her.

Franco brings the painting to the gallery. Kiki thought that Andre bought it, and Franco tells her that he regifted it. Now he wants Ava to sell it, and use the proceeds for Kiki’s education. Kiki thanks him, and Ava asks her to put the painting in the storeroom. She asks Franco what’s up with the late night delivery? He says the last think Elizabeth needs is a reminder of his dark past. Ava says, out of sight, but not out of mind. What’s he going to do about two Jasons nipping at his heels?

Andrew tells Curtis that Andre took off. Curtis finds it hard to believe the epitome of professionalism just left his patients and snuck off without cause. There’s definitely something going on. Andrew is counting on him to find out what. Curtis says he knew squeaky clean wasn’t the real deal. Elizabeth calls Andrew. She needs to see him about Jake.

Jason tells Robin that the cops ran a DNA test, and they both match; they’re identical twins. Robin says maybe he’s the twin. Jason says his twin didn’t stand up there with her all those nights, taking about everything and nothing. He wasn’t here when she made the decision to go on protocol, and didn’t have to say goodbye when she left for Paris. He might have those memories, but there’s no feeling behind it. He tells her all that matters, is that she’s alive and well. Believing in him would be the icing on the cake. She repeats, icing on the cake, and asks if he remembers the night in Montauk when he described what it was like to kiss her. We flash back to when we were all practically in diapers, and him telling her that being with her is enough, kissing her… and she finishes it would be the icing on the cake. He doesn’t know what she means, and she tells him it means better than the best, and he says, that’s it. Back on the footbridge, Jason laughs, and says he didn’t know what she was talking about; better than the best. He tells her it’s true. Her being there is better than the best. She says, omg, it’s you, and hugs him.

Amy apologizes, saying lying by omission is still lying. (Thank you.). Chet tells them it’s been a tough reentry to the world, and Nathan suggests he talk to a group. Chet says that the pain doesn’t go away, but for the first time in a long time, he feels less alone. Amy tells him to look around. He has friends he didn’t know he had. He’ll never be alone again. They hug.

Jordan goes to the gym, and tells Curtis she needs his help on a case. She doesn’t want to leave a paper trail, and a PI can go places cops can’t. This one is personal. She has reason to believe Andre is mixed up in the Jason Morgan case. Curtis asks if she’s saying the Ivy League brother she chose over him is dirty? Fancy that. She asks if he’s going to help her, and he tells her, wait for it… He’s already on it. She’s not the first person today to ask.

Franco tells Ava that everybody needs to shut up about Jason Morgan, and both Jasons need to shut up. She says that one is married to Sam, and thinks he’s concerned the other will make a play for Elizabeth.. He says hypothetically speaking, those concerns would make him paranoid. She thinks those concerns would be valid. They’ve aligned themselves. No matter how hard those they love try to see past their faults, they wonder if they’re good enough. Their loved ones try to pull them into the light, but are afraid they’ll be pulled into the darkness. She says it’s exhausting. It would be easier if they were different, fixed. Franco asks if he should be worried, and Ava says she would be.

Andrew asks Elizabeth if something is wrong, and she says she thinks it’s time to tell Jake about his twin. Andrew thinks Jake has been through enough, but Elizabeth says what if Jake sees him again. He needs to be prepared, and he should hear it from them. Jake comes downstairs, and asks if his dad is watching the movie with them. He says, no, but he and Jake’s mom have something to tell him.

Nina tells Sam that she meant no disrespect, but she recognizes Sam’s brain is on overdrive, and her heart and mind are on disconnect. She’s hurting, and can’t talk to the people closest to her. Maybe she can talk to Nina. She wonders if Sam believes the new guy is Jason, if she’s afraid she won’t be able to fit her husband into her life somehow. Sam says that’s not if. Nina asks what she is afraid of? That she might be in love with two different men?

Robin can’t believe Jason is real and they’re both here. She asks if he remembers when she left for Paris, and talked about the future. She never imagined this. Jason says it usually isn’t what you imagine, but sometimes it’s better. Sonny told him about her little boy. She thinks maybe they could have a playdate with Bella and Scout, and then remembers Scout isn’t his daughter. He tells her whatever happens, Sam has a little girl, and Danny has a little sister. They’re happy, and that’s all that matters.

Chet says he still has a lot to work through, but now he’s not alone. Maxie points out that no one can know. Amy could be sued, and Maxie’s professional reputation could be shot, then corrects herself to include Nathan. Chet says no one will hear it from him; they went above and beyond. Amy says they’ve intruded enough, and says they’ll go to her place. She thanks Nathan for all he’s done, and Maxie for putting up with it. Maxie tells her don’t mention it. Seriously, don’t mention it, not until their out of the woods. Amy and Chet leave, and Nathan tells Maxie that her judgement call was spot on. She says she has to tell him something.

Ava searches for unethical doctors on her laptop, to see if there are any out there who can help her.

Jordan tells Curtis that she has her own agenda, and asks if he can separate the two. He says he’s only interested in finding Andre, and wants to know if she’s okay with it. She says for once they’re on the same side, and he says he’ll probably be sharing the same information. She tells him it came to her attention that Andre was working with the WSB on something called memory mapping. Curtis doesn’t like the way it sounds already, but it would explain why both guys think they’re Jason. Jordan doesn’t know what they’re dealing with or who. Andre was never an open book. She was always uncovering things about him. She thought it was charming, but now thinks she didn’t realize who he was at all.

Sam tells Nina that the man she’s in love with is her husband. They’ve made a great life together. Nina asks what if the other guy turns out to be Jason, and Sam says they’ll still love each other; that’s all that matters. Nina asks if she loves who he is now, or who he used to be?

Jake says he knew it! His dad has a twin brother. Andrew says he didn’t know much about him until now. Jake asks what he’s like, and Andrew says he’s a confused guy who thinks he’s him. Jake asks, how could he? He’s him. Andrew says he’s his dad, but because he looks the way he used to look, some people believe him (like me). Jake asks who, but he says it doesn’t matter. He and his mom know the truth. He’s Jake’s father, and that’s not going to change. Jake says he loves him, and Andrew says he loves Jake too.

Sam tells Nina that she loves her husband, the man she’s committed to. She says she’s also committed to the business, and Nina takes that as her cue to leave. She says they can discuss the budget another day. In the hallway, Nina’s phone rings. She looks at it, and says, oh no.

Maxie tells Nathan she has unexpected good news, she hopes. He’s up for that, but her phone rings. She looks at it, and says, omg. It’s an alert from The Invader. They just broke a story that he’s not Ask Man Landers. She shows him the article with his and Amy’s pictures.

Ava reads a Crimson article about unconventional cosmetic procedures. She notes the doctor’s name – Gregory Zajack. Kiki comes back, and asks what she’s working on. She tells Kiki that she’s just doing inventory. She has new work for a new exhibit. She thinks everyone will be happy when it debuts.

Sam looks at her (latest) wedding photo. She flashes back to a few days ago, when she was telling Jason it’s the kind of love that just is; you can’t stop feeling it, can’t deny it, can’t shut it down. All you can do is choose not to act on it, and accept the reality that the person you’ll always love can’t be in your life. The background music is so sad, it makes me want to cry. She looks at the photo again.

Robin can’t imagine what Sam is going through. If she admits he’s Jason, she has to admit the last two years of her life weren’t exactly a lie, but not what she thought. The man she thought was him, isn’t. Jason tells her that Sonny and Carly want to prove he’s Jason, and Diane is working on it. She’s looking for cold cases where he was arrested to find a hard copy of his fingerprints. Robin says at least she has a wealth of material to chose from, Jason tells her they’re focused on the wrong thing. He only cares about who’s responsible.

Curtis tells Jordan even though he hates to admit it, Andre is a good dude who just got caught up. His phone rings, and he says, speak of the devil. He might have hacked into Andre’s personal account. Jordan says she doesn’t want to know, but she does want to know what he found. He tells her that Andre had a courier service make a shipment to an address on Elm Street, and he has the IP address he used.

Franco sees Andrew coming out of Elizabeth’s house, and stays hidden. Elizabeth says they did the right thing. They might have their differences, but they’re a good team when it comes to Jake. He thanks Elizabeth for believing in him. It means more than she knows. Franco listens.

On Monday, Ned and Michael talk about ELQ’s future, Jason says goodbye, and Robin asks about Anna’s new boyfriend.

Z Nation

Kaya messes with the circuit breakers. She tells her son not to tease the frozen zombie. She sees someone walking toward them in the distance, and hopes it’s Citizen Z, but it’s a group from Zona. They begin to shoot, and she shoots back. She tells Nana not to panic but they have intruders. She grabs her bag, and Jay-Z CD, and says let’s go. They take a ladder to the bunker downstairs. where she sets up the radio. She makes an emergency broadcast, saying they’re under attack by Zona forces. She asks if Simon or anyone is out there.

Lily and Doc sing Camp Granada, the stoner version. Murphy tells them those aren’t pot leaves; they’re maple leaves. They’re in Canada. Frozen wasteland of peace, here they come. Murphy says he believes in no one but himself, and Roberta says he’s like a cockroach. He says they survive, and he plans to keep on surviving. Mounty zombies stagger out of the building.

A few zombies in toques come out of the woods. Doc calls them hosers, and tells them to, take off, eh? They dispatch the Mounties, and Lily takes one of their hats. Doc says he hates to stereotype, but they’ve been the nicest zombies he’s seen. Roberta tells them to go back to America, as a hockey team races toward them. She and 10K jet, and the rest run into a chapel on the border. They go upstairs, and hear some really weird sounds. It’s zombie nuns, and Doc says, zombie mother of God, whacking one with her own guitar. Murphy struggles with two of them, and says this is why he hates organized religion. 10K and Roberta have come back, and they save him.

Zombies clamor at the boarded-up windows. Doc says as if Catholic school didn’t scare him enough, and backs into a holy water font. He knocks it over, and says now he’s really going to hell. Lily says it was a church, but zombies run it now. Doc is afraid what’s outside is Mother Superior mean. He informs everyone that the food and water is back in the van. Murphy misses Zona. He thought they won, and it was over. Now, the best he can hope for, is freezing his nuts off in Newmerica. Doc wonders how many Z hordes they need to get through to get there. Roberta doesn’t know how far the darkness spreads. Maybe her dreams are true, maybe not. She asks Murphy what they did to her. She tells them if her dreams are real, nowhere is safe; not even Newmerica. Doc says they need to get inside her head, and she tells him, good luck. 10K says Murphy can do it. Doc agrees. She has his blood in her, and it’s worth a shot. Roberta says she needs to know.

She and Murphy concentrate, but Murphy says it isn’t working. Roberta tells him to give it a minute. She tells him to look at her. They close their eyes, and she thinks of her vision. He opens his eyes to a beautiful field, where he’s standing with her. She says it’s the end of the world, but he can’t see it. The fire, ash, darkness, and pain. She tells him to look in the distance, but he only sees a snow-capped mountain. She says she’s sorry. The rain is coming; it’s here. The ash begins to fall. Murphy is on fire, and he opens his eyes, brushing at himself. Doc asks what he saw, and he says, nothing, but he felt what she’s feeling. It’s excruciating.

Lily motions for them to come. Murphy takes Roberta’s hand. He asks if what he felt is what she’s been feeling this whole time, and she says, yeah. He asks if they’re going toward it or away from it. She tells him that she doesn’t know. They reinforce the door, but Roberta thinks they need something stronger. Murphy opens the confessional doors, and zombies tumble out. They shove them back in.

Lily, Doc, and 10k see a live person, a backpacker, who runs from them. The church bells start to ring, and the zombies are drawn to the noise. They begin to punch through the barriers.

The backpacker continues to ring the bells. Doc tells him, not so fast, Quasimodo. Zombies are trickling in, and Roberta is mesmerized by a hockey player for a moment. 10K and Lily come downstairs, and help put up barricades. Murphy slices up a nun, doing a Zorro number with his cane sword, and says he’s getting good at this. When the others see what he’s done, he tells them he has issues.

Doc brings the backpacker downstairs. Lily says she’s always wanted to interrogate someone, putting a gun to the backpacker’s head, and telling him to give her one good reason not to off him right now. Roberta pushes her aside, and says she’s Lieutenant Warren from the National Guard. He tells her his name is Louis. She asks if there’s any reason he wants to get them killed, and he says no. She asks him if he has a death wish, and he shakes his head. She asks what he’s doing here, and Doc says he came with this, showing her a pickax. Roberta looks at all the jewelry he’s wearing, and asks if he’s a grave robber. Jewelry would be important, but not off of corpses. Lily notices he has a load of St. Christopher medals. She says her granddad had one, and never took it off. He would never take it off, unless he was dead. Louis snatches them back, and Roberta asks why he has this stuff. Doc tells her he searched Louis’s bag, and he has a cornucopia of comparative religions. He shows them a Buddha, and a necklace like one he once had, from a woman at Grand Canyon. Louis says he mercied an old lady before she turned, and she was holding it. Roberta asks why take it? Was he moved by the Great Spirit? He says someone was, and someone will be when this is finally over. Lily says it sounds like grave robbing to her. He came from downstairs, where there’s a crypt. He says it’s not what she thinks, there’s a relic from a saint’s bone buried there, and it’s supposed to cure the sick. Roberta tells him to believe what he wants, but quit trying to get them killed. Louis says he didn’t know who they were. People are weird and dangerous. Doc says that’s an understatement. Roberta asks if it’s worth risking his life. Lily says there’s a horde situation, and all ways out are blocked. Louis knows a way out.

Louis takes them to a tunnel that leads to an old graveyard. The zombies aren’t far behind, and they push a faux sepulcher aside. There’s an opening underneath. Zombies bust in. Louis jumps down, and they follow, one by one, as 10K shoots the zombies. Doc holds his nose before jumping, and I laugh.

The zombies start dropping down. Doc and 10K manage to move the sepulcher back enough to stop them from getting through. They walk through the tunnel. There’s a room with a a real sepulcher, and Roberta asks Louis if this is his saint. He says it’s a relic, buried along with a bishop from 20s. She was a martyr, killed by her father when she wouldn’t marry. Doc comes back, and says they hit a literal brick wall. Louis says it wasn’t in the blueprints. Roberta asks for his ax.

Louis asks Roberta to help him open the coffin. She says not many people have religion since the apocalypse, and he says he doesn’t , but if the relic can cure people, people will need healing when this is over. Roberta says if he thinks it will be over, that’s faith. He says it’s basic survival. He has to believe it to live.

10K works at chipping away the bricks.

Roberta asks Louis, why all this stuff if he’s not a believer? He says his mom was a good Catholic. It made no sense to him, but he was glad she had something; it was comforting. One day, the whole world literally lost its mind. It was a bad first night. He was in a garage; he was a mechanic. Roberta says her too. He tells her it was in the middle of the city, and it seemed like ground zero. his boss first to turn; then his buddy Juan. It was up to him to put them down. It took forever; they didn’t know what was needed back then. We see him fighting with zombie Juan. He picks up a huge wrench. He tells Roberta all he could hear was screaming from outside, and the sound of the wrench, hitting. Then it was done. They were dead. It was dark, and Juan’s candle with the Virgin Mary on it kept burning. Roberta asks if that isn’t a miracle, and Louis says it was a light. He needed it, so he took it, and ever since then, he kept finding stuff. It gives him reason to keep going, a mission. Roberta asks what if it ends up being nothing? What if the apocalypse never ends, or does, and no one wants it? Is he doing good, or just delusional? How does he know. He tells her that he doesn’t. She looks for something to help him with

10K is still working on the wall. Roberta asks for the crowbar, and Murphy brings it to Louis. He says the saint had a pretty crappy dad, and Louis says all those girl saints did, but St. Lucy had a crappy mom. She’s the patron saint of the blind and epidemics. Murphy says his daughter’s name was Lucy, and she could have cured everyone, just like his saint, but she died saving him. She wasn’t a saint, just a little girl. Louis tells him sacrificing yourself for someone you love, it doesn’t get more holy than that, Murphy says he needs more leverage.

He asks for pickax, telling the group it’s important. Louis, Roberta, and Murphy start to slide the top across the coffin. When they get it over several inches, smoke wafts out and banging comes from the inside. The bishop sits up. Roberta tosses 10k the crowbar. Murphy struggles with the bishop, and Louis whacks the zombie in the back of the head. He says he thought he was supposed to be dead dead. He fiddles with a pendant the bishop is wearing. He says it doesn’t open, and there’s no secret compartment; it’s just a cross. He looks around in the coffin, and says, it’s empty. Murphy says, then it’s probably time to go.

There’s another wall behind the bricks, Lily tells them she has one grenade left. Roberta thinks they need an actual miracle. Murphy doesn’t think they’re going to find one, and the bells begin to ring. Murphy is like, oh, come on, and Doc says someone is ringing them. They go back upstairs, and the zombies are all tangled in the bell cords. They look around, and no zombies. They see a dead little girl in her First Communion dress, who looks like Lucy. She’s holding the relic that’s embedded in a sculpture of a hand, studded with gems. Doc says he calls that a damn miracle. Murphy says, St. Lucy.

They leave the church, and Roberta looks at the relic. She gives it to Louis. He says it’s more beautiful than he thought. Murphy asks to look at it. He turns his back to them, and touches the bone. He thanks Louis. Louis thanks Roberta, and she says she didn’t do anything; she was just there. He wants to give her something for helping him and not killing him. He asks if there’s anything they need to keep going, and Lily suggests bullets, aspirin, and toilet paper. He has batteries, and gives them to her. She calls him my man.

As Doc leaves, Louis gives him the necklace like the one he had, and tells him have faith. Doc says he will, and they part company.

Lily gets the radio going. They hear Kaya in the Skya, and that it’s an emergency. Lily tries to answer, but Kaya can’t hear her. Murphy hears her say Zona, and says that’s bad. They decide to look for a transmitter, but Roberta is missing. She’s walking back toward the US. Murphy says sometimes you just gotta believe. They follow her in the van, and pick her up.

As they drive by Louis, he waves. A zombie falls out a window on top of him, and he goes splat. I laugh.

I know that sounded mean, but it was funny in a Zombieland kind of way.

Next time, a news station is awash with zombies. No comment.

Quotes of the Week

A friend is someone who knows all about you and still loves you. – Elbert Hubbard

Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.” – Helen Keller   When I moved to NYC after high school, I didn’t bring a lot with me, but I had a mini-poster that said: Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.

Any fool can be happy. It takes a man with real heart to make beauty out of the stuff that makes us weep.  – Clive Barker

The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails. – William Arthur Ward

Dorinda best drunk in Housewives history. – Michael Rapaport

😣 So My Week Be Like…

BadWeek

 

 

 

Nov13

November 12, 2017 – The Kingdom Collapses & 90 Day Triad Treatise

Posted on by
Standard

What I Watched Today

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

 

 

The Walking Dead

Ezekiel washes his face. He fixes his dreads, and gets duded up.

The knights say goodbye to their families. Ezekiel walks out, and the crowd parts. Shiva growls. Everyone moves down the road. Ezekiel tells a boy to fear not and be brave. He says they face dire challenges; their lives, their way of life, hang in the balance. They pray for not one drop of rain under an overcast sky. Yet he smiles. They will fight and bleed. Yet he smiles. They will end them all, as is their charge and sorrow this day. Yet he smiles. They’ll leave their loved ones, rushing out from peace to war. Yet he smiles. They will find glory and honor, and protect this bastion of life. On this day, they are joined in purpose and mission. they are one. The crowd joins him in saying they are one, and gathers around him.

We see a bloody battlefield. Ezekiel crawls out from under a pile of men. He looks through the casualties. He cries out, not smiling anymore. The dead begin to stir. Ezekiel, get the blip out of there! A dead soldier grabs at him. He can’t walk, so he crawls. Oh sh*t! How is he going to get out of this? He can’t get up, and scrambles backward as they come at him.

The zombies stagger toward Ezekiel. He manages to get up, and falls again. He shoots a zombie in the head, but that was the last bullet. The next gun is empty too. He keeps crawling. Suddenly, another live man is there. He shoots a couple of zombies, and helps Ezekiel up.

Carol sneaks around inside the outpost. She hears men talking. Someone needs help. Another guy tells them to move their asses; it’s real now. A couple of guys bring a crate of guns in, but all of them are taken down by some gunfire. Carol drops down from the ceiling, and finishes them off. She takes a gun and runs. Some men follow her, but she ditches them.

Ezekiel asks if the man has seen Shiva, but he says not since they were hit. They see a crowd of zombies, but suddenly the man is shot from behind. Ezekiel is dragged back to the outpost by the shooter. Dude looks like Jeffrey Dahmer, but his name is Gunther (which I find out later from Talking Dead). Gunther makes Ezekiel give him his staff, which is also a sword. He’s taking Ezekiel to the Sanctuary, but Ezekiel says the gates are down. Gunther says Ezekiel is going to help him remedy the situation.

Carol sneaks around outside. She sees some Saviors loading the guns into a truck.

Ezekiel falls, and Gunther shoots the closest zombie. He tells Ezekiel he made it this far; he can walk. Ezekiel tells him, better the dead be his end, than a desperate foot soldier. He asks if Negan knows even knows his name, and Gunther says he’s Negan. Ezekiel says he won’t be used to harm his own people. Gunther tells Ezekiel, let’s go now, and drags him back up. He tells Ezekiel that he played his cards and people good, but they can’t do sh*t for him now. He says some stuff about Shiva, and I swear, if they kill that tiger, I’m out. The zombies trail them, and Gunther tells Ezekiel that he got them killed, and they’re still following him. He calls Ezekiel a meaningless con man in a costume.

Carol pops out, shoots up everything and ducks behind a truck. A bunch of Saviors shoot back, and it doesn’t look good for her. The truck gets riddled with bullets, and she hunches down on the other side.

Gunther says they’re getting something with wheels and getting out. Ezekiel tries to attack him, but Gunther gets the better of him, saying it’s over. He took his shot, and it’s over. I can’t wait for this guy to die. Gunther smears blood on Ezekiel’s face, and says delusions of grandeur.

The gate is padlocked, and Ezekiel says the dead are nearly upon them. Gunther takes Ezekiel’s coat and puts it over the wire on the top of the fence. Ezekiel says he can’t climb. Gunther says he doesn’t have to. Negan was hoping to have his ass chained on the sanctuary fence, but his head on a pike will be fine. Gunther raises the sword, but is split in half from behind by Knight Jerry. Wow, that was cool!

The shooting stops, and the men inch forward, Carol tosses her gun out, and says she can tell them where the others are; just let her live. A savior tells her, nice and slow. She comes out, hands up, saying she’s unarmed.

Jerry brings Ezekiel to his feet, gives him his sword back, and lops off a couple of zombie heads. He calls Ezekiel “Your Majesty,” and Ezekiel says he doesn’t need to call him that. Jerry says, yes, he does.

The Savior asks where Carol’s people are. She asks him to promise not to tell them she told him. She grabs the guy coming by with the ammo, and puts a knife to his throat. The Saviors shoot, but he ends up getting it instead of Carol. In the meantime, zombies start coming in through the gate.

Jerry works on the padlock. More zombies are coming, and he spears one in the eye. He and Ezekiel ready themselves.

Zombies start taking down the Saviors. Ezekiel and Jerry take down some zombies. Jerry thanks Ezekiel for being such a cool dude.

Inside the compound, the Saviors are busy dealing with zombies. Carol says they need to end this. The Savior she was negotiating with says she was lying about her friends. He must not be too bright if he just came to that understanding. Carol tells him to walk away. He says she’s not going anywhere with the guns, but she tells him that she has the ammo, and asks how much they have left? He tells her to come and find out, because he’s five. She notices what’s happening with Ezekiel and Jerry.

She joins them, asking if Ezekiel has fought before. He says he was once a marauder in the woods, and has trained for a long time. He’s ready to become what he must; to will himself into what he must be. He tells her that he was a zookeeper. He was weak, then a 500-lb. tiger needed his help. He didn’t just leap into her enclosure, and wasn’t seized by deep seated instinct. He deliberated for a few seconds, weighing the risk of approaching such a beast or not. He decided he wanted to be the one who leapt. Years later, Benjamin told him what he knew, but couldn’t hear – if you’re asked to be the hero, be the hero. He’s not ready, but made the decision on who he’ll be. He asks if it was easier for her. Was she always this strong and brave, or did she decide? She says she decided, like him. Life decided some things too. He says it does, and it will.

Zombies start to close in, but Carol mows them down. She says there’s nothing she can do about them getting the guns. Jerry finally gets the padlock off, and helps them through the fence. Ezekiel says, word to Rick before the guns get to the Sanctuary. Carol says they won’t be going there. The truck speeds past, with Daryl not far behind it, and Rick behind him.

The driver sees Daryl in his rear-view mirror. Daryl shoots, but the back panel drops down, and there’s a guy with a machine gun. Daryl swerves, and ends up off the road, with the bike falling and sliding. Rick keeps going, serpentine behind the truck. The Savior veers to avoid some zombies, and the shooter in the back is thrown. Rick gets Death Proof close to the truck, and jumps in. He punches the driver in the kidneys, and tosses him out. Nice work.

Daryl sees the truck off the road on its side, and Rick comes crawling out of the weeds. He says they got the guns; let’s see if this a-hole is alive.

Carol, Jerry, and Ezekiel continue on. Ezekiel says they have to leave him; he’s slowing them down. Carol says no way. At least these are slow zombies. They come to a creek, and the place is teaming with them, some of them downright skeletal. I start thinking, wait a minute, wouldn’t the spine deteriorate at some point? How come we don’t see piles of bones everywhere? Carol says they’re almost out of ammo. Ezekiel tells Jerry he’s not his king, and to leave him. He tells them to go, saying he ain’t no king; he’s just some guy.

Shiva to the rescue! Carol and Jerry help Ezekiel up. Shiva attacks the zombies.

Screw this show. The zombies got her. I am so over this. I’m livid.

Ezekiel comes back. He sees the boy he spoke to in the beginning, and touches his face.

😠 I hate this show right now. I’ve had such little investment in the characters, because it’s so one-note. It’s a relentless downer, which is fine for a two-hour film, but not week after week. I understand that it comes from a graphic novel series, but again, it’s a weekly show, and should play differently. There’s just no balance here. It’s not realistic. Before you say the whole zombie apocalypse is unrealistic (could happen), hear me out. It’s not realistic for what it is. If this was a real situation, you’d have more of a variety of people, not just depressing ones. Somebody would be cracking jokes, or at least being sarcastic. They found some balance with Abe, then they killed him off. I was growing weary of the dark atmosphere at that point, but Ezekiel, the Kingdom, and Shiva were bringing me around. (And Negan, who I find amusing.) So what do they do? Kill almost all of them off, let the zombies get the tiger, and no doubt Ezekiel will be his own version of walking dead now. I never like when a show is obvious about eliciting emotion from the audience. This was even worse than Viserion on Game of Thrones. And at least they have Peter Dinklage, king of the medieval one-liners. While Z Nation can be silly at times, they’ve managed to pack both variety and heart into the show, and still give the audience zombie thrills as well as melancholy. Honestly, I’ll probably finish out the season, but I think I’m out. If I want to get depressed, I can look at my bank account. I would have rather seen Rick get it. I hope Negan wins.

😑 Next time, too busy being annoyed to even pay attention.

90 Day Trifecta

I never did find out why Pedro called Chantel “Pinky,” but moving on, and catching up.

Starting with Before the 90 Days, we have Cortney and Antonio. He’s from Spain, and this looked like a catfish in the beginning, especially since he was a model, but he turned out to be the real deal. Antonio said he liked smart girls, and my advice was to not date Cortney, but the whole thing surprised me. After giving a negative first impression, and being relegated to sleeping on the couch, Antonio finally won her over and they got busy. She told us it was better than expected, and I was thrilled she shared that information. Not really. All was well until his A/C went out. I don’t blame Cortney for not wanting to share a cramped apartment in 90 degrees, but she whined so much, he ended up leaving to do laundry at his mother’s house and stayed the night. When he came back and wanted to go flamenco dancing, Cortney started crying. He decided she shouldn’t have any more whine wine, and asked if she was getting her period. Wrong, wrong, and more wrong. Even though they somehow got it together again, and got all I’ll-miss-you weepy at the airport, I was pretty certain that this would be the end for them. Not so. On a Tell All special after the season ended, where he contributed via Skype, they were in a committed relationship with each other. He sent her one of his sexy photo calendars, which her parents have hung up in their kitchen. I have no words. Cortney also told us that in Spain, women will come right up to your table while you’re on a date, and ask for the guy’s number. I should add, Antonio did not give his out, and claims he’s being faithful. I might as well believe him. I’ve been wrong about this one the entire way through.

Patrick went to Paris, and Myriam’s big secret was that she already had a boyfriend. It was so uncalled for and sad. I couldn’t fathom why she wouldn’t have told him this before he spent a fortune to go halfway around the world to meet her. He might have gone anyway, but that should have been his decision to make. It’s the worst when a decision is taken from you because you didn’t know the truth. He told Myriam he had to take a breath, and called his mom, who freaked out. He decided to stay and change Myriam’s mind, and spent the rest of his time there trying to do just that. We never saw Myriam’s boyfriend, but he sounded like a dud. It seemed to me, the real reason she’s with him is because they’re both Muslim. In the end, on a romantic boat ride/dinner, the kind Myriam wished her boyfriend would be into, she told Patrick that she’d give him a chance if circumstances were different. But they weren’t, and her parting words were basically c’est la vie. During the Tell All, both Myriam and Patrick’s mother were on Skype. Patrick’s mother just about cursed Myriam out, and told her karma was a bitch that would bite her in the ass. Myriam insisted that Patrick knew their flirting was nothing serious before he came to visit. Patrick was just like, I’ll be waiting when you dump your sorry ass boyfriend.

Sean finally met Abby’s ex, Chris. Abby took him to beautiful places to get his mind off of it beforehand, so we got to see some of Haiti. And it was, indeed, beautiful. Sean waited with a scowl on his face, while Abby picked Chris up. Their meeting was over before it began, and Sean told Abby that Chris was “poisonous.” I hadn’t gotten that impression, although he was flirty with her in the cab, but more on that in a minute. He told her that if she wanted a relationship with him, she had to ditch Chris. They couldn’t have a healthy relationship with him in the picture. Abby wasn’t thrilled with an ultimatum, but said she’d do it “for love.” Sean went home, but then came back and asked her to marry him. During the Tell All, we found out that Sean was right, and Chris is a 64-year-old a-hole who was basically using Abby as a sidepiece. She’d cut all ties with him but – let’s scratch our heads here – she was calling from his condo where she was staying. Supposedly, he wasn’t in town, and she planned to be gone before his return, but I’m not sure why she couldn’t call from somewhere else. I like Abby. She seems mature and seems to genuinely love Sean, but this gives me pause. My opinion to be continued.

Darcy’s visit with Jesse went downhill when she started to have enough of his healthy lifestyle, and militaristic attitude about everything. She met with Jesse’s mom, who is super cool, and honest without being an a-hole, unlike his stepdad and best friend. They had some wine, and his mom told Darcy to take her time. Darcy had another drink at the bar, ignoring Jesse’s texts and messages. When she got back to the apartment, he said she was “obviously highly intoxicated,” which he backed up in his interview, claiming she kept looking at the ground and being “sassy.” She decided to spend the night in a hotel, since he was harshing her buzz. He called the producer, saying she was drunk and irresponsible, and had run off. On her end, she claimed to be only tipsy, and said she left to do her own thing. No camera crew was there, so it’s hard to tell what really happened. I wish I could have been a fly on the wall. In the morning, Jesse came to the hotel. He told Darcy that he has issues with drinking because he’d lost people to the bottle, which explains a lot IMO. He asked her to promise never to drink again, and surprisingly, she agreed. The worst part of all was when, near the end of her trip, Jesse took Darcy to some place with windmills and bridges that was supposed to be iconic and romantic. He got down on one knee, told her how wonderful she was and how much he loved her, showed her a ring, and said this wasn’t a proposal. The ring was an “appreciation ring.” What? Even though Darcy has been tireless in her pursuit of an engagement, this was cruel and unusual punishment. It was like the ring on a string Schwartz gave Katie on Vanderpump Rules. I agree that six weeks is too short, but that was just bizarre. So, like, are they going steady now?

It got better during the Tell All, when Jesse made a surprise appearance. He acted like his robot self, and she was obviously uncomfortable. When asked what the biggest strain in their relationship was, they bleeped whatever Jesse said. I checked around and found a Reddit thread where it was being discussed. A user thought he’d said “bullsh*t.” I watched it a couple of times, and decided to accept that answer. What it means, I don’t know, and Darcy was just as vague. In that same thread, some users thought she seemed like an abused woman, but there’s an ocean and more between them, so I don’t think that’s it. He doesn’t seem to be in any kind of hurry to move either. They went back and forth about their problems without actually naming what they were. Darcy did have “a couple of glasses of wine” – which I’ve decided is her euphemism for getting sh*tfaced – with her sister on some occasion, Jesse wasn’t too happy about that, and she also had the nerve not to think it was no big deal. At one point, Jesse jumped up, said it was over, but then they left holding hands. And he hassled her about wearing his jacket on the way to the car because it was cold. I give up.

It was a real toss-up as to who gets the title of the WTF? Couple – Jesse and Darcy or Paul and Karine. The machete attack won. Because it wasn’t bad enough that Paul made Karine take an STD and pregnancy test prior to their “being intimate,” he kept saying that he had a secret. He continued to fret about it, while we were kept in suspense for weeks. I started thinking that maybe he had been born a woman, when he revealed that he had a “criminal past.” Then I thought maybe he stole some Star Wars action figures. The real story was that there was an ex with a restraining order against him, and he’d done prison time for arson; setting his own house on fire. He never really said whether he was guilty or not, so I’m assuming he has some issues, and the answer is yes. No big shock that Karine was knocked for a loop, but before she had a chance to process this information, Paul went on a kooky little adventure. He ran like a girl through the woods, until he got to the river. Then he clung to a tree, repeating, don’t let me get in this water, over and over. In his interview, he said at that moment, he didn’t care what happened to him, if he got some disease or was bitten by a snake: he’s a bad person. He certainly cared about making a production of it. Karine followed him, and was like, what is up with this, Paul? He basically said he wasn’t good enough for her, and believe me, if a guy ever says that, take him at his word and run. Karine just wanted to get the hell out of the woods, and left Paul still being weird.

It got better. While Paul was busy wallowing in self-pity, Karine’s phone was stolen. She’d already said something about it not being a good area, so why he chose to put this act on there is a mystery. When Karine got back to the more public space, a guy came running up with a machete, and demanded her phone. The camera crew was like, we just got mugged, and it looked like some kind of gang was going through the park, robbing people. They ran into the woods, cops ran after them, shots were fired, and Karine just wanted to go home and never think about Paul again. But that’s not how it ended.

She decided to stay with a friend, and he followed her like the stalker he no doubt is. She forgave him, and after an elaborate proposal on the beach, said yes to marrying him. Good luck with this guy. Are times this desperate? During the Tell All, she and Paul were together in Brazil, participating via Skype. I did wonder if the machete business had been staged, when he got so upset about the topic, he had to walk away, but she didn’t even seem fazed. Although maybe it happens so often there, she’s used to it. Either way, it was strange. Also disconcerting, was when Paul was asked if he returned the favor and also took an STD test. He said he did, and it was nerve-wracking. Why that would be, since he’s not exactly a Casanova, I have no idea, but chalked it up to his many neuroses. What was bothersome was that Karine claimed to have never seen the results, but he asked her if she didn’t remember looking at them on the phone together. 1) For such a paranoid dude, how come he’s doing all this online? and 2) she looked like she had no idea what he was talking about. Referee TV host, Shaun Robinson, added to the insanity by screeching Karine’s name repeatedly when Paul revealed he was with her. I can’t figure this woman out; the way she mugs for the camera is insane. I also can’t figure Paul out. Is he a trust fund baby? Does he work? Either Karine is a desperate girl or there is something seriously lost in the translation here.

On the flipside, there are a few interesting characters on the new season of original 90 Day Fiancé.

Larry – the one who makes me laugh every time he says Filipino Cupid, and the desperation with which he looks at the camera – met Jenny’s family, who had a humongous barbecue for him, which included a roast pig. Here’s where Larry went wrong. Now I’ve been to a pig roast, and although I was creeped out by seeing the entire pig, the smell was heavenly, and it tasted delicious. Apparently, Larry has a tender tummy, because he made it obvious that he could not eat this, bringing Jenny to tears, and disgrace upon the family. They worked things out, and both have decided to wait until marriage for sex, so there was no make-up anything. Larry informed us that he hasn’t had sex in fourteen years, and we’ll just leave it at that.

There are a couple of other standouts. David and the much younger Annie, who is from a poor village in Thailand. David had to give her parents a couple of oxen or something as dowry. There was an engagement party, and the entire village had a parade for him, because it was a huge honor. David handed out money right and left per some tradition I’ve never heard of, and was king for a day, even though this whole enterprise has tapped him out. When they get back to the states, he and Annie will be temporarily staying with friend Chris and his wife. They spent a couple of days in Bangkok, met up with them, and I decided Chris is a creeper. He started off saying mi casa es su casa, and by the end of the conversation, suggested Annie not only cook for them in exchange for rent (the applicant can’t work during the 90 day period), but give him massages. There was a silence heard around the world – one in which Chris’s wife said nothing and looked at no one; she didn’t even kick him under the table – and Annie told him she didn’t mind doing the cooking, but wasn’t giving massages. You’d think David would have spoken up, and later, Annie asked him if Chris got the idea from him. He claimed the only thing he’d ever said was that she gave him a massage. I believe it, and I think it’s a mistake to move in with those people. Honestly, it was one of the creepiest moments in this franchise so far, and that’s saying a lot.

There’s also Nicole, single mother to May, and Azan, who is from Morocco. From the jump, it wasn’t looking good, and his motives were suspect. Nicole’s first visit to Morocco was exhausting for the both of us – I got tired just watching. She’s a large girl, and he seemed disappointed about that when they met, although if they’ve been video chatting or even sharing pictures, I find it hard to believe he wouldn’t have noticed. She wanted to be affectionate, and he kept telling her it was a no-no in public there. He was annoyed that she didn’t show more decorum, and made her promise to eat healthier and exercise. Nicole’s mother hasn’t been thrilled with anything here, and refused to sponsor him for the K-1 visa. Since Nicole doesn’t make enough money, she needed a kind of co-signer. Her father – her parents are divorced, and both have remarried – decided to step up to the plate, figuring he can keep an eye on her if she stays in the states. Nicole made a second trip to Morocco, this time with her daughter. It was another fiasco, since May is a rather energetic child. Azan and Nicole disagreed on parenting methods. A visit to his family made me wonder if he was adopted. They seemed like lovely, joyful people, and very welcoming to both Nicole and May. Maybe they want to get rid of him. Nicole also “cheated” on him prior to them meeting IRL. What this actually means, I’m not sure. It wasn’t bad enough that she kept begging his forgiveness for this transgression, she also went out with a male friend to a club, and had not told Azan, who thought she’d gone with girlfriends, and it made him question the relationship. Not sure where this is going to go, but it smells bad. She seems desperate for a husband and father, and he seems like he might be desperate for… something. He doesn’t sound necessarily gung-ho about moving to America. Maybe he just wants someone to control, but if so, you’d think it would be easier for him to find a girlfriend at home. I can’t even see what these two have in common, besides… nope, nothing.

There are three other couples, but they aren’t quite as interesting because they seem almost normal. However, that’s always subject to change. I still have to watch tonight’s episode.

After the pig fiasco, Jenny told Larry that she never cries for men, mens cry for her. It was like a moment out of a telenova, and I realized that I watch this with a combination of amusement and horror. I also know more about the K-1 visa than I ever wanted to. And I’ve learned that if you want to act like an a-hole, just say it’s part of your culture and get offended if people don’t respect it.

90 Day Fiancé – where stupid people meet.

WalkingDeadCarol

WalkingDeadEzekiel&Shiva

Nov11

November 10, 2017 – Both Jasons are Jason, Roni Wakes Up, Insane Clown Zombies & Quaternary Quotes

Posted on by
Standard

What I Watched Today

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

 

 

General Hospital

At Pizzulo’s, Carly wants to toast to Michael kicking Nelle to the curb. Sonny says Michael is hurting, but Carly tells him, what happens in Pizzulo’s stays in Pizzulo’s. Jordan comes by. Sonny says it’s been a long day, and she tells him it’s not over yet.

Ava can’t make sense of the files. Kiki can’t do much better. Ava says Klein used cutting edge techniques, and these are the schematics she can be healed with. Kiki adds, and a doctor who can perform the treatment.

David asks Griff about the area. He’s looking to invest in property, but with the riverfront being declared historic, he has to look elsewhere. Griff knows nothing, but David thinks a certain lady friend might know more.

Alexis offers Monica an ear if she needs to talk. Monica says she’s not sure what she’d have to say. A guy drops through the skylight, looks like her son, and claims to be her son. She tells Alexis to put her energy into helping Sam. She’s fine; she always is.

Other Jason goes to the family crypt.

Real Jason asks if he can come in. Sam steps aside but says nothing. Real Jason asks if he’s here. Sam says no, but doesn’t think it’s a good idea for him to stay. Scout starts crying, and Sam tells him that’s her daughter.

David asks how Alexis is faring since the MetroCourt party, and she says it’s been a trying couple of days. He apologizes for bowing out at the last minute, but she thinks maybe he should be glad. He wants to make it up to her. She has a lot going on right now with Sam and her ex-husband, and David says exes have way of making presence known, no matter how far the distance. She tells him not to put his life on hold for her, but something tells him she’s worth it.

Ava tells Kiki that she’s made incredible progress, but no one knows how to replicate the process. Kiki says it’s promising. Ava wonders why she can’t manage some enthusiasm. Kiki says there’s no proof it works, and Ava says she’s proof. Why can’t Kiki be supportive, or does she want Ava to stay like this?

Sam brings Scout downstairs. Real Jason says she’s beautiful, and Sam says her name is Emily Scout Morgan. He says she named her after his sister; Emily would have loved that. He thanks her.

Other Jason tells Alan the only brother he came to know is Sonny, but he’s not sure about anything anymore. There’s nothing for him there, and he doesn’t know why he came. Monica stands in the doorway.

Jordan’s not there to socialize; they have business. He posted bail for Klein, and she’d like to know why. Sonny had questions the PCPD couldn’t answer. She says Klein had better show up for his hearing, and Sonny says he walked out without a scratch. She asks if the conversation was productive. Sonny says, you show me yours, and I’ll show you mine. Carly tells her they know DNA tests were arranged, and they want to know the results.

Kiki tells Ava, of course she wants her to be whole. Ava asks if she’s sure. Maybe she likes being in charge. Kiki wonders if Ava thinks she’s worried about Ava stealing her boyfriend again. Ava says she thought she had a handle on things, but maybe she doesn’t. Kiki says she’s reinventing the gallery and has a wonderful man in her life. She battled despair, and has a great life to show for it. Ava asks how long before Griff meets someone whose face is intact and has no baggage? Kiki is surprised Ava thinks that’s the kind of man Griff is; the lack of confidence is unlike her. There’s a knock at the door. It’s Alexis, and Ava says she knows Julian is in prison, right? Kiki leaves, and Alexis asks to come in. Ava asks what it’s about, and Alexis says Julian is in trouble.

Jordan tells Carly that everyone wants to know which man has the rightful claim to be Jason, but there won’t be any advance notice. Carly says the longer it’s dragged out, the harder it is on everyone, especially Jake Doe. Jordan notes that Carly has already changed his name. Carly says he needs to see the results; it’s the only way he’ll accept the truth. Jordan says there are a lot of assumptions going around, and they’ll get the results when they get them. She tells them not to go running to Dante either. She doesn’t want the past or their relationship interfering with the case they’re building against Klein and his men. They need to find out who’s in charge, and she asks if Sonny knows. Sonny says Klein called the person in front of him, but it was a burner phone. He does know the call originated from Port Charles.

Real Jason says Sam finally has a little girl and Danny has a little sister. Sam says Danny is absolutely in love with her, and named her. He’d wanted a puppy to name Scout, but named the baby instead. She tells him about how the Quartermaines ended up with the dog, and he and Danny get in all kinds of trouble together. Real Jason says Carly told him, but he was kind of distracted. He tells her what matters is, she has two beautiful children and she’s happy.

Monica tells Other Jason that the groundskeeper said someone nosing around. He asks what if he was burglar, but she saw his motorcycle. He apologizes, and she says don’t; he’s always welcome there. He says she might change her mind when she hears what he has to say. She asks if it has anything to do with the man who dropped through the skylight, and Other Jason asks if they’ve met. She says no, and she’s glad, since she wouldn’t know what to do. Other Jason says he says he’s Jason. Monica asks what he says, and he tells her he’d never lie to her. She says he’s her son, and always will be. They hug, and Other Jason says, the thing is, he might be her son too.

Kiki asks David for his help.

Alexis tells Ava that Julian is in trouble, and Ava says what else is new? Alexis tells her that he’s alone with no one to back him up. Scotty alerted her to a certain faction being after him, and Ava says that happens in prison. Alexis wonders why she doesn’t seem to care. Ava says she tried to visit him twice, and he refused. He won’t take her calls or email, and won’t use the money she puts in the commissary for him. Alexis says he was beaten badly, and she needs to do something. She says Ava knows people who can help him. Ava asks with what, paintings and sculptures. Alexis says Ava isn’t exactly a law-abiding citizen, and had wanted to take over the organization. She can call in a favor. Ava says she has nothing; she left that life behind. Alexis is a lawyer, and better equipped to deal with it. Ava wonders if Alexis is worried she’ll send the wrong message – or the right one. She’s still in love with him.

Sonny tells Jordan that the voice was altered, but when Klein wanted help, his boss cut him loose, and said he’s on his own from now on. Jordan asks if Sonny is still in possession of the phone, and he says he’ll see if he can find it. She tells him it’s not a trophy; it’s evidence in the shootings and a murder. Carly says the chain of evidence has already been broken. The best they can hope for is to get more information, and build a case. Sonny wonders why he pays Diane when he has Carly. Carly says for all they know, the phone was misplaced. Sonny says he’ll look for it, and if he finds it, he’ll send it over asap. Jordan understands that it’s personal; some is screwing with their friends, but when Sonny goes it alone, people get killed.

Jordan leaves, and Carly asks Sonny if he’s sure the boss is in Port Charles, and if Real Jason knows. Sonny says he was there, and seems fine, better than he would be. Carly feels like she betrayed him. She forced Sonny to accept Jake Doe, like she forced Jake Doe to accept he was Jason, and it turned out not to be true. Sonny says whatever happened is still happening, and it’s not her fault. She feels worse for Jason and Jake Doe. Jason’s entire life was taken over by someone else, and Jake Doe is realizing his life was never his own.

Other Jason tells Monica about the twins, and how Heather took one baby, and placed the other with Betsy. Monica says Alan had a child he didn’t know about because of that gold digging tramp and her lunatic cousin. Other Jason says he’ll find answers, whatever they may be. Monica says she’ll do everything she can to help. He has to get back, since he told Sam that he was clearing his head. She tells him that she overheard what he was saying, but there is something there for him – his home and her. She kisses his hand.

Sam has no idea how two men can think they’re the same person, and neither does Real Jason. When he saw her and Other Jason together, he had no idea Other Jason thought he was Real Jason. He woke up in a clinic where they’d been drugging him, and he lost track of time. He was stuck in wheelchair, parked in front of a window where he sat for hours, thinking of how to escape, and get back to her and Danny. He’s glad Danny’s not Franco’s son, and will never have to deal with what Franco did. Real Jason says he would love him no matter what. In his heart Danny is theirs no matter what. He wanted to tell her that; he needed her to know.

Ava tells Alexis it’s nothing to be ashamed of. Alexis asks if Julian being targeted by jailhouse thugs concerns her at any level. She tells Ava to stop digging at her and care. Ava says there’s nothing she can do, and tells Alexis to toughen up and handle her own problems. Doesn’t she have a sponsor to help figure things out?

Sam asks how Real Jason got to Port Charles, and he says another patient at the clinic helped him – Ava Jerome. Sam says Ava is he aunt, and he says she told him her brother was Sam’s father. She asks if he knows anything about the Jeromes, but he says they were played out by the time Sonny took over. Sam explains that Julian met her mother at bar in New Hampshire when he was in college, and she was in high school. Alexis got pregnant in the back seat of a car, and years later, he came back. He was part of the witness protection program, and went by the name Derek Wells. He figured out that he was her father, and he and Alexis fell back in love, if you can call it that. Sam says he’s an abusive pig, and lied to Alexis and made her lie for him. He held a knife to her throat, and almost killed her. He’s in prison now for other crimes, but he broke her. She almost lost her career and started drinking. She’s in recovery, but will struggle for the rest of her life because of him. Real Jason says he’s sorry, and Sam says Alexis still loves him. It’s the kind of love that just is. You can’t stop feeling it, can’t deny it, and can’t shut it down. All you can do is choose not to act on it, and accept the reality that the person you’ll always love can’t be in your life. Scout fusses, and Sam asks him to tend to her while she gets whatever. He picks her up. You know what’s going to happen, right? He says he was almost her father.

Carly thinks they should contact Sam’s husband, and let him know what they know. Sonny says they need to bring him back in the loop, and Carly says he shouldn’t have been left out of it; it must be overwhelming. The both realize they haven’t talked to him since Sam was in the hospital. Carly wants to call him, but doesn’t know what to say. He thinks they stabbed him in the back. He might not be Jason, but he’s still their friend. Sonny says he’s always been loyal, and never done them wrong. They can’t abandon him,

Real Jason tells Scout about her big sister, Lila, who’s in heaven. He says she never got a chance to be in the world and do the cool things Scout will. Her mom never held her, but loved her, and so did he. Lila brought him and Sam together. She gave them a reason to be patient with each other, to understand and forgive and have a chance to fall in love – the kind of love that just is. Yep. Other Jason walks in and says get away from his daughter or he’s going to kill him.

Ava looks at the laptop and wonders what happened to the research/ A lightbulb comes on over her head, and she says, Kiki.

Kiki shows David and Griff the flash drive. She says obviously it’s over her head, and she wanted it reviewed without her mother around, so she didn’t feel pressured to tell her what she wants to hear. David says the research is sound, and it’s groundbreaking, but it’s untested. Kiki says it worked on her mom, and supposedly other people. Griff says they didn’t operate under any supervision, and there was no peer review. They don’t know what side effects might occur. David says they’re sympathetic, but can’t help. It basically amounts to voodoo, and no doctor in their right mind would get involved

Monica remembers saying that she had to let go of who she wanted her son to be, and love the man he’s become, and that she wants a relationship with her son.

Sam comes back from the kitchen, saying she was just getting a bottle. Other Jason says Real Jason will stay away from his family. Carly and Sonny show up, and Other Jason says their friend was just leaving. Sam says they can’t keep doing this.

Ava sees Griff, and asks if he’s seen Kiki. He asks if she’s looking for her daughter, or this, showing her the flash drive. Ava asks if Kiki told him what’s on it, and he says she showed it to David in hopes they could finish the work. She asks what the verdict is. He says they reviewed Klein’s notes. Neither of them are experts on the subject, but they agree that moving forward would be a bad idea. It’s a gamble for both the patient and the doctor. She says she doesn’t need any doctor, just the one she’s looking at – him.

On the phone, Alexis requests a visit with Olivia Jerome. She listens, then asks for her attorney, and says, contact Nora.

Sam tells everyone that Scout is at the Quartermaines, and they have to figure out way to deal. What they’re doing isn’t working. There’s a knock at the door. It’s Jordan, and she’s like, oh good, everyone is here. Other Jason asks why she’s there, and she says they ran separate DNA tests on both individuals claiming to be Jason Morgan. She has the results

Monica remembers Real Jason talking about when he woke up and things didn’t make sense. She tells him she loves him, and he says he loves her too. She touches Alan’s plaque, and says she could be on the verge of a miracle. She wishes he was around to witness it.

Other Whiny Jason tells Jordan they didn’t have his permission for a test. She says they didn’t need it. It’s a matter of public safety. They can’t have two guys running around saying they’re the same person. Sonny says they just want answers. She tells them they had the tests double-checked, and the test confirms Other Jason is Jason Morgan, and Real Jason is also a match. Everyone stares at her.

On Monday, Nora meets with Alexis, Maxie tells Lulu she has an idea to solve their problems, and Scotty asks Franco who the real Jason is.

Once Upon a Time

Today, Henry says the photograph is supposed to be a scene from his book, with Roni as the Evil Queen; he doctored the picture. Roni says Victoria is screwing with them. Jacinda blows in, but I get interrupted, and she blows out in the one and a half minutes I’m not listening. Henry is like what was that, and Roni says this is all the magic she’s got, and clinks beer bottles with him.

In the other realm, Henry teaches Cinderella about a torque wrench. A group of ruffians appears, and says, oh wow, look at the magic chariot. Henry figures they want to kill them, and take said chariot, and the head thug says he’s smarter than he looks. Henry says, too bad you’re not, and the fight starts. Regina appears, and says get away from her son, fireball at the ready, but he and Cinderella are doing fine for themselves. They win the fight, and Henry tells Regina they’re fine thanks to this, and shows her his lunchbox. She says she got it for him when he was ten, and here he is with a sword, motorcycle, and girl. He suggests she come along, but she says she’s busy. He doesn’t need his mother around all the time anymore, and obviously can take care of himself.

In Seattle, Ivy asks Victoria is she’s okay. She has a migraine. Ivy thinks maybe the flowers triggered it, and says she’ll remove them. She brings them to the secret room. The witch grabs them, saying she can’t wait. They have the tiniest seed of the magic required, but need fertile ground. She tells Ivy to be patient, and remember how they survive. Ivy closes her eyes, and imagines her mother’s destruction, which I guess is her happy place. The witch says Veronica isn’t the only one to be wary of. It might not have been wise to give Regina the photo. Ivy says by the end of the day, she won’t be a problem.

Henry shows Roni pictures of him on social media, having a drink with Ivy. That’s probably what Lucinda was in and out about. Lucy runs in, and wants to see the picture of Henry and Regina. She remembers reading the scene in his book, and says Roni is Regina. She adopted Henry in the real world in Boston. Roni says give it up; the picture is fake. Lucy says Henry never gave up, and she won’t either. Regina will break the curse. She just has to remember, and Lucy knows exactly how to do it.

Weaver is feeling better after getting shot, and wants to go back to work, but Rogers says the captain wants him to stick it out for a week. Weaver says he’ll deal with the captain, and tells Rogers to watch his phone. He might have errands for him. Rogers asks Tilly what Weaver does when he needs her help, and she says, buy her lunch.

As they walk down the street, Henry tells Roni that she’s been quiet since Lucy dropped the Regina bomb. She says she did try to adopt once, but at the last minute the agency thought she wasn’t a good fit. He says she seems like mom to a lot of people around there. She thinks that if they pretend to believe Lucy, it will stop her from being defensive. The sooner the fantasy fades, the sooner things will get better. Henry calls it Operation Heartbreak. They see the food truck, and Roni tells Henry to ask Lucina out – be charming and don’t slouch.

In the enchanted forest, Regina sees a hooded figure. The figure picks up a fancy box, and opens it. Tree branches come snaking out and she drops it. The branches get bigger, and it turns into a giant Venus flytrap, kind of like Audrey Jr. in Little Shop of Horrors, but prettier. It begins to envelop the figure, and Regina gets a fireball ready. She throws it at the flytrap and destroys it. She says be careful about strange magic. The figure removes its hood, and it’s Drizella. Regina says she should have let that thing eat her; she tried to kill her son. Drizella says she’s through doing things for her mother. Regina thought she was marrying the prince, but Drizella says that wasn’t her choice. She says she was born with magic, but never allowed to cultivate it. If she can’t use her own magic, she’ll use someone else’s. Regina understands. She also had a controlling mother. She says perhaps she can help, but Drizella doesn’t need to steal it. She can use the gift she was born with.

Ivy brings a mound of earth to the witch, who says she’s been under Victoria’s thumb for too long. She messes with the dirt and something grows out of it. It’s Groot! Not really. Ivy says it’s perfect, and the witch says it’s dangerous. Ivy says they’ll see if Regina is as powerful as she thinks she is, and puts pieces of it in a jar.

Jacinda works on the truck. Henry holds a boombox. He says last time he was single, mix tapes worked when he wanted to ask a girl out. She asks if he’s asking her out. He babbles about John Hughes movies, saying he feels the need to explain himself with her. He can’t stop thinking about her. She says he has seen a lot of John Hughes movies. She has a daughter, a business, and no time. He says he has nothing but, and if she gets some, he’d like to take her on a date. She says what about now? Mix tapes always work. He can help her with the truck. They both roll underneath it.

Roni finds Lucy. Lucy tells her when Henry needed magic the most, a book showed up for him, and when they touch it, they remember who they are. Roni says if she grabbed it, she’d remember being a queen? She’d love to believe it, and knows enough to know she doesn’t know everything. She suggests they prove this thing together. Lucy hugs her.

Regina gives Drizella magic lessons. Drizella thinks she’s wasting Regina’s time. Regina says she just needs the right motivation. Rocks start to fall from the mountain above them, and Drizella stops them. She didn’t think she could do it, or it was even possible. Regina says if she believes in herself, it is. She’s a lot like Regina was, but she didn’t have the right guide. Her power came from anger and hate. She did terrible things, and cast a dark curse. Drizella asks if she got what she wanted, and Regina says for a while, but she wanted the wrong things. The only thing that’s truly made her happy was her son Henry. Drizella wishes she had a mother like Regina. Don’t we all? says Rumpelstiltskin, who is suddenly on the scene.

Roni gives Weaver some booze as a get-well gift. She asks if he can find out if a woman applied to adopt a baby. Her name is Regina Mills. Weaver asks what would make him want to take this on? Roni says she’ll owe him one. He says they have a deal.

Tilly asks for a rematch while she and Rogers chat. She asks about Eloise Gardener. Rogers says she was a normal kid up until she disappeared. She was an amateur poet; fearless, but something spooked her. He shows Tilly the rune in the journal. He says all that matters is that she disappeared. Tilly says take a good look at the board. What pieces doesn’t he have? What does he need to pay attention to, to find himself on a different path that leads to Eloise?

Weaver goes to Roni’s, and tells her there was a Regina Mills who adopted a baby boy in Boston. She says that’s impossible; she didn’t think it was going to work. Weaver wonders why she’d ask for help, and she says she wanted information, not to be interrogated. He gives her an envelope with all the information, saying what are friends for if not favors? She owes him one.

Regina tells Rumpel that all those years went by in the blink of an eye for them, and he lived a lifetime with Belle. He says they lived a good life; she made him a new man. He’s finally ready to pass on the path of the Dark One the right way. He says change is inevitable. Regina says tell her about it; her son no longer needs her. He asks about Drizella, and she says Drizella has raw talent. She needs to get on the right path, and stand up to her mother. Rumpel wonders why Lady Tremaine would want Drizella to learn magic.

Drizella looks in a mirror and sees her mother standing over Anastasia. Lady Tremaine reaches in and takes out Anastasia’s heart. Regina says she’s practicing for waking her up. She nearly ripped out her son’s heart. The only way to wake her is to replace her heart, and Drizella thinks it’s going to be her who provides the replacement. She always knew her mother loved Anastasia more, but didn’t realize how much until now. She says she’ll never be free. Regina says she’ll help; she can protect her heart. Drizella asks Regina to help her kill her mother. Regina says she can’t let her go down that dark path. Drizella says she thought Regina cared, and Regina tells her that’s why she’s saying no. Drizella says that sounds like what her mother told her, and if she’s not going to help, she knows a prince who will.

Rogers looks at the paperwork of the dude with the rune tattoo. He goes to his house. When there’s no answer, he looks through the window, and sees the guy lying on the floor. He breaks in.

Roni looks at the adoption papers; She writes Regina Mills, and compares it to the signature. They look the same.

Lady Tremaine is hovering over Anastasia, and Drizella comes in, dragging along Prince Gregory. He says he won’t let her harm his bride, and suddenly freezes. Regina appears, saying she doesn’t want to do this. Drizella says she tried to get her mother to love her, but she’s never going to. Regina tells her not to kill Lady Tremaine, but Drizella says she didn’t bring Gregory to kill her. She opens the fancy box, and the tree thing pops out, spearing Gregory. Drizella says she’s giving her mother what she wants. Regina asks her what she’s done. What is she so afraid of that’s turned her heart black?

Drizella tells her mother she failed. Lady Tremaine asks if she wants congratulations, and Drizella says she wants her to suffer. She threatens a dark curse, and Regina tells her a curse is never worth the cost. Drizella is going to transport her mother to another realm, and plant the seed of pain in her life. It will start small, but it will grow until everything she sees, every breath is pain. Regina tries to get her to listen. She wanted to help, but she’ll do whatever it takes to stop her. Heroes can always break curses. Drizella says then she’ll make hers unbreakable, and thanks Regina for the final lesson. She disappears, poof! in a cloud of purple smoke.

Ivy goes to Roni’s, insisting they have a top-shelf drink. Roni says what she found out had better be good. Ivy says it’s about what Roni found. She needed Roni to go on an adventure. What if Henry’s fairytales were true? Roni asks if Ivy put something in her drink. She starts to remember Storybrooke, and she’s like, omg. Ivy says, welcome back, Regina.

Roni says, Drizella, and Drizella asks if she missed her. She tells Roni she has no magic yet. It was just enough to wake her up. Henry calls, but Drizella says she wouldn’t answer yet. Roni is foggy, and Drizella tells her to give it a minute. It all starts coming back. Drizella reminds her that she said she’d make her curse hero-proof. She tells Regina to remember what she did before the curse, and why she can’t allow it to be broken. If it is, something very bad happens to the people she loves. She should be proud; the student surpassed the master, the sign of a great teacher. Roni asks if she wants a gold star or did she wake her to gloat. Drizella says she needs help. She’s on the verge of showing her mother what true suffering is, and she can’t break the curse now. Roni says, Cinderella, and Drizella tells her to do whatever it takes to stop true love’s kiss from happening. It shouldn’t be too hard for the Evil Queen. Breaking hearts is what she’s best at. Drizella leaves, and Roni cries.

Regina tells Henry that she came to help him. She thought he needed it, but he’s not kid anymore. He left Storybrooke, and can fight his own battles, and he has Ella. Henry says he still needs her. He can take care of bullies and brigands, but will always need her. She says she needs him. Living in Storybrooke without him isn’t worth anything. Whatever else she’s supposed to do with her life, she’s his mother first. She hugs him.

Sitting on a bench, Roni looks at the picture of her and Henry. Henry joins her, and says she’ll be happy to know things with Jacinda went well. They’re going to see where it goes. He asks how things are going with Lucy, and Roni thinks maybe it would help if she knew more about him, like his mother’s name. He says he was born in prison, just like his character, but he was never adopted; he grew up in the system, like Emma in his book. It used to bother him that no one liked he book, but he thinks he wrote it for himself. He dreamt of having a mother, and found a way to get her. Roni says she’s glad they’re getting to know each other, and Henry says he is too.

Next time, a two-hour episode, Rapunzel gets tangled up in the story, a trip to Wonderland, an astounding revelation, and Roni confronts Weaver about Rumpel.

Z Nation

A service is held for Lucy. She’s on a funeral pyre, her body covered, wearing a crown of flowers. Murphy say he’s sorry. Doc says they loved her from the moment she clawed her way into this world. She wove her way in and out of their journey, and was a bright spot in world of darkness; freaky, but a bright spot. In the short time she was alive, she damn near saved world. As another doctor once said, let’s not cry because she’s’ gone, but smile because she was here. 10K lights the pyre. Zombies throw themselves on it.

They stop on the road. Doc wonders what stinks. It smells like old French fries and zombie fish sticks. Roberta tells him it’s grease for fuel, and they’re lucky to have it. Murphy says they’ve got company, and a lone zombie ambles toward them. Murphy starts walking. Roberta tells Doc that he has something to work out. He whacks it, and keeps on whacking. Then he stomps on it.

They hear someone yelling for help. Roberta says keep going, but Murphy wants to stop. A sign says Mystery Hill Carnival, but the Carnival is changed to Carnevil.  Roberta tells Murphy to never get tout of the boat, but he wants to kill some bad guys. She says no good can come of this, and he says no good comes from anything.

Doc say it’s the world’s saddest carnival. Zombies grapple at the bottom of Ferris wheel, and a woman is tied to one of the seats. Doc says it’s not the zombies that make the apocalypse suck, it’s the people. The woman says they tied her there and left her for the Z’s. The zombies clamor at the fence; they’re wearing clown greasepaint. Doc distracts them, calling them over to car. Murphy works to get the woman down. Doc locks the zombies in the car, telling them hands and teeth inside the ride at all times. A stray zombie nearly gets Doc, but Murphy stabs it through the neck. The woman asks if they’re done playing around.

Roberta says she’ll live, and she wants to get back on the road. Murphy wants to know what happened. They can hear people inside the building. The woman babbles, and Murphy says he’s putting a stop to it. Roberta tells him it won’t bring Lucy back, or Red, or any of the others. 10k thinks Murphy is right, and follows. Doc thinks they’ll need help, and leaves too.

It’s a pretty ratty looking place. Doc sees a giant mushroom, and is glad 10K sees it too; he thought he was having flashbacks. Lily tells Roberta that Murphy has PZT, Post Zombie Trauma, bad. She says she’s not going in there. If she does, she’ll become a part of it, and she doesn’t want to. The woman carries on, asking if they have any Zagnuts, and saying she’s thirsty. Doc says it sounds like a lot of people in there, and Murphy says the more, the better. Roberta has joined them, and says it’s not their fight. She wants them to go, but Murphy says the apocalypse isn’t an excuse. She says those are humans, and even if they’re bad, there aren’t many left. The woman gripes to lily, and says she keeps the party going. She reminisces about good times, as Lily bandages her arm. She tells a long story, and it’s like when a drunk person tells a story and it’s only funny to them.

Murphy sees a couple of guys in makeup, and says it’s mad Z’s. 10K says, it’s not mad Z’s; it’s mad clowns. Doc tells them it could be worse. They could be mimes. The two guys are teasing a zombie they have buried up to its neck, reminding me of Motel Hell (highly recommended – It takes all kinds of critters to make Farmer Vincent’s fritters).

Lily asks what’s with the circus crap, and the woman explains that they wanted to form their own posse, like their heroes, the Juggalos, except they wanted their own thing, and call themselves the Zuggalos. She says they’re all family, and family always comes back. They’re better together. She suddenly doesn’t feel well, and wants her medicine from inside. Lily finds out it’s oxy the woman wants. She’d thought they ran out of that years ago, but the woman says they recycled it. They’re all so full of drugs, they filter their urine, dry it out, and snort it. It’s called Z-Wack. She asks Lily if she parties, but Lily says no; the apocalypse numbs her brain enough. The woman accuses Lily of thinking she’s better than they are, and then invites Lily in, saying they have Zagnuts and Fritos. And music, because life ain’t worth livin’ without it. They also have solar power. King knows how to work all that, but she’s going to kill him for disrespecting her. She tells Lily she’s just messing with her, but she’ll mess him up for sure.

Murphy says he’s seen enough, and stomps over to the men. Roberta tries to stop him, but the clowns notice, and one shoots at them. Murphy pushes Roberta out of the way, and goes after them with his cane sword. Roberta sees the landscape in her mind. She tells Murphy don’t do this, but it’s too late. Clowns come out of everywhere, with guns drawn. They’re not like regular circus clowns, but weird. And not weird like Pennywise, but more like Insane Clown Posse or Twisty.

King welcomes them to his humble home, and Dark Carnival of Mayhem. He says let the games begin, and Doc don’t think he means parcheesi. 10K is put on the Wheel of Sudden Death, and a guy throws a knife at him. He hits the clown spinning the wheel, and they both laugh. Alrighty then. Doc is getting balls thrown at his head, which is through a hole photo board picture. King announces they also have high tech torture, and we see Murphy in some kind of high voltage booth. They shock him, and King says it’s set to wussy and not even cranked up yet. Roberta plays a “drink for your life” game with King, where he asks her obscure music questions. If she’s wrong, she has to drink, and Murphy gets shocked. To everyone’s surprise, she gets the first question right. The next one is a trick question, and she gets a right answer, but not the right answer.

The woman asks Lily how long they’re waiting, and what if they don’t come back? They’re in a house full of knuckleheads on drugs. She notes how quiet it is, and says that’s when you worry. Someone yells, and she says that’s better. Lily tells her stay put; they tried to kill her. She says all the more reason she shouldn’t be left alone. Lily says to stick close and be quiet.

Everyone watches the drinking game. Doc gets himself free.

Roberta knows some rap lyrics, and they all get crazy.

A zombie grabs the woman. Lily incapacitates it, and the woman beats its head in. She says it was a friend of hers, and takes its weapon.

Doc wanders into an unfinished part of the house, and one of the clowns sees him. Doc gets backed into a corner. He sees a gun on the floor, and grabs it. He shoots, and a flag that says, Bang! pops out. That was pretty funny. The clown disappears, and Doc continues on, but it drops down from the ceiling behind him. He makes a run for Doc, who steps aside, and the clown goes out the window.

King and Roberta have a rap battle. Lily looks in the window, and tells the woman what’s happening inside. She wants to go in, and Lily tries to stop her, but is unsuccessful. Doc frees 10K, who tells him that Roberta is kicking King’s ass at the mic. King calls Roberta his Zuggalo queen, and the clowns start chanting, wedding, and then, Warren. They all raise their cups, and Murphy chants along with them. Doc asks 10K if he wants to crash a wedding. A clown with a gun stops them, and he says they’re with the bride.

Everyone is in greasepaint, and a clown with a top hat performs the eternal bonds of unholy matrimony. When they get to the “forever hold your peace” part, everyone looks at Murphy. The clown officiant says they’ve shared beats and their two lives are coming together to celebrate in grand family tradition, before God, the devil, and men. He says they’ll be sharing in the blood rite, the ceremonial exchange of pinkies, and later, a sharing of the bride. The woman shoots the officiant, and Lily is like, whoa. The woman looks at Roberta, and says she’s beautiful. Her baby is getting married. King says, aw, mom. The woman holds her gun on Lily.

The woman asks what kind of son he is. She breastfed him until he was five, and this is how he treats her? King says they were just messing around. They were going to get her down. She tells him just because he’s playing king doesn’t mean he is. He whines that she’s never there for him, and she says he’s the center of her universe. Murphy tries to give them advice, and gets zapped. The woman says his daddy would have wanted him to respect his momma, and King suggests they ask him. A decrepit zombie is wheeled out. The woman complains that King was getting married without inviting either one of them. She tries to touch him, and he snaps at her.

King asks if he should be head of the he’s ready to become king clown and run the clan; a grunt for yes, and nothing for no. It’s a yes, and the woman asks if she should run the clan, and there’s silence. She goes nuts, and jumps on King’s back. He flips her onto a table. He says he knew she’d like Roberta, and she breaks a glass jar over his head. While they’re wrestling, Murphy escapes his shackles. King pins down his mother, and says he hates her. She says she never wanted him, and he asks if she can’t be a normal mom for once. Because they’re wearing metal, Murphy is able to shock them. He tells King to stop trying to kill his mom; it’s hard being a parent today. King says she tried to kill him, and Murphy says she cares about him, but she’s conflicted. He was selfish prick, and when his daughter was born, he wanted something for someone else. His little girl is gone, but they still have each other; don’t mess it up. King says it’s her fault. Murphy says to stop putting up walls, and listen to her. The woman says that’s the problem; he doesn’t listen. Murphy zaps them.

Murphy says she needs to see King for who he is; he’s not a little boy any more. At least she got to see him grow up. He never got to see Lucy grow up. He never saw her for who she was. And she’d needed him to see that. Her son needs her to see that. The woman says if he doesn’t get his clown ass of her back, she’ll beat him. Murphy shocks them good. Roberta whacks a wandering clown with a chair. King is able to get up, but his mom is down for the count. No, wait, she’s up as a zombie.

Chaos starts to happen, as clowns turn into zombies. Murphy says this is bad, even for them. Roberta says it’s time to GTFO.

King limps outside, and gets in the car full of zombies. Oh well.

The gang gets back to their truck. Roberta tells Murphy he was right. He says, about what, and she says about Lucy. What happened was her fault. She doesn’t know what they’re doing. These visions, or whatever she’s having, are leading them nowhere, and she still doesn’t know what it means. She can’t have anyone following her until she figures it out. They’re heading to Newmerica.

Next time, zombie nuns and a zombie bishop – Doc prays for a miracle.

Quotes of the Week

Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns. – George Eliot (Me too!)

Do the scary thing first, and get scared later. – Lemony Snicket

People generally see what they look for, and hear what they listen for. – Harper Lee

All that pleases is but for a moment. All that troubles is but for a moment. That only is important which is eternal. – carved above the arches at the entrance to the Milan Cathedral

Milan-Cathedral4-740x490

Milan Cathedral

Nov4

November 3, 2017 – Jason Fills in the Gaps, From Beignets to a Truck & Frankenzombies

Posted on by
Standard

What I Watched Today

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

 

 

General Hospital

Ava sees Griff at the hospital. He asks if they have plans, but she’s there for a follow-up. She tells him everything is fine, and they were actually impressed. Too bad the doctors in Russia didn’t finish what they started. She says what you see is what you get, and Griff tells her what he sees is beautiful. It’s bad enough they constantly hand each other cups of fresh empty from Perks, but now I’m expected not to notice Ava is anything but gorgeous.

At the MetroCourt, Diane tells Sonny that Real Jason is being held as John Doe. Sonny appreciates the irony. Diane hasn’t seen his face yet, but understands that he and Carly want to believe he’s Jason. As his attorney, she has to raise the idea they might be being played.

Alexis visits Sam. Other Jason says she’s fine, but let her sleep. Alexis asks who rescued Sam, and Sam, now awake, says the man said he’s Jason.

Real Jason is at the station. Curtis sees him, and says the rumors are true. Jordan apologizes; they had lunch plans and she forgot to cancel. Curtis says he’s only seen a few pictures, but dude is a dead ringer for Jason. Jordan says all parties involved are as much in the dark as they are. Scotty blows in, and asks to be pointed in the direction of the poor soul who needs his expertise. Jordan says he’s waiting for Diane. He sees Real Jason, and says, omg.

Elizabeth tells Franco it makes sense now. He knew there was more to the story, and knew Betsy was lying. He says there was a twin, and he knows what happened to him.

Ava tells Griff to stop saying that; she might start to believe him. Not everyone can see past her scars. She’s starting to meet with new clients, and aesthetics come into play, especially in the art world. I dunno. A scar might be an asset. The art world is pretty weird. Griff thinks they should celebrate her first show. Going after a client is a huge deal, and he won’t take no for an answer.

Sam asks where Danny is, and Other Jason tells her he’s at the Quartermaines. Alexis says they can talk childcare later; how is she feeling? Sam says she’s in one piece. Alexis wonders what happened to taking it easy. Other Jason says there’s a man in town with his old face. Alexis says she heard he rescued Sam, and they owe him a debt of gratitude. Other Jason says he’s an impostor, and he’s at the station now.

Jordan tells Scotty that dude is calling himself Jason Morgan. Scotty suddenly has to go. Jordan tells Curtis that she has to postpone tonight, but he understands. He has a lot going on too. He says they’ll talk later. When he leaves, Real Jason comes out.

Elizabeth tells Franco it’s not their secret to keep. Franco says there are no answers yet. He takes a paper out of his pocket and hands it to her, saying Jason’s twin is dead. Quit confusing me.

Sonny tells Diane that when she sees him, she’ll know the truth. She says Sam’s husband had that face too, and has a DNA test to back it up. Sonny says he’s not Jason; Jason is the guy at the station. Diane tells Sonny that according to Carly, he’s not keen on being released. For some reason, he wants to stay in lock-up.

A guard puts Real Jason in a cell, noting he has experience. When the guard is gone, Real Jason sees Klein, and says they finally have a chance to talk.

Franco shows Elizabeth the fake death certificate. She notices the name is Moore. Franco tells her that’s why he couldn’t find it, but he followed a hunch and a friend helped. Whoever the stranger is, he can’t be Jason’s twin. Elizabeth asks how he can be sure; documents can be faked.  He says that’s not Betsy’s style. Elizabeth thinks they should give Jason as much info as they can to help him figure out what’s going on.

Alexis asks why Real Jason is in jail. Other Jason explains that when he saw Franco, he beat the crap out of him; clearly, he’s done his research and sticking to the act. Other Jason leaves to talk to Epiphany about Sam’s release. Alexis asks what Sam thinks.

Real Jason tells Klein that he’s lucky Sam survived or he’d kill him. Klein says she was only a diversion, a way to lure him to the docks; he had no intent to harm her. Real Jason points out that he threw her in the water, but Klein assumed he’d save her. One thing he’s learned about Real Jason is that he’s extremely capable. Real Jason asks how long he was at the clinic, and Klein tells him long enough to dismantle the operation. Real Jason asks who was paying Klein to keep him there?

Diane wonders why Real Jason would choose lock-up, but Sonny says she’d have to ask him. She says the attack on Franco was brutal and unprovoked. Sonny doesn’t think that sounds like Jason, but Diane says he’d have every reason to want Franco dead. Sonny suggests Franco will finally pay, but she tells him one step at a time. Sonny tells Diane to call him when she admits he’s Jason.

Griff and Ava come into the restaurant. Griff has to return call, and Ava goes to the bar. She got a new hair color with her new face, and she’s a strawberry blonde now. Sonny approaches her. She asks what he wants, and he says answers about Jason.

Sonny says she met him in the Russian clinic, and Ava says he was referred to as Patient 6. Sonny wants to know who was holding him, but Ava tells him that she only dealt with the doctors and staff. Griff asks what going on, and she says they were chatting about the clinic. She tells Sonny that she heard Klein on the phone, warning someone that Patient 6 was getting better. She has no idea who he was talking to though. Sonny asks if she’s sure, or is she lying to cover her part in it?

Klein tells Real Jason that the client wanted to remain anonymous. The only contact was by phone or email. They wanted Real Jason sedated, healthy and secure, and no questions asked. Jordan comes in with Diane. She sees Real Jason, and says my, my. He tells her, hello, Diane, and she guesses they have a lot to catch up on.

Curtis sees Other Jason. Other Jason assumes he heard what happened at the launch party. Curtis heard enough, and thinks Real Jason must be a con man, an enemy getting in his head. Other Jason says it’s definitely working. He’s got the people closest to him believing. Not Sam, but Sonny and Carly. He says it’s hard to explain. He doesn’t know what to think, but needs to figure out who he is. Curtis tells him to stay and keep an eye on Sam. He’s not sure Other Jason can be objective anyway. Other Jason says that’s why he called Curtis. He says the guy has no record on file at all. Curtis isn’t sure where to start, and Other Jason tells him to start with Franco.

Franco tells Elizabeth the information won’t help; it will just throw him off the scent. Elizabeth tells him that she’s kept things to herself over the years, and it was a huge mistake. Franco says it won’t be forever. When it’s sorted out, then they talk to people. They don’t want to give the mystery guy any more ammunition to disrupt Jason’s life more than he already has. Scotty interrupts, and practically strong arms Franco away

Alexis asks what Sam remembers. Sam tells her that she was at the MetroCourt, when a guy stuck a needle in her arm. Everything got hazy, and there was a crash from the ceiling and guy. She doesn’t remember what happened after that, then she was thrown into water. It was cold, and she thinks she got stuck. The next thing she remembers is being on the docks, coughing up water. She could feel his hands on her, and hear his voice. She looked up and saw him. She asks if she’s going to be okay. Alexis says, so he maintains he’s Jason, but what does Sam think? She thinks he believes he’s telling the truth. Alexis says obviously she can’t talk to her husband, but can talk to her. What if it’s true, and he is Jason? Where does that leave Sam and her husband?

Monica is glad Elizabeth’s injuries aren’t more serious, and Elizabeth says Franco is more shook than her. She tells Monica the man who crashed through the ceiling was at the hospital with Carly. He attacked Franco; he said nothing, just tried to strangle him. Monica asks what happened, and Elizabeth says he was arrested and is in police custody.

Scotty tells Franco that he saw him; he’s a dead ringer for Jason, i.e. a twin. He thinks Franco should talk to Betsy, and he says he already did. Andrew is alive, but he can’t tell anyone, especially Elizabeth. Scotty asks why, and Franco says he tried to kill Andrew.

Other Jason says he didn’t think much about it at the time, but Franco had a picture from when he was a kid. There was another boy in the picture, and Jake insisted it looked like him. When he asked Franco about it, Franco said he got rid of it. He knows better than to take Franco at his work, but it’s a starting point. He tells Curtis thanks. He’s not just reaching out to him as a PI, but trusts him. Curtis says damn right. He doesn’t rummage in a dumpster with rats as big as his foot without bonding a little. He’s sorry people are doubting Other Jason, and wants him to know he has his back.

It’s time for Klein’s arraignment. Diane asks for time alone with her client. She tells him seeing is believing is a grotesque understatement, and it’s good to see him again. He’s surprised she doesn’t think he’s a fraud, and she says she’s a litigator. She’s paid to find holes in stories, and the yarn about the other guy is chock full of them. She always had doubts. Real Jason wonders why Carly and Sonny went along with it. Diane says as fond as she is of him, they love him, and they needed him to be alive. There were gaps in his story no one could fill. Real Jason asks if his story doesn’t have gaps, but she says his story logically fills the gaps in Other Jason’s. She has no doubt he’s the one and only Jason Morgan. He says that’s good to hear. She wants to get him out of there, but he says he’s not going anywhere until he’s done with Klein.

Sam tells Alexis that she loves her husband, and he loves her. He’s Scout’s father, and the only father Danny knows. They spent the last year falling in love and built a life together. Alexis says, a life away from Sonny. Sam agrees that’s not like Jason, but does it matter? Other Jason comes back, and Alexis has to leave to meet a doctor about a case. She tells them good luck.

Franco tells Scotty that apparently when he was a kid, he pushed Andrew down a flight of stairs, and almost killed him. Betsy sent him away for his own protection. Scotty scoffs at any truth from Betsy, but Franco says he found another proof; a guy who has knowledge of the situation. Scotty says so there are two Jason Morgans – one with his original face and a bad attitude, and a bouncier Jason with a different face. He asks if they guy told him which was which.

Franco explains about memory mapping, but doesn’t know what to do with the information. He says there are two Jasons who want him dead. Scotty tells him to quit pretending it’s about him. It’s about Elizabeth.

Elizabeth tells Monica that Real Jason beating Franco was brutal and terrifying, but just what Jason would do if didn’t know about the brain tumor. Monica asks if she’s suggesting this guy is her son. She doesn’t accept it. She and Other Jason took a long time to get back to where they are, and she knows in her heart he’s her son. She’s sure somebody will find way to put this all to rest.

Other Jason carries Sam into the apartment. He tells her it’s romantic, efficient, and he likes being next to her. She says they’re the worst CEO people ever. He says she’s okay, and that’s all he cares about; everything else is second. He doesn’t know what he’d do if he lost her. They hug.

Diane understands Real Jason’s desire to question Klein, but suggests they get him out of there. She thinks he should plead temporary insanity. Considering Franco’s history with him, it’s plausible, but he’s legally in the wrong unless he’s not accountable. Real Jason says he’s not doing it; they have to find another way. He asks her to get a message to Sonny.

Griff tells Sonny that Ava was fighting for her life when he found her. Sonny asks if he expects her to believe Ava, but expects him to believe him. Ava would have been killed if he hadn’t intervened. He lets Sonny know that he’s no longer a priest, in case he wants counsel. Sonny can’t believe he’s leaving the priesthood for Ava. He’d thought Griff was on a mission to save his soul, but maybe Sonny should be praying for him.

Franco tells Scotty that Elizabeth will learn he was a monster even back then. Everything he’s done isn’t because of a tumor, but it’s in his DNA. Scotty is like, so he did something bad as a kid. Just tell them which one is which, and leave out the rest. If Franco doesn’t do it, he will. He helped Susan raise Jason. Franco says he can’t lose the woman he loves; Scotty has to keep quiet. Scotty agrees, but says if Franco thinks it will end well for him, he’s sadly mistaken. They leave the office. Franco continues down the hall, but Scotty’s phone rings. He tells Clem to tell the warden to leave a message, then says, what?

Scotty sees Alexis and tells her that he needs to discuss Julian with her.

Griff hopes Ava isn’t letting Sonny get to her. She’s worried he has point about her corrupting Griff.  Griff says she’s not corrupting him. She woke him up, and helped him face the reality of the life he wants to live and who he wants to be with. She says this is a lot of pressure for a second date; let’s just enjoy the evening. They drink their martinis.

Diane tells Sonny that Real Jason rejected her strategy. It’s unlike him, but she did suggest temporary insanity. Sonny says he would have beat up Franco too, and Diane says just think of all the hours she could have billed for the both of them. She tells him that Dr. Klein is being arraigned, and Real Jason told her that if he wants answers, start with Klein.

Jordan calls Curtis, who tells her the case he’s working on got heavier than expected. He asks for a raincheck. She understands, and hopes he’s not getting into trouble. He’s like, who, me? never, as he’s breaking into Franco’s office at the hospital.

Other Jason asks Sam how she’s holding up, and she says good. He says with everything going on with the other guy, and Sonny and Carly, he’s been focused on making sure people know who he is. He hadn’t thought about how hard it is on her. Sam says it’s definitely not how she thought the launch party would end up. Other Jason says he’ll figure it out. He’ll find out what this fraud wants. He realized this stranger is right about one thing – he’s part of a set-up, but Other Jason knows he’s her husband.

Curtis looks at a sketch of old Jason. He opens a locked cabinet, and looks through it. He finds the envelope with the death certificate.

At the desk, Franco asks Monica where Elizabeth is. She says she left, and Monica assumed she went to look for him.

The guard tells “mystery man” that he has another visitor. It’s Elizabeth. They stare at each other.

On Monday, Scotty tells Alexis that Julian was beaten up, Cassandra decides to stay in Port Charles, and Real Jason tells Elizabeth that he’s Jason.

Once Upon a Time

Last week, the bulk of the story followed Belle and Rumpel/Gold/Beast’s story from start to finish. On her deathbed, Belle told Rumpel that once he rids himself of the dagger, he’ll find her again. He buried her in the front yard, which I found a little disconcerting. This was interspersed with Ivy losing Lucy when she took her trick-or-treating. All was well at the end, when Lucy ended up with Jacinda (who I’ve stupidly been calling Lucinda, so I’m apparently going deaf or they don’t pronounce it very well), and Henry ended up having a drink with Ivy at Roni’s. It was definitely worth watching, especially for the fairytale cottage Belle and Rumpel ended up living in, but not a whole lot was added to the plot.

Moving on…

Victoria brings a tray to her witch prisoner. She thought they might make amends. The witch says destroying Lucy’s belief must be more challenging than Victoria thought, and if Lucy doesn’t forfeit her belief, Victoria will never see Anastasia again. She sees belief as independent and solid, but it’s like a weed. It grows deep, and you have to uproot it. Victoria asks if the witch would like tea, but she snarls, saying she wants her own special brew. Victoria says she’ll get it – when Victoria gets what she wants.

Ivy is watching Lucy at the Belfry Towers reception area. Sabine comes by, and Victoria tells her that she’s decided to increase the rent. Lucy says it’s not fair, but Sabine says she can fight her own battles. If Victoria wants to push them out, they’ll push back.

Many years ago, Tiana’s mother welcomes a group to their home, telling them the auction begins shortly. Tiana says it’s humiliating, and Drizella agrees. Drizella complains that everything has been picked over already, but spies something she thinks is valuable. Tiana says it’s not for sale, and she doesn’t know how it got there. It’s a medal containing a firefly ruby; a reward for her father’s heroism. Drizella says too bad he’s not there to protect them now.

Tiana’s mother explains to her that taxes have been raised, and they need to sell everything or be homeless. She wishes Tiana could find a prince. Tiana thinks she knows where to start looking for a prince who will save them.

In Seattle, Rogers brings his box of evidence on the missing girl to Henry. It’s a cold case, but he’s been working it like a side hustle. Henry asks why it’s so important, and Roni says they all have things personal like that. Rogers takes the missing girl’s diary out of the box and wanders off with it. Roni wonders why Henry had a drink with Ivy. He thinks she might be willing to help them. Roni says she’s heard that story before, and it doesn’t end with him happy.

Sabine goes to the chicken place. She’s got great news for Jacinda – their rent is being raised. Jacinda wonders if Sabine is mispronouncing “terrible,” but Sabine thinks she has a way to turn the tables. When everyone finds out how amazing their beignets are, they’ll be rich. She dipped into the rent money for the baking supplies. Jacinda asks if she dipped in a pinch or a dash, and Sabine admits she took it all.

Rogers reads the diary, and looks at a drawing of a castle window. He walks into the station, and sees a fist fight between a cop and a perp. The cop knocks the perp out, and tells Rogers he found the guy at the Pleasure Island Cabaret. Rogers realizes the guy has a tattoo that looks like a drawing in the diary.

Sabine tells Jacinda that Louie won’t be back from his convention for a while, and they can base their pastry operation out of Mr. Cluck’s. He’ll never know. Jacinda loves that Sabine is a dreamer, but she thinks it’s too risky; she needs her job. Sabine tells her that she needs to take the risk for Lucy. They owe it to her. When you love someone, you fight for them. Jacinda agrees, and they hug.

Back in the day, Tiana walks through the shady side of town, and comes to a cottage. She tells one of the people that she’s looking for the traveling soothsayer. She’s recognized, and the townspeople gather around her with their hands out. Dr. Facilier appears, and says she’s there to see him, and the crowd disperses.

He welcomes her into a cottage decorated like a fortune telling den. He tells her a prince is in her cards, and soon to be in her arms. He’ll make her troubles evaporate. She asks how he knew, and he says it’s his job, and he has a few friends on the other side. He shakes out some runes. He reads them, saying it’s the story of a princess whose father passed away. The story turns darker, and their wealth dried up. The people suffered without a strong ruler; that’s why she’s come to him. The prince will save her and he’s going to give her the kingdom discount for desperate souls. He tells her the path is clear, and she’ll find the price she seeks this very night. Just follow the red crow.

Fast forwarding, Ivy brings some herbs to Victoria at the office. She complains, and Victoria tells her not to thinks she wouldn’t trade in her daughter for an actual assistant. She tells Ivy to shut up and earn her job title. When Victoria is gone, Ivy looks on the monitor and watches as she pushes a secret button in the elevator. The side of the cab opens, and Victoria steps into the secret room where she’s holding the witch. Ivy leaves a message for Henry, saying if he still wants dirt on her mother, she has a good idea where to start.

Henry tells Roni that he has a lead. Victoria has been spending time in a secret room on top of Belfry Towers. Roni wonders what’s worse – him believing Ivy or falling for her, when there’s a better, single mother staring him in the face. Henry appreciates her mama bear routine, but not hers, Roni says if she was there, she’d tell him to get back to writing, take Jacinda on a date, and tip her well for the advice. Henry leaves his phone on the bar. Roni sees a text come in – Belfry lobby now – and says she’s on her way, deleting it before she leaves.

Sabine and Jacinda bake up a storm for their pop-up shop. Lucy comes in. She says it’s amazing, but she has a small addition, showing them a firefly stamp. She says that Sabine told her since she couldn’t afford stars, she wished on fireflies. Sabine tells her to stamp all the bags with their official logo. Jacinda suggests doing a farmer’s market next, but Sabine thinks they should get a food truck. They’re finally headed in the right direction.

In the enchanted forest, Tiana says there’s no such thing as red crow. Yes, there is, but not that kind. She sees a tavern with a sign that says The Crimson Crow, and goes inside. A man approaches her, saying he guesses the auction fell short, and he’ll take her earrings – at a discount. A prince steps in, telling him to bow and show respect. She might not be a princess any more, but she’s still a lady. He threatens the man with his sword, and he backs off. He introduces himself as Prince Marius, but tells her to call him Robert. She’s grateful, and not deserving of a nobleman’s heroism. He hopes to be deserving of her company. He says getting rid of a tipsy rogue is simple, but seeing why their paths crossed is more difficult. He asks her to have dinner with him.

In the sort-of real world, Victoria eats one of the beignets, and she loves it. Until she realizes she loves it. She calls a guy named Ralph, telling him she has a job for him. She says there’s a place selling beignets, and she wants him to wreck it. Ha-ha! Wreck-It Ralph.

Rogers asks the perp about his tattoo, telling him it’s a drawing in a notebook from a missing person, Eloise Gardener. He asks the perp if the name sounds familiar, but he says he was serving a sentence elsewhere when she disappeared. He tells Rogers it’s a sign to ward off evil. Rogers tells him it’s more trouble than it’s worth to press charges, so he’s free to go. The perp tells Rogers it’s a powerful rune, and he’d hate to meet what she was facing.

At Mr. Cluck’s, the patrons keep coming. Sabine says their business is on fire. Jacinda smells something, and says she hopes that’s not literal. The run into the kitchen, and everything is burning. They try to put it out, but it’s already out of control. Sabine pulls the fire alarm.

In the world of Tiana’s castle, Robert loves the view. Tiana says her father spent his lifetime building the kingdom. Robert sees the firefly ruby, and says her father was quite the hero. She tells him that her father was a cook until he was the only one left. He threw down his ladle, and picked up a sword, and that’s how the war was won. He also won her mother’s heart. She says now they’re losing it all, but Robert says not if he can help it. He wants to see her again. He leaves, and Tiana sees the ruby is gone. She runs out, telling him to stop, and throws something at his head. He tells her he had no choice. Dr Facilier wanted him to steal it. He’s just a commoner, and Facilier is holding his true love captive; she’s a frog. Tiana says there must be another way. She tells him to go. She never wants to see him again.

Tiana’s mother approaches her on the balcony. Tiana says she was self-centered, and saw the world the same way. Her mother says they tried to protect her; there was no way she could have known how bad it had gotten. Tiana says all her life she was told stories of her father’s success, but once she took action, she realized they have everything they need. Her mother says the people need a legacy, but it isn’t the medal. It’s her; embrace it.

In Hyperion Heights, Lucy sees the firetrucks outside the restaurant. Sabine says it’s just a setback, and Jacinda tells her that she took a huge risk, and looks what happened. Sabine says she just wants what’s best for Jacinda and Lucy, but Jacinda says she doesn’t live in real world. There’s no room for crazy dreams. Lucy tells Jacinda that Sabine just tried to help, and Jacinda says she doesn’t need that kind of help. Sabine gives her the cashbox, and says there’s enough money for ten months’ rent (that’s a lot of beignets!). In that time, she can find a new job – and a new roommate. She walks away.

Roni tells Ivy to put away the war paint; Henry’s not coming. She’s stopping the game before it starts. She asks if Ivy is trying to piss off her mom or take one more thing away from Jacinda. Ivy asks why she’s interested, and Roni says she knows enough to know good kid, and won’t let him mess up his life. Ivy says she’s risked a lot, and if her mom finds out, she’ll be cleaning toilets for real. Roni says if she’s eager to destroy her mom, prove it. Ivy tells Roni to follow her, and brings her to the secret room. There’s a setting for tea, and Roni thinks it’s a strange place for it. She wonders if she’s wasted her time, and then says, maybe not. She opens a locker and sees a photo.

Sabine tells Lucy that she’s going to crash on her mom’s couch. They can’t make it; they keep trying and failing. Lucy says that’s what Victoria wants her to think, but she can’t give up on her dream. Sabine says sometimes bad guys win, and we have to grow up. Lucy says she’s not growing up; she’s running away. She’s supposed to be with them, like she always is. Sabine tells Lucy she’ll always have her, but there are some things in life even she can’t fight.

Reeling back the years, Tiana goes to Dr. Facilier. She’ll give him the firefly ruby in exchange for the kidnapped woman. He points to a frog in a cage, and says, her?  It’s quite a sacrifice for a lowly frog. The ruby is powerful. It transformed a cook into a prince, and caused a princess to make a sacrifice for a man she doesn’t know. He asks why the transformation, and she says she didn’t realize who she was. She says there’s no magic in it, and Facilier tells her it will set him free. He’s in a prison, trapped with one foot here and one in another place. Everything in the cottage starts to tremble. He says he’s keeping the ruby, but he’ll never let the frog go. Tiana says she’s not leaving without the frog, but Facilier stabs a voodoo doll, and she doubles over. He says it feels good to be back. She knocks over the table, and grabs the frog, holding Facilier at bay with a sword. He squeezes the ruby and disappears, poof! in a puff of black smoke.

In modern times, Jacinda apologizes to Sabine. Every time the miserable world gets her down, Sabine picks her up. She didn’t realize Sabine needs picking up once in a while, starting with this – Jacinda shows her a food truck. Sabine asks how she did it, and Jacinda says Rogers helped her out with the auction, and she used the rent money. She took a big risk, like Sabine taught her to, doing what friends do – help each other.

In not-Seattle, Tiana brings Robert his frog. She figured out she doesn’t need a hero if she can be one. He says she sounds like her father, and she’s on the right path. She tells him the king is holding a ball, and she’s going to use the opportunity to turn the tide. She hopes he and his lady will join her, after true love’s kiss. Robert says he kind of misled her. He puts the frog in her hand, thanks her, and kisses the frog. Then he becomes a frog. Tiana puts them together, and they hop into the pond and swim off. I saw it coming, but that didn’t make it any less precious. Cutest. Frog. Couple. Ever.

Back in Seattle, Jacinda goes to the station, and Rogers reminds her the truck is from an impound auction, and she should clean it well. He tells her heat distorted the film in the security cameras. He has a good idea of who caused it. They agree it was someone Victoria hired, since she wouldn’t want to get a smudge on her blazer. The tattooed perp is making a phone call across the street. He says they have a problem. Someone is looking for the girl.

Victoria sees a photo of the truck on Instagram. When Ivy asks if there’s anything she can do, Victoria belittles her.

Henry walks into the bar (not the start of a joke), and Roni has something to show him. She tells him that she answered a text to him from Ivy, and met her at Belfry Towers. She knows it was wrong, but she wanted to know if they could trust her. He asks if they can, and she says maybe. She tells him that she found this while she was there, and shows him the picture. It’s a picture of Regina and Henry. Roni says she’s never owned clothe like this, and has no idea who the kid is. Henry says it’s him.

Ivy goes to secret room. She calls out for the witch, who startles her by coming up behind her. She knocks over the tea set, and say, lurk much?  She suggests getting the witch a stylist, since she looks like Lucy in Sweeney Todd (my description). The witch asks if they trust her, and Ivy says as much as her mother does. She calls Victoria a fool, and says she’s doing a good job of convincing Victoria that she’s the one in charge. She might not see how clever Ivy is, but the witch does. She tells he witch to play the charade until the end. The witch says Ivy knows she will. Ivy tells her not to use that name anymore – she’s Drizella.

Next time, Henry explains the photo, discovering life is a lie, and the most feared villain.

Z Nation

Roberta floors it, hits a zombie, sees the black rainbow, and keeps moving.

Doc says knows it’s the apocalypse, but maybe she should slow down. She turns a sharp corner, and Doc says Murphy is going into cardiac arrest. Lucy tells her stop, but she goes faster. Lily keeps telling to stop, and she finally does, just before they hit a building. It looks like a military facility. They get out. Murphy says he’s fine, and then throws up black stuff.

They get him inside. 10K and Lily take out some zombies who are following. It’s number 8991 for 10K. They set Murphy on a table, and Doc says he’s a walking petri dish. Murphy thinks being cured six ways to hell and back should be good for something. Lucy takes his hands. Doc and 10K confer about taking precautions, thinking they should restrain him. He keels over, and Roberta takes a look at his bite. Lucy says she has to try and save him, and bites him. 10K says he has a pulse. Murphy sits up, but passes out again. Roberta tells Lucy to bite him again, and she does. Murphy says he’s not dead yet. Doc thinks it’s working.

Lily is trying to keep the door closed, and says there’s more of a crowd. 10K goes outside with her. Roberta starts to look around the building. She comes to a room with computers, with decomposed bodies sitting at the keyboards. That would be my luck. She says, square key, and takes a key ring.

Doc keeps slapping Murphy, saying, stay with me. Murphy tells him to quit it.

Roberta travels the hallways. Doc bandages Murphy’s bite. Murphy says he’s better thanks to his little girl. Lucy says her hands are all wrinkly. They look at her, and she’s changing. She’s getting older.

Murphy sits up, and throws up again. Lucy looks at herself. She says it’s okay; it’s happened before, and it’s her business. Murphy says the biting is killing her. She can’t do it again. Lucy says he’s not the boss of her. Murphy says he’s her father. Her life is more important. She asks why he won’t let someone save him for once, calling him The Savior of Mankind. He says not anymore. Lucy thinks Roberta is in trouble. She feels something strange.

10K and Lily come back. Lily says they were doing M&M, mayhem and mercy. Doc tells them he wants to see if Roberta needs back up. They notice Lucy has changed. Lucy stays with Murphy, while they go down the hallways. Lily notes there’s a smell worse than death. Roberta continues on through the building. She sees a door keypad that’s wrecked, and she opens the door with a fire extinguisher. Doc wants to join 10K and Lily. Murphy doesn’t sound good, but tells him to find her. Doc tells Lucy no biting.

Roberta gets the handle off the door, and enters. It’s a lab. She sees a hand in an aluminum pan. She opens another door, and it’s the landscape in her mind. A zombie appears behind her.

Lucy looks in the mirror. She tells Murphy she wants to hear about her mother, Serina. She’s heard Addie’s and Doc’s version, but doesn’t trust it. She wants to know the truth. Murphy says her mother was living with group of women for protection. It was four years ago, when things were still wild, and they thought they were going to die. There was no tomorrow, so they lived for today. Lucy wonders if they just hooked up, but Murphy says Serina was a good friend. They went through a lot together, and he did love her. Not at first, but they saw each other again, and Lucy was born. Serina was fiercely protective, and fought like honey badger to protect her. Lucy brought out her motherly instinct, and Serina would have been proud of her. Lucy says, but she died. Murphy says she died protecting her. Some things are worth dying for. Lucy wants him to explain what it means, there was pie, but he passes out.

Roberta walks through the landscape. She sees some kind of metal unit. She’s back in the lab. She puts in a code next to the unit, and slides a metal window up. There’s a tube inside, and she unscrews it from its base. She injects herself with something, and collapses.

10K and Lily continue to walk. They go through a big room where experiments are done. There’s steel shelving lined with body parts in jars, a row of animated hands, and zombies with parts missing on gurneys. 10K doesn’t know who’s responsible, but he doesn’t like them. Lily says, roger that. They hear something. Lily asks what that was, and 10K tells her to take her pick.

Roberta opens her eyes. She realizes what she’s done. She sees beakers and jars containing experiments, brains and an arm attached to electrodes. She sees a desk and there’s a jacket on the back of the chair. She’s sees an ID for Dr. Caligari.

Murphy is convulsing. Lucy bites him again, but he tells her to stop and save herself. He wants her to promise, but she won’t. He starts to cry. He says she’s the only one he’s loved besides him; she’s one of a kind. He convulses some more, and she doesn’t know what to do.

Doc walks through the experiment room, and says more scientific shenanigans. Give a guy a lab coat, and he’ll screw things up every time. He calls to 10K and Roberta. He sees the partial zombies and animated hands, and says he can’t unsee that. He looks at a jar of eyeballs, remarking you can’t have too many of those. He wonders what in zombie hell these people are up to, and why. He notices a tail, and asks why it always has to be crazy evil sh*t. Why can’t they find a bakery for once? Is it too much to ask? He hears something, and looks all around. He bangs into a shelf, knocking over dozens of animated fingers, and says anything but that. He hits at them with a hammer, but one manages to dig its way into his side (ouch!). 10K and Lily hear him yelling, and he says there’s a finger in him; get it out! It keeps moving around, and 10K says it’s too fast. They manage to isolate it, and 10K slices into Doc, and it pops out. Lily says, die, mother finger, and steps on it. That was definitely the oh sh*t moment of tonight, or at least this half hour.

10K says they were looking for Roberta, but heard him yelling, and came back. Doc says he heard something breathing. They look slowly around, and see something behind one of the shelves.

10K says it seems as afraid of them as they are of it. Doc says not to shoot; they might wake something worse up. 10K wonders if they can go around it. It steps out, and it’s a gigantic zombie with extra arms, like an Indian goddess on steroids. Doc says, frankenzombie. 10K punches it, and it lifts him up by the throat. Lily tries to stab it, but it gets her with another arm. There’s a face in its stomach. Doc hits it with a hammer, and it drops the other two, and grabs Doc. They should have guessed right away they would just irritate it with these feeble attempts.

Roberta goes through papers and files, and finds a gun. She looks through some journals, and sees pictures and drawings of the experiments. We see a photo of the doctor and a friend.

Lucy keeps Murphy warm. He asks if she’s seen their baby, thinking she’s Serina. Lucy calls him “daddy,” saying he’s making a mistake. He says he knows; he never should have left her alone when she was pregnant. His biggest mistake was breaking up their family. Lucy says it’s okay; don’t worry. He doesn’t think Lucy will forgive him for leaving her with strangers. She turned out okay, strong and brave like Serina. He asks where Lucy is, and Lucy says she’ll come back soon. He says she’s the best, and she tells him that he’s not so bad himself. He calls her his little baker, and starts to convulse again.  He laughs about blueberry pie, and throws up. Lucy yells for help.

Super zombie throws everyone around, and punches Doc. Lily shoots him, but he has an automatic weapon, and begins to shoot back. He never runs out of ammo, because his other arms hand him new clips. Doc says this is no regular Z, and he pounds on his chest like King Kong.

Lucy does chest compression, wondering how this works. She looks at Murphy’s bite, and cries. She says he can’t leave her again.

Mega-zombie has Lily by the throat. 10K hits it with stool, and he throws it back. Doc tries to hit it with a metal thing, but it knocks Doc out. I go, ooh! Lily begins to pass out, and we hear Roberta say, Charlie Baker, Roberta. The zombie turns around, and she holds a gun on him. She asks where Dr. Caligari is, and does he understand. The zombie nods. She hears someone say, I’m here. The zombie turns his back to her, and the doctor’s face is there. Well… I don’t even know what to say.

Murphy opens his eyes, and says he feels great. His bite wound is gone. He tells Lucy to wake up; he’s cured. She’s now an old woman. He asks what she’s done, and sees the bites she gave him. She says it’s all right; she can feel him again. He takes her hand. They smile at each other, tears in their eyes.

Dr. Caligari asks what they’re doing there. Roberta says they came to see him. He asks how she knows his name, and she says she was in his office and saw a picture of him and Charlie. She asks if he knows her, and he asks her to come closer. I hold my breath, but he says, no. (He’s wearing glasses, btw.) She asks if he’s certain she’s never been there. He asks how she got the canister; it was locked in his office. Roberta says she knew the combination, but doesn’t know what it is. He says if she knew what it did, she would be a dangerous woman, and Doc says she already is. Charlie snaps his teeth, and Doc says just sayin’.

Roberta asks what happened, and Dr. Caligari says his knowledge exceeded his wisdom. Isn’t that always the way? He was graphting zombie tissue to humans, hoping to pass on their superior genetic qualities – immortality. 10K says that’s insane, and the doctor says, in retrospect. Roberta asks how he and Charlie happened, and we see as he explains. He says they were both bitten by another assistant, and became infected. Charlie turned quickly, and it was too late to save him, but he was able to chop off his own hand before the infection spread. He mercied Charlie, and used his graphting discovery to attach Charlie’s hand to his arm. It became a part of his body, passing on the immunity. But something went wrong. Instead of the hand becoming part of his body, the zombie cells grew out of control. Charlie was growing from his hand, taking over his body as host. This was five years ago, and this is all that’s left of him.

Dr. Caligari asks why Roberta is there, and she says to find this. She says she has to go, an the doctor asks her to wait; he needs something from her. He whispers something to her that we don’t hear. She looks at him, and pats his hand. One of them anyway. He kneels down and holds out his arms. Roberta says, we give you mercy, and they all shoot.

Murphy cries, holding Lucy. She tells him not to cry; it’s all right. Aw. Can’t somebody do something? She says it’s almost over. He tells her not to say that, and she says she had a good life – her life. She’d promised Addie that they’d stick together. She wants Murphy to tell Addie that she tried. She closes her eyes. Murphy cries, and I tear up, which is more than I did for Glenn and Abe on The Walking Dead. Sorry.

The others come back. Roberta kneels down by Murphy. She cries, and kisses Lucy’s forehead. She touches Murphy’s face, and he turns away.

Murphy covers Lucy, and carries her out. The others follow. The door closes. A sad song plays, about saying goodbye too soon.

Next time, crazy ass clowns say let the games begin, and Doc doesn’t think they mean parcheesi.

Weekend-Ready