Category Archives: fantasy

October 29, 2017 – The Shahs Reunion Comes to An End, a Triple Attack & Silver Shamrock

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What I Watched Today

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

 

 

Shahs of Sunset – Reunion Part Two

I’m still trying to get over the fact Destiney was on People’s Couch and I didn’t realize it.

Asa asks Reza if he believes her about not getting IVF treatments to have her son. He does, but hates himself for having doubts. She says she and MJ aren’t friends like that. Shervin says Asa doesn’t reciprocate, and that’s why MJ is hurt. Asa insists MJ never wanted good for her, and crossed the line. We flash back to MJ not wanting to hug her after finding out she’s pregnant. MJ says she was shocked and disappointed that it was six months before any of them were included. Asa tells MJ she’s lost all respect for her. Reza tells Asa that she doesn’t understand MJ and what she’s been going through. MJ tells Asa about crocheting a blanket for baby Soltan, and Asa says, the bastard child. They break for lunch.

Backstage, Mike is upset, and GG says it seems like Asa hates them. MJ brings up Asa’s comment on racism, and Mike jokingly asks if she’s talking about him. Asa overhears and isn’t happy. GG asks for the paramedics. She’s having a panic attack, and says she just smoked some weed. She tells the paramedic how cute he is.

Back to the reunion. Andy says it was a season of new beginnings for GG. Her anger levels turned down, but not completely off. A viewer asks about GG’s sobriety. She says she was never practicing sobriety, and shows us her vaporizer. We flash back to her fight with her sister Layla on Thanksgiving, and GG says she can’t anymore. Mike doesn’t think the relationship can be healed – there’s been too much damage. We find out he’s hooked up with Layla in the past. Andy is surprised that Reza and GG reconciled. Reza says hating her was taking up energy and space in his head and heart, and was a lot of work. He either had to let it go or let her go. GG doesn’t think it would have happened if his friends hasn’t pointed out to him that she’d changed. Reza tells us that they were just in Palm Springs together. Now the song Layla will be my earworm for a while. You’re welcome.

We revisit GG getting her hearing aid. She didn’t know how deaf she was, but notices now when the batteries need to be replaced. Andy says by the time he found her wedding registry, he heard the marriage was over. Reza is willing to guarantee that there are relatives on Shalom’s side who didn’t want to go to the wedding, and that’s why they just had a civil ceremony. GG says she kept asking if he was sure things were cool with Shalom’s family, and he insisted it was. Andy asks where things are at now, and she tells him that they’re trying to get to know each other, since they didn’t before. Wow – that’s some ring. Andy reminds her that she has a Shalom tattoo, and she claims she doesn’t regret it, but talks about a fight they had and how she slashed the tattoo to show him that she didn’t care. Mike says that’s some serious sh*t. She says information came out that he’d been married before, and applied for a green card. A lot of people thought that was his reason for wanting to marry her. His ex was also on the reality show Dash Dolls about the Kardashian boutique.

Andy says, guess what? We invited Shalom here! GG is mad, and everyone is surprised. Shalom comes out, and Andy asks how he would define their relationship. He says they’re working on it and trying to figure it out. Andy asks if him snapchatting his abs to her was the deciding factor. and brings up the green card issue. Shalom says there are plenty of women he could marry for that reason, and they’d accept a cheaper ring. Andy asks if he’s attracted to women on reality shows, but he says his ex was only on one for about two weeks. We flash back to Shalom being upset about GG kissing her scene partner in the play. Shalom says it was really bad, and he apologized to everyone. He comes from Persian/Jewish family, and 90% were against him getting married. After a few drinks and people talking in his ear, he realized he had a proposal happening in Times Square. Asa says it was weird. Andy asks why they broke up, and Shalom doesn’t know. GG says whether it was true or not, the gossip was hurting her, but he only sees it from his point of view. She tells him that he got overbearing, and when they got married, she got a call from E! News, saying Shalom wanted to do a story. Shalom says one day she loves him, and the next, she hates him. Shervin asks why try again, and he says he still loves her. He’s confused about her feelings though. Andy points out they don’t have a prenup. Reza says he’s a good guy. He likes GG, but likes Shalom more. Mike says together they might be like oil and water, even if they’re both good people. GG says at this point they’re going to see if something is worth saving. They’re taking it one day at a time. Andy says the good news is, she’ll always have the tattoo. خداحافظ, Shalom. (That’s goodbye in Persian.)

They talk moms. Reza says Mike’s mom is more thug than all the rest put together. Andy ask if Mike relies on her too much, and he says he doesn’t have to. Reza adds that she’s omnipresent in his life. Andy asks why there’s an obsession with Mike’s dool and where it goes. Mike corrects that to where they think it goes, and says it started in Mexico, and never stopped. We flash back to MJ catching a glimpse of “Russel the love muscle.” Mike thinks it’s funny, and Reza says it’s like that one shady relative you have who’s always up to no good.

Andy reads a raise your hand viewer question, and tells them raise their hands if they think Mike is as much of a man whore as ever, but only Reza thinks so. Next, Andy asks who thinks he’s slept with Jessica in the past year. That would be everyone. Mike says it’s complicated. It’s sad, and he felt it ended prematurely because of how he treated her, but now he’s the better version of Mike. Andy asks if he’s seen the email Jessica sent to his mom, but he says no, and has never brought it up. MJ wonders why. He says his mom stepped in when Jessica lost hers. They had a connection outside of him, and it was between them. He doesn’t feel it’s his business. Reza thinks Jessica feels that if it’s not cool with his mom, it’s not cool with Mike. Mike says been divorced for about a year, and they’ve both dated. The whole thing broke his heart, and he cries when he watches the show. Andy asks what’s the number one thing he learned. Mike says a lot, but the main thing is you have to be open and honest in a relationship, and be present and real.

Adam joins the group – his first reunion. He and Reza just celebrated a year of marriage, and Andy asks what Adam thinks of the new Reza. He says he has more closet space since Reza lost weight. Andy asks who he’s closest to out of the friends, and Adam says Asa has become a close friend. She’s the one person who reached out to him after Thailand. GG says Reza has changed a lot. In the beginning, he was rebellious, but he’s calmed down. Mike says his tone is different, and the way he talks about Adam. He wants to be a better person because of Adam. MJ says he fights hard daily to make himself better. A viewer asks if he’s been faithful, and Reza says 100%. He did the don’t ask don’t tell in another relationship, and it didn’t work, but there might come a time for that conversation down the road. Andy points out how upset Adam was about Reza using the divorce card; he felt disposable. Ada says it brought up Thailand for him again, and was hurtful. It’s one thing to think it, but another to say it to your partner. A viewer thinks it’s weird that Reza compares being faithful to alcoholism, using the one day at a time credo. Reza says it helps him as a person who had infidelity in his life.

They discuss what religion their child will be, and Adam says he’s converting to Judaism. Andy asks if having a baby pings Reza’s commitment issues. Reza prays they’ll be together for the long haul, since he comes from a broken home. Adam says he plans for future, but it’s always one day at a time (the phrase of the night). Mike commends it, and loves them both.

Reza says they’ve decided on surrogacy, and adoption can be an option later. They sold their house in Palm Springs, and just closed on a new one, which is a surprise to everybody. Mike says that explains why Reza has been MIA. Reza says once they move in, they can deal with baby stuff. Mike is upset that he didn’t tell them, but he wanted it to be a surprise. Reza says now Mike knows how he felt about Asa’s pregnancy. Asa mentions she didn’t even know Mike had a company until she saw him with the shoes.

Andy tells us Asa’s reluctance to share was a sore point this season, but has bubbled up in the past. He asks about MJ being offended, and MJ says she’s been open, and it hurt her feelings that Asa wasn’t. Reza says as friend he gets it, but as for being a cast member on a reality show, it’s effed up. From that aspect, it bothers him. From friend aspect, he loves Jermaine, who never has negative word to say. Asa says he has his own right not to sign a contract. She tells them that she’s been open about financial struggles, and was labeled the poor one, even though that wasn’t exactly the case. That’s why people are rooting for her success now. GG says it’s a contradiction, how she claims she doesn’t want to get involved, but wants to know everything that happens with the others. She asks why Asa is on the show. Asa says it’s says amazing platform, and GG says the rest of them are bleeding for the world to see, and Asa should tell her facts. Asa continues, saying she has political and social convictions, and wants as many people as possible to see that. Mike thinks its all surface stuff. He has issues with her; she brings only superficial things to the show. Everyone talks at once, so I can’t understand what anyone is saying. Andy tells Asa that’s what she brings to the show, but why is she on the show. Asa says wants her voice heard, just like anyone else. Mike asks why make him sound like racist, instead of using the opportunity to talk about her interracial relationship? He loves her, but doesn’t like the person she became this season. She insists she’s taken the side of other cast members who have been ganged up on, and calls Mike a follower. He says he stands on his own, and asks why she’s continuing if she doesn’t want to show her life? Andy says she’s at a crossroads. Jermaine doesn’t want to be on the show or have Soltan on it, so where does she go from here? Asa tells him that her brain is on her baby, and she doesn’t know. Andy asks if she still cares about her friends.

Asa talks about looking at old videos of their travels, and getting sad. It was a difficult season, and she thought they weren’t happy for her. She believes in the future, and believes there’s hope, but has thinking to do. MJ says every time she bared her soul to Asa, it was her way of being a sister and forming a lifelong friendship. She says it sucks. Asa remembers beautiful moments, but MJ’s back stabbing and being two-faced deteriorated the friendship. If there’s no loyalty or respect, there’s nothing to build on. Mike is sad for the group thinks it will change after today.

Andy asks where they go from here, and Reza says if he and GG can get from where they were to where they are now, anything can happen. At the end of the day, they’re family, and should cherish their relationships. Andy says maybe Shervin’s girlfriend will be at the next reunion. Reza wants Shervin’s publicist’s number, since he did so well with his monologues. Andy hopes Reza and Adam will be pregnant by then; MJ as well. He wonders if GG and Shalom will still be together, and she says she’s a serial monogamist.

Asa says that some of the relationships are frayed, but her most important relationship is at home. She feels changed, being responsible for her son, who won’t eat unless she feeds him. Andy attempts to says something about them all being good friends in Persian. Reza toasts to all of them. Asa can’t leave fast enough.

Backstage, MJ says it was the dumbest day of her life. Reza asks if she thinks she and Asa will reconcile, but that’s a no. Asa tells Mike that she really doesn’t think he’s a racist, and changing her tune, GG thanks Shalom for coming.

🚑 Married to Medicine will be returning next Sunday at 10 pm.

The Walking Dead

We see close-ups of the main characters from Alexandria, Hilltop, and the Kingdom.

At an outpost, the Saviors work at getting their weapons in shape. Mara tries to call Little Roy on the radio, but there’s no answer. She finally reaches Todd, and tells him to lock the stairwell on every floor. A group led by Aaron zooms up in the reinforced trucks, and shoots everything up.

Another group, led by Jesus, sees a moat of zombies outside another outpost. Morgan says they just need the right timing. If the Saviors fire first, the rest will be alerted. He tells Diane not to give them time to fire a gun. One of the others asks Morgan if he needs to be covered, but he says he doesn’t die. Okay…

Carol and Ezekiel recover from the grenade that was lobbed at them last week. Zombies are pouring out of the clinic, and the group shoots, stabs, and axes them. Carol asks where the guy with the grenade went. If he tells the Saviors they’re here, it’s over before it started. Ezekiel is confident that’s not going to happen, and they’ll find him. Their comrades are back to the staging area, and will release Shiva if necessary. He claims certain victory, and Carol looks impressed.

Aaron and his group continue shooting the place up. Aaron is really into it. Rick and Daryl get inside with a small group.

Morgan teases the zombie barricade. Two guards walk toward them to see what’s going on. Diane shoots them in the head with arrows.

Jesus, Tara, and some others go in with Morgan. Diane whistles, and the rest come in silently. Tom says kill the bitches is written on the wall. Wtf? They spread out. Morgan hears someone talking. He waits outside the door, telling the other guys with him to hold up.

Rick looks at the map. Daryl says upstairs. He kicks open a door.

Mara says the Alexandrians are too chicken sh*t to move in, and tells the Saviors to push them back. There’s lot of machine gunning, and Aaron says don’t let them through. He tells his group to move in.

Morgan and two other guys bust into a room, shooting the first guy they see. Several men pop out from behind him, and shoot them. I go, what?! because I wonder why Morgan wasn’t faster on the draw.

Daryl and Rick climb on top of an elevator cab and go to another floor. Rick says they’d be faster if they split up.

Tara and Jesus find a man alone in a room. He begs them not to shoot him. He starts sniffling, saying his name is Dean, and Tara points out he peed his pants. Tara wants to shoot, but Jesus tells her to wait; the man has his hands up. She says they have a job to do. They hear shooting, and Jesus tells her to check it out while he covers Dean.

Diane tells Tara to be ready. They don’t know if Morgan is alive. Dean tells Jesus that he’s just a worker, brought from the Sanctuary to cook and clean; he had to leave his wife and kids. Jesus tells Tara that they don’t want to hurt the workers. He’s not shooting someone with their hands up or letting her. She sees Maggie’s prenatal vitamins, and says they stole medical supplies from Hilltop just because they could. Dean takes this opportunity to grab Jesus’s gun from him, and get him in a hold. Dean tells them it’s hard to piss yourself on purpose. He crushes the vitamins, and says they’re ruined, like that dumb bitch Maggie. She’s just going to die anyway, like they are, but for now, he’s taking them with him for an insurance policy. Dean keeps talking, and apparently never saw The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, where Tuco says, “If you have to shoot, shoot, don’t talk.. While he’s babbling, Jesus gets his gun back, and ties him up. Tara still wants to kill him, saying it’s not about revenge, it’s about getting the job done, but he won’t let her, insisting Maggie will listen to him.

Diane asks Jesus if there’s another way out, and he says to follow him. It looks like Morgan is dead. Nope, not quite. The armor pieces he’s wearing saved him. He sits up, grabs his gun, and runs to catch up.

Gunfire is still happening outside. Mara realizes it’s not good for them, and one of the dead Saviors attacks her, biting out a piece of her throat.

Ezekiel’s group is in the woods looking for grenade guy. Carol says if he made it back, the Saviors know they’re coming. Ezekiel says they’ll be ready regardless. Carol asks him if he knows that it’s not just a few walkers. He says he does, yet still smiles. She asks why, and he says he has supreme confidence. His job is to project certainty. In other words, fake it till you make it. It’s what he’s done and does; he leads people forward in darkness. Carol says they might not make it or win, but Ezekiel has no fantasy of failure this day. They move forward as they move the very world forward.

Daryl sneaks around with his crossbow. I wonder how hard It must be to be sneaky with a crossbow. Props to him. He looks into a room, and sees the remains of food and handcuffs attached to a pipe. He slides back out. Rick goes down another way, and looks in a bedroom that’s empty. Suddenly a dude comes out of nowhere, and punches him out. Rick tries shooting him, but dude is too fast. Rick kicks him in the face, and he slams Rick against a wall. Rick gets him in a chokehold, and asks where they are. Dude says there are no guns. He struggles free, and Rick piggybacks him, continuing to choke him. He sees a hook on he sees a hook on the wall and impales the guy on it. Like Billy did with that guard in Midnight Express, except it’s through his eyeball.

Morgan goes through the building, shooting anything moving.

Jesus and his group circle around the back. He tells them not to shoot right away, but Diane says if they shoot first, someone dies. A Savior opens a big garage door. Jesus tells him to drop his gun and surrender. He does since there’s fifty of them to his one, but his back up comes out, and he tells them to put their guns down; they’re surrounded. Tara tells Jesus that even if Maggie listens to him, Rick will listen to her. All the Saviors lower their weapons.

Morgan keeps shooting people. I assume it’s people; we don’t actually see what he’s shooting. He looks supremely pissed. He comes out into the sunlight, and walks toward the others. In his head, he hears Rick saying, we have to come for them, before they come for us. Where there’s life, there’s possibility.  Morgan walks up to a Savior who says he knows him, and asks if he was transferred too. It’s the dude who took Morgan’s staff, and killed Benjamin. Morgan is about to shoot him, and Jesus tells him to lower the gun. Morgan says they came here to kill them; they’re supposed to. Jesus says they surrendered; it’s not what we do, and Morgan asks, what do we do? And in my head, I think, do-be-do-be-do.

Rick goes back out into another room. It’s a nursery, complete with a baby sleeping in a crib. Rick shakes his head, and I wonder if the guy he killed is her father. Rick gets all weepy like he does on occasion, and I say, there’s no time for that now, Rick. He sees himself in the mirror, and walks away.

Carol sees blood on a leaf, and they follow the trail. Is there a hairdresser in the group? Carol’s hair looks fabulous. Ezekiel says, there! and starts to run. He stops and lowers his gun. He says their friends have arrived. We see Shiva take a man down up ahead.

Aaron’s group isn’t done yet. There’s still tons of shooting going on. How many freaking people do they have? Aaron’s husband, Eric, gets shot. Aaron ducks down and runs to a car. He gets in and floors it to Eric. He asks if Eric is okay, and Eric shows him the gunshot wound. Aaron helps him out of there. Hard to tell if he’ll make it.

Ezekiel says there it is, our certain victory. He’s not glad for anyone’s death, and Carol says she knows. Knight dude, whose name I don’t remember, holds out the radio. The Saviors know they’re coming. Knight dude says the jig is up. Ezekiel says no; their journey won’t end in retreat. Knight dude says, but they know we’re coming, and Ezekiel says, indeed they do. He raises his sword and laughs. Carol smiles. Yeah, he’s cooler than cool. He’s one of my reasons for sticking with the show. Him, and Negan. And peer pressure.

Rick looks in another room. He looks at a photo, and says, dammit!  A man walks in with a gun, and tells Rick to keep his hands down, and turn around slow. The man says, hi, Rick, and Rick says, Morales. Rick says he was in Atlanta. Morales says it was a long time ago. It’s over. He called the Saviors back, and they’re coming.

We see close-ups of everyone’s faces again, like in the beginning. Everyone looks tired, but Ezekiel is still smiling. Carol is too, as much as Carol smiles.

Morales cocks his gun.

Next time, Ezekiel says their first victory will deliver the second, and the second will deliver the third. They will not lose one of their ranks. That is one optimistic guy.

🎃 No Halloween is Complete Without It…

 

October 28, 2017 – Z Nation Packed in a Crate of Weird

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What I Watched Today

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

 

Z Nation

Our beloved crew sees a truck in the middle of the road. Roberta says to move in easy; she’ll check it out with Lily. When she opens the cab door, its empty. Doc thinks it’s odd that an awesome truck was left out in the middle of nowhere, and Murphy says everything in the past eight years has been odd. Roberta asks Lucy if she picks up anything where the cargo would be, but there are no signs of life. She says if anyone is in there, they’re not zombies. The truck suddenly starts. Roberta wants to jet, but Murphy says it could be full of snacks. The truck slowly follows them, and stops when they stop, like something out of a Stephen King book.

Roberta tells Lily if anything happens, shoot the tires. She opens the cab again, and there’s a horrific screeching sound. Everyone covers their ears, and then passes out.

Roberta wakes up in a wooden crate. She bangs on the wall and yells, asking if anyone is there. An alarm sounds, the crate opens, and she emerges along with another woman and a man. The woman attacks the man, yelling for Roberta to get the key that’s on the floor. She plunges the crowbar through the guy’s head. When Roberta asks why she killed him, she says they just have one crowbar. Roberta asks what this place is, and the woman says, fresh meat, just her luck. She’s lost track of time, but thinks she’s been there about a month. Roberta tells her about the sound, and the woman tells her you can’t fight it; just do what they want. She tells Roberta to kill anything that moves, and stay out of her way.

They go down a hallway to an elevator, and the woman says they want them to clear it. She tells Roberta to use the key. When she does, we hear the elevator working, but the doors don’t open. The woman uses the crowbar to pry them apart, and a load of zombies tumble out and attack her. Roberta gets in the elevator, pushing the close door button, but forgets to bring the key. She opens the doors again, and kills the zombies. The woman is now one of them, but I guess she must have a thick skull, because the crowbar isn’t good enough. Roberta makes the elevator doors squash her head a few times, which does the trick.

Roberta hears the noise again. She wakes up in a crate, and hears Doc. He asks if she’s okay. She says she’s trapped in a crate, and he tells her that he is too. He thinks they’ve been kidnapped and enslaved for evil purposes – again. He hates when that happens. She asks if he’s seen anyone else, and he tells her only the two ugly guys he woke up with. They were killed on a suicide mission to clear a stairwell of zombies. When he killed the last one, he heard the noise again. Doc tells her they’re moving him again, and he bounces around for a while.

He comes out of the crate, and 10K comes out of another one. They see a huge wrench, a roll of duct tape, and a gas mask on the floor. Doc takes the wrench, and 10K takes the tape and mask. They move forward in the semi-darkness, and come to a room with a lot of pipes that have some kind of green gas leaking from them. They take turns using the mask. 10K uses the wrench on one of the pipes, and a zombie rushes out. He kills it, and Doc uses the tape on another pipe, while 10K dispatches another zombie.

Murphy hears Roberta, and asks her to let him out of the crate he’s in, but she says she’s trapped in a crate too. We see a room with several crates, and Murphy asks who else is there. Lucy and Lily say they are, and a man’s voice tells them to shut up; he’s trying to sleep. He says they need to be quiet, or it will get them killed. Lucy tells them there are a lot of zombies; she feels it. Roberta says it’s not the zombies she’s worried about.

Doc continues to work on the pipes, while 10K continues to kill the zombies who keep interrupting. Doc gets a face full of the gas, and keels over.

Lucy says even the zombies are afraid. Lily asks if she can determine why, but Lucy says there are too many voices and so many reasons. Lily asks if Murphy is picking up anything, but that’s a no. His zombie whispering days are over. He pulls off a piece of his scarred flesh and eats it. Ew.

10K fights off a zombie, and tells Doc to hang on. He puts the mask on Doc, and performs chest compression on him.

Lucy asks Roberta what’s wrong. Roberta says she can’t do this; she doesn’t feel so good. Murphy says she doesn’t sound so good. He tells her, no pressure, but if she goes wobbly, they all die. There’s no freaking allowed in the apocalypse. Lily has experience with PTSD, and tells Roberta she’s having a panic attack. She talks Roberta through it, and explains that she spent nine days in the trunk of a car hiding from her zombie family.

10K keeps working on Doc, and finally revives him. He says he thinks they won. The noise begins again, and everyone passes out. The crates are rearranged, and Doc and 10K are now in a crate together. Murphy asks Doc what happened, and he says they were fixing the leaks in hell’s plumbing. Doc keeps coughing, and 10K explains that he inhaled nerve gas. Roberta says they need to get out or they’ll be killed one by one. Doc asks who’s running this show, and Murphy says it has to be a Zona operation. No one else is so needlessly diabolical. Doc farts, and tells 10K, sorry. Lucy tells him to be quiet; she’s making a friend, a zombie named Carson O’Keefe. She tells him that she wants to get out, and asks if he can open the door.

The door opens, and Lucy talks to Carson. She sees a lot of crates, but no way out. The noise starts. Roberta tells them to fight it, but it’s impossible. They all pass out.

Lily is being dragged into another area. She wakes up, and a guy tells her that she’s safe. A zombie rushes him, and he kills it. He says they’ll live longer if they work as a team. She tells him if they do whatever is wanted, they can get out alive, but he thinks there’s a chance they won’t make it. He shows her that he has a gun, and says he’s looking for some human kindness. She gets the gun from him, and says she’ll blow his head off if he tries it again. He laughs, saying there are no bullets; he ran out of ammo. He comes at her, but she beats the crap out of him, and throws him into the next zombie that comes along. She’s able to get out through another door, and closes it before the zombie can get to her.

She goes up some stairs, and runs through a hallway to another stairwell. She goes into another room, but a zombie tries to follow her. She stumbles, hits her head on a bannister, and gets knocked out.

Murphy and Doc are out of the crates. Murphy says this would be more efficient if they were just told what’s wanted. Doc says the whole point is fear of the unknown. They’re trying to control them with psychological terror and creepy sounds. As they’re walking, zombies keep popping out. Murphy says if they get out of this alive – and that’s a big if – they need to have zombie come to Jesus moment with Roberta. First she gets them lost, and now they’re slaves in the zombie funhouse of death. Doc suggests they get out of there first.

10K and a woman crawl along a ladder near the ceiling that periodically descends closer to a crowd of zombies below. The woman falls, and the noise happens. 10K passes out, but luckily stays put.

Roberta exits her crate, along with a man we don’t know. A crowbar, a screwdriver, and thick electrical cord drop off a conveyor belt. The man says, shall we? and takes the crowbar, while Roberta takes the cord and screwdriver. They enter a room with a gate on the opposite wall, and several zombies that aren’t exactly all in one piece. While the stranger is dealing with a half-zombie, Roberta comes up behind him, and gets him in a chokehold, telling him to drop the crowbar. He does, and she asks how Zona is involved and if this is part of the reset. He claims ignorance, and she tells him to answer or she’ll put the screwdriver through his head. She asks again if this is part of the reset, and if it has to do with the black rainbow. He asks if she’s insane, and says Zona has nothing to do with this. This is bigger than Zona or the apocalypse. I wonder what can be bigger than an apocalypse. He says no one lives long enough to find out exactly what’s going on, but they’re after something in the complex and using them to clear the zombies. He tells her they’ll be zombies too, if they don’t get the gate open.

Roberta presses a button, but the gate is jammed. As the stranger is messing with it, Roberta says there’s a live one, and a half-zombie attacks him. I say, ooh! out loud, because it’s so creepy, wriggling fast across the floor with its spinal cord hanging out. The stranger falls, and the half-zombie jumps on him. Roberta electrocutes it using the cord, and it’s a thrilling moment.

Lily wakes up, and the zombie that was following her is dead. She hears a noise from the top of the stairs. She begins to walk up, and sees daylight. She asks where it came from, and walks toward the source, but the noise happens.

Everyone wakes up in a cage that’s surrounded by zombies, except for Lily, who is still unconscious. Murphy asks what fresh hell this is, and the stranger says it’s feeding time. A giant metal tube unleashes a load of what looks like kibble. The stranger starts eating. I was joking, but Doc eats a piece and says it’s dog food. Chicken with notes of corn; Puppy Chow. 10K loves dog food, and says Puppy Chow is his thing. He and Doc talk about a bag of Gravy Train they found once. Doc says he can taste it now. With water and warmed by the sun, it’s the next best thing to home cooking.

Roberta wonders why the zombies are so blasé, and the stranger says they’re kept well-fed, but step outside, and they’ll attack. She asks what they’re fed, and the stranger says not dog food. Lily comes to, and Doc gives her some kibble. She tells them that she found a bird, and Roberta says if a bird can get in, there’s a way out. Murphy asks to see the bird, and turns his back after Lily gives it to him. Doc asks if he ate it, and he says no, but coughs out a couple of feathers. Roberta says if Lily saw daylight, they have a chance. She asks if Lily could find her way back. Doc remembers seeing an emergency exit, and they make a map using the kibble. Everyone adds whatever landmarks they remember, and they form an escape plan. Roberta tells them to memorize the map, and make their way to the rendezvous point. The noise happens, and Roberta says they have to fight their way to the surface.

Roberta comes out of her crate to a strobe light and Murphy. He tells her they have a rope, a bowling pin, and a blowtorch. This is like a bizarro game of Clue. They walk through what looks like a basement. Roberta and Murphy are mysteriously separated. Murphy’s flashlight starts to die, and a zombie comes up behind him. He knocks it in the head with the bowling pin. He and Roberta are suddenly back together. They walk up a flight of stairs. Doc, 10K, and Lily meet them, and Doc asks if they’re sure this is the right stairwell. Murphy says he doesn’t hear any birds, and a bird poop plops on his shoulder. He says, crap, literally, as he brushes it off.

Murphy asks where Lucy is. Roberta says to keep moving; maybe she’s ahead of them. They get to the roof, and the door opens to a wheat field. They see six crates in the distance, and the noise happens.

I just keep saying what the hell? over and over.

We see a room with a million crates in it. Murphy asks what they do now, and Doc says he’s going to curl up and die. Roberta says nobody is going to die. She may not know much or pretend to understand what she does know, but certain death in this place isn’t their fate. She knows something bad is coming, and she’s supposed to stop it. She doesn’t know why; she just feels it, the way she felt when she first saw Murphy. She didn’t know how why or what was coming next, but knew her job was to get him wherever he was going.

Lucy busts open Murphy’s crate. She’s with Carson, and they get everyone out. She says the zombies won’t hurt them, and Carson knows the way. They start going up some stairs, but the stranger comes busting through the door with a woman. They’re armed, and he tells the group to freeze. He doesn’t want to, but he’s supposed to stop them. He grabs Lucy, and says, everyone back. Roberta tells him that’s not going to happen, and Carson tackles him. His gun goes off, shooting the woman with him. Carson and the woman start feeding on the stranger. Lucy tries to get to Carson, but Murphy pulls her back, saying she can’t help them now.

They get outside to the field, and Roberta tells them to run, now. As they reach the road, Murphy falls, and they realize he’s been bitten. He’s sweaty and shaking, and Doc says he thought Murphy was immune. Roberta tells him not anymore, and asks Murphy if he can walk. He tells her that he can try, and they help him up.

They find the truck, and a car has been left there from the last group of victims. They get in it, and speed off with Roberta driving. Murphy is going in and out of consciousness. Lucy asks Doc to help him, and Doc asks Roberta what to do, but she’s mesmerized by the black rainbow in her mind.

Next time, Frankenzombie experiments.

😵 I’m assuming, since stranger dude said this was bigger than the apocalypse, we’ll revisit what went on in this episode in the future. I swear I wasn’t drunk when I wrote this. It was really that incomprehensible. Lots of thrills, but quite the puzzlement.

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October 22, 2017 – A Shah Reunion, a Dead Return, Random TV Thoughts & Creepy Costumes

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What I Watched Today

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

 

 

Shahs of Sunset – Reunion Part One

As usual, the venue is gorgeous, an old Hollywood theater, and there’s an incredible spread of food. Andy asks the Shahs who would play each of them in a movie, and everyone is totally unrealistic, except for Shervin, who says Kahl Drago from Game of Thrones (Jason Momoa). He doesn’t have the body, but damn if he doesn’t look like him. Reza has lost his mustache and forty-three pounds. We see before and after pictures. Andy asks who has had work done, and MJ finds that offensive. Asa says people are open about what they want to be open about, and insists MJ’s lips are not her own. GG and Mike start arguing, and Andy moves on.

He asks how Asa is enjoying motherhood, and she says it’s magical and difficult. We don’t get any photos though, because Jermaine wants to be private about that. She’s hoping to Instagram some in the future. There haven’t been any playdates yet, but Janet Jackson and Asa’s babies are only two weeks apart, so she expects it will happen. She says her relationship being bi-racial caused extra conversation. Mike says Asa turned his inquiry about getting married into something else. MJ wonders why Asa can’t just answer questions honestly. Mike says she went on a social media rant about racism, and isn’t the righteous person she claims to be. He thinks she’s hyper-sensitive, but she says she’s just more aware. Mike didn’t mean to offend anyone, he just wanted her to share. Asa claims he has casual racism. Whatever that is.

The Shahs were the first show to travel to Israel, making Bravo history. Woohoo. Andy asks GG about Reza saying eff Iran, and why it upset her. She says her family is from there. Reza says it’s a terrorist country, and until there’s another gay Persian on the stage, no one else can contradict his opinion. Shervin make noises about the people of Iran, and Reza says he didn’t mean the kindergarteners, he meant the government, and should have said Islamic Republic. Andy talks about them causing a commotion that wasn’t aired, and we see a clip of them getting kicked out of a restaurant. Reza explains that the owner wanted more money, and when a producer said, “no problem,” he heard “no” and “problem,” and misunderstood. They talk about the city where Asa thought the Muslims and Jews were intermingling well, and Reza says it was more like a Muslim ghetto. Mike says they seemed aggressive to the people there, getting in their faces with cameras. Asa thinks they had a certain vibe that they were giving off.

They talk about the Western Wall. Mike says the feeling was remarkable. Reza says he literally felt something embrace him, and felt an energy from the Wall. GG starts to say something, and Mike says to be careful, since he stuck up for her. She felt the Wall was a barrier, and talks about someone saying “jihad” to her. Mike says there are idiots everywhere, but he knew what she meant and had her back.

Next up is MJ. Vida and Tommy join the group. Andy wonders what MJ was smoking to live in her mother’s apartment complex. MJ says it’s the winter of her father’s life, and she wanted to be close by. She tells us he’s doing much better, but she’d expected to be on a totally different life plan. We flash back to MJ and Tommy arguing about having kids. MJ says she was in a panic at the time, but when she saw the show, she knew how much Tommy loved and supported her. Tommy says it was a tough year for her, and he didn’t want to throw his reluctance to have kids at her too, but now the time is right. Vida again says she’s not ready to be a grandmother. She says the parents have to be ready for responsibility. MJ is annoyed that her mother is still discouraging her, and Reza suggests she’s projecting. Andy asks if Vida was ready when she had MJ, and after a pause, Vida says she didn’t plan it. Reza says she should end with icing on it, like saying she was happy once she had MJ. She does say she’s started to like Tommy, and everyone’s mouths drop open. GG says hell has officially frozen over. Vida says she’ll marry Tommy if MJ doesn’t, and I wonder what on earth happened. Andy asks when the wedding is, and Tommy says whenever MJ is ready. Andy offers to officiate.

He asks who has changed the most for the better, and Vida thinks it’s Mike; he’s more mature and relaxed. He asks what about the worst, and she calls Asa ungrateful. She owes everything she has to the show, but doesn’t even watch it. If she doesn’t like an opinion, she gets negative, because she’s only interested in promoting herself. How did Vida become so insightful? Is MJ slipping Vida weed edibles or something?

Destiney was on People’s Couch! Omg, I hadn’t realized that. I loved that show, and now that they mention it, I wonder why I didn’t recognize her or even her voice. We see a clip. A viewer says there’s undeniable sexual tension between Mike and Destiney. Really? I don’t think so. Destiney says they’re both hot-headed individuals, and it wouldn’t be healthy for anyone. She talks about what she wants in a man, and someone suggests Shervin, but she says there are no penises on that stage for her.

Nice segue to Shervin and Annalise’s relationship. Shervin tells them it’s an open relationship, which is news to everyone, but he says she didn’t want it shared. Andy asks if anyone believes it, and they all say no. Destiney says she was Shervin’s number one fan, until she hit a nerve asking him about cheating, and he came at her. We flash back, and Andy calls it a half-assed confession. Shervin gets Annalise on FaceTime. MJ leaves the stage. Andy asks Annalise if they have an open relationship. She tells him that she thinks it’s foolish to expect monogamy when she’s on the other side of the world. She’s not dating anyone else, but could if she wanted to. Annalise says you can’t cheat on someone if it’s not exclusive. We say g’day, and she’s gone. MJ thinks it was rehearsed. I think it’s one-sided openness, and she’s letting him cheat on her.

Andy tells us another bone of contention was MJ using the word bastard, but MJ insists there was no venom behind it. Asa says she expected more from Reza, but he says he can’t control what someone else says or how they feel. We flash back to Asa telling MJ it’s an ugly word, and MJ saying she was referring to herself. Reza deflects, saying Asa has claimed she’d had no hormonal treatments, then revealed she had frozen embryos. She’d confided in him about it previously, and he says he never told anyone, so he was shocked. Asa gets it, but says he’s smart, and she can’t believe he was thrown off by what she said. Reza says she answered so casually about the embryos, he was floored. He wondered what else was going to come out. He tells her that’s why they’re where they are in their relationship.

Andy asks why it wasn’t shared earlier. Reza says Asa asked him not to say anything, but he wished she and MJ would have had an honest conversation. Asa says their relationship wasn’t like that, but MJ says at the time, they had exchanges on a regular basis. Andy asks if Asa can’t see how it would raise questions. He asks if she went through IVF, and she says not with her son, but for the embryos, like an insurance policy. She felt hurt, because she had discussed it with Reza before. Andy asks if Asa understands how she put Reza in an awkward position. He asks if the group believes her, but only Mike does. The camera goes to Reza…

To be continued.

Next time, Mike and Jessica are discussed, Shalom joins the group, Reza’s faithfulness is questioned, and more Asa and MJ angst.

The Walking Dead – Episode 100

I hate when they start off all weird. We see a shot of flowers, a cane, Rick, and an alarm clock. Rick is standing over a grave.

Everyone is getting ready for battle. Rick gives a mini-speech, telling them Jesus said his world would get bigger, and it did. They found each other. The world is theirs, and they’ve come together, for it it’s theirs by right. At the Sanctuary, Dwight gets a note via arrowgram that says, tomorrow. Rick says anyone with common ground, it’s theirs too, but those who want it to be theirs alone, they end them. They don’t celebrate it or have shame. Only one person has to die and he’ll kill them himself. Dwight sends an arrow note back to Daryl. Rick says they’ll keep making the world bigger together. Ezekiel says together bound forever. He who sheds his blood today will be his brother. Shiva growls. Maggie says they may have to live in uncertainty, but have to keep faith in each other. If they can hold onto that, the future and world are theirs.

Tara and Carol sit on a bridge, where a billion zombies are passing underneath.

Rick does what he does best, ponders.

A bearded Rick opens his eyes. He hears music.

Carl goes on a gas run. He finds a bunch of cars near a gas station that have been halfway stripped, some with rotting corpses in them. Someone says, hi, and we all crap our pants. He draws his gun. The guy says he’s been shot at and had a microwave at him, but his mom said helping a traveler is everything. He gets not trusting people. Carl looks around as the man talks. He says he understands Carl doesn’t know him, but he hasn’t eaten in a few days and Carl might not even be real. He reveals himself. Carl draws his gun, but the guy raises his hands, and says, it’s cool. Someone else starts shooting at him, and the guy jets. Rick appears, telling Carl that they were supposed to meet at the intersection. Carl isn’t happy with Rick shooting at a defenseless person, and Rick says he just shot over his head; he wanted him to be gone. Carl says he’s not a spy, not one of them. Rick hopes he makes it. Carl says there isn’t going to be enough. Rick asks enough what, and Carl says, hope. Carl walks off, and Rick gazes at a slow-moving zombie.

A Savior in a lookout tower is shot, and falls to the ground, where a zombie is overjoyed that a picnic lunch just dropped from heaven. Daryl scratches a lookout off of his list, and picks off another guy. He makes strike marks on his gun, along with updating the list. Morgan impales one of the lookouts, which surprises me. Father Gabriel tells Rick that everyone is ready; is he? Rick says one person brought it to this. Gabriel says it always starts with one person, adding this did, meaning their group at Alexandria. Rick says it’s not about him.

Rick says goodbye to Judith, who is in college now. Not really; she’s a toddler. He kisses Michonne, and hugs Carl. He says this is the end, and drives away in a caravan of cars and trucks, shielded with corrugated iron panels. Carl tells Michonne he knows she wanted to go; he did too. She says it hurts, but they have to defend this place.

A guy teases a zombie chained to a tree. Rick knocks him out, and he goes through the guy’s stuff. Dude says Rick’s boy is gonna die. Rick lets the zombie go, and I say, ah-ha! in a Nelson voice.

Everyone gathers in a big field like it’s a soccer match. They all chit chat. Shiva gets off her tour bus a school bus. Maggie says she needs to be there for the first part. Rick is concerned about her pregnancy, but she says she can wage war through the second trimester. She has one more fight, and she’s gonna be there. Ezekiel says Hilltop lost their doctor, but there’s one at The Kingdom. He says they can join him, but Jesus says they’ll get theirs back. Ezekiel says on this day, they reshape the world for the children to come. Rick says Hilltop is lucky to have Maggie, and she says he made her someone worth following. He tells her next time, he’ll be following her.

Daryl, Tara, Gabriel and Carol wait at the bridge. Tara counts down, but nothing happens. Here comes the zombie horde, and Tara says she was close. The group walks off, leaving a car behind that blows up.

Negan’s people come out. This is like a Sharks and Jets rumble. Regina says she wants blood, and Dwight says maybe she’ll get lucky.

Daryl and company string a wire across the road.

The guards on the roof of the Sanctuary are picked off by Rick’s people. The caravan drives in past the line of chained up zombies. I feel sorry for them. They must get really bored. Rick’s people draw their guns. They shoot in the air. This is a rumble.

Negan comes out and says, well, sh*t. Sorry, he was in a meeting. I hope they don’t kill him. He’s one of the few senses of humor this show has going for it. And Eugene.

We see Rick with teary eyes, some flowers, and older-looking Rick with a beard. Why? Why do they do this? I hate this cryptic stuff. Bearded Rick get up. Everything is cool, and he’s with Michonne in a beautiful house.

Negan isn’t exactly feeling he has a reason to shoot, He cares about his people. he doesn’t want to play whose d*ck is bigger. His is, and they know it, but if it wasn’t, he could accept it. He’s not going to let people die over it, like Rick is about to. He asks what the hell he can do for him. Rick calls out the Hilltoppers and Eugene. He says they have chance to survive. They can live if they surrender. He can’t guarantee that at any time but right now.

Morgan goes down to the road.

Negan asks, what about me? Rick says he told Negan twice. Negan tells Rick that he has no idea the sh*t that’s about to go down. Does he think he has the numbers for this fight? He doesn’t. Simon brings out Gregory, who says Hilltop stands with Negan and the Saviors. Any Hilltoppers who support Rick are no longer welcome in the colony. Negan says, and… Gregory tell them that they’re families will be thrown out and left to fend for themselves. Go home now, or there will be no home to go back to. Maggie tells Jesus to do what he needs to do, and he says all he has are a bunch of books and old lobster bib. Negan tells them to go back to separating wheat or whatever they do. Maggie says doesn’t look like anyone is going. Jesus says Hilltop stands with Maggie.

Morgan pikes a zombie. He sees a car coming.

Simon says (tee-hee) he’s invested a lot in Gregory, and he’s disappointed. He pushes Gregory down the stairs.

Cars come. Morgan waits. Sh*t blows up.

Negan says it sound like sh*t (the word of the night) is going down. Negan looks pretty pissed, and Rick asks if he’s going to make him count. Negan smiles. Rick counts down from ten, but when he gets to seven, starts to shoot

Lots of shooting back and forth. Negan and company go inside. Rick’s people shoot out the windows.

Morgan joins Carol, Tara, and Daryl. Carol says it’s starting, and the zombies arrive. Daryl waits while the others go ahead. He rides forward of the horde, and shoots, creating an explosion.

Rick and company shoot up everything. Daryl continues to blow stuff up. The zombie horde keeps walking. A stray zombie wanders by when Daryl sets off one of his explosions. Cool. A truck drives into the Sanctuary gate and explodes. Negan limps out. Rick is relentless with his machine gun. Gabriel says they have to leave now. Rick messes around with a Polaroid camera. I don’t know if now is the time to take candid snaps.

An entrance for the zombie horde has been opened up by the truck. Gabriel is about to leave in one of the cars, and sees Gregory. Leave him, you idiot. He doesn’t listen to me, and dashes over to Gregory. They’re being shot at, but Gabriel tells him to wait for their moment. Gregory doesn’t wait. He runs to Gabriel’s car, and drives off, because he’s a selfish a-hole.

Carl goes back to the gas station. He leaves cans of food with a note that says, sorry. The new guy watches.

Rick’s group regroups. Ezekiel smiles.

Daryl tells Rick they can wait until tomorrow. Rick says they can’t. Gabriel stopped to get him when Negan almost killed him. It isn’t about him.

Morgan asks if one of the Hilltoppers can hit the guard with an arrow. She says she wouldn’t bet on it, but I would, because she does. They open a gate. Is this the back way? Someone lobs a grenade at them, and there’s a lot of smoke.

Tons of zombies are walking into the Sanctuary. Gabriel jets through them, and goes inside a trailer. Negan says he hopes Gabriel has his sh*ttin’ pants on, because he’s about to sh*t his pants. Negan laughs. Gabriel gulps. Tons of zombies scratch and scrabble at the trailer. We see a crane shot of all the zombies descending on the Sanctuary.

Judith runs to bearded Rick, babbling about an owl. Michonne tells him the festival is being taken very seriously. Judith wants to see the owl, and they go outside. It’s all beautiful and green.

Teary-eyed Rick talks to his people. He says mercy prevails over his land. He doesn’t want to wait for it anymore. They don’t either. They don’t have to start tomorrow. Right now, with everything they’ve borne and endured, everything they’ve risen above, if they start right now, no matter what comes next, they’ve won. They’ve already won.

😪 The episode was dedicated to John Bernecker and George Romero. John was a stuntman who worked on Walking Dead’s eighth season who died from a head injury he sustained in a fall. George, who also passed away this year, is the man who started it all with Night of the Living Dead, the first zombie allegory. My personal favorite is Dawn of the Dead, the perfect statement on consumerism. I also recommend Martin, a gem of a vampire film, but it’s hard to find. I had the pleasure of meeting George at a screening at the Waverly Theater in Greenwich Village, home of the original Rocky Horror Picture Show.

🎭 Glad to hear UnReal will be returning February 26, 2018. I’m not sure they’ll be able to top the real Bachelor in Paradise debacle that recently happened though.

💍 I’m still following the 90 Day Fiancé franchise, and taking notes. It’s been a helluva busy month, and then someone threw Halloween in there. Hey, we do a whole theme with the dogs here. All right, I do a whole theme. I’ve also been watching My Giant Life, which follows some very tall girls. Like the shows with little people, the struggle is real to live in an average height world.

🏡 Channel Zero: No End House continues to intrigue, although I’ve had to watch it On Demand due to TV scheduling conflicts. It’s very weird, and I’m not so sure I know what’s going on all the time, but it’s not as weird as last season, where I really had no idea what was going on with that monster made of teeth. This season brought us a house that the characters are exploring – it just appeared out of nowhere – where each room holds a different terror. The last couple of episodes brought them to a room that opened to a parallel town. At first, they thought they’d found a way out, but then realized they were stuck with no way out. The dead were alive again, a doppelganger insisted he was a better version of his double, and no one knew who was real. Offbeat and odd, but I like it.

For Your Halloween Viewing Pleasure…

👻 Creepy Vintage Costumes 👻

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October 15, 2017 – The Sun Sets on the Shahs & Fear the Super Long Finale

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

 

 

Two finales tonight.

Shahs of Sunset

Reza is meeting with event planner Kevin Lee, but GG gets there first. She shows Kevin her ring. In her interview, she explains how things happened fast with Shalom, even though they’d lived in the sane building for years. She says it’s not a normal relationship, but she’s not normal. Reza walks in saying Kevin’s signature phrase, chi, chi, chi! He shows Reza the décor for the Persian Winter Ball. I love this stuff – white branches and tiny white lights, candles, subtle sparkles of snow, and beautiful flowers in whites and greens. GG tells him that she talked to Jessica, who said she reached out to his mom, but Sue totally shut it down. Reza says her intentions are to protect her son, but Mike needs to say it’s his road and he’s the one traveling it. GG asks who’s going to let her know. Reza says she is. She says she’s Mike’s momma, but Reza says there’s a mitzva in her path, and she has to embrace it. Talk to her as one Persian woman to another.

Vida whines in the back seat of the car as Tommy drives. MJ is bringing Christmas to her father in matching PJs with Tommy. She calls Vida an effing bitch. She hasn’t seen Shams in over a month. Tommy is like goddammit! It’s Christmas; shut up!

Tommy sets up a tree in Shams’s room. MJ even brought dogs Ziggy and Toya in little Santa suits. Vida acts like a different person – a nice, normal person, giving Shams accolades for talking and eating. MJ says after her parents got married, he wasn’t the romantic guy Vida thought he was, and she didn’t stick around to make it work. They take a family photo. MJ tells us that Vida thinks since it didn’t work for her, it’s not going to work for MJ either.

Eez Not Right is Reza’s play, and he’s excited to see it on the theater marquee. He and MJ have been practicing for a few weeks. MJ arrives, and says she’s going to knock his socks off. She tells us that she took acting in high school. Monica Lewinsky and Eric Menendez were in her class. A guy in one of my acting classes, who was also a scene partner of mine, made headlines too, but sadly, it was because he was murdered by Jack Henry Abbott. MJ says that Eric was good at tennis. She suggests they rehearse, and stumbles over her lines. Reza says he should have gotten GG, but they laugh their asses off.

Tonight is just for friends and family, but if Reza gets the reaction he’s hoping for, he’s taking it on the road. Asa is on bedrest, and he’s disappointed she can’t be there. His method to not laugh on stage is thinking of nasty things, that no one needs to see here. Reza starts laughing the second he sees MJ on stage, so it didn’t work anyway. The play is basically about two grandmothers discussing the upcoming marriage of their grandsons, one of them feeling that it’s an outrage. We come to find out that the grandmother isn’t upset because it’s a gay marriage, but that one is a Muslim and one is a Jew. In his interview, Mike says that in the melting pot we call America, Iranians are now intermixing, and parents don’t understand. They want their children to “stick to their own kind,” and he’s a perfect example. We flash back to Sue discouraging him marrying Jessica. The play is well received. Reza says that he’s spent his journey wondering where fits in religiously, but now feels like it’s a closed chapter. He’s hoping the play might do some good, and people will learn. I’d totally pay to see it.

At Reza’s condo, the cats go nuts. Adam says they need a house. Reza says they’re getting one. He says that it’s obvious Adam doesn’t want to foster or adopt, and it looks like they’re going the surrogacy route, which requires a lot of coin. Reza is cashing out on his vacation house for a new house and beginning the baby process. Adam talks about having a chicken coop, but Reza makes fun of it, saying chicken are stupid. When he compares Adam to a chicken, Adam has enough. He says Reza talks down to him, and shuts him down. In his interview, Reza doesn’t like being dismissed when he’s been doing a lot of compromising. He thinks they need the Torah right now.

Reza visits Asa. Her place is filled with all kinds of cool baby stuff. She tells him that she can’t eat much. She’s been trying to do some work, but has no energy. She feels like she’s neglecting everything else that needs her. Reza asks if she feels a disconnect from everyone, but she says it’s more of a connect with herself. She was hurt for a while. She felt attacked and ganged up on, and who needs it when they’re pregnant? They’ve been in the same mindset for six years, and Asa has grown out of it. She needs to do her, and if she sees them, she sees him. She wants love and support right now, and after that, she’ll see.

The set up for the winter ball beings. Kevin calls it magic and fabulous, and it is. In addition to the aforementioned decorations, there are also big illuminated snowflakes everywhere. Reza goes to a kiki at MJ’s, whose condo looks amazing now. My mouth fell open. It’s like Martha Stewart was there. After the blow out with Tommy, MJ got a dose of reality that she needed to deal with. Once they put the pieces back together, she felt strong, and needed to execute the things she let fall by the wayside.

Reza asks Adam what’s wrong. He says Reza has been disrespectful and dismissive, and it makes him question the relationship. He says Reza goes for divorce card immediately in an argument. For him to throw that out makes Adam feel disposable. We flash back to before they were married, when Reza was hesitant. In his interview, Adam says he never wants to feel that way again; the way he felt when Reza called off the wedding. Reza says he doesn’t speak up a lot in the relationship, and the first time he does, Adam is dismissive.

Mike walks in, and tells Adam he can cry later. Everyone is astounded at the way the place looks. MJ wants Adam and Reza to finish the conversation. Adam says it’s stupid, and didn’t want to have it in the first place. He just wants to move on.

Mike says it’s not just a ball; it’s a Persian ball. Everyone is in tuxes and furs (most of them fake), and there’s a buffet like no other. Tommy says the food is ridiculous. I love to hear these guys talk about the food. I’ve never had Persian food, but I’m dying to, especially when I watch this show. GG shows off her ring. Reza says don’t run around the party, flashing or stabbing people with ring. At a Persian party, they’ll come to you.

Fake snow falls MJ inhales some. Mike’s mom arrives, and he gives her a wrist corsage. Like it’s the prom. Reza tells GG she’s the conduit. GG says it’s hard enough to talk to someone’s mom, but talking to a Persian mom? You don’t do that. She wants Mike to be happy, and goes for the tequila.

MJ suggests the moms go out together, so they can talk about how the kids never listen. GG takes Mike’s mom aside, and tells her that he still loves Jessica. She knows he’s hurt, and feels for him. GG brings up the email Jessica sent Sue. She thought it was sweet of her to apologize. Mike interrupts, and asks what they’re talking about. GG says she was telling his mom something, and he says it better not be what he thinks. GG says she’s not saying anything wrong. Mike steps away, and GG says maybe Sue could give Jessica another chance. We all make mistakes. Sue agrees, but says she was like a mother to Jessica, and if you leave, nothing can be fixed. She says sometimes you make a mistake that can’t be reversed.  They go to the buffet.

Mike asks GG what she was talking to his mother about. She says they’ve known each other forever, and he her not to get involved in something that’s not her business. She’s already caused enough problems in his life. We flash back to GG accusing him of hitting on her in Turkey. GG tells him that she only told Sue that his heart seemed to be with Jessica. Mike says his mother is there for a good time, not to talk about things that have nothing to do with her. GG is upsetting her. GG says talk to Reza. He’s the one who said she had to speak up, because Mike is scared to. Mike says it’s not her effing business. It’s his effing life and he’ll handle it.

Reza tells Mike that Jessica sent his mom and email. She was super apologetic, and super loving, wanting to get back together. He says if Mike doesn’t try one more time, thirty years from now, he’ll wonder what might have happened if he had. In his interview, Reza says he can’t believe how an almost 40-year-old, muscly Persian has his mom pulling the strings. You can’t live to make others happy; the outcome is always a disaster. Mike tells Sue that if she sees something he doesn’t, she should say something; he values her opinion. But at the end of the day, his decisions are his, and he’s a grown man. It’s his choice if he and Jessica get back together.

MJ asks Adam what’s going on. Adam says he and Reza had an argument, and Reza’s initial reaction was to leave. It reminds him of Thailand. It’s hurtful, and makes him want to reevaluate being married. MJ tells him that he doesn’t want to start the new year without a clean slate. Reza joins them. MJ says Adam told her about Reza using divorce as a threat. Adam says it makes him wonder if he married the wrong person, and his emotional mindset goes back to when Reza backed out at the last minute. Then he pulls back. Reza apologizes, saying it wasn’t his intention. He said it in the heat of the moment. He loves Adam, and he’s sorry.

In his interview, Reza tells us this stage of adulthood is hard. Growing up doesn’t mean he can’t have fun. He’s not the same, but better. Not just him, everyone is in the same spot. Asa got off the path to have a kid, but the rest keep growing, keep loving, and keep laughing. It’s who they are, regardless of how old they get. Reza announces that GG prepared something.

GG thanks everyone. She says it’s been an amazing year, and being selfish, her year was revolutionary. She went to Israel, realized how much she loves Shalom, and he put ring on it.

A month later. They get married, just the two of them, by a justice of the peace.

Two months later, they split.

Reza tells us, who says they saw that annulment coming? He did. I did too, but I think they’re back together again.

I’m going to miss these guys. I’m always sad when the season is over.

Fear the Walking Dead

Part One

We see a shopping cart filled with zombie heads, snapping at each other. Nick pushes the cart down the street, lopping off heads, and tossing them in. Okay, wth now? He takes them to the bartender at the Bizarre, who chops off their faces, and digs around for the brain stems. He says the longer the wait, the greater the risk of infection, but some people say it’s a high worth dying for. The Proctors will pay for as many fresh ones as he can bring. It helps them to fight longer, harder, and without sleep. Nick asks who they’re fighting, and the bartender doesn’t know, but thinks they’re gearing up for something big. Nick says he’ll keep harvesting as long as he keeps getting paid.

Troy watches people doing busywork.  Everyone looks like they’re having a decent time. Nick has a drink, and Troy leads him away. He says he’s been talking to the Proctors, and thinks they’re in trouble.

Madison looks out over the dam, and Victor asks what she sees. She tells him a murky mud pit, and he tells her to see past that to corn, melons, beans, irrigation, agriculture, and cattle. Isn’t the country what she wanted? She says she wanted a future for her kids, and maybe grandkids to spoil. Christmas surrounded by babies, and roasting a turkey. He figured she was more the sandwich type, but she says she used to make iced angel cookies with the kids. She’d thought they could have that life at the ranch. Victor says she can have that there. He says they can build paradise, and her kids can come home to it. He tells her to picture it, but she doesn’t know about that. He tells her that she needs some liquid imagination. What you call scotch.

Diana tries to talk Alicia into selling her hair again, telling her that she’s sitting on a goldmine. They good-naturedly banter back and forth, and suddenly, the car is T-boned by another car. Diana tells Alicia to get out, and a bunch of guys jump out of the other car. Diana fights with them, an Alicia slashes at them with her knife. One guy tries to take their gun out of the car, but Alicia grabs him. While she’s dealing with that, Diana clocks another with her pickax, but gets hurt. Alicia gets the gun and starts shooting into the air. She tells them to get out now, and they run. She should kill one just to send a message. Alicia tells Diana not to look, and makes a tourniquet for her wound.

Walker visits Daniel, and gives him Ofelia’s rosary. Daniel says the questions keep turning; why her? Walker says he wonders if he had been there, if he could have stopped it. He doesn’t know the answers though, because he wasn’t there.

Madison bogarts the scotch bottle. Victor says he can’t blame the kids for striking out on their own. Madison says they’re her kids, so she can. She wonders how long until The Odyssey, The Iliad, and The Bible are forgotten. Victor says they’ll write new stories. She tells him out with it; the scotch wasn’t just for her. He asks if she’s killed anyone. Has he met her? She says she’s had to, and he says he hasn’t. She says he’s lucky, but his day will come. He suspects she’s right, and she tells him it drives some people mad, and never gets you what you want, but it gets easier. Daniel approaches, and says her son is here.

Troy tells then that he found weapons and boats. The Proctors have no regard for human life, and will turn the water off, holding it hostage. Daniel says there are three entryways. They’ll post guards at each, and pick them off at the bridge. Efrain thinks they should blow up the dam. Release the river to the people. Daniel says whoever wants to leave, should go, but whoever stays has to help defend them. Victor thinks Madison and Nick should go. Troy says he’ll help, but Daniel questions his loyalty. Troy says he’s the one who gave them the information, and Madison vouches for him.

Outside, Madison tells Nick she hopes he’s using clean works. He says he’s not using; it’s something else. She says they need to get out before the Proctors show up. They’re worse than anything else they’ve seen. Madison says she’ll decide after he eats.

Walker is packing up his stuff. He tells Daniel that he’s going to look for some people who went north. He thinks Daniel is honorable, but he’s not willing to die for his cause. He says he and Crazy Dog will scout the road on their way out. Daniel tells him good walking, and they shake hands. Oh man, I hope they don’t kill Walker off.

Alicia brings Diana to a medic. He asks if she can assist, and she says she has no formal training, but was a hospital volunteer. The guy says degrees are worthless anyway. He lost his license in the 90s over a misunderstanding with a lady patient. Alicia advises him not to have a misunderstanding with Diana, who’s good with a pickax. He tells her he has another surgery to do, and could use an extra pair of hands. She seems like a quick study, and he just needs her to hand instruments to him and keep the patient occupied.

Nick looks in the refrigerator, and it looks like mine when it’s not a pay week. Victor tells him that he and Madison have to get out of there. He knows something that makes the narcos look like church ladies. He’s dealt with the Proctors before, and they intend to take all the land between there and the Gulf Coast. He’s supposed to help them get in, and part of the deal was to protect his family. He wants to cut a deal to protect his friends, as well as get himself set up. Nick asks if Madison knows, and Victor says she’ll tell Daniel. If Daniel finds out, He’ll kill him. He tells Nick to get Madison out.

Nick sees Daniel. Daniel tells him that Madison is wiring the dam with a friend, and he wants to ask him something. Was he with Ofelia when she got bitten. Nick explains that he wasn’t trapped in the bunker; he was outside. Daniel asks if he saw it coming, and Nick says not until it was too late. It came out of the wilderness. Troy saw it, and warned him. They thought they could redirect it, but it was already too close and too big. Nick says Ofelia was in the bunker with Alicia. Daniel gets up and padlocks the door. Wtf? He says Nick is lying.

Daniel says Nick knows his background. Nick says he interrogated people in the military. He asks if Daniel is going to torture him, and tells him it’s not what Ofelia would want. Daniel says she’s dead, Nick says she’d thought Daniel had changed, and Daniel says she thought wrong. His mother is wrong too. People don’t change; they walk in circles. He tells Nick to sit. I call Daniel a sh*tball.

Troy tells Madison that life is funny. They walk in circles, and here they all are together in Mexico. They plant explosives as they talk. He tells Madison that the trading post isn’t good for him – or Nick. He knows she’s worried, and had a right to be; they had quite a night, He never felt scared before, but he felt fear. Nick is his only friend; they’re like brothers. Madison thanks him for looking after Nick, and says keep doing that. Troy makes a derogatory comment about Mexicans, and she says not to talk like that; they’re guests. Troy says they were guests at his ranch. Now they’re a blended family. He says he got right with everything that happened, and asks if they’re good. She says they are.

Daniel asks why Nick is lying about Troy. Nick says he didn’t kill Ofelia, but Daniel believes that. What he doesn’t believe is that the horde materialized out of thin air. It needs a shepherd, someone to lead it. Daniel asks Nick to tell him; he doesn’t want to force him.

Doctor Eddie introduces Alicia to Proctor John as his new assistant. She wonders what happened to the old on. John asks who she is, and she says Alicia from Los Angeles. She asks if he’s the leader of this place, and he tells her, good guess. He explains that he’s a humble MC from SoCal, but has plans for expansion. The only thing stopping him is a growth on his spine; he’s becoming paralyzed. Eddie has been doing the best he can, but the pills are dulling his mind, and it’s time for surgery. Her only job is to assist, and if it’s successful, she has an amazing opportunity to come to Texas and beyond. She asks what if it isn’t, and he says if it fails, everyone in the room will be executed, starting with Eddie. This should give them incentive to do their best.

Daniel tells Nick that only three people could have done it – him, Jake or Troy. Nick takes a deep breath, and says Jake. Daniel says Troy, but Nick says no. He’s an SOB, a bigot, and a killer, but he loved the ranch, and wouldn’t have put it in jeopardy. Jake did it when he found out Nick killed his father. He couldn’t take it, and destroyed the ranch to save. It. Eventually, the horde he led killed him. Daniel tells Nick that his mother will be happy to see him, and gives him the key to the lock.

Alicia doesn’t think it’s safe, not putting John under, but Eddie says it’s her job to keep him still. She distracts John by asking him about the safest place he can remember. He talks to her about his aunt and uncle. Eddie cuts into his back, and Alicia asks questions. Eddie says he can see the tumor, and they talk about Santa Barbara. Even though he’s the one wide awake during surgery with barely a whimper, John call Alicia a tough kid. She says he has no idea. He finally screams.

Daniel looks at water coming out of a pipe, and says it should be pumping west, not dumping there. Victor is sure Lila has it under control.

Troy explains the detonator to Madison, and says they have to get out. Nick shows up, and tells them about Victor selling them out. He says if Daniel sees Troy, he’ll want to kill him. Madison asks why, and Troy says he led the horde to the ranch. She tells him it wasn’t right, but he says the Indians had it. She says they all had it, but he says not all, she exiled him. Madison says she let him live. After all they did to keep the peace, he took everything from her. Troy says what about what she took from him? He lost his father and his brother. She says he got them killed and had no right. He says he had every right; it was his home. He’d do it all again, and she would too. He says she understands, and suddenly, she whacks him with a hammer. He sinks to his knees, and she hits him again. He rolls down an incline, dead. Nick looks sick, and I gasp out loud. Nick is like, whoa. Madison takes the detonator and leaves.

After John recovers for a whole five minutes, Madison asks him if he can wiggle his toes. After a few tries, he sits up. He calls Eddie a bastard, but says he had faith in him the whole time. Eddie is a freakin’ miracle worker. He asks if Alicia is ready to hit the road. She asks if she has a choice, and he says not really, and holds out his hand.

At the dam, Lola says the water is running the wrong way. Victor tells her to step away, and holds a gun on her. Daniel says he knows who Victor is. He’s not his friend, but he’s a con man, not a killer. He tries to get Victor to give him the gun, but that’s a no, and they struggle. The gun goes off, and Daniel ends up getting shot in the chin. It’s not a fatal shot, but he’s down, and Lola runs to him. Victor keeps the gun on them.

The Proctors go through the tunnels. Nick and Madison see them coming, and run. The Proctors are all over the place in a couple of seconds. There’s a gunfight between them and the guards, with walk-on characters dropping like flies. Efrain gets shot through the window of the office. Victor tells Madison and Nick that they have to hide. He unlocks a door, and they go inside. He asks for the detonator, and says he’ll do everything in his power to prevent harm from coming to them. Madison gives him the device. He locks the door from the outside.

Part Two

Winter Wonderland plays while Madison rinses the potatoes in a pretty cabin. She sees a car coming, and goes out on the porch. She walks out to meet the car, and passes the graves of everyone on the ranch who has passed. She sees Nick with Luci and a baby. She looks down to Alicia’s grave. She wants to see the baby, but Luci won’t let her. She follows them back to their car. They get in and drive away.

Alicia and John take a boat to the dam. Alicia sees dead people floating in the water. They’re met by the rest of John’s men – and Victor. He tells John that someone knew they were coming, and it was beyond his control, but all is well. John doesn’t think so, since there are corpses in the drinking water. They were told to secure the dam. Victor says that’s what they’re doing. John says he’ll get a full accounting later. He wants the grand tour, and plan to be persuasive. Alicia quietly asks Victor about her mother, and he says she’s hidden. Nick came to warn them. She asks, now what? and he says to trust him; he can get them out.

Nick asks Madison if she’d kill him too. She tells him that’s insane, but he asks if she didn’t wish for that call when he was using. She says she never wished him dead; what kind of a mother would she be. He says honest maybe. She tells him that Troy needed to be put down; it’s the world they live in. Nick says they always lived in that world; it’s just that now it’s okay. She says one day he’ll have no choice, and Nick says not with her. Madison says she’s never hurt him. He asks hat if it was necessary, and she tells him to stop it. They hear shots being fired outside.

Lola tends to Daniel. He says the two of them will escape. He waits while she goes up the ladder to the dam.

Alicia admires John’s high pain threshold, and he asks how she knows Victor. She says he helped her family get out of LA. Her mother and Victor were friends, and she thought her mother might be there. John asks her mother’s name, and says she is there. She was one of Victor’s deal points; they were to spare her. He hopes she hasn’t been killed yet. Alicia asks if he’ll spare Madison if she’s alive. He says she was part of a larger negotiation that collapsed, but Alicia has served him well in a short time. Can she continue to do so, and can he trust her? She asks again if he’ll spare her mother, and he says he will if she’ll come on board his ship and sail for what’s left of Houston.

Nick and Madison hear someone coming in, and wait on either side of the door. Victor says he told them to leave, but they had to be stubborn. Alicia is there with Proctor John. Maybe he likes her enough to let them go, but don’t bet on it. He gives them uniforms, saying he’s going to walk them out right under the Proctors noses. Madison says his time has come, hasn’t it? He says just please put on the uniforms. Madison says he killed someone, and asks who it was. Victor says Daniel. He did it for her. He didn’t kill him though; he was alive when Victor left, but it was the worst thing that ever happened. He let Lola go. Even though she’d said it gets easier, he couldn’t do it. Nick says there’s hope for him yet.

Lola sneaks into the office, and sees Efrain dead. No time to grieve though. She cocks her gun.

Victor holds a gun on Madison and Nick, who are in uniform. There are people being shot, and tossed off the bridge up ahead, but he tells them to just keep walking. A guard stops them, and Victor tells him that Proctor John wants him to dispose of these traitors personally. They go past, but Lola runs toward John, shooting, and John kills her. He asks what fresh hell is this? Well, there’s the pot calling the kettle black.

Daniel opens his eyes.

John is mystified. He thought “water queen” Lola was dead, and she turned back up like a whack-a-mole trying to assassinate him. Victor says he can explain, but John doesn’t want to hear it. He tells Alicia to go to her joyful family reunion. She and Madison hug. He asks what role Nick plays in the family drama. He asks Nick where Troy is, and Nick says his mom killed him. John tells “Alicia from Los Angeles” that she has a perverse family. He says he’ll have to kill them, but he’ll kill her first so she doesn’t have to watch.

John tells them to say they’re goodbyes. Nick hugs Victor, and tells him, safe travels. I’m assuming the detonator switched hands. Victor tells John that there’s something in the end game that he didn’t plan on. They didn’t have enough guns to defend the dam, so they wired it with explosives. John orders Victors tongue taken out. Victor fumbles around in his pockets, looking for he detonator, but Nick takes it out. He says it’s armed, and Victor tells him don’t touch the other button. Nick asks if he means the one that says detonate.

Madison takes the turkey out of the oven, and brings it to a table of guests. Daniel, Jeremiah, Troy, some other dead guy whose name I don’t remember, and Walker are there. There’s an empty chair at the head of the table. Walker gets ready to carve. Victor comes to the door, with a pile of gifts and flowers. Madison shows him in. She lifts the cover on the turkey, and it’s Jeremiah’s head on the platter.  Walker has cut off his head, and the blood gushes from his body, still in the seat, flooding the table. Victor leaves, and Madison follows him, but sees nothing except gravestones outside. A plane flies overhead.

Nick holds up the detonator. John says his play, and makes the guards lower their guns. Nick tells him that his mom and sister get to take the Zodiac across the lake. Alicia wants him to come, but John say the detonator will be out of range, and he’ll lose his leverage. Madison and Alicia leave. Nick tells Victor to take care of them. John insists they won’t survive, but Nick tells him not to be so sure. John is interested to see how it plays out, but it won’t be well for Nick either way. Nick isn’t afraid to die, and John calls it junkie bravado. He asks if the detonator is real.

Daniel stumbles out, and kicks some guard ass. Quite well for a man who’s just been shot in the face.

John calls the lake a modern Euphrates. It needs managing. They can’t just give it away. He says Nick can help, but Nick says it’s just one more thing to control. Alicia has trouble getting the boat going, but the engine finally turns over. John says Nick was born for violence, and Nick says he killed the last man who said that. John tells him, like mother, like son; he needs to harness the fury or get stampeded. A war is waiting. The boat stalls.

Daniel sees Lola lying dead on the bridge. He puts Ofelia’s rosary beads in her hand. They’re giving me a heart attack with this boat, which is still giving them a hard time. John wants the detonator, but shots from a sniper interrupt him. From a hillside, Walker tells Crazy dog, nice shot. John says this is a new wrinkle, but not a game changer, since apparently, he’s a real optimist. He thinks Nick is bluffing, and his family isn’t far enough away. More shots are fired, and somehow all the bullets go around Nick. Daniel gets closer, and starts to shoot. Nick sees the boat speed away. He hits the button.

The dam blows to smithereens, and the bridge cracks don the middle. John is led away by one of his men, and everything starts crumbling. Walker and Crazy Dog watch the boat. Crazy Dog says they’ll be drawn into the flood if they don’t step on it. He and Walker decide to head north. We see the water flood the inside of the dam, covering Efrain and Troy’s bodies. Daniel grabs Nick, and the boat gets sucked under the bridge.

Madison walks among the gravestones. She kneels at Jeremiah’s grave, and his hand pops out of the ground Carrie White style. He grabs Madison and drags her into the ground. In the real world, she’s under the water, and starts to sink among the debris, Her hand reaches out of the earth, and Travis pulls her out. She slips back, alternately into the water again. She opens her eyes, swims to the top, and breaches the surface. She gasps for air and swims to shore. People are running around with buckets, and getting water. A little girl sees her, and says, hola. The camera pans out on the newly freed water.

Next week, The Walking Dead 100th episode, preceded by a marathon.

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October 13, 2017 – Patient 6 Walks into a Bar, Too Many Hooks, Unkillable Z’s, Quotes & Love-ahs

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

 

 

General Hospital

In an NYC bar, the bartender asks if she can get Patient 6 something other than water. He says he’s just trying to catch up on what he missed.

Jason and Sam arrive at an apartment in the city. He tells her that he thought she likes mysteries. She tells him if he bought a townhouse, she doesn’t want to move. He tells her to come in and see their future.

Nina is going crazy answering the phones, while Valentin kisses up her arm, like Gomez kissing Morticia. He tells Simone that Nina will have to get back to her, and hangs the phone up. Nina wonders where her assistant is.

At Kelly’s, Michael tells Nelle it was an incredible gesture to make the donation. She says she knows he thinks she should have given the ring back, but she couldn’t return it to the people who accused her of murder. It was a compromise, but she’ll never convince people of her innocence. Michael says he’s taken steps to prove it for her.

Nina needs to put the latest issue of Crimson to bed, and Valentin tells her that he wants to put her to bed. He says he has an opportunity where he needs her talents and leadership skills, but first a little fun.

Anna calls Griff. She wants him to check in. No matter how she feels about Ava, if Ava is his friend, she wants to help.

Ava is officially now a friend with benefits.

Michael tells Nelle that he hired Curtis to give the case another look. She wants to know why he didn’t tell her. If the Grant family finds out that she was nosing around on her behalf, they’ll be suspicious. Assuming that Curtis can do what the police couldn’t. Michael says the case needs fresh eyes.

Anna sees Finn at the MetroCourt. He asks why they’re meeting, and she says it’s the last time. They won’t be able to meet in public once Cassandra arrives. Finn makes snarky remarks, and she says that he’s hostile when he’s tired. He says he wants it to be over with. Anna says they’re heading into the second part of the operation, and tells him not to rush or he could make a mistake. He should take his time getting her trust. He remarks that all criminals often tell their doctors about their illegal dealings; she’s putting too much faith in his abilities. Anna says Cassandra wouldn’t be coming there if she didn’t trust him. Give her what she wants, and she’ll return the favor. She has every confidence in him. He asks what she’s going to be doing, and she tells him working the case from another angle. He asks if it has anything to do with Valentin.

Nina asks what opportunity Valentin is talking about, and he tells her that he’s on the verge of a deal to make her the next media magnet. She says that’s a huge responsibility. Not long ago, she was an heiress with mental instability issues; she doesn’t think she’ll be on the cover of Forbes any time soon. Valentin tells her that she’s an inspiration to his daughter, and not to sell herself short. Instead of just calling the shots at Crimson, she’ll be calling all the shots. He’s buying Derek Wells Media, and wants her to be co-CEO.

Jason opens the apartment door, and Diane is there. She has the titles for them, explaining that they have to sign this part in NYC. Sam asks what they’re signing, and Jason says today. Julian ceases to be the owner of Derek Wells Media.

Patient 6 says he’s been out of the country, and the bartender asks if he was deployed. He says he’s not in the military, but he’s been away for a while. She tells him welcome back, and asks if he’s in trouble. He asks if it’s obvious, and she says she picks up on things. Cops usually don’t show up for no reason. He follows her gaze to a couple of guys at the bar. He asks which way to the restroom, and she tells him it’s in the back. He leaves the bar, and one of the men says they’re looking for a guy. She says, aren’t we all? They tell her that he was a stowaway and entered the country illegally. They show her Patient 6’s picture, and ask if she’s seen him around.

Nina asks since when is Julian interested in selling? Valentin says he’s been circling for a while, and waiting for the right moment. She says he’s never shown an interest in publishing, and he says it’s not a done deal until the papers are signed, but thinks it’s a good fit. He says she can jump on board or continue to take orders from a demanding boss.

Diane says the deal was hard won. At the last minute there was a high bid. She tells Jason that Julian has major ties to the mob, and even though Jason is no longer in the business, he’s going to be scrutinized. The Feds will see it as one mobster selling to another. Jason tells Sam that he’s keeping him promise. He’s breaking away from his old life. He did this on his own, but he doesn’t intend to run the company without her. Diane says she needs Sam’s signature. He says they’re doing this as partners, or not at all.

Patient 6 peeks out. The bartender tells the men that he hasn’t been around here. They mention that he has blue eyes, and has a distinctive look. She says she would have remembered them. She adds that she also hasn’t seen any badges, and if they’re not cops, she has no reason to be talking to them. One of them slides some money over, along with a phone number. She says she’ll call if she sees him. When they’re gone, Patient 6 comes back out ad thanks her. She says it’s a fireman’s bar, but she’s not partial to cops, and gives him the money. He tells her to give it to someone who needs it, and she tells him he looks like he needs it more than she does. He takes the money, and gives her the watch.

Nelle appreciates Michael trying to clear her name, but there were no charges. He reminds her that she said the questions would follow her forever, and if Curtis comes through, a big cloud over her head will be gone. She says that would be a welcome change, but she’s used to being presumed guilty. He tells her that Curtis is coming straight from the airport, and suggests she stick around, but she has to get back to work.

Ava and Griff bask in the afterglow. Griff says he’s thinking about tomorrow. He has to speak with Father Cory. He was Griff’s spiritual mentor and gone to bat for him. He has to give him a decision. Ava asks if he’s made one, and he says no. She says of course not. He tells her that they have to talk, and she says if this is the part where he agonizes and says it’s a big mistake they should never speak of again, let her make it easier. She says it was a big mistake and they should never speak of it again. I have to mention, Ava sleeps on the loudest sheets ever. Every time one of them moves, we hear them rubbing together.

Jason wants Sam to help him run the company, and she says it’s like the blind leading the blind, and is he sure? He says absolutely not, but if it doesn’t work out, they’ll sell it and find something else.

Nina comes up with the domain name Casareeves, saying it’s strong and sexy. Nelle runs in, saying she saw the phones on night service, and asks if something happened. Nina says yes, her assistant was MIA during an important deadline. She tells Nelle that a lot of changes will be happening, and she can’t afford any mistakes.

Curtis arrives at Kelly’s hungry as a hostage. Michael says that he told Nelle about hiring him, and asks if he’s found enough evidence to exonerate her.

Diane calls Valentin, and tells him that he’s been outbid for Derek Wells Media. He asks how she knew he put in an offer, and she says she’s paid to know things. It was a valiant effort, but the company is off the table.

Patient 6 tells the bartender that the watch is supposed to be lucky. It already worked for him – he picked this bar and met her. She covered for him when she had no reason to. She says she could use a little luck, and he asks if he can exit through the kitchen. She tells him to have a safe trip, wherever he’s headed. He says, home, and jets. Sam and Jason walk in and order champagne. They’re celebrating.

Anna tells Finn that the WSB has determined that Cassandra is involved in international drug trafficking. The markup is astronomical, and the more money she makes, the worse people are suffering. Finn says he knows about addiction, and now the spy game doesn’t seem like a game anymore. Anna says this is one take down she’s looking forward to. Cassandra suddenly appears, and asks who’s being taken down, and who’s doing the taking?

Curtis thought that Michael wasn’t telling Nelle. Michael explains about her selling the ring to give the money to the foundation. Curtis says that could be generous, or manipulative. Michael says he told her the ring wasn’t hers to sell, but her intentions were sincere. He tells Curtis about her concerns that his investigation could trigger the Grants into escalating their vendetta. Curtis says maybe there’s something she doesn’t want him to find out.

Nina tells Valentin not to poach her assistant when he owns the company. She asks why Valentin has that look, and he tells her that she can register the domain name, but they can’t use it any time soon. His offer was rejected; he was outbid by another buyer.

Sam and Jason toast. They agree the champagne is not the best, and Jason asks if she wouldn’t rather have beer. They talk about how the company is a departure for them. Jason says it presents a bunch of challenges, and their lives will undergo one helluva change. The drink bad champagne to that.

Finn says he wasn’t expecting Cassandra until tomorrow, and she says she moved her flight up so she would have time to recuperate. He’s glad she made it in one piece. Anna introduces herself, but Cassandra says she already knows who she is. She saw her with Finn in Monaco, and she’s obviously his lover. Every time I hear that word, it brings to mind an SNL sketch with Will Ferrell and Rachel Dratch where they go on and on about being love-ahs.

Griff asks if Ava wants him to leave. Ava says it’s obvious he doesn’t want to stay. He tells her not to jump to conclusions or put words in his mouth. She says don’t tell her it actually meant something, and he says of course it did. She says he just doesn’t know what. He asks why it’s so hard to understand it’s not easy to throw away what he’d planned on being his life and calling. She says that’s one way of looking at it, but he can live honestly or live a lie. He can continue to hide behind the collar, but for what it’s worth, he doesn’t have sex like a man with doubts.

Anna tells Cassandra that they prefer the word “partners,” and Cassandra calls it chic. Anna is happy that Finn is able to help her, and Cassandra says it was a fortuitous meeting. She says Finn must have told Anna about it, but Anna says that doctor/patient confidentiality is of the utmost importance to him, and she’s lucky to have him. Cassandra says she’s counting on that. Finn asks if she wants to join them, but she declines, saying she just came in for a nightcap to help her sleep.

Valentin says that Diane is on retainer to Sonny. What would he want with the company? Nina says what does it matter, and he says it matters if he’s going to sabotage the company. She tells him it was the ultimate romantic gesture and she loves him. The name goes with anything, and they’ll have other opportunities. He can accomplish anything he puts his mind to. They kiss.

Sam tells Jason they’ll need an ad campaign to rebrand the company to be more like them. Jason asks who she is, and what has she done with his wife. Sam says he bought the company; what has he done with her husband? He says they might be successful and actually like being in publishing. Sam says they’ll make sure everything is honest, with no bias. He says they’ll be bankrupt with a year. She says that’s possible, but at least they’re together.

Valentin is about to leave Crimson and sees Nelle. He tells her not to let her personal difficulties affect Nina’s business. She says that’s the aim, and he says make it a reality. Nelle says she’d never do anything to hurt Nina. He tells her that he knows an opportunist when he sees one.

Curtis explains to Michael that Nelle worked as Zack’s mother’s assistant – the same job she had with Michael’s mother. To hear Sharon tell it, she did her research. Michael asks if he’s suggesting that she’s planning the same thing with him, and Curtis says he can’t deny the parallels. Michael says there was no evidence of wrongdoing. Curtis says not by itself, but coupled with other things, he advises Michael to take a good look at Nelle.

Anna tells Finn that they can use this to their advantage with Cassandra, but he wonders about the rest of Port Charles. She says he doesn’t seem like someone who cares about what people think. He takes her hand and they walk out of the bar.

Valentin tells Nelle that she’s good, being all things to all people. She says she had no idea he was watching her so closely, and he says he used to be in threat analysis. People think it’s a boring desk job, but it’s not. It’s solving endless puzzles, finding what’s dirty in something seemingly innocuous, and dismantling a web of lies. He says he’s good at finding the threat, and good at taking it down. If she makes a move against Nina, he will intervene.

Curtis tells Michael it’s his money, and he doesn’t want to tell Michael what he doesn’t want to hear. Michael says Nelle lies, but he thinks it’s because she’s scared and no one trusts her. He wants her to trust him, but he can’t help unless he knows everything. Curtis says, even the things that make her look guilty?

Nina runs out with Valentin’s scarf. He’s already gone, so she asks Nelle to give it to him at the bar. When Nelle comes back, Nina wants her to research the sale of Derek Wells Media. She needs to know about who she reports to now.

Sam and Jason see the watch on the bar. The bartender tells them that they have the best sliders in town. Jason asks if it’s better than the champagne. She tells him that’s the first champagne she’s served in a decade, but they serve sliders every day. Sam admires the watch, and asks if she can look at it. The bartender tells her to knock herself out. Sam sees the name Huxley engraved on it, and asks where she got it.

Patient 6 sits at he bus station.

Griff doesn’t want to leave things like this. Ava asks what the alternative is. Then she says, wait, don’t tell her; he doesn’t know. Griff says he’s strangled by indecision, but closer to clarity. She says she’s glad to be of service. He says is wasn’t a mistake for him, and hopes it wasn’t for her. She walks away, and he leaves. Ava looks at the door.

Nelle is about to walk into the MetroCourt, and sees Valentin sitting with Cassandra. He tells Cassandra about living on an island, and she tells him you can’t be spontaneous if you need a boat every time you want to leave home. But then again, spontaneity was never his thing. He always planned everything, down to the last detail, which is why he never got caught. He tells her that he would have arranged a proper welcome had he known she was coming. Cassandra kisses him, and Nelle snaps a photo. She’s not very subtle about it either.

Curtis asks Michael if Nelle didn’t say she couldn’t save Zack. Michael says she tried, but couldn’t reach him and she wasn’t a good swimmer. Curtis says the Lakes High Dolphins might disagree. He shows Michael a newspaper article about Nelle winning a medal for swimming. You mean to tell me the police wouldn’t have known that? Or the Grants?

The bartender tells Sam that she did a guy a favor, and he insisted on giving her the watch. Jason shows her a picture of Huxley on his phone, and asks if she recognizes him, and if he gave her the watch. She says no, it was someone else. He tells Sam it was a stretch, and there are probably a lot of Huxleys out in the world. She thinks there would be a slim chance of running into someone they know. Guess again. NYC is the smallest big city ever.

The train for Port Charles is departing in ten minutes. Patient 6 gets up from the bench.

On Monday, Franco asks what someone is doing there, Jordan asks if she should prepare for World War III, and Michael asks Nelle why she lied. For the fiftieth time.

Once Upon a Time

In Storybrooke, years ago, Hook swordfights on his ship with Henry. Emma is impressed. Hook wins the match, and Henry says he’ll never be good enough. Emma asks what’s up, and Hook says he’s almost grown. Emma is bummed because he’s supposed to leave home, but Hook says It’s not an ending; there’s more to come. She wants to keep him a while longer; she’s worried she won’t get a second chance. Hook takes out a bottle of magic. You speak into it, leave a message, and you can find who you seek. Hook says Henry will be fine.

In another realm, years later, Henry rides through the forest and is surrounded a bunch of men on horseback. Lady Tremaine rides up and says this is the man who helped Cinderella kill the prince. Henry says she didn’t kill him, and Lady Tremaine asks where she is. He won’t tell her, and she realizes he’s in love with Cinderella. She tells him to give her the slipper and live. She wants to know where he’s hidden it, and he says he hid something else made of glass. He speaks into the bottle, calling Regina and Hook.

In Seattle, Rogers comes to Henry’s place at 6 am. He tells Henry that he read his book, and can’t get something out of his head. He wants to know who the blonde woman is, and Henry says she’s a fictional character. Rogers says it feels like he met her, and asks if she’s based on someone real. Henry says the truth is, he made her up. He tells Rogers there’s something can help him with since he’s there. He wants to find where his family is buried, and keeps hitting dead ends. Was that a purposeful pun? Rogers says he’ll see if he can help. Henry asks how Lucinda and Lucy are, and Rogers says not great.

Lucinda finds out that the ballet Lucy is performing in is now a charity event, and the tickets are five hundred bucks a pop. She accuses Victoria of keeping her from her daughter, and Victoria says her assistant set the price. Lucinda says people should be given second chances, and Victoria tells her they’re not given, they’re earned.

In the other realm, Henry is tied up on Cinderella’s bed. Lady Tremaine says that’s as close as he’s getting to her. She tells her daughter to find the slipper and kill him. He must never see Cinderella again. Drizella says she doesn’t understand, and Lady Tremaine says she doesn’t need to; she just needs to obey. When she’s gone, Henry says Drizella seems nicer than the others, but she says she’s not, and pulls out a dagger. She asks where the slipper is, and Hook and Regina appear. Drizella asks who Regina is, and Regina says, his mother, and knocks her out. Hook and Henry hug. (Say that three times real fast.) Regina marvels that he grew up, and they hug. Hook suggests they do hugs and tears outside. Henry asks where is other mom is, and Hook tells him that she’s fighting a swarm of tiny irritating dragons, but really she wants to let him get on with his life. They have to respect her wishes.

Back in Seattle, Detective Weaver (Rumpelstiltskin) notes that Rogers is late. Rogers wonders why Weaver chose him as a partner, and Weaver says when he’s a real detective, he’ll have the answer.

Lucinda’s friend/co-worker (whose name I do not know) promises she’ll see Lucy, and look for part time jobs for her. Lucinda says she needs the money by tonight. Henry comes in and Lucinda’s friend goes back to work. He tells Lucinda that he was wrong, and he’s sorry. She wants to see Lucy, and he offers to give her the money, but she tells him that she’s not a damsel in distress waiting for Prince Charming. He tells her that was Snow White. Ha-ha! She says she can find her own money, and he tells her that she’s not being fair. She says what’s not fair is being separated from her kid.

Victoria summons Weaver. She tells him she has a problem that needs to go away – Henry. He’s been seen with Lucinda in a bar, and he’s a bad influence. She tells Weaver to do something. He’s like, wth?

In not Seattle, Regina tries to work some magic on the glass slipper. Hook says they’re near the sea, so their must be a port. Where there’s a port, there’s pirates. If a woman passed through, they’ll know. Regina thinks he should bring Henry, but he says Henry needs to remain in this realm, and he doesn’t want to take chances.

IRL, Roni asks why Weaver is in her bar. He says that she knows Henry, and she tells him a bartender is like a therapist – they don’t share secrets. He says he can always get answers, and leaves. Roni tells Rogers to be careful around him. He gets a lot of new partners, and none come back. He needs to ask himself how badly he wants this job.

Moving parallel, at the pier, a hooded figure approaches Hook. Hook demands his name, and the stranger says he already has it, and reveals his face. It’s Hook from yet another realm. Everything there is a twisted version of the truth, like a cracked mirror. Other Hook says, infinite realms, infinite possibilities. Hook says he’s seen him before, a drunken fool version of himself. He’s afraid of what he might have become. Their stories were the same up to a point. When the tales parted, Hook found love and happiness, and Drunk Hook found misery. Drunk Hook says he wandered realms, but couldn’t find his Emma, and then the answer literally jumped into his lap. He brings out the magic bottle. It sent Henry’s message to both Captain Hooks. He tells the bottle, Emma here, and says he aims to take her. Then he falls over. Hook chastises him for his self-pity, and Drunk Hook head butts him. He covers the knocked out real Hook with a blanket.

Flipping to Seattle, Weaver asks Rogers if he thinks they’re going to far, and Rogers says not far enough. Weaver wonders if Rogers is going to the dark side, and Rogers says he’s not the man Weaver thinks he is.

Back in the fairytale realm, Lady Tremaine wants Drunk Hook’s help with Henry. Make him go home, and they both get what they want. She asks what he wants, and he says a woman, Emma Swan. She wonders why he’d think Emma would go for him, and he says she already fell in love with Hook from another realm. He got some fresh blood from Hook, and wants to be made like him. Lady Tremaine says she doesn’t wield magic talent, but does have a talent for acquiring things. She takes out the wand, saying acquired it from a fairy godmother; bad luck for her, good for them. She touches the wand to the blood, and it sparkles, swirling around Drunk Hook like a snake. When it’s done, he looks like real Hook.

Sliding back to Rain City (okay, Seattle), Lucinda’s friend says she must have a fairy godmother somewhere. She’s found the perfect job for her – a catering gig at the ballet. The bartender is turns out to be Henry. He tells Lucinda just trying to help feels terrible trying to make up for it after tonight never has to see him

Rogers and Weaver go into Henry’s apartment. Weaver deduces he has a daughter who doesn’t live there, so he’s probably divorced. Rogers says that’s hardly dirt. Weaver intimates that it’s something to be used, unless it bothers him. He says Rogers has been there before, and needs to be either a good detective or extremely loyal. He’s pinning his hopes on loyal. Rogers says to try him, and Weaver says he certainly will.

Lucy sees Lucinda. Lucy says she knew Henry would help. It’s all happening. Lucinda’s friend asks Henry if he’s in love with Lucinda. He stammers, and says he’s just a guy who screwed up and is trying to fix it. Victoria sees Henry and gets on her phone to Weaver. She says that he’s here, and get him out of her life. Weaver tells Rogers to come, the Lady beckons. Rogers sees a keyring with a swan on it, and takes it.

In the supplementary realm, Henry asks Regina how things are back home. She says that Archie’s therapy business is down because of all the happy endings, but his wedding officiating is way up. Everyone is sickeningly happy. He asks what about her, and she says she misses him. She wants to hear about him, his story. He tells her that Cinderella doesn’t even like him. If he was her, he’d ditch the slippers and run too. Hook, that’s really Drunk Hook, returns. He tells Henry that he caught Cinderella on the pier before she left, and she wrote him a note on the spot. Henry reads it, but we don’t see it. Drunk Hook says she’s set sail, and it’s time to head home. Henry declares the trip a failure. Regina tells Drunk Hook to go give Henry a piratey heart-to-heart, and make him feel better.

Drunk Hook tells Henry sorry about the lass. Henry says it will take a while, and asks if everything is okay at home. He says Hook doesn’t seem like himself, and Drunk Hook says let’s just go home. Henry wants to know if Emma is okay. Drunk Hook isn’t really sure what to say, when Emma appears. She says she’s fine; Hook just wanted her to stay home and rest. She hugs Henry, and says she wanted to tell him herself that she’s pregnant. Now what, Drunk Hook?

Emma says that she and Hook will have to learn the diaper and feeding thing. She missed it with Henry. They’ve made mistakes, but learned from them. Now they can do something good from the start. Drunk Hook says he’s done something he has to fix it, and jets.

Victoria fumes. She tells Weaver that she doesn’t care what he does; frame him for something, just put him away. Weaver gives a bracelet to Rogers and says Rogers told him that he’s not the man Weaver thinks he is. Let’s see who he is.

The ballet is performed. Rogers pretends to bump into Henry during the applause.

You know where, Drunk Hook can’t find real Hook, who comes up behind him. He says Drunk Hook came to finish him off. They fight, and roll around on the dock, and Drunk Hook falls on a dagger. Hook says it looks like he’s finished himself off. Drunk Hook says he didn’t come to kill him, but set him free. Emma is here, and he’s going to be a father. He would never get between father and child. He was trying to find his own daughter. It’s why he came there in the first place.

In the other place, the ballet concludes. Victoria proclaims it a delightful performance. Weaver goes to the front and says that there’s a missing bracelet. The donors should stay in their seats, and there will be a non-invasive search of the employees. Lucinda is offended that they’re just looking at the workers. Weaver moves forward, and Henry says to leave her alone, putting his hand on Weaver’s shoulder. Weaver punches him out, saying you never touch an officer. He tells Henry to turn out his pockets. Henry is surprised to find something, but it’s the swan keyring.

Hook tells Drunk Hook to stay awake until Emma comes. Drunk Hook explains that a witch trapped his daughter in a prison. He was sneaking in to visit her, but he was discovered. He was cursed to never save her, but true love is the cure. He roamed the realms seeking it. Emma appears, and says he deserves a second chance. Drunk Hook says it’s too late for him, and gives Hook something to give to her. It’s a chess piece; her rook to his knight that she carries. Emma says she’s sorry, but she doesn’t think her magic works there. She has to find the part that’s Hook. She tells Drunk Hook that he doesn’t know her, but she knows him, the man she fell in love with. Before they met, that’s who he was. She tells him there’s hope, just believe. He looks at her, she passes her hand over his wound, and he’s all better now.

Rogers starts to throw the bracelet into the river, and Weaver stops him. Rogers says that he couldn’t do it, and wonders if he’s out of a partner or a job. Weaver says Rogers had asked why he chose him as a partner. He thought Rogers would to anything to keep his job, but he caught a glimpse of something he’d thought extinct – a moral core. He tells Rogers not to worry about the bracelet. He’ll put it back where it belongs.

Victoria complains that Weaver didn’t fail at the task; he couldn’t pull off basic police work. He says she’s not his employer, and she’s not the boss of him. She says their goals had aligned up until now, but he tells her not always.

Lucinda gives Henry a beer as he nurses his eye. She says if it weren’t for him, she wouldn’t have seen Lucy, and she accepts his apology. He’s earned a second chance. He asks her to join him, but she’s like, sorry, not that accepting.

Ye alternate realm Henry asks if Emma and Hook are good. Emma asks if he wants to come back with them. He does, but still hasn’t found his story. Maybe he did, but he still has to fight for it. Emma knows the feeling. He says it could be for nothing; maybe Cinderella didn’t leave the slipper for him, and it just fell off. can’t give up could be for nothing maybe slipper just fell off. She says he’s not allowed home until finds answer. It will never be okay with them apart. She misses him, but has to give him what he gave her. Drunk Hook tells him to never give up on love. He tried to steal another man’s love, and it’s time for him to find his own – his daughter. Hook gives him back the rook. Drunk Hook wishes he knew what steps to take. Henry feels the same way, and Emma suggests they team up. She’d feel better with some sort of Hook looking out for Henry. Yeah, just don’t take him to a bar. Regina decides to stay behind, hating to be apart from Henry.

Henry asks her to come with them. Her story isn’t over, and maybe she needs to be there to find it. Maybe he needs her there too. She asks if this can be one of his Operations, and he calls it Operation Next Chapter.

Emma and Hook say goodbye to Henry. Hook makes a portal. I guess we can do that at will now. They all gaze at each other, and Hook and Emma walk through.

In our final Seattle chapter, Rogers finds Henry, and gives him list of cemeteries. He couldn’t find any information, but thought it was a good place to start. Henry says he was happy to find the keychain in his pocket. Funny, he took the bus, and thought left it at home. He’s always liked swans; it’s the name of the mother of his main character. tje mother he wanted, a hero.

Rogers tells Henry about trying to find a missing girl, and going down wrong alley. He was attacked, and a woman came from out of nowhere. She placed a hand on his wound, and told him if he believed in her, this will work, and she gave him life. She was the woman from the book. He never saw her again, but she gave him a second chance. He became so desperate to succeed, he almost lost himself. The woman from the book reminded him do things the right way.

They agree that all the problems in town have the same name – Victoria Belfry. They go to Roni’s bar. Rogers wants a know about all the people being squeezed, and tells her to write it down. He’ll release it when they’re ready, and maybe he can find the missing girl. Roni says it sounds like enough for a book, possibly two. Henry asks if she’s ready, and she says, oh yeah. Rogers says, let’s get to work, and they clink glasses.

Next time, Lucinda has to make a sacrifice, a rebel and a princess unite, and something buried is unearthed.

Z Nation

10K sees remains of the treehouse, and thinks of Red.

Lucy is still in the backseat of a car, when a shot comes through the windshield, killing the soldier who’s driving. She hangs on, and the car crashes into a tree. The driver’s door opens, and the soldier falls out. Murphy looks inside. Lucy says, dad?

Murphy tries to give her a hug, and she turns away. He tells her that he didn’t know she was alive. She says now he knows. He tells her that she’s grown, and she says that happens – if you’re there for it or not. He says she did it kind of quickly. He asks if he’s done something to disappoint her. If so, he’s sorry. He doesn’t know what he would have done differently; the parent thing is hard, especially during a zombie apocalypse. She says he looks different, and he tells her he’s been cured. She asks if there was something wrong, and he says he didn’t mean it that way. She tells him that she doesn’t feel anything with him, but she does with Roberta. She touches Roberta’s shoulder, and Roberta says something is wrong. Lucy tells her that Addie told her to go, but she didn’t want to leave her behind. They were going to the refugee camp. Everyone is heading to Newmerica. Roberta says they’ll go to the camp, and Addie will find them.

At camp, Doc says he’s seen bad things he can’t explain, but this insane. Why not take the gear? It doesn’t make sense. Mueller says they need to be proactive, head north. Doc says as soon as his friend gets back. Mueller tells Doc that he may not find her, but he could find whatever ripped her face off and ate her soul. The situation is not compatible with survival. What makes him think what cleaned this place out isn’t coming back? Doc get the point, but staying there has kept everyone alive. Mueller says they’re down to four. He’ll be damned if he lets Doc kill himself on his watch.

They hear the car coming, and draw their weapons. Doc is thrilled to see Roberta. They hug, and Doc says he’s digging her hair. She calls it apocalypse blonde. Lucy walks past Doc without saying anything, and Murphy shrugs. Doc hugs him, and Murphy says he’s the first person who’s been happy to see him. Doc says you reap what you spawn. He introduces Mueller and Lily. Roberta says she’s ex National Guard, and Doc says Murphy is ex human. Mueller explains about intercepting the convoy, and that they were ambushed. They lost a good man, and found the camp abandoned. Doc says everyone was gone, including Red and Sun. 10K is out looking for Red. Mueller says whatever is out there will be out there when the sun sets. They can’t risk the vehicles, supplies, and lives for one individual. Roberta says they’ll wait until morning. Mueller says it’s a mistake, and she tells him it wouldn’t be her first.

In the forest, 10K does bird call.

Lucy is napping. Roberta watches the road, and her hand turns a mysterious something. Mueller asks what’s up with her, and Murphy says she’s complicated. He asks what Zona was like, and Murphy says better than this. He wonders why Murphy left then, and he asks if Mueller has hear of reset. For two years, Zona was like Club Med, but for free. Then, one day a guy was cracked over the head with a four iron, and that was that. Mueller says it doesn’t matter. Newmerica is actual civilization. Murphy says he’s heard that a hundred times, and it always turns out to be a Utopian cult freak show, and by the time they leave, it’s on fire. Mueller says it’s all they’ve got. Murphy says it can’t be better than Zona, and Mueller says, maybe, but it’s more real.

Doc tells Murphy that Lucy is sleeping, and not much for talking. Murphy says he’s all for anyplace that’s not here. Doc tells him that Newmerica is in Canada; they’re headed for the Yukon. Murphy whines that it’s far and cold, but Doc says they have no choice. Murphy says, welcome back to the apocalypse. Doc knows he was living like the pope of zombie town, but there’s slim pickin’s in the cheap seats. He wonders what’s up with Roberta, and Murphy says there’s more there there [sic] than there used to be. Roberta continues to turn an unseen knob or dial or something.

10k finds car with dead people in it. He takes the glass out of one of the windows, and holds it up to his ear, where it amplifies the sound. He hears a crow, and thinks he hears Red, but a zombie comes up to the other side of the glass, scaring the bejesus out of both of us.  He slams it to the ground with the glass and runs.

Murphy hears something, but doesn’t know where the sound is coming from. Mueller looks through binoculars. Roberta ponders. She moves closer to the gate. Mueller says something is out there, watching, waiting, and unkillable. He wonders if it’s the Z virus mutating. He says something is happening that can’t be stopped, some fresh hell they’ve brought upon themselves. It’s enough to make you run into the abyss. Doc says why not jet, but Mueller says they’re waiting for his boy, but people who wait too long are dead

Suddenly, it sounds like something is crashing through the forest, and the trees are moving. It seems to surround them, like in that scene from American Werewolf in London, when they don’t stick to the roads and stay off the moors. Lucy comes out, and gets coffee. Mueller says they’ve got to get out, but Doc tells him not until Roberta gives the okay. Mueller doesn’t want to stay put while something decides to eat his innards, and he’d rather die on his feet than his ass. Doc asks if those are the only options. Mueller goes to a truck with Lily. He says if their friend is out there, they’ll bring him back. He tells them that he doesn’t know what’s up with Roberta, but be alert. They leave, and Murphy says, never get out of the boat.

Roberta sees her vision. A voice tells her always go east. She falls into the fire, and hears, the rising sun, you know the way; it burns. She’s engulfed in flames, and wakes up in the medical tent. Doc asks if she’s okay, and gives her some water. He tells her that she passed out, and she says she has to quit doing that. The last time, she lost two years. Doc can’t believe she’s alive, but says he shouldn’t have doubted it. He tells her that she didn’t miss much. It was like one long root canal. He asks if life was that sweet in Zona, and she says she slept through the party. He says he feels that way about the 60s, 70s, 80s, and most of the 90s. He still keeps wondering if it was worth it; keeping the faith in the midst of an apocalyptic sh*t storm. He asks if it’s worth it, and Roberta says it’s all they’ve got. He says he knows, but really, is it really worth it. Roberta takes his face in her hands, and says yes. Doc says he just needed to hear that, and tells her to get some rest.

Mueller and Lily walk through the forest. They walk toward the sounds, with Mueller ahead. He calls for  Lily, but she’s gone. He hears the crunching noises. The trees move and crackle.

Murphy blathers to Lucy, saying creepy, threatening sounds coming from deep infested woods; let’s follow them. He tells her to go ahead and roll her eyes. He’s rarely wrong, and rarely listed to. Doc joins them, and asks Lucy what happened to Addie. Lucy says she made it, but she was shot in the face by a sniper. Doc asks when, and she says a few hours ago. She’ll meet them in Newmerica. Doc asks Murphy what he thinks happened to Mueller, and Murphy says he realized no help was coming and got the hell out of Dodge.

Roberta hears something from inside a metal closet. She moves slowly toward it, ready. She flings it open, and worried guy pops out. She knocks him to the floor. The others run in, and Doc says he knows him. It’s Burgess, one of the refugees. He asks what happened, but Burgess just shakes and sweats.

Roberta tells Burgess that she needs to know what happened. Where did everybody go? Burgess just sits there, shaking, Doc asks if they’re safe, and Murphy wonders if he expected a different answer. Roberta asks if it was alive, or something else? She tells him to breathe. She needs him to pull himself together; she needs his help, and needs to know what they’re up against. Murphy says, zombie gaga; he’s seen it a million times. Whatever happened traumatized him. Murphy suggests getting out. 10K could be home or could be in zombie town. Roberta says at least take supplies; they’ll be better off with them. Murphy asks if she’s not coming with them.

All is quiet around Mueller. He looks at a picture of a little girl that’s been torn in half, and says he’ll find her. The noises begin again. He walks up a hill. 10K is walking on the other side, and both have their guns drawn. That damn Czarnecki comes out of nowhere, and attacks Mueller. Mueller shoots and runs. He trips over a boulder, and I gasp out loud. The zombie is almost on him, and he shoots it in the head, and it falls. He gets up, gun still at the ready, and says I give you mercy. He shoots Czarnecki in the head once more, and Lily. Behind him, Czarnecki gets up. He’s like Yul Brynner in the original Westworld. That sucker needs to be burned to a crisp.

Roberta tells Burgess to blink once for yes, twice for no. Did he see what it was? No. Did he hear it? Yes. Was he in the tent alone? No. Was Sun with him? Yes. Roberta asks what happened to her, and he freaks a little. Roberta keeps asking. Lucy tells them something is coming.

Outside, they all get ready. We hear snarls. Something is moving closer. It’s 10K. Doc calls him a zombie-proof SOB. Doc opens the gate and hugs him. He tells 10K to stop leaving him like that. Roberta and 10K hug. Murphy comes out of the tent and says Burgess is gone. We hear growling. It’s Mueller, who’s now a zombie. They all shoot at him, but he keeps coming at them. He grabs Lucy, and she screams. Doc whacks him with the gun, but he grabs it, Doc still holding the other end, and continues holding on to Lucy with his other hand. Roberta whacks him on the back of the head with a shovel, and he gnashes his teeth at her. Murphy shoots him in the head, but he gets back up and continues to attack. Doc hits him in the back of the knees, and brings him down, and they all keep beating at him with whatever is in their hands. He grabs Murphy and gets a little close. Lucy kicks him off, and 10K stabs him in the back of the neck.

Lily enters the scene with a seriously big gun. Everyone gets out of the way. Mueller comes toward her with a scary wide-open mouth. She keeps shooting, and he keeps coming, and it’s all in slow motion. Why don’t they try cutting off his head? He just won’t quit. This is relentless, and the oh sh*t! moment of the night. There are a million spent shells on the ground, and still it doesn’t end. Lily waits until he’s really close, and blows the top of his head off. He still comes at her, and she literally cuts him off at the knee. He falls, but she keeps shooting until there isn’t much left.

Roberta and the others hesitantly come out. Lily is obviously devastated. She goes to Mueller, and kneels by his body. She takes out the other half of the picture with him on it. Was she his daughter? The others slowly come forward. Wow. I swear, I get physically worn out during scenes like this.

Farewell, Henry Rollins. We barely knew ye.

Mueller is buried. Everyone is silent, and Lily puts both halves of the picture on the grave. She salutes, giving a final tug on my heartstrings. Her half of the picture blows away.

Lily says they’re going north, and everyone gets in the truck. Except for Roberta, who grabs a Route 66 sign with a red Z painted over it. She begins to walk east. Lily says she’s going the wrong way. Doc yells to her. Lucy begins to follow. Doc asks Murphy if Roberta knows she’s going the wrong way, and he says not in her mind. 10K also begins to follow Roberta. Doc is like, great, but goes along too. Murphy asks where he’s going now, and Doc says Murphy knows he doesn’t like it when they split up; he’s going with them. Lily pulls up, and Roberta and the others get in the truck. Murphy shrugs, gives a last look at the camp, and gets in.

Next time, zombies aren’t z only problem, and Murphy says Newmerica is looking better.

Quotes of the Week

Despite everything, no one can dictate who you are to other people. – Prince

Family isn’t about blood relationships, it’s about the meaning behind them. I realize now that sharing chromosomes is not the only way to having a family, it’s about the friendship behind it.Sarah Dessen

We are who we know ourselves to be, and we are what we love. – Laverne Cox – Great. I’m a dog and Chinese food.

Life is very short and what we have to do must be done in the now. – Audre Lorde

Being happy isn’t about having everything in your life be perfect. Maybe it’s about stringing together all the little thingsAnn Brashares

The world is f**ked. – Luthor Voz (Mel Gibson), Machete Kills – I had to even it up somewhat.

The Love-ahs…

http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/hot-tub-lovers/3505918?snl=1

SNL Love-ahs

 

October 8, 2017 – The Show Goes On, the Apocalypse Makes Strange Bedfellows & Two Sides of Jesse

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What I Watched Today

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

 

 

Shahs of Sunset

MJ wants to go skating. In the car, Reza calls Asa and tells her they want to plan a Winter Wonderland Snowflake Ball to celebrate friends and family. She’s not up for it, but in his interview, Reza thinks it’s because she doesn’t want to answer questions. The group goes to Wollman Rink. Tommy never ice skated, and feels like he’s drunk. Well, he should be good at it then. They get on the ice, where even the toddlers skate better than I do. MJ gives Reza instructions.

MJ thinks something went over GG’s head at dinner about Mike and Jessica. Mike was basically saying that if he didn’t need to worry about what his parents would say, he’d try to get her back. GG totally agrees. MJ thinks they should encourage the possibility. Adam promises that the next time Mike brings that bitch up, he’ll be polite about it.

Asa and her mother go for Asa’s sonogram. Asa is on antibiotics and miserable. Her mom, who has awesome magenta tips on her hair, agrees with the doctor that Asa should rest more. In her interview, Asa says the pregnancy has opened her eyes to the toxicity in her friends. The baby is fine and moving, and we see his tiny dool. She says her son will have much genetic input, and an incredible set-up.

In NYC, Reza says that they have a ninja concierge, who has gotten them mass quantities of take-out. They talk about GG getting engaged. She’s upstairs with Shalom, calling Shervin with the news. She talks about how effing cold it is, and how her hands are freezing, showing him the ring. He’s excited for them. He’s working, but she wishes he was there to see it in person.

GG asks where Mike was last night. MJ wants them to turn it up, but Reza says she hasn’t turned it down yet. In his interview, he says they all went back to the townhouse and to sleep last night, except for Mike. Reza says he’s been swervin’ like Shervin, but he’s on board with it. Mike says he spent the night at the Holiday Inn, and tells them that he had seven women, but GG asks if Jessica was there. He just smiles, and they know he was with her. GG tells us about seeing Jessica in the background of one of Mike’s Instagram posts. They’re going to Queens, but Reza says that all the queens are in Manhattan. This is amusing for me, because one of the titles I’ve considered for my memoirs is, There are no Queens in Queens. They’re meeting Tommy’s family, and Tommy tells MJ to leave her crocheting behind. She tells us that she’s more “in” with the relationship now, and feels like she’s coming home.

Reza takes MJ aside. He says they haven’t discussed Mike still being in love with Jessica. GG joins them, and says that she talks to Jessica from time to time. They agree that his mother is the problem. Reza says Persians live a tribal life, and she’s the tribal chieftain. Jessica has work to do to get back into her good graces.

Tommy says they’ll be meeting guys that he calls his brothers, but they’re not blood relatives. Reza tries to do a Queens accent, and fails miserably. The only New Yorkers who have exaggerated accents are on sitcoms.

GG has to stay behind for rehearsal. Shalom is leaving without seeing the play, and she wishes he could realize it’s just an acting job, and be supportive.

They get to the bar, and Reza yells, What’s up Queens? We’re here! MJ tells us that Tommy was raised by a single mom until she was diagnosed with emphysema, after which she passed quickly. He emancipated himself, and lived with the McGuire family. Reza asks what the Queens drink is and MJ tells him it’s a screwdriver and a shot of I-don’t-care. I think it might be Coors Light. Lots of food is ordered, and Tommy mingles, while Reza, Adam, and Mike eat and talk to passersby. Tommy says everyone has MJ’s back; she’s family now.

MJ and Tommy stand on the bar. MJ says nothing matters more to her than family. When she met everyone at Howard Beach, she got a connection. She says they’re her family. There’s no drama, just unconditional love. In her interview, she says it’s been a hard year for her family with Shams being ill. Tommy announces that he’s the luckiest guy in the world. MJ says that Tommy has made her appreciate the moments that make life worth living. Tommy makes a toast about friends feeling like home. Everyone chants fam-i-ly! Reza is glad that he doesn’t need to worry about MJ anymore. The guys are moving on to see the play, but MJ and Tommy decide to stay.

Back in Los Angeles, Destiney has invested in a juice bar, and Shervin goes to an event there. She spikes his juice drink with tequila. She tells us that you can take the girl out of the nightclub, but you can’t take the nightclub out of the girl. Destiney’s family is there, and she introduces Shervin around.

Destiney and Shervin go outside. She tells him that she’d wanted to rip him a new one after he confessed to his cheating on Annalise. In his interview, he says he’s been running from a serious relationship for a while. He lost faith in them after his parents’ divorce, and cheated to run away. He tells Destiney that he made a mistake, but can’t do anything other than apologize. It’s not like he can turn back the clock.

Asa shops for designer baby things in L.A. Latoya Jackson meets her at the store. She asks what Asa is looking for. The doctor told her that the baby is big, and to forget about newborn stuff. She tells us that the Jacksons are the most famous family in the world, and she’s a part of it. They look at ridiculously expensive baby clothes that the kids will grow out of in five minutes. A Versace onsie? Really? She tells Latoya that People contacted her, but Jermaine wasn’t interested. Latoya asks if she’s going to break him of his shyness and privacy, but Asa says that’s his personality. She talks about having met him when she was younger, and then meeting him again about ten years after high school. She says something about a waterfall and seeing a white fox, and how everything was an omen. The rest is history.

Shervin says that he wasn’t ready for a relationship when he met Annalise, but feelings got involved. Talking to Destiney made him think about Annalise’s feelings, and how he’s being unfair. He says it’s not right to waste anybody’s time. He drives out to the middle of nowhere, leans on his car, and video chats with her. He tells her that his friends are holding him accountable. He doesn’t know how to tell her, but he doesn’t think he’s ready. She says that she can’t hate him for being honest, but it’s completely upsetting. He says he didn’t expect to be with her; it came fast, and he wasn’t ready. He tells her that she deserves 100%, but he doesn’t want to fake it. She tells him that she would have ended it, and that it makes no sense. He even introduced her to his mom, and it’s not like she forced him. She tells him that he needs to figure himself out. In his interview, he says his experience has taught him to understand his own feelings, and he doesn’t want to be in a position like this again. Idiot.

GG arrives at the theater. The director asks if she’s ready, and she says no. He tells her that she’ll be amazing. Reza calls and says they’re on their way, and they’re excited. He tells her that MJ isn’t coming, and she tells him that Shalom left. Reza says they’ll hold it down for her, and cheer her on.

Shalom shows up anyway. In his interview, Mike wonders if it’s his idea of being romantic, but says it’s really stupid, and borderline bi-polar. He sees GG before her entrance. She says he showed up and put a ring on it, so she’ll let him get away with this. In her program bio, it says that GG trained for the Olympics. Reza wonders if she was on the space shuttle too, but we see photos of her in gymnastics training when she was younger. Funny how she never told them.

Reza says that this is the refurbished GG. She used to be effed up, but she could pop off again. If one of her co-stars touches her the wrong way, she could smack a ho. The play begins, and she’s really very good. Mike starts to fall asleep. Not because he doesn’t like it, but Reza says he’s been on a diet of no sleep, whores, and vodka sodas, and it wipes you out. Reza thinks that GG is hilarious, and he’s proud of her. Me too. In his interview, he says that she’s not curing cancer, but she started something, and finished it. It only took 35 years. He applauds.

We get to the kiss, and Reza closes his eyes. It’s really more comical than anything else. Reza doesn’t know if Shalom is bi-polar (word of the night) or what, but no one lost and arm or leg. Reza says that maybe he fine-tuned his meds. Afterward, they get champagne. GG says that she told Shalom that it wasn’t a big deal. She thanks everyone for their support. In her interview, GG says that her life was a roller coaster, going downwards, but in the past year, she’s come a long way. We flash back to her accomplishments, and she says this might be a new path for her. She never thought she’d be this happy Things are working well in her relationships with her friends and her boyfriend, and  She can hear everything better. She thanks everyone for coming, even though she saw Mike passing out.

Next time, the season finale – MJ gets angry with Vida who hasn’t seen Shams in a month, Reza tells Asa that she’s disconnected, Adam wants to pull back, and Mike says that Jessica is no one else’s concern. I love these guys, but they do get all up in each other’s business.

Fear the Walking Dead

Victor realizes that it’s the last thing Madison wants to hear, but they’re about to walk into – she knows what they’re about to walk into. She says that what happened wasn’t their fault. They’ll hand over what they have, and hope the invitation stands. Victor asks what if Daniel refuses, and she says they have Ofelia.

Ofelia passes out, and falls off the back of the truck. Crazy Dog yells for them to stop. She says she’s fine; she just lost her grip. Madison wants to talk to her for a second. Did she get bit? Yep, that looks like a bite mark near her shoulder, and she’s not looking too good. Ofelia wants to go to her father, and asks Madison for her word. Madison says she will.

Alicia has set up a little camp inside a house. She hears something outside. She looks around, and sees a guy getting out of his car. She tells him get back in or she’ll kill him. It’s Nick and Troy. Nick tells her this is; she has no idea what it’s like. He tells her there’s safety in numbers, and she says that she almost died surrounded by people. She asks if it’s him or mom talking. He says that their mom will lose her sh*t if he comes back without her. She says that she forgives him, but he doesn’t owe her – or their mom.

At the Bizarre, Victor tells Madison that if they so much think Ofelia is sick, they’ll kill her. Madison tells Ofelia to smile; her life depends on it. A guard searches Ofelia. Victor is miffed that the exchange rates aren’t as good now. Some things never change. Ofelia is burning up, and Madison asks Walker to stay with her while she gets something for the pain. She tells Walker to stay awake, and gives him a knife. Victor says that she gave away half of their rifles for what? To give Ofelia a good by? She tells him there’s no plan B. She gave her word that she’d bring Ofelia to Daniel. He says her word isn’t worth a damn; only resources are worth anything, and she’s squandered what they have. They’ll see what Daniel has to say when she shows up to pay for water they don’t need with a dead daughter and empty hands.

Nick tells Alicia, last chance. Alicia says she knows where they’ll be, and she can find them. Nick prefers that she didn’t die, and she promises she won’t. They hug good-by. Nick and Troy leave. Alicia smiles.

Troy says that Nick must have been a real treat back in the day. Nick tells him it’s old news, and none of his business. Troy asks why he stayed. Nick says that Travis was dead, and Luci was sick; his mom was falling apart, and he had to keep it together. Troy calls bullsh*t, and says that he stayed because he loves them. They’re more alike than he thinks. They’re children of violence, but Nick wishes that he wasn’t.

Ofelia is looking worse. Madison brings her something for the pain and fever, and electrolytes for dehydration. She says that Ofelia doesn’t deserve this, and neither does Daniel. Maybe he will kill them all. Walker says that yesterday, he lost everything he ever knew – home, friends, the bones of his forefathers. He was raised on loss, and thought he was good at it, but there’s such a thing as too much. Ofelia has to see her father one last time, and Madison is honoring that wish. She’s returning his daughter for him to bury, and put an end to this, even if it gets them killed. Madison thanks him.

Alicia drives around, and stops at a fast food place, and goes inside. Oh look, fries. I wonder how old those are? She leaves her gun on the counter – which is never a good move – overturns a bucket, and climbs up to see what’s above a cabinet. We see a zombie outside. She grabs a bucket of instant potatoes. The zombie is now inside, and Alicia stabs him in the head. We hear more zombies coming. No potatoes for you! Alicia looks around the inside playground, and hops into the ball pit, positioning herself to pop them off as they come in. The balls start moving behind her, and I say, no! out loud. Alicia disappears, and then pops up again, along with a little girl zombie. They struggle, and Alicia stabs it in the throat. Here come the rest. Alicia hides underneath the balls. I hope that was the only kid who was in there. A woman with a pickax comes through, dispatching the zombies. When she’s done, she steals their gold, cutting off fingers, and pulling out teeth. She takes the potatoes and leaves. Alicia is like, wow.

Nick and Troy return to the Bizarre. Walker tells him about Ofelia. Madison asks about Alicia. Nick says that they found her, and she’s okay. She’s actually happy, and he couldn’t get her to come back. She knows where to find them. She asks where Troy is, and Nick says that he’s at the bar. She says the more people they have, the safer they’ll be, and starts to cry. Nick that it’s okay. She thanks him for being there, and doesn’t know what she’d do without him. He tells her go get some fresh air, and he’ll look after Ofelia.

Nick watches Ofelia. He sees the bag of pills, thinks about it for a millisecond, takes one out, looks at it, and puts it in his mouth. I don’t blame him.

Alicia wanders around town. She finds a car, and sees the potatoes in it. She reaches in to get them, and the woman from the fast food place comes out.( I find out later on Talking Dead that her name is Diana, although I don’t think they actually said it during the episode.) Diana says that she’ll crack Alicia open like a coconut if she touches the potatoes. Alicia says that they’re her potatoes, and Diana asks why they’re in her car. Alicia tells her that she took them from the restaurant Just give them back, and she’ll be on her way. Diana says that would be a conflict of interest. She walks toward Alicia, and Alicia levels the gun at the gas tank. Diana asks what she’s going to do after it blows up, and Alicia asks why make trouble where there isn’t any. They can share them. She’s tired and hungry, and she’d prefer not to kill her.

At the Bizarre, Nick orders tequila, and asks where he can get uppers. The waitress says that he’ll have to ask the Butcher. Troy tries to discourage this idea, but Nick says that Troy owes him. He tosses back a shot, and gives Troy a pill.

Victor strolls through the back hallways, where it looks like the hookers and gambling dens are. He starts to jimmie a lock, when a man says that this is the time he should realize how deep in sh*t he is. Victor turns to face a group of guys, and says he wants to talk to the Proctor. The leader says don’t they all, and it’s better if he stays away. Victor says he has something the Proctor wants.

Madison tells Ofelia it’s time.  Walker says that Daniel is coming, and Madison says it will be worse seeing him there. Ofelia says it’s okay. Victor holds her for a moment, and Madison takes her outside. She finds a spot. I’m not crazy about Ofelia, but this is a little sad. Ofelia doesn’t want anyone to see her, and Madison says he’ll be here soon. Ofelia says to tell him that she was looking forward to getting to know him. Madison tells her that you think you can protect your kids, but somehow they know who you are and what you did. They know you; it’s in their blood. She says that Ofelia knew her father; don’t think she didn’t. Ofelia leans on Madison. Daniel’s truck pulls up, but Ofelia is dead. Madison is like, nooo. She walks out to Daniel, and tells him to wait and listen for a minute, but he walks over to where Ofelia is. He says her name, and holds her. Madison freaks a little, and we’re both waiting for Ofelia to turn. Daniel asks what kind of sick joke this is, and what happened? Madison says that the ranch was overrun. Ofelia saved them, but got bit. Daniel says, this is the price. He tells Madion to get away before he kills her, She walks past him. Behind her we see Daniel raise his gun, and we hear the shot. (Another thing I learned from Talking Dead. There were several Ofelia endings bandied about, including having her turn. Not only did the actress have a serious problem with the contacts, it was agreed that it would break the mood. Wise choice.)

Nick and Troy are high, and things are blurry and weird. This doesn’t look like much fun. Nick asks somebody something in Spanish. They go inside to a bar. The bartender asks how he can be of assistance. Nick says he’s looking for things, and the guy shows him a tray of weird stuff. Nick wants up, and the guy goes to a shelf where there’s more weird stuff in jars. Troy wants to leave. The bartender shows Nick something, and explains that it’s the nucleus of a brainstem, and pure adrenaline, enough to wake the dead. He gives them each one at no charge, putting them in glasses. Troy asks whose glands these are, and dude says we’ll call them Pete’s. Nick downs his. Everyone stares at them, and it’s freaking weird. Troy swallows his.

Alicia asks what Diana does with the teeth. Diana says that the Mexicans buy gold in bulk at the post, and some will sell the teeth and fingers for charms as protection from biters. She gives Alicia a ring with a tooth mounted on it, saying that she looks like she could use protection. Alicia says no offense, but it’s disgusting. Diana asks where she’s headed, calling her too good for good luck. She tells Alicia that she’ll just pass ghost town after ghost town, all picked clean. The potatoes were a gift. Alicia says she’ll find a way. She had to find way to do it alone or die. Diana says that’s why she doesn’t keep company with anyone, and no offense, she’s taking her things and going. She says that this is the life, and Alicia ain’t finding a way out. Not north, south, or anywhere. If she can grow accustomed to killing, she’ll get by. Alicia wonders who could get used to this, and Diana says that if a woman sets her mind to it, she can get used to anything.

Nick and Troy climb the fence, and drop down into the outside. Nick tells Troy not to fight it; he’ll never feel freer or more himself. They act all strange and goofy. A zombie is in the cab of a truck, and Nick repeatedly slams the truck door on it as it climbs out. Nick takes some of the zombie’s blood, putting it all over both his and Troy’s faces. They walk down the street into a group of zombies. Nick hesitates for a moment, and then plows in. Troy is scared, and so am I. Troy follows Nick, and the zombies keep on going past them. Nick says he can’t go back. Troy hugs him. This new bromance is way too weird.

Madison picks up the bag of pills, realizing some are missing. Daniel finds her, and says he was walking all night. He carried Ofelia to a tree, and buried her with his aunts. Madison says that she saved Alicia’s life. Daniel asks where Alicia is, and Madison tells him that Alicia left; she’s on her own now. She can’t blame her for having enough. Daniel asks about Madison being with Ofelia when she died, and if she said anything. Madison says Ofelia told her that she loved him, but I get the feeling Daniel doesn’t buy that. Madison must think so too, because she adds that Ofelia said she was looking forward to getting to know him. She told Ofelia that she already did, but she never knew man who brought her to them. Daniel says that she saw him once for a moment, and it frightened her. He tells Madison to get her things ready; this is no place for her. She tells him that she would like to bring the others, if that’s all right. He nods.

Alicia wakes up. Diana is outside, messing with the car engine. Alicia asks where she’s headed, and Diana says to more killing – teeth won’t pull themselves out. Alicia asks if she needs help. Diana says no friends, just killing. She asks if Alicia ever thought about selling her hair, but Alicia tells her don’t even think about it. They go off together. I like it. This new sisterhood is definitely not weird.

Madison sees Nick and Troy. She says that they’re heading back to the dam. Nick tells her that they’re thinking of staying behind for a couple of days. She tells him to do what he needs to. He knows where to find them. Nick and Troy walk off.

Victor asks if Madison is ready. She says she is, and asks what about him? He says, always

Next time, the two-hour season finale. Before which, there will be a marathon. I notice that Efrain is played by Jesse Borrego, who was Jesse in the 1982 TV drama Fame.

Jesse & Efrain, Yet Both Jesse…

JesseFame  JesseFWD

October 6, 2017 – Jason Comes Home, New Fairytales, Back to the Apocalypse, a Meat Loaf Story & a Quote Trifecta

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What I Watched Today

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

 

 

General Hospital

At the MetroCourt, Carly makes a toast to Bobbie for her years of service at the hospital. Bobbie appreciates the champagne and accolades, but the best part is being surrounded by those she loves. Carly says, not everyone, to Sonny.

Michael goes to the Crimson office where Nelle is. He says that she hasn’t been answering her phone, and she tells him that she needed time to cool off. He suggests dinner somewhere quiet to talk, and she likes that idea, but when he invites her to the brunch for Bobbie, she doesn’t think so.

Valentin and Lulu explain joint custody to Charlotte. She asks what about holidays. She’s worried about Santa finding her, but Valentin assures her that Santa will find her anywhere. Charlotte goes to get ready for the brunch, and Valentin mentions their agreement to be civil for Charlotte’s sake. Lulu says Charlotte isn’t in the room, so let’s get down to business.

At the hospital, Griff asks Deanna about an appointment he set up for Ava. He had to get it squeezed in, and Ava suggests rescheduling, but he tells her that she needs to see specialist. He wants to make sure no further damage was done. Ava says she has every confidence that she was on her way to a normal existence until her conscience got the better of her.

Patient 6 does pushups. Side story: I once visited the One Life to Live set, and the guys did pushups before their scenes so they could look more pumped. Truth!

Jason and Sam arrive home. Jason tells Sam that she’s a good nurse. Inside, there’s a welcome home banner from the kids. He tells her how much he missed them, and she says that they missed him too, but he’ll always find his way back to his family. They kiss.

Patient 6 does crunches. A British man’s voice says he should have passed on that last bottle of Dom. We see him tied up, and he asks Patient 6 who the hell he is.

Valentin tells Lulu that Nina has a two-day celebration on Christmas and Christmas Eve. Nina tells them that Nathan and Maxie will be there, and Lulu says that she’s sure they’ll enjoy it, but Charlotte will be at the Quartermaines where Dante’s mother is making dinner. They decide to table the Christmas discussion, and start bickering about Thanksgiving, Valentin asks if Lulu is going to threaten him with gun like her mother did.

Carly tells Sonny that she called Michael, but got voicemail. Sonny says maybe he’s busy with work and will make it up to Bobbie later, but she thinks that in warning him, she played into Nelle’s hands.

Michael is hoping that the animosity his family has for Nelle will change, but she says it’s not about his grandmother; it’s about him, and everything that he’s accused her of. Michael says he didn’t accuse her of anything, but she says he didn’t approve of her keeping the ring, and it’s not his call. She didn’t appreciate him judging her for it. He says that’s fair, and they can agree to disagree about the ring. Nelle wonders if he’s starting to believe that she did something to Zack. Michael says it was an accident, but the family needed someone to blame. He knows they gave her hell, but he’s not them. In the past year, he’s gotten to know and care about her. He asks if it’s possible to move on and get past it. She says it is.

Griff says that Ava came through for a total stranger. She tells him that all she did was give the guy a paperclip. Had she known her life would be on the line, she would have left him to his own devices. She says that she heard Nikolas’s voice in her head, and tells Griff about how they didn’t get along at first, until the Weeping Nyad. Griff is like, huh? She says long story short, he stayed by her side.

The British dude tells Patient 6 to explain himself. Why was he on the attack? Patient 6 says he didn’t attack him, although he doesn’t deny tying him up. British dude tells Patient 6 to release him at once. Patient 6 says British dude came after him with a pipe, and he’s not letting that happen again.

Ava tells Griff that Nickolas literally gave his life for hers. She’s still processing it, and wanted to repay him. The only thing she could do was be a better person, and pay it forward. Griff says that it’s not always easy. Ava says she did more than fall short; she sold him out to fix her face. Griff thinks she can still make it right with her testimony. She’s grateful for the help, but says that he did his good deed, and their business is officially concluded.

Nelle tells Michael that she can’t be with someone who doesn’t trust her. Michael says that they have no problem then, but he wants her to trust him the same way. They can’t pretend to agree when they don’t. It only leads to repressed emotions and fights. While he doesn’t mind the make-up process, he wants to be free to disagree with her. He kisses her, and asks if she wants to be his date for brunch. She says she has to work. She wants things organized by the time Nina gets back, and besides, brunch with Bobbie (sounds like a talk show) is a terrible idea. Michael thinks the more they interact, the more they’ll see what they have in common, but Nelle doesn’t think that she’s up for it today. He tells her that he’s not going either then, but she says it will only confirm their suspicions that she’s turning him against them. She asks him to do it for her, and he says okay.

Laura is happy that Bobbie is getting the recognition that she deserves. Bobbie says the same to her, now that she’s a board member. They talk about Lucas and Brad not being able to make it (are they still on this show?), and Valerie tells them that she saw pamphlets on adoption at their place. Bobbie and Laura get all excited, and Valerie tells them that they didn’t hear it from her. Laura tells Bobbie that Lulu and Dante are picking up Charlotte from Wyndemere. Bobbie says she wouldn’t have handled the situation with as much grace as they are.

Lulu doesn’t believe Valentin, but he says Laura’s feeling about him are no secret. He thought of pressing charges, but didn’t want to put Charlotte’s grandmother in jail. Dante suggests he’s saving it for leverage. Valentin says if it happens again, he’ll be contacting social services. Lulu and Dante leave with Charlotte. Nina asks Valentin when he was going to tell her that Laura held a gun on him. He says it wasn’t loaded, but Nina tells him that’s not the point; Laura is physically attacking him now. I guess she doesn’t know about when Laura tried punching him out at the docks. Valentin tells Nina that he didn’t want to upset her, but she says upset doesn’t begin to describe how she feels. He says the more erratic they get, the weaker their position. Nina says that Lulu already thinks she can have Charlotte whenever she wants. Valentin says that Thanksgiving is a month away, what could happen?

Valentin’s phone rings. Nina jets for work, and Valentin tells the caller thanks for the update.

Ava apologizes to Griff for being harsh. She says she can’t repay him, and she doesn’t mean for the rescue. Before that, he was getting her to be human again. He tells her that she was always human, but she says she didn’t feel like she was. In hindsight, she can see that he was offering only friendship, but she never had that many friends, and won’t make that mistake again. Griff says that he meant what he said. He never pitied her, and needs to own his part. He never thought his actions would be misinterpreted, and that was insensitive. He was focused on only his own feelings, and he doesn’t want to lose her as a friend; she means too much to him, but it’s her call. He’ll respect her decision, no matter what. Deanna tells them that Dr. Guerrero is ready to see Ava.

Jason tells Sam that it’s quiet without the kids, like when they first moved in together. Sam says it was a lifetime ago. Jason says it’s the first day of the rest of their lives (really, he said that), and they should make the most of it. She tells him that the doctor said he should take it easy, and he says to be gentle with him.

Patient 6 shows British dude a pipe, and says he tried to swing it at his head. British dude tells him it was an accident. He was trying to escape some unsavory characters. He’d thought Patient 6 was sent to finish him off. He seems to be a man of action who knows about restraining a fellow.

Sam and Jason get busy. I’m loving her jeans, although she probably won’t be wearing them much longer.

Nina comes into the office. She forgot to pick up her coffee, and asks Nelle to get her some from upstairs. Nelle tries to talk her into getting coffee from Perks instead, and eventually tells Nina the real reason she doesn’t want to go into the restaurant. Bobbie’s brunch is going on.

Bobbie hugs Michael. She says if it wasn’t for him, she wouldn’t have been awarded this prestigious honor. Sonny looks at Carly like, told you.

The British dude introduces himself as Huxley Lynch. He was on a business trip and has to keep a low profile. His associates aren’t happy with him because their investments didn’t pay off. He says that Brexit wasn’t his fault. Patient 6 doesn’t know what he’s talking about, and Huxley asks if he’s been living under a rock.

Sam and Jason bask in the afterglow. She asks what he wants to do. He tells her gather up the kids and sail into the sunset. She wonders if he could handle being stranded with her on an island. He tells her that he has to have a purpose, but it’s not like he has a specialized skill set. She says he does, but it’s nothing he could put on a resume.

Griff remembers telling Ava that she’s beautiful and the two of them kissing, He makes a worried face. You know, that face he always makes.

Ava tells the doctor to give it to her straight. He says he’s astonished, and the improvement is incredible. She says imagine how she’d look if the treatments had been finished. Dr. Guerrero leaves to get the test results, and Ava picks up a hand mirror. She looks amazing, except for a patch near her jawline. She says one more treatment is all it would have taken. There’s a knock at the door. It’s Valentin.

Ava asks what he’s doing there. Valentin tells her that he wanted to see the results for himself, and it’s a vast improvement, but he expected more. She says she had to run for her life. She just committed a tiny infraction of the rules, and they threatened to drug her. Valentin says he just gave the referral; after that, it was out of his hands. She tells him she can change her statement again.

Huxley says he’s not surprised that Patient 6 doesn’t keep up with global news – he’s American. He’d thought since Patient 6 had been visiting Russia, he was a man of the world, interested in more than fidget spinners and the Kardashians. I regret to say that spellcheck recognizes Kardashians as a word. Huxley says it’s going to be a long ride, and asks if Patient 6 can be persuaded to untie him.

Sam reminds Jason that Michael had offered him a position at ELQ. He says he appreciated the offer, but doesn’t want a job that keeps him away from her and the kids. He tells her that before he got shot, he had been thinking about a possible career.

Carly apologizes to Michael, saying that she could have handled it better. She’s glad he showed up. Michael tells her that Nelle insisted on it, and she’s more supportive of his family ties than Carly thinks.

Nelle tells Nina that no matter what she does, a cloud of suspicion hangs over her with Michael’s family. Nina says that sounds familiar; she also has a troubled past. Nelle asks what she did to move forward, and Nina says she had help from friends who were supportive, like Michael is with her. She tells Nelle that she also listened to Maxie’s advice to “fake it til you make it.” If Nelle acts like she shouldn’t be judged, eventually they’ll stop doing it. In the meantime, there’s always caffeine. Nelle leaves to get the coffee.

Lulu, Dante, and Charlotte arrive at the brunch. Charlotte and Dante give Bobbie a present, and Laura asks Lulu how it went. Lulu says it was a little tense, but no one pulled a gun. D’oh! Laura seems surprised that Valentin told Lulu, and I’m starting to doubt her sanity. Lulu asks what she was thinking. Laura says when she found out that they’d be sharing custody because Ava recanted her statement, something snapped. She wanted him to feel the terror that Nikolas did. Lulu gets it, and would probably have done the same, but tells Laura that from now on, play it smart. As much as she’d like to put the fear of God in Valentin, he holds the cards. She says to play nice. They’re stuck with him, and it’s not changing unless there’s a miraculous turnaround.

Valentin tells Ava that it will be the second time she changed her story, and she’ll be looked at as an unreliable witness. She’ll make her testimony officially meaningless. Why doesn’t she just enjoy the victory? Her face isn’t perfect, but it’s a vast improvement, and she has him to thank. Ava raises her hand to smack him, and he grabs her arm. Suddenly, heroman Griff appears, and tells Valentin to stay away from her.

Nelle sees Michael, and tells him that she’s picking up coffee. He says she doesn’t have to pretend he’s not there, and asks her to say hello. She figures she might as well. Michael leads her over to the table, and says that she wanted to stop and congratulate Bobbie. Bobbie snarks that she really shouldn’t have, and Nelle says this was a mistake; she’s going to leave. Carly asks Bobbie if she couldn’t have played it closer to the vest.

Valentin lets go of Ava, and Griff asks if she’s all right. He says he’s not going to let Valentin hurt her, and Valentin says that Ava attacked him. Griff tells him to leave or he’ll have security throw him out. Valentin says he just wanted to see how Ava’s procedure went. It was too bad she couldn’t stick around for them to finish. Valentin leaves, and Ava says that he’s a bastard, but he’s right. All she needed was one more treatment. Griff holds her.

Sam asks Jason what new career? He tells her that he doesn’t want to jinx it, but when he has something solid, he’ll tell her. Now he’s just an unemployed man with nothing but time on his hands. She asks what he wants to do, and he says that he might have some fresh ideas. They start kissing.

Patient 6 tells Huxley that he’ll let him stretch his legs. Huxley calls him a gentleman and a scholar. Patient 6 says he’ll have to tie him back up though, and Huxley says that it was just a misunderstanding; allow him to demonstrate. He sees that Patient 6 has no luggage, and he’s also traveling light. He tells Patient 6 to get his bag, and help himself to the contents. Patient 6 gets the bag and pulls out a London newspaper. While Huxley goes on about reading and Proust, Patient 6 looks at the date, and makes a soap opera face.

Charlotte gives Bobbie a picture that she drew of herself and all four of her “parents.” Lulu says it’s one, big, happy family, like she said.

Valentin brings flowers to Nina at the office. She asks if they worked things out. He says he doesn’t think that anything will take Charlotte away again.

Ava tells Griff that she thought she could change her testimony again, and make things right. She had her chance, and there’s no making up for it. Griff says he doesn’t believe it. She tells him that might work on his parishioners, but not with her. Some things can’t be undone, so stop acting like she can be saved. He’s wasting his time. He tells her that he has faith in her.

Carly tells Sonny that she has to talk to Bobbie. Nelle got the reaction she was hoping for when she was sure that Michael would see.

Michael tells Nelle not to take it personally, and she asks how she’s supposed to take it. He tells her that it won’t always be like this, but she’s already been through it with Zack’s family. They’re determined to think the worst. There’s nothing he can do to make it better.

Jason asks if Sam wants breakfast. She’s glad his appetite is back, but there’s no food in the house. She tells him that she’ll run to Kelly’s, and he can work on his surprise career, whatever it is. When she’s gone, Jason makes a call. He asks to speak to Julian.

Patient 6 says the newspaper date can’t be right. Huxley says it’s over a week old, but Patient 6 says that he’s talking about the year. Huxley gets excited that it might be a collector’s item. Patient 6 asks if it’s really 2017.

On Monday, Franco needs to tell Elizabeth something, Michael asks Sam for advice, and Huxley wonders what’s so important about a date.

I had to make a decision. Hell’s Kitchen or Once Upon a Time. Since it’s easier to catch up with Hell’s Kitchen, I went with the latter.

Once Upon a Time

Henry is leaving home. Operation Cobra is over, everyone has happy endings, and he needs to find his own story. There are endless possibilities, and he needs to figure out where he belongs. He rides his motorcycle through a portal, nearly colliding with Cinderella driving a coach. The coach ends up trashed, but as all fairytale princesses do, Cinderella falls into a bed of flowers.

In present day Seattle, Henry is a writer. A little girl knocks on his apartment door, and insists that she’s his daughter, Lucy. He tells her that’s impossible, but she says a curse changed his memories. She tells him that his place is a dump, and he says he didn’t write Harry Potter. Lucy tells him that the reason he’s not successful, is because he’s not living his own story. Her mother is Cinderella, and lives with other fairytale characters in Hyperion Hts. Her mother’s stepmom wants to get them out of the town, so they’ll be separated. Henry says that her mother has to do what they all do – save herself.

Hey, it’s Dania Ramirez from Devious Maids! Present day Cinderella, Lucinda, calls her fast food boss a jerk. He tells her to apologize, but she refuses. She quits her job.

Back in the day, Henry tells Cinderella that he’s from another realm. He asks if she doesn’t have a prince to find and offers to give her a ride on his bike.

Seattle Henry looks for his laptop, and finds a note from Lucy, who is holding it hostage until he meets her. He goes to a local bar called Roni’s. Roni is the old Regina. She tells Henry about how the neighborhood is changing. A woman named Victoria Belfry is buying up everything, and everyone is scattering. She’s going to sell her bar, saying that she might as well take the money. She says it looks like he’s had a day, and he says imagine if he walked in and said he was her son.

Henry shows Cinderella how the motorcycle works. She gets on back. She asks how her story ends; do they live happily ever after? He says there’s complications before that, and tells her about losing her glass slipper. She tells him that she doesn’t believe him. She knocks him off the bike, and drives off.

Lucinda is also Lucy’s mother, and comes home to find her gone.

Victoria walks into her office like Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada. She tells her assistant to find her granddaughter.

In olden times, the wicked stepmother has cut off the fairy godmother’s wings, and tells her that it’s a teaching moment. Her stepdaughter (who isn’t so ugly) wants to use the wand, but the stepmother tells her that magic isn’t power because it can be taken away, but fear lasts forever. She hands it to the stepdaughter, saying just this once, and the stepdaughter points it at the fairy godmother. She disappears, poof! in a cloud of smoke, leaving a pile of ashes. The stepmother says to have Cinderella clean it up.

Lucinda finds Lucy at a wishing well. She says that she doesn’t believe in it, and Lucy will just be wasting a quarter. Lucy tells her to give it time. Lucinda asks where she was, and Lucy says that she found her dad.

Lucinda goes to Roni’s with the laptop. She tells Henry that she’s sorry and it won’t happen again. He tells her that he was starting to wonder if he had a kid, but he would have remembered her.

Meanwhile, back at the castle, Henry sees Cinderella at the ball. He’s less concerned about his bike, than the dagger she stole from him. She’s there to kill the prince, who took everything from her family. He killed her father, and she’s been sweeping floors ever since. He tells her that revenge is no happy ending. He knows where she can start over, and find her own story. She says that her father meant the world to her. Cinderella walks toward the prince. Henry gets dizzy, and falls to the floor. The waitress, or wench, or whatever she is, winks at him. The next thing he knows, he’s in a cave. The winking woman is there, and he calls her Alice.

In Seattle, Robert Carlyle (whose name we don’t know yet, but I’m glad to see is back) is sticking a guy’s head under water, and I get the impression it’s an interrogation. Alice tells him that there’s someone new in town, and she thought he’d want to know.

Henry asks about Lucy’s father, and Lucinda says it was a fling, and he’s not in the picture. She talks about a place across the water, where she and Lucy could live quiet, happy lives. She says it’s not much of a story, but Henry thinks it’s perfect. Victoria strides in, and Roni says it’s hers at midnight. Victoria says that’s not why she’s there, and tells Lucinda that day drinking is how she ended up with Lucy. Lucy needs stability, and will be moving back in with her permanently. Henry says he understands the Cinderella thing now. Victoria knows Henry’s name, and he wonders how. She tells him that in the real world, people get hurt, and if that happen, he’ll be sorry he came there. Alrighty then.

Henry’s car has been stolen. He goes to the police station to report it. The desk cop looks under his desk, and says, nope, not there. Officer Rogers (used-to-be Hook) comes out and tells Henry that some of them still care. Henry explains that he has to get out of there and his car is gone.

In olden tymes, Henry has some kind of vines holding him to the wall of the cave. He says the woman is Alice in Wonderland, and she says she’s from a lot of places. You take one crazy trip, and that’s all anyone knows. He asks her to get him out of there. She tells him that Rumpelstiltskin knows him. She says that she can’t help; it’s not his story, and when it’s not your story, bad things happen. When bad things happen, she’ll be far away. Alice tells him to forget Cinderella, but Henry says that when someone needs help, he helps them.

Henry sees Lucy, and tells her that his car was stolen. He asks if it was her, and she says of course not; she can’t even reach the pedals. He tells her that he’s going home, and she says that he is home. He says he’s not the one who can save her. She says that he always believed, and argues that the curse has blinded him to the truth. He says that he had a family, and they died in a fire. Lucy insists that she and Lucinda are his family. She tells him that no story is perfect; it just needs to start. Lucinda pulls up and tells Lucy that they’re going to live their story.

Just before the bridge, Lucinda’s car dies. Lucy says that the curse wants them to stay there. Lucinda says they’ll walk.

At the ball, the price sweettalks Cinderella. She says that he doesn’t recognize her. She pulls out the dagger, but she can’t do it. Surprisingly, the prince falls over dead, stabbed from behind by Cinderella’s stepmother. She says that Cinderella can never manage to finish her chores. She explains that he rejected her daughter. Then she calls for the guards, yelling that Cinderella has murdered the price. Henry tells her to take the bike, and starts a swordfight. Cinderella joins in, and gets in some licks in before she runs out the door. Very cool scene. I love a swordfight.

At the station, Rogers says they can’t find Henry’s car. Victoria interrupts, saying that Lucy is missing. Henry wonders if Lucinda can’t build a better life, but Victoria says not by running away. If Henry helps her, he can get his car.

Lucy doesn’t want to go. Lucinda tells her about having to live with her stepmom, and says they can have a fresh start. She understands Lucy’s belief in fairytales – life is hard – but this once, believe in her. Rogers pulls up, and Lucinda’s stepsister hops out of the car. Lucinda finds out that Henry squealed on them. Stepsis takes a book out of Lucy’s backpack and gives to Rogers to burn or use as evidence. It’s Once Upon a Time. He looks through it. He sees Emma’s picture.

Lucinda sees Henry. He tells her that the car has no damage, and nothing was taken; it makes no sense She says that life doesn’t sometimes, and hopes it was worth it. He says he didn’t ask to be dragged in, and she tells him good luck with his second book.

In the enchanted forest, Henry looks for Cinderella at the carriage. His phone sounds an alarm, and a portal opens. He moves toward it, and finds one of her shoes on the ground. He says that Operation Glass Slipper is a go.

Rogers makes detective. His new partner is Robert Carlyle.

Roni changes her mind about selling the bar. Victoria says they had a deal, but Roni says that Victoria’s stepdaughter inspired her by not giving in. Victoria loves pushing people around, maybe it’s time someone pushed back. It’s her bar, her home, and her life. It might have seen better days, but it can again. We see Lucinda go in and get her job back at the fast food place. She starts sweeping the floor. Roni says that she’s thought about what she wants to do and have, but she’s not doing and having.

As Roni talks, we see Henry going with flowers to where he thought there was a cemetery, and Rogers look at the book. Roni says that everyone has given up on better life. What if what they want is out there somewhere? Maybe they can fight for it, and be halfway to getting it. She says that things can seem hopeless, and suddenly someone gives them inspiration. Lucinda wishes at the well, and Henry starts to write – Once upon a time. Roni continues that the first step to a new beginning is imagining the impossible. She’ll be damned if she stands by and let’s a bully take that away from them anymore. Victoria says that she’ll regret it, but Roni says regret isn’t her thing. She slugs back a shot, and smiles.

Next time, Emma makes an appearance.

Z Nation

In Zona, everything is Stepford perfect. Until a guy drives right into a pedestrian, killing him. Several people get out of the car and gather around the body. One woman hangs back, and we hear eating noises. She slowly backs away.

Teller, Murphy, and Roberta walk down the street. Teller says it’s their duty to get Murphy out; things are changing. It’s no longer safe, and they’ve progressed to the point that measures need to be taken. A guy from the neighborhood tries to get Murphy to join a lawn game, but Teller steers him away. He tells them that it will all make sense eventually. Murphy is disappointed to be missing lawn bowling, and Roberta says that she liked him better before.

Soldiers arrive at a safe house in the middle of the woods with Lucy. They shove her into a cabin. One soldier tells another to get a scope on the vehicles. The convoy is close by.

At the camp, Sarge, otherwise known as Henry Rollins, says that the convoy is overdue, and they haven’t changed their objective or timeframe. One guy says they’re wasting resources, and are sitting zombie bait. Sarge wants to be proactive and find a solution. The convoy has munitions and supplies; without it, they’re at a disadvantage. He asks for a volunteer to come with them, and Doc and 10K say they will. Doc says they got nothin’ else to do.

In a warehouse hallway, Murphy wants to take a moment. He’s not too sure that leaving a life of limbo parties and martinis to go back into the zombie nightmare is a good idea. Teller says that Zona isn’t going to be what he knows for much longer. Roberta asks Teller what’s really going on. He tells her that there’s a helicopter leaving, and if they’re not on it, they won’t survive. Roberta asks with the hell, and he says that everyone who got the new vaccine is going crazy. There must have been something else in the blood. Murphy starts to hyperventilate, saying it must be mistake. He hasn’t had it this good since – he’s interrupted by a golf ball pinging through the hallway.

Mr. Spears, in a shirt, tie, and boxers with puppies on them, is playing golf. He greets Murphy, and complains that because Murphy missed the tourney, he had to partner with Beardsley, and he’s the worst croquet player. There’s a dead body next to him, and Murphy says he sees Spears has moved on. Spears starts to cry and repeat himself. He looks at them maniacally, and lifts his golf club. He runs past them, after another guy. Teller asks if they believe him now.

Sarge’s group finds the convoy. They get out of their truck, and canvas the area. The trucks are there, still full of supplies and ammo, but the people have vanished. I notice that Henry Rollins is getting old, then think, that makes me old. Dammit. 10K says it makes no sense. Sarge tells them they need to get the vehicles back to camp. Czarnecki gets shot by a sniper. 10K bellycrawls under a truck, and sees the cabin. He thinks he has him. Sarge asks Czarnecki if he can stand, but that’s a negative. He’s bleeding out.

Doc radios Red back at camp. He tells her that the convoy is gone. She asks for the coordinates, but only hears static. 10K tells her to stay put. She tells the previously worried guy that everything is fine. She finds Dr. Sun in the infirmary, and tells her that the group is under attack, but they got cut off. The vehicles had been abandoned. Sun tells her they can’t let the people lose hope.

Teller tells Murphy and Roberta that they need uniforms. Murphy doesn’t think this is the time to be concerned about fashion, but Teller says they’re only taking a few. If they don’t dress like military, the won’t be able to get on the helicopter. On the landing above, a woman chases a man with a meat cleaver. Teller says that it starts with mild dementia, and goes to homicidal psychosis. Murphy is like, that’s a jump, no in-between? Teller says that the blood contained contaminants, and within 72-hours, predatory madness sets in. Roberta asks if they’re infected, and he says they were the only two who didn’t receive it. Murphy is Murphy, and she was in a coma. She asks what about him, and he says let’s go. Now that she mentioned it, he doesn’t look so good.

While they’re getting uniforms, Murphy opens a freezer where there are bodies wrapped in plastic. He says these are his people; his blends. Teller says they’re the lucky ones. He tells them that they’re running out of time.

Czarnecki is losing consciousness. Lily wants to get him, but Sarge says he can’t afford to lose two. 10K says there’s one soldier shooting, but he saw movement; they’re not alone. In the cabin, Lucy and Addie duck down behind a table. Doc tells 10K to turn the cabin into Swiss cheese.

Sun tells Red that everything will be okay. Red says it’s hard to sit still, knowing what she knows. Sun tells her that hope is contagious, and so is the opposite. Red says that Doc told her the people disappeared, like no one was there. Sun says there’s nothing worse than not knowing. Red goes outside and tries to radio Doc. She sees something in the distance, and gets a really frightened look. Like really frightened.

Murphy sees a guy peeing in the hallway, and says that’s unpleasant. He, Teller, and Roberta come up behind two guards and attack them. Roberta gets slammed up against a wall, and she flashes to the acid rain wasteland in her mind. She smashes the guard in the head with a fire extinguisher. Teller gives them uniforms.

Sarge thinks Czarnecki has suffered enough. 10K gets a bead on him, but a bullet from the cabin hits the car he’s under. He fires back, and gets the sniper right between the eyes. One of the soldiers tells Addie to kill him or they’ll kill her. She goes to the gun, and communicates with Lucy. Both she and 10K look through their gun sights. I realize my mouth is open. They both shoot at the same time. The bullets meet each other perfectly in slow motion, melding into one another, and it’s awesome.

Teller, Roberta, and Murphy go to the Founder’s house. Someone is being eaten on the lawn. Roberta asks if it’s a zombie, but Teller says he doesn’t know. It could be something else, but he doesn’t know what. They have to get through the residence to get to the helipad. The Founder is sitting in the living room with two women, and asks what they need. Teller says to get to the stairwell. He explains that more men are needed, and he didn’t want to burden him with what’s happening. Things have taken a turn. The Founder says that he’s aware of the spreading of misinformation; it’s insidious and has to stop. Teller thinks he knows what’s happening, but doesn’t get the bigger picture, which makes him the most dangerous man on earth. He babbles about the most ignorant ten percent believing they have comparable knowledge to those around them, and don’t understand that they don’t know. Teller says they have to get on the helicopter.

Murphy takes off his helmet and steps forward. The Founder says he missed him at Bridge, and asks what brings him there. Murphy says a chopper ride, and the Founder says that he loves chopper rides. He’s concerned with Murphy missing the talent show, but Murphy says that’s not for a few weeks. The Founder remembers a previous show where they accidentally lit someone on fire, and says it was the most fun he ever had. This probably doesn’t come across as amusing as it actually was. The exchange sounded like actors doing improv while high.

The founder takes in some oxygen from his portable tank with the skull mask. He has big plans for Murphy, and wants him by his side at all times. Murphy wants to be there right, but now he has to go. The Founder says that he has no idea of what’s in store; the glorious things. In time, all be known, but first, the reset. Murphy backs away. The three go to the helipad.

The shooting continues at the cabin. Sarge says that they have to mercy Czarnecki, and asks Lily if she has a clean shot. On the count of three, the others shoot at the cabin. Lily hesitates, but shoots Czarnecki in the head. I say the eff word – he turned anyway. Doc is like, wtf? and Czarnecki goes crazy. 10K shoots him, and he ricochets toward the cabin. Doc and Addie both say, wth? at the same time, and Addie shoots him, and he reverses direction again. He’s like a pinball, bouncing back and forth. Addie sees that it’s 10K under the truck, and her cheek gets grazed by a bullet. Lucy runs to her. Czarnecki is still nuts, and Sarge tells the rest to fall back. Get in the truck and jet.

Addie tells Lucy to go, but she says no. Addie says that she’ll find her. Get to Newmerica. Lucy slams a soldier into the wall and runs, but she gets pulled back in. Addie fights off another guy, and pushes her thumbs into his eyeballs. Man, she is pissed. A soldier throws Lucy in the back seat of a truck. Addie feels Lucy leaving, and mentally tells her to find the others, not realizing she’s been kidnapped.

Sun wakes up and looks around. It’s quiet. She goes outside, and the camp is empty. I say wtf? out loud. She walks around the camp, but there’s no one anywhere. If there were tumbleweeds, they’d be blowing through. She looks in the tents, but nothing. An opening has been torn in the fence and she goes through it

Teller orders the elevator to go to the helipad. He says that Roberta seemed like she was somewhere else, something is triggering her visions, and interrupting her reality. He says it’s common. Murphy wonders what they’re doing – it’s the apocalypse for God’s sake. Teller says that his daughter is alive. The population has been depleted, but there’s a small group of survivors. Military personnel have set up a refugee camp. He gives them some directions, saying the helicopter will take them to the mainland. After that, they’re on their own. He’s staying behind. He tells Roberta not to ignore her visions; the unconscious is a powerful thing. He starts getting sick. Roberta asks if he took the vaccine, but he tells her to get going. Too late. He grabs Roberta, who  sees the wasteland.

She and Teller scuffle, in both real life and in her vision. Where’s Murphy? There he is. He shoots Teller in the back of the head while they’re struggling. Roberta says they gotta move.

Sarge gets back to camp. They come in at the ready. Doc says where the hell is everyone? 10K calls for Red. Doc says they’re gone. Lily says just like convoy. 10K runs out of the fence opening, and Doc yells after him.

Murphy and Roberta get in the helicopter. He asks if she believes Teller. He can’t feel Lucy. Roberta says she believes him. The helicopter takes off.

Addie picks up her spiky club, and continues through the forest. Barely.

Next time, a black rainbow, going east, and welcome back to the apocalypse.

👻  Ghost Wars looks promising. Meat Loaf is in the cast. I belonged to Meat Loaf’s fan club for a while, and got to go to a taping of a special he did for VH1 when Welcome to the Neighborhood was released. It was a lot of fun, but I learned never to wear black when you’re going to be in a crowd on TV. You will never be able to see yourself. I also met him once at a signing for the same CD. That wasn’t quite as glorious. He was gracious enough to agree to a photo, and my husband couldn’t seem to work the camera, despite Meat Loaf giving him instructions. I was mortified. He did put “love” before his autograph though.

💍 90 Days still on hold. Life gets in the way while you’re making other plans.

Quotes of the Week

I really didn’t feel anything when I heard Hef died. He started out as an innovator and was a very liberal guy. He was pro abortion, gay rights, marijuana. He was very ahead of his time and then when he moved from Chicago to Holmby Hills, he became just another dirty old rich man.Stefan TetenbaumHugh Hefner‘s valet

The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated. – Mahatma Gandhi

I don’t care to try a chicken foot. – Chantel’s mother, Karen, 90 Day Fiancé

WeekendMadeIt

 

 

 

 

October 1, 2017 – The Shahs Take Manhattan, An Overcrowded Pantry & a Classic

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What I Watched Today

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

 

 

Shahs of Sunset

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fear the Walking Dead

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Walker starts the truck.

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

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

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

This Land is Your Land

September 20, 2017 – Finn Meets Cassandra, a Master Chef is Born & Channel Zero Returns

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What I Watched Today

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

 

 

General Hospital

In Monaco, Anna asks Finn what boy didn’t want to grow up to be a secret agent? He tells her the ones who wanted to be infectious disease specialists. She tells him to stop whining, and remember that what they’re doing is all for the greater good. She peeks inside a restaurant, and spots Cassandra sitting with a man. She tells Finn that she’s going in first, and he’ll know what to do when it’s time.

Kristina picks up Sam’s jacket at the hospital. She asks Kiki about med school, and Kiki says it’s like walking a tightrope; as long as she doesn’t look down, she’s fine. She tells Kristina that sometimes you have to follow your heart, even if other people don’t get it.

Parker teaches class. She tells the students that through Jane Austen’s work, they see her world, with its class and gender distinctions. Even though the world has changed, people and the hows-and-whys of what they want, haven’t. Molly suggests that they still knew right from wrong, and to crush someone’s heart would be unforgivable in Austen’s world. Parker replies that we’d hope so today as well.

At Shriners Hospital, Charlotte asks Valentin if he thinks Bailey will be scared, and wonders what will happen. She says that Bailey is glad they’re helping her. Valentin says that the doctors provide the real help, but they’re giving moral support, explaining that means encouragement. She says that Valentin did help, by telling Bailey’s mother where to bring her. Lulu walks in, and says that being Charlotte’s mom, she thought she should be there for Charlotte and her friend.

Nelle sees Michael, and tells him that she’s being evicted; her apartment is being sold. I identify, since that happened to me with my first apartment. I wasn’t evicted, but they jacked up the rent, and I had to move. Michael doesn’t think it’s a big deal, and suggests moving in with him, but she thinks it’s way too soon. He says that she’s making more out of it than she needs to, and she tells him that he’s never been in her position, and never will be. She jets, and Carly approaches, asking what’s going on, and if it has anything to do with Nelle’s late fiancé. Michael says that’s right; what’s more important than him breaking up with Nelle? She asks if he did.

Kristina looks on Molly’s schedule, and sees that she’s in Parker’s class right now. She says this should work.

Parker says much of Austen’s work is about heartbreak, but also misunderstanding. The conclusions drawn make sense to their understanding. She poses a question about why they left their families or stations in life, and talks about them finding love despite the circumstances of their world. She says that two people rarely discover that they love each other at the same time. Molly says otherwise there would be no story. Parker tells the class that in Austen’s world, love wins, and wouldn’t it be great if knew ourselves the way the characters do, and gave ourselves more chances?

Inside the restaurant, Anna asks where ladies room is, and slips something into Cassandra’s tea. The waiter serves Cassandra. She sips her tea, and suddenly starts to choke. She falls out of her chair, and Finn says that’s his cue. He runs inside, and says he’s a doctor.

Michael and Carly sit in Kelly’s. Michael tells Carly sorry to disappoint her, but he and Nelle are still together. She says that Nelle’s fiancé died under mysterious circumstances, which Michael says is otherwise known as an accident. Michael explains what Nelle told him, and Carly says that insufficient evidence doesn’t mean she’s innocent. Michael says it doesn’t mean she’s guilty either. He understands why Nelle didn’t tell him, accepts her explanation, and believes her.

As the class is leaving, Kristina walks in, saying she found Molly’s keys. Molly is like, oh good, I thought I’d have to comb the place with a metal detector. Kristina sees Parker, who’s talking with another student. Molly asks what the hell she thinks she’s doing.

Bailey’s mom can’t thank Valentin enough, telling him how helpful the app was. He tells her how great the doctors are, and that he had scoliosis as a child and is a huge supporter of the hospital. Lulu adds that her nephew got burned and had excellent care there. The doctor comes out and welcomes Bailey.

Dante tells Kiki that he needs some help. He’s trying to get ahold of Ava, but Kiki says she can’t get in touch either. He asks if Kiki knows that Ava sold a tapestry to Valentin. He thought it was odd because she’d accused him of killing Nikolas. Kiki says she’s mentioned Nikolas more than once, and has no idea why they’d have any business together. Dante asks if she has any idea where Ava might be. Kiki says she doesn’t know exactly, but might know something. She asks if it’s official police business, since she can only speculate. Dante says this is personal. If Spencer wins the civil case, it will help him and Lulu with the custody hearing, but the first step is proving wrongful death. Her mother is a threat to Valentin; why would they throw in together?

Finn tends to Cassandra, and she quickly recovers.

Carly tells Michael that he acts like he doesn’t care. He says he does; that’s why he asked Nelle about it. Carly can’t believe he’s just going to take her word for it, with no follow-up. Michael says that despite Zack’s parents’ best effort to find a scapegoat, they couldn’t pin anything on Nelle. Carly asks if it isn’t in her best interest to be exonerated completely.

Kristina tells Molly that she’ll explain later, but she needs to see Parker. Molly tells her not to get hurt again. Kristina says it’s important. Molly wants a hint. Kristina says it’s nothing major, but it was unfair, and she needs to tell the truth. Molly gives her back her keys, and says be careful. Kristina tells Parker that she was dropping something off for Molly, but since she’s here, she’d like to talk. Parker says she seems happy with Valerie, so what else is there to say? Kristina says that whatever happened, good or bad, Parker has been honest, and she needs to be the same.

Cassandra thanks Finn. He says he did what anyone in his position would, but thinks she should get checked out at a hospital. She tells him that she doesn’t like hospitals, and Finn says he works at them and doesn’t like them, but she should still go. She asks how he knew what was wrong so quickly, and if he’s an allergist. He explains that he’s an infectious disease specialist, and traveling with a friend. Cassandra says fate has brought them together. She has to watch everything she eats and drinks, and wasn’t careful. He tries to extract himself, but she doesn’t want him to leave yet.

Bailey’s mom tells the doctor about how Valentin helped her. The doctor explains what the hospital does, and how they accept children up to age eighteen, regardless of their parents’ ability to pay. He wants to start Bailey’s examination, and tells Charlotte there’s a playroom. He leads Bailey and her mother to the exam room, and Charlotte asks why Lulu and Valentin didn’t tell them that they weren’t married to each other? They tell her that it’s complicated, and Lulu takes Charlotte to the playroom.

Kiki tells Dante that she doesn’t know anything for sure. He asks what she thinks she knows. She says that she thinks Ava is in a clinic in St. Petersburg, Russia, that she believes will restore her face. Dante says she doesn’t seem happy about it, and Kiki says she’s concerned for lots of reasons. He asks if one of them is Valentin, and she tells him that she thinks Valentin set up the trip. Dante says each of them must have something the other wants. Kiki says that was her thought too. Dante leaves, and Nelle blows past. Kiki asks if something is wrong, and she says, yep – Carly.

Michael tells Carly she doesn’t want Nelle exonerated; she wants Nelle out of his life. Carly says she tried to back off, but put himself in her position. Even if Nelle had no involvement, it’s a big coincidence that right after her healthy, wealthy fiancé dies, she got serious with him. He’s not the kind of guy who would ask for a prenup. She tells him that he’s her only surviving son, and she doesn’t want him dying under mysterious circumstances. She says that he should at least talk to the family or the police; it would give her peace of mind. Michael says that she’s ridiculous, and Carly says she’d rather be ridiculous than lose him.

Parker asks what Kristina needs to be honest about. Kristina says she hasn’t been truthful about Valerie. She wasn’t her date, but her wingwoman. Valerie wanted to make Parker regret dumping her, and kissed her, and Kristina played along. When Valerie saw them outside of Kelly’s, she assumed she should keep up the act, and Kristina wanted Parker to know she’d moved on, but realized the last thing Parker needs is more drama from her. She lied to protect Parker’s feelings, but she doesn’t want to lie anymore, especially not to her. Parker appreciates it, and Kristina says one more thing. She was dating a guy the last time they were together, but she told him it was over, and she’s single now.

Lulu comes back, and tells Valentin that Charlotte is playing with some kids she met. She thanks him, saying he’s been great. Valentin is glad that Bailey is getting the care she needs. Lulu asks what about him. She didn’t know about his physical issues. She’s sorry he suffered. He’s skeptical that she’d care. She says she used to think he was a monster, but seeing him with Charlotte, there’s no denying he loves her.

Kiki tells Nelle that she’s more than happy to listen. She saw the pictures from Moraco, and she and Michael look happy. She wonders if that’s why Carly is upset, but Nelle says there’s no one thing Carly hates her for. Kiki says when Carly hates, she goes all in with everything she’s got, until she doesn’t. She explains about her own difficulties with Carly about Michael. Everything was cool, but then Morgan died, and it was horrible again until Carly realized that Kiki really loved him. Nelle appreciates it, but says her situation is different. She tried to destroy Carly’s marriage and family, and she doesn’t think they’re coming back from that. Kiki says okay, Carly hates her, but she and Michael like each other. There’s no reason for Carly not to forgive her someday. What else could Carly have on her?

Carly tells Michael that nothing would make her happier if Nelle was innocent. He’d be safe and happy, and that’s all she wants, but him taking it on faith frightens her. Michael says he gets it. She already lost Morgan, they don’t know if Jason is going to be okay, and Sonny almost died. She says that she doesn’t want to risk it, and he says he doesn’t either, but he doesn’t need to know any more. Hasn’t she taken risks? She says she has, and they’ve bitten her in the ass every time. He says not every time. There were plenty of times her instincts were right, and she did what she wanted despite being told otherwise. He likes Nelle, and there’s nothing that can change his mind.

Finn excuses himself, saying he needs to get back to his traveling companion. He tells Cassandra that she should get tests. She tells him that her allergies are severe. She’s been to many doctors, but none have been as quick on their feet. She tells him to enjoy his stay. He sits with Anna. She tells him that even if he hadn’t acted, the symptoms would have subsided. He says that’s good to know, and that this whole thing is a bust.

Kristina didn’t want Parker thinking something that wasn’t true. Parker says in the spirit of openness, she has something to say too. When she came to town, she wasn’t honest with Kristina or herself. She regretted the way she ended things; Kristina deserved better. Kristina says whatever happened, here we are. Parker asks where that is exactly, and Kristina says they’re cool. She starts to walk away, and Parker says that she doesn’t know that they are cool.

Lulu tells Valentin he’s good with Charlotte, and she’s revised her opinion. He’s not a monster, just a very bad man. He’s helped her understand that empathy comes from experience. He asks if she’s hoping he’ll share, and she says as Charlotte’s mother, she should probably knew what her biological father went through. Valentin tells her that just before he died, his father sent him to boarding school to hide him from Helena. She would have thought him to be a rival for her son and had him killed. He was five years old. A trust fund was set up for his education, but nothing for medical care. His scoliosis went untreated. He says that it got bad, but that won’t be the case for Bailey.

Nelle tells Kiki that something happened before she came to Port Charles that wasn’t handled very well. Kiki is like, oh horrors, you have a past with mistakes. She points out that she’s been able to move on, but Nelle says that they’re digging up dirt from when she was broke, younger, and stupid. Kiki says when Carly finds something, just tell Michael, he’ll listen. She just has to be honest. Carly would do anything for him, even get along with her. Nelle says, here’s hoping, and leaves.

Carly tells Michael that she’s not going to pretend she’s not concerned, and she doesn’t get it, but she hears him. It’s his life, and his decision. He asks if she’ll back off. She says that she loves him so much, and always will.

Lulu tells Valentin that, like it or not, they’re both Charlotte’s parents. Even if she wins the custody hearing, he’ll always have visitation, and Charlotte will know he’s her father. Dante is her stepdad, but he’s her poppa. She thinks it’s important to know more about him, and understand how he physically became the man he is today. He asks if she’s looking for dirt (word of the day) to use? He tells her that he underwent expensive surgeries that weren’t without discomfort, but the results were worth it. He was able to stand up straight for the first time in his life. She asks if he was scared for Charlotte, and he says yes, but if she had scoliosis, he would have brought her to Shriners where she would have gotten the best care.

Charlotte returns and wonders when Bailey will be finished. She tells Valentin it’s a fun place, and asks if it’s like where he went. He says no, he wishes. He tells her that he’d like to get a present for Bailey, but doesn’t know what she likes. Dante comes out of the elevator. He tells Lulu that he needs to know something about Valentin. He thinks Valentin somehow convinced Ava to recant her statement.

The man with Cassandra hands Finn a note, saying that Madam sends it with her compliments. He and Cassandra leave, and I note what a fabulous, flowing, floral print dress she’s wearing. Finn opens it, and says nice penmanship. The note says that she thanks him. She can’t repay him, but asks that he come by and see her for a token of her gratitude, and it has her address. Anna grabs the note out of his hand, and says it’s not a bust; it’s going swimmingly.

Parker tells Kristina that the only way to be cool is to have real closure. Kristina says, no more notes or hints or made up excuses? Parker wants to sit and talk face to face; it’s the only way. Kristian tells her there’s some stuff that she needs to say too. Parker asks how about now? They can go somewhere private.

At Kelly’s, Michael makes a call and says he needs someone to do something for him.

Carly gets a text from Zack’s sister. She wants to talk about Jenelle.

Tomorrow, Jordan can’t afford another bad choice, Lulu asks what Valentin did to Ava, and Ava asks why Patient 6 needs to be controlled.

🍲 It was the MasterChef finale tonight. Eboni, Dino and Jason had to come up with a three-course meal that expressed who they were. Joe Bastianich was the guest judge, and managed to intimidate everyone. Jason made an uni custard with his appetizer, and while that sounds really awful, everyone seemed to love it. I’d definitely try anything. Well, not something alive and moving, but most things. For dessert, Eboni made a chocolate mousse cake with a macadamia crust that I’d definitely try, and try again. It looked the best dessert you can imagine. For their entrees, Jason put an Asian spin on cod, Eboni made duck, and Dino’s main dish was lamb. It was food porn at its finest. The judges agreed that all the home cooks fulfilled the challenge of conveying their journeys, from getting the apron to putting their soul on a plate. Dino was the big, quarter-of-a-million-dollar winner. In his interview, he said, I did it, ma! and was glad he was finally going out to be the positive light he was meant to be. You go, Dino!

This House is No Home

🏡 Channel Zero is back on the Sy-we-can’t-spell-Fy channel again, with Channel Zero: No-End House. The blurb sums it up as being about four friends entering the No End house, and confronting strangely personal horrors in each room. It looks promising, and I found it even creepier than American Horror Story, which this season has decided to make statements rather than be scary. Sigh… In the first episode, one of the friends confronts the death of her father. They used a record playing at a too slow and unnatural speed to great effect. Like those giant cockroaches, a weird-sounding record creeps everyone out. And nobody wants to hear it in the dark when they’re in a big, strange house. I like it.

CZ

CZ2

September 17, 2017 – A Shah Thanksgiving, Daniel Gives a Dam & Pick Your Monday

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

 

 

Shahs of Sunset

Mike wants to look for a new house, but Reza thinks he should be focused on girls and dating. He thinks Mike is being shady. Mike says it’s hard to pick up the pieces after five years. Reza asks if he’s divorced, but Mike says almost. In his interview, Reza says that he circled the date on his calendar with red Sharpie, and now he finds out that Mike isn’t divorced yet. He asks if Mike is holding out hope, but Mike says no. Reza thinks he should test the waters; it’s like riding a bike and falling off. Sometimes you have to get back on, and sometimes it’s just a practice ride.

GG goes to a sex shop. She’s there for a class. In her interview, she says there are certain techniques she’s not comfortable with, and she needs some knowledge for the play she’s in. She plays a librarian who needs to unleash her passions. Adam joins her. They talk about Asa, and GG wonders why Asa wants to hang around people whom she doesn’t trust. She’s getting tired of talking about caftans. Class begins.

Hang-ups are discussed. GG is given some suggestions. Adam keeps making silly comments. In her interview, GG says that she never thought that she’d need to know these things for any job. I could make a bunch of jokes here, but it’s too easy.

MJ and Reza go to the LA Mission to help feed the homeless the day before Thanksgiving. I did a soup kitchen in NYC one Thanksgiving when I didn’t have to travel until later, and I highly recommend it. Everybody even got three cigarettes on their way out the door if they wanted. I thought that was a really cool extra, but this was the 80s and I guess people wouldn’t think so today. Reza and MJ have been doing this for years, but in the past few, Reza has gotten the others to join in. Mike laughs about the Jewish boy cutting up pork. Asa asks MJ to help with her hair, which startles MJ, since they haven’t been very friendly lately. Reza jokes about getting “crab salad” in his crotch from a hot tub (just the topic for the kitchen), and GG thinks he said he has a jacuzzi in his garage. The hearing aid isn’t coming fast enough. Destiney asks if Asa’s parents have ever pressured her to get married. She says no, but MJ thinks that’s not typical of a Persian mother.

GG tells Shervin that she’s reluctant to see her sister on Thanksgiving. Shervin commiserates, having people like that in his life. GG says she wants to make peace for her father’s sake, and wants to mend things so they can co-exist. Shervin says that she’s coming from a good place, so go for it.

Mike and Asa meet at a Persian bakery. Mike is trying to Persian the Thanksgiving holiday up a bit. He asks how Asa is feeling, and she tells him about having insomnia. She says this is the happiest thing in her life, but since she’s shared about it, they haven’t been supportive. Mike says it’s genuine concern. He thinks she’s focused so much on it, she’s projecting on to everyone else. He brings up MJ bawling in a restaurant over her father dying, while Asa was taking snaps of the food. She claims she didn’t hear it. Mike thinks she’s become the queen of deflecting. I’d like to add obliviousness to that. He tells her about the practically immaculate conception she’s having, and she asks where this is coming from. He tells her that Reza said something, and it’s messed up if she had IVF and didn’t share that. In her interview, Asa says Jermaine is private, and she keeps private out of respect for him. Their relationship is off-limits. Mike tells her that he’s just the messenger.

GG tells us that looking back, a lot of her problems in school were because she couldn’t hear. Teachers thought she was ignoring them. Her parents and MJ accompany her to get the hearing aid. Audiologist Dr. Sweet comes brings GG in to get the devices placed in her ears. GG says that when she speaks, it sounds like there’s a speaker in her ear. The doctor wants to do some tests, and this time she gets 100%. GG says she sees herself in a more accepting and loving way now. In her interview, she gets choked up about being able to hear.

On Thanksgiving at Shervin’s house, his mother demonstrates how to deal with a pomegranate. He tells us that his mom definitely approves of Annalise. In her interview, MJ says that even after her parents divorced, they still celebrated holidays with family. This is the first Thanksgiving she’ll be without her father, who’s still in the hospital. She asks Shervin if things are cool with Annalise, and he acts like he doesn’t know what she’s talking about, but suggests MJ stay out of it. In her interview, she thinks Annalise should know what’s going on, but Shervin “Corleone” thinks he’s the Godfather.

Asa says she and Thanksgiving were a match made in heaven, even though she only discovered it when she moved to America. Reza and Adam join her family for dinner. Asa says her doctor told her to stay away from negative energy and stress. She tells them her back still hurts from chopping at the Mission. In her interview, she says there’s an elephant in the room, but she still loves Reza.

GG arrives at Shervin’s. She and MJ get ready together. Mike shows up next, with Vida right behind.

Asa and Reza do some lemon picking in the backyard. She tells him about talking to Mike, and says that she’s sad. Ever since she’s been pregnant, it’s been one harassment after another. She tells Reza that Mike told him about what Reza says about IVF. He tells her about the conversation that he and MJ had. Asa says she’s hurt because he didn’t say something. He hates himself for getting twisted up in MJ’s pain, and says he never spoke about them going to IVF at the same time. He wanted to tell MJ that she could talk to Asa. Asa says sorry MJ was hurt, but it’s not her fault. Reza says he’s most upset about being forced to pick a side, and he’s damned if does, damned if he doesn’t. In her interview, Asa says that she didn’t expect this from Reza.  She says she can forgive and move on, but never forgets.

Tommy arrives bearing a covered dish. Vida discusses MJ’s bra with her, saying it’s not the one she approved. Tommy tries to deflect, saying they both look beautiful. GG talks to Annalise about Shalom out on the patio. She asks if Annalise ever feels scared. Annalise says even if things fall apart, she always thinks there’s a lesson in it. In her interview, GG says that Annalise is ready to pack her bags and move in, while Shervin is still fooling around. She tells Annalise that there are rumors going around.

MJ joins the girls outside. When he sees them talking, Shervin tells Mike that GG is disrespecting his house. Mike tells us it’s a whorehouse when Annalise isn’t around. Shervin jets outside. GG asks how the gossip doesn’t cause fear for Annalise. She asks when Annalise gets to that screw you I’m moving on point, and Annalise says that she doesn’t let anything control her life; she controls her own life.

Shalom wanders in, along with GG’s parents. GG says part of her was hoping her sister would be with them, but they tell her that Leila couldn’t make it this year. Well, that’s weird, since she just walked in.

Shervin makes a little speech, thanking everyone for sharing the day with them. GG says she’s thankful to Shervin for opening his home. She thanks Leila because it’s her father’s favorite holiday. She begged her to come, and is thankful and grateful that she did. I know I sound repetitive, but the food looks fabulous. And like no Thanksgiving I’ve been to, including the buffet at the Ocean Place hotel.

Leila goes outside for a smoke. Shervin follows, and she asks if he believed that. She says GG isn’t sane, and she doesn’t believe a word that comes out of her mouth. It’s just a show for her parents. Mike joins them, and she says she’s just doing her parents a favor by being there. Mike doesn’t think she has the right attitude, and she calls him a jerk. In his interview, he says he’s been friends with the family for 21 years. GG was always the child who got the attention, whereas Leila was self-sufficient, and that makes her jealous. Mike tries to talk to her, but she keeps calling him a jerk. He says he’s livid, and asks if she can’t put her bullsh*t aside for the day. Everyone is outside at this point. MJ says that Leila is having the conversation with Mike that she should be having with GG. GG ends up outside by herself.

Asa is getting hangry. Everyone sits down to dinner. Reza says It’s a bad ass turkey. Apparently so, since the thermometer comes flying out when he begins to carve it. In his interview, Reza says that normally, this should be a joyous occasion, but someone pulled the rug out from under their friendship. Asa doesn’t understand that her actions have affected the group. Reza feels like everything is telling him to go home. He says all that matters are the people you have in your life.

Leila points out that GG took eleven days to thank her for a ride home from rehab. GG claims that she messaged the next day. She says that she’s trying to be peaceful, so why is Leila doing this when she’s trying to make things right. Leila says that GG devastated her and her son, Jordan, when they gave her ride from rehab. It’s explained that Jordan had asked where GG’s booboo was, and mean big sister Leila said it was in her head. GG suggested Leila has the same booboo (ha!), and I guess that didn’t sit too well with her. Well, she should have kept her mouth shut. GG starts getting loud about how hard she’s trying, and says no more bullsh*t, and Leila laughs. I’m getting the real dynamics now. I used to think Leila got the short end of the stick. And she has, but she’s old enough now to stop using it as an excuse to be nasty to a younger sibling who has problems. GG is also able to hear now, which I’m sure will make a difference.

Leila starts getting weepy, and wants to leave. Outside, GG tells Shalom that this was a bad idea. He tells her that she has to be the bigger person. She says that she tried. Shervin tells her to take the high road. She’s gone through a lot to realize it’s not her problem anymore. It’s Leila.

A game of backgammon is going on inside. GG is a spectator, and her mom suggests that Leila sit and play. She plays a round with Shalom. In his interview, Mike says he’s seen it a thousand times. Eventually, they’ll be old, grey, and tired. They’ll look back, while they’re watching their grandkids play, and realize that they missed out, but it will be too late.

Next time, GG is worried that she’s going to ruin the play, MJ talks to Annalise, MJ’s friends renovate her apartment, and MJ and Tommy argue.

Fear the Walking Dead

Walker drives the truck down the highway toward Tijuana. He asks Victor what they’re looking for, but the background music is so loud, I can’t hear the answer, except for it’s some kind of sign. Wtf?

They see an accident with tons of zombies wandering around. Victor makes the car remote beep, and throws it out the window and the zombies follow the sound. Why is the background so effing loud? Is this just with my TV, or is it a technical issue at the network? Walker drives forward, pushing cars out of the way with the truck.

They arrive at what looks like a used car lot, with lines of vehicles everywhere. Victor closes the gate behind them just in time. He says, there she is, and Walker is like, this car won’t get us anywhere, but Victor tells then they can get to the trading post and back this way. He pushes the car over, and there’s an entrance to a sewer tunnel underneath. He suggests that they hold their breath, and goes down the ladder. Walker says he’s not following him in the dark, and Madison tells him to either trust her or go back empty-handed. She follows Victor, and Walker reluctantly follows her.

This can’t be the worst these three have smelled, even though they act like it. For Pete’s sake, there are dead people decaying everywhere, and you can’t take a sewer? Victor leads them through the tunnel. We hear zombie noises, and through a grate, see them walking above. Walker tells Madison that Victor is lost, but Madison says to trust him. I think that’s what she says, because there’s still this background noise and their voices are echoing. Were the boom people off on this day? A few zombies amble out, and they head in the other direction. Walker says they need to get out. Victor finally admits that he’s lost. They move to another tunnel, and it’s like Let’s Make a Deal, except with tunnels instead of curtains.  Victor sees the symbol he’s been looking for above one of the tunnels, and Walker states the obvious – the zombies are behind them. They move forward into the tunnel on all fours. At the next connection, Madison finds herself face-to-face with a zombie clogging up the entryway. Walker hands her a pointy tool (sorry for the technical term), and she bashes the zombie’s head in. She chops away at him, since it’s the only way they’re going to get him out of there. Walker looks all sick like he’s never seen violence before. I think back to when he was introduced, and wonder why he’s making that face. Madison passes the head to Victor, who passes it to Walker, and I laugh. Victor helps Madison get the rest of the body out, and water rushes in.

The water truck comes back to the dam. Efrain yells at Daniel for shooting first at a group of people attacking them for water. He says that Lola will hear the truth. Daniel sees someone moving and shoots, thinking it’s a zombie, but it’s Victor. Madison comes out behind him, and says thank God he’s alive. She asks if Daniel remembers what happened. He nods, saying he’s better now, and asks about Ofelia. Madison tells him that she’s still alive. He asks how he can believe her with Victor at her side. She tells him that a man found Ofelia, and saved her; now they all live on a ranch. They’re in trouble and need his help. They need water. Walker has also come out in the open, and Daniel leads them to the dam.

He tells them to wait; he needs to speak to Lola first. Wow. The three of them look out onto the lake, and there’s lotsa water here. We look through the office window, where Daniel is talking and gesturing. Madison tells Walker that she’ll handle the negotiations; they already have a relationship. Walker says that she hasn’t seen Daniel in some time, but Madison knows he’ll help. They go into the office. Madison tells Lola that their camp is running out of water, and they can offer cattle, food and guns in trade. Lola says sorry, but she has no water to spare. Madison doesn’t get it; they have a lake. Lola says no soup water for you! Madison tells her that she knows they got set upon just today, and they’re under attack. Lola says no trade, but they can stay the night.

Daniel fingers his wedding ring. Lola comes in, and Daniel tells her that Ofelia lives with them. Lola asks if he believes them, and he says that Madison has never lied to him. Lola understands if he wants to go, but needs to know now. Daniel says that Ofelia is safe, but Lola isn’t. He made a promise, and is going to fulfill it. He’ll stay. Ofelia thinks he’s dead, so maybe it’s for the best. They’re talking in Spanish, and although the sound finally evened out, I wish I’d had subtitles at the beginning.

Walker accuses Victor of thinking everything is funny. The Walking Dead could use a character like him. Abe was kinda, sorta like that, but they killed him off. Victor tells Walker that there’s no tragedy without humor. Walker says that if they can’t make a deal, the ranchers have to go. There’s not enough water for both of them, and the Nation comes first. Victor asks what about Madison and the kids. Walker hopes she doesn’t regret her decision, and they end up back in the desert. Screw this guy.

Madison tells Lola that she’s sorry that Lola is afraid because of what the people will think. Lola says it’s difficult enough. If she trades with the gringos, there will be bloodshed. Madison says that sometimes a leader has to show force to get respect. Lola says she can’t lose the trust that she’s built. Madison tells Lola that she has two kids, and a ranch full of people begging her to help. Lola says that Madison is trying to save her children, but she’s trying to save her city. She tells Madison to bring her family there. They’ll be safe as long as she’s in charge. She says it’s a rare leader who does right by everyone. Madison says that it’s impossible.

Efrain is working on a patient with a wound. Victor asks if he can help. Efrain says that Daniel calls Victor the snake. Victor asks if he thinks the Daniel’s shooting was justified, and Efrain says no. The people are thirsty and scared, and Daniel is paranoid. Dissatisfaction leads to dissent, and dissent to revolt. Victor says there are those who want chaos. Efrain says violence breeds violence, and he thinks the river should flow to the people. Victor asks what about when it dries up, and Efrain says the rains will fall again. He says it’s too much power for one person. Victor says, uneasy is the head who wears the crown.

Daniel approaches Walker in the cafeteria. He appreciates what Walker did for Ofelia. Walker says that Daniel raised a brave woman. Daniel asks what she does, and Walker says she walks as a soldier with him. Daniel says that he didn’t raise her to be a soldier, but Walker says she’s a hero to them. They were about to attack a heavily armed camp, and she gained their trust, then poisoned them. She saved their lives. Daniel says, but she did it by taking other lives. He’s not liking it, but I’m thinking the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.

Madison tells Victor that Lola keeps forcing everything to stay together, and keeps falling apart. Victor says maybe she wasn’t meant to stay at the ranch. She tells him about Lola’s offer, and he says she wouldn’t have to worry about water, and she’d be safe. She isn’t willing to sacrifice that part of herself, but doesn’t know what will happen if she doesn’t get the water. Victor says that she always finds a way to protect her kids. She says that they’ve already sacrificed too much. Victor asks if they were removed from the picture, what would she want? She says been too long since she thought about that, since before they were born. Victor says that would be the late 80s – what would permed Madison want? Madison says to listen to Cheap Trick in Birmingham. The ranch is closest to what she knows, and where she wants to be. He asks if she’s sure. She asks what future he sees? He says one where he doesn’t fail his friends.

Lola wants to bring the people some water. Daniel says they were attacked last time, and she says they should bring it, so there won’t be a next time. Daniel tells her that another group will take their place. Even if this group sees the good they do, they’ll always be some who are unhappy. They’ll be the ones without weapons or ammunition, who can’t defend themselves. She says they’ll be killers, like him. He says he killed for her, to guard her soul and life. Efrain says the people fear him; he wants revolution. Daniel says it’s a good thing. First, they’ll be hit in the streets, then they’ll get inside, and hang them from the walls. He says they’re not sustainable. Lola tells him that if he doesn’t believe in what she’s doing, he should leave. He says they’ll do a water run this afternoon

Victor watches as the truck is loaded. Daniel approaches. He doesn’t know what Victor is thinking, but he sees Victor’s serpent brain coiling around an idea. Victor pretends like he doesn’t know what Daniel is talking about, and Daniel says if what he’s thinking benefits both of them, he’ll look the other way. If not, he’ll be in Daniel’s sights. He sings, down with the water queen in Spanish.

Seeing him walking out, Madison asks Walker where he’s going. He asks why she has a hard time honoring her word. She lied and cons the ranchers. They have to leave the ranch. There is too little water to share. She asks if there isn’t another way, and he says they can leave in peace or be forced to go. She begs him not to do this; they won’t survive. He tells her that he’s as angry at himself as he is with her.

Daniel tells Madison that he tried convincing Lola, but it didn’t work. She saved his life, and he can’t abandon her. She’s in this position because o him. Madison asks if he can’t leave or can’t face his daughter? He tells her that Lola is in danger; Ofelia is safe. Madison tells him that she needs her father, but he says she’ll always be his daughter no matter what that man had her do.

Victor watches as zombies crowd the gate. Madison tells him to make it by nightfall. He tells her wait for it, and the water delivery truck blows up. Water for everyone! And zombies on fire.

People come running out. Madison pikes some zombies. Efrain wonders if it was an accident, and Daniel says that was no accident. Lola realizes that they’ve been trying to keep the dead out, but the next attack will be by the living. A crowd of live people is coming up the road, chanting that they want water. The gate is quickly put back up and locked.

In the office, Lola asks how many guns they need. Efrain says that violence will consume her, and accuses her of taking the devil’s deal. She says the people will still get water, but the dam will be protected; she thinks it’s the best solution. Daniel writes something on a paper and gives it to Madison like it’s a real estate deal. Lola asks if the ranch can provide it. Madison says they need ten thousand gallons of water a week, and a tanker that they’ll drive back to show good faith. They make plans to meet at the trading post.

Victor gets in the truck, and Madison thanks Daniel. He says it’s a good thing. He tells her to be careful; a friendly face can slip a knife in your back. Victor comes back, holding out his hand to Daniel, saying, adios. Daniel says no adios, he expects to see him in five days with his daughter. I say, please don’t eff this up, to no particular character.

Victor gets back in the passenger seat. He acts like he doesn’t know anything about the truck blowing up, but Madison tells him to cut the sh*t. She asked and then received. It was a little trick he learned, although he had doubts it was going to work. She thanks him. He says that she would have done the same, but she says she’s not so sure.

They see Walker on the road, walking. Madison asks if he’s thirsty. I don’t think we’ve ever seen him smile before, but he is now. He gets in.

Next time, Nick worries about being like Jeremiah, Ofelia gets in trouble, and Troy finds a stash of canned goods – and a gun.

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