What I Watched Today

(random, rambling thoughts on today’s TV)

I Am Cait

I’ve really been enjoying this show. Having had two friends who are transgender (sadly, one of them passed away last year), it’s interesting to watch the changes Cait is going through. I’m well aware there are many people, including some of her friends, who think the show has been all about makeup, hair and wardrobe, but that is the circle Cait travels in, so it’s natural for glamour to be a part of it. Would you have her go around in rags with a Nene wig just to prove some point?

As usual, tonight Cait had a lot on her plate, not only meeting with one of her male friends for the first time since her transition, but also taking a trip to New York City to address the LGBT community. While she had to navigate the former on her own (which went well), a group of friends accompanied her to NYC where a great time was had by all. I was sad to hear that Holly Woodlawn (part of Andy Warhol’s Factory and an entertainer in her own right) is not doing well healthwise though.

I can’t say as I ever thought a lot about Bruce Jenner. While the Kardashians aren’t exactly my cup of tea, I did see their show a handful of times.  He barely seemed to be there, and I often thought Kris and the girls were rude to him, but I also thought that was the part he was playing, that of the hapless father. Now that Bruce is Caitlyn, I see a warm and witty Jenner, loaded with personality and passion.  And I certainly see a multi-dimensional woman who isn’t just about the clothes. (Although one of the funniest moments so far was Kim telling Cait that her mother has the same dress when going through Cait’s closet.) I also see Cait as an extremely sensitive human being with great concern about those who don’t have the privileges that she does. There’s nothing wrong with her occasional over-enthusiasm about her own life. How would you feel if, at 65, you were suddenly reborn as the person you always were inside? It’s sad that some misunderstandings and conflicts have arisen between Cait and the Kardashian/Jenner clan, but I think eventually those will be resolved.

That being said, I desperately want to throw a Come As You Really Are party.

Fear the Walking Dead

I was glad to hear about this spin-off, since I’ve wanted The Walking Dead to expand its territory for a while.

My first thought: Were they setting up a Renaissance Faire at that church and why is that guy wearing a Medieval style shrug? My second thought: Thanks for having a commercial before the first 5 minutes is even up.

Favorite line: Madison: “You need to spend less time online. If there was a problem, we’d know about it. The authorities would tell us.” Now where have I heard that before? Could it be Dr. Hirsch from American Werewolf in London?  “I’m certain that if a monster were out roaming northern England we’d have seen it on the telly.“

Let me get this straight, main character Travis slips in a pool of blood and viscera the size of the state of Rhode Island, but instead of getting the cops, he brings his girlfriend, Madison, back with him to investigate further? The kid on drugs (Nick, Madison’s son) seems to be the most sensible one so far. He’s also going to be the most in shape, since he also seems to be doing a lot of running.

A good portion episode was a set up for what’s to come (and judging by the preview, it’s a lot), introducing the characters and letting us know what makes them tick, with sprinkles of zombie payoff here and there. The crescendo ending, when Nick’s dealer/friend Calvin almost takes a bite out of Travis and Madison, was a nice taste (no pun intended) of the future. Although once again, a Black man is the first to go.

All in all, I thought the hour and a half went by very quickly, and I’m looking forward to the next episode. A little more character driven than its counterpart, The Walking Dead, it gives a fresh perspective on the destruction of society.

Although I can’t wait for Z Nation to be back. Tongue and cheekier, it’s secretly my favorite of the zombie bunch. Since its new season begins on September 11, I’m highly unlikely to forget when it starts again.