Tag Archives: fantasy

Sep2

September 1, 2017 – A Visit with Hayden’s Father, Jeff is a Dad, Harvey Animal Help & Something Fun

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What I Watched Today

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

 

 

General Hospital

Anna tells Finn to stop pacing; it’s making her nervous. He says he’s looking for a human; she’s looking for information on a diamond. Anna says she thinks there’s more to the diamond than anyone knows.

Nina can’t get ahold of Valentin. She thinks it has something to do with the necklace, and begs him to call her, or better yet, come back.

Nelle wonders if Michael believes she’s innocent, and Michael reintroduces himself. She says he has reasons not to trust her, but he says that was ages ago. She tells him that she was wearing the necklace, and no one saw her put it back. He says he believes her, and she doesn’t know what she did to deserve it. They kiss

Alexis sees Diane at the bar. Diane is wondering what’s up with Max, since he was supposed to call her when the meeting was over. She knows that Sonny and Jason were involved. She explains about Sonny getting out of the business, and Alexis laughs. Diane asks if she doesn’t think Sonny can go legit, and Alexis says that Julian tried, and look where it got him.

Jake shoots Franco with a water gun, and asks if Franco wants to play. Franco tells him it’s not happening in the house – mom’s rules. Since he lives there now, they both have to abide by them. Jake sees the pictures of the boys that Franco was looking at. He asks if one is Franco, and he says yes. Jake asks who the other kid is.

Elizabeth tells Sam that the kids are asleep at Monica’s. She asks if Sam wants her to call Alexis, but Sam wants to wait for good news first. Elizabeth suggests food, but Sam says she’s not hungry. Carly and Sonny join them, bringing a huge bag. Carly says, too bad. Sam has to be at the top of her game when Jason pulls through.

Finn doesn’t want to hear about the diamond anymore. He says so what? This is his life. Anna is appreciative of that, and knows it’s hard. He says he feels a “but” coming on, and she says they need to be realistic. Finn asks what’s so important about the diamond?

Dillon tells Nina that they went through everyone’s bags and tore up the place, but no one has the necklace. The police have arrived, and are conducting their own search. She asks if Nelle is talking to them. Dillon says she didn’t do it. Nina doesn’t think she did, but says she’ll be suspect if she doesn’t cooperate. An officer comes in, asking who is this Nelle? Meanwhile, Michael and Nelle talk about enjoying some Moroccan bath salts.

Jake asks again who the boy is. Franco says he doesn’t know. He was going to look through the rest of the photos, but someone came in and soaked him. Jake thinks Franco’s imaginary friend might help him remember.

Elizabeth makes noises to Sam about how Jason supposedly quit the business. Sam tells her that Jason protected Sonny because they’re friends. It’s not okay to be fine with him being brave and loyal for her, and not anybody else. Elizabeth says he wouldn’t listen anyway.

Carly tells Sonny that he’ll be okay; it’s Jason, and he’s been through worse. Sonny says what if his luck ran out, and he had something to do with it? He wanted an easy fix and left himself wide open. Carly says he’ll be fine, and Sonny is still here. Sonny says the only thing it proved is that if he retires, someone worse will take over. Does she want that? She doesn’t.

Anna tells Finn that the diamond was stolen on a heist in Eastern Europe. She thinks Valentin is tied to it somehow. Finn says he hears things at the hospital, and he knows she was outside Valentin’s door when he got shot. He asks what’s up with them? She suggests he stay focused on his fiancé. He says he’s trying. Raymond Berlin is brought in.

Diane wonders what happened last night when Alexis was supposed to meet her. Alexis says she got left alone with a bottle of champagne. She didn’t touch it, but wanted to, so she went to a meeting. She says she put Julian in prison, and Diane says his psycho sister put him there; all Alexis did was tell the truth. Alexis says it’s more complicated than that.

Franco tells Jake to forget about the photos for now. He has to meet Elizabeth; they’re celebrating. Jake asks what they’re celebrating, and Franco says he’s going to be displaying his work, and wants to show her what her support has accomplished. Jake says that Franco did the paintings, but Franco says she changed his mind about other people seeing them. He tells Jake that Lindsay is coming to stay with him. Jake says that she has too many rules, and Franco tells him that’s why they like her. Jake stomps upstairs. Franco looks at the photos.

Carly tells Sonny not to beat himself up; she’s the one who set it in motion. She begged him to get out of the business, and used Morgan’s death as emotional blackmail. Sonny says that he wanted same thing, but Carly says that’s only because she insisted. She tells him that it’s their life, and changing the rules after all these years isn’t fair or right. Sonny tells her that she just wanted to protect their family. Sam tells them to both please stop.

Still no word from Max. Alexis wonders what he’ll do, and Diane says he’s to be kept on in some capacity. He’d go insane retiring, and so would she. She says she’s actually fine with it. Alexis asks if that’s why she keeps checking her phone, and Diane she says people in love are concerned about one another, but she’s fine. Alexis wonders why it worked out for them, and not for her and Julian. Diane says they’re two entirely different people. She and Max are honest with each other, and he’s never manipulated her. She knows him inside and out, and adores him. She says she could afford to keep him and feed him all the cheese puffs he likes, but it’s not what he wants, and she respects that. They’re honest with each other with everything from who they are, to who left milk out. She asks Alexis if she can say the same.

Finn introduces himself. Raymond says, oh, he’s the one. Anna tells him that she’s a PI that Finn hired to help locate his daughter. Raymond says that he’s not surprised she’s gone; she said she was in trouble. He asks if the police are looking for her, and Finn says that she corrected her mistake, but he thinks she ran because of him, and he’s afraid she’s left for good. He knows they were close at one time, and asks if Raymond can think of where she might have gone.

In Marrakesh, the cop introduces himself as Inspector DeRoche. Nina says she’s sure they’ll find the necklace. He says they were discussing Nelle, and it sounded like she knows more than she’s saying. Big mouth Dillon says Nelle might have a sketchy past, but that doesn’t mean she’s a thief. Nina is like, d’oh!

Nelle tells Michael that word has spread about her being the last one wearing the necklace. She’s sure everyone thinks she has it stashed somewhere. Michael asks if she can blame them.

Sam says Jason chose to leave the business, but it didn’t change his love for Sonny. She asks if Jason has ever done anything he didn’t want to, and Carly says never, but she hates that this happened. So does Sam. It was her dream for it to never happen again. She says maybe they will get to lead safe, happy lives one day, but Jason will always be Jason.

Franco comes to the hospital, and asks if he can sweep Elizabeth off her feet. He tells her that the boys are with Lindsay, but she says that Jason was shot and it’s not good. They’re still waiting to hear about the surgery.

Carly can’t believe Sam is the one talking them down, when they should be helping her. Sam says it’s good because it’s keeping her from obsessing. Franco approaches and says he’s sorry, but Sam tells him to get out of her face. Oh, okay. She just shot Jason’s best friend because she was sick, but holds a grudge against Franco for something he did a million years ago when he had a brain tumor.

Raymond has no idea where Hayden is. She talked about Finn, the baby, and her predicament, but never said anything about running. He asks Anna if she has any leads. She says not so far, but the diamonds might offer some clues. She’s not faulting him, but wonders why all but one diamond was handed over. She says it’s a long shot, but if she can source the diamond, she might get a clue as to where Hayden might be. Raymond says she’s not looking for Hayden. What does she really want?

Diane asks if Alexis still loves Julian, and Alexis wonders if it would be pathetic if she does. Diane tells her it would be human. Alexis says that every night she remembers the perfect times they had when they were a family. She says it exists, but it’s not real, like the photos in their family album. Diane says it’s real, and Alexis asks what she does with that? Diane asks if he had been exonerated, would she have taken him back? Alexis says thank God the decision was taken away from her. Diane says he did horrible things to her, and the good doesn’t outweigh the bad. Alexis says the fact she’s still hung up on him bothers her. but she knows that he really loved her. The high is so powerful, it outweighs the pain, and makes it difficult to let go. Diane says that he made it conditional that she violate the legal code, and she lost her job – the most important thing to her next to her children. Diane thinks he’s sorry he lost her, and will say what he needs to get her back. For him, the ends justify the means.

Elizabeth starts to lead Franco away. Carly says he needs to respect Jason and leave. Elizabeth tells him that Sam is just scared. Franco says that he should have given them space. Elizabeth is more concerned about Jake, and wonders what she’s going to tell him about his dad.

Carly asks Sonny what if Franco comes back? Sonny says Elizabeth won’t let him. Carly leaves to call Michael.

Michael tells Nelle that he can totally picture her as an international jewel thief. He gets the call from Carly. She tells him that Jason has been shot, and it’s not great. He asks about Sonny, and she says he’s fine, but they wanted to keep Michael in the loop. Jason is in surgery, and they’re waiting. Michael asks if Jason is going to be okay, and she says she’ll update him when they know. Nelle asks what happened, and Michael tells her that Jason has been shot and is in the hospital.

Raymond realizes Anna is the one who called, and when he said he didn’t want her visiting, she rode in on Finn’s coattails. Finn says he’s grasping at straws, and wanted to take any help he could. Anna says that she’s not trying to get Raymond in trouble, but the diamond is different from the others. It was stolen from another dealer. Raymond says that he was a crook, but didn’t troll the black market. If there’s anything shady, he didn’t know. He tells her they’re done. He hopes Finn finds Hayden. He’d like to get to know his grandchild. He’s not optimistic though. When she was off the grid before, she wasn’t found until she wanted to be. One thing she’s good at is disappearing.

The officer wants to see the picture of Nelle wearing the necklace. Dillon says he took the pictures to test the lighting. DeRoche asks if anyone else was present when she took it off. Dillon says no, and the officer says he’ll take it from here. He leaves, and Dillon tells Nina that he should have kept his mouth shut. Nina says he was only trying to help, but next time, let her do the talking.

Michael says Jason is in surgery. Nelle asks about the prognosis, but he says they don’t know, but he always manages to survive. She asks if Michael is okay, and he says it’s not the first time he’s been here with Jason. Jason raised him for a while as a baby, and was always there for him. He wants to be there in case Jason needs him.

Elizabeth wonders how Jake will handle it if something bad happens. Franco says hopefully, they won’t have to find out.

Sam looks at Christmas pictures on her phone. She debates calling Alexis.

Alexis asks Diane why everything is so complicated all the time. Diane tells her maybe they’ll get a break now. Max calls, and she says that the tide is changing already. She steps away and Alexis gets a text from Sam saying that Jason is in the hospital, but not to worry. She says so much for smooth sailing.

Anna tells Finn that went well. She’s sorry Hayden’s father couldn’t help; she was hoping for a better outcome. Finn asks if she believes him. She doesn’t know, but she needs to find out how Spencer found the diamond, and if he found it at Wyndemere, is it tied to the current owner? This makes no sense, since Valentin didn’t even show up there until much later, but okay. Finn says he’ll help her.

Finn gets a text from Curtis. He’s found Hayden.

Michael is about to leave, and Nelle tells him to call when he lands. Nina and Dillon walk in, and Nina tells them a cop with an attitude is on his way to question them. Michael thinks it’s ridiculous, and says ELQ has a lot of holdings there. He asks if he should intervene, but Nelle tells him to go. Nelle asks how worried she should be, and Dillon thinks he inadvertently made it worse. DeRoche enters, and Nina tells him to deal with her assistant carefully; she has the ability to make this an international nightmare. DeRoche accuses her of trying to protect Nelle. Nelle says she didn’t steal the necklace, but he tells her that she’s under arrest.

Carly asks Sam how she’s holding up, and Sam says she’s okay, but wants an update. Alexis runs in. Sam says she told her not to worry, but Alexis says it’s too late. Sam tells her that Jason was shot, but she doesn’t want to go over the details right now. Alexis sits next to Sam and holds her.

A doctor comes out and says the surgery was more complicated than they anticipated, but Jason made it through. Sam asks if she can be there when he wakes up, but the doctor says they’re not sure if he’s going to regain consciousness.

On Monday, GH will air a repeat; on Tuesday, Anna talks to Andre about the diamond, Nina asks what’s being covered up, and Griff flips out.

😵 Speaking of Flipping Out, this week, Jeff and Gage welcomed an, as yet unnamed, baby girl into the world. Lots of tears and angst and waiting. The other half of the show focused on something I’ve known all along. For all his sarcasm, brashness, and love of embarrassing his employees, Jeff is a wonderful boss. When Vanina decided to leave the nest, Jeff took her out to lunch, and told her what a fabulous employee she was. He said he didn’t want to lose her, and asked what he could do to keep her. I’ve always thought he has a good heart, and this confirmed it. She did not take the offer, preferring to go for creating a business all her own. She told Jeff that she felt if she didn’t take the opportunity now, she might regret it later. Jeff was gracious and understanding. Employers take note. This showed how to value a good employee.

Quotes of the Week

Because sometimes the simplest way to affirm someone’s significance is to take time to hear her story. – Alicia Bruxvoort

Fear is going to be a player in your life, but you get to decide how much. – Jim Carrey

What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make. – Jane Goodall

The hardest thing, I think, is to live richly in the present, without letting it be tainted and spoiled out of fear for the future or regret for a badly managed past. — Sylvia Plath

Harvey Animals

It’s been a helluva week for those in the path of Hurricane Harvey. Having been through Hurricane Sandy myself, my heart goes out to them. For anyone who hasn’t gone through a natural disaster, it takes years to recover from. There are people here who still aren’t back in their homes, and many who will never have a home to go back to. If you’re able to donate, please do, but research where your donation is going, as scammers and grifters come out of the woodwork whenever there’s a tragedy. And please don’t forget the animals.

You can help with a free click at:

https://greatergood.com

You can also donate directly here:

https://theanimalrescuesite.greatergood.com/store/ARS/item/84697?origin=GGCOM-BTTN-84697-DONATEDIRECT&gg_medium=content&gg_source=ggc&gg_campaign=bttn-84697&gg_term=08292017&gg_content=gtgm-link

Enjoy Your Long Weekend

🎪 Leaving you with something fun. This guy had never seen Game of Thrones before and explains an episode as it’s going along. It’s hysterically funny, and reminds me of how I try to explain shows.

 

 

Aug28

August 27, 2017 – Shervin Gets Caught Swervin’ & the Iron Throne Heir

Posted on by
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What I Watched Today

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

 

 

Shahs of Sunset

Asa tells her parents that Israel was physically challenging. They sit down to a fabulous meal, and she says she missed her mother’s cooking. She whines that she felt alone, and like her friends weren’t looking out for her. In her interview, she says she felt like everyone turned their backs on her, but that’s not what we see from the clips. She admits that her brain is like an omelet.

Mike and Shervin are having a guy’s night out with some friends, and go to a club. Reza joins them. Mike says he had an epiphany in Israel, and thinks it’s time to go out and start meeting people. In his interview, Shervin says that Mike has a lot of guilt and shame about cheating on Jessica, and he should let it go. Reza watches how Shervin puts the moves on some women. Destiney shows up with a couple of friends. In his interview, Mike says that he and Destiney are like bros, even though she’s female.  Mike is flirting like crazy. Destiney says she loves him, but can’t believe some of the sh*t he says. She thinks he’s trying to deflect from his own hurt, and he’s saying the wrong things purposely. Mike says there’s nothing in the club he wants. He tells us about the qualities he would like in a woman, and we flash back to Jessica being all of those things.

Reza goes shopping for cabinet knobs with MJ. He thinks the knobs should lead them in the direction they want to go in, and that MJ is finally starting to move forward. He doesn’t want the condo renovation to scare her, so he’s starting with something small, but she’s already overwhelmed looking at all the knobs. She wonders why you can’t take a sample home to check it out. There are like, ten thousand knobs in this place. She finds a towel hook she likes, and Reza thinks of it as a huge victory. He has to leave, and tells the clerk not to let her back out of it.

Reza goes to a hookah restaurant where he’s meeting Mike, Shervin, and Tommy. They don’t serve alcohol, and I’m surprised he doesn’t leave immediately. MJ calls, and says he has to keep what she’s going to say between them. She tells him that Shervin has been sleeping with Tara, who’s married, and apparently she’s been booted out of the house. Reza says he’s meeting Shervin in a minute, and can’t believe she dropped this on him right now. Mike arrives, and she tells Reza not to say anything. Mike brings a bottle of liquor, and hides it under the chair. When Mike asks what’s up with MJ, Reza says he’s sworn to secrecy. Like that’s ever stopped anyone on this show.

Shervin comes in next, and Reza is saved by the waitress. Tommy follows. Mike says he had his reservations about Tommy at first, but when he saw how he took care of Shams like his own father, he loves him. Tommy asks about Annalise, and Shervin talks about how much he loves her and thinks there’s a potential future. She’s moving out to LA soon. In his interview, Reza says Shervin is a bad liar. Mike says it’s good to live together first, so you find out their neurotic habits, and mentions the proverbial toothpaste tube. I have never once had an issue with how someone deals with the toothpaste tube. I do, however, prefer toilet paper rolling down over the top.

GG goes shopping for Asa’s baby. She says being around all the baby stuff is giving her baby fever. She’s always wanted children, and would like a football team of babies. She hopes she can raise one to be better than she is. Shervin arrives at the store. He asks if she can find a gift for him to bring, but she says he’s on his own.

GG’s birthday is coming up, and she’s having an 80s themed party. Her doctor calls, and tells her after two cycles without her RA meds, she can try for getting pregnant. Shervin is worried, since he thinks they’re rushing things. She tells Shervin that MJ is suggesting he’s taking on some of Mike’s characteristics, and that he’s been hooking up with Tara. He swears there’s no truth to it. In her interview, she decides to believe him, but says if he’s lying, her foot will be so far up his ass, he’s going to be taller.

Reza and Adam go to a cat café, where the cats are all up for adoption. Reza says he’s obsessed with cats. They get coffee an Adam finds a tuxedo cat with a mustache like Reza’s. Adam brings up having a baby, and Reza says he thought they were just enjoying some lattes. Adam wants to see them moving forward with fertility tests, but Reza is still interested in adoption. He finally agrees to take the test.

Mike and business partner Eddie check out the new shoe samples. We flash back to how Kitson went bankrupt the last time Mike had a shoe line, and he wants to concentrate on baby shoes now. He thinks he’ll make more money than he would have with Kitson. Eddie asks how much more he’s willing to put in financially. Mike says it’s a gamble. He thinks it’s an amazing product, and has to have the courage to take risks. He talks about his grandfather leaving Iran, and getting involved with the Japanese stock market. He says in the not too distant future he’ll be patriarch of the family, and Eddie says that it’s time to put his money where his mouth is.

Shervin meets MJ for lunch. He tells her about shopping with GG, and how she’d repeated what MJ said about him. He says he’s disappointed and upset that she didn’t come to him first. In her interview, she says he invited her to lunch for damage control, and she’s going to practice her eyeroll. Shervin claims that he’s only seen Tara a few times, and even then, just with their mutual friends. He thinks Tara has serious problems. In her interview, MJ says that Tara has been talking about leaving her husband and moving in with Shervin, but he just wanted to be swervin’ Shervin. MJ pretends that yeah, Tara is crazy, and that she believes him.

MJ meets Tommy at a hotel room. He has flowers and a drink for her. She says she’s new at this ovulation thing, but thinks she’s ovulating. I guess this is an ovulation hook up. She says they don’t check into a five-star hotel every day, but this is important. I won’t tell you what he says. She wants her dad to see her baby, and says it’s like Nike, just do it. She tells herself it will be fine.

GG helps set up for her birthday celebration at a roller rink. She says most people feel old at 35 (really? I didn’t), but she has great plastic surgeons. Everyone arrives in 80s garb, mostly Madonna/aerobics instructor outfits. Destiney wants to introduce someone to Mike. He plays twenty questions, but she doesn’t want to give it all away. She says he needs a fine chick who’s classy and respectful, but not her. GG tells Asa that the baby factory can open in two months. Asa says that she and Shalom need to hurry it up then. Maybe she should speak with Shalom first?

In her interview, MJ says Asa is fake, and the relationship is so painful, she wants it to be done. Asa thinks the level of toxicity from MJ has gotten so high, she doesn’t want to be around her. Everyone roller skates better than I do. Which isn’t too difficult. Tara arrives. GG says Shervin finally admitted to sleeping with her. At the end of the conversation, she agreed not to say anything to anyone. Shervin shows up in a crazy wig. Tara doesn’t want to talk to him.

Omg, fifteen minutes to Game of Thrones. I’m afraid to watch. I’m still worn out from last week.

Tara decides to leave, and sneaks out the back. GG wants them to talk, and tells her to stick with the truth. GG says it’s not a comfortable position to be in, and doesn’t want either one of them to get hurt. Tara tells Reza that she was stupid, and told a couple of friends. She says that she was protecting him, and everyone agrees that’s not happening anymore. Shervin approaches, and Reza asks why he’s not keeping it real. In her interview, MJ says that Shervin has a fetish for being secretive, and likes sneaking around. Shervin calls Tara sick and crazy. What a creep! Adam explains the drama to Destiney. Mike, and Asa. Destiney doesn’t believe it.

Tara tells Shervin not to screw with her life, and he calls her delusional. It’s like when Eddie denied sleeping with Rocky on Below Deck, except Rocky is also legitimately crazy. Mike is keeping quiet unless asked for his opinion. Wise choice. He says he’s not finger-pointing, but eventually the truth comes out. Shervin says he can have whoever he wants, and insults Tara, saying why would he want her. I don’t have enough bad things to say about this dude at this moment. He tells Tara to give her speech to the Academy. We see him in his interview, denying everything, like we did Mike before his divorce. Reza asks GG if Shervin admitted it to her. In her interview, GG tells us that he slept with Tara before Annalisa came back the last time, and hopes he washed the sheets, since he cut it close. She tells Reza that Shervin admitted it, and Reza relays this to Shervin. Tara says she liked him, but now she sees the real person. MJ thinks Tara thought he would drop Annalise, and she fell for this dog. GG tells Shervin that he’ll be respected for telling the truth, and tells him about Mike. She says she can’t force him, but he says if it will make her feel better, he’ll admit to something he didn’t do. Please. Don’t embarrass yourself any further.

Reza says that he cheated on a partner of seven years, and lost him. Shervin says if it makes everyone feel better, he did it. Reza doesn’t miss a beat, and says to learn from his experience. Shervin says the truth isn’t working. GG asks if he didn’t tell her it happened, and he changes what he told her. Because everyone always forgets that they are being filmed, and we know what they said. Now he claims that they only had drinks. He says that Tara isn’t even his type. They all call him a liar. In his interview, Reza says he speaks frankly because he was like Mike and Shervin, and now he’s a self-confessed, reformed ho. He says that being honest made Mike more lovable. Tara says Shervin should own up to it, and Shervin acts stupid.

Next time, a photo shoot with babies and shoes, GG fails a hearing test miserably, and Reza thinks that Asa got pregnant in vitro.

Game that Throne

I’m was afraid to watch Game of Thrones after last week, but no way was I going to miss thefinale. I notice that there are house banner icons next to the names in the credits. Were those always there? Are the Starks online?

Cersei has her own plans for the summit, basically to kill everyone if anything goes wrong. Traitor turncoat Bron escorts everyone in. It was like old home week for Podrick and Tyrion. There were lots of furtive glances between the various characters. Dany was late, and came swooping in on Drogon. I was hoping they’d just dracarys Cersei, and be done with it, but no. Euron interrupted, wanting Theon to submit to get his sister back. Tyrion was like, that’s not what we came here for, and Cersei told Euron to sit down and shut up.

Cersei didn’t believe them about the White Walkers, even though somebody just flew down on a dragon, so, they whipped out their pet zombie. I was hoping it would eat Euron’s face off, but that didn’t happen. The Hound cut it in half, and both halves crawled around, while he cut more pieces off. Cersei actually looked sick, which was somewhat satisfying. Jon explained they can be killed by fire or dragonglass, and this was the only war that mattered. We find out the zombies can’t swim, and Euron decided to take his boats and leave. He said this was the only thing that’s ever terrified him, and he’s seen a lot of scary stuff. Cersei had a freaking moment of clarity, and accepted the truce, but on the proviso that Jon stayed in the North, and didn’t bug her anymore when it’s over. Dany wondered why she didn’t ask her, but Cersei said she knew Jon would be truthful. Jon said he couldn’t serve two queens, so thanks, but no thanks. Cersei was like, screw you then, they’ll get to you first, and then we’ll deal with what’s left of you. Brienne tried to talk sense into Jaime. Dany told Jon that she didn’t want one of her dragons to have died for nothing, and Tyron asked if he’d ever considered learning to lie just a bit. Jon said that when people make false promises it gets easier to make more lies, and pretty soon, you can’t believe anything. Tyron volunteered to talk to Cersei, and I started thinking, wait a minute, they should be able to fight these guys without Cersei. For God’s sake, Dany sits on a mountain of dragonglass and has two fire breathing dragons. This made me mourn Viserion all over again.

Tyrion goaded Cersei to kill him, but she didn’t, so he helped himself to some wine. And more wine. I note that if Cersei doesn’t stop pursing her lips the way she does, she’s going to start looking old before her time. Apparently, she’s not too old yet, because she’s going to have a baby. Elsewhere, Jon told Dany what we’ve all been thinking, that maybe the witch who told Dany she couldn’t have children was wrong.

Cersei came back out and said that when the Great War was over, she hoped they’d remember that she chose to help without any assurances or promises from them.

Sansa got all pissed about no communication from John. Littlefinger was no help, stirring the pot, saying Jon and Dany would make an alliance. When Sansa showed concern about Arya, Littlefinger tried to steer her in the direction of fear, telling her to imagine the worst thing Arya could do and the worst reason for doing it. He led her into thinking that Arya was after her position, which seemed nonsensical. Another stupid award for Sansa?

I wondered why Theon was even there when they had a strategy meeting. Theon said he risked everything to tell an enemy the truth. Jon thought it was best to be honest if they were going to fight together. Theon said that Jon was even a goody-goody back when they were kids. Jon said his dad was in Theon too, and he forgave him for being the worst person ever. Theon decided to grow a pair, and try to save Yara, like she did him.

On the beach, Euron started to go out to the boats, and I actually said out loud, ugh, this guy. He told his men that they were going to find a nice island, kill the men, and take the women, but Theon had other plans. Euron ended up fighting with him, which was probably a bad idea, since he has a lot of pent up anger and resentment. He kept kicking Theon in the cajones, which did nothing except make me laugh and puzzle Euron. Then Theon proceeded to beat the ever-living snot out of him. I liked how none of the other men got involved, and when Theon was the winner, they were like, all right! we’re with you!

Littlefinger smirked when Sansa had Arya brought to the great hall, and I wanted to wipe it off his face. Sansa said something about honor, and how stands the accused of murder and treason? – Littlefinger. Oh man, as boring as she is, this was great. Not so stupid after all, Sansa brought us back to him pushing Lysa through the moon door, among other things he’s had his little finger in. He denied everything, but Bran brought up how he’d tried to have Bran killed. Sansa played the worst game with him, saying he’s best at turning families against one another. Sansa thanked him for his many lessons, and Arya slit his throat. Alrighty then.

Omg, Cersei’s coat was the best. So so 70s and so couture and so amazing. Cersei told Jaime she wanted to pull out of the deal, and just cozy up with him. She realized there was a missing dragon, concluding that dragons must have a vulnerability, and thought they should just stay put. Jaime was like, there will still be a war, and whoever wins is going to kill us. She didn’t believe that Euron was running, but that he was going to bring the bank to them, like any of that means anything at this point, and anyway, by now he was dead. Jaime said he’d pledged to ride north, and was doing it, but Cersei said it was treason. The Mountain stopped him from leaving, and she said no one walks away from her. Jaime told her that he’s the only one she has left, and was like, go ahead and kill me. We had a moment when she nodded, and the Mountain made like he was removing his sword from its sheath, but Jaime just walked out. I guess Cersei told the Mountain to just scare him. Or maybe it wasn’t a full nod.

Sam and Gilly got to Winterfell. Bran told Sam that’s he’s the Three-Eyed Raven now, and explained how it works. Bran said that Jon needs to know the truth about himself. He’s the son of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark. Sam told Bran about what he’d read, and said that they were married in a secret ceremony. Bran saw the ceremony in this three-eyed head.

Jon knocked on Dany’s door, and I guess they’ll be replacing Cersei and Jaime as the power couple related to each other. Maybe they’ll have a baby dragon to replace Viserion. As they were getting busy, back at Winterfell, Bran said that Jon has never been a bastard. His name is Aegon Targaryen, and he’s heir to the Iron Throne.

Sansa and Arya said blah-blah-blah about surviving and missing their dad.

Bran went into a trance, and became a raven, or whatever he does, and went to the Wall. Beric and Tormund were looking out from the tower, and saw riders coming out of the woods. The army of the dead; loads of them, and that disturbing second-in-command on his horse. Someone from Castle Black blew a shofar, but it didn’t matter. Here came the spiky-headed Night King, riding zombie Viserion, who now blows ice instead of fire. He’s all spooky and tattered-looking now too. He sliced right through the wall, horizontally, as they flew next to it. It was crazy – everything falling and breaking apart, people running everywhere, and the Wall starting to come down like falling dominoes. The Night King on undead Viserion entered through the now-open Wall, along with his billion-man army, and one giant. My heart was pounding like crazy.

I am left with two thoughts – this is not good, and who’s going to clean up this mess?

I am sincerely hoping that the next book comes out to tide us over until the next season, which is God only knows when in 2018.

Three Throne Quotes

You’re still very strange and annoying. – Sansa, referring to Arya

The only one that needs protecting is the one who gets in her way. – Brienne referring to Arya

This isn’t about living in harmony; it’s just about living. – Jon

GoT-WatchEnd

 

 

 

Aug21

August 20, 2017 – The Shahs Israel Tour Continues & OMG Game of Thrones

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What I Watched Today

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

 

 

Shahs of Sunset

Meanwhile at the Western Wall, GG isn’t feeling comfortable. Shervin seems to think the Wall is for Jews only, and GG says someone said “jihad” to her, which sounds pretty stupid. It makes her think of how people in the past have said Jews and Muslims shouldn’t mix. In his interview, Mike says that GG and Shervin feel a disconnect, and he felt the same way in Turkey. He says all religions seek enlightenment, but he can’t tell them how to feel, and the Wall will stand strong for them if they should decide to come back.

MJ feels that she doesn’t have the right to ask for anything for herself. She starts to cry during her interview, thinking of praying for children in need. Reza asks if she felt a connection, and says he’s tingling. Asa says the baby was kicking against the Wall. Destiney says it drowns you in a sense of release, and can’t believe how free she feels, especially being a Muslim. GG suggests they move on.

Shopping! The Jerusalem market place is bustling. Reza says he’s shopping where Jesus shopped, and talks about how crosses and menorahs are side-by-side. It’s doubtful that the wares in Jesus’s day sported slogans like Shalom, Ya’ll though. GG says she misses her boyfriend Shalom, because she hears his name everywhere. Ha-ha! GG tells Reza that she has marriage and kids on her mind. Her only reservation is the religion thing. In his interview, Reza says her brain is like a pinball. She asks him if it’s hard being half Muslim and half Jewish. He says it’s insane. Growing up gay as well, he felt like he didn’t fit in. GG says he has anger toward Muslims because of what he went through, and she doesn’t want that for her children.

The Holy Sepulcher is next. Mike marvels about being at the holiest Jewish site in the world, and then the holiest Christian site. He’s on a crazy spiritual high. He’s been in darkness, and now the light is so bright it hurts his eyes. He says that no matter who you are, the key is to find light. If people think you can’t get along with others of different faiths, they should watch this show. Stupid as it is, the Shahs are a wonderful example of getting along. Even when they don’t, it’s never about the differences in their faiths.

Omg, MJ has her makeup laid out like a buffet in her room. A tattoo artist is coming to the hotel lounge to ink GG. Asa asks GG why the others are against it. GG says that she has a lot of tattoos, but none is of a man’s name, and she wants to brand herself with Shalom’s name in Hebrew. Destiney joins them. She says she’s down with tatts on a dude, but thank God for laser removal.

MJ, Reza, Shervin and Mike (sounds like a law firm or folk band) go out to do some drinking. Mike thinks GG is cuckoo. In his interview, Reza says she’s hesitant to come to Israel, but wants Shalom tattooed on her torso. He wonders how she reconciles things in that special head, and I laugh.

GG makes a lot of uncomfortable sounds during the procedure, but the tattoo looks good.

MJ says it’s her last hurrah. She’s getting pregnant when she gets home. Reza says it’s the last hurrah every time she has a drink, and we flash back to three last hurrahs. Reza thinks that MJ getting pregnant in a month timeframe isn’t realistic. He suggests planning a wedding, but MJ wants to get pregnant first. Reza is like, wait a second, because she’s saying Asa should get married. MJ says she’s not having a bastard child, but Asa will. (I can’t believe anyone even uses that term anymore.) She says as soon as the test is positive, they’ll do everything. If not, she’s not marrying Tommy, because he smokes around the dogs and eats hard candy at night. And likes the Mets. Reza says there will always be issues, but she has to keep moving forward in spite of what’s happening. They move on to a club that reminds me of the old Danceteria.

GG and Asa are sleeping when the partiers get to the hotel lounge. Shervin finds a hair extension hanging from a lampshade, and we both go, eww. MJ gets GG’s room key, and Reza says that they’re going in Israeli defense style. They wake her up, and want to see the tattoo. She’s surprisingly compliant. They want to be there when she tells Shalom, and she decides to Facetime with him. She shows him the tattoo, and he says omfg that’s real. Reza tells him to go buy a ring.

We’re on to the Dead Sea, beers being cracked the whole way there. Reza says people from all over the world come there to get healed. Asa asks Mike and Reza how last night was. Reza says they called MJ out, and tells Asa about the bastard child comment. Asa isn’t cool with that. They go to a restaurant and eat outside. In her interview, Asa says calling her baby a bastard child is f-ed up. Asa says that MJ is always taking jabs at her, and to use that word, no matter who you’re referring to, is ugly. MJ says that she was talking about herself. MJ says several of the friends asked about Asa getting married, and she avoided the question. She’s never met a pregnant woman so secretive, and every question is an attack. Mike says MJ is upset because Asa isn’t open and honest. Asa says she’s open about her age and weight, whereas MJ isn’t. Mike disagrees, saying that MJ is an open book, and everyone judges her. GG says weight isn’t a topic that’s very deep, and Reza says it’s awkward for him, since he’s friends with them both. GG wonders why be friends, if she doesn’t want to be open?. Asa says she doesn’t want to talk about certain things. Shervin asks if she took hormones to get pregnant, and Asa says she froze eggs years ago. MJ is shocked, wondering why she never said anything, and Asa says she doesn’t trust her. MJ says that Asa lied to her, and Asa says they froze 8 male embryos, but didn’t use them. They just started trying, and she’s shocked at how fast it happened. In his interview, Mike thinks it’s odd that she had a natural pregnancy that quickly at age 40. He’s not buying it.

Mike thinks if they can’t be open and honest, they shouldn’t be friends GG says they didn’t just come on the trip to unite Muslims and Jews, but each other. MJ wonders why Asa asked a million questions about her fertility process, but kept her own to herself. They go down to the sea. GG duct tapes her tattoo, so she can get in the water with the others. Asa stays in a chair on the beach. She feels emotionally poisoned, and doesn’t want to share, since she’s not feeling the love. Reza says that the Dead Sea is ten times saltier that any ocean, and everything floats immediately. It’s funny to watch how quickly people rise to the top. GG is grateful, saying everything is good right now. She gets salt water on the tattoo, and then it’s not so good. When they get back, Mike says that he has salt in all of his crevices.

Asa gets her neck massaged while she talks to Destiney. She’s not happy about some of the conversations. Tommy Facetimes MJ. She asks about her father, who is holding on, and he shows her one of the dogs. She says it’s not easy being so far away from her dad. They’ve been thick as thieves since she came out of the womb. Tommy puts Shams on, and says his grip is starting to feel strong. She says hello to him, and Tommy tells her not to cry; he’s good. After she hangs up, she gets a billion tissues and goes inside the shower cubicle. Mike asks if she wants a drink; he’s worried about her. Mike says his own father had told him that when he saw that Mike was okay, he’d be okay. He thinks Shams is holding on because he wants to see her happy. He tells her that Tommy is a good dude, and not to let her father’s illness to stop her from living her life. He says that Shams has lived a good life, and he should see her get married. MJ says that she has to make sure she propels herself forward and gets what Mike is saying.

The group strolls around the city, which is beautiful. They go to a restaurant where they have a private room. Reza says that the owners are a couple who decided to turn their home into a restaurant, and the food is off the chain. He tells us that Jews and Muslims don’t agree on much, but they agree on the food. It’s simple and delicious, and he’d like to go swimming in the hummus. MJ starts to make a toast, and Mike says what a great guy Tommy is, and tells her to step up or step out. He thinks she’ll lose him if she doesn’t marry him. MJ says she doesn’t mean to be unappreciative, but she has to be an activist for her father’s care. In her interview, Asa wonders if crying is MJ’s default mode for avoiding an issue. MJ says she’s dealing with a lot, but does it with pleasure. In his interview, Mike says Asa doesn’t look like she gives a flying. Mike says it’s amazing how they’re fighting for each other to achieve their goals, and be open and honest. They toast to the future.

Asa has an announcement. She found out the sex of the baby. She was waiting until the end of the trip, but now she feels alone and uncomfortable. Mike thinks she’s being insulting. Asa says there’s nothing she has to hide, and she’s not a liar. They’re welcoming a son. Reza says he called it. In her interview, MJ says that Asa got pregnant by a miracle, but happened to freeze male embryos and it’s a boy. She calls Asa a fraud. GG says she knew there was a penis in there somewhere. Mike asks about a name, but it hasn’t been decided.

Reza makes a toast, thanking everyone for sharing this journey. He grew up respecting and loving that side of his family, and talks about being with Mike’s family. He tells them about his grandmother having five sisters, and how he didn’t have that, but he gets it through them. Shervin says what Reza has gone through has made him who he is. He thanks Reza for helping them get over their fear. In his interview, Shervin he says he was scared because he looks Palestinian, but everyone was welcoming. Mike says he has gratitude for them overlooking their fears. It’s strengthened their roots. Now a massive tree can grow, and Israel has caused that to happen.

Next time, MJ thinks today might be the day, GG tells Shervin that MJ is criticizing him, and Reza calls out Shervin.

Beyond the Wall

I’ll tell you what’s beyond the Wall. Zombies. Lots of them. As Jon and his band of merry men found out on Game of Thrones tonight while on their field trip.

At Winterfell, Arya accused Sansa of having a hand in their father’s death, and showed her the note she’s swiped from Littlefinger. Sansa said she was forced to it, and was just a child. Arya told her she was a child too, but would have died first. Sansa told her that they got Winterfell back because of her, and yada-yada-yada about how much she’s suffered. She told Arya that sometimes anger makes people do unfortunate things, and Arya said fear does too, but she’ll stick with anger. I relate.

We found out that The Hound hates gingers, and I wondered wonder what Andy Cohen would have to say about that. Tormund learned what the word d*ck means, and professed his love for Brienne, and his desire to make monster babies with her. The Hound said she’d want to carve him up and eat his liver, and Tormund was like, oh, you know her. Beric told Jon that the trip wasn’t going to be any fun, like he didn’t know this already, but they’d accomplish a lot.

Dany told Tyrion he’s no hero, but she likes it that way. She knows he’s brave though, since she would never choose a coward as her Hand. Tyrion thought if they wanted to create a new and better world, mass murder and destruction wasn’t the way to go about it. He wanted to discuss who would succeed her one day, but Dany wasn’t having it until she’s sitting on the Iron Throne. Tyrion suggested she likes Jon, but she said he was too little for her, and then was like, oh, sorry.

Some guy in Jon’s group got grabbed by something and eaten right away, and this giant zombie bear thing came out of nowhere. It was not good. One of the guys set it on fire, causing The Hound to freeze. Thoros saved him, but got tossed around and mauled for his trouble. Jorah stabbed the bear thing, and made some magic to get Thoros moving again. When Beric asked if he was okay, Thoros was like, I just got bit by a dead bear, what do you think? Pointing out what a stupid question that was.

The real stupidity of the night was Sansa confiding in Littlefinger about Arya finding the note. Why Arya didn’t out him earlier for having it hidden, I’m not sure. Sansa told him that the people’s loyalty is to Jon, not her, and she’s already been married to two of their enemies. She has a point there. I just don’t understand why Sansa is trusting this dude.

Jon and his guys ambushed a group of White Walkers, made zombie brittle out of them, and kept one just in case they needed it later. Even The Hound was grossed out when he ripped the zombie’s face off, while trying to subdue it. When Jon realized a humongous zombie horde was coming, Gendry got sent back to Castle Black to send a raven to Dragonstone for help. Jon and company ran out in the middle of a frozen lake, not realizing it until it started cracking, but they had to keep moving because the horde was breathing – well, symbolically anyway – down their necks. Then in a very Z Nation type move, row by row of zombies fell through the ice and into the lake. Jon and the main characters of the scene made it to an rock formation, along with their captured zombie, with the remaining horde on the other side of the lake. Since winter is all over the place, Gendry ended up keeling over right in front of the Wall, but the Maester ran out, along with a bunch of other guys, and Gendry told him about sending the raven. Thoros ended up freezing to death, and Beric said blah-blah-blah about the Lord of Light, and they burned his body. Oh well. We learned that if you kill a White Walker, the others he’s taken to hell with him will go too.

Back at Winterfell, Sansa told Brienne to represent her at the Kings Landing summit. Brienne reminded Sansa of her oath, but Sansa said she’d by fine by herself.

There was a zombie free-for-all after The Hound threw rocks at one of them, and there were some amazing crane shots. Beric’s flaming sword was also impressive. I yelled, help him! at the TV when I was sure Tormund was a goner. The Hound came to the rescue. The guys fought the zombies, while the soundtrack got all quiet, like that scene in Snowpiercer when the Chris Evans and the tail section people battle those guys in the black masks.

Even though Tyrion had warned her to do nothing, Dany came flying in on Drogon’s back, wearing a snow queen type outfit, along with the other two dragons. There was dracarys all over the place, and then some. Dany parked, and the guys were trying to get on the Drogon, but only Jorah made it. While Jon was battling the zombies and Dany’s attention was elsewhere, that freaking, spiky-headed Night King started sneaking in on them. He threw that ice spear he carries, and hit Viserion. (I only know the name because I cheated and looked at another recap. I honestly can’t tell one dragon from another. Hey, at least I’m honest.)

Here’s where it turned into a real sh*t show. In my family room. This hideous creature killed Viserion. It was shocking and sickening and horrifying. And that was just my reaction. I burst into tears, jumped out of my chair, yelled at the TV, and my dogs thought I had gone out of my mind, my sensitive one running to comfort me. After this ruthless scene, Dany took off with Jorah and whoever the other dragon is, and Jon fell into the water. I was so freaked, I didn’t even know what happened to the others. Jon’s Uncle Benjen swooped in, like a white knight on a horse. He put Jon on the horse, but when Jon asked him to come, he said there wasn’t time. This perplexed me, because I wondered how much time it would take him to jump on, especially since he ended up getting eaten by the horde.

Next thing I knew, The Hound, Tormund, and Beric were back at the Wall. Tormund said see you later, but The Hound said probably not. Somehow, Benjen’s horse made it back to the Wall.

Sansa searched Arya’s room, and found her faces. Arya is still quiet as a cat though, and snuck up on her. Arya wanted to play a Westeros version of truth or dare, but Sansa didn’t want to, so Arya scared the crap out of her.

Once again, Jon came back to life after being pretty much frozen. He’s getting good at that resurrection thing. He awoke to Dany sitting at his bedside. He was absolutely precious, telling Dany how sorry he was, and how he wished they hadn’t gone. Dany was stoic though, saying that she needed to see it to believe it, but the dragons are the only children she’ll ever have, so she’s going to destroy the spike head king. Jon told her that he sees her for what she is, and he’d bend his knee, but can’t from a hospital bed. They held hands, and the entire viewing audience had the same thought.

Like a billion Jacob Marleys, the zombies drug Viserion  out of the ice water. Okay, I thought, maybe at least we’ll get a zombie dragon out of this. And yes, we will.

Next time, the season finale.

Best Quotes of the Night

Walking’s good; fighting’s better; f*cking’s best. – Tormund

Heroes do stupid things and they die. – Dany

This episode was brutal and exhausting. – Me

GoT-Dragon

RIP Viserion

(and Dick Gregory and Jerry Lewis)

 

Aug14

August 13, 2017 – Shahs at the Wall, a Different Wall & Throne Quotes

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What I Watched Today

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

 

 

Shahs of Sunset

Meanwhile, back in Tel Aviv, our Shahs gather for a breakfast buffet. Mike explains how they’ve been alternating who gets to choose what they’re doing, and today is Asa’s day. She’s decided on an art project. Reza suggests someone check on MJ. She sent him a text pic, and says she looks like she was ridden hard and put away wet, but she’s really just badly hungover. Reza tells Asa that MJ isn’t having her usual fresh like a flower recovery. Asa wants to go to the city of Akko, where she says that Jews, Muslims, and Christians live in peaceful co-existence. She asks the group to film some people at the market, while she interviews three spiritual leaders, and reminds them to be respectful. Reza wants her to find a new hobby, since he got roped into being in one of her videos, shirtless and less than fit. MJ finally joins them, and Reza says it’s a miraculous makeover.

When they get to Akko, Asa goes off to do her interviews. A rabbi greets her with a virtual hug because he’s orthodox. Another rabbi, a priest, and a Muslim peacemaker (the Yoda of Palestine) are also in attendance, which totally sounds like the start of a joke.

Reza bothers some strange cats in a dumpster and on a rooftop, which mike equates with touching a gas station bathroom doorknob and eating chips without washing your hands. Asa films each of the leaders, and all promote messages of love. Rabbi number two has the bluest eyes I’ve ever seen, and they absolutely twinkle. The others don’t have much luck in the village, as people don’t want to be interviewed or photographed. Reza gets a free falafel though. Mike is disturbed that the conversations are starting with asking what religion the person is. Reza says there’s not a yarmulke to be seen. Mike gets Reza on the side, and asks if it seems mixed to him. Reza says it’s all older Arabs, and they don’t like the Western world. Man, his face has one nervous expression.

The call to prayer happens, and Mike says he told them. Reza says he was told that Muslims and Jews lived in harmony there for centuries. Mike wants to keep it moving, and discuss it in a safe place, since everyone wonders wtf this group is doing. Reza wants to get the hell out of Dodge.

Asa is having a much better time, laughing, singing, and dancing with her worldview brethren. They break bread as the sun is setting, and rabbi number one thanks her for helping to bring unity to the world. She tells them that this is the future, and they walk into it together. She hopes the others are also having an enriching experience. Um…

Reza looks at the toy guns at the market, marked for ages three and up, and says it looks like a terrorist Christmas gift. GG isn’t feeling threatened, and thinks it’s in Mike’s head that he does. Asa joins them. She tells them it was life changing, and the future seems bright. Mike thinks she’s living in a dream world, and gets everyone to move along. Asa tells them not to emit this type of energy. Reza says that eyes are on them in a wtf are you doing here? kind of way. She suggests he be as nice to the people as he is to the cats, and tells him to open his mind. He wants to work on it in the car. In her interview, Asa thinks you get back what you give out. Reza asks how he can get a perspective from someone who hates him, and she says by understanding them and radiating love. He thinks they should have switched places, and tells Asa that the rage he has gives him all the feels. Asa hugs him, and says she hears him and understands. I love her attitude, but I agree it doesn’t work like that. At least not overnight.

Back in the bus/limo, Mike equates it to wearing a Rolex in a bad neighborhood, and then complaining about it getting stolen. He says a guy was making gun noises, and others joined in, and it was scary. He says people were walking around aggressive, but GG insists it’s safe there. She says he wants to live in a Jewish bubble, and everything outside of it is dangerous. Mike says it has nothing to do with that – they’re seen as Westerners, who the townspeople see on the news talking smack about them. They’re walking around with cameras and interrogating them, and it appears antagonistic.

Mike says the trip left a bad taste in his mouth, and he wants to make sure they experience a real Israeli Shabbat tonight.  He remembers how enlightened he was to meet Asa’s family, and hopes she gets the same from his. He doesn’t blame her for the day, knowing she just wanted them to experience things differently. MJ calls Tommy, and asks him to call her dad, but he’s planned to visit him, which makes her happy.

Shabbat is being held in a restaurant. Mike hasn’t seen his family in ten years, so he’s a little nervous. The cousins start pouring in. He says it’s important to him because the time goes by so quickly, but when they get together, they pick up where they left off like it was yesterday. His sickly great aunt arrives in a wheelchair and he’s thrilled that she came out to see him.

Cousin Yossi talks about God resting on the seventh day, and they should too. Everyone toasts, saying Shabbat Shalom. Reza is trying to get over the day’s experience, and says that being surrounded by joy and love, he’s sensing what it means to be in Israel, and it’s what he came there for. He talks about his grandmother not liking him, and how he thought it was because he was gay, but it was really because he’s half Muslim. The love he wanted from his Jewish side, he’s getting from Mike’s family. Mike says a prayer, and drinks from a huge horn. In his interview, he says he screwed up with Jessica, and hopes for another chance at having his own family.

Mike invites Reza to come speak. Reza talks about how he’d been to a city that was shocking and jarring, and it wasn’t the experience he was looking for. Now, he sees the love, and Judaism, and beauty of Israel. He thanks them, and Mike says that he’s never felt so Jewish. In her interview, GG says loving the Jewish culture doesn’t mean you have to dismiss or disrespect Islam. You can’t be for peace when all you’re doing is shaming the other side. I agree with her, but she doesn’t seem to grasp that Reza has good reason for his fear.

The next morning, Asa feels depleted. She says she’s tired all the time, and read that a pregnant woman lying down is doing more work than someone running a marathon. GG tells Destiney and Shervin about how Reza is being disrespectful. In her interview, she talks about when they were in Turkey, and Reza called the women in veils, “walking curtains.” She hopes that Reza can get over his Muslim hate for the sake of their friendship.  He arrives, and she tells him that some of the things he says can be taken as offensive. He tells her that they have different experiences, and she says they can be angry, or say it is what it is, and enjoy the other things the country has to offer. Reza says that it wasn’t a positive experience. Shervin says that he and Destiney have stepped out of their shells and been open-minded; he should do the same. Reza says that he’ll make a conscious effort not to slam Islam while they’re in Israel. He shouts that he loves all Muslims.

Mike brings out journals for everyone, so they can write down things for the Western Wall. In his interview, he says that MJ’s life is a mess. She admits that she never planned ahead, and hated the where do you see yourself in ten years? question. MJ writes an essay, and reads it out loud. She talks about fear and failure, and how she wants to create a legacy. She wants to eliminate the what-ifs. Reza thinks she should be more specific, instead of taking God on a roller coaster ride. He tears up, and tells her that he wants her to get married and have a baby. She’ll be an amazing mom, and that will be a legacy. He doesn’t want to take away from what she wrote, but that’s his wish for her.

As they’re boarding to leave, MJ and GG encourage Shervin to take the front seat reserved for Asa, but when Asa gets on the bus/limo, she doesn’t find it funny. Reza says she always magnifies whatever is going wrong. MJ says Jerusalem is like living inside a postcard. Reza marvels, knowing that Jesus walked there, chilling with his friends. Mike says it’s the heart and crown jewel of Israel. It really is gorgeous, and historic, and holy – the Biblical definition of which is, “set apart.” Reza says the Wall is where to ask for whatever you want in the universe. He tells them to tap into the energy of the Wall. Men and women are separated, and everyone cleanses themselves before approaching. Reza hopes and prays that everyone takes away a gift from the experience, clears their mind, and connects.

Mike tells Shervin that a yarmulke is a sign of respect, and Shervin asks if all religions pray at the Wall. He says he’s an outsider, and feels strongly that the people who aren’t Jewish can tells he’s not. Really? That’s some weird exaggerated thinking. Mike puts on a prayer shawl. He says the last time he prayed there, it was about the past, and he has clarity now. He wants what he saw last night – family. He wants to find the right one again.

GG sees the women being secondary, and says the men have more room at the Wall. She’s used to it from her travels, but doesn’t like it. Of course she doesn’t participate, which isn’t unusual for her. I guess her Zen is wearing off. Reza’s grandfather was on his mind, and says that when he put his face to the Wall, it was as though he was touching his grandfather, and was with him. He believes his grandfather loves him, and says Adam has his name, and the children will too. A rabbi places a tefillin – a box with parts of the Torah in it – on Reza’s head, and he, Reza, and Mike dance in a circle. Reza says he now has what he’s wanted for so long.

GG scowls in the background; Golnessa probably not far away. She says it’s just a wall. She sees a temple and mosque in the distance, and sees the wall as a blockage and barrier. She wants to tear it down. Sigh… It’s sort of sad that this girl will not grow up. I’ll really start liking her, and then she’ll be ridiculous, usually followed by  being violent. The episode was dedicated to Mike’s aunt in the wheelchair, who sadly, passed away.

Next time, GG gets insulted (bigger sigh), Asa is offended, and someone gets a tattoo. (Hint: It’s not me. Although I’d like one.)

Tonight’s Throne Game

Unfortunately, Jaime didn’t drown. I hate him right now, and can’t call him enough bad names. Tyrion surveyed the damage, and it was pretty depressing. I watch poor Drogon, and call Jaime a sh*tball. Dany sets the Casterly Rock warriors straight by saying she’s not like Cersei, and wants to offer them a choice to join her and leave the world a better place, or they can die. That’s a hard one. Drogon roared, and almost everyone bent the knee pretty quickly. Sam’s father stayed standing, and griped that Cersei should be queen, since she was born in Westeros, and called Dany an interloper. Dany respected him for not trading his honor for his life. She suggested he take The Black, but he didn’t like that idea either. So some Dothraki took him away. His son decided to come along, and Tyrion called him stupid. Well, no army needs stupid people, so bye Tarley dudes. Dracarys for you both.

Cersei thought they should hire mercenaries, but Jaime was like, um… Dany has three dragons, and we can’t win. Then she came up with the great idea of having Tyrion interve. Jaime told her about Oleanna having been the one who killed Joffrey. She said either way they were screwed.

Jon got up close and personal with Drogon, who, to the relief of millions, seems to be fine. He let Jon pet his nose, and all our hearts went pitty-pat. Dany questioned Jon about his death experience. Ser Jorah returned, and Dany was impressed that he found a cure for his greyscale.

Bran hooked up with a bunch of two-eyed ravens, and took a look around the Wall (totally different Wall than the one that the Shahs visited). He saw the army of White Walkers, and said they needed to send ravens with the news. Poor Sam continued to haul books around for the Maester. There was a Maester meeting where they took potshots at Bran’s message, but Sam gave them the low down that Bran could see beyond the Wall. Maybe it’s me, but I think Sam is starting to sound a little sarcastic when he talks to them. The head Maester said they’d look into it, which meant they were blowing off Sam. The knowledge of Sam’s brother and father becoming crispy critters was kept from him.

Varys, who I’m really starting to like, discussed Tyrion’s responsibilities with him. He thought Tyrion could do better at being the Queen’s Hand. Jon was totally freaked to find out his siblings were still alive, and even more freaked about the White Walkers. He wanted Dany’s help, but she was like, oh no, once I go to do that, Cersei will take over. Tyrion thought it would be a good idea to lasso one of the White Walkers and bring it to Cersei. I’d do that. And then tell it to bite her head off. Jorah, who’s still trying to impress Dany, volunteered. Jon insisted on going too, since he’s the one with experience. At this point, I started wondering where The Hound is these days.

Sansa got complaints from the lords that nothing is going on, but she said they had to wait for Jon to get back. Arya accused her of wanting Winterfell for herself, and Sansa ignored that. Tyrion snuck into Casterly Rock and ran into Jaime, who looked like he was having a hard time keeping a straight face, since Tyrion was his usual witty self. Davros picked up Gendry, Robert Baratheon’s bastard son. Gendry did some nice work dispatching a couple of guards with a cool weapon he’d designed, taking their faces off. Jaime told Cersei about the White Walkers. I had to laugh because she seemed hesitant to believe such a thing existed. But dragons are okay. She told Jaime never to betray her again.

Sam got tired of just reading about adventures, and decided to leave for one of his own. Arya spied on Littlefinger, who met some girl and gave her something. He then talked with two old guys while Arya kept watching. Later, one of the guys came to his room, and gave him a message. Arya saw that too. The second he was gone, she tossed his room, and found the note in a hole in the mattress. It was a letter that Cersei forced Sansa to write in some other season. When Arya came out, Littlefinger was in the shadows, so who knows what’s up his little finger. I’ll bet he goes on her list. I’d expect better sneaking around from Arya though.

Jon met with the men at Castle Black, where Tormund discouraged him, but showed him some prisoners – The Hound (they were reading my mind) and Beric. Beric said they don’t want to go beyond the Wall, but they have to. He got all philosophical, saying there was a great purpose at work, and they were all together for a reason, and blah=blah=blah about the Lord of Light. At this point, Jon was like, if you’re breathing, you’re on my side, come on, and they started off to the other side of the Wall. Winter is seriously there.

The main takeaway point? The dragon is okay!

Next time, Jon and company battle White Walkers and Arya asks Sansa what she’s scared of.

Davros wins the game of quotes…

It’s better to be a coward for a minute, than dead for the rest of your life. – Davros

Nobody glowers quite like you. – Ser Jorah, referring to Tyrion

Nothing f*cks you harder than time. – Davros

WesternWall

The Western Wall

GoT-Wall

The Wall

Jul29

July 28, 2017 – Someone Please Save Sonny, a Hexaquote, 1000 Floors & an Office GIF

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What I Watched Today

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

 

 

General Hospital

Julian sees Scotty scarfing down a burger at The Floating Rib. Scotty asks him what’s with the stink-eye. Julian asks if this is how Scotty prepares for his trial. Scotty has good news. For the first time since Julian was arrested, he actually thinks they might win.

Oscar drops by to see Josslyn. He’s glad Spencer was found. Josslyn hugs him, and thanks him, saying he basically broke the case. If Spencer hadn’t escaped, his evidence would have made all the difference. Oscar thinks they should celebrate.

Alexis brings Scout to the hospital. She hands the baby off to Dr. Anderson. Her vital signs are normal, but they still need to run tests. Kristina goes with her, while Alexis finds out about Sam. Griff and Finn ask Alexis questions about Scout. She wants to know what’s going on, and wants to see Sam.

Jason talks to Sam, telling her it’s okay, but she’s seeing Sonny making weird hand gestures at her like Robert Carlyle in Ravenous. Jason asks who she’s talking to, and she says he’s right behind Jason. Imaginary Sonny tells Sam that killing him won’t end it.

Real Sonny is either sleeping or unconscious.

Wavy Garvey starts to take Elizabeth through the parking garage, and they run into Carly. Carly says she heard he was in town. Elizabeth is like, you know this guy? and Garvey says he and Carly go way back. She tells him to let Elizabeth go, and he says, or what? Is she going to yell for help? He says try it, and it won’t be good.

Josslyn tells Oscar it sounds awesome, but no one is home. Carly likes him, and she wants to keep it that way. Oscar says he has a surprise – it’s cool and has a killer view, but they’ll have to bike there. It’s somewhere she’s never been. She says impossible, but he’s on. They have to be back in an hour, since she’s still grounded.

Finn explains Sam’s illness to Alexis. Griff says if she got sick while she was pregnant, it’s possible she passed it on to Scout. Alexis asks how bad it is with Sam, and is told that the spectrum varies, but it’s affected her neurological functions.

Sam continues to talk to fictitious Sonny, who says he’s not going anywhere. Jason says they’re the only ones in the room, but Sam says he’s always there.

Factual Sonny says he has to stay awake. What will he tell his kids? He says he sees himself in Dante. His loyalty and the way he loves his family is a beautiful thing. He’s always true to himself, good or bad, and has courage and strength. Sonny asks him to pass some his way; he’s going to need it.

Carly tells the Garvster no yelling or sudden movements; just let Elizabeth go. He says that’s not happening. Carly can see he’s hurt, and asks what happened between him and Sonny. He says you should see the other guy, because everyone’s a comedian, and she asks what he did.

Scotty says Julian is no walk in park; he’s not exactly a model client. Julian says if he’d taken the deal, he’d be dead, but Scotty says not necessarily. Julian starts to leave, saying his life is on the line. Scotty says he’s going to save it, and tells him to sit down. He got his hands on the prosecution’s witness list, and they’ve put all their eggs in one basket – Alexis. Julian is like, this is your big revelation? and Scotty says it’s a good one. Julian says it’s the opposite, but Scotty says it’s not just any trial. Alexis can see the pitfalls and where they’re trying to get her to admit something, and can mitigate the damage of his actions away from him. Then Scotty gets her to admit that Olivia-J was threatening the family. The jury will see him not as a bad guy, but a hero. Julian wouldn’t go that far, but Scotty says he would, and the only one who can pull it off is Alexis.

Finn asks if Sam has been “off,” and the only thing Alexis can think of is Sam calling Scout by the wrong name. She assumed Sam was run down, and thought she was just acting like a new mom. She wants to see Sam now.

Sam passes out again, and Jason yells for help. He tells Finn that she said she saw someone who wasn’t there. Finn asks Jason and Alexis to leave – it would help the doctors and Sam. Jason talks to Alexis about Scout. She says that the baby seemed fine, but asks what’s going on with Sam, and how long it’s been going on. Jason doesn’t know. He caught her talking to herself a couple of times, but she always has plausible excuse. Griff tells them that she has a severe case of insefilitis.

Sonny tells himself to think of the kids. He sees himself in Michael, even though he’s not Sonny’s blood. He’s a thinker and strategist, but what saves him is his heart. If Sonny was a different person, he’d have him take over the business. But he’s better than that; better than Sonny. Sonny strives to be like him.

Josslyn and Oscar walk near where Sonny is. Josslyn wonders if their bikes will be okay, but Oscar says they’re the only ones there. He says it’s awesome, and she asks what the place is. He tells her it’s an old distillery, built in the 1800s on river when whiskey was transported by boat. He loves places with a story behind them. He tells Josslyn that they’re demolishing some of the buildings, but he thinks the distillery is safe because it’s historical. He asks if she wants to look around.

Carly asks Garvo where Sonny is, moving closer to him. Garvey says he needs supplies now, and her nurse friend is helping him. Carly tells him somebody is going to notice, and he’ll be caught in two seconds. He says he’s staying, and Elizabeth is going to get what he needs. Oh yeah, great plan. Like, wouldn’t she go for help?

Finn asks if Sam can hear him. and asks her to wake up for him. When she doesn’t, he tells her to hang in there; they’ll find out what it is.

Griff tells Alexis that it’s treatable, and they’re doing what they can. Alexis says what if it’s not enough, and he tells her to stay positive. She steps aside, and texts Julian to come to the ER.

Scotty tells Julian that the prosecution thinks Alexis is a slam dunk, but she’s going to sink them. Julian apologizes, saying Scotty has obviously given this some thought. Scotty tells him to buck up; things are going to turn around. Julian says if he’s right, this could change his life and give a fresh start, not just for him. but him and Alexis. Scotty asks how he does it. She’s smart, ethical, and holds on to a grudge, but he’s able to Svengali her. Julian wishes it were that simple. Scotty tells him that if he gets a second chance, don’t blow it. Julian says he doesn’t plan to. Scotty has to go, and tells Julian he gets to pay for the burger. Julian gets Alexis’s text, and jets. I guess The Floating Rib just got stiffed.

Josslyn says the place is super cool, and Oscar tells her that she’s the only person he’s brought there. He sees something on the ground, and picks it up. He likes to make things out of stuff he finds and could use it. He tells her that there’s a cask room that still exists. The should see if they can find some old barrels. I assume that’s where Sonny is.

Sonny talks to Morgan, saying that he’s charming, impulsive, leaps before looking, and suffered the same darkness that Sonny did. He weeps a little, saying he’s proud of Morgan. Josslyn asks if Oscar heard something; it sounded like kids laughing. She thinks they should check on their bikes, and they leave. Omg, I can’t take it. So close and yet so far.

Carly tells Garvito that she can’t just grab supplies; she doesn’t work there. He tells her to be back in ten minutes. Elizabeth tosses her the keys, and tells her where everything is. Carly tells Garvey not to hurt Elizabeth, but he’s starting to fade, and she breaks away.

Jason asks about Scout, but Josslyn comes out. She doesn’t look happy, but it’s that fake-out American Idol moment again. She tells them that Scout is okay, and passed all the tests with flying colors. She hugs Jason.

Finn tells Nurse Deanna to take Sam’s vitals again. He’s looking for any small improvement. He joins the others outside her room, and says that Sam has lapsed into a coma. It’s too soon to tell what it means; maybe her body needs extra time to heal. He says they can see her in a few minutes. Julian runs in, and Alexis tells him that Sam is in a coma. (It’s called a nap, Susan Lucci!)

Carly tells Elizabeth to go get help. She grabs Garvicious by the collar and says to tell her where Sonny is.

Josslyn tells Oscar not to laugh at her just because a flock of geese sounded like kids laughing. From a distance, my dogs barking sound like a flock of geese. Oscar jokes that the geese might steal their bikes. Sonny messes with the tourniquet, obviously not hearing them, even though there’s no one else around and they’re making no attempt to be quiet. He moves on to Kristina. He says they’re the most alike. She’s stubborn, full of fire, and the first one to call people out. She’s calculating, but doesn’t have a cruel bone in her body. She’s full of passion, and that passion lights up the whole world. On the other hand, Josslyn can hear a flock of seagulls geese a mile away, but not hear Sonny talking to himself.

Julian asks what happened, but Alexis doesn’t know. Finn says that the disease is usually transmitted by birds or cats, and since she’s been around neither, it must have been contracted out in the wild. Jason says her system was compromised the night Scout was born; the night Julian’s sister kicked Sam off the bridge, and she gave birth to Scout in the freezing cold. He asks if that sounds right. Kristina asks wth is Julian doing there? Sam hates him, and it’s his fault she almost died, because Julian didn’t have the guts to warn her about Olivia-J. Jason says that’s why they’re at the hospital now; she got sick the night she gave birth. Julian says that Olivia would have hurt the entire family, but Kristina says the only one who believes that is him. She asks how dare he show up, and Alexis says she asked him to come. Kristina asks what’s wrong with her, and says that Sam doesn’t need it. She tells Julian not to come near her sister or anyone else in her family or she’ll stop him. She says don’t think she can’t; her father is more powerful than he is. So there.

Carly tells the Garvman that he’s not safe at the hospital, and to tell her what he did to Sonny. He just laughs. Well, as much as you can laugh when you’re about to pass out.

Josslyn tells Oscar that she’ll race him to their bikes. Sonny looks through his wallet and sees a picture of Avery. He says he doesn’t know what she’ll be like, but he wants to be there to find out. He wants to find out, and be her dad. He slumps, and begs God to let him be there for her.

Griff asks if a conference room is needed, but Kristina says she’s done. Julian asks Jason if he wants to get his licks in. Jason says that Kristina said it all. He’s going to focus on his wife and daughter, but he won’t forget, and neither will Sam. Kristina says she’ll take Scout home. Jason thanks her for stepping up, and she says there’s nothing more important than family. Deanna says they can visit one at a time, but there’s no change yet. Alexis tells Jason to go ahead, and he asks for Julian to be gone when he gets back.

Oh come on. Let’s resolve something before the end of the show.

Alexis tells Julian to go. She says that Kristina is right. Julian says that she’s terrified for her sister, but Alexis says that doesn’t make her wrong. Sam wouldn’t want him here, and he needs to respect that. Julian asks if she thinks he wanted this to happen. She says no, but it did, and he needs to go.

Jason asks for moment alone with Sam. He tells her that he knows it’s not fair. She didn’t even get through her night on the embankment yet, but they can still beat this. He can’t imagine how tired she is and how hard it is, but he tells her not to give up. She didn’t give up then, and she can’t now. He doesn’t know if she can hear him, but he’s telling her again that he has no life there without her. He’s staying there, waiting for her to wake up and tell him that she loves him too.

Oscar tells Josslyn that there are no cars in the driveway, so she’s in the clear. She says good, because the last thing she needs is to be grounded indefinitely. Oscar says him too. Josslyn says he acts like he has no friends, but that’s not true; he has plenty of friends at school. He says they’re okay, but no one is into the same stuff she is, and they’re all on their phones 24/7. He tells her that he’ll see her tomorrow, and she thanks him. She says it was fun, and he says they’ll do it again soon. Josslyn says she’d like that. On the porch, Oscar examines what he picked up at the distillery – a bullet casing.

Carly tells Garvey Shmarvey to wipe the smirk off his face, and tell her where Sonny is. Garvey says that he killed him.

Sonny staggers up again. He yells that if anyone can hear him, get him out of there. Think Oscar will make a stop on his way home?

On Monday, Jason asks Griff for help, Jared wants to leave the past behind, Carly tells the hospital staff that Garvey knows where Sonny is, and Hayden talks to Finn about marriage.

Quotes of the Week

Normal is not something to aspire to, it’s something to get away from. – Jodie Foster

If you’re very lucky, you’ll have many, many friends and many, many memories, and you can think about them. – Jenny Fields (Glenn Close), The World According to Garp, on getting old

Don’t let your fears overwhelm your desires. Let the barriers your face – and there will be barriers – be external. – Sheryl Sandberg

The world doesn’t care how many times you fall down, as long as it’s one fewer than the number of times you get back up. – Aaron Sorkin

I think my mistakes have made me much stronger. It’s nice to know that things don’t ultimately break you; that you need to go there to know. – Emma Watson

A library is a good place to go when you feel unhappy, for there, in a book, you may find encouragement and comfort. – E.B. White

Speaking of Books…

Hopefully, a library still exists where you are. I’m hoping books never go the way of black and white TVs, although I admit to being addicted to e-books on my Nook. I said that just to recommend The Thousandth Floor by Katharine McGee. The plot and characters are interesting, but were almost immaterial for me with this one. The main character is the thousand-story tower that, in 2118, houses Manhattan. Usually, I’m all about the dialogue, and have been known to even skip over long descriptions (I’m talking to you, Stephen King), but I didn’t even care what anyone was saying. I wanted to read more about the tower. The higher your floor, the wealthier you are. There were times when it reminded me of the train class system in Snowpiercer, another story where the setting is just as much, if not more, a star as the characters. It’s definitely worth it to check out this vision of the future. Floating drink bubbles are sipped from at parties, drugs are designed for your specific chemical make-up, changes in weather are scheduled, a thought sends a text, and driving a conventional car is against the law – these are just a few of the things that await you in this view of the twenty-second century. I’m hoping more books in this same vein follow. I would also love to see this turned into a movie.

That’s What She Said

Friday2

 

 

Jul24

July 23, 2017 – A Whole Lotta Shahs & a Little Bit of Thrones

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What I Watched Today

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

 

 

Shahs of Sunset

Asa brings lunch for two out to the pool, and floats around on a golden swan. GG arrives bearing hummus. She ironically says that Asa looks skinnier, and tries to get on the float with her, but ends up dumping her into the pool. GG realizes Asa is pregnant, and freaks out, hugging her. They laugh about GG saying she looked skinnier. Asa says the first trimester is tiring, and GG says of course – your body has another body in it. She asks how everyone else took it, and if MJ is jealous. Asa says she doesn’t think so, but she’s in such a great place, that she’s not even sure what’s going on with everyone else. In her interview, Asa tells us that Reza and Adam’s one-year anniversary is coming up, and it’s sad when they’re missing a person. GG asks if she doesn’t think that Reza was in the wrong too. Asa tells GG that she has to own her stuff, and not palm a percentage off on someone else. She says to move past something, you can’t partially blame others. Good point.

Mike cleans up after the party, and MJ visits with coffee and buttery chocolate croissants. We flash back to the party, which Mike declares dope. Mike is surprised she’d bring the croissants after the throw-down they had over them three seasons ago. He asks if she had a good time at the party, and tells her that when she started crying he felt badly, thinking it was because she wants a baby too. She says that it was about her dad, not Asa’s pregnancy. Mike says he’s open-minded, but wonders why Asa doesn’t want to get married first. MJ thinks they’re not sure if they even want to live together, and Mike wants to be enlightened. In her interview, MJ says Asa and Jermaine have been together seven years, but everything is a secret. Mike says they’ve been a couple forever, and questions why they’re not getting married and then having a child.

Asa comes by Reza’s condo. He’s writing out a card to Adam for their anniversary. MJ shows up next. Reza says they’re late already, and they join everyone at the party bus. MJ toasts to Adam and Reza’s first year. She calls Tommy, but gets voicemail. MJ asks if GG is coming, but Reza says she lies and hits people. He hopes she’s on a good path, but wants to keep the circle small tonight. They guess whether Asa is having a boy or girl, and Adam asks them to guess when they’re having kids. In his interview, Reza says that since Asa’s announcement, Adam’s uterus has been on fire. Ha-Ha! Reza cracks me up.

The bus gets to the Wildlife Way Station where they’re having dinner after checking out the animals. We flash back to the Thailand trip, when Adam and Reza were supposed to get married the first time, with Reza backing out, and Adam staying home. In his interview, Reza says that he wants to give Adam what he couldn’t give him then. Mike says Adam twitches whenever Thailand is mentioned. Two turtles are mating, and MJ encourages them. Reza tells us that Mike has a special connection to monkeys, and it’s very telling.

It’s time to eat, and a beautiful tent has been set up in the forest, decorated with tiny lights and an aquarium. Reza asks Annalise what her plan is, since she and Shervin aren’t on the same continent. In his interview, Reza says Shervin is a whore, and he thinks Shervin is fooling around no matter where Annalise is. He says the burden is on her, and wonders why Shervin is fronting. Asa asks who’s going to have a baby next. Reza says Adam brings it up every five seconds; he wants their children to grow up with Asa’s, but they’ll do their thing when it’s time. Reza thanks everyone for coming. He compares his and Adam’s relationship to a stew that gets better after it’s been around a while. He doesn’t think that anything will make Adam forget Thailand, but it’s been a great year. In his interview, he wants to know where the trophy is for being faithful a whole year.

MJ suggests that they ask questions of each other. Reza wonders who’s getting married next, and MJ asks Asa if Jermaine has proposed. Asa says no, but they’ll get married when they get married, and they practically live together now. MJ asks how her parents are taking it, and if she knows why she doesn’t want to get married. In her interview, Asa says that the questions are judgmental, and it’s her life. Mike wonders if Jermaine being of a different race is a problem with the family, and there’s a quick discussion about how progress has been made in that area. In his interview, Mike says that it’s perfect time to talk, but she’s making them feel stupid for asking. Asa says that she and Jermaine know the future they want, and they’re working toward it. MJ thinks they’re too old for that kind of vague nonsense, and in her interview, she wonders if Jermaine didn’t propose and Asa wanted him to.

Adam meets GG for coffee. She tells him that he’s always been there for her, and she misses him. She’s asked him for a face to face a couple of times, and thanks him for coming. He says he doesn’t remember ever receiving an apology from her, but she shows him a text she’d sent him the morning after she attacked him. He admits that he might have blocked her. She tells him that it was a wake-up call. She loves him, and being the most innocent in the situation, he got the worst of it. He says he told people that he was mauled by a dog when they asked what happened. She says she’d never want to hurt him, and it was a lie about the video. She tells him that time heals, people grow and learn from their mistakes. He says he never hated her, even though she upset him greatly. He accepts her apology, but can’t see her behind Reza’s back. She understands that, and thanks him again. He jokingly tells her not to run after him this time.

Reza asks Adam what happened. Adam says that GG apologized, and he felt it was sincere. Reza asks what she apologized for, and Adam gives him a list, including the things she did to Reza. Adam says he thinks she wants to be a better person, and he’d like to give her a second chance. Reza says if he made up stories or hit someone every time he had a problem, he wouldn’t get anywhere in life. He doesn’t mind if Adam has a relationship with GG, but he’s not ready to have her back in his life. Adam says he’d like for them all to move on. He doesn’t want any negativity in any aspect of their relationship.

Reza arrives at MJ’s, and she hands him a drink. Shervin has invited them to a beach house, and he knows GG has been invited. In his interview, he says Adam thinks it’s cool, but he’s not sure, so he’s speaking softly and carrying a big stick. MJ gets a call about her father being released from the hospital to rehab, and asking if she’ll be involved with physical therapy. In her interview, she says they look forward to, and expect a full recovery. She tells Reza that they should stop by before they go to the beach house. While she gets ready, he cleans up her place. Yep, it’s a mess. In his interview, he sees her moving backward and being stuck, and wants her to get it together.

Reza and MJ visit MJ’s dad, Shams. He’s not as together as he was before, and she’s concerned. He does not look well at all, and in his interview, Reza says seeing him in this frail state is something he can’t even express. Reza tries to keep from crying. MJ says every day is another curveball. She walks around with a lump in her throat and wanting to throw up, but would rather this than what her father is going through. She tells Shams to smile, and he moves his mouth a little bit. She tells him she loves him, and gives him a bunch of kisses.

The guests start arriving at the Malibu party house. No surprise, the property is stunning. GG says she no longer drinks hard liquor. Shervin suggests that he and Mike jump into the pool from the roof. They don’t do that, but Shervin jumps from a balcony, giving everyone a mini heart attack.

In the car. Reza says that was hard, and MJ says that Shams does not look okay. She claims that yesterday, he looked like Roger Moore, but Reza thinks she’s in denial. She sees Shams in a healthier state than he is, and isn’t connecting to what’s real. She talks about taking Shams to Vegas when he’s better. Reza says if anyone says anything stupid or insignificant, he’s going to take their head off.

Reza tells Shervin about the visit with Shams. In his interview, he says it puts things in perspective, like his relationship with GG. It’s been a year since GG has seen Reza, and after she arrives, she realizes everyone is watching and waiting for her reaction. Reza tells Mike and Asa that Shams was a wreck, and MJ acted like nothing was wrong. Reza says that she thinks he’ll be there to walk her down the aisle and hold the baby; Mike thinks she’s completely delusional.

The party is in full swing. Mike tells us that it’s perfect – a dope house, catered food, so much alcohol you could drown in it, and some extras, like belly dancers. You name it, and it can go down at a Persian party. GG tells Adam to be nice to her man; he’s shy. She and Shalom have been living in the same building for years, but one day she said hey, and they’ve been together ever since. MJ wants massive quantities of tequila. GG has also brought a friend to buffer things. Right now, it’s nerve-wracking. She wants to make her presence noticeable, but doesn’t know what to do exactly.

Reza tells Asa about how they have so much amazing in their lives [sic], and wonders what he’s holding on to. He calls GG and MJ over to the couch. He tells us that he had a crazy emotional thing at the hospital, and his heart is open. He tells GG that he needs to bury this. He says the hospital hit home. They were talking about what’s really important, and some sh*t needs to be done. If anything needs to be said, now’s the time. GG says she’s been waiting for this, and has something for everyone. In her interview, she says that she wants to get back to how she and Reza used to be – talking sh*t about other people and not each other. She brings out some little handmade dolls for good fortune that she bought in Belize, and has each of them pick one. She meant to give them out at the time, but… She says that she and Reza put each other through hell, and apologizes for anything she did to hurt him, his people, or husband. Reza says he accepts, apologizes to GG, and says let’s move forward. In her interview, GG is thrilled, and says they’re all best friends again. She and Reza hug it out, and everyone wants the best for each other. They stack their hands on one another’s like before you do a cheer. Unicorns and rainbows dance across the screen. Well, just about.

Next time, Reza throws a Peace-in-the-Middle-East Halloween party, MJ wants to get pregnant, GG walks the runway, and Reza suggests a trip to Israel.

👑 And they’re just warming up. On Game of Thrones, Ser Jorah wasn’t looking too good, but Sam went behind the Maester’s back to try a cure for Jorah’s spreading greyscale. The Tarlys have to make a choice between siding with the crown or house Tyrell, who Jaime pointed out have brought the Dothraki to their shores. Oleanna told Dany that it’s better to be feared than respected, but Dany said that’s not her way. Tyrion laid out a battle plan, but Oleanna encouraged Dany to be a dragon, saying Tyrion might be clever, but she’s outlived clever men by ignoring them. Greyworm and Missansdei got busy. It’s about time. Sam got word to Jon about Dragonstone being on a mountain of dragonglass, and also told him that Dany is bucking for the Iron Throne and coming with three dragons. Jon decided to meet with them because they need the dragonglass. Sansa thinks it’s a trap, but still looked mighty pleased when Jon put her in charge while he’s gone. He begs to differ, and thinks Tyrion is a good guy. Seriously, Sansa should know that.

🐺 Arya was reunited with Nymeria, but it the scene ended sadly. In the forest, Arya was surrounded by a pack of wolves, with Nymeria as their leader. Arya wanted her direwolf to come north with her, but Nymeria wanted to stay with her new pack, and she simply led them away. The ladies from Dorne were kind of a snooze, but things livened up when Ellaria started flirting with Yara, who I constantly want to call Tasha Yar (Star Trek: The Next Generation). It was all fun and games, until bombs dropped on the party. That jerk Euron showed up, destroying the Greyjoy fleet. Although the fighting was fierce, Euron came out the winner, and captured Yara. Theon totally rallied when a knife was held to his sister’s throat – not. In what could have been a glorious moment for him, Theon jumped overboard, leaving Yara to fend for herself. Most. Disappointing. Moment. Ever.

❄ And since someone had to, Lady Lyanna told Jon that winter is here.

GOT-Nymeria

Nymeria

 

Jul14

July 13, 2017 – A Sad Day for Scotty, a Zoo Mention & Uno Quote

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What I Watched Today

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

 

 

General Hospital

Lucy bangs on Scotty’s door. She says it’s important and can’t wait.

Felicia invites Nathan to poker night, and invites him for other nights. He wonders why she’s booking up all his free time. She says they don’t want him to get lonely with Maxie away.

At the hospital, Amy is perusing some Man Landers questions. Bobbie asks her for a favor. Amy asks Bobbie a personal marital question, but Bobbie says they’re not there yet. She tells Amy to let Monica know that she’s taking an early lunch. Bobbie sees Carly, and tells her that she’s meeting with Felicia. Carly says Michael can’t find out; he’ll think they’re on a witch hunt. Bobbie says they are, since Nelle is a witch, but they’ll be careful.

Outside of Crimson, Michael tells Nelle he missed her, and they kiss.

Sonny tells Oscar that any problem he’s got, Sonny can fix. Oscar starts to record the exchange on his phone, and tells Sonny to get out before it goes viral. Josslyn tells Oscar that he’s her stepfather. Oscar starts to apologize, but Sonny interrupts. He says what Oscar did was exactly the right thing to do.

Bobbie tells Carly to play nice with Nelle. If she can’t, she’ll blow everything. She says the hardest part will be seeing her with Michael, and when they attack, he’ll want to protect her. She tells Carly to stay pleasant and calm, but not too sweet. Carly says she can outplay Nelle easy.

Nelle tells Michael that he likes to live dangerously, since this is Carly’s turf. He says he thinks his mother knows they’re doing more than holding hands.

Nathan tells Felicia that he has been lonely, but the job is a great opportunity for Maxie, and she’s able to see Georgie. Felicia says he’s an enlightened guy, but that doesn’t keep you company. She says Maxie is concerned, and Nathan wishes Maxie would tell him what’s really on her mind. Felicia says Maxie thinks he’s keeping something from her. He gets a text from Amy.

Scotty says Lucy’s emergencies always translate into grief for him. He’s lucky to be alive, and keeps looking over his shoulder since she blabbed about his involvement with Morgan’s pills. He asks her to leave, saying that he’s billing Julian by the hour, and expects it to be his early retirement. Lucy starts to cry, and says it’s about his father. She says she’s sorry, but he’s gone. He says that can’t be true; he just talked to him, and he’s healthy as a horse. He wants to know why Lucy was called, and she says Serena called her but didn’t want Scotty finding out over the phone. He wants to call Serena, but Lucy says that she’s focused on Gail right now. Lucy tells Scotty that he went peacefully, so there’s some comfort in that. He says it’s out of the blue, and calls Lee a bulldog. Lucy says that’s what makes it hard to accept. Having very recently had a friend pass away suddenly in their sleep, this is getting to me.

Oscar says he was in the wrong, but Sonny says he didn’t know. He likes that Josslyn has a friend who takes action on her behalf, and as far as Oscar knew, he was a stranger trying to get Josslyn alone. He tells Josslyn that he has good news. Her dad’s immigration issues are resolved, and he can come back to the US any time he wants.

Felicia tells Nathan that Maxie has an active imagination, but also good instincts. He says she has no cause for concern. Bobbie arrives to meet with Felicia. Nathan gets another text from Amy asking if he can meet her, and says that he has to go. Bobbie asks if everything is okay, and Felicia says that remains to be seen. Bobbie says Nelle has her hooks in Michael, but not on her watch, and it’s time to take her down. She asks if Felicia is with her, but Felicia says no.

Michael and Nelle run into Carly. She asks what he’s doing there, and he says taking Nelle to lunch. Would she care to join them?

Nathan tells Amy to make it quick. She reads him a Man Landers question, and asks how his sex life is. He says his wife is across the country; what does she think? She hands him the proofs from the photo shoot. He says this was the emergency? He has his own life, and the more they’re seen in public, the greater the chance they’ll be figured out. After this, they’re done with him being the face of Man Landers. She says she needs one more teensy thing – for him to be the face one more time.

Sonny wanted Josslyn to be the first to know. He found out from a friend who works for the government. She asks if it’s the same guy who had her father deported. She’s glad, but wishes it hadn’t happened in the first place. Sonny apologizes again, and says he cares about her and always will. He’ll always have her back. That’s one thing he and Oscar have in common.

Carly asks Michael if it’s a real invitation, but says she’s late for an appointment, so she can’t. Nelle says maybe another time, and Carly says maybe. When she’s gone, Nelle tels Michael that was interesting. She doesn’t know who’s more shocking, Michael or Carly. He says he thought it might do some good. Nelle wonders what would have happened if she’d said yes, and Michael tells her it would have been the shortest lunch on record in a place that has no knives. He says that Carly didn’t take her head off, so that’s progress.

Felicia tells Bobbie that she’s not defending Nelle, but she thinks it’s a mistake. She doesn’t want them alienating Michael, and thinks they’ll just push him away. She suggests they let him live his own life. God forbid.

Scotty calls Serena, but it goes to voicemail. He asks her to call when she gets the message. He says they love her, and maybe it was good that she was there. Lucy says she’s sure Serena must be helping Gail with the details. He tells Lucy that she can go, but she says she took the day off. He pours some liquor, and suggests she go to the spa; he can take care of himself. She asks, by downing a drink? and he says that he’s just getting started. Lucy says Lee had problems with alcohol, and is that a way to honor him? Scotty says he was a disappointment to his father in life, so why not in his death?

Nathan tells Amy that he’s out. He has a career he enjoys, and this wouldn’t help if he’s found out. Amy says her brother was on a wait list for surgery, and the approval just came through. It means she’ll have to take a leave from GH. He doesn’t see what it has to do with him. She tells him that she doesn’t have vacation days, so she’ll have to take a leave of absence. In lieu of her salary, she’s arranged for a gig. Man Landers is giving an interview.

After Sonny leaves, Josslyn asks Oscar not to tell anyone about what happened. Oscar says he won’t, and it’s his fault anyway. He says he’s kind of glad he got to meet Sonny; he’s cool. Josslyn says Sonny did have the good sense to compliment Oscar on his improvised defense tactic, but he can’t do it again. She can’t have him sticking up for her, even if he does it well.

At the MetroCourt, Sonny meets Carly, who tells him about seeing Michael. She says she didn’t scream or yell, and kept her cool when Michael invited her to lunch with them. She can’t stand the position that Nelle is putting him in; she’s driving wedge between them. Sonny asks if she’s making progress or is she playing Nelle? She says Nelle played them, and she’s just trying to put her family back together in bad circumstances.

Bobbie tells Felicia that it’s hard to watch and do nothing. They see Nelle and Michael walk into the restaurant. Felicia tells Bobbie to weigh the risks, and if Bobbie still feels the same way, she’ll do it. Bobbie doesn’t want her to be uncomfortable, but Felicia says she’d be more uncomfortable if it was taken to another P.I., and to let her know.

Lucy tells Scotty that Lee wasn’t disappointed in him. Scotty wants to be alone, but Lucy won’t leave. She knows she wasn’t Lee’s favorite of Scotty’s many exes, but she managed to do something wonderful bringing Serena into the world, and then she and Lee were in each other’s orbits. She says he loved Scotty very much. Scotty says he did, but he failed Lee every step of the way. He says Lee was a great guy, and he took advantage and took him for granted.

Nathan tells Amy to forget it. Amy begs for just one interview. She can shepherd him though it. He says he agreed to the other one, but this is as far as he goes. Amy tells him that she needs all the money she can get; she and Chet still have to survive after the surgery. He asks what about the next time, and the time after that? As her audience grows, so will interview opportunities. She can’t hide behind him forever, and maybe now is the time to reveal herself. She says she’s sorry she dragged him into it, and she’ll figure something out. He tells her to wait, and asks how it’s going to work. She hugs him.

Sonny tells Carly that he was able to give Josslyn some good news. He pulled some strings, and got Jax’s deportation order rescinded. He thinks she was glad, but it’s going to take a while to make it right. Carly appreciates that he’s trying, and says that Josslyn will get there eventually. He asks if she knows anything about Oscar.

Josslyn tells Oscar that he got lucky, but don’t push it. Oscar says he and Sonny are good. She says that Morgan was the only one who could bust on Sonny and not get challenged. Oscar wishes he could have met Morgan. Josslyn says that Morgan would have liked him. He liked anyone she did, but he was spontaneous. He leaped before looking, like Oscar did when he stood up to Sonny, and when he asked her to meet him on the footbridge. She says that doing something just for fun or because it’s a cool idea is very Morgan, but he has to promise not to challenge Sonny next time. Oscar says that’s fine, as long as she promises there is a next time.

Nelle asks Michael if Bobbie is still watching, and Michael says they’re still the center of attention. Nelle wants to leave, but he says the sooner everyone accepts reality, the better off they’ll be. When Nelle goes to the bathroom, Michael approaches Bobbie. She says that she didn’t want to interrupt, but she doesn’t want to pretend she approves or it’s not breaking Carly’s heart. Michael says they have a right to their feelings, but it’s his life, and he has to be true to himself. Bobbie says funny that he’s using the word true. She thinks Nelle is using his graciousness against him, and isn’t sure it’s not part of her master plan. He tells her that both she and Carly have made their share of mistakes, and were given more chances. Why shouldn’t he do that for Nelle?

Scotty tells Lucy that Lee never forgave him for goofing things up with Laura. Lucy says they were just kids. He says that Lee was thrilled. He was going to be a success story, then everything went downhill. We flash back to when Scotty was practically a child and arguing with Lee.  Lucy takes the glass from his hand, telling him that’s enough. He’s allowed to feel sorry for himself, but not to rewrite history. He made mistakes and disappointed Lee sometimes, but it was a long time ago, and not who he is now. She says when Scotty met Dominique, it was magic, and together, they brought Serena into the world. Lee saw him as a new man. He had tears of joy, pride, and love when he saw Serena, and for the man Scotty had become. His father forgave him.

Josslyn talks to Oscar about Jax. She’s glad she didn’t have to visit him in Abu Dhabi, and says she’d either be inside all of the time, or die from a heat stroke. She thinks things here are better. They part company, and Oscar smiles.

Carly says that Oscar was the boy drinking with Josslyn. Sonny says he thought Oscar was cool, but Carly gets unreasonable as usual, acting like Oscar led Josslyn astray, when they were just sitting there talking quietly and barely drinking. Sonny says he’ll support her no matter what. She says that she has to intervene, and she will. Carly spends so much time spinning her wheels over protecting her family from imaginary situations, it’s a wonder she gets anything else done.

Nelle tells Michael that she heard what he said to Bobbie, and asks if he’s ready for this. He says that he’ll respect his family’s wishes, but can’t live his life to please them. She asks what if he’s wrong about her, and he asks if he is. She tells him no.

Bobbie tells Felicia that she thought it over and wants to move forward. Felicia tells her to have Carly call HR. She wants to see Nelle’s employment records. She thinks the real dirt is where Nelle started – in Florida.

Amy tells Nathan that the interview is a podcast, and that she has a plan.

Lucy gives Scotty some coffee. He says he only had two drinks, but she says he’ll take it and like it. He tells her to go, but she promised Serena that she would stay with him. There’s a knock at the door. Scotty says to tell them he’s not there, and goes into another room. It’s Serena. She and Lucy hug and cry. Lucy calls to Scotty, saying when he sees who’s here, he might change his mind. He comes back, and sees Serena.

Tomorrow, Alexis talks to Valentin, Kiki brings Ava a surprise, and Dante has bad news for Sonny.

🐘 Not much else going on TVwise tonight, but I’m glad to see that Zoo is back. It’s worth watching for the special effects alone, but the story is intriguing, the acting top notch, and there are a couple of scruffily cute guys on it. Oddly enough, I’m not a huge James Patterson fan (and they should never, ever let him read from his own books), but this story is completely different from anything I’ve read of his. It seems more like something Michael Crichton would come up with. In a nutshell, animals everywhere are organizing and attacking humans. A zoologist, a safari guide, a newspaper reporter, a veterinary pathologist, and a French intelligence agent join forces to find out why. While the animals are the real stars, the supporting cast ain’t bad either.

🌷 Good Advice from a Lady in a Pink Car

Don’t limit yourself. Many people limit themselves to what they think they can do. You can go as far as your mind lets you. What you believe, remember, you can achieve.  – Mary Kay Ash 

ZooTV

“I like people… I just prefer when they’re not around.” – Mitch Morgan, veterinary pathologist, Zoo

Jul3

July 2, 2017 – Fear the Safety Perspective, Don’t Let the Potomac Hit You on the Way Out & the Marathon Lingers

Posted on by
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What I Watched Today

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

 

 

Fear the Walking Dead

Jeremiah sets up some target practice for Nick. Nick is worried about the caravan, and Jeremiah says they’ll get back when they get back.

Alicia gets out of Jake’s bed. She’s also worried about the caravan. Jake says he protected Troy when they were little, and she can trust him – on this at least. She says she’s more worried about whoever shot the helicopter down.

The caravan looks like a bunch of zombies coming up the road, ragged and shuffling. Alicia and Nick both run out to meet Madison. Everyone gets water, and injuries are looked at. Jeremiah asks what happened, and Troy wants to talk privately. Vernon says they all have a right to know, and Mike tells them that they’re Indian and slaughtered all of them. He says they’ll die too, if they don’t leave.

There’s a meeting in Jeremiah’s office, and Troy thinks they should hit them back immediately. Jeremiah asks if he scouted everything out. Madison says they were cautious, and Jeremiah says they’re extending the caution and not attacking. Troy says they either stole the land or didn’t, and Madison asks if it was stolen. Jeremiah says it was sold to his forebears, and what difference does it make? Jake tells Madison that Walker is a tribal lawyer. He’s sued them several times, and they’ve beat him in court every time. Jeremiah says the reservation is nothing but drug addicts and welfare cheats. He says it’s not racism, but the truth, and that was before the apocalypse, so he can just imagine now. Madison says the guy who talked to them was formidable and took command. Jeremiah asks if she has a crush on him, and tells Jake to deal with it.

Nick and Alicia take Madison back to their cabin. They unwrap and bathe her feet, which look pretty bad. Nick says Madison is strong, and she says he is too.

Alicia goes out to where Jake is practice shooting. She says sorry about the people he lost, but he says he didn’t know most of them. Alicia asks about Jeremiah, and Jake says that he’s the only founding father left; they’re getting picked off one by one. She asks if he’s afraid, and he says war is a violent place. He shows her how to use the automatic rifle. She asks who takes over the ranch after his dad. He says the land will pass to him and Troy, but the people don’t take orders well, so it could end up being anybody, even her. She says why wouldn’t it be him; they’ll want to look to somebody, so why not? She shoots the target.

Gretchen is looking for Alicia. Madison says she’s out and about, and asks how Mike is. She says he’s freaked, but said everyone would have died without her. Madison asks her to come in, and Gretchen says it’s her whole family. Her father doesn’t think it’s safe, and he’s one of the ones who built it. He said it’s just started, and he wants to leave the ranch. Madison says there’s nowhere safer, but Vernon thinks the Rockies will be safe at elevation. He thinks no one will listen, but being a founder, feels responsible.

Jeremiah drinks in his office. He hears something and goes outside. Nick does too. There are little fires all around, and everyone starts coming outside. The count about twenty, and Jeremiah says it wasn’t meant to burn them out; it’s just bullsh*t. Madison says the people are scared.

Nick goes to the pantry. Troy asks if Lucie took off. Nick gets annoyed, but Troy says he’s glad he didn’t take after her. Vernon and Kathy want to leave with some supplies. Troy tells Kathy that it’s no time to leave, but she says they’re worried. Vernon says this is what they put in, and the rules are that they can take it back out. Troy says the rules are for the people who live there, and if they leave, they don’t live there anymore. Kathy says that they spoke with his father, and to take it up with him.

Jeremiah looks like he has a headache, and tells Madison that it’s migraines. She almost tells him about Vernon, but Vernon joins them and beats her to it. He tells Jeremiah that they’ve been friends going on thirty years, but a man’s family comes first. He thinks the best thing to protect them is to leave. Jeremiah asks if they’re booking at the first sign of trouble, but Vernon says they’ve already killed eight. Jeremiah tells him to go. Madison begs Vernon to think for a minute, but he says his mind is made up, and walks away. Jeremiah tells her that when some men have kids, and it turns them into women, which she really appreciates. I can tell by the look on her face. Madison tells Jeremiah to give him a reason to stay or the rest will follow. Jeremiah says he welcomed them with open arms, and now has to beg them to stay? She says there’s a fight coming, and they’ll need everyone.

Vernon and his family are about to leave in their RV. Troy tells them he’ll shoot if the gate is opened. He tells Vernon to open the door, and tries to get Mike to come out. He says people died, and a man doesn’t run. Jake joins the people starting to gather, and tells Troy that Jeremiah said they could leave. Troy says everything is their property, and starts getting loud and stupid. Jake says that’s not what dad wants, and he’s just protecting the ranch. Troy tells him that he has no clue about protecting anything, and is he going to fight or surrender? Troy hits Jake. By now, Jeremiah is there, and almost decks Troy, but the others stop him. The gate is opened, and the RV leaves, Gretchen looking sadly out the window.

Troy is in the armory, and Madison asks if he’s looking for something to take out his old man. He says, never. All he’s ever had is this place and these people. He doesn’t understand it; the world outside is burned. Madison says that they want to see for themselves. He says Mike has been his friend since they were kids; he never quit on him. Madison says he didn’t quit on Troy; he stood by his family. Troy says it’s hard to know how to react. Madison says she’ll help him to save the others from the same mistake.

Troy tells his soldiers to come to attention. He says Mike is gone, and not coming back. From now on, they set an example, and will be a model of order, discipline, and chain of command. They have to make people feel safe or they’ll leave. They have to defend it with their lives or they’ll be slaughtered. It’s all they have, and it’s teetering. The only thing that can save it, is them. He says they’re all with him and do they understand. Everyone says, yes, sir.

Nick sees someone in the new/old house that burned. It’s Jeremiah, working. He asks where Nick has been; he’s been there drinking all night alone. That ought to be great for his migraines. He offers something to Nick, who says he’s high on life. Ha-ha! He tells Jeremiah to slow down, and asks what happened to his hand. Jeremiah says the expression “love the one you’re with” goes the same for hitting people, and I have no idea how that ties in. Nick says tomorrow is another day, a better one; he can crash there, and he’ll be too hungover to get in any fights. Jeremiah says the house is a sacred spot, where the movement was conceived; his life’s work. Now, two are dead, and one is dead to him. He knocks over the table, and while Nick is picking it up, Jeremiah takes the gun. He shoots three holes in the table, and apologizes. He says it’s Nick’s home and gun. He gets into bed. He tells Nick there’s blood in it; it’s in the earth. This guy is a font of information tonight.

Alicia comes into the bunkhouse, and Madison startles her. She asks if Alicia was at Bible study, and Alicia says she was at Jake’s, adding it’s nothing serious. Madison says the rhythm method is bullsh*t, and Alicia says Madison already told her that when she was a little kid, and she thought Madison was talking about a band. Alicia tells Madison that there’s birth control in the pantry. Madison says that the stakes are higher now, and asks if Alicia likes him. Alicia says yes; like, but not love.

Yep, Jeremiah is hungover. Nick says he raided the pantry, and offers him some coffee. Jeremiah starts to say, about last night… and Nick interrupts, saying that he was at the bunkhouse, and did he miss something? Jeremiah spies a horse near the fence and wonders how long it’s been there. They move closer, and he realizes it’s Vernon’s horse. He tells Nick to get Madison.

Madison, Jeremiah, and Nick go out in the truck. Jeremiah doesn’t think they would just free the horse. He thinks that the family is dead, but questions how they got that way. He tells Madison to be ready for that.

Alicia looks at some of Jake’s desk papers, and sees they’re concerning the Black Hat Reservation. He says he’s going to talk to Walker. He wants to take the back way, so his father won’t stop him. Alicia is afraid he’ll get killed, but Jake says he has to be more than just a voice in his father’s ear. She thinks he should take charge inside the camp. He tells her that Walker isn’t crazy, and his people got a raw deal. She asks him not to go, but he leaves anyway.

Madison and company see the RV. It has bullet holes in the windshield. Jeremiah says to stay ready; a lot of dead wander around there. They hear sounds in the camper. Jeremiah opens the door, gun drawn. He goes inside, and we hear shots. He comes out, and says it was Vernon and Kathy. They see Mike, really dead, leaning up against the RV, and hear zombie feeding noises from the trailer. Inside, Gretchen and the rest of the family are chowing down on a horse. Madison shoots them, but pauses before shooting Gretchen, who’s the last one. Gretchen snaps at her like a rabid dog for a while, and Madison finally shoots her.

They pack everybody up. Nick asks Madison if it had something to do with Troy, but she says Walker is close by. Nick says no way they’d leave horses, an RV, and supplies. Jeremiah says of all the things Troy has done, he’s never anything like this, not to his own people. Madison says they need to be sure. Jeremiah doesn’t know what to do, and she says they have to go back.

The RV is brought back with the truck. Madison opens the truck bed, and looks at Troy. Everyone sees the bodies, and gets a little freaked. Madison says they were good people, and didn’t deserve it. She and her family were taken in as strangers at the ranch, and grew to love it there. She wishes her husband had lived to see it, but he was killed – by the same people who killed Phil and the people at the outpost. Walker’s people have now killed their friends. She explains that she’s seen firsthand what happens to his victims. They haven’t been out in the world, but she has, and there’s nothing out there. If they leave, they’ll die. She tells them that Walker’s people don’t have enough strength to fight them, but they’re trying to scare them out. Out there, where no one can see, and there’s no militia to protect them. If they stay together, they live. Everyone starts nodding, and Nick gives Madison the stink eye.

Alicia looks through Jake’s papers, and shoves some into her bag. Nick watches as everyone puts stuff back into the pantry. He tells Madison that she was impressive, and she says it was necessary. He asks how she could tell such a big lie. She says she didn’t lie; they’re safe where they are, and she’ll sleep like a baby. No one would believe it was Troy; they’re more afraid of what’s out there. Nick says that she should have told him first. He would have backed her like he’s backing her now. He tells her not to forget who Troy is.

Madison joins Troy, who’s sitting by himself. He tells her that he didn’t go out to do that. He wanted to look Mike in the eye, and have Mike tell him directly; he owed Troy that. Madison says Mike didn’t want to. Troy says that they both said things, and it went bad. She says that he could run this place, but not if he lets things break. Last night, he took command. Jake doesn’t have what he has; he’s the survivor and heir. She doesn’t want to hear that he lost control; it can’t happen. She doesn’t care why he does what he does, only that he controls it. He asks her why, and she tells him that a fight is coming. He has to save them. She asks if he can, and he says, yes, ma’am.

I got distracted because one of my dogs was stuck in a little dog tent, but next time is the finale, which will be preceded by a marathon. I did catch Madison saying that sides don’t matter, and Troy doesn’t think Jake is coming back.

🏛 The Real Housewives of Potomac had their finale tonight, with the reunion to follow next time. Apparently, Karen isn’t really downsizing, just making a lateral move to another city. The new house has nine bedrooms and is 14,000 square feet. That sounds like something Lisa Vanderpump and Ken Todd might “downsize” to. She had a Bollywood themed party, that had a touch of Welcome to America thrown in. I guess the invites said to show up in Indian costume, because Monique arrived in Native American regalia. I wasn’t sure if this was supposed to be a (bad) joke, or if she’s the Porsha of the group. I’ve also started to wonder about Robyn and Juan. Although divorced, they’ve never parted company, and now are devoting six months to working on their relationship. Romantic relationship. Could this all possibly be to get some storyline? Because, face it, there isn’t much else interesting about them. There weren’t any fascinating factoids in the blurbs at the end either. The best of it was that Monique is installing a shark tank in her kitchen, and Ashley’s restaurant and marriage are still tanking.

♛ Because I’ve been watching all weekend…

It’s not easy being drunk all the time. Everyone would do it if it were easy. – Tyrion Lannister, Game of Thrones

GoT-Tyrion

Jul2

July 1, 2017 – Playing the Throne Game

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What I Watched Today

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

 

Normally, I don’t post on a Saturday, but this is too good to miss. No recap; just opinion.

Game of Thrones

Baby dragons are now flying off the shelves at the HBO store. Even though the new season start date is July 16th, HBO is airing a Game of Thrones marathon that started from season one, episode one. (As I’m writing, they’re on the second season.) I’m guessing this is for Independence Day weekend, and they’ll have another marathon prior to the beginning of season seven. If you haven’t seen this show before, now’s the time. If you’re already a viewer, it’s a great refresher course. It’s been so long, you’ll need it.

While I love the fashion and the castles, Medieval themed stories are not my thing, but I immediately fell in love with GoT. I didn’t come to it the conventional way though. I had pretty much ignored it throughout the first three seasons, and then came “The Red Wedding” in The Rains of Castamere episode at the end of season three. It was everywhere on the internet, and I decided to see what all the hoopla was about, so I went to trusty YouTube. And I was in. Spoiler ahead.

I have to admit, the scene made me laugh the first time I saw it. Not knowing much about the show, I had absolutely no investment in the characters, and didn’t even know the plotline, so I was watching with an unbiased, figuratively detached eye. It was bing! bang! boom! bodies dropping left and right, front and back, blood flying everywhere, like a Monty Python comedy sketch. The episode was still airing, so I checked it out, and was intrigued. I resolved to read the books, even though reading fantasy set in The Middle Ages is even less appealing to me than watching it. By page two, I was hooked. It was that well-written. As I read though, I started to become frustrated trying to picture certain things like The Wall, and couldn’t wait for the series to return. Occasionally, I would catch an episode here or there, but out of context, it wasn’t working for me that well.

When the next season rolled around, which, thankfully, didn’t take a year. I was able to catch up. I also continued reading the books (George R.R. Martin, write faster! And whatever you do, don’t die.), which were just as wonderful, and gave me a better understanding of the characters. I also liked that they were loooong, unlike a lot of modern day fiction.

So even if you think it’s not for you, give it a look. The sets and costumes are spectacular, the acting and writing is superb, and the plotline follows the books for the most part. At least, up until now. (Write faster!) And it has dragons. Everybody loves dragons.

Some Thrones Quotes

Death is so boring. – Tyrion Lannister

There is only one god, and his name is Death. And there is only one thing we say to Death: “Not today.” — Syrio Forel

You can’t steal her. She’s a woman, not a goat. – Samwell Tarly (Not the greatest quote, but it made me laugh.)

Winter is coming. – about a hundred different characters

When you play the game of thrones, you win or you die. There is no middle ground. — Cersei Lannister

If you think this has a happy ending, you haven’t been paying attention. — Ramsay Bolton

Hodor! – Hodor

Sort of like a Pinterest fail…

WinterIsComing

Game of Thrones promo

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My fireplace…

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…at Christmastime

Jun26

June 25, 2017 – A Live Walker, a Little Dead Talk & Preacher Returns

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What I Watched Today

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

 

 

Fear the Walking Dead

An old man asks if his wife is okay. Nope, she’s not. She’s a zombie. She tries to bite him, but her teeth are in a glass next to the bed, so he dances with her. I guess she’s not a very good dancer, because he shoots her and himself in the head. They tumble into a lantern, and it starts a fire.

A commotion is going on at the ranch. Madison and Nick run outside. A building is on fire, and a crowd of people try to put it out with buckets of water. Jeremiah tells them to save the water; everyone inside is gone. He tells them to let it burn.

A soldier asks Madison if she’s up for the rescue mission. He calls her “sweetheart,” and tells her if she isn’t scared, she’s crazy, and she should know what she’s getting herself into. She tells him she survived the wasteland without him and his guns, and she’ll do fine. Nick wants to come, but she tells him to stay and take care of Alicia. Troy starts beeping the truck horn to get her moving. Nick doesn’t trust him, but she says he won’t hurt her, and the more they know about his family, the better.

At the food station, Jake quotes Ecclesiastes to Alicia. He says she should know it, since she’s been to Bible study three nights in a row. He starts to tell her something, and touches her hand, causing her to drop her coffee cup. She gets super annoyed, and Jake leaves. Gretchen tells her that the people who were in the fire were one of the first to be there, and were co-founders of the community. She asks if Alicia wants to party, but Alicia says she’s had enough for now.

Nick brings Luci breakfast. She says the couple’s death was sad, but beautiful; they were together until the end. She thinks they should leave, but Nick says they can’t just walk to Tijuana without a plan. Luci says that she knows people who are closer. Nick says they’re probably gone, but she tells him that they would have hidden in the prohibition tunnels. She thinks he doesn’t want to leave his family, but says she can’t live there. Nick says he won’t force her too, and she tells him that she wants him to come with her.

Victor tells Daniel that he’s impressive. Daniel wants to go into the hotel, guns blazing, but Victor says he’s a negotiator. He also doesn’t know what’s happened since he left. Daniel tells him to drive through the line of zombies blocking their path now.

Alicia goes to Jake’s house, and asks what he was going to tell her before she acted stupid. He says he’s happy that she came there. She tells him that she’s sorry about Russell and Martha, the couple who died. She wonders what happens now, and if they’ll ever be normal again. He asks if she’s okay, and she kisses him. Well, that beats what happened when Russell asked that question.

Troy sees some prisoner zombies in orange jumpsuits wandering around an overturned Department of Corrections truck. He wants to wipe them out, but one of the soldiers points out that they’re on the clock. Troy tells them it won’t take long, and no guns; it’s too much noise. Madison gets wrestled to the ground by two of the zombies, but the soldier who questioned her earlier shoots one with an arrow, and she’s able to pike the other one in the head. When the zombies are all dispatched, Troy says it’s a beautiful thing, and they did it in record time. The soldier takes back what he said about Madison.

Nick looks through the fire rubble, and finds a picture of the couple.

Alicia looks through Jake’s books as she gets dressed, and finds out that he’s a writer. Apparently, there’s no afterglow, because she says she has to leave. He wants to lend her a Charles Bukowski poetry book. She says she used to be into all of that, but now, what’s the point?

Nick is cleaning up the mess from the fire, and Jeremiah says that he’s part of the community now. He tells Nick that the house was once the only building on the property, and it used to be his home. He says Jake was born there, but his second wife wanted something bigger. Nick gives him the picture he found. Jeremiah picks the gun up out of the wreckage, and calls it a work of art. Nick says Troy calls them tools, and Jeremiah says Troy is trying to figure himself out. He tells Nick that every home needs a gun, and he’d given it to Russel. He says if Nick is going to do this right, he’s going to need help.

There’s no helicopter at the crash site. Madison says somebody hauled it away. One of the men finds a spent shell and says there must have been a gunfight. Troy says whoever attacked them probably went to the outpost, and they have to go after them right now. Madison is gung-ho about that, thinking about Travis.

Troy blasts death metal as he drives. Madison says seeing where it happened made it real, but he tells her that there’s no time for grief. She asks what if it was his father, and he says that the best you can do is take out the a-holes who wronged you. She says it’s a game for him, and he says it’s his calling.

Victor asks Daniel how he got out of the fire, and Daniel says something spared him. Maybe the devil wanted him to stay there with Victor. He asks why Victor left the hotel, and Victor says he wanted to broker a deal with Dante. Daniel calls him selfish, and Victor says he would have brought the others – he’s not the same man Daniel knew. He’s getting tired of Daniel’s animosity, and tells Daniel if he wants to kill him, do it, but Daniel just wants to get going.

Jeremiah tells Nick that Luci is okay, and Nick says that she thinks the monsters here are worse than the ones outside. Jeremiah says she should go, but Nick says he thought it was us against them. Jeremiah tells him that Luci should go because she can’t get right with what happened. He tells Nick about how he locked Troy in the basement after a tantrum when he was a child, and then forgot about him. He ran downstairs and found Troy just standing there, repeating, “I’m sorry, daddy.” He felt badly, but not bad enough to stop drinking. He says that Nick’s mom wants to stay, and his girl wants to go, but what does he want? Nick asks what made Jeremiah finally quit drinking, and Jeremiah tells him that he decided to go deer hunting when he was drunk, and nearly shot his privates off. And he didn’t mean the kind in the military.

The convoy goes to the outpost. It looks deserted, but like everyone just disappeared in the middle of what they were doing. They go through the place, guns drawn, ready to shoot. Troy smells something. They follow a trail through the dirt and find a pile of burned bodies.

They hear someone talking, and find one of their men sitting in a chair, rambling a poem. A raven is perched on his shoulder, pecking at his brain, which is exposed. One of the men throws up. Madison puts a knife through the guy’s skull which is easy since part of it is missing. She tells Troy that they have to go. A Native American man is suddenly there and asks why, since they just got there.

Troy calls the man Walker, and asks if he’s lost his mind. Walker says they were only defending their land, and Troy tells him that he’s dead. Walker tells him to lower the volume and put down the weapons. He’s surrounded. Madison tells him to give the order. Walker says they’re taking their guns, vehicles, supplies, and boots. He tells Troy to tell his people to get ready for justice. They want their land returned. Troy says it’s not going to happen. Madison says they need water if he wants them to get there with the message. He says she’s joined up with a lost cause, and she says it became her cause when they took one of hers, meaning Travis.

Jake visits Alicia. He tells her that he wants to show her something, and takes her to a tranquil lake. He says the ranch wasn’t set up for the end times, but it’s not hopeless, and they still need things like poetry. They need something greater than guns to live for.

Victor and Daniel reach the hotel. Daniel asks Victor why he’s hesitating. There are no guards or guns, and Ofelia is waiting. Victor says it’s not good, and no she’s not. They get out of the car, and Daniel tells him to stay close. They go inside. and the place is a bloodbath. There’s no electricity, and Victor thinks they should wait until daylight. We hear zombie noises. Daniel rings the desk bell, and asks where she is. Victor says he doesn’t know; she left them. Zombies come pouring in from the other room and Daniel leaves Victor, saying let’s see how he gets out of this one. Zombies swarm Victor.

Well, he does get out of it, but Danial takes the car. Victor runs down the avenue, whacking zombies with a makeshift weapon.

Nick brings Luci to a moonlight picnic at the burned out house, which is now fixed up somewhat. They look at the stars, and Nick tells her about the people who lived there. He thinks with the right work, the place could be great. He asks her what she’s thinking, but she says nothing.

Troy curses his life while walking barefoot. Madison thinks they should stop. She says the men are tired, and Troy says so is he. She tells him that Walker is going to beat them there anyway. Troy asks if she thinks Nick could handle it, but she insists they’re not going to make it. He barks orders to keep going, and Madison says they listen to him out of fear, not respect. Taking Troy aside, she asks him if his father would make this move, and if he wants to be a mama’s boy. She says even at the end when he cared for her, she still didn’t love him. She tells the men that Troy said to rest up. Troy says they’d better be ready at first light. He’s the only one who knows the way, and he’ll leave them.

Madison wakes up with a knife to her throat. Troy tells her to be quiet. She says he’s better than this. Troy struggles with himself, making all kinds of weird faces, but finally takes the knife away and books. The guy sleeping next to Madison sees what happened, but turns his back to her.

Nick wakes up alone. Luci left him a note on a napkin, but we don’t see what it says. She walks along a border wall. The convoy marches on. Alicia stands at the edge of a cliff. She jumps.

But it’s into the lake. At first, she seems refreshed, but then she looks worried.

Jeremiah brings Nick the gun from the house, now cleaned up, and pats him on the shoulder.

Next time, Troy gets aggressive, Gretchen says the ranch isn’t safe, and Madison shoots someone. Vague, I know.

#WhereIsOfelia

🔊 During Talking Dead tonight, we found out that Colman Domingo (Victor) and Ruben Blades (Daniel) had a discussion about how no one goes to the bathroom ever on television dramas, and then how they would accomplish the mission to include it in an episode. Now if they could just do something about people never saying good-by at the end of a telephone conversation on soap operas.

🕍 Preacher started its new season tonight after FTWD, but will repeat on Monday night at 8 pm, with the second episode airing in what will be its regular slot at 9 pm. Based on a graphic novel character, it follows the adventures of Jesse (Dominic Cooper), a preacher with otherworldly talents who is looking for God, who has disappeared from heaven. He’s accompanied by his girlfriend, Tulip (Ruth Negga), and Cassidy (Joe Gilgun), a modern-day vampire. (That reminds me, I guess Being Human is never coming back, and I loved that show.) I watched most of the first season, and Preacher is a lot of fun. The dialogue is clever, the characters are original, and the action is weird and wonderful.

👦 Ryan Serhant (Million Dollar Listing New York) has ditched the beard. Thank you.

Preacher