Tag Archives: Fear the Walking Dead

April 20, 2018 – No Match for The Jackal, a Golden Apron, a Quote Times Five & Tomorrow

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What I Watched Today

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

 

General Hospital

Carly tells Sonny there’s nothing physically wrong with her. He says that’s good news, but she says, now he thinks she’s losing her mind. He tells her, he didn’t say that. She says it’s obvious. He doesn’t want to talk about it right now. She tells him that he doesn’t know what’s going on, and then when he does, he dismisses it, thinking she’s making it up. He asks, what other explanation is there?

Griff tells Ava that Julian is conducting a search in the Charles Street area. Ava can’t believe it’s come to this. Her last, best hope is the city’s good will toward her brother, who used to be Public Enemy #1. Griff says the PCPD is looking too, and Ava wonders where Jordan is.

Dante starts to leave the station. Chase says, like or not, they’re partners, and he’s coming too. Dante tells him to keep up and keep quiet.

Avery, who looks like she’s aged a year from last week, tells Mike to wake up. It looks like they’re in a stable.

Peter sees Lulu go into Charlie’s. He sends a text, and follows. He tells her it seems he can’t shake her. She says she was there first, so who can’t shake who? He says, fair enough, and asks if she wants to join him for lunch. She can’t. She’s getting food for Dante’s family; everyone was up all night. Lulu’s phone dings, and she says this could be it. The man claiming to be Henrik just got back to her.

Robert tells Anna that Emma is in the game room with some other kids. Anna says, good. She’d rather Emma not be there when they question people about Faison’s son. He asks what Anna isn’t telling him about this case.

A Swiss banker tells Sam that he’s pleased to meet her in person. She says she can only give him forty-five minutes, and walks in with Jason. Sam says she was advised to transfer some of her assets to Switzerland, even though she’s happy with her Grand Keys bank. He suggests Jason go elsewhere, but she tells him that her mother doesn’t allow her to travel without protection. Just pretend he’s not there.

Ava tells Griff that she doesn’t need more caffeine, so her empty coffee cup has chamomile tea in it. She says the waiting is torture, and thinks about joining the search. Griff says they’ll probably want her there when they find Avery – and they will. She knows he wants her to keep the faith, but sometimes prayer and faith aren’t enough, and it’s too little too late.

Mike wakes up, and asks what going on. Avery asks about the horses. He remembers they were waiting for them to come back. She says she’s hungry, and he says, him too. He bets everyone is wondering where they are. He suggests they find everyone, and tell them where they were hiding.

Anna tells Robert that Henrik might have been an accomplice or a victim, probably both. She knows the kind of havoc Faison can wreak on someone’s mind. He’s probably not fully culpable, and she has medical information he needs. Robert says she’s only talking about Henrik and Faison. She asks who else, and he says, her. He asks her to talk to him, but there’s a knock at the door. It’s a Mrs. Everett Ashton. Anna thanks her for coming. They have questions about a former student. She says she’s sorry, but she can’t answer any of their questions.

Sam tells the banker she wants to diversify her assets between several countries with different banking laws. She gives him a flash drive, saying all of her information was put on it. He needs a security code, but she says she can’t say it out loud. While she’s typing it in, she makes sure he’s distracted by her behind. Or posterior, as Anna might say.

Sonny asks Carly how he couldn’t be worried, when she left her responsibility for Avery to reminisce at a grave? She’s called him out when he’s been off his meds. She tells him that she isn’t on meds, and Dante traced the calls, but he says it could have been someone calling a wrong number. There’s no proof of anything. She says she knows what she saw. She saw the scarf, smelled his cologne, and saw the writing on the flyer. She needs him to believe that she’s not imagining it. He doesn’t think she is; he believes that she believes it happened. She says, but he doesn’t believe it happened. He wants her to make an appointment with Doc after this is over and Avery is home.

Dante and Chase go to the stables, and find Mike and Avery. Dante asks if Avery is okay, and Mike says they must have lost track of time. Dante introduces Avery to Chase, and tells him to take her to the station. Chase makes a big deal about her riding in the police car. Mike wonders what’s going on, and Dante asks if he remembers meeting Chase. Mike says Chase threw him in jail, but Dante says they met another time, and they’re buddies now. Mike wouldn’t go that far. Dante is staying behind to talk to Mike. Dante tells Mike that he gave them a scare; they didn’t know where he was. Mike wishes everyone would keep their noses out of his business. He says where he takes his daughter is for him to decide, and Courtney wanted to see the horses. Dante says she’s not Courtney; she’s his granddaughter Avery. Courtney died a long time ago. Mike insists she was there. Is this man going to make me cry every time he’s in a scene?

Lulu tells Peter that she decided to follow up on the first email. She thinks it’s the real Henrik because it’s the same email address PK Sinclair uses for his correspondence with the publisher. She can trace it and find him.

Anna asks if Mrs. Ashton will hear them out. She says she thought they wanted advice regarding a prospective student, but she sees what’s going on, and it’s not the first time. Robert asks why she thinks they’re there, and she says many past students have become prominent figures, but she makes it a point never to engage with journalists. Anna says they’re not journalists, but Mrs. Ashton says the rule still applies. Anna shows Mrs. Ashton her ID, explaining they’re with the WSB, and a former student is a person of interest.

The banker tells Sam that he her investments are somewhat limited in scope, and they could accommodate her. She says her number one concern is security, and he says theirs is state of the art. Spinelli walks in, and the banker says it’s a closed meeting. Spinelli says they haven’t been properly introduced. He’s The Jackal, and dude and his bank are at his mercy.

Carly can’t believe Sonny wants her to see a shrink. Someone is messing with her, making her doubt herself and making everyone else doubt her. Sonny thinks they should be on the safe side after everything she’s been through. She says he thinks she’s losing her grip on reality. He says it’s not the first time. She had a breakdown before. When they thought Michael was dead, she had a delayed reaction. She realized she needed help, got it, and got better. He doesn’t want her to have to go away again. He needs her there in the present when Mike gets home. Her phone rings, and Carly says, thank God. She tells Sonny they’ve found Avery, and she’s okay.

Griff knows hope and faith aren’t in Ava’s tool chest. She says that’s putting it mildly. He starts to talk about when you lose hope, but Ava hears Chase coming back. She runs out of the room, and picks up Avery. Avery tells her that grandpa took her to see the horses.

Dante asks if Mike remembers the nice chat they had when he was arrested. He told Dante stories about the old neighborhood and they talked about the Yankees. They agree that the only reason there are other teams, is so the Yankees can beat them. Mike told Dante one of his first jobs had been cleaning stables at a racetrack. Mike says he admired the horses. They weren’t the Rockefellers, so cleaning up was the only way to get close to them. Courtney loves horses too, but they can’t afford lessons, so he should take her someday. Dante says that sounds like a great idea, but he looks tired and pained. Mike asks to go home.

Anna tells Mrs. Ashton that they think he attended school, and was a member of the Julius Caesar cast. Robert asks to talk to his colleague for a moment. He asks what Anna thinks she’s doing now? Anna says now Mrs. Ashton will answer their questions, but he’s concerned she’ll blab. Anna says after all these years, he should trust that she knows what she’s doing. He says he does, so he knows she’s off her game. This case starting to get under her skin.

Sam asks the banker, what was he saying about the security? He wonders how Spinelli got past the facial recognition, and Spinelli says state of the art is no match for him. He tells the banker the silent alarm has been deactivated, but will look like it’s still on. The banker says they’ve never been robbed, and Sam says, until today.

Spinelli sits at the computer and taps away, saying no matter how money is hidden, it still leaves a trail. He sees that the banker has done a lot of embezzling. He’s sure the people he’s stolen from will be happy their money has been found in his personal accounts. The banker says he can’t. Spinelli says he can and will, unless the banker cooperates.

Anna tells Robert that she’s a seasoned operative. She’s had years of experience, and knows what she’s doing. Mrs. Ashton asks if they’re playing good cop/bad cop. They’re both so polite, she can’t tell. Robert says he’s the good one. Anna says they were trying to find a loophole, so they could share more information with her, but they can’t. They can tell her that they don’t mean any harm, and aren’t out to ruin anyone’s name, but they need to question the former student on an urgent matter. She believes he was using another name at the school, and asks if Mrs. Ashton remembers Henri Françoise. Mrs. Ashton says she wishes they’d said so at the beginning. She’s certain he’s done nothing wrong. Anna shows her the photo, and asks which one he is.

Peter asks Lulu if she can really trace the email. She tells him when Spinelli tried, he hit a dead end, so it’s probably untraceable. He asks what her next move is, and she says he wants to meet up with her to share his side of the story. She’s going to take him up on it.

Sonny and Carly arrive at the station. Griff says checked he checked Avery out, and she’s fine; just a little dehydrated. Sonny asks where his dad is, and Chase says Dante stayed behind with him. Ava says they were apparently there all night, and they need to have a discussion about his father. Carly takes Avery to get some water. Ava tells Sonny that she was willing to look the other way when Mike vandalized the gallery. Sonny says she blackmailed him into letting Avery spend the night. She says they need to make sure Mike doesn’t do something like this again. Sonny asks what she’s suggesting. Mike walks in.

Spinelli says The Jackal has the banker’s information – the money he embezzled, how he spent it, and where he hid it. He sees that he also did some trophy hunting and killed two endangered species. Sam says that’s disgusting, and Spinelli makes an anonymous contribution to the World Wildlife Fund out of the banker’s account. He wonders what other charities could benefit. Jason reminds him that they still need to find Henrik.

Mrs. Ashton points out Henri. She says he was a handsome young man, always shy about being photographed. Anna wonders why a shy boy would take on such significant role, and Mrs. Ashton says the theater was safe for him, and where he was most comfortable to emerge from his shell. She thinks he relished becoming someone else, with a new name and identity other than his own.

Peter asks if Lulu is having second thoughts. She wants to meet with Henrik, but after what happened last time, doesn’t know if she should go by herself. He’s not wanted for a crime, but he is a person of interest. She thinks she should bring in the PCPD sooner rather than later. Peter asks what’s wrong with that, and she says she hasn’t told her husband what she’s up to yet.

Mike wants to go home. Chase says they’re good on their end. Avery says something about the horses, and Mike says he and Courtney waited all night. Ava asks who’s Courtney, and Carly explains she was Mike’s daughter and Spencer’s mother. Ava realizes Mike thinks Avery is his daughter. Dante gently explains again that it’s Avery, and Mike says, oh, right. He wants to lie down, and Sonny tells Avery let’s go home. Ava says, absolutely not.

Spinelli sees that the payment for the book has already been deposited, and sent by a wire transfer to Iceland. He says Henrik is very thorough in covering his tracks. He says Henrik’s picture is there, and everyone gathers around the computer. Sam looks puzzled.

Mrs. Ashton says, If she had to guess, Henri enjoyed being other people because his home life was troubled. He dreaded going home, and begged them to let him stay. His father had no use for him, and she could never rid herself of the impression that he would have been happier with a loving mother. She says he was a special boy. They thank her for her time. Anna asks if she might have any class photos, but Mrs. Ashton says she never held on to those. Anna asks if there’s anything physical she remembers that set him apart; something that would have distinguished him. Mrs. Ashton says he had the most emotive brown eyes, which was what made him so effective on stage.

Peter is surprised by Lulu, and not in a good way. She never struck him as someone who needed to ask permission. She says she doesn’t need permission, but wants to make him aware and persuade him. She’s not sure now is the right time with Avery missing, but she’s concerned Henrik could go underground. Who knows when she’d get another shot? Her food comes, and she thanks Peter. He tells her to be careful. Henrik could be more dangerous than she’s giving him credit for.

Anna tells Robert the meeting was productive. Now they know he has brown eyes; that narrows it down. Robert says, that’s if he’s the same person. She’s sure he is. He says it’s time to tell him the truth. What is the case really about? She tells him if he wants to help, help; if not, don’t. He asks what the child really means to her.

Ava says Avery is not going home with the man who kidnapped her. Chase says he’ll question him, but Sonny says his father didn’t kidnap Avery. Ava says she was gone overnight; what else would you call it? Griff understands, and shares her concern, but Mike didn’t mean any harm. She knows Mike isn’t well. Ava says that’s her point. Avery isn’t spending one more night under the same roof. Avery is coming home with her.

She and Sonny have a stare down.

On Monday, Robert realizes Henrik is Anna’s son, Michael tells Nelle he’s optimistic, and Spinelli tells Sam if she touches something they’re dead.

🍳 I watched the second hour of MasterChef Junior, and unfortunately missed the eggs Benedict challenge. Eggs Benedict is one of my favorite things in the world, but I’m sure I wouldn’t have learned anything, unless there’s a new way to order them at a restaurant. I came in at the tail end of the next challenge, where eight-year-old Avery’s superb cake won her immunity. While she went to the balcony, chocolate chips literally rained down on the rest of the junior contestants, since the next challenge was chocolate oriented. A golden apron was the prize, as well as a definite spot in the finals. Avery was given the option to forego her immunity and join in, but she thought better safe than sorry. Mikey got the gold, while Anthony and Cade were out for bad cream puffs and overpowering cocoa, respectively. Anthony told us that he was going to keep his head up and keep on cookin’. Well said. Next time, the young chefs will be cooking for now older alumni.

👄 Quotes of the Week

Death is only the end if you assume the story is about you. – Welcome to Night ValeJoseph Fink and Jeffrey Cranor

Looking at you is like looking at the Grand Canyon of ineptitude. – Dave Harken (Kevin Spacey), Horrible Bosses 2

I already have more filler than a two-hour Dateline. – Angie, minor character on 2 Broke Girls (S:5, E:21)

Anger finally only ages a person.Elsa Lanchester

The worst is not. So long as we can say “This is the worst.”. – Edgar, King Lear, William Shakespeare (One of my favorite quotes!)

💀 Tomorrow, a special mini-cap of last week’s The Walking Dead and Fear the Walking Dead. Just in case you’ve been under a rock, lost your internet like me, or just want to brush up before Sunday night. I watched them tonight, but still have to edit. Unfortunately, that pesky thing called sleep is getting in my way.

Weekend-Smell

SNLChip

April 15, 2018 – My Day Sux Big Time

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What I watched today was, unfortunately, not much of anything. Sadly, thanks to Verizon, I have no internet, TV, or phone (borrowed this one). While it’s been fun watching the DVD of The Beastmaster with commententary, and several extra features from my set of Downton Abbey DVDs, it’s killing me that I won’t be able to see The Walking Dead/Fear the Walking Dead crossover, much less recap them. Quell disappointment! Hopefully, I’ll be back in business tomorrow and will be able to catch  up On Demand. If I can, I’ll do a mini-cap. Until then, enjoy your TV watching without me.

<SOB!>

 

April 13, 2018 – Robert Joins the Mission, Twelve Small Chefs, Some News, QuadrupliQuotes & the 13th

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What I Watched Today

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

 

General Hospital

Carly tells Griff that she’s had a few incidents where she’s heard or seen something, then it’s not there. Griff asks why Sonny thinks something is wrong. Carly says she does too, but not with her health.

Mike is frustrated, looking for his glasses. Sonny tells him it’s no big deal, but Mike thinks losing anything is a big deal for him. Sonny takes the glasses out of Mike’s shirt pocket, and hands them to him. Mike wants to go for a walk, but Sonny says he could use some company. Mike asks what’s on his mind. Sonny says he’s happy Mike is there, and wants to make most of it. He says Mike brought something up the other day, but then they got distracted. He was hoping to finish the conversation. Mike asks if it was horses, cards, or ladies, and they laugh. Sonny asks, what about a field in Croton?

In Bern Switzerland, shopping bags are all over Anna and Emma’s suite. Emma asks Anna if she looks convincing for a secret mission in her new dress. Anna praises her look, and says she should give her mom a call. Jason knocks at the door. Anna tells him that he’s just in time. She and Emma need a bodyguard.

Carly brings Griff up to speed about the phone calls. Griff says it sounds intense, and Carly tells him that  Dante traced the calls to a phone booth on Angel’s Bluff, close to where Morgan died. Griff says it must have been difficult being there, but Carly says she misses him everywhere she goes. She explains about the scarf, saying it was in the picture of Morgan on her desk. She tells him that she’s not making it up; she held it in her hands. He asks where it is, and she says the fire alarm went off and they had to evacuate. When she came back, it was gone. Griff asks what it felt like, and she says, like a scarf. Ha-ha! She tells him it was torn, dirty, and had what looked like blood stains on it. Griff asks if she had any weird sensations, smelled any odors, or got nauseous. She says every time she remembers Morgan getting killed, she gets sick. She knows someone else was in the house. He asks if she heard or saw them, but she says she could feel them. He tells her that sometimes you can pick up on something your other senses don’t register, and to always trust it. Usually it’s nothing, but it can save your life. She tells him that Sonny showed up, and scared the hell out of her. She almost took him out with a baseball bat. She’d heard sounds coming from Morgan’s room. When the lights came back on, she found a framed picture of him, with the glass in the frame shattered.

Sonny tells Mike that he mentioned a field in Croton, and sounded upset. Mike isn’t recalling it, and Sonny says if he’s upset, he can take it off Mike’s mind. Mike appreciates the offer, but has the feeling he did something to piss Sonny off. Sonny says he just wants to help him. Mike says whatever it was, is gone now. Sonny knows it’s difficult to remember. Mike says he’ll do his best. Sonny says it was a long time ago, and he’s not upset or mad in any way, but it seemed like Mike felt guilty. If that’s the case, of something is eating away at him, they can find out why and move on.

Griff knows it’s difficult to talk about, but Carly understands he has to rule stuff out. He tells her that a compromised brain can lead to incidents.

Anna tells Jason that she’s posing as the Widow Ashton (a nod to Larry?), and needs a pretend bodyguard. She was going to make him into her son-in-law, but his look screams bodyguard. She needs to make inquiries, and wants a bodyguard for Emma. She asks him what his jacket size is, and he tells her to ask Carly. Ha-ha! Emma comes out, and tells him that they got new clothes for their secret mission. They got an outfit for him too. She gives him a garment bag, and he tells Anna that they need to discuss this. She asks Emma to do some more research. She says she loves it, and Jason says she’s obviously Anna’s daughter. Anna says that’s why they need a bodyguard.

He asks why they don’t just break in to get the information from the records room. Anna says if she wanted to do that, that’s what she’d do. Does he think she can’t handle a simple robbery on her own? He thinks it might be beneath her. She asks why break in, when they can walk in without suspicion? He asks why not save time? She gets that he’s used to working alone, and he asks how they’re going to do this.

Sonny tells Mike to try again. Mike is sorry. He wishes he could help, but he has to find his glasses. Sonny picks them up from the table, and hands them to Mike. He tells Mike to sit, and breaks out a jigsaw puzzle. He says Griff thought would help. Mike asks if he’ll be putting together a picture of things he’s forgotten. Sonny says it’s not about remembering the past, but focusing on the present. Mike explains that the way to do it is to find the frame first, and fill it from the outside in. Sonny has some business to attend to, and asks if Mike will be okay. Mike says since he has three hundred pieces to deal with, he should be all right.

Griff looks at Carly’s records, and notices that after Morgan was born, she had a bullet removed from brain. She explains that when she was in labor, Sonny thought someone was trying to hurt her, and when he shot them, the bullet went through them and into her. It was a helluva day. He notices she had another incident more recently. She says it was when she was pregnant with Josslyn, but they both came out fine. Griff says traumatic injury effects can show up years later. She has a history of falls and wounds. She tells him that he might as well know that she was hospitalized twice for nervous breakdowns; the first one was mostly fake. Michael was kidnapped as a baby, and the kidnapper only got a slap on the wrist, so she shot him in open court. She was afraid she’d go to prison, so she faked a break with reality. The second time was a real breakdown.

Anna wants Jason to watch Emma while she slips away to get the records they need. Jason says, so what she needs is a babysitter, which is exactly what I was thinking. She says she’ll be making a path toward Henrik. Jason thinks simple and clean is the best way. Just go in and make a demand; it doesn’t require a cover. She asks what about Spinelli, and Jason says he set Jason up with what he needs to catch Henrik. Anna insists that a widow with disposable cash and a beautiful granddaughter is how to pave the way. Jason says he knows how good she is, and knows she doesn’t need him. She’s making a diversion, so he doesn’t get to before she does.

Nanny Pilar and Avery are headed to the park. Mike says he’ll join them.

Carly tells Griff that she’s not embarrassed about it. Michael’s biological father, AJ, staged Michael’s death. They even had a funeral and everything. She forgot to breathe; she just couldn’t take it. She held breath for longer periods of time, like she was trying to keep in suspended animation. I can actually understand what she’s saying. She tells Griff, obviously, Michael came back fine, but she didn’t recognize herself. She was paralyzed, fragile, weak, and powerless, and she doesn’t do powerless. Her phone rings, and it’s Pilar. She asks if it’s okay if Mike goes to the park with them. Finding out the test won’t take long, Carly tells Pilar it’s fine, and she’ll meet them there. She continues her story, telling Griff that she went to the hospital, and made a complete recovery. He asks if the feelings she described ever resurfaced, and she says, never. Morgan’s death rocked her to her core, but she never felt like she was losing herself. Griff says he’ll put a rush on the tests, and get her out. She says she remembers what it’s like to feel lost, but this is nothing like that. It all happened, and it’s all real.

Sonny goes to the hospital, looking for Griff, but Deanna says he’s not answering. Stella comes by, and asks how Mike is doing. Sonny says, not so well. It seems like every day, Mike is slipping away a little more.

Mike is ready to go, and tells Avery, let’s hit the road.

Anna says even if Jason found Henrik first, he’d wait for her, because they’re on the same side, aren’t they? Jason says he wants answers; she wants to protect Henrik. There’s a knock at the door. Jason waits on the side, his gun ready. Anna opens the door, and immediately closes it. She opens it again, and asks, what the hell are you doing here? It’s Robert.

Sonny tells Stella sometimes Mike makes perfect sense, and he lets his guard down. Then, bam! a left hook. Now it’s fifty years ago, and Mike is wondering if his parents are waiting for him. He’s like a time traveler. Stella says there are no easy answers. She can occupational therapy to his schedule, and Sonny should discuss medicinal options with Griff. She tells Sonny If he needs any help, let he know, and she’ll make sure it happens. She tells him to bear in mind that no matter how well the disease is managed, as the patient deteriorates, the symptoms change; it’s curveball after curveball. Sonny says it’s funny. When he was a kid, he used to wait up, playing a game about if Mike was going to show up. As he’s talking, we see Mike playing in the park with Avery, and once again, Max Gail takes my heart and stomps on it. Sonny says eventually, he stopped playing; stopped expecting things from Mike, and learned how to take care of himself. Now he’s playing the same old, losing game, but worse. He’s asking himself is Mike going to remember what day it is or what he had for lunch, or does he work at Kelly’s? He wonders about the day to come when Mike doesn’t recognize him.

Carly sees the noodle house ad underneath the windshield wiper. There’s something written on the back.

Robert says a suite and a shopping spree; what is Jason doing there? He didn’t think Jason worked undercover. It’s not his style. Jason hands Robert the garment bag, and leaves. Robert asks Anna what’s going on. She tells him that she and Jason are in the middle of following an important lead, and he ruined it. He’s shocked she brought their granddaughter, and is using Jason as backup. Anna says she’d would never involve Emma in anything dangerous. It’s a research mission, and he’s blowing it out of proportion. He says not where Faison is concerned, and Anna says it’s Henrik, not his father. Robert says Faison still has an important hold on her.

Stella tells Sonny that she heard about the night at Luke’s, and he says it was like going back in time; Mike was his confident, old self again. She says it was a beautiful gift, and he says it was great while it lasted. Sonny asks if recreating a moment could be a way to get Mike to remember something, and Stella says there’s no magic wand. She’s not telling him don’t try, but there’s no guarantee. Sonny wonders if it’s worth a shot, and she tells him the bottom line is, there’s no way to influence or manipulate what he remembers or doesn’t. What he needs is kindness, compassion, and empathy. He needs to be kept calm and have structure in his life. Maybe it will come on its own, but like Sonny did when he was a child, prepare for disappointment; it might not come back at all. Sonny says that’s what he was afraid of. Stella says in the meantime, he and his family should treat themselves with the same kindness and empathy. He has unfinished business, and Mike’s memory will disappoint him. The one thing he can rely on, is that it gets worse until it can’t get any worse. Sonny likes her; she gets to the heart of things. Stella hopes he appreciates it when she tells him the time will come when Mike no longer remembers his name, and he should forgive himself for wanting what Mike couldn’t give him.

Carly calls Pilar, and tells her to go back to the house and meet her there.

Griff joins Sonny and Stella, Stella reminds Sonny that it’s a marathon, not a sprint. Griff asks how it’s going. Sonny says all right, but he was hoping to meet Carly there. Griff tells him that Carly had a test to rule some things out. Sonny asks if they were brain scans, but Griff says he’ll let Carly explain.

Pilar says they have to head back home. Mike says they saw a pretzel cart, and it wouldn’t be an outing without getting one. Pilar relents, and Mike looks at the money in his wallet, but seems confused. Pilar says she’ll get them, and tells Mike to stay with Avery. After she leaves, Mike calls Avery, Courtney.

Robert says Anna needs to get away from all things Faison, so she can heal. She says it sounds lovely, but she has to find his son first. Robert tells her to let Jason do it, and she says she would if they shared the same viewpoint. Robert says she makes Henrik sound like a victim, and she says they won’t know until the find him. Emma comes back out, and asks if Robert came to help with the mission. He asks what brings her across the pond, and she says a research project for school, and she’s helping grandma with a secret mission. She asks what he’s doing there, and he says there’s no secret mission without him. He’s coming too. Anna is like, no way, telling Emma that he has more important things to do. Robert says he’ll check with HQ, and looks at Emma. Emma says, permission granted. Robert tells Anna he’s going to keep her from getting into a mess.

Sonny returns home. He sees the frame of the puzzle completed, but no Mike.

Pilar also comes back to no Mike – or Avery. She drops the pretzels and runs off to look for them.

Deanna gives Griff the test results. He reads, the preliminary tests show no markers indicating that Carly is having episodes originating from a physical cause.

Carly starts the car. The noodle house ad is on the passenger seat, and the back says, find me where you left me tonight.

In the hallway of the hotel in Bern, Jason asks Sam what she’s doing there.

On Monday. Ava wonders what Griff is hiding, Jason tells Sam that Henrik is targeting his mother, and Carly looks for Morgan.

🍳 I saw the last hour of this week’s MasterChef Junior, which is now being billed as, MasterChef: Junior Edition. It’s down to the top twelve, who all have more cooking talent in their pinkies than I’d have if I had two bodies. It fascinates me that the kids have such sophisticated skills and palates, yet they’re still kids. They got really excited when given tonight’s mystery box, which was also a HUGE plug for Blue Apron. The boxes were empty, mystifying the contestants, who were then led to the Blue Apron pantry, where they were to pick ingredients for their Blue Apron recipe. Lots of brand placement here. Gordon cooked along with them, which was cute, and he also got a critique. The lightheartedness of the judges is also a nice change from the screaming and yelling. Not that I can’t wait for the next Hell’s Kitchen. Winner Billy got a sweet prize; his recipe gets a spot in the Blue Apron (he-he) rotation, and he got saved from elimination. As if that wasn’t enough, he also got to pick the pairs for a tag team challenge, and another contestant to save. The challenge was creating a plate of classic Far East appetizers. Billy told us it was like a chess game, and chose the teams based on more erudite reasons than I would ever think of. Best of all, no one went home.

🔉 Important News

I’m so excited. Tinsley Mortimer is back with Coupon King Scott.

https://pge.sx/2GR5ziL

🔊 Even More Important News

Big night for TV on Sunday if you’re a zombie fan. The Walking Dead season finale will be followed by the Fear the Walking Dead season premiere, at 9 and 10 pm, respectively.

📣 Quotes of the Week

People who are committed to becoming aware of what they’ve done and changing, they can be our strongest proponents in an issue like this. – Edie Falco, on whether Louis CK should be given a second chance. Ditto! He seems to be one of the few who actually know how to apologize.

If you have made mistakes, there is always another chance for you. You may have a fresh start any moment you choose, for this thing we call ‘failure’ is not the falling down, but the staying down.Mary Pickford

You try to take a shortcut to success and end up with a mouthful of confetti. – Sophie (Jennifer Coolidge), 2 Broke Girls

If you make decisions based upon people’s reactions or judgments, then you make really boring choices.Heath Ledger

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Friday-the-13th-Kitty

April 8, 2018 – The Battle of Negan & Simon, a Little Atlanta, a Dash of Potomac & Bye-Bye Weekend

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What I Watched Today

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

 

The Walking Dead

Rick reads Carl’s letter and gazes out the window. Carl talks about his eighth birthday, and other things he remembers from how it used to be. Tears rolls down Rick’s cheeks. It’s not just the stuff that happened, but how Carl felt, special and safe. He thought growing up would mean a family and a job, but it means keeping those you love safe. He wants Rick to feel safe, like he did when Rick held his hand on walks. He doesn’t think the Saviors will surrender, but there’s regular people in there. They’re close to starting over, and have friends now – there have to be more places and people; a chance to make changes and have a real life. If they won’t end it, he has to. He has to find peace and move forward; not forget, but make it so it won’t happen again. Show them they can be safe again without killing, and maybe one day they’ll have birthdays, schools, jobs, and pizza on Friday night, like they used to. Carl tells Rick to take Judith on walks like they had, because she’ll remember. He tells Rick that he loves him. Rick sees Michonne walking hand-in-hand with Judith.

Michonne lies on the bed, pondering. She checks the nightstand. There’s a letter for Negan in the drawer. I’m hoping somehow, Rick and Negan can work together as frenemies. Not just because I think Jeffrey Dean Morgan is nearly everything on this show, but there’s a tremendous amount of story potential there. Please, Walking Dead, don’t blow another opportunity.

Gregory tells Simon that he came back to make amends. Simon is pissed because Gregory made him look like an ass. Gregory says his intel wasn’t current. Juice and momentum can give you a chance in the game. He had it, and did it. Maggie had Hilltop by the nut, and he didn’t know it. He wants to make it right with Negan. Simon tells him that he’s Negan, and not in the collective sense, but he’s assumed control. Negan no longer in the field of play. Gregory calls Simon, the man, and says he knew he could do it. Negan had a big personality, but was too unconventional. Simon is a leader. Simon tells Gregory that’s why he can’t be seen going easy on him. He has the juice and momentum, and wants to keep it. Ergo, Gregory goes. Gregory says the stupid troglodytes at the Sanctuary can’t advise him in community affairs and politics. Simon tells him, it’s ended. Gregory says he’s achieved, survived, and suffered too much. He’s been reborn as a certified sh*t-kicker. It’s not going to end with him wandering into the wilderness with his d*ck in his hand. Gregory says, he is the juice. Simon throws him to the ground. He says he wasn’t going to send Gregory away; he was going to kill him. He asks if Gregory can make coffee, and Gregory says, the best in the land. Simon tells him they’ll start with coffee, and see where it goes. Is this a date?

The Oceanside people go through the woods. Still trying to convince them to fight, Aaron is there, and is so dehydrated and weak, he can barely fight off a zombie. Cyndie says they made their choice. If wants to die in the woods, that’s his.

Eugene shows the Savior ladies the dish he’s made – mac and cheese with sardines – a staple from his college days. It’s a lasting energy source. He eats some, and says it takes him back. It’s all that’s on the menu until the order is complete. He reminds everyone that their lives are on lock. Negan is MIA, and Simon has taken over. They need to be lickety-quick, but he thinks the best they can hope for, is to squeeze out the bare minimum needed to stop Simon from finding out how short they are. Gabriel coughs up a lung, and Eugene tells him to keep his mask on. He either has influenza or cocca-something. Either way, it’s airborne or he would be dead.

He brings a bullet over to Gabriel, and asks him to feel it. Morgan says the imperfection was intentional. He wanted to make it so didn’t work. He doesn’t want anyone to die. Eugene asks if he wants to die, and Gabriel says he doesn’t want to hep him, but does fear death. He thinks maybe it’s God’s way of showing he’s still the same person who locked his parishioners out. He’s still the same scared animal, doing what he can to survive. Eugene tells him to find an unobtrusive corner; he’s off the line. He tells Gabriel to try not to cry too loud. He’s going outside to test rounds not compromised by Gabriel’s chicanery.

Eugene goes outside, and is ambushed by Daryl and Rosita. They spirit him away.

Dwight goes out for a smoke, and hears Negan’s whistle. Negan asks him if he’s surprised. He shouldn’t be. Dwight says they found his car, and Simon thought – Negan cuts him off, telling him it was a real punch in the d*ck (his second favorite word). Rick cornered him with those decomposed a-holes, and Dwight and Simon never showed. He knows what they were thinking, and wants to know if Dwight remembers who he is. He tells Dwight the conversation is just between them. Dwight says, Simon is his number two, and he thought Negan would want him to go by Simon’s call. Dwight says, he’s Negan. Negan says, good; that’s what he likes to hear. He tells Dwight that when time comes, and it will, to remember this talk. Remember what they’ve done, and can still do together. Dwight looks relieved.

In the boardroom, Simon tells Negan that he thought Negan had been killed, and he was gone. Negan polishes Lucille. Simon admits he lacks discipline, and made it personal. That’s why he moved it from infection to extermination at Hilltop. Things went bad, but he owns it, and asks for a pass. He’ll make it up to Negan; he promises. Negan smiles, and ask if Simon remembers when he took this place; when Simon helped him? He wasn’t sure he wanted to keep Simon on board before he had a system in place. Simon had killed all those people in a settlement long ago. People think that’s psychotic sh*t from a demented, broken ghoul. That’s someone you don’t want to work with, let alone stand next to. He figured he’d figure keep an eye on Simon, and everything seemed to work out until this point. He tells Simon he needs him on his knees. Simon gets ready for a bat in the head, but Negan says, all is forgiven. Get his ass up; they’re good. Simon tells Negan that he won’t let him down. Negan says he appreciates the hell out of that.

Negan has a board meeting, and a Savior takes out a map. Negan points, saying this is where they start. They don’t have to take Hilltop, but they’re going to make sure the farmers can’t leave. If they poke their heads out, the Saviors will clip their asses. They’re going to have teams 24/7, sniping them one by one, until they have full contrition. Simon is happy to have Negan back, and Negan says it’s good to be back. Negan tells them clear out, except for Dwight. He wants to kick around some things. I’m sure Dwight thinks one of those things is his head.

Negan tells Dwight he’s smart as hell. No matter what, he didn’t stew or do anything stupid. He just went about the business of getting his. Nothing shook him. He kept his eyes on what could keep him alive and well. He tells Dwight to keep on keeping that sh*t clear. Dwight nods, and Negan smiles.

Eugene suspects he’s alive because they have a nostalgia for comradery, but he’ll give them space until they’re ready to break the ice. Daryl pulls out a large knife, telling Eugene to shut his mouth or he’ll cut Eugene’s tongue out. Rosita tells Daryl to keep on moving; they’re going to be looking for him. Eugene thanks her, and she tells him to shut up. He tells her that she’s the one who told him making bullets would save lives. He thought the crack of a bat would be the last thing he’d hear, and then thought Negan would torture him, but he didn’t. He gave Eugene a chance to live. Rosita says everyone who has died since then is on him. He says Rick pushed to take the Savior’s home. Rosita pulls out her gun, calling him a selfish coward and a traitor. He turned his back on the friends he had, and didn’t give a rat’s ass about them. They’re going to stick him in the darkest hole, and the only time he’ll come out is when need him to teach them something. He’ll get his wish and live, but they’ll be forcing him to do something useful with his pathetic life.

Dwight writes things on the map. There’s a knock at the door, and he hides everything. It’s Simon, who says, it went well. The status quo has been re-achieved. He asks why Dwight was held back, and Dwight says, for a pep talk. Simon tells him they need to have a serious talk with others who are less than thrilled with the current management. It saddens him, but the time has come to gather like-minded individuals to gather strength, and do what need to do. He tells Dwight to think about what Negan has done to him. Everything he’s extracted; every indignity. He knows what he has to do. They’re meeting in the courtyard after rounds, and going to begin what’s next. Dwight says, all right, and Simon grabs his shoulders, and says, yes, my boy. Well, if it was a tossup I don’t think I’d pick Simon.

Daryl shoots some zombies with arrows.  While the zombies are being a distraction, Eugene sticks his fingers down his throat, and makes himself throw up on Rosita. Considering what he ate, that’s pretty disgusting, but she barely flinches. He takes off, and she shoots at him, but he gets through a hole in a fence. She and Daryl follow. Rosita says they can’t let him get back, and suggests they blow his head off. As soon as they pass, Eugene comes out from under a pile of ashes and mess.

Aaron is sleeping in the woods. It starts to rain, and he gets some water from a can nearby. He hears zombie sounds, and takes out his knife. It’s a mean-looking one, and he pikes it in the head. If we were in a 42nd Street movie theatre, I’d yell, look out behind you! Another zombie grabs him, and they fall together. Aaron loses the knife, and the zombie grabs at his legs. He manages to kick its brain out of its head, but here comes another one. The knife is lost, but he grabs a pokey stick, and skewers it. Yet one more comes, knocking him down, and it’s inches from his face only separated from him by the stick. He gets the upper hand, and beats the non-living crap out of it with the stick. He lies there, rain pouring down, surrounded by the now dead undead.

Someone asks if he’s dead. It’s the Oceansiders. He says they left him. It’s what the Saviors turned them into. They lie, they don’t trust, and don’t live the way they want because of the Saviors. The Saviors hurt them, and will keep on hurting them, unless they do one thing – fight. They just look at him vacantly, and I’m thinking this group seriously lacks personality. Give them a personality or get rid of them.

Commercial break. Red Machete is still not happening for me.

Dwight waits in the courtyard. The others come out, Gregory among them. Simon tells them that if they’re here right now, they’re in. They can talk about approaches and finesses, but they’re in; no take backs. They need to make it quick, quiet, and respectful. Negan has done a lot for them, and deserves it. He says Dwight has legit personal issues with Negan, so the kill is his if he wants it. Something quiet – not a knife, that’s too personal. Maybe a silencer. Then they’ll set a break to start healing. The destruction of Hilltop and its people, and then get on with their lives. He says, right, Dwight?

We hear whistling, and I literally lol. Negan says he’ll take it from here. He says, three… two… one… There are gunshots, and the renegade Saviors drop, save for Gregory, Simon, and Dwight. Two Saviors come out for Simon. Simon lunges at Negan, who says there’s the Simon he knows. He’s coming at him, instead of doing that backstabbing bullsh*t. He asks, why? After everything he did for Simon. He killed the garbage people, when Negan specifically told him not to do that. He pounds on one of the dead Saviors with Lucille. He says after all this, him being him, he’s still going to give Simon his share. If you want to be the man, you got to beat the man. If he can do that, then hell, he should be the man.

Inside everyone gathers. Simon blathers about how they have to get to work when this is done, and how he didn’t want this, but the Sanctuary must stand. As he’s talking, he catches Negan off-guard with a punch. He gets his bearings, and they fight. I’m just a little worried, since Negan is wearing his leather jacket, which probably isn’t a good idea. Negan gives Simon a head-butt. Simon goes down, and Negan kicks him in the face. Gregory inches away. Dwight grabs him, and tells him to get out now. He gives Gregory a map, telling him to give it to Rick. It’s about tomorrow, and the only move they’ve got. He hands Gregory some car keys. Hopefully, he won’t just keep driving.

Negan straddles Simon, strangling him. Finally, he lies still. Negan gets up, and says, what an a-hole. I realize my mouth is open. The crowd was certainly quiet about it. I have to admit, I’ll be glad I won’t have to work around writing Simon says anymore.

Gregory is shoved into the pen at Hilltop. Maggie gives the map to Rick. End Negan, end the risk, is written on it, along with something about where they’ll be. Maggie asks what they’re going to do.

Negan tells Dwight that Simon was a d*ckless worm. What else could he do but crush his throat? But what was bad for Simon, is good for him. They’ve had their ups and downs, but he’s always been able to count on Dwight. He’d like Dwight to be his right-hand man, if he’ll accept the promotion. Dwight agrees. He wants to help Negan finish things with Rick. Negan tells him not to sell himself short. He already has.

Laura, who knew Dwight was a traitor, is in his room. Negan says he found her on the side of the road. She says in Alexandria, he killed their team. She ran and kept running. She wanted to expose him for the scum weasel he is. Negan says it makes sense. He told RIck when to attack, and how to get to the outpost. He’s been slipping workers guns, and maybe even lied about Shari. He thinks he’s some sort of hero, but he’s a nobody and way over his head. When he said Dwight comes through when he’s needed, he meant it. He knew he could count on him delivering the plan to Rick – the brilliant fake-ass plan. He used Gregory. Negan thought he’d take a field trip, but he got a delivery boy; good for him. All that intel will lead them directly into the line of fire. They won’t know what hit them, all thanks to his new right-hand man. He’d thought about killing him, but that was too dignified for a backstabbing, double-crossing dirtbag. Negan says he has plans for Dwight, and laughs.

Looking all angry and rumpled, Eugene tells the workers that they have to prepare to protect the Sanctuary. Negan is back, and they’re going to finish Hilltop. A messenger tells him Negan needs the bullet order by tomorrow. He says to give Negan his personal congratulations on his return. His request will be filled in its entirety, and on time. If he needs bullets, he’s going to get them. All of them. They’re going to rise to the occasion, and will change Savior history forever. He tells Gabriel, all hands on deck. He’s going to be sorting shells. Follow his lead, or cry and die. He says, here we go. He quotes Rosita, saying, time to do something useful with their pathetic lives.

Yay! Simon is a zombie chained to the fence. He’s a good one too; a snapping maniac. Negan is on the deck, and Michonne radios him from a rooftop nearby. He asks if Rick is with her, and to put him on. She says this isn’t about Rick; it’s about Carl. Carl wrote him a letter, and she’s delivering it because that’s what he wanted. Negan says he can’t promise not to kill the messenger, and she tells him, shut up and listen. She reads.

Carl tells Negan that he was helping someone, and got bit. Now he’s gone. Negan might be gone, but he doesn’t think so. He wonders if Negan is working on a way out. Maybe got out. Maybe he thinks it’s a lost cause, and wants to kill them all. He wishes he could have asked if Negan feels that he has to be who he is. If this is what he wanted or wished he could have. The way out is forgiveness. There doesn’t have to be a fight. He hopes his dad offers peace, and he takes it. He hopes things can change. It did for him. He can still start over. Negan listens to every word so thoughtfully, I want to cry.

Negan says, there is no getting out of it now. He wouldn’t accept surrender if they were on their knees. Winning isn’t about beating them, but killing every last one of them. That is starting over. He never wanted this. Rick made it happen. Tell him that. No more talk. He throws the radio down and stomps on it, along with my storyline dreams.

Next week – both the finale of The Walking Dead (at 9 pm), and the premiere of Fear the Walking Dead (at 10 pm). Morgan tells Rick to finish it, the Saviors attack, and Dwight is sent to Jaundice Jadis. I can’t wait to see Fear, since they’re setting up camp in an amusement park. Abandoned amusement parks are creepy all on their own. Add zombies, and you can’t lose.

🍹 A Quick Wives Note…

🍑 The Real Housewives of Atlanta know how to pour on the glam. It was part one of their reunion, and Porsha went full-on princess with a tiara, mammoth jeweled earrings, and a blue velvet gown. Although she claimed to be a goddess because she’s grown. The earrings were all huge, sparkly, and fabulous. Only Kandi was slightly lower key with the accessories, but made up for it with the bling on her gown. NeNe was in red lace and fringe. Kenya was in a frilly yellow explosion. She confirmed her pregnancy, but she never did actually say, I’m pregnant, which made me wonder if the bun is in someone else’s oven. Cynthia had the most glamorous, Rapunzel-like side ponytail ever, and was wearing a red gown fit for a quinceañera. Marlo joined them swathed in lavender cotton candy. Only Sheree was a bit of a disappointment. Her gigantic emerald earrings passed, but she was covered all the way to her chin in a gown of silken material that did not look good on film. She said it was Gucci. Was it his nun period? I wondered if her new felon man doesn’t want her showing any skin. A viewer even pointed out that she seemed unusually covered up this season.

🏰 The Real Housewives of Potomac has mostly centered around Karen’s tax issues, since apparently her husband owes the government. They moved out of the neighborhood, although her idea of downsizing isn’t like the average person’s idea. I guess now they only have 6000 square feet and one pool. What blew my mind though, were the rest of them demanding answers from her like it was their right to know. I’m not a huge fan of Karen’s, but they were like a pack of vultures.

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March 25, 2018 – A Battle at Hilltop, Returning Fear, a Terror, a Scary Muumuu & the Worst Dread of All

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What I Watched Today

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

 

The Walking Dead

While watching for the Saviors, Morgan sees a vision of Gavin, who tells him that he knows what it is, and says Morgan was supposed to. Supposed to what, we don’t know, but Morgan says, no! and fights with nothing. He hears a car horn beep, and beeps back. Daryl blows an airhorn, and more cars honk theirs. Back at the ranch Hilltop, Jerry says, it’s on. Henry asks Ezekiel for a weapon, but Ezekiel tells him to stay and guard the place. Carol tells him he’ll die if he goes out during the attack. I see this ending badly.

Dr. Dana complains that Siddiq has no experience. He tells her he’s already performed three surgeries. She asks if he can shoot a gun while holding someone down. She tells him that someone who doesn’t know enough, is more dangerous than someone who doesn’t know sh*t. Siddiq tells her to stop asking what he’s done, and start telling him what to do. She says she likes him, and tells him to get ready.

Everyone waits. The Saviors arrive.

Simon has his men remove a roadblock. Maggie radios for Negan. Simon says he’s Negan, although his birth certificate says Simon. He offers condolences for what has happened, and what has about to. (Shades of Roscoe Lee Brown in The Cowboys.) He tells her that he personally received her care package. It was in the box he gave her in good faith; the trick was on him. Maggie says the bill is due, and they have to pay. They have thirty-eight of his people, alive and breathing. He’ll leave if he wants it to stay that way. If he doesn’t, she has thirty-eight bullets she’ll personally fire. Alden says it’s too nice a night to spend dying slow. Simon tells her that it’s highly regrettable, but they’re damaged goods. They got into their own pickle. The idea is to avoid capture, and now they’ll have to figure it out on their own. His own sh*t way of saying, screw them. Gregory tells Maggie that her cockamamie plan didn’t work, but she says it will.

Simon tells his men the plan has changed. They’re not aiming merely for infection, but conclusion. They’re doing away with all of them. Dwight says that’s not what Negan wanted, and he could still be out there. Is Simon sure he wants to face that with him? Simon tells Dwight it’s better to beg forgiveness than ask permission. Daryl rides past on his bike, shooting.

The gate opens, and Daryl drives in. The Saviors begin to follow, but the Hilltop bus suddenly blocks their path, and the first car rams into it. The Hilltoppers start to shoot. The Saviors shoot back, some using arrows. Alden asks Maggie to let him help defend the place. Maggie yells something I don’t hear. There’s lots of shooting. Carol runs to Tobin, who’s been hit. Siddiq comes by to relieve her, so she can go back to the fray. Simon and Dwight sneak around. Daryl sees them. Simon throws an ax, and hits someone. Michonne tells Daryl that they have to go. They shoot out the car headlights. It’s suddenly silent and dark.

Simon is such a jerk. He Captain Obviously says he can’t see sh*t. He sneaks around with a group of Saviors, and says he wants place surrounded. He tells them, slow and quiet. Dwight asks where the rest are, and Simon tells him that they’re making a house call. If Hilltop is at home, it’s time to do some proper slaughtering. He whistles, giving me a headache, and annoying the crap out of me. The Hilltoppers shoot at them, I’m so happy because it stops Simon’s whistling. The Saviors run. Some headlights come on, and here comes Rick, gun blazing.

Rick kicks ass, and almost whacks Siddiq. He tells Siddiq to stay low. Morgan’s Gavin vision tells that he knows what it is. Maggie and Rick shoot at the Saviors who are leaving. Maggie says she wanted them dead. All of them; Negan most of all. Rick says, him too. She asks if Rick saw him. Rick says he wasn’t there tonight, be he saw him out there. He tried to kill him, but didn’t. Maggie thanks him.

Tara thinks Dwight is on their side. She reminds Daryl that she was once with the Governor. Daryl’s brother was with them too. Daryl says if he’d stuck with his brother, they probably would have ended up with the Saviors. She says maybe Dwight figured out who they were. Daryl asks if that was before or after he killed Tara’s girlfriend, or are they square now? Tara says they are; he saved her life. She saw him try to help them. Daryl says he saw what he saw too.

Optimistic Rick takes the boards off of the windows in his house. Michonne saved him a turnip, but he says he’s good. He tells her that the generators were turned off to save gas, and the kids will need air. She asks to look at his cut, but he wants to finish first. She starts to help. He tells her that he saw the convoy, and he had to try.

Jerry digs graves. I mean literally, not that he thinks they’re cool. Maggie tells Alden he can bury his people, but he says they’re not his; he’s glad to see them that way. He tells Maggie that she’s a good leader. He knew it before, but last might she saved the community; she saved lives. Maggie says it’s because they sacrificed theirs, indicating the graves. She says it came at a cost, but her only regret is that Negan isn’t in the pile of bodies.

Carol nurses Tobin. He tells her if he knew getting stabbed got him this kind of attention, he’d have done it sooner. She tells him that she’s sorry for leaving, and for what she did. He says she doesn’t owe him anything. He asks if any of it was real, and she says she didn’t want it to be. She was pretending, trying to live a lie, because she couldn’t be around any more fighting and dying. At the time, maybe it felt like it wasn’t going to be pretending anymore. Tobin tells her that’s the nicest thing anyone has ever said to him. He asks if she’s leaving again, but she doesn’t know. She might accept that some are lucky to live, and some are lucky to fight. He asks what about after it ends, but she doesn’t think it does. He tells her the end is what they’re fighting for. Carol says it just means they get tomorrow. Maybe one more night; one more morning. After that, there’s no guarantees. As she’s talking, Alden buries the Saviors. Henry picks up a gun, and sneaks out. We see a clock ticking.

Rick loads his gun. Siddiq says he can treat Rick’s wound; he doesn’t want an infection. He tells Rick about a prayer for the dead he remembers from when he was little. Do not send us astray after them. He says, those who die, don’t. Rick gets up and leaves.

Holding a hurricane lamp, Maggie goes through the hallways crowded with people. She asks a man how he’s feeling. He says the doctor stitched him up. She says they’re lucky to have him, and the man says they’re lucky to have her. Gregory was all about himself and what he wanted; that’s not her.

In the infirmary, Tobin is startled awake at 2:13. Another guy wakes up, and asks what’s going on. One of the patients says he’s going to get the doctor, but just before he gets out the door, Tobin grabs him, and takes a bite. Oh well. I don’t know what this clock thing is about, but we keep seeing various timepieces.

Now it’s 4 a.m., and Dana walks in. She looks down, and realizes she’s standing in a pool of blood. Tobin takes a bite of her too. We hear zombie noises, along with the baby crying. The guy Maggie was talking to is now a zombie. He ambles, no, falls down the stairs. Hey, everybody, wake up!

Henry pokes at Gregory through the fence with his gun. Gregory asks Henry to let him out. Henry asks who killed his brother, but Gregory doesn’t know. He tells Henry that he isn’t one of them. He says Henry has a dangerous weapon, and he doesn’t want anyone to get hurt. He asks Henry to give it to him, and they’ll talk. He’s sorry about Henry’s brother, but killing them won’t bring him back. Henry says it will make him feel better. He did it once before; why not there? He asks if he has to start shooting until someone tells him who killed Ben. Alden says his brother died too. Killing his murderer sounds good in theory, but won’t make him feel better. Henry says it will for now. They hear screaming from inside.

Maggie sees chaos – running and biting, Daryl stabbing zombies in the head. I’d just leave. Michonne does a nice sword through the head move. Outside, Jared says it’s music to his ears. Henry asks if it was him, but Jared doesn’t know what he’s talking about. Henry lets himself into the Savior pen. He wants to know now. Alden says words are easier to live with than actions, but Henry says be a man and step forward, so he doesn’t have to kill their friends. He’s going to start counting to ten. When he gets to four, a zombie bites one of the Saviors, and there’s a free-for-all. Jared grabs the gun, and the Saviors run out, Gregory running along with them. Henry is left lying in the pen.

Morgan pikes zombies in the head. Daryl wonders if the zombies got in with the Saviors. Morgan says it’s their own people. Tobin is busy upstairs. Carol pulls him off someone, and stabs him in the head after only a momentary hesitation, and no doubt quick trip down Memory Lane. Daryl asks if she’s okay. She says he wasn’t bit, but he turned. Rick tells them about Negan’s bat being covered in zombie blood. They realize that anyone who was wounded is going to turn. A dude in one of the hospital beds says one of them will have to do it for him; he can’t. Everyone looks sad.

Rick tells the others that the house is clear. Tara asks how it happened. He tells her the Saviors did something to their weapons. Whoever was cut up or shot, got sick, and some turned. Daryl says Tara told him that she was done waiting. He could have killed Dwight, and should have. She says, no; he wanted to be there with them, but no matter how hard he tried, she wanted him dead. She couldn’t let it be anything else. Karma’s a bitch. Rick ponders that.

Outside, the struggle is real. Alden tells Maggie that some of them are trying to keep the gate closed. She sees some of the Saviors bracing the gate against the zombies. Siddiq tells her that he went to check on the prisoners, but the pen was empty. She asks Alden where they went, but he says they just ran. He tells her that he and the ones left had plenty of chances to run, but maybe it doesn’t matter to her.

Carol looks for Henry with Ezekiel. Enid tells them that he broke into the pen before the Saviors escaped. Carol says she told him this would happen, like that helps. Morgan thinks this over. Gavin appears, and keeps repeating, you know what it is, until he’s yelling. Morgan says, no.

Jerry and Jesus bury their people. Diane asks Maggie, what is it? and Maggie says, the cost. Rick nods sagely, and we end with a crane shot of all the graves.

I wonder why they kept focusing on Rick’s wound…

Next time, Rick goes hunting, Rosita wants the bullet maker, Jadis drags Negan out of the container she’d kept Rick in, Ezekiel wants to look for Henry and calls Carol a coward.

👹 Fear the Walking Dead returns on April 15th, and looks promising. The group takes over an amusement park, and raises sheep. Morgan also joins them, and Victor sports a new hairdo.

 Talking Dead was bumped up an hour tonight to make room for a sneak preview of new series, The Terror. Set in 1847, and based on a true story about a ship that disappeared, the crew of a Royal Naval expedition searches for the Arctic’s treacherous Northwest Passage. Instead, they discover a monstrous predator. The two-hour premiere begins at 9 pm on Monday. The first hour was basically a set-up for the horror to come, but it looks good.

🍑 Kenya’s husband finally made an appearance on The Real Housewives of Atlanta, when she launched her PSA on domestic violence. The main takeaway point for me though, was what the hell was NeNe wearing? A muumuu?  That outfit was worse than the one Sheree was wearing for the pictorial she sent to her incarcerated boyfriend. Next time, a Halloween costume party. I’m not sure what difference this will make from any other episode at this point.

😔 It’s Ba-a-ack…

March 11, 2018 – Gabriel’s Great Escape, a Bit of TV News & Weekend Over

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What I Watched Today

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

 

 

The Walking Dead

A carload of Saviors is out hunting for Morgan and Dr. Carson. Daryl sneaks around under a bridge. He’s leading a group scouting the roads. Tara tosses a zombie at Dwight, claiming it got away. Dwight kills it, and Daryl tells everyone to keep it moving.

Dr. Carson drives, and Gabriel asks if they’ve passed the Linus overpass, but the doctor doesn’t know. Gabriel says it’s going to be okay and have some faith. They’re on the right path if not the right road. He studies a map, but has difficulty focusing. Carson tells him that he’s is suffering from a serious complication. Does he really think God is leading the way? Gabriel says God is always leading the way, and Carson says maybe God should be driving. Gabriel jokes about Him leaving too many footprints, and a zombie drags itself along next to the car. Maybe Gabriel just needs glasses.

Carson asks about a mile marker, and if Gabriel can see it. Gabriel says he can’t, and Carson says he was stupid to let him leave, but he’s sick and there are antibiotics at Hilltop. Gabriel asks if he hears something, almost like a bell. I don’t. Carson isn’t too thrilled with leaving the car, but they walk through the forest, and come to a cabin. Gabriel says it’s not a bell, but might be their salvation. Carson doesn’t think so.

Rosita says the group needs rest. Daryl says, ten minutes. Tara asks why Dwight is still breathing; she’s done. Rosita tells her that he may have an angle, and tells her to knock it off; at least until they get to Hilltop.

Morgan and Henry guard the prisoners at Hilltop. Carol says she can take over. Jared yells that the kid is freaking people out, and they should move him along. The Saviors are going to roll up and let them out anyway. Henry asks Morgan, who killed his brother? Morgan tells him to go and eat. Henry asks Carol why they’re not telling him. She says he’s a child, and he’s done too much already. Morgan tells her that Henry knows how to live, and it doesn’t bother him. She says he’s not fine, and neither is Morgan. She tells him to take a break, and takes a turn as guard.

Negan is disappointed. This crap should be over. His only doctor and that creepy-ass priest jumped ship without anyone knowing. He asks if Eugene has any idea how it happened, but Eugene is not venturing any guesses. Negan says Carson is a weasel like his brother, and once their asses are caught, he’ll get the whole story – one way or another. And Alexandria – Eugene asks what went down there, and Negan asks why does he care? They tried to blow him off the earth. He tells Eugene that he’s going to be in charge of his own outpost. He needs his bullet-maker to be making bullets. He’s going to provide the next bang-bang Negan needs to settle this situation for good. Eugene asks what about people as resources, and Negan says bullets are a last resort. If Rick and his merry band of pricks decided to pull sh*t, then they’ll have to pull sh*t. It will be some that they don’t want, but it’s on them. Eugene is going to have everything he needs to keep his head in the game. Eugene asks if there will be wine, which would be my first question, and Negan says there will indeed.

Inside the cabin, Morgan shakes a piggy bank and laughs. He tries to read something from a notepad. Looking out the window, Carson says, clear so far. He tells Morgan that he should be lying down. It’s lucky they found this place. Morgan says luck had nothing to do with it. Morgan gives Carson the pad, and Carson says the owner was a radio operator. He looks through the pad, the owner writing that even if he can’t be helped, maybe he can help someone else. There are pages of radio calls, but they all say, no signal. Morgan says that they don’t know if others might have been reached, but the operator never found out. Or maybe it gave them strength to go on, even if they didn’t reach anyone. Carson opens the bedroom door. He sees a zombie cuffed to the bed with a plastic bag over its head. He says, didn’t happen.

Daryl goes over the map. Rosita thinks they should keep moving. Daryl wonders about the swamp. Dwight says it’s one place the Saviors won’t be. Negan thought it was too dangerous and not worth the risk. Tara asks if Daryl is seriously considering what Dwight has to say. If it’s too dangerous for the Saviors, why send them? Why should they trust Dwight? He could turn on them like he did his own people. Dwight says they all saw what happens if one of them gets away. If they find him, his head will be on a pike. He’s not fighting for them, and he’s not going back there. He wants to help them beat Negan. After that, he knows how it ends. Daryl says, fine; they’ll try the swamp. Tara is stunned.

One of the Kingdom Hilltoppers tells Maggie that they finished taking inventory. They’re barely going to make it through another week, and it will be worse if they include the prisoners. Jesus is still out scavenging, and might bring something back.

Carson takes a gun from the corpse, and tells Gabriel to lie down; he’s fighting a serious infection. Gabriel gives Carson some prescription bottles, and he looks through them. He says two are antibiotics, and this may have just saved his life. Gabriel tells Carson that he’s not saying a word.

Dwight says he’s doing it for Sherry. She let Daryl out and ran; she must be out there somewhere. Daryl looks at the swamp. Rosita says they can do it. Someone suggests a small group push through, and make a path for the others. Rosita asks if Tara is coming, but she’s hanging back. The small group starts to walk through.

Maggie asks Gregory what he wants. He says they haven’t seen eye to eye, and loyalties have been questioned, but his behavior has been good. She says he’s staying in there. He says she can’t keep him there forever, and she tells him give her a reason to kill him and she won’t have to. Another prisoner says they’ve been good, and she still took one out; they don’t have to be enemies. Maggie asks what Gregory wants. They want to go outside on good behavior; one at a time under armed guard. Maggie says she doesn’t have the resources to oblige, even if she wanted to. And BTW, she’s cutting off their rations in a few days, maybe longer. Her people come first; she has no choice. Gregory thinks she does.

Rosita and the others continue through the swamp. A zombie pops up in front of her, and she stabs it in the head. Daryl is impressed. Groot! Never mind. It’s just a tree. Zombies start to rise from the water like something out of Creepy comics. Daryl and Siddiq go through the water, stabbing them one by one.

Tara tells Dwight he just volunteered to kill some zombies, and gives him a knife.

Carson says Gabriel’s fever has broken. He tells Gabriel that if there’s no improvement in his eyesight soon, there will be permanent damage. Morgan is like, oh well, and Carson asks if losing his vision doesn’t scare him or piss him off. Gabriel says he’s letting Him lead the way. He tells Carson that he can’t see it, but can feel the look on his face. He’s not saying God led them there, but to find meaning in it. He knocks the piggy bank over, and it breaks. Carson finds car keys and a map inside. He looks at the map, and says they’re no more than a few miles off.

Tara follows Dwight through the forest, covering him with a gun. He stabs a zombie. He tells her that he’s sorry about Denise. He truly is. He doesn’t expect forgiveness; he doesn’t deserve it. He just wants her to know. She says he should have stayed with the Saviors. He says he hates them. He hates Negan. Tara doesn’t care. She says switching sides doesn’t make it okay; it never will. He asks what killing him will do, and she says, make her feel hella better. She shoots at him, but he ducks behind a tree, and runs. He stops in a clearing. He says he knew it would happen, but he’d wanted to help them win first. They hear people coming, and hide.

It’s the group of Saviors from the car. Tara holds the gun to Dwight’s head.

Carson and Gabriel head for the garage. Gabriel looks up, and a warning sign comes into focus. He yells for Carson to stop, but it’s too late. Carson steps into an animal trap. His leg is caught, and here comes a zombie. Oh, great. Now they’re coming out of the woodwork… er, forest. Carson shoots at one, but another falls on him. He shoots that one, but there’s another right behind, and he drops the gun. Gabriel crawls over, and finds the gun. He blindly shoots, and miraculously hits the zombie and not Carson. Carson says he did it, and Gabriel says he might have had some help.

Tara continues to hold the gun on Dwight. She looks like a nut. Dwight walks out to the road. One of the Saviors says they thought he was dead. He says he got caught in an ambush, but got away. He spent the night hiding and running, and trying to make it back. He asks what happened to Laura, and they say, sorry, no one has seen her. They’re going to Alexandria, and thought they’d check out the swamp. Dwight tells them that he just came from there, and to steer clear of it. He takes a gun from one of them, and says he’ll lead the way. Tara can’t believe it. She’s surprised all over the place tonight.

Rosita tells Daryl that she saw Tara running after Dwight. He asks why Rosita didn’t stop her, and Rosita says, no one could have stopped her. When she gets back, Dwight gets in Tara’s face, saying he told her to wait. Dwight could tell them everything. She says he saved them; he led the Saviors away. Daryl doesn’t care, and starts cursing everything. Then he sees Tobin covering Judith’s ears, and says, let’s go. They start to maneuver through the swamp.

Gabriel asks if Carson wants him to drive, but that’s a no. They get in the car, and hear, hands up, a-holes. They turn around, and it’s the Savior group now joined by Dwight. They’re deposited in the bed of the truck. Gabriel tells Carson that He’s still leading the way. Believe it, and he’ll see it. What Carson sees is an unattended gun on a Savior, and grabs it, but gets shot. As the truck pulls away, Morgan weeps, and says, no, no, no. I say, no surprise this show is a total bummer. Always.

The gates of Hilltop open. Daryl and the others walk in. Carol runs to greet them. We only hear music, so we can’t hear what they’re saying, but Daryl shakes his head. Enid cries, and sinks to the ground. Siddiq looks tired. Maggie comforts Enid.

Morgan says Henry asked about who killed his brother. It was Gavin, and he got him, so…

Siddiq thanks Maggie for her hospitality. She says it’s not much, but he tells her, its everything. He asks if there’s an infirmary, and she asks if he’s hurt. He says he’s fine, but has medical experience. He can pitch in and help. She explains they’re using the trailers, and thanks him. She watches everyone interacting.

Eugene makes bullets. Frankie (I think – whoever the redhead is) says he was destined for this. He tells her to be there, she needs gloves and proper eye protection. She thought she’d help, and he says she can help by bringing some food – eggs nicely dancing with tomatoes. He’s going to designate the northwest corner as a breakroom and motivational presentation cubby.

Negan kicks the door open, and brings in Gabriel. He says Gabriel told him an interesting story about how he made his way out of their lovely home. We hold our collective breaths for a beat or two, and he says it was Carson. Negan asks if he called it or what. Gabriel asks why bring him here, and Negan says he needs an extra set of hands to separate casings. Gabriel’s eyes don’t work for sh*t, but his hands do. Eugene says it will still be a few days, but Negan says that doesn’t work for him. They need a more Biblical approach. Eugene says they could rig catapults, and launch dead arms, legs, and heads, creating traumatic theatrics. Negan thanks him. He believes a rose sprang into the pile of sh*t. He tells the guys, let’s roll, and whistles as he leaves.

Eugene goes to Gabriel. Gabriel says he thought he found what he was meant to do. Eugene says, he has, and so has Eugene. He tells Gabriel to get to work.

Maggie approaches the prisoners and points at one. She says they’re to be taken out in pairs for work, exercise, and medical attention. They can start by cleaning the stables. Gregory thinks since they’ll be working, they should get more food, but she says quarter rations, same as always. He appreciates it, but the Saviors are still coming. He thinks they should consider evacuation. If they run, they live. He asks how they could win, and she tells him to look around.

Outside, Negan addresses his people while standing in front of three zombies chained to a fence. He says they know how it works. You get a bite, something from them gets in you, and you join the club. But what if they can use it to their advantage? He whacks at a zombie with Lucille. He tells them Lucille is getting to know their friend. He bashes and pokes at the zombie, until Lucille is covered with blood and rotted flesh. He tells them to look at that. No more smashing and bashing; just a touch, just a kiss. Hilltop will learn to comply, dead or alive. Or some kind of sh*t in between.

Next time, Negan orders the Saviors to let them turn, don’t kill them; and Negan tells Rick that he failed his boy and his people – let Negan save them.

🎭 The Good News & the Bad News

Sunday, April 15th is a big day. Sadly, your taxes are due the next day, but Fear the Walking Dead (which Morgan will be a part of) also returns at 10 pm on AMC, and Southern Charm New Orleans premieres on Bravo at 9 pm. The original Southern Charm will be back on Thursday, April 5th at 9 pm. They’ve already tried with Savannah, which was a snooze, and IMO, it would be tough to top the Charleston cast. Who can resist the Peter Pan that is Thomas; his off-again-on-again squeeze, and mother of his children, fiery Kathryn; matriarch of the South, Patricia, and her baby boy Whitney; dreamer Craig; perpetual adolescent Shep; weepy roller coaster ride Landon; and Cameran, avoiding motherhood since the beginning of time, finally having a baby?

⏰ And We Lost an Hour…

WeekendBackToWork

WeekendMonkey

WeekendDog2

 

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

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What I Watched Today

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

 

 

Two finales tonight.

Shahs of Sunset

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Two months later, they split.

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

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

Fear the Walking Dead

Part One

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Part Two

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Daniel opens his eyes.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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What I Watched Today

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

 

 

Shahs of Sunset

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fear the Walking Dead

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jesse & Efrain, Yet Both Jesse…

JesseFame  JesseFWD

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

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What I Watched Today

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

 

 

Shahs of Sunset

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fear the Walking Dead

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Walker starts the truck.

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

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

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

This Land is Your Land

September 24, 2017 – MJ Issues an Ultimatum, Miles of Zombies & a Puppy

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What I Watched Today

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

 

 

Shahs of Sunset

Construction is happening at MJ’s condo. Since she came back from Israel, she’s been thinking about how Mike said to quit using her father’s illness as a reason not to move forward. Her designer brings in a vision board. She says it’s condo first, then baby and marriage. A little out of order, but it all needs to happen. Reza comes by. He’s shocked that his bitching didn’t fall on deaf ears. He tells us beige and messy bitches don’t go together, and tells MJ to pick a color, any color. She picks the worst one. She picks something else, and he okays it. He’s staying out of the design part, but will supply cheap labor – i.e. free. MJ says it’s probably the most responsibility she’s taken on in her life. She tells Reza that she needs some real food, and wine.

Mike brings shoes to the regional manager if Shoe Palace. I’m not familiar with that chain, but he tells us that they sell a lot of shoes, and he’s thrilled to be meeting with them. The manager tells Mike that he says no to small brands 99% of the time, but likes to keep his ear to the streets. And maybe get free advertising for his stores. In his interview, Mike always thought of himself as the breadwinner of his future family. We flash back to him talking to Jessica about creating the shoe line. It didn’t work out, and his motivating factor is gone. He shows the guy teeny tiny shoes for kids, and explains that they’re both premium and dope. The manager says he’s never seen anything like it, and thinks they can make something happen. They bro hug. Mike says it’s bittersweet, since he should be calling his wife, but he’s calling his mom.

Annalise is at Shervin’s unpacking. She says she’s getting professional at it now. She talks about moving in. In his interview, he says it’s a risk on her side, and a responsibility on his, but when they spend time together, the relationship deepens. Zzzzz… He thanks her for not believing the bullsh*t. MJ comes by, bearing a poinsettia. She hates that all her friends wake up in the morning, tell lies, go to sleep, and start over. In particular, Asa and Shervin. She needs the naked, ugly truth. She says she wants to talk to Annalise one-on-one, but Shervin is there, so fine. She just comes out and says that she thinks Shervin cheated on Annalise.

In her interview, MJ says that Shervin is controlling, and wouldn’t let her talk to Annalise privately. Since she’s about to pack up her life in Australia and move in with him, MJ wants her to know. She says he’s like a kid in a candy store when she’s not around, but Annalise says she believes him since he’s never lied to her before. She appreciates MJ saying something, but they don’t understand how open and honest he is. MJ thinks Shervin has been working on her. She hopes that Annalise isn’t being Stepford and having tunnel vision. She says that Annalise is choosing to believe Shervin is honest. Shervin says that in the end, the truth always comes out. In his interview, he thanks Tara for the rumor that brought them closer together. Oh boy, I can’t wait for the reveal, because yeah, the truth always comes out.

Reza meets with Mike at the barbershop. Reza says that Mike is more gay in the grooming department than he is. Mike tells Reza about his blind date with Pursia, a Persian rapper. He says they went dancing and had frozen yogurt, but he’s not seeing her again. He still feels guilty about not making his marriage work. Reza says talk to any of them, but don’t talk to girls he’s dating about his ex-wife. He says Mike needs to close the book, not just the chapter, so he’s not stuck in purgatory.

Shalom comes by GG’s place. She’s picking out clothing for her trip to NYC. She’s still shocked that they want her for the play. She tells Shalom that her mom is impressed with him. He says family comes first, and people need to forgive and forget. She says anyone who can put up with her family and friends is a keeper. She makes broad hints about getting a ring. She tells him that in return, he gets the MVP. Most Valuable You-Figure-It-Out. In her interview, she talks about wanting a family, and how the nannies will take care of the kids.

Reza’s new blind cat is called Miss Moo. I love it! MJ visits, and he gives her some tequila. He’s been writing a play, and hands her a copy. He says it’s a passion project based on his two grandmothers and if they had planned his wedding. He says it takes place in a gay café. He has MJ read the part of the Muslim grandmother. He says that he grew up in a household where it was like the two sides were at war with each other. Going to Israel was a life-changing experience, and he wants to share his knowledge with others to spare them the same pain. He says GG might be doing something way off-Broadway, but this is going to be better.

GG is in the city being Carrie Bradshaw. She gets to the theater and meets the director, her scene partner, and some of the crew. She’s never acted before, and says that she freaked when she saw the script since it’s half the size of the Bible, which is highly doubtful. She’s memorized her lines, gone to acting class, and gotten a hearing aid, but might still suck. She says the last time she worked this hard at an accomplishment, was when she tried stealing her parents’ car at sixteen.

MJ takes Vida to the Millennium Biltmore Hotel for lunch. Vida thinks the waiter talks too much and that MJ looks tired, so we’re off to a great start. MJ tells Vida that she wants to get pregnant. Vida says maybe Tommy doesn’t want to be a father, but MJ says he won’t do it if he doesn’t want to. Vida asks if she can make sure he doesn’t ignore the baby, and if she’s willing to take that risk. MJ says that Vida is one of the reasons she kept many men at arm’s length, but now that she’s met the man she wants to make babies with and grow old beside, she has to stand up for herself. She tells Vida that it’s time to accept and support her choices. Vida says she knows what’s best for her daughter, but MJ says she thinks not.

Mike whistles for Reza. Reza says he’s not Mike’s dog, and Mike calls it a Persian doorbell. They’re going to paint MJ’s place, but Mike is only in it for the free pizza and beer. Reza says whether they like it or not design-wise, they have to be nice. He’s all about moving forward today.

When they arrive, MJ says they’re covering the floors first. Reza points out baseboard dirt. Mike pretends a crudité is his dool. Shervin walks in, and Reza asks how many friends MJ invited. MJ says she didn’t invite Asa, and Reza says they have an acquaintanceship instead of friendship. In his interview, Reza says that Asa doesn’t understand the rift, and isn’t going to change her mind or apologize. MJ says that at this point in their lives, they need to lean on each other, and there’s no point in having a friendship if they can’t be honest. Destiney comes in, and everyone has shots. Shervin messes up, and hits the ceiling with his paint roller. Then everyone starts painting weird things on the wall. Reza puts paint on the couch, and MJ tells everyone to chill.

Shervin says it’s not cool about Asa, and doesn’t want to be in the same boat. He tells them that he screwed around before. Mike says, lamest admission of guilt ever. Shervin is sorry for lying, but he’s scared of commitment. Mike asks if he told Annalise, but he says no. In her interview, MJ wonders who isn’t lying. Destiney asks if he did it in the house, and he insists he didn’t. Then he says he did, but he wonders what difference it makes. In her interview, Destiney says that Annalise is giving up her whole life for him. She thought he was a classy dude until she got to see the real Shervin.

Shervin says it’s none of their business. Mike says that for a woman, it’s like their sanctuary, where they lay their head. Vida enters the fray, and is like, omg, what a mess, and freaks over the literal writing on the wall, where Reza has added a cartoon dool. This causes everyone to actually go to work. Tommy comes home, and is surprised that it’s coming together. Reza points out the ovulation sticks lying around. Vida asks if MJ is sure about Tommy, who tells her that he’s like herpes – you can’t get rid of him. That reminds me of the dog in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. She was named Herpes, because if she’s good, she’ll heal. BA-DUM-CHH! In her interview, MJ thinks once Vida is holding a baby, she’ll change her tune. MJ says she’ll buy Vida’s retirement, so she’ll be available to babysit. She writes Vida a $100K check, and says if she gets pregnant, to cash it. Vida doesn’t want anything to do with it, and MJ starts crying. Tommy says she’s an emotional nut, and kisses her. She’s also drunk as a skunk. Why do we say that anyway? She tells Tommy that he’d better get her pregnant.

Reza asks what’s going on, and MJ says everyone is making fun of her emotions. She thinks everyone should be supportive. Reza says they are, and Tommy says her mother isn’t Donna Reed. Then he has to explain who Donna Reed is. Vida leaves, since she’s done her job and made MJ cry, and MJ asks Tommy if he’s sure. He says they need to prepare, and it’s not as easy as she thinks. People typically do it at twenty, not forty. Reza tries to talk to her. Tommy tells Mike that she feels like she has a gun to her head because of Shams being ill. She tells Reza that she’s going to get pregnant, and Tommy should be begging to be the father. Tommy says neither of them have healthy lifestyles, and he doesn’t want to leave a child without a parent. In his interview, he talks about his mother dying when he was a teenager, and how he couldn’t cry. He felt like the worst person. He loves and misses her every day. MJ says it’s now or never, and she’ not allowing cold feet. Tommy says the problem isn’t cold feet.

Reza tells Tommy that he made his girl uncomfortable and upset, and please make her not that way. Tommy asks how many shots she’s had, and she says that she’ll get pregnant by another man. In her interview, MJ is also unreasonable, saying  that him not telling her that he’s sure is like he’s lying. Tommy says that he wants to make sure the baby never wants for anything. He starts crying, and so does she. He brings up his mother, and says that he felt alone growing up, and doesn’t want that for his kid.

MJ asks if Tommy has been crying, and for whom. Reza says that it’s time to exit, and tells them to make some babies. Destiney says her heart is crying. She asks Tommy what the problem is, and he says he wants to make sure they’re around for the kid. She wants to know if what he says is real, and he tells her that he’s been nothing but honest; he’s had reservations from day one. He wants to make sure they’re ready to be good parents, and live a healthy lifestyle. He grew up without anybody, and he ran his whole life from it. If he had a great day, there was no one to tell. He’s going to make me cry pretty soon. Tommy says it’s not her or him, and there’s more to it than both of them loving each other; that doesn’t mean they’re prepared. MJ says his mom died; her dad is dying. Should they not die? She starts getting loud, and he gets louder. He says that he doesn’t want to fight. She says that she’d rather have a baby with someone who doesn’t have a problem with it. She tells him now or never, and he says, then it’s never. In her interview, MJ says she needs someone stronger than this. She says she’ll be an amazing mother, and Tommy needs to be about his truth – that he’s really full of sh*t. I have empathy for her, but she needs to see that he’s telling her the truth. They aren’t ready.

Tommy says she’s right. He’s a piece of sh*t, and a liar. He’s not going to listen to this nonsense. She didn’t listen to him, and pissed on what he had to say. That doesn’t make him want to have a baby. MJ tells him if he told her that he smoked way too much or she needs to stop drinking, he’d have a leg to stand on. I think, but isn’t that what he was saying? She says he’s in a pickle now. (Really, she said that.) He has two choices, sh*t or get off the pot.

MJ tells him to get off the pot, never call her again, and just bounce. Destiney says it wasn’t supposed to go down this way. In her interview, MJ tells us that no man can hold a candle to her dad, and thank God for him; she still has him. She tells us that the lesson of the day is don’t get fooled by the weak. What MJ needs isn’t a baby. She needs therapy to help her get through this tough time. It’s heart-breaking, but she’s going about this all wrong.

Next time, Mike’s divorce is finalized, the gang goes to NYC, Adam and Reza discuss surrogacy, and GG goes nuts on Shalom.

Fear the Walking Dead

Troy kills a rattlesnake and writes in his journal. Tastes just like chicken. He must have been on the road a while, since he’s pretty grubby and has an almost beard. He thinks about the gun. He sees the scalped guy in the chair, whose name I forget, from when we first met Walker. He wanders around and goes inside a warehouse. He goes through what’s there, and finds a bunch of cans that are either cat food or I don’t know what, but it’s not deviled ham.

He sees a plaque that says God helps those who help themselves. The wall behind it opens to reveal a gun and some ammo. He buries the scalped dude, and writes furiously. He sits in the chair where the dude was and plays with the gun. I guess he’s thinking about killing himself, but with him, it’s hard to tell. He hears zombie noises, and shoots the gun in the air. He smiles.

Nick and Crazy Dog are out in the fields. Nick pikes a zombie. Crazy Dog says the cattle are going to die soon from lack of water. Jake tells Alicia that they had 400 head once, and it’s not even a ranch anymore. He didn’t think it would bother him so much. She says they’ll start over, and if they live long enough, she’ll get him more cows. She says it’s livable, and they can’t say that about any other place. Jake thinks there are more places like this. He tells her about a cabin near the border that would be fine for two people. Everything he fought for is gone. She says they’re lucky to have what they do, but he says it was supposed to be more.

Ofelia tells Crazy Dog that Jake is weak, but she has to gain their trust. He says that Nick is already in the middle. She asks if he trusts Nick, and he says everyone does. Nick and Alicia have a smoke on the deck. She tells him he looks like sh*t. He says he killed a man, and now he’s sleeping in his house. She says he killed an evil old man to save them, and he says he did it so Madison didn’t have to. He’s concerned about Troy, but she says he doesn’t owe Troy. They share the same self-destruction. Nick says maybe he’s just as sick.

In bed, Nick hears sounds outside the cabin. He gets his knife, and looks around. While he’s on the balcony, Troy sneaks up behind him. Nick tells him that he can’t be there, but Troy says here he is. He doesn’t want to sit down or he’ll pass out; he’s on a mission. He says Nick saved him in his own way, so he’s here to return the favor. He says there’s a beast in the desert with nothing to keep it from growing, and it’s bigger than he can imagine. Troy says there’s a third way, and locks the sliding door, leaving Nick on the balcony. He tells Nick that he needs to listen. The whole place will be obliterated. He needs to see it; it’s beautiful. Nick tries to get him to unlock the door, but he won’t, so Nick runs in the front.

Alicia suggests going outside the ranch, and pumping water in. Jake says that’s what her mom and Walker are doing. She’s concerned about not hearing from them, and Jake says they need a plan B. Everyone is always talking about a plan B on this show, but nobody ever has one. Alicia wonders how Jake can talk about leaving. She’s fighting for this place, and they’re staying. She doesn’t want to worry about him, and he tells her she’s released from her obligation. She says that’s not why she did it, and he asks who she’s actually fighting for? She seemed lost when they arrived. He thought he’d taken advantage of her, but wonders if it was really the other way around. He asks if it’s a relationship or alliance, and if that was the plan all along.

Nick comes to the door. He tells them that Troy was there. He wanted to warn them about something coming, and wanted them to see what it was. Alicia thinks he’s baiting them. Jake says he warned Troy not to come back, and now he has to face him. Nick tells Alicia that he’s responsible, and someone has to look after her boyfriend. Alicia gives Jake a gun, and says she did it for him. He’s the last good man she knows. He and Nick drive away.

Nick says that Troy could have killed him, or hurt any of them, but he didn’t. He thinks that Troy came to warn, not harm. Jake tells a story about finding a rabbit skinned alive. He put it down, because that’s what you do when something is lame or sick. He doesn’t think Troy is going to get better.

Suddenly there’s a cloud of dust rising in the distance, parallel to the road. They stop the car and get out. Nick radios Alicia. All she hears is infected. The dust clears, and there are a billion zombies crossing the desert. They see Troy walking out toward them. He looks up.

Alicia tells Ofelia that Nick and Jake are in trouble. She thinks that they came across a horde. Ofelia wonders why they were alone; there’s safety in numbers, and it’s protocol. Alicia tells her that Troy snuck in and warned Nick. She says they need to stop it, but Ofelia asks how do they know it isn’t an ambush?  Alicia says they don’t, but she trusts Nick and Jake.

Out in the desert, Nick asks for a minute with Troy. Jake doesn’t think he’s coming back, but Nick wants to try. Troy says it’s a cleansing. Nick says he’s not in his right head, and Troy agrees he’s a little punchy. He says they love loud noises, and cocks the gun. He says he loves that sound, the way some love a ball hitting a bat. This is evolution and Darwinian. Nick says it’s murder. Troy asks if he wants to go there. It’s eviction or extinction. Jake asks him not to make him do it, and points the gun at him. Troy shots the gun, and Jake throws him to the ground. He smacks Troy around, and tells Nick to go; it’s time to evacuate.

Troy says there’s one road in, and one road out. It’s time to face the monsters. Jake tells him that rabbits scream, like human beings, but he still protected Troy. Nick tells Jake if he pulls the trigger, he’ll never forget it. Troy hints about Nick having shot Jeremiah, but Jake says he doesn’t care what Nick did. Jake is about to shoot, when Nick kicks him out of the way.

The group at the ranch watches as the zombie horde approaches. Nick and Troy slide down the hill toward the horde. Some stray zombies are already close, and Jake gets bit in the arm. He asks Troy how long before it spreads, and tells him to do it, meaning cut off Jake’s arm. Troy hesitates, so Nick does it himself.

Crazy Dog asks Alicia what’s going on, and she tells him that Troy told Nick and Jake that something was coming. Crazy Dog wonders if it’s something that’s out there or something be brought. Ofelia says he’s not helping. The guy with the beard, whose name I don’t remember, says they’ll need guns and bullets. Crazy Dog gives Ofelia the keys to where the arms are stashed.

Troy holds Jake in the truck bed, while Nick drives. Troy insists that there’s no ranch to go back to. We can see zombies for miles.

Crazy Dog directs the trucks and RVs to be driven making a barricade. Ofelia asks if it will stop them. He says they’ll hunker down behind them when the zombies go past, and asks if she has a better idea. Nope. He tells everyone to move, and they all run around. The horde gets closer.

The zombies arrive, and everyone is lined up behind the vehicles with weapons. The zombies hit the barbed wire, because they’re too stupid not to run into it. No way could they kill this many. Nick watches through binoculars. The RVs start to rock, and then zombies start crawling out from underneath them. Holy! The ranch people all whack at them, and pike their heads, with various weapons as they come through. Nick is like, this isn’t good. Troy says that Jake was the one who wasn’t supposed to die. Nick tells Troy to put him down. Troy says that he wanted Jake to see what he’d done for them. Nick grabs Troy, and says, look at what you did; that’s you, and throws him down. Nick radios Alicia. Troy tell Nick to kill him, and do what his brother should have. Nick kicks the gun over to Troy, and tells him to kill himself.

One of the RVs is about to tip over. Alicia says it’s not going to hold. Once it gives, everyone will die. The RV gives way, and Ofelia says, let’s go. Yep, that’s it. The zombie horde is in. Nick looks sick, and I’ve been making noises since Jake got bit.

Everyone is slicing and dicing, and stabbing, and shooting  Alicia tells everyone to go into the pantry. Oh no! They grabbed bearded guy. Alicia tries to shoot the zombies, but can’t get a bead on them. Bearded guy has a gun and tries to shoot himself, but the gun doesn’t go off, so Alicia shoots him in the head. Then the dead feed on the dead. There’s lots of running and craziness.

Jake opens his eyes – which look really cool, more like the Night King on Game of Thrones, than the usual creepy zombie eyes.

Alicia’s gun is out of bullets, and she just goes nuts whacking at the zombie. Ofelia hammers them in the head. Omg, these guys are totally surrounded. Crazy Dog even head butts one of them. They manage to free themselves, and lock themselves in the pantry with the others. The zombies scramble around the door outside.

Troy stabs Jake in the ear. He says he needs some sleep. Nick says they need to find a way to save the people he tried to kill. He can sleep when he’s dead. Hey, that’s what I always say.

In the pantry, everyone listens to the zombie sounds from outside. Alicia looks frazzled, and hyperventilates.

Next time, Nick blows stuff up, Crazy Horse says they’re all going to die together, and Alicia is attacked.

😴 I need to call it a night, so I leave you with this…

PuppyInCrate

Waving good-by to the Weekend