What I Watched Today

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

 

 

Shahs of Sunset

Shervin goes to a cigar store. There is discussion about cigars that I don’t understand, and he joins Mike in the back for a smoke and some whiskey in mason jars. Shervin brings up Tara, saying she’s crazy, and he never touched her. He claims they just went for drinks, and he dropped her off and went home. Mike laughs. Shervin insults Tara again, asking why he should want a Ford when he can get a Ferrari. Bleh. Mike says he’s been through the same thing. In his interview, he says Shervin has it all figured out, which is exactly what he thought about himself when he cheated on Jessica. He says if you build your relationship on lies, it eventually becomes a blurred reality, and when the truth comes out, it will destroy everything he’s built.

GG has a part in an upcoming play (Sex Tips for a Straight Girl from a Gay Man), and meets with an acting coach. He says it’s good she hasn’t had classes before, since there will be no bad habits to break. She explains about having a hearing loss. She says she can hear certain pitches and not others, and sometimes everything blends in. He has her read from a scene. He tells her to take her nervousness and use it. In her interview, she says she’s looking for something that gives her a rush that isn’t drugs or sex, and has always wanted to dabble in acting.

Reza and Adam go to the fertility clinic to check out Reza’s test results. In his interview, Reza explains the procedure, and I go ♫ LA-LA-LA! ♫ The doctor brings in the results, and tells Reza he got an A+. Adam has some abnormally shaped sperm in the sample, and the doctor says that he might want a do-over. Adam claims it was hot the day before. Huh? The doctor says it’s time to think about egg donors. Reza tells him that they want to get settled in a house first.

MJ and Tommy take the dogs to the park. They check out the ducks in the lake, and MJ gets excited over seeing a turtle. She says even though it’s been full-time hospital duty, she needs Tommy to get her pregnant. He says he’s putting his hard hat on and doing his best. She says seeing the “no” come up on the ovulation stick is like a knife in her heart. She tells him about Asa freezing embryos, and insisting she didn’t use them to get pregnant, and lying by omission. She wonders what else Asa is lying about. Tommy thinks there’s no reason to be friends with her.

Asa shows her mom the footage from Israel that she’s editing. She’s excited about an event she’s planning where she’s going to share her spiritual experience. In her interview, she says it was so precious; she wishes everyone had as an enriching experience as she did, but they’re not as elevated. She does an introduction for the film about co-existing peacefully. She hopes the others will be inspired, and let go of the petty bullsh*t.

Mike is doing a photo shoot with a load of babies for his new shoe line. The way he describes what he wants sounds like the old United Colors of Benetton ads. He says he’s optimistic, but babies don’t sit still and pose. Hopefully, out of thousands of pictures, they can get ten they can use. Mike’s mom shows up to support the project. In his interview, Mike says he’s 100% a momma’s boy, and his mom’s validation means everything. He knows she’s thinking about being a grandparent. He understands that men don’t have biological clocks, but is concerned he’ll be an old man by the time he has kids.

GG goes to a hearing clinic to see an audiologist. She explains that she was born with a problem, but it wasn’t noticed until she was around ten, and she became adept at lip reading. They give GG a hearing test like we used to get in school. She hasn’t told the director about her hearing issue, and is worried about hearing the other actors’ lines. The tests show 28% hearing capacity for low to normal pitches, and the doctor suggests discussing hearing devices. In her interview, GG explains that when she was younger, she was already teased for being Middle-Eastern, so she tossed out the hearing aid she had. She tells us that everyone has pushed her to be a better person, but now she wants to do it for herself. She makes arrangements for a new hearing aid, which these days, is practically invisible.

Asa says that she’s a refugee from Iran, so by default, she’s a political artist. The venue looks beautiful – outside, with tiny white lights on the trees, small tables, flowers everywhere, and a screen up front. Hey, there’s Paris Jackson! I forgot that Asa’s boyfriend is Jermaine. She doesn’t want to complain about being pregnant, but she complains non-stop. She feels alone, and wishes her friends were more loving toward her, even though everyone keeps asking what they can do.

Tommy thinks MJ should cover more of her cleavage. He says she looks fantastic, but he doesn’t want her showing the world. She duct tapes her dress to herself. Reza comes by, since he’s going with them. In his interview, he says they’re still living in squalor and it looks like a dump. He points out some hand-painted glasses that he gave MJ, saying that she put them the dishwasher. He asks if they have any kind of plan – there’s not even a sink in the bathroom. He asks Tommy if the baby is going to sleep in the bathtub. MJ says her father is ill, and she’s not moving at micro-speed.

Shervin arrives at Asa’s event. He tells GG that he feels like she played both sides of the street with Tara. He thinks she’s twisting his words. In his interview, he brings up her history of lying, and we flash back to when she said she’d seen a sex tape with Reza in it. She tells him that she doesn’t care what he does, but it’s not cool to call her a liar. He claims he just met up with Tara at a bar. In her interview, GG says he’s backtracking, and she needs for him to be real. She tells him to say what he wants, and let God be his judge.

MJ tells Reza about freezing her eggs, but doesn’t really understand how the procedure worked. Reza explains it, and Tommy says the fact Reza knew more, probably means that MJ should pump the brakes a little. She talks about Asa going to the same doctor. Reza says Asa had confided in him that she was getting egg retrieval at the same time MJ was, and now he’s in a weird position. MJ tells him that Asa lied to her. She says she thinks that Asa is lying to everyone. Reza says from the time that Asa said she was pregnant, something didn’t sit right with him. In her interview, MJ feels it’s a deep level of deceit, and doesn’t know what could be a bigger f-u in life.

Reza says he just let the cat out of the bag. An uncomfortable situation that he was in the middle of, just turned into DEFCON WTF? He wants to respect Asa’s privacy, but she paints a façade of everything being perfect. He understands how MJ feels, since it seems deceptive. A champagne tower is poured, and there’s also a very nice spread of food. In his interview, Mike says he never knows what to expect at Asa’s art shows. Mike gives her a pair of teeny tiny shoes, and she gets baby gifts from several other friends. Reza says MJ looks glazed over, and feels like it’s his fault.

Asa introduces the film. The project is called Our Future. Roll the video. In her interview, MJ says for the past six years, they’ve been supportive of Asa’s art. One year Asa is this, and one year Asa is that, and she’s not faking it anymore. She’s tired of pretending that Asa is a protégé, when she’s really a master bullsh*tter.

Destiney says that Asa comes from a place of healing and love. MJ says she sounds that way, but she lied to them about getting in vitro. GG thinks if someone isn’t giving you what you need, that’s not a friend. Asa realizes that something is going on. She tells MJ that to take her focus off of what she finds wrong in Asa’s life. MJ says that Asa asked a million questions when MJ was going through the process like she never went through it. Asa says she doesn’t trust MJ. In his interview, Mike says that Asa will act like you don’t know what you’re talking about to the point where you believe it. MJ says she’s never done anything to Asa to be treated this way. GG says that MJ feels hurt and tries to intervene, but MJ walks away. Tommy follows her, but she tells him to leave her alone. He says Asa is her good friend, and she tells him to STFU and keeps walking.

Next time, Reza questions Asa’s friendship, GG talks to Annalise, and GG tries to reconcile with her sister.

Fear the Walking Dead – Two Hour Premiere

Meanwhile, back at the ranch…

A song, Death is Not the End, plays while zombies amble around, and everyone goes about their various chores, whether it’s pumping water or killing zombies. Jake is coughing, and Alicia asks if he’s okay. He tells her that it’s worse in the morning, and he just needs coffee. Troy and Nick go out on a mission. Madison wanders around. She goes into Jeremiah’s office, and goes through the desk.

A convoy is on the horizon. Nick and Troy head back to the ranch. It’s Walker and his people. Walker shakes hands with Jake, and brings in his trucks. Jake leads a small group to the supply area. Troy doesn’t want Ofelia coming in, since they’re in this position because of her. Jake insists they’re going to accept everyone, and Troy backs down. Walker asks how many feel like Troy, and Sam admits that most of them do. Jake shows Walker the gun inventory. He gives Walker a key, saying that he has the other one. It’s like a safe deposit box – they need both keys to get to the arsenal.

At Jeremiah’s grave, Nick asks if Troy is okay. He says no, he wants to dig him up and kill him again. Nick says he saved people, but Troy says he was a drunk. Nick tells Troy that he lost his dad too. He wrecked his truck on the freeway. The cops said he fell asleep at the wheel, but Nick thinks he chose death. Troy talks about closed caskets, so people don’t have to witness what remains.

At the dam, Daniel tells Lola it’s dangerous out there, but she says she needs to face it.

Walker’s people are patted down. The guys don’t like it, but it’s what Walker and Jake want. Madison asks Alicia about Jake, and tells her to take care of him. Alicia isn’t happy about the treaty with Walker.

Daniel and Lola give out water from a truck. Someone yells that they’re coming, and everybody runs around like crazy. Some zombies head toward them.

Jake holds a meeting. He says their path has been hard, and everyone has suffered loss, but they can’t dwell on it and need to move forward. They can’t hold grudges if they want a better future. If they share supplies and skills, they can have a future and be whole in a generation. Walker says both his people and theirs are equally afraid of one another. He says they must forgive. His grudge died when Jeremiah made his sacrifice. Fear turns into fury, and they need to give that to the outside.

Nick visits Ofelia. She’s glad he survived. He asks if she feels guilty, but she says not as much as she thought. She’s her father’s daughter. She asks what about him, and says they’re not so different.

Walker asks Madison about Troy, and if she’s really in charge. Troy accuses Jake of sleeping with the enemy, since Alicia killed Gretchen. Like there was a choice. Jake says they were at war, now they’re not, so get it right. Troy makes discontented noises to the others.

Walker buries the relics, and Alicia approaches. He says she can join him. He says he never told his people what he did, and it’s best they don’t witness it. The dead should stay buried. He tells her that he wants peace, and she tells him to look to Jake for that, not her mother. He says her mother does what’s necessary.

Madison goes through some files in Jeremiah’s office. At the canteen, Terrence pulls out a gun, and starts shooting. One of Walker’s people puts him in a headlock and squeezes the crap out of him. Walker tells him that’s enough. In the infirmary, Alicia says that Terrence’s sternum is crushed. Walker asks what if others follow his example, and wonders who spit poison in his ear. He says he doesn’t believe in guilt by association, but his people are important. He wants the other key from Jake. He tells Jake not to test him, and Jake says they’re here because of Jeremiah. Don’t test him. Madison tells Jake to give him the key. Jake says they’ll be prisoners on their own land, but she tells him that it’s better than the alternative, and he hands it over. Weapons are gathered from the people on the ranch.

Madison tells Nick that he’s not obligated, but he thinks he is. They go to Troy’s place with a few of Walker’s men. He’s told that they’re keeping the peace, and Madison says they need to search the house; they need his weapons. He says what about his safety. Nick says he doesn’t want to die on his doorstep, and Troy lets them in. He sits at the desk, saying this is where Jeremiah died, and he had to burn the blood off the wood. They’re about to search upstairs, and Troy pulls out a gun, telling them to get out. They back out, but Nick stays. Madison asks Walker to let her talk him down. She says she can fix this; it’s her son.

Troy says he’s going to do what his father should have. He says it doesn’t work like this; they’ll all regress and can’t live in harmony. Nick says everyone just wants to live. Troy shows Nick a cache of weapons, and says this is how it was always going to end. He doesn’t want to die like his father did. Nick says it’s not what Jeremiah wanted, and Troy asks why he cares. He gives Nick a gun. Madison comes to the window, and tells Troy this isn’t the way. She tells him to lay his weapons down and come out. He says it will be total surrender, but she says it’s survival. He says that she wants to save her son, and she says she wants to save him too. She wants him with her. Troy stupidly starts shooting, and gunfire is exchanged. Nick stays out of the fray.

A gunfight ensues. Lots of shooting. Troy gets hit. Some of Walker’s men enter the house. Nick tells Troy that it’s over. Troy tells him that if he can make a fist, he can fire a gun. If he can fire a gun, he can kill. He thanks Nick, saying that Nick is the last person he thought would have his back. He doesn’t mind dying, but it’s good to have company.

Daniel tells Lola that more infected have gotten in. Lola says they’ll deal with it tomorrow; he should get some rest. She says that he’s still looking for Ofelia. He says that he keeps thinking she’ll be the next one in line; hope is hard to kill. Lola says the north is overrun, and every place else is nearly as bad. Hope is one thing; waiting is another. He also made a promise to her, and she needs him. The search will break him. Daniel says nothing breaks him. He’s  immortal, remember?

The shooting continues at the ranch. Nick says he doesn’t want to die, and Troy says he might have backed the wrong horse. Nick doesn’t want Troy to die either, and Troy says he definitely backed the wrong horse. Nick tells him it’s not what his father wanted, and to throw the gun out the window; nothing good can come from this. He says Jeremiah sacrificed himself, and not to ruin it or take it from him. Troy goes bonkers, and Nick gets him down, and yells that they surrender. Troy gets the better of him, and says he’s pissed now. Nick tells him that he’s right, his father didn’t want to take his own life. Jeremiah was going to let everyone die out of spite. He’d lost his mind to drinking, but he didn’t kill himself. Nick killed him. Troy points the gun at Nick. He lowers it, and the door opens.

Walker tells Madison that peace cannot exist without justice. She tells him that Terrence will be dead soon. She says that Troy has to go, but don’t martyr him. Walker says exile, and Madison agrees. Walker says that Nick has to answer for what he did. Madison says that he got Troy to surrender. There can be consequences, but he lives, and he stays at the ranch.

The crowds for the water from the dam are getting restless. Someone yells that they killed the people who worked there, so they could keep it for themselves. Lola gets hit in the forehead with a rock. The crowd surges forward. Daniel tries to help Lola. He manages to get her into the truck, and they drive away, leaving an angry mob behind.

Jake asks Troy what happened to his hand, where he was wounded in the fray, and Troy says if he had a matching pair, he’d be Jesus, and asks if he’s going to be crucified. Jake says he’ll be tested in the wasteland, and can’t come back. Troy understands, and doesn’t blame him. He won’t fight it, but doesn’t trust Walker. Jake says he’ll take Troy to the outside, but Troy says he’s not up to it. He needs Madison to take him. She’ll protect him; he trusts her.

Troy gets one knife, one gun, and one bullet. Walker says that they chose extradition instead of execution. He’ll suffer, but maybe he’ll live. Troy gets I the bed of the truck with Claw Jackson as guard, and Madison takes the wheel.

Madison brings Troy out to the middle of nowhere. She says he’s being banished. He asks if she doesn’t think he can find his way back, and she says he won’t do that to his brother. He calls her a real Pandora. As Claw is cutting Troy’s bonds with a knife, Troy intentionally cuts his own uninjured hand, gets the knife away, and slits Claw’s throat. Wow. Madison draws her gun, and says no more killing. He asks if she’s met her quota, and he tells him to get his pack and go. She says she doesn’t want to kill him. He asks if it’s guilt; he knows what she did. She says that Jeremiah had to die, and it should have been her. He asks who stopped her, and what’s stopping her now. He knocks the gun out of her hand, and grabs her from behind. And he’s not even tired.  She says his father wanted to let everyone die, including him. Troy says that they could have fought and won, and that he doesn’t surrender. Madison backwards headbutts him, and grabs the gun. Troy says he thought she wanted him with her. He pretends like he’s getting tired, but she’s not having it. He picks up his pack and starts walking. What’s she going to do about Claw dude?

Part Two

Nick hears zombies outside his cell. It’s Troy, pretending to be a zombie. He does a somersault like Willy Wonka, and peeks in through the small window. He asks if Nick thinks he saved them, and Nick says he saved Troy, but Troy doesn’t think so. He closes the opening, and Nick begs him to open it again. Troy says he was just playing, and he has the key. He wants Nick to tell him the password. Nick says he’s dying and he owes Troy. Troy opens the cell, and holds out his hand. It’s a just a dream, or a mirage, or whatever.

Madison and Walker look out over what little water there is left. Madison tells Walker that there has to be a plan B. They agree that no one can know because the peace it too fragile. Walker tells Madison about a trading post, but she says it’s a lot to buy. They decide to ration what’s left – two gallons per person per day. Walker tells Jake that they’re giving him two guns, and to keep the peace. Madison tells Alicia that Jake seems better. Alicia says she’ll watch over Nick. Madison says that there’s only six weeks of water left, and no one can know. If word gets out, they need to get out. She gives Alicia a two-way radio if she needs to reach her, and says she’s always been the strong one.

Madison gives Nick a canteen. She says she has to go away for a couple of days, and needs to know he’s okay. She pets him on the head, and says that she loves him. She gets in a truck with Walker.

Nick is released. His bonds are cut, and Crazy Dog says he’s keeping an eye on him. Alicia comes to lead Nick away. She brings him back to the cabin, and he looks at all the bullet holes. She tells him take it easy on the water, they’re rationing. She tells him that Madison and Walker have gone to find water.

Jake talks to a group of ranch people. One woman says her horses and cattle need water, and that they don’t have to listen to outsiders. Alicia tells her to leave then, but guarantees that it’s worse out there. She tells them to trust Jake. Everyone is cool now, and they hug it out.

Madison calls Alicia on the radio. She asks about Nick, and Alicia says he’s dehydrated, but okay. She tells Madison that the people are suspicious and paranoid. Madison says if they don’t find anything tomorrow, they’ll turn around, but Alicia says don’t. She’ll call if there’s a crisis. Walker says she stands between her children and the sun. She asks if he has children, and he says he has three dogs. She says talk to her when he has children. He tells her about one of his dog’s dying in a fight with a bigger dog. When he stuck his hand in to try and save him, his dog bit him – it was the only time he ever did. Madison says thanks; she’s seeing things in a whole new light now.

Nick hears the door open, and jumps out of bed. He grabs a guy coming through the door, and holds a knife to his throat. Sam and a few other ranch guys come in, and say they’re not there to hurt him. Nick lets the guy go, and Sam says that what he did meant a lot, even though no one is saying it. They’re ready to fight, if he is. He says they need guns that they don’t have, and thinks it’s best to keep a low profile. Another guy says they brought him a gift, the last free gun on the ranch. If anyone deserves it, it’s him. They make a plan to talk tomorrow.

People line up for water at the ranch, but they’re not too happy. A little girl smacks the water out of Ofelia’s hand. A guy accuses people of double-dipping, and says that they need to do something.

Walker and Madison drive to a parking lot, past a bunch of dead (really dead) bodies. It’s a marketplace that’s inside a stadium. A guy asks for their guns before they enter, and a woman tells them. welcome to The Bizarre, a safe market in unsafe times. She asks what they have to trade, and if Madison will trade the radio. Madison tries to call Alicia, but gets no answer. She hands the radio over anyway, and gets 29 credits, less parking and security. Apparently, one of the cable companies runs this place.

They go into the market. There must still be lots to trade out there, since it’s seriously crowded. It’s like that money changer song in Jesus Christ, Superstar.

Alicia visits Ofelia. She tells Ofelia that she heard some of Walker’s people went through the water line twice. Crazy Dog gripes about her people being on their land. Alicia says she’s trying to keep the peace like Walker wanted, and thinks there should be a system. Ofelia insists that no one from the Nation went through twice. She says that she heard the militia was rebuilding, and if she really wants peace, she should control her own people first. #GoAwayAgainOfelia

The new militia is anxious to get started, but Nick says Walker’s people have the guns. If they attack first, they’ll end up like Troy, who moved too soon. He’s not suggesting they give up, but wait.

Alicia sees that Nick has a gun, and asks what if Crazy Dog finds it. I keep wanting to call him Crazy Horse. Nick says the ranch guys think he’s a hero, and I wonder where he got the regular cigarette that he’s smoking. Alicia asks what if they find out what he and Madison did? She knew the second they said Otto’s death was a suicide. She was upset that she wasn’t a part of it, but then felt relieved. What a burden it is being mom’s favorite. Nick says he didn’t do it for her. Alicia says he’s not the kind of person who would do it for the ranch. Look what killing has done to him. He says they’re alive. Alicia says that they keep trying to make Madison love them, but it’s broken.

Alicia tries to get Madison on the radio. Nothing.

Madison asks about water, and the merchant asks how thirsty they are. Walker says ten thousand gallons. She says she has half that, but it will clean her out. She asks what they have to offer. He shows her tube containing I don’t know what, but she says it’s not enough. Walker tells her there’s ten thousand more where that came from, and she thinks maybe they can work something out.

A fight starts, and surprise! Victor is involved. He’s apprehended, and Madison asks what he did. He tells her that they’ll hurt her too, and the water lady says no deal. Madison picks up a shovel and starts beating heads with it. Somebody grabs her, but Walker steps in. She, Victor, and Walker all jet, and Victor says he knows a safe place. He leads them through a tunnel to a big cement room. Madison asks how much trouble he’s in, and Walker says he’s in debt, and they should leave. Victor says he can’t leave until his debts are paid. He made a rash, stupid decision that compromised him. He tells Madison about the dam, but says they don’t want to go there. Walker says these people want to kill Victor, who tells him that people either love or hate him, but there’s a damn good reason why he’s here. Madison says they have to rest. Victor says fine, but the bed is his.

Alicia tells a woman at the well to put it back. The woman asks if Alicia is going to turn her in. Alicia starts pouring it back, and the woman starts yelling. Nick intervenes, and she says that they care more about them, than us. Nick says there is no them and us, and a fight starts. Alicia announces that they only have six weeks’ worth of water, and if they don’t work together, they’ll run out and die. It’s that simple; so stop. Everyone gets stupid, and starts fighting. Crazy Dog arrives with Ofelia, and says they’re taking the well to make sure everyone gets what they need. He tells Nick to move, and Nick takes out his gun. Ofelia makes faces. #GoSomewhereElseOfelia  Nick sits on the well, and the people gather around. Ofelia tells Crazy Dog not now. He says that he’ll keep the peace, but not at all costs. It’s the same water table, and they’ll need to get as much out as the can before the ranch people do.

Walker goes through the bizarre with his head wrapped in a scarf. Madison asks Victor where Walker went, and Victor says that he’s not much of a talker. He asks if Madison trusts him. She says they want and need the same thing. He asks if she found Nick, and she tells him she did, and Alicia. They’re safe on a ranch; her children are alive. He puts his arm around her. He says she found Nick, but lost Travis, and calls God a feckless thug.

Two guys suddenly appear with Walker.

Victor and some others are awaiting their fate. Madison tries talking to someone about Victor, but gets brushed off. The people are tied to the fence until their debts are paid. That’s what they saw when they came in. Victor tells her to go back to her children. He says it’s everywhere; the whole word is lost. Madison says that she found him. He says that he was named Victor because his mom knew he’d win. He kisses her, and says he’ll be fine. He’s led out with the others.

Alicia watches from a platform. She sees a few people crossing the field. A woman with a divining rod leads them.

Madison is having a drink, and Walker approaches. He made the water deal. She’ll have it at first light. He tells her to think about what the water will mean for them.

Nick and the others make plans. And spears. He says they’re outmatched. Someone suggests using the RVs as a barricade, but he says fortification is wasted energy. He tells them that if they can get the guns, this back and forth ends. Disarm them, and there’s no blood. Or there’s a lot of blood, one dude says.

Victor is brought outside, and ankle cuffed. He looks pretty scared. Sh*t! (I say this like, a dozen times real fast at the TV.) Zombies are coming. No, no, no! Not my Victor!

At least they gave Victor a pick ax. He whacks a couple of zombies in the head, but then he’s down. Suddenly, two guys come out of the gate and shoot the zombies. Madison is with them, and they let Victor come back in. When they get to the truck, Walker tells Madison that she killed off all of them for this dude. She says buying water was a temporary fix, but Victor has a permanent solution. He’s taking them to the dam.

The nu-militia goes through the fields, and comes up to Ofelia’s cabin. Someone tells Nick to get Alicia out of there – she’s digging with the divining people.

Ofelia tells Crazy Horse Dog that she can talk to him. He says no more talk. They won’t spill first blood, but if the militia attacks, Walker will understand. Nick says that Alicia is trying to save them. He hands the dude his gun and starts to walk toward the digging. Inside, Ofelia and Crazy Dog see Nick. The guys in the militia start to put their guns down, and Ofelia and Crazy Dog go outside. Nick starts to dig. More people join them, and it’s like an old Coke commercial. ♫ I’d like to teach the world to dig. ♫

Next time, Walker says his side comes first, lies have consequences, and Madison meets up with Daniel.

😏 Victor always says he’s got this, and has never gotten anything, – Yvette Nicole Brown on Talking Dead

🐅  The Walking Dead starts up again on Sunday, October 22 at 9 pm. I’m looking forward to some King Ezekiel.