The Sunday Salon: Chatter

Hi friends!

First of all, I can't wait for tonight's The Walking Dead!!! I can't remember the last time I was so excited for an episode of television! Yay!

Other than that my life has been very busy with nothing too exciting + the INSPYs which are an insane amount of work that I always forget about. Speaking of the INSPYs, we are now taking applications for judges! If you are a person of Christian faith and like to read good books and want to be part of a grassroots bloggers award for books than please apply! You can check out more details on the INSPYs site but we definitely need a good variety of judges. Please apply!!!

I've done some reading and hope to finally write some reviews soon. I can't review everything though because I'm also cramming my days with INSPYs reading so I won't be able to share details about those books until after the awards are over!!

We had the second check in for War and Peace...and I'm really surprised by how down everyone was about the section! I can't say it's my favorite thing I ever read but I actually found the section quite readable. The one hundred page sections work well for me, it really helps me to read classics with other people I think. So thanks again to everyone reading along!

TV has been a bit of a disappointment for me lately (except The Walking Dead of course!) but a few thoughts anyway:

Switched at Birth

I am kind of confused by the storyline with the school because at first I thought they didn't have enough money because of the hearing program and then suddenly it was like the hearing program will save everything! And then no it's getting closed down altogether. But whatever, I really like the stuff they've had going on this season so far with the hearing and deaf/hard of hearing storylines. I think they raise a lot of interesting situations--like Daphne getting robbed and how that makes her feel as an especially vulnerable target, and Regina losing the ability to sign, and Noah losing his hearing altogether. There isn't always the follow through that I'd like to see, for example I thought it was awful that Daphne's parents collectively decided to sell the food truck without talking to her and then that was just completely dropped. But it's interesting overall. I hated that Regina fell off the wagon, but I did think the show set up the circumstances really well. And I'm glad she isn't just magically better, because that's not real life. I do feel bad for Bay constantly landing in these awful situations with people she loves, though!

The relationships have also been kind of weird with Bay and Emmett sort of back on without really being back on and Bay and Noah being a thing when it's obvious Daphne and Noah should be a thing and all of the stuff about Daphne dating hearing guys and kissing Travis but not really being into him.

Nashville

Basically I watch this show for Juliette at this point. I can't help but love her, like I really feel for her in a way I have yet to feel for Rayna. So episodes like this week are frustrating because I don't care about Teddy at allll and his scheming against Lamar like wow does anyone who watches this show care about that? I thought the stuff about Gunnar and his brother was awkward and clunky and I don't ship Scarlett and Gunnar at all, so the ending was a huge turn-off. (the thing is I could have totally been into them but then they made Gunnar weird and a jerk and ugh. I think this show really blew a lot of its potential and this storyline is a prime example)

But Juliette....throwing the huge party for Deacon, wanting to sing for him, saying, "I'm glad to see so many people love Deacon the way I do", commenting on Scarlett's talent (I could have written that line myself, lol, I so knew it was coming), and giving Deacon the dog because he deserves unconditional love....aw Juliette. When she called Rayna the queen of country music and then Rayna shows up and wants to sing and Juliette puts her off, but ends up having to take her mother home because she fell off the wagon and they contrast Juliette putting her mother to bed with Rayna of course taking the stage and getting to sing her love song to Deacon or whatever...it just hurts me okay. And her hero worship of Deacon, the way she lavishes on him the love she so wants lavished on herself just killllls me.

Speaking of Deacon, I keep going back and forth on his character because I do like him and feel like his storyline is compelling but I wish he'd A) stop lecturing Juliette and B) Get over Rayna. But I thought it was kind of adorable that he watches Old Yeller every year on his birthday but then he didn't even want the dog. lol oh Deacon.

Anyway that's it from me for this week! I thought I had more to chat about, but I guess not! I do hope to have more posts this week, so hopefully I'll see you soon.

The Walking Dead 3x10 Home (and a little other TV)

Just about the time the Governor's bullet found its mark, I remembered why I love this show. I'd been lulled into complacency through the first part of the episode because not much was happening. And so was our group. They've grown comfortable at the prison. Rick is comfortable enough to go meander around "crazytown" outside the fence. They've mostly secured it, they have food, for awhile they had no real enemies. They all knew the Governor might be coming and they knew they had a breach in the prison, but apart from Glen no one had any real urgency about it. And then....

I was kind of laughing along with Carol with gosh, I mean he was never long for the show since I can't remember his name was he? And bam. Tense gunfight, ingenious unleashing of the zombies, perfect timing for Daryl to come back (yayyyy) and that's what I call an ending. And they are in real trouble! They'd just lost another person and they barely have any ammo. Rick's grip on sanity is tenuous at best and they've got Merle as a total wild card. I can't wait to see what happens but I'm also realllly dreading it. Anyway I just thought everything about that final fight was perfect and tense and well shot.

Other Stuff:

*I love how Daryl realized that being with Merle was the wrong thing for him after he helped those people and then Merle wanted to take advantage of them. I liked that Daryl genuinely wanted to help them and I LOVED that he corrected Merle about Glen being Korean and not Chinese because it's a great callback but also because it shows how good the group was for him and being in good relationships. Basically I had a lot of Daryl love tonight. I thought it was great that he told Merle it was own fault that he ended up in that situation and I'm glad he decided to go back. Of course I love that he saved Rick because things were getting scary there. It will be interesting to see what happens with Merle showing up.

*Michonne needs more story, but I like that she's the one that watched Rick wander outside. (I'll take whatever Richonne scraps I can get!) I hope that when Rick's Lori demons heal, the show will give me some Rick and Michonne being awesome together.

*The Governor is such a master manipulator omg. He knows Andrea would looove to be the leader of Woodbury (or anywhere) and so he uses that to try to throw her off to the fact that he's really going to send a message to the prison. Andrea's not stupid, though, she knew if he wasn't around he's somewhere up to go no good. Also, when he was asking Milton if he'd take a bullet for him, I was like...okay but Milton's never even seen someone turn into a zombie out in the wild, he's relatively sheltered, he probably has no idea what he'd do.

*Rick. Rick ♥♥♥. When he was telling Hershel that there had to be a reason he was seeing Lori and Shane, I was like, yeah GUILT. I guess maybe I think he needs to come to terms with the way he brushed Lori off when she was trying to fix things between them and you know that he killed Shane, but I'm not loving the storyline really. I do like that he said he knew it wasn't real. And I hope that the fight kind of snaps him back to reality. The truth is a lot of really awful things have happened to him and he's shouldered so much responsibility and he's a good decent guy, I mean he was a small town police officer for crying out loud. And there's been no time for him to really process and grieve all that's happened. On top of that he was really cold to Lori for awhile and even though it's like...understandable why he was, there's a whole different environment in a survivalist world, if you fight with someone it might be the last time you ever see them. So your emotions don't get to have the natural time for things they would in ordinary reality. Lol, I've spent a lot of time thinking about this (in general, not for the show). So I just think all that unprocessed stuff has caught up to him and it's all mixed in with the grief and he's losing it. I just hope that it doesn't last forever because even though broken Rick is oddly attractive in its own way, I'm ready for him to get back to the business of being badass.

Anyway, loved the episode, love the show.

Other Shows:

Still really liking The Americans. This past episode actually made me cry a little, I found the ending conversation between Elizabeth and Phillip so heartfelt and convincing. I like that this show feels like the 80s and not in any ostentatious way, but the set designers and props people are doing a good job. I like that it feels like they are actually spies, it's different to any other spy show I've watched (except maybe Rubicon?) in that it's not all crazy and wild and sci-fi but I feel the tension of every mission, you can feel how much they are putting on the line every single week. And I was 100% that woman was getting offed and I'm glad there was no happy ending, because this was a war to them. And in the middle of this huge stressful mission, they also had to deal with their marital troubles, and the weight of that reality and gah, I just like it. (really liked this recap as well if you want to read something by someone who can write!)

Beauty and the Beast on the other hand...ugh I don't know I think that Alex arc broke the show for me. I used to be able to overlook all the little stuff that annoyed me, but this week it all grated. Like, last week Vincent was all worried about how Cat saw him as a beast and she's like, "that's your issue" and then he says the same thing back to her when trying to make up with her. This week Alex says, "Vincent will always do the right thing" and then Cat says that to him, "I know you'll always do the right thing." Ugh make the bullet point writing stop! In fact, Alex's whole monologue was poorly written and made no sense to me. BUT I still love Tess, she's like a breath of fresh air on screen! I will probably finish out the season, but I'm just kind of bummed that it's not the fun show of the week for me anymore.

And I haven't even watched TVD and I don't plan to watch anymore. I'm going to imagine that Katherine showing up and stealing the cure and winning everything is the end of the story and that Caroline somehow gets rid of Klaus and runs away to catch up with Tyler. And they are happy. The end.

As far as Nashville goes...I really like the dynamic between Liam and Rayna so I was glad to see that again. I'm getting pretty tired of Deacon always dumping his words on Juliette about how he thinks she should live her life (and then turning around and being an ass to Rayna WHATEVER). Juliette obviously behaved really badly, there's no excuse for that, but there are reasons. And I'm not really sure what I think about what happened with her and her manager. I don't know, I so rarely feel like I get a character on an instinctual level the way I get Juliette, she just makes sense to me. And I know how to root for her where I'm still a little lost on the other characters. I did find the stuff with Gunner and his brother kind of interesting in a sad way.

I have lots of thoughts about Switched at Birth which may wind up in another post.

Soo...that's me and TV this week! I want to hear all your thoughts!

A Few Links and Thoughts on TV This Week

The Walking Dead is back tonight, y'all! Yay!

Also, PSA, Link TV is running a marathon of Borgen Season 1 starting on Valentine's Day (so the episodes will be online) as well one of season 2 starting the 21st. Don't miss you chance to watch this great show! (still no word on Season 3)

Two links about Beyonce's Superbowl performance (differing takes). To be honest, I'm boring and I really don't care about Beyonce (this is not my normal style of music), but I do enjoy reading cultural critique like this. It's interesting.

The Books Smugglers sort of hated Gone Girl which was surprising to me. I don't agree with their take, though I do agree the characters are all unlikeable. But to me the book was thought provoking in interesting ways and culturally relevant. But hey to each their own! (I was surprised most of the commenters hadn't read the book I expected more lively discussion, but then again I was too lazy to respond, so hey)

I feel like very few new YA books make it on my radar lately, but I do want to read The Madman's Daughter so I was glad to see this positive review at Bookshelves of Doom.

Ana and Renay engaged in a lengthy discussion about the Lizzie Bennett Diaries. I don't watch them, but maybe if I manage to read Pride & Prejudice this year I will.

My post about the future of TV was right on target apparently since like every TV blog/publication I read discussed the same ideas in the last week. I think Jace Lacob expressed my own thoughts best:

The intellectual catharsis that comes from having a break between serialized installments isn’t necessary here as a result, and that has its benefits and its flaws. There is a distinct difference between gorging and slowly savoring a meal. Part of my enjoyment comes from a parceled examination of the content at hand, whether that be an exquisite plate of food, precisely crafted by a chef, or a segment of television.

For what it's worth, I watched the first episode of House of Cards and thought it was just okay. I might return to it eventually. Also an interesting read is this examination of the problems at NBC.

Also, Amelia Bedelia is 50 this year! ♥

Brief Thoughts on TV this Week

I really like The Americans. I didn't think I would when it started, but the pilot built its tension nicely. Sure there are problems and unwelcome tropes, but I am already interested and invested in the characters, I like that the show makes me feel the tension when they are trying to pull off a mission, I think it feels very 80s but not in any gaudy way. It's intriguing and interesting and I want to see what happens. The acting is also pretty great. So yeah I really like it.

You know I've really loved Beauty and the Beast all season, and I even welcomed Alex showing up because of the aim of the story but I feel like the execution was all off. Like Vincent was so thoughtless to Catherine and ugh. But I do like that Catherine went to be with her girlfriends after he showed up and made it clear she won't be his second choice. I liked all the themes of the storyline, but not the execution like I said. Also, lol, when Cat's friends assumed Vincent was abusive! I thought it was cute how they called him Ass the whole episode (and Vincent called himself one at the end of the episode--YES) and Cat eating ice cream and giving advice to the fictional police on TV was sooo adorable. I loved all the karaoke, too!

For some reason unknown to us all, I am enjoying TVD again. I loved all the little Lost-esque touches in this episode and I love Tyler/Caroline, so it was nice to see them again. I also loved Rebekah being a truth teller to Stefan which is part of why I enjoy them. There's no BS, no one pretending to be better than they are. This was actually the first episode where I could kind of see why they thought this cure storyline was a good and compelling storyline with everyone having different reasons for wanting it. I mean up to this point it was all about getting it for Elena, but now we know that everyone has their own agenda, that it's not actually all about Elena. Which is refreshing. Also, I think they are all wrong to assume that anyone will be able to take the cure and I'm personally hoping only one can.

As far as Nashville goes, I like Gunnar and Scarlett living together because that can't be good for long imo! I'm curious about the idea of Rayna and her label. I was so excited someone else was finally talking about Scarlett! But I'm wondering if she'll think about switching labels again now that she's also facing a divorce.

Juliette's storyline continues to please me. It's kind of amazing how one little word from Deacon sends her into a spiral of discontent with her life and desire to change her image. I didn't think her manager was wrong with what he said to Deacon either, and Juliette asking Deacon about what Rayna would do speaks volumes. And there is a striking difference--when Rayna needed to reinvent her sound she pursued the producer she wanted and fought her label. Because Rayna is already one hundred percent confident in who she is and she believes in her own worth. But Juliette doesn't have that same luxury in the same way and she still has a lot of self-doubt. So while she puts on a good outer performance, she's still really wondering if she's worthwhile. Sigh. I'd really love for the women on this show to interact more and I keep hoping it's coming.

Hope everyone has a great week! Hopefully I'll have a couple of reviews for you this week of two books I really enjoyed!

The Sunday Salon: Like Everything

Blogging

So at some point this week I sort of heard that there's been another case of a blogger plagiarising. You know this is just exhausting and this kind of behavior is ridiculous. There is no excuse for stealing what someone else wrote and pretending it's your own, if you have nothing of your own to say, don't write. And it made me think how despite all of this publishers still work with these bloggers and turn a blind eye and for some reason as I was doing some totally unrelated activity and thinking about this I just got really annoyed. It shows a total lack of respect on their part for what we do.

And someone pointed out to me that some of my posts had been stolen and reposted on some spam blog and it reminded me that a few weeks ago when I was googling spoilers for Borgen's third season (don't judge) I stumbled across something I wrote about the show attributed to someone else on what looked like it could also have been a spam blog. You know, the thing is that I don't want to have to deal with this. I feel like I can barely keep up with my blog as it is, I don't want to have to be thinking about people who are too lazy and too selfish to do work of their own stealing my writing and the negative repercussions that has for my blog. Why can't I just blog in peace? I want to be able to write about stuff and I want that stuff to be publicly accessible. I don't want to have to deal with all this crap. Basically I'M JUST REALLY GRUMPY about this topic. (Having said all of this, this is a fun post!)

Reading

I am progressing in War & Peace! I am on page 48 as of writing this but hope to finish up the first section this weekend. I'm finding it slightly more difficult than Anna Karenina in keep everybody straight, but so far so good. I'll save all my other thoughts for Thursday!

I also read Lenore's Level 2 and will share some thoughts soon. And I read Legend by Marie Lu and I'm also currently reading The Next Time You See Me by Holly Goddard Jones--so far so good! I definitely feel like I'm in a reading phase right now over a watching one...which is good news for the book blog.

Other Stuff

This is an old link now, but awhile back Paul Elie wrote about the lack of faith in fiction for the New York Times. It's an interesting question and discussion. I don't have a lot to say about it at the moment, but I have observed while working on the INSPYs that people seem to think that faith driven fiction=Christian fiction and so far I don't think we've really been able to change that perception. Anyway, I came across another response this week on BookFox.

This post at the Harvard University Press blog gives a good overview of the prosecutorial discretion in the case of Aaron Swartz and why that is a problem.

I'm getting excited for The Americans to premiere and I really hope I like it! This helped to get me excited and the bit about Keri Russell as a casting choice is fascinating.

Madden calls it "a show about trust. At a very personal level it's about how two people can trust each other, and at a very global level it's about whether two countries can trust each other."

I also appreciated this post at Out of Ur about the persistence of prejudice (aimed towards a Christian audience) and how adopting a child of another race has further enlightened them to how it is. The whole thing is worth a read.

Many white Westerners feel that the worst thing they could be called is a racist. We know deep down that we’re not supposed to make value distinctions between people of different ethnicities, as if it’s better to be white or black or whatever. Because we’re hesitant to make value distinctions—and rightfully so—we’re often slow to make any distinctions at all. Thus is goes without being said for many that to be truly equal, everyone must be the same. This is what we mean by being colorblind: the belief that ethnic differences don’t matter. Of course it would be fine if what we meant was that everyone should be treated with equal dignity or enjoy the same rights. But we suspect what is commonly meant is that everyone should be treated as if they were the same.

TV

Nashville--This episode was kind of strange to me. I mentioned last week I was really enjoying the dynamic between Liam and Rayna and in fact the way it ended seemed rushed and abrupt like they hadn't really thought how they wanted to finish up his arc. Even if I follow along their reasoning that Rayna was trying to reinvent herself and this was tied into her feelings about her marriage, it falls apart because Liam was being so secretive about the new imprint he'd get or whatever..it wasn't a matter of just realizing she was happy with what she had or that she wanted to do something new--she's still stuck. I also groaned when they actually had him SAY THE WORDS that being with her old label was like her marriage. I picked up on it on my own, thank you show! Rayna is still a little bit of a mess to me, I don't really understand how I should be feeling about her character. And I don't know, her marriage to Teddy is giving me Nate/Lisa PTSD flashbacks from Six Feet Under, it feels like the same sort of marriage and it's hard to watch.

This in comparison to how well Juliette and even Deacon are written is puzzling to me. I mean maybe it's just because I don't care that much about Rayna, but if anyone else loves her and can help me I'd appreciate it.

But let's get back to Juliette. In contrast to how...messy Rayna's storyline seemed in this episode, everything Juliette was A+. I loooooved her conversation with her mom, I loved Deacon calling her out about how she treats her mom in comparison to how she treats him (and she took his words to heart ♥), I loved how annoyed she was by Rayna being in the spotlight ("It was a thrill to see her contribute a bridge to the song", lol) I just love her.

I also still like Scarlett, but I was laughing about the lyrics she was singing when Avery drove by. It will be interesting to see exactly what ends up happening with Avery. Also Gunnar needs to stop getting angry over everything and taking it out on Scarlett! I really want to be able to go back to enjoying their friendship. At least he apologized!

Deacon's rage issues have a source! His confession that he got sober for Rayna and stayed sober in the hopes of something that would never happen explains how even though he is technically sober he still has a lot of unresolved baggage. I actually enjoy his relationship with Juliette now, but I hope it's never sexual again.

Have I mentioned I love Juliette?

Switched at Birth

I don't have much to say except that I was surprised by how mean Melody was to Regina when she told them about her problem. I like the Noah storyline because I think it contributes to the show's goal of exploring the lives of the deaf and hard of hearing and one aspect of that is losing your hearing later in life. Also he's just cute and likable. The ending scene between Bay and Emmett was tops, I thought her calling out after him was a nice touch.

Women Writing TV

I saw someone link to this piece on Jezebel about about women writers on TV. It deals a lot with comedy, but it's definitely an interesting thing to think about especially with the fail of the Man Booker judges on their gender imbalance. I would say that the piece doesn't do a good job of explaining why the are more enamored with Lena Dunham than anyone else...because there are other female showrunners. In fact, all three of the new shows I'm watching this year have female showrunners: Nashville, Beauty & the Beast, and The Carrie Diaries. (and they all could be cancelled next year, sob) But apart from that minor gripe, great read.

Have a great week everyone!

TV: Nashville, Switched at Birth, and that TVD Spinoff

I finished Six Feet Under. I know it's really fast, but the fifth season was really good and compelling. I will write about it soon.

Nashville (aka The Juliette Barnes Show)

I realized that some of my favorite characters this past year were "but all they wanted was a family" characters. But...I don't know if I actually think that's Juliette's driving motivation, it's just the way it manifested in these past episodes because she found herself unexpectedly charmed by Sean's family. This was evident in this episode when she ended up giving her mother's words more weight than anything else. Which of course I was pleased to see since I think her path will eventually include embracing her own story. It's not that Juliette doesn't have a family, she just hasn't accepted that where she comes doesn't make her inferior, she still cares too much about what other people think. But who would want to be married into THAT family? So I think the combination of her mother's wise words plus Sean's mother being kind of threatening about it all made everything clear for her. That necklace, like it seems to so often be in visual media, was a symbol of the kind of life she'd be enslaved in, always trying to measure up to someone else's standards all the weight of expectation with none of the love. In other words, still not a real family. So she takes off the necklace and runs for the plane...freedom and control always being more important than anything else. She was not going to put herself at someone else's mercy again.

I saw someone tweet about how they like Scarlett less and less every episode, but I really saw no reason to dislike Scarlett in this episode. In fact, I can't help but think the contrast between her and Avery is fascinating, as he continues to give up the people he loves for the dream he thinks he wants and everything just falls into Scarlett's lap. Look how easily she slipped into his band and was accepted. Everything she touches is gold for her, meanwhile Avery makes poor decision after poor decision. I'm not a fan of Gunner, either, though.

If this show has an area they need to work on it's Rayna. Like wow her storyline flopped so hard. It was actually super compelling in the early episodes of the show as she lived in the conflict of having always been in love with one man for all intents and purposes and being married with a family to another one. That was such great stuff, I felt it so much every episode, but now it's just, Rayna needs to reinvent herself. I did like that Teddy knew about his daughter and that drama was so low key. Fingers crossed for next week!

Switched At Birth

Melody's speech to Daphne was so great and very cathartic for all these teen shows where such obsession is often misrepresented as great love. It also continued the thread started at the end of last season nicely of not throwing your life away over a man, and while I didn't really enjoy the storyline, I guess it's one worth being told because maybe everyone does this at some time in their life? It's really easy to get caught up in your feelings for someone and lose all perspective. Also, I think the food truck is kind of cute!

I really wanted Kathryn to run for...whatever the role was, I forget. It would have been so different from every other show where some guy is the politician. (EXCEPT BORGEN OF COURSE) but I guess John never does anything either.

Also what in the world is that kind of honor board nonsense? I thought they made an awfully big leap to think she was cheating, but I like the idea of Bay switching schools. Bay and her never ending quest for identity.

Also, in March there will be an entire episode in ASL. I love it! It's the first show to ever do such a thing.

TVD Spinoff

This show is kind of broken, but Klaus is going to get his own show! Yay! Too bad it didn't happen a season ago. Of course it's not for sure, but the CW is not too bright and will probably think it's brilliant. I've seen a lot of shows in development for the CW that looked more interesting, though. I guess this is what they are wasting their extra episode this season on. Good to know I can skip that one! Seriously, though, would you watch a show where Klaus is the star?

I liked The Good Wife but have nothing to say about it really. And I haven't watched anything else because I was watching Six Feet Under most nights. I hope to watch everything else, soon, though!

TV: The Good Wife, Nashville, The Vampire Diaries

The Good Wife 4x10--Battle of the Proxies

I really liked the case and the way they had the two cases going on in two different counties this week, but...does that actually happen? I was a little fuzzy on how two different people could be tried for the same murder in two counties, but whatever.

I think the show wants us to think Kalinda killed Nick or at least guess she did, but I don't think she did. This was such a sloppy way to wrap up this storyline. There's subtlety and then there's bullshit and I think we all know what this was. I wish they cared more about Kalinda as a character and less about her as a their mysterious "James Bond" presence or whatever. What a disappointment.

Nashville 1x08 Where He Leads Me

I really liked this episode and I feel like we're inching closer to what should happen on this show. Part of why I enjoyed this episode, though, is because I LOVED LOVED LOVED "When the Right One Comes Along" the Striking Matches song they used. So pretty and poignant! And a good fit for the episode.

Even though I'm not a huge fan of some of the plots on this show (like Teddy's whole campaign), I do really care about Rayna, Juliette, and Scarlett. I think they are the core of the show and I really really really want for them to all know each other and for us to watch their relationships develop, because I'm a bit tired of seeing how their relationships with the men in their lives are all falling apart! And I do think that the tour might open up that door!

I'm starting to really feel for Scarlett. We are supposed to believe she is super talented but the guys in her life just can't handle it. It's not that I don't have sympathy for Gunnar...it's never easy to like someone who doesn't like you back, but come on. Scarlett just got out of a long term relationship with a guy who was threatened by her talent and success. It's just kind of sad that Gunnar is sort of reacting the same way as Avery did. I did like that Hailey got to tell him it what he said was possessive and weird about her interfering with this relationship with Scarlett. I also like that once she owned up to how she was feeling, she ended it. So far there's not a lot of stuff in the relationships I can't handle on this show, as they seem well designed for purposes of character. I guess it's kind of interesting as well that Avery's path to success and Scarlett's kind of parallel in that Avery keeps having to make concessions and do things he doesn't want to do to establish his career, while doors just fall all over themselves to open for Scarlett.

I guess Rayna and Deacon's conversation about seeing what's next around the bend means they'll both be trying to move on. I don't feel much about Rayna's story this week, sadly. But I do like that she's considering the tour because yes!! we need Rayna/Juliette storylines! And now that we know who these women are, we'll be more interested in watching it. Deacon is the only guy on this show I halfway care about and I really thought it was cool that band wanted him because of their recovery.

Which brings me to Juliette. I don't know why but I really have a thing for characters like Juliette. The conflict in her character is just so...compelling to me, I guess. And this week's story got me. I connect emotionally with the longing for family and belonging. And you know, it's not because I don't have one, but because I think it's so deeply human to want to be accepted and belong. I think most people experience a sense of being on the outside looking in even if there's no reason to. Anyway...it's particularly sad that Sean has this church going family that are really stuck up and that despite everything still see Juliette as that problem girl. But you know what I love about Juliette is that she has complex motivations for her proposal (which was stupid) she was both unexpectedly charmed by his family when she thought they were sincere and also she can't stand being told she can't have something. So it was almost like a challenge when Sean's mother said it would never happen. Sean's commitment to sex after marriage will make his inevitable yes believable, I think. Anyway, I was reading an interview with Callie Khouri and she said this about Juliette and Sean, "I think it’s probably the first time she’s experienced being with somebody who just wants to be with her for herself." Which made me happy because it means my understanding of Juliette in these recaps has been right. Also, I was so sad when she bought those boots for Sean's sister like the guitar she bought for Deacon...it made me think of what Jason said a few weeks ago about how sometimes gift giving is this selfish thing where you are trying to get people to engage with you and that is Juliette. ugh I love her okay? She is the most interesting character of the new TV season to me. Oh and you know I was thinking back when Juliette was turning to Deacon for everything and I thought what she really needed was someone like Rayna, a real mother figure? I mean I still think it would be cool if that could somehow happen, but I actually think redemption in her relationship with her mother is going to be very important because of how tied it is to everything. At the moment Juliette wants to be anyone but who she is and when Sean's mother rejected her, she was like "we know all about you AND YOUR MOTHER" To be honest, no decent person would hold that against someone and that's something I think Juliette will eventually learn in a path to forgiving her mother. Their reasons for rejecting her are as superficial and shallow as the ways she normally finds acceptance. Owning her story--that's where she needs to go, in my opinion. Okay sorry for all the words about Juliette!

Finally! My favorite line of that song "When the Right One Comes Along" is a "a million moments full of sweet relief" gahhhhh. So pretty. Also, "you think you know what you're looking for, til what you're looking for finds you" ♥♥♥ Even though the singing on this show is not that great and I don't like country music, the way they use music on this show is really effective. It's a musical without being a musical so the music gets tied to the story and the emotions in a way that just works. But...as you may recall I have a thing for the way music and story work together.

The Vampire Diaries 4x08 We'll Always Have Bourbon Street

Lol.

I was actually really entertained by this episode, all the stuff about Charlotte and the sire bond made me lol. That kind of stuff is what the show should always be, imo. They should have more fun with ridiculous vampire mythology!

I have to admit I spaced a few times while watching, but what was the point of Lexi? Was she really saying Stefan couldn't live with having Damon around because of the bad things Damon did? I can't really keep straight what I'm supposed to be thinking about these characters with regards to morality and I sort of wish they'd cut that part out and just let me enjoy them as vampires. Though how completely typical that someone would manipulate Damon into their dirty work for them (the killing of the 12 innocent souls or w/e --also when Lexi was all I KNOW WHAT YOU DID and Damon said how do you know they didn't have it coming? I mean...Stefan killed that unrepentant serial killer last week, lol. THEY ARE THE SAME)

I hate the sire bond because Elena is never allowed any agency, BUT it's kind of compelling in a weird way to me, this idea that what she feels right now are heightened emotions for Damon so the idea of him cutting that off is incredibly painful, but at the same time how can they ever know it's real if he doesnt'? We cherish our feelings of love for people, but the funny thing is if he sent her away she'd be fine. It's just, idk interesting.

I liked a few things about the Tyler hybrid stuff. I liked how Kim pointed out that Caroline is on Tyler's team but NOT her team when she snatched her and tortured her. This was a nice result of Caroline's thoughtless and careless handling of Chris's life a few episodes back and it's true. Kim has every right to feel that way. Also, Caroline hanging out with Klaus would make her difficult to trust.

I also liked that Tyler rose to the occasion and took control of the pack. Will Tyler become like Klaus? I hope not, but the fact that he's being put in a position where he needs to be a leader and make hard calls is interesting for his character. I hope he doesn't become like Klaus and start torturing people and being careless with their lives, but I could see that happening (and then Tyler dying).

In any case, I am very whatever about the show now.

Welcome your thoughts on everything and anything!

TV: TVD, Nashville, The Good Wife, TWD

Quickie TV Post! Sorry for the post spam today, I'm celebrating the end of NaBloPoMo by posting a lot or something.

TVD-- This episode felt really weird to me. It might be because the show was off for two weeks and I forgot everything, but it just felt odd. I was actually laughing at Klaus and a bunch of other stuff I probably shouldn't have been. Stefan was acting crazy. I mean on the one hand you have Matt shocked that Jeremy might want to kill vampires and then you have Stefan killing someone to turn them into a vampire to turn Elena human again because somehow she's worth more than anyone else ever. Argh. Also does Damon know Elena is supposedly sired to him? I'm like...I don't know, really annoyed this is how the show is choosing to do Delena. What good can come of it? Professor Shane is my new favorite character because obviously he's like three steps ahead of everyone else. And he has attitude. Too bad he's just using Bonnie, though, I'd love for someone to just actually care about Bonnie. And of course Hayley is also working against them! (but lol @ how Professor Shane knows everyone, seriously I want to be on this guy's side)

Oh also, why doesn't anyone else want the cure for themselves? Why is it a forgone conclusion that it's for Elena? This show makes no sense, the end.

Nashville-- I kind of miss the underlying emotional angst of the first episodes, but I'm still invested in seeing Juliette's story. I liked that Rayna was finally like, "oh we could act like professionals", when they were fighting because YES. I really want to see their relationship and interactions become more of the heart of the show. I think they are an interesting combination because they both kind of strike at each other's insecurities, but they could both gain a lot from actually being friends. I want to seee it. It could be a great story. I guess Scarlett/Gunner is a go, though that could end up really complicating things.

The Good Wife-I really enjoyed the stuff with Alicia's mom because it was so nicely acted, like that scene where her mom asks if it was because she went away for two years and there's ALL THIS HURT AND STUFF UNSAID and Alicia just keeps herself in control. I also thought the contrast between her and Jackie was interesting--Alicia's mom is all "I'll do whatever makes me happy everyone else be damned" and Jackie is OVERLY involved in Peter's life. (I still love her male companion btw ♥) How is it that I love the adult's relationships with their parents but Zach and Grace's storylines are always such huge failures? I guess they allow themselves an honesty with the adults they don't with the children.

I also thought the court case was interesting. At first when Owen was all like "I'm glad you're doing this" that it would end up being something they flipped on, because let's be honest they were less concerned with DOMA and more concerned with winning the case however that could be accomplished. But...I think that based on the preview for next week it makes a nice pair of episodes. This case was something they could feel good about fighting legally and next week looks like more of the needing to do right by the client by doing things Alicia feels are wrong in the name of the client, so it's fun times with the law.

Also, Cary!! Playing it cool. That was interesting.

The Walking Dead--Okay I know Lori just died, but I ship Rick and Michonne so hard, okay? Ugh I just love them both so naturally they should be together.

I thought it was interesting that Milton still hadn't seen anyone turn. He's obviously been protected from the harsher realities of the zombie infection and that somehow allows him to make up this whole life where he thinks he can find a cure. And buy into the Governor's BS more easily.

Glen killing that zombie was pretty amazing, but ugh that scene with Maggie was really hard to watch. I'm curious how Andrea is going to feel when things start to go down. Also, Merle being alive and running into Daryl and Andrea realizing the governor has been lying to her....I think things are about to get verrrry exciting.

I'm sad everthing's going on hiatus after next week, though! I guess it will give me time to watch Six Feet Under!

TV! TVD, TWD, and more........

The Vampire Diaries

I wasn't going to blog about The Vampire Diaries because the less I think about it the more I can enjoy it superficially, BUT I am so intrigued by the idea of Tyler going up against the Salvatores/Klaus. I have no idea if that's what is going to happen but I feel like it could? And the thing about it is that I am one hundred percent Team Tyler and I'm pretty sure there is nothing you can say to change my mind. Obviously when he was talking to Caroline and he threw that glass--that was uncool, but I mean overall Tyler is trying to help people break free from being sired to Klaus while the only goal everyone else has seems to be KEEP ELENA ALIVE. And he's done his fair share for them, he let Klaus possess his body to keep them alive and he stood up in front of that church and got shot for them, and this is how they treat him in return. They treat everyone Not Named Elena like crap pretty much, so.... I don't know, it could be interesting. (I mean isn't it weird that Stefan convinces Elena not to kill Rebekah because THINK OF ALL THE VAMPIRES THAT WOULD DIE but he doesn't even blink in betraying Tyler and killing Chris like that or threatening to turn someone himself. It's messed up.) (Edit since I wrote this my friend told me she thinks Tyler will come off badly in this storyline because of an interview with Candice and I'm back to contemplating if I should just cut my losses now)

Oh also I thought last week's episode was BTVS'ing all over the place with the "potentials" and Elena's hallucinations reminded me of The First.

Anyway let's talk about other shows!

The Walking Dead!

I was filled with GLEE when Rick saw Michonne outside the prison. Absolute GLEE! These are my two favorite characters and this was an awesome introduction, like the best possible. I thought Michonne getting the zombie guts spilled all over was oh-so-gross but a nice nod to the show's second episode when they intentionally covered themselves in guts to walk among the dead. I'm scared for Glen and Maggie. I wish Glen would have just shot Merle, sigh. But I'm glad Michonne saw it all and figured out where to go.

I wasn't surprised that Andrea hooked up with the Governor but ewwwww. I really dislike him. And I feel like she's surrendered all her power now, archaic as that idea is. (this show is not exactly progressive!) I have to admit that Daryl rescuing Carol melted my heart and I'm so glad she's not dead! And that scene with Rick and his baby girl was obviously meant for viewers like me :) The phone call stuff was a tad weird, but a decent way to deal with the grief of the episode, I guess. I'm wondering if Andrea will pay a big price for her disloyalty to Michonne and her little fling with the Governor. And once the Gov realizes Michonne isn't dead but was able to give the prison the heads up on Woodbury? I think the second half of the season is going to be really exciting.

The Good Wife

Okay, so. I thought this was interesting from the standpoint of how they totally went after that judge and made all the other judges disgusted with them. I like that it falls in line with their overall desperation and "nothing to lose" mentality. I mean what they did was huge and could have implications. And I'm glad Amanda Peet's character is so smart.

I don't care about Grace. But Zach working on the campaign could lead to something? Oh and lol not only did Maddie Hayworth engineer everything in the campaign, she is also a lesbian! Oh show why do you do this to me? (I watched the most recent episodes together so sorry if I'm getting them confused)

I think Nick beating up Cary will force Kalinda to a crisis point in dealing with him. But aw poor Cary! That was not fun times.

Nashville

I didn't really like the most recent episode much because I don't really care about Teddy's campaign. And Juliette's little story was stupid. But lol I do think this guy might be the person who "delights in her" that I mentioned saying I think she needs in my last post about Nashville.

I'm glad Scarlett and Avery broke up and that she's living with Deacon because I think it means we're getting closer to the point where these three stories will intersect. And I'm glad Rayna's finding her sound, but again a snoozer of a plot. But hey it can't win every week, and it still wasn't boring.

Beauty and the Beast

Amazed at how quickly the show has progressed the relationship! What I like about it is how it's just angsty enough for me (I do like some angst) but not too much. Like no one's throwing a fit about things, they all end up talking about how they feel and it's so healthy!

I don't really have much to say otherwise, I sort of view this show as a fun indulgence that manages not to offend me like TVD does. Also! Catherine's dad and stepmom were both on the LA Complex. Made me miss the show.

Scandal

This last episode really really bugged me. I mean the show is not that great, but I want to love Olivia. And this episode made that impossible because I think what she did to Abby and David was really awful and cruel. That scene at the end where Abby was tearfully confessing her betrayal and apologizing was just, ugh disgusting. I mean Olivia was listening in on her private conversations! She planted fake evidence that David had beat his ex-girlfriend! And Abby is my LEAST favorite character on the whole show. Well, after Fitz. The way they all manipulated her was just ugh. I mean the truth is I really like David and I don't think he deserves to be treated like that, but also they were so happy together! I don't know it just really bothered me. Also there was an appalling lack of Mellie! And that story with Cyrus and his husband? I mean would that ever happen? They made such a big deal on Borgen about pillow talk I don't know....I just hate Cyrus. So yeah I don't know I think the show went too big with the conspiracy this season and they haven't given me enough reason to care about these characters despite their despicable actions.

Six Feet Under

Yes this show has been off the air for many years, but I just started watching it! I'm close to the end of the first season. It's really different. At first I didn't think I could handle all the death stuff, but I got used to after a bit. Also Peter Krause looked really good circa 2001. I cringe during every beginning while I wait for the person to die. Wow I have no deep thoughts on this show at all. I'm glad to finally watch it, though, I've been wanting to watch it for ages!

As always I welcome your thoughts!

Nashville 1x05: Move It On Over (and some other TV stuff)

I love this show you guys. It just makes me feel things and I feel like the relationships and characters were so quickly established with this huge undercurrent of all that's not being said and it just, ugh, it gets to me. Do you love it too? I hope so because the ratings are making me sad and I can't tell if anyone really loves it like I do.

The show is like a country song in some ways, so much heart, so much pain, so much beauty in just the story telling. I'm actually not really a fan of country music, but I do recognize that it has a tendency to tell stories more than other kinds of music do. And I love that there's a deep sense of history to who these people are, and there's a desperation to be different from their parents for so many of them.

Juliette is my favorite character for the simple fact that I find the most interesting conflict in her character. I love that she wants to prove herself and be valued for her songwriting and taken seriously, I love her sense of shame from where she's come from and how much she doesn't want it to reflect on her, and I love that she's also just a young and brash girl in some ways that doesn't always know the right way to act or respond. These are all things that make her journey compelling and poignant to watch.

But as for this episode...I really liked the way putting the past behind you was a theme. I like how for Rayna that meant not getting caught up in Deacon's drama again, for Teddy it meant hiding/burying it, for Deacon it meant letting go of Rayna/bitterness, and for Juliette it meant her mother/all the things that had been happening. (I was lol when she said that reminds me of what a therapist I saw ONCE said)

Things are definitely heating up with Scarlett and Avery, though, and by heating up, I mean reaching a crisis point. I knew Avery was up to no good when he volunteered to play the guitar. I think it's interesting how Avery has been developed in this relationship, though. He's not only jealous of Scarlett's success but he's also possessive. It's interesting. I like that Scarlett is starting to really like her life and embrace her talent and want it and express that to Avery.

The one scene that really...I don't know made me think though was with Juliette and Deacon after he helped get her mother to rehab. I think their relationship is really interesting because I think Juliette is her most vulnerable and real with him in a way she both needs and resents. And when she tried to kiss him as a way of thanking him...it just speaks volumes about the kinds of relationships she's had and her own sense of what she has to offer. I'm glad he shut it down...but I also thought when she was like, "I'll see you when I see you" and they were all, "friends help each other in need" that you know there's more to friendship? It's more than just being there for each other, it's also genuinely taking pleasure in each other's company. I feel like that's something Juliette could really use--a friend who just actually delights in her. I don't know, maybe I was just projecting my own issues on to the show but it made me feel a little sad!

Anyway, I really enjoyed the episode...oh! And also I think it's fantastic that Rayna is writing herself, but I thought it was sooo telling that when she was writing and Teddy came home, he was just like..."Oh I'll leave you to it" Music is obviously an area they DON'T share and an arena of hers where he might feel intimidated. Which makes what she shares with Deacon all that more powerful.

Love the show and I hope it sticks around!

Beauty and the Beast 1x05 Saturn Returns

Aw, I really really liked this episode. This show continues to delight in the handling of Catherine and Vincent and I had allll the Cat/Vincent feelings this episode I won't even lie.

I like how the case was relevant/mirrored what was going on with Catherine and Vincent. I like that Catherine gets to decide whether or not she's willing to take on the burden of his secret life and I like that the show's general point of view on that is that it's up to the other person. I thought Catherine's surprise party with the photo booth was so cute and fun and I definitely want a photo booth at my next surprise party.

I also thought JT and um girl (can't remember her name) were cute and I LOVE that she approached him and asked him out. Also, Tess and Cat couldn't be any cuter, I just find the show really sweet and fun. The ending was sad, but I was thinking wow they are rushing this relationship so YES they need an obstacle like Vincent blacking out and finding himself on top of a bridge. Also Evan can go away now. Bringing a date and then kissing Cat! Good news! The show has been picked up for a full season.

TV News!

The Killing might be back for a third season in some weird Hollywood magic deals kind of way. I approve. I will watch it. I should also get around to watching the Danish version, I don't really understand my hold-up on it.

Speaking of brilliant Danish shows being remade, the American version of The Bridge supposedly started shooting in El Paso this week. I am sooo hopeful they will do it right! And also another show I never watched is getting made for A&E, Those Who Kill. So basically Danish TV is taking over, etc. ;)

For anyone who loved Keri Russell as Felicity her new show comes on in January. The premise is kind of strange, but I'll give it a shot, cast a wide net, etc. Check out the trailer and let me know what you think. About anything.