"This is a very frustrating conversation."
I don't know about you guys.. but this episode was hilarious to me. :joy:
AND NOW WE'LL NEVER KNOW WHAT THE TATTOO WAS
I'm guessing barista guy's the monster?
This is my third attempt at this show because I need something to fill the void that discovering POI has left in me. It's been so long since my most recent attempt at the first season so of course I have to start over. Hopefully I finish it this time? If not, maybe it's time to accept I really won't like this show as much as I'd... like to.
Perfect from the first minute 'til the end.
"You're right. You're a good detective, and a damn good friend." I squealed, I tell 'ya. Fusco deserves that after 3 seasons of taking shit from Reese.
The call from "Shaw" that was so obviously a trap but was still, at the very least, a driving force that moved the story forward wayyy forward. And I'm glad they at least now have confirmation that Shaw's alive, but finding out that she fed Greer and co. information about Root (and the glimpse of her at the end implying that it's true)? Shiiiit, my heart is breaking.
And goddamn if a Machine made me cry. "I will not fail you now." WTF.
Bonus: Root playing chicken with the Machine — our psycho's back with a vengeance (and very intense feelings). Harper popping back up, Finch dressed up like a homeless hipster "dope fiend", Root vs Martine part 2 (and part 3, the bed scene threw me off guard, holy shit!), Reese goddamn smiling. The Samaritan agents' handler's ominous warning going with the montage of scenes at the end? Chills. (And Control killing her? Bonus bonus! I love how unapologetically ruthless this woman is... as long as it works for/isn't directed at the team.)
Such a shame about Victoria, but very hopeful that she'll be back next season. This was actually the episode I wouldn't have minded Krystal winning, instead of Episode 2, but yeah, to me it was a toss-up between Krystal, Scarlett, or Ella.
Ella's runways were so good. I just knew the moment they started nitpicking or pointing out weird comparisons that they wouldn't let her win; they don't even need to, I feel like it was very evident that Scarlett's second dress was better (imo) but they just love to nitpick details to justify not making them the week's winner, very typical RPDR formula.
I didn't really like how it seemed like they were building up Krystal so much in the first 2 episodes, but I also find it annoying how the judges always go "I expect more" just because a queen's doing well. They expect someone going somewhat steady at the top to go beyond, and when they do, they call it out as "over the top". I can't with them anymore.
Reese and Carter (and Fusco, with goodboi Bear) actually working together and making a freakin' great team!
This was a really great episode. Good mystery and its unraveling was good; even though I kind of expected that the random guy at the beginning of the flashbacks was gonna be the culprit, just because I've watched too many procedurals for it to be somewhat just part of the formula, I didn't expect Root's past identity until just before the reveal.
Very high stakes episode! My worry for Finch and the Machine was very real.
It's the little things I am enjoying about this show. Byron's Empty Glass:tm: scent. Hazel talking to Byron through the mirrors lol (and how is she so brave blatantly stealing from people out in the open, in a world with screen-less displays, are there not CCTVs everywhere? lol just a thought). Byron thinking it's his adoring little lackey's fault that Hazel left... because he didn't bring her doughnut holes. Said adoring little lackey looking horny after Bangles' show lol. The secret Simlish-like language. Diane's still f*cking creepy.
And I guess I do get how Hazel could have gotten into that situation now, can see how exciting the idea of being with someone who would get you literally anything and anywhere (sort of) you wanted, esp. if you were someone who realistically didn't seem like was headed anywhere close any time soon. How could she have known she would get stuck inside a box with a narcissistic control freak with no social skills beyond 'I can buy you and everything you want' and idk taking Gaslighting 101? I am glad Hazel at least somewhat questioned it: "But I don't know you." "Isn't that the exciting part?" - I do think even considering this should only apply to potential relationships though, but marriage... honey, no. In dearest Elsa's words, "You can't marry a man you just met."
And holy crap that last scene. Byron is the adult equivalent of a child who'd rather see their toy broken than let someone else have it (in this case, than to let the girl run free).
I am wondering how and why Byron chose Hazel though.. Did he somehow stumble into her scams, or did he see her one day by complete (unlucky) chance? Did he just see her as someone he could easily manipulate, or was he really just delusional enough that he "fell in love" with Hazel just by looking at her and her records? Why was he in such a rush? Was he looking for a wife for the sole purpose of Made for Love?
Holy crap, Byron sure is creepy. The kind of psychopath/narcissist you wouldn't see coming, with his typical white boy charm, subtle gaslighting, and, in this case, that genius-level intellect and claims of philanthropism. Not a very good one though based on his confrontation with Hazel ("I'm crying." "You are the thing --" "Person." "--person!" lmao).
The fact that Hazel met, dated, was married to, and ultimately locked into the Hub with Byron all in one day is a scary thought (am curious about the circumstances though, because how the actual f does that happen?). She has a pretty big flaw though, one I've noticed even in earlier episodes: she doesn't communicate, something that's to her detriment. She had a chance to voice out her concerns when she saw the ad (though I suppose she knew well enough at this point that Byron is not the type to listen).
But why, why, would she stay for 10 years? It makes me wonder if she had just asked to leave within that time, would Byron have let her go?
And damn, Byron was actually convinced that she was actually happy and in love with him (despite possibly some doubts given her secrecy), or was Byron just in complete denial of her true feelings for him? I suppose one has to be delusional enough to even think something like Made for Love is a good idea...
I am confused as to why Byron let Hazel go. He had a whole squad with him, and it did look like he would have been willing to use force to keep her (when one of his lackeys offered to follow her). Will he really just stop after this?
Side note: girl didn't at least come up for a gulp of air before leaving the panel in the pool, and that took her all the way out of the hub. Did she get gills implanted in her too? lol
Wow. There's a lot to unpack here. What a penultimate episode! Season 3 renewal announcement, come through!
First off...
• LOL at whoever wanted to use their super soldier (Raelle) for a recruitment tour... our very own witch Captain America, love it :joy:
• Goosebumps at the mycelium origin story scene! Way to turn things around, and I think anyone still questioning Alder's intentions especially after the doubts planted by this season would be swayed back into her corner after that (very Season 1 finale feels, actually, so I guess she will always be a complex character); Raelle, of all people, sympathized with her!
• Morrigan's whisper, holy sh---!!!
• And the Rite of Proxy scene. God damn, that was intense!
• No offense to Victor Webster (guy who plays the VP), but I have seen him on a couple of other shows as the bad guy or an unlikeable one, or so I can't help but think that his character here is shady lmao (he has been to me since day 1 lolol). The way he's been all season about his daughter being a witch is sketchy to me. "He's actually a pretty good guy" my ass — if you have to say that about a character, it's almost guaranteed to backfire eventually lol. If the guy that stays behind turns out to be a means to distract or keep tabs from within the Fort, I wouldn't be surprised.
I've seen some reactions where people are genuinely worried that Alder is getting killed off in the next episode but I really don't think so, because if they stick with the decision made here (Petra replacing Alder), I think it would definitely be interesting to see Alder as a "regular" witch/soldier who isn't the Army General (and if there's one thing I've gleaned from Eliot's interviews, this seems right up his alley (hopefully).
In Petra and Alder's words, Alder has lived as the General for so long she's forgotten how to deal with consequences like a human and has made some... questionable decisions to protect the witches (and to some extent, her position). After her dismissal, she would be watching the new General eventually make similar big decisions, and possibly similar mistakes, like she did, but this time as a spectator... either making her introspective and see what she could do differently, or just smug and satisfied like "I told you it wasn't easy" (I wouldn't mind her being petty like that, I probably would be too lol).
I don't doubt that she would eventually try to scramble back into the seat of power (and that she might succeed at one point), but this should be a good arc for her... if she survives. This whole comment would be for naught if she ends up actually dying like people think and I'm a fool lol.
That bottom 2 choice.. Nope. Just nope. (Brooke vs Vanjie vibes. Chosen for the drama and the queen who (debatably) should have gone home was "safe". TF. And my god, the favoritism, I can't.)
And Bimini was so fucking good this episode!
They were all so good this episode. :( Would have been sad to see anyone go.
Also, wth was that lip sync song choice? Kameron vs Ra'Jah was wasted on Boom Clap.
Somehow I ended up understanding or feeling for Han-su? All this pressure from his dad and everything he dropped to fulfill his dad’s goal for him, only for him to suddenly change things up. Doesn’t change the fact that he grew to become selfish and singleminded that he “wants Han-na to have 0’, that it’s seemingly all he wants, and he’s such a petty brat, but yeah that little outburst spoke volumes.
I have to constantly remind myself that they're just acting, Choi's underling is so annoying especially when he looks all so pleased with himself... making him a very effective actor. lol
Weird stuff in this movie: a) Ellis was a creepy stalker who wouldn't take no for an answer, b) Adaline slept with Ellis and his dad, and c) the narrations felt really unnecessary. I did not really need or want to be convinced of some scientific reasoning behind this.
I much preferred her story with Ellis' dad, and the bits with her daughter.
Man, I'm trying to get past the first season and it is so hard. I don't think I've laughed once in the last few episodes.
Holy shit, the moment the reactor went out? chef's kiss I got goosebumps!
What a satisfying ending
Also, that was like 3 Black Mirror episodes in 1, holy sh
So the killer’s gotta be Cara, right?
Tatum progressively getting more into it the more Leighton made fun of her was so funny. (And holy crap, how is the twincest phase thing freakishly accurate yet it's the first time I've heard of it lmao; p.s. I looked it up and it's not the actual term thank god, but still lol)
And oh, Bela... Bela, Bela, Bela...
Here's to hoping that double shantay doesn't bite us in the ass when 2 better queens face off in the next episode.
Also, I did not laugh once during that skit. I found it more laughable that you could hear the judges laughing.
This had some really, really beautiful moments. I think the way they dealt with Chad/T'Challa's death, and the eventual transition and focus shift to the rest of Wakanda was well done, but... I don't know what it is exactly that made this film drag so much halfway through.
My problem with this is my problem with Phase 4 as a whole: the MCU is becoming a fanservice machine, focusing a tad bit too much on world and lore introductions... a bit too fast. (I am part of the fans being serviced, of course, and I am way too invested to completely turn away at this point, so consider me an MCU apologist. Doesn't mean I have to like it 100% of the time.)
Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed both Riri and Namor, but this was just a tad bit too long and I would much rather that the focus stayed on the core of Wakanda (the first half of the movie was so good, with the focus on the queen and Shuri and Okoye / the Dora Milaje). Now, I don't have much complaints about Riri whose involvement in this was pretty minimal since we all know she's already getting her own show (and her scenes gave some of the funniest moments of the film)...
... but maybe Namor needed his own movie? IDK, they could have taken out some of his lore scenes (I feel like this was to explain away the massive difference from the comics); I would not have minded Namor being introduced as this total villain for now to possibly be somewhat redeemed in a future movie... And jesus, I liked seeing Val again to show just how dangerous she's really getting, but there were too many CIA scenes.
It was good. It was just so long (halfway through I was thinking, this already feels like a full ass length movie but I just know there's still a long way to go since there's still so much that needs to be resolved holy sh--). But eh, what do I know?
Favorite stand-out scenes I still think about:
*Riri's intro. I had little excitement for the Ironheart series, and this movie just changed that.
*That scene where Angela Bassett/Queen Ramonda confronted Okoye after Shuri was taken? Holy shit
*The scenes highlighting everyone that Shuri has lost. I felt that deep in my bones.
*The final and the mid-credits scene of course. Goddamn.
I thought this was fun in a way this show hasn’t been for me in a looong time.
(I also thought it was going swimmingly well until they brought Owen back, and at almost the last minute too like a surprise. Was I supossed to be pleased?)
This show came out of nowhere and I am loving every second of it.
OKAY. I totally called the "outsider enjoys her new group of friends" Mean Girls bit and figured that was that and it was just gonna be a cute movie. Don't know if that was just me, but I totally did not see that twist coming lmao. Literal jaw drop moment.
That Twinner alliance is Rolaskatox all over again :(
I was NOT expecting that surprise comeback. I literally GASPED
AND SARA WTF YOU CAN'T TRUST THAWNE (update after watching the next episode: ... I stand corrected)
From what I can tell, Bishop was popular among some of the fans during airing... but I cannot stand him, especially when he's perky and sht, he was so annoying (Kayla's "That gyrating bastard" in the next episode is such a good way to describe him lmao). Him evil monologuing's seems a tad better though, I doubt we'll get it often though.
I'm here for Spooner's episode, that was pretty good.
"Suntok ng demonyo." I can't believe John made the Tagalog translation of "demon's punch" sound magical lol
Wow.. Happy Father's Day, Reggie. Dad of the year.
