Television
That Girl (Peacock)
Ann Marie is fabulous and I love her most episodes. However – we’re into the second half of the first season and there have been a couple that show her in almost a negative light. At first, I didn’t like this, because it didn’t feel like the character I knew and loved.
But then I found something beautiful in that because we can’t be all sweetness and light all the time. There is darkness to being a human and I think it just took my brain a bit to adjust to that being present here. In a 1966 series where most of the characters were quite one-dimensional.
Then I thought about how I look at the people I know. I hope that I get to see them as complete people, and not just the happy faces they plaster on for “TV’ – which is, in this case, social media. I try to put out multiple sides of myself and hope that my friends feel safe in doing the same. Like, that’s being wealthy to me, I think.
Fuck money. (but also give me money because I need to survive)
Oh and also… see that image composite above? That’s all her costume changes (minus the one from the first scene that I didn’t grab) in a single episode. The fashion is unreal and I want the entire wardrobe.
The Bear (Hulu)
The food in “Forks” is like art. I know I go on about this episode, but goddamn is it good. It’s definitely my favorite of the series so far. It really makes me feel some kind of way, like this episode reminds me of the lesson that going ALL THE WAY IN on something is important. AND, the way Richie learns that respecting the restaurant is respecting himself. I dunno, I am doing a crappy job of describing both of these lessons.
But, like, Richie feels like he’s better than polishing forks for a week, at first, but then he almost kind of buys in completely at the end – understands how a simple meal can change a life. Sure, he got a personal shock during the episode too, but I feel like he rolled with it in this situation better than he would have if he were working with Carmy.
I love a confident Richie and that’s what he is at the end of this episode. I cry everytime he delivers the deep dish. And then again when he is in the car, singing his heart out at Taylor Swift as a way to connect with his kid, however small.
Richie learns so much about himself this episode and I love it so much.
Now I will share an unpopular opinion.
This is my third rewatch and I don’t think “Fishes” holds up.
First viewing: great, excellent, tense, didn’t know what was coming – from the alcoholic trauma to the guest stars. Learned a lot about myself and my relationship with alcohol – which is a popular theme in this show for me.
Second viewing: just wanting to straight-up punch Jamie Lee Curtis in the face and feeling mildly annoyed at all the guest stars
Third viewing: Just kind of bored with a low-level anxiety that didn’t have any enjoyable benefits.
Now, I know you might be thinking that my brain simply got used to the tenseness of the episode, and at first, I thought that’s what it was too. But then I remembered, I’ve seen “Shiva Baby” and “Uncut Gems” a few times each and still feel the same rush of tension and release that I did the first time.
I can’t put my finger on the difference, though.
Don’t get me wrong – it’s still a better episode than most television onscreen nowadays.
Okay, as of this writing, I am 6 episodes into season 3 and find it to be completely different than the other two seasons.
I will go more in-depth next week once I’m finished, but I wanted to touch on my season 3 feels thus far. I just feel like I’ve written a lot here about the previous seasons and want the third one to have a focus of its own, you know?
Episode 1 – I loved. I thought, at first, that it was a gorgeous meditation on inspiration, but as the season progresses, maybe it was just a meditation on all the things that caused Carmy’s break. I’m sure it will all be revealed.
Episode 2 – Good building episode – both character and story. I think they are really making the viewers work this season, not spelling things out as much as previously. It’s almost like they are demanding you get off your phone and focus your FULL attention on the show (I mean, as you should.)
Episode 3: Love seeing Syd get out on her own. Love her relationship with her dad.
Episode 4: Marcus has my heart and this was lovely.
Episode 5: I hate how much I don’t like Oliver Platt in this show. It makes me sad. Normally he is a cuddly happy bear.
Episode 6: Astounding. My favorite episode so far. This one hit me right in the heart.
Also, I think Abby Elliott is knocking it out of the park this season and I hope see gets an Emmy nomination.
Remind me to talk next week about why this show reminds me of Frank Lloyd Wright. It’s one of the things I can’t stop thinking about.
Australian TV
Australian Survivor: Brains vs. Brawn – THE END
Okay, I know I said that the next season Aubrey and I are watching is the better of the two, but I think the end of this current season is better. It’s a better final two – the final tribal is better. Just all of it.
One of the things I’ve loved so much about watching this season with Aubrey and Mickey is that we have amassed a massive amount of lore.
First off, the entire season is sponsored by Australian Target. Corporate keeps sending them clothing drops, according to our myths.
As for the contestants, we had my ex-hubby, Australian Daniel Craig, Castaway-We’d-Be-Rooting-For-If-She-Wasn’t-A-Cop, Andrew – the failure of the survivalist world, Country Club Gerald, and George, who defies explanation.
There are a few characters I can’t wait to create lore with during the next season we watch (Heroes vs. Villains), as well as visiting some of our faves from this season.
But first, we’ll take a break from Australia and watch DropoutTV’s. Survivor episode!
You can join us on Twitch – we’re normally doing this Thursday nights, yo.
Other
Breaking News (Dropout TV)
Watching this as filler – like if I finish an episode of “The Bear” and Mickey is not done with his shower or whatever, I’ll throw a couple of these on. They range from, like 3 to 10 minutes each episode – perfect for a burst of laughing.
I love these so much. The concept is simple: the Dropout gang are reading the news, except they have no idea what’s coming up on the teleprompter. If they laugh, they get a point. They call out the loser at the end.
My favorite parts right now are when they fuck with Sam Reich (the owner of Dropout and my new favorite game show host). Watching him struggle after he’s made his friends and co-workers struggle on all the other Dropout shows is a delight.
Sam Reich is simply a delight.
Me and my friend Aubrey would really like to have his ear – or jobs with him. I can be an awards consultant/idea person and Aubz can do the costumes/idea person. We’d be great.
