Norabelle414's Act Five: Nothing Exciting

*Yawn*
Unlike most plays, there is nothing going on in Act Five here.

Here, have a hipster Kori Bustard:


Goals for 2014:

• Read 22,000 pages
  
• Completely ignore the number of books I'm reading
  
• Catch up on my LTER reading / reviewing
  
• Acquire fewer than 75 books
  
• Plan & attend the Spring DC meet-up and National Book Festival LT meet-up (here's the planning thread!!)
  
  

Previous Threads:
2014, act four
2014, act three
2014, act two
2014, act one
2014, prologue

2013, part XI
2012, module eta

Books read in 2014:

Paper books:
- Lonely Planet Iceland, 8th edition
- The Tropic of Serpents: A Memoir by Lady Trent by Marie Brennan
- The Walking Dead, Volume 6: This Sorrowful Life by Robert Kirkman
- Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor
- The Walking Dead, Volume 7: The Calm Before by Robert Kirkman
- The Walking Dead, Volume 8: Made to Suffer by Robert Kirkman
- The Thinking Woman's Guide to Real Magic by Emily Croy Barker
- City of Dark Magic by Magnus Flyte
- Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins
- Feet of Clay by Terry Pratchett
- Night of Cake and Puppets by Laini Taylor **ebook**
- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J. K. Rowling
- Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
- The Walking Dead, Volume 9: Here We Remain by Robert Kirkman
- The Walking Dead, Volume 10: What We Become by Robert Kirkman
- Three Men in a Boat and Three Men on the Bummel by Jerome K. Jerome
- The Walking Dead, Volume 11: Fear the Hunters by Robert Kirkman
- Ghost Train to New Orleans by Mur Lafferty
- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J. K. Rowling
- The Walking Dead, Volume 12: Life Among Them by Robert Kirkman
- The Geek's Guide to Dating by Eric Smith
- The Walking Dead, Volume 13: Too Far Gone by Robert Kirkman
- The Walking Dead, Volume 14: No Way Out by Robert Kirkman
- The Walking Dead, Volume 15: We Find Ourselves by Robert Kirkman
- Life After Life by Kate Atkinson
- Dreams of Gods & Monsters by Laini Taylor
- Leviathan Wakes by James S. A. Corey
- Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell
- The Memory Garden by Mary Rickert
- Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
- California by Edan Lepucki
- The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker
- Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J. K. Rowling
- Quidditch Through the Ages by Kennilworthy Whisp
- Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins
- Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo
- Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander
-

Audiobooks:
- The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place, Book IV: The Interrupted Tale by Maryrose Wood
- Boston Jacky: Being an Account of the Further Adventures of Jacky Faber, Taking Care of Business by L. A. Meyer
- Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J. K. Rowling
- Death Comes to Pemberley by P. D. James
- Winter's Tale by Mark Helprin
- The Peculiar by Stefan Bachmann
- The Whatnot by Stefan Bachmann
- Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya
- Once by Morris Gleitzman
- Letter from Birmingham Jail by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
- The Girl With All the Gifts by M. R. Carey
-

Books acquired in 2014:

January:
1) Icelandic Handknits by Helene Magnusson (new, $35)
2) The Geek's Guide to Dating by Eric Smith (ARC, free)
3) These Happy Golden Years by Laura Ingalls Wilder (used, TBA)
4) The Clue of the Dancing Puppet by Carolyn Keene (used, TBA)
5) Starship Troopers by Robert A. Heinlein (used, TBA)
6) Mansfield Park by Jane Austen (used, TBA)
7) Farmer Boy by Laura Ingalls Wilder (used, TBA)
8) The Moonstone Mystery by Carolyn Keene (used, TBA)
9) Let the Great World Spin by Collum McCann (used, TBA)
10) Geek Love by Katherine Dunn (gift)
11) Od Magic by Patricia A. McKillip (gift)

February:
12) Archduke Franz Ferdinand Lives!: A World Without World War I by Richard Ned Lebow (ARC, free)
13) The Pilgrims by Will Elliott (ARC, free)

March:
14) Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell (gift)
15) The Lady and the Panda (used, $0.25)

April:
16) Xxx by Xxx Xxx (gift)
17) Xxx by Xxx Xxx (gift)
18) Xxx by Xxx Xxx (gift)
19) Victorian Fairy Tale Book edited by Michael Patrick Hearn (used, $1)
20) Fairy Tales from the British Isles by Amabel Williams-Ellis (used, $1)
21) Centennial by James A. Michener (used, $1)
22) Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel (used, $1)
23) All-of-a-Kind Family by Sydney Taylor (used, $1)
24) Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J. K. Rowling (used, $1)
25) Seven Gothic Tales by Isak Dinesen (used, $1)
26) The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay by Michael Chabon (used, $1)
27) Stardust by Neil Gaiman (used, $1)
28) Leviathan Wakes by James S. A. Corey (used, $1)

May:

29) The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce (used, )
30) Company by Max Barry (used, )
31) The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down by Anne Fadiman (used, )
32) Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett (used, )
33) Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens by J. M. Barrie (used, )
34) The Drawing of the Three by Stephen King (used, )
35) Boneshaker by Cherie Priest (used, )
36) Bunnicula Strikes Again by James Howe (used, )
37) M Is for Magic by Neil Gaiman (used, )
38) Interworld by Neil Gaiman (used, )
39) Quidditch Through the Ages by Kennilworthy Whisp (used, )
40) Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander (used, )
41) The Chronicles of Chrestomanci, Volume I by Diana Wynne Jones (used, )
42) Raising a Reader! by Meryl Jaffe, PhD (free comic book day)
43) Hatter M, Volume One: Far From Wonder by Frank Beddor (free comic book day)
44) (free comic book day)
45) (free comic book day)
46) Jingo by Terry Pratchett (used, )
47) Valiant by Holly Black (used, )

June:

48) Invisible Beasts by Sharona Muir (LTER)
49) The Odditorium by Melissa Pritchard (free)
50) Started Early, Took My Dog by Kate Atkinson (free)
51) Salvage the Bones by Jesmyn Ward (free)
52) Wintersmith by Terry Pratchett (used, $0.25)

July:

53) California by Edan Lepucki (new, )
54) Dodger by Terry Pratchett (remainder, )
55) A Wrinkle in Time: The Graphic Novel (remainder, )
56) Annihilation by Jeff Vandermeer (new, )
57) Going Bovine by Libba Bray (new, )
58) Little, Big by John Crowley (used, $6)

August:
59) Dr. Mütter's Marvels: A True Tale of Intrigue and Innovation at the Dawn of Modern Medicine by Cristin O'Keefe Aptowicz (LTER)
60) The King's Curse by Philippa Gregory (gift)

September:
61) Animal Weapons: The Evolution of Battle by Douglas J. Emlen (LTER)
62) Knitting Yarns: Writers on Writing edited by Ann Hood (gift)

Currently reading:
Storm and Siege by Leigh Bardugo
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander

Currently listening to:
Enchanted by Alethea Kontis, read by Katherine Kellgren

Coming soon:
Ancillary Justice by Ann Leckie
A Highly Unlikely Scenario, or a Neetsa Pizza Employee's Guide to Saving the World by Rachel Cantor
The Bees by Laline Paull

Currently watching:
Dawson's Creek, Season 2
Lost Girl, Season 3
DOCTOR WHO, SEASON 8!!!

This is to remind myself that I was on page 100 of Ancillary Justice when I returned it to the library.

Don't you think the National Book Festival is exciting? :P

>6 _Zoe_: Most years, yes. This year, not so much. I'm also having trouble getting excited because it feels way to darn early. I keep having to remind myself that it's only 5 days away.

>7 norabelle414: Well, I'm less excited about the book festival per se than about the LibraryThing meetup aspect.

Also, this finally gave me the extra push I needed to read Persepolis 2! We have house guests at the moment so I don't have a lot of reading time, but fortunately graphic novels* go quickly so I should be done in a couple of days.

*not the correct term for non-fiction

Wow, I didn't know the National Book Festival was so soon. I'll have to go start the planning thread.

Happy new thread, Nora! :)

Happy New Thread, lady!

>9 Ape:, >10 scaifea: Thanks Amber and Stephen!!

Well. I was up until midnight last night reading Isla and the Happily Ever After (that is extremely late for a Monday night, since I get up at 5:30am on Monday mornings). Maybe this means I have my reading mojo back? But probably not. Either way I'm thoroughly enjoying it.

>11 norabelle414: Someday I'll read those books....

>11 norabelle414: Dammit, you and Micky liked it. It must have been me...

>12 _Zoe_: I think she's done with these kids for awhile, so now would be a good time to read them!

>13 RosyLibrarian: I'm only halfway through! It could get worse.

Glad you're enjoying Isla. I missed the thread transition so I was going to post on the old thread and ask if you'd been knocked out by the new Doctor's attack eyebrows. ;)

>15 MickyFine: Indeed. I posted some over on Foggi's thread but I'm not going to elaborate at the moment because I'm having a shitty day at work. Maybe I'll watch it again when I get home.

Finished Isla. Will review later; too many feels.

Happy new thread! :)

Thanks Chelle!!

What Chelle said!

>17 norabelle414: That is far too cryptic. Review now goshdarnit! :)

Happy new thread, Nora!

From catching up on your previous thread...

I already had The Golem and the Jinni on my wish list, but you've made me add it to my library list (which means it's much more likely that I'll get to it sooner!).

I've also added The Girl With all the Gifts to my huge wish list, as it sounds like it is right in my comfort zone!

Thanks for another book bullet. :)

Hi everyone! I had a very busy weekend.

Friday afternoon I went to the grand opening party for the American Bison exhibit at the zoo. Bison were the very first animals at the original zoo on the National Mall, and their plight was the impetus for founding the zoo. William Temple Hornaday was a taxidermist who, upon learning that there were approximately 400 bison remaining in the wild, successfully petitioned Congress and President Grover Cleveland to fund a National Zoo dedicated to conservation. After not having any Bison on exhibit for over a decade, the National Zoo now has two one-year-old females, named Wilma and Zora (after Zora Neale Hurston)

Saturday was the annual National Book Festival LibraryThing meet-up! The festival itself was a massive disappointment, but the meet-up was lovely as ever. You can find better accounts of it (with pictures) here.

Sunday those of us who were available met up for breakfast at my usual coffee shop, and then qebo and SqueakyChu and I went to the zoo. We wandered for a bit, and then I left the two of them to their own devices while I worked my shift on the Asia Trail.

Yesterday was a government holiday in the U.S., so I worked a shift on the Asia Trail as well as my evening bird watching. I'm exhausted!

I'm hoping to be able to take another look at Isla and the Happily Ever After this evening and write a review. This book felt much more personal than the previous two and so I needed to set it aside for a little while in order to write a coherent review. I'm chugging along through Siege and Storm, enjoying it greatly but just not very motivated to find the time to read. I've also started The Bees by Laline Paull (io9.com 's book club pick for August), which is very good so far. A Highly Unlikely Scenario, or a Neetsa Pizza Employee's Guide to Saving the World is going back to the library unread, but will probably show up again at some point in the future.

I'm extremely behind on my TV watching. Partly due to this weekend's activities, but also due to watching several movies that were disappearing from Netflix on Sept 1. Thankfully my TV schedule is very light for the next two weeks (until the fall season starts). I'm also attempting to watch the entire series of Dawson's Creek, which will disappear from Netflix on Sept 20. I just started season 3 last night.

I also neglected to mention that last week I received a mysterious, unexpected package in the mail. It turns out that my aunt noticed that I "liked" a post on Facebook about Philippa Gregory's new book The King's Curse, and since she was in London at the time she bought me a copy and mailed it to me. So I'm the proud owner of a first paperback edition, almost a month before it's released in the US. How great is that???

Arghhhh... I missed your new thread until just now and only found it because I was looking for a review you wrote (or didn't, as it turns out- purchase not review). I thought it was awfully quite in Noraland.

I think I might be done with Netflix. They were my only outlet for watching my favorite show, an Australian show called McLeod's Daughters, and I was just in the middle of a rewatch when they pulled it from streaming. When I say middle, I really really mean middle. Like I watched one episode then went to watch the next one 4 secs later and it was nowhere to be found. That coupled with the fact that there never seems to be anything new except shitty tv shows anymore and I don't know if there is much point in my having it anymore. Which is sad.

>25 leahbird: One thing I have noticed with Netflix is that a lot of their stuff that "expires" comes back again at some point in the future when they can renegotiate a contract with the provider. The original "Upstairs, Downstairs" is about to expire, but I know it's expired at least twice in the past. I kind of like the expiration dates sometimes, when they can encourage me to watch a movie that I haven't gotten to yet. Last week I watched The Apartment with Shirley MacLaine and Jack Lemmon, which was delightful.

I relied on Netflix a lot back in the day (a whole several months ago) when I didn't have cable and there were many shows I could only watch when the whole season became available on Netflix. I don't generally have trouble finding good stuff to watch but that's probably only because I almost never go to the movie theater or rent movies from anywhere else. I also check this Twitter account - https://twitter.com/netflix_bot - every few days to see if anything interesting has been added.

All that being said, I mostly only use Netflix in-between network seasons. I should probably look into suspending my account when I'm not using it as much.

>25 leahbird: Also, you intrigued me with McLeod's Daughters. It looks like it's available on Hulu, though of course you'd have to pay for Hulu Plus in order to watch it on a non-computer device.

>25 leahbird: & >27 norabelle414: I used to watch McLeod's Daughters when it aired on one of the channels here (and I was unemployed and could watch a lot of TV during the day). I really liked it. Lots of strong, independent women there. And great friendships. And nice love stories.

>28 PawsforThought: Yeah, I first caught season one on whichever women's station was playing it but I think they only got through season 2. When I was living in NZ they were already on season 6 so I didn't watch. Netflix let me finally watch it all. It's great but goes soapy in later seasons. I still loved it till the end though!

>29 leahbird: It did, but it was still good. The characters were worth it, I think. And I loved when Nick came back from the dead and he and Tess could be together. I didn't watch the last couple of seasons after that so don't know how it was.

Let's just say there is a witness protection storyline and later someone gets killed by a tree branch. And you have the inevitable "running out of McLeods" issue. Best left at that. (Watch anyway, though!)

Congrats on the new book from London! That was very thoughtful of your aunt!

Yeah, your aunt sounds pretty awesome to me. What a great surprise!

Wow, surprise packages with books from an awesome aunt! Jealous...

I got a fancy new phone (that actually works) yesterday, but it looks like in the process I might have lost all of my audiobooksync.com audiobooks. Huge bummer, especially since I was 92% finished with Enchanted and loving it. I'm trying to be better about letting things go, though, so I'm not going to worry about it.

I think I still have Enchanted saved on my home computer. I can check when I get home next week and send it to you.

>36 leahbird: I have some of the files from some of the books which were on my previous phone (why not all of them, I don't know) but I'm getting an error when I try to load them into OverDrive.
"Error retrieving license. No address associated with hostname"

Ha! Found you. That is too bad about the Sync audiobooks, though. And I'm another one who's eager to hear what you thought of Isla.

>38 foggidawn: Hi foggi! I liked Isla a lot. Like, a lot a lot. Sorry I'm still not in a reviewing (or reading.....) mood. It sucks.

Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins - Isla has always had a gigantic crush on her sensitive artist classmate Josh, but he had a steady girlfriend. When Isla and Josh finally get together (quite passionately) at the beginning of their senior year, Isla believes it's too good to be true. Josh is creative and rebellious, with a clear idea of what he wants to do with his life. Isla is indecisive and boring, and hasn't the slightest clue what her purpose is. What could a guy like him possibly see in a girl like her? Why isn't he in class today? Why hasn't he called her? Is he getting back together with his ex-girlfriend??

This book resonated with me on a much more personal level than Perkins' prior two books. Isla's struggles to confront her insecurities, find self-confidence, and accept other people's love is something I've dealt with as well. Isla as a character is much more realistic than perfect Anna or eccentric Lola. There is also an introspective depth to IatHEA that was not present in AatFK or LatBND. The previous two books follow the following, tried-and-true, deliciously fluffy formula:
Girl thinks she knows herself --> meets boy --> finds herself --> gets boy

While IatHEA follows a different path:
Girl gets boy --> doubts herself --> ???? --> ???? (I can't give everything away, now can I?)

This difference is probably a reflection of the struggles that Perkins went through while writing the book (the release date was pushed back multiple times due to her battle with depression). I believe it shows maturity and real growth as a writer, and makes me even more excited to see what she offers next than I already was.




Currently reading:
Storm and Siege by Leigh Bardugo
The Bees by Laline Paull
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander

Currently listening to:
Red Moon by Benjamin Percy, read by Benjamin Percy

Coming soon:
Ancillary Justice by Ann Leckie
Maplecroft by Cherie Priest
Going Bovine by Libba Bray

PAGES READ: TBD
BOOKS BOUGHT: 41
BOOKS ACQUIRED: 61
BOOKS DEACCESSIONED: 10

DAYS REMAINING: 114
PAGES REMAINING: TBD

Currently watching:
Dawson's Creek, Season 4
Doctor Who
The Almighty Johnsons

I got as far as looking for Stephanie Perkins books on the shelf at a random library branch this weekend, but they didn't have any. One day....

>41 _Zoe_: They would be a good thing to pick up during the school year when you need something really really fluffy.

>40 norabelle414: Yayayayayayayayay! :D

That is all.

P.S. Team Pacey?

FUCK YES TEAM PACEY! Dawson is the worst. Like really, the worst. There used to be this meme going around called "Dawson has no genitals" and I never understood. But now I do.

Mark your calendar, my friend! I'll be in DC October 4-7. I'm thinking a little Kramerbooks, a little Second Story books, a little food and drink, a little chin-wag, etc. You know the drill ;-)

ETA: Also Team Pacey here! Dawson *definitely* had no genitals.

>45 katiekrug: You got it girl! I'm going to be out of town on a day trip on either the 4th or the 5th (I haven't decided yet), and I have to watch those kori bustards on Monday. But I'm definitely free on the 7th and either the 4th or 5th. I'll let you know.

Speaking of Kori Bustards, today I took a perfectly normal photo of one of the female koris who had her neck fluffed (she was sneezing, nothing exciting) and Google decided that my photo would look better like this:



So I'm pretty sure I have the first ever hipster kori bustard photo. I think I'll make it my thread topper :-)

>46 norabelle414: - Awesome. I leave on the morning of the 7th so that's out. I get in at 5:15pm on the 4th, so either that or the 5th would totally work.

>49 norabelle414: I assume there's an observer code for sneezing. Reminds me that I haven't posted the zoo meetup photos yet. Soonish.

>51 qebo: Sneeze is SE. She was sneezing a lot yesterday and at first I only heard it and thought it was a bark (BK) but then I saw her fluff up like that in the middle of the sneeze and I knew it was definitely an SE.

>50 katiekrug: Okay I'll tell my road trip buddy that she needs to make a decision on what day we'll be out of town.

I'm planning to attend YALLFest, a free young-adult book festival in Charleston, SC in November! I made a meet-up thread here: https://www.librarything.com/topic/180271, in case anyone wants to join @RosyLibrarian and I. It looks like so much fun!

Envious!

>49 norabelle414: - Love the pic!

>55 MickyFine: You should come next year, Micky!

>56 lkernagh: Thanks Lori!!

>55 MickyFine: - I am going to assume Micky is envious of our get-together in DC and not of the cool-sounding YA festival in Charleston... ;-)

>58 katiekrug: Both, of course :-)

Sounds like so much fun! I wish I could make it, but we are saving all our money for a trip to NY at Christmas...

I will SO plan on going next year!

>57 norabelle414: I'm contemplating a trip to Europe next year so I doubt YALLfest is in the cards. :(

>50 katiekrug: I got all my October activities sorted out today, and I'm for sure free on the 5th!

Whoop! I am free on the 5th until about 1:30pm, I think, and/or after about 6:00pm. I'll PM you....

I AM SO BEHIND ON MY TV. Damn you, Netflix and/or whoever owns the rights to Dawson's Creek!

The good news is that I only have an average of 4 episodes (approx. 2.8 hours) per day to finish the series before it expires on the 20th. Which is totally doable since I don't have much going on this weekend.

Although I didn't mention it much here, my recent book-slump has actually been a whole-life-slump. I have not been doing well. But the good news is that I seem to be pulling out of it. I got some chores done on Wednesday and Yesterday. Hopefully more today?!?!!

>64 norabelle414: Sorry to hear about the book/whole life slump. I think we've all been there and it isn't fun.

...I probably shouldn't write this, but...I have never watched Dawson's Creek. I guess I should add that to the TV list.

>64 norabelle414: I'm sorry to hear about the life-slump, but I'm glad it's getting better! Hooray for accomplishing chores.

>64 norabelle414: I generally average 4 episodes a night of whatever I'm watching (The West Wing at the moment, interspersed with The O.C. when the discs come in from the library). How far are you into Dawson's Creek? I've never actually made it through seasons 5 and 6 - although I have watched the series finale.

Sorry to hear there's been a general blahness in your life of late. Sending big virtual hugs and some chocolate your way.

>65 RosyLibrarian: I knew it wasn't ever going to be one of my favorite shows, but I am enjoying it. I like it a lot more than Felicity, which I watched the entirety of around this time last year.

>66 _Zoe_: Thanks Zoe!

>67 MickyFine: I'm watching Dawson's on Netflix with my Roku which seriously boosts the number of episodes I can watch in a day! There are no commercials PLUS I can skip to the next episode as soon as the credits start. And late-90s/early 00s shows have really long credits! Also one of the benefits of living in an "open floor plan"-style apartment is that I can see and hear the TV from anywhere in my whole apartment except the bedroom and bathroom. So I can vacuum and do dishes and other chores while watching.

I'm a little over halfway through the 5th season. So far I am not impressed with the college years. I'm starting to suspect that Joey and Pacey might not get back together and that's very upsetting!

The college years of just about everything that started in high school are usually bad. They are both trying too hard to be collegey and have important experiences (and shoehorn in cliches like affairs with professors) while still constrained by the high school stories and personas they invested so much into.

But it gets a bit better. And then loopy. But then weird and good at the same time. Dawson's was a roller coaster for me when I watched it. It perfectly coincided with my high school life and into college- even ending the same year I took my first leave from university. I haven't re-watched it in a very long time for fear that I will hate it now.

>68 norabelle414: Wait, you get commercials on Netflix? I don't understand... The way you're describing watching Netflix is how it is for me all the time. Even when I watch the American one (shhhh).

I own Dawson's on DVD but I've never made it through more than about 5 or 6 episodes of season 5. One day I probably will, if only so I can get every Joey and Pacey moment but I haven't done it yet. I definitely agree the high school years are best but the series finale is actually very satisfying. The show didn't end with a whimper.

I had a crazy Hart of Dixie theory thought the other day: they'll write in Rachel Bilson's pregnancy by making her a surrogate for Tom and Wanda. It's nutty but I like how it means no extra hurdle for Zoe and Wade with her being preggers with someone else's baby. One of those crazy left field ideas I have before I go to sleep. :P

>70 MickyFine: Wait, weren't Tom and Wanda pregnant at the end of the season? Maybe I dreamed that...

>69 leahbird: I've thought about it, and I think the problem is that kids generally leave everything behind when they go to college, and that doesn't usually work for TV shows. I think the ones that are most successful in the transition to college (I'm thinking about Gilmore Girls and Sabrina the Teenage Witch, specifically) have just a single character going off to college and leaving all of her friends behind, AND the parents/guardians are characters in their own right and have plotlines that don't directly involve the kid. And then there are shows like Boy Meets World, which don't try to be so "collegey", as you point out.

See below for specific points on Dawson's :-)

>70 MickyFine: There are no commercials on Netflix vs. the other ways I watch TV shows like Hulu and On-Demand and network websites. I was mostly trying to point out that the episodes on Netflix are significantly less than an hour long since there are no commercials.

That's the best Hart of Dixie theory I've heard! I assumed they would bump the show forward in time and have her pregnant with Wade's (or possibly someone else's but most likely Wade's) baby. Kind of like how the last season just picked up with her being several months into a relationship with dumb old Joel. But I like your idea way better! Especially because Wade can be all upset at first and then in the end it can make him realize that he really wants to have kids with Zoe because he was so good with Harley Jr. last season.

>71 RosyLibrarian: They might have been, but since they've had a lot of trouble conceiving I don't think it would be too far out there for them to lose the baby and then decide to have a surrogate.

____________________________________________

Dawson's Creek:
I only have 7 episodes left! Season 5, half of Season 6 spoilers: I was so ready to give up on this show. Dawson's love interest (Natasha), Joey's love interest (Eddie), Jen's love interest (C.J.) and Audrey were all so boring. But then, that episode with Pacey and Joey stuck in the K-Mart. Oh my god! And then everything turned around. Dawson is way more interesting when he's not pretending he has genitals. Eddie unfortunately returned at the end of the last episode I watched last night ("Sex and Violence", in which Joey is Pacey's personal assistant for a day) but I have high hopes that Joey will kick him to the curb. Pacey's gross goatee is gone! Jen and C.J. are more interesting now that they're in an actual relationship (and Gran giving sex advice is just hilarious) and Audrey is more compelling now that she's in rehab. Of course, seven episodes is plenty of time for this show to screw all the good things up, but I have faith!!

I am looking forward to getting back to regular TV, though. I'm behind on absolutely everything, and new seasons are starting!

ALSO: today is the premiere of the webseries "Play it Again, Dick", which is a fake documentary about Ryan Hansen trying to make a spin-off of Veronica Mars which centers around Dick Casablancas as a private detective. I need someone to watch the first episode here and tell me if it's safe to watch even though I haven't seen the movie yet: http://cwseed.com/shows/play-it-again-dick/?play=38d4f19c-30d5-463c-a2e8-0998cc2... (coughMICKY)

Oooh, if Mickey doesn't get this done, I'm willing to volunteer my services as a Veronica Mars spoiler checker

>73 norabelle414: You're safe from spoilers. :)

>74 evilmoose: You're welcome to verify Micky's work, Megan :-)

>75 MickyFine: Phew! Thanks!

>73 norabelle414: 1) That was hilarious. Thank you for posting the link so I remembered it was a thing.

2) The movie is on HBO now, in case you have access to that.

>77 leahbird: No HBO here, but I'm now 20th in line for the movie from the library, up from 70-something. I'll get to it soon; it's not like I don't have enough other stuff to watch.

If I could ever figure out how to make HBO Go work, I could loan it to you, but it never works for me...

Dawson's Creek, Season 6, Episode 18: Oh screw you, Joey Potter. What the fuck is wrong with you?!??! I still do not see the point of Eddie. Why does he exist?

Finished Dawson's Creek yesterday.

The Bees is going back to the library on Sunday only half read, because it has a waiting list. - scratch that, I was able to renew The Bees
Maplecroft will probably go back to the library half read as well (it's due on the 26th), because I'm only on page 2 and haven't picked it up (or any book, obviously) in several days.

sigh.

What did you think of the finale of DC?

>82 leahbird: Except for the part where Jen is fucking DEAD?!?!???!!! it was both satisfying and anti-climactic (but in a good way because of all the melodrama on the show normally). Nothing (except JEN IS DEAD) was really unexpected. Of course Dawson and Joey were going to just be friends (because Dawson has no genitals). Of course Pacey was going to be a chef, and still kind of a hot mess. I even saw the Jack/Doug romance coming a mile away, though the "Doug is afraid of coming out" plot was a sweet addition. Series endings can go so very badly (I'm looking at you, Felicity!) that it's really nice to see one where nothing is really wrong with it. except JEN IS DEAD

Your spoiler hidden text is cracking me up! That was kind of my response too.

As for the Joey/Pacey/Dawson conclusion, I remember screaming at the tv in happiness that they didn't fuck it up and make the CLEARLY horrible decision of hooking up Joey and Dawson just because. I had the same sense of relief when Harry and Hermione DON'T end up together, although I'm less bothered by the idea of Harry having genitals than Dawson. ;)

>84 leahbird: There were definite improvements in the last set of episodes (everything following the Christmas episode) with regard to Dawson. I would be totally fine with Dawson having genitals if he actually had them, but he just does not. He always had the weird passion for film-making in lieu of genitals so his plot only made sense when he was pursuing that, as opposed to actresses or whatever. If the show was on today instead of 12 years ago I think the character would come out as asexual.

Everyone here who likes Dawson's (or doesn't, really) has seen Don't Trust the B**** in Apartment 23, right??? If not, watch it immediately. James Vanderbeek is one of the main characters on the show as HIMSELF and it's basically just him making fun of Dawson's Creek. I'm going to go back and watch the whole series now that I can actually get the references :-)

I have seen an episode of that but I didn't understand the appeal. Maybe it just caught me on a bad day.

>86 leahbird: The first few episodes are kind of meh, but it's a really good comedy. The whole series is on Netflix.

Glad you've completed your binge watch. :)

One more week to OUAT! My Captain Hook itch will finally be scratched. :)

>88 MickyFine: Ack, I'm not ready! Though as of this afternoon I'm only 9 days behind on my TV. Woohoo!

>189 norabelle414: That's pretty impressive, given the binge watching you've been doing. A lot of the shows that I want to try come out this week (plus a couple of my regulars) so my binge watching will probably go down. A bit. :P

Nooooo more binge watching for me until Christmas hiatus!
I'm now only 8 days behind, and I'm actually caught up on one show! (Witches of East End). I won't be playing any more catch-up tonight, because Gotham starts at 8 and Sleepy Hollow comes back at 9. And tomorrow is Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. So, Wednesday. Yes, Wednesday I can catch up.

I'm always on a one day delay because I watch my TV streaming from the networks. Although when I checked this morning, the premiere of Good Wife wasn't up yet. *grumble grumble*

>92 MickyFine: I hate that. There are a couple shows that I tried to catch up on but episodes aren't posted from LAST WEEK. Argh.

Hi Nora! Hope the book/life funk is going away. Dawson's is a show that I never watched while it was on (though I think I was the same age /grade as the characters in the show, so who knows why that never stuck), I loved Felcitiy (but that's because, again, it started the same year as freshman year of college for me), and I Absolutely Love and Adore Don't Trust the B...!!! It's so funny and sarcastic, I was so ticked when it got cancelled! Perhaps I'll love it even more after I watch DC.

In TV news, I've finally finished last season of OUAT, and I'm super psyched for Sleepy Hollow tonight! Why does work and life have to get in the way of watching TV shows, movies, and reading?!? SO annoying!

>93 norabelle414: It was up an hour later when I checked again so I did get to watch it before I went to work. And man did they set up some awesome plot stuff. But I feel your pain on the stuff being up. I usually resort to less legal methods after a point.

Some TV shows I watched last night:

Gotham: (not using spoiler tags because it was the pilot so there's not really anything to spoil) Very dark for an 8pm show, right from the get-go. Of course we knew that the first scene was going to be Mr. and Mrs. Wayne getting shot, but still. FOX might have done better having Sleepy Hollow at 8 and Gotham at 9, especially since Sleepy Hollow already has an established fanbase. This first episode of Gotham was kind of blah, but I have high hopes for the series as a whole. Ben Mackenzie as (future Commissioner) Gordon is perfect, of course. Bruce Wayne is kind of blah, but everybody knows he doesn't get interesting until later anyway. I'm the most interested in where Selena Kyle's story is going to go, though so far her whole thing is that she walks funny and stares creepily at people. Just like a real cat!

Sleepy Hollow!!!!! : The beginning of the episode was so strange that I almost cried with joy when it turned out to be fake. The season premier hit the ground running, but I think I would have preferred a slower start. I really want to know what happened to Orlando Jones!

Manhattan: This show actually airs on Sundays. And actually, last night I watched the episode from LAST Sunday. Because have I mentioned that I'm behind on my TV? I don't know if anyone else watches it, but I really enjoy the show a lot. While Salem (WGN's other original series) was super cheesy and over-the-top, Manhattan is much more understated and sincere. And the science is mostly accurate, as far as I can tell. The military culture and secrecy surrounding the project is well-done as well. Unlike Salem, it really feels like something no TV show has ever done before.

>96 norabelle414: I really want to see Manhattan. I read a book called The Wives of Los Alamos that got me really interested in the lives surrounding the Manhattan Project.

>96 norabelle414: Haven't had a chance to watch Gotham yet, but I totally 100% agree with you about Sleepy Hollow! I thought I'd missed an episode or totally spaced on something for the first 15 minutes, but... nope!!! :) Damn, it's a good show. Plus, hellooooo!!!!

I watched the new show Scorpion last night. Is it something on your radar? It's about super smart, awkward 20 somethings all teamed up. I think they tried too hard to have some big explosive plot right out of the box and left their characters to flounder around being stereotypes, but there could be potential in it. So much is going to depend on where they go next.

>99 leahbird: It's on my list, but it airs at the same time as Sleepy Hollow, so it's probably never going to get watched in real-time. I'll let you know when I get to it! (Probably in like a month)

Also, I've decided not to watch some shows I initially thought I might be interested in: Red Band Society, Madam Secretary, and The Mysteries of Laura. I just don't think I'm going to like them enough to keep up at the possible expense of my other shows. If anyone thinks I should change my mind about them, let me know!!

Also also, I've stopped watching Intruders because it was boring.

Red Band Society is the only one I've seen. I'm holding out season watching judgement for now but the first episode was pretty good. I think it's just going to end up being too depressing for me to watch long term. The first episode was one of the best pilots I've seen in a long time at actually establishing characters and their world without going too big or being boring. The kids they are following feel real but of course it's set in a hospital with ALL the perks: indulgent adults, swanky interior design, access to things they really shouldn't be able to access. It feels good now, but in a show about kids in a hospital, someone has to die eventually right?

Also, are you planning to watch Selfie? I know you weren't a big Eleventh Doctor fan but I didn't know if that extended to Amy Pond. I had to watch the pilot because I loved Amy so much but highly suggest forgetting you've seen Gillan in anything else if you watch this. It feels more like Super Fun Night, which I only watched 2 episodes of.

I mean, My Fair Lady with social media is a bit of a stretch for me. It's not bad..... it's just, weird.

>102 leahbird: It's just going to be too much drama for me, I think, and not enough to actually interest me. I've heard it compared to House, Glee, and The Fault in Our Stars, none of which I particularly care for.

>103 leahbird: I do plan on watching it, but don't have high expectations. If it doesn't offend me then I'll consider it a success. Plus I love John Cho!
(Super Fun Night started out pretty bad, but by the end of the season I loved it. It's one of those cases where the network decided to air the episodes out of order for some ridiculous reason and the show seriously suffered for it.)

I'm watching Mysteries of Laura so I'll let you know whether you should invest the time. The pilot was fine although the show promo I watched basically spoiled the plot twist for the mystery of the week.

I watched the first episode of Forever today, which as a premise has some promise and I really like the cast.

>105 MickyFine: That one is on my to-watch list as well.

____________________________

I'm up-to-date on New Girl, for the next 2 hours until I miss the episode tonight due to M.A.o.S.

>104 norabelle414: I love John Cho as well. He is pretty good as the Henry Higgins character.

Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. : OH MY GOD. Forget all that other stuff that happens. I mean that's important too, but whatever. FITZ IS NOT OKAY! And Gemma isn't really there but he's imagining her because he has brain damage! That's the saddest thing EVER :-( :-( :-( :-( :-(

Why did she leave?? Is she coming back?????????? Oh god I'm so sad!

I'm TOTALLY with you on that. It was so heartbreaking. Also, Ward was pretty depressing too. But also deranged. Other than those emotional moments, I thought the episode was a bit of a stinker. Nice to see Peggy and Dum Dum Dugan and those guys again though, even if briefly.

>109 leahbird: I actually liked the episode as a whole. The bad-guy-of-the-week was interesting enough to keep the story going, but not so complicated as to overshadow the internal goings-on which is of course what we were all waiting to see. There was just enough politics to remind us where S.H.I.E.L.D. stands at the moment. And everyone dies at the end to remind us that this isn't the happy, vapid show of the first half of season 1

Not looking until I watch it after work tonight.

>111 MickyFine: Make sure you have tissues handy. You will have ALL of the feels.

>112 norabelle414: *attempts to prepare self for onset of feels*

I was not prepared. My FitzSimmons is broken. And Fitz... ugh the feels

>114 MickyFine: I tried to warn you :-( I cried like a baby. As my friend said, Fitz looks like he needs a good snuggle.

>115 norabelle414: I would provide that service with a vengeance! ;) That boy is adorable and so sexy smart.

Also When I'm not being upset about Fitz (and Simmons, where the heck did she go? What is she doing? Working for Stark?), I'm having a whole range of feels about my second favourite ship on the show: SkyWard. Dude is impressive with the weird range of emotions and how on earth did he learn anything about Sky's dad? Plus, I am still phenomenally worried about Coulson. In other words, I am super invested in the characters although the plot arc this season could be interesting.

P.S. >116 leahbird: The boy is mine. ;)

Maplecroft is going back to the library unfinished as there are three holds on this one copy. Note to self: I'm on page 57.
Ancillary Justice is ready to be picked up from the library. Note to self: I was on page 100.

I stopped watching Play It Again, Dick in the middle of episode two because it was getting a little spoilery. However, Veronica Mars: the movie is ready to be picked up from the library today as well, so I should be able to pick the series up again next week.

I was enjoying listening to Red Moon by Benjamin Percy, but it is REALLY LONG (22 hours) and I started getting bored. So I've switched to The Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen narrated by the absolutely perfect Katherine Kellgren. Loving it so far.

Very little reading is going on lately. Or knitting. I don't even know where my time goes.

Damnit, Nora, stop telling me things are narrated by Katherine Kellgren! It's not fair! I've had The Queen of the Tearling on hold at the library but it apparently is never going to come in, so I might have to check and see if I can score it as audio. Because, well, Katherine is worth it.

>119 leahbird: She's my hero. She's at an event in Philadelphia this weekend and if I didn't have other stuff to do I would totally head up there just to meet her. In my head it's basically like meeting Jacky Faber and Penelope Lumley IRL.

>118 norabelle414: Note to self: need to watch episode 2 of Play It Again, Dick.

Look at this!!!!!



It's only going to say that for another hour and a half, but still! So exciting.

Whoa! That's amazing! Mine is for sure nowhere near zero, especially with so many new shows that I'm trying out. Looking forward to two OUATs tonight!!!!

Aaaaaand now I'm six episodes behind. But at least two of them are half-hour shows? So it's like I'm really 5 episodes behind.

I'm giving Forever and Scorpion a few more chances, but I really did not care for their first episodes. Forever suffers from "procedural syndrome" (Formulaic; characters know either way more or way less than would make sense; science and medicine are totally off) while Scorpion suffers from "CBS syndrome" (sexist; relies entirely upon stereotypes; treats "geeks" like some other species; technology is totally off)

How to Get Away With Murder is on my probably-going-to-drop list as well. It wasn't bad at all, but it was just too eye-rollingly dramatic and none of the characters really stood out besides Viola Davis.

I watched the pilot of Selfie and as much as I like Karen Gillam, I don't think she's right for that role. She's not trashy enough for pre-transformation Eliza, and she's just too quirky in general for the part. John Cho is the best part of the show of course, though his character doesn't make much sense. If he's so anti-personal-attachments, then why does he care about being nice to people and making conversation and not using phones and stuff? I think it would make more sense if Eliza had lots of friends but realized that they all thought she was a joke, or her friends were fine but she wanted more respect at work, or something. Also I really liked Eliza's hipster neighbors, which I don't think I was supposed to. But the dialog on the show is fantastic. I'll most likely keep watching the show, especially since it currently doesn't have any conflicts.

Once Upon a Time was very solidly good last night, though I don't really have any specific thoughts on it. Possibly because I haven't seen Frozen? The part with the reindeer really confused me. I probably need to see it now so I put a hold on the DVD at the library. I should be able to pick it up on Wednesday because there are (wait for it . . . . . . ) ZERO holds on 47 copies. I guess that means everyone in the world really has seen it but me?

Speaking of which, I watched the Veronica Mars movie this weekend as well. It wasn't bad, but I don't think it resonated with me as much as other fans since I just watched the TV show for the first time a few months ago. I wasn't as excited to see all the characters come back as I should have been, and I felt unsatisfied by the ending.

You haven't seen Frozen?! I saw it in theatres twice.

>125 MickyFine: I'm not much of a movie person.

Agree about Scorpion. I'm giving it a shot to pull itself together, but I think it's just going to be the same thing played out over and over. And for some reason, maybe an insane one, I wanted the mechanical engineer chick NOT to be a tomboy. I think she'd pack more punch if she really broke the stereotype and was like Zooey Deschanel but could boost cars. Lots of people are complaining about the tech aspects, which I don't disagree with, but the way it plays out doesn't really bother me as much as the simple fact that not a single "normal" person (who uses software all day long) would think to get the stupid backup file from the server bank as soon as this situation popped up. That seriously does not require genius level intelligence. I mean, that might have failed to fix the problem and THEN they would have needed to call in the smart kids, but that felt like a pretty basic first step to me.

How to Get Away with Murder I liked a bit better but I think it's going to go too formulaic also. I give them props that the mystery running through the pilot was TOTALLY NOT what I thought it was going to be.

I like the hipster neighbors on Selfie too! I think they are supposed to be a little bit of a joke, but do think they are supposed to be likeable. I think they are going to be a litmus test for Eliza's transformation, realizing that there are multiple levels of genuine and fake and that it's not all good or bad.

Yes, watch Frozen. I don't know how far Once Upon a Time is going to go with reference to the movie, but I really think it will be difficult if you don't know the backstory.

My exact thoughts on Veronica Mars. Ok, but didn't blow me away. I watched it the same day I finished the series for the first time. So NO build up of anticipation.

>127 leahbird: I had a whole long response written to this but then I lost it. I'll re-write it later

>124 norabelle414: As someone who waited years to have the VM story concluded I think I enjoyed the movie a lot more than if I had just watched the series for the first time this year. Also, I was a backer so I watched the movie grow from an idea to a reality. Still, try the new book series. They are a lot of fun - especially on audio book.

Yeah, watch Frozen. It's a fun movie and it will make OUAT make sense. (Ha ha ha, the reindeer part would be weird without seeing the movie.)

I think that show Forever is based on the book of the same name by Pete Hamill.

And thus concludes my contribution to this TV conversation...

Just saw my first Gracepoint commercial. I was holding out hope they would let David stay Scottish but of course not. Otherwise, it looked pretty good.

I was disappointed with OUAT's premiere. Too many characters, not a good through-line. And although I love Frozen, I expect OUAT to do some reinterpretation with nods to Disney, not a straight-up lift of Disney plots. I mean, I'll keep watching for a certain pirate (and my associated ship) but I'm hoping quality goes up from here.

I get you're not being as satisfied with the VM movie. I was very happy, but like Marie I've been a long time fan and was psyched they got a movie at all.

I haven't gotten to OUAT yet -- looking forward to it, though, even if it does turn out to be a bit underwhelming.

Pre-ordered my copy of The Eye of Zoltar today!

I'm so looking forward to next week for it to arrive!

I hate movies...

...but I've seen Frozen. :P

>136 Ape: So have I, now :-P

__________________________

I was feeling icky yesterday (a cold + menstrual pain) so I went home early. The plan was to lay in bed for awhile and watch Frozen, then get some chores done (remember that big list of chores I mentioned that needed to get done? Yeah, none of them are done. Still.). Instead, I tried to watch Frozen but my DVD playing software said it had to update before it would play my DVD and then once I updated it it didn't work anymore. So I had to uninstall the software and then find my system restore discs so I could reinstall it. Upon reinstalling it, it once again told me it needed to update or it wouldn't play my DVD. So then I had to find free DVD software. I did eventually and everything was fine, but the whole process took almost 2 hours. And THEN I lay in bed and watched Frozen. And then I fell asleep for awhile. And then I caught up on TV, and then I couldn't sleep, of course. And then I slept in this morning. So everything is all messed up. The end.

Did you at least like Frozen?

>137 norabelle414: I would have just thrown the damn thing out the window and bought a $20 DVD player.

But yeah, did you like Frozen? Do you want to build a snowman?

>139 RosyLibrarian: Hmm no, not going to throw my laptop out the window :-P All is well now, and I like the free DVD player software much better than the one that came pre-installed.

>138 MickyFine:, >139 RosyLibrarian: It was good.

Target was having a sale on Glade scented air-freshener-type things, and I needed some. But there was only one scent that I didn't hate - library scent! So I'm now the proud owner of 4 library-scented-candles.

>141 norabelle414: Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat? That exists?!

Smells of "rich oak and vintage leatherbound volumes"
http://www.glade.com/en/fragrances/collections/limited-edition-fall-collection/w...

Oh, I like the idea of a candle that smells like library, but I'm pretty sure I wouldn't like it in real life. I'm incredibly picky with scents and the only scented candles I've allowed into my home so far is vanilla and, in small amounts, rosewood. :/

I too love the idea of it but I can't handle scented things at all so I'll be missing out. I'm happy it exists though!

Library-scented candles!?!?

Is it weird that I have a sudden desire to sniff your apartment?

So, to recap.... LOL

I have to watch Frozen before I can watch OUAT? I'm behind on it because I was trying to catch up on Witches of East End. And I guess I'm the only other person other than Nora who hadn't seen Frozen. :)

>145 leahbird: I used to hate scented things until I moved into a 700 sqft apartment with carpeting and a cat.

>146 Ape: 60% of the apartment still smells like cat, so sniff away at your own risk.

>147 TinaV95: I watched the first episode of this season of OUaT without having seen Frozen, and while I did get the gist of the plot, I was a little confused about the minor details. If it might take you awhile to see Frozen then you can go ahead and watch OUaT, but I think you'll appreciate it more if you've seen Frozen first.

This season of Witches of East End has not been nearly as good as last season. Last season felt like it had a really solid plot arc, but season two is almost over and I still couldn't quite tell you what the point is. Though I guess there are two hours this Sunday for everything to be wrapped up in a nice little bow!

This week's Forever was just as bad as last week. The medicine was completely wrong. Dr. Morgan's "deductions" are derivative and unconvincing. And he wasn't even shirtless this week. I'll stick it out a little longer, but I'm really not loving it.

This week's Scorpion was even more offensive than last week's. The show treats smart people like they're some kind of mutants, including classifying them into different "types". If you want to make a show about super smart mutants, that's great, but these are just normal people. But OH NO. According to the intro, Katherine McPhee "is the normal one, who translates the world for us" VOMIT. Will not be watching anymore.

Gracepoint was interesting. As someone I saw pointed out online, there's no way it wouldn't pale in comparison to Broadchurch. And it did. However, I've only ever seen the first episode of Broadchurch so I might enjoy the subsequent episodes a little more. I'm not a fan of Tennant with a U.S. accent, but it's still better than no David Tennant.

Manhattan Love Story was unoriginal and boring. The two main characters are complete stereotypes and I don't care about them. Plus the male lead played a jerk on Greek and so I can't like him.

A to Z seems kind of boring as well, but the two main characters are so adorable that I couldn't help but like it.

This week's Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. just felt like a continuation of last week's episode, which is fine. The promos for next week, though! Omg! Though I am 100% CERTAIN that Gemma is undercover for some reason and did not REALLY convert to Hydra, it's still scary! Also, did I see a new haircut on her? I like it a lot.

Two of my guilty pleasures from this summer got renewed: Young & Hungry (cutesy comedy about a personal chef who is a mess and in love with her young millionaire boss) and You're the Worst (raunchy comedy about two people who are completely terrible and suck at relationships but are kind of meant for each other).

Frankenstein, MD is still pretty meh. Not a good thing considering it's almost over.

Am I missing anything?

Books?

;-)

>150 katiekrug: What are those?

I am concerned we will have nothing to talk about at brunch!

The threads are so quiet, there's not even anything good to dish about...

I loved You're the Worst too! It went a little too raunchy occasionally but I still loved it. I think Lindsey and Edgar are my favorites but Gretchen and Jimmy are great to watch.

>152 katiekrug: There will be cocktails so I'm sure we'll be fine :-) I'm still very into books; I sit around for hours at a time staring at one page of them.

>153 leahbird: I love Edgar so much!!!!! I loved Lindsey too until she cheated on her husband. I still like her a lot and I feel a lot of sympathy for her, but she's not my fave anymore.

>154 norabelle414: - On that note, let's do Founding Farmers. The $12 Pimms Cups are just too irresistable :-P

What time? Shall I make a reservation?

Okay, I went ahead and made a reservation. The best I could get was 9:15. Is that too early? We can change restaurants if you want...

>154 norabelle414: I think that storyline didn't bother me as much for two reasons. 1. Because they went out of their way to call her the "fat sister" in the first episode. I thought I wasn't going to like the show because of this as she is clearly beautiful and I'm so tired of shows fat shaming. I was glad they didn't pigeonhole her after that (other than the stupid mouth wiring episode) and I appreciated seeing the character they'd designated the "fat one" being very sexual, even inappropriately, rather than doing what so many shows do and making her bland husband the only guy she could get. And 2. because I think it's going to make for great stuff seeing her figure herself out. Even though she was deemed the "fat one," she still saw herself as so much above her husband and seemed to honestly believe he wouldn't leave her. She cast him in the role most tv shows would cast their fat girl in. That was a nice twist. And when he proved to not be quite so in awe of her as she thought, her sense of herself crumbled. I want to see what comes from that.

Who would have thought when You're the Worst started that I'd have so many thoughts about it? I thought it was going to be vapid sex comedy and it turned out to be hilarious sex comedy with really interesting things to say.

>156 katiekrug: I went ahead and got us a reservation at 10 as soon as we started discussing it, because it's a VERY popular restaurant. Our minds are great :-)

>157 leahbird: Oh yes, she's definitely still a very intriguing character. I think most of the reason it bothered me when she cheated was who she cheated with. I felt sorry for that guy, especially how he moved back to the Midwest right after.
That season finale was just to die for. Gretchen and Jimmy were actually the least good part (though still good). Everyone's dirty business coming out, and Lindsey deciding she's going to recommit to her marriage and getting shot down, and Lindsey's horrible sister's frat-boy man-child husband trying to get people to drink party punch out of a trash can! It was GOLD.

Did you watch Married as well? I didn't like that one very much. I felt so sorry for Judy Greer's character.

>158 norabelle414: - Dude, you rock. I'll cancel mine. See you at 10am on Sunday!!

>159 katiekrug: I never miss an opportunity to get some OpenTable points :-)

>158 norabelle414: I agree with your point about who she cheated with and how depressing that scene was. I liked the parallel of her thinking people disregard her and then her totally disregarding that guy. And her husband. And herself, really. It was such a great season finale! Trash Punch was hilariously sad.

I didn't love Married but there were some nice moments. The scary part is how much it reminded me of people I know and what they will be like in a few years time. If it gets renewed I'll probably skip it next time.

>149 norabelle414: - I'm not a fan of Tennant with a U.S. accent, but it's still better than no David Tennant.

I loved Broadchurch and have been rather leery of Gracepoint. Tennant is wonderful eye candy but an American accent? I don't know about that. I would probably spend my whole time comparing his performance in Broadchurch with his performance in Gracepoint. Now, if they had decided to wait 5 or 10 years before making Gracepoint, that would have been an easier transition for me. I have never understood the fascination with making American versions of British shows but then, I am also not in show business, as they say. ;-)

Happy weekend, Nora!

Gracepoint was just so so similar to Broadchurch, down to almost identical shots in many places, that it can't seem to distinguish itself except negatively. It's not bad, there isn't anything wrong with it EXCEPT that it's a remake of a damn near perfect show. Even just making Ellie more American acceptably beautiful feels a little sad.

But if you've not seen Broadchurch this will probably be great. And apparently the killer is not the same person, so I'm keeping with it to see how they can that. The original was such a gut punch so it'll be interesting to see if they can pull off that trick with a different storyline.

148: That's okay, my mom has aproximately 734 cats so I'm immune to it by now.

(She actually has 8 or 9 I think, and most of them are outside cats who will eat you in your sleep if you look at them wrong.)

Skipping over the TV posts...

I finally got around to posting zoo meetup photos here.

>162 lkernagh: Tennant's American accent is basically just growling :-D
I think they're mostly banking on almost no Americans having seen Broadchurch. Which is true.

>163 leahbird: That's what I'm hoping! I'll watch the rest of Broadchurch eventually, but I'd rather watch the not-as-good version first.

>164 Ape: If you look at my cat wrong, he will either punch you in the face or try to play peek-a-boo with you, depending on his mood.

>165 qebo: Yay! Thanks Katherine!

This is to remind @katiekrug that the book I'm currently listening to is The Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen. And also, don't forget to tell your husband that if you move to DC he can get "upgraded bacon".

>166 norabelle414: I took lots more photos, but we were all rather drooping from the heat and not so very photogenic.

>167 norabelle414: - Thanks! My library only has an audio book of it - on CD. WTH? I've put it on my Kindle WL for now...

I mentioned the upgraded bacon to the hubs last night. He was not as impressed as I thought he would be :-/

>167 norabelle414: It's very new; my library only got it a few weeks ago.

In case anyone is wondering, my next binge-watch will be The Magic School Bus, which expires on Netflix on November 5. It averages out to less than 45 minutes a day, and I have a long weekend coming up so it should be pretty easy.

I think we can all agree that Arnold is boring and Phoebe is super annoying. Nobody cares about your old school!

EYE OF ZOLTAR IS ON ITS WAY TO MY HOUSE! I love getting text messages from Amazon reminding me of money I spend. I had honestly forgotten it was tomorrow it came out.

>172 leahbird: Mine hasn't arrived yet. Maybe today?

I'm slowly but surely pulling out of my whole-life slump, so maybe my book-slump will be next? I've returned everything to the library so I can have a fresh start. I'm reading Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, and I'm going to get some graphic novels out from the library this week. I was hoping to not read any more graphic novels this year, but any reading is better than no reading!

Some TV I've watched:

Arrow: What a premiere! I really love Oliver and Laurel's new friendship. I 'ship Ollicity all day every day which made this episode both AWESOME and so sad. But I have high hopes for them! Because Felicity is just the best. Ever. I missed seeing Thea (and Barrowman!) in this episode, but I know that when she comes back she's going to be all badass so I can wait. Also, R.I.P. poor Sara. I wonder who killed her??

The Flash: Eh. It was a really good episode but not a great series premiere, if that makes any sense. The part I like best about Arrow is that it's basically all exposition - we're seeing Ollie slowly evolve into the hero we know he's going to be, over the course of many seasons. The Flash seemed to zip through the first two seasons of a TV show in 15 minutes. I kept having to remind myself that he was in a coma for 9 months because in TV time he was out for less than 10 seconds. And there was absolutely no learning curve with his powers. It doesn't instill confidence, but of course there's no question about whether I'm going to keep watching.

Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.: This show and its feels! OMG! If you had told me at the beginning of season 1 that I would care so much about these characters I would have laughed in your face. But seeing what Simmons is doing for Fitz (you KNOW she's doing it for Fitz), and Skye trying to learn to be calm and collected like Agent May, and I even felt for WARD when he realized what he did to Fitz. And Fitz! All of the feels for Fitz! Seeing him with so much anger but unable to express it was just heartbreaking. He still needs some hugs. I hope RealSimmons comes back to him soon.

Forever: I still don't like it. For the FOURTH time (out of FOUR episodes) the science/medicine didn't add up when it was crucial to the plot. And the whole premise doesn't make sense either. Just because someone is 200 years old doesn't make them super observant or able to remember things better. In this episode particularly I thought they were kind of ripping off Sleepy Hollow's thing: "Oooh I'm 200 years old and so I get really grouchy about new technology that I don't understand! Aren't I adorable???" However, Dr. Morgan has been walking around in the world for 200 years while Ichabod was asleep in a wooden box for 200 years. Not the same thing at all. Also, what happens to Dr. Morgan's clothes and stuff when he regenerates? Where are his keys and credit cards and ID and phone? And his fancy pocket watch from the first episode?? However, this show is on directly after M.A.o.S. and I am too lazy to turn off the TV. So.....

Manhattan Love Story: Still meh. The characters are slightly more likable, but they're just so cliched. There's a guy and he wants to play the field and sleep around and sometimes acts like a douche! There's a girl and she's adorkable and since she moved from *not NYC* to *NYC* she must be a backwater moron who doesn't know how to use a cell phone! Yawn.

Sleepy Hollow: Good episode. I loved Ichabod getting all jealous of some random hipster knowing a lot about old stuff. And Abby dissing Katrina! Good for you, Abby. Katrina sucks.

I will take credit for helping you out of the life slump. It was the Pimm's I forced on you ;-)

>176 katiekrug: Totally! Actually it was the talking about Harry Potter, I think.

I'm looking forward to watching SHIELD when I get home tonight (if I can stay awake) but I know I'm not prepared for the episode based on the preview from last week.

PS: Selfie actually cracked me up this week, mostly because John Cho was hilarious at being so FB deficient.

>178 leahbird: The promos were really misleading. Don't get me wrong, it is all kinds of crazy, but not in the way the promos lead you to believe.

Nora, I regret to inform you that your good name is being slandered by unscrupulous people on my thread, starting with message #159. You may want to stop by at your earliest convenience to put these folks in their proper place. ;-)

>175 norabelle414: Oh SHIELD. How much did you adore Papa Coulson this week making dinner for Simmons? The levels of adorable were almost too much for me.

>181 MickyFine: I had conflicting feels about that because he looked especially attractive in that scene. On a partly-related note I just accidentally found a Skye/Coulson-ship Tumblr and now I need to wash my computer out with soap.

>181 MickyFine: & >182 norabelle414: I was seriously worried that they were about to show Coulson and Gemma having a clandestine affair and it scared the crap out of me. I was seriously creeped out for a minute until I realized it was just a nice fatherly/director scenario.

Some TV updates first, and then some book talk, I promise!

I'm dropping the following shows from my rotation: Forever, How to Get Away With Murder.

Has anyone ever watched the BBC show Land Girls? It's expiring on Netflix soon; is it worth binging?

Some shows I watched recently:

Gotham and Sleepy Hollow were very good episodes but nothing to fangirl over.

The Walking Dead!!!!! OMG I'm so happy this show is back. And now that I have cable I don't have to wait until the end of the season to watch it, AND since Monday was a work holiday I got to stay up late enough on Sunday night to watch it in REAL TIME! What a treat. Carol was a total bad-ass and I loved it. It was strange for them to get out of Terminus so quickly since it took them half a season to get there, but I'm also glad the show is moving along at a nice pace.

Once Upon a Time: another good episode but I don't think I was paying attention to the details so I might go back and watch it again. It's blurred together in my head with last week's episode.

Doctor Who: What an awesome episode! Definitely tied with the premiere as my favorite episode of the season. I always love the stand-alone episodes. The scenes and costumes were to die for, and that music!!!

Z Nation: a Zombie tornado! Never change, SyFy channel. This show was pretty blah at first, and while I don't think it's actually gotten any better I am appreciating it a lot more. The characters are definitely coming into their own and I think I've stopped involuntarily comparing it to The Walking Dead. The theme of setting the show in a different city/place every week is working out well for them, as it makes every episode feel distinct.

Haven: I was wondering when Mara would figure out that she could just pretend to be Audrey. Even though the body-swapping was entertaining, I'm still really really tired of the whole Mara thing. Either let her destroy the world or let Audrey come back already. *Yawn*

The Magic School Bus binge-watch: I knew that I loved this show, but rewatching it all as an adult really highlights the fact that it (and the books, of course) clearly had a HUGE impact on my development. A ton of my interests, feelings, and opinions about science came directly from this show (and the rest from Bill Nye, I'm sure). A few weeks ago I couldn't have told you the theme of more than 5 episodes of the show but as soon as each one of them starts I remember EVERYTHING. It's fascinating.

>184 norabelle414: I think I'm going to give How to Get Away with Murder another episode or two, but this is easily my biggest TV disappointment in a while. I was so excited for it, but it feels so uneven and none of the characters particularly grab me. Glad I'm not the only one who's underwhelmed.

Work updates: Some complicated work stuff is going on at the moment which I won't be at liberty to discuss for another month or so. It's nothing bad, nor anything particularly excellent.

I'm starting to think about Christmas presents and I don't know what I should get my co-workers this year. Last year I got them each a box of tea and while I had a TON OF FUN picking out a specific kind of tea for each person, I don't know if they were particularly thrilled about receiving tea. I suppose I could knit them each something, but what?

>182 norabelle414: No kidding. I can't even think about what that would look like. And not just because I still have a bit of a thing for SkyWard.

>185 lycomayflower: I really wanted to like it because it has a diverse and non-stereotypical cast (including that one guy who was in Harry Potter), but I just don't like those shows that pump up the drama at the expense of reality. Even I, having never set foot in a real law school or courtroom, can tell that a lot of it is completely outlandish. I'm not a fan of Gray's Anatomy or Scandal either.

>187 MickyFine: SkyeWard is totally going to happen. Eventually. Not now.

>188 norabelle414: Aw, nuts. I hadn't realized there was an HP alum in the cast. Now I'm even more bummed. I, too, was excited about the diverse cast. But aside from the flash forward stuff feeling really manipulative (and therefore annoying), I just can't handle Keating's fluctuating behaviors. It's like she's two completely different people and there're no hints as to why/how she can be so very, very different from one situation to the next. And if Viola Davis can't pull off whatever it is they're going for, I don't see how there's any hope.

Chiming in quickly just to say that while I missed the Magic School Bus, uh, bus myself (I think I was too old by about 5-10 years or so), Charlie watches them occasionally on Netflix and *loves* them.

>184 norabelle414: Land Girls is good but not great. Although, it's pretty short so you could watch it in no time.

>190 lycomayflower: Eh, it's just Dean Thomas. And he doesn't have an accent.
I feel manipulated too, by that whole Thursday night line-up. And for real about Viola Davis. If she can't do it, no one can.

>191 scaifea: They're not going to be on Netflix anymore after Nov 5. :-(
Does Charlie have any of the books?? (The original ones, not the TV-tie-in ones) They are magnificent works of scientific art.

>192 leahbird: Good to know. I'll see if I have time after I'm done with The Magic School Bus, but I won't stress over it.

I read two books a couple months ago that I do not feel I could write an adequate review of:

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander was great as always, though I found Harry & Ron's "cute" comments more grating than previously.

Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo, the second book in the Grisha series. I was extremely unimpressed.

Ahhhh, The Magic School Bus and Bill Nye. I have this weird, inexplicable memory of sitting in front of the TV in my room watching Bill Nye and eating a microwaved Lunchables pizza. I have no idea why.

*Sigh* Those were the days. :P

>193 norabelle414: Nora: He doesn't outright own any, but we check them out of the library pretty frequently. He loves them, too.

>195 Ape: Stephen: My after-school tv-watching memories are of Three's Company, Tang and celery sticks. Same, but oh-so-different, eh? Those were the days, indeed.

Amber: Ha, definitely! I'm pretty sure Bill Nye came on later in the evening, or at least that's when I remember watching it. I used to get home and go straight to the Super Nintendo. :P

>196 scaifea: - Oh my goodness, Amber, I was also an after-school watcher of Three's Company! When I tell people that, they think I'm weird or that my parents were too lax. Whatever. Loved that show!

"Come and knock on my door....."

>197 Ape: Stephen: I used to sneak into my brother's room and play with his Atari...

>198 katiekrug: Katie: Awesome! Yeah, looking back, I'm pretty shocked that my parents let me watch that show. I think they didn't really know the content, or they wouldn't have.

"Where the kisses are hers and hers and his..."

My mom let me watch Nightmare on Elm Street and Friday the 13th in Elementary school, so, ummm, yeah. *Nods* Good thing I turned out perfectly normal. *Cough cough*

Also, Amber...celery stick? Oh, you poor, dear thing. I didn't know you had such a troubled childhood. *Hugs* Celery sticks...man oh man.

>200 Ape: Celery sticks are a perfectly acceptable delivery service for gobs and gobs of peanut butter.

I prefer to use a spoon. :P

>201 norabelle414: - Amen, sister-friend!

ETA: But they have no other purpose whatsoever.

Celery is great and delicious! Do not be mean to celery! They are one of the three great C's for dipping (celery, carrots, cucumber). Perfect snack when watching a movie (regular dip sauce is great with it).
I ate a handful of celery today just because it's so yummy.

>202 Ape: Eating a spoon doesn't have the same crunchiness plus total lack of flavor as celery.

>203 katiekrug: Bloody Marys (though I'm not personally a fan). Also, science experiments where you stick them in different colored water. But that's really all.

>200 Ape: *snork!* And here I went with the censored version, thinking that adding the fact that I used also to eat strips of raw potatoes as a Three's Company snack might make me sound a little odd... I liked celery when I was a kid. Can't really stand the stuff, now, though.

>204 PawsforThought: To each their own

>206 scaifea: I liked it a lot more as a kid, too. Maybe because it is so bland? Speaking of bland.....raw potatoes??

i>To each their own

Exactly! It's okay Paws, we don't judge you for liking such a horrendous, despicable excuse for food. :P

>208 Ape: Well, I don't judge you for eating peanut butter, either so I should hope the curtesy was returned. :P

>206 scaifea: I used to eat raw potatoes too! Fresh out of the patch (dirt cleaned off, obviously). Ah, childhood memories...

Bah, I am rarely curteous.

(Except that I am)

Yay for raw potato lovers!

>207 norabelle414: Raw potatoes are surprisingly delicious, honestly. Crunchy, and just a little bit of salt really brings out the flavor.

My life-funk has been back the past couple days, but I'm going to get out of it! I swear.

Haven't tried raw potatoes, but perhaps I'll try one after I get some groceries. Hm.

Sorry about the life-funk. Feeling it here myself, unfortunately. I'm finding that Tumblr is helping lift the funk temporarily. Not a great strategy for working and things, but it's something. (((hugs))) Hang in there, Nora.

TV:

Two more shows are out of my rotation: Selfie and Manhattan Love Story.

Several shows are still on probation: Jane the Virgin (haven't watched the pilot yet), Black-ish, Gracepoint (will probably stick it out to the end, just because), Marry Me, A to Z, Cristela, and Mulaney.

Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.: This week's episode was actually really boring except for the interpersonal stuff on the Bus. The A-plot was clearly just a gimmicky excuse to show Ming-Na fighting with herself in skimpy clothes. They need to get Fitz and RealSimmons back together soon because them being separated is seriously stressing me out.

The Flash: How did they get through a whole episode of him running around real fast, and then in the SECOND episode he starts passing out from low blood sugar??? However, I did love the part where Cisco tells him he needs to eat 450 tacos.

Arrow: The episode in which Oliver, Laurel, and Felicity all act really stupid. It differs from normal episodes because usually only Laurel is acting really stupid. Also, if a dude offers you a job and you say no, and then he buys the company you already work for so you HAVE to work for him, run very quickly in the other direction. I'm really excited for Thea coming back!!! I like her new haircut.

Also, if anyone hasn't seen the movie In a World.... with Lake Bell, I just noticed that it's on Netflix. So you should watch it. Because it's really good.

Book updates:

On Saturday I got my copy of The Eye of Zoltar and so I'm reading that.
Also yesterday I picked up a free copy of The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss.

I am pretty happy with this season of Agents of SHIELD so far. I love Mac and his relationship with Fitz. I wish Izzy had been the one to live from the first episode and not Hunter, although I hope they continue the running gag of everyone having a chance to shoot him, because that was funny (and it will make Trip grin, and who doesn't want that?). I'm worried about Simmons - she's not really Hydra NOW, but they made it pretty clear that she could be brainwashed, which means it's pretty likely that she will be.

I have zero feelings for Ward, I admit. Well, zero positive feelings. He's straight-up a horrible human being and he doesn't think he did anything wrong. I'd be happy if they just left him to rot down there.

Re the most recent episode - I enjoyed May and Coulson dancing and the team being freaked out by May laughing. That was great. But yes, May vs Fake May was silly and unnecessary (and not even groundbreaking; it's been done in pretty much every show ever with a kickass leading woman).

>218 bluesalamanders: I am tentatively happy, but I hope this season comes up with its own plot soon because so far it's still just fallout from last season and I've seen how badly that goes on other shows.
It is very entertaining to see Fitz interacting with other characters, especially Mac! but I really hope they get FitzSimmons back together soon because my poor heart can't take much more of this.

I actually think the fact that they're playing the "Simmons could get brainwashed!" card so hard is evidence that she won't. They'll definitely make us worry about it though!

And I expect that Hunter stuck around for longer than one episode vs. Izzy because his salary is much lower than Xena Lucy Lawless' ;-)

>219 norabelle414: I expect this season is going to focus a lot on Skye's parents and Raina, or at least a good chunk of it.

You're right, money is probably the issue re: Lucy Lawless, but her presence on the show was hyped a lot (for me, anyway; maybe it was a tumblr thing) and to have her die after only one episode was a real disappointment. Also, in the comics apparently Izzy and Victoria Hand were a couple, so: thanks, AoS, for killing lesbians before we even got to know they were lesbians. *sigh*

I would have like her to be played by a less-well-known actress if it meant she would be on longer. Hunter is an annoying, boring character so far.

I could see that about Simmons being in danger of brainwashing but not actually having it happen. That makes sense. I can see it going either way (eep).

When fan worlds collide! The actress who played Jane Bennett in the Lizzie Bennett Diaries was on Sleepy Hollow this week! She's been on a couple times before just a teeny bit, but she was actually a major part of this week's episode! She totally hit on Ichabod and it was ADORBS (as her youtube-sister would say), but then she died. So sad! No more Caroline.

Nora, Nora, Nora! Did you watch OUAT from this week yet???

>222 MickyFine: Not yet! I was at the zoo late Sunday night giving candy to hyper children. I'll let you know when I catch up!

Good, I can't wait to dish about it. :)

Nora, Nora, Nora! Did you watch The Walking Dead from this week yet???

:P

I'm looking forward to next week.

>225 Ape: Nope. I'm a failure.

>226 norabelle414: No, you're not. You're awesome. And the captain agrees with me.

This is what happens when you are a good person and do volunteer work. *Shakes head*

Ok, I'm up-to-date on almost everything now. Here are my thoughts on everything genre, in reverse order:

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.: Good episode! Bobbi and Hunter were hilarious. I knew that Ward was going to break out as soon as they took him out of his cell. Dummies! But I think he just didn't want to go into his brother's custody, vs. actually wanting to escape from S.H.I.E.L.D. I can't wait to find out what Senator Ward could do that would be so bad. Whatever is wrong between Fitz and Simmons needs to get cleared up ASAP! I can't take this kind of stress. Also, I noticed that Agent Carter is being advertised as "an 8-part television event" Boo! I want a whole series!! What is up with all these limited-episode "television events" lately??

The Flash: Now we know what Felicity was up to while the Arrow crew were in Corto Maltese! I might ship Baricity more than Ollicity (Felicity deserves someone who isn't going to emote all over her all the time. Too much drama!) so I was super sad to see them decide to just be friends. Lame!

Sleepy Hollow: A kind of forgettable episode. I’m pretty sure that every supernatural show ever is contractually obligated to do one mediocre episode about a Wendigo. I do like that there’s a rift growing between Ichabod and Katrina because Katrina is the worst and I heart Ichabbie.

Gotham: A well-written episode, and it was the first time I really felt like Donal Logue’s character wasn’t totally beneath him. I’m seriously tired of Barbara though. All she does is complain that her police officer boyfriend doesn’t tell her police business. Regardless of whether he is concerned for her safety, you can’t just go around telling everyone police business. Shut up, lady! It’s too bad they have to get married before she can get killed off. But the Penguin showing up at the last moment was brilliant, especially Bullock’s being so pissed that he wasn’t dead

The Walking Dead / Talking Dead: An episode word-for-word from the comics, with some character substitutions. Except for the part at the end where they split up?? Everyone keeps arguing about whether or not Glenn/Maggie/Tara should have gone with Abraham but why is no one talking about the fact that EVERYONE SHOULD BE GOING TO DC?? Okay yes Rick needs to stay and find Daryl/Carol but couldn’t he say that he will follow Abraham as soon as he finds them instead of pretending that everyone is splitting up forever? What exactly is keeping the rest of the group in the area? It’s not exactly safe or flush with food.
The showrunners have said that they are not going to split up the group like they did last season, so here is my theory on what happens:
Daryl comes out of the bushes with Beth whom he saved from the hospital but Carol was captured in the process. So he came back to the church to get reinforcements. Everyone remaining at the church helps rescue Carol but then they have to get the heck out of there so they start driving toward DC. Also, shoehorn Morgan in there somewhere because we haven’t seen him since the season premiere.
Also, I am SUPER PUMPED for John Barrowman to be on Talking Dead next week!!!!!

Once Upon a Time: Who is Lily???? She has to be Tiger Lily, right? How did she get to the real world? If she is Tiger Lily are we going to see Peter Pan again in flashbacks? Her father called her “Lilith” and I can’t think of any Lilith references that aren’t demonic. A few more thoughts:
- I am not totally opposed to SwanQueen. At the very least they need to be BFFs.
- So many generic pop-tarts in this episode.
- Seriously are people just NOW noticing that Sidney has been M.I.A. for two years?
- The Knave was only there for comic relief and I’m fine with that.
- LOL at Josh Dallas name-dropping Asgard.

Doctor Who: Who doesn’t love an episode named after a Blake poem?? I really laughed when the actual tiger showed up. It had its problems, but I think this is my third favorite episode of the season after The Mummy on the Orient Express and the season premiere.

Z Nation: Kind of a meh episode, which isn't necessarily a bad thing after the zombie tornado and killing off the main character. I hope we see that girl with the gun again, because she and 10K were super cute. I think next week we get a zombie tsunami?? so that's cool.

Constantine: This was a very pilot-y pilot. In that it’s fine on its own but I don’t know how much it will have to do with the series as a whole. He's not even going to have the same obligatory female sidekick next week.

Grimm: Yaaaaaay David Giuntoli’s jawline Grimm is back! I’m kind of tired of all this family drama and want them to get back to Wesen-of-the-week plots, but that’s probably not going to happen now that Nick isn’t a Grimm anymore. Sigh.

Haven: Am I the only one who thinks its seriously creepy that Nathan waited until after he and Audrey had had sex TWICE to tell her that he can’t feel her? Can guys even have sex if they can’t feel anything? Also can we just get rid of Mara already? I guess not since Nathan is “dead” or whatever now and Mara is the only person who can talk to him. I'm kind of bored of this show.

Gracepoint: Meh. I'm still not a mystery person. The network is trying to get people to go to their website and guess who the killer is, but what’s the point of that when you know they’re purposely misleading you?

The 100: Super awesome season premiere! I wonder if season 2 was plotted out from the beginning of the show, because they drew out that Mount Weather reveal nice and slow. Mount Weather and everyone in it are exactly what I expect it would be like after a nuclear apocalypse. And the bit about the grounders and the "100" being more resistant to ambient radiation was pretty brilliant. The only real problem with this show remains the fact that it would make perfect sense if it took place 500-1000 years after the apocalypse, but it makes zero sense at 97 years after the apocalypse. I wonder if the writers realize that's an issue and are annoyed that they wrote themselves into this kind of corner.

Arrow: A pretty solid episode, and it was nice to have one that didn't take place in Starling City. Also I really, really love Thea's haircut.

The Walking DeadI haven't read the comics, but I'm really not buying Eugene's story about having a cure. I assumed from the beginning that he was just using that as a way to keep Abraham close, for protection. Every time someone asks him about it he avoids the question and uses big words to say absolutely nothing. I'm skeptical.

I really, REALLY didn't want Glenn/Maggi/Tara to go, but hopefully they'll get back together soon. I partially agree with your theory though. I mean, SOMETHING happened to Carol, and because she wouldn't be hiding behind Daryl like that, so...Beth? Maybe, or Morgan, it makes sense they he would hide back at first considering what shape he was in the last time we saw him.

Either way, I'm glad we'll finally be learning what has been going on with Beth.

>230 Ape: *Zips lips* ....unless you want me to tell you.....

Most definitely not! :)

>229 norabelle414: Young Emma and Lily annoyed me. Such. Bad. Acting. And wtf? How did Lily's dad find her in an abandoned house?

Hook is hot.

I really want a pop tart now.

>233 RosyLibrarian: Young Emma and Lily didn't bug me too much. My guess is that she had done that before, especially since she had such a distinct plan ("These houses are empty; let's pick the nicest one")

Yes.

Me too.

>233 RosyLibrarian: >234 norabelle414: OUAT I got the impression that the empty house was Lily's family's vacation home. I more want to know how the heck the Snow Queen was Emma's foster mom. Is Emma supposed to be part of this family she's getting together?

Also, how cute were Emma and Hook this week? That peck on the cheek was the most adorable thing ever.

>235 MickyFine: That was what I was expecting, but he came into the house with a flashlight. If it was his house wouldn't he just turn on the lights?

Now I definitely have to get caught up on OUAT... It wasn't too bad up until now, but now the spoiler tags are taunting me!

>238 RosyLibrarian: I think there might be one on my tumblr. I have a bunch of his face from the last episode. You know, because I'm me. :)

That look!

So are we taking bets yet on what's going to come between them? It's going entirely too smoothly. My current guesses are a) something about them being related or b) something about him knowing Lily

>241 norabelle414: If Hook and Emma turn out to be related, I will stop watching. (Who am I kidding...I'll watch....just bitterly.)

I think somehow Hook's pirate ways will come between them. He didn't recognize Lily in the video, but maybe he knew her as an adult or as something else....