Monday, November 7, 2016

TV Discussion: Week of 11/6/2016 - 11/12/2016

Hello everyone!  This is our weekly place to discuss all non-recapped shows.  See you in the comments!

31 comments:

Anonymous said...

WW--I think it was ep 3 when Dolores and Ted went their own ways, when he went for Wyatt and she went back home but SHE wanted them to leave together. Teddy was resisting. So, she went back to her ranch and ended up shooting the guy who tried to rape her. After more gun play she ended up leaving her home and staggering into William's camp. That's how it's one timeline.

Anyway, Theresa being a spy, hmm, not a surprise at all, we kind of thought of it earlier. Strange about Ford and his pretend childhood family. Lots of info this ep. The stuff with Maeve was too far out there for me, that she could get those guys to do her bidding. But, her parameters being changed by someone with high clearance in a way that doesn't make sense seems to fit the pattern of sabotage,etc. I'm still thinking Arnold on some of these things.

Did you see the old robot in the background--it looked just like Yul Brenner from the original movie!!

Dr. Strage--a pretty good movie. I was hoping Tilda Swinton would have stayed, she's always good. But, it just seemed like the whole movie she was going to be leaving. Anyway, good background, set up for more of course. Loved the time loop working to his favor.

Richard

Mike V. said...

Can't comment on anything you wrote yet because I didn't see either! Tried to convince my son to go see Dr. Strange with me (he's turned a Marvel corner recently and likes watching the movies even if most of it is over his head right now lol). He's not really interested in seeing Dr. Strange though. I'll keep trying to find a way to get there and hopefully don't have to wait for home video.

WW - I'll watch tonight.

Shameless - Sibling rivalry heating up between Lip and Fiona. Fiona has finally lost her sh*t after so many years of looking out for everyone else. It's easy to see her perspective on things, but still tough to watch her act that way. Surely, more is going to come from this Lip Hacking thing even with the DEA shutting down the company for good. It's almost a pointless storyline if it doesn't pay off in some way. (either unintentionally leading to better things for LIP...or more expectedly leading to worse situations for Lip. lol) V, Kevin and their Russian drama is hilarious. Of course Frank got screwed. Rooting for Carl at military school. loved that he knocked a kid out when he got there. lol

Anonymous said...


WW--this link has a video which makes a compelling case for 2 timelines. Mostly based on logos. I may have to rewatch ep3. But of course those logo outtakes could have been from flash backs. I'm sure things change over 34+ years.

http://www.gq.com/story/westworld-alternate-timeline-theory



Richard

Mike V. said...

WW - Since it seems to be your least favorite part of the episode, it's probably not a surprise that I found the stuff with Maeve to be the most engaging stuff in the episode. lol It actually felt like some character development was happening. Time was spent, emotions were being displayed by robots and humans...information was being provided. The storyline worked for me. I get what you mean though with them just doing her bidding. I did keep questioning why the 1st guy was just doing what she says and providing all the information she wanted. Unless he was just fascinated with her evolution and difference amongst the other hosts. But, the end result still worked for me.

I did like the idea that Ford recreated his childhood and hid it in Westworld. I heard a theory on my way in that it's possible that Bernard might be Arnold (or at least possess his consciousness) and not even know it. But that's an example of a crazy theory that if it doesn't become true people will be disappointed.


I'll have to watch the video later if I get a chance. thanks for sharing!


ELECTION NIGHT - So now I remember why so many things had a 2 week break or longer....duh...no TV tonight because of election coverage. Then with the American Music Awards next week and Thanksgiving specials it makes sense that some ABC shows would be off the air for a few weeks. (at least ones that fall on Tuesday or Wednesday)

Good luck with your voting today. Let's just all be thankful at least the campaigning will be over today. Now we can look forward to rioting and complaining about the results!

Anonymous said...

LOL on complaing about the results. Yea, for sure.

Just voted, heavy turnout. Particularly interesting to see some teens/early 20s voting--different than before. With everybody saying they don't want to vote for either candidate I'm really surprised by the heavy turnout.

Richard

Anonymous said...


WW--reread Ep3 plot with the key details. It's just hard to buy the idea of a William/Dolores/Logan timeline being different from the Teddy/Dolores/Wyatt timeline from what happened.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Stray

Richard

Mike V. said...

Yeah it's been pretty nuts. I was seeing huge lines all over the place this morning. I'll be going later, but I don't think there will be a way to avoid the lines whenever I go. Yeah...I guess at the end of the day people are very engaged in this election and want to contribute their voice. But, we got dealt a pretty S****Y hand this election cycle! lol

MJ said...

Voting - yeah i will go later. I heard people in NH already doing write-ins for Sanders and Romney. ugh ! That's just wasting your vote. But yes - I cannot wait for it to be over. Especially a nasty race in Pennsylvania for senator( I think). I don't live in Pennsy but am stuck hearing the very negative ads.

WW - I gave it up after last night. I was 3 behind any way - but just can't get into it. My husband still watching.

Shameless - quite behind on this too. Frank just opened his own shelter, Fiona just got annoyed that Lip thinks he's the only one who has a future career - and she's decided to make them all start paying their shares. Russian chick's dad arrived. And Carl finally learned that you have to have gonohrea to pass it on. LOL I do love this show.

Mike V. said...

WW - Fair point. This latest episode Teddy mentioned he needs to find Dolores too....so it would make sense for William and MIB's stories to intersect.

I'm sure either way they could justify it with a few lines of dialogue. But surely, there are some "twists" headed our way before the end of the season.

Mike V. said...

Voting - I observed the nasty PA senate race as well but probably about as much as you have!

WW - Don't blame you MJ. It's a slog to watch. I'm invested in it, but I was falling asleep last night. (It's also tied to the fact that I'm tired when I try to watch it lol)

Shameless - Doesn't sound like you're too far behind. lol There was one or 2 episodes where I started feeling like the show was in a rut and maybe they rushed this season to production (it usually airs in the winter). But, it's been pretty good again.

Anonymous said...

I just had a great uplifting recollection!

VIKINGS Returns soon!!! November 30.

WW--I approached this show with much scepticism. I was prepared to pass and went in kind of expecting to. Then I found something complex--which I like. Mike, that's so funny--you liked the Maeve stuff. And it was so hard to buy into for me--actually a distraction. They're making the techs look stupid too. Makes the WW people and Delos look stupid for hiring them.

Richard

Mike V. said...

Vikings - I'm excited for it to come back but that's a rough time of year to do it! lol This is a continuation of the last season, right?

WW - They definitely made the one Tech look stupid...the guy that was interacting with Maeve seemed like he was a Host-Sympathizer or something like that. Guess we'll see if they go that route. Yeah...this show is definitely complex. I can agree with that. I just keep hoping for some of these characters to turn into something worth rooting for instead of just observing them move the plot forward. I think that's why I liked the Maeve stuff. I saw some actual character progression. I'm in this for the haul regardless, but I'd just like to see some tweaks.

Anonymous said...

Vikings, yes continuation/divided season but more eps overall.

WW--I'm rooting for the unfolding of mystery. IN essence, it's the mystery itself that I most enjoy and so when they screw with the mystery by trying to make some character this or that--there's where I start not liking it--lol. I get invested(maybe too much) in figuring the mystery out and so why canon and consistency is so important to me.

How can you not be a Hopkins fan though!! I mean really, the guy is amazing! He is a large part of why I like the show too. And yet, some would say his character could be the villian--lol.

Richard

Mike V. said...

WW - Oh I am too. Rooting for the unfolding mystery. There is enough intrigue there to keep me interested. I have nothing against the acting in the show. it's all outstanding. It's the sense of excitement and being invested in those characters. Given something to root for. I don't really know how to explain it. With LOST, we were obsessed with the mystery but there was a "don't take themselves too seriously" attitude about it too where it was fun to watch. Westworld sometimes feels like a chore to watch. They need that Han Solo character that just questions all of it. (i.e. Sawyer on LOST, or Hurley making his meta commentary and being the audience surrogate)

I still like the show though. I'm all about a mystery show that allows us to speculate.

Anonymous said...

WW--Hans Solo/Sawyer character--funny you bring those 2 up. I get it. And they are 2 of my favorites. Again, Hans was the primary character by far for me with SW. And Sawyer was much more someone I was interested in than Jack or Kate, etc. So, I get now what you're speaking about. Upon thinking about it, I guess finding that character hasn't mattered to me yet since the show is so complex and I'm busy trying to figure it out. You call it a chore to watch while to me it's engrossing. I thought Logan had a bit of that element but can't really provide it since he has so little screen time and is a bad guy. Maybe somebody will show up. They are planning for a multiyear run so new important charcters are likely and introducing someone the back half of S1 could work.

Richard

Mike V. said...

WW - CHORE is an exaggeration. I just think it could be more fun. The concept is really cool and I just think they could have more fun with it whilst building the mystery. I'm still engrossed by the show and interested in the mystery enough to theorize. But yeah...there's still a chance to introduce more characters and once certain things are revealed new storylines could introduce different aspects.

Black Mirror - I'm 4 episodes into the new season! I liked Nosedive with Bryce Dallas Howard and the latest one is getting all sorts of buzz. San Juniepero. I don't want to give too much away, but it certainly was an interesting concept!

All 4 have been pretty good...even Bronn from Game of Thrones showed up in one! Excited to watch the next 2. This 5th one I'm watching now is a little slow getting started.

Anonymous said...

Where is everybody--lol?

Designated Survivor--Well, the FBI looks to be on the trail we figured out many eps ago. I thought it opposite world when they were saying it was going to be the Prez's Congress. Seriously, that just nuts and sounds like written by some idiot on LA or NY. The Congress is to keep check on the Prez--has any of these Hollywood types read the Constitution. Of course not, they just want to tell us how to vote--lol. The Governor's would have already appointed their replacements. They don't need the Prez's approval.

Anyway, still watching with Kiefer--I'm an Independent too--lol.

Richard

Mike V. said...

No idea where everyone is!

DS - Unfortunately didn't watch last night. Maybe tonight. But I feel the same way about the show. Like Kiefer so I'll keep watching.

AHS - 9 episodes in and I think we're done with the house activities. Looks like we'll be doing a big interview next week for the finale and crossing over with another AHS season. Another one of Sarah Paulson's characters. I have to look up which one it was. lol

Mike V. said...

AHS - Looked it up...it's her Asylum character after she became a journalist.

MJ said...

Vikings - thanks for the info. But agree - tough time of year for yet another show.

Shameless - got another one in - where Lip called the FBI and took those tablets. That whole conversation that Ian and his new friend have with that group - what ? LOL I had no idea what they were all saying.

Supergirl - yawn - James wants to be a vigilante. Double yawn for yet another gay character. Does every show have to have one now ? LOL At least they did it with some class.

WW - always liked Hopkins but he is very dull in this show.

Designated - I like Keifer and maggie Q so yeah - still watching. Did they say the Pres had to approve the new congress ? I thought they said that none had been chosen yet. A little soapy that the son might not be his though

This is US - only just watched the one where they go to the pool.

Hoping to be a lot more caught up after this weekend, especially with less stuff on starating next week. Still behind on AHS, Blacklist, Blindspot and a few others. Behind on all sitcoms as well.

Mike V. said...

Vikings - I specifically meant the holiday season....It'll be running straight through I imagine...maybe take off around Christmas and New Years. But I guess the counterpoint would be that a lot of other shows will be wrapped up for the fall and it might not face much competition.

Shameless - Are you referring to all the trans people with different distinctions? Yeah...it was pretty crazy. lol I think you're still 1 or 2 behind.

Supergirl - Yeah...it was a pretty eyeroll-worthy episode. But to answer your question...YES. Every show has to bring up the subject. Expect it to be even more poignant now with the election results. lol Hollywood has to make their voice even louder now. But yes...it was handled fine on the show. But it kind of has come out of nowhere considering they were flirting with the idea of her and Peter Fascinelli's character liking each other.

WW - A lot of people are dull on the show. It's because the focus is on the gears of moving the story forward rather than building up likable (for protagonist and antagonist motivations) characters. That's what I'm hoping can improve with the 2nd half of this season or hopefully even season 2. I still am enjoying the concept and like unraveling this world....but I need to enjoy the people I'm watching. Take Jeffrey Dean Morgan for example on Walking Dead. Couldn't hate the guy more on the show, but man is he fun to watch! I just solved WW's problem. They need JDM. lol

This is Us - I think that's only one behind the latest episode. You'll be caught up in no time!

Other Shows catchup - I'd catch up on AHS first....next Wednesday is the finale! It's been decent. I'm behind on sitcoms too. I love New Girl and B99 but there's like 3 of each of them on the DVR and I have no desire to watch them. I am caught up on the Good Place so I'll probably still watch that tonight. BBT too. Though, that show is past its prime now too. Still has its moments.

MJ said...

AHS - meant to ask - I think I posted a week or maybe longer ago - the name Mott had to be from another show. Did we figure it out ? Wondering what was the name of the rich spoiled guy in Freakshow - was that Mott ? def want to jump back into that asap. Heard it's gotten totally crazy.
Know that the Farmiga (?sp?) is back (Vera's real life sister from Bates). Now I'm thinking about Bates and how I want it back. LOL

B99 - yeah i just finished the whole florida thing a few weeks ago. Still have the New Girl crossover.

WW - some JDM is always a good thing.

Mike V. said...

AHS - I think I saw who I thought to be Farmiga in this episode. She looked a little different so I wasn't sure if it was her. But it had to be. (and yes I know she's related to Vera. Can't wait for that final season either!) Mott....hmmmm not sure I'll have to look that one up. I don't even remember who that is! I'll look up and post if I find anything.

Mike V. said...

AHS - Mott Family was in Freak Show....Dandy...apparently his ancestors used to live in the Roanoke house. There isn't much more info than that though.

https://www.bustle.com/articles/188087-the-mott-family-connection-to-ahs-roanoke-goes-way-back-in-time

Anonymous said...

Designated--yea, the govs were basically saying it's HIS congress(even his wife said it), it's what he wants to do. They questined him before they would select THEIR!!!!! very own state's people--that's just backwards. Remember when his wife said he got HIS congress by giving up a bit of himself and went against what she wanted for immigration. The govs essentially blackmailed him. Just dumb and insulting.

WW--that's funny, his character here reminds me somewhat of Hanibal, very complex and we don't really know if he's a good guy or bad guy.

Richard

Anonymous said...

DS--further on the idiocy of the story. IF, they wanted the Govs could get THEIR state's congressional people appointed and in DC. From there the NEW congress could work to impeach the Prez. The govs didn't even play their best hand. The New Speaker could become the new Prez for example. So much doesn't jive with the Constitution.

Richard

Mike V. said...

WW - I'll give you that. His character is pretty shady so far. It may develop into a juicier role once his motivations become clear.

MJ said...

Ahs - Dandy Mott ! That's it. Wow - this season is having quite a few tie ins to prior ones.

This is Us - All cought up. I think most of us thought that Jack was dead. No shocker there. But they really got me at the end when it appears that William died the night that Randall and his wife went to that hotel. My husband immediatelys aid - nah - that is a scene from the future and he was right. But if I had not been watching back to back eps that would have been a horrible way to end an ep. Not for nothing - Kate is seriously high maintenance. Toby should be running by now. She was downright rude during his little 'sports party'. And he did it for her. Though she was awesome next ep with the teenager and her new boss. But Randall 'singing' his career song was just absolutley hysterical. And that IS a boring job to hear about. LOL

Good Place - watched a few - not much to say.

Mike V. said...

AHS - Yep! There's more to come!

This is us - Wait what??? There was a scene of William dying? I might have missed that. Don't think I would've forgotten. lol Yeah little Katie is high maintenance agreed! She could've been open about her sports thing....but they had to draw it out for the episode. And we kinda already knew why she was doing what she was doing! Randall's song was fantastic....love/hate those really awkward moments on television. lol

Good Place - yeah..entertaining but not much to discuss lol

MJ said...

This is Us - yeah - the ep before last - where Kevin tells the girls we all die - at the very end you see Randall in a bedroom folding up clothing and he starts crying. So we are all left to assume William died that night. But next ep - there he is again. Fake out.

Super/Flash/Arrow/Legends - heard that the 4 way starts with Supergirl ep 11/28 and carries on for the next 4 nights

Blacklist - saw a smidgeon of headline that they actually give us an answer about Red and Liz ? I am way behind. Recently saw the one where Tom traces the Skype feed and messes the whole thing up. And Mr Kaplan is being held 'Misery' style.

Mike V. said...

This is Us - Ahhh I don't remember that, but there's a chance I fell asleep before the end. lol

4 way - I figured it was coming since it's the EW cover story this week. Haven't read it yet though. I'll have to set the DVR for the other 2.