"That's not a remote control car.....that's a cat."
I'm thinking that I need to go back and watch some SVU reruns. Because with each new episode I see, it seems that more and more information is being shoved into the space of one hour. And with more information naturally comes more plot twists. You start out with one scenario and by the end of the show, you're so far away from the original scenario that you can't quite remember how the episode started in the first place. It just makes me wonder - has this show always been like this? I've seen the reruns, but it's been awhile. Maybe it's been long enough that I've forgotten. Maybe the show is always like this and this season isn't any different. I don't know.
I mean, I get that they don't want to spoon-feed the story to us. Obviously, there's got to be twists so we stay invested. But in one episode, it seems like they are throwing in everything and the kitchen sink. It's interesting, sure. I just wonder if sometimes there is too much to focus on and think about.
But, in regards to the actual episode.....
Grams! I didn't even recognize her at first. I'm wondering if the actress was wearing a wig tonight, or if she dyed her hair while she was on Dawson's Creek, or maybe even both. She looks younger now.
I had the feeling that Grams was behind the twist of Emma's "molestation". It was obvious in the hospital room that there were issues between Grams and Zoe. I didn't think of it at first, but Kate's devotion to her religion was also a clue. It's easy to assume that Kate was religious because she grew up in a religious home - and if she grew up in a religious home, then there's a chance that her parents might be of the persuasion that her lifestyle is wrong. I thought that tied together nicely.
As far as the Catholic school went.....personally, I think Emma shouldn't have been there. Ideally, yes, she had every right to be there. Just because her mother was gay, that doesn't mean that Emma shouldn't attend Catholic school if that's what her mother chooses. But that's the ideal situation. The fact of the matter is, it's not Kate or Zoe who would pay the price. It's Emma. The poor girl was tormented day in and day out because of something beyond her control. In a perfect world, children would be able to go to whatever school they choose without fear of being bullied or singled out. We don't live in a perfect world, though. I can totally understand where Kate and Zoe were coming from - but in the end, what matters is Emma, and obviously, that school wasn't the right choice for her.
I know that that school was, as Zoe said, the best Catholic school in the city......but maybe, instead of the "best" school, they should have looked at schools that were not as conservative. They had to know what they were getting themselves - and Emma - into. They didn't just suddenly "become" lesbians. They've probably faced that kind of discrimination before - likely within their own families. I have a hard time believing that they were too naive to realize what Emma would be facing. I think a part of them knew it, but - as Fin basically said at one point - they wanted to make a point. That's not so wrong - but you have to weigh what is more important, making your point or the welfare of your child.
I'm glad that Zoe seemed to realize that by the end, though. Unfortunately, because of everything that they've gone through, it's likely that she would end up shying away from religion altogether. I'm willing to bet that between the two of them, Kate was the one more concerned with Emma's religion. (Just guessing, since we obviously don't know anything about how Zoe was raised). It's sad that it would turn out that way, since they did want Emma to have that religious upbringing.....but I suppose I can't blame her if that's what she decided.
Speaking of parents' actions affecting their kids.....the scene that bothered me the most in this episode was probably the one where Elliot talked to Sean in the hospital room. The way the kid was talking, the things he was saying....it was obvious that he was repeating, probably verbatim, things he has heard many times before. He likely doesn't even understand half the shit he's talking about. It's just what he has heard from his parents. Even if they were being truthful when they claimed they told him to feel sorry for Emma and nothing more.....he got that attitude somewhere. Who's to say that he didn't overhear his parents talking amongst themselves, or talking to their friends, or what have you? About Emma, about Kate and Zoe, about other gay people, even. He didn't just wake up one day and decide to hate gay people. This is something that has been seeping into him for a long time.
Yes, it's horrible that he got stabbed and will never walk again. But I couldn't blame Emma all that much. She didn't set out to paralyze the kid. She just lashed out. Unlike Sean, who put thought every day into how he could ridicule that little girl. When it comes down to it, though, I have a hard time blaming either child for what happened. I lay the blame at the feet of the parents involved. Sean's parents, for instilling in him - even without really realizing what they were doing - the mindset that it's okay to treat people badly because "the Bible tells me I can because they're wrong." And Emma's parents, for putting her in the proverbial line of fire every day and thinking that there would be no consequences.
I will say, though, I kind of loved that Zoe was willing to - as Olivia put it - portray herself as merely Emma's "babysitter" in order to help her. She must have hated doing it, but she was a mother who was willing to sacrifice in order to save her child. I thought it was great, and I got it a hell of a lot quicker than the detectives, who stood there making the WTF face. Having said that, though, I also applauded the judge for pointing out that Zoe can't change her opinion every hour on the hour. One minute, she's nothing to Emma - the next minute, she's her other mother and the child can't stay somewhere else. I knew why she was doing it - but I also got why the judge had to put his foot down.
Glad to see that Munch and Fin came out and played. Except, oh wait, they didn't. As usual. *sigh* At least this episode focused more on the case at hand instead of Elliot's or Olivia's issues, even if they were the ones handling it. I suppose that's something. It still very easily could have been handled by Teh Cool Detectives, though. I'm just saying.
I see there's no backlash over Olivia's shenanigans of last week. I guess I shouldn't have expected anything different, right? She blows up a case, but ends up with a slap on the wrist. And a week later, there are no hard feelings whatsoever. It's sad to say, but I'm not even surprised by it anymore.
Best moment.....I loved when Grams told the court how her attorney basically manipulated her, and he kind of meekly called for an objection. The look the judge gave him! Bwah. She didn't even answer him. That was priceless.
Worst moment....what was up with Olivia and the Precious Moments Weepy Eyes at the end? Seriously, what the hell was that? Emma ended up with Zoe. Was she not happy about that, or were the weepy eyes supposed to represent happiness? Was she feeling regret at how they handled Zoe, even though it is their job to investigate every accusation made? Was she sad at how fucked up that poor girl already was? Was it just an excuse for a Mariska closeup? I mean, seriously. It was just kind of stupid.
No new episode next week, I'm assuming. It's probably time for a break, anyway. Richard Belzer and Ice-T surely need a vacation from all the hard work they've been doing, working as extras on SVU.
My Name Is Earl, Christmas Spectacular = loved it. I hope TPTB never, ever decide to get rid of Joy and Darnell. I don't think I would love this show half as much without them in it. The "Son" business alone did me in. "You're Thelma's boy?" But nothing cracked me up as much as the brief moment when Catalina showed up, and in that little pause after she said "I had to blow - " and Earl and Randy exchanged a look. HA. I love this show.
The Office, Christmas Spectacular = I actually spent so much of the episode going "Aww, poor Angela!" (That doesn't mean I didn't die laughing during the Christmas-ornament-wrecking, screaming tantrum, though). Poor neurotic Angela. She plans a Christmas party and Michael - whom she so obviously hates and makes no secret of her hatred - had to ruin it. And Phyllis! Michael was so mean to poor sweet Phyllis and her homemade oven mitt! I loved this episode, as usual, but I have to say, Michael seemed a little too mean-spirited in this one. Yes, he's usually a dick and fairly clueless about it....but I don't know, usually it's a little less jarring. Maybe I'm just still upset that he dissed Phyllis to her face and made her cry.
Jim + Pam = AWWW. I think I say that every week, so it's not really a big surprise. Jim's facial expressions make this show. The little looks he throws at the camera every now and then.....honestly, John Krasinski says more with his face than he ever could with dialogue. Maybe that's why I love Jim so much.
It was all fine and well, but when Meredith took her shirt off and Michael paused and then took a picture? I lost it. He's not entirely forgiven for dissing Phyllis, but he won a few more points in that moment.
I mean, I get that they don't want to spoon-feed the story to us. Obviously, there's got to be twists so we stay invested. But in one episode, it seems like they are throwing in everything and the kitchen sink. It's interesting, sure. I just wonder if sometimes there is too much to focus on and think about.
But, in regards to the actual episode.....
Grams! I didn't even recognize her at first. I'm wondering if the actress was wearing a wig tonight, or if she dyed her hair while she was on Dawson's Creek, or maybe even both. She looks younger now.
I had the feeling that Grams was behind the twist of Emma's "molestation". It was obvious in the hospital room that there were issues between Grams and Zoe. I didn't think of it at first, but Kate's devotion to her religion was also a clue. It's easy to assume that Kate was religious because she grew up in a religious home - and if she grew up in a religious home, then there's a chance that her parents might be of the persuasion that her lifestyle is wrong. I thought that tied together nicely.
As far as the Catholic school went.....personally, I think Emma shouldn't have been there. Ideally, yes, she had every right to be there. Just because her mother was gay, that doesn't mean that Emma shouldn't attend Catholic school if that's what her mother chooses. But that's the ideal situation. The fact of the matter is, it's not Kate or Zoe who would pay the price. It's Emma. The poor girl was tormented day in and day out because of something beyond her control. In a perfect world, children would be able to go to whatever school they choose without fear of being bullied or singled out. We don't live in a perfect world, though. I can totally understand where Kate and Zoe were coming from - but in the end, what matters is Emma, and obviously, that school wasn't the right choice for her.
I know that that school was, as Zoe said, the best Catholic school in the city......but maybe, instead of the "best" school, they should have looked at schools that were not as conservative. They had to know what they were getting themselves - and Emma - into. They didn't just suddenly "become" lesbians. They've probably faced that kind of discrimination before - likely within their own families. I have a hard time believing that they were too naive to realize what Emma would be facing. I think a part of them knew it, but - as Fin basically said at one point - they wanted to make a point. That's not so wrong - but you have to weigh what is more important, making your point or the welfare of your child.
I'm glad that Zoe seemed to realize that by the end, though. Unfortunately, because of everything that they've gone through, it's likely that she would end up shying away from religion altogether. I'm willing to bet that between the two of them, Kate was the one more concerned with Emma's religion. (Just guessing, since we obviously don't know anything about how Zoe was raised). It's sad that it would turn out that way, since they did want Emma to have that religious upbringing.....but I suppose I can't blame her if that's what she decided.
Speaking of parents' actions affecting their kids.....the scene that bothered me the most in this episode was probably the one where Elliot talked to Sean in the hospital room. The way the kid was talking, the things he was saying....it was obvious that he was repeating, probably verbatim, things he has heard many times before. He likely doesn't even understand half the shit he's talking about. It's just what he has heard from his parents. Even if they were being truthful when they claimed they told him to feel sorry for Emma and nothing more.....he got that attitude somewhere. Who's to say that he didn't overhear his parents talking amongst themselves, or talking to their friends, or what have you? About Emma, about Kate and Zoe, about other gay people, even. He didn't just wake up one day and decide to hate gay people. This is something that has been seeping into him for a long time.
Yes, it's horrible that he got stabbed and will never walk again. But I couldn't blame Emma all that much. She didn't set out to paralyze the kid. She just lashed out. Unlike Sean, who put thought every day into how he could ridicule that little girl. When it comes down to it, though, I have a hard time blaming either child for what happened. I lay the blame at the feet of the parents involved. Sean's parents, for instilling in him - even without really realizing what they were doing - the mindset that it's okay to treat people badly because "the Bible tells me I can because they're wrong." And Emma's parents, for putting her in the proverbial line of fire every day and thinking that there would be no consequences.
I will say, though, I kind of loved that Zoe was willing to - as Olivia put it - portray herself as merely Emma's "babysitter" in order to help her. She must have hated doing it, but she was a mother who was willing to sacrifice in order to save her child. I thought it was great, and I got it a hell of a lot quicker than the detectives, who stood there making the WTF face. Having said that, though, I also applauded the judge for pointing out that Zoe can't change her opinion every hour on the hour. One minute, she's nothing to Emma - the next minute, she's her other mother and the child can't stay somewhere else. I knew why she was doing it - but I also got why the judge had to put his foot down.
Glad to see that Munch and Fin came out and played. Except, oh wait, they didn't. As usual. *sigh* At least this episode focused more on the case at hand instead of Elliot's or Olivia's issues, even if they were the ones handling it. I suppose that's something. It still very easily could have been handled by Teh Cool Detectives, though. I'm just saying.
I see there's no backlash over Olivia's shenanigans of last week. I guess I shouldn't have expected anything different, right? She blows up a case, but ends up with a slap on the wrist. And a week later, there are no hard feelings whatsoever. It's sad to say, but I'm not even surprised by it anymore.
Best moment.....I loved when Grams told the court how her attorney basically manipulated her, and he kind of meekly called for an objection. The look the judge gave him! Bwah. She didn't even answer him. That was priceless.
Worst moment....what was up with Olivia and the Precious Moments Weepy Eyes at the end? Seriously, what the hell was that? Emma ended up with Zoe. Was she not happy about that, or were the weepy eyes supposed to represent happiness? Was she feeling regret at how they handled Zoe, even though it is their job to investigate every accusation made? Was she sad at how fucked up that poor girl already was? Was it just an excuse for a Mariska closeup? I mean, seriously. It was just kind of stupid.
No new episode next week, I'm assuming. It's probably time for a break, anyway. Richard Belzer and Ice-T surely need a vacation from all the hard work they've been doing, working as extras on SVU.
My Name Is Earl, Christmas Spectacular = loved it. I hope TPTB never, ever decide to get rid of Joy and Darnell. I don't think I would love this show half as much without them in it. The "Son" business alone did me in. "You're Thelma's boy?" But nothing cracked me up as much as the brief moment when Catalina showed up, and in that little pause after she said "I had to blow - " and Earl and Randy exchanged a look. HA. I love this show.
The Office, Christmas Spectacular = I actually spent so much of the episode going "Aww, poor Angela!" (That doesn't mean I didn't die laughing during the Christmas-ornament-wrecking, screaming tantrum, though). Poor neurotic Angela. She plans a Christmas party and Michael - whom she so obviously hates and makes no secret of her hatred - had to ruin it. And Phyllis! Michael was so mean to poor sweet Phyllis and her homemade oven mitt! I loved this episode, as usual, but I have to say, Michael seemed a little too mean-spirited in this one. Yes, he's usually a dick and fairly clueless about it....but I don't know, usually it's a little less jarring. Maybe I'm just still upset that he dissed Phyllis to her face and made her cry.
Jim + Pam = AWWW. I think I say that every week, so it's not really a big surprise. Jim's facial expressions make this show. The little looks he throws at the camera every now and then.....honestly, John Krasinski says more with his face than he ever could with dialogue. Maybe that's why I love Jim so much.
It was all fine and well, but when Meredith took her shirt off and Michael paused and then took a picture? I lost it. He's not entirely forgiven for dissing Phyllis, but he won a few more points in that moment.