[review] just go home + the pack
PARENTHOOD
→ The way they've driven a wedge between Crosby and Jasmine is kind of troubling to me. Especially because they've made her out to be the villain in the whole thing. I suspect that is to give Crosby a green-light to cheat on her with Minka Kelly, which I actually ship, but still. It feels kind of cheap.
→ While I really loved Michael B. Jordan from his work on Friday Night Lights, and while the character of Alex has come across as a Really-Good-Guy, I've always been a little underwhelmed with the Haddie/Alex storyline. I am not sure that they really have that spark of chemistry that is required for me to be on board with them and for it to be worth all of that trouble. But I can see why she would like him anyway. But, this episode? Holy moly. I was in tears when Adam and Kristina started laying down the rules that Haddie would have to abide by -- effectively giving her permission to see Alex again. The subtlety of that moment, the sacrifice that they were making, the huge leap of faith that they were taking for her. It was this grand gesture of complete and unconditional love and yet at the same time it was just this tiny, underplayed, quiet moment. And it's moments like those, that make this show really, truly great.
→ The moment at the basketball court afterward was also really nice.
→ I could have done without all the yelling about Seth, however. I understand it, but it was slightly over the top. I do like John Corbett though, so I guess I'll let it slide. I think Sarah, Amber, & Drew have always felt slightly separate as a familial unit -- each of them dealing with their own issues in very separate ways -- which is a stark contrast from Crosy, Julia, & Adam's families. I think this storyline has the potential to bring their stories together and I'm happy about that. That said, I kind of love the relationship that Amber and Drew have -- it's very unique and special. They're the only siblings on the show (who are still kids) who are close in age, so it's definitely a whole different dynamic. (I think Amber & Haddie have a similar dynamic.)
→ ETA A word about Amber. How awesome is she? She's bold, and super smart, but not smart like those book-wormy type kids. Not Type-A smart. And on top of that, she understands things that are far beyond her years. And she gets people and emotions and all of those things that it takes most of us way too long to figure out. She's street-smart and heart-smart as well as school-smart -- it's a winning combo. She just constantly blows me away. Of course, she's not perfect. She's got her insecurities and her stubbornness and her temper, but it's those flaws that make her real. She can't be too perfect. But yeah, Amber is pretty much amazing. (I get a bit of a Jen Lindley vibe off of her.)
→ Dear Julia & Joel, Where did you go? Miss you, KC.
BEING HUMAN
I won't lie about the fact that I was really afraid after 3.01 that this show would never again live up to that league of quality. But so far it has not let me down. This doesn't mean I'm 100% on board with everything, but their game is the best its ever been this season, in my personal opinion.
→ First, I'm really enjoying both McNair & Tom, for different reasons. I am curious as to which of our regular or recurring wolves will be the one to fulfill Mitchell's prophecy. I doubt it will be McNair as it's too obvious. Tom seems like the more likely candidate. (Is his name even Tom? I don't know.) If it turns out to be George though, that would make for some dramatic television.
How did I not immediately recognize Michael Socha as Lauren Socha's male doppleganger (and real-life brother.) Seriously? The resemblance is almost scary.
→ Wow, so, Mitchell/Annie happened. It's a little bit sweet and a little bit awkward but I suppose it was inevitable and they do have short seasons so we might as well get it started right? I see a lot of people getting upset with Mitchell for him blowing up about Annie and her talk of fate, but I guess I was the only one who was watching the scene right before that with the "wolf-shaped bullet" spelled out on the roof of the toy house. He's very much hoping to defy fate right now, and for whatever reason he's keeping Lia's prophecy to himself.
→ Lia, lia, lia, lia, liar. Her name was the title of the episode. The spelling of it and her significance and the prophecy and the emphasis on her by titling the episode after her (and the fact that it's the very first episode title ever) is... well, suspect. Maybe Mitchell is right and there is no such thing as fate. Maybe this whole werewolf prophecy is just a big lie. Or if it isn't, then maybe it is of the self-fulfilling kind. By planting the seed in his head, perhaps Lia has effectively set it into motion.
→ Um, so I am kind of in love with George and Nina? They're really adorable and well-matched. And the way it's played, they seem very natural around each other like a real couple. It has been a joy to watch them. I love that Nina plays the voice of reason so often and that she's taking a more prominent role. She really is, despite being a werewolf herself, a healthy dose of humanity for them all.
→ The way they've driven a wedge between Crosby and Jasmine is kind of troubling to me. Especially because they've made her out to be the villain in the whole thing. I suspect that is to give Crosby a green-light to cheat on her with Minka Kelly, which I actually ship, but still. It feels kind of cheap.
→ While I really loved Michael B. Jordan from his work on Friday Night Lights, and while the character of Alex has come across as a Really-Good-Guy, I've always been a little underwhelmed with the Haddie/Alex storyline. I am not sure that they really have that spark of chemistry that is required for me to be on board with them and for it to be worth all of that trouble. But I can see why she would like him anyway. But, this episode? Holy moly. I was in tears when Adam and Kristina started laying down the rules that Haddie would have to abide by -- effectively giving her permission to see Alex again. The subtlety of that moment, the sacrifice that they were making, the huge leap of faith that they were taking for her. It was this grand gesture of complete and unconditional love and yet at the same time it was just this tiny, underplayed, quiet moment. And it's moments like those, that make this show really, truly great.
→ The moment at the basketball court afterward was also really nice.
→ I could have done without all the yelling about Seth, however. I understand it, but it was slightly over the top. I do like John Corbett though, so I guess I'll let it slide. I think Sarah, Amber, & Drew have always felt slightly separate as a familial unit -- each of them dealing with their own issues in very separate ways -- which is a stark contrast from Crosy, Julia, & Adam's families. I think this storyline has the potential to bring their stories together and I'm happy about that. That said, I kind of love the relationship that Amber and Drew have -- it's very unique and special. They're the only siblings on the show (who are still kids) who are close in age, so it's definitely a whole different dynamic. (I think Amber & Haddie have a similar dynamic.)
→ ETA A word about Amber. How awesome is she? She's bold, and super smart, but not smart like those book-wormy type kids. Not Type-A smart. And on top of that, she understands things that are far beyond her years. And she gets people and emotions and all of those things that it takes most of us way too long to figure out. She's street-smart and heart-smart as well as school-smart -- it's a winning combo. She just constantly blows me away. Of course, she's not perfect. She's got her insecurities and her stubbornness and her temper, but it's those flaws that make her real. She can't be too perfect. But yeah, Amber is pretty much amazing. (I get a bit of a Jen Lindley vibe off of her.)
→ Dear Julia & Joel, Where did you go? Miss you, KC.
BEING HUMAN
I won't lie about the fact that I was really afraid after 3.01 that this show would never again live up to that league of quality. But so far it has not let me down. This doesn't mean I'm 100% on board with everything, but their game is the best its ever been this season, in my personal opinion.
→ First, I'm really enjoying both McNair & Tom, for different reasons. I am curious as to which of our regular or recurring wolves will be the one to fulfill Mitchell's prophecy. I doubt it will be McNair as it's too obvious. Tom seems like the more likely candidate. (Is his name even Tom? I don't know.) If it turns out to be George though, that would make for some dramatic television.
How did I not immediately recognize Michael Socha as Lauren Socha's male doppleganger (and real-life brother.) Seriously? The resemblance is almost scary.
→ Wow, so, Mitchell/Annie happened. It's a little bit sweet and a little bit awkward but I suppose it was inevitable and they do have short seasons so we might as well get it started right? I see a lot of people getting upset with Mitchell for him blowing up about Annie and her talk of fate, but I guess I was the only one who was watching the scene right before that with the "wolf-shaped bullet" spelled out on the roof of the toy house. He's very much hoping to defy fate right now, and for whatever reason he's keeping Lia's prophecy to himself.
→ Lia, lia, lia, lia, liar. Her name was the title of the episode. The spelling of it and her significance and the prophecy and the emphasis on her by titling the episode after her (and the fact that it's the very first episode title ever) is... well, suspect. Maybe Mitchell is right and there is no such thing as fate. Maybe this whole werewolf prophecy is just a big lie. Or if it isn't, then maybe it is of the self-fulfilling kind. By planting the seed in his head, perhaps Lia has effectively set it into motion.
→ Um, so I am kind of in love with George and Nina? They're really adorable and well-matched. And the way it's played, they seem very natural around each other like a real couple. It has been a joy to watch them. I love that Nina plays the voice of reason so often and that she's taking a more prominent role. She really is, despite being a werewolf herself, a healthy dose of humanity for them all.