Mark Here... another good episode, this one was called, "Git 'Er Done"...This episode was basically about Coach Taylor's struggle with starting Matt Saracen vs Voodoo (the Louisiana QB Buddy Garrity brought in). The outcome was easy to predict. Coach started Voodoo of course because Matt was really a bit bad during practice. Even though Coach knew Matt was morally the best choice he starts Voodoo. He ends up going rogue, which initially works out for the team, but eventually he has no understanding of the team working together and Coach is forced to put Matt in the game. They win the game and at the end of the episode there are questions about how Garrity got Voodoo on the team. Of course weasel that he is, Garrity puts it on Coach Taylor.
Separately, Tyra hooks up with some guy who comes to town to check out the oilor soemthing. It doesn't matter, we know this guy is bad news and so does Tyra. She's just so obviously desperate for someone to take her out of this small town life. In the end he leaves town...
Hi Laurel here..once again I agree with Mark on all points. As a die hard believer in the power of team sports for shaping young minds I was super convinced from the beginning that it would be a bad idea for him to start Voodoo, who is the exact opposite of a team player. It teaches all the wrong lessons, and however strong the pressure from the town is, these guys are teenagers after all. At the end of the day you can't successfully incorporate a player on a high school team (or any team actually) who has no thought of the team and is only out for himself. From the beginning Voodoo has been confrontational with both the players and the coaches and no matter how talented you are that attitude will not serve you or the greater good in a team sport. Anyway, like Mark said Voodoo goes rogue during the game leaving coach Taylor no choice but to take him out and put Matt in. Much to my satisfaction Matt inspires some awesome team playing and Panther's win the game. Fuck Voodoo. I don't like this kid's attitude. I'm hoping this is he last we will see of him. Hopefully Matt can get the job done.
Also regarding Tyra she has been nothing but tough so far and this thing with the douche from LA shows us that she is still a kid after all, no matter how tough, and she is vulnerable after all. It was a bad decision to get involved with him, but seeing this vulnerable side of her only makes me like her more.
I hope the Panthers don't lose this win on their record because Voodoo is ineligable! This jerk with a bad attitude comes in a screws everything up for 2 quarters then may cause them to lose the win on top of it? Blerg.
Sunday, May 26, 2013
Who's Your Daddy?
Mark here... Laurel and I just sat down for the next episode of Friday Night Lights, "Who's Your Daddy?". I've made us a Spinach and Prosciutto lasagna. This episode was a real good one. The general plotline has the new QB from Louisiana that Buddy Garrity brought in vying against Matt Saracen for the starting position. But we also get to see a bit more of Tammi Taylor's character. Coach Taylor springs a party for the football team on her and she shines despite the last minute notice. The Coach sees no problem with whether the party is for 50 or 150, but Tammi, despite being pissed off, recognizes whats going on and pulls it off. Separately Matt clearly has a crush on the coach's daughter. This is a bit funny because early in the episode when Coach is giving Matt his "get your head in the game" speech, he tells him to get the girl he likes in the backseat of a car. Later in the episode the coach figures out who the girl he likes is.
We also get to see Jason Street in his rehabilitation center and his new roommate, who's a bit rough with him. At the end it turns out to be some tough love. Tyra makes an appearance to urge Jason on in one scene, but its a good scene, especially considering that both their significant others are fooling around. Which is interesting...I sort of forgive Lyla a bit because she at least feels guilty and has visited Jason. Tim Riggins is sort of a real dick. He hasn't visited Jason in the hospital and yet he's kissing his girlfriend (and making a point to tell her how much he thinks of her). I mean, come on! You are so torn and guilty you can't visit your best friend, but you have no problem making out with his girlfriend...and then chasing her?!?
Hi Laurel here. First of all, Mark's lasagne was amazing! Second I agree with Mark on all points. I really love this episode, it's the first we've seen that really embodies what I love so much about FNL...delving into the lives of all these people who so far we have just seen a glimpse of. We see for the first time the dynamic of Coach Taylor's marriage...Sometimes they disagree and sometimes they are upset with each other but at the end of the day they totally have each other's back and really go to great lengths to support each other. Some other wives would have used the poor party planning on coach Taylor's part to prove a point and let the party fall on it's face, but Tammy goes to great lengths to pull off the party to support her husband (and maybe to save face in the town but I really think it's mostly to support her husband). Her daughter does a lot to help out too, even though up to this point she has seemed like a bitchy rebellious teen in this episode we see her strong side. At the end of the day she too is willing to go to great lengths to support her family.
Also in keeping with what I really love about FNL is that we really get into Matt Seracen's drama this epsode. I love that the show really shows you a slice of life of what each of the characters are going through, and this episode we start to get a glimpse of what Matt is dealing with. Poor guy. His grandma has dimentia, and his Dad is away in Iraq so he is saddled with the responsibilty of caring for her. And from what we've seen of their interaction during videochat his dad doesn't really believe in him. It will be interesting to see how this effects Matt's choices. Right now he has a choice in his personal life and in his football life whether he is going to step up to the plate or whether he is going to retreat, we will have to see which way he goes for both. Also he gets beat up by a rival football team this episode and coach Taylor is the one who comes to pick him up from the hospital. Coach Taylor is put in the position of being his substitute father figure which maybe is good for both of them? Also Tyra is so awesome this episode. She goes to see Jason, who she is not super good friends with and gives him some straight talk (which he hasn't really heard from anyone so far about anything) about why Tim hasn't been to see him. (basically because he is being a baby.) but like Mark said Jason's new roommate gives him some straight talk this episode too which we can tell is good for Jason.
We also get to see Jason Street in his rehabilitation center and his new roommate, who's a bit rough with him. At the end it turns out to be some tough love. Tyra makes an appearance to urge Jason on in one scene, but its a good scene, especially considering that both their significant others are fooling around. Which is interesting...I sort of forgive Lyla a bit because she at least feels guilty and has visited Jason. Tim Riggins is sort of a real dick. He hasn't visited Jason in the hospital and yet he's kissing his girlfriend (and making a point to tell her how much he thinks of her). I mean, come on! You are so torn and guilty you can't visit your best friend, but you have no problem making out with his girlfriend...and then chasing her?!?
Hi Laurel here. First of all, Mark's lasagne was amazing! Second I agree with Mark on all points. I really love this episode, it's the first we've seen that really embodies what I love so much about FNL...delving into the lives of all these people who so far we have just seen a glimpse of. We see for the first time the dynamic of Coach Taylor's marriage...Sometimes they disagree and sometimes they are upset with each other but at the end of the day they totally have each other's back and really go to great lengths to support each other. Some other wives would have used the poor party planning on coach Taylor's part to prove a point and let the party fall on it's face, but Tammy goes to great lengths to pull off the party to support her husband (and maybe to save face in the town but I really think it's mostly to support her husband). Her daughter does a lot to help out too, even though up to this point she has seemed like a bitchy rebellious teen in this episode we see her strong side. At the end of the day she too is willing to go to great lengths to support her family.
Also in keeping with what I really love about FNL is that we really get into Matt Seracen's drama this epsode. I love that the show really shows you a slice of life of what each of the characters are going through, and this episode we start to get a glimpse of what Matt is dealing with. Poor guy. His grandma has dimentia, and his Dad is away in Iraq so he is saddled with the responsibilty of caring for her. And from what we've seen of their interaction during videochat his dad doesn't really believe in him. It will be interesting to see how this effects Matt's choices. Right now he has a choice in his personal life and in his football life whether he is going to step up to the plate or whether he is going to retreat, we will have to see which way he goes for both. Also he gets beat up by a rival football team this episode and coach Taylor is the one who comes to pick him up from the hospital. Coach Taylor is put in the position of being his substitute father figure which maybe is good for both of them? Also Tyra is so awesome this episode. She goes to see Jason, who she is not super good friends with and gives him some straight talk (which he hasn't really heard from anyone so far about anything) about why Tim hasn't been to see him. (basically because he is being a baby.) but like Mark said Jason's new roommate gives him some straight talk this episode too which we can tell is good for Jason.
Saturday, May 11, 2013
Wind Sprints
Mark here...on to the next episode, "Wind Sprints" and its a heavy one. Laurel and I were saying how the show is a good balance of the ups and downs (emotionally) of sports life. We see how excited the characters get after a win, but also the emotions they are all going through. This episode picks up right where the last left off, with a friday night game. Unfortunately the panthers lose this game, so suddenly the whole town is calling Coach Taylor's leadership "disasterous". Essentially, they say the first game was luck, but without Jason Street the team is in trouble. With that in mind, Buddy Garrity recruits a QB who has been displaced because of Hurricane Katrina. From the get go Coach Taylor is not down with this move but agrees to go through the motions. When we meet this new kid, it's clear he has a giant chip on his shoulder and that this won't end well. We don't find out yet though as the episode ends with him getting on the team.
We also get to see a bit more depth from Tammi Taylor and Lyla Garrity. In the former, we just see how she hasn't bought into the whole small town football-focus and is emerging as a voice of reason on the show. With Lyla, Jason blows up at her for her being in denial. She is leaving the hospital and runs into Riggs (who has yet to visit Jason in the hospital, out of guilt and fear). Jason has broken up with Tyra. Anyway, the two end up kissing...a bad decision for both but clearly they both have been emotionally messed up by Jason's injury. For me, even though it shows bad judgement, it gives Lyla more depth. She's not just the good christian girl standing by her man. She's confused and scared and hurt by what's happened and doesn't know what to do.
We also briefly see Tyra. In the last episode she hooked up with Smash, although nothing came of it as his mother came home and kicked her out. Basically the mom calls her out as a slut and makes her walk herself home. Understandably, Tyra is cold to Smash when he runs into her. He allowed his mom to diss her and throw her out last episode. Anyway, when she and Riggs see each other next and he brings up her hooking up with Smash, she brings up his previous cheating without blinking. Not that either is good, but she's not willing to let herself be the only bad one. She also recognizes Riggs' guilt about Jason's injury right away.
Laurel here...I agree with Mark on all counts. I think Buddy actually has good intentions but he is just so smarmy, manipulative and controlling it's hard to see it. I also agree that the writing is on the wall with this new QB, it doesn't look good. This kid seems to have a real chip on his shoulder. But I'm wondering if having some competition around might be good for Matt Saracen? Maybe having a competing QB around will help motivate him to step up?
As much as I am disappointed with both Lyla and Tim for hooking up, I sort of get it why they would feel especially close right now. As Jason's girlfriend and best friend I think they are both hit especially hard by his injury . Like maybe now they have this intense thing in common that they never have shared before. That being said I hope they can both get it together to support Jason, who clearly needs all the support he can get right now. We also learn this episode that Tim feels responsible somehow for Jason's injury, which helps to explain his bad behavior (walking out on practice, heavy drinking, etc.)
The other possibly noteworthy thing that happens this episode is that Smash goes on TV and disses coach Taylor. Mark made the point that these guys are kids and don't necessarily know the right thing to say at the right time, which I think is true...but I feel like one thing they should know is that you don't break rank and talk trash about anyone who is part of your team in public. Coach Taylor responds by making the whole team do a spontaneous, gruelling workout at midnight in the rain. The workout serves it's purpose, the team seems to bond and at the next practice his assistant coach remarks "never underestimate the power of a good spanking"
We also get to see a bit more depth from Tammi Taylor and Lyla Garrity. In the former, we just see how she hasn't bought into the whole small town football-focus and is emerging as a voice of reason on the show. With Lyla, Jason blows up at her for her being in denial. She is leaving the hospital and runs into Riggs (who has yet to visit Jason in the hospital, out of guilt and fear). Jason has broken up with Tyra. Anyway, the two end up kissing...a bad decision for both but clearly they both have been emotionally messed up by Jason's injury. For me, even though it shows bad judgement, it gives Lyla more depth. She's not just the good christian girl standing by her man. She's confused and scared and hurt by what's happened and doesn't know what to do.
We also briefly see Tyra. In the last episode she hooked up with Smash, although nothing came of it as his mother came home and kicked her out. Basically the mom calls her out as a slut and makes her walk herself home. Understandably, Tyra is cold to Smash when he runs into her. He allowed his mom to diss her and throw her out last episode. Anyway, when she and Riggs see each other next and he brings up her hooking up with Smash, she brings up his previous cheating without blinking. Not that either is good, but she's not willing to let herself be the only bad one. She also recognizes Riggs' guilt about Jason's injury right away.
Laurel here...I agree with Mark on all counts. I think Buddy actually has good intentions but he is just so smarmy, manipulative and controlling it's hard to see it. I also agree that the writing is on the wall with this new QB, it doesn't look good. This kid seems to have a real chip on his shoulder. But I'm wondering if having some competition around might be good for Matt Saracen? Maybe having a competing QB around will help motivate him to step up?
As much as I am disappointed with both Lyla and Tim for hooking up, I sort of get it why they would feel especially close right now. As Jason's girlfriend and best friend I think they are both hit especially hard by his injury . Like maybe now they have this intense thing in common that they never have shared before. That being said I hope they can both get it together to support Jason, who clearly needs all the support he can get right now. We also learn this episode that Tim feels responsible somehow for Jason's injury, which helps to explain his bad behavior (walking out on practice, heavy drinking, etc.)
The other possibly noteworthy thing that happens this episode is that Smash goes on TV and disses coach Taylor. Mark made the point that these guys are kids and don't necessarily know the right thing to say at the right time, which I think is true...but I feel like one thing they should know is that you don't break rank and talk trash about anyone who is part of your team in public. Coach Taylor responds by making the whole team do a spontaneous, gruelling workout at midnight in the rain. The workout serves it's purpose, the team seems to bond and at the next practice his assistant coach remarks "never underestimate the power of a good spanking"
Eyes Wide Open
Hi Laurel here...This episode is a good follow up to all the crazy stuff that happened in the first episode. We learn that Jason Street is paralyzed, and his doctors don't expect him to walk again. Of course there is always the chance of a miracle but it doesn't look good. Jason seems to willing to start coming to terms with this but Lyla is completely in denial and just keeps saying stuff like "everything is going to work out exactly like we have planned".
The episode also focuses on poor Matt Saracen, formerly backup quarterback, now suddenly QB1. Here's this nice quiet boy who works real hard at his fast food job, is taking care of his grandma while his Dad is in Iraq, and is good at drawing, who until now just showed up to practice and sat on the bench. All of a sudden he is in the spotlight and all of the pressure is on him. Like, A LOT of pressure (see last entry). For most of the episode he seems in Mark's words like "sort of a dweeb", and we don't really have any faith that he is going to step up, but towards the end of the episode after a pep talk from Coach Taylor you see a glimmer in his eye and a change in his demeanor that suggest maybe...just maybe..he might be up for this.
The other thing we learn this episode is that Tami Taylor has accepted a job as a guidance counselor at Dillon High School. When Coach Taylor learns this during their date at Applebees, he is not exactly over the moon that they will be in the same workplace.
Mark here...I agree with what Laurel has said. When we find out about Jason's injury, it's a heartbreaking scene, as his whole life's future has been based around his football playing. As Laurel said, Lyla is totally in denial about his options. Of course there's always a chance for a miracle, but he also needs to be realistic about his future (as does she). She begins to pray for a miracle. The show also shows us the religious aspect of small town life. Of course, there's only one option for religion though. You don't get the impression that these characters know too many jewish, muslim or (gasp!) atheist people.
Tami Taylor, Coach Taylor's wife, decides to join a town book club, in the interest of being social. She unfortunately finds out that not only did no one read the book, but all the other wives want to talk about is football. Clearly, she supports her husband but doesn't want her life to be solely about football. Wisely, she opts to go back to work and as Laurel mentioned, ends up at the high school. How depressing is it that the place the adults need to go out to on a date is Applebee's?! Yet strangely realistic for a small town...
One interesting point I hadn't picked up on was that Coach Taylor became head coach because Jason Street wanted him. Now that Jason is out, the coach is in an odd place and everyone feels like its ok to tell him how to do his job. Which brings me to car dealer (and Lyla's dad) Buddy Garrity. This guy defines sleazy with his giant class ring and car dealership. Why is he giving Coach advice? Or feel like he has a place to? Yet that's exactly what he does, basically telling him that football is all the town has and so coach better win. I'm not questioning the truth of this but it's so obvious what a bubble the town is in that no one questions a town with nothing else to get excited about...
The episode also focuses on poor Matt Saracen, formerly backup quarterback, now suddenly QB1. Here's this nice quiet boy who works real hard at his fast food job, is taking care of his grandma while his Dad is in Iraq, and is good at drawing, who until now just showed up to practice and sat on the bench. All of a sudden he is in the spotlight and all of the pressure is on him. Like, A LOT of pressure (see last entry). For most of the episode he seems in Mark's words like "sort of a dweeb", and we don't really have any faith that he is going to step up, but towards the end of the episode after a pep talk from Coach Taylor you see a glimmer in his eye and a change in his demeanor that suggest maybe...just maybe..he might be up for this.
The other thing we learn this episode is that Tami Taylor has accepted a job as a guidance counselor at Dillon High School. When Coach Taylor learns this during their date at Applebees, he is not exactly over the moon that they will be in the same workplace.
Mark here...I agree with what Laurel has said. When we find out about Jason's injury, it's a heartbreaking scene, as his whole life's future has been based around his football playing. As Laurel said, Lyla is totally in denial about his options. Of course there's always a chance for a miracle, but he also needs to be realistic about his future (as does she). She begins to pray for a miracle. The show also shows us the religious aspect of small town life. Of course, there's only one option for religion though. You don't get the impression that these characters know too many jewish, muslim or (gasp!) atheist people.
Tami Taylor, Coach Taylor's wife, decides to join a town book club, in the interest of being social. She unfortunately finds out that not only did no one read the book, but all the other wives want to talk about is football. Clearly, she supports her husband but doesn't want her life to be solely about football. Wisely, she opts to go back to work and as Laurel mentioned, ends up at the high school. How depressing is it that the place the adults need to go out to on a date is Applebee's?! Yet strangely realistic for a small town...
One interesting point I hadn't picked up on was that Coach Taylor became head coach because Jason Street wanted him. Now that Jason is out, the coach is in an odd place and everyone feels like its ok to tell him how to do his job. Which brings me to car dealer (and Lyla's dad) Buddy Garrity. This guy defines sleazy with his giant class ring and car dealership. Why is he giving Coach advice? Or feel like he has a place to? Yet that's exactly what he does, basically telling him that football is all the town has and so coach better win. I'm not questioning the truth of this but it's so obvious what a bubble the town is in that no one questions a town with nothing else to get excited about...
Friday Night Lights!
Mark here....Laurel and I are kicking off (pun intended) our next show, "Friday Night Lights" with a steak and egg brunch (it's important to keep our energy up for football season). We've made steak and fried eggs and some bubble and squeak, courtesy of the 2 Fat Ladies recipe. We've also brought along our travel mugs filled with Bloody Marys.
On to the pilot...we are introduced to the small town of Dillon, Texas. Life in Dillon revolves around the high school football team, the Dillon Panthers. They have a new coach in Coach Taylor and he is immediately under intense pressure by all the townspeople to pull out a win in the upcoming game. We also meet all american quarterback, Jason Street and his back up, sophomore Matt Saracen. Jason is such a popular and successful QB that it's assumed Matt may never get a chance to play. Unfortunately when the game arrives, it's a nail biter and Jason is injured during the game and lead out on a stretcher. Matt is at first nervous and bumbles a bit, before succeeding in leading the team to victory.
Overall, the show presents a very stark and somewhat depressing view of this small town. Yet, it's likeable because of it's sincerity and honesty. At the same time, the pressure that this town puts on it's high school players is insane. We see various adults and alumni whose lives continue to revolve around the ups and downs of the high school team.
We also get introduced to several other team members, Riggs and Smash, who don't get along and there's a bit of a racial tension as Riggs is white and Smash is black. Riggs is also a bit of a bad boy who drinks too much, and in doing so affects the performance of the whole team. His girlfriend, Tyra seems like the town bad girl. I always love the bad girls (we haven't seen them yet on our other series) and Tyra is played perfectly, a little trashy and a little slutty seeming. On the flip side, we meet Jason's girlfriend Lyla, who's a bit flat and goody goody in my opinion (at least so far).
Laurel here...wow I can't believe we are doing Friday Night Lights! It might be my favorite show ever. That being said I will try to keep it together, not get too gushy, and not give anything away!
This pilot episode does a really good job of setting the tone of the show, and letting us know just the right amount of background info so we know what kind of pressure Coach Taylor and the boys on the football team are under. The whole town is completely obsessed with high school football. When it's game day we see a montage of all the businesses that are closed because the owners are all at the football game. Can you imagine an entire town where nothing is open on friday night because of a high school football game?
The show also does a really good job of exploiting the inherent drama of sports. Teamwork and triumph of the will and all that. Clear eyes full hearts can't lose! During the first game I was in tears before Jason ever got hurt. I love sports drama!
Anyway moving forward we know there's a lot of pressure on these boys and a lot at stake. What will happen to Jason Street? Will Riggins get it together? Will Tyra sleep with everyone? Will Matt step up while Jason is injured? I kind of can't believe how much the show accomplishes in just one episode, we are already completely invested in several of the characters and in the plot as a whole.
On to the pilot...we are introduced to the small town of Dillon, Texas. Life in Dillon revolves around the high school football team, the Dillon Panthers. They have a new coach in Coach Taylor and he is immediately under intense pressure by all the townspeople to pull out a win in the upcoming game. We also meet all american quarterback, Jason Street and his back up, sophomore Matt Saracen. Jason is such a popular and successful QB that it's assumed Matt may never get a chance to play. Unfortunately when the game arrives, it's a nail biter and Jason is injured during the game and lead out on a stretcher. Matt is at first nervous and bumbles a bit, before succeeding in leading the team to victory.
Overall, the show presents a very stark and somewhat depressing view of this small town. Yet, it's likeable because of it's sincerity and honesty. At the same time, the pressure that this town puts on it's high school players is insane. We see various adults and alumni whose lives continue to revolve around the ups and downs of the high school team.
We also get introduced to several other team members, Riggs and Smash, who don't get along and there's a bit of a racial tension as Riggs is white and Smash is black. Riggs is also a bit of a bad boy who drinks too much, and in doing so affects the performance of the whole team. His girlfriend, Tyra seems like the town bad girl. I always love the bad girls (we haven't seen them yet on our other series) and Tyra is played perfectly, a little trashy and a little slutty seeming. On the flip side, we meet Jason's girlfriend Lyla, who's a bit flat and goody goody in my opinion (at least so far).
Laurel here...wow I can't believe we are doing Friday Night Lights! It might be my favorite show ever. That being said I will try to keep it together, not get too gushy, and not give anything away!
This pilot episode does a really good job of setting the tone of the show, and letting us know just the right amount of background info so we know what kind of pressure Coach Taylor and the boys on the football team are under. The whole town is completely obsessed with high school football. When it's game day we see a montage of all the businesses that are closed because the owners are all at the football game. Can you imagine an entire town where nothing is open on friday night because of a high school football game?
The show also does a really good job of exploiting the inherent drama of sports. Teamwork and triumph of the will and all that. Clear eyes full hearts can't lose! During the first game I was in tears before Jason ever got hurt. I love sports drama!
Anyway moving forward we know there's a lot of pressure on these boys and a lot at stake. What will happen to Jason Street? Will Riggins get it together? Will Tyra sleep with everyone? Will Matt step up while Jason is injured? I kind of can't believe how much the show accomplishes in just one episode, we are already completely invested in several of the characters and in the plot as a whole.
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
The Wheel
Mark here...Laurel and I have finally gotten around to watching the last episode of Season One of "Mad Men". Laurel was on dinner this time and made a delicious (and show-appropriate) pot roast, green beans and double baked stuffed potatoes.
On to the episode, as season finales go this was a good one. At the end I was left wanting more. There weren't any cliffhangers per se, but there was plenty to chew on. For one, we see Don finally starting to appreciate married life. There are signs during the whole episode that he is having an internal struggle. He tries to track down the step brother who visited him earlier in the season (who he totally blew off with a cash payment, and a directive to never contact him again). He finds out the brother hung himself, which we had found out earlier. He also is pitching a campaign for Kodak's slide projector (the carousel) and does so showing his own family slides (immediate family of him, Betty and the kids) and this triggers an emotional response not only from the client, but it's clear from Don himself. Ironically, Betty's subplot is that she is finally suspecting the possibility that Don is cheating on her. She does discover that her psychiatrist has been talking to Don. In a bit of a twist, she uses her next session to say all the things she is afraid to say to Don. It's very revealing as it's the first time we see Betty opening up about her suspicions and general feelings for Don.
One other subplot I found interesting was with Peggy. We see her picking actresses for a radio commercial (and being totally brutal and insensitive about it). The overall impression is that she has really moved forward from just being a secretary. Don has noticed it too and she gets a promotion to Junior Copywriter, which causes her to become nauseous. At first we think its just nerves, but then she is in a doctor's office and we get the closest thing to a cliffhanger in the episode...Peggy was pregnant! All season, she wasn't just putting on weight. Understandably she is totally unprepared and in denial. When we fast forward to her in bed after the birth, the nurse is bringing her her son, and she turns away. It's an understandable moment, she was totally on a career path and this is exactly what she was trying to avoid. During these times, a baby would have been the quickest way to end her career. Still, what will become of this baby?
Hi Laurel here..I agree with Mark, this is such a good episode! The scene with Don pitching the carousel idea to Kodak is so powerful, this is actually one of the scenes I vividly remember from the show when I watched it the first time around.
Another notable scene in this episode is when Betty runs into Glen in a parking lot (library? post office? I didn't take note, but Glen is in the car waiting for his mom to come out). Glen informs Betty that he is not allowed to talk to her, to which she responds "I don't care". Then she totally starts crying and tells him she is just so sad and she doesn't have anyone to talk to. Inappropriate Betty! Leave Glen alone! He's just a kid! He's clearly inappropriately infatuated with you! Don't encourage him! Don't dump your grown up problems on a kid! It's just so wrong on so many levels. She says to him "just tell me I'm gonna be ok" to which he responds "I don't know, I wish I was older". Poor Glen.
So many things to chew on...what will happen to Peggy and Pete's baby? Will Don quit philandering and spend more time with his family? Will Peggy get to be the copywriter on Clearasil? Will Betty have a nervous breakdown? Lots going on I can't wait to see what happens!
On to the episode, as season finales go this was a good one. At the end I was left wanting more. There weren't any cliffhangers per se, but there was plenty to chew on. For one, we see Don finally starting to appreciate married life. There are signs during the whole episode that he is having an internal struggle. He tries to track down the step brother who visited him earlier in the season (who he totally blew off with a cash payment, and a directive to never contact him again). He finds out the brother hung himself, which we had found out earlier. He also is pitching a campaign for Kodak's slide projector (the carousel) and does so showing his own family slides (immediate family of him, Betty and the kids) and this triggers an emotional response not only from the client, but it's clear from Don himself. Ironically, Betty's subplot is that she is finally suspecting the possibility that Don is cheating on her. She does discover that her psychiatrist has been talking to Don. In a bit of a twist, she uses her next session to say all the things she is afraid to say to Don. It's very revealing as it's the first time we see Betty opening up about her suspicions and general feelings for Don.
One other subplot I found interesting was with Peggy. We see her picking actresses for a radio commercial (and being totally brutal and insensitive about it). The overall impression is that she has really moved forward from just being a secretary. Don has noticed it too and she gets a promotion to Junior Copywriter, which causes her to become nauseous. At first we think its just nerves, but then she is in a doctor's office and we get the closest thing to a cliffhanger in the episode...Peggy was pregnant! All season, she wasn't just putting on weight. Understandably she is totally unprepared and in denial. When we fast forward to her in bed after the birth, the nurse is bringing her her son, and she turns away. It's an understandable moment, she was totally on a career path and this is exactly what she was trying to avoid. During these times, a baby would have been the quickest way to end her career. Still, what will become of this baby?
Hi Laurel here..I agree with Mark, this is such a good episode! The scene with Don pitching the carousel idea to Kodak is so powerful, this is actually one of the scenes I vividly remember from the show when I watched it the first time around.
Another notable scene in this episode is when Betty runs into Glen in a parking lot (library? post office? I didn't take note, but Glen is in the car waiting for his mom to come out). Glen informs Betty that he is not allowed to talk to her, to which she responds "I don't care". Then she totally starts crying and tells him she is just so sad and she doesn't have anyone to talk to. Inappropriate Betty! Leave Glen alone! He's just a kid! He's clearly inappropriately infatuated with you! Don't encourage him! Don't dump your grown up problems on a kid! It's just so wrong on so many levels. She says to him "just tell me I'm gonna be ok" to which he responds "I don't know, I wish I was older". Poor Glen.
So many things to chew on...what will happen to Peggy and Pete's baby? Will Don quit philandering and spend more time with his family? Will Peggy get to be the copywriter on Clearasil? Will Betty have a nervous breakdown? Lots going on I can't wait to see what happens!
Nicoise Sandwich
Hi Laurel here...These sandwiches turned out really good! They are a little messy which I don't mind, but if you wanted to make them for a picnic or something I think if you put a little less filling per sandwich they would be more manageable.The recipe I worked off of was from Epicurious, you can find it here. Although I did take a few liberties...I ended up not using any white onion (there's already red onion and scallions I didn't see any need to turn this into a triple onion party), also I didn't add any additional olive oil. I'm not sure about other brands but the tuna I used (Ortiz) had plenty of oil in the can to complete the dressing for my taste. In order to let the onions do their thing I just put everything for the dressing and the tuna with oil together and let it sit for a little.I couldn't find good kaiser rolls so I tried an olive bread and a regular baguette. The flavor of the olive bread with the sandwich was great, but the bread had really big air pockets in it, so I thought the baguette version turned out a little better because the baguette was better at soaking up the awesome juices of the filling.I also used a little less anchovy, and what I did use i chopped into quarters so you didn't end up with a big ol' mouthful of anchovy.I chose romaine lettuce which I thought added a nice crunch.Other recipes that I saw recommended using an olive tapenade instead of nicoise olives which I think would be great, also some recommended wrapping the sandwiches in plastic wrap, and squeezing them in the fridge overnight with a cast iron skillet. I didn't try it this time but I'm intrigued to try it another time. the only thing I would be wary about is refrigerating the tomatoes overnight but maybe those could be added the day of, or you could leave them out like in this recipe from martha stewart
1/4 of white onion, thinly sliced1/8 of a small red onion, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus additional for drizzling
1 tablespoon red-wine vinegar, plus additional to taste
1/4 teaspoon salt, plus additional to taste
black pepper to taste
1 6-ounce can tuna packed in olive oil (see above) including olive oil
lemon juice to taste
2 kaiser rolls, plain
lettuce leaves, combination of Boston, green-leaf, or other green leafy lettuce
8 tomato slices
6-8 hard-boiled eggs slices
4 anchovy fillets, drained
Niçoise olives
scallions, chopped
radishes, slicesCombine the red and white onion with 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil,1 tablespoon red-wine vinegar, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and several grinds of black pepper in a bowl.Using your hands, mix and squeeze everything together for 5 minutes. (Don't rush through this part; the onions need time to release their juices and mellow.)Work in can of tuna in olive oil, including the oil. Season with fresh lemon juice, red-wine vinegar, and salt, then add pepper to taste.Cut kaiser rolls in half crosswise and spread each bottom half with lettuce leaves. Use a couple of varieties—whatever looks good—for the difference in texture.On top of each lettuce layer, arrange 4 tomato slices (skip this step if you don't have good—really good—tomatoes on hand). Then add about half the tuna mixture and 3 to 4 slices of hard-boiled egg.Crisscross each sandwich with 2 drained anchovy fillets and strew with Niçoise olives (pit them if desired), chopped scallion greens, and sliced radishes. Then drizzle generously with more olive oil and top with the remaining kaiser halves, pressing gently but firmly.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)