Buffy! - When She Was Bad

Mark here... we are on to Season 2 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer!  For this show and season we've decided to challenge ourselves and have a "bloodless" theme for all our recipes. With that in mind, I've made us an appetizer of celery sticks and a cream cheese dip, as well as a mushroom risotto dinner.

So as I "nerdsplained" to Laurel, Buffy seasons tend to follow an arc with the beginning episodes being seemingly one-offs, peppered with some hints of a larger plot, leading up to a major episode mid-season that catapults things towards a final confrontation with a Big Bad.  This episode, as the premiere, was sort of a catch up for anyone who hadn't seen season one.  Season 1's Big Bad was the Master and this episode, "When She Was Bad", shows the gang meeting up after summer vacation.  Buffy is still traumatized by her confrontation with the Master last season.  This leads to some unrealistic bitchiness towards everyone around her as she takes out her anxiety on everyone.  The plot is basically Buffy trying to prevent the resurrection of the Master.  It's a fairly plain episode with some fun scares but nothing too special.  There are some funny lines though.  In the end, Buffy prevents the Master's return and smashes his bones (I think because he was such an old vampire, he had bones - go figure) and then makes up with the gang.

Laurel here...Yeah Buffy is a real bitch in this episode!  I thought that there was going to be some larger reason (like secretly someone was going to kill them all if she didn't get them to hate her)
 but it turns out she was just traumatized by her run-ins with the master.  Also she kept having dreams about him coming back to life and haunting her, which turned out to be relevant because a bunch of vampires were trying to resurrect him.  Mark also nerdsplained to me that it's a slayer thing for dreams to be relevant, although it's not always clear exactly what they mean until it happens.

So side note...I bet we probably talked about this first season, but can we just re-visit how giant Buffy's stunt woman is?  She is way bigger than Buffy (not hard to do I'm sure), wears a terrible wig, and looks to be mid to late 30s.  I get it if they can't do anything about her age or size, there's probably not that many lady stuntwomen out there...but can't they at least get her a decent wig?

My favorite quote this episode was when Buffy is reading the random note from the vampires (they had kidnapped Cordelia) that says "Come to the Bronze (the night club/cafe where all the kids hang out) or we will make a meal of her."  To which Xander responds "They're going to cook her dinner?!?"  Oh Xander.

Mark here...we've decided to start rating our impression of each episode this season, using a "stake" rating system, 1 to 5 stakes (5 being the best). I'm pretty sure I read it somewhere else, so while the graphics are ours, I can't say the idea is.  If someone complains, we may have to replace it with a plastic fangs rating system! But with that in mind we'd give this episode 3 stakes.  Not bad, but not great.

Wedding Bell Blues

Mark here... we are finally at the season finale of season 2 of 90210! Thank god! I want to say this season was better than season one, but really its about the same.  You remember the show as being so entertaining, and while it has it's moments, there's so much filler!

In any case, this episode deals with the fallout from last episode with Dylan and Brenda going to Mexico.  Jim Walsh has to pick up Brenda from Mexico and is understandably furious.  He reads Brenda and Dylan the riot act. Dylan is surprisingly such a jerk this episode.  Granted he is supposed to be a poor little rich boy, but he sure does act like it this episode.  He never fails to make everything all about him and has no perception of why Jim and Cindy would feel betrayed by him.  After a serious of talks with Jim Walsh he ends up exploding at the end of the episode at Jim, going so far as telling Jim to punch him.  Jeez, chill out Dylan!  On the one hand it's believable for a spoiled teenage rich kid.  On the other, it's annoying, as he seems more concerned with looking cool.  Not sure if this is the actor or the writing....but the cliffhanger of the season/episode is Brenda crying after her dad and Dylan's big blowout.

One fun part about this is at one point Cindy writes a heartfelt note to Dylan about making up with Jim and we get to see her note on her "stationary"...which is so clearly printed out on someone's home printer with just "Cindy Walsh" on the top...not even "From the desk of Cindy Walsh"!

CINDY WALSH!!

The other plot line is Kelly's mom, Jackie, marrying David Silver's dad, Mel.  This proves to be a comedy of errors as flooding prevents them from having their wedding at their house.  Brandon accidentally tells Kelly they should have their wedding at the Walsh house...on thing leads to another and soon Cindy and Jim are begrudgingly offering their house.  Jim and Cindy do provide a bit of "wacky" comic relief here.  Of course, Jackie has no friends, so Kelly, Brenda and Donna serve as bridesmaids.

Laurel here...First of all, I think it's totally hilarious/wrong/the best that Brenda and Donna are Jackie's bridesmaids.  My mom Barb sometimes crosses the line with my friends, but really, this takes the cake!!!

Also this episode Dylan is so annoying!  He whisks Jim's TEENAGE daughter to MEXICO, and then is bent out of shape because Jim is upset.  At one point at the wedding he throws his glass beer bottle at the wall, breaking it, because he is so upset with Jim for "breaking his trust"  Really?  Jim broke your trust?  At which point he also tells Jim, "get your hands off my money!"  Like there's anyone more trustworthy in Los Angeles to handle your money than Jim Walsh.  Please.  Jim is like an investment unicorn...someone this trustworthy doesn't even exist in real life.

Also this episode Brenda is super annoying (surprise!).  Dylan says he may not go to Jackie's wedding because of the tension with Jim.  Brenda says she's not going if he doesn't go.  Really?  You aren't going to go to your best friends mom's wedding?  At which you are supposed to be a bridesmaid?  Because your "teenage" boyfriend is mad at your dad?

So style award this episode goes to...Jackie!  For her actually awesome maternity dress.  This is our very first non-ironic style award guys.  Enjoy it while it lasts because there won't be many more.

Our cocktail moment would be any time Jake from Melrose hits on Kelly...umm, statutory rape!

We are so excited to be done with nine-0 for now!  On to Buffy!  The theme is going to be "bloodless"  we are challenging ourselves to an entirely vegetarian season.  stay tuned!

Mexican Standoff

Amalia here, Guest Blogger Extraordinaire...Laurel prepared an amazing breakfast burger on a tater tot waffle with a side of arugula salad along with homemade fresh tomato bloody mary's (really the best I've ever had!).

Bloody Marys and Breakfast Burgers on Tater tot waffles

The egg is a little prettier here

Today's episode focused on Brenda's angsty relationship with her parents, Jim and Cindy, who are frustrated with her constant curfew lapses due to some hot make out scenes with Dylan (who has always been my favorite of the 90210 boys).

Brenda plots a sneaky plan to join Dylan on a surfing trip to Baja when her parents refuse to let her go. And in true 90's soap style, the trip turns out to be a disaster! Brenda and Dylan get in a fight because Dylan is a slutty, teenage boy and Brenda's not the first girl he's brought to Baja. Oh Dylan, those sideburns are too hard to resist!

And meanwhile, back in B.H., Kelly is hitting on the sexy Jake from Melrose Place...wait, how old is this dude?? Uh oh, I smell trouble...

Mark here...Amalia did a great job of summing things up! Basically, Brenda and Dylan plot this Mexican getaway, and because we must have a lesson for the teenagers, things go amuck!  Of course, they do end up having fun but at first Brenda pouts after finding out Dylan brought another girl to Baja while she and Dylan were "on a break"!  Sigh...   Eventually they make up and end up dancing at a restaurant, succeeding in being the whitest people in Mexico.

Blending right in

Meanwhile, Brandon and Kelly provide cover for Brenda with the Walshes and seem to be a little annoyed with it.  Kelly though is distracted with sexy Jake from Melrose Place. Where does he live? Oh "this little place off Melrose, nothing special".  He's doing construction at Kelly's house and is clearly double Kelly's age! Scandal!  We also get another reference to Steve's ongoing crush on Kelly, which is the most boring subplot.

One funny part is when Andrea gets wind of Brenda and Dylan's trip and promptly tries to plan a group trip to hone in on their romantic getaway. Oh Andrea.

In the end, Dylan and Brenda get stopped at the border coming back to the US and Brenda has forgotten her I.D.  Cliffhanger! Really, this is pre-9/11, I doubt the border guards would care too much about 2 obviously american teenagers, but we need to have a lesson about lying to your parents!

Hey Laurel here...I can't wait to find out what happens?!?  Are Jim and Cindy really going to find out?!?

Style award this episode goes to....Dylan!   For his sleeveless wetsuit/mom jeans combo.  Way to go Dylan!  Also the reception desk at Dylan and Brenda's baja hotel, which was wearing a mexiacn blanket.  Arriba!

(Style Honorable mention also goes to Dylan for making a Hawaiian shirt look surprisingly hip - it must be those damn sideburns!)

Cocktail moment is when Jake asks Kelly, "Are you going to be around?"  to which she replies "Why, do you need someone to hold your level?"  Dirty girl.  Dirty dirty teenage girl.

Breakfast/brunch pizza

Mark here...I was inspired to try this recipe after reading this blog post:

http://garlicgirl.com/2011/09/05/breakfast-pizza/

I'm generally not a fan of anything that looks remotely like baking, but this seemed pretty easy...although I still managed to get flour everywhere in my kitchen...

I used the dough recipe from http://chefchuckscucina.blogspot.com 

Ingredients

Dough:

4 1/2 cups of flour

2 cups warm water

1 tablespoon of yeast

1 tablespoon of sugar

2 tablespoons of olive oil

2 tablespoons of red wine vinegar

1 teaspoon of kosher salt

Topping:

Fresh Mozzarella

2 eggs

2 heirloom tomatoes

prosciutto

fresh baby arugula

I made the dough and put it in the fridge overnight.  Begin by adding the yeast to the water and let it dissolve about 15-20 minutes.  Then add the sugar, olive oil and vinegar to it. Mix the flour and salt in a food processor and then slowly add the water mixture to this.  Eventually a ball will form.  Tip the ball onto a floured board and knead until it gets less sticky.  Add more flour if necessary.  Oil a bowl and put the ball into it, cover with a towel and let it rest/expand.  It needs 2 hours, but mine was in the fridge overnight.

When ready, preheat the oven to 500F and lay out the flour into the shape you want your pizza.  You will need a bit more flour and then transfer to a cookie sheet or pizza stone.  One mistake I made was letting the pizza get too thick.  There's a reason they do all that flipping and tossing in a pizzeria!  I plan on trying pizza again to get it right but basically the center should be thin.

After laying it out I sliced and layed out mozzarella and heirloom tomatoes and then prosciutto bits.  I originally put some baby arugula but this is best added when the pizza comes out of the oven so it can slightly wilt.  Put the pizza in the oven for about 5-7 minutes.  In the meantime crack the eggs into separate bowls.  Remove the pizza and add the eggs on top.  Cook another 5-7 minutes or until the eggs are done.  I like mine white but the yolks runny.  Remove the pizza and sprinkle with arugula and serve...

Things to do on a Rainy Day

Ok guys.  Laurel here.  Apparently things to do on a rainy day include cheating on your husband...because that's what Donna's mom does in this episode!

The gang heads down to the four seasons or shutters or the Beverly Wilshire or whatever to try and meet the band Color me Badd (I know) because they are playing a sold out show at the Whiskey but of course the gang thinks hey can score a way in to the show somehow.

Wouldn't you know it?  Donna's mom is having an affair at that very hotel.  and wouldn't you know it?  Donna happens to be on her floor looking for Color me Badd when she instead finds her mom making out with some dude at his room, but IN THE HALLWAY.  How about a little discretion Donna's mom?

Mark here.... Laurel did a great job of recapping the episode.  All in all it was a "funner" episode than the last 3! One thing that was sort of creepy is when Kelly goes back to the hotel room with Color Me Badd! Um ! Date Rape!  It's so weird?!

There's a subplot with the boys attempting to get a stripper to come to the house (Because Jim and Cindy just had to step out?).  Unfortunately Andrea shows up and reminds the boys that the stripper is a human being by talking to her about her life. Wah Wah Andrea. So when Andrea finally leaves its much less sexy to watch the girl try and strip. Thanks, Andrea.  This is what she looks like when she comes to the door.  Do you think she brought a bag of Carp?

There's not too much else to say about the episode.  It was entertaining because of Color Me Badd, and slightly awful. No quotes...

Cocktail moment is clearly any reference to Color Me Badd, who really define douchebag....

Style award goes to Donna for her matching red and black diamonds outfit including red and black diamond hot pants, and a red leather jacket...

Meeting Mr Pony

Mark here...god damn it this was another stinker! this episode, called "Meeting Mr Pony" was awful. Basically, Brenda is hanging out at the Peach Pitt after dark (sorry not the Peach Pitt After Dark, that comes later), and while Brandon and Dylan are fooling around out back...not literally sadly...Brenda gets held up by some thug.  The whole rest of the episode is Brenda dealing with some PTSD.  Really?!? Who the F cares?! The only funny moment comes as Brenda, who is clearly dealing with issues, is in class with a super chatty annoying Andrea.  She basically tells her to shut up, which is always fun.

Otherwise this episode sucked.  Even Jim and Cindy, normally the voices of reason, are late to catch on to Brenda's trauma.  I mean really, your daughter has been held up and you're fine with it? Sure they came around, but I don't really believe it would've taken them that long to figure it out.  Basically a blah episode...

Laurel here..I agree with Mark, what a snoozer!

Here's another Andrea moment worth mentioning...When the gang gets back to the Walsh house from somewhere, Andrea is just casually reading in the Walsh's living room.  What is she reading?  The Bible?  A dictionary?  Ulysses?  The Torah?  We may never know.

Style award this episode goes to...Cindy yet again!  For her little house on the prairie ensemble.  Way to go Cindy!

The Pit and the Pendulum

Hi guys Laurel here...So this episode was even more of a snoozer than the last.  Mainly Mark and me talked about our plans for after we win powerball tonight but we also watched the episode.  We are good at multi tasking.

So this episode, one of Jim's clients, an investor, wants to build a huge shopping mall where the Peach Pit is so they are offering to buy Nat out.  The Pit has fallen on hard times, Nat can barely afford to stay open so it looks like he will have to take the offer.  Oh no!  No Peach Pit!  What is everyone going to do?  Brandon will have to find a new job!  Brenda will have to find a new venue to hone her acting chops!  Andrea will have to find somewhere besides school to be annoying!

So of course Brandon wants to save the Peach Pit.  Which puts him at odds with a hot college girl he has a crush on who is the daughter of the main investor, and also Jim who obviously wants to close this deal for his client, Peach Pit be damned.  So drama ensues then in the end the deal falls through and the Peach Pit is saved!  Yay!

Mark here...so Laurel did a great job of summing up the calamity that would ensue should the Peach Pitt close.  All I can add is, once the deal falls through everyone is so psyched! Nat is thrilled to go back to 60 hour weeks at an old diner in Beverly Hills!  That expensive check means nothing after teenage Brandon's heartfelt talk about the "history" of the Peach Pitt! The staff is ecstatic to go back to their minimum wage jobs slinging burgers! Yay!!

Our quote of note this episode goes to Brenda, mustering all her sympathy at the closing of the Peach Pitt..."I like Nat too Brandon, I mean he even named a milkshake after me!"  I imagine that milkshake involves cayenne pepper and garlic...

Style award goes to the always reliable Cindy Walsh for her color-blocked shirt at the beginning of the episode....

Every time anyone mentions the cook Willie needing to keep his job is a definite cocktail moment.  I'm just guessing here but I think we'll never hear about Willie again!