Fragged

Mark here…we're on to episode 3 of Season 2 of Battlestar Galactica.  This episode is called "Fragged" and it's very interesting.  The premise is basically Col Tigh is barely holding on to leadership of the fleet while the team on Kobol struggles to survive, awaiting rescue from Galactica.  On Galactica, Roslin is dealing with withdrawl from the drug she's been taking for her cancer (she' still incarcerated).  At the same time the Quorum (the fleet's version of Congress) is demanding to see her.  Tigh is reluctant to let them but his wife has visited Roslin in withdrawal and is convinced she is crazy.  Tigh then allows the Quorum to see her, thinking she'll be talking nonsense.  Unfortunately, her religious guard has snuck her some of the drug she needs.  The Quorum encounters a lucid Roslin who declares her incarceration unconstitutional.  This all prompts Tigh to declare martial law.  It's all very interesting as Tigh, being a drunk is clearly unable to negotiaite politics as Adama could.  Adama may not have agreed with Roslin, but he generally came around to seeing her point of view.  Tigh hates this role and doesn't get politics.

Meanwhile on Kobol, the team there is barely surviving and is forced to make some fatal decisions in a an effort to take down the Cylon force there.  Basically, they need to prevent the Cylons from shooting down their rescue team.  As annoying as Baltar is, it's an opportunity for him to be valuable.

Laurel here…not much to add except this is the first episode in a while that Baltar (the doctor who is enraptured by the cylon "6") actually does anything of value.  When the team scoping out Kobol are in the thick of it he actually steps up and does some work to protect the team.  I am totally surprised that this complete douchebag finally decided to do something of value.

Also wanted to give a shout out to the old, craggy, grumpy, chain smoking doctor Cottle who seems to be saving Adama's life.  We'll see what happens?!?

Mark and I are finished doing our "work" for the night and are about to watch the new footage from the director's cut of Alien…so excited!!

Valley of Darkness

Mark here… this episode, 'Valley of Darkness" picks right up at the end of last episode.  Cylon Centurions have gotten aboard Galactica and managed to cut the power (or at least the lights).  The episode is very tense.  It's a sort of typical writing concept, everyone fumbling around in the dark, but it's done well.  Lee Adama and Roslin are stuck making their way through Galactica with a team trying to avoid and yet destroy the Cylons.  It plays out very interesting and even though it's sort of a "filler" episode in that it doesn't really address any overall plot issues, it's still interesting.  Commander Adama is still in critical in sick bay.  We also get some glimpses of the team on Kobol, although it's not super interesting.

Separately we see Helo and Starbuck back on Caprica.  Compared to the drama on Galactica, this is a bit boring.  They make their way to Starbuck's old apartment, where we learn that Starbuck was a painter and liked classical music.  As Laurel said, the show is better than that.  We're supposed to be seeing another side of Starbuck, but it's a bit obvious and dull.  I was happy when they moved on.  There are better ways of showing us Starbuck's character….

Hey Laurel here…Not much to add as this was pretty much just a continuation of what had been started last episode.  The only thing to comment on really is to reiterate what Mark has said about Starbuck.  Her character came on so strong so fast it seems like now they are trying to correct themselves and it is definitely an overcorrection.  She was so hard and masculine in the beginning in almost a comical way,  like a caricature now they are trying to right the ship and it goes to far the other way.  Sensitive artist?  Ok we get it.  She's a "complicated woman".  Quit shoving it in our faces!  Many layers to the onion that is Starbuck!  Enough already!  All of the other ladies in the show are bad ass and feminine at the same time, not flopping from one extreme to the other.  Starbuck's character is so painfully contrived.  Hopefully she will find herself and level out, and this will quit being so annoying!

I think that Roslin is on her way to redeeming herself in the eyes of the crew.  Fingers crossed!  Although I have never doubted her.

Scattered

Mark here…Laurel and I are on to our first round of Season 2 episodes!  I made us Ina Garten's Green Risotto and herb wrapped fish and Laurel made a delicious kale salad to accompany.  And we're off with season two of Battlestar Galactica.  I'm excited to move on to Season 2s of our shows as we don't have to deal with the set up and establishment stuff of Season 1.

On to the episode!  This episode picks up right after the cliffhanger from Season 1.  Adama has been shot by Cylon Sharon and the entire fleet is thrown into disarray.  Tigh takes over and orders an emergency jump, leaving behind Chief, Cally, Baltar and an expeditionary force on the planet Kobol.  Fearing that Sharon has revealed their location to the Cylons, the fleet does the jump, and in the confusion, the civilian fleet ends up at a different location than Galactica.  It's a tense and fast paced episode as the crew on Galactica struggles to find a way to locate the civilian fleet.  At the same time Adama is in critical condition while Dr. Cottle is still lost with the civilian fleet.  Col. Tigh struggles with the responsibility of leadership and eventually they devise a plan to find the fleet.  All the while Roslin is still in Galactica's brig for sending Starbuck back to Caprica to retrieve the arrow of Apollo (a key to finding Earth).

In the end after a battle with the Cylons, Galactica does locate the fleet, but a ship full of Cylon Centurions has crash landed in one of Galactica's flight pods…unbeknownst to anyone…

Hey Laurel here…I'm a little confused about Sharon.  It seems like she is still the same old Sharon that we love and trust, and just got taken over by her programming temporarily when she shot Adama.  It will be interesting to see how that plays out.

I'm also interested to see how Roslin being in prison plays out.  Will Starbuck come back with the arrow and save the day?  Will Roslin be exonerated?

Also just wanted to add a note about Starbuck's makeup…when we see her this episode she is a little bloodied and beaten.  It just so happens that some of the blood runs down her face in the shape of a goatee?  Accidental or on purpose?  hmmm..

Also is Adama going to survive?  If not will Tigh be able to handle it?  So far he seems emotional but is handling things well?

State

Mark here...Laurel and I have just watched the season one finale of Friday Night Lights, called "State."  Laurel made us some Texas-appropriate Armadillo eggs, king ranch casserole and steamed artichokes, all of which were delicious!

This episode was great, a really nice cap off to the season.  The premise is that the Panthers are playing the state playoffs.  At the same time, Coach Taylor has accepted a job in Austin next year, which is understandably disheartening to the team.  Saracen takes it pretty hard considering his father-figure is abandoning him and taking his girlfriend. Tami has decided to stay in Dillon with Julie but they haven't told Julie yet. Also, Tami finds out she's pregnant and Coach's reaction is great. At first you are afraid he will have a negative reaction, but his response is pitch perfect.  I attribute it to great actors but also great writing.

Separately Lyla and Tyra have a blow out and come to realize they are not so different.  It's nice to see their relationship grow beyond catfight territory.  While that's fine for 90210, here it's more entertaining to see the characters grow beyond just hating each other. Landry is still carrying a torch for Tyra that kind of blows up on him in a funny way.  He thinks he and Tyra will have a private drive to state when Tyra asks him to come because she has tickets.  Unfortunately, her mom and sister show up and then Saracen's grandmother...leading to a very girl-centric trip that's nothing like he imagined.

I'll let Laurel go into the rest, but all in all a very good episode that triggered emotions in the best way!

Totally, Mark is right.  Spoiler alert...Panthers win state!  So the cliff hangers for season 2 are...Panthers win state, what's gonna happen next year?  The episode ends with Jason Street giving the guys a talk about how football is a 365 a year job, so they can enjoy the day but the next day they are back to work.  Are they setting us up for Jason being the new head coach next year?!?

The next cliffhanger is Tami is fucking pregnant!!!  The last talk we see her and Coach Taylor having, Eric is ready to give up his dreams to stay in Dillon to tend to his new family.  You would think that Tami would be ecstatic about this but she is like fuck no, you need to follow your dreams in Austin and I need to follow mine in Dillon!  I'm dying to know what happens because I don't remember...

The others are less cliffhangery and just interesting to think about...will Lyla and Tyra become friends? Will Lyla make up with her dad?  Will smash transfer to another school to get more visibility?  Will Landry and Tyra actually against all odds start dating?  Will Matt and Julie stay together?  I can't wait to find out!

Best Laid Plans

Hi Laurel here...So this episode there is so much fighting!

First the Taylor's are fighting because Eric accepted a job at TMU in Austin, but neither Julie or Tami wants to go until Juli graduates.  Eric is saying no way but as we've seen Tami is not one to be steamrolled.

Tyra and Landry are fighting because Landry told Tami about Tyra's assault.  I sympathize with Tyra about wanting to keep it a secret, but I think Landry did the right thing.  Tyra clearly needed help and Tami was exactly the right person to tell.  She made her go to the police which Tyra was sort of humiliated by but of course it's totally the right thing.

Lyla's parents have been unable to reconcile and are getting a divorce.  Jason and Lyla continue to be distant, which comes to a head at the end of the episode, I'll let Mark tell you about that...

Mark here...I agree with everything Laurel said.  All the fighting, for me, contributed to a feeling of tension that built until the end of the episode.  The big roast dinner had so many tense relationships!  The Taylors upset with each other about Eric's new job, Tyra and Landry, Jason and Lyla, Lyla and Buddy (who she's still not forgiven, and now her parents are getting divorced), and a few more I may be missing.

The part between Lyla and  has to do with Jason making a "date" with the blonde tattoo artist from a few episodes back.  She's in town and Jason runs into her and makes plans without telling Lyla.  This ends up with Jason and the blonde kissing and totally getting caught by Lyla.  By the end of the episode, she's had enough and tells Jason not to come by her house again.

Tyra and Landry also make up by the end and though I like both characters, I hope they aren't trying to set up some kind of beauty and the geek storyline.  It just doesn't work for me that she'd date someone who's clearly emotionally younger.  I think she'd definitely be flattered and maybe a few years later...I don't know, we'll see what happens...

The last plotline to note was with Smash and his girlfriend, who lets him know he can have a "hiatus" period during the Roast Dinner, which she has decided not to go to.  Fortunately, he doesn't do anything, but the idea is weird and makes me think she's still unstable.

Mud Bowl

Mark here... Laurel and I just watched the next episode of Friday Night Lights, called "Mud Bowl".  Laurel made us a delicious Lasagna with a side of garlic bread and I made us a caesar salad to accompany it.

This episode was a bit slow to start with, picking up some of what's been going on.  To start with, there's an accident or fuel explosion near the field so the coach is forced to find a different location for the team to play the next game.  They chose a nearby cow field to play on and it ends up raining the night of the game, which is where the title of the episode, Mud Bowl, comes from.  Smash is still dealing with his bipolar girlfriend, who has struck up a friendship with Lyla Garrity.  So far not a lot comes from this except his girlfriend is upset when Smash discloses her condition to Lyla.

Landry convinces Tyra to let him tutor her and promptly misreads their relationship.  Then unexpectedly at the end of the episode, he is late in meeting her and she is assaulted by a guy in the diner parking lot.  She manages to fight him off just before Landry shows up and turns to him for support.  It will be interesting to see how this plays out and if Landry further misinterprets things.  Clearly Tyra is shocked and in need of a friend.

Tim Riggins has also continued his relationship with his older neighbor and it still feels like this won't end well...

Laurel here...I just wanted to elaborate on Tyra a little...she fights off her attacker in the most bad ass way!  He pushes her into HER truck to try and rape her, she pushes in the cigarette lighter and he doesn't notice during the struggle.  then she BURNS HIM IN THE FACE!!!  so awesome.  It gives her enough time to get out of the cab, when he tries to follow her out she slams his wrist in the door repeatedly.  such a bad ass.  Hopefully she will see it that way and not see herself as a victim.

Also Lyla is so awesome this episode.  Jason is feeling sorry for himself about not making the rugby team, and bummed about the lawsuit with the Taylors.  He ends up kind of taking it out on her, not returning her phonecalls and being super mean to her when she comes over to check in.  She throws a glass of water in his face and basically tells him to quit being a fucking baby and do something about it.  At the next law suit meeting he steps up and puts an end to it by making a compromise deal that both sides can live with.  Which seems to resolve things in a way where the Taylor's are off the hook financially.

Also Jason works a lot with Matt Seracen on his QB skills to help him get ready for the big game, and Matt kills it.  Panthers are going to state!  At the very end of the episode Coach Taylor asks Jason if he has ever thought about coaching...is there a job in Jason's near future?  I hope so, I know I am sick of seeing him mope around.

Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

Mark here... we have just watched the next episode of Friday Night Lights, called, "Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes" (boy that's a pain in the ass to type!)...Laurel has made us meatball subs with a kale salad, perfect for the heat we're experiencing right now!  This episode is more a continuation of the last few episodes, in a good way.  Tami has followed through with her desire to help Tyra succeed with school and move on to better things.  Unfortunately this involves reaching out to Tyra's mom, who is so self absorbed she can't deal with the revelation that her daughter may be destined for better things.  She immediately freaks out.  For one she doesn't think they can afford college for Tyra, but the subtext is that she's afraid Tyra will leave her Tyra who has been her rock to depend on.  She finally comes around at the end of the episode but even this is all about the mom.  She chooses to bring Tyra to a father-daughter dance as a way of supporting her.  Meanwhile, Tyra isn't missing a dad, the mom is!

Separately, we see Lyla's family is breaking down.  Buddy attempts to bond with Lyla to bring the family back together, claiming he screwed up once.  Lyla, reflecting on her own one time screw up with Jason, naturally supports her dad.  So when he shows up at her moms door she defends him, leading the mom to bring up past indiscretions by Buddy.  Lyla loses it at this point, telling her dad to go.  She put her faith in him and saw it to be a lie.  Next we see her crashing cars at Buddy's dealership!

The only bad storyline is the continuation of Tim Riggins with the next door neighbor.  I have to say this is the first storyline where the writers of the show have let me down!  The neighbor is of course this sexy 30-something who looks 20-something.  Of course Tim wants to hook up with her, but their interactions are ridiculous.  He's clearly the adult and the writing of their interactions is not realistic, given that he's a teenager.

One good thing about the episode is Smash, Tim, Jason, and Matt getting drunk one night on the field.  I think this is the first time we've seen the 4 of them interacting just with each other and it's a nice scene.

Hi Laurel here...again I agree with Mark on all counts.  The one other story line of this episode is that Coach Taylor gets a job offer from a college in Austin.  It has always been his goal to coach a college team, so of course him and Tami are both on board with moving, but Juli has established roots in Dillon so for her it's a different story.  She has built a life for herself in Dillon including an awesome boyfriend so of course she doesn't want to leave.  At first neither coach or Tami anticipated her objections but by the end of the episode they both get it and it seems they are trying to include her input in the decision whether to stay or go.

The other revelation of this episode is that Jason gets rejected from the Paralympic murderball team, and is devastated.  The girl in Austin who has a crush on him is of course there to comfort him.  She offers him a ride back to Dillon because she has to drop off a fridge for an aunt or whatever near there, and they end up kissing at "stone henge 2"  some kind of stone henge roadside attraction.  He insists to Lyla that "nothing happened", but clearly something in brewing here...