Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
And Madison was truly a jerk to not let the twins go to the cabin; she didn’t need to go but she needed to let them go. Why is she always calling the custody shots?

Because Kevin always gives in on what he wants to make other people happy, at least according to the documentarian whose name escapes me?

Zoe.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Alrighty, we are back.

I had my doubts about this episode. I was like, do I really need to see another Beth origin story (which is mean because Beth is arguably the best character on this series) but I did and so do you. Very satisfying.

The mystery of Kevin's future intensifies. I find Elijah to be an annoying dork, but dude brought it at the end.

I think Madison is a jerk for not joining Pearson Thanksgiving. Sorry, I do.

I teared up at Miguel and Rebecca's best friends declaration.

Sophie is BAAACKK.

A little unsatisfying, but I hope it's just the beginning.

I like Elijah for Madison, very much. I do agree she should have sucked it up for the Pearson Thanksgiving though, given Rebecca's situation and the fact that it is very premature to insist on celebrating it with Elijah.

As much as I like the character, I had mixed feelings about Beth's storyline. 95% of people who aim for careers in the performing arts don't succeed, just the way that it is. Disappointing, yes, but I don't feel the teacher was some kind of a monster. You'd think as an adult she'd be much more understanding of the fact that she didn't have "it" and so objectively lost out to a better dancer for one show. ONE SHOW. She didn't have to give up based on one disappointment, she chose to and it was very immature.

OK but you’re thinking about it from an adult perspective, she was a teen who just lost her dad. World blown up from multiple perspectives. She needed someone and her mother was emotionally cold. Her teacher and she strivrd to be perfect for dismissed her with barely a conversation. From a teen perspective, even little things can be “earth shattering”… the combination of everything going on for her – it would’ve been a minor miracle had she persevered with no support from any of the adults in her life.

I completely get all of that, but my issue is her feeling the need to make that phone call as an adult.

+100
That's the kind of confrontation you have if you've been abused (emotionally, etc.). The teacher seemed like a perfectly decent person who was probably just a little cold when she could have used more support. Ridiculous story line.

So, Beth likely spent more time with her teacher than her own father. The 1-2 punch of losing both was incredibly traumatic. That being said, the phone call didn’t really hit at the heart of the issue.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Alrighty, we are back.

I had my doubts about this episode. I was like, do I really need to see another Beth origin story (which is mean because Beth is arguably the best character on this series) but I did and so do you. Very satisfying.

The mystery of Kevin's future intensifies. I find Elijah to be an annoying dork, but dude brought it at the end.

I think Madison is a jerk for not joining Pearson Thanksgiving. Sorry, I do.

I teared up at Miguel and Rebecca's best friends declaration.

Sophie is BAAACKK.

A little unsatisfying, but I hope it's just the beginning.

I like Elijah for Madison, very much. I do agree she should have sucked it up for the Pearson Thanksgiving though, given Rebecca's situation and the fact that it is very premature to insist on celebrating it with Elijah.

As much as I like the character, I had mixed feelings about Beth's storyline. 95% of people who aim for careers in the performing arts don't succeed, just the way that it is. Disappointing, yes, but I don't feel the teacher was some kind of a monster. You'd think as an adult she'd be much more understanding of the fact that she didn't have "it" and so objectively lost out to a better dancer for one show. ONE SHOW. She didn't have to give up based on one disappointment, she chose to and it was very immature.

OK but you’re thinking about it from an adult perspective, she was a teen who just lost her dad. World blown up from multiple perspectives. She needed someone and her mother was emotionally cold. Her teacher and she strivrd to be perfect for dismissed her with barely a conversation. From a teen perspective, even little things can be “earth shattering”… the combination of everything going on for her – it would’ve been a minor miracle had she persevered with no support from any of the adults in her life.

I completely get all of that, but my issue is her feeling the need to make that phone call as an adult.

+100
That's the kind of confrontation you have if you've been abused (emotionally, etc.). The teacher seemed like a perfectly decent person who was probably just a little cold when she could have used more support. Ridiculous story line.

Anonymous wrote:Alrighty, we are back.

I had my doubts about this episode. I was like, do I really need to see another Beth origin story (which is mean because Beth is arguably the best character on this series) but I did and so do you. Very satisfying.

The mystery of Kevin's future intensifies. I find Elijah to be an annoying dork, but dude brought it at the end.

I think Madison is a jerk for not joining Pearson Thanksgiving. Sorry, I do.

I teared up at Miguel and Rebecca's best friends declaration.

Sophie is BAAACKK.

DP. I knew ALL ALONG it would be Sophie. Sorry, I just had to say that.

I was a little annoyed at the Beth back story. We've been given hints for years that something in her ballet past traumatized her - and now we find out it was simply that her teacher found another favorite and didn't properly console her when her father died? And she needed to call him late one night, after decades had past, to tell him this?? JFC.

I thought the whispered discussion on stage after the ballerina fell was ridiculous. You're seriously going to plop down and have a little convo in front of the entire audience?? Come ON.

I kind of thought Madison was a little selfish about Thanksgiving too - until I heard what Kate had to say about it to Kevin. She was so right that Madison has *finally* found someone who is falling in love with her, and she deserves to pursue that and be happy. Kevin can be so self-centered and such a man-baby sometimes (although I do adore him and think he's funny as hell). I totally agreed with the perspective Kate offered, and was glad to see Kevin come around.

I like the "relationship" Kevin and Elijah have and think it's very cool that Elijah isn't insecure or intimidated by Kevin. I hope that relationship (with Madison) works out.

And yes, I loved that Miguel and Beth said they were best friends. That's the best basis for a marriage, IMO.

Anonymous wrote:So someone is good enough to get a ballet scholarship but can't do a pirouette? And had never heard the string thing

+1
I had a major eyeroll at that part.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One recap I read was pretty negative about Elijah’s “talk” with Kevin, saying Elijah had some toxic “nice guy but aggro” vibes and yeah, I kinda saw that too. Maybe he’s not going to be the great guy they all think he is.

I think Kevin acts very entitled where Madison is concerned and Elijah was drawing a line in the sand. I didn't get aggro vibes. I think it was clear Kevin assumed he'd be a pushover in all things.

The same Kevin who was so frantically/awkwardly trying to make brunch all jolly and inclusive?

+1 - I do get a competitive vibe between Kevin and Elijah on some level but I think it's because Elijah thinks Kevin is waiting him out to be with Madison (remember, Madison called off the wedding). I didn't get an aggro vibe from Elijah, but I do think Elijah realizes on some level that Kevin really cares for Madison and has her best interest at heart.

I am a broken record on Kevin and Sophie. If they end up together in a way that makes sense, then ok. But Kevin whooshing into New York to reclaim his first love and Sophie just being stuck in the same place for years does not make sense. I kind of hope it's an Up In the Air scenario like when George Clooney shows up on Vera Farmiga's doorstep only to realize that she has an entire life and family without him.

Maybe Josh Malina is Sophie's husband?!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One recap I read was pretty negative about Elijah’s “talk” with Kevin, saying Elijah had some toxic “nice guy but aggro” vibes and yeah, I kinda saw that too. Maybe he’s not going to be the great guy they all think he is.

I think Kevin acts very entitled where Madison is concerned and Elijah was drawing a line in the sand. I didn't get aggro vibes. I think it was clear Kevin assumed he'd be a pushover in all things.

The same Kevin who was so frantically/awkwardly trying to make brunch all jolly and inclusive?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s going to be Sophie. Obvious not Cassidy and I think Kevin is relegated to Madison and Elijah being together (“If she says she doesn’t want anything, just buy her something”).

I'm the PP who wrote this and this last episode only reinforces my belief that it'll be Sophie.

I hope to God not. That would be the pinnacle of this show's worst feature-- the whole over-the-top Super Dad/Soulmate crap. The true beauty of the show is in the small, real life moments. The only time I really loved Jack was when he was cleaning up the kitchen after the Super Bowl on the night of the fire. It showed the small, overlooked ways we care for and show love for those close to us.

That's what also makes me hope and believe that Madison is the end game. Kevin is showing love for her in those little, unrecognized ways. He doesn't even recognize himself, yet. He thinks love is the big romantic flourishes, but he's already loving her with his thoughtfulness and small, unselfish acts.

If the writers put Kevin with Sophie at the end, they will have remarkably missed the most important message of the show.

(Also, if Sophie were the end game, she would have been helping Kate get ready for her second wedding, but she's not there. Madison is.)

PP again. Also, we know that Kate and Toby get divorced. Toby is the master of the big gesture, but in the end, that's not what made a happy, loving marriage. Toby is blowing up his marriage by missing out on all the small stuff and not recognizing that a big birthday gesture doesn't make up for that.

I think, also, over the course of the show, that Jack and Rebecca's marriage was strong not because of Jack's flowery speeches or anything like that. It was because through good and bad, he was there, doing his part. They listened to each other, shared their thoughts and feelings, were mindful of the other's contributions, and shared the burden and joys of the thousands of moments that go into raising children.

True, but there relationship had romance and depth before children and they were able to sustain it through commitment and attention to the little things. Kevin wasn't mature enough to do that with Sophie, since he only understand the grand romance part. I think they can and will reunite, once he realizes his inability to be part of a love that was both mature and romantic. Although I do think he has feelings for Madison, there's never been one ounce of a romantic spark there.

After last night's episode, I feel even stronger about not wanting Kevin and Sophie together. It'd be hard to applaud a good and strong woman like Sophie going back to the guy who cheated on her and lied as he spiraled into addiction. Let her move on in peace with her nice teacher husband. And Kevin needs a fresh start with a woman who isn't always waiting for the next shoe to drop.

^forgive errors, quick typing on phone.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s going to be Sophie. Obvious not Cassidy and I think Kevin is relegated to Madison and Elijah being together (“If she says she doesn’t want anything, just buy her something”).

I'm the PP who wrote this and this last episode only reinforces my belief that it'll be Sophie.

I hope to God not. That would be the pinnacle of this show's worst feature-- the whole over-the-top Super Dad/Soulmate crap. The true beauty of the show is in the small, real life moments. The only time I really loved Jack was when he was cleaning up the kitchen after the Super Bowl on the night of the fire. It showed the small, overlooked ways we care for and show love for those close to us.

That's what also makes me hope and believe that Madison is the end game. Kevin is showing love for her in those little, unrecognized ways. He doesn't even recognize himself, yet. He thinks love is the big romantic flourishes, but he's already loving her with his thoughtfulness and small, unselfish acts.

If the writers put Kevin with Sophie at the end, they will have remarkably missed the most important message of the show.

(Also, if Sophie were the end game, she would have been helping Kate get ready for her second wedding, but she's not there. Madison is.)

PP again. Also, we know that Kate and Toby get divorced. Toby is the master of the big gesture, but in the end, that's not what made a happy, loving marriage. Toby is blowing up his marriage by missing out on all the small stuff and not recognizing that a big birthday gesture doesn't make up for that.

I think, also, over the course of the show, that Jack and Rebecca's marriage was strong not because of Jack's flowery speeches or anything like that. It was because through good and bad, he was there, doing his part. They listened to each other, shared their thoughts and feelings, were mindful of the other's contributions, and shared the burden and joys of the thousands of moments that go into raising children.

True, but there relationship had romance and depth before children and they were able to sustain it through commitment and attention to the little things. Kevin wasn't mature enough to do that with Sophie, since he only understand the grand romance part. I think they can and will reunite, once he realizes his inability to be part of a love that was both mature and romantic. Although I do think he has feelings for Madison, there's never been one ounce of a romantic spark there.

Anonymous wrote:One recap I read was pretty negative about Elijah’s “talk” with Kevin, saying Elijah had some toxic “nice guy but aggro” vibes and yeah, I kinda saw that too. Maybe he’s not going to be the great guy they all think he is.

I think Kevin acts very entitled where Madison is concerned and Elijah was drawing a line in the sand. I didn't get aggro vibes. I think it was clear Kevin assumed he'd be a pushover in all things.

Anonymous wrote:One recap I read was pretty negative about Elijah’s “talk” with Kevin, saying Elijah had some toxic “nice guy but aggro” vibes and yeah, I kinda saw that too. Maybe he’s not going to be the great guy they all think he is.

There’s something wrong about him otherwise he would have had other GFks by now. Hopefully she’ll realize she not IN LOVE with him and gets out of the relationship. She shouldn’t give him what she would not take from Kevin.

Anonymous wrote:One recap I read was pretty negative about Elijah’s “talk” with Kevin, saying Elijah had some toxic “nice guy but aggro” vibes and yeah, I kinda saw that too. Maybe he’s not going to be the great guy they all think he is.

I thought that too! When he said to Kevin and then stared: "Everyone thinks of me as just a nice guy"... RED FLAG!

One recap I read was pretty negative about Elijah’s “talk” with Kevin, saying Elijah had some toxic “nice guy but aggro” vibes and yeah, I kinda saw that too. Maybe he’s not going to be the great guy they all think he is.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So someone is good enough to get a ballet scholarship but can't do a pirouette? And had never heard the string thing

Why did that girl even get the scholarship? Her dad is a lawyer. He even wore a nice suit. Couldn't he afford it? Couldn't they have found another dancer who really needed the scholarship? They had lots of applications.

She was the "fat" ballerina and therefore, in "need."