Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
The dojo scene for me was pretty contrived. I'm not sure how realistic it would be to see so many black fathers present. I think they wrote the scene b/c they know Milo could do the push ups. Not sure what the point of the "extra" push ups were. Why was white mom the only mom there?

Wasn't it recommended by the black mom? It doesn't surprise me that a black mom, recommending an activity to help a black boy connect with role models that look like him, would recommend a martial arts studio that's majority (or completely) black. The extra push ups were to show he would not stop. He would support Randall until he collapsed. He would support him totally and completely forever. I had the impression it was their first session, which is why white mom was there.

It wasn't clear to me that it was Randal's first day. So if all the dads sitting on the mat were there to do push ups with their sons on their backs presumably it was more than just Randall's first day, so wouldn't there be other moms there?

I think the dojo specifically is designed to help fathers bond with their sons. In the first scene only dads are picking up the kids.

Like Boy Scouts its for fathers and sons.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
The dojo scene for me was pretty contrived. I'm not sure how realistic it would be to see so many black fathers present. I think they wrote the scene b/c they know Milo could do the push ups. Not sure what the point of the "extra" push ups were. Why was white mom the only mom there?

Wasn't it recommended by the black mom? It doesn't surprise me that a black mom, recommending an activity to help a black boy connect with role models that look like him, would recommend a martial arts studio that's majority (or completely) black. The extra push ups were to show he would not stop. He would support Randall until he collapsed. He would support him totally and completely forever. I had the impression it was their first session, which is why white mom was there.

It wasn't clear to me that it was Randal's first day. So if all the dads sitting on the mat were there to do push ups with their sons on their backs presumably it was more than just Randall's first day, so wouldn't there be other moms there?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
The dojo scene for me was pretty contrived. I'm not sure how realistic it would be to see so many black fathers present. I think they wrote the scene b/c they know Milo could do the push ups. Not sure what the point of the "extra" push ups were. Why was white mom the only mom there?

Wasn't it recommended by the black mom? It doesn't surprise me that a black mom, recommending an activity to help a black boy connect with role models that look like him, would recommend a martial arts studio that's majority (or completely) black. The extra push ups were to show he would not stop. He would support Randall until he collapsed. He would support him totally and completely forever. I had the impression it was their first session, which is why white mom was there.

Yah. It was clear it was Randall's first day so both parents were there. The extra push-ups were shown right after the flash back where Rebecca said that they had to be enough as parents for Randall so that he did not need his bio dad. And jack agreed he would do everything to be enough. Sure, the push ups are a little hokey, but if you don't like hokey, there is really no point in watching the show.

Anonymous wrote:
The dojo scene for me was pretty contrived. I'm not sure how realistic it would be to see so many black fathers present. I think they wrote the scene b/c they know Milo could do the push ups. Not sure what the point of the "extra" push ups were. Why was white mom the only mom there?

Wasn't it recommended by the black mom? It doesn't surprise me that a black mom, recommending an activity to help a black boy connect with role models that look like him, would recommend a martial arts studio that's majority (or completely) black. The extra push ups were to show he would not stop. He would support Randall until he collapsed. He would support him totally and completely forever. I had the impression it was their first session, which is why white mom was there.

Anonymous wrote:I feel like there are a few loose ends in addition to the obvious (how Jack dies) that should be addressed even in passing. What happened to Miguel's kids - how come he and Rebecca are apparently always with the Pearsons at Thanksgiving. Same to some degree with Beth - we know her father died but she had three siblings and mentioned picking up the girls from her sister's house on Christmas Eve. Maybe Beth's family gets Christmas Day. Kate also mentioned falling in love with a former boss - would love to see that explored too.

I think all of these things would be worth answering the storyline.

I like Sterling K. Brown a lot, but I have to say, I was surprised at the range the actor has who plays Kevin. The meltdown scene on the Manny set and him connecting with the widow at the wake.

They dress the character Sloane like a child and she and Kevin look a little creepy together b/c he looks like he's dating a middle schooler. I also found her character insufferable at her parents' house; she was acting like a middle schooler. The constant whining aimed at her sister and parents. Ugh, shut up. (To really capture the insecure Jewish woman, the writers should study Rhoda Morganstern.)

The writers like neat, parallel story lines, so they were foreshadowing the Toby situation a bit. (I wished either Kate or Toby said the removed the sheets once they were caught--so gross not too.) I feel like they were telegraphing William's character development too. In scenes with the young William and the mom in his apartment, he was lisping more and acting more effeminate than earlier scenes to foreshadow that he's gay or bi. I laughed aloud when the daughter announced it to her dad. I feel like Randal's reaction was more like Sterling K. Brown's reaction--that he'd be cool with it. A straight, black man in search of his identity his entire life to just smile and roll with this news, I don't really see it.

The dojo scene for me was pretty contrived. I'm not sure how realistic it would be to see so many black fathers present. I think they wrote the scene b/c they know Milo could do the push ups. Not sure what the point of the "extra" push ups were. Why was white mom the only mom there?

The scene with their OB-GYN at the hospital got me with the snow globe is the one that got me. At one point you can see Mandy Moore wipe her eye. It seemed more like her natural reaction in tearing up than her acting.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:**** Possible spoiler alert for next season/Toby***

I just read under the cast bios (yes, I am hooked) that Toby is in 13 episodes (2016-2017.) Meanwhile, I think there are only 3 episodes in 2017.....

Was that episode 10 that we just watched?

Maybe he comes back in a few flashbacks? Anyway, hope he's not dead.

Anonymous wrote:**** Possible spoiler alert for next season/Toby***

I just read under the cast bios (yes, I am hooked) that Toby is in 13 episodes (2016-2017.) Meanwhile, I think there are only 3 episodes in 2017.....

Was that episode 10 that we just watched?

**** Possible spoiler alert for next season/Toby***

I just read under the cast bios (yes, I am hooked) that Toby is in 13 episodes (2016-2017.) Meanwhile, I think there are only 3 episodes in 2017.....

I have loved Sterling K. Brown since he played Roland on Army Wives. I love this show and I hope it sweeps the Emmys. That last scene in the dojo last week buried me.

Just watched the finale, and I was shocked(!!!) about Toby.....I have the feeling he is a goner....and I really loved his character. Maybe Kate IS pregnant!? I am just trying to digest the show. So intense!! I do love(!!!!) It and feel invested with this family.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel like there are a few loose ends in addition to the obvious (how Jack dies) that should be addressed even in passing. What happened to Miguel's kids - how come he and Rebecca are apparently always with the Pearsons at Thanksgiving. Same to some degree with Beth - we know her father died but she had three siblings and mentioned picking up the girls from her sister's house on Christmas Eve. Maybe Beth's family gets Christmas Day. Kate also mentioned falling in love with a former boss - would love to see that explored too.

Ita! I was thinking about all the same issues, especially with Beth. Why no to invite Beth's family to any of the celebrations, it's unfair to her to host all the ILs, but not to have her family around too. Also, where's William's cat now?

I think the new guy/William's friend/lover said the cat was with another of William's friends.

Yay this show for using The Weepies "All That I Want," which is one of my favorite Christmas songs.

I think I am done with this show. It's gradually been getting boring for me and then last night's was just drama overload.

Anonymous wrote:I feel like there are a few loose ends in addition to the obvious (how Jack dies) that should be addressed even in passing. What happened to Miguel's kids - how come he and Rebecca are apparently always with the Pearsons at Thanksgiving. Same to some degree with Beth - we know her father died but she had three siblings and mentioned picking up the girls from her sister's house on Christmas Eve. Maybe Beth's family gets Christmas Day. Kate also mentioned falling in love with a former boss - would love to see that explored too.

Ita! I was thinking about all the same issues, especially with Beth. Why no to invite Beth's family to any of the celebrations, it's unfair to her to host all the ILs, but not to have her family around too. Also, where's William's cat now?

If I was Randall's wife, I would've asked Kate and Toby where they had sex. They don't live there so whose room did they use? I wonder if it contributed to his health crisis? So many unanswered questions.

I suspect that Toby lives and has to go on a healthy diet to get better. Also, they wouldn't have him wear a fat suit if they were going to kill him off before he lost weight. If that were the case, they could've just hired a real fat person.