October, 2019
October 5th, 2019, 8:34 p.m. - "When they're mad, I'm mad. You guys are mad, right?"
Modern Family – "Snapped": "Mitchell singing with a fridge is hilarious" is a thing I actually thought during this episode. This show can be really weird. Rating: 4 fast-food wrappers used as diapers
Perfect Harmony – "Fork Fest": SO much better than the pilot. Rizwan Manji is really showing why he keeps getting cast in funny roles. And Will Greenberg is giving shades of Steven Boyer in Trial and Error, which is awesome. Rating: 4 chased pigs
The Good Place – "A Girl from Arizona, Part 2": Needed more Janet. And Jason. And Tahani. Rating: 3 tiger-striped suits
Sunnyside – "The Ethiopian Executioner": I repeat, Joel Kim Booster and Poppy Liu are going to be the breakouts. All of their scenes are gold. Rating: 3 discarded Rolexes
October 11th, 2019, 7:58 p.m. - Awww, Avester
41. The Institute (Stephen King)
Up next: Trick Mirror (Jia Tolentino)
October 12th, 2019, 1:25 p.m. - "I'm sorry your actual motorcycle blew up." "That's okay, homie. That's just what motorcycles do"
Modern Family – "Perfect Pairs": Clever concept, but kind of forgettable. I wouldn't leave Luke alone in charge of babies, by the way. Rating: 3 mirrors used to cheat at bridge
Supernatural – "Back and to the Future": Is it bad that I like this version of Jack better? I don't care. I do. Rating: 4 pairs of sunglasses
Perfect Harmony – "No Time for Losers": Time to develop the secondary characters more. We get Ginny. It's pretty obvious the kind of person she is. Show us more of the others. Rating: 3 snakes
The Good Place – "Chillaxing": See, here we're developing minor characters. Even when they're annoying. Rating: 3 names dropped by Tahani in ten seconds
Sunnyside – "Dr. Potato": I think Mal might be my favorite character. She just needs more to do. So, again, character development is needed on NBC's Thursday-night shows. Rating: 3 lines to stand in
October 18th, 2019, 5:03 p.m. - Now I need to find a way to watch Girls v. Boys: Puerto Rico
42. Trick Mirror (Jia Tolentino)
Up next: Make It Scream, Make It Burn (Leslie Jamison)
October 19th, 2019, 2:23 p.m. - "I haven't felt so white since I loved the movie Green Book"
Modern Family – "Pool Party": I liked the twist of Mitch and Cam feeling self-conscious about their bodies instead of Lily. Also, Sam Lloyd came back! That was cool. Rating: 4 stolen signs
Supernatural – "Raising Hell": Even Kevin couldn't save this episode. I think they're dragging this arc out too long. They're still in that town next week? Eh, too much. Rating: 3 ghost-sucking crystals
Perfect Harmony – "Hunting Season": Yes, they're developing other characters! Adams is great! The other female singer who never gets to do much is hilarious and needs to be given more! Cash still gets the best lines! I'm really enjoying this show, in case it wasn't clear. Rating: 4 tomato-soup baths
The Good Place – "Tinker, Tailor, Demon, Spy": Excellent twist with Janet being the real impostor. Jason did something smart! And he looks so hot in that gray suit! Rating: 4 nightmare horse drawings come to life
October 24th, 2019, 8:01 p.m. - I don't get the hype
43. Make It Scream, Make It Burn (Leslie Jamison)
Up next: Long Live the Tribe of Fatherless Girls (T Kira Madden)
October 26th, 2019, 2:05 p.m. - "You look like if cheese fries for the table were a person"
Supernatural – "The Rupture": Fingers crossed that we see Rowena again as the queen of Hell. I mean, really, she's earned it. Rating: 4 horns
Perfect Harmony – "It's Electric": I like Cash, but shoehorning him into every plot is going to get old fast. Give him something else to do. Rating: 3 destroyed fuse boxes
The Good Place – "Employee of the Bearimy": Simone is really getting edged out this season. More Simone, please! Rating: 3 champagne glasses full of Scrabble tiles
October 30th, 2019, 8:03 p.m. - Judging by the revelation at the end, there may be a sequel one day
44. Long Live the Tribe of Fatherless Girls (T Kira Madden)
Up next: Miracle Creek (Angie Kim)
Starts out strong, and then just...doesn't keep up the momentum. Also, King doesn't know how kids talk or what people name them nowadays.
Really interesting and thought-provoking. I'm not sure I've ever read Tolentino's writing before, so I'll have to look up some of her other essays.
These essays were really hit or miss for me. Some of them just didn't hold my attention. I think I'm burned out on Jamison.
Like with the Jamison, this was hit or miss for me, but when it hits, it hits hard. Madden is a wonderful writer, and the structure of the third section was perfect.