“Oh Rascal Children Of Gaza,” By Palestinian Poet, Khaled Juma, 2014

“He’s a lucky guy”.

(Meanwhile)

Alex:

DOCTOR WHO (2005-) — Turn Left | 4.11

RNM 4X08

So many people talked about this episode as if it was going to pay back for everything lacking in this season, at least for the Alex and Malex part of it.

People hoped for an Alex centric hour, for flashbacks, for feral Michael. Instead, there wasn't anything like this in the episode. Selling it like an episode for Malex fans was unfair, if not a blatant lie. How can it really be about a couple if they aren't the focus? If everything about them is twisted to be a mirror for someone else? There was so much Echo that it was insane. I know they're the main couple, I'm well aware, but can something not be about them? For once? At least in another character's storyline. But then, I ask myself, why am I surprised? Like always, it's Alex's story but it's not really about him. It's about everyone else. Perceiving him is about Maria and her powers, and keeping secret that he's missing is about Max and Liz's relationship. Not even Michael going feral is strictly about Alex but more about the way he reacts to things. All the promised snapping and going crazy lasted the blink of an eye and then it was all good. Michael got level headed surprisingly fast. I mean, good for him. He's really the pinnacle of emotional maturity this year. He even ends up apologizing to everyone, like he is the one in the wrong. But again, when did RNM allow anyone to be really angry? Never. If a character is lucky, it gets to scream a little bit, throw some punches or a few dirty looks around, and that's it. Unless you're Michael and you're angry at Alex. Then it's going to last two and a half seasons. 

So, no Alex, absolutely no flashback of any kind, and not enough feral Michael IMO. So great for an episode that was "for Malex fans". 4x08 was hyped to be something it was not. It's sad. 

I'm really not capable of considering Alex's ghostly self like it's enough. I don't really know what to do with it, and with that entire music scene. I would love to be moved by it but it doesn't work for me. Great scene for Michael, but for Malex? I want to see them play together, both physically present, not like this, with a scene that's just a cheesy attempt at pleasing Malex fans. I mean, it's an alien show, it's not like I ever expected it to make sense, but I personally draw the line at this level of cheesy. It's just on the wrong side of ridiculous for me. To be fair, the same concept worked wonders for me in "Ghost", but in that case the ghost was visible. So, maybe my problem is that Alex is still nowhere to be seen, so I don't really feel anything for this "presence". Totally my problem, I get it. I was hoping for so much more in this episode, instead the only good thing that came out of it was Michael's return of perspective on the Oasis question Vs his life with Alex (and his final breakdown in Max's arms). Took long enough. 

Everything else was underwhelming for me, even other people's concerns. I didn't fully buy it, but I guess it's normal in a show where these same friendships are nonexistent since season 1. It's a struggle trying to fully believe any of it. And, even so, half of the characters don't really care for Alex, but for what he means for Michael. So, like I said before, it's a great season if you're a Guerin's fan. 

I'm happy for the fans that are enjoying this season, I really am. I envy them. Watching RNM would be so much more pleasant if I was capable of doing the same. Sadly, I'm not, and I watched 8 seasons of Arrow and 7 of Agents of shield, so I'm used to a crazy amount of angst for my favorite characters. I'm even used to not seeing my favorite for a very long time. The point is that RNM did an awful job handling Alex's situation. And I don't want to hear anything more regarding the actor's availability. It doesn't matter when the writers can't come up with a compelling solution, and they didn't here. 

Let's hope for 4x10 now, maybe we will see a glimpse of Alex at least. Or maybe not, who knows. I really hope so, though, even if I don't believe he will have any real importance outside of Malex in the rest of the season. Still, we'll have to cherish that, even be grateful for it, because it will be the only thing with Alex in it. Disappointed is not enough to explain how I feel about this. And I will still feel the same if they end up married. As the saying goes, it's not about the destination, it's about the journey… and I don't think it has been a great journey so far. 

Why now? Well, duh. Dad disowns us. Grace isn’t Grace. Ben’s.. gone. Now just felt like a good a time as any to find out who I could’ve been if I didn’t grow up in this stupid family.

. . . that meant everything

And that was what destroyed you in the end: the longing for something you could never have.

Leigh Bardugo

I'll put this right now and won't speak of it again.

I love Trevino and I think he's gonna do a terrific job directing. I have no doubt.

Maybe we will finally get a well-cut and directed episode because the last few have been a bit iffy when it comes to editing and continuity.

With that said, this episode sounds like a filler.

Especially when episode 8 brought a much-needed urgency to move the story arc on.

Now we have to stop again? Not have answers again?

For the very first time, I'll be watching an episode with the lowest of expectations (if you follow my blog you know how much I always try to stay on the positive side of things).

I know Liz is in a bad shape (by something of her own making, btw) and Max will be, surprisingly(not) on the verge of life and death again, but it kind of sucks this whole "everyone will be there to save the heroin, avengers-assemble kind of way" when the love of one of the main characters life it's LITERALLY IN A HOLE, IN ANOTHER DIMENSION, FOR ALMOST TWO WEEKS NOW.

The same character is human and has a disability.

Which makes you think he needs things to survive down there. At least, this should be the first concern once his boyfriend and friends realized he's been there and missing for days.

Again, it's the urgency that seems that will be totally forgotten in episode 9.

The fact that the whole group will stop everything to save Liz, doesn't make any sense.

At least, that's how it sounded to me.

I hope I'm wrong.

I hope Monday's episode surprises me and makes me bite my tongue, but in my opinion, this episode should have been placed early on and not now, on the second half of a season that's not explaining anything and dragging its story.

This doesn't mean I'm being negative or trying to ruin Trevino's ep.

It's just an honest opinion when it comes to the narrative we are getting so far.

Again, I hope I'm wrong and the ep surprises me.

Have you ever wanted to ask a question but didn’t because you knew in your heart that you wouldn’t be able to handle the answer?

Unknow

Haven't seen anyone post this yet but yeah.

SpoilerTV

Roswell, New Mexico — Dig Me Out — Review

"So, Mimi isn’t a ghost. It’s Alex communicating through the ripples of space, time, and alien quicksand. Admittedly, I was initially outraged when I realized the writers were having Alex communicate with Maria instead of Michael. I thought it was their final finger to all the Michael and Alex fans, but then I realized I was imbuing them with a level of clever that I haven’t witnessed in this season’s plot. At least, that’s what I’m telling myself, so I don’t challenge a Weeping Willow to an Agni Kai."