Cheat Work Thursday

(The whole series here .) "You can't go in." "Can I just talk to Scha for two minutes, please?" We hear the conversation, repeated 146 times now, over a horror background music. So who is it? OMG. It's Greg Manager! "I'm the security." As if knowing beforehand that his presence is needed early that night, Nick Host appears at once. "Nick, I just would like to ask Scha if she could give me a second chance. I feel like we haven't really got the opportunity to get to know each other." After a long pause, and just when Nick Host is about to open his mouth, we cut to commercials again. And after the commercials, the scene repeats, generously giving me enough time to clip my nails and wash my hair. ..... ..... "Well, we love your sincerity, Greg. I have a feeling that you can get back in. Let me ask Scha first," Nick Host finally says as the music changes. Scha is essentially indifferent to Greg...

THE DRAGON AND THE WOLF So the reunion continues, and in this episode we have - Bronn-Tyrion-Podrick, who were once bonded by the fun and carefree life in the city. - The Hound-Brienne, who in the last encounter were trying to kill each other to protect the same girl. - Brienne-Jaime, who were once a road trip BFFs. - Bran-Sam. - And, of course, the Lannister siblings, and the Cleganes — all warm and friendly, as always. FAVOURITES / CRINGES / FACEPALMS: 1 The beautiful beginning of winter in King's Landing. 2 Theon — Oh, Alfie Allen, great performance as always. From just his body language and facial expression, you'll get either his playfulness, cruelness or pain right through the screen. 3 Littlefinger — So we say goodbye to one of the most exciting and enjoyable characters to watch on the show, although most of us wish it happened in a season where we got to see a lot more of him and his plan. 4 Daenerys and Jon — Jorah tried, suggesting the pla...

(The whole series here .) The delayed and long awaited episode (we'll get to that) starts with Scha sending Blake home, and 14 countries around the world gasp in horror. Matt has been the huge villain the entire three episodes. You'd think this is the episode where the villain gets their comeuppance, but no, this is the new era of TV, and the show has single-handedly paved this historic change. "We need to break up near a cliff." Scha leaves the date with Matt. And Blake, sobbing, is asked to stand by the cliff until the helicopter has circled him three times. At the Fake Bachelor house, the rest of the guys sit in a U-shape in the living room for the Bag Pick Up Ceremony and cover their mouths in shock when a handler takes Matt's bag out. "I didn't think it was going to be Matt," one guy in a salmon pink V-neck says. Thirty seconds later, the handler enters the room again, returns Matt's bag and takes Blake's out -- apparently ...

BEYOND THE WALL THE CONVERSATIONS: 1 Love the whole The Fellowship of the Misfits catching up and connecting with each other scene, on their way to catch a wight (because it was  reaaally a great idea), mainly for the snarks. Thoros, the Hound and Tormund have enough love and hate for the world between them to keep us entertained all day. 2 Arya continues to be annoying towards Sansa, confronting Sansa about the letter she wrote to Robb under Cersei's instruction back in King's Landing. Basically, she's disappointed that Sansa didn't go and charge at Joffrey when their father was executed, because that would totally have saved Ned. Smh. 3 Tyrion brings up the succession matter to Daenerys, which she refuses to go into. This has got to be foreshadowing something (right?). Also a valid concern : if something happens to Daenerys, what would the next career move for the Dothraki be? THE PERFECT PLAN: The plan is Tyrion's, but it's perfect for the ...

EASTWATCH WHERE WE ARE AT RIGHT NOW: 1 We already knew that life is cheap on Game of Thrones -- so the unfortunately named Dickon killed his hunting friends because they were bending knees to different queens, and in just one match lighted by Drogon, two Tarlys were gone. There wasn’t even a five-minute discussion. While they were not particularly on our favourites list, we don’t (really) hate these Tarlys (right?). It’s not that difficult to imagine they’d eventually switch sides. But, sigh, they were not that well informed about immigrants and definitely not open to them. Also, life is cheap on Game of Thrones. “I’m not here to murder.” - Daenerys, in between “Dracarys!” 2 There's no point in picking on the logistics of Westeros, but, again, pointless things are part of what we do. In this episode, we have Davos proving that he can cover more miles than the dragons, going Dragonstone - King’s Landing - Dragonstone - Eastwatch with no problem. “I thought you might st...

THE SPOILS OF WAR THE TOP FIVE THINGS THAT MATTER THIS WEEK: 1 The cave drawings. @ Mimi_Greenidge 2 The show nudging us to the direction of Daenerys-Jon romantic relationship: the subtle touch, the tension, and Davos playing the old matchmaker uncle. NO, SHOW, STOP IT. And everyone, help me, I’m too small to stop these two moving trains from colliding. 3 Arya coming home. The reunion with Sansa was not overdone. And the whole fight scene with Brienne -- with Littlefinger watching, speechless and trying hard not to show his surprise and worry -- was great. 4 Jon-Theon reunion. In moments of weakness, I’d have a soft spot for Theon when I forgot that he betrayed the Starks when they needed him; took Winterfell when the castle was poorly defended; executed Ser Rodrik Cassel; got Maester Luwin killed; killed two farm boys, pretending that he had killed Bran and Rickon; and caused Osha, Hodor and two helpless kids to flee their home to save their lives. We are all broken...

I’m trying to remember what fun TV, movies or books that I’ve watched or read this year. I think it was only Veep. The only two books that I read include A Little Life , which still scars me till today. But I’m catching up on my favourite blogs* -- so, thank you, favourite blogs, for saving my soul. _____ In this soul -racking story, Lee is an apartment janitor and handyman living a joyless, reclusive life in Boston. He receives a call from his hometown Manchester one day, informing him that his brother, Joe, has just passed. What follows are the burial that cannot be done until spring because of the snow, and the reading of the will: Among others, Joe had named Lee the guardian to Joe’s teenage son, Patrick. So, teenagers aren’t necessarily the easiest people to take care of. Also, in a flashback, we are brought back to Lee’s old life in Manchester, where he was married to Randi and had three kids. He lost the latter in a fire after one night of drinking and drugs. The house...

(The whole series here .) ONE-ON-ONE The date card reads: " Patrick, love is expensive. Love, Scha. " Comes with the date card is a tiny black box, and inside is a pair of Jack & Carter blue diamond cufflinks. Scha picks Patrick up at the mansion in a Strutus , an aggressively shiny two-seater, and they head to their first destination for the day, Maison sur la Riviera , the shopping district of choice for the world's rich and famous. "We are going shopping today! Totally my treat, you know, like that movie I Bought My Escort a Whole New Wardrobe ." "You're scaring me right now. That's my favourite movie!" Patrick is not able to contain his excitement. "It's every man's favourite movie. We're going to live that fantasy, showered with clothes and stuff, and have the whole two stores -- Imara and Michael Sovi -- to ourselves today. Go ahead, take whatever you want while I sit here and sip Champagne . I...

THE QUEEN'S JUSTICE I DON'T GET: 1 The logistics of Westeros. This episode is just another example. Jon Snow has reached Dragonstone; the Lannisters, the Unsullied and the Greyjoys have been moving armies and ships; and Bran has gotten back to Winterfell -- but there are people out there who are still wandering in the woods. 2 For three minutes -- of why on earth Cersei is suddenly wearing a bright-coloured lipstick. 3 Why it is actually easy and fast to cure greyscale. 4 Cersei and Jaime. BEST LINE: "This place has changed." - Davos, upon arriving at Dragonstone. BEST SCENES: 1 Lady Olenna's probably last scene, her taunting Jaime. I mean, the speech says this is the last scene, but she should have an antidote or something with her, right? Or where the hell is her Secret Service? Can't they sneak her out and fight another day? This Westeros pride, I tell ya. Look at Theon -- safe in a ship, having coffee right now. 2 Sansa ...

NIGHT We're continuing from the last episode. June gets back from the market and hides the Jezebel's package behind the bathtub, and Serena is already waiting outside the door to award her with a strike on the face. Exhibit A is brought out: the short gold dress from Jezebel's. Serena drags June to the bathroom, forces her to pee on a stick and warns June that she better pray she’s pregnant. She herself sits on the floor, praying, bowing in front of the stick while waiting for the result. Without context, watching just that bowing scene, you’d want this woman to get whatever she’s wishing for. But no, I just saw her force a grown woman pee in front of her and yell “Don’t be a child!” when the woman couldn’t. So I just want some violent ends for her right now. June is pregnant. Changing her tone, Serena tells June that “He’s answered our prayers.” “You think I prayed for this? You think I prayed to bring a baby into this house?” June snickers, kneeling on the...

THE BRIDGE The episode starts with a send-off for Janine, who’s leaving for a new home as her posting with the Putnams is complete. It involves a prayer by Commander Putnam, a curtsey from his Handmaids-are-all-beneath-me Wife, and Janine's Handmaid friends lining up in front of the house, saying goodbye or something. “Don’t be sad,” Janine says to June. “He’s coming for me,” she adds, grinning. So. Janine needs help. But Aunt Lydia insists that Janine is tougher than they think and wants her to be an example to everyone. Good line: “I’m very proud of you. Go to them and be blessed. Go like an open flower .” -- Aunt Lydia to Janine when they arrive at Janine's new home. June approaches Alma and says she wants to help with Mayday, the resistance group she first heard from Emily. Alma asks June to go back to Jezebel's and retrieve a package at the bar, and it has to be that night. So it’s time to emergency-flirt with the Commander and tell him how exciting...

(The whole series here .) Night One was long, but we are excited for a new day. One of Nick Host's interns drops a card at the front door, rings the bell and hides behind the bush. The men are asked to scream "Date Card!" and they all sit in a U-shape for the reading. "Ben, (Pause for Ben Sales to put his arms in the air.) Our quest is about to take off. Love, Scha." ONE-ON-ONE It's the first one-on-one for the season, people! " Our quest is about to take off? What does that even mean?" the whole room bursts into questions. Soon enough, Ben Sales finds out that he's boarding a private jet with Scha to a secret location. "We are totally on a plane right now." "I'm afraid of flying," Ben confesses. "Err, what a coincidence. But good thing you are wearing your V-neck shirt." Despite Ben's fear of flying, the plane ride is a success, and they reach their destination, the town...