Review: Speechless 2x04 "T-R--TRAINING D-A-DAY"

1,003 words

8 minute read

After seeing a few things about this episode of Speechless on Twitter, I thought I'd check it out.  For reference, I haven't watched since around 1x08 last season, when I just lost interest.  I tried again to tune in for the premiere last month, but I didn't last past the first five minutes.

Review: Grey's Anatomy 14x04 "Ain't That a Kick in the Head"

6,323 words

49 minute read

AMELIA - IN THE BATHROOM, SHAVING HER OWN HAIR - MEREDITH AND MAGGIE OBSERVE FROM THE DOORWAY:

Amelia via Voiceover:  There are 100 billion neurons in the human brain making and remaking connections.  

Amelia: [turns to reveal an L-shaped patch of hair she's shaved, beneath a top layer, which she has pulled aside with a clip]

Maggie:  That's it?  That makes you look fierce.

Amelia: [touches the shaved area briefly, studying herself in the mirror]

Meredith:  Are you sure you don't want me to call your mom?

Amelia:  No.  She didn't come for my wedding.  She doesn't get to come for my tumor.  

Amelia via Voiceover: It's helping us with math, remembering our keys, our dad's voice, working hard all the time.  So when the brain is faulty, it's a big rewiring job.  And there's no margin for error.  

Tara:  My head was shaved more severely than Amelia's, but a layer was left to cover what would have otherwise been hemispheric baldness.  

Also, the @GreysMedical Twitter noted that, according to their neuro consult, it is bad luck to completely shave a head.

Review: The Fosters 4x16 "The Long Haul"

2,870 words

22 minute read

Originally written: March 15, 2017

FAMILY DINNER (EVERYONE PLUS STEF'S MOM AND HER BOYFRIEND, WILL) - KITCHEN:

Mariana:  Mama's not busy.

Lena:  Yes, I am, honey.  I have to take Jesus to physical therapy every day and --

Jesus:  Well, I'm not going anymore.

Lena:  What?  Yes, you are.

Jesus:  No, I'm not.

Stef: Jesus.

Tara: This sounds an awful lot like Jesus is a chore and not a human.  Also, I am 99% positive that he waited until family dinner with Grandma to drop that little info nugget about therapy.  Everybody trying to make nice for the relatives means less of a chance of an argument.  (And more of a chance that the family hears Jesus out.)  No follow-up conversation in this episode, though, so we’ll have to see what comes of it.

Tonia:  Yes, and while I am sure Jesus hates PT with a passion, I wonder if also isn’t saying this to lessen the ‘burden’ of caring for him on Lena.  I hate that Moms just keep warning him silent whenever he says something they don't like.  (Also, at this point, 5A has aired and we have yet to see a followup to Jesus saying he's not going to therapy anymore.  In fact, we've yet to see him in therapy again at all.)

But I love how Jesus’s cane is right next to his chair.  One of the things I always remember eating dinner with my family at home, was feeling like I had to prop my crutches in a nearby corner so no one tripped.  But that also meant they were out of my reach when I needed them and I always had to ask someone to get them, which was annoying.  And he’s finally in a chair with a back on it!  Hallelujah!  No need to use up all that energy keeping his balance when he can use it on eating.

Review: The Fosters 4x15 "Sex Ed"

5,322 words

41 minute read

Originally written: March 1, 2017

BRANDON AND EMMA - PLANNED PARENTHOOD (WHERE EMMA'S WAITING TO GET AN ABORTION):

Emma: What if this were yours?  How would you feel?

Brandon:  I think I would support your right to make your own decision.

Emma:  And how would you feel?

Brandon:  I would feel bad.  For you.  For doing this.  And I would feel sad, too.  I know I'm not...ready to be a father.  

Emma:  Do you think that's how Jesus would feel if he knew?

Brandon:  I do.  

Emma:  Am I horrible for not telling Jesus before I do it?

Brandon:  It's gonna be a while...until he's well.  And it's not like you can...wait.  

Planned Parenthood Employee:  Emma?  Why don't you come on back?  We're going to go in the office and talk for a bit before you see the doctor.

Tonia:  I am still of the belief that Jesus should be told.  If I were him, I would feel beyond betrayed knowing that my brother took my girlfriend to abort our baby before she even told me about it.  I don’t know if Jesus would ever get over that…

Tara: I get that Emma is worried about telling Jesus.  And the bottom line is, it is up to her who she tells and when.  However, I do feel as though ableism is influencing her decision not to tell him.

Review: Grey's Anatomy 14x03 "Go Big or Go Home"

3,490 words

27 minute read

So, this is a first.  Tara and I tackling an episode of Grey's Anatomy together.  This one just aired (October 5th) and it was so fabulous that we agreed we have to write about it.  For those looking to catch up on this storyline in particular, the last 30 seconds of last week's episode is what you missed.  That's here:

AMELIA AND ANDREW - TECH LAB - LOOKING AT SCANS OF AMELIA'S BRAIN TUMOR:

Andrew:  Dr. Shepherd.

Amelia:  Shhh...

Andrew:  It's been a week.  Shouldn't you tell someone?  Your family?  A friend?

Amelia:  I don't need your advice or your concern.  What I need is for you to follow HIPAA and keep your mouth shut.  And my latest labs.  And a triple latte.  

Tonia:  I love this scene because it shows Amelia clearly advocating for herself and protecting her own privacy.  Additionally, she reminds Andrew of her position, and who she is (his superior.)  I love that she does not allow Andrew to begin speaking to her differently, or looking at her differently, because of her tumor.

Review: The Fosters 4x14 "Doors and Windows"

8,597 words

66 minute read

Originally written: February 22, 2017

STEF AND MARIANA - MARIANA AND CALLIE'S ROOM - MORNING:

Review: The Fosters 4x13 "Cruel and Unusual"

6,851 words

53 minute read

Originally written: February 15, 2017

Now that The Fosters is on a bit of a break, I thought it might be good to go back to the past episodes that focused on Jesus and his TBI. There will also be a bit of new commentary, as I did not originally comment on any scene where Jesus was on screen and Tara usually didn't comment on anything else. But now, with our reviews focused exclusively on Jesus, we feel we can give these moments ample attention.