Gaby

Favorite part of the episode is seeing the Razorback in action. That sequences of the UN ship racing after Bobbie and Dapper in the Julie's raceship, and then having Holden's crew come in to save them. This was intense on so many levels. Reminds me of high speed car chases in space. Kinda like the awesome chase sequences in the Fast/Furious movies. On a character basis, watching Bobbie and Avasarala bond in high adrenaline situations, with Bobbie in her home territory (space) just makes me love both even more. Awesome women protecting and supporting each other. Major kudos to the production design time in their vision of the Razorback... that is one beautiful ship, both inside and outside. Also how awesome are the mechanics of the inside. Also kudos to the SFX team for some movie level work, something i'd expect from a major motion picture.

I'd also need to mention the sequence with Amos and the botanist, when he tools come loose during their mission to save the Razorback. One of the most badass sequences ever, inside the ship and outside of it.

Also, it's nice to have Amos have a friend. His developing relationship with the Botanist is a welcomed change for Amos, who is all about fighting and destorying, as we have seen. But with the botanist, he can create things to help the ship stay alive.

So Elizabeth MItchell is now on this cast for S3 and I'm ecstatic about this. Though she plays a reverned, she isn't holding back. In our intro to her, she commands military guards who are beating on protesters to make sure the man he injured gets proper medical treatment after the very same guard mistankenly hit her too, then she heads to the Sec Gen to tell him he's full of shit. I couldn't have imagined a better intro for Mitchell. Also interesting choice in making the Rev a gay woman.

Can I say my new dream is to have Avasarala and the Rev meet.

So they are using the kids to control the protomolecule, cause their illness makes them immune to it... I hope the show gets deeper into how some of this works... but at least we know the botanist's daughter is still alive and being kept safe... for now.

I like that this show doesn't let us forget that Holden is a startegical genius, this is what he spent his life training to do... to lead in battle and out play the enemy... for the good of the people.

And finally Holden and Avasarala meet.... I've been waiting for this since season 1. Also, it's going to be interesting to see Holden interact with Bobbie.

We finally get to the truth of what happend to Julie Mao. The episode gives us the events of from prior to the beginning of the series, as Julie is flying the crew of the Scopuli as part of the OPA, trying to intersect the Anubis, knowing is has come from Sophie Station, carrying a "weapon". Julie knew about what was going on on Sophie because the Anubis belongs to her father, the Mao Corporation.

The Anubis crew takes the Scopuli, using it as bait for the Cantebury in an effort to start a war between Earth and Mars, in order to divert attention from their plans for Eros Station. Shortly after, the crew of Anubis is killed by the samples they picked up from Phoebe. We lope back to the opening sequence of the series as Julie finds the crew dead and the blue stuff devoruing the corpses. Knowing that this may be a bioweapon, she hides the stealth ship and heads out to Eros, looking for safety (and an OPA rescue).

Once on Eros, Julie hides away in the rundown hotel, waiting for salvation, but her fate had been sealed when she had touched the blue stuff. It was only a matter of time before it ate her up.

Love how the show bookends with Julie, first planting the questions in the pilot and with the 2part finale, giving us answers to the fate of the infamous Ms. Mao.

Poor Miller, trying to save Julie, only to discover her body. She died alone for a cause that pretended to love and cherish her. In reality, it used her, like it uses anyone it can. For Dawes, and the OPA, she was only a pawn to a larger game.

With the samples of the blue goo, or protomolicule, the Mao Corporation moves forward their plan for Eros: inject the population with the protomolecule and see what happens when it grows.... they are using the station as a giant lab experiements and the belters as their lab rats, infecting them via fake vaccines.

Meanwhile, Christen is trying to figure out who has stole stealth tech from Mars and what are they using it for. She doesn't know it will lead her to the Mao Corporation, the pinacle of money and power in the system. At the same time Johnson releases the information from Donager ship, its info on the stealth ship that attacked them, the Anubis was built on earth. This is the breadcrumb that will lead Chrisjen to the Mao and Phoebe station.

Finally all the pieces of the puzzle are being pulled together: Mao Corporation, Julie/Miller, Phoebe station, The Cantebury, and Chrisjen. We finally we the big picture and it's incredible.

This whole episode focuses on the wedding and wedding night, mostly out of sequence. And it makes the episode that much more personal.

We start the episode with Claire's first wedding as a contrast to her present. To what she is most emotionally tied to and at odds wiht her current situation.

After the second wedding, Claire and Jamie must consumate the marriage in order for the wedding to be valid. Using Claire's reluctance to sleep with Jamie, an excuse to have Jamie and Claire get to know each other. Most of the episode is just them talking, about why Jamie agreed, about their families, about themselves, most of the storytelling shown in flashback scenes for the benefit of the viewer, to break the monotony and give breaks and flow the pacing. Outside of a technical point, having these two get to know each other is a lovely, to have them sorta speed date, trying to get to the deeper parts of conversation that would normally take weeks, if not months to get to. With each story, Claire sees Jamie for who he is (concerned for her emotional well being given the situation, reassuring her she is safe, and the more she sees, the more she truly starts falling for him. She sees the kind, soft, earnest young man who adores her. No longer sleeping with a stranger, but at the very least now someone she cares about. It's beautiful to watch the flashbacks to their wedding as Jamie recounts it with such awe and reverence, such importance, much like he sees Claire.

Though they have intercourse several times, each makes sense to where they are at with each other, in trust and emotions. The first time is all about consumating the marriage and all about Jamie's first time. It's awkward, over before it starts, and a bit uncomfortable for Claire. Jamie is so ready for this, as he truly loves her, but Claire has only gotten to the like him, but she also knows is still hung up on already being married. Though she has gotten to know Jamie, she still has a wall within her, still unsure. We also get a post conversation of Jamie's misconceptions about sex (which shows us how inexperience he is, as a whole, knowing little to nothing about sex), but it's also endearing when he asks Claire if she enjoyed it, how he shows that it's important that she enjoy it as much as him. He cares for her and love for her to care back.

After the awkwardness and nerves of the first time, the walls continue to crumble between them. Jamie describes their wedding, as Claire was VERY hungover for it. Claire gets further into who Jamie is, how he sees her, what he feels for her and alot of it us love. And you can start to see her fall for him, maybe not in love, but def in like. The second time it's more lust filled, full of raw energy but also reverence. Taking their time to get to know the other's body. It's all about their enjoyment of each other.

The last moment is much more emotional. Jamie has given Claire his mother's pearls, a show of how much he will honor and charish her. It's one of the few things that he values, his last connection to his mother, are now hers. Something precious for someone precious. Their last moment is soft, slow, basking in the warmth glow of the fire. There is no lust, just love. Claire's walls have crumbled and she has let Jamie in.

All of the scenes are beautifully shot, trying to focus on the emotions each one conveys, nothing voyeristic or scandelous about them, just a focus on the characters and where they're at psychologically.

The ep ends with Claire finding her first wedding band, each ring on one hand and her in the middle. Torn between two lovers, two marriages and two fates.

Love the softness with which Claire treats Jamie after he feels disappointed that she didn't enjoy their first time. And how he's trying to be good for her.

First impressions:

Like the muted color tones, with mid contrasts, for the general look of the present, ie. Post-War. It reminds me of old photographs from the late 40s. The color tone is mainly blues, some greens, but all cold in feel. Even some of the rare reds and purples feels cold, and almost lifeless. Is this to signify Calire's dissatisfaction or disconnect with the current life she lives? Or her lack of belonging in it?

In contrast, we have beautiful soft warm tones for any flashbacks of hers. All full of yellows and soft browns. All warm and welcoming, like a soothing fire.

The pace is slow. It moves slow, with no fast cutting, with soft cuts that don't jar but just flow, like water... or like reading. Overall pace feels like you are reading a book, maybe to mimic the pace of the books? Either way, I like this slower pace. Let's us flow through the story, rather than rush through it.

The VO helps also with the feels of narrator telling you a story, written in the first person. Like a diary of sorts.

Locations are beautiful. Production is amazing. I would expect nothing less from a premium chanel production. Also a fan of Ron Moore's work.

The Druid's Dance sequence is absolutely breaktaking. Starting in darkness moving toward a warm glowing light. It's almost as if it bring back color and warmth to the color palate of the show. Also interesting is Claire's VO, as she explains watching the dance as her first feeling of connection and awe in a long time. Foreshawoding her connection to the Scotts and not the English?

The color and look changes once Claire falls back in time. Now we have a full color palate, with a non contrated feel. We can see range and tone in the image. It is as life was giving to the images and they are in full living color. And it's beautiful.

Also adding traditional Scottish music, bagpipes and drums, gives movement to the pace. (note: love the use of Celtic language(s))

Major kudos for historical accuracy, along with using proper languages and accents.

As hell breaks loose on Eros, the Rocinante crew figure out something is not right. Miller and Holden find an infected group of Belters as they are dosed with lethal amount of radiation. Enough to assure their deaths. Their only salvation is getting to the Rocinante for some radiation treatment, that's if they can make it through a station that neither of them know, where Corporation people are at every turn making sure nobody makes it out alive.

It's interesting that Miller and Holden are paired up, the realist who has to fight at every turn, knowing that the system is against them, and the ever hopeful, who feels like all can be saved if only you try hard enough.... both men always finding trouble wherever they go.

The rest of the misfit crew is working their way through the tunnels trying to find a way to the ship, trying to save themselves and as many people they can convince that salvation is with them.

Again, Chrisjen is my favorite. She knows she is playing a chess game and she knows that manipulation is her only salvation, the only way to get at the truth when those in power are lying/hiding.

Finally Holden and Miller make it to the ship, just in time to get radiation treatment. And the Rocinante blast off, leaving the ProtoMolecule infested Eros Station, They live to fight another day.

The final scene is the UN spy being devoured by the almost sentient PM, as we see it has taken over the whole station. What is it? Why did Mao Corporation create it? What was the point in using Eros as a lab? Where will the Rocinante find refuge? Can Chrisjen win the politics game to find the truth? So many questions answered, so many more raised.

This is a bridge episode. Moving the story and shifting direction for the crew of the Canterbury. They receive a message from OPA Leader offering safe haven.

We get a bit of background on the OPA leader Fred Johnson, former military. We see how the society works, in their treatment of Belters but also a glimpse into where Johnson's repuatiton came from and what might have triggered his shift from military to OPA, no longer doing the UN's dirty work. Now working on Tyco for the Mormons (and for the OPA)

Also, Miller moves closer to finding his missing girl, but it just leads to more questions. He found another possible lead, this time with the ship Anubis, who has been on research station Phoebe. How does this connect with the mission Julie was on with the Scopuli? Was Julie on her way to meetup with Anubis? To steal something? Miller just needs more info to figure it out. But feels like he's getting closer. Now how does this fit in with the mess the remaining crew of the Canterbury find themselves in. How does Julie Mao's disapperance connect with possible war between Mars and Earth?

Biggest "reveal" is the confirmation that Julie Mao was OPA. Did the OPA use her? For her father's money? Or for her anger against her father and all she/it represented?

Overall: setting up stuff, shifting directions in storylines and repositioning characters for the what's next.

How can a psychopath assassin for hire be a cute little shit. Well, you get Jodie Comer to play her. The intro where Oksana has to go into the Russian prison to kill her ex (who could blow her situation) is like watching a petulant reluctant scared child go back to school after a long break cause she hates everything about the place. It was amazing. Comer's performance in this and every episode of Killing Eve is a sight to see. Also, I love the contrast between cool in control chess master Villanelle and lovesick scared and vulnerable Oksana. Which one is the true self?

Shit. As much as I like Eve's husband, who very much babied her, I love the confrontation that has been building up between them since Eve started her investigation. As much as Nico loves her, Eve wants something he can't give her: danger, a challlenge and a understanding of herself. What Nico can give her is stability, comfort, protection (in the marriage sense) and all the mundane things that keep Eve back. What was really jarring is how much he aimed for Eve, "you get off on sniffing at a psycho", and Eve's reaction of slapping him (which clearly he was't expecting, but was a huge release for her; it released her from commitment and gave her an excuse to leave). Clearly Eve sees Villanelle as more important, cause he tries to sweep everything under after their outburst and she refuses, perferring to leave for Moscow, to leave for Villanelle or Oksana.

The last episode Villanelle insinuated that both she and Eve ultimately worked for the same people, and she might not have been off. Eve's contact in Moscow, an old friend of her new boss, is Konstantine. And seems like Konstantine seems like a very old close friends and an agent of the Russian government. Will this play in Eve's favor, or against her?

Meanwhile, Villanelle is following on her mission to kill Nadia. But as Villanelle gets closer, so does Eve. And Nadia gives Eve the final lead to Oksana's heart.... she gives her Anna. But shortly after Villanelle reaches Nadia, in a last ditch attempt to save her life, Nadia tells her that her trusted Konstantine is working with the British, working with Eve Polastri. But this information is not enough to save the pleading Nadia. Seems like the game has turned on Villanelle... Konstantine is playing both sides? Seems like it, especially after she tries to escape and is left in solitary. When we see Villanelle realize that she may stay in prison, in this hell on earth, it's the only time we truly see her panic, see her fear and see the desperation she holds back. We see her human. Fully. Not pretending. Not playing a game. But just being.

fav line: When is Eve is asked why she wants to get to Nadia and Oksana, "Because one of them is a little prick and she's keeping me up at night".

Damn this show just gets more complicated with each episode.

Chrisjen finally learns the truth behind Johnson abandoning earth military and joining OPA, turns out Earth is run by bullies who want control of all, willing to sacrifice anyone for their ends. She might be part of the UN Council, but she won't let anyone die if it can be avoided.

Holden, Miller and Johnson are all working toward the same goal: figure out what the ProtoMolecule is and how to stop it, but each has a different idea to get there. Miller buldowses anything in his way, using his detective skills to deceive, getting the info he needs and putting the pieces of the puzzle together; Johnson is a miliatry guy, he's all about strategy and using whatever is presented infront of him to keep moving foward, while Holden is the leader with the vision of a better tomorrow, trying to play by rules that he only follows: honor and truth.

The alien life form is growing and transforming, but into what?

Meanwhile the Martians are in a hold pattern, do they move against Earth and start a war or can they put their restlessness behind them and focus on home?

Shit! Amy commited suicide! Fuck. Nico found her and the parents covered it up. But Nico knows. Why did Amy do it? Did Amy find out about Pride? Or was it something else? Mental health issues? From the opening and the little that has been mentioned of it, seems like it came out of nowhere. She showed no signs of depression or suicidal thoughts.

The FaceTime group chat is a perfect example of update/change the writers made to make the enviorment contemporary. The comics were written in the mid 2000s, tech has evolved tremendously since then. It's also a perfect example of the group dynamics and how at ease they are at calling each other out and their BS. You don't do that unless you are comfortable with other people getting upset or bothered by you but know it won't make them love you any less.

Victor is having mental issues or a mental breakdown, in the form of hallucinations, and I think it might be connected with his invention(s). Could it be from exposure to the tech?

I'm here for Chase betting the shit out of sexual predators, especially whey they are the so called "cool kids" everyone wants to be. It's not calling up people, esp friends, when they are being predators that helps perpetuate rape culture. On the flip side, it's hearbreaking to see Karolina finding out that she was almost sexually assaulted and can't remember a thing cause she was trying to have fun. It's hearbreaking to see the realization of what could have happened, what she doesn't remember and had no control over. This is the feelings you have when you realize you have no agency, and in a vulnerable situation, and how others will violate that vulnerability. And worse, seeing other people esp girls blame her for the sins of the guys. As if she had done everything on purpose to get with the jocks.

Who is the dude covered in white scabs? Is he connected to Karolina? What is Pride doing for him? Why does he need those sacrifices? So many questions.

It's interesting to see the different reaction the kids are having to their parents. We have a range of wanting to believe they are innocent (Gert and Karolina) to knowing they are guilty (Nico and Chase) and the other two fall in between, Though Alex goes with Nico because he wants to support her and Molly just feels like an outsider. I think it's very telling about the kind of relationships they have with their parents.

Karolina and Gert with Chase in the doorway... reminds me of the Faking Love Triangle, also involving Gregg Sulkin. One of the evolving relationships I love is the friendship between Karolina and Gert, which is such a contrast to their woman-vs-woman relationship they had at ep one. It reminds me of those friendship who turn sour when they get jealous of what the other has, no realizing that they care for each other. I'm here for positive, healthy female friendship. On the flipside, I like how caring Chase is with both girls, though I know he likes both of them, and it's obvious Gert has a HUGE crush on him, but I'm not so sure Karolina likes him like that too. (sidenote: I love Karolina's BlueJumper with the pink sweater. Very cute.)

Great reveal of Karolina's powers. It's a great bonding moment for Chase and Karolina. Is this a setup for a possible hookup between them?

I love Molly. Precious small child, smol but strong. Having her encounter the dinosaur is the best reveal. She's been out of the loop for the most part, and now the loop has found her, but with it she has also embraced her powers. Then having Gert figure out she can control the dinosaur while trying to protect precious Molly. And then their parents walk in. LOL.

Love that Chase is the one who builts the Fistigons, instead of stealing them from his dad. Again, another storypoint change that brings depth to the characters and adds to the story. But on another level, we see the fear Chase has when his dad orders him around in the lab when he is found there without his permission. A fear that comes from years of abuse. Chase knows he is bigger than his dad, but the fear ingraned by years of abuse, his instinct is fear. Props to Gregg for being able to convey the fear of abuse while being twice the size of Marsden.

SFX: Are better than I expected. Karolina's glowing skin looks really cool and Gert's Dinasour looks amazing. Really wasn't expecting this quality of effects from a Hulu show.

Kudos writers. They are taking everything they can from each line, page and episode. No second is wasted. Nothing is just simply filler. All is adds to the story, to the deepening of the characters and the relationships. Even the silent moments are all beats that add. Also kudos to the director (and editor) who are able to weave the page to screen with such grace. Kudos again.

Also let me mention how much I love the music for this show. Def adding MANY of the tracks to my Spotify Library.

Great episode. So much happened! OMG, the kids are getting closer to finding out the parents secrets: Gert has found that her parents illegally made a dinosaur and Karolina finds out her mom gets the girls that are killed, while Nico and Alex found the criminal behaviour of their parents.

So far this has been the weakest episode for me. However this may be do having to dive head first into Jamie's family drama, which we had heard very little about previously. Though the episode does have some great moments and reveals many things that I was not expecting.

1. I never had an idea what to expect with the Fraser family home, but I don't think I ever imagined how it's portrayed. It feels very colonial, which I hadn't thought it would be. Maybe I was expecting a bigger castle, more Scottish.

2. The relationship between Jamie and his sister are the most interesting. Though you'd expect them to have been loving, there is a lot of unresolved tensions between them steeming from when Randall assaulted Jenny and took Jamie. Their first meeting starts on the wrong foot as Jamie has heard rumours of his sister having Randall's bastard child from the assault, which he thinks are confirmed when he sees Jenny with a child. This alone sparks the anamosities between them. Each acting like petulant children rather than grown adults. For his mistaken insult of her child, who Jamie is the namesake of, she passively aggressively attacks her new sister-in-law, who she deems unfit since she is English, and outsider. These mini aggressions keep festering, throughout the episode. Even when Claire, and Ian, try to sooth the Fraser siblings. It isn't until both dig up the past and their own guilt for not being able to save the other from Jack Randall's violence are they are able to put the past and their tensions behind them.

3. Claire is once again out of her element. She had figured out how to act in the Mackenzie castle, but with the Fraser's she had a different position. Since she was married to the Lord of estate, she needed to act like the Lady of the house (a role that Jenny had previously taken). She not only has to readjust her actions to the new position, but also has to dealing with two stubborn Frasers.

4. Jamie is such a frat boy/dudebro in this episode. Tryin to live up to the position of Laird, he goes about it the wrong way, trying to be the "big man" on the estate, which leads to him being a douche and not the sweet man that Claire (and the viewers) grew to love. Some examples: ignoring his sister (and brother-in-law) regarding finances of the estate which they clearly know more about, getting drunk while collecting the estate taxes as to show he is Lord, coming to bed completely wasted and bragging about how awesome being Laird is, meddling in matters of the estate and the tenants without consulting Jenny or his wife. It isn't until Claire makes him get his ego in check does he realize what an ass he's been. Being the Laird and trying to be the Laird are two different things, one is kind and respectful, while the other is a toxic masculinity mess.

Fav scenes: the intro of Jenny, she is not one to back down from anyone, let alone her brother. She will take none of his BS.; Claire forcing Jamie from bed with a hangover to get him to fix the messes he's making by being a grade A jackass.

Again, this shows paces like a book does, there is no story cut offs, there is no "all things from this ep get wrapped up" in it. Rather it's a continous flow of story. Each page moving us further in the story. In this episode we take a few steps: Mars and the Belt might be working together against Earth, they also destroyed a water ration ship heading for the belt, while the Belt enforces stronger rations against water theft, causing tension within the space stations to burn hotter. Just another reason for the Belt/OPA to hate Earth. Water is life. Water and Air are worth more than gold. The games of politics and interests are a high stakes game, and Mars just made them a life stakes game. For what purpose? Why now? What's in it for them? Is this a power move?

We get a closer glimpse into the missing young woman, Julie Mao, Det Miller is looking for. She is living with the Belters as part of her rebelliong against her father (both his wealth and his name). She's playing OPA activits as a big FU to her father. But she went missing after leaving the Station Ceres on the Scopuli, the same ship Jim and his crew found empty and in distress. But what has happened to Mao? And why was the Canterbury destroyed? None of it makes sense.

What's left of the crew of the Canterbury lies in a knife's edge. Their small ship is falling apart at the seams and they're trying to get it to hold together with duct tape, while trying to get to safety. On top of that, they are witnesses to a (possible) crime by Mars. Now Mars has arrested them, but will they live to see another hour? That final shot of the crew of 5 with red lasers points on them from the guns pointed at them. Killer.

Also, loved the scene when Avasarala learns of the prisoner's suicide. Using gravity to kill himself. Using the weapon she used to torture him to keep himself out of her reach. Took what was used to hurt him and turned into around to hurt something she needed: him.

Overall, good episode, moves story forward. Still trying to get a sense of where the story is going. But questions still remain: why is Julie Mao/The Scopuli so important? What is the bigger story? What role will Holden (and the Canterbury) have in all of this? Where they just in the wrong place and wrong time? Plots within plots?

Rating: Not as jaw dropping as the pilot, but tons of interesting tidbits and scenes that give a greater depth to this world. Overall at 7.8.

In terms of pacing, this episode feels like it slowed down a bit. Moving in chunks rather than flowing. Overall it's still a great episode with loads of things.

1. It's beautiful to see the relationship between these two. Post-wedding night, we see an intimacy we rarely see in shows, we see them opening up to each other. Jamie asks Claire if what they feel with each other is normal, do other couples have it? It's a bearing my soul moment and it's beautiful. Though Jamie can be considered a traditional masculine man (built like a tree, strong, fighter, works with his hands, one of the boys, etc), he is also soft in unexpected ways (he's always asking for permission from Claire, he's thoughtful, considerate of her, earnest, emotionally open even when he knows it could be embarrasing, etc).

2. We meet a friend of Jamie's and I'm surprised to see that he is mute (his tounge was cut as prisoner) and he has a physical handicap from an injury (walks with a stick/cane). And he is treated with the same friendship and respect Jamie offers to all. There is no pitying him or making a mockery out of his handicap/difficulties. Jamie speaks in a version of sign language and translates to Claire so she may also understand him. This friend is treated by the writers with decency and respect, no played for laughs or pity, and not treated without dignity. It's rare to find a person with a disability in period drama that isn't there for comidic effect or as a sob story.

3. I did found it hard to watch the two instances Claire was/was almost raped. But I do respect the writers for not sexualizing it, but rather focusing on the trauma of the situation and Claire's emotional state. Also the men who committed the offenses where seen as villains (and within their villanious characters).

4. Claire is almost seconds away from going home, something she has been longing to do, but I wonder if she could break the bonds she has created with Jamie if she had been able to go back. Having experiences Randall, would she be able to look at Frank the same way as before. We do get a glimpse in this episode that Frank is capable of the same/similar cruelties his ancestor was known for.

5. My favorite part of the episode was seeing the Mackenzie men showing Claire how to defend herself and fight back. It's endearing to see the caring they have for her, which she recipricates. These sequence creates a light moment within an emotionally heavy ep.

Claire goes on the road with the Mackenzie men to collect taxes on their lands. But this trip is much more than that. It gives her a look into the workings of the Clan outside of the castle, to the farmers or herders. The more time she spends with these men, the more she grows to understand them. It feels like this would be reminiscent of her experiences as a Nurse out on the front lines, the only woman amongst men. At first it's a hard adjustment, unable to understand or stand the actions, behaviours or taunts.... but as she looks past her prejudices and their faults, she her heart grows with warmth toward them.

Visting the locals gives us a clearer picture of the past on the highlands. It's vast, beautiful and utterly cold. Living in these places took strong will.

We also get a storyline that drives us into history, as they rally against the British, moving chess pieces and money to strike a rebellion against the Protestant king. But for Claire, she already knows the outcome and its all doom for the Scotts. We watch as Claire must hold her tongue and not spill the future, but even if she told them would they believe her or call her a spy?

Even though the episode moves slowly and we get glimpses here and there, mainly pulled together by the narration, the editor is able to build tension within the political storyline and the personal story of Claire as she must navigate her host's suspiscions of her. By the end of the episode the tension is at a Max. Kudos for being able to build this with a pacing of a book being read, and soft cuts and long pauses without dialogue.

Fav scene: When the clanmen get into another fight at the bar and she finds out it was to defend her honor. Some men at the tavern where calling her and whore and the Clansmen would not stand for it. When she realizes this, you can see her soften to them, not having expected that from them.

As Claire is now a perminant "guest" and the house healer, we get to see her grow closer to Jamie. Though she believes it's only because he is kind to her, others can see that there is a spark between them, a mutual interest even is she denies it. It's beautiful to watch their closeness grow, via flirting, paying attention to details of the other, and some light teasing. Claire smiling and laughing is a sight to see.

As the house healer, Claire must work her 20th century medical knowledge and translate it to 18th century healing practices. Slowly she settles into the everyday life at the castle, tending to some ailment or wound. But at the same time her modern ideas of medicine clash with old superstition and religous beliefs of posessions and curses. When a local boy is poisoned/possessed, we see Claire come at odds with the local priest (who very much believes she works for the devil with her potions and mixes, any woman with knowledge is devil sent). Though her healing ways makes her a favorite to some, an evil to others.

It's fun to watch Jamie bend to the whims of Claire as she constantly leans on him, often making him her accomplice, when trying to fight old thoughts and customs, trying to help those when she can. These two are quite a pair.

Though the pace has slowed a bit, it fits to falling into the pace of everyday life. Again, feels like reading a book. Production is has expanded to the near by village and local areas. Everything is so beautiful.

Fav Scene: local musician plays a folksong, it speaks of the stones in the highlands, of a traveller who came from another time, lived amongst the locals and then left. It has happened to others before her. And they've found a way home.... a way for Claire to get back to her time... back home. There is hope for her yet.

One of the best "pilot" episodes I've seen. This episode is a great introduction of the show's principal team of Matt, Foggy and Karen. Introducing Karen as a victim of the underbelly of cop corruption, while Matt and Foggy work to right the wrongs of society as lawyers is a great setup to the premise of the show. Together the three underdogs willn work together to help the injustices of the law. Matt as Daredevil will be the hero who helps those who cannot defend themselves from the corrupt underbelly of the city.

This first episode feels more like an opening chapter of a great book, than a pilot episode that is just testing the waters. "Into the Ring" jumps head first into the water and swims with a strong and crisp story, that does not leave a single minute of screentime or dialogue to aimlessly wander. Each shot, each word is a much needed brick in the foundation of the show (in story, background, character, visual style and expectations for the shows amazing fight scenes, which Charlie Cox is supurve at).

Favs: The friendship between Matt and Foggy, and the ease with which Foggy talks about Matt's blindness to the point of joking about it.; Matt's softness with Karen as he works to gain her trust, even when he knows she is lying and hiding something from him.

This episode gives us a closer look into the lives of each family (earlier in the day before the kids got to school), but also a closer look at the lives of the parents.... The ep shows us what we saw from the kids in the pilot, but this time via the lens of the parents. It's a mirror episode of the pilot from the parents perspective.

Again, I'm glad that the writers have taken time to flesh out these characters. The adults are also dealing with shit... the stuff that comes with aging, (deadend career, parenting, infidelity, growing apart, etc). Though the pace feels slower cause we've already been though here before, it's great that they are fleshing out the parents. This was one of my issues with the comics, that the parents felt too flat and we only saw them as villains, rather than people who are dealing with their own things, and being an adult is still figuring things out. Shit doesn't stop happening after you stop being a teenager. Drama, problems and uncertainty keep following you around for the rest of your life, it never goes away.

The ritual ceremony was very intense... i like how the tense moments between the relationships and their relationship to pride...Feels like none of them want to be a part of Pride. Wonder what is their reason behind them being in Pride. What has driven them to the ritualistic murder of teenagers.

This episode is so tense!!! Everything screams suspense and mystery. Has a very different tone from the comics, which was much more about the teens... and I like this. It feels more polished and well rounded. Kinda reminds me of what Riverdale has done with the Archie comics.

Even though we are following the same timeline as the pilot, we get a very different tone to it; while the kid focused episode felt sad and sad, almost a little disjointed, very much in line with being a teenager, the grown ups version is full of tension, like the tension you have as a grownup cause you feel like the weight of the world is on your shoulders and your decisions.

We meet up back with the current time line as the kids cover up their tresspassing and make their parents believe all is right.... I'm really glad the kids don't runaway immediately. Again, an issue I had with the comics and them moving too fast. Great way to end the episode with the lullaby playing as we check in with all the kids. Overall good episode.

I'm both frustrated and loving the pacing of the show. We are on episode 6 and still not close to finding out what actually happened to Miss Mao, why the Water Cargo ship was destroyed, who attacked them and the Mars Miliatry ship, or how all of it is connected. Feel like I'm still in the first 3rd of reading a book and we're still setting up the story arc.

We do get some interesting scenes: The Dectecive getting kidnapped, tortured and almost killed in his quest to uncover Miss Mao's final destination, Jim and the crew join forces with a former military/now terrorist(?), and Avarsarala is still playing politics and power games.

Episode feels like it's setting up for finale or for a major story turn. Mainly being set up by Johnson as he enlists Holden to retrieve the lone survivor of the Scopuli... some Polanski dude... who the hell is he?!?! But this feels like a setup to the second half of the season, and the beginning of figuring out what really happen to the Scopuli.... and possibly Julie Mao.

The last scene at the Detective's headquarters with his boss removing him from the case and revoking his credentials was so unexpected.

One thing I don't understand how it's connected, is the kid and uncle on the iceship. How is the uncle's suicide and leaving his nephew behind connected to everything else?

And shit has hit the fan for Claire (and her pretend witch friend).

Claire gets first hand the unjust treatment of women who did not abide by the repressive society who saw women of intellect as in league with the devil. Unfortunately for Claire, that also includes being killed for being a witch (which was punishable by death). But with Jamie out of town, Ned the lawyer is the only person in her corner to help her.

What I do love about the ep is seeing the frienship between the two women. Seeing Geillis stop with pretense and reveal herself as just a smart woman who married for convinience and ended up with Dougal over shared politics. She is no witch, just a woman ahead of her time.

Unfortunately for Claire, she has made enemies in an obsessed teenager. Even more surprising is seeing the Father who had failed to save a young poisoned boy use religious furvour against Claire, playing the part to woo the judges against her. The two things that will always be used against women: the jealousy of other women and men's inability to deal with women more powerful/intelligent than them.

In order to save herself, Claire must turn against her only friend, but she will not turn her back. Claire is loyal to a fault and also from another time. And in the biggest turn of events, Geillis takes the blame for witchcraft and also reveals herself to Claire as also being from the future, from 1968. Geillis' witch knowledge was just as Claire's, knowledge from a future time. Did NOT see this coming! Also Jamie coming in to save Claire at the knick of time with sword and dagger ready to throw down.

And finally we get Claire revealing to Jamie she is from the future, when he confronts her of being a witch, of having the same mark as Geillis, the scar from a smallpox vaccine. And Jamie's love for Claire is so great, he believes her and she lets him in to her story, no more pretense, no more made up stories. So great his love for Claire that he lets her go. He takes her to the very rocks on the hill that brought her to him, and he'll let her go back if that's what she wants and to keep her safe from the dangers of his time. Oh Jamie, you are grade A hubby material.

Love the scene of Claire looking at her two wedding rings, one representing Frank (and the future) and the other being Jamie (and this past/present), literally having to choose between which wedding band she will stay loyal to. Frank in gold and Jamie in iron. She chooses strenght and stability over a gliterring maulable maybe. She chooses Jamie. No longer is she stuck in the past, she is now choosing it with wide eyes.

This episode is a nice switch as we get Jamie as our narrator, guiding our journey in the past, but also a focus on Jamie's thoughts and emotions, via his narration but also as part of the episode's focus.

This episode sees Jamie sneak into the British post to rescue Claire from Jack Randall, just as he is about to sexually assault her. But not before Jack taunts the newlyweds with physical and emotional harm. But in an epic moment of bluffin, Jamie recues Claire with an empty gun, which Jack didn't realize until he tried to kill Jamie with the same gun. Jamie is able to save his wife from Randall, try to protect her the way he was unable to stop the British soldiers from attacking her previously. Something we later find out is eating him with guilt.

In what has to be the best scene so far, IMO, we finally get the emotional confrontation between Claire and Jamie that's been building up since news of their forced marriage. Things have been building up quickly between the two: forced marriage, their wedding day (and night), Claire's assault then kidnapping then rescue and Jamie trying to be a husband to a woman that is from a different culture and doesn't understand the clan's ways, along with their own conflicting emotions along the way.

The collision between Jamie and Claire is explosive but much needed. They finally air out their grivences with each other, along with their own guilt and anger (Jamie's inability to protect Claire from assault plus his frustrations with her independence and Claire's anger at being forced to be married and her frustration with her lack of independence, while also wanting Jamie). It all boils over into a screaming match between the two, with each word digging deeper into their grievences, their frustrations, their anger and ultimately their fears. Each word becomes more maddening, more honest and ultimately more broken with rage, until there is nothing left but despair and guilt. The newlyweds verbal fight escaletes into them calling each other unspeakable things to hurt the other in an attempt to maintain control, but ultimately it is Jamie's rage that breaks them, the sheer force and disdain taking Jamie by surprise and breaking through the fog of rage. He is visibly shaken by the words and anger coming from him, he literally has to take a step back from their confrontation, but it's enough. He words turn earnest, they turn to his fears of losing her, his fears of an inability to protect her, when she is all he holds dear in life. And his earnestness and emotional breakdown is also enough for Claire to step outside her own rage. And there is so much beauty in their breakdown, that it's almost heartbreaking. It's so refreshing to see two people have an earnest and honest conversation after a fight, trying to mend the wounds they've inflicted onto each other in moments of rage.

The next scene is almost comical, as Jamie is forced to "reprimand" his wife for her disobedience and putting the clan in jeopardy. As is customary in his culture, he has to spank his wife as punishment, which for Claire is just unfathomable. Seeing Jamie chase after and try to convience Claire as she tries to negotiate the situation and fight back as he belts her is hilarious, though it probably should not be.

When they return to the castle and clan, things get much more complicated as Jamie and Claire's wedding has political consequences and is seen unfavorably by the a girl who was crushing on him, plus the Mackenzie finds out about his brother's raising funds for a Scottish rebellion. Family fights no matter what era are messy and with heavy consequences for all in their blast radius. Could it lead to civil war within the Clan? Standing in between both Mackenzie men, Jamie is forced to play mediator for his own sake, his safety. But it's a fragile truce, but enough for now. It's interesting to get a closer look at the politics of the Clan, something we don't get to see as the series in from Claire's perspective.

To add fuel to the Clan tensions, Jamie's love-struck teenager comes on to him, which he chivalrously rejects as he is married and will honor his marriage, even as things are still tense with Claire. You know, Jamie is one of the good guys, and props to him for being loyal and knowing that taking advantage of the desperate girl over a crush was not the right thing to do. Yay for positive masculinity.

This leads nicely into Jamie realizing that his relationship with Claire can't be based on old traditions of owning your spouse, but rather an partnership of equality, ultimately declaring his fielty and loyalty to Claire, and only her, on pain of death. As Claire accepts him, Jamie reveals that her ring in made from the key to his family's home, a symbol that Claire is his home no matter where he is. Which leads into an interesting sex scene of reconciliation while Claire takes control and accepts Jamie's oath on pain of death with his dagger on his heart.

Overall great and interesting episode focusing on Jamie's emotions and their relationship, cementing their bonds and loyalty going forward. Give the ep an 8.5.

First Impressions: So much going on and I love it. The frist chapter of a great scifi story. Plots within plots.

As far as a pilot, it doesn't feel much like one. It feels more like the first/opening chapter of a book. There is a small text sequence that gives us basic context to the story we're about to jump into. Just the bare basics. Like any good book, we are dropped right into the story, moments before everything changes, glimpses of the before. There is tensions between the three space groups (Earth, Mars and The Belt), like a chess game, each trying to make the smart move, to retain/gain power, but at possible peril. No one is playing by any rules, cause rules don't make victories. It is the classic and cyclical tale of ruling class, military and working class, in a never ending power struggle. The only difference, it now involves rest of the solar system.

Cast: Great. Loved the choices they've made. The known actors are solid choices, while the less known are wonderful surprises. Interested to see how they'll interact.

Visual: look reminds me of BSG but with a more polished finish. We have high contrast but desaturated colors in space, while the Earth is giving a bit more warm tones in set design and costuming. Grade A CGI. Again, reminds me of the quality SciFi I expected in the BSG days on SYFY.

Opening sequence is phenominal and unexpected (we are unsure who this girl is, but as she is our introduction to the series, this places her as a key person in the story).

Writing is well crafted. We get enough intro of all three groups (Earth, Belters and the Canteburry ship) while not feeling like we are wasting screentime. Also loved the exposition on the Belters, from intro to their language/dialect to the anatomical changes after generations due to living in space, i.e. thin muscles, long structure,, etc... no longer earth like. Alot of the exposition is to give us context of the status quo, how the world works for these characters.

Seems like the missing girl case, aka Julie Mao (rich earth girl turned Belter activist), Det. Miller has taken on is key, but the key to what? Is she the same girl we saw in the opening sequence?

We know Det Miller is part of the Belters and Ambassado Avasarala is representing Earth's interest, how does Holden from the Canteburry tie into the bigger story? Who is Jim Holden? Hero? Anti-Hero? Reluctant Hero?

Now the abandoned ship, the Scopuli, is it the first piece of a larger puzzle? Or the first domino to fall before it all snowballs into hell?

Closing sequence of the ship getting nuked was so unexpected (didn't think they'd kill off a group that quickly) and again reminds me of the nukes destroying earth in BSG at end of the pilot. Though this does set up a major conflict, but is it tied to the opening sequences or are they completely separate and unrelated?

A great setup to a bigger and probably very complicated story.

Claire is resolved to being in the past. Now she must learn to live in it: An englishwoman in Scottland. As Jamie mentions, not the best position to be in. Is she friend or foe? Guest or prisoner?

Love how we get flashbacks of Claire's previous life. Showing us when she first visited the places she must now live in, having her husband point out places, history and information of the past that now are essential for her survival. Her medical skills are also being set up to be part of her character. This is interesting characteristic for a female in a period piece, to be a healer. Will these be set up to help her survive in the unknown world she sees herself in?

I appreciate the level of details that are added to make Claire fully knowledgeable in medicine and medical plants, as far as medicine she would have learned in the 1940s. Having to adjust her knowledge and terminology to fit the late 1800s. I also like that via medicine and botany she make a friend with a local villager who is also versed in medicinal remedies of the period. It's nice to see these women spark a friendship over a shared interest and profession (?) in a time that this knowledge might not be reputable for women. To have Claire have something she feels at home with in a breath a fresh air for Claire, who is in a foreign land/time.

But we're also introduced to the possilbe attraction between Claire and Jamie. It's interesting to see an older woman with a much younger man. Seeing the experience (and possible power) dynamics shift is refreshing, esp in a period piece. The writers take their time building bonds for the two, sharing past experiences and their difficulties in life, will be the base along with their shared attraction.

We also learn that Jamie is a highborn, maybe also nobleman within the Scotts, being the nephew of the master of the castle. While also being a fugitive of the law for defending his sister and their lands. To have a highborn working like a servant, speaks to the conflict between him and his uncle(s) who are Lords. I hope we see more of what is behind these rifts. Also, Jamie stands apart from the others as he might be fierce, he also has the gentleness of youth, not yet bitter and cold from a battle-filled life. Interesting match for Claire.

I was going to rate this episode a 7.5, mainly since it's between good and great. There are alot of wheels turning in this episode. We get the set up for Matt's Daredevil costume, also get Matt going to confession where he lets us see into his constant battle of right and rightenous (and how much his own rage, darkness and pushing moral limits scare him). Then there is Fisk, who we found has two week spots: his love for Vanessa, which makes her a target, and his mother, which is evidence of his past. Karen's investigation is hitting a point of no return as she finds Fisk's mother, but also the team (matt and foggy) is falling apart, leaving her alone to face the darkness. And darkness she faces as Fisk's assistant catches up to her invesigation, kidnapping her in order to force her hand and undo "the damage she has caused Mr Fisk", but there is much more to Karen than we had ever imagined. She faces the darkness with rage and courage (and adrenaline) finding an opening to get the upper, and she does what no one of thought possible, she takes on the darkness and wins (she kills Fisk's assistant and his only friend), shooting it at first with a plan to save herself, but then she empties a clip into his chest, showing she has fired a gun before. There is so much more to Karen, and I'm sure none of us were prepared for what was once a lonely, scared woman had it in her to like into the darkness and find strenght.

The final scene with Karen is what pushes this episode toward great, mainly because we never see this side of Karen coming, yet once we are face to face with her violence, rage and unflinching agency, we can no longer see her as a damsel in distress, but rather someone who can be as veneous as our villians, and as violent as martyr/hero

Season 3 premiere finally fullfills the show's promise of all-out-war between Earth and Mars, now that the undersecretary Erinwright has assassinated the Martian minister negotiating peace talks and Avasarala is stuck in space, all things have escalated. The Minister of Earth is preparing for a formal declaration of war against the red planet. How are our space warriors and the undersecretary, along with the Martian Marine, going to prevent humanity from destroying itself in the search for power, control and weapons.

Even with all the shit the Roci crew has gone through, everything Holden has put them through, still they fight. They might change ship names and alliances, but their only master is humanity. Next step for them, new ship name/signature to keep on fighting the good fight. With this new name, they will have gone through hell and back, but come out the other side anew.

Watching Avasarala dealing with actual battle and war, not just politics, is a gift that keeps on giving. She is a fighter and she will not go down until she gets what she wants.... kicking and screaming, but getting what she wants.... and somehow she inspires loyalty from the most unexpected people (Bobbie "I'm MMC" Drapper and war-guilty Earth solider)

Also, Errinwright is a fucking rat, the worst of the worst, who only looks out for himself and will throw anyone under the bus to save himself, to make himself the hero of the story, not its villain.

And Johnson, now holder of the protomolecule, just became a major player and leader for the Belt in their interest to defend themselves against the inners. Sidenote: while I know Naomi had her reasons to give the blue gue to Johnson, Amos and Alex were right, it wasn't her decision to make. They are a team and make decisions like a team.

Again, this episode shows me why I love Avasarala so much. Even when facing imminent death, her first priority is what she wants to achieve and everyone within her vicinity will help her, come hell or high water.... and she gets them to do it with even against their instincts.

Okay, that's it. I'm in love with Bobbi Badass Drapper. Damn.

And the razoback is everything Julie Mao said it was. Having Bobbie and Avasarala escape the cluthes of the UN and Mao in search for the truth is a great ode to what Julie stood for, to use her favorite thing, her ship, in pursuit of that goal.... love it!

Fav line: "You've done your planet a great service."

Visuals: That opening scene covering Venus, Earth (and Moon), Mars and the rest of the system, with the communication transmissions being picked up as we go over each is genuis in reestablishing where we are in the story, updating everyone with the politics and changes that have taken place since the finale. One of my fav opening sequences for a season (episode).