Five Steps To Quit Glee

I started watching Glee when I was in college because it was convenient. I had a blockmate who gave me (and anyone who's willing) copies of the episodes and songs sung in every episode. It was so easy to be a gleek then.

I swear I had to do this for a friend.

Because of the demands of law school, work and adult life, I had to cut down on the TV shows I regularly watch. House and Desperate Housewives were the first ones to go. Chuck ended. Community went into a hiatus (sort of). I dropped Suits because Mike Ross did not go to law school to become a good lawyer. I only watch The Big Bang Theory when my law school seatmate gives me copies of the new episodes. The shows that remained were How I Met Your Mother, Once Upon A Time and Glee.

Despite the glaring lack of continuity, the forgotten storylines, the recycling of storylines, the sloppy editing, the graduation of the old New Directions and the end of Britanna, I chose to stick to Glee with the hope that it will be able to reclaim its former glory (season 1 and 2).

Finally, I decided to quit Glee after watching the third episode of the fifth season, "The Quarterback." The reasons are numerous and so obvious--no character development, no continuity, no dedication to plot, weird story arcs, no connection with new characters, which is partially due to my refusal to let the old New Directions be replaced by poor copycats like Kitty and Bree. This list got longer, and I realized that there was no point in continuing to be a fan of something that has become so mediocre. Not even the amazingness of Burt Hummel can make me stay.

Quitting Glee was hard. It was a like a long-time lover who kept doing crazy things that make you want to leave him or her but he or she will do soemthing that will reel you back in just as when you start pulling away.

So here are the Five Steps I Followed to Quit Glee:

1. List down all the things you hate about Glee. List down the things you love about it. When the Hate list outnumbers the Love list by a great margin, it's time to move on. Why continue watching that sucks? You know you've reached the point of no return, when you realize that not even Lea Michele's voice or Chord Overstreet's abs can make you sit through an entire episode.

Keep this list. Whenever you're tempted to jump on that Glee train again, bring out this list and remind yourself of the many ways Glee sucked, and fcked you up as a fan and didn't even bother to make up for it.

2. Choose the right time to quit because timing is everything. Like with any addiction, an ill-timed quitting will increase one's tendency to go back.

I chose "The Quarterback" because:

(a) I'm convinced that Glee is never going to be the same again with Cory Monteith's death. Mike Astuccio put it best when he wrote: "Monteith’s passing is a resounding reminder of much darker realities that exist in our plain world." For me, Glee was an escape. It was one of the shows I watched because it was simply entertaining--the performances, the songs. With something as dark as Monteith's addiction and death looming over the show, I can't simply look at it the same way I used to.

(b) The Quarterback was a really well executed episode. It perfectly showcased the different ways in which people deal with grief. The best performance was delivered by Romy Rosemont as Finn's grieving mom, Carole Hudson-Hummel. This episode reminded me what Glee writers are capable of, if only they focused on the right things. Sadly, they have failed to come up with brilliant episodes on a regular basis.

3. Keep your Glee seasons 1 to 4 (ok, maybe up to season 2) boxed set within reach. This serves a dual purpose: (a) When you miss Glee, you're allowed to reminisce and watch the old episodes. (b) It will serve as a constant reminder of how good the old episodes were compared to the new ones Ryan Murphy comes up with.

4. Never ever forget the reasons why you loved Glee but don't let these reasons suck you back in. I will always be thankful to Glee for introducing me to the awesome-ness of Dianna Agron. Long live Quinn Fabray!

5. Read good Glee fan fiction, or visit Glee-related Tumblr pages. There are a lot of amazing, creative Tumblr blogs you can visit to help you when you get the sudden urge to know how Rachel or Kurt or Santana looks now. At some point, you will feel that you've seen, read or heard everything Glee-related you will no longer feel the urge to watch the actual show. Before you know it, you're over it.

I hope these steps will help you in your path to quitting Glee. These will only work if you've made your decision. The choice whether to walk out on the show now or stay until season 6 is, of course, all up to you.

QNBS: Rookie Blue

I started the Quest for the Next Best Series to find a replacement for Chuck. Ten TV shows and eleven reviews later, I decided to watch Once Upon A Time. But having the opportunity to criticize anything in a justified manner is so addicting that I have decided to continue my Quest for the Next Best Series. I decided not to rename the series because I don't have enough creativity to think of a new one.

I will adopt the original QNBS method for judging a show. 1. A friend recommends a TV show or I see an interesting review, or hear a sarcastic rant about it in the Internet. Point is, I learn about a TV show. 2. I watch two episodes. 3. Write down what I think, Pros-Cons style.

I will add a one-liner (or maybe more) at the end of each QNBS review called The Verdict, which will serve as my verdict, my opinion, on whether you should or shouldn't watch the show.


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Many series exist in TV world but today I will write about Rookie Blue.

Plot: Five fresh-out-of-the-academy police officers join 15 Division to help serve and protect law-abiding US citizens. 

PROS:

1. I'm already hooked. You see, before I wrote this QNBS entry I finished more than 2 episodes of Rookie Blue. (I broke my own rules, I know.) I started with watching only the latest episodes from Season 4, around episode 11 and 12. Somehow it piqued my interest (like no other cop show did) and before I knew it, I was done watching all 13 episodes of Season 4. I am now on Season 1.

2. The rookies. Well, McNally, Peck, Diaz, Epstein and Nash aren't rookies anymore in season 4 but I did watch Rookie Blue's pilot episode, "Fresh Paint," to see how far each rookie has gone. Yes, I was that interested in them. Each rookie has, as expected, progressed in terms of experience. The progress may not be as obvious as Nash's (by season 4 she's training to be a detective) but it is noticeable. In addition, Missy Peregyrm, Charlotte Sullivan, Travis Milne, Gregory Smith and Enuka Okuma have good chemistry.

The Rookies (top to bottom): Peck, Epstein, McNally, Diaz and Nash

3. The friendship. One of the reasons why I fell in love (and continue to do so) over How I Met Your Mother is that more than being a story about how a dad met his kids' mom, it is a story of friendship. Somehow I see the same thing in Rookie Blue, with less flair (no Barney here) and more.. .heart. The rookies start out as a tight-knit group, having endured the academy together, but in the three years that have passed (between "Fresh Paint" and season 4), their bond is tested and eventually it becomes tighter. (PS: I totally love it that Gail, Dov and Chris are sharing an apartment now. I hope no one moves out ever.)

4. The drama. Ever since House and Desperate Housewives, I have yet to pick up a show which is heavy on the drama. As a rule, I stay away from drama but I guess Rookie Blue is worth making the exception for.

5. It is not law-related. Although Rookie Blue is about law enforcement, it is not about the law profession, which I try to avoid as much as I can during my free time. I consider it an effective destressing technique. This is one of the reasons why I stopped watching Suits after Season 1.

6. Gail Peck. She is an enigma; a person I am interested to know more about. She's the primary reason I decided to go back to season 1 just to see how she became the person she is in season 4--an eerily quiet yet more vicious version of Santana. Yet her interactions with Ernie the urn, Shaw and Holly give the viewers a glimpse of her vulnerable interior.

Gail (on putting Ernie's ashes in the lake): It's the same as flushing him down the toilet. Only it is a prettier, bigger toilet.

7. Oliver Shaw is a wonderful, lovable and honest man. He's like Mr. Healy before he became obssessed with keeping Piper away from Alex Vause, and letting wooden-cross toting Pennsatuckey play fencing with Piper and her screwdriver. Shaw effectively connects with the rookies on a level Swarek or even Frank Best never will.

Squad car convos: Oliver talking to Peck and Epstein.

8. The music. I just finished watching season 4 and, off the bat, I liked Matt Walter's I Would Die For You, Dave Thomas Junior's 3 Wishes, Jon Bryant's David Livingstone, and the amazing Firefly by Rebecca Raabis. One song short of a Quintet post. For a fairly accurate list of the songs played on Rookie Blue, check out this link.


CON:

I find myself enjoying scenes and episodes that were McSwarek-free. I like McNally and Swarek as individual characters but as a couple, I just don't. I know they're like Ross and Rachel from F.R.I.E.N.D.S--they're going to end up together no matter how messy the in-between is/got/will be--so they're not going anywhere soon. I guess I have to overlook this simple irritating detail because Rookie Blue, in its entirety, is awesome.

THE VERDICT:

If you want a good, entertaining show to marathon-watch, then Rookie Blue is what you're looking for.


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You may want to read other QNBS entries:

What Would Ryan Lochte Do
Smash
Pushing Daisies
Spartacus: Blood and Sand
Freaks and Geeks
Bent
Once Upon A Time
The Inbetweeners 
Game of Thrones 2
Sherlock 
Suits
Game of Thrones 1
The IT Crowd
Rizzoli & Isles 
Community 
Awkward 
New Girl 
Outsourced 

Quintet 9: Music is my Mistress

Quintet is a bi-monthly periodic music review of any five songs I happen to come across/stumble upon, or were recommended, any how, any time. Suggestions from readers are most welcome because music deserves to be shared. Let me be your convert or critic.


Mistresses may not be another Desperate Housewives, and Savi, Joss, Karen and April's friendship may not be up to par with Ted, Marshall, Lily, Barney and Robin's but one thing I like about it, and will definitely miss if it's not renewed for season 2 (come on, ABC Family!), is it's great music. Whoever chose the music for Mistresses' season 1 run was not afraid to try out new songs or even unheard of artists. Episode after episode, I am amazed at the great song choices that enhanced every scene.

Here are five songs (this is a quintet so I had to pick out only five), I loved from Mistresses' Season 1:

1. Background Radio by Lily Frost 
I had a hard time finding this song because I only had the lyrics "Together we make a dream...all the birds are chirping, I know my heart is working" to start on. Through persistence and hard work, I found out the title and the artist. Since I first heard it in the background while Joss agreed to be in a relationship with Alex, this song became my happy song. I will forever be thankful to Mistresses for leading me to Lily Frost's music.

2. Mountains by Odessa Rose
This song is priceless for two things. First, it enhanced the scene where Karen was falsifying her notes about Thomas Grey, and second, it's good music to fall asleep to. And I mean that in a good way. It has a calming effect on me and I suggest you give it a listen to find out for yourself.

3. Lay Your Cards Out by Polica
If you're into sexy music, this song is for you. Really.

4. You Will Never Know Me by Rachel Starshine Robinson
I will never know me 
Like you know me 
Like you know me
And I wish that you could show me 
How my love feels

Who could go wrong with lyrics like these?

5. Anything Could Happen by Ellie Goulding 
The use of this song in the opening scenes of Mistresses' finale "I Choose You" is perfect. If anything that Mistresses' 13-episode run has proven, it is that anything could happen. One of the world's hottest couple may go from family-ready to estranged (to reunited?) in two or three episodes! Someone who has been dead for 3 years can come back from the dead. A woman who's straight as an arrow can just decide to be in a relationship with another woman just to keep the friendship. And someone can just make one bad decision after the other. (I'm looking at you Karen!)

If you want to know other songs used on the show, you can check out this fairly accurate list.

As a final point. To whoever is in charge of choosing the music for Mistresses, I wish to thank you from the bottom of my music-loving heart. Bless your soul for having a good ear for music, and for sharing your musical discoveries with us. I look forward to another season of good music!


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You may want to check other blogs in the Quintet series:

Quintet 8: Music for the eyes
Quintet 7: Something old, something new
Quintet 6: Top 10 Performances from Glee's Season 4
Quintet 5: Original vs. Covers
Quintet 4: Radio
Quintet 3: GLEE-king out
Quintet 2: Holy Week Playlist
Quintet 1: Music to my ears

Meet The Parents: Glee Edition

In real life, meeting the parents is always a big step for couples. Whether you do it or you don't spells the difference in a relationship. Some people prefer that their loved ones and parents to meet to know how will they get along, or if one approves of the other. Others would rather that their boyfriends or girlfriends didn't meet their parents for a variety of reasons. Number 1 of which is because meeting the parents mean that the relationship is going to the next level of serious--closer to what society taught us to be the ultimate goal: A lifetime of monogamy.

For Glee and its viewers, meeting the characters' parents signifies, at best, that the character will undergo growth and development or, at worst, that the character will most likely get a good amount of screen time.

To illustrate here's the list of Glee parents and how their appearance in the show triggered a major character development for their children--or some screen time.

1. Leroy and Hiram Berry. We got a glimpse of Rachel's parents minutes into the Pilot episode. They were initially pictured as an interracial couple but were changed later on as Leroy and Hiram Berry. When we do finally meet them in season 3, it's when Rachel starts playing with the idea of getting married as a high school student. We also see the Mr. Berrys during glee club's regionals performance and Rachel's graduation.

Jeff Goldblum (left) as one of the Mr. Berrys is perfect!

2. Shelby Corcoran. Being Rachel's biological mother and Quinn's child's adoptive mother, it is inevitable to expect something important will happen--either to Rachel or to Quinn (even Puck, to an extent)--whenever Shelby showed up. We first met her in season 1 when Rachel was yearning for a mother figure. Her reappearance in McKinley in season 3 triggered Quinn's Crazy Mother Phase. In season 4, we saw her again when Rachel was preparing for her Funny Girl audition. It seems that aside from Burt Hummel, Shelby's the only parent Glee showrunners do not forget to include in his/her child's important life moments.

Of course, it doesn't hurt that Shelby (Idina Menzel) sings really well.

3. Burt Hummel. He is, hands down, TV's World's Best Dad. Whenever we see him in Glee, we know something's up with Kurt. He accepted and supported Kurt, whether as a closeted male teen or an out and proud gay man in New York. He stole our hearts for the nth time when he danced Single Ladies as a graduation present to Kurt. Burt Hummel is so awesome he has become more than just Kurt's dad.

The Many (All Equally Adorable) Faces of Burt Hummel

4. Carole Hudson Hummel. We met single mom Carol in season 1 when Finn was struggling with the possibility of being a father at an early age. Aside from providing a good excuse for a wedding-themed episode in Glee, her and Burt's wedding marked the beginning of Finn's maturity as a person. As the show progressed, we get to see more of Carole not only when Finn had really something important going on but also as part of the Hummel family.

Hey Carole. Nice to see you.

5. Russell and Judy Fabray. In Quinn's case, meeting her parents made us understand why she is how she is. We first met the Fabrays while Quinn was dealing with teenage pregnancy. She was instantly kicked out of their house as soon as her parents understood what Finn's song meant. We saw Judy again when she showed up at Regionals to support Quinn, to tell her she left Russell (good riddance!) and to help with Quinn's delivery. Finally, we saw her at Quinn's graduation. Good thing Glee showrunners didn't forgot to include her.

Fabrays can go from really sweet to really scary in a matter of minutes.

6. Mr. Schue's dad. The first and only time he showed up was when Mr. Schue was going through some really important stuff with his marriage. His appearance was so short--it was fleeting, really--I almost forgot we even met him! He was notably absent in his son's second and third wedding. I think even Glee's showrunners forgot that Will had a dad.

7. Coach Sue's mom. The solitary appearance of Sue's mother taught us that marriage, even to one's self, is really an important moment in one's life.

Sue's mother has crazy eyes.

8. Mr. and Mrs. Pillsbury. We first met them when Mr. Schue and Emma were starting to think of the possibility of marriage in season 2. They even dissuaded him from marrying their daughter. Like Mr. Schue's dad, they were also notably absent in their wedding. But we saw them again when Finn and Artie tricked them into giving the details of Emma's whereabouts after she left Will at the altar.

Gingers smell likes pennies.

9. Mr. and Mrs. Chang. We are introduced to Mr. and Mrs. Chang in "Asian F," the only Mike-centric episode of Glee. Two other milestones in Mike's life were marked by his father's presence: (1) During the only sectionals where Mike danced and sang; and (2) During graduation, where Mr. Chang exchanged a high five with Burt Hummel. For a second there I wondered if glee club members' parents bonded off screen to discuss their children.

Of all Glee stories involving parents, I loved Mike's the most.

10. Mr. and Mrs. Evans. The appearance of Sam's parents in season 3 marked his return to the New Directions and McKinley High. His parents allowed Sam to live with Finn at the Hummel-Hudson residence. But with Kurt and Finn off to college, I wonder where Sam was staying all this time.

If we're giving out awards for TV's World's Hottest Set of Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Evans have very good shot at winning.

11. Maribel Lopez. We met her when Santana (and Brittany, by extension) was struggling with what to do after graduation. Lucky for Santana, her parents saved up enough money to fund her first few months in New York. I wonder if we'll ever meet Santana's dad, who is either a dentist or a mob boss.

Business in the front; party in the back.

12. Millie Rose. Sweet Marley Rose's mom is so important we met her in the same episode we met Marley. Marley's struggle--with fitting in, in general, and with an eating disorder, in particular--is also her mom's.

You have magic in your throat Marley. It's time to share it to the world.

13. Rob and Berry Adams. We met Unique's parents when Sue tried to prevent Finn and Artie from casting Unique as Rizzo--the only time Glee delved deeper into Unique's character. (Yes, I don't consider the catfish thing with Ryder important, at all.)

Hey Big Mike!

14. Artie's mom. The first and only time (so far) we saw Artie's mom was when he was starting to seriously consider, for the first time, his options after graduation. I hope they will not forget to include her in her son's graduation.

If you ever imply again that I'm an old hag, I'm gonna tip you over.

15. Puck's mom and Jake's mom. The fact that we met them at the same time mirrored the importance of this moment for Puck and Jake as brothers.

Puck's on the left; Jake's on the right.

16. Paul Karofsky. We saw Karofksy's dad twice--first in season 2 and second in season 3. Both appearances showed Karofsky being at opposite points in his life. First, he bullied Kurt so much for being gay Kurt had to transfer to Dalton Academy. Second, he was being bullied so much at his new school he committed suicide. Fortunately for Paul Karofsky, his son survived.

The second appearance was more heartbreaking than the first.

With Amber Riley relegated to guest cast status in Season 5, the chances that we will meet Mercedes' parents, which by now you know means that something important will happen to Mercedes, has become nearly impossible. I hope this will not be the case with Brittany's parents, who I expect to be really awesome, and Mr. Al Motta, Sugar's dad who's allegedly a mob boss, who I expect to be really cool--like Barney Stinson cool. Also, I can't wait to meet the Cohen-Changs (to know more about Tina's life outside of glee club) and the Andersons (only to find out if they're hotter than Sam's parents).

Did I miss any Glee parent? Whose parents/s do you want to meet/see when Season 5 premieres on September 26?

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I wrote of a bunch of other stuff on Glee which you may want to check out.

Quintet 3: Glee-king out
McKinley High School in a Decade
Things I Missed From Glee's Season 1 (Part 1)
Things I Missed From Glee's Season 1 (Part 2)
Things I Missed From Glee's Season 1 (Part 3)
15 Glee Club Truths
Common Themes and Things in Glee's Season 1 and Season 3
Glee Mysteries: Mike, Quinn and Mercedes
Final(e) Thoughts: Glee Season 3
Kurt's 27 (Head) Dresses
Who Wore It Better: Kurt or Santana?
How Sue Sees It
Quintet 6: Top 10 Glee Performances from Glee's Season 4 (1st Half)
On Brittana and Brampocalypse 
On VapoRape, Babygate 2.0, Wheelchair Love 2.0 and Quintana
Final(e) Thoughts: Glee Season 4

An Open Letter to the Only Gnome I Know

Hi Gnome!

I know this may seem weird coming from a total stranger but I just want to say that what that a--hole posted about you being the asshole for not continuing AYMU is totally not true. I admit that I suffered from the same flaw before. I used to be irked, as a reader of fan fiction, when authors don't complete their fics. For me, I saw it as inconsiderate. But since I started to write fiction, I understand better now.

First, fics are the writers'. I recognize that once the reader invests time (or maybe even something more than that) to a certain fic, that reader become as a part of that fic. But that doesn't mean the readers earns the right to resort to saying mean things to the writer, anonymously. No one earns that right. Yes, we are entitled to our own opinions but if someone wants to criticize the writer, I think he/she should have the decency to reveal him/herself to the writer.

So to that bad-mouthing asshole who say mean things to you, Gnome, I say: Come out coward.

Second, the reasons why you chose not to continue the fic are yours, and you don't owe us, as readers, an explanation. The least you could do (and you did) was inform us of your decision to discontinue it so we'd stop waiting for updates, and we get a chance to preserve it as a pdf file (or whatever) before you entirely removed it from ff.net.

I understand now, as a fic writer, that:

(a) Fics are hard to write--even bad ones like mine haha--and I can only imagine the effort you give just to come out with something as great as I Need A Medic; and

(b) Most often than not, real life gets in the way of writing. We are, after all, employed citizens of the world who need to earn money to be able to eat and have access internet to publish our stories. Well, there may be some who can spend 24/7 on the Internet but they are a rarity, and I'm sure we don't want to be like them. We have lives to live and people to love. Or maybe, you just can't find the drive for AYMU now as you had then when you started it. Bottom line is, you have your reasons and we, as readers, should respect that.

Third, it is counterproductive to bash the writer if we want him/her to continue the fic he/she chose to discontinue. No matter what people say, positive reinforcement amounts to something. And mean words--not even disguised as a criticism in this case--will not bear anything good. Yes, I would be disheartened--pissed even--if you suddenly discontinue I Need A Medic (which I really like) but that doesn't give me a right to bash you. And I won't.

I apologize for the length of this piece. I guess I got carried away. But I hope I got my points across. I agree with you 100%, authors are people too. They deserve respect much like everyone does, even if they chose to stop writing the things we have grown to love.

My dear gnome I hope you don't get disheartened by a--holes who say mean things to you. Please know that in this universe there are others who continue to be fans of your work. I am one of them. I treat every update of I Need A Medic as a blessing. It may not come often--if at all--but when it does, I appreciate it, and am thankful.

Thank you, gnome.

Is The Piper Chapman Journey For You?

As a kid, I learned through fairy tales and children stories that protagonists must be good and, at times, maybe even perfect, and always logical. Little Red Riding Hood, Puss in Boots and even The Three Little Pigs (well at least one of the three) always made the right decisions when it mattered. Growing up I was exposed to stories which have protagonists with the same qualities. From the John Grisham books my mother bought for me at an early age (I think she may have been Inception-ing me to become a lawyer), I learned that even if life is marred by our bad choices, in the end, we, either through self-realization, societal factors or divine intervention, still make the good decisions that always lead to happy, or at least, satisfying endings. These characters may not start out to be good persons but they definitely progress towards being good as their stories go along.

One of the reasons I liked How I Met Your Mother is because I felt that despite Ted and his friends' many faults in decision-making, they will, in the end, make the right decision at the right time. Ted will let go of his irrational hope that Robin is The One and find The Mother. Barney and Robin will stop being scared of love and the mess that goes along with it, and just get married--even before Ted does. Marshall and Lily will get over their differences and arguments--big or small--and be the amazing parents they're destined to become. The same goes for the boys of The Big Bang Theory, the nerds of Chuck, the kids of Glee, and even the study group of Community.

This is where Orange is the New Black deviates from the usual. In Orange's first episode we are introduced to Piper Chapman and how she--and everyone else, for that matter as the season progresses--got into prison: By making the wrong decision. This may be a normal start off point for most stories (Mistresses' Savi Davis, Community's Jeff Winger and Once Upon A Time's Rumplestiltskin to name a few) but the difference with Orange is that as Piper's story in prison progresses, the wrong decisions are not lessened. In fact, they pile up. They come one wave after the other.

We see Piper mess up relations with fellow inmates Red, Crazy Eyes and Miss Claudette, her best friend Polly, her ex-girlfriend Alex, her fiance Larry and even, her counselor, Healy. Yes, Piper, at some point, resolves her little f*ck ups but we see that as with every step she takes in the right direction (or what she thinks is the right direction), she also takes two steps back in the wrong direction. As Dana Piccoli correctly pointed out, Piper Chapman is the anti-hero. She is a self-entitled white girl who thinks her problems are the world's worst problems. In her effort to try to blend in with the women of Litchfield she does the opposite and stands out in a bad way. We appreciate her effort because we know she has good intentions and she's just making decisions based on information she has and the recent lessons she learned from experiences she'd recently been in. If you're done binge-watching all thirteen episodes of Season 1, you have to give it to Piper for trying so hard. And yet she still failed.

The cringe-worthy moments in Piper's prison life--and to some extent, in the other Litchfield inmates' lives as well--make me love Piper--and the women of Litchfield--more. They may not fit the image of what heroes or protagonists should be, but somehow, the connection between actor (them) and the audience (me) is there. They're relatable in the sense that not everyone makes the right decisions at the right time. Not everyone learns from one's mistakes easily, if at all. Not everyone is good or perfect or logical. We share Taystee's fear of the uncertain, Red's desire to show strength in the face of adversity, Miss Claudette's doubts, Daya's insecurities, Nikki's longing, Alex' yearning for direction and even Pennastucky's ill-channelled devotion.

Orange's dedication to show us the stories of these women with honesty, precision and straight-forwardness remind me of Freaks and Geeks' willingness to do the same for teens in the late 1990s. The setting and topics discussed by each show are vastly different from the other but somehow if we squint really closely, we can see some similarities. Freaks did not focus on the high school life of the jocks or the geeks who are lovable or likable (for example, Glee's New Directions), it focused on the geeks who are geeks. Freaks introduced us to Lindsay Weir, a teenager struggling with finding her identity. Throughout Freaks' run, we see Lindsay get into different kinds of trouble (egging her own brother, babysitting while high, skipping classes, dating a burnout) and in the last episode we expected that she has learned her lesson. That she has improved. Instead, we are left with the image of Lindsay joining Kim as they plan to follow some band they like over the summer break instead of being where her parents think she is (an academic summit). Freaks end with Lindsay making, what many of us think is, the wrong decision.

In Orange, at the end of episode 13 we see Piper make what many of us think is the wrong decision. But for her, in that moment--it's Christmas and she's alone, having lost Larry, Alex, Healy, and even her roommate--smacking Pennastuckey with her bare hands seemed like a good decision. Maybe it's too early to tell if all hope is lost on Piper. Maybe she will become the hero that makes the right decisions at the right time in the long run. It took Barney and Robin eight seasons to figure out their shit and they're not even in prison.

Piper is not the conventional protagonist but I find myself rooting for her every time she makes a (potentially) bad decision. Maybe she was correct when she said that Frost's Road Less Traveled really/only meant that shit just happens the way it happens and it doesn't mean anything.

At this point in her story, Piper is not the hero we're all used to seeing. So if you're looking for a success story or a feel-good series, Orange is the New Black is not for you. Step away because shit gets real in Litchfield. But I assure you that Jenji Kohan's storytelling and the cast's wonderful acting will make the journey worth it.

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You may want to read my other Orange related blog entries:

Orange is the New Black Season 2
Orange is the New Black Season 4

Quintet 8: Music for the eyes

Quintet is a bi-monthly periodic music review of any five songs I happen to come across/stumble upon, or were recommended, any how, any time. Suggestions from readers are most welcome because music deserves to be shared. Let me be your convert or critic.


Music is everywhere. Recommendations may come from friends or family or celebrities. Sometimes express, sometimes implied. One source of music recommendation that is very underrated is TV shows. Of course not all TV shows have good music but when it does, a good TV moment becomes perfect. For this edition of Quintet, I give you five TV shows whose moments/scenes were greatly improved by good songs it used at background music. To level the playing field, I won't include musicals like Glee or Smash.

Community rarely uses music but whenever they use Ludwig Gorannson's Greendale Is Where I Belong, the feeling of familiarity and longing is instantaneous. Whatever crappy or ridiculous situation the group is in I feel, whenever this song is played, that everything will be okay. Case in point: Take a look at a scene from the season 4 finale episode, "Advanced Introduction to Finality", as the camera panned out on the study group and Dean Pelton right after Jeff's graduation party. Jeff (and Pierce) may have graduated but I am assured that they will not outgrow each other.

Warehouse 13 always has eventful finales--hello, Walter Sykes and Paracelsus--but the use of Florence + The Machine's No Light, No Light in the season 4 finale episode "The Truth Hurts" made everything seemed more intense. Another good finale-ish moment was in season 3's "Emily Lake" when we find out that Steve Jinks is dead while Placebo's Running Up That Hill plays in the background. It was so devastating and Placebo made the feeling worse.

And of course, there's the HG/Myka moment in the season 4 episode "Instinct" where we see HG watch Myka drive away after wishing Myka wished her good luck in her pursuit of a normal life, away from endless wonder. Everything the show can't or is not saying when it comes to HG and Myka was successfully conveyed through Ellie Goulding's Atlantis:

This is new

Feels unused

I've never met anyone like you

Frightened

Feeling naked

Sense in searching something sacred

I'll forget you not

I'll wait for you, maybe

Where did you go?

I'm exhausted with loving

No fight in me - I'm defeated

I'm fooled, I can't help it

You make my heart so helpless

I mentioned before that one of the reasons I like Mistresses (US) is its good music, and Odessa Rose's Mountains and POLIÇA's Lay Your Cards Out proved me right. The scene where Karen was making up notes on her sessions with Thomas Gray and Joss and Alex sexy shower scene were ordinary moments (Ok fine, the shower thing was a little over the ordinary) improved by the use of these songs. Try watching these scenes on mute and you'll realize what I mean.

How I Met Your Mother has always been a reliable source of good music for the past eight years. In fact, it was this show which introduced me to the possibility and reality that good music can come from TV shows. Being a Barney and Robin fan, I always found A. C. Newman's Prophets a magnificent song choice for that take-the-leap moment in season 4 finale episode "The Leap". I know the part of the forest where you shouldn't go, said the song. And yet, Barney and Robin went there, and here we are four years later, on the day of their wedding.

The Head and The Heart's Rivers and Roads was also used in How I Met Your Mother (I think when Ted was in the rooftop) but I felt it was more perfect for Chuck and Sarah's moment at the beach at the end of Chuck's series finale episode "Chuck Versus the Goodbye." Words are not enough to describe how apt this song was for that special moment. Please do watch it here so you have an idea. (AND BTW, WHY HAVEN'T YOU WATCHED CHUCK?!)

Scrubs deserve a special mention for introducing me to Joshua Radin, Alexi Murdoch, Colin Hay, Hooch, Josh Verdes, Mat Kearney and Pete Yorn. I remember, in college, I listened to Howie Day's Collide ALL. THE. TIME.

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You may want to read other articles on the Quintet series:

Quintet 7: Something old, something new

Quintet 6: Top 10 Performances from Glee's Season 4

Quintet 5: Original vs. Covers

Quintet 4: Radio

Quintet 3: GLEE-king out

Quintet 2: Holy Week Playlist

Quintet 1: Music to my ears

Reasons Why I Am Into ABC Family's Mistresses Right Now

(Aka My Quick Yet Well Thought Out List That Would Hopefully Convince You To Watch Mistresses)

1. Sheer curiosity.

2. It's a show about 4 strong women. What's not to love.

3. The suspense is killing me from all fronts. Even if the show is patterned (Is 'syndicated' a better term?) after the UK original, I read somewhere that they changed things up a little bit. I will not elaborate on this so as not to spoil the show for anyone who's not watching it (yet) but is reading this.

4. The drama is enough to hook you in and occasionally blow you away (hello, Carver sisters throwdown scene!) but never too over the top to scare you to make a run for it.

5. Who doesn't love a dad who's into sports, parties with Lamar Odom, has a Jim Carrey vibe, is as adorable as Steve Carell and way more intuitive than the average guy? No one. Everyone loves Richard.

6. The funny and sincere Joss-Harry conversations in the kitchen.

7. Joss' interesting and witty one liners. (You can say his name, Mona. He's not Voldemort.)

8. Savi's dresses! Actually it's a toss up between Savi's and Karen's (even the dressing gown-ish one looked good on Karen!). I am not fond of dresses in general but I appreciate good ones when I see them. Kudos to whoever is in charge of dressing these women! And whoever you are, please suggest good ones for Alex, too!

9. Rochelle Aytes' eyes. Endless conversations can be had with those eyes alone.

10. Karen's drama brings a Desperate Housewives-ish feel to the show.

11. Sam Gray is cray cray.

12. It's not only a show about 4 strong women. There's also a fair share of hot guys with accents. Australian, French, American. Pick your poison.

13. The music is good too.

14. I want to find out what Mr. and Mrs. Carver look like for their children to look so different from each other yet so stunning.

15. If Sex and the City and Desperate Housewives had a baby, it would be Mistresses.

16. All the shows I regularly watch are on hiatus, and Mistresses is the only thing worth wasting my precious little time on. Except for the occasional HG/Myka adventure.

17. LUCY IS SOOO ADORABLE!!!!!! Whether she's talking about how cutting class to see Selena Gomez is the best moment of her life or she's calling her mom a goody-two shoes.

In This Timeline, I Am Walking Away

I've given up on you many times before but somehow you always know when to make me doubt that decision. With a single act, you can make me not want to give up and keep on hoping that there's something to look forward to. And I believed you.

It's a vicious cycle. The minute I decide to go the other way, you do something that draws me back in. Whether it's a minuscule gesture that may not mean anything or means everything, or it's a grand gesture that absolutely mindfucks me in more ways than one. It's clockwork. You never do it too soon, nor too late. Just enough to make me wonder, or worse, hope, that somehow you know I was giving up and you're telling me to wait a little bit more. To be more patient--as if I was not patient for the past year and a half.

A friend once shared her go-to line when it comes to love: Run away with me or run away from me. I suggest we take this advice to heart. We cannot keep doing this. I cannot. Standing at the same place for the longest time has turned out to be more tiring than running. I'm not asking you to take the big leap forward because I know that it takes a lot of everything that you, or I, don't have right now. What I'm asking is, please let me walk away now. While I still can.

I am going in the direction that you have indirectly told me is the right path to take. I've been on this path before, don't worry. This is where I always went whenever I decide to give up on you before, and there may have been a time where I went down this road long enough--before you drew me back in again--for it to be familiar and comforting.

I have accepted the simple yet sad fact that we cannot win in every timeline. I hope that in another timeline, we're doing so much better than how we're doing now. But please know that in every timeline, I am always hoping and wishing you genuine happiness.

Fishing

For some it is a necessary skill or activity to survive. For others, it is a hobby--much like hunting game.

My attitude towards fishing has remained the same through the years: indifferent. Why fish when others can do it for you? I don't see it as a necessity or as a good hobby. I don't feel comfortable where it is done--the sea or any body of water. More importantly, I have yet to master the skill essential to fishing: swimming. To engage in fishing one must learn how to swim in order to be able to survive fishing mishaps that could lead to going overboard or drowning. Finally, I think that if I do fish, I'm afraid I won't be able to catch anything for lack of enough fish in the sea.

Like any other skill or activity, I learn by copying. So in order to be better at fishing, I observe others who're good at it. First, I surround myself with people who engage in fishing as a hobby and as a means of survival. Then, I mentally list down what is it they do that catches the fish and what is it that don't.

So far, I have a general idea what makes good fishermen good but I have yet to go fishing alone. However, I have tried fishing with other people and, so far, I haven't caught anything (yet). But I'm getting an idea where the fishes generally are and how they react/behave. Maybe, if I fish more often, I'd develop my own fishing style/technique to lure in the big catch.

I do have one question: What will I do with the fish I will catch? which inevitably leads to a lot of other questions.

Do I eat it? Eating would be barbaric and Stone Age-ish.
Do I make it my pet? I think this is even more rude than eating because it amounts to slavery.
Do I play with it? How does one exactly play with fish.
And then what happens after playing?
Do I give it away? Which makes my effort useless, I guess. Or do I catch it with the intention of letting it go eventually? As if all the fun--or at least, all the thrill--is limited to the act/process of fishing  or learning how to fish. As if the catch itself does not interest me. Maybe.

Which begs to ask a more profound question, "Why am I (interested in) fishing?"

Is it a matter of need? Is it a matter of want? Is it a matter of finding a solution to boredom? Is it a matter of trying to be 'in'--since almost everyone I know is doing it? Or is it a matter of finding something that is lacking?--as if fishing or the catch itself is the missing piece of the puzzle I call, my life.


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This blog is inspired by the indie films Go Fish, and Isda (Fable of the Fish).

TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF(IE)

I got this idea from a friend who shared this link.


What's your wallpaper on your phone and/or computer?
Phone: Photo of an empty table at Little John's, Camp John Hay, Baguio.
Computer: Nerd Herd logo

When you walk into a bar, what do you typically order?
San Mig Super Dry or any free drink.

What's the one word you are guilty of using too often?
"Aysus," a Filipino word which Google can't even translate.

What is the last thing you searched for on Google?
Man crush. [For reasons, read below.] According to Urban Dictionary this is the definition of a man crush: When a straight man has a "crush" on another man, not sexual but kind of idolizing him.

Who is the last person that called or texted you?
Someone I was trying to convince to that I write well enough for them to hire me as their content writer.

What one thing drives you absolutely crazy?
Selfies. Or flashbackfriday, throwbackthursday and so on.

What is your favorite reality show?
I used to like Survivor. I was, for a time, into America's Next Top Model. 

What's the first CD you bought?
Sinosikat's first album, Sinosikat.

Who is your current man-crush?
Dianna Agron.

Pick one: kittens or puppies?
Puppies.

How about bacon or Nutella?
Nutella.

And finally: Tell us secret.
I read fan fiction. A lot.

I smell apples.

And so they met, again and again, without colliding, suspended in perpetuity like the white, trembling promise of a first kiss. An unspoken oath as old as night. 

-Heather Hogan on HG and Myka

To say that I was disheartened when Barney and Robin broke up in season 5 of How I Met Your Mother is an understatement. That was the only time I stopped watching How I Met Your Mother for 10 straight episodes. Fortunately, I am not yet as invested in Warehouse 13's Myka and Helena now as I was in Barney and Robin then. But still, I couldn't help but feel goosebumps rise on my arms whenever I watch Helena watch Myka drive away, after wishing her good luck on her "new" life.

Yes, Helena and Myka's relationship was a friendship coated with a lot of subtext. But in 14 episodes in 4 seasons, their relationship has evolved from being enemies to friends to enemies to friends to whatever it is that they have now. I read this short piece on Helena and Myka from another fan's POV. And I agree. "Instinct" is by far the best episode for Helena and Myka. Simply because: 

1. It focused on Helena. Where she is and what she is doing now after running off with the astrolabe on Mrs. Frederic's instructions. She's with Nate and Adelaide, trying to be happy with them as she lives the simple life of a lab tech and, maybe, a mother, too.

2. It showed the interaction between Helena and Myka. Helena notices something weird and immediately calls Myka for help. In short, and to not spoil anyone who hasn't watched "Instinct" yet (how could you live with yourself?!), they have one last adventure, for Adelaide's sake. 

3. It is not the end. When Barney and Robin broke up, Future Ted said they just had to let things run their course. I believed him. I always go back to these few seconds of "The Rough Patch" to hear Ted say it whenever I feel that Barney and Robin are too stubborn to make it, to assure me that they will make it; they are endgame. I had this feeling with Santana and Brittany, too. They may have broken up as a couple but I always think that when Glee ends, they will be back together because the writers (and god bless their forgetful minds) know that Santana and Brittany will always love each other the most. Like Barney and Robin, Santana and Brittany had to just let things run their course. 

I say this because I believe that no matter how subtle the Helena and Myka relationship is, it is there. We, the fans, feel it. Jaime Murray and Joanne Kelly also feel it. Soon enough, the feelings will be all over the place, it cannot be contained. They have saved each other's lives countless of times. Helena said that Myka knows her the best even more than she knows herself. Whenever Pete or Artie or other people want to kill Helena (in one way or another), Myka was there to help her. When Myka ran away from the warehouse (because she feels bad for misjudging Helena), it was Helena who convinced Myka to go back and not lose hope. When the warehouse blew up, Myka flashbacked to Helena's grappler and their moments together. Myka always believes in the goodness in Helena's heart, and Helena trusts Myka.

Watching the exchange between Helena, Myka and Pete in Nate's driveway in the last minutes of "Instinct", I feel that this is another necessary diversion for Helena and Myka. A diversion that would ultimately lead them to each other. They are not perfect beings. They both have their own issues to handle (like any normal person) and they need get over in order to make them both ready for each other. Just like Barney and Robin. Just like Santana and Brittany.

To help convince you, here's a transcription and screen caps of the whole exchange in the driveway. 

Myka: Everybody seems okay.

Helena: Well, Adelaide's safe. That's the main thing. As for Nate and myself, well, who knows.

Pete: Well, good luck, ok. 'Cause I really wanna believe that there's an alternate Warehouse retirement plan. So you know get in there and book a win for all of us.

Helena: I will do my very best not to let you down.

Pete: Countin' on you.

Myka: (Laughs) So is this goodbye?

Helena: Well, I would assume not.

Myka: (Laughs) Fight for him.

Helena: I don't understand.

Myka: I was wrong when I said you weren't being true to yourself. Maybe I was just afraid of losing a friend. But caring for someone, you're obviously very good at it. So make this, make this your home.

Helena: Thank you. And you'd never lose this friend.
Myka: Good. (Laughs) So I guess I will see you around.

Helena: Until then.

Myka: Right.

Helena: Maybe just coffee next time.

Myka: Or save the world. Let's see what happens.

Notice that Myka seems to be struggling with saying goodbye to Helena. Notice that Helena is overthinking something. Pete provides the necessary buffer between the two. In the end, Myka's good unselfish side wins over, and she advises Helena to be selfish enough to want happiness for herself. To fight for what she wants, which is a home, a family. It is heartbreaking to see something break before we even get to see it whole. 

I hope in my heart of hearts that this will not be the last episode we see Helena. Considering that Warehouse 13's fifth season will be its last I hope the showrunners will have the decency to give these two a proper ending. Helena is not the kind of person that would settle for a quiet life. Myka is not the kind of person to give up on the person she loves. I hope they both have enough time in season 5 to figure it all out and see if Pete is correct. That there is life after the warehouse.

So before Helena and Myka figure this all out, I have to hold on to something to assure me, much like Future Ted did in "The Rough Patch", that it's going to be okay for Helena and Myka. And, my friends, I have found it.

Claudia: I smell apples.

Claudia telling Abigail, after fixing the warehouse's expansion problems, that she smells apples. 

Helena smelled apples when she first set foot in warehouse 12. Caturanga told her that this was a sign that the Warehouse likes her. Helena also smelled apples before the warehouse collapsed in season 3 finale because of Sykes' artifact bomb. In a way, smelling apples is akin to seeing hope for Helena. For me, referencing to that apple scene was Warehouse 13's way of telling me, assuring me, that it is not over for Helena and Myka. There is hope for Helena and Myka. This is not the end. And I'm banking on Warehouse 13's season 5, its last, to realize this hope for all Helena and Myka shippers.

If you want to read a good recap of "Instinct" and Helena and Myka's relationship click this link here.

The Hashtag

I joined Facebook way before everyone did. It looked crappy and I only had 3 friends. I had Facebook before I even had Friendster. Even if I avoided joining Twitter for years, I kept on using hashtags on Facebook, even on Blackberry Messenger, to the irritation of a lot of people. They say that it has no use because hashtags are not counted or tracked on Facebook. Despite knowing the apparent uselessness of hashtags and the irritation it causes, I still used hashtags for putting a different context to my status in an effort to be witty.

A month ago, when I finally joined Twitter (to avoid some Facebook friends) and learned how hashtags worked, I felt shy to use them in the manner that I was familiar with (see photo above) because I knew that my hashtags will not be trending. Nor will other people search it to find useful and related information. When I finally did use them, I used hashtags to shamelessly promote (Ha!) my blog entries here.

Whenever people search the words #gaysharks #himym #swanqueen or #ouat, one of my tweets will pop up eventually and, hopefully, my blog entry will be read, spreading my very important thoughts across the globe. This is how powerful the hashtag is.

I'm surprised that people in, as far as, Germany read my entries.

However, while the hashtag has helped me gain a bigger audience, I resent the way it has been abused by our generation. It has been used to popularize weird...inventions such as selfies and Throwback Thursdays. Aside from the apparent narcissism, I hate selfies and throwbacks (which are, mind you, not limited to Thursdays!) because they are not necessary. Everyone can post whatever he or she likes to post on the Internet without the use of hashtags. No justification is needed to post anything. You want to post a picture of you 10 years ago. Go ahead. Do it when you please. You need not do it on a Thursday, for godssakes. You crazy people are flooding my news feed.

Not only that, the epidemic has spread to the other days of the week: i. e., #TakeBackTuesdays, #FlashbackFridays and #SteppingBackSunday. I know people will soon come up (or maybe they have but I don't know it yet) with hashtags for Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. When that happens, I believe hope the novelty will wore off and we will all go back to normal and post old pictures on any random day of the week.

When the hashtag is abused this way, it loses its power to inform people. When a person posts an old picture of, let's say, their cat and use #throwbackthursdays, and another person poses an old picture of their mom and use the same hashtag, it won't make sense because the only thing that the pictures have in common is that they were posted on a certain day of the week. And it could be really random. Twitter's edge--the ability to categorize useful information on a certain topic and make that information easily accessible to millions of people across the globe--is lost. The hashtag is now used as a tool to popularize a fad that need not be popularized because it means nothing (Who cares what you posted three or four Thursdays ago?) and it's very temporary.

Despite these setbacks to the hashtag, I still believe that the hashtag is a good and powerful tool to spread information.  Let's not abuse it.