Royce/Jessica- Felt very natural for me as a reader, very fluid. I did like the inside glimpse we had on Royce's reflection about it being 4 week's since the funeral. I loved their interaction and it was great to see their friendship again. I also loved how Jessica pointed out the obvious to Royce about Kendall. Sometimes men can be a bit dense and can the woman in this case with Kendall.
This is just another great thing to come out of Samantha's death, as weird as that sounds. We haven't really seen the friendship explored between Jessica and Royce since the early days of the series, so it's almost as if things are coming full circle again. I also enjoyed what Dallas managed to deliver from their scenes, and it's particularly funny that while Jessica is playing the concern friend, in both her conversations with Royce and Kendall, she's almost counseling them in a way.
Kendall/Kavina- I wasn't expecting this scene to be in this episode at all so it was a nice break from everything else going on with Samantha and the fall out there. Again, this flowed so naturally for me, like nothing had been really lost with their friendship and Kavin a asking about Royce was a very nice nod to history I thought, very well done. I loved Kavina pointing out the obvious.
We need someone to be the filter to the audience about what Kendall is feeling, and sadly, outside of Royce, Kavina is really the only connection she has left in town. Plus, I wanted to reinforce that Kendall and Royce have continued to stick by Kavina since her sentencing for Leonard's murder.
Joy/Danielle/Vanessa- Go Danielle for filing a restraining order on Vanessa, well deserved. Joy suggesting that she quit threw me for a bit but other than that good stuff. IDK why but I thought the slap was a great addition though I wanted Danielle to tackle her to the ground and wail on Vanessa, anyways great scene.
I thought Dallas did a great job with the showdown scenes between Vanessa and Danielle, and I'm happy you approved the addition of some physical violence to the picture. I think it only tips the scale because until then, everything has been pretty much child's play and verbal threats. Vanessa slapping Danielle shows that the game has change, and only intensifies how threaten she still feels by Danielle.
As for Joy's suggestion that she quit, it was sort of roundabout way of answering reader's question for why Danielle doesn't quit. Joy acknowledges that Danielle career is taking off, but as an objective party, she sees that Danielle could easily say to hell with all this and model elsewhere.
Lucien/Jennifer- I really liked his struggle in expressing his sexuality and questioning it. I think he brought up excellent points in that if he was gay why did he kiss Danielle. I love Jennifer, what more can I say she is fun for me and always brings something when I read. Still rooting for her and Brian, but it was a nice scene of a possible friendship between Lucien and Jennifer.
I've been wanting to put Danielle, in particular, in the orbit of Brian, Jennifer and Romeo. So I think this brief connection scene between Lucien and Jennifer definitely opens up that realm, but don't expect it to happen too quickly. This was also a way to keep the growing rift between Brian and Jennifer current since we haven't seen a whole lot of them this season. They are kind on the backburner right now, but I'm just as anxious to see them come through this rough patch. Lucien conflict over his sexuality will continue to come into play throughout the end of the season, but it's funny what one realizes when they no longer have a choice.
Derek/Mitchell- I liked the visit to Shalia's mystery again and I was curious all episode about what really was going on with Mitchell's new information. I was surprised about what he did say about Shalia but I was hoping for more, hopefully more next episode I am hooked. I love a good mystery.
Yeah, I admittedly struggle with planning there scenes for the outline, and how much I wanted to give since this is a pretty integral story to the season finale. So the pacing has to be right so the impact isn't to dragged out. Mitchell's visit to Coral Springs should be more forthcoming, especially now they are investigating the Andrew Stokes connection.
I can't wait for the next one Ty. Overall I felt like I was right at home with TMOOL kudos Dallas, a great job well done. I am interested in hearing the process and struggles everyone went through with each series as the weeks go on.
I couldn't agree more.
I had so much fun writing this. I did have some struggles to keep it real and honestly thank you to Ty for giving postive feedback through out the process. I'm glad with the way it turned out, especially the last scene ... I thought it was my best scene.
Thank you, Dallas, for writing the stories with such care. I thought you ended the episode on a good note, so great job.
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