[S5E2] Racing Like A Pro
At basketball practice, Lucas and Skills introduce themselves to the new THHS Ravens and remind them of the legacy that they and Coach Durham left and they promise to maintain that legacy. Haley and Jamie then drop by practice and Haley tells Lucas about her trouble with her class - and Quentin. Seemingly begruding Quentin, Lucas tells him that he is late for practice. Quentin's arrogance, much like students before him becomes apparent when he says he can be late because he is the leading scorer and is assured a place on the team. Lucas, however, tells him that he isn't his leading scorer.
[S5E2] Racing Like a Pro
The following morning, Skills finds Brooke and Mouth asleep on his bed and takes a picture of him next to Brooke. This wakes her and she remembers that has to pick up Jamie for Haley, and she's very late. Rushing around, she fails to notice that Jamie is sat in the kitchen of Mouth's house eating breakfast. She eventually finds him and says goodbye to Mouth who is also running late for work. Jamie talks to Brooke about the race and how they aren't letting him have the car how he wants it (blue like the Ravens, and Grover). Brooke then encourages Jamie to take a stand and they leave to get some paint. Having arrived, Mouth receives a "strike two" from Alice for being late. While he tries to be nice to her and tell her he is honored to work for her she still responds that she "really doesn't like him." Meanwhile, Peyton takes Nathan to a hospital where they visit the terminal wing. Peyton forces Nathan to realise that there are many people who would die for his life and that he shouldn't take it for granted.
That night, at Tric, Brooke, Peyton, and Haley reunite and catch up and eventually get up to dance at Brooke's request. They then run into Mouth and, to Peyton's dismay, Lindsey. Brooke attempts to introduce Lindsey and Peyton but finds that Peyton has walked away. Lindsey and Peyton eventually meet and, among much awkardness, Lindsey tells her that from what she read in the book she seems brave and kind. After she leaves, Peyton tells Brooke she really didn't want to like her. At the bar, Nathan and Haley run into Carrie and she says she appreciates them taking a chance on her. Brooke then tells Haley that Carrie can't be their nanny because she is "way too hot" but Mouth stops them, saying it shouldn't all be about looks. Elsewhere, Jamie, Lucas and Skills do a test run of the 'Red Racer' (quickly renamed the 'Blue Bullet') using a mannequin for the first run. Jamie watches in horror as the derby car crashes and the head of the mannequin falls off.
Brooke and Peyton then revisit the River Court and Peyton tells Brooke it is okay if she needs to return to her busy life but Brooke protests that she is staying in Tree Hill as long as Peyton needs her. Peyton then tells her she came home because she is looking for inspiration, like what she felt hen they signed her name River Court. However, becoming "assistant to the assistant" drained her of all her inspiration and she know feels lost. Brooke, however, encourages her to start her own label with backing from Clothes Over Bros. However, Lucas walks onto the River Court asking Peyton is that's really why she came home. Brooke then leaves and the Lucas and Peyton talk properly for the first time since her return. Peyton tries to make conversation about her meeting Lindsey but Lucas straight out asks her why she didn't come to the book signing as he remembers looking out for Peyton before the signing begins. Lindsey distracts him by congratulating them both on finishing the book before giving him a kiss on the cheek. When she asks if he's ready to start, he looks out to the crowd and sees Peyton isn't there". Peyton, however, says that she knew they weren't meant to be and Lucas leaves to return home to Lindsey.
Nathan: You don't get it, do you? I used to be somebody, Haley, do you understand that? Do you understand what that means? I used to be Nathan Scott, and I was great and I should have walked away okay I know that and I didn't do it, and now I'm nothing. And I have nothing. Haley: You have nothing? You have a beautiful son who is here. I am here! You've gotta figure out who you're gonna be in this, Nathan. Because this version of you does not work for us. I cannot keep living like this, okay? Do you understand what I'm saying? One more night like this, Nathan, and I promise, you will have nothing!
Peyton: Well. Brooke: Well. Oh don't look away, second and third greatest nights in your life just walked back into your world. Peyton: You looking all rock star totally does it for me. Brooke: It's very heroine chic Nate, I like it. Nathan: What are you guys doing here? Brooke: Well, Lucas tells me you can walk but you need a little incentive so we have come up with a drill. Peyton: For every step you take we kiss.
It's like you touched my soul. And a few days ago I was ready to quit again but you saved me with the words you wrote about me in your novel. So if you're struggling writing the next one you should know that your art matters Lucas. It's what got me here.
Peyton: I was there Lucas. I was so proud of you, but we hadn't talked in a long time, and I saw you with Lindsey and I figured you guys were together. Which clearly you are. I like her. I do, but do you remember when you first joined the Ravens and you took all my sketches to Thud without even asking? And do you remember what you said that night when you first entered the gym? Lucas: Your art matters. It's what got me here.
As you know, I like to make predictions before I watch the episode. After speaking with Brooke Van Paris early this morning, I find myself at a loss. She described her cast as eight jacked, over six-feet tall women. Indeed, an intimidating group. But behind the scenes, these girls became fast friends. Maybe a bit too friendly. The producers had to break them up and remind them to wipe the smiles. When it was showtime, however, Brooke was all business. Team BEASTMODEBARBIE was ready to unleash hell at the Broken Skull Ranch.
The first obstacle was the Drain. Instead of a canal, this is just an open pool. More room to maneuver. I like the close quarters of the canal from last season. It forces contact. The first two girls were done in seconds with Cat taking the first round. Nikki did not look away from the bell for her entire battle. She said on Facebook today that the battle was much longer than what was shown on TV. Exhaustion set in and unfortunately, Nikki got sixed by Stephanie. Goose and Stephanie 2 took the blocks next. Goose pushed off and took the bell quickly. Finally, Brooke and Nika were up. I suspected that a water polo champ might best the bodybuilder. And she did in mere seconds using excellent bodyweight shifting technique.
In a switch-up from prior seasons, we start the episode with the queens still in their RuPaullywood runway outfits. If this is a permanent production change, I love it--there's no brutal honesty like that borne from fourteen hours of filming in drag--but this must have been the longest day. Serena erases Penny's moments-ago lipstick message, and she does her best to remain optimistic about her chances.
The Season Two team has some uncanny painters: of all the teams, this is the one where everybody looked right. Vivienne's Tatianna make-up is dead-on, Ivy has sculpted Morgan's distictive jawline onto her face, Lineysha is properly lost in Tyra's giant hair and sparkly eyes, and Honey, for better or worse, has painted exactly like Mystique in "Gone With the Windows."
Jinkx is still my favorite. The dress fit her like a glove and she was just cute as a button. I think we're going to hear her wig-line used as a read in future seasons, i.e. "That queen's hair is just pissed off."
The following morning, on the planet's surface, Picard and Dathon are still no better off in their attempts to communicate with one another. Picard wakes up to find Dathon missing. He examines his things, finding what looks like a captain's log, then he returns, shouting at him. Picard notices that Dathon repeatedly uses the phrase "Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra", but he does not understand who or what they were. Dathon is still insistent in giving Picard one of the knives, but again Picard refuses.
As I wrote in my previous review, I write honestly. As much as I love the Morse universe I could not in all consciousness write dishonestly. I understand that my honesty may lose me some blog readers but I would rather that happened than me writing a fawning review. I dislike what I often read on Facebook and Twitter where many people would never write a negative word about the series no matter how bad it was. This is either done out of a loyalty to the show, a fear of upsetting other fans or the worst reason because they cannot see beyond their love for Shaun Evans.
So, enough negative criticism. Let us get on to what was good about the episode. Of course the acting was excellent as always. The direction, cinematography and that under-rated talent editing were top notch. (These were all let down by the poor special effects at the end of the episode during the burning down of the cinema). However if the effects were being done to emulate the likes of the Hammer Horror films then well done the special effects team. 041b061a72