In a mediocre season. B to B+ for this episode but nothing more.

I'm convinced that after the flashback nuke episode SOMEONE got to David and said 'your pacing and tone are taking all the fun out of this series'. These last two episodes have been noticeably better. Still not stellar but approaching solid.

BATES MOTEL dances circles around this season.

Yes, this season has a theme of 'returning'. Just as the last season of ARROW had a theme. Both themes fit their source show well. Neither theme was 'momentous', profound, or genius.

The shoe flying off was a really nice touch

Man could I go on about 'the book was better' and will in a moment.

You and Relaxok present an inaccurate either/or scenario.

… because of how much I like the original series. And it's not hate. I hate the fanboys here who can't tolerate criticism of a painfully weak season.

Why can't you simply ignore a disappointed fan instead of invite him to avoid the show and commenting?

"I'm very ambivalent about S3 honestly. I find it weirdly compelling but unsatisfying at the same time. If I had to describe my current feeling, it's "cautious pessimism" - "

That's right. Practices. Rules and practices can of course be broken if they serve a purpose. The problem is that whenever you see a bad film — the ways to typically fix it are the rules and practices.

I took no offense from you. Annoyed at a position, sure, but not personal.

Thanks for your thoughtful response Lars. I'm going to change the subject slightly but before I do let me prove I read your words instead of skimmed them with fury and then distorted their meaning. And that's addressed to so many people here not Margot or you specifically.

My point wasn't how much better that scene would have been with MY dialog suggestion. My point was that your brilliant Lynch could have taken 20 seconds to give us an ear into their discussion. And then we'd still have four mucking finutes to use elsewhere.

This is the discussion you think we're having. I'm saying 'sugar isn't good for you' and you're exaggerating my points to refute them a la 'so you're saying I can never have any sugar and that sugar is satanic evil?!?' No. I'm not saying that. And you know it.

thinking the rules of craft don't apply to you because you're don't know how to follow them = slavish originality

Nope. Any hack can pretend the rules don't apply to them. I think you watched INLAND EMPIRE too many times.

Oh you're right. How dare someone question this masterpiece. of. sh!t

Gee. I really wish I could enjoy James Belushi's riveting acting like you.

I actually never read McKee. Because the practice of proper writing transcends all books. It's an understanding of craft. The best stuff is in all the books rewritten in different ways.