Dakota & Nyesha, but I agree; nice chefs, hate to see them go.

Right.  I'm a history teacher, and WWI is my area of greatest interest, so I'd love to be wrong on this point, but compared to how the War usually gets treated in popular culture (i.e. not at all or put in crappy films like Flyboys), I'm happy with the significance the show placed on it.

I was just thinking recently, how glad I was that Boardwalk Empire seemed to always, or frequently, have the shadow of the Great War looming over it, but that this seemed to have receded in the past couple of episodes, (excepting Jimmy's enlisting story, which doesn't count, since it's about *before* the War takes its…

You could find a Phantom of the Opera type mask, usually cheap white plastic, and make it up.  Attach glass frames, and there you go.  Bit of work though.

Also, Dillane's Jefferson was so earnest, dignified and humourless, it's clear he's got potential as Stannis.

@newc: The Hundred Years' War? I think it's closer to the Wars of the Roses; a kingdom's internal squabble over who will wear the fanciest hat.

The review's criticisms are valid; Homicide has some rough edges at times that may make you prefer the Wire. But it's an outstanding show; and Pembleton is *not* McNulty. There's also no real corollary to Bayliss in the Wire (Prez may be the closest, but he doesn't have the arc Bayliss does).

The "lordly fool"
Even if you didn't care for Robert's speech, don't ignore the story it tells. The man he killed, Rhaegar Targaryen, is a major deceased character. He kidnapped Ned's sister Lyanna, and is Daenerys' and Viserys' older brother.

It's a small thing Todd,
But when I teach Roman history, I tell my kids—the guy they're studying is Mark *Antony*. Mark Anthony is J.Lo's husband.

I was really worried when I heard that Spike—a character I associated with Buffy's decline in quality—was going to ship over to Angel, a show I'd come to prefer. But while I feel that S5 of Angel definitely had its problems (never cared for Fred that much, honestly), Spike's addition was actually pretty solid all…

What they said. After watching and loving F&G, my friend bought me this and we checked it out, hoping the magic was still there. And at moments, yeah it's really good. But all in all? It's okay; that's the greatest praise I can give it.

I'm with HipsterDBag on this… Even if something aspires to be Homicide and misses, that'll by default make it one of the best shows on TV.

I'm not. The thing is, Bourdain's always been as quick to take the piss out of himself as anyone else. It's one of the things I like most about him.

Yeah, he looked sheepish about shilling it. I mean, just about every guest judge provides their latest book to the winner (who is underwhelmed but acts gracious). But after the Chase card appearances on No Reservations, he's pretty much admitted to being a whore for money.

On Bourdain's appearance
I'm with Scott's comment that Bourdain needed at least one failed dish to rip into… they should've brought him back earlier this season, to sample some of Amanda or Alex's food.

Thirded. I'm sure they're a lot less work to make, but those live-blogs are utterly uninteresting to read after the fact.

The anti-Toby Young, as it were.

That's the one where he bends Gail Simmons over the fry station isn't it?

I know that's what's been keeping him off until now (at least one of the reasons), but when they previewed the season, they clearly showed Bourdain seated at one of the tables, with Ripert and a bunch of other people. Probably be the season finale.

Agree with Meichx… love Ripert.