John, these reviews are literally the highlight of TV Club for me every year. Your reviews are so thoughtful and well written and make me enjoy and appreciate a wonderful show on an even deeper level. I feel like every other review you touch on something so honest about the human condition. Part of me wants you to go…

I'm fairly surprised that Erik failed to mention this incredible oversight. True, it was a fairly competitive year for good drama television, but no acting nominations?! C'MON!

I get what you're saying, and I'm not sure if it would seem dated at this point… honestly, I think the more anachronistic thing related to both David's closeted nature and the family dynamics is that they apparently grew up in (or on the outskirts of) LA. Maybe this is the Midwestern me talking, but I always pictured…

I remember staying up late as a junior high/high schooler to catch this show… it was definitely a porn substitute after my parents cancelled Showtime, but like others have said, I always wanted more sex/nudity than the show could show and then ended up enjoying the drama anyway.

I think the key here is "goes MOSTLY unmentioned." There are definitely more hints of it than the example the reviewer gives, but it remains incredibly frustrating that it's not the central point of the documentary. I would still recommend the film, but it's all over the place… you want there to be more of everything…

I think my favorite thing about this series (and there are loads of favorite things) is how it shows the consequences of actions. Better than any other show before it. The universe that these characters live in is an incredibly moral one… bad people eventually get punished. It's incredibly satisfying.

I totally feel you. I said this in an earlier comment, but yeah, I tear up every time I watch that scene.

Her breakdown to the camera is so heartbreaking. I've seen it probably 4-5 times and I tear up every time. It really makes her growth in season 3 significant and I love how it happens separated from Jim.

The thing is, this isn't an example of getting everything you hoped for. Lisa didn't want this life. She wanted a life where Nate genuinely loved her. It's more like, it's better to have "the one that got away" vs. realizing that he's sitting in the minivan seat next to you because he feels trapped. At least in Lisa's…

I agree with you that I liked George more than Arthur and found him a much more interesting character. However, I did not dislike Ruth throughout that first half of Season 5. I understand that she was fairly callous to George and that it brought out some fairly unlikable qualities in her, but I felt a lot of sympathy…

SPOILER THREAD COMMENCING

I think that's the real tragedy of Lisa. Yes, she's manipulative, but the intentions come from a well of genuine emotion. She really does think she loves Nate. To the point where she's staying in relationship despite the fact that she's aware of how fucked up it is.

What… the… fuck?! Who the hell assigns their class to post on a random website like that?

Oh my god, sincerely, thank you so much for that information. I feel much more complete :)

Can I just say it always drove me crazy how we don't get to hear Pam's ultimate all-time favorite movie? WHAT IS IT PAM?!!!!!

I think your point about the reasons for their problems not being about compatibility but by other shit in their lives… isn't that so true to life? I don't know, I feel like the hardest relationships are the ones where everything is a problem EXCEPT for your feeling towards the other person… Jesse and Celine honestly…

Yeah, those spurts of awkward laughter in the theater were weirdly reassuring but kind of unsettling at the same time, even when I was the one who was laughing. Also, this couple beside me definitely were not familiar with the Before films. In the beginning the husband said "What is this film, just talking?" and then…

I like all of your points. I also like how the Before films really resonate with people very differently based on their personal experiences. Maybe to me the fight felt slightly forced at the end partially because that's the exact opposite of the way my parents communicate with each other (i.e., other than passive…

It's a really interesting take on the film because I almost felt the opposite: I liked the first half more than the second half. I felt like the fight in the hotel room was less original than the first half of the film. Sure, it was emotional and full of resentment, but it felt very much like THIS IS THE CLIMACTIC…

Yeah, this death really hits home for me, too. The idea that her male friends, who see her as "brave, brazen, totally heroic" think that that means she's invincible, that she wouldn't be scared shitless of being chased by a heckling group of men… it makes me so sad. And it pairs so well with Claire and Ruth in this…