Wow, this is a pure HOT TAKEZ column.

This show was really fun, I'm glad I watched it and would love a 2nd season. The two timelines makes no sense, but that doesn't really matter if they make the show fun and compelling, and they did that. It did the movie, an underrate gem, justice.

I'm assuming the Americans used the painted volleyball when they were on defense.

Hulu's fine. This episode wasn't the best one but it was still quite compelling. I think they have done a stellar job adapting the book. I'm all in from now until the end.

It's passe to note how silly AV Club's grading system is but giving a C to this episode is beyond stupid. So it's not completely passe. It's an MTV fantasy show and it's delivering on all the things one should expect. I'm in, I like this show. I'm not sure why exposition early in the season is a bad idea. They need to…

Another terrible review of what is a great show. I'm not sure why the AV Club has it out for Ballers but it seems we aren't watching the same show.

B- is a crazy low grade for this episode. I thought it was fantastic and I completely do not agree about Lobos. He's tremendously entertaining and straining to hate his character because they made him gay makes no sense whatsoever. Too much concentration on trying to find homophobia where there isn't any and not…

Agreed. This show is fantastic and that episode goes into the Pantheon of homages.

This is old, so I'm sorry about that, but I am with you. The constant use of "agency" has been an infection. There are so many other ways of saying, "She or he lost the power of choice." Oh well.

So many people say we should have serious conversations about race. And then the show tries to do this and is immediately invalidated because of it? That makes no sense to me.

A Banshee and NCIS cross over would be legendary. Yeah, it's not going to happen. But it would be awesome. Gibbbs' Rule Number 32. When in doubt, a Cinemax TV show should show nudity.

Well said. The enlightened complain about nudity so as to appear enlightened. The heathens, however, welcome the nudity, as I did in Spartacus, Game of Thrones, and The Sopranos.

A woeful grade, considering how good this episode was. B+ at least, probably an A. Oh well.

Very late to the party here but I completely agree. I love the theme song. It's one theme song I have never even considered fast forwarding through.

That was legitimately funny.

Agreed! Thanks for the reply. I rewatched the episode last night and it was funnier the second time. A B rating shows by ratings are simply dumb.

Correct. And if you want to see The Mentalist, you also have to tape the news. There is no other option if you want to DVR the Sunday night shows.

Californication, too. But Dexter and Weeds take the lifetime achievement award for final season suck. Final seasonS, actually, as both fell off a cliff. At least the Borgias and The Tudors ended well.

Agree. So dumb, Frank would never get a liver in his state. That was really shitty. Frank should die.

What a disappointing review. Definitely not a C. And, DUH, Childress is a name to keep in mind. By golly, what makes you think that? Oh yeah, THE SHOW MADE IT CLEAR. Bleh.