Wow, learned a new word. "Avunculicide" is slightly better though.

+1 for 10 Crack Commandments reference.

"We have the hardware to destroy any conventional military, but not the numbers to accomplish much of anything else."

I feel like there's a big difference between the Buddhist version of renouncing worldly attachments, and the utter despair of the GR's position. The GR are closer to philosophical nihilists in that they believe the void created by the departure is not something to be mourned and then integrated into the rest of your…

We have, actually: http://i.imgur.com/ejFgkZS.jpg (screen cap from HBO GO)
There's an extended shot of Laurie looking at Nora's family photo in this episode, and the dog is prominent in the foreground. Presumably it took off after her family departed, since Nora said she "used to" have a dog (named Bubba) during the…

Who ever said that Matt the priest has lost his faith? I see zero evidence of that in the show whatsoever.

Not only did Nora say she used to have a dog (named Bubba) at dinner, but the dog is actually in the photo of Nora's family that Laurie examines at length later in the episode.
[edit] Got a screen cap from HBO GO here: http://i.imgur.com/ejFgkZS.jpg

Fair enough — the sidewalk scene was definitely a bit on the nose. Personally I didn't find it that out of character though for an organization that breaks into peoples houses to steal pictures of their vanished loved ones, etc. I think the GR resonates with me because they remind me of actual people who put their…

Your reaction makes perfect sense, given the nature of your feelings toward the GR (or the lack thereof). I'm curious, though, how you felt when Gladys and her GR friend stepped over the older man who fell on the sidewalk, ignoring his pleas for help? If I'm understanding you right, it sounds like you felt no…

Who died and made you Richard Dawkins?

I generally agree with the "less is more" theory of violence, on the grounds that whatever the viewer's mind conjures up is invariably more horrific and personal than some CGI effects ever could be. But I think in this particular case, it was more effective for the camera to stay relentlessly fixed on the carnage,…

Only if you watch it while stoned.

Maybe that's because the review set the tone for the discussion by refusing to address the content of the show itself, focusing instead on all the distractions you mentioned.

"It was never easy for me. I was born a poor black child." -Steve Martin, "The Jerk"

It's also an interesting parallel with the plastic baby Jesus that was shown being manufactured in the cold open - presumably using the same process. The families are "replacing" their departed loved ones much like Kevin is asked to replace the departed baby Jesus with another doll, which Jill objects to on the…

Brandon Ambrosino's reviews over at vox.com have been consistently excellent. I'm in the same boat as you and was thrilled to discover someone actually taking the show seriously. Lots of detailed analysis of symbolism, insightful commentary, and a willingness to engage the material. The only thing lacking is a…

I agree, and have found myself wishing the GR would all be wiped out on more than one occasion (for example, when the two of them stepped over the old man after he fell, ignoring his cries for help). But at the same time, didn't you feel at least a pang of empathy, sympathy, and maybe even guilt while Gladys was…

If anyone else, like me, is tired of the weekly food-fight over whether the show is any good and just wants to read some seriously deep, thoughtful analysis, I highly recommend Brandon Ambrosino's recaps at vox.com (of all places). He gets into some of the deeper biblical symbolism that I sensed was there but knew I…

By all means, snark away. It just struck me as a bridge too far to accuse Lady Mary of Marie Antoinette-level myopia when she was actually trying to do the opposite by making sure the commoners were properly compensated. Also not sure why that's an example of bad writing when it was established that the commoners…

"And Lady Mary just wanted a snack! This illicit romance got in the way of Lady Mary and a crumpet, she was so peckish, and there's this interracial romance happening. You could see she was starving for a late-night biscuit, but no. Interracial romance thrown in her face, when all she wanted was a piece of cake!"