Pitt knows to leave them wanting more. His exodus from multiple projects isn't helping his career, but it does leave a certain mysticism around him.

That's a great point - I wasn't looking at the romance angle, whether with the friend, or with the friend's brother/cousin who might be the target.

I was just thinking she would use the travel agent, husband with two kids excuse. That way, if the friend sees Elizabeth in public with Phillip and/or the kids, the op isn't ruined. But I take your point that unnecessary exposure might endanger them needlessly.

They could also debut 10 episode seasons every year and a half. There is no reason the show has to debut every season. Even better for HBO, this longer debut cycle means they keep subscribers a year longer before they make a dash for the door post-GOT.

And mysteriously those 7 and 6 will become 10 and 10.

With Ward, we found out it was the writing and not Brett Dalton who's been hitting it out of the park recently on the creepy meter. With Sir Bores A Lot, I have a sneaking suspicion the problem with the character has 90% to do with the actor being about as interesting as a Lowe's employee explaining the difference…

She takes a whole bottle of Valium by the end of the season. In the note it says she was ashamed of sleeping with another man's wife. That's about as clean as it can get. Poor Martha.

I actually found it heartbreaking. Elizabeth seemed to have sex with him for two reasons. First, to distract him — and her, to a lesser degree — from the pressure of things with Martha. And second, to convince herself that part of Phillip hasn't actually developed feelings for Martha. Neither of those are romantic…

I guess they thought she was asleep. Or that she could handle a few grunts if she could handle her parents being spies. The only problem with the latter is her conversation with Pastor Tim, "They don't sound like Americans when they're… they're doing ungodly things. What should I do? I feel like the adults act like…

Although I would think if she was treating this woman as a friend she would use Elizabeth's cover identity of being married to Phillip with two kids. Lying doesn't make any sense if she is trying for a genuine friend. Unless, of course, Elizabeth just can't help but lie.

Longmire did get better with the new format. I'm not railing against artists being creative, as freedom can yield masterpieces. However, networks like HBO and FX have provided some support and insight for their creators during the process of designing and evolving shows. Netflix's lack of involvement has netted some…

Well, considering Netflix doesn't have any creative involvement, I guess quality control is 100% dead on that network. Maybe, just maybe, giving artists too much autonomy leads to navel gazing and unfocused storytelling. Just look at True Detective Season 2.

Well, the show is a lot like Robert Altman's "The Long Goodbye" from back in 1973. Like that film, it is both a California neo-noir detective piece, occasional comedy, genre send-up, and partial tragedy. Throw in "Inherent Vice" and "Fear and Loathing" into the mix for a weekend of stoned contemplation, bittersweet…

They were also going for the private eye as blood hound with the dog reference in the title, but "Terriers" just muddled that conceit because what the heck is a terrier like anyway?

I hope he gets to do a show with a relaxed, troubled character like Terriers instead of outright jerks like on Sons of Anarchy and Vikings. Logue really seems to channel his own personal hurdles in Terriers and I like being able to root for him. Full disclosure, I haven't seen Gotham for more than the pilot, but that…

How about "Santa Monica?" Or "Off the Force." Or "Trail of Sand." Or "Surf and Sand." And, as a joke, "The Longest Goodbye." Any of those would get the tone more than "Terriers." Excellent show; awful title.

F, though, implies a type of awfulness that is funny/campy. I vote "D-" since this finale is just poor and unpleasant.

How about use a flashforward on Fear the Walking Dead? Maybe we find out one of the characters on their knees actually was in Los Angles and wanted to keep their misdeeds a secret.

I guess the bat hitting the audience can mean "we're dead" and thus no longer have any need to keep watching. What a relief!

That's likely why you're disappointed. Good writing doesn't follow a formula that can easily be predicted.