That would be nice. My fear it was just five Sharpied story arcs on a huge whiteboard in the writer's room, with massive gaps that read TBD.

I thought it was hysterical; and I'm guessing this is a lot harder to pull off than it looks. So I beg you, Mr. Hanks, please do more comedy.

Why are you watching? I'm nuts about the original…it's one of the tightest, most shrewdly constructed movies I've ever seen. So when I heard about a weekly spin-off, I was pretty much compelled to watch (yeah, I know.)

Good point. When Angela's telling her story, I first though that she couldn't possibly be Regan because her mother never would have exploited her like that. So I was doubly surprised…and confused…at the reveal.

I bailed on this episode after 20 minutes, about to pack it in entirely, and only resumed viewing after getting hints about a big reveal. Glad I did…though quite frankly I feel like an idiot for not seeing that one coming.

Hey, speaking of the Red Line: there used to be a (presumably homeless) guy who'd wander down the length of the train, announcing himself to each new car with "Hello, everybody. I don't mean you no harm…." It was such a well-honed routine, I was always kind of curious about his story, or whatever happened to him.

Any pay-on-demand options out there? If it's not Marvel-ish, it's not coming to a local multiplex, and it could take ages for this to show up on streaming sites. (Though the Korean horror film The Wailing showed up pretty quickly on Google Play, so maybe there's hope.)

You know, as shitty trailers for now-iconic movies go, this one's not too bad….

Finally reading Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? I never really cared for Blade Runner, and am pleasantly surprised at the efficient richness of the source material compared with that film, which always struck me as a bit bloated and toothless. The book also isn't doing any favors for my viewing of Westworld…

Teatro Grottesco is also very, very good, if you're up for more Ligotti. (Haven't heard of The Troop; looks interesting….)

I was going to sit it out, but now I'm going to vote HC just to neutralize your vote. Ha!

I just watched DePalma, in which he talks about certain actors not bothering to learn their lines, something we've all read about Brando, etc.

Nope:
Persis Khambatta
Star Trek: The Motion Picture

That's true, but if it's less than 5 seconds, it can safely be eaten.

Sure, but even so, that was eye-wateringly awful. A line like "rebellions are built on hope" cannot be followed by a shot of would-be rebels nodding in approval, as if they've just connected the dots.

Yeah, I like Herzog's approach in Grizzly Man: "you must burn this tape immediately" (or words to that effect.)

Isn't that HtD behind him, on the shelf?

I see what you mean. But Moon's depiction did come two years after The Exorcist.

Well, at least we've dispensed with the obligatory nod to Tubular Bells. Having heard it used in an earlier episode, I was afraid they'd squeak it in to every show. Not that there's anything wrong with it per se; just that it's a bit strong for episodic television.

Burke a sexual predator? I never saw any hint of that: not in the movie, not in the book. He came across like a kindly (if occasionally drunk) uncle, the fact of which made what happens all the more terrifying. No need for clunky, over-analyzed subtext.