Her appearance felt like deus ex machina to me. In fact Claire asks point blank why she's even around but the answer never comes.

I take your point - and, after reflection, there are some interesting effects and, more importantly, subtle visual cues that advance the story beyond mere dialog. And I get that it's 'cutting edge' television. (Oh, wait: subtle might not be the right word…)

Season 2 is completely unwatchable mess. It is incomprehensible, unable to live on its own terms, depending on a milieu of nonsensical in-jokes, carried by an impossible to understand story line that demands obeisance to the creator's entire oeuvre.

Henry is going off to school because bringing another off-spring into the family business at this point would complicate the soon-ending story too much. On the other hand he's not as nosy as his wretched sister, and so might miss the whole spy thing.

Deep, Ms. Moss. Very deep. Perhaps you should read more.

"Adults aren't universally controlled by their libidos"

That. Looks. Awful.

It will be the most torrented show ever. You heard it here first.

"To go from the first black president to the guy who took credit for The Art of the Deal…."

If that's all you recall I'm guessing you are not paying attention.

The Kiss came totally out of left field. No making eyes at each other, for instance. Not a hint. That's a scriptwriter's issue.

"B"? Seriously?

Nah. He's got some deliciously evil deeds ahead.

And still I don't know what animates Chuck's hatred of Axe. Lots of hints- the sea,busy thing over Wendy-at-the-balcony doesn't belong in a show of this caliber. Is it his suspicion of insider trading? That he just KNOWS Axe can't be that successful without breaking a law? Is it because the little turd Chuck fancies…

re: comments on the direction so apparent in the battle scenes I wondered if all of those boats are actual, or if they are at least in part CGI?

In this case, Google is not your friend :-)

Too lovely, except for poor Henry.

You mean the Slate TV Insider, right? or is there another one?

Well, two devious points:

Watching Elizabeth and (to a lesser extent, admittedly) Phillip wither as Gabriel intimidates them over the Germany trip was just excruciating.