@phantom_K9: And we like the Cain and Abel story because it doesn't remind us of any two brothers in particular, right?

The item about Lily made me gasp out loud. That poor, poor girl. My heart goes out to her; I hope she can stay positive through such a difficult time, and not lose the hope and willpower to keep trying, if it's what she truly wants.

Thanks so much for this, Dodai. I know I'm just seconding a thought that others have already expressed here, but this article really resonated with me. Whether or not I identify as "fat" - or whether anyone else does - is so completely beyond the issue at this point; we should all be promoting self-respect, healthy…

@Spikette: I think that Buffy took a while to ramp up and really convince people that it was hitting hard, emotional notes as well as doing something quirky and different on telly. Most people have a hard time seeing past the campyness of the first season, at least in my experience trying to get people into the show.

I watched the shit out of that episode of Buffy when my father died. When it aired, I had never experienced a loss that great and couldn't really connect to the experience of the characters in their grief; so it was weird going back to it years later and having it resonate so deeply. I wouldn't say that it helped,…

I'm surprised that Dean Blundell hasn't been reprimanded before now. I have this station set as my wake-up alarm (more for noise than preference), and even half-asleep I can process that half of what comes out of the man's mouth should have gotten him fired years ago. It's vile.

@MissRM: I agree. My best friend is gay and a Major in the Canadian Armed Forces, and his orientation has no bearing whatsoever upon his ability to scare the living shit out of his unit.

From what I understand about Marines, they are taught from the beginning that the culture, discipline, tradition, and policy of the USMC is more important than a single person's experience, background and beliefs—they are the foundations of safe (for the troops), effective and successful combat in the field, and the…

Christina can do whatever she wants and will still look beautiful; but this totally contradicts everything she's ever said about herself and her figure. I call bullshit.

I think the last two weeks have proven why we need more Bobby, more Cas, and less of everyone else. They're our own little Ben-'n-Hurley spinoff dream team.

@atreides78: I've been giggling about that on-and-off since last night. Such a great line, and no one else in the room got it.

@Gonza: I'd pay good money to see a Japanese AC/DC experiment.

@im.thatoneguy3: Not until January! But yes, point taken. I just have the block off the part of my brain that can't survive without Hank Moody in order to deal with the hiatus.

Whenever I need my faith in good television writing restored, I turn to Fringe and Mad Men; they never disappoint.

@serenada: Obviously we're going to have to agree to disagree on this point. As someone who grew up in a situation very similar to the one in which Ben's being placed, it hit a nerve, and I didn't like it. The end.

@vim876: I just hope that there was a lesson attached to this: "Billy, promise me you'll never try to be Batman without adult supervision."

@TsuKata: Isn't it the train conductor's responsibility to handle the situation in such a way that it won't incur costs to the railway/government? He should have stepped in right when she reported the abuse, and spared everyone else the hassle.

@Chuck: My active issue is with the word "settle" - Lisa's awesome, and hot... why does she need to settle for someone at all? I know that isn't helpful in the context of the show, but I felt it was kind of unfair to her as a character - if she wants a proper dad for Ben, she could find one without having to do things…

@serenada: I dunno... if I had children or a partner, I think a basic requirement would be that they be present, or I'd move on and find someone who is. But maybe that's just me.

@214w: I've encountered young children who are damaged by that, too. It's not consistent—some kids respond differently than others—and certainly not the fault of the parent in question, but it can still be hard on the rest of the family, especially if there's a risk that the parent might not come back again.