https://kellimlawrence.com/stateofshea daily 0.75 2025-06-01 https://kellimlawrence.com/stateofshea/state-of-the-reintroduction-and-1000-or-fewer-words-on-tgds-time-slot-successorhttps/kellimlawrencecom/blog-page-url/new-post-title monthly 0.5 2024-10-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/f31dc84d-c174-46f1-88f2-2743aff16116/IMG_9353.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Reintroduction… (And a “High Potential” review in under 800 words) - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/e88e7d0d-27bc-4954-81bf-1c702830a98a/Hemingway+Birthplace+OP.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Reintroduction… (And a “High Potential” review in under 800 words) - I grew up in Oak Park, Illinois (immediately west of Chicago), which is the birthplace and/or hometown of Ernest Hemingway, Betty White, Dan Castellaneta (aka the voice of Homer Simpson), and a ridiculous amount of other celebrities. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/999b4c30-6145-4322-8bf8-7bd628dbaa7b/Kelli+WNIT+Auction+1990.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Reintroduction… (And a “High Potential” review in under 800 words) - I majored in Radio/Television at Drake University, and spent the first 25 years of my career doing all the things TV production people do (cameras, audio, direction, production, writing, etc.) at many of the places TV production people go if they don’t have their sights set on LA or NYC (network affiliates, corporate video, independent production facilities). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/dff91121-003a-41ce-9209-ce382234bd10/scan0008.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Reintroduction… (And a “High Potential” review in under 800 words) - I’ve been involved with dance since I was 3, musical theater since I was 5, and figure skating since I was 7 or 8, depending on how quickly I got into lessons after seeing Dorothy Hamill at the ‘76 Winter Olympics. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/b095bf8b-d390-44c4-b7b8-a857d0b74354/Lawrence_skating_cover_pic.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Reintroduction… (And a “High Potential” review in under 800 words) - In 2011, I wrote a 244-page book about the U.S. broadcast history of figure skating called Skating on Air (McFarland Publishing) that is still in print. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/f43079d9-3d7a-4957-94d2-69c8355cff2f/Nestles+1984.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Reintroduction… (And a “High Potential” review in under 800 words) - Prior to that, my biggest claim to fame was being featured with four other girls in an ad for Nestle Semi-Sweet Morsels that ran in Seventeen magazine in 1984. (I’m the one on the floor in purple PJs.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/5f11c685-1ed1-4e49-a353-e17847991ea4/High+Potential+TV+Promo+shot.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Reintroduction… (And a “High Potential” review in under 800 words) - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://kellimlawrence.com/stateofshea/best-and-worst-of-season-7-state-of-the-shea-readers-choicehttps/kellimlawrencecom/blog-page-url/new-post-title monthly 0.5 2024-09-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1706670747389-97FV30CWOPPVVM054N7G/TGD+Season+7+Logo.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 93: Season 7 Readers Choice - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1725590301016-PCD69DAGNDSRC3PXM955/TGD+S7+Baby+x+3+Shea+Steve+1.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 93: Season 7 Readers Choice https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1725590299621-O387RF2J4WNVSTYPHU38/TGD+S7+Baby+x+3+Parnick+1.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 93: Season 7 Readers Choice https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1725590301525-XJEEHUWSXSFVPF06PS95/TGD+S7+Lim+Glass+Charlie+elevator.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 93: Season 7 Readers Choice https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1725591353474-43CODT3X3IR3AW7P1K6M/TGD+S7+Baby+x+3+Jared+Jordan+1.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 93: Season 7 Readers Choice https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1725591424542-9M87KHMQLRW7W50XRROU/TGD+S7+Critical+Support+Jasher+1.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 93: Season 7 Readers Choice https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1726679852889-771TBINDYUOFFZZS3J8N/TGD+S7+Critical+Support+Glass+Lim+pool+table.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 93: Season 7 Readers Choice https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/86f600a4-df75-4b78-9ce0-e7f7e05bc40f/TGD+S7+Faith+Shea+Daycare+1.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 93: Season 7 Readers Choice - BEST: SHEA PARENTHOOD https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/8e746ab6-843a-4e9b-969f-e5241b793a3d/TGD+S7+Unconditional+Parnick+and+Friends.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 93: Season 7 Readers Choice - BEST: THE PARNICK WEDDING https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/8fb48622-b8da-4fe2-bfca-b67813ebd798/TGD+S7+MCE+Charllie+Shaun+Not+Dead.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 93: Season 7 Readers Choice - BEST: SHAUN AND CHARLIE https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/2305e5e2-9533-4bab-960d-02905383f1b6/TGD+S7+Unconditional+Claire+and+Murphy+family.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 93: Season 7 Readers Choice - BEST: CLAIRE’S ELEVENTH HOUR RETURN https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/71ee42c1-629e-4924-b091-aeedafedf659/IMG_7939.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 93: Season 7 Readers Choice - BEST: LEA AND MORGAN MOM-BONDING https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/033a7d7b-49a4-4532-b859-0034cd552a87/TGD+7+10+Finale+Don%27t+Be+An+Ass.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 93: Season 7 Readers Choice - BEST: (Most of) THE FINALE https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/e45179d7-2284-4b02-a1ea-7d0e33b57961/TGD+S7+Overview+Hannah+Glass+Street.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 93: Season 7 Readers Choice - BEST: GLASSMAN’S GUEST STARS https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/4592f7d5-142f-4ee3-810c-0930c9a78744/TGD+S7+Who+Peace+EiLass.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 93: Season 7 Readers Choice - Did you realize six of the season’s 10 episodes kept Glassman busy with short-term characters? First up was Lim’s mom Eileen, who we thought was in town solely to participate in a medical study and keep Lim company/drive her crazy… until she was spotted in Glassman’s bed (!) following an introductory evening together. This led to a few hellauncomfortable Lim moments for the duration of Eileen’s stay in San Jose, but– particularly in retrospect– it was a sweet little fling that brought Glassman some much-needed joy. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/939bc21b-74bf-495b-a977-6f7fe6c48524/TGD+S7+Faith+Hannah+Glassman+1.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 93: Season 7 Readers Choice - Eileen was barely out of town when Glassy found himself thrust into a much less desirable situation, one that evoked the most painful memories of his life. Young Hannah (played by Richard Schiff’s real-life daughter, Ruby Kelley) and her addictions took him on a dangerous course alongside her– one that put his remaining career at risk– and it felt like TGD was biting off more than it could proverbially chew so close to the series end. But props to Schiff and Freddie Highmore, as always, for making Glassman’s pain as palpable as Shaun’s desire to relieve him of it. As I said when the “Unconditional” episode first aired, I think a lot of artistic license was taken in Shaun’s words guiding Hannah towards rehab within 24 hours. (This is one of many reasons I feel this whole thing would’ve worked better as a six-episode arc rather than three.) I also happen to think this was as close to “closure for Maddie” as Glassman could ever get. Kudos to TGD for prioritizing this, even when time wasn’t on anyone’s side. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/34d178ed-1d7e-473e-97d9-65d5db005d7f/TGD+S7+Baby+x+3+Lim+w+Rez+1.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 93: Season 7 Readers Choice - A HECKUVA SEASON PREMIERE DILEMMA https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/96395783-047c-4930-8bc5-5e94624897b5/IMG_9297.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 93: Season 7 Readers Choice - From Incorrect St. Bonaventure (@TGDChaos) BEST- “A very one-off moment of Audrey and Dalisay dancing (at #Parnick’s wedding)” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/d10ce2b5-7824-4c57-8216-7b90721d69b1/TGD+7+10+Finale+Lea+Glassy+his+office.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 93: Season 7 Readers Choice - From Asa Williams (@asavwms) BEST- Grandpa Glassman, Dom’s one-liner (“That guy’s GOOD!”), Jordan (Bria Samone Henderson) getting another opp to sing (at #Parnick’s wedding)” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1718462442309-9PPJSKFIFLHLN2TX8IRY/TGD+7+10+Finale+Cast+on+Steps.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 93: Season 7 Readers Choice - From Danielle (@LuvDani_xoxo) BEST- “Shaun/Glassman’s reconciliation; Shaun becoming a respected surgeon with a loving family and loyal friends” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/f879383b-9a44-44bb-81d2-da538cfaeb0f/TGD+S7+Baby+X+3+Glassy+Steve+1.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 93: Season 7 Readers Choice - From Amy Danko (@FebWriter) BEST- “Glassman meeting Steve” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/3fd4b647-e26c-4434-9328-269e679fffa3/IMG_9116.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 93: Season 7 Readers Choice - SheaEndgame (@EndgameShea) BEST- “Everything about #Shea (especially the finale)” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/68890a28-32d8-4b5d-a236-4a6b03099ed5/TGD+S7+Who+Peace+Called+911.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 93: Season 7 Readers Choice - WORST: ASHER’S MURDER https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/16694f5a-9ae3-4505-8d77-73be5a761cda/IMG_7919.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 93: Season 7 Readers Choice - WORST: LIM’S “ENDING” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1709134617176-N4H3UUNJF1RDVJQOSF2F/TGD+S7+Baby+X+3+Glassy+Shaun+2.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 93: Season 7 Readers Choice - WORST: UNSATISFYING END TO THE SHAUN/GLASSMAN FALLOUT https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/60048b5e-49ef-41c5-aef0-80612cf592ad/TGD+Sorry+Lim+Shaun.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 93: Season 7 Readers Choice - In the season opener (“Afterparty,” 6 x 1), Shaun made a decision during Lim’s harrowing time in the OR that helped save her life, but also left her paralyzed. In 6 x 2, a three-month time jump revealed that while Lim seemed to be adapting well to her new, wheelchair-bound life, she privately seethed with resentment towards Shaun and his actions. In 6 x 3, she made her feelings known to Shaun and told him they were no longer friends. In 6 x 4, Shaun began isolating himself (the storage room/office he created in the basement) and thinking of ways to reverse Lim’s condition– ways that Glassman found far too risky, so nothing further came of it. After a few episodes of the Shaun/Lim situation simmering on the back-burner, Shaun came to terms with all that had happened (and what he really needed to do about it), went to Lim directly, and delivered an emotional, heartfelt apology (“Sorry Not Sorry,” 6 x 8) that she accepted. She agreed to try and rebuild the friendship… which, at St. Bons, means things are almost back to normal one episode later (heh heh). But in their case, it took half a season to get to that point. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/cbb7af15-11e5-4abe-9e63-ddb6a012e01c/TGD+S7+Baby+x+3+Shaun+Glassy+1.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 93: Season 7 Readers Choice - Now think about Shaun and Glassman’s rift. For starters, it was SHAUN and GLASSMAN– the most important relationship in the entire show. And their issues mounted during the back half of S6– Shaun taking note of uncharacteristic Glassy mistakes, Glassy being pissed he was doing so, Shaun feeling justified when a series of small strokes was proven to have befallen his mentor/surrogate dad, Glassy ultimately having to leave an operation mid-procedure and end his surgical career immediately. But the whole thing became even deeper when Glassman’s anger kept him from attending the arrival of baby Steven Aaron Murphy at the very end of S6! So there was plenty of pain to go around, but not a lot of accountability or forgiveness. As I said earlier, the S7 premiere was promising with regard to this all-important storyline tentpole: Shaun and Glassman actively avoided speaking or even looking at each other, Lea continued in vain to try and foster the fence-mending (much as she did in the S6 finale), and things stayed the same until Glassman observed Shaun struggling with Steve in the apartment hallway. Though Shaun didn’t ask for help or advice, Glassman offered to take care of Steve while Shaun and Lea got some rest. (Otherwise known as a classic Grandpa move.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/71cc55b8-63d7-43be-8221-06f95984b8ef/TGD+S7+Skin+Game+Shaun+Glassman+1.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 93: Season 7 Readers Choice - Was it too much of an olive branch extended too soon? I didn’t think so. And for some, those closing scenes of 7 x 1 were among their faves of the entire season. Soooo, episode 7 x 2 started out building this bridge between them nicely– and yes, by “nicely” I mean Shaun and Glassy trading some unpleasant but necessary words, mostly about Glassman’s absence during Steve’s birth. But by the end of the same episode, Shaun was attending a party for Morgan’s child that he’d previous planned to avoid (because of Glassman)... and telling Glassman “It is okay for family to disagree... Being a family who argues is more important than not being a family at all.” After which Glassman apologized (by addressing Steve) for not meeting him sooner, and hoping to spend more time with him in the future. Shaun recognizes the apology is actually intended for him, and soon hands his son over to “Grandpa”... and, SCENE. Episode 7 x 3 began ramping up the difficulties between Shaun and Charlie… at which point Glassman was back to giving advice that Shaun was reluctant to take. In other words… business as usual. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/8cb4d7e2-89b9-4529-8933-f8fc92666d4e/IMG_8338.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 93: Season 7 Readers Choice - WORST: NO MORE TIME HOPS UNTIL THE VERY END? REALLY? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/c8e17592-1d5d-4d9e-b75f-6c2e295f7a67/IMG_7930.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 93: Season 7 Readers Choice - WORST: NOT ENOUGH OF LEA’S STRUGGLES AS A NEW MOM https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/7b4d06ea-2077-4152-9baa-e9d81e9e8470/TGD+S7+Skin+Game+Dom+passes+out.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 93: Season 7 Readers Choice - WORST: WAS DOM HUBANK REALLY NECESSARY? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/8d1bbe08-984a-412a-9fea-0e9718ac14bc/IMG_7875.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 93: Season 7 Readers Choice - WORST: THE MISSED JORDAN/KALU OPPORTUNITY https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/c21f06e5-fcef-4e24-9dda-cb8eb3543caa/TGD+365+Degrees+Lea+Jordan.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 93: Season 7 Readers Choice - Asa Williams (@asavwms) WORST- “Not enough #DilAllen (Lea/Jordan scenes/storylines)… or #DilAllen + Morgan, for that matter… Also #Shea could have used one more escapade, now w/Steven in tow and Lea driving the family-edition Striped Tomato!” (Please note I had to go back to S6 to get this photo… that’s how hard it was to find these two together in S7) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/d9ba4d95-1611-47ee-8849-faf1bbbe829f/TGD+S7+Baby+x+3+Lea+solo+1.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 93: Season 7 Readers Choice - Danielle (@LuvDani_xoxo) WORST: “Never getting to see Lea’s brother Donnie” (SEE?? I was hardly the only one thinking this.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/73ee54ca-c41b-4d60-8774-a0ecd14a4dc6/TGD+S7+Skin+Game+Lim+Glassman+Binders.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 93: Season 7 Readers Choice - Daniela Vingiani (@dvingiani) WORST: “We had been waiting for months to finally have some Grandpa Glassy stuff. Instead, what we got was the Lim-Glassman shenanigans – argh!” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1714532557672-TCNGV42HBUMU1I21G7R3/TGD+S7+MCE+Funeral+group+shot.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 93: Season 7 Readers Choice - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://kellimlawrence.com/stateofshea/state-of-the-shea-pthttps/kellimlawrencecom/blog-page-url/new-post-title monthly 0.5 2024-08-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/f4d48407-94e4-4246-b81a-07531f93944e/TGD+7+10+Finale+Murphy+4+shot.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 92: The Long and the Short of “Goodbye” (Part 2) - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/bbced01f-1862-4a41-ae3e-6b8e4d8280d4/TGD+7+10+Finale+Cast+in+TED+talk.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 92: The Long and the Short of “Goodbye” (Part 2) - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/291364af-38b1-45e8-862d-cfba39277d2c/IMG_9113.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 92: The Long and the Short of “Goodbye” (Part 2) - “Did you notice how he hugged all his friends so comfortably at the end? No sign of that awkwardness he had when that gesture was oftentimes foisted on him in earlier seasons.” — Pamela https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/86d99f8c-0de3-4f8b-9936-12381730de87/TGD+7+10+Finale+Shaun+Park.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 92: The Long and the Short of “Goodbye” (Part 2) - Using the ensemble feel of the episode to illustrate how much love and compassion Shaun’s peers had for him… particularly Park, who was both Shaun’s office-mate and closest male friend after Glassman. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/81f85dca-70db-4ccf-84a2-2350eb8aa19b/TGD+7+10+Finale+Glassman+Foundation+.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 92: The Long and the Short of “Goodbye” (Part 2) - I especially appreciated the final segment (Shaun’s TED talk/the montage). For TGD in particular, I thought it was an outstanding way to show not only how far he’d come in his professional AND personal life (and his colleagues, to a certain extent)...but how Glassman’s legacy extended far beyond what he did for Shaun. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/7c5e0f5b-639c-4aee-a999-4738341cabbb/TGD+7+10+Finale+Glassy+w+pool+cue.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 92: The Long and the Short of “Goodbye” (Part 2) - Speaking of Glassman– I sense there was disagreement between fans as to whether or not he should’ve been “killed off”. Here’s my take: with this seed (Glassman’s cancer) initially planted and dealt with early in TGD history… and then resurging not once (false alarm (S6) but twice (S7)... it didn’t feel like a trope to me. It just felt like life. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/696582f0-2095-4cbc-a719-cc724f7acf79/IMG_9101.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 92: The Long and the Short of “Goodbye” (Part 2) - ALSO– I’m glad they handled it as they did, with Shaun’s solo carousel ride symbolizing his passing rather than a sentimental deathbed scene. Also, longtime reader Pamela (quoted earlier in this post; she lives in the Vancouver area, where TGD was shot) mentioned they’d reportedly done a cemetery scene for the finale… …Again, I like what they went with much better. Got the point across in a beautiful way that was uniquely TGD. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1722390601704-X5AI6NP69C016NGCD6M3/IMG_9082.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 92: The Long and the Short of “Goodbye” (Part 2) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1722399009614-2DMWF3OBJ6DSW2HFFX45/IMG_9087.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 92: The Long and the Short of “Goodbye” (Part 2) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1722390601544-E7B6JST49GMFJ5VXAGU4/IMG_9089.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 92: The Long and the Short of “Goodbye” (Part 2) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1722399009665-NYRE0Z43KXXL79NHC5N6/IMG_9091.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 92: The Long and the Short of “Goodbye” (Part 2) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1722390603968-SD9CJIJYS4JBLUJ74D7V/IMG_9098.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 92: The Long and the Short of “Goodbye” (Part 2) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/9508a2d3-d157-40b2-8f97-cfe77dc9e31e/TGD+7+10+Finale+Docs+Rez+Lounge+1.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 92: The Long and the Short of “Goodbye” (Part 2) - Was it ridiculous to imagine the entire onscreen staff being summoned (and accepting) to drop everything and help Shaun find a remedy for Glassman… and then follow that up with muckracking, or sewer-scooping, or slaughterhouse-slumming, all on Claire’s behalf? Or do we say C’mon, it’s the finale, cut them some slack? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/e2f34759-9366-400f-9ef2-734d397ae7a5/TGD+7+10+Finale+Kalu+Claire+2.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 92: The Long and the Short of “Goodbye” (Part 2) - Was it unethical (or otherwise wrong) for Lim and Kalu to be the ones amputating Claire’s arm? Technically not family of course, but two doctors very close to the patient? How contrived was Claire’s secondary (more life-threatening) illness? Obviously the writers needed to come up with a very specific situation for Claire that would require Shaun to think he needed to put his career on the line in order to save her. How much leeway did you give them for that? Was it part contrived, part genius? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/8533eb15-e858-40fa-a986-22b9cd8fcc7b/IMG_9095.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 92: The Long and the Short of “Goodbye” (Part 2) - Was it believable that the med students would not only be brought in on the Glassman/Claire convos, but would contribute significantly to both “solutions”? And on that same note, why did Charlie accompany Shaun to the FDA branch (and direct him on what they would do)... why wasn’t that Park, or Morgan? My only guess is that they wanted to show that Shaun didn’t need a neurotypical person to help him make his case. But it still felt like a huge stretch. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/a2d2652f-09a8-4c71-9347-8d5719be3cdc/TGD+7+10+Finale+Parnick+at+TED+talk.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 92: The Long and the Short of “Goodbye” (Part 2) - Was Eden’s absence in the flash-forward indicative of anything, given that she was born with a significant genetic disorder (Turner Syndrome)? My guess is the writers deliberately left that up to viewers’ interpretation. I think I’ll “interpret” that Eden didn’t come because was on an overnighter with her Girl Scout troop, and she didn’t want to skip it because she’s thisclose to being the first in her troop to have all the sash badges…(#MorgansDaughterDoesNotMessAround) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/a9de64bf-4a5b-4c83-9fec-d028c99896c1/TGD+7+10+Finale+Lea+Steve+Maddie.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 92: The Long and the Short of “Goodbye” (Part 2) - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/e570d884-2e04-4308-8fea-efc5d8d5c458/IMG_9092.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 92: The Long and the Short of “Goodbye” (Part 2) - There was a line between Glassman and Lea where Lea gently reminds Glassy that Shaun’s probably going to need “more than 48 hours” to process Glassman's medical status and his consequential wishes. Uh, yeah…?! I suppose pairing Shaun’s need to save Glassman (again) alongside his need to save Claire was irresistible drama for Shore & Friedman, but a reckoning such as Shaun had would be very tough for a neurotypical person to make in two days. Shaun’s processing could have/should have taken weeks! (I’ve heard that the original plan was for Glassman’s returning cancer to be dealt with in Season 8… so why didn’t they introduce it halfway through S7 instead?) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1903a62e-e005-483e-b7da-36d5bc54a4fb/TGD+7+10+Finale+Future+Parnick.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 92: The Long and the Short of “Goodbye” (Part 2) - Most predictable: Parnick together, happily playing with Eden… for after all, Park and Morgan weren’t married until the penultimate episode and didn’t have time to build any new trouble-in-paradise warning signs. Did you find #Parnick-ever-after a head-scratcher all the way to the end, wondering how they’d gotten past such mega-hurdles as Park’s financial frustrations (as referenced in S5), likely disagreements on child-rearing, and Morgan… being Morgan? (See S7’s “Critical Support” episode for the most recent example of this.) If so, consider the possibility of complications arising with Eden’s adoption, and the bond they would have formed as they dealt with that. I can’t help but think this was one of those plot developments that was forced down the drain once the abbreviated final season was announced. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1722393928163-BIGS882TCKOAI5PMRYZX/IMG_9103.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 92: The Long and the Short of “Goodbye” (Part 2) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1722394012931-P4ED7NYPBOGT3OYE5O3Y/IMG_9109.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 92: The Long and the Short of “Goodbye” (Part 2) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/9ca54270-480e-4598-9d36-099f5e1dc7ba/IMG_9106.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 92: The Long and the Short of “Goodbye” (Part 2) - Most “Whatever”: Jordan and Perez, singing together in Jordan’s church choir. Because… As you know if you’ve been reading a while, I didn’t much care for them as a couple. Not necessarily because of a lack of chemistry… but moreso how it was (and wasn’t) written. For those that DID enjoy them as a couple… come on, TGD, you couldn’t take the 10-20 seconds allotted to them in the flash-forward and show them in a loving embrace or something? I get that their scene in the church (from the S6 episode “365 Degrees”) was poignant enough to want to circle back to it, but… the two of them standing side by side in choir? Sing, clap, sing, clap? That’s it?? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/fa6939a5-b0c1-469a-9531-dad8794d0c75/IMG_9083.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 92: The Long and the Short of “Goodbye” (Part 2) - And for those who hoped they were slow-burning Jordan and Kalu throughout S7… well, they were. Sort of. Except they kept Jordan and Perez’s text game relevant throughout, and once Claire showed up, any question of Kalu’s feelings went out the window. They surely had much more planned for Jordan and Kalu, had S7 been a proper 18-20 episodes. But rather than scrap the idea altogether, they did what they could in the time that they could. Or did they…? An actual physical encounter of some kind between these two would have upped the ante so much more. The news that Brandon Larracuente was returning for the series finale came out at the same time as Antonia Thomas’ return… and yet, all he got was a cameo in the final minutes? With zero lines? If I were him– or a big fan of his work– I’d be frustrated, to say the least. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/cef0ab9b-f495-48b2-b335-e97014e8428c/TGD+7+10+Finale+Lim+Ukraine.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 92: The Long and the Short of “Goodbye” (Part 2) - She was required to share co-presidency duties indefinitely with Glassman while also remaining chief of surgery… all of which exacerbated her stress levels, and triggered her need to be hyper-responsible. At some point (offscreen), her live-in boyfriend Clay moved to Chicago (reportedly because of her over-dedication to work and continued resistance to commit), and their relationship ended. She suffered PTSD recurrences in the wake of Asher’s murder, as well as the mass casualty event that followed the day of his memorial service. She learned (by way of her mother) that her beloved father had suffered from clinical depression throughout much of his career… causing Lim to pause and take stock of her own mental health situation. (Or so we thought…) When it appeared she’d “get” the presidency by default (due to Glassman’s terminal illness), she confided to Claire that she’d been offered Chief of Surgery at a Chicago hospital. The opportunity, combined with a chance to re-kindle things with Clay, sounded too good to pass up. (As did a chance to watch her drive her badass self outta town on her motorcycle.) But………… She went to work for an international medical unit in Ukraine instead. If she received therapy, we never saw it. If she came up with a concrete reason to ditch the Chicago/Clay idea, we never heard about it. What we DID get was selfless Lim being more selfless than ever before, opting to explore new roads (one might say run desperately from what she really needs… AGAIN). And as noble an idea as it would be to serve in Ukraine, it hardly seems the right step for someone who actively battles PTSD already. Whose idea was this?? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/3fd4b647-e26c-4434-9328-269e679fffa3/IMG_9116.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 92: The Long and the Short of “Goodbye” (Part 2) - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://kellimlawrence.com/stateofshea/state-of-the-shea-extra-good-forefathers-for-the-good-doctor-pt-3https/kellimlawrencecom/blog-page-url/new-post-title monthly 0.5 2024-07-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/eb26d7c9-0a39-477e-b016-ed8cc2631ced/TGD+Shaun+w+stripe+of+light+behind+him.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea EXTRA: Good Forefathers for “The Good Doctor” Pt. 3 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/ccaee019-4064-4892-8dbb-e702d9b38f9a/Quincy+1.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea EXTRA: Good Forefathers for “The Good Doctor” Pt. 3 - Make it stand out QUINCY, M.E. Aired on: NBC Seasons: 8 (1976-83) Episodes: 148 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/77d2d8e1-ca81-474d-9814-4fceb56a41c5/Quincy+3.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea EXTRA: Good Forefathers for “The Good Doctor” Pt. 3 - In fact, it started as part of NBC’s rotating Sunday Mystery Movie, taking turns in the timeslot with fellow dramas Columbo, McCloud, and McMillan and Wife. But Quincy was such a breakout hit that it “broke out” and got its own timeslot after just four episodes. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/963ef053-5742-4af7-b601-768366e65578/Quincy+2.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea EXTRA: Good Forefathers for “The Good Doctor” Pt. 3 - In a few ways, Quincy followed medical drama protocol: a passionate title doctor (played by Jack Klugman, who was fresh off of the Emmy-winning comedy The Odd Couple)... a relatively young protege (played by Robert Ito, one of only SIX actors of Asian descent to be a TV cast regular in the ‘70s)... and a pompous boss (Dr. Astin) who often served as Dr. Quincy’s foil. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/552e397e-6095-4325-80e1-068503aea556/Trapper+John+1.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea EXTRA: Good Forefathers for “The Good Doctor” Pt. 3 - Make it stand out TRAPPER JOHN, M.D. Aired on: CBS Seasons: 7 (1979-86) Episodes: 151 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/34a4b67d-09ec-4dce-b59b-2b35726f8630/Trapper+John+4.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea EXTRA: Good Forefathers for “The Good Doctor” Pt. 3 - The Good Doctor fans… remember when S4 “newbie” Enrique Guerin lived in an RV in the St. Bon’s parking lot? That was surely a nod to Trapper, which had Gonzo living alongside San Francisco Memorial in a grungy-looking motor home dubbed “The Titanic”. As I recall, many Trapper episodes concluded with these two chilling out on “The Titanic”’s rooftop. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/e64f7a71-4db0-4624-b41d-d7d4db73ae73/Trapper+John+2.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea EXTRA: Good Forefathers for “The Good Doctor” Pt. 3 - Both Quincy and Trapper, for all their success on their respective networks, had less than remarkable endings. In the case of Trapper, the final four episodes didn’t even air until they were “burned off” in late summer, 1986– three months after the season ended! This next series didn’t have that problem… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/b2c59cb5-d19a-4273-9a6d-86a5d6b1a024/St+Elsewhere+2.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea EXTRA: Good Forefathers for “The Good Doctor” Pt. 3 - Make it stand out ST. ELSEWHERE Aired on: NBC Seasons: 6 (1982-88) Episodes: 137 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/326deee2-ccb5-4372-937c-a7add26b3bbb/St.+Elsewhere+4.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea EXTRA: Good Forefathers for “The Good Doctor” Pt. 3 - The storyline structures of future medical dramas evolved during St. Elsewhere’s run– some came and went in a single episode, while some took much longer to resolve. The latter tended to involve the medical staff, and with an ensemble cast (featuring as many as 16 characters in the opening credits!), there were plenty of intertwining tales to tell. And unlike the paragon-of-virtue TV doctors of decades gone by, these were wonderfully human (and wonderfully flawed) men and women whose personal lives often informed their professional ones… for better or worse! Such a large cast was bound to include some future stars; in fact, St. Elsewhere alumni include Ed Begley Jr., Howie Mandel (when he still had a head of dark curly hair), Mark Harmon, and a young Denzel Washington– who picked up his first of two Academy Awards just a year after his TV gig was canceled! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/3a46fe24-0c7b-4713-87e4-15b2adda8c7d/St.+Elsewhere+3.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea EXTRA: Good Forefathers for “The Good Doctor” Pt. 3 - Though it never performed better than 47th in the annual Nielsen Ratings, St. Elsewhere did well with the 18-49 age demographic and was beloved by critics, racking up 13 Emmy wins during its run. It also brought unique episodes such as one partially shot in black-and-white (tracing the hospital’s history), an episode that paid homage to the classic stage play Our Town, and even one that ended with a resigning veteran doctor dropping his pants and telling the new owners of the hospital to kiss his ass. (Yes, it was approved by NBC censors!) And I can’t help but wonder if TGD’s Glassman would have ever considered doing the same, had Salen Morisson (of Ethicure infamy) been a man…? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/dfaa65fe-924f-40ba-9854-bf40dc6dd675/Chicago+Hope+title+2.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea EXTRA: Good Forefathers for “The Good Doctor” Pt. 3 - Make it stand out CHICAGO HOPE Aired on: CBS Seasons: 6 (1994-2000 Episodes: 141 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/446a6ec2-05b0-46f4-9db9-211527cc4338/Chicago+Hope+2.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea EXTRA: Good Forefathers for “The Good Doctor” Pt. 3 - What differed between the two medical dramas can be boiled down to the things stated in this Entertainment Weekly article from 30 years ago… Chicago Hope is a Marcus Welby continuation where the surgeons are superheroes, versus a very human, down-to-earth portrayal in ER. (Marcus Welby M.D., you’ll recall, was a hit medical drama of the 1970s.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/ef3f5855-3974-4413-8ee5-44705f83d3a5/Chicago+Hope+1.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea EXTRA: Good Forefathers for “The Good Doctor” Pt. 3 - All that being said, Hope’s focus on complex characters and well-written storylines– as well as a stellar cast that came to include Christine Lahti, Thomas Gibson, Mark Harmon (formerly of St. Elsewhere), Vondie Curtis-Hall, and Carla Gugino– kept it going for six seasons, winning seven Emmys along the way. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/19c91e1e-4f46-4a82-96da-942b3beeb029/Med+Drama+all+the+TVs+1.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea EXTRA: Good Forefathers for “The Good Doctor” Pt. 3 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://kellimlawrence.com/stateofshea/state-of-the-shea-pt-91https/kellimlawrencecom/blog-page-url/new-post-title monthly 0.5 2024-07-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/bc7e4a8a-cf5a-4f5c-bec2-ab76db51aad9/TGD+7+10+Finale+Shea+in+Lab.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 91: The Long and the Short of “Goodbye” (Part 1) - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1f35082d-24b1-46cd-9672-28051a01433c/TGD+7+10+Finale+Last+Loft+Scene.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 91: The Long and the Short of “Goodbye” (Part 1) - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/5a596273-54db-4c94-bebd-49a23bdb5ee8/TGD+7+10+Finale+Lim+Glassman+Prez+Lounge.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 91: The Long and the Short of “Goodbye” (Part 1) - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/fd80787f-6841-4aab-8505-b4aa80920a91/TGD+7+10+Finale+Shaun+hands+file+to+Glassy.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 91: The Long and the Short of “Goodbye” (Part 1) - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/71a16eb2-8682-42d3-b443-2155d067a983/TGD+7+10+Finale+Shaun+Park+2.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 91: The Long and the Short of “Goodbye” (Part 1) - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/035ad024-c214-4efa-89a3-4a600fd8089b/TGD+7+10+Finale+Glassman+Shaun+w+BOX.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 91: The Long and the Short of “Goodbye” (Part 1) - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/d10ce2b5-7824-4c57-8216-7b90721d69b1/TGD+7+10+Finale+Lea+Glassy+his+office.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 91: The Long and the Short of “Goodbye” (Part 1) - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/9772521d-fa96-4341-805a-1b4c179c058e/TGD+7+10+Finale+Shaun+lab+solo.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 91: The Long and the Short of “Goodbye” (Part 1) - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/114202db-d91c-46bd-8ad5-55056e899af5/TGD+7+10+Finale+Claire+Glassy.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 91: The Long and the Short of “Goodbye” (Part 1) - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/3e4102c4-7b85-403d-b4bd-d3ba9c502d18/TGD+7+10+Finale+Shaun+TED+solo+CU.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 91: The Long and the Short of “Goodbye” (Part 1) - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1903a62e-e005-483e-b7da-36d5bc54a4fb/TGD+7+10+Finale+Future+Parnick.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 91: The Long and the Short of “Goodbye” (Part 1) - Make it stand out The music continues as we go to a montage of dialogue-free scenes that spans the next decade… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/615c608b-e57e-43ad-a462-5b2482a38229/TGD+7+10+Finale+Claire%27s+name+TED+talk.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 91: The Long and the Short of “Goodbye” (Part 1) - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/033a7d7b-49a4-4532-b859-0034cd552a87/TGD+7+10+Finale+Don%27t+Be+An+Ass.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 91: The Long and the Short of “Goodbye” (Part 1) - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/e42714ec-297a-4ce8-a17a-ba85d9152c8a/TGD+7+10+Finale+Crowd+goes+WILD.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 91: The Long and the Short of “Goodbye” (Part 1) - Make it stand out (And the crowd went WILD!) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/043c4abd-6a1f-415e-9dbd-57750cad7238/TGD+7+10+Finale+Cast+on+Steps.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 91: The Long and the Short of “Goodbye” (Part 1) - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://kellimlawrence.com/stateofshea/state-of-the-shea-extra-good-forefathers-for-the-good-doctor-pt-2https/kellimlawrencecom/blog-page-url/new-post-title monthly 0.5 2024-06-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/0acafaef-3813-424d-9a7e-6d7be46f333c/TGD+Cast+Shot.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea EXTRA: Good Forefathers for “The Good Doctor” Pt. 2 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/9047d5dd-5ecc-4070-98c9-d9e55d8aa977/Marcus+Welby+3.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea EXTRA: Good Forefathers for “The Good Doctor” Pt. 2 - Make it stand out MARCUS WELBY, M.D. Aired on: ABC Seasons: 7 (1969-76) Episodes: 170 + 2 Made-for-TV films https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/da5e96a1-8f46-4c95-8914-8cdde86a77ab/Marcus+Welby+1.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea EXTRA: Good Forefathers for “The Good Doctor” Pt. 2 - It also took on homosexuality (in “The Other Martin Loring”),, but it did so by associating it with moral illness, much to the outrage of the Gay Activists Alliance. You can learn about the show’s even more upsetting handling of homosexuality here, in an episode titled (ironically?) “The Outrage.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/f0619746-4ced-4e3e-850a-a64dba3f4def/Marcus+Welby+2.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea EXTRA: Good Forefathers for “The Good Doctor” Pt. 2 - Marcus Welby was the most-watched series in prime time in its second season (1970-71); it was the first series on ABC to do so. Also it ran alongside both The Brady Bunch and The Partridge Family on ABC’s schedule, which might explain why Maureen McCormick, Barry Williams and David Cassidy all landed guest spots on the series while shooting their own shows. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1717783328775-HLL3IGUN8Q4GDKOTYLDC/Medical+Center+1.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea EXTRA: Good Forefathers for “The Good Doctor” Pt. 2 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1717783328744-7AGHNPPVL208MTBDB0H9/Medical+Center+3.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea EXTRA: Good Forefathers for “The Good Doctor” Pt. 2 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/fe061895-619c-4a68-8f94-b372b832a05d/Medical+Center+2.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea EXTRA: Good Forefathers for “The Good Doctor” Pt. 2 - Its premise– the clash between youth and experience, as represented through an older white surgeon and a younger white surgeon– was well-worn by the 1970s (Chad Everett played the heartthrob in this case; the “experienced” one was James Daly). (The shades were not a typical part of Everett’s wardrobe in hospital scenes… he wasn’t THAT much of a hipster.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/86dc5691-472b-429e-8e5c-6b68f34ff47c/Bold+Ones+New+Doctors+1.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea EXTRA: Good Forefathers for “The Good Doctor” Pt. 2 - Make it stand out THE BOLD ONES: THE NEW DOCTORS Aired on: NBC Seasons: 4 (1969-73) Episodes: 45 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/112c5b81-cc62-4491-b4ed-422c056c6008/The+Bold+Ones+The+New+Doctors.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea EXTRA: Good Forefathers for “The Good Doctor” Pt. 2 - Its creation is partially credited to (a quite young) Steven Bochco, who later developed megahits such as Hill Street Blues, L.A. Law, and NYPD Blue. Set in an exclusive clinic (that stressed “new medicine” in its title) rather than a hospital, the show relied on cutting-edge techniques of the times as a foundation for material rather than youth-vs-experience personnel tropes. It originated as part of a series of dramas (all carrying The Bold Ones umbrella title, stressing innovation in medicine, law, police enforcement, and politics respectively) that rotated weekly in the time slot. The New Doctors was, however, the only series successful enough to last four seasons. (The NBC Mystery Movie was another “wheel series” that launched a successful medical drama later in the 70s– I’ll discuss that in Part 3.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/99b3ffc0-bb40-4192-80bf-173796b8cf6f/Emergency%21+1.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea EXTRA: Good Forefathers for “The Good Doctor” Pt. 2 - Make it stand out EMERGENCY! Aired on: NBC Seasons: 6 (1972-77) Episodes: 122 + 6 Made-for-TV films https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/249e8b7f-f26a-428b-8434-1e20986578bd/Emergency%21+2.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea EXTRA: Good Forefathers for “The Good Doctor” Pt. 2 - Debuting in January of 1972– only five years after the first ambulance/emergency medical service was launched in the U.S.-- the drama could hardly have been any timelier. And with an EMS “pioneer” serving as its technical advisor, audiences soon became familiar with biophones and defibrillators– or at least the presence of them in urgent situations. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/ba3485cf-95f7-477f-8cc1-3adf98c75062/Emergency%21+4.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea EXTRA: Good Forefathers for “The Good Doctor” Pt. 2 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://kellimlawrence.com/stateofshea/state-of-the-shea-pt-90-just-a-song-before-they-go-unconditionalhttps/kellimlawrencecom/blog-page-url/new-post-title monthly 0.5 2024-05-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/f5b802c3-3ff4-4012-ba30-f52ce57cd635/IMG_8582.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 90: Just a Song Before They Go (“Unconditional”) - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/2305e5e2-9533-4bab-960d-02905383f1b6/TGD+S7+Unconditional+Claire+and+Murphy+family.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 90: Just a Song Before They Go (“Unconditional”) - Make it stand out “IT IS VERY GOOD TO SEE YOU!” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/e20b334d-9fab-4793-b158-51a953cc3262/TGD+S7+Unconditional+THAT+LOOK.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 90: Just a Song Before They Go (“Unconditional”) - LEA: Don’t give me that look! You’re the one who insisted on showering together. SHAUN: I thought it would save time. LEA: When are you going to learn, Shaunie? I’m irresistible. SHAUN: That is very true. “Don’t give me that look” is EVERYTHING. While #Shea Nation surely had no limit to the number of love scenes we’d be willing to take in (and we may forever be grumpy with the pajama game we’ve seen instead), once in a while the writers threw us a bone with the dialogue. And this was an unexpected joy. But “Don’t give me that look” was so cool because Shaun’s “looks” are generally very limited in scope. But just as Shaun’s learned to decipher Lea’s eye crinkles (see “The Shaun Show” in S5 for more), Lea knows Shaun’s nuances so well now that we’re treated to this kind of fun conversation. Love it! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/d67f9593-69d3-4c55-bd3c-fa65d7320a83/IMG_8572.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 90: Just a Song Before They Go (“Unconditional”) - “Now you are being TOO nice.” One of my big issues with the Shaun/Charlie continuum is that it peaked in the “M.C.E.” episode, and has felt somewhat aimless since then. I suspect much of this can be blamed on the abbreviated final season– both to ABC for inflicting it, and the showrunners for not adjusting better– but I felt the brief exchanges between Claire, Charlie, and Shaun were fun and very worthwhile. (The Shaun/Charlie relationship is one of those things I’ll be discussing in greater detail in future posts.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1716737799426-GEKBL6BZOVSX61Z8WNUE/IMG_8579.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 90: Just a Song Before They Go (“Unconditional”) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1716737798485-XEG6EJO89269BS0JX2RL/IMG_8578.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 90: Just a Song Before They Go (“Unconditional”) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/2274f1fb-ca5c-4f30-a661-3246ac1c24fa/TGD+S7+Unconditional+Hannah+Glassman.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 90: Just a Song Before They Go (“Unconditional”) - Make it stand out “I don’t know what to do.” When a mini-arc introduces an entirely new character in the final episodes of the series, there’s a legitimate chance viewers will shout Who Cares?? at the screen, irritated that precious final minutes are being gobbled away by the wrong events and/or people. There could have been (and perhaps still was) a major case of Who Cares when it came to the Glassman/Hannah story on TGD– but it’s been said multiple times that the Shaun/Glassman relationship is the heart and soul of the show, so it gets to claim priority status. With that in mind, young Hannah clearly proved to be the catalyst that neither Shaun nor Glassman knew they needed. (And yeah, even this late into the season and series, they still needed it.) Glassman was a sad sight for most of the episode, riding a roller coaster with Hannah that he was too emotionally invested in to do safely (to say nothing of his physical state, which he continued to keep secret at this point). When he had Hannah’s dad explaining the facts of drug addict life to him– even going so far as to speculate Glassman might be sleeping with the young woman– it was clearer than ever Glassy was in way too deep. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/e9577de2-0fe7-44a6-8400-22d82fada9d7/TGD+S7+Unconditional+Shaun+solo.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 90: Just a Song Before They Go (“Unconditional”) - And Shaun… ah, Shaun. The man had a lot on his mind this week already with Claire’s cancer diagnosis and then came all the feels of Glassman in trouble. But how much growth did he show with just this one development? Let us count the ways… He felt distracted by his concern for Glassman, but rather than try to deal with his preoccupation while operating on Claire, he asked Kalu to finish (suturing her up) and left the OR to find and talk to Glassman. Not an ideal situation, but it sure brought to mind S1 Shaun, whose preoccupation (also with Glassman) caused him to make a mistake in the OR and face disciplinary action. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/ea76f58f-15cc-464d-a12b-21c3cb295929/TGD+S7+Unconditional+Shea.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 90: Just a Song Before They Go (“Unconditional”) - 2. When Glassman tells Shaun he’s “not giving up on her” (Hannah), Shaun takes his concern and confusion to Lea. With her guidance, he determines this is NOT a situation where he needs to go to Lim with what he knows (because Glassman is “only hurting himself” as opposed to putting a patient at risk)... and he vows to keep it to himself. (AND HE DID! For the most part… see below.) Of course this entire conversation harkened back to when Shaun decided to go to Lim last season with his knowledge of Glassman’s mini-strokes, and Glassman was forced to retire as a neurosurgeon. Note that when that topic came up in this conversation, Shaun STILL made a point of saying he was “right about that”... which is what, I presume, has kept him from apologizing for the way he handled it. Do you think part of Shaun’s thought process here included “how do I handle this without hurting him further”? Something that was in there, but he was unable to articulate? I’d like to think so, but I feel like I might be foisting my own neurotypical reasoning on the situation. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/53d23041-60aa-4a97-9565-082dc8984873/IMG_8581.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 90: Just a Song Before They Go (“Unconditional”) - 3. While Lim never did find out about Hannah staying with Glassman (as far as we know), Claire coaxed Shaun to open up about his preoccupation. And… funny how I wasn’t thinking about Claire’s long-term experience dealing with addiction right away. I was thinking “What will Claire be able to tell him that Lea hasn’t told him already?” MY BAD. Claire helped him over that last hurdle of what to do. Not how to do it, but what to do. All of which speaks not only to the growth we keep talking about, but the inherent value of having trusted FRIENDS like his wife and Claire. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1ae165f6-8603-4274-a287-6c2115c464a6/TGD+S7+Unconditional+Shaun+Hannah.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 90: Just a Song Before They Go (“Unconditional”) - Make it stand out “Dr. Glassman didn’t fix me. He loved me. “I’m not like other people. Other kids called me ‘weird’... my parents didn’t want me… so that was how I saw myself. But Dr. Glassman saw that I could be more. And now I see myself as so much more… because Dr. Glassman loved me… unconditionally. “I am still different. I will always have autism… but now I’m proud of that. You will always be an addict, even if you stop using drugs. But Dr. Glassman sees you can be more. Why can’t you?” So Shaun said to Hannah– just minutes after sitting with Glassman, which perhaps gave him the final boost of inspiration and confidence he needed. Then, two scenes later, Hannah finally tells Glassman she wants to try rehab after all. Were Shaun’s words really that transformative? I have to admit that skeptical me says no– he’s good, but he’s not THAT good. Nonetheless, artistic license reigns supreme, and they weren’t going to let this story carry into the finale, or end on an even more tragic note. And much more important than that… I have to presume that the story came and went not only to give Glassman as much closure as they could on his guilt-ridden memories of Maddie, but to allow Shaun to make up to Glassman (for last season’s struggles) as best he could. Would I have appreciated a more concrete apology? Of course. But TGD has proven over seven seasons that it very much has its own ways and means for doing stuff like that– another thing we can talk about in later posts– and we can either go with it, or bitch about it. Lord knows I’ve done both, but this time I’m going with it. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/53c72fad-c0e5-437e-a975-fcfdad31a75a/TGD+S7+Unconditional+Parnick+Lim.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 90: Just a Song Before They Go (“Unconditional”) - Make it stand out “... And I’ll keep on teasing you because I know it turns you on…”* *I may not have this quote from Morgan just right, and I can’t find the clip on YouTube as I write this… please feel free to correct me in the comments and I’ll change it! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/8e746ab6-843a-4e9b-969f-e5241b793a3d/TGD+S7+Unconditional+Parnick+and+Friends.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 90: Just a Song Before They Go (“Unconditional”) Correct me if I’m wrong, but this marked the third time on TGD that an actual wedding involving a regular cast member was a “last minute” sort of thing…Glassman and Debbie in S3 (City Hall), Shaun and Lea in S5 (Rooftop of St. Bons), Park and Morgan in S7 (Bar where they had 1st date). I’d say this is perhaps because formal, “planned” weddings are almost as difficult to coordinate onscreen as they are in real life, but we also had the #Shea dream/nightmare wedding that kicked off S5, and the reality TV #Shea wedding (that never happened) later that season. Love that Lim officiated for #Parnick, much as Andrews did the honors for #Shea. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/29bba273-7c80-4103-913f-e7de54d5dc5d/TGD+S7+Unconditional+Duet.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 90: Just a Song Before They Go (“Unconditional”) - Jordan might have been one of the most likely bouquet candidates, but she was too busy holding a mic as she and Hubank delivered “Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You” Lauryn Hill style (which featured original sections composed by Bria Samone Henderson and Wavyy Jonez themselves). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/cc3dfd90-0446-4dca-8e4e-94b1deaf0e2f/IMG_8584.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 90: Just a Song Before They Go (“Unconditional”) - “She and her ex-boyfriend Perez text every day since Asher died.” As Claire made her way through “Unconditional,” it became clear that (just as many fans suspected) she and former flame Dr. Kalu still harbored feelings for each other. But weren’t he and Jordan becoming a thing…? Funny that Charlie (the unofficial gatherer of St. Bons relationship gossip this season) poised a variation of that question to Kalu as they studied Claire’s tumor. “We decided to be just good friends,” he tells her, just before that mention of the renewed Perez/Jordan text fest. Which was all good and well… I guess… except we got THAT LOOK from Jordan as Kalu and Claire kissed at #Parnick’s wedding… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/d5dc6ead-f8b7-4aec-8a16-d7bcf22d6cb8/IMG_8591.png State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 90: Just a Song Before They Go (“Unconditional”) - And when I posted this tweet about the rekindling that was taking place on this episode, I got this real-time response from Bria Samone Henderson… So I’m still a little puzzled with where they’ll go here. It feels even more cut-and-dried after this episode that Kalu’s headed for something with Claire, and Jordan will end up with Perez. But is a curve ball coming? It feels too easy right now, especially for a Shore show. And one more thing… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1716607667336-CI8BQFQ38KTX0VLSH8XZ/TGD+Strike+ABC+logo.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 90: Just a Song Before They Go (“Unconditional”) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1716607647646-MRDVB47CC4YX3WVCFJVP/TGD+You+Suck+meme.png State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 90: Just a Song Before They Go (“Unconditional”) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1716602256412-J5775BOOUTESE6JLT7TG/IMG_8586.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 90: Just a Song Before They Go (“Unconditional”) - Anyway, TGD ended its penultimate episode like this… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1716602255994-9FN6YU4QQ5Z7RKM8238X/IMG_8588.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 90: Just a Song Before They Go (“Unconditional”) - And also, this. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/de75c241-c7eb-4d76-81be-53bd392683ac/TGD+S7+Unconditional+Shaun+Park+hug.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 90: Just a Song Before They Go (“Unconditional”) - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://kellimlawrence.com/stateofshea/state-of-the-shea-extra-good-forefathers-for-the-good-doctor-part-1https/kellimlawrencecom/blog-page-url/new-post-title monthly 0.5 2024-05-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/cf4c24d8-e212-4d0c-8097-215ab46ee363/TGD+100th+episode.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea EXTRA: Good Forefathers for “The Good Doctor” Part 1 - Make it stand out Members of TGD cast celebrating its 100th episode in 2022 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/ff29a8e2-a0ce-4f1c-8c1f-2497d06adaf9/Med+Drama+Cheyenne.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea EXTRA: Good Forefathers for “The Good Doctor” Part 1 - (If you’re a Gen-Xer like me saying “What the hell was Cheyenne?”-- it ran on ABC from 1955 through 1962 and was, according to Wiki, “the first hour-long Western, and the first hour-long dramatic series of any kind, with continuing characters, to last more than one season.”) (And if you happen to enjoy nerdy TV history nuggets such as that one, you’re gonna like this bonus feature I’m bringing for the duration of my TGD blog posts.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/c9c14b4e-6110-44fb-9858-7d7d7625b9c9/Med+Drama+Medic.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea EXTRA: Good Forefathers for “The Good Doctor” Part 1 - Make it stand out MEDIC Aired on: NBC Seasons: 2 (1954-56) Episodes: 59 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/20aebaf7-7a01-4f3a-8956-4d75ce51301e/Med+Drama+Dr+Kildare+3.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea EXTRA: Good Forefathers for “The Good Doctor” Part 1 - Make it stand out DR. KILDARE Aired on: NBC Seasons: 5 (1961-66) Episodes: 191 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/a1d7f78c-8a7e-41b1-9dbe-4fedcd830922/Med+Dramas+Dr+Kildare+1.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea EXTRA: Good Forefathers for “The Good Doctor” Part 1 - Like Medic, Dr. Kildare took on topics that were new to television at the time, including drug addiction, sickle cell anemia, and epilepsy. It even tried to tackle venereal disease (a.k.a Sexually Transmitted Diseases) at the request of President Lyndon Baines Johnson, but the episode was never produced due to objections from NBC. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/f5d4820b-5371-4941-92a1-469ca9d604c8/Med+Dramas+Dr+Kildare+2.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea EXTRA: Good Forefathers for “The Good Doctor” Part 1 - What Dr. Kildare DID acquire over its five years (when 32-34 episodes a season was the norm) were plenty of future hallmarks for medical dramas, including An older, wiser superior/advisor/mentor to the title character A more serialized approach to storytelling with story arcs preferred to self-contained episodes (this was more prevalent in later seasons) An impressive list of guest stars (including the legendary Fred Astaire, much to my surprise) Dr. Kildare was a top 20 ratings hit for NBC in its first three seasons, and a marketing sensation throughout (largely thanks to Chamberlain’s new “teen idol” status). MEANWHILE… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/3399d80f-642a-4102-af8a-6e2d89f1f50b/Med+Dramas+Ben+Casey+2.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea EXTRA: Good Forefathers for “The Good Doctor” Part 1 - Make it stand out BEN CASEY Aired on: ABC Seasons: 5 (1961-66) Episodes: 153 (NOTE: Kildare had more eps because it went to twin half-hour episodes per week in its final season.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/9206e7cd-b6b1-45c5-abfd-cf5d4a6998ac/Med+Dramas+Ben+Casey+1.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea EXTRA: Good Forefathers for “The Good Doctor” Part 1 - And there were distinct opening titles leading off every episode of Ben Casey; it’s the “man-woman-birth-death-infinity” chalkboard sequence you’ll see in the clip. But once that finished, viewers were thrust quickly into the world of urgent movement (hey, THERE’s a gurney!), pulsing music in 5/4 time, and innovative POV shots. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/d969b345-5adb-4d99-9198-3d22f7ee5a0b/Med+Dramas+Ben+Casey+overhead.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea EXTRA: Good Forefathers for “The Good Doctor” Part 1 - It also relied not only on real-life medical doctors for script accuracy, but technical advisors who showed the actors how to handle the medical equipment they used on the show properly. Ratings-wise, Ben Casey bore a similar story to Dr. Kildare, including top 20 finishes in its first two seasons. Merchandising tie-in opportunities were similar too. But one thing this show can claim that Kildare cannot? Its influence on prime-time cartoon TV… from The Flinstones (which aired in the ‘60s as well) to The Simpsons (which only SEEMS it’s been on TV since the 60s). Ben Casey’s been there in one form or another! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/19c91e1e-4f46-4a82-96da-942b3beeb029/Med+Drama+all+the+TVs+1.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea EXTRA: Good Forefathers for “The Good Doctor” Part 1 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://kellimlawrence.com/stateofshea/state-of-the-shea-pt-89-inner-visions-the-overview-effecthttps/kellimlawrencecom/blog-page-url/new-post-title monthly 0.5 2024-05-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/9b263ef4-7501-4bbd-a24d-e77d42507836/TGD+S7+Overview+Steve+Shaun.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 89: Inner Visions (“The Overview Effect”) - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/8e5d0d35-e7ce-49cd-92cc-f8cd4b16d27b/TGD+S7+Overview+Glass+Hannah+restaurant.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 89: Inner Visions (“The Overview Effect”) - Make it stand out Glassman and Hannah : Inches From a “Clean” Getaway (no pun intended) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/e45179d7-2284-4b02-a1ea-7d0e33b57961/TGD+S7+Overview+Hannah+Glass+Street.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 89: Inner Visions (“The Overview Effect”) - Ugh, the business card… the rope he couldn’t resist tossing her way. And now she had his number in more ways than one. (Remember that addicts hone a unique set of skills to keep themselves afloat, and one of the biggies is MANIPULATION.) She “just” needs a ride. She “just” needs a bed for a few nights (I know he offered that before she asked, but having a guilty-conscience guy drive you to a homeless camp clearly triggers things.) She can’t do rehab because the time she tried was “the worst week of her life.” She can’t do a shelter “where you don’t even have to be clean” because she knows someone who got stabbed in such a place. An answer for everything except when are you gonna stop using this clearly vulnerable man– Ah, but don’t forget, he’s a doctor. And next thing we know, he’s scared enough to risk his career to supply her with pills. When’s she gonna stop using him? She’s not. She doesn’t know how to. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/e1d68686-e1b6-43ca-867e-a79534ea1834/TGD+S7+Overview+Glassman+Hannah+OD.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 89: Inner Visions (“The Overview Effect”) - In any case, they’ve created a doozy of a dilemma for Glassman’s final days with us. Not just personally, but professionally: we all saw Glassy take Lim out of the picture last week when he hid the fact that Hannah was staying with him, but Shaun, surrogate son and keeper of precious few secrets, won’t be so easy to foil (as we’ve already seen via previews). Will they find a way to wind all this into the betrayal Glassman felt because of Sean‘s actions at the end of Season 6? (No, I’m not letting go of that bone, dammit.) Or will it be more about Glassman, the whole Glassman, and nothing but Dr. Aaron Glassman? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/6a905f68-42fd-4397-b40e-ed736a502061/TGD+S7+Overview+Hannah+Glass+post+OD.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 89: Inner Visions (“The Overview Effect”) - I can’t fathom the series will end with Glassman’s medical license revoked. Nor can I picture Hannah either dying, or having an epiphany about rehab (not yet, anyway). Kudos to TGD for creating at least one more big “what will happen” arc with a core character before it all ends. (On a sidenote, I think about that scene where Hannah overdosed, and even though it was all make-believe, how strange it must’ve been for Richard Schiff to see his real-life daughter laying in another room, pretending to have suffered an overdose! How much “acting” was needed for that?!) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/cbf65956-441f-4e2c-a03f-f0e72469980b/TGD+S7+Overview+Park+Solo.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 89: Inner Visions (“The Overview Effect”) - Make it stand out The Parnick Proposal(s) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/8d51595e-7cd2-4625-b66a-4551d30e5298/TGD+S7+Overview+Parnick+confetti.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 89: Inner Visions (“The Overview Effect”) - But it made sense that when it came to this incredibly serious step in their lives, they would both take a step back into the immature cat-and-mouse games they played when they first fell for each other: At-work karaoke, confetti cannons (okay, ONE confetti cannon), and Morgan down on one knee… but no dice. Not Park’s style. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/392b874f-36b3-4ff4-a9ef-61fe0678bc14/TGD+S7+Overview+Parnick+ring.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 89: Inner Visions (“The Overview Effect”) - In-office, apologies for round one, a cool story about a ring… this time Park was sold. (So was I.) But oops, the nonsense inscription on the ring gave her away, and Morgan crawled away with her tail between her legs… (Just kidding. She left with a toss of her hair and a quick last-word to Park’s line about sleeping in the guest room… same as it ever was.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/4ea53b39-5112-4f1a-a20d-ce93dafe6c35/TGD+S7+Overview+Parnick+one+knee.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 89: Inner Visions (“The Overview Effect”) - But when it came time to get serious about getting serious, they nailed it. (OK, it was director Tracy Taylor and scriptwriters Yaou Dou and David Hoselton that nailed it, but you know what I mean.) From the music choice (“Burning Stars” by Mimicking Birds) to Park watching Morgan dancing with Eden from afar, to us watching him join them… but not before getting down on one knee himself and clearly getting the answer she had been seeking earlier. In case it isn’t clear by now, I LOVED everything about #Parnick in this episode. I loved the comedy they provided, counterbalancing tough situations for both Glassman and #Shea (as I’m about to get into). I loved what it brought out in both characters, which is to say the things that we’ve come to appreciate most in Morgan Reznick and Alex Park. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/62973644-ab3a-4ff3-9592-6ed42e6b786a/TGD+S7+Overview+Steve+Shaun.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 89: Inner Visions (“The Overview Effect”) - Make it stand out The Steve/ASD Question https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/6743bf34-b97d-4fa5-9184-3af3395634a8/IMG_8521.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 89: Inner Visions (“The Overview Effect”) - It’s been a minute since we witnessed one of Shaun’s flashbacks, let alone felt them shape an episode of TGD. Back in S1 it was a common occurrence, giving us the backstory we needed to help understand the intriguing Dr. Murphy. But seven years later… it’s not that Shaun has outgrown the flashbacks so much as they’re far less necessary now. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/3fcdbaa7-fa08-4340-b8ef-f2f0e0c60a05/IMG_8523.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 89: Inner Visions (“The Overview Effect”) - Nothing about Shaun and Lea’s respective takes on the Steve/ASD question was that unexpected, was it? Shaun’s childhood recollections were a good bonus (I have trouble classifying them better than “good” when one involved traumatizing him with a spray bottle– stupid dad/monster/jerk– but I digress)... and Lea had more awareness than I expected about the most appropriate time to test a child, but that made sense too. It’s been on her mind dating all the way back to S4 (“Teeny Blue Eyes”), when she was pregnant the first time and asked Claire about the genetics of it all. Perhaps she breathed a small, private sigh of relief at the discovery that diagnoses typically can’t be made for the first couple of years, and had settled into the idea of “enjoying the magic of watching our baby explore the world” before Shaun’s concerns overtook the situation. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/03b6916f-25ea-4b1e-a4d8-36462571c2d5/IMG_8513.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 89: Inner Visions (“The Overview Effect”) - Then came a heart-to-heart, with Lea asking early on for a kiss (to see if Shaun was back to feeling open enough with her to oblige… he was) and then some confessions on Lea’s part about being afraid she wasn’t up to the challenge of being the parent of an ASD child, and her own spin on Glassman’s words (“That’s the thing about being afraid… it doesn’t always make sense.”) As stated during the argument, there wasn’t much of a way to compromise on this matter… (It wasn’t about trying to get used to each other’s quirks, as it was in “Two-Ply”...) So Lea found herself bending to Shaun’s request… which even HE withdrew by the end of the episode. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/35f7b6f4-0a42-43b7-8c89-b4803456af54/IMG_8512.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 89: Inner Visions (“The Overview Effect”) - It’s one of those things that, sadly, would have been so interesting to explore if TGD had been granted a couple more years on the air, and they could’ve bumped Steve’s age up a little bit to the point where they could have a conclusive test. It’d have been so interesting to see how Shaun and Lea handled it– whether Steve was on the spectrum or not. And of course they may still do something with that if there’s a time jump in the series finale… I think I alluded to that in my final wish list for the show earlier this year. But given the time they have, and the way they are choosing to tell it, I think they did a fine job… All the way to Shaun deciding it wasn’t so important to find out early after all. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/a42a2d5a-1c39-4c39-a061-7c8193fbce38/IMG_8510.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 89: Inner Visions (“The Overview Effect”) - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://kellimlawrence.com/stateofshea/state-of-the-shea-pt-88-bridges-of-faithhttps/kellimlawrencecom/blog-page-url/new-post-title monthly 0.5 2024-05-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/c9cfcf07-e536-4327-bc28-79641c72897d/TGD+S7+Faith+Shea+Nanny+Call.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 88: Bridges of “Faith” - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/cb496790-5c68-47b3-bc21-a6fc893dda07/TGD+S7+Skin+Game+Shaun+Glassman+1.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 88: Bridges of “Faith” - Shaun and Glassman’s relationship in the wake of Glassy’s abrupt surgical retirement. Shaun and Lea and Baby Steve– both in terms of parenting (together as well as individually) and in the big ASD question about Steve. Both Park and Shaun in the final months of their residency and plans for the future… (which has yet to be discussed AT ALL). Park and Morgan and whether or not they’re in it for the long haul this time. Also a couple of minor (or less major) storylines: Jordan and Kalu’s maybe-relationship building up ahead of Danny Perez’s return. Asher and Jerome’s move towards marriage (Assuming “Who at Peace” didn’t claim Asher at the end) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/d481d84d-f5e3-4f2a-a9d7-547c87d93af5/IMG_7941.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 88: Bridges of “Faith” - Instead, we got: A quick and not-so-satisfying resolution between Shaun and Glassman Shea + Steve scenes, but more often for filler than a compelling narrative Lea with not much to do; we know she’s got PLENTY on her plate but we see her pushing Steve’s stroller around St. Bons more than we see “just” Lea being a mom. First, Glassman pranking and otherwise frustrating Lim when they’re asked to work together. Then, Glassman getting his sexy on (or so we heard) with Eileen. Now it’s Glassman getting his third chance at fatherhood via Hannah. Two brand-new characters taking screen time– one who likely needs more than half a season to be fully appreciated, and one who feels utterly unnecessary by comparison. (Apologies to Wavvy Jonez if he’s reading this– HE is terrific; it’s the ever-crowded story canvas I’m speaking of here.) Lim’s mom Eileen, whose overall relevance is still TBD Asher’s brutal death and some of its aftermath (I’m curious if he’ll even get mentioned beyond the “Faith” episode) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/ce885b1c-b15c-4def-9ac7-3b1d6ca47035/TGD+S7+Faith+Carl+Jordan+1.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 88: Bridges of “Faith” - Make it stand out Jordan and her grief https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/9646b9d8-fca4-4621-9b96-a15893025dfd/IMG_8483.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 88: Bridges of “Faith” - JC:I know you’re grieving– JA: I don’t want to talk about it. JC: And you can’t understand how your friend’s death could be part of God’s plan. JA: There IS no plan. It’s a lie, and it’s cruel, And I used to believe in it SO much! Every time I lost a patient, I would tell myself it was a part of a bigger picture. I took comfort in believing that YOU were watching out for us. Even in the midst of suffering, You were working things out for our good… But it is all a lie. My friend was murdered defending one of YOUR children. YOU let him bleed out on the sidewalk all alone, and there was no one there to tell him how much he was loved! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/65ac79c8-c026-426e-bc08-f13119258ec3/IMG_8484.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 88: Bridges of “Faith” - JC: He knew. I promise. He knew. Hey, God will love you no matter what you say to him, or about him… you just need to keep talking. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/cd4711cb-e317-4f0f-8617-8e17dd2f8302/TGD+S7+Faith+Jerome+Kalu+2.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 88: Bridges of “Faith” - Make it stand out Jerome and his grief https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/14fe7a2f-74d0-4ab1-8f94-3d0df903cfe2/TGD+S7+Faith+NannyChat+2.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 88: Bridges of “Faith” - Make it stand out The Shea and Parnick Nanny War of 2024 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/36c97c67-966f-4184-8bfa-de42576569ad/TGD+S7+Faith+Nanny+war+truce.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 88: Bridges of “Faith” - As it happens, they found the ultimate compromise when Glassman and Lim approved an on-site daycare to be created. And before you can say Wait, St. Bons really had no need for a daycare program until now??? Or… Wait, none of these four employees of St. Bons thought to ASK about creating a daycare program until now???... Yeah, I agree. But as became clear in the final moments of “Faith,” it’s not about daycare, or nannies, or parenthood in general for TGD. It’s about Steve. Fun fact: if you’re looking at this shot of Lim and Glassman talking to the foursome and thinking “I don’t remember this scene,” it’s because it was deleted from the final cut of the episode. Sigh. (Thanks Naty/@TheGoodDoctorAr for that info) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/86f600a4-df75-4b78-9ce0-e7f7e05bc40f/TGD+S7+Faith+Shea+Daycare+1.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 88: Bridges of “Faith” - The entire #Shea/#Parnick dustup in “Faith” was a bridge to the question Will Steve be neurodivergent like Shaun, or neurotypical like Lea? And since the answer to that question appears to be wrapped in yet another question (How soon should Steve be tested?)... and Shaun and Lea can’t agree on that any more than they can agree on parenting styles, or housekeeping techniques, or how to cut an avocado…THERE lies the conflict that may ruffle their feathers for the duration of the series. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/939bc21b-74bf-495b-a977-6f7fe6c48524/TGD+S7+Faith+Hannah+Glassman+1.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 88: Bridges of “Faith” - Make it stand out Glassman and Hannah https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/cb8593d1-fb85-413c-ae53-ca4fe967dbee/TGD+S7+Critical+Glassman+Solo.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 88: Bridges of “Faith” - NOTE: Throughout the “Faith” episode we got inklings of another sort of bridge when Glassman was on the phone with an unknown entity, trying to obtain test results. It was set up to look as if the tests had been performed on him, and he was waiting to hear about his own fate (which leads us to immediately think of his cancer returning, as Shaun feared had happened last season). But reader Amy Danko (@FebWriter) for one– there may have been others– took note of the wording in the synopsis for TGD’s penultimate episode “Unconditional,” scheduled to air 5/14: Dr. Claire Browne returns from her work in Guatemala for a personal medical examination. Things that make you go HMMMMMM, right? Amy also noted that every time he was on the phone he identified himself as “Dr. Glassman” or “Dr. Aaron Glassman” (rather than Aaron Glassman), which further supports the idea that he was seeking information on behalf of someone else. In short– keep your jumping-to-conclusions shoes tucked away in the closet; you know how Shore and Co. get with misleading info, especially at the end of a season. (And a SERIES! Sigh) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/2eac2787-288e-47d2-a767-dc0497650916/TGD+S7+Faith+Poop+Fridge.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 88: Bridges of “Faith” - Make it stand out Med Student Dom’s New Assignment https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/edc1ac3e-41f9-4908-ac29-ccf5bcc9ebce/TGD+S6+Lim+Solo.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 88: Bridges of “Faith” - Lim’s Well-Being I know that’s a big topic to bridge (no pun intended), but we had three episodes in a row of Lim’s past, present and familial difficulties in the spotlight– so to find her simply treading water (pun sort of intended) in “Faith” was a little frustrating. But I’m gonna be patient and presume the matters brought up by Lim’s mom WILL prep her for some sort of change. I’ll even go out on a limb and dare to say it’ll be a positive sort of change. (Writers, you won’t let us down on this, right? RIGHT?) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/fd053a89-eb12-48ef-9c21-5ae446b01e9d/TGD+S7+Critical+Charlie+Solo.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 88: Bridges of “Faith” - Charlie Since She-Who-Annoys-Absolutely-Everyone wasn’t in the “Faith” episode, it’s tough to say where she’s headed. Especially since it appears her dramatic clashes with Shaun already peaked and subsided with the “Who at Peace” and “M.C.E.” episodes. But her presence has consistently been one of the most talked-about elements of S7, so I’ll bypass talking about her myself and throw these questions to you: https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/3706ed5b-9b2e-4919-bcdc-100acf035990/IMG_8491.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 88: Bridges of “Faith” - Make it stand out Never a more apropos time to say CHEESE https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/3e6ee845-e417-4dd8-aa8d-a66ef64fd9b1/TGD+S7+Faith+Shea+Daycare+2.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 88: Bridges of “Faith” - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://kellimlawrence.com/stateofshea/state-of-the-shea-pt-87-step-by-step-issue-by-issue-mcehttps/kellimlawrencecom/blog-page-url/new-post-title monthly 0.5 2024-05-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/31d74a00-f728-4881-89aa-fabda1894801/TGD+S7+MCE+Funeral+group+shot.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 87: Step by Step, Issue by Issue (“M.C.E.”) - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/45f98197-91e4-40cf-8b11-a532835d492b/TGD+S7+MCE+Asher+head+shot.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 87: Step by Step, Issue by Issue (“M.C.E.”) - I’ll refer to these issues throughout this article… ISSUE 1: ASHER’S DEATH and its current impact on everyone ISSUE 2: CHARLIE’S COMPLAINT about Shaun and how their feelings evolved as the Mass Casualty Event progressed ISSUE 3: JORDAN’S RAGE and how it evolved through the MCE ISSUE 4: LIM’S STRUGGLE to keep her head above water as patient after patient died, much as she did during those “Frontline” episodes (where she developed PTSD) ISSUE 5: SHAUN’S LEADERSHIP skills tested as Lim put him in charge of the M.C.E. (This issue will often be grouped with Issue 2.) ISSUE 6: DOM’S STRUGGLE to overcome his issues with blood (Admittedly not the same kind of “struggle” as Lim’s, but it still earned him quite a bit of screen time) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/ce0c903d-8395-4aae-9adf-3bec94c00fed/TGD+S7+MCE+Wide+shot+Jordan+podium.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 87: Step by Step, Issue by Issue (“M.C.E.”) - Make it stand out ACT 1 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1492f797-daa6-4a1c-832a-da787c4fb6d3/TGD+S7+Jordan+eulogy.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 87: Step by Step, Issue by Issue (“M.C.E.”) - “They knew one thing about Asher– one thing– and they killed him for it. Left him lying there, bleeding on the pavement. And those animals– they get to live. And now he’s dead. And I hate them! I hate them for taking my friend.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/309e2a60-ea2f-4d43-bdc5-814a5539dc27/TGD+S7+MCE+Lim+Villanueva.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 87: Step by Step, Issue by Issue (“M.C.E.”) - PAUSE. That felt kind of exploitative; this feeling that Shaun possesses a special ASD “superpower” that allows him to overcome grief and extraordinary situations in a single head rub. Just me…? But to be fair, Lim was unable to witness Shaun’s overwhelming moments several years back (in S2’s “Quarantine pts. 1 & 2), for she was in a hospital bed fighting to survive the deadly virus herself, and didn’t witness Shaun in a fetal position rocking on the floor. The move was probably intended to show us, again, how far Dr. Shaun Murphy has come since he first stepped foot in St. Bons. Fair enough. Roll the opening credits– https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/65fcf995-1ad0-4bfa-bb6f-71d5f6bc4674/TGD+S7+MCE+Park+Morgan+Jordan+Kalu.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 87: Step by Step, Issue by Issue (“M.C.E.”) - ISSUES 2 & 5 STATUS: After checking in with Villanueva, Shaun takes charge as requested. He assigns red (critical, needing surgery) tag patients to Park, Jordan, and Kalu… yellow tags (critical, not needing surgery) to Morgan… green tags (relatively minor) to Dom, and black tags (already deceased, needing to be processed) to Charlie (who takes it as an insult, go figure). And when Glassman joins the action, reminding Shaun that he can’t operate on people anymore, he is assigned to Yellow Tags. Shaun himself operates on a pregnant woman who appeared too far gone to save…until Shaun manages to deliver the baby and save its mom! But no sooner is that accomplishment completed than Shaun has to step into the next patient crisis. You can see him take a couple of slow blinks as he sets one situation behind him and moves on. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/cea570a8-53f3-46bf-b655-b9e30ec21b20/IMG_8453.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 87: Step by Step, Issue by Issue (“M.C.E.”) - Make it stand out ACT 2 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/e30bb17b-fe25-468d-b41f-163055896b9b/TGD+S7+MCE+Rabbi+Jerome.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 87: Step by Step, Issue by Issue (“M.C.E.”) - Make it stand out ACT 3 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/b3300833-7fd0-456b-b29a-424390ab414a/TGD+S7+Glassy+Charlie.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 87: Step by Step, Issue by Issue (“M.C.E.”) - Make it stand out ACT 4 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/78fd9280-1187-4a7a-a533-60ea0ed4c5d6/IMG_8458.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 87: Step by Step, Issue by Issue (“M.C.E.”) - ISSUE 4 STATUS: It would be wonderful if Lim could save someone amid three different surgeries, but this time she’s losing a man that, to her, looks like Asher. So she’s all the more invested in his recovery. G-R-E-A-T. (Aside from the facial hair, I didn’t see a resemblance at ALL. Was that the point, though? I don’t know…) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1714525864430-J13VZEZTHDVPET9IQBKW/IMG_8448.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 87: Step by Step, Issue by Issue (“M.C.E.”) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1714525864600-2QOORVDJM4T7RSWGFLV7/IMG_8449.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 87: Step by Step, Issue by Issue (“M.C.E.”) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1714525867144-QHSRSS6SA5SVYMNZEBCF/IMG_8450.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 87: Step by Step, Issue by Issue (“M.C.E.”) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/47fd763b-abc1-4bf4-b519-554f8a71bf16/TGD+S7+MCE+Shaun+Charlie+Not+Dead+2.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 87: Step by Step, Issue by Issue (“M.C.E.”) - Make it stand out ACT 5 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/15803e7b-93c8-4983-9daa-a3b95dae127f/IMG_8470.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 87: Step by Step, Issue by Issue (“M.C.E.”) - ISSUE 4: Lim loses Patient #3 on the day, and as his face rushes to mind, it continues to feel like she’s trying to save Asher himself. Good Lord, that poor woman. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/4690d52b-f4b2-410d-8c36-38ed06d8e643/IMG_8464.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 87: Step by Step, Issue by Issue (“M.C.E.”) - ISSUE 6: Dom’s Panic Guy keeps bleeding, and bleeding, and then passes out; Dom again calls desperately for assistance that isn’t anywhere nearby… …but he’s near a supply station, and he grabs a few things (catheters) and goes to work as best he can. (Without retching OR fainting, thank you very much.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/0c87804a-fc06-4376-95eb-cd80e04b3233/IMG_8468.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 87: Step by Step, Issue by Issue (“M.C.E.”) - ISSUES 2 and 5: Shaun and Charlie FINALLY work together when Shaun determines their patient’s aorta is about to rupture. Still, He literally turns and looks all around him before turning back to Charlie (RIGHT IN FRONT OF HIM) and declaring she’s the only one available to help him. Their intensified focus— sponsored by ASD, and also an unspoken decision to stop bitching about each other– brings Act 5 to a close. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/61b13383-212c-447f-b544-956b960cb20e/TGD+S7+MCE+Jerome+Jordan.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 87: Step by Step, Issue by Issue (“M.C.E.”) - Make it stand out ACT 6 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/86176daf-15a3-451d-a7b3-15fed2ffa9bb/TGD+S7+MCE+Group+Shot+at+End.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 87: Step by Step, Issue by Issue (“M.C.E.”) - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://kellimlawrence.com/stateofshea/tv5b48s0n16dux98l1496dl9mqwnrghttps/kellimlawrencecom/blog-page-url/new-post-title monthly 0.5 2024-04-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1714191382294-S4SAJLCBKE8LGXVI9L4K/image-asset.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of THE BLOGS: A (very brief) Questionnaire - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://kellimlawrence.com/stateofshea/state-of-the-shea-pt-86-who-at-peace-who-indeedhttps/kellimlawrencecom/blog-page-url/new-post-title monthly 0.5 2024-04-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/eccdde0a-8274-4ebf-bf9a-1dd5683edae5/TGD+S7+Who+Peace+Called+911.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 86: “Who At Peace”…? Who Indeed! - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/da666b68-6611-4dc5-b1d7-78c339dedf41/TGD+S7+Who+Peace+Jasher+Spat.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 86: “Who At Peace”…? Who Indeed! - Shaun/Lea struggle with Steve “Crying it out” while Shaun struggles with Charlie… again… all the way to her filing a complaint Glassman/Eileen “Getting it on,” much to Lim’s chagrin Lim admitting to being at a crossroads with her personal and professional desires (WTF, Clay moved out??) Asher with a return to the cynicism we saw from him late in season 6; unfortunately this time it’s ill-timed with Jerome’s plans to propose… but also this time, Asher grows inspired enough to get his heart and head together, and then OH MY GOD THEY KILLED ASHER. (You bastards!) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/8cb4d7e2-89b9-4529-8933-f8fc92666d4e/IMG_8338.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 86: “Who At Peace”…? Who Indeed! Shaun and Lea were in the midst of sleep training with Steve (AKA the “cry it out” technique). Shaun fared better than Lea, thanks to earplugs and an appreciation for the process (and also not having maternal instincts). Shaun’s lack of sleep may have made him more irritable in the OR the next day, resulting in his banishing Charlie when she became more than he could handle (see below)… but odds are strong it would have happened anyway. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/7e985df7-0ef3-4615-b8d1-2f899123df96/TGD+S7+Who+Peace+Lim+Mom+Glass.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 86: “Who At Peace”…? Who Indeed! - Glassman and Eileen were smitten with each other, and Lim was less than thrilled. But while reconciling the Mom she knows with the one Glassman sees, she opened up about the end of her relationship with Clay and her feelings of loneliness. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/8d1a9831-746b-42d8-9224-9a7e0a7b546a/TGD+S7+Who+Peace+Charlie+Shaun.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 86: “Who At Peace”…? Who Indeed! - Shaun and Charlie continued to clash whenever she was assigned to him. Though there were initially a few improvements to their dynamic, things came to a head when Charlie got the OR nurses to accept the way she’d laid out equipment*, resulting in a time-consuming mistake and Charlie being booted from said OR. She later filed a formal complaint with HR regarding her “hero.” *This part of the story didn’t make sense to me– why would the nurses take direction from a med student?-- but there isn’t time to dive into the Shaun/Charlie thing this time around. The next post (about the “M.C.E.” episode) will have room, hopefully… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1713671698457-BW5BJSTPD7T26IV7IVCK/IMG_8330.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 86: “Who At Peace”…? Who Indeed! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1713671698500-2EZAJT88MXY9XJHFY7SB/IMG_8331.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 86: “Who At Peace”…? Who Indeed! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1713671699470-OJRHH7ISOGVZQ7FVUFE1/IMG_8332.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 86: “Who At Peace”…? Who Indeed! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1713671699677-QDWW16RE2NTBN2AN7AWH/IMG_8333.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 86: “Who At Peace”…? Who Indeed! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/24a1da25-4a4d-4979-8a9c-b54a05c2a53f/TGD+S7+Who+Peace+Jasher+kiss.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 86: “Who At Peace”…? Who Indeed! - He’d been a solid addition to St. Bonaventure ever since his debut in S4, and we’d witnessed him in all seasons: silly, sad, bold, bewildered, determined… and perhaps the best was a man in love. Many viewers (me included) were looking SO forward to a #Jasher engagement, or even a #Jasher wedding in a timehop situation, by series end. But this picture– from just after Scott and Ronit’s wedding, mere hours before Jerome planned to propose– is as close as we get now. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/75f88bac-a5a3-4c3b-90ae-7590ecc8215b/TGD+S4+Dr.+Ted+.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 86: “Who At Peace”…? Who Indeed! - While a “shocking” development was not advertised with the “Dr. Ted” episode (original air date: 5/10/21), they’d ended the previous episode with pregnant Lea down on the pavement and Shaun shouting for help… so our guard was up. As we got into “Dr. Ted” it gave us much-ado-about-nothing vibes for a while, keeping things light, having both Lea and Shaun buoyed by friends and colleagues (remember Jordan’s story about the runaway bunny?). But then the pacing felt off… as if Lea should’ve had the all-clear by a certain point, but didn’t… next then we knew, everything became unbearably heavy. If you were watching TGD back in S4 I’m sure you remember… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/c72daec7-7336-4614-aaf2-651ed2570db1/TGD+S7+Who+Peace+Jasher+Side+Eye+maybe.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 86: “Who At Peace”…? Who Indeed! - Even the storyline with Asher and the engaged patients (Scott and Ronit) had a curious sort of lightness to it. Yeah, Asher was getting his grouch on in triplicate at first– Phony May-December couple… Willing to pursue a conversion to (his former) faith… All for that outdated institution known as marriage (that his own true love was quite interested in) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/d30ee31b-ba85-48d8-8c20-aa3eb5f80782/TGD+S7+Who+Peace+wedding.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 86: “Who At Peace”…? Who Indeed! - But it all melted away as He came to see his patients’ love as genuine He felt a potential reconciliation with Judaism after talking to the Rabbi He decided moving forward with Jerome was the most important thing to him By the time POTW Scott was triumphantly stomping on the glass at the end of the wedding ceremony, and joy was reflected on every guest’s face, it was so tempting to think That ‘shock” we’re supposed to get must be overblown. It’s gotta have something to do with this couple, right? Or maybe the Rabbi? Maybe the Rabbi. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/9114a98b-ae39-4710-bc7b-f5d2e789baef/TGD+S7+Who+Peace+Asher+Rabbi.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 86: “Who At Peace”…? Who Indeed! - Make it stand out Opinion: They didn’t have to do it this way. If the real-life situation required Asher Wolke to leave San Jose early, why not have him and Jerome leave together for some reason? It goes back to the question I’ve seen posted repeatedly by the past few weeks: Why couldn’t they have a happy ending? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1713755215902-C09PY7DXOGLO7XCU59PE/IMG_8355.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 86: “Who At Peace”…? Who Indeed! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1713755215759-LCDWN30M84W8OO4MGVFC/IMG_8356.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 86: “Who At Peace”…? Who Indeed! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1713755218586-LJTP4TG9YVP64Z1G5AQ7/IMG_8358.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 86: “Who At Peace”…? Who Indeed! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1713755491155-KUZPLZIA6A7OYDSXK4WC/IMG_8359.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 86: “Who At Peace”…? Who Indeed! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/d5e8c7d1-2723-4f95-951b-48db1d987985/TGD+S7+Cast+Photo+no+Asher.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 86: “Who At Peace”…? Who Indeed! - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://kellimlawrence.com/stateofshea/state-of-the-shea-pt-85-five-shades-of-date-nighthttps/kellimlawrencecom/blog-page-url/new-post-title monthly 0.5 2024-04-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/0c9bc20b-66c0-466f-9672-e5bc85a9f96c/TGD+S7+Date+Night+Shaun+Lea.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 85: Five Shades of “Date (Night)” - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/00d6669c-03d0-4984-9af5-5e0f69708dc5/IMG_8207.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 85: Five Shades of “Date (Night)” - FIRST, THOUGH, LET’S ADDRESS ONE UNKNOWN THAT WAS NOT EMBRACED IN THIS EPISODE… How would Shaun deal with Dom’s hemophobia? It was the first time we’d seen Dom on Team Murphy, but Dom miraculously made it through the rebar removal and surgery without a single retch or fainting spell. (And the second surgery– the one Shaun decided on after determining his POTW did not have early-onset Alzheimers after all– happened entirely offscreen.) I get it– the show had bigger plotlines to carry out this time around. But it felt like a disservice to Charlie that the “other” med student looked comparatively perfect alongside Shaun when we all know Dom has his own set of issues. How would Shaun have handled it? Would he have told Dom he “shouldn’t be a surgeon either” (as he’s already told Charlie)? Nah. He’d at least rattle off a list of remedies first. Of course the funniest part of that potential dialogue is Dom saying “I know (I shouldn’t be a surgeon)! I’m just trying to get through this rotation the best I can.” To which Shaun might toss off one of his “Hmm”s. Think we’ll ever get to find out for sure? Hmm. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/ce12a21f-0611-4e45-b46a-f1ab59054ed4/TGD+S7+Date+Night+Mom+Lim.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 85: Five Shades of “Date (Night)” - ANOTHER “UNKNOWN” (for now) NOT EMBRACED... What’s the deal with Lim and her mother? Dr. Audrey Lim has been a fixture in the St. Bon’s hierarchy almost as long as Glassman has (for the purposes of this show, anyway). She’s dedicated, hard-working, responsible to a fault… but save for a half-dozen or so episodes through the years that cast a bright light on her mental well-being and/or social life (or lack thereof), it’s something of a mystery what makes this superwoman tick. When I saw that Lim’s mother was going to be making an appearance– now, with only a half-dozen episodes remaining on the series– I was intrigued. When I watched Eileen (played by Bess Armstrong, who has appeared on everything from My So-Called Life to The Nanny to Grey’s Anatomy) and Lim interact on “Date Night,” I was downright giddy with the realization that “Mom” was appearing in not one episode, but FOUR! This could get quite interesting…! And then I saw Eileen/Mom interact with Dr. Aaron Glassman, and my head kind of exploded. So let’s start this “Date” list with them… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/11be46af-d267-4188-bf02-643100d5968b/TGD+S7+Date+Night+Glass+Lim+Mom.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 85: Five Shades of “Date (Night)” - Make it stand out Glassman/Eileen (a.k.a. Lim’s Mom) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/06be443f-85aa-4c91-abe1-f859182d1cb3/TGD+S7+Date+Night+Jordan+Jared.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 85: Five Shades of “Date (Night)” - Make it stand out Kalu/Jordan https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/db1cc959-92c6-4ba3-a7a0-e1e00e8ab063/IMG_8240.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 85: Five Shades of “Date (Night)” - Make it stand out Jerome/Asher https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/5731d293-3e39-47b6-ade2-979228d4174e/IMG_8202.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 85: Five Shades of “Date (Night)” - Make it stand out Park/Morgan https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/43e4a406-5366-4331-9adb-37f157c4e07e/IMG_8217.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 85: Five Shades of “Date (Night)” - Attempt #2 was said supply closet, which was desperation at its peak (active vacuum cleaners, collapsing shelves, “do you smell ammonia?”). The ammonia finally did them in and they gave up, emerging from the closet smelling “lemony” (according to Charlie). Some advice to #Parnick here: do a better job of vetting the supply closets in the future. As I recall, #Jasher found an ideal one in last year’s episode “A Big Sign”... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/582a410a-e91d-438f-8bb0-9f3ce328a848/IMG_8235.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 85: Five Shades of “Date (Night)” - Attempt #3 was the two of them pulling up to the house at the end of the day with Morgan feeling a little defeated… until Park name-drops his ex-wife (Mia) in a reassurance effort that goes wrong almost immediately. Or does it? For Morgan goes “from zero to bitch in 5 seconds” (Park’s words) and about five seconds after that, they’re going at it passionately in the car. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/aeafffb9-e4b2-4d36-8755-1a31bb0431c0/IMG_8229.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 85: Five Shades of “Date (Night)” - Make it stand out Shaun/Lea https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/e41db87a-33c1-4561-9e85-270169299978/TGD+S7+Date+Night+Shaun+Steve.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 85: Five Shades of “Date (Night)” - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://kellimlawrence.com/stateofshea/awcahaukueyih9hj06gv4be598hj7vhttps/kellimlawrencecom/blog-page-url/new-post-title monthly 0.5 2024-04-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/58c5065d-334e-4de5-b347-84f257a0c536/TGD+S7+Critical+Lea+Shaun+Glass.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 84: In Search of Those Needing “Critical Support” - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/4907a2a3-97e5-466c-a844-2b22878f666a/TGD+S7+Critical+Support+Jasher+1.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 84: In Search of Those Needing “Critical Support” - “... It’s the next big step to something you’re not sure you want.” — Kalu to Asher, regarding the latter’s aversion to hanging with Jerome’s family I’m starting with the #Jasher developments of the episode because they were both relatively minor in nature, and the least connected to other storylines… though I wonder if that will still be the case given what we know thus far of the “Who at Peace” and “M.C.E.” episodes. (I’m late on writing this update, but it’s still before seeing “Who at Peace” on 4/2.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/69386774-070c-4e74-8e0d-20370999bdba/TGD+S7+Critical+Support+Park+Dom+Jerome.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 84: In Search of Those Needing “Critical Support” - “Okay. Let’s go save a hand.” – Park to Dom It can’t be easy being med student Dominick Hubank. Not only is he struggling to get a grip on his hemophobia as he puts himself through the paces of this surgical round of study… he’s a big guy somehow caught in the shadow of his diminutive, loquacious classmate. So when he talks, I listen with both ears– whether he’s keeping it real with Morgan (more on that shortly), or having little heart-to-hearts with Park. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/6ce6c1f3-b4f1-4fd5-814a-77b6211b3d48/TGD+S7+Critical+Support+Parnick+Eden.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 84: In Search of Those Needing “Critical Support” - “Think of me like Bill Bellichek but meaner and with better hair.” Morgan to Dom On paper, Morgan’s dilemma about assigning the best guardian(s) for Eden looks like a match for the “critical support” theme. And dialogue-wise, Morgan’s key scenes provided several of my favorites for the episode. But as a whole, I had trouble with it. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/aced77a4-eea0-487e-b824-e8859fda1070/IMG_8118.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 84: In Search of Those Needing “Critical Support” - Part 3. Morgan (and Eden, this time in a front-carrier) shows up in the gallery during one of Park’s surgeries, where Dom is observing and answering questions Park is lobbing his way. Next thing we know, Morgan’s muting the room (at first glance I thought she’d locked them in there!) and pitching a new question: How’s Park as a professor? Her demand for “Blunt, brutal honesty” leads to Dom giving a stunningly detailed narration of Parnick history… which further leads to Dom re-asserting Park’s awesomeness as a professor, calling him a “great guy who’ll be a great dad, stepdad, or whatever label you need him to be for you.” (NOTE: I love the way Eden was riveted to Dom’s every word in this scene) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/a4b1e195-d34f-4d45-b7f4-eeb7b69f78c9/TGD+S7+Critical+Support+Glass+Lim+pool+table.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 84: In Search of Those Needing “Critical Support” - “Not my first rodeo.”— Glassman to Lim The dueling co-presidents storyline continued, and I’ll go ahead and say the one in critical need of support here is Lim– at least, to her way of thinking. Glassman has settled into a groove with this gig, one that involves pool tables and letting the less important issues drift into the ether… and “being an ass” (to offer a Lim-to-Glassman quote). Lim, as we well know, tends to take on more than her share with a “somebody’s got to do it” mindset that has gotten her in trouble in the past (as MamaLim reminds us in “Date Night” – my review of that episode still to come, obviously). And here, in “Critical Support,” she was hitting her boiling point. Between you and me… when she offered to help Park with his surgery, saying she had time because “That’s what CO-presidents are for” (meaning Glassman)... I half-expected her to say something like that straight to her co-prez’s face, just to cruelly rub it in that he’s no longer able to help with ANY surgery. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1af23de4-35fa-47cc-9c85-269f97e75182/TGD+S7+Lim+Glass+Charlie+elevator.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 84: In Search of Those Needing “Critical Support” - But she didn’t, and their mutual let’s-call-this-whole-thing-off routine near the end of the episode was quite civil… but then they saw Charlie looking like a sad rag doll in the elevator, and it quickly became clear that mom and dad weren’t getting divorced after all. Because… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/5c28dcc4-28ec-40e4-9377-c3e777d295a4/TGD+S7+Critical+Support+Glass+Lim+Shaun+1.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 84: In Search of Those Needing “Critical Support” - “I’m sure you believe that, Shaun, but it’s simply not true.” - Lim to Shaun Conflicting advice aside, Glassman and Lim found themselves juggling both the “critical” AND the “support” when it came to the Shaun and Charlie situation. It was THE time for the co-presidents to get on the same page and tell Shaun what he needed to hear, and they said much that needed to be said right there, in those two minutes: https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/82c61075-0f4b-498c-babc-b55f089d179f/TGD+S7+Critical+Support+Kayla+kicked+out.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 84: In Search of Those Needing “Critical Support” - Speaking of TGD’s resident Swiftie… What an up and down (and then WAY down) episode for Charlie. By the time we got to her final conversation in Shaun’s office, that “Top or bottom?” question she inappropriately chirped to Asher early in the show felt light-years away. For then came her streak of interrupting and ill-advised directions… (“Please, can’t you just… be quiet?”) Then came her (also ill-advised) explanation of why the things she “did wrong” weren’t actually mistakes… (“I understand that ASD is considered a disability, but you are capable of being silent. If you want to remain on this case, that is what I expect of you. To observe and nothing else. Do you understand?”) Then things finally looked on the upswing for her, when her curiosity finally scored her bonus points in the OR… (Shaun’s wary “Do it quietly”-- instructing her on feeling up the “live organ” like an exasperated parent– made me smile with the hope he might be on the way to cutting her a little more slack.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/6d15bfc8-4fe8-4153-86fd-21aa0c351d4d/IMG_8124.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 84: In Search of Those Needing “Critical Support” - But then he had to go and say the worst thing later on…about how someday she’d make an “excellent pathologist.” (SEE? Charlie doesn’t even know the history involved in that comment, and yet she knew to feel like she’d been sucker-punched when she heard it.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1712108061898-CEG0TV4XHR8GOE1THMHL/IMG_8129.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 84: In Search of Those Needing “Critical Support” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1712108061956-R0KMEQNSZB0L1EY21Y4D/IMG_8128.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 84: In Search of Those Needing “Critical Support” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1712108064418-LQVB9AU999X6QWICS8HZ/IMG_8133.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 84: In Search of Those Needing “Critical Support” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1712108064756-WAWZLTEVV8SAUKVLP16U/IMG_8131.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 84: In Search of Those Needing “Critical Support” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/098806a4-9cee-48ef-b202-f60063ede9d2/IMG_8135.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 84: In Search of Those Needing “Critical Support” - Maybe– and I hope this is it, for it would be even more of a “full circle” experience than it already has proven to be– his feelings have to do with some sort of reckoning about what it is to have ASD. What it means to justify your actions (attributing it to ASD) vs. being required to adapt for NT majority. What it truly means to him to be someone’s “hero”... meaning the barriers he has broken down, the pathway he’s made easier. To be able to acknowledge that there WERE some who “made it easier” for him… Glassman, Lim, Andrews… and all his colleagues (Claire, Morgan, Jared, Park). But don’t ask me how they’ll get to there from here just yet— I’ve no idea! And Lord knows I might just have the overthinking cap on too tight again. (What do YOU think of the “Critical Support” episode of TGD? Hit up the comments and share your thoughts!) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/65f4a09c-3e2c-4fbc-8294-4475ec1b265f/IMG_8134.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 84: In Search of Those Needing “Critical Support” - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://kellimlawrence.com/stateofshea/state-of-the-shea-pt-83-the-skin-youre-in-skin-in-the-gamehttps/kellimlawrencecom/blog-page-url/new-post-title monthly 0.5 2024-04-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/71cc55b8-63d7-43be-8221-06f95984b8ef/TGD+S7+Skin+Game+Shaun+Glassman+1.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 83: The “Skin” You’re In (“Skin in the Game”) - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/dade33ec-933f-4325-9c01-3073085c1646/TGD+Make+Way+For+Ducklings.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 83: The “Skin” You’re In (“Skin in the Game”) - Make it stand out This is a sculpture by Nancy Schön, which recreates the duck family in Robert McCloskey's children's classic. It’s been a part of Boston’s Public Garden since 1987. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/d32cdb9d-1ddc-4745-b448-856e74349164/TGD+S7+Skin+Game+Dom+Bridge.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 83: The “Skin” You’re In (“Skin in the Game”) - DOMINICK “Dom” HUBANK Known as “the Dominator” in his football days, Dom came across in his first St. Bons days as eager to learn and grow, though relatively soft-spoken. He’s a big guy, but for now, he may nonetheless find himself in classmate Charlie’s shadow. (To be fair, even the SUN might find itself in Charlie’s shadow. More on her in a moment.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/7b4d06ea-2077-4152-9baa-e9d81e9e8470/TGD+S7+Skin+Game+Dom+passes+out.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 83: The “Skin” You’re In (“Skin in the Game”) - Given his size, Dom’s acute case of hemophobia (fear of blood) made for a great sight gag in the “Skin” episode… but how prominent will it be and should it be throughout his St. Bon’s tenure? I’m glad he was given an in-a-pinch coping mechanism via the glove snap technique, but he’ll need to learn to manage this fear comprehensively going forward. Hopefully we’ll see signs of such going forward without it dominating (forgive the pun) his entire story arc. Is his interest in medicine as strong as that of the brother he mentioned? Or is he struggling at all to uphold the promise he made to his mom? Those are the things I’m most interested in with Dom. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/cb199551-207b-4e23-b1f4-56f64e4a7769/TGD+S7+Skin+Game+Charlie+Bridge.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 83: The “Skin” You’re In (“Skin in the Game”) - CHARLOTTE “Charlie” LUKAITIS Maybe this comes as no surprise if you watched the episode I watched, but the introduction of Charlie left even more of that “farewell season” bittersweet taste in my mouth… wishing futilely that we had a TGD Season 8 to look forward to. What a presence! What fun they’ll surely have writing for her! What havoc and heartbreak she’s likely to encounter with Shaun as she becomes familiar with the adage “Never meet your heroes”...! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/15b2d960-3434-4858-8c05-643dba3c6d5f/TGD+S7+Skin+Game+Charlie+solo.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 83: The “Skin” You’re In (“Skin in the Game”) - Noteworthy similarities– and glaring differences– shimmered between Shaun and Charlie from the moment they first shared the screen. And Shaun is at the perfect point in his life journey to take only what he wants from this new relationship: the unbridled adulation. (Compliments may be difficult for him– as he stated several seasons ago– but this kind of appreciation for his unique gifts must be intoxicating on some level.) But the comparisons between 2017 Shaun and 2024 Charlie were being drawn– by us, by Kalu– before we were halfway through the episode. They weren’t damning comparisons; on the contrary, they were rather endearing at this point. But as with so many things, Shaun saw it– saw her– differently. Full-circle situation, anyone? More about Shaun later. NOTE: Did you notice that Charlie shares a last name with the man to whom TGD paid tribute in the season premiere? Paul Lukaitis was a stage manager for the show until cancer claimed his life last fall. You can read more about him here. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/153f9f55-2d5a-46aa-a6c6-2c71591e2bb1/TGD+S7+Skin+Game+Park+Solo+2.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 83: The “Skin” You’re In (“Skin in the Game”) - PARK’S “TRICKY” BRAIN TUMOR SURGERY Either Park gets stuck with tougher decisions than fellow attending Shaun, or he’s considerably less decisive… for this episode marked at least the second time Park has leaned on Lim for guidance and been told Nope, I can’t make that call for you, figure it out. Figure it out he did, and succeed big time he did as well, but I had mixed feelings about this case. POTW Sal the Gambler (played by House alumna Peter Jacobson) was not particularly likeable due in part to his gambling addiction… but Park essentially daring the man to give him a reason to perform an extremely high-risk operation on his brain was problematic, to say the least. (The writers covering their butts with exchanges like “This doesn’t seem ethical”/It’s not” didn’t cut it for me.) It got even stranger when Sal’s “reason” actually proved to be good enough for Park– the reason, if you’ll recall, was I don’t want to die. (FUN FACT for those of you who grew up in the Chicago area… Peter Jacobson, AKA Sal, is the son of longtime WBBM anchorman Walter Jacobson!) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/0e273a40-3f3b-4b7d-9c1d-1d1039d8c170/IMG_7928.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 83: The “Skin” You’re In (“Skin in the Game”) - Did Park think Sal had a death wish until that point? Or was it THAT important for him to hear Sal make a promise to turn his life around that he was unlikely to keep (because of the whole messy addiction matter)? I recognize that Park is a doctor unafraid of climbing his moral high horse for a trip around the grounds every now and again, but from the exchange I just mentioned to the one post-suregery– where it became all the clearer that Sal’s gambling days were not behind him after all– the whole case had a disconcerting vibe about it. Having said all that, I have some ideas as to why TGD laid this story out as it did. The basics of it, anyway. And they might just make a whole lot of sense. (I’ll circle back to this too.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/46a9dbad-e76b-4c1e-9ec8-163eaba06690/TGD+S7+Skin+Game+Shaun+w+POTW.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 83: The “Skin” You’re In (“Skin in the Game”) - 1) His investment in his POTW Rich, who had silicosis and needed a dual lung transplant. Season 7 Shaun is so confident and self-assured, he managed to help salvage RIch’s relationship with his daughter and brag about his empathy skills later! (But, um, did you notice that he still delivered that initial “You need a dual lung transplant” news the same way he might say “You should avoid spicy foods for the next two weeks”? Yeah, Shaun’s still gonna Shaun.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/509e720b-9d04-4e06-8b2f-5674d2c5e2ee/TGD+S7+Ski%10n+Game+S%10haun+solo.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 83: The “Skin” You’re In (“Skin in the Game”) - 2) His investment in Charlie. What investment, you ask? Back in S3, when Shaun had the opportunity to grab the spotlight (in 3 x 14 “Influence”), he declined… telling Glassman he wanted to be known as “a good doctor, not a good autistic doctor.” But what he didn’t realize was that his (unplanned) viral moments from a few years earlier would come to influence at least one other person on the spectrum… much less that she’d be all but kneeling at his feet one day hoping for any crumb of guidance he was willing to toss her way! So his first round with Charlie put him in the driver’s seat in a way we’ve never seen before. Was it because he’s never had an underling make such egregious errors? Or does knowing she’s on the spectrum too make him want to push her harder…? There’s plenty of time for him to give voice to the latter… even if he hasn’t quite figured out his feelings yet. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/979edc1e-6abb-4b1f-a8c7-e523dd0cf1e7/TGD+S7+Skin+Game+Shaun+Charlie+OR+2.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 83: The “Skin” You’re In (“Skin in the Game”) - But I hope there’s a scene coming where Shaun tells Charlie about his toy scalpel. Because if he could’ve worn that scalpel as a piece of jewelry, he might have contaminated his first surgical area too.* *= On second thought…I think TGD took some artistic license with Charlie’s “earrings” scene… such jewelry is required to be either covered by the surgical cap or removed completely, isn’t it? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/86f38cf0-f704-4cf2-a9e7-489d3b30c07b/IMG_7925.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 83: The “Skin” You’re In (“Skin in the Game”) - I mentioned last time that Shaun was perhaps as mad at Glassman now (about boycotting Steve’s birth) as Glassman was about Shaun’s role in his forced surgical retirement. Taking care of Steve must’ve melted some ice in Glassy’s heart, for one week later it felt as if Shaun was carrying almost ALL the anger: “Don’t you think we should move past this stuff?” Glassman asked Shaun, adding “I’m trying to… I’m the one who should be mad at you.” “You should have met Steve on the day he was born,” Shaun countered. “Yes, I should’ve done that,” Glassman admits before also recalling his humiliation that involved Shaun. “Did you forget that?” he asked. Without reacting or responding to Glassman’s question, Shaun said “That… is not an apology” before storming out. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/3db76e71-f809-4de0-87df-04ccdd74cfed/IMG_7945.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 83: The “Skin” You’re In (“Skin in the Game”) - Just a handful of family-related conversations later, we saw Shaun not only showing up at Morgan’s “Sip & See” party after all, but initiating a conversation with Glassman that led to the apology Shaun desired… even if it was, technically, an apology to the little peanut in Shaun’s arms that hasn’t a clue yet what’s going on. Yet it’s pretty clear Shaun sees no reason to acknowledge his role in what happened between them. Are we supposed to conclude that Glassman’s absence at the birth is considered Shaun’s penance? Given how big a deal it is for Shaun to apologize for his actions— last year’s storyline with Lim being an example— I have a problem with that. BUT… I also have a theory. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/26f3b6eb-f1c5-49ef-ac57-3855c3ac4d60/TGD+S7+Skin+Game+Glassman+Gallery.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 83: The “Skin” You’re In (“Skin in the Game”) - Both operations in the “Skin” episode seemed bigger than usual for attendings to handle. Yet Shaun’s dual lung transplant was such a non-event it was handled entirely off-camera (remember it was the earlier procedure on POTW Rich that got Charlie kicked out of the OR), and Park’s super high-risk brain surgery was ultimately completed without a hitch. It never got mentioned in the episode that this kind of surgery had previously been Glassman’s specialty. That, had Sal the Gambler turned up at St. Bon’s six weeks earlier, Park wouldn’t have spent hours at the teaching simulator trying to perfect his technique because he likely would have, at best, been assisting Glassman. It never got mentioned, but did you notice who’d joined the onlookers by the time the gallery showered Park with applause? (HINT: it’s the one who was forced into surgical retirement.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/709422d5-df3c-47e1-8710-48a2719c25a8/IMG_7927.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 83: The “Skin” You’re In (“Skin in the Game”) - In between non-ethical conversations with his patient and agonizing practice sessions on the simulator with Dom passing out behind him (at the sight of FAKE blood!)... we were treated to a lovely late-night pep talk from Park’s blonder half. Which means they’ve each had a turn now at building up each other and/or fortifying the relationship since getting back together. Overall, it still feels like Park builds up Morgan more than vice-versa, but maybe that’s because she’s had more on her plate with a) trying to get pregnant and then b) becoming an “instant mother”. All in all, #Parnick is still moving in the right direction. But it’s early. If I’m right about the neurosurgeon thing, I wonder how it would factor into this relationship… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/a589a020-315e-4051-8709-0c814c0bdade/TGD+S7+Skin+Game+Lim+Glassman+Binders.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 83: The “Skin” You’re In (“Skin in the Game”) - PRESIDENTIAL PRANKS (For neither Lim nor Glassman want ANY “skin” in this game) For now, it’s hijinks time for these two, as neither wants to do things the way the other one does (working together for Lim, divide-and-conquer for Glassman). It’s hard to say what the end goal is here; even if the presidency returns in full to Glassman (as I predicted), there’s no clear path to that at the moment. Will these two just pass the ball back and forth for a while, treading water until later in the season? Or will their differences fade to the back burner as other challenges await? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/16694f5a-9ae3-4505-8d77-73be5a761cda/IMG_7919.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 83: The “Skin” You’re In (“Skin in the Game”) - I have to say that, for now, I enjoy this dynamic between them. But just as Lim called out Park and Morgan years ago when their (pre-declaration of love) antics escalated… the fun only goes so far, especially in a hospital setting. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/0c0cca43-4bb1-4e2f-8897-781acfe0d14a/IMG_7914.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 83: The “Skin” You’re In (“Skin in the Game”) - Finally, let’s move on to the STATE OF THE #SHEA Or, more to the point in this episode, the State of New Mom Lea. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/cd456bed-311e-4ad1-8bee-6dd5fe2233c3/IMG_7915.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 83: The “Skin” You’re In (“Skin in the Game”) - TGD Showrunner Liz Friedman indicated that Lea’s breastfeeding woes were inspired by a friend of Friedman’s who went through something similar as a new mom. And while I had a somewhat different issue back when I was nursing my two kids– look up “latch-on difficulties” if you’re curious– I felt that same sense of failure. (I’d say it really sucks, but…) Shaun was always going to have a limited ability to understand her frustration (as might any husband), so it was the perfect time to get Morgan to get involved. I’ll never get tired of Lea/Morgan conversations (probably because there haven’t been enough of them), so having Morgan talk Lea off that mountain was an absolute treat. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/0780a17b-db2c-400d-a937-1026f98f91d3/IMG_7930.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 83: The “Skin” You’re In (“Skin in the Game”) - Or was she talking Lea off a molehill, considering she called her “raisin boobs”? (By the way–imagine Paige Spara reading through this script for the first time and discovering that line being written to describe HER body…! Yikes.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/71ee42c1-629e-4924-b091-aeedafedf659/IMG_7939.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 83: The “Skin” You’re In (“Skin in the Game”) - One more thing about this storyline… I had to chuckle about the whole idea of Steve being underweight because, for obvious reasons, Steve is played by a baby that is much older than 3 weeks. Who looks to be a healthy weight. If Lea is now supplementing with formula, “Steve” might be big enough to roll out of Mom’s arms and start toddling towards the fishbowl the next time we see him! Sorry, another “one more thing” about the storyline… They showed Morgan handing a champagne flute (or wine glass, or whatever) to Lea at the party as she demonstrated one of the benefits of supplementing. I wish they’d also given Morgan a line about “pumping and dumping,” which is shorthand in English for taking care of your nursing needs while consuming alcohol, or certain medications, or even being away from your baby for an extended period of time. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/770724cc-c800-4079-97b3-a795374c517b/IMG_7949.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 83: The “Skin” You’re In (“Skin in the Game”) - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://kellimlawrence.com/stateofshea/state-of-the-shea-pt-82-steve-amp-eden-amp-jack-baby-baby-babyhttps/kellimlawrencecom/blog-page-url/new-post-title monthly 0.5 2024-03-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/4eb18b54-482c-48e8-a63c-5ce4d4c856fa/TGD+S7+Baby+x+3+Shea+Steve+1.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 82: Steve & Eden & Jack (Baby, Baby, Baby) - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/c8d9c9c5-8d2d-491f-902a-c9d85b3f491b/TGD+S7+Baby+X+3+Glassy+Shaun+2.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 82: Steve & Eden & Jack (Baby, Baby, Baby) - From the List… MAKING AMENDS (SHAUN & GLASSMAN) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/63c788fc-25cb-4847-b51c-14065e467bca/TGD+S7+Baby+x+3+Glassy+solo+1.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 82: Steve & Eden & Jack (Baby, Baby, Baby) Lest we forget, though, these are two of the stubbornest men St. Bons has to offer. Granted, Shaun is merely “leaving Glassman alone” for now as per Glassy’s own direction… but as we saw in the promo for the next episode (“Skin in the Game”), Shaun’s had a few weeks to process his surrogate father’s ill-timed abandonment. He’s angry too. And an airing of grievances may be the only step forward they make in episode 2. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/80c1fac6-15ed-4183-9f82-4f262348f657/TGD+S7+Baby+X+3+Glassy+Steve+1.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 82: Steve & Eden & Jack (Baby, Baby, Baby) But when stubborn meets stubborn, you can always count on an innocent new life to melt the ice just a little. The handoff of Steve to “Grandpa” at the end of episode 1 was a thing of beauty, all the more so because it happened in that very same hallway. And the bewildering weight carried in Shaun’s line I don’t know what to do– the very words he uttered when Glassman rained down on him at the end of S6’s “Beautiful Day”-- served as a gentle reminder that Shaun is a little more lost than most when he doesn’t have the answers at the end of his very thorough,detail-oriented fingertips. Kudos to Glassman for cutting him some slack this time. (He wouldn’t have dared just walk into his apartment without comment… would he?) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/6a9466c3-2a66-4ede-82c4-99327d0cb4b4/IMG_7865.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 82: Steve & Eden & Jack (Baby, Baby, Baby) - From the List… PARNICK OR BUST https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/c862e049-4c83-44c2-b3f4-1475d938a554/TGD+S7+Baby+x+3+Park+solo+1.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 82: Steve & Eden & Jack (Baby, Baby, Baby) But #Parnick 2.0 has to be a more mature couple than OG Parnick to survive (and eventually thrive), and that’s what I saw in Park when it came time for him to speak up for himself. Yes, he was firm with the important stuff (“remember I love Eden like she was my own and we’re in this together”), but he said it in a loving manner, not an angry one. He even reiterated (gently) to “eat something before she passed out” before he was done. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1708445835922-GVB5IU6BA95BW4YDXF5G/TGD+S7+Baby+x+3+Morgan+solo+1.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 82: Steve & Eden & Jack (Baby, Baby, Baby) As for Momma Morgan, her thorough pre-occupation in “Baby” was expected and understandable, and of course turning “I” into “We” as the good news came in about Eden was as important as anything else she did in the episode. Let’s see how she fares during Park’s next personal challenge… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/f8f5fc77-0f92-4f8b-a621-9b342a5c453e/TGD+S7+Baby+x+3+Glassy+Lim+1.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 82: Steve & Eden & Jack (Baby, Baby, Baby) - From the List… PRESIDENT’S DAY https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/81e6bff8-80e7-4de1-86a5-9aed33d2a4f3/IMG_7871.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 82: Steve & Eden & Jack (Baby, Baby, Baby) - From the List… (OK, it’ll be a while for these two so I’m not picking a hashtag anytime soon) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/ea07b602-1ecb-452f-8178-0d22976b84bb/S6+Blip+Jordan+Kalu.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 82: Steve & Eden & Jack (Baby, Baby, Baby) - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1708445840990-906I7BEC0SDADYRI9U0Q/TGD+S7+Baby+x+3+Jordan+solo+1.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 82: Steve & Eden & Jack (Baby, Baby, Baby) - Then, just as she and Perez seemed ready to forge a relationship amidst numerous land mines, BOOM came the serious accident that put her in the absolute worst of positions: administer the meds to take his unbearable pain away (but also send him back to square one of addiction recovery)... or keep her “no opiates” promise to him, and deal with the consequences (which, to her mind, included going into shock)? As we all know, she went with option #1. Perez was (understandably) very upset with her choice, but was apparently at peace with it by episode’s end. Which is to say, he’s now gone and in the midst of closing the book on himself and Jordan… doing so in a relatively peaceful manner. But who counted on Kalu carrying a grudge against Jordan for all this? Not I, said the blog-writer… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/a82a7cb6-9074-4c75-bf04-a684c9cebbad/TGD+S7+Baby+x+3+Jared+solo+1.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 82: Steve & Eden & Jack (Baby, Baby, Baby) - And I admit that this part felt a tiny bit forced for my liking– mostly because a) I didn’t see Kalu and Perez develop the kind of fast friendship that merited Kalu’s deep concern for Perez’s well-being, and b) I don’t see reason in Kalu’s past (e.g. family-related addiction of his own) to cause him to become the Morality Police at Jordan’s expense. To be fair, though, it’s not like he and Jordan hugged it out at the end of the “Love’s Labor” episode. As you probably recall, Kalu spent the last part of the episode meeting Baby Steve and taking the “first family portrait” while Jordan had her weird but long-awaited candlelight “date” with Perez in his hospital room. (Still shoulda been with the others meeting Steve, I say… but no more digressing about that.) In any case, it was a loose end that got addressed quickly in “Baby”... and if the whole point of this initial S7 friction is to develop a proper re-set for Jordan and Kalu that turns into something a little less proper (ahem), I’m definitely on board. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/dabc5b46-ec2d-4a77-8eb6-b852cb4fa258/IMG_7868.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 82: Steve & Eden & Jack (Baby, Baby, Baby) - Lea, a.k.a. the tech genius of the family, not knowing how to disable the app speaker. (Should we attribute it to new-mommy brain?) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1709156588275-JSEZNIZ5H0FI6RT05XJY/IMG_7864.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 82: Steve & Eden & Jack (Baby, Baby, Baby) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1709156588848-1DKV4SI1T933RSRLEK2M/IMG_7873.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 82: Steve & Eden & Jack (Baby, Baby, Baby) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/02542b3b-cbd4-4082-96a5-579786a5d595/IMG_7862.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 82: Steve & Eden & Jack (Baby, Baby, Baby) - THAT ELEVATOR at the apartment complex! (When the heck did that get there?? And how did that scene with Lea, Steve, and Glassman take me right back to the Glassy/Lea elevator dialogue in S4’s “Decrypt”?) In any case, nice to see that after 5+ years the apartment set got an upgrade! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/d17c96af-fc77-494d-b522-051ea9a023e5/IMG_7869.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 82: Steve & Eden & Jack (Baby, Baby, Baby) - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/74005e4e-81bd-413a-a455-8172665d398f/IMG_7877.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 82: Steve & Eden & Jack (Baby, Baby, Baby) I said at the beginning of this that it’s the way these characters get to their inevitable destinations that we enjoy so much, and perhaps that’s never truer than when Shaun and Lea are on the screen. Was it predictable that Shaun would want to schedule Steve’s days down to the minute? Of course. Were we certain Lea would be more “go with the flow”? Certainly. We even knew that Shaun would initiate a compromise by the episode’s end. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/83198817-f5b2-4a4c-b7cb-2bf02456cc4a/IMG_7876.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 82: Steve & Eden & Jack (Baby, Baby, Baby) But I, for one, still don’t want to miss a single time Shaun explains himself… or Lea talks to herself… or the way they are already handling the what-happens-when-Shaun-absolutely-needs-to-sleep-for-an-important-surgery situations. When Shaun comes home, observes Lea for 10 seconds and says You look terrible, yet she smiles ruefully and thanks him… that’s the love language #Shea Nation lives for. It’s also a great stamp of approval on Shaun and Lea being as strong as ever. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/8d1bbe08-984a-412a-9fea-0e9718ac14bc/IMG_7875.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 82: Steve & Eden & Jack (Baby, Baby, Baby) - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://kellimlawrence.com/stateofshea/the-good-doctor-final-wishes-and-wonderingshttps/kellimlawrencecom/blog-page-url/new-post-title monthly 0.5 2024-03-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1708445740477-RTDVH310TQSDVOV3YF79/TGD+S7+Baby+x+3+Lea+solo+1.jpeg State of the #Shea - The Good Doctor: Final Wishes and Wonderings https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1708445740629-RM037T9C5KQO0EX8BCIG/TGD+S7+Baby+x+3+Shaun+solo+1.jpeg State of the #Shea - The Good Doctor: Final Wishes and Wonderings https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1708445745413-F3BQ55U5U2TUTD5DPYK6/TGD+S7+Baby+x+3+Lim+solo+1.jpeg State of the #Shea - The Good Doctor: Final Wishes and Wonderings https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1708445744717-7Q8HXFKN7LKR1AFLMXKN/TGD+S7+Baby+x+3+Glassy+solo+1.jpeg State of the #Shea - The Good Doctor: Final Wishes and Wonderings https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1708445835922-GVB5IU6BA95BW4YDXF5G/TGD+S7+Baby+x+3+Morgan+solo+1.jpeg State of the #Shea - The Good Doctor: Final Wishes and Wonderings https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1708445835857-SFU91ZCV5AMU3CQK0O8L/TGD+S7+Baby+x+3+Park+solo+1.jpeg State of the #Shea - The Good Doctor: Final Wishes and Wonderings https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1708445840508-8GGGFYE3NNPJMWYO7OEH/TGD+S7+Baby+x+3+Jared+solo+1.jpeg State of the #Shea - The Good Doctor: Final Wishes and Wonderings https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1708445840990-906I7BEC0SDADYRI9U0Q/TGD+S7+Baby+x+3+Jordan+solo+1.jpeg State of the #Shea - The Good Doctor: Final Wishes and Wonderings https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/a0342fe6-a837-4025-b3b2-03b012b247e3/scan0023.jpg State of the #Shea - The Good Doctor: Final Wishes and Wonderings - I’ve attended the latter, and had the former happen during my own wedding– here’s the proof in a group photo that forced us out to the front steps (and into squintsville, for the sun was in everyone’s eyes)... In both cases, it was about making room for The Next Thing: Saturday mass in the case of the wedding, another party in the reception scenario. Those were first-world problems for sure, but the messaging reads loud and clear: Lovely event, thanks for coming, now get out— don’t take it personally, but time is money. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/db45944a-f733-4fbe-a4dc-bfa8a609bf5d/TGD+S7+Baby+x+3+Lea+Steve+2.jpeg State of the #Shea - The Good Doctor: Final Wishes and Wonderings - DONNIE DILALLO (Lea’s Brother) I’ve looked for an appearance by Lea’s ex-husband as well as return visits from Marcie Murphy (Shaun’s mother) and Pam and Mike Dilallo (Lea’s parents)... and there’s also been hopes put out there to get Park’s son Kellan back for an episode. But if we were able to get just ONE offscreen character to materialize in S7, I’d want it to be Lea’s brother. He was mentioned way back in seasons 1 and 2, and has been alluded to several times since then. We presume they’re still estranged. Can we please see for ourselves? (Marcie is second on my list for a S7 visit, by the way. But knowing the follow-through has not been great thus far, I’d be suitably stunned if we get ANY guest-stars like this.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/d60a772a-e136-4bca-bddc-8b6fb9c0ed1b/TGD+S7+Baby+x+3+Shea+Steve+2.jpeg State of the #Shea - The Good Doctor: Final Wishes and Wonderings - #SHEA-NANIGANS In Season 4 we saw (Lea’s original) Striped Tomato at the heart of a caper that paid homage so nicely to its Starsky and Hutch predecessor (“We’re All Crazy Sometimes”). Since then we’ve had a couple interesting adventures, including camping (“Forgive or Forget,” S4) and rescuing a dog en route to the Babymoon (“The Good Boy,” S6). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/9cc11e6a-c6a7-4628-bc76-ee07dc721f51/IMG_5306.jpeg State of the #Shea - The Good Doctor: Final Wishes and Wonderings - But especially with Steve in tow and Striped Tomato 2.0 (or is it 3.0??) reporting for duty, we truly need one more #Shea-Nanigan for the road… so to speak. Don’t you think? After all, it was an impromptu road trip and the mishaps within it that put the wheels in motion for Shaun and Lea seven seasons ago. This is highly doable as far as I can tell… go out strong, TGD writers! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/0c65bbf7-9844-4804-aaa4-280bb62f2d6a/TGD+Grow+Pains+Jordan+Lea+handshake.jpg State of the #Shea - The Good Doctor: Final Wishes and Wonderings - THE INVENTION I would so LOVE to see Jordan and Lea’s invention from Season 5 come to pass in time for them both to see it start to pay off. Even though they haven’t devoted a single onscreen minute to the project in two years, it’s not too late… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/cbb7af15-11e5-4abe-9e63-ddb6a012e01c/TGD+S7+Baby+x+3+Shaun+Glassy+1.jpeg State of the #Shea - The Good Doctor: Final Wishes and Wonderings - MAKING AMENDS We know Shaun and Glassy will reconcile at some point. How soon? I say– or at least I hope– that the wheels are in motion by episode 3 (titled “Critical Support” according to Wiki), with a major watershed taking place by episode 4. (Please don’t wager on that; y’all know I’m a lousy fortune teller.) How will it go down? The popular answer is probably something involving Steven, but my guess is something connected to St. Bons– where it all started for them, for the purposes of the show anyway– and it will be initiated in some manner by Shaun. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/f52c45cf-1873-4640-be7a-a15c31c555f5/TGD+S7+Baby+x+3+Parnick+1.jpeg State of the #Shea - The Good Doctor: Final Wishes and Wonderings - #PARNICK OR BUST It took a 22-episode season, but Park and Morgan finally got back together. Could an engagement be next for them? My guess is no; it may be enough just to see if they can stay “a couple” for these last 10 episodes. But ironies abound in TV just as they do in real life, so don’t despair… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/ec0c40b8-f6e5-4c60-9030-7f55801bb9ee/TGD+S7+Baby+x+3+Glassy+Lim+1.jpeg State of the #Shea - The Good Doctor: Final Wishes and Wonderings - PRESIDENT’S DAY Who will be the President of St. Bons in Andrews’ absence? It’s gotta be Glassman, right? Lim doesn’t want that job… there’s little chance they’d bring in another outside a la Salen Morisson in the time remaining… and Glassman is no longer permitted to pursue his surgical passions. Assuming all the above holds true, I think the interesting tale this time is not WHO takes the reins, but what will happen in these final episodes to make that job a satisfying one. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/fd7d6f7a-702e-4814-afe8-bffa27b2d10d/TGD+S7+Baby+x+3+Jared+Jordan+1.jpeg State of the #Shea - The Good Doctor: Final Wishes and Wonderings - #JORRED or #JARDAN… TAKE YOUR PICK I can’t speak for Jared, but our woman Jordan has suffered long enough! They teased it last season… now’s the time to make these two an item. Or a hashtag. Or a hashtag item. I don’t care. Just DO IT! (But if they want to give us some buildup as she gets over Danny, that’s fine by me. Given her current vow of celibacy, it would make sense.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/9249581e-3bd3-432a-8b45-3b225584d86a/TGD+S7+Baby+x+3+Shaun+Steve+1.jpeg State of the #Shea - The Good Doctor: Final Wishes and Wonderings - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://kellimlawrence.com/stateofshea/welp-some-initial-thoughts-about-good-bye-and-then-some-later-thoughts monthly 0.5 2024-02-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/7dcaf757-eb77-415d-a121-2a764c6bb5c6/TGD+Season+7+Logo.jpeg State of the #Shea - WELP... some initial thoughts about "Good" bye. (And then some later thoughts.) - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/2438b663-5e24-4a6d-a08f-6ecf0258c2ef/IMG_7687.png State of the #Shea - WELP... some initial thoughts about "Good" bye. (And then some later thoughts.) - Every TGD fan will draw a conclusion, whether it’s supported elsewhere or not. Some will blame the strikes outright. Some will blame ABC’s possible “housecleaning” mindset. Some will blame the money it costs to produce a scripted series– especially one that’s been around several years, where contracts for services likely go higher and higher– and how appealing the costs of airing a newsmagazine, “reality” program, or game show are by comparison. (Hint– no matter how important a show is to anything, anyplace, any particular community, it’s still part of Show BUSINESS. So always follow the money.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1706648337768-4MY46T4HPBDWFCPBNZ22/IMG_7689.png State of the #Shea - WELP... some initial thoughts about "Good" bye. (And then some later thoughts.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1706648337432-5F8ULKU6J1M80VEPJU4V/IMG_7688.png State of the #Shea - WELP... some initial thoughts about "Good" bye. (And then some later thoughts.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1706648757592-WDIY7YCIRDRZUFLQ6VMK/IMG_7691.png State of the #Shea - WELP... some initial thoughts about "Good" bye. (And then some later thoughts.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1706648757666-1MB6WT6QB7EWS1KQD0YN/IMG_7690.png State of the #Shea - WELP... some initial thoughts about "Good" bye. (And then some later thoughts.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1706648759739-39NKUGZG43Q3JGB5IMZS/IMG_7692.png State of the #Shea - WELP... some initial thoughts about "Good" bye. (And then some later thoughts.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1706648760034-IRONM34AEBCFPH5FB0PS/IMG_7693.png State of the #Shea - WELP... some initial thoughts about "Good" bye. (And then some later thoughts.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/22dd0625-1475-4ad2-bf57-08aa21f16d1d/IMG_7684.jpeg State of the #Shea - WELP... some initial thoughts about "Good" bye. (And then some later thoughts.) - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/434bf830-128a-4ce6-b970-18ee7157967e/TGD+Logo+ONLY.jpeg State of the #Shea - WELP... some initial thoughts about "Good" bye. (And then some later thoughts.) - Make it stand out Well, I’m still gutted about this (of course). But TGD fans and #Shea Nation, please indulge me for a few minutes here as I allow two of my blogging worlds to collide… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/ebddd066-4bcb-4beb-8aa7-27098179d5d9/TGD+Love+Labor+Family+Shot+2.jpeg State of the #Shea - WELP... some initial thoughts about "Good" bye. (And then some later thoughts.) - I’m not sure how great an analogy this is to the news about TGD,, but I DO know I’m processing a couple of imminent losses this month… And they’re both the kind that are utterly unimportant to everyone around me. Physically around me, at least. Meanwhile, social media is a lot of things– usually far-from-great things– but roses bloom above the thorns at times. The bonding of a community that simply seeks to celebrate and commiserate its cause accordingly? That is one of those times. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1706668873399-M6F627GV9WKKSSUHOS5I/IMG_7741.png State of the #Shea - WELP... some initial thoughts about "Good" bye. (And then some later thoughts.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1706668873317-NOMZ9Z3O7UBRQLY32XOD/IMG_7742.png State of the #Shea - WELP... some initial thoughts about "Good" bye. (And then some later thoughts.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1706668874193-I2CJF01P2I9QFLQZUKW2/IMG_7743.png State of the #Shea - WELP... some initial thoughts about "Good" bye. (And then some later thoughts.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/d72ff518-e772-4785-88d9-0e0e092126ee/IMG_7766.jpeg State of the #Shea - WELP... some initial thoughts about "Good" bye. (And then some later thoughts.) - I would be remiss if I didn’t share THIS PETITION that’s been making the rounds on TwiXter, asking fans to sign to get ABC to change its mind. I’ve signed it, and if you haven’t signed it already, here’s your chance. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/47751e2d-76b3-4e24-9d90-79e6d713d676/TGD+100th+episode.jpeg State of the #Shea - WELP... some initial thoughts about "Good" bye. (And then some later thoughts.) - Because television shows– especially long-running shows– build communities that care much more than one might expect. They laugh together, cry together, rage together, and debate anything from far-reaching arcs to episodic details. They connect over message boards and DMs and long TwiXter threads and hashtags and group chats that start three minutes after the end credits. Some of you I’ve talked to via email at length over the past four years, often about much more than TGD… so many, in fact, that I often kick myself for not being able to follow up consistently. But as far as this here blog can manage, both for #SheaNation and TGD in general… I got you :) https://kellimlawrence.com/stateofshea/8p6muvagxd7j9v01vfzigperu935tohttps/kellimlawrencecom/blog-page-url/s6readerspicks monthly 0.5 2023-10-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/e50cf28a-6db3-4039-a0fa-a05c12ee56ef/TGD+S6+Promo+Still.jpeg State of the #Shea - The Best (and Worst) of Season 6: State of the Shea Readers’ Choice - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1696133753774-QAW00T4KLG8FN8SLOZMW/TGD+Love+Labor+ambulance+internal.jpeg State of the #Shea - The Best (and Worst) of Season 6: State of the Shea Readers’ Choice https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1696133753863-OJAETXN0J0UTKHQ8KJVI/TGD+Love+Labor+Morgan+Eden.jpeg State of the #Shea - The Best (and Worst) of Season 6: State of the Shea Readers’ Choice https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1696133761521-RTQWVKH3KXOB5NWK1XW8/TGD+Love+Labor+Family+Shot+2.jpeg State of the #Shea - The Best (and Worst) of Season 6: State of the Shea Readers’ Choice https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1696133760425-0MHGVXQK9ZCGYELEWIKP/TGD+Love+Labor+Family+Shot+5.jpeg State of the #Shea - The Best (and Worst) of Season 6: State of the Shea Readers’ Choice https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1696195325936-KWP43EHDM8TKI9EWM4B9/IMG_4671.jpeg State of the #Shea - The Best (and Worst) of Season 6: State of the Shea Readers’ Choice https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1696195192348-EO4ZADX5WGLTOT836BA7/IMG_4708.jpeg State of the #Shea - The Best (and Worst) of Season 6: State of the Shea Readers’ Choice https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1696195325399-UQYUWC9OPSRB52LZ01XW/IMG_4727.jpeg State of the #Shea - The Best (and Worst) of Season 6: State of the Shea Readers’ Choice https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1696134001008-RUXZ0XBBS9VH3H4VZFZ1/Nursery+Quiet+Loud.jpeg State of the #Shea - The Best (and Worst) of Season 6: State of the Shea Readers’ Choice https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1696134461294-ZU6O51EH6V0NVKWRH12A/Discovery+2.jpg State of the #Shea - The Best (and Worst) of Season 6: State of the Shea Readers’ Choice https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1696134198597-YS1JMFDNAVM3LEXZ3ZVK/IMG-3493.jpg State of the #Shea - The Best (and Worst) of Season 6: State of the Shea Readers’ Choice https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1696134491796-38G8IC3Y5QUY4M9PAYGT/IMG-3444.jpg State of the #Shea - The Best (and Worst) of Season 6: State of the Shea Readers’ Choice https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1696134293106-NEMYPC4FC3WWKUARDF06/IMG-3516.jpg State of the #Shea - The Best (and Worst) of Season 6: State of the Shea Readers’ Choice https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1696134628950-4915OYC75ML3F6PWWVA1/TGD+Good+Boy+Woods.jpeg State of the #Shea - The Best (and Worst) of Season 6: State of the Shea Readers’ Choice https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1696195614164-28FDPIJ1YD6KD8F77B22/IMG_4768.jpeg State of the #Shea - The Best (and Worst) of Season 6: State of the Shea Readers’ Choice https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1696134627630-UWIKQCRG7R2D4S8WFQKW/TGD+Good+Boy+Vet+1.jpeg State of the #Shea - The Best (and Worst) of Season 6: State of the Shea Readers’ Choice https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1696195614254-34YPMR97SUWVELIQ8TKM/IMG_4786.jpeg State of the #Shea - The Best (and Worst) of Season 6: State of the Shea Readers’ Choice https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1696135015075-R47VTKV44VM6ZRMTDNX1/IMG-3861.jpg State of the #Shea - The Best (and Worst) of Season 6: State of the Shea Readers’ Choice https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1696134987258-T7ALMPCC9AKJB51H85FY/IMG-3862.jpg State of the #Shea - The Best (and Worst) of Season 6: State of the Shea Readers’ Choice https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1696135066279-9X9T0V1GZAFRGME1WJLW/IMG-3894.jpg State of the #Shea - The Best (and Worst) of Season 6: State of the Shea Readers’ Choice https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1696134860498-AFCJZ6WF8EM5DE4FY5GP/IMG-3933.jpg State of the #Shea - The Best (and Worst) of Season 6: State of the Shea Readers’ Choice https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/3b34d346-a4d5-4dbf-af0e-467dd84ce8b3/TGD+TGL+meeting+w+Shaun+Park.jpeg State of the #Shea - The Best (and Worst) of Season 6: State of the Shea Readers’ Choice - VERY Honorable Mention… THE GOOD LAWYER (Original air date: 3/13/23) For those of you surprised that “The Good Lawyer” – a.k.a. the backdoor pilot that aired mid-season (and whose fate is still undecided as I write this) – is not on this best-of list, please know that it DID get best-of votes. It also got worst-of votes. It also got I’m-not-counting-this-as-a-regular-episode votes due to the necessity for it to be self-contained; that is, not intrinsic to any other episodes in S6. (Unless you count the final scene in “Old Friends” where Shaun was subpoenaed, which I don’t.) So I decided to take TGL out of the mix entirely. Stay tuned to find out if TGL will be back IN the mix in the future, or if it’s destined to be a nugget of TGD trivia. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1696135463105-BNVN03LBKO0WY8ONMCGC/IMG-3974.jpg State of the #Shea - The Best (and Worst) of Season 6: State of the Shea Readers’ Choice https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1696135268914-YR567TRN901X8ZJO8D09/IMG-4005.jpg State of the #Shea - The Best (and Worst) of Season 6: State of the Shea Readers’ Choice https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1696135513834-3VIGQI6FQSBQCCT87QEU/IMG-4027.jpg State of the #Shea - The Best (and Worst) of Season 6: State of the Shea Readers’ Choice https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1696135428805-XGTABR2WBRYTYIZDOFHY/IMG-4048.jpg State of the #Shea - The Best (and Worst) of Season 6: State of the Shea Readers’ Choice https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1696135930264-VH76SE05D7LIEF6FICVV/IMG_5838.jpeg State of the #Shea - The Best (and Worst) of Season 6: State of the Shea Readers’ Choice https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1696135928181-W240Y09TW4VNQIX12NZS/IMG_5817.jpeg State of the #Shea - The Best (and Worst) of Season 6: State of the Shea Readers’ Choice https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1696136034824-TJWRMLVWM6H3M8LWK4FH/IMG_5798.jpeg State of the #Shea - The Best (and Worst) of Season 6: State of the Shea Readers’ Choice https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1696135930407-H2W0LPL76LH4CPYJKB30/IMG_5855.jpeg State of the #Shea - The Best (and Worst) of Season 6: State of the Shea Readers’ Choice https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1696136389542-M20MO2CH8AL0M61ATE7A/IMG_5914.jpeg State of the #Shea - The Best (and Worst) of Season 6: State of the Shea Readers’ Choice https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1696136457789-X3FYNH3D2T6ZJYV0XU4M/IMG_5923.jpeg State of the #Shea - The Best (and Worst) of Season 6: State of the Shea Readers’ Choice https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1696136392155-J1W09I9GMC8OEXCBA4S8/IMG_5949.jpeg State of the #Shea - The Best (and Worst) of Season 6: State of the Shea Readers’ Choice https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1696136392389-8EIE3PK3NAUVSWXFRZF7/IMG_5976.jpeg State of the #Shea - The Best (and Worst) of Season 6: State of the Shea Readers’ Choice https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1696137465697-B1RI4T0LY1QTSFU8CD1B/IMG-4085.jpg State of the #Shea - The Best (and Worst) of Season 6: State of the Shea Readers’ Choice https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1696137572140-JXSFT2XQL9M0G2XNY1VY/IMG-4187.jpg State of the #Shea - The Best (and Worst) of Season 6: State of the Shea Readers’ Choice https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1696137737089-1OEMI9G5C4KWUAFQFQPC/IMG-4082.jpg State of the #Shea - The Best (and Worst) of Season 6: State of the Shea Readers’ Choice https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1696137526644-3VUPEDCW5WI5RZI32TSK/IMG-4181.jpg State of the #Shea - The Best (and Worst) of Season 6: State of the Shea Readers’ Choice https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1696138161726-RZK07LP5KP2QESI5FAV5/IMG-4379.jpg State of the #Shea - The Best (and Worst) of Season 6: State of the Shea Readers’ Choice https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1696138118451-OS9EKXHNF5133KWUEP8P/TGD+Sorry+Morgan+solo.jpeg State of the #Shea - The Best (and Worst) of Season 6: State of the Shea Readers’ Choice https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1696138074223-7CHF7MH46KJFQ4SE9BQE/IMG-4390.jpg State of the #Shea - The Best (and Worst) of Season 6: State of the Shea Readers’ Choice https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1696138035538-GK0A0UUZBEZGFBC9G4DX/TGD+Sorry+Lim+Shaun.jpeg State of the #Shea - The Best (and Worst) of Season 6: State of the Shea Readers’ Choice https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1696138293602-GYXK0DZ8HT32PAASMAIC/TGD+Boys+Dont+Cry+Row+of+Docs.jpeg State of the #Shea - The Best (and Worst) of Season 6: State of the Shea Readers’ Choice https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1696138293309-CT28NR1S7DZ4JKMT2GFF/TGD+Boys+Don%27t+Cry+Glass+Jordan.jpeg State of the #Shea - The Best (and Worst) of Season 6: State of the Shea Readers’ Choice https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1696138330044-7M7KOK84Y8P3Z5TFPVJA/TGD+Boys+Don%27t+Cry+Jerome.jpeg State of the #Shea - The Best (and Worst) of Season 6: State of the Shea Readers’ Choice https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1696138296617-T23E0PD5NFOK65TXVTLD/TGD+Boys+7.jpeg State of the #Shea - The Best (and Worst) of Season 6: State of the Shea Readers’ Choice https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1696138555020-EQRI3MK1717YO5KEI4CO/IMG_4997.jpeg State of the #Shea - The Best (and Worst) of Season 6: State of the Shea Readers’ Choice https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1696138554663-KUSYX97RVA4U6RZ6VTOJ/IMG_5015.jpeg State of the #Shea - The Best (and Worst) of Season 6: State of the Shea Readers’ Choice https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1696138556916-X0EV9IDKO5ODQG2C7IHH/IMG_5035.jpeg State of the #Shea - The Best (and Worst) of Season 6: State of the Shea Readers’ Choice https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1696138557410-FHVPIR9H96ITT1PTSP6N/IMG_5054.jpeg State of the #Shea - The Best (and Worst) of Season 6: State of the Shea Readers’ Choice https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/cb3a8307-df8f-4340-8599-9d6f1e4da9fc/IMG_5853.jpeg State of the #Shea - The Best (and Worst) of Season 6: State of the Shea Readers’ Choice - “Best was, of course, Shea baby. And Morgan and Alex reuniting. And Morgan getting Eden.” – Tara Rewt “ Best was Jared's return… Morgan adopting Eden… Park and Morgan reuniting… Lim walking again…Shaun and Lea being there for Glassman after his house burned down… Lim getting a healthy relationship… Shaun & Park becoming attendings… Lim standing up to Andrews.”-- Amy Danko ”Definitely my favs moments of this season include Morgan motherhood, and the Villanueva/Dr. Andrews' romance.”—Nan Eli “If we hadn’t gotten the finale with the Shea baby, for me this would be the best written episode, probably in the whole show. Also, the acting too! The whole story with the sexual assault and of course Shaun and Lim.”-- David33, talking about“Sorry Not Sorry” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/809e8cb8-f566-4b47-b8c3-357800856608/IMG_5918.jpeg State of the #Shea - The Best (and Worst) of Season 6: State of the Shea Readers’ Choice - “Could’ve done without Lim in a wheelchair blaming Shaun… (also didn’t like) Shaun ‘forcing’ Glassy out of surgery.” – Steven “Obviously, I'm not happy about the rift between Shaun and Glassy. Or about Hill Harper maybe leaving.” – Tara Rewt “Jordan not being there (for Steven’s birth) felt wrong. No way would she have missed meeting the baby of her best friend. Even for a few minutes.”-- Tara Rewt “Least favorite: Danica's unauthorized living room surgery getting Asher in trouble, and Glassman refusing to meet Steven because he was still mad at Shaun. Also Andrews trying to micromanage Lim.” – Amy Danko “My low moments include the fight between Shaun and Dr Lim and the change between Shaun and Glassy’s relationship.” –Nan Eli “I’d give ‘least favorite’ to Jordan’s ill-fated romance w/Danny, but it would crush my rating of too many good episodes!” — ME (Kelli) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/9621fcd5-c04f-4bfd-bc76-1617dc3a6239/IMG-3934.jpg State of the #Shea - The Best (and Worst) of Season 6: State of the Shea Readers’ Choice - (From “A Big Sign”) Shaun holding up the "You're doing everything right! I love you" sign for Lea https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/86f0557a-bb1c-4c0d-a480-0ae78e0b880f/TGD+Sorry+Lim+Shaun.jpeg State of the #Shea - The Best (and Worst) of Season 6: State of the Shea Readers’ Choice - (From “Sorry Not Sorry”) Shaun & Lim making up https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/6a734eb3-daf3-4b2b-bffd-5cbda7f87f8f/IMG_4717.jpeg State of the #Shea - The Best (and Worst) of Season 6: State of the Shea Readers’ Choice - (From “Quiet and Loud”) Everyone sitting with Shaun outside the OR when Lea was in surgery https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/06cedb56-48c4-45f7-b02a-fdc179d629d1/IMG_6124.jpeg State of the #Shea - The Best (and Worst) of Season 6: State of the Shea Readers’ Choice - (From “Love’s Labor”) Lea’s water breaking on the carpet in Glassman’s office https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1685848542304-UBZKYE47R4KUR34IILZD/IMG_6209.jpeg State of the #Shea - The Best (and Worst) of Season 6: State of the Shea Readers’ Choice - (From “Love’s Labor”) “The rift with Glassy was disappointing, but I loved how Shaun did not let it spoil the moment and gave Glassy space.” – Steven Hamburg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/cdc0daca-733f-4db7-892d-2501fffa289d/IMG_5288.jpeg State of the #Shea - The Best (and Worst) of Season 6: State of the Shea Readers’ Choice - MOST POIGNANT SCENE NO ONE ELSE HAS MENTIONED YET: Jordan helping her resistant POTW understand the need for aborting her unborn baby (in “Old Friends,” original air date 3/6/23) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/b6b379f6-65fc-4f32-8418-2a3a73f1174f/IMG_5117.jpeg State of the #Shea - The Best (and Worst) of Season 6: State of the Shea Readers’ Choice - DUMBEST FUNNY SCENE: Lea vs. the toilet lock (in “Hard Heart,” original air date 2/27/23) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/3ea24329-a2dc-49a7-9604-65278534a643/IMG_5134.jpeg State of the #Shea - The Best (and Worst) of Season 6: State of the Shea Readers’ Choice - BEST TRIBUTE TO 80s FILMS THAT NO ONE ASKED FOR BUT WE APPRECIATED JUST THE SAME: Danny’s race through St. Bons (also in “Hard Heart”), inspired by Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and also probably Broadcast News https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/92e724d6-4cc0-4dce-aaf0-4bb00b85c75f/IMG_5606.jpeg State of the #Shea - The Best (and Worst) of Season 6: State of the Shea Readers’ Choice - SECOND FUNNIEST FUNNY SCENE: Asher’s What-Would-Dr.-Murphy-Do gone awry (in “A Blip,” original air date 4/3/23) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/c37a714a-b77f-48c9-99f5-b9908dcb8296/IMG_4873.jpeg State of the #Shea - The Best (and Worst) of Season 6: State of the Shea Readers’ Choice - And my FUNNIEST FUNNY SCENE of S6: The Glassy/Lea shower mishap (in “365 Degrees,” original air date 2/6/23) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1696178715362-S9XKR9X20BKOF5LPCIZY/IMG_4676.jpeg State of the #Shea - The Best (and Worst) of Season 6: State of the Shea Readers’ Choice https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1696178714711-18GG89S6129AWYAYPDQC/IMG_4719.jpeg State of the #Shea - The Best (and Worst) of Season 6: State of the Shea Readers’ Choice https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1696178877749-PGI98FMA8LC7V0J14Q37/IMG_4733.jpeg State of the #Shea - The Best (and Worst) of Season 6: State of the Shea Readers’ Choice https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1696178717499-A6QNNU4LMEHQMOFLCAIE/IMG_4766.jpeg State of the #Shea - The Best (and Worst) of Season 6: State of the Shea Readers’ Choice https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1696178717992-VLS3T80E9NGNXRW1VPT4/IMG_4849.jpeg State of the #Shea - The Best (and Worst) of Season 6: State of the Shea Readers’ Choice https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1696178719557-XFQNA2MHZ0YGVVQQHSKV/IMG_4897.jpeg State of the #Shea - The Best (and Worst) of Season 6: State of the Shea Readers’ Choice https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1696178720945-EOZBB46VX65WC5WYUSMB/IMG_4933.jpeg State of the #Shea - The Best (and Worst) of Season 6: State of the Shea Readers’ Choice https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1696178721959-41KHD3DDICBL7Y7KCDK6/IMG_5175.jpeg State of the #Shea - The Best (and Worst) of Season 6: State of the Shea Readers’ Choice https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1696178723741-C1LXBSSTQF5806XUMHTK/IMG_5531.jpeg State of the #Shea - The Best (and Worst) of Season 6: State of the Shea Readers’ Choice https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1696179016251-GABR09BBXJJ24PPPTOB8/IMG_5305.jpeg State of the #Shea - The Best (and Worst) of Season 6: State of the Shea Readers’ Choice https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1696178724662-R43TS7XAUS6HBVJSFF6Q/IMG_5675.jpeg State of the #Shea - The Best (and Worst) of Season 6: State of the Shea Readers’ Choice https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1696178726020-MBSDV2H77V1BN1GXEI2O/IMG_5702.jpeg State of the #Shea - The Best (and Worst) of Season 6: State of the Shea Readers’ Choice https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1696178727454-0QC3F0ITDINNY6USIMU5/IMG_5725.jpeg State of the #Shea - The Best (and Worst) of Season 6: State of the Shea Readers’ Choice https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1696178727998-58PH3G5A6TF43TNF6S4D/IMG_5832.jpeg State of the #Shea - The Best (and Worst) of Season 6: State of the Shea Readers’ Choice https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1696178729363-7MKR1IQPWH5N5DFIDE86/IMG_5949.jpeg State of the #Shea - The Best (and Worst) of Season 6: State of the Shea Readers’ Choice https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1696178729925-8LLIKL4YFHGD822SP5K0/IMG_6187.jpeg State of the #Shea - The Best (and Worst) of Season 6: State of the Shea Readers’ Choice https://kellimlawrence.com/stateofshea/this-long-longing-seasonhttps/kellimlawrencecom/blog-page-url/new-post-title monthly 0.5 2023-09-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/f57d6b15-c80d-4582-9f9c-ac80705f1702/TGD+Long+Longing+Season+%28Strike%29.jpeg State of the #Shea - This Long, Longing Season - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/da7cd5e8-bad4-4bcf-a06c-15c51c4dd677/TGD+Strike+Russian+Sage.jpeg State of the #Shea - This Long, Longing Season - I wasn’t kidding when I said I find something to love regardless; I’m fond of garden-fresh tomatoes, days at the beach, Russian sage bushes, homemade chocolate chip ice cream, porch swings at sunset, weeks without school… I could go on. I really could. But the absence of school also perpetuates a deep relaxing of structure, which of course is the ticket to happiness for some. Not me, though… not for long, anyway. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/0d703ad4-25e7-4ade-bd01-87accc9cd6e5/IMG_6862.png State of the #Shea - This Long, Longing Season - Let me be clear as crystal about this: I’ve got nothing but support for the members of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG), the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA), and the Writers Guild of America (WGA). I’m especially sympathetic towards the WGA since, while never having been a member, I am a writer by profession and have been “treated” to similar struggles with fair wages in a crowded industry, as well as concerns that AI technology will replace much of what I have to give my craft. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/89123c8d-0cce-485c-9c98-7375077d66c0/TGD+Meme+for+9+10+23+post.jpeg State of the #Shea - This Long, Longing Season - So at this standstill we remain– the ones longing to write it, the ones yearning to perform it, and the ones who desperately want to watch it– in a staring contest with the ones with the money and power who are determined not to blink anytime soon. (Meme courtesy of the Incorrect St. Bonaventure account on Twitter, or “X,” or whatever you are calling it currently) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1684438092437-5DABIOVDFSO5UVMYXMP3/TGD+Love+Labor+Family+Shot+2.jpeg State of the #Shea - This Long, Longing Season - Meanwhile, it feels like Steven Aaron Murphy was born fourteen months ago on The Good Doctor rather than four. And that this hottest season on record has lingered like the Canadian wildfire smoke that overstays its welcome in the Upper Great Lakes region time and again. The loose limbs of summer just aren’t quite as special when there’s nowhere in the foreseeable future for them to land… maybe even the most sun-kissed, heat-tolerant, mosquito-loving among you can attest to that! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/4483c9f1-b91c-4887-981f-9756efd932ca/TGD+Strike+ABC+logo.jpeg State of the #Shea - This Long, Longing Season - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/cbb7956e-97f6-4880-9637-9365e4b7e839/TGD+Strike+CBS+logo.jpeg State of the #Shea - This Long, Longing Season - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/0e16b5b9-c83b-4732-8f82-2eee05499ffb/TGD+Strike+CW+logo.jpeg State of the #Shea - This Long, Longing Season - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/651cd25d-62b7-4b88-99bf-52ab0114cb62/TGD+Strike+FOX+logo.jpeg State of the #Shea - This Long, Longing Season - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/f2b684c5-a2c9-40dc-976a-00c1e0ea25a7/TGD+Strike+NBC+logo.jpeg State of the #Shea - This Long, Longing Season - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/e4b369d5-17be-46e9-8cc1-6b1bb0a1532e/IMG_6861.jpeg State of the #Shea - This Long, Longing Season - I know there isn’t much about The Good Doctor in this post, and with good reason: there isn’t anything new to share about The Good Doctor until the strikes end. Remember that when the clickbait comes around! But I am planning to open up Hulu at 10PM Eastern on Monday nights and watch TGD from seasons past… gotta keep those reactions to joy and pain sharp! Just like I’ve gotta end this unsolicited eternal summer somehow. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/8a615546-4686-483c-b4a5-14e3cf3a158f/IMG_8127.jpeg State of the #Shea - This Long, Longing Season - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://kellimlawrence.com/stateofshea/oh-baby-lets-revisit-that-tgd-s6-wish-list monthly 0.5 2024-02-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/b695176f-9439-437a-a979-2e737bd4ae21/TGD+Loves+Labor.jpeg State of the #Shea - Oh, Baby! Let's revisit that TGD S6 Wish List - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1690065356724-HSHZ17Y5VEWR8X4AP7EO/GLPMermaidUnderTheSea.jpg State of the #Shea - Oh, Baby! Let's revisit that TGD S6 Wish List https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1690065557539-PDZ450HIH5A5I5WQLY53/IMG_8412.jpeg State of the #Shea - Oh, Baby! Let's revisit that TGD S6 Wish List https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/09eb4202-2617-4912-87ae-5979159b4ff4/IMG_0971.jpeg State of the #Shea - Oh, Baby! Let's revisit that TGD S6 Wish List - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/9ddd2bed-d21b-431e-afc5-23e54e19b60a/TGD+Love+Labor+Family+Shot+3.jpeg State of the #Shea - Oh, Baby! Let's revisit that TGD S6 Wish List - A BABY FOR SHAUN AND LEA It was the natural progression #Shea Nation had hoped for, especially after Lea’s S4 miscarriage. And given the fact that a season 7 was not guaranteed, it would have brought a whole new world of hurt if there was no baby in sight for Shaun and Lea by the end of S6. But thanks to a year’s worth of dimension-defying time hops (and nimble storytelling arcs), we went from #Shea’s harrowing wedding reception to a potentially tragic case of Asherman’s Syndrome to an odds-defying final trimester and delivery. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/66a39e2b-7585-4804-9de1-c27c327961f5/TGD+Shrapnel+Shaun+Park.jpeg State of the #Shea - Oh, Baby! Let's revisit that TGD S6 Wish List - SHAUN AND PARK’S NEXT STEPS “IN ACTION” “I hope they actually serve as leaders, just as we’ve seen with previous Attendings,” Tony said of Shaun and Park’s next steps on their St. Bons journey. And I think we definitely got that– in an obvious way when they got their own office and took turns guiding the newest doctors in the fold, and beyond that as they continued to serve as leaders to Asher and Jordan. Jared’s return (as a “year 1”) brought obvious but new conflict to Shaun’s position in “Second Chances & Past Regrets,” and of course Shaun’s status (and reputation) factored heavily into his season-ending situation with Glassman. I know Park had several “leading” moments of his own this year, but I think more of them involved interacting/clashing with Morgan… maybe that’s why they aren’t as clear to me. If you’ve got specific Park moments in mind, tell me about them in the comments please. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/28117105-6cc8-4d38-8c22-f2b48e6442ee/IMG_5857.jpeg State of the #Shea - Oh, Baby! Let's revisit that TGD S6 Wish List - PARK AND MORGAN GET BACK TOGETHER* This one gets an instant asterisk, for the fact that #Parnick even had to get back together came as a surprise. As you’ll recall, the relationship was on rocky ground at the end of S5 because Morgan admitted to Park that she wanted to accept an East Coast job opportunity. One perilous episode later, Park broke up with her despite her decision to stay in town. (Apparently the fact that she’d even considered it was too much for him.)... And that set up a season’s worth of petty bickering, more meaningful bickering, warnings from superiors, open pining, not-so-open pining, cautious friendliness, less cautious friendliness, open caring, even more open caring… and finally, a reunion. (With a baby that biologically belongs to neither of them.) All’s well that ends well I guess… yet in a way, they’re only just beginning! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/c5ae029b-eda5-4768-9b8a-7929064a1092/TGD+Broken+or+Not+Jordan+Perez+end.jpeg State of the #Shea - Oh, Baby! Let's revisit that TGD S6 Wish List - JORDAN IN THE SPOTLIGHT I rooted for Jordan to get some spice in her life, particularly of the romance variety (though just getting to know her outside her career would be a plus). What we got was a little of both– we met her beloved “Grandma E” (Hard Heart) and we met Dr. Danny Perez… who simultaneously jerked her around all season (wittingly or unwittingly) while imparting valuable lessons in life and friendship. Longtime readers know how I feel about these two together; I’m trying to be charitable here! So we definitely got a “spotlight,” but maybe next time I’ll need to be more specific?! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/face4d86-1ed3-4eb5-b740-99ae007dc03a/165046_3597.jpg State of the #Shea - Oh, Baby! Let's revisit that TGD S6 Wish List - GLASSMAN’S ROLE/RELATIONSHIP WITH SHAUN CHANGING With Shaun’s life settling into a place of joy, we presumed the dynamic between him and Glassman would change. We were right about that, at least. Me, I wanted Glassy to bring a sharper focus to his surgical career and continue to steer clear of any potential candidates for Wife #3. And he did. But from his new cancer scare to his mini-stroke to his impromptu retirement from the OR, Glassman’s career and his relationship with Shaun intertwined in ways we didn’t see coming. And now both have gone sideways. I know there are complaints here and there about Shaun and Glassman clashing TOO much on TGD, but their relationship is the heart of the show. If I were to stay with anatomical metaphors, I’d say #Shea is the backbone… but Glassman is why Shaun is at St. Bons in the first place; arguably, he’s why Shaun has a medical career at all. And as was established in both hilarious and quite dramatic fashion this past year, the two men are very similar in personality and taste… which also leads the two to butt heads. A lot. Ideally, they come away from each skirmish having learned and grown a little more from the experience– keeping in mind that Shaun has a disability that makes this harder for him than others, and Glassman is quite set in his ways at this point in his life. I think, all in all, TGD continues to do an impressive job with the Shaun/Glassman relationship trajectory. What about you? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/b3a4b3cf-cd4a-4c20-b003-7db87012ae06/TGD+S6+Lim+Solo.jpg State of the #Shea - Oh, Baby! Let's revisit that TGD S6 Wish List - LIM EMERGING FROM HER ASSAULT STRONGER Lim’s paralysis created the initial tension for Shaun and Glassman in S6, but of course she alone had to deal with the emotional and physical fallout. That part was initially painful to watch, but of course that made it all the more exciting to see her begin to thrive in her “new normal” of disability. Should TGD have forgone the storyline about Lim’s paralysis reversal? That’s a tough question, especially as people voiced opinions on this blog (and elsewhere) strongly opposed to what TGD ultimately did. But when you go back to the premise of TGD itself– the fact that this is primarily about Shaun’s journey, not that of everyone we know and love on the show– I can’t imagine Shaun doing anything BUT come up with a can’t-miss surgery for her. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1680555375802-7ZJMYLJVR9UQ2UBN9Y2X/EB86ED3E-A569-4EA6-BEAF-E218DFFF83BF.jpeg State of the #Shea - Oh, Baby! Let's revisit that TGD S6 Wish List - GOOD #JASHER CONTENT “If they break up, let it be authentic and not played for laughs,” is what I said specifically… which was partly out of uncertainty for the future of Jerome (Giacomo Baessato) on the show, and partly steeped in times when relationships between gay people weren’t taken seriously on TV (when they were “taken” on TV at all). But not only are Asher and Jerome still #Jasher, we also got to root for them through a few different challenges. Sometimes it was a situation more commonly associated with gay couples (Jerome’s HIV+ status), sometimes it wasn’t (Asher’s seeming disregard for Jerome’s point-of-view). But aside from Shaun and Lea, I can’t name a healthier couple on S6 than these two. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/a9ff755c-73f5-4a3d-97ab-f7e95ef2514e/A88C8B04-3373-4DD7-A21F-CB438DF478DE.jpeg State of the #Shea - Oh, Baby! Let's revisit that TGD S6 Wish List - MORE OF “PROFESSIONAL LEA” Lea Dilallo is still Lea Dilallo– literally (I never heard or saw anything in S6 to indicate she’d taken Shaun’s last name in any form). Did we continue to see her as Badass Lea Dilallo, leaping tall cyber-challenges in a single (sneaker hop)? Yes, though in smaller, less conspicuous ways: As an impromptu nurse in “Afterparty” Dealing with the power outage in “Hot & Bothered” Her regular workload had the potential to be substantial; we saw that when it became a component of her disagreement with Shaun in “39 Differences” And, while she’s certainly not the first woman to do it, was still trying to take care of work-related loose ends while officially admitted to St. Bons in “Love’s Labor” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/6b086e07-ad62-4cd9-a410-6247bfebcdb6/IMG-3934.jpg State of the #Shea - Oh, Baby! Let's revisit that TGD S6 Wish List - SHEA- DOMESTICATED BLISS The obvious images that leap to mind are from “A Big Sign,” which deliberately took on the subject of housework from a neurotypical-vs-neurodivergent perspective … which is why we saw Shaun and Lea doing dishes, folding laundry, and discussing grocery etiquette in the middle of the episode rather than just at the beginning or end. But their lying-in-bed-talking scenes, pancake breakfasts, and living room/kitchen chats remain frequent flyers in the opening scene category of any given episode… and sometimes the closing scene as well (or darn close to it). While #Shea devotees might argue there’s no such thing as too many domestic scenes, we remain grateful that they remain a hallmark of TGD. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/71f93790-c711-4952-99b1-8d3dbb8e946f/IMG_4792.jpeg State of the #Shea - Oh, Baby! Let's revisit that TGD S6 Wish List - SHEA- ROAD TRIP It’s not really a TGD season without a little travel (and a little karaoke), right? This time we got a Babymoon (pre-baby getaway for first-time parents)... but we’ll have to assume it was a lovely one, for the viewer’s part in it started and ended with an injured dog before they ever reached their destination. Ah well. At least we learned that Shaun figured out the number of bathroom breaks his pregnant wife would need. (Because of course he did.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/ac001a27-12e8-45b0-8384-1e772e65ee28/TGD+Broken+or+Not+Shea+End+3.jpeg State of the #Shea - Oh, Baby! Let's revisit that TGD S6 Wish List - SHEA- CONTINUED GROWTH AS A COUPLE We can grumble all we want about the #Shea wedding being tainted by near-tragedy, but it sure forced Shaun and Lea to hit the ground running with new tests to their bond. Once the dust had settled on that long night, we were briefly reminded of #Shea loft squabbles 2.0 before most of the attention turned to Shaun’s broken relationship with Lim (and his initial futile attempts to mend it). Then, in overlapping fashion, came the discovery of Asherman’s Syndrome… the fear (anticipated, and then real) that came with Lea’s unexpected pregnancy… the two of them building new, grandfatherly bonds with Glassman… and then the bittersweet dichotomy of Glassman’s brutal new normal and #Shea’s joyous one, with bonds too frayed to bridge. The disagreements between Shaun and Lea were relatively few, but there was still a wealth of growth cultivated– inadvertently– by way of their loved ones. And that was great to see. (Though I wouldn’t mind a return to LEA as the one Going Through It a time or two– with Shaun as the beam of support. Note for Season 7…) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/e2c5bb47-1925-403b-a4cc-489bcedb6fdb/IMG-4101.jpg State of the #Shea - Oh, Baby! Let's revisit that TGD S6 Wish List - A HOLIDAY-THEMED EPISODE Halloween is celebrated in countries all over the world, but in the U.S. it gets a LOT of attention for an “unofficial” holiday (meaning one that doesn’t close federal offices for the day). And since it happened to fall on a Monday in 2022, TGD gifted us with a rare “themed” episode. Sort of. “Growth Opportunities” had precious little to do with the spooky and scary, but it did give us some fun costumes… for the first act of the episode, anyway. “Delightful and nonsensical all at the same time,” I said when I wrote about “Growth Opportunities,” noting the way most of the costumes (and makeup) were gone by the time we got to any OR scenes. Couldn’t some of the characters have simply costumed up for an after-hours party at Asher’s place instead? And while it wasn’t the holiday I was hoping for… I have it on good authority that Danielle (the one who “wished” it) feels her wish was granted. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/ac40a1b0-1e4b-46d2-9350-3124c0575ff3/TGD+Boys+Dont+Cry+Row+of+Docs.jpeg State of the #Shea - Oh, Baby! Let's revisit that TGD S6 Wish List - FEWER STORIES PER EPISODE/LESS CROWDING THE STORYTELLING CANVAS Overcrowding in TGD episodes has long been a State of the #Shea concern, but when we heard TWO new characters were being introduced in S6 (bringing the count back up to 11; 13 if you figure in Nurses Jerome Martel and Dalisay Villanueva)... yikes! No wonder there were entire episodes with little or no Morgan, Lea, etc. Then around the halfway point of the season, one of those two newbies was gone… (OK, a little more breathing room) But a few episodes later, an “old friend” in the form of Dr. Jared Kalu was back at St. Bons (YAY!)... and looked to be sticking around a while (YAY!), which brought that character count right back to where we started the season (Yikes!)... until Danny and Andrews’ respective exits were signaled in the finale. So when the canvas starts from a place of overflow in a given season, is there any chance for “breathing room” where the characters have time and space to simply exist? It turned out there was… but it typically required a character (or two) to become a Patient Of The Week: Lim and Villanueva in “Afterparty” (And Lim again, to an extent, in “Not Broken Yet”) Lea in “Quiet and Loud” Danny in “Love’s Labor” Real question: Does the presence of babies Eden and Steven (wow, I didn’t realize they rhymed until just now) mean that Danny’s and Andrews’ spots are already filled for S7? All of this ties into another item on the wish list… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/6adcf8c7-df8f-45ea-881b-02fc404ea478/IMG_4717.jpeg State of the #Shea - Oh, Baby! Let's revisit that TGD S6 Wish List - MORE TEAM BONDING, A LA THE ST BONS BASEBALL TEAM OF SEASON 5 Rebuilding hospital morale in the wake of the Ethicure takeover was critical 2 seasons back. Maybe it can be said the bonding reached its strongest point on Shaun and Lea’s wedding day, which united everyone in both a lovely way (Season 5 finale “Sons”) and a terrifying one (Season 6 opener “Afterparty”). Beyond that, any “team bonding” this season came in the form of the heavy (supporting Shaun and Lea in both “Quiet and Loud” and “Love’s Labor”) and the much lighter (singing karaoke in “A Blip” and “Half Measures”) Maybe also the Christmas Village thing in “A Beautiful Day”... but none of those events encompassed ALL the characters. Except “Boys Don’t Cry” (the one with the sextuplets)... it was highly work-related, but it was one BIG patient of the week situation (pun intended?) that brought every character into the fold, including Lea (as she learned about the Asherman’s Syndrome). That was cool. I mean the concept was cool, not Lea suffering from Asherman’s… you knew that, right? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/fe9af4c9-6966-4fd4-85b9-1a14fe95760d/IMG-3505.jpg State of the #Shea - Oh, Baby! Let's revisit that TGD S6 Wish List - MORE SHAUN FLASHBACKS We did get a flashback in S6, but the characters involved were Glassman and Maddie (in “Growth Opportunities”).* When it came to Shaun, we got a familiar flashback in “Afterparty” when Lim’s stabbing triggered memories of Steve’s fatal accident… but also got a wonderful surprise when Shaun envisioned Steve during a critical point in Lim’s surgery. Both of those happened early in the season; I don’t think there were others (I know you’ll correct me in the comments if I’m wrong about that!). It makes me wonder if the days of Shaun/Glassman flashbacks are in the past… but then again, I never expected Steve to make an all-new cameo 6 seasons into the show! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/52795dea-5e60-4224-b35b-008025d37991/52D4FE2C-AD21-43A1-A05C-849E80BCA6B0.jpeg State of the #Shea - Oh, Baby! Let's revisit that TGD S6 Wish List - (LASTING) LOVE FOR LIM After a romantic false alarm for Lim– I suppose we should call it a “trick,” as it happened during the Halloween episode– she hit it off big-time with Clay Porter, a fellow wheelchair-bound doctor from another hospital. Four episodes later, Clay made an “open” proposal of marriage to Lim just before going in for the surgery that ultimately reversed her paralysis… and while she never accepted, she did counteroffer with the suggestion of moving in together, and he accepted. And then…? As far as we know, they continue to live and love happily together. That’s the good news. The bad news is that it’s all happened offscreen since January’s “Quiet and Loud” episode. But Clay’s portrayer, Michael Patrick Thornton, starred in a Broadway revival of Ibsen’s A Doll’s House this past spring– so I presume Lim and Clay’s relationship was rushed a little to accommodate his availability and left in a good place so viewers could have some level of satisfaction on Lim’s behalf (even if we couldn’t witness it). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/ccaf2079-b45f-4b64-82aa-fc6776fa3f86/TGD+Quiet+Loud+missing+Danni.jpeg State of the #Shea - Oh, Baby! Let's revisit that TGD S6 Wish List - DONNIE. OR MARCIE. OR PAM. OR MIKE. I grouped these four together since they’re all directly related to either Shaun or Lea. Pam and Mike Dilallo (Lea’s parents) we haven’t seen since S4; Lea spoke of them occasionally in S6, but only in reference to past events (the house she grew up in, the dog they briefly owned)-- no present-day communications. Donnie she referenced twice (in “Growth Opportunities” and “Old Friends”), but never by name. Marcie Murphy (Shaun’s mom) hasn’t been mentioned since Lea and Shaun agreed NOT to invite her to the wedding back in S5. Call me crazy, but I’m not giving up hope yet. The adaptive family dynamic between Shaun, Lea, and Glassman is strong (or will be again, eventually), which feels like still-fertile territory for any of these blood relatives to appear. But I’ll save that conversation for the S7 “wish list”. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/d6957c12-45f3-4128-bc51-79c53d0a7977/IMG_4843.jpg State of the #Shea - Oh, Baby! Let's revisit that TGD S6 Wish List - KELLAN Park’s only child got a couple of mentions in S6– apparently, he even came to San Jose for an offscreen visit-- but it’s now been over two years since he’s graced a TGD episode. While he’s clearly not essential to the Park-Morgan dynamic the way a younger child might be, family is so hard to come by on this show… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/07b592ac-9377-47ea-8105-05dd50287678/Lea+Ex+to+be+named+later+TGD.jpeg State of the #Shea - Oh, Baby! Let's revisit that TGD S6 Wish List - LEA’S EX-HUSBAND I’ll be honest– the fact that Lea’s first husband never got a name continues to dim any hopes of him putting in an appearance. And maybe I’m alone in wishing we’d get just one look at him anyway. But to be clear, it’s not about bringing him in as some sort of temptation-of-a-simpler-time for Lea. I just like backstory to be cultivated whenever it can, and TGD provided quite a few nuggets for Lea back in the early days. I’d rather see Donnie Dilallo that this guy ANYTIME, but that doesn’t change the fact that Lea has an ex-husband somewhere in TGD’s universe. Even if he’s waaaay the hell out on Pluto. (I know that’s not considered a planet anymore, but I went through my formative years being told otherwise. Live with it :) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1676324634998-TEOLU6OHR3AURCX35RLY/IMG_4902.jpeg State of the #Shea - Oh, Baby! Let's revisit that TGD S6 Wish List - MORE ABOUT THE #DILALLEN DEVICE Welp, I was afraid this would happen… We got 2 episodes in S5 that introduced Jordan’s latest medical invention, brought Lea on board for the technical side of the product, got Glassman involved as an adviser (for better or worse)... and you’d never know any of that had happened throughout S6. Instead, we had Jordan so enmeshed with Danny’s difficulties that she didn’t even share a scene with Lea between “Afterparty” and “Quiet and Loud,” let alone devote episode time to a progress report on this would-be gold mine of an invention! While it’s within the realm of possibility that TGD could still come back to this marvelous #DilAllen Device– especially if the show concludes with S7 and wants to have some sort of financial windfall for these two characters as they wrap things up– I feel like they’re missing some great opportunities along the way. Both Lea as a woman in a STEM career, and Jordan as a black woman entrepreneur, are terrific inspriation material. But anyone watching TGD for the first time with S6 is unlikely to even know Jordan’s fiercely impressive work history. Talk about a wasted backstory! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/d076d2de-b22a-46a5-bdf2-5bacdb9c2c58/Paige+Spara+solo.jpeg State of the #Shea - Oh, Baby! Let's revisit that TGD S6 Wish List - PAIGE SPARA DIRECTING This was reader Asa’s idea, and much as I love it (as might Spara herself if she read this!), the closest we got was another great episode directed by her onscreen husband. (Freddie Highmore led the way on the “Half Measures” episode that aired in April.) Just wait til’ next year…? (Or whenever we finally get Season 7!) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/38aa30db-cada-4cc5-9098-b1299aa8328e/TGD+S5+Andrews.jpg State of the #Shea - Oh, Baby! Let's revisit that TGD S6 Wish List - A FOLLOW-UP WITH “KEVIN” A longshot wish of mine was for “Kevin,” the young patient from S5’s “My Way” episode in whom Andrews took a personal interest, would turn up again in some fashion and Andrews would take him in as a foster child… obviously that didn’t happen, and never will if Hill Harper’s Senate run takes him off TGD for the remainder of the series. Come to think of it, wouldn’t it have been terrific if they could’ve built Kevin into Andrews’ departure from the show? If Andrews had to leave St. Bons because he needed to relocate and/or devote more time to his “son”...? And they could’ve brought his ex-wife Isabel back into the picture too, as they teased us with in “Boys Don’t Cry”...? And Andrews could have sought advice about surrogate parenting from TGD’s OG surrogate parent, Glassman….?!? Instead we got the makeshift mess with Villanueva. Uggghhhhh! Now I’m pissed off. Will this final set of unfulfilled #Shea wishes make me feel any better? It’s highly unlikely, but I’d better list them off anyway… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1690062968321-ZVR718XQK9CLV3CJCH9D/IMG_5122.jpeg State of the #Shea - Oh, Baby! Let's revisit that TGD S6 Wish List https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1690062967934-U39KAVDXQY4IK29Z7KYH/IMG_4868.jpeg State of the #Shea - Oh, Baby! Let's revisit that TGD S6 Wish List https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1690063300015-AYDOA1Y3QIBC8S0AFTWX/IMG-4047.jpg State of the #Shea - Oh, Baby! Let's revisit that TGD S6 Wish List https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/282cfb79-028b-4f38-a6f7-9cd1c2cf490e/TGD+Blip+Shaun+Lea+Karaoke+Fail.jpeg State of the #Shea - Oh, Baby! Let's revisit that TGD S6 Wish List - #SHEA SPECIFIC: DOUBLE DATING We’ve wished, and we’ve wished, and we’ve wished… Seasons 4, and 5, and now 6… Send them out with #Parnick, with #Jasher, with Lim and Clay (did they ever get a nickname?)... And the closest we came this year– if it even counts– was Jared’s first try at Karaoke Night, where Shaun, Lea, and Jordan attended (but no one else came). And Jordan mildly chastised Jared. And Shaun was obsessed with Glassman’s medical records. And Lea practically fell asleep. In other words, not close at all. Booooo. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/3e098769-c492-4c91-bb09-690e6910bd34/TGD+Good+Boy+Woods.jpeg State of the #Shea - Oh, Baby! Let's revisit that TGD S6 Wish List - #SHEA SPECIFIC: A CAPER, e.g. THE TOWED STRIPED TOMATO At the time, the point of the “caper” to which I’m referring (see “We’re All Crazy Sometimes” from S4 for more details) was to give Shaun and Lea a little burst of shenaniganery just before settling into the seriousness of an unplanned pregnancy. Are #Shea too mature/domesticated now to deal with such an adventure? The closest thing we got in S6– falling in between Shaun’s preoccupations with Lim’s paralysis and Glassman’s brain issues– was the situation with the injured dog in “The Good Boy.” The episode gave us much of the poignancy, humor, and bonus backstory (on Lea’s part) that we love, and did much more by bringing Glassman in for a consult and strengthening Shaun and Lea’s belief that they’ll work well together as parents. But, alas, not much in the way of shenanigans. Lea’s still Lea, though. Maybe, now that she’s no longer growing a human within her, she’ll find herself back in the “crazy” sometime? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1690064059289-EBTHR7UMBSJE9H7YMCJ2/IMG_4857.jpeg State of the #Shea - Oh, Baby! Let's revisit that TGD S6 Wish List https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1690063847581-F5RSEMTR51MX0I8AMEC7/IMG-4310.jpg State of the #Shea - Oh, Baby! Let's revisit that TGD S6 Wish List https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/9cc11e6a-c6a7-4628-bc76-ee07dc721f51/IMG_5306.jpeg State of the #Shea - Oh, Baby! Let's revisit that TGD S6 Wish List - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://kellimlawrence.com/stateofshea/state-of-the-shea-pt-81-all-youve-got-to-do-is-turn-around-loves-labor-part-2 monthly 0.5 2024-02-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/3d01bc83-1439-4b16-a5a2-7eb1b10b0faf/TGD+Love+Labor+Family+Shot+5.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 81: All You’ve Got to Do Is Turn Around (“Love’s Labor,” Part 2) - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1685847355260-O0XQYS05Q82BQ1P7GQJ0/IMG_6187.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 81: All You’ve Got to Do Is Turn Around (“Love’s Labor,” Part 2) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1685847693417-91PTHROY68K8FZ5PEP5N/IMG_6204.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 81: All You’ve Got to Do Is Turn Around (“Love’s Labor,” Part 2) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1685847469137-TCZLGORN61SVNXUISOAL/IMG_6130.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 81: All You’ve Got to Do Is Turn Around (“Love’s Labor,” Part 2) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1685847772204-4PQOZ9RSXJT759DLL1KX/IMG_6148.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 81: All You’ve Got to Do Is Turn Around (“Love’s Labor,” Part 2) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1685847915263-L247N663JH3ZGC5UXZGO/IMG_6146.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 81: All You’ve Got to Do Is Turn Around (“Love’s Labor,” Part 2) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1685847626087-YBSGCRXQ1SZ1YDTMFSR7/IMG_6197.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 81: All You’ve Got to Do Is Turn Around (“Love’s Labor,” Part 2) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/9ddd2bed-d21b-431e-afc5-23e54e19b60a/TGD+Love+Labor+Family+Shot+3.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 81: All You’ve Got to Do Is Turn Around (“Love’s Labor,” Part 2) - Lea and Shaun didn’t have to deal with any residents other than Asher (and him for a very good reason, I might add), and they certainly didn’t have anyone’s mother-in-law present. What they did have was, by my judgment anyway, pretty much everything #Shea Nation could want: No manufactured drama…unless you count the discussion about “using suction.” Since it was unclear (to me) whether suction was used or not, the “will he have a conehead?” worry felt like it was mostly a way to get to Shaun’s line “His head has a very nice shape… he is beautiful!” Lea roaming around early in the episode, taking care of work-related business, taking care of personal business (via her plea to Glassman)… gee, couldn’t they have worked a 30-second advice session with Jordan somewhere in there?? (I’ll try to let that go, I promise…) Shaun initially seeming more excited about the birthing process itself than the arrival of his son (watching/announcing her contractions on the fetal monitor, taking care of Lea’s visible needs but not recognizing her “invisible needs” until she called him over to talk about them, and, of course, standing “down there” when he needed to be “up here” (with Lea). All was very much in character. The fear, the joy, the absolute wonder as Lea held Steven for the first time— all was spot-on. And of course, we were even treated to some very traditional follow-up activities such as Shaun cutting the umbilical cord and Jared taking their first Murphy Family photo. And while they surely received twice their weight in baby gifts, the one WE saw was the one that counted most. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1685848542304-UBZKYE47R4KUR34IILZD/IMG_6209.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 81: All You’ve Got to Do Is Turn Around (“Love’s Labor,” Part 2) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1685848377405-NMTR3IYVZWXVACRC4S3R/IMG_6206.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 81: All You’ve Got to Do Is Turn Around (“Love’s Labor,” Part 2) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1685848542354-Z672MNA9OZOWYFCRORA2/IMG_6216.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 81: All You’ve Got to Do Is Turn Around (“Love’s Labor,” Part 2) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1685848647678-CA193CV83RUJJ5ZXOP2N/IMG_6219.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 81: All You’ve Got to Do Is Turn Around (“Love’s Labor,” Part 2) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1685848787584-F7V40MCQIE00FQPRR8ZE/IMG_5853.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 81: All You’ve Got to Do Is Turn Around (“Love’s Labor,” Part 2) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1685848787567-XA3NV7B0M9OU2G21JJ0L/IMG_5854.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 81: All You’ve Got to Do Is Turn Around (“Love’s Labor,” Part 2) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1685848789694-PSAURUNMVJRHUWM1PY4N/IMG_5856.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 81: All You’ve Got to Do Is Turn Around (“Love’s Labor,” Part 2) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1685848789639-OFA9C7X869MZ6FZ80D4L/IMG_5855.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 81: All You’ve Got to Do Is Turn Around (“Love’s Labor,” Part 2) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/ab3b2788-7963-4540-a261-dc0565dfde98/IMG_6212.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 81: All You’ve Got to Do Is Turn Around (“Love’s Labor,” Part 2) - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://kellimlawrence.com/stateofshea/finale-pt-1 monthly 0.5 2023-05-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/00cf0c1c-7f76-4990-ac6b-91995e958b83/TGD+Love+Labor+Family+shot+1.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 80: Coming Home (“Love’s Labor”, Pt. 1) - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/8be59fb2-b0cb-47c8-9fa6-5dd013e57a2d/IMG_6035.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 80: Coming Home (“Love’s Labor”, Pt. 1) - ACT 1 A: Shea Birthing Suite Shaun is anxious for Lea to get into her hospital gown and hooked up to a fetal monitor, but as she unpacks she finds she is missing her “lucky socks” from her last time as a patient. Contractions are 8:45 apart. Shaun agrees to go home and get the socks. By the way… the “when to head to the hospital” rule seems to be known as 5-1-1: contractions 5 minutes apart, lasting 1 minute each, for a duration of 1 hour. During this opening scene, it’s stated that Lea’s contractions are 8:45 apart (a long way from 5:00). So…do we ding TGD for sending Lea in early? Or do we overlook it and applaud them for their consistent mucking up of the time/space continuum? Because…wasn’t Lea leaving for St. Bons as Glassman was leaving the hospital the night before? And aren’t these first scenes of “Love’s Labor” taking place early the next day? Why wouldn’t Lea be in a hospital gown already when she’s been there ALL NIGHT? (I’m sure some of you can justify it, but I’ll simply return to my “nothing about this year’s timeline makes sense” mantra, and move on… ) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/294688cc-1ba0-4105-b174-0e04bedc5769/TGD+Love+Labor+ambulance+internal.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 80: Coming Home (“Love’s Labor”, Pt. 1) - B: Ambulance on a foggy road, pre-dawn Kevin Arnold’s dad on The (original) Wonder Years (Dan Lauria) is a POTW being transported by Jerome, Jared & Danny*… were we ever told why these three were out in the field? (I guess, based on the dialogue, they were called out as a “critical care unit” to transport the POTW? Just seems like a LOT of staff to be involved in the transport of a single patient.) Danny is on the phone with St. Bons (via Jordan) with an update/ETA, during which we hear a brief banter about the “dress code” for their date later that evening. But then… screeching tires, slamming vehicles, and the call is disconnected. *I’ve been calling him “Perez” for most of the season, but will now just go ahead and call him “Danny” because he’s a short-timer and no one cares what he’s called. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/68f9beda-35b9-456c-8337-731ec3a1bb9d/IMG_6048.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 80: Coming Home (“Love’s Labor”, Pt. 1) - C: Post-Primary accident scene The guys all get their bearings and open the rear of the ambulance, which is on its side in the tunnel. There were two other vehicles involved; we hear a girl crying and see a man on a vehicle hood, shot out through the windshield. Jared’s out of the ambulance first, taking note of the ambulance driver, who thinks his leg is broken. Meanwhile, Danny and Jared split between the two other vehicles… One of the other vehicles was driven by Kurt from Gilmore Girls (Sean Gunn) Jared helps Kurt from Gilmore Girls and his two young daughters, one of whom is having trouble breathing… Danny tends to the windshield guy, who is alive but has a weak pulse. Jerome, in the meantime, is helping POTW/Kevin’s Dad from The Wonder Years get relatively comfortable while they all await a backup ambulance. After Jared gets both girls out of the car, he sees headlights coming at full speed. He shouts and waves his arms frantically, but apparently goes unseen because of the fog. Jerome bellows “DANNY!!!!” as the headlights strike the vehicle with the busted windshield and Danny goes flying… right into the OPENING CREDITS. (As terrifying stunts go that was really cool, I must admit.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/878ae292-b92f-4d7c-9cd2-736fe98c3a82/IMG_6085.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 80: Coming Home (“Love’s Labor”, Pt. 1) - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/3361f7cd-1a25-4c8e-81fe-7e15960811ca/IMG_6061.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 80: Coming Home (“Love’s Labor”, Pt. 1) - D: Shea/Glassman apartment hallway… Shaun comes into the corridor and encounters Glassman, who is on the way back from dumping his recycling. (As one does at WTF time it’s supposed to be now.) “Lea’s in labor… we’re having our baby today,” Shaun tells him with some obvious trepidation given where things ended with them however many hours ago. “Congratulations,” Glass says flatly before he goes back into his apartment and shuts the door. Shaun ponders that for a moment (“Hm.”) Then leaves. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/5d605243-03a4-4329-be1f-a35d70743efc/IMG_6066.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 80: Coming Home (“Love’s Labor”, Pt. 1) - E: St Bon’s elevator Park finds Morgan with Eden strapped to her chest; Morgan had to come in unexpectedly, and couldn’t get a dream nanny in record time (you think?). Say, can Park watch her for a few? No, he’s just been paged to the ER. We see Morgan take in her clientele for the day. “Be professional,” she advises her foster daughter before proceeding. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/33f35e8f-7a8e-4052-b52f-e6fbd4dda774/IMG_6096.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 80: Coming Home (“Love’s Labor”, Pt. 1) - F: MEANWHILE, IN THE ER… Lim is briefing everyone on the accident and how they’ll divvy out the patients. Lots of camera swishpans as we get the accident victims in, including Kevin’s Dad from Wonder Years, Kurt from Gilmore Girls and his daughters, the blonde lady whose vehicle sent Danny F L Y I N G, and the ambulance driver. (Guess the guy who Danny was originally tending to didn’t make it; we never hear about him again.) Jordan asks about Danny; Jerome says he’s in the last ambulance but doesn’t elaborate. He’s trying to be helpful, but Jordan sees straight through it. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/22941fa8-f8da-4352-9c6f-4b6d3eed5cc7/IMG_6080.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 80: Coming Home (“Love’s Labor”, Pt. 1) - Ella, the little girl who can’t breathe, gets tended to by Asher. Around this time Jordan “finally” sees Danny; he’s in terrible shape but is still semi-conscious. Lim has the blonde lady; her eyes are open but totally unresponsive. Spooky. Jordan is assessing Danny and after she gives directives to the staff, he grabs her by the arm. “No opioids,” he pleads. “Just promise me.” She agrees. (Because, honestly, what else could she do in that moment?) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/0133277d-a6aa-4945-883d-6456fe696479/IMG_6083.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 80: Coming Home (“Love’s Labor”, Pt. 1) - Little Ella needs surgery right away. She calls to her dad; he assures her all will be OK. (He’s getting checked over at this point too, by Asher.) Unresponsive Blonde goes for a scan; Lim is joined by Andrews. They determine she has “internal decapitation,” which neither of them have ever seen, much less worked with. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1684374768408-5C32MO4X21WPKXV5WDW0/IMG_6099.png State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 80: Coming Home (“Love’s Labor”, Pt. 1) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1684374769329-9JH1FSHW95RI9LB1G93M/IMG_6100.png State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 80: Coming Home (“Love’s Labor”, Pt. 1) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/3d40d7ff-5dbb-4db4-9943-028471da8c3e/IMG_6102.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 80: Coming Home (“Love’s Labor”, Pt. 1) - ACT 2 A: Lea’s office Shaun is back at St. Bon’s and finds Lea in her office, still dressed in her street clothes and sending out forgotten emails AND getting her laptop, probably because she’s heard that she won’t want to look at that damn thing for weeks once Peanut is born and Lea is a time-maximizing kind of woman. She unzips Shaun’s backpack to look for her socks and finds the matching set of beanies Shaun got for Mom/Dad/Peanut/Grandpa. She wants them to take the “Grandpa” beanie to Glassy; she wants the two of them to call a truce because of Peanut’s arrival. Shaun tells her about seeing him in the hallway, telling him the news, etc. (And in a great little “mirror moment,” Lea responds exactly as Shaun did– “Hm.”) Shaun again urges her to get hooked up to a fetal monitor, and off they go. (Also— Ella is out of surgery; her mom has now joined her sister and Kurt from Gilmore Girls and they are talking to Park & Asher about her prognosis.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/acaa32ac-be41-4e60-9e39-4b70f73905f9/IMG_6106.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 80: Coming Home (“Love’s Labor”, Pt. 1) - B: The Glass Shack (my new title for Glassman’s apartment, which we are seeing internally for the first time in this episode) Lim goes to Glassman for guidance with theUnresponsive Blonde/ internal decapitation thing. He paints a grim picture of the odds, but Lim of course wants to try. She wants him on board in the OR as a consultant as well. He’s resistant— which is to be expected, considering he literally walked away from the OR less than 24 hours ago— but soon enough he admits “I’m up for some… color commentary.” Alrighty then. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/5c12b1d0-abec-4d85-8b01-4c5b91e4b691/IMG_6112.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 80: Coming Home (“Love’s Labor”, Pt. 1) - C: Shea Birthing Suite Shaun sees Lea’s next contraction coming on the monitor. She doubles over when it happens because, as her loving husband says a little too excitedly, “It’s a big one!” Asher comes in with Ella’s chart; he’s trying to be excited for them but is preoccupied with the fact that there aren’t enough docs available to help him out. (Shaun and Lea have apparently been briefed on the accident and Perez’s involvement as Lea asks how Danny is doing. “Just coming out of surgery,” Asher tells her. Shaun deduces Ella’s surgery can’t wait, but gestures for Asher to leave despite Asher basically begging Shaun to scrub in. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/cf444780-091a-4fc5-a355-dfef3c6696dd/IMG_6115.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 80: Coming Home (“Love’s Labor”, Pt. 1) - Lea wants Shaun to go assist. But, he protests, “I should be here, feeding you ice chips and holding your hand and talking about the future.” “Have you been watching movies about people having babies?” she wonders. (Which, as I understand it, is a common way for neurodivergent people to figure out how to act in unfamiliar situations.) Shaun nods/shrugs adorably. And oh, wouldn’t it have been fun to watch him engaged in some such movie… where he’s trying to take notes on “what to do” but is instead constantly critiquing the medical components of a scene… such as when Elizabeth McGovern’s character has a breech delivery in She’s Having a Baby… damn, now I REALLY wish they’d had time for something like that. Anyway— he confirms the procedure should be fairly straightforward, and Lea assures him she’ll be fine. “Okay. Prep the OR,” Shaun tells Asher. “Do not have this baby without me!” Shaun says on his way out. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/3746b508-3025-4e1c-a239-4a2b885bf689/IMG_6119.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 80: Coming Home (“Love’s Labor”, Pt. 1) - ACT 3 A: Danny’s hospital room As Danny regains consciousness. Jordan first assures him he’s still opiate-free, but then gives him the full injury rundown, which includes a fractured pancreas— “about as painful as it gets,” she says. She then urges him to reconsider “real” pain meds, as he’s on everything they can give him right now and his BP/heart rate are still elevated and he’s at risk for a heart attack or stroke. He still says no… he worked too hard to have to go back to square one. Instead, to divert his attention, he reaches for her hand and asks her to “tell me about our dinner tonight”... she does her best. (There was an odd little editing issue at the end of this scene… kind of hard to explain, but if anyone else took note of it let me know. There’s a much bigger “editing” issue coming up…) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/b2872970-1026-4bf1-bbae-6ebb95ae5a7b/TGD+Love+Labor+Morgan+Eden.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 80: Coming Home (“Love’s Labor”, Pt. 1) - B: Morgan’s Research Nook (I’m not crazy about this title; give me an alternative to consider please!) Morgan is talking to one of the women in today’s study group, but Nurse Hawks is holding Eden off in the distance (trying to do Morgan a favor ) and Mama is distracted. She excuses herself, then goes over and coaches Hawks on how Eden likes to “face out”. She gives a quick directive to the person at the desk before returning to her patient… who has more questions, but Morgan is now focused on Eden’s head support. She doesn’t like how Hawks is doing it; she walks back over… and now her patient is clearly irritated and heads for the door. (BTW the client is obsessed with her dog “Lincoln”’s very particular needs— or are they HER very particular needs?— so it’s not like she’s portrayed as a super-normal lady.) Morgan calls after her, but we won’t see her again. How am I ever gonna pull this off? We see her wondering… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/39f57a51-523c-4744-8d1b-1a84cd31f775/IMG_6122.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 80: Coming Home (“Love’s Labor”, Pt. 1) - C: Glassman’s office Lea, pushing a fetal monitor (and bearing a microphone battery pack that you’ll see all too clearly in the next picture), enters and pleads for him to go talk to Shaun. “You two cannot be in a fight today,” she implores. He quickly corrects; it’s not “a fight.” She asks him to set “it” aside for just this day; he waves her off with his need to be in the OR (which is a mighty ironic statement given where they’re at, even though it is true… I guess there was no time for these two to discuss that further. Couldn’t he have just said “I’m needed elsewhere?”) Anyway… after she reiterates that Shaun “needs his father” we hear the splish splash. “OMG, either my water just broke or I just peed all over your office!” “Either way, it would be a first,” he deadpans. Heh. Great line. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/6724e9f8-30a2-420e-a46d-67205980d7c7/IMG_6125.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 80: Coming Home (“Love’s Labor”, Pt. 1) - Glassman offers to help her (back to the room?-- too bad Lea didn’t take him up on that, even though Shaun was still in surgery). After assuring him she could make it back on her own, she makes one more plea for reconciliation, then says (apologetically) that she’ll call janitorial, then leaves. But rather than watch her go endearingly; he screws his mouth up, I presume, with the knowledge that he will not go talk to him that day. (The aforementioned battery pack is that black box hanging from the sleeve of Lea’s gown. It’s the kind of thing that always gets hidden, either in an actor’s underclothes or a pocket. How it ended up in plain sight in this scene? My only real guess is that the director shot (or re-shot) this scene in a hurry, and somehow neither the crew nor the actors noticed it.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/3b7e4de4-aa36-4aa3-b743-a068d5fbd96c/IMG_6128.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 80: Coming Home (“Love’s Labor”, Pt. 1) - D: Andrews’ Office Some lady I don’t recognize has summoned Andrews. He’s in his medical scrubs, and of course has been tied up with the string of accident victims that day– but she says an emergency meeting of the board is happening tonight because of him, and the way he’s handling (or not) the nurses’ push to unionize. “I’m on top of it,” he tries to assure her. “That’s the problem…” she says (Yikes! Very un-delicate way of saying that) as she holds up a sheet of paper and I presume it’s his previously signed mutual consent form about Villanueva. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/9adada4a-41ba-42e6-841f-eebfb77ece36/IMG_6129.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 80: Coming Home (“Love’s Labor”, Pt. 1) - E: Outside Little Ella’s Hospital Room Shaun and Asher, talking to Kurt from Gilmore Girls and his wife. The surgery took place (off-camera) without complications, all is well… till Kurt from Gilmore Girls (OK, his real name on this episode is “Kenny”) suddenly collapses. Shaun checks him and makes OR plans stat. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/e6313852-450a-4ed5-944d-adbf45c2ccac/IMG_6133.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 80: Coming Home (“Love’s Labor”, Pt. 1) - F: Danny’s Hospital Room Danny’s in great pain now, trying to repeat the serenity prayer over and over. Jared comes in, sees Jordan is about to fold and give him fentanyl; he tries to talk her out of it. He sees Danny as “clinging to his sobriety,” but she sees his pain and that “he’s dying”... thinks about it a little more as Jared stands there, but then looks up, says “Forgive me” and gives him the fentanyl. We watch Danny’s pain lift as he goes to sleep. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/86731ddd-73b9-444f-a45f-d711799c92ab/IMG_6139.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 80: Coming Home (“Love’s Labor”, Pt. 1) - ACT 4 A: Shaun & Asher’s OR Shaun and Asher are scrambling to try and save Kenny, AKA Kurt from Gilmore Girls. Asher is upset because he didn’t find this problem when he examined him earlier; Shaun assures him it must’ve been too small to detect at the time. As Kenny flatlines, Asher begs Shaun to have “one of his visions” but Shaun indicates it’s no use (too much of something with the blood; too long of something with the brain.) Time of death 4:36. And that was the only official death in this episode, as far as we know. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1734fd86-8b03-4674-8969-c3b207cdd946/IMG_6146.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 80: Coming Home (“Love’s Labor”, Pt. 1) - B: St. Bons Corridor (Walk & Talk) Andrews discusses with Villanueva the findings of the Board, and the fact that she hadn’t shared she was leading the union push, which would have been an interesting twist if anyone gave a crap and/or believed this relationship element… but the writers don’t seem to care, so why should we? Anyway, he’s now been told he hasn’t been coming down hard enough on the nurses because of his relationship with Villanueva, and his job is threatened. “I don’t want you to lose your job over us,” she says. “I don’t want to lose YOU over my job,” he says. Whatever, guys… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/d9a5a6fe-c527-43ac-b243-fe68d95415b6/IMG_6147.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 80: Coming Home (“Love’s Labor”, Pt. 1) - C: Lim and Glassman’s (sort of) OR w/Unresponsive Blonde Glassman overseeing while Lim works diligently. She mentions Shaun/Lea. He tells her he told Shaun congrats. She asks if he’s gonna talk to Shaun beyond one word. He doesn’t answer other than surgical speak. “You know, a crotchety old man once told me that hanging onto my anger was toxic,” she reminds him gently. “I’m not crotchety,” he counters. She ignores him. “You were right then, and I’m right now,” she says. Glassman brings up his public humiliation a day ago. Yes, but the baby is coming today. Glassman gives a directive and starts to reach for the things he asked for. Lim takes them, of course. “Sorry. Old habit,” he sighs. And any momentary softening he may have experienced hardened right back up. Sigh indeed. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/9dbbe472-e118-43e3-8b07-918d0034a2e4/IMG_6148.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 80: Coming Home (“Love’s Labor”, Pt. 1) - D: Danny’s Hospital Room She asks if his family left to get a hotel room… and had we not known that he was leaving TGD, it would’ve seemed really odd that they wrote in his family– flying in from Texas-- to be with him, but we never saw one of them.) He and Jordan have the fentanyl talk. She admits it wasn’t a hard decision given that he was “on the verge of a heart attack or brain bleed”... he says not definitively, though. She underscores that she wasn’t willing to take the risk of him dying, but he turns his head away, saying nothing more. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/953bddd1-9782-4602-b31c-42313543e1b1/IMG_6152.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 80: Coming Home (“Love’s Labor”, Pt. 1) - E: Morgan’s Office Park finds Morgan in her office, rocking Eden. She indicates she got her work done (trials all set), but… she’s ready to tell Andrews she’s quitting because it’s all too much. Park tries to talk her out of it, but… “I’ve made the mistake of putting my career above the people I love before… I’m not doing it again.” (BUT SHE DIDN’T REALLY DO THAT LAST TIME… SHE DECIDED NOT TO TAKE THE EAST COAST JOB BEFORE Park dumped her….UGGGHHHHHH) Anyway, Park looks very touched. He’s got two more acts in this episode to come to his senses… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/00f87ac5-f272-4c73-bd94-521ef2903195/IMG_6159.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 80: Coming Home (“Love’s Labor”, Pt. 1) - F: Morgue Holding Area, or Whatever Tasteful Name is Assigned to This Sort of Space Shaun brings the wife in to see Kenny/Kurt from Gilmore Girls. She’s in the “how do I go on from here” mode. I’ll let Shaun’s words tell the rest of the story.) SHAUN: “When my brother Steve died, I didn’t know how I would survive. He had always taken care of me. But I did, because someone else came into my life who took care of me and loved me. Now, he may be gone too. “It is very hard to lose people you thought would never leave. But you will be okay because you have no choice. When we lose people we love, we have to find a way to keep going for the people we still have.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/496d2409-7456-4081-9e7d-3ff95d37710e/IMG_6164.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 80: Coming Home (“Love’s Labor”, Pt. 1) - ACT 5 A: Shea Birthing Suite Shaun returns to Lea, much to her relief (because it’s getting a lot more real and she’s starting to freak out a bit). He tells her little Ella will be OK, but doesn’t mention the dad’s passing (This commentary from TGD’s Autistic Consultant Melissa Reiner is helpful in understanding why). Contractions are about two minutes apart now, so Shaun confirms it’s time to start pushing. (Fun fact; the entire scene is just under two minutes, so we have to imagine this happened immediately after one contraction and immediately before another.) Lea gives her I’m scared, really really scared speech to which every mom out there could surely relate on some level. Shaun says “It will be okay. Probably.” which is all Shaun of course. “Let’s do this.” (And the viewing audience said AMEN!) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/119f0227-3148-486b-a50f-d25cc10e9b4e/IMG_6170.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 80: Coming Home (“Love’s Labor”, Pt. 1) - B: Room of Kevin’s Dad from The Wonder Years* This POTW is walking around his room agitatedly, but Park gets him to lie back down. POTW tells his “Martha” story about sunrises, giving Park his push: “She’s the reason I wake up in the morning.” * If you thought the 2021 reboot of The Wonder Years was pretty darn good but wondered what became of it, get ready… ABC held it for the summer season. June 14 is the date I’m seeing for its “season premiere.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/05c1e187-53b9-4ae8-8c06-10cb585c2440/IMG_6171.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 80: Coming Home (“Love’s Labor”, Pt. 1) - Ding ding ding…!!!!!! (That’s all I have to say about this shot.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/a221fb91-1c7d-474d-98bc-1f8c369464fa/IMG_6173.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 80: Coming Home (“Love’s Labor”, Pt. 1) - C: Danny’s Hospital Room Danny NOW tells Jordan “I went through my patient record… you made the right call.” She’s clearly relieved. Nonetheless…he’s going back to Texas to be with his family for his best chance at recovery. “I knew when I gave you the drugs that I might lose you.,” Jordan admits. “And that wasn’t a hard decision?” (Didn’t he ask a variation of this question already? Good God, Danny, how many times do you need to hear it… yes, she cares very very very much for you. Geez.) But he still wants his date with her before he leaves. Is she free tonight? IMAGINED CONTINUED DIALOGUE… (Uh, NO, one of my besties is down the hall having a baby. Like, right now.) (But I’m leeeaving soon!) (Well when you put it that way…) Did anyone else want to primal scream into a bag at this point? Just me?? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/53d26844-ea5a-4acf-a1bb-4d9af5f86d5d/IMG_6176.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 80: Coming Home (“Love’s Labor”, Pt. 1) - D: Shea Birthing Suite (Oh, Thank God, we’re back to this) Lea is pushing! Shaun is…watching “down there” and giving her thumbs up on stuff excitedly until she gets him to come “up here”... it’s slow-going. Using suction is mentioned. Shaun reminds her he emailed her about this possibility. “There were a lot of emails, Shaun!” she snaps, which is as close as she comes to yelling expletives at him, as per the delivery room stereotype… (Seriously, how many emails do you think he sent her in just those final two weeks? I say at least a half-dozen a day.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/c1aedb19-138b-4614-910b-8d4f0ba69071/IMG_6182.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 80: Coming Home (“Love’s Labor”, Pt. 1) - The vacuum delivery/conehead question comes up, but I guess they never had to go this route? It’s not clear (though Lea seems surprised he’s “not a conehead” later on.) Shaun reminds Lea she can squeeze his hand. She does as she pushes again; he looks uncomfortable, but not terribly so. (Guess he went back to practicing?) Last shot in this scene is their hands clasped with her OBGYN in the background. Nice. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1684431144446-F0SEES71L0UNTLGXUSPB/IMG_6183.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 80: Coming Home (“Love’s Labor”, Pt. 1) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1684431144176-UDDIGE3WQIT00W0U9YKP/IMG_6184.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 80: Coming Home (“Love’s Labor”, Pt. 1) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1684431146699-LS4ET6XOBD8RQ658YOUW/IMG_6185.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 80: Coming Home (“Love’s Labor”, Pt. 1) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1684431146802-ABO7SCBJ72ILAE84LCY6/IMG_6186.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 80: Coming Home (“Love’s Labor”, Pt. 1) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1684431148740-2XQIM26JWRIYA0CAFTHM/IMG_6187.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 80: Coming Home (“Love’s Labor”, Pt. 1) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1684431148958-SCR6XVFLGFB1E7VYGJNN/IMG_6188.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 80: Coming Home (“Love’s Labor”, Pt. 1) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1684431150707-X5VTNYWJ0LCTU2Z0751F/IMG_6189.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 80: Coming Home (“Love’s Labor”, Pt. 1) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1684431150963-FAM6NLNJ514QJQYZMFRX/IMG_6190.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 80: Coming Home (“Love’s Labor”, Pt. 1) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1684431152620-7HB4YI7B3VKW2CME0AOC/IMG_6191.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 80: Coming Home (“Love’s Labor”, Pt. 1) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1684431152919-9JKDYBF9H1JX3JQEXMNS/IMG_6192.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 80: Coming Home (“Love’s Labor”, Pt. 1) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/f67e6eb5-0511-4c31-811f-7c34e83b8e10/IMG_6194.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 80: Coming Home (“Love’s Labor”, Pt. 1) - After Shaun cuts the umbilical cord, he returns to Lea’s side. “Look at what we made,” she beams. His standard introduction takes on a whole new timbre: “Hello. It is very nice to meet you. I am Dr. Shaun Murphy! I’m your dad.” (As if he can’t believe he’s really saying that last part.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/85a4da5c-2663-493c-990f-c1d13ee30c06/IMG_6197.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 80: Coming Home (“Love’s Labor”, Pt. 1) - B: Morgan’s Office Morgan (and Eden) are musing about “taking it home with us” (the big Starbucks simulator that came with the office). Park comes in and tells her how she shouldn’t resign because she “doesn’t have to do all this alone”... she’s the reason he gets up in the mornings and he thinks they should move forward as a family. (Frickin’ FINALLY.) She says I love you too, kisses him, then… hands Eden off to him as if she’d had this moment in mind for weeks. “She has a dirty diaper, and I have 30 lab reports to review.” Welcome to “moving forward,” Park! (The raspberry by Eden at end is perfectly timed; the baby’s future as an actress is bright!) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/fb38e18d-8d6b-417f-800f-0c325a421987/IMG_6199.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 80: Coming Home (“Love’s Labor”, Pt. 1) - C: Danny’s Hospital Room Jordan and Danny, now with candles and roses, and whatever the hell this man is really allowed to eat on this day of near death? But he gives her an extended thank you (again, Frickin’ FINALLY) for all the little joys of the past year… she makes him believe he can do this. They’ll miss each other. (And, again…she missed the baby’s birth because of all this. Sure, she probably had Lea’s blessing, but… one more reason for me to growl at this relationship that never got off the ground. ) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/7883fc15-0a99-4ef1-9d31-cee85b1bc457/IMG_6203.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 80: Coming Home (“Love’s Labor”, Pt. 1) - D: St. Bons Parking Garage, Top Level Lim and Glassman bring Unresponsive Blonde out to watch the sun go down because of a study Glassman knows of where this sort of brain stimulation helped recovery from internal decapitation. (He nicknames it “Operation Sunset.”) While up there, Lim gets the notification that the #Shea baby is born. (I think we see a teeny pop of excitement from Glassy before he darkens again.) Does Glassman want to go meet him? “I think I’ll stay here, thank you.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/ff816545-1de7-4871-9403-05d7b8a69539/IMG_6205.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 80: Coming Home (“Love’s Labor”, Pt. 1) - Lim tries one more time. “I know losing surgery is devastating… don’t let losing one great love cost you another.” Knowing she’s done all she can, she walks away. Unresponsive Blonde becomes Semi-Responsive Blonde in an instant as she gives a small smile in Glassman’s presence, which he watches with some astonishment. (And don’t some of us think Hey, that smile is going to propel him to Lea’s room at the very last minute, right?) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/3cd8b8d7-d4fa-4ab9-91b6-03e5eb621bf0/IMG_6207.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 80: Coming Home (“Love’s Labor”, Pt. 1) - E: Andrews’ Office Andrews brings the Board Lady into his office for a heads-up that he’s resigning… capping off this very strange arc, sort of, for now. (This is him putting his “relationship” with Villanueva over his job? Have I got that right?) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1684431880672-3BYLBKLUXM8BQ850UCBC/IMG_6208.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 80: Coming Home (“Love’s Labor”, Pt. 1) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1684431880669-NNMA5T5SGSDNCME97DRL/IMG_6209.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 80: Coming Home (“Love’s Labor”, Pt. 1) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1684436202617-JD92VBPFJHM04QPX2U6L/TGD+Love+Labor+Family+Shot+5.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 80: Coming Home (“Love’s Labor”, Pt. 1) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1684436243847-IKNW0ICMPHSPDTY0DRT7/IMG_6210.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 80: Coming Home (“Love’s Labor”, Pt. 1) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1684431988949-B52RRXDJ5SQT0846BFCF/IMG_6212.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 80: Coming Home (“Love’s Labor”, Pt. 1) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1684431990400-RNXUZRZR0PD69UBJHWCP/IMG_6213.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 80: Coming Home (“Love’s Labor”, Pt. 1) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1684432247223-Y1KEEE1X4GE6FVNDM4BP/IMG_6215.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 80: Coming Home (“Love’s Labor”, Pt. 1) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1684432247133-V8EM8SIZ5PRAL497EOEY/IMG_6216.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 80: Coming Home (“Love’s Labor”, Pt. 1) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1684432249468-BXLM9LOA5H0P41JXY4SH/IMG_6219.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 80: Coming Home (“Love’s Labor”, Pt. 1) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1684432249469-IYPIVGZG22LNKBHZIZAT/IMG_6222.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 80: Coming Home (“Love’s Labor”, Pt. 1) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/9575ec72-487e-4924-913e-1948a5b6e20d/TGD+Love+Labor+Family+Shot+2.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 80: Coming Home (“Love’s Labor”, Pt. 1) - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://kellimlawrence.com/stateofshea/state-of-the-shea-pt-79-a-stop-too-far-beautiful-day monthly 0.5 2023-05-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/b495f343-4acd-4b32-bf84-85c127b30222/TGD+Beautiful+Day+Shaun+Gallery+1.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 79: A "Stop!" Too Far? (“Beautiful Day”) - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/5d23736d-e90f-4894-bb15-3562e70b6e0c/IMG_5946.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 79: A "Stop!" Too Far? (“Beautiful Day”) - Morgan the Muddler We knew it wasn’t going to be easy, this Morgan-as-new-mom thing. I’m not sure why SHE didn’t know that, but she possesses a lot of self-confidence and maybe truly believed she’d be above that spitup-stained learning curve… Obviously Park’s assistance is golden (perhaps the best we’ve seen him all year), helping Team #Parnick keep their hopes alive as we head for the S6 finish line. The laundry room scene, though… wow! We’ll have to talk about that some other time. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/a235da6a-2d03-464c-afcc-c3d527792b5d/TGD+Beautiful+Day+Perez+Jordan.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 79: A "Stop!" Too Far? (“Beautiful Day”) - Jordan/Perez and the “Date” I thought last week’s “gifts to each other” stuff was an ambiguous middle ground on which for these two to tread until the end of the season… but suddenly they were planning a DATE? For that very next night? (And yet it still didn’t happen…! And sorry, but ditching their plans to stroll through the makeshift Christmas market was silly.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/e6d62c64-d19a-49ae-b56d-47ea5ad4375c/TGD+Beautiful+Day+Andrews+Villa.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 79: A "Stop!" Too Far? (“Beautiful Day”) - Andrews/Villanueva and the Nurses Union Soon, I presume, this sort-of relationship will make sense. But for this episode, we were again subjected to Andrews and Villanueva sharing several scenes, with the added component of potential unionizing to underscore the huge power imbalance between them. (Asking her to narc on her fellow nurses?! How’s that “changing” coming along, Andrews??) But the fact that they haven’t thrown these two into a full-blown affair in the back half of this season (a la Salen/Andrews) is a relief… in fact, they’ve actively kept them even more chaste than the Jordan/Perez moments (not even a kiss; just flirty looks, holding hands, head on shoulder…) I’d call it sweet, if only there weren’t so many sour notes emerging from it all. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/df738f94-3b5b-44d0-9814-0da4b96220fe/IMG_5890.png State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 79: A "Stop!" Too Far? (“Beautiful Day”) - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/bfde76ef-550b-479b-a3a2-50b78b21f386/IMG_5892.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 79: A "Stop!" Too Far? (“Beautiful Day”) - As I planned this post, I even attempted a flow chart to sort out all the arguments pro and con for each side. It failed to become a true writing guide because… well, look at it. It’s a living mess. And that’s before you factor in my handwriting. (Flowchart masters, please don’t write in… it was just an experiment! Promise!) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/0f150aa4-a32b-4162-86a4-d299e2768b33/TGD+Beautiful+Day+EXTRA.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 79: A "Stop!" Too Far? (“Beautiful Day”) - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/b0fbe989-a342-4e4f-815e-de7387c833cb/IMG_5905.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 79: A "Stop!" Too Far? (“Beautiful Day”) - As per Shaun’s brief discussion with Lea at the top of the episode, he felt he did the right thing “both medically and professionally”... and that he “had no choice” but to go behind his back because Glass wouldn’t listen to him. Picking up Lea’s suggestion that he seek out/speak to Glassman about it, Shaun did that upon arriving to work. He asks Glassman if he’s mad at him; Glassman says “Yeah, a little bit… but maybe you saved my life, so…” (NOTE: I found it interesting that Glassman said “maybe you saved my life” but for whatever reason– time constraints, priorities, etc.-- that fact was not mentioned again. I say so given that Shaun puts so much emphasis on the “saving lives” part of everything he does; we’ve heard it throughout the series and especially earlier this season when he couldn’t come to terms easily with Lim’s anger towards him. Perhaps “maybe saving Glassman’s life” will resurface in the season finale…) Based on the remainder of that conversation, it would appear that Shaun was unable to absorb the gravity of Glassman’s emotions at that point. For instance- when Glassy said he was mad at Shaun “a little bit,” we can tell by his inflection that it’s much more than “a little bit,” but Shaun’s ASD keeps him from drawing the same conclusion. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/fd1a54f2-02a9-4985-bba5-0807ca522e6e/IMG_5918.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 79: A "Stop!" Too Far? (“Beautiful Day”) - A little later in the episode, after Lim tells Shaun she’s been overruled (by Andrews) regarding keeping Glassman out of the OR, Shaun goes to Glassman with hopes he can convince Shaun’s patient (“DickDad” Kurt) to have the brain tumor-removing surgery he needs, for he isn’t convinced Kurt is competent to make the decision on his own… GLASS (after studying DickDad’s scans): … you don’t think I’m competent to be a doctor… SHAUN: Oh, no. Just to be a neurosurgeon. The surgery should give Kurt about 20 more years… NOTE: Glassman clearly sees Shaun’s efforts as all-encompassing, while Shaun clearly sees a pinpoint on the neurosurgery. That’s a substantial difference.) GLASS: Let’s recap (about Kurt)– 20 more years as a bad father versus 1 year as a good father. SHAUN: There is no medical justification– GLASS: Yes there is, Shaun. Yes there is! (STOPS AND LOOKS AT HIM) There’s an emotional one! There’s an emotional issue! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/ead1e5eb-c58f-426a-912e-53257d35cfc0/IMG_5921.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 79: A "Stop!" Too Far? (“Beautiful Day”) - SHAUN: Your voice is getting louder and your face is flushed. Are you upset? (NOTE: Now THIS is a cue for Glassman’s anger that Shaun can easily recognize.) GLASS: (WALKS ONWARD) You should have come to me with the scan. You don’t go to Lim… you don’t show it to Lim. SHAUN: You said you were only a little mad at me. GLASS: You- you ratted me out to the head of the department when I specifically asked you not to do that! SHAUN: Yes- I did that because you did not believe me– GLASS: (YELLING) Well then you come to me! You try to convince me! Again, and again, and again! Don’t you think you owe me that? SHAUN: That’s four times… I tried a lot more than that. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/e5c15a6e-f40e-4888-8ec2-4a8cef2fd1d5/IMG_5943.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 79: A "Stop!" Too Far? (“Beautiful Day”) - Next time we see Shaun, Lim is telling him about Glassman’s decision to keep Shaun out of the OR during the surgery (and assuring Shaun the patient will return to his care immediately afterward). Shaun says OK, he’ll just watch from the gallery; but she guards against the idea. “He’s pretty upset right now, and if you push too hard, it could really hurt your relationship… you don’t have to be the one catching (the mistakes) when the one making them is your dad.” (paraphrased) Glassman’s surgery on DickDan/Kurt gets underway. Lim is assisting, Jordan and Perez are on hand… and we see Shaun enter the overhead gallery just as a commercial break hits. (NOTE: I have A LOT to discuss regarding this step in the sequence of events, but it will come later in this post so I can stick to Shaun’s POV for now.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/ce45c9e5-81ae-4993-8d57-4a98ee169709/IMG_5961.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 79: A "Stop!" Too Far? (“Beautiful Day”) - (NOTE: It’s tough, as usual, to tell exactly what Shaun is feeling in that moment. Could he process any of Glassman’s humiliation? Particularly when he was doing it from a distance? I tend not to think so. His focus throughout was on keeping Glassman from making a mistake and/or harming his patient… or more succinctly, trying to protect Glassman in the only way he knew how. Once Glassman exited, I think relief was the emotion Shaun was processing more than anything else.) After witnessing DickDad/Kurt wake up and make an effort (however delayed) to hold hands with daughter Hailey, Shaun seeks out Glassman before he leaves for the night… surely to pass on that the surgery appeared to be a success in more ways than one. (I mean, again… if Shaun had realized the full weight of his actions, wouldn’t he have avoided Glassman? At least until he could talk to Lim or Lea about what happened? We’ve seen him dodge people before… ) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/32efc2cf-2ff7-4273-9810-29301861766c/IMG_5976.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 79: A "Stop!" Too Far? (“Beautiful Day”) - That’s what makes the difference, for me, between Shaun fighting for the right thing with Glassman rather than simply being a pain in his ass. When Shaun was at odds with the now-departed Dr. Danni Powell in the “Hot and Bothered” episode, he let his anger (re: Danni advising Lim against his surgical plan) impact the way he dealt with her. But when Shaun stammers out a futile “I… don’t know what to do” as he is overcome by the weight of Glassman’s feelings, it’s heart-wrenching because it’s the very crux of the matter. He put himself out there in a gallant effort to do the “right” thing. Did he go about it correctly, given the circumstances and who he was dealing with? Yes and no. Did his ASD impact his decision-making? Of course it did, at times. But, much as was the case when Lim was on the operating table at the beginning of the season, we see the struggle now between his spectrum-related thinking and his deep emotional connections to certain people. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/ddc0997f-199c-433a-b223-ee8ab17bfc15/TGD+Beautiful+Day+Shaun+Gallery+2A.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 79: A "Stop!" Too Far? (“Beautiful Day”) - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/76791be2-a08b-4978-9869-866055a6454c/IMG_5823.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 79: A "Stop!" Too Far? (“Beautiful Day”) - Make it stand out GLASSMAN’S MENTAL LAPSE IN “BLESSED” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/60f554d3-0cb7-40f4-98f3-e255e51f4d06/IMG_5911.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 79: A "Stop!" Too Far? (“Beautiful Day”) - Glassman then goes to Lim with his bargaining chips in hand: he’ll take these meds and those meds, reduce his workload, have a backup on lengthy surgeries, even eat more broccoli! But the chief of surgery says she can’t have him in the OR until he agrees to some cognitive testing to see what they’re dealing with. He puffs his chest in refusing the testing (“Do I look impaired to you?”), underscores his value as the surgeon who takes on what others can’t or won’t… and then, when Lim continues to stand firm, threatens legal action. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/04d86b1e-a1dc-44b3-aa97-abbfd00d8247/IMG_5934.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 79: A "Stop!" Too Far? (“Beautiful Day”) - Shaun’s patient requests Glassman specifically for the surgery once he hears a little of his pedigree, so he gets his team into the practice lab. Given the more casual environment (than the actual OR), and the fact that he’s leading the practice, Glassman repels Shaun’s incessant questioning first with humor, then snark, then outright rejection as he sends Shaun out of the lab for the duration of the session. (NOTE: I can’t help but feel, the way that scene unfolded, that Glassman grabbed a whole lotta control back. Or at least, HE felt as if he did.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/ddfe6849-0ccf-4a44-8a47-17afa077aaff/IMG_5963.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 79: A "Stop!" Too Far? (“Beautiful Day”) - But the next time we see this OR, it’s several hours later and Glassman appears to be tiring. He removes the tumor, stops a major bleed, and then… is it exhaustion that brings on what looked (to me) like a mental lapse similar to the prevous week? Is it the damage done to his brain? Is it Shaun’s hovering? Is it all the other members of his team looking at him so expectantly? It could have been any/all of those things, if you ask me… but given Shaun’s analysis of his condition, and the way this lapse bore similarity to the previous one (except Shaun caught it this time along with the rest of us)... Glassman must have felt brutally exposed in that moment. And rather than insist on staying and finishing the surgery– even if Lim had to verbalize that “next step”-- he felt the only way to preserve his remaining dignity was to leave. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/680ee3d8-b2be-43da-8bc8-aaa8be8cf0d5/IMG_5977.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 79: A "Stop!" Too Far? (“Beautiful Day”) - I’m not saying I’m void of compassion for Glassman… I tried to make that clear and I hope it is. But even as I made that flowchart attempt, I found myself with more empty space on the “Glassman” side of the page. When writing if/then statements around the guy with both heels dug so very deep into the ground, you simply can’t pull him very far in any direction. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/519c7a54-6568-44cd-b768-0595b8a10ee4/IMG_5895.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 79: A "Stop!" Too Far? (“Beautiful Day”) - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://kellimlawrence.com/stateofshea/state-of-the-shea-pt-78-the-blessed-knuckleball-kellimlawrencecom monthly 0.5 2023-04-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/a78adb2a-5921-4a55-ba61-f395e3cf21e2/IMG_5832.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 78: The “Blessed” Knuckleball - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/b1560a7b-1577-42a3-bbf6-deefd4cc814c/Sean+Minor+League+stuff+.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 78: The “Blessed” Knuckleball - I’d be remiss at this point if I didn’t share my own baseball ties, for I have a brother who played the game professionally for about a decade. His name is Sean (same pronunciation as Shaun Murphy, different spelling) and he pitched for various minor-league teams, save for a glorious stretch of weeks late in the 1998 season when he got called up to play for the Pittsburgh Pirates. (If you’re interested in that sort of thing, you can read a little more about my brother here.) (When I find a photo from Sean’s major-league debut you’ll see it here… I’ve got a game he played with the minor-league Nashville Sounds in the meantime.) So, anyway… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/866ce084-734e-4544-8c7f-dcdbb7b0090e/IMG_5860.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 78: The “Blessed” Knuckleball - DESIGNATED HITTER #1: DR. SHAUN MURPHY https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/b18b7a84-ae6a-4827-b8b8-475784453196/IMG_5781.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 78: The “Blessed” Knuckleball - Of course, as of “Blessed,” Glassman doesn’t know all that we know. But from the moment Shaun brought up his work in the OR in the first scene, the red flag waved in front of Glassman’s furious face. You go to Lim (about this) and you’re going to look ridiculous! he bellowed at Shaun. It felt like a low blow, the “look ridiculous” part… but behind the anger was surely a somewhat scared man. And we knew Shaun wouldn’t be deterred, no matter what Glassman said. (Shaun reinforced that fact beautifully as they scrubbed in for POTW Ricky’s surgery.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/a2514a99-4e3b-4726-9d04-74c1143f3ab2/IMG_5817.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 78: The “Blessed” Knuckleball - He wouldn’t stop till he had his answer, but that didn’t mean Shaun wasn’t going through it, emotionally speaking, with every “Blessed” scene featuring the two of them. Sure, it’s easy to think of Shaun as stoic unless he’s in an extremely charged emotional state, but as has been made abundantly clear by now… this is his father we’re talking about, for all intents and purposes. When he realizes he will most definitely have to monitor Glassman performing brain surgery, Shaun sits by himself an extra minute, processing the difficulty of the situation ahead. When Glassman does something innovative in the midst of a surgical crisis– as he did with Ricky’s aneurysms– Shaun’s eyes and voice sparkle with momentary joy. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/799dee9b-5fe6-4ea3-b945-b0dfd39999fa/IMG_5822.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 78: The “Blessed” Knuckleball - But Shaun has gotten under Glassman’s skin at some of the worst times, and doing so during the discussion of his surgical plan was no exception. Shaun never really knows when to stop, and Glassman gets to a point when ALL he wants to do is stop him. It’s a brutal mix. Still, a huge part of Glassman’s mounting anger towards Shaun in this case is his awareness that, historically speaking, a persistent Shaun in the medical arena is an ultimately correct Shaun. And this 5-6 second lapse for Glassman that took place during that surgery– the one Shaun didn’t notice, but WE did– has to confirm that, deep down, Glassman knows something is wrong too. It will be ROUGH, watching him come to terms with this as the biggest milestone of Shaun’s life occurs simultaneously. So rough, in fact, that I really do wonder if Glassman will be around for any part of Baby #Shea’s arrival in the season finale. But this is where TGD excels, and I’ll be girding myself up for every cathartic moment. I suspect you well be as well. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/9f6a6303-e21f-4cdf-96c2-361fb3d2bd1d/IMG_5843.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 78: The “Blessed” Knuckleball - DH #2: DR. MARCUS ANDREWS https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/49801a3f-bfca-4014-a6eb-d1d7de4e4306/IMG_5826.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 78: The “Blessed” Knuckleball - Whether or not we’d consider ourselves “blessed” if we were in Eddie’s tough-to-wear shoes, he did indeed seem to have gifts to offer all who were involved in his final trip to St. Bons: Morgan got the child she’s wanted all season (I’m not sure how much of that she attributed to Eddie, but the facts are the facts) Jordan re-evaluated Perez’s current role in her life (more about this shortly) Nurse Villanueva revealed her own “gifts”-- of the watercolor landscape variety– much to the surprise of her former sort-of paramour Andrews https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/527235a6-f29e-4e32-9482-56fa6853e31f/IMG_5846.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 78: The “Blessed” Knuckleball - And Andrews had an Eddie-induced self-revelation, sending him out to track down his former sort-of paramour Villanueva and vow to earn the right to see her watercolor landscapes himself. (Or something like that. I swear I’ll never be sure what’s up with these two again.) Anyway, I think they made legit dinner plans when all was said and done. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/2988b098-aca6-4cae-a522-14d8942eaafb/IMG_5801.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 78: The “Blessed” Knuckleball - Which brings us to Dead-Certain Asher. (I’d call him “Doubting Asher,” except this whole scorched earth thing he has with religion makes me think he’d throw his boiling pasta water on me if I went with that.) His seething disregard for “believers”-- we’ve been there/done that, especially Jordan (I thought her raised eyebrow response to him should have been more of an Oh sweet Jesus, not this again scowl). What upped the ante this time was Asher’s insistence on an extended rant in Jerome’s presence… and while that was a first for us, poor Jerome looked like he’s been there/done that too much as well. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/5526b66d-478f-4841-a170-65c8c9a22a6c/IMG_5850.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 78: The “Blessed” Knuckleball - Anyway, Jerome later turned the mirror on Asher in a HIGHLY effective way. How else do you explain the latter tracking the former down at his restaurant of choice and making a public declaration (and/or spectacle) of his feeling so blessed to be in his life…?! “Blessed,” Asher??? How indeed! (P.S. To all who believe in miracles, please take note of this one. Or just thank the late great POTW Eddie.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/91f9f4e4-b311-490b-acd4-696da9948f6d/IMG_5838.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 78: The “Blessed” Knuckleball - MINOR LEAGUERS (for now): DR. DANNY PEREZ and DR. JORDAN ALLEN https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/563c12c9-b66b-4f9f-ad29-9b00b02472a2/IMG_5815.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 78: The “Blessed” Knuckleball - Meanwhile, Jordan was feeling super positive vibes courtesy of “the Eddie effect” and was trying to be more receptive of “God’s gifts”... one of which she now perceives to be Perez. (BTW, this 33-SECOND snippet of a scene between Jordan, Morgan, and Lea could’ve been three times as long and I still would have wanted more.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/4d3743dc-54dd-4a7e-9237-cdab675d30be/IMG_5836.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 78: The “Blessed” Knuckleball - With no real development of the Jared/Jordan possibility in “Blessed,” it looks like an advantage Perez situation as we head to the S6 finish line. But WTF does that mean? The show can’t do another time jump until at least the start of S7. How do these two represent “gifts to each other” if he’s to remain faithful to his timetable… and she’s to remain faithful to her vow of celibacy? Are they just gifts still wrapped up in pretty paper, yet to be opened…? What if these are gifts that should be returned ASAP? Should either of them be RE-gifted? (I could do this all day… but I won’t. Lucky you.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/7ca1a23d-6b44-473e-8633-645d1ba2344c/IMG_5788.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 78: The “Blessed” Knuckleball - WHIFFLEBALL PLAYER OF THE WEEK: DR. MORGAN REZNICK https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/8fdfc00e-1b23-4670-b1d4-fb4a9e521d20/IMG_5857.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 78: The “Blessed” Knuckleball - But part of me sees Park loving Morgan’s maternal side and can’t help but feel irritated with their “Afterparty” breakup all over again. What felt nonsensical and forced in the S6 premiere didn’t feel one bit better to me when they jumped to three months later in the next episode (“Change of Perspective”), and like many of you, I’ve just been marking time until the inevitable #Parnick reunion since then. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/88eaa87f-cdda-4300-ae07-8f5d8e28fffe/IMG_5810.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 78: The “Blessed” Knuckleball - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://kellimlawrence.com/stateofshea/state-of-the-shea-pt-77-half-measures-by-the-whole-numbers monthly 0.5 2023-04-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/b20d5cfb-8745-4f87-a005-5a2a5d1c4389/IMG_5726.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 77: “Half-Measures”… By the (Whole) Numbers - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/56685058-74f2-4375-b925-ddf6cb63ed65/TGD+S6+Promo+Still.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 77: “Half-Measures”… By the (Whole) Numbers - “With four drama pilots (including “The Good Doctor” planted spinoff) and two comedy pilots — the most for a broadcast network this season and all headlined by big-name stars— ABC is expected to take longer than usual on most renewals. It would use the time to evaluate a number of the current series against the pilots for the limited slots available as broadcast networks’ programming budgets are tightening up amid sliding linear ratings, and with spending across Disney currently under the microscope amid a corporate cost-cutting mandate.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/df8fe1f2-9488-4f46-b4ff-655760c230c3/TGD+100th+episode.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 77: “Half-Measures”… By the (Whole) Numbers - “While not the ratings juggernaut it once was, The Good Doctor remains a solid anchor of the network’s Monday lineup, and the signs point to another renewal, with talks already under way, I hear. If that happens, with Grey’s already picked up, ABC could be a rare network with three medical dramas on at the same time if the Ben McKenzie-starring pilot The Hurt Unit goes to series. As for The Good Lawyer, it’s still early but initial reaction to the backdoor pilot episode of The Good Doctor and star Kennedy McMann has been positive, and I hear the spinoff tested well.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/56241a3c-af6b-41a2-b364-d9fd829517a9/TGD+Time+Space+Continuum.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 77: “Half-Measures”… By the (Whole) Numbers - Leaping forward: 3 months with Lim’s initial recovery, then another 3 months after Perez’s overdose, then another 4-6 weeks or so between Lea’s surgery in “Quiet and Loud” and when the #Shea Babymoon took place (“The Good Boy”). Real-time: Lim telling a patient in April she’d been attacked 11 months ago (last May); Shaun collecting data on Glassman’s surgeries “January through March” in an episode airing in April. Backwards: Park saying “Kellan just let me know he wasn’t coming home for the holidays” in an episode airing at the end of January. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/f1296074-65a0-4e21-abae-f3fe29114ce2/TGD+Boys+7.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 77: “Half-Measures”… By the (Whole) Numbers - Maybe we should have just thrown the whole idea of continuity out the window when they had Shaun and Lea literally looking at the month of November 2022 on the calendar, stating it had now been one year since Lea’s miscarriage… when it actually took place in the spring of 2021. (And if you REALLY want to get into the nitty gritty nonsensical details, go back and check out the calendar used in that scene… you’ll see it actually represents November 2023. Which hasn’t happened yet…. OR HAS IT???) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/64192f85-c921-4495-a526-b3df8697bbee/IMG_5675.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 77: “Half-Measures”… By the (Whole) Numbers - ACT 1 7 ½ hours and 6 hours 45 minutes: Amount of sleep Jordan and Asher had had the night prior, respectively. (But don’t ask Perez. He’s too pissed off about the taco truck incident with Jordan and Jared to wear a Fitbit to bed.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/c78936a0-0c9f-4c7d-b04d-e07312385dc1/IMG_5695.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 77: “Half-Measures”… By the (Whole) Numbers - ACT 2 24: Number of hours Shaun and Glassman have to wait for confirmation of cancer/no cancer. (As Shaun noted, it was down to 12 hours when we later saw them crib-shopping.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/258f8fb0-49cc-441b-8090-aefaff3b044c/IMG_5678.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 77: “Half-Measures”… By the (Whole) Numbers - 1: Number of times I spotted a security guy (in the outdoor scene where we meet baby Eden) who made me briefly think of Villanueva’s abusive ex, Owen. (Did anyone else think that?) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/13685b27-12ff-42d8-aebe-bd78016864ac/TGD+Jim+Croce+.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 77: “Half-Measures”… By the (Whole) Numbers - 100- Number of pieces missing in the jigsaw puzzle that was Brady’s pelvis, according to Jordan… which made me think of a line in the late great Jim Croce’s song “Bad Bad Leroy Brown” … Well the two men took to fighting And when they pulled them off the floor Leroy looked like a jigsaw puzzle With a couple of pieces gone So… Brady’s in a whole lot worse shape than Leroy Brown was after his legendary barroom battle? That IS serious. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/c1dd945d-a86a-4372-92ea-53e44b26693c/IMG_5680.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 77: “Half-Measures”… By the (Whole) Numbers - 3: Number of crib sets Lea’s torn between, causing her to send Glassy and Shaun on a peace mission I’m calling it that because the way the two were arguing, much PEACE was needed– for them and Lea. (Love how Lea said “I’m going crazy” and we were all like Yeah, right there with you Lea, SHUT UP YOU TWO… but then she made her “crazy” about the crib sets, wisely diffusing the situation between the men with a plea about something completely separate.) By the way… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/f47f02cf-b72d-44df-8248-c2ebce1fe18e/TGD+37+weeks+pregnant.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 77: “Half-Measures”… By the (Whole) Numbers - 37: Estimated number of weeks Lea had been pregnant as of this episode. She said she was 36 weeks at the start of the “Second Chances/Past Regrets” episode. All things being equal (heh), “A Blip” takes place only a day or so after “Second Chances” (Shaun interrogates Glassman at the top about the surgery that had taken place “yesterday.”)... and with “Half Measures” starting with Glassman’s scan (which surely took place only a day or two after he agreed to it), and ending a day later… I’ve got all 3 of these episodes happening in the span of about a week. 40 weeks is considered full term. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/8c511d33-b1e1-4589-9f51-854fa647e9ce/IMG_5693.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 77: “Half-Measures”… By the (Whole) Numbers - ACT 3 7: Rough number of irritated glances thrown Jared’s way until he redeems himself later. That includes 3 from Jealous Danny, 3 staggered glances (more like staring daggers, I guess) in this scene here… and one for Asher in his scene on the St.Bon’s Bridge of Emotions. (There may have been more there, but I’m counting it as a composite of 1.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1b0af905-7ba0-4f9a-a4b2-90df5951efd6/IMG_5692.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 77: “Half-Measures”… By the (Whole) Numbers - For what it’s worth, I appreciate that Freddie Highmore (who directed this episode) didn’t give us a closeup of Jared here… he’d just used that in the previous scene, and the long shot of all the docs walking away from him is painfully effective all by itself. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/9c2e9091-b2fc-49a2-a52d-ef29b9a0ab0e/TGD+Shari+Lewis.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 77: “Half-Measures”… By the (Whole) Numbers - ACT 4 1: Number of times I couldn’t help but think of a certain puppeteer when Jared said “Sherry Lewis”... …and launched into his story of regret for pushing too hard for a patient back in Denver. You killed Shari Lewis, Jared!:! No wonder you’re distraught!! Just kidding, Lamb Chop fans. The “real” Ms. Lewis actually died back in 1998, when fictional Jared was only playing doctor and driving little toy Lamborghinis in his massive rich-kid bedroom. (But as it happens she DID die of complications from uterine cancer, which is uncomfortably close to the ovarian cancer Jared cited while talking about his Ms. Lewis.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/7496ac02-f22e-4bce-81ab-dfbb68cc9c2e/IMG_5702.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 77: “Half-Measures”… By the (Whole) Numbers - 7: Number of times Jared’s Lamborghini was referenced in the entire episode (I’m counting everything from when Jared’s hand still flaunted the keychain as he held the elevator open for himself… to his epiphany moment when he mentioned the car 3 times… to Jordan’s “Looking good, Lambo” in the gallery as the surgeries took place.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/bcdf6d78-d6e5-408c-a83a-dd2fa6c707fe/IMG_5731.png State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 77: “Half-Measures”… By the (Whole) Numbers - Make it stand out 42: The percentage of Twitter voters who picked “Lambo Calrissian” to be the unofficial nickname of Jared’s cherished automobile… Cherished this time around, perhaps, because it kinda saved his ass in this episode. Wouldn’t it have been hilarious if Asher said “Dude, that idea really SUCKS”... and then explained he was totally kidding this time. I would have laughed, anyway. (Vacuum… sucks… GET IT?) P.S. No word yet on if/when “Lambo” will be hanging out with Lea’s even more cherished Striped Tomato. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1681776579503-GR9KEGE2DEAR7Z8FWO4H/IMG_5688.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 77: “Half-Measures”… By the (Whole) Numbers https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1681776582187-YKROIYW3P6QKWYQ35VIN/IMG_5704.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 77: “Half-Measures”… By the (Whole) Numbers https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1681776582247-W1SHJF7J8B0P5F9ERJYK/IMG_5706.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 77: “Half-Measures”… By the (Whole) Numbers https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/11b3f6c8-5e8f-498c-a8ec-a5b2fe4d2175/IMG_5708.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 77: “Half-Measures”… By the (Whole) Numbers - 75: The number Jared says he thinks Brady can manage in terms of IA (intra-abdominal) pressure. (He was right.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/f782035b-753c-4ef1-a1b3-2f457f6998d7/IMG_5711.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 77: “Half-Measures”… By the (Whole) Numbers - ACT 6 1: number of cameos made by the daughter of Christina Chiang… in the scene near the end, when the doctors delivered the good news to Brady’s family and his daughter said the thing that MAKES IT ALL WORTH IT… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/299ec835-834b-4677-b3bb-ba86eaa8e064/TGD+Half+Measures+Danny+Jared+Asher.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 77: “Half-Measures”… By the (Whole) Numbers - 1997: The year “Everybody (Backstreet’s Back)” By Backstreet Boys first gained international popularity…. It became a hit in the US in ‘98, but I became familiar with it a little earlier as the song peaked in Canada around the time of our ‘97 honeymoon in Montreal… and heard it EVERYWHERE. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/0f6a05d5-005c-4a6d-9e2c-fb52ccf140e3/IMG_5714.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 77: “Half-Measures”… By the (Whole) Numbers - 2: The number of guys it appears Jordan is attracted to right now… and maybe it really is… but based on that last shot of her, I’d say her heart is only with one of them. And it ain’t “Lambo.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/9f580845-1c72-41ca-b835-e6964010b00a/IMG_5718.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 77: “Half-Measures”… By the (Whole) Numbers - 5: minimum number of hellatense exchanges between Lim and Andrews in this episode… And if you’re scratching your head wondering exactly where they’re going with Andrews, given the activity of this episode and the last one, this article about Hill Harper’s political aspirations may help. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/b48b460a-50b2-4f78-8b97-c4e33910cecd/IMG_5725.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 77: “Half-Measures”… By the (Whole) Numbers - 2: Number of embryo transfers for Morgan so far. (I think this is correct? But let me know if it isn’t. Either way, based on what we saw with her and baby Eden in this episode, embryo transfers may be a thing of the past for her.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/e0b1ed3b-e8a3-4c92-8e53-f8fa1bc09ccf/IMG_5712.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 77: “Half-Measures”… By the (Whole) Numbers - It was too good to be true, this idea that a Glassman health scare would be over and done with in just two episodes. I said last week that I suspected this was a storyline designed to keep Shaun busy (and Freddie Highmore on his dramatic toes, of course) until Lea headed to the delivery room. But at the pace they were going in this episode— Glassman’s scan starting the episode, and a cancer all-clear before the final scene— I’m surprised my heart sank as much as it did when Shaun retrieved those screws from the floor. But it did, and yours probably did too, for now they seem to be indicating Glassman has a slower-paced but more insidious disease knocking. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/4f5af09e-7cf2-4ea8-b66e-2876b6dcb5ab/IMG_5728.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 77: “Half-Measures”… By the (Whole) Numbers - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://kellimlawrence.com/stateofshea/state-of-the-shea-pt-76the-greening-that-gets-to-me- monthly 0.5 2023-04-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/a7571904-a2a0-41a2-810b-0887b69c6f04/TGD+Blip+Shea+Karaoke+Fail+2.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 76:The Greening That Gets to Me ("A Blip") - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1681170949472-UX1BUC6UW3SO4U0MZLT7/404970ED-726F-48E5-8695-4957D8593ECB.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 76:The Greening That Gets to Me ("A Blip") - The Marquee Blip: Shaun and Glassman https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1681170983010-ZKN2SI1XVMDTFGJ8AONW/098B6289-07E3-495C-B036-30330855165F.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 76:The Greening That Gets to Me ("A Blip") - I mentioned on the Twitter Spaces chat, which happens right after TGD airs Monday nights (watch your Twitter feed for more details!) that I cynically was thinking of this situation with Glassman as a way to give Shaun something to focus on till the end of the season when Lea gives birth to Steven/Aaron/Cantore*/whatever the name is. Meanwhile, the speculation runs rampant…does all this mean Glassman is going to pass away, just as Baby Shea meets the world? I still say no, that this will be something minor (though the promos for the follow-up episode, “Half Measures,” try to indicate otherwise). *Only applies if Shaun persuades Lea to name their son after Weather Channel star meteorolgist Jim Cantore. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1681171060719-EGYQ09NMIKGEYWT6Q8JI/83C06AB2-FAA8-4AC4-893C-6AAF387E3184.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 76:The Greening That Gets to Me ("A Blip") - I think the important thing to look at in this little arc, assuming it stays that way, is how is the dynamic between Shaun and Glassman compares against Glassman’s first round with a brain tumor in S2. Shaun is obviously four years down the road from where he was then. That could mean one thing to a Neurotypical young man, but something quite different to a Neurodivergent one like Shaun. There is the part of him that immediately had to have the answers no matter how much time it took, how much of Lea’s printer paper and toner got used up (But would S2 Shaun sweep into his wife’s office with a fresh ream on replacement paper and and plans for more toner? I doubt it), or how much space on the floor of his office as it would take. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1681171126548-Y9WAHYJLVWOT8QJIUC16/EC74E116-6166-40C9-99C3-D6DF80BD304C.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 76:The Greening That Gets to Me ("A Blip") - Speaking of which… the scene with Park having to hop around piles of Glassman docs in their joint office was a low-key fave of mine. I loved the way it showcased the dynamic between the two men so effortlessly… Park tossing some sarcasm; Shaun catching it belatedly… as well as the way Park kinda mimicked the tone in Shaun’s “No” with a similarly-paced “Yes.” Park’s fly-by assessment that there was no real pattern for Shaun to go on may or may not prove to be true, but now that both men have settled into their new roles— as well as their office (after a rough start )— It was great to see them interact for a minute. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1681171218899-6TODEXJA716AMMUXUEYS/DE872A86-4C78-4ACD-AC11-E342116B7F56.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 76:The Greening That Gets to Me ("A Blip") - But back to Shaun and Glassman’s ways of communication. The burst-in-without-knocking stuff has admittedly grown old– I tend to think Shaun knows better by now– but at least that scene helped underscore Shaun’s later decision to leave a box of “new evidence” in Glassy’s office with a note rather than chase him down the hall with it. It also kept a stubborn-vs.-stubborner battle from erupting, since Lea dropped some knowledge at just the right time to diffuse the situation. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/d28aab4a-8e5a-4246-b2c9-f983c91fa545/Shea+Life+is+better+with+you.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 76:The Greening That Gets to Me ("A Blip") - (That’s one thing that stayed the same from S2; except the scene didn’t end with Lea returning her lingerie-clad self back to short-term boyfriend Jake. Thank goodness.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1681171257389-JILX534NASJEAOP2IKLO/C46C45EF-478C-44B8-A4A8-58F69EA7150E.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 76:The Greening That Gets to Me ("A Blip") - When it comes to Glassman four years later, well… I think he’s softened in some obvious ways (cough LEA cough). But when a certain determined “family” member gets into his personal AND professional business, all his wary cantankerisms shoot to the surface. Goodbye, Shaun. Next time knock, Shaun. WTF do you want NOW, Shaun. (Yes, I embellished that last one a wee bit.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1681171291925-44GYBL6OUTG6H8L9UJ1Q/60AE8DC2-E004-4833-8023-6C6D6C0E686B.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 76:The Greening That Gets to Me ("A Blip") - So it took some emotional mining for Shaun to realize a heartfelt plea would mean more to Glassman than 20 crates of documented evidence. That’s not surprising. Fortunately, we know that every time Shaun bears his heart he seems to do it even better than the previous time. That makes it more than worth the wait. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/36e1d65e-9cab-4aed-8429-e3b6ff33ad61/TGD+Blip+Jared+Jordan+Karaoke+Fail.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 76:The Greening That Gets to Me ("A Blip") - Flirtatious Blip? Jared and Jordan https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1681171328706-CKAT01BRRX5C23O1KHHO/86DC8E2A-3796-41BC-995E-E0A74A967820.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 76:The Greening That Gets to Me ("A Blip") - Jared 2.0 has some significant identity/esteem issues that he continues to try to handle by overcompensating– buying a whole tray of designer coffees when “celebrating” with Jordan, inviting staff to a lavishly catered karaoke party– but when nobody’s looking (or, OK, when Jordan happens to be looking), he’s struggling with misfit-itis. On a show that has reliably delivered a beloved karaoke scene in EVERY* season thus far… this guy somehow gets a phoneful of last-minute cancellations and finds himself wailing “Wonderwall” to absolutely nobody. WHYYY DID THIS HAVE TO BE A TOTAL BUST TO GET THE POINT ACROSS ABOUT JARED???? I scowled in my notes for the karaoke sequence. But… if the promo photos for “Half Measures” are accurate… this was a sub-Blip as well. In other words, I think I’ll be talking more successful karaoke scenes next week. * When I say “every” I mean “no scenes in S4 but TWO scenes in two different episodes of S5” MY BAD! Thank you Ed Kihanya for catching the error! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1681171422234-IP6MWI4MP2GVYDIINWLK/9D66EF5E-DFCB-4287-A7EE-DD821DBCA267.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 76:The Greening That Gets to Me ("A Blip") - I wasn’t liking Jordan’s ongoing vibe towards Jared as the episode started, particularly when we got to that karaoke scene where she continued to dole out advice (“Maybe focus on being a resident rather than party planner?” she said, a little too cheerfully for my taste) and seemed unable to related to anything he was saying at a “friend” level (and really, why should she? He sounds like the quintessential poor rich boy a lot of the time). But TGD was going somewhere with all this interaction of the past few weeks, and by the time J & J were treating themselves to blue corn tortilla tacos outside the St. Bon’s entrance, they very nearly met their destination. He’d taken some of her words of wisdom to heart (something along the lines of “you don’t have to let your past tell you where next to go”; it was directed at POTW Delilah but she definitely shot him a listen up glance as she said it), and next thing you know he’s scoring points with Park in the OR for the first time, and then… and THEN!... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1681171460501-9G1PKVKM9OYMBQ39NKN7/0C285CE7-1F83-4358-952E-77E3E9536CA7.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 76:The Greening That Gets to Me ("A Blip") - Yep, Jordan and Jared had a moment. An adorable, something-on-your-face-here-let-me-help moment straight outta RomCom school. And then Perez, headed home for the night, crosses in the background and catches sight of said moment. And I said “GOOD!” at this development. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1681172133408-Q0A8X6ZIBSSN81PR7UZG/66C4E6A3-8D55-40E3-894F-00A9BB843C52.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 76:The Greening That Gets to Me ("A Blip") - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1681171865515-GHD9ZV389QXX0S6JLZTP/440F0F2F-C231-43EE-8A5A-B0C3D98C57F7.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 76:The Greening That Gets to Me ("A Blip") - What the WHAT? Blip: Andrews and Villanueva https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1681171903486-UMAHFJXO13VZG9N9SPWH/4459DE1A-0AF2-4279-9DDE-DAA99EBBD94B.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 76:The Greening That Gets to Me ("A Blip") - But the way it was presented this in “A Blip” – written by Sam Chanse, who co-wrote “Sorry Not Sorry” as well– we were set up for a surprise if you think about it… The camera follows Andrews as he walks into the cafeteria with two coffees. He obviously sees the person for whom he’s carrying the coffee… speaks to them… and then get a swishpan that shows us that the person he’s talking to is Villanueva. Their dialogue suggests that while they are not deeply entangled yet, they have been seeing each other in a social manner, maybe for coffee, maybe lunch, maybe a little more…hard to say. (That was a relief, because when Andrews and Villanueva made it into the synopsis, I was trying to prepare myself for something totally unexpected, such as her at his house in the wee hours of the morning, or kissing in some clandestine location…something like that.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1681171717984-UHKAZOR4DSRA0B5XIGIP/32C8D072-9612-4C35-B5A0-04C60CD2B6B0.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 76:The Greening That Gets to Me ("A Blip") - But what follows after this eager signing of the consent agreement was almost as surprising. We see her hard at work at the nurses' station as he comes up to give some dining options for the weekend. She explains this weekend is a non-starter for her, mostly because they are desperate for nurses at St. Bon’s (as he surely knows). The two get into a little debate about the basic value (or lack thereof) of traveling nurses, then she gets back to work and he leaves. THEN we don’t see them again until the end, when the coffees in the cafeteria sequence repeats itself with a twist… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1681171685456-WWUD6W1QJ39X84NYN2Y9/071808CF-12B6-4296-8B34-FB171AAB25DF.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 76:The Greening That Gets to Me ("A Blip") - “If you don’t value what the nurses do enough to treat us as a resource to invest in– not a line item to be cut– then how much can you care about me?” She told him with obvious regret “And… if that IS your point of view… it undercuts the respect I have for you.” And seemingly, in the time it took for us to get used to the idea that these two were now a “thing”... they weren’t. I’ll be quite surprised if we ever hear about it again. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1681171991307-QFL06TP50U3IVFVJXJPX/IMG_5603.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 76:The Greening That Gets to Me ("A Blip") https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1681171989961-5H7GY7THX1TZF9LJXJHX/IMG_5608.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 76:The Greening That Gets to Me ("A Blip") https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1681171985936-LLEQ2COE7HOBSE3DZ44S/IMG_5606.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 76:The Greening That Gets to Me ("A Blip") https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1681171988691-PLELWKCZGYYE8AKATS87/IMG_5609.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 76:The Greening That Gets to Me ("A Blip") https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1681171602508-ELTUMQAR0Z8JL548NOT5/685FEA21-A905-4E01-92E4-CA0D09B43900.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 76:The Greening That Gets to Me ("A Blip") - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://kellimlawrence.com/stateofshea/state-of-the-shea-pt-75-secondchancespastregrets monthly 0.5 2023-04-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1680553691389-4HVJVO3QF8B7WCY949EZ/E87B7EDB-2C5D-4DD7-B7F2-C0F8FCF582ED.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 75: Putting the “ass” in ASSET… Or something like that (“Second Chances/Past Regrets”) - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1680553739004-Y8TBY6MCYWXXN6JNGFMA/CE65A9D4-C5EB-4214-BDEE-26D181D3A448.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 75: Putting the “ass” in ASSET… Or something like that (“Second Chances/Past Regrets”) - Jared- PITA for the purposes of this episode only? Shaun and Jared were the leads of this episode, so Jared had the most egregious PITA tendencies. From his Kendrick-blasting morning cruise into the St. Bon’s parking lot until Shaun’s second call-out on his behavior in Act 4 of the hour, Jared fit the bill mighty well. So well, in fact, that Jared even took Jordan’s very sound advice (to LISTEN more) and promptly re-directed it, encouraging young POTW Yara and her mom to have a real conversation about what the surgery (the riskier one HE proposed) meant to her. By “listening,” the mom concluded the riskier surgery was right for Yara after all… and Shaun was hella-pissed. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1680553887088-5LGH149D3CVUECMVVBG2/63CF770D-E471-43F1-812A-EDAD9BFF5B5A.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 75: Putting the “ass” in ASSET… Or something like that (“Second Chances/Past Regrets”) QUESTION: Would Jared have been this way around any peer-turned-boss, or could he be taking advantage of Shaun’s ASD? (Meaning, was he being almost openly smug because he didn’t think Shaun would call him on it… because he can’t detect it?) I think perhaps, unwittingly, he was– but his actions were impossible for Shaun to miss.. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1680554246333-INCFUTF2MZ9F0CHFKT31/C5A3632F-BF56-45FB-8842-1CB2842F7A47.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 75: Putting the “ass” in ASSET… Or something like that (“Second Chances/Past Regrets”) - Shaun- Asset, but receiving PITA karma He started out about as happy-go-lucky as Shaun gets, full of blueberry pancakes and statistics about working with friends that left him confident Jared would make his work life even better than it’s already been of late. One blown protocol later, though, Shaun was ready to read Jared the riot act. Which, in this case, was Shaun’s Rules for His Residents… except that wasn’t written until Shaun cheated Lea out of a lunch date a few scenes later. SOOOO… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1680554211890-VG5SWQUXIQUK4FFW7ZXF/9ADE952E-A432-4CBA-9D43-BED8E321FC02.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 75: Putting the “ass” in ASSET… Or something like that (“Second Chances/Past Regrets”) - Instead, he spoke to Jared of not taking shortcuts while Jared barely suppressed a smirk. Shaun assures him that although they’ve been doctors the same length of time, they are not close in skill level anymore– so (paraphrased) don’t make me look bad in front of Andrews, OK? Shaun’s “OK?” was not his quiet, grounding “OK” but rather the one he’s learned from others. I think this one sounded unique to me because it wasn’t rhetorical… he was really looking for confirmation that Jared understood what he was saying. Which he got. Which misled him to think the problem was solved. When all his efforts still resulted in Shaun being forced (my word, not his) to do an operation on Yara that he didn’t recommend or prefer, he moved on from spouse to parent* and essentially said this sucks, so I need you to come join in on the suck with me because I’m putting the instigator of said suck on suction. (See there? I told you the English language was a trip.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1680554348452-LKM6MNUGG8U097B8BPOM/93D37173-63BE-40D9-B7EA-19D0E45F476C.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 75: Putting the “ass” in ASSET… Or something like that (“Second Chances/Past Regrets”) - Glassman: Asset… with deep PITA knowledge It takes one to know one, right? Glassman has vast experience with being a PITA himself, depending on the season and situation. Sometimes it’s been spurned by illness (hello, S1 & 2 brain tumor)... sometimes by emotional trauma (anything having to do with Maddie)... sometimes by a personal crisis (what I’m calling the time around the fallout of his second divorce). He’s surely dealt with countless PITAs in his career– neurotypical doctors who, on many levels, were as brash and headstrong (or more so) than neurodivergent Shaun. He has very specific knowledge of Shaun’s PITA capabilities, and is wise enough to bring them up at the perfect moments. Such as the comment about the “suction” assignment being an insult– long-time fans of the show likely recalled the earliest episodes of TGD when Dr. Melendez kept Shaun on suction (because he was required to utilize him in some manner) and told him he’d never assign him anything better. (I’m kind of surprised Melendez’s name didn’t come up during this exchange, TBH.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1680554395479-W98F3MRA8KZQTTG1JAX2/881722C7-657A-4DEF-9EBC-57A785022891.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 75: Putting the “ass” in ASSET… Or something like that (“Second Chances/Past Regrets”) In short– Shaun’s been called a PITA several times through the years (most recently when Asher called out his hypervigilance during Lea’s hospital stay in the “Quiet and Loud” episode). He may not be able to call it out on himself, but he’s learned to course-correct to a certain degree when a trusted friend says it. It was intriguing to watch him deal with the proverbial “taste of his own medicine” while not really knowing what he was tasting… and by getting Glassman in the OR with both him AND Jared, the writers found a pretty seamless way to bridge into wherever they’re going next with Glassman. (I know that’s on a lot of minds in the wake of the promo we saw at the end of this episode– I don’t have much to add, but I’ll do so at the end of this post.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1680554426671-IJHZBMDLJUXTUCLUHEAT/AA8DA056-D028-4A53-9EFC-E2A6B50E3963.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 75: Putting the “ass” in ASSET… Or something like that (“Second Chances/Past Regrets”) - Lea– Hungry Hungry Asset She had little to do in this episode, and unfortunately for her gastronomic system, it did not appear to include eating a quality lunch… all because she had the misfortune of saying “nobody can follow the rules if they don’t know what they are”... which sent Shaun out the door ready to create the perfect problem-solving document. (I guess it could be argued that she should know better by now to mention “rules” when he’s in search of a solution…) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1680554465149-RN440ZGF11XKXX97SJUX/EF38E19A-E649-49E3-B44F-AF7925187BFD.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 75: Putting the “ass” in ASSET… Or something like that (“Second Chances/Past Regrets”) You know what would have been hilarious? If, as soon as Shaun went out the door and Lea completed a justified sigh, she got Jordan on the phone: Hey, did you get lunch yet? Yeah, he got another brainstorm and left me here. Ah– you’re the best! Meet you there in five. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1680554529706-6AW22GK2UIARX96VQFY4/D6CD5E3F-4055-4AE9-927F-0E478A819747.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 75: Putting the “ass” in ASSET… Or something like that (“Second Chances/Past Regrets”) - Andrews– PITA lying in wait? Andrews, like Glassman, has been all over this ass/asset map. Maybe it’s just another variation of the brilliant, brash arrogance that befits many a top doctor (at least the ones on TV), but Andrews gets his boxer briefs in a bunch pretty easily when he’s in presidential mode… especially when it involves an old grudge. We watched with bated breath as Andrews welcomed Jared back to St. Bon’s, remembering the lack of love lost when Jared moved on to Denver. We raised an eyebrow when Jared’s billionaire boss promised Andrews a ginormous check as thanks for helping sort out his medical issues. And we bust out laughing when that check was torn to smithereens before Andrews’ very eyes… all because Jared was back in the St. Bon’s fold. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1680554661825-5AGJW7GHOA9D8YYXAA63/D5C4D542-8C64-4F39-AD44-5FF38A9D6E49.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 75: Putting the “ass” in ASSET… Or something like that (“Second Chances/Past Regrets”) So how much of Andrews’ sternness about the Shaun/Jared working relationship was justified… and how much was it was him in don’t-get-fooled-again mode? Yes, I know Jared went to Andrews near the episode’s end and all the right things were said. But, depending on Jared’s long-term trajectory on TGD, I can’t help but feel Andrews is carefully biding his time… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1680554709388-B1TZ75GQ6NP6KBVGI645/98F994F3-FA6B-40C7-AFAD-E913FC6C4D5C.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 75: Putting the “ass” in ASSET… Or something like that (“Second Chances/Past Regrets”) - Jordan: Asset. No doubt about it. She fielded praise from Shaun in the OR this episode, but her very best efforts likely came in holding it down while Jared tested the waters… and the patience of everyone around him. Is it possible she’s an even stronger asset this season when Perez isn’t getting in her way… inadvertently and otherwise? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1680554753722-1KUDE3CUJ88HS1YXQZG1/1A39811E-46CA-40B0-B8B0-ADBD58013CFF.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 75: Putting the “ass” in ASSET… Or something like that (“Second Chances/Past Regrets”) On the other hand… promotional pics from “A Blip” (the 4/3 episode) hint at a social friendship forming between her and Jared Do we think such will be a bigger asset for the two of them… …or for her and Perez? (If only because it drives him in a particular direction?) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/2f68029e-b45c-4fde-9846-b0bfbf460594/TGD+Hard+Heart+Perez+solo.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 75: Putting the “ass” in ASSET… Or something like that (“Second Chances/Past Regrets”) - Speaking of Dr. Perez: I tweeted, during the broadcast of this episode, that Perez must have been holding an extended N.A. meeting since he was nowhere to be found. In reality, it appeared to be his “turn” to sit out the storytelling cycle given the still-crowded TGD character palette)... especially with Jared now back in the fold. ANYWAY… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1680554840144-M1Q9XTEINK6M8PEAAHDU/834914F0-E528-49AC-9D2C-BA997D6E1FFC.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 75: Putting the “ass” in ASSET… Or something like that (“Second Chances/Past Regrets”) - Morgan: PITA, especially when we get her in small doses I think it was long-time reader/contributor Tony that mentioned, earlier this season, that Morgan has made an appearance in every TGD episode since her character was introduced (in mid-season 1). If so, she kept her streak going here with just one very pointed “welcome back” scene between she and Jared. Which came across as more of a Hey, I used to give you hell back in the day and I can’t wait to start dishing it out again so let’s start right NOW! Vibe. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1680554872401-G30GD6JAD0OHB6R6IO2T/133E46A5-BF06-42F9-A0A0-4F5FFFC634F7.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 75: Putting the “ass” in ASSET… Or something like that (“Second Chances/Past Regrets”) - The obvious digs involved Morgan teasing about Jared’s return to first-year status… but how about his parting line about having to leave for surgery? Did you hear that as a possible dig to Morgan’s RA-impaired hands? Surely someone brought him up to speed on her career pivot-by-necessity… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1680555190638-IJM6KILSADJ6FLHWFCON/257697CF-20C7-4C71-95CB-31606EF0BF79.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 75: Putting the “ass” in ASSET… Or something like that (“Second Chances/Past Regrets”) - Lim and Park: Assets…in Stereo (“in Stereo” this episode only) Her PITA moments have been few (some might say nonexistent if not for her PTSD struggles). His PITA moments are greatly reduced of late when he isn’t a) facing down the dude who broke up his marriage, or b) squabbling with Morgan. (Dang, it’s been a minute since they even shared a scene together-! Everyone get ready, something must be coming soon with them) Anyway, Lim and Park worked together on young Carter in this episode, which made them both keenly aware of a surprising case of love on the rocks… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1680555328383-JSBXFZRIY8HX7WPBG0Y0/040A2DDC-D565-4B5C-9BE6-970392A58F91.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 75: Putting the “ass” in ASSET… Or something like that (“Second Chances/Past Regrets”) - Asher/Jerome: Assets. Yes, both of them. I guess it’s tempting to say that Jerome was an ass for not being upfront about his HIV diagnosis… as I guess it’s also tempting to say Asher was being an ass for reacting as he did (he even admitted as much, didn’t he?) … but I just can’t be mad at either of them. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1680555355292-3HXN6PNJ2GIOP24U62HV/A8FDF89C-BA61-4933-959F-C5506E458911.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 75: Putting the “ass” in ASSET… Or something like that (“Second Chances/Past Regrets”) - Jerome DID withhold important information about himself from Asher, but his reasons were quite understandable. And Asher’s anger seemed over the top until we heard why he was upset… and when he started to soften in the cafeteria scene, only to flash again about how “he didn’t get to make that choice for himself” (re: condoms always used, staying on PrEP)... yep, that made sense too. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1680555375802-7ZJMYLJVR9UQ2UBN9Y2X/EB86ED3E-A569-4EA6-BEAF-E218DFFF83BF.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 75: Putting the “ass” in ASSET… Or something like that (“Second Chances/Past Regrets”) - So what makes them both assets here? They’re representing two sides of what is surely a very real conflict for gay men in a relationship. Showing Asher and Jerome work through this roadblock (though with a made-for-TV timeline) rather than break up, or indicate it’s the beginning of the end for them, is as powerful as it is inspiring. It’s always easier when a writer is crafting just the right dialogue, but as always… if it helps facilitate real-life conversations, damn, what more can you ask for? Also– I had on my S6 wish list I asked “If they break up, let it be authentic and not played for laughs.” What we got was authentic AND heartfelt (not played for laughs at ALL once we knew the issue), and they didn’t even have to end their relationship for it to happen! I’m taking that as a wish granted! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1680555424499-V3DDBOW6R66YWNP8I6RQ/590A2AD3-B0A7-42AF-867C-B9836932D886.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 75: Putting the “ass” in ASSET… Or something like that (“Second Chances/Past Regrets”) - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://kellimlawrence.com/stateofshea/is-abc-up-more-good monthly 0.5 2023-03-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/e34a79bf-c67d-4ebf-8ad2-410a54493e44/TGD+TGL+Joni+Shaun+Courtroom.jpeg State of the #Shea - Is ABC Up To More “Good”? Making a Case For THE GOOD LAWYER - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/2f654610-8ae3-415e-885f-e98fb8a00a86/Facts+of+Life+cast.jpeg State of the #Shea - Is ABC Up To More “Good”? Making a Case For THE GOOD LAWYER - In this episode, the housekeeper on Diff’rent Strokes (a.k.a. Mrs. Garrett) came to the aid of Kimberly Drummond– biological daughter to Mr. Drummond and sister to adoptees Willis and Arnold– when last-minute help was needed at Kimberly’s boarding school. By the fall of ‘79, Garrett’s Girls had been renamed The Facts of Life and helped kick off the new NBC season. (And both Strokes and Facts proved to be significant hits for the network as the 1980s unfolded.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/eb6e684c-31bc-468d-ae4c-58382b3b3352/Brady+Bunch+Kelly%27s+Kids.jpeg State of the #Shea - Is ABC Up To More “Good”? Making a Case For THE GOOD LAWYER - AHA! Brady Bunch devotees may recognize this as “Kelly’s Kids,” an episode from Sherwood Schwartz’s iconic blended family that was intended to be the start of a whole new series Schwartz had in mind celebrating racial diversity. But unlike Facts of Life, “Kelly’s Kids” failed to persuade ABC’s Power That Be to give it a shot. By the start of the 1974-5 season, Brady Bunch was canceled and off to a land of endless syndication… and Schwartz’s back-door pilot became an odd little footnote in TV history. (Arguably not as odd as the addition of nephew “Oliver” in the final 6 episodes of Bunch, though.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/9156c259-a7f6-4832-8de7-a2322b1d5b3d/IMG_5352.jpg State of the #Shea - Is ABC Up To More “Good”? Making a Case For THE GOOD LAWYER - After seeing Shaun served with papers for a malpractice lawsuit at the very end of the previous episode (“Old Friends”), we start this one with Shaun being introduced to Glassman’s longtime attorney Janet Stewart. Janet informs them that a settlement is in the works that would “only” require Shaun to agree to a six-month supervisory period, which Shaun finds humiliating and difficult to agree to. But his career appears to be on the line if he goes to trial and loses, so… On his way back from the restroom, Shaun encounters attorney/researcher extraordinaire Joni DeGroot. He recognizes her OCD quickly (she repeatedly taps things in patterns of three); she recognizes his situation as humiliating just as quickly. And before you can say “second opinion,” Shaun has himself another lawyer. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/8f85d5be-7641-42d5-8862-aa2340bad195/TGD+TGL+meeting+w+Shaun+Park.jpeg State of the #Shea - Is ABC Up To More “Good”? Making a Case For THE GOOD LAWYER - Shaun de-briefs with Lea; Joni de-briefs with Abbie (who we learn is both her sister and roommate). Next up, we have Joni and Janet meeting with Shaun and Park. The two doctors came upon an overturned vehicle one night in the pouring rain and stopped to help. Park pulled a woman out of the vehicle; Shaun found her brother thrown clear of it several yards away. The brother was losing a lot of blood from his arm, and Shaun assessed that his hand needed to be amputated on-site. (This man- the one with the amputated hand– is the one suing Shaun. We’ve not seen him on an episode prior to this one.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/088db61b-9b05-4949-94c2-eac4b73f17e1/TGD+TGL+Shaun+Park+Flashback.jpeg State of the #Shea - Is ABC Up To More “Good”? Making a Case For THE GOOD LAWYER - In recounting the details of the night in question, we discover that Park and Shaun have differing stories that put Shaun’s case in jeopardy. Janet is not only concerned about Joni’s ability to act “normal” in a courtroom or in front of clients, but their ability to win the case at all. Joni sees loopholes… and then has to rush to stop Shaun from trying to prove himself correct about the amputation, for proving himself INcorrect would have to be shared with “the other side”. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/28276120-2a1b-4807-8b72-d417429361ab/TGD+TGL+Janet+Shaun.jpeg State of the #Shea - Is ABC Up To More “Good”? Making a Case For THE GOOD LAWYER - In court, Joni initially comes off as very sharp and capable of holding her own. But once the plaintiff’s attorney leans back in his chair (prompting the chair to “squeak,”) Joni is paralzyed, staring at the chair in question, willing two more “squeaks” out of it. Next thing we see is Joni trying to explain to Janet what happened in court, but it’s of little use– the settlement has now been withdrawn, and Janet is pulled off the case. Shaun is upset by this news, though Janet gives a detailed explanation of Joni’s history as a way to explain why she thinks Joni is bad for his case. Still, Shaun finds his way to Joni’s home with one burning question in mind: Why did you want to become a lawyer? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/832dca71-493e-4838-bfa0-881cce1ec78b/IMG_5363.jpg State of the #Shea - Is ABC Up To More “Good”? Making a Case For THE GOOD LAWYER - She shares her story, and Shaun seems reassured that she’s the right one for this case. He asks Janet to at least make Joni “First Chair”-- and she does– but Joni is to remain silent in the courtroom. Which… she isn’t. But this time, her speaking up helps Shaun’s case. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/91451d3a-1795-4fd4-a316-3c1b6c0ac81c/IMG_5369.jpg State of the #Shea - Is ABC Up To More “Good”? Making a Case For THE GOOD LAWYER - Next, when the plaintiff is on the stand bemoaning the changes in his life since the amputation, Joni goes about proving that said plaintiff is, in her own words, “a dick” who should be grateful Shaun saved his life rather than suing him for any reason. Once again, the plaintiff’s attorney squeaks his chair (deliberately?) and Joni is frozen with anxiety… but this time, Janet deliberately squeaks the chair twice more (while the attorney is still sitting in it), resulting in a contempt charge for herself… but also freeing Joni to complete her line of questioning. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/e569e374-b243-41b1-9321-da40091ba064/TGD+TGL+Shaun+on+the+stand.jpeg State of the #Shea - Is ABC Up To More “Good”? Making a Case For THE GOOD LAWYER - It soon comes time for Shaun himself to take the stand. Janet cautions Joni beforehand, stressing the importance of the jury “liking” Shaun. What Joni does is essentially let Shaun be Shaun: she asks about mistakes he made the night of the accident and he reveals them (also revealing he believes said mistakes did not change the outcome), and she also has him share his story of becoming a doctor as a man with ASD. In her closing argument, Joni asks the jury not to judge Shaun by the ASD-related things that might make them uncomfortable, but on “who he is… at every moment of his life he has tried to make a difference, tried to make things a little better. Please don’t punish him for that. Please do what the plaintiff should’ve done. Say ‘thank you.’” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/5050e4cb-1272-4fd4-929f-da6e0fcb75f5/IMG_5381.jpg State of the #Shea - Is ABC Up To More “Good”? Making a Case For THE GOOD LAWYER - Joni wins Shaun’s case (as well as some newfound respect from Janet), and the episode closes with Shaun and Joni, post-celebration, back in the hospital lab, with Shaun resuming the procedure on the plaintiff’s amputated hand that would determine whether or not amputation was truly necessary. (We never see the results, but it’s a moot point now that the trial is over.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/5eedd788-8a77-49ed-b21b-686c926473b9/TGD+TGL+Glass+Lea+Kelly.jpeg State of the #Shea - Is ABC Up To More “Good”? Making a Case For THE GOOD LAWYER - (By the way– I’m treating this episode like a stand-alone rather than another chapter of State of the Shea due to the minimal involvement of Lea– and Glassman, for that matter– in the story. Also, the lawsuit was not for a case we’ve seen on a previous episode of TGD but one created for the sake of this one episode. Except for the fact that Lea is as visibly pregnant here as she was the previous week, “The Good Lawyer” could have taken place anywhere within this season.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/0fd0048a-c623-400d-b436-c0399292b36a/TGD+TGL+Joni+walks+into+flashback.jpeg State of the #Shea - Is ABC Up To More “Good”? Making a Case For THE GOOD LAWYER - Having a lead character with OCD, like having a lead character with ASD, means creating situations that highlight the highs and lows and help the viewer feel like they understand the character better. While we’re all familiar with “ShaunVision” by now– and got an intriguing look at Joni’s thought process via the special effects that “placed” her at the scene of the accident alongside Shaun and Park– it was the way we felt her OCD in action that was captivating in a way that Shaun’s ASD never quite is. That’s no one’s fault; as has been said many times now, every journey on the autistic spectrum is unique. But the intrusive, repetitive thinking of OCD? The management of it? The way it interferes with daily life? Much of it was there, in the writing and direction of this episode (by David Shore/Liz Friedman and Ruben Fleischer, respectively). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/947d69d6-d2c7-4627-82df-2896baaf0346/IMG_5355.jpg State of the #Shea - Is ABC Up To More “Good”? Making a Case For THE GOOD LAWYER - “I don’t like the word ‘stupid,’” Shaun cautioned Joni in his careful manner when she stopped by the hospital to stop him from testing the severed hand. “Desperate, then,” she quickly substituted as she moved on with her point. She thinks fast, but in a different way than Shaun does. She has a reputation for being late (or not showing up at all); Shaun is the opposite. Her OCD developed as a result of her father’s death in a car accident when she was 8; Shaun was born with ASD. Some of Joni’s symptoms come and go in fits and starts, while Shaun’s ASD permeates his life. In other words… those who think watching an OCD character is pretty much like watching an ASD character are in for a surprise. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/01bc0f76-3b04-4496-87e2-534a537c1d7f/TGD+TGL+Janet+solo.jpeg State of the #Shea - Is ABC Up To More “Good”? Making a Case For THE GOOD LAWYER - If TGL DOES get picked up, I hope the three cast members we saw in this episode remain locked in for the duration. Kennedy McMann was an absolute pleasure to watch in the titular role, and her chemistry with Shaun/Freddie Highmore was every bit as unique and lovely as one might hope it to be. Bethlehem Million, as Joni’s sister (half-sister?) and roommate/bestie Abbie, looks to be a great source of 20-something realness and support in Joni’s sheltered world. And Felicity Huffman… I mentioned a while back how fond I’ve been of her work ever since she starred in ABC’s dramedy Sports Night in the late 90s. Nearly 25 years (!!) later, portraying a seen-it-all veteran in the field of law, she still shines bright. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/ec99662e-4c49-4584-bcd9-535475c774b5/IMG_5373.jpg State of the #Shea - Is ABC Up To More “Good”? Making a Case For THE GOOD LAWYER - A few things about “The Good Lawyer” episode that rubbed me the wrong way (but perhaps couldn’t have been helped under the circumstances of a one-episode pilot…) From a storytelling perspective, there were definitely elements of the episode that didn’t ring true to me. Aside from the typical “TV” issues of a legal case– things happening in an unrealistic time frame, steps being skipped, etc.-- there was the lack of input from Glassman or Lea that we’ve come to expect and enjoy on a TGD episode. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/c0d97900-a3ea-4e8e-b40b-605ec9da8046/IMG_5374.jpg State of the #Shea - Is ABC Up To More “Good”? Making a Case For THE GOOD LAWYER - Yes, both were seen and heard early in the episode, but as was stated several times, Shaun’s very career hung in the balance. Surely one or both of them would try to talk him out of counting on Joni? I’m cutting TGD some slack on that, of course, because the time needed to go to Joni scenes in this unique situation. But it underscored, for me, the fact that this episode was self-contained (Shaun/Joni would win by 10PM Eastern Time, end of story), cut-and-dried, and just not as interesting as it could have been if it were an intrinsic part of S6. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/6d9938b2-0d4f-423b-9161-de1b96944891/IMG_5365.jpg State of the #Shea - Is ABC Up To More “Good”? Making a Case For THE GOOD LAWYER - Instead, it became a case of Shaun the Good Samaritan Doctor vs. Bob the Ungrateful Dick… which was probably more fun for the writers AND the viewers, let’s be honest. (Who DIDN’T want to give the opposing attorney’s chair a couple of good shoves for Joni’s sake?) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/8232d535-aceb-4bf8-aa0f-b75c50fb2f7b/IMG_5379.jpg State of the #Shea - Is ABC Up To More “Good”? Making a Case For THE GOOD LAWYER - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://kellimlawrence.com/stateofshea/stathttps/kellimlawrencecom/blog-page-url/oldfriends monthly 0.5 2023-04-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1678756307765-T2AY4WD4EXCSK3DNJCD0/FC66F5FA-D4C9-4BDF-A9AD-5177726247FE.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of The Shea, Pt. 74: In With The Old (“Old Friends”) - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1678756394957-HOQ4O9DRMECO2HEFBFII/IMG_5208.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of The Shea, Pt. 74: In With The Old (“Old Friends”) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1678756391842-APJSBGFBZMJWHO7QD2CA/IMG_5210.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of The Shea, Pt. 74: In With The Old (“Old Friends”) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1678756396572-AIHGU7M6R1GLP6NVCKT1/IMG_5212.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of The Shea, Pt. 74: In With The Old (“Old Friends”) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1678756397935-8L0K5WH4HO0ZYJLWJCHJ/IMG_5207.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of The Shea, Pt. 74: In With The Old (“Old Friends”) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/d9f76aa6-ea2a-4fd9-bb62-af12eba42be5/IMG_5323.jpg State of the #Shea - State of The Shea, Pt. 74: In With The Old (“Old Friends”) - OLD QUESTION (but a good one): WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO LEA’S FIRST CAR? (AKA the one she was driving in S1 when she saw Shaun at a bus stop in the dark and gave. him a ride home) My guess: Since the character of Lea Dilallo was originally intended to last only 6 episodes, they introduced the striped tomato strictly for the purposes of the Road Trip (Both for #Shea bonding— Shaun recognized it from watching Starsky and Hutch reruns— and to symbolize the trust Lea had in Shaun when she let him drive her prized possession). THEN, after Paige Spara was brought back for S2 and beyond, a decision must’ve been made that the Grand Torino was now Lea’s car… and hopefully we’d just forget about seeing it in the “Pipes” episode. I think Lea initially introduced the GT as a “special occasion” vehicle, but once we saw her teaching Shaun to drive in it, we knew the other car was a goner. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/fd554185-008c-4e47-86cf-2da26beb361b/IMG_5325.jpg State of the #Shea - State of The Shea, Pt. 74: In With The Old (“Old Friends”) - OLD BEEF: WHERE DID THINGS STAND WHEN JARED LEFT ST. BONS IN 2018 WITH ANDREWS? Suffice to say, no one was sugar-coating it. Andrews was hell-on-wheels any time the two crossed paths in the “Hello” episode (S2). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/c0f913a2-b90b-4a4d-9c43-8d239150cc2b/TGD+Old+Friends+2.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of The Shea, Pt. 74: In With The Old (“Old Friends”) - … But, of course, that WAS nearly 5 years ago. Now that Jared’s back on board and Andrews ultimately did NOT get a big fat check from Roland? Yikes. Jared better keep on watching his back for a while if you ask me. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/5370254b-0c96-474d-91e8-6924a757ed38/IMG_5214.jpg State of the #Shea - State of The Shea, Pt. 74: In With The Old (“Old Friends”) - OLD QUESTION, DIFFERENT CHARACTER: DOES ASHER FEEL UNDERUSED TO YOU SINCE WINTER HIATUS ENDED? With the notable exception of Danni Powell’s farewell episode (“The Good Boy”), Dr. Asher Wolke has come into a LOT of scenes like a backup signer at a Rhianna concert. Whether he needs boyfriend Jerome for storyline assistance or not, I hope they find space on the storytelling map for Asher substance soon. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/482fb866-257f-4f6f-96a4-b618f87ce3b9/IMG_5216.jpg State of the #Shea - State of The Shea, Pt. 74: In With The Old (“Old Friends”) - OLD WOUND: PARK COMING FACE TO FACE WITH “JOE” THE HOMEWRECKER If the Jared/St. Bon’s reunion hadn’t taken place, Park’s dilemma could’ve easily grabbed center stage. (“What are you doing here,” indeed!) By laying it out as a subplot, though, they steered clear of moral dilemmas (e.g. surgical complications that could put Park in a bind) and kept the focus on forgiveness. Which was probably as tough for Park as most OR procedures. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/e8244ea3-9fcd-4188-8448-700eee712565/IMG_5219.jpg State of the #Shea - State of The Shea, Pt. 74: In With The Old (“Old Friends”) - OLD TRANSPORTATION: WASN’T IT WEIRD TO THINK OF SHAUN STILL TAKING THE BUS? I suppose there are plenty of times he’s not out riding along with Lea, but the last time TGD showed him on a bus was in last season’s “Rebellion” episode (when Shaun was reeling from Glassman and Lea’s recent actions)... so that info came as something of a surprise to me. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/ef49fce4-ccdc-4ed7-a777-08fba1f24f40/IMG_5221.jpg State of the #Shea - State of The Shea, Pt. 74: In With The Old (“Old Friends”) - OLD REFERENCE THAT STILL GIVES ME HOPE: LEA’S BROTHER I’m admittedly a sucker for breadcrumbs, but every time Lea mentions Donnie— A.K.A. her estranged and only sibling, as far as we know— my hope for his eventual appearance on TGD is re-kindled. If she gets back to the point of actually saying his name instead of “my brother,” I’ll be starting a whole hope bonfire. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1678756580723-XHYWO6AMTPVSX2O5PIC7/IMG_5222.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of The Shea, Pt. 74: In With The Old (“Old Friends”) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1678756583094-V6JDKKF5R7U0ASOO79M5/IMG_5223.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of The Shea, Pt. 74: In With The Old (“Old Friends”) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1678756585629-LVY5BRBK5BNUK7RCEDMQ/IMG_5232.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of The Shea, Pt. 74: In With The Old (“Old Friends”) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1678756587900-2DT80P76YEW5RFBSUTJF/IMG_5233.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of The Shea, Pt. 74: In With The Old (“Old Friends”) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/4144f7b3-8e33-413f-948d-b9d9b9a482b6/IMG_5327.jpg State of the #Shea - State of The Shea, Pt. 74: In With The Old (“Old Friends”) - OLD CONVERSATIONS: It’s true— Shaun did indeed tell Jared in his TGD sendoff that someday he’d be happy… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/2b787c6f-618d-47d8-8152-3c6f8cc64a90/TGD+Old+Friends+3.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of The Shea, Pt. 74: In With The Old (“Old Friends”) - … And that he would “fulfill his potential.” (“SHAUN” WOULD KNOW, GIVEN THAT FREDDIE HIGHMORE WROTE THAT EPISODE.) But S6 Shaun even has his version of Dude, seriously? in the form of the one-word question to Jared: “Sciatica?” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/768c3b10-a30b-4ad3-9191-153b3d7af04b/IMG_5247.jpg State of the #Shea - State of The Shea, Pt. 74: In With The Old (“Old Friends”) - OLD… SOFA? (It was on clearance, after all. But Glassy probably couldn’t care less what his new sofa looks like so long as he can watch baseball and football comfortably on it.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/db8f677f-5c16-43cc-9647-f074171f454b/IMG_5251.jpg State of the #Shea - State of The Shea, Pt. 74: In With The Old (“Old Friends”) - OLD STATUS When we last saw them, Lea was supposedly fed up with Glassman AND less than thrilled he was moving in down the hall. But here, they were back on very comfortable terms. Was this the result of some of the script/episode shuffling that was apparently done in order to place the embedded Good Lawyer pilot in the desired place on the schedule? It’s surely not worth wondering about. Let’s just be glad all is well again, I guess. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/330f591a-9cbb-4290-ab12-6c088d7fe9b8/IMG_5260.jpg State of the #Shea - State of The Shea, Pt. 74: In With The Old (“Old Friends”) - OLD CONVERSATION– NEW BACKSTORY EDITION (FROM LIM) Those watching in S4 may recall that Jordan first shared her personal abortion story back in her earliest days on the show. Lim, however, had not revealed her own story… until now. So how would the conversation have gone if Lim had shared this with Jordan back in S4— when Jordan was explaining her religious/moral conflicts with performing an abortion on a patient? Backstory gets invented as characters go all the time, so again, not worth wondering about. Unless it was simply that Lim didn’t know Jordan well enough then to connect with her on something so personal. OK, definitely over-thinking it now! Let’s move on… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/da225917-bf5e-4bf3-828a-ef15bfb21e80/IMG_5263.jpg State of the #Shea - State of The Shea, Pt. 74: In With The Old (“Old Friends”) - OLD TREND STILL PLAYED DAILY BY PEOPLE OF A CERTAIN AGE…??? I can thoroughly believe Morgan’s the type who leans over your shoulder while doing WORDLE and gloats about how she got it in three guesses or less. Every. single. day. To which I can only say SHUT UP, MORGAN, there’s nothing wrong with being average with my damn Wordle score. But Park was distracted, as we all know, so we missed the verbal slap that might’ve been. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/08262fdc-7bb4-453f-be20-4db216c15c13/IMG_5268.jpg State of the #Shea - State of The Shea, Pt. 74: In With The Old (“Old Friends”) - OLD NEWS BY NOW… But I loved the way Morgan summarized the specific reason for their breakup… and how it tied in nicely with Park’s “letting go” dilemma. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1678756655243-IB90QR90MDJK44ALKNDQ/IMG_5275.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of The Shea, Pt. 74: In With The Old (“Old Friends”) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1678756653855-EBJT7LHSEXNRUH3OWM4A/IMG_5279.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of The Shea, Pt. 74: In With The Old (“Old Friends”) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1678756657000-MSMNZJGE0UWAGVZN5JQ2/IMG_5281.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of The Shea, Pt. 74: In With The Old (“Old Friends”) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1678756652516-0EM3ZY4WNR3S8HHUJKNI/IMG_5282.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of The Shea, Pt. 74: In With The Old (“Old Friends”) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/ebddc7a1-393d-432b-9f9b-20288eeb53e9/IMG_5254.jpg State of the #Shea - State of The Shea, Pt. 74: In With The Old (“Old Friends”) - OLD HONESTY OOPSIE: Andrews was nearly ready to hold his hand out eagerly for Roland’s 100 MILLION dollar check, but Shaun accurately stated that his patient should not be authorizing such monumental decisions while his head was full of worm larvae. (ICK) See, Andrews? You wanted Shaun to get better at connecting with patients and understanding their needs (back in S2)… look how great he is at that now! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1678756719902-XBHN18E0R39O1ZJV6JQ7/IMG_5286.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of The Shea, Pt. 74: In With The Old (“Old Friends”) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1678756721382-HTRHFKVQIUFBD27E5KOS/IMG_5287.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of The Shea, Pt. 74: In With The Old (“Old Friends”) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1678756724355-E5IFRJDLTGTCMFQECEO2/IMG_5288.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of The Shea, Pt. 74: In With The Old (“Old Friends”) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1678756726023-CXSGWLY35R4N91VW0FJA/IMG_5290.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of The Shea, Pt. 74: In With The Old (“Old Friends”) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1678756727877-8BA3HTQMJZGKL3Z0HQRG/IMG_5292.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of The Shea, Pt. 74: In With The Old (“Old Friends”) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1678756722932-JQD52MT0Q5ODI8VBN23L/IMG_5295.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of The Shea, Pt. 74: In With The Old (“Old Friends”) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/790b6c7a-c51e-4a6e-9c84-0a3f5e876a41/IMG_5296.jpg State of the #Shea - State of The Shea, Pt. 74: In With The Old (“Old Friends”) - OLD ADAGE ABOUT FORGIVENESS… The forgiveness you give someone else isn’t supposed to be “earned” by the someone else… it’s supposed to set the forgiver free of their own tethers to the situation at hand. Wonder if anyone ever told Park that? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1678756777537-1XC90VL3WVDNJ1GW3FVV/IMG_5300.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of The Shea, Pt. 74: In With The Old (“Old Friends”) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1678756780878-SY91QD4KQ7QW8KARCB8Q/IMG_5301.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of The Shea, Pt. 74: In With The Old (“Old Friends”) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1678756775952-H9H3Q6ZOBBFZFLVMXL37/IMG_5302.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of The Shea, Pt. 74: In With The Old (“Old Friends”) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1678756779286-YKDEB3EH16D30WXS5GRJ/IMG_5303.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of The Shea, Pt. 74: In With The Old (“Old Friends”) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/491ff451-4af1-4550-8f4d-1699f36b5666/IMG_5304.jpg State of the #Shea - State of The Shea, Pt. 74: In With The Old (“Old Friends”) - OLD (ACTUALLY ANCIENT?) ART FORM… It had to be tough to find a “good” way to end Sonja’s story, but the tiny tattoo on her husband’s wrist was pretty effective. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1678756852975-BECHRMWJEIYIWJXA9UAE/IMG_5305.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of The Shea, Pt. 74: In With The Old (“Old Friends”) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1678756850999-3U1M1WPWXRVK063WJVBH/IMG_5306.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of The Shea, Pt. 74: In With The Old (“Old Friends”) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1678756847507-WP1OQNOEUNLLST34HR10/IMG_5308.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of The Shea, Pt. 74: In With The Old (“Old Friends”) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1678756849253-0ZPDQ7ZFDAFVRLY6F1KN/IMG_5309.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of The Shea, Pt. 74: In With The Old (“Old Friends”) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/49ed89f8-77cd-4fce-a2bd-8244660cead0/IMG_5313.jpg State of the #Shea - State of The Shea, Pt. 74: In With The Old (“Old Friends”) - OLD TERM SHORTENED INTO MODERN-DAY LINGO AND… USED INCORRECTLY HERE??? I must say at this point that I adored the script for “Old Friends” (written by Adam Scott Weissman). I can tell that I adored it because I kept quoting it directly in my notes as I did this writeup. HOWEVER… I don’t think “Bougie Jared” was the write thing for Lea to call him in that final champagne scene. For one thing, it seems to carry a negative connotation about one’s wealth/supposed wealth that I can’t imagine Lea meaning— unless it was in a joking manner. For another thing— Lea never met Jared the first time around. In fact, she returned to San Jose JUST as Jared was leaving town (in the “Hello” episode). So why would she joke like that to a virtual stranger? Just a bad choice of words… or word… in my opinion. But… maybe still not as hard on the ears in that moment as “You’ve been served” was to Shaun. To be continued… of course! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1678756906003-5COY1S3QTSE70IGX07O1/C9AF1B53-FDE6-45A1-AAEE-D100347A383C.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of The Shea, Pt. 74: In With The Old (“Old Friends”) - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://kellimlawrence.com/stateofshea/state-of-the-shea-pt-73-waiting-on-a-feeling-that-never-ever-came-hard-hearthttps/kellimlawrencecom/blog-page-url/new-post-title monthly 0.5 2023-03-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/0eca764d-ca44-4b86-956c-e46268ad9912/IMG_5090.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 73: Waiting For a Feeling That Never, Ever Came (“Hard Heart”) - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/aa88d242-6bfc-471d-871f-157d9c7df231/IMG_5165.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 73: Waiting For a Feeling That Never, Ever Came (“Hard Heart”) - Alas, she didn’t see Park in “Hard Heart.” In fact we just barely saw her at all. Surprised? I was. But it was an expect-the-unexpected kind of episode for me. To illustrate, I’m stacking my comments about each of the plots/subplots in order of preference (based NOT on interest, but on the way they were carried out) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/28052ca7-3b23-4c66-ba55-2660c6b6966c/IMG_5182.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 73: Waiting For a Feeling That Never, Ever Came (“Hard Heart”) - TOP PICK: Jordan and her “hard-hearted” Grandma E (also involving Asher, Lim, Perez, Andrews) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/7080a87a-6a0a-4d92-aa38-44ff61e1c145/IMG_5096.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 73: Waiting For a Feeling That Never, Ever Came (“Hard Heart”) - For me, Jordan’s story was the standout of “Hard Heart” for a couple reasons: Perhaps it was all a considerable nod to Black History Month in the U.S. (which ended the day after this episode aired), but I loved the inspired narrative: starting with Jordan declining Andrews’ offer to speak to the young students of color (which allowed them to bring in that stunning fact that only 2% of surgeons in this country are Black… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/69b9f195-32e0-4225-956c-90e4e166ed51/TGD+Heart+Heart+Grandma+E.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 73: Waiting For a Feeling That Never, Ever Came (“Hard Heart”) - Enter Evelyn Allen (Jordan’s “Grandma E”) as a St. Bon’s patient, and enter all the usual struggles when a doctor’s family member is hospitalized there. Jordan’s long-standing desire for her grandmother to validate her considerable accomplishments led to Jordan trying to be “a hero” (her words) by recommending an extensive, high-risk operation… but also led to her taking some serious heat from Lim (who had previously shot down said risky operation). But even the lower-risk operation proved too difficult once Grandma E was back in the OR, and it took Jordan– standing in the gallery overhead, as Morgan often does– volunteering direction on a “waffle procedure” she’d researched to get her beloved relative on the road to recovery. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1b2f9ce4-e4ef-471a-b103-3ff61e75dc2d/TGD+Hard+Heart+Perez+G+E+Jordan.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 73: Waiting For a Feeling That Never, Ever Came (“Hard Heart”) - Oh, and along the way, Perez picked up a valuable suggestion from Jordan’s grandmother that solved a problem of his own (more onhat shortly)... And I found it interesting that Jordan and Perez were so preoccupied with their independent issues in “Hard Heart,” Grandma E never picked up on their mutual attraction. (Or, better said, attraction-in-limbo.) Of course that was probably just the writers avoiding the subject… knowing they had too many topics to deal with already… but I digress. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/15c1eadd-f80f-4c39-a8ca-e96c783c1dbf/IMG_5121.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 73: Waiting For a Feeling That Never, Ever Came (“Hard Heart”) - SECOND PICK: Glassman’s baby enthusiasm goes too far (Glassman/Shaun/Lea) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1678124734197-F0X266XSATXVPB874IRS/IMG_5170.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 73: Waiting For a Feeling That Never, Ever Came (“Hard Heart”) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1678124730712-BRBVTLEKSF3M0Z3PSU7H/IMG_5171.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 73: Waiting For a Feeling That Never, Ever Came (“Hard Heart”) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1678124726059-RDP3ZU17VOG126PRAQR2/IMG_5173.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 73: Waiting For a Feeling That Never, Ever Came (“Hard Heart”) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1678124732391-GT9KLS2435VB8S4SX744/IMG_5174.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 73: Waiting For a Feeling That Never, Ever Came (“Hard Heart”) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1678124729152-8YGH5L58OO6BQT6EN8SR/IMG_5176.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 73: Waiting For a Feeling That Never, Ever Came (“Hard Heart”) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1678124727740-GFI0PQP1XNS6LI9WHLSL/IMG_5177.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 73: Waiting For a Feeling That Never, Ever Came (“Hard Heart”) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/3a471070-11ad-4dc9-ae83-019d7566b5be/IMG_5100.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 73: Waiting For a Feeling That Never, Ever Came (“Hard Heart”) - The scene with Glassman on his knees, covered in bits of blue tape, bellowing Danger! as he tagged everything from light fixtures to wall outlets to the so-symbolic fishbowl (No! Descendants of Albert, take cover!)... that one I enjoyed greatly, especially once it was clear that Glassy was drunk (or at least tipsy, but that bottle of wine was GONE, folks). But part of why I enjoyed it was that Lea pointed out the obvious: babyproofing to the extent that Glassy proposed won’t be necessary till, well, next season (if we get a next season). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/6a1681e1-674f-443c-9953-daf5d58f3b56/IMG_5104.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 73: Waiting For a Feeling That Never, Ever Came (“Hard Heart”) - Also, I got a good chuckle out of Shaun starting to drop to the floor (thinking Glassman had directed them to do so in that moment), with Lea grabbing his arm knowingly before he got very far. As for Lea vs. the toilet lock…oof. Yes, it was funny. Of course it was funny. But it was also R I D I C U L O U S. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1678124811877-85GOAZRX5PN8KYJ670GB/IMG_5113.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 73: Waiting For a Feeling That Never, Ever Came (“Hard Heart”) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1678124816996-LGSJLV2UCAURO38KZ48Y/IMG_5112.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 73: Waiting For a Feeling That Never, Ever Came (“Hard Heart”) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1678124813451-BY7EMC8NQRXUCD26V1A0/IMG_5115.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 73: Waiting For a Feeling That Never, Ever Came (“Hard Heart”) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1678124815125-1IRZYZ12BTRQ0SL0QH2T/IMG_5116.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 73: Waiting For a Feeling That Never, Ever Came (“Hard Heart”) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1678124818785-L4C0IO1J2BE6MJQTTP20/IMG_5117.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 73: Waiting For a Feeling That Never, Ever Came (“Hard Heart”) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1678124820650-K3T4ZD9KN8Z2VJ7C23T1/IMG_5118.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 73: Waiting For a Feeling That Never, Ever Came (“Hard Heart”) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/df59ce9b-20f4-4642-92c6-b285b5250d6d/TGD+Hard+Heart+Perez+solo.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 73: Waiting For a Feeling That Never, Ever Came (“Hard Heart”) - THIRD PICK: Perez’s struggle of a different kind (Also involving Shaun, Andrews, and Grandma E) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1678124915715-GIYU9Q7424GMCIDGYRSN/IMG_5125.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 73: Waiting For a Feeling That Never, Ever Came (“Hard Heart”) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1678124917581-JET0GLCBCR56O8SNXC8J/IMG_5128.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 73: Waiting For a Feeling That Never, Ever Came (“Hard Heart”) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1678125011729-FLFQP0YP85IODPAPM97L/IMG_5159.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 73: Waiting For a Feeling That Never, Ever Came (“Hard Heart”) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1678124919489-HCY2OXRCUBOS6E3OSHI6/IMG_5131.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 73: Waiting For a Feeling That Never, Ever Came (“Hard Heart”) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1678124921329-WEKWORRVVKL80YRCYU7W/IMG_5134.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 73: Waiting For a Feeling That Never, Ever Came (“Hard Heart”) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1678124922885-SDSE0T0ERPYDSN43UOYH/IMG_5137.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 73: Waiting For a Feeling That Never, Ever Came (“Hard Heart”) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1678124924494-C6X8EEQC6EYTDE5F64UY/IMG_5167.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 73: Waiting For a Feeling That Never, Ever Came (“Hard Heart”) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1678124914040-0ZM907VWG1TAZC03JDTC/IMG_5169.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 73: Waiting For a Feeling That Never, Ever Came (“Hard Heart”) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/60f79936-dc82-44ea-9fa8-f111da0c065a/IMG_5190.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 73: Waiting For a Feeling That Never, Ever Came (“Hard Heart”) - A suggestion from an unlikely source– Jordan’s Grandma– that put in place the perfect solution of starting his own support group there on-site. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/afe00a23-46e0-472f-97a1-384bd23b6044/IMG_5192.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 73: Waiting For a Feeling That Never, Ever Came (“Hard Heart”) - The surprise of seeing Nurse Hatch show up at the first meeting. (Hey, does this mean she was in an altered state of mind back in the “45-Degree Angle” episode when she got snippy with Shaun in the OR and he kicked her out?? Just sayin!) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/bbd43b5f-1581-4d61-979f-a43effce8b12/TGD+Hard+Heart+Park+solo.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 73: Waiting For a Feeling That Never, Ever Came (“Hard Heart”) - WHICH LEAVES US WITH… THE HEADLINER (Park, Shaun, Nathan & Parents) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/cbc7e5f3-3d40-4966-9ac8-c7d53b851596/TGD+Hard+Heart+Park+on+phone.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 73: Waiting For a Feeling That Never, Ever Came (“Hard Heart”) - Yeah, this one didn’t work for me like I hoped it would. In fact, it was pretty disappointing. There was a tall order from the start, considering the boy’s illness was based on Will Yun Lee’s own experiences: a young boy with startling symptoms (a stroke??) who eventually– because it’s very tough to diagnose– is found to have a brain condition that requires multiple surgeries. All of which was made much more difficult for Lee to deal with as he tried to work far from home, unable to comfort his child. The problem, I think, came in the need to compress SO much of Lee’s story into one episode. When we saw Nathan (the boy) and his mom on the day after his initial diagnosis– as he was receiving what had to be his first chemo treatment– we were hearing how much he hated the treatments, and the medicine, and his mom was upset he was reduced to playing with his pill bottles rather than toys. How could he– could THEY– be in this mindset already? I wondered. It’s day TWO! Ditto for when Dad chimed in on FaceTime, probably that same day, angry that they’d been “pumping his son with poison he doesn’t need” (Paraphrased)... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/c346a507-204c-45a7-bc69-8a8db2f5d5cc/IMG_5186.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 73: Waiting For a Feeling That Never, Ever Came (“Hard Heart”) - Then there was almost the opposite happening once we got to Nathan’s pivotal brain surgery, and Shaun came up with a way to do both parts of the procedure at once… (Please note the word he used here– 31 letters long!!)-- and yes, that’s the correct spelling) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/57889fed-4afa-4710-9432-7ede232c5cb7/IMG_5187.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 73: Waiting For a Feeling That Never, Ever Came (“Hard Heart”) - Maybe that’s why the business about Patches (the stuffed Dalmatian) was more noteworthy to me. Not because Nathan’s request (“Can Patches get brain surgery too?”) was unusual, or that Shaun’s initial response (“No, Patches is a stuffed animal”) was unexpected. The discussion with Park about logic, and kids, and “wanting to be told the truth” was something of a retread, too, given Park’s penchant for advice (and Shaun’s questioning of it). But it felt next-level for them, something reflective of their status as attending physicians that maybe we’ve missed this season amid the Lim storyline of last fall (when Shaun and Park didn’t even share their office for several weeks). And even better was when Shaun bandaged up Patches after all, but to Nathan’s “You DID do the brain surgery on him!” Shaun stayed with The Truth, saying “No, I just put bandages on his head to make you feel better.” “I do,” Nathan said. Point taken, Shaun. As always. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/b35bc1d9-080d-4bc8-9d70-d323ef2ccaf2/TGD+Hard+Heart+fishbowl.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 73: Waiting For a Feeling That Never, Ever Came (“Hard Heart”) - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://kellimlawrence.com/stateofshea/state-of-the-shea-pt-72-39-differences-that-didnt-quite-add-up monthly 0.5 2023-03-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/8dd0cddc-9db6-4980-b1c2-098743b30de8/IMG_5012.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 72: “39 Differences” That Didn’t Quite Add Up - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/b2e054b4-5fd6-47da-85e0-c83933c2ee74/IMG_4974.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 72: “39 Differences” That Didn’t Quite Add Up - ACT 1 We were off to a promising start with Shaun being Shaun (Our son is genetically pre-disposed for brilliance; better tee him up for Stanford ASAP) and Lea being Lea (Hold up, he might be ready to bail on the academic jungle before he ever gets to college). Shaun handily wins that particular battle of “differences” by reminding Lea that they’re still in charge of his earliest years, and they move on… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/94ced22c-37f9-45d7-8a88-1560e239da15/IMG_4977.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 72: “39 Differences” That Didn’t Quite Add Up - …To the first mention of Glassman, and boy did I get this wrong! In the previous post, I presumed He With The Destroyed House would insist on stuffing himself into a mediocre hotel room somewhere near St. Bon’s til further notice for fear of overstaying his welcome at Chez Shea (and also because the writers had already had their fun with Glassman-as-houseguest). But to be fair, the scenario I envisioned was probably better-suited for Glassman circa late 2021 (first half S5). His head’s in a better place now, sharing unreservedly in Shaun and Lea’s joys and life lessons. There’s probably no better roof for him to live under as he deals with the ashes and aftermath of his “previous” roof. And how noteworthy that throughout the episode, and even when Lea was under the gun with her work deadlines, her concern for Glassman is steadfast. She asked of his whereabouts in the first scene. Then as she exited her meeting and entered the elevator— having just put off Shaun’s concerns— she still remembered to ask if he’d heard from Glassman yet. When Shaun later came into their bedroom for his futile conversation attempt, the first thing out of Lea’s mouth was “How’s Glassy?” All of which made it easy to believe that when she finally got the EMR (Electronic Medical Records) testing done… and she was still feeling frustrated with Shaun’s words from the night before… she went to check on Glassy rather than head home. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/bfc66830-7456-4bcc-b09a-a9d22dcfeb71/IMG_4979.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 72: “39 Differences” That Didn’t Quite Add Up - More “promise” was found in the ongoing #Parnick saga as we got acquainted with Morgan’s new professional digs (complete with designer office furniture and a full cappuccino bar… if that’s what you call it? She hit the ground running with her new job— no surprise there— and Park happened to have a light schedule of his own, and was available to assist. What would this new dynamic do for the ever-more-friendly exes? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/98c3c736-86e1-48f3-a786-68b9e7600e92/IMG_4982.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 72: “39 Differences” That Didn’t Quite Add Up - ACT 2 Shaun’s concern about his and Lea’s differences wasn’t really a concern until he became more acquainted with young Ricky’s parents, Victor and Shelley. He spied a direct parallel to him and Lea when he heard the couple verbalize their priorities for their son– safety first and foremost for Victor; “fun, self-esteem, self-expression” for Shelley.… Taking precautions (e.g. getting “peanut” into the right pre-school) vs. more of a free-spirited attitude (letting “peanut” be a peanut– er, I mean boy), anyone? Out came that notebook of Shaun’s as Shelley stalked out of Ricky’s room in a huff… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/c80426a6-6741-45e4-a428-3ec18f38c9dc/IMG_4984.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 72: “39 Differences” That Didn’t Quite Add Up - …And considering there was only one scene between that one and the one where he caught up with Lea with 37 differences already in hand, Shaun either wrote like his pen was on fire OR he started jotting down stuff back when he, Asher and Perez initially discussed child-rearing issues in Act 1. (I vote for the former- entirely possible!) It’s worth noting that there wasn’t a heated discussion at this point, just a hurried one as Lea informed Shaun that her next 24 hours were sure to be preoccupied with a rush assignment from Andrews. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/d8ef3e6a-d61d-4148-8778-27c62d88e3f9/IMG_4988.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 72: “39 Differences” That Didn’t Quite Add Up - MEANWHILE, AT THE REMAINS OF THE GLASSMAN ABODE… He found, pondered, and pocketed a bottle of nail polish presumably belonging to the long-deceased Maddie… and I have a problem with this. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/bef159b2-2067-45d8-afe3-cc27b545e905/IMG_4998.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 72: “39 Differences” That Didn’t Quite Add Up - Wouldn’t the nail polish bottle have exploded in the fire? The stuff is highly flammable, and even when it’s encased in a glass bottle it’s dangerous when exposed to open flame and/or extremely high heat. I understand its sentimental value to Glassy, and of course it made a precious little story for him to share with Lea later in the episode. But with the entire, massive house burning to the ground, I guess we’re supposed to believe it miraculously stayed intact? Hmmmm. (Please leave your nail polish fire survival stories in the comments) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/d305076e-bff6-4382-84bd-6d6798d84ed6/IMG_4992.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 72: “39 Differences” That Didn’t Quite Add Up - This is as good a place as any for me to say something very positive about “39 Differences”, and it’s this: Terrific directing effort by Cayman Grant! I imagine it can be challenging for directors to leave a distinguishing fingerprint on a TGD episode of “average” action/excitement, but without much effort I can think of three such “fingerprints”: 1) The sequence where Lim explained to Brecka and her mother how they would try to make the pneumonia-tainted donor lungs viable… (The video overlay while Lim was talking was probably scripted as such by the writers, but up to the director to string the right shots together to make it work) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/fd83a1b2-771b-40bf-a0e0-a0ccbec34842/IMG_4995.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 72: “39 Differences” That Didn’t Quite Add Up - 2) This shot of Lim looking into Brecka’s room just before breaking the news that the viability efforts weren’t working. Note the way the camera caught Brecka’s reflection in the glass in the lower third of the screen. Very poignant and cool. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/382edad3-f267-41e0-9ede-531bd059bab0/IMG_5011.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 72: “39 Differences” That Didn’t Quite Add Up - 3) It’s blurry because the camera started panning right almost as soon as the bedroom scene between Shaun and Lea started, but Lea was framed perfectly in this mirror shot. Probably not as tricky to get as the Brecka reflection I mentioned a minute ago, but still a very nice detail. (Incidentally, I didn’t recall that this hanging rack had a mirror… but the more I look at it, the more I want one ) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1677252556749-9K0R7QRR5ROWV4HLX4GI/IMG_4980.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 72: “39 Differences” That Didn’t Quite Add Up https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1677252561444-14WD1QR61EUQ5JC87T4P/IMG_5022.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 72: “39 Differences” That Didn’t Quite Add Up https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1677252559604-BTEPSNYN48XYS5SXK7H7/IMG_5023.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 72: “39 Differences” That Didn’t Quite Add Up https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1677254444573-KHEFNWQ1MXU34LVVVKP5/IMG_5001.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 72: “39 Differences” That Didn’t Quite Add Up https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/b91989db-6573-4dc2-bde2-856d24449c2a/IMG_5002.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 72: “39 Differences” That Didn’t Quite Add Up - ACT 4 A much smaller issue I had came with Shaun and Glassman’s conversation about Shaun’s concerns and the shifting dynamics of parenthood. Glassman said “Well, Lea had some doubts a while ago, right? You got over that…” while Shaun responded, “Yes, because I was very supportive.” But what do we think they were speaking of here– the “differences” that were bantered about in the “Good Boy” episode while they cared for the dog? Last year’s temporary separation? The time in Guatemala when Lea considered taking a break and returning to Hershey? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/62715e1c-9af8-4db2-a928-f1c101ed0b0c/IMG_5003.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 72: “39 Differences” That Didn’t Quite Add Up - I know that’s further back than “a while ago,” but that’s my point– none of the Shea skirmishes really seem to fit the lines that were said in this scene. It almost feels like the conflict described is intentionally vague, flexible enough to kind of fit anywhere the viewer’s mind goes. That may be commonplace for some shows, but attention to detail is what we ADORE about TGD when they get it right. To me, this didn’t feel like one of those times. And while we’re near the subject– back in the “Good Boy” episode we had a lovely conversation between Glassman and Lea where SHE was voicing concerns about their future as parents, and he was nothing but reassuring that their love would pull them through anything. Several weeks later he’s talking to Shaun, and HE is sharing similar types of concerns. Glassman was hardly discouraging this time, but he was much more pragmatic in his advice. Was that because he simply relates to the two people differently? Or because he’d spent the day searching for buried treasures within the charred remains of his home and had zero warm fuzzies to give? The mind boggles… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/acc402cd-37ca-4a72-b407-2112b20e30cb/IMG_5008.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 72: “39 Differences” That Didn’t Quite Add Up - Here’s an even smaller issue: I was hoping, for all the Lim/Jordan alone time we got in this episode, we’d get a little bit of “girl talk.” It’s unclear if Lim has any awareness of Jordan’s thing w/Perez, but even if Jordan had wanted to keep that to herself, I wouldn’t have minded a scenario that led to Jordan asking some “hypotheticals” of Lim. Or– if they wanted to leave the whole Jordan/Perez thing alone, as they seemed to-- Jordan simply sharing some story about herself that tied into the case with Brecka and brought some bonding for these two. When Jordan returned to the scene with coffee and cronuts, I was hopeful… But while there was some bonding, it mostly came from Lim’s sharing her long-ranging history with the patient. Which made sense. I guess this was one of those times I was hoping they’d drift off subject for a spell. Where’s a good OR gab session when you need it? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1677252662875-EO1IP5AMJ4N3X2UUKL4O/IMG_5014.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 72: “39 Differences” That Didn’t Quite Add Up https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1677252664240-YOKTU827VQU2SVNZU7DM/IMG_5015.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 72: “39 Differences” That Didn’t Quite Add Up https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1677252661408-OS7HNVVUCP0MRBWK0ATE/IMG_5016.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 72: “39 Differences” That Didn’t Quite Add Up https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1677252665671-6W9VQEFBAX55BNYVP6EH/IMG_5017.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 72: “39 Differences” That Didn’t Quite Add Up https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/7c3f8b61-d513-47b1-a2a7-0f7cd687a628/IMG_5019.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 72: “39 Differences” That Didn’t Quite Add Up - Speaking of which— from the moment Glassy started talking about “things shifting” once a child enters the family dynamic, I wondered if Shaun would be reaching for that cowbell (wherever it is) and ringing it, much to their mutual displeasure, simply to symbolize his grave concerns about drifting apart. Wouldn’t this have been a great time for it? Wouldn’t it have pissed Lea off like nobody’s business and really ramped up the discussion? After all, this seemed far more of a “cowbell” moment than when Lea used it last season during the “Dry Spell” episode. But instead, the inability for them to hash it out was “the argument.” Maybe it’s a weird reason to feel misled and disappointed, but it’s that’s where it left me… feeling like TGD was teasing at the nitty-gritty, but not bothering to deliver. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1677252824886-5HGY989IQB9P351BMUPH/IMG_5024.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 72: “39 Differences” That Didn’t Quite Add Up https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1677252827856-FLP2BFIX60YAXN0JLFSX/IMG_5030.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 72: “39 Differences” That Didn’t Quite Add Up https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1677252826258-T0OZ1YQW1LAYT5XGT4LP/IMG_5033.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 72: “39 Differences” That Didn’t Quite Add Up https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1677252829148-J2E4ZSZOHRN9MBF7FPZJ/IMG_5035.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 72: “39 Differences” That Didn’t Quite Add Up https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1677252749189-2UJOX0EAGNOEZ9F3I04U/IMG_5038.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 72: “39 Differences” That Didn’t Quite Add Up https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1677252750656-T69BS9U1KD6G321PDGN3/IMG_5041.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 72: “39 Differences” That Didn’t Quite Add Up https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1677252747799-NSFY3VQ3WT1RU2OIUWQB/IMG_5042.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 72: “39 Differences” That Didn’t Quite Add Up https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1677252746196-HSRDIRIAUKGVLY2XSDT7/IMG_5043.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 72: “39 Differences” That Didn’t Quite Add Up https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1677252930873-F9D59ZD7G59DY2WCLYLM/IMG_5047.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 72: “39 Differences” That Didn’t Quite Add Up https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1677252932285-YOD6MKGT09IIPX19LY4J/IMG_5050.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 72: “39 Differences” That Didn’t Quite Add Up https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1677252933757-X26C0IWB2TKM2LPDZPU9/IMG_5053.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 72: “39 Differences” That Didn’t Quite Add Up https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1677252935190-U9TMV56RLPNPPOOPKEPI/IMG_5056.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 72: “39 Differences” That Didn’t Quite Add Up https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/85df9802-14f5-4222-8533-0b24fc12e751/IMG_5048.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 72: “39 Differences” That Didn’t Quite Add Up - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://kellimlawrence.com/stateofshea/state-of-the-shea-pt-71-there-has-got-to-be-a-way-365-degreeshttps/kellimlawrencecom monthly 0.5 2023-02-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/7a6dc0f6-b926-4054-9769-2fdcca835243/TGD+365+Degrees+Fire+Truck+Shot.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 71: There Has Got To Be A Way… (“365 Degrees”) - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1a66ab11-4ce6-42af-a62e-ae4314d65e78/IMG_4846.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 71: There Has Got To Be A Way… (“365 Degrees”) - Watch out- You might get what you’re after (MORGAN) Should we read anything into her must get pregnant NOW attitude other than 1) she wants things when she wants them, and/or 2) she’s in dire fear her biological clock is on its final snooze cycle. Maybe a little of both? I guess I’m wondering if her lingering feelings for Park have anything to do with her determination where this is concerned. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/e1fb7aaf-a60d-4d21-96f3-7e48bb7c18e6/IMG_4905.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 71: There Has Got To Be A Way… (“365 Degrees”) - On the other hand… she’s about to embrace the biggest career boost she could get short of accepting that job in New York at the end of last season/start of this one. I like the way they had her soliciting advice from three different people, but despite Lim and Park both advising against the opportunity, she leaned into the words of the lone supporter (Andrews)…it shows her truer colors; the confidence within that she can “have it all” even though plenty cannot. (Or try to have it all, and find out— either the easy way or the hard— they can’t make it work.) Again the question surfaces, for me… will Morgan get pregnant at all? This new wrinkle makes me wonder. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/28b8fd00-8c19-42e4-9c4d-f91dcad410d4/TGD+365+Degrees+Cafeteria+Shea+Glass.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 71: There Has Got To Be A Way… (“365 Degrees”) - Strange but not a stranger- (Glassman, Shaun, Lea) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/f4200388-ec6d-4a37-8b93-33e197e01930/IMG_4910.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 71: There Has Got To Be A Way… (“365 Degrees”) - The Glassman houseguest storyline strengthened the bond not just for Shaun/Glassman (how excited Shaun was to be able to help him out!) but more the family unit the three have become. The sure-to-live-in-infamy shower scene was part of that bonding… and now that we had the lighter part of this connection, oh, how Glassman’s destroyed house will surely test the darker side of it. Not because Glassman will stay longer-term at the Loft (I doubt he will; they’ve already played out that idea), but because it was established that’s he staying for the Maddie memories. (Plus it was the second time in as many eps that Maddie’s name came up at length.) So it appears that they are attempting some additional closure/self-forgiveness for Glassman with this most recent turn of events. BTW don’t ask me where Glassman’s thoughts were when he actually put this cherished house on the market last year (briefly). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/effa1135-58bd-4c05-aa6c-65f477a6e245/IMG_4911.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 71: There Has Got To Be A Way… (“365 Degrees”) - Anyway, I’m intrigued… the Maddie conversation has ebbed and flowed throughout TGD, with its strongest waves being Glassman’s hallucinations/conversations with “Ghost Maddie” in S2 and Glassman’s episode with his ex-wife in “Expired” (S5). I’m curious what the goal is this time, and if it has anything to do with the timing of his “son”’s first child entering the world soon? And with him and Lea being noticeably tighter these days, could she become a critical part of the closure? She was more engaged with Glassman at the apartment than Shaun was, after all… hanging out while cooking, the shower sequence, the discussion of reasons for hanging onto the house… also, she’d be much more likely to engage Glassman in a soul-baring convo than Shaun. That is to say, Lea could do the intricate teeing up so that Shaun can hit it home with some inadvertently powerful comment! (OK, admittedly I’m getting ahead of myself here) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1676324343075-5YGV5LSAZO7XUWEEM2DG/IMG_4872.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 71: There Has Got To Be A Way… (“365 Degrees”) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1676324344708-XZ3Y40FNIYAVRNGSVKBW/IMG_4870.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 71: There Has Got To Be A Way… (“365 Degrees”) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1676324341482-ME2AGPXYKSAA88BVFI10/IMG_4874.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 71: There Has Got To Be A Way… (“365 Degrees”) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1676324348055-GT8FR27LM6NKO22ZDAK6/IMG_4871.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 71: There Has Got To Be A Way… (“365 Degrees”) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1676324339903-GVJQUUADUJSH284QJ1TU/IMG_4880.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 71: There Has Got To Be A Way… (“365 Degrees”) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1676324346340-EHZ00CNOTGMQ58DLQUL0/IMG_4882.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 71: There Has Got To Be A Way… (“365 Degrees”) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1676324431360-BQF64WCXSOKTX1ZKWO5G/IMG_4854.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 71: There Has Got To Be A Way… (“365 Degrees”) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1676324432886-XQWIWR36FOH60514HNQ7/IMG_4855.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 71: There Has Got To Be A Way… (“365 Degrees”) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1676324434680-L5RKAZTU6N556LRKVJLP/IMG_4856.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 71: There Has Got To Be A Way… (“365 Degrees”) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1676324429547-Q717AYE759PJP6JT9JQI/IMG_4857.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 71: There Has Got To Be A Way… (“365 Degrees”) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/e1dc9eca-3687-42ae-9643-c58bbaec25fc/IMG_4850.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 71: There Has Got To Be A Way… (“365 Degrees”) - Hold tight- We’re in for nasty weather (Asher/Perez) When Asher’s probation punishment was doled out at the end of “The Good Boy,” it somehow failed to dawn on me that he was the SECOND doctor on our St. Bon’s radar to currently carry that label. So what I thought might be a “slap on the wrist” (in Perez’s words) that we never heard about again is a legit plot development— possibly for the duration of the season. Consequently, it set up a pretty tense dynamic for which I’m quite glad. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/5a1a4472-9e23-460b-8887-668bcd016ec9/IMG_4841.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 71: There Has Got To Be A Way… (“365 Degrees”) - Because not only did it show us where each man’s head is currently at… it reminded us of the intensity Asher possesses when he’s in professional mode. I’m not sure we’ve really seen him that serious since “Afterparty,” and in that one his intensity came from a very personal place used in a life-or-death situation. It was good to get a reminder of the guy who (for better or worse) told his new co-workers he had a “God complex” in an effort to explain what a great surgeon he thought he could become. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/0efe706f-c106-4906-8dd5-423b7a888bad/IMG_4920.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 71: There Has Got To Be A Way… (“365 Degrees”) - “Here’s your ticket, pack your bags, time for jumping overboard” (Perez) “Transportation is here” (Jordan) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/3918feaf-77ee-47e2-abb9-8ba17df3927e/IMG_4853.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 71: There Has Got To Be A Way… (“365 Degrees”) - Meanwhile, we saw that Perez is hanging by a thread that we can only hope stays clean. Sure, he completed rehab, but this episode was a sober reminder (no pun intended) that recovery is a p r o c e s s . So when he felt like he was floundering under Lim’s agitated, watchful eye, he started out trying to do “the right thing” a.k.a. calling Quinn, who I’m guessing is his sponsor or something similar. But as he felt less and less effective at work, the self-imposed pressure mounted quickly. And next thing you know, the person he feels he “should talk to” is his dealer. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/6bb52d36-1d7d-4c77-bdad-a4810701dd09/IMG_4913.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 71: There Has Got To Be A Way… (“365 Degrees”) - (P.S. Did anyone else notice in this scene outside the church that there were blue-ish Christmas lights in the background when we first see him? It was probably tough to avoid them whenever TGD shot this a couple months back.) Perez got a little divine intervention with this particular challenge— or should I say a little divine Talking Heads intervention; remember what I said earlier about the song the church choir was singing— and we’re only a couple episodes into the back half of this season. So it’ll be interesting to see how often his struggle for sobriety crops up. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/f4cbcbc3-cbd8-4bb3-ac68-f93c7b909402/TGD+365+Degrees+Lea+Jordan.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 71: There Has Got To Be A Way… (“365 Degrees”) - Meanwhile, we’re finally at the point where I can get back to my Jordan theory: We learned in this episode that although she lost her virginity at age 18, she’s re-committed herself to celibacy until marriage… and, that she doesn’t reveal this fact about herself very often. (We also learned that she must’ve been hanging with Lea offscreen during the fall, for Lea was well in the know about Jordan and Perez’s relationship such as it is. SIGH. ) Anyway— how much of Jordan’s willingness to admire Perez from a distance indefinitely has to do with her desire to stay “safe”— no physical progression, no need to find out if he’s willing to stick with her and respect her boundaries? After all, it’s easier to stay true to your beliefs if they aren’t getting put to the test regularly… know what I mean? I suspect I’m not the only one out there to have this thought—! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1676324633679-7QI68R8K3ECLSTW755KP/IMG_4898.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 71: There Has Got To Be A Way… (“365 Degrees”) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1676324636229-YR5T0WWYB00A1RYSWQZD/IMG_4901.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 71: There Has Got To Be A Way… (“365 Degrees”) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1676324634998-TEOLU6OHR3AURCX35RLY/IMG_4902.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 71: There Has Got To Be A Way… (“365 Degrees”) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1676324632444-OA2H612R5GEES478MH28/IMG_4903.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 71: There Has Got To Be A Way… (“365 Degrees”) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/c7d37a57-9191-411c-a831-ba65d8e57df7/IMG_4838.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 71: There Has Got To Be A Way… (“365 Degrees”) - AHEM… By the way. I know this comes up almost weekly on TGD (and probably most medical dramas), but the artistic license they took in this episode— having Jordan telling a parent what her child should and shouldn’t be doing sexually— was particularly egregious. It reminded me of a time when I moved in with my boyfriend and trying to get my renter’s insurance changed. I’ll never forget being told “Ah-! Shame on you!” by the agent that was hoping to set up my new policy. I was much younger then, but still old enough to know I didn’t need a stranger passing judgement on my relationship choices. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/63f1604a-0514-4550-a3e4-cc87a3806f3a/IMG_4860.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 71: There Has Got To Be A Way… (“365 Degrees”) - So in what universe does a mother let a doctor say this and still remain her daughter’s doctor? I’m not condoning the mother’s choices, mind you. It just amazes me that the writers don’t try to go a little more subtle with characters that aren’t Shaun. I know Jordan has been outspoken here and there from day 1, but it’d be a little more believable if she couched it in “medical complications that arise” when sexual activity starts very young, for instance. I mean, when SHAUN is the one telling you “Stop!” instead of vice-versa… there’s gotta be a problem. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/5901fc37-8db3-4d95-98ee-ed9f45f70fe7/TGD+365+Degrees+Cafeteria+Lim+Jordan+Probies.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 71: There Has Got To Be A Way… (“365 Degrees”) - “Fighting fire with fire” (Lim) Just want to say here that it was also the first episode in a LONG while that set Lim in badass boss mode. Obviously she’s had other things— and also a RING— on her mind during her time in the wheelchair. But they set it up quite nicely, this Oh Lord, look what’s been going on while you haven’t been minding the store! vibe. What a time for her to get more hands-on with the docs. Hope she doesn’t let up anytime soon! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/d6957c12-45f3-4128-bc51-79c53d0a7977/IMG_4843.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 71: There Has Got To Be A Way… (“365 Degrees”) - “Don’t wanna hurt nobody- some things sure can sweep me off my feet” (Park) Park was the odd one out this week, putting in just the amount of time one might do when they’re simply retrieving tickets from their desk on a day off. "(I briefly got to thinking we’d see Kellan. Silly me.) But his brief scene with Morgan allowed for some unexpected continuity from the previous episode, as they appeared downright friendly and (in his case) helpful. I honestly don’t know what comes next for these two, but I think the writers have found a way to make sure we still care. Thank goodness. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/841a4456-cb15-49d5-acc1-fe6497e6fe96/IMG_4933.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 71: There Has Got To Be A Way… (“365 Degrees”) - Make it stand out What did YOU make of “365 Degrees”? Leave a comment and let us know! https://kellimlawrence.com/stateofshea/state-of-the-shea-pt-70-show-me-some-patience-along-the-way- monthly 0.5 2024-02-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/f10230ee-5744-4617-ba2e-cb88ab7e6a7d/IMG_4766.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 70: Show Me Some Patience Along The Way (“The Good Boy”) - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/dc107573-2055-41da-b900-f360c3ae8e05/Kelli+Danny+dog+78.png State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 70: Show Me Some Patience Along The Way (“The Good Boy”) - He was big, he was friendly,and he was incredibly excitable; when he wagged his tail at those times it seemed his body would almost fold in two because he was so engaged in the wagging part. Danny drove mom crazy with the shedding, and drove us all a little crazy when an open gate sent him on a blind tear through the neighborhood, and I got my only broken bone thus far, a finger, when things took a turn while I was walking him at age 10. He was loud, rambunctious and sweet, and the day I had to return to college, knowing that he was ill and I would not see him again, was a BRUTAL day. I adored him. We all did. He was a good thing in a family dynamic that was not so good… how could we not? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/922a5818-dfdf-4f03-8602-bcefec6b1734/TGD+Good+Boy+Woods.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 70: Show Me Some Patience Along The Way (“The Good Boy”) - Shaun/Lea/Glassman/”Buddy” Given the emotional wringer that the “Quiet and Loud” episode gave us for Shaun and Lea, we were all due for some levity. And the introduction of Buddy – or should I say Cooper– did double duty as both a lighter medical moment for Shaun and Glassman, and the classic metaphor for expectant parents. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/c366dd20-a647-4a7b-b28e-dda5063826ec/TGD+Hubert+Puppy.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 70: Show Me Some Patience Along The Way (“The Good Boy”) - Arguably we got our first dose of that way back in season 2’s “Hubert”... but those days of playing house, shopping for goldfish, and being mere friends and roomies are long gone. Now, with a major pregnancy complication in the rearview mirror and Lea having “popped” (that’s 2nd-trimester talk for clearly looking pregnant), their parenting challenges never felt more in need of an upgrade. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/faff4f97-6cf1-485d-a2a8-132e527717fb/IMG_4770.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 70: Show Me Some Patience Along The Way (“The Good Boy”) - I had to laugh at the Wikipedia synopsis of this episode for stating that Lea “demanded” Shaun come up with a surgery for the dog’s primary ailments. I think “implores” is a much better verb for the situation, don’t you? Sure, she was working the hormone card a bit throughout the episode (who wouldn’t), but she’s no Veruca Salt. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/e0fbc729-d3b0-41d6-9cb4-f9c38ca332eb/IMG_4769.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 70: Show Me Some Patience Along The Way (“The Good Boy”) - (Go read Charlie and the Chocolate Factory if you don’t get that reference. Better yet, watch the film. I hear a pretty fine young actor played Charlie (wink)). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1d13786e-4e08-4d94-af0f-1d3043d912d2/TGD+Good+Boy+Vet+2.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 70: Show Me Some Patience Along The Way (“The Good Boy”) - Anyway, I suppose much of it was quite predictable: boy and girl meet injured dog… boy and girl struggle to make decisions about dog’s welfare while trying to find dog’s owners… boy and girl get attached to dog… boy and girl revel in dog’s healing and recovery…then boy and girl get their hearts broken a little bit when the real family comes to claim him. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/f942c7f9-1264-4cb8-868f-b3a47c418e9b/IMG_4777.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 70: Show Me Some Patience Along The Way (“The Good Boy”) - But we all know a Shaun and Lea tale is going to have its unique elements: Glassman‘s involvement Shaunvision A reluctant lead physician (and a backseat-driver doctor telling you what you’re doing wrong at every turn) An updated “how are we going to do this?” #Shea conversation https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/b5e67bd6-2444-47c2-8a40-83cdbf7c453a/IMG_4776.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 70: Show Me Some Patience Along The Way (“The Good Boy”) - The references to their respective parents were much more revelatory for Lea than Shaun, but given the unfortunate things we already know about Shaun‘s family, a little lopsided sharing was welcome. But I got a kick out of hearing Shaun say “I don’t plan to treat our children the way they treated me and Steve”. He’s already thinking multiples- heh. It gave the writers a fresh opportunity to reference Lea as “flaky “– gee, haven’t heard that one in a while– but it also gave us good assurances about the two of them working together well in the future. (Nothing like a urination situation to show true teamwork, huh?) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/0541f17e-f0de-4f4b-88b1-40d38e7eb8f8/TGD+Good+Boy+Vet+1.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 70: Show Me Some Patience Along The Way (“The Good Boy”) - Obviously this compatibility thing will continue to crop up in various editions; it started with “Two Ply (or Not Two Ply)” years ago, and looks to be a prominent theme in the upcoming “39 Differences”. But I like to remember that it’s no longer a question of if Shaun and Lea will get through a challenge, but how. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/87e18a06-4528-4c43-b511-e118b7e1401c/IMG_4787.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 70: Show Me Some Patience Along The Way (“The Good Boy”) - I had extremely mixed feelings about Glassy’s all parents can use some mercy speech in that one, but this more recent edition– featuring the line “If I was a betting man, I’d bet the house on the both of you”-- YES. Lock that in, Lea. It’s been a long time coming! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1c24e66a-cd57-40d6-a3c6-42ef9cd85782/IMG_4783.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 70: Show Me Some Patience Along The Way (“The Good Boy”) - Park/Morgan Like a lot of us, I haven’t been quiet about my on again/off again exasperation for the park and Morgan shenanigans of late. But as I mentioned last week, it is sniping with a purpose more often than not. The former lovers shared a patient for the week, and while it was frustrating at first to (again) see Morgan pitching her snide comments from the gallery and Park (again) lobbing them right back, the reasons this time became clear— and fairly progressive (whew)— in the second half of the episode. I guess they had Park more confident and decisive about the risky surgical choice of the week (saving Lala‘s arm) in the name of Parental Wisdom, but it’s easy to see how Morgan could initially interpret that “dick move” as a personal slam. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/da86ba3d-4834-45ff-8840-b4cf581d1a74/IMG_4795.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 70: Show Me Some Patience Along The Way (“The Good Boy”) - In any case, the best snapshot of their current status came in their locker room scene. Park’s college-age son Kellan remains distant–so much for my hope that Park gets a new father/son storyline soon!-- and apparently Morgan’s first implantation didn’t work. Park didn’t come to this scene in the same state of mind as he’d had earlier, so thankfully he did not say something rude about it being a sign that she wasn’t as cut out for motherhood. Instead, we caught them both in a more vulnerable place. with a possibility of real friendship lingering. Well, at least for a few days. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/cde96ddb-416a-4131-b302-de7950865ffd/IMG_4771.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 70: Show Me Some Patience Along The Way (“The Good Boy”) - Powell/Asher/Lim So last week had one “Danny” in the spotlight… this week was the other, one last time. From the time they were both introduced as newbie sharing the name Danny/Danni, it seemed unlikely that both were going to stay for the long haul. And when we heard that Dr. Danny Perez got the bump to “series regular” earlier this season, it seemed only a matter of time and circumstance until Dr. Dani Powell was outta there. And they definitely gave her a sendoff that was fitting to the character that we knew thus far: headstrong to a fault, loyal, a little manipulative (a little!?), and rarely sorry for her actions. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/ce788653-1ad2-4587-9149-c340bf002430/IMG_4797.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 70: Show Me Some Patience Along The Way (“The Good Boy”) - So although her friendship with Lim felt genuine from both sides, it was maddening to see her abuse that friendship and overexaggerate her role in Lim’s surgery options. It gave us additional insight that overshadowed her harrowing life stories, and subsequent justification for doing as she does. Even when she forced Lim’s hand and got booted out of St. Bon’s program, the lack of remorse (and possibly the lack of true gratitude, for what Lim did with the bullet) overshadowed the great things she was able to do for a different friend. (To say nothing of Asher now being on probation because of her! Jeez…) She literally walked out of the hospital with her head held high, so good for her I guess. But I feel a lot worse for Lim than I do for our now-departed newbie. Bon voyage, Combat Dani. Time to take your battles elsewhere. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/77a18edd-2df9-4101-a51c-e43b3743eab7/IMG_4792.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 70: Show Me Some Patience Along The Way (“The Good Boy”) - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://kellimlawrence.com/stateofshea/state-of-the-shea-pt-69-all-together-now-quiet-amp-loud monthly 0.5 2023-02-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/d95a54b4-8029-446d-ab5d-e54413577f1d/IMG_4739.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 69: All Together Now (“Quiet & Loud”) - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/04eaf346-eb6e-4686-9d90-6e1fa996f53a/IMG_4665.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 69: All Together Now (“Quiet & Loud”) - For instance: I’d love to spend time on this initial #Shea scene and how Shaun literally put his hand up to block the view when Lea urged “don’t look” (at whether it’s a boy or girl)… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/8458627c-a7e3-48a8-afd5-5dab14ea3a33/IMG_4699.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 69: All Together Now (“Quiet & Loud”) - Or how much of a JOY it was to finally get a scene with Lea and Jordan, who somehow haven’t shared the same screen space since the “Afterparty” season opener… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/ead15404-8833-4d07-82e7-1d74a91ad70d/IMG_4676.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 69: All Together Now (“Quiet & Loud”) - Or, hell, to see Lea with ANY of her fun (Shaun might say “loud”) friends… But, AIN’T NOBODY GOT TIME FOR THAT. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1675108945954-VAM0D0A71X8T7AOT1NZR/IMG_4685.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 69: All Together Now (“Quiet & Loud”) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1675108947487-KBUQ1NYXS2VNOFFLU8K8/IMG_4686.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 69: All Together Now (“Quiet & Loud”) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1675108944481-7OWR3QOOETYZBP5BPXHA/IMG_4684.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 69: All Together Now (“Quiet & Loud”) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/2e938440-6f48-4ae7-9237-8aa33defcf72/IMG_4702.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 69: All Together Now (“Quiet & Loud”) - Or Jordan’s hilarious “Thor” references that Shaun had no hope of understanding… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/501ac612-3286-46fd-9827-60ad1e6b657b/IMG_4703.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 69: All Together Now (“Quiet & Loud”) - Or this thing with Morgan and teenage POTW Drew, when she seemed to be trying to give him permission to give up his health battles rather than just let him vent when his mom wasn’t around? What was that?? (You’ll have to talk amongst yourselves, because, again, AIN’T NOBODY GOT TIME FOR THAT!) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/dc3c4dd4-66db-4d6e-867f-13c24d345b80/IMG_4704.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 69: All Together Now (“Quiet & Loud”) - Another question: I get why Shaun was not allowed to operate on his wife, but IRL would Glassman still be able to do so without a conflict of interest? Or does he get a pass because he’s only a surrogate father-in-law? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/7b0ae4de-1579-4502-94f1-c316f7e2008e/IMG_4719.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 69: All Together Now (“Quiet & Loud”) - Also, it’s crazy enough that Freddie Highmore can (as Shaun) sink down unassisted to a cross-legged position on the floor… HOW DOES HE ALSO DO IT IN REVERSE?! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/d6fd9742-e59d-4ad1-9add-63d100b4022f/TGD+Quiet+Loud+missing+Danni.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 69: All Together Now (“Quiet & Loud”) - And what about the fact that “newbie” Dr. Danni Powell was nowhere to be found in this episode… not even when the entire cast showed up to hold vigil with Shaun? Did anyone notice?? You tell me, because (say it with me) AIN’T NOBODY GOT TIME FOR THAT! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/2402a7a6-71f3-469d-990e-2b9fae61cecb/IMG_4734.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 69: All Together Now (“Quiet & Loud”) - How about Morgan’s choice of Glassman for her chauffeur? Was he really the only one available, or did the writers do that in effort to show how steadfastly Morgan was sticking to her boundaries with Park? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/b32deca4-cb80-4a2e-81e6-0dfeabe60127/IMG_4736.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 69: All Together Now (“Quiet & Loud”) - How about this— when Lea figured out that Shaun now knew the sex of the baby, and in his ill-fated effort to stay mum he briefly mashed his lips together as if willing them to stay shut? How cute was that?? (Or am I the only one that saw something there?) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/01bef80f-ce9a-415b-b866-086caefef26c/IMG_4737.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 69: All Together Now (“Quiet & Loud”) - How about Lea being the one in the final painting scene to declare baby blue “heteronormative” (sounding much more like Shaun there) while Shaun claims he was about to say it was very “pastel” (sounding much more like Lea)? Was that little exchange a representation of their personalities melding? I’ll keep wondering… (Because AIN’T NOBODY GOT TIME FOR THAT) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/206494a1-d328-489e-a9bf-be4a7b31f9f5/IMG_4659.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 69: All Together Now (“Quiet & Loud”) - RE: THE TIME JUMP I pretty much assumed there would be one, unless they were to pick up with Perez getting rushed to the ER which I didn’t see happening. It’s definitely unusual to see 2 time hops (so far) in one season, but why show Lea in the 1st trimester when we’ve seen her nauseous phase before and things were drama-free? Why show Lim recovering directly after surgery when it was almost a given that she’d be walking soon? Add in the time that was needed for Perez to be in rehab, and a bonus of Shaun using that first trimester to research the bejeebers out of surgeries to save his wife and child… BOOM. Well-played, TGD crew. It made sense to me on all the levels of the major stories right now: Lea’s pregnancy, Perez’s recovery, Morgan’s plans for motherhood, and of course, Lim’s new (new) reality. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/75dc4215-bea9-4c73-9f63-c4e31fbff372/IMG_4693.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 69: All Together Now (“Quiet & Loud”) - Speaking of Lim: if you’ve been reading this blog all season, you won’t be surprised that I’m definitely on board for Lim’s new living arrangement (as opposed to the “proposed” living arrangement at the end of “Not Broken Yet”). It was good to put her into that next stage. I think we all figured that her time as a person with paralysis was ending, for better or worse (because I know they were people who truly appreciated what the storyline was doing for disabled people, and hoped Lim would adapt to her new life and that would be the end of it), https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/572b9cd3-02a9-4fb3-acbe-7346ddf7bb96/IMG_4692.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 69: All Together Now (“Quiet & Loud”) - We knew the surgery was going to work, and her relationship with Shaun would continue to heal… Did we know that ring would actually sit on Lim’s kitchen table for all three months? I kind of found that more amusing than intimidating or frustrating (as Andrews did). I took it for what it was– or what Clay said it was– from the outset: much more a gesture than an actual proposal. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/96e22a03-cd56-4ca7-9b7c-24471552452f/IMG_4733.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 69: All Together Now (“Quiet & Loud”) - Not that he wasn’t serious, for I presume a well-established pediatrician doesn’t go cheap on his engagement rings and/or have them at the ready. But when Clay joked later on in the episode about literally taking the ring off the table – and then he did, resulting in Lim’s counterproposal– that rang truer for me than most of this relationship has thus far. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/eb53e3ad-6c92-4f1d-8f9b-23eb3485eb77/IMG_4675.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 69: All Together Now (“Quiet & Loud”) - As for Park and Morgan, I feel like there’s a two-prong dilemma here. One is that I think most of us feel these two are going to get back together eventually and the show is just keeping them apart for drama's sake right now, so everyone’s collectively looking at their watches, saying just do it already… The problem– and I assume TGD has a plan for this– is that they are now dealing with two potential pregnancies/baby storylines. Both are time sensitive– and if they allow Morgan to become pregnant too, do we really think they’ll allow her and Lea both to go to term? The time jump takes things into a little more dramatic place for Morgan. She’s no longer thinking about wanting to have a baby and or how to go about doing it, she’s actually in the process of receiving IVF treatments. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/c4d7d781-7d8a-4cf1-8105-583e59de3681/IMG_4710.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 69: All Together Now (“Quiet & Loud”) - As for the seemingly endless sniping between them… It’s not sniping without a purpose, as we know they are as at odds about the baby thing as they are about anything else, but I saw someone suggest on Twitter during the show that Park needed a new thing all his own (to do) and I get that. More time involved with his son Kellan, more time engrossed in a storyline that’s new and has nothing to do with Morgan… But it’s one of those things that I suspect is not possible in a pretty crowded storyline canvas. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/9db846e3-2c32-4293-a77d-42eee761d839/IMG_4661.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 69: All Together Now (“Quiet & Loud”) - The storyline between Jordan and Perez— I must admit it’s getting quite irritating to me. Set aside the question of genuine chemistry between the two (which I still don’t really see, sorry), and all I see so far is a frustrating scenario that we’ve been fed in two versions: Lo-fi (his confession to her about drug use earlier in the season), and hi-fi (his overdose, which has now been followed by an underscoring of the original frustration.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/a637cb87-6176-4dd8-aa4a-90cdbecbe1c3/IMG_4662.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 69: All Together Now (“Quiet & Loud”) - It starts right away in this episode… He sees Jordan for the first time since OD-ing (we learn), and the first thing he has out of his mouth as an excuse is “I didn’t know what to say?” How about Thanks for rushing me to the hospital and saving my damn life? How about that, for starters? And then he’s back to the double talk that seems to be all he can offer: It’s important you know I didn’t OD because of you, but I don’t have anything else to say to you that’s meaningful… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/51ec9e3c-3759-4d3f-98af-0982ff709c32/IMG_4696.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 69: All Together Now (“Quiet & Loud”) - I was going to make your chicken tarragon and work really hard to be charming, but I called my dealer instead and I can’t really explain why. Or, oh wait, I guess I can explain why, and the reason is that we’re right back to where we started at the beginning of the season and I guess I can’t really be in a relationship with you after all. At least, not now. So let’s keep our distance from here on out and maybe you’ll be willing to wait for me when I get all this figured out. I hope and pray that TGD knows where they’re going with this story as opposed to digging a hole too deep to get out of. (And if I had time, I’d get into the question of WHY WAS HE “ASSIGNED” TO JORDAN (didn’t the investigation into his OD indicate they were kinda seeing each other socially?) and WHY DIDN’T ONE OF THEM SAY "Uh, this isn’t going to work”? But…A.N.G.T.F.T.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/e5d8261b-3bb9-4f46-8b2c-7a7360d85101/IMG_4690.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 69: All Together Now (“Quiet & Loud”) - I admit it took me too long to figure out why this episode was called “Quiet and Loud”. But it’s the yin and the yang of who they are. Shaun was trying to support Lea the way he knew best. Medically, that worked out really well – – socially, not so much. It took Asher’s “you’re being a pain in the ass“wake-up call to get Shaun to move the needle just a little. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/be960edc-ab3f-466a-8dd2-c7eecea299fa/IMG_4688.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 69: All Together Now (“Quiet & Loud”) - In fact, it was a very ASD-heavy episode as far as, seeing a lot of things we identify with Shaun: his annoying critique in the OR for the first surgery, his restriction of Lea’s visitors, his snatching the baby's breath out of Lea’s bouquet because the smell offended him (not her)… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/2536c8d1-53cd-428a-a1ef-2334cf47f723/IMG_4706.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 69: All Together Now (“Quiet & Loud”) - And of course, during the painfully long wait during surgery number two, he was soothing himself by closing his eyes and walking through every surgical step he imagined them performing in the actual OR. Sitting on the floor may have been the only option for such a long wait, but it was highly reminiscent of Shaun‘s most devastating hospital meltdowns… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1675187489780-Y94QNHMH44C98AZ4838C/IMG_4708.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 69: All Together Now (“Quiet & Loud”) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1675187488212-GIU0QT0HN5Y8LEVP7DIH/IMG_4709.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 69: All Together Now (“Quiet & Loud”) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1675187491554-D1CPL7RLZ0V2GOZSH84I/IMG_4714.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 69: All Together Now (“Quiet & Loud”) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1675187486534-TDFNU9COX6ZYSABKX8A5/IMG_4715.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 69: All Together Now (“Quiet & Loud”) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1675187493305-IB5YR4LZYBUESWDJQ5EC/IMG_4716.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 69: All Together Now (“Quiet & Loud”) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1675187495000-F6XMYA0CEK2QDMQ52MR6/IMG_4717.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 69: All Together Now (“Quiet & Loud”) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1675187679056-CAHPSZ6G0SOWSC9PV4P2/IMG_4722.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 69: All Together Now (“Quiet & Loud”) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1675187677418-ZF74V0AM5EDK12Y1XR10/IMG_4725.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 69: All Together Now (“Quiet & Loud”) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1675187675771-BBKSVHGG0870W5QCRBM2/IMG_4726.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 69: All Together Now (“Quiet & Loud”) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1675187671300-2RM95AH40LSZE7GKT3WC/IMG_4727.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 69: All Together Now (“Quiet & Loud”) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1675187674320-L6V61XRE8WIND6Z6IMK7/IMG_4730.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 69: All Together Now (“Quiet & Loud”) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1675187672822-84UHRU2VUDC1Z3UTTT5Y/IMG_4731.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 69: All Together Now (“Quiet & Loud”) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/320acc20-5092-413b-aa8f-67789593065d/IMG_4740.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 69: All Together Now (“Quiet & Loud”) - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://kellimlawrence.com/stateofshea/ode-to-a-winter-hiatus-soon-ended monthly 0.5 2023-01-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/5c3e4f68-d4a6-410a-b0ce-710814c2679c/TGD+Jan+23+2023+calendar+.jpeg State of the #Shea - Ode To A Winter Hiatus Soon Ended - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/58e9a93b-e54e-440b-82a0-b33fdf1df1f4/IMG_4615.jpg State of the #Shea - Ode To A Winter Hiatus Soon Ended - I don’t know about you, but… allow me to take a tiny bit of pride in saying that most of my Christmas stuff is now put away… OK, some of it’s still hiding in plain sight but I promise you that all these things that used to hold multiple varieties of holiday sweets are now EMPTY. (sigh) And clean. A sure sign that we’re now in the bottom half of January! And geared up for the rest of The Good Doctor Season 6! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1674514108223-MV1JFH59IXFU103V60TF/IMG_4611.png State of the #Shea - Ode To A Winter Hiatus Soon Ended https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1674514109577-DYKR47OGRYNPHIUSY2C8/IMG_4610.png State of the #Shea - Ode To A Winter Hiatus Soon Ended https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1674514110919-PTCNHTJQ6SHQZ2YC1X6C/IMG_4609.png State of the #Shea - Ode To A Winter Hiatus Soon Ended https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/d0ea1445-16ec-4134-bd24-ac0a8f510276/Emoticons+graphic.jpeg State of the #Shea - Ode To A Winter Hiatus Soon Ended - The pit of mixed emotions swimming in my stomach on Monday night, waiting for 10PM… excitement, worry, anxiety, depending on the info gleaned thus far https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/e9971716-8e5b-4c01-8ade-f0a7b8bfc46d/TGD+Bachelor+ABC.jpeg State of the #Shea - Ode To A Winter Hiatus Soon Ended - Promotioal shot from The Bachelor, Season 12 or 21 or… look, does it really matter?! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1674514251659-Z9LZGVLXIYJY5VTPDZYF/IMG_4617.png State of the #Shea - Ode To A Winter Hiatus Soon Ended https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1674514253668-VK4RY9OKSY18DSSLXIJW/IMG_4618.png State of the #Shea - Ode To A Winter Hiatus Soon Ended https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1674514717324-KOQNOKLJEUFJL3CJS2NX/IMG-1724.jpg State of the #Shea - Ode To A Winter Hiatus Soon Ended https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1674514797446-DYL46CK8KOLC4Q8WJMFW/Shea+cold+open+5x3.jpg State of the #Shea - Ode To A Winter Hiatus Soon Ended https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1674514883944-LG4KTJI17JQ5SLXSTJGV/TGD+Hot+Bothered+1.jpeg State of the #Shea - Ode To A Winter Hiatus Soon Ended https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1674514895612-3KDNKCIG02IP0UUAGTEM/TGD+Broken+or+Not+Shea+Open+House.jpeg State of the #Shea - Ode To A Winter Hiatus Soon Ended https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1674515016082-FXWCWZS3L5GODNVZ2LLK/Morgan+Andrews.jpg State of the #Shea - Ode To A Winter Hiatus Soon Ended https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1674515214567-U9GBO6TBTH71MEIKNKD0/Rebellion+Glassy+Lea.jpg State of the #Shea - Ode To A Winter Hiatus Soon Ended https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1674515382366-7VFFONREC7M9LOWK30US/Shaun+Jordan.jpg State of the #Shea - Ode To A Winter Hiatus Soon Ended https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/341e307a-4564-40fe-9ddf-2968f379aea0/ShaunVision.jpg State of the #Shea - Ode To A Winter Hiatus Soon Ended - And of course I miss ShaunVision… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/e9cbc8fa-649f-40ed-9881-5b1b874f159f/Hot+Bothered+Asher+Morgan+2.jpeg State of the #Shea - Ode To A Winter Hiatus Soon Ended - I also miss damn near anything that comes out of the mouth of either of these two… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/cd250a44-1832-4d29-bab7-ff28e389defb/TGD+Clock+10+51+PM.jpeg State of the #Shea - Ode To A Winter Hiatus Soon Ended - Glancing at the clock during the live airing of TGD and saying Oh, wow, they’re on the last break already?! And wishing time could fly this fast when you were, say, stuck with an irritating relative in a moving car for six hours trekking across the midwest in January (10:51 EASTERN TIME is my sad spot on Mondays) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/09ca7d98-ca27-4fcf-a9e3-4502bd939318/IMG-0563.jpg State of the #Shea - Ode To A Winter Hiatus Soon Ended - Episode-ending music montages that leave me scrambling for my Shazam app and over-analyzing every single lyric… and who’s on the screen when it’s sung… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/306133f8-4775-4437-ac86-9debce2412c2/TGD+S6+Promo+Still.jpeg State of the #Shea - Ode To A Winter Hiatus Soon Ended - The end-of-the-night PROMO freakout… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/cc2012ee-861b-48ea-8ff8-95de8a6612a7/9968D8C2-8C66-4956-A6EB-E08932BC8EA2.png State of the #Shea - Ode To A Winter Hiatus Soon Ended - Continued speculation on what the upcoming spinoff The Good Lawyer will look like, and why Shaun will need an attorney soon in the first place… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/509ccd56-2a1f-4f1c-92ba-fecddf48e66f/TGD+Huffman+Sports+Night.jpeg State of the #Shea - Ode To A Winter Hiatus Soon Ended - Not that anyone asked, but I have mixed feelings about her being part of this spinoff cast. She’s a mighty fine actor; I enjoyed her back in the Desperate Housewives days and— just before it— she was part of ABC’s Sports Night, which I ADORED. But as you may already know, she was part of the infamous Varsity Blues scandal that landed her (very briefly) in prison. Will people tune into TGL out of sheer curiosity about her first major (?) gig in several years… or are they too soured on her to give it a shot? (Best bet: not many care one way or the other.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/6a46bf01-9b41-49a3-96b6-3ac07bfafa7c/WDTV+Quiet+Loud+Lea+solo.jpeg State of the #Shea - Ode To A Winter Hiatus Soon Ended Continued debate on whether or not TGD is setting up for Lea to die in childbirth– (Oops, that’s supposed to be on my list of Things I don’t miss at all during winter hiatus) My quick take, for those who haven’t asked yet: we’ve all got way too much to worry about in our ordinary lives to spend time speculating on Lea’s fate. Promos are carefully structured to lure us in by any means necessary. Never forget that! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/24de46a5-5e39-484f-b49d-6a2495f762b1/WDTV+Quiet+Loud+Shea+3.jpeg State of the #Shea - Ode To A Winter Hiatus Soon Ended - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://kellimlawrence.com/stateofshea/state-of-the-shea-pt-68-all-the-broken-questions-or-not monthly 0.5 2024-02-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/598942b0-43f3-4daf-a4c4-226b241e7f79/TGD+Broken+or+Not+Shea+End+3.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 68: All the “Broken” Questions… (Or Not) - Make it stand out Question 1: Why isn’t Shaun wearing his wedding ring in this shot? At first I thought it was a blooper of sorts; that Freddie Highmore had (somehow) forgotten to put it on during this brief (but powerful) closing scene of TGD’s S6 Winter Finale “Broken or Not” and (somehow) no one caught it. But consider the following: Shaun was on his way to the OR (for Lim’s spinal cord surgery) earlier in this final act/segment of the episode, and was presumably in the OR or prepping for it when Lea got the news about her pregnancy. The assumption is that Lea either paged Shaun citing an emergency (in the case of the former), or he got a text from her before the surgery began (in the case of the latter). Shaun also isn’t wearing his name tag… or a surgical cap (yet). So my guess is that Lea caught him midway through the prep. Doctors generally remove their rings— even wedding rings— when performing surgery. Some don’t wear rings on the job at all, for a variety of reasons (though we’ve all seen that Shaun wears his). Here’s a “student doctor” forum that addresses the subject. So, kudos to TGD for getting this detail correct! I’m sure they do it all the time, but now #Shea Nation has a vested interest… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/95ccd4b4-d79e-4614-80cc-fac68c517d3c/TGD+Broken+or+Not+Shea+Open+House.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 68: All the “Broken” Questions… (Or Not) - Question 2: How soon might Shaun and Lea actually be buying a house? Now that Lea’s pregnant again, I suspect the house stuff will fade to the background for a while. Maybe all the way until next season. Then again, if she carries to term they could use more room sooner rather than later… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/8a59fb3e-c9ac-4532-933f-a603c539b627/5CA2A72B-D854-4E26-B242-FFAD5639C16A.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 68: All the “Broken” Questions… (Or Not) - Question 3: What do you think Perez would have told Jordan at dinner the next night…? I’m guessing he was trying very hard to move forward, and put his addiction behind him… but he truly wasn’t ready, which contributed to his relapse. Back to this matter in a few minutes. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/2373815f-c709-40f1-b3fd-b8b73745057b/D7DACB2A-3223-4E44-990D-03F11136902C.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 68: All the “Broken” Questions… (Or Not) - Question 4: Did Shaun get back to being overly familiar with Lim sooner than you expected? Maybe, but we know how quickly Shaun and Lea skipped past that “hard work” that they both said they needed after Lea briefly moved out… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/9f0f5ef1-6be7-43d8-93fe-223403991052/0A087AC7-55D4-423D-B693-55F072648261.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 68: All the “Broken” Questions… (Or Not) - Question 5: After Lim said she had to “think about” the new surgery proposal, was anyone surprised that Shaun bounced right into the next thing on his to-do list…? I was, just a little… but things are definitely different now. Plus, if Shaun’s new ratings system (a.k.a. “the next thing”) was his personal distraction from the sadness of the Asherman’s Syndrome, it makes sense that he’d want to get busy being “distracted” as soon as possible. (And the fact that the ratings system was something he could actually control surely didn’t hurt.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/5531872f-7db2-4907-8b3f-3943ec6af714/D5845FFD-8878-49CE-BDC7-4938843E236F.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 68: All the “Broken” Questions… (Or Not) - Question 6: Was anyone waiting for Salen Morrison’s name to get mentioned when a “ratings” system came up? When the ratings thing came up in the original synopsis for the episode, I immediately thought of the Ethicure days and wondered how Shaun, of all people, would get caught up in something that caused so much frustration (for him AND Lea, obviously) a year ago? But attendings rating residents is quite different from patients rating doctors. And, according to Glassman, Shaun was already working with a self-made ratings system before he overhauled it. So there were zero references to Ms. Morrison, and rightfully so. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/07bae83e-334d-49ee-86e1-4e463467d577/678945A2-3A45-46C1-8B75-E2BD3482F226.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 68: All the “Broken” Questions… (Or Not) - Question 7: Are you tired yet of seeing Park and Morgan apart when they seem destined to get back together? I feel for the die-hard #Parnick shippers out there, loving a couple that is destined to be bounced here, there and everywhere. Like so many other opposites-attract TV couples of the ages, they tend to be seen as more interesting APART than together— which is why the writers created an obstacle (Morgan’s East Coast job offer) that led to Park’s decision to break up. It looks like this won’t last, but how long will it take…? And how will Morgan’s desire for a child factor into it all? ( I guess I worked a couple sub-questions in there.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/85eaa5ab-b07c-4cf2-a6dd-b923f90057fd/5B6748AC-0F32-4CDE-8C46-4124D5392FE9.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 68: All the “Broken” Questions… (Or Not) - Question 8: You know what I’d like to see from Park? Some “flappability”. He’s so damn cool every time someone calls him out about Morgan. I know blowing his stack is not his style. That’s why I want to see him do it. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/dcf277ee-023c-4a45-abce-f6b655ef3324/136616DA-BF08-4368-B755-ADF1BEA97CEA.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 68: All the “Broken” Questions… (Or Not) - Question 9: What’s the thought on Jordan filling Asher in on Perez’s “recovery-related boundaries” (as Asher put it)? Surprised? Disappointed? Totally expected? Even though it may a moot point, if Perez’s OD becomes common knowledge at St. Bon’s… I still say this would have been a better thing for Jordan to share with Lea than fellow doctor Asher. Of course, that would require at least ONE Jordan/Lea scene since the season premiere… (grrrrr) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/daf69a37-a1e2-4ebb-9078-2f44b21c3c1f/8558CFCA-BAF5-47EA-B216-52C819FC5771.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 68: All the “Broken” Questions… (Or Not) - Question 10: We know Danny Perez has issues, but being over-the-top ambitious about his career doesn’t appear to be one of them. Can we say the same about Danni…? Or is it her combative nature that just gives her the appearance of such? This one I leave to you… is Danni driven in a “good” way, or a destructive way? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/69b2c707-2992-4fa2-8260-a8f80c030ccb/E3FABBA4-650B-40D2-85FC-931BD13DBB18.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 68: All the “Broken” Questions… (Or Not) - Question 11: Hope this doesn’t sound too smart-assy of me, but… Don’t you think Teddy already KNEW he was bulimic and didn’t need three doctors to tell him? Maybe it should have been worded “Your bulimia is what caused this” in the script. After all, is it truly possible a young man wouldn’t know that the extremes to which he takes his body has a name? Or am I thinking BULIMIA is a more recognized illness than it actually is in 2022? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/2454ac6b-fe4d-4d9b-8b75-970c78ca7fef/2B5B34A8-1CDF-41AD-AD6E-43CE82FB994C.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 68: All the “Broken” Questions… (Or Not) - Question 12: “I’m not what you want, so I need you to move on”,” Morgan told Park in one of their walk-and-talk scenes. Is THAT why Park later acted as if Lily hadn’t dumped him…? Out of an effort to respect Morgan’s “needs”? I can see it. I can also see it biting Park in the butt once the truth comes out. But maybe only temporarily. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/6731e442-60d4-4cb6-a3ed-c9bd414e7501/2A1A77C5-AC8A-4418-B183-EE768D5728F3.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 68: All the “Broken” Questions… (Or Not) - Question 13: If Lim resumes her “old life” and she and Clay don’t make it… will she blame Shaun all over again? Hee. Just kidding. (But she better not…) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/47798606-1bb0-48d6-b1c0-9c9ef2337e27/TGD+Broken+or+Not+Lim+Glass+Shaun.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 68: All the “Broken” Questions… (Or Not) - Question 14: Are we surprised that Lim not only agreed to the surgery , but was prepped for it by the end of this episode? I’m not sure about the rest of y’all… but I was. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/aaa96718-8c6f-4ff7-9ea5-4e7d18602230/F2B17099-8516-4EA7-906A-2FBB8D11C479.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 68: All the “Broken” Questions… (Or Not) - Question 15: We don’t know how Perez’s heroin issues will play out yet, but… If Danni had been the first to learn of Perez’s history of drug abuse do you think she would’ve used that information against him without much thought, or would she have agonized over the decision first? Notice I’m not giving the option of keeping her nose out of it! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/516b73ad-e943-423a-8fa0-92215e1c3f68/2978F1DE-9621-4857-90BF-DD8BC2A7FBD7.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 68: All the “Broken” Questions… (Or Not) - Question 16: What do you think Shaun’s notes indicated? Did he have Danni in the “lead”, or was it Perez? Or was it a virtual tie, which could have factored into his decision to retire the whole idea? Assuming his “I don’t like Dr. Powell” days are truly in the past… I’ve no idea. I doubt it was a tie, though. Or at least that a tie prompted him to tear up his notebook, since the whole thing took place shortly after his “only step forward we make is one we make TOGETHER” conversation with Lea. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/16cda78f-59b6-4c21-b2c9-52ac5ef6acca/99A35765-7125-4715-9650-8E76127BA303.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 68: All the “Broken” Questions… (Or Not) - Question 17: Clay and Lim and that ring… what do you think…??? Symbolically, I get it. The writers wanted Lim to have a BIG assurance that Clay had no plans to go anywhere, surgery or no surgery. Still, I felt that storyline rush again… and I’m sorry that I can’t fully lean into this whirlwind romance of theirs. I do think chemistry abounds with them, as well as potential, but they’ve known each other SIX WEEKS. Maybe. Then again, I suppose we consider the same TV time/space continuum that allowed #Shea to act as if Lea had her miscarriage in November 2021 rather than six months earlier. The pendulum swings both ways, right? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/ee68302b-6e4b-4e6c-9177-4759eac56882/0B6A3C0F-9AC7-4009-A665-07C91E2A4CB9.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 68: All the “Broken” Questions… (Or Not) - Question 19: What do you think will happen regarding Morgan’s wish for a child? One possibility: she and Park let their guards down enough one night and she becomes pregnant as a result, “forcing” them to stay civil… which leads me to Question 20: Do you think TGD would make room for TWO newborns in the near future? I’m afraid the words that keep coming to mind here are— thanks, reader Steven Hamburg— “Shore Tax.” Know what I mean? But it’d be quite interesting if I’m wrong. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/b00ddaa0-d41e-4d93-bbbb-5a3cfb1973c9/TGD+Broken+or+Not+Lea+Scan+room.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 68: All the “Broken” Questions… (Or Not) - Question 21: How could they determine Lea was pregnant when she simply went to get a scan of her injured hand? I’m answering this because it came up in the post-show Twitter Circle chat led by Natty, aka @TheGoodDoctorAr… in the U.S. (not sure about other countries), most women are required to take a urine-based pregnancy test before undergoing a procedure that uses radiation (since the radiation could harm a fetus). Lea’s hand scan falls into that category. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/fe2248f2-d93d-427f-b484-2789a1688abd/TGD+Broken+or+Not+Jordan+Perez+end.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 68: All the “Broken” Questions… (Or Not) - Question 22: What do you think sent Perez over the edge and back to heroin? Guilt over his handling of the situation with bulimia patient Teddy and his brother? Distress over his feelings for Jordan? Neither? Both? I’m going with “both”— but it’s probably much more complicated than even that. I wonder how far TGD will delve into it? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/304afefc-d5a7-47bc-82c1-ac6c2d950408/TGD+Broken+or+Not+Shea+End+2.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 68: All the “Broken” Questions… (Or Not) - Question 25: How is her pregnancy once again coming as a surprise? The first time around, we pointed to the ways in which various contraceptives fail and chalked it up to “the odds”. But this time we have contraceptive failure AND the sizable challenges brought on by Asherman’s Syndrome… Eh, I suppose the best answer to the question is IT’S TV, AND WHEN IT COMES TO PREGNANCIES THERE’S ALL KINDS OF WIGGLE ROOM. Next question…? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/607dbef3-28fa-42ba-ac32-c0ef38f18246/TGD+Broken+or+Not+Shea+End+1.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 68: All the “Broken” Questions… (Or Not) - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://kellimlawrence.com/stateofshea/state-of-the-shea-pt-67-all-apologies-sorry-not-sorry monthly 0.5 2022-12-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/22c80a02-cebe-439b-96b1-5b16c5ada4a7/3C04E1D7-70BE-4E58-BDD4-6199D055BBC5.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 67: All Apologies (“Sorry Not Sorry”) - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1670884351840-O44UVTGO5C3BXV2G8SMS/IMG_4395.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 67: All Apologies (“Sorry Not Sorry”) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1670884353740-5AOC4DVYBFVOI45B46P3/IMG_4397.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 67: All Apologies (“Sorry Not Sorry”) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1670884355527-GKTJBVNNJLK9ANX1WAR7/IMG_4398.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 67: All Apologies (“Sorry Not Sorry”) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1670884357733-835L7A20U0SDAM4G7N2V/IMG_4399.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 67: All Apologies (“Sorry Not Sorry”) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1670884502273-LLXTC9E5EPL8H868ENFQ/IMG_4388.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 67: All Apologies (“Sorry Not Sorry”) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1670884503725-QJ0PM4STTJ61ZDMAMRD3/IMG_4391.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 67: All Apologies (“Sorry Not Sorry”) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1670884505685-WZRWC1PUHBZIWG99M9I5/IMG_4390.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 67: All Apologies (“Sorry Not Sorry”) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1670884507580-N1C8BQSE26PNJF2PI1N9/IMG_4393.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 67: All Apologies (“Sorry Not Sorry”) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/63d96416-5572-4cde-b305-af7494d04f83/TGD+Sorry+Morgan+solo.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 67: All Apologies (“Sorry Not Sorry”) - To complement those sequences we have the entire layer that both the backstory, and the current one, create for Morgan. It was no surprise that park had never heard of Morgan’s rape in “all their time together” because her vulnerability has only shown itself in dribs and drabs throughout the series. Perhaps it’s a big part of why Park decided to end things with her, and maybe it will play into whatever happens with them going forward. Isn’t it amazing what finding a way to help another human being can do for the people from which you expect the least? Kudos to Fiona Gubelmann for showing us the side of Morgan so convincingly. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/cd56cd77-432c-4d43-ae92-d41382f97b6d/4AC2555F-9388-4399-9492-FCC81B54429F.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 67: All Apologies (“Sorry Not Sorry”) - NOT SORRY about the Shaun/Lim final scene AT ALL. For that scene alone, I give big credit to Taylor/Chanse. The road to a heartfelt apology has been anything but smooth for Shaun, much of which was through no real fault of his own. (There were plenty of us wondering at times what sort of apology was necessary– or at least wondering why Shaun was bearing the brunt of Lim’s rage.) And as we all know, the buildup of conflict doesn’t always find its way over the top of the hill in a satisfactory manner on TGD. But in my opinion, Taylor and Chanse got it right– just Shaun coming to Lim with a bucket brimming of realizations, explanations (VERY glad he told her about the parallel he drew to her and Steve), and admissions… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/8c203ea9-e384-4dfa-a110-8790a9e9ffe1/A388B413-A132-43D3-B0FF-B57365822F3C.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 67: All Apologies (“Sorry Not Sorry”) - Here’s how it came together for Shaun in this episode, scene by scene: A “medicine only” relationship with Lim means his efforts to simply chat amiably with her (not easy for him to do with anyone outside of his friend circle in the first place) are unsuccessful. POTW Naveen has a surgical sponge left inside her from a previous operation that was wreaking havoc internally; she began arguing w/partner about it almost immediately. He went to Lim hoping for advice, but it was immediately difficult to “stick to the medical,” as Lim requested, and things didn’t get very far at all. (Technically she was right– Shaun’s now an attending and should have brainstormed for solutions with his team first. But the ability for him to come in and spitball with Lim first was the privilege he had, but no longer did.) He went to Glassman next, coming up with a solution he had to (grudgingly) get permission from Naveen’s wife to carry through. In what seemed to be a lack of confidence, Shaun pleaded with Glassman to be on his team for Naveen’s hysterectomy. Once the surgery was in progress, Shaun found himself with a possibility of doing more than just preserving Naveen’s life– he might be able to preserve her uterus after all. But his attempts at ShaunVisioning an alternate plan failed, undermining his decision-making ability and leaving it to Glassman to put Shaun back on his original course. Afterwards, Glassman senses an opportunity to draw analogies between the situation at hand and the superficial truce Shaun has with Lim. He pokes gently, and despite Shaun’s continued maintenance that the relative silence between he and Lim is fine… we can see that Glassman’s words have a stronger impact than they have in the past. “I was so focused on defending myself I wasn’t thinking about what you were going through…” Flora (I think that was the wife’s name) is who said it, but it resonates with Shaun the most. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/52795dea-5e60-4224-b35b-008025d37991/52D4FE2C-AD21-43A1-A05C-849E80BCA6B0.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 67: All Apologies (“Sorry Not Sorry”) - BY THE WAY, NOT SORRY to see Lim’s sex life return… But SORRY that it still feels rushed to the point where it now feels like the complete barometer of her happiness. Couldn’t they have shown us a scene with Lim and Clay affectionately meeting for that very same breakfast discussed at the top of the episode, and left us with that crucial feeling that she is “in a good place” (as she eventually told Shaun)? I can’t help but feel like they were compelled to make it clear, she’d had the proverbial whole enchilada for the first time since being attacked (sorry, breakfast burrito) and THAT is the reason for life being so much better. (You can come on at me for sounding too old-fashioned with that statement, I don’t care. It’s just that part of me that gets wrankled by the notion that sex is the be-all and end-all for defining our entire state of mind. Had Clay been around for more than five scenes before this, maybe I’d see it differently. It just felt like TGD had a checkoff list for Lim’s acceptance of her paralysis, and they were just going through episode by episode with the goal of checking everything off before the winter finale.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1670b852-8b70-417d-89e7-2e729a1786be/TGD+Sorry+Perez+Jordan+practice+lab.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 67: All Apologies (“Sorry Not Sorry”) - SORRY to see that Jordan/Perez relationship take the turn that it did. I was willing to go along with some sort of slow-burn possibility between these two while he got his life in order, but Perez’s selfishness is really pissing me off now: He strings her along– “research projects,” hanging out together, telling her what a wonderful, amazing person she is (in “Hot & Bothered”), etc. But when she calls him out, he gives the full-on bullshit line “any special friendship is a beautiful gift” (yes, I’m paraphrasing). She decides to call his bluff and move on (via a date with someone that is not him); he concurs… All the way until he sees her looking smokin’ hot en route to that date, at which time he all but blocks her exit from the locker room and drops the “what was that/I don’t know” kiss on her. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/3f95bd22-8e52-45ee-8ded-f9fb32d4e443/4563B0F7-87B1-417F-B1B5-6943480439F1.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 67: All Apologies (“Sorry Not Sorry”) - To be clear, I’m not faulting the writers. I’m faulting one character (Perez), and empathizing with the other character (Jordan). I am still definitely intrigued with where this is going, but like Asher, I’m worried about Jordan. She’s now stuck in a situation where she feels great compassion for her “friend” Handsome Dan Perez, but at the same time can’t help falling for him. And that could be at least partially on her, had she not made an obvious effort to tell him (in so many words) look, I feel for you, but I’m moving on. Then came that damn kiss. His motives were obvious– call it staking his claim, making his feelings clearer (ha!), or even peeing on her leg, to bring it back to Morgan’s thoughts of Lea in S3. It was reckless, and unfair, and frankly, I’m giving a lot less of a f*** right now about his struggles with sobriety. Bottom line is he’s dragging a good woman into this with him, and I don’t like it. (And this would be the perfect time to say where is her wing woman Lea when she needs her… except as you all know, Lea wasn’t there at all in this episode. It was the fiirst time she hasn’t been seen in an episode since S3’s “Sex and Death “, at least that I can recall. so let’s talk about that.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/b9da8043-787c-407c-bfff-81d06a9c3425/TGD+Sorry+Lea+solo+not+in+episode.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 67: All Apologies (“Sorry Not Sorry”) - SORRY Lea was not in this one… And that it felt okay to leave the #Shea fertility matters on “pause” for a week while he and Lim progressed towards amends. Because the episode was great in so many ways, I truly want to give Taylor/Chanse a pass on this matter and say I prefer leaving Lea out entirely to simply dragging her in for a couple of “cheerleader” scenes as Shaun pieced together his thoughts about Lim. But then I saw an idea proposed by longtime reader TONY that even a simple line or two from Shaun early in the episode, stating that Lea was taking a personal day (to come to terms with the Asherman’s Syndrome diagnosis) would have made more sense than keeping that development out of the episode completely. (Perhaps you had a similar thought; I just happened to see Tony’s idea first.) So I DO think there were ways to interweave the new #Shea developments that wouldn’t have made it feel so much like the episode was being shown out of sequence (to reference another reader’s thoughts) with the lack of reference to recent events. Speaking of interweaving (or, NOT doing so)... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/995a4aa3-7a75-4276-9808-43f67b535793/1B362C3B-0933-4F4E-9D3F-62B78BD6B524.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 67: All Apologies (“Sorry Not Sorry”) - SORRY that Shaun’s POTW ultimately needed a hysterectomy– crushing any dreams of pregnancy and childbirth for the woman– and not a word was uttered by Shaun about the similar feelings his wife was having… Not to patient Naveen, not to her wife, not to Asher, not even to Glassman. This from a man who routinely overshares, especially to Glassman, and brought up his and Lea’s fertility issues to a POTW as recently as the previous episode. If Taylor/Chanse opted to leave even the Lea references out of their episode because the Shea situation felt too “big” to come up alongside the Shaun/Lim situation– even in the slightest– I suppose I can understand that. But I wish the episodes could’ve been structured so that the events of “Sorry Not Sorry” didn’t immediately follow an episode that ended with a devastated Lea sobbing in Shaun’s arms. Or, that Shaun could’ve been able to come to the conclusions he did about he and Lim without a POTW that had a situation hitting so close to home. I still feel like the pros of this episode greatly outweigh the cons, but those “cons” were like paper cuts– almost imperceptible on the surface, but damn can they hurt. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/973e2b55-3ca4-4404-8177-c164bac09af1/2812D67D-728E-4D1C-912A-AF641424AC97.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 67: All Apologies (“Sorry Not Sorry”) - NOT SORRY, at least on the surface, that Andrews and Villanueva got a medical case of their own… It was another one of those unique character pairings that we’ve seen often in S6 via the season opener “Afterparty” and also in “Hot & Bothered.” It was especially unexpected with Villanueva being a recurring character, not a regular (though clearly an important recurring, given the role her arc played in the S5 finale and S6 opener). But, SORRY that it had an ambiguous ending– was there an implication that something romantic might be starting between these two? For the record, I don’t think so. But if not, what was the point of this THIRD Patient of the Week storyline? (Especially when we were hoping to see some #Shea follow-up?) Was it a palate cleanser for all TGD fans who say there’s too much #Shea screen time? (Oh yes, they’re out there.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/08f1477a-eafb-4558-95d5-7121af23f46b/TGD+Sorry+Lim+Shaun.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 67: All Apologies (“Sorry Not Sorry”) - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://kellimlawrence.com/stateofshea/state-of-the-shea-pt-66-boys-dont-cry-but-we-do monthly 0.5 2022-12-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/4d28745e-3405-4161-85bf-2348d45944a0/40B8092E-2845-4C48-B002-3004BBA37AA5.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 66: “Boys Don’t Cry”… But We Do - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/87a9cac3-28b2-4905-9d3c-e404c1973d98/5B1AEBBC-685C-4E05-98D6-69601ECE95BF.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 66: “Boys Don’t Cry”… But We Do - Shaun and Lea and the Baby to be Named Later (Much, Much Later) We obviously must talk about Shaun and Lea, so let’s deal with that first. I wasn’t sure at all how they were going to step back into the baby discussion with these two. We haven’t seen them talk about Lea’s miscarriage since the end of season four. Shaun referenced it once last season –when he was talking to young Isla in “The Family “– but Lea hasn’t brought it up at all. Even when it seemed a possible contributor to Shaun‘s epic meltdown in “Expired,” tthe focus was so strong on his feelings of deception by both Glassman and Lea, any possible miscarriage “triggers” were never broached. So when TGD teased the baby talk in the promo for “Boys, Don’t Cry “, I was halfway to thinking we were seeing a scene from the very end of the episode rather than the beginning. It’s possible that both Lea and Shaun had been reticent about discussing the whole matter because it hurt too much, or was too scary to think about trying again. But 30 seconds into the episode, it was clear that they had just been waiting for the right amount of time to pass… and by the way, yes, it was weird to see them talking as if the miscarriage had happened last November when we all know it happened in the spring of 2021. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/b01f23fe-f105-4109-9878-620cb466f14f/TGD+Boys+Don%27t+Cry+Jasher.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 66: “Boys Don’t Cry”… But We Do - Baby A (Abigail)... Jerome & Asher The medical status of Baby A was the strongest and least complicated of the six, and likewise was the potential conflict arising with Jerome and Asher, a.k.a. #Jasher. It looked, briefly, as if there was finally going to be a serious roadblock in their relationship when Asher indicated he wasn’t sure he wanted any children. Jerome did, Jerome does, and that scene that found Asher watching Jerome sing little Abigail back to breathing must’ve worked hook line and sinker. Next thing we know, he is opening his heart and mind to the possibility of fatherhood for the first time. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/f384d2bb-42da-46f6-9efe-086a3f836ab7/TGD+Boys+Don%27t+Cry+Jerome.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 66: “Boys Don’t Cry”… But We Do - With Giacomo Baessato (Jerome) still on recurring status with the show, and Brandon Larracuente being bumped up to series regular already, I continue to wonder if #Jasher has a long-term future. It’s the dream for a kids-doubtful partner to have a change-of-heart as easily as Asher did, but will it stick? For now, at least, things are still lovely for them. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/e96e6e43-c16c-45eb-b4cf-99477b38d55f/1BF764D1-9CB3-4770-8952-06F6EB2CCBED.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 66: “Boys Don’t Cry”… But We Do - Baby B & C (Byron & Christopher)… Park/Morgan In the beginning (of the series), we had Park and Morgan bantering for fun. Then, we had bantering while a close affection was brewing for each other. Next, we had Park and Morgan bantering as lovebirds. And eventually bickering as lovebirds. Post-break up, we’ve seen them bickering as exes. And finally, by the conclusion of this episode, we’re on to them bantering as exes. Or at least trying to. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/b9828d1e-b255-4529-a98f-ddd571944a43/917A81FD-4880-4FA0-9EB6-702FE4DFB145.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 66: “Boys Don’t Cry”… But We Do - Sound complicated? It is. But there was nowhere to run, nowhere to hide in this episode as they were forced to work together to save the identical twins of the sextuplet bunch. We knew Morgan had a wish for a child after her conversations with Asher in “Hot and Bothered,” but it was all news to Park– and that’s where the heightened drama for them began. It’s clear as day that these two still have pretty intense feelings for each other, though each is trying hard to move on in their own way. Knowing there are now fertility issues in Shaun and Lea’s future makes Morgan’s desire all the more interesting— will we have a situation soon where Morgan is pregnant and Lea is all the more saddened because of it? – but even without that question, the status of both Morgan’s desires and Park’s, and whether or not the two will intertwine, is, in my opinion, as good away as any for the show to perpetuate their relationship and keep the door open for them possibly reuniting. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/f82c3278-9f72-4668-afc3-f58725637db5/TGD+Boys+Don%27t+Cry+Shaun+Perez.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 66: “Boys Don’t Cry”… But We Do - Baby D (Derek)… Shaun/Perez Perez/Handsome Dan was in full learning mode under Shaun‘s tutelage with Baby D(erek). Shaun had a lot of compartmentalizing to do in this episode, particularly after the Asherman’s Syndrome diagnosis came through about mid-episode. And while he gave plenty of signs that he’s human — the “taking a moment“ when he first held the baby, and admitting he was not fine after their appointment with the OB/GYN – he kept his sorrow out of sight as he guided Perez through some rocky OR terrain.While I have to wonder if another attending would’ve essentially told Perez to get out of the way when things got a little dire in the OR, they ultimately got the learning experiences they needed in working together, and who can argue with that? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/81b779dd-5e61-461e-b615-8e46a2cd4cb5/TGD+Boys+Don%27t+Cry+Glass+Jordan.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 66: “Boys Don’t Cry”… But We Do - Baby E (Erin Jordan)… Glassman/Jordan I think we mentioned, perhaps, in our season 6 wish lists, that we’d probably start seeing Glassman in a more advisory role with other doctors on the show given that Shaun has grown so much both professionally and personally. Obviously, there is a lot still going on with Lim’s paralysis storyline which keeps the Glassman and Shaun dynamic evolving. But on a week to week basis, where does Glassman go? In “Hot and Bothered,” he imparted some of his wisdom to Park. Here, the intended recipient was Jordan as they dealt with a difficult spinal bifida surgery… And it was a pleasant change to see Glassman getting schooled– or “being reminded not to give up hope,” as he said– by the more innovative-minded Jordan. I feel like the Glassman/Jordan dynamic is what it would be like if Lea was a 3rd year resident under Glassman… Except for the part where Jordan didn’t know who Vin Scully was. Lea, passionate baseball fan that she is, would get that reference in a heartbeat. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/0848c1c2-7e77-4d28-8d6f-192f454ef70f/TGD+Boys+Don%27t+Cry+Lim+Powell.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 66: “Boys Don’t Cry”… But We Do - Baby F (Francesca)… Lim/Powell OK, first up: the thing with Clay, the pediatrician, was more than welcome to all of us who had been fuming about the guy who rejected Lim just a few episodes ago. Both the date and the kiss (especially the kiss) felt, again, a bit rushed, but the argument could be made that this time the writers wanted to assure us that Lim was not getting jerked around. And let’s face it– while it will be nice if Lim has a love life again, it will probably stay in the background compared to other things going on in her world. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/ed86e195-6510-4ee4-819f-be81933f0e6b/18D919C9-8CCA-4732-B8D3-E3C84062A16A.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 66: “Boys Don’t Cry”… But We Do - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://kellimlawrence.com/stateofshea/state-of-the-shea-pt-65-hundreds-of-words-for-the-100th-episode-hot-and-bothered monthly 0.5 2022-12-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/6d3a2b10-3bad-4e7d-8c84-8ad60464b4f9/0B696DBF-5168-4802-82B8-D7284CCED6E5.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 65: Hundreds of Words for the 100th Episode (“Hot and Bothered”) - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/49395ee5-f66f-4bfe-ba36-477265d12a1f/Paroo+%26+Marian+Ghost+Light+MM+11+22.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 65: Hundreds of Words for the 100th Episode (“Hot and Bothered”) - It was a kinda crazy 10 days! Not sure I mentioned it directly on the blog as I did on Twitter, but this fall I’ve been in rehearsals for a local production of The Music Man where I landed the role of Mrs. Paroo (mother of Marian and Winthrop, if you’re familiar with the show). We were essentially in 6-hour rehearsals (dress, tech and otherwise) from 11/19 through 11/23– we got Thanksgiving off– and another 5-hour dress last Friday morning before opening that same day (11/25) and performing through the weekend. So– that’s where I’ve been. (Photo courtesy of Indy Ghost Light Photography LLC) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/e7453ef2-7492-45bb-9cfa-664c71764602/TGD+Hot+Bothered+Shaun+CD.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 65: Hundreds of Words for the 100th Episode (“Hot and Bothered”) - Shaun & Powell (Combat Danni)— Power Struggle Shaun doesn’t like Powell (Combat Danni)., a feeling exacerbated with the knowledge that she influenced Lim’s decision against the surgery. Powell doesn’t like that Shaun’s personal feelings interfere with her learning. Shaun’s attempts at “common ground” are superficial. Powell’s are not. In a compelling scene that ran Shaun and Powell’s struggles parallel to the OR blackout (and eventual recovery), their mutual interest in historical surgical techniques made the unappealing almond scent of Powell’s hand lotion magically disappear. (Unless you think she really changed her lotion… but I don’t see her doing that for anyone!) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/e856291d-f065-4b13-ad3d-fc33f420b75d/TGD+Hot+Bothered+CD+Lim.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 65: Hundreds of Words for the 100th Episode (“Hot and Bothered”) - Powell & Lim— Feeling Powerful vs. Powerless Powell’s secondary mission at St. Bon’s appears to be bringing Lim around to a full acceptance and appreciation of her new life “in the chair.” Lim’s insecurities began to melt away (no “hot & bothered” pun intended) when she not only tagged along to Powell’s basketball game, but took to the court herself and scored! (And I’m not even talking about the instant spark she had with Clay the Pediatrician!) It was an episode with no interaction between Lim and Shaun, but deep engagement with both for Powell. Her mindset definitely sets up interesting challenges for each of them about turning away the scientific/medical opportunities to be “normal.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/31c4093f-7779-4747-99d2-ceee8dfc1c9d/C9A32BE7-EBD2-4BEA-8671-95A0F4D480D5.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 65: Hundreds of Words for the 100th Episode (“Hot and Bothered”) - Park & Glassman & POTW Edna the Butterscotch Pudding Lady— Power Over One’s Future This unique pairing (along with Morgan/Asher and Lea/Andrews) reminded me of “Potluck”... and the way those pairings brought out new things in characters. Here, we got an interesting spin on the “quality of life” debate that often crops up in the geriatric community. Unlike May (Jordan & Perez’s patient), Edna was greatly enjoying the little things in life (did she mention a significant other, deceased or otherwise? I don’t think so) and had a clear-eyed attitude regarding the complications of her pending surgery. Park dwells on the potential pain and suffering she faces; Glassman focuses on her potential for resilience. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/ea518859-c445-4e2e-b70f-bcee6552f641/TGD+Hot+Bothered+HD+Jordan.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 65: Hundreds of Words for the 100th Episode (“Hot and Bothered”) - Perez (Handsome Danny) & Jordan & POTW May: Making the most of what little power is left Did you think of Perez (Handsome Dan)’s late, lovely grandmother with this story? She was never mentioned in “Hot and Bothered,” but Perez’s attachment to May was plain as day. You know what else was plain as day? The growing (though officially stifled) affection between him and Jordan. He is earnest, and honest, and Jordan can’t help but be attracted to that. She, in turn, is giving and thoughtful (the virtual trip to France was her idea), and Perez can’t help but be attracted to that. Boundaries dissolve all the time in the name of love. I’m intrigued… but also worried. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/0c04a63d-65c0-42ad-9825-0a93eaa1bdd1/Hot+Bothered+Asher+Morgan+2.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 65: Hundreds of Words for the 100th Episode (“Hot and Bothered”) - Morgan & Asher & “Art” (aka Sam)— Powerless to powerful to powerless (again) to powerful (again) Put Asher’s curious trashy side up against Morgan’s disparaging-yet-revelatory nature and you get… some pretty entertaining conversations. We haven’t heard much from Morgan this season since Park ended their relationship in the season opener– not much of substance, anyway. So her round of self-reflection was quite welcome. It even made complete sense that it’s Asher to whom she confesses her desire to have a child, given her inability to sustain friendships with her female colleagues. Maybe all the in-car talking is what (mis)led them to the wrong “Art”... though in episode #100, even that glitch produced a happy ending. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/a9ff755c-73f5-4a3d-97ab-f7e95ef2514e/A88C8B04-3373-4DD7-A21F-CB438DF478DE.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 65: Hundreds of Words for the 100th Episode (“Hot and Bothered”) - Andrews & Lea— At the mercy of literal power Finally, we had Lea “Swamp Cooler” Dilallo-Murphy (I’m taking a guess with the name hyphenation) and Marcus “Look after that Hub” Andrews just trying to keep the joint running. Lea was struggling to keep the server room functioning in the crazy heat (dare I say the REAL work), and periodically updating Andrews, who struggled to translate her reports into St. Bon-ese and… direct traffic? (I’m unfairly minimizing his presidential efforts, I know) Does this mean that she reports to Andrews directly now? The only one I remember her reporting to at all last year was Salen– and of course Glassman before that, but “Decrypt” was 2 seasons ago… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/48718e75-28f4-4d33-a869-9974b11807cf/02C54097-E769-4888-9383-038CE01FFD6C.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 65: Hundreds of Words for the 100th Episode (“Hot and Bothered”) - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://kellimlawrence.com/stateofshea/state-of-the-shea-pt-63-12-growth-opportunities-for-tgd-fans monthly 0.5 2022-12-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/2006b847-f959-4ab5-91c0-fd7030b7451e/165046_0384.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 64: 12 Things I and/or We Learned From “Growth Opportunities” - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1668396843741-DG5LZPE0KJ1ZR2VWQ77A/99D0E861-AF87-44E9-AEBD-38BC46F47C99.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 64: 12 Things I and/or We Learned From “Growth Opportunities” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1668396845336-PTFV2I9TI1BCMZNRC3AG/9A322C97-73B5-4FE6-AB09-9766880595F1.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 64: 12 Things I and/or We Learned From “Growth Opportunities” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1668396845379-JS0N26D9SEOCXBS8E6AG/FB0D1E77-2353-4B4D-BD10-68A4CA3F3EAD.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 64: 12 Things I and/or We Learned From “Growth Opportunities” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1668396844772-NWE5GZW6QFAS22GSXXL7/A6E5BD2E-A7DA-45E5-A301-073805F0E6F2.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 64: 12 Things I and/or We Learned From “Growth Opportunities” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/9cc84fd0-780f-42e8-9301-84a46d27468e/BC7846A4-1262-403D-B263-5370F59F959C.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 64: 12 Things I and/or We Learned From “Growth Opportunities” - 2) We love it when Asher sings! I tried out for a local production of Sweeney Todd over the summer. I didn’t get cast, and unfortunately, I still have not seen the show in any version (the local one sold out quickly!). But it was easy enough for anyone slightly familiar with Stephen Sondheim’s work to recognize Asher’s duet with young Skyler as an excerpt from Sweeney Todd. As you may already know, Asher's portrayer (Noah Galvin) First came to fame taking over the lead in Broadway’s Dear Evan Hansen… And of course, we’ve heard Asher sing previously, most notably in his karaoke scene with Jordan last season (“Measure of Intelligence”). It’s cool that they find ways to work it into the show… Much as they did for the musical talents of Antonia Thomas as Claire in earlier seasons. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/717f60dd-dffc-4b8a-baf9-794e377038b7/70E65C53-F923-4D44-A93D-6F24BBA62DD6.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 64: 12 Things I and/or We Learned From “Growth Opportunities” - 3) The Halloween theme was delightful and nonsensical all at the same time. Seeing St. Bon’s on Halloween was alternately adorable, hilarious, and strange. Asher’s Grogu (from The Mandalorian, I’m told) looked fantastic, but when he apparently took Combat Danni’s comment to heart and completely lost the costume at OR time, it made me laugh picturing him in the locker room quickly removing his meticulously applied green makeup. And as an aside – I mentioned this on Twitter at the time– it reminded me of when I was in a production of Wizard of Oz a decade ago and, at least in our version, the characters of Scarecrow/Tin Man/Cowardly Lion were all supposed to return to Dorothy‘s bedside in the final scene as the farmhands that they were at the beginning of the show. Which meant their makeup had to be removed in a hurry! And I was the one in charge of getting that intense silver paint off of Tin Man! Can I just tell you that there are not enough makeup-removing wipes in the world to make that work? Anyway, I did very much enjoy the costumes. It did make sense for the most part who wore them and who didn’t… Jordan not wearing hers to work because she is a “professional woman“ is/was a quiet nod to her presumed need, as a black woman, to take her job seriously at all times. Interesting that they did allow CD to briefly show up as a pirate, professional woman or not, but was completely out of that costume by the next time we saw her. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1c33de06-285f-4bc3-8d12-7795bf84045a/DADFFE15-19C3-43C9-941B-8A6989950118.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 64: 12 Things I and/or We Learned From “Growth Opportunities” - Finally, shout out to the cafeteria scene with Sadie and Asher when they were seriously speaking to Skyler’s biological dad about genetic testing, and all the while a big dude in a yellow and blue superhero costume of some kind was hanging out in the background – scratch that, not just hanging around but sitting on a stool with his back to us. Presumably enjoying a superhero meal. It was a serious scene, but I just couldn’t stop looking at him… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/42ea21fa-62c2-46d8-ac48-53eb1e60a02b/4E518F20-CA1F-47B5-9396-FDFE11ADA7FD.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 64: 12 Things I and/or We Learned From “Growth Opportunities” - 4) When Lea speaks, Glassman listens. (Sometimes. Eventually.) He may still find Lea’s methods annoying and/or irritating, but her words to Glassman about being the first one to make a move towards healing the divide between them got to him even more than she realized, since the key line in that scene– “he has ASD, and he’s your son “– triggered a bad memory of him and Maddie sparring way before her teenage years. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/439fa2f9-6cfe-4d7d-a6a6-b1674b72c1b0/28419828-4B74-4D42-9746-A0782F1D8121.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 64: 12 Things I and/or We Learned From “Growth Opportunities” What he seemed to get out of that flashback was that he hadn’t told Maddi in the tough times that he loved her enough. I tend to think there was more for him to learn than that – something about listening, something about the louder voice not being the “right” voice– but, let’s face it, perhaps it’s just as well he didn’t have any big realizations about that. He is who he is. He’s not going to stop bellowing at Shaun at times when he really needs to get his attention. He’s going to try, but probably not get as good at listening as he should. Which left love at the heart of it all, and that was enough to build the bridge that he and Shaun needed. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1668397192544-SS04RWE1CZIXYZML95ZA/22C90BEE-08D3-4E13-8630-A13D7FDF01D1.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 64: 12 Things I and/or We Learned From “Growth Opportunities” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1668397192285-C1Y8U5BV0CSV5P7QY22J/A7CE3760-6D62-41B6-A097-6739A4D9E11C.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 64: 12 Things I and/or We Learned From “Growth Opportunities” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1668397192229-KSSCKGIWIMSXQCQ1QP1M/EC6A7CD5-9D56-4DC1-93A1-3B157256AB03.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 64: 12 Things I and/or We Learned From “Growth Opportunities” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/bcae4283-bc73-4377-bb53-ae67f57c1399/A24845DF-E0C1-47A7-8197-81B955F6EED3.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 64: 12 Things I and/or We Learned From “Growth Opportunities” - 6) Just because Shaun is settling into his “office” a little more doesn’t mean he’s gonna stay there Obviously in “Growth” there was no talk of Shaun returning to the Shark Bowl (aka the office that he initially shared with Park). In fact, they showed Shaun unpacking books in his scene with Lea, and his desk looked even more furnished than before. Did you notice the mug with a big “S” on it in the far right corner? Or how about the diploma on the wall – was anybody able to tell if it actually lists a school? (It was too blurry when I tried to magnify my screenshot.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/d140d9fe-c717-4ee0-9419-2481162555f1/A0E17582-386C-4812-AF7C-1E949E6A72C0.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 64: 12 Things I and/or We Learned From “Growth Opportunities” But every indication has been given that Shaun‘s retreat to this “Office“ in the depths of St. Bon’s is connected to his overall denial of responsibility for Lim’s paralysis. When Glassman brought it up in his myriad of concerns in the previous episode, Shaun ultimately kicked him out of said office and actually slammed the door in frustration. When Park asked him the simple question Why are you in this office? Shaun left without providing an answer. I mean, c’mon… they put Shaun’s name on the glass outside the original office and everything. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/5a2965f3-f227-4b1b-a4d7-477d24285874/6FBDA02F-21BD-4DBD-A415-B7DAFA197E14.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 64: 12 Things I and/or We Learned From “Growth Opportunities” - 7) Whether “Joseph” is his first name or his last name, WE DO NOT LIKE HIM ANYMORE. Well, that felt unnecessarily harsh! We didn’t just have Lim chatting amiably with a man – her neighbor in this case – then ask him out and be turned down. No, we had to have a guy who we all started to like, someone who had literally been there at some of Lim‘s darkest moments of late, Who took her up on an offer to hang out, then apparently was the one in charge of making reservations at a very nice (Villanueva called it “romantic”) restaurant, being complimentary and thoughtful and kind, and even bonded with her over recent releases in the Star Wars franchise…only to suddenly recoil and disappear when it became clear that they somehow weren’t on the same relationship page. The point here was obvious; Lim was on her way to the next big step and accepting her “new body,” until… But I’ll be honest. I am mad about the neighbor, but I’m actually more irritated with the way this situation was written. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1668442421224-U49LWDQKK4DF3AXL0391/0B9EF377-CA5C-4CA2-9920-D0E4FC7525D7.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 64: 12 Things I and/or We Learned From “Growth Opportunities” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1668442421223-Q4S1HLCM3QZ2AFQTJTWF/60AAA311-8788-49D3-B5FB-9E1AC1169E93.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 64: 12 Things I and/or We Learned From “Growth Opportunities” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1668442421228-ZA5X758ERVYYMUWD6O42/ED706A64-7434-4B00-863C-8012D3828FE3.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 64: 12 Things I and/or We Learned From “Growth Opportunities” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1ebae1f6-e3a8-4d79-86bb-7f8bada37524/AFF52DFE-E69E-4461-A707-4D822C3FD4B7.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 64: 12 Things I and/or We Learned From “Growth Opportunities” - 9) We miss Bitchy Morgan. Hell, we just miss Morgan. It really felt like one of those times or I didn’t realize how much I missed a character's presence on the show until she gets a chance to really have a presence. Morgan’s kind of been the odd one out on a lot of these first episodes of the season as they integrate “The Dannys” into the fabric of the show. And maybe because of her involvement with Park last season, and a lot of her bitchier moments being reserved for spats with him, I’d forgotten how frank she can be with everyone else. But as soon as she stepped forward in the elevator and started critiquing Lim’s clothing options, I said yes Morgan’s back! We kind of got her in two forms once she was consulting directly at Lim’s house, but I was still happy to see it. Especially since we know that there is more to Morgan than her bitchiness for sure. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/26634819-e3b1-4970-b431-8fa504b9cbe2/55AF2041-EA45-453C-80F9-8263667A870A.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 64: 12 Things I and/or We Learned From “Growth Opportunities” - 10) Handsome Dan’s mixed signals towards Jordan were maddening all the way until Jordan “got it” I thought we might be 2-for-2 in the needless emotional roughness category thanks to the situation with “Handsome Dan” Perez and Jordan. Dude, you went from almost kissing a woman after flirting with her all day, to working side-by-side with her the next day while continuing to be cagey about the whole thing? (All the while dressed like someone from Monsters, Inc. Goodness gracious.) I mean it wasn’t just cagey, it was a deluxe treatment: “we left things kind of weird last night didn’t we “…’ I hope we can still be friends”… “:I can’t see anybody right now”… (But I’m not going to tell you why, and I need you to be okay with that). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/d94debfe-0150-4370-b112-aa0f4cb19433/C7F5AE00-B7E6-4D18-80DE-408FF65BC31F.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 64: 12 Things I and/or We Learned From “Growth Opportunities” - I admit though, I did not see a drug-addicted past coming. I really thought it was going to be about him being a widower, or recently divorced, or something involving a woman that wasn’t there that he was still involved with in some way. Arguably, drugs and alcohol abuse is often characterized as the love affair you can’t seem to shake… Anyway, it sets up an interesting scenario with these two in that it’s been established that they are attracted to each other, and yet it’s also been established that they “can’t“ be together anytime soon. So will he fume silently if she’s getting dolled up for dates at work in the future? Will she allow herself to date others while she’s still got a thing for him? I don’t know, but I think the more interesting challenge will come if he ends up slipping… And Jordan knows about it… And it impacts something he does at work and she has to decide where her loyalties lie. What are the odds they’re going to go in that direction? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/33779e52-1ac5-4927-bb67-83dbb9a1d3a1/Lea+Jordan+device.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 64: 12 Things I and/or We Learned From “Growth Opportunities” - 11) I’m missing our Jordan & Lea moments more and more this season. Jordan has thus far been a saint through all this, but she shouldn’t have to go through this solo. Obviously Asher has been her primary confidant with all this thus far. He was busy with another case this week, but even if he wasn’t, would she feel comfortable sharing ALL this with him? As a fellow doctor, I mean? Which brings me back to Lea, who somehow hasn’t even shared a scene with Jordan since “Afterparty.” Would Jordan perhaps spill to Lea because she’s not a medical staffer? Or simply because she feels more comfortable telling Lea than Asher? They’ve obviously kept Lea moderately busy so far this year… wouldn’t it be nice if these two could have a reason (even if it’s just something to update us on their business venture) to be moderately busy together? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1668442781859-BLEPMG27HXFU2IJ1QWYO/440B64DE-6864-407C-AA4E-838F4BF1848F.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 64: 12 Things I and/or We Learned From “Growth Opportunities” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1668442782283-5BTPDPQN1FQH1WHH8LT8/98DBC64A-D80E-484B-8E78-B817D6CEB2FA.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 64: 12 Things I and/or We Learned From “Growth Opportunities” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1668442782295-SOKVQV1VII5LWRU6CVA2/6D2158A3-9C25-46D6-BB98-B5ED7191BCA6.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 64: 12 Things I and/or We Learned From “Growth Opportunities” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/ce520b6f-01ac-4f95-8cdd-47a402727692/799B9C41-631C-4E1A-9832-132018C22508.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 64: 12 Things I and/or We Learned From “Growth Opportunities” - Yeah, Glassman yelled at him to stop demanding an explanation, but that’s because that’s what seems to actually stop Shaun when he’s asking inappropriate things or speaking out of turn. I liked how he immediately switched gears once Shaun started talking about fairness, saying “tell me what you think is not fair, and I’ll try to explain it.” In general terms, feels like it was the start of a new tipping to Shaun‘s processing the bigger picture of what happened to Lim. Is he saying “it’s not fair” because he put all that time and effort into coming up with options for them and she rejected them? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/3fa6ad70-9e6b-4b30-a7ab-aabb30a1f42a/1A5BEFF3-E5AC-48DD-887D-0298540FE3D3.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 64: 12 Things I and/or We Learned From “Growth Opportunities” - For most doctors, I’d say yes. But here, it felt more like he was recognizing current situation is unfair, perhaps for the first time (as opposed to being maddeningly matter-of-fact about it). Which could be the jumping-off point in the future, although based on promos for the upcoming 100th episode, it’s not clear how much of the storyline will continue to be top of mind. Sounds like there’s an overheating situation on the horizon, and not just with regards to the temperature problems that Glassman and Lea will be trying to resolve. Which by itself, will surely go back into a discussion of their favorite subject. Which also happens to be our favorite subject… at least for one hour of the week. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/7562c47f-02a0-44aa-8869-7037c1bbf7e0/165046_3155.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 64: 12 Things I and/or We Learned From “Growth Opportunities” - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://kellimlawrence.com/stateofshea/state-of-the-shea-pt-63-broken-shell-game-shrapnel monthly 0.5 2022-11-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/e6d37c3b-436f-47bd-a414-20ed76acd90a/6E224827-531F-4506-BA4C-965F2CAAF5DF.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 63: Broken Shell Game (“Shrapnel”) - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/8fc6ff45-3abc-4e16-aa3d-bf4e7de901f3/35FB1E2B-F802-40A0-9765-F51FF9570C59.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 63: Broken Shell Game (“Shrapnel”) - LIM One of the most interesting things to me about “Shrapnel” was Lim’s current POV. I guess it was implied or perhaps stated that she had a day off; it would make sense, as we didn’t see her in the hospital. That of course kept her free of run-ins with Shaun or Glassman or Andrews, so aha, no wonder she was in a better mood. For one, she appeared from the very start of the episode to be a woman who was much more at peace, much more accepting of every situation, and just generally focused, at least superficially, on other things… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/f516189d-12fb-4b6b-a186-15ebb8aef28c/D000B1EF-589C-4239-9B0E-BE637279644B.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 63: Broken Shell Game (“Shrapnel”) … Such as expanding on the friendship she now has with Parking Garage Marketing Guy (hopefully to be named later). What struck me about all this was, if I didn’t know the backstory, I’d almost think she’d just come off a difficult break-up, such as we had about a year ago. Don’t read anything into that regarding her and Shaun(!!!), but I do think Lim in this episode paints a picture of somebody who is stricken by the decision she’s made as Shaun appears to be. She feels free, somewhat lighter, but boy she sure didn’t look like it in those previews of next week when she is in the room with Shaun and the others. (Side note on this scene… while PGM Guy pulled a great save on Lim’s $70 olive oil, I found it hilarious that she was also carrying a carton of eggs that looked like it was about 5 seconds from divebombing onto the parking lot concrete! Of course THOSE cost closer to $7….) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/e5448399-18a6-4f23-97f1-45282321f6d1/286E9E13-38E2-4D8C-99DD-E8090E453C7B.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 63: Broken Shell Game (“Shrapnel”) - Obviously there’s a reason for that, and we’ll get to that final scene later, but I thought it was a refreshing way to portray her just after the pain she exhibited in “A Big Sign.” In the meantime, I think I speak for all of us when we say that PGM Guy– who I totally thought was going to be an attorney, teasing a potential legal battle in this storyline that may or may not make any sense– BETTER BE GOOD TO LIM if we’re to keep seeing him. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/f0657f95-b26b-403f-a79e-f2089221e61b/8CED152C-D91E-4EA3-B8C4-9A39F4E6BDF3.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 63: Broken Shell Game (“Shrapnel”) - GLASSMAN As for Glassman, this episode served to remind us how close the green apple that is Shaun falls from the tree that is Glassman in this case. Shaun’s avoiding his feelings (or so it seems), while Glassman is literally avoiding Shaun in the first act of the show. It makes me wonder why he scheduled breakfast with Shaun in the first place. If we hadn’t seen him standing outside the cafeteria, watching Shaun from a distance before walking away (and sending a bullshit text about a problem in the clinic), one might think he planned to stand him up all along. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/b3e50716-9ef5-43ef-9bd5-2f0e16acdf1e/FA2662A2-39B5-46FD-B44C-B1DDEE97A9CF.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 63: Broken Shell Game (“Shrapnel”) - We see from his brief scenes with Lea and Andrews in this episode that Glassman’s plenty pissed about being in the middle of all of it… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/be30ec29-8604-41b0-aea5-224bac98771b/2C4F3482-9700-41C4-B844-EA8D7CEC4FAC.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 63: Broken Shell Game (“Shrapnel”) …But at the same time, he doesn’t seem particularly proactive about it. Not until the confrontation with Shaun at least. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/c7db09a3-e054-4403-9b30-3a9ad525f1fe/D094D533-3735-4DAF-95C0-B618AEEC02DE.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 63: Broken Shell Game (“Shrapnel”) - SHAUN Meanwhile, Shaun had a so much more frustrating day… Frustration felt not just by Lea, or by Glassman, but by Shaun himself. While the scant scenes we were treated to with Lim brimmed with positivity, leaving us curious as to what she’d be like if she was back at St. Bon’s that day… Shaun was transparent in a bunch of very Shaun-like ways: Unable to sleep well in the wake of Lim’s rejection, and then invited to share his feelings with Lea, he rationalizes both the early rising (reading medical journals that Lea points out he’s already read) and his lack of concern about Lim (still has Glassman and Andrews; also digs way back to sage advice from Steve) Excited to meet Glassman for pancakes (surely seen by Shaun as a sign their relationship is back on course)... it’s difficult to read his reaction when Glassman bails, but he DOES know it’s a bail as he points it out in their argument later Dives happily into his Case of the Week (a great distraction) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/16db64d0-e737-4982-9c8e-be483a2049b6/805796D6-14F0-4193-9AEB-6AAAD4AF5E9E.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 63: Broken Shell Game (“Shrapnel”) - Becomes pre-occupied with the placement of objects in the Shark Bowl (Shaun & Park’s office) to the point of messing directly with Park’s stuff, creating a rift unlike anything we’ve seen with Park and Shaun in about a year (Park’s state of mind in this episode also played heavily into this rift; I’ll get to that later) P.S. Some people referenced Shaun’s changes as very Feng Shui-esque; I don’t practice it so I’ll leave that suggestion to those that know better. I just hope I spelled it correctly! When told by Andrews there’s no other office space for him to use, Shaun resorts to a pocket of space within a supply closet… seemingly very happy with it (he immediately credits the space with his ability to find a solution for his patient quickly), but it’s plain to see that it symbolizes a step backwards in Shaun’s evolution as a doctor managing his ASD successfully. (I’m defining “successfully” here as “in a manner that allows him to learn and grow amongst his neurotypical peers as much as possible.”) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/cf6a73e8-9a94-4a8e-9d32-cfda1e32a03b/4E4BDF75-38A5-44FC-9B9F-19571F19AB64.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 63: Broken Shell Game (“Shrapnel”) - Then, after a highly revealing conversation with Glassman– who was really serving up the father side of their relationship over the mentor side– Shaun still refuses to take blame… Yet, when he’s back home and unable to sleep (again), ruminating over the surgery from earlier in the day that DID go well… he ephiphanizes his way to a solution for Lim that sends him to Glassman’s door in the middle of the night. (Are there certain Uber drivers that know Shaun by name now? Especially when he’s in the midst of a medical breakthrough? Asking for a friend…) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/92a5d0ac-b7fc-4666-8603-ac46dc0dd6c0/2D022DCF-B778-492B-A5C0-233DD579CD93.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 63: Broken Shell Game (“Shrapnel”) - G: (QUIETLY NUDGES DOOR OPEN) Shaun? S: (TURNS AROUND IN HIS CHAIR, LOOKS PLEASED) I just saved my patient’s arm. G: Yeah I heard, that’s good… good work. (EYEBALLING THE “OFFICE”) S: Do you like my new office? G: No I don’t– I don’t like it. S: (STILL BRIGHTLY) I’ve already talked to Dr. Andrews… he agreed– G: It’s a bad idea. S: – Dr. Park and I distract and annoy each other. We will both do better work– G: Is that the reason? Really? S: (STILL BRIGHTLY) Yes, it is. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/6858a089-7deb-4137-9995-437d25edcbb9/0073E9D8-1BED-4FE5-B7B9-CEFD4E7EC6B1.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 63: Broken Shell Game (“Shrapnel”) - G: (AFTER A LONG SECOND) Why are you isolating yourself? S: I’m… not. (NODS TOWARD GLASSMAN) You’re the one who canceled our breakfast. (Yeah, Shaun can’t read most social cues but when it comes to Glassman… ) G: Because I don’t want to have to deal with this, Shaun. I’m– (PAUSES, COLLECTS SELF) I’m angry with you. (At least he’s being honest now.) S: (QUIETLY) Oh. (LOOKS BACK TO GLASSMAN) Why? G: Why? (AS IN “YOU KNOW THE ANSWER TO THIS SHAUN”) (SHAUN SHRUGS– “NO I DON’T”) (“Acting like a child,” Exhibit A) G: Because of Lim’s surgery… (SHAUN LOOKS AWAY AND MOVES ABOUT IN HIS CHAIR; HIS VERSION OF “NOT THIS AGAIN”) G: Because I told you exactly what to do– S: No… G: – and you didn’t listen to me! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/d66b7b56-924b-44c0-8728-6be9405a2991/8E4CA87D-DC83-4D15-A2D9-38C93D58AB51.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 63: Broken Shell Game (“Shrapnel”) - S: (STANDS UP) The parameters changed– G: You went ahead and did the procedure you wanted to do all along! S: Yes, the parameters changed. I made the right decision– G: Shaun… Lim is paralyzed. (SAYS IT LIKE “I THINK YOU’RE DISREGARDING THE FACT THAT LIM IS PARALYZED”) You’re the surgeon… you have to take some kind of responsibility for that. S: (AFTER A MOMENT) You… shouldn’t be angry with me. Dr. Lim shouldn’t be angry with me. G: (MORE SYMPATHETIC TO LIM THAN THE FIRST TIME) She’s… she’s paralyzed, Shaun. S: (APPEARS TO TRY TO PROCESS THIS, BUT ENDS UP SHRUGGING AGAIN) I saved her life. I made the right choice. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/964c6c90-a4fc-4243-a599-8c17010497fa/CDD6C47A-5B2B-45EB-AAB8-CA2D89D88360.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 63: Broken Shell Game (“Shrapnel”) - G: You’re acting like a child. S: No, no… no I’m not. G: You’re acting like you did back in high school, and in the beginning of med school. (SHOUTING NOW– THIS IS WHERE SHAUN STARTS TO LOOK AWAY, GIVES SMALL PATS TO HIS HEAD FOR COMFORT) You’re a grown man, Shaun! You’re a married man now, and you’ve gotta start taking some responsibility, accountability! (SHAUN LOOKS DOWN AT HANDS AND ROTATES WEDDING RING ON HAND) You’re running away, you’re… you’re shrinking your world around you! You’re retreating! (Does this remind anyone of Glassman’s behavior, say, one year ago? When he packed up his surgical toys, left Ethicure/St. Bon’s, and eventually fled to Montana? Is the primary difference between the two situations BETTER SCENERY??) (OK, I might be over-simplifying it. But not by much. Let’s move on…) S: You’re wrong. You are being mean and calling me a child, and you’re taking Dr. Lim’s side. G: Shaun, you can’t shrug this off. S: I do not want you in my office! G: (STARES AT SHAUN, STUNNED) S: Leave! Now! (AFTER ANOTHER FEW SILENT MOMENTS STARING AT THE BACK OF SHAUN’S HEAD— FOR SHAUN HAS RESUMED HIS SEAT AT HIS DESK, FACING THE WALL— GLASSMAN EXITS.) (SHAUN LOOKS OVER HIS SHOULDER, WATCHES GLASSMAN GO… THEN, VERY UNCHARACTERISTICALLY, SLAMS HIS OFFICE DOOR SHUT. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/9de4ed9d-c0e8-43ae-a700-e54e017d905f/DC6DA8B2-5842-49EB-8E3B-F5C51ACA6614.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 63: Broken Shell Game (“Shrapnel”) - POST-ARGUMENT… Shaun often gleans wisdom for his personal situations from his medical cases… but this time, he parlayed his medical case into a resolution for Lim… so doing the same thing, perhaps, but on a completely different level. Which seems to dance near that term META that gets used so much these days. Am I on to something here? What do you think? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/5ed71eae-b588-4d54-997e-fe9c50220686/96B50B6B-7C94-4D7B-9464-E736829E30AE.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 63: Broken Shell Game (“Shrapnel”) - Anyway… we’ve seen Shaun show up with an epiphany at a superior’s door in the middle of the night before (Andrews, S2 or 3 I believe), but this time it’s at the door of the man he seemed to be furious with a handful of hours ago. The man who said he was acting like a child. The man who won’t let him off the hook… (Ah, but which “man” are we talking about at this point? Does that new office of Shaun’s come with a mirror, by chance?) In any case, I was kind of tickled that Glassman’s emotions in this scene swung lightly between annoyed (unplanned, noisy 3AM wakeup calls will do that) and— despite all they’d been through that day— concerned (“Are you okay?” he asked as Shaun made a beeline for the dining room table). When you’re a parent, the love always has to come first. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/b0721f76-1552-4f91-a120-b514a488f510/51C33103-B172-40D0-B9F5-456B133136AD.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 63: Broken Shell Game (“Shrapnel”) - THE PARK PROBLEM Previously on STATE OF THE #SHEA… yours truly speculated that Park and Morgan, formerly known as #Parnick, were over and done. TGD’s publicity department threw us a red herring ahead of “Shrapnel,” showing photos of Park (away from St. Bon’s) in the company of an attractive woman. But one scene later (ugh, she’s married) and then two scenes later (hello, former sparring partner/love interest) and then several scenes later… I have eaten my words, as promised, and they were rather tasty. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/d3fd082d-267a-4cfc-94a8-c85d4687ac68/022F3214-B780-4745-ABFA-8E80A1FDC31C.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 63: Broken Shell Game (“Shrapnel”) - While Shaun was having a crappy day without really acknowledging it, Park was “acknowledging” his crappy day all over Shaun. Not that he didn’t have every right to. But, had he shared an office with any other colleague, he probably would have found a reason to pick a fight with them too. Shaun’s need to re-decorate just put that fight on the fast track. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1667250293101-E2PJ2Y6Q452RCQXRSNPP/IMG_4042.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 63: Broken Shell Game (“Shrapnel”) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1667250294269-L0LYXAPAWJEQRDUIE61M/IMG_4041.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 63: Broken Shell Game (“Shrapnel”) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/cc54ce84-6d8a-4685-88ef-5c2a3207cae7/7DF0B3EB-6D32-4421-9902-02284282BB0E.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 63: Broken Shell Game (“Shrapnel”) - THE JORDAN (AND HANDSOME DAN) PROBLEM Problem? What problem? These two appeared to be vibing as only two mutually attracted young doctors could be while waiting on a waterlogged, severed human foot. (By the way— I know they’re calling them Powell and Perez to differentiate between Danni and Danny on the show, but in this here space I’ll continue to call them Combat Danni and Handsome Dan. Hey, I don’t make the rules.) (Strike that— in this case, I DO.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/8177cce4-2b69-4c43-8b48-23aab7d6f558/25A9DAB3-7276-44C6-A7E5-7B41144243ED.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 63: Broken Shell Game (“Shrapnel”) - We had a wager… we had a beach towel (so they were “forced” to sit close to each other)… we had slightly suggestive dialogue… we even had that rare medical drama gift of idle conversation time, which certainly helped perpetuate the feeling they might be on a date. If, um, they weren’t waiting on a diver to produce a waterlogged, severed human foot… and then be rushed back to St. Bon’s while prepping said foot for surgery… (And if this part reminded you of Shaun and Claire rushing back to St. Bon’s for a liver transplant in S1’s “Oliver,” you’re not alone.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/8fb0d325-6039-40d1-b983-9bec3df0030c/698C7330-2974-4900-944E-03974F1CB2DE.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 63: Broken Shell Game (“Shrapnel”) But then came the scene where both of them had to return to the lake after hours to retrieve their vehicles (Um, why didn’t they drive together in the first place?), and we finally got that first hint that HD’s got a backstory in the love department. Maybe a trilogy’s worth. Jordan, I TOLD you to proceed with caution. But the great conversation all day, and the adrenaline rush working side by side, and the lake, and the moonlight, and, and… yeah, I know. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/bd8368e0-6aab-44da-8750-3c88fb900a10/2374E90D-AD05-40E8-A47D-03BFFC440796.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 63: Broken Shell Game (“Shrapnel”) - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/d1de49a2-5d64-407d-9dc3-fcc7631cf302/FE95011F-46CE-4FD2-800E-EDD4A89B6557.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 63: Broken Shell Game (“Shrapnel”) - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://kellimlawrence.com/stateofshea/state-of-the-shea-pt-62-signs-of-the-times monthly 0.5 2022-10-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1faad3c5-86d0-4ddc-9e56-a859bafe02a6/D1927D1D-E556-4D34-80A7-DB1271E23E63.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 62: “Signs” of Their Times - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/7d25662c-1cc5-4c8e-a004-9439411ce10f/164703_1719.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 62: “Signs” of Their Times - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1666620908291-W4O5GO1O9Y3XB3T6K0VL/IMG_3845.png State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 62: “Signs” of Their Times https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1666620909041-P5VA66YNNTH9MG8ITVST/IMG_3846.png State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 62: “Signs” of Their Times https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1666620909697-SKBO9WWUPU72JFX5CD1V/IMG_3847.png State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 62: “Signs” of Their Times https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1666620906827-RBURWRL7XIVNWMAK0H44/IMG_3848.png State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 62: “Signs” of Their Times https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1666620907570-SEF4G97HTQTS8C4KLQSP/IMG_3849.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 62: “Signs” of Their Times https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/13e622c1-e9c8-402e-92d8-d2ad04c43324/164702_7784.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 62: “Signs” of Their Times - LIM Lim’s in mourning. Sure, she’s alive… but there have probably been more times than she’s willing to admit that she’s struggled with her new paralysis to the point of wishing she hadn’t survived Owen’s attack. And plenty of other times when she thinks Just WTF kind of “life” do I have now?? Because the idea of being confined to a wheelchair for the foreseeable future– especially when you’re a top-flight surgeon with a love of adventure, and the Ducati motorcycle to prove it– must be utterly terrifying. She’s sad, she’s furious, she’s bewildered, and she seems desperate to pin the blame on Shaun… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/5db0eb0c-eae8-48a8-99ee-8ffef359adeb/164702_1407.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 62: “Signs” of Their Times - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/ed45c1c8-d0d4-4ea3-8038-651a74ab7d3a/164703_7809.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 62: “Signs” of Their Times - GLASSMAN Glassman is in a thoroughly unenviable position with both Lim and Shaun. He feels partially responsible; that much was crystal clear in his “What if??” conversation with Lim. Shaun taking some responsibility would help lighten his load, and of course could help matters with Lim (eventually?) When I live-Tweeted the episode last week, I spoke of Glassman “wanting to have it both ways”-- protecting Shaun as much as he could in the formal M&M, but confessing– when pushed by Lim– that he felt Shaun had made a mistake. As with Lim, though, it’s more complicated than that… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/5c26896c-d3d7-4b2a-8b79-9fd1778e0537/FA10C979-93B8-4CE2-8A18-9077C87F385A.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 62: “Signs” of Their Times - He wants Shaun to own his decision for the mistake he feels it is, but he’s an all-or-nothing guy in these scenarios– either teetering on eggshells for fear Shaun will spiral into something unnecessarily negative, or sledgehammering Shaun with his frustrations. Walking the line between is TOUGH for him, if only because he loves and cares so much for Shaun. (I suspect we’ll get a better sense of that in the “Shrapnel” episode.) He’s known Shaun longer than anyone else at St. Bon’s, and with that history comes the concern that Shaun’s failure to own responsibility for this will ultimately take him backward, not forward, in his hard-fought career. He’s also keenly aware that Shaun continues to be noted for his ASD as well as his talents and abilities, and that this particular mistake might be held more harshly against Shaun than it would neurotypical doctors. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/8d159b2b-3a81-46c6-a6c6-711278d4681d/A80DADE1-8286-47AD-A3CA-7C75132E3245.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 62: “Signs” of Their Times - SHAUN Is it possible that Shaun might– perhaps unknowingly– lean into his ASD tendencies when he doesn’t want to deal with the reality of a situation? Particularly with regards to empathy and processing the emotions of others? That’s hard to call, and some might take issue with the idea of Shaun “using” his ASD as an excuse. (That’s OK if you do; I’m spitballing here.) Doesn’t it seem like that’s where Glassman is going with his anger, though? The Shaun, you know better than this now vibe I’m seeing in preview clips? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/d7b40e40-258f-4b1c-9995-84975c999af1/477795F5-0A85-4559-BF03-136CA617E6A6.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 62: “Signs” of Their Times - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/ebe51703-7808-4d1a-9e75-78581eafabcd/7425EAF1-45B2-4912-84CA-05C2589B658F.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 62: “Signs” of Their Times - One of the things that’s interesting about it is that it’s a debate for a lot of married couples, not just one that’s ASD/NT. The difference comes in Shaun‘s difficulty with doing something different when he has his “backed by research” responses at the ready for his side of the debate. Consequentially, I found myself on the fence with this question: if they are going to have #Shea interact with a marriage therapist so early– for any reason– shouldn’t it be one who can readily broach unique ASD/NT issues? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1666626116117-ZEMA5DONP0PGXHE94H30/IMG_3878.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 62: “Signs” of Their Times https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1666626114727-USNSC8GUTCDQEUMFCURD/IMG_3881.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 62: “Signs” of Their Times https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/9ca7c35d-0d2e-4d2e-a79e-982a53edc6db/86C05D1E-C80D-45A3-B1BD-5EB25AD4C785.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 62: “Signs” of Their Times Now, flash forward…for one thing, Shaun is more subtle in his own way with how he deals with Lea’s “bad habits”… even though it’s really not subtle, lol. And in addition to being the picture of patience when necessary, Lea has learned to keep most of her frustrations to herself. Not that that’s the best idea either, but it’s safe to say she picks her battles. Their imaging room chat was honest yet remarkably calm, and it even gave us the imagery (pardon the pun) that prompted Shaun’s heart-melting gesture in their final scene. By the way, in the imaging room did you get flashbacks to the S3 episode “Fixation” where Shaun called Lea over on her lunch break to show how much he was trying to be flexible (with the alphabetized cans, toilet paper on “wrong”, etc.) and his text to her was, as it was here, inaccurate regarding the level of “emergency” the situation warranted? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/3a01e432-deb5-4ce8-8ba5-874f2c3b36dc/972A8CA1-66E8-466E-883A-71BE4B6FF50F.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 62: “Signs” of Their Times - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/ac085d37-87a7-4972-b4c0-0c528f38f66f/C4AF2C53-DFFE-4BDB-826E-D044F15AD5B6.png State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 62: “Signs” of Their Times - … as well as David’s assessment of what took the scene to the next level! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/3d93abca-bc85-4757-9ed3-6b3ac872fb17/0F27C95A-970F-4A2C-B472-64C707C64787.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 62: “Signs” of Their Times - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/0007e202-997e-4a93-970a-fe8e69c5407d/A870EE95-F68C-46EE-ADD3-C64F55111E36.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 62: “Signs” of Their Times - That conversation truly brought out CD’s kinder/gentler side in a way that was, obviously, much more authentic than last week’s efforts with the heart patient’s wife. Which was crucial, given that the “chain of command has never been her strong suit” (as she told Park in her apology). Will her efforts to improve be enough to keep her at St. Bon’s for the long haul? I wonder if it depends on how much of his own (insubordination) medicine Shaun can take when he’s in charge of her… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/b16a2ab2-c51c-49bb-82d6-8e90cf211010/A1491729-B02A-46AF-ADAF-CC7BCC4747DF.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 62: “Signs” of Their Times - (By the way, I really liked the way the writers dealt with the amputation– both in CD’s sharing of it, and the explanation of why it wasn’t being discussed among the other doctors. “Shaun wanted to (ask about her limp), but we told him he wasn’t allowed” fit the situation– and the show– like a glove.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1666626413335-CVTGQTYYTNARYSI9TSQZ/IMG_3860.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 62: “Signs” of Their Times https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1666626414800-BJHFIQ3AWSGSUWVV6IZ1/IMG_3861.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 62: “Signs” of Their Times https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1666626415986-KYYEEETKQN7QBL37MGRJ/IMG_3862.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 62: “Signs” of Their Times https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1493fc73-6f6b-4022-abe1-34844fa178f4/97AEB824-386C-465C-BD79-F7747664857D.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 62: “Signs” of Their Times So when will we see the catch? Will he have a long-distance girlfriend, or a wife he never speaks of? A criminal record? A history of being a Cubs fan? (Sorry, it’s World Series week and I’m a Chicago native who prefers the White Sox- I HAD to.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/6184e21e-2d34-486d-9332-403df57d552d/E5E14939-63E3-4E6E-8C90-4BA4395EA84F.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 62: “Signs” of Their Times - If TGD intends for only one “Danny/Danni” to move forward from this season, I kind of wonder if they’re waiting to see which character fits in better before sharing any HD darkness. Proceed with caution, Jordan. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/0273a173-f4be-45df-b8b3-b35de76a2690/4F9808FC-62C0-4FA4-970A-2C09C9C2BD5F.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 62: “Signs” of Their Times - MORGAN- the AWOL character of the week When I read the synopsis of “A Big Sign” I thought Morgan would be deducing Julianne’s brain issues after coming to her to discuss the issues that prompted her breakup with Park. Instead, we only got Morgan in ONE scene— this one here— and, aside from the mention in the Meeting Of The Divorced, she was absent. Two things to draw from this: 1) AWOL characters are bound to continue from time to time with such a crowded canvas— at least, until the latest “newbies” are better established. 2) #Parnick is D-O-N-E done. I thought there would be a more drawn-out end to this affair, but I think I thought wrong. (Of course, this is TGD’s cue to give them an emotional scene in the “Shrapnel” episode and make me eat my words…) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/2e5e1f58-9560-4b64-914d-a42d9cf7e957/6BD0F8BB-0046-4F92-9561-19FD06AB2030.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 62: “Signs” of Their Times - Jasher: The “who knew??” characters of the week First of all— they’re now living together, which apparently happened during the 3-month timehop. Second of all— they’re already past the “honeymoon stage” of that development, summoning Julianne to discuss their issues. Which, for now, were solved with the help of a St. Bon’s janitorial closet. (Jordan may not have cared for that detail, but I found it as ironically delightful as Jerome and Asher did.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/3021fa3b-684a-42e1-a8e8-ce5647d50850/05A72EEB-CB90-43D0-946A-A4A4B03C1A0F.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 62: “Signs” of Their Times - Losing Julianne— The “how far they’ve come” runner-up scene of the week (Shaun and Lea’s scenes still get first prize) Not so long ago (nearly two years back), we watched Asher & Shaun struggle with the loss of Asher’s first patient. The situation was notably different— Asher had made an early diagnosis mistake that Shaun failed to catch, making the man’s passing more preventable in that case— but still, here they were again. It was clear that Julianne was unafraid of death’s possibility after her first flatline experience, and that surely helped. Yet she’d given both men a shorthand assist in their personal lives; in fact, it turned out the final bit of advice she’d ever dole out was to Shaun. So there was most definitely an impact when Shaun, Asher and HD lost her to… whatever each respective doctor believed in. But it was so much more measured than before. As should be expected at this point, I guess. Kind of remarkable to see it in action nonetheless. (Also, a huge shoutout to director Rebecca Moline’s eloquent handling of the entire operation sequence! ) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/8620fb5d-ccdd-4dbc-aa40-ee2fdde28728/C401D158-2C9B-4F65-833D-DA8D78F36061.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 62: “Signs” of Their Times - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://kellimlawrence.com/stateofshea/state-of-the-shea-pt-61-the-perspectives-they-are-a-changin monthly 0.5 2022-10-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/42402df0-2497-4e17-affb-455b31c00b3d/8A833E55-52F7-43BF-A967-A974AA57856A.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 61: The Perspectives, They Are A Changin’ - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/5c3bd949-656c-4165-a4c9-3e86997c6f37/27FFE6EC-4A4F-4B82-9777-3A10AE832EFA.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 61: The Perspectives, They Are A Changin’ - Afterparty vs. this Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/6fa8e00f-f8b5-4109-b2e2-c97c3b86b757/744A744C-CCEA-4A21-AE79-AA46EDC63D78.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 61: The Perspectives, They Are A Changin’ - Perhaps there is a sense of redundancy that made them decide to do the time jump. Park in Morgan we’re still going to be split, Shaun and Lea are still going to be married (though with decidedly longer hair now on Lea’s part), Jerome and Asher were still going to be together, and the situation was going to prompt Lim to conduct her own investigation by the third or fourth episode anyway. Also, the jump allowed the sudden starting of Dani and Danny to make sense. Coinciding, of course, with Lim and Villanueva returning and Shaun and Park starting as attendings. By the way, I would like to nickname Shaun and Park's new office the Shark Bowl… SHaun and Park… Get it? And “bowl” is an homage to the fish bowl that is a centerpiece of #Shea… In any case, it seems the only way this episode could’ve felt real is if they’d started the season with it… And even then, it’s a little unadventurous compared to other years. Let’s dig into the various “perspectives” within the episode, shall we? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1665896760154-D187GVW29YAZ8XHHQQ2R/IMG_3615.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 61: The Perspectives, They Are A Changin’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1665896755250-AS2FRKJCPSB1ZSY5I37H/IMG_3626.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 61: The Perspectives, They Are A Changin’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1665896753570-GTO4ZLELPTDOHPOSOSVP/IMG_3682.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 61: The Perspectives, They Are A Changin’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1665896757837-C8R39LM2W9IFVF8Q7SJB/IMG_3647.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 61: The Perspectives, They Are A Changin’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/a8104261-0d72-4367-b412-94f0a7c5a510/D62CD284-C113-4E61-B216-4F9820DD698A.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 61: The Perspectives, They Are A Changin’ - In their lovely scene together, Lim told Villanueva “I’m just a better poker player” with regards to her brave face upon returning to St. Bons… nonetheless, her range of emotions prior to that final scene ranged from resigned to ambitious, from testy to grateful, from resilient to distraught. It was real feelings, but it wasn’t every real feeling. They saved that for the end, and suddenly the poker reference made a lot more sense. Damn, that was tough. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/de96a140-3c6f-4587-97d0-3bdded1aacfb/269B9848-3EC4-4518-A820-5C5FBA75AD27.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 61: The Perspectives, They Are A Changin’ - The idea of Shaun being responsible for the paralysis is complicated. Not only because Lim’s been on his “side” professionally speaking almost as much as Glassman has… but because what if they’re playing what if (as it appears. Glassman will, anyway, what if Lim hadn’t been as lenient w Shaun? Would that have stopped him from feeling confident enough to disregard Glassman’s orders? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/126aa0b6-7a7d-40f1-9e76-c933b99c3f07/CBFA34DF-BE99-4691-8174-6401C86A39F4.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 61: The Perspectives, They Are A Changin’ - The Getting-Us-Up-To-Speed Perspective According to that conversation, an M&M (Morbidity & Mortality conference) took place, with the results proving to be inconclusive. They referenced an M&M on TGD when the infant died in “Expired” last year— and if you’re wondering why an M&M took place when the patient (Lim) survived… they are also done in hospitals with residential programs when there are “complications.” And I suppose an unexpected paralysis falls into that territory. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1719cbb6-5ed0-439f-84b8-0a200261eae8/C153C8F8-A057-4CD1-A45B-54385BBC99C4.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 61: The Perspectives, They Are A Changin’ - Shaun and Glassman were no doubt both part of this M&M… In fact, Lea must’ve been too because she was physically on site when Shaun changed the surgical plan! Same with Jordan. So what we’re seeing currently is everybody’s aftermath from those events… With Lim’s being the most important, of course. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/7c7242dd-b5ab-4a09-a4f7-9f0234735688/CECDE44F-154A-4875-B038-7D8E8A3E01C0.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 61: The Perspectives, They Are A Changin’ - But the conversation in Glassman‘s office – with Glassman directly saying that Shaun‘s decision paralyzed her, and Lea quickly piping in with “He’s not here to discuss Lim“-- is surely a slight retread of a more difficult time. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/3d7a5d33-fd09-46ed-9b77-c5f9e95d2fd7/C89F14C6-0CAD-493D-A9DB-DBC04E70DB62.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 61: The Perspectives, They Are A Changin’ - So I’m wondering if any of that will be told in flashback, or if the personal investigation that Lim says she wants to do (as per the synopsis for “A Big Sign” (airing 10/17 in the U.S.), is going to basically incorporate much of the drama from the initial, unseen-by-us M&M? (P.S. If Shaun ends up accepting responsibility for Lim’s paralysis, can’t you see him funnelling all his spare energy into creating a way to try and reverse it? Just a thought for the future.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1665931701026-UC9G8NCRLOPPKKQACXXK/IMG_3640.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 61: The Perspectives, They Are A Changin’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1665931735820-XXCNO6PRFFKFTSFZC6AV/IMG_3639.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 61: The Perspectives, They Are A Changin’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1665931703606-PX7Q17FVL4FPEUVMKD3V/IMG_3681.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 61: The Perspectives, They Are A Changin’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1665931698814-MSAS2FVNC1JKTP6CJARL/IMG_3701.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 61: The Perspectives, They Are A Changin’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1b33e0b9-abe7-4e2d-af0c-342fd79f5601/AD3A1B4D-0126-4642-BDC0-9C1477D8C1D7.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 61: The Perspectives, They Are A Changin’ - During that particular scene, you might have noticed that Shaun’s toy scalpel has graduated to a place of honor on his new desk– laying on its long-standing companion of royal blue fabric, showcased in a plastic (or glass?) cube. Gone are the days it was buried carefully in his backpack! But did you also notice the #Shea wedding pic, displayed on the far right of the desk, seen here just above and to the right of the ABC logo? (Stand by though, for that pic is going to do a little traveling before episode’s end.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/f52eb61b-9ec3-498a-829c-4a148cfb38b6/9C5FEFA2-EA4B-4B1E-8138-B6C73116FB4A.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 61: The Perspectives, They Are A Changin’ - As for the feel-good ending to the pig story… I was admittedly intrigued by Combat Danni’s reaction to the news that a DOA motorcyclist was going to take WIlbur’s place in the transplant. Everyone (including Shaun!) within earshot was thrilled, but any joy felt by Danni was decidedly… subdued? Is that the word I want to use? I’m not sure. It might be “relieved.’ But in any case, she was NOT rejoicing with the others. Maybe she had hoped Shaun would find himself unable to operate on the animal, and was disappointed he got an “easy” reprieve? That’s my best guess. What do you think? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/f6735a22-15bc-4dba-b4a6-bfea8a237871/B1612715-A6C6-4387-9E11-A773E126BE56.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 61: The Perspectives, They Are A Changin’ - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/a73c7ea0-be51-4160-9223-76e219eb4286/F7D5B772-BE48-4FE3-BB92-F09C6EE020E2.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 61: The Perspectives, They Are A Changin’ And I should also add that I have my OWN “Handsome Dan” (married 25 years so far, thank you very much) so maybe I should recuse myself from the entire conversation… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1665932914068-8DZ4T6DUHMGFXRZKDIEV/IMG_3668.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 61: The Perspectives, They Are A Changin’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1665932918718-CUJLQRSKQHXYIXPJWP0B/IMG_3706.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 61: The Perspectives, They Are A Changin’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/20aa041a-4134-4b2b-a8d6-64bfd3a903e8/BF8D1913-ED12-4EBE-8F21-DC4CC83A6526.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 61: The Perspectives, They Are A Changin’ - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/4a72934b-a555-4fff-a2e4-e6e9408c58e5/93A2095C-F4AD-4B41-AF8D-95CBF7D9D239.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 61: The Perspectives, They Are A Changin’ - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/5cf78a9e-fa2c-4382-846b-d34da6784db8/99A97948-7397-43D5-BC88-1824CF13E109.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 61: The Perspectives, They Are A Changin’ - By the way— we looked at Shaun’s desk earlier, but in their final scene of the episode (when Lea entered the Shark Bowl asking how his first day went), I noticed the wedding photo had made its way to the other side of the desk… Stay tuned as I do my best to track important continuity issues from episode to episode :) Anyway, their journey is far from over, but after so much focus on their wedding last season (and re-focus, and re-RE-focus depending on your POV), Shaun and Lea are bound to be back-burnered periodically. Especially when the Dannees* are front and center. *Best way I can think of to call Danny/Danni in plural form. Individually, I will be referring to them as Combat Danni and Handsome Dan– borrowing Park’s term for the latter while referencing the former’s history (and potential nature in general?). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/2b7f98a6-00f6-4238-9f42-8b83f97ff718/5F515FB8-E2E1-4390-9C1C-6FF5F243FFE4.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 61: The Perspectives, They Are A Changin’ - Make it stand out What was YOUR POV of “Change of Perspective”? A welcome step forward? A disjointed misstep altogether? Something in between? Leave a comment and share your thoughts! https://kellimlawrence.com/stateofshea/state-of-the-shea-pt-60-the-mvps-of-a-code-silver-afterparty monthly 0.5 2023-01-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/81bd6dc8-95f7-4b72-95e0-0885f30feefd/Shea+Jordan+discovery.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 60: The MVPs of a Code Silver “Afterparty” - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/bc5a2e76-e86a-4156-aaeb-c3ede20a79cc/Shea+Jordan+2.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 60: The MVPs of a Code Silver “Afterparty” - Make it stand out Tag Team 1: Shaun/Lea/Jordan https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/f173b579-6251-4851-a938-cc44afe4fcc6/IMG_3444.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 60: The MVPs of a Code Silver “Afterparty” - SHAUN He may have had the hardest road to travel, overcoming deep emotional “paralysis” (don’t hate me for that) to steady himself and direct the procedure that ultimately saved Lim’s life… but that’s not the only reason he was the MVP of the MVPs… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/2a126343-dd08-4a44-956b-682c18c4cdda/411510D0-97E0-4F68-9812-40CAF1B538A0.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 60: The MVPs of a Code Silver “Afterparty” - He pushed through an instantaneous Steve flashback as the first responder on the scene, which led to the initial stabilization of Lim and Villanueva… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/4523e03c-d4a8-43dc-8ef9-77c49b5e03f9/1D3E5A76-C72E-46B8-A09B-229A76E64C6F.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 60: The MVPs of a Code Silver “Afterparty” - And then, back in his OR comfort zone, he “saved Lim’s liver” by overruling Glassman’s surgical solutions for her when he was next door assisting briefly on Villanueva’s surgery. (A caveat: While it’s too early to say, what little advance info we currently have about the season indicates Shaun’s rogue decisions might ultimately be responsible for Lim’s paralysis.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1665550623939-D865FMSNB3ZG15SOJ5BQ/IMG_3584.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 60: The MVPs of a Code Silver “Afterparty” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1665550625161-H7MV0IUM2TUPWKXW7KI7/IMG_3518.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 60: The MVPs of a Code Silver “Afterparty” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1665550626610-EF0XA025FZVOSYOJ2UI8/IMG_3560.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 60: The MVPs of a Code Silver “Afterparty” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/4e1f1eb3-9e69-48ba-b937-da8b7d48fa01/BEFDA264-F2D1-4531-91D1-B658E7C0B110.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 60: The MVPs of a Code Silver “Afterparty” - WHY AM I SO GLAD THEY INCLUDED THIS SCENE? Because dammit, Lea needed a minute. One second she was dancing in her new husband’s arms, the next, she was getting blood stains on her wedding dress as she fumbled with gauze and syringes, trying to help in a world she doesn’t belong. It was a lot to process in next to no time. So I’m glad they at least let us see her break down (briefly), mourn the celebration cut short, and then put on her big-girl scrubs and face the world again. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1665450409007-AUF49ZCHBFSFZDAI3ST1/Jordan+Andrews.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 60: The MVPs of a Code Silver “Afterparty” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1665450409184-HTW5DZN3QMXORQ4MY7A1/Jordan+CU.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 60: The MVPs of a Code Silver “Afterparty” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1665450411280-W1DL2D6KKILIY7CVFW3R/Seatbelt+turniquet.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 60: The MVPs of a Code Silver “Afterparty” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/a1bf0153-58bc-4e9b-a283-dfb46fbe7c35/Andrews+Glassy+Jerome.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 60: The MVPs of a Code Silver “Afterparty” - Make it stand out TAG TEAM 2: Andrews/Glassman/Jerome https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1665550758529-26LB50ANNGYY4P5V57NW/IMG_3457.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 60: The MVPs of a Code Silver “Afterparty” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1665550759992-47AK4Y916CX31V3EPYTA/IMG_3548.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 60: The MVPs of a Code Silver “Afterparty” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1665550761122-T01QZSUPKORR55S0GAKG/IMG_3564.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 60: The MVPs of a Code Silver “Afterparty” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1665550887819-01Y932SMXICAQSNPCRE8/IMG_3563.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 60: The MVPs of a Code Silver “Afterparty” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1665550889065-XKH7SH4AIMB0BVC3X4DW/IMG_3484.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 60: The MVPs of a Code Silver “Afterparty” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1665550890321-55H9AR6YQ7RFVJH9W4GB/IMG_3547.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 60: The MVPs of a Code Silver “Afterparty” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/e9934c8a-4859-4b7e-befc-eb17c24b69d3/82600959-71E9-4E61-8A23-2F8E46FE53F9.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 60: The MVPs of a Code Silver “Afterparty” - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/160b60c2-54cf-4f57-8b48-5f453645bff8/6BDAEF2B-C70D-48A0-AC8A-BA4EF99E220F.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 60: The MVPs of a Code Silver “Afterparty” - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/37cb5ca7-d2ce-4912-9b5f-42b061409333/F3B5478A-8029-470C-BF80-73E334C36E48.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 60: The MVPs of a Code Silver “Afterparty” - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/e7d199b9-3a82-4829-803b-f0f925c86815/45AF25EC-E95C-43F5-A047-F07191BB7D28.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 60: The MVPs of a Code Silver “Afterparty” - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/66d8ade5-af7e-4ab6-8982-6d8d48326d50/264B71A5-D4B4-4C07-A1C7-B944EA3B8F22.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 60: The MVPs of a Code Silver “Afterparty” - PARK The Least Most Valuable…? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/34872003-addc-48a2-a6e6-040f66cf2536/96780009-9401-4447-9B3C-3F1E0EC333A2.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 60: The MVPs of a Code Silver “Afterparty” - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/0f32be03-5d09-46aa-83ff-be55e2a91319/Owen+walk+of+shame.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 60: The MVPs of a Code Silver “Afterparty” - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/c6a2e7fe-c639-4a70-9eb1-cfb702b7849a/039177A3-750F-44B6-9532-2227B247C6F3.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 60: The MVPs of a Code Silver “Afterparty” - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1665450802811-MJA9Y48EO630VDLXP6JT/Wide+shot+slow+dance.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 60: The MVPs of a Code Silver “Afterparty” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1665518154907-S8UY269IMFZOMSY4225C/IMG_3589.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 60: The MVPs of a Code Silver “Afterparty” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1665518155974-IT8O7UKWIOFH3T59Z6KI/IMG_3516.jpeg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 60: The MVPs of a Code Silver “Afterparty” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/b986b45f-9e72-49dc-8ae6-ed8bc6179d4f/Shea+slow+dance.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 60: The MVPs of a Code Silver “Afterparty” - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://kellimlawrence.com/stateofshea/a-tgd-season-6-starter-kit monthly 0.5 2022-10-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/daea13de-bc03-48bd-87a3-793bd95e6397/IMG-3404.jpg State of the #Shea - Welcome to the TGD Season 6 Conversation Starter Kit! - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/cc29c676-823f-48b7-b223-6a8a78b7934a/IMG-3402.jpg State of the #Shea - Welcome to the TGD Season 6 Conversation Starter Kit! - 1) How long will we see wedded bliss on the St. Bons rooftop in the season opener? I say under 3 minutes (can’t imagine it lasting beyond the opening credits). Of course all the little reception things we might have hoped for–bouquet toss, cake cutting, karaoke– have no chance of happening now. At least we’re resigned to this fact, some 5-6 months after the wedding finally came together. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/f6a195a6-a21f-43b1-a0e7-4aa30c2e6b13/162889_4742.jpg State of the #Shea - Welcome to the TGD Season 6 Conversation Starter Kit! - 2) How long until Lim (and Villanueva, if she’s not already a goner) get into surgery? Gotta be by Act 4, right? They find them in Act 2, try to stabilize them in Act 3 (this pic)… will surgery be going on while the hostage situation takes place? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/f1a9720f-18cd-4e9f-b3af-3646f0c56fd0/IMG-3406.jpg State of the #Shea - Welcome to the TGD Season 6 Conversation Starter Kit! - 3) Speaking of which… Who are the three hostages he speaks of in the promo? Looks like Morgan, Asher, and…some no-name expendable who gets shot before it’s all over? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/f1f58c00-6675-49b8-bad3-34316267fee9/IMG-3407.jpg State of the #Shea - Welcome to the TGD Season 6 Conversation Starter Kit! - 4) How long until the hostages matter gets resolved/Villanueva’s ex gets apprehended? It’s a strong part of the drama and suspense in the episode, so… maybe by 10:45 Eastern Time? (AKA 45 minutes into the episode) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1664767003711-IPIQFJZRSPZ5AQTQN78Q/162888_0073.jpg State of the #Shea - Welcome to the TGD Season 6 Conversation Starter Kit! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1664767003614-Q3OOR6KEWH4KL1WFEAWG/162887_0691.jpg State of the #Shea - Welcome to the TGD Season 6 Conversation Starter Kit! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1664767191517-JNC4MJRIJ0CNI3MLWVKO/162887_1257.jpg State of the #Shea - Welcome to the TGD Season 6 Conversation Starter Kit! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1664767191858-MWD8COERR7K62MDPOA4J/IMG-3405.jpg State of the #Shea - Welcome to the TGD Season 6 Conversation Starter Kit! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1664767196411-LQEWDP66FB6HN3OMC50Z/IMG-3410.jpg State of the #Shea - Welcome to the TGD Season 6 Conversation Starter Kit! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1664767196012-8XIJYEA5B2IFDR3OQC41/IMG-3409.jpg State of the #Shea - Welcome to the TGD Season 6 Conversation Starter Kit! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/11f6be7a-63dc-4aa1-bf27-fd78b62dafb8/IMG-3408.jpg State of the #Shea - Welcome to the TGD Season 6 Conversation Starter Kit! - 7) Why is Lea seen in scrubs, crying? I’m assuming she has to “scrub in” in some fashion to assist in the OR when the situation becomes desperate. And that she’s crying about whatever fate looks to be headed Lim’s way. (Remember, though, Lim is not DYING. That’s been made clear.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/b1cdb22a-ea74-4ad7-923b-ffa4ed328b59/163203_2004.jpg State of the #Shea - Welcome to the TGD Season 6 Conversation Starter Kit! - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/ef36a65c-0946-4173-96b9-eb112b754d3f/46630.jpg State of the #Shea - Welcome to the TGD Season 6 Conversation Starter Kit! - 10) What guesses, if any, do we hazard to make regarding either that 2nd episode title (“Change of Perspective”), or the 3rd one (“A Big Sign”)? Extra-difficult to speculate on these without having seen “Afterparty” yet. You’ll probably do a much better job, that I, so have at it! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/fab63568-510a-488d-a1b1-8bf8bd93cdc3/5x4+billboard.jpg State of the #Shea - Welcome to the TGD Season 6 Conversation Starter Kit! - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/14548ca6-d70b-445f-a55c-b93195956473/162887_0709.jpg State of the #Shea - Welcome to the TGD Season 6 Conversation Starter Kit! - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://kellimlawrence.com/stateofshea/a-tgd-wish-list-for-season-6 monthly 0.5 2022-09-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1663468208603-HOOV3AWXXCZI43Y94FX9/Jordan+aqua+blouse.jpg State of the #Shea - A TGD Wish List for Season 6 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1663467846127-H5IGH8JVK8M1PVLQJVDG/Lim.jpg State of the #Shea - A TGD Wish List for Season 6 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1663467862396-Y5UJNYZFF93VVAZVMWI7/Andrews.jpg State of the #Shea - A TGD Wish List for Season 6 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1663468112634-8VL2HUFYPZ5E2O0RK5TG/Shaun+montage+5.1.jpg State of the #Shea - A TGD Wish List for Season 6 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1663465825906-Y4X59WLKYYU28259V8BY/Wish+list+graphic+TGD.jpg State of the #Shea - A TGD Wish List for Season 6 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1663474874429-BXM9X2NRKV9YW85S9XCI/Lea+office+2.jpg State of the #Shea - A TGD Wish List for Season 6 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1663477127859-3CZIQAEJ8NR2H89XPK5X/Asher+Solo.jpg State of the #Shea - A TGD Wish List for Season 6 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1663476571425-VDMF2BKMATP2V5P0I2W1/Glassman+solo.jpg State of the #Shea - A TGD Wish List for Season 6 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1663466060363-Z2CFCJJXNBC41UHIYAQT/ParNick+Cheat+day.jpg State of the #Shea - A TGD Wish List for Season 6 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/6cc8ced8-90bb-4a5c-86c8-496e016d57e9/Wish+list+graphic+TGD.jpg State of the #Shea - A TGD Wish List for Season 6 - The Top 5… all had to do with stories established in previous seasons. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/261618a0-15fa-4572-a5d0-0049753bcf87/Shea+baby+days+S4.jpg State of the #Shea - A TGD Wish List for Season 6 - A BABY FOR SHAUN AND LEA Yep, a lot of #Shea Nation is very vocal about this… which many see as a natural next step for the newlyweds. But the heartbreak of Lea’s S4 miscarriage is still a relatively fresh wound for some. We’ll talk more about this later. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/e916b17f-19c7-4117-8d7f-9fd8f488fa7c/Hubert+is+dead.jpg State of the #Shea - A TGD Wish List for Season 6 - PLEASE, FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, SHOW US DONNIE DILALLO ALREADY (Lea’s presumably estranged brother, first referenced way back in the early part of S2) “He wasn’t mentioned when Lea’s parents visited in Season 4. And in Season 5, even though Shaun DID mention him to Sophie in her first episode, it doesn’t seem that he was invited to the wedding. Money wasn’t an issue, as the reality show’s budget was able to bring back Claire AND a patient from Guatemala. There must still be some bad blood between the Dilallo siblings after the collapse of their grandfather’s auto shop in Hershey, and I would love to see it addressed.”-- Tony https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/a3b67c4f-eafe-455b-af28-58201ca31624/Shaun+and+Marcie.jpg State of the #Shea - A TGD Wish List for Season 6 - TIME FOR MARCIE MURPHY TO RETURN (seen here, sort of, in S3) “I mentioned how some people would love to see this wrapped up with a neat little bow. Count me with the other side of that, who actually appreciates that some relationships in life are simply not meant to be! I don’t mind seeing this addressed, as long as it’s not an overly simplistic, happy little resolution. If this means that the Lea/Donnie relationship has to end up the same to provide a narrative parallel between Shaun and Lea, then so be it.” – Tony “I know many disagree with me, but I think Shaun needs (a confrontation with Marcie). Lea hates Marcie because of what she did and didn't do for Shaun, but even she admitted that he needed to deal with her (although not at the wedding!). Not saying that there will be any kind of reconciliation, but I think confronting her and his childhood would be part of Shaun's continued growth.”– Juliana https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/5fe41733-e3c0-4f7b-bb42-54c58700c32e/Lea+Jordan+device.jpg State of the #Shea - A TGD Wish List for Season 6 - CONTINUE WITH THE “DILALLEN” DEVICE STORYLINE “Lea and Jordan are great together, but they're both strong women with opinions. Friends in business together can get fraught; I don't want their friendship or business to go sideways, but the dramatic possibilities can be interesting.”-- Juliana “Maybe their business could gett some input from Shaun this season… a touch of ShaunVision, maybe?”– Asa https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/b03528a2-15c9-49ed-ac1c-d0678ec1633f/Pam+Mike+Dilallo.jpg State of the #Shea - A TGD Wish List for Season 6 - THE DILALLOS AS IN-LAWS “Lea's relationship with her parents is sometimes rocky, but they're certainly not estranged. Will Pam be the mother-in-law from Hell? And if we get Donnie too… can Shaun and Donnie (and maybe Mike) bond?”- Juliana https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/9428888c-ca6d-4862-876b-d290c038dbfd/Generic+Holiday+Ornament+pic.jpg State of the #Shea - A TGD Wish List for Season 6 - A holiday-themed episode! “A Christmas episode would be GREAT.” -Danielle (Because of the winter hiatus given to most regular ABC programming, TGD has skipped Christmas-themed episodes for the most part thus far… with the only exception being the decidedly grim 2-parter known as “Quarantine.”) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/aa9bbd00-36fb-4a3d-b0a2-39ee5ac40351/Just+Lea.jpg State of the #Shea - A TGD Wish List for Season 6 - More “Professional Lea” “One of my favorite episodes was Decrypt in Season 4. She's built up an impressive rep in IT as outlined by Salen. She helped with one of Morgan's patients giving her a voice through technology. Clearly she's skilled as well as smart; she likely makes much more money than Shaun does (that may change when he's an attending in S6). A side note: will she keep her last name because she's professionally established as Lea Dilallo in IT? Hyphenate it? Inquiring minds want an answer to this burning question!” - Juliana https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/e4a09473-28bc-4df3-ae5a-7d93863fc5c9/Shaun+Steve+flashback+S1.jpg State of the #Shea - A TGD Wish List for Season 6 - More Shaun flashbacks “There's still a lot we don't know about Shaun's childhood and his relationship with his parents, particularly with Marcie. I think his relationship with her was and is complicated. In the very first Season 1 episode, when he and Steve were living in the bus, Shaun rather wistfully asked Steve if "Mom is coming for us?" Steve assured him that she loved them, but "she knows it's better this way". I am not in any way defending her; she was a terrible mother. She probably did love her sons, but she loved her husband more. In Friends and Family he soothed and defended him when he tore into Shaun even though she could see Shaun was in pain.” - Juliana https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/5ebcb0d4-b974-4626-a414-407f447d0f86/Baseball+dugout.jpg State of the #Shea - A TGD Wish List for Season 6 - More team bonding outside the hospital “More softball, or maybe a retreat of some kind?” - Danielle https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/8b8e8570-5626-4cd8-a251-3fc13fe16eb5/Paige+Spara+headshot.jpeg State of the #Shea - A TGD Wish List for Season 6 - “An episode directed by Paige (Spara)!!” - Asa https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/7982d816-18f2-4b94-ac24-15637a762dbc/Shaun+and+Park.jpg State of the #Shea - A TGD Wish List for Season 6 - Shaun & Park’s next steps “in action” “As Attending Surgeons, I hope they actually serve as leaders, just as we’ve seen with previous Attendings. I know we’ll have a couple of interns (which are NOT the same as Residents), with Jordan and Asher now in the “first lead surgery” territory of their Year 3 Residencies. I know the show still needs to put Lim, Andrews, and Glassman to use, but if those three senior docs are still leading most of the surgeries, then I feel it would cheapen what Shaun and Park have accomplished by getting to this point.” - Tony https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/23b4dc25-1e66-4d0f-8992-1755e5b47244/Parnick+at+wedding.jpg State of the #Shea - A TGD Wish List for Season 6 - Park & Morgan’s future… We don’t think Morgan’s actually going anywhere, despite her confession to Park in the final minutes of last season that she wanted the East Coast job. But will she come to resent her decision to stay… especially if she and Park don’t survive living together? While it’s not necessarily my “wish” that we see a resentful, bitter Morgan burn #Parnick to the ground, I’m not sure I see them staying together through the entire S6. And if the top breakup reasons are Resentful Morgan or Resentful (because he can’t financially invest in their relationship the same way) Park, Resentful Morgan could be more fun to see. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1351e097-ccc1-4535-8d91-e64c574b9e65/Jordan+toothbrush.jpg State of the #Shea - A TGD Wish List for Season 6 - Jordan in the spotlight Whether it’s an introduction to other members of the Allen family, or some on-screen romance to accompany her personal career triumphs… or BOTH… I think Jordan is more than ready for her close-up. And with her portrayer Bria Samone Henderson on a hot streak of her own, there seems no better time for TGD to capitalize on what Henderson brings to the series. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/62d70a11-694f-4435-9a01-cfc4f4af315b/Andrews+Kevin.jpg State of the #Shea - A TGD Wish List for Season 6 - Let’s see “Kevin” again— and let it lead to Andrews becoming his foster (possibly adoptive) father This would be a nice recurring storyline to see, not to mention a great way for Andrews to keep growing. Also, it kind of mirrors Hill Harper’s own turn on single parenthood. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/70fffad8-0566-41f0-a0a9-cf6b05011d2c/Jasher+at+wedding.jpg State of the #Shea - A TGD Wish List for Season 6 - A wish for Asher and Jerome… If they break up, let it be authentic and not played for laughs. (At least, not more than any other couple on the show.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/02ba0804-81f1-4ee8-834c-fba9ed63ad53/Glassy+CU+Paradise+WY.jpg State of the #Shea - A TGD Wish List for Season 6 - A wish for Glassman, too… Assuming he’s past his existential crisis of S5 (and the finale sure seemed to be proof of a man more at peace with his place in Shaun’s life and elsewhere), what’s next for him? May I suggest he continue to lay off the romance… and focus more on the medicine he loves? And if he feels a need to mentor that can’t be met in the same way now with Shaun, maybe he’ll make a connection with one of the newest (youngest) doctors to come on board? (I’m sorry for any images this may conjure up of Oliver from The Brady Bunch, or any of those kids they brought onto later seasons of Little House on the Prairie…if you’re a reader of a certain age, that is.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/36d74c64-734c-4ba8-b183-cbb07e7e5d45/Wish+list+graphic+TGD.jpg State of the #Shea - A TGD Wish List for Season 6 - Finally (Best for last)… That Shea Wish List…. And since I didn’t see much detail among the wishes for a new #Shea Baby, I’ll start with my own details… which are about the variables at play. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1663566194551-U15S1MWZB0Y35S07UNJK/Wish+list+graphic+TGD.jpg State of the #Shea - A TGD Wish List for Season 6 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1663566170633-ZUF2K002H4YI3CKJ7OR9/5x4+Shea+billboard+1st+impression.jpg State of the #Shea - A TGD Wish List for Season 6 https://kellimlawrence.com/stateofshea/tgd-readers-choice-the-best-and-worst-of-season-5 monthly 0.5 2022-09-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/88a80540-c340-4bf3-bd24-f66da7fe8da8/IMG-2656.jpg State of the #Shea - TGD Readers’ Choice: The Best (and Worst) of Season 5 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/6f24dd1e-7b22-4f5d-9aec-c3522687686b/With+this+ring.jpg State of the #Shea - TGD Readers’ Choice: The Best (and Worst) of Season 5 - Make it stand out “Sons” (5 x 18) The season finale gave us that wedding we’ve so long desired. The speech by Glassman; the officiating by Andrews; and that beautiful montage of Season 1-4 clips! I would have liked a little less Asher focus and a little more balance on such a pivotal episode, but even that was very well-acted! –TONY https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/250bf80f-a5f8-4b1f-8001-8827b768e648/Shaun+Isla.jpg State of the #Shea - TGD Readers’ Choice: The Best (and Worst) of Season 5 - Make it stand out “The Family” (5 x 11) What makes it (my) #1 is the great balance the episode gave toward all of its characters. The Park/Morgan plot; the Lim/Andrews/Glassman plot. And of course, the crown jewel at the end of the episode! –TONY https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/95cd11c6-d2ab-4c31-be83-436dbb8012d8/Solarium+4.jpg State of the #Shea - TGD Readers’ Choice: The Best (and Worst) of Season 5 - Make it stand out “Expired” (5 x 7) TGD generally excels at the “winter finale” that signals an end to the first part of the season, and with the Ethicure storyline in full swing by December– destined to end well before the season itself did– the stars were aligned for a humdinger. And we got one– but more than that, we got Glassman receiving desperately needed insight and lost “mojo” from an unexpected source (first wife Ilana). We got the somber-before-the-storm via Lea’s confession about the test scores (and Shaun’s stern response). We got two compelling cases-of-the-week that put both Shaun and Glassman’s trajectories into sharp focus. But best of all, we got a clear-cut reason for Salen to be kicked out on her ass (eventually)… and never a finer “kickee” was there than Lim, taking aim alongside Ms. Morrison’s blissier-than-thou waterwall. (And of course, we’ll never forget Shaun’s/Freddie Highmore’s pharmacy scene, … but the emotions were exquisitely different for those final moments of the episode. Just beyond compare.) – KELLI https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/052f2fdc-d69d-4944-b653-d8b9c8a92b68/IMG-0540.jpg State of the #Shea - TGD Readers’ Choice: The Best (and Worst) of Season 5 - Make it stand out “One Heart” (5 x 6) This was unique: An episode that took place partially in flashback, and partially in another part of the country… that put Shaun and Park at odds over medical ethics… that kept Shaun and Lea out of touch with each other, yet still on screen… that gave Lea and Glassman an odd kind of quality time together… oh, and also got the ball rolling for Asher’s eventual reconciliation with his father! Plus we got perhaps my favorite wrap montage music of the season with Ben Abraham’s haunting “Satellite.” Stellar! – KELLI https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/76d33fa9-05ad-420f-9c77-1e9fff31a467/IMG-1953.jpg State of the #Shea - TGD Readers’ Choice: The Best (and Worst) of Season 5 - Make it stand out “Potluck” (5 x 14) Oh, and don’t forget “Potluck”... Hilarious! – Danielle With Morgan and (Trippy) Lea as magic mushroom detectives, Park and Asher trippy-bonding and trippy-table dancing, and Shaun and Glassman working through some decidedly un-trippy OR angst, “Potluck” was a mighty entertaining boost to S5’s portfolio.-- Kelli https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/f9f6c064-13ed-484a-80c2-b101a2bccd7c/Meltdown+2+5x3+cropped.jpg State of the #Shea - TGD Readers’ Choice: The Best (and Worst) of Season 5 - Make it stand out “Measure of Intelligence” (5 x 3) This was the earliest episode of the season to make my list. Since it certainly isn’t here because of it being “the farting episode” (thanks, Morgan), and the striking-Marcy-from-the-wedding-guest-list issue has yet to develop into anything else… I guess I bring it in honor of the progress made in “Measure” with the Shaun-Salen dynamic. We got Shaun’s quick-rising frustration with the scrubs/soap/hand dryer combo. We got his angry confrontation with Salen. We got Salen seeming to treat Shaun with a fair amount of respect, and getting the things he asked for as proof of said respect. And then… we ended with poster-sized proof of Salen’s true, exploitive colors. –KELLI https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/22a98964-254a-43f5-b550-5dd047ababe2/IMG-2106.jpg State of the #Shea - TGD Readers’ Choice: The Best (and Worst) of Season 5 - Make it stand out “My Way” (5 x 15) It was awesome seeing Shaun AND Lea using their brilliant skills to help treat the patient in this episode. And I know that reality shows aren’t everyone’s cup of tea, it felt like Sophie was at least trying to do right by Shaun and Lea out of gratitude for taking care of someone near and dear to her. – TONY https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/7d5c4ef5-a46b-4162-8c44-ce7c5e61ab38/IMG-2259.jpg State of the #Shea - TGD Readers’ Choice: The Best (and Worst) of Season 5 - Make it stand out “The Shaun Show” (5 x 16) The Claire surprise was well done and created a sweet ending, but two things stand out for me to make this a top 3. One was Lea’s fierce defense of Shaun when she perceived Sophie was taking advantage of Shaun, and the second was of course her confessional, explaining why she initially rejected Shaun but ultimately chose to be with Shaun. I would’ve dug deeper, but was grateful for the scene.-- STEVEN https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/8691fe39-91a3-409b-9364-5ca0b43bde55/Top+pic.jpg State of the #Shea - TGD Readers’ Choice: The Best (and Worst) of Season 5 - Make it stand out “Dry Spell” (5 x 12) A close call with Ep. 14 “Potluck” (for top episodes), but I’m going with this one for the bold opening with Lea and the vibrator and the final scene which I wish was longer but was still so sweet and a rare look of Shaun actually smiling.-- STEVE As for the worst episodes, the second half of the season was very problematic. I don't know what to pick. Maybe "Dry Spell". -- DANIELA Shaun delivered one of his sexiest lines to date in “Dry Spell” (Tonight, there will be no brakes… only accelerators), but all my least favorite episodes of S5 were about great potential unrealized– and for all of #Shea Nation tired of seeing boxy flannel pajamas, we deserved so much better than this. – KELLI https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/7f6567a9-6406-4869-b174-8a13c0cae11f/IMG-1884.jpg State of the #Shea - TGD Readers’ Choice: The Best (and Worst) of Season 5 - Make it stand out “Growing Pains” (5 x 13) As a whole, this one doesn’t spring to mind as much as other S5 favorites. But when I think when was it that Lea and Jordan started their business venture? Or when did Park and Morgan negotiate that next big step in their relationship? Or When did one of my favorite #Shea scenes of the season take place (see below), leading to a sweet and eye-opening chat about Shaun’s “house rules”? … They all came from this episode. –KELLI It was part of the transition between the Salen arc and the late-season reality arc. And with the greater emphasis on cases and less emphasis on character development (albeit not none, as I did enjoy the Jordan-Lea plot), it ends up being my most “skippable” episode of the season. – TONY https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/0d930d75-39b2-4f43-a49c-d455ac836864/Hunkering.jpg State of the #Shea - TGD Readers’ Choice: The Best (and Worst) of Season 5 - Make it stand out “Crazytown” (5 x 5) To me, it felt like both Glassman and Lea were just so far out of character. Glassman was still in his funk, pushing Lea into the mindset of manipulating some of Shaun’s patient data. I think the following episodes that deal with this dilemma are very well done, but the setup presented in this episode weren’t quite as convincing.-- TONY https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/ae6d4987-7545-4b46-90b4-1924af90b2ac/IMG-1543.jpg State of the #Shea - TGD Readers’ Choice: The Best (and Worst) of Season 5 - Make it stand out “Cheat Day” (5 x 10) The biggest arc of the season, with so much at stake for so many characters, just ended with a quick whimper! And all that was left for the regular characters was able to be resolved within a couple of episodes. The premise of the Salen threat was captivating and intriguing, but the resolution was highly anti-climatic. –TONY https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/75eecc4b-09a9-48d8-9992-36866e6f33af/IMG-2445.jpg State of the #Shea - TGD Readers’ Choice: The Best (and Worst) of Season 5 - Make it stand out “The Lea Show” (5 x 17) Because there was way too much (special guest star) Claire for the title to carry any weight. I liked The Lea Show sooo much better when it was called “Decrypt” (4 x 10). – KELLI https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/4e1eb87d-6e02-447c-84ac-9571c587d80c/IMG-1850.jpg State of the #Shea - TGD Readers’ Choice: The Best (and Worst) of Season 5 - Everything I need to say about my love for this scene can be summed up in this ONE searing second from Lea. It’s not just the look (and what a look it is!!!)… it’s the body language, the entire physical stance… saying Shaun, I am STOPPING all that I am doing in this busy moment to strongly advise you to let. me. SHOWER. FIRST. (Paige Spara doing it SO well, folks…) As we know, he read her loud and clear and planned accordingly (yay!)… until the sight of Jordan brushing her teeth in their kitchen sink (you know, the same sink where Shaun was headed to get the water to make the coffee) disarmed him enough to send him straight back to the bedroom. It’s too bad we didn’t get to see what happened immediately after that, huh? https://kellimlawrence.com/stateofshea/the-kombucha-not-grabbed-and-other-such-diverging-roads monthly 0.5 2022-08-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/735f4684-bba5-4eff-83ae-b088dd0d92e9/Two+Roads+Diverged....jpg State of the #Shea - The Kombucha Not Grabbed, and other such Diverging Roads - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/db4da3ff-4169-467c-ba11-007405a31d93/sign-+WRONG+WAY.jpg State of the #Shea - The Kombucha Not Grabbed, and other such Diverging Roads - Salen and Lea And That Kombucha… (From “Piece of Cake,” Episode 5 x 2) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1a2f92f1-0dc9-41e3-821e-5eaa6e4d0d2f/Shaun+and+Marcie.jpg State of the #Shea - The Kombucha Not Grabbed, and other such Diverging Roads - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/aaf6f780-4ef0-4956-8156-2ed5cfbf836b/sign-+SLOW.jpg State of the #Shea - The Kombucha Not Grabbed, and other such Diverging Roads - Marcie Murphy’s Return (From “Measure of Intelligence,” Ep. 5 x 3) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/53244a32-694c-49d7-822b-9a9bfd5cb377/sign-ROUNDABOUT.jpg State of the #Shea - The Kombucha Not Grabbed, and other such Diverging Roads - Morgan’s Frozen Eggs (From “Rationality,” 5 x 4) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/b2c9cd0a-9cfb-4869-867d-5f324fac8e8a/162242_3893.jpg State of the #Shea - The Kombucha Not Grabbed, and other such Diverging Roads - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/94171c37-83fc-4816-9b89-3d901d34ebf0/sign-+DETOUR.jpg State of the #Shea - The Kombucha Not Grabbed, and other such Diverging Roads - Andrews’ Connection With Kevin (From “My Way,” 5 x 15) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/10e25c08-c0ab-4597-b4f8-3dd8cfcabc6b/Lim.jpg State of the #Shea - The Kombucha Not Grabbed, and other such Diverging Roads - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/f8b53849-8545-4438-83d0-dcc8659c7650/sign-+ROAD+CLOSED.jpg State of the #Shea - The Kombucha Not Grabbed, and other such Diverging Roads - Lim’s PTSD (I can’t cite an episode in S5 in which it was referenced) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/71b9d709-f540-4be5-9730-bf824f5dd503/Sayanora+Salen.jpg State of the #Shea - The Kombucha Not Grabbed, and other such Diverging Roads - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/3894ef6e-8b71-42c0-9316-6be213617f57/sign-+SHARP+LEFT.jpg State of the #Shea - The Kombucha Not Grabbed, and other such Diverging Roads - The Board Meeting Showdown (that wasn’t) (From “Cheat Day,” 5 x 10) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/e86c99b2-b865-447c-90ee-13aa1799006e/IMG-0113.jpg State of the #Shea - The Kombucha Not Grabbed, and other such Diverging Roads - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/7c3b2f65-e9cb-458d-b2e8-ce34a7f96c8d/sign-+Proceed+with+Caution.jpg State of the #Shea - The Kombucha Not Grabbed, and other such Diverging Roads - Shaun Coming to Terms With the Way ASD Impacts His Career (Episodes 5 x 3 through 5 x 8) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/e6e7e9df-140d-4e19-8b7c-2082a33fa830/Shea+Lea+office+Hard+Work.jpg State of the #Shea - The Kombucha Not Grabbed, and other such Diverging Roads - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/717f77fb-463b-415c-b661-a1503fedf180/sign-+Work+Zone.jpg State of the #Shea - The Kombucha Not Grabbed, and other such Diverging Roads - Shaun & Lea & Problem Solving Beyond the Cowbell (From “Yippee Ki-Yay,” 5 x 9) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/21003d99-5f72-4000-a410-16c2a1590a0e/Andrews+speech.jpg State of the #Shea - The Kombucha Not Grabbed, and other such Diverging Roads - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://kellimlawrence.com/stateofshea/s5-in-review-our-wish-list-revisited monthly 0.5 2022-07-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/db804639-9602-40c8-b659-f413ce19a8f8/TGD+NightWedMare+5.1.jpg State of the #Shea - S5 in Review: Our “Wish List,” Revisited - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/c96dee98-1c35-4e98-a395-cfc47b40ecc9/IMG-2952.jpg State of the #Shea - S5 in Review: Our “Wish List,” Revisited - It’s been a while, yes? A little longer than I intended (what else is new), but I started rehearsals for a local production of SHREK! The Musical at the start of June. Factor in transport for my two kids to their respective places of employment, and regular life/family necessities, and, well… here we are almost into mid-July. But in between tech rehearsals this past week and performances of the show that started a couple days ago, I put together something of substance (or at least length!) for you to read. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/0a84f23e-e11f-4f93-93b4-8be45dcbc0a1/TGD+SEASON+5+LOGO.jpg State of the #Shea - S5 in Review: Our “Wish List,” Revisited - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/6886fb62-2290-4ee7-bd50-7a1a03bd0d0f/TGD+5x4+Glassman+Salen.jpg State of the #Shea - S5 in Review: Our “Wish List,” Revisited - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/acc14263-ab11-44e4-a283-9399bf07db87/Shaun+Glassman+1.jpg State of the #Shea - S5 in Review: Our “Wish List,” Revisited - Make it stand out Does this count…?? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/7af10439-35e3-4be0-a4e5-2b33a68a4921/Shaun+and+Park.jpg State of the #Shea - S5 in Review: Our “Wish List,” Revisited - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/800a1bca-3922-4362-ab4f-db2996c00882/Lim+Mateo.jpg State of the #Shea - S5 in Review: Our “Wish List,” Revisited - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/344233cd-e63d-45ce-b7c9-482dd53a2dec/Lea+Morgan+break+room.jpg State of the #Shea - S5 in Review: Our “Wish List,” Revisited - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/77a0426a-f797-4f93-937b-1d1a3b208ec1/Parnick+nurses+station.jpg State of the #Shea - S5 in Review: Our “Wish List,” Revisited - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/e497bed2-587a-465e-9796-895163e28d4e/TGD+Glass+Andrews+5.1.jpg State of the #Shea - S5 in Review: Our “Wish List,” Revisited - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/c8a9a58b-2573-426a-bf56-fbe445de12c6/JordAsh+cheat+day.jpg State of the #Shea - S5 in Review: Our “Wish List,” Revisited - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/a41d554f-3aa2-4960-a843-6d1748767bde/Shaun+Park+Jordan+Crazytown.jpg State of the #Shea - S5 in Review: Our “Wish List,” Revisited - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/312477c5-3e42-45b3-850a-76b875c7d2d2/Shaun+No+Touch.jpg State of the #Shea - S5 in Review: Our “Wish List,” Revisited - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/83297d6d-a1f4-490e-a2c2-1831c229083e/IMG-2615.jpg State of the #Shea - S5 in Review: Our “Wish List,” Revisited - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/ad3dad77-c4e1-4f18-a7aa-44a3142bfb7e/Took+me+forever.jpg State of the #Shea - S5 in Review: Our “Wish List,” Revisited - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/366c58f6-c529-48be-9eeb-277b0126d1aa/IMG-1902.jpg State of the #Shea - S5 in Review: Our “Wish List,” Revisited - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/a2cf6ba8-b096-41cb-acfa-e160dce1149d/Lea+montage+5.1.jpg State of the #Shea - S5 in Review: Our “Wish List,” Revisited - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/564277e5-be15-45c2-82e4-f6280049992e/Shaun+Isla.jpg State of the #Shea - S5 in Review: Our “Wish List,” Revisited - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/7e0adcf6-53a5-48c8-b276-afd2dcf3c383/IMG-2460.jpg State of the #Shea - S5 in Review: Our “Wish List,” Revisited - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/91934401-91cf-4629-8495-4394ddda224b/IMG-2575.jpg State of the #Shea - S5 in Review: Our “Wish List,” Revisited - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/241a6821-165b-4d2a-a4c4-c4ff49629321/Why+Lie.jpg State of the #Shea - S5 in Review: Our “Wish List,” Revisited - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/aa80ec98-c1eb-4a71-85e0-9ac6e0074005/Got+a+minute+5x3.jpg State of the #Shea - S5 in Review: Our “Wish List,” Revisited - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/80268da4-f046-4bac-ab67-b5f98977a716/Party+0.jpg State of the #Shea - S5 in Review: Our “Wish List,” Revisited - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://kellimlawrence.com/stateofshea/state-of-the-shea-pt-59-our-love-will-guide-me-home-sons-pt-2 monthly 0.5 2022-09-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/db817832-8b79-4ee5-8bc4-74ac40984a7a/They+did+it.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 59: Our Love Will Guide Me Home (Sons, Pt. 2) - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/8d63f77f-89b0-450f-be99-c3c379fd1129/IMG-2588.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 59: Our Love Will Guide Me Home (Sons, Pt. 2) - I know I skipped over (for now) Glassman and Shaun’s pre-wedding moment, and left out (for now) Glassy’s redeeming speech/toast. But even without those things, Shaun and Lea’s wedding had everything it needed: vows, rings, formality, beauty, and of course, the best of both of them– both individually and collectively. So why is it that some #Shea fans came away a little disappointed when all was said and done? (Definitely some and not all fans, for many saw the wedding as perfect and I see no reason to begrudge them that vision.) (I hope you’ll hear me out either way.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1654037799530-4ZSV5D84EJJQTYI0X4QL/It%27s+real.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 59: Our Love Will Guide Me Home (Sons, Pt. 2) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1654037808696-FZ7Y98AU06Q4RXZ9RLGV/With+this+ring.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 59: Our Love Will Guide Me Home (Sons, Pt. 2) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1654037799172-TL9SW6DEDJI53FRKN6J0/Shaun+ring.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 59: Our Love Will Guide Me Home (Sons, Pt. 2) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1654056837323-C2MJN6UB1Q3ZWBGS622V/IMG-2595.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 59: Our Love Will Guide Me Home (Sons, Pt. 2) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1654056828356-JJZOB6TH8H0P4ZA98324/IMG-2602.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 59: Our Love Will Guide Me Home (Sons, Pt. 2) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1654056826674-TZHT1I92QWHXCW0OK5K0/IMG-2607.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 59: Our Love Will Guide Me Home (Sons, Pt. 2) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1654109668249-BB3TDB0P4EWFBDGK26SR/IMG-2629.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 59: Our Love Will Guide Me Home (Sons, Pt. 2) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1654109662760-AU6KOUE29GGMPRU40ZS4/IMG-2632.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 59: Our Love Will Guide Me Home (Sons, Pt. 2) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1654109662110-S9WPER39WRG74N39N9Z3/IMG-2633.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 59: Our Love Will Guide Me Home (Sons, Pt. 2) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1654109653837-K1RPFSJZLN77QJLU5MLH/IMG-2637.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 59: Our Love Will Guide Me Home (Sons, Pt. 2) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1654109652802-V22QO0WNJNFIBEDF6CVU/IMG-2638.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 59: Our Love Will Guide Me Home (Sons, Pt. 2) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/951211ad-e1e2-41bc-bc21-66db3d79e6ab/IMG-2508.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 59: Our Love Will Guide Me Home (Sons, Pt. 2) - In the same episode, we got the makings of a big fat lovely engagement party… complete with a beautiful toast by Lim, and pretty monstrous one by Glassman. (Which he more than made up for in “Sons,” I agree). The fallout from that toast seemed to ground Shaun and Lea a little, as expectations came down a notch or two but the resolve to make it happen grew stronger. We then got a series of small steps in the next half-dozen episodes– choosing a cake (or “cakes” as it were), guest list hints with the “Save the Date” cards, Shaun and Park getting fitted for tuxes… and finally, the test walk “down the aisle” in a cozy church with squeaky floorboards. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/55d745ab-589f-40d0-aa97-1c2fee22212c/IMG-2517.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 59: Our Love Will Guide Me Home (Sons, Pt. 2) - It took a couple of episodes (not enough, most would say, but that’s a discussion for another time) for those storms to settle, for Salen to make her way out of town, and for Glassman to re-invest himself. But when St. Bon’s hit the re-set button, it would appear Shaun and Lea did as well– not just formally (passing out “unsave-the-date” cards, followed by temporarily living in the moment, followed soon after by Shaun’s bended-knee version of the proposal), but informally too. Was Shaun’s cake idea now as DOA as that wedding site contract? What about the formalwear? What about Park as a groomsman? By episode 11 (“The Family”), the first post-Salen episode of S5, it felt like we were back to episode 1 where #Shea was concerned. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1654057187609-P7E4I4VA407YZ145VNDC/IMG-2560.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 59: Our Love Will Guide Me Home (Sons, Pt. 2) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1654057180631-G86CWB3XSSAWJ7PKK262/IMG-2567.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 59: Our Love Will Guide Me Home (Sons, Pt. 2) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1654057177167-U1T6BZ9LCWO7Y0ZNC67X/IMG-2568.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 59: Our Love Will Guide Me Home (Sons, Pt. 2) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1654057335537-THDJRBKUA5BUW8799U2P/IMG-2577.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 59: Our Love Will Guide Me Home (Sons, Pt. 2) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1654057333675-GWF4BM0C9XWLIE1V5URO/IMG-2584.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 59: Our Love Will Guide Me Home (Sons, Pt. 2) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1654057599580-Y53GKJ799TAYLDBIPTU9/IMG-2585.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 59: Our Love Will Guide Me Home (Sons, Pt. 2) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1654038043202-1UQ5M24GQNQRB046QYQN/IMG-2615.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 59: Our Love Will Guide Me Home (Sons, Pt. 2) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1654038043975-EQVGV4DSW0SNOBQAEGN3/IMG-2616.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 59: Our Love Will Guide Me Home (Sons, Pt. 2) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1654038052459-HGLPMRE2OA8YZ9C3BM4M/IMG-2622.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 59: Our Love Will Guide Me Home (Sons, Pt. 2) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1654053680117-UQO5RUJH2SC1NT31CCPN/IMG-2629.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 59: Our Love Will Guide Me Home (Sons, Pt. 2) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1654053674666-OUMOBYN99RAYS3TDRXN0/IMG-2632.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 59: Our Love Will Guide Me Home (Sons, Pt. 2) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1654053943939-OHTL56BGNH2FBSVNQ8ST/IMG-2633.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 59: Our Love Will Guide Me Home (Sons, Pt. 2) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1654053665679-VTZBPSSX3J0HXMX28HSC/IMG-2637.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 59: Our Love Will Guide Me Home (Sons, Pt. 2) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1654053664558-EHN4ML6WFNXO7924TWCM/IMG-2638.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 59: Our Love Will Guide Me Home (Sons, Pt. 2) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1654054235717-6QZGXOI973NJ2O9WSS2M/Party+0.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 59: Our Love Will Guide Me Home (Sons, Pt. 2) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1654054236668-ERW0AG7L1QP9XYNT8G19/Party+1.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 59: Our Love Will Guide Me Home (Sons, Pt. 2) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1654054371797-S9BO7SN1FLZNXX7AH3EK/IMG-2656.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 59: Our Love Will Guide Me Home (Sons, Pt. 2) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1654054372080-AKHBAG9KJKI9H7VKTWBD/IMG-2657.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 59: Our Love Will Guide Me Home (Sons, Pt. 2) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1654054351193-678MKT3NGVUOHJTIO7Y1/IMG-2658.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 59: Our Love Will Guide Me Home (Sons, Pt. 2) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1654054351115-4HG19R7GSUMC90LS9ECT/IMG-2659.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 59: Our Love Will Guide Me Home (Sons, Pt. 2) https://kellimlawrence.com/stateofshea/state-of-the-shea-pt-58-everything-is-happening-now-sons-part-1 monthly 0.5 2022-05-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/b640eb56-37a9-4544-89c3-303deb02fcfa/Shea+and+Glassy+wedding.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 58: Everything is Happening Now (“Sons” part 1) - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/4a69934c-37c8-48f7-be5d-e60bc7088be9/IMG-2586.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 58: Everything is Happening Now (“Sons” part 1) - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/3efefcee-a19e-4203-97ec-83d7b5d66f9e/IMG-2521.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 58: Everything is Happening Now (“Sons” part 1) - And on the whole, I’ve gotta say, they are incredibly good at this method of creation. See this funny little scene where Lea’s still trying to hand back wedding gifts, and Lim retorts “What am I gonna do with two blenders?” It came at the tail end of not one, but two brief walk-and-talk scenes at the top of Act 2: one with Shaun and Asher discussing Asher’s father, and one with Park and Morgan discussing both their patient and Morgan’s job interview. That’s three of the four storylines touched on in about one minute’s time! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1653356718296-NHZL5I60L41V7651A068/IMG-2522.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 58: Everything is Happening Now (“Sons” part 1) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1653356716771-AA47NCVZ8412C47IGQ9M/IMG-2523.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 58: Everything is Happening Now (“Sons” part 1) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/bcb14df8-3a27-4bd1-be20-62f4db30b624/Flowers+.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 58: Everything is Happening Now (“Sons” part 1) - The more notable example– again underscoring the domestic violence storyline– came when Jordan was too preoccupied with Asher’s situation to even give the “flower delivery guy” her momentary attention. Turned out the guy was Villanueva’s ex Owen… as we’d see later. (Asher’s story & Lim/Villanueva’s story both covered in about 10 seconds) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/d9488a5e-d0fa-48b3-a139-0c63c53676b2/IMG-2580.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 58: Everything is Happening Now (“Sons” part 1) - Operating Room scenes on TGD are often home to a peanut-gallery style of storyline input… so when it was Asher recalling good memories with his father while he was on the operating table (yeah… I know… we’ll get to that in a minute too), it wasn’t surprising to hear both Andrews and Jordan chime in with their own treasured tales about their dads. What WAS surprising, though, was Shaun silently tapping into a treasured memory of his own. We find out later in the episode that Glassman– his sidekick in the fishing recollection– literally tells Shaun It’ll be a good memory. But of course the point is that for the first time in such a situation, we don’t hear him matter-of-factly share an awful fact about his biological dad… a lovely, subtle hint of what’s to come between him and Glassman. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/f8fd60c7-6098-4650-b5e9-debb45cbf466/IMG-2538.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 58: Everything is Happening Now (“Sons” part 1) - Later on, this 30-second scene not only advanced Morgan’s hopes for her patient, but (because the clip Lea was working with happened to be said patient’s wedding video) also fueled Lea’s growing regret about the courthouse elopement idea. Again, two storylines progressing for the price of one short scene! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1679e851-2e50-47ff-8fd9-0a5049d5fbf6/Shaun+Asher+parents.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 58: Everything is Happening Now (“Sons” part 1) - Make it stand out Asher and his parents: nearly 19 minutes https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/31052978-97dc-42cc-9b88-b309e051e2b8/Shaunvision+Sons.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 58: Everything is Happening Now (“Sons” part 1) - Here’s the thing: Asher's story (which we’ve heard about since day one of his time on TGD) was very important, and commanded its own day. Since Asher and Shaun have a commonality of sorts with their Dad issues, and this episode was also used for Shaun to finally acknowledge the father-son bond he’s long had with Glassman, I see why TGD put them together. That said, I was sad to “do the math” and discover that Asher’s story ate up nearly twice as much airtime as Shaun/Lea/Glassman’s did. (Even if it DID allow them to sneak in a moment of ShaunVision.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/7eea98a1-cdda-4c9f-9cd8-e7c4dd54000e/IMG-2540.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 58: Everything is Happening Now (“Sons” part 1) - (And to see how Asher redefines “anger management” once he’s in the cafeteria… was there anyone watching who wasn’t wowed at the size of that piece of cake?) But I digress. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/6776a415-c69a-409a-920c-72922779cb05/IMG-2554.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 58: Everything is Happening Now (“Sons” part 1) - One big contributor was Asher’s big talk with his mother in the chapel (or whatever they’re calling it these days; wasn’t this space gutted by Salen earlier in the season? Did they resurrect it (pun intended)? But I digress again…) It was a doozy of a scene for these two, extremely well-written and acted, particularly by Noah Galvin. And it would’ve been tough to cut it down past the 3:38 it took for Asher to both lay it all out for himself and show deep compassion for his parents simultaneously. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/2f3a6a88-cecd-4d87-9252-cd1f27d0e3b8/Bridge+of+sorrows.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 58: Everything is Happening Now (“Sons” part 1) - Make it stand out If the St. Bonaventure bridge could speak… oh, the sad tales it could tell https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/08788b8c-8d7e-4b36-a72f-9629a580c178/IMG-2510.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 58: Everything is Happening Now (“Sons” part 1) - Make it stand out Shaun/Lea/Glassman scenes: 9 minutes 10 seconds https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/2df999d0-d3c2-4a33-bba9-7c3ce83cb7ac/IMG-2543.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 58: Everything is Happening Now (“Sons” part 1) - Much like this desk of Lea’s popping up in the server room out of nowhere (what, is her office being painted?), some things make more sense if you just stop thinking so hard about them. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/3dc2e63c-7350-464b-9318-cf9ebff0a7f2/IMG-2563.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 58: Everything is Happening Now (“Sons” part 1) - But, hey, why make it make sense? My quick take on the wedding itself (to tide you over till next week): It was minimalistic elegance It was not disappointing in my eyes, because as Shaun said earlier in the season (paraphrased): “Any day that I marry Lea will be a good day.” THEY ARE MARRIED NOW. That’s what counts. But it’s also not how I’d have written it. Not by a longshot. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/6bc58a16-5de6-4b4d-87e0-88209a9e164c/Parnick+at+wedding.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 58: Everything is Happening Now (“Sons” part 1) - Make it stand out Park & Morgan scenes: 16 minutes 19 seconds (But if you subtract the Shabbat sequence and the wedding sequence, they only had 7:04.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/3bf26801-98f8-4992-9a47-fb2a8029cfd7/IMG-2536.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 58: Everything is Happening Now (“Sons” part 1) - Something was coming with these two– it felt apparent from the “Potluck” episode onward– but a job offer for Morgan on the other side of the country was not on my shortlist. Maybe it should’ve been, though: As Lim summed up while she and Park were in the OR: “As long as she’s at St. Bon’s, she’ll be seen as the doctor who used to be a surgeon but can’t be anymore.” But– quick– when’s the last time Morgan’s RA came up AT ALL on TGD? It was “Vamos”... a whole year ago. Point being, if it’s a reason Morgan is leaning on as she makes her decision, it would’ve been nice to see the RA crop up a time or two sooner than this. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/a7222169-4514-4157-b8fa-f38115806cd9/IMG-2511.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 58: Everything is Happening Now (“Sons” part 1) - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/f7111da8-708b-45a6-8f2f-642b5a02a085/IMG-2594.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 58: Everything is Happening Now (“Sons” part 1) - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://kellimlawrence.com/stateofshea/state-of-the-shea-pt-57-it-was-called-the-lea-show-right monthly 0.5 2022-09-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/dee633cc-27ba-4652-a8dc-d34db05c8323/I+can%27t+wait+to+marry+you.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 57: It WAS called “The Lea Show,” right?? - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/e2f6a317-5fdc-41d5-9971-65233ba60a56/IMG-2416.PNG State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 57: It WAS called “The Lea Show,” right?? - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/c6177b84-4611-44cb-b0c9-d28af308d900/IMG-2419.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 57: It WAS called “The Lea Show,” right?? - PRO: As for the whole notion that the reality show wedding plan was turning Shaun and Lea into a different kind of bride/groomzilla… one who is reaching so hard for something unnatural, in the name of pleasing the other, that they almost lose themselves along the way… Yeah, I get it, and I agree with those who indicated #Shea’s final scenes in this episode “saved” it– sparing us from the disappointment brought by much of the episode. Anyway, it started here, when Lea was about to be whisked off in the limobus and Shaun tugged at the serving plate as if to say Hey, wait, I just made all these pancakes with 11 chocolate chips apiece and you’re leaving?! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/acf0fc20-5efe-43c1-bf24-15812d7ae980/IMG-2421.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 57: It WAS called “The Lea Show,” right?? - (Lea caught the look and made sure to take some pancakes with her on the journey, kissing her “soon-to-be-husband” in the process. Awww.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/0eb463a5-b9f1-46f6-a27b-595c14f54976/IMG-2436.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 57: It WAS called “The Lea Show,” right?? - PRO: They didn’t waste any time getting back to Villanueva’s story (OK I looked it up; apparently her first name is Dalisay, but I swear I’ve never heard it used on the show…?) And it’s ramping up too, as this time Villanueva’s lackluster efforts put a patient’s life in jeopardy. This definitely looks to be going somewhere. (It also provided an undercurrent for the Lim/Claire tension that emerged, which was interesting… and perhaps prompted Lim’s decision to invite the nurse to stay with her… but for me, the undercurrent was unwelcome. Again, it became The Claire Show rather than The Lea Show. But I digress…) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/32ebcc8e-2e29-46be-9c0e-37608bd103ff/IMG-2474.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 57: It WAS called “The Lea Show,” right?? - PRO: It’s always good to see where #Parnick is in their relationship, and the Great Breadmaker Debate was an interesting pathway… especially if you circle back to the “Potluck” episode, which ended with Morgan staying mum on Park’s we’re-too-opposite-to-sustain-this-relationship talk (made while he was tripping). On the surface, the breadmaker purchase was a cute debate/power struggle easily resolved. But could it be a precursor to something bigger? Or did that “marriage counseling” bit at the end of their church interview just hit me the wrong way? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/cb2fa6d3-bb09-4d74-ba45-5edd06d54b30/IMG-2424.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 57: It WAS called “The Lea Show,” right?? - Interview clips from Shaun, Claire, Morgan, and/or Glassman on “When I first met Lea…” (the Glassman edition of this would’ve been epic!) Lea being asked about her brother, and why he (apparently) wasn’t invited to the wedding. Lea talking about last year’s pregnancy (or at least trying to). Lea talking about her feelings when Shaun was trapped in the brewpub after the earthquake. Lea sharing whatever feelings she had when Shaun was dating Carly. Lea sharing (what many of us feel to be) The Night That Changed Everything (episode 3x10 “Friends & Family”) Lea talking about how she was inspired to propose to Shaun in Guatemala. Lea’s parents talking about Lea and/or Shaun. (Or for a REAL curveball… Lea’s brother Donnie talking about Lea, with Lea not finding out he was interviewed until the show aired on Hulu) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/ed089fba-4ac9-4ffc-b3ea-43a4376d54ae/IMG-2435.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 57: It WAS called “The Lea Show,” right?? - COULD’VE BEEN A “PRO” IF ONLY THEY’D BEEN A PART OF THE REALITY SHOW THAT WE COULD SEE: Lea’s parents getting mentioned as on their way in, getting greeted by cameras at the airport, etc. (Let’s hope the writers don’t forget any of this when we DO see Pam and Mike again… Pam complaining about the reality show thing (and Lea’s encouragement of it) could be a legit bone of contention in the future.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/4b3b9c60-fabc-4001-8328-1c328c999302/IMG-2445.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 57: It WAS called “The Lea Show,” right?? - ACT 3: “… This is what the occasion calls for” CON: So we’re finally to Lea trying on dresses, and if they were going to go frothy with this episode and light on the confessionals… As they chose to do… The one thing I really would have enjoyed was it perfectly clichéd montage of Lea trying on all kinds of gowns, all kinds of hats and veils, shoes, accessories, you name it. What we got instead was Lea seeming to settle on “the one” quickly… perhaps because of her now-distorted idea of what the wedding should look like, but also because they simply didn’t have time… in the reality show or the real one. (One saving grace… Jordan pointed out a dress that looked “more like Lea” and based on the promos, it does look as if that’s the dress Lea will be wearing in the finale.) CON: Lim and Claire’s tense discussion post-op on whether or not Claire can cut it as Chief of Surgery in Guatemala… did it need to be like this for her return? The tension; these two at odds rather than discussing the battered woman thing like friends? (If you needed drama, guys, again… Lea’s miscarriage, her brother, her tough times with Shaun…) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/bbd7eb6f-3bd0-40a5-bd0e-17d2c3444bc1/IMG-2450.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 57: It WAS called “The Lea Show,” right?? - The Huevos Rancheros (with salsa verde) scene PRO and CON: I will never turn down the opportunity to see these two and a scene together… Any scene… Having said that, the huevos rancheros felt itself like a missed opportunity. Obviously it was Shaun trying hard to accommodate her, and Lea overselling her dress, which prompted Shaun to double down on his commitment to trying (by way of the suit)… it was a scene faithful enough to what TGD was trying to sell in this episode, but to be honest it would have made more sense if they had NOT had time to spend here, sitting down for a meal it would seem they’d have no time for anyway. (Were we not at 28 hours and counting at this point?) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/7fa603c5-cc66-4df6-b229-08ca4452d44a/IMG-2457.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 57: It WAS called “The Lea Show,” right?? - CON: The suit fitting in the resident’s lounge. As big a deal as the right fit and feel is for Shaun… to have a stereotypical tailor on hand bitching in so many words about Shaun being difficult made me wonder… are we back to Sophie and the show exploiting Shaun? Claire’s presence was helpful; I appreciated her trying to be the voice of reason in this case. Too bad Shaun was too much in his head at that point to hear her. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/8b506a78-700a-4c0d-b37d-0175c40ac1bf/IMG-2460.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 57: It WAS called “The Lea Show,” right?? - (The following ALL pertains to what was supposed to be Shaun’s bachelor party”Stag Night”) PRO: Shaun & Claire’s mood about Lucho while in the Limo… on point. CON: They were on their way to a strip club. (OK, “Gentlemen’s Club”... which is a fancy and hella ironic name for a strip club). CON: Shaun was spiraling about how his failure to save Lucho meant he’d also be a failure as a husband… If he’d just said “failure as a groom” it would have been more believable. CON: THEY were on their way TO A STRIP. CLUB. PRO: Glassy, thank the Lord, spoke for all of us when he said “You’re kidding, right"?” CON: But why didn’t everyone take one look and say WTF? (And, um, why was Claire at “Stag Night” at all?? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/6dc5af6d-8b78-4c29-9b4d-8ba4459f66d9/IMG-2461.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 57: It WAS called “The Lea Show,” right?? - PRO: ShaunVision sparks by way of the neon sign visible upon entry, so we quickly see the bachelor party ritual isn’t gonna happen anyway. … And if they went through all that nonsense just for Shaun to get a vision from neon, I’d have taken them to a diner that serves pancakes all night. With an obnoxious neon sign in the window. Problem solved. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/e37b33a5-47ae-4ed1-a9a2-3d59a3cdc2cc/IMG-2462.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 57: It WAS called “The Lea Show,” right?? - Make it stand out (Ah, Shaun, much of the #Shea fandom was asking themselves the same question after this episode…) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/c471f773-ba57-4d85-95be-0ab53d0c62b5/Lea+w+veil.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 57: It WAS called “The Lea Show,” right?? - JUST A NOTE HERE: when I saw the CTV promo last week, in which we got a peek at Lea and her wedding hair extensions, I had a thought: What if she’s grudgingly going along with the increased artifice of the event– the seat fillers, the dress with the train (which she stated earlier in the season she did not want), the fussiness over Shaun’s suit, hair extensions… but then she sees Shaun just ahead of the ceremony, and the only thing he immediately notes are the hair extensions? In other words, pointing out quickly and bluntly (as Shaun does at times) that she looks fake? Could that be the tipping point for her to say “OK, that does it–” then yanked off the veil and extensions, took Shaun by the hand, and marched up to the front of the church to tell everyone there’d be no wedding? But as it was instead laid out, the artifice was basically being accepted by both of them– for the sake of the other– until they had their much-more-subdued cancellation of the day’s plans “backstage.” He never even batted an eye at those extensions! (But to be fair, his primary focus had shifted to getting through the ceremony with that cummerbund on.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/4416c6c6-a6ec-44c5-abf1-cbd9da8690fe/IMG-2477.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 57: It WAS called “The Lea Show,” right?? - CON: The #Jasher stuff. Calling out #Shea (which read on my closed captioning as “Hashtag She-ah”) was indeed adorable, and the matching suit debate was fine; but they got a full 45 seconds in front of the reality show cameras with their bantering when I was lamenting the lack of Lea stuff in a big bad way. (There were also some lines in there that simply made no sense, but maybe one of you will be more than happy to point that out in the comments!) So call me nitpicky here, but I say that should’ve been shortened to 15 or 20 seconds and the rest could’ve been at least a tiny montage of shots alluding to that bachelorette party I mentioned earlier… (Hashtag “sorry not sorry.”) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/da98a9f4-b219-4ab8-ac6d-aa3c82ebdf1d/Shaun+Glassman+boutanierre.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 57: It WAS called “The Lea Show,” right?? - PRO: Glassman and Shaun’s little boutonniere-pinning scene…for Shaun strategizing between the wedding ceremony rituals and his need to shed his jacket and cumberbund ASAP was total Shaun, and Glassman’s responses, in turn, were total Glassman. One problem, though… CON: Shaun and Claire got back on the limobus, went straight to St. Bons, and (by themselves??) worked through the night to perform whatever that was Shaun blurted out in the parking lot and save young Lucho. When we got to Shaun and Claire’s sweet scene, Shaun’s watch looked to read about 6:00 AM. Even if you don’t take into account how fricking exhausted Shaun had to be at that point (I know insane hours go with the territory, but on your wedding day…?), the Glassman scene that follows makes no sense in that Shaun says– about practice-wearing that dang Gosling suit– “Last night, I wore it for 2 minutes, and then 5, and then 10… I got up to 44 minutes.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1c95f160-3f0c-4de7-b316-f5281cd69950/But+not+like+this.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 57: It WAS called “The Lea Show,” right?? - PRO: The “Gosling and Markle… but not Shaun and Lea” scene. It wasn’t perfect, but it was sweet… they looked lovely in a way we’ll likely never see again… and it finally crystallized what was going so wrong with their big day (in mostly Lea’s words; at least it was her show in THAT regard). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/fa267c3b-16e8-4af2-b36f-3347ca514297/Not+today.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 57: It WAS called “The Lea Show,” right?? - CON: Breaking the news to Sophie. I mean, Shaun and Lea did the best they could with that, and Sophie was exceedingly kind to do little more than shake her head, cluck her tongue, and send them on their way… And that’s the problem that TGD couldn’t really solve with this scenario. Had this kind of thing happened on a “real” reality show, there could have been lawsuits… a wealth of hurt feelings… and a whole mess of drama. But obviously the show is as ready to move past the 3-episode reality detour as the fans are, so the only solution was to make Sophie the most understanding producer in the universe. It’s a wrap. Send the seat fillers home, donate all the food to charity. (But more importantly, say the rest of us, NO MORE STALLING. The REAL wedding day is just about here!) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/3a8cd63d-f140-42d9-8798-bc1d03f4263a/On+the+bus+wider+shot.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 57: It WAS called “The Lea Show,” right?? - PRO: That back-of-the-bus shot It would seem that, somewhere along the way, “The Lea Show” writers The Davids (Hoselton and Renaud) had a vision of Shaun and Lea riding off to parts unknown in the back of a bus while Lea was still visibly dressed as a bride– just as Ben and Elaine did in the final moments of the 1967 classic The Graduate. I can’t help but love any nods to that iconic film, so even though #Shea’s story is nothing like Ben and Elaine’s, I can embrace the idea of a highly unique couple breaking from the traditional pageantry of a high-budget wedding at the very last minute. Where were they headed, though? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/f8f95358-b8be-47c4-a55b-21d9b212e804/IMG-2417.PNG State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 57: It WAS called “The Lea Show,” right?? - Most of y’all think they simply headed home on that bus… and we’ll know soon enough if they did. But the bus itself didn’t look like a typical metropolitan bus, so I couldn’t help but wonder if it might be chartered… or some kind of shuttle bus… en route to the airport. Or a train station. Or some other means to lead to Shaun and Lea eloping… possibly at the top of the “Sons” episode. But of course they probably didn’t want us to overthink the bus, or where it was headed. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/3f9d00c9-5dec-41f9-a4ab-a5961b18313b/Bus+close+up.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 57: It WAS called “The Lea Show,” right?? - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://kellimlawrence.com/stateofshea/state-of-the-shea-pt-57-the-show-within-the-shaun-show monthly 0.5 2022-05-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/131dc90a-580a-48b4-a584-45da8636c896/Kitchen+shot.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 56: True Confessions Within “The Shaun Show” - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/9538be46-7517-49d7-92c2-c272665897a0/IMG-2256.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 56: True Confessions Within “The Shaun Show” - The biggest dramatic and/or climactic moments of the season came in two waves, much earlier than usual, via “Expired” (5x7) and “Cheat Day” (5x10). Any “will they or won’t they?” drama with regards to Shaun and Lea actually becoming husband and wife, has already come and gone. (Unless you mean will they or won’t they get married with Sophie’s cameras rolling– which does indeed remain TBD.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/39a63dd1-fa60-4e14-9a7d-0151e9a15493/IMG-2258.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 56: True Confessions Within “The Shaun Show” - Any post-Salen power struggles at the top were resolved by way of the “Potluck” episode (5x13), thanks to Asher’s sweet potatoes and a mutual love for Spiderman between Andrews and Lim. And any end-of-fifth-year-residency drama that might play out…? It would seem that, as of “The Shaun Show,” we’ve seen that too. Though to be honest, I’m not sure what milestones we’re supposed to be looking for… or if five seasons equates to five years in TGD time. (I’m thinking of Lea’s comment during “Cheat Day” that indicated Shaun still had one year to go in the St. Bon’s program.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/6651c084-6b8d-4dcf-9b90-3b86c17eab7b/IMG-2259.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 56: True Confessions Within “The Shaun Show” Aside from #Shea becoming Mr. and Mrs. #Shea– which I have no doubt WILL happen, one way or another– what awaits us in “The Lea Show” (5x17) and “Sons” (5x18)? The how will they ever overcome ________ by season’s end questions of the past 3 years aren’t in place this time. And though many of us feel we could be suitably entertained with a wedding and/or extended reception galvanizing these upcoming two hours of airtime, we know that’s not how David Shore and company will see it– right? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/e5638196-b0c0-4229-b5d6-e41321bfaf01/80329.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 56: True Confessions Within “The Shaun Show” I should add that I don’t think a lot of fans are particularly delighted with the idea of St. Bonaventure as a wedding venue “on paper”… nonetheless, it’s considered a very real possibility. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/57fa62ff-826b-472e-b1a1-7038a34ed98d/6872.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 56: True Confessions Within “The Shaun Show” - I feel like I should have put some laugh emojis on this one! Or, I shouldn’t have put an option on this list that was halfway feasible, like a road trip… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/db06ef06-7cd0-4675-92d1-9dfa91067935/IMG-2273.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 56: True Confessions Within “The Shaun Show” - Such as the way Asher was cheesin’ it up in front of Sophie’s cameras early in the episode… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/3f077215-555f-4c88-b32d-ff2ced876acf/IMG-2278.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 56: True Confessions Within “The Shaun Show” When he and Jordan weren’t trying to capture the perfect SHAUNVISION look, that is. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/0d4aec63-dfe8-4d9d-b17a-01abde841f8b/IMG-2282.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 56: True Confessions Within “The Shaun Show” On a much less lighthearted note was Nurse Villanueva opening up to Lim about the abusive relationship in which she finds herself. Villanueva has been on TGD for years, but aside from the miscarriages she’s had (as revealed to Lea during last season’s “Letting Go” episode), her personal life has stayed as personal as any other minor, recurring character on the show. The timing of this subplot is interesting, late in the season as it is. To be continued… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/79031942-e764-48de-834c-4e6acd5f94d0/IMG-2358.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 56: True Confessions Within “The Shaun Show” - Meanwhile, Park’s “test” as a resident left me a little curious as to Park’s future as a doctor. Not so much his handling of the case– nearly un-handling it to Lim as he did– although that certainly did speak to possible confidence issues. My bigger interest stemmed from his overwhelming need to grant his firefighter patient’s wish to return to work. Maybe it was all about the profession at hand, and its proximity to the police force Park used to be a part of. But could it be that Park is on his way to finding out he isn’t cut out to be a lead surgeon? Or am I simply comparing his demeanor too closely with Shaun’s? It’s very possible. It’s not like he gave up the case. But he sure did think about it… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/cd15a623-b3fd-43ca-a100-cab1517a2fbc/IMG-2307.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 56: True Confessions Within “The Shaun Show” - And last but hardly least of the “mentions” goes to Glassman’s brief interview with Sophie. Wow, did TGD nail it with this part. For starters we had Glassman gently being reminded by Sophie to please incorporate her question into his answer; saying “No” in response to something makes absolutely no sense if you’ve no idea what the something is. As many times as producers find themselves giving those same directions before an interview starts rolling, there are plenty who need it repeated… and repeated… (And “can you elaborate”? On Sophie’s part is another way to get reluctant, taciturn subjects like Glassman to please, please do their part.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/b6092934-6f50-43e7-ae64-09b71780de84/IMG-2300.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 56: True Confessions Within “The Shaun Show” I especially enjoyed that Glassman conducted the entire interview in the doorway of his office– why let Sophie and her crew get comfortable in his workspace when he can convey the can’t-be-bothered look of keeping everyone in the hallway? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/72f45e35-cb1e-4a0a-840d-4878882d1da8/Glass+grimace.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 56: True Confessions Within “The Shaun Show” As for his responses about not being Shaun’s protector anymore– they were honest, forthright, and (to me, at least) still quite sad. Not because he conveys an ounce of dismay or disappointment in admitting Shaun “grew up and met Lea”-- for he doesn’t. But at the heart of it all, despite his re-dedication to St. Bon’s, Glassman is still a man unsure of what to do with the rest of his life now that his relationship with Shaun is changing. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/f9d09dab-91d2-40f8-8959-6da2f38df8e9/IMG-2265.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 56: True Confessions Within “The Shaun Show” - But she had to know Shaun would have a lot more to say on the subject– and that Sophie would follow up on it eventually. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/25fbde29-35f5-4959-b1d9-557a834cc849/IMG-2285.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 56: True Confessions Within “The Shaun Show” - Perhaps Lea thought they were on a safe enough track with Sophie pitching softball questions like What do you love about each other? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/301ae853-58c2-4e68-8fe3-da9a2d78b689/Truth+or+hope.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 56: True Confessions Within “The Shaun Show” - And maybe Lea truly felt in control of the situation with the realization that Sophie would ditch Shaun’s “mistake” footage at Shaun’s request… (I thought it clever of them to have Shaun pose it as a truth-vs-hope question, only to realize by episode’s end that the truth WAS hope in this particular case.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/8d74a9db-7048-47b1-a477-5cc838d78aad/IMG-2328.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 56: True Confessions Within “The Shaun Show” So by the time Sophie seized a Shaun-less moment and asked this particular “what changed?” question… " https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/411072a3-5f9d-4ebd-b1b2-cbd53a92ff25/IMG-2327.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 56: True Confessions Within “The Shaun Show” So by the time Sophie seized a Shaun-less moment and asked this particular “what changed?” question… Lea’s smile took a gut-punch and quickly withered away in anger. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/ec4a8112-b588-4e4c-b0ec-18cacccb1002/IMG-2330.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 56: True Confessions Within “The Shaun Show” - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/f6ec3ff4-e856-47a1-97a7-0cc304bcb53d/IMG-2331.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 56: True Confessions Within “The Shaun Show” - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/e981ca4d-50cb-4254-8a90-acfd06b1a978/IMG-2332.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 56: True Confessions Within “The Shaun Show” - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/05bec196-fe76-48c8-8abf-6c3ad9a9a447/IMG-2335.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 56: True Confessions Within “The Shaun Show” - What followed between Sophie and Lea immediately afterward was brilliant. (I mean, look at the eyebrow pop on Lea! Damn!) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/f87995d2-819b-41c9-ad45-20a6ac662e73/IMG-2337.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 56: True Confessions Within “The Shaun Show” - But think about it. Lea was two years removed from those tough, crushing days of words she didn’t want to say at the time and dread even more in their recollection. Then came the conversation with Shaun a few months back that brought it all up, freshly unbearable. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/f4464d5e-0a13-46a3-a176-00ae371ebd64/IMG-2339.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 56: True Confessions Within “The Shaun Show” - And now, Lea finds herself in the midst of a producer urging her to share that “low point” (as Sophie called it) with the rest of the world. I’d probably run too. At first. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/dba65cb1-8747-4907-99cb-2676366ddadf/IMG-2342.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 56: True Confessions Within “The Shaun Show” - But Sophie was dead-on in her urging for Lea to be real about the situation. She HAD to be, after all… how do you do a show about an ASD/NT couple, find out said couple almost didn’t get together at all because of the NT side’s misgivings… and NOT include something about it? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/a0392a5d-7e1b-4dda-a3a2-26bbba0eecc4/IMG-2344.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 56: True Confessions Within “The Shaun Show” As I watched Lea’s long-awaited “confessional” on the matter, my first thought was Did she cover it all? I mean, of course it wasn’t much time… were they really going to have her recalling the long, awful night of the earthquake as part of her realization story? (I reserve the right to retract that rhetorical question if the earthquake comes up in “The Lea Show”) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/8807e760-9c43-46ef-b977-7e0abe6bd224/IMG-2359.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 56: True Confessions Within “The Shaun Show” - What we had instead was the following… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/c3b57931-216b-47b1-9ee6-57958d98b191/IMG-2360.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 56: True Confessions Within “The Shaun Show” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/f058059d-4f89-4ffd-8690-f252e640d72b/IMG-2361.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 56: True Confessions Within “The Shaun Show” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/cc991bd1-5409-4492-84f4-d4cdbfbe5b70/IMG-2362.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 56: True Confessions Within “The Shaun Show” - For a long time, I didn’t think I could be with someone like Shaun. I thought we were too different, that I would have to compromise too much. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/0b532bf3-6730-4ba2-9d46-79831af659a0/IMG-2365.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 56: True Confessions Within “The Shaun Show” - And I worried what people would think of us… of me… and I didn’t want to be seen as different. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/b046971e-f3ca-4039-96fd-aa09d0ae8d17/IMG-2371.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 56: True Confessions Within “The Shaun Show” - (What changed?) Me… because of how Shaun saw me, he made me believe that I am stronger than I give myself credit for. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/2f569a59-1c53-49a1-9bee-e51d0d5689ed/IMG-2374.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 56: True Confessions Within “The Shaun Show” - And that together, we are enough… more than enough. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/dd431758-8e17-4fe7-a69b-7530794747a8/Blindfold+reveal.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 56: True Confessions Within “The Shaun Show” - So NOW can we see them married soon? Like soon soon? PLEASE?? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/5ed7049d-7a94-4e4d-bfe2-13aa23a8773f/Claire.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 56: True Confessions Within “The Shaun Show” - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/ad330cc7-ac8d-4b7f-84f3-4a39e3985c51/I%27ve+been+missing+you.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 56: True Confessions Within “The Shaun Show” - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/b4c9785e-268b-42f4-9aa8-2d0cf88e7bfa/IMG-2378.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 56: True Confessions Within “The Shaun Show” - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://kellimlawrence.com/stateofshea/tvsquirkiestcouplehuh monthly 0.5 2022-05-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/7fc46439-683a-41a6-a948-ac2071987e17/IMG-2112.jpg State of the #Shea - TV’s “Quirkiest Couple,” Huh? - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/85d8e2e1-d812-4ea4-8451-9c497386b0e5/reality+tv.jpg State of the #Shea - TV’s “Quirkiest Couple,” Huh? - It doesn’t, of course. Among many other subdivisions, there’s “reality” as contests/game shows (The Amazing Race, American Idol), “reality” as pseudo-voyeurism (The Kardashians), and even “reality” as, well, reality (COPS). In fact, as this article indicates, this genre that seems to have been invented in the 1990s and grown exponentially in the 2000s…actually dates back to the earliest version of Candid Camera, which launched in the late 1940s. When simply having a basic black-and-white television made you the coolest family on the block… or so my mom told me. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/7fbd7a80-a83b-4717-b169-4525dae36089/IMG-2190.jpg State of the #Shea - TV’s “Quirkiest Couple,” Huh? - And then also taking a closer look at the “source” of this particular quote… Yep, ABC went the extra mile on this one! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/9463f086-0ac7-463d-8475-b343e5aed1ff/IMG-2215.PNG State of the #Shea - TV’s “Quirkiest Couple,” Huh? - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/15ea5077-0cb9-471b-8d24-b9fdfba43b9d/IMG-2216.PNG State of the #Shea - TV’s “Quirkiest Couple,” Huh? - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/6fbc9e4c-c54e-46ae-a998-a6082a955afc/IMG-2223.PNG State of the #Shea - TV’s “Quirkiest Couple,” Huh? - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/3a48b314-f91f-4db7-b24a-4ac36d67c9bd/IMG-2219.PNG State of the #Shea - TV’s “Quirkiest Couple,” Huh? - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/f9486f02-8462-4772-ad83-75e21e97f09c/IMG-2221.PNG State of the #Shea - TV’s “Quirkiest Couple,” Huh? - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/bf62545d-5bfa-4ac3-a327-716a5d18b6a1/IMG-2217.PNG State of the #Shea - TV’s “Quirkiest Couple,” Huh? - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/089eb90c-f518-4082-9aba-0e4626e2ae74/IMG-2218.PNG State of the #Shea - TV’s “Quirkiest Couple,” Huh? - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/845b48fd-ac4a-4f39-926f-1abb2d16d2bf/IMG-2226.PNG State of the #Shea - TV’s “Quirkiest Couple,” Huh? - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/9a54189c-91c7-493c-b8b2-b533bac82fc0/IMG-2225.PNG State of the #Shea - TV’s “Quirkiest Couple,” Huh? - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/9831640f-d671-4919-822c-882f3cab708d/IMG-2220.PNG State of the #Shea - TV’s “Quirkiest Couple,” Huh? - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://kellimlawrence.com/stateofshea/state-of-the-shea-pt-55-why-try-to-change-them-now-my-way monthly 0.5 2022-05-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/ca2f7012-d321-4ac5-9667-6afbe48c4349/Shea+My+Way+or+Shaun+Show.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 55: Why Try To Change Them Now? (“My Way”) - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/bef21c70-887d-4864-ae39-21dbfb997132/Andrews+Kevin.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 55: Why Try To Change Them Now? (“My Way”) - And Now Let’s Talk About My Way And Now, Let’s Talk About My Way https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/ecfd891a-d35c-436b-b628-31c780ff7983/IMG-2083.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 55: Why Try To Change Them Now? (“My Way”) - Dr. Marcus “Carlton” Andrews and POTW Kevin Aside from the obvious question that came to mind for me… How did the super-swamped president of the hospital suddenly find time to drop everything and become this kid’s doctor?… This was an excellent subplot. And so many people sang Hill Harper’s praises on Twitter for his Carlton Dance— everything from being greatly entertained to providing relief for their all-consuming depression— I felt bad for joking about how lame it was. (The lamness was the point, Kelli. Jeez.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/e2786edd-38c8-46b6-b2ad-f2543c5b98c0/Andrews+group+home.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 55: Why Try To Change Them Now? (“My Way”) - With their bonding over dyslexia and art, coupled with Kevin’s opening up about the source of his injuries, many viewers took note of Andrews’ profound compassion for Kevin and his group-home situation… leading many to wonder if Andrews would step in and take Kevin on as a foster child. I mean, Andrews took a field trip to discuss the matter and everything. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/fd71c895-7bf3-4727-b47d-e8e61a8a29d8/Lea+Jordan+device.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 55: Why Try To Change Them Now? (“My Way”) - Make it stand out The DilAllen Device (Jordan, Lea, Glassman) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/867622c2-aa8f-42f6-ad74-cd1ab774eb52/IMG-2123.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 55: Why Try To Change Them Now? (“My Way”) - Speaking of the sorta-kinda-almost-father-in-law… Let’s start with that early coffeeshop scene. It seemed almost delete-worthy on the surface (note I didn’t even get a screen grab of it), but I think it was there to remind us that Glassy’s on a journey this season. It was a literal journey for a while, but now he’s firmly planted both at home and at St. Bon’s… while still figuring out where he is in life. He’s single (again), aging (was compared to a grandfather in this scene), and perhaps in this episode, for the “aging” reason alone, he’s feeling an extra need to stay relevant/connect with the younger generation. No wonder he became eager to collaborate on (not just “endorse”) Jordan and Lea’s project, huh? But… he’s got a lot to learn about this process. (As do they.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/80f3e68e-84e1-4699-b1f0-2c61936f5c03/IMG-2124.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 55: Why Try To Change Them Now? (“My Way”) - Then he felt the need to call them ladies… why call out their gender at all unless you’re using it (consciously or otherwise) to further minimize them? (Personally I’m just grateful he didn’t call Lea and Jordan gals… UGHHHH. Nothing rubs me the wrong way more than gals.) Strike three… BUT, then he went on to use the word “but”... aka ignore what I just said because here comes the way I truly feel. (“You ladies have a multimillion-dollar idea here, and it’s great, but I’m suggesting you’ll have a billion-dollar idea if you listen to me!”) Strike four?! There is no strike four. He’s already out. Except then Lea steps up to bat… And points out strikes one, two, and three. To which Glassy yelps “Sorry??” and then tells Lea that Jordan is being too sensitive. (We’re into extra innings with the strikes at this point, and I know I’m mixing my baseball metaphors now but to quote both S2 Lea and Dua Lipa, IDGAF.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/2c493576-bd04-4cc9-a888-572dd6432c94/Glassy+Morgan.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 55: Why Try To Change Them Now? (“My Way”) - So how the hell did the three of them to where they got by episode’s end? Enter Morgan, who didn’t even have to be in the room to summarize the situation perfectly: “While some of your symptoms overlap with toxic masculinity, your real underlying issue is Boss Syndrome. Which is very treatable: SHUT UP. You’re used to leading. Now you have to learn how to be quiet, listen, follow…” It was the perfect Big Picture energy for a man who, bless him, really is trying. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/198ee3da-dd2d-4b61-94b2-ec5507066f48/Shea+My+Way+or+Shaun+Show+2.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 55: Why Try To Change Them Now? (“My Way”) - Make it stand out So let’s get to that other storyline already. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/5ed8e11e-3a7a-48b5-99e9-b007988722a1/IMG-2106.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 55: Why Try To Change Them Now? (“My Way”) - Anyway, I’m thinking of all this as the “perfect storm” because we’ve got self-described “selfish” Lea and “Likes things a certain way” Shaun clashing in a way that many couples do… with the resolution not nearly as simple as “I’m sorry,” or even as “simple” as an argument. Which is why Lea contemplates sleeping in the guest room on early mornings… but then contemplates sticking to her guns and NOT sleeping elsewhere… and then is clearly relieved when Shaun presents her with the perfect (storm) compromise. If only ALL conflicts could be resolved so easily, right? In that sense, it was a very made-for-TV issue… and I’ll admit, one that made me shake my head a little and say I’m hard-pressed to believe they’ve never dealt with this before in their 18 months of sharing a bed. But it was a fantastic way to present #Shea dealing with matters in very #Shea ways. Both are flawed— sometimes in ways that can be helped, sometimes not so much— but both continue to cultivate patience and problem-solving as their love for each other grows ever deeper. Who wouldn’t want to see that showcased on TV? Let me re-phrase that… who wouldn’t want to see that showcased on a reality series on Hulu about atypical couples? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/efa7d028-3375-46db-befc-109c1a2bb304/Sophie+My+Way.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 55: Why Try To Change Them Now? (“My Way”) - Anyway, about Sophie, the documentarian who also happens to be a little person… I like her. She’s persistent, inquisitive, and boundary-free… which perhaps is the expected personality these days of TV producers? I say that as someone who WAS a TV producer, writer/producer, producer/director, corporate video producer, field producer, associate producer, etc. etc. for over 25 years. I can think of a couple relevant stories from those days to share over the course of these “reality show” episodes of TGD… but for now I’ll just say that if Sophie’s style is the key to her success, I understand all the better why I’m sticking with the writing side of things nowadays! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/0feb4d79-409f-4a72-b3cf-7c583830a917/IMG-2100.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 55: Why Try To Change Them Now? (“My Way”) - And Sophie’s “How’s the sex?” question may have seemed outrageous for her to ask Lea within hours of meeting her, but it told Sophie two important things as she sifted through this idea of telling Shaun and Lea’s story… 1) Lea is forthcoming enough (to be a good interview subject); had she taken offense or shut the conversation down completely, Sophie may have shuttered her whole plan too. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/339f2ead-4850-48d9-9eef-e89433dbf50a/IMG-2094.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 55: Why Try To Change Them Now? (“My Way”) - 2) When Shaun was semi-prompted to comment after Sophie told her aunt that “Dr. Murphy’s surgical skills were matched by his skills in the bedroom”... with him not missing a beat in replying “It is important to me that Lea is sexually satisfied… and she is also very skilled”... surely Sophie could only think MY GOD, WHAT AN EXCELLENT INTERVIEW HE’LL GIVE. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/d6cf8c8f-5bfc-47ec-a122-c0b7ce8ce67e/IMG-2098.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 55: Why Try To Change Them Now? (“My Way”) - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://kellimlawrence.com/stateofshea/state-of-the-shea-pt-54-potlucks-oddest-best-couples monthly 0.5 2022-04-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/414e87c3-ecf8-4875-bec8-861a19ebfb15/IMG-2015.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 54: “Potluck”’s Oddest, Best Couples - Make it stand out NOT AN ODD COUPLE ON THIS EPISODE… But inevitably, this is how we’ll remember #Shea in “Potluck” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/9360763a-0e47-40e2-aa27-e80dbc073469/IMG-2019.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 54: “Potluck”’s Oddest, Best Couples - #Shea was NOT a critical part of the episode, but they remained freakin’ adorable during their limited screen time… so here’s a couple of photos in honor of their efforts. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/aaef9f93-0617-4fdb-b707-c0fee579e827/IMG-2022.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 54: “Potluck”’s Oddest, Best Couples I’d be remiss if I didn’t point out that Freddie Highmore has GOT to be glad in scenes like these that Shaun is totally “in character” by breaking eye contact… ‘cause I’m not sure any amount of incredible professionalism can contend with the hilarious expressions Paige Spara was pulling off in this scene, and so many others. OK, so many others with Morgan… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/a69f416b-d943-4acb-8aa5-c63bb82a53f7/IMG-1951.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 54: “Potluck”’s Oddest, Best Couples - Odd Couple 1: Lea and Morgan PREVIOUSLY ON TGD… these two knew of each other without really knowing each other. In early seasons, Morgan called Lea out for not treating Shaun as more of a pet than a grown man; that evolved into claims that Lea was marking her territory when Shaun and Carly were at the height of their relationship. Lea, in turn, called Morgan “one twisted beeyotch” as she denied her claims. All this, mind you, with the two women barely spending a moment in each other’s presence. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/58eb0186-c0d1-436d-8277-7cd2ea7ed445/Lea+Horny+Horses.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 54: “Potluck”’s Oddest, Best Couples NOW… Things have softened with them in more recent seasons now that Shaun and Lea are together– when we’ve been privy to scenes with them, that is. “Potluck” not only made up for lost time with these two, but found Morgan turning to Lea for relationship advice in spite of the latter’s altered state of mind… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/c96aa591-fcce-4bdb-9ad6-c830c660e717/IMG-1982.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 54: “Potluck”’s Oddest, Best Couples Or, maybe because it offered a chance that Lea would not remember it later. (Morgan was feeling vulnerable, but she’s never stupid.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/09d2915d-19ce-4cbb-baa1-7c5c21a87e2f/IMG-1989.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 54: “Potluck”’s Oddest, Best Couples Meanwhile, these two also had the very real job at hand of determining what tripped everyone up– and when they got it narrowed down to the ingredients of Asher’s sweet potato casserole, I STILL couldn’t stop laughing at Lea trying to play exacerbated staff member while continuing to come down from her own mushroom high. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/209b686d-7903-4e5c-aee9-85010a368415/IMG-1990.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 54: “Potluck”’s Oddest, Best Couples - I mean… my goodness. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1ae01312-b916-4006-94f2-12df01c4dd39/Park+Asher+1.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 54: “Potluck”’s Oddest, Best Couples - Odd Couple 2: Park and Asher PREVIOUSLY ON TGD… Park and Asher have had a friendly-but-hardly-noteworthy relationship as senior and junior residents. In fact, when I saw a brief shot of them chumming it up in a recent promo, I was intrigued by its unique nature… turns out they took that shot from the “Potluck” episode. NOW… Bonding between the two incapacitated men came quickly when their cots were placed side-by-side in the makeshift staff recovery area, and the “insecure babbling” of Asher ensured Park’s awareness that Asher felt rejected by Jerome’s decision to leave him out of his upcoming hangout with old buddies. Next thing we know, Park’s lingering irritation about Morgan’s recliner rejection– I’m guessing that beauty must bear some resemblance to the one that belonged to Frasier’s dad– means that Park felt Asher’s pain. Deeply. “A Thousand Miles” deeply, it turned out… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/72272ce9-726c-4926-9ca5-327e4eeff133/Park+Asher+2.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 54: “Potluck”’s Oddest, Best Couples - And the scene of the night ensued, with shirtless Asher and Park barricading the door and dancing their rejected little hearts out. Even this scene, as amped-up ridiculous as it appeared at first glance, proved pivotal when both men crashed to the floor– giving Asher an excuse to discuss the “boyfriend” issue a little more with Jerome while the latter patched the former up, and Park a legit reason to later need emergency surgery (hello, rookie lead surgeon Jordan). Asher’s antics– mostly involving different realizations about Jerome– were indeed priceless throughout “Potluck.” But for my money, Will Yun Lee (as Park) was the revelation of the episode. I mean, we knew Paige Spara was capable of a wealth of comedic moments, and she didn’t let us down one bit. But how often has Lee had such an opportunity? Hats off to Mark Roseman for this entire episode he wrote, but particularly for giving “Park” some of the best lines of the episode– with “You look like a Disney princess, but you’re mean– and that’s so… HOT!” leading the way. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/f683ec62-3cd2-4619-9f37-4681b8939c84/Shaun+Glassman+1.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 54: “Potluck”’s Oddest, Best Couples - Odd Couple 3: Shaun and Glassman On paper, that kind of looks like a typo– Shaun and his mentor/surrogate dad have been the team that needs each other more than they realize for years, haven’t they? On a personal level, yes. Absolutely. But not the one they broached on “Potluck.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/9203387a-b026-44ea-9530-14fbd8dce564/IMG-1961.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 54: “Potluck”’s Oddest, Best Couples - So in their first OR scene/clash, we got the vibe of a senior surgeon who did NOT appreciate a senior resident disrupting the mood in his playpen… And in their later argument, we got Shaun’s aggressive righteousness threatening to hijack the conversation (that “no,no!” at the end of Shaun’s line made me cringe)... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/ceaa0115-30e4-40b7-a701-7428c7171c26/IMG-1970.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 54: “Potluck”’s Oddest, Best Couples Until Glassman’s professional seniority + surrogate dad vibes came together for that “Take a walk…” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/c06bd52e-d97e-4498-883f-dc9496996255/IMG-1971.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 54: “Potluck”’s Oddest, Best Couples - NOW!!!” That left us all a little shaken. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1f41bed5-7c7e-410d-9b85-c762720e1fa6/Shaun+Jordan.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 54: “Potluck”’s Oddest, Best Couples But with one helluva support from Jordan– who was later rewarded for her efforts (indirectly) by way of her first lead surgery, on Park-- we were eventually privy to Shaun and Glassman “evolving” (Glassy’s words) all the way to Glassy handing Shaun the reins on the “wandering spleen” patient. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/0515d1a9-3e0c-46de-a57e-b2ca6099fa5f/IMG-2003.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 54: “Potluck”’s Oddest, Best Couples It’s hard to say what brought more of a smile to my face… the pride of watching Glassman stand back and give Shaun room, or the joy of Shaun being invited to join Glassman for an 8AM scotch after their all-nighter. But I’ll go with the latter since demonstrations of joy on Shaun’s part are so uniquely him. (Here he is giving his clean-up towel a liberated shake after getting Glassman’s invite; he was folding it up neatly until that moment.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/b731f1a7-e70f-4ae3-a0da-ad94da7c8429/IMG-1998.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 54: “Potluck”’s Oddest, Best Couples - Speaking of WEIRD…have you met Odd Couple 4: Lim and Andrews…? PREVIOUSLY ON TGD: Welp, these two have been through multiple iterations of colleague-dom in the past five years, but little has surpassed the dynamic they dealt with during Salen Morrison’s reign in the first half of S5. Andrews now has the upper hand– a role he hasn’t enjoyed since S2– and while he doesn’t truly seem to be back to “enjoying” it, Lim has made few bones about her disdain for the way he got it. At the start of “Potluck” we got a sense of their current, chilly truce as they bickered over Andrews’ decision to send a bunch of her (offscreen) top docs to a conference in NYC (also offscreen) – a detail that became important when the two of them began with visions of snakes and Spiderman-level acrobatics with few functioning doctors available. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/db1d98d7-6301-4076-ae79-565a28226777/IMG-1997.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 54: “Potluck”’s Oddest, Best Couples - NOW: I saved Lim and Andrews for last because it was their odd coupling that was the most profound to me. First we had the airing of grievances… (You loooove being the President.. . You love having just enough chaos in your life to feel cooooool… WE GET IT, you’re in greaaat shaaape…) Then we had Andrews’ delusions of Spiderman grandeur held at bay– literally– by Lim’s concern about his well-being (and the snakes and, yeah, yeah, his cashmere sweater, cool, cool)... Which was followed by a whole lot of psilocybin-fueled vulnerable talk about Spiderman, and Isabel (Andrews’ ex-wife that we occasionally saw in TGD’s early years), and Melendez (one of Lim’s closest friends/lovers at St. Bon’s until his untimely passing at the end of S3). I’m sure a thousand tears were shed in that scene by the mere mention of his name, since not every megafan of the character has abandoned ship. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/6a041da0-0f1a-4fd5-8eac-df3823409775/IMG-1993.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 54: “Potluck”’s Oddest, Best Couples - But the scene’s primary purpose was to create a space these two characters would not likely be in normally, allowing for an organic disarmament of sorts… Fortified in their final, post-tripping scene, where they mutually agreed to weekly meetings for better communication. (For those who expressed concern that TGD is now on its way to forging a Lim/Andrews romance– I think this whole thing was about burning their respective fortresses to the ground and starting over. Nothing more.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/faa18382-1811-47a7-a374-d8ad4d5cd7f2/IMG-2030.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 54: “Potluck”’s Oddest, Best Couples As I said at the top, the content of “Potluck” wasn’t as frothy as it seemed. Aside from the progress of Shaun/Glassman and Park/Morgan– the latter of which felt sadly ominous, by the way– we were treated to a surprising amount of #Jasher, both for the triggering “mystery” dish and the development of their relationship… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/a1ab4eb6-6c10-40f4-ac70-33ab0f3b0522/IMG-1953.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 54: “Potluck”’s Oddest, Best Couples But it’s easy to look back at some of these stills from the episode… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/f917eee8-7e97-4c52-a037-4ef9875dfba9/IMG-1954.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 54: “Potluck”’s Oddest, Best Couples To say nothing of the multiple, fantastic one-liners … https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/7346833a-7d89-4350-aa94-c0cc25fad82a/IMG-1958.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 54: “Potluck”’s Oddest, Best Couples And understand why these things can be misunderstood as the bigger takeaway. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/e567a746-e3b0-4735-b4a3-d8ce0952c47c/IMG-2027.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 54: “Potluck”’s Oddest, Best Couples I mean, where else in 2022 are you going to find a better tribute to a pop hit that’s inexplicably TWENTY years old already! “We love Vanessa Carlton!” https://kellimlawrence.com/stateofshea/state-of-the-shea-pt-53-the-bright-side-of-growing-pains monthly 0.5 2022-04-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/c5c09040-1028-4788-8917-870f7fd6fd98/IMG-1902.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 53: The Bright Side of “Growing Pains” - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/3a2cdc5e-739f-48f0-a175-8970d3e985d6/Wheelchair+walk.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 53: The Bright Side of “Growing Pains” - POTW #1 (Trent) I got to thinking about why they featured this case in the ABC promo rather than the other one… was it just because it was the case to which Shaun was attached? Or was it the biohacking angle? Or did the writers put Shaun on this case because of the biohacking angle? (A-ha!!! Nailed it! Excuse me while I reach around to pat myself on the back…) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/18783912-2d2e-4050-8433-73bcaa45ad4d/IMG-1880.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 53: The Bright Side of “Growing Pains” - (Shoutout to whoever at TGD decided Shaun should use a well-worn “Casper Public Library” bookmark for his medical journals! Outstanding attention to detail!) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/66991dc3-c923-4317-a117-33f57a605a41/IMG-1864.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 53: The Bright Side of “Growing Pains” - POTW #2 (Kayla) At first I was rather thrown by the pace of this story: patient Kayla is talking to Morgan, who is then talking to Glassman, who then “calls a meeting” about Kayla’s potential surgery, and then they are beginning the surgery… all before the first commercial break even hits! Yikes! Also, what??? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/b95930e5-3663-4c04-86da-33895d7a15dd/IMG-1876.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 53: The Bright Side of “Growing Pains” But I guess they felt it necessary to give the rest of that POTW space to the conservatorship story within it… one that drew multiple comparisons in the Twitterverse to Britney Spears, which makes sense. But my mind went to a whole other musical artist… does anyone reading know the name Lena Zavaroni? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/ec0c6117-42c8-4291-a305-f09efd2075ef/Lena+Zav.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 53: The Bright Side of “Growing Pains” - This is Lena as I “knew” her in the mid-1970s– a little girl from Scotland with a big, big voice that never really hit it big in the United States, but did make an appearance on Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show. I had this album of hers, back in the day… I wanted to sing like she did. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/ba7b523c-2310-4c52-808a-b5055b085725/Lena+3.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 53: The Bright Side of “Growing Pains” - To make a long, very sad story short… Lena became anorexic by the late ‘70s, tried to keep working but never really got proper treatment (very hard to come by, especially back then), and by the 1990s was also suffering from severe depression. In 1999, she underwent brain surgery (apparently considered “pioneering” at the time) in an effort to relieve her depression… and it’s difficult to say if it would have helped her long-term because she died from bronchial pneumonia less than a month after the surgery. (There’s plenty on YouTube about her if you’re interested; also her Wiki page is a worthwhile read.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/e271719c-1828-4537-9043-42fa1840dca1/IMG-1890.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 53: The Bright Side of “Growing Pains” - #Parnick I said on my post for “The Family” that I was okay with the Big Catch-Up that was Parnick’s development post-winter hiatus (and kind of post-Salen), but I hoped they weren’t backburnered again for the next two episodes. I got half my wish; they were definitely backburnered during “Dry Spell” (and God knows there was no room for them in that one anyway). But aside from the touch of deja vu I got when Park and Morgan strolled into the locker room with the latter complaining of the former’s “gravel” mattress (hello, farting episode), it was solid progress for them all the way around. I do find myself wondering if Park will be able to keep his pride in check long-term when it comes to the money issues. And, honestly, that’s the “catch” the writers will likely hang onto now. If they decide to break #Parnick up, all it could take is one argument… one careless one-liner from Morgan. (I pick her over Park because not only does she have the upper hand with the $$, but the sharper tongue of the two.) I hope they continue to get a fighting chance, though. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/aa1c6e98-b675-4ec5-af23-b289938d9895/Jordan+Lea+1.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 53: The Bright Side of “Growing Pains” - Jordan/Lea Ever since Jordan made a tiny pilgrimage to Lea’s office during last season’s “Letting Go” to offer condolences for Baby Berry, we’ve been rooting for this friendship– particularly since Lea, the only TGD regular not in the medical profession, has struggled to make lasting connections aside from what she has with Shaun. (She and Claire were eventually on track for such, but the departure of Antonia Thomas put an end to that.). And, in fact, we’ve seen Jordan and Lea joined at the hip several times in S5– including Jordan’s engagement party assist in “New Beginnings” and her apartment/temporary crash pad when Lea was down and out in “Yipee-Ki-Yay”. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/a80a2c4f-ed76-428e-8a9f-c06ed7bb8fad/IMG-1843.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 53: The Bright Side of “Growing Pains” Now comes the brilliant idea to combine Jordan’s entrepreneurial chops with Lea’s mad coding skills as they work on a “gross but cool” gut bacteria tracking device, and all I can say is I hope TGD sticks with this arc rather than a) have it build further, then disintegrate quickly, or b) we never hear about it again. They’ve done a great job so far of pivoting Lea’s tech skills to better fit the hospital’s needs (once they decided she was to be Shaun’s long-term love). To keep a storyline going that involves two women– one a woman of color– pushing for success in a niche area that’s even MORE male-dominated than medicine and STEM fields are on their own? YES. PLEASE, YES. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/c01a3780-24aa-4927-a18a-bee5fbdb4a07/16801.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 53: The Bright Side of “Growing Pains” By the way… I did a Twitter poll this past week to choose a name for this budding friendship. #DilAllen clearly got the most votes, but with my “Other” option garnering several other name suggestions, I’m not completely convinced we have a winner yet. Perhaps we’ll just have to wait and see where social media takes this one. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/488946ad-a666-4e9b-b518-eff3f06f034d/Lea+Shaun+Growing+Pains.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 53: The Bright Side of “Growing Pains” - #Shea On the surface, #Shea may have looked to skip some “growing” this episode in favor of #DilAllen time. But it was still there… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/d95576fd-6ee3-40de-812b-247b64bdf703/IMG-1850.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 53: The Bright Side of “Growing Pains” Then there was That look. You know, the one that Lea fired Shaun’s way when he wanted to shower first? The one that would likely stop thoroughbreds in the middle of a race? That look assures #Shea Nation that while these two have plenty of hard work ahead of them, the non-verbal cues are coming along j u s t fine. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/42f8d284-da48-4bb9-93b3-a664ab096d6a/IMG-1884.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 53: The Bright Side of “Growing Pains” The break room conversation– where Shaun’s “house rules” were laid out– was revelatory for Jordan, for us, and even for Lea (in that too-close-to-the-situation-to-see kind of way). It reminded us that a lot of the “growth” we witness in Dr. Murphy from week to week is perhaps better described as “adapting” to society and its expectations. And that Lea is, typically, the only one with the privilege of getting to see Shaun as he really is. Which sort of gives me superhero vibes, thinking of all the ways he likely has to “adapt” that barely get touched on in a typical TGD episode. It also reminded me of the significance of the final minute of “Frontline Pt.2” (the COVID episodes from S4)... the way Shaun oh-so-cautiously reintroduced Lea into what had for many months been his apartment, his private oasis from the numerous challenges of St. Bon’s. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/a45e7dd4-67ca-43ae-bbaa-84f24f6037f8/IMG-1853.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 53: The Bright Side of “Growing Pains” - Shaun/Lea/Jordan And now it’s time to acknowledge This Look from Shaun, which is different from That Look from Lea both in intent and nuance. For this one compresses many thoughts– everything from Why is my junior colleague in my kitchen? To Is she seriously brushing her teeth in my kitchen sink? To How can I be in my most comfortable pajamas (that Lea probably bought him, don’t you think?) and yet be so VERY uncomfortable in my own home? – into one long, bewildered stare. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/a6e66050-4c60-4052-a2e5-4db40e760084/Jordan+toothbrush.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 53: The Bright Side of “Growing Pains” - Despite the awkwardness, Shaun wanted very much to support the #DilAllen venture at hand– which I suppose is why he quickly drafted a set of rules as a coping mechanism. Of course, what makes perfect sense to Shaun (and is presented very matter-of-factly) comes across to Jordan as a passive-aggressive way of saying that he doesn’t want her in his home at all. But rather than drag that out into an episode-long misunderstanding, we get a lovely few lines from Shaun carrying the “belonging” message of the episode into new, somewhat unexpected places. (By the way, my extra giggle in this scene came when Shaun requested “no eye contact”... which Jordan repeats back to him, amazed… and then Shaun flips around his little notebook as if to say Yes Dr. Allen, I wrote it here in my book so it must be true.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/0c41088f-3dd8-42ec-a61d-aafcebe4e895/IMG-1896.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 53: The Bright Side of “Growing Pains” Not surprisingly, the last scene of “Growing Pains” was the perfect surmising of these three people, with Shaun’s “bad manners” inadvertently triggering the very solution Jordan and Lea needed. I also loved that, although it was Shaun who verbally declared ‘I am ignoring you,” it was #DilAllen who totally ignored Shaun from that point on, lost in their little breakthrough/celebration as they were. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/3486e028-641e-4a69-981e-18e2a10f688f/IMG-1882.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 53: The Bright Side of “Growing Pains” AND NOW, A FEW WORDS ABOUT THE THREE CHARACTERS WHO WERE NOT “GROWING” MUCH… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/13deb542-98a1-45fc-9f36-ecd9da311bf6/IMG-1860.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 53: The Bright Side of “Growing Pains” - BONUS noteworthy detail in this episode: the way Shaun tried to mimic Lim’s beckoning to come into her office… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/893bcb59-9ab0-49d0-86fc-5a4d319de6fa/IMG-1859.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 53: The Bright Side of “Growing Pains” … but then realized the beckoning, while looking like a handwaving gesture, didn’t carry the same meaning as a handwave and therefore didn’t make sense for him to be doing it. (At least, I THINK that’s what Shaun was doing!?) A literal “blink and you’ll miss it” detail from this episode which was pretty cool! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/ca28f35a-d540-42c1-862d-89dc3b2fe675/IMG-1832.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 53: The Bright Side of “Growing Pains” - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://kellimlawrence.com/stateofshea/state-of-the-shea-pt-52-still-dry-ode-to-an-overstuffed-episode monthly 0.5 2022-04-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/29f8ec86-c674-41a7-a214-162abe79f83c/Top+pic.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 52: Still “Dry”? Ode to an Overstuffed Episode - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/069d1f29-02fc-4968-a430-48fcc48c69c0/IMG-1754.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 52: Still “Dry”? Ode to an Overstuffed Episode - But the longest scene in the whole episode, by my count, was Asher’s scene with POTW Mari in Act 3. And while there was a duality there as well, advancing the patient’s story a bit while adding another layer to Asher’s background by way of “first kiss” Micah… it was three minutes and 14 seconds that I don’t feel the episode could afford. If that sounds harsh, hear me out: https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/a6896e2b-61bf-455b-9673-33c097c278ed/Baseball+dugout.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 52: Still “Dry”? Ode to an Overstuffed Episode - It was laid out in all of four scenes: Shaun and Glassman can’t have an extended chat about sex in the cafeteria without Glassman being interrupted left and right for issues that are actually Andrews’ domain now. (As previously discussed, the running time on that scene was over 3 minutes.) Glassman claws his way past Andrews’ new assistant– though I prefer to think of him as a lightweight “bouncer,” if there is such a thing– and while sharing concerns about Andrews’ availability (or lack thereof), pitches the St. Bon’s baseball team idea. Yes, that’s another pun. Running time on that scene- 1:13. Glassman tosses a baseball jersey to Andrews in the hallway and soon finds himself explaining to Andrews why he needs to make time to participate, not just sign off on the idea. Running time: 53 seconds. They’re in the middle of a game– we see Lim, Park, Morgan, Jordan, and of course Glassman and Andrews. (We see Shaun and Lea too, of course, but only long enough to see them scurry away because “they’re on a (sex) schedule.”) Lastly, we see Nurse Villanueva take advantage of the more casual environment to get her questions voiced to Andrews– with a seemingly satisfying result, much to Glassman’s delight. Running time: 1:07. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/a378605d-4b8e-4d70-98ef-bacce7556e82/OMG+Shaun.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 52: Still “Dry”? Ode to an Overstuffed Episode - Lea’s embarrassment was palpable– even though she was in the company of the man she’s going to marry. Big, huge kudos is owed to Paige Spara’s outstanding capacity for expression, body language, and intonation, for they were the heart and soul of all Lea’s exchanges with Shaun in “Dry Spell.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/962977b6-04d5-4e58-a605-44ef37134ea3/IMG-1736.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 52: Still “Dry”? Ode to an Overstuffed Episode - Lea’s the one to carry this conversation to their next meeting (St. Bon’s cafeteria), where she’s determined to explain that her own need to “take the edge off” is not intended as a substitute for sex with Shaun. This is also where we hear (the first of three mentions) that they haven’t engaged sexually for the past 9 days… and I’m left to wonder if that means this episode picks up 9 days after Shaun’s re-proposal? Because surely that kiss we saw at the end of “The Family” wasn’t the only way Shaun and Lea celebrated…? But I digress. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/f2282206-a85f-423d-8411-f8d778e33651/IMG-1742.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 52: Still “Dry”? Ode to an Overstuffed Episode - What I wasn’t expecting was Glassman’s, um, hand gestures as he discussed how exactly to “Rev… the engine.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/8a90988e-b198-44b8-af05-eeb029cc2f2a/IMG-1743.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 52: Still “Dry”? Ode to an Overstuffed Episode - …And did you see Shaun reacting to it? He thought he was back to discussing “boosting one’s morale” too! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/697dc2c4-9e3f-4e00-8630-950b55667da9/IMG-1745.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 52: Still “Dry”? Ode to an Overstuffed Episode (Easy there, Glassy… we know you’re in a much deeper dry spell than Shaun; there’s a reason you shrugged and said “Nine days isn’t a thing.” No need to broadcast your own morale issues.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/d6672e98-8a9d-4df3-8f20-de3aaa3680ab/IMG-1744.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 52: Still “Dry”? Ode to an Overstuffed Episode https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/a2148b36-72a7-42d4-8f23-0cf7ef2eb270/IMG-1748.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 52: Still “Dry”? Ode to an Overstuffed Episode - Next up was Shaun’s big effort, complete with a robe we’ve never seen him in before and, dare I say, one of the sexiest things I think I’ve heard Shaun tell her (Tonight there will be no brakes… only accelerators) in the history of their relationship. So thanks, Glassman! All that car talk wasn’t for naught after all! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/2be4ba8b-88f5-4b1f-9005-ff0f8f32d1d2/IMG-1761.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 52: Still “Dry”? Ode to an Overstuffed Episode - Then came Shaun’s hilarious-yet-painful attempt to proposition Lea in her own office. Just two things to add to that– Thank goodness Shaun was still fully dressed; had he disrobed in any fashion, his injury could have been a lot worse (!!) Wasn’t it weird that Shaun came to rejoin Jordan– ice pack still in hand, pressed to his face– and she didn’t say a word about it? Again, I wonder if there was a deleted scene or they simply didn’t think there was time in the scene for “Dang, Shaun, what happened to your face?” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/a140762e-c4ef-4907-a334-5014fbe783b7/IMG-1768.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 52: Still “Dry”? Ode to an Overstuffed Episode - The locker room scene– once we stopped wondering Did Lea bring the cowbell from home in anticipation of needing it, or does she just keep a spare in her office for emergencies?-- was one of my favorite scenes of the episode, and again, almost all credit goes to the nuances built-in by Spara as Lea shared her story about Mike and Pam Dilallo (aka her parents). Especially on these lines: “About the sex… schedule? My parents used to have one.” “We finally realized it stood for ‘Sexy Time.’ (The way she said sexy time like she might vomit if she said it too loudly was the best– a classic take on the grown-children awkwardness.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/088939eb-3b8b-4303-831f-54807f6b3edc/IMG-1776.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 52: Still “Dry”? Ode to an Overstuffed Episode - But then I start thinking about the possibility of another deleted scene (one where we DON’T have to presume anything), and then I get irritated all over again. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/d0f57319-d516-4d64-9f6c-6d09de9d5dec/IMG-1789.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 52: Still “Dry”? Ode to an Overstuffed Episode - Make it stand out Speaking of which! Yeah, so here we are at that last scene. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/ba257009-205c-4876-906c-347f7b7bf2f6/IMG-1783.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 52: Still “Dry”? Ode to an Overstuffed Episode - But because it had been reported ahead of time that there were plans for Shaun and Lea to finally get some “sexy time” of their own on the “Dry Spell” episode. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/98141a4c-f801-4b04-9809-e4af79ebaee8/IMG-1718.PNG State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 52: Still “Dry”? Ode to an Overstuffed Episode - Make it stand out So what happened? Did all the other parts of this overstuffed episode crowd out the “real” ending to #Shea’s Dry Spell? Would you believe the answer is… yes AND no? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/f1991bec-0fdd-446f-ac55-f3f787660d27/IMG-1792.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 52: Still “Dry”? Ode to an Overstuffed Episode - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://kellimlawrence.com/stateofshea/state-of-the-shea-pt-51-a-day-in-the-family-lifehttps/kellimlawrencecom monthly 0.5 2022-03-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/8669fc4f-93c4-431b-a1a5-4bb50321cdb8/On+Bended+Knee.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 51: A Day in “The Family” Life - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/a9dba30d-15f5-4727-84bd-e005daa8585a/Andrews.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 51: A Day in “The Family” Life - THE LIVING ROOM The base of that long flight of stairs; the place where Andrews addressed the troops. I’m thinking of him as Mike Brady, motivating his brood. (Do not ask me who’s who in said brood.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1f4e3575-3308-4798-9441-cf8cd43ab5b6/Andrews+speech.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 51: A Day in “The Family” Life This also served as the re-set point for everything from Glassman’s Clinic (guess what– it’s the first thing on Andrews’ chopping block), to Lim as Chief of Surgery, to Glassman’s neurosurgeon career (it’s the second thing on Andrews’ reinstatement list), to Morgan’s career post-admission of guilt… yeah, that was a lot! And we can’t forget Shaun and Lea handing out “unsave the date” cards, which clarified that a) they ARE still engaged, and yet b) whatever the date was, it is no longer. (It also allows the show to re-set the whole wedding timetable, which is important considering Shaun was previously concerned the Save The Date cards were going out later than they should.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/04d05930-592c-48df-93eb-3f0b80dd2415/Glassman+cropped.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 51: A Day in “The Family” Life - THE FAMILY/GAME ROOM I know some might say “kitchen” for this, the space of candid group conversations and passive-aggressive confrontations, but something about calling a place with lots of tools for cutting into humans the kitchen just doesn’t sit well with me… Anyway, something else unique about this episode was the singular Patient of the Week…because the Mom and Dad were POTW’s 2 & 3, but they were really just there as excuses for Lim, Glassman, and Andrews to vent their season-long frustrations with each other. (And yes, eventually work together as a unit to do the best work they could… but of course it was the venting we were there for the most.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/d229254f-4f27-4676-ab53-6252a038dc48/Lim+cropped.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 51: A Day in “The Family” Life - Lim was the first one to vent, and rightly so…Lim’s got double the venting to do, and little need to defend herself (other than the “suicide mission” comment Andrews made). Andrews, on the other hand, did some blaming on Glassman, but spent much of the hour defending himself (with just enough accountability of his blinded-by-Salen’s-light state of mind to tame the tempers of the other two). Glassman DID need to defend himself– or at the very least, explain himself!-- but he hid behind Shaun yet again (“If you’re asking me to apologize for my commitment Shaun, it’s not going to happen”) and still didn’t apologize to Lim on her followup “I would never ask you to do that… I just didn’t realize how little the rest of us matter to you.” So that’s two big, BIG fumbles that Glassman has yet to own… one for Shaun, and one for all the other St. Bonavites. The fact that both of these have been allowed to slide for now is, I can only hope, indicative of a deeper explanation/apology on Glassman’s part later in the season. If not, well… we know people who are like that. (Many of us are related to people who are like that!) But I’d definitely be disappointed if Glassman’s lack of action verifies that kind of character flaw. NOTE: Something that they didn’t revisit that I guess would’ve made things TOO dramatic, given Shaun’s meltdown: Lim’s PTSD flaring in the midst of the Salen stuff. But it’d have been interesting (and kind of simple?) for Lim to have mentioned it to these two as something that made their actions/inactions even harder to deal with. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/bd83b732-226c-422a-93c0-4352e997f9e3/Trifecta.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 51: A Day in “The Family” Life - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/f5037a9d-14a2-468c-8d31-005bd8b94d3c/Parnick+nurses+station.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 51: A Day in “The Family” Life - THE KITCHEN Since the Nurses’ Station is usually the place for hospital gossip, and the kitchen is often the most bustling room in the house.. I’m just putting two and two together here. Examples from this episode included lighter versions of ongoing conversations between Park/Morgan, Shaun/Lea, Shaun/Park, and even Shaun/Jordan. (and young Isla, for her “pickle” moment at least…) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/f8049d3a-b82a-43ee-afb8-6fbeddbb0dd0/Shaun+Isla.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 51: A Day in “The Family” Life - THE PANTRY This one might take a little more explaining… You know how, just adjunct to the kitchen in some houses, there’s a narrow food storage area (a.k.a. pantry) where a brief, very private, one-on-one conversation might be had? I’m thinking of multiple “pantries” within the hospital– could be the scanning room (Park and Reznick had a very good one in there), could be the locker room (not seen in this episode), could even be the Residents’ Lounge under certain circumstances. But for my money, the pantry took its best form in “The Family” anywhere Shaun and Isla had a private conversation. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/a2cc6eb8-4d9d-4009-9a50-f6c7d7d6da1b/Shaun+Berry.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 51: A Day in “The Family” Life - Two of their exchanges were particularly emotional… not counting Shaun’s initial effort (Is she crying? Yes? OK, I handed her a tissue. Time to move on.) But obviously, they weren’t going to have a chat in the scanning room… oh wait yeah they did that too (Isla: “I’m bored.” Shaun: Oh no, I have to keep a close watch on her so I can’t just send her to her room— now what do I do?) But their two biggest and best efforts were by themselves– once when Shaun administered the anesthetic, and later when they talked about fault, and parents, and oxytocin. As people do. The anesthetic scene came soon after Isla met Lea (back to that shortly), so not only could Isla keep planting inadvertent seeds of advice that served Shaun better than anything the adults were telling him… but she could also bring us to another round of tears as Shaun found himself talking about his and Lea’s baby for the first time since “Vamos” last season. (By the way, I’m glad Lea was not brought into this conversation… it was important for us to stay focused on Shaun; to catch that almost imperceptible wave of grief that we knew he felt.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/5a129232-44ea-4038-8478-dfe0f13fbc70/Isla+Hug.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 51: A Day in “The Family” Life - Their discussion about the sharing of fault and blame was everything we’ve come to expect from connective moments to Shaun’s past (with both his brother and his parents). What touched me the most, for some reason, was watching Shaun undo the button on his lab coat so he could sit on the stool comfortably and just talk to her for a while. It’s what Jordan and Lea were encouraging him to do, so we knew it would come, but it was a fascinating wall to watch crumble nonetheless. And as for the heart-melting hug they shared at the end of the episode, I had to think about what was different there… we’ve seen patients hug him before, sometimes with an intensity that made us wince on his behalf. What was different here was the silent invitation on her part, the open arms. He had to hug her in this case… and with that awkwardness we’ve come to appreciate, he did exactly that. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/c7247388-0902-4261-a3d3-ac5c11cefbf8/Shaun+Morgan.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 51: A Day in “The Family” Life - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/c89c5dce-47ee-401d-9284-995a723ee136/Shea+w+Isla.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 51: A Day in “The Family” Life - THE DINING ROOM— duh. This particular dining area has borne witness to more #Shea discussions than we’ve seen at their actual dining space at home– and this time, they had a special guest in Isla. Of course Shaun establishes his boundaries quickly (“She’s not my friend, she’s my patient”) and cautions Lea against the thing that already irritates him, allegedly (“She talks a lot”), but wouldn’t you know, Lea takes to Isla instantly. And just when we’re all coming to terms with this new, KINDA SORTA engagement declared by the two of them at the start of the episode…Isla cuts to the chase better than anyone (No ring, no date, no dress? No way this is an engagement) and gets Shaun thinking, thinking, thinking… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/a84afd75-d086-421d-a153-4dac05a7154c/Made+it+Myself.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 51: A Day in “The Family” Life - Until he takes the advice no one has given… follows Isla’s lead… and finishes this “reset” episode with a handmade ring (though sorry, it looked way too good for something that was supposed to be fashioned from a gum wrapper)... And the semi-traditional proposal to Lea Dilallo (I swear that’s the first time Shaun has ever said Lea’s last name out loud!) that we weren’t sure we’d ever see… All in the exact same location where Shaun first stood and told Lea he loved her, two years ago…with a much, MUCH better end result this time. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/ca054fc4-3157-4e5b-b42d-ef5b700862d9/Kiss.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 51: A Day in “The Family” Life - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://kellimlawrence.com/stateofshea/xosd4lr6whrpgr6hcf4by36qixxzd5https/kellimlawrencecom/blog-page-url/sacrificescheatday monthly 0.5 2022-03-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/283e78a2-37d1-44f7-be2d-e7c3d2f63069/BonaVites+Cheat+Day.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 50: Sacrifices (“Cheat Day”) - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/37b12f41-258a-4651-bb5e-af698d63b376/IMG-1543.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 50: Sacrifices (“Cheat Day”) - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/12782b04-621a-4991-b4fa-9e6f3816a067/Sayanora+Salen.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 50: Sacrifices (“Cheat Day”) - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/a8a61642-54ff-4727-9067-8154b94ffe90/Shaun+Glassman+Cheat+Day.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 50: Sacrifices (“Cheat Day”) - Shaun and Glassman https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/b282e4d3-d979-4c80-99e7-d7fe9ac67909/IMG-1566.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 50: Sacrifices (“Cheat Day”) - Shaun and Salen https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/4dc6cb0e-565a-47bf-8391-0d094066b9cc/Andrews+Salen+Cheat+Day.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 50: Sacrifices (“Cheat Day”) - Make it stand out Andrews and Salen https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/c0e18fe0-9e75-4eac-bc91-0cdb205ac17d/ParNick+Cheat+day.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 50: Sacrifices (“Cheat Day”) - Park and Morgan Maybe this was just me, but I felt like a lot of “Cheat Day” was devoted to getting these two up to speed with the rest of the storyline. We knew Park was Team Lim already, and that brown–noser Morgan was… not. Not at first, anyway. But bringing back the case of the half-blind woman (who remained unaware, thanks to Morgan, that she could have had fully corrective surgery had EthiCure not been at the helm) was a far deeper move than I expected. Everything from the betrayal (Park read Morgan’s file without telling her?) to the disgust (“I didn’t realize ‘playing the game’ meant losing your moral compass”) to Park calling her out in front of Andrews (the look on Morgan’s face when she said Not fair was pitiful)... …And yet they still got Morgan re-visiting with the half-blind patient, then telling Park she was going public with the case after all, THEN showing him the written acknowledgment she’d chosen to send the woman even after Salen folded… Whew! It was a lot. Not unwelcome, but, again, a two-parter would’ve been helpful here… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/c0d64257-6524-4966-a645-2e415cba7723/IMG-1557.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 50: Sacrifices (“Cheat Day”) - Glassy and Lea They’re finally working together where Shaun’s concerned (at the beginning)! They’re both at Lim’s house for the meeting! They both get FIRED at Lim’s house! They both, independently, come to support Shaun’s need to join Team Lim… and of course, they both get their jobs reinstated at the end (though Glassman had no one to make googly eyes at while he moved back into his office so we didn’t see it)... But for all that, THIS was the best part to me… the look on Glassman’s face when Lea reassessed staying with Team Lim post-firing and said “I’m in” about two beats later. Dare I call that a Proud Papa moment? Because it sure felt that way to me. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/adce3653-1d17-4b2a-99cf-a9ec74d42932/Glass+the+LOOK.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 50: Sacrifices (“Cheat Day”) - Glassman and Salen Speaking of LOOKS…! I wanted to point out to y’all that if Glassman’s face in his final chin-tuck glare at Salen looked familiar… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/3bc629fb-3f75-404d-81d8-c520e0688206/Hurt+DAMN+Glassy.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 50: Sacrifices (“Cheat Day”) - It’s because it’s almost the exact same hella-nasty look he shot at Lea, post-Shaun rejection, in the brewpub at the very beginning of “Hurt” (the S3 two-part finale) How times have changed! (Including the quality of my screen captures from 2 years back… yikes!) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/159d18a2-5aa3-4cb3-93c2-1412a6004753/JordAsh+cheat+day.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 50: Sacrifices (“Cheat Day”) - Jordan and Asher Jordan and Asher I’m so very glad they had Asher pushing Jordan for a reason to resist the Resistance, so to speak. They could have left things where they were with Jordan in “Yipee-Ki-Yay,” where her reasons were more read-between-the-lines-ish (which made sense, given that Lim too is a woman of color who surely understood Jordan’s dilemma). But Asher (who was not present in ANY scenes the previous week) needed the dots connected for him… which Jordan, a black woman in a top-flight medical residency program, did beautifully. Her line “I’m not scared, I’m exhausted” was one for the ages, penned by black screenwriter Tracy Taylor (according to a Tweet from Jordan’s portrayer, Bria Samone Henderson). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/de29b917-ad80-499c-bf4a-b2c30d6c0d51/IMG-1548.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 50: Sacrifices (“Cheat Day”) - Andrews and Lim What a kettle of mixed emotions conveyed in those montage glances at the end! Were they saying… “Thanks”/”You’re welcome” “It shouldn’t have gone that far”/I’m sorry”/”You should be” “Nice move, getting the presidency back”/”I earned it. Deal with it.” “Where the F*** do we go from here?”/”Beats the hell out of me” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/c02d974d-1270-451b-ba03-19119862f97c/IMG-1547.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 50: Sacrifices (“Cheat Day”) - Because Salen’s departure may have lacked the firepower some of us dreamed of, but it did contain a very important parting shot on her part: “Well, good luck… because now this is all your problem.” Say what we will about what she did to St. Bons, Salen was initially chosen by the Board to overtake the hospital’s finances because it was struggling. Big time. Now that she’s out, I can only assume the dire financial straits are back in. How will Andrews deal with it all, and how much of said dealings will be felt by the St. Bonavites? I hope at least some of that struggle is reflected in the back half of season 5… which gets started March 21. https://kellimlawrence.com/stateofshea/state-of-the-shea-pt-49-st-bons-magnificent-seven-yipee-ki-yay monthly 0.5 2022-08-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/a331e301-9a52-4dcd-b3d9-92eb37bec4be/WANTED+poster+snip.PNG State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 49: “St. Bon’s” Magnificent Seven (“Yipee-Ki-Yay”) - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/72a3a628-d6d7-4fc7-8b51-73dac39a080d/1024px-The_Magnificent_Seven_cast_publicity_photo.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 49: “St. Bon’s” Magnificent Seven (“Yipee-Ki-Yay”) - Make it stand out LIM GLASSMAN LEA PARK SHAUN JORDAN ASHER https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/220e8425-d7ec-43d6-82eb-91103474b6c9/Lea+crying.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 49: “St. Bon’s” Magnificent Seven (“Yipee-Ki-Yay”) - Sometimes I wonder if I project too many of my own insecurities onto Lea Dilallo. Yes, she judges herself too harshly, especially where Shaun is concerned. No, she doesn’t “sell herself” well– even Salen picked up on that. But she’s a relatively young character who came into TGD one way, and keeps on growing and evolving in a wealth of other ways five seasons later. And she’s not afraid to point that out. So what if she flew off the handle near the end of “Rebellion” NOT because she still sees herself as unworthy (and believed Shaun now believed it too)... but rather, out of disbelief that things she said when she was “such a stupid idiot” (as per the “I Love You” episode) were being used against her two years later? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/e618f906-9d5d-407e-a14a-19c63d4207c4/Lea.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 49: “St. Bon’s” Magnificent Seven (“Yipee-Ki-Yay”) - It’s a variation on my initial take on the scene; this time, I’m thinking of Lea as someone feeling trapped by her past actions instead of trapped by herself. Seems like a small distinction, but it’s a pretty important one. And one that, admittedly, makes more sense given her reaction to Shaun’s 4th-grade bully story. Thoughts? (We’ll re-visit their progression in the “Yipee-Ki-Yay” episode a little later.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/a65ebc1c-dd84-4804-8698-6f43fc655f34/InkedInkedLim+Mag+7_LI.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 49: “St. Bon’s” Magnificent Seven (“Yipee-Ki-Yay”) - Dr. Audrey Lim as “Chris Adams” (played by Yul Brynner) Described as “a Cajun gunslinger, leader of the seven” but the LEADER part is what I’m paying the most attention to here. While the length of her tenure at St. B is a little unclear— she said 15 years back in the “Expired” episode, while “17 years” was the number thrown around last week— her passion for this particular hospital is immeasurable right now. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/c8c45fd4-2d06-4e67-abab-d44b1b8b017a/InkedInkedGlassman+Mag+7_LI.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 49: “St. Bon’s” Magnificent Seven (“Yipee-Ki-Yay”) - Dr. Aaron Glassman as “Vin Tanner” (Played by Steve McQueen) … Described as “a drifter,” I thought it fitting for Glassy based on his behavior for much of this season so far. Did you notice that he changed his mind about joining Lim shortly after telling Shaun “There are some things that are out of your control” in the locker room… to be countered with Shaun’s “This isn’t one of them” and exit like a man on a mission? Maybe this was one of those times where Shaun made Glassman “better”… just as his first wife told him a few episodes ago. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/0fb32c71-8219-4f86-83b0-ff43c801b506/InkedInkedLea+Mag+7_LI.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 49: “St. Bon’s” Magnificent Seven (“Yipee-Ki-Yay”) - Lea Dilallo as “Chico” (played by Horst Buchholz) The “young, hot-blooded shootist”… because if I were a betting woman, I’d say Lea was described at least once or twice “a pistol”. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/ef4b818f-8149-4819-803c-ec2c52dc50e3/Lim+Lea+Server+Room.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 49: “St. Bon’s” Magnificent Seven (“Yipee-Ki-Yay”) - Make it stand out (While we didn’t see Lea invited to join Team Lim during this episode, we already know she helped her out in the past… and the above pic was included in the ‘Yipee” promo pics, suggesting maybe an invited/accepted scene was left for the Deleted Scenes reel. (If so, I’m going to blame the 75 seconds that we all sat and waited for Nelly to spring back to life on Dr. Andrews’ operating table.) (Which OF COURSE also means I blame Salen. Heh heh.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/cf8a999f-1ebe-4d2e-ad56-537765daff07/InkedInkedPark+Mag+7_LI.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 49: “St. Bon’s” Magnificent Seven (“Yipee-Ki-Yay”) - Dr. Alex Park as “Bernardo O'Reilly” (Played by Charles Bronson) … Described as “the professional in need of money” because he has fallen on hard times, admittedly this isn’t a fitting description of Park. So I thought of it this way: Park was the one who cited his nearly-complete residency as a reason to turn Lim down, but then cited the turning point (“She (Salen) killed a baby”) as reason enough to put career security on the line. Call it desperate measures for desperate times. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/b4127f8e-0e43-47c0-a52f-b1fe91d55744/InkedInkedInkedShaun+Mag+7_LI.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 49: “St. Bon’s” Magnificent Seven (“Yipee-Ki-Yay”) - Dr. Shaun Murphy as Lee (Played by Robert Vaughn) I connected Shaun with this role mainly because he was described as a “traumatized veteran”… which might describe Glassman a bit as well, but Shaun was the doctor most traumatized by the specific, defining incident in question. (Yes, there were obvious contributing factors, but it was all triggered by the expired medication.) As you may recall, Shaun turned Lim down when she made her pitch, citing “emotions that may be leaking all over the place”***… but that was before Shaun’s patient Nelly nearly died because of Andrews practicing “bad medicine” as he called it. (Is it coincidence that bad medicine sounds like another term for expired medication?) As we go into the “Cheat Day” episode, Shaun is technically out of a job with little to lose— and the promo indicates he’s joined Team Lim. I think it’s safe to call him one of the seven. ***= there were a few scenes in “Yipee” that left me scratching my head, and the one in the residents’ lounge was one of them. If time allows, I’ll elaborate once I get this initial post published. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/78b4c98f-c6d6-4556-9a87-bb418e05da20/InkedInkedJordan+Mag+7_LI.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 49: “St. Bon’s” Magnificent Seven (“Yipee-Ki-Yay”) - Dr. Jordan Allen as Harry Luck (Played by Brad Dexter) … Described as a “fortune hunter.” I gave this to Jordan because of her entrepreneurial nature (remember the patents she secured? And the shoe inserts she developed?) Like Shaun, Jordan initially declined her Team Lim invite… She had a don’t-want-to-blow-my-good-thing execute at the ready. But also like Shaun, the promo pictures indicate she’s changed her tune for “Cheat Day.” Will Shaun’s resignation be her tipping point? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/5e2145ee-f252-46d6-9632-ff23169e6cdb/InkedInkedWolke+Mag+7_LI.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 49: “St. Bon’s” Magnificent Seven (“Yipee-Ki-Yay”) - Dr. Asher Wolke as “Britt” (Played by James Coburn) Poor Asher must’ve been stranded at that bar he and Jordan went to in “Rebellion,” for he was AWOL on the “Yipee” episode. So how do we know he’ll be on Team Lim as well? Well, we don’t. Except for (again) the promo pics… And, perhaps, the fact that he and Jordan are joined at the hip. And don’t forget how much he looks up to and respects Shaun… Yeah, he’s totally in. (NOTE: The more I kept calling him “Wolke” in my recaps, the more I realized it felt more natural to call him “Asher.” So that’s what I’m going with this point forward.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/4f3b1cc4-9a0c-40f6-81cc-5397d117d42a/Shea+Lea+office+Hard+Work.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 49: “St. Bon’s” Magnificent Seven (“Yipee-Ki-Yay”) - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://kellimlawrence.com/stateofshea/the-great-unexcpectations-of-rebellion monthly 0.5 2022-03-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/99c72704-fd17-4989-a755-c1e578e4ba8a/IMG-1451+cropped.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 48: The Great (Un)Expectations of “Rebellion” - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/d9dfbb7b-1058-4102-b5da-b97a8471589d/Shea+cafeteria.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 48: The Great (Un)Expectations of “Rebellion” - EXPECTED: Shaun isolating himself from Lea; still reeling from what looks to be yesterday’s events. UNEXPECTED: They show Alma (the mother) briefly in the episode, but after her 2nd scene (with Salen), she’s out of the picture. Will she be back? Will we ever see the baby’s father? Or does her signature on Salen’s iPad mean she’s really gone? If so, I’m kind of relieved we didn’t have another scene with Alma and Shaun… that would have been very difficult. Nevertheless, I’m somehow surprised (and a little disappointed) if she’s gone for the remainder of this arc. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/4b5a61b9-0dd4-4595-b487-8f007e03f172/Shea+cafeteria+2.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 48: The Great (Un)Expectations of “Rebellion” EXPECTED: As I (and probably you) predicted last week, these two sitting together in the cafeteria only happened because Lea approached when he was already seated. UNEXPECTED: Rather than him dwelling on “the lie” (which as you might recall many disputed in the first place), Shaun dwelled on “the mistakes”... an important distinction, as we’d find out later in the episode. I also didn’t expect him to bring up the one definite lie among those mistakes– that Lea went to fetch Glassman while telling Shaun she was out of town on business. Again, there was a reason for this that we’d realize later. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1b7f5533-33eb-460d-be1d-07f1867fd7d8/Rebellion+Salen.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 48: The Great (Un)Expectations of “Rebellion” - EXPECTED: Salen getting crafty as she threw the Pharmacy guy under the bus and got Alma to sign away her lawsuit opportunities while she was still alone & vulnerable. UNEXPECTED: Seeing the pharmacy guy again… in fact, it took me a minute to realize who he was. And then he turned out to be an integral part of the episode, more with Lim than with Salen. (I’d be surprised all over again if we see him in additional episodes, though.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/acb0673b-9429-4b32-b0c6-d5ecc7d459a7/IMG-1428.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 48: The Great (Un)Expectations of “Rebellion” - EXPECTED: Shaun being extra susceptible to absorbing/internalizing the troubles of his patients when he’s in a bad way. As it happened, there were lots of “Heartbreak” (S3-18) vibes here, and not just because… UNEXPECTED: …Lea’s words from long ago (two years, to be exact) were revisited. We’ll be getting back to this…of course! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/6c3b1311-e573-41bd-ade6-ab399aebd50f/Rebellion+Glassy+Lea.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 48: The Great (Un)Expectations of “Rebellion” UNEXPECTED (To me, anyway): Glassman indicates to Lea that he’s “talked to Shaun” since the Pharmacy meltdown, but to see him approaching Shaun in their first scene together in this episode… I think we need to call bullshit on that. He very clearly hesitated to move closer to Shaun once he realized it was him… which I don’t think he’d have done if they’d talked already. Afraid of dealing with the mess you made, Glassy? ON A RELATED NOTE… What if part of Glassy’s going to bat so much for Lea is to avoid talking about him & Shaun? OR, conversely… what if it’s about feelings of guilt he has about where Shaun and Lea are now? The notion that if he’d been here, engaged, when Shaun was first starting to struggle under the weight of Salen’s changes, Lea wouldn’t have felt compelled to do what she did? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/37d5fe5a-7762-4c6a-bde7-bfd18bf9d5ef/161131_9748.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 48: The Great (Un)Expectations of “Rebellion” EXPECTED: Glassy isn’t jumping into Lim’s rebellion (yet). He got his surgeon’s mojo back during “Expired,” but as Shaun’s meltdown laid out all too clearly, he’s still in a lot of crappy places mentally. “Since when did you have such a defeatist attitude?” Lim asked him back during the “Measure of Intelligence” episode. “Since I was defeated,” he told her simply. And it still holds true. Will something (or someone) nudge him to Team Lim? At least unofficially, if his role at the hospital hinders his engagement. UNEXPECTED: Later on, when Glassman asked Shaun if he “wanted to go get a drink” after work rather than meet up for pancakes. Yes, the pancakes are a breakfast ritual for them (not an after-work one), but it felt like a subtle nod to their own relationship evolving a bit. Even if Shaun didn’t answer him. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/2b53b0c6-917c-42b2-b2b8-683afce00142/Rebellion+Shaun+Glassy+2.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 48: The Great (Un)Expectations of “Rebellion” - BY THE WAY… that was bigger than it seemed, the advice thing. Lea’s asked Glassman to intervene for one reason or another all season; this was the first time he did. And even without Shaun asking directly for his help, he gave it. Didn’t claim he was useless, didn’t say Shaun could figure it out on his own. And– bonus– in doing so, he’s not only re-connecting with Shaun, but he’s sticking up for Lea in ways we’ve never seen before. You could see the importance of it in this scene— Shaun was pacing, getting agitated thinking of the guys Lea used to be with, and when Glassman said “Shaun, SIT DOWN,” he did so with a willingness I haven’t seen in a long time. Then Shaun practically gripped the desktop with his bare hands as he focused on his newly-returned mentor like he was starving for guidance. And when he held his phone out when it started paging him— as if to say I need to keep listening, but I’m so sorry I’m needed elsewhere right now— I felt for both of them. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/629d01fc-2aa8-4adc-9ae1-ac7ffddc3389/Shea+last+scene.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 48: The Great (Un)Expectations of “Rebellion” - And now for a breakdown of that last SHEA scene… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/b49c3c69-44b9-4d59-b972-7a56aafd817d/Lea+crying.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 48: The Great (Un)Expectations of “Rebellion” - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/d17f745e-c6ae-4a71-a8fb-4d64a944283d/Shaun+crying.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 48: The Great (Un)Expectations of “Rebellion” - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://kellimlawrence.com/stateofshea/the-long-winter-that-just-got-a-lot-shorterhttps/kellimlawrencecom monthly 0.5 2022-02-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/c79bdf95-6305-4da4-9a82-de7f3e5abd47/Rebellion+Glassy+Lea.jpg State of the #Shea - The Long Winter… That Just Got a Lot Shorter - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/6b9fe2e8-630a-4b77-8d9c-996c7c7abd2d/Rebellion+OR+shot.jpg State of the #Shea - The Long Winter… That Just Got a Lot Shorter - BURNING QUESTION #1: How soon does the action in “Rebellion” pick up from where “Expired” left off? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/33015530-f1f1-457a-94a9-9245d6dfd461/Previously+on+TGD....jpg State of the #Shea - The Long Winter… That Just Got a Lot Shorter - BURNING QUESTION #2: How are Shaun and Lea carrying on in “Expired”’s wake? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/6e9c0ace-c0ef-498d-a4b2-e7795c7dce0a/Rebellion+Shaun+glassy.jpg State of the #Shea - The Long Winter… That Just Got a Lot Shorter - BURNING QUESTION #3: What about Shaun and Glassman? How are they doing now? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/65e8b230-2e5e-41b7-9d72-70e935762b96/Rebellion+Shaun+Glassy+2.jpg State of the #Shea - The Long Winter… That Just Got a Lot Shorter - BURNING QUESTION #4: What’s all this “settling for me” business about? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/fac244ca-7749-49d9-9ac9-73b04b6154e8/IMG-1400.jpg State of the #Shea - The Long Winter… That Just Got a Lot Shorter - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/d04181a3-4885-4404-a68d-f4c29c0445fc/Rebellion+meeting+room.jpg State of the #Shea - The Long Winter… That Just Got a Lot Shorter - BURNING QUESTION #5: What will this “rebellion” look like? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/ae8d0c8e-7f5e-4e8e-abe4-0a4a1e299d37/Rebellion+Salen.jpg State of the #Shea - The Long Winter… That Just Got a Lot Shorter - BURNING QUESTION #6: What will St. Bonaventure look like when the dust settles? https://kellimlawrence.com/stateofshea/state-of-the-shea-pt-47-39questionsexpired monthly 0.5 2022-02-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/d944174a-730f-4357-bd2d-51d1a8f9dd97/WDTV+Church+2.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 47: 39 Questions to Mull Over ‘Till the Hiatus Has “Expired” - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/4c24c05c-bdcb-4dde-8e1f-fe559ae71613/WDTV+Church+3.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 47: 39 Questions to Mull Over ‘Till the Hiatus Has “Expired” - ACT 1 Shaun/Lea at the would-be (former? Still is? May be in future?) church of their wedding https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/c5b50333-5f79-4e21-9706-fcc1d70e1b00/Glassy+Ilana+House.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 47: 39 Questions to Mull Over ‘Till the Hiatus Has “Expired” - NEXT: Glassman gets ready to put his house on the market/Ex-Wife #1 Ilana shows up 7) Is Glassy really moving to Paradise, Montana? Yes and No. Yes at the start of this episode (look- a realtor on-site! Sell “AS IS!” I’m free!)... No by the end, because… duh. Is the “awful best man” really going to be awful-er? (No, that’s not a word) Meanwhile, Shaun and Lea come up on a bad car accident… (OPENING CREDITS) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/be09a225-46dc-4cce-a68c-acb408b1bfe6/Glassy+Lounge+3.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 47: 39 Questions to Mull Over ‘Till the Hiatus Has “Expired” - 12) Quick, when’s the last time we saw Glassman in there? Just look at him in his white coat, doctoring while quipping about MarLen/SaCus/CrunchyCrazyCricketEaters…Telling Morgan (politely) to haul her stuff out of his office, even though at this point in the show he doesn’t think he’s staying for long… Getting in a zinger about Morgan’s intentions for the clinic… Oh, Glassy, can you please pop in there more often? (When you decide to stay in town, I mean) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/74a497a0-05c7-4b2d-8269-49ebb7a4e801/Shaun+Glassy+Office.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 47: 39 Questions to Mull Over ‘Till the Hiatus Has “Expired” - Next, Glassman’s office: Shaun comes to talk to him (first time since Glassman’s returned, apparently) 15) So let me get this straight… Glassy returned to San Jose? Check. Put his house on the market? Check. Helped Ilana, aka ex-wife numero uno whose current husband has a medical emergency of sorts? Check-- and I’m not faulting her here; her presence turned out to be desperately needed… BUT meanwhile, he can’t bring himself to even break the news to Shaun that he’s leaving town (for good this time) until Shaun comes by his office by chance?? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/a63ead53-b6f8-4a6f-89e3-13cc93c4dbe2/Lea+Confess+1.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 47: 39 Questions to Mull Over ‘Till the Hiatus Has “Expired” - 17) How do we feel about Glassy prompting this conversation from afar? My first thought was “I guess he’s back to helping support Lea, in his way…” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/b095bd00-4616-482f-a106-e9cb8e56270b/Lea+Confess+2.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 47: 39 Questions to Mull Over ‘Till the Hiatus Has “Expired” As for Lea, her reaction to “Dr. Glassman said you have things you need to tell me” was somewhere between Glassman needs to go back to minding his own f’ing business (shades of “Letting Go” from last season) … https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/4624a690-750e-4d54-9e52-65a5a73fd842/Lea+Confess+3.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 47: 39 Questions to Mull Over ‘Till the Hiatus Has “Expired” …and Welp, when he’s right, he’s right. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/9fbf51ae-3526-4088-be62-b2c94f14ee44/Shaun+Pre-Confess.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 47: 39 Questions to Mull Over ‘Till the Hiatus Has “Expired” - I certainly didn’t expect him to take it lightly. I just wasn’t sure what we’d see. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/d515d11c-9b01-43e1-a4d3-9ce7b3868f87/Not+Accepted.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 47: 39 Questions to Mull Over ‘Till the Hiatus Has “Expired” - Turns out he-who-is-very-difficult-to-read remained as such on the surface, but the things he said (“What you did was very wrong”) and the way he said them (“Your apology is not accepted”) took on a hard edge. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/c8519dea-4462-4f02-b50a-a1522f755280/Shaun+No+Touch.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 47: 39 Questions to Mull Over ‘Till the Hiatus Has “Expired” - Even if we hadn’t seen him reject Lea’s physical reach for his hands (the hands! Their go-to sign of endearment!), we knew that’s the only thing that could happen-- especially when physical touch is such a unique gift with Shaun. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/0a4f4266-d0d3-492a-9864-4e5227561aa0/Marcusalen.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 47: 39 Questions to Mull Over ‘Till the Hiatus Has “Expired” - In the Hallway: Andrews/Salen 21) Was their little “I didn’t know we were going public” discussion a revelation into the dynamic about to unfold? Andrews asserting himself; Salen deferring a little? Hell if I know… they’re both playing their own games, as more than one Twitter follower has pointed out. I half expect Andrews to turn into a vampire bat if we bear witness to a kiss between them… with Salen turning into a hawk right before he can get to his batty blood-sucking ways. (Because hawks feast on vampire bats, among other things.) Is my imagination spinning a little out of control there…? Why yes. Yes it is. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/e4073746-b1ac-4ff6-a9b6-3bb5ae87930f/Ilana+Glassman+2.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 47: 39 Questions to Mull Over ‘Till the Hiatus Has “Expired” - Glassman’s office: Ilana/Glassman … she calls his bluff/fear of failing 22) Kelli, even though you’re using a shot from a different Ilana/Glassy scene here, can you take this opportunity to gush about Ilana for a minute? If only because she was so important in this episode… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/40effd11-5252-4822-bbd5-be0e80e034d4/Lea+office+1.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 47: 39 Questions to Mull Over ‘Till the Hiatus Has “Expired” - 23) How long did it feel like things were back to normal with #Shea in this scene? About 7 seconds. Shaun’s rapid-fire verbal delivery managed to compress his patient update (normal) and his impossible request of Lea (abnormal) into one long sentence. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/e4a9407b-f17b-4474-8a70-8e1409186ebc/Lea+office+2.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 47: 39 Questions to Mull Over ‘Till the Hiatus Has “Expired” - 24) Why did Shaun now feel empowered to make this impossible request of Lea? Remember when we saw him at the beginning of this act he’d been talking to Alma… after which she made the decision to put her unborn child’s needs ahead of her own? I think he took that to-every-problem-there-is-a-solution confidence, resolved that he’d found the perfect way for Lea to redeem herself, and marched off to present his “findings” to his fiancee. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/b6497b46-d5d7-4bc5-8a08-153fa037e9d7/Park+Morgan.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 47: 39 Questions to Mull Over ‘Till the Hiatus Has “Expired” - Hallway/ Park & Morgan… agreement to arm candy 27) Are we disappointed we won’t see this double-date that Park finally agreed to by Act 4? You know– if the date was to have happened a couple episodes ago, I’d be genuinely bummed. But post-”Expired,” and the gravitas that will surely envelop St. B on some level… it feels a little silly to even think about it. Know what I mean? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/09b36913-9a22-4fdb-9696-4143dbad2327/Glassy+Pre-Zone.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 47: 39 Questions to Mull Over ‘Till the Hiatus Has “Expired” - A PARALLEL…? (Part 4) Understandably, there were twice as many scenes for Shaun & Co. than there were for Glassman/Park. But there was enough of Glassman to see him fall back into The Zone... (as neurosurgeons go, I mean)… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/913f16e2-5c68-47d3-b8b3-89c1ea961ff6/Glassman+Zone.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 47: 39 Questions to Mull Over ‘Till the Hiatus Has “Expired” - …An interesting visual effect where everyone else in the OR faded away, leaving Glassman to retrieve Sunil’s tumor with singular style and focus… Just as Shaun-- through no fault of his own-- was on his way out of his own “Zone”. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/109d4ddd-759f-40d9-b969-c5722345c98b/Tipping+Point+2.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 47: 39 Questions to Mull Over ‘Till the Hiatus Has “Expired” - Shaun raids pharmacy for his backup idea, then back to the OR… but it’s too late. Lim calls Time of Death, and Shaun hits his tipping point. 29) As we head into that brutal final act, the question is: Did the promo(s) ruin it for you? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/6459d8cf-8144-40a7-9291-5d347aeb2050/Solarium+1.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 47: 39 Questions to Mull Over ‘Till the Hiatus Has “Expired” - Lim tracks down Salen (fielding a call near her precious waterwall) and lets her have it. 31) How badly did we need to see Salen’s Solarium ass chewing? Or, better stated, see Lim’s absolute fury on full display? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/b01453ba-ac11-4af3-aab7-f496c805278f/Solarium+3.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 47: 39 Questions to Mull Over ‘Till the Hiatus Has “Expired” - Pretty damn badly. Salen’s only been on the scene for seven episodes but when it comes to her dynamic with Lim, it seems a whole lot longer. But it’s important, too, to take note of the rest of the 1:48 in this scene, as it sets up what’s to come from a broader perspective. Salen is stricken– you can see it in the tears in her eyes, the hard swallow when Lim made the “did those cuts pay for your waterwall?” comment, the cluster of seconds she takes to collect herself before asking about the condition of “the mother” (Alma)-- but you can also see she’s also had her share of experience in crisis management. A crisis involving the unnecessary death of a preemie? Maybe not. But she calls for the right things (grief counselor for mom, morbidity & mortality meeting for the hospital), and tops it with the “need for discretion” (which I interpreted as CYA= Cover Your Ass) when it comes to both Lim and the residents involved. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/ba302981-a31a-4571-b4c7-dcbbc800381b/Solarium+4.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 47: 39 Questions to Mull Over ‘Till the Hiatus Has “Expired” - And maybe you thought, as I did, that Salen put special emphasis on the residents. Lim surely took note of that, knowing Shaun was the key resident in that situation. Jordan was there too, and I presume will have a voice in matters down the road as the doctor in the room who witnessed it all without being directly involved… but will Salen manipulate this “discretion” into something grotesque when she learns it was Shaun who was preparing and administering the medication that should have saved the baby’s life? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/b5283d85-9a6c-4f51-97e7-84236fd63b3c/Poster+pre+tear-down.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 47: 39 Questions to Mull Over ‘Till the Hiatus Has “Expired” - 32) Hey, how come we didn’t see Shaun ripping “his” poster off the wall as per the promo? Look closely (in the episode), and you’ll see there is a poster-sized version of Shaun’s billboard near the entry to the pharmacy– we see him run by it on his first trip down there. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/025d6984-e04b-41ff-82ca-efaa1144f0e0/Shaun+to+RX.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 47: 39 Questions to Mull Over ‘Till the Hiatus Has “Expired” - I believe this is the one he ripped off the wall, probably just before we saw him enter the pharmacy that second time. As for why that action didn’t make it into the actual episode… time constraints, I suppose. Looking back at the promo, we see Shaun standing in the corridor, dazed and already working to catch each breath (definitely post-baby death). The camera pivots so we see Shaun’s gaze go squarely to that poster, followed by the shot of him destroying it. In real-time, the scene was probably over in about 15-20 seconds… which could have been sacrificed in order to give that final scene just a little more time to play out (to name one example). The poster rip is a great visual, though… no wonder it was used in the promo. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/3beae28c-a2a3-4e06-ac16-ee176bd3b2c2/Shaun+Smash.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 47: 39 Questions to Mull Over ‘Till the Hiatus Has “Expired” - 34) Was Shaun channeling a delayed grief response to his own deceased (unborn) daughter? Lea ran in saying “Shaun, stop stop stop… it wasn’t your fault! There’s nothing more you could have done!” which I took to mean that 1) she was aware a baby died, if not the reason for it, and 2) she may well have had their daughter in the back of her mind as she came upon the sight of Shaun hurling boxes of expired medication to the floor in anguish. Shaun never said a word in this episode about their very personal loss from last season; in fact, the minute Lea arrived was when he pivoted his anger towards her and their current impasse. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/25b6d864-c253-4fc8-a707-7def74bdd5b8/Not+Your+Fault.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 47: 39 Questions to Mull Over ‘Till the Hiatus Has “Expired” - 34) Did someone tip Lea off that Shaun was in distress? As with other eps of TGD, there are unresolved time issues all over this last part of the episode, not the least of them being how and when both Glassy and Lea were tipped off to Shaun’s pending meltdown. We know from last year’s “Gender Reveal” episode that Glassman gets a call if/when Shaun is being disruptive in some manner; maybe Lea gets that call now as well… or maybe she was the de facto choice when Glassy was AWOL, so both got called. If not? Then my money’s on Jordan contacting Lea the moment Shaun stormed out of the OR. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/0716587a-e2b6-4711-b662-cdad20b1b975/Cant+Marry+You.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 47: 39 Questions to Mull Over ‘Till the Hiatus Has “Expired” - 35) Shaun bellowed “You lied to me!!” at Lea. But did she? This is as tricky as it isn’t… it all depends on who’s answering, and all are basically correct. I’ll explain… Did Lea explicitly tell Shaun a lie… did he say “Lea, did you have anything to do with my patient satisfaction scores going up?” with her replying “No I didn’t”...? No. Did she omit the truth… When Shaun announced his scores had gone up, did she smile and say “That’s great” rather than tell him why they’d improved? Yes. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/8578c4d3-399d-4d90-ade4-6c684591a491/Lea+frown.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 47: 39 Questions to Mull Over ‘Till the Hiatus Has “Expired” - Is omitting the truth the same thing as lying to someone? Some say no, lying is much more deliberate, there’s a big difference… others say yes, to say otherwise is to debate semantics. But it’s all about honesty, isn’t it? And to Shaun’s way of thinking, it’s very black and white– either you’re honest (synonymous with “truthful”), or you’re not (synonymous with “deceitful”). Lea knows this better than just about anyone outside of Glassman (and oh, we’re getting to him). Shaun perceives deceit from Lea in this situation– deceit that she described herself– therefore, he’s not exaggerating in saying she lied to him. (Perception is reality, after all.) What he’ll surely come around to realize, in the episodes to follow, are some of the shades of grey in between. (We should take bets on who’s the first to tell Shaun “If I were in Lea’s position I’d have done the same thing.”) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/bf84cb47-b1d5-4123-bfb7-87fe93d9a83a/Crumpled+1.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 47: 39 Questions to Mull Over ‘Till the Hiatus Has “Expired” - 36) Did he regret balling up the contract, and/or saying “I can’t marry you”? What a good idea it was to have that contract with the church as a prop in this episode. We’ve groused a little about the absence of an engagement ring for Lea, but even if she had one, it wouldn’t work as a token of “cancellation” (for lack of a better word) as well as good ol’ crumpled paper. (I wonder if they debated whether he should tear up the contract instead? If so, maybe it was nixed because there are too many variables– paper might not tear evenly, it’s too hard to control, too messy if Lea’s supposed to try and pick it up later, etc. If so, stand by for an Irony Alert a little later in the scene… ) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/bc0af651-c01e-4851-b508-8326bf96599a/Crumpled+2.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 47: 39 Questions to Mull Over ‘Till the Hiatus Has “Expired” Anyway, we knew the contract was in Shaun’s possession by way of the “confession” scene earlier. Would he really be carrying it around in the back pocket of his scrubs? Eh, it’s questionable… but I’m not dwelling much on that because Shaun, unlike other grooms-to-be, made a commitment early on to help Lea with wedding plans. And in this episode, “wedding plans”= that contract. So yes, I can believe he’d keep it on him at work, even if it was simply to ruminate over it (and what Lea did) during a break. Having said that, let’s go back to the original question… Did he regret crumpling up the contract? I don’t think so, at least not yet. There was a terrible look in his eyes as he watched his hand holding the balled-up paper; a sort of Oh God, I can’t believe I have to do this as he began to hyperventilate. But he saw it as his only available option. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/5bba71cf-bb55-4e14-acfd-a7866dfe46fb/Voice+Break.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 47: 39 Questions to Mull Over ‘Till the Hiatus Has “Expired” - 37) This hurt the most, right? “Dr. Glassman?!?” It was Shaun’s/Freddie’s voice break when he first acknowledged Glassman that utterly slayed me. It felt like, in that moment, Shaun was so distraught he wasn’t even sure that it was Glassy there right in front of him. (Who could blame him; until that moment Glassman had given every indication that he had one foot out the door of St.B/San Jose/Shaun’s life already. How could he believe he’d still be there in his time of need?) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/55ddd28f-17ea-4256-b84c-6ecf845a27eb/Why+Lie.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 47: 39 Questions to Mull Over ‘Till the Hiatus Has “Expired” - Once he had his bearings again (somewhat), it became clear that Glassman’s betrayal cut the deepest. “You are a… an awful best man, and a terrible mentor… You said you’d never abandon me, but that’s a lie… a lie…” (Not sure if that second “a lie” was in the script or improvised, but either way it was brilliant– it somehow intensified Shaun’s despair all the more) “That is a lie! Why is everyone lying to me? WHY?” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/0de6c858-1f44-4aea-9be6-2954e3d0baf0/Glassman+Fault.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 47: 39 Questions to Mull Over ‘Till the Hiatus Has “Expired” - “YOU should have been running the hospital– if you had, the baby would NOT have died!” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/cf28046d-13ea-4076-a304-4bcca85d7eef/Guilty+Parties.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 47: 39 Questions to Mull Over ‘Till the Hiatus Has “Expired” - I’m glad that neither Lea nor Glassman could find anything to say in response at this point. They’d both let him down in their own monumental way. There were no words in defense, there was just the pain of watching their loved one reduced to heart-wrenching sobs and knowing it was mostly because of them. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/483398ea-9512-4286-82a9-76aecdd857c4/Wrenching+sobs.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 47: 39 Questions to Mull Over ‘Till the Hiatus Has “Expired” - Glassman could have apologized, but the difference between his betrayal and Lea’s is that his can barely begin to be covered by an apology, it goes so deep. So once he got his own bearings (remember, it was Glassy’s selfish ways that fed into the blinders he’d kept on until this scene), he sat alongside Shaun on the floor, gave him a moment, then ever-so-gently let him know he was indeed there for him once again. It took a while longer after that before Shaun could lean into him and let go. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/666e4208-4ee6-49ab-8294-6306f10144df/I%27m+Here.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 47: 39 Questions to Mull Over ‘Till the Hiatus Has “Expired” - 38) Did you catch this reminder that they shot Shaun’s stunning to-the-wall breakdown at least twice? Not to distract from the conversation at hand, but as superb as this final scene was… it’s hard to imagine them needing to shoot it multiple times, if only for the way it must absolutely drain Freddie Highmore with each take. And from an editing standpoint, the 62 cuts that were assembled in two minutes and 42 seconds’ time (probably more cuts than that; I was trying to count but they go extremely quickly in the first part) did a pretty good job at creating the illusion everything happened in one take. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/d0e014c6-c954-48d9-854c-72a3c8cb07ab/I+got+you.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 47: 39 Questions to Mull Over ‘Till the Hiatus Has “Expired” - But even if they use more than one camera at a time in scenes like this (and I’m not sure they could, especially with the Pharmacy being an irregular setting), it would at least be multiple takes to get each character’s face and reactions. And there was one inanimate object in the midst of all this that prompted a re-take, maybe more. One that might have left director Mike Listo saying maybe Shaun should have torn that contract after all; at least torn contracts don’t ROLL… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1e1443da-d93e-4d0f-889b-5106ec3a0785/Drop+1.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 47: 39 Questions to Mull Over ‘Till the Hiatus Has “Expired” For in this shot, the crumpled contract rolls under Shaun’s/Freddie’s legs as soon as he releases it… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/218272c0-b98c-4b05-94a3-2a1108b76d77/Drop+2.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 47: 39 Questions to Mull Over ‘Till the Hiatus Has “Expired” When we return to this shot a few moments later, the contract is off to Shaun’s/Freddie’s left. This is crucial because Lea’s/Paige’s last action of the scene is to retrieve that contract– which would be hellawkward if she had to violate Shaun’s personal space to do so. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/85efb196-6c51-401c-8c8d-b6132eacfaa2/Sorrow+1.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 47: 39 Questions to Mull Over ‘Till the Hiatus Has “Expired” - Last official question (FOR NOW…) 39) What did you make of Lea’s reaction to all of this? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/a07f3b14-cbd3-4832-b5f2-5d6c3b4f67c3/Sorrow+2.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 47: 39 Questions to Mull Over ‘Till the Hiatus Has “Expired” https://kellimlawrence.com/stateofshea/state-of-the-shea-pt-46-fathers-day-one-heart monthly 0.5 2022-08-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/f272d6d8-e549-45ac-a617-1171689eb4f8/Glassman+Lea+walk+to+car.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 46: Father’s Day (“One Heart”) - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/f274859a-757b-4c6e-921e-13a4a1c1ef08/Me+Dad+Spring+1970.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 46: Father’s Day (“One Heart”) - Me and Dad making Lasagna, 1970. He was an amazing cook https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/2442b34c-f600-4270-838b-fca73b88bd96/Park+and+Ollie.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 46: Father’s Day (“One Heart”) - Dear Park, Just one episode ahead of all this, you were the one talking about the challenges you had with your father. It sounded like a relationship fraught with expectations, and the need to be true to oneself-- in other words, tenets of the “One Heart” episode. We’ve seen you come at this from the other side of it when your son Kellan is around, but it’s been over a year since we got the privilege of seeing him. Could that be why you seemed over-the-top with your intentions to help young Ollie get a new heart? Was there a little flexing of the paternal muscles involved there? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/34ad4956-17e9-47b1-8726-fa438f8a3acd/Ollie+and+Mom.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 46: Father’s Day (“One Heart”) - Hey, Patient of the Week and his mom! I couldn’t help but notice that while multiple “Dad” issues were cropping up all around you two, your own story was shared as if the dad was not in the picture at all. I don’t think the script informed us if Ollie’s father was deceased/divorced from mom/even on the birth certificate, but the point is that Ollie’s mom is also the de facto dad, and that dual role can be exhausting all be itself (to say nothing of having a child waiting for a heart transplant.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/46c6be7c-0c8f-42fd-94c4-cffbab61a2b6/Wolke+and+the+Dad.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 46: Father’s Day (“One Heart”) - Dear Dr. Wolke and Brandon’s Dad, Whew! What a week you had. And what a team you made! As Brandon’s life hung in the balance, you two formed a father/son kind of bond, by default, that shook both of you ever-so-gently. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/500e3057-bc2a-4f9c-a6b0-cee026baf8c3/Shaun+One+Heart.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 46: Father’s Day (“One Heart”) - Hi Shaun, What a gift it was to get a peek into your med school days! (Since the calendar on the wall in one of your flashbacks was for the 2012-13 school year, and you came to San Jose in 2017… hmm, maybe it was undergrad years we were treated to. OK, that’s still great!) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/9ad06402-fcff-42ef-bdd6-26884665101e/Lea+CU+Paradise+WY.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 46: Father’s Day (“One Heart”) - Hey Lea, Here’s the thing-- of all the letters I’m cranking out today, you’re the one I feel like I “get” the most… except that I really don’t. I can’t, because I’ve never been in love with someone on the spectrum. It’s unique and utterly fascinating to witness, but if I tried to walk in your sneakers or combat boots for a day or two-- yeah, I’m at a loss there. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/14d7a3d7-f096-4bc3-99af-83944904234c/Glassy+CU+Paradise+WY.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 46: Father’s Day (“One Heart”) - Glassman, Wow. Just-- wow. Selfish much? Immature much? Pack-up-my-toys-in-my-shiny-sportscar-and-LEAVE much?? Way to go, dude. Also, WTF?? https://kellimlawrence.com/stateofshea/stormwarningcrazytown monthly 0.5 2021-11-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/fc72418f-8a4d-48d3-8baa-6f2b202839d3/Shea+WDTV+pic.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 45: The (Near) Perfect Storm Warning of “Crazytown” - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/cc1fa47e-63c8-4a7d-9fc7-9fc6ff277f2f/DoctorRater.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 45: The (Near) Perfect Storm Warning of “Crazytown” - That Damn DoctorRater: “Window into the minds of your clients”… or Salen’s latest WMD? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/31f48d73-a7b1-4fd4-9424-b3308b333c99/Wolke+Jordan.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 45: The (Near) Perfect Storm Warning of “Crazytown” - Jordan/Wolke-- As a rivalry, it was blink-and-you’ll-miss-them in “Crazytown” since they split up for their respective cases of the week shortly after the first scene. But I liked that they compared scores the moment the meeting was over. Very in-character. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/d714ca7d-995e-4002-aa86-61ba73fb275d/Parnick.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 45: The (Near) Perfect Storm Warning of “Crazytown” - Parnick (Park/Morgan) Pretty interesting what the DoctorRater underscored about these two. In essence it was nothing we didn’t already know about their vastly different approaches to their jobs, and consequently, their lives. But it also served to reset their relationship for us: yes, they’re adorable rivals (adorRivals?), but what sort of compromise might there be for the long-term… assuming there is one for them? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/c681bf87-459c-4b7a-bd9c-012a403f86cf/Salim.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 45: The (Near) Perfect Storm Warning of “Crazytown” - Lim/Salen/Andrews Salen was identified early upon her introduction to the show as a “nemesis,” but at this point in the season, it seems that only applies to her relationship with Lim (I’d say Glassman too, but… what relationship? He’s off licking his wounds of life in Paradise, MT. He gave up, for now.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/f47808d7-6381-41e5-a5ec-cf069b46101e/Lim+Andrews.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 45: The (Near) Perfect Storm Warning of “Crazytown” - So there’s Salen-resister Lim, and then there’s “crawling further into Salen’s ass” (LOVE that line) Andrews… who got asked the “why aren’t you in charge, anyway?” question from Salen just before the “do you like shawarma?” question from Salen, and Oh, damn, this is all about Andrews getting his old job back isn’t it. Right? I mean, we haven’t had a Chief-of-Surgery shift since the end of S2… And Andrews at least gave a classy response: “I made a good call (firing Dr. Han/rehiring Shaun), the board made a bad one (removing him as Chief of Surgery due to his actions)”... but still… SHAKEUP DEAD AHEAD. It’s all there. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/2506473a-9703-4be7-a668-489482dc6b7b/Danger+Marcus+Andrews.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 45: The (Near) Perfect Storm Warning of “Crazytown” - And then, on top of all this, we get Salen asking him out, rambling about how eating lamb makes her sad as he follows her out the door like a curious puppy. But why not? I guess… Andrews, newly single, has little to lose as he cozies up to the new boss… (Ew. EW!!! Does this mean we’re going to assume Salen has “dropped a deuce” while Andrews was taking a shower (see 5x3 “Measure of Intelligence”) if/when this dinner invite of Salen’s turns the corner…??? Again I say EW.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/fae30a76-c9a3-429c-97d6-18c3e99134ad/Lim+breadup.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 45: The (Near) Perfect Storm Warning of “Crazytown” - ABOUT MATLIM-- I can’t think of this episode without wondering if it was a quick trip to Crazytown just getting the script re-worked and re-written! There must’ve been a very short period of time available to accommodate Osvaldo Benavides’ sudden departure from the series. (I’m assuming the scripts are completed several weeks ahead of their respective shooting dates, so maybe August/early September for this one?) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/32994c84-462a-4c03-9939-a288c6c2ae04/Wolke+Lim+office.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 45: The (Near) Perfect Storm Warning of “Crazytown” - Whatever the case-- and whatever situations had to be adjusted (gotta wonder if Wolke was always intended to be doling advice to the Chief of Surgery, for instance)-- I think TGD did the best they could with (sigh) the abrupt end of MatLim. It would have helped if there had been even a fraction of friction between the two of them the last time we saw them together, which was when they discovered the Shaun billboard at the end of 5x3 (remember they shared no scenes together in 5x4). But I guess it’s good news that we didn’t get a lot of time with them in the first place; it made it more believable that he was a love-em-and-leave-em kind of guy at heart. (That won’t make it any easier on his St. B guapa, though. Poor Lim. Add in what I said a minute ago about her tenure as Chief of Surgery being in jeopardy, and… dammit, Lim’s headed for Claire’s old role as The Woman Who Cannot Catch an F’ing Break, isn’t she?) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/ee0febb2-021a-447f-9acf-3f4a7995042e/Park+Emily.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 45: The (Near) Perfect Storm Warning of “Crazytown” - ABOUT THE HATE CRIME STORY… Especially with Will Yun Lee (the actor who portrays Park) having been subjected to racist slurs in recent weeks, I hope he found some real satisfaction in the storyline involving Emily and her father. I’ve read some concern that the “hate crime” aspect of this Case Of The Week was not addressed very thoroughly, but to me, delving into the who and why and whether or not to press charges is better suited for a police or law-driven drama. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/68a12ca8-24cc-4625-8398-ee289222dc22/Lowest+ranking.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 45: The (Near) Perfect Storm Warning of “Crazytown” - THIS BRINGS US TO... Shaun and That Damn DoctorRater https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/cd703585-c2de-4e9a-a363-d69252effe38/Lea+mistake.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 45: The (Near) Perfect Storm Warning of “Crazytown” - Lea and That Damn DoctorRater Lea feels she’s got a good rapport with Salen, but as with the billboard, she is not blinded by this. Her priority is Shaun, and her concern is Shaun. That’s what is blinding her right now. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/62ab7335-30b9-434a-b236-d63f99235193/Shaun+think+I+cant.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 45: The (Near) Perfect Storm Warning of “Crazytown” - But the part of her scenes with Shaun in “Crazytown” that will come back to haunt her, maybe even more than her decision to remove Emily’s scathing review, is this: SHAUN: Do you think I can’t improve my scores? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/3a093aa2-09f3-4f7a-9630-2c5393d2c6ab/Lea+of+course+not.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 45: The (Near) Perfect Storm Warning of “Crazytown” - LEA: Of course not. I-I know you can. But, real talk: Does she believe in Shaun’s ability to “do better”? Or just his commitment to trying? Even more real talk: If she thinks, deep down, this is something he cannot change… does that mean she doesn’t really believe in him? Or is she touching on a brutally honest truth about his ASD, and she doesn’t want to be the one to say it? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/e2396ef8-2a9c-43c2-a650-a762977ba080/Hurt+GhostSteve.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 45: The (Near) Perfect Storm Warning of “Crazytown” - Because NO ONE wants to say it. Not Lea, not Shaun, not the viewers. I found myself thinking this week about the scene in “Hurt” (3x19) when Shaun encountered GhostSteve while searching for Lea at the earthquake-ravaged brewpub… the part where Ghost Steve (which, as we discussed at the time, was really a manifestation of Shaun’s own fears) said, about Lea, She thinks you’re limited... You ARE. It’s that difficult dance of When does someone with a disability decide they’ve done everything they can to push back on their so-called limitations? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/5044c71b-2cbe-4cb6-a5b5-337f54eee998/Lea+End+shot.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 45: The (Near) Perfect Storm Warning of “Crazytown” Shaun obviously isn’t there yet; he’s been hung up several times this season already on whether or not his ASD was affecting his reactions. And this is the biggest challenge yet. Meanwhile, Lea is fraught (to say the very least). The deeper their love grows, the more she is conflicted with situations that involve “protecting” him. And given the fact that she initially (grudgingly) tried to cite his autism as a reason they couldn’t be together… even though that was much, much more about her concerns about herself… I can see where she desperately does not want to be the one to burst the bubble at St. B that Shaun has, inadvertently, come to rely on. People who are fraught make mistakes. Sometimes egregious ones. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/3a1b13de-78ab-4208-8b4e-41a13317b361/Hunkering.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 45: The (Near) Perfect Storm Warning of “Crazytown” - Finally, a few words about Glassman... the one person on TGD not yet affected by That Damn DoctorRater https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/7002e36d-37fc-4eaf-b054-e08500eff02d/Shea+flowers.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 45: The (Near) Perfect Storm Warning of “Crazytown” - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://kellimlawrence.com/stateofshea/rationalityvs monthly 0.5 2021-11-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1635693107503-54VXZYEUHDRKYDH5TUWT/5x4+billboard.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 44: “Rationality” vs… - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1635693518618-0TVOTHPFSMEOEHDBLNCR/5x4+Shaun+Salen.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 44: “Rationality” vs… - Shaun vs. Salen/the Billboard Winner? Both, eventually. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1635693923120-S8MZSXYRPA0B1MBJXMJN/5x4+Shaun+Holly.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 44: “Rationality” vs… - Maybe even more unexpected… that, for all his bullet point-making and TED-talk watching, Shaun would change his mind about the billboard in the end for the sake of his young patient, Holly. So was that change based on reason or emotion? One might argue that if the billboard had a positive impact on just one life (Holly’s) during its entire existence, it was enough rationale to keep it in place. But Shaun was clearly touched by Holly’s belief in him (by way of the billboard), so doesn’t that make his decision an emotional one as well? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1635694432632-HURDY961M53R4IPNKOZW/5x4+Overhead.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 44: “Rationality” vs… - Shaun vs. Walt, the doctor wannabe Winner? Both, eventually. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1635696066257-1EAOBFXAKA1JOC9CY7TQ/5x4+Shaun+Walt.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 44: “Rationality” vs… - Lea told Glassman she thought Salen was “setting Shaun up” by way of the Great Billboard Debate… maybe so, but I kind of think she was doing it here as well. True, Salen didn’t know Walt was a snapper extraordinaire when he needed to concentrate, but she saw first hand how upset Shaun got with the scrubs/soap/hand dryer issue. Why should she expect anything less than an inappropriate outburst when she’s asking a pretty extraordinary thing-- not just of Shaun but of any doctor? Is it part of her campaign to help him handle himself better? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1635696264231-GH7SAH5ENCKXMS79A7QO/5x4+Shaun+banging+on+glass.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 44: “Rationality” vs… - With the billboard issue (and then Glassman) dominating, Salen doesn’t stay involved in Walt’s story for long. So there’s no comment from her camp on Shaun’s getting kicked off the case, and no smiling and nodding in the distance when Shaun realizes the error of his ways (via Holly) and ultimately gives Walt the credit he deserves while simultaneously saving the day… or, better said, Holly’s digestive issues. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1635696410538-XKNVT2SPE8YJ4UU22FGC/TGD+5x4+Shaun+Andrews.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 44: “Rationality” vs… - Shaun vs. Andrews Winner? Ah, trick question… I think we’ve seen it enough now to know there isn’t a real “Shaun vs. Andrews” battle as much as there’s a pattern: Shaun acts inappropriately, Andrews gets stern and dismisses him, but then he turns to the patient/visiting surgeon/etc. and says some variation of “Shaun’s right, you know.” I want to call this a variation on the good cop/bad cop thing, except it’s a good doctor/bad doctor thing where Shaun ends up being the “bad” doctor in the scenario…! Holy Irony, Batman! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1635699648821-6RTAYSLHGU5K9BUB58CO/5x4+Lea+2.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 44: “Rationality” vs… - Glassman vs. Lea Winner? Ummmmmm…. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1635699854880-K02FG2H9ABZ75V7LJ3WR/5x4+Lea.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 44: “Rationality” vs… - With the bulk of the dialogue in their garage scene coming out of Lea’s mouth, I was intrigued by two tells on the situation at hand that had nothing to do with Glassman: “I think she’s setting him up”-- evidence that however enamored Lea might be with Salen as a big-picture leader, she’s unconvinced as far the Shaun/Salen dynamic is concerned (perhaps thanks to the billboard). “He can’t keep asking his boss to bend to him”-- evidence that, on the other hand, she sees Shaun’s approach as problematic and unlikely to succeed long-term. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1635700290312-9WSI9NQBKSBUL0S8ZVS7/TGD+5x4+Glassman+Salen.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 44: “Rationality” vs… - Glassman vs. Salen Part 1 Winner? Glassman… or so he thinks. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1635700479202-4UKWW1CR6BVDNAHDPZUB/5x4+Shaun+Glassman.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 44: “Rationality” vs… - I thought the key thing Shaun said to Glassman was I keep knowing I’m right, but I can’t change anyone’s mind. At first I tried to rephrase it for Shaun’s sake: what good is “being right” if I can’t find a way to reach the right people? But then I said scratch that; isn’t this about Glassman feeling the same way Shaun is feeling? Maybe this is something Shaun and Glassman have in common that we don’t talk about much… that unusually strong need to be “right.” Glassman wanted Shaun to grow a certain way back in S1, wanted Debbie to be a person she wasn’t in S3 and S4, and with Salen… well, I presume he just wants Salen to go the hell away. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1635701996836-PRY7QUT7JMF54IFBUQTY/5x4+Glassman.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 44: “Rationality” vs… - Glassman vs. Salen Part 2 Winner? Salen. (Or so she thinks.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1635702186529-LK250UKMO06OGMJ6MDJ7/5x4+Glassman+pointing.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 44: “Rationality” vs… - First of all… you saw this too, right? Glassman tapping at his own chest as he said “You don’t treat Shaun like this!” That’s what I mean when I say it’s not just about his relationship with Shaun, even though it’s the focal point right now. It’s about, as Salen might say, the way he sees the world. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1635702471023-TXQ5YCP7L1QHOV2P5JR7/5x4+Salen.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 44: “Rationality” vs… - Here’s what I will say for Salen in this scene, though: aside from her initial “Calm down” direction to Glassy (NO ONE who needs to calm down reacts well to being told “Calm down”), there was zero gloating on her part. There could have been plenty. Instead, she almost (big underscore on that word) sounded sorry to break the news. Except she still had her biggest point to make: Shaun solved this on his own, and he’s better off for it. But she COULD have said Shaun doesn’t need you anymore. She didn’t. Didn’t matter, though, for that’s what Glassman heard. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1635702827708-KKAPDEH4M6R5UAIP8UAY/5x4+Shea+end.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 44: “Rationality” vs… - What about Shaun and Lea in “Rationality”? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1635703622704-I0HG8L05FOIYX67TZJLL/5x4+Shea+Lea+office.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 44: “Rationality” vs… - Which he does, the next time we see them together. It’s mostly a brain dump on Shaun’s part (no wonder he closed Lea’s laptop before he really dove in; a brain dump of Shaun Murphy takes up a LOT of space!), and it’s all Lea can do to keep up-- and OK, she really doesn’t. But no matter, as she is soon treated to the presence of ShaunVision and Shaun’s hasty exit. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1635703741610-HH8CF8RKVWYOM95R91MA/5x4+Shea+End+2.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 44: “Rationality” vs… - By the way, I like how they had Lea agree at the end that Shaun’s image still “looked a little off” in their ending moments. It was as if Shaun was trying to go the extra step in agreeing to the billboard use but she was saying “Nope, you don’t have to give any more than you have already. Hold your ground with the reverse image thing.” And you could see the flash of relief on Shaun’s face as a result. That was cool. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1635704118178-VTSR52TA42HXJVQ833DM/5x4+Lea+note.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 44: “Rationality” vs… - Make it stand out MEANWHILE… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1635704327264-XKGDWB0RB2BUU58QM8TG/5x4+Shea+billboard+1st+impression.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 44: “Rationality” vs… - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://kellimlawrence.com/stateofshea/measureofintel monthly 0.5 2024-10-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1634792298940-XSX07IXU6XP63H5HUAYV/Shea+toast+karaoke+S5.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 43: Nine “Measure”-worthy Scenes from 5x3 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1634793141423-3ZMMHD6F5L46TJKE5Y1F/Shea+cold+open+5x3.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 43: Nine “Measure”-worthy Scenes from 5x3 - Shaun & Lea/The Loft “I’ve seen you adapt to things before… like the toilet paper, and the way I cut avocados…” Measure of Intelligence (M.O.I.): 9/10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/7261d5cc-ca3f-4d2a-914c-e69fc9e2ef25/Lea+Morgan+break+room.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 43: Nine “Measure”-worthy Scenes from 5x3 - Lea an d Morgan/Break Room “You think the man who happily helped you with your explosive diarrhea can’t handle your opinion about his estranged mom?” M.O.I.: 10/10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/a1407531-7880-4247-91de-bbb3a5d352ff/Got+a+minute+5x3.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 43: Nine “Measure”-worthy Scenes from 5x3 - Shaun & Lea/Lounge “Could you take a break for just a minute?” M.O.I.: 7/10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1634794695782-LWO48EK4HJ2VU2GZBB39/Grape+stomp.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 43: Nine “Measure”-worthy Scenes from 5x3 - Glassman and Shaun/Glassman’s garage “You like grapes…” “Not to walk on.” M.O.I.: 4/10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/e427a37d-7a8c-4abd-9867-94bb14421566/Irrelevant+issue+5x3.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 43: Nine “Measure”-worthy Scenes from 5x3 - Shaun, Wolke & Jordan/Lounge “My ASD does not make me irrational” M.O.I.: 8/10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/bc5ce41f-0696-42c7-86b4-cdfbf1cecc47/Meltdown+1+5x3.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 43: Nine “Measure”-worthy Scenes from 5x3 - Shaun’s meltdown sequence A.K.A. I can see clearly now, the scrubs are off… DAMN THAT HAND DRYER!!! (Not an actual quote) M.O.I.: 7 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/aee8eb8f-a0b1-4cb2-a1fe-ad0d93c17a78/Confrontation+5x3.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 43: Nine “Measure”-worthy Scenes from 5x3 - Shaun, Lea, & Salen/Computer Central Act 5 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1634822257080-94JUYK5B9FQKPUY5RE95/Sunflowers+Glassy.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 43: Nine “Measure”-worthy Scenes from 5x3 - Glassman and Lea/Glassy’s Garden “Am I being unfair? Selfish? Paranoid? Feel free to step in at any time…” M.O.I.: 7 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1634822627522-NMGO37809F6HUZKYTGNZ/Sunflowers+Lea.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 43: Nine “Measure”-worthy Scenes from 5x3 - Lea is obviously well aware of Shaun’s earlier visit (“planting grapes?”)... which is perhaps why Glassman quickly assures her that he’s “fine”. Her reveal that Shaun had invited Marcie to the wedding gave him literal, momentary pause… but he quickly pushed forward without so much as a mild reprimand/reminder about parents needing second chances (I’m thinking of his conversation with Lea in “Friends and Family”). As soon as Lea said “I don’t want to feel like I have to protect him (on our day),” that’s when Glassman appeared to disconnect again. The petulant attitude was what pissed me off-- a sort of Hey, Shaun is your problem now, little miss fiancee in his glances and refusal to help. It’s a front, of course, for the feeling that Shaun doesn’t need him the way he used to… how ironic that four different people (including Shaun), all playing different roles in his life, specifically tracked him down in this episode because they “needed” him. As with Lea’s measured reaction to the Glassman “disaster toast” at the engagement party, I have to think something much bigger is coming with these two; that she’s tucking these instances of incredible frustration into her back pocket to pull out in a later discussion. (But I’m giving this scene an MOI of 7 because I’m a little irritated that Lea has to remain so patient while Glassy carries on as he does.) Act 6 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1634822738692-RVCXHAKB45UUDYUTPJW2/Wolke+Jordan+Karaoke.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 43: Nine “Measure”-worthy Scenes from 5x3 - Wolke, Jordan, Shea/Karaoke Cool shot https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/3c8b17d1-3c71-48c9-a6be-6aa375b503d3/Shea+Karaoke+S5.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 43: Nine “Measure”-worthy Scenes from 5x3 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://kellimlawrence.com/stateofshea/salen-solution monthly 0.5 2021-10-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1633844323706-F3ANRX7G4AUGAK5HKXI8/Cake+solution.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 42: The Salen Solution (“Piece of Cake”) - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1633880368867-5CCQSDP3ZBWGKY8030BR/A+Good+look.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 42: The Salen Solution (“Piece of Cake”) - Acts 1 & 2 (Before and after opening credits) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1633876486169-1GSRSDS5BD0PDIB7CXSM/Cake+survey+1.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 42: The Salen Solution (“Piece of Cake”) - Act 4: No cake for you https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1633878054265-JZL3M2J1LJ4PQLQEAWQ3/Glassman+big+change.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 42: The Salen Solution (“Piece of Cake”) - Part 2 of the cake survey was in Glassman’s office; not surprisingly, there was the superficial level of what was being discussed (the cake, and to some extent Glassman sharing his need to get away) and then there were the things Glassman was doing (drinking scotch with his cake? BLEH) and saying (“I’ve got no wife, I’ve got no kid”) that Shaun surely took note of. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1633879449318-83AWB87PWNPD5ACXFW9K/Another+look.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 42: The Salen Solution (“Piece of Cake”) - The scene in Lea’s office was surprisingly compelling with its solution vs. venting ping pong match. Shaun has solutions for Lea but not for himself; Lea can dial herself into vent mode but Shaun doesn’t want to vent (I thought it was pretty funny that Lea’s “Oh, I get it” was, to him, an instant cue for vent-speak), Meanwhile Lea did want to vent, but Shaun’s vent-ee skills leave something to be desired… and while she is capable of solutioning in Shaun’s direction, today wasn’t that day. (Or, as she put it, “The solution well is dry.”) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1633879615075-P5ODMLVJTDZPFU7FNOON/What+just+happened+1.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 42: The Salen Solution (“Piece of Cake”) - Then, in the first of two times in this episode, Shaun says something that inadvertently becomes the solution for someone else in the room. The only thing I didn’t like was the idea of Lea telling Shaun to “use his words” to express what he’s feeling since that’s a term we usually reserve for toddlers. (People who still insist Lea doesn’t treat Shaun as an equal probably had a field day with that.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1633879720773-RHI4LG0NRJQNLGMDZFEE/What+just+happened+2.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 42: The Salen Solution (“Piece of Cake”) - But the bottom line was it made sense, and it got Lea where she needed to be-- squeezing Shaun’s shoulder and on her way to find Salen, while Shaun sat there thinking that’s not fair; I helped her and I don’t even get to find out how. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1633880109924-9O7GFA5QLMGD9X3NT2GU/Lea+Salen+1.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 42: The Salen Solution (“Piece of Cake”) - Act 5 Act 5 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1633880878805-MYKDX34NUYOGR3W8CEOH/Just+Lea.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 42: The Salen Solution (“Piece of Cake”) - But what’s to come from all this? Will Salen be mentoring Lea in some fashion? And if she does, how will that impact both Lea AND Shaun? I’m definitely intrigued, though I remain confident that #Shea will work through such an obstacle if it truly becomes one. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1633881037609-SG7D2DJP5DOPC5711DPR/Hand+dryer+meltdown.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 42: The Salen Solution (“Piece of Cake”) - Make it stand out Act 6 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1633882287131-24AVWTEWRKISGH4IOJOH/under+the+hand+dryer.JPG State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 42: The Salen Solution (“Piece of Cake”) - Make it stand out Cool shot https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1633883010093-CZSR9ENEV4HELYICCILJ/Shea+hand+dryer+meltdown.JPG State of the #Shea - State of the Shea, Pt. 42: The Salen Solution (“Piece of Cake”) - My “official” take on Salen as of right now? She’s the knows-just-enough-about-things-to-be-dangerous type, but I think her efforts towards Lea and the doctors in general— while definitely stilted— hint at her dimensions. Definitely eager to see more of her! How about you? https://kellimlawrence.com/stateofshea/blog-post-newbeginnings monthly 0.5 2021-10-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1633313322878-SL8HAAAODMJ56OE7QYHN/TGD+Shea+close+up+rain+5.1.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 41: The Perfect Imperfections of “New Beginnings” - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1633346986013-XNJ322QN5H09S25DJPCM/TGD+NightWedMare+5.1.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 41: The Perfect Imperfections of “New Beginnings” - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1633347089641-CY7YEYR0477PLMH3QMDN/Shea+dream+wed+5.1.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 41: The Perfect Imperfections of “New Beginnings” Middle names! Shaun’s little “Yes, I’m here” wave to the officiant when he said his name, followed by the proud little tug on his morning coat lapels. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1633347310919-DNBCJO4UWOL3O9DIEX9W/lightning+5.1+.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 41: The Perfect Imperfections of “New Beginnings” Lea, w/the earplugs and the sea of umbrellas, being more prepared for “chaos” than she gives credit for… until the lightning struck the tree (OK, that would legitimately be a disaster if it really happened.) The lesson, to her: despite her best efforts, shit’s still gonna happen (a.k.a. “chaos follows me wherever I go,” as she uttered after nightmare number two.) To be continued later in this particular episode… we’ll see about the rest of the season. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1633347728551-GAK0FRJ1QPIKK8ZH9Y0Z/TGD+Glass+Andrews+5.1.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 41: The Perfect Imperfections of “New Beginnings” Glassman & Andrews (surely getting a hashtag soon, right?)… I think they’ll form a better alliance over lost love in time, but it was an interesting study in contrasts to start. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1633347866884-ULLFNSI0GV20HIX6A5BZ/TGD+Matlim+5.1.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 41: The Perfect Imperfections of “New Beginnings” #MatLim (Mateo and Lim), picking up where they left off at the end of the Guatemalan episodes as they’re thrown into the quiet dilemma of just how fast do we want to take this? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1633347968282-JN9E4U71MM6APVJQDL6R/Wolke+Jordan+5.1.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 41: The Perfect Imperfections of “New Beginnings” - Make it stand out Jordan and Wolke (or #Wollen, I think they might be tagged now)... clearly this was Jordan’s episode to shine, but Wolke will get his turn. Not sorry to see them back at all. They’ll be terrific rivals with none of the sexual tension of, say, #Parnick. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1633351058351-OW70I44UK7LP67738AMQ/Jordan+purple+5.1.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 41: The Perfect Imperfections of “New Beginnings” - “Perfect”: Lea and Jordan’s friendship Yes!!! The seed they planted last year is blooming. Since Claire is obviously not available for day-to-day friendship anymore (sigh), and it might be too weird for Lea to be super-chummy with Shaun’s boss (Lim), and she and Morgan haven’t exactly exuded BFF vibes… Jordan’s the perfect candidate. Funny how, with Lea’s screen time increasing dramatically at the same time as Jordan’s debut season, it feels like a much more organic friendship than it probably has a right to. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1633351268977-UOR3Y0UNTSNFBY0HR9VJ/Lea+computers+5.1.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 41: The Perfect Imperfections of “New Beginnings” (Mini-Perfect: Just in case anyone was wondering if Lea had gotten too sweet by way of her love of Shaun… we have Sassy Lea on tap when she gets flak on the phone (“I’ll have to check with my fiance… he’s a lawyer…”)) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1633351634299-UPM5JSV8MQ8V139JTMSE/shea+hand+this+one+5.1.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 41: The Perfect Imperfections of “New Beginnings” - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1633351782580-DF1YVHH2AL6XYGL3NRIM/TGD+Parnick+5.1.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 41: The Perfect Imperfections of “New Beginnings” At first we think Park is just talking through the problem himself, now that Shaun is en route to the party... Then we get the surprise that no, Morgan’s now sitting there, all sussed up in the green dress Lea had mentioned earlier, initially throwing shade Park’s way… or so he thought. But then she says something along the lines of “science isn’t the thing that’s going to convince your patient,” and BOOM, Park has his lightbulb moment about the patient’s brother. MAGIC! Then he plants a kiss on her before taking off for Patient Sarah’s room. It was a nice kiss, by the way! Short, but nice! (We’ll take at least one of those a week for #Shea, thank you very much) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1633351936927-P5UCF3KWR9P2YE6NMMY4/Glassy+wide+shot+5.1.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 41: The Perfect Imperfections of “New Beginnings” - Make it stand out Cringeworthy for Glassman, I mean. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1633352057440-7E302WRJ6JBCDN6Z5660/Glassy+toast+5+1.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 41: The Perfect Imperfections of “New Beginnings” As Shaun and Lea stood there, more stunned and saddened for Glassman than anything else, I presume… I was thinking especially about those last words he said. (I’ve got to assume he wasn’t just rambling; they care too much about the economy of words on TGD to have throwaway lines in such a scene). Platform… they’ve taken off… ??? I came away from that thinking it feels to Glassman that he’s going to be left behind in the dust of Shaun and Lea’s happy future. Especially now that he’s alone. How about you? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1633352317090-V6CLQ5UQN1OE45EIF5P6/Lea+montage+5.1.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 41: The Perfect Imperfections of “New Beginnings” The instrumental piano music used in the Act 5 montage was not identified in Closed Captioning as montage music often is, but it sure sounded like Kings of Leon’s “Use Somebody.” We often discuss the use of lyrics, but when the lyrics to a fairly well-known pop song are omitted should we still regard them? I’m not sure. Here are the first several lines; see what you think: https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1633352505035-U1PZ3DLNQ0H0B9BW7ROH/TGD+Salen+5.1.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 41: The Perfect Imperfections of “New Beginnings” - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1633352700416-9Z65JVCK4IF1MROF2DE6/Shea+last+scene+5.1.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 41: The Perfect Imperfections of “New Beginnings” - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1633352866482-1Q7HEMCL9VF9ZNH2YLH1/Lea+last+scene+5.1.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 41: The Perfect Imperfections of “New Beginnings” As Shea discussions go…Yes, the “when things go wrong, they should go wrong for both of us” sentiment is lovely, and totally on-brand with them. (As for Shaun actually helping with the wedding...well, we’ll see. Lea may want to kick him out of things if he makes her crazy. And he’ll probably make her at least a little crazy. But I digress.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1633353012857-24FRJEAOT4PUFK5V28SF/vision+board+5.1.jpg State of the #Shea - State of the Shea Pt. 41: The Perfect Imperfections of “New Beginnings” - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://kellimlawrence.com/stateofshea/blog-post-title-one-hw93a monthly 0.5 2021-10-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1632029026525-ANGDBXGZHI17U6IC8WVP/Shaun+Lea+engagement+party.jpg State of the #Shea - Dear TGD Season 5: A Wish List - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1632708019942-6DYFIJKZBECD3OCM8AZZ/TGD+5+1+promo+4+shot+St+B.png State of the #Shea - Dear TGD Season 5: A Wish List - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. 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https://kellimlawrence.com/stateofskatemusic/romeo-amp-juliet-and-romeo-amp-juliet-and-romeo-amp-juliethttps/kellimlawrencecom/blog-page-url/new-post-title monthly 0.5 2026-03-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1774111030533-1OJ8WI2EV1YBCDR79TW6/R+%26+J+Prokofiev+St8+of+Sk8.jpg State of the SkateMUSIC - Romeo & Juliet… (and Romeo & Juliet, and Romeo & Juliet) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1774111080950-5OY2NW9PQF3BFEL6N1YY/R%26J+1968+St8+of+Sk8.jpeg State of the SkateMUSIC - Romeo & Juliet… (and Romeo & Juliet, and Romeo & Juliet) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1774111398956-XU5F2MVMJ6XIBYZFXUSK/R%26J+1996+Kiss+St8+of+Sk8.jpeg State of the SkateMUSIC - Romeo & Juliet… (and Romeo & Juliet, and Romeo & Juliet) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1774107986702-NDK3LBZX5IZ57NIM86IB/R%26J+costume+St8+of+Sk8.jpeg State of the SkateMUSIC - Romeo & Juliet… (and Romeo & Juliet, and Romeo & Juliet) - How many can pick traditional R&J costumes out of a lineup? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/d385e4d0-2d54-4430-81a6-df286d201e96/R+%26+J+ballet+St8+of+Sk8.jpeg State of the SkateMUSIC - Romeo & Juliet… (and Romeo & Juliet, and Romeo & Juliet) The ballet, composed by Sergei Prokofiev in the 1930s… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/8c9a24c9-6570-408a-99bd-84c56977a581/R%26J+1968+wedding+St8ofSk8.jpeg State of the SkateMUSIC - Romeo & Juliet… (and Romeo & Juliet, and Romeo & Juliet) The 1968 film, with a score by Nino Rota… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/41da5dc4-8fdf-47ac-b644-fec4cd37674f/R%2BJ+1996+St8+of+Sk8.jpeg State of the SkateMUSIC - Romeo & Juliet… (and Romeo & Juliet, and Romeo & Juliet) And the 1996 film, a modern adaptation with a score by Craig Armstrong, Nellee Hooper, and Marius de Vries. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/389512ba-6ecc-4e53-94be-80815e1667e8/R%26J+2013+St8+of+Sk8.jpeg State of the SkateMUSIC - Romeo & Juliet… (and Romeo & Juliet, and Romeo & Juliet) - A FOURTH Romeo & Juliet– with a traditional setting, a lot of liberties taken with the original Shakespearean text, and a score by Abel Korzeniowski– has also gained some (ice) traction over the past decade. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/66eaabff-9ef5-42d7-bc19-7a303f17bf88/West+Side+Story+balcony+St8+of+Sk8.jpeg State of the SkateMUSIC - Romeo & Juliet… (and Romeo & Juliet, and Romeo & Juliet) - And am I forgetting the contemporary MUSICAL adaptation of R & J, better known as West Side Story (a Broadway show adapted for the screen both in 1961 and 2021)? No way. But so much skating history lies with WSS all by itself that I plan to give it its own article in the future. https://kellimlawrence.com/stateofskatemusic/on-turandot-and-toscahttps/kellimlawrencecom/blog-page-url/new-post-title monthly 0.5 2026-02-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/86be3a23-c4ed-4ced-a2d8-2d787220963a/Giacomo-Puccini+St8+of+Sk8+2+26.jpg State of the SkateMUSIC - “Turandot” and “Tosca”: Puccini’s Skating Showcases - Make it stand out Giacomo Antonio Domenico Michele Secondo Maria Puccini (1858-1924) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/0d626e5f-be2c-476f-9cb0-14ec2c239369/Turandot+art+St8+of+Sk8+2+26.jpeg State of the SkateMUSIC - “Turandot” and “Tosca”: Puccini’s Skating Showcases - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/cc081ebc-000c-4786-8cf7-33e9bc54d77f/Pavarotti+St8ofSk8+2+26.jpeg State of the SkateMUSIC - “Turandot” and “Tosca”: Puccini’s Skating Showcases - SO HOW DID TURANDOT BECOME EMBRACED BY FIGURE SKATING? It’s an easy sell if you take note of the grand scale of the opera itself: Magnificent sets, giant gongs that play into the storyline, powerful choral passages… and it happens to be home to one of the best-known arias in the business. “Nessum Dorma” (Let No One Sleep), sung by Calaf, moved into the mainstream of popular music when Luciano Pavarotti’s 1972 recording became the theme song of the 1990 FIFA World Cup in Italy. It’s been adapted and performed in a multitude of ways since then, including both the 2006 and 2026 Winter Olympics (in Turin and Milano-Cortina, respectively). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/383881d2-31fa-4ea5-8a2b-1fd166ac2746/Christopher+Tin+St8ofSk8+2+26.jpeg State of the SkateMUSIC - “Turandot” and “Tosca”: Puccini’s Skating Showcases - Photo Credit: Andy Wilkinson It marks the 100th anniversary of Turandot since its debut premiere at La Scala. There was a new creation by Christopher Tin last year, and Yuma’s choreographer Lori Nichol, who’s just a master craftsman, considered then using that piece. Carolina Kostner… elected to reach out directly to the conductor Christopher Tin… and that sparked the creation of a piece specifically for Yuma. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/5fd6ea0e-f495-4243-b112-88261fef6b62/Tosca+St8+of+Sk8+2+26.jpeg State of the SkateMUSIC - “Turandot” and “Tosca”: Puccini’s Skating Showcases - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://kellimlawrence.com/stateofskatemusic/for-their-consideration-skatemusic-suggestions-2025-editionhttps/kellimlawrencecom/blog-page-url/new-post-title monthly 0.5 2025-10-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/40ebc42c-6188-48e3-8dcd-00e3164b11fe/St8+of+Sk8MUSIC+skates+only+10+25.jpg State of the SkateMUSIC - For Their Consideration: SkateMUSIC Suggestions (2025 Edition) - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/0f285cdb-2bbf-4cf0-9148-e5e461b7b59a/Ginger+Rogers+heart+dress.jpeg State of the SkateMUSIC - For Their Consideration: SkateMUSIC Suggestions (2025 Edition) - I even have a costume idea… an homage to this darling cupid’s arrow dress worn by Ginger Rogers in the 1939 film Carefree. Watch the above video to see why it would work so well! https://kellimlawrence.com/stateofskatemusic/the-noteworthiest-of-2024-25https/kellimlawrencecom/blog-page-url/new-post-title monthly 0.5 2025-05-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/58108c57-bab1-4577-85c2-33c44a0e0609/Trophy.jpeg State of the SkateMUSIC - The Noteworthiest Programs of 2024-25 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1746560929392-Q7WDFG7MBD9P80023HZQ/St8+Sk8+GEO+pair+blue+pink+.jpg State of the SkateMUSIC - The Noteworthiest Programs of 2024-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1746560786695-VY0692TTW44I6J8MA1LD/St8+of+Sk8+PapaCiz+Blue+Pink+RD.jpeg State of the SkateMUSIC - The Noteworthiest Programs of 2024-25 https://kellimlawrence.com/stateofskatemusic/the-season-of-summerhttps/kellimlawrencecom/blog-page-url/new-post-title monthly 0.5 2025-04-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/35762812-08c3-490d-8368-b4bbf4f91e68/Donna+Summer+Gold+Winged+Gown+St8+of+Sk8.jpeg State of the SkateMUSIC - The Season of Summer - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/908b196e-9477-478e-9bdd-03ec88cd2ef5/Pet+Rock+St8ofSk8+3+25.jpeg State of the SkateMUSIC - The Season of Summer - There were LPs, 8-tracks, and cassettes. And dog-eared copies of Seventeen, even if you yourself were not yet 17. And Pet Rocks. And Charlie’s Angels. And JELLO salads. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/d0be2362-0ed8-40ba-9a92-d7856f2ee5eb/Disco+Handbook+St8+of+Sk8.jpeg State of the SkateMUSIC - The Season of Summer - And there was D I S C O. Disco music, disco dancing, discotheques, roller disco… and The Disco Handbook, which was available through the Scholastic Book Club when I was in junior high school. (I may or may not have bought a copy of it. You cannot prove anything.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/c808be0e-d3ed-49de-962d-41c78ed7119e/Fratianne+St8ofSk8.jpeg State of the SkateMUSIC - The Season of Summer - But alas– the figure skating world was decades away from allowing vocals in competitive programs of any kind. So disco’s sparkle was limited to costumes like 1980 Olympic Silver Medalist Linda Fratianne’s… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/a85fbdfd-5a1a-4866-9192-4a5c5737ff2b/Donna+Summer+3+st8+of+Sk8.jpeg State of the SkateMUSIC - The Season of Summer - Meanwhile, Ms. Summer did something other disco-era artists rarely did… continued her string of pop hits all the way into the mid-1980s with “The Wanderer,” “Love is in Control (Finger on the Trigger),” and “She Works Hard For the Money,” to name a few. That last one proved to be yet another groundbreaker as she became one of the first Black artists (and the first Black woman) to have a music video in heavy rotation on MTV. Her final significant appearance on the pop charts came with 1989’s Another Place and Time album, which included the Top 10 U.S. hit “This Time I Know It’s For Real.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1743050900915-YYQNUYIFUBF4H1EDGB39/Donna+Summer+Live+and+More.jpeg State of the SkateMUSIC - The Season of Summer https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1743050900941-G1EHM0CXJYSKAVUVB1W7/Live+and+More+2.jpeg State of the SkateMUSIC - The Season of Summer https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1743050866177-9JTGZ8XK59ZK8YF3S7PS/Live+and+More+3.jpeg State of the SkateMUSIC - The Season of Summer https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/41098242-6e77-450b-a73c-dbccce05fcad/MacArthur+Park+Suite.jpeg State of the SkateMUSIC - The Season of Summer - … one reason being the fact it was called “MacArthur Park Suite”. To that point, I’d only heard of “suites” in the form of ballet music. But a suite is defined as “a group of things forming a unit or constituting a collection”... and sub-defined as “a modern instrumental composition in several movements of different character” (Merriam-Webster for both). So while side 4 of Live and More became 18 minutes of continuous dance heaven for those taking to the discotheques of the time… it was 18 minutes of pure melodic delight for little 6th grade me. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/3079474e-49a2-4cf4-94fe-7e59ea094545/Donna+Summer+Class+25+St8ofSk8.jpeg State of the SkateMUSIC - The Season of Summer - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://kellimlawrence.com/stateofskatemusic/4tpouiuu1iyykxz48udc8k6apf40xqhttps/kellimlawrencecom/uschampsclassof25 monthly 0.5 2025-02-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/af6baecb-e038-41a8-8515-90b7fdd3a23b/2025+US+Champs+logo.png State of the SkateMUSIC - US Champs Class of ‘25 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/57a0f4ab-2c71-473f-8a49-06065a71a117/Kate+Bush+Class+25+St8ofSk8.jpeg State of the SkateMUSIC - US Champs Class of ‘25 - KATE BUSH Kate Bush’s 1985 single “Running Up That Hill”-- which became her biggest U.S. hit when it was popularized by the TV drama Stranger Things in 2022-- made it to the ice this season thanks in part to Wakaba Higuchi’s free skate. But the British artist’s wrenching ballad “This Woman’s Work” (first heard in 1988) met the skating community soon after vocals were permitted… and was used for Alexa Gasparatto’s SP this season. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/37e1fd7a-91b8-422f-af52-e96191f4f067/Daft+Punk+Class+25+St8ofSk8.jpeg State of the SkateMUSIC - US Champs Class of ‘25 - DAFT PUNK The incognito, now-defunct duo from France is one of many outfits best known for creating art by way of their music sampling skills. Chock/Bates showcased Daft Punk’s work with their “Alien” free dance in the 2021-22 Olympic season, but they’re also heard on the TRON movie soundtrack (which was Maxim Naumov’s free skate here) and other capacities, such as “Touch”… which was utilized this season by Samuel Mindra. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/f71f3889-2e57-4b6d-83c6-b71eb055496c/Lara+Fabian+Class+25+St8ofSk8.jpeg State of the SkateMUSIC - US Champs Class of ‘25 - LARA FABIAN Fabian is a Belgian songstress similar in vocal stylings to Dion; her version of “Je Suis Malade” was the one used by Canadian ice dancers Weaver/Poje to great effect. “Broken Vow,” used by Elyce Lin-Gracey for her SP this season, is a song Fabian co-wrote that appeared first in on an album of hers released in 1999. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/b9cb1b2e-c9fb-432c-974a-a0f32973642c/Falling+in+Reverse+Class+25+St8ofSk8.jpeg State of the SkateMUSIC - US Champs Class of ‘25 - FALLING IN REVERSE Ilia Malinin has introduced us (and skating) to some of his personal favorites this season. Rapper NF is the artist behind his SP, while this American rock band, founded by lead vocalist Ronnie Radtke in 2008, gave Malinin his “I’m Not a Vampire” free skate. But take note– Malinin uses the 2021 “Revamped” (get it?? re”VAMP”ed???) edition of the song, which is lushly orchestrated and produced. (Here’s how the 2011 original sounds in case you’re curious.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/d0bceb8b-6767-4ed7-a606-ed72484e552d/florence-and-the-machine+Class+25+St8ofSk8.jpg State of the SkateMUSIC - US Champs Class of ‘25 - FLORENCE + THE MACHINE Florence Welch and her band have brought powerful pop/rock music to the masses since 2009. But while skaters tend to lean on uptempo tracks like “Cosmic Love” and “Moderation,” pairs skaters Kam/O’Shea instead brought Florence’s cover of the Ben E. King classic “Stand By Me” for their free skate. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/c50aab59-a2a1-483d-bcb8-60ec78bf644c/Hozier+Class+25+St8ofSk8.jpeg State of the SkateMUSIC - US Champs Class of ‘25 - HOZIER Andrew John Hozier-Byrne (a.k.a. Hozier) is an Irish singer/songwriter whose monster 2013 hit “Take Me to Church” was used several years back by both Adam Siao Him Fa and the U.S. pairs team of Kayne/O’Shea. But while Hozier re-entered the international spotlight in 2024 with “Too Sweet,” it’s a track from his 2019 album Wasteland, Baby! that became an SP for Liam Kapiekis and a FS for Lindsey Thorngren… that song is called “Movement.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/49a27ca2-4ed5-4c8d-974c-1d9ae6206467/Stella+Jang+Class+25+St8ofSk8.jpeg State of the SkateMUSIC - US Champs Class of ‘25 - STELLA JANG Born in 1991 and active in the music industry for about a decade, Jang is the South Korean singer/songwriter behind the SP of Michelle Lee, who finished 16th at Nationals. The track Lee used is called “Villain,” and is found on Jang’s 2020 album STELLA I. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/4119ded4-67e4-4a97-955c-ac4c38d230a4/Laufey+Class+25+St8ofSk8.jpeg State of the SkateMUSIC - US Champs Class of ‘25 - LAUFEY Laufey Lín Bing Jónsdóttir (known as Laufey and pronounced LAY-vay) was born in 1999 and is the Icelandic singer/songwriter behind Alysa Liu’s “Promise” SP. The track is from Laufey’s album Bewitched, which won the Grammy for Traditional Pop Vocal Album in 2024. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/673e4d14-4d0c-48c9-ad64-a097bed3e9d0/M83+Class+25+St8ofSk8.jpeg State of the SkateMUSIC - US Champs Class of ‘25 - M83 A collection of electronic musicians that has gone through numerous lineups since it started in the early 2000s, M83 has been fronted all along by France’s Anthony Gonzalez. U.S. men’s bronze medalist Camden Pulkinen used two M83 tracks for his free skate this season; the better-known one is “Outro,” which is found on their 2011 release Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/d8bcfcf3-58f9-4856-8217-81868331b705/Stromae+Class+25+St8ofSk8.jpeg State of the SkateMUSIC - US Champs Class of ‘25 - STROMAE Stromae is a stage name (“maestro” with the syllables reversed) for Belgian singer/songwriter/rapper/producer Paul van Haver (born 1985). While he isn’t a household name in the U.S., Stromae has found international success with a number of singles released since 2010. “L’enfer” (translated as Hell), a European chart-topper that deals with depression and suicidal thoughts, has been successful SP music for Andrew Torgashev two years running and is used by no less than THREE European skaters this season as well. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/4a6783cc-d5b0-43c4-a84b-774c72eff909/Woodkid+Class+25+St8ofSk8.jpeg State of the SkateMUSIC - US Champs Class of ‘25 - WOODKID I feel a deeper dive into Yoann Lemoine (a.k.a. Woodkid) coming on– he’s done so much not just as a musical artist, but a visual one– but for now, just know that the Frenchman that Nathan Chen skated to several years back (“Land of All” FS 2018-19 ) was heard at this year’s Nationals by way of Lucius Kazanecki’s FS to “I Love You.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/89c013dd-4921-4316-9517-55e2e2307446/Armand+Amar+Class+25+St8ofSk8.jpeg State of the SkateMUSIC - US Champs Class of ‘25 - ARMAND AMAR French composer Armand Amar (b. 1953) has scored dozens of TV and film projects internationally. “La Terre Vue Du Ciel” (“The Earth From Above”) was one such project; it also came to Olympic ice in 2018 by way of Savchenko/Massot’s gold medal-winning free skate. Jimmy Ma is the one who brought it to Nationals’ ice this year. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/48c52acd-1223-4592-a56b-c98b9e377aab/Olafur+Arnalds+Class+25+St8ofSk8.jpeg State of the SkateMUSIC - US Champs Class of ‘25 - OLAFUR ARNALDS Olafur Arnalds (b. 1986) hails from Iceland and started bringing his brand of ambient/atmospheric pop worldwide in the early 2000s. The Emmy and Grammy-nominated multi-intrumentalist released his first solo album in 2007; “Epilogue,” his piece used in the free dance by Zingas/Kolesnik, was released in 2021. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/f9cd03c1-82e1-4280-8aaf-eca979928bf0/Ezio+Bosso+Class+25+St8ofSk8.jpeg State of the SkateMUSIC - US Champs Class of ‘25 - EZIO BOSSO Perhaps the contemporary composer on this list best known to skating fans is Italy’s Ezio Bosso (1971-2020), whose piece for piano/violin/cello known as “Rain, in Your Dark Eyes” has been used widely in competition for the past 8-10 years. The pairs team of Kam/O’Shea is the latest U.S. representation, using it for their 2024-25 short program. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/30a8e900-3b97-4f74-84d2-3c01e9a4f0bd/Balazs+Havasi+Class+25+St8ofSk8.jpeg State of the SkateMUSIC - US Champs Class of ‘25 - BALAZS HAVASI Born in 1975, Hungarian pianist/composer Balazs Havasi has been heard at previous U.S. Nationals by way of Alysa Liu and Bradie Tennell, both of whom have skated to his piece “The Storm.” This time it was the new U.S. pairs team of Shin/Nagy that did the honors, skating to “Prelude/Age of Heroes.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/707f4208-d501-4335-8deb-534be3c59554/Arvo+Part+Class+25+St8ofSk8.jpeg State of the SkateMUSIC - US Champs Class of ‘25 - ARVO PART Arvo Part (born in Estonia in 1935) has the distinction of being the most performed living composer in the world between 2011-2018 and again in 2022. “Spiegel im Spiegel” (Mirror in the Mirror), which he wrote in 1978, remains one of his most popular works… and has been skated to by everyone from the Shibutanis to Shoma Uno. This season, “Spiegel” is featured in two different American programs: Green/Parsons (which was heard at Nationals), and Jason Brown (who hopes you will hear it at Worlds in Boston). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/48c2034c-4433-46df-9179-ec167aa51916/Yiruma+Class+25+St8ofSk8.jpeg State of the SkateMUSIC - US Champs Class of ‘25 - YIRUMA Unlike all the other (European) contemporary composers on this list, Yiruma (b. 1978) hails from South Korea. His recorded solo piano compositions date back to 2001, which is also when he initially recorded “River Flows in You” (first popularized in figure skating by Evgenia Medvedeva and Mariah Bell). Pairs team Shin/Nagy skated their FS to it in the 2024-25 season. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1739209892518-UK9KXVEJSTVDV5E54QOK/Beatles+Class+25+St8ofSk8.jpeg State of the SkateMUSIC - US Champs Class of ‘25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1739209893277-5JE87OKAUMMH1Q9792EB/Donna+Summer+Class+25+St8ofSk8.jpeg State of the SkateMUSIC - US Champs Class of ‘25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1739209893383-OWED8B90HN4OGL5R18ZF/Fleetwood+Mac+Class+25+St8ofSk8.jpeg State of the SkateMUSIC - US Champs Class of ‘25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1739209894067-2UUP1GL446D0B23XR6GG/James+Brown+Class+25+St8ofSk8.jpeg State of the SkateMUSIC - US Champs Class of ‘25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1739209894159-R0ZD41BQ2CT72KOC9C6K/Janet+Jackson+Class+25+St8ofSk8.jpeg State of the SkateMUSIC - US Champs Class of ‘25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1739209894906-RD45G406X363HX5JJQNQ/Madonna+Class+25+St8ofSk8.jpeg State of the SkateMUSIC - US Champs Class of ‘25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1739209895675-0H1J5G35GWK1PFNV8KLJ/Prince+Class+25+St8ofSk8.jpeg State of the SkateMUSIC - US Champs Class of ‘25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1739209895689-RT84T2EVMBO7ZW3SHV3L/Simon+Garfunkel+Class+25+St8ofSk8.jpeg State of the SkateMUSIC - US Champs Class of ‘25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1739209896378-PI3XW0OOO2D8AUYATV03/Who+Class+25+St8ofSk8.jpeg State of the SkateMUSIC - US Champs Class of ‘25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/d94a95f6-8ac7-44fb-8bfd-9809ef7b3400/USFS+Worlds+2025+graphic+St8ofSk8.png State of the SkateMUSIC - US Champs Class of ‘25 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://kellimlawrence.com/stateofskatemusic/anh0y5je69o1vci4lfyhmwbep90hckhttps/kellimlawrencecom/blog-page-url/new-post-title monthly 0.5 2025-06-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/b2f4db4f-6106-4865-b6fb-7cd2c17c0d31/Queen+band+shot+State+of+Sk8+MUSIC.jpeg State of the SkateMUSIC - “I’m Having a Good Time”: All Hail the (skating programs of) QUEEN - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/a23cb66a-4571-4360-88e7-7547a97570a6/Queen+rock+band+2+St8+of+Skate.jpeg State of the SkateMUSIC - “I’m Having a Good Time”: All Hail the (skating programs of) QUEEN - That’s a key thing, though: It needs to be an original Queen track; covers don’t carry the same magic. They just don’t. Case in point: Hungarian pairs team Maria Pavlova and Alexei Sviatchenko used a mix of the original “Another One Bites the Dust” and a (to my ears, anyway) lackluster cover version when they started the 2023-24 season… by 2024 Worlds, the original “Dust” comprised their entire SP and helped them towards a 4th place finish. All this is not to say there aren’t some great remakes… but if a skater chooses “Somebody to Love” (for instance), why go with the terrific George Michael version when the recording Michael emulated is right there…? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/8f1f0f9b-c8cf-43a1-9e72-31fc583c8301/Queen+band+4.jpeg State of the SkateMUSIC - “I’m Having a Good Time”: All Hail the (skating programs of) QUEEN - In the leadup to this post, I ran a couple of different surveys trying to determine A) a favorite Queen song for figure skating, and B) a favorite Queen song in general. With regard to skating, “Who Wants to Live Forever” did well, as did “Don’t Stop me Now”... but the option “ANY Queen works!” was popular too. My poll about songs in general brought more of the “ANY Queen works!” vibe, with no less than nine different hits mentioned– everything from “Fat-Bottomed Girls” to “I Want to Break Free” (used in exhibition by OGM Meryl Davis/Charlie White) to “The Show Must Go On” (used in some Moulin Rouge performances, among other places) to… well, just about every song mentioned in this article. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/8a5c0a98-fb44-455c-b14f-d81c851ddbb9/Queen+Freddie+Mercury+solo.jpeg State of the SkateMUSIC - “I’m Having a Good Time”: All Hail the (skating programs of) QUEEN - For those who have loved many a rousing Queen exhibition program through the decades but wondered if a competitive version of the same might come off as too “camp” to take seriously (and I admit I may have been one of those people), I think the past decade has put that wondering to rest. If the passion, drama and engagement created by this music is branded more campy than the average skating fan can tolerate, then the average skating fan isn’t attending the competitions I’ve witnessed. And if “looking the part” of Freddie Mercury himself is considered a step too far– whether it’s the sleeveless white tee shirt & jeans, or iconic jackets like this one– https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1711039928626-GODXYB5VGG0H4T0HP3ZN/Queen+band+3.jpeg State of the SkateMUSIC - “I’m Having a Good Time”: All Hail the (skating programs of) QUEEN - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://kellimlawrence.com/stateofskatemusic/the-zimmer-effect monthly 0.5 2025-03-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/93bd9680-d726-4c85-a086-cfb12fd73132/Hans+Zimmer+Sk8Music.jpeg State of the SkateMUSIC - THE ZIMMER EFFECT - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/2976549c-c365-4d5d-ab7e-6f4b5ccc5e0c/Zimmer+Buggles+Sk8Music.jpeg State of the SkateMUSIC - THE ZIMMER EFFECT - In the 70s and early 80s, Zimmer’s prowess on keyboards and synthesizers was showcased in several new-wave bands. The most noteworthy of those bands– The Buggles, whose song “Video Killed the Radio Star” was the first video ever shown on MTV– features Zimmer on keyboards during the iconic clip. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/360f3a5e-fed9-4ce0-8a70-6ab73760d379/Zimmer+w+Oscar.jpeg State of the SkateMUSIC - THE ZIMMER EFFECT - "I listen to [Zimmer's] music and I don't even have to shut my eyes. I can see the pictures. And that's why, in many respects, I know I can talk pictures with Hans. He responds to pictures." https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/596adfcb-b65f-4917-93fe-e54dc265e4c1/Dune-2021-st8ofsk8.jpeg State of the SkateMUSIC - THE ZIMMER EFFECT - It’s based on the extremely successful Dune novel, published back in 1965. Set in the “distant future,” it’s a saga that includes struggles within families, magical substances, difficulties between planets, and abject challenges to humanity itself. (If you really want to understand it better, check this article out— which calls it part-Hamlet, part Lawrence of Arabia.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/ccc5857b-16bd-4cdd-849a-10285ff32e18/Dune+2+st8ofsk8.jpeg State of the SkateMUSIC - THE ZIMMER EFFECT - Though efforts to expand Dune into a full-out franchise date all the way back to 1971 and include a mid-80s David Lynch film, a mini-series in 2000, and numerous board and video games, the breadth of material (the paperback edition is nearly 900 pages!) has always proved a hindrance to the visual medium. But the newest two-part adaptation, directed and co-written by Denis Villeneuve, has proven to be the biggest critical and commercial success by far– winning eight Academy Awards between the pair of films, and grossing over one billion dollars (yes, with a “B”) at the box office. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/b452ef0d-b654-461b-9749-d5bfcf0f9a0b/Dune+bottom+pic+St8ofSk8+2025.jpg State of the SkateMUSIC - THE ZIMMER EFFECT - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://kellimlawrence.com/stateofskatemusic/o-fortuna-from-carmina-burana monthly 0.5 2023-03-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/5a010bce-19ed-486a-a986-9dfa8dc2e076/Carmina+Burana+wheel+of+fortune.jpeg State of the SkateMUSIC - O FORTUNA From Carmina Burana - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/c5248708-2c5c-41fd-a1a5-70f45d9f7733/SOTSM+Carl+Orff.jpeg State of the SkateMUSIC - O FORTUNA From Carmina Burana - Germany’s Carl Orff is the composer of Carmina Burana, a cantata composed in the mid-1930s. Based on a medieval collection of 24 poems, “O Fortuna” (the first and best-known part of the cantata) takes to task the goddess Fortuna and the medieval symbol of the Rota Fortunae, which she spins at random. Some find goodness, others find suffering, and nothing is within anyone’s control. (The repetitions within the music are said to be representative of the round-and-round motion of the spinning wheel.) Carmina was first staged by the Frankfurt Opera in 1937 to great success, becoming Orff’s best-known work in the decades since. Especially when popular culture embraced it. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/4352c0eb-8a7a-4402-b5a8-f3e33f83d6b4/Excalibur+poster+1981.jpeg State of the SkateMUSIC - O FORTUNA From Carmina Burana - The producers of the 1981 epic medieval drama Excalibur must have seen “O Fortuna” as both great music for the film and to promote the film; it’s this two-and-a-half-minute trailer that many believe to be the beginning of the piece’s immersion in the contemporary world. Since then, the piece has been used from dramatic to outright cataclysmic effect in countless ways, including: While Sue Sylvester trashed an office on an episode of Glee In the films Cheaper By the Dozen and G-Force To represent Jim Morrison’s drug-addicted torment in the biopic The Doors During talent performances on X Factor and Britain’s Got Talent In countless commercials (including Domino’s Pizza, Gatorade, and Carlton Draught Beer— sometimes with hilarious lyric overhauls, as you see here) https://kellimlawrence.com/stateofskatemusic/astor-piazzolla-and-argentine-tango monthly 0.5 2024-03-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/7a14da3c-7e49-4b58-aaa5-2b8c59cc7587/St8ofSk8+Yuna+Adios+Nonino.jpeg State of the SkateMUSIC - Astor Piazzolla and Argentine Tango - Yuna Kim “Adios Nonino” program, 2013-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/04d436f6-99f1-444d-9414-10a6c84ecc5b/St8+of+Sk8+Piazzolla+sienna+portrait.jpeg State of the SkateMUSIC - Astor Piazzolla and Argentine Tango - “For me, Astor Piazzolla means genius, and genius often comes hand in hand with misunderstanding, which was what happened with him at the beginning. He was different— he created tango at a disruptive, rebellious level; he was totally innovative and it caused discomfort. He never left the essence of tango, but gave it a unique personality that made him one of the greatest musicians of the 20th century. I learned to love tango thanks to him, and his tango led me to love jazz and blues and chamber music.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/cf4948f4-3e86-4a96-9517-721cd9568d17/St8+of+Sk8+Piazzolla+plaque.jpeg State of the SkateMUSIC - Astor Piazzolla and Argentine Tango - “Liebertango” (which I’ll talk about a little later) was one of several compositions that helped cement Piazzolla’s popularity. He was the only child of Italian immigrants, born in Argentina in 1921 but spending much of his youth in New York City. By the time he returned to his home country at age 17, he’d already played the bandoneon for nearly a decade and was steadily honing his skills amongst the musicians of Buenos Aires. One such skill– orchestration– took Piazzolla to Paris for additional studies, cultivating a style of tango music that sustained his love for the genre and ultimately captivated Europe, the Amreicas, and other parts of the world. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1f31bea0-087c-4516-8d89-309d5642bcff/St8+of+Sk8+Papa+Ciz+Oblivion.jpeg State of the SkateMUSIC - Astor Piazzolla and Argentine Tango - “Why audacity? Because ‘Piazzolla's music is not for dancing’ …this is a phrase that was once heard in milongas (an Argentine predecessor to the tango), the first ones worked in brothels since tango was a dance prohibited due to the display of sensuality and contact. The old orthodox men of tango hated him for creating music that you couldn't dance to, for them, due to the variety and diversity of rhythm inside one song it was only good for listening and talking. “If Astor were alive, I could hear his triumphant laughter at seeing so much ice skating talent transform his music into movement.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/f14f3345-9725-4d44-8a62-a3b98e4ccbd4/St8+of+Sk8+Piazzolla+Bronze.jpeg State of the SkateMUSIC - Astor Piazzolla and Argentine Tango - Make it stand out “At the intersection of Belgrano and Buenos Aires streets, 200 meters from the sea, in front of the Plaza del Agua and next to the emblematic Hotel Provincial, the bronze statue of Astor Piazzolla created by Esteban Benavides bears witness to the passage of the city that he loved . Astor always said ‘I am Argentine, but from Mar del Plata.’” — Natalia Barrios https://kellimlawrence.com/stateofskatemusic/phantom-of-the-opera monthly 0.5 2025-03-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/552e87eb-a8ac-4df6-93ee-cb80e7c68d40/Phantom+mask.jpg State of the SkateMUSIC - “Phantom of the Opera” - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/457004ff-6862-4b13-b0da-90850e4206f0/Scene+from+POTO.jpg State of the SkateMUSIC - “Phantom of the Opera” - I was a third-year college student when Phantom made its Broadway debut, and even younger when it first opened in London in 1986. I’ve not yet seen it, and given that it (finally) closed in April of 2023– at that very same Majestic Theater, by the way– I’m not going to see it. Not in its “first” run on Broadway, anyway. And yet I’ve heard its music, via figure skating, long enough to feel like I’m much more familiar with Phantom than I actually am. That’s probably because no less than three dozen elite athletes have skated to Phantom over the past two decades. (Past three decades if you count Maria Butyrskaya’s use of it in the 1993-4 season; the first 45 seconds sounded familiar while the remainder must’ve been a techno-Phantom of some kind.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/b7c56b68-b9cb-45c7-a7b4-7ba7b0feae15/POTO+voyage.jpg State of the SkateMUSIC - “Phantom of the Opera” - What has made Phantom the legendary show that it is? Things that, unsurprisingly, lend themselves very easily to the figure skating world… A classic story of love and power. First told in book form (the 1910 French novel of the same name) and then in films (a half-dozen or so, dating as far back as 1925), Phantom centers on young soprano Christine and the titular character (aka Erik), a disfigured man who becomes thoroughly enamored with her. Christine’s true love, however, is another man (Raoul)-- which sets off a mystical, deep, and dangerous battle for her affections, all within the underground labyrinth of the Paris Opera House. Top-of-the-line production values. The mysterious aura of Phantom is underscored by way of the lighting (including copious amounts of candlelight and fog), a boat that “sails” on stage, and a sparkling chandelier for the ages… all complemented with dramatic costuming primarily in reds, golds, and of course black and white (classic representations of good and evil). A lush, unforgettable score. Andrew Lloyd Webber is responsible for so much of what’s been cherished in musical theater over the past four decades. Jesus Christ Superstar, Cats, Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and Evita among them – he composed the music to all of them, and several other well-known shows. Yet POTO has emerged as his best-known work, brimming with iconic melodies in opulent arrangements that have a way of sweeping people into the mystical journey right along with the fictional characters. Or… in the case of certain figure skaters… sweeping them into the perfect place for a glorious triple axel, or majestic lift, or soaring spread eagle. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/d481e5a5-69b2-4967-86f9-7db6f441de08/Phantasia.jpg State of the SkateMUSIC - “Phantom of the Opera” - Much of what skating fans have heard of that incredible score comes not from original Phantom cast recordings, but from a studio album released in 2005 called Phantasia. Produced by Webber and John Fraser, Phantasia features cellist Julian Lloyd Webber (Andrew’s brother) and violinist Sarah Chang in a 34-minute, all-instrumental suite of the show’s many highlights. So if you’re seeking out specific cuts of Phantom music (as I’ve done) and keep finding the word “Phantasia” (as I did)... that’s what it is: a sort of shorthand Phantom. https://kellimlawrence.com/stateofskatemusic/butterfly-lovers-and-madame-butterflyhttps/kellimlawrencecom monthly 0.5 2022-03-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/b10459d7-4a16-4de8-bb79-7e179255d3dc/Butterflies.jpg State of the SkateMUSIC - “Butterfly Lovers” and “Madame Butterfly” - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/579fe104-d21e-4543-ae9b-4b9949fdb4cf/Madame+Butterfly+art.jpg State of the SkateMUSIC - “Butterfly Lovers” and “Madame Butterfly” - Many cultures look to it as a symbol of the soul; in Japan, a white butterfly is said to represent the soul of the departed. What significance does that bear with the title character in the opera Madame Butterfly? Since the opera, as well as the stories upon which it is based, was written almost as far from Japan as you can get (composer Puccini was Italian), it’s likely more symbolic than cultural in its origin… But then again, consider the fate of “Butterfly” herself within this synopsis: Young Japanese girl “Butterfly” (Cio-Cio-san) marries American man– she for love, he for convenience. Shortly after marrying, the man goes away while she bears his son and waits in vain for his return. When he does come back, it’s with a new American wife and a wish for them to raise his and Butterfly’s son. Which she allows, but after saying goodbye to her young child she commits suicide. Madame Butterfly was first performed in 1904. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/b3ef03d1-1cf6-45ee-92e0-6bb603df2826/Butterfly+Lovers+Art.jpg State of the SkateMUSIC - “Butterfly Lovers” and “Madame Butterfly” - Regarding China’s cultural take on butterflies… I found the following: In China, butterfly has been a popular symbol for centuries. The butterfly is called ‘hu tieh’ in Mandarin language. The word ‘tieh’ translates as seventy years, and because of this the animals are taken as a symbol of long life. Butterfly to the Chinese also represents love, specifically young love. It symbolizes an undying bond between lovers. In reading its synopsis you’ll probably see a strong resemblance to a certain other famous story often told on the ice, for Butterfly Lovers is sometimes known as the Chinese Romeo and Juliet: Two lives become intertwined in their younger years… once they are done w/school, her father promises her to another. Once the two are reunited & in love, he becomes angry w/her father’s betrothal, then falls ill and dies. She commits suicide shortly thereafter… but they are joined together in the final section, transformed into butterflies that will never be separated again. Butterfly Lovers was composed in 1959 and is one of the most famous Chinese works of orchestral music, along with Yellow River Piano Concerto It’s a one-movement violin concerto with seven distinct sections; solo violin is the (female) protagonist while the solo cello is her lover. https://kellimlawrence.com/stateofskatemusic/rocketman-and-figure-skatinghttps/kellimlawrencecom/blog-page-url/new-post-title monthly 0.5 2022-02-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/6168ef42-cfb8-4b62-8e1d-df4ea407b3b7/Elton+John+crop.jpg State of the SkateMUSIC - The “Rocketman” and Figure Skating - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/18282311-dbc3-46c2-904a-c4a756fc1d84/Lion+King.jpg State of the SkateMUSIC - The “Rocketman” and Figure Skating - With its combination of timeless melodies and African-inspired rhythms, Lion King became a popular exhibition choice shortly after the original film was released. (While the actual score was composed by Hans Zimmer— another well-known composer among figure skaters— the songs in the original film were written by John and lyricist Tim Rice, and are often if not always incorporated into any given medley from the film.) https://kellimlawrence.com/stateofskatemusic/hallelujah-and-chopinhttps/kellimlawrencecom/blog-page-url/new-post-title monthly 0.5 2026-01-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/c461350d-34e8-43f0-ae7b-10803bc3ea46/Mariah+Hallelujah.jpg State of the SkateMUSIC - “Hallelujah” and Chopin Selections in E Minor - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1aa479d9-cae6-4e51-aeef-29cf2f021e4f/H+B+Chopin+5.jpg State of the SkateMUSIC - “Hallelujah” and Chopin Selections in E Minor - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1033fd08-23ce-4bcb-afc7-b31956166949/Leonard+Cohen.jpg State of the SkateMUSIC - “Hallelujah” and Chopin Selections in E Minor - “This world is full of conflicts and full of things that cannot be reconciled. But there are moments when we can… reconcile and embrace the whole mess, and that’s what I mean by ‘Hallelujah’… The song explains that many kinds of hallelujahs do exist, and all the perfect and broken hallelujahs have equal value. It’s a desire to affirm my faith in life, not in some formal religious way but with enthusiasm, with emotion.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/f2811dea-1845-4a37-aea3-4dad6d994239/Pat+Chan+2018+Hallelujah.jpg State of the SkateMUSIC - “Hallelujah” and Chopin Selections in E Minor Jeremy Ten (CAN) is one of the first I recall using it, but it was Canada’s Patrick Chan that took Buckley’s “Hallelujah” to PyeongChang in 2018, helping Canada win a team Gold Medal in the process… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/3c34ebf5-b074-494f-a5a8-7919245c7f72/Mariah+Hallelujah+2.jpg State of the SkateMUSIC - “Hallelujah” and Chopin Selections in E Minor - “This program, I have such a connection to it, just from the moment the music starts,” Bell said. “I feel like I’m able to be in my own little world. It’s really something I love training, and I try to smile when I’m training it as well, so it feels natural when I’m here. But to be honest, it really is (natural). I just really love this program.” (More from this Team USA article here.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/cf6053be-07b0-4df7-a1d0-d67baaf787cb/Hawayek+Baker+Chopin.jpg State of the SkateMUSIC - “Hallelujah” and Chopin Selections in E Minor - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/535879a0-4d67-4b8c-b7ba-d82863f8f9c5/Chopin+Les+Sylphides.jpg State of the SkateMUSIC - “Hallelujah” and Chopin Selections in E Minor - Which is kind of ironic, given that Chopin never composed a traditional ballet. His compositions posthumously became ballets such as “Les Sylphides,” “A Month in the Country,” and “Lady of the Camellias.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/195b2469-a747-4ff7-bade-212d36eb0539/Chopin+portrait.jpg State of the SkateMUSIC - “Hallelujah” and Chopin Selections in E Minor But in his brief, frequently unwell life– he died at age 39, most likely from tuberculosis – his compositions were primarily stand-alone solo works for the piano. I suppose that’s what made them so wonderful for ballet class, particularly when it was about the sound that could be generated by a single accompanist in real-time. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/b4cb54d0-7018-43ba-842e-514f83af2790/H+B+Chopin+4.jpg State of the SkateMUSIC - “Hallelujah” and Chopin Selections in E Minor - “This is a perfect season for it,” said Hawayek. “There is a lot of maturity and depth in this music. There is nostalgia, hopefulness, and happiness. I envisioned something that was not too heavy but also not too youthful.” Hawayek/Baker’s Free Dance is a combination of two Chopin compositions: Prelude in E minor, Op. 28, No 4 (the first 1:45 of the FD) Nocturne in E minor, Op. 72, No. 1 (the remaining 2:30 of the FD) https://kellimlawrence.com/stateofskatemusic/sinnermanbolero monthly 0.5 2026-01-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/b2986817-9ba0-4b98-bad2-8953dd2e56af/Sinnerman+program.jpg State of the SkateMUSIC - “Sinnerman” and Bolero - Make it stand out Jason Brown (USA) skating to “Sinnerman” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/301c9ac1-d0ad-4ab2-90af-ddc276b5cc84/Torvill+Dean+Bolero+St8+Sk8+1+26.jpeg State of the SkateMUSIC - “Sinnerman” and Bolero - Torvill & Dean (UK) Shoma Uno (JPN) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/f2815f3f-eff5-4548-8e94-12eb911ce72a/Aymoz+Bolero+St8Sk8+1+26.jpeg State of the SkateMUSIC - “Sinnerman” and Bolero - (If pictures could talk, what would this one say…??? Leave a suggestion in the comments!) “THE END!!!” Kevin Aymoz’s final Bolero pose, smack dab in front of the judging panel https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/86297421-40cc-4314-825f-3191c304753f/Bolero+10+film.jpg State of the SkateMUSIC - “Sinnerman” and Bolero - As popular as it was in the earlier part of the 20th century, “Bolero” took on new life when it was prominently featured in the Blake Edwards romantic comedy 10 in 1979-- in fact, it generated an estimated $1 million in royalties for Ravel’s estate as fans of the film sought out the sensual qualities of the piece (as described by Bo Derek in this clip from the film). https://kellimlawrence.com/stateofskatemusic/moulinrougetosca monthly 0.5 2026-01-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/b3490df8-3f7d-452f-afd8-fe735505c8e5/Moulin+Rouge+poster.jpg State of the SkateMUSIC - MOULIN ROUGE! - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/42c9d7e3-d83c-49e2-8a54-a9bf5ddfeb2a/Moulin+Rouge+2+St8ofSk8.jpeg State of the SkateMUSIC - MOULIN ROUGE! - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://kellimlawrence.com/stateofskatemusic/chaplin-malaguena monthly 0.5 2026-02-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1634449286791-4SZNMFMZGG83X2HMDZIC/Kurakova+Chaplin+2021.jpg State of the SkateMUSIC - Charlie Chaplin Medleys and “Malaguena” - Make it stand out Ekaterina Kurakova https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1634449740470-1PRPF8X1W8BCYKDUYAXV/Aleksandra-Boikova-and-Dmitrii-Kozlovskii+2021.jpg State of the SkateMUSIC - Charlie Chaplin Medleys and “Malaguena” - Make it stand out Aleksandra Boikova/Dmitrii Kozlovskii https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1634533344470-F6LY045TOXFFOVYQPIXZ/City+Lights+poster.jpg State of the SkateMUSIC - Charlie Chaplin Medleys and “Malaguena” - He captivated the silent film industry as both a filmmaker and comic genius who starred in said films, but even when “talkies” overtook Hollywood in the 1930s, Charlie Chaplin continued to find success without a word of dialogue in his films. One such film, 1931’s City Lights, has served as the inspiration for many a skating program. (More on that in a minute.) He eventually joined the fold of talking pictures, with five more films to his credit between 1940 and 1967. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1634533368942-OMBM3L7FFSXWLKWTM216/Chaplin.jpg State of the SkateMUSIC - Charlie Chaplin Medleys and “Malaguena” - There’s a rather specific demeanor that overtakes most skaters when they use the music of Charlie Chaplin films. When it’s a man-- and more often than not, it is-- they take on the mannerisms of a character Chaplin played in most of his silent films called The Tramp. If you’ve seen just five seconds of a Chaplin film in your life, you’ve likely seen The Tramp; his cane, oversized bowler hat and shoes, and stub of a mustache give him away before his walk, his fun-loving antics, and his impish facial expressions even get warmed up. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1634533386721-S2F1X478ZO7Y500XOLPK/Smile+sheet+music.jpg State of the SkateMUSIC - Charlie Chaplin Medleys and “Malaguena” …including a song that came to be known as “Smile,” first featured as an instrumental in 1936’s Modern Times. (The lyrics were added later by John Taylor and Geoffrey Parsons; Nat “King” Cole made a radio hit out of “Smile” in 1954.) https://kellimlawrence.com/stateofskatemusic/blog-post-title-one-pg6sw monthly 0.5 2021-10-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1633151305947-18P01HGJTRC9BQL5JXDY/Gilles+Poirier+2021.jpg State of the SkateMUSIC - A “Gypsy Dance” and a “Long and Winding Road” - Make it stand out Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1633104064350-4EIWGQX3MDDWWFTGYI0T/Liu+2021.jpg State of the SkateMUSIC - A “Gypsy Dance” and a “Long and Winding Road” - Make it stand out Alysa Liu https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6118a16ac69e4165a289f321/1633102948541-6MO0KQMG1R7659M074G4/SotSM+Don+Q+Zagitova.jpg State of the SkateMUSIC - A “Gypsy Dance” and a “Long and Winding Road” - …because she (OGM Alina Zagitova) brought DQ’s heroine Kitri to life in a consistently winning way in 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