One word: Southland

[hackthis_archive]

So. The thing in the place at that one time with that other thing. And then that thing happened and I was like whoa. And then Ben said that thing. And then John did that other thing. And then Ben did THAT thing, and I was like wow. And then I was like that's more than I get in like a month. And would you believe that's my coherent response to last night's episode?



Okay. Like. I should point out that I am not coherent now. I may not be coherent ever again. As I told lazlet I'll need to watch this about half-dozen times just to have a goddamn clue. Ten minutes into last night's episode I got up from the sofa and stumbled away b/c I was dazed like somebody had laced my drink with a horse tranquilizer. And then another ten minutes happened and they probably could have ended it there b/c I was wiped the fuck out and there was more character development and exposition than you get in most series ever.

Things wot I need to address:

JOHN JAMES COOPER. No, that's not his middle name, but I made it that anyway. Yes, it will now be my fanon. Suck it, bitches. Anyroad. So, Cooper's awesome, plus the pain he is obviously in, cannot currently be processed altogether in my head, and which I must now divide into:

a) Shirtless Cooper [insert high pitched noise here]
b) Detoxing! Cooper
c) Shirtless COOPER! Holy baby Jesus. You know I'd had hopes there, but talk about exceeding expectations. Goodness gracious me. [/C3-P0]
d) Cooper with that back restraint you only see on men at DIY stores.
e) Cooper is in PAIN. Cooper in pain makes the baby hackthis super sad. Like really. Very sad.
f) Ben KNOWING Cooper was jonesing. Michael Cudlitz you played that beautifully. You are like the Donald Draper of network TV at this point.
g) Ben finding Cooper pinching drugs from the Rich Bastards on the Hill. Didn't he tell your ass to stay at the door? Ben, you suck with instructions. Note to self: address in fic.
h) I'm sorry I have to take a break from the recap to breathe.
i) Okay I'm back.
j) Cooper!
k) Cooper restraining Ben fighting! That was kind of super hot. I may need a minute or six. I wonder how Cooper feels about that. Wank material!
l) Ben kind of wanting Cooper to meet his mom, but not in his current Jonesing condition
m) Did I mention the part where Cooper tried to give Ben shit and Ben was like YOU NEED HELP KNOCK IT OFF. I AM WORRIED ABOUT YOU.
n) Cooper's ex-wife is named Laura. Hi, Laura. I like you.
o) My head is going wobbly again. Jesus FUCK was last night awesome.
p) Cooper at the gay bar not to meet men but to get drugs. *heads desk* Oh, Cooper.
q) Cooper and that sleazy guy and Cooper pouring his beer in that dude's hand.
r) Cooper makes NINTY GRAND A YEAR?! This explains the car. I was wondering about that salary thing.
s) Oh, God I need a lie down. I got shirtless!Cooper, detoxing!Cooper, Cooper meeting the family and Ben being concerned all in one episode. In conclusion: COOPER FUCKING OWNS ALL. He's going to detox with the help of Ben's Woodstock mommy, and then he and Ben shall get together and it'll be *like* he was adopted into the family.

Speaking of which. Under the heading of BENJAMIN EDWARD SHERMAN let us discuss:

a) Ben knows Cooper's on something
b) He caught him knicking drugs
c) He's concerned
d) Ben grew up in a fucking TREEHOUSE
e) Ben really HATES his dad
f) His dad is a dick
g) Ben's mom obviously has money, because I highly doubt Ben would take his dad's money to buy himself a house
h) That house was so minimalist it would make a monk complain.
i) That says A LOT about Ben
j) Ben's mom's house is the motherfucking BOMB.
k) I like Ben's mom a lot
l) Finally a show where I really like all the women (except for Tammy, but whatever cakes to her)
m) Speaking of women? HOW MUCH DOES LYDIA ROCK? Okay, I'm digressing, we'll get to Lydia in a minute
n) Ben. I assume you were expecting Cooper at one point, so when Daisy showed up you rang him and said, uh, tonight's not really good for me,
o) Ben reading at home!
p) Ben knocking the hell out of his dad, to protect his mommy. Ben loves his mommy. Go team Ben!
q) Of course, Ben's mommy is a hippie. Bless.
r) Holy shit, Ben's a hard man. Who trained him? It had to be Special Ops.
s) Ben... I'm sorry, my brain can't process anymore.
t) Oh, and his relationship with him mom when she tells him to lighten up!
u) Ben had a vapid ex-girlfriend, but he was too loyal to ditch her. He will totally stay with Cooper while he gets his shit together.
u) I wonder what Ben wanted to be when he was little, he never said.
v) Daisy has enough money to be living in the Hills and she couldn’t afford a hotel for a few days? No, not even buying it a little bit.
w) In conclusion: Ben, if you are sitting alone at night in your Spartan house, reading a book, just hoping and praying that the doorbell is going to be Cooper and it's not? The answer is not to make out with whomever IS there. I have decided that after the fade to black that Ben was like "No! I can't do it. You're not the one I want. Even though your ears are strangely fascinating."

The rest of it can be divided into:

1. Lydia is the motherfucking man
2. Thank fuck Russell and his wife finally made a goddamn move. I was tired of yelling, "JUST LEAVE ALREADY!' at the TV
3. I kind of like the relationship with Lydia and Russell. He's an asshole, she knows it, she keeps him in line and ignores him. He's totally unworthy of her, but there's nothing new there.
4. That dude sleeping with Lydia and THEN telling her "Oh, my pastor said..." BITCH PLEASE. A man using god to excuse his skeezy behaviour. I won't even start.
5. I got to see inside everybody's houses! This is a writers motherfucking DREAM.
6. Ben has to live in the hills somewhere, that's the only place you get that kind of space and privacy. He totally has a pool in his backyard. This will be addressed in fic.

So. In conclusion. Ben/Cooper. Forever. And ever. Amen. Yes. I plan to write this. But not anytime soon, b/c I have some RL to contend with and won't even be around to conduct discussions next week. But know that I will be having them with you. PSYCHICALLY.

Please feel free to stop by and say 'hi', bring me your porn (Southland and GK preferred), your babble, your links, and I will catch up when I get back ♥

Comments

[mandaspeaks.livejournal.com]

Ok. OK!!! I just have to say first off that this whole episode made me think of the fic you wrote about Ben going to Cooper's place and taking care of his back because I just TOTALLY FEEL THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED AFTER THE FADE TO BLACK.

Last night was SO amazing. I mean, the other episodes have been good, yes, but this on just...YES! I LOVE the Lydia got some, and I hate that that idiot guy just blew her off like she wasn't worth it. Um, HELLO GUY. You are TOTALLY missing out on one amazing woman, do you realize that?

I did not find Daisy to be attractive, like, at all, but I would watch Ben make out with a doorknob and enjoy it, so...I like that scene. All the heavy breathing was a plus. Ha!

[hackthis.livejournal.com]

Ok. OK!!! I just have to say first off that this whole episode made me think of the fic you wrote about Ben going to Cooper's place and taking care of his back because I just TOTALLY FEEL THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED AFTER THE FADE TO BLACK.

YES! YES! EXACTLY. Because it was so clear that Cooper's in massive pain, and you know Ben was upset about Cooper brushing him off in the car and wouldn't let him *help*, but that's really all Ben wants, then his dad was at his mom's , and he was even more upset and then that girl showed up and it was just one thing after another.

Last night was SO amazing. I mean, the other episodes have been good, yes, but this on just...YES! I LOVE the Lydia got some, and I hate that that idiot guy just blew her off like she wasn't worth it. Um, HELLO GUY. You are TOTALLY missing out on one amazing woman, do you realize that?

I really did have a moment after the first ten minutes when I got off of the sofa and staggered around b/c OH MY GOD THAT WAS SOO GOOD. Like I already thought it was tremendous but that was some next level of awesome.

[lazulus]

Yep. That's pretty much what my reactions were during the episode.

Also, yet another ep where I ended up muttering. 'Oh, Lydia!' at the telly. Someone slap that arsehole around a bit, plz. I hate people who use religion to act like fuckwits.

I could hardly watch at times. They did the whole atmosphere of impending doom really well and all the way through I was expecting something truly terrible to happen. When the credits came up and no-one had died I was all, 'Oh, thank fuck for that!'

Of course, they may be leading me into a false sense of security, which would seriously displease me.

In conclusion, Cooper/Sherman FTW!

[hackthis.livejournal.com]

I could hardly watch at times.

That whole episode was like "Here, let us push every possible button that X has and see how she reacts and if she'll just end up clutching the TV at the end, sobbing about how all they need is love!" {/Beatles]

Nobody has made me emo like this, since like, I dunno. Do you know, I don't. And it was just so beautifully acted. I am in awe. I need to watch it about fifteen times.

[serialkarma.livejournal.com]

So, Ben's adolescent rebellion is clearly to be a stick-straight officer of the law. I kind of love that.

[serialkarma.livejournal.com]

Also, damn, I forgot how hot Ben McKenzie is when he's making out with someone.

and wait, season finale what?? No, not yet! I'm not ready!

[serialkarma.livejournal.com]

You are like the Donald Draper of network TV at this point.

Speaking of, is it just me or is the title music for this show *remarkably similar* to the title music for Mad Men? I don't have any saved eps left of Mad Men or I'd go compare right now, but my memory is telling me This Thing is very much like That Thing.

also, damn, LA pays its cops well. I realize Cooper's been on the job a while, but still. NYC barely pays its cops (at least, rookies) enough to live in the city.

[serialkarma.livejournal.com]

Okay, one last thing, and I don't know why I can't put this all in one big comment and stop spamming you, but whatever, you forgive me, right?

ANYway, I think it's fascinating how Cooper and Ben's relationship is developing on screen. Cooper is so enigmatic I can't tell if he's really honestly *interested* in Ben (take that any way you want, I mean to be ambiguous) and that's why he does things like needle him about his background and offer to swing by Ben's mom's house while on shift (because you just KNOW he is damn curious about Ben and can't quite figure him out anyway); or how much of his interest is really Cooper trying to consciously take Ben's attention off *Cooper* because he doesn't want Ben to see how he's barely holding on by a string right now, so he's all "distract distract distract!"

[hackthis.livejournal.com]

Okay, one last thing, and I don't know why I can't put this all in one big comment and stop spamming you, but whatever, you forgive me, right?

I could forgive you, but then you were all "I iz going to the beach." Fired, dog.

Now. My take on Cooper and Ben. This is just my two-cents, so you know you get to hear me ramble it out. On the Cooper side, lazlet and I have been talking about this ad nauseum as you know my feelings about Cooper, and we think it's like old skool dating. You know when you actually got to know sombody first, and you weren't sure and they weren't sure, and you just picked things up as you went along. Sex wasn't the goal, it was getting to know the person, so yeah, Cooper's proding at Ben, wanting to know him, but also trying to figure out his angle, his weak spots. He *is* genuinely interested in Ben, but there is NO doubt in my mind that he suggested seeing Ben's mom during the day so he could call Laura. Having said that, I think if he hadn't been under the sweats, would he have still wanted to meet Ben's mother? Abso-fucking-lutely, because she's a part of figuring out the puzzle that is Ben. Do I think Cooper's trying to deflect the attention away from himself, no fucking doubt, BUT, and this is what really makes me love this pairing, Cooper is slowly letting Ben in. Just that little bit. He pushes and pushes, but he gives back. After they left the shrink, and Ben asks about therapy, John gives him an honest, totally revealing "yeah, after my divorce, I got some enlightenment." He could've just deflected that one off. When they talk about their parents? John reciprocates. He doesn't have to do that, but he does. He could just dance around it, he could've changed the subject, but he manned up. I think, it's a show me yours and I'll show you mine, but John's much closer to the vest, b/c yes he has so much more to lose. I also think that John opening up is part of Ben not just earning his trust, but earning his respect. When do they have their moments, at the end of long shifts when Ben's proved that he's got John's back, that he can do the job. So yeah, John's being a bit precious at doling things out, but they very much seem to be worth it in the end, and I think Ben sees that or he wouldn't have snapped at John about the pill things.

Can you imagine if I'd actually really thought about this before I typed it out. Although I suppose in w way, this *is* me thinking it out. Ilu, you are good for my brain.

[hackthis.livejournal.com]

Speaking of, is it just me or is the title music for this show *remarkably similar* to the title music for Mad Men? I don't have any saved eps left of Mad Men or I'd go compare right now, but my memory is telling me This Thing is very much like That Thing.

The beginning is, but not the middle. As for LA paying its cops well, here's a little informational tidbit on that courtesy of Mr. Cudlitz.

What’s John Cooper’s deal?
He’s a P3 plus one training officer, which means he’s a senior lead officer. The SLO usually deals with community relations. He’s the go-between your Neighborhood Watches and your PTA and the police department. He’s been a cop for 20 years.

With all that time in, he’s not looking to make at least sergeant?
He’s at the highest pay grade he can be at and still be on the streets. That’s what he chooses. He’s very happy with what he’s doing.

[hackthis.livejournal.com]

Also, damn, I forgot how hot Ben McKenzie is when he's making out with someone.

It took me a minute to reference the last time, b/c, baby it's been a LOOOOOOONG time and then I remembered that scene at in the guest house with Caleb's girlfriend and how we rhapsodized about that. We've been together a while haven't we? ANYROAD. I did not quite observe this point, b/c I was too busy having the, "NOOOOOOOO! That's not who you want, stop it" moment, but if he is half as good as I'm thiking he is, it's going to be the sort of thing where John keeps pulling back and staring and Ben's like, "What? What are you looking at?" And John doesn't want to say "You" because you know, really kind of sappy, but it's true, and so he keeps kissing Ben to shut him up, and because his face keeps getting more flushed and his lips are wet and so very red-looking and it's distracting, because John wants a blow job, but he can't really stop kissing Ben long enough to get there, and finally Ben's like "Really, what's with the staring?" and John's like, "Just looking at you," and at first Ben's kind of "You're messing with me" and then he realises that John's not, and this huge grin spreads over his face and he's like, "So, you like me" and John puts Ben's hand on his cock and is like "Maybe. I a little bit" And Ben's like, "whatever, that could be for anything. Hell, that could be for dinner" and John's like "Yeah, that chicken was pretty good."

Yes, I am sad that I'll be out of commission and not able to write this too.

[serialkarma.livejournal.com]

!!! Yes, that, exactly!

Yes, I am sad that I'll be out of commission and not able to write this too.

TEASE

[sparky77.livejournal.com]

Your bullet points are adorable.

Also:

Ben, you suck with instructions. Note to self: address in fic.


Please tell me I was supposed to go to a porny place with that.

[hackthis.livejournal.com]

Last night was so epic I was making lists of all the things that made me want to pet everybody in my head as I was getting ready for bed afterwards!

There are so many things I want to address in The Epic I fear it will never get written at this point. Or I would fear that if I hadn't just commented this (http://hackthis.livejournal.com/529815.html?thread=15256727#t15256727) to SK.

[egretplume.livejournal.com]

I also thought about your fic during the back brace scene.
I am disappointed that we are already up to the season finale. There should be more!
Also, I thought Ben was just making out with the high school friend in a vain effort to distract himself from Cooper. It's his "must try to be professional at work" last line of defense.

[hackthis.livejournal.com]

I am disappointed that we are already up to the season finale. There should be more!

At this point I'm just relieved they got picked up for another season, because if they killed it off. I don't know what I would do. There might be a problem.

Also, I thought Ben was just making out with the high school friend in a vain effort to distract himself from Cooper. It's his "must try to be professional at work" last line of defense.

Yes. I agree 1000% percent, and yes that should be thousand and not hundred.

[maurheti.livejournal.com]

As I keep saying to everybody who will hold still long enough to listen (seriously. I even said it to the girl behind the register at the coffee place this afternoon. She agreed), Did you SEE that? All of that? Because that? Was made of motherfucking WIN. And also, Ben needs to stop it. You know he wants Cooper. I know he wants Cooper. He knows he wants Cooper. Please.

[hackthis.livejournal.com]

Did you SEE that? All of that? Because that? Was made of motherfucking WIN. And also, Ben needs to stop it. You know he wants Cooper. I know he wants Cooper. He knows he wants Cooper. Please.

As you can probably tell by my copious amount of bullet points (I probably could've gone through the whole alphabet) that I did indeed see. And I plan to see it again. And again. At my earliest availabilty. Oh, Ben. Oh, Cooper. SO MUCH LOVE.

[maurheti.livejournal.com]

And I plan to see it again. And again. At my earliest availabilty.

YES.

[wolkendunst.livejournal.com]

Ben. I assume you were expecting Cooper at one point

I am so lame, but every time Ben's door bell rang, I fervently hoped that it would be John showing up at Ben's.

[hackthis.livejournal.com]

That is NOT lame! I totally thought that too.

[skyenapped.livejournal.com]

m) Did I mention the part where Cooper tried to give Ben shit and Ben was like YOU NEED HELP KNOCK IT OFF. I AM WORRIED ABOUT YOU.

OMG LMAO.

I was just as incoherent after this ep! Ben/Cooper FTMFW!

Also, yes, Lydia freaking rocks.

[hackthis.livejournal.com]

That whole episode was like Buddha saying, "Here. I brought you a present."

[skyenapped.livejournal.com]

Yes, exactly! An amazing, heartbreaking present wrapped in Cooper and Ben goodness!

[mardia.livejournal.com]

Oh my God, please let this show forever be this awesome. It was like the show was all, "oh, mardia has been going through the hell of finals, let's give her and all the other fangirls some stuff to squee over." AND THEN THEY DID, THEY REALLY DID.

First, until we get proof otherwise, Ben totally hooked up with that girl because he was so distracted about Cooper. I mean, whatevs, she wasn't awful, but STILL.

And God, John having to pull Ben off his dad like that. Ben CURSING. That's the first time we've seen him drop the f-bomb and of COURSE it's his dad who pushes him to that point. Side note, his dad? MAJOR douche. Like, hi, I am sorry there is one person in the world who calls you on your shit and refuses to give you a free pass, but your son is about a thousand times more awesome than you, so SUCK IT.

God, all the backstory we got on Ben in general was fabulous. Like how Ben's too loyal to give up on people easily--hee, when it comes to Cooper this is going to be fabulously awesome, I can't wait, and his relationship with his mom and everything was just...augh, I can't even handle it.

[hackthis.livejournal.com]

Okay, so here's today's manifesto on the state of Ben and Cooper (http://hackthis.livejournal.com/529815.html?thread=15258775#t15258775), or as I may now call it Ben/Cooper WAS MADE FOR hackthis.

It may be my slash goggles, but I think the Daisy thing was totally a "How do I stop thinking about Cooper and fixing his issues? I know! I will have sex with this girl from my past, with the strangely fascinating ears." But you know, I am completely 1000% fascinated by Ben and Cooper and the way they clearly are drawn together and are trying to get to know each other and figure out what the hell is going on, because it's about work and trust and like 15 other things, most of which end up with them in bed or kissing or maybe just hanging out with John's feet resting on Ben's thigh. The fact that Ben's dad made him mad enough to a) punch him and b) slam the door in his face? That's... Houston, we have achieved emotion. Certifiable emotion. That needs to be channelled. There are more constructive ways about it, but then again, John's one to talk since he'd buying drugs in the bathroom at the gay bar.

Yes, I could talk about this for a while.

[mardia.livejournal.com]

Hee, EXACTLY. What I really love about these two is that they could have easily been a cliche--the wide-eyed rookie vs. the hardened, gruff vet--but these two transcend that. They're more than just that. And what you said above, about John being willing to enter into a sort of give-and-take with Ben, being willing to share his past in order to figure out what's going on with Ben...I love it, I really do.

God, this show is fabulous. I don't even know if NBC deserves a show this awesome, but whatever, I am just glad we have it and that next week's episode won't be the last.

[hackthis.livejournal.com]

God, this show is fabulous. I don't even know if NBC deserves a show this awesome, but whatever, I am just glad we have it and that next week's episode won't be the last.

Exactly. We know they're not worthy, but we'll take it anyway :)

[chasethesun.livejournal.com]

After Cooper took his shirt off I pretty much blacked out for a bit but I concur with all your well thought out bullets. Particularly those containing the words 'Cooper' and 'shirtless'.
I also came across new fic pertaining to the episode: http://community.livejournal.com/_readingroom/31170.html?view=300482#t300482

I love everything about this show and teeny tiny fandom. If NBC end up cancelling after the 13 episodes I will be heartbroken.

[hackthis.livejournal.com]

Um, so, your icon. Like, um, yeah, I can HAZ ONE TOO?! Where did you get it?

If NBC end up cancelling after the 13 episodes I will be heartbroken.

We get another 13 in addition to the 7 this year, so you know, 20 is better than a lot of series!

[chasethesun.livejournal.com]

I suppose it is, but think of how much more Cooper we'd get without the spectre of cancellation?

I made the icon! And I have to say, pausing that scene and moving it forward in tiny increments was such a chore. You're more than welcome to snag it!

[hackthis.livejournal.com]

without the spectre of cancellation

POSITIVE THINKING! THINK POSITIVE I TELL YOU!

[wolfrim.livejournal.com]

I was like, 'Oh no, Show. There's no way you could be going there.'
And show said, 'Oh really? *Shirtless Cooper* *All-knowing Ben* I already did.'
And I was left with the coherency of a pearl-clutching housewife, worshiping these gods of fanservice.

I have already expelled Daisy and her whimpering BS from my mind, though the hotness of Ben's heavy breathing will stay in the happy Cooper/Ben part of my brain forever.

[hackthis.livejournal.com]

And I was left with the coherency of a pearl-clutching housewife, worshiping these gods of fanservice.

I have learned that I cannot be doing other things while Southland is on, because then I miss things like Cooper and his Dodge Challenger, so I sat and watch the first ten minutes and felt like somebody had just dropped me on my head. And then another ten minutes passed and I said, no, they can't keep up this pace. *I* can't keep up this pace. But they did. And how.

[ariadne83]

Cooper at the gay bar not to meet men but to get drugs.

Now you're just messing with me. Really? Really really?

[hackthis.livejournal.com]

You haven't seen it yet? OH. DOOD.

[ruidoso.livejournal.com]

ahhh mahhh gaahhhh

there was a lot of sweating. and heavy breathing. and did you see ben's JAW in the squad car, when they were having the talk? HIS JAW OMG.

yeah.

[hackthis.livejournal.com]

there was a lot of sweating. and heavy breathing. and did you see ben's JAW in the squad car, when they were having the talk? HIS JAW OMG.

I will let you know what's happening after I have another viewing on four. Just thinking about that makes me all *fans self* is it hot in here?

[ruidoso.livejournal.com]

YOU AND ME BOTH, SISTER.

[teffy.livejournal.com]

I just love watching Southland cause I know that there will be much squee had in your journal afterwords.

But but but YES. shirtless!Cooper could happen in every single episode and it still wouldn't be enough. Never enough. And the jonesing and the desperation. GOD. And I swear every time there was someone at Ben's freaking door I was chanting LET IT BE COOPERCOOPERCOOPER. But no. That would have been too awesome.

[hackthis.livejournal.com]

I'm starting to think I need a new word for Southland besides 'squee' something like complete and total utter meltdown as a direct reaction to expose to SO MUCH FUCKING AWESOME. Squee just doesn't convey that. Cardiac infarction maybe.

And I swear every time there was someone at Ben's freaking door I was chanting LET IT BE COOPERCOOPERCOOPER. But no.

Me too! Me Too! Me Too!

[teffy.livejournal.com]

I watched it especially this latest episode and it was like HOW IS EXACTLY WHAT I WANT TO SEE HAPPENING ON SCREEN?! I mean, apart from wanting Cooper to be at Ben's door. Seriously.

[kismeteve.livejournal.com]

You are like the Donald Draper of network TV at this point.

YES. THIS.

(How is Cudlitz so attractive? How does he do it?)

Ben had a vapid ex-girlfriend, but he was too loyal to ditch her. He will totally stay with Cooper while he gets his shit together.

That was totally my line of thinking as well.

(In my head, your latest fic followed the fade to black. Just so you know.)

[hackthis.livejournal.com]

(How is Cudlitz so attractive? How does he do it?)

But that's just it, Michael Cudlitz is not attractive. If you passed him in the street you wouldn't crane your neck. Unless you, like me, are a Band of Brothers fan and then you might start trying to lick his shoes. He's just -- he's not traditionally hot at all. But the way he carries himself, and his mannerisms and the way he *doesn't* say everything, just what's important, it's like. John Cooper is hotter than 99.9% of anything else on TV right now. You know, IMO.


(In my head, your latest fic followed the fade to black. Just so you know.)

I had three people point this out to me, before I was like, "Ohhhhhhhh, yeah, what you guys said!"

[hypertwink.livejournal.com]

Me wants hot angry shameful secret sex between Cooper and the pusher. Yum.

[shaney.livejournal.com]

When Cooper removed his shirt in the episode, I totally thought of you! Hee.

I agree with your bullet points except for Ben's mother. I don't really like her much :/ But it could be because I am totally TeamBen when it comes to his asshole father and not uptight mother issues.

I would like to contribute more to the discussion but my brains can hardly process this episode enough. I need to watch it many more times.

Ohh this I can say though: Lydia King KICKS ASS. Russell should count his blessings that he has her as his partner.