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TV Review: “Love” (Seasons 1-2)

I’ve spent nearly the past two years of my existence not watching “Love” on Netflix; an original series created by Judd Apatow, Paul Rust and Lesley Arfin. Before proceeding let me say this —- “Love” is as a romantic comedy with some bite, something you’d expect from an Apatow adaptation but make no mistake about it, if you tune in expecting two misguided souls who unexpectedly fall in love you can unconditionally root for, you’re barking up the wrong tree. The lead characters are flawed if I’m being kind and flat-out unappealing if I’m not.
If you think I’m stating that as a criticism you’re wrong. I love “Love” (pun completely intended) more because of it. The world ain’t a perfect place and few characters still remotely likeable are less perfect than Gus and Mickey.
Season one premiered in February 2016 with 10 episodes and season two dropped last March with 12 more. Prior to this past Friday I watched zero of those 22. After flying through three seasons of “Lovesick” (more on that in a separate review) I decided to give this series a try. That was Friday afternoon. Sunday morning I find myself writing about “Love”. I can’t believe I waited this long.
Gus is an on-set tutor to a loud mouthed brat but occasionally affectionate child actress on a TV show called “Wichita.” He’s also a wannabe screenwriter, does things he doesn’t want to in order to please people and as often pointed out throughout the series, is nice to the point it verges on condescending. Mickey’s a radio producer who also happens to be a recovering alcoholic, drug and sex addict. In other words she’s a fuckin’ mess.
The severely damaged goods beauty finds an emotional connection that ultimately becomes physical with the geek. The poignant hammer consistently verging on slamming down on their relationship is largely what makes the show both charming and painful at the same time.
From the time they first hook up in an awkward romance during season one and through all of the second season, at least when they’re on the same page with each other the interaction is so engulfing that seemingly the rest of society hardly even registers in their world.
The problem, at least for Gus and Mickey is that bliss rarely lasts and there always seems to be something mortifying to their relationship around the bend whether it’s set off by an action, statement, singular word or even just a facial reaction. As a viewer we’re agonizingly mindful what’s one moment sweet and tender will unavoidably turn excruciating.
In short, season one’s primarily premised on an odd attraction and Mickey’s eventual realization that she’s really fucked up, needs help and needs to do it alone, something thrown out the window when Gus passionately kisses her. The second season largely revolves around Mickey tussling between her affection and love for Gus balanced against her more considerable need to get herself better.
Through 22 episodes Mickey has come off far and away the more problematical character; a blend of beautiful helplessness and emotional openness when things are good, while transforming in a cold hearted bitch at warp speed when things aren’t. However, Gus isn’t always the compassionate nerd having his spirit sucked away many feel he’s far too good for. Remember, it’s Gus that does something cold and callous to Mickey (late season one) long before Mickey does something equally regretful with a person from her past later in season two. Truthfully speaking, Gus is exceedingly judgmental, contemptuous and an utter co-dependent (as he admits late in season two). He’s as much as fault for the asymmetrical state of their stammering romance as she is, maybe even more.
If Mickey and Gus are consistent with one thing, it’s knowing each other’s defects and how to unload them on each other during ruthless moments when their anger simmers over the top.
I don’t want to get away from myself, as my description of “Love” is starting to come off as a gloomy tale. It’s often quite the opposite, as when they’re on they’re really on. Despite the twists and turns “Love” is at its core a romantic comedy. Like many shows following a similar path, “Love” is a sequence of occurrences where Gus or Mickey sometimes do or say the wrong thing, more times than not with their heart in the right place, show remorse over what was said or done and semi-successfully transition back to life like not much happened.
Perhaps my favorite thing about “Love” is it never feels like a happy ending at the end of each episode or season is guaranteed, and at times turns my viewing encounters into straight up nail-biting. I love the feeling that this relationship is occurring in the real world and not fantasy land.
Also, without giving away any significant spoilers I legitimately felt like the season two finale may end up like Sleeping with the Enemy, Fear or Fatal Attraction. Get it together, dude.
CONCLUSION: The juggling of Mickey’s physical weaknesses (alcohol/drug/sex) versus Gus’s insecurity make for fascinating television. “Love” isn’t an Netflix original you lock in to because of its sophisticated storylines. The strength lies in the make-up of Gus and Mickey as well some of the series regulars. While “Love” is the title I don’t feel like it’s the dominating theme. If the show were titled based on its most governing substance I’d call it “Get Your Ass Some Help.”
Not wanting to chance any spoilers I intentionally did zero reading about “Love” until I was caught up. I checked this morning and discovered a third season is coming to Netflix in March (yay!) and also that it’s going to be the final season (not cool, man). At its worst “Love” is worth watching and at its best it’s one of the better television shows I’ve seen in at least a few years. MORAN-ALYTICS GRADE: B+
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VEEP Recap: Meyer Fund For Adult Literacy… And Aids

If citizens of the United States thought they’d seen the last of Selina Meyer in office, they have another thing coming—at least in her falsified mind.
Time-hopped one year ahead of this past season five finale that saw Meyer defeated by Laura Montez in the Presidential vote by the House of Representatives, Meyer proclaims (solely to her inner circle) her intent to run again for President, of which draws the wholehearted support of—absolutely nobody.
More on that in a minute. Season six begins with Selina interviewed on the CBS morning show by her former Deputy Director of Communications Dan Egan, who’s slanting for a permanent gig as co-host on the show. Pressed (calculatedly) by Egan on some of Selina’s Presidential pardons before leaving office last year, she changes the narrative by declaring her “Meyer Fund for Adult Literacy (and also Aids) charitable foundation. She also discloses a half-truth that she’s been working, feverishly on a memoir from her time as the first FPOTUS (of which she literally hasn’t written a sentence yet and received a mere miniscule in publishing advances compared to other former Presidents).
To the surprise of no one, Gary has remained loyal to Meyer while Richard is her official assistant.
As for the others:
Jonah Ryan got testicular cancer, beat it and despite being in remission secretly continues to shave his head because “people liked it, and he even got four and a half handies out of it.”
The aforementioned Dan, who wants the co-hosting gig until he finds out the main anchor has a reputation for destroying thriving careers. Dan then intentionally attempts to sabotages his interview with Jonah, but after a string of masked insults that sees the congressmen walks off the set, CBS producer (played by Andre from “The League”) says it’s great TV and people love it.
Ben has a job working in the executive offices at Uber but a run of unbeknownst (to him) racially insensitive remarks sees him get fired.
“Bunch of dumb-ass millennials, too lazy to learn how to drive drunk” – Ben on Uber.
Kent’s now working for Jonah, seriously. He’s insulted by Ohio congressmen Ralph Furlong, who says “How the mighty have fallen. You want me to call a Japanese porn shoot see if I can get you a real job sponging up from cock parties, although you might have to lie about working for Meyer.”
Amy’s living in Nevada and running the gubernatorial campaign for Buddy Calhoun, of whom she’s also engaged to and apparently has a fetish for getting off in bed to political pillow talk.
Mike, the former Director of Communications for Meyer is a stay-at-home dad to three children, including an adopted Chinese girlwho doesn’t acknowledge him as her dad. He’s wanted for a job by Selina solely because he’s in possession of a diary he kept while she was President, but the terms are that he won’t get paid until her book is eventually (if ever) published.
Back to the action…
After calling a family meeting, Selina announces her intention to run, which sees her daughter (Catherine) burst into tears…and not in a reassuringly good way. She thinks it’s a bad idea, as does her now-wife/entruster of her finances after Grandma left everything to her upon her passing last season (Marjorie), her sketchy former Vice President Andrew and even Gary, who says nothing but his face communicates that it’s a terrible idea.
At the conclusion of the premiere, Ben is able to knock some sense (tho probably ultimately not not) into Selina by letting her know she won’t have the party or donor support for any Presidential run and that he’s going to take a job with Kent. Selina says she’s only talking hypotheticals (lies) and offers him a role on her charitable board for Adult Literacy (and Aids), one he accepts.
BEST QUOTE
“I didn’t think it was possible to look more like a giant cock, but I guess it’s true what they say—you are what you eat.” – Dan to Jonah
MoranAlytics Grade: A solid 9 out of 10. Julia Louis-Dreyfuss is not only back, but better than ever. This is arguably the show’s best season premiere yet.
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The Office: Power Ranking Every Episode (120-91)

This is the third of a six- part series Power Ranking all 185 episodes of The Office. Part four (90-61) will be posted tomorrow. See links at the bottom for previous entries (185-151 and 150-121).
I’d also like to take this opportunity to announce these power rankings re just the start of things when it comes to The Office here. After this I’ll be soon launching a semi-recurring segment on my Moran-Alytics Podcast called “The Finer Things Club.” I’ll have a rotating panel of segment guests— sports media folk, athletes and other personalities who are fans of the show to talk about specific seasons, episodes, moments, characters, plot lines and much more.
I’m over the moon excited about starting that project soon. If you’re a fan of The Office or know people who are, trust me now’s the time to subscribe to the Moran-Alytics Podcast on Apple Podcast/iTunes, for free of course.
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5 Takeaways From Smackdown Live (1/9/18): Boringggggggg

Here’s my five primary takeaways from Smackdown Live last night in Birmingham, Alabama. If you want match-by-match results or expert full commentary you’re barking up the wrong tree. These are simply five takeaways of mine based on the show:
♦ In general I’ve liked Smackdown Live more than Raw for some time but must admit I’m starting to tire of the former’s direction of late. It feels like Smackdown’s spinning its wheels in mud. I’m just about over Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan taking turns making unfair matches involving Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn and the rising dissention between GM and commissioner. Unlike the slow burn of a Jason Jordan full heel turn I’m simply not into Shane vs. Daniel pissing contests. Wake me up when/if Bryan’s ever cleared to wrestle and they can settle their beef in the ring. Until then, let’s get on the same page, boys—your shit’s getting old.
♦ I also, and this stretches to Raw as well have a problem with the Royal Rumble build. Look, the Rumble is one of the elite PPV’s and doesn’t need to spend much time structuring other programs, especially when you add a Women’s rumble match. Yet both shows and particularly Smackdown are spending an awful lot of time advancing storylines that don’t involve the rumble match(s). This is literally the one time of year where none of that is necessary. Make me believe Randy Orton or Shinsuke Nakamura can win the Rumble because for one PPV per year I don’t care about the Uso’s vs. Gable and Benjamin.
♦ I can’t make sense of or find a single benefit of having Breezango go over on Rusev Day. Breezango literally never has to actually win a match while Rusev (and Aiden English) need victories to show they’re more than gimmicky advancement talent. Then again, maybe that’s all they’re supposed to be.
♦ Heel Chad Gable is the best Chad Gable.
♦ Becky Lynch tapped out Riott Squad leader Ruby Riott. It’s pretty apparent the shine is gone from that faction. Good, because I didn’t like the way they came on the scene in the first place.
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