Episode 1410 – A Restful Development
[START OF RECORDING]
SCOOTER: Friends beyond the binary, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, it’s time for A Resting Development version of Sleep With Me, something new, and I’ll see how it goes. I’m just recording the intro right now. But welcome to Sleep With Me. It’s a podcast that’s here to put you to sleep, keep you company, and take your mind off of stuff so you fall asleep. Welcome to Sleep With Me if you're new. I’m only laughing 'cause this show kinda specializes in me going off topic, getting mixed up, and forgetting what I’m talking about, not knowing…being like, wait a second, what was I just talking about? Okay, wait, let me back up. Okay, wait a second…so, welcome to Sleep With Me. It’s a very, very different show. But it’s very, very different in a good way because it’s meant to help you in a different way, right?
I don't know if you've tried tons of different stuff to help you fall asleep or that haven't worked and that’s what brought you here, and alls I can say is I’m not even sure this podcast will help you other than that I’ll try to help you out, right? So, just kinda see how it goes if you're new. Usually it takes two or three tries to be like, oh, this podcast is for me or isn't for me, and I’ll talk more about that in the intro. But I’m really glad you're here. I really hope I can help you. The structure of the show we got coming up…first there’s support so that paying for the show…if you're new or a occasional listener or just going through a hard time or you don’t support podcasts or you're not in a position to support the show, the show’s available to everybody, right?
It benefits the maximum amount of people having listener support and listeners who support our sponsors. But that’s for the people whose lives are changed by the podcast on a regular basis. So, I just want to put your mind at ease. If you're new, you only listen occasionally, or you're just not in a position to support the show or just not into that, that’s fine. All those messages are directed at the people who are gonna support the show or who just need a little bit of…you know, they just…oh, wait a second, I didn’t even think about that. But that’s the way it goes out to everybody else. Then after the support is a long, meandering intro totally separate from the support, a show within a show meant to ease you into bedtime. Then there will be support and then there will be our look at A Resting Development. I’m not exactly sure of the structure yet, so, it should be cool.
It’ll be a very meandering structure, I’m sure. So, I’m glad you're here. Whether it’s your first time or your five, sixth, seventh, eighth…I mean, I’m sure there’s people that have listened to ten…the equivalent of ten thousand episodes, 'cause I see the stats, right? ‘Cause there are people that listen to eight, nine, ten episodes a night every night, right? So, I don't know what that adds up to over twelve, thirteen years. But I’m glad you're here whether you listen once or you listen ten thousand times, 'cause I’m here to keep you company in the deep, dark night and try to help you get some rest. Now, if this podcast does change your life on a regular basis, you have been listening to thousands and thousands of episodes, we could use your support. So, you could support the show by supporting the sponsors or supporting the show directly. If you're saying to yourself, yeah, I’m ready to do that, here’s the ways you could do that.
INTRO: [INTRO MUSIC] Hey, are you up all night tossing, turning, mind racing? Trouble getting to sleep? Trouble staying asleep? Well, welcome. This is Sleep With Me, the podcast that puts you to sleep. We do it with a bedtime story. Alls you need to do is get in bed, turn out the lights, and press Play. I’m gonna do the rest. What I’m going to attempt to do is create a safe place where you could set aside whatever’s keeping you awake. That could be thoughts, things…thoughts on your mind, thoughts about the past, the present, the future, thoughts you're thinking about, feelings, anything coming up for you emotionally related to the thoughts or feelings that are just there, they’ve been there for a while.
It could be physical sensations, changes in time, temperature, routine, you could be going through something, getting over something, in the middle of something. Whatever it is, I’m here to keep you company and take your mind off of it so you could fall asleep, which is a little bit different, right? But the reason I make the show and the reason I talk about what could be keeping you awake is so that you get the sense maybe you're in the right place. It might take a little while to realize that, but that you're in a place where you're welcome. You're in a place where ideally you're seen in a way that feels comfortable to you, even across a distance that I’m waving at you. If that’s…that’s what’s normally comfortable for me. I say, I love it. You're twelve fields away from me waving at me across the countryside. That’s great.
I’m really comfortable. That’s very friendly of you, and it’s within my comfort zone that you're waving at me from a distance. ‘Cause as Bette Midler said, at a distance, there’s harmony, for me. But that’s what this show is kind of about, is this sense of harmony. Indirect harmony? I don't know how to put it, but it’s real. What I mean in harmony is that whatever it is that’s been keeping you awake, whatever it is that brought you here the first time or that keeps bringing you back, there’s other people around the world that not only share that with you but that understand all that underlies that, all the stuff below the surface. ‘Cause there’s a lot of different reasons people come here. While I got a good grasp on that and I’ve experienced a lot of it myself, I haven't experienced everything.
But there are people listening who have that can really connect to you, that really can see you and welcome you. That’s what they're doing right now. Whether you're a new listener or a returning listener, there’s listeners…and I hear from these people. They're the people that support the show whether it’s through the sponsors financially or just through their hearts alone that…and their kindness. They're sending that welcoming kindness. They're rooting for you in the deep, dark night 'cause they’ve been there. Wherever you are, they've been there, too. They may be there right now, too, with you, even though they're five, six, seven thousand miles away, whatever the…I don't know what the maximum amount on Earth is. But they don’t have to be the max. I guess if it was the maximum, wouldn't you be…?
Oh no if it was…the maximum would be halfway around the world to you, but plus one? Well, no, 'cause then the other way, it would be less. But then you got…they say, what are they…? Well, yeah, I’ve had listeners in…and it’s two different listeners. So, yeah, they could be. So…but that’s just to say that maybe one day you're rooting for other listeners or maybe one day you need that…those listeners rooting for you, sending you kindness, or maybe it’s both. That’s the magic of the show, this indirect harmony, this indirect connection, this indirect spreading of kindness, because if you came here, you probably need some of that, or maybe you’d like some of that. Maybe it’s optional. You say, eh, yeah, I’ll take a little bit of it.
Because the other goal of the show is so that you could get the rest you need, ideally the rest you need on a regular basis so your life’s more manageable, at least tomorrow, and that bedtime doesn't have to be something you dread or that has rigmarole or…and when I’m in the rough shape, that I start dreading…I say, well, I gotta go…I gotta get the rest that night. I start thinking about it two, three, four days before. So, I’m here to help with that. Ideally, if the show can help you on a regular basis…it doesn't change everything. This is just a part of something. But that then you could be getting the rest you need on a regular basis and then you could be out there in the world flourishing, right? Your life gets better and…'cause we need you in the world. I want you in the world, and we need you. We really do.
So, that’s what the show’s about. The way it works is I send my voice across the deep, dark night. I use lulling, soothing, creaky, dulcet tones, pointless meanders, and superfluous tangents. So, I go off topic, I get mixed up, I forget what I was talking about, then I say, wait a second, what was I talking about? Then I go on another tangent sometimes or I use filler words or my thoughts stall out or then I think of something new. Whatever it is…and creaky, dulcet…those are pointless meanders. Creaky, dulcet tones means my voice is not traditionally soothing. But most people say, well, it’s not that bad. His voice, it’s not that bad. It’s mildly…the show…this show is mildly distracting, mildly sleepy, mildly entertaining, partially humorous.
Barely humorous might be…people…I know some listeners would take exception to that. But if it was in some sort…if it was ironically barely humorous…I guess that would mean I’m doing it on purpose. But it’s just me…I’m somewhat funny. I’m humor-esque, but barely…I guess that would be…like, if I was in my birthday suit, I’d say, yeah, I’m barely humorous right now. Holy moly, am I. But it’s not my birthday. Maybe this episode will come out around my birthday? Actually, it should come out within a month of my birthday or so. So, yeah, there’s that. So, it could be barely…'cause I’ll just wear…on my birthday I’m in my birthday suit, even if it’s…even if I have my Underoos over it. But so, what do you wear underneath…over your birthday suit under your clothes?
Under…well, one day…not sure that company’s still in business, but that was expensive undergarments when I was a kid that I aspired to…but now I don't need them because it wouldn't be…it would just…I’d say, well, I don't know if…I’m very choosey about my materials now. I don't know. If somebody wants to buy that…I don't know if…but I’d have to think about it. Everything’s…this was back when there wasn’t as much licensing of stuff. Anyhow, what was I saying? Oh, this podcast is here to help you out. Creaky…oh, my voice is not traditionally soothing…this is also a podcast that you just kinda listen to or kinda barely listen to, which is a bit different. It’s kinda like elevated background noise, a TV on in the other room, a show streaming under your pillow.
Believe it or not, three rooms away from me right now…'cause this is the first time I’m recording in what may be the new place I record shows. Koa is watching, and this is an experiment just for today. So, if you’re a regular listener or you become one, Koa’s a big part of the podcast. We talked about her on Episode 1400. Right now she’s trying out Bob Ross, which I guess is a little bit ironic. That’s one of the main people in the world I get compared to. What’s interesting…so, there’s a Bob Ross channel. So, I’m new to this space I’m living in, and there was already a TV in the room that Koa spends a lot of her time in 'cause it’s got a…it’s got everything she needs; two beds, two dog beds. So, usually she watches The Addams Family, but there’s only two seasons.
Like, fifty episodes, fifty-six episodes, and this TV, it doesn't exact…the TV and I are not in sync. So, she had been watching, if you've been listening to this, The Adventures of…Jessica Fletcher’s Adventures at Cabot Cove, or Jessica Fletcher: Finder of Lost Things, Cabot Cove’s Finder of Lost Things. She kinda liked it, but when she watches The Addams Family, it’s 100% clear she’s comforted by something or the…well, the totality; the whole is greater than the sum of its parts for Koa. She is soothed by The Addams Family. I mean, not 100% of the time, but it’s clear something’s going on beyond my understanding with Koa and The Addam’s Family. But it’s like, this TV…I can eventually get The Addams Family, but I have to really work at it.
Today I’m home with Koa, working from home, so she doesn't need…I put that on when I’m like, yeah, I gotta go out to the store or whatever. So, today we’ve been try…I said…I was trying to find other stuff. I tried another show and then tried a couple things. I tried some kids stuff. She didn’t like any kids’ programming or…I tried an infant one. She did not like it. So, then I just…I said, oh, there’s this Bob Ross channel. Let’s just see how it goes. So, she’s watching that. Now…'cause another thing that happened was originally, temporarily I was recording…holy cow, this is a long intro because…but that's fine.
Originally I was recording in a room adjacent to the room she’s in now, so the TV couldn't be on, and she doesn't necessarily like total silence when she’s trying to sleep, or…she definitely doesn't like listening to me recording podcasts. We’ve tried a few experiments. She’s like, I gotta listen to this guy…I mean, I think that’s really a thing, is you think I’m gonna relax listening to this guy? No. If I’m listening to him, he’s either…he’s doing something for me, like feeding me, walking me, petting me…but otherwise, I don't need to hear his voice. It’s kinda like, better…I don't know. But yeah, we have a, whatever, work relationship. I work for Koa. So…and that was only a temporary room I was recording in as I tried to clean out a room that I’ll tell you more about if it works out.
I don't know how…I don't know if it’s gonna work out, because it’s not…but we’ll see. It’s the best…'cause under the stairs was originally where I was gonna record. That’s not gonna work for a variety of reasons, I don't think. So, we’ll see how this goes. So, Koa’s watching Bob Ross, which is the kind of show you could barely pay attention to. I guess that was my whole point with that tangent. Or it’s like calling a friend, like if Bob Ross was your friend, and you say, hey, talk to me while you're painting…okay, there’s some…he was just talking about…the last time I saw Koa, he was actually apologizing for his use of masking tape to delineate…to cover the waterline, to protect it while he was painting the sky. He was saying, you don’t have to do that, but I’ve just found for me, I prefer it, kinda thing.
So, that’s…it’s a show you kinda barely listen to, which is kinda how Bob Ross was repurposed. Bob Ross was not one of the inspirations for the show, 'cause in my generation, people watched Bob Ross. They were paying attention. Maybe they were watching at 4:20, whatever time…it was 4:20 somewhere when people were watching it, but people were paying attention. So, I don't know, it’s a little bit different. But it’s cool, repurposing Bob Ross or this show. It’s designed for that purpose. But here’s the thing; it’s a sleep podcast that’s not meant to put you to sleep. I’m here to keep you company while you fall asleep versus putting you to sleep. What do I mean by that? Well, the show…the reason the shows are over an hour is so you have no pressure to fall asleep at all.
There’s people listening who can't sleep at all or who need a break during the day, and I’m here to keep them company and you, or however you use the show, to the very end whether you're awake or asleep. I’m here to take your mind off of stuff and keep you company no matter…just…or if you wake up and you need to tune me in. So, my job is not so much to put you to sleep but to be here and say, oh, okay, I can kinda listen to that pod guy, 'cause my job is to be your bore-friend, your bore-bae, your bore-sib, your neigh-bore, your bore-bie, your boreman, your Boris Borlaf, your bore-bie, your chairman of the boreds, your bore-sib, your bore-cuz, your best bore-friend f’eva, to just hang out with you whether you pay…like when…whether you're paying attention to me or not. You don’t need to worry about it. I’m here for you.
That takes some getting used to, like I said earlier. For most people, it takes two or three tries to get used to this technique, because when you get here you're gonna be skeptical or doubtful. I usually talk about that earlier, but then I got distracted by multiple things. So, just give this show a few tries, 'cause having a bore-friend, having a podcast you don’t really listen to, that’s different than what most people expect. Now, if you decide now or you decide after two or three listens this show is not for you, there’s a website set up, sleepwithmepodcast.com/nothankyou. You can find other sleep podcasts or sleepy stuff on there, 'cause I still want you to be able to get some rest in the deep, dark night.
Now, I also like to explain what the structure is so I can meet you where you are if you're new, or I could talk about ways you could repurpose the podcast to meet your needs. But this version of the podcast that you're listening to right now more than likely is the listener ad-supported version of the show that’s out there everywhere in the world and that benefits the most amount of people, because paying for it’s optional and it’s available everywhere. Any podcast app, you could listen to the show. Most people listen to this version linearly, which just means they turn it on, they press Play, and they listen to it ‘til the end, and then they have it shut off. But then some people use a sleep timer. There’s a lot of other ways to listen. But this is how we’ve structured the show, right?
So, every episode starts off with a greeting; friends beyond the binary, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, so you feel seen and welcome and you say, oh, okay, I could check that show out. Then there’s the support so that paying for the show…it really comes down to the people whose lives are changed by the podcast. The health of the podcast and the long-term sustainability of the show is based on the people that benefit the most. So, if you don’t benefit the most, don't worry about it. That’s why this version’s out there for everybody else. So, that’s what the support is. Then after the support, totally separate from the support, is an intro where I introduce what the podcast is inefficiently, particularly tonight, in a good way, though.
I follow a familiar structure every time so there’s a reassuring part of the intro, but every intro is different 'cause I never know how I’m gonna get distracted, and I just go with it so that there’s variety in that distraction, 'cause repetition never worked for me. Maybe it works for some people out there, but for me for falling asleep, it never worked for me. So, that’s one part of it. Then…what else do you need to know? Oh, the other reason the intro’s fifteen to twenty-plus minutes long is to ease you into bedtime. So, most people are listening to this intro while they're getting ready for bed, winding down, getting in bed, getting comfortable, petting their pets, doing some chill, wind-down activity. Now, if you fall asleep fast and you hear me, it’s critical you support the show.
If you prefer something without intros, you could get tons of story-only shows on Sleep With Me+, and/or we have a ad-supported listener version of the podcast called Bedtime Stories from Sleep With Me that only has stories from the show. There’s no intros. Or if you want to set a sleep timer and make a playlist, those are all things that are available in every podcast app. It’s different for every podcast app, but podcast apps are very flexible. So, yeah, a few percentage of people set a thirty-minute sleep timer, a few percentage of people set a forty-five-minute, a few percentage of people set a sleep timer for sixty minutes. The whole reason we started Bedtime Stories from Sleep With Me is I saw that some people started the show at like, fifteen or twenty minutes.
So, I said, hey, why don’t I help you out and just make a version of the podcast that’s out there? Yeah. So…and then some people, a small percentage of people, fall asleep fast. We need their support. A small percentage of people listen to five, six, seven, eight episodes a night. We really need their support. But some people…most people…the average listener is somebody that kinda comes and goes and that just…that one episode, and it just ends when it ends. But we're here to help everybody out. It’s the cool thing about the show; it’s kinda flexible, but this particular version is just what most people benefit from.
So, that’s the intro, then after the intro will be support, then there will be our bedtime story, which tonight will be a kind of a new TV recap show that we haven't made yet that I’ll make after…it’ll be made after this intro. All told, we’ll be here about an hour or a little bit over an hour, and I’m really glad you're here. If you're new, thank you so much for whatever kind of path you had to follow to get here. If you're a regular listener, thanks again for coming back, or you're a returning listener. I really hope this podcast can help you out or guide you to something that can, 'cause I know what it’s like in the deep, dark night not being able to sleep, or all those things. So, I just want to help if I can or to guide you to somewhere that you can…that maybe something else will help you out, or to let you know, hey, your sleep is important and it’s not easy.
So, I’m really glad you're here. If you fall asleep fast and you just happen to be listening to me, you're a all-night listener or a multiple-episode-a-night listener, you've been listening for years or you listen four, five, six, seven nights a week, we really could use your support. We’ve been talking about it since April 2025, and it is…comes down to those groups of listeners whether the podcast is around long-term or not. So, if you are one of those groups…you say, oh yeah, I am; this podcast has changed my life or changed my life in a positive way a little bit on a regular basis. Here’s the ways you could make sure this podcast is here or even flourishes just like I want you to flourish. These are the ways you could say, yeah, we could both flourish. What do I need to do? Here you go. Thanks.
Alright everybody, welcome to the pilot episode, Season 1, Episode 1, of A Restful Development. It’s gonna be…I don't know what it’s gonna be, 'cause this is the first episode I’m recording. But it’s gonna be related to the show Arrested Development. But it may be a crossover with another series. I’m not exactly sure, because I like to kinda have these things be practice and organic at the same time. So, what I’m gonna do is go through a few minutes of my notes and then watch a few minutes of Arrested Development, the pilot episode, which is a very brisk 21:43. Talk about…I think it’s…I think Ron Howard has delightful tones; I guess not dulcet tones. They're more delightful tones and iconic…I would say iconically delightful tones. Ron Howard; iconically delightful tones. Sleepy, dulcet?
Probably not, but you could…when they're delightful and iconic, that’s…those are good things. So, we're gonna…let me run through my notes. An important piece of dialogue which is…and right now he’s happy; I starred that, and I think that’ll be an important comparison later. The first shot is of Michael Bleuth, then his father, then him, then his mother, and then it starts going through the…some of the other family members. Tobias…is…? So, I was already working on these connections with this other series. So, we’ll see about that. There’s…Michael’s mom is not happy. You could kinda see that Michael treats his mom with some snark. His mom is very self-concerned and very kind or open-minded and harsh. I like…his sister’s first line is good grief, mother, which is very…it’s just so…that’s Charlie Brown-esque.
Then there’s set-ups for jokes that will be paid off later, and that’s Michael’s twin sister. Is this the first time I’m realizing that? Lindsay. I don't know if I ever made that connection before, but I’m making it now. It says it here in my notes, Michael’s twin sister, Lindsay. As a youthful act of defiance, Lindsay married Tobias Funke…Funke…Tobias Funke? I don't know. Tobias. They have fundraisers. So, we start to learn about the characters very…within two or three minutes. Gob, magic trick, notes, an illusion…the trick is…again, we meet Gob. He’s not very concerned with what children hear. We see this great shot of the Alliance of Magicians, an organization who doesn't like people revealing magician secrets. There’s eleven of them. I’ll pause it again. The photo comes up twice.
There is a wizard in there, a person with a red nose and giant shoes…I don't know if I’ve been to a magic show. I mean, I’ve seen them perform magic or illusions. Oh, yeah, excuse me. Well, I didn’t say trick. Then we meet Buster, the youngest of Michael’s siblings. He does a lot of back massaging out of anxiety or nervousness. He’s a full-time student thanks to the family’s largesse. He’s not very good at drumming, so it’s something…he has…carries a beat, just not the correct beat. I can't even carry a beat. Someone used to say, we’ve got the beat. I’d say, well, I actually don’t. I can do…irregular beats; I can do that. They say, that’s just noise. It’s not even tapping, 'cause tapping’s usually in regular thing. This…yes, this is his family. This is at 2:12. So, why is Michael so happy?
So, we start to get these thematic things for the whole series, and that’s at 2:12. But we have a twist, too. So, why is Michael so happy? Two minutes in…because he’s decided to never speak to these people again. So, Michael was feeling more generous about his family 'cause he was parting ways with them on the morning. So, then we jump back, or…yeah, we jump back, 'cause it opens before the party starts, but on the boat. Michael and George-Michael are talking, his son. What comes before everything? We get some humor. We get to know George-Michael. What’s the most important thing? Family. Yes, this is his family earlier. Now he says the most important thing is family. Theme of show…two stars, I put. Not as a rating but as a double reminder. Right, he says.
So, that’s George-Michael, and then we get the idea…wait a second, so, when is…? I guess that’s after the party when he’s never gonna think of his…speak to his family again. Tonight your granddad makes me a partner. Tonight, all my sacrifice for the family pays off. So, this is the pilot episode. I have not rewatched the other pilot, but it does seem a lot…they do seem a lot…very similar in tone. To prove his dedication to the family business, Michael lives in a model unit of his father’s housing. They have to live in the attic. When I do get the promotion, we're gonna get what we deserve. Sudden Valley is the name of the development. I like this; he says, like a real home. Then George-Michael says, this is a real home. He goes, no, no, this is a fake home. I put, two stars, this is a real home.
Also, just, I mean, spoiler, it gets paid off, too. I think it was kinda ironic that he’s talking about a fake home and then he offers two different cereals. Loops or Flakes? Then they head…oh, let’s run through it, 'cause then they go to the banana stand. Okay, Orange County, California…Michael’s leaning on the boat. He’s got a sport coat. He looks happy. His dad’s making a speech. Happy trails, partner. It’s a retirement party. Then we meet Lucille Bleuth, a socialite. Very stern, very stern. Marina Hornblower…we see the people protesting, but they're kinda celebrating-with-joy protesting. Dramatic and flamboyant is what the mom says. She doesn't like it. There’s a lot of activity in the background. Then Linday, she pulls her sunglasses off as she says, good grief. Same blouse…so, just so many layers of jokes, too.
Twin sister; it says it there, too. There’s this man not on the boat…Tobias Funke, F-U-N-K-E with two things. Then we see…oh, Gob’s Illusion is one of these big, fancy illusions. Gob’s just…George Oscar Booth II. That’s what Gob stands for, George Oscar Bleuth. ‘We demand to be taken seriously’ was a sign one of the magicians was holding up. I didn’t pause it there, but I will. Byron Buster Bleuth, graduate student…man, great comedy. Wow. Really good physical comic. Then they're talking about mapping, 'cause that’s what he’s studying. Yeah, they did a pretty good job mapping, Magellan, Cortez. Not exactly a comfortable person is…now, why is Michael so…? So, he’s never gonna speak to anybody again. Then the show opens. Okay, so, that was the twist at the open.
Okay, then it would have gone to commercial when it was on regular TV. Morning of the boat party…what’s the most important thing? Family. Huh, there’s a book in a bag. I wonder if we could see what that is. Let’s go back ten seconds. Oh, We the People. It’s a library book. It’s a library book in a bag, like a gym bag. We zoom out. George-Michael has very…I don't know, he’s a really great character…frozen banana salesman child. Okay, so, I’m gonna be a partner to prove my dedication to the family business. We’ve lived in this house in Sudden Valley, the only house, the model unit, so I can still sell units. So, they're eating in a model kitchen. Is this a real home? No, a fake home, son. Fake turkey, but that’s where we keep the cereal. Okay, then we go to Balboa Island, where the banana stand is. It started in 1953.
We have a little lighthouse, the banana stand…Bleuth’s Original Frozen Banana. George-Michael wears a yellow Oxford shirt. What else do we got here? $18,000 is how much Gob’s illusion cost. This is before the party. Michael’s like, hey, are you pitching in for the party? Gob’s like, no, no, no, I’m doing magic. Well, it’s not a kids’ party. Yeah, but this is this cool, new illusion. I’m gonna do it on the boat. Can't we just have the company pay for the party? No, it’s not a business expense. Well, the company’s been paying for Lindsay to stay at the Four Seasons. She’s been here a month. Then he’s like, wait a second, she’s been here a month? Then Gob just heads off, 'cause he wasn’t supposed to say anything. Michael’s not happy about this 'cause he didn’t know about it, so then he goes to talk to his mom.
He says, give me your checkbook, your company checkbook. You're cut off. So, he’s already kinda taking control. This is kinda this theme of this episode. Oh, I mean, maybe I’m stretching it a little bit, but I don't think so. He’s already introducing the idea there’s gonna be a change in the power dynamics in the family when I take over. She’s talking about some of her scarves. He says, no more personal expenses for the company. Well, Gob said he needed that illusion. Well, I was talking about Lindsay’s hotel. Yeah, it’s a five-star hotel. You didn’t even tell me she was in town. So, a new boss, kinda thing. Then the mom says, you know, I love all my children equally, hardy, har, har. So, yeah, we have…I have been using…yeah, my lifestyle is funded by the company. Is that fair or not? I don't know.
Tonight’s a big announcement from your father. He goes, yeah, yeah, I know. Then we see Tobias, his mother…his mouth open…okay, let’s see what that is. That note’s based on…let’s get to Tobias here. We see the banana stand. Oh, whoops, I was gonna check the…let me see if I can pause it on any of the pricing or anything. 1953 was when it was started. Bananas freshly dipped…different sizings, there’s different toppings; everything, peanuts, small, medium, large…I can't see that sign, though. It looks like they're all…oh, that’s the prices, probably. Gob comes in on one of those scooters that are supposed to always stay upright that were popular. I can't remember the name of them. They were supposed to change the world. Okay, let’s pause it on this picture of the illusion.
Okay, the Alliance of Magicians…so, yeah, we have…there’s someone with a paper New Year’s Eve hat, there’s a wizard, there’s a couple people in tuxes. Gob’s standing. He’s holding the sign ‘We demand to be taken seriously’. There’s a lot of…wow, the person with the red nose also has fake, giant gloves on. Oh, and someone…they're holding up the sign that says The Alliance of Magicians. Then I like the guy…there’s a guy at the bottom-left who does…he may have leather pants on, and he kinda looks like a very Las Vegas, nineties, aughts magician. Maybe not aughts, 'cause aughts you got into more of a glam-rock type look, but…okay, so, back to Michael and Gob. Okay…saying, well, it’s not a six-year-old’s birthday party. Anthony and Joe Russo directed this episode, which is very, very interesting as well.
I think the directing’s interesting here, not…because Gob’s taller than Michael 'cause he’s on the scooter. He just leaves, too. It was just interesting seeing the height difference. Okay, so, now he’s going in to talk to his mom. Oh, my fox…oh where, oh where has my little fox gone? He says, don't worry about it, mom. She says, well, I am worried about it. No more personal…oh, we already did this. Oh, there’s a nice picture of…the siblings picture…two sets of sibling pictures. Oh, a piano…one of the largest pictures is Michael. There’s a lot of other pictures. Yeah, we could count them if you want. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen that we can see, and they're all different family pictures.
Another picture…oh no, that’s the same one, two pictures of the siblings. She’s kinda…there’s a vase. She’s out to lunch with her son. Okay, then they're walking around. Dad’s making the big announcement. He goes, yeah, is it about me? Pretty sure it is. They raise their eyebrows. She winks, but it’s a very awkward wink. Okay, there’s Tobias. How are…? Oh, the way he says how are you…maybe that was my notes. His mother at open…? More changes…his meter; oh. Yeah, how are you? His first lines are so good, the way he says how are you? Then he gives him a big hug. How’s the job search? We learn about Tobias. He used to be…seems like a very successful physician, but not exactly great with common sense. Then he goes, yeah, the boat party might be pirate-themed. He doesn't even say it as a pirate.
Then Lindsay comes in. She didn’t realize Michael was there. Oh, hey, did you just get in, fly in? She goes, oh, yeah, sorry, I didn’t…been really busy. They talk about her fundraising. She just, again, adds to a lot of layers of jokes that they can talk about now and later. Also, again, saying, oh, well, most of the money we raised Tobias admits is from the family, the Bleuth Company. So, Lindsay doesn't like that. Then Michael makes a speech. I’m gonna pause it and look at my notes, 'cause he’s like, sibling…so, first, yeah, they kinda go back and forth. The sibling thing…and then it kinda introduces the idea, yeah, there’s gonna be more changes here. Okay, then we…yeah, then we go to George-Michael and Maeby. We really get a idea of the show’s tenor.
Then at 8:42, which is a little bit over a third of the episode…and George-Michael’s big moment finally came. But he says, there’s a new boss in town — he even says that — starting tomorrow. You're all gonna have to get jobs and feel what it looks like to work for money. The sweet sting of sweat in your eye…Buster, can't you practice your drum outside? No, mom says I can't do it outside right now. Then we meet Maeby, who’s Lindsay’s daughter, George-Michael’s cousin, and she kinda reintroduces herself playing a trick on George-Michael. Then we kinda just get this idea of the show’s humor and what it’s gonna be like so you get an idea. Her name is May Maeby Funke, spelled M-A-E-B-Y. We never see each other. We never see anybody in our family, George-Michael says.
We just get a idea of both their personalities. Maeby’s a little bit more of a trickster. George-Michael’s more of a honest person willing to be…so, in the hands of a trickster, he’s in trouble. But he’s honest and genuine, so you can't…you say, I love this guy. He’s honest and genuine. There’s also a picture…okay, then Tobias is getting ready for a pirate party now. So, you get another layer of humor, another just…just really good physical humor, subtle physical humor and dialogue humor. So, it ends up…Tobias ends up on a protest, a kinda Pride celebration protest for the…I think they say it’s for the marina, but he thinks he’s dressed as a pirate. Okay. Then we go to, yeah, the new CEO announcement for the Bleuth Company. Dad is holding…he’s passing the torch, literally. He’s passing a torch-type trophy.
Smartest Bleuth, favorite Bleuth…Michael starts getting so happy. Then he says, well, but someone I’m also very attracted to. He says, huh. My lovely wife, Lucille. Everybody’s happy except for Michael and George-Michael. Everybody is very…all the other siblings and mom are very happy. Then the song starts playing, Love Will Keep Us Together. The father embraces the son and says, sorry, it’s not the right time; this cold, kind of informal movie-type hug from a movie where they say…he says, sorry, it’s not the right time. Yeah, there starts to be this freedom thing. Love Will Keep Us Together…but, oh, there’s even a little slow motion before it goes to ad of George-Michael’s face. Then we come back. Lucille’s still happy. Great news for every sibling except for George-Michael.
Okay, so, then we see freedom from the Pride float. George-Michael’s singing it, then a song about freedom is playing. To change…there’s drums. But we see his face; he smiles. What is this at, ten minutes or something? There’s 12:05 left. So, yeah, almost the midpoint. We get a close-up of him smiling and thinking, a genuine smile, as he sees the freedom sign and he realizes…then he sees George-Michael and he says, hey, are you okay? Yeah, no. You and I waited long enough. It’s time for us to move on, be free of this family. George-Michael helps us understand. Then he says, hey, Maeby. Sorry, yeah, we're not gonna be around anymore. Then it’s time for a family picture. Let’s see some smiles. This is a party, not a shareholder meeting.
We get some tension, then we realize that there’s a bunch of…the thing they do with the drums after punchlines, more than once. They realize, hey, this…you haven't been running this company above board. So, everybody’s trying to get away. The dad’s trying to deal with stuff. That’s 10:45. Oh, at 10:45 they try to go to the boat to go to international waters. I’d love to know who plays the ship’s captain, because…I don't know if it’s one of the writers, producers, Ron Howard, I have no idea, but it’s…they're standing outside. Or maybe it’s just an extra. I don't know. They get a lot of time on camera. This was pre-iPhone era, too, so it’s kinda of a throwback. Everybody has flip phones.
Gob tries to help his father disappear so he doesn't have to deal with his consequences, and the father doesn't even understand his son’s trying to help him. The Bleuth family was on the news that night. We get another kinda shot of Michael. Gob helps with his illusions. $80,000 of cartography lessons…oh, that was when they were trying to get outta there. They reveal how his trick works, 'cause they say it was Gob, Mr. Bleuth’s son, a part-time magician, part-time, who hid his father in his illusion. Maybe for humans it was a good illusion, but not for everybody. So, that’s where his father was hiding, in this illusion, which…we can show you how it works. Then we get this…I think this is another little theme. Tobias comes out.
He was also…they're all waiting for the father to get his time being interviewed with the Safety Squad. Paw Patrol; Paw Patrol was on all this. Tobias was also a guest of Paw Patrol, and he comes out and he says, the universe provides, and he’s very happy 'cause he has a whole new vision for himself. But I really think…and I’m like, is this…? This is like this other…maybe it’s a theme in the series? I don't know. We’ll pay attention. But it’s like, hey, everything’s working out, even…so, this is a little bit like the Comedian idea of Watchmen, maybe, this outlook that…or absurdist? I don't know. We’ll pay attention to it. Or viewpoint on…what an adventure, he even says. Please, Buster…what an adventure, yeah. He goes, I know all these actors from the local theatre. That’s what I want to do now.
But it also shows everybody’s kinda selfish on the show, which, I mean, for me I think is everybody, you know? Everybody’s in their own character. Lindsay’s staring at him while he’s doing his dialogue. It’s really good. Then we cut to her reaction. Then Michael comes out. He says, hey, dad’s gonna have to be with the Paw Patrol for a while ‘til we get all this figured out…and everybody that took money from the company. So…oh, I thought you guys were worried about dad. You're more worried about the expense accounts. Well, mom’s in charge now. She says, I’m putting Buster in charge of the company. So, there. Buster thought blue on the map was land? Well, he’s had business classes, 18th-century agrarian businesses, but I guess it’s all the same, he says. There’s just so many layers to the jokes.
Michael’s like, this is…I’m so tired of the selfishness. I’m gonna deal with my son, who’s my family. Lindsay, I expected more from you. You should have known better. So, he kinda guilts his sister. Then they have to move out of the hotel 'cause there’s no one paying for it anymore. So, that was a pretty funny scene with that. So, there’s a lot of…a lot more physical comedy. I mean, especially for twenty-two minutes, they're really packing it in. Then Tobias does a audition…all these different degrees he has. He’s doing his…yeah, his little open audition. Lucille’s trying to get back to her life. My husband’s really not that intelligent. Michael applies for a job with a rival company. He’s gonna move to Arizona with his son…Sitwell Housing. So, there’s a little bit of humor with that. Really well done.
Then Buster…again, superior physical comedy of Buster in board meetings or company meetings in a giant conference room. Then the family decides, we need Michael. Gob’s in a little bit of denial about it. But the family, they say, we need to talk to you. About what? We need you to run the family business and come back. So, technically, this is a imposition on me? Whatever you…however you want to deal with it. We need your help. I can't perform my magic. I’m not even…I can't even be at birthday parties because of…really good. None of the magicians are happy with Gob, even the kids. Then we get, again, another George-Michael moment. He drinks orange soda. He has a straw in his glass, but when he’s uncomfortable, he drinks it right out of the glass. They're playing Uno, but he says, go fish.
He drinks it really fast, too. Michael says, yeah, George-Michael and I are moving to Phoenix. You know, a job where I’ll get paid, earn a living. No hard feelings. They say, you're gonna leave California? I say, wait a second, I did. Then he says, alright, George-Michael, let’s get…and then Lindsay gives it back to him. She goes, dad would really want you to help your family. Maybe you should go say goodbye to him at least, which he hadn't done. So, this is another big theme, the father manipulating the son? Is the father moving chess pieces or not a theme of this, and maybe this other show we're gonna look at. So, here we don’t have the information of he’s being honest, but he says, hey, I wanted you to run the company, but I need Lucille to run the company 'cause I knew we were in a little bit of a bind here.
So, I didn’t want you to get in trouble, you know? It was a setup. It was a brilliant move. I was moving chess pieces on your behalf, Michael. So, that’s why I did that, for the family, but also for you. You should be running the company, but just not right now. So, at least his dad thinks he’s making all these big moves, even though Michael’s like, dad, I’m not sure you are. So, what is the hidden agenda? Then Lindsay tries to go to the model home to collect things from the family…the last family asset. George-Michael’s packing up three boxes of Monopoly, three sets of Monopoly, and she’s…Lindsay says, oh, we were gonna say goodbye. We’ll come visit you, maybe, in Arizona. He goes, yeah, we’ll miss you, too. It’s been nice having you around. It’s been really lonely. So, this is the heart of the matter.
Three minutes left…3:37 left in the episode. It’s just me and dad now, and so, it’s been tough. It’s been lonely. I just wish we all could stay here together. Michael hears that and he says, hey, bud, let’s get the van packed and head out. He gives his aunt a hug, a real long, genuine hug, which kinda…it doesn't change Lindsay totally, but it does plant a seed, I think. His genuineness doesn't change her, but it maybe opens a door, which we see on her face. Then they have a little sibling talk. Yeah, he doesn't know us. He’d miss his family. How come you didn’t call me? Well, Michael, Tobias isn't working, I’m not working. It’s…I don't know. He says, are you having strong feelings? She goes, yeah. My life’s hard. I’m not…there’s other people displeased with me because of my…different things I was raising money for.
She goes, I didn’t call you because you’re so judgmental. He goes, I’m not judgmental. And you're disappointed in me. He goes, I’m not judgmental and I’m not disappointed in you. She goes, okay, I guess you're right. He goes, but I’m disappointing, too. I didn’t even get a job. She goes, so, we're a disappointing family, incredibly disappointing family, but we are family, and I want my son to be happy, so maybe we should be in each other’s lives. Double underline. I put…oh, honest moment with fake tears, or tear attempts. She goes, yeah, I’d like that. He goes, yeah? Okay. She almost cries. So, Michael decided…the narrator comes back. He’s gonna work with his family for the first time ever. He gathered his family together in the model home.
We actually have a zoom on the Monopoly board with 1:42 left, and then we get this family moment where they're playing Monopoly. It’s kinda idealized. People are laughing and being themselves, even. He says, oh, I wish you guys didn’t have to leave so soon. He goes, oh, we're all living in this house together. I mean, not Gob, but your aunt, your cousin, your uncle. It might be a little crowded. You might have to share a room with your cousin. We zoom on George-Michael’s face. Then we get this thing that the show becomes known for or maybe not known for, which are fake previews for next week, I believe. Again, it’s been a while since I’ve watched the show. 2020, I tried to get…maybe my daughter watched the first season with me, but I don't think…or maybe she…I couldn't get her quite hooked.
But yeah, so, we see on the next one, George-Michael and Maeby trying to share a room, then Gob trying to get the job in Arizona that Michael didn’t get doing some illusions with a dove and some poofs. Then George…or then Michael meeting with his father, and he’s like, I love it here with the Paw Patrol. I’m like a unofficial Paw Patrol member. With that, I believe the episode concludes. So, yeah, that’s the first part of this, and I guess I’ll be right back with about fifteen minutes of maybe comparison to something else, or maybe something else. So, Scoots will be right back with you. Go ahead, Scoots.
Alright everybody, so, this is Scoots. This is the second half of the Rest…A Restful Development episode. I’m gonna be looking at the introduction of the characters on the TV…the TV show…the HBO show Succession. Now that I’ve rewatched…I’ve rewatched the show quite a few times. I don't know, I love shows about family. I guess in the end it’s like, why are you doing these two shows? Are there similarities? But if you've been listening to the podcast for a while, you know that Game of Thrones was mostly about family, too, at least in my opinion. I mean a broader term of family, but…so, I don't know, I think it’s a interesting take, and it’s interesting to take it in this soft, calm way, and look at a show…and maybe a show…one of my favorite shows of all time.
Not easy to watch because it challenges us, Succession, but it is, I don't know, a show that really has stayed with me. Maybe one of the things for me is like, well, I don't relate to the lifestyles of the characters. Their insides, sometimes, even though they're fictional insides, remind me of my insides, or their…you know, that’s why I love art, I guess, of all kinds. This is interesting kinda looking at this comedic take on family and then this more Shakespearean take on family? I don't know how to describe it. Dramatic? Grand? I don't know. So, we're just gonna run through some notes I took, 'cause…yeah, and we’ll go from there. So, this…this pilot episode opens in the dark, and I think it’s important, the order of the characters, too.
In this one, we…first we don’t know who we're meeting, at least immediately, but the characters kind of…there’s some sounds in the background, and the characters are like, where am I going? Is this the WC or not? Then Logan, someone says…and Logan says, am I in the WC? I’m not sure. No, this is our new place. So, the first character we meet is Logan, and then his…kind of his wife’s voice. But the next character I think that we see is…New York is also a character on and off in the show. We’ll see that…I believe probably Southern California is also a character. Well, it was in Arrested Development, 'cause he says, I’m moving to Arizona, and they all find that very amusing. Also, two of my favorite places to live out of four that I’ve lived in in the Bay Area and Central New York.
Okay, so, the next thing we do is while we're seeing New York, we're getting some music, and then we see our next character, Kendall, who’s getting excited. It seems like he’s kind of getting pumped up for maybe…you say, huh, he’s well dressed for a dance-off, but it could be a dance-off. Then there’s this great contrast, I thought. Well, one other thing is like, you know, series are evolving things. So, it’s also interesting seeing the pilot and the order of the characters in the pilot and the time we spend with the characters in the pilot and how much time we’ll spend with them, and where do they go after? But there’s a big contrast 'cause…or Kendall’s listening to things in headphones. So, we hear this powerful hip-hop, and then we hear Kendall’s voice without any backing, and it is very contrasting.
Then he says, this is it. He’s called Mr. Roy. I put, Mr. Roy versus Logan. Then, again, we're revealing…the character’s being revealed. So, he takes one puff off of…what are those? A bubble-gum cigar, and then he does not pick up after himself. Then we get some…a lot of walking, then we go to the opening, which is also one of my favorite…the music in the opening…I would watch it almost every time even though sometimes you could skip it, you know? Okay, then we see him walking again, and then the next character we meet is Frank. So, right now we have the father figure and the central-son figure, I guess, with both these series, right? Then we meet Frank, who’s…I guess throughout this episode, we say, who’s Frank? Even though we know who Frank is.
But I feel like the casting and the acting and the directing of Frank is…Frank…and maybe this is just 'cause I haven't watched the whole series all the way through again, is that Frank is in the midst of all this someone that’s a little bit more…or at least maybe not towards the end. I’m thinking of the scene at the end. But he’s a little bit more likeable and fatherly, and I guess in this situation, down to Earth. Maybe ‘down to Earth’ is the wrong thing. But, I don't know, he is somewhat fatherly. We learn there’s something going on. Kendall kinda uses different…he doesn't use business language all the time. He’s speaking casually sometimes. It’s kinda clear he can't read the room. Then we meet Lawrence, who is this contrasting character. Maybe he’s a inverse Kendall, almost?
He seems…he’s portraying softness, almost, but his softness and his kindness and his openness is not…shouldn't be taken as that he’s…that he doesn't have boundaries. He actually seems like a person that has good boundaries and is highly intelligent and capable. Let’s see…'cause there’s this…but he also kind of at some point has had enough of Kendall. He doesn't seem to respect Kendall. So, we learn more. Especially if you've never seen the show before, you say, oh, okay. So…okay, so, Kendall’s dad must be Logan that we met earlier, and Kendall works there, but has he earned his place? Is he…? Then there’s this great no-no, and then a gulp. Lawrence really gets a lot of good lines. He says, take care, dude. Then there’s another great interaction about calling his dad with everybody working with Kendall.
So, the comedy is very strong. Or, it’s my kind of comedy, I guess. You say, it’s…you find it…I found this part of the show very comedic. Okay, then dad calls. Dad uses pauses. Happy birthday. I’m excited. Then the next character we meet is Greg, and we very quickly get this portrayal of Greg. He’s in the car. He’s kind of…seems a little lost, we’ll say. Then he’s in a new job, a training situation, then he’s in a theme park…not a mascot, but…he’s not a face…is he a face…? No, 'cause…he’s portraying a theme park mascot. Oh, he’s already in his uniform before he’s in the theme park, with his hat off or his thing off. This is a key line; Waystar Royco is a family. Yeah, there’s…let’s see, let’s go…I changed where I had my notes. Okay, yeah, so then we see Greg again. He’s not feeling so hot.
Feel it…and he doesn't…he kinda gets treated as a theme park mascot not very well, and he doesn't feel too good about it. Then we go to night again, and I guess this is kinda where I feel like the show evolved a little bit, 'cause we meet Greg’s mom, and she’s in bed. He doesn't…he’s not totally honest with his mom about his situation. I guess one thing to note is that it’s night where she is, not where Greg is. She says, basically, I’m gonna get you a plane ticket. You're gonna go to your Uncle Logan’s birthday. Okay, then we go back to Kendall’s office. Again, at this point we’ve got the sense — especially these next few scenes — that very similar to Arrested Development, that Kendall’s getting ready to take over the family business, 'cause this gentleman comes in, a consultant with sage, and then Roman comes.
We meet Roman. Roman makes a somewhat-big entrance but not as big as kind of that character becomes. But we do get some very Roman moments, I would say, for the character Roman. ‘Cause he says, oh, you're dismissed. I just hired you…so, you also get the sense that…even with Roman, he did this kind of thing that probably costs a lot of money, having a sage consultant go to the office and say, no, no, you don’t even need to do anything. Just go. Then we see that Roman and Frank have some sort of thing between them. They used to work together, but Roman doesn't work there anymore. But he’s like, I’m over it. So, it’s like, oh, are you okay? I don't think they did this with Gob, really. I say, well, is Roman and Gob a similar character? Hm. I’m not sure. I think…yeah, I don't know…I’m gonna have to think about that.
Maybe mom and Roman. I don't know. Eh, I don't know. But anyway, Kendall…or Roman…you get a sense he still wants to be a part of it. $125 laughing caption? Congrats…Frank’s face…I don't know what that is. Then we see Logan’s WC mistakes being cleaned. We see all the staff. We see his wife, Marcia, directing them. She’s saying, good, good, okay. Logan’s kinda…you kinda have…you're like, man, what’s going on with his character? ‘Cause…is he confused? Is he displeased? Then we see the cover of Forbes Magazine. Kendall’s on there. The heir with flair. Then he kind of…again, we get to know Logan more. I don't want any surprise. I don't want any…I want distance. I don't want it loud. She kinda humors him but kinda gets him…and cares for him, 'cause he goes and leaves.
She says, make sure he has his coat, please. But again, you also get the idea that this isn't the world we live in, 'cause it’s like, go bring him his coat. The only way that would be is like, when you're getting in the station wagon…like, someone got on the station wagon first, they’d be like, make sure your brother has his coat. Then be like, yeah…okay, now we meet Tom and Shiv, and actually, this kinda whole idea came from me wanting to write poems about Tom. I did not write one for this episode. My personality is not like Tom’s, but I get the sense that something…or maybe Tom reminds me of somebody really close to me or something. Not that I’m…I’m not saying that subtley. Or is it an amalgamation? Or maybe it’s just that something inside Tom is turned the same way as my…knotted up in the same way?
I think that’s it. There is a sense of…it leaks out of Tom. So, I wouldn't say it’s quiet perspiration, but changing the perspiration to another word, 'cause Tom isn't necessarily a quiet perspirer, but he does seem…like, when I’m a quiet perspirer or I’m in a state of quiet perspiration on the inside…I don't know. But at first we're talking about…Shiv is talking business, and then we see Tom’s perspiration about this gift and basically the world we're in, that…it doesn't matter what you get my dad, 'cause it’s not gonna matter to him. So, as long as you spend ten to fifteen big…I mean, giant ones or G ones, that’s the right amount of nothing. So, maybe I could make a improv…imprompu…oh Tom, oh Tom, the gift…I watch you wonder about the gift. Does the gift you're giving…? No, I can't do it.
Oh, the talk…Philippe…it’s in its box. Will it stay there? Where will the box go? Tom, what sort of box do you keep your watches in, as you quietly perspire? I don't think this is worthy of Tom, but this is my first attempt. I watch you as you watch the watch. You want Shiv to go with you. Oh, Tom…oh, where do you keep your watches, Tom? Maybe that’s enough. Do you keep them in a box or a basket? Tom, I should watch you and see if you wear a watch. Is it on your left or your right? I’ll be watching Tom, for your watches. Oh boy, can you feel what my heart is saying, Tom, as I wonder about your watches and your watch boxes? Also, I think I can make it simpler, Tom. Can you feel what I feel in my heart as I watch you and wonder, what does Tom…where does Tom wear his watch? Where does Tom keep his watch?
It seems like…I don't know exactly…I’ve never worked in a position like the position maybe you have, so I have no idea, but I can't ever imagine any position other than the thing the siblings are in, being well enough that you say, okay, that’s how much I’ll spend on a gift. But your aim is to please, Tom, to be seen by Logan. Will your watch be seen? I see you rehearsing, Tom. My heart sees you rehearsing, Tom. Oh, Tom…oh, Tom. Okay, so, that’s enough Tom. That’s a little bit about Tom. Interesting that Tom and Tommen…talk about…even though Tom’s not his sibling, so it’s a little bit different. But I think Tom and Tommen would really get along, and that…I mean, oof, man. I mean, maybe this is getting into fanfiction territory, but…huh, interesting. This is not true at all, but it’s like, is Tom Tommen?
If Tommen had, again, had a different…if Tommen had time traveled, it probably wouldn't…huh, interesting to think about. But anyway, so, then we go back to lunch or to the office. Kendall’s having Taco Bell, a pretty big contrast with the watch thing. Then we realize Kendall’s kinda making some talk. Dad’s watching and checking in some paperwork. It’s your call…then we meet Connor, and I think Connor probably has…you say, okay, who’s Connor, right? So, Connor’s the oldest sibling, the kind of…the one that doesn't want to be a part of the business so much. Connor’s his own thing, I guess, really. So, we get…and you get a sense of really who he is instantly by his dialogue and everything else.
Okay, then we have Shiv and Tom, Shiv and Marcia…we get a little brother and sister play, we get a play between Mr. Roy and the press. Greg kinda runs the surprise party. So, we get a little of that, then there’s a couple great scenes. So, Greg gets a lot of time in the pilot and a lot of great visuals. There’s a great scene with them on the elevator, this great image, and then again, it’s kinda repeated in a different way. Maybe they talked about this, this symbolism that sustains us through the whole arc of the show. But Greg in the back of the limo with Logan and Marcia…then we hear kinda Logan’s nicknames for his…he calls Connor Primo, and you just get more of character revelation. Romulus…where is Tom? He gets Craig’s name wrong, so he calls him Cousin Craig.
Then we have…Kendall and Frank show up, and we start to see the full sibling kinda thing get explained. We’ll kinda stop this at the halfway point of the episode, 'cause it kinda culminates in the same way here. So, then we have Shiv and dad kinda talking about…talking, and then Connor interrupts. He kinda pushes his gift on dad, which is kinda funny, then Kendall walks up. Everybody’s like, be nice. Then we see Kendall’s kind of…his perspiration, I guess. Can you call…can we do a call at 4:00? I want to get this done now, today, and get the release out. We see the kids…oh, then his kids show up, and his ex-wife, and he’s distracted and he’s kind of…it doesn't seem like a high priority to him. Then we kinda see that he still has a candle in the wind for his ex, 'cause he talks about dinner…coming to you? No.
Are you seeing someone? Then again, she helps put more information about Kendall out there, and then we see Kendall’s reaction. Well, that was three years ago. Again, that gets, again, repeated a little bit later in the episode. Coronation Day even gets said…you deserve this…okay, kids, I need two minutes, Logan says. But this is interesting. I starred it because, again, Greg, he says, Logan, I want to talk to you. He says, no, I’m just about to do something. He says, no. He demands his attention and tell…lays things out. Then Logan…we learn about Logan and his brother through that interchange. But I also want to…how much about Greg were we learning there? So, then we go and Logan closes the door. It’s just the siblings.
I want to add Marcia to the family trust and give her…she’ll have a seat on the board as well as she’ll have my seat. Then they say, no, that’s…do what we want. Well, Kendall just signed it already. The office didn’t even ask any questions. He uses the same number as Kendall. He goes, I want this done by 4:00, this thing with the trust. This is my gift. This is what’s important to me. Then he says, by the way, I talked this over with Kendall; I’m gonna give it four year…four…a couple more years. He kinda says it casually. This is 30:52 left in the episode. Kendall…we zoom, zoom on Kendall, and he kind of…his dialogue is unbelievable as it kinda sinks in.
It’s in front of everyone, so we see all his siblings’ reactions, none of which are kind, and they're all about their stuff, 'cause Connor leaves, and we realize no one has Kendall’s back in this situation. Then it’s…Marcia’s like, it’s lunch. Then…but then Kendall gets alone with his father and he says, yeah…and we see a lot of revelation between a father and his son. It kinda does hearken to this…the Resting Developing one of like…we see…we actually don’t know what Logan’s up to here, even though we say, man, I don't know about this Logan guy. Holy moly. In another way, Kendall’s not exactly portrayed in the likeable way, either. He’s really wanting things, you know? But he says, I trusted my father. Then Logan says, when will you be ready? Or maybe Kendall says that. Ready? When will you be ready? I don't know.
Then we see Kendall’s…it’s like a meme. He’s holding his hand very tightly, which was a popular meme…and this eye contact, and then Kendall looks away. You could literally feel the rug being pulled out from under Kendall. Then he says, you make your own reality. Then Logan says, lunch. Then Kendall goes to the bathroom alone, and he’s kind of in total disbelief. Then he is infantile, almost, starting out with breaking Q-tips and then ending up ripping and putting in his mouth the magazine. He didn’t realize it was a magazine that he was on the cover that was in the garbage already. So, even at thirty minutes, this is a unbelievable picture that’s been painted for us. So, yeah, I guess we’ll be back soon with another look at this contrast and things, or we’ll see what happens. Thanks, and goodnight, everybody.
[END OF RECORDING]
(Transcription performed by LeahTranscribes)
