Mark Ashmann

"Emily in Paris" is a great escape and a series I never intended to watch or enjoy. I have read a lot of criticism of how this show has quite a bit of stereotyping of the French and their culture. However, there are also many cliches about Americans as the story unfolds. I was surprised by the many "one star" reviews, many by people who seem to have watched multiple episodes because they describe so many scenes and details about the show. If you really hated it, why view so much of it? Bottom line for me is, "It's fiction." I don't over-analyze it -- I just watch. And I'm happy that Season 4 is on its way.

I had hoped to like this movie more than I actually did. It is beautifully filmed, and at first I felt badly for all of the characters. Then it all came down to a lot of deceit. Tom pretended to be straight, and then we find out that Marion set Patrick up for his trip to court. For me, Patrick is the only person for whom I felt the least bit of compassion. Even so, he was messing around with Tom behind Marion's back. I wouldn't want any of these folks for a friend. The worst travesty is the ridiculous ending. Tom didn't show a shred of empathy for Patrick's condition, but suddenly was filled with kindness and care for him only when his wife finally left. There was no hint whatsoever that Tom would make this life-changing turnabout as the story came to a conclusion. All I can think is, "There's no fool like an old fool." And this film had three of them.

I have been watching B&B for several years. While I enjoy the show overall, some of the story lines are questionable. It's a real stretch to believe that Kelly (Steffy & Liam's daughter) would visit her mother in the hospital and never ask, "Where's Finn?" (her step-dad who was murdered by his mother) OR that she wouldn't mention her baby half-brother Hayes at all. I know it's just a soap opera, but at times the writers expect us to suspend any sense of reality. And to imagine the new Taylor as Steffy's mother is comical, given she is barely 15 years her senior.