travlbug

A reasonable point, but Lakshou may have planned to reduce Kohen to parts only after the egg-ingestion incident. Also, just for fun, suppose Lakshou wanted credit with the Elite for presenting Kohen for dissection and still wanted to retain a copy of Kohen's DNA (possibly at the behest of another faction of the Elite who felt that Kohen was not a failed experiment, or possibly just to hedge his bets)? Whether Chomper is the end result of a complete accident or a calculated plan, he remains a potential target for anyone who wants to get his hands on Kohen's DNA: If the Elite are truly defeated, then there's no need to worry. If not....

I'm still concerned about Lakshou's involvement in the creation of Sparkles and, ultimately, Chomper. The Elite may be vanquished (are we really sure that no Elite [or their minions] exist elsewhere in the galaxy to pick up the mantle?), but mines planted in war remain to be triggered even when the war is over: While I doubt that the child would be inimical to Kohen, we do not know the true purpose behind his creation. He is, at the very least, a carriage vehicle for Kohen's DNA, which may make Kohen expendable and Chomper a potential kidnap victim. I think the Captain and Kohen should remain at high alert for the foreseeable future.

Giving Daniel two weeks with his grandparents may be the equivalent of giving the grandparents enough rope to hang themselves. It may also give Daniel the time to build up his courage to follow his heart. 😊 Kudos to Michael for being the perfect boyfriend even in the midst of adversity.

The fact that the grandparents don't care what Daniel thinks about their taking custody is readily apparent. Further, they already know what they're going to do about Daniel. So why the visit? It feels like something a lawyer might recommend before a custody battle. (Trying to take custody without even bothering to meet their grandchild--even when they have the opportunity--might tarnish their case.) It sounds as if the grandparents have already "lawyered up," especially as they shrug off Lewis' statement that he and Stephen will fight for Daniel. BTW, did anyone remotely hear a thank you from the grandparents to Lewis and Stephen for caring for Daniel? (These grandparents, who insist on being called Grandmother and Grandfather, are really cold fish.)

So now we know Lucas' motivation: He is trying to save Elliott and provide himself a companion at the same time. Further, Lucas has been abused and is at risk of death, should his secret be disclosed. Obviously, Lucas and Elliott need to escape, but where can they hide in this screwed-up world?

Interspecies, and possibly interdimensional, diplomacy at its finest!

A recipe for CIA Surprise: Start with Kohen's DNA. Add Sparkles. Sprinkle some potato chip crumbs on top (couldn't hurt). Then, serve flambe! (Better say nice things about it, because this is a dish that can bite back! 😏)

Even if Petr thinks that Leon is still alive and is personally hurt by the revelation, why would he experience PANIC? I agree that, on the surface, Petr has more to gain by remaining a true friend to Leon, but who knows what hold Constantin might have on Petr, or other of his family members, to coerce Petr's allegiance. Just keeping an open mind.... 🤔

Like giving them VILLAS! Actually, what Grandmother is really giving them is some peace. 35 mm film forever! (I am still finding it difficult to transition to my new digital camera, but I will...eventually.... )

Petr receives an upload into a folder used by Leon and goes into a panic. But why a panic? (The idea that Leon may still be alive should engender hopefulness, not alarm.) I've got a bad feeling about this....

"Hmm." That's doctor-speak from time immemorial. (You go, Aparoe!) 😂 Even now, we have technology advanced enough to see inside an egg. Aparoe can even see the amount of Kohen's DNA inside the baby. So why is the doctor holding back with what the new baby looks like?

Poor little egg. What now? (Any intergalactic Obs in the house? What does Aparoe have to say?)

The bright spots in the nightmare came when family rallied around. Lady Jane and Henley visited, both separately and together. They were in the process of negotiating a reconciliation. Thanks, @dutch woman, I missed this. Henley, you're back on Santa's good list! 🎅

The fact that the twins et al are willing to go blindly where Grandmother directs show that, when all is said and done, they still trust her. My big concern in all this: Where is Henley? He may not be a nut job like Mommy Dearest, but he is still the twins' sperm donor: He couldn't even be bothered to show up at his own mother's house to comfort his own children? Sorry, Henley, you are no true father. (You're Christmas stocking will be full of coal!)

Aria, hanging Christmas trimmings on sheep? You're killing me! 😂

"Ezra may be here, but Adam is the father figure Dizzy and I have been looking for." Artie, you're redeemed!

Shame on Tyson for thinking that Charlie is doomed! I choose to think his depression over Vlady is coloring his thoughts, though even I acknowledge that it would take a great deal of work, and a multitude of caring people, to help Charlie transcend his present circumstances. 😭

Intriguing chapter, built on the idea of self discipline: Tyson has always been told what to do by his family, so that his goals in life have been imposed from without. He now has his own goal--to get back together with Vlady--and he realizes the truth of Cynthia's advice--that he needs to give Vlady time, no matter his own selfishness impulses. While the task proves Herculean, Tyson shows that he has the self-discipline to achieve his goal--at least where he feels that the goal is worth it. 💖 Yet, does Tyson actually love Vlady? Cynthia thinks that Tyson's upbringing makes him fear love, resulting in anger, with Tyson lashing out at Vlady in consequence (with Vlady professing love for Tyson); but this action still does not answer the question as to whether Tyson loves Vlady. Shakespeare has defined love as service (i.e., actions speak louder than words), and the answer is found in Tyson's actions: He manages the self-discipline to give Vlady the space he requires (and to do so is no small feat!). He is learning Russian for Vlady's sake. He holds Vlady at the end of the chapter for Vlady's comfort and not his own: "Even if [Vlady] decided again in the morning that he hated Tyson, then that was okay. As long as he was feeling better." He puts Vlady's feelings before his own as the most important "tell" of all. Despite the love that Tyson has for Vlady, and despite his vow against further self harm, Tyson has started a new stash of Valium tablets. So why would Tyson simultaneously strive to win Vlady back but create the means for a new suicide attempt? Sadly, if he fails to reestablish his relationship with Vlady, he seems to have a plan B in mind. 😢

Colleen has some wonderful words of wisdom: "You don’t like what you see, kick him [Ezra] out and move on with your life.” (She also recommends a child swap! 😂) The greatest concern: Perhaps Sarah barred Ezra, not from pride, but for an actual problem. In that case, Artie would be going against her wishes and judgment in pursuing a relationship with Ezra. (I wonder if she had a diary which could clarify the issue!)

Thank goodness for a caring doctor willing to go the extra mile! 😊

I'm surprised David didn't commit suicide--that he was captured instead. He won't last long in prison.

In many ways, baseball has been a reflection of life for Artie, and it's no surprise to find him having difficulties with his game while facing difficulties/uncertainties in his life. Ezra says, “Next game, you remember this feeling [anger] and you make sure you do everything to prevent it from happening again.” While this sounds to me like Ezra is advocating doing "everything" to win, Artie interprets this statement differently, saying "I thought for sure Ezra would frown upon any kind of losing!" Will the real Ezra please stand up! I'd rather that Artie follow the advice of Guru Jose and use breathing/centering exercises and look upon baseball as a reason for fun.

Alex comforts his boyfriend--makes sure that Jeremy knows he'll be there for him--and then calls out Brandon on his inappropriate behavior: Alex shows that he is becoming a truly good person, doing the right things for the right reasons. As for Jeremy's mom and Brandon: Hopefully, they'll both grow up soon.

😱😱😱 Maman is simply madman with the d missing!

In a way, I'm surprised that Adam hasn't hired a private detective to get the "real" scoop on Ezra. Artie has hope and faith that Ezra will turn out to be a good man, while Adam cannot trust that Ezra has changed in the last 16 years: Neither has any real evidence to support his position. Neither has enough knowledge to draw a conclusion. Ezra's visit may change their outlook, but it would be nice if they weren't going into the visit blind.