Confessions: I'm watching 'The Bachelorette' - and I'm mad

After much contemplation and soul searching, I've decided to watch Season 11 of "The Bachelorette" with my mom, just like I watched "The Bachelor" for the first time with her last season. Predictably, there has been a great deal of drama in the house, with Bachelorette Jojo Fletcher playing host to two dozen frat boys in search of TV romance, and there have also been a few things that resonate with me, personally, as a 29-year-old single Mormon man.

Spoiler alert, if you're not caught up through June 2016.

Most recently, in this week's episode, one contestant named Wells faced the snarling dragon known as "expectations" and I legitimately felt bad for the dude. Let me explain a couple things.

#TeamJoj

I was #TeamJoj before anybody. I'm fairly confident in that. I liked Jojo from the beginning of the last season of "The Bachelor," up until, hmm, about the point where we met her psychotic, overprotective family. It was all downhill from there. Her parents are crazy, her brothers are morons and she fell in love with Mr. Two-Timer, himself, Ben Higgins, who infamously told both Jojo and eventual winner Lauren individually that he was in love with them, then dumped Jojo before proposing to the competition. Bad move, bro. So Jojo's heart was broken and she was subsequently chosen to be the next Bachelorette, which brings us up to Season 11.

#NeverForget when Wells almost died

Wells, the man in question this afternoon, has always struck me as sort of a nerdy wimp and he hasn't contributed anything, really, to this season, other than his arrival in the season premiere, where he had a musical quartet following him around all night. Once the quartet was gone, so, basically, was Wells. ...Except for that one time when he helped throw Chad's protein powder into the wind... But, other than that, he made no real contributions to the show, had no real shot at winning this thing and he actually stuck in there longer than I thought he should have, so good for him.

But everything came to a crashing halt this week. (Watch this whole sequence here.)

Wells, unlike most of the other guys in the competition, has a bit of self-respect and didn't try to kiss Jojo right off the bat. (This, by the way, is probably my biggest issue with these shows - the Bachelor or Bachelorette can kiss upwards of seven or eight contestants in a single night and nobody bats an eye. I sure hope Jojo carries around a case of mints or something. But yeah... If I were to kiss seven or eight women IN A MONTH, I'd be out of my mind. Heck, I might be lucky to kiss that many women in a full calendar year! Gosh, I hate this show.) I digress.

Anyway, We're now through five episodes and, heading into this week's show, Wells was the only guy remaining in the entire house who had not kissed Jojo yet. (Can you imagine?? Looking around and you know that every other dude in the building has made out with your potential girlfriend? Nasty!) Jojo picked Wells to attend a coveted one-on-one date with her this week and everyone knew that if Wells didn't kiss Jojo during the course of that date, he'd be sent home. (No pressure.)

So the expectation is there - and if you're watching the show, you know that Wells better knock that sucker out of the park if he wants his kiss to compete with, say, Luke, who goes for Jojo's tonsils so hard that I sometimes have to avert my eyes. (Like... Luke, buddy... Get a room, man. We're verging on TV-MA, almost, dude.)

The second most awkward first kiss this season

They go on the date and Wells seems awkward and nervous from the get-go. He's just not Jojo's type. Jojo needs a bad boy like Chad (who is gone now, thankfully, and I am appalled to read that some women actually liked him?!?) or Jordan (who I have picked to win, sadly). Not Wells. The guy, just like Evan and Alex and Derek and James Taylor and so many others should just be happy to be there. To make a long story short (too late), Wells eventually gets his kiss. Probably not the greatest kiss of all time (as though I'm an expert on the topic... lol frowny face), but he gets it. Like I said, he should just have been happy to get it in the first place.

After what we called in high school the "day activity," Wells and Jojo have a quiet dinner alone (with the camera crew) and Jojo breaks him the news. Thus quoth the Jojmeister:

I really do respect the way that you've approached this whole thing [waiting so long to kiss her]. And I feel like you and I have built this friendship. And today, I wanted to come out knowing what it was going to be like to have our first kiss. But... there was something that didn't feel 100 percent like I wanted it to. Knowing how much time we have, making these really hard decisions, today I had to face the reality that you are an incredible human being, but I don't know if you are the person that I will spend the rest of my life with. So, I am not able to give you this rose tonight, but I want you to know how amazing this has been to get to know you and how much I appreciate you. I'm sorry.

Ever the gentleman, the skinny DJ responds:

"I get it. This is important. This is decisions (sic.) you can't take lightly, and I... Yeah. You deserve to find true love, and I hope that you find it. I do hope that you find what you're looking for."

Wells is a nice guy, so he got up, gave her a hug and let her walk him to the car. And then he rode, eyes watery, off into the sunset, never again to be seen.

If she told me that I didn't live up to her expectations, told me to take a hike and then offered to walk me out, do you know what I'd say? "No, thanks." You made your choice. See ya. And delete my number, by the way.

Anyway, too bad... Like, in the realm of the show, I really don't care that he's gone, but, on a personal level, I feel for the guy. Because I've been there a bunch of times. A couple weeks ago, I had a girl give up one me after one date. I thought the date was actually really good, but she texted me a couple days later to tell me that she didn't feel like we had enough in common to justify any further dates. (For the record, I was actually surprised by how much we had in common - she started singing along to Huey Lewis and the News, for crying out loud! Who does that? I was definitely planning on asking her out again, but oh well. Whatever.)

If there are some unwritten rules about when you're supposed to kiss a girl (before Week 5, apparently) or when you're supposed to tell a girl that you love her (Week 4, apparently, for Robby), I'm not incredibly well-versed, so the fact that (some) women hold these expectations and cut guys loose the second that those expectations are not met bugs me. What was she expecting? That's what I'd like to know! Not every kiss is going to look like that total garbage they call "The Notebook." Note every first date is going to end in fireworks like on "The Bachelor." I don't know whether I'm whining here or making a point, but I guess I just felt bad for Wells as he got sent packing to the bittersweet tune of "Nice guys finish last."

Or, in this case, eighth.

In the Adios Montage that rolled as Wells hit the road, Jojo, through what I believe to have been tears, voiced her thoughts aloud:

I never thought that my first kiss with Wells could potentially be my last. ... And for him to tell me that he's so happy that he's waited to have this first kiss with me because it changed everything for him, and, you know, it changed things for me, too, but not in the same way. ... I really do hope that, after all of this, he knows what he deserves. Like, I want him to find that true love. I'll miss Wells. I hate nights like this. I think this is the first time that I realized how hard this could be. I can't imagine what these next few weeks are gonna be like, you know? Like, guys that I really, really like and care about, have strong feelings for... But if - this is one of my greatest fears - I feel like I, at the end of all of this, every goodbye that I've ever had to make, every tough decision that I've ever been forced to face has led me to the point where I am so in love with somebody... Like, what if that doesn't work out? It hasn't worked out any other time. I don't want that.

Don't Cry For Me, Argentina

Now, hang on a second if you're starting to feel bad for the Joj-ster right about now because she is entering dangerous territory. Higgins Territory, you might call it. She was so devastated last season when Ben told her that he loved her, only to discover that he was more in love with Lauren, to whom he proposed instead of Jojo in the season finale. Jojo currently has several men falling for her, including Derek, who she made out with minutes before she sent him home. Am I missing something? If you know you're choosing Chase and not Derek, why kiss both of them? (I felt the same way with Caila last season when Ben slept with each of the final three women while only "loving" two of them. That's still weird and wrong to me.) But then again, why not make out with both of them? It's just a show, right?

So Jojo will head into Week 6 with six men remaining, but  only one lucky guy will walk out victorious, doomed to a short marriage in the public spotlight. Who will it be? Only time will tell. In the meantime, I guess I'll get back to minding my own business and swiping left on Tinder.

Wayward Points S02E06: Scared and Unprepared

"We're safe. Right, Dr. Yedlin?"

***

What we already know:

• CJ and the harvesters are outside the Fence with Theresa Burke and Adam Hassler. Ben Burke was also last seen outside the Fence, but Hassler recently brought a dead body back to camp, which we are led to believe may be Theresa's son, although we did not see the face of the corpse for verification.
• Theresa rightfully blames Hassler for the Season 1 death of her husband, Ethan. (RIP)
• Mrs. Fisher is not happy that Lucy does not want to become pregnant. Rebecca Yedlin is allowing Lucy to stay in their home until things calm down.
• It was revealed that Rebecca and Xander were married and have been separated for 6 months. Theo doesn't like that very much. He punched Xander in the face and left with a few belongings in the middle of the night.
• Mrs. Fisher and the Complex workers have captured a female Abbie nicknamed "Margaret." Margaret is seemingly peaceful, unlike the aggressive males the town has become accustomed to. She apparently does not react to physical pain.
• The Abbies had previously stopped attempting to gain entry to Wayward Pines and had not been seen for several episodes, but they're coming back now, presumably to rescue Margaret, and they're prepared to burn the forest to the ground in order to do so...

Wayward Points:

• IN THEIR NATURAL HABITAT
• The episode began with a peaceful scene in the woods. In a flashback, we saw Abbies living quietly. There were women, children, even infant aberrations living in the forest. Suddenly, David Pilcher and his men showed up and gunned the Abbies down from a helicopter, unprovoked, in order to begin constructing the Fence. They may not exactly be human, but it's safe to say that the Abbies didn't take kindly to their first meeting with The Pilch.
• THE FIELD WAS WHITE ALREADY TO HARVEST
• The harvesters are attacked by Abbies at the beginning of the episode. This causes a bunch of problems, including, but not limited to 35 human deaths and a major food crisis. (More on that in the "What we learned" section.)
• CJ tries to explain to Jason that there was method to the Abbies' madness - that they strategically burned the crops, targeted specific soldiers and faked a retreat in order to create mass destruction with their attack. Jason refuses to believe that the Abbies are anything more than animals, dismissing any idea that they harbor any sort of sophisticated intelligence.
• SCARED AND UNPREPARED
• This episode gave us a much better look at Jason, behind closed doors. We discovered that he would like to start a family with Kerry, but also found out how afraid he is. Kerry accuses Jason of doubting his knowledge and power. Jason responds by casting blame on David Pilcher and admitting that he, himself, should have been able to predict the Abbies' attack on the harvesters.
• The most telling scene of the episode, as far as Jason is concerned, was when we saw him fall to his knees in the scorched corn fields. Clearly, Jason is devastated by the loss of food and, as a leader, has been somewhat backed into a corner. If he truly wants to prove that he is the chosen one, hand-selected by the Pilchers to lead this community, now is the time for him to step up his game.
• WAYWARD PINES, TURNED EMERGENCY ROOM DRAMA

• The most notable victim of the attack on the harvesters was Theresa Burke, who was rushed to the hospital with a collapsed lung. Adam Hassler was also among the wounded, although not nearly as severely. Hassler's main concern is for Theresa, for whom, we learned, he had romantic feelings before arriving in Wayward Pines.
• Theo, being the blossoming boss that he is, works quickly to save as many patients as possible, all the while maintaining his sense of one-liner sarcasm that I've come to respect so deeply.
• Hassler sneaks into Theresa's room in the hospital. While she's lying there, mostly unconscious, he apologizes to her for failing to protect her from Wayward Pines and for allowing her to follow her husband to the weird little town. Theresa's eyes open momentarily, startling Hassler. And then, it is implied, Adam Hassler pulls the plug on Theresa Burke, causing her to flatline.
• MEANWHILE, BACK HOME

• Theo is still struggling with the idea that his pre-Wayward wife, Rebecca, was also married to Xander. Theo contemplates becoming the "town drunk." Rebecca explains that she tried to find him when she arrived in Wayward Pines, but to no avail. The Doc ain't happy.
• Xander knows that the Yedlins are not happy right now, so he wants back in. Several times throughout the episode, he chides Theo about the fact that they're both, technically, married to the same woman, and he attempts to convince Rebecca to give him another chance.
• MARGE IN CHARGE
• While all the male Abbies are going nut, inside and outside the Complex, Margaret remains completely calm inside her cage. Mrs. Fisher and Theo continue to perform research on her, running and MRI on her brain, which, Theo discovers, appears to be twice as advanced as a regular human's would be.
• As the episode ends, we see (and hear, mostly) hundreds of Abbies approaching the Fence. Margaret is shown in her cage, tranquil as always, while the other caged Abbies look ready to bust loose and the Abbies outside the city limits look thirsty for blood.

Who we met:

• Oscar: One of Dr. Yedlin's assistants at the hospital. He is a little too eager to be working with Theo, and the Doc swiftly puts him in his place.

What we learned:

• We learned a little more about the vague issues with the soil in Wayward Pines. Jason believes that Pilcher overlooked something that prevents crops from growing inside the Fence.
• After the attack on the harvesters, there are only 20 surviving soldiers in Wayward Pines.
• Kerry mentions that the only food left for the citizens are the supplies they've saved up in the storehouse. CJ says that it will take months to replant new crops. He estimates that they will starve to death in less than six weeks.
• At the time of the funeral, there were 1,178 remaining citizens in Wayward Pines. Theresa Burke's death would logically make that 1,177.
• In Xander's life before Wayward Pines, he was a Marine drop-out and a drug dealer. He was chosen by Pilcher for his "resourcefulness." Rebecca mentions that Xander has previously stolen pills while in Wayward Pines.
• Hassler helped Pilcher send Ethan Burke to Wayward Pines because he was in love with Theresa and needed Ethan out of the equation, although Hassler mutters to Theo at one point, "We were never close," likely in reference to his relationship with Theresa.
• Margaret's temporal gyrus - the center of language for the brain that deals with advanced thought and problem solving - is twice as large as a human being's. For reference, the temporal gyrus size for a chimp is one-third the size of a human's.
• Hassler is familiar with the brand located on Margaret's hand.

Wayward Lines:

• Voice over PA system: "All able-bodied men, please report to the fire station immediately."
• Theo, on what to drink at the Biergarten: "Well, I've tried your beer, which is revolting, and the whole 'Celery Soda' thing... I don't know what that is..."
• Theo, on what the bartender gives him to drink: "'Distilled from pure Kentucky water'? Really?"
• Kerry and Theo: "Soldiers to fight the Abbies, civilians to fight the fires. It's not the same thing." "Well, they'll die the same."
• Jason: "We lose those crops, we lose everything!"
• Theo: "Shut up, Oscar."
• Kerry to Jason: "Are you the man born to lead? ... Then act like it. And never let them see you doubt again, even if you do."
• Theo to Xander, sarcastically: "How's your jaw?"
• Xander to Theo: "I left our wife in your office. She actually saved some lives, too, tonight."
• Jason to CJ: "Stop talking about [the Abbies] as though they're human."
• Mrs. Fisher and Hassler, on sending Ethan to Wayward Pines alone: "I thought you loved [Theresa]." "That doesn't make it right."
• Xander: "They don't want us to be human in here, but... it happens."
• Hassler to Theresa: "I'm so sorry that I couldn't protect you... That I couldn't save you... Or that I did save you. It's ok. It's ok."
• Mrs. Fisher, after discovering the size of Margaret's temporal gyrus: "Do you think she can understand us?"
• Arlene, after seeing Theo's suitcase: "I um, have a spare bedroom at my place."

The Rules:

• A phone rings at the Biergarten. We can assume that it was answered.
• When describing her marriage to Xander, Rebecca tells Theo, "There were rules. There was surveillance. We were no more than cellmates."
• Xander infers that the First Generation military fatigues resemble infamous uniforms from world history, but stops himself, citing the Rule "Do Not Discuss the Past."

Wayward Whines:

• Hassler, you scumbag!

Wayward Signs:

• We saw for the first time the flag of Wayward Pines - it resembles a pine tree with a halo surrounding it.

Easter eggs:

• A close-up is shown of Hassler opening his eye in the hospital, similar to the first scene of Season 1, where a close-up is shown of Ethan Burke opening his eye after waking up in the forest.
• References are made to Season 1 when Hassler asked Pilcher to call off Ethan's abduction.
• In a flashback, Hassler is seen watching Ben Burke blow out his birthday candles in the park - a scene shown several times during Season 1.
• For the second time this season, Theo takes down the painting of David Pilcher in his office.
• A penny is shown in CJ's harvester tent. The last time we saw a coin prominently featured in an episode was S01E05: "The Truth."

What we don't know:

• What is wrong with the soil in Wayward Pines?
• What does the brand on Margaret's palm mean?
• Is Ben Burke still alive?

Obituaries:

RIP lots of Abbies

Season 2

RIP 35 citizens and soldiers

Season 2

RIP Theresa Burke

Season 1 - Season 2: Episode 6

***

A lot of the commentary I've seen on social media thus far has been rather negative toward Season 2, but I actually think it's getting pretty good. Season 1 was just insane, but this isn't Season 1. It's different, but I like it. This was, I venture, probably the series' bloodiest episode so far, so there's that. I assume Season 2 is another 10-episode run, although I'm hesitant to verify through IMDb because that would potentially spoil any post-season finale character deaths, so, if Season 2 is only 10 episodes long, we're headed down the home stretch with only four episodes remaining.

What did you guys think? The most shocking moment for me during Episode 6 had to have been when I realized that Theresa didn't just die - Hassler probably killed her. Dang you, Hassler! Let me know which moments surprised you in the comments below.


Until next week,

Work hard and be happy.

It's official - 'Bioshock: The Collection' is coming!

I've been known to play a video game or two in my day, and one of the trippiest, most memorable, greatest video games I have ever played is "Bioshock Infinite." Well, good news was received this morning as the oft-rumored remaster of the original three "Bioshock" games was confirmed!

That's right! We'll get to travel back down to the murky depths of Rapture and soar with our Skyhooks back up to the cloud-city of Columbia - all in stunning HD - on PS4, XBox One and PC, starting September 13, 2016! Grab some Salts and Vigors and join the likes of Andrew Ryan, Big Daddy, Little Sister, Elizabeth Comstock and the Martyr of the Revolution, himself - Booker DeWitt, when "Bioshock: The Collection" hits store shelves this fall.

"Bring us the girl, wipe away the debt."

Now, would you kindly watch this announcement trailer:

ESRB rating disclaimer:

"Bioshock" is Rated M for "Blood and Gore, Drug Reference, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language."

"Bioshock 2" is Rated M for "Blood, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language."

"Bioshock Infinite" is Rated M for "Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Language, Mild Sexual Themes, Use of Alcohol and Tobacco."

Wayward Points S02E05: Homewreckers

"It will all make sense soon. I promise."

***

What we already know:

• If we learned anything in the last episode, it's that Mrs. Fisher really wants that young girl, Lucy, to get pregnant. Like... what a weirdo creeper, right? Anyway, for the time being, Lucy has moved in with Theo and Rebecca to help protect her from Mrs. Fisher.
• Xander is alive, just like we all kind of suspected him to be. He was being held in a pit by the Abbies.
• Ol' Man Hassler is alive, too. He is the only scout to ever return to Wayward Pines, making him a hero in some people's eyes. Hassler and Theresa went out with CJ on one of the harvesting trips because Hassler wants action and Theresa wants to find Ben. Hassler finds a body in the woods which, it is implied, is the body of young Master Burke. Theresa cries, but no face is shown. (I don't think there's any chance that it's actually Ben, but we'll see, I guess.)
• CJ told Theo that the harvesting missions aren't exactly all about food - they continue to go outside the Fence to give people hope.
• Lucy's brother Frank is a bit of a snitch. He told Mrs. Fisher that Lucy doesn't want to get pregnant and now Lucy is upset with him. Frank went on a little nighttime stroll and encountered what appears to be a female Abbie at the carousel on Main Street.

Wayward Points:

• FLASHBACK - A SMALL, ENLIGHTENED COMMUNITY

• In a flashback, we see Rebecca and Theo living their normal lives. Theo wants to go on vacation. Rebecca suggests Hawaii. (Bad idea.)
• Rebecca is approached by a businessman by the name of DAVID PILCHER, who entices her to join his Wayward Pines project as a lead architect. He praises her for her plans, but explains that they will not be put into effect for quite some time.
• Mrs. Fisher explains that Pilcher's predicted catastrophe is coming, but mankind must "slingshot" past it in order to survive. She explains the plans to cryogenically freeze a group of volunteers until the crisis has passed.
• Rebecca panics and backs out of the project. Her plans were utilized to build Wayward Pines and she was later kidnapped against her will and brought to the town, anyway.
• A NEW FRIEND IN TOWN

• The militia swarms in upon Frank's new friend - the first female Abbie the First Generation leadership has ever seen - and Kerry convinces Jason not to kill it, but to capture it. They tranquilize it and take it to the Complex.
• Mrs. Fisher discovers a swirly scar on the Abbie's palm that she calls "anthropological" - something unlike they've ever seen on any of the males they've researched before. 
• Jason and the First Generation are paranoid that someone knowingly allowed the female Abbie inside the Fence.
• Theo demands to be put in charge of the research on the new Abbie. He becomes upset when he learns that Mrs. Fisher, a former hypnotherapist, had previously been leading the operation. Mrs. Fisher goes behind Theo's back to start working on the Abbie without anesthesia. The Abbie does not react to pain.
• MY NEW FAVORITE CHARACTER
• ARLENE WAS DRAWING A FREAKING PICTURE OF THEO ON A HORSE!!!!
• #DATINGPROBLEMS
• Frank was forced to visit a Procreation Room this week. He didn't like it, though, and he actually quite sucked at it. This leads to a visit to the doctor's office. Frank visits Dr. Yedlin and Theo has an interesting theory: he thinks Frank is gay... but... Frank doesn't know what "gay" means. So... that's interesting.
• OUTSIDE THE FENCE
• Theresa doesn't want to go back to Wayward Pines. She tells CJ that "Ben is out here," possibly implying that the body we saw last week was not actually Ben, but she also refers to Hassler as being the reason why her whole family is dead.
• Hassler tells Theresa that she and Ben weren't supposed to follow Ethan to Wayward Pines. He got Ethan involved in the project because he "wanted [him] gone."
• HOMEWRECKERS

• Theo discovers some disturbing news: upon arrival at Wayward Pines, Rebecca was set up with Xander. They were (and are still) married. They were married for a year, but have been separated for six months. Theo drops his ring - and Xander - right there in the living room.
• Theo packs a few things and leaves Rebecca in the middle of the night.
• BEFORE THE STORM
• As the episode closes, we see a group of male Abbies gathering outside the forest. They're armed with torches, which they hurl into the pines. They're gonna burn that mother down!

Who we met:

• David Pilchner Pilcher returns!!!... in a flashback. Oh, how I've missed that evil, creepy little man.
• Three new Abbies... with names!: Margaret, the female; Dennis, the big bully; and Max, another bully.
• Meadow: Frank's... new friend...

What we learned:

• Rebecca was recruited by David Pilcher to be a lead architect in Wayward Pines. She was filled in on the entire plan and knows much more than Theo initially thought she did. She has been in town for at least a year.
• The only Abbies the citizens have ever seen, including all of the monsters from Invasion Day, have been male.
• Pilcher kept the pines because they aged better than other trees.
• Rebecca designed the Fence.
• Frank is not good with the ladies. And... he's probably gay, so...
• Xander and Rebecca are married!! CALLED IT in last week's recap! Holy cow.
• Mrs. Fisher was trampled (but not killed, miraculously) by the Abbies in the Season 1 finale. She woke up in the hospital. Her husband tried to help her recover before he died.

Wayward Lines:

• Pilcher to Rebecca: "I'd like you to consider a project... an ambitious project."
• Pilcher: "I surround myself with people who are very good at getting me things I want."
• Theo to Rebecca: "We both know that 'Utopia' can't exist."
• Frank, on pressure to procreate: "I-I'd like to re-re-schedule."
• Meadow to Frank: "We could go strait to 'P' if you want..."
• Frank to Meadow: "I'm more into blondes, anyway."
• Arlene: "Yes, he's in, but he's very busy... and unfortunately, we're not accepting any new walk-ins at this time..."
• Theo and Frank: "Do you think maybe you're gay?" "I'm like the opposite of gay. I'm very un-gay right now." "The word doesn't just mean 'happy.' Has no one ever discussed this with you?"
• Lucy: "I'll protect you, Frank."

The Rules:

• Jason tells Rebecca that it is not good to keep secrets.
• Frank nervously forgets the steps to, uh, successful procreation.
• If Frank can't or doesn't reproduce, he will be killed.

Wayward Whines:

• So... if Theo knew that Rebecca was involved in the Wayward Pines project, why didn't he understand where he was when he woke up?
• Hassler's beard looks so bad.

Wayward Signs:

• "Crafts Shop" is shown above a Main Street store.
• "K" ... "T" ... "S" ... "L" ... "P" ... "C" ... [there is one more letter on the chart, but I could not distinguish what is was]
• "Danger. Keep safe distance. Contact with specimens could be fatal."

Easter Eggs:

• In a flashback, several Complex employees from Season 1 introduced themselves to Rebecca as Pilcher showed her where the town would be built.
• Kerry hangs up the painting of Pilcher that Theo removed from his office walls earlier this season.
• We saw Rebecca's wedding ring along with her personal effects. Rebecca previously told Theo that she was not given the ring back. We know now that that was a lie.

What we don't know:

• Did somebody let Margaret inside the Fence?
• Why doesn't Margaret act like the other Abbies?
• What does the symbol on Margaret's palm mean?
• Why did Hassler want Ethan gone? Did he like Theresa or did he just hate Ethan? (How could anybody hate Ethan??)
• Ben's still alive, right?

Obituaries:

RIP Brad Fisher

Season 1

***

I thought that episode was very good. We learned a lot about Rebecca's role in Wayward Pines, which has been a mystery up to this point, and a lot of bombshells were dropped surrounding the Yedlin's relationship. Plus, that final scene was pretty crazy. The Abbies are coming back with a vengeance! If this is another 10-episode season, which I believe it is, that would mean we're half-way home... What do you think so far? Are you liking the season? Do you have any questions? Have you picked up on something I missed? Let me know in the comments below.

Until next week,

Work hard and be happy.

SotT Sports Notes 06/21/16

76ers tell Ben Simmons they will take him at No. 1

News broke Tuesday that the Philadelphia 76ers have told former LSU star Ben Simmons that they will select him with the number one pick in Thursday’s NBA draft. The promise was given to Simmons after his private workout in Philadelphia.

Simmons later posted a picture from his workout on Instagram, with the caption, “Trust the process,” in reference to the recent slogan of the 76ers’ front office.

Trust the process

A photo posted by Ben Simmons (@bensimmons) on Jun 21, 2016 at 9:58am PDT

Simmons is projected to be Philadelphia’s first number one selection since they picked Allen Iverson in 1996.

Scottie Pippen says ’96 Bulls still best team ever

In the wake of the Golden State Warriors’ surprising collapse in the NBA Finals, Hall of Famer Scottie Pippen says his 1996 Chicago Bulls squad is still the greatest basketball team of all time.

Pippen sounded off on ESPN Radio Monday morning, saying, “You can't be considered a great team until you win a championship. … No matter how well you do in the regular season, it has to be capped off with a championship to really mark your legacy in the game. That's where we see Golden State had some failure there. They lost their dominance throughout the playoffs.”

Despite winning a record-setting 73 games in the regular season, the Warriors fell to the Cavaliers in Game 7 Sunday night and failed to bring home the championship. The 1996 Bulls went 72-10 in the regular season and defeated the Seattle Supersonics in the Finals, four games to two.

Former Salt Lake Bee Kubitza traded by Angels

Former Salt Lake Bees third baseman Kyle Kubitza was traded from the Los Angeles Angels to the Texas Rangers for cash considerations Tuesday morning.

The Orange County Register referred to Kubitza as a player they once believed to be the Angels’ “third baseman of the future,” but his recent struggles downgraded his spot in the depth chart. Kubitza started the season in Salt Lake City and batted .253 with two home runs and 19 RBI before being designated for assignment on June 13.

According to Texas' minor league affiliate, Kubitza and pitching prospect Neal Cotts have been optioned by the Rangers to Triple-A Round Rock Express.

Former #RRExpress LHP Neal Cotts and LA Angels INF Kyle Kubitza are set to join E-Train: https://t.co/fpyayTvDqx pic.twitter.com/PcjxOz2zCw

— Round Rock Express (@RRExpress) June 21, 2016

Wayward Points S02E04: Old Man Wayward

I'm thinking about calling them 'Wayward Vines.' ... Come on, that's funny.

***

What we already know:

• Xander and Ben are presumed dead, having been attacked by Abbies outside the Fence in previous episodes. Some townspeople, especially Theresa Burke, are not happy with Jason about this.
• The Abbies are apparently gone - or at least no longer interested in climbing the Fence to get inside Wayward Pines.
• Jason wants to expand beyond the Fence once the town is strong enough. He has ordered that crops be harvested in order to feed the starving citizens.
• Pamela Pilcher died last week after injecting herself with smallpox. They burned her body in the forest.
• At the beginning of the episode, we are shown a flashback in which Seattle Secret Service agent Adam Hassler knew that Ethan Burke (RIP) was going to be abducted, and that he knew Theresa and Ben were going to look for him. Hassler was most recently seen in video footage on computers in the underground bunker at Plot 33. He was shown in the wilderness outside what was previously San Francisco... So he was alive during the apocalypse, but where is he now?? I've got a funny feeling that we're about to find out...

Wayward Points:

• X MARKS THE SPOT

• So Xander is alive... just like we basically predicted he would be. He was being kept in a huge hole in the ground. He attempted to climb out and was prevented from doing so by an Abbie. The two struggle momentarily until Xander kills the Abbie with his bare hands.
• After escaping the pit, Xander is approached at knifepoint by a bearded wanderer. The man was sent by David Pilcher, along with several other scouts to search for other surviving communities. Xander is apparently the first human that this man has found.
• Xander and the man return to the Fence, where they are immediately greeted by the First Generation militia. We overhear one soldier ask, "Is that Hassler?"
• Kerry confronts Xander and tells the rebel that Jason is aware that he stole guns and grenades from the militia. Xander says that he will no longer cause problems. He tells Kerry that he will give Jason new information about the Abbies if it will improve his standing in the First Generation.
• HARVEST MOON
• CJ is still worried about the crops. He believes that they should take advantage of the Abbies' absence by harvesting more crops and securing a permanent water source while they can do so without fear. Jason approves CJ's request and will allow a small group of researchers to venture beyond the Fence.
• Theo talks to CJ about the intelligence level of the Abbies. He tells CJ that he has seen it with his own eyes - they built a ladder to hop the Fence. They're willing to sacrifice themselves for their community. He warns CJ that they are underestimating the Abbies, but CJ dismisses it because Theo is new in town and doesn't understand the purpose of the harvesting expeditions. The harvesters must continue to go outside the Fence, not for the food, necessarily, but because it gives hope to those who remain inside it.
• DON'T HASSLE THE HASSLER

• Upon his return to Wayward Pines, Hassler meets with Theo, who learns that Hassler has terrible scarring on his chest from doing battle with the Abbies. Hassler has severe PTSD, experiencing traumatic nightmares, visions and flashbacks. At one point, he hallucinates that a young, ice cream-eating boy is murdered by an Abbie in broad daylight.
• Theresa recognizes and confronts Hassler after seeing him waddle down Main Street. She explains that Ethan is dead and Ben is outside the Fence. She becomes upset that Hassler knew about the abductions and did nothing to prevent it.
• As CJ and the harvesters begin leaving the city limits, Theresa demands to be taken with them so she can find Ben. Hassler also hops in one of the vehicles. At nightfall, Hassler grabs a flashlight and wanders into the woods. He returns with a presumably dead body that brings Theresa to tears, but the identity of the body is not shown.
• DOCTOR'S ORDERS

• Theo's continued annoyance with Jason is becoming one of my favorite parts of each episode.
• Theo and Rebecca are going to take care of Rebecca's assistant Lucy during a turbulent time in her life.
• Theo is disgusted by the idea of a "fertility program" for young girls. Along those lines, he understands that CJ's harvesting trips make some sense, from a standpoint of hope, but he points out that for every one logical concept in this town, two illogical ideas pop up at the same time. That's not a really good ratio.

Who we met:

• Adam Hassler: Contrary to what we imagined in Season 1, Secret Service agent Adam Hassler did not die in the wilderness. He's alive, all right.
• Lucy: Rebecca Yedlin's young assistant. Technically, we saw her an episode or two ago, but she is focused on a bit more this week. Lucy is an orphan. Her parents were killed on Invasion Day and she lives with the other orphans from Wayward Academy. She has been "paired up," meaning that the school wants her to get pregnant. Multiply and replenish. Mrs. Fisher is really pushing for her to start having kids. It's creepy.
• Lil Pilcher(!!): That little kid with the Halloween costume of the 41st Century!! What a spooky musical number at Wayward Academy, right? With Pilcher's face on the moon? *shudder*
• Frank: Lucy's brother. A student at Wayward Academy. Mrs. Fisher meets with Frank to convince him that Lucy is ready to become pregnant, although Frank disagrees. She holds his hand and tells him that it is time for Lucy to do what is best for Wayward Pines. Lucy becomes upset with Frank, at one point telling him that she hates him for telling Mrs. Fisher that she doesn't want to become pregnant.

What we learned:

• We learned that David Pilcher sent a dozen nomads beyond the Fence to scout out the lay of the land and report back everything. Hassler is seen as a hero by some, including Jason, because he is the only scout to ever have returned.
• It seems that Rebecca Yedlin cannot get pregnant.
• We learned more about the "fertility program" at Wayward Academy. Once they believe girls are ready, they put them into what Rebecca calls "procreation rooms." The concept of "eugenics" outrages Theo.

Wayward Lines:

• Voice over PA system: "Good morning, Wayward Pines. The sun has risen on a new day. Let's celebrate our good fortune and continue to live our lives as normal."
• Xander and Hassler: "Do they put people in pits?" "They do a lot of things."
• Lucy: "I don't want to be a mom."
• Hassler and Xander: "Why are you out here?" "I colored outside the lines."
• Hassler, on the Abbies: "They're not our enemies - they're our replacements!"
• Arlene, on Hassler's nomadic appearance: "Oh, Mr. Hassler! I was able to pull a few strings and I booked you a complimentary haircut... and I was also lucky enough to get you a nice body wax and a manicure/pedicure."
• Hassler, and later Xander, on the nature of the Abbies: "There's a method to them, if you can survive long enough to learn it."
• Xander, on his shop's licorice: "I'm thinking about calling them 'Wayward Vines.' ... Come on, that's funny." (He's copying my rhymes!)
• Rebecca to Mrs. Fisher: "You do realize that you're asking children to bear children... These girls should have a choice."

The Rules:

• Xander says that he was exiled because he "colored outside the lines."
• Mrs. Fisher tells Frank that one of the Rules at Wayward Academy is that no secrets between members of the First Generation - and, certainly, none should be kept from her.
• After discussing Lucy's pregnancy concerns, Mrs. Fisher tells Rebecca that "no one is above the Rules."
• Rebecca recites the last three Rules: "Work Hard. Be Happy. Enjoy Your Life in Wayward Pines."

Wayward Whines:

• For as badly as Jason wanted Xander exiled, the militia sure didn't mind him strolling right back on inside the Fence. Honestly. No resistance, whatsoever. So... that was a little bit weird.
• Mrs. Fisher is the worst! What a creepy pervert. She deserves to die a vicious, horrendous death. At this point, the producers are just trolling us with her very existence.

Wayward Signs:

• "We are the future."

Easter Eggs:

• Ice cream!
• David Pilcher is referred to several times in this episode, including a couple shots of his statue on Main Street and several blatant references in the musical at Wayward Academy.
• I had a theory in Season 1 that Mrs. Fisher made physical contact with the students at Wayward Academy as a way to maintain their brainwashing. When she met with Frank in this episode, she creates physical contact with him before insisting that Lucy become pregnant. Could have just been coincidental, but, on the other hand, could have been brainwashing, too.
• Rebecca quotes the Rules from Season 1!

What we don't know:

• Why or how did the merry-go-round turn on when Frank was sitting nearby?
• How did that Abbie get inside the Fence - or how in the heck did it stay undetected for so long?
• What does the Abbie want with Frank? Will it kill him or is it just going to steal him like it did with Xander?
• Who was the body that Hassler recovered in the woods?

Obituaries:

Um... none this week. Is this truly "Wayward Pines" if nobody dies in an episode?

***

So there's an Abbie inside the Fence. And nobody knew about it. And it's like 30 feet away from Frank. What will happen next? Based on the preview for next week, it looks like Frank gets sent to a procreation room (yikes) and Mrs. Fisher gets her hands on a female Abbie. Very curious...

Here are my quick thoughts: Theo is the man. He is going to go Beast Mode at some point and save those kids at the Academy. Totally thought Frank was going to kill himself at the end of the episode... Rebecca is kind of weird - and was it just me or does it kind of seem like she and Xander might have had a thing before Theo was woken up? Mrs. Fisher sucks. Jason sucks. Theresa is about THIS CLOSE to snapping and totally losing it. I don't think the dead body was Ben - and if it was, it's all part of a plan between Theresa and Hassler. Guess we'll see what happens! What did you think of this week's episode? Are you liking this season so far? Let me know.

Until next week,

Work hard and be happy.

Wayward Points S02E03: Storytime with Pamela Pilcher

"Once upon a time, there was a town..."

***

What we already know:

• Ben, Xander and Theo were all exiled from Wayward Pines, sent outside the Fence to fend for themselves. Theo was brought back into town to operate on Kerry, who got slashed by an Abbie, but Ben and Xander are presumed dead.
• Theresa is furious that Jason has broken the First Rule of the First Generation (that they can't harm one another) by leaving Ben outside the Fence.
• Pamela Pilcher is no longer working at the hospital. That's about all we know - she may or may not still be alive, but we are unaware of her current whereabouts.
• They've finally harvested food for the starving citizens.
• It appears that the Abbies are no longer concerned with Wayward Pines; Episode 2 ended with one of the monsters running away from the town.

Wayward Points:

• ONCE UPON A TIME IN WAYWARD PINES
• This episode revolved around a series of flashbacks that give us insight into the childhood of Jason Higgins. He was put into cryo-sleep as an infant and raised as the "son" of David and Pamela Pilcher. Jason was raised as "the firstborn son of Wayward Pines," being molded into the leader that he would one day become. Jason was raised to be different than the other children in the town, which ultimately caused him to withdraw himself from the others from a social standpoint.
• We later see a flashback of Jason returning to the Complex after his execution of the Bomb Squad in Season 1. He tells Pam how happy he is that he had cut down the rebellion, only to find out that Pam had been put in a situation that led to her shooting David to death. "There is no humanity in murder," Pam says. That little life lesson obviously didn't set in with young Mr. Higgins.
• MISCELLANEOUS

• Arlene is given the most hilarious dialogue in the entire show. She is so awkward and so hysterical.
• Well, my mom, who isn't really familiar with the series, other than my word of mouth, watched tonight's episode with me, two of my siblings and my brother-in-law. (YES, IT'S TRUE - I watched "Wayward Pines" with other people in the room! Miracles do happen, I'm telling you!) With that being said, that scene with Mrs. Fisher talking to the young girls about pregnancy were pretty freaking awkward. At one point, my mom asked, "What are you watching?!" *gulp*
• THE RETURN OF PAMELA PILCHER

• Back in the present day, Pam is back! She shows up in Jason's kitchen in the middle of the night, because, well, she's Pam and that's what she does. Previously, she had been kicked out of town for murdering David, but Jason allowed her to live in a creepy house on the outskirts of town, where he agreed not to go looking for her.
• Pam returns to work at the hospital, where she creepily interrogates Theo about his marital intimacy, because she's Pam and, well, that's what she does. Pam sneaks down into the Complex where the live Abbies are kept (we see several in containment, as mentioned last episode and as previously seen in Season 1) and steals a vial of some sort of medicine. She later injects herself with it at her creepy home.
• Mrs. Fisher confronts Pam at the Complex. Mrs. Fisher tells Pam that she has dedicated her time to researching weaknesses in the Abbies' genetics. Pam scoffs at the fact that a hypnotherapist has taken it upon herself to become an expert in biology, but sincerely apologizes for killing David, with whom Mrs. Fisher had a deep connection. However, Mrs. Fisher refuses to forgive Pam, saying she will not welcome her back like a hero.
• JASON DREAMS BIG

• The weird relationship between Jason and Pam was on full display in this episode. She's obviously not his real mother, but he doesn't understand that and never truly will. But when Pam returns to Wayward Pines, Jason immediately appoints her to be his assistant, which ticks Kerry right off. What is she? Chopped liver? (We certainly notice the frustration and tension between Jason and Kerry when Jason returns home at the end of the episode.)
• Jason reminds Pam that he has studied all of David Pilcher's books. He knew that David had plans to expand beyond the Fence, and that's precisely what he intends to do: gather crops, strengthen security and expand beyond the Fence when the city was strong enough.
• PAM PILCHER'S PLIGHT

• At one point in the episode, Pam returns to her run-down house on the outskirts of town. (I'd have flipped if they made her live in the house Bill Evans was killed in back in Season 1, but alas, it was a different place.) She prepares to inject herself with the liquid that she stole from the Complex, but is interrupted by Theo, who apparently walked all the way there. What is that stuff? Medicine? A vaccine? An antidote? We don't learn right away, but Theo eventually leaves and she shoots herself up.
• After injecting whatever it was, Pam heads back to the Complex, where she walks in on a meeting being held by the First Generation leadership. She waltzes on over and kisses Jason right on the lips... Oh gosh, she's transferred whatever she injected herself with to Jason! Is she going to kill everyone or something? One thing is certain - she's either just killed herself and Jason or the exact opposite - she's protecting herself and Jason and leaving everyone else to die.
• One of the Complex workers informs Mrs. Fisher that a vial has gone missing from the medical bay. The vial, we come to learn, is a smallpox virus... which means... Pam injected herself with smallpox?? And she transferred it to Jason?? Holy crap, Pam is trying to wipe out Wayward Pines! She is immediately quarantined, although Theo tells Jason that they caught it while the smallpox was still in its incubation phase. In theory, this means that the smallpox will not spread, but, uh, I wouldn't be too sure about that.
• While in a glass holding bay, Pam tells Jason that this is how the story of Wayward Pines is meant to end: the boy in the story finally realizes that his plan will fail and he decides to take the town to "a peaceful end," AKA it's time for Jason to wipe out humanity with smallpox. Either that, apparently, or kill Pam himself and keep on keeping on, as they say.
• Ultimately, Jason takes Pamela Pilcher out into the woods and chokes her to death. Her body is then burned by two men in gas masks. (Uh... bad idea? Guys??) CJ the harvester watches from the shadows. He's not wearing a mask.
• THE PAST IS FULL OF HOLES

• The reason for Theo's trip out to Pam's place was for him to discuss his concern about the selection process for citizenship in Wayward Pines. Theo asked Pam why, out of all the qualified doctors in Boston, Theo was chosen, along with his wife, an architect. Of course, Pam didn't answer any of those questions because... where's the fun in that, right?
• Pam tells Theo that the night when he was abducted in Hawaii "wasn't all about [him]." Not sure what that means quite yet.
• Ever the inquisitor, Theo returns home to voice his confusion to his wife, Rebecca, who, he points out, is not wearing her wedding ring anymore. She claims that she never got it back after arriving in town. It seems that she has pretty much bought into the "Work Hard, Be Happy" philosophy and doesn't seem worried about anything out of her control. She does admit, though, that her past is also "full of holes." Where's Shia LaBeouf when you need him, am I right??

Who we met:

• Nobody new this week.

What we learned:

• We learned that Jason was put into cryo-sleep when he was two months old and was raised as the heir to the city.
• We learned that there are live animals outside the Fence now, which means that the Abbies are nowhere to be found.
• We learned where Pam disappeared to.
• We learned what David Pilcher's plans for Wayward Pines were.
• Hawaii was not "all about" Theo.
• There are, indeed, multiple live Abbies at the Complex.
• It's true - lots of students at Wayward Academy are pregnant. Hashtag Teen Moms.
• The day that Pilcher let the Abbies into Wayward Pines (RIP Ethan) is referred to as "Invasion Day."
• Theo had daddy issues before his abduction, but he is still broken up about the fact that his parents would have had to deal with his disappearance.

Wayward Lines:

• Arlene: "Well, I mean, you have to have hope. Otherwise, people just lose their crap."
• Arlene to Theo: "Hey... How would you like to have a celebratory drink with me at the Biergarten? I'm clocking out in five..."
• Arlene: "What happens in Wayward Pines stays in Wayward Pines. I mean, it has to. There's no one left. Lit'rally."
• Rebecca and Theo: "Sometimes you just have to stop asking questions." "Yeah, I can't do that."
• Pam: "Hello, Jason."
• Theo, as the First Generation marches down Main Street: "Well, this is festive! Who are they executing today?"
• Mrs. Fisher: "Let's put the 'pro' back in 'procreation.'"
• Pam to Theo: "Everyone was chosen for a reason."
• Rebecca and Theo: "Are you ok?" "No."

The Rules:

• Kerry reminds Jason that if Ben Burke is dead, then he's killed a member of the First Generation.

Wayward Whines:

• Mrs. Fisher's scoffing reaction to Pam's introduction as "the Mother of Wayward Pines" was hilarious. Ugh. She sucks.

Wayward Signs:

• MURDERER

Easter Eggs:

• In a flashback, Pam shows Young Jason a picture of Howard Ballinger. She tells Jason that Harold was an accountant, but he will be given a toy shop in Wayward Pines, where he can "make his heart happy."
• The First Generation fist stomping is back! So creepy!
• Pam says, "Ay, ay, Captain!" to Theo, just like she did to Ethan in S01E01.
• In a flashback, Mrs. Fisher tells Jason that Sheriff Pope is bringing a new ice cream flavor into town. RIP Pope, my man. RIP.
• Pam visits the Complex office where she shot and killed her brother, David. His death is briefly showing in a flashback.
• Jason's execution of the Season 1 Bomb Squad is briefly shown in a flashback.
• Unseen, as always, radio personality Hector Gaither plays the piano as we watch Pam's body burned in the woods.

What we don't know:

• Did Pam actually have contagious smallpox?
• And if she did, that means Jason would have it, too, right?
• And if she did, burning her body probably wasn't a great idea... right?? Like, I'm no expert, but wouldn't that spread the disease through the air?
• And CJ wasn't wearing a gas mask... so... CJ??

Obituaries:

RIP Pamela Pilcher (for real this time)

Season 1 - Season 2: Episode 3

***

Well, what did you think? Things are getting crazy in Wayward Pines! And did you see the preview for next week?? So many questions!! There are other people living outside of the Fence! Xander is alive! (Called it.) It looks like the Abbies were keeping him in a hole of some sort. And Theresa recognizes that homeless-looking dude. Could it be... Adam Hassler from the Seattle Secret Service office??

Until next week,

Work hard and be happy.

Wayward Points S02E02: Everybody hates Jason

"The only good Abbie is a dead Abbie."

When last we left Wayward Pines... Actually, you know what? That's not a good phrase to use because, as we all know, nobody leaves Wayward Pines. Anyway, in the Season 2 premiere, we discovered that our beloved little community isn't quite what we imagined it would be upon our return. If Season 1 was a "utopia," Season 2 is definitely a "dystopia," because a lot of stuff just ain't right. Let's see what Episode.

***

What we already know:

• It's the year 4032. Wayward Pines has been overrun by the First Generation, led by Jason Higgins. They've instituted a curfew, ration the food and rule the town with an Iron Fist.
• Dr. Theo Yedlin and his wife Rebecca are two of the town's newest residents. Theo was brought in to operate on Kate Hewson, who recently took a bullet. However, Kate kills herself as a symbol of rebellion.
• An organized revolution led by Ben Burke and a "double-agent" named Xander has been quelled by the First Generation. As punishment, Ben, Xander and Theo were locked in a truck and sent hurtling beyond the Fence, left at the mercy of the Abbies.
• The Abbies are smarter now, and they've apparently got a plan to hop the Fence...

Wayward Points:

• Any rule-breaking is now handled in, as far as we can tell, one of two ways: public Reckoning or televised punishment. The latter is the case in regards to Ben, Xander and Theo, whose little excursion beyond the Fence is streamed on television for the entire town to witness. Things get a little out of hand, though, when the Abbies begin piling themselves up. Jason notices that they are getting dangerously close to the top of the Fence and orders that the broadcast be stopped. He doesn't want anyone to panic - which is exactly what happens when the First Generation officers turn of the TVs.
• With the Abbies preoccupied with the Fence, Theo, Ben and Xander book it to the woods. Xander gets attacked by an Abbie, presumably killing him (but, as Mrs. Fisher can testify, that doesn't necessarily mean he's dead). Meanwhile, the First Generation response units start gunning down the Abbies. Several Abbies hop the Fence. One of them slashes Jason's partner, Kerry, leaving her bleeding to death. Jason grabs her and rushes her to the hospital, only to realize that their new surgeon just got exiled. Whoops. He sends troops out to bring Theo back to town, leaving Ben to fend for himself in the wilderness.
  
• Before helping Jason with Kerry's surgery, Theo elevates his baller status by demanding answers to his questions. Jason explains that Theo was kidnapped in Hawaii and placed in cryogenic suspension to avoid the destruction of the human population. He tells Theo that the citizens of Wayward Pines are the last of mankind. Rebecca, who already knows the Truth, calms her husband down and urges him to help save Kerry.
• Arlene has apparently recovered from whatever was ailing her in Episode 1 (remember - she was getting some sort of shock therapy in the hospital - a "tune-up," she calls it). She is now the hospital receptionist.
  
• The First Generation is in possession of five Abbie corpses, which they are studying at their new research center. One of those bodies is presented to a class at Wayward Academy by Mrs. Fisher. They also have three live Abbies in "custody," I guess we'll call it. The students are concerned that the Abbies are going to try to hop the Fence again, but Mrs. Fisher assures them that they are perfectly safe.
• At least one of the students in Mrs. Fisher's class was pregnant.
• Theo and Jason continue to butt heads over Theo's responsibility in the town. Jason expresses his frustration to Kerry. They both agree that Theo is a threat, but Kerry says that fighting him would be a waste of Jason's time. Theo saved Kerry's life; she says, "Our lives are worth his arrogance. I'm still here today. ... He's difficult, but ... he's necessary to the survival of this town."
• The latest harvest of crops is long overdue. A heavily defended group of harvesters sets out beyond the Fence to gather food. The attack the Abbies with flamethrowers. Ben Burke has been hiding in the corn field. He approaches a harvester and demands to be rescued, but is ultimately left behind by the convoy.
  
• Ben returns to the Fence and speaks directly into the security camera with what could be his last message to Wayward Pines. He addresses his mother, Theresa, and Jason, specifically. He apologizes to his mother for taking things as far as he did, sometimes without her approval. He accuses Jason of giving him a "death sentence" by sending him outside the city limits. He reminds Jason that Pilcher forbade members of the First Generation harming one another, but says that if any good comes of his peril, maybe people will see Jason for the kind of leader that he truly is.
• Theresa Burke is furious that her son has been left outside the Fence. She demands to know where he is. Elsewhere, Ben is shown wandering through the corn fields. In a disjointed series of shots, we are shown the following images: Ben in a corn field, some Abbies in a corn field, Ben apologizing aloud to his martyred father, and some Abbies pouncing on someone or something in a corn field. This is intended to make it look like Ben was killed, but... was he?
• Back at the Complex, Jason and Kerry are shocked to notice that there are no Abbies on any of the security cameras. "They're gone!" Jason proclaims. The camera cuts to a lone Abbie, glaring at the Fence and running in the opposite direction.

Who we met:

• CJ Mitchum: One of Pilcher's protégés. A farmer. Jason wants him to harvest his crops, but CJ is concerned about the safety of the harvesters.
• Lucy Armstrong: A young girl. She works for Rebecca at the beauty salon.

What we learned:

• "Group C" is aware that they are living in the future.
• Food rationing was a large part of the reason for Ben's rebellion. Children in Wayward Pines are suffering from malnutrition due to the food rationing. Only some citizens qualify to receive vitamins.
  
• Chemical levels in the soil have changed. Not really sure what that means, but maybe it's important.
• Rebecca has been in Wayward Pines for three years. She has officially bought into the "work hard, be happy" mindset. She used to be an architect, but was assigned to be a beautician when she was woken up. She still does some work with architecture on the side, however. We learn that the ice cream parlor burned down several years ago and Rebecca was asked to help rebuild it. She named it after her favorite professor at Harvard.
• Speaking of colleges, Theo graduated from Princeton and Harvard. Ooh. So impressive.
• Mrs. Fisher has been promoted to Director of Scientific Research and is no longer teaching full-time at the Academy.

Wayward Lines:

• Theo to Jason: "ANSWER MY QUESTIONS!"
• Theo to Jason: "Who's gonna operate, huh? You? Or maybe one of your pregnant 12-year-olds?"
• Rebecca to Theo: "You don't feel pain in a hallucination, Theo."
• Arlene to Theo: "I'm not really a medical professional or anything..."
• Mrs. Fisher to class: "Remember, kids - Wayward Pines works when we work together."
• Theo to Jason: "What I won't accept is that I wake up in a dictatorship."
• Jason to Kerry: "Wayward Pines has been here before. There can't be factions or dissenting voices. There can only be one person in charge, otherwise it all falls apart."
• Rebecca to Theo: "Sometimes to survive, you have to do what they tell you to do."
• Ben: "I'm First Generation - you can't just leave me here to die!"
• Ben: "I'm sorry, Dad."

The Rules:

• "For those who break the rules, there can be no compromise. They must face the consequences of their actions... in public."
• Ben demands to be rescued, citing that he is part of the First Generation. Last week, we learned that the First Generation cannot harm one another. He later specifically points this Rule out to Jason while addressing him through the security camera.
• Theresa confronts members of the First Generation, reminding them that not harming each other is "the First Rule."
• Kerry reminds Jason that they were taught not to harm another member of the First Generation. "I didn't harm him," Jason says. "I exiled him. The Abbies did the harm. ... He wasn't really First-Gen, anyway." Kerry clarifies that she wasn't, either. Jason back-tracks and says that she's different. "You're loyal. You're mine." They kiss. Disgusting.

Wayward Whines:

• Jason sucks and so does his hair.

Wayward Signs:

• "Dr. Theodore Yedlin, M.D. Doctor of Medicine & Surgery"
• "McConigles Ice Cream & Fudge Emporium"
• "Wayward Beauty"

Easter Eggs:

• Pilcher! David Pilcher! The episode kicked off with residents of Wayward Pines watching a video recording of our dearly deceased, diminutive leader explaining that the Rules have consequences. Later in the episode, a painting of Pilcher is hanging on the wall in Theo's office. (Theo takes it down.)
• The Yedlins live on the same street as the Burkes.
• An ice cream truck! And an ice cream and fudge emporium! Sheriff Pope would be proud. RIP, man. RIP.

What we don't know:

• Are Xander and Ben actually dead? Their deaths at the mutated hands of the Abbies were implied, but we didn't see either of their dead bodies.

Obituaries:

 RIP Xander (allegedly)

Season 2: Episodes 1-2

RIP Ben Burke (allegedly)

Season 1 - Season 2: Episode 2

***

Well, what do you think? A couple things come to mind immediately - I'm pretty sure both of those deaths were fake-outs. I'm less confident about Xander because, so far, he seems much more expendable than Ben, but there is no way that Ben is dead. Not a chance. Also, Theo is a boss. I like the dude. He's got big shoes to fill because Ethan Burke is a legend, but Theo is doing all right so far! What did you like about Episode 2? Do you have any questions or commentary that I didn't touch on? Let me know in the comments section below.

Until next week,

Work hard and be happy.