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High & Low
Two Book Reviews: A Court of Wings and Ruin (ACOWAR) and A Court of Frost and Starlight (ACOFAS)
A discussion of the highlights of the third and fourth* books in the series by Sarah J. Maas, A Court of Wings and Ruin and A Court of Frost and Starlight - including a few spoilers! Also, a list of grievances with ACOTAR that have popped up during the dramatic and breathy audiobook. A rundown of updates per character as the series progresses, with an obvious effort to tee up new characters for their forthcoming storylines and spin-offs, yes please. Various theories and possible hidden meanings behind both major and nuanced plotlines are also reviewed.
Bonus: the importance of speaking up for people and issues you care about, especially if the only reason you're silent is to avoid or appease bullies
All opinions are personal and not representative of any outside company, person, or agenda. Information shared is cited via articles, legal documents, press releases, government websites, public videos, news reports, and/or direct quotes and statements and may be paraphrased for brevity.
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Recap: RHOC S18E16 - Sunday Roasted
55:45|The final days of the London trip come to a chaotic conclusion as Shannon struggles to get feces out of her body - and friend group. The toxic entity that is the Tamrat/Tambat/Tamratputin has regrouped after being read to filth by Jen and recalculated to target Katie and bring up any possible spec of dirt it has on Shannon, regardless of collateral damage. Despite drama involving children, and getting emotional about being perceived as mean, Heather continues to support her new bestie. Jen and Gina shine in their respective moments of acknowledging manipulation, calling out bad behavior, and setting boundaries. All opinions are personal and not representative of any outside company, person, or agenda. Information shared is cited via articles, legal documents, press releases, government websites, public videos, news reports, and/or direct quotes and statements and may be paraphrased for brevity. Wanna support this independent pod? Links below:BuyMeACoffee - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/BBDBVenmo @TYBBDBRecap: RHOSLC S5E6 - Mafia Wives and Bad Vibes/Lisa Going the Distance
01:01:04|This episode centers around Angie's 25th Anniversary celebration where the cast takes the opportunity to be in a room with zero sound dampening as their backdrop for multiple confrontations. Bronwyn calls Heather to the mat about her meddling and hypocrisy, Mary and Lisa also air their grievances to Heather, and Britani gets a shock when Whitney's husband decides he wants to get into women's business and stir up mess. The event culminates with Whitney Drew's extensive investigation into Lisa Barlow, including a comprehensive presentation of receipts and evidence, just kidding, Whitney has nothing but the word of a random account so Lisa goes off and calls in her cyber cavalry. All opinions are personal and not representative of any outside company, person, or agenda. Information shared is cited via articles, legal documents, press releases, government websites, public videos, news reports, and/or direct quotes and statements and may be paraphrased for brevity. Wanna support this independent pod? Links below:BuyMeACoffee - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/BBDBVenmo @TYBBDBRecap: RHOSLC S5E5 - Whitney Drew and Her Clues
01:01:56|An update on the journey into A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR) before a recap of an episode that revealed family secrets and connections between Lisa and Bronwyn, showing a heartbreaking and endearing side of this season's new cast member. Meanwhile, Whitney continues to hunt for a conspirator that she believes is responsible for alerting the internet about her jewelry line, Prism, having an apparent copy on Alibaba. By the end of the episode, she's confident about finding the "truth"...all based on the word of a stranger who runs an online account. Finally, Britany wears us out with more camera time for her gum chewing Osmond offshoot, Lisa vows to stop caring about it, and Mary continues to bring comedic relief due to her irritation of it all. 33% of eligible Americans don't bother to vote, have you? Go to vote.org or vote.gov to find your polling location, request a ballot, or learn about local issues.All opinions are personal and not representative of any outside company, person, or agenda. Information shared is cited via articles, legal documents, press releases, government websites, public videos, news reports, and/or direct quotes and statements and may be paraphrased for brevity. Wanna support this independent pod? Links below:BuyMeACoffee - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/BBDBVenmo @TYBBDBRecap: RHOC S18 E15 - Double Decker Drama/Jen Reads Tamra to Filth
01:07:30|Tensions rise as the Real Housewives of Orange County tour London, work through conflicts, and absorb the revelation that Shannon found a text defining Alexis' role in the lawsuits from years ago. Tamra continues to talk crap about everyone, Heather has lingering hurt feelings post-mammogram outing, and Shannon finds another jaw dropping text - this time from Tamra. Jen shines in this episode, filling my heart with pride as we watch the sweet baby dove take fight and turn into a bird of prey, on the hunt for a little Tamrat. BONUS: current news on Jen's ex wanting to amend their divorce settlement after claiming she's made defamatory statements, and an OC history lesson about how Tamra's opinions on evictions, and spending habits that follow, have changedAll opinions are personal and not representative of any outside company, person, or agenda. Information shared is cited via articles, legal documents, press releases, government websites, public videos, news reports, and/or direct quotes and statements and may be paraphrased for brevity. Wanna support this independent pod? Links below:BuyMeACoffee - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/BBDBVenmo @TYBBDBDouble Recap: OC S18 E14 and SLC S5 E4 - Shannon's Receipt and Britany's Epiphany
01:09:23|A double header to get us caught up! We see the OC ladies embark on a London adventure, complete with speed boats, stewing resentments, and a smoking gun receipt from 2018. Then we catch up with the SLC ladies, mid-Milwaukee fun, as they tour beer factories, go curling, and fight about random things in sprinter vans. Alibaba controversy, gossip, and drag shows, what else could you ask for? BONUS: the prestige of the Les Clef d'Or concierge All opinions are personal and not representative of any outside company, person, or agenda. Information shared is cited via articles, legal documents, press releases, government websites, public videos, news reports, and/or direct quotes and statements and may be paraphrased for brevity. Wanna support this independent pod? Links below:BuyMeACoffee - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/BBDBVenmo @TYBBDBDeep Dive: The Case Against Diddy, Part 2 - The Indictment, Decades of Rumors, and Outcomes in an Environment of Complicit Enablers
01:08:04|Detailing more lawsuits filed against Sean Combs, a.k.a. Diddy, including former Danity Kane member Dawn Richard, as well as his legal team's ongoing efforts to get bail granted as he currently awaits trial from a Brooklyn detention center. The indictment filed by the Southern District of New York is reviewed, with details of the exact charges and possible prison time for each. Media clips spanning the decades of Diddy describing his white parties are shared, alongside highlights of specific celebrities, now under scrutiny, who publicly aligned themselves with Diddy - as well as celebrities who openly criticized him. BONUS: Storytime, an unfortunate evening with jabronis who thought they were very important for their business ties to Ashton Kutcher TRIGGER WARNING: SA, DV, and disturbing content. Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) National Human Trafficking Hotline 1-888-373-7888 If you believe you are victim of a crime perpetrated by Sean Combs, please contact HSI via their mobile tip-line at 1-877-4-HSITIP, and reference this case.Credit to Entertainment Tonight, TMZ, and The Conan O'Brien Show for audio of Diddy describing his white parties over the years. All opinions are personal and not representative of any outside company, person, or agenda. Information shared is cited via articles, legal documents, press releases, government websites, public videos, news reports, and/or direct quotes and statements and may be paraphrased for brevity. Wanna support this independent pod? Links below:BuyMeACoffee - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/BBDBVenmo @TYBBDBRecap & A Rant: RHOC S18 E13 - You Are Cordially Not Invited, and Why I'm Horrified by the Prison Industry
01:03:36|Katie's dinner party wraps up with Emily lightly grilling Ryan, and despite us not being clear on his profession, plays dumb like it's his job. Gina shows off home improvements, ladies peruse outdoor furniture, Heather and Emily finally discuss the fashion show faux pas. Alexis and her coach get mic'd up for a confessional but the episode culminates with the message that, it's Shannon's 60th birthday and she'll send a curt text if she wants to. BONUS: A rant on for-profit prisons, the 13th Amendment, and how incarceration has become a business All opinions are personal and not representative of any outside company or agenda. Information shared is cited via public articles, legal documents, videos, social media feeds, and/or direct quotes and may be paraphrased for brevity. Wanna support this independent pod? Links below:BuyMeACoffee - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/BBDBVenmo @TYBBDBSources: https://apnews.com/article/prison-to-plate-inmate-labor-investigation-c6f0eb4747963283316e494eadf08c4ehttps://news.wsu.edu/press-release/2020/09/15/privatized-prisons-lead-inmates-longer-sentences-study-finds/ https://www.opensecrets.org/news/2021/02/biden-phases-out-private-prisons/All opinions are personal and not representative of any outside company or agenda. Information shared is cited via public articles, legal documents, videos, social media feeds, and/or direct quotes and may be paraphrased for brevity.Recap: RHOSLC S5 E3 - Basketball, Bobbleheads, and the Brow Girl
59:59|The ladies go on a luxurious trip to Milwaukee. Whitney serves as their jovial host and arranges for a choice of gambling or scavenger hunting bobble heads before a VIP experience at a Bucks game. Throughout the adventures, simmering feelings of betrayal and mistrust linger between the Wendy's infused G-Wagon girlies - Bronwyn, Heather, and Lisa. Meredith has hot goss about Whitney's jewelry company apparently sourcing baubles from Alibaba, Angie feels burdened by knowledge about Britani's "best friend" with benefits, and everything comes to a head in a Bucks suite with lobster corn dogs. BONUS: Solving the mystery of what does Seth does in Ohio and being haunted by Mary's unconventional use for super tampons and heavily fragranced enclosure All opinions are personal and not representative of any outside company or agenda. Information shared is cited via public articles, legal documents, videos, social media feeds, and/or direct quotes and may be paraphrased for brevity. Wanna support this independent pod? Links below:BuyMeACoffee - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/BBDBVenmo @TYBBDB