where does the good go?

Ah, that’s different. Think if it’s already on TV or someone else is watching, then I’m all up to join them. Gets the memory lane going, but I’m like you and I won’t go out of my way to play old episodes! I hear you, though. Do you guys have a group chat that you’re able to bug one another? I found that it helps when you’re parting ways with the show/certain cast members. Aw, thank you! I’m relieved to hear that. It might be cringy to rewatch but I gave it my all, and you always hope that it shows on screen, too. There comes a time when we all need to rest. The mind and body can only handle so much before you start to break down. And I can’t imagine doing that and with three kids. I’m a bit of both! I love staying at home, but I do love to travel. My favorite place is France. It has a special place in my heart or Mexico. I am fortunate that I’m able to travel around because of Joe but nothing beats staying at home either. What about you? What places do you want to travel to if you have the choice to? Or would you rather stay at home? 

It would probably be different if there were fellow cast around, for sure! We don’t really have a group chat, no, just one another’s numbers that we can hit up when we feel like reminiscing. It’s a good idea, though, a group chat, I might need to get one going. I’ll be sure to give you credit if I do. You can tell that you gave it your all! The entire cast did, for sure, it was an incredibly well put-together show. So I promise that it showed on screen, from a fan of it from the very beginning. Absolutely, our bodies are only wired for so much before it’s time to rest. Oh, of course! The perks of being with a musician are many, I’m sure, you’ve probably seen all parts of the world. I’m jealous. I love Mexico and France, too, for what it’s worth, although Italy holds my heart nearest and dearest because of my heritage. So if I’m travelling, it’s over to Italy, or maybe somewhere tropical so I can flex my bathing suit collection, but I’m a big fan of the staycation too. 

Couldn’t agree more. Everyone should follow the sound of their heart but often times they can’t due to their surroundings and circumstance. I will always count my lucky stars for being able to be an actor which is a dream come true. I know right? I am still in a state of shock that it’s over, I guess some things will linger for the rest of your life. It really is surreal but in the best way possible. Me? Nothing much. Taking care of my dogs and stuff. What about you?

I hope that more people are able to pursue their passions in the future, but there will always be those that have to settle for the grit work for money and to keep society functioning. A depressing though, but still. You seem like the grateful type to me! It’s got to be comforting to know that all of that hard work will go down in history for generations to read and watch, because it absolutely will and has. I’m just working on the show and raising my three kids, trying to find some balance between the two.

I’m cherishing every last moment with her being this tiny. Because she’s already growing like a weed and I know she won’t be so tiny for much longer. I’m not looking forward to the days when she starts using her sassy mouth. I’m already expecting it because she’s my child after all. I’m with you on guilty pleasures. If it’s something that brings you joy or happiness, then why feel guilty? I’ve never had the time to write fanfiction myself. Not that I have anything against it. But I’m sure there’s already some talented writer out there who wrote an alternative narrative similar to the one in my head. So maybe if I ever have enough free time one of these days, I’ll attempt to hunt it down and maybe give it a read.

Blink and you’ll miss it. My girls (and boy, really), are the same, though, they absolutely inherited my sass and sarcasm and it’s entirely my fault but it drives me up the wall the same. As long as it’s not hurting someone and it’s making you happy, bring it on. I’m not much of a writer myself but I do think that it would be pretty funny if I sat here writing Grey’s fanfiction in my spare time (whatever that is, I haven’t had spare time in a very long time!) I hope that your alternate reality is a reality for you someday! It’s amazing what the human mind can create if it wants or wishes hard enough.

I got your back, no worries. Yeah, they’ve definitely gotten some strange requests. Makes me also think of those baristas at the coffee shop who have to make drinks with a million adjustments and additions. Hmm, I’m thinking. This is a crucial decision, you know – homemade or store-bought. Knowing how busy you are, I’ll say that store-bought is acceptable, but that’s a special rate for you. Do I get something in the mail for the membership? I tried it myself today, and I think I added a little too much color because it looks a little muddy.

I’m pleased to say that I’m the kind of customer who orders something straight off the menu, no adjustments. I like to think it decreases the chance of my food being tampered with. Oh, thank god you said store-bought, or I was going to have to reconsider this whole thing. I might sneak in a homemade one or two every now and then to shake it up, but I appreciate your respect of my busy... ness. Uh, sure, why not? Let me figure out what it is first, and you will. Oh no! Muddy is no good.

That’s what makes it all the better that we found each other, since it was clealry meant to be, right? Otherwise, we’d be lost without each other there to make us feel emotional. They really wre, not that I’m complaining about well thought-out, intricate television shows, either, but I liked when you didn’t have to worry about whether or not you could watch the show if you missed one episode. Me neither, but if we find out and take them down, then we can be in charge of bowling leagues, which is the way that things should be done. Women, making changes one thing at a time… starting with bowling leagues! I can understand that, I know that there’s helmets ad I guess very few really dangerous horse accidents, but they’re still up there on a horse, I would be scared, too! Maybe she’ll want to do a sport where she just runs around in one of those inflatable balls the entire time…? It seems safe! I’ll make it work, don’t worry. It’s how I get physically fit, pushing that wheel barrel! Don’t worry, the Beat clued me in on that one, but I appreciate the confirmation! And knowing that he’s a good guy, too.

Meant to be I think sums us up pretty well. I’m a hardcore believer in the fact that there are people who are meant to come into our lives for a reason, and you are one of those people. I promise I’ll stop being sappy now. Oh, yeah, I loved being able to just turn it on once a week and enjoy it with any ongoing premises. Of course Friends had some ongoing plots, but it was still enjoyable without context. We’re going to be in charge of bowling leagues? That sounds like a lot of effort, but I’m here for it if you are. We can change the world one strike at a time. I like the idea of making it not so male-centric, it seems like in the big leagues it’s mostly men but I could be wrong. I think that my babies could play the most mild sports ever and I’d still find a way to panic about it, that’s just what we moms do, right? I love that idea. I don’t even know what they’re called, but I’m going to find out and keep my kidlets inflatable balls until they’re at least eighteen whenever they want to play a sport. Whatever works for you and your exercise regime! I’ll stick to yoga and hikes. Right, of course, how could I forget that the Beat knew I had a relationship-type-thing going before I even did. He is a good guy, he really is. His birthday is on Friday, so that should be fun if we get to see one another.

You’re very, very good at those powers, you can tell that you’ve spent a lot of time working on them and perfecting things! I would say that you should teach me your ways, but from the sounds of it, I’ve got a pretty good lock on it, too, at least in terms of you! It really does, but those 90s sitcoms were the best, so it’s hard to be upset about that! I wouldn’t mind living through a 90s sitcom, or a romcom, they’re pretty much the same, yeah? Let’s fight the man! The man who runs the bowling leagues! See, but that’s fun, that means that you can be a soccer mum! Or bowling mum. Or whatever sport she ends up wanting to take on. Maybe even all of the sports, for that matter! Right, like sure, I don’t want to bury a body, but it’s good to know that I have people in my life who would help me if I had to. That’s the difference. I put them in a wheel barrel out back in the shed, so I just have to roll it to the bank. Good! I’m so, so glad, and you’re right about it being a good sign, it’s a great sign, it means he knows what’s most important to you.

It’s true, we’re both very similar in our ability to bring about alllll of the emotions in one another, there’s no need to learn from me, you’ve got it down pat. Oh, yeah, ‘90s sitcoms were peak television, there’s nothing better than rewatching Seinfeld or Friends (which I’m biased toward) or Frasier or Will & Grace. Things were a lot more simple in those shows, too, I wouldn’t mind a year or two in their world. The had their drama but it was usually resolved within the 20 minutes or so of the episode. I honestly don’t even know who’s in charge of bowling leagues these days, but I’m here for it. I just hope that she doesn’t pick something dangerous that I have to constantly worry about. For example, we love horse riding, but I’d be constantly afraid of her bumping her head when she came off a horse. I know that’s what helmets are for, but still. I guess we’ll just see how it all turns out! You’re worthy of those people in your life, darling! That sounds like an incredibly heavy wheelbarrow, but you do you, Claire. You do you. Right? I wouldn’t want any man (or woman) who didn’t respect that my kids are my world. It’s Pedro Pascal, I’m not sure if I said that? But I feel like you should know all the same.

I’ll keep this between the two of us, Ellen, but just because you’re my designated bail-me-out-of-jail person. I think the solution to all this is just to ask the bartender if they have some green dye left over from St. Patrick’s, and even if you get a weird look, at least you don’t get thrown out, right? I’d definitely do that, yeah, my rate is three chocolate chip cookies an hour, including travel. Wow, I feel special, like I’ve made it to the…Ellen Pompeo Mensa. Send me some pictures if you do it. I only know how to do one tie-dye pattern, so I’ll have to see if I can learn from you.

Always good to know that I can trust you, in an increasingly untrustworthy world. See, that’s a brilliant idea. Let me know how it goes down, because there are definitely worse things that weird looks and I guarantee that the bartender has received weirder requests. Ooh, three chocolate chip cookies? Do they have to be homemade or is store-bought acceptable? Inquiring minds need to know. Yup, you’re officially in a very exclusive club, congratulations. I’ll send you a picture of the results, for sure!

Do you ever rewatch certain episodes just for the hell of it? Or do you try and avoid it? Cause I know I try to avoid anything when I was younger. It’s a bit of a cringefest. I’m sure that you’ll know what to do when the moment comes. It’s not an easy decision to make, but our mind and body needs some R&R as well. If that means taking a break from doing what we love, then so be it. I, for one, love having the time off. I realized that I was always constantly working that I needed that break. It sure would! You wouldn’t be able to have a decent conversation if everyone agreed. 

If I’m changing the channel and an old episode is on, I might watch for a minute or two but I don’t go out of my way to watch it. It’s a little bit too surreal to see the way everything has changed since, and there’s a bittersweetness to the cast that we don’t have on the show anyone that tends to turn me off watching more. For what it’s worth, there was nothing cringey about your portrayal of Sansa! I’m always amazed at the quality of the acting of you guys when you were so young. Time off is so important for the heart and mind, I can’t imagine filming more than I do right now and raising three kids at the same time. Where do you like to go, when you’re able to take a break from work? Are you a homebody or a world traveller? Or both?

Okay, but you’re not allowed to get me choked up on a Saturday morning, Ellen, what’s up with that?! But I can honestly say that I feel every last bit of that back towards you, so I hope that you know I am never, ever letting you go from my life, whether you like it or not at this point. Absolutely, I think that you need those good people in your life if you’re going to make it through. I think so, too, I refuse to believe that I’m that bad of a bowler, it’s obviously the ball’s fault, and to be honest, probably the gutter, too. There’s magnets involved, that’s all that I’m saying. I guess… you could be proud of her skills? While hating those skills at the same time. Oh, me too, I actually don’t let anyone too close to me unless I know that they’re going to help me bury a body, and well, it’s safe to say that you passed the vibe check. With flying colors. I have a little stash of coins set aside just to bail you out of jail someday, don’t worry. I can understand that, yeah, it’s like… a cloud that just completely hangs over everything you do, right? It’s okay to be scared, that’s what you have me to talk to for. Oh! Oh, that’s – that’s a good sign, a really good, great sign!

Just my magnificent powers of eliciting emotion at play! I would be sorry but you do the same to me, and I promise I’m not going anywhere. I’m in here for the long haul. Life wouldn’t be very fun at all without good friends to get you through. That sounds like a tagline of a ‘90s sitcom, but you know, clichés are born in truth... or something. Are we calling conspiracy on the bowling world? Because it sounds like we are, and I’m glad it’s not just me who is, and we can take on the... bowling... corporations... together. I mean, I’m always proud of her, but I’m also jealous of her. She has a knack for sport that she clearly got from her father because I didn’t give it to her. I sincerely hope that neither of us have to play the “bury a dead body with me” card, but the options always there, I promise, vibe approved. Coins?! That’s got to be a hell of a big, heavy jar of coins if that’s how you’re paying to get me out of jail. AMEX might be easier. Well, yeah, it’s hard not to fear having to relive those moments and put my kiddos through that pain again. But, for what it’s worth, we are going to give things a go, and he specifically acknowledged that he knows my children come first which is... a lot, right? A good a lot.

Thank you for that, honey. I’ve always struggled with self confidence despite what I do for a carer. I’ve always struggled with self confidence. Call round when you want, sweetheart. I’m free all day so I don’t mind. Just look for the horses and pups running around and that I’ll me my place.

I gotta say Bayview, I’m disappointed in you. I went away to film a movie, left my doors unlocked and i came back and all my stuff is still where I left it. I hoped somebody would break in and ransack all my boxes so I wouldn’t have to deal with them when I got back but no such luck. I guess I finally have to get unpacked since you clearly have no criminals around town who wanted to steal my shit. What did I miss whilst I was gone? Fill me in on all the juicy gossip to give me more reason to avoid this months long unpacking. 

If I’d known the doors were unlocked, that would be a different story. Kidding! Or am I?

They certainly are. I’m more than happy to have Pumpa home instead of seeing her through pictures. But she’s a pup! Oh, please, that’s not cheesy at all. I feel like every parent is excited to see their babies after a long day of working, yeah? I’m sure they give the best hugs whenever you haven’t seen them for a while. I’m more than happy to overshare any/all updates of her, too! 

Now it’s up to you to take all of the pictures! I hope that every parent is excited to see their babies after a long day working! If I ever stop, I’m doing something wrong. And it’s true, the hugs are even cuddlier when I haven’t seen them all day long. I’m so excited for you! There’s nothing like a new four legged friend, they really have the ability to light up your world so definitely share the love when you can.

pedro was aware that ellen came with baggage. not that he would ever consider her children as baggage in his eyes. he had given up on the idea of ever having children of his own. because of his work schedule and lack of serious romantic partners, it had put the idea in his head that maybe the father life wasn’t for him, but over time he had grown to love the idea of someday being a father— regardless if the word father had the term ‘step’ in front of it. “hey,” he placed a hand gently against her cheek, his thumb brushing across her cheekbone. “your children are not baggage and i know that they come first. i would never come between you and your children, and i would never ask you to do anything or put them into a situation that you weren’t comfortable with. as scary as the idea is, i’d love to be part of all of your lives.” he brought her forward for another kiss, this one much softer than their previous one. “one day at a time, mami. let’s see where this goes, yeah?”