Did anyone watch this one tonight?

Joan plays the piano and is able to figure out math well enough to get a C (PLUS). Also, she learns more about her family history and figures out that she has an uncle who is the half-brother of her father. He comes but her dad doesn't want to see him. Joan also reestablishes her relationship.

What did you guys think of the kiss?

I thought it was boring. Does Joan have to cry every episode? I think the show is starting to go downhill already.

This show is just stuck in a rut. The first few episodes were great, but then it started to become apparent they have a standard formula and essentially *every* episode has a standard list of dramatic devices they use with a different story. For example:

* Will faces an annoying problem, scowls quite a bit, and ends it somberly.
* Luke does/says something awkward, but rarely has a significant role in the real plot. (Tonight the Glennis dialogue with Joan/poking Kevin)
* Adam can never make up his mind, and every four-five episodes makes up and then breaks up with Joan, only to make up again! (Wow, they kissed... Again! After they kissed the last time, the relationship lasted maybe 10 minutes of the show?) He usually acts severely depressed and upset against the way life has treated him, complaining about various things to Joan.
* Kevin gets upset over his condition, refusing to accept or befriend anyone for fear they have sympathy because he is disabled! Usually has an awkward scene with Luke as well.
* Helen refuses to settle as a middle-aged housewife, and faces a new problem on her own each week. Alternates with Helen keeping a secret from the family/kids. Also must deal with accepting and comforting Kevin in each episode.
* Grace makes various witty comments about going against authority or disagreeing with Joan's plot from God! She also doesn't like the fact she's Jewish and her father is a Rabbi, and makes sure to remind us in each episode.

And Joan... Joan... Where do I start? After 19 episodes, her mouthing off to God is VERY old. Fine, first few episodes it was cute. But after 19 different storylines, it is ridiculous and unbelievable that she acts the way she does. All the good she's seen come out of her assignments, and she's still mouthing off at the start of every episode? Amber Tamblyn is incredibly cute and I loved the character initially, but now I'm really getting tired of her. The character has morphed from a cute pessimistic teen to an annoying, ungrateful bitch.

As mentioned above, Joan must cry once an episode! Joan must have romantic tension with Adam! Joan must put down her brother's geekiness, all the while commenting on her being an outcast at least once an episode. The list just goes on.

This formula worked wonderfully the first few episodes. But when all of the above occurs in every single episode for an entire 22 episode season, the show sucks. It shows the creator had a good idea for a show, and nothing else. The generic characters and dramatic/comedic devices need to go.

If the first five episodes next season don't change the formula mentioned above, I'm done wasting an hour a week watching it. It’s sad, because this was my favorite show currently airing for the first 8-10 episodes...

Well said colandar. I agree completely.

I like this episode. I wonder if Adam will break up with his GF and start going out with Jane. I think he's too nice to do that. Iris will probably break up with him first.

Ya'll goin' to hell!

The episode was ok but nothing great. I'm starting to lose a bit of interest in the show as well. Earlier in the season it was must-see for me. Now I find myself not quite as eager to watch it each week. I think the introduction of Iris into the show really was unnecessary and I really don't like her. I also can't stand the dad at all now. They need to just write him out of the show somehow.

I still think it is a good show. It seems though that some people just do not like this show, so they will complain about it anyways. I remember after week 10 or so people were complaining that they were tired of Joan getting involved with her dads cases. She has not done that in a while, now people are complaining about other things. This is a drama written by Hollywood.....there are not too many shows that do not stick to the same formula episode after episode.

BTW, if someone was telling you to do something that took you out of your comfort range....would you tend to snap at them too. I know I would. Do you want her to just say ok and then do it...seem like that would get even more boring.

I missed the ep, I have night class on Friday until 7:30 and forgot to record it, but it sounds like I didn't miss much.

Looking at the ratings it seems like a lot of people are losing interest. It finished second to Dateline Friday night and I believe that's the first time a new episode has not won it's slot. It was crushing the competion the first half of the season.

This describes how I feel also. Not sure how/if they will be able to get me excited about the show again.

I missed this at some point, but why does Adam call Joan Jane? I guess if he misheard it at some point, but wouldn't someone have corrected him by now, or just overheard someone call her Joan?

SPY

That's just Adam's special moniker for Joan. Adam did call her "Joan" one time that was heart-breaking because Joan couldn't reciprocate the feelings he was having for her one evening, so Adam moved on and found Iris, and now Joan is half-way meddling because she isn't quite sure what she wants out of her relationship with Adam.