“No Time For A Gentle Rain” (“Five Minutes” Recap)

Didn't they say in the beginning that a lot could happen in 5 minutes? Because, honestly, Alex's story didn't feel that way. At least, not as much as it could've and probably should've been (it was better than OK though, thanks to Alex).

Maybe they should have just split this episode into two and given us 10 minutes of Alex/Ben/Claire/Phil and 10 minutes of Haley/Rainer¹. It certainly would've have helped Alex's story development more.

“It's Now Or Never(?)”

I know there will still be four episodes left to this season after tonight's “Five Minutes”, but the closer we get to it, the more it feels like tonight could be our last best chance for a big Alex story this season, and possibly period. We know not much is likely to happen next week^1,2, and given how little has happened with Alex overall this season, does anybody have any confidence in anything big coming up in the final three?

So a lot appears to be riding on tonight – do I think we'll get some sparks flying?

“All She Wants To Be Is A Modern Girl” (Third Quarter Recap)

For a quarter that had not one, but two Alex-less episodes (which has been par for the course for the last few seasons in the third quarter) it was a rather interesting few weeks for Alex. In fact, it was probably the most interesting quarter of the three so far, and (sadly) I may very well still be able to say that at the end of the season.

"I Ain't Ready For The Altar" (First Impressions - "Frank's Wedding" - Season 8, Episode 19)

Well, I was kind of right about this one - the title was pretty much self-explanatory, at least as far as the Dunphys are concerned (they're at Phil's father's wedding), and as far as there not being much going on with Alex (there is a joke about the family going in costumes - I have a feeling I'm going to dread what they'll do with Alex).

Unless Alex harbors some highly unlikely resentment about her grandfather getting married again because of her emotional connection with her late grandmother I doubt there will be much emotion here.

"Back To Reality"

[3/27 UPDATE: I finally found a video of this promo - I've added it after the "Read more" jump.]

At the end of tonight's repeat episode, ABC aired a promo commercial for next week's "Five Minutes".  In that commercial there was a quick shot of a scene which answers my earlier question about where Phil and Claire's surprise visit takes place:

"It's A Love Story, Baby Just Say Yes" (First Impressions - "Five Minutes" - Season 8, Episode 18)

Well it turns out I did get one thing wrong last week - I figured we were looking at a break of at least two weeks before the next new episode would air.  But that's not the case, as the next new episode will air next Wednesday.

And Alex will have a role in it, and it could get very interesting, but not necessarily in a good way:

“Is There Anything Left In This World That Will Satisfy Me?”

I'm never happy when Alex goes missing from an episode, especially when she was the only one not seen¹. Even when I all but knew it was coming.

But I'm really unhappy about tonight.

“Looks Like We're In For Nasty Weather”

OK, I pretty much already revealed the other night which ways I was going as far what I expect from tonight's “Pig Moon Rising” when I posted about the promo commercial. But, just to make it official:

"Here Comes Your 19th Nervous Breakdown(?)"

A promo commercial has come out for Wednesday night's episode, but it is far from encouraging:

"No Good To Be Alone(?)"

Tentative titles have been released for the final five episodes of the season:

“Here Is My Handle, Here Is My Spout” (“Basketball” Recap)

So did Alex and Cam's little scenes having tea (and being bored to the point of overfilling their cups at each other's stories) make me wish they had done a full tea party story together? Eh.

“Ooooh, It Seems I Don't Get Time Out Anymore”

Sorry, but this one's going to be another quickie – that cold I started with last week has escalated into pneumonia this week – not severe enough to leave me in a hospital room (though I did go the ER over the weekend) but still the coughing fits are wreaking havoc with my sleep so I'm pretty much in “let's get this over with” mode.

That, and this week's “Basketball” wasn't exactly motivating me to do much:

"Makin' Bacon Pancakes" (First Impressions - "Pig Moon Rising" - Season 8, Episode 17)

I'm really surprised that there's going to be another new episode on March 15th.  I figured they were surely going to take a break after next week's "Basketball" but I guess they had other plans.   

Another surprise is just how sparse the synopsis is so far - only one story is mentioned (of course Alex is not involved).  I guess we'll have to wait for any promo photos for any hints about Alex.

“Life Is Demanding Without Understanding” (“Finding Fizbo” Recap)

(CAUTION: This post contains whining paragraphs which some readers might find uncomfortable and could cause stomach discomfort and involuntary rolling of the eyes. And I use an Alex quote which contains the word “butt”. Guidance is suggested.)

This time, it turned out that the wild card was an Ace, as Ben's appearance (albeit only a second hand one) was about Alex's romance with him.

“That's How The Lost Get Found”

Another quickie pre-show post, for two reasons: 1) “Finding Fizbo” doesn't look all that exciting from Alex's standpoint, and 2) I'm sick as a (therapy?) dog right now.

And as a reminder, tonight's episode airs a half hour earlier than usual. Whether I'm awake or in a Nyquil-induced coma at 8:30 remains to be seen.