Special PaaV: Top 10 Otalia Episodes

Diane on Fri, 26th Jun 2009 9:06 am 

I’ve been hoping for the day that we would get your slightly more in-depth thoughts on the backstory – maybe while we’re all sitting around, killing off JL’s maternity leave, you can start at the beginning. Nice work, once again.

greenivy8 on Fri, 26th Jun 2009 9:54 am 

i’m downloading this now but am saving it for my plane ride tomorrow – let’s see if i can keep my fingers off the play button (i will accept any and all double entendres)

Heather on Fri, 26th Jun 2009 10:54 am 

Can’t even keep track of the many reasons why I love this podcast, so just know — love and agreement all around.

I have had a really hard time thinking of my absolute favorite moment. One of my favorite Otalia scenes only involves Olivia and Doris (2/4/09). It’s the one after the My Two Mommies TV press conference that Doris gives, and Olivia goes to Doris’ office to confront her. She gives that great speech about how good Natalia is, how she fought for Liv this past year, the home they have now, etc. It just demonstrates how Olivia has totally fallen at this point, and she may not even fully realize it yet. It’s almost like Doris has to point it out to her when she says “I wish a man would talk about me the way you just talked about her.” Incredible.

Comment on the February 23 episode (might have happened the day before) – How about when Phillip grabs the gun, and Olivia totally shields Natalia in protection of whatever’s going to happen? So great.

Revisiting these scenes gets me all choked up at the sweetness and caring. They are so MTB. I’m a big, pathetic, 12-year-old puddle here. LOL

Dani, I am pro-hotsnack. Sorry, Liz. It’s gross, but I love it.

Lana on Fri, 26th Jun 2009 12:32 pm 

I love all of your choices…not a single complaint. But one thing…one tiny, little, why-the-hell-is-Reva-deified-when-Olivia-is-pointed-as-the-devil-wmoan? point: Liz says something about how guilty Olivia feels about having taken Gus from Natalia, when she hasn’t felt guilt in the past for stealing Josh from Reva. Great episode, great scene, great point, except: Olivia never even did such a thing to Reva! She and Josh hooked up when he and Reva were not even together, anymore. If anything, Reva later moved in and broke Olivia and Josh up! Somehow Reva gets to be the town heroine, while Olivia gets a reputation for being a homewrecker. Wha???? And, if you want to get techincal about it, the whole reason Olivia hated Reva from the very first time we met her in San Cristobal, was that, some time before, Reva had moved in on Richard Winslow who was engaged to Oliva. If anyone’s a homewrecking ho, it’s Reva. And she needs to up the HRT, to boot.

Now that I think of it, Olivia seems to have a certain code of ethics…a twisted code, but a code, nonetheless: before Gus, I don’t think Olivia had *ever* gone after a taken man. She had no problem schtupping her husband’s son (but, hey…her husband was Alan!)And, really, the whole thing about Gus – doing something extreme when you think you’re depressed and despondant over thinking that you’re about to drop dead is pretty understandable. And also when you’re that pretty. Pretty goes a long way. Again: I’m shallow.

Bec on Fri, 26th Jun 2009 2:14 pm 

Great podcast. The first time I listened to you was a few weeks after the wedding and I was really happy to find such a funny, thoughtful, analysis of Otalia especially for that week. Most of my friends have unbearably bad taste in tv, movies, etc. so I’m alone in my Otalia obsession and appreciate your podcast all the more.

I agree with alot of your top ten choices but one that would definitely have to be in mine is the scene in the kitchen after the proposal between Olivia and Natalia. Natalia is talking about being fixated on an image of what love is supposed to be and she asks Olivia if what God wants is for her to be alone for the rest of her life, Olivia says she can’t imagine that and then we get the line that I think is the key to their entire relationship, “Or maybe God has someone for me, it’s just not who I expected.” Olivia is speechless, they exchange these amazing looks, and my heart pounds a million beats a minute. For someone who’s religious and believes that God has an active role in their life to allow for the possiblity that God had a hand in them finding each other and falling in love, despite church doctrine, is huge. I can’t express how much I love that line and Olivia’s reaction, it’s pretty amazing stuff.

Dani on Fri, 26th Jun 2009 2:24 pm 

Diane – Aww, thanks. I’ve been living in a happy land of denial with regards to JL’s maternity leave, but the drought is upon us…

greenivy – Safe trip! You should put your fingers wherever they’re comfortable..

Heather – Yes, I absolutely love Liv’s passionate defense in Doris’ office. She’s so totally gone and doesn’t realize it yet, which is one of my favorite moments in any love story.

Liz and I talked about that – Liv shielding Natalia – probably for at least an hour on chat the day of that episode. Amazing, right?

Watching these episodes in order to prepare for this podcast was just about the best therapy for the “p” word spoilers ever. They’re so sweet.

Re: hotsnack, yes!!

Lana – Good point about Reva. And yes, I always thought it was so foul that Reva basically stole Prince Richard, yet she’s the most beloved woman in Springfield? How?

And to be completely shallow too – even when KZ was in her prime, she still didn’t hold a candle to Crystal Chappell in my opinion. So really, WTF?

Lolly on Fri, 26th Jun 2009 6:46 pm 

Ok so havent listened to all but just had say ‘lets take a bath in hot lezbians’ totally slayed me! LOL

Only started listening to you guys yday as usually listen to BPD Podcast but you guys are brilliant! soooo funny nearly crashed my mini twice today for laughing! Note to self dont pod and drive!

Just wanted say love what you are doing and agree with all your top episodes but would prob add Aug 22 for bench hug and 22 Oct for Super Freaking Hero!

Lolly xo

Porter on Fri, 26th Jun 2009 6:58 pm 

I can’t believe I did homework for a podcast. Clearly you two have me completely under your thrall.

I only did a Top 5 because it really is hard to choose! The handful of scenes I did list are those that always just popped for me and outshined the rest. I am an unrepentant angst whore so they all come from the pre-wedding glory days of Otalia. What can I say? It was a time of such sweet, sweet torture.

You guys covered several of them, most brilliantly as per usual, along with so many other fantastic moments. I love hearing your retro analysis… it’s like a PaaV prequel. ;p

My five favs, organized by affection as opposed to chronology.

1) 12/15 – Natalia Gets $$ Back, Convinces Olivia to Move In – Maybe it was just that JL had her dimples set to kill instead of stun, but every time I watch the scene where Natalia convinces Olivia to be her roomy, I feel like I’m watching the embodiment of sheer joy. It’s the one clip I bookmarked independently while catching up on Otalia history because I just couldn’t stop watching.

2) 4/6 – Mirror Scene – So much passes between them in such a quiet scene. Every time I watch, I just want to curl up in a ball on floor and weep for all the bereft longing.

3) 3/26 – Near Kiss – I’ve always thought the real payoff of this scene comes in the moments before and after the near kiss. Nat finally has a completely unguarded moment and it becomes so obvious to her that it’s Olivia she wants. It’s the first time you see Natalia give real meaning to her feelings, out loud no less.

4) 4/2 –Engagement Party Toast & Post Toast Flirt – Natalia *dropping* her glass was a valiant effort, but every person in that room still should have been like “WTF?” because the girls couldn’t keep their eyes off each other. Their magnetic fields finally suck them together and we get that most adorable little hand hold, laugh moment…what a relief for everyone.

5) 10/22 – Rudely Interrupted Me By Almost Dying – Natalia is at Olivia’s bedside as Olivia comes to after her cardiac arrest and the two proceed to snark and then get very, very serious. All the while Natalia gets closer and closer like she can barely keep herself from crawling in bed beside Olivia and hugging her to death because she almost lost her. A great scene that ratchets up the mutual “I need you” feelings between them.

Liz on Fri, 26th Jun 2009 11:12 pm 

Diane- we’re hoping maternity leave limbo is short, and we have some fun stuff lined up for it already. Don’t you worry. We’re overly ambitious to a fault.

Green- too many jokes, I cant even pick one.

Heather- I love that scene! Man, CC killed. “She fought for me.” OMG. Still gets me! We love big puddly 12 yr olds here (as long as you aren’t actually 12 as we’d have to clean up our language and its creepy to buy you ice cream).

Lana- Really? She never stole Josh from Reva? Clearly, I suck at backstory and just make shit up left and right. I am secretly Pratt. And Reva’s a dirty ho bag, so whatevs there. And also, pretty people are never wrong. Thats all.

Bec- That is a great scene! Ten is just not enough. I love that scene because we see that same idea come up again and again, and now. It was excellent dialogue how Natalia said “But Frank” and Olivia said, “Frank” like the conversation split at that point. Ah-mazing.

Lolly- Dani slays me. Seriously. Who comes up with that stuff? Yay for a first time listener. But dont wreck. That would be bad. We like our listeners to be alive. And naked.

Porter, its because you love us and you want to marry us. Its cool. We all know. Lets just acknowledge it, get it out in the open, so we can stop ignoring the elephant in the room. Also, turns out its not that fun to break down whats already happened. Too easy. lol

XO

Lana, Snapper, Whatever on Sat, 27th Jun 2009 12:22 am 

Liz – You can cut yourself some slack. Everyone in Springfield, starting with Reva, acts as if Olivia is the town man-stealer. I think it’s about the fact that Reva already incredibly popular with fans and well established as an unlikely heroine, when Olivia entered the scene. And the public loved Reva and Josh as a couple – they still see anyone else as an interloper.

In scenes such as this one, Reva basically gloats about Josh leaving Olivia for her, while dissing Olivia and accusing *her* of being the town pump: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yt8GuMWtzgI&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fsuperherolunchbox%2Eblogspot%2Ecom%2F&feature=player_embedded

That scene is awesome for so many reasons. I soooo want Olivia to get the chance to dole out some whoop-ass.

Porter on Sat, 27th Jun 2009 1:18 am 

You’re right, Liz. I’m glad it’s out there now. I’ve been trying to keep it in check for so long. And maybe its those three beers I chugged at ballpark before they stopped selling alcohol at the end of the 7th inning talking, but I feel like I want to sing it from the rooftops…PaaV, I can’t fight this feeling anymore…

…And even though I don’t know you, we can talk via Skype
You’re the voice in my iPod when crappy spoilers ruin my night.
And I love this podcast more than I ever thought I might

And I cant fight this feeling anymore
I’ve forgotten what I started fighting for
Now every other podcast seems a bore
So I’ll keep coming back for more, forever

Cause I cant fight this feeling anymore
I’ve forgotten what I started fighting for
And even with the Sheriff at my car door
I’ll brag about your witty rapport
PaaV, I can’t fight this feeling anymore.

Heather on Sat, 27th Jun 2009 7:47 am 

Liz, 12 x 2 + 4 = me, so you can buy me ice cream with no reservations. I like pistachio with lots of whipped cream and a cherry.

dj on Sat, 27th Jun 2009 8:52 am 

Difficult decisions. For my top 3 pre-wedding scenes, I think I’d have to go with:
1) The near kiss (and how it leads Natalia to take her rings off in the church)
2) The “Maybe God has someone for me” moment (do y’all think that Olivia knew Natalia was talking about her or did she think N. was talking about Frank? Discuss.)
3) When Olivia tells Natalia that she should marry Frank (don’t stone me! Let me explain! It exposes Olivia’s insecurities. She’s not jumping head-first into a relationship, consequences be damned, partly because she’s putting Natalia’s happiness above her own and partly because she’s so in love with Natalia that if Natalia were to reject her, she would be completely shattered. She’s trying SO hard not to do that thing where you read more into your crush’s every gesture and word than is there that she’s missing all the signals Natalia actually *is* giving her. Also, I am a slut for angst. And maybe I cried when I saw that scene.)
4) The scene in Doris’s office where she defends Natalia.

vons0654 on Sat, 27th Jun 2009 10:35 am 

Hi! First time to listen to your podcast.And of course,love love loving it! I agree with all of your choices and found myself nodding to every scene described. These moments played out in my head as if I was watching them all over again. I’m soooo invested!Haha!

Well,another favorite episode of mine would be “Nat saves the day” (Oct. 6) And I’m pretty hyped and biased about this because it’s my birthday This episode was amazing, with the photoshoot, Olivia – the owner of the hotel -”sprawled” on her hotel room’s bed and being stubborn and gorgeous. Then Nat taking the initiative to step in for Ollie. And geez, herself was looking mighty fine with the white jacket! But what most especially struck me was the way Liv looked at Nat and smiled while Nat was talking with Decker.It was a moment’s work and can’t help but get a thousand butterflies in my tummy seeing it!Olivia just looked utterly smitten.And then the “she’s mine.no poaching” remark to Decker when he said that Nat was a “keeper.”Oh hell yeah Liv, she’s yours obviously…perpetually…heavenly…blissfully…

And I’ll just end it right there.Hehe.

I’ll be listening to your previous podcasts and no doubt, you guys will have me laughing again and too, enlightened, with your interpretations and views, for things I would never have thought or seen initially for a particular episode. Appreciate your attention to details. Overall, you guys are simply doing a great job! Kudos to your fun analyses!

Listening to PaaV from the Philippines

vons0654

Diane on Sat, 27th Jun 2009 11:02 am 

My too-long top ten. Very October-centered because that’s where I was in my re-watch when I started the list. If it were any other month, well, let’s just say difficult choices abound…

top – near kiss – for obvious and not obvious reasons. when i was roped into this crazy otalia ride, i was started with the post-two mommies kiss. i had no context for it, so while they were incredible scenes, it wasn’t enough to get me on board [don't stone me, dj, and i won't stone you]. the near kiss in the hospital? that is something easily understood without any context. that hooked me – i particularly like porter’s take on it.

10/10 – after natalia rescues olivia from photo shoot, she gets her out of the china trip. “do you trust me?” “yes.” i miss the days when natalia was more overtly asserting herself, but i appreciate the quiet strength that has her running out on her own wedding, standing up to olivia (”i know what it means when you tell someone you love them”), standing up to fr. eyebrow, standing up to fripple, being honest about whether she can move back in with olivia, being honest about being out of her element (spa wkd), trying to figure out stuff with god, and dealing with her juvenile, just-out-of-the-clink son. she’s so present in each of these moments – it has always bothered me that she said “i think of you all the time” to olivia last week but i never get to see it because she’s so present…but that’s strength and honesty essential to her character and i’m coming to grips with it. i digress.

4/22 – “i know what it means when you tell someone you love them.” for all of the very real things people feel and say when they’re surprised to have declared their love for someone (out loud. to you.) they never imagined loving.

10/13 – a lot of great one-liner from both o and nat and you can see o starting to form a “friendship” (as defined by dr. phil, of course). in my view, this isn’t the beginning of her love for nat – other than love for her as a friend – but there are definitely seeds. she’s not had a lot of women friends that she needs and can trust. she’s learning that nat can be that person. important for her character arc (she’s still mean), but also for their relationship.

10/22 – “freaking superhero” – again, i’m watching october, but o is starting to push nat to be more than she has thought of herself – of course, “more” is standing on a stool in front of three “staff” members (one of three scenes that makes me laugh uncontrollably – in addition to the scene where o has a computer mouse around her neck as a prop and a scene from last week when frank and buzz are standing next to each other in company and their hair IS THE SAME).

X-mas – such an important moment for olivia and emma – she realizes how much emma misses out living at a hotel (duh) and it crops up every now and again (like when she ran into reva at the gas station). one of the instances during which you see olivia really start to think about what she wants for herself and emma (i.e. a family). she’s also slowing figuring out that she wants to have that family with natalia.

can’t remember the date, but the episode shortly after philip returns and terrified olivia is comforted by natalia who comforts her by telling her that they will fight together to keep emma from philip. i think olivia is wearing a redish, pinkish scoop t that dani loves so much.

frank proposal. i admit it. i love angst. one of my top favorite angst moments is when nat looks at olivia watching the proposal (and keeps looking for her when they are inside and hesitates when frank says we need to get married because of your religion [so that i can get in your pants]). this scene follows JL/NR leaning against the FOL post, which CC talked about in her podcast. if i were picking a place for them to kiss, it would be there.

olivia’s toast. more angst and part of the “dance” they do to avoid actually talking about what’s going on between them. love it.

olivia’s graveyard confession. no list is complete (though it is not terribly original) with CC’s finest of many many fine performances.

stargazzer77 on Sat, 27th Jun 2009 9:14 pm 

I’d agree with most of your choices but have to agree with Diane about the “freaking superhero” episode it’s 1 of my favorites it’s the 1st time Natalia (and we) get to see how Olivia see’s her.

I think the argument they have after the Tower’s family dinner and Olivia playin’ up to the two mum’s calling Natalia honey would make my top 10, just because you see Natalia so worried about what people will think and Oliva’s voice breaking as she say’s “it’s none of their business” it kind of reflects their positions since the wedding scenes.

Ana on Sat, 27th Jun 2009 9:33 pm 

Great podcast, as always. Dani I can’t believe you actually said “take a bath in hot lesbians” you are way too funny, and the visual that popped into my head was just not right.

Fine choices by both of you for your top ten. I wrote down the dates of the eps and rewatched them, and it made me fall in love with Otalia all over again. My only complaint is that there was way to much Frank in some of these.

Maybe for JL’s mat leave we can come up with top 5 least fav scenes (I bet they’ll all probably happen this week).

Can’t wait to hear the next podcast, we’ll need some cheering up and you guys are all about the funny.

Thanks – Ana

ashleelynn7 on Sat, 27th Jun 2009 11:58 pm 

Ok, so the fact that you guys even ATTEMPTED to make a top ten list out of the plethora of amazingness out there is beyond commendable. So I commend you You both picked some incredible scenes.

Liz- I thank you for naming the 8/7/08 clip b/c I completely forgot it existed and I have rediscovered how awesome it is.

Dani- I cannot watch the Gentle as a Lamb w/out rewinding Liv going off on Rafe at least 5 times lol. Great pick.

I love your list but I would have to add the scene from 3/11/09 with the “maybe God has someone for me but its just not who I expected.” Great scene.

Yet again a pod filled with awesomeness. You guys rock my socks.

Kishiyaya on Sun, 28th Jun 2009 5:23 pm 

Thank you PaaV for always coming up with a brand new form of torture, I mean, fun. I loved this special pod, and it inspired me to try and tackle this mondo task, so here goes. These are my 10 (minus wedding week).

April 21, 2008 Not chosen, believe it or not, for first mention of tuna casserole, but for the story arc that goes to Liv being in the hospital.When Jeffrey arrives to ask what happened (see 7:40), Liv gives Nat a slight glance which Nat recognizes and then covers/protects Liv (mind you they still mostly hate/resent each other) but Liv gives the smallest of smiles in response – awesome! Non-verbal communication, FTW!

Oct 6, 2008 When I first heard of Otalia, I decided to hit up backstory first and landed on this ep as my very first. So its near and dear, but also holds lots of wonderful things, first, Natalia is a smart cookie and is good in a crisis, second, all the appreciative looks from Olivia, and how well she plays off Natalia to keep the ruse going, and of course “no poaching, she’s mine” hell yeah!

Oct 28, 2008 Great arc in early days of Nat working for Liv – I love the part at the top where Natalia plays with Liv over the suit description (yes, Nat likes to play) and elicits a great smile from Liv and then the arc to the end where Olivia says, “I could have done it without you, but it was much better because you were here” and then the brilliant smile by Nat in response. It shows sensitivity and caring, and this is Olivia, the boss from hell? Uh no, not where Natalia is concerned, like ever.

Dec 15, 2008 Just about a perfect episode arc – amazing (and intense) discussion between Nat/Liv over how the money was returned, and at what cost. And could it end any better with Nat inviting Liv to live with her? Another glorious JL smile – are you sensing a trend?

Jan 2, 2009 Liz & Dani do this episode proud! Only thing to add is I’m a sucker for Nat’s stealth sense of humor, ie,“That was close, the doors almost closed on [Emma]” which often seems to delight/catch Liv off guard. A sure sign of love, does she make you laugh? uh huh.

Jan 13, 2009 – amazing ep with the whole kitchen exchange and then the confessions of “I thought you wanted to move out” so sweet, and cute – Nat’s look at 5:19 is one of my all time favs. awwwww.

Feb 4, 2009 – Olivia’s passionate defense of Natalia to Doris – CC does a brilliant job delivering this, and is it any wonder that after this speech Doris has zero doubt about Liv’s true feelings for Nat? She knows Olivia has it bad already even before she’s figured it out for herself.

March 11, 2009 – I adore this episode from everything that it contains (although some may dismiss it because Frank, gak, makes it to the kitchen table – nooooo!). Firstly JL acts the hell out of the kitchen/proposal scene (I’d love a PaaV breakdown one day), and her searching for Olivia in the house was heartbreaking. Then of course Doris at the gay bar –hello! Then Nat waiting for Liv on the porch (and of course she’s been waiting how long in the cold for her?) –I got a clear hit of a seductive/serious look from Nat to Liv which Liv tries to deflect, and sets up the kitchen discussion, where so much critical dialogue happens, which will echo wedding week. amazing ep.

March 26, 2009 – near kiss

May 6, 2009 – okay I chose this spa eppy for the suitcase fight. I know I’m weird, but as much as I adore the sweet, and tender moments between these two, these days I’m really needing to feel the passion that they had during wedding week. And so, we get it in a displaced sense with the suitcase fight, it was still awesome, and hilarious. And the fact that they can never remain mad at each other, makes me love them even more.

Bonus: so as a special form of torture, I made myself pick one day out of wedding week, which is pretty damn hard because Olivia’s graveside confession, albeit over the course of two epps, is as close to perfection as you can get. But I chose April 13 because the snowy backdrop is so stunning, and JL’s delivery of “I love you Olivia” twangs deep in a special heart place for me. Also I needed to hear her saying to Olivia “You are everything to me” especially going into this week. Maybe I need to replay this for Nat too…

In case you want it, here it is via youtube Kish Top 10 Playlist

dj on Sun, 28th Jun 2009 7:31 pm 

P.S. No way was that intro too geeky. Put those titles on your business cards.

Liz on Wed, 1st Jul 2009 12:01 am 

Heather- Its a date!

Vons- welcome to the vortex! I love that scene (Oct 6), the way Crystal says “spraaaaawwwwled” alway makes me laugh! Thanks so much for the sweet words. We have a blast doing it (and I want pics from the Philippines!!)

Diane- I love the girls last fall! Seriously. Every episode was amazing.

Stargazzer- I love that scene too! You’re talking about the, “Lets face it, shes a hottie” scene, right? Love.

Ashlee- it was honestly WAY harder than I thought it would be and we had like, 3 weeks to prepare.

Kish- you’re awesomeness never ceases to amaze me.

DJ- done and done

XO

JCF on Wed, 1st Jul 2009 12:27 am 

Since you ended up on the *one* scene I suggested (Mirror Scene), I obviously have no complaints. [Totally ho-yay on Olivia's Engagement Party Toast, too. Made of awesome!]

Damn, you guys have done another podcast now. Go away for 10 days, and it’s hell trying to catch up! :-X

Comments?