I just wanted to thank whoever on AMC realized that we were drowning in nonstop, heavy (and dull) storylines which needed a little levity. While I could give a flying fig if Erica ends up with Jack, Samuel or the waiter, or all three at once, I appreciate Zen's inclusion and the fact that they were both written with some sensitivity for barging in on Erica and what Samuel was going through. I was glad to see a Kerica scene that didn't involve orange jumpsuits and a wire screen separating them. And I was so happy to see Zen not babysitting the Laverys and the Smythe/Devanes today. What a welcome relief!

I just realized that the last time we saw Zen with Erica at a snarky dinner was Bianca's goodbye party from April 2007. And the snark was kept to a minimum there because it was all about Binks leaving and Greenlee showing up and lurking. The last group Thanksgiving was Nov. 2006--thanks very much, B&E. Wow. It's been that long.

I missed Josh. I missed any reference to Ian's first birthday. But not enough to make me dislike today's Zen scenes. And I thought that TK and AM were enjoying the diversion of not digging into Richie's death or discussing to the point of nausea whom Ryan loves and what Greenlee is going to do. I especially thought AM played the flirty, sexy stuff well in their last scene together, though I give both TK and AM credit for being a good comedy team throughout the show.

I'm not feeling Frankie's need to wallop all things that go against Randi the Whore. But kudos to Joanna Cohen for having Jake remember he was married to Emily Ann, whose mom was Donna the Former Hooker. That was a chestnut from the past.

I thought the Aidan/Annie scenes were funny, and not funny like the Zen/Jerica/Carmen/Jack scenes were funny. Aidan can't make small talk and he can't come up with a plausible excuse for why he's digging into Annie's past. And if he's looking for Ryan, why not call the guy who hired him to investigate his botched vasectomy, rather than show up at the Laverys looking for Ryan?

I have only seen the Zen/Carmen/Jerica/Samuel scenes, which I somewhat enjoyed. The best part about today’s episode was that we actually got to see the Slater’s without the average people (Ryan, Annie, Aidan and Greenlee) tagging along. I loved that little Zen kiss at the end and Lish/Kendall saying “give me some suga” that was so sweet, natural and so Zen.

I could not agree more, Jules!! I loved how flirty and happy Kendall/Lish looked in that last scene, it put a smile on my face. Plus TK and Lish play so well off of each other that they made today's interaction between Zach and Kendall, look so easy and natural.

I loved the light hearted humor of the show today. Except for Ryan and Greenlee whose scenes are becoming so predictable and boring, the Zen/Erica scenes were a welcome sight. Zach and Kendall were finally with family and for a while at least away from the toxic four. Not even the mention of you-know-who was a relief.

Zach and Kendall were so much like the old Zen. They were playful, snarky and loving. Loved Kendall's answer to Zach's "Gotta make it worth my while" remark. Brought back memories of the romantically delicious "Lucky Shoes" scenes.

What put a damper on a somewhat good show was the lack of mention of Ian's birthday, while Kendall noted Spike's. Another casualty of the writing that worships only the Lavery spawn. I hope that Pratt changes that focus. Ian is the only baby on the show conceived out of love by a happily married couple..... a rarity on any soap. He deserves special mention and not to be ignored. Ian Slater is a prince and should be treated as one!

If the writers are trying to garner sympathy for Ryan, by making him this pathetic hero/victim pining for his "true love" Greenlee, they are failing miserably IMO. I find his attempt at being noble rather boring. His poor puppy expressions are becoming irritating. I would respect the character a lot more if he was truthful with Annie and Greenlee about his feelings instead of deceiving both.

Carmen is hilarious, but they do have to find her a place on the show that would delve a little more into her character and not just a Jerica propper and for comic relief.

I TOTALLY AGREE! I love AM and TK they rock!!! They other charaters on AMC need to get more exciteing!

Valley Inn - I'm so glad that the Valley Inn is back. Seems like it took a backseat to the Comeback there for a long time, and that was just stupid. I'm incredibly glad we got to see Zen there today too! They weren't essential to the Sam/Erica/Jackass thing, but they made it so much more fun and interesting. Plus, I mean, after all the hoopla of getting Erica out of prison, you'd think she'd be all about seeing her family. It was great to see Carmen too, but I was all about the Zen. The looks they kept giving each other were cracking me up. And Zach's line about making it worth his while to stay, along with Kendall's trenchcoat response, well . . . fantastic. I love it when they're all fun and flirty like that, smooching at the table and everything while Erica's testosterone tug-of-war was going on. I must say though, that I, too, was pissed that they mentioned that Spike turned two without mentioning Ian turning one--WTF?! I get that they can't make the Greenskeeze out to be the victim when it comes to Ian's birthday, but come on! ARGH!!! . . . I'd be okay if they change the date a little, I guess, as long as they give him some attention!

I also like the potential Zach/Sam friendship and the potential Kendall/Sam friendship--or just acquaintanceship--too. Jackass is so toxic, I'd like to see a beau of Erica's who treats her kids with respect. If Carmen would stop pimping Jerica and talking about Charm, I'd like to see her in the fold too. Who I'd really like to see with the family though, is Josh. I'm so friggin' bummed about CE going on recurring!

BJ's - Thank you, Jake.

Urology Clinic - Wow, is anyone really that transparent? Is anyone really that stupid?

Penthouse - Did anyone else find it weird to watch Annie interacting with Emma? It's like, since she's all psycho now and everything, poor Emma's just not safe. And as far as the Aidan/Annie stuff goes . . . Aidan, you're just not as subtle as one would hope, and Annie, my dear, you're just not half as clever as you think you are.

Confusion - Does anyone else want Annie to--in one of her psycho jealous rages, of course--burn Confusion (and Fusion) to the ground . . . with certain people inside? I could get behind that storyline.

GO TEAM SLATER!!! :yay

ITA Jules. Zen were perfect yesterday. Zach wanting to leave, Kendall wanting to see what was going to happen between Jack/Erica/ Sam. I totally loved when Kendall said to Zach you need a nickname and he said no I don't. Too cute.

I wasn't happy that they mentioned Spike was 2 and nothing about Ian being 1 (or a birthday) but at least they mentioned the boys.

As for Ryan/GB, who cares.