Painting by Wanda Comrie

5 things we’re doing besides thinking about Westworld’s season finale

Any fans of J.J. Abrams’ latest small-screen epic here? I can hardly keep the storylines straight but it doesn’t even matter. The show is a feast for the eyes and last week’s season finale truly delivered. It’s much too nice of a day to get into the details of it here (and let’s be honest, I wouldn’t do it justice anyway), but I’ll leave you with this timely line from Dolores as she and Caleb (aka Jesse Pinkman) maneuver their way through violent street riots during a time of, well, global crisis: “Change is messy, difficult.”

And because balance is important, this week’s 5 things is all about things that have made us smile this week. — valerie

1. Fawning over these beautiful light-capturing paintings by Wanda Comrie.
2. Enjoying episodes of Some Good News with John Krasinsky. It’s like it sounds.
3. Clutching my heart at this story of Emerson Weber, an 11-year old with countless epistolary friendships, who gave heartfelt thanks to her mail carrier, Doug, for the role he plays in keeping her connected.
4. Watching Becoming Ruby, a short film by Brooklyn Bell, about the alter ego she summons to help her break barriers as a woman of color bombing hills on her mountain bike in Bellingham, Washington.
5. Cry-laughing at comedy writer Jordan Firstman’s impression of truffle oil.

P.S. Don’t forget to wish the mother figures in your life a Happy Mother’s Day this Sunday.