Both Maggie and Eliot said essentially the same thing: it's not the drinking itself that's the problem. Poor Nate. And props to Tim Hutton, who's breaking my heart with every little expression on Nate's face.

What's keeping Nate from total woobification? Being a sadistic bastard, maybe. Nate Ford refuses to be anybody's woobie.

I need to see that "are you an alcoholic" quiz. Anyone got a link?

I like Nate a lot more this half-season than before. Maybe it's because the sadistic bastard thing is so much more out in the open.

As for the mean thing Eliot does with his eyes. Not quite accurate. He also does it with his mouth too. It's very evil.

Hee. I would be scared if I saw it.

I also loved how he denied knowing what she was talking about, and then, of course, did it. If Tara ate my sandwich at me and then Eliot gave me the look, I would totally capitulate. To whatever!

I agree. I like Nate much more. It's remarkable to me how much it's possible for characters to grow on me like this. You would think I'd have to hit a saturation point. But apparently no.

I think that's the biggest pull for me about this show--the charisma of the team.

It's also a big draw for me in White Collar, but there it's primarily two people. Here it's a team of five. And if you'd asked me a season ago, I'd have had nothing much to say outside of Hardison/Parker/Eliot, but now I'm feeling insanely protective of Nate and Sophie too.

If Tara ate my sandwich at me

I like how Tara has a very different style of grifting than Sophie. She still feels wrong and Not a Part of the Team, as she should, but she's effective in her role.

I need to see that "are you an alcoholic" quiz. Anyone got a link?

Off of the top of my head

1. Do you get drunk more than twice a year
2. Have you ever thrown up from drinking
3. Have you ever done something that you regret because you were drunk
4. Do you need a drink to get going in the morning
5. Do you hide alcohol
6. Have you ever blacked out from drinking

1, 2, and 3 seem like most people's college experience.

I tend to use this arbitrary personal test with others:

• Do you always bring liquor to gatherings, which you then drink?
  

• Do you find people who don't drink mystifying and/or annoying?
  

• Is it impossible for you to imagine enjoying an activity without having alcohol to go with it?
  

• Do you tend to plan your day around when you get that first drink and become angry with anything that keeps you from that goal?

Not that I ask those questions of anyone--I just notice stuff like a friend who insists on bringing a bottle of tequila to every gathering, even if that gathering is at three in the afternoon.

So if Nate's drinking is the symptom, how would you qualify the problem itself? Anger? Pain? Self-loathing? I tend to see his alcoholism as a bigger part of the problem than they're saying.

Nate is a sadistic bastard who hasn't gotten over his rage at the world, despite a detente with his wife and a victory over IYS. I think he drinks to self-medicate past that.

He also drinks so that he can ignore the fact that he likes being on the grey side of the law.