First and foremost, how about the new layout of the site? I must admit, I was a little skeptical of a new design (since I was such a fan of the original one), but I must admit that I think the new layout looks great. It’s still very professional looking, easily accessible, and lately I’ve found (generally speaking) the navigation bar on the side of a website the easiest way to navigate. I especially like how you can categorize the latest listings (news, columns, reviews, etc). Highest compliments to all involved in the new set up.
CONTINUITY POLICE, VOLUME 2:
This feature got some pretty positive feedback next week, which I’m glad about. So what’s on the plate this week?
Oh Saved By The Bell, where do we even start?
The lack of continuity between the “Miss Bliss era” and the better known, more popular era is astounding. Normally I would let this slide, but considering that the characters maintain the same name, identity, and relationships, the drastic “little things” (and sometimes not-so-little-things) that differ can sometimes make your head spin.
First and foremost, location. In the Miss Bliss era, the school Zack, Mr. Belding, Screech, Lisa, and the rest of the gang attended was in Indiana. Strangely, with no explanation whatsoever as to why the school, its principal, and many of the centerpiece students would simultaneously up and move, the show was suddenly based in California.
Along with that, there’s Zack. In the Miss Bliss era, his parents were divorced and his father’s name was Peter. In the later years, his parents are married and his dad’s name is Derrick. In one episode, Mikey (Zack’s best friend during the Miss Bliss era) mentions Zack having a sister. Throughout the rest of the series, he’s an only child.
And, perhaps the ultimate little thing that has bothered me: The fact that Zack constantly makes references to knowing Kelly and, particularly Jessie since kindergarten. This, of course, is inconsistent with the fact that Kelly and Jessie were not on during the early years.
I always found it strange that the show would essentially keep all the characters, with the same names, and basically the same back story, but then make such drastic changes that completely contradict the show’s continuity, instead of just creating a new show from scratch. And this is not like most television series, where many changes are made after the pilot episode. No, the Miss Bliss era lasted two seasons, I believe. And honestly, was it all that crucial to the series that it is set in California? Why not just keep it in Indiana?
THE 4400:
I actually caught last night’s episode, so I’ll discuss both that one and last week’s. This show is slowly creeping up as one of my favorite televisions shows, period. It gets my highest recommendation.
Last week’s episode was interesting in the fact that it didn’t follow the usual formula. Most of the time, the show has a side story revolving around the abilities of a previously unknown 4400 character, while the regulars progress in their story arcs. Instead, last week’s episode focused exclusively on the regulars and what’s going on with them (which makes sense, considering how close they are to the season finale).
I really enjoyed the fact that Shawn and his brother are reconciling, especially since I was worried that they would rehash the storyline of Danny and Shawn fighting over the same woman. I liked how they overcame any potential conflict, and decided to act like mature adults. Even better, they ended the scene by doing the exact opposite, acting like juvenile siblings, as they throw soaped up sponges at each other.
The Kyle story continues to fascinate me. What I thought was especially powerful was when Tom found where Kyle was hiding. Kyle stands up, and the two stare each other down. Kyle slowly starts walking towards them, and it seems as if the two might embrace. Instead, Kyle attempts making a run for it, before Tom stops him. It was symbolic of their relationship, and I really liked how Tom decided to protect his son instead of doing his job. I was surprised however, that Tom would allow another person to take the blame for a crime he knows he didn’t commit.
Perhaps my favorite part of the episode was the final scene, when Diana assured Maia that the tough part was behind them. Just after Diana leaves the room, Maia says to herself “Not yet.”
Last night’s episode was another interesting one. I’m definitely wondering where this whole thing with the rashes on the 4400 is going, as well as them going into quarantine next week. Most intriguing of all is the fact that Shawn’s abilities are evidently no longer worker.
I also found it odd that, for the past few weeks, we haven’t seen any progression with the Isabel storyline, despite the fact that it seemed like such a central issue at the end of last season and the beginning of this one. This episode Richard, Lilly, and Isabel return, and it seems as if Isabel is now communicating the Richard, but is shunning Lilly. This is a strange twist, and I’m not quite sure where it’s going. I have a feeling it has something to do with the fact that Lilly was suspicious of Isabel’s sinister behavior, however that wasn’t really touched upon this week. Nevertheless, it seems quite obvious that there has been a great deal of tension between Richard and Lilly all season, and it’s likely to hit a boiling point by season’s end.
THE DEAD ZONE:
I saw last night’s episode of The Dead Zone, too. However, my comments are relatively brief, since I’m getting very tired as I write this, and I haven’t even talked about Lost yet (not to mention, I’m watching Harvey Birdman at the moment).
Last week’s episode brought us the return of the ongoing Stillson storyline, which was interesting. I’m really wondering when and how they’re going to conclude this arc, which has thus far lasted the entire series. In the movie (and, I believe, the book as well) Johnny assassinates Stillson and gets killed himself (his fate was basically the same as the one he envisioned Rebecca having in last year’s season finale), but I obviously don’t see that ending happening here. However, with the season nearing its end, it doesn’t look like we’ll see the conclusion any time this season.
I was also a bit mystified by Sarah’s behavior towards Johnny, especially when he half-jokingly went to touch her belly. What was unusual was the fact that, for the first time, it seemed like Sarah was treating Johnny as being different and – using harsher lingo – a freak. However, Sarah and Walt having a child has a great deal of interesting storyline potential.
I had mixed feelings about last night’s episode, but the ending left me greatly intrigued. I’m still a little confused as to whether or not Johnny’s father had visions or not, but I was surprised to learn that Johnny actually had visions his entire life (or, at the very least, when he was a young child). It was an odd episode, to say the least.
Something I did like was the fact that, for once, Reverend Purdy was portrayed as a warm, caring person (for the most part), instead of the under handed, somewhat manipulative person he’s usually presented as. It’s important to remember that, as far as we can tell, Purdy isn’t an evil person, he’s just somewhat misguided in his method of guiding others. This episode helped show the better side of him.
LOST:
I particularly liked this episode because it differed from many of the others. We usually walk into character flashbacks with no knowledge whatsoever about their relationships at home and how they end. Here, we know a bit about Michael and Walt. Obviously, we know they’re father and son. We also know that they were only united before the flight, and that Walt’s mother had passed away. We usually don’t go into flashbacks and back stories with this much knowledge.
However, what made this episode so good was that we really don’t know that much about Michael and Walt’s relationship. I was personally under the impression that Michael may not have even known he had a son. Or, at the very least, he didn’t care. I had also assumed that Walt’s mother and “father” had been killed in a car crash. Instead, we learn that Michael was actually a very loving father, and that he was devastated when Walt’s mother moved and took him away with her. He also made constant attempts to pursue a father/son relationship with him, before finally giving up (out of obvious heartache).
Further, we learned that the man who raised and adopted Walt didn’t want to keep him, and willingly gave up custody of him, basically pleading Michael to take him. In turn, I found Michael’s willingness (perhaps reluctant willingness) to care for Walt pretty admirable, considering all that Michael had to deal with emotionally, in addition to the burden it would add to his life. I also thought it was really classy that Michael led Walt to believe that it was Michael’s decision to have custody of him (basically painting himself as the bad guy in the scenario), to protect his feelings.
Something that I found somewhat disappointing, however, was the fact that Walt had his abilities before he was stranded on the island. To me, it seemed like the island had mystical powers in itself, or that it made otherwise dormant abilities emerge. It felt like it was the island that gave Locke the ability to walk again, much like how it was the island that gave Walt his unusual skills. That said, I’m curious if Walt was responsible for the initial polar bear attack from an earlier episode, like he was this episode.
On a side note, I enjoyed the scene where Michael attempted to reach out to Walt (by asking Walt if he likes the drawings in the comic), only to fail and respond with anger and resentment. I also liked Locke’s continued budding relationship with Boone, as well as Shannon’s apparent hurt jealousy in response to it. Locke also showed a great deal of character and restraint this episode. He remains a difficult character to read.
YOUR TV FUN FACT OF THE WEEK:
Everybody’s favorite childhood show, Sesame Street, has a plethora of interesting facts that most people probably don’t know about. I’ve settled on this one. Enjoy:
The Count was born on 9 October 1,830,653 B.C.
Anyway, that’s it for this week. Enjoy the new layout of the website, and keep on truckin’!
