Foreword
I’m finally caught up on my viewing, and just in time for there to be nothing on to watch on television. It sucks. But since promos for both 24 and The Shield are running strong I’m getting excited for the Winter premieres. Still it does some like forever until they begin.
My Recent Viewing
The Boondocks – I’m finally getting to get why people don’t dig the N word. The episode with the fight seemed to use it a bit excessively. The show is still funny, but I’m just beginning to see what the critics are attacking. I can also see myself calling for an end to the show. But that will have to wait for a future column.
Boston Legal – This show has really gotten better since the somewhat preachy anti war episode. With episodes dealing with both night terrors and bestiality, it’s made for some interesting viewing. Alan’s night terrors were pretty scary. I was worried for him. I did find his fear of clowns to be kind of corny, or at least handled that way.
Nip/Tuck – One of the cool things about watching three or four episodes of this show in succession was being able to view character arcs. For instance Christian’s arc from being the resident “good guy” to forcing a woman to wear a bag over her head as he shagged her. While I thought his turn as the “good guy” a bit much too take, it was nice to see him doing his lipstick critique routine again. I liked watching him get rejected by his mother and then “again” by Kimber. But damn was he harsh with the Paper Bag girl. Y’know what; I’m actually going to devote a later part of the column to this show. I just hope you find it worth the wait.
Prison Break – Wow! Actual Black characters on this show? Cool! As much as this show balances on the thin line that contains the suspension of disbelief, I really do enjoy it.
It’s nice to see that every character who is introduced plays a role. That walking hunk of turd that I wanted T-Bag to turn out really did prove useful in getting Michael’s watch back. I am going to miss both Abruzzi and Quinn. Quinn had really grown on me quickly in a short time. But on the plus side the exit of Quinn has restored Kellerman to the role of #1 in my heart (well maybe a joint #1 with T-Bag). What can I say; the bad guys are more interesting than Mister McSquinty.
Lost – Ok, I’m completely convinced that they’re making this thing up as they go along. The Black Stallion? Kate having a nervous breakdown over her guilt? Boo. I did dig the Eko/Locke collabo. And it was cool to see Adebisi and Augustus watching something other than Ms. Sally.
The flashback to the “other” side of the island was decent, but didn’t answer too many questions. I didn’t like the fact that Ana Lucia (like Jack) worked with a parent. Her lost pregnancy was practically telegraphed and her subsequent seclusion strikes me as odd.
I’m also a bit perturbed by the lack time given to the reintegration of both those on the raft and those on the tail end of the plane. Shouldn’t the survivors from the front end be discouraged that the raft experiment failed? Shouldn’t they be really scared by the tales the tailies are telling of “the others”? Poor storytelling if you ask me.
My Name is Earl – Now this is a show that deserves the acclaim it’s getting. It’s funny, well written and well acted. I appreciated how Earl realized that scratching his father off of his list was going to be an ongoing thing. It shows a bit of maturity for the character. I’m really liking this show and I’ve got faith that it’s got some legs.
The Office – This show isn’t for everyone. My roommates fall asleep on this one every week. But I dig it, perhaps because I “get” it. I love the awkward pauses. I dig the phrasing and stammering. Sure not all of the characters are completely fleshed out, but the ones that are do shine. John’s house party was comedy, if only because he had to prove to his roommate that Dwight was real (I’ve got the same thing going on, trying to prove to my roommate that there is a white Omega…from Iowa).
Smallville – Ok, this show has been getting better. I liked how Brainiac was developed. The Silver Kryptonite was kind of corny, but it worked in the whole scheme of things. My roommate says that Silver Kryptonite makes kryptonians act like Meth addicts. I liked how Brainiac was really trying to smear Jor el, and that he wanted Zod as much as I did. I do wish that Lex wasn’t completely as dark as he is.
Extras – Man was this show funny. Of course I loved the race episode, because it works so well with the “awkomedy” form. But the finale with Patrick Stewart had me rolling. To see Stewart so off type was the funniest thing I’ve witnessed in awhile. His reaction finding out that Andy hadn’t seen Star Trek was priceless. Of course it got a bit serious, but then Patrick ended it with a bang. Great show.
Reunion – This show sucks, but in such a glorious way. Wasn’t the swerve of who died and who didn’t was played out? What I didn’t get about that episode was why the hell Sam was talking about 1990 at her reunion? And wouldn’t the reveal that Craig can walk have had more impact if we’d seen more of him in the chair?
I’m curious how the plotting of the show goes. I want to know how they decide who triggers the flashback. But yeah this show is just sloppy. Too much time is spent on exposition explaining what’s happened the time between episodes. The show really had too much going against it to really succeed and the lack of talent doesn’t help things. Still I can’t wait to attack next week’s episode.
Desperate Housewives – Color me surprised, another miscarriage. I still don’t care for Bree. Susan needs to be the next character to die. Lynette isn’t as interesting given the lack of screen time for the twins. Gabriella is just two-dimensional. I honestly do read throughout the episodes.
Grey’s Anatomy – Poor George is getting no action. It’s painful to watch as he still pines for Meredith. Alex acting funny with Izzy, was forgivable but him cheating on her was the nail in the coffin. I could see her accepting that he was under stress and dealing with the Boards as an excuse for his standoffish behavior and lack of performance. But to slide it in another woman its over.
As for the McDreamy/Meredith/Wife triangle, I’m glad that he chose the wifepiece. Meredith was too needy. I do foresee a drunken hook up in their future. Thanksgiving with George was nice. I do like seeing the Christina/Burke romance creep toward normality. As much as I want to hate this show, it’s really a solid piece of work.
Greatest Show I’ve Seen…in a Minute – Rome
Like I’ve said on numerious occasions I’m no history buff so much of this show was “new” to me. I’ll even admit to having the season finale catch me off guard (though I vaguely remember the phrase “assassinated on the Senate floor” being used in conjunction with Caesar.) Watching the actual assassination was brutal to watch. It was tre bloody.
How Lucius was disposed of was a good play but equally painful to witness. Seeing the rage build within him and his confrontation with his wife was almost too much to bear. And of course her panicking and meeting her end was just tragic. It literally broke my heart. I cannot wait for the next season.
My Further Thoughts on Nip/Tuck
Like I said I’ve enjoyed Christian’s arc, but Sean’s arc left much to be desired. I found it pretty annoying that he got attached to Ms. Witness Protection Program. I understand that his life was in disarray, but to really believe that he could start over with them was kind of a stretch.
Matt becoming an Aryan Youth is refreshing. He’s so obviously full of rage it’s kind of odd that he hadn’t found this before. And the way that his transsexual encounters paved the way for this transformation was pretty well done.
Quentin seems a bit reckless. I mean is this bisexual cokehead the same guy who was doing plastic surgery in Africa? His downward spiral isn’t being portrayed that way, which is kind of disturbing. It’s almost as if the writers were abandoning his character because they needed a way to get him off of the show.
Julia is kind of unbelievable. I find it hard to accept that she’d hook up with Quentin after having been married to Sean (first season) and had a fling with Christian (last season). But her hooking up with Q does bolster my belief that in the forth season she hooks up with Liz.
As for the Carver I’m going with the Detective. He carved Christian’s threesome buddy because she tried to take over the case. He kidnapped Kimber for some reason I don’t know why. I just can’t think of who else the Carver could be. And why didn’t the letter Kimber sent to Christian have any blood on it? Kimber was a mess; there should’ve been some blood.
Good News/Bad News/Question of the Week
This is usually where I pose an inane scenario. But this week we’ve got a scenario that’s posed by loyal reader George Metcalf.
Good news; your life is exciting. Bad news; someone you know has been murdered. Good news; the victim you never liked anyway, that nasty lazy bastard from accounting got what was coming. Bad news; you’re going to be interviewed by the police. Good news; at least it will be a hilarious investigation.
So who is a member of your police department, Lt. Frank Drebin, of short-lived Police Squad, or Police Chief Clancy Wiggum of Springfield’s finest?
Just send me your answers and we’ll post them next week.
Links
Tim Stevens delves deeper into Nip/Tuck than I did.
Kevin Wong also digs Grey’s Anatomy
Matt shares his thoughts on both Nip/Tuck and Lost.
And finally a week ago Josh hadn’t heard of The Boondocks. Hopefully that’s been rectified.
J.A.M.
A is for Aaron who’s back from a jaunt in Utah. He’s also at the top of his game. You’ve got to read it. He even gives me some TV trivia. Thanks Cam!
J is for Joe Reid who gives you his thoughts on a movie trailer (emphasis on “thoughts”). He also professes his love for Gray’s Anatomy.
Over at The Film Experience Joe gives you a quick rundown of his recent film viewing and has plenty of news to boot.
And that’s about it. I’ll catch y’all next week. Later.
