Two Hour Events Suck!
I’m tired of things being touted as “two hour events.” The season finale of Nip/Tuck was called a two hour event and it was just two episodes slapped together. The same thing happened with Sleeper Cell on Showtime. Hell, even BBC America showed the last two episodes of NY-Lon back to back.
Putting two hour-long episodes back to back doesn’t constitute a “two hour event.” A two-hour season finale is plotted as a singular thing, not plotted as two distinct hours. It really pisses me off when it’s obvious that I’ve been lied to.
What I Watched Last Week
Actually there wasn’t too much new on. But what I did mange to catch was pretty solid.
Sleeper Cell – I actually caught the last four hours of the this show. I was really caught off guard when Ryan died, but looking back it was pretty obvious that he was destined to die because he had a happy family scene earlier in that episode.
The terrorist plot detailed in Sleeper Cell was pretty frightening. It was a thorough plan. The deranged shooter distraction was the scary part. And I’ll admit to being kind of sad when Christian was killed. Tommy was a waste, but his end was kind of poignant. Over all I was impressed with this show. One thing though, I swore it was a miniseries, yet Showtime called the finale a “season finale.” Apparently this thing is coming back.
Smallville – I caught the episode that reran this week, the episode after the season premiere. I liked seeing Chloe upset that Pete knew Clark’s secret, but it might have been because Pete was referenced period. It was nice to see Lana and Clark get down and dirty.
Reunion – My, do I love hating this show. First off why did they try to cover an entire year in one episode? Maybe it’s just me, but when I can see someone’s breath in a scene that’s supposed to be the Fourth of July, it kind of takes me out of the illusion.
I’d really like some explanation as to why Craig trusts will so much. As I point out every column Will tried to steal Craig’s fiancé just before the wedding and Will put Craig’s father in jail.
And this episode’s flashback seemed really farfetched. But what are you going to do; the writing sucks. I really hope that this is the final episode, because it would be so dope have the series end on dual cliffhangers; who killed Sam and who ran over the cop? How great would that be?
Everybody Hate Chris – I caught the episode when Chris went over to Greg’s house. Again this is another episode that I missed but since UPN decided to give this show a major push this week by airing it every night I was able to catch up.
This show is pure comedy. Staying over at a friend’s house too long is way real, and we’ve all been there. It was also nice to see that the show didn’t shy away from the racial tension issue. But Chris’ sister sucks. Z (my roommate) and I would have been beat her down. She does make a great foil though.
The Boondocks – A surprisingly good episode. This show has, for the most part been a disappointment. But the Christmas episode was very well done. From the beginning with the mixed daughter in church praising Santa to Riley getting gully on St. Nick it was all pretty funny. Huey’s work on the Christmas play was more pointed and less funny, but entertaining nonetheless. And anytime that Ruckus shows up, I’m down. All in all, this was one of the best episodes thus far.
Greatest Show Ever…this week – NY – Lon
Sure the show is a year old (2004) but the final two hours were dope. Having Edie finally tell Luke about Michael, but him already knowing felt real. Astrid and Luke’s paring was inevitable.
But the finale really sealed the deal. I knew it was great when they used Sia’s Breathe Me over the break up scene, and it proved just as powerful as when Six Feet Under used it in the series’ epilogue. That song over Edie and Michael’s break up was heart wrenching. It really upped the emotional ante to an already emotional scene.
What slayed me was how there was no “Hollywood” ending. Edie and Michael didn’t miraculously patch things up. The show ended with them moving on with their lives. Which was real. What’s odd is how if affected me.
I mean, I’m always the first to rail against “happy endings” in movies and TV. I despise them. Yet here was a pretty realistic ending and I was stunned. I really did want Michael and Edie to end up together, and they didn’t, because that’s how the story went. I felt a hole inside of me because of their relationship collapse. I really had to tell myself “be careful what you wish for…” and convince myself that this ending was actually more fulfilling as an artist because it affected me (the audience). Great show this was.
But wait, it’s not over yet.
Worst Show Ever…yes “ever” – Nip/Tuck
I swore that Matlock was canceled long ago, but apparently it’s writers are alive and doing well in Hollywood, because as the season finale of Nip/Tuck has shown the Carver is exactly who everyone thought he was!
I mean this was like an episode of a bad sitcom, dragged out over an entire season, plus some of last season. With “Who Shot J.R.” or even “Who Shot Mr. Burns” you could actually reward a fellow viewer for solving the mystery, but anyone who guessed Quentin was The Carver gets no credit and those who didn’t guess Quentin can’t be blamed because we all thought it was him and believed it was too easy.
But enough ranting (for now), let’s get onto the good parts. I actually liked Matt’s story. Getting kidnapped and held hostage with Cherry really made me feel for the kid. It was difficult to watch him being tortured by psycho dad.
I also liked how Quentin tortured Sean and Christian. It was very effective. And his explaining his actions during his consult was a tender moment and made me much more sympathetic to him as a character.
Also a nice scene, Kimber adopting the Carver’s credo. I’m glad to be rid of her character. I’m also glad that she appeared to be trying to move on with her life.
But back to the bad I really think that FX dropped the ball by running the final two episodes back to back. All of the suspense about Quentin not being able to be the Carver would have played much better extended over a week rather than a commercial break. And really what was the point of Liz being brought in for questioning other than to show that she’s got an (in)active sex life? Extra!
Here are my lingering questions;
How come no one else knew the Carver was still alive? – I’ve seen CSI Miami (once) I know they’re pretty thorough down there.
How was Cherry able to recover from her makeshift surgery? – I don’t know much about arteries and what not, but I do know that blood flow is pretty important to that region of the body.
Does this mean that Cherry is going to be a regular next season? – She and Matt did kill a guy. Plus, I’m guessing she’s going to need a bit of work done. Afterall, even though Matt’s dad’s are surgeons, I doubt he’s inherited either one’s prowess with box cutters.
Wait, was Kit a real cop or not? – Kit had a fake accent, but she was a real liaison to from a real police force? I’m confused.
When did Liz come back to Troy & McNamara? – Did I miss the episode when she came back full time?
Was Quentin really “bi”? – I know this brings up issues of gender and identity, but doesn’t being born without a penis automatically put you on the “receiving end?” In which case, wouldn’t having sex with men be “normal” and having sex with women a chore?
Speaking of penis-less…
Will we every have a main antagonist who’s got a penis? – Last season was Ava, this season was Quentin. Neither had a penis, though both were “supposed to.”
And on that topic..
Could we possibly perpetuate any more stereotypes? – Ava was a man who became a woman and slept with young boys. Quentin liked men and women, abused drugs, was pretty downright lecherous and ended up being a murderer. Geez, you’d think that if you weren’t a hetero you were a dangerous sexual deviant.
And finally what’s up with the time frame for the end of the season finale? Y’know what; Joe and Tim do a much better job of explaining the crazy time continuity that occurs in the finale.
Basically Nip/Tuckl is just above Desperate Housewives in my book.
Huff
I’ve been trying to catch Huff on Showtime. When the show debuted I was almost interested enough to actually get Showtime, but not quite. I’m a fan of Hank Azaria, but he wasn’t quite enough to sell me on getting another pay channel.
But now that I do have Showtime, I’m having problems catching Huff. Unlike HBO, which has some rhyme and reason to how airs its original programming, Showtime has decided to air episodes late at night and in an order that’s difficult to follow. They usually show two episodes back to back, but I’ve yet to catch anything that seems to have any sort of “first episode” feel.
My patience is wearing thin. Showtime needs to run some sort of marathon or weeklong event that contains every episode of Huff thus far. I’m a loyal view, provided I get in at the beginning.
Bea Arthur’s #1 Fan
I love Bea Arthur. I’m a huge fan of hers. But when my best friend Jason Torres emailed me this link I didn’t quite know what to think of it.
On one hand, I’m always craving more Bea Arthur. But on another hand, this falls into too much information territory. Where to start?
Well for one, I didn’t want to think of Bea Arthur being menopausal. I prefer to think of her in her prime as she is here; 
(she’s the hot one)
I mean can’t a guy be allowed to his pubescent memories of Bea alive?
I guess it’s also kind of troubling to know that drugs are made from horse urine. I thought that horses were only good for making glue. And then I find out that horse’s are eaten in Europe? Man, that “mad cow” thing must be fierce over there.
But I guess getting momentarily grossed out is a small price to pay for some Bea Arthur content.
Now if only I could get some more Mindy Cohn action.
Not Much Else
Um, yeah, that’s about it. Question of the Week will return with the New Year and will say for as long as folks contribute. But there’s really not too much else to say.
Links
Check out IP’s Latest Feature Shows That Were Canceled Before Their Time. Lament and share your own accounts.
Josh complains about a slow TV week.
Matt doesn’t care for Tom Goes to the Mayor (which I enjoy) and likes Reunion which I don’t care for. And that’s what makes us work as a great duo. Check out our new sitcom this summer on WB.
Tim give you two recaps. Here’s the first one and here’s the second.
Kevin’s got some midseason lists for you.
J.A.M.
Joe answers a reader’s request! He also has some movie reviews for you.
Over at The Film Experience Joe ranks the studios, for all of you investors out there. He doesn’t really bite his tongue either.
Aaron “new” Bootleg isn’t up yet. I used quotes because this isn’t really new as it is a collection of his “best” work of the year. It’s much like those clip episode that TV shows hobble together, only more Nick Salemi and less commercials.
That’s it for me. I hope that everyone has a happy and safe holiday season. Enjoy doing whatever you do on whatever holiday you celebrate.
Laters.
