Sorry for the delay. As you may or may not know I was working the Red Carpet for the Emmys. I spoke to Rutina Wesley (sweet) and Alexander Skarsgard (shy) and saw Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyer about five feet away – deep in their newlywed love haze. Oh yeah, I also talked to Mariana Klaveno. Although I really didn’t enjoy Lorena, she couldn’t have been more lovely in person.
Now let’s get to this week’s episode. According to the trades it was the most watched episode ever. Nice! I hope you’re preparing for the finale in two weeks. I’m sure it’ll be a doozy. Especially after what happened tonight. I’ll try to make this quick and relatively painless.
Jesus is just like a Virgin. As he and Lafayette are coming down from their high Jesus is ready to go again. Lafayette has never been on a trip like that and he warns Jesus they can’t control where they’ll go. After he sees Jesus turn into some kind of monster, Lafayette asks Jesus to go home for the night. He doesn’t even want him in the same room let alone the same bed. And when Lafayette wakes up later to voices, he sees that all sort of little dolls and figures are talking to him. And it’s pretty freaky.
Crystal is a were panther. She is expected to marry Felton, who is her half-brother, and breed with him until she gets too old or until she dies. At first it’s all a little too much for Jason to take in so he leaves to go in search of Sookie. All he finds is QB1 practicing at night with his boys as their bored girlfriends look on. As his friends leave, Jason accuses Kitsch of being on V. Kitsch says his coach gets it for him, his parents pay for it, and his principal uses it for his sex life. So there’s no one for Jason to tattle to. Jason thinks it’s all unfair but returns home. He doesn’t know what to do about Sookie or about Kitsch but he knows he doesn’t want to break up with Crystal. Now she’s worried about the raid. Her daddy and Felton are crazy enough to burn the whole place down instead of letting the DEA take it.
Yvetta, the cardiologist, let’s Sookie escape with Bill. As they make their getaway in Sookie’s car Bill tells her he wants to start again and they talk about how idyllic their life would be if it could be a whole lot more normal. But they don’t make it that far before Eric and Russell hunt them down and take them back to Fangtasia. Eric makes Bill start a fight with him as Russell and Sookie go into the bar so he can tell Bill his plan. And the plan is to let both Eric and Russell drink from Sookie and walk into the daylight. To be a day walker is a vampire's most coveted desire. Sookie can’t believe Bill is going along with this – what choice does he have? He’s chained – and she tells him she hates him. Russell makes Eric walk into the daylight first and when Russell sees it’s working he goes outside too. Bill begs Pam to unchain him but she can’t take her bloodstained eyes away from the monitors. Just as Russell notices Eric has started smoking up Eric handcuffs himself to Russell. Now they can die together.
Sam seems to be turning into a male version of Tara. Sam shows up at the bar drunk and insults everyone who works for him as well as quite a few of the customers. Arlene and Holly leave and Terry stops talking to Sam. He even fires Tommy and tells him to get out of the rental. When Tara shows up she doesn’t appear to be that shocked by Sam’s behavior. She ends up confronting Andy about what she thinks really happened the night Eggs was shot. And she finally learns what actually happened. Now maybe she can move on. In the meantime, she and Sam are back to having sex. So Sam is a little distracted when Tommy cuts the alarm to the safe. Maybe this time Tommy will actually get away with all that money. I say good riddance.
Random tidbits:
- Who knew that silver and water solution was available at the local drug store? So convenient.
- Jason thought Crystal’s secret was shoplifting or something.
- Sookie is a human/fairy hybrid. Pure fairies have been extinct for a millennia.
- Summer is in cahoots with Hoyt’s mama, who isn’t dissuaded by their breakup. She’s still determined to tame her willful son.
- Russell has only loved one man during his entire lifetime and that man was Talbot.
- Eric likes Pam better when she’s cold and mean.
- Arlene tries to get rid of the baby with a kind of herbal tea Holly makes for her but she’s still pregnant the next morning even after her bleeding. Rene’s seed lives!
What a great episode. I don’t want Eric to die but I think his plan is kind of brilliant. Are they so weakened that Russell can’t drag himself and Eric out of the sun? We know how powerful he is. They’d better explain that in the first minute of the finale. Enquiring minds want to know!
I’m kind of surprised Sookie went from love to hate so fast with Bill. I know she thinks he betrayed her – and I’m sure she’s tired of that – but her feelings seems to be all over the place. I get that she might be feeling confused and betrayed by both Eric and Bill. I get that she can’t understand why Bill is going back on his promise so soon after they talked about their wonderful new life. And she’s afraid she’s about to die, especially since two vampires are drinking her blood. Something there just didn’t ring true for me.
I like where things are going for Lala. Maybe he’s finally had one too many hits of V. I’m very interested to see where that ends up going. One thing is certain. It will mess him up. Big time.
Arlene, of course, seemed to be certain she’d gotten rid of Rene’s baby. But as Holly said, if this soul is meant to be born it will be born. And apparently, it’s meant to come into this world. I do think Arlene is going a bit overboard with her assumptions that the baby will be pure evil. We don’t know that. And Terry wants to raise the baby as his own. I can understand that Arlene doesn’t want that life in her body but I’m not sure she’ll be able to get rid of it.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Haven: Ain't No Sunshine by Heather M
This week’s Haven, “Ain't No Sunshine” treads into territory previously charted by genre shows like The X-Files ("Soft Light") and Friday the 13th the Series ("Shadow Boxer"). A phantom shadow "dark man” is wreaking all manner of havoc on personnel associated with a clinic where an overwhelming number of cancer patients have died. The case itself is fairly straightforward – a doctor and nurse were conspiring to keep back cancer meds to resell them and pocket the profits. The survivors of the patients put that together, and the grieving husband of one of the victims finds that his shadow can skip out for killing sprees to avenge their deaths. The episode wraps up with the man confined alone to a darkened house. Not as tragic as it sounds because he’s blind.
The bigger story involves Jess and Nathan. Jess works at the clinic and puts herself in harm’s way when she noses around the home of the blind man, realizes his wife had too many leftover pills and pockets them to show Nathan, bringing the shadow after her. This is pretty inconvenient because she and Nathan have started dating in earnest. He’s hesitant to move the relationship forward, despite his outward interest, and Audrey finally goads a TMI confession out of him that he’s been abstinent since his condition developed so he doesn’t know whether he can actually have sex with Jess. Audrey tells him to share that with Jess, and through the power of red wine and Jess's insistence that he never look away from her, things look pretty promising until Audrey interrupts because the dark man has descended on the police station, trapping her with Vince and Dave.
After Jess is attacked (stabbed but surviving), she decides she can’t stay in Haven and goes home to Montreal. Nathan is upset but understanding. He and Audrey have a heart to heart about finally having a friend they can count on in each other. She’s been walled off because of her upbringing and the job; he’s been walled off because of his physical inability to feel. When Audrey sweetly kisses him on the cheek, he touches his face, stunned at the realization that he felt it against his skin. He’s sort of dumbstruck about it as he climbs in the truck beside Audrey, and she's oblivious because she’d already turned around to get in after she kissed him.
So, we have an interesting turn with Audrey and Nathan, but I don’t get a romance vibe there at all. I think we’re going to find out they’re related, perhaps even siblings, and that her return is driving the Troubles in the same way that her mother perhaps did (total conjecture/I’m spoiler-free). We haven’t really been told anything about Nathan’s mom, so there may be a tangent there, too. No Duke this week, which left more room for the Jess/Nathan arc. I was pleased and surprised they didn’t kill her, and that the door’s open for her to come back into Nathan’s life later. Solid effort all around
No episode this week. New episodes return on the 10th. You can catch up on Syfy.com and Hulu.com.
The bigger story involves Jess and Nathan. Jess works at the clinic and puts herself in harm’s way when she noses around the home of the blind man, realizes his wife had too many leftover pills and pockets them to show Nathan, bringing the shadow after her. This is pretty inconvenient because she and Nathan have started dating in earnest. He’s hesitant to move the relationship forward, despite his outward interest, and Audrey finally goads a TMI confession out of him that he’s been abstinent since his condition developed so he doesn’t know whether he can actually have sex with Jess. Audrey tells him to share that with Jess, and through the power of red wine and Jess's insistence that he never look away from her, things look pretty promising until Audrey interrupts because the dark man has descended on the police station, trapping her with Vince and Dave.
After Jess is attacked (stabbed but surviving), she decides she can’t stay in Haven and goes home to Montreal. Nathan is upset but understanding. He and Audrey have a heart to heart about finally having a friend they can count on in each other. She’s been walled off because of her upbringing and the job; he’s been walled off because of his physical inability to feel. When Audrey sweetly kisses him on the cheek, he touches his face, stunned at the realization that he felt it against his skin. He’s sort of dumbstruck about it as he climbs in the truck beside Audrey, and she's oblivious because she’d already turned around to get in after she kissed him.
So, we have an interesting turn with Audrey and Nathan, but I don’t get a romance vibe there at all. I think we’re going to find out they’re related, perhaps even siblings, and that her return is driving the Troubles in the same way that her mother perhaps did (total conjecture/I’m spoiler-free). We haven’t really been told anything about Nathan’s mom, so there may be a tangent there, too. No Duke this week, which left more room for the Jess/Nathan arc. I was pleased and surprised they didn’t kill her, and that the door’s open for her to come back into Nathan’s life later. Solid effort all around
No episode this week. New episodes return on the 10th. You can catch up on Syfy.com and Hulu.com.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Drop Dead Diva: Bad Girls & Freeze the Day by Kara Howland
Sorry I didn’t get this up right away. I worked the Emmy red carpet yesterday and I was too exhausted to watch any TV. But I’m here now and I’ve got opinions!
Wow. My first opinion is that the past two hours are the best two hours of the show I’ve ever seen. Hands down. This is the kind of writing and acting I want to see on this show every week. I’m not saying I don’t already love this show because I do. But I think these last two episodes really showcased how amazing this show can be.
Let’s do the highlights then explore deeper. Parker’s former bedmate and current partner Claire Harrison returns to the firm after an eight-year absence. She left the firm to get married after she fell in love and now she’s back to get a divorce and to start practicing law again. She fakes evidence and fires Kim, who breaks up with Parker. Grayson meets the parents and admits that he’s scared of a future with Vanessa. She appreciates the honesty but breaks up with him. Grayson doesn’t want to lose another important woman in his life so he proposes. Fred asks Stacy out on another date but Stacy is afraid that they’ll burn out quickly if they start out too hot and heavy. Worried that he doesn’t care, Stacy makes him jealous until he admits how much he does care. Jane, once again resolving to tell Grayson who she really is, picks the time and place and even daydreams about their wedding. But before she can tell Grayson anything he asks Jane to be his best man. Upset, Jane runs out of the restaurant and when Grayson follows after her he’s hit by a car. When he regains consciousness momentarily, Grayson calls her Deb.
I’m leaving out a lot of details on purpose because I want to talk about relationships much more then the actual details of all the cases. Let’s start with Kim and Parker. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. I really enjoy this relationship. When it started I was very nervous. It’s always a tricky proposition to be involved with the boss and I was worried Kim’s reputation and the work environment would be negatively affected. But they’ve seemed to make it work and I like that Parker is different with her. He really cares about her and was striving to make it seem like he had no bias. And I think he was succeeding. Should he have told Kim about the kiss? Absolutely but I don’t think he had a hidden agenda in keeping it from Kim. I think he was scared to tell her. He’s scared to mess up this great thing he’s got going. But silence can be the death of something. Even though Kim and Parker are apart now I don’t think it will be a permanent separation.
Fred and Stacy. They are adorable. I’m so happy Stacy decided to give Fred a chance. And I really like the way their relationship is progressing. I love that he’s jealous and even though Terri tries to get Fred to be Zen about it all he can’t fake it. He’s jealous. But that’s what Stacy wants. She’s not used to guys like Fred. She probably hasn’t had someone who cares about her like this for a long time. And she’s insecure too. She’s worried that Fred doesn’t care. But I think these two crazy kids will make it and in the meantime it’s fun watching their relationship evolve.
Jane and Grayson. Where to start. Even Grayson admits that they have a connection, which is why he asks Jane to stand up for him at his wedding. What I think is the most confounding thing about their relationship (aside from the fact that Deb inhabits Jane’s body and can't tell him) is that Jane always manages to talk Grayson into something without knowing what she’s doing. Every time she gives Grayson a speech it seems to send him running into the arms of another woman. Jane thinks she’s making a case for herself but she never is. Grayson always takes her little pearls of wisdom and applies them to his other relationships. But how would he know? Jane can’t tell him she’s Deb so he has to believe they’re forging a friendship and nothing else. And Jane is pretty good at hiding her feelings by now. I’m sure these soul mates will get together one day but I’m assuming there will be at least one more season of the whole will-they-or-won’t-they thing. If it’s too easy for these two to get together, I guess a lot of people would lose interest. Not me. But I guess that’s what they’re thinking. And by them I mean the writers and the network.
Ok. Now I’m ready to talk about the cases. Well, I really want to talk about Gail O’Grady and Gloria Reuben. It is so nice to see both of them on the small screen again. Gail is very convincing as a cyber bully. I feel so sorry for her daughter. Can you imagine growing up with a mother like that? She let her own child take the blame for something she did. That’s some bad parenting. And Gloria Reuben. I’m sure she’s worked since ER, but that was the last show I saw her on and I loved her character. Here she plays a woman who can’t imagine life without her husband. The irony is that her research could help bring him back. I’m glad Grayson and Jane convince her to continue to live her life. She's got to be awake to make that discovery.
Terri and Stacy are awesome as always. I know I’m not giving them their due here, but I can’t even imagine this show without them. They are great comic relief and have also shown us some great dramatic work.
And I have to mention both the opening song and dance number, which I found highly enjoyable. Actually, I like it every time there is song and dance. It makes me smile. And an honorable mention goes out to Paula Abdul. I like her on this show.
What did you think? Will Grayson be ok? Will Kim and Parker get back together? Did Fred know Grayson was going to get hit by that car? I hope to find out on the next season of Drop Dead Diva.
Wow. My first opinion is that the past two hours are the best two hours of the show I’ve ever seen. Hands down. This is the kind of writing and acting I want to see on this show every week. I’m not saying I don’t already love this show because I do. But I think these last two episodes really showcased how amazing this show can be.
Let’s do the highlights then explore deeper. Parker’s former bedmate and current partner Claire Harrison returns to the firm after an eight-year absence. She left the firm to get married after she fell in love and now she’s back to get a divorce and to start practicing law again. She fakes evidence and fires Kim, who breaks up with Parker. Grayson meets the parents and admits that he’s scared of a future with Vanessa. She appreciates the honesty but breaks up with him. Grayson doesn’t want to lose another important woman in his life so he proposes. Fred asks Stacy out on another date but Stacy is afraid that they’ll burn out quickly if they start out too hot and heavy. Worried that he doesn’t care, Stacy makes him jealous until he admits how much he does care. Jane, once again resolving to tell Grayson who she really is, picks the time and place and even daydreams about their wedding. But before she can tell Grayson anything he asks Jane to be his best man. Upset, Jane runs out of the restaurant and when Grayson follows after her he’s hit by a car. When he regains consciousness momentarily, Grayson calls her Deb.
I’m leaving out a lot of details on purpose because I want to talk about relationships much more then the actual details of all the cases. Let’s start with Kim and Parker. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. I really enjoy this relationship. When it started I was very nervous. It’s always a tricky proposition to be involved with the boss and I was worried Kim’s reputation and the work environment would be negatively affected. But they’ve seemed to make it work and I like that Parker is different with her. He really cares about her and was striving to make it seem like he had no bias. And I think he was succeeding. Should he have told Kim about the kiss? Absolutely but I don’t think he had a hidden agenda in keeping it from Kim. I think he was scared to tell her. He’s scared to mess up this great thing he’s got going. But silence can be the death of something. Even though Kim and Parker are apart now I don’t think it will be a permanent separation.
Fred and Stacy. They are adorable. I’m so happy Stacy decided to give Fred a chance. And I really like the way their relationship is progressing. I love that he’s jealous and even though Terri tries to get Fred to be Zen about it all he can’t fake it. He’s jealous. But that’s what Stacy wants. She’s not used to guys like Fred. She probably hasn’t had someone who cares about her like this for a long time. And she’s insecure too. She’s worried that Fred doesn’t care. But I think these two crazy kids will make it and in the meantime it’s fun watching their relationship evolve.
Jane and Grayson. Where to start. Even Grayson admits that they have a connection, which is why he asks Jane to stand up for him at his wedding. What I think is the most confounding thing about their relationship (aside from the fact that Deb inhabits Jane’s body and can't tell him) is that Jane always manages to talk Grayson into something without knowing what she’s doing. Every time she gives Grayson a speech it seems to send him running into the arms of another woman. Jane thinks she’s making a case for herself but she never is. Grayson always takes her little pearls of wisdom and applies them to his other relationships. But how would he know? Jane can’t tell him she’s Deb so he has to believe they’re forging a friendship and nothing else. And Jane is pretty good at hiding her feelings by now. I’m sure these soul mates will get together one day but I’m assuming there will be at least one more season of the whole will-they-or-won’t-they thing. If it’s too easy for these two to get together, I guess a lot of people would lose interest. Not me. But I guess that’s what they’re thinking. And by them I mean the writers and the network.
Ok. Now I’m ready to talk about the cases. Well, I really want to talk about Gail O’Grady and Gloria Reuben. It is so nice to see both of them on the small screen again. Gail is very convincing as a cyber bully. I feel so sorry for her daughter. Can you imagine growing up with a mother like that? She let her own child take the blame for something she did. That’s some bad parenting. And Gloria Reuben. I’m sure she’s worked since ER, but that was the last show I saw her on and I loved her character. Here she plays a woman who can’t imagine life without her husband. The irony is that her research could help bring him back. I’m glad Grayson and Jane convince her to continue to live her life. She's got to be awake to make that discovery.
Terri and Stacy are awesome as always. I know I’m not giving them their due here, but I can’t even imagine this show without them. They are great comic relief and have also shown us some great dramatic work.
And I have to mention both the opening song and dance number, which I found highly enjoyable. Actually, I like it every time there is song and dance. It makes me smile. And an honorable mention goes out to Paula Abdul. I like her on this show.
What did you think? Will Grayson be ok? Will Kim and Parker get back together? Did Fred know Grayson was going to get hit by that car? I hope to find out on the next season of Drop Dead Diva.
Eureka: The Ex-Files by Heather M
First off, Eureka EP Amy Berg is an awesome human being and jumpy claps that she Tweeted truthfully when she said Ed Quinn was not back on the show. That said, that Tweet has since been deleted, so, hmmm. It’s true as of this week’s episode, which she wrote, so I'll take it.
In “The Ex-Files,” five of the six time travelers are afflicted with hallucinogenic nemeses after a power surge. Carter gets Nathan, Allison gets Tess, Jo gets AlternaZane, Fargo gets his 5th grade tormentor, Jessica, and Grant gets his 1947 best friend, who happened to be Beverly’s dad.
The hallucinations occur in tandem with various power surges that start to bring down structures and buildings around town, causing environmental havoc to match the emotional havoc. Tess and Nathan nag Allison and Carter with a running narration about their new relationship – Tess from the standpoint of a BFF betrayal and Nathan from the standpoint that Carter will never, ever fill his (size 13, he wants you to know) shoes. It could have been a sad and painful plot point for the foursome, but was actually pretty clever, quick, and sometimes hysterically funny, with Carter immediately exasperated with Nathan and Allison just annoyed. I expected more soul-searching from Allison and a kind of closure where she actually had a chance to say goodbye to Nathan, but she seemed fairly reticent about it. Because there is still a Tess out there in this reality, her appearance had less permanent ramifications.
Jo’s encounters with AlternaZane were a strange sort of mindmeld of current Zane’s discounting his intentions for Zoe overridden by AlterZane being lovey dovey. Fargo’s former nemesis dogs him about being a weak leader and finally forces him to nut up to the general and find his backbone.
The hallucinations turn out to be a side effect of a plot by Beverly and her unnamed collective (which she convinces Grant he founded) to gain custody of a device being tested at GD. She tells him they’re trying to prevent repeats of nuclear weapon-level catastrophes of science, and she sets him onto a “DED device” that renders electronics useless. This leads Grant to repeatedly interfere with testing of the device, which gets the device loaded up for transport out of GD, where Bev’s group steals it. Once they have the device, the power surges and environmental destruction subside, but the emotional issues have to be sorted out individually.
When Grant realizes he’s been played, he is furious with Bev, until she tells him the core from the DED device can power the Bridge device and send him back to 1947 to continue his work. He’s not completely buying it and it doesn’t help that he keeps seeing her father as he was in 1947. We also find out that Bev’s dad is the guy Allison saved with a jumper cable heart boost in the premiere.
Zoe’s left in the lurch in this episode, trying to work Zane up to asking her out so she can figure out what they have, and at the end of the episode, he finds himself embroiled in a sting trumped up by Bev & co, which leaves her at odds with Carter and storming out of S.A.R.A.H.
Henry and Grace are goofy and giddy and happy and in love and immune to the MacGuffin arc because they were wearing transdermal memory-sharing patches, so we don’t get much of them.
Erica Cerra continues to layer her performance as Jo. Her tough exterior softens a bit when she finally processes that she’s been chatting with an idealized version of who she remembers as Zane but who is not exactly her Zane, and that she’d been romanticizing her memories. In a fit of confession, she processes why she turned down the proposal (she tells him they didn't work, which I think was posturing, but we'll see). She gives Zane back the engagement ring and only realizes after he has it in his hands that he’s this reality’s Zane and not her figment. She doubles over, wanting it back and unable to breathe, and her world starts to spin. There’s an interesting chat to come about why he now has two rings. She doesn't have time to really process that, though, because Zane is then suddenly accused of espionage.
The shakeout at the end is that Carter and Allison have to confess their deepest darkest to each other before they can move forward. For him, it’s that he has loved her since the pilot (which I guessed last week – yay!) and for her, it’s that she’s lost previous loves in a permanent and unfriendly fashion and she worries history will repeat. Once they sort that out, their hallucinations depart. They commence with the romance in proper as Allison beckons him to the bedroom and he’s sort of amazed at how well that went. I have to say the casual way Allison calls him “honey” did as much for me as their confessions. The Carter/Allison romance is finally off the bench. Proceed, guys and gals. Let’s see where this goes.
In short, I was very, very pleased. I guessed/hoped that the cast returns of Ed Quinn and Jaime Ray Newman were a riff of some sort and was glad to be right in assuming/hoping that the obstacles to the Carter/Allison relationship were internal and not external. That said, they had a ridiculous amount of fun with their constant commentary on Allison and Carter, and Quinn even froze his ass off, shirtless and strutting (in Vancouver) just to tweak Carter, who tells him to “put a shirt on!”
We’re two weeks from what Syfy is calling the season finale but I think this is still technically a midseason finale, to be followed by a Christmas one off in time for the holidays. Here’s hoping we get the rest of the season back sooner than later.
In “The Ex-Files,” five of the six time travelers are afflicted with hallucinogenic nemeses after a power surge. Carter gets Nathan, Allison gets Tess, Jo gets AlternaZane, Fargo gets his 5th grade tormentor, Jessica, and Grant gets his 1947 best friend, who happened to be Beverly’s dad.
The hallucinations occur in tandem with various power surges that start to bring down structures and buildings around town, causing environmental havoc to match the emotional havoc. Tess and Nathan nag Allison and Carter with a running narration about their new relationship – Tess from the standpoint of a BFF betrayal and Nathan from the standpoint that Carter will never, ever fill his (size 13, he wants you to know) shoes. It could have been a sad and painful plot point for the foursome, but was actually pretty clever, quick, and sometimes hysterically funny, with Carter immediately exasperated with Nathan and Allison just annoyed. I expected more soul-searching from Allison and a kind of closure where she actually had a chance to say goodbye to Nathan, but she seemed fairly reticent about it. Because there is still a Tess out there in this reality, her appearance had less permanent ramifications.
Jo’s encounters with AlternaZane were a strange sort of mindmeld of current Zane’s discounting his intentions for Zoe overridden by AlterZane being lovey dovey. Fargo’s former nemesis dogs him about being a weak leader and finally forces him to nut up to the general and find his backbone.
The hallucinations turn out to be a side effect of a plot by Beverly and her unnamed collective (which she convinces Grant he founded) to gain custody of a device being tested at GD. She tells him they’re trying to prevent repeats of nuclear weapon-level catastrophes of science, and she sets him onto a “DED device” that renders electronics useless. This leads Grant to repeatedly interfere with testing of the device, which gets the device loaded up for transport out of GD, where Bev’s group steals it. Once they have the device, the power surges and environmental destruction subside, but the emotional issues have to be sorted out individually.
When Grant realizes he’s been played, he is furious with Bev, until she tells him the core from the DED device can power the Bridge device and send him back to 1947 to continue his work. He’s not completely buying it and it doesn’t help that he keeps seeing her father as he was in 1947. We also find out that Bev’s dad is the guy Allison saved with a jumper cable heart boost in the premiere.
Zoe’s left in the lurch in this episode, trying to work Zane up to asking her out so she can figure out what they have, and at the end of the episode, he finds himself embroiled in a sting trumped up by Bev & co, which leaves her at odds with Carter and storming out of S.A.R.A.H.
Henry and Grace are goofy and giddy and happy and in love and immune to the MacGuffin arc because they were wearing transdermal memory-sharing patches, so we don’t get much of them.
Erica Cerra continues to layer her performance as Jo. Her tough exterior softens a bit when she finally processes that she’s been chatting with an idealized version of who she remembers as Zane but who is not exactly her Zane, and that she’d been romanticizing her memories. In a fit of confession, she processes why she turned down the proposal (she tells him they didn't work, which I think was posturing, but we'll see). She gives Zane back the engagement ring and only realizes after he has it in his hands that he’s this reality’s Zane and not her figment. She doubles over, wanting it back and unable to breathe, and her world starts to spin. There’s an interesting chat to come about why he now has two rings. She doesn't have time to really process that, though, because Zane is then suddenly accused of espionage.
The shakeout at the end is that Carter and Allison have to confess their deepest darkest to each other before they can move forward. For him, it’s that he has loved her since the pilot (which I guessed last week – yay!) and for her, it’s that she’s lost previous loves in a permanent and unfriendly fashion and she worries history will repeat. Once they sort that out, their hallucinations depart. They commence with the romance in proper as Allison beckons him to the bedroom and he’s sort of amazed at how well that went. I have to say the casual way Allison calls him “honey” did as much for me as their confessions. The Carter/Allison romance is finally off the bench. Proceed, guys and gals. Let’s see where this goes.
In short, I was very, very pleased. I guessed/hoped that the cast returns of Ed Quinn and Jaime Ray Newman were a riff of some sort and was glad to be right in assuming/hoping that the obstacles to the Carter/Allison relationship were internal and not external. That said, they had a ridiculous amount of fun with their constant commentary on Allison and Carter, and Quinn even froze his ass off, shirtless and strutting (in Vancouver) just to tweak Carter, who tells him to “put a shirt on!”
We’re two weeks from what Syfy is calling the season finale but I think this is still technically a midseason finale, to be followed by a Christmas one off in time for the holidays. Here’s hoping we get the rest of the season back sooner than later.
Friday, August 27, 2010
Summer TV Extra: TV Guide Network's 2010 Emmy Awards Coverage
It's a well known fact the 62nd Primetime Emmy Awards will air today on NBC at 8ET. And just like the Oscars, TV's biggest awards show will now air live on the West Coast too, which means statues will be handed out starting at 5PM Pacific. It'll re-air on the West Coast at 8PT for those who didn't get the memo of the earlier time.
But before the big night begins, the celebrities walk the red carpet and meet the press. And for the most part they look good doing it. TV Guide Network will be there as will Hollywood 411's main man Chris Harrison who hosts the show before the Big Show. You can catch the Emmys Red Carpet with Chris Harrison Sunday August 29th at 6pm Eastern/3pm Pacific on TV Guide Network.
You can also check out TVGuide.com's interview with the Hollywood 411 host who happens to emcee some other shows you may have heard of: ABC's The Bachelor, The Bachelorette and Bachelor Pad. Anyway, Chris talks about what he will and won't be doing to get ready for this Emmy pre-show gig on TVGN.
And once the awards are a thing of the past, TV Guide Network shines the spotlight on what everyone really wants to know about: the fashion. Fashion Team host Lawrence Zarian and his panel of experts dish the details on the duds that are a dud as well as the celebrities that are fierce and fashionable on the Emmys Red Carpet Fashion Wrap premiering Monday August 30th.
Bonus Coverage: Here's a link to the TVGuide.com live fashion cam...
But before the big night begins, the celebrities walk the red carpet and meet the press. And for the most part they look good doing it. TV Guide Network will be there as will Hollywood 411's main man Chris Harrison who hosts the show before the Big Show. You can catch the Emmys Red Carpet with Chris Harrison Sunday August 29th at 6pm Eastern/3pm Pacific on TV Guide Network.
You can also check out TVGuide.com's interview with the Hollywood 411 host who happens to emcee some other shows you may have heard of: ABC's The Bachelor, The Bachelorette and Bachelor Pad. Anyway, Chris talks about what he will and won't be doing to get ready for this Emmy pre-show gig on TVGN.
And once the awards are a thing of the past, TV Guide Network shines the spotlight on what everyone really wants to know about: the fashion. Fashion Team host Lawrence Zarian and his panel of experts dish the details on the duds that are a dud as well as the celebrities that are fierce and fashionable on the Emmys Red Carpet Fashion Wrap premiering Monday August 30th.
Bonus Coverage: Here's a link to the TVGuide.com live fashion cam...
2010 Summer TV All-Star: Covert Affairs' Christopher Gorham by Heather M.
So, Chris Gorham.
I’ve been a fan since Popular, and seriously a fan since Jake 2.0, a sweet gem of a genre show, shot in Vancouver in 2003, that didn’t get past the first season on the nascent UPN. In that show, he played a meek IT tech for the NSA who couldn’t quite get into the agent circle, until he was accidentally exposed to nanotechnology that rendered him adept and powerful, a la Steve Austin.
Gorham has a physicality that belies his infectious smile and boy-next-door charm—it can be seductive and it can be scary. He’s very adept at using it both ways. Jake 2.0 worked it—putting Gorham in a variety of harm’s way and also bonding him to the lead scientist, Diane, played by Keegan Connor Tracy, with whom he had some lovely chemistry. None more so than when he was an amnesiac who found himself in a fight club, because his enhanced physical ability was the only sure thing he knew. Diane went to find him, and despite his inability to remember her as Jake, there was still a bond between them that was innately familiar and natural to him.
In the interim since Jake 2.0 ended, Gorham guested on Without a Trace (also in a heartbreaking role as a duped high school teacher) and appeared regularly on Ugly Betty, a show a bit too frenetic for my tastes, that I did not watch.
Then, last summer (MAJOR spoilers ahoy), he anchored the ensemble thriller series Harper’s Island, which was a Ten Little Indians riff on CBS about a wedding party at a beautiful destination wedding (also Vancouver) being picked off one by one by a killer or killers unknown. Gorham was the mild-mannered bridegroom, Henry, who fought alongside his friends to conquer the killer(s), only to be revealed as one of them in the series’ 12th episode. The moment where he flicks the switch from sweet, attentive groom-to-be to completely batshit crazy and stabs his fiancee is amazing to behold. And then he goes a little further into insanity, reciting his justifications in a wild-eyed yet innocent dialogue to the woman who had been his lifelong best friend and suddenly found herself his prisoner as part of a misguided soul mate quest. When she kills him and he doesn’t understand, until his last breath, what he did wrong, it’s crushing to watch.
Which brings us to Covert Affairs, the newest summer hit (already renewed for a second season) on USA. Gorham pays Auggie, a blinded former special ops soldier who now finds himself a CIA tech and confidante to the show’s lead, newly minted agent Annie Walker. He’s funny, competent, a bit of a ladies man, and itching to be a field agent again despite his inability to see. This week’s episode put Auggie in the driver’s seat, managing an operation on a hacker with whom he’d had an affair a few years prior.
The flame was rekindled, he did his job to get the data they needed from her, and then she got away, which gave him a sense of closure for his earlier betrayal that had locked her up for two years. In this episode, we also discovered that Auggie’s been running a play on Liza Hearn, a local D.C. journalist looking to crack the CIA wall. As the episode closes, Auggie returns home, defeated at losing Natasha again, and cognizant that he can’t do these ops every day, when Liza surprises him, already inside his apartment. She comes close behind him in an embrace, happy to see him. And, he smiles a wistful little smile, happy that she’s there, disappointed that she’s not Natasha, and sad that history’s about to repeat itself with a romantic betrayal in the name of the job.
We wonder whether Auggie can really pull off an operation on another woman he’s having a relationship with. I say yes. I want to see a flashback of special ops Auggie, where he’s able to see, yet blocks out what he does see in order to accomplish his (in all likelihood, quite deadly) missions vs. now, where he’s physically unable to see but also unable to manifest that same level of deception because the rest of his features give him away. Gorham can pull off this duplicity. I hope Covert Affairs lets him.
Jake 2.0 is not on DVD (Boo!) but does rotate on Syfy occasionally. Harper's Island is available on DVD. Covert Affairs runs through September on USA and rebroadcasts on USA.com and Hulu.com.
I’ve been a fan since Popular, and seriously a fan since Jake 2.0, a sweet gem of a genre show, shot in Vancouver in 2003, that didn’t get past the first season on the nascent UPN. In that show, he played a meek IT tech for the NSA who couldn’t quite get into the agent circle, until he was accidentally exposed to nanotechnology that rendered him adept and powerful, a la Steve Austin.
Gorham has a physicality that belies his infectious smile and boy-next-door charm—it can be seductive and it can be scary. He’s very adept at using it both ways. Jake 2.0 worked it—putting Gorham in a variety of harm’s way and also bonding him to the lead scientist, Diane, played by Keegan Connor Tracy, with whom he had some lovely chemistry. None more so than when he was an amnesiac who found himself in a fight club, because his enhanced physical ability was the only sure thing he knew. Diane went to find him, and despite his inability to remember her as Jake, there was still a bond between them that was innately familiar and natural to him.
In the interim since Jake 2.0 ended, Gorham guested on Without a Trace (also in a heartbreaking role as a duped high school teacher) and appeared regularly on Ugly Betty, a show a bit too frenetic for my tastes, that I did not watch.
Then, last summer (MAJOR spoilers ahoy), he anchored the ensemble thriller series Harper’s Island, which was a Ten Little Indians riff on CBS about a wedding party at a beautiful destination wedding (also Vancouver) being picked off one by one by a killer or killers unknown. Gorham was the mild-mannered bridegroom, Henry, who fought alongside his friends to conquer the killer(s), only to be revealed as one of them in the series’ 12th episode. The moment where he flicks the switch from sweet, attentive groom-to-be to completely batshit crazy and stabs his fiancee is amazing to behold. And then he goes a little further into insanity, reciting his justifications in a wild-eyed yet innocent dialogue to the woman who had been his lifelong best friend and suddenly found herself his prisoner as part of a misguided soul mate quest. When she kills him and he doesn’t understand, until his last breath, what he did wrong, it’s crushing to watch.
Which brings us to Covert Affairs, the newest summer hit (already renewed for a second season) on USA. Gorham pays Auggie, a blinded former special ops soldier who now finds himself a CIA tech and confidante to the show’s lead, newly minted agent Annie Walker. He’s funny, competent, a bit of a ladies man, and itching to be a field agent again despite his inability to see. This week’s episode put Auggie in the driver’s seat, managing an operation on a hacker with whom he’d had an affair a few years prior.
The flame was rekindled, he did his job to get the data they needed from her, and then she got away, which gave him a sense of closure for his earlier betrayal that had locked her up for two years. In this episode, we also discovered that Auggie’s been running a play on Liza Hearn, a local D.C. journalist looking to crack the CIA wall. As the episode closes, Auggie returns home, defeated at losing Natasha again, and cognizant that he can’t do these ops every day, when Liza surprises him, already inside his apartment. She comes close behind him in an embrace, happy to see him. And, he smiles a wistful little smile, happy that she’s there, disappointed that she’s not Natasha, and sad that history’s about to repeat itself with a romantic betrayal in the name of the job.
We wonder whether Auggie can really pull off an operation on another woman he’s having a relationship with. I say yes. I want to see a flashback of special ops Auggie, where he’s able to see, yet blocks out what he does see in order to accomplish his (in all likelihood, quite deadly) missions vs. now, where he’s physically unable to see but also unable to manifest that same level of deception because the rest of his features give him away. Gorham can pull off this duplicity. I hope Covert Affairs lets him.
Jake 2.0 is not on DVD (Boo!) but does rotate on Syfy occasionally. Harper's Island is available on DVD. Covert Affairs runs through September on USA and rebroadcasts on USA.com and Hulu.com.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
The Summer 7: WGA Panel featuring Emmy-nominated Writers from Modern Family, Glee, FNL etc. by Tina Charles
7 things I learned at Thursday night's often hilarious Sublime Primetime panel that featured some of this year's Emmy-nominated writers from TV miniseries, sitcoms and dramas (courtesy of the Writers Guild Foundation):
The 62nd Emmy Awards air on Sunday, August 29th on NBC @ 8PM/Eastern.
The night's featured players included:
- "Television, I don't know if anyone knows this, is super easy." - Glee's Ian Brennan said this after moderator and Lost guru Carlton Cuse pointed out how Brennan went from actor to being nominated for an Emmy for his very first writing gig.
- We now know the format for Conan O'Brien's upcoming TBS late night talk show: "Have you seen the other two? Kind of like that. Guests, a band, celebrities selling b---s--t. Pretty much like that." Love that this "insight" came from the always funny 2010 Emmy-nominee (and not to mention Conan sidekick) Andy Richter.
- Not that this is a shocker but The Office's Mindy Kaling is freakin' hilarious. As is Modern Family co-creator/Executive Producer Steve Levitan and Lost showunner/Executive Producer Cuse who had to face down a few jokes about the lack of answers from his Emmy-nominated show that's up for Best Drama series. He was a trooper.
- The audience loved CBS' The Good Wife. When it came time for the audience portion of the Q&A many questions were thrown at husband-wife writing team and creators of CBS' hit drama Robert and Michelle King. News (at least to me) was that the married couple originally pitched Good Wife to ABC but the alphabet network passed.
- None of the Glee "boys" (Brennan, Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk) have seen Disney Channel's High School Musical. This band of three were referred to as "the Glee boys" or "the Glee guys" so often that Ian at one point insisted they had real names. Very funny moment.
- Mindy follows her Office character on Twitter.
- We learned what these writers watch on TV: Kaling adores AMC's Breaking Bad; Levitan tunes into Showtime's Weeds; Murphy is a big, big fan of A&E's Hoarders; HBO's Deadwood pretty much ruined TV for Richter because he loved it so much although he has been known to tune into Bravo's Top Chef and "whatever's on." The Pacific's Robert Schenkkan and Friday Night Lights scribe Rolin Jones were completely devoted to The Wire. Jones got real specific and said he was way into The Wire Seasons 3 and 4 the most.
The 62nd Emmy Awards air on Sunday, August 29th on NBC @ 8PM/Eastern.
The night's featured players included:
- From Lost: Carlton Cuse who moderated the evening.
- From The Office: Mindy Kaling
- From The Pacific: Bruce C. McKenna
- Also from The Pacific: Robert Schenkkan
- From Modern Family: Steve Levitan
- From Friday Night Lights: Rolin Jones
- From The Good Wife: Robert King
- Also from The Good Wife: Michelle King
- From Glee: Brad Falchuk
- Also from Glee: Ryan Murphy
- One more from Glee: Brad Falchuk
- Conan's Andy Richter
Drop Dead Diva Extra
Hi all. I'm pretty excited for Sunday's two-hour finale and I'm thinking you are too. As you may or may not know Drop Dead Diva hasn't been picked up for another season yet. Check out this message from series creator Josh Berman and show them some facebook love.
Rescue Me: Goodbye by Sabrina A. Taylor
Man, I can’t believe next week is the season finale already. It seems like we just got into the groove of this season.
The episode picks up at the family dinner and an uncomfortable Tommy wondering if Mickey has told or will tell Janet about is ‘almost’ indiscretion with Sheila. It was a hysterical seen watching a very Tommy squirm so much that he begins to choke on his food. Sheila of course appears and the truth comes out…the whole truth that nothing really happened and that Tommy really loves Janet. It seems like Tommy and Janet are really going to give it a go. Tommy even passes a liquor temptation test that Janet gives him when she asks him to choose between one last drink of whiskey or vodka and he pours both down the kitchen sink. It’s nice to see although I personally prefer to see Sheila and Tommy together. Those two really put the fun in dysfunctional
Tommy promises to stay away from Sheila and Damian but of course it’s a promise he can’t keep. When he was strongly declaring his love for Janet he went a little overboard denouncing his feelings for Sheila and It seems that he had some guilty feelings for saying he never loved her. So after the dust has settled at home with Janet he gives Sheila a call and she is genuinely hurt and asks him to leave her and her son alone.
Lou gets some really bad news from his physician. He had a minor heart attack and is told that he has to quit work. Of course Lou refuses to accept this and returns to work and when the house is called to a fire at a coffin factory Lou is unable to perform and can’t leave the building on his own. As the guys rush to his aid Damian falls victim to the building giving way and we are left not knowing if he makes it or not. The irony of this is heavy as earlier in the episode Damian quits after having a conversation with Mickey and then has a talk with Tommy and changes his mind.
If Damian does not make it will this push Tommy and Sheila back together, as grief is what united them in the first place? Is this really the end for Lou…I can’t even imagine that firehouse without him.
The episode picks up at the family dinner and an uncomfortable Tommy wondering if Mickey has told or will tell Janet about is ‘almost’ indiscretion with Sheila. It was a hysterical seen watching a very Tommy squirm so much that he begins to choke on his food. Sheila of course appears and the truth comes out…the whole truth that nothing really happened and that Tommy really loves Janet. It seems like Tommy and Janet are really going to give it a go. Tommy even passes a liquor temptation test that Janet gives him when she asks him to choose between one last drink of whiskey or vodka and he pours both down the kitchen sink. It’s nice to see although I personally prefer to see Sheila and Tommy together. Those two really put the fun in dysfunctional
Tommy promises to stay away from Sheila and Damian but of course it’s a promise he can’t keep. When he was strongly declaring his love for Janet he went a little overboard denouncing his feelings for Sheila and It seems that he had some guilty feelings for saying he never loved her. So after the dust has settled at home with Janet he gives Sheila a call and she is genuinely hurt and asks him to leave her and her son alone.
Lou gets some really bad news from his physician. He had a minor heart attack and is told that he has to quit work. Of course Lou refuses to accept this and returns to work and when the house is called to a fire at a coffin factory Lou is unable to perform and can’t leave the building on his own. As the guys rush to his aid Damian falls victim to the building giving way and we are left not knowing if he makes it or not. The irony of this is heavy as earlier in the episode Damian quits after having a conversation with Mickey and then has a talk with Tommy and changes his mind.
If Damian does not make it will this push Tommy and Sheila back together, as grief is what united them in the first place? Is this really the end for Lou…I can’t even imagine that firehouse without him.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Haven: Sketchy by Heather M
A lot is being written lately about watching TV online instead of on an actual television. I watch shows online fairly regularly, and for me, it’s always a much more intimate experience as a viewer because I’m sitting close to the screen, laptop on my lap. The only downside is that I like closed captioning. I’m a dialogue gal that way. And while some shows (thanks, Human Target!) are cc’d online, the vast majority are not, which sucks for folks who genuinely need the captions. I watched Haven on Hulu (without captions) this week and may take to rewatching episodes this way. It’s such a visually pretty show. This week’s Trouble du jour, not so much with the pretty.
The episode, funnily enough titled “Sketchy,” centers on folks of rather sketchy repute falling to harm in extremely violent ways. The first, a Wall Street investor, crumples up into a ball on a docked boat after all of his extremity bones break at 90-degree angles. The second victim, a shady real estate broker, is literally shredded. The third victim, Jimmy, isn’t sketchy, just wrong place, wrong time, and his facial features start to disappear while Audrey and Nathan interview him. Thankfully Eleanor knocks him out with a handy morphine drip while the investigation continues. It’s not long before Audrey and Nathan figure out that the injuries are the result of actions being performed on sketches of the men.
It turns out that Vicky, who works on the boat with Jimmy (her fiance) and her dad, Alec, is an artist. She realized her ability when Richards, the captain of the boat, crumpled a sketch and caused the death of the seal in the drawing. Alec is into Richards for gambling debts, so Richards has blackmailed Vicky into providing sketches of his business clients for leverage to collect other outstanding debts with the promise that he'll forgive Alec's debts, and then things get ugly. Richards kidnaps Alec, steals all of Vicky's sketches, and is essentially holding the whole town hostage via a sketch she did from an overlook.
Audrey wrangles Duke to help and he gets onto the boat under the guise of a wine deal, rescues Alec, and takes down Richards by punching his sketch (after handily picking the safe where the the drawings were stashed). Richards dies when a scuffle on the dock sends his sketch into the water and Nathan can’t retrieve it. Audrey gives the sketches to Eleanor for safe keeping and fiance Jimmy gets his features back.
On the domestic front, Jess comes to the station under the guise of reporting a prowler with ridiculous features and when Nathan completely misses that she’s hitting on him, Audrey very loudly clues him in. [Sidebar: Jess invites him to a venison dinner because she shot a deer and when Audrey calls her on that being opposite her philosophy toward the animals last week, she gets a quippy answer, so that's a character reversal.] Later, Jess helps on their case when they ask her to stand by with a tranquilizer gun during Jimmy's interview (before they have ID'd Vicky). When the interview goes south, Nathan balks at getting involved with her because it's too dangerous. After the case is wrapped up, he turns up at her door for a “security review” with a bottle of wine behind his back, although I couldn’t tell if it was one of the 68 Chateau Latours from Duke.
Duke and Audrey continue their banter, and at one point he slips a comment about Audrey being Haven’s finest ass (and Nathan, too but a different kind of ass) and I’m not totally clear on why she laughed vs. letting him have it. It came off sort of skeevy instead of teasing. At the end of the episode, Audrey hangs out at his restaurant draining martinis to thank him for his help, and the way Duke asks if they are happy martinis or sad martinis redeems the ass comment.
Audrey continues her bonding with Eleanor and expresses her exasperation with the Troubles and wanting to kick them in ass while also wanting to get the hell out of Haven but seemingly being unable to do either. She has a cute scene with Nathan when their investigation leads them to an art store where we found out Nathan’s into decoupage and Audrey profiles him that because he can’t feel, his sense of sight is stronger (after he explains what the decoupage does to enrich the colors of the images). We also get Audrey doing her best over-the-top bad cop when she tries to rile each suspect into a rage to trigger their suspected ability, which while funny, could have gone either way if she'd been successful.
In all, this was a solid outing but I sort of guessed at things as we went along even though I was unspoiled. I liked that the episode’s title was a double entendre but I think it also tipped the plot early. It did feel more on track with the actual timeline of the show, in terms of Audrey trying to navigate her partnership with Nathan and friendship with Eleanor, and whatever she has with Duke. I think if this show was on pay cable, she and Duke would be FWBs. I’m glad they’re not. I like that they haven’t really defined what the energy is there. I think Duke is a good guy trying to pass himself off as more bad ass than he actually is, which works.
There's another new episode this Friday (thank you, Syfy). You can watch this week’s episode again on Syfy during the week and now on Hulu or Syfy.com. Another bonus of watching online – you actually get to hear all of Shawn Pierce’s moody score over the end credits.
The episode, funnily enough titled “Sketchy,” centers on folks of rather sketchy repute falling to harm in extremely violent ways. The first, a Wall Street investor, crumples up into a ball on a docked boat after all of his extremity bones break at 90-degree angles. The second victim, a shady real estate broker, is literally shredded. The third victim, Jimmy, isn’t sketchy, just wrong place, wrong time, and his facial features start to disappear while Audrey and Nathan interview him. Thankfully Eleanor knocks him out with a handy morphine drip while the investigation continues. It’s not long before Audrey and Nathan figure out that the injuries are the result of actions being performed on sketches of the men.
It turns out that Vicky, who works on the boat with Jimmy (her fiance) and her dad, Alec, is an artist. She realized her ability when Richards, the captain of the boat, crumpled a sketch and caused the death of the seal in the drawing. Alec is into Richards for gambling debts, so Richards has blackmailed Vicky into providing sketches of his business clients for leverage to collect other outstanding debts with the promise that he'll forgive Alec's debts, and then things get ugly. Richards kidnaps Alec, steals all of Vicky's sketches, and is essentially holding the whole town hostage via a sketch she did from an overlook.
Audrey wrangles Duke to help and he gets onto the boat under the guise of a wine deal, rescues Alec, and takes down Richards by punching his sketch (after handily picking the safe where the the drawings were stashed). Richards dies when a scuffle on the dock sends his sketch into the water and Nathan can’t retrieve it. Audrey gives the sketches to Eleanor for safe keeping and fiance Jimmy gets his features back.
On the domestic front, Jess comes to the station under the guise of reporting a prowler with ridiculous features and when Nathan completely misses that she’s hitting on him, Audrey very loudly clues him in. [Sidebar: Jess invites him to a venison dinner because she shot a deer and when Audrey calls her on that being opposite her philosophy toward the animals last week, she gets a quippy answer, so that's a character reversal.] Later, Jess helps on their case when they ask her to stand by with a tranquilizer gun during Jimmy's interview (before they have ID'd Vicky). When the interview goes south, Nathan balks at getting involved with her because it's too dangerous. After the case is wrapped up, he turns up at her door for a “security review” with a bottle of wine behind his back, although I couldn’t tell if it was one of the 68 Chateau Latours from Duke.
Duke and Audrey continue their banter, and at one point he slips a comment about Audrey being Haven’s finest ass (and Nathan, too but a different kind of ass) and I’m not totally clear on why she laughed vs. letting him have it. It came off sort of skeevy instead of teasing. At the end of the episode, Audrey hangs out at his restaurant draining martinis to thank him for his help, and the way Duke asks if they are happy martinis or sad martinis redeems the ass comment.
Audrey continues her bonding with Eleanor and expresses her exasperation with the Troubles and wanting to kick them in ass while also wanting to get the hell out of Haven but seemingly being unable to do either. She has a cute scene with Nathan when their investigation leads them to an art store where we found out Nathan’s into decoupage and Audrey profiles him that because he can’t feel, his sense of sight is stronger (after he explains what the decoupage does to enrich the colors of the images). We also get Audrey doing her best over-the-top bad cop when she tries to rile each suspect into a rage to trigger their suspected ability, which while funny, could have gone either way if she'd been successful.
In all, this was a solid outing but I sort of guessed at things as we went along even though I was unspoiled. I liked that the episode’s title was a double entendre but I think it also tipped the plot early. It did feel more on track with the actual timeline of the show, in terms of Audrey trying to navigate her partnership with Nathan and friendship with Eleanor, and whatever she has with Duke. I think if this show was on pay cable, she and Duke would be FWBs. I’m glad they’re not. I like that they haven’t really defined what the energy is there. I think Duke is a good guy trying to pass himself off as more bad ass than he actually is, which works.
There's another new episode this Friday (thank you, Syfy). You can watch this week’s episode again on Syfy during the week and now on Hulu or Syfy.com. Another bonus of watching online – you actually get to hear all of Shawn Pierce’s moody score over the end credits.
Monday, August 23, 2010
The Big C: Summer Time by Kara Howland
Well, I liked this week’s episode more than I liked the premiere. That is definitely saying something.
Cathy is an interesting character. She’s been diagnosed with Stage 4 skin cancer yet she’s recently taken up smoking. She’s a teacher who is kind of a know-it-all (but not in a bad way) yet she doesn’t know that much about what those around her really need. I think she’s trying to do right by her son and her student Andrea, but I’m not sure they can be “fixed.” Cathy’s also trying to fix her relationship with herself, which I find the most compelling story. I like that she’s done putting up with the things that drive her crazy. She’s going to turn her son into a good man. She’s going to turn Andrea into a healthy young woman. I’m not sure there’s anything she can do about Sean or Paul, but I do think she’s trying to put some quality time into those relationships to make them work. And, I guess, she’s putting her true self into her visits with Doctor Todd.
There is absolutely potential in this show and I think it’s just starting to be realized. I like the humor here and even though I don’t like Oliver Platt’s character, he plays him well and makes him really funny. It’s unintentional, but it’ s still funny. I’m very interested to see where this will go so I’ll keep watching (but not writing) for at least for a few more episodes.
Cathy is an interesting character. She’s been diagnosed with Stage 4 skin cancer yet she’s recently taken up smoking. She’s a teacher who is kind of a know-it-all (but not in a bad way) yet she doesn’t know that much about what those around her really need. I think she’s trying to do right by her son and her student Andrea, but I’m not sure they can be “fixed.” Cathy’s also trying to fix her relationship with herself, which I find the most compelling story. I like that she’s done putting up with the things that drive her crazy. She’s going to turn her son into a good man. She’s going to turn Andrea into a healthy young woman. I’m not sure there’s anything she can do about Sean or Paul, but I do think she’s trying to put some quality time into those relationships to make them work. And, I guess, she’s putting her true self into her visits with Doctor Todd.
There is absolutely potential in this show and I think it’s just starting to be realized. I like the humor here and even though I don’t like Oliver Platt’s character, he plays him well and makes him really funny. It’s unintentional, but it’ s still funny. I’m very interested to see where this will go so I’ll keep watching (but not writing) for at least for a few more episodes.
Eureka: Stoned by Heather M
I’ve always felt like shipper was a slag term coined by folks who didn’t want said relationship to happen. Sort of like “Go sit in the corner with your shippers!” I tend to not buy into potential relationships on TV shows because at some point you’re likely going to get screwed by TPTB. J.J. Abrams and I do not get along because he’s a fan of what I like to call love geometry—the more angles and obstacles the better (from Felicity through Alias through Lost and now Fringe. Trust me on this. He’s bent.) Occasionally, though, a show will get it right and reward viewers for giving dozens of hours of their time to the characters and the relationships. This week's Eureka made a leap in the right direction for Jack and Allison. Oh, and the show was renewed last week for a fifth season. Sweet!
The episode find Zoe home on a school break and falling back into friendly rapport with Jo, Grace, Vince, and a new HoloSkype (where can I get this?) buddy, to be determined. While Zoe catches up with Jo at Cafe Diem and dishes about Mr. TBD, Carter watches Allison and Jenna with Grant across the restaurant and gets increasingly itchy at their ease with each other. They head outside and Grant is sort of working up to asking Allison out on a proper date when Carter bails into the conversation citing police business. Grant begs off and then Carter says he needs to speak with Allison, and it’s a fairly long conversation, so he invites her to dinner. She happily agrees and you see it all over her face that it’s not a date for her but Carter is still pleased. When she walks away, he asks himself why it took him four years to do that. Can I get a “DUH!”
Carter’s newest case breaks out in the would-be basement of Jo’s new would-be home, which has encountered slabus interruptus because the local geo expert (who’s one of Zoe’s mentors from Tesla) has discovered a very, very old and very, very rare….pinky on the site. Jo is not happy. She wails about her dojo and her indoor firing range and her beautiful home that has got to get in gear because she needs her space.
Later that night, Carter is natted up for his date and Zoe tuts at him and says she’ll take a picture, but realizes she left her phone at the dig site, so they go to fetch it and find that her mentor is frozen in cement (think Han Solo). They take him back to GD and assume he’s dead when his heart starts to beat. Then they assume he’s encased in cement until Allison realizes he is cemented. She comments on Carter’s appearance when he arrives and teasingly asks him if he had a date, and he laughs and says yes, and then she gets it that he meant with her. She says he hadn’t mentioned the kiss from 1947 so she assumed that was the end of that and thought they were just having dinner. He’s goofy giddy that she’s been thinking about the kiss. Duty calls and the chat is tabled. Also at GD, Zoe runs into Zane and tips Carter that he is her mystery guy.
Elsewhere, Henry is wooing Grace and it turns out his idea of a perfect first date already was a perfect first date for Grace and AlternaHenry. Sangria, picnic, and beautiful beach sunset projected inside the garage. When Grace confesses she’s been there before, Henry’s hurt but determined to find another way to woo. Grace says she’s happy for the effort. Henry asks Carter what to do and he doesn’t know but says Henry should try the opposite approach and ask the least likely person for advice. Henry says he thought was Carter and thanks him anyway and goes on.
Grace retreats to the spa run by Keegan Connor Tracy (still rocking an awesome haircut, BTW, and sidebar: she needs to guest on Covert Affairs so we can get her back onscreen with Chris Gorham. Just saying). Grace and Zoe, who’s taking a break from cemented mentor, talk about boys and brains and wooing. I’d have to go back and look at last season, but it seems like they went way up on the geekspeak with Zoe this season, or she’s just a REALLY fast learner at Harvard. The spa treatment has the unintended side effect of combining with the properties of the dig site, and soon Zoe starts to cement, too.
Everybody rushes to save her and they realize the superpotent steam from the spa is the ticket because it can penetrate the stone. Once Zoe is recovered, Zane drops by and they're very flirty. Jo comes in and sees them and is devastated, doubly so because she encouraged Zoe, which she tells Carter. He stammers over telling her maybe it won’t last and she asks what if it does.
Allison comes out in the hall to discuss Zoe, and Carter finally mans up. He asks her if she thought going out with Grant was a date and she says yes. Then he asks why going out with him wasn’t, and she says they have a friendship that she won’t jeopardize by pursuing a relationship with him, so she can’t think about dating him. He takes that in and walks away from her. The camera locks on her for a few moments and you finally see it register that she’s sad about that because maybe it would be worth the risk and she might lose him anyway by rejecting the possibility. While she's lost in that, Carter dips back into the frame and finally lays the mother of all kisses on her. They keep kissing and smiling and it’s ON!
Out in the foyer, Henry swoops Grace into an embrace and starts singing to her. Before she can protest too much, Thomas Dolby’s “She Blinded Me with Science” starts blasting amid strobe lights with Fargo DJing from above. Henry swings her around and sings along and she is enchanted (as she should be) and laughing.
Grant is away from the main story this week, saddled with a potential IRS investigation because Larry listed 11 dependents for him instead of 1 on the W2. I’m not totally sure what the arc was with Larry, but he later delivers a mystery gift basket to Grant and then seems to sort of imply he wants to buddy up to him. I took it as a romantic gesture but it may be that Larry is just socially awkward about how to pursue a bromance. The gift basket entices Grant to a rendezvous point where he comes across the villainess Beverly (whom we last saw in season 2), and she says she has ties to him via her father. Dun. Dun. DUN.
So, we have Carter and Allison finally moving forward, Grace and Henry getting acquainted and Zane and Zoe maybe warming up to something. Busy week! The episode was directed by Joe Morton, who did an awesome job with all the threads. I really wasn’t all that into the MacGuffin this week. There was so much going on that that was the thing of least interest to me. I will always watch Keegan Connor Tracy so I hope they bring her back—it would certainly work for the ladies to have a hang out outside of Cafe Diem. I loved that Fargo’s nerdiest of ideas was perfect for Grace and Henry. I was in middle school when that song was in fairly constant rotation on MTV (back when they were a video network, yes, really), so it’s always been a silly special song to me.
Not sure what to make of Beverly’s return. That may be too many cooks in the kitchen—sort of like the arc with Frances Fisher. I don’t know that Grant needed a secret spy/villainy tangent. I was happy with them exploring his acclimation to living 63 years outside his frame of reference.
The Zoe/Zane thing could be cute in the now, but I think it'll be terribly traumatic for them and for Jo should they ever find out about the alternaverse where Jo and Zane were together. Because Zoe is Jo's friend, I think the harder thing for her to take would be that Jo is grieving the loss of her version of Zane and still looking for signs of him in the Zane of this reality.
Per what I wrote last week, I’m completely down with Carter and Allison being allowed to pursue a relationship. It’s genuine. Carter has loved her pretty much since the pilot, and has seriously pined for her when she wasn’t available to him. He's bratted out a few times but has otherwise been a constant, platonic companion, through Nathan's death and Jenna's birth. Let them try this. This is a smart show. I think they can do this right. I hope they do this right.
We had a glimpse of Nathan in the teaser for next week. Producer Amy Berg said on Twitter over the weekend that Ed Quinn, who plays Nathan, isn’t back on the show. So, fingers crossed this is a one-off driveby or a dream or a memory. Only two episodes until the hiatus. Again with the BOOO.
The episode find Zoe home on a school break and falling back into friendly rapport with Jo, Grace, Vince, and a new HoloSkype (where can I get this?) buddy, to be determined. While Zoe catches up with Jo at Cafe Diem and dishes about Mr. TBD, Carter watches Allison and Jenna with Grant across the restaurant and gets increasingly itchy at their ease with each other. They head outside and Grant is sort of working up to asking Allison out on a proper date when Carter bails into the conversation citing police business. Grant begs off and then Carter says he needs to speak with Allison, and it’s a fairly long conversation, so he invites her to dinner. She happily agrees and you see it all over her face that it’s not a date for her but Carter is still pleased. When she walks away, he asks himself why it took him four years to do that. Can I get a “DUH!”
Carter’s newest case breaks out in the would-be basement of Jo’s new would-be home, which has encountered slabus interruptus because the local geo expert (who’s one of Zoe’s mentors from Tesla) has discovered a very, very old and very, very rare….pinky on the site. Jo is not happy. She wails about her dojo and her indoor firing range and her beautiful home that has got to get in gear because she needs her space.
Later that night, Carter is natted up for his date and Zoe tuts at him and says she’ll take a picture, but realizes she left her phone at the dig site, so they go to fetch it and find that her mentor is frozen in cement (think Han Solo). They take him back to GD and assume he’s dead when his heart starts to beat. Then they assume he’s encased in cement until Allison realizes he is cemented. She comments on Carter’s appearance when he arrives and teasingly asks him if he had a date, and he laughs and says yes, and then she gets it that he meant with her. She says he hadn’t mentioned the kiss from 1947 so she assumed that was the end of that and thought they were just having dinner. He’s goofy giddy that she’s been thinking about the kiss. Duty calls and the chat is tabled. Also at GD, Zoe runs into Zane and tips Carter that he is her mystery guy.
Elsewhere, Henry is wooing Grace and it turns out his idea of a perfect first date already was a perfect first date for Grace and AlternaHenry. Sangria, picnic, and beautiful beach sunset projected inside the garage. When Grace confesses she’s been there before, Henry’s hurt but determined to find another way to woo. Grace says she’s happy for the effort. Henry asks Carter what to do and he doesn’t know but says Henry should try the opposite approach and ask the least likely person for advice. Henry says he thought was Carter and thanks him anyway and goes on.
Grace retreats to the spa run by Keegan Connor Tracy (still rocking an awesome haircut, BTW, and sidebar: she needs to guest on Covert Affairs so we can get her back onscreen with Chris Gorham. Just saying). Grace and Zoe, who’s taking a break from cemented mentor, talk about boys and brains and wooing. I’d have to go back and look at last season, but it seems like they went way up on the geekspeak with Zoe this season, or she’s just a REALLY fast learner at Harvard. The spa treatment has the unintended side effect of combining with the properties of the dig site, and soon Zoe starts to cement, too.
Everybody rushes to save her and they realize the superpotent steam from the spa is the ticket because it can penetrate the stone. Once Zoe is recovered, Zane drops by and they're very flirty. Jo comes in and sees them and is devastated, doubly so because she encouraged Zoe, which she tells Carter. He stammers over telling her maybe it won’t last and she asks what if it does.
Allison comes out in the hall to discuss Zoe, and Carter finally mans up. He asks her if she thought going out with Grant was a date and she says yes. Then he asks why going out with him wasn’t, and she says they have a friendship that she won’t jeopardize by pursuing a relationship with him, so she can’t think about dating him. He takes that in and walks away from her. The camera locks on her for a few moments and you finally see it register that she’s sad about that because maybe it would be worth the risk and she might lose him anyway by rejecting the possibility. While she's lost in that, Carter dips back into the frame and finally lays the mother of all kisses on her. They keep kissing and smiling and it’s ON!
Out in the foyer, Henry swoops Grace into an embrace and starts singing to her. Before she can protest too much, Thomas Dolby’s “She Blinded Me with Science” starts blasting amid strobe lights with Fargo DJing from above. Henry swings her around and sings along and she is enchanted (as she should be) and laughing.
Grant is away from the main story this week, saddled with a potential IRS investigation because Larry listed 11 dependents for him instead of 1 on the W2. I’m not totally sure what the arc was with Larry, but he later delivers a mystery gift basket to Grant and then seems to sort of imply he wants to buddy up to him. I took it as a romantic gesture but it may be that Larry is just socially awkward about how to pursue a bromance. The gift basket entices Grant to a rendezvous point where he comes across the villainess Beverly (whom we last saw in season 2), and she says she has ties to him via her father. Dun. Dun. DUN.
So, we have Carter and Allison finally moving forward, Grace and Henry getting acquainted and Zane and Zoe maybe warming up to something. Busy week! The episode was directed by Joe Morton, who did an awesome job with all the threads. I really wasn’t all that into the MacGuffin this week. There was so much going on that that was the thing of least interest to me. I will always watch Keegan Connor Tracy so I hope they bring her back—it would certainly work for the ladies to have a hang out outside of Cafe Diem. I loved that Fargo’s nerdiest of ideas was perfect for Grace and Henry. I was in middle school when that song was in fairly constant rotation on MTV (back when they were a video network, yes, really), so it’s always been a silly special song to me.
Not sure what to make of Beverly’s return. That may be too many cooks in the kitchen—sort of like the arc with Frances Fisher. I don’t know that Grant needed a secret spy/villainy tangent. I was happy with them exploring his acclimation to living 63 years outside his frame of reference.
The Zoe/Zane thing could be cute in the now, but I think it'll be terribly traumatic for them and for Jo should they ever find out about the alternaverse where Jo and Zane were together. Because Zoe is Jo's friend, I think the harder thing for her to take would be that Jo is grieving the loss of her version of Zane and still looking for signs of him in the Zane of this reality.
Per what I wrote last week, I’m completely down with Carter and Allison being allowed to pursue a relationship. It’s genuine. Carter has loved her pretty much since the pilot, and has seriously pined for her when she wasn’t available to him. He's bratted out a few times but has otherwise been a constant, platonic companion, through Nathan's death and Jenna's birth. Let them try this. This is a smart show. I think they can do this right. I hope they do this right.
We had a glimpse of Nathan in the teaser for next week. Producer Amy Berg said on Twitter over the weekend that Ed Quinn, who plays Nathan, isn’t back on the show. So, fingers crossed this is a one-off driveby or a dream or a memory. Only two episodes until the hiatus. Again with the BOOO.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
White Collar: In the Red by Claudia Charles
The opening sequence with Peter, Diane and Jones was kind of funny. Peter is definitely always about trusting his gut when he's investigating and Jones bet against him that the jewel thief would be an insider. This opening was quite interesting because from what was occurring you would think that this was going to be all about thievery but instead we have an adoption scam gone bad for Katherine McMillan. She is a mother who is trying to keep her child from being taken away and turns to nefarious means in order to achieve this. I thought it was rather touching that Neal tried to get her to not follow through because he saw that she had her child in the car.
Mozzie breaking into Sara’s apartment seemed like a good idea but did they really think that Sara didn’t know that envelope wasn’t there? This seemed very implausible that they would not have taken that into consideration before breaking into her apartment. The scene with Sara having Neal submit to a polygraph was rather annoying. Can one thwart a polygraph so easily by using a thumbtack? I don’t know how accurate that was. Sara was rather annoying if not dogged in her pursuit of Neal this week. However, the resolution of this situation hit the spot as Sara was able to connect with Neal in his desire to know what happened to Kate.
Luke Donovan was played to perfect sleaziness by John Larroquette who seems to be sporting the “I haven’t worked in a while” beard. Donovan is the international adoption lawyer who shakes down his clients because of his gambling debts. His prowess with gambling seems to be limited because his huge losses are drawing the attention of the Czechian mob.
We learned in the episode that Mozzie was in foster care and was never adopted. He really gets rather heated about the fact that Donovan is scamming adoptive parents. This does give a little insight to some of Mozzie’s issues and quirks.
Loved Diane and Jones going undercover. You know that I love any time that they use these two in more of the story. They did make a very rich looking Hamptons couple. Diane insisting they adopt a little girl was in character for her. Loved it.
The gambling scenes were pretty standard fare. I did feel that Neal played up to Donovan a little too quickly. It seemed rather obvious what he was trying to do. Donovan’s tell that Peter was able to identify through his gut work played out very subtly.
I enjoyed how Peter enlisted the help of the Czechian mob by letting them know that Donovan was exploiting Czechian children. It seemed rather simplistic but it was an effective argument and since the FBI was not technically after the other shady dealings it worked. I wonder if the real FBI would cut such a deal.
I feel that season 2 is progressing quite well and that the writers have been doing an excellent job of finding situations that are new and different to use Neal as a con-man. I enjoyed the first season but I felt that it was somewhat repetitive at times. Glad to see that they have learned from this and have upped their game. I have been reading that Tiffani Thiessen is back to work so here’s hoping that we are almost done with the fake San Francisco back drops.
Random Thoughts
John Larroquette has played some wonderful roles in the past. He is another actor who needs to find a home in a series. For me his most notable role is when he played "Dan Fielding" on Night Court. I loved that show growing up and loved to hate the sleazy lawyer that Larroquette played. His acting chops have always been impeccable.
Mozzie breaking into Sara’s apartment seemed like a good idea but did they really think that Sara didn’t know that envelope wasn’t there? This seemed very implausible that they would not have taken that into consideration before breaking into her apartment. The scene with Sara having Neal submit to a polygraph was rather annoying. Can one thwart a polygraph so easily by using a thumbtack? I don’t know how accurate that was. Sara was rather annoying if not dogged in her pursuit of Neal this week. However, the resolution of this situation hit the spot as Sara was able to connect with Neal in his desire to know what happened to Kate.
Luke Donovan was played to perfect sleaziness by John Larroquette who seems to be sporting the “I haven’t worked in a while” beard. Donovan is the international adoption lawyer who shakes down his clients because of his gambling debts. His prowess with gambling seems to be limited because his huge losses are drawing the attention of the Czechian mob.
We learned in the episode that Mozzie was in foster care and was never adopted. He really gets rather heated about the fact that Donovan is scamming adoptive parents. This does give a little insight to some of Mozzie’s issues and quirks.
Loved Diane and Jones going undercover. You know that I love any time that they use these two in more of the story. They did make a very rich looking Hamptons couple. Diane insisting they adopt a little girl was in character for her. Loved it.
The gambling scenes were pretty standard fare. I did feel that Neal played up to Donovan a little too quickly. It seemed rather obvious what he was trying to do. Donovan’s tell that Peter was able to identify through his gut work played out very subtly.
I enjoyed how Peter enlisted the help of the Czechian mob by letting them know that Donovan was exploiting Czechian children. It seemed rather simplistic but it was an effective argument and since the FBI was not technically after the other shady dealings it worked. I wonder if the real FBI would cut such a deal.
I feel that season 2 is progressing quite well and that the writers have been doing an excellent job of finding situations that are new and different to use Neal as a con-man. I enjoyed the first season but I felt that it was somewhat repetitive at times. Glad to see that they have learned from this and have upped their game. I have been reading that Tiffani Thiessen is back to work so here’s hoping that we are almost done with the fake San Francisco back drops.
Random Thoughts
John Larroquette has played some wonderful roles in the past. He is another actor who needs to find a home in a series. For me his most notable role is when he played "Dan Fielding" on Night Court. I loved that show growing up and loved to hate the sleazy lawyer that Larroquette played. His acting chops have always been impeccable.
White Collar: Unfinished business by Claudia Charles
This was a solid episode of White Collar. I enjoyed the opening sequence between Peter and Neal with Neal waxing poetic about going to this restaurant where they employ molecular gastronomy. I have to confess here that the only reason I am aware of what molecular gastronomy is from my years of being a Top Chef viewer. So I found it to be totally cool that I understood what Neal was talking about.
The introduction of Sara Ellis
Neal’s ongoing investigation into Kate’s death really progressed this week. Matt Bomer effectively conveyed how much he really cared about Kate. We saw this throughout the episode and it resulted in Neal needing to cozy up to Sara in order to gain access to her apartment to retrieve the voice data recorder from the FAA. Watching Neal having to finesse himself around Sara
Loved Neal’s look as Mr. Black. His slicked back hair made him look more menacing but in a very sexy way. A sign that things were not going their way was that the limo jammed Neal’s communication signal. Definitely a sign of the level of sophistication of the big bad for the episode. So Neal knows a thing or two about guns. I was a little surprised by that because I seem to remember that he has not been in favor of their usage in previous episodes.
The introduction of the latest big bad took about 30 minutes. In some ways
The scene between Peter
Random Thoughts
The actor playing Roy
John Pyper-Ferguson recently played a very significant role in the Syfy series Caprica. He's Eric Stoltz’s business rival who is turning up the pressure on the rivalry.
Random Thoughts on Mad Men: The Chrysanthemum and the Sword by Kara Howland
Don Draper is a genius. He certainly knows how to think outside the box, which helps the firm land Honda despite Roger’s racist comments. I like how Pete is really stepping up and making his opinions heard. And it’s different then the way he’s presented his ideas in the past. Before I felt like he was whiny and needy. Now I feel like he’s actually earned his right to say something to someone like Roger. Good job.
Betty and Don are at their most interesting when they fight. I love their interactions but I do hope they can put their personal acrimony aside to help their daughter because Sally is crying out for attention. She’s clearly still affected by the death of her grandfather and the absence of her father. I hope talking to Dr. Edna helps her.
Miss Blankenship is still amazing with that comic timing. I hope Don suffers through her for at least one more episode.
Betty and Don are at their most interesting when they fight. I love their interactions but I do hope they can put their personal acrimony aside to help their daughter because Sally is crying out for attention. She’s clearly still affected by the death of her grandfather and the absence of her father. I hope talking to Dr. Edna helps her.
Miss Blankenship is still amazing with that comic timing. I hope Don suffers through her for at least one more episode.
Drop Dead Diva: Good Grief by Kara Howland
I don’t watch The Bachelor but I do have an opinion about Jake Pavelka: he’s not a very good actor. He’s easy on the eyes though.
Jake makes a cameo appearance as a guy named Toby. A show called The One, with an eerily similar premise to that of The Bachelor, has just made one of the bachelorettes into a public laughing stock. She’s known as Weeping Wendy. She’s suing the show’s producer because she’s been humiliated. Even though she signed a release form, the judge will allow the jury to decide if the show caused her intentional infliction of emotional harm. The most interesting thing about this case, at least for me, is how it affects Kim and Parker’s relationship. But first a quick question: Is this the first time we’ve seen Parker in court? I’m trying to remember. I do like seeing him there, it just feels new and maybe a bit weird. Ok, back to Kim and Parker. She has every right to be wary of his romantic baggage. He’s the love ‘em and don’t ever talk to ‘em again when it’s over type. When he’s in a relationship he’s in 100%. When it’s over, he’s gone. All’s well that ends well though – at least for the case. The producer is in love with Wendy and urged Toby to pick the other girl. He knew Toby was all about launching his career while Wendy was all about finding true love. They end up going out to dinner to see if there’s something there.
Speaking of true love, Jane takes a case that doesn’t please Parker. Her client is dressing up as a clown even though his job is in corporate sales. His wife died about six months ago and that’s when the costume and makeup made its first appearance. The day before Evan’s wife died they spent time together and both got a kick out of a clown that made fun of her. Dressing up makes Evan feel close to his wife. The only problem is that people at his company are uncomfortable and when Evan uses his horn to answer a question in court, the judge holds him in contempt. With Grayson as Jane’s co-counsel she’s getting insight into how Grayson dealt with Deb’s death. He too was on a downward spiral until he realized Deb wouldn’t like the man he was becoming. Jane pulls out that piece of wisdom for Evan and helps him take his makeup off when Evan realizes what he’s doing. And as a bonus he gets his job back. I think it was a shame to put Barry Watson in all that makeup. But at least Jane and Grayson got to bond a bit.
Stacy likes Fred. Well, it’s about time. Jane suspects Stacy might have feelings for Fred when she wipes off her zit cream before he can see it. And later when Fred invites Stacy to dinner and she runs into an ex, Fred defends her honor. When Stacy kisses him, Fred realizes he might just be on a date with his dream girl. I like seeing these two crazy kids together. I’m excited to see where it goes now that Fred has a new “deal.”
Next week is the two-hour season finale and based on the previews it should be quite exciting. I won’t give anything away here but if you miss it you’ll be sorry. See you next week.
Jake makes a cameo appearance as a guy named Toby. A show called The One, with an eerily similar premise to that of The Bachelor, has just made one of the bachelorettes into a public laughing stock. She’s known as Weeping Wendy. She’s suing the show’s producer because she’s been humiliated. Even though she signed a release form, the judge will allow the jury to decide if the show caused her intentional infliction of emotional harm. The most interesting thing about this case, at least for me, is how it affects Kim and Parker’s relationship. But first a quick question: Is this the first time we’ve seen Parker in court? I’m trying to remember. I do like seeing him there, it just feels new and maybe a bit weird. Ok, back to Kim and Parker. She has every right to be wary of his romantic baggage. He’s the love ‘em and don’t ever talk to ‘em again when it’s over type. When he’s in a relationship he’s in 100%. When it’s over, he’s gone. All’s well that ends well though – at least for the case. The producer is in love with Wendy and urged Toby to pick the other girl. He knew Toby was all about launching his career while Wendy was all about finding true love. They end up going out to dinner to see if there’s something there.
Speaking of true love, Jane takes a case that doesn’t please Parker. Her client is dressing up as a clown even though his job is in corporate sales. His wife died about six months ago and that’s when the costume and makeup made its first appearance. The day before Evan’s wife died they spent time together and both got a kick out of a clown that made fun of her. Dressing up makes Evan feel close to his wife. The only problem is that people at his company are uncomfortable and when Evan uses his horn to answer a question in court, the judge holds him in contempt. With Grayson as Jane’s co-counsel she’s getting insight into how Grayson dealt with Deb’s death. He too was on a downward spiral until he realized Deb wouldn’t like the man he was becoming. Jane pulls out that piece of wisdom for Evan and helps him take his makeup off when Evan realizes what he’s doing. And as a bonus he gets his job back. I think it was a shame to put Barry Watson in all that makeup. But at least Jane and Grayson got to bond a bit.
Stacy likes Fred. Well, it’s about time. Jane suspects Stacy might have feelings for Fred when she wipes off her zit cream before he can see it. And later when Fred invites Stacy to dinner and she runs into an ex, Fred defends her honor. When Stacy kisses him, Fred realizes he might just be on a date with his dream girl. I like seeing these two crazy kids together. I’m excited to see where it goes now that Fred has a new “deal.”
Next week is the two-hour season finale and based on the previews it should be quite exciting. I won’t give anything away here but if you miss it you’ll be sorry. See you next week.
The Rachel Zoe Project: Changes in the Zoe Camp by Kara Howland
So…I wanted to try to do a marathon and catch up on all three episodes so far but I totally ran out of time this weekend. I’m hoping to catch up by the end of the week (wish me luck). In the meantime, I got one episode watched.
With Taylor’s shady departure and awards season imminent, Brad (now the Style Director) has to bring another person into the business. And what happened to Taylor you ask? Fired. The “financials” weren’t lining up. It seems like she was “borrowing” samples and never returning them and from what Rodger says it looks like her expense reports weren’t on the level either. Wow. I have no problem accusing Taylor of being a bratty drama queen (and perhaps also brilliant in terms of her styling) but I would have never pegged her for a thief and a liar. Seriously.
Rachel and Rodger starting looking to hire another person. Brad says this person will replace Taylor, but I don’t think that’s really true. They don’t seem to want another associate. They want an assistant and even though Taylor complained loudly about still performing assistant duties, technically she wasn’t an assistant.
Rachel thinks all six applicants are so green. And they are. Someone who is an “assistant” at Rachel Zoe is probably an associate somewhere else. And, of course, Rachel’s stressing about making the decision – she wants to make sure she picks a person who is no drama.
On top of everything they’ve just been hit with a Harper’s Bazaar shoot with Demi Moore. It’s shooting in four days with 10 looks, but Rachel wants 30 looks to choose from. It will be a playful and prop-y shoot, based on what they know now. The way it works is Rachel picks her looks from the runway, emails the editorial department and they try to pull as many pieces as possible. Rachel also brings her own pieces in. It’s a good thing the look books have just come in. Demi was Taylor’s client so Brad is feeling a bit stressed. It would be a disaster if any of Taylor’s clients left Rachel to go work with Taylor.
Since the concept isn’t 100% set, Brad wants to take a lot of looks to the shoot. He wants to prove that he can do more than Taylor was doing.
Bazaar sends Rachel a list of images they’ll be using in the shoots – oversized and undersized props. Brad is surprised to see a giraffe on the list with all the other props.
Rachel gets a call that her old agency is now repping Taylor and that they’ve sent out a press release about it. And Rachel didn’t know anything about this. You have to admit that it’s a shrewd move by both Taylor and Rachel’s old agency. Whatever the real story is, Taylor is a stylist and she’s going to do whatever she needs to do to get a job.
Rachel’s feeling the pressure. She wants Demi and Bazaar to be happy and she wants the photographs to be iconic and beautiful.
The shoot is in Malibu and all the looks are from the Spring runways. Rachel’s going for Alice in Wonderland, a little surreal and little dream-like. The shoot seems to be going well but there is one Marc Jacobs piece that Rachel keeps asking Brad about that isn’t there yet. Brad’s definitely feeling like they’re short-staffed; there’s only so much he can do (a refrain I feel like we heard a lot from Taylor). When the bloomer outfit arrives but there seem to be undergarments missing so they decide not to use it.
Location change. They move from the house to the beach. Rachel has to be carried down to the beach because of her shoes. She claims not to own flats, which I believe. Here comes the giraffe and Demi is in the Alexander McQueen. Beautiful.
With the Bazaar shoot done, Rachel makes the call to Ashley. She’s hired. She needs to start immediately because they’re so insane right now.
Brad wants Rachel to see the latest issue of Paper before she’s ambushed with her. A while back Brad and Taylor were approached by the magazine and asked to style each other for a photo shoot. At the time it was a great idea, now it’s awkward now. Rachel tears Taylor’s pictures up, throws them in the fireplace, and wants to light a fire. She doesn’t wish Taylor the best. Rachel just wants Taylor out of her mind.
What a great episode. More than anything I watch the show for the fashion. Sometimes I want to fast-forward through all the drama. Whether or not Taylor is on the show, there will always be drama. Rachel is always freaking out about something and so is Brad. Rachel’s’ studio seems like the perfect environment for that. I just roll my eyes and go with it. I do think both Rachel and Brad have every right to feel betrayed and angry. But they both need to get over it and do their jobs. I know Taylor was with Rachel for four years and she considered her family, but cut those heartstrings Rachel. Stuff like this happens all the time in the business world. You hope it won’t happen to you but you’ve got to move on when it does.
I, for one, am very excited about awards season. I always like seeing all the dresses and the finished looks. I can’t wait to see what Rachel puts on her clients for the Globes. And who is the mystery client who defects to Taylor for the big show? I don’t know since I haven’t watched that episode yet. But when I do, I’ll meet you back here.
With Taylor’s shady departure and awards season imminent, Brad (now the Style Director) has to bring another person into the business. And what happened to Taylor you ask? Fired. The “financials” weren’t lining up. It seems like she was “borrowing” samples and never returning them and from what Rodger says it looks like her expense reports weren’t on the level either. Wow. I have no problem accusing Taylor of being a bratty drama queen (and perhaps also brilliant in terms of her styling) but I would have never pegged her for a thief and a liar. Seriously.
Rachel and Rodger starting looking to hire another person. Brad says this person will replace Taylor, but I don’t think that’s really true. They don’t seem to want another associate. They want an assistant and even though Taylor complained loudly about still performing assistant duties, technically she wasn’t an assistant.
Rachel thinks all six applicants are so green. And they are. Someone who is an “assistant” at Rachel Zoe is probably an associate somewhere else. And, of course, Rachel’s stressing about making the decision – she wants to make sure she picks a person who is no drama.
On top of everything they’ve just been hit with a Harper’s Bazaar shoot with Demi Moore. It’s shooting in four days with 10 looks, but Rachel wants 30 looks to choose from. It will be a playful and prop-y shoot, based on what they know now. The way it works is Rachel picks her looks from the runway, emails the editorial department and they try to pull as many pieces as possible. Rachel also brings her own pieces in. It’s a good thing the look books have just come in. Demi was Taylor’s client so Brad is feeling a bit stressed. It would be a disaster if any of Taylor’s clients left Rachel to go work with Taylor.
Since the concept isn’t 100% set, Brad wants to take a lot of looks to the shoot. He wants to prove that he can do more than Taylor was doing.
Bazaar sends Rachel a list of images they’ll be using in the shoots – oversized and undersized props. Brad is surprised to see a giraffe on the list with all the other props.
Rachel gets a call that her old agency is now repping Taylor and that they’ve sent out a press release about it. And Rachel didn’t know anything about this. You have to admit that it’s a shrewd move by both Taylor and Rachel’s old agency. Whatever the real story is, Taylor is a stylist and she’s going to do whatever she needs to do to get a job.
Rachel’s feeling the pressure. She wants Demi and Bazaar to be happy and she wants the photographs to be iconic and beautiful.
The shoot is in Malibu and all the looks are from the Spring runways. Rachel’s going for Alice in Wonderland, a little surreal and little dream-like. The shoot seems to be going well but there is one Marc Jacobs piece that Rachel keeps asking Brad about that isn’t there yet. Brad’s definitely feeling like they’re short-staffed; there’s only so much he can do (a refrain I feel like we heard a lot from Taylor). When the bloomer outfit arrives but there seem to be undergarments missing so they decide not to use it.
Location change. They move from the house to the beach. Rachel has to be carried down to the beach because of her shoes. She claims not to own flats, which I believe. Here comes the giraffe and Demi is in the Alexander McQueen. Beautiful.
With the Bazaar shoot done, Rachel makes the call to Ashley. She’s hired. She needs to start immediately because they’re so insane right now.
Brad wants Rachel to see the latest issue of Paper before she’s ambushed with her. A while back Brad and Taylor were approached by the magazine and asked to style each other for a photo shoot. At the time it was a great idea, now it’s awkward now. Rachel tears Taylor’s pictures up, throws them in the fireplace, and wants to light a fire. She doesn’t wish Taylor the best. Rachel just wants Taylor out of her mind.
What a great episode. More than anything I watch the show for the fashion. Sometimes I want to fast-forward through all the drama. Whether or not Taylor is on the show, there will always be drama. Rachel is always freaking out about something and so is Brad. Rachel’s’ studio seems like the perfect environment for that. I just roll my eyes and go with it. I do think both Rachel and Brad have every right to feel betrayed and angry. But they both need to get over it and do their jobs. I know Taylor was with Rachel for four years and she considered her family, but cut those heartstrings Rachel. Stuff like this happens all the time in the business world. You hope it won’t happen to you but you’ve got to move on when it does.
I, for one, am very excited about awards season. I always like seeing all the dresses and the finished looks. I can’t wait to see what Rachel puts on her clients for the Globes. And who is the mystery client who defects to Taylor for the big show? I don’t know since I haven’t watched that episode yet. But when I do, I’ll meet you back here.
Random Thoughts on Mad Men: The Rejected by Kara Howland
Trudy is finally pregnant and Don gets his just desserts, sort of.
I’m not sure how to feel about the fact that Pete Campbell is soon to be a father (for the second time). Pete even admits that it feels different then he expected it to. Well, I should certainly hope so. The first time he was told he was a father was a complete and unwelcome shock. This time, it’s something that Trudy – and maybe to a much lesser degree Peter – has been anticipating. Peggy’s reaction is quite interesting and I liked their little interaction at the end of the episode. I wonder if Peggy will ever truly get over Pete.
Don is finally called out by Allison. When some of the girls who are participating in a focus group at work start talking about how ex-boyfriends didn’t seem to appreciate, or in some cases even notice them, it’s a little too much for Allison to take. She knows Don is watching and doesn’t feel comfortable confiding in the group. When Don finds her in his office later he once again wants to pretend like everything is ok. But Allison is sick of it. She’s embarrassed and she wants to go work for a woman. When she asks for a reference and Don can’t even be bothered to write it, it’s the last straw. She makes a bit of a scene as she leaves. Good for her. It’s about time someone called Don on his atrocious behavior. I think he’s finally starting to realize the error of his ways, which isn’t so good for everyone in his life. Because when he feels threatened he lashes out in really ugly ways. Tonight’s episode should be a doozy.
P.S. Miss Blankenship is awesome. She’s an unexpected and welcome dose of hilarity.
I’m not sure how to feel about the fact that Pete Campbell is soon to be a father (for the second time). Pete even admits that it feels different then he expected it to. Well, I should certainly hope so. The first time he was told he was a father was a complete and unwelcome shock. This time, it’s something that Trudy – and maybe to a much lesser degree Peter – has been anticipating. Peggy’s reaction is quite interesting and I liked their little interaction at the end of the episode. I wonder if Peggy will ever truly get over Pete.
Don is finally called out by Allison. When some of the girls who are participating in a focus group at work start talking about how ex-boyfriends didn’t seem to appreciate, or in some cases even notice them, it’s a little too much for Allison to take. She knows Don is watching and doesn’t feel comfortable confiding in the group. When Don finds her in his office later he once again wants to pretend like everything is ok. But Allison is sick of it. She’s embarrassed and she wants to go work for a woman. When she asks for a reference and Don can’t even be bothered to write it, it’s the last straw. She makes a bit of a scene as she leaves. Good for her. It’s about time someone called Don on his atrocious behavior. I think he’s finally starting to realize the error of his ways, which isn’t so good for everyone in his life. Because when he feels threatened he lashes out in really ugly ways. Tonight’s episode should be a doozy.
P.S. Miss Blankenship is awesome. She’s an unexpected and welcome dose of hilarity.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Rescue Me: Cowboy by Sabrina A. Taylor
This is the kind of episode that you could hand to someone who's never seen 'Rescue Me,' and say that it captures everything that makes the show great in one installment. The humor was laugh-out-loud funny at places; the drama was heartfelt and uncomfortably real at others. And the entire ensemble was on top of their game.
If you have any friends that haven’t yet experienced the hilarity of Rescue Me, don’t delete this episode off of your DVR. This episode really showcased the each character well and it was really fun to watch.
It was nice to see Tommy and Janet waking up together after such an intimate night. Tommy in the kitchen making what was supposed to be breakfast and Janet smiling! They both really want to give the marriage another go but Janet tells Tommy that for the sake of their kids this really has to be the last time. Janet only asks that they really try this time with no distractions…, which means no Sheila. He can contact Sheila one last time to say goodbye but that’s it. Tommy is on board.
With the fate of the recently closed firehouse in limbo, Sid and Needles go to HQ where Needles, alone, saves the Firehouse. Sid’s old school approach wasn’t working. Needles, however, had the footage that was collected from the guys rescuing the deaf kids before NYPD could show up and he had it wrapped up in a pretty little blackmail bow. Within 24 hours we have our Firehouse back!
I’m happy to see that all is back to normal between Black Sean and Franco. Damian comes receives advice from to the two Casanova’s on how to seal the deal with his girlfriend. The advice works and we learn, after the deal was sealed a little to quickly, that Damian ‘was’ a virgin.
I’m really concerned for Lou’s health. We had another glimpse at how unhealthy Lou really is on the big Firehouse call this week. Where an older woman had to practically carry him out. I hope this isn’t a foreshadowing of Lou’s fate on the show, as I can’t really picture the Firehouse or Tommy without him.
Well Tommy popped by Sheila’s to tell her that he and Janet are working on mending their marriage and to say goodbye. She tells Tommy there’s no love lost and ends with the sex wasn’t that great anyway. Typical Tommy ends up being suckered into this with Sheila and they end up hot and heavy on the couch at the very moment Mickey shows up. Man, these Gavin men have a talent for showing up at the right moment to ‘walk in’ on something almost happening. Mickey pulls a Tommy, and storms off and they attempt to run after him but they are tangled up literally in each other’s clothes. Terrified that Mickey is going to tell Janet about this Tommy begins to call Mickey repeatedly and rushes home to Janet. When he gets there all appears calm on the home front until he realizes he’s home just in time for a family dinner with Janet, Colleen, Katie……and Mickey.
If you have any friends that haven’t yet experienced the hilarity of Rescue Me, don’t delete this episode off of your DVR. This episode really showcased the each character well and it was really fun to watch.
It was nice to see Tommy and Janet waking up together after such an intimate night. Tommy in the kitchen making what was supposed to be breakfast and Janet smiling! They both really want to give the marriage another go but Janet tells Tommy that for the sake of their kids this really has to be the last time. Janet only asks that they really try this time with no distractions…, which means no Sheila. He can contact Sheila one last time to say goodbye but that’s it. Tommy is on board.
With the fate of the recently closed firehouse in limbo, Sid and Needles go to HQ where Needles, alone, saves the Firehouse. Sid’s old school approach wasn’t working. Needles, however, had the footage that was collected from the guys rescuing the deaf kids before NYPD could show up and he had it wrapped up in a pretty little blackmail bow. Within 24 hours we have our Firehouse back!
I’m happy to see that all is back to normal between Black Sean and Franco. Damian comes receives advice from to the two Casanova’s on how to seal the deal with his girlfriend. The advice works and we learn, after the deal was sealed a little to quickly, that Damian ‘was’ a virgin.
I’m really concerned for Lou’s health. We had another glimpse at how unhealthy Lou really is on the big Firehouse call this week. Where an older woman had to practically carry him out. I hope this isn’t a foreshadowing of Lou’s fate on the show, as I can’t really picture the Firehouse or Tommy without him.
Well Tommy popped by Sheila’s to tell her that he and Janet are working on mending their marriage and to say goodbye. She tells Tommy there’s no love lost and ends with the sex wasn’t that great anyway. Typical Tommy ends up being suckered into this with Sheila and they end up hot and heavy on the couch at the very moment Mickey shows up. Man, these Gavin men have a talent for showing up at the right moment to ‘walk in’ on something almost happening. Mickey pulls a Tommy, and storms off and they attempt to run after him but they are tangled up literally in each other’s clothes. Terrified that Mickey is going to tell Janet about this Tommy begins to call Mickey repeatedly and rushes home to Janet. When he gets there all appears calm on the home front until he realizes he’s home just in time for a family dinner with Janet, Colleen, Katie……and Mickey.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Summer TV Finale Watch by Tina Charles
This busy summer 2010 TV season is quickly drawing to a close. And the very awesome Rueben (twitter name: @RuebenRambling) has compiled a thorough list of finale air dates for all the Summer TV shows that have been keeping us glued to the TV instead of out living life at the beach.
TV Blogger Spotlight: Rueben (aka Lee Ann) writes for her own blog and is a reporter for NiceGirlsTV. She's also the "Song of the Day Examiner" @ Examiner.com. Plus, on twitter, RuebenRambling keeps everyone in the know on what's on primetime TV every day of the week. I suggest you follow her immediately.
TV Blogger Spotlight: Rueben (aka Lee Ann) writes for her own blog and is a reporter for NiceGirlsTV. She's also the "Song of the Day Examiner" @ Examiner.com. Plus, on twitter, RuebenRambling keeps everyone in the know on what's on primetime TV every day of the week. I suggest you follow her immediately.
First Watch The Big C: Pilot by Kara Howland
It’s taking everything in my power to not write this as a snap judgment. Everything. In. My. Power. Now, don’t get me wrong. I love Laura Linney. She is luminous and raw and brave and harrowing. Not necessarily in this, but in films and television shows in the past. And she’s absolutely the best thing in this mess of a show.
Let’s talk about what I didn’t like: Oliver Platt’s Paul is a baby and she calls him on it. She even tells her son she only wants to raise one child and she picks him, which is why his father no longer lives with them. Her son Adam is such a spoiled brat that he pretends to be a thief, then pretends to cut his own finger off, and finally he won’t plunge the toilet after he stops it up. Oh, and he screams like a girl. Her brother Sean is strange. He’s homeless by choice and is kind of an eco-terrorist. I mean, we haven’t seem him do anything violent (yet) but he’s very confrontational.
Let’s talk about what I kinda like: Marlene starts out as an unpleasant neighbor who calls the police on Cathy but ends up as someone who is probably going to be a great friend. After years of living her life to die, Marlene seems to finally have awoken. Gabby Sidibe’s Andrea is a mean girl who Cathy wants to help turn into a skinny b*tch. Cathy tells her she’s give her $100 for every pound she loses, as long as she stops smoking. Apparently, every cigarette you smoke takes six months off your life. Cathy is full of these fun little facts. Cathy’s oncologist Dr. Todd seems like he’s a good doctor. Cathy is his first terminal case. I think he’s handling pretty well but considering her attitude I’m not sure how he could be handling it better.
I’d like to have dessert and alcohol at every meal. Well, that’s not true. I’d love dessert with every meal. If I have to have cancer in order to do that, as Liz Lemon would say that’s a deal breaker. I find her attitude about her cancer very strange and yet kind of refreshing. It’s her choice whether or not to tell anyone about her condition and she’s chosen to keep it to herself. She’s finally breaking out of her “boring” and “nice” mold and living her life. Now, it’s preferable to do that before you get a death sentence but at least she’s doing what she wants to do.
I will give this at least one more episode and, frankly, it’s only because of Laura Linney. Please oh please make it a good one.
I do realize there is a possibility I am in the minority here as the season premiere broke some records. Check it out.
Let’s talk about what I didn’t like: Oliver Platt’s Paul is a baby and she calls him on it. She even tells her son she only wants to raise one child and she picks him, which is why his father no longer lives with them. Her son Adam is such a spoiled brat that he pretends to be a thief, then pretends to cut his own finger off, and finally he won’t plunge the toilet after he stops it up. Oh, and he screams like a girl. Her brother Sean is strange. He’s homeless by choice and is kind of an eco-terrorist. I mean, we haven’t seem him do anything violent (yet) but he’s very confrontational.
Let’s talk about what I kinda like: Marlene starts out as an unpleasant neighbor who calls the police on Cathy but ends up as someone who is probably going to be a great friend. After years of living her life to die, Marlene seems to finally have awoken. Gabby Sidibe’s Andrea is a mean girl who Cathy wants to help turn into a skinny b*tch. Cathy tells her she’s give her $100 for every pound she loses, as long as she stops smoking. Apparently, every cigarette you smoke takes six months off your life. Cathy is full of these fun little facts. Cathy’s oncologist Dr. Todd seems like he’s a good doctor. Cathy is his first terminal case. I think he’s handling pretty well but considering her attitude I’m not sure how he could be handling it better.
I’d like to have dessert and alcohol at every meal. Well, that’s not true. I’d love dessert with every meal. If I have to have cancer in order to do that, as Liz Lemon would say that’s a deal breaker. I find her attitude about her cancer very strange and yet kind of refreshing. It’s her choice whether or not to tell anyone about her condition and she’s chosen to keep it to herself. She’s finally breaking out of her “boring” and “nice” mold and living her life. Now, it’s preferable to do that before you get a death sentence but at least she’s doing what she wants to do.
I will give this at least one more episode and, frankly, it’s only because of Laura Linney. Please oh please make it a good one.
I do realize there is a possibility I am in the minority here as the season premiere broke some records. Check it out.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Awesome Summer TV According to a Self-Proclaimed Pop Culture Addict
Entertainment Blogger Danielle Turchiano (also known as DanielleTBD) has recently released her second book, "My Life, Made Possible by Pop Culture." Over the years she's been glued to the TV thanks to shows like the Saturday morning hit teen series California Dreams, the long-running daytime soap Days of our Lives and the Emmy-winning NBC must-see phenomenon Friends. But this is The Summer TV Blog so we asked her to ante up and let us know some of her favorite summer shows of all time:
Danielle: I will say that recent summer series I have loved to an unhealthy degree have included The 4400 (and Patrick John Flueger is why I wanted to give Scoundrels a shot this year!), Saved by the Bell, Sex & The City, Weeds and of course, one of my all-time faves: Melrose Place!
And as for Summer 2010, the shows she's been watching and loving are Bravo's Bethenny Getting Married?, Showtime's The Big C and Food Network's The Next Food Network Star.
Danielle has her own blog and also writes for Examiner.com. You can also find her on twitter. Here's a press release on her latest book, "My Life, Made Possible by Pop Culture" and also how to order a copy:
August 16, 2010 - At the age of twenty-five, DanielleTBD is a romantic, a dreamer, a skeptic, a cynic, and still holding out the hope that she will someday find a real life Zack Morris.
Entertainment blogger Danielle "DanielleTBD" Turchiano has released her pop culture memoir, "My Life, Made Possibly by Pop Culture" based on her blog of the same name. From early contemplations of love to an adult's reflections on the perils of engaging in relationships without a writing team behind her, Turchiano's life lessons according to Zack & Kelly, Jesse & Rebecca, and Monica & Chandler (to name a few!) are a must read.
Full of funny recollections and awkward situations, Turchiano's effortless style draws you into her world. Even if you have never shared her quest to find a suitor cast in the mold of countless sitcom (or daytime!) heroes, she presents a tale that any reader can find relatable. It's more than nostalgia that keeps you playing along (though that is present on nearly every page); it's the very real look into the questions that are raised for us all when we realize that the television happy endings (and the expectations that they raise) may not be a given.
Pop culture serves as a background for self-discovery; a vehicle for "virtual" risk-free trial and error. Whether it is her frank recounting of her experiences as a teenage girl alone in her room in her New York apartment testing out countless personas in the AOL chat rooms, or learning from the fall-out of bad decision-making from her television role models, Turchiano captures the essence of a young woman struggling to define herself.
"My Life, Made Possible by Pop Culture" is a true tale, though it may prove to be a cautionary one.
"My Life, Made Possible by Pop Culture" is now available for purchase through DanielleTBD's eStore as well as Amazon.com.
Danielle: I will say that recent summer series I have loved to an unhealthy degree have included The 4400 (and Patrick John Flueger is why I wanted to give Scoundrels a shot this year!), Saved by the Bell, Sex & The City, Weeds and of course, one of my all-time faves: Melrose Place!
And as for Summer 2010, the shows she's been watching and loving are Bravo's Bethenny Getting Married?, Showtime's The Big C and Food Network's The Next Food Network Star.
Danielle has her own blog and also writes for Examiner.com. You can also find her on twitter. Here's a press release on her latest book, "My Life, Made Possible by Pop Culture" and also how to order a copy:
August 16, 2010 - At the age of twenty-five, DanielleTBD is a romantic, a dreamer, a skeptic, a cynic, and still holding out the hope that she will someday find a real life Zack Morris.
Entertainment blogger Danielle "DanielleTBD" Turchiano has released her pop culture memoir, "My Life, Made Possibly by Pop Culture" based on her blog of the same name. From early contemplations of love to an adult's reflections on the perils of engaging in relationships without a writing team behind her, Turchiano's life lessons according to Zack & Kelly, Jesse & Rebecca, and Monica & Chandler (to name a few!) are a must read.
Full of funny recollections and awkward situations, Turchiano's effortless style draws you into her world. Even if you have never shared her quest to find a suitor cast in the mold of countless sitcom (or daytime!) heroes, she presents a tale that any reader can find relatable. It's more than nostalgia that keeps you playing along (though that is present on nearly every page); it's the very real look into the questions that are raised for us all when we realize that the television happy endings (and the expectations that they raise) may not be a given.
Pop culture serves as a background for self-discovery; a vehicle for "virtual" risk-free trial and error. Whether it is her frank recounting of her experiences as a teenage girl alone in her room in her New York apartment testing out countless personas in the AOL chat rooms, or learning from the fall-out of bad decision-making from her television role models, Turchiano captures the essence of a young woman struggling to define herself.
"My Life, Made Possible by Pop Culture" is a true tale, though it may prove to be a cautionary one.
"My Life, Made Possible by Pop Culture" is now available for purchase through DanielleTBD's eStore as well as Amazon.com.
Syfy renews Eureka
Haven: Fur by Heather M
So, full disclosure: I'm a vegan, and if I come across an episode of a show that I watch that’s going to veer into hurting or killing animals, I'm usually going to skip it and watch something else. Haven went there this week, but given what I wrote previously about its secret heart of gold, I didn't turn the episode off after it opened with a wolf attack and diverted to focus on a hunting party because I knew this show would not be all about that. And I was right (in a way/we'll get there).
The episode opens at the Haven Hunt Club, beneath a full moon as a man departs the club, gets in into his Cadillac and then notices the back window is smashed out. As he turns toward the backseat to protest, a wolf lunges at him and he screams. The next morning out on Main Street, a woman is straddling Audrey’s hood and scrawling “NO PARKING” on her windshield in what looks like lipstick. Audrey approaches, hollering, and the woman climbs off and explains that cars in that spot block the view and caused a pedestrian to be hit years earlier. Audrey asks why there's no sign, and the woman, Eleanor, just points at her handiwork on the windshield and says that the summer people need to learn. She then chastises Audrey for her choice of patisserie, Larissa's, telling her she should have gone to Rosemary’s. Audrey cuts her off when her phone rings and then asks where to find the Haven Hunt Club.
Audrey arrives at the club to survey what's left of the car's owner, TR Holt, and she and Nathan banter about werewolves and full moons. Nathan says he's not a club member because he doesn't kill animals for fun (you go!). The Chief arrives, blustering about forming a hunting party to track the wolf. Nathan asks the Chief to give them a day to find other leads and he grudgingly agrees. One of the men at the club clues the team in that Holt was arguing with another club member, Donnelly, and that a third man, Landon, got caught in the crossfire of a near miss out in the woods the week prior. Audrey goes to talk to Landon but has to best him at skeet shooting first (which she does easily) and he tells her he thinks the shooting in the woods was an accident but it did scare him.
At the precinct, the paper boys, Dave and Vince, ware waiting, and Audrey says she wants to ask them some questions off the record. They say there was probably a woman involved. They bring up Jess Minion, who owns the 90-acre spread adjacent to the Club and has been pronounced a witch because she won't allow them to hunt on her land. They also suggest that Donnelly’s wife may have been dallying with Holt.
Later that night, Donnelly is attacked in his home, also by a wolf. The next morning, his widow says they've been hexed by Jess and points out a symbol on her property. Nathan and Audrey go speak to Jess and there's a flirty interplay between Nathan and her which Audrey catches immediately. The French-Canadian Jess, who spent childhood summers in Haven and inherited the land from her grandmother, insists she’s not a witch. She says the symbol is Micmac for forgiveness and shows them the graves of the animals she's buried on her land who were left for dead by hunters. She sees the animals’ retaliation as justice. Before they leave, Jess tells Nathan his inability to physically feel pain isn't a shortcoming but is instead a kind of magic. He ponders that as they go.
The hunting party convenes at the club and Landon is called away by his mother, Piper, ostensibly because his son was concerned. Audrey, Nathan, the Sheriff and Dave don’t find much of anything and makes their way onto Jess’s land, to which Nathan objects, and he intervenes when his dad nearly shoots Jess’s dog, who he’s mistaken for a wolf. The misfired shot brings out another problem, though, as the foursome are attacked by a moose. Nathan and Audrey unload shotgun shells at him and when he collapses to the ground, they find he's full of rags and sand.
They go back to speak with Jess and she again insists that she's not behind it, and she comes clean that the tribal magical symbols she scrawled were gleaned from Wikipedia. She says she has no powers (except maybe over Nathan...). Back at the club, Audrey and Nathan find blood on the teeth of one of the stuffed wolves and piece together with Eleanor's "autopsy" that reveals a severed finger in the belly of the wolf, that that the attacking animals are from the club's trophy room and are returning to life to avenge their deaths by killing their killers (Sweet!). Before they can get too happy about that, Nathan says they need to find the bear who's no longer in the trophy room.
Over at Dave and Vince's, Dave is napping on the porch from his near-moosing when he hears growling that he assumes is Vince in need of a Benadryl. The bear takes off after both of them and Audrey and Nathan arrive in time to rescue them. When they sort through what's left of the bear, they find a tag that had been on all the other animals, indicating Landon was the taxidermist, so they head off to see him. He's in the back of his shop cleaning up the mess from an animal attack and as they start to interview him, Piper comes in wielding scissors and telling Landon to get to the car. Audrey and Nathan are confused about why she's on the offensive and when she lunges at Nathan with the scissors, he deflects the blow back to Landon, whose arm is gashed, revealing that he's not a real boy. He too is stuffed. He didn't know, and he bolts.
While Piper, Audrey, and Nate head to the club in pursuit of Landon, Piper sort of nebulously explains that she brought Landon back to life when she found him after the fire that killed his wife (we're to assume he was not burned, I guess) and that she'd always been told to be careful about her "gift." She says she can feel the animals coming back to life. At the club, Landon is storming the trophy room with an axe as the trio arrive, and as Nathan pulls Landon out, Piper slips into the room, locking the door and saying it’s the only way to stop the animals, who immediately begin waking up. A wolf lunges at her and she falls as Landon swings his axe at the door trying to get to her.
Later, we just see a partial view of her behind the couch. Later, Audrey and Nathan talk to Landon and Nathan repeats what Jess said to him that his condition is magical and doesn't make him any less of a man or a father. Landon leaves, bolstered, with his son. Audrey asks Nathan if he believes that and he says not really and Audrey gently tells him it made a difference to Landon.
Nathan goes to see Jess to apologize to her and invites her to breakfast. At the precinct, Audrey is going over her report when Eleanor comes back in and they discuss that Piper, too, was stuffed. Audrey can't bring herself to write that down because it perpetuates the "Troubles," and she’s afraid if Landon knew, he might one day stuff his son should something befall him. Eleanor says they can only do what they can do. Before she leaves, she tells Audrey she’ll help her find her mom and pronounces her one of them, before leaving her with a pastry from Rosemary's.
Overall thoughts:
The episode opens at the Haven Hunt Club, beneath a full moon as a man departs the club, gets in into his Cadillac and then notices the back window is smashed out. As he turns toward the backseat to protest, a wolf lunges at him and he screams. The next morning out on Main Street, a woman is straddling Audrey’s hood and scrawling “NO PARKING” on her windshield in what looks like lipstick. Audrey approaches, hollering, and the woman climbs off and explains that cars in that spot block the view and caused a pedestrian to be hit years earlier. Audrey asks why there's no sign, and the woman, Eleanor, just points at her handiwork on the windshield and says that the summer people need to learn. She then chastises Audrey for her choice of patisserie, Larissa's, telling her she should have gone to Rosemary’s. Audrey cuts her off when her phone rings and then asks where to find the Haven Hunt Club.
Audrey arrives at the club to survey what's left of the car's owner, TR Holt, and she and Nathan banter about werewolves and full moons. Nathan says he's not a club member because he doesn't kill animals for fun (you go!). The Chief arrives, blustering about forming a hunting party to track the wolf. Nathan asks the Chief to give them a day to find other leads and he grudgingly agrees. One of the men at the club clues the team in that Holt was arguing with another club member, Donnelly, and that a third man, Landon, got caught in the crossfire of a near miss out in the woods the week prior. Audrey goes to talk to Landon but has to best him at skeet shooting first (which she does easily) and he tells her he thinks the shooting in the woods was an accident but it did scare him.
At the precinct, the paper boys, Dave and Vince, ware waiting, and Audrey says she wants to ask them some questions off the record. They say there was probably a woman involved. They bring up Jess Minion, who owns the 90-acre spread adjacent to the Club and has been pronounced a witch because she won't allow them to hunt on her land. They also suggest that Donnelly’s wife may have been dallying with Holt.
Later that night, Donnelly is attacked in his home, also by a wolf. The next morning, his widow says they've been hexed by Jess and points out a symbol on her property. Nathan and Audrey go speak to Jess and there's a flirty interplay between Nathan and her which Audrey catches immediately. The French-Canadian Jess, who spent childhood summers in Haven and inherited the land from her grandmother, insists she’s not a witch. She says the symbol is Micmac for forgiveness and shows them the graves of the animals she's buried on her land who were left for dead by hunters. She sees the animals’ retaliation as justice. Before they leave, Jess tells Nathan his inability to physically feel pain isn't a shortcoming but is instead a kind of magic. He ponders that as they go.
The hunting party convenes at the club and Landon is called away by his mother, Piper, ostensibly because his son was concerned. Audrey, Nathan, the Sheriff and Dave don’t find much of anything and makes their way onto Jess’s land, to which Nathan objects, and he intervenes when his dad nearly shoots Jess’s dog, who he’s mistaken for a wolf. The misfired shot brings out another problem, though, as the foursome are attacked by a moose. Nathan and Audrey unload shotgun shells at him and when he collapses to the ground, they find he's full of rags and sand.
They go back to speak with Jess and she again insists that she's not behind it, and she comes clean that the tribal magical symbols she scrawled were gleaned from Wikipedia. She says she has no powers (except maybe over Nathan...). Back at the club, Audrey and Nathan find blood on the teeth of one of the stuffed wolves and piece together with Eleanor's "autopsy" that reveals a severed finger in the belly of the wolf, that that the attacking animals are from the club's trophy room and are returning to life to avenge their deaths by killing their killers (Sweet!). Before they can get too happy about that, Nathan says they need to find the bear who's no longer in the trophy room.
Over at Dave and Vince's, Dave is napping on the porch from his near-moosing when he hears growling that he assumes is Vince in need of a Benadryl. The bear takes off after both of them and Audrey and Nathan arrive in time to rescue them. When they sort through what's left of the bear, they find a tag that had been on all the other animals, indicating Landon was the taxidermist, so they head off to see him. He's in the back of his shop cleaning up the mess from an animal attack and as they start to interview him, Piper comes in wielding scissors and telling Landon to get to the car. Audrey and Nathan are confused about why she's on the offensive and when she lunges at Nathan with the scissors, he deflects the blow back to Landon, whose arm is gashed, revealing that he's not a real boy. He too is stuffed. He didn't know, and he bolts.
While Piper, Audrey, and Nate head to the club in pursuit of Landon, Piper sort of nebulously explains that she brought Landon back to life when she found him after the fire that killed his wife (we're to assume he was not burned, I guess) and that she'd always been told to be careful about her "gift." She says she can feel the animals coming back to life. At the club, Landon is storming the trophy room with an axe as the trio arrive, and as Nathan pulls Landon out, Piper slips into the room, locking the door and saying it’s the only way to stop the animals, who immediately begin waking up. A wolf lunges at her and she falls as Landon swings his axe at the door trying to get to her.
Later, we just see a partial view of her behind the couch. Later, Audrey and Nathan talk to Landon and Nathan repeats what Jess said to him that his condition is magical and doesn't make him any less of a man or a father. Landon leaves, bolstered, with his son. Audrey asks Nathan if he believes that and he says not really and Audrey gently tells him it made a difference to Landon.
Nathan goes to see Jess to apologize to her and invites her to breakfast. At the precinct, Audrey is going over her report when Eleanor comes back in and they discuss that Piper, too, was stuffed. Audrey can't bring herself to write that down because it perpetuates the "Troubles," and she’s afraid if Landon knew, he might one day stuff his son should something befall him. Eleanor says they can only do what they can do. Before she leaves, she tells Audrey she’ll help her find her mom and pronounces her one of them, before leaving her with a pastry from Rosemary's.
Overall thoughts:
- A couple of firsts in this episode – no Duke (booo) and the owner of the condition that led to the episode's "Troubles" didn’t survive the episode.
- I was grateful we had implied gore but no actual gore with the critters. Not a fan of stuffed things on walls - I liked Audrey's nervousness as she went through the lodge, a little wary of being devoured by the room.
- Without getting onto a soapbox about it, I was completely down with the animals having their individual vengeance on the hunters who had killed them.
- I like that Audrey is being accepted as a local and that somebody wants to help her learn more about her mom.
- I wasn’t really feeling the vibe that was supposed to be happening between Nathan and Jess but I’m OK with them giving him a love interest.
- I enjoy that Dave and Vince are the insiders and will gleefully go off the record when Audrey has questions.
- Some of the frustrations expressed by Nathan and Audrey made this feel like it should have been a later episode. If he's been itching about his condition with the resurgence of the "Troubles" and she's been itching about her inability to fit in (i.e. choosing the wrong pastries), I’d missed that or it had been very subtle.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
True Blood: Everything is Broken by Kara Howland
Tommy provokes Sam into losing control. I don’t know about you but I’m over this story line. Before tonight I thought it was kinda boring but now I want to be done with it. Tommy is a no-good brat. He has no manners, he’s a thief, and he rubs everyone the wrong way. The fact that he could provoke Sam to such violence is disturbing. And I think Sam is going to pay for that outburst. Crystal’s daddy is going come back for Sam and it won’t be good.
Arlene doesn’t want to keep her baby. After Tommy steals Arlene’s tip, Holly tries to comfort her. Arlene admits that Terry ain’t the baby daddy and that what she’s carrying inside of her is a time bomb. When Holly asks if Arlene wants to keep the baby, Arlene admits that she doesn’t. She says she won’t go to a clinic but Holly says there are other ways to take care of it.
Eric and Pam are on lock down. When Eric flies to Fangtasia and admits he staked Talbot, Pam comments that she’s never seen Eric panicked. Since Eric took a vampire’s life he has every right to be scared. Pam says the best place they can hide is in a human’s house – maybe Sookie – but Eric isn’t having any of that. And before they can leave Nan Flannigan and the V Fed desend on them. Eric tells them the whole story – who Russell is, what Russell did to his family, how Russell gives his blood to werewolves, etc. The authority later disavows all knowledge and tells Eric to take care of it, but with his own resources.
Russell returns home to find Talbot’s entrails on the floor. He’s pretty heartbroken and gathers up Talbot’s remains. We’re not sure why until we see the remains in a glass urn. Kinda gross, but I guess Russell needs something to talk to. He thinks the AVL (American Vampire League) is protecting Eric and that doesn’t sit well with him. Russell reigns havoc and vengeance down on them when reveals his agenda on live TV and after ripping the spine out of the newscaster who was on previously. Russell tells the world he is the true face of vampires. He drinks blood from humans and thinks human’s are beneath him. Nan’s got her work cut out for her.
Crystal is a liar. It’s something we already know but I’m getting tired of all her lies. She lies to her family and she lies to Jason. When Crystal is discovered at Jason’s house she tells her fiancé that Jason kidnapped her and then she says Jason raped her. Yes, she did it to avoid a beating from her fiancé. In fact, when he turns his back she clocks him with the butt of Jason’s shotgun. She trusses him up real good and they leave him by the side of the road after calling the police. The only problem is that he somehow gets loose and almost kills deputy Kevin. Jason doesn’t seem to know what’s going on (no surprise there) but there’s a lot Crystal isn’t telling Jason. And it’s past time for her to come clean.
Hoyt can’t stand his new girlfriend. Jessica is upset when she sees Hoyt with Summer. She asks him why he can’t go somewhere else but Hoyt reminds her that Bon Temps is his town and he’s been coming to Merlottes for years. When Summer goes to the bathroom, we learn that Summer loves dolls (which Hoyt hates) and that she only talks about herself. But it’s better then sitting around thinking about Jessica all the time.
Bill says he knows what Sookie is. I don’t know if they’re back together or not but their time in the shower together and their disposal of a dead body certain has them working as a team again. I, for one, don’t need them to figure things out yet. I like them together and I like them apart. I think I’m happy either way. The most interesting – shocking, really – part is when Bill ends up in the dreamplace Sookie went a few episodes ago. He meets Claudine and she assumes Bill has killed Sookie. Bill assures her he hasn’t and tries to convince her he doesn’t want Sookie’s light. But he tells Claudine he needs to know what Sookie is so that she can protect herself.
Sookie’s cousin Hadley kidnaps her own son. She tells Sookie she’s sorry she told Queen Sophie Ann and Eric about her and now she’s scared for her son Hunter. She thinks he might be like Sookie, which Sookie confirms. Hadley freaks out and drags Hunter out of there – presumably to go on the run. I guess we’ll see.
Tara refuses to see a shrink to discuss what’s happened to her. She goes to a group instead, where she sees Holly. Holly is a rape survivor. She gives the group a few details of the assault and tells them she still thinks people are worth trusting. We can see that really resonates with Tara.
An un-dead Franklin finds Tara. I knew he wasn’t dead. Even though Tara did a great job of beating his head in I knew he’d be back. And I’m so impressed that Tara stood up for herself. She tells Franklin she wants him to kill her. That way she’ll be rid of him for good and he’ll have nothing. That really sets him off and he starts choking her. When Jason interrupts with his shotgun I’m not too impressed. When he pulls the trigger and Franklin explodes that’s another matter. He has enough of a brain to use wooden bullets. Good job Jason. And now that’s the end of Franklin.
In the only happy development, Jesus and Lafayette are deep in a love haze. Well, maybe a lust haze. I’m happy Lafayette has something good in his life. His mama running away from the home turns out to be a good think when Jesus turns up to retrieve her. I like where their relationship is going and I hope it continues to be a good thing for them both. But this is True Blood, so I’m not holding my breath.
Another great episode. I’ve always enjoyed this show but this season I feel really engaged. The only storyline I hate is Sam’s, even though I love his character. So as soon as the Mickens get the heck out of dodge – and permanently – I think I can return to enjoying Sam more. The vampire mythology we keep learning is always interesting and I’m very happy we’re about to learn what Sookie is. I wouldn’t mind seeing a bit more of Alcide in future episodes (and I know he’s a regular next season) but otherwise I’m pretty happy. Even if sometimes it seems like this show will run off the rails it usually pulls itself back just in the nick of time.
Arlene doesn’t want to keep her baby. After Tommy steals Arlene’s tip, Holly tries to comfort her. Arlene admits that Terry ain’t the baby daddy and that what she’s carrying inside of her is a time bomb. When Holly asks if Arlene wants to keep the baby, Arlene admits that she doesn’t. She says she won’t go to a clinic but Holly says there are other ways to take care of it.
Eric and Pam are on lock down. When Eric flies to Fangtasia and admits he staked Talbot, Pam comments that she’s never seen Eric panicked. Since Eric took a vampire’s life he has every right to be scared. Pam says the best place they can hide is in a human’s house – maybe Sookie – but Eric isn’t having any of that. And before they can leave Nan Flannigan and the V Fed desend on them. Eric tells them the whole story – who Russell is, what Russell did to his family, how Russell gives his blood to werewolves, etc. The authority later disavows all knowledge and tells Eric to take care of it, but with his own resources.
Russell returns home to find Talbot’s entrails on the floor. He’s pretty heartbroken and gathers up Talbot’s remains. We’re not sure why until we see the remains in a glass urn. Kinda gross, but I guess Russell needs something to talk to. He thinks the AVL (American Vampire League) is protecting Eric and that doesn’t sit well with him. Russell reigns havoc and vengeance down on them when reveals his agenda on live TV and after ripping the spine out of the newscaster who was on previously. Russell tells the world he is the true face of vampires. He drinks blood from humans and thinks human’s are beneath him. Nan’s got her work cut out for her.
Crystal is a liar. It’s something we already know but I’m getting tired of all her lies. She lies to her family and she lies to Jason. When Crystal is discovered at Jason’s house she tells her fiancé that Jason kidnapped her and then she says Jason raped her. Yes, she did it to avoid a beating from her fiancé. In fact, when he turns his back she clocks him with the butt of Jason’s shotgun. She trusses him up real good and they leave him by the side of the road after calling the police. The only problem is that he somehow gets loose and almost kills deputy Kevin. Jason doesn’t seem to know what’s going on (no surprise there) but there’s a lot Crystal isn’t telling Jason. And it’s past time for her to come clean.
Hoyt can’t stand his new girlfriend. Jessica is upset when she sees Hoyt with Summer. She asks him why he can’t go somewhere else but Hoyt reminds her that Bon Temps is his town and he’s been coming to Merlottes for years. When Summer goes to the bathroom, we learn that Summer loves dolls (which Hoyt hates) and that she only talks about herself. But it’s better then sitting around thinking about Jessica all the time.
Bill says he knows what Sookie is. I don’t know if they’re back together or not but their time in the shower together and their disposal of a dead body certain has them working as a team again. I, for one, don’t need them to figure things out yet. I like them together and I like them apart. I think I’m happy either way. The most interesting – shocking, really – part is when Bill ends up in the dreamplace Sookie went a few episodes ago. He meets Claudine and she assumes Bill has killed Sookie. Bill assures her he hasn’t and tries to convince her he doesn’t want Sookie’s light. But he tells Claudine he needs to know what Sookie is so that she can protect herself.
Sookie’s cousin Hadley kidnaps her own son. She tells Sookie she’s sorry she told Queen Sophie Ann and Eric about her and now she’s scared for her son Hunter. She thinks he might be like Sookie, which Sookie confirms. Hadley freaks out and drags Hunter out of there – presumably to go on the run. I guess we’ll see.
Tara refuses to see a shrink to discuss what’s happened to her. She goes to a group instead, where she sees Holly. Holly is a rape survivor. She gives the group a few details of the assault and tells them she still thinks people are worth trusting. We can see that really resonates with Tara.
An un-dead Franklin finds Tara. I knew he wasn’t dead. Even though Tara did a great job of beating his head in I knew he’d be back. And I’m so impressed that Tara stood up for herself. She tells Franklin she wants him to kill her. That way she’ll be rid of him for good and he’ll have nothing. That really sets him off and he starts choking her. When Jason interrupts with his shotgun I’m not too impressed. When he pulls the trigger and Franklin explodes that’s another matter. He has enough of a brain to use wooden bullets. Good job Jason. And now that’s the end of Franklin.
In the only happy development, Jesus and Lafayette are deep in a love haze. Well, maybe a lust haze. I’m happy Lafayette has something good in his life. His mama running away from the home turns out to be a good think when Jesus turns up to retrieve her. I like where their relationship is going and I hope it continues to be a good thing for them both. But this is True Blood, so I’m not holding my breath.
Another great episode. I’ve always enjoyed this show but this season I feel really engaged. The only storyline I hate is Sam’s, even though I love his character. So as soon as the Mickens get the heck out of dodge – and permanently – I think I can return to enjoying Sam more. The vampire mythology we keep learning is always interesting and I’m very happy we’re about to learn what Sookie is. I wouldn’t mind seeing a bit more of Alcide in future episodes (and I know he’s a regular next season) but otherwise I’m pretty happy. Even if sometimes it seems like this show will run off the rails it usually pulls itself back just in the nick of time.
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