Kate Linnea Welsh: Borgen

Sad news: Marian McPartland has died.

More sad news: Elmore Leonard has died.

And The Onion's obituary is pretty great.

Okay, happy news: Tim Stevens (formerly of Engadget) is headed to CNET.

Oooh, sneak peek from season three of Borgen!

An agent friend being smart: There is no perfect publisher.

TiVo has an amazing new model that I want badly.

Here's a little dose of adorableness for Bones fans.

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Morning Coffee (7/17/13)

New dinosaur!

Suits came back last night, and agree with pretty much everything in Carrie Raisler's review.

Good news: Borgen season three is coming on October 4th.

Almost Human teaser!

I know this salad article is ridiculous, but I would love to have a place to get salads like that around here.

Interesting: Dahlia Lithwick on that Zimmerman juror.

English Gavels Resound in a Trove Headed to Yale

Related-ish: Magna Carta copies to be united to mark 800th anniversary

Monday, December 31, 2012

As I said in my music post, I am again making no claims to "best" here. These are the shows I loved the most this year, the ones that made me happiest and saddest and most thoughtful. They're the ones I most looked forward to week to week or marathoned in feverish gulps. Above all, these are the shows that made me love watching TV in 2012. (Warning: any plot details that aired in 2012 or earlier may be mentioned here.)

1. Borgen - This drama about the first female prime minister of Denmark and her staff and family, her rivals, and the press is the show I watched this year that came closest to being perfect. The political issues are intriguing, the interpersonal and workplace conflicts are compelling, and the personal and family dramas are heartbreaking, and these threads are all woven together virtually flawlessly. Borgen also has the most nuanced look at issues of women, work, family, and power of any show I can think of. The show is so incredible that after a while I practically stopped noticing that I was watching with subtitles, though now I want to learn Danish.

2. Homeland - I came late to this show and actually watched both seasons in 2012, but I'm trying to separate them out in my mind. I understand why some critics did not like the second season, and there were definitely some flaws and ridiculous plot elements that drove me a little crazy. But to be honest, I don't watch TV for plot; I usually watch for characters and themes and ideas and moods and writing, and for me, all those elements were strong enough in season two of Homeland to far outweigh the negatives. Claire Danes, Damian Lewis, and Mandy Patinkin are all such fine actors with such superlative chemistry that watching them together is constant joy and heartbreak.

3. Fringe - This is another show with which I understand and agree with a lot of the criticisms I've read, but still think it's better than practically any other show out there. The timeline reset in season four didn't bother me as much as it did many fans, I assume in part because I marathoned most of the show over the summer and so didn't have the years of attachment to the original timeline and the months of waiting for Peter to return. And while I'm still not entirely certain how I feel about the time jump in season five, and especially some of the things we missed because of it, I love many of its results, especially Etta and her story, Peter's struggle with his humanity, and Nina's heroic end. And above all, I love these characters and the way they've come to love each other. (This show also has one of the most underrated casts on television; why doesn't John Noble, especially, have all the awards??)

4. The Newsroom - When Aaron Sorkin speaks as himself, he says all sorts of things I disagree with. But when he writes TV shows, his writing feels like it has a direct connection to my heart and my brain in a way that no one else's does. As I said above about both Homeland and Fringe, I know the flaws. I've read the reviews. I don't even disagree with a lot of the individual points. But for me, none of them are fatal flaws, and none outweigh my love of these characters and this writing. The show's framing in the very recent past has been controversial, but it's one of the elements I really enjoy, and I don't think the show would be anywhere near as powerful if it used invented news events. The cast is great, and John Gallagher, Jr. was one of the breakout stars of the year for me.

5. The Good Wife - This show has an astoundingly good cast, both in its regulars and its recurring guest stars, and the writers are very good at playing to each actor's strengths. Julianna Margulies! Chris Noth! Josh Charles! Archie Panjabi! Christine Baranski! Matt Czuchry! ALAN CUMMING. They really have more than their share of great actors. It is in some ways a straightforward legal drama, but there are a million things going on in every episode, and it almost always feels effortless (which certainly means that people worked very hard to make it happen). Even when the plot doesn't go the way I want (I really liked Alicia and Will together, for example), the show does a good job of persuading me to go along with whatever it's doing. The one exception to this was Kalinda's ridiculous storyline this season; if that hadn't happened, the show would have probably been even higher on my list.

6. The Killing - I did not at all mind the slow pace of this crime drama; it was like the television equivalent of reading a complex novel rather than a series of interrelated short stories. Having one case last for two seasons allowed for figures who would be one-episode guest spots on most crime shows become fully fledged main characters, which I found fascinating. Sure, it was convoluted and got a bit hard to follow, but I'm willing to put up with that for the chance of getting a different kind of mystery show, and I thought the ending of the season did a remarkably good job of tying everything together. I loved the tone of it, so dark and lyrical and bleak all at once, and the reluctant friendship between Linden and Holder was one of my favorite relationships on TV this year. (Also: Sweaters!)

7. Ben and Kate - Simply put, this was the most delightful show of the year; each and every episode made me happy while watching it, even if I was sad or stressed in general. I love the combination of blood relatives and created family, and the way the show focuses on people who are flawed and problematic and yet love each other and would do anything for each other. Plus, it makes me laugh more than most comedies do, and Maggie Elizabeth Jones does a remarkable job of walking the "adorable but not obnoxiously twee" line that so often trips up child actors.

8. Scandal - When I heard Shonda Rhimes was doing a show about a DC fixer, I figured it would be Grey's Anatomy but about politics, and honestly, that would have been enough for me to enjoy it. But Scandal turned out to be so much more than that. Conspiracy! Murder! Fraud! And it has my all-time favorite set-up: damaged people teaming up to work toward a common goal and saving each other along the way. (See also, from this list, Fringe, Elementary, The Newsroom, The Killing, and to some extent Borgen, The Good Wife, and Homeland.) One more thing: It's not really a positive, but the show's ability to get me to root for an adulterous couple certainly speaks to its power.

9. The Hour - The second season of this historical drama about a BBC news TV program in the 1950s still has one more episode to air (on January 2), so it's possible that my opinion will change drastically then. As it stands, though, I still love this show but have had a harder time getting into this season. I know the spy stuff was widely ridiculed last year, but what they've replaced it with is harder to follow and takes time and energy away from the characters I love doing their jobs and interacting with each other, which is why I love the show in the first place. But Romola Garai, Ben Whishaw, Dominic West, and Anna Chancellor all remain incredible, and I am happy to follow Bel and company wherever the ride takes us.

10. Elementary - I am an enthusiastic Sherlock Holmes fan but by no means a purist, which makes me probably the ideal audience for this modern take on the great detective. I love Jonny Lee Miller's portrayal of Holmes as a modern addict. I love Lucy Liu's take on Watson. (I love that Watson is female!) I love the way they play off each other and the way the show isn't making it a romantic thing, at least not immediately. The show has a firm grounding in the original stories, and references them frequently, but it's a loose enough adaptation that it's felt very much like its own thing from the start, which makes it a show I want to come back to week after week for its own sake, rather than a clever parlor trick that I admire but don't love, which is how I often feel about the other modern take, Sherlock.

11. Arrow - Arrow was probably the biggest (positive) surprise of the fall season for me; I don't particularly seek out superhero stuff as a rule, and I knew virtually nothing about the source material going in. I was hoping for no more than fun CW fluff with pretty people but found it to be surprisingly compelling and actually good. I've been a Colin Donnell fan since I saw him on Broadway, so he's a particular treat each week, and this show has clearly made some sort of deal with the devil that allows them to cast every geek favorite ever in guest starring roles.

12. Cougar Town - This is another show that I caught up on from the beginning in 2012, and I'm very glad that I was convinced to give it a try. Yes, the name is dumb, and the premise - some friends in a neighborhood in Florida talk to each other, basically - is simple, but the show is both hysterically funny and surprisingly moving. My favorite comedies are those that make me cry regularly as well as laugh regularly (yes, I have issues), and this is a perfect example. Season three dealt with a lot of changes in the characters' lives, which were necessary but always a bit hard for a show to navigate, and the show did remarkably well at dealing with these changes without losing what makes it good to start with.

Honorable mention: Bomb Girls, Don't Trust the B---- in Apt 23, Game of Thrones, Girls, Magic City, Suburgatory

Monday, June 11, 2012

What I Watched: Borgen & The Killing

Yes, I know, MORE OF THIS. I watched the Tony Awards - great job, NPH! - so I didn't even watch any of the Sunday shows.

Catching Up: Borgen - I'm almost done with the first season, so everything's getting complicated. I love the way Birgitte and her family are portrayed as real people with real problems, not overly perfect, but honestly trying to make things work because they love each other. And these episodes were so illuminating about Kasper's past - his big secret, that his father abused him, surprised me but makes perfect sense given everything else we've seen of Kasper, which really makes for the best kind of plot twist.

The Killing, "Numb (EP203)" - Honestly, at this point I'm into the parts about the cops and the politicians, but less into the scenes set with the Larsens. But I loved seeing Linden show up for Holder at the end, and I really hope they clear the air and start working together again soon.

On the list... Veep, Girls, Longmire, The Killing, Borgen, The Glades

Sunday, June 10, 2012

What I Watched: Borgen, The Killing, Fairly Legal

(Combining Friday and Saturday because I forgot to post this yesterday...)

Catching Up: Fairly Legal, "Ripple of Hope (EP208)" - Okay, this show is finally starting to hook me. Maybe. A little. I think. We'll see. Maybe I'll actually catch up by the finale.

The Killing, "Orpheus Descending (EP113)," "Reflections (EP201)," "My Lucky Day (EP202)" - I watched the season one finale and two-part season two premiere only a day apart, which I'm sure was a much less frustrating experience than actually watching the show as it aired. I didn't mind how season one ended because I knew it was coming, but I definitely understand why people were so angry, especially given the way it was marketed. At this point in season two, I really just want Holder and Linden to start working together again.

Borgen - I've been marathoning this so I can get through the whole first season before it expires. THIS SHOW IS SO GOOD. I would happily elect Birgitte Nyborg to any post I could.

On the list... Common Law, Fairly Legal

Friday, June 8, 2012

Last Chance to Catch Up on Borgen!

I've mentioned Borgen a few times before, but the free viewing period for the first season is almost over, so I just want to urge you again to head over to the LinkTV site to watch it. It's a Danish political drama about an MP who, through a series of coincidences and clever political maneuvering, becomes the first female prime minister of Denmark. It also follows her family, some of her staff, and an up-and-coming young journalist with a secret. It's a quiet, thinky show, but completely riveting. Season two is playing on LinkTV now, and each episode is available online for two weeks as well. Give it a try!

Thursday, June 7, 2012

What I Watched: Royal Pains Premiere & More

Live-ish: Royal Pains, "After the Fireworks (EP401)" - This was a fine premiere, but didn't do much to answer the questions about the route this season will take. Although, honestly, my burning question is whether Jill is actually leaving. (I hope not!) I'm sure Hank and Evan will be fine eventually, and presumably this deus ex giant fire will make them realize they love each other or something.

Catching Up: Fairly Legal, "Gimme Shelter (EP205)" & "What They Seem (EP206)" - This show is improving, I think, especially with the interpersonal stuff involving Justin and Lauren, but I still don't like Kate much and that still makes it frustrating. I REALLY liked that Ben turned Kate down, though. That made the show more interesting, so we'll see how that goes. Also, seriously, did Justin's rival think there would be no repercussions to telling Kate's stepmother that he was going to air Kate's dirty laundry? Think things through, people!

The Killing, "Missing (EP111)" - The Rosie Larsen case was put on hold as Linden and Holder searched for Linden's son, and I loved the showcase this gave to Holder's dedication to Linden. Their dynamic is probably now my favorite faux-reluctant (but actually love each other) partnership/friendship on TV, and I hope that doesn't get messed up in the episodes I have yet to see.

Borgen, "Count to 90 (EP102)" - Still impressed with this. Just have to make sure I have time to catch up before it's taken offline. Birgitte's marriage may be my favorite part, though I'm half-expecting some Big Secret to come out and ruin things, since that's how TV marriages usually work. I'm less invested in Katrine's story so far, but it's still interesting, and I hope Kasper goes back to work for Birgitte, as I liked their dynamic.

Hawaii Five-0, "Pilot (EP101)" - A few of my friends are really into this show, so I figured I'd try to catch up over the summer. I think I saw the pilot when it originally aired, but I didn't remember much, so I started over. It was cute! Looking forward to seeing more.

On the list... White Heat, Necessary Roughness

Monday, June 4, 2012

What I Watched: Game of Thrones Finale, Borgen, & More

Live-ish: Game of Thrones, "Valar Morghulis (EP210)" - Well, that season finale seemed to come quickly. While I'm still liking the show, I thought this season was somewhat uneven - I loved everything taking place in King's Landing, but got impatient with most of the other stories, and that didn't happen when I read the book. (Dany, particularly, was one of my favorites in the books so far but is just not that interesting on the show.) And a few of the stories, especially Jon's, I found hard to follow even having read the books, so I'm not sure how people who are new to the story did with it. But the court intrigue is still great, and Tyrion is still the best, and I loved the moment between Sansa and Baelish, as they're two of my favorites. I'm going to try to read the rest of the books before season three starts, so we'll see if that helps my comprehension level.

Longmire, "Pilot (EP101)" - I really like this new procedural so far. Read my thoughts about it at TheTelevixen.

Live+7: Breaking Pointe, "Survival of the Fittest (EP101)" - I don't tend to watch reality TV, but I'm fascinated by ballet and by the lives of elite performers in general, so I really enjoyed this episode. So far, at least, the show is doing a good job of balancing ballet stuff with soapy relationship stuff. I'm definitely looking forward to more.

Catching Up: Borgen, "Decency in the Middle (EP101)" - This Danish political drama is available free on LinkTV for a limited time, and I definitely recommend you check it out. It focuses on Moderate politician Birgitte Nyborg, somewhat unexpectedly thrust into the spotlight, and her family, staff, and rivals, as well as TV reporter Katrine Fonsmark, and the way their personal and professional lives all intertwine. Birgitte and her husband are already my new favorite political couple on TV, and her spin doctor Kasper is intriguing as well. The writing is strong, the characters are complex and real, and it's making me want to learn about Danish politics. Highly recommended.

On the list... The Killing, Veep, Girls, Drop Dead Diva, The Glades