Hey marshmallows, Jason Dohring made a video asking you to vote for Veronica Mars in the MTV Movie Brawl. I'm basically showing it to you because his hair looks so good, but hey, go vote.
Lessons of the Bob McDonnell Scandal
A journalist spoiled Jennifer Lawrence on season three of Homeland and her reaction was perfect. As was Damian Lewis's. (Warning: This video will also spoil you on season three of Homeland.)
Lions and donkeys: 10 big myths about World War One debunked
Classic Literature Floorplans
If you're tired of looking at snow, my father recommends these Breathtaking Photographs of Severe Summer Weather.
Choose Your Own P.G. Wodehouse Adventure
The Onion, funny 'cause it's true: Woman Takes Short Half-Hour Break From Being Feminist To Enjoy TV Show
Showing posts with label Homeland. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Homeland. Show all posts
Thursday, January 23, 2014
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
Morning Coffee (10/29/13)
Sesame Street did Homeland, and it is freaking adorable. Sheep Saul is my new favorite thing.
Oh right. A Highlander reboot is happening.
In case any Veronica Mars fans hadn't seen, there's some new movie footage that is continuing to pretend anyone wants Veronica with Piz.
For fans of Haven or heartwarming holiday movies: Hallmark has a Thanksgiving movie starring Emily Rose premiering this weekend.
20th Century Headlines Rewritten to Get More Clicks
This collection of cruise ship menus is fascinating.
I'm excited for a new Little Women adaptation, mostly for these reasons.
These early baseball photographs are nifty.
Oh right. A Highlander reboot is happening.
In case any Veronica Mars fans hadn't seen, there's some new movie footage that is continuing to pretend anyone wants Veronica with Piz.
For fans of Haven or heartwarming holiday movies: Hallmark has a Thanksgiving movie starring Emily Rose premiering this weekend.
20th Century Headlines Rewritten to Get More Clicks
This collection of cruise ship menus is fascinating.
I'm excited for a new Little Women adaptation, mostly for these reasons.
These early baseball photographs are nifty.
Thursday, June 6, 2013
Morning Coffee (6/6/13)
Only a few today, as people just showed up to replace my windows...
Good news for Civil Wars fans: New music next week!
Amazing: The Sound of Music’s Baroness Von Schrader Meets Robyn
Oh, Florida: Florida Police Are in Hot Pursuit of a Monkey
Homeland fans, you must watch this. Trust me.
Good news for Civil Wars fans: New music next week!
Amazing: The Sound of Music’s Baroness Von Schrader Meets Robyn
Oh, Florida: Florida Police Are in Hot Pursuit of a Monkey
Homeland fans, you must watch this. Trust me.
Monday, December 31, 2012
My 12 Favorite Shows of 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
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
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Morning Coffee (12/13/12)
Guess who's behind the @SergeantBrody parody Twitter account? Aziz Ansari. Amazing.
Hey, have some SAG nominations!
Well, this is horrible: Kansas City Star Tells Two Reporters to Decide Which One Gets Laid Off
No. These are not awesome gifts for librarians. Every librarian I've heard from on this says: Please no.
A manifesto I can get behind: Fuck You, Slow Walkers
I was ranting about my issues with red velvet cake yesterday, and a friend sent me this secret history. Interesting! But I still think it's basically gross and unnecessary.
If you're interested in writing or in learning more about your favorite authors' writing processes, you must read Holly Black's post on how she wrote The Coldest Girl in Coldtown.
This Star Trek history book looks awesome.
Hey, have some SAG nominations!
Well, this is horrible: Kansas City Star Tells Two Reporters to Decide Which One Gets Laid Off
No. These are not awesome gifts for librarians. Every librarian I've heard from on this says: Please no.
A manifesto I can get behind: Fuck You, Slow Walkers
I was ranting about my issues with red velvet cake yesterday, and a friend sent me this secret history. Interesting! But I still think it's basically gross and unnecessary.
If you're interested in writing or in learning more about your favorite authors' writing processes, you must read Holly Black's post on how she wrote The Coldest Girl in Coldtown.
This Star Trek history book looks awesome.
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Let's talk about Homeland.
There's been a ton of talk about this past Sunday's episode of Homeland - a lot of people thought it was the worst ever, potentially jumping the shark in a fatal manner, while a few loved it. And I . . . I don't know, I was going to say my feelings are mixed, but that sounds more conflicted than I feel. I suppose I mean that I thought it was okay! Certainly not the best episode. But I didn't hate it. Real-world plausibility is always an issue with this show - with the vast majority of shows, really - and I think that's something that either bothers people or doesn't. Personally, if things make sense within the universe of the show, I don't tend to care whether they would make sense in the real world. (There are, of course, exceptions, usually when a show deals with subject matter I know well and implausibilities or errors just become distracting.) Todd VanDerWerff makes this case in his review.
Far more interesting, though, is the discussion of whether the week's plot worked within the show itself. I see why people thought it was ridiculous. But I also don't really care, because when it comes down to it, plot isn't that important to me. Todd, again:
And one more thought on Emily's theory: I love her idea of Carrie killing Brody in a Buffy-like way in a theoretical sense, but Damian Lewis leaving the show would make me very sad. He is so phenomenal, and his chemistry with Claire Danes is so fascinating, that I'm not entirely sure the show could work without him.
Far more interesting, though, is the discussion of whether the week's plot worked within the show itself. I see why people thought it was ridiculous. But I also don't really care, because when it comes down to it, plot isn't that important to me. Todd, again:
Watching TV for plot is a fool’s game, and it’s just going to end with you being disappointed. But watching TV for long-term character arcs can be very rewarding, particularly if you’re in the hands of writers who keep an eye on the characters in a way that keeps them more or less consistent. It’s all but impossible to blow through plot at the level Homeland does without running out of room (and I think the show is probably screwed next season if it tries to keep the Brody storyline going without a major reboot), but it is possible to keep the big character moments coming, and the show has done an excellent job of that this season.So. Did it work on a character level? I thought it did. Much as I love Emily Nussbaum's conspiracy theory, and I do, I'm not convinced that it's necessary, not convinced that Brody was acting out of character at all. I think he does love Carrie, though I don't think that's the most important thing in his life or anything. (In general, I think they both have real feelings and are both playing each other all the time, which is a fascinating dynamic to watch, especially with such skilled actors.) But we've been watching this man quietly unspool for two seasons, and when you're unspooling, the thing that pushes you over the edge into a full-out meltdown doesn't have to be the most important thing in your life. It can just be one more thing.
And one more thought on Emily's theory: I love her idea of Carrie killing Brody in a Buffy-like way in a theoretical sense, but Damian Lewis leaving the show would make me very sad. He is so phenomenal, and his chemistry with Claire Danes is so fascinating, that I'm not entirely sure the show could work without him.
Monday, October 22, 2012
What I Watched: Homeland, Grimm, & More
Homeland, "New Car Smell (EP204)" - Wow. Wow. THIS SHOW. I absolutely did not expect that confrontation at the end to happen so early in the season, and it was a DELIGHTFUL surprise. This show definitely makes bolder choices than pretty much any other show on TV, and the writing and plotting almost always back this up. I'm so excited to see where they go now that they did this thing I absolutely did not think they would do yet. Also: I heartily approve of the addition of Rupert Friend, and I love that in the midst of everything else going on, the show is taking time for stuff like Dana's storyline.
Grimm, "The Other Side (EP208)" - I actually caught up on the past few episodes yesterday, and I think the show is doing a good job this season of expanding the mythology and increasing the serialized aspect while still having interesting cases of the week. And in this one, I loved the combination of science and mythology with the genetic engineering aspect.
The Good Wife, "Two Girls, One Code (EP403)" - Yes, due to football scheduling nonsense, I'm watching CBS's Sunday shows online and so wound up behind this week. Anyway. This episode was so good, except for the Kalinda nonsense, which is so bad. It's just baffling to me. But I loved the case of the week - search engine intrigue! - and all the Alicia/Peter/Will/Eli intrigue was really well done. And even though I'm completely a Will fan, the kiss at the end was quite something. I can't wait to see where they go with it.
The Mentalist, "Not One Red Cent (EP503)" - I know I was unimpressed with the first two episodes of this season, but I thought this one was a lot better, in that it got back to the traditional sort of cases this show does and didn't spend too much time trying to decode Jane's brain or doing weird things with the rest of the team's personal lives. So I guess this bodes well.
Grimm, "The Other Side (EP208)" - I actually caught up on the past few episodes yesterday, and I think the show is doing a good job this season of expanding the mythology and increasing the serialized aspect while still having interesting cases of the week. And in this one, I loved the combination of science and mythology with the genetic engineering aspect.
The Good Wife, "Two Girls, One Code (EP403)" - Yes, due to football scheduling nonsense, I'm watching CBS's Sunday shows online and so wound up behind this week. Anyway. This episode was so good, except for the Kalinda nonsense, which is so bad. It's just baffling to me. But I loved the case of the week - search engine intrigue! - and all the Alicia/Peter/Will/Eli intrigue was really well done. And even though I'm completely a Will fan, the kiss at the end was quite something. I can't wait to see where they go with it.
The Mentalist, "Not One Red Cent (EP503)" - I know I was unimpressed with the first two episodes of this season, but I thought this one was a lot better, in that it got back to the traditional sort of cases this show does and didn't spend too much time trying to decode Jane's brain or doing weird things with the rest of the team's personal lives. So I guess this bodes well.
Monday, October 15, 2012
What I Watched: Homeland, Bomb Girls, Scandal
Homeland, "State of Independence (EP203)" - Whoa. Show. Whoa. You are Not Playing Around. I'm still bothered by some things that seem too coincidental or implausible, but it's so powerful and well-made that I'm willing to overlook that. Except, seriously, why would anyone send a famous war hero/congressman to do ANYTHING covert? But that semi-ridiculous set-up was made worth it by what Brody did in those woods. (I rewound my TiVo twice to make sure I'd actually seen what I thought I'd seen, because I was so shocked.) And the end, with Saul and Carrie . . . just wow.
Bomb Girls, "Armistice (EP105)" - I love what they're doing with Gladys and James's story. I was convinced that they would just have them implode, so I'm delighted that they're taking the more mature and less common route - at least so far - and letting them communicate and work things out - and make major changes, including with Gladys's father's company. Lorna's story has also been quite powerful, and I love the way Kate is blossoming, though I'm worried about that imploding too. Next week is the finale, and the promo looked very interesting, so yay.
Scandal, "The Other Woman (EP202)" - The "mistress of a great man" theme was a little heavy-handed, but the fact that it was so self-aware made it a little better - Olivia, Fitz, and Melly all very clearly saw the parallels, so it was less annoying than, say, some of the crazily coincidental Grey's Anatomy patients of the week. I still love Olivia and Fitz together, and hate that I love it, so, um, well done, Shonda? And most of the supporting characters and storylines are great, but I just don't care about Quinn's intrigue as much as the show wants me to.
Bomb Girls, "Armistice (EP105)" - I love what they're doing with Gladys and James's story. I was convinced that they would just have them implode, so I'm delighted that they're taking the more mature and less common route - at least so far - and letting them communicate and work things out - and make major changes, including with Gladys's father's company. Lorna's story has also been quite powerful, and I love the way Kate is blossoming, though I'm worried about that imploding too. Next week is the finale, and the promo looked very interesting, so yay.
Scandal, "The Other Woman (EP202)" - The "mistress of a great man" theme was a little heavy-handed, but the fact that it was so self-aware made it a little better - Olivia, Fitz, and Melly all very clearly saw the parallels, so it was less annoying than, say, some of the crazily coincidental Grey's Anatomy patients of the week. I still love Olivia and Fitz together, and hate that I love it, so, um, well done, Shonda? And most of the supporting characters and storylines are great, but I just don't care about Quinn's intrigue as much as the show wants me to.
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
What I Watched: Homeland Premiere, Tuesday Night Comedies, & More
Homeland, "The Smile (EP201)" - THIS SHOW. Oh, this show. It's just as amazing as everyone says, and I'm so glad I'm finally caught up. I thought the time-jump from the finale to the premiere was well-executed, and all of the threads are still holding together nicely. Even though Brody's less of a cipher now, we still aren't sure exactly what he'll be willing to do, and his relationship with his daughter remains one of my favorites in the show. The other is probably Carrie's with Saul, and there was some great stuff there in this episode too.
Ben and Kate, "Bad Cop/Bad Cop (EP102)" - I feel compelled to say THIS SHOW again, though in a completely different way from above. This was just so adorable, and honestly, I had a rough day yesterday and saved this episode for right before bed and it was perfect. Aside from the ridiculously cute and non-annoying kid, I think my favorite thing is the character dynamics: Stories about messed up people genuinely trying to help each other are my Kryptonite.
The Mindy Project, "Hiring and Firing (EP102)" - I'm going to write a separate post about this, because she show managed to enrage me again, but in completely different ways! But basically, there were a few moments I liked, and I thought it was a little more coherent than the pilot, but I'm still stuck on the fact that Mindy is an awful person but the show doesn't necessarily know that.
Go On, "Do You Believe in Ghosts . . . Yes! (EP105)" - I was skeptical of the "ghost episode" going in, but I thought it was done pretty well, and this show is continuing to walk the line of being really funny and genuinely touching all at once. I was less into the storyline about Ryan trying to help Steven get girls, but I loved the stuff about Ryan having to learn to take care of himself.
The New Normal, "Nanagasm (EP105)" - I'm still wary, because Ryan Murphy, but I'm also still enjoying much of this show. It definitely has its problematic elements, but it also has the heart, coherence, and continuity that Glee lost after its first half-season. (Am I expecting this to go completely off the rails in January? Possibly.) And I just really like David, Bryan, Goldie, and Shania, and want to spend more time with them. (Also, turning to a waiter and saying "I'm going to be needing dessert for dinner. Thank you." is AMAZING.)
Bones, "The Gunk in the Garage (EP803)" - This was one of the "bonus" episodes they filmed last season and never aired. I have mixed feelings: The case itself was interesting, if a bit far-fetched, and I loved the interaction between Booth and Brennan and the way they actually faced some of their issues. But I didn't like the Sweets stuff. Is he serious about Daisy or not? Unless fidelity issues are SUPPOSED to be part of his character, why does he keep cheating? Make up your mind, writers!
The Mob Doctor, "Protect and Serve (EP103)" - Honestly, I'm watching this one at a bit of an emotional distance, since I'm expecting it to be cancelled at any moment so I don't want to get too attached. But I'm enjoying it! Most of the medical stuff is pretty forgettable, but the family stuff is deliciously psychologically complex. And Zach Gilford's scene with the child athlete was great (not least because of FNL associations, even though it was a different sport).
Ben and Kate, "Bad Cop/Bad Cop (EP102)" - I feel compelled to say THIS SHOW again, though in a completely different way from above. This was just so adorable, and honestly, I had a rough day yesterday and saved this episode for right before bed and it was perfect. Aside from the ridiculously cute and non-annoying kid, I think my favorite thing is the character dynamics: Stories about messed up people genuinely trying to help each other are my Kryptonite.
The Mindy Project, "Hiring and Firing (EP102)" - I'm going to write a separate post about this, because she show managed to enrage me again, but in completely different ways! But basically, there were a few moments I liked, and I thought it was a little more coherent than the pilot, but I'm still stuck on the fact that Mindy is an awful person but the show doesn't necessarily know that.
Go On, "Do You Believe in Ghosts . . . Yes! (EP105)" - I was skeptical of the "ghost episode" going in, but I thought it was done pretty well, and this show is continuing to walk the line of being really funny and genuinely touching all at once. I was less into the storyline about Ryan trying to help Steven get girls, but I loved the stuff about Ryan having to learn to take care of himself.
The New Normal, "Nanagasm (EP105)" - I'm still wary, because Ryan Murphy, but I'm also still enjoying much of this show. It definitely has its problematic elements, but it also has the heart, coherence, and continuity that Glee lost after its first half-season. (Am I expecting this to go completely off the rails in January? Possibly.) And I just really like David, Bryan, Goldie, and Shania, and want to spend more time with them. (Also, turning to a waiter and saying "I'm going to be needing dessert for dinner. Thank you." is AMAZING.)
Bones, "The Gunk in the Garage (EP803)" - This was one of the "bonus" episodes they filmed last season and never aired. I have mixed feelings: The case itself was interesting, if a bit far-fetched, and I loved the interaction between Booth and Brennan and the way they actually faced some of their issues. But I didn't like the Sweets stuff. Is he serious about Daisy or not? Unless fidelity issues are SUPPOSED to be part of his character, why does he keep cheating? Make up your mind, writers!
The Mob Doctor, "Protect and Serve (EP103)" - Honestly, I'm watching this one at a bit of an emotional distance, since I'm expecting it to be cancelled at any moment so I don't want to get too attached. But I'm enjoying it! Most of the medical stuff is pretty forgettable, but the family stuff is deliciously psychologically complex. And Zach Gilford's scene with the child athlete was great (not least because of FNL associations, even though it was a different sport).
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
What I Watched: 666 Park Avenue & Revenge Premieres & More
(I realized that I completely left the premiere of The Mentalist off yesterday's post. It was . . . fine. I have very mixed feelings about that show at this point. The cases of the week are fine, but they've sort of lost me with the Red John stuff.)
666 Park Avenue, "Pilot (EP101)" - This wasn't great, but it was pleasantly creepy and very pretty. You can read my take at TheTelevixen.
Revenge, "Destiny (EP201)" - This was a solid premiere and I'm so glad the show is back. I love Nolan living with Emily, because he's my favorite. The Charlotte stuff is all quite interesting, though I didn't think it was exactly a surprise that a certain person wasn't really dead. But they played it well, anyway, and set up enough intrigue that I think they'll be able to get through another year of Emily's revengenda without rehashing much.
Copper, "The Hudson River School (EP107)" - The dynamic between Corcoran and Annie is probably the most interesting part of this show, so I was thrilled that this episode focused on it so much. And I love that Corcoran isn't going the obvious route of thinking Elizabeth can do no wrong.
How I Met Your Mother, "The Pre-Nup (EP802)" - There was an unattractive patina of misogyny over all this, of course, but that's sort of Barney's schtick, so I'm not really expecting it to change now. And hey, there was actual plot progress, and an adorable Barney/Robin moment, so I won't complain too much.
Castle, "Cloudy with a Change of Murder (EP502)" - This was our first "normal" episode since Castle and Beckett got together, and I thought they played the relationship stuff perfectly. It reassured me a lot about the season's tone and trajectory. My full recap will be up at TheTelevixen soon.
Homeland, "Marine One (EP112)" - Wow. This was an intense, amazing finale. I knew one outcome given that I was watching it knowing whether certain people were in season two, but that didn't really detract from seeing how they got there. And the phone scene between Brody and Dana was just astonishingly good.
666 Park Avenue, "Pilot (EP101)" - This wasn't great, but it was pleasantly creepy and very pretty. You can read my take at TheTelevixen.
Revenge, "Destiny (EP201)" - This was a solid premiere and I'm so glad the show is back. I love Nolan living with Emily, because he's my favorite. The Charlotte stuff is all quite interesting, though I didn't think it was exactly a surprise that a certain person wasn't really dead. But they played it well, anyway, and set up enough intrigue that I think they'll be able to get through another year of Emily's revengenda without rehashing much.
Copper, "The Hudson River School (EP107)" - The dynamic between Corcoran and Annie is probably the most interesting part of this show, so I was thrilled that this episode focused on it so much. And I love that Corcoran isn't going the obvious route of thinking Elizabeth can do no wrong.
How I Met Your Mother, "The Pre-Nup (EP802)" - There was an unattractive patina of misogyny over all this, of course, but that's sort of Barney's schtick, so I'm not really expecting it to change now. And hey, there was actual plot progress, and an adorable Barney/Robin moment, so I won't complain too much.
Castle, "Cloudy with a Change of Murder (EP502)" - This was our first "normal" episode since Castle and Beckett got together, and I thought they played the relationship stuff perfectly. It reassured me a lot about the season's tone and trajectory. My full recap will be up at TheTelevixen soon.
Homeland, "Marine One (EP112)" - Wow. This was an intense, amazing finale. I knew one outcome given that I was watching it knowing whether certain people were in season two, but that didn't really detract from seeing how they got there. And the phone scene between Brody and Dana was just astonishingly good.
Monday, October 1, 2012
What I Watched: Made in Jersey & Blue Bloods Premieres & More
I didn't have time to post this yesterday, so hey, let's combine Saturday and Sunday!
Made in Jersey, "Pilot (EP101)" - Meh. It wasn't good, but I didn't hate it, and I liked the family stuff, so I'll probably hang in until they cancel it in a few weeks anyway. You can read what I said about it at TheTelevixen here.
Blue Bloods, "Family Business (EP301)" - I thought this was fine, but - presumably because it was a premiere - there was more action stuff and less character stuff than in most episodes, and I didn't think it was an improvement. There wasn't enough family interaction for me. Also, I didn't think the tension was as tense as they'd intended, since we knew Danny wouldn't actually die. It would have been better if they'd left Jackie as the hostage throughout, as they could kill her off. But regardless, I'm very glad the show is back.
Grimm, "The Good Shepherd (EP205)" - This was a really solid episode. I loved finding out more about the Wesen social institutions, and I'm always delighted when Jonathan Scarfe turns up. Monroe going undercover was tons of fun, though I missed Rosalee. And I'm intrigued to see how the Juliette situation is resolved. (And hey, I was thinking "they should have a glossary of the Wesen terms," and they do!)
I spent much of Sunday trying to catch up on Homeland for the premiere, and I didn't quite make it - I still have to watch last season's finale. But wow. Yes, this show is as good as everyone says it is, and I only regret I didn't watch it sooner.
Made in Jersey, "Pilot (EP101)" - Meh. It wasn't good, but I didn't hate it, and I liked the family stuff, so I'll probably hang in until they cancel it in a few weeks anyway. You can read what I said about it at TheTelevixen here.
Blue Bloods, "Family Business (EP301)" - I thought this was fine, but - presumably because it was a premiere - there was more action stuff and less character stuff than in most episodes, and I didn't think it was an improvement. There wasn't enough family interaction for me. Also, I didn't think the tension was as tense as they'd intended, since we knew Danny wouldn't actually die. It would have been better if they'd left Jackie as the hostage throughout, as they could kill her off. But regardless, I'm very glad the show is back.
Grimm, "The Good Shepherd (EP205)" - This was a really solid episode. I loved finding out more about the Wesen social institutions, and I'm always delighted when Jonathan Scarfe turns up. Monroe going undercover was tons of fun, though I missed Rosalee. And I'm intrigued to see how the Juliette situation is resolved. (And hey, I was thinking "they should have a glossary of the Wesen terms," and they do!)
I spent much of Sunday trying to catch up on Homeland for the premiere, and I didn't quite make it - I still have to watch last season's finale. But wow. Yes, this show is as good as everyone says it is, and I only regret I didn't watch it sooner.
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