What I Watched: Fringe Premiere, Haven, & More

Fringe, "Transilience Thought Unifier Model-11 (EP501)" - Well. Fringe's final season is off to quite a start, and while part of me misses the "old" show - and I'd give a lot for a season covering 2012-2015 - I'm really glad that they're getting the chance to wrap things up the way they wanted, and fascinated by this new world. I'm the first to admit that I'm pretty much over dystopic stories in general, but I was very impressed by the world-building in this episode. And, as usual, the show managed a great blend of big plot with quiet character moments, though if the Bishops aren't back together by the finale, I will probably never forgive the people who convinced me to watch this show. But regardless of that, the four Bishops and Astrid working together makes me so freaking happy. I want Nina and Broyles back, though!

Haven, "Stay (EP302)" - After the great finale and premiere, I thought this second episode was a bit of a letdown. Too much monster-of-the-week, not enough mythology and character stuff. (And I don't have a problem with monster-of-the-week on this show; I just thought the balance felt off.) And I was annoyed by the way it looked at the end as though Audrey was going to use the information from Duke to distance herself from Nathan. I've never really bought this love triangle; I think Duke and Nathan's relationship is fascinating, but the tension/flirtation between Duke and Audrey always seemed forced, and Nathan and Audrey have amazing chemistry, care deeply about each other, and are compatible in practical ways, so I'm not convinced that she'd be looking elsewhere anyway.

Also: More LA Complex. Beth is driving me nuts, but she's really young, and I'm still surprisingly sympathetic to everyone else.

What I Watched: Elementary & Scandal Premieres & More

Elementary, "Pilot (EP101)" - My post about this will be up at TheTelevixen tonight, but a few quick thoughts: I love the casting, and the idea of having a Watson who is female and a person of color. And so far, I like the way both of those portrayals and their dynamic is playing out. I'm a Sherlock Holmes fan but not a purist, so I like the premise. I thought the case itself was not great, but I'm generally willing to let that go if I like the characters.

Scandal, "White Hats Off (EP201)" - I'm torn about this whole Quinn thing, because on the one hand, I want to know why Olivia was involved and what the rest of the story is, because there must be more, as it doesn't make any sense the way it is. On the other hand, I don't really care that much about Quinn and am much more interested in the political stories. So I'm curious to see where the season goes. I loved Fitz in this episode; I think he's one of the more believable and compelling examples of the "great but hugely flawed politician" role that seems to be cropping up on TV a lot lately.

Last Resort, "Captain (EP101)" - I posted this link before, I think, but since the pilot actually aired last night, here's my review. To sum up: I thought the pilot was great but am not convinced that the premise will work as a long-running series.

I've also been catching up on The LA Complex. It's amazing how a show can have so many of its characters make such consistently awful life choices and still have me feeling mostly sympathetic.

What I Watched: The LA Complex Finale, Game of Thrones, & More

Live-ish: The L.A. Complex, "Burn It Down (EP106)" - I like finales that burn everything down (usually metaphorically), so I was excited that they went for it and just called this "Burn It Down." This was a great finale capping off a really solid season, though I must admit I'm more interested in everyone else than Nick (who is really THE WORST, huh?) or Cassie. The CW still hasn't confirmed that this is coming back, but here's hoping.

Live+7: Game of Thrones, "Blackwater (EP209)" - This episode was quite good in general, but what really stood out to me was how great Peter Dinklage is. Not that that's news, but this was a great showcase for him. This one was also more limited in points of view, which I think really worked, though of course I missed Robb, Jon, etc.

Veep, "Baseball (EP106)" - I'm still adoring this show, and I really didn't expect that they would actually have Selina be pregnant. I thought they would take the whole episode to use all the jokes, and then have it all be a false alarm. So I'm really fascinated to see what they do next.

Catching Up: The Killing, "Undertow (EP109)" - Linden wore a new sweater! The teacher's wife became particularly interesting this episode. I still love Holder. Etc.

On the list... Cougar Town, because I tried to watch live but the beginning was preempted for storm coverage. Hatfields and McCoys.

What I Watched: The L.A. Complex, The Killing, & More

Live-ish: The L.A. Complex, "Home (EP105)" - This episode was almost painful to watch. THESE POOR KIDS ALL NEED HUGS. It was still incredibly good, though, and again, Jewel Staite blew me away. There's only one more episode on the CW, and I really really hope there will be some way for US viewers to see the rest.

Catching Up: Lost Girl, "ArachnoFaebia (EP107)" - Ah, the classic "everyone's secret issues with each other are heightened by spider-induced paranoia" premise! This was done well, because all the issues seemed completely organic, even if the extent to which they were bothering our heroes was exaggerated. Though I must say: I kind of just want to knock Bo and Dyson's heads together at this point.

Magic City, "Castles Made of Sand (EP103)" - This new plotline about Ike's dead wife's sister is intriguing, and I love the way this show is coming to revolve around the intersection of family, duty, and ambition. My main complaint is that I'm still having a little trouble telling all the characters apart. The scene at the end, in which Jeffrey Dean Morgan contemplatively eats rugelach, is one of my new favorite things ever.

The Killing, "A Soundless Echo (EP104)," "Super 8 (EP105)," "What You Have Left (EP106)" - It was cool and rainy yesterday, so I was in the perfect mood for this. I think my favorite thing about this show so far is the way the characters look and dress like real people. I'm enjoying the intersection of politics and the murder investigation, but am getting slightly sick of the "Linden's getting on a plane at any moment! Really!" thing.

Morning Coffee (5/23/12)

Revenge finale tonight!

How Did Women Pilot Writers Fare for 2012?

This kind of feature is always fun: The Game of Thrones cast in and out of character.

Hilarious: 15 Thought-Provoking Discussion Questions Every Book Club Should Ask Themselves

Weird headline of the day: Presidential foundation threatens legal action over Reagan blood vial auction

June Thomas on why The L.A. Complex is awesome

Trust me, you want to read this dishy story about wine fraud.

The Brave soundtrack sounds pretty awesome.

What I Watched: Gossip Girl Finale, Cougar Town & More

Live-ish: Cougar Town, "Square One (EP312)" & "It'll All Work Out (EP313)" - The show's been doing a really good job recently of dealing with serious issues and major life changes while keeping things funny. They're being more thorough than I'd feared about the changes Jules and Grayson's marriage will bring, and I also like that they're finally dealing with Stan a bit. The second episode's cold open about not knowing if they'll be back in the fall was amazingly meta. And at this point, if they don't get Travis and Laurie together eventually I may set something on fire.

The L.A. Complex, "Other Side of the Door (EP104)" - I know I say this every week, but this show just keeps getting better, and why aren't more of you watching? The soapy stuff is fun, of course, but the characters all have a surprising amount of depth. Raquel is particularly fascinating, and Tariq and Kal's relationship is quickly becoming one of my favorites on TV. (Are there any other black gay couples on network TV? I can't think of any, offhand.) The show is much better than I expected, and if the CW doesn't pick it up beyond the first six episodes, I hope the rest at least hits Netflix eventually.

Live+7: Gossip Girl, "The Return of the Ring (EP524)" - I was dreading watching this finale because of all the outrage I'd heard about it, but . . . I was not outraged. I might even have liked it. I'm going to think about it a little more and write a separate post, but basically: even when the characters were making decisions I didn't like, I thought they were acting in character, and that's what matters to me. And they've done an interesting reset - I loved the echoes of the pilot, and especially the Campbell Apartment - and I'm curious to see how that plays out in the final season.

Catching up: Gossip Girl, "Raiders of the Lost Art (EP522)" & "The Fugitives (EP523)" - I am writing this before I watch the finale, to get my real reaction (even though my finale reaction is above this in the post). I actually mostly enjoyed these two episodes, since they revolved around a) scheming and b) Chuck's abandonment issues, which have always been my two favorite parts of the show. At the same time, though, I'm worried about Dan and Blair, because they are obviously better for each other than Chuck and Blair are. I don't know. And Bart is back! I fear that spells doom for poor Rufus. And Blair's diary... sigh.

Missing, "A Busy Solitude (EP106)" - Either this show is getting better or my expectations are dropping, and I'm honestly not sure which. Of course, the show has not been renewed beyond this 10-episode season, so the question is academic at this point. This episode got Becca and her son into almost the same place again, but what I really want is for them to find Paul, who by this point has been set up to be by far the most interesting person in the family.

What I Watched: Cougar Town, L.A. Complex, & Missing

Live-ish: Cougar Town, "Down South (EP311):" ABC seems very devoted to playing with my emotions this week. I really like the Laurie/Travis idea, and if the show doesn't manage to actually go there this season, I really hope they get another season and the chance to go there eventually. I also thought the bit with catch phrases was a fun way to show Grayson's angst about how maturing and settling down with Jules would affect other aspects of his life, including his career, and I loved his honest bar-closing speech at the end. This show is great every single week, and ugh, just renew it already, ABC!

The L.A. Complex, "It's All About Who You Know (EP103):" This remains fun and soapy and addictive, but I've been impressed with the way it's actually dealing with real, serious issues as well, and has genuine moments between the characters - not always in the combinations you'd expect. The whole cast is solid but Jewel Staite, of course, remains the standout; her "I would've TORE UP Sharktopus" was one of the best lines and delivery I've heard in a while. Why is no one watching this show? Why?

Catching up: Missing, "The Three Bears (EP105):" This is really pretty terrible, but it's a fun kind of terrible, and I like spies, and Ashley Judd's husband is my favorite hot race car driver, and . . . oh, I don't know. I'm behind, obviously, but since there are only ten episodes I'm fairly committed to seeing it through. This one was actually pretty good, as these things go, and the bank robbery was actually pulled off in a way that didn't have me yelling for Michael Westen to just come fix things, so, you know, good job, show!

Pilot Thoughts: The L.A. Complex

Canadian import The L.A. Complex premiered on the CW last night, and in short, I found it delightful and way more fun than it had any right to be. It's about a group of young aspiring actors/dancers/etc. living in a rundown motel in Los Angeles, and in the pilot, at least, it did a good job of incorporating fun soapiness while making it clear that all the characters had dreams and goals and concerns more important to them than their sex lives, which was refreshing. (And even the parts about sex were unusually real: I can't remember the last time I saw such extensive discussion of the morning after pill on a show.) Though set in L.A., it's a completely Canadian production, and it definitely had a certain charming Canadian flavor I can't quite articulate but recognized from things like Degrassi and bad Nina Dobrev movies. Jewel Staite is, of course, a particular highlight, and seeing her character go around explaining to everyone that her previous show was canceled because it had a bad timeslot was one of the more hilarious things I've seen recently. I'm always hesitant to judge from just a pilot, of course, but The L.A. Complex seems like it will be the perfect new drama to get addicted to now that the regular TV season is winding down.