Morning Coffee (7/3/14)

Happy Thursday! Yes, we're doing happy links today because I'm taking tomorrow off. Hope everyone has a great holiday/long weekend/regular weekend/whatever!

American Hero Proves White Men Have No Sense Of Humor

Hee: Someone changed the Wikipedia entry for U.S. Secretary of Defense to 'Tim Howard'

The trailer for the final season of The Killing looks amazing.

Happy first anniversary to The Toast!

Pop Quiz: Can You Identify These Hit Songs by Just Their First Second? I got 13/16. Can you beat me?

A new favorite Tumblr for fans of musicals: texts with collaborators

The Emma Approved actors doing Jimmy Fallon's lip sync challenge is the cutest thing ever.

The Arranged Marriage That Ended Happily Ever After

Heh: Pride and Prejudice vs. Star Trek Original Cast Movies: Epic Six-Part VHS Battle!

The Onion: Fireworks Safety Tips

Morning Coffee (6/27/14)

Happy Friday!

My friend Holly started an extremely important new Tumblr: Hiatus Beards

Okay, not exactly happy, but adorable: Prince Harry Recalls Princess Diana's Death, Cries in Brazil While Meeting With Local Kids

Eee, it's real! Here's the first still from the new season of The Killing.

Here's the promo for Hallmark Channel's Christmas in July week, which is pretty much proof that God loves us.

19 Dilemmas Every Book Lover Has Faced at Least Once

How to Tell If You're in a Dorothy Parker Story

The Onion, perfect as usual: Conversations Pretty Limited When Friend Not In Midst Of Crisis

27 Joys And Struggles Of Growing Up In An Italian-American Family

Women Listening To Men In Western Art History

Morning Coffee (6/23/14)

Still breathlessly following the Whole Foods news: Locals look to get their products into new Whole Foods store in Nashua

My friend Alissa is starting a little free library in her neighborhood.

Ooh, they found some unknown Neruda poems!

The Queen is visiting the Game of Thrones studios. Awesome.

And the Duchess of Cambridge visited Bletchley Park, where her grandmother worked.

Whoa, there's a The Killing prequel novel coming out.

This Diagon Alley ice cream sounds amazing.

My Prestigious Literary Novel

Morning Coffee (4/25/14)

Happy Friday!

The final episodes of The Killing will premiere on Netflix on August 1st!

Happiness Study Says Library Trips Are As Good As A Pay Raise (They needed a study?)

The CBC has spoken: Anne Shirley is Canada's most iconic character

The baseball fandom statistics here and here are fascinating.

In Defense of Explaining Things

I can't quite figure out what to think about cat cafes.

This memo about potential Gone with the Wind screenwriters is great.

What's the Difference Between English, Irish, and Scottish Breakfast Teas? Interesting!

How To Tell If You Are In A Charles Dickens Novel

How Much of a Perfectionist Are You? (Very, very much.)

Morning Coffee (12/16/13)

Happy Monday! Christmas is somehow suddenly NEXT WEEK. How did that happen?

Peter O'Toole and Joan Fontaine have died. Time for viewings of The Lion in Winter and Rebecca, I think. At least one of them is seasonal.

Colin Donnell - a.k.a Tommy from Arrow - and Patti Murin recorded a thoroughly delightful cover of "All I Want for Christmas."

In case anyone other than me and my brother still cares, here's some information on season four of The Killing.

A Ten-Month-Old's Letter to Santa

Oops: Pupils' Christmas 'ruined' by vicar's Santa Claus origins story

This piece on How to Name a Baby has some fascinating naming statistics and would probably also be useful for writers naming characters.

Dallas fans, this holiday greeting from the Ewings is great.

The Onion: 30-Year-Old Has Earned $11 More Than He Would Have Without College Education

Morning Coffee (5/8/13)

This is really important: My marvelous boss Maureen Johnson wrote about gendered book covers and hosted a contest for gender-flipped covers of well-known books. The results were pretty amazing.

Headline I did not expect to see this morning: Gary Oldman, Marion Cotillard Star in David Bowie Video

There exists a news broadcast in Latin. Why didn't anyone TELL me?

This slideshow of Gatsby covers is great.

The trailer for the new season of The Killing makes me ridiculously happy.

The Cinderella cast album is out this week, and you can listen to it streaming here. I saw the show last month and loved it. Highly recommended!

Warner Bros. is making a new D&D movie, so . . . that's a thing that is happening.

Terrifying Vintage Workplace Safety Posters From the Netherlands

Morning Coffee (4/29/13)

Hey soap fans, the first new online episodes are available for All My Children and One Life to Live.

Ugh: On Wikipedia, Men Who Write Books Are Just Novelists, While Women Who Do Are “Women Novelists”

Ooooh, first trailer for The Killing! So excited!

Hollywood’s Kickstarter Craze Needs To Be Fair To Fans As Well As Filmmakers

76 Guest Stars Of “The Good Wife” Ranked In Order Of Excellence

The Revolutionary Effect of the Paperback Book

Ancient Maya discovery sheds new light on the origins of civilization

Heh: The 27 Stages Of Getting Addicted To A Television Show

Morning Coffee (3/14/13)

Google Reader is going away. Yes, now is the time to panic. So far, the best replacement I've found is The Old Reader, but I'll keep you updated. Read about migration and their future plans here.

And we have a new pope! Here's a profile of the man who would become Pope Francis.

Today in shows you should be watching: The Killing season two is now on Netflix, and previous seasons of The Good Wife have made it to Amazon Prime and will be on Hulu Plus in the fall.

Clear your calendars, Comcast customers: TV Catch-Up Week is coming.

Polaroid and Instagram are teaming up.

This piece about Bob Woodward's John Belushi book is fascinating.

A dark, live-action Beauty and the Beast? Yes, please.

Big Breaks for Blowjobs: The Dark Underbelly of the Miss USA Pageant

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

Morning Coffee (9/11/12)

Hey look, the Booker shortlist.

Libraries in pay phones?

There is a Sarah Lund jumper pattern coming. I would totally buy a book of patterns based on the American The Killing, too.

Aww: Mars rover captures self-portrait

Ralph Lauren is making Downton Abbey ads.

Mayim Bialik liveblogs her Emmy dress fitting

Laptop designer William Moggridge has died.

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

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

What I Watched: Saving Hope Premiere, Breaking Pointe, & More

Live-ish: Saving Hope, "Pilot (EP101)" - You can read my take at TheTelevixen here. Basically, I wasn't wild about this pilot, but like the cast enough to give it at least a few more weeks.

Breaking Pointe, "Which Life Do You Want to Lead? (EP102)" - My favorite part of this was meeting the rest of Rex and Ronald's family, and actually, Rex and Ronald's relationship is my favorite thing about the show overall. And, okay, I know these are real people, but there are a lot of similar/confusing names: two Katies, Ronnie and Ronald, married couple Christopher and Christiana, and brothers Rex, Ronnie, and Ray with sisters Abigail and Angelica and parents Dean and Dina. Really?

Catching Up: Fairly Legal, "Teenage Wasteland (EP207)" - It was fun seeing a little more of Kate's past and what made her the way she is, and the actual case was one of their more interesting. But it occurred to me that although the premise of the show is that she's a really good mediator, a lot of the plots revolve around her totally messing things up and needing Lauren or Justin or Leo or Ben to save her, and I think that's a real weakness of the show.

The Killing, "Beau Soleil (EP112)" - I'm in a weird place with this show because I know I should be thinking "They're about to wrap things up at the end of the season!" but I know that's not the case. I'm still really enjoying it, and I was very happy to see Jack's dad. I'd love to know more about that relationship.

On the list... Rookie Blue

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

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: Awake Finale, Men at Work Premiere, & More

Live-ish: Awake, "Turtles All the Way Down (EP113)" - I'm so, so sad that this show is over, but I think the finale was fitting, and I'm glad that it provided a form of emotional resolution but didn't give pat answers to the central mystery. Though, frankly, I'm still not sure what to make of it. But maybe that's the point.

Men at Work, "Pilot (EP101)," "Heterotextual Male (EP102)" - I watched this to review for TheTelevixen, so I'll link once that piece is up. Spoiler: This show is awful.

Live+7: White Heat, "The Dark Side of the Moon (EP103)" - I'm finding the 1970s stuff less interesting than the 1960s stuff was, and some of the interpersonal plot lines are a little hard to follow through the time jumps, but I'm still liking this enough to want to see it through.

Catching Up: Lost Girl, "Fae Day (EP109)" - I loved this episode because of all it revealed about fae culture, and because of all the good Dyson time. I liked both that Dyson started to admit his feelings and that we discovered he's keeping secrets from Bo, too. Everything will have to blow up eventually! Whee!

The Killing, "Stonewalled (EP108)" - Linden's still only on her fourth outfit for the series, not that I'm counting. And I love that we're learning more about Holder. Their dynamic is really interesting, not least because it's a break from the usual will they/won't they or even one serious/one goofy, because they're both serious, just in different ways.

Magic City, "Atonement (EP104)," "Suicide Blonde (EP105)" - This is still a lot of fun and I'm still annoyed that no one I know is watching it, so I'll have a post trying to convince you to try it up at noon.

Fairly Legal, "Shine a Light (EP204)" - My main problem with this show - and the reason why I'm so behind - is still that I'm not wild about the main character. More Lauren! More Justin! I'd rather watch a show centering on either of them than Kate.

On the list... Rookie Blue

What I Watched: Revenge & Apt 23 Finales & More

Live-ish: Don't Trust the B---- in Apt 23, "Shitagi Nashi (EP107)" - This wasn't the sort of finale that obviously feels like a finale, but it was a fun episode. I like that they're giving JVDB more to do on his own, rather than always in conjunction with the girls, and I know I say this every week, but he's so good on this show. The girls ended the season as friends, which I expected, but I'm curious to see what they do next season now that a lot of that initial tension is gone.

Revenge, "Reckoning (EP122)" - Now that felt like a finale. Some of the twists were a little predictable, but some surprised me, and as a Nolan fan I am happy to see that he remains THE BESTEST. I'm curious about Emily's mother but not surprised that she's alive, and I'm completely skeptical about the plane crash. I really like that they blew up both sides of the love triangle, though I'm not thrilled that Amanda's back.

Catching Up: Lost Girl, "Vexed (EP108)" - Honestly, I'm having trouble getting to into the mystery of Bo's mother - I'm more interested in the dynamics between the main characters and the larger mythology stuff. I am also, for the record, in favor of Dyson working out shirtless. I liked that the Lauren stuff is more than it seemed, partially because, I'll admit, I'm on Team Dyson.

The Killing, "Vengeance (EP107)" - Linden's still wearing the same few sweaters. I'm still enthralled.

Rookie Blue - I like cop shows, and my beloved NYC 22 was canceled, and I like networks putting scripted stuff on in the summer, so I figured it was time to give this one a try. I'm not super-attached yet, but liking it well enough so far.

On the list... White Heat

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.

What I Watched: Sherlock, Magic City, & More

Live+7: Sherlock, "The Reichenbach Fall (EP203)" - This episode was well-done, and it had a few moments and scenes that I loved, but it left me realizing that I'm just not as into this show as I want to be, or as everyone else in the universe seems to be. I think it's a little too self-conscious and gimmicky for my taste - especially my taste in mysteries. I think Moffat's dedication to showing how smart he is takes away from the traditional mystery aspects, and this episode, particularly, just came across as overwrought. I'll watch the next season, of course, but I like it rather than love it.

Catching Up: Lost Girl, "Food for Thought (EP106)" - This was a fun one, and I liked the way Kenzi's involvement in the fae-of-the-week story solidified her friendship with Dyson. They have a great dynamic.

The Killing, "El Diablo (EP103)" - Still loving it. I'm sort of still waiting to turn on it the way everyone else has, but right now I feel like I could happily watch Holder sulk around smoking fake weed and Linden looking disapproving but resigned forever. How much can I watch before I become obsessed with knitting oversized sweaters?

Magic City, "Feeding Frenzy (EP102)" - I was wondering why I haven't heard anyone talking about this show, then realized that the fact that I loved the pilot but hadn't watched any more meant I was really part of the problem. So I'm catching up! I loved this almost as much as the pilot, and especially liked the bat mitzah plotline and the continued Cuba stuff.

On the list... Lost Girl

What I Watched: Game of Thrones, Veep, Girls

Live-ish:Game of Thrones, "The Prince of Winterfell (EP208)" - This episode didn't particularly strike me as a stand-out, but it was solid, and at this point in the season of any serialized show, there's usually a lot of setup for the finale. Tyrion, of course, continues to be the best, and everyone should just listen to him. I also never liked Arya until she started hanging out with Tywin, so that's . . . odd.

Veep, "Nicknames (EP105)" - I'm still loving this - it's probably my favorite of the HBO Sunday night shows - and Jonah and Dan's faux-bromance was my favorite thing last night, as they're my two favorite characters. I'm impressed with the line this show as walked between combining real-feeling moments with humor while not being so ridiculous that it's all just a joke.

Girls, "The Return (EP106)" - This was the first episode that didn't take place in New York and didn't really include the girls other than Hannah, so I was a little worried that it wouldn't be as engaging, but it more than made up for the lack of main characters with the way it handled Hannah's trip home to Michigan. It was pitch-perfect, from Hannah's instant reversion to the emotional age of 12 when she entered her parents' house to her interactions with former classmates to the ridiculous benefit event.

Catching Up: The Killing, "The Cage (EP102)" - I know I'm really late to the party, but this show is fascinating so far. I'm hoping that knowing everyone's frustration with how the first season ended - and having season 2 on the TiVo already - will mean I don't wind up hating it.

Game of Thrones - I like this but don't find it as compelling as a lot of my friends do, so I hadn't watched most of this season until I decided to catch up yesterday. I think I like it on an intellectual level but don't find it emotionally engaging. I'm not sure whether I'd feel this way no matter what or whether it has to do with having read the book already. Although I don't mean to sound so negative - I like it a lot and it's extremely well-done.

Royal Pains - I love this show but missed the third season, so I'm catching up before it comes back next month. The third season is rather darker than the earlier ones, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. It also occurred to me while watching yesterday that USA shows are basically the only things that make hot weather look appealing to me. Good thing they're on almost every night this summer.

On the list... Sherlock, The Killing, The Borgias