One DV Rebel's Guide To Television and Film

Intro

2012-10-13T17:29:00.000-04:00

OK, so there are plenty of blogs devoted to reviewing movies. But there aren't nearly as many devoted to reviewing television shows, especially by episode. And there certainly aren't that many that do both. But never fear. I'm here to fill the void.

I'm going to start with the beginning of the season and try to catch up to present day. Meanwhile, I'll intersperse movies as I see them. It should be a fun ride.

NCIS: Los Angeles - The Debt

2011-11-25T01:13:00.001-05:00

Network: CBS
Time: Tuesdays, 9:00-10:00pm
Cast: Chris O'Donnell, LL Cool J, Linda Hunt, Daniela Ruah, Eric Christian Olsen, Barrett Foa, Renee Felice Smith

WARNING: MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS!

Summary (from imdb.com): A botched assignment forces Hetty to fire Deeks and send him back to the LAPD. Meanwhile, an awkward goodbye between Kensi and Deeks leaves her with unexpected emotions for her old partner.

Review: I have to admit, I was a little worried when I first heard that Deeks was being fired in an episode of NCIS: LA. I always kind of suspected it wouldn't stick, but with this show, you can never quite be certain, since they have a tendency to write off popular characters. Luckily, this was not one of those situations.

In this episode, our favorite NCIS team (in Los Angeles) was investigating stolen explosives alongside the LAPD. They were staking out a deal being brokered by a man named Clarence Fisk, who the LAPD had been trying to put away for a while. While attempting to protect a female civilian, Deeks shot and killed an Aryan thug. As a result, the LAPD dissolved their agreement with NCIS, and Hetty was forced to fire Deeks.

Deeks was then approached by John Quinn, an Internal Affairs agent who said he believed there was a leak who was giving information to Fisk and his organization. They suspected Lieutenant Bates, Deeks' supervisor with the LAPD. The NCIS team was coming to the same conclusion around this time, which is when Kensi found out that the man Deeks had supposedly killed was really an undercover NCIS agent who was alive and well. The whole thing had been a setup so Deeks would be recalled to the LAPD and get close to the investigation.

Bates had originally told Deeks he wanted him nowhere near the Fisk case, but eventually he came around and wanted Deeks' help with a raid, one that was off the books and therefore shouldn't have the opportunity to get leaked. Deeks, along with Kensi, followed Bates, while Callen and Sam followed Fisk and his gang. While Fisk was trying to make a deal to sell the explosives, Callen, Sam and the SWAT team invaded and broke it up, catching Fisk in the act. That's when they discovered three of the explosives were missing.

Deeks realized Bates wasn't the leak, and that Quinn had been playing them off each other. Quinn was the real mole, and he'd wired the car that they were using as a meeting point with explosives. Luckily, Kensi figured it out just in time and they were able to get away safely (and catch Quinn).

As a whole, I liked this episode quite a bit. So often they use Deeks as a fool, but I always appreciate seeing his more serious side. Sure, he still had some of his quippy one-liners, but he was much more the straight man in this episode. It's nice to be reminded every once in awhile that he's both a good cop and a good agent, and that there's obviously a reason why he still has both jobs.

The only thing I didn't understand was why Kensi had to be kept in the dark. They tried to explain it by saying that she needed to truly believe he'd killed an unarmed man so she could sell it to Bates when he called her in, but I don't buy it. Kensi is a trained undercover agent; she's practiced in lying, and especially lying under pressure. If she'd known the whole story, there's no way she wouldn't be able to convince someone else that this was what she truly believed.

That being said, I can't be too upset about the deceit, since it led to some wonderful moments between Kensi and Deeks, as well as between Kensi and Hetty. I'd rather NCIS: LA not go the way of its predecessor and tease the romance so long the opportunity passes (like NCIS did with Tony and Ziva), but I like the fact that they almost addressed their feelings... and that Hetty was quick to point out that it might be a good thing if they were separated for awhile if those feelings existed.

Romance aside, it was nice to see Kensi and Deeks' relationship as partners portrayed in a serious light as well. So much of it is characterized by potshots and jokes, and it's always nice to see the moments where they show just how much they care about each other.

The story was easy to figure out this week, but I don't think it really detracted much from the episode. I was more focused on watching the evolution of Deeks than caring who actually leaked information from the LAPD to Fisk, but I didn't have to work hard to figure it out. Even with this weakness, this episode was still a strong way to end sweeps and begin the coast to the midseason finale.

Rating: 3/5
Favorite line:
Kensi (storming in): You kept me in the dark?
Callen: Please tell me you didn't waterboard Nell.

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How I Met Your Mother - The Rebound Girl

2011-11-24T00:58:00.001-05:00

Network: CBS
Time: Mondays, 8:00-8:30pm
Cast: Josh Radnor, Neil Patrick Harris, Cobie Smulders, Jason Segel, Alyson Hannigan

WARNING: MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS!

Summary (from imdb.com): Ted and Barney discuss making a life-changing decision together, and Robin tries to discourage Marshall and Lily from moving to Long Island.

Review: HIMYM is really throwing viewers for a loop with the whole Barney/Robin saga this season. As someone who started watching the show right around the time they started dating (then went back and watched the rest), I love the idea of them as a couple, and this season really seems to be pushing it. But the road there is apparently paved with potholes.

This episode focused on two main stories, aside from the Barney/Robin plot. In one, Marshall and Lily, who were given a house in a previous episode by Lily's grandparents, are having second thoughts about selling the place. After spending a day there and seeing how big it is, they realize just how tiny their apartment is. But when she sees just how seriously they're thinking about moving, Robin has a minor meltdown and tries to dissuade them.

In the second story, Barney and Ted decide, while drunk, to adopt a baby together. When the idea still seems like a good one in the morning, they begin to talk more, until Ted realizes adopting a baby with Barney is a terrible idea. Which is, of course, when Barney shows up with a baby that he may or may not have kidnapped. It turns out she's his niece, whom he was babysitting. This served to highlight both that Barney wasn't ready to take of a child and that his seemingly newfound desire to have one was earnest and sincere.

There were so many things to like about this episode. Let's start with Barney and Ted's drunken proclamation that everything would be easier if they didn't like girls and that they should be in a gay relationship with each other, which was promptly foiled when they both checked out the waitress. Or perhaps when they're holding the baby (whom they named Hurricane Mosby-Stinson) and a gaggle of women surround them. Or maybe Marshall giving Robin food through the bathroom window.

I have to admit, a part of me was ticked by the idea of Barney and Ted as "bro-parents." I know it would ultimately be a terrible idea, but there's a small part of me that would love to see it. At least it would be funny for awhile.

The part of the story I've neglected so far is the very end, when Barney climbed through the bathroom window and explained to Robin what had happened. When he asked if she could see him as a parent, she blurted out, "I'm pregnant." Cut to black.

This part of the story got spoiled for me before I watched the episode, but I might have figured it out anyway. Looking back, it made Barney's desire to have a child seem sudden and a little jarring. To my memory, he's never expressed any interest in a family, and I can't remember him having any positive interactions with kids. But obviously it was no coincidence that the episode where he finally expressed this longing was the same one in which Robin told him she was pregnant. It may not be his child, but you can bet Barney's going to spend at least the next episode getting excited to be a father, and this episode set it up perfectly. It almost makes you wonder if Ted's jokes throughout the episode that things happened at certain times for the sake of the story weren't tongue-in-cheek comments about this impeccable timing as well.

The other issue they left unresolved was whether or not Lily and Marshall are going to move to the suburbs. I can't imagine how they'll manage that and still have them be an integral part of the show, but I trust the writers to find a way if that's the path they choose. It does seem like a logical step for expectant parents, and I like that it's something they're addressing. I don't necessarily think the show would be lacking without this story, but it's a nice addition.

Obviously I'm looking forward to seeing how the pregnant Robin arc resolves itself, but I'm also looking forward to seeing Ted's reaction to this news. He's been in such a bad place in the romance department lately that this latest blow can't possibly help. Hopefully things will turn around for him soon (though with HIMYM's ratings where they are, it'll still be several seasons before we ever get to meet the mother).

Rating: 4/5

Favorite line:
Marshall: Baby, your grandparents gave you this house outright. The way I see it, we have five options: number one, sell it. Number two, year-round haunted house. Three, giant fence around the perimeter. Chimp sanctuary, there's a swing around the backyard. Four, we destroy it with sledgehammers. I like four.
Lily: Or five, we move in, raise our children, make this our family home.
Marshall: 'Till they graduate, and we destroy it with sledgehammers. As a family.

Email me at NewarkCrimeTV@gmail.com or follow me on Twitter.

Hart of Dixie - Homecoming and Coming Home

2011-11-23T00:07:00.001-05:00

Network: CW
Time: Mondays, 8:00-9:00pm
Cast: Rachel Bilson, Jaime King, Cress Williams, Wilson Bethel, Scott Porter, McKaley Miller, Tim Matheson

WARNING: MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS!

Review (from imdb.com): Noticing that Zoe is feeling homesick, Lavon suggests that she host his annual pre-game homecoming party to help her feel more connected to Bluebell. Zoe jumps at the opportunity and decides to enlist the help of her friend Gigi from New York, but as it turns out New York and Bluebell have very different ideas of what makes a good party. Meanwhile, George and Wade hatch a plan to get even with their high school nemesis, Jimmy, but when Lemon catches wind of their scheme she wants in on the action, too.

Review: In just a few short episodes, this series has really grown on me. I didn't have high expectations when I first watched it, but I did sympathize with the concept, having been a transplanted New York-Metropolitan-er in the Deep South. But I was pleasantly surprised. It's certainly not the sharpest or deepest show in the metaphorical tool shed, but it's cute, the characters are engaging, and I enjoy watching each episode.

This episode dealt with the theme of growing up. Again, this is something I can relate to, being just a few years removed from college and still trying to figure out exactly what is acceptable behavior for someone my age. And all the characters had a little something to learn.

The episode was about the homecoming game. Anyone who's spent time in the south knows that high school football is more revered than professional and that homecoming is one of the biggest days of the year. But Zoe is still getting used to this concept, and the homecoming game meant little to her, except it emphasized how much she didn't fit in. To help her (and because he was coaching the high school team and didn't have time), Lavon set her to work organizing the pre-game party. This, naturally, backfired.

In her effort to make it good, Zoe enlisted the help of a party-planner friend of hers from New York. Gigi flew in immediately, but it soon became clear she and Zoe had a lot less in common than they had before Zoe had left. Gigi wanted to throw a New York-style party and, when Zoe balked, she said that the reason the people of Bluebell didn't like Zoe was because they hadn't met the real her yet. It was sweet, in its own way, but definitely not the right message.

So they threw a New York-style party, with purple drinks and food that was foamy (at least, I think that's what he said. My mind is having trouble with this concept though, so please correct me if I'm wrong). And, naturally, the people of Bluebell hated it, especially Lavon, who seemed to regret having put Zoe in charge in the first place. Zoe looked so desolate at the thought of having disappointed the one true friend she has in Bluebell that I really felt for her. So she finally told Gigi that she'd ruined the party, apologized profusely to Lavon, and ended the party.

To add insult to injury, Zoe then walked in on Gigi in bed with Judson, the vet that Zoe was interested in. I wouldn't have been nearly so quick to forgive Gigi after this point, but the next morning she and Zoe made up, and Zoe realized she wasn't the same person as she'd been when she left New York. Maybe she didn't fit in in Bluebell just yet, but she didn't fit in in New York anymore either.

Though I still find it absolutely crazy that this girl who looks and acts like she's 16 is a full-fledged doctor, I do like Zoe, and I like the growth she's shown over the eight episodes so far. Obviously she needs to adjust herself so she can eventually assimilate into Bluebell, and I think the gradual process so far hasn't been jarring or unbelievable. I would like to see her win one once in awhile though. In every episode, she's messing something up (the parade, the party) and making the people like her a little less, while occasionally winning over one or two of them. I'd like to see her get something right soon.

And, while I miss Nancy Travis' Emmeline and the relationship she and Zoe had, I love the friendship between Zoe and Lavon. And I never, ever, ever want them to try to push it to something more. Grey's Anatomy did it with George and Izzy, and while I know there are many people who love that couple, I always felt like the attempted shift to romance ruined that relationship. Some television pairs are just meant to stay friends.

While this was going on in Zoe's world, Wade, George and Lemon were engaged in a game of payback. Along with the crowd of alumni coming back for the homecoming game was Jimmy, a high school tormentor of Wade's and George's. Apparently they owed him payback for a particularly nasty prank he played on George, and they enlisted Lemon's help. She devised a scheme to empty a packet of Fun Sip (our world's Fun Dip) into the shower head of Jimmy's hotel room, so he would be stained blue for several days and be humiliated when he went to toss the coin at the game. This backfired when Jimmy tried to run from the room and slipped, bumping his head and knocking him unconscious. That's when Lemon realized she couldn't act like the wild child she'd been in high school and the mature woman she wanted to be now at the same time. She told this to George, who seemed to understand, and to Lavon, telling him not to talk about his feelings for her anymore. He (sort of) agreed, but he said just because they didn't talk about them didn't mean they wouldn't be there.

I love that they made Lemon more than just the "mean girl" who was Zoe's enemy. Sure, they don't get along, but Lemon is more than just that. Her role in each episode is about more than just trying to drive Zoe out of town (in fact, she hasn't actively tried that in awhile). I find myself rooting for her and George to stick it out (really, it's not that I don't like Lavon...). I even find myself hoping that she'll get the things she wants. It's unusual for me to root for the "bad guy," but I don't feel like the identity Lemon had in the first episode is the same as the woman we see in the later episodes, and I have to admit, I like the change.

The third and final part of the story was that the two quarterbacks on the high school team were sick during the week leading up to the game. It turned out that the chemicals they used to make the field greener were making them so, and the quarterbacks were getting sicker than the rest of the team because they licked their fingers a lot to throw the ball. I felt a little like this story was filler, something to remind us that, yes, Zoe is the doctor. Also, it was something to distract Lavon so Zoe had to all the work.

If there was one thing I was disappointed in, it was that there was no Tim Matheson in this episode, and I always like to see more of him. Brick is a character that may have benefited from the grown up theme. Plus, you can't tell me he'd have been out of town for the homecoming game. I don't believe it.

Overall, I enjoyed this episode (and this show) very much. I like the angle they've taken so far, and I like the evolution of the characters. I'm looking forward to more.

Rating: 4/5

Favorite line:
Wade: Lemon, another beer.
Lemon: You snap those fingers at me one more time Wade, and I'll swear to God I will chop them off that dainty little hand of yours.

Email me at NewarkCrimeTV@gmail.com or follow me on Twitter.

NCIS - Engaged, Part II

2011-11-18T13:56:00.001-05:00

Network: CBS
Time: Tuesdays, 8:00-9:00pm
Cast: Mark Harmon, Michael Weatherly, Cote de Pablo, Sean Murray, Pauley Perrette, David McCallum, Rocky Carroll

Summary (from imdb.com): As the NCIS team continues its search for a missing Marine, Gibbs and Ziva travel to her last known whereabouts in Afghanistan. Meanwhile, Tony reveals his deepest fears and Gibbs is forced to relive events from his past.

Review: I think this was the first NCIS episode I've ever seen where I liked the criminal story more than I liked the character development. This episode was the second in a two-parter. In the last episode, Marine First Lieutenant Gabriela Flores, originally thought dead when the girls' school she taught in was blown up, was kidnapped by terrorists who don't like places where girls think for themselves. Her heartbroken father was pacing the floors of the Navy Yard waiting for news, while Tony and Gibbs each dealt with some personal issues.

This episode began in the middle, with Tony walking into the chapel where Joseph Flores sat with Chaplain Burke, poised to tell them whether or not Gabriela was dead. But before he could get the words out, we flashed back to 48 hour ago, when Gibbs and Ziva landed in Afghanistan. They were barely off the plane when they found out the girls who had fled with Gabriela had been found alive, though both had been tortured. Hot grease had been splashed in one girl's eyes, and the other had cigarette burns all over her.

While questioning a Staff Sergeant, Gibbs found out that the teacher who was pictured with Gabriela hadn't been in school the day of the explosion. Seemed suspicious to Gibbs (and everyone who's ever watched an episode of NCIS), so immediately suspected that the teacher was involved. Luckily, her little brother was in school in DC, so Tony and McGee had something to do.

They chased down the brother, who immediately started running, essentially screaming, "I did something wrong! Arrest me!" Which McGee and Tony promptly did, discovering he had the same tattoo on his finger that his sister had. They took Asa back to the Navy Yard and proceeded to question him, and he tells them they know nothing about his "way of life."
Meanwhile, Gibbs and Ziva meet the girls. They questioned them (in a kid-friendly way, of course) long enough to find out Gabriela was still alive. One girl tells them they were someplace that smelled bad and had a lot of oil. So they take samples from the girls' feet to send back to Abby in the lab. Then Gibbs kissed them adorably on the heads and sent them on their way.

Abby, of course, is able to determine exactly where the oil is from, narrowing down the region to an area near Kabul.

Meanwhile in DC, Tony was doing some soul-searching. He stood in the chapel having a conversation with God, not knowing that the Chaplain was right outside. Did anyone else start to suspect she was somehow involved?

Gibbs and Ziva find Gabriela being held hostage by her fellow teacher, Saroya, who gives her up with surprisingly little fight, and we cut back to the beginning of the episode, where a grim-faced Tony finds Joseph Flores and Chaplain Burke in the chapel. This time the scene continues, and he tells them that they've got Gabriela, and she's alive. Tears all around.

But the story's not over! Turns out, Saroya and Asa have a plan... and an older brother, who is most assuredly not dead, as they believed he was. Instead, about 300 private school girls are taking a well-publicized trip to the capital, and Osman is there, ready to strap a bomb to the bus. At the last second, with one number left, the team shows up to take him down. But instead of shooting him... they jam the signal of his cell phone. No need to traumatize all those schoolgirls.

I thought the terrorism plot was really interesting in this episode. Usually when NCIS does international stories, they tend to be too complex and I find myself not paying attention. Instead, I was engaged and very curious to see what was next, especially since they appeared to catch the bad guy with 15 minutes left to the episode.

I was even intrigued by Gibbs' flashbacks, remembering a girl he'd known in the Marines who'd been killed. I'm not quite sure what the significance of that was however. Were they showing that he loved someone before Shannon? Just that she was a tough, headstrong woman, like Gabriela Flores? Or is she a character who's going to return at some point (which I wouldn't mind in the least, if it means more of Sean Harmon playing young Gibbs)?

The plot that didn't work for me was Tony's, especially at the end. For two episodes, Tony has been thinking about how short life is. He made a bucket list and talked to God. Yet somehow, the whole thing turned into a joke at the end, when Chaplain Burke took him to "confront his worst fear." Apparently, Tony fears children. While this isn't exactly out of line with Tony's characters (he's had some interesting run-ins with kids in the past), it just seemed like such a waste of the story. I guess this might be showing that Tony is maturing enough to want kids of his own, which might lead to a more serious relationship for him, but overall it just seemed so out of place in this episode. It wasn't tied to the story much, except that there was a Chaplain at the Navy Yard, and it didn't even seem to do anything to further Tony's character. Hopefully that's something that will play out more in the future.

Rating: 3/5

Favorite line:
Gibbs: People died because of that teacher, marines. What do you think should happen to her?
Flores: Sir, that's not my decision.
Gibbs: Yeah, but you've thought about it, right?
Flores: She should be held accountable for her crimes.
Gibbs: Oh.
Flores: She should watch those girls change the world in positive ways she never imagined.
Gibbs: That a punishment?
Flores: That's a gift, sir. Punishment is knowing she could have done the same.

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Harry's Law - American Girl

2011-11-15T09:02:00.001-05:00

Network: NBC
Time: Wednesdays, 9:00-10:00pm
Cast: Kathy Bates, Nate Corddry, Karen Olivo, Christopher McDonald, Mark Valley

WARNING: MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS

Summary (from imdb.com): While Harry is on vacation, her trip takes a frustrating turn when the small town of Langford, Ohio impounds her Mercedes Benz for violating their "Buy American" law. Harry, with Oliver at her side, challenges the town's law and is pit against a young, homespun attorney and the engine behind the law, Langford's mayor, Franklin Chickory. Meanwhile, Adam represents the Chens, a Chinese family whose daughter was stolen because of China's one-child policy and adopted by American parents. With Cassie's help, Adam hopes to win custody for the Chens.

Review: There are still a lot of things wrong with Harry's Law. It's preachy, probably overly so. The characters are all, without fail, long-winded and high-minded. Harry is belligerent and downright unlikeable at times. They got rid of Jenna and Malcolm. It's aimed at an older audience outside the golden demographic, thereby putting its ratings in the toilet.

None of this matters to me.

There were two main plots to this episode. The first was Harry and Oliver's story. Harry, on her way to go quail hunting, was pulled over in Langford, Ohio. They impounded her car because she was in violation of their "Buy American" law. Harry, being Harry, found this law to be ridiculous, and she drafted Ollie to help her fight it.

This is where they tended to get a bit preachy, as both Harry and Mayor Chickory made long speeches from the witness stand extolling the virtues and freedoms of America. I can't imagine this kind of behavior would be permitted in a real court, but no one stopped them here (except for one blundering objection from Doogie Howser, Esq.). Harry believed that part of the freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution gave her the right to drive a Mercedes wherever she wanted. Also, that a "Buy American" law would ultimately be catastrophic for the country if other nations decided to retaliate by not buying American-made products. Chickory defended his law by saying that only allowing American cars would create and provide more jobs for Americans. Ultimately, the judge sided with Harry (as well he should, since her name is in the title of the show, and Chickory's name was almost forgotten on IMDb).

Call me a sucker, but I like the preachy stories, especially the deeply political ones that deal as much in ideology as they do practicality. At its most basic level, this story questioned just how deep the right of free expression goes, and whether an individual town or state can infringe upon that right for what they believe to be the common good. There wasn't really a right or wrong answer to the case and, while I was happy with the end result, I was more intrigued by the arguments each side made than what the judge ruled.

The B story began with Adam's ex-girlfriend Chunhua returning with a Chinese couple. Four years ago, their second child had been abducted by the government and sold into adoption. They had finally tracked her down to Ohio, where she was living with a black couple and their other daughter. The Chens wanted to fight for custody of their daughter, and Adam enlisted Cassie's help to try and win her back.

From the moment this story was introduced, I knew it couldn't end well. No matter how you cut it, one set of parents was walking away without their daughter. In this case, the judge--a black woman adopted into a white family when she was a little girl--ruled in favor of the Thomases, under the belief that a six-year-old girl shouldn't be ripped away from the only family she's ever known, though she stipulated detailed visitation instructions.

I had a major problem with this ruling. At one point, early in the episode, we're introduced to the little girl, and we watched as she saw her biological parents for the first time in four years. While they were agonizing that they no longer remembered her or their native language, she turned to them and, in perfect Chinese, told them she remembered who they were. This seems to negate the entire argument (that was made multiple times by multiple people) that the child shouldn't be taken from the only family she's ever known. If she remembers her biological family, then the Thomases aren't the only family she's ever known.

I also feel like this story would have been a little easier for me if the show could possibly have cast some less talented actresses. Even the little girl was great, ranging in emotion from stoic and scared to bubbly and singing at the top of her lungs. The judge was phenomenal, playing just the right mix of heartbroken by her job and professional. And the gut-wrenching sobs from Mrs. Chen when she was told her daughter was to stay with the Thomases made me feel like my insides were being ripped out. If just one of the guest stars had been a little less good, maybe I wouldn't have bawled like a baby at the end of the episode.

I know Harry's Law has struggled to find ratings this season, but I can't help hoping for a miracle. Maybe NBC's anemic line-up will continue to bleed so much that Harry's Law won't look bad in comparison. Maybe ratings will begin to spike. Maybe they'll suddenly decide they care about the over 50 demographic. Because no matter its faults, Harry's Law is a good show that makes us think each week a little harder than we did the week before.

Rating: 4/5

Favorite line:
Harry: "I'm white, I'm rich and I'm Republican. That makes it legal for me to mistake you for a quail."

Email me at NewarkCrimeTV@gmail.com or follow me on Twitter.

NCIS: Los Angeles - Greed

2011-11-13T23:39:00.001-05:00

Network: CBS
Time: Tuesdays, 9:00-10:00pm
Cast: Chris O'Donnell, LL Cool J, Linda Hunt, Daniela Ruah, Eric Christian Olsen, Barrett Foa, Renee Felice Smith

WARNING: MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS

Summary (from imdb.com): When a Navy ID is found on a dead body tied to a hazardous material smuggling case, NCIS is granted permission to investigate in Mexico and asked to help locate the missing materials.

Review: It's been a long time since I've reviewed an episode of NCIS: LA. I love this show; it's one of my most highly anticipated each week. But I rarely have anything to say about each individual episode. This season has been strong so far, particularly as we learned more about Callen's backstory (and Hetty's). This episode didn't stand out much from the others, but it had some wonderful moments.

Both NCIS: LA and its predecessor NCIS are very formulaic shows. In LA, each episode begins with some cute character interaction before diving into the case. This often becomes a recurring joke/theme in the episode, and it's often one of my favorite parts. I love these little moments, where the characters aren't super special agents; they're just normal co-workers. Well, okay, normal co-workers who are wittier and pithier than most. In this case, the episode began with Hetty teaching Deeks and Kensi how to waltz. This scene completely tickled me, and I have to admit I was disappointed that we didn't get to see Sam and Callen's turn.

The main plot of the episode began with a double murder south of the border in Mexico. The NCIS team was dispatched because one of the the bodies had a Navy ID on him. Through a cell phone video, they found out that there was a box missing, one that they believed was smuggled into Mexico from the Sudan.

Kensi and Deeks traced the box back into the U.S., while Sam and Callen met with the dead sailor's wife, who admitted she knew about the box. Her husband had planned to steal it because, as she claimed, it contained $8.5 million in gold.

Meanwhile, Eric traced the tire tracks they found to a truck owned by a Mexican drug cartel in the United States. Sam and Callen went to the garage, got into a shootout (because this is NCIS: LA and therefore there has to be gunfire every 15 minutes or so), and saved the life of one of the less-than-brilliant cartel members who'd gotten himself stuck under a car. He spilled his guts to the men who'd saved him, telling them that there was never any gold in the box. It was brown heroin. Obviously, since they were a drug cartel. Also, Jaime tells them that the guy who has the box wears red cowboy boots and has a wristband with a monkey on it.

Well, that's all Eric and Nell need, and they trace the wristband to its owner in downtown Los Angeles. Unfortunately, when our team arrives, he's already dead and the box is gone. However, they do meet up with Sam's buddy, Michael. Apparently, Sam's been working on an undercover operation for the CIA, and Michael is the CIA operative he's working with. Michael tells them that, nope, it's not brown heroin, it's uranium.

This is where I started to lose the story a bit, and I blame two reasons. For one, it got awfully complicated by this point. Somehow they narrowed it down to three men who were going to use the uranium to attack a convention center. Sam, Callen and Michael rushed in while the center was being evacuated and saved the day, but not before Michael got covered in uranium. He now has only a few months to live, so he returned to the Sudan to continue his work.

The other reason I lost the main story was because I was much more focused on the Eric and Nell subplot. Nell had received mysterious flowers, and Eric was feeling... competitive, so he sent a flower to himself as well (which Nell, not having fallen off the turnip truck yesterday, saw right through). However, it turned out that Nell had sent the flowers to herself as well, since she loves flowers and no one had sent her any in awhile. At some point, between wanting to give Nell a hug and smack Eric in the back of the head, I stopped paying attention to some silly terrorism story and completely lost myself in the geek love plot. Which is because I'm admittedly a 13-year-old girl on the inside. But come on. It was cute!

That aside, I do appreciate that NCIS: LA can tell a compelling, serious story without feeling the need to be too melodramatic. I mean, terrorism in and of itself is a dramatic plot, but the storytelling is simple. The characters move from one theory to another without much fanfare. They rarely break the rules if they can work within them, so when they do go rogue, the situation is made all the more intense for it. This episode set up the next, in which Sam will return to the Sudan to find Michael. I imagine this means eventually Callen (and maybe Kensi and Deeks) will wind up there as well, and I'm looking forward to seeing what the story will hold.

And the 13-year-old girl in me is looking forward to seeing what the Eric and Nell story will hold.

Rating: 4/5

Favorite line:
Nell: You took a flower from Hetty's desk?
Eric: She cuts them herself. It's a big bunch. She'll never miss it.
Nell: Hmmm.
Eric: I'm doomed, aren't I?
Nell: You sacrificed yourself to compete with me.

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Glee - The First Time

2011-11-11T00:45:00.001-05:00

Network: Fox
Time: Tuesdays, 8:00-9:00pm
Cast: Lea Michele, Cory Monteith, Chris Colfer, Matthew Morrison, Jane Lynch, Amber Riley, Kevin McHale, Jenna Ushkowitz, Dianna Agron, Mark Salling, Darren Criss, Harry Shum Jr., Naya Rivera, Heather Morris, Jayma Mays, Dot Marie Jones

WARNING: MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS

Summary (from imdb.com): Under Artie's directorial leadership, the kids prepare to perform the school musical "West Side Story." Meanwhile, Finn meets with a recruiter and Coach Beiste has an admirer.

Review: It's possible my expectations for this show are too high, but I find myself more and more disappointed by Glee, this episode in particular. I'd heard through the grapevine that this was one of the best episodes of the season, if not the show. Yet to me, everything seemed to fall flat. That's not to say there weren't moments I enjoyed; there were actually a lot of little things I liked. But the biggest parts just left me wanting.

Obviously, the biggest part of this episode was Rachel and Blaine (and Kurt) losing their virginity (virginities?). Ironically, I think this means the only virgins left at McKinley High are both teachers (Emma and Beiste). In typical Glee style, there's been very little up to this point to imply that either of these couples is even considering this step, but the entire episode focused on it anyway. From Artie calling Rachel and Blaine out during rehearsal (hi, teachers, you don't want to step in here?) to both of their failed attempts at seducing their boyfriends to the eventual doing of the deed, nothing about this storyline made me root for either of them. Everything felt awkward. I suppose that's realistic enough, but frankly, Glee has never been known for its realism, so why start there? In fact, the only part I liked was Kurt pushing drunk Blaine away and sticking up for himself.

Side note: The person responsible for dressing Blaine should be fired. And possibly stoned. Seriously, did they run out of material for his pants so they have to stop four inches above his ankles?

Each couple had their own story, which was supposed to somehow tie into the sex. For Kurt and Blaine, it was the introduction of Sebastian the Wonder Warbler (yeah, I giggled over that for a few minutes). Sebastian is essentially Blaine's replacement at Dalton, though they apparently got rid of the soloist angle and are now featuring multiple singers. He's also gay and very interested in Blaine. So much so that Kurt feels threatened. This story, also in typical Glee fashion, is promptly wrapped up by the end. Blaine isn't interested in Sebastian. He loves Kurt. Blaine and Kurt have sex. All is right in the world.

Even the scene in the gay bar did nothing for me, except that it marked the return of the new and improved (I think) Karofsky. While I found it mildly amusing that he was talking about surviving high school while sucking down a beer, I did like the softer side of him. He managed to be vulnerable without being neutered at the same time. And the conversation between him and Kurt showed how both of them have matured since last season nicely.

I did, however, like the Warblers' version of "Uptown Girl." I miss the Warblers.

For Finn and Rachel, they focused much more on the idea that Rachel felt like she couldn't act like a girl experiencing a sexual awakening if she'd never had sex. So first she tried to seduce Finn on her own. And, of course, nothing is sexier than honesty, so she told him the only reason she wanted to do this now was so she could be ready for the play. Finn experienced what I believe to be his first normal emotion of the season: hurt.

Finn also had his own issues. He was trying to get the recruiter from the Ohio State University to notice him on the football field, so he could achieve his own dream of playing quarterback for them. Alas, it was not to be. Then Finn had what I believe was his best moment of the series, where he melted down about his future in front of Rachel. This could have been a wonderful moment. Instead, Rachel decided the best way to deal with his problems and feelings of insecurity were to sleep with him. Sure, in the short term this might work, but I do hope Glee plans to revisit this issue. It'd be nice for Finn to have a story that doesn't revolve around him being a jerk to someone then feeling bad about it for a change.

This ties in nicely with my favorite story of the night: Beiste gets a man. There was absolutely nothing about this arc that I didn't like (except for Artie being involved). Beiste was adorable in her cluelessness. Cooter was wonderfully sweet while trying to win her over. And the look on Beiste's face when he finally got through to her was heartbreaking. Any girl who's ever felt insecure about herself melted just a little there.

Overall, I was not terribly impressed by this episode, despite having heard good things about it in advance. I'm getting tired of the way each episode seems to be disconnected from the others. Characters do one thing in today's episode, then have a completely different personality and friends next week (except, somehow, elections for class president will drag on halfway to Christmas). Even the music was only mediocre this week, with the West Side Story theme, though I did like the cuts between the music and the story that was going on elsewhere. I also loved Mike Chang. I don't know what I want Glee to do to engage me in the episodes again, but they need to do something soon, or they'll be in danger of losing my attention completely.

Rating: 3/5

Favorite Line:
Puck: As for the condoms — no idea, never used ‘em. It’s worked out for me about 99% of the time.

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Castle - Demons

2011-10-28T13:35:00.001-04:00

Network: ABC
Time: Mondays, 10:00-11:00pm
Cast: Nathan Fillion, Stana Katic, Jon Huertas, Seamus Dever, Susan Sullivan, Molly C. Quinn, Penny Jerald Johnson, Tamala Jones

Summary (from imdb.com): Castle & Beckett confront the possibility of paranormal foul play when a world renown ghost hunter is mysteriously murdered while investigating a haunting at a legendary New York mansion.

WARNING: THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR THE EPISODE

Review: I really have enjoyed this season of Castle. I don't hate the new captain as much as I expected to, and I'm fairly amused by the love/hate (Okay, mostly hate) relationship she has with Castle. Sure, I'd like to give Beckett a stern shake and force her to tell Castle she remembers everything and she loves him too, but the waiting only occasionally makes me nuts (like when they try to draw parallels between whatever case they're working on and Castle and Beckett's relationship). Even Alexis' new, semi-bratty stage hasn't annoyed me as much as I thought it would.

But this episode was far and away the best episode of the season to date.

I don't normally like Halloween episodes, especially in dramas. I don't really like scary stuff (shh, I only write about crime television). And I know Castle has done a Halloween episode at least once before, but I couldn't really call up the plot.

I needn't have worried though. Sure, the whole episode was about ghosts and demons, but it was also Castle, the way this show was meant to be written. I'd had an inkling that something was off in the beginning of the season, but I couldn't really put a finger on it until now. While there has been some decent banter between Castle and Beckett (and Ryan and Esposito), it wasn't really clicking until this week. I didn't realize that until I saw how much smoother they were in this episode. Every line, every facial tick, every movement was perfectly in sync, and that made all the difference.

If I had to pick one thing that didn't quite work, it was the Ryan/Esposito B story. The guys took their women (Ryan's fiancee Jenny (played by his real-life wife Juliana Dever) and Esposito's girlfriend Lanie) out to dinner for a double-date. I'd heard about this story, and I was looking forward to it. Ryan and Esposito's bromance is one of the greatest currently on television, and I've liked the small snippets we've been given between Ryan and Jenny and Esposito and Lanie. Combining the couples into an awesome foursome seemed inevitable.

But apparently the Powers That Be didn't agree with my idea. Instead of fun, light-hearted affair, we were treated to an incredibly cheesy and awkward toast by Ryan (sorry, man, I love you, but that can't be explained away with, "Well, I'm me") and then the World's Worst Question by Jenny. "So when are you two getting married?" she asks Esposito and Lanie. Okay, first of all, who asks that to a woman she's just met? That's something your blue-haired great-aunt asks you because she's hoping she'll live to see it or your mean-spirited older brother asks because he wants to make trouble. Am I crazy, or do you not ask that if you're trying to make someone your friend? Or keep someone as your friend, for that matter?

After that, obviously Esposito and Lanie decided they needed to break up, since Esposito's not ready to get married and Lanie... isn't either. Hmmm. I can only think of two reasons for the abrupt ending given to this relationship that we never really got to see much anyway: 1) the writers realized they didn't have much they wanted to do with Esposito and Lanie (and the chemistry, while present, was weak at best), or 2) the writers have something planned for Esposito and Lanie in the future. Either way, nothing about that story really worked for me.

But that was a very tiny fly in the ointment for this episode. The ghost story was perfect. I actually didn't identify the killer from the first minute he walked on-screen, which is unusual for Castle. I loved the intricate setup of the "haunted house," and that, while the demon was explained away, it doesn't completely remove the idea that there might supernatural forces. But most of all, I loved that Castle and Beckett seemed to be back on equal footing. Maybe we're starting to move away from the shooting aftermath, and we can get back to the Castle of previous seasons that we all loved so much.

Rating: 5/5

Favorite line:
Castle: So... if Barry's not our guy, I think it's time we revisit the possibility that our killer's a...
Beckett: If you say ghost, I'm sending you home.
Castle: Apparition-American.

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How to Be a Gentleman - Pilot

2011-10-07T10:46:00.000-04:00

Network: CBS
Time: Thursdays, 8:30-9:00pm
Cast: David Hornsby, Kevin Dillon, Mary Lynn Rajskub, Rhys Darby, Dave Foley, Nancy Lenehan

Summary (from imdb.com): When etiquette columnist Andrew Carlson is told he must adapt to the new, sexier style of his magazine, he hires his old high school bully Bert Lansing to help him become a modern man.

Review: I had mixed feelings about this pilot. Overall, I finished with optimism, but there are definitely some areas where it could use some work. It's premiere ratings were low, but I'm hoping CBS will give it a shot to build its audience (though with 2 Broke Girls doing so well, that could be a problem for Gentleman in the future).

This introductory episode focused on Andrew, a columnist whose magazine was just sold and restyled. Their new boss wants the magazine to have a "sexier" style and appeal more to middle aged men who "think they're 15." Meanwhile, his sister, in her attempt to butch him up, gives him a gift certificate to a gym which, it turns out, is owned by one of Andrew's (many) former tormentors, Burt.

Are Andrew and Burt both fairly stereotypical characters? Yes. Burt is the high-school-dropout meathead who bought his father's gym, and Andrew is the effeminate metrosexual who is still getting the crap beat out of him. And the unlikely friendship isn't really so unlikely... at least, not if you've ever watched a television sitcom before.

But is the stereotype necessarily a bad thing? I think it's too soon to tell. Now that we've established the baseline for our characters, where will they develop from here? A few throwaway lines from Burt indicated he has a tempestuous relationship with his father. Can the writers expand on that without turning it into a cliche? Is there a reason Andrew is so obsessed with being a gentleman? Will we find that out, and will it satisfy us as viewers?

There's plenty of potential for this show. The writing wasn't stellar, but it wasn't horrible either. I've found that pilot writing isn't necessarily indicative of how the show will be anyway. Writers come and go between development of the pilot and a pickup. And even if they don't, as the show continues, the writing becomes tailored more towards the actors and the characters they're developing, making it feel more natural. Some shows click right away (like Criminal Minds), but others take a little longer (like Castle).

The supporting characters were a little overdramatic, but they also have the potential to turn out pretty funny. Andrew's sister and brother-in-law, Janet and Mike, are almost as oddly matched as Andrew and Burt. In fact, Mike may have been my favorite character of the show so far. Rhys Darby's matter-of-fact delivery of even the most farfetched lines had me cracking up, and the chemistry between him and Mary Lynn Rajskub's Janet was really very good.

Long story short, I'm not in love with it yet. But I'm also not quite ready to write it off. Hopefully last night's numbers will hold or be a little better than last week's, and maybe Gentleman will have a chance to develop some of its potential.

Rating: 3/5

Favorite line:
Janet: You're doing it again.
Mike: What?
Janet: Talking.

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New Girl - Kryptonite

2011-10-02T16:01:00.001-04:00
Network: Fox
Time: Tuesdays, 9:00-9:30pm
Cast: Zooey Deschanel, Max Greenfield, Jake M. Johnson, Lamorne Morris

Summary (from imdb.com): Nick and Schmidt convince Jess to get her stuff out of her ex-boyfriend Spencer's apartment; Jess meets new roommate Winston.

Review: I have to admit, I wasn't overly won over by the premiere episode of New Girl. My love for Zooey Deschanel was tempered by too many awkward moments, her overly annoying quirks, and minimal redeeming characteristics for the guys. But there were a handful of good moments that made me believe this show had potential. Enough so that I was willing to give it a few more episodes before passing any judgment. And I'm glad I did.

The second episode was much more cohesive and much less... annoying than the first. Sure, Jess's quirks are still there, but audiences were treated to the much more human side of her. At her core, she's a heartbroken girl who thought she'd found the love of her life, only to find out he was cheating on her. While the first episode illustrated this by having her sob hysterically while watching Dirty Dancing, the second episode dealt with the much more realistic side of a breakup. After accidentally throwing a basketball into the guys' TV, Jess had to get her stuff back from her ex-boyfriend Spencer. The sincerity in her desire to avoid the issue forever didn't seem overdramatic the way the first episode's crying jags were, but the much more honest response that people have when confronted with uncomfortable situations, which, as a viewer, I appreciated more

I also love the friendship that's forming between Nick and Jess. I was worried they were going to dive too quickly into the will-they-won't-they, but they seem to have fallen into an ordinary friendship, without those awkward romantic moments. Watching them gang up on Schmidt in the beginning was honestly funny and seemed like a very natural exchange. If that relationship continues to develop this way, I think I'll really enjoy it.

That's not to say this show isn't still without its issues. While I like the new roommate Winston, I wasn't crazy about the B story to this episode. Maybe it's because I find Schmidt to be completely unlikable. There's a point where douchebag-ness is tolerable, but I think Schmidt crosses the line a little too often. It's not that he comes across completely as a jerk, but he's so obnoxious at times that I have no desire to listen to him. There needs to be more of a balance between that side of him and the side that explains why someone would want to be friends with him.

I'm looking forward to a time, ironically, when Jess isn't so much the New Girl and has ingrained herself more with the guys. That was starting to show in this episode, especially when they went with her to get her stuff back from Spencer (the goofy headwear really made that scene... or maybe it was Schmidt slapping Spencer while wearing a thumb ring). That scene made the episode for me, and I hope that future episodes have a lot more of whatever it was that made that really great.

Rating: 3/5

Favorite line:
Jess: No! I can't call Spencer I haven't talked to him since he cheated on me with that ho! Actually, that's not fair. She might be a really nice ho.

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Big Bang Theory - The Skank Reflex Analysis

2011-09-27T11:09:00.000-04:00
Network: CBS

Time: Thursdays, 8:00-8:30pm

Cast: Jim Parsons, Johnny Galecki, Simon Helberg, Kunal Nayyar, Kaley Cuoco, Melissa Rauch, Mayim Bialik

Summary: The gang deals with the fallout from Penny and Raj's night together. Amy counsels Penny when she considers moving back to Nebraska due to her failing acting career. Sheldon takes charge of the paintball team.

Review: I know critics were tough on her, but I think the addition of Amy Farrah Fowler was one of the best things that happened to Big Bang Theory. I love the way her character interacts with both Sheldon and Penny, supporting their stories while still developing as a character in her own right. I also love that the girls' story balances the boys' without changing the basic premise of the show. At its heart, BBT is about nerds (and Penny), and that doesn't change just because now they're sometimes girl nerds (and Penny).

This episode was yet another wonderful use of Amy, who really seems to be growing and evolving in her role as Penny's "bestie." Mingled with somewhat heartbreaking hints at her childhood ("I wish I could tell 13-year-old me it does get better!"), she acted as Penny's confidante while the latter tried to sort through the mess she'd made of her relationships with the guys.

Penny's side of the conversation felt more real to me than most things that happen on this show. Upset that she'd managed to hurt several of the guys she's come to really care about, she makes a decision to return to Nebraska, giving up on the idea of becoming an actress. While a last-minute commercial job eventually changes her mind, they actually had me a little worried that Penny might leave. Also, was I the only one who felt unbelievably happy that Penny got that part? I feel like we've been working towards her acting career since the show started, and even a little progress made me grin.

Meanwhile, Raj was also dealing with the fallout from the season finale. Both Leonard and Howard are mad at him, Leonard because Raj slept with Penny, and Howard because he found out Raj wrote poems about Bernadette ("marionette" also rhymes with Bernadette, BBT writers. I'm just saying). The strained friendship took its toll on everyone, and ultimately Sheldon paid the biggest price, when he stepped unarmed onto the field during the interdepartmental paintball game and insulted...everyone. The reunited friends raced forward to avenge his death.

I liked the way this story was handled, from Raj's belief that he and Penny were now a couple to the kicked puppy look on Leonard's face whenever he thought about it to Sheldon's on-field promotion of himself. But the real shining moment of both this story and the episode was the conversation Leonard had with his mother. His voice when he told her he didn't want to be with Penny (though is there anyone who actually believes that?) but that he didn't want Raj to be with her either was so sincere. I feel like they underused Leonard in the beginning of season 4, and it's nice to see him get to really shine every so often. And it's also good to see Christine Baranski reprise this role.

This was a solid episode to kick of season 5. In some ways, BBT reminds me of a geekier version of Friends, with the way the characters interact with each other. I'm looking forward to seeing the continuing evolution of these relationships as the season progresses.

Rating: 4/5

Favorite line:

Leonard (after telling his mother about Penny and Raj): Got any advice?

Beverly: Yes ... buck up.

Leonard: Excuse me, you're a world-renowned expert in parenting and child development, and all you've got is "buck up"?

Beverly: I'm sorry. (pause) Buck up, sissypants!

Glee - The Purple Piano Project

2011-09-22T10:33:00.000-04:00
Network: Fox
Time: Tuesdays, 8:00-9:00pm
Cast: Matthew Morrison, Jane Lynch, Lea Michele, Cory Monteith, Chris Colfer, Amber Riley, Kevin McHale, Jenna Ushkowitz, Mark Salling, Dianna Agron, Heather Morris, Naya Rivera, Harry Shum Jr., Darren Criss, Jayma Mays

Summary: Its fall and that means back to school for the students and faculty at McKinley High. The New Directions clan returns after a devastating loss at Nationals, so Mr. Schuester assigns a project to get them back on track. Meanwhile, Sue Sylvester starts her congressional campaign.

Review: Oh, Glee.

I don't understand how a show can be so simultaneously frustrating and wonderful. There were moments in this episode that reminded me of every reason I began watching. And there were moments where I just shook my head at the disaster.

Let's do a pro-con list for this one. Pro: The music. I feel like Glee tried to be so poppy last season that the music began to suffer (Justin Bieber? Come on...). This episode went back to its roots: Broadway and classic pop/rock. There were songs from the Wiz, Anything Goes, Hairspray, Tom Jones and the Go-Go's. Don't get me wrong, I like when they do (some of) the modern stuff too, but this is the stuff that made me first fall in love with this show. Also, unlike in other episodes, I felt like all the songs worked in this episode. They were well-sung, well-choreographed (come on, tell me Rachel and Kurt's broom dance didn't make you smile just a little), and well-produced.

Con: Quinn. Ugh, girl, get it together. While I dig the smoke-raspy voice (which I'm sure won't make her singing voice anymore interesting) and the pink hair, I'm not feeling the Quinn-as-a-bad-girl vibe. She's just too... vanilla. For a girl who got pregnant with the guy she cheated on her boyfriend with, then cheated on a new boyfriend with the old one, she really can't pull off "bad girl" that well (I reread that sentence three times to make sure it was right. This show is a soap opera). I appreciate the direction they're trying to go--and I like focusing on something that isn't the Glee club (ironic) or the Cheerios--but Dianna Agron isn't a strong enough actress to own this story.

And sending Rachel to appeal to her was just silly. "We were friends once." Really? Was this just before she stole Finn from you, or when you stole him back from her?

Pro: Kurt and Rachel. Honestly, if they do make a spin-off where they move to New York and start musical theatre careers, I'm there. I love their new best buddy relationship, I love their voices when they sing together, and I love how they can be totally cheesy when they're supporting each other and it doesn't make me want to punch either of them. The combined scenes where they sang "Ding Dong! The Witch is Dead!," went to the NYADA mixer, and cried in the car were my favorite parts of this episode. (Side note: I only watched a couple episodes of The Glee Project, so I didn't realize until these scenes that Lindsay Pearce had such an amazing voice.) I like that Rachel has at least one relationship where she's not competing. Even with Finn (who had blissfully little focus this episode), she seems to always be competing against something for his attention. With Kurt, the relationship seems easy. They can both be talented and driven, but not be at odds with each other (anymore). However, Emma did stress how difficult it is to get into NYADA, so I hope they don't go back to making them competitors.

Con: Sue. Sue went from "that's ridiculous" in season 1 to "I can't believe I'm still watching this" in season 3. Running for Congress on the platform of cutting the arts makes for a funny storyline, but watching Sue destroy the purple piano was almost painful to watch (especially because poor Tina never gets to finish a song). At some point you start to wonder how she's never been arrested for the way she abuses those kids. The only redeeming point of this story was that she made Becky a co-captain, which means we'll get to see more of Lauren Potter this season.

Pro, with a side of con: Kurt and Blaine. While I'm happy their relationship is flourishing (and should continue to do so, now that Blaine is a full-fledged New Direction), they're a little too sappy for me. That being said, I guess they get a few episodes, since I'm sure an openly gay couple at McKinley isn't going to see sunshine and roses for long. Plus, I'd rather see them together than not. (Side note: Emma handing Rachel the Hag brochure was comedy gold.)

Con, with a side of pro: Mercedes and Marcus. First of all, woah, that is one big dude. Secondly, I need a little more convincing on this relationship. I'll admit, I was a bit of a Samcedes shipper, but I am glad Mercedes has a man. However, they've been dating for... what, two to three months? And he's talking babies? At seventeen? Give me a break.

Pro, with a side of con: Wemma. I love the idea of Will and Emma as a couple, I really do (OK, I'm secretly a Sue/Will (Swill?) shipper, but that's not realistic just yet). She's better for him than pretty much anybody else on the show, he's patient with her (his breakdown in Figgins' office was fun), and they're all-around adorable. Or maybe a little Stepford. They make each other's lunches. And were those matching superhero lunchboxes? It's just a little creepy is all I'm saying.

Con, with a side of...con: Sugar. Yes, because if there's a group of people Glee still hasn't made fun of that they really should have, it was people with Asperger's. Not only didn't I see any comedy in this story, but I found it downright offensive (and in the world of Glee, it was really hard to find something more offensive than usual). Yes, she was a spoiled rich kid who was a really bad singer (though the "trying not to be smug" look on Rachel's face when she realized that made me laugh). Who cares? She was as annoying as Rachel without any of the (few) redeeming qualities.

All things considered, this episode was better than many of last season's, but it has the potential to head downhill. Hopefully I'll be pleasantly surprised as the season continues on.

Rating: 4/5

Favorite line:
Kurt [about the YouTube video of Finn kissing Rachel at Nationals]: The comment section is just full of pithy banter, like “Why is that T-Rex eating the Jew?”

Criminal Minds - It Takes a Village

2011-09-22T06:36:00.001-04:00
Network: CBS
Time: Wednesdays, 9:00-10:00pm
Cast: Thomas Gibson, Joe Mantegna, Paget Brewster, Matthew Gray Gubler, Shemar Moore, Kirsten Vangness, AJ Cook

Summary: In the seventh-season opener, the team's actions in the aftermath of the loss of Prentiss are questioned by a Senate committee, and a familiar person unexpectedly appears to rally them.

Review: So far, I've felt the premieres were only mediocre this season. Apparently this is the one I was waiting for.

This episode jumped back and forth in time. In the present day, the team was on trial (well, on hearing) for actions taken over the last few months, actions that ultimately brought down Ian Doyle, the man responsible for Emily Prentiss's "death." In the flashbacks, we got to see what the team has been up to since we last left our heroes in May. Apparently Hotch has been in Pakistan, but the rest of the team, led by Morgan and aided by Garcia, were hard at work on Doyle's trail. Morgan had made it his mission to get the guy who hurt one of theirs. He followed Doyle's son Declan around until Doyle caught up with them. When he and the team caught Doyle, they found out Declan had been snatched too. Which is when Hotch called Prentiss to return so they could find out who took the boy and save his life.

There was almost nothing I didn't like about this episode. I spontaneously burst into tears three times (once when Emily first walked in, once when she was apologizing to Morgan, and once when she was reciting the FBI oath at the end). I sat on the edge of my seat waiting to see if Doyle was going to get away, or if they were going to save Declan (because Criminal Minds is so not above killing kids if it suits their needs). I sympathized with Morgan's anger and felt like both Prentiss and Reid needed hugs through most of the episode.

In short, this episode had what almost every episode was lacking in season 6: watchability. I had a desire to keep the TV on, a desire to get through commercials as fast as possible to get back to the action.

It also had the full team back.

And maybe I was just so happy to see AJ Cook and Paget Brewster back (and to see them finally using AJ Cook) that I'm glossing over problems with the episode. There were some. I would have liked to see more of the team's reactions besides Morgan's, particularly Reid's, since he and Prentiss were so close by the end of season 6. The episode also felt a little rushed, probably because they crammed so much into one hour in their desire to wrap up this story. They went from finding out that Declan was alive to catching Doyle in the blink of an eye, and I honestly felt that if both Morgan and Doyle could find the kid in less than a month, maybe Prentiss didn't do such a great job hiding him.

But these problems were small in the grand scheme of the premiere. The team is back together, and that seems to have been the missing piece. Season 6 wasn't exactly bad, but not one of those episodes held my attention the way this one did. I was hooked right from the beginning, and I wasn't disappointed by how it all played out. I can't wait to see where the season is going to go.

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Rating: 5/5

Castle - Rise

2011-09-21T00:08:00.000-04:00
Network: ABC
Time: Mondays, 10:00-11:00pm
Cast: Nathan Fillion, Stana Katic, Jon Huertas, Seamus Dever, Susan Sullivan, Molly C. Quinn, Penny Jerald Johnson, Tamala Jones

Summary: In the fourth-season opener, a wounded Beckett fights to stay alive as Castle investigates her shooting. Meanwhile, Victoria Gates (Penny Johnson Jerald) takes charge as the precinct's tough new captain.

Review: Castle was one of my three most highly anticipated premieres (the other two being Criminal Minds and The Mentalist, in case you were interested), and it really never could have lived up to my expectations. This certainly wasn't a bad way to kick off the season, but it also left a lot of room for growth as we go on.

The episode focused on three things: the aftermath of Beckett's shooting, the introduction of the new captain, and the investigation of a celebutante's murder in a hotel room. After beginning the premiere just minutes after last season's finale ended, we jumped forward three months in time to Beckett's return to the precinct, where things aren't exactly as she left them. Captain Montgomery's been replaced by Victoria "Iron" Gates, a former Internal Affairs investigator who was made detective just six weeks after Beckett. Gates plays by the rules, as she's quick to prove by refusing to let Beckett have her gun back until she re-qualified (which, needless to say, thrilled Beckett). Gates also closed the investigation into Beckett's shooting after three months and no leads. Plus, she clearly terrifies Ryan and Esposito, who speak in hushed tones and hide around corners when she's near.

While Ryan and Esposito are sent to a crime scene, Beckett and Castle continue to investigate her shooting and her mother's murder, right up until the point where Castle receives a phone call from the mysterious man who received the package Montgomery mailed at the end of last season (who else thought that package was going to Castle?). In a conversation we don't get to see, the man tells Castle that he has compromising documents that he can use to protect Beckett... as long as she stops investigating. Castle, who is surprisingly confident for a man who went three months without talking to Beckett, is sure he can convince her to stop. And, sure enough, he has a short conversation with her and keeps her from falling down the rabbit hole again. No problem. All in a day's work for Super Castle.

Meanwhile, Ryan and Esposito (and eventually Castle and Beckett) are tasked with solving the high profile murder of a celebutante (which is a word my dictionary doesn't recognize). This case was such a low priority, it was almost a joke. And the fact that the killer was literally hiding under the bed the whole time? That was a bit ridiculous, even for Castle reality. But, as with most Castle episodes, the case wasn't really the main focus of the episode. It seemed like this one was mostly here to a) give Ryan and Esposito something to do, and b) give Beckett something to do after Castle convinces her to stop investigating her mother's murder.

The one thing this episode was really lacking was the humor that makes Castle such a fun show. Obviously, the episode after a shooting isn't going to be all laughs and smiles, but the solemnity was almost overwhelming. Castle is a better show when it doesn't take itself too seriously, so hopefully next week will get back to the lightheartedness we all love.

There were still a lot of bright moments in this episode. The look on Beckett's face while she listened to the mayor order Gates to keep Castle was priceless (was that the only time we saw Beckett smile this episode?). I liked how neatly Josh was disposed of in the first fifteen minutes of the episode, and I was really hoping Alexis would take a swing at him when they were fighting in the hospital. I think Gates has the potential to turn into a decent character if she can learn to loosen up, though she also has the potential to be a real witch (we're trusting you, Andrew Marlowe!). I loved that Alexis was so worried about her dad, even if she showed it by acting a little bratty.

And I really, really liked the honesty in Castle and Beckett's relationship so far. Aside from the one big, whopping lie she tells him--did anybody really believe she didn't remember anything about the shooting?--there's a sincerity between them that just shows how far their relationship has come since season one. Castle may not have told her he loved her in words again, but he said it a million times in his actions in this episode. And Beckett's revelation about the walls she's put up made my heart break just a little. Of course Castle is able to talk her into tabling her mother's case; anyone with eyes could see how he was only telling her those things because he cares about her. I challenge anyone to watch this episode and not root for these two people at least a little.

So it was a bit of a slow start for the season, but I think there's a lot of potential here. Obviously the big storyline is still open, but more important in the next few episodes will be getting back to the familiar rhythm of Castle, with the banter and the chemistry that's made this show a hit. I'm looking forward to seeing where the season leads.

Rating: 3/5

Favorite line:
Ryan (during interrogation): "So what are you saying, Dale? You sleep-shot her?"

2 Broke Girls - Pilot

2011-09-20T10:44:00.001-04:00
Network: CBS
Time: Mondays, 8:30-9:00pm
Cast: Kat Dennings, Beth Behrs, Matthew Moy, Jonathan Kite, Garrett Morris, Noah Mills

Summary: Max and Caroline, two struggling waitresses at a Brooklyn diner, try to save money to open their own cupcake shop. In the opener, Max is disgusted when once-wealthy Caroline starts working at the diner, but the two soon hit it off and become roommates.

Review: Well, this was a pleasant surprise.

I put 2 Broke Girls on my schedule reluctantly. After hearing both EW.com and TVLine.com rave about it, I figured it couldn’t hurt to watch the first episode. Worst case scenario, all I’ve wasted is a half hour.

Instead (and a little unfortunately, considering how many shows are on said schedule), I found myself sucked in right from the first moments. Maybe it’s because I’m a sucker for a show with a smart, sarcastic female lead (yes, I still miss Gilmore Girls). Maybe it’s because Kat Dennings and Beth Behrs have oddly fantastic chemistry. Maybe it’s because the cast of characters featured in this show is wonderfully eclectic. Or maybe just because it’s a good show.

The premise is this: Max (Dennings) is a waitress/nanny, living with her boyfriend in Brooklyn and baking fantastic cupcakes. Caroline (Behrs) is a trust fund baby from Manhattan who lost everything when her daddy’s ponzi scheme was discovered and now has to support herself somehow. When Caroline gets a job at the diner, Max is… less than impressed. But Caroline’s earnestness wins her over (somewhat), and Max lets her spend the night, during which time Max’s boyfriend hits on Caroline, has sex with another woman after Caroline turns him down, and gets kicked out by Max. Max, looking for a new roommate, offers to let Caroline stay with her.

There were a lot of bits that made this series premiere enjoyable. Dennings’ Max is tough, responsible and confident, though she let some vulnerability show. Behrs’ Caroline looks like Trust Fund Barbie, but it can’t be forgotten that she went to the Wharton School of Business (it really can’t be forgotten… they said it four or five times), and she clearly has quite of bit of her conman father in her. The supporting characters are quirky, with the potential to turn into downright funny, especially when combined with their obvious chemistry with Max. And there’s a horse in the backyard of a Brooklyn apartment.

Sure, the episode was a little stiff at times, and some of Behrs’ lines felt forced, but it did everything it needed to do as a pilot episode: it hooked me. I’ll be back next week to see how much more money they earn towards their cupcake shop.

Rating: 4/5

Favorite line:
Caroline (after tasing Max): "Sorry, I didn't think it'd hurt so much, it's pink!"
Max: "It didn't feel pink!"

NCIS - Ships in the Night

2011-01-13T23:55:00.000-05:00
Network: CBS
Time: Tuesdays, 8:00-9:00pm
Cast: Mark Harmon, Michael Weatherly, Cote de Pablo, Sean Murray, Pauley Perrette, David McCallum, Rocky Carroll

WARNING: The following review contains spoilers for the episode.

Summary: When a marine is murdered while on a dinner cruise, the team works with the Coast Guard Investigative Service to solve the crime. (from tvguide.com)

Review: Eight seasons in, NCIS has become fairly formulaic. It's a science that clearly works for them, since NCIS is arguably the most-watched scripted show on television, but it means that some episodes will be nothing special.

This was a nothing special episode.

The only thing that made this episode stand out a little from others was the return of CGIS Special Agent Abigail Borin (aka Other Abbs). Abigail is the Gibbs of the Coast Guard, from the succint statements to the coffee swilling. I've always enjoyed watching Gibbs when he's forced to interact with other agencies, and this was no exception. She's probably the only one he's ever actually seemed to like (since he always pretends to be annoyed when he has to work with Fornell), and I really liked their scenes together. I hope they'll continue to bring her character back.

The rest of the episode was on par for an NCIS episode. They investigated the shooting of a marine who was on a cruise with SA Borin, a marine who also happened to be the prodigal son of a wealthy family. Turns out Junior wanted to take the family business and make it a charitable non-profit. The minute that little tidbit was introduced, I was able to identify the killer, so no surprises there.

Even our regular characters were just average tonight. Coming off a great DiNozzo episode, I was a little disappointed that Tony was back to his usual self, apparently having learned nothing from his joke-free time. McGee was slightly off, two days of overtime turning him into a bit of a slacker (though he still does more in any given episode than everyone else on the team combined). And I can't even remember the scenes in autopsy.

The only character who stood out in this episode was Abby, who seemed to be having a great time with the other Abby. It's rare that Gibbs and Abby like the same woman, but it seems like SA Borin might be the exception. The scenes in the lab were by far my favorite moments, and the dynamic between the three was fun and engaging. Borin's brisk manner complemented Abby's long-windedness well, and Gibbs' brevity fit in well with both.

Were you as apathetic towards this episode as I was? Leave me some comments and let me know.

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Rating: 3/5

Castle - Poof, You're Dead

2011-01-12T18:22:00.000-05:00
Network: ABC
Time: Mondays, 10:00-11:00pm
Cast: Nathan Fillion, Stana Katic, Jon Huertas, Seamus Dever, Ruben Santiago-Hudson, Molly C. Quinn, Susan Sullivan, Tamala Jones

WARNING: The following review contains spoilers for the episode.

Summary: Castle and Beckett interview a top magician after the owner of a magic store drowns in Houdini's legendary water torture tank. Elsewhere, romance is in the air for Esposito and Lanie. (from tvguide.com)

Review: While not quite as good as last week's episode, Castle certainly continued to prove it's worthy of the full-season pick up it received. This episode had a little bit of everything: murder, relationship drama, murder, and even magic.

"Poof, You're Dead" focused on the investigation into the death of a magician who supposedly killed himself using a magic trick. Obviously, this being a crime show and all, the suicide turned out to be a murder, which then turned out to be the first step of what may be Castle's most complex storyline ever.

If I have one complaint about this episode, it was how convoluted it was. They introduced more red herrings than usual, and they were (almost) all men, so by the time the full story came out, I was having trouble remembering which name belonged to which character, and what that character's relationship was with the dead guy. To top it off, the dead magician had an identical twin with a similar name, which added another layer of complexity.

That being said, I think it's the first time all season I haven't guessed the killer from the moment he or she entered the room. I was completely surprised by twist (perhaps because I was still trying to figure out how they leapt from magicians to philanthropist billionaires), and I enjoyed the element of surprise. Most of the time, the case is not Castle's strong suit, and the show is mostly focused on the characters' interactions as they solve it. It seemed that was on the back burner, and a significant portion of this episode was focused on actually solving the crime, instead of bantering. It was a refreshing change made better by the fact that they didn't completely abandon Castle and Beckett's repartee as other shows are wont to do.

That's not to say this episode was completely without a humorous dive into the characters' lives. In fact, for the first time ever, Lanie was given a prominent place in the plot. Seems our favorite medical examiner has a new man in her life--Detective Javier Esposito. Was I the only one who giggled like a schoolgirl at that? TVGuide.com had it included in their preview, so I wasn't surprised it happened, but I was surprised by how much I like the idea. I hope they continue to give us glimpses into their relationship, though I would request that they only try to hide it from the team for another episode or so. Any more than that, and I think it would get boring, especially since we already know the team knows.

Lanie and Esposito weren't the only couple the episode focused on. Many moments were devoted to the (apparently) increasingly tumultuous relationship between Castle and his girlfriend/publicist Gina, culminating in a breakup that was neither surprising nor (for me) important. Considering Gina essentially disappeared after she and Castle began dating--only resurfacing that one time to bond with Alexis--I'm completely not invested in her, and I completely don't care that she's gone. Now Beckett just needs to lose the doctor guy, and they can all live happily ever after.

My only other comment is that I missed Castle's mother and daughter again. I feel like they used to be in more of the episode, instead of the one or two scenes they had this week and last. And while I did love the scene where Castle and his mom talked about Gina, just once I'd like to see them actually finish a conversation without the case interrupting.

What did you think, Castle fans? Did the case seem unusually complex to you? Are you excited about Lanie/Esposito? Do you also think Ryan deserves the award for Best Dressed Detective this week? Leave me some comments and let me know.

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Rating: 4/5

Castle - Nikki Heat

2011-01-05T00:04:00.000-05:00

Network: ABC
Time: Mondays, 10:00-11:00pm
Cast: Nathan Fillion, Stana Katic, Seamus Dever, Jon Huertas, Ruben Santiago-Hudson, Susan Sullivan, Molly C. Quinn

Summary: Beckett and Castle tackle an upscale matchmaker's murder case, and they have company: the actress cast as Nikki Heat, who wants a deeper grasp of her character. Her copycat image soon becomes too much for Beckett, but Castle likes it. (from tvguide.com)

Review: Just when I think I can't possibly enjoy Castle anymore than I already do, something like this happens.

Maybe it's because it was the first episode after a too-long break or because Laura Prepon was guest starring, but everything about this episode seemed to click. Castle and Beckett's banter was seamless and exceptional, and the addition of a new character didn't put a damper on it. If anything, Prepon only added to the chemistry. She really showed her acting ability in this episode. She did Beckett almost as well as Stana Katic does, but with a hilarious, sometimes creepy edge to it. She toed the line between ditzy Hollywood starlet and serious method actor well, adding just enough insightfulness to avoid being labeled an idiot. And she played so well off Nathan Fillion and Stana Katic that I could have sworn she'd been acting with them for years.

Prepon's oft-creepy imitations allowed for some great moments between Castle and Beckett as well. I've said before that Nathan Fillion and Stana Katic are both wonderful physical actors, and it really showed in this episode. The wide array of facial expressions that both actors demonstrated were spot-on for whatever situation they were in, from Castle's wounded pride look to Beckett's half-terrified, half-bewildered expression when Natalie Rhodes steals her coffee. There was never a moment where I felt they were over-the-top or off in any way, and I laughed harder at those moments than almost anything else in the episode.

But as much as I found myself laughing, "Nikki Heat" also brought me to tears. I'm not too proud to admit I cried a bit at the end, like any sappy, over-emotional girl would. This is the first episode that Ryan has had his own story (aside from a few minutes where they first introduced his girlfriend), and even though it was just used as filler for the main arc, it was still wonderful to see Seamus Dever getting some love. Ryan is one of my favorite supporting characters, and I loved every minute he was on the screen.

If I had any negatives, there were two small things. The first is that there wasn't nearly enough of Grams and Alexis. I'm not really sure where they would have fit in this episode, but I always love their scenes, so I was a little disappointed that they just had one in the beginning.

The second thing is that I had very little emotional investment in the case. For me, it was just a reason for all these characters to be interacting. It took half the episode for me to remember the victim's name was Stacey. I didn't even try to guess the killer because I wasn't paying enough attention to what was going on to know which character was which. That being said, I don't feel I lost anything by not following it. This was still, without a doubt, one of my favorite Castle episodes of all time. With February sweeps lurking just around the corner (alright, they're four weeks away), I can't wait to see what future episodes will hold.

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Rating: 5/5

Bones - The Doctor in the Photo

2010-12-14T09:26:00.001-05:00
Network: Fox
Time: Thursdays, 8:00-9:00pm
Cast: Emily Deschanel, David Boreanaz, TJ Thyne, Michaela Conlin, Tamara Taylor, John Francis Daley

Summary: When the body of a surgeon is found in a tough neighborhood with multiple skull fractures, Brennan is disturbed by how much she has in common with the victim, but her perspective may be just what the team needs to solve the case.

Review: Sorry this review is so late this week; I’ve been having some computer problems that make it impossible to watch anything with sound on my laptop, which means I spent the weekend trying to bully it into submission (it didn’t work).

So this was a very Brennan-centric episode of Bones, and one that finally called into question the entire philosophy by which she lives her life. For those who didn’t see the episode but are still reading this review for some reason, the team investigates the death of a prominent neurosurgeon with whom Brennan over-identifies. It forces her to reexamine her life.

First, I have to say that, while this may not have been Emily Deschanel’s best ever episode (I personally think that goes to the episode where she testifies against the Gravedigger), she definitely nailed it. Brennan’s been bottling everything up all season (well, really her entire life, but especially since she got back to the States this season), and it all have to come out eventually. I thought Deschanel did a good job showing a range of emotions that Brennan doesn’t normally display, namely fear and regret, in a way that was still believable for the character.

The case was the best kind of letdown. Stop here if you don’t want any spoilers. I said in a previous review that Bones (and many other crime shows) tries so hard sometimes to surprise the viewer by making the killer the least obvious person that it’s actually incredibly predictable. This episode was nothing like that. The fact that her death turned out to be essentially an accident was actually a bigger twist than any murder could have been.

Then, of course, there was Brennan’s revelation that letting Booth go was her biggest regret. Having seen the promo for this episode, I was anticipating this moment with trepidation, and I hated it just as much as I expected to. The whole thing just felt… awkward. I should state that I’ve never been a Booth/Brennan shipper, and I don’t see that changing unless one of them does a serious personality makeover. I think they (usually) have the best chemistry of almost any on-screen duo (Castle and Beckett might be the exception), but I don’t think it translates into romance. I know that I’m in the minority with this opinion, and I’ve almost accepted the fact that they’ll wind up together in the end, but this scene didn’t warm me to it. If anything, I’m hoping both of them can get some closure now and work on salvaging their friendship. Go off and be with other people. I know fans will say that they’ve already done that and it’s time for them to be together, but the opportunity was missed. If they’re really going to get together, another opportunity has to present itself, and I don’t believe that can happen until both of them have moved past this failed attempt.

So that’s it in a nutshell. There were a few more smaller things I enjoyed: the dinner Brennan threw in the beginning for Booth, Hannah, Angela and Hodgins; Brennan’s comforter; pretty much every scene with Sweets in it; how genuinely nice Brennan was to Micah (was I the only one who thought he might just be in her head?). In all, I think this was one of the better episodes this season, and I’m looking forward to seeing the consequences it will have.

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Rating: 4/5

Big Bang Theory - The Alien Parasite Hypothesis

2010-12-10T16:06:00.000-05:00
Network: CBS
Time: Thursdays, 8:00-8:30pm
Cast: Jim Parsons, Johnny Galecki, Kaley Cuoco, Simon Helberg, Kunal Nayyar

Summary: Amy finds she has sexual feelings for Penny's ex, while Koothrappali and Wolowitz try to prove who would be the better superhero. (from imdb.com)

Review: As with much this season, I liked exactly half of this episode of Big Bang Theory.

I’ll start with the good. I know there are a lot of critics who dislike Amy but I loved her in this episode, and I think it did a lot to separate her from being “a female Sheldon.” To begin, I think the odd little friendship that’s forming between Amy, Penny and Bernadette is wonderful. Bernadette seems to genuinely like Amy, and Penny is easy-going enough to roll with it. The scene in the restaurant had a comfortable feel to it, like they actually were three friends going out to eat (a significant change from the slumber party which felt like two women forced to hang out with a friend’s weird girlfriend). The change was that Penny and Bernadette didn’t make a big deal out of Amy’s quirks in this episode; they accepted them like they’d accepted her.

It also makes me happy that they’re able to add a female component to Big Bang without changing the concept of the show. At its core, Big Bang is about geeks who hang out together. Penny has always been the exception to that rule. I was worried that a friendship ring that centered around her would lose the geek aspect (since she is not), but Bernadette and Amy are as nerdy as the guys, which is what makes this new thread work. It also takes some of the focus off the guys, whose stories have gotten a little stale this season.

Now that I’ve spent more time talking about the Big Bang women than they actually spent together in the episode, we come to the main story: Amy has needs (cue laugh track from any latent That 70s Show fans). Turns out, she’s not an automaton, which is a concept that troubles Sheldon so much that he almost walks out of Amy’s lab with the human brain she’s dissecting instead of his lunch (and can I just say ew?).

It was nice to see the writers finally making a distinction between Amy and Sheldon, more than just the gender thing. Yes, they’re still freakily similar, from the science brains to the general distaste for being touched to their complete inability to spot sarcasm. But just as we’ve occasionally seen Sheldon’s human side show (usually when his mother’s involved), we’re now getting a glimpse of Amy’s.

Also, I loved the modified version of “Who’s on First?”

Will this open the door for more touching in the future? Sheldon didn’t pull away when Amy held his hand at the end. I haven’t decided which side I’m on yet—the “Sheldon only loves science” team or the “Sheldon and Amy should do it” team—but I’m curious to see how this story moves along. My only request is that they take their time with it. Instead of forcing their relationship down our throats, insert Amy into the everyday activities, like they did with Penny at the beginning. Now that Amy’s starting to exhibit some unique characteristics, she can bring a different perspective to the group.

And now we’re going to move away from happy land and enter the most painful plotline to date. Howard and Raj were arguing about which one of them would be a superhero and which would be the sidekick. I liked absolutely nothing about this. First of all, I wanted to shake both of them and say, “You’re both sidekicks in this show.” Second of all, this felt more like a bit that would occur at the beginning or end of an episode, or be a running gag throughout, not the supporting plot. It sounded like something they’d snipe and tease each other about in between things that were important. Howard and Raj have always been silly, but this was ridiculous.

I didn’t even find the sight gags very funny. I know many people thought they were hysterical in the wrestling outfits at the end, but it did nothing for me. And I actually would have preferred if they’d actually fought, instead of just dancing around each other, wasting their time and mine. The only thing that evoked even a slight smile was the spider crawling up Howard’s arm, and him trying to blow it off his back.

My biggest problem, however, was the complete waste of Johnny Galecki in this episode. I know a lot of the previous seasons have centered around Leonard (and his relationship with Penny), but he’s done nothing but whine or look depressed in weeks. It might be time for Sheldon to step back and let Leonard have some of the spotlight again. The show is best when it’s balanced.

What did you think? Did the Raj/Howard superhero challenge work for you? Are you warming to Shamy? Leave a comment and let me know.

Rating: 3/5

Glee - A Very Glee Christmas

2010-12-10T09:22:00.001-05:00
Network: Fox
Time: Tuesdays, 8:00-9:00pm
Cast: Matthew Morrison, Jane Lynch, Jayma Mays, Lea Michele, Cory Monteith, Amber Riley, Chris Colfer, Kevin McHale, Mark Salling, Heather Morris, Jenna Ushkowitz, Naya Rivera, Harry Shum Jr.

Summary: Finn tries to bring a little holiday cheer to McKinley High, and Artie discovers that Brittany still believes in Santa. Meanwhile, the teachers pick their Secret Santas, and one manipulative coach rigs the gift-giving in her favor.

Review: Merry Christmas, Gleeks! And what a lovely way to kick off the holiday season.

This was one of my favorite Glee episodes so far. I should admit that there’s some bias; I love Christmas as much as Finn and Brittany do. But I’m usually able to recognize a bad Christmas episode when I see it, and I didn’t see it here.

Like with my latest Castle review, I’m going to start with the weaker aspects and move to the stronger. There were a few things that really struck me as “off” about this episode. The first is that there was absolutely no mention of Chanukah. Considering how much time they’ve spent building Rachel and Puck up as super-Jews, I can’t believe that they didn’t even say the word once. I can forgive there being no Chanukah carols (though how great would it have been for them to duet “Chanukah O Chanukah”?), but it at least deserved a sentence or two.

NOTE: Since I thought of this while I was writing this review, I’d like to put in a request for a Passover episode of Glee, with a Rugrats-style musical reenactment of the exodus from Egypt. Will can be Moses, and Sue can be the Pharaoh. I smell a classic.

The second problem I had with this episode was Kurt. I know that almost all of the last few episodes have focused on him and so it’s okay that he had a smaller part in this one, but I thought there was a serious disconnect between his story and the rest of the show. Perhaps this was done on purpose to show the rift between him and the New Directions, but I doubt it. More likely, they wanted Kurt in the episode and couldn’t find a better way. That being said, I absolutely loved his duet with Blaine. It was probably my favorite number of the night. Their voices meshed together so well, and the little flirting thing they had going on was adorable.

I’m sick of Rachel and Finn. I understand why Finn is mad at her, I really do. He’s been burned by girlfriends (Quinn) before, and now he’s extra sensitive. Rachel shouldn’t have kissed Puck. Fin shouldn’t have lied about Santana. Understood. Can we move on now? No matter how hard they try, Rachel and Finn will never be Rachel and Ross (though, frankly, I found them annoying too). Either get them together or break them apart for good, but pick a side already.

Though I did like Rachel’s hats.

Thus concludes all the negatives. Moving on to the stronger parts of the episode.

The Grinch story. Everything about it, from Sue’s green face paint and gloves to Becky as the reindog (and, oh man, how adorable was she?) to Brittany’s Cindy Lou Who-hair. The only thing it was missing was the roast beast at the end. It was a great enactment of the classic story while staying completely in character for Glee. Winner for best line may have to go to Becky’s, “Christmas came anyway, Coach.”

Also, I’d like to state it now: if Sue and Will are not together at some point in this series (but probably the end), I’ll be shocked.

Equally as strong was Brittany’s story. She and Artie are quickly becoming my favorite Glee couple, and I love that he convinced everyone to play along when he realized she still believed in Santa. Not just played along, actually, but he went out of his way to make sure Christmas didn’t lose its magic for her, including enlisting Beiste to dress up as Santa. Brittany’s face as she watched the Glee kids sit on Santa’s lap and tell him what they wanted for Christmas was priceless (her whispered, “Remember, you have rights,” to the mall elf is also a contender for best line). I’ll even admit to shedding a tear or two when her Christmas wish came true at the end.

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, and this episode of Glee really got me into the holiday spirit. It’s sad that there won’t be another new episode until February (after the Super Bowl), but at least we don’t have to wait until April this year.

Rating: 4/5

Criminal Minds - What Happens at Home

2010-12-09T21:12:00.002-05:00
Network: CBS
Time: Wednesdays, 9:00-10:00pm
Cast: Thomas Gibson, Joe Mantegna, Shemar Moore, Paget Brewster, Matthew Gray Gubler, Kirsten Vangsness

Summary: The team profiles a killer targeting women inside of a gated New Mexico community, and Hotch asks for help from an FBI cadet.

Review: One of the things I love about Criminal Minds is how the writers are constantly finding new angles for their stories. Obviously, there are only so many different ways to approach serial crimes. At the most basic level, many people who have something in common are being killed, raped, kidnapped, etc. There are a finite amount of reasons why such crimes would be perpetrated. Yet somehow Criminal Minds continues to surprise.

This week marked the arrival of Agent-Trainee Ashley Seaver, who exists essentially to replace JJ as the third woman on the team (cue angry protests from those of us who aren't ready for a new girl just yet). Despite my best intentions to hate her on sight (yes, I'm petty), I found myself intruiged by the backstory she brought to the table. Ashley is the daughter of a notorious serial killer, one Rossi and Hotch brought down many years ago. She's also a minor prodigy at the Academy, though nowhere near our boy Reid, who apparently failed every aspect of FBI training that didn't come out of the manual yet was somehow still cleared for field work.

Seaver brings a unique perspective to profiling. As Prentiss pointed out, we rarely think about the families serial killers leave behind after they're caught. Occasionally we've been given glimpses at them (such as the episode where the two suburban fathers were raping and killing teenage girls), but when the episode is over, I don't give them another thought, not like the families of the victims. But Seaver brings that situation into the forefront, which is then obviously reflected in the case. I wish they'd spent a little less time harping on the fact that her father was a serial killer though, and more time showing how that influenced her profiling skills. The scene in the church where she was explaining what her father was like was good, but I wanted more like that.

Gated communities are an interesting psychological study, and a crime committed within one rocks the neighborhood to the core. The extra security of the gate leads to complacency, which means that a violent crime is even more unsettling than it would be in even a typical suburban area. This episode could have done more to show the sense of panic that such an offense, particularly a serial one, could cause in this kind of area, but they did do a good job of making everyone a suspect. I still spotted the killer early, but there were moments where I had my doubts.

The team dynamic that I felt was sorely lacking last season is back, and it's wonderful to see them playing off each other in the way that first attracted me to this show. Garcia was a breath of fresh air in a mostly serious episode, and she managed to do both her job and half of JJ's while still having time to flirt with Morgan, tease Reid, and make Hotch smile. Seaver didn't have a lot of initial chemistry with the team, but her scenes with Prentiss weren't too bad, and I imagine she'll eventually find her place. She does fill the youngest child role that Reid seems to have abandoned this season, and her existing relationships with Rossi and Hotch could be fodder for future episodes.

For now, I'll regard Seaver with cautious optimism. I enjoyed the episode as a whole, and I see some potential in this new character that I hope will continue to grow as the season continues.

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Rating: 4/5

Castle - Last Call

2010-12-09T21:11:00.000-05:00
Network: ABC
Time: Mondays, 10:00-11:00pm
Cast: Nathan Fillion, Stana Katic, Seamus Dever, Jon Huertas, Ruben Santiago-Hudson, Susan Sullivan, Molly C. Quinn

While this may not go down in the record books as one of my favorite Castle episodes ever, it was definitely a good one. Frankly, anything that ends with a sing-along is good in my books.

I’ll start with what I thought were the weaker points and go from there. The weakest bit for me was the Alexis storyline. The story seemed more like it was there to fill time rather than develop any of the characters further. It was essentially three scenes long: Alexis sees her old friend again and realizes she’s very different now than when they were in fifth grade; Alexis bemoans this fact to Grams and Dad, which is abruptly cut short when Dad has an epiphany, though not before they make some good points that help Alexis sort everything out; Alexis and her old friend reconnect, and they all live happily ever after. Unless this friend comes back in a future episode, I didn’t really see the point in having this in at all (except it gave Alexis something to do).

Moving on. I had mixed, but mostly positive, feelings about the case. I found the killer to be predictable by nature of being the person least likely to have done it, which is a complaint I had for the most recent episode of Bones as well. It might be nice sometimes for them to suspect the killer early in the episode, think they’re wrong, and then go back to him later, instead of always saving the actual murderer for the final suspect. In real life, the most obvious answer is usually the right one, but it never is in crime procedurals. I understand that the plot twists are there to keep a viewer interested, but that backfires if the answer is obvious by nature of being not obvious (if that makes any sense).

However, the predictability of the killer was outweighed significantly by the awesomeness of the murder. Old-time taverns, corrupt politicians, and Prohibition? It was like I was watching Boardwalk Empire, but with more one-liners. The fact that Castle looked like a little boy every time someone mentioned Jimmy Walker’s scotch, and then bought the bar, was just wonderful. I hope they don’t drop that story, because Castle as a barkeep sounds like it has amazing potential.

Castle himself was easily the strongest part of this episode. He’s really been in his element for the last few weeks, when the episodes have been even more farfetched than they usually are (and therefore closer to the fictional world in which he thrives). Nathan Fillion is a wonderful comedic actor, especially physically. He has good timing, and he and Beckett (and Ryan and Esposito) have such wonderful chemistry that it makes the show that much more fun to watch.

It saddens me that this is the last Castle episode until January (anyone know when it starts up again?), especially because I’ve heard some wonderful things about next year’s episodes (look up “Castle leaked picture” on Google news if you want to know… but it’s a very big spoiler, so proceed with caution). If you don’t watch this show (but read my reviews for some reason anyway), spend the rest of the month catching up. It’s worth it.

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Rating: 4/5

Bones - The Body and the Bounty

2010-10-17T19:37:00.000-04:00
Network: Fox
Time: Thursdays, 8:00-9:00pm
Cast: Emily Deschanel, David Boreanaz, Michaela Conlin, TJ Thyne, Tamara Taylor

Summary: Brennan makes a deal with a celebrity professor to be her new intern after he inquires about hosting his children's science show from the Jeffersonian. Meanwhile, a dismembered corpse is identified as a bounty hunter, and the team find they're not the only ones looking for a fugitive who is wanted for murder.

Review: I sat on this episode a few days before writing a review because I'm still not really sure how I felt about it. On the one hand, I was annoyed by the Science Dude, and I found the killer to be predictable. On the other hand, it may have all been worth it for two scenes: the one where Angela and Brennan discuss the baby's name, and the one where Brennan comes out dressed as a skeleton.

Someone commented in a previous review that the characters were becoming "watered-down caricatures" instead of the complex characters from seasons past, and I'm starting to agree. The quirky ticks (i.e. Brennan's inability to hold a normal conversation, Hodgins' childlike enthusiasm for everything, Cam's slightly flighty nature) have amped up significantly since the 100th episode, and not necessarily in a good way. These traits which used to give balance to the characters now seem to dominate, making them more unrealistic. We've always had to suspend disbelief a little when dealing with the science behind Bones, but now I find myself starting to suspend disbelief when dealing with the characters.

People have told me they don't feel Booth and Brennan's chemistry is as good as it once was, and I can see where they're coming from, though I still enjoy the scenes between them (especially where they were planning the perfect murder in the beginning of the episode, although I feel like they could have done more with that bit later in the episode). And I do think they would be a little awkward around each other after Booth's confession of love and Brennan's rejection. That kind of thing changes a relationship, at least for awhile.

I also mentioned last week that the case seemed to be just an excuse to have the characters make jokes, and I feel similarly this week--that the case was just an excuse to set a record for the most "Amazing"s in one hour. I find this to be particularly sad, since the complex cases were one of the things I enjoyed most about Bones, after the wonderful chemistry between the characters. How can anyone compare the cases we've seen in the past few weeks with the Gravedigger or Gormogon? Even before they became arcs, those stories were significantly more intricate and compelling than anything we've seen recently.

I don't want to make it sound like this episode was terrible, because it definitely had its redeeming moments, the best being the scene between Angela and Brennan. I've always loved their relationship, especially because Brennan tries so hard to be a good friend to Angela, even though she's fairly incapable of normal social interaction, and Angela loves Brennan no matter what. This scene was probably the highlight of the whole episode for me because their relationship is one of the few that is uchanged throughout the series. It was the first thing we were introduced to in the pilot episode, and it's something that has always been solid.

Also, the final scene, though incredibly out of character for Brennan, was hysterical. It may have made the whole episode worthwhile. Brennan reciting the "Scientist's Oath" was one of the funniest things I've seen on Bones in awhile.

All in all, I have mixed feelings about this episode, and I'm not entirely comfortable with the path Bones is heading down. It's always had a strong character focus, which is good because forensic anthropology is not most people's cup of tea, but the characters are starting to detract more from the plot than enhance it. I enjoyed it while I was watching it, but it didn't have any kind of lasting impression, to the point where I had to struggle to remember the plot of this episode. Did anyone else have the same problems? Leave me a comment and let me know.

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