HUMAN TARGET "Taking Ames"

I'm not sure I like the new girl at all. I like Indira Varma as "Ilsa Pucci," although she can get in the way a bit. But I really don't like Janet Montgomery. I'm thinking they could have found someone not so over the top. And was the really hard NY accent needed?

I still love the show and will be heartbroken if it doesn't go another season, which I'm thinking it won't. But what do they expect when they start the season of early mid season. On a different night, and I think they are going to change it again. Who has time to search for shows.

I have few pleasures when it comes to television these days. I'm very close to not watching much of anything, but I am in this business and want to know what's in the market and what the market needs.

Oh well, crossing fingers and toes this show doesn't go away.


FOX
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
8:00 pm PST

Masterpiece Mystery! Sherlock: A Study in Pink

Can I just say how exciting and fun it was to watch this first episode of the new, modern Shelock Holmes? I wish I had been the one to think of it.

I love how the creators and the character describe him as a high functioning sociopath. The fact that he has no clue as to how to act around other people and how it's explained early on, I found refreshing. I was thrilled by how he compares how his brain works to others.

The subtle showing of the phone texting or how he knows the streets and routes that a car have to take, how they show it on screen, like his head is a computer. Just brilliant.

Benedict Cumberbatch was an inspired choice as Sherlock. He gives so much credibility to the character, it's hard to know that he's just acting.

I like Martin Freeman, HOT FUZZ and THE OFFICE (The British Version) is great as Dr. Watson. His emotional issues, along with is familial issues and dedication to being honorable are great.

Wonderful acting all around. So smart, so fun, so interesting. I can't wait for the next episode to air.

Masterpiece Mystery!

KACET/HD 412

Thursday, October 28

9:00 PM PST

FOX renews LIE TO ME and HUMAN TARGET

I haven't blogged in a while because I have a regular job that takes up too much of my time now. The need for money is strong. But I digress. I am writing because I'm so happy that fox has picked up LIE TO ME and HUMAN TARGET for another season. Even if they are only 13 episode orders, I'm thrilled. I love both shows for various reasons... I think LIE TO ME is smart and funny at the same time. I think the writing is impeccable and the acting is superb. I like HUMAN TARGET because it's like watching the best parts of DIE HARD for an hour, with generally a fun conclusion as well as a little mystery about Chance's origins. Can't wait to find out more about the character and if the mysterious woman is really dead or not.

Anyway, wanted to take a moment to comment and show the love for FOX picking up two of my new favorite shows.

HUMAN TARGET "Lockdown"

Okay, this is what I like about this show. The little tidbits of information that they parcel out to us each episode that keep someone like me very intrigued. Like this episode when Chance is talking out how the "Corporate Man" is sticking it to the little guy employee and he says to Winston, "Don't look at me like that. This isn't about me or what I went through." You just want to scream, WHAT?! But at the same time its so enticing. It slightly explains how Chance knows so much about everything. Was he some kind of kid genius who got caught up in doing something that was illegal, obviously changed his life in big ways. Just so curious to know more. I like that they are only giving me bits that will keep me interested. Hopefully it won't get old.

I still thing that Jackie Earl Haley lucked into the best role on the show.


FOX
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
8:00 PM PST

24 "Day 8: 11:00 PM-12:00 AM"

Okay... Did I say it last week or did I not say it? Dana actually thought Kevin, the low life loser, and his partner would stick to their agreement to leave her alone after giving them access to money so easily. She can't be that stupid. Someone with her intelligence, able to get that kind of job at CTU can't be that stupid. I mean, COME ON! Dana can't be so dumb as not to be able to set these nimrods up. I meant the two of them have the brain power of a frozen pea. She has to think better than just reacting to the situation.

And didn't Jack tell Hastings that Renee wasn't fit do be doing the job? But Hasting forced the issue and made her continue.

Then one of my biggest pet peeves with shows is continuity. The person who is in charge of watching to make sure cigarettes aren't at different length because of scene cuts or bowls on a table are the same if they cut and come back to it. But in this episode, Sergei is cooking while talking to his son and he takes a metal mixing bowl and pours it's contents into a pot. But at the bottom of the mixing bowl was a white label/barcode sticker. This is obviously a well worn kitchen and no one would have the barcode label on the bottom of the bowl. What is happening with this show. Someone's getting paid good money to watch stuff like this and make sure it doesn't happen and they are doing a piss poor job.


FOX
Monday, February 15, 2010
9:00 PM PST

HUMAN TARGET "Run"

Carmine's Back! Such a cute dog.

I started laughing so hard when Guerrero shocks the big guy with the ankle bracelet then he's interested in the idea of a microwave oven for the woman with a tracker in her belly. This is a great role for Jackie Earl Haley. He just gets better, funnier and crazier with each episode.

Chance knows a lot about everything. The why his character comes up with languages, legal or medical information, etc., just makes you more and more curious about his story.

Watching this show is like watching a mini action film every week and all I can say is I appreciate that. I'm liking it more and more. They had a slip in a moment with that embassy episode, but they've rebounded since then with two really fun episodes to watch.

I can't say more about Guerrero. I love that character.


FOX
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
8:00 PM PST

PAST LIFE "Pilot"

Concepts interesting, but I find the execution to be a little boring. I can't even imagine how Fox picked this show up.

The lead actress, Kelli Giddish is so one note. There are no levels of emotion in her acting at all. I know she's supposed to be a scientist, but Richard Schiff's character is much better. They would have done better combining those characters into one. Highly intelligent, yet emotional.

There was nothing compelling about the pilot. I can only give it a few more episodes and hope that it gets better.

Best thing about the show was the closing song by Coldpay. I really like that song.


FOX
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
9:00 PM PST

CASTLE "Suicide Squeeze"

I liked the idea that this episode explored Castle's heritage a bit. He and his mother say they are from con artist and circus folk, which was funny. But Alexis trying to make up for his lack of having a father was touching and sweet.

As usually Nathan Fillion delivered his lines expertly and did Stana Katic. They have a great working chemistry. I loved it when Castle got excited and expressed that he would rub lotion all over her. Knowing what Beckett's response would be.

Not as exciting as past episodes, but still sweet.


ABC
Monday, February 8, 2010
10:00 PM PST

HOUSE "5 to 9"

Great episode, where it was all about Cuddy. I can't believe how many people called that poor woman a "bitch" in one day. I like how this episode showed everything from her point of view. Most people only see their own side of things and this was a way of seeing a different perspective. She was tough but firm, kept her cool in very difficult circumstances, especially when people weren't being very nice to her. She handled herself with grace. I wish I was good at keeping my cool like that.

I like Lisa Edelstein. She's very good on this show.

CHUCK "Chuck vs. The Mask"

What is with Brandon Routh not being able to get a job other than a recurring role on CHUCK? Now I'm not belittling the show, I'm wondering why the show couldn't have reached higher than Brandon Routh. He was a terrible Superman and he's even worse on this show. I mean this is a guy who only lasted a few months on the soap he was on before getting SUPERMAN RETURNS.

What I do like is that Kristin Kreuk has joined for a while. I like her for some reason. I think she plays the same thing in everything she does, but I like it.


NBC
Monday, February 8, 2010
8:00 PM PST

LIE TO ME - I Miss It!

This show has been off the air since right before the holidays and I have to admit that I miss it a lot. I keep waiting to see when it's coming back.

I really enjoy THE MENTALIST, but this show has more a of a sense of danger in it than the other show. I am surprised that I like it so much because it started airing after THE MENTALIST had already been on and I thought there was no way that a clone could survive. Obviously the underlying story isn't the same with the lead characters. Tim Roth is the boss of this firm with more of an edge to him. He has a major attraction to his partner, but still is in love with his ex-wife. I love the interaction between the characters of Eli and Torres and how they good naturedly try to one up each other. THE MENTALIST is more of a schticky type comedy with minor elements of drama. I like them both but am really missing LIE TO ME....

COME BACK SOON!

FOX
Returning Late Spring 2010

24 "Day 8: 9:00 PM-10:00 PM"

I really love this show, but I hate what they are doing to it. I've said it before, as always, no one listens to Jack. The current head of the CTU is willing to risk Renee's mental state and not listen to Jack in order to get this deal done. Now, I understand that there is the risk of nuclear material getting into the hands of the wrong people, but she could also cause the wrong people to know that the government is on to them. She's too risky of a variable being so unstable and of course no one will listen to Jack's opinion of the situation.

The constant sexual harassment by Arlo is way too much. Dana could have him fired and the fact that she constantly lets it go is ridiculous. I would be so board with him that I would have had him fired just so I could do my job and not have to deal with listening to his mouth. It's just stupid especially since her fiancé could probably snap him like a twig, being a CTU field agent.

Dana's past coming back to haunt her also kinda bugs me. I would rather risk having the guy who I'm supposed to be marrying upset with me and lose my job rather then have Kevin holding my past over my head and potentially going to jail because of some stupid illegal job he wants me to do. I mean, this loser gets out of jail and the biggest take he can think of is for six figures? If you are going to take a risk, think bigger than an amount you make working at an office job. I know the average salary isn't for six figures, but it would be more worth it to work at McDonalds than to steal six figure from some crazy heist they've thrown together in five minutes. Dana can't be so stupid to think that Kevin will let her go after this heist. She's just proving how valuable she is to him by going along with him. She has to be smarter than that. Also, what's with her hair always being to one side? I hate it. look normal, why don't you.

I love the thought process of criminals. What they want is always more important than anyone else or their safety. Josef is so twisted. He thinks because a man is doctor he can somehow miraculously help his brother survive radiation poisoning by giving him some pills. The guy gets sick by doing something criminal, but Josef believes everyone else should jump through hoops. The doctor and his staff are killed because criminals decided they needed care for something they did to themselves during a criminal act. Boggles the mind.

If Sergei could kill his youngest son, what makes Josef think he's immune from his father's wrath? You can't work with someone who has no interest in your well being. You could be next and being family obviously means nothing to the man.


FOX
Monday, Feb. 1, 2010
9:00 PM PST

FRINGE "Jacksonville"

John Noble is an incredibly talented man, whom I don't remember every seeing him in anything before. His portrayal of Walter Bishop is both endearing and frightening at the same time. How this mans brain works and what he's capable of thinking into existence. His childlike demeanor with the working mind of a genius is played so well.

I been wondering when they would revealed that Peter was from the other side. That being said, once Olivia opens her mind to the other side, she becomes aware that Peter is from the other side.

I like that Peter and Olivia are finally spending time together, but will him being from the other side keep them from starting a real relationship?

Apparently this is the Winter Finale of Fringe. It doesn't come back until April 1st. I don't know if I can wait that long. Obviously I will have to, but I don't like it.


FOX
Thursday, Feb. 4, 2010
9:00 PM PST

BONES "The Dvil in the Details"

I really like the banter between Booth and Bones, especially when religion is involved. Her chronic rational and his unwavering belief makes for some fun dialogue. Then the story goes into another field that Temperance has no tolerance for, Psychiatry. I thought Dr. Copeland's (Joshua Molina) takedown of Bones was good. Made her think.

I laughed so hard when Hodgins hit himself in the head with the Nunchaku. He is always so excited to conduct an experiment and he started out well, but when he went down, I couldn't contain myself. And the bow before he started just made the whole scene just classic to watch. I laughed when he called Arastoo a Persian Ninja, then crawled to his workspace to check the results of the experiment. I had to watch it multiple times cause I thought it was so funny.

This was a good episode. Well written.


FOX
Thursday, Feb. 4, 2010
8:00 PM PST

FIGHT SCIENCE "Fight Like an Animal"

The Fight science team compare five traditional Kung Fu fighting styles inspired by the animal kingdom to see how humans fighters really compare to the animals they emulate. The lighting fast strike of the snake, balance and evasiveness of the crane, the deadly accuracy of the praying mantis, the agility of the monkey and the raw power and fearless aggression of the tiger. They try to determine if the martial artists using animal style Kung Fu, can effectively mimic their animals that inspire them.

First, can a martial artist strike with the speed of a snake. They use a Beijing Wushu national champion, Li Ging, to test her speed against an albino western diamond back rattlesnake. The snake hits a ballon so fast, you can barely see it. They were filming the snake at a 1000 frames per second to slow it down and look at its motion. The snake struck at 4.65 inches in 29.5 milliseconds, which is over 13 feet per second. Li Ging struck a moving polyurethane life-size head form, which is moving to simulate a live opponent. She struck they eye at 4.2 meter's per second, traveling 15.5 inches in 90.4 milliseconds equaling 13.78 feet per seconds. Almost 5% faster than the snake and with perfect accuracy. She was a little faster. She was so excited.

Second, the Crane who is know for balance, grace, evasion. Glen Levy, martial arts instructor, stunt man, and fight coordinator. Glen stands on an 8 inch wide pedestal on a 2.5 inch diameter pole called plumflower polls, a classic training tool used by martial artists to develop balance and focus. The Fight Science team puts pressure sensors in his shoes to determine how he's balancing and changes his center of gravity and they have an opponent throw ninja stars at Glen to try to knock him off the polls. The stars have been dulled so as not to break skin, but they can still hurt. The person throwing them is highly trained. Glen moves from 2 feet to 4 feet off the ground. He keeps his center of gravity stays pretty consistent. Then he moves up to 6 feet and the poll has much more sway. The highest he goes is 8 feet. Then they have him him two 60 lb. blocks of ice, something he's never attempted before, which he does at 1500 pounds of force, equal to a bat swinging at 112 miles per hour. Crazy to watch.

Third, the Praying Mantis. Wong Wei has to snatch as many flies out of the air in 60 seconds. A Praying Mantis strike is something like 140th of a second. Humans are 5 times slower than that. A fly's reaction time is 150th of a second, 12 times faster than the average human. He caught 7 flies in midflight. Amazing to watch and how he used the wind from his arms to move the flies away from him and catching them. His wrist was going 8 miles per hour and his finger was going 15 miles per hours, far beyond normal human reactions.

Watching how training and your mind work to create the ability to do things without even thinking about it or causing the brain and reaction to be split seconds apart.

The use Danny, a free runner, who has incorporated the monkey style movements into his training. Watching him move across the "monkey bars" was amazing. This guy was incredible. I have to say this was the most impressive to watch.

Finally, the tiger. Tiger style Kung Fu, which copies intense emotions. Bren Foster is the kung fu expert, who is HOT! What couldn't believe i was watching was when the let the real tiger out of his cage. A rattle snake is one thing, but a real 600 lb. tiger against a real 176 lb man?.... CRAZY! The animal wrangler instructs the crew, that if she somehow comes loose from her cable, DO NOT RUN. Running makes you look like prey. He tells them to stand where they are and do not move. With the tiger "only" playing a single swipe of her claw generate 1400 pounds of pressure. Bren's strike was 2600 pounds for force. But the cat was playing. Experts estimates is over 10,000 pounds of force.

This show is totally inspiring me to get into shape and to know that my mind and body can accomplish anything I want it to.

I still say this is the best show on television, not only because of what the human body is able to accomplish, but how the show graphics and explaining illustrates. All i can say every time i watch this show is.... WOW!


National Geographic Channel (NATGO)
Thursday, Feb. 4, 2010
9:00 PM PST

HUMAN TARGET "Sanctuary"

Now this episode was better than the last one. I was getting a little concerned that the pilot was going to be the only good episode. I'm intrigued by Chance and Guerrero's past. I definitely want to know who this woman, Katherine, was that Chance can't seem to get out of his head and especially who the people are who blame him for whatever happened to her. I liked how, at first you think Guerrero is going to double cross Chance and Winston, but then he kills the guy who is after Chance for whatever reason.

Jackie Earl Haley is really good at this role. I realize it's kind of one dimensional in some ways, but I like it for now and I like the mystery behind almost everything he does. He's very dark and has a way of boiling everything down to it's simplist point.

The writing was particularly funny when Chance is telling Winston to defuse the bombs like he did before, which wasn't him but Guerrero. I also liked when the bad guy thinks Winston won't shoot him because his posture is like a cop. But of course he does shoot the guy and proclaims that he's retired.

Good writing. Still love the action. Hoping some of the intrigue or mystery of all of their pasts is pulled more into the storyline. Not that it has to come out right away or even this season. But giving us the little tidbits here and there, makes the show more fun to watch.

What happened to Carmine? He's such a cute dog.


FOX
Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2010
8:00 PM PST

FIGHT SCIENCE "Ultimate Soldiers"

This was one of the best reality shows I've seen in a long time. It always amazes me what the human body and brain can accomplish. In this episode they tested a Marine Sniper in extreme conditions of heat of 130 degrees, packed in ice for an hour and then covered in bugs, and he made each shot between heartbeats. The only one he slightly missed on was with the bugs and I think it's because they put so many in and he was being stung by something at the time. They had tarantulas, scorpions, large cockroaches and slug worms all over him. All while laying in a plexiglass sniper box they made. it's was wild to watch.

Then they took an Airforce Fighter pilot put him in a gyroscope and had him type responses to questions. He did just fine. Heart beat barely changed. They they took an Army Ranger and had him do the same thing. He did well, but was sweating like crazy from it. They were in the gyroscope for 9 minutes each. Then they had a civilian with no training do it and he didn't last 5 minutes before telling them to stop. He got out of the gyroscope and was dizzy and throwing up.

Then they simulated high altitude climbing with the Army Ranger, who's trained to do this. wearing a 60 lb. vest to simulate the gear he would be wearing on a mission, he climbed on an 11 foot rotating climbing wall at a simulation 15,000 feet in altitude, then he had to drop down shoot at a target that pops out from behind something. But one target was unarmed an the other was armed. He hit the armed guy center mass. They they tried testing the Fighter Pilot, who immediately said that if he was at some high altitude, no longer in his plane, then he would have jettisoned for some reason and would be waiting for the Army Ranger to come save him. He didn't last 2 minutes before he started having a hard time holding on and his heart rate shot through the roof. They stopped him before he was ready to stop, but he knew he wasn't feeling well.

They then had the Army Ranger climb again at 20,000 foot simulated altitude, with a drop down and firing at the armed person. He totally passed the test. Its amazing to watch.

Next, they try to drown (not literally) a Navy Seal. Part of the Navy Seal training is called Drown Proofing. It teaches them to swim with hands and feet bound, teaching them not to panic underwater. They put the Seal in a 12 foot tank of water, measuring 64 degrees fahrenheit, for 5 minutes, where he uses a bobbing technique to push off the bottom of the tank to come up for a breaths of air. They put a weighted vest on him for added test. They don't do this in Navy Seal training. Because the first test is such a piece of cake for him they end up adding weight and make it a 50 lb. weighted vest. He did well so they add another 25 lbs. The 75 lbs. finally stop him. He lost his balance and couldn't get his feet under him, so the diver with oxygen had to come to his rescue. But he did a few bobs before losing to the weighted vest.

I couldn't believe it when they tried it on the same civilian who couldn't take the gyroscope. That guy is a gluten for punishment or they are paying him a mint. There is no way I would do any of that without training first.

I really like when the show the graphics of what they body does when it's working at peak efficiency or when it's struggling to save your life. So crazy and exciting to watch. Really amazing. Can't wait to see the next episode, "Fight Like an Animal," where they take a look at martial arts techniques inspired by the animal kingdom. JUST COOL!


National Geographic Channel
Monday, Feb. 1, 2010
10:00 PM PST

DOLLHOUSE "Epitaph 2"

This was the worst ending to a show I've ever seen. I feel like I missed something. Now, i didn't miss the first 9 minutes of the show as my DVR screwed up. But I just have no idea what was happening there. I feel like i wasted so much of my life watching the few episodes that did air.

This series went all over the world and back again. As an independent producer trying to find my way in this business, it angers me that someone could get this junk on the air and even a second season, no matter how short, when I know I have better taste than what was just on the television.

It sickens me. But doesn't keep me from going after my goal.


FOX
Friday, Jan. 29, 2010
8:00 PM PST

LEVERAGE "The Zanzibar Marketplace Job"

Directed by Jeremiah Chechick, this episode was like watching LOCK, STOCK AND TWO SMOKING BARRELS. The first shot that Elliot takes and they do the stop motion where you can see the spit flying out of James Sterling's mouth.

This is finally a good episode without Sophie.

Everyone was well used, and the writing was funny. Parker was great exchanging the bomb for the egg. Hardison was funny and smart, and Eliot was right on, from fighting to running the team at the end. Still think Jeri Ryan's best role for her was Seven of Nine, but she's growing on me.

Digressing... One show I miss more than I thought I would is LIE TO ME. When is that show coming back on?


TNT
Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2010
10:00 PM PST

WHITE COLLAR "Bad Judgement"

I liked a few things about this episode. Willie Garson was used a lot more. I liked how he and Tiffani Thiessen (Elizabeth) became friendly enough to call each other by shortened versions of their names, thereby causing Peter to be a little concerned.

But the story with the judge on the take was a little contrived and seemed too easy. I also had one of my biggest pet peeves happen... It's called continuity. When the ex-cop pays for the coffee in the diner, he puts down four dollars and seventy-six cents, which is what Neal said. But when they pan to the money, there's no penny in the mix. Neal even pushes it around so you can see what's under what. I HATE THAT! It's like an episode i saw of a show before I started doing this blog when a girl wasn't wearing her coat when you saw her talking but when the camera was facing the other person they cut to, which she was speak to, you could plainly see she had a coat on that she had previously taken off. Makes me crazy.

I know shows are filled with people and incredibly hard to make and put out each week, but that's why there is a person on the set responsible for continuity. Just get it together with bot the story and the obvious mistakes and maybe I'll be nicer later.


USA NETWORK
Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2010
10:00 PM PST

HUMAN TARGET "Embassy Row"

I really liked Jackie Earle Haley in this episode. When he walked away from the phone conversation before they could even ask him to go find out where they could have gotten poisoned, was funny. He never says more than what's necessary and must be pretty bad ass to scare people so easily.

I like Mark Valley and I like the idea of the show, but I'm scared they are trying to be too much of a moment in Die Hard to be a show telling me more about the characters and what their backgrounds are. But I guess that's the intended mystery of the show. Hopefully they will fill in more of the blanks as time goes on.


FOX
Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2010
9:00 PM PST

CASTLE "The Third Man"

See... That's what I'm talking about. Tonight, Alexis had more to do in this episode and their interaction was hysterical. I also laughed out loud when Beckett found out about the article in the paper saying that she and Castle could possibly be an item. I like how she got a little upset when he told her about bachelorette number three being interested in him. I hate when they take forever for the leads to learn to like each other. Maybe this will happen faster.

Then when Castle and Beckett are at the same location for dinner, they both keep talking about their case and can't seem to stay away from each other, converging in the lobby multiple times to discuss theories and talk to the guys at the office.

Esposito was particularly funny tonight also, when he was tempting Castle with showing the newspaper article.


ABC
Monday, Jan. 25, 2010
10:00 PM PST

EMMA "Part 1 of 3"

I'm a huge fan of Jane Austen. Although Persuasion is probably my favorite, Emma is a very close second. This version is nice because it's a little more involved than a two hour movie version would be. I am in anticipation of some of my favorite parts of the story which ill probably not air in this part.

I like the acting of Romola Garai and Johnny Lee Miller. Michael Gambon can read the newspaper and I would think he was good.

Jane Austen stories are the best to be translated to film or television. I'm looking forward to the other installments.


KCET
Sunday, Jan. 24, 2010
9:00 PM - 11:00 PM PST

NEW ADVENTURES OF OLD CHRISTINE "Truth or Dare"

This episode was really funny. I love Julia Louis-Dreyfus with Blair Underwood. I love how Christine takes anything from Mr. Harris because he's supposedly so hot. How her brother, ex-husband and even her new boyfriend think Mr. Harris is beautiful.

I loved Max's (Eric McCormack) response when Matthew shows him Mr. Harris' picture on the screensaver of his phone and tells Max that Mr. Harris broke up with Christine and she was devastated when it happened. My favorite line, "Once you go Mr. Harris, you never go back."

It was so funny when Wanda Sykes said Christine would do anything on a dare and they all sat around thinking he was a fool for letting her go on a date with Mr. Harris.

When this show is on, it's brilliant. My favorite was the episode when she thought she was going through Menopause. I swear I laughed so hard I cried. If my Tivo hadn't have broken, I would still have that episode to watch over and over again.


CBS
Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2010
8:00 PM PST

CHUCK "Chuck vs. Operation Awesome"

In my effort to watch things that I don't normally watch or expand my horizons in general, I've watched the last three episodes of CHUCK and am still not drawn in. I'm sure they've created the show this way on purpose, but everyone is so over the top except for Sarah. They are all like caricatures.

I'm giving the show one more episode, but if someone loves this show, please tell me what I'm missing.


NBC
Monday, Jan. 18, 2010
8:00 PM PST

WHITE COLLAR "Hard Sell"

I like this show a lot, despite the fact that I've never been a fan of Matthew Bomer. I've watched him since he was the Ben Reade, Fletcher Reade's adopted son on GUIDING LIGHTt, where he was a male prostitute after blowing his trust fund, then went crazy and kidnapped his ex-girlfriend only to commit suicide in front of her. Then he went to TRU CALLING, TRAVELER and CHUCK, which I've never seen him on. I believe I heard through the grapevine that he was in the running for SUPERMAN RETURNS which was equally as horribly played by BRANDON ROUTH, who funnily enough, is now on CHUCK in a recurring role.

Don't get me wrong, I think this show fits Matthew Bomber in a lot of ways, I just believe it's really good despite the fact that he's on it. I don't know, maybe he'll grow on me. I don't hate his acting, I just don't think there's anything about him that's spectacular. I don't find him sexy. I don't know if its the character or what, but he comes off a little asexual to me.

The best thing about this show is the writing. The lines are genius. I loved the lines in this episode, especially when Neal says "F.B.I.'s been watching Thunderball," when they give Neal a small oxygen unit that they fit into a cigar holder. Maybe it's because I'm a big James Bond fan, but I thought it was really funny.

I'm glad, it turns out, that Peter isn't working against Neal.


USA NETWORK
Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2010
10:00 PM PST

CASTLE "Sucker Punch"

I love this show. Castle tries to butch it up as Beckett suggests and he immediately chokes on a pickled egg. I had to watch it over and over again. The writers are brilliant in how they can take a serious situation and make it funny.

I've always been intrigued by Beckett's mother being murdered and her dramatic reaction to Castle trying to help her find the truth last season. They have gotten closer with this episode, but they guy who actually did the killing came across a bit young to me. They are also using much, much less of Susan Sullivan and Molly C. Quinn. I'm not sure I like that. I like them showing Castle's home life, his relationships with his mother and daughter. I mean, Molly didn't even have a line in this episode. She was seen and not heard.

I hope they go back using them a bit more in the future.


ABC
Monday, Jan. 18, 2010
10:00 PM PST

24 "Day 8: 6:00 PM-8:00 PM"

Okay, I don't mean to be critical, but what's with the way Mykelti Williamson's posture? Is that something he does on purpose or is he hunched over due to years of bad posture. It's distracting to me watching the character.

This episode moved quickly. We already know that the President's brother is involved. I like it when the series moves so quickly and diverts to other stories within one season.

Wow... I remember when Renee was all by the book and couldn't see the graying of the lines. She's now seeing all the colors of the spectrum and gone around the bend.

Anil Kapoor, from SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE, is doing a great job as President Omar Hassan. I can believe he's conflicted by his position and what he really wants in life. I also hope they explain why his wife is such a cold Bitch. The daughter seems to believe it's the mother's fault. I'm sure she's aware by now that he's having affairs, but what lead up to this?


FOX
Monday, Jan. 18, 2010
8:00 PM - 10:00 PM PST

24 "Day 8: 4:00 PM-6:00 PM"

I've said this before and I will say it again. Why is it that every CTU director thinks he knows more than Jack Bauer? How many situations has Jack Bauer been in where he's either saved the President or the United States from some threat that everyone else thought wasn't important, insignificant or just flat out wrong? It boggles my mind that the powers that be on this series don't figure out a better way for Jack to get involved. Maybe recruiting him because of something they can't handle, but just flat out not believing him is getting stale so quickly.

I liked the President last season. She made hard but smart decisions. This time around she's being stupid and at a very expensive risk. I know there's no bio chemical ready to be exposed on American soil, but this is just as important. When you are dealing with honesty, you have to be honest. And holding something so important back isn't being honest.

Why is it that CTU hasn't figured out a way to vet their employees well enough not to have major? There's always someone inside who has a wacky background or is part of the plot against the establishment.

Don't get me wrong, I love this show more than I could even tell you, but I hate it when shows treat the viewing public as if we are too dumb to get it and they have to fall back on the same little tricks to get us involved every season. Especially on a show like this.


FOX
Sunday, Jan. 17, 2010
9:00 PM - 11:00 PM PST

GOLDEN GLOBES

I don't generally watch awards shows because I think of them as popularity contests. It's like being in High School and the Jocks and the Cheerleaders are the people everyone will vote for because they are scared not to. But the Globe's I have a little interest in because it's voted on by the most judgmental group of all... The Hollywood Foreign press. Who said, those who can't do....?

I was happy to see that Mo'Nique won and was gracious and beautiful in her speech. I was happy to see that Michael C. Hall won for DEXTER. Long over due in my opinion. I used to be one of his agent and think he his one of the nicest and most sincere people you will ever meet. Excited for Glee, as it's one of my favorite shows on the air. Every week I'm amazed at the song selections, the talent of the actors, how much I enjoy every minute of the show and no matter how I'm feeling, my mood is lifted by watching it.

Everything else was okay. I don't care about the clothes (sacrilege as I'm a woman, I know), I think the price tag on the show could feed a small country or pay for school books or arts programs, teachers' salaries or anything else that's more important than rich people patting themselves on the back.

I'm sure my words will come back to bite me on day as I'm in this buisness, but in this case I don't care. I think we spend too much money glorifying celebrities when there are those who are in the trenches and/or risking their lives. I can only give it so much credence.

Congrats to those who won, now lets take care of those in Haiti, in America without jobs or anyone struggling in any way.


NBC
Sunday, Jan 17, 2010
5:00 PM - 8:00 PM live PST
8:00 PM - 11:00 PM PST (repeat)

HUMAN TARGET "Pilot"

Let me start by saying I've had a crush on Mark Valley since he was on ONCE AND AGAIN. Very sad that he went off and got married before meeting me, but I digress. I was excited to see him on FRINGE, then sad to see him go so quickly. I'm so excited that he has his own show.

The first five minutes I was screaming my head off at the television screen at how much I loved what I was seeing. Mark Valley is smart, funny, hot and hard hitting. LOVE IT, LOVE IT!

What more can you ask for? Cute guy, funny, smart and quick dialogue and lots of action, fighting and explosions. That's what I like to see.

Love Carmine the dog. so cute. I desperately want a dog. And aside from a Lab, the Rottweiler is my favorite dog. So expressive.

I also love the fact that Jackie Earle Haley is on the show. I am in my, so-called, second career later in life and I like that he's been able to have a second wind in this business. I believe it's never too late to do exactly what you want. You just have to keep going for it and he's had an incredible second life in this business.

Okay, who's friends with Danny Glover to get him to do the cameo at the end of the pilot? So much fun.

Can I say love any more?

FOX
Sunday, Jan. 17, 2010
8:00 PM PST

DOLLHOUSE "The Hollow Man"

I seriously don't know what to say. This show has gone from an elite prostitution ring to a corporate global conspiracy to the end of civilization in Terminator style.

I don't think anyone working on this series knew what this show was supposed to be about. As far as I can tell there's no cohesion at all. It's as schizophrenic as anything I've ever seen. I'm almost anticipating the finale for two reason: the craziness will be over and to see how far from the original episode the show can go.

Just crazy.


FOX
Friday, Jan. 15, 2010
9:00 PM PST

MEDIUM "Dear Dad"

The show has previously explored D.A. Devalos' family life and his daughter's suicide. But this episode was extremely poignant, finding out why his was so depressed and how her life had changed from one tragic event caused by someone with no moral compass. How years later that persons self righteousness leads him to believe that the suffering he endured was more important than the suffering he caused. I don't have children and couldn't imagine the idea that your child is in such despair that they can't tell you about it and the only way they see out of it is self inflicted death.

I loved it when she used the abilities of Allison's family to keep this person from hurting her father and finally getting her message to her mother. The idea that someone's love, even from the grave, could save you was powerful.

This show has done very well on this network and this time slot. It's just a shame that NBC can't reap the rewards of a really interesting and thoughtful show because they were more interested in the bottom line, which didn't even work. I guess if it had, they would have been laughing all the way to the bank. Instead they are probably going to ruin the lives and livelihoods of many people who moved their families from across the country.

But I digress and this isn't a forum to bash a network and their decisions. It's just, as usual, my opinion.


CBS
Friday, Jan. 15, 2010
9:00 PM PST

THE MENTALIST "Rose-Colored Glasses"

I have to say, I don't particularly care for the budding relationship between Van Pelt and Rigsby. I don't think it belongs in the show. But I guess we have to see how it evolves. Yes they are both good looking people, but that doesn't always lead to a workplace relationship.

When Jane caused the fight at the reunion, I was laughing. But I started crying when Cho was interrogating the guy from the lumber place. I love his dry acerbic whit. He barely ever cracks a smile and he can deliver a line.

I love how Jane (Simon Baker) has no filter of what's in his head to what comes out of his mouth. Usually makes me laugh at what he can get himself in to with other people and has no means of physically defending himself. But the character does know how to get serious when it comes to Red John.


CBS
Thursday, Jan. 14, 2010
10:00 PM PST

BONES "The X in the File"

This was a great comeback after the holidays episode. So many shows have failed me so far this week, but not this episode. A guy finds a dead body in the desert of Roswell, NM and believes it's an alien, which leads to all sort of cooky characters.

At the same time Angela and Wendell make their relationship known to Hodgins, who claims he's okay with it, but is he really? Is it about them or him?

One of the best characters was Sheriff Jerry Bonds in New Mexico, played by Ben Giroux, who was so good. Timing and cadence was great. He worked off of David Boreanaz and Emily Deschanel. He did the smart aleck thing really well.


FOX
Thursday, Jan. 14, 2010
8:00 PM PST

CRIMINAL MINDS "The Uncanny Valley"

Really good episode which hi-lighted Spencer's (Matthew Gray Gubler) abilities. His character had more levels of emotion. Don't get me wrong, I actually love his awkwardness, his social ineptitude. But I really liked this side of him. It wasn't overly emotional, but you could tell that what was happening to the mentally disturbed woman got to him.

I like how the character's mind works... very methodical.


CBS
Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2010
9:00 PM PST

LEVERAGE "The Runway"

I am usually head-over-heels for this show, but not tonight. I don't now if it's because Sophie (Gina Bellman) is gone, for all intensive purposes. I mean, those moments on the video aren't enough.

But this show was just boring. Not to minimize the very real problem with sweat shops and people using the foreign and disadvantaged for the own nefarious purposes. But the on going repartee was missing. Everyone seemed somber in their roles. there's usually more interaction with the others doing a lot of physical work. Elliot had one fight that was just so-so, Parker did nothing but walk the runway and fall off of it and Hardison didn't see the light of day. He was either in Nates apartment or in the van. BOOOOORRRRRIIIIINNNNNNG!

Jeri Ryan, I liked her when she was 7 of 9 and on the series, Shark. But this isn't the show for her.

I LUV this show and this episode wasn't even close to the quality I've come to expect. And I must say I was anticipating it's return with baited breath, which was obviously a waste of time.

All I can say is, if there was a writer, producer, show runner or someone who left that made this show what it was..... GET HIM/HER BACK! If it's not that, then shame on them for putting out such a boring episode to such a great show, especially on it's winter season return. If they had embedded it later in the season, maybe. For the return. Not good.

All I can say is, hasn't Gina had that kid yet. Hurry up and get back to the show. They need you.


TNT
Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2010
10:00 PM PST

CASTLE "A Rose for Everafter"

This episode opens with a bride-to-be (played by Alyssa Milano) finding one of her bridesmaid's dead stuffed into the armoire in her hotel room.

Cut too, Alexis taping Castle to a chair because he wants to get into the character of Nicky Heat and figure out how she would get out of the situation. Of course as soon as Alexis and her grandmother, Martha, leave the apartment Beckett calls.

While Beckett and her team start to investigate the murder, Castle uses the garbage foot peddle to yank the tape off of his mouth by catching a piece on the lid and lifting the top. So funny, I was laughing out loud.

This is the first time that the show has made it clear that they intend to show a romantic connection between Beckett and Castle.

I love the writing and the banter between Esposito and Ryan (played masterfully by Jon Huertas and Seamus Dever). The one thing I did miss in this episode was the familial interaction between Castle and Alexis. It was cute at the beginning of the episode, but she wasn't seen again for the remainder. Alyssa Milano an Nathan Fillion were great together, making me miss the days of Alyssa on television.

I've been anticipating the return of this series since before the holidays. I LOVE, LOVE LOVE, this show. This was probably the weakest of the shows so far, but I still Love it.


CBS
Monday, Jan. 11, 2010
10:00 PM PST

FRINGE "Unearthed"

Lisa, a high school junior, collapses during gym class and slips into a coma. Her mother decides to take her off life support. As the doctors are harvesting her organs, she wakes up on the table and starts shouting alpha numeric numbers that turn out to be the i.d. information for a petty officer, Andrew Rusk, and the launch codes for the missiles on an Navy aircraft carrier. The petty officer has been missing for several days. When they start asking Lisa questions, she starts speaking in Russian. Lisa can also see Rusk in reflections n the mirror.

Walter wants to test Lisa's brain. He believes there a possibility that an aneurism did something to her brain and caused her to have psychic abilities and somehow she's connected to Rusk. Lisa calls Olivia and tells her that she keeps seeing a junkyard and had to go there. Lisa tells them that Rusk was killed by someone and they find his body in the trunk of one of the cars in the junkyard.

Walter realizes that Rusk's memories and energies have moved into Lisa, which leads Olivia to believe that his illness has transfered to her also. Rusk had radiation poisoning which is why Lisa is having seizures.

Turns out that Rusk's wife had him killed. She told a guy at the bar where she works that he had been beating her. Rusk takes over Lisa's body and goes after his wife.

I'm extremely confused. Charlie (Kirk Acevedo) is in this episode. Is this an episode out of order? Wasn't he killed by the shapeshifter from the other dimension in the episode entitled "Momentum Deferred"? What is going on?

Although I love this show, this stand alone, out of context of the rest of the series is very odd. It's like it was a throw away episode.


FOX
Monday, Jan. 11, 2010
9:00 PM PST

HOUSE "The Down Low"

An undercover narcotics cop is taken to the hospital after passing out from a loud noise. He won't tell the team anything about himself in order to save the bust. The problem is, he's dying.

Thirteen, Taub and Chase make Foreman think that they are making more money than he is until the prank goes too far and they believe he's about to leave, only it was a prank on his end also. But not before they offer to have money taken out of their salary to pay for Foreman's raise.

Wilson likes a woman in their new building, but she thinks he and House are gay. House plays it up in order to screw with Wilson and sleep with the woman himself

This was a particularly good episode with the relationship between Ethan Embry and Nick Chinlund's characters. The Cop and the Drug dealer. They've grown close and are connected even though they believe completely different things. Ethan's dying scene was really well done.

The diverse plot lines in this show is what makes it so amazing, along with the superb action done by Hugh Laurie.


FOX
Monday, Jan. 11, 2010
8:00 PM PST

DEMONS "The Whole Enchilada"

Kids are being taken by Gilgamel, a demon under the guise of an angel feeding off the their innocence. When the first child goes missing, everyone thinks she was taken by a stranger or her parents did something to her, even though her six-year-old little sister keeps telling everyone one that she went off with an angel. Other children go missing and Luke has to find this demon, but is only able to do so using an ancient relic that gives off the scent of saints. When Ruby's mischievous little bother, Jamie, gets the scent on him and is taken, they all must go after Gilgamel before the children are lost forever.

This episode was a little better, but the background music blending into the dialogue is still a problem. There are just words I can't understand no matter how loud I turn up the television or how many times I rewind the moment to hear it again. It's just poor production value. And the action sequences remind me of old episodes of BeastMaster, and not as good.

Maybe one more episode and then it's going to be knocked off the series recording list. It must improve for me to waste my time. And I don't ask for much.


BBC AMERICA
Saturday, Jan. 9, 2010
6:00 PM PST

GHOST WHISPERER "Dead Air"

When Ned gets his own radio show on the college radio staton, Delia's not the only one who's unhappy with what he's doing. A ghost is attached to the show and causing havoc with Ned's life.

Really good episode about loving yourself and thinking positively instead of needing love from someone else to validate yourself and fearing worst all the time.

The scene where the bones on the table reanimate to show a fully formed (yet injured) man, banged up and looking like he's trying to get out of a trapped space was really cool. I haven't seen the show do anything like that before. Well done.


CBS
Friday, Jan. 8, 2010
8:00 PM PST

DOLLHOUSE "Getting Closer"

This show is so confusing, which has to be the reason it's nearing it's end.

In this episode, DeWitt has Paul kidnap Bennett in order to illicit her help in reconstruction Caroline's damaged wedge. Paul is back with a reconstructed memory, where his feelings for Echo/Caroline are missing. While kidnapping Bennett, Paul rescues Mellie, who's been wiped again by Rossum. Dr. Saunders has been staying with Boyd all this time, but comes back only to kill Bennett in front of Topher, it seems to keep her from finishing the reconstruction of Caroline's file. Dominick comes out of the attic in tact, when in a previous episode, they make it very clear that this is not something that anyone can do. Echo was able to do it because she's special and she had to help Victor and Sierra so they wouldn't die.

There are several things that cause pause and problems for me in this show. One; why is Dewitt helping them when, from the flashbacks, we can see that Caroline was the bane of her existence and she's the one who sent Caroline up to the head office in the first place.

Two; The selective memory that Bennett had about what Caroline did to her. We clearly see from, again the flashbacks, that Caroline allowed herself to be caught in order to save Bennett. But this is enough to want her to suffer and be in pain. Yes, she lost the use of her arm, but Caroline did tell her to get out. Tried to abort the mission. Didn't want to hurt innocent lives. The dynamic there is strange.

Three; Topher has been working at this facility for, God knows how long, and all of a sudden he has a conscience about what he's been doing... For Years!

Four; i always thought that there was something strange about Boyd's involvement in the Dollhouse. First he seems to be conflicted about what they do at the Dollhouse, then he's resigned to running the security side of things once Dominick has been placed in the attic, only to find out he's one of the two heads of Rossum.

Five; I've always disliked the idea that the Dolls in the House were pretty much used as sex slaves without their knowledge. It's like prostitution on a very high scale.

If the show had been about using one girl with an extraordinary mind to go on police missions, undercover, maybe like a mind melding, bionic, Alias types show, I may have responded better. But the ongoing sex for rich people turned me off early on. I was surprised it was picked up for a second season.

I seriously hope that they pull this all together to make sense, because it seems all over the map. More interesting than its humble beginnings at this point, but still strange. And although I'm a television addict, I would hate to think that I've wasted time watching something that ends with no real closure or no real message.

But hey, it's happened before.


FOX
Friday, Jan. 8, 2010
9:00 PM PST

COUGAR TOWN "Rhino Skin"

I was kind of excited to watch the first time reunion of Courtney Cox and Lisa Kudrow on television since FRIENDS. I was hoping it would be fantastic, but it was just okay. I've seen better episodes of this show, but I'm not overly thrilled by this series.

I have to say that one of the interestingly funny parts of the series in general is Barb, who pops up and is very much a cougar. I liked when she said in tonight's episode, that she would see Jules and Ellie when the she "emerges from her chrysalis."

I know the show or Courtney has been nominated for a Golden Globe, but I'm still not getting it.


ABC
Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2010
9:30 PM PST

MODERN FAMILY "Up All Night"

This episode was hysterical, especially when Phil starts suffering from a kidney stone and goes back and forth between saying he's fine and then acting like the world is ending from the pain. When he tells Luke he may need to know the pin numbers to everything because he may end up being the man of he house because he was all drugged up. All this from a kidney stone?

I also loved it when Jay said Manny's father, Javier (Benjamin Bratt) was using his remote control, like he could hear it from the upstairs bedroom. Javier, manipulating Jay was so funny with Gloria getting hysterical.

And I was laughing so hard, I was crying when Cameron's got Lily on his lap watching SCARFACE. Mitchell trying to get Cameron to let her cry through the night. The destruction of the house with Mitchell on Cameron's back and Lily is just screaming her heard off was beyond. I'm sure it happens between parents all the time, where one wants to raise the child more strictly than the other. The writers just pulled it off in a very entertaining way. At the end when Cameron eludes to calling the fireman to see the cute guys and and once Mitchell catches on he has to change his shirt. Just funny!

The show was so good tonight. I don't normally watch it, because I watch enough and there are only so many hours in the day. But I'm glad I caught this episode.


ABC
Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2010
9:00 PM PST

THE GOOD WIFE "Infamy"

I wish I had been blogging when this show first aired. I started watching thinking I would watch a few episodes, it would be a typical law show, then I would remove it from my DVR series recording option. I haven't done it yet and I'm not going to. The complexities of a wife in the public eye having deal with everyone knowing her business, going back to work after many years, adjusting to a different living space, dealing with the hierarchy in work-place issues, not being around for her children and not know what they are doing and what they are keeping from her. Most of the show deals with what many working women have to deal with, adding that her husband is in prison and was a prominent person in the community and losing all the friend she had before. Lots of levels of everyday life for many with the she upping the anti. I think its fabulously written.

In this episode, Alicia (played masterfully understated and immersive is Julianna Margulise) is asked to co-represent the wife of her husband's arch enemy, Childs (Titus Welliver), in their divorce. When Childs comes into Alicia's office telling her that it's her fault his wife is divorcing him, I couldn't believe it. Leave it to a narcissist, to thin that it's someone else's fault. And what is Alicia supposed to do, decline to represent the woman. For what reason? She's a paying customer. Because he's now the States Attorney? That means nothing. His marriage is subject to being as screwed up as anyone else's.

The one thing that I got a little excited about is when Childs mentions the packages that have been left at Alicia's home. One; he's going on and on about his family and his children. Did he not think leaving packages at the Florrick home may be inappropriate, where her teenage children could have access to them? She's at work all day, how does he know for sure she's getting them? Two; I know Zach and Grace are confused by what's happening in their lives, but as children, and yes they are children, they are involving themselves in adult situations. I know they think they are helping their mother, but they are just making things worse. Alicia knows nothing of the material that's been left at her home and her mother-in-law has thrown everything away in a previous episode. So there's no way she will ever see it unless it's left for her again.

When Alicia feels like she's being used as the hand holder to clients in the company, I could identify. I think many people feel they are pigeon hold in a company because they do something very well and their colleagues don't give them room to grow in other areas that may be interesting. It's a tough position to be in. You don't want to complain, but yet you want to be seen for more than what is easiest.

Great writing, great characters, great storylines, great acting. All around great!


CBS
Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2010
10 PM PST

DEMONS "They Bite"

I generally love BBC series. Some of my favorites have starred Robson Green, TOUCHING EVIL was one of the best as well as WIRE IN THE BLOOD. I'm a big fan of PRIMEVAL, although sad that Douglas Henshall decided to leave. But I do believe that Jason Flemyng is making it his own and with a bit of a funny action hero bent to it. Don't get me started on them changing the storyline midway through the first season and killing the budding romance between the two lead characters, but I digress.

In DEMONS, young Luke's world is thrown into chaos and adventure when his true identity is discovered by the "Inhuman's" or "Freaks," a different species that lives in the half-life. Luke discovers that he's the descendant of the Van Helsing line. He has abilities that most people don't, like heightened reflexes and extra strength. Luke's godfather, Rupert, shows up out of nowhere to tell him who he is and that its time for him to take up the fight. He has no choice since the freaks will be after him for what they think he may do. Luke blows Rupert off at first, not believing any of it because he's not ready for his life and plans to change. Once an inhuman arranges an attack and kidnaps Luke's friend Ruby, he takes up the fight, finding he enjoys it and has an affinity for it.

There's also Mina Harker, a blind, famous concert pianist and the descendant of Jonathan Harker, Van Helsing's assistant. She is the keeper of The Stacks, the Van Helsing Library, under the streets of London and full of writings on the inhuman's and weapons to fight them. She may not be able to see, but she has second sight. When she touches something she gets flashes of where people are, who they are and their intentions.

I like to give a show its time to make it or break it with me and I will give this one it's time, but I have to say I have two major issues with the show.

One: There's this constant mood music under the dialogue of the show. I know they use it to give the series weight and depth, but it's too much. So much that I can't understand half of the dialogue because the music is either too loud for the moment or they haven't filtered it properly so that the speaking voices and the music aren't on the same frequency. Sometimes the music and the speaking voices just meld together.

Two: Rupert talks about the inhuman's in almost religious terms. He says it's his and Luke's job to "smite" them. He also tells one of the freaks that he will turn over Ruby or "forever know his wrath." Is this a religious war? If so, then why wasn't this explained. If it's not a religious war, what's with the righteous dialogue. Rupert basically makes a blanket statement that all inhuman's are bad and must be killed. Why are they all bad? Is it genetic, is it in their nature, is it part of some natural order, why are they here, only for the purpose of being killed by this group? Too many variables in this.

There are other issues to the story and this episode specifically. Rupert goes in weapons blazing to save Ruby, not knowing how Ruby is being held or in what condition. The inhumans could have set it up where if one of them dies, Ruby would die. But no one seems to take that into consideration. It's as if he can kill them and know where to find her. I know Mina has abilities, but it's just too big of an assumption when it comes to someone's life. Rupert's also not very good at what he does. Twice he's thrown on his butt by one of them. I know he says in one bit, that's he's "getting too old for this," but he should be able to fight some. I mean, how has he survived all this time if he keeps getting knocked down. At the end of the show, Rupert gives Luke a phone and tells him to keep it with him at all times, but when Rupert gave Ruby his number, in case something happens, he left his in the car allowing her to be kidnapped by the freaks. I mean, COME ON! He just drops the girl off and doesn't walk her to her door after knowing that the inhuman's know who she is and that she's connected to Luke? No one thought that they could use her to get to him or follow her home?

Ruby is a barking mess. She whines, she complains and she has this mad crush on Luke where she is jealous of any other girl in his path, but is too self-conscious to say anything to him about it. That doesn't keep her from spitting venom towards any woman she thinks could be a threat. It makes no sense. If she can be territorial when another woman is around then tell the guy you like him and let the chips fall where they may. She's really nasty to Mina, using her blindness to made snide remarks.

The show needs to work on their special effects a bit. When Luke comes to Ruby's defense on the first attack by the inhuman's, the show tries for slow motion action fighting sequences, but it doesn't quite work. It seems as of Luke is very awkward in his movements. Something similar happens when the Inhuman who's kidnapped Ruby jumps from a height. The slow motion is a little off and he's wobbling in the air.

Then there's the corny dialogue that's supposed to be funny, like when Rupert tells Luke to "use The Force, Luke" when trying to open The Stacks using the watch and a series of rotating locks, which Luke seems to instinctively knows how they work. Sometimes corny is fun, but only if the rest of the show works.

I would have appreciated the show more if they had taken things a little slower and made a few more explanations, instead of just jumping in and not telling us the story. As I said before, I like to give a show it's due and I will give this one a few more episodes. I think I can already see the writing on the wall, though... FAIL


BBC America
Saturday, Jan. 2, 2010
7:00 PM PST

I LUV ANIME

I'm currently in watching BLEACH, which I have to admit, took me a while to get in to. I actually started watching it on Adult Swim (Cartoon Network), I believe, in the second season. I ended up catching up with reruns that they, thankfully, ran at the end of the second season so I caught up pretty quickly. I love Ichigo's transformation over time. He went from being a soft hearted kid who could see spirits and was a little awkward, to being a complete warrior and defender of his friends. My only complaint is that the seasons are short and the episodes aren't long.

There are so many that i've loved, but I am only going to list some of my favorites here:

This is my all-time favorite, EXO-SQUAD. I remember it from the early 90's when I first started watching sci-fi fantasy cartoons. This is considered a cartoon and not anime, because it was done in America for American television. But it was done in early anime style. The story was similar in theme to the 80's mini series and current readapted series V. Neosapiens, genetically engineered to be a slave race on their planet, arrive on Earth to to try to take over and make it their home with humans as the slaves. A a small group of humans and Neospaiens fight using Exo Suits that they control by being jacked in to the suits at the base of the skull. Think, people jacked inside Transformer robots.

My next favorite is the short lived WOLF'S RAIN, but full series, about wolves, who have survived the apocalypse and have developed the ability to telepathically make human's believe they are human as well. But one wolf doesn't want this for their lives. He wants to live as he was and believes they shouldn't be among the humans in society.

Beautiful to watch and poetic in a lot of ways.

When FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST ended, I was sad. I thought it was great writing, great adventure and the brotherly dedication between Edward and Alphonse was special to the story. I loved the mix between old and new, making the show very steampunk. It was fun when the series took them to an alternate reality where there was no sorcery and magic. They were able to see how they would grow like regular boys. How their lives could be versus how it was.

MOBILE SUIT: GUNDAM SEED is probably the most full sweeping of the anime series that I like. It show's how economics, bigotry and one act of violence can throw an entire planet and it's people into turmoil. The Naturals are basically afraid and a little jealous of the Coordinators, genetically enhanced and selected before birth. Causing a full out war when The Naturals believe the Coordinators are going to take over. My only problem with this series is that it ended on television before the series ended and the complete sequel is hard to get on DVD. I've yet to be able to see the full story.

This is the series based on the Anime film BLOOD: THE LAST VAMPIRE, where Saya has come out of hibernation after many years. She is being raised by a man with his two adopted sons. She has no memory of who or what she is until she's attached, at school, by a shape shifting chiropteran. Her surrogate father is later killed and she and her adoptive brothers are taken in and trained by her previous handlers while she slowly tries to recover her memories. Great action, great music and really cool story. I highly recommend watching the original animated film, the series and even the live action version of the animated film.

There are many other anime series I could recommend, and may in the future, but these are my favorites.