Mid-Season Review: 2008-09 Television
A few years back, I used to do an episode-by-episode review of every show I watched. That got really old, really fast. Then one year, I did a full season review of each show once the season was over. I didn't mind doing that, but wasn't able to do it for the last television season (which was ultimately soured by the Writer's Strike). So let's try a mid-season review/reaction to the shows I'm watching now and see how that goes. Everything behind an LJ cut because I don't want to accidentally spoil someone.
Terminator: The Sarah Conner Chronicles: Season Two
I'll be honest: T:SCC isn't the same kind of quality show that Lost or BSG is. But it's got a really solid cast, which helps make up for the uneven and sometimes clunky storytelling.
One thing I like about this show is that it takes the premise of the movies, the whole time-traveling aspect, and really fucks with it. As well it should: any time time travel is part of a plot, you've got a lot of questions, and in the Terminator universe, it makes sense that John Conner isn't the only target. People and Terminators are going to be sent back to stop and/or ensure the future, to go after other important people. Some people criticize the show for straying from the basic premise of PROTECT JOHN CONNER, but let's face it, there's got to be more to it than that for a television show, and I think T:SCC does a pretty good job of exploring all the possibilities this universe has to offer.
The good:
1) while I absolutely despise her black eyeliner, Caroline Weaver's liquid terminator is a great addition to the cast. She's an enigma to the storyline, and I'm not convinced she's on anyone's side but her own. I can't wait until Sarah and Co. meet up with this woman.
2) Jesse. Oh, let me be honest: I can't stand her. But I love that actress, because she has such a wonderful way of truly inhabiting her characters and she plays unlikable characters so humanly you can't help but admire her. I wasn't convinced of her being with Derek, but now I'm really looking forward to all of her secrets coming out, and I really can't wait to see what happens when she meets Sarah and John face-to-face.
3) Flash forwards that are really flashbacks: sure, Lost is the master at this, but T:SCC's use of it is really fascinating and adds a wonderful depth to the characters I already enjoy/am curious about. Namely Derek, who remains one of my favorite characters in the show. The other favorite is Cameron, and I love what Summer Glau is doing with her.
The bad:
1) Riley, Riley, Riley. You'd think that when they revealed that Jesse pretty much hired her to distract John, I'd be interested. But no. There's just something I really hate about that character and that role, and frankly, I hope she's dead. I don't see what possible interesting element she can add to the plot, because while the show's trying really hard to make it look like Riley's supposed to keep John away from Cameron, I know better: Jesse refers to Cameron as IT, but Riley is supposed to protect John from HER. What other woman in John's life is there besides Sarah? That's a fantastic plot, but frankly, I don't need Riley around to enjoy it. Let Jesse and Sarah go at it.
The show's moving to the 8pm slot on Friday's starting January 13th, which isn't all that horrible. I personally don't have any faith that the shows that premiered last season will last longer than a second season, but I wouldn't mind being proven wrong. Friday's might be a death slot, but I think the show's got a better chance there of surviving than it does on Monday nights. We'll see. I won't be heart-broken if the show's canceled, but I do hope they have enough notice to wrap it up somewhat properly.
Fringe: Season One
I'm still not convinced this show can or should make it. It's done well, don't get me wrong. It looks good and it definitely entertains and keeps you watching, but it lacks the magic spark that was so immediately apparent in J.J. Abrams's other SF-related dramas, Alias and Lost. The best part about this show are the characters of Walter and Peter Bishop. Their banter with each other is just beyond enjoyable, and Walter alone is enough to keep watching. Once in a while his randomosity doesn't really fit, but most of the time, he's a delight.
It's Olivia who's so hard to warm up to, though the show's done a good job showing us why she's so cold. I like too that she's a driven, focused career woman who doesn't depend on men to define her, though she's in a guy-driven line of work. I really liked her in "Safe" where we got to see her relax a little, and when she relaxes, the chemistry between her and Peter is really enjoyable. However, she's got a shit-load of issues to work through, so it'll be interesting to watch her grow.
In terms of the content though, it is what it is. Obviously, the science is silly or crazy or just plain science-fictional, but the show, thanks to Walter and Peter's characters, doesn't take itself TOO seriously. And at least the science makes sense in the context of the show. You know the stuff's not possible, but they treat it as realistically as possible while making fun of it at the same time. That's fun. I'm more worried about the bigger picture. I don't mind that the episodes have been stand-alone, but for a while, half of the episodes followed the formula of "Weird shit relates to project Walter used to work on and in order to solve the case they go to Massive Dynamic for help" and that was pretty boringly predictable. They got a little bit away from that, which I appreciate, but I can't reconcile the idea that the bigger picture is called "The Pattern" rather than something more descriptive, because let's face it, save for the pattern of the episodes, nothing about the strange happenings even remotely resembles a recognizable pattern. Or maybe it's just too obvious for me to recognize what it is. At any rate, I'll keep watching this season and see what happens. I'm a little worried about this fascination Mr. Jones has with Olivia--I hope it truly relates to the plot and just isn't your typical stalker-esque obsession we usually see in television.
Pushing Daisies: Season Two
How pissed am I that this show's been canceled? SO PISSED. Forget the fact it's funny, intelligent, and beautiful to watch. ABC supported the HELL out of this show during its first season before the writer's strike. It got stuck in hiatus after the strike, and then for whatever reason ABC saw fit to throw money at all their OTHER shows rather than reminding viewers of what a beautiful jewel Pushing Daisies really is. I kid you not: I swear I never saw a single promo for this show this entire fall season, and that's just criminal. I know this show is hit or miss with people, and I respect that. But at LEAST let those people who WANT to watch it or MIGHT be interested KNOW the show is AVAILABLE. Nothing against Grey's Anatomy, but despite its declining ratings, the fans know the show is there. Not so much with Pushing Daisies.
The premiere for the second season was a little stinky, just because fifteen minutes were spent recapping the first season, but aside from that, the show's been a delight. Every episode has been crazy and fun, and the characters never fail to disappoint. The current arc with Ned's and Chuck's fathers has been fantastic, because you get so involved in the emotional elements of the story that it kills you to see anyone try to pull Ned and Chuck apart. Great stuff. There's three episodes left that ABC may or may not air, but rest assured, I'll get the complete series dvds once they're available. Bryan Fuller has commented that he wants to continue the series in comic book form, but I can't say I'm all that thrilled with that idea. What makes this show so beautiful are the elements that come only from having a TELEVISION SHOW, not still panels in a comic. I might give the comic a chance, but frankly, it shouldn't have ever come to this point.
I blame three groups of people for the demise of this show: 1) the would-be viewers who couldn't be bothered because they couldn't fathom how the show could keep up such a seemingly short-lived premise and therefore never gave the show a chance; 2) the writer's strike, BOTH SIDES, and 3) the network, for not bringing the show back after the strike and for not promoting it properly once the fall season started.
Boo.
My Name is Earl: Season Four
It's recovered from Season Three, so that's a good thing. The bad thing is that it's become a show I do other things while watching, which means it doesn't have my full attention. Don't get me wrong, it's gone back to its roots and that's just delightful. But it doesn't entertain like it used to, and I think that's just the nature of the beast. It's a show that if there's ever a conflict with something I love, I won't mind dropping.
Still watching it in the meantime though, so at least it hasn't chased me away.
The Office: Season Five
I've been enjoying the hell out of this season. There's been so much to love between the crazy love triangle between Dwight, Angela, and Andy, and then there was the absolute pure delight of Holly and Michael, which ended far too soon and too abruptly, thanks to Amy Ryan's short-lived contract. How much do I want Holly back on the show? SO MUCH. She and Michael were the new Pam and Jim, so I hope that one day, they bring that character back.
As far as Pam and Jim goes, it hasn't been a great storyline for them, but it's been realistic. The proposal was just tear-jerking, and Pam's art school sub-plot brought to light some very human moments: Jim facing his own insecurities over her being gone, and Pam facing the choice between her dreams and her future with Jim. Her failing that one class was rather random and awkward, but she's back and that's a good thing. It's cute to see her and Jim as a couple in the office. No, there's not DRAMA, but it's not boring either. If there's one thing the show gets right is keeping the characters true to themselves. Each character on the show acts accordingly, which means that the drama isn't manufactured, but rather its very natural. If the show broke up Pam and Jim in a natural way, I wouldn't mind even if it broke my heart. But I doubt that's going to happen, and there's so much else to enjoy right now that there's no need to manufacture drama where there doesn't need to be any.
Eleventh Hour: Season One
I'm still watching this, but it's not a show that's anything special. I don't look forward to it during the week, and most of the time I forget about it until Thursday when my NBC shows start. I love Rufus Sewell, but I'm going to forget about this show one day, and I won't be sad or sorry if I miss an episode. It's pretty average, and what it really needs is a keener eye on its stories. The science behind this show, unlike Fringe seems a little more plausible, but what keeps this show from being fascinating is that it relies on mad-scientist cliches, and so it takes the enjoyment out of solving the mystery right out of the whole show. At first, the show led the viewer into thinking one thing and then managed enough of a misdirection to surprise us, but now, not so much. The best episode was the third one, "Agro" but since then, it's been average.
As far as characters go, you already know I like Rufus Sewell. Marley Shelton as Rachel Young is good, I like her character well enough, but she just seems too young for her role. I look at her face and see her more into a high-school/teen drama before I see her in something like this, but that's a personal thing I guess. The show's been extended to eighteen episodes which I'll most likely catch, but I'll be surprised if it makes a second season.
January brings back Lost, Battlestar Galactica, and Scrubs. We're going to have to tape Scrubs because it conflicts with Fringe, but I'm still looking forward to what January's bringing us. The final episodes for BSG and final season of Scrubs, and of course, Lost continues to be a mind-boggling treat. There's lots to look forward to, unless of course the SAG strike happens, and if that does happen, I have a bad feeling that's going to be a serious blow for television. Shows took a serious hit due to the first strike, and to have another so soon, well, it won't be pretty.
Terminator: The Sarah Conner Chronicles: Season Two
I'll be honest: T:SCC isn't the same kind of quality show that Lost or BSG is. But it's got a really solid cast, which helps make up for the uneven and sometimes clunky storytelling.
One thing I like about this show is that it takes the premise of the movies, the whole time-traveling aspect, and really fucks with it. As well it should: any time time travel is part of a plot, you've got a lot of questions, and in the Terminator universe, it makes sense that John Conner isn't the only target. People and Terminators are going to be sent back to stop and/or ensure the future, to go after other important people. Some people criticize the show for straying from the basic premise of PROTECT JOHN CONNER, but let's face it, there's got to be more to it than that for a television show, and I think T:SCC does a pretty good job of exploring all the possibilities this universe has to offer.
The good:
1) while I absolutely despise her black eyeliner, Caroline Weaver's liquid terminator is a great addition to the cast. She's an enigma to the storyline, and I'm not convinced she's on anyone's side but her own. I can't wait until Sarah and Co. meet up with this woman.
2) Jesse. Oh, let me be honest: I can't stand her. But I love that actress, because she has such a wonderful way of truly inhabiting her characters and she plays unlikable characters so humanly you can't help but admire her. I wasn't convinced of her being with Derek, but now I'm really looking forward to all of her secrets coming out, and I really can't wait to see what happens when she meets Sarah and John face-to-face.
3) Flash forwards that are really flashbacks: sure, Lost is the master at this, but T:SCC's use of it is really fascinating and adds a wonderful depth to the characters I already enjoy/am curious about. Namely Derek, who remains one of my favorite characters in the show. The other favorite is Cameron, and I love what Summer Glau is doing with her.
The bad:
1) Riley, Riley, Riley. You'd think that when they revealed that Jesse pretty much hired her to distract John, I'd be interested. But no. There's just something I really hate about that character and that role, and frankly, I hope she's dead. I don't see what possible interesting element she can add to the plot, because while the show's trying really hard to make it look like Riley's supposed to keep John away from Cameron, I know better: Jesse refers to Cameron as IT, but Riley is supposed to protect John from HER. What other woman in John's life is there besides Sarah? That's a fantastic plot, but frankly, I don't need Riley around to enjoy it. Let Jesse and Sarah go at it.
The show's moving to the 8pm slot on Friday's starting January 13th, which isn't all that horrible. I personally don't have any faith that the shows that premiered last season will last longer than a second season, but I wouldn't mind being proven wrong. Friday's might be a death slot, but I think the show's got a better chance there of surviving than it does on Monday nights. We'll see. I won't be heart-broken if the show's canceled, but I do hope they have enough notice to wrap it up somewhat properly.
Fringe: Season One
I'm still not convinced this show can or should make it. It's done well, don't get me wrong. It looks good and it definitely entertains and keeps you watching, but it lacks the magic spark that was so immediately apparent in J.J. Abrams's other SF-related dramas, Alias and Lost. The best part about this show are the characters of Walter and Peter Bishop. Their banter with each other is just beyond enjoyable, and Walter alone is enough to keep watching. Once in a while his randomosity doesn't really fit, but most of the time, he's a delight.
It's Olivia who's so hard to warm up to, though the show's done a good job showing us why she's so cold. I like too that she's a driven, focused career woman who doesn't depend on men to define her, though she's in a guy-driven line of work. I really liked her in "Safe" where we got to see her relax a little, and when she relaxes, the chemistry between her and Peter is really enjoyable. However, she's got a shit-load of issues to work through, so it'll be interesting to watch her grow.
In terms of the content though, it is what it is. Obviously, the science is silly or crazy or just plain science-fictional, but the show, thanks to Walter and Peter's characters, doesn't take itself TOO seriously. And at least the science makes sense in the context of the show. You know the stuff's not possible, but they treat it as realistically as possible while making fun of it at the same time. That's fun. I'm more worried about the bigger picture. I don't mind that the episodes have been stand-alone, but for a while, half of the episodes followed the formula of "Weird shit relates to project Walter used to work on and in order to solve the case they go to Massive Dynamic for help" and that was pretty boringly predictable. They got a little bit away from that, which I appreciate, but I can't reconcile the idea that the bigger picture is called "The Pattern" rather than something more descriptive, because let's face it, save for the pattern of the episodes, nothing about the strange happenings even remotely resembles a recognizable pattern. Or maybe it's just too obvious for me to recognize what it is. At any rate, I'll keep watching this season and see what happens. I'm a little worried about this fascination Mr. Jones has with Olivia--I hope it truly relates to the plot and just isn't your typical stalker-esque obsession we usually see in television.
Pushing Daisies: Season Two
How pissed am I that this show's been canceled? SO PISSED. Forget the fact it's funny, intelligent, and beautiful to watch. ABC supported the HELL out of this show during its first season before the writer's strike. It got stuck in hiatus after the strike, and then for whatever reason ABC saw fit to throw money at all their OTHER shows rather than reminding viewers of what a beautiful jewel Pushing Daisies really is. I kid you not: I swear I never saw a single promo for this show this entire fall season, and that's just criminal. I know this show is hit or miss with people, and I respect that. But at LEAST let those people who WANT to watch it or MIGHT be interested KNOW the show is AVAILABLE. Nothing against Grey's Anatomy, but despite its declining ratings, the fans know the show is there. Not so much with Pushing Daisies.
The premiere for the second season was a little stinky, just because fifteen minutes were spent recapping the first season, but aside from that, the show's been a delight. Every episode has been crazy and fun, and the characters never fail to disappoint. The current arc with Ned's and Chuck's fathers has been fantastic, because you get so involved in the emotional elements of the story that it kills you to see anyone try to pull Ned and Chuck apart. Great stuff. There's three episodes left that ABC may or may not air, but rest assured, I'll get the complete series dvds once they're available. Bryan Fuller has commented that he wants to continue the series in comic book form, but I can't say I'm all that thrilled with that idea. What makes this show so beautiful are the elements that come only from having a TELEVISION SHOW, not still panels in a comic. I might give the comic a chance, but frankly, it shouldn't have ever come to this point.
I blame three groups of people for the demise of this show: 1) the would-be viewers who couldn't be bothered because they couldn't fathom how the show could keep up such a seemingly short-lived premise and therefore never gave the show a chance; 2) the writer's strike, BOTH SIDES, and 3) the network, for not bringing the show back after the strike and for not promoting it properly once the fall season started.
Boo.
My Name is Earl: Season Four
It's recovered from Season Three, so that's a good thing. The bad thing is that it's become a show I do other things while watching, which means it doesn't have my full attention. Don't get me wrong, it's gone back to its roots and that's just delightful. But it doesn't entertain like it used to, and I think that's just the nature of the beast. It's a show that if there's ever a conflict with something I love, I won't mind dropping.
Still watching it in the meantime though, so at least it hasn't chased me away.
The Office: Season Five
I've been enjoying the hell out of this season. There's been so much to love between the crazy love triangle between Dwight, Angela, and Andy, and then there was the absolute pure delight of Holly and Michael, which ended far too soon and too abruptly, thanks to Amy Ryan's short-lived contract. How much do I want Holly back on the show? SO MUCH. She and Michael were the new Pam and Jim, so I hope that one day, they bring that character back.
As far as Pam and Jim goes, it hasn't been a great storyline for them, but it's been realistic. The proposal was just tear-jerking, and Pam's art school sub-plot brought to light some very human moments: Jim facing his own insecurities over her being gone, and Pam facing the choice between her dreams and her future with Jim. Her failing that one class was rather random and awkward, but she's back and that's a good thing. It's cute to see her and Jim as a couple in the office. No, there's not DRAMA, but it's not boring either. If there's one thing the show gets right is keeping the characters true to themselves. Each character on the show acts accordingly, which means that the drama isn't manufactured, but rather its very natural. If the show broke up Pam and Jim in a natural way, I wouldn't mind even if it broke my heart. But I doubt that's going to happen, and there's so much else to enjoy right now that there's no need to manufacture drama where there doesn't need to be any.
Eleventh Hour: Season One
I'm still watching this, but it's not a show that's anything special. I don't look forward to it during the week, and most of the time I forget about it until Thursday when my NBC shows start. I love Rufus Sewell, but I'm going to forget about this show one day, and I won't be sad or sorry if I miss an episode. It's pretty average, and what it really needs is a keener eye on its stories. The science behind this show, unlike Fringe seems a little more plausible, but what keeps this show from being fascinating is that it relies on mad-scientist cliches, and so it takes the enjoyment out of solving the mystery right out of the whole show. At first, the show led the viewer into thinking one thing and then managed enough of a misdirection to surprise us, but now, not so much. The best episode was the third one, "Agro" but since then, it's been average.
As far as characters go, you already know I like Rufus Sewell. Marley Shelton as Rachel Young is good, I like her character well enough, but she just seems too young for her role. I look at her face and see her more into a high-school/teen drama before I see her in something like this, but that's a personal thing I guess. The show's been extended to eighteen episodes which I'll most likely catch, but I'll be surprised if it makes a second season.
January brings back Lost, Battlestar Galactica, and Scrubs. We're going to have to tape Scrubs because it conflicts with Fringe, but I'm still looking forward to what January's bringing us. The final episodes for BSG and final season of Scrubs, and of course, Lost continues to be a mind-boggling treat. There's lots to look forward to, unless of course the SAG strike happens, and if that does happen, I have a bad feeling that's going to be a serious blow for television. Shows took a serious hit due to the first strike, and to have another so soon, well, it won't be pretty.