TV Recap: You dance like you’re trying to escape angry villagers.
The Event (s01ep04): A Matter of Life and Death
★★★
The White House’s only hope for stopping a threat rests on breaking Sophia during interrogation. A White House-connected businessman (Hal Holbrook) with knowledge of classified intelligence emerges from the shadows.
No Ordinary Family (s01e03): No Ordinary Ring
★★
The theft of Stephanie’s ring at a ritzy affair puts Jim and George on the trail of felonious wedding crashers.
Life Unexpected (s02ep05): Music Faced
★★★
Ryan hosts a music festival where Cate meets Haley James Scott (Bethany Joy Galeotti of “One Tree Hill”), and the two women bond over their similar pasts.
Glee (s02ep04): Duets
★★★★
Rachel and Finn decide to throw a duet competition to give Sam (Chord Overstreet) a better chance to win.
Stargate Universe (s02e03): Awakening
★★★
Destiny docks with a similar ship that is identified as a seeder of stargates. Lt. Scott boards the vessel with a team and finds that it may have enough power to open a stargate back to Earth.
Caprica (s01ep11): Retribution
★★★
Lacy botches an operation launched by Barnabas, and the Adama brothers begin a campaign of coercion against Daniel’s former colleagues while Amanda tries to cope with her losses.
Fringe (s03e04): Do Shapeshifters Dream of Electric Sheep
★★★
Newton requires the services of a sleeping shape-shifter in response to a potentially dangerous situation that involves an important official. Meanwhile, an investigation at Massive Dynamic puts Walter in jeopardy and Olivia on high alert.
Caps coming soon.
The Event (s01ep04): A Matter of Life and Death
Sean: It’s amazing how many people still don’t password protect their wi-fi.
Everyone thought this show would be the new Lost, but I’m finding that it feels like the new 24. There’s an ongoing mystery, political intrigue, people being held captive, and even the tone and such remind me of first season of 24. Just not as good, of course.
I’m starting to like Sean more these days, even though I still think he’s like a Mary Sue. I get that he’s portrayed as an everyman, but how many times has he escaped death now? And now he’s able to hack into anywhere, too? Should it really have been this easy for him to get information on Vicki?
He does have an intriguing backstory though with his messed up family life and absentee parents. It makes me wonder even more why they’ve focused so much on how he met Leila and their relationship was built. Did they choose him because he had no family? Something suspicous is going on.
Blake: As we discussed, you’re not running the investigation into the assassination attempt-I am.
Jarvis: And you know how I feel about that.
Blake: Oh, yes, I remember your insinuation quite clearly. And i chose not to be offended by it.
Jarvis: That’s all you have to say?
Blake: The President and I have our differences. But the idea of me having anything to do with trying to kill him… is absurd. If only because that would put you in charge.
I still haven’t decided if Blake Sterling is a good or a bad guy, but at the least he’s an awesome HBIC. The guy gets things done and with attitude. He doesn’t take crap from anyone.
President Martinez is also a favorite of mine. Even though he’s out of his league with this whole ‘event’, I feel he has the confidence to get through it all. Pretty scary to find out someone was close enough to plant a phone in your kid’s backpack.
Sophia: Oh, that’s amazing. A refugee comes to this country, pregnant, poor, alone, and a generation later, her son is the President. This is why your country is truly great.
Martinez: I couldn’t agree more.
Christina: Um-hmm.
Sophia: So you understand why I am hopeful that you will welcome my people the way that this country welcomed yours. My dream is that one day my people will sit around a table like this and tell their immigration stories, and it will seem no more strange than a tale of a fishing boat from Cuba.
Sophia has been pretty creepy lately. And the flashback to President Martinez and hs wife discussin their parents emigration from Cuba, then Sophia likening it to the detainees emigrating to our country was an interesting comparison for the writers to take.
I praised the first two episodes or so, but now they’re taking taking one step forward and two steps back. It’s getting tiring to see them kill the people on the plane, bring them back to life, and now put them in danger again.
Or they need Sean, but they can’t get to him. Or they have powers, but can’t get the detainees out. Also, I want more character development, and less plot. Make us care for these characters like the shows 24, Lost, etc. did before you.
No Ordinary Family (s01e03): No Ordinary Ring
George: Now I see why you can’t land worth a damn. You dance like you’re trying to escape angry villagers.
I know Greg Berlanti’s capable of more drama, but much like ABCs other show Undercovers, they’re taking things too lighthearted. I want to see more action, and the stakes raised.
And maybe not so many plot holes like Jim forgetting his daughter can read minds, or Daphne not realizing she’s reading someone’s mind. I still think the show is having growing pains, but I’m confident it will find its place.
Stephanie: Jim, I love this ring.
Jim: When I bought it for you, I was an artist barely getting by. The only ring I could afford was the smallest, ugliest ring in the store.
Stephanie: It’s not ugly.
Jim: When I got down on my knee and I proposed, you looked at it and you said, “That’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.” And I knew-I knew right then I had the right girl. And every time I see it on your finger, I know you love me for who I am. And I love you for the beauty you see in ordinary things.
Jim and Stephanie again take opposite sides of the superpowers debate like they did last week. Not much progress on that end. What I find interesting this week is no matter how much Stephanie opposes and Jim says he won’t use them, circumstances happen and they both choose to use their powers anyway.
Stephanie needs to replace a fake blood sample from Katie for one of her own. Jim needs to get Stephanie’s ring back after they were robbed at a wedding. One of my favorite ideas of the episode is the powers seem to be here to stay, and they can’t help but use them.
Daphne: I’m tired of being the only one who has to keep secrets around here. You can stop bullets dad, try stopping me.”
Another thing I liked was Daphne’s conflict on whether she could/should tell her friend about her powers. Even though I thought the situation with Daphne’s friend was contrived, Daphne mistaking a thought for a voice, the resulting feud of everyone lying and her having to keep the truth was interesting.
I’m glad Daphne realized she can’t really confide in a 16 year old friend. But her struggle with this friend and her realization she’s not normal or fits in anymore was heartbreaking. This storyline was probably my favorite this episode.
JJ: Two-thirds…or 66.6 repeated…or whatever.
JJ was again mostly comic relief, but he’s also still lying to everyone but Daphne about his own powers. I wonder how long it’ll be before his parents realize he must have a power, too. For now though it’s quite amusing that he can learn to be Jewish in one night.
Life Unexpected (s02ep05): Music Faced
Eric: Choosing a guy like Jones is breaking the circle, and if you’re not choosing him it means that for some reason you’re not ready to break it but if you are then pick someone that doesn’t have to reject you.
I can’t believe Lux though to ask Mr. Daniels out to the music festival. And I’m surprised no one noticed all the looks she kept giving him. Also, I think it’s a writing cop out that they make him think Lux only likes him because he’s unavailable. Way to destroy all the development the two have had since the premiere. Also, why does everyone keep going out with Paige?
I do like Tasha being in town now. It’s interesting to see the contrast between her and Lux with their lives. I think her and Jones are cute together. Plus, Lux needs to realize she can’t have everything. She let Jones go and now she wants to be upset he likes Tasha? Too bad.
Ryan: I cannot be married to you if I can’t trust you.
Cate also has a problem of wanting things both ways. She’s with Ryan, but clearly upset at the end that Baze is now in love with someone else. I’m glad her mom helped her realize her real fear in having another child had to do with Lux more than anything else. Maybe now she can fix her relationship with Ryan. Though I also think she also doesn’t want to have a kid because she still has feelings for Baze. That’s another story.
Emma: Okay, say you could conjure up your ideal woman from scratch, who would she be?
Baze: Hmmm…
Emma: You know what? Let me guess- pint-sized, big eyes, looks like that chick from Roswell.
Baze: Huh.
The writers backed themselves into a corner by Cate marrying Ryan. So, now that leaves Baze to either pine over her or get over her. I like the idea of Baze finally deciding to move on, I’m just not sure I like this love interest I see going on with Emma.
Haley: No, no, I’m sorry. What I’m trying to say is that I understand that moms can be tricky, even under the best of circumstances. I adored my mom, but I never quite felt like I could live up to who she was.
Cate: All I really wanted was to be better than my mom was.
Haley: Maybe that’s all she ever wanted for you, too.
There are certain scenes in this show I love to pieces. The fight between Cate and her mom was one of them. There’s a lot of insight into their characters and their history. Just like her father last season, Cate can finally get past her mother’s mistakes now. It’s very true that even though she wasn’t the best mother, at least she stayed and raised her.
Glee (s02ep04): Duets
Finn: Wow Rachel, I’ve never seen you like this. Kinda impressed.
Rachel: Well, like I said, you inspired me.
Finn and Rachel were the cutest as they conspired on how to get Sam to win the duet competition, so he wouldn’t leave Glee club. Again, they’re my favorite part of the episode. Finn’s the only one who knows her well enough to call her on her shit.
Sam: So, I put lemon juice on my hair. I would’ve gotten away with it if it hadn’t been for Kurt and his sixth sense.
Quinn: I think it looks cute.
My second favorite couple is now Sam and Quinn. Yes, I’ve fallen for them in one episode, but him teaching her to play guitar was so sweet. I know Quinn has basically had a relationship with a couple of guys in Glee club, but I don’t think that means she can’t now have one with Sam. I think she’s grown a lot since having the baby last year, and she’s now in a position to have a healthy relationship.
Kurt: He’s on Team Gay. No straight boy dyes his hair to look like Linda Evangelista, circa 1993.
Mercedes: You’re crazy, circa 2010.
I hope Kurt gets a love interest soon, so maybe he’ll stop going after every male around. He should have the freedom to express himself as anyone straight does, but at the same time he’s overstepping his boundaries.
Artie: I know that sex doesn’t mean anything to you, but did you ever think how much it means to me? After my accident, we didn’t know if I’d ever be able to even do that. And when I found out that I could, it seem like some kind of miracle and you just walked all over that. You’re not my partner anymore, I told Mr. Schue I’m pulling out of the duet competition.
Brittany: Artie, I didn’t know. I’m so sorry.
Is it weird to anyone else how both Finn and Artie slept with people other than the one they really want to be with? I don’t see how Artie can blame Brittany for sleeping with him, when he’s the one who slept with her after only a day or two of going out. Did he really expect her to have feelings for him in that amount of time?
Tina’s already having problems with Mike. Just goes to show that just because you have similarities doesn’t mean you’re compatible. Also, abs aren’t everything. Their duet where Mike doesn’t sing, why is he in Glee club then?, was weird and also kind of cute.
Stargate Universe (s02e02): Awakening
Gloria: A fascinating amount of information. Of course, you know what this means.
Rush: We may have a way of getting home.
Gloria: But you’re not gonna tell them that, are you?
Rush: Well, I’m sure they’ll figure it out on their own.
Gloria: And if they don’t?
There really isn’t anyone left in charge on Destiny who can be trusted. Young is facing all his problems with the bottom of a bottle. Rush is talking to his dead wife, keeping secrets, and taking risks with everyone on board.
He’s let Destiny overwhelm him and making rash decisions. He’s more interested in continuing his dream, than in saving the crew. I can’t believe another life was ruined this week because of him with Telford left behind on the alien ship.
Telford: Now, you either shape up or step back. You’re tired. I get it. Let me help.
Young: Oh, you’re a persistent son of a bitch.
Telford: Hey, you saved my life.
Young: I had to kill you to do it.
Telford: And I’m willing to do the same for you.
At least Telford got to make up for things a bit, before he left. I liked the friendship he had with Young. I’m starting to think Telford may have been better in charge than Rush or Young, when he’s not under mind control of course.
Caprica (s01ep11): Retribution
Clarice: I forgive you, but it’s God you have to worry about.
The strong female characters of Caprica really drove the episode this week. Clarice has taken Zoe 2.0’s place from last season and she’s pretty awesome doing it as this week she seeks, wait for it, retribution for Lacey and her gang after a botched bombing.
Pretty hard core to see her take out those kids one by one, even pushing a tv into a bathtub for one, and then blowing up Barnabus himself. I’m pretty sure we haven’t seen the last of him though.
Agent Durham: Now I believe that Clarice Willow pulled your daughter into that organisation, she got her to trust her, she brainwashed her, and then she put her on that train with the bomb.
Amanda’s been pulled back and forth between Daniel, then to Clarice, and now to Agent Durham of the Global Defense Department. She’s everyone bitch monkey. Maybe now that she knows through Agent Durham she can’t trust Clarice either, she’ll come out the other side stronger. It’ll be interesting to see her as an informant and taking a more active role now.
Lacy: I have done everything you’ve asked! Don’t call me disloyal!
I love Lacy’s growth from a schoolgirl last season to a hardcore mercenary this season. She still has a heart and isn’t yet able to bomb a public location, but she is willing to slice her hand open in oath and challenge Barnabus just the same.
I can’t help but wonder what part Lacy has to play in everything. Will everyone, including her, be part of the downfall of society, or will she be one who stands against it and fails?
Daniel: We can’t always know where our actions will need. It’s in the stars. Do I blame you for Zoe?
Amanda: No no, don’t stop, go on. I’m waiting for you to bring this analogy home. How is you hiring thugs to rob and murder people, how is that equivalent to me being a bad mother?
Daniel: I never said you were a bad mother.
Amanda: You think it’s my fault that Zoe hated me?
Daniel: What are you talking about?
Amanda: The idea that I could control her behaviour is just stupid. I mean who are you? What kind of man have you become? I don’t even know you.
I miss the Daniel of early season one who cared about his family: his wife and daughter. He’s never been particularly wholesome, but now he doesn’t care who he hurts or blackmails just to get his company back.
I guess that’s what happens when you experience an incredible loss and multiple setbacks. A person will either get past hardships and come out stronger, or let them take you down until you drown.
Fringe (s03e04): Do Shapeshifters Dream of Electric Sheep
A pretty standard MOTW episode leading us into a mini-hiatus. I don’t really care for the shapeshifters, so I don’t really have much to say. Newton is dead, and I’m going to miss him a bit. Oh, and I do have to ask, what was up with Alt!Olivia’s hair?
Peter: Tricia Van Horn was living with a shapeshifter for two years. She must have noticed something different.
Olivia: Well, shapeshifters are good at their job.
Peter: I’ve been thinking about it…maybe she did notice. She just made excuses for herself not to have to deal with it. Or she came up with ways to explain it to herself. Kind of like I’ve been doing with you.
Olivia: With me?
Peter: Yeah. With all the little differences ever since you got back from the other side. You did tell me that your experiences on the other side changed you. But since you got back, it’s like - it’s like you’re a completely different person. You seem less burdened. You’re more patient with Walter. Don’t get me wrong, I like it. The change is good. But…it’s different.
More importantly, does Peter know or not know about Alt!Olivia? I’m getting the idea he does know, but he’s still just biding his time to see what she does. Yet, on the other hand, did he really just sleep with her for the good of the team? It makes me icky inside thinking about it.