can humans do what prophets say?
I did this last year, and it was fun, so why not do it again? I should explain that this is all based on my enjoyment of the shows listed, and also on my expectations of them. My expectations for, say, Supernatural (where I am happy with BOYS! EMOPORN! IMPALA! GUNS!), are not the same as they are for Friday Night Lights (where I expect a lot more), so of course, I am harder on the shows I expect more of. That said, I think I am a pretty easy audience member, especially for shows where I already love the characters.
While there are no real spoilers in this post, there may be in comments. I am not spoiled for future developments on anything, so please don't spoil me for anything.
Anyway.
Mid-season report cards:
Pushing Daisies: A+
Exceeds expectations, which I did not think possible. Slight misstep at the beginning of the season, separating Olive from the rest of the crew (though the episode about the murdered nun is a high point, possibly my favorite episode ever, though there is also Dim Sum, Lose Sum, and and and...), but the show has been firing on all cylinders - witty, sweet, macabre, naughty, and touching all that the same time, and at breakneck speed. Wearing a candy colored coating made of crack. I love all the characters and their relationships. Quite possibly the best thing on television at the moment. *shakes tiny ineffectual fists at the fucktards at ABC who canceled it*
Chuck: A+
Exceeds expectations. Another show that has totally blown off the sophomore slump and is running like a finely tuned engine in a very expensive sports car. Sweet, funny, moving, lots of awesome pop culture references and stunt casting that works, with interesting secondary characters and a light touch with the angst. They've done a really good job at integrating the Buy More plots and the spy plots (thematically if not always actually on the plot level), and the homages this season - My Favorite Year and Die Hard, to name two - have been outstanding.
Supernatural: A
Exceeds expectations. Wow, man, I was highly skeptical about the direction of this season's plot arc, and after a lot of my issues with last season, I was bracing for not-goodness. But Kripke & Co. have totally brought their A game this season. There have been a couple of tonal missteps (and the other issues linger, but dialed down to season 1-2 levels), but overall, I am really pleased with the way they've dealt with things I was really worried about. The widening and deepening of the cosmology continues, and I am really excited to see where it all goes (even as I am sure it will all fall apart in the end - it's the nature of any mytharc, not intrinsic to SPN). I am hoping there will be more insight into Sam in the second half of the season, which is why this isn't an A+. If the execution doesn't always live up to the concept, well, that's always been one of SPN's flaws. My one main quibble this season so far has been the godawful "acting" of Genevieve Cortese; on the upside, Robert Wisdom should hang around and menace the boys ALL THE TIME, and I really like Pamela Barnes. Plus, we got Mary backstory and it was awesome! Also, there was a teddy bear having an existential crisis. That will never stop being awesome. And it's still the best purveyor of pure emoporn on tv today. I love my show! And my show loves me!
Friday Night Lights: A
Exceeds expectations, if we're going by last season, but even by season 1's ridiculously high standards, season 3 has been very good. Season 3 hasn't quite reached season 1 levels of awesome, but it's come pretty damn close on numerous occasions, in ways season 2 could have only dreamed. There is still a chance it could all go horribly wrong in the last two episodes, but judging by what I've seen so far, I don't think it will. Get out your tissues when it comes to NBC on January 16. You'll need 'em.
The Office: B
Meets expectations. I liked Holly. She toned Michael down to a bearable level. I'm mostly pleased with the Jim/Pam, and Dwight continues to be awesome. Plus, there has been more Oscar, which can only be a good thing. The Angela-Phyllis tension was really well done. Needs more Stanley.
Leverage: B-
Meets expectations. Okay, this has only had three episodes so far, but I am enjoying it, and Aldis Hodge is a fucking revelation as Alec Hardison. Seriously. I mean, I knew he was compelling from FNL and SPN, where his characters got short shrift, but here he just totally steals the show, and they should let him do more. Otherwise, I'd totally be docking points for Christian Kane's abysmal hair. It's a lesser version of Burn Notice, but it is entertaining if you enjoy capers and cons, which I do.
Bones: B-
Slightly below expectations. Has had its ups and downs this season so far, but I really like how they're progressing the Booth/Brennan relationship, I like how Sweets has been integrated into the team, and Clark Edison is always for the win. Also, the librarian bit in the airplane episode was awesomesauce.
Sarah Connor Chronicles: Incomplete
I am about six episodes behind, though I hear it has been AWESOME this season, so I will have to catch up over hiatus.
Life: Incomplete
I need to watch the episodes I've missed. I've enjoyed what I've seen, though - Charlie is great and Dani Reese is AWESOME. Fully deserving of the Scully mantle. And dear god, that cliffhanger! I will catch up during the hiatus, I guess.
***
Burn Notice returns January 15 (same night SPN comes back!); BSG comes back January 16. I am looking forward to them SO MUCH.
***
While there are no real spoilers in this post, there may be in comments. I am not spoiled for future developments on anything, so please don't spoil me for anything.
Anyway.
Mid-season report cards:
Pushing Daisies: A+
Exceeds expectations, which I did not think possible. Slight misstep at the beginning of the season, separating Olive from the rest of the crew (though the episode about the murdered nun is a high point, possibly my favorite episode ever, though there is also Dim Sum, Lose Sum, and and and...), but the show has been firing on all cylinders - witty, sweet, macabre, naughty, and touching all that the same time, and at breakneck speed. Wearing a candy colored coating made of crack. I love all the characters and their relationships. Quite possibly the best thing on television at the moment. *shakes tiny ineffectual fists at the fucktards at ABC who canceled it*
Chuck: A+
Exceeds expectations. Another show that has totally blown off the sophomore slump and is running like a finely tuned engine in a very expensive sports car. Sweet, funny, moving, lots of awesome pop culture references and stunt casting that works, with interesting secondary characters and a light touch with the angst. They've done a really good job at integrating the Buy More plots and the spy plots (thematically if not always actually on the plot level), and the homages this season - My Favorite Year and Die Hard, to name two - have been outstanding.
Supernatural: A
Exceeds expectations. Wow, man, I was highly skeptical about the direction of this season's plot arc, and after a lot of my issues with last season, I was bracing for not-goodness. But Kripke & Co. have totally brought their A game this season. There have been a couple of tonal missteps (and the other issues linger, but dialed down to season 1-2 levels), but overall, I am really pleased with the way they've dealt with things I was really worried about. The widening and deepening of the cosmology continues, and I am really excited to see where it all goes (even as I am sure it will all fall apart in the end - it's the nature of any mytharc, not intrinsic to SPN). I am hoping there will be more insight into Sam in the second half of the season, which is why this isn't an A+. If the execution doesn't always live up to the concept, well, that's always been one of SPN's flaws. My one main quibble this season so far has been the godawful "acting" of Genevieve Cortese; on the upside, Robert Wisdom should hang around and menace the boys ALL THE TIME, and I really like Pamela Barnes. Plus, we got Mary backstory and it was awesome! Also, there was a teddy bear having an existential crisis. That will never stop being awesome. And it's still the best purveyor of pure emoporn on tv today. I love my show! And my show loves me!
Friday Night Lights: A
Exceeds expectations, if we're going by last season, but even by season 1's ridiculously high standards, season 3 has been very good. Season 3 hasn't quite reached season 1 levels of awesome, but it's come pretty damn close on numerous occasions, in ways season 2 could have only dreamed. There is still a chance it could all go horribly wrong in the last two episodes, but judging by what I've seen so far, I don't think it will. Get out your tissues when it comes to NBC on January 16. You'll need 'em.
The Office: B
Meets expectations. I liked Holly. She toned Michael down to a bearable level. I'm mostly pleased with the Jim/Pam, and Dwight continues to be awesome. Plus, there has been more Oscar, which can only be a good thing. The Angela-Phyllis tension was really well done. Needs more Stanley.
Leverage: B-
Meets expectations. Okay, this has only had three episodes so far, but I am enjoying it, and Aldis Hodge is a fucking revelation as Alec Hardison. Seriously. I mean, I knew he was compelling from FNL and SPN, where his characters got short shrift, but here he just totally steals the show, and they should let him do more. Otherwise, I'd totally be docking points for Christian Kane's abysmal hair. It's a lesser version of Burn Notice, but it is entertaining if you enjoy capers and cons, which I do.
Bones: B-
Slightly below expectations. Has had its ups and downs this season so far, but I really like how they're progressing the Booth/Brennan relationship, I like how Sweets has been integrated into the team, and Clark Edison is always for the win. Also, the librarian bit in the airplane episode was awesomesauce.
Sarah Connor Chronicles: Incomplete
I am about six episodes behind, though I hear it has been AWESOME this season, so I will have to catch up over hiatus.
Life: Incomplete
I need to watch the episodes I've missed. I've enjoyed what I've seen, though - Charlie is great and Dani Reese is AWESOME. Fully deserving of the Scully mantle. And dear god, that cliffhanger! I will catch up during the hiatus, I guess.
***
Burn Notice returns January 15 (same night SPN comes back!); BSG comes back January 16. I am looking forward to them SO MUCH.
***