What I've been watching
THERE ARE PROBABLY SPOILERS CONTAINED WITHIN THIS POST.
Thanks to Netflix (and Xmas), I've got loads to see without cable.
I now own the first three seasons of one of my all-time favorite shows, Northern Exposure. It's almost better than I remember it being. There's definitely nothing on television now that's as literary or smart as it. I've tried to watch that Men in Trees show because it's been compared to Northern Exposure, but it's nothing like it. A quirky town in Alaska with Anne Heche as the outsider from the big city just doesn't cut it. I think I'd need another post entirely to talk about how wonderful Northern Exposure is because it's a defininely cultural moment for me.
The show that's been the biggest surprise to me is Big Love. I'm halfway through and I can't wait for the new discs to show up at my door (especially because 12 episodes are spread out on five DVDs). The world of Mormon compounds and polygamy interests me. The fictional dramatization of it has not let me down. The Henrickson family lives in closeted polygamy because they have left their community and now own a successful home store (like Lowes or Home Depot). The Henricksons are still tied to the Juniper Creek compound by early loans for the business. The family, especially the husband Bill and first wife Barb, want all ties to the compound cut. This is complicated by second wife Nicki being the daughter of the compound's "prophet" and leader Roman.
I've also been watching two series that everyone said were really awful--the third seasons of both The O.C. and The L Word. Having been warned of their terrible plotlines and annoying new characters, none of it seemed so bad. I'm almost glad that The O.C. is cancelled (although the CW wants it). I think that Julie Cooper should get her own show. Through three seasons, she's been the best, most consistently entertaining character. Her daughter Kaitlin is almost as fun to watch. I get The O.C. with all of its "ironic" winks to 90210 and its Melrose Place plot twists. I watched those shows the first time around. Josh Schwartz is cute, but he ran out of good material after year two. Anytime I'm glad that a main character is being killed off is curtains for a show in my opinion.
They did to Shane what was done to Brian Kinney--had her make uncharacteristic choices that softened her and made her more "likeable." They gave Dana breast cancer, which is because the actress wanted to leave the show, but they could've taken out a few more characters with her, like the simpering Tina, in some fiery soap opera-like car over a mountain. (Yeah, that's about how their plotlines have been going, so it's fitting!) As much as I want to like Jenny--because there's a little bit of Jenny to me, but thankfully more Alice--this season made me hate her. I've got the wedding episode to go and I've heard that's a pretty good one.
Thanks to Netflix (and Xmas), I've got loads to see without cable.
I now own the first three seasons of one of my all-time favorite shows, Northern Exposure. It's almost better than I remember it being. There's definitely nothing on television now that's as literary or smart as it. I've tried to watch that Men in Trees show because it's been compared to Northern Exposure, but it's nothing like it. A quirky town in Alaska with Anne Heche as the outsider from the big city just doesn't cut it. I think I'd need another post entirely to talk about how wonderful Northern Exposure is because it's a defininely cultural moment for me.
The show that's been the biggest surprise to me is Big Love. I'm halfway through and I can't wait for the new discs to show up at my door (especially because 12 episodes are spread out on five DVDs). The world of Mormon compounds and polygamy interests me. The fictional dramatization of it has not let me down. The Henrickson family lives in closeted polygamy because they have left their community and now own a successful home store (like Lowes or Home Depot). The Henricksons are still tied to the Juniper Creek compound by early loans for the business. The family, especially the husband Bill and first wife Barb, want all ties to the compound cut. This is complicated by second wife Nicki being the daughter of the compound's "prophet" and leader Roman.
I've also been watching two series that everyone said were really awful--the third seasons of both The O.C. and The L Word. Having been warned of their terrible plotlines and annoying new characters, none of it seemed so bad. I'm almost glad that The O.C. is cancelled (although the CW wants it). I think that Julie Cooper should get her own show. Through three seasons, she's been the best, most consistently entertaining character. Her daughter Kaitlin is almost as fun to watch. I get The O.C. with all of its "ironic" winks to 90210 and its Melrose Place plot twists. I watched those shows the first time around. Josh Schwartz is cute, but he ran out of good material after year two. Anytime I'm glad that a main character is being killed off is curtains for a show in my opinion.
They did to Shane what was done to Brian Kinney--had her make uncharacteristic choices that softened her and made her more "likeable." They gave Dana breast cancer, which is because the actress wanted to leave the show, but they could've taken out a few more characters with her, like the simpering Tina, in some fiery soap opera-like car over a mountain. (Yeah, that's about how their plotlines have been going, so it's fitting!) As much as I want to like Jenny--because there's a little bit of Jenny to me, but thankfully more Alice--this season made me hate her. I've got the wedding episode to go and I've heard that's a pretty good one.