Fandom flurry (Fringe, Vampire Diaries, Glee, DW)
I am behind on "Bones." Spoil me not!
Fringe: This show has been so stunningly good this entire season that I almost can't believe it. The only show I've ever seen get this good after starting off so slow (even slower, in that case) was "Star Trek: The Next Generation." The last several episodes -- in which massive, series-long mysteries and tensions have finally been set loose -- have all hit their marks stunningly well, both providing the looked-for payoff and undreamt-of twists.
I am not sure I would give the musical/noir episode quite as high marks as the rest overall; I truly did like it, but it's weird. I mean, I truly believed that's what it looks like inside Walter's head, but I'm not sure Walter's head is the best narrative place to be. But I forgave it everything for the shippiness, for the sheer bravado of it, for Broyles playing piano and turning his sultry on, for the scene with Ella trying so hard to hang onto that bucket while the cow ate out of it, and for everyone's '40s costumes, which were so exaggerated and yet dead sexy in every case that they almost seemed to be in fetish wear. (For the record: NOT COMPLAINING.)
And wow, this last episode with Peter: Amazing. At first I was all, do we HAFTA have a Peter-only episode? Then I remembered that we had a Peter-free episode (adult Peter, anyway) a couple weeks back, and Anna Torv and John Noble would like some time off too, thanks. Plus, the shift in format worked beautifully for where Peter is right now: trying hard to sever all ties and consider himself a free agent, but still haunted by his past and probably more driven by his new mission than he'd ever recognized before. The plot was ingeniously constructed too: It looked like a mytharc, then turned out to be a Killer Of The Week -- but just when we thought we could relax, it turned out the mytharc wasn't slumbering as deeply as we supposed.
THE SECRETARY. WALTERNATE IS HERE. Sweet mystery of life, at last I've found you --
Plus, probably the main reason this episode worked was the stellar guest appearance by Martha Plimpton. My first thought, when I saw her name in the credits, is WTF is Martha Plimpton doing in some bit part on TV? Does she need a new gazebo or something? But this wasn't a bit part; this is basically my new ideal template for female guest characters. Sheriff Mathis was a competent professional who nonetheless could look for advice and reveal doubt. She had a relationship with somebody in her department that affected her emotionally but never compromised her judgment. Both her wariness of, and ultimate trust in, Peter's decisions made sense within the narrative. Her intelligence, commitment and simple dignity brought out the best in Peter and made you want to know more about her. Tellingly, I've seen people on many forums asking if she could be made a regular. THAT is how you play it. The part was well-written, but Plimpton took it to the next level. I wonder if she'd like a beach house to go with the gazebo?
Absolutely cannot wait for next week.
**
A conversation between a person and a TV series:
Me: Oh, TVD, you make me so happy. You have slithery vampire brothers, one of whom is good but not too good, the other of whom is bad but not too bad, in love with a sensible teenage girl who thinks for herself and values her friendships. You have a forlorn hot history teacher named Alaric for me to love, and have given him an immortality ring so he will not die. You brought Bonnie back and gave her stuff to do. You could not make me any happier.
Vampire Diaries: We will now make you happier.
Me: Can't be done. I'm serious.
Vampire Diaries: We will now send the vampires out on massive hunts for steampunky devices of vague but terrible destruction, complete with diagrams scribbled in cryptic notebooks, straight-up Rambaldi style. And Sark's in charge.
Me: .... YOU COMPLETE ME.
Vampire Diaries: You're welcome.
**
Glee: Basically, this is just to say that I think there's something wrong when Sue Sylvester remakes a classic '80s/'90s music video every other week. She should be doing this EVERY week. And it's pretty freaking impressive when Jane Lynch (or anybody, really) can duet with Olivia Newton-John and not be blown out of the water.
In other news, as much as I love the guy playing Jesse St. James, I don't know if they can keep him around forever, simply because his voice is SO magnificent that he makes the other guys sound really pedestrian by comparison. Or maybe it should just be the Jesse St. James/Sue Sylvester show. I'd watch that.
**
Day two of the parental visit has ended without incident. We're having a nice time. I wish I understood why they make me so crazy tense -- they really aren't difficult to get along with -- and yet I find it harder and harder to be at ease with them. I am curious about this, though probably not curious enough to go back into therapy.
ETA: Oh, I forgot the DW bit. Short version: Loving it.
Fringe: This show has been so stunningly good this entire season that I almost can't believe it. The only show I've ever seen get this good after starting off so slow (even slower, in that case) was "Star Trek: The Next Generation." The last several episodes -- in which massive, series-long mysteries and tensions have finally been set loose -- have all hit their marks stunningly well, both providing the looked-for payoff and undreamt-of twists.
I am not sure I would give the musical/noir episode quite as high marks as the rest overall; I truly did like it, but it's weird. I mean, I truly believed that's what it looks like inside Walter's head, but I'm not sure Walter's head is the best narrative place to be. But I forgave it everything for the shippiness, for the sheer bravado of it, for Broyles playing piano and turning his sultry on, for the scene with Ella trying so hard to hang onto that bucket while the cow ate out of it, and for everyone's '40s costumes, which were so exaggerated and yet dead sexy in every case that they almost seemed to be in fetish wear. (For the record: NOT COMPLAINING.)
And wow, this last episode with Peter: Amazing. At first I was all, do we HAFTA have a Peter-only episode? Then I remembered that we had a Peter-free episode (adult Peter, anyway) a couple weeks back, and Anna Torv and John Noble would like some time off too, thanks. Plus, the shift in format worked beautifully for where Peter is right now: trying hard to sever all ties and consider himself a free agent, but still haunted by his past and probably more driven by his new mission than he'd ever recognized before. The plot was ingeniously constructed too: It looked like a mytharc, then turned out to be a Killer Of The Week -- but just when we thought we could relax, it turned out the mytharc wasn't slumbering as deeply as we supposed.
THE SECRETARY. WALTERNATE IS HERE. Sweet mystery of life, at last I've found you --
Plus, probably the main reason this episode worked was the stellar guest appearance by Martha Plimpton. My first thought, when I saw her name in the credits, is WTF is Martha Plimpton doing in some bit part on TV? Does she need a new gazebo or something? But this wasn't a bit part; this is basically my new ideal template for female guest characters. Sheriff Mathis was a competent professional who nonetheless could look for advice and reveal doubt. She had a relationship with somebody in her department that affected her emotionally but never compromised her judgment. Both her wariness of, and ultimate trust in, Peter's decisions made sense within the narrative. Her intelligence, commitment and simple dignity brought out the best in Peter and made you want to know more about her. Tellingly, I've seen people on many forums asking if she could be made a regular. THAT is how you play it. The part was well-written, but Plimpton took it to the next level. I wonder if she'd like a beach house to go with the gazebo?
Absolutely cannot wait for next week.
**
A conversation between a person and a TV series:
Me: Oh, TVD, you make me so happy. You have slithery vampire brothers, one of whom is good but not too good, the other of whom is bad but not too bad, in love with a sensible teenage girl who thinks for herself and values her friendships. You have a forlorn hot history teacher named Alaric for me to love, and have given him an immortality ring so he will not die. You brought Bonnie back and gave her stuff to do. You could not make me any happier.
Vampire Diaries: We will now make you happier.
Me: Can't be done. I'm serious.
Vampire Diaries: We will now send the vampires out on massive hunts for steampunky devices of vague but terrible destruction, complete with diagrams scribbled in cryptic notebooks, straight-up Rambaldi style. And Sark's in charge.
Me: .... YOU COMPLETE ME.
Vampire Diaries: You're welcome.
**
Glee: Basically, this is just to say that I think there's something wrong when Sue Sylvester remakes a classic '80s/'90s music video every other week. She should be doing this EVERY week. And it's pretty freaking impressive when Jane Lynch (or anybody, really) can duet with Olivia Newton-John and not be blown out of the water.
In other news, as much as I love the guy playing Jesse St. James, I don't know if they can keep him around forever, simply because his voice is SO magnificent that he makes the other guys sound really pedestrian by comparison. Or maybe it should just be the Jesse St. James/Sue Sylvester show. I'd watch that.
**
Day two of the parental visit has ended without incident. We're having a nice time. I wish I understood why they make me so crazy tense -- they really aren't difficult to get along with -- and yet I find it harder and harder to be at ease with them. I am curious about this, though probably not curious enough to go back into therapy.
ETA: Oh, I forgot the DW bit. Short version: Loving it.