[Restored from Blogger]
NBC won with The Biggest Loser (2.6) and The Voice (4.7). The Voice still going incredibly strong.
CBS was second with NCIS (3.5), NCIS: Los Angeles (2.8), and The Good Wife (2.0). After the spike last week, TGW went back down to the normal low, low 2s.
FOX was third with Glee (3.7), Raising Hope (2.0), and Traffic Light (1.3). No surprises that Traffic Light was canceled earlier today.
ABC was last with Dancing with the Stars (2.1), 3.4) and Body Of Proof (2.1).
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Review - The Good Wife Season 2 Episode 22 Getting Off
[Restored from Blogger]
The Good Wife has built up such a universe that the implication of the twists have far more impact than the plot development does. The revelation of Peter having slept with Kalinda in the past would be bad news obviously. Alicia is co-workers with Kalinda, so that's a clear problem. But the writers did this season was to make Alicia and Kalinda a lot closer, so there was mutual trust between them. This betrayal, then, is not just withholding of information but of a deeper level of deceit.
Now, with Kalinda remaining Lockhart Gardner after some plot machinations (it would be cool to see Kalinda working somewhere else, wouldn't it?), the tension can only get higher. Alicia will have to see Kalinda every day, forced to relieve the betrayal by both her husband and best friend.
As far as other plot developments, not much happens except more drudging up of Alicia's feelings for Will. After lots of waffling in the first two seasons, will something finally happen between them?
Score: 8.8/10
The Good Wife has built up such a universe that the implication of the twists have far more impact than the plot development does. The revelation of Peter having slept with Kalinda in the past would be bad news obviously. Alicia is co-workers with Kalinda, so that's a clear problem. But the writers did this season was to make Alicia and Kalinda a lot closer, so there was mutual trust between them. This betrayal, then, is not just withholding of information but of a deeper level of deceit.
Now, with Kalinda remaining Lockhart Gardner after some plot machinations (it would be cool to see Kalinda working somewhere else, wouldn't it?), the tension can only get higher. Alicia will have to see Kalinda every day, forced to relieve the betrayal by both her husband and best friend.
As far as other plot developments, not much happens except more drudging up of Alicia's feelings for Will. After lots of waffling in the first two seasons, will something finally happen between them?
Score: 8.8/10
Review - United States of Tara Season 3 Episode 8 Chicken 'n' Corn
All the parts of United States of Tara are coming together and "Chicken 'n' Corn" makes for a very interesting and exhilarating episode. While Dr. Hatteras resumes his help of Tara, Tara endangers Wheels while her other alters are acting out. This all boils down to Bryce Crane, Tara's half-brother, or at least Tara's manifestation of him. He apparently kills Chicken and is now looking for Tara to kill. With Buck looking for the real Bryce, there seems be in an endless possibility of stories.
Score: 9.3/10
Score: 9.3/10
Review - The Chicago Code Season 1 Episode 12 Greylord & Gambat
The Chicago Code was canceled last week, sadly. Before anyone complains about Fox "only canceling good shows," the ratings sucked and declined over the course of the season. Luckily, "Greylord & Gambat" is a very strong episode and leads right into the season finale which may see the end of Gibbons.
This isn't typical procedural stuff, afraid to do something bold and move ahead. Shawn Ryan is perfectly fine putting all the cards on the table--people are shot, the grand jury begins, and Gibbons is cornered. All the pieces in place for a major confrontation. Now, all Teresa has to do is calmly collect the evidence and present her case. There doesn't seem to be too many strings that could hold her back, but we never know.
Score: 9.2/10
This isn't typical procedural stuff, afraid to do something bold and move ahead. Shawn Ryan is perfectly fine putting all the cards on the table--people are shot, the grand jury begins, and Gibbons is cornered. All the pieces in place for a major confrontation. Now, all Teresa has to do is calmly collect the evidence and present her case. There doesn't seem to be too many strings that could hold her back, but we never know.
Score: 9.2/10
Review - Hawaii Five-0 Season 1 Episode 24 Oia'i'o
A problem with procedurals is that an episode like "Oia'i'o" will likely have few lasting consequences. Hawaii Five-0 is a procedural and as such, it will eventually return to the case of the week investigations. The major build up towards the end--McGarrett arrested for murder and Kono arrested for theft--will be resolved early in the next season. In a serialized show, this would be a game changer which is impossible to turn back from. In a procedural, this is a temporary obstacle which will be overcome.
It's hard to get any hopes up for lasting change, but "Oia'i'o" is a good episode by itself. It's subversive in the vein of 24, with the governor turning out to be in league with the bad guys on the island. I'm not sure if the logic all works out since the governor let McGarrett get awfully far in the investigation instead of shutting him down immediately when they were clearly times when she could have. But that's not really the point since the episode positions all the characters on the back foot and they'll have to come up with something in the season premiere.
What I didn't like about the episode is how it wants us to care about certain character who've had little or no impact. I don't care one bit about Laura Hills (the stuff with Chin at the beginning of the episode was dumb) and Rachel hasn't been developed enough so we have a clear idea who she is or why she cares about Danny.
Score: 8.7/10
It's hard to get any hopes up for lasting change, but "Oia'i'o" is a good episode by itself. It's subversive in the vein of 24, with the governor turning out to be in league with the bad guys on the island. I'm not sure if the logic all works out since the governor let McGarrett get awfully far in the investigation instead of shutting him down immediately when they were clearly times when she could have. But that's not really the point since the episode positions all the characters on the back foot and they'll have to come up with something in the season premiere.
What I didn't like about the episode is how it wants us to care about certain character who've had little or no impact. I don't care one bit about Laura Hills (the stuff with Chin at the beginning of the episode was dumb) and Rachel hasn't been developed enough so we have a clear idea who she is or why she cares about Danny.
Score: 8.7/10
Review - Sanctuary Season 3 Episode 16 Awakening
Compared to the episodes after the Hollow Earth arc, "Awakening" is definitely a step up. Magnus is back in full force, Tesla returns for the first time, and the episode explores the vampires and their battle against Praxis. Unfortunately, like most promising stories on Sanctuary, everything gets resolved much too quickly.
Magnus and Tesla come upon an old Praxian stronghold which was taken over by vampires and revive the vampire queen, Athena, who was in stasis. Meanwhile, Tesla gets this vampirism back and is chummy with Athena until her ideas of grandeur kick in and she decides to rule to world with Magnus as her "canteen" (in Magnus's words). Magnus tricks Athena, using the hologram device to blow out the place, and she and Tesla make it out alive.
Why couldn't this drag on for a few more episodes? After the epic Hollow Earth arc, something new would be nice, and the idea of vampires trying to retake the world seems interesting. We don't exactly see that Athena, so there may be a chance of her return, but the implication is that this vampire plot is for one episode only.
Kate's story was flat out boring. Maybe that's only because it was worse than the main plot. Every time the episode switched back to Kate, I wanted to skip ahead, knowing nothing would come of the plot and that there is something way cooler going on at the exact same time. But out of obligation, I watched the whole thing and was bored the entire time.
Score: 8.6/10
Magnus and Tesla come upon an old Praxian stronghold which was taken over by vampires and revive the vampire queen, Athena, who was in stasis. Meanwhile, Tesla gets this vampirism back and is chummy with Athena until her ideas of grandeur kick in and she decides to rule to world with Magnus as her "canteen" (in Magnus's words). Magnus tricks Athena, using the hologram device to blow out the place, and she and Tesla make it out alive.
Why couldn't this drag on for a few more episodes? After the epic Hollow Earth arc, something new would be nice, and the idea of vampires trying to retake the world seems interesting. We don't exactly see that Athena, so there may be a chance of her return, but the implication is that this vampire plot is for one episode only.
Kate's story was flat out boring. Maybe that's only because it was worse than the main plot. Every time the episode switched back to Kate, I wanted to skip ahead, knowing nothing would come of the plot and that there is something way cooler going on at the exact same time. But out of obligation, I watched the whole thing and was bored the entire time.
Score: 8.6/10
Review - Castle Season 3 Episode 24 Knockout
Here's one of my big problems with Castle: why can't the writers blend the "Knockout"-style episodes with the usual, fun, charming episodes? A few times in a season, Castle will turn to serious mode--there is a huge crime, lots of people are in trouble, and Castle and Beckett almost kiss. Then there's Castle in normal mode--fun, lax, and generally not that intense. The result is that the serious episodes have better plots while the normal episodes are more enjoyable if one isn't into super-intense episodes.
The structure is Castle is so that episodes like "Knockout" stand out, relative to the other episodes where nobody important gets killed and Beckett isn't as emotionally invested. In effect, the episode seems much better than it is, because the writers undershoot the other episodes. If the writers had the right mix--beefier plots to go alongside the funny--Castle could be greatly improved.
"Knockout," like those other special episodes is a lot more intense than normal episodes. The stakes are higher, the plot is directly related to Beckett, and the possible romance between Beckett and Castle, one of the drawing points of the show, is teased to death. What makes the episode work is the involvement of Montgomery in the events that led to Beckett's mother's death, We learn why he's so supportive of her and why he cares about her so much before his valiant death. He committed a crime in the past and did his best to make up for it. It's hard to fault a man for that, so I think Montgomery was given a good send-off.
The episode ends on a "cliffhanger," which was unnecessary and clichéd.We know Kate won't die unless the entire show goes through a DNA resequencer. We already knew someone was gunning for Kate. And after years of insinuation and non-action, was Castle saying "I love you" supposed to be the tipping point? Obviously this is another ploy to get the viewers to believe something will actually happen when the show returns in the fall.
Score: 8.8/10
The structure is Castle is so that episodes like "Knockout" stand out, relative to the other episodes where nobody important gets killed and Beckett isn't as emotionally invested. In effect, the episode seems much better than it is, because the writers undershoot the other episodes. If the writers had the right mix--beefier plots to go alongside the funny--Castle could be greatly improved.
"Knockout," like those other special episodes is a lot more intense than normal episodes. The stakes are higher, the plot is directly related to Beckett, and the possible romance between Beckett and Castle, one of the drawing points of the show, is teased to death. What makes the episode work is the involvement of Montgomery in the events that led to Beckett's mother's death, We learn why he's so supportive of her and why he cares about her so much before his valiant death. He committed a crime in the past and did his best to make up for it. It's hard to fault a man for that, so I think Montgomery was given a good send-off.
The episode ends on a "cliffhanger," which was unnecessary and clichéd.We know Kate won't die unless the entire show goes through a DNA resequencer. We already knew someone was gunning for Kate. And after years of insinuation and non-action, was Castle saying "I love you" supposed to be the tipping point? Obviously this is another ploy to get the viewers to believe something will actually happen when the show returns in the fall.
Score: 8.8/10
Monday, May 16, 2011
Review - House Season 7 Episode 22 After Hours
There comes a point in a television show's life when a change--any change--would be welcome. For House, that episode is "After Hours." It's certainly far from perfect, but it's different and that has to count for something. I know this isn't the greatest endorsement and I'm not sure how I would react to this episode if it were in an earlier season. Still, given the level of boringness that descended on House this season, let's just give the writers credit for effort.
Following the odd rat drug stuff, "After Hours" is a pretty harrowing episode of House. Characters are driving at breakneck speeds, 13 is holding herself back, House is operating on himself to remove tumors--we knew this would all be resolved without major damage but there were some genuinely freaky scene. Ignoring the lame bits of dialogue, the episode was actually quite good.
The whole Taub plot seemed like one big joke, but with a baby in question, it couldn't be one of those funny things we could laugh off at the end. Taub somehow comes to a revelation after a stripper has a gun on him and decides to keep the baby. The whole circumstance is funny and probably not appropriate for the subject, but the writers don't seem to care.
Score: 8.6/10
Following the odd rat drug stuff, "After Hours" is a pretty harrowing episode of House. Characters are driving at breakneck speeds, 13 is holding herself back, House is operating on himself to remove tumors--we knew this would all be resolved without major damage but there were some genuinely freaky scene. Ignoring the lame bits of dialogue, the episode was actually quite good.
The whole Taub plot seemed like one big joke, but with a baby in question, it couldn't be one of those funny things we could laugh off at the end. Taub somehow comes to a revelation after a stripper has a gun on him and decides to keep the baby. The whole circumstance is funny and probably not appropriate for the subject, but the writers don't seem to care.
Score: 8.6/10
Review - Chuck Season 4 Episode 24 Chuck Versus the Cliffhanger
That was a quick reversal, wasn't it? The episode starts with Sarah in the hospital, covered in ice, and a second later, Chuck and Casey are outlaws after failing to break Volkoff out of prison. None of this makes any sort of sense, but it positions out heroes in the perfect place for an epic episode. It's representative of what Chuck has become. Plot is one of the lowest priorities, and contrivances are expected in large doses and the season finale contends for the most in series history. I'm sure most people who have problems with that stopped watching already, and it's only a small inch that doesn't bother me that much, so I guess it's okay. Would I like to see better plots? Yes. Will that happen? Probably not.
The best part about "Chuck Versus the Cliffhanger" is that Chuck was reviewed. If the series were canceled, that would be a messy way to end the series, with another huge game changer and no resolution. Luckily, we still get a fifth and final 13-episode season, though I wonder if another year of NBC ratings failure could bring about more episodes (wishful thinking, perhaps). Morgan is now the Intersect with kung fu while Chuck no longer has the Intersect but instead has all of Volkoff's money and is the boss of their private spy operation. With a new plot on the horizon about someone shaping all their lives (at this point, I'll assume it's not as big in magnitude as it sounds), Decker, a completely new structure, Chuck still has room to grow and have a final season.
As far as the season finale itself, "Chuck Versus the Cliffhanger" had those exemplar moments that the current Chuck lives off, heavy doses of pathos. Looking past the plot, there are some fascinating dynamics going on. Volkoff, now Hartley, comes to terms with what he did, who he is, and what he has the potential to do. These factors swirl around as he tries to make sense of the world around him and more importantly, make a decision about what to do. Similarly, Vivian Volkoff is going through an identity crisis and when faced with her father, now not a criminal mastermind, and Chuck, she struggles with her next move. Ultimately, it's a happy day as Hartley and his daughter use Chuck's blank identities to get away and Chuck gets the identity.
I liked, above all, was the team effort. All the characters, minus the Buy More ones and including the Cat Squad, helped in their own way and get a little scene to show how much they care about the group. Even Casey puts aside his dislike of Russians! At the end of the day, I could poke holes to death if I felt like it. But why would I? The episode was touching, it had funny moments, and had a cool ending to lead into the next season.
Score: 8.9/10
The best part about "Chuck Versus the Cliffhanger" is that Chuck was reviewed. If the series were canceled, that would be a messy way to end the series, with another huge game changer and no resolution. Luckily, we still get a fifth and final 13-episode season, though I wonder if another year of NBC ratings failure could bring about more episodes (wishful thinking, perhaps). Morgan is now the Intersect with kung fu while Chuck no longer has the Intersect but instead has all of Volkoff's money and is the boss of their private spy operation. With a new plot on the horizon about someone shaping all their lives (at this point, I'll assume it's not as big in magnitude as it sounds), Decker, a completely new structure, Chuck still has room to grow and have a final season.
As far as the season finale itself, "Chuck Versus the Cliffhanger" had those exemplar moments that the current Chuck lives off, heavy doses of pathos. Looking past the plot, there are some fascinating dynamics going on. Volkoff, now Hartley, comes to terms with what he did, who he is, and what he has the potential to do. These factors swirl around as he tries to make sense of the world around him and more importantly, make a decision about what to do. Similarly, Vivian Volkoff is going through an identity crisis and when faced with her father, now not a criminal mastermind, and Chuck, she struggles with her next move. Ultimately, it's a happy day as Hartley and his daughter use Chuck's blank identities to get away and Chuck gets the identity.
I liked, above all, was the team effort. All the characters, minus the Buy More ones and including the Cat Squad, helped in their own way and get a little scene to show how much they care about the group. Even Casey puts aside his dislike of Russians! At the end of the day, I could poke holes to death if I felt like it. But why would I? The episode was touching, it had funny moments, and had a cool ending to lead into the next season.
Score: 8.9/10
Review - How I Met Your Mother Season 6 Episode 24 Challenge Accepted
"Challenge Accepted" is framed as a season finale, with events to push the show into the next season, but it really didn't feel like one. Everything has been teased for so long that Lily getting pregnant or Marshall potentially getting a job as an environmental lawyer really doesn't matter to me. I liked the final moment when Lily reveals her pregnancy, but that's it.
On the bright side, Ted's plot manages to do two things. Best of all, it forever takes Zoey out of the picture. Yeah, I hate that bitch. The other thing is that it brings up the question whether one should get back together with an ex and whether that can ever be successful. From Ted's numerous experiences, probably not. But throughout the episode, we see Barney and Robin talking about their past relationship and there's clearly something going on between the two. Finally, Nora shows up at the end of the episode and Barney wants to get back with her, Robin smiling difficultly in the background.
The episode ends with a big tease, Ted being the best man at Barney's wedding. Intuition would tell us that the bride is Robin, but we've been tricked before. The writers may choose to drag this thing out long for the sake of filling in additional seasons. What if Barney and Nora get married, divorced, and then Barney and Robin marry? That could take up two seasons, which is definitely what the writers want.
Score: 8.7/10
On the bright side, Ted's plot manages to do two things. Best of all, it forever takes Zoey out of the picture. Yeah, I hate that bitch. The other thing is that it brings up the question whether one should get back together with an ex and whether that can ever be successful. From Ted's numerous experiences, probably not. But throughout the episode, we see Barney and Robin talking about their past relationship and there's clearly something going on between the two. Finally, Nora shows up at the end of the episode and Barney wants to get back with her, Robin smiling difficultly in the background.
The episode ends with a big tease, Ted being the best man at Barney's wedding. Intuition would tell us that the bride is Robin, but we've been tricked before. The writers may choose to drag this thing out long for the sake of filling in additional seasons. What if Barney and Nora get married, divorced, and then Barney and Robin marry? That could take up two seasons, which is definitely what the writers want.
Score: 8.7/10
Going over Fox's 2011-2012 primetime schedule
MONDAY
8/7c TERRA NOVA
9 pm House
After Terra Nova was supposed to premiere for the 2010-2011 midseason, delayed to having its pilot air in the spring, and then further delayed, it's finally arriving at fall. Curiously, House gets moved to 9 and Terra Nova takes the 8 PM slot. Is the purpose so that people who want to watch House end up watching Terra Nova, or are they just better fits for their respective time slots?
TUESDAY
8 pm Glee
9 pm NEW GIRL
9:30 pm Raising Hope
Fox is again trying to use Glee to launch a successfully comedy block.
WEDNESDAY
8-9:30 pm THE X FACTOR
9:30 pm I HATE MY TEENAGE DAUGHTER
Assuming The X Factor is successful, Fox will look pretty scary with a whole year of X Factor and American Idol.
THURSDAY
8 pm THE X FACTOR (Results Show)
9 pm Bones
FRIDAY
8 pm Kitchen Nightmares
9 pm Fringe
SATURDAY
8 pm Cops
9 pm Encores/America’s Most Wanted (Specials)
Cops continues, but AMW, which apparently hasn't made money in years, will only have specials.
SUNDAY
7:30 pm The Cleveland Show
8 pm The Simpsons
8:30 pm ALLEN GREGORY
9 pm Family Guy
9:30 pm American Dad
View NBC’s Complete Fall Schedule
***MIDSEASON SCHEDULE***
MONDAY
8/7c House
9 pm ALCATRAZ
House moves back to 8 while JJ Abrams's new drama Alcatraz is at 9. Given JJ Abrams's latest failures, Undercovers and, to an extent, Fringe, we shouldn't be too quick to assume Alcatraz will survive.
TUESDAY
8 pm Glee
9 pm NEW GIRL
9:30 pm Raising Hope
WEDNESDAY
8-9:30 pm American Idol
9:30 pm I HATE MY TEENAGE DAUGHTER
THURSDAY
8 pm American Idol (Results Show)
9 pm FINDER/Bones (Returning in Spring)
Emily Deschanel's means Bones won't have a full season. That means Finder will fill its place to a while. Sadly, the Finder backdoor pilot was horrid.
FRIDAY
8 pm Kitchen Nightmares
9 pm Fringe
SATURDAY
8 pm Cops
9 pm Encores/America’s Most Wanted (Specials)
SUNDAY
7:30 pm The Cleveland Show
8 pm The Simpsons
8:30 pm NAPOLEON DYNAMITE
9 pm Family Guy
9:30 pm Bob’s Burgers
8/7c TERRA NOVA
9 pm House
After Terra Nova was supposed to premiere for the 2010-2011 midseason, delayed to having its pilot air in the spring, and then further delayed, it's finally arriving at fall. Curiously, House gets moved to 9 and Terra Nova takes the 8 PM slot. Is the purpose so that people who want to watch House end up watching Terra Nova, or are they just better fits for their respective time slots?
TUESDAY
8 pm Glee
9 pm NEW GIRL
9:30 pm Raising Hope
Fox is again trying to use Glee to launch a successfully comedy block.
WEDNESDAY
8-9:30 pm THE X FACTOR
9:30 pm I HATE MY TEENAGE DAUGHTER
Assuming The X Factor is successful, Fox will look pretty scary with a whole year of X Factor and American Idol.
THURSDAY
8 pm THE X FACTOR (Results Show)
9 pm Bones
FRIDAY
8 pm Kitchen Nightmares
9 pm Fringe
SATURDAY
8 pm Cops
9 pm Encores/America’s Most Wanted (Specials)
Cops continues, but AMW, which apparently hasn't made money in years, will only have specials.
SUNDAY
7:30 pm The Cleveland Show
8 pm The Simpsons
8:30 pm ALLEN GREGORY
9 pm Family Guy
9:30 pm American Dad
View NBC’s Complete Fall Schedule
***MIDSEASON SCHEDULE***
MONDAY
8/7c House
9 pm ALCATRAZ
House moves back to 8 while JJ Abrams's new drama Alcatraz is at 9. Given JJ Abrams's latest failures, Undercovers and, to an extent, Fringe, we shouldn't be too quick to assume Alcatraz will survive.
TUESDAY
8 pm Glee
9 pm NEW GIRL
9:30 pm Raising Hope
WEDNESDAY
8-9:30 pm American Idol
9:30 pm I HATE MY TEENAGE DAUGHTER
THURSDAY
8 pm American Idol (Results Show)
9 pm FINDER/Bones (Returning in Spring)
Emily Deschanel's means Bones won't have a full season. That means Finder will fill its place to a while. Sadly, the Finder backdoor pilot was horrid.
FRIDAY
8 pm Kitchen Nightmares
9 pm Fringe
SATURDAY
8 pm Cops
9 pm Encores/America’s Most Wanted (Specials)
SUNDAY
7:30 pm The Cleveland Show
8 pm The Simpsons
8:30 pm NAPOLEON DYNAMITE
9 pm Family Guy
9:30 pm Bob’s Burgers
