I don't normally watch commercials, but today, while reading something on the internet, I had the TV on - you know, background noise. I was "watching" TNT (Bones reruns), when a commercial for Men of a Certain Age came on. I've been intrigued by the show primarily because I adore two of the three actors that form the core characters: Andre Braugher (already mentioned) and Scott Bakula (he's just so likable!). I'm not a huge fan of Ray Romano, but I've always thought he has charm. I'll definitely check this show out when it premieres a week from now on December 7.
But that's not what caught my attention. Instead, it was the sudden realization that while Romano, Bakula, and Braugher were in the commercial, clearly in a scene from one of their episodes, Flynn and Provenza from The Closer were the main characters of the commercial. If you've not seen The Closer, then you've not had the pleasure of experiencing this dynamic duo. Older men in their late 40s or 50s, they are the true definition of "frenemies". They hang out together, but they make fun of each other too, and they really know how to push the buttons on the other. Their interactions on the show are not infrequently the highlights of an episode. Flynn and Provenza had the Men of a Certain Age under surveillance because, it turns out, they follow The Closer on Monday nights.
USA has done commercials like these in the past, and this is the first one I've seen on TNT. I have to say, I found it highly entertaining.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Friday, November 27, 2009
Premieres in the New Year
Just an update on shows starting up in the new year:
Leverage, on TNT, starts on January 10
Chuck, on NBC, starts on January 10 (what a busy day!)
Lost, on ABC, starts on February 2.
Mark your calendars!
Leverage, on TNT, starts on January 10
Chuck, on NBC, starts on January 10 (what a busy day!)
Lost, on ABC, starts on February 2.
Mark your calendars!
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Edward Woodward dead at 79
The Equalizer's Edward Woodward dead at 79
For many reasons that I won't go into here, I never turned on my computer yesterday, so missed learning that one of my favorite character actors died November 16. I'm heartbroken. He had seemed frail, so it's not exactly surprising, but I'm still sad.
Woodward first garnered my attention in Breaker Morant, a movie we were required to watch in high school by our odd history teacher. But I didn't really know who Woodward was until I watched The Equalizer. I doubt I saw the show when it ran, since I was in college, a relatively television-free period for me. But A&E ran episodes in the late afternoon a few years after I left. My dad and I both caught up on the show then, talking about the character and the actor, thoroughly enjoying it. Robert McCall was an unusually complex character, quite unlike similar fare at the time. As the seasons passed, his history and personality were laid out for us, in all its complications.
I've seen Woodward off and on through the years. He was always intense and imminently watchable. He was one of a kind. RIP.
For many reasons that I won't go into here, I never turned on my computer yesterday, so missed learning that one of my favorite character actors died November 16. I'm heartbroken. He had seemed frail, so it's not exactly surprising, but I'm still sad.
Woodward first garnered my attention in Breaker Morant, a movie we were required to watch in high school by our odd history teacher. But I didn't really know who Woodward was until I watched The Equalizer. I doubt I saw the show when it ran, since I was in college, a relatively television-free period for me. But A&E ran episodes in the late afternoon a few years after I left. My dad and I both caught up on the show then, talking about the character and the actor, thoroughly enjoying it. Robert McCall was an unusually complex character, quite unlike similar fare at the time. As the seasons passed, his history and personality were laid out for us, in all its complications.
I've seen Woodward off and on through the years. He was always intense and imminently watchable. He was one of a kind. RIP.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
White Collar
For a few years now, the USA Network has used the catchphrase, "Characters Welcome." Among the characters that have been created on this network are Adrian Monk, the detective with obsessive-compulsive disorder, Shawn Spencer of Psych, a fake psychic with extraordinary skills of observation, and Michael Weston of Burn Notice, a spy with covert-operations skills who found himself kicked out of the CIA. The network didn't create the character of Johnny Smith from The Dead Zone (see book by Stephen King and feature film), but I think it is fair to say that his home was on USA. USA was also the home of a fairly inventive science fiction series, The 4400, a show that was sadly canceled too soon.
What you may not know about the network is that it is under joint ownership with NBC. As mentioned earlier, NBC just gave away five hours of prime time to Jay Leno for a fairly conventional and unfunny talk show. How ironic that its sister-station is known for creating some decent dramas.
All the dramas aired on USA (with the exception of The 4400) more or less fit a standard mold. There's usually a small ensemble cast, which orbits around one usually eccentric character. The ensemble may start out as adversaries or strangers, but eventually they become a tight-knit unit, or even a family, despite their attempts to avoid becoming so. Although each episode is stand alone, there is often an arc that is mentioned in just about every episode, though there is often never a resolution. In Adrian Monk's storyline, it is the murder of his wife. The fare that is offered is usually light and frothy, and often completely enjoyable.
White Collar is no exception. The orbital character is Neal Caffrey, a roguish, impossibly handsome con-artist who has only been arrested and convicted once. His new family includes the man who caught him not once but twice, Special Agent Peter Burke, who agrees to let Caffrey out of jail to work as a consultant with the FBI. Peter's wife, Elizabeth, is an event planner who has helped with cases. Mozzie is Caffrey's partner in crime, known to Burke (so far) as Mr. Haversham. Lastly, the beautiful (of course!) and brilliant Agent Lauren Cruz who transfers to the White Collar Unit to work with Peter Burke, but finds herself somewhat attracted to Caffrey. Each episode a case is solved. In the meantime, Caffrey is trying to find his girlfriend, who he believes to be in trouble. I don't know all the details of that, because I've only seen the fourth episode.
So, just what the network ordered. Yes, there are holes the size of craters in the story, but it is not intended to be viewed with a skeptical, discerning eye. Instead, it is to be enjoyed, which I did.
Chuck fan alert - Neal Caffrey is played by the impossibly handsome Matthew Bomer. Bomer, of course, played Bryce Larkin, who arranged for the intersect to be downloaded into Chuck's brain. Larkin was possibly truly and finally killed in the season finale, so his new job shouldn't interfere with Chuck.
Carnivale fan alert - Peter Burke is played by Tim DeKay, Jonesy the crippled co-manager of the carnival. DeKay has appeared in a number of movies and dramas, including The 4400, Tell Me You Love Me, and Everwood. He was also Bizarro Jerry on Seinfeld.
Tiffani Thiessen stars as Peter's wife, Elizabeth. Thiessen is, of course, famous for her roles on Saved by the Bell and Beverly Hills 90210, as well as numerous Lifetime movies. Why she removed Amber from her name is lost on me.
Finally, a Sex and the City fan alert - Willie Garson, Stanford Blatch, plays a charming Mozzie.
What you may not know about the network is that it is under joint ownership with NBC. As mentioned earlier, NBC just gave away five hours of prime time to Jay Leno for a fairly conventional and unfunny talk show. How ironic that its sister-station is known for creating some decent dramas.
All the dramas aired on USA (with the exception of The 4400) more or less fit a standard mold. There's usually a small ensemble cast, which orbits around one usually eccentric character. The ensemble may start out as adversaries or strangers, but eventually they become a tight-knit unit, or even a family, despite their attempts to avoid becoming so. Although each episode is stand alone, there is often an arc that is mentioned in just about every episode, though there is often never a resolution. In Adrian Monk's storyline, it is the murder of his wife. The fare that is offered is usually light and frothy, and often completely enjoyable.
White Collar is no exception. The orbital character is Neal Caffrey, a roguish, impossibly handsome con-artist who has only been arrested and convicted once. His new family includes the man who caught him not once but twice, Special Agent Peter Burke, who agrees to let Caffrey out of jail to work as a consultant with the FBI. Peter's wife, Elizabeth, is an event planner who has helped with cases. Mozzie is Caffrey's partner in crime, known to Burke (so far) as Mr. Haversham. Lastly, the beautiful (of course!) and brilliant Agent Lauren Cruz who transfers to the White Collar Unit to work with Peter Burke, but finds herself somewhat attracted to Caffrey. Each episode a case is solved. In the meantime, Caffrey is trying to find his girlfriend, who he believes to be in trouble. I don't know all the details of that, because I've only seen the fourth episode.
So, just what the network ordered. Yes, there are holes the size of craters in the story, but it is not intended to be viewed with a skeptical, discerning eye. Instead, it is to be enjoyed, which I did.
Chuck fan alert - Neal Caffrey is played by the impossibly handsome Matthew Bomer. Bomer, of course, played Bryce Larkin, who arranged for the intersect to be downloaded into Chuck's brain. Larkin was possibly truly and finally killed in the season finale, so his new job shouldn't interfere with Chuck.
Carnivale fan alert - Peter Burke is played by Tim DeKay, Jonesy the crippled co-manager of the carnival. DeKay has appeared in a number of movies and dramas, including The 4400, Tell Me You Love Me, and Everwood. He was also Bizarro Jerry on Seinfeld.
Tiffani Thiessen stars as Peter's wife, Elizabeth. Thiessen is, of course, famous for her roles on Saved by the Bell and Beverly Hills 90210, as well as numerous Lifetime movies. Why she removed Amber from her name is lost on me.
Finally, a Sex and the City fan alert - Willie Garson, Stanford Blatch, plays a charming Mozzie.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Jay Leno and the Biggest Loser
As you know, I'm a guilty watcher of The Biggest Loser. It is one of those shows that I can watch for a few minutes and then go on to something else. The only interesting part is the weigh in.
Last night had a double elimination. Whoever had the lowest percentage of body weight loss was automatically eliminated. After that person, the two with the lowest percentage of body weight loss were up for elimination, and the remaining contestants voted for whomever they thought should leave.
It was no surprise that Daniel was immediately eliminated. He has struggled the entire season to lose any amount of weight, and is the only contestant who actually gained weight one week. Bye bye Daniel.
The other two at the bottom were Shay and Amanda. Only pure bad luck landed Shay at the bottom - the woman lost 17 pounds that week, and became the first woman to lose 100 pounds by this week of the show. But because everyone else lost huge numbers too, Shay ended up as one of the bottom two.
Amanda's presence at the bottom was not much of a surprise. She has lost little weight week after week, something I can't understand.
Between the two, Amanda should have been sent home. Shay has more than taken advantage of the opportunity, while Amanda appears to be spinning her wheels. But the other contestants, observing that Shay has started to lose lots of weight, realized that she is a threat to their ability to win the title of Biggest Loser. So they voted her off. I hate the game aspect.
The other annoying part came at the end, though I didn't realize how annoyed I was until this morning. At the very end of the episode, we are treated to the reunion of the cast off contestants with their families. Then, we get an update, in which the contestants show how they are trying to continue to lose weight and the changes that have been made in their lives. We saw Daniel and Shay reunite with their families, but we only got an update on Daniel. I thought, maybe Shay refused?
This morning, however, I read that Shay actually showed up on The Jay Leno Show. Oh, so NBC was trying to entice me to watch Leno, were they? Well, guess what, it ain't going to work. I'll just have to live without seeing her until the final episode.
If you're curious, Shay apparently lost another 50 pounds. She's still over 300 pounds.
Last night had a double elimination. Whoever had the lowest percentage of body weight loss was automatically eliminated. After that person, the two with the lowest percentage of body weight loss were up for elimination, and the remaining contestants voted for whomever they thought should leave.
It was no surprise that Daniel was immediately eliminated. He has struggled the entire season to lose any amount of weight, and is the only contestant who actually gained weight one week. Bye bye Daniel.
The other two at the bottom were Shay and Amanda. Only pure bad luck landed Shay at the bottom - the woman lost 17 pounds that week, and became the first woman to lose 100 pounds by this week of the show. But because everyone else lost huge numbers too, Shay ended up as one of the bottom two.
Amanda's presence at the bottom was not much of a surprise. She has lost little weight week after week, something I can't understand.
Between the two, Amanda should have been sent home. Shay has more than taken advantage of the opportunity, while Amanda appears to be spinning her wheels. But the other contestants, observing that Shay has started to lose lots of weight, realized that she is a threat to their ability to win the title of Biggest Loser. So they voted her off. I hate the game aspect.
The other annoying part came at the end, though I didn't realize how annoyed I was until this morning. At the very end of the episode, we are treated to the reunion of the cast off contestants with their families. Then, we get an update, in which the contestants show how they are trying to continue to lose weight and the changes that have been made in their lives. We saw Daniel and Shay reunite with their families, but we only got an update on Daniel. I thought, maybe Shay refused?
This morning, however, I read that Shay actually showed up on The Jay Leno Show. Oh, so NBC was trying to entice me to watch Leno, were they? Well, guess what, it ain't going to work. I'll just have to live without seeing her until the final episode.
If you're curious, Shay apparently lost another 50 pounds. She's still over 300 pounds.
Fox Cancels Dollhouse
I wish I could say that this is a surprise, but it is not. Fox announced today that Dollhouse is canceled. Fortunately, the network will air all thirteen episodes that it ordered.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
FlashForward - Al Gough Changes Everything
There have been some assumptions made by the main characters about the nature of these flash forwards, many of which were challenged in this past episode, The Gift.
One assumption made is that the flash forwards are inevitable. No attempts to avoid the future will work, instead, they will drive you further toward the event. This is especially true for those who saw nothing. The assumption if you saw nothing has been that you will be dead. Therefore, all those who saw nothing, such as Demetri Noh, are facing a death sentence.
Our agents investigated a group discovered in the investigation of who shot them, the Blue Hand Group. They were associated with a group who hadn't seen anything during the blackouts. They called themselves ghosts, because that is what they believed they were. As ghosts, they allowed themselves to do whatever they wanted, torture, drugs, and suicide games. Many of the ghosts decided to commit suicide to end the pain of their uncertainty.
The agents had to pass a test when the entered the den of ghostdom. A man put a gun under his throat and pulled the trigger - nothing happened. Al Gough picked the gun up, put it under his throat, and pulled the trigger, to have nothing happen. Demetri made a joke that the gun must be empty, but the man opened the barrel and let out the lone bullet. When Demetri confronted Al about it a few minutes later, Al pointed out that he had a flash forward - he knew couldn't die.
We finally learned more about Al's flash forward during this episode. It turns out he spent part of the time on the phone with his lawyer. A young mother of twins had died, and Al had somehow killed her. Al was clearly devastated, and the sadness in his eyes throughout the episode was palpable. He talked with Fiona Banks (played by the fabulous Alex Kingston) about the sadness she felt about a bird that died flying into her window in her flash forward. He suggested that she put tape in the window to prevent the bird from flying into it, but she dismissed the idea - the bird would probably just fly into another window.
There appeared to be a team meeting at the end of the episode. As Al passed Demetri, he told him that he couldn't make it to the meeting, but had left an envelope on Demetri's desk. Then, as Demetri read what was in the envelope, Al made his way to the top of the building. The contents of the envelope told Demetri that it wasn't inevitable, and the letter was to the young woman that Al would somehow kill in the future. The agents swarmed to the roof, but Al wouldn't be dissuaded. He then fell to his death.
And all the rules changed.
This wasn't a perfect episode by any means. Al's pain and sadness was completely out of the blue - I really don't mind a little obvious foreshadowing here and there. Nor was it explained why Al accompanied Mark and Demetri this time when everyone had worked in pairs before. Also, Simon Costa was missing from the episode until the very end, during the musical interlude as we and the characters absorbed the meaning of Al's act, when Simon was seen musing over a bracelet that had the name "Annabelle" on it. Where did that come from? There was also a storyline involving the babysitter and Bryce, where she interpreted the Japanese symbol that Bryce had seen in his flash forward. That fell a little flat. However, the scenes between Aaron Stark (Mark's AA sponsor whose name I am just now learning) and a soldier who had served with Stark's daughter, were effective.
But it was Al who dominated the episode, as well as Al's decision to change his seemingly inevitable future. By committing suicide, he changed the flash forwards of at least three people: Fiona Banks, Al, and the young mother. Suddenly, everyone may have more control over the inevitability of a future they may or may not want. Demetri might live, Mark might not relapse into alcoholism, and Olivia might not have an affair.
For the first time since the series started, I'm eager to see the next episode. Now I'm hooked.
One assumption made is that the flash forwards are inevitable. No attempts to avoid the future will work, instead, they will drive you further toward the event. This is especially true for those who saw nothing. The assumption if you saw nothing has been that you will be dead. Therefore, all those who saw nothing, such as Demetri Noh, are facing a death sentence.
Our agents investigated a group discovered in the investigation of who shot them, the Blue Hand Group. They were associated with a group who hadn't seen anything during the blackouts. They called themselves ghosts, because that is what they believed they were. As ghosts, they allowed themselves to do whatever they wanted, torture, drugs, and suicide games. Many of the ghosts decided to commit suicide to end the pain of their uncertainty.
The agents had to pass a test when the entered the den of ghostdom. A man put a gun under his throat and pulled the trigger - nothing happened. Al Gough picked the gun up, put it under his throat, and pulled the trigger, to have nothing happen. Demetri made a joke that the gun must be empty, but the man opened the barrel and let out the lone bullet. When Demetri confronted Al about it a few minutes later, Al pointed out that he had a flash forward - he knew couldn't die.
We finally learned more about Al's flash forward during this episode. It turns out he spent part of the time on the phone with his lawyer. A young mother of twins had died, and Al had somehow killed her. Al was clearly devastated, and the sadness in his eyes throughout the episode was palpable. He talked with Fiona Banks (played by the fabulous Alex Kingston) about the sadness she felt about a bird that died flying into her window in her flash forward. He suggested that she put tape in the window to prevent the bird from flying into it, but she dismissed the idea - the bird would probably just fly into another window.
There appeared to be a team meeting at the end of the episode. As Al passed Demetri, he told him that he couldn't make it to the meeting, but had left an envelope on Demetri's desk. Then, as Demetri read what was in the envelope, Al made his way to the top of the building. The contents of the envelope told Demetri that it wasn't inevitable, and the letter was to the young woman that Al would somehow kill in the future. The agents swarmed to the roof, but Al wouldn't be dissuaded. He then fell to his death.
And all the rules changed.
This wasn't a perfect episode by any means. Al's pain and sadness was completely out of the blue - I really don't mind a little obvious foreshadowing here and there. Nor was it explained why Al accompanied Mark and Demetri this time when everyone had worked in pairs before. Also, Simon Costa was missing from the episode until the very end, during the musical interlude as we and the characters absorbed the meaning of Al's act, when Simon was seen musing over a bracelet that had the name "Annabelle" on it. Where did that come from? There was also a storyline involving the babysitter and Bryce, where she interpreted the Japanese symbol that Bryce had seen in his flash forward. That fell a little flat. However, the scenes between Aaron Stark (Mark's AA sponsor whose name I am just now learning) and a soldier who had served with Stark's daughter, were effective.
But it was Al who dominated the episode, as well as Al's decision to change his seemingly inevitable future. By committing suicide, he changed the flash forwards of at least three people: Fiona Banks, Al, and the young mother. Suddenly, everyone may have more control over the inevitability of a future they may or may not want. Demetri might live, Mark might not relapse into alcoholism, and Olivia might not have an affair.
For the first time since the series started, I'm eager to see the next episode. Now I'm hooked.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Bones - The Tough Man in the Tender Chicken
I didn't plan to spend a lot of time recapping episodes, primarily because I have a day job, but also because there are plenty of websites where you can find recaps. But I feel free to take the opportunity after an episode that I find meaningful, disturbing, or annoying to make note of my thoughts.
Unfortunately, this episode of Bones fell into the annoying camp. A brief recap: the heir to a chicken business is found murdered a month after he's missing. There's an amusing interlude where the squints think the victim is super chicken soldier, but that diversion doesn't last long. After the victim is identified, Bones and Booth visit the chicken factory where he worked.
And that's where the preaching begins. Did you know that chicken factories are evil? If you didn't, you should really watch this episode, because it will tell you in great detail how awful they are. I'm sure the preachy tone has nothing to do with the fact that Emily Deschanel, Bones and a producer, is a vegan.
I honestly don't mind a message, and I suspect that everything that was said about chicken factories is absolutely true. But I don't watch Bones for a "very special lesson" but for entertainment. Leave the morals for family sitcoms.
Part of the lesson we suffered from involved Angela's determination to save a pig from becoming bacon - all she needed was $1,500. Bones refused to give Angela the money since she found the concept to be irrational. Angela then questioned her friendship with Bones. Bones was devastated to find herself at odds with her best friend. Sweets recommended that Bones give in to Angela, but it was Booth who recommended that, illogical as it was, she should let Angela win this one. So, Bones did.
The exploration of the friendship between the women was quite interesting. This was the one bright spot in an otherwise dreary episode.
Unfortunately, this episode of Bones fell into the annoying camp. A brief recap: the heir to a chicken business is found murdered a month after he's missing. There's an amusing interlude where the squints think the victim is super chicken soldier, but that diversion doesn't last long. After the victim is identified, Bones and Booth visit the chicken factory where he worked.
And that's where the preaching begins. Did you know that chicken factories are evil? If you didn't, you should really watch this episode, because it will tell you in great detail how awful they are. I'm sure the preachy tone has nothing to do with the fact that Emily Deschanel, Bones and a producer, is a vegan.
I honestly don't mind a message, and I suspect that everything that was said about chicken factories is absolutely true. But I don't watch Bones for a "very special lesson" but for entertainment. Leave the morals for family sitcoms.
Part of the lesson we suffered from involved Angela's determination to save a pig from becoming bacon - all she needed was $1,500. Bones refused to give Angela the money since she found the concept to be irrational. Angela then questioned her friendship with Bones. Bones was devastated to find herself at odds with her best friend. Sweets recommended that Bones give in to Angela, but it was Booth who recommended that, illogical as it was, she should let Angela win this one. So, Bones did.
The exploration of the friendship between the women was quite interesting. This was the one bright spot in an otherwise dreary episode.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
V - The Pilot
If you plan to see the pilot and haven't yet, don't read this post. Spoilers abound.
I am certain that V was either my most anticipated or my second most anticipated new series of the Fall TV season, neck and neck with FlashForward. Well, we all know that I thought of FlashForward. But let's not dwell on that right now.
I'm not sure why V started so late in the season. It will be aired for 4 weeks, then will take a break until March, 2010, after the Winter Olympics. A lot of people are upset about this, because they feel that the break will be disastrous to the show. I don't know. I do know that V got excellent ratings last night for its pilot.
I can't tell you where I was when JFK was shot, but I do know where I was when I first heard of a plane crashing into the first tower on 9/11. The pilot of V started by asking where you were during those events, then added, "Where were you this morning?" This morning being the morning that 29 alien ships appeared over cities across the globe, of course. After a few minutes of suspense and anticipation, an apparition of Anna, a leader among the Visitors in the alien ships, talking in the language of the city the ship is over, assuring us that the Visitors are thrilled to find another planet with intelligent life, and promising to bring healing and peace to the world.
As might be expected, some people find hope and believe in the message, while others protest their presence. The news channels are abuzz with what little information they can gather about the Visitors, while the aliens arrange for trips from earth to their ships. Anna arranges to meet with the UN.
In the meantime, our heroine, Erica Evans, an FBI counterterrorism agent, notices that the activity of a particular terrorist cell spikes. She and her partner, Dale Maddox, investigate, but unfortunately, seem to be one step behind the suspects throughout the hour. Erica must also deal with her teenaged son, who is, of course, troubled. Tyler is clearly fascinated with the Visitors, taking a trip to their ship and agreeing to become a V Peace Ambassador Program. Tyler becomes attracted to a Visitor named Lisa.
In the meantime, a businessman named Ryan Nichols is disturbed by nearly constant calls from an old acquaintance named George, who wants Ryan's help, but Ryan wants nothing of it. He plans to propose to his girlfriend, but she becomes paranoid about the number of calls Ryan refuses to answer.
Father Landry finds his church, formerly a congregation of 3, has standing room only during Mass. His fellow priest encourages Landry to praise the Visitors for bringing peace and healing, but Landry is skeptical. One of his original parishioners, Roy, has visited a healing center, and can walk. But another of his congregants gives Landry an envelope with an address on it, telling him to go to the meeting. The man has been wounded, and dies in the church.
Chad Decker is a television news anchor who reports on the Visitors. He scores an exclusive interview with Anna but is shocked when told right before the interview that he is not allowed to ask any questions that would embarrass the Visitors or make them look bad. He agrees to the interview, but clearly finds it distasteful.
Erica's investigation leads her to a clandestine meeting run by Ryan Nichols' friend, George. All attendants have to undergo a slicing of skin over their ears to ensure they are all human. Then George announces that the Visitors are lying - they've been on Earth for decades, infiltrating various institutions. Their intentions are not peaceful but nefarious, though we didn't learn much about that. Erica almost left, but Landry, who was at the meeting in mufti, showed the envelope he had been given. It contained pictures that coincided with Erica's investigation. As she discussed this with Landry, a metallic ball flew into the room shooting bullets. Then men came in, including Dale Maddox, Erica's partner. He tries to kill Erica, but she wounds him instead, and uncovers his lizard skin on his face. Dale is a Visitor. Landry grabs Erica and they escape.
Meanwhile, Ryan Nichols shows up to rescue George, but is injured while doing so. Ryan apologizes for not coming earlier, saying that there needs to be a resistance against the Visitors. He then reveals his injured arm, which shows lizard skin. Ryan isn't the only Visitor traitor who is working against the Visitors' aims.
Okay, now that I have the recap over and done with, I must say that I found myself very engaged in the show, with one notable exception. The actors were all excellent, and the storytelling structure was interesting. I am curious about the moral quandary facing Chad Decker as he finds himself the reluctant spokesman for the Visitors but also getting worldwide exposure. I found Landry's uncertainty to be intriguing. I was a little confused by Ryan Nichols and his involvement with the main storyline, so I certainly didn't predict that he was a "sleeper" Visitor. I did guess that Dale Maddox was a Visitor - Erica kept mentioning how the suspects seemed to be tipped off in time to escape. It also didn't help that the actor playing him is listed as a guest actor. And let's face it, Alan Tudyk did a version of this in last season's Dollhouse.
The exception is the tired cliche that is troubled teen Tyler Evans. In a conversation between Tyler and his mother, he accuses her of not caring about him because she's never home. Essentially, the lines have been written and spoken in thousands of shows before now, and will be written and spoken in thousands of show afterward. Hopefully, the dreaded teen angst will be minimized in future episodes.
Lost Fan Alert: Duh - Elizabeth Mitchell, Juliet Burke on Lost, plays Erica Evans. Damn those Lost producers for letting her go. She remains beautiful, smart, and fabulous.
Buffyverse Fan Alert - Dale Maddox is played by Alan Tudyk, Hoban "Wash" Washborn in Firefly and Serenity, and Alpha in Dollhouse. Morena Baccarin, Anna, was Inarra Serra on Firefly and Serenity.
The 4400 Fan Alert - Joel Gretsch plays Father Landry. He played Tom Baldwin in The 4400. That show ended way too soon.
Other actors of note: Morris Chestnut plays Ryan Nichols. Scott Wolf from Party of Five and The Nine plays Chad Decker. Lourdes Benedicto, also of The Nine, plays Valerie Stevens, Ryan Nichols' girlfriend.
I am certain that V was either my most anticipated or my second most anticipated new series of the Fall TV season, neck and neck with FlashForward. Well, we all know that I thought of FlashForward. But let's not dwell on that right now.
I'm not sure why V started so late in the season. It will be aired for 4 weeks, then will take a break until March, 2010, after the Winter Olympics. A lot of people are upset about this, because they feel that the break will be disastrous to the show. I don't know. I do know that V got excellent ratings last night for its pilot.
I can't tell you where I was when JFK was shot, but I do know where I was when I first heard of a plane crashing into the first tower on 9/11. The pilot of V started by asking where you were during those events, then added, "Where were you this morning?" This morning being the morning that 29 alien ships appeared over cities across the globe, of course. After a few minutes of suspense and anticipation, an apparition of Anna, a leader among the Visitors in the alien ships, talking in the language of the city the ship is over, assuring us that the Visitors are thrilled to find another planet with intelligent life, and promising to bring healing and peace to the world.
As might be expected, some people find hope and believe in the message, while others protest their presence. The news channels are abuzz with what little information they can gather about the Visitors, while the aliens arrange for trips from earth to their ships. Anna arranges to meet with the UN.
In the meantime, our heroine, Erica Evans, an FBI counterterrorism agent, notices that the activity of a particular terrorist cell spikes. She and her partner, Dale Maddox, investigate, but unfortunately, seem to be one step behind the suspects throughout the hour. Erica must also deal with her teenaged son, who is, of course, troubled. Tyler is clearly fascinated with the Visitors, taking a trip to their ship and agreeing to become a V Peace Ambassador Program. Tyler becomes attracted to a Visitor named Lisa.
In the meantime, a businessman named Ryan Nichols is disturbed by nearly constant calls from an old acquaintance named George, who wants Ryan's help, but Ryan wants nothing of it. He plans to propose to his girlfriend, but she becomes paranoid about the number of calls Ryan refuses to answer.
Father Landry finds his church, formerly a congregation of 3, has standing room only during Mass. His fellow priest encourages Landry to praise the Visitors for bringing peace and healing, but Landry is skeptical. One of his original parishioners, Roy, has visited a healing center, and can walk. But another of his congregants gives Landry an envelope with an address on it, telling him to go to the meeting. The man has been wounded, and dies in the church.
Chad Decker is a television news anchor who reports on the Visitors. He scores an exclusive interview with Anna but is shocked when told right before the interview that he is not allowed to ask any questions that would embarrass the Visitors or make them look bad. He agrees to the interview, but clearly finds it distasteful.
Erica's investigation leads her to a clandestine meeting run by Ryan Nichols' friend, George. All attendants have to undergo a slicing of skin over their ears to ensure they are all human. Then George announces that the Visitors are lying - they've been on Earth for decades, infiltrating various institutions. Their intentions are not peaceful but nefarious, though we didn't learn much about that. Erica almost left, but Landry, who was at the meeting in mufti, showed the envelope he had been given. It contained pictures that coincided with Erica's investigation. As she discussed this with Landry, a metallic ball flew into the room shooting bullets. Then men came in, including Dale Maddox, Erica's partner. He tries to kill Erica, but she wounds him instead, and uncovers his lizard skin on his face. Dale is a Visitor. Landry grabs Erica and they escape.
Meanwhile, Ryan Nichols shows up to rescue George, but is injured while doing so. Ryan apologizes for not coming earlier, saying that there needs to be a resistance against the Visitors. He then reveals his injured arm, which shows lizard skin. Ryan isn't the only Visitor traitor who is working against the Visitors' aims.
Okay, now that I have the recap over and done with, I must say that I found myself very engaged in the show, with one notable exception. The actors were all excellent, and the storytelling structure was interesting. I am curious about the moral quandary facing Chad Decker as he finds himself the reluctant spokesman for the Visitors but also getting worldwide exposure. I found Landry's uncertainty to be intriguing. I was a little confused by Ryan Nichols and his involvement with the main storyline, so I certainly didn't predict that he was a "sleeper" Visitor. I did guess that Dale Maddox was a Visitor - Erica kept mentioning how the suspects seemed to be tipped off in time to escape. It also didn't help that the actor playing him is listed as a guest actor. And let's face it, Alan Tudyk did a version of this in last season's Dollhouse.
The exception is the tired cliche that is troubled teen Tyler Evans. In a conversation between Tyler and his mother, he accuses her of not caring about him because she's never home. Essentially, the lines have been written and spoken in thousands of shows before now, and will be written and spoken in thousands of show afterward. Hopefully, the dreaded teen angst will be minimized in future episodes.
Lost Fan Alert: Duh - Elizabeth Mitchell, Juliet Burke on Lost, plays Erica Evans. Damn those Lost producers for letting her go. She remains beautiful, smart, and fabulous.
Buffyverse Fan Alert - Dale Maddox is played by Alan Tudyk, Hoban "Wash" Washborn in Firefly and Serenity, and Alpha in Dollhouse. Morena Baccarin, Anna, was Inarra Serra on Firefly and Serenity.
The 4400 Fan Alert - Joel Gretsch plays Father Landry. He played Tom Baldwin in The 4400. That show ended way too soon.
Other actors of note: Morris Chestnut plays Ryan Nichols. Scott Wolf from Party of Five and The Nine plays Chad Decker. Lourdes Benedicto, also of The Nine, plays Valerie Stevens, Ryan Nichols' girlfriend.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Crying Games on The Biggest Loser
Okay, so I must confess that The Biggest Loser is a guilty pleasure of mine. It is so compelling - these grossly obese (a medical term, by the way, I'm not being mean) have agreed to literally give their lives to a camp, where they learn to eat right and exercise like crazy. It is not unusual for contestants to lose pounds in the double digits in a week. Each week, one or two contestants who haven't lost as high a percentage of their body weight as their cohorts is sent home, usually by popular vote.
I honestly believe that a lot of the body weight lost is due to the shedding of tears. Maybe there's always tons of tears in reality shows - I don't watch enough to be able to say. But they sure flow on The Biggest Loser. They cry when the work out, they cry when talking about their weight, they cry when they don't lose as much weight as they had hoped to, they cry when they lose more weight than they had thought they would. And the number of tears that flow in the final fifteen minutes when people vote someone out is phenomenal. I should have invested in tissue.
I honestly believe that a lot of the body weight lost is due to the shedding of tears. Maybe there's always tons of tears in reality shows - I don't watch enough to be able to say. But they sure flow on The Biggest Loser. They cry when the work out, they cry when talking about their weight, they cry when they don't lose as much weight as they had hoped to, they cry when they lose more weight than they had thought they would. And the number of tears that flow in the final fifteen minutes when people vote someone out is phenomenal. I should have invested in tissue.
Monday, November 2, 2009
FlashForward - Scary Monsters and Super Creeps
I thought I'd give an update on my complicated relationship with FlashForward. As you know, it was promoted (you could argue it was overpromoted) as the next Lost, with a riveting storyline and intriguing characters. But the first few episodes left me flat. I just couldn't get into it.
But this last episode gave me hope. Interestingly enough, at first I was completely annoyed by the episode, by its use of an old cliche. The FBI agents had been shot at, and one was in danger of losing her life. As Penny, I meant to say Olivia, did everything she could to save the agent's life, the Assistant Director, Wedeck, ordered his other agents to go home and rest. But Dimitri Noh couldn't do it. No, he needed to use his anger at what happened to his friend to try to find the killers. Yada yada yada. Noh and his partner, Gough, then entered a house thought to belong to the killers, without calling for either backup or a warrant. Whatever!
But the episode, fortunately, had other elements that elevated it above this. First, we got a good eyeful of Dominic Monaghan's Simon Costa. Costa is a brilliant and lascivious physicist who saw himself choking someone to death in his flash forward. He gleefully tells this to a young lady he has just bedded after meeting her on a cross country train. It was a very sinister scene, made more so by the ambiguity over whether the young lady survived her encounter with Costa.
Simon Costa could not be further from Charlie Pace (or Meriadoc Brandybuck, for that matter). Monaghan brings a lot of life to this role.
We also learned that Costa and Lloyd Simcoe are partners, with others, involved in whatever caused the black out. Perhaps I was right in thinking that it was Simcoe who was observed on camera walking around while everyone was unconscious.
There was also a bit of a sense of humor. As Mark took his daughter trick-or-treating, all were amazed to see a kangaroo hopping through. How random!
But the best part was the fight between Mark and Olivia. In the pilot, we learned that Olivia will apparently have an affair with Lloyd Simcoe and Mark will have a relapse of his alcoholism. Olivia told Mark about her flash forward, but Mark didn't reciprocate. He told his sponsor (whose name still escapes me) it was because Olivia promised to leave Mark if he ever started drinking again. His sponsor encouraged Mark to tell Olivia, but he didn't.
In the meantime, Olivia's revelation of her flash forward was affecting her marriage, especially after Olivia met Simcoe. Mark was angry and clearly distrustful of Olivia, despite Olivia's protestations that he was punishing her for something that hadn't happened yet. Things had settled down between them when Simcoe's son, Dylan, marched into the Benford home, declaring, "It's my home too." Dylan has autism, and in his flash forward, the Benfords' daughter, Charlie, gave Dylan permission to get a cookie, saying, "It's your home too." That's how Charlie and Dylan knew each other.
Lloyd comes to the Benford home to collect his son, and in his visit there, he recognized the living room from his own flash forward. He looked at Olivia, who literally walked into a waking nightmare of her husband and future lover confronting each other. Mark ran Lloyd and his son out, barely agreeing to shake Lloyd's hand.
In the kitchen, Mark exploded at Olivia, accusing her of being closer to Lloyd than she had revealed. Olivia defended herself, then turned the tables on Mark, demanding to know everything that happened in his fast forward. Finally, ashamed, he revealed that he was drinking. Olivia's face turned cold. When she became angry, he defended himself, arguing it hadn't happened yet (duh!). Olivia reminded Mark that this had been her point, then stated, it's starting already. And it is. Mark's not drinking yet, but he's out at all hours, he's lying to Olivia, and he clearly doesn't trust her. Is this the breach that leads to the affair?
One theme that the show is exploring is the cyclical effect that the flash forwards are having on the characters and the action in the show. Mark is put in charge of the black out investigation because of the board of clues he saw. Many of the clues were written out not as they emerged but from Mark's memory. Dimitri is reckless, because he believes he will be dead by April. Nicole Kirby is devestated when her injuries put her fertility at risk, despite the fact that she was heavily pregnant in her flash. Olivia is uncomfortable around Simcoe, for nothing less than the fact that she will have an affair with him.
Most of us look to the future with no clear idea of what will happen. These characters have some fairly clear ideas. And this knowledge is affecting what they do. Making it more likely that they will be in position when the day actually arrives.
But this last episode gave me hope. Interestingly enough, at first I was completely annoyed by the episode, by its use of an old cliche. The FBI agents had been shot at, and one was in danger of losing her life. As Penny, I meant to say Olivia, did everything she could to save the agent's life, the Assistant Director, Wedeck, ordered his other agents to go home and rest. But Dimitri Noh couldn't do it. No, he needed to use his anger at what happened to his friend to try to find the killers. Yada yada yada. Noh and his partner, Gough, then entered a house thought to belong to the killers, without calling for either backup or a warrant. Whatever!
But the episode, fortunately, had other elements that elevated it above this. First, we got a good eyeful of Dominic Monaghan's Simon Costa. Costa is a brilliant and lascivious physicist who saw himself choking someone to death in his flash forward. He gleefully tells this to a young lady he has just bedded after meeting her on a cross country train. It was a very sinister scene, made more so by the ambiguity over whether the young lady survived her encounter with Costa.
Simon Costa could not be further from Charlie Pace (or Meriadoc Brandybuck, for that matter). Monaghan brings a lot of life to this role.
We also learned that Costa and Lloyd Simcoe are partners, with others, involved in whatever caused the black out. Perhaps I was right in thinking that it was Simcoe who was observed on camera walking around while everyone was unconscious.
There was also a bit of a sense of humor. As Mark took his daughter trick-or-treating, all were amazed to see a kangaroo hopping through. How random!
But the best part was the fight between Mark and Olivia. In the pilot, we learned that Olivia will apparently have an affair with Lloyd Simcoe and Mark will have a relapse of his alcoholism. Olivia told Mark about her flash forward, but Mark didn't reciprocate. He told his sponsor (whose name still escapes me) it was because Olivia promised to leave Mark if he ever started drinking again. His sponsor encouraged Mark to tell Olivia, but he didn't.
In the meantime, Olivia's revelation of her flash forward was affecting her marriage, especially after Olivia met Simcoe. Mark was angry and clearly distrustful of Olivia, despite Olivia's protestations that he was punishing her for something that hadn't happened yet. Things had settled down between them when Simcoe's son, Dylan, marched into the Benford home, declaring, "It's my home too." Dylan has autism, and in his flash forward, the Benfords' daughter, Charlie, gave Dylan permission to get a cookie, saying, "It's your home too." That's how Charlie and Dylan knew each other.
Lloyd comes to the Benford home to collect his son, and in his visit there, he recognized the living room from his own flash forward. He looked at Olivia, who literally walked into a waking nightmare of her husband and future lover confronting each other. Mark ran Lloyd and his son out, barely agreeing to shake Lloyd's hand.
In the kitchen, Mark exploded at Olivia, accusing her of being closer to Lloyd than she had revealed. Olivia defended herself, then turned the tables on Mark, demanding to know everything that happened in his fast forward. Finally, ashamed, he revealed that he was drinking. Olivia's face turned cold. When she became angry, he defended himself, arguing it hadn't happened yet (duh!). Olivia reminded Mark that this had been her point, then stated, it's starting already. And it is. Mark's not drinking yet, but he's out at all hours, he's lying to Olivia, and he clearly doesn't trust her. Is this the breach that leads to the affair?
One theme that the show is exploring is the cyclical effect that the flash forwards are having on the characters and the action in the show. Mark is put in charge of the black out investigation because of the board of clues he saw. Many of the clues were written out not as they emerged but from Mark's memory. Dimitri is reckless, because he believes he will be dead by April. Nicole Kirby is devestated when her injuries put her fertility at risk, despite the fact that she was heavily pregnant in her flash. Olivia is uncomfortable around Simcoe, for nothing less than the fact that she will have an affair with him.
Most of us look to the future with no clear idea of what will happen. These characters have some fairly clear ideas. And this knowledge is affecting what they do. Making it more likely that they will be in position when the day actually arrives.
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