Bones is not a show I’ve talked about on here before, but recently it’s become a show that I really look forward too. I remember I saw the pilot before it aired, and was thoroughly unimpressed. But, having heard really good word of mouth, I began to watch it this past summer, and finally caught up to the present during the tail end of this season. By the time I was fully caught up, it had become a show that I really really liked, with a great cast, compelling characters (and I’m not actually talking about Bones (the characer) here. Much love to Sweets, Angela, and Hodgins), and fun writing.
I’ll admit it, I’m not a huge Booth/Brennan fan. They’ve got great chemistry, but I don’t feel the need to see them bang any time soon. But when I heard the news that they were going to in the season finale, I was interested certainly. I was wondering where the show was going to go from there. Well, it turns out I don’t have to worry because… It was all a coma dream!
Goddammit Bones, that’s just a crappy story twist and you know it. You tease and tease that they’re finally gonna consummate their relationship and then it’s in a coma dream? And there’s no explanation as to what the hell is going on and why everything is in a parallel universe until the last minute of the show? And you manage to make every single character far less likeable (save, perhaps, Sweets, who is always likeable) in this alternate universe? And you expect the fans to be happy with that? Well, no dice Bones, I’m a little pissed.
I see you tried to make up for it with a cliffhanger. Booth can’t remember Bones. My interest is piqued. But why do I have the feeling that within 3 episodes next season his memory will be back fully? And their sexual tension will continue to just sit there? If that’s the case, you’re going to fall way down my TV priorities list Bones. Because I don’t suffer being played by my TV shows, not on this magnitude. Is it just me, or is this turning into a “I’m Calling You Out” post? So what if it is, then. Bones, I’m Calling you Out. You had such forward momentum and positive feelings and you go and squander it all on a coma dream episode that was confusing and not even entertaining from the get go? And then you expect it will all be better because ZOMG Cliffhanger Booth can’t remember Bones? I wish I couldn’t remember this episode. Way to break down right before the finish line Bones. See you next season, with hopefully some payoff for fans who had to suffer through this finale.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Lost: We Are NOT Amused
Warning: MASSIVE Spoilers Ahead(Like, Dharma Island Sized Spoilers). And some mild, bleeped-ish profanity too.
So, Carlton Cuse and Damon Lindelof, are you trying to make me punch a wall? What the hell was up with “The Incident”? We you just trying to punish viewers? Grrrrr.
Ok, Explanation time. I loved the first hour and forty five minutes of it. The return of Rose, Bernard, and Vincent is maybe one of my favorite moments of this season. The knock down drag out fight between Jack and Sawyer was a moment I have been waiting for for a very long time. The March to Jacob was kind of riveting to see how it all was going to play out, as was the scene with Locke and Ben discussing why Ben WOULDN’T want to kill Jacob. And speaking of Jacob, everything about him was fascinating. His showing up at critical moments in our Losties lives was fantastic, and his scene with Hurley was so tantalizing and pushes Hurley to the forefront of all the big action to come. I was, literally at times, on the edge of my seat.
Plus, we got a bunch of answers. What lies in the shadow of the statue? Well, according to Ricardus, aka Richard Alpert, it’s the man who will save us all (that’s the translation from Latin). What’s in the box? The real John Locke’s body. Why does Locke want to kill Jacob? Because he’s not Locke, but rather the rembodiement of the yin to Jacob’s yang. Which is not to say that it didn’t leave us with a million questions more (I’ll get to that in a minute). But open questions is par for Lost’s course, I was fine with that.
Those last 15 minutes though are absolute torture. First off, RIP Juliet. Seriously, guys, WHY did you have to kill Juliet. A few weeks ago you killed Faraday, one of my three favorite characters on the show, and know you kill Juliet, another of my three favorites? Seriously, if I were Ben Linus, I would start watching my back, since my evaluations seem to be a death knell. I loved that Juliet got what is tied for the biggest, most dramatic, most heart-wrenching death scene the show has had (Charlie being the other), but there was so much left open with her character, why?
And then, Oh God, I feel myself getting mad again, the ending. WHAT THE F*%K? Every other season, I have been OK with your ZOMG!!!!?!?!?! Cliffhangers, because you always gave a hint towards what direction the show is going. Season 3’s “We Have to Go Back, Kate!” showed the direction they were going, as did Season 4’s Locke’s in the Casket. But to go white after Juliet blows up the bomb? No hint whatsoever as to the outcome? Teasing your fans that they’ll have to wait until 2010 to find out? NOT COOL. Any ONE of the final 5 or so scenes could have been the great cliffhanger. Locke is in the box! Ben stabs Jacob! Juliet wakes up in the shaft and sees something! But you had to go with the one that is so open ended? That’s just cruel to your fans.
The Incident was a great season finale, and that cliffhanger, for how angry it makes me, is certainly a massive cliffhanger. But so… much… anger over the way it ended. I cannot wait to see where it is all going, and am depressed that I have to wait THAT long. What about you?
So, Carlton Cuse and Damon Lindelof, are you trying to make me punch a wall? What the hell was up with “The Incident”? We you just trying to punish viewers? Grrrrr.
Ok, Explanation time. I loved the first hour and forty five minutes of it. The return of Rose, Bernard, and Vincent is maybe one of my favorite moments of this season. The knock down drag out fight between Jack and Sawyer was a moment I have been waiting for for a very long time. The March to Jacob was kind of riveting to see how it all was going to play out, as was the scene with Locke and Ben discussing why Ben WOULDN’T want to kill Jacob. And speaking of Jacob, everything about him was fascinating. His showing up at critical moments in our Losties lives was fantastic, and his scene with Hurley was so tantalizing and pushes Hurley to the forefront of all the big action to come. I was, literally at times, on the edge of my seat.
Plus, we got a bunch of answers. What lies in the shadow of the statue? Well, according to Ricardus, aka Richard Alpert, it’s the man who will save us all (that’s the translation from Latin). What’s in the box? The real John Locke’s body. Why does Locke want to kill Jacob? Because he’s not Locke, but rather the rembodiement of the yin to Jacob’s yang. Which is not to say that it didn’t leave us with a million questions more (I’ll get to that in a minute). But open questions is par for Lost’s course, I was fine with that.
Those last 15 minutes though are absolute torture. First off, RIP Juliet. Seriously, guys, WHY did you have to kill Juliet. A few weeks ago you killed Faraday, one of my three favorite characters on the show, and know you kill Juliet, another of my three favorites? Seriously, if I were Ben Linus, I would start watching my back, since my evaluations seem to be a death knell. I loved that Juliet got what is tied for the biggest, most dramatic, most heart-wrenching death scene the show has had (Charlie being the other), but there was so much left open with her character, why?
And then, Oh God, I feel myself getting mad again, the ending. WHAT THE F*%K? Every other season, I have been OK with your ZOMG!!!!?!?!?! Cliffhangers, because you always gave a hint towards what direction the show is going. Season 3’s “We Have to Go Back, Kate!” showed the direction they were going, as did Season 4’s Locke’s in the Casket. But to go white after Juliet blows up the bomb? No hint whatsoever as to the outcome? Teasing your fans that they’ll have to wait until 2010 to find out? NOT COOL. Any ONE of the final 5 or so scenes could have been the great cliffhanger. Locke is in the box! Ben stabs Jacob! Juliet wakes up in the shaft and sees something! But you had to go with the one that is so open ended? That’s just cruel to your fans.
The Incident was a great season finale, and that cliffhanger, for how angry it makes me, is certainly a massive cliffhanger. But so… much… anger over the way it ended. I cannot wait to see where it is all going, and am depressed that I have to wait THAT long. What about you?
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Pushing Daisies Is One Of The Best Shows Ever
All hail Britain’s ITV! Why, you ask? Not for the semi-awesome Primeval (although I am a fan). No, I say all hail ITV because they just finished airing the 3 still-unaired-in-the-US episodes of Pushing Daisies. And, to quote an episode title from earlier this season: Oh, Oh, Oh, They’re Magic. Warning, some spoilers for the three episodes ahead.
Seriously, though, this string of 3 episodes is so ridiculously strong. Focusing on Olive, Emerson, and the aunts, the show managed to make me fall in love with it all over again. It manages to provide enough closure to not make me want to lead an angry mob with torches and pitchforks to ABC’s headquarters. And, well, it’s just plain old fantastic.
The first of the three, “Window Dressed to Kill”, focuses on the childhood kidnappers of Olive Snook, and is probably the weakest of the three. And yet, it’s still better than 99% of everything else on TV. The show manages to develop Olive more and giver her forward momentum. Randy Mann, the first time in a while that I have been able to tolerate David Arquette, is great and I love his budding relationship with Olive. The mystery of the episode is also kind of fantastic. Plus, the return appearance of the Sisters of the Divine Magnatum from earlier this season is completely welcome.
The second, “Water and Power”, focuses on Emerson’s quest to reconnect with his daughter, and is kind of amazing in nearly every way. I’m always a fan of Emerson, so any episode that foregrounds him is gonna please me. But combine that with constantly clever uses of the word “dam”, the re-return of dog trainer turned Chinese food gambler Simone, Chinatown references, AND Gina Torres (Zoe on Firefly) as Emerson’s ex and the mother of his child, and you just get an episode that works pretty much perfectly.
But, not to get all hyperbolic on you (I know, I know, I’m always hyperbolic), “Kerplunk”, the finale, is just about the best episode they’ve ever done. I would call it 99% perfect, and that missing percent is simply because you know watching it that this is the end. Heavy use of Lily and Vivian (the characters who were underutilized throughout the shows entire run), the awesome death scene Jaws reference, and so much else that is amazing that I can’t list it all makes this, well, just about perfect. And thank the lord that Bryan Fuller, genius, tacked on the wrap-up ending, because otherwise that angry mob mentioned earlier would have been a most definite reality.
About the tack-on ending, I’ll be honest, I was tearing up just a little bit. Me, cold-hearted cynical TV blogger, was tearing up. It fits the show kind of perfectly, and just reminds everyone what a magical world it all was. Obviously, when wrapping up as much as possible in about a minute, it’s going to feel rushed. And it does. But at the same time, it leaves open the idea that this world, these characters, these lives will continue. We just won’t be privy to the stories. (Which, A) makes me a disgruntled TV watcher, and B) makes me hope beyond hope that Fuller’s proposed comic series continuation is an actuality)
Now, having seen all 26 episodes, while thinking that that number is entirely too low, I can safely say that Pushing Daisies is one of the best shows ever. I could have told you that after 23 episodes, but why judge a text before you finish it? Although, not to spoil that wrap up, I can only hope that the narrator’s words come true: “At that moment, in the town of Couer d' Couers, events occurred that are not, were not, and should never be considered an ending. For endings, as it is known, are where we begin.”
Seriously, though, this string of 3 episodes is so ridiculously strong. Focusing on Olive, Emerson, and the aunts, the show managed to make me fall in love with it all over again. It manages to provide enough closure to not make me want to lead an angry mob with torches and pitchforks to ABC’s headquarters. And, well, it’s just plain old fantastic.
The first of the three, “Window Dressed to Kill”, focuses on the childhood kidnappers of Olive Snook, and is probably the weakest of the three. And yet, it’s still better than 99% of everything else on TV. The show manages to develop Olive more and giver her forward momentum. Randy Mann, the first time in a while that I have been able to tolerate David Arquette, is great and I love his budding relationship with Olive. The mystery of the episode is also kind of fantastic. Plus, the return appearance of the Sisters of the Divine Magnatum from earlier this season is completely welcome.
The second, “Water and Power”, focuses on Emerson’s quest to reconnect with his daughter, and is kind of amazing in nearly every way. I’m always a fan of Emerson, so any episode that foregrounds him is gonna please me. But combine that with constantly clever uses of the word “dam”, the re-return of dog trainer turned Chinese food gambler Simone, Chinatown references, AND Gina Torres (Zoe on Firefly) as Emerson’s ex and the mother of his child, and you just get an episode that works pretty much perfectly.
But, not to get all hyperbolic on you (I know, I know, I’m always hyperbolic), “Kerplunk”, the finale, is just about the best episode they’ve ever done. I would call it 99% perfect, and that missing percent is simply because you know watching it that this is the end. Heavy use of Lily and Vivian (the characters who were underutilized throughout the shows entire run), the awesome death scene Jaws reference, and so much else that is amazing that I can’t list it all makes this, well, just about perfect. And thank the lord that Bryan Fuller, genius, tacked on the wrap-up ending, because otherwise that angry mob mentioned earlier would have been a most definite reality.
About the tack-on ending, I’ll be honest, I was tearing up just a little bit. Me, cold-hearted cynical TV blogger, was tearing up. It fits the show kind of perfectly, and just reminds everyone what a magical world it all was. Obviously, when wrapping up as much as possible in about a minute, it’s going to feel rushed. And it does. But at the same time, it leaves open the idea that this world, these characters, these lives will continue. We just won’t be privy to the stories. (Which, A) makes me a disgruntled TV watcher, and B) makes me hope beyond hope that Fuller’s proposed comic series continuation is an actuality)
Now, having seen all 26 episodes, while thinking that that number is entirely too low, I can safely say that Pushing Daisies is one of the best shows ever. I could have told you that after 23 episodes, but why judge a text before you finish it? Although, not to spoil that wrap up, I can only hope that the narrator’s words come true: “At that moment, in the town of Couer d' Couers, events occurred that are not, were not, and should never be considered an ending. For endings, as it is known, are where we begin.”
Friday, May 1, 2009
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
State of VH1: The Upcoming
VH1 has four big shows on the docket, as well as new seasons of shows know one cares about, like Brooke Hogan Is A Terrifying Giantess. Wait, I forgot, it’s called Brooke Knows Best. But yeah, no one cares about those shows, but you do seem to care about my opinion, so I will discuss the four ones that pique my interest in order of excitement.
Rock of Love Bus/Real Chance at Love Girls: Charm School- Oh boy, am I pumped for this one, which is saying something because I didn’t even watch Real Chance at Love. The girls competing: Ashley, Farrah, Brittanya, Beverly, Natasha, Brittaney, Marcia, Gia and then from RCOL So Hood, Ki Ki, K.O, Bubbles, Risky, Bay Bay Bay. I will of course be watching for Ashley and Farrah (Long Live the Blondtourage!) But I’m also interested to see the dynamics of the two groups against each other. Rick Lake is hosting, and I think she’ll do a good job. I’ll definitely be watching. In fact, VH1 just a few days ago released the supertrailer for the show (you can find it at the always entertaining blog.vh1.com) and I have to say, this looks like a much classier affair than a typical VH1 show. They’re doing charity work? They are going to the lower 9th ward to help rebuild? There is only a minimal amount of drunken fighting in the trailer? Color me intrigued, VH1. Just make sure to color inside the lines.
New York Goes To Work- Welcome back H.B.I.C! But regarding the show, I’m already sold. New York doing things like being a mortuary assistant? I’m totally there. Even if I did tune out like halfway through New York Goes To Hollywood.
Megan Wants A Millionaire- I will very likely be watching this for three reasons, two curiosity, one genuine. First, the genuine: Brandi C. She is one of my favorite celebreality contestants ever, and will serve as the Sister Patterson to Megan’s New York. I’m excited for anything that gives me more Brandi C. Second, and we’re moving on to curiosity here, I’m really interested to see if they can make Megan likeable. I mean, I’m a fan of hers, but a lot of people aren’t. She’s pretty much a VH1 villain. They managed to make New York likeable after being a villain, but New York is so much more over the top and got dumped twice by Flav, making her sympathetic. Megan doesn’t have that. Third, I really wanna see what sort of millionaires wanna be on VH1. These are some people I wanna see. So I will very likely be watching.
Daisy of Love- I’m gonna give this one a chance. I was never a fan of Daisy, so the show’s draw is gonna have to be the contestants. The return of 12 Pack, plus the trio of Swedish triplets (Nicknamed 84, 85, and 86 because that’s what year they seem to have walked out of) are promising hints, but the supertrailer both reveals a lot of Daisy singing, to which please stop, and that Riki Rachtman plays a large role in the show. If there’s one thing I know, it’s that Riki Rachtman makes everything he is a part of worse. It’s a proven scientific fact. After having watched the first episode, I feel an overwhelming meh. Since the first episode always has to introduce a ton of people, I’m gonna give it another shot, but unless it gets a good bit better or Daisy suddenly becomes a lot more likeable and less like a whiny version of Janice the Muppet, I’ll likely tune out.
So, that’s what’s coming up on VH1. There’s also Tool Academy 2, and likely I Love Money 3, so, folks, VH1’s future looks good.
Rock of Love Bus/Real Chance at Love Girls: Charm School- Oh boy, am I pumped for this one, which is saying something because I didn’t even watch Real Chance at Love. The girls competing: Ashley, Farrah, Brittanya, Beverly, Natasha, Brittaney, Marcia, Gia and then from RCOL So Hood, Ki Ki, K.O, Bubbles, Risky, Bay Bay Bay. I will of course be watching for Ashley and Farrah (Long Live the Blondtourage!) But I’m also interested to see the dynamics of the two groups against each other. Rick Lake is hosting, and I think she’ll do a good job. I’ll definitely be watching. In fact, VH1 just a few days ago released the supertrailer for the show (you can find it at the always entertaining blog.vh1.com) and I have to say, this looks like a much classier affair than a typical VH1 show. They’re doing charity work? They are going to the lower 9th ward to help rebuild? There is only a minimal amount of drunken fighting in the trailer? Color me intrigued, VH1. Just make sure to color inside the lines.
New York Goes To Work- Welcome back H.B.I.C! But regarding the show, I’m already sold. New York doing things like being a mortuary assistant? I’m totally there. Even if I did tune out like halfway through New York Goes To Hollywood.
Megan Wants A Millionaire- I will very likely be watching this for three reasons, two curiosity, one genuine. First, the genuine: Brandi C. She is one of my favorite celebreality contestants ever, and will serve as the Sister Patterson to Megan’s New York. I’m excited for anything that gives me more Brandi C. Second, and we’re moving on to curiosity here, I’m really interested to see if they can make Megan likeable. I mean, I’m a fan of hers, but a lot of people aren’t. She’s pretty much a VH1 villain. They managed to make New York likeable after being a villain, but New York is so much more over the top and got dumped twice by Flav, making her sympathetic. Megan doesn’t have that. Third, I really wanna see what sort of millionaires wanna be on VH1. These are some people I wanna see. So I will very likely be watching.
Daisy of Love- I’m gonna give this one a chance. I was never a fan of Daisy, so the show’s draw is gonna have to be the contestants. The return of 12 Pack, plus the trio of Swedish triplets (Nicknamed 84, 85, and 86 because that’s what year they seem to have walked out of) are promising hints, but the supertrailer both reveals a lot of Daisy singing, to which please stop, and that Riki Rachtman plays a large role in the show. If there’s one thing I know, it’s that Riki Rachtman makes everything he is a part of worse. It’s a proven scientific fact. After having watched the first episode, I feel an overwhelming meh. Since the first episode always has to introduce a ton of people, I’m gonna give it another shot, but unless it gets a good bit better or Daisy suddenly becomes a lot more likeable and less like a whiny version of Janice the Muppet, I’ll likely tune out.
So, that’s what’s coming up on VH1. There’s also Tool Academy 2, and likely I Love Money 3, so, folks, VH1’s future looks good.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
An Update For My 4 Readers
Hello 4 Readers! Thanks for responding to the poll. So, I just wanted to give you an update. While finals at my school don't actually start for about a week and a half, finals work already has. So, needless to say, this blog will not be updated all that frequently. I have about 3 or 4 posts backlogged, which I'll throw up every so often when I get a minute, but besides the class where I don't actually pay any attention, I won't have time to really write any new blog posts. So, yup, no Amazing Race recap tonight because of work, and a definite decrease in blog activity for the next two and a half weeks or so (around May 13th is when we wrap up). But I will try to put up the final State of VH1 post tomorrow, with some thoughts about Daisy of Love if I get a chance to watch it tonight. Which is only a maybe, because of work. Have I mentioned I have a lot of work? Finals suck.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Possibly Ingenious American Idol Theme?
So, I had an idea. Every season, American Idol proclaims that it has the best group its ever had. No matter what, at the beginning of each season, we always hear this. Am I right? Of course I am. With this in mind, I came up with an idea for a possibly genius American Idol theme of the week. If this is your best group ever, why not make them prove it on a "Songs of Past Idol Contestants" night?
Think about it, the show/record company already owns the rights, so clearing the songs wouldn't be a problem. It doesn't just have to be idol winners, any past contestant would count (Like Daughtry, or Jennifer Hudson). You have a diverse range of genres, and a number of possible well known songs. I'd love to see Allison rock out to early Kelly Clarkson, or see Lil attempt to tackle Fantasia and fail.
But that's the thing, either way, great success or huge failure, it makes good TV. Let's face it, mediocrity is boring. Things make entertaining TV when they're either really good or really bad. And if you challenge the Idols to prove their place within the greater Idol canon or fail trying, well, that would be a week of American Idol I'd be sure to watch.
Think about it, the show/record company already owns the rights, so clearing the songs wouldn't be a problem. It doesn't just have to be idol winners, any past contestant would count (Like Daughtry, or Jennifer Hudson). You have a diverse range of genres, and a number of possible well known songs. I'd love to see Allison rock out to early Kelly Clarkson, or see Lil attempt to tackle Fantasia and fail.
But that's the thing, either way, great success or huge failure, it makes good TV. Let's face it, mediocrity is boring. Things make entertaining TV when they're either really good or really bad. And if you challenge the Idols to prove their place within the greater Idol canon or fail trying, well, that would be a week of American Idol I'd be sure to watch.
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