The simple beauty of Friday Night Lights

(Note there are mild spoilers if you haven't ever seen Friday Night Lights. I have tried to not spoil the last season though, in case UK viewers want to try and track it down.)

A few weeks ago, NBC aired the last episode of Friday Night Lights. That this happened in 2011 and not 2007, should pretty much be considered a TV miracle. After criminally low ratings for two seasons and the Writers Strike of late 2007/early 2008, typical (revenue-driven) wisdom would say it should have been cancelled. But, on the back of critical praise, a small but dedicated fan base, and the fact that in 2008 NBC was suffering from a true lack of quality TV, an innovative deal was struck to keep Friday Night Lights (or FNL to those in the know) on the air. Three 13 episode seasons would be shown first on Direct TV (a satellite provider) and then re-aired on NBC. Nothing like this had really been tried before, and the deal saved what has certainly been one of the best shows in recent memory, and one of the best family dramas ever.

FNL has a lot of strengths, including strong writing, staying away from melodrama (usually), and strong acting anchored by its leads Connie Britton and Kyle Chandler. These two play Tami and (Coach) Eric Taylor and their marriage has been the heart of the show. One of FNL's biggest assets is its ability to bring the drama of everyday life to the viewers in respectful way. Simply put: it does "simple" well.

The Taylor's marriage is one of the most realistic portrayals of marriage that has been seen, and shows how much storytelling you can get out of a happily married couple. When watching, you never feel that the show was making fun of small-town Texas life; those of us from fly-over country (of which I include the South) are used to being portrayed as simple-minded, blindly religious, and naive. In FNL, it was easy to see ourselves and our lives reflected back to us and for those not from small towns to understand why they aren't so bad. Okay, except that everyone was really pretty, but it is TV after all. Football* was important for the show, as a backdrop and as a vehicle for storytelling, but I hesitate to call it a 'football show.' I will always maintain that you don't have to enjoy football to enjoy this show; not all agree with me on this, but I will hold the line on this one.

Of course the show wasn't perfect. Shows never really are, and it is easy to get bogged down in that second season that most want to forget-though I am not actually one of them. Whilst I believe the Tyra/Landry storyline (where they murder someone who was attacking Tyra) was ill-conceived the actors themselves did brilliant work to try and pull it off. And they almost did, but we were all glad when it was resolved. East Dillon, the rough side of town that became the focus for seasons four and five, came out of nowhere. ( We did grow to love it though, I think.) Julie seemed to get a lot of her worth and storylines from boys and I wasn't crazy about her arc in the last season, although it did get her to where she needed to be by the end. The show also still had a mostly white cast, but at least its minority characters were not just someone's best friend, which in the land of Hollywood is pretty big.

The second season also suffered from the aforementioned writers' strike and they dropped at least one character completely and without explanation. The shorter seasons (which is still not the norm in the US) also meant there were times when a plot point wasn't really explored after being introduced, such as the one about a gay assistant coach, which would have been really interesting. Characters were underused and we sometimes got from A to B a little to quickly and easily. The writers had some problems writing for its female characters if they weren't attached to a male in some way. See Lyla's born-again storyline. Although, I would prefer they try and create well-rounded characters even if they fail at it.

So, two (small) paragraphs of missteps and lost opportunities. I could fill two pages of what they got right, starting with the awesome Tami and Eric. Of the generally respectful handling of Jason Street's injury (in my non-disabled opinion, backed up by reading up on it to be sure). He was depressed deeply, tried out denial and almost had life threatening surgery, then moved on to acceptance. He came to understand that he still had a full happy life to live. One that was different than planned, one without walking, but still good. (He even gets to have sex!) Or I could mention the Tim Riggins character growth of selfish screw-up to a man willing to make sacrifices for those he loves. How Lyla played a role in the process, even if they weren't destined to be together forever. Tyra going from a bit of a stock popular girl to a college student. Matt Saracen's puppy dog eyes, his grandmother's dementia, his and Julie's 'one true pairing.' Of Smash making it when he thought he lost it, and his relationship with his mother. The promise of a college education for Vince and the understandable draw of big time football. Of Landry's dry humour, that was always welcome, or Jess' unflappable drive to become a female football coach. The role race and class play in friendships and in Dillon Football, how it shows who the have's and have nots are (clue, it's not always connected to winning) and how a white middle class coach fits in East Dillon. Of a real abortion storyline, where the girl doesn't miscarry as a convenient way around it.

FNL did a good job with phasing out old characters as they graduated and moved on, and introduced new characters. As in real life, each year a class graduates, and even if they stay in town, they aren't really part of high school any more. And you miss them, but you find some Freshmen (or first years) that you like too. And when they brought them back, well, it made sense too, and it happened like it might in real life. The show incorporated a lot of local actors, made Buddy Garrity loveable, and well, made me cry on a regular basis.

And when the end came, the writers and creators, did one heckuva job. Those responsible for this finale knew this time it was the end for sure, and frankly they knocked it out of the park. Or scored a touchdown if we don't want to mix up our sporting metaphors. The finale ensured closure and surely gave us long-time viewers satisfaction. The last 20 minutes were pure TV joy, that provided a brilliant scene between Eric and Tami that encapsulates everything great about the show (here, 1:24 in if you don't mind spoilers), and which I watched through tears. Of course.

I will certainly miss this show. But unlike others that I miss it is the rare one that I feel almost fully satisfied with. It's not Arrested Development only getting a 13 episode order, or Veronica Mars not knowing for sure where it stood as it ended. And it's not Lost where the viewers feel a bit like suckers for buying into the mythology only to find out it really wasn't that complicated. It was in fact, practically perfect in every way, and why we can say good-bye knowing that clear eyes and full hearts really can't lose.


*Football, in the American sense for this posting

Summer Viewing

For many years, in America at least, summertime has provided us with some great television. Formerly a time for endless repeats on the network channels, cable and the relentless pursuit of another dollar, made networks realise there was money to be made when the temperature got above eighty. I first remember watching new summer tv in the early 90s with Beverly Hills, 90210. I don't remember much, expect Brandon wasn't strong enough to be a lifeguard in the ocean, so he became a pool boy instead. Or something like that. Summer is a great time to run shows with fewer episodes, and because there is still less programming than in the Fall, a lot of buzz can be had. For example, Mad Men made its debut after May sweeps, and we all know how that has turned out.

While I don't feel this summer is the strongest in recent memory, I have found a few shows worth mentioning:

Friday Night Lights (NBC)
The show is in its final season, about halfway through its run on NBC. I have a longer post about FNL once it finishes, but it is always a pleasure to watch.

Switched at Birth (ABC Family)
Okay, try not to make too much fun of me. The name of the show reveals the ridiculous premise of two girls (one, Bay, the daughter of a former baseball player, the other, Daphne, comes from a single mother home) who were, you guessed it, switched at birth. Oh, and Daphne is Deaf. Once you get beyond this concept (and the various contrivances that lead to both families living together) you get an interesting look at, among other things, class and race divisions, Deaf culture, and teenage identity. The show is not perfect, the most recent episode veered dangerously close to being too soapy and characters suddenly seemed to grow different personalities. There is also a tendency for hearing characters to act as though Deaf people are stupid (Do hearing people still really think this? If so, they are clearly the stupid ones.), and Daphne so far has been painted a little "too" perfect. Still, for what could have been too cheesy for words, the show tells these stories in pretty honest way (so far).

So You Think You Can Dance (Fox)
There is so much reality tv out there, it can be tempting to just dismiss the whole lot of it. But, if you are willing to try and separate the wheat from the chaff, you find shows like this gem. It is the same show as in the UK, where dancers from all various genres compete for a prize. The show has produced some really amazing dances (and I have it on good authority from an actual dancer that there is good technique often times as well) and showcases some of the most innovate choreography around. There are tons of You Tube videos of great dancing. Start here, but be warned, you are likely to be busy for the next three hours once you hit play.

Cardinals Baseball (Fox Sports Midwest)
Not since 2004 have I had the ability to watch St. Louis Cardinals baseball on a regular basis. I forgot how much I enjoy the sport, and how nice it is to have it on in the background when doing other things. Yes, there are lots of criticisms that baseball is too slow, but I like it. In a mid-summer twist, worthy of a sweeps month, the Cardinals have lost more games than they won in June, had to place the best player in baseball on the DL (disabled list), and have hit into more double plays than any other team by a long shot. Still, they are only a few games back from first place, and I think a late season comeback is, shall we say, in the Cards.

Hulu (online)
Having been out of the US for the better part of three years, there are a lot of shows that I missed. (I got to see some great ones in the UK of course, and am still figuring out how to stay up to date on those). Hulu is this nifty website where you can (legally) watch streaming video from several different channels. I've been able to fully catch up on Parks and Recreation (RIP, Li'l Sebastian), watch last summer's teen drama Huge, and access Arrested Development episodes without having to scratch up my DVDs. While I am a big Hulu fan, I do wish that more shows were available (especially from other countries), but overall a great way to watch a variety of tv.

Any suggestions for shows I should be watching this summer?

The Last Lost Word (for now)

It's been about two months since the Lost finale aired, two long months in between blogging. I'm not sure what you call that except maybe, bad blogging. Even though Lost has been over for awhile, I can't let it end without commenting one last time. It was such a big part of my tv life and I'm sad it's gone. Its noticeable absence from San Diego Comic Con was one of the first signs that it really is over.

So, what about that finale? As an episode of television it was great; as a series finale, one that resonates, redeems characters, and retains some mystery it was brilliant; as the final word, that last chance for fans to understand the mythology that is Lost, well, on that point, I gotta say, it sucked.

That is in fact my main issue with the finale, and to a greater extent the last season: it just didn't connect the dots very well. Darlton spent five years weaving mystery with character, making us care both about the who and the why of the show. This was done at a consistently good level, and sometimes a great one. "The Constant", many fans favourite episode (including me) is a fabulous example of both. So why then does the last season feel so disconnected from the other five? Why did we meet so many new characters (Drogen, Zoe, Lennon) to have them not really mean anything, whilst barely revisiting Eloise Hawking and Penny? I refrained from complaining about too much during the season, because I had faith the writers would tie it together. But I don't really think they did.

Darlton have said, rightly so, that Lost was their story and they must write it true to their vision. But, I think it's slightly disingenuous to spend five years building a mythology and having incredible attention to detail, to then say it's just about the characters. Still it's hard to not think they realise there were mis-steps when we learn that more 'answers' (such as on Walt, who save for one of Locke's flashes, was not mentioned in the finale) are coming on the DVD. And, I simply wish that those answers would have come through the show.

Anyway, I put that part first because while I needed to say it, I don't want that to be my last word. Because when I let go of that, what I see is a genuinely good episode that made me cry and made me proud to have been a fan since day 1. The emotional payoff for spending six seasons with these characters was amazing. The last 15 minutes to me were some of the best Lost has to offer. From Locke and Ben's final exchange, to Jack being the last holdout, they stayed true to the characters, whilst also showing their growth over the five season. Jack finding his Dad, and seeing all (well most all) our original crew back was great nostalgia. In fact, the best trick of Season Six was making me care about Jack, and by the time his eyes closed (in a perfect framing device), with Vincent at his side once again, I was genuinely moved.

The legacy of Lost will live on, both through websites like Lostpedia, but also as a standard for main stream sci-fi that can appeal to the masses (or at least more than most sci-fi shows). There won't ever be another show like Lost, but hopefully more shows will aspire to be like Lost--and that can only be a good thing for tv fans.

In the end...

Well tonight (or tomorrow morning for those of us across the pond) is it: the end of Lost. The end of polar bears and time travel (on the same island), and an end to a particular-type of WTF moments. For me personally, so much has changed in the 5.5 years since lost debuted in 2004, it is amazing to think that I went from De Soto, MO to Leavenworth, KS, to Kingston, Jamaica, and London, England. From Cingular, to Saint Mary, to Big Brothers Big Sisters, to UTech & Roehampton, Starbucks, and the National Union of Students. Wow. Lost has truly been my 'constant' for a whole lot of change and jumping around the world (and even and island or two). It's the one show that I never miss, that I have to see as soon as I can. I'm probably more than just a little unreasonably sad about it ending, but when a show has been with you for all that change, when it's helped me make new friends, and when I've spent some great evenings watching it with old ones, it's sad to see it go.

I have high hopes for the finale, that in the end it will be fantastic and fun and yes, I really hope we'll get some answers (they really need to mention Walt). I know they can't possibly answer everything I want, but if it's done well, that's okay. So, instead of focussing on what they better show me, I just want to briefly reflect on what they already have, in my favorite epsiodes.

1) Walkabout--I've mentioned in on the blog before, but the episode where we learn that John Locke was a wheelchair user before they crashed on the island, was the first big moment of Lost for me. It also showed us a powerful and confident Locke on the island, my first favorite character. It was this episode that the flashback device was really used well, and brought suspense.

2) Flashes Before Your Eyes--My current favourite character is Desmond, something that started in this episode. He gets drunk with Charlie and Hurley and tells them what happened when he turned the key and the hatch imploded. It was our first taste of time travel, we met Eloise Hawking for the first time, and we get a hint of the growing importance of Desmond.

3) Greatest Hits--I loved the Desmond and Charlie interactions, and how hard Desmond fought to save Charlie's life. When Charlie finally comes to the realisation that his time is over, he is given once last episode. This one uses the flashback device to show what Charlie considers his 'Greatest Hits.' They are: learning to swim, saving a woman's life (who happened to be Sayid's Nadia), hearing "She's all everybody' for the first time on the radio, getting, his brother giving him a family ring, and meeting Claire. It was a sweet and poignant good-bye, and although Charlie didn't die until the season finale a few episodes later (remember, Not Penny's Boat), it was the perfect ending to a loved character.

4) The Constant--This is my all time favourite episode, and if you have noticed a theme, you will now: this is the one where Desmond keeps switching consciousnesses between the present and the past. If he doesn't find someone to be his 'constant,' someone to anchor him to a reality, he will die. Well, he realises that Penny must be his constant, and the ending where he calls her (like he told her he would) is one of the sweetest endings endings to an episode ever.

So that's it. All that's left is to watch and enjoy and say good bye!

Treme: A closer look at Post-Katrina New Orleans

Treme, the new HBO series, takes a look at New Orleans shortly after Hurricane Katrina. The name of the series comes from the neighborhood of the same name which has been home to many musicians that helped make New Orleans so famous. Treme comes from David Simon and Eric Overmyer, who both worked on Homicide: Life on the Streets (one of my favorite shows ever) and The Wire. Both of those shows were critically acclaimed in their time and known for their diverse casts and strong writing. In the first five episodes, I'd say Treme fits right in.

Treme Trailer:

Treme is a slowly unfolding story giving the viewers increasingly deeper glimpses into a large number of characters lives, from (in no particular order) a down-on-his-luck trombone player and his ex-wife and bar owner, a Mardi Gras Indian leader and his son, a lawyer and her Tulane professor/writer husband, a chef, a musical transplant couple, to a hyperactive DJ/musician. It is a large cast, with some big names and Homicide/Wire alums (John Goodman, Khandi Alexander, Steve Zahn, Melissa Leo, Wendall Pierce, and Clarke Peters to name a few). For the most part Treme has done a great job of building each characters story and making you care about them.

A show set in New Orleans, especially after Katrina, will necessarily have to deal with race and class issues. Since the whole show is slowly paced, this has come in fits and starts. We certainly see different classes and different races portrayed in the show--frankly the show would feel false if this weren't the case. There have been hints of commentary about it, mainly through John Goodman's character (the Tulane professor) who posts rants on YouTube about the many failings of the Federal, State, and Local Governments before, during and after Katrina. The show doesn't shy away from showing and commenting on the many racist and classist decisions that were made, from not re-opening some projects that were never flooded, to the pure chaos of the prison system that housed (and still houses) a predominately black male population. As of now, there has been very little tension between the classes and colors in Treme, but I hope that as the show grows, that is shown. Not because I wish tension to be dramatised, but because that tension does exist, but is not generally shown on mainstream television. If the most recent episode is an indicator, I'm confident this will be explored.

Music is used throughout the series, and gives a great excuse to hire local musicians, such as Kermit Ruffins. Music is used to underscore one of the biggest themes in Treme, the idea of 'real' New Orleans. Steve Zahn's character, Davis, is the biggest proponent of this 'real' New Orleans. His hyperactive and often times obnoxious character hits you over the head with it, constantly talking about 'authentic' New Orleans. This is the one area where I think Treme could improve. The idea of what it means to be 'real' New Orleanian is an interesting one to explore--is it the Mardi Gras chief, the Tulane professor, the black trombone player, the white DJ, the bar owner, the chef, the lawyer, or the music playing couple? Is it all of them, or do anyone them actually capture 'real' New Orleans. I suspect the answer is yes and no. A scene early on sees the male member of the music couple berating some church volunteers for going to the French Quarter and coming into his city. In later episodes, we learn he himself is not from New Orleans, originally. This nuanced idea of authenticity is interesting, but Davis yelling at everyone he thinks doesn't cuts it, isn't. I'm hopeful that Davis can show some growth, and I'm optimistic after watching the fifth episode.

Treme is beautifully shot and anytime a television show leaves New York or L.A. its going to get a look-see from me. The fact that is has a strong cast with actual black actors in lead roles with real stories and true character development, just like its white characters, keeps me around. Case in point: Treme takes what could be a sterotypical black character, played by Wendell Pierce, the guy who has three baby mamas, and gives him depth. He not a caricature, but a character. It reminds me of Homicide in that it revels in concentrating on a small detail, or lingers on a scene longer than one would expect a show to do. Treme has already been picked up for a second season, which I think is well-deserved. I know I'll be sticking around, and I hope you decide to give the show, and New Orleans, a chance.

I'm still "Lost" and loving it

After the most recent Lost outing, the final season of the show about an island, is down to seven episodes. We are at the beginning of the very end my friends, and in about 6 weeks we'll have to say good-bye to one of the most interesting, spooky, suspenseful, and confusing shows ever.

As we push forward to the end, let's take a step back to see where we are. Instead of flashbacks or flashforwards, we are in some sort of 'sideways world' (as coined by Doc Jensen), a sort of altera-universe where Flight 815 didn't crash, but made it all the way to L.A. Our characters are still intrinsically linked in our sideways world--while each episode focuses on one character, there are several interactions between each other. I guess these people just belong together.

Back on the island, the final showdown is brewing between Jacob and the Man in Black, aka Smokey, aka Fake-Locke or FLocke. About half our characters of Team Jacob right now (Jack, Sun, Hurley, Lapidus, Miles, Ben) aided by Ilana and Richard Alpert, the other half Team FLocke (Sayid, Kate, Sawyer, Claire, Sayid, Jin) along with Cindy the flight attendant and those kids that were kidnapped from the Tailies way back when.

So far, in the altera-timeline have learned Richard's backstory (his true love died while he was accidentally killing a mean doctor in the 1800s, was a slave on the Black Rock that crashed on the island, freed by Smokey, and chose immortality since his first two options of being with his wife and saving his soul from hell were off the table); learned that Jack has a son in sideways world (but, conspicuously did NOT see the mother of said child); Kate helped Claire and Aaron when Claire went into early labour; Locke was with Helen, and accepted that some things he just can't do; Ben was a teacher who helped Alex; Sayid was NOT with Nadia ;Sawyer is a cop and Miles his is partner; Jin and Sun weren't married, but together; and Keamy works for Sun's Dad who was trying to kill both Jin and Sayid's brother. We've also seen Charlie, his brother, Daniel Farraday, Charlotte, Boone, Mikael so far.

On the island, Jin and Sun STILL aren't together, Claire wants to kill Kate (encouraged by FLocke), some of characters are 'candidates' to take over the protection of the island, Hurley still sees dead people, FLocke killed a bunch of people in the Temple, there have been many meta-conversations between characters about being in hell and some skeletons in a cave, and Charles Widmore is on Hydra Island (polar bear cage sex could be just around the corner) and Desmond finally made his reappearance.

Confused? Me too. I've just written four paragraphs of what is surely to be gibberish to anyone not watching Lost, and totally incomplete for those that do watch it. It is not often that this far into a show, there is still so much mystery and confusion. After all the point of the final season is to explain not confuse. This my friends, is what makes Lost the ultimate test of faith in television. Not to be too dramatic, but who amongst us isn't just a little afraid that there are too many questions and too little time? Those of us that were burned with Alias's Rimbaldi reveal (I'm still pissed that it was all about eternal life) know all too well how a bad ending can make you wince.

Yet, to me, the reason Lost is still working, the reason I'm not worrying, is more than simple trust in Darlton (which I do) is the characters. I relish the relationships of certain characters that occur in both worlds. Miles and Sawyer, Claire and Kate, Desmond and Charlie. I hope that Hurley gets his peace, that Jin/Sun, and Desmond/Penny, and Sawyer/Juliet (sorry it's all boy/girl couples--we need to take that up with Darlton) get their chance at happily ever after, that somehow Sayid gets redemption and Locke learns his worth. I don't really care about Jack and Kate, unless Kate and Claire end up both raising Aaron. I know all of this might not happen, but I hope some of it happens. That's why I watch, and I suspect why you do too.

I'm sure there will be at least one more post about Lost as it winds up, so until then Happy Watching.

Birth

I had a baby less than 8 weeks ago and I am offically too busy to keep up with this blog in addition to my other blog. I will try to squeeze in a thought here and there and I am keeping up with my tv viewing, but between feedings, diapers, naps and other baby "things", I am exhausted and BUSY.

Big Boy

Yesterday Connor turned 7 weeks old and has started to sleep for longer periods at night between feedings (4 to 4.5 hours!) and thus we are going to start the transition from the pack-n-play in our room to his big boy crib. Time is continuing to fly by and he is becoming such a little man. This morning we ran errands to Target and the grocery store and he was as content as can be in his car seat, looking around. His personality is blossoming everyday and he is starting to smile in reaction to my voice, not just from gas. :)

Everyday I continue to be in heaven, staying home with him and taking care of his daily needs. I am already dreading going back to work as I will miss the little daily moments that we currently share. We really don't have a set routine yet, but we are managing to make it day by day. He is still eating like a champ and progressing from one boob at each feeding to both. This tells me that his quantity is increasing and my body is changing once more to keep up with this added production. Luckily, I am still able to feed him and pump multiple times a day to have a nightly bottle ready for Tiff's feeding, as well as a daily freezer bag for future (daycare) use. I am still grateful for my amazing production and Connor seems to be thriving on the milk that I produce. Next Friday the 12th we have his next appointment and I can't wait to see his growth! I think he is at least 12 pounds, if not more.

Our little man is a joy to be around and he is growing up so quickly. I have always heard the cliche from mother's saying, "oh, they grow up so fast".... OR, "they don't stay babies for very long" and it does in fact seem to be true. He is growing so quickly that we have a rubber.maid already full of clothes he has outgrown. Where does time go?

Lost: The Final Season

Lost kicks off its sixth and final season tonight in the United States, and Friday in the United Kingdom, when I will be watching. And yes, it is going to be nearly impossible for me to wait that long, and I will have to stay far away from the internets in order to avoid being spoiled. Because, man, I don't want to be within 100 feet of a spoiler. I ready to enjoy watching the dominoes fall, and the connections made as I watch the answers to about a billion mysteries come. Or not come, as I suspect.

Lost has been a show that I've been a fan of since Day 1. Actually, I was a fan before it ever premiered. They had me at 'from the maker of Alias,' and they kept me through mystery and intrigue. Even in its weaker seasons, the mystery kept me coming for more. I do love the characters (well some of them) and I certainly care what happens to them, but there were times when we had to sit through episodes on characters I didn't really care about. (Hello, Shannon). And then of course, there were those characters I liked, who's departure from the show (for whatever on- or off-set reasons) disappointed and frustrated me. (I'm looking at you Mr Eko). But there was always the mystery and always the sci-fi, and generally good writing, so there you go. A hat tip to Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse for that. [Also, I'm such a big dork I knew those names without having to look them up. At all.]

Before we enjoy the last season, I thought I'd call attention to ten of of my favorite moments. Interestingly, Lost is not a show I've watched over and over like some others, so these moments are the ones that truly stand out. I remember the main points, but some of the finer ones may have been lost. (he he) (As an aside, I have some theories on why I haven't watched them multiple times, the main one being that, for me, it's the reveal that makes Lost, so once you've seen the reveal it's not as much fun. ) Anyway, without further fanfare here are my 10 favorite moments, in no particular order:

1) 'The Pilot': This episode did what all pilots should--introduced enough characters, gave us some intrigue, gave us some WTF moments (a monster? a polar bear) all with pretty good dialogue and writing.

2) The end of the Pilot part 2: The first truly bone chilling moment for me was when we hear the French distress signal playing over and over, and learn it's been that way for 16 years. We've come a long way from the moment, but it showed us definitely that this island and this show, was different.

3) 'Walkabout': The first John Locke episode (and John Locke is my favorite character, and yes he best get his redemption) and arguably one of the best episodes ever. Learning that Locke had been in a wheelchair until arriving on the island was a spectacular twist, and showed us Locke was special. It also gives some reason for his 'Man of Faith' attitude. And do we know how he caught that boar yet?

4) The character growth of Jin: I'm not sure if there were original plans for Sun and Michael to get together, but once the writers gave Jin more dimensions than just 'mean guy who treats his wife bad' it as easy to see why Sun stuck around. Showing the same story from each of their perspective in Season 1 helped show us why Jin was the way he was. And when he apologised to Sun for not being a good husband in Season 4, you really did believe he meant it. His was a journey worth watching.

5) Desmond: If Locke is my favorite character, Desmond is 1.5 on my list (brotha). We first see the Scottish lad in a Jack flashback in Season 2 when we have no idea how integral he will become. He says he'll see Jack in another life, and boy was he right. Two of my favorite episodes, 'Flashes Before Your Eyes' and 'The Constant', are Desmond episodes. They also happen to be bookends on the Penny/Desmond arc, taking us through their journey of love, separation, and reconciliation.

6)' The Other 48 Days': Or, where we meet the Tailies. We finally see what happened to the tail section of the plane, learn who was on the other end of Boone's radio, and figure out Rose's husband is a white guy. Of course we also meet Ana-Lucia and Mr Eko, lost some kids, and Cindy, the flight attendant. And certainly don't forget, this is where Shannon gets shot. Which made me mad only in that it made all the time spent with Boone and Shannon fairly pointless.

7) 'Greatest Hits': I had a love/hate relationship with Charlie. I loved him, then hated him in that period where all he did was whine, but then kind of loved him again in the end. The final Charlie-centred episode, where he recalls his five greatest moments, was a beautiful swan song. And even though he didn't actually die until the next episode, we all knew it was coming. Seeing his moments and his good-bye to Claire, was the perfect way for him to go out on top.

8) Locke sees Jacob: Another of the truly terrifying moments was in that cabin when Locke sees Jacob for the first time. Or was it Jacob? Well, I guess we don't know about that, but it added a new level to the mythology, and I loved it.

9) Time Travelling: I love sci-fi. Duh. And there's nothing more sci-fi than time travelling. So last season was particularly fun for me when they were bouncing around time. I don't always understand it (so, Locke gave Richard the watch, which Richard gave to young Locke, who then gave it back, or something like that, and anyway, where did the damn watch come from), but I always like it.

10) They mysteries come and gone: Who are the Others (and the other Others)? What's in the hatch? Who stole Walt? Who was on the Boone's radio? Why is there a polar bear on the island? Why do the Others steal children? Who are Paulo and Nikki? Those are just a few that have had their day in the sun. It's seems so funny now that we speculated for an entire summer about what was in the hatch, but at the time who knew it was Desmond? As we gear up for the last season of debate and mysteries it's fun to go back and think about all we already do know.

There are many more moments that could make that list (a big Honorable Mention to the end of Season 3 when we figure out Jack is in the future-that was a near perfect season finale), but I have to stop somewhere.

I'll be rep-visiting Lost often throughout this season, so for now, enjoy the 'LA X, Parts 1 & 2'!

The Next Lost?: Flash Forward

The latest show to catch my eye is the new American drama, from ABC (shown on FIVE in the UK) Flash Forward. The basics of the story are that everyone on the planet blacks out for 2 mintues and some odd seconds at the same time, and during this time most (not quite all, or so we have been led to believe at this point) people saw flashes of some future event roughly six months in the future. Everything is in chaos when they wake up, as you'd suspect and people are wondering what now? Why did this happen? Can those that saw great futures ensure they happen, and can those that had not so great futures stop them? Flash Forward has all the elements that generally catch my eye in a tv show: an intriguing and mysterious hook with a seemingly sci-fi twist, attractive actors, great cinematography, and decent writing. Plus, the very famous Jett Jackson, of course. The questions is: haven't I seen this all before?

Perhaps it is precisely because I love these kind of shows that it is getting harder to for me to feel like I am seeing something new. Don't get me wrong, I think the pilot was pretty strong and the acting pretty good. All those British actors (three by my count) pretty much nailed their American accents, and I'll take Joseph Fiennes (Ralph's younger brother) any day. But much of the pilot felt familiar. From the opening scene focusing on a man's face, to a seemingly random but endlessly repeated number (the amount of time people were under), to the use of flashes, I felt the show was trying a little to hard to be the next Lost. Add a hobbit in the mix, and it's practically the same show.

Obviously, I am exaggerating. In fact, I can't fault the show for using flashes as it is the underlying premise for the show, a premise that from the second I heard about it I knew I wanted to watch . And better it try and emulate Lost than something of a lesser quality, like According to Jim. Even with its familiarity, it was still a thoroughly enjoyable experience. One of the major critiques that I had was that the audience is supposed to buy that in six months, not only is the relationship of the two main characters going to fail, but that she is going to let another man move into the house. (I'm not using the character names yet as I haven't seen enough episodes to remember them. So to me they are: Shakespeare and Penny are going to separate, and Penny is going to let Steve move in. Don't worry, as the series moves on, that will change.) But, I'm willing to give the show time to explain that better.

I suspect one of the biggest questions surrounding the show will be its sustainability of the pilot and premise. How will they keep the story moving but not get is six months in the future too quickly? (Are they going to emulate Lost once more in making a whole season be just a few weeks?) Can they keep up the mystery and suspense ? Do the writers and producers have a plan? I've been burned so many times by tv shows, that at this point I'm just going to go with the flow. That didn't work so well for Alias. It's worked out so far with Lost, and since Flash Forward so desperately wants to be Lost, then I'll trust there is a direction, at least for now.

I don't want to be too harsh on Flash Forward, as I really did enjoy the pilot. I suspect that within a few episodes there will be more differences between Flash Forward and Lost than there are similarities. And, if the similarities are good writing, good acting, and a great mystery, all with a helping of sci-fi, then I know I will be a Flash Forward fan for the long haul.

Returning Fall Favorite: Fringe

Fringe, which just started its sophomore season this week, ranked as one of my favorite shows from last season. From J.J. Abrams, Fringe was a lot of sci-fi fun and it was easily addict-able with strong performances from most of the cast, especially from John Noble as crazy-scientist Walter Bishop. The stories were fun and entertaining, and the first season cliffhanger was brilliant. Apparently controversial in the U.S., but brilliant nonetheless. My main issue last year with the show was that it was often predictable; I often knew the outcome of the show or a twist that was coming many scenes before it was revealed. In fact, the best part of the Season 1 finale was that while I knew what was going to happen before each of the two big reveals, it was only a few seconds before, which leads to that great feeling that you figured something out while still getting to be shocked at the same time. So, how did the the second season kick off? I'd have to say about the same as last year--good fun, but alas, somewhat predictable.
***Season two premiere spoiler alert****

Season two picks up close to where we left off, but not in the same place, i.e., we're not getting answers to soon about that alterna universe Olivia visited. We meet a new character, an FBI agent who we know from summer scoops, is going to be Olivia's new partner. The actress has some work to do, she was a little dull for me, though I will grant you that could be tainted by my love for Kirk Acevedo's character, Charlie. Olivia was in a car accident, but she wasn't present when the FBI were first on the scene. In fact it isn't until later that she comes flying through a window. (UPDATE**I've seen it said that this was the almost-accident that happened at the end of last season. I remember when it happened I wondered what the point was. I don't entirely get it, but I sort of do.) The show tries to get us to think that she is brain dead, but as she's the main character, we all knew this wasn't the case. (And this is not the kind of predictability I was talking about--although this was predictable, it is an often used plot device, and well, you can't be groundbreaking every time.) She comes back to life, says some gibberish (or Greek, as we later find out, something Peter's mom used to tell him), and then realises she can't remember where she went.

From there we meet the 'monster of the week,' this one in the form of a shape shifter who communicates to someone (or something) via a typewriter and a magnifying glass, who tells him to grill Olivia and then kill her. Most likely communicating from different universes. Whilst all this is happening, Walter & Co (and please please give Astrid more to do) are figuring out this shape shifter dude and realise that Olivia is in danger. The shape shifter has shape shifted into her nurse, is prevented from killing Olivia, is chased by Charlie, the new girl, and Peter. Charlie shoots her, Olivia is saved. In the B storyline, there is fear that the Fringe Division will be de-funded, but Peter helps to save the day. All's well that end's well.

Or not, of course. And here is the twist I could have told you was coming a mile away. Perhaps it is because I've watched a lot of sci-fi, and maybe even because I watched a lot of Alias, which is another J.J. Abrams show with a similar feel, but when it turns out that the shape shifter killed Charlie, I wasn't surprised. I was disappointed, because I just knew they were going that way, and was hoping I was wrong. In fact, in the earlier scene where Charlie was talking to Olivia, I kept waiting for him to try and kill her. It is eerily reminiscent of the Evil Faux Francie storyline on Alias, and I really hope it doesn't take all season for it to get sussed out. Also, how was it that the dead body looked like the nurse, but then later the dead body was Charlie? I'm a bit confused on that one, but I'll leave it to the internets to help sort me out.

Still, overall it was a promising entry, and I assume we'll get answers to that other universe Olivia visited soon. Also, what was up with that kiss between Nina and Boyles? And is the shape shifting device that most likely will save the Fringe division going to be used for nefarious means by the US Government? I still put this show high on my list, mainly due to the great cast and well let's face it, I watched Charmed for five years. Need I say more?

They have a lot to tackle moving forward: which Peter do we know, what was the new girl looking at the Bible for, what does it mean that the division seems to be on the offensive now. I am optimistic for the future, but I do hope the writing gets stronger, and that maybe it can surprise me now and then.

Glee

This is a show that totally describes itself in one word...I feel glee when I watch Glee! This week was the season premiere and was much anticipated after the May teaser. In my opinion, it totally came through in both writing and performances and damn, Lea Michelle can SING. I love her from Spring Awakening and now I love her weekly. Her rendition of 'Take a Bow' is better than the original and I am sure it has iTunes hopping. Maybe I love this show so much because I am a muscial theater junkie and any tv show that has musical numbers is automatically a winner. But, the mass audience seems to agree with me.

Before Mad Men: Dreaming of the 1960s with American Dreams

My internet has been acting up lately, especially in the evening, making browsing a bit difficult. Since I do a great deal of my television watching, especially my American tv watching online, the slow internets have been impeding my ability to catch up on this past season. I'm still getting it done, just a bit slower than I'd like. As an upshot of this, I have dived into my DVD collection. I don't have even half of my DVDs with me, but a large portion of what I do have, are television shows. One of the shows I have with me that I decided to revisit is the first season of the show American Dreams.

If you don't remember this show, it aired on NBC for three seasons, from 2002-2005. It told the story of the very Catholic (and white) Pryor family in Philadelphia just after the assassination of President Kennedy (which occured at the end of the pilot episode), and to a lesser extent the Walker family (who are black). Meg, the oldest daughter dances on American Bandstand, and this is the way the show brings the music of the era alive. The show also tackles racism and civil rights, feminism, Vietnam, and space. (It also happens to be the show that one of my favorite tv columnists Matt Roush answered my question about, relating to its third season. Yes, I am a huge dork, but *spoiler alert* do go and have a look.)

While I like the first season, the show gets much stronger in the second and third season. It is a little predictable in this season, but always enjoyable. It is sometimes not historically accurate, but I can deal with that in the name of poetic licence. I particularly love how everyone talks over each other. It takes a little getting used to, but that's exactly how life is. The actors of all ages are pretty good, and by the end of the series they are all turning in strong performances. I can't decide who is my favorite character, but I think it is down to Sam Walker and Roxanne, who is Meg's best friend.

The reason I like American Dreams so much are the feelings it invokes in me. As I've been watching the first season, I have had to ask: Is it possible to be nostalgic for an era you weren't alive to experience? Oddly, I seem to miss the 1960s, a decade that was long gone by the time I was born. I suspect this is partially because the 1960s have been "done" so much, in movies, on the tele, in novels, and through our history books, that I think we all feel very familiar with the decade. I tend to think of the sixties as a time for activism, a true the "times they are a changin'" period, and frankly it just seems so much more exciting. I have always wished I could have helped to register voters, marched in civil rights parades, and helped make a difference. Also, can you imagine what it must have been like to see color on the tv for this first time? Obviously the sixties weren't perfect, but man, what I time to live through.

The other main reason why I love this show is it makes me think of my parents. The kids in this show, are my parents--especially my mom' as her family, like this one, was a large Catholic family. I think most anyone with a good relationship with their parents, wonder what their parents were like as teenagers. This show gives me a glimpse, and I think in some ways, it is my parents' youth I am missing. That may be a bit weird, but I've always been one to reflect back on the past (look, I was sad when the 80s ended, okay), and really, reflecting on my parents's past makes sense to me.

American Dreams was sadly cancelled in its third season, and it ended without any type of closure. An alternative ending that helped to tie some things up was filmed, but never aired. As of right now the second and third seasons are not available on DVD, mainly due to all the music copyright issues; the latest bit of information I could scrounge up was that the studio was committed to resolving this and releasing the DVDs.

Really, I think American Dreams is simply making me aware of the passage of time, and how quickly we all grow up. I don't want to be a teenager again, but I'd like to do it now and again. I strongly recommend giving this show a go, for those of you who lived through the 60s, and for those of you who wanted to. I think we all, as the theme song says, deserve a chance to "live inside the spark of life" that was the 1960s.

Summer Viewing

First of all, I really suck. I haven't blogged here ALL summer. My summer itself has sucked though, so I have some excuse. (I was in the hospital twice, had emergency surgery, was put on bed rest and had to campaign to save my job...all while being pregnant and having a horrible pregnancy!) Disclaimer stated, I have been keeping up on my summer shows, especially So You Think You Can Dance (SYTYCD) and Big Brother. We also rented the entire 2nd season of The Tudors.

SYTYCD: This week is already the finale week of my favorite summer show. I am not a dancer, but I respect the artistry and movement. My favorite couple in the beginning was Randy and Evan and their Butt Dance (thank you Mia!!!) is still the best dance of the season. (Mia's dance always is, in my opinion.) But, I can't believe that Evan is in the finale. Where is this cult following and will they continue to help save Broadway? Sure, he has personality, a spark and can move, but, is he better than Ade? No. We have to remember that the basis of the show is America's Favorite Dancer, not BEST Dancer. Of the remaining 4, I think the other three are amazing. Kayla and her snow white appearance is perfect at every dance, Jeanne has a spunk and sass that Kayla doesn't have and still does every dance perfect. Brandon embodies strength, skill and precision. Who will win? Tune in this week.

Big Brother: The show started a few weeks ago and this year is based on high school clicks. I loved the idea that people that hate each other were stuck on "teams" together, but the show already dissolved the concept, so it didn't have much time to get more interesting. Ronnie, the evil-doer of this season grates my nerves and I hope, with Russell as HOH this week, that he will be sent out the door. There are already enemies, a shomance, BFFs and back stabbing! This is why we love BB.

Finally, the HBO series, The Tudors. Based on the drama of Henry VIII, King of England, this show is amazing. The first season set up his failing marriage to Catherine and his quest to marry Anne Boleyn, thus breaking away from the Catholic Church (divorces are a no-no) and creating a religious divide throughout the world. The 2nd season, which we recently watched, continued this storyline, ushering in a new queen and quest to have a male heir. The passionate courting of Anne turns sour as soon as they are married (go figure) and Henry continues to have affairs with women of the court and create more enemies through politics and religion. Poor Sir Thomas Moore is killed for his moral high ground and allegiance to the Catholic Church and Henry is at the onset of going crazy. Anne Boleyn gives birth to Princess Elizabeth, has two miscarriages and goes a tad crazy herself trying to reclaim her king. The climax of the season ends with her death (this is old news....read a history book!) and Henry's proclamation of Jane Seymour to be his third wife. The current season is on HBO, of which we don't have, so I will probably have to wait until next summer to watch season3. The show is amazing though and I highly recommend it. Great acting, historically (somewhat) correct, beautiful visuals and lots of passion.

40 Years of Sunny Days

I grew up in a small town in the middle part of America, the kind of town where the same families have lived generations, and everyone mostly looked like each other, which is to say, in my case, this was white. I point this out because for the most part my exposure until 18 or so to people who didn't look like me came from television, and as a small child, specifically from Sesame Street. In May, Sesame Street turned 40 years old, which makes it older than me, and also certainly make me part of the first generation that grew up with Sesame Street.

As someone who loves TV (obviously) it can certainly be easy for me to overstate the importance of a particular show in political or generational terms. And whilst I certainly do not want to say that, for example, Sesame Street is the only reason that Barack Obama was elected president, I think it is fair to say that Sesame Street played a part. So many of the people who elected him were 35 and under, or the Sesame Street generations.

I was an ideal canvas for Sesame Street I suppose. I grew up in a home not hearing racially motivated slurs of any kind, from a class position that would (especially as a kid) have been no higher than middle-middle class, and was generally taught, both in places like school and church, and by example from my parents, that all people were equal. What I lacked was many if any real life examples of People of Color, or even people with a disability. Sesame Street worked fit what I was being taught, and visually showed to me from a young age that Americans are all sorts of people. I think there were many children like me who were just as influence by this message.

Sesame Street was designed to give pre-K children a television learning experience, teaching us basic numbers and our Alphabet while also showing us life on the "Sesame Street." I somehow always knew that Sesame Street was in New York, and that New York was very different than my small town. But it was okay to be from a small town or a big city or somewhere in between! I can, to this day, count to 10 in Spanish, and know that "Hola means Hello." More importantly, because of Sesame Street, I knew that Gordon was Black, Linda was Deaf, Luis was Hispanic, Bob was White, Kermit was Green, and they all were friends with Big Bird, who is six. (I remember when I was six thinking how we were the same age!) Sesame Street has the most integrated cast in television, one that matches its message of acceptance.

Sesame Street has always gotten the biggest stars from film and politics and music, from Tina Fey to Jesse Jackson to Stevie Wonder. Sesame Street isn't "color blind"; it doesn't try and say there are no differences between us, but rather it says, we are all different in some way, and that's okay. I think the brilliance of Sesame Street is that is shows little kids what America should be like, before they realise that America is not like actually like that yet, and as they grow older these kids question why it is not like that. Sesame Street, and its progressive ideas on what America could be, have become part of our collective memories, and in turn, these attitudes have started to seep into our collective generational consciousness. We begin to believe that we can help make our country a bit more like Sesame Street. We are not where we need to be, but at least, we know we should be somewhere else.

Of course, the other great part about Sesame Street is that it is just so darn good! I could post about 20 clips that I love and remember from Sesame Street. Instead, I will stick to five.

1) This video, Me and My Chair, is one of those that has stuck with me after all these years. I certainly don't know why, but I never knew anyone who used a wheelchair when I was young so maybe that's why. Please excuse the bad video, and the bad voice, as I sing along.



2) I had to include this clip, sung by the Pointer Sisters. It routinely shows up in Best of Sesame Street lists. I can't argue because well, it is great. I warn you, it will get stuck in your head.



3) This is perhaps one of the saddest scenes ever in television. Big Bird can't understand that Mr Hooper (or Looper as Big Bird calls him) has died, and that this means he isn't coming back. I am old enough to remember when Mr Hooper was part of the cast and when he died. For some reason I have a memory of watching this at my Grandparents' house. It is a very pragmatic and real way of teaching children about death, and I sob every time I watch it.



4) The music is one of the best parts of Sesame Street, and there are so many I could include. There are the Bee-tles, Tammy Swine-ette, various musical guests, and a great version of Sing (sing a song). But for me, this one, sung by Ernie (and in this version) Aaron Neville, is one of the sweetest expressions of friendship in the form a very melodic, if slightly melancholic tune.



5) One of my absolute favorites, that I remember watching and singing to. It has the line, "my name is you" that I admit that as a kid, I didn't quite get what they meant but man, I totally wanted to play in that park with those kids. Who are all, like, 40 now. This is the perfect expression of "Sesame Street Values" and I for one think the choppy editing and crazy lip syncing add to its charm.



I really could go on and on, but once again, this post is so very long, and I didn't even talk about the Sesame Street records I used to listen to (like the one where Big Bird has to find the Orchestra). A great website to reminisce about Sesame Street is on Babble, where the author has posted 50 top Sesame Street moments, including the time when the adults finally see Snuffy. As one can see, when I love a television show, it is very easy for me to be idealistic and long winded!

So, I'll wind it up, with just one exaltation left to say: Happy Birthday Sesame Street, thanks for the memories, and keep up the good work.

I'm back!

After a very long break I am back! I apologise for being gone for so long. The short explanation as to why I've been gone is that I was spending nearly all of my free time applying to jobs, and after spending hours writing applications I just didn't have any thoughts in my brain. Also, I wasn't really watching much television, which is a problem for a blog about TV. As for why I have now emerged the easy answer is: I found a job in London. So, while I be working a full-time schedule, my free time is now mine again. Finally.

I have so much TV to catch up on, and my goal is to be caught up by the time the Fall Season starts in the US. This is probably too ambitious, but my goals generally are. (Remember that one where I was going to blog more often?) Anyway, here is my list of shows to catch up on (I will also take any suggestions if one of your favorites is not on the list):

Fringe
Chuck
Dollhouse
30 Rock
The Office
Ashes to Ashes
Mad Men
Scrubs
True Blood
How I Met Your Mother

Watching these will of course depend much on how easily I can access them, as well as how much time I ultimately have. I love television, but I won't spend ALL of my free time watching it. At least, it won't be healthy for me to do that.

The two shows I have been able to watch are Lost (I've seen the whole season) and Battlestar Galactica (just three more episodes in the series to go for me. I think I haven't finished them as I don't want it to actually be over). So, I will be writing some thoughts on those, most likely making me the slowest blogger on television in the land. I have some other posts in the works as well, and I hope to do my part in making this an actual working blog.

Thanks for your patience.

LOST & Heroes

Does anyone else think that both LOST and Heroes are FINALLY getting GOOD this season? I almost gave up on Heroes and my patience paid off two weeks ago. The whole storyline of scary secret governmental group hunting down the heroes was getting really old. Then, Mrs. Petrolli has herself a vi son (or dream in her case) and everything perked up by actually doing back in time to 1961...the beginning of everything. Cool. I loved the b/x footage and the details and links that it finally uncovered. And, she has a sister? Nathan and Peter have an aunt? Interesting. More interesting is the fact that she can control weather. WTF?!?! How cool and scary would that be?

Then, the Skyler storyline finally gets interesting as well. Thankfully. Now, a shape shifter, he is unstoppable, and a tad crazy. This week's episode of him becoming his mother was a bit Freudian to me, but interesting none-the-less. And, Rebel is a kid...how will that play out? Especially now that Skyler is working with Rebel. I am gearing up for the finale and I think it will be a Dosey. Let's hope that next season doesn't take as long to pick up before people tend to ship out.

And LOST. Always the crazy, storyline-on-acid, what-the-hell-just-happened moments is picking up as well. Are these writers in cahoots? Ben confronting the smoke was a tad cool, his dead daughter throwing him against the wall as neato-frito. Ben being shot as a kid and saved by Kate, didn't see that coming. Nor did I see the Darma-labcoat leader being the father of the guy who communicates with dead people! Whoa.

Overall, as both shows are wrapping up for the season, they are finally giving something for people to talk about. I just hope that the finales solve some of the mysteries that both shows have been dragging along for awhile.

End of an era, FX rebirth and keeping reality.

Last Thursday marked the end of an era in the land of television. Whether you watched it or didn't, everyone has heard of ER. (note Sara's great recap of 15 years below!) It was on the air for 15 years, breaking the mold of tv dramas, catapulting stars like George, Anthony Edwards, Noah Wyle and Eriq La Salle. I had high, high hopes for the series finale. I am a crier. I always cry at the end of a series. I feel like my friends are no more, my weekly "connection" to these people is no longer on my calendar, or DVR. But, I was slightly disappointed with the finale. I felt like it was disjointed and disconnected from the end of an era expectations. It played much like a typical episode with some old characters thrown in for good measure. The previews made it seem like a cry-fest and that it was not. The only thing that I was pleasantly surprised with and my "ohhh" moment of the 2 hr episode was the addition of Dr. Green's daughter, now an adult about to enter medical school and to continue the craft through the next generation. That was wonderful, a tad teary-eyed moment, as Rachel sneaked across the screen and I recognized her before she was pointed out. But that was pretty much it. I am sad to see it go, but even sadder to see it go without the pomp that it deserved.

My favorite channel on tv is probably FX for its cutting edge dramas and breaking the typical story lines and nature of tv shows. Each episode plays like a mini movie. Last week was the conclusion of Damages Season 2 and it again, left you on the edge of your seat until the end. You never know how something is going to turn out and when you think you have it figured out, well, quite frankly, you will be wrong. Patty was not shot by Ellen but was actually stabbed in the elevator by random trades guy?!?! Who the hell saw that coming? No one. And if you say you did, you lie. The corrupt FBI agent actually gets a bit of karma and is arrested at the end. Yea, not so much of a guess there either. This is probably the best, well written tv show on tv because it throws curve ball every second. Now that Damages is over, it is time for Rescue Me. Finally. It has been a long time since our not-so-faithful, messed-up-in-the-head, firefighters rejoin the small screen. This season brings a new addition of a French female reporter/writer. Anyone watch The L Word? If you do, then you will recognize this sultry bombshell. Tune in tonight to see who I mean.

In the world of reality tv, so much is going on, yet not much is exciting. This season seems hard for me to connect to the "characters" of Survivor, Amazing Race, Dancing Stars and probably something else I am forgetting. The only season I am truly loving is Biggest Loser. I love the people this season and the game-drama is finally starting, although there are record weight losses, so that in of itself is success. And, Allison had her baby, so that makes for good tv too. I do think that Bob needs a break. That poor guy is starting to lose it this season and maybe after years of drama without a break (remember, Jill was gone for 2 seasons) he is becoming erratic and crazy in the head. But, regardless, I love you Bob.

Well, that is about it in a nutshell. I haven't talked this season about 24. Maybe that will be my next post. Jack Bauer probably deserves his own entry because as everyone knows, Jack Bauer is the bomb. if you have missed any of this shows, you can always check out http://www.hulu.com/. It is a great way to catch up without being tied to the couch! Until next time...

Saying Au Revior to ER

I wrote my first television related article about E.R.; long before blogs, websites, or my family owning a VCR, I compared and reviewed E.R. and Chicago Hope for my high school newspaper, the "Eye of the Dragon." (For those of you not inclined to remember Chicago Hope, it too was a show about doctors in a Chicago hospital, although that is where the similarities ended).

Somewhere between there and here, I blinked, and 15 years went by. I am sure in some ways my 15 year-old self would not believe who she has become, or where she has gone--Jamaica, London, Leavenworth! But, some things have remained steadfast these many years, including, and amongst other things, my wicked laugh, worrying too much what people think of me, and of course my love of watching and writing about television. So, as E.R. officially ends tonight, I thought I should pay tribute to the show that gave me my start.

When E.R. first aired, I hadn't seen anything like it--fast-paced, quick dialogue, and so many cute men in one show (hey, I was 15!). I remember instantly liking the show, and also, instantly liking Dr. Carter. I had a total crush on him, and wanted to, like, marry him. The funny thing about E.R., is that, unlike Arrested Development or Sports Night, I can't really quote it, and I don't remember whole plots. But, I remember moments and, most of all, characters.

Par example:
I remember that Mark had a thing for Susan, but at the time was married to Jennifer, who had an affair with a guy in Milwaukee. Then Jennifer left Mark (taking Rachel, their daughter), but at this point, Susan was leaving, because her sister Chloe had a baby and was a junkie. This led to a great scene on a train but Susan still left (because for some reason Sherry Stringfield thought she'd get a better show?), and I always thought Susan and Mark would someday get together, in a very special episode. But, when she came back, it was too late (because, really, they never thought Sherry Stringfield would be back) Mark had ended up with Elisabeth, who dated Benton for awhile, but not before Peter and Carla had Reece (who was deaf) and Carla died. Not to mention Doug and Carole, who were never together, but always meant to be, but first he left, she had twins (Doug was the baby daddy), she flirted with Luka, but then moved to be with Doug. That is the same Luka, who ended up with Abby, but first Abby dated Carter.All of this from memory, btw, there was no episode guide cheating.

Also, these (in no particular order):

1) Love's Labor's Lost--a frequently cited episode from the first season, where a pregnant lady dies in childbirth because of a Mark Greene error. It truly did make me cry my eyes out, and it also starred Bradely Whitford who would later become a regular on the West Wing.
2) Lucy and Carter get stabbed, and Lucy dies--Long before killing off regular characters became 'trendy' it was a shock when Lucy (Kelly Martin) died from stab wounds inflicted in the E.R. by a patient suffering from a mental illness. It was sad and great and we still miss her. Also, it sort of killed Kelly Martin's career.
3) The evolution of Doug and Carole--Carole, who was supposed to die in the pilot episode, was always more mature than Doug. She knew she loved him, and she knew she couldn't change him. Doug always loved Carole, but he needed to change on his own. And it took five years, his departure, and twins, to get them together. But, boy, when they got together, in Carole's last episode and with a surprise George Clooney at the end, it was great. It probably also marked the end of the best E.R. had to offer.
4) Ewan McGregor on E.R.--He showed up in a 'very special episode' in 1997 as a convenience store robber and Carole totally dug him. He totally had a sexy accent and was conflicted in a sexy way and he died. Of course. It was all very sexy.
5) Dr. Ramano loses him arm. I have to say, this was prob. the beginning of the end for me. When he lost his arm from a helicopter wing, E.R. crossed the line into just too much drama to be in good taste. I had stopped watching by the time he died from being crushed by a helicopter and yet somehow I know he did. So, I guess this moment wasn't good, but it was memorable.

There are many more than these, but if I wrote all my E.R. memories, this already way too long post would stretch the limits of blogspot's bandwith. I watched E.R. for many years, because first it was great and then it was good, and then because it was habit. I really only quit when I moved to a place where I couldn't watch as much television as I used too, and some things had to go. But I still checked in occasionally, like when the girl from Bend it Like Beckham was added to the cast, or the cute kid from Once and Again. Now that there is only one more episode, I have to check out the return of George Clooney and Julianna Margulies and Eriq La Salle and Noah Wyle. It will be 1994 all over again.

E.R. always was able to make me laugh, but more often, it sure could make me cry. All of my favorite episodes/moments made me cry. (Okay, except for that Ramono one.) E.R. brings the emotions like no other show ever has, and for that it will always have a place in my heart. It still does, evidenced by the fact that within 10 minutes of the most recent episode I watched, I was bawling.

All of this is then, a really long, convoluted, way of saying good-bye to E.R. Good-bye to a show that saw me through high school and my 10 year high school reunion. Good-bye to a show that started when wearing flannel was cool. It is part of my television history, and part of the history of television. And also, just in case you think I am waxing just a wee bit too much poetic for a television show, let's not forget-- it also made George Clooney famous--and for that we must truly be grateful.

So, good-bye E.R. and your crazy, very special, extra dramatic story lines. We'll miss you!

(No Longer) Weekly Video Clip: The West Wing

I've been spending a lot of time doing research, looking for jobs, etc. on the Internet; in my flat I can only get the Internet downstairs, which is bad news when I need to be in a quiet space to get stuff done. But, it's good news when I want to watch some TV while I sit on the computer. I've been itching for something familiar and good and lately, I've been watching old episodes of the West Wing.

A long time ago, when the West Wing was still on the air and TV on DVD was in its infancy, I decided that I really really wanted the West Wing on DVD. Except that there was no option for it in the United States. The U.S. was in fact, a little bit behind on this phenomenon in regards to other countries, especially the United Kingdom. So I did some checking and found that the U.K. had the first two seasons on DVD. I think we were probably in the midst of the third season, so this is how long ago it was. Of course the problem was the DVDs were encoded for Region 2, and I was living in a Region 1 world. But, after even more checking and research (thank goodness for slow days and Internet at Cingular Wireless in the early 2000s), I purchased a region free DVD player. Which then allowed me to spend a God-knows-what-and-I-don't-want-to-even-try-to-remember amount of money on said first two seasons of the West Wing from Amazon UK. Of course eventually, about a year or two later, they did finally release the West Wing on DVD in the U.S. I never bought the other seasons, and then my DVD player stopped working, and thus the DVDs started gathering dust.

So flash forward about eight years and I find myself living in a Region 2 world, with a bunch of Region 1 DVDs. Except, and I am sure you have guessed it by now, my lovely lovely West Wing DVDs. So, I brought them back to the U.K. after Christmas and to bring it back to the first paragraph, started watching them.

The West Wing in its heyday makes for some of the best television ever. It is dramatic and funny and well-acted. It is of course, well-written, and I am sure it comes as no surprise that I love it. It was after all, created by Aaron Sorkin, one of my favorites, who will always have a special place in my television heart because of Sports Night. The first two seasons were its heyday, before season three which began its slow drop off. It regained some of its grandeur in the last season, but nothing can match the first two.

I love the show for its fast talking and walking, its look at politics, and for its late '90s, early '00s fashion. I also love it for its ability to make me cry. The clip below is from the second season, "The Stackhouse Filibuster." It is one of my favorite episodes of TV ever. It brings politics, dorky rules and procedures like the filibuster rules, and heart-string pulling all together. The short synopsis is that the White House is about to pass a health care bill, but Senator Stackhouse, a 78- year-old Democrat whom the White House doesn't take seriously, is holding up the vote. The story is told with voice overs of various staffers (CJ, Josh, and Sam) writing their parents. It is finally figured out that he simply wants autism research added to the bill, because he has an autistic grandson. When the White House finally comes to this conclusiont, they decide to help him, which leads to the resulting scene: