16 posts tagged “house”
OK, I have major spoilers for the season finale of House ahead. I highly recommend you don't read and be spoiled.
House 4.16
Well that wrecked my night. Oh lord, crying crying crying. This was the single most emotional episode of House I've ever seen, and yeah, it beats out "Three Stories".
I'll just start with the inevitable. Amber died. I can't believe they killed her off. The entire episode, I kept holding on for the cure. That's what Wilson was doing. He paused Amber's life so House could perfectly solve the mystery.
Per the episode title "Wilson's Heart", Robert Sean Leonard just stole the episode. His portrayal of the devastated, grieving, angered relative was spot on. Whenever he ran into the differential diagnosis, my eyes welled up. It was so painful to see him so helpless. I know last week I wanted Amber and House to be having an affair, but watching Wilson grapple with the possibility that his best friend was bedding his girlfriend changed me. The sad thing about that is House would do that, and both Wilson and House realized that. Some friend.
We also learned about Amber, like how she likes making sex tapes. We also learned how amazing she was. The reason she was with House was because he called Wilson, and she picked him up. She paid for his drinks (and had a few) and when he tried to ditch her, she got on the bus to return House's cane. And then it crashed. And she was dead. As soon as her kidneys stopped working, she was going to die.
But that answer didn't come easily. In place of visions, House had dreams. First Amber showed up, seducing House and giving him the clue, "electricity". Next dream she woke up from her hypothermic coma and showed House a rash. That drove Wilson nuts, he couldn't reason how House could have known that. And poor House didn't either. He must have reasoned it was there from observing she had the flu, or he saw it in the ambulance.
To realize that Amber was going to die, Wilson came to House and wanted him to undergo deep brain stimulation to find the answer. Cuddy wouldn't let House do it earlier, citing the risks. House's life or Amber's. House had been worrying that Wilson was replacing him and leaving him for Amber. Wilson's solemn nod that he was choosing Amber's life over House's confirmed that.
But Amber was going to die, and Wilson and Amber shared their goodbye. Yeah, I was bawling by that point. When she realized she was on bypass, she had this fear in her eyes. I'm not sure if she said "I'm dying" or "I'm dead", but I hope it was the latter, because that was an amazing moment of realization and acceptance. Wilson was angry, Amber shouldn't have been on that bus, it was House's fault she was there. He asked her, "How can you not be angry," and she peacefully responded that that wasn't what she wanted her last thought to be. When Wilson dated Amber, everyone thought it was Wilson dating House, but this episode showed that Amber wasn't House. She was a good, beautiful person, not the angry, hateful man House was. Wilson and Amber shared a final kiss, and he shut off her bypass. And Amber just slipped away, eyes open for a moment, then lifeless. I'm tearing up right now thinking about it.
And what of House? He suffered a seizure during his procedure and was in a coma. He sat aboard a white bus next to Amber. That was probably one of the best scenes of the episode. The cuts from their torsos to their bare feet were just so balanced. Imagine, bare feet on a bus. I love House's head moments, because we learn about the man. We know he's in pain, but on the bus he wasn't. Wilson would hate him after this. We knew House is needy, but he always took his friend for granted. House was responsible for Amber's death, and Wilson was angry. What would House be without a friend? Bowling with Chase? Then, I loved Amber. She was reality, the fact that House needed to get off the bus. "You can't always get what you want." Of all the mantras, that one always gets me. And with that, House strolls off the bus, no limp, no pain. And he's back. The only person waiting for him was Cuddy, Wilson just waits to see if he's alive, and then leaves.
With time, Wilson will come to accept Amber's death, but now it's anger. But I don't think Wilson could have handled House's death on top of Amber's. But now with House alive, he's back to anger and I don't see forgiveness yet. House may never see it.
And thus ended the most amazing two-parter in the history of House and two of the best episodes of any show. As far as finales go, it'll take one hell of a Lost capper to top this. This season, the hunt for Foreman, Chase, and Cameron replacements didn't really work. The newbies completely shut out the old duckies, and we rarely saw them. But, if it weren't for that hunt, we never would have had Cutthroat Bitch, we would never have had Amber, and we would never have had this episode. So you win some, you lose some. I hope next season the writers find a balance between the new doctors and the old ones in a way that doesn't feel forced. Like Chase performing neurosurgery? Foreman's the neurosurgeon!
Final/Random notes:
- Kutner lost his parents at the age of six. Didn't see that one coming.
- Thirteen has Huntington's. That can't be good.
- I loved the version of "Teardrop" that played during the episode. I've heard the full Massive Attack song, so I recognized the tune and lyrics, but couldn't place the actual song, but then I was like "TEARDROP!!!" Yeah.
Oh it's so nice to be back home, you have no idea. I can't believe I survived a whole year up at a school I hated. But that's over, and despite ruining my perfect GPA with a crappy grades, I made it out alright. I'm looking for a job, ick. Oh, and TV. I'm so behind I'll just do like a double recap when each show airs this week. Or not. We'll see.
House 4.14
I definitely expected this episode to suck, but it didn't. House's celeb kidnapping was kind of awesome in a crazy fanboy way. I love House, the fanboy. Getting all giddy and obsessive. Hey! It's like me. Remind me never to meet actors on these shows, I'll probably scare them.
Medicine-wise, House was off, again. He went for brain tumor, then to a bunch of other things, ending with a floral allergy, which was wrong. Home's off his game.
Amber continued to be awesome. I love how she's forcing Wilson to do things on his own, and pretty much explains why all his wives left him. And Amber isn't the woman who needs to be looked after, she can fend for herself. So Wilson gets to buy a waterbed, and Amber's OK with it. That's sweet.
Thirteen had the amazing line, "I think I dated that nurse, though... No." I can honestly say I died. I mean the look on House's face was priceless. Like this mixture of surprise and satisfaction. Brilliant.
House 4.15
Wow. I mean, wow. As far as trippy House episodes go, I find them hit or miss. I absolutely adore the first season episode, "Three Stories", where we hear about House's leg injury, but then there was the second season finale, where we only find out it's a dream at the very end, which I hated. So yeah, this could have gone either way, but luckily this fell right into the "Three Stories" bucket. How could an episode where House tries to make himself hallucinate not be good? From OD'ing to sensory deprivation baths, he was willing to try anything to figure out who he thought was going to die before the crash.
Turned out it was just some boring bus driver... Or not. Sure House saved the day, but when there's 15 minutes and a second part left, you know there's more to the story. And that's pretty much why I skipped over the entire episode in the paragraph above. See, House has been seeing this gorgeous mystery woman in all his hallucinations, but no explanation why. Then, after OD'ing on Alzheimer's meds, he notices she's wearing a necklace. And then the Answer (mystery woman) asks what her necklace is made of. And then I screamed. Because a golden necklace with a mosquito in it is made of Amber. "AMBER!" I shouted, then teared up, because I don't want Amber dead. That flashback montage of Amber, looking pretty happy, then the bus crashing, was heartbreaking. I'm not sure what House and Amber were up to, but I'm guessing she was at the bar with House when he got plastered, and maybe she's the reason for the drunkenness.
There were other bits, like Chase hypnotizing House and Wilson entering into his trance with Beer brand beer. Then Amber showed up. There I knew she was involved in this somehow, but I couldn't figure what, and the rest of the episode got so out there, that it just slipped my mind. Next there was Cuddy the stripper, which was... disturbing and yet, something House would think about... Thirteen got a name, "Dr. Hadley" (way to ruin it Cuddy).
This is one of the only House episodes I think I need to watch twice for itty bitty details. Mostly I rewatch episode for funny moments or gags or the like, but for once, I actually think there may be clues as to Amber's "condition" and the questionable House/Amber relationship. I really hope Amber survives this, because I feel repercussions past the next episode. Before I go, anybody realize that both House and CB now have gimpy legs (I believe both are right leg injuries, correct me if I'm wrong). If she uses a cane, Wilson will have to concede he really is dating femme-House, and if she didn't cheat on him, hilarity will ensue.
Oh Super Bowl Sunday, how I adore thee! As you can tell from the title, I'm rooting for the Giants. I'm still shocked they beat Dallas and Green Bay in the post season, but now they proved to me that they have a shot. So I'll be rooting for 'em. At the least they'll put up a fight.
House 4.10
There's nothing like a Christmas episode in January. I'm not entirely sure why Fox held this one... I mean, we're getting a new episode Tonight, so did they not think we could wait another few days?
The episode was pretty amazing, with House being his general douchebaggy humbug self, stealing Wilson's iPhone and pretending someone got it for him, putting his name in a secret Santa hat, pressuring the daughter of a patient about her mother's sex life. You know, the standard fare.
Of course, House was irked by this lie-less patient, who actually kept a mightly big truth from her daughter. You know, the "I'm not your biological mother" kind. This was the big bothering-House story plot. They pull these things out when the writer's feel they've over done the "House doesn't believe in God" and the "House doesn't believe in an afterlife" plots. I liked that they didn't go down the religion route this week, which would have been the obvious trip. Nice restraint, writers.
The House gross-out moment of the week: Squirting milk from lactating breast tissue behind the mother's knee into her daughter's mouth. I'm not making that up.
Torchwood 2.03
Yet another solid episode! Ghost episodes are always creepy. Even watching the Doctor Who episode "The Unquiet Dead" last night for the millionth time, I was slightly on edge. Point being I have faith in ghost episode, even though this was more of a rift-time-cracking thing.
Poor Tommy, frozen, only woken up once a year, because he has to save the world. Now, I'm letting go of the timey-wimey stuff, because I've made it clear those things hurt my head. See: the Doctor Who episode, "Blink".
Then there's the Tosh attachment issue, which was very sad. This wasn't a very happy episode. But it wasn't bad, I've found, in the past, that the sadder episodes are the weakest. But this was pretty strong. It was also a stand alone. I think I can handle it, but I'd like to see some arc-age coming up. Next week look's like we're having some Gwen/Rhys Torchwood related drama. Smells like an emotional arc to me..
Lost 4.01
"The Beginning of the End" I guess that sets the tone for these flash forwards then, doesn't it? If we couldn't tell from Jack's flash forward last season, the future sucks. Not just for bearded Jack, but for Hurley, too. It was interesting seeing where this episode fit in the future timeline. So this is before Jack lost his shit. Before he was plane hopping hoping for a crash, before he was sneaking pain killers a la House (but not nearly as sexy), before he took beard grooming advice from Fidel Castro.
Oh Hurley, it became clear that cannonball-jumping Hurley is no more off the island. He's a haunted man. Haunted by a swanky looking Charlie. Death did him well. The flash forwards gave us some clues as to what these "Not Penny's Boat" people are going to do. "They need you" Dead!Charlie preached. Who are they? I'm assuming since only 6 (Oceanic 6) left that the others are trapped. Yikes! Also, "Are they still alive?" creepy maybe-Oceanic lawyer asks... Is he a not-Penny's boat person? Are the "they" he's asking about different from the "they" Charlie's talking about?
So did choosing Jack or Locke make a difference? Certainly doesn't seem so, Jack's off and miserable, Hurley's off and miserable. Hurley does regret going with Locke, so what happened? I'm looking forward to seeing how the different sides handle the invaders. I wonder if we'll reach a point when we see the people leave the island and how that happens.
Jack's Dad is definitely dead. Erm... Right? So Christian Shephard spoke to Vincent, the dog. But Jack's Dad is pretty dead. Well, let's break it down. Jack saw his Dad wandering around the island in the first season. Christian's corpse mystically disappeared from his coffin. Now him talking to a random dog. Oh, and he showed up in Jacob's house. I didn't see that the first time around, but yeah, Jack's dad was sitting in Jacob's cabin in his chair. I don't even know where to begin. WTF?
More pronoun confusion: At the end of the episode, Hurley says "it" will do whatever it takes to get them back. I always assume "It" is the island. I'm not convinced that Charlie wasn't the island coming to Hurley.
Well, it looks like we're in for another mindfuck of a season on Lost. Too bad we're getting 8 episodes with no real conclusion, except like a fucking intense cliffhanger.
In case you haven't heard, all signs point to the strike coming to an end soon. Buzz says some shows will resume production in March for episodes airing in April. Sounds pretty good.
Things I've been obsessed with lately:
- The German baby Polar Bear, Flocke.
- George Michael's "Faith". Thanks a lot, Eli Stone.
- Sarah Silverman fucking Matt Damon.
Well the year is almost out, which means a list! Not just any list, but a list of bests! So without further ado...
24 "9:00 AM - 10:00 AM"
This season was so bleh I didn't even finish up the season, but it started off so strong. This episode, where the 24 producers decided to nuke Valencia, CA, was a particularly strong one. I remember being on the edge of my seat for the entire 4 hour premiere.
30 Rock "Somebody to Love"
With so many top rate episodes, picking one standout was hard. But I felt this one stood out as a best of 2007. I mean, the one liners alone ranked this episode. If I were to introduce someone to 30 Rock, I'd do it with this episode.
Battlestar Galactica "Maelstrom"
While I was watching this episode, I remember thinking this was probably my favorite of the season. Then Kara "died". So it no longer held that title. But knowing Kara isn't dead changes everything. This episode regains it's spot as my fave of 2007. I mean, it was such a moving episode, especially for Kara. It really built on stuff established from the beginning about her past. I swore at the time I'd never watch this again, but clearly that's going to change.
Dexter "Resistance is Futile"
This was a hard choice for me, since every episode this season has been spot-on excellent. I almost put "Left Turn Ahead" as my favorite (with a resigned Dexter planning to turn himself in), but I looked over the episodes, and went with this one. What better moment is there, Doakes surprising Dexter at the cabin? I love how, even though Doakes knew Dex was weird and odd, he was still shocked by the revelation. Brilliant.
Doctor Who "Utopia"
A serious no brainer here. How many times did I watch this the week it aired? 8? 9? Yeah. I think so. So good I wrote about it twice. After what I considered a pretty mediocre season, Davies comes and blows me away with this little gem and breathed new life into the show. Turns out that lasted only one other episode before crapping on the finale. But I still adore "Utopia" to death.
Grey's Anatomy "Some Kind of Miracle"
From the reactions I heard from this episode, it was either love it or hate it. I loved it. This was an emotional slam dunk incorporating all the greatest characters into one surreal, out of body episode. Ep damn near broke my heart, too. Gotta love the closure, with Mere and her mom. I have to give a mention to an episode I completely forgot when creating this list, "Wishin' and Hopin'". I forgot how moved I was by Meredith and her really cold mom. That's probably why I loved "Some Kind of Miracle", it closed the wounds opened by the earlier episode.
Heroes "Distractions"
I almost went with "Company Man" or "Five Years Gone", but I felt that I couldn't ignore the awesomeness that was Claude. For a character that appeared in so few episodes, he left a big mark. A number of casual fans (not freaks like me) cited him as a fave. So I went with distractions, the episode that sent my already Hell-bound ship (Peter/Claire) further into Hell. To a special Hell. Yup, my favorite Heroes episode of 2007 involved that revelation. But really, Claude tormenting Peter by stealing a purse and leaving, has to be a top moment. And you know what, Peter still had a serious Claire/love moment after Claude pushed him off that roof and he healed. Ah, yet another reason to adore him. Oh Chris, please come back, Heroes needs you.
House "Insensitive"
This was a fairly easy choice for me. The episode where Cameron wants to have casual sex with Chase. Duh. But other stuff happened, like House getting all obsessive over a girl who doesn't feel pain, and stalking down Cuddy during dates and to her home. Yeah. Awesome.
LOST "One of Us"
I'm thrilled that there were so many contenders to choose from for this title. I mean, you have "Flashes Before Your Eyes" the Desmond, parallel world flash(back?). Then you've got the brilliant finale, and there was a great Claire episode and an interesting Ben ep too. Basically, almost every episode, except 1 in 2007 was great, if not amazing. But I went with the heartbreaking Juliet on-island flashback instead of the heartbreaking Desmond one. I'm making a stand and saying Juliet's my favorite other. How can your heart not break for her as she believes her sister to be dead? Elizabeth Mitchell, my metaphorical hat goes off to you.
Pushing Daisies "Pie-Lette"
Psht, like there's even a question. This one episode spawned an unhealthy obsession. I posted about it 7 times before it even aired. I definitely watched this episode over and over like a dozen times. As I said before, my favorite episode of the series.
Scrubs "My Musical"
Oh this ranks probably because, as a fan of the show, I've been waiting for this for years. And it delivered. Enormously. Brilliantly. I'm really happy it aired in 2007, just so I can talk about it some more.
The Office (US) "Back From Vacation"
This was a tough one, since I already made a stand on "Gay Witch Hunt" as my all time favorite from that season. So a second favorite was tough. I mean I almost went with "The Job", the lol-able season finale. But really, Michael sending a scandalous picture of Jan to the co-workers? Brilliance. I watched this episode recently, and yes, it was hysterical.
Veronica Mars "Weevils Wobble But They Don't Go Down"
Wow, I didn't even write about this episode. I remember watching this episode, the one before the finale, and thinking it was very old school. Weevil was badass and in trouble, Veronica was helping him and being slick. Then the finale aired, and it was kinda underwhelming, especially since it was a series finale.
So I figured, while I'm calling this the best VM ep of 2007, I'd give a shout out to what me at the time probably thought was the best. "Debasement Tapes", which unfortunately I remember very little of, other than Paul Fucking Rudd being fucking awesome. But according to me-at-the-time, everyone was pretty in character and all the wacky shipping worked out.
And then, another part of me was going to be slick and say the best episode of 2007 was that 15 minute Veronica-goes-CIA pilot, but that wasn't really the best, and it would be more of a philosophical statement about the state of the show.
In other news, I totally saw Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, and yeah, it rocked. It rocked on so many different levels of rocking.
Got all my school stuff out of the way, so prepare for a major catch up.
Heroes 2.08
I think we just had a good episode. I mean, I honestly enjoyed the episode Monday. This virus thing? Didn't suck so much. Maybe it's because they didn't spend the entire episode in the future. I was not looking forward to a future episode. But they made it work by keeping it to a minimum. Thank you. I even felt badly for Pete's Irish lass who is now trapped in a very shady future. Doctor Who has made me a softie when it comes to people trapped in times and places they shouldn't be *cough* Rose *cough*. Anybody else see Peter's Mom's warning as this season's less catchy "save the cheerleader, save the world"? I know it wasn't that concise, but the message was there, change the past so I don't have to live in this future. I think we have direction!
Yup, there was lots of direction, because now we have Matt and Nathan meeting up with Bob and Mohinder and they're converging with this virus. Well, technically it's with Matt's homicidal Dad, but same diff. Not going to lie, it was pretty cool seeing Matt mentally kick his Dad's ass. Maybe it's because there was lots of good, but Molly didn't bother me... Ok maybe a little, but she was palatable.
Oh poor Hiro. Yeah, I felt sorry for him when he came back only to find out his Dad died. Maybe it's just because I finished Titus Andronicus, but I'm preparing for some serious Hiro revenge stuff. But he's back! Hooray! His way too long Japan-plot is done! YAY! I mean, Heroes PTB: Did it really take 8 episodes for Hiro to realize Kensei was a flop and he would be carrying all the slack?
Is Nikki going to die? I really hope so. Really. When she was infected, I did a little cheer. I'm fairly certain that isn't how I was supposed to react, but I did enjoy it! For some reason, I don't really think she will, Nikki is that annoying character who is there because she is hot, as long as she stays hot, she'll stay on the show. Stupid male demos.
I still gag at West and Claire having any sort of physical contact. Like full on gag. Good thing he bailed like a little baby. I got some joy out of his terror. Wonder if West will be involved in the HRG death painting of doom...
Speaking of Death painting of doom, Mohinder's got himself a gun. Little weasel is falling victim to the company. He consistently picks the wrong side. First he partners up with "Zane" who is really Sylar, and now he finally picks the right side, and then he jumps over to the baddies. I really hope he isn't the one shooting HRG, judging from the picture and Mohinder's broken nose, the painting takes place not too far from this episode.
And now the good 'ole Heroes shocker. Adam Monroe, the baddie planning the deaths of the founders of the Comany, is Kensei. You know, the one Hiro left in feudal Japan in an explosion? Yeah, so apparently immortality means no aging. Wow that sucks for Claire. Even though she looks a little older than 16, she still looks likes like a kid, and when you're 30, you really don't want to look 18. Really. Doctor Who has warped my mind about all things Sci Fi. Look what happened to Jack, he stayed around for hundreds of thousands of years and (d)evolved into a giant head. I don't wish that on Claire, or Adam.
House 4.05
This is probably the first episode this season that I really liked. I've said before, my favorite episodes of House are those that get the doctors involved on an emotional level. Normally these episodes have House getting all involved, but this episode had everyone getting in on the act. Having this blank person with Mirror Syndrome showed us all the newbies in a different light. My favorite was Kal Penn, whose character is apparently named Lawrence Kutner. The patient adopting his chill tone and relaxed attitude was precious.
I continue to love Wilson's power kick. No longer is he poor little puppy, he's packing a bite. I loved how Wilson noticed that the patient imitated him and not House when they were together. Sure House tried to play it off as a nothing, but Wilson just ate it up. I doubt House would ever admit Wilson's gaining power in the relationship, but I wonder when he'll try to regain control.
Then there's Cuddy, who has completely lost any power or influence or anything she had over House. She's officially just a puppet for House's actions. She half-heartedly tells him no, and he ignores her, then she defends him. I thought the big House/Cuddy showdown was a little lame, but proved a point that I've been talking about all season. Cuddy is no longer trying to stop him. There was a time when she would actually put up a decent fight: you know call him into her office and question his judgments. She hasn't done that once this season. Mirror guy showed how weak she has become.
House 4.06
Following last week's really good episode, I was a little disappointed with this week's. Let's start with Doctor without Borders inducing Polio in a patient. Um... wtf? Like who would actually do that? And how could the doctors think they cured Polio with Vitamin C? Plus the racer was super annoying, which is never fun. Well, except for that one time.
As for CIA House, hmm...felt a little gimmicky. And can you really get radiation poisoning from Brazil nuts? This was one of those cases where I felt "REALLY? You're going to go with that?" House had some funny one liners and such, but overall, there wasn't much to this episode.
Pushing Daisies 1.05
This episode, like every other episode of Pushing Daisies, had me charmed from the start. Opening in rhyme? Brilliant. I couldn't imagine this show without Jim Dale's wonderful voice. This show is truly special and one of a kind. Ned's childhood was so tragic; we saw him find out his dad abandoned him for another family. He found this out on Halloween, which led into a genius theme episode. Normally I hate themes, just hate them. Pushing Daisies is the kind of show that does them wonderfully. Fuller made some good Dead Like Me Halloween episodes, too. His shows are good with themes.
So Ned hates Halloween. I have a confession, it's not my favorite holiday. Glad I'm not alone. Chuck, however, loves it, and decorated the Pie Hole. So cute.
I mentioned how much I loved when Olive and the mystery intersect. This week, Olive was part of the mystery. How much did I love her as a jockey? So cute. The ghost? Not as cute. I love how Chuck was teasing Ned about ghosts existing. I mean, he does bring dead things back to life, after all.
The Ghost? Not so much a ghost. He survived but had a weird leg graft thing using his horse's leg. That's the bizarre Pushing Daisies charm!
Not going to lie, my heart broke seeing Ned lying on his old bedroom floor. What a tragic Halloween tradition. You know, all things considered with Ned, I'm surprised he turned out this normal.
My favorite part of the episode was the end when Ned took Chuck trick-or-treating to her aunt's. Even though he doesn't have a good relationship with Halloween, he realized how much it meant to Chuck and how much she missed her aunts. My favorite line was when Chuck in her ghost costume rings the doorbell and we hear the aunts mention the early hour (it was like 1 or 2, I don't remember) and Lily goes, "I'll bring the gun" and Vivian goes, "I'll bring the candy." Hee.
30 Rock 2.05
This episode made me realize why I keep comparing it to Arrested Development. No other show on television makes fun of its network more than 30 Rock does presently. I kept thinking back to when AD was getting canceled, and the writers kept writing jabs at Fox. NBC made all their shows include some sort of "Green" theme. They really pressured their comedies to do it. My Name Is Earl included a small bit that really made no sense to the show. I figure the writer thought that too, since the bit involved how it had nothing to do with anything. Yeah. 30 Rock really made it work, by devoting the entire episode to NBC making shows go green. I guess you can do things like that when you are writing about a TV production.
Here we saw, what was probably NBC's real reason for doing the Green Week: Money. Of course, Jack wanted the message to be "Buy from our corporation" more than "Save the planet". How true.
My favorite sight gag of the night: Kenneth and Liz at his house listening to Werewolf Bar Mitzvah dressed up in Halloween costumes.
I also loved the pop tarts. I probably will never look at them the same way again. If you watched the episode, you'll know what I mean.
My favorite line: Cerie: "Was [Greenzo] talking to me like I was ugly?"
You gotta love Jack's meeting at the end and Kenneth scolding everyone. Absolutely fantastic, especially with the cuts to the party during that scene. This episode reminded me why this show is appointment TV.
Things to note: 30 Rock's been having a number of high profile guest stars, but they manage to make it work. Al Gore's cameo with the line about the whale was so absurd it was amazing. I like to imagine Gore running off to save whales. Well, stranger things have happened.
The Office 4.06
Not going to lie, watching this Joss-directed episode felt so much sweeter knowing he'd be coming back to TV. That being said, this has got to be my favorite episode of the season so far. It was so amazing to see Karen again. Karen and Jim together had a decent amount of awkward. Nothing up to UK levels of uncomfortable, but enough.
I loved how Jim got tricked in to going. Jim is always the prank-master, and for once he was had. This was one of Michael's being an immature child moments, but I could handle it. We had Dwight with explosives, which more than made up for Michael. Dwight brought out all sorts of intensity. "Eyes are like the groin of the head". Jim panicking and telling Dwight to not touch the eyes was hysterical. I think, for once, he honestly didn't have control. Poor Jim.
The single best part of this episode was the Finer Things Club. Oscar said it best: "If I wasn't having sex with men, I would say the Finer Things Club is the gayest thing about me." That was my first ROFL moment this season. I just haven't been enjoying this season like I have in the past two seasons. I don't know, I think those hour-long episodes kind of drained the writers (that and lost residuals). This episode really felt like it could have been a third season episode.
The Office 4.07
Even though I'm writing this two weeks after watching "Branch Wars", I remember that episode much more than I remember this one. This was Michael being an idiot for 30 minutes. When he acts like that, I jump into David Brent comparisons and then I get UK bitterness. The last thing I need is more bitterness.
I did like the shots of Michael's surprises. I definately giggled during the various scenes. Some people enjoyed it, others appeared terrified. Funny. Sad: Phyllis calling Jim "Michael" during his time in charge. I was like "Oh no you didn't!" The look on Jim's face was priceless. I think he was horrified, and rightly so.
Grey's Anatomy 4.06
I have absolutely nothing to say about episode 6. Well, Lexie and Alex had sex. OK I had 1 thing to say.
Grey's Anatomy 4.07
So Gizzie is dead? Wow, worst. sex. ever. I loved how Izzie really wanted it to work out, probably more than George. George seemed like things were done after the first time, but Izzie, she really tried.
The Chief and Derek made for the weirdest storyline of the episode. Just... hmm.
I did a little cheer when Bailey got the Chief Resident. Come on, did we really think Callie was going to cut it?
Is it just me or is Lexie becoming the new Annoying Meredith? She was getting ridiculously involved with her patient, like an unhealthy amount. I'm pretty sure that's a rookie annoyance, but an annoyance nonetheless. Seeing Thatcher stumbling around drunk made me feel badly for the girl though. Maybe, like with Meredith, I'll see how crappy her life is, then accept everything that annoys me about her. With Meredith, that only took 3 seasons.
Meredith and Lexie continue to have the worst relationship ever. I understand Lexie saying they weren't related, I mean, look how complicated it would have been. "We're half sisters, but I only realized she existed less than a year ago." It isn't as nice as "She's my sister." I thought the bit with Lexie telling Meredith 5 things was a little gimmicky, but sweet.
Erica Hahn continues to be awesome. Really. And I don't think this because we have the same initials. She's really brilliant, and I love how Mark is attracted to her skills. Well, that's something. But she's really awesome, and a little bitchy (esp to Cristina), but awesome. I don't miss Burke at all. Glad she's the replacement
Ugh you know this post took me hours. Remind me never to fall behind on my TV write-ups. I was going to be doing homework, but... Guess not. Eh I had fun, in a methodical, reminiscing kind of way.
No sign of the Writer's Strike ending. Every now and then I'll get really sad. NBC is firing people left and right. 102 people from The Office were fired. I think that really shows the scope of this work stoppage. It's more than me missing my television and it's more than the writers and their residuals. The entire economy of southern California will be affected. I hope this comes to an end, but it doesn't look like the sides are meeting for a while.
I know it's only like week 3 into the new season, but it already feels like the shows have been on forever. It's going to be a long one folks.
Prison Break 3.04
So that's it? We get a generic dark haired female head in a box? REALLY? I haven't been a huge PB fan, and I definitely wasn't a Michael/Sara shipper, but I'm a little offended at the way things turned out. I didn't really care about this until I read the interview Michael Ausiello conducted with the PB PTB. Essentially, they didn't want to kill Sara, but when Fox rejected their other pitches, they decided to go and kill off Sara. Fine, sounds risky, but they would have some sort of suspense or payoff, right? Well, then Sarah (the actress) didn't want to come back and shoot the 13 or 14 episodes she would now be in (reduced from 22). Then the writers wanted to go and shorten the arc to just a few episodes... Nope, still a no-go. So what do we get? A head in a box. I couldn't believe it was actually hers. I mean, I knew, but I couldn't really believe it until I read Ausiello's piece. What a slap in the face for hardcore PB fans. I feel for ya. I might even stop watching, I didn't watch last week, but it doesn't look like I missed anything. Instead of watching this season, I might just go a rent the first season. Same plot, much better execution.
Heroes 2.03
HRG CANNOT DIE. But part of me feels like he has to. LOST SPOILER FOR SEASON 3 - - - This is sorta like the Charlie situation. Desmond said he was going to die, and by the end of the season, it was clear it had to happen or else it would have felt cheap and lame. Now, unless the writers pull a massive rabbit out of a hat, it looks like HRG's got to kick it. Why couldn't it have been West instead?
Oh West. West, West, West, West, West. What a massive tool. What a giant asshole. What a total douchebag. Can he die? Please? Him I wouldn't mind a death painting of. When he started rambling like a total nutter in class, I just wanted Claire to cut off his toe after class. And now they're like love interests? BLAH and LAME. BLAH. Anybody else annoyed we're going down that "HRG WAS EVIL" route again? Didn't we resolve all of this last season? He's looking out for Claire, he's actually a good guy... Now we're back to "HRG LOOKED AT ME LIKE I WAS AN ANIMAL!!!" Why even go back to this? I love the relationship Claire and her dad have now. Why do this? It's not even a good storyline, it's just regressing. Even West's dramatic line... "The man with the horned-rimmed glasses" was soooo first season. *eyeroll*
Lots of blah. Nikki... blah, twins... blah, Peter... mega blah, and crippled!Sylar... worse than blah. Sylar cannot be a criple. Just not allowed. I suppose the writers couldn't have him all megapowerful forever. I suppose the same with Peter. He's not in control and can do like a few things intermittently. Did I mention Peter's storyline is blah? Why can't he open the box? Who's he afraid he'll be? Darth Vadar? Lord Voldemort? In love with his niece? What? We all would like to know.
Hiro. Oh Hiro. Hiro and DavidTakezo. That's getting blah. Hiro's going to do all of Takezo's tasks, makes the legend... Uncertain about getting the girl. Looks like Hiro's fighting a losing battle on that end. That storyline needs to wrap up soon. I know David is a regular, but I assume he's going back to present... right?
Is anybody else amused by Mohinder and Matt's efforts to raise Molly? I find their partnership the most bizarre. I'm tempted to ship them, it's so amusing. Matt holding down the fort in a frilly pink apron while Mohinder is out Alias-ing it.
This episode felt really cheesy and the special effects looked really cheap. Must be the NBC budget cuts. First, Sylar is treated to a painfully blue screened Hawaii, Hiro and Takezo teleport to this magical world of CGI, then West flies Claire away in what looks like 1970's style flying effects. That's really the best they could do? To quote Kyle from South Park, "REALLY?!"
The paiting. This painting that shows HRG dead. Way uncool. Take a look at these two caps here and here. Basically HRG's got a bullet-sized hole in one of his lenses, and looks pretty dead. Then Claire is off in the background, and is either hugging or making out with someone. In the second picture, it looks more like hugging, and the other person looks kinda like Nathan. However, she could easily be making out with Peter. Yeah, I went there. I dunno, I definitely don't want HRG to die, but at the same time, I don't want this to be a cop out.
House 4.03
Erm... OK. Firstly, I'm not happy about the new team. I want our three back together... and Cameron as a brunette. I'm soooo not feeling the blond. Secondly, the writers need to give House something reasonable to be bitchy about. The afterlife? Really?
I was on top of continuity in this episode. When Foreman wanted to give the woman chemo, I was like "You did kill someone with chemo that actually had an infection", then two seconds later, his boss brought up the same point. When House went and shocked himself, I told my mom "He's already almost died twice and had various weird visions" (Three Stories and No Reason), then as soon as it came back, Wilson brought that up. So I pwn.
House is again being unreasonably over the top. It wasn't even normal and within limits. This was just flat out insane. I hate when this show does that. Then Cuddy and Wilson both just stand around and do nothing. Remember when Cuddy put up an actual fight? Like got lawyers and brought patients' families into the fight? Remember when Cuddy had a backbone? I miss those days.
Battlestar Galactica S4 Promo
*BREATHES IN*
*BREATHES OUT*
So I feel like Starbuck isn't the other Cylon, because it sounded like Anders was telling her she was... But Sci Fi isn't that great with their surprising promos. For the third season finale, they included the bit with the Chief saying "We're all Cylons..." But I'm sticking with Kara or Baltar.
Speaking of Kara. OMG she looked so fucking hot. Oh Katee. For some reason, I just can't get into her on Bionic Woman. Just doesn't do it for me. But oh I missed Starbuck. Starbuck and Lee. Oh everything looks so intense. That's the BSG I've been missing
When I was looking at my stuff at home, I found out I bought Battlestar Galactica Season 2.0! So now I have both 2.0 and 2.5 and I don't feel wasteful! Hurray!
Because homework is still overrated in college:
Heroes 2.02
First let me start with my "WTF CLAIRE" moment, which clearly involved me yelling at the TV for her NOT TO CUT OFF HER TOE. So what if it grew back, what sort of brainfart allows that to happen? Maybe that branch in the brain from season 1 damaged her permanently. Next week I predict Claire will behead herself to see if she'll grow another one. Also: Claire still feels pain. Is super-strong pain tolerance part of her gift? Even if I did heal myself, I wouldn't go further than giving myself paper cuts. Hand in garbage disposal? Nah. Backtuck off of platform with no cushion? Not an idiot. Oh! How about the hand in boiling water? Still no. Claire: Get a brain.
I'm going to miss Mrs. Petrelli when she dies. Not a spoiler, just an assumption. Her "GET OUT OF MY HEAD" moment completely rocked my life. It made the episode for me. It was bold and kick ass and scared the shit out off Parkman.
I found the moment when HRG and the Haitian met up again oddly heartwarming. Two skeevy, ambiguous good guys sharing a bonding moment. Tugs at the heart strings. But really, I did a happy clap.
David Anders is one beautiful man, just thought I should make that clear. I had hoped his power would be less Claire-ey, but what ever. More of him.
As for Hiro, he's getting pretty invested in this past-time. Wonder how going back to modern-times will work out, especially for his friends . I think he'd have trouble leaving the girl behind, and, frankly, I want David Anders and his cute accent around forever. OK, maybe I want his normal accent, I was slightly disappointed when I found out he was an Englishman. I'm dealing and enjoying his beauty.
Overall, I'm really liking this season, it's filling me with all sorts of happy feelings (primarily from Peter's hair cut, less so from Nathan's beard). I'm big on the little details about the powers. Last season introduced things and left them unexplained, but we were able to figure out stuff. This season is clarify limitations and the abilities. It's sorta like a season of exposition, but I'm OK with that. I want to learn more about generations and the Company, and it looks like that's what I'll get. So yay Heroes!
House 4.02
I guess it's kinda bad that the most exciting moments for me were when I saw the old team again. I get how this was a big test run and stuff, but seeing the newbies just made me miss the old guys more than I did last week. And last week was all about House missing them. This is only the second episode without them and only the first with a new team. I'm not sure how I'll handle an entire season of people learning the ropes. Again, it's only episode two, so I'll give the writers a chance to establish these characters (some of the people House fired I kinda liked; cute house-breaking boy and Russian girl).
Anyone else feel awkward when Wilson referred to Chase and Cameron as engaged? I know my heart still breaks for Jesse and Jennifer, all I can think about their workplace is "awkward".
I wish Jennifer Morrison would go back to brunette. I don't like her much as a blond :-(
Does Wilson seem less "enabler-ey" than he used to be? He seems to be taunting House more and acting more as a friendly antagonist. Just feels a little different. Cuddy, on the other hand, seems to be letting House get away with tons more with almost no questions. Weird.
Moonlight 1.01
Ways in which Moonlight is a direct rip-off of Angel
- Vampire with a conscience
- Vampire in LA
- Vampire Detective
- Vampire turned by ex-lover
- Vampire drives convertible
- Possible blond love interest
- Sped-up transition shots over LA
And that's the last I'll ever talk about Moonlight
I need to write a lab report, and it doesn't appear like that'll actually happen. My brain needs to get back into school mode.
I'm in the North East, and it's waay too hot. Seriously, my room is boiling. Bleh.
House 4.01 + Preview
I pretty much had no expectations going into this episode. I knew there would be no duckies, so that kinda bummed me out. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this week. It certainly isn't one of the best episodes, but it was solid enough. The main medical mystery was way too confusing for me to follow, so I kinda gave up and used my energy on the House/Wilson/Cuddy story lines, which were far superior. This episode did a good job of focusing time on all those characters. We had Cuddy moments and we had Wilson moments. BTW: Wilson kicked all sorts of ass, even if he did just kidnap a guitar. I found that plot way more enjoyable than I should have. Just amused me to no end.
So overall pretty good, but I have one complaint about the upcoming episode: BLOND CAMERON. GAH. I know you broke up with Jesse, but that's no reason to bleach your hair Jennifer. She was so much hotter as a brunette circa Season 1.
Tonight's Private Practice, and I am so not expecting anything. Well, I'm expecting it to suck. Is it bad that I want it to be canceled just so I don't have to watch it? That's right, I'm viewing this show as an obligation. I could just not watch it... Nah, I like Addison too much.
So this week my TV schedule really begins. True I had Prison Break last week, but I didn't care enough to write about it. Tonight Heroes starts (whee!), tomorrow House (squee!), Wednesday Private Practice (meh), Thursday My Name Is Earl, The Office, and Grey's Anatomy, and Friday Stargate Atlantis. So a busy, busy week. Oh yeah, and I have actual school stuff. But omgyes TV and actual long review posts!
PS: Pushing Daisies starts next week, Wednesdays at 8pm on ABC. So just ditch America's Next Top Model and watch the most pilot ever. Srsly, I'll beat you if you don't.
What shows are you looking forward to in the new fall TV season?
Well we have Heroes, House, The Office, Grey's Anatomy, My Name is Earl, Scrubs, 30 Rock, and Stargate Atlantis. I'm pretty pumped for all of those, but the one I'm most looking forward to hasn't even aired it. It's called Pushing Daisies, and it is simply spectacular in ever sense of the word. I haven't talked about it here, but honestly, every single one of you guys needs to watch it. It's probably the best pilot you'll see this year. It's so good that I'm worried it'll be canceled. That happens with good shows.
