32 posts tagged “the office”

Doctor Who 4.11
Ever since I was little, I never liked the what-if episodes that show a very different path and life. I don't really know why, but they just leave me feeling very, very sad. So this episode essentially had several strikes against it before it began. But props to me for realizing it was a "what-if" ep from the promo.

So while I may not love the episode like many other people do, I liked it a lot, all things considered. Reasons: Rose and Donna. Donna and Rose. I love those two together! They just played so well off of each other. And Rose! Good to see Pete's World Torchwood taught her well. I was so proud watching her be all expository and technobabbling. She was still Rose, but she had bits of the Doctor worked in with her. The way she strutted around, knowing everything. The way she looked at the trouble and adventure. She had this smile on her face when she explained things to Donna when she ended up at U.N.I.T. Not to mention she did the whole saluting thing that the Doctor did. I love that they had that connection, even though they didn't know it. I think the most Doctory Rose moment was when she told Donna she was "the most important woman in the whole of creation". If that didn't come straight from the Doctor's playbook... I smiled with that line and the way Rose said it. Again, so much like the Doctor. I'm not going to lie, I love that she's adopted much of his personality, not that I blame her, the dude's kind of infectious with his clever words and strutting. Oh the strutting.

Oh lord, I missed Rose. I missed the way she took things on, I missed the way she talked, I missed chavtastic Rose! And what I love even more if that Billie loves being Rose. I watched the Confidential episode, which means this episode was pretty damn important to me, and she just seemed to happy to be back. David was giddy as can be about it, but Billie was so adorable. So this return was planned when she left, I thought RTD had just BSed that, but apparently Billie said the arrangements were made right as she decided to leave, which kind of makes me love Billie even more. Too bad I can't get through an episode of Secret Diary of a Call Girl without getting really skeeved out. I'd like to watch her every week, maybe I'll try to watch it more. But back to the cast, David is as adorable as ever. He kept pestering RTD to explain 'Bad Wolf', and the way that he talks about the show is like a fan. Actually, all the actors talk about it like fans, I love that. They just have this keen insight into the story and the characters, it's really impressive.

Oh Doctor Who, I love that you are a family friendly program that isn't afraid to nuke cities and imply genocide! That's what makes this show so brilliant, it doesn't dumb down reality to fit the younger demographic. It really is a show for everyone, adults and children. But not going to lie, this is the kind of episode that would have turned me off of a show for a long time if I saw it when I was 10. I think I had similar experiences when I watched shows that did this, I just got so sketched out that I had to walk away from the show. So... good thing more kids aren't nutty like me, right?

I see a few people wanting to rewatch "The Runaway Bride", because they can't remember why they hated Donna so. I'm more than a little curious myself, I hated her. I just could not stand the sight of her. But watching that little bit included in the episode, and eventually the scene that led to the Doctor's death, that sounded like the Donna we knew. And to be frank, the Donna we saw this week was the angry, shouty, kind of funny Donna that seemed straight out of "Runaway Bride". This week's Donna was very different from the compassionate and caring that makes her a great companion. I'm debating watching it again, maybe I hated that Donna because she was snippy with the Doctor, and nobody does that to our pretty boy. Back to Donna, I was dying seeing her go off on her boss after she got fired. That was so amazing, and stealing the stapler? Perfect.

So... is Donna special? She's got her own unique time signal thingy. Sorry, I didn't pay enough attention during the exposition to really get what that means. So, was Donna teleported to the parallel world? Was she physically in that tent, but her mind went elsewhere? To another Donna in another world? I'm still shakey on the details of how this worked, might just chalk this up to timey-wimey stuff. But back to Donna and her parallel worlds. What role will she play in the big finale? Maybe she's like they key to keeping the universes safe. I'm not going to lie, I wished that Davies seeded this in throughout the series. I understand that not everything is planned in advanced, but this felt distinctly tacked on in this episode. Lets see how this plays out. I'm still worried about Donna, I don't think she's still in the clear, safety wise. Remember, River Song acted like Donna had died when she met the Doctor.

4.12 Preview
OK, I just need to take a moment to flip the fuck out: Sarah Jane - Check. Martha Jones - Check. Jack Harkness - Check. Ianto and Gwen - Fuck Yes! How did I NOT KNOW GWEN AND IANTO WOULD BE IN THE SHOW? Like, that is just so incredible, having those two meet the Doctor (I hope anyway). After all the vagueness Jack gives them, they deserve some info straight from the horse's or Time Lord's mouth. And Martha! And Jack! OK, I am so pumped for Rose to see Jack again. I wonder if she knows she brought him back forever? The Rose we have now is very different from the Rose who absorbed the Time Vortex and saved Jack. I wonder how she'll react, I don't even think she remembers. And Jack's always had a little something for Rose, well to be fair Jack's got a little something for everyone, but Jack will be so thrilled to see her. I keep replaying this moment in my head from "Bad Wolf" when Jack realizes Rose hasn't been vaporized. "Rose could still be alive!" He's going to be happy to see her again.

I know this is a really big longshot, but Gwen/Gwyneth from "The Unquiet Dead"... Maybe it'll come up. Like a line that she looks familiar, or maybe the Doctor will see something very odd about her. Or... you know... it could just be let go.

Rose and Martha! I've been looking forward to this for some time. Mainly because Martha got sick of hearing about Rose. In "Utopia" she had this line when Jack mentioned Rose. "OH! She's blond!" We'll see if Martha's really over the Doctor when his old companion comes back.

Donna and Rose already met, sort of. Now that she knows, or will know, that it's Rose, I wonder if she'll react differently to her. I don't see why, Donna just knew that Rose was gone, so she'll probably be happy for her.

And Rose and the Doctor. Well, we've already seen him be terrified by her warning (loved it!), but I don't doubt that we'll see some incredible hugging. Oh there will be hugging. And tears. Lots and lots of tears, mostly mine. I've only been waiting two years for this, that's all. I wonder if Rose will notice a change in the Doctor. I wonder if the Doctor notices how much Rose has changed? All I know is I can't wait. Is it Saturday yet?

Thought I'd do an update on the Transformers 2 filming. I saw them setting up, and tomorrow and Tuesday will be the shooting days. There was a helicopter with a big round thing attached to its nose, which I'm guessing is the camera, and they were doing aerial shots. It was so cool, the helicopter was flying almost sideways so the camera was facing the college campus. It's looking like my sister, her friend, and I will be getting up super early and spending the day stalking the set. Rainn Wilson will be there, so I'm going to try to get him to sign my second season Office DVD set. Shia is apparently kind of a douche, the PA's described him as "inaccessible", I hope Rainn is much nicer, he seems nice. Check out my Twitter or Plurk pages for updates, I'll be checking in there.

One of the first things I thought when I heard about the US version of Life on Mars was, "I gotta watch the English version." So the other day I finished up the first series, and it was amazing. John Simm <33 . But it also got me thinking: Will this work in the US? Well, there are a few factors that play a part in the success in these translations.

One is how relateable is it? Well, a show about a man transported back to the 70's? That could work in the US. It would actually be interesting to see the US thirty years ago and how someone would react to that. One of the things about The Office is that it can be adapted to any culture because it relies so heavily on the office dynamic. The US verion of The Office worked because it developed its own style and voice and stopped trying to be a carbon copy. If Life On Mars defines itself using a US culture and maybe a different plot, it has a shot. If they carbon copy the UK's plot, that could be tiring and open itself up to criticism and comparisons. If I'm constantly comparing the US and UK versions of The Office without any identical plots, imagine how critical I'll be with identical plots.

The next factor is casting, the cast needs to stand out and be different. I know the translation will keep all the characters from the UK one, but if the writers can add their own editorial touches on them, it'll have a shot. I keep bringing up the US Office because it's a rare instance where a UK show has successfully morphed into a wonderful US program. The Office developed background characters that were never really touched upon in the UK. If Life on Mars devotes time to the personal lives of the background players, it will not only fill up some of the 20 hours in the season, but it will also add something new.

This leads me into the most important factor: longevity. Well, Life on Mars doesn't quite have that. The UK show only had two series, and one of the most powerful parts of the first series was the frustration. Watching it, I just wanted him to wake up, like on the verge of yelling at the TV. But the brilliant thing was Sam felt it, too. He was just losing it, being so close to consciousness, then having it slip away. The viewers were right there with him. I'm downloading the second series right now, but I'm guessing this'll happen through the second series and it'll maybe end with him waking up. *ps, don't tell me how it ends, I'm just speculating* Now, the major problem with UK to US mutations is the length. For some reason US viewers love 20-24 episodes of a show, at least on the major networks. The UK has a powerful belief in less in more. Some shows run for two series, 16 episodes total, and end on a high note, not overstaying its welcome. I loved that about The Office and I'm loving that about the UK Life On Mars. Imagine five seasons, 22 episodes a piece, of Sam Tyler wanting to wake up. That'll get old, annoying and won't work. So the show pretty much has an expiration date, which is never good. Personally, this is my biggest concern, because the first season of the US one will contain more episodes than the entire run of the UK show. If the writers don't head in a different direction, the show will have some serious problems in the long run.

OK, on a side note, I'm kind of excited for Secret Diary of a Call Girl to air on Showtime. I know I watched it and was completely weirded out by nekked, whore Billie Piper, but I saw a huge billboard in NYC advertising it and I was just, "ZOMG BILLIE PIPER." I wonder if she'll do any press for the premiere? I'd kind of love it if Billie were on some late night show, I'd kind of die. Before I didn't think about press for the UK import, but a big billboard with that show and Weeds is a pricey investment. Showtime must have a lot of faith in the show.

Grey's Anatomy 4.13
I know this episode aired ages ago, but I really felt I should talk about this. I mean... Addison!!!!! WHEE!!! YAY!!! She. Was. Awesome. Like, beyond words. She was snappy and adorable and sweet and had that bite to her that vanished on Private Practice. I mean, I hate that show, and I hate that Addison was taken away from Grey's because of that show.

So, yay for Addison being awesome. But there was other stuff. Like, take Ava/Rebecca, who is preggers, but not. That posed some problems for Izzie, who has that pesky doctor/patient confidentiality to contend with. But more on Ava/Rebecca (I should really pick a name) later.

George is an intern. Remember? Izzie didn't, and she kept forgetting she's the boss. And I would not want to drink and play darts with my boss either. Plus, is Izzie really all that shocked that George has another life? Last time she because good friends it led to sex, and relationships, which led to lame. Very lame.

So Izzie was feeling very out of it. I mean, she so "coded". Then she met a pregnant HIV-positve woman, and gave me one of my favorite moments of the episode. After getting shot down by the mother-to-be for not scheduling the abortion, Izzie came back in full force and let her know exactly how slim the chances are that the child would be HIV-positive. 98% chance the child will be fine. I didn't know that, but apparently it's true. The looks of joy from the parents to be was really sweet, and I wanted to just hug Izzie. You rock.

And now we have lesbians, or rather Callie and Erica. I kind of saw it, but I also saw really good friends. Maybe LA upped Addison's gaydar, and that tuned her into the vibes. Oh Callie, totally freaked out about this whole thing. So what's a girl to do the cement her sexuality? Dance with Sloane. Classy. Oh, and Hahn totally has feelings for Callie... Or she thinks she's hot. Or both.

Oh, and best line ever:
Callie: Did anyone ever think you two were a couple?
Meredith: No because we screw boys like whores on tequila.
Cristina: And then we either try to marry them or drown ourselves.

Grey's Anatomy 4.14
This whole clinical trial thing is obviously a device to get Meredith and Derek together. I mean, "ooohh we have to be perfectly in sync... look into my eyes... blah, blah, blah." Fine. I got it.

So apparently there is an Ask, Tell policy in the hospital, because you MUST list all your sexual partners... those you can remember. Poor Lexie, though I forgot you fucked Alex, too. It's kind of a major invasion of privacy if you ask me. I mean, first we all know that Rose and Derek didn't screw, then we found out they did. And George? You kind of became the Chief's bitch. But you are a rocking Intern. Like a super star. I guess it takes two times to get amazing.

And speaking of Don't Ask, Don't Tell, I'm with Meredith about how it was sweet. I mean, tragic, but it was sweet, like forbidden love and the risk and the necessity for secrecy. And the one soldier got a say goodbye, even if he couldn't be there. Plus the father sort of came to terms, wanting a military burial and being civil to the other man.

I need to just bitch about Meredith's shrink, who loves to tell Meredith how crappy her life is and how, even though her patient is dealing, the shrink tells her otherwise. I mean, get the fuck over yourself therapist, you can do better to make Mere feel like she's so fucked up that everything she thinks is wrong. I want to bitch slap her.

Sloane is reforming his manwhoring ways, which isn't the worst thing in the world. Plus, a bunch of pissed up nurses can do that to a guy. But Derek is kind of a slut, too, because he's all banging Rose but thinking about Mere. Lame. I'm really just sick of those two, in general. Period. I know they're getting together, let's just get it over with.

Burke won an award, and they set Cristina off. I get it. I understand. It's an interesting connection between Hahn and Cristina, how they both got screwed over, but it didn't seem like Cristina was looking to bond.

Oh and Hahn is so amused that Addison thought Callie and her were a couple. Hilarious, except she wishes it were true. Classy.

Grey's Anatomy 4.15
I thoroughly enjoyed the last two episodes. This one? Not so much. Actually, I found it very annoying. From the whole "fairy tale" metaphor for Meredith and Derek's views of relationships, to Cristina completely losing her shit, I just wanted to punch several people. Like Meredith's shrink, who just drove me crazy. She's a terrible therapist. She should be helpful, and supportive and offering help and advice, not completely deconstructing Meredith's life with the conclusion that she's crappy. Like... Fuck you bitch. Yeah, I hated her. Aren't there other shrinks you can see?

Cristina lost it. Just right off the deep end. Cleaning, bitching, not interested in surgery, she covered all the anti-Cristina bases. But when she just opened her mouth, I knew carnage would ensue. She flipped out on Lexie and George, and I wanted to flip out on her. Also? Meredith, way not to stand up to Lexie. I mean, she didn't really do anything to you, and she's been not so annoying lately.

But Lexie had her revenge. She went all "I saw heart surgery and you didn't, bitch" on Cristina. Sorta. I wish she were a bit more agressive or face-rubbey with Cristina. But alas, I guess that's Lexie's muted way of doing things. She also had a moment with Meredith, basically saying what I've been saying all along: Meredith's life sucks. It really, really sucks. Her childhood, her professional life, her personal life. It's crap, and sometimes I'm surprised Meredith can get up in the morning. I did a bit of a fist pump when she said that.

Rebecca's nuts. Yeah, I get this episode is all about crazy. So... Crazy. Hysterical pregnancy, forgetting about child (I did that too), need for new tits. Yup, definitely a wackjob. Izzie finally told Alex, who didn't want to believe it, but when he accepted it, he still wouldn't let Rebecca get the help she needs. She needs a psych consult, and Alex is all protecty. Dude, you need to get her help... Seriously.

George got to be cute manny for the day. Aw, I don't actually mind that he's just holding Tucker. I think it's really sweet that he'd do that. Plus, it's better that Tucker doesn't have to be around for his parents' bickering. Boy do they have problems. Like, the really bad kind. If they're going to divorce, they need to get going before they scar their child and make him punch more tykes.

Oh, and Callie and Hahn made lesbian jokes all episode and Hahn kissed Callie in an elevator. Like that won't be awkward afterwards. At all.

The Office 4.12
I almost just skipped over writing this episode because I just disliked it. Michael was a buffoon and I try to ignore him when that happens.

I guess the only interesting thing that happened was Ryan went off on Jim and gave him a warning about job performance. I only mention this because it led to Jim taking things seriously in the next few weeks.

Oh, and Dwight is jealous.

The Office 4.13
This episode was pretty much separated into three sections, the job fair, the office, and golfing. So I'll split this up.

Job Fair.
Michael was kind of an idiot, but I loved Pam. There was this moment when she goes into the art room, her old stomping grounds, and says to the camera "I wonder if it's still here," and then turns back and goes "guess they took it down." That moment was so perfectly subtle and sweet and sad. People and places move on, and clearly something Pam had done was taken down. I know I feel that way sometimes when I go to old places. Things change, and you're not entirely prepared. That was a real moment. And so, moving onto change, Pam inquires about a new art opportunity and looks into taking digital art classes. Gasp!

Golfing.
Jim actually took his job seriously, and I liked this side of him. Sure goofy, playful, lovesick Jim is nice, but sometimes it can get old. Luckily, this was a refreshing change. Plus, Andy and Kevin showed up, which is always hilarious. Andy continued to rock my socks, overdoing the golfing thing, trashing his hands practicing the night before. Then Kevin turns the whole day into a big bet.

But the big deal of the day was Jim, who regained a customer, proving he isn't a fool and that he can do things other than goofing off. And how he was so proud of what he did was excellent! The awkward back in the office kiss? Eh. They were cuter when they weren't together, and when Kevin wasn't going "bowng chicka bowng bowng." That's a bit of a mood killer.

Office.
Dwight and Angela. Together. Working. Alone.

The Office 4.14
I don't know, but as far as season finales go, I was kind of let down. Sure there were funny moments, but overall it didn't really feel like a finale.

Big things: Jan is pregnant, but with a sperm donor's spawn and not Michael's. She needed to make this one count (ouch). Jim didn't propose to Pam, because Andy got to it first (with Angela! not Pam). Michael was hit on by Holly, but was too dense to realize it. And Holly thought Kevin was a special needs employee. Funniest thing about that was Kevin behaved no differently than he usually did.

But I need to talk about Pam for a second. I was so sad when she said she really thought Jim was going to propose. And he was! The whole thing he said to Michael about falling in love with Pam in the office set up this amazingly sweet fireworks display and big event, only to have Andy stomp all over it. If I was Jim, I would have just gone back, poured some wine, and did it then. But he scrapped the plans entirely, leaving Pam disappointed. Except, now we know she wants to get married to him. Yay!? I don't know how I feel about that, yet.

My favorite moment of the episode was Pam's talking head where she said "Don't ever tell Toby I told you this, but I always thought he was sort of cute." I just flipped out, because that coy look on her face was amazing. And Toby is kind of adorable, in a really quiet, odd kind of way.

Ryan got busted... but not for coke. Fraud is so not cool, kids. Ever. Then Oscar had his best line ever, which was "But the real crime was the beard." Oh so true. I wonder if BJ Novak grew it over the summer, and got so much heat for it that the other writers wrote the jokes into the show. At least that's what I like to think.

So cliffhangers: Pam is off to NYC for the summer, I'm assuming she's not quitting Dunder Mifflin, right? I mean, she could and three months is a long break, but Michael seems like he'd take her back after the three months.

Ryan is in jail. Think we'll get some prison scenes? I was hoping they dealt with the drug issue more, that was a really dark storyline with a lot of potential.

Toby's gone, or is he? Sure he bounced because he put his hand on Pam's leg, but how long can he stay in "Costa Rica"? Plus, anybody know if Amy Ryan is a series regular next year? I totally didn't recognize her, but I'm also an idiot.

Dwight and Angela have sex. OK, I know that's not actually the cliffhanger part, but I'm glad the writers made us wait this long to learn the truth. I remember they said they made it ambiguous as to how far their relationship went. Now we know. I'm sorry, but I love that ANGELA is a. Having premarital sex, b. cheating on her fiancé, and c. doing it by the copy machine. The cliffhanger - Phyllis caught them. Yikes.

I decided that this post was getting redic, so I'm splitting it into two parts. Also because House is on tonight and I wanted my thoughts for that written down. Just some quick bits before I bounce (or get breakfast).

Dollhouse Squee! (I know this is ages old, but I've been busy)

- Katee Sackhoff on Nip/Tuck! Yay!

- The real inspiration for the Office

Sidenote - I saw Prince Caspian Friday, and I really liked it. A bit too Jesus-ey for my tastes (and I loved the first film, which was all Resurrection!). Anyway, am I a horrible person for being extremely attracted to Edmund, played by Skandar Keynes, who's 16!? I believe, last I checked, it was illegal in several states to feel that way. I mean, he was 15 when he filmed the movie! Why can't I just be swoony with Ben Barnes like everyone else in the world?

Today was the last day of April, and there were flurries. Yup. SNOW. Gah. I'm trying to get this stupid research paper started, but the words just aren't happening. Grr.

Grey's Anatomy 4.12
You know what, I didn't hate this episode. It had all the hallmarks of a shitty ep, doctors acting like children, stupid subplots, overt metaphors... But... it worked? I would hate to think that my doctors have running contests involving my health, I mean, really? But what kept that plot grounded was Izzie and her patient, who reminded us how ridiculous and insensitive the entire concept is. I mean, Meredith shouted with glee upon discovering her patient had a brain tumor! That was just so hilarious, that I could imagine a young doctor getting caught up in the excitement of the game. That's the key to doing an absurd subplot, just include a few characters to ground the entire concept in reality. Side note: if this happened irl, the hospitals would be so liable, because having a context in live and death scenarios? That's a law suit waiting to happen.
 
Um, I thought there was more I had to say about this episode, but I guess not. Derek and his lady? Eh. Shonda already said MerDer 4 eva, so this is just unnecessary "drama". And the obnoxious animal theme... I just let the themes go. I mean, face it, Grey's is a guilty pleasure. There was a time when it was a great drama, probably around the second season, but ever since it never really got its groove back. So with my new standards for the show, this one wasn't half-bad. Shockingly, I liked it...
 

The Office 4.11
I know I've been pretty hard on The Office (US) lately, but I'm going to say it. I. LOVED. THIS. EPISODE! Maybe it was Ryan spending the entire episode high, or maybe it was Dwight getting it on with a college basketball player, or maybe it was Jim showing he would make a terrible leader, or maybe it was that the entire office hates Pam and Jim...
 
I'll start with the boys in the city! Ryan shows up to Scranton to tell the grunts they have to work Saturday because the Dunder Mifflin Infinity wasn't working and they need to enter stuff. Basically, the whole online thing is failing miserably. Ryan lets it slip that NY clubs have all the babes, so obvs Michael and Dwight drop in on him in NYC. Well, I should have known it would take more than alcohol to get Ryan hugging Michael. Ryan and his half-beard were enjoying the Columbian nose candy a little too much. The big bad city ate our boy up. I kind of miss old Ryan the temp, but I hope he bounces back (maybe he needs to get fired or demoted).

Dwight! I. LOVE. YOU. The ladies were throwing themselves at you, bro! I always loved Dwight, even if he is the most out there of the US character incarnations, but Rainn makes it work. I was dying when Michael snapped the picture and sent it to EVERYONE! Such a Michael thing (and a David Brent thing). And when Dwight was all, "I'm not calling her", oh you are so awesome. Only Dwight wouldn't appreciate a tall, leggy blond.

Back in Scranton, is was nice to see the minor characters. Lately it seems most of the action occurred outside the office, so I was happy to see everyone. Kelly, I wish you had more to do (but props to Mindy Kaling for writing this boss episode). Her few lines were so amazing. "I have a lot of questions. Number one, how dare you?" - Kelly to Ryan. But the real focus was Pam and Jim. Obviously. But this time, everyone hated both of them. I think the majority of the office hate them together, and that showed. Jim was portrayed in a much harsher light, making racial gaffes a la Michael (awkwardly asking the security guard if he was the African American, assuming the cleaning people only spoke Spanish). Jim really isn't all that slick, and I think this episode was from more of the coworkers perspective, showing the viewer that our hero is just another grunt.

Toby. Aw, poor fella. Side note: The dude has intense fence-hopping skills. I loved the awkward moment with his hand on Pam's knee. I mean, what were you trying to do there, Tobes? But I could totally see that happening, and if you think about it, Jim did similar things when Pam was with Roy. The difference is Toby doesn't have that kind of friendship with Pam to begin with. See you in Costa Rica, Toby.

So, yeah, Best. Night. Ever. I was legitimately concerned that I was losing touch with this show. I was indifferent to displeased with episodes everyone loved, and I couldn't help but utter the B-word, British. But this episode was simply delightful, and I'll be looking forward to next week and a continuation of some of the plots from this week.

30 Rock 2.13
I hate when this show has hilarious moments, and then it includes a kind of lame subplot. The whole porn-video game? Wasn't my cup of tea. Sure there were funny jokes involved, but some moments just didn't work, like Frank having his "NOOOOOO!!" moment. Fell flat for me, personally.
 
BUT! Dr. Spaceman! Yes! I love that continuity! Also? Will Arnett. He == awesome.

Like any 30 Rock episode, this one shined with its one liners
Liz - "Suck it monkeys! I'm going corporate!"
Liz to Frank - "You look like Gene Simmons had sex with a basset hound!"
Jack - "Hugging is so ethnic"

I will officially start calling flutes "music sticks"
Business drunk, which is clearly more dignified than drunk. Duh.
 
Um plot-wise... Geiss is in a diabetic coma (way to go Liz), and Jack doesn't get the promotion. Way to go Banks. I'm hoping awesomeness will ensue and maybe a confrontation when Geiss wakes up.

 
Battlestar Galactica 4.06
Baltar isn't really Jesus, right? I mean, BSG wouldn't turn Jesus into the insanely fucked up Baltar from this show, right? Because his whole, love yourself thing sounded vaguely biblical. I'm no theologian, so correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't there this whole "love thyself" bit? But... nah, RDM wouldn't make Baltar Jesus.

I like evil Tory. I mean, she straight up went off the deep end after last week's Cally-killing. Going from crying during sex with Baltar to initiating the sex with Baltar... She even fed him some of her gospel. We're all perfect, so no guilt! I wonder if Roslin's noticed a difference. We haven't seen much of them together since the premiere, have we? I wonder if Tory's going to even try to hide it anymore.

Clearly Tigh became interested in turning off the pain. He's been pretty disturbed lately, and I think he actually wondered if it could be done. So enter Caprica Six/Ellen to really mess with Tigh's mind. It was probably more like Tigh's mind messing with him, but I digress. Yay Ellen! I wouldn't be shocked if she were the final Cylon, but it wouldn't be Ellen, because I doubt there was a Final 5 resurrection ship near New Caprica. But oh the drama that would bring. I can't imagine things would end well for Tigh if that happened.

I wonder what's going on with the Cylon fleet. Interesting there wasn't any sort of resolution. And barely a peep from Starbuck and her motley crew. Hopefully we get some development next week.

Tyrol's a mess. I think he's the most aware of how crappy it is that he's a Cylon. I don't think it's such a terrible idea to get away from Galactica. I mean, how sure are these 4 Cylons that they're not going to be triggered. They can't know. No matter how many times they repeat who they are, it wouldn't help them if some greater purpose turned them into killing machines. But then again, if the four were planted in the fleet to further the human cause, then Tyrol leaving is a bad thing. But as of now, he's just screwing up and putting lives in danger.

Interesting theory of the week. So I was in my comp sci lab, and one of my TA's said, "Cally's a Cylon." And I was like, "No. Cally and Tyrol have a child." His thought is that the Cylon - Cylon fertility problem is psychological (love), and since Cally and Tyrol had no clue what they were, they conceived and have a spawn. Now, I think this is highly unlikely, but it would be an amazing twist, and it would make that child the single most important thing for the Cylons. Think about the fertility problems, we've seen both a male and female Cylon become parents, so we know it isn't that one gender is deficient. Six went on and on about love and how that is why Cylons can't have babies... Or genetically, the Cylons' genes are too powerful and won't let them reproduce (like mules, but they're sterile). Just thought it was interesting.

Doctor Who 4.04
I was worried about this episode, I mean, it was a two part Martha story written by the woman who wrote "Daleks in Manhattan"... But it seems I didn't need to fear, the story and Martha got the proper treatment they deserved! I'll start with Martha. I was glad her call to the Doctor was business, I was worried it would come off as Martha being needy and just wanting to travel. It seems our gal's gotten settled! Engaged and working, I'm glad. I'm not sure if she's over the Doctor, but I'm glad she's moved past the pining, because with Rose returning, that could get ugly. Speaking of Rose, glad there were no Rose returning mentions, this episode needed to have a solid Martha focus, and to have another Rose reminder would have been unnecessary.

Oh Doctor, I loved that beat when he stepped out of the TARDIS and just looked at Martha. He just looked so conflicted, but then it was right back to fun Ten. But that moment was amazing, like acknowledging how badly he felt, if only for a second. But then there was that happy reunion hug, and then Donna. Ten was so funny with his, "please don't fight" and how he held his breath as Donna told Martha how much Ten said about her. I don't think he's ready for Martha to know how badly he feels. It wouldn't be in his character to acknowledge that to her. But Donna and Martha got along quite well, it wasn't like the Rose/Sarah Jane mini-bitchfest, which was good. The more Martha is separated from Rose the better, I think if the two will meet, the writers need to send her down her own path, with her own ideas and actions. I'm not suggesting she suddenly stops loving the Doctor, but she's matured enough to realize how much Rose meant to him, and how she's not Rose, so she can move on and be at peace with her choices. She made that clear to Jack on Torchwood when talking about her decision to leave the Doctor. Martha's really come into her own, I loved seeing her with her walkie-talkie giving commands and whatnot. Sure Donna was all "you turned her into a soldier!", but it was brilliant. That's the kind of take charge attitude I wanted from her last series.

So not only was Martha awesome, but Donna was lighter, too. After a few weeks of heavy moral conflict, we got some light moral conflict. Sure she had her piece about the rights of the workers and the raid on the factory, but it was a brief bit. Overall she was quite snippy, but to the point. I loved her she pwned the UNIT folks with the non-existent sick days. Donna's going to be the kind of companion to look for things no one else would think to check. Awesome. Of course, Martha warned her about putting her family in danger, so Donna took some time. I loved how the Doctor was all sad and upset, trying to keep her on board. Of course it took him longer to realize it was a temporary thing, to which Donna had a really funny bit about how dense he can be. So true, and hilarious. I love when she talks back, it really adds to their relationship.

I love Ten's problem with authority. His extreme dislike of UNIT was so amusing, like the Doctor doesn't do some of the thins they do. He may not use guns, but his weapons are so much deadlier. Nevertheless, he had funny moments about giving orders and saluting. Then he got his own UNIT boy (Ross!). Ten had some great lines concerning Ross, "we like Ross!" Hee!

OK, plot. Sure it's completely unreasonable that EVERY SINGLE CAR has this ATMOS thing. Do you realize how long it takes for technology to become this widespread? Years. But letting that go, the Sontarans were cool. I thought they were going to be cheesy and lame, but they were pretty badass. Little badass warriors who clone people. Yikes. So looks like the Doctor's got quite a bit to deal with next week: Donna's grandad, poison gas, cloned Martha, and an entire race bred for war. Let the Deus ex Machina commence!

OK, the following is speculation for the rest of the series, including spoilers for future episode titles. You've been warned.
So it looks like Davies has gone all out when it comes to seeding in references. We've got lost planets, Rose mentions, missing bees, the Shadow Proclamation (maybe?), and the Medusa Cascade. I'm going to bring up the Medusa Cascade. Apparently there was a rift there that the Doctor closed some time ago. It came up in "The Last of the Time Lords", but I didn't really pay attention (thanks Doctor Who Wiki!) Anyways, RD said that "[the Medusa Cascade] come back to haunt us." Hm... Well that sounds ominous, doesn't it? I wonder what he means. But I don't think it's a coincidence that the Medusa Cascade, with it's former rift, keeps coming up in the series that Rose returns. I wonder if the Cascade is the reason behind Rose's world hopping and the missing planets/bees. Following this trend, the Cascade is the only one of the recurring phrases that has a proper name. Think back, we've had Bad Wolf, Torchwood, and Mr. Saxon. There's really nothing that directly compares. Why bring it up? Well, the second to last episode this series is titleless as of now. The finale has a name ("Journey's End". which probably means I'll be bawling like a baby when it airs), as do all the episodes before the second to last. Interesting. I recall that back in the first series, the episode "Bad Wolf" was left unnamed and was the last of the titles to be revealed that series. Well, if there were an arc word, I would say that this episode would be named that. But there isn't, so all I have to go on is the mysterious Medusa Cascade. But then again, I could be completely wrong, for all I know the episode could be called "Bees" and Rose is coming back because there is a massive Bee infestation. Heh.
 

House 4.13
Oh House and Amber. Doesn't Wilson get a say in anything? I can't be the only person who kept thinking, "Why can't Wilson just choose when to hang out with House? Why does Amber get to choose?" The dude's a grown man, after all. I get the writers wanted to have a cute, funny subplot, but that's all they could do? Don't get me wrong, it was funny, just... poor Wilson.

HEY! DID YOU GUYS GET IT? THE NURSES WERE ON STRIKE! THAT'S LIKE SO REFERRING TO THE WRITER'S STRIKE! AHAHAH WOW! THAT WAS SO SLICK! I BET NO ONE GOT IT BECAUSE IT WAS SO SUBTLE! *eyeroll*

How much would it have sucked if House was angry and bitter because of syphilis? That's like throwing four seasons out the window. Of course, I remember how much less angry he was after that ketamine coma... I love how much of an asshole House can be, like why go through the trouble to put a fake blood sample and trick people into thinking you're mean because of an STD? I guess House is just that kind of douchebag, a very calculating one. Heh.

So how did everyone know 13 was bisexual? Am I the only one who doesn't get a bisexual vibe? Because apparently everyone else does. And she hasn't confirmed or denied it, so I guess House will just try to annoy it out of her. I wonder how many sly mentions he can get, I really liked his "31". Oh Greg.

Kutner (I'm tempted to start calling him Kumar again) wins my award for random diagnostic epiphany of the week. I mean, the dude jumped from point a to point z. It made me think of that time when Chase realized House was wrong and ended up getting punched. Kutner just got a "that should have been my epiphany". I could have used a good House smack down, too.

Oh and Chase? He's apparently House's bowling buddy. Bowling isn't one of the two things men do alone. Hee, awesome one liner. I wonder if their bowling relationship will be shortlived now that Chase is now convinced Cameron slept with House. I'm not sure if she did, but it's odd she didn't just deny it. Like no one would judge her if she said no, actually, I think that's what everyone expected. But she just pulls one of those "none of your business" things, which scream 'guilty'. Maybe she's embarrassed because part of her wanted to sleep with him, so she's keeping mum. As a result, everyone thinks she's knocked boots with House, which, let's be honest, wouldn't be the worst thing in the world. 

I am so loving spring right now. I'm walking around outside without a coat, I'm seeing the sky and sun, and there's no snow! So... win!

In not-so-win news, I'm sick. Fuck. And I did pretty shitty on my last Chemistry test, but it's OK, because I can make up the points on the final. Just need to study instead of watching Skins. Yeah, I was talking to my friend the night before my Chem exam, and she was randomly commenting about Skins. So naturally I downloaded the first episode and stayed up until 4am watching the show. I finished the first series in 2 days, and I only have the finale left to watch. Sure there were some eye-rolling moments, and sure it felt like the adults were written by what 10th graders thing adults are like, but damn, that show's addictive. It's definitely an English Degrassi, but with sex and drugs and nudity. Love it.

30 Rock 2.12
I didn't really love this episode so much. I mean, it was good to see Dennis back, that whole To Catch A Predator thing was just a misunderstanding, but I didn't feel much love. I liked the Tracy Jordan message "Don't Vote!" to Blackmericans, and I did like Bucky Bright's lines, about how being with a man in the old days wasn't gay, and how the writer's room used to be called "the Jew room". I did laugh a lot at that line. I did enjoy the parrot who died 9-1-1 and said fire, because he didn't know the word 'rape'. Hee!

That Nixon bit, as much as I love Alec Baldwain dressing up as an ex-president, fell a little flat to me. I was just sort of... OK... about the whole thing. I tried watching it again, but I still didn't feel love. So, w/e's, there's always next week.

The Office 4.10
I think I'm becoming disillusioned with the American version. I can't help but compare the US and the UK shows, and I'm becoming more and more let down by the US. I know I keep doing it, and I wish I could just let it go. I feel if I could just get past the fact that the US relies more on gimmicks rather than pure awkwardness, I'd really love it. In the past I have! But I find the times I love The Office are when Michael is toned down and is made kind of pathetic. OK, I like it when the US writers make Michael more like David Brent.

Take this week, I couldn't help but think about something Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant said about their show. They said if they wrote a joke, and it sounded too gimmicky, they just scrapped it, even if it was funny. That is something the US writers obviously don't do. The blind date could have been so much more awkward. In fact, the UK show put David Brent on a blind date, and it was ripe with the awk. I felt when the barista called out Michael's name, I believe it was his full name, it just broke the realism. Sure something like that could happen, minus the last name, but in this instance it felt forced and contrived. I know my sister said she was dying of the awkward, and I suppose if I had ignored my misgivings, I would have loved it too.

What I did love was Pam and Jim. I said last week they were too amicable, just friends, except they were dating. This week, we finally got back to the awesomeness of Jim being more interested in Pam than Pam is in Jim. In the UK version, it was Tim's constant desire to Dawn that drove the show and brought it to the end. Obviously the US version didn't head in that direction, and put Pam and Jim together officially. I really missed that tension and that adorable Jim joking-but-secretly-in-love with Pam. For the first time this season, we totally had that, this time with an engagement ring. I did swoon when Jim said, in his talking head "I was not joking... I bought it a week after we starting dating". NOW THAT IS WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT! Why didn't we see this sooner! I sincerely hope we have Jim playing down his feelings in that charmingly adorable manner like in the previous 3 seasons. Maybe throw Karen in the mix for some drama, and boom, we're back at square one, but without a Ross/Rachel will they won't they. It's just Jim biding his time, and hoping Pam is starting to feel the same way. I just hope the writers can balance keeping Jim and Pam together while making sure Jim wants something more, without dragging this engagement thing for eternity. I'm not exactly sure when it should pay off, I mean, if he proposes in the final, I feel like we've just relived "Casino Night" and are destined to wash, rinse, repeat until Pam and Jim get engaged. Rational people can see that this is not the way to go. But we're talking about television writers and network executives...

One thing I loved this episode was Andy. Andy had this brilliant moment, emerging from their meeting, parking spaces recouped, and Andy said "I did it", just as Kevin said, "We did it." You know what Andy did right there? He pulled a David Brent. That is something David Brent would totally do. WWDBD, I'm going to popularize that. Hey Office writers, when penning Michael's line, think, "What would David Brent do?" and move from there. Perhaps they are focusing all their Brent-ness on Andy. When Andy said that line, I suddenly saw him in a spin-off. So, let's set clarify some things. I will not watch the Office spin-off, unless

• The spin-off takes place at the Utica branch and we get Karen.
• Andy transfers from Scranton and heads another branch
• Andy transfers to Utica and we get both Utica and Karen. (Win)
• Andy transfers to the sister company, Wernham Hogg, and joins the Slough branch, headed by Gareth. (no Tim and Dawn and David, those character's are happily retired)

How likely do I see the aforementioned scenarios playing out? Well. not very likely, NBC's execs have their head so far up their ass they couldn't see a brilliant opportunity if it, too, was up their asses.

One last thing, maybe I'm overestimating humanity with my opinion on Michael's buffoonery. Last fall, I made the following note about "Dunder Mifflin Infinity" - " [Michael]'s absurd rambling about technology telling him to drive into the lake. Honestly, that's just dumb, like no one would do that." Well, I came across the following article about British drivers relying too much on their GPS systems. In one British village, a local bridge had been closed,

"Despite warning signs on both sides of the road, and nothing but water straight ahead, local villagers have found themselves pulling an average of two cars a day out of the river for the past week"

This isn't something I would expect from Americans, let alone the Brits. So... erm... society, get your shit together.

Battlestar Galactica 4.04
Erm... OK. I don't have very much to say. Starbuck doesn't really know what she's doing and unless she starts figuring things out, fast. Cylons are going to destroy themselves, though the Centurions are on the Six's side, and are present on all the basestars... Things won't end well, not at all.

It was nice to see Roslin holding a grudge against Lee, verbally bitchslapping him when he tried to support her. I knew that whole thing wasn't over with, and I'm glad the writers realized that. Thank. You.

So last week, when I saw the teaser for this episode, I felt that shit was going down. I didn't fully believe that Cally would actually find out about Tyrol, I thought maybe she would have a dream or it would be shrugged off or something lame. Well... No. Cally got her ass chucked out the airlock... by Tory! She seemed to have embraced her inner Cylon, taking it as a new way to live, albeit a slightly more homicidal outlook. I wonder if Tory was instructed to do this by Tigh or was taking matters into her own hand. I feel that this sort of bud-nipping is right up Tigh's alley. He is more of a "violence is the answer" kind of man. Quick thing about Tory, I was checking out wikipedia's page on the episode, and the description says Tory knocked Cally down with "seemingly-superhuman force". I rewatched that scene, and I don't know if it's superhuman force. Sure Tory backslaps Cally, and she does fall a little ways away, but it wasn't a Six-like across the room hit. I feel if the writers wanted to show Tory with incredible strength, they would have made the force a little more apparent, or maybe I'm just dense.

 
Doctor Who 4.03
Here's the thing, this episode itself wasn't bad, but I'm afraid it's setting a rather bleak outlook for the rest of Donna's time. The first episode was nice and light and cute, then last week we had the heavy Pompeii, killing 20,000 people downer with moral ambiguity, and this week... more down. Donna was all, "the universe is a terrible, horrid place, take me home", which isn't how most people would look at adventure and other worlds. Also, slavery is a bit of a heavy story, but it's not like similar things weren't dealt with before. "New Earth" had people used as guinea pigs, and that wasn't so down and depressing. To be fair, Rose had already been around with the Doctor to realize death happens when he's there... I don't know, but Donna's sure got a mind for the moral, not that that's bad. It just doesn't make the adventures quite as fun. I would have liked to see Donna have a moment, like "Oh, saving  the Ood... I understand how wonderful the world can be..." But we really didn't. So it felt heavy, and after last week, I needed a bit of levity. Rabid Ood don't scream hilarity.

Another thing, I love Rose probably more than the next girl, but are we going to get allusions to her returning and to her being trapped all series leading up to her appearance? If so, that's going to get really old. It's actually getting old, now. I know you can't talk about the Ood without talking about "Satan's Pit"/"Impossible Planet", so that would lead to Rose speak, but it doesn't have to be all sad. I mean, seriously, Rose isn't trapped in a hell dimension. She's in London, with Mickey, and her family, and a sibling... She's not exactly lost, though I get  the set up. Worlds are lost, Rose is lost... the worlds are going to Rose's world... Right. This episode wasn't too heavy on the Rose, but I can't imagine these references continuing all series. Unfortunately, I think it's going to be a pattern. If only they could pace it out.

This week's reference was a little different. "I think your song must end soon." Well that sounds a little ominous, doesn't it? Then the Doomsday song plays in the background, which led me to the eventual conclusion that it was a Rose reference. Elyssa had the brilliant connection that the Doomsday song represents the barrier between the Doctor and Rose and that is going to end. I had another, much lamer, but something Davies would do, interpretation, that the Doctor's song is sad and mopey, and  when Rose comes back it will end.

OR: there could be a surprise regeneration coming up. OK, the likelyhood of that happening is really slim, I mean the upcoming series of Doctor Who is basically molded around David's schedule with the Royal Shakespeare Company, so it's not likely he'll be dumped. But how amazing would a surprise regeneration be, I mean, I adore Ten, I really do. And there would be tears and moping, but the utter shock of change would rock my world. But then again, how would I have reacted if Billie's departure was never announced. I probably would have assumed she would be back for the third series, and been devastated when I actually found out. I remember when Martha left at the end of last series, I totally assumed she was coming back, just not for the Christmas special. I totally didn't see Donna coming, at all. So maybe a surprise regeneration would be sucky...

So three episodes in, and Martha's back! Unfortunately the episode is written by the same woman who wrote last series' "Daleks in Manhattan"/"Evolution of the Daleks", which was pretty suck. So I have low expectations. Like, Donna is the new companion - low. So things could look up.

The Office spin-off is happening. FUCK YOU NBC. What the hell is wrong with you? Didn't you learn ANYTHING from Joey? Stop stomping all over Gervais' idea. First you make those tedious hour long episodes, then you go and do this... Unless this is involving Karen and the Utica branch, I'm not watching. If there was one show that absolutely didn't need a spin-off, it was The Office. *sigh* At least you picked up FNL, NBC, which I will try watching again. It just didn't connect with me, but I felt badly that no one was watching. And this time I promise, unlike Jericho, which I still haven't watched. Sorry, Jericho fans...

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.

Gah, today I woke up at 3:30 pm in the afternoon. Yikes! OK, TV time.

30 Rock 2.06
OK, I'm saying it. 30 Rock has to be the funniest show on television. "Better than The Office?", you might ask. Yes, yes it is. This episode is probably the funniest this season, if not ever. There were the greatest one-liners:

"For men, it's called a Hardy Boy"
"I thought you made love like an ugly woman"
"You know I never judge race! Remember when I asked that black man if he saw Sideways?"
"No one is more bitchy than Conservative men"
Jack: I'm going to a party tonight honoring Robert Novak. It's being thrown by John McCain and Jack Bauer.
 Liz: Um, I don't think he's real.
Jack: I assure you, Lemon, John McCain is very real.

See? You should probably watch the episode (but not on NBC.com, download it elsewhere. Don't support the Networks). It's be a while since anything so quirky and off beat has been on television. OK, here it comes, my weekly "30 Rock is just like Arrested Development" bit. IT IS! So, you should watch it while it's on, I think it's got 2 or 3 episodes left.

The Office 4.08
I think this might be the first episode ever in which I've truly felt badly for Michael. The UK version made a point to show how sad and pathetic the boss was, the US's approach was more of an "The boss is an idiot! It's hysterical!" But the show could be so much deeper than that. I wanted to hug Michael as he heard Jan's poor performance review. Ouch, I was also really impressed how he protected the company, even though he knew they didn't take him seriously as a leader.

Then there was the diary. Ugh. How demoralizing, I can't believe Jan did that. I want to hug Michael, because he really means well and he's loyal, and this episode reminded us how we should view Michael. Psst, he doesn't have to be an idiot. I love not!Idiot Michael.

Not going to lie, I love the joy Toby got out of reading the diary. The moment when he laughed out loud in the deposition was golden.

Pam and Kelly, OK mostly Kelly. One word: Awesome. We don't really see her that often, but when we do she's pure gold. I adored the cuts to her smack talking Pam. I love gags like that.

So this is it. Not going to lie, I'm sad. If they had to go out with an episode, this was probably for the best. It left me satisfied, but yeah, I want more. But I think I'll be able to hold it together for a little bit. Hopefully.

Doctor Who "Time Crash
Here it is in case you missed it.

It's a fact that Steven Moffat writes amazing Doctor Who episodes. So I knew this would be amazing. And it was. It was more than amazing. It was brilliant.

Ten and Five. I've never actually seen anything the Fifth Doctor did, but I kinda like him. I mean, Ten had all the best lines:

"Not a lot of men can carry off a decorative vegetable."
"I don't want to seem vain, but could you keep [the hat] on?"
"Aw, and out they come! The brainy specs! You don't even need them! You just think they make you look a bit clever!"
"You mostly went hands free, didn't you, like 'eh, I'm the Doctor, I can save the universe using a kettle and some string, and look at me, I'm wearing a vegetable'." (IMO my fav line ever)

But Five had his moments, "Two minutes to Belgium!"

I really hadn't thought about the Christmas Special or the new series, mostly because I've been watching reruns of the first series on PBS and been on a major Nine kick. I forgot how fun Ten was. I don't exactly know how that happened, but... well it did. He's such a goofy fanboy. And cute. Oh so cute.

This inevitably made me think of one thing: Nine meets Ten. Ten just adored meeting Five, got a laugh out of it. But Nine would be so annoyed with Ten. He would want to smack him... Well, he's want to smack himself. I think Ten would just find old him grumpy and angry and bitter, much like what he said he was like when he was young. It wouldn't end well, wouldn't it. Ooo, what about Nine meets Ten meets Rose? This would be Nine prior to meeting Rose in the first place. Interesting. Of course, neither Christopher Eccleston nor Billie Piper are heading back any time soon. But alas, I can dream.

Battlestar Galactica "Razor"
Well that was unnecessary. And random, and weird.

Basically, if this purely dealt with flashbacks, it wouldn't have been half bad. But it didn't. They retconned this weird bs storyline about a Cylon missing link and a previously unseen Pegasus XO...

The icing on the weird irrelevant cake was when Lee wanted to Nuke the Cylon ship that Starbuck and co were on. Because if there's one thing we learned from Lee Adama, is he's totally willing to sacrifice Kara.

Oh and Starbuck is causing the end of the world? Hmm... This was the only thing that mildly interested me, but then I realized this movie was supposed to be a direct to DVD release, so why would they reveal anything so important in it? Exactly.

I don't know if any of you people watch American football, but I do. I'm not really a Patriots fan, but you gotta admire how ridiculously talented Tom Brady and co. are. Seriously, they beat Buffalo 56 to 10. I'm impressed.

I get to go home Wednesday! YAY!

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'm working on a big huge ginormous TV post, basically with 2 weeks worth of crap. I've been busy, and I'm going to have a busy weekend, but I promise to write.

So the big WGA strike is upon us. I fully support the writers, but I'm starting to feel the pain. Every day this goes on I know it's crushing the plans for this season. 24's been postponed, Lost is going ahead in Feb with 8 episodes, leaving us with a major cliffhanger that will probably piss us off, most comedies are done, The Office supposedly just read through the funniest episode yet, but filming's been shut down... I'm following this like crazy, hoping for updates, but things looks pretty grim. No talks are scheduled. Yikes. People expect this to go into 2008. Methinks I need a social life.

I think I might donate to the WGA or make a shirt or something. Nothing's really affected here at school, but I want to show and voice my support. Maybe I'll phone up some networks, I'm really passionate about this. Check out United Hollywood for videos and updates. I wish I could join a picket line, but alas, I'm in upstate NY, the land of nothing.