NBC tries again with the superhero drama. Will it work? Only time will tell. To be honest, I didn’t think it was that bad. I enjoyed the origin story of the mystery The Cape and meeting a few of the villains we’re going to be seeing starting with arch-villain Chess. What’s the deal with his eyes? I haven’t figured that out quite yet, but I think he’s a pretty good foe with some brains. I mean c’mon, his whole deal is the game of chess and being several moves ahead of your opponent. (more…)
January 10, 2011
“the cape” tv review
September 28, 2010
“no ordinary family” pilot review
Sorry, I couldn’t think of a snappy pun of a title for this post, and what’s worse is that I had a couple weeks to write it. I’m feeling pretty special that I was able to get an advanced screening before it’s actual premiere… like a profession critic! Woot!
abc.com
Anyway, I alerted people about No Ordinary Family a couple posts ago and I think most of us had heard about this show a few months ago as we were going through LOST withdrawal and looking for our next serial fix. (JJ Abrams fans still have Fringe to look forward to.) But I think ABC is looking for another show to keep that “Lost” audience. Another show No Ordinary Family is filling the void for is Heroes. Do I really need to explain why? Super powers!
And based on the commercials, I had a feeling what I was getting into. A bit predictable, but this show isn’t meant to be a mind puzzle, it’s just supposed to entertain. So I really don’t mind that it makes me think of Fantastic Four (doubly due to Chiklis), The Incredibles, and of course Heroes but with less characters. In my opinion, this is what will help NOF survive since it won’t have to worry about keeping track of about 20 different characters. Don’t get me wrong, I love that format, but there’s nothing wrong with keeping it simple. And to the point!
The show jumped right into the accident that caused their transformation. We, as the audience, had an inkling of what was happening to them but got to watch them discover it for themselves. Eventually, they pieced together the events from the crash and talked about it as a family, which, by the way, they had rarely done prior to the incident. They were shown to be a “dysfunctional” family that was too busy to actually be a family. No communication, always on the go, the son was at the low end of the intelligence pool, the daughter had regular teenage girl issues, the father was a depressed house husband, and the mother was always rushing but never on time. So, in a sense, it was a reflection of a typical modern family (this show would be perfect right after Modern Family, no?) in today’s busy-busy-busy society.
The father gets super strength, but he isn’t invincible. Oh, and he’s not Superman but maybe more like The Hulk without being green or angry. He also get’s a sidekick who provide test trials for him, and eventually a lair… with wifi. The contrast to his character is that before, he felt weak and insignificant. The mother gets super speed. She also has a friend who helps her test her limits. Her contrast is that prior to her powers, she was always rushing just in time to be late. But now, it seems, she has all the time in the world. What makes these parents with powers credible is their weaknesses. The father was shot and injured to near death. The mother must eat massive amounts of food and does get tired after so much running. But now with these powers, their esteem and even their boring marriage has been revived.
The children, in my opinion, have lesser powers but could prove handy when needed. Specifically the son who becomes a genius. Before, he was failing, behind in his class, needed special education due to learning disabilities. Then in class (a scene they saved closer to the end of the pilot after he was shown to be feeling left out) he takes a test that he masters after seeing the math problems magically make sense on the board. The daughter who is a typical teenage girl with boyfriend issues and gossiping girls discovers she is telepathic. Telepathy is always a win in the superhero world. Not necessarily a must like strength or speed, but definitely beneficial.
So this pilot, like any pilot, is used to set up our characters. It’s presented in a way that the
parents are talking to a therapist, which we don’t learn until the end. They are in couples therapy which seems to be going well for this first episode, so they kinda narrate some of story. Meanwhile, the father is engaged in tracking a bad guy and also learns he and his family aren’t the only ones with special powers. This baddie can teleport! Nice little twist there and a pretty good fight scene ensues.
Apparently there are more super powered baddies out there and we may get into some kind of The Incredibles-esque fun. I won’t be surprised if there is some cross promotion… Disney own Pixar and ABC… so why not? But this show seems like it can be a lot of fun for the whole family. I don’t think it’s quite the LOST replacement, but it’s a great show to tune into with the family. Now that I have DVR, it might not be the show I’ll watch live unless I’m already home and not busy. But it’s definitely a show I’ll follow and hopefully will last.
September 21, 2010
“the event” and other events last night
The Event is not this phone call.
Last night kicked off the beginning of premiere week for the new fall TV season. Technically, it started Sunday, but most were watching football or doing nothing at all. Many fan favorites returning from cliffhangers while some showed debuted for the first time ever, hoping to attract a brand new audience to their brand new show. I tuned into two brand new shows and one returning. How I Met Your Mother, The Event and Hawaii Five-O. The 30 minutes in between HIMYM and The Event I spent at Cartoon Network, in case anyone is wondering.
Just to get it out of the way, HIMYM was funny as usual. I may have to rewatch this episode due to missing a few things due to a badly timed nap and later a badly timed phone call. But apparently we are off to a good start.
I’m going to jump ahead and talk about Hawaii Five-O which I’ll admit I didn’t give my full attention to. For what it’s worth, it’s not a bad show and I’ll watch a few episodes due to my like of Daniel Dae Kim aka Jin from LOST and Scott Caan who I’m a fan of due to the Ocean’s movies. From what I saw, it wasn’t too bad. I wasn’t blown away, nor was I expecting to be. I never watched the original show, so I really didn’t know what to expect to be honest. But despite not fully paying attention or being thoroughly impressed, I’ll try out the show a few more times but I don’t see myself making any commitments to watch it. I even wonder if this show is a hit, I haven’t read too many reviews about it yet, but I know a lot of the Twitterverse followed the same route I did and tuned into this show after The Event. And like The Event, a good chunk of people liked it, while the others dismissed it.
And it’s The Event that I’ve been waiting to see and here to talk about. All the while, replaying the teasers and commercials we saw all summer long telling us what wasn’t “the event.” I was also convinced over the summer that “the event” wouldn’t be shown until possibly the second episode… unless that was deliberately misleading information. To which I say, good show sir. Even if it wasn’t the last five minutes of the show, or we won’t see it until the last episode, I’m interested.
But what everyone is and was talking about: is this our answer to the void left by LOST (and apparently 24 for those who watched that show)? Or is this possibly a show that will follow in FlashForward‘s footsteps and only be a one season show? I hope not, because like FlashForward, The Event has a five season plan that I hope they can follow through.
It’s no question LOST changed the game when it comes to best pilot ever for a serial drama. I think Heroes may have come close and kept it going with their stellar first season. But I hope The Event learns from past serial shows how to survive in this ADD entertainment world we live in. What is that exactly? As most shows do, they take a break in the winter. Where I think FlashForward failed is they took too long of a break, and fans forgot and/or lost interest by the time it came back on. I know I did. Plus a good handful of the writers/producers left the show, so there were signs something was wrong. The same happened with Heroes. I didn’t follow LOST until late in the game, but I like how they handled their last season, they only showed one rerun.
Story is also of crucial importance. And so far, there is more than enough going on in The Event that I don’t worry that will be its’ problem. It was and is continuing to be compared to LOST in many ways: airplanes, flashbacks, tropical areas, multiple character back stories. Oh yeah, and lots of mystery. All that’s missing is a couple polar bears and a smoke monster. Who are these prisoners? (I guessed aliens, like a bunch of other critics did too.) Where did this dude’s girlfriend go? What’s so special about these characters and who are they really? And by the way, for people like me, character development is what made LOST and even Heroes so great.
I wanted to keep this somewhat spoiler free so people still have the chance to watch the pilot for themselves. I’m pretty sure it’s not really a secret at this point, but the payoff was definitely worth the build-up of that hour watching these characters fight about this airplane and vacationing in paradise and dealing with government cover-ups.
So I don’t know about you, but I’m in. For the sake of having at least one serial drama to be committed to (since there aren’t any left unless you want to count Fringe), I ask that you check it out too. I’m interested in seeing where this is going and hoping this show becomes a hit so I can at least see a second season. But it’s so early in the game, who knows what’s in store? And in time, I think the LOST comparisons will start to fade as long as this show gets the chance to make a name for itself and NBC doesn’t do anything foolish. What’s also interesting, and probably what producers intended, it’s got people talking. If the ads didn’t get you, hearing your friends and family talk about it will. Or it might. Some have already signed off. Some are reluctant. I know this, and so do they. But I’m always up for a good story and I hope we get to see this one played out until it’s planned ending.
But we shall see. See you at The Event next Monday at 9PM, Indoobians!
And for the reviews I’ve read so far: CNN, EW’s Ken Tucker and Doc Jensen.
September 18, 2010
what i’ll watch this fall 2010
It’s time for fall, which means back to school, changing colors of the leaves, and bundling up your children (if applicable) before they go outside. It’s also time for TV show premieres! Some of them returning, some of them new, and some of them returning at a new time, which may or may not be a good thing depending on your schedule, what you are used to and if it conflicts with another show you watch, or if you don’t have DVR.
Allow me to say that I do not plan my life around television. As much as I love entertainment as a whole, I value more important things in my life than what’s on TV. Tennis ball collecting and cataloguing, for example. However, on occasion there are a few TV shows that have been deemed “appointment TV”, and I find myself rushing home or to the nearest television so I can get my fix. Those of you who were Losties like myself know exactly what I mean. And since one of the best shows on TV said goodbye a few months ago, we need to find a new show to make an appointment for. No worries. Rather than point to a show that has the possibility of failure (sorry about that FLASHFORWARD call), I will point to the shows that I’ll be checking out this season, whether they are new or returning. Check the schedule cheat sheet to follow along or map out your TV watching this fall. Sadly this doesn’t include cable shows.
Sundays, I rarely watch primetime TV. But my sources say that whatever you were watching will still be there. CSI: MIAMI is the only new show, so I’ll probably tune in for the first few minutes to watch Caruso delivery a corny line and put on his sunglasses.
Monday used to be the night for HEROES… which had a downward spiral since season 2. We won’t talk about that though. I’ve been a fan of CBS’s HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER for the past couple years but I’ve never really been home to watch it at 8. (Lately, I’ve been at Cartoon Network for a cartoon called ADVENTURE TIME, REGULAR SHOW and MAD, all starting at 8.) Also at the same time is CHUCK, which I keep hearing is an awesome show, but I can’t personally cosign on it yet. However, NBC has a new show that it has been teasing since late spring called THE EVENT starting at 9. I’ll be watching that to figure out what it is and if it’s a suitable LOST replacement. Speaking of 
LOST, Daniel Dae Kim will be starring in the reimaging of HAWAII FIVE-0 on CBS starting at 10. I never watched the original. ‘Twas before my time, and I wasn’t interested in TV Land reruns. But it features HEROES alum Masi Oka, so that could be fun. If it isn’t, hopefully I’ll own a Wii by then so I can have my own fun.
I’m excited about Tuesday because of a new show called NO ORDINARY FAMILY. Simple premise, an ordinary family gets superhuman powers. It reminds me of Fantastic Four (for more than one reason), HEROES and THE INCREDIBLES. It starts at 8 on ABC. I actually caught an advanced screening; this is a show I would follow. Unless there’s something on cable, I might take 30 minutes to work on my knitting until RUNNING WILDE comes on. I like Will Arnett and those who are fans of the cancelled-too-soon cult comedy ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT I hear won’t be disappointed. That’s on Fox at 9:30. At 10, I may watch the news or pull out my Crayolas and a coloring book.
I only had one important show to watch on Wednesdays: Emmy winning, hilarious hit comedy MODERN FAMILY. If you haven’t watched this show yet, please do so. Every episode in season one was a blast. That’s at 9 on ABC. I try to be home for this show. But let’s back up to 8pm because J.J. Abrams, one of the geniuses behind LOST, FRINGE, ALIAS, etc. is on NBC with a new show called UNDERCOVERS. I don’t care what it’s about, if Abrams is attached, I’m there. But rest assured you know I know what it’s about: married undercover agents. I was thinking of the movie MR. & MRS. SMITH, but this show might be better. Oh, and I ignored COURGAR TOWN for a while, but it’s not so bad. It’s on after Modern Family on ABC. I’m no longer desperately looking to change the channel.
However, Wednesdays at 10 have been reserved for USA network show PSYCH. They are going on hiatus until the winter, so I may check out THE WHOLE TRUTH. Apparently it’s a different kind of legal drama where you see both sides of the story, so we’ll see how that goes. Another new show at the same time is TERRIERS on FX. Just a warning, it’s more adult themed. I’d list shows like TRUE BLOOD and DEXTER but I don’t have HBO or Showtime. Sadness.
Thursday has two blocks of comedy starting at 8 on CBS and NBC. The shows I really want to see start at 8:30, though. The CBS show stars William Shatner called BLEEP MY DAD SAYS, the NBC show is a long time favorite of mine 30 ROCK. I have a feeling Tina Fey will probably win my heart. At least this season she isn’t competing with FRINGE at 9 on Fox. Fringe is must see TV for me. After that, I’m either on a trip to go mountain climbing or working in my laboratory.
Fridays have generally been known as the death slot for TV shows. Like a curse. I hope that isn’t the case for my new favorite cop show THE GOOD GUYS, on Fox at 9. I generally don’t plan on being home at all on a Friday. But if I’m not as some exclusive party in Manhattan or Hollywood, then I’ll at least watch that show if not picking up a movie.
I don’t really need to talk about Saturdays. No one is home anywhere in America to watch anything, and if they are, it’s DVR. And that hasn’t been lost on me: many people DVR everything, or catch it online the next day. So let’s make Saturdays official Catch-Up Days.
And just for fun, I’m going to guess which shows aren’t going to make it to see season 2, or even a season finale. I have no real evidence or inkling these shows won’t make it, these are just the shows I’m least interested in watching at the moment and know the least about. And I have nothing against the CW, it’s just a channel I never paid attention to. I also have very little use for most reality TV. I could be wrong with the following shows, but they are only guesses based on my opinion and without having watched anything yet.
MIKE & MOLLY (I just don’t think it’ll last)
THE DEFENDERS, OUTLAW (No reason, just a guess)
OUTSOURCED (I have my doubts…)
DETROIT 1-8-7, BLUE BLOODS (There are so many cop shows, at least one isn’t going to make it, plus one of them is on a Friday)
RAISING HOPE, BETTER TOGETHER (These don’t look funny from the commercials, but that’s judging books by their covers)
August 8, 2010
2010 emmy picks – comedy
emmys.com
I snatched the following list from Entertainment Weekly because I wasn’t going to type out every single name and show when copy/paste works so much better. Anyway, since I can’t guess the Emmys as well as I can the Oscars, I’m just going to pick who I’d like to win, my pick will be bold. I may give a few comments to those I think may win… or just comments in general. However, there are a few categories I know nothing about due to shows I don’t watch. Lastly, since there are 20 categories, I’m splitting these posts. Thank me later.
*And just like any award show, there are what we call “snubs” meaning, shows or actors we, the audience, felts have been left out. I’ll include any that I personally felt have been overlooked or left out for at least a nomination.
To also save some time, I have some acronyms I’ll use
I hear good things and hope to check out someday – HGT
Fond farewell, schedule last season, nice goodbye gift – FF
COMEDY
OUTSTANDING COMEDY
Glee - HGT
Modern Family - Every episode has been gold
Curb Your Enthusiasm - I like this show, haven’t seen this past season though
Nurse Jackie – HGT
30 Rock - This is my 2nd choice, but I’d feel hurt if it bested Modern Family
The Office - I still like this show as well
OUTSTANDING ACTRESS IN A COMEDY
Lea Michele (Glee)
Tina Fey (30 Rock) - I will follow you to the ends of the Earth
Toni Collette (The United States of Tara) - HGT, I’ve actually seen one episode. But I love the idea and she does an excellent job playing all of her personalities.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus (The New Adventures of Old Christine) - Take that CBS for cancelling the show! …That is, if she won. And I wouldn’t be mad if she did.
Edie Falco (Nurse Jackie) - HGT, she was good on 30 Rock
Amy Poehler (Parks and Recreation) - Maybe not this year, but she’s cool with me.
OUTSTANDING ACTOR IN A COMEDY
Larry David (Curb Your Enthusiasm)
Alec Baldwin (30 Rock)
Matthew Morrison (Glee) - I’ll put it this way, he’s the only one I’m not familiar with. So with that, I’m having a hard time choosing who’d I want to win.
Steve Carell (The Office)
Jim Parsons (The Big Bang Theory)
Tony Shalhoub (Monk) - FF
*Joel McHale (Community)
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A COMEDY
Chris Colfer (Glee)
Neil Patrick Harris (How I Met Your Mother) – NPH would be, I guess my 4th pick. Let’s face it, he’s awesome. But he’s running against Modern Family…
Jesse Tyler Ferguson (Modern Family) - Don’t make me choose.
Jon Cryer (Two and A Half Men)
Eric Stonestreet (Modern Family) – You can’t make me choose.
Ty Burrell (Modern Family) - I refuse to choose.
*Ed O’Neil (Modern Family) – Granted, if he had been nominated too, I still wouldn’t choose.
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A COMEDY
Jane Lynch (Glee) – Even though I don’t watch the show, she’s brilliant in anything she’s in.
Kristen Wiig (Saturday Night Live) – Probably SNL’s MVP. Deserved.
Jane Krakowski (30 Rock) - Somewhat of a scene stealer.
Julie Bowen (Modern Family) - I think she would be my 2nd place, but I love this show I want them all to win.
Sofia Vergara (Modern Family) - There are several reasons I want her to win. Her accent for starters, she uses it for comedy without even trying. And her looks also play heavily on comedy too. I’ve been a fan of her since Big Trouble. Yeah, it’s like that.
Holland Taylor (Two and A Half Men)
OUTSTANDING GUEST ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES
Mike O’Malley (Glee)
Neil Patrick Harris (Glee) – I want to give it to him, but again, I haven’t seen it. He’s still awesome though.
Fred Willard (Modern Family) – Awesome in everything he does, we can probably expect him to return for more interacting with the family.
Eli Wallach (Nurse Jackie)
Jon Hamm (30 Rock) – Idiot. (I wouldn’t be mad if he won.)
Will Arnett (30 Rock) – Genius. (I wouldn’t be mad if he won.)
OUTSTANDING GUEST ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES
Christine Baranski (The Big Bang Theory)
Kathryn Joosten (Desperate Housewives)
Kristin Chenoweth (Glee)
Tina Fey (Saturday Night Live) – I’m going to pretend she is nominated for the last sketch she did with Betty White, who can’t do any wrong… so…
Betty White (Saturday Night Live) – Because it’s Betty White.
Elaine Stritch (30 Rock)
Jane Lynch (Two and a Half Men)
REALITY
OUTSTANDING REALITY SHOW HOST
Ryan Seacrest (American Idol)
Phil Keoghan (The Amazing Race)
Tom Bergeron (Dancing with the Stars)
Heidi Klum (Project Runway)
Jeff Probst (Survivor)
OUTSTANDING REALITY SHOW COMPETITION
Project Runway
Top Chef
The Amazing Race
Dancing with the Stars
American Idol
OUTSTANDING REALITY PROGRAM
Antiques Roadshow
Dirty Jobs
Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution
Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D List
Mythbusters – I’m not a big fan of reality TV, although these shows are the “good” kind. However, this is the only one I’d regularly tune into given a choice.
Undercover Boss
VARIETY, MUSIC, OR COMEDY
OUTSTANDING VARIETY, MUSIC, OR COMEDY SERIES
The Colbert Report - I like the show
The Daily Show With Jon Stewart - I like this show too
Real Time With Bill Maher – I used to watch this show when I had HBO
Saturday Night Live - As we all know, they’ve been hit or miss.
The Tonight Show With Conan O’Brien - Take that NBC for cancelling the show! I mean, what a slap in the face to all those responsible for his show ending if he won. And an insult to Leno, I mean, how many months was Conan on? CoCo FTW!
The Emmys air August 29th, 8PM on NBC.
June 26, 2010
how i got LOST: part 4 – reflect
There was and still is a lot to download and process from a show like this. Another thing I tell people is to take note of the books that are shown. Surely it could be just random props thrown in, but those who have watched the show know enough to know that these titles have some significance to a particular episode, theme or the entire show.
The show is full of themes. Arguments of science vs. faith, destiny vs. free will, light vs. dark, good vs. evil and even love vs. hate. And in the end, you find that sometimes the winner is both (obviously “love” and “light” won in LOST). Also, especially the last season, the theme of redemption. And did you notice all those mirror shots? Watch again.
There are also a few questions out there that have yet to be answered… and I’ve learned that we will actually get some of these answers on that DVD, such as what the stank happened to Walt? We know he had to be written out due to his age. But really, what was his deal? Why the dead birds? What about the food drops? Why did that still happen? I really wanted to know more about Ilana too. All we know is that Jacob visited her when some accident happened, and she said he was the closest she had to a father. Then she went boom. I would’ve loved a flashback about her. Those are the main three questions that I can remember. I had idle questions I don’t really need an answer to, like the statue… who built it? What about the temple and its healing waters? Is there anyone in charge of it now? What’s up with Kate’s horse? Who is #108 “Wallace” at the lighthouse? (I kinda still wanna know that one.) What about the Hurley bird? Since Hurley was put in charge, did he leave the island to bring people to it? Was he killed or did he just decide to die? Did Ben remain a good guy? (I can only assume yes since Hurley still treated him like a friend.) Do the Whispers ever get to move on? Again, I’m not really looking for an answer to those questions. But things to think about, yes? Check out Lostpedia.com for lots more info and theories.
(And just for the record, that very, very last shot when they rolled the credits involving the plane wreckage on the beach had nothing to do with the anything. Read here.)
I have a theory as to why Sun didn’t return with the rest of the Oceanic 6 when they came back to the island. I think because when she first went to the island, she didn’t want to be with Jin. But this time, since she didn’t recreate the same situations necessary for a successful proper return, she was left in the present while everyone else went back in time because she wanted to be with Jin. There are some loopholes in this theory I’m sure and would much rather have the writers explain it. Or I’m open to anyone else’s theory about why she didn’t travel back in time… other than it would make for an interesting story to keep the tension until they finally met in the final episodes.
Probably more practical questions would be what will those involved with LOST do now? I’ve already seen a few of the cast members signed up for new projects. I would love a Sawyer and Miles cop show. Maybe a few LOST co-star cameos. No mythology though. I heard rumor, although I don’t think it’s true, Terry O’Quinn and Michael Emerson (Locke and Ben) would pitch a show together. True or not, I hope it happens. I don’t care if it’s a comedy or a drama, I’m there.
As for a show to replace the greatness that was LOST, well even though I didn’t watch it all 6 years it was actually on the air, I was around for the beginning. I try to catch those beginning episodes hoping to stumble upon the next big thing. So far, the only show that’s still on the air that I’m devoted to is Fringe. But fall will be here before you know it with a slew of new TV shows that may or may not make it. But one thing is for sure, there won’t be another show like LOST for quite some time. I’m glad I got to enjoy that journey and connected with so many other people on a brilliantly written and produced show.
There’s so much more I can say about the show that I haven’t touched on in these last few posts, but that’s the joy of a show like this: it keeps on giving especially with repeat showings. So I’ll be sure to be back with more insights. But this concludes my LOST reflections for now. Namaste. [Dramatic drum beat] FOUND.
June 24, 2010
how i got LOST: part 3 – finale
It’s those questions, theories, and events that made me refuse to blog about LOST because it would only drive me crazy and obsessed (more than I already was/am). Not that that’s a bad thing. But with the show wrapping up soon, I would rather keep my guesses and theories to myself and let the show surprise me with what they had planned up all along. How will it all end?!
And what an ending it was! I don’t think I had ever been so conflicted for an event to happen. Excited and saddened to see the end, but it’s been a month after it ended, I’m coping just nicely. I think everyone has come to their conclusions and are awaiting the release of season 6 to begin watching again from the beginning (if they haven’t already started, or have already begun to do so with Hulu). So many people have their favorite moments from the finale. Many people cried. I don’t know if I would have, there were a lot of distractions going on at my house. We had somewhat of a finale party, but half the people who attended had never watched the show, so we couldn’t help them.
I specifically chose to wait to write about the finale just to gather everyone’s thoughts together. I guess it was to be expected that not everyone was going to like the way it ended… but you can’t please everybody all the time, right? But I also waited because, well, who else wasn’t exactly sure what happened in the last few minutes? It took me a good night’s rest to fully process the events and then later on the next day I figured it out.
I found that explaining the ending of LOST to someone that doesn’t watch it isn’t easy to do, because they don’t fully grasp the meaning behind it. The best I could do was first explain to them how this season was different, “island world vs. Sideways world,” and that the island was real life in real time, and that the Sideways world was somewhat similar to but not really like The Sixth Sense. Sorry, spoiler alert if you still haven’t seen that movie and have been a cave dweller the past decade, Bruce Willis is dead the whole time.
What I try to get across to people is that this show is really about these characters. And it was sure to end on that note too in the Sideways world, reuniting characters with moments that were most significant to them when they were on the island. A lot of those moments, or what I came to call them, “enlightenments” or even “awakenings” if you will, occurred when they touched someone or something that meant a lot to them while on the island. That’s when they “woke up” so to speak. Or I guess, let go. Either way, they became aware of the events that happened on the island and eventually met up at a church so they could all leave to the next life together.
lostpedia.com
I think one of the best scenes had to be Sawyer and Juliet. That brought the season premier right back to memory… which is what everyone had been waiting for. My least favorite reunion, but still a bit surprising was Sayid reuniting with Shannon. In my mind, the girl for him will always be Nadia… but he moved on. The Charlie, Claire and Kate awakenings were special. Another long awaited event many predicted would happen: Jack’s surgery on Locke that effectively fixed him, and in turn, woke him up. All of that lead to Jack’s final moment. I thought Kate would seal the deal, but no… He kept fighting to let go. It took Daddy Shephard once again to step in, but after Jack touched his coffin.
Looking back, that scene was pretty heavy, much like a lot of the show itself.
But still, the scenes that had most people talking took place on the island. Fantastic editing, by the way, that tied the final island scenes with the final Sideways scenes so everything ended together on the same note. The Man in Black had to go, I wasn’t sure how it would happen but I’m satisfied with his demise. I would have loved to have seen more of my “brotha” Desmond. But he served his purpose in removing the cork so Jack could kill MIB. That’s the way I saw it.
"The End" from lostpedia.com
Then Jack had to restore the island, but before doing so, he passed the torch to Hurley to take over protecting the island. And who better to do the job than someone as awesome and caring as him? And with Ben as his #2? And there’s no spin-off to see how much fun that could’ve been? (I hear word we will get an epilogue treat on the DVD.) Meanwhile, a few others that managed to live throughout MIB’s destruction also managed to escape the island that was falling apart due to the removal of the cork. (I realize none of this makes any sense unless you’ve actually seen it. Oh well.) But they wouldn’t have made it home if it wasn’t for Jack restoring the cork, which brought back the light, which saved the island, his friends and the world. Such a task would have killed a man, but it was a sacrifice the island needed, and he was the only one who could do it. With barely an ounce of life left to live, he stumbled to the bamboo forest where we first met him in the pilot. He lay down, looked up into the sky, and let go, smiling. At this point, most people were probably still stable. But no, here comes Vincent. Who appropriately lay down next to Jack as he drew his final breath, letting go happily. Then he closed his eyes. [Soft piano] LOST.
May 20, 2010
my (possible) 2010 fall schedule
The 2010 TV Fall schedules are out for the big networks. Here’s my Schedule. (Opens a PDF file.) One of many notes: I don’t watch that much TV. So this is tentative.
I didn’t make a key, but the light blue is what I already watch and will probably/possibly return to watching. The light green are new shows I plan to watch or at least check out. All of this is subject to change… so I’ll let you know in September/October how much I actually stuck to this plan.
As for details on the shows… I’ll get back to you later on that. I have a few months to figure it out. Plus I have yet to figure cable shows. And, of course, I might not be home to be a couch potato. In the meantime, I’ll be seeing what could fill my void since LOST is over. I might need more than one show… we’ll see.
May 4, 2009
holding out for some heroes (until the fall)
I’d like to open up discussion for the Heroes season three finale. Technically, volume 4 finale. No reruns tonight. It’s been a week since the season finale aired. You’ve had time to catch up. So it’s fair game to talk about, especially for those who might have Heroes withdrawal already. But I will say SPOILER ALERT to be fair for those that are like me, and watch shows a month or so after the air date.
I’m upset with the big fight scene with Sylar, Peter and Nathan. I understand why they did it, to see if Peter managed to get Sylar’s power… but still. Only showing flashes of light that flashed on Claire’s face as she watched behind closed doors? Boo! I’m glad network TV is free. I’d want my money back for a fight scene that you don’t even get to see. Especially a fight scene as climatic as that. During the season finale! However, I understand why they did it like that. So they could set up for the twist in the limo when Sylar goes to shake hands with the “President” who really isn’t. Turns out, it was really Peter! And then Peter get’s the upper hand, by stabbing Sylar with that drug that knocks him out.
But having Sylar brainwashed to play the role of a deceased Nathan? Interesting… I don’t really mean that in a good way, but maybe the writers have something cooked up for that twist. I admit, I was shocked that Nathan was the one to be killed off (again). I was under the impression it was a female cast member. Then again, I was under the impression three people would be killed off… or leaving the show… or something. Then I started to worry it might be Hiro. No, not Hiro! Way too early to say, since he was shown walking away at “Sylar’s” burning. (I think, my memory is fading.) So we’ll see what develops next season with that.
What I have a growing interest in is Tracy’s revenge or redemption… I’m not sure. But she formed out of liquid all T2 style to kill a man who wronged her. And she was naked. For stunts like this, and the violence Heroes has already shown, they might need to make the jump to HBO or Showtime. Or maybe Ali Larter just likes being a tease. Let’s not forget, her original Heroes character Nikki/Jessica was an online stripper and call girl for a certain currently deceased senator. I’m just saying.
So after the little teaser for season four, or volume five, will I return for more in the fall? Probably. I’ve been around since the beginning, and it’s been a staple in my Monday nights ever since. Plus I feel as though the show will be as awesome as it once was. A lot of people lost faith in it since the second season. Even I’ll admit it lost me. I personally liked the “Villains” volume, many people didn’t. But you can’t win them all, right? So let’s see where this adventure takes this time, shall we? Your thoughts, feelings, for this season and/or the next, let me know.
what to do during no new tv show blues
It’s season finale season. The time of year when a lot of top favorite shows like to leave you at a wedding/death/twist cliff hanger to ensure your interest in the show so you’ll return in the fall. Or hope they return in the fall. Yeah, sometimes the powers that be will keep you from knowing secrets that may or may not ever be known unless they come out with a companion book, unaired episode or special feature DVD or movie version a year or so later if the viewership isn’t large enough to keep the show on the air. Some Arrested Development fans still aren’t forgiving FOX.
Today, NBC announced what shows they will or will not bring back for the fall, as well as some new shows line up. Meanwhile, EW resident gossip guru on all things TV has some scoop on the possibilities on TV shows’ fates.
The big news everyone is waiting to hear about is what’s going to happen to Chuck. Unfortunately, at this time, that’s a show I’m not onboard with. To date, I haven’t seen a single episode. So I can’t be on either side of the fence, but I can tell you what: I’ll DVD and Hulu to catch up to see what all the hoopla is all about.
That’s what the summer is for in TV land. TV networks know this, and they usually air reruns, special news fillers or a brand new TV show that didn’t quite make the cut to be in the fall season’s lineup. But hey, at least they are on TV, right? Chances are, they won’t be back next year (not always true).
For me, this is when I would catch up on shows I’m usually not home to see. My dearest sister and her husband would constantly contend that I lack the benefit of DVR. I’ll possibly have that in August. In the meantime, I’ll take Hulu and other shows streamed online. Plus that’s free.
This year, the TV shows I plan on doing some catching up on: How I Met Your Mother, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Dexter (season 3, whenever it’s released), Lost (seasons 4 and 5), Extras, Weeds, and Chuck. Not sure what else, but we’ll see as time goes by. And this is also considering I’m actually home or in front of a TV to watch these shows. Because it’s summertime. That’s another big reason TV show’s end around May: people start going outside. So make sure you get some sun, some rain (be careful if there is lightning, watch it from inside), and even some moon and starlit skies. But when you are done being burnt or attacked by bugs, the TV will be waiting for you.
