24: Redemption

24: Redemption

Grade: C-

Out first glimpse of Jack Bauer in a year and a half. It’s been a long time. This movie could have been the shittiest thing on Earth and I wouldn’t care just because I get to see Jack Bauer again. Here is my relationship with 24. It used to be my life. Seriously, my life. Around Season 6, even a bit in Season 5 I started to lose the feeling I would have when it would come on. It became predictable. You could see where things were going and how the season was structured. It became impossible to become surprised by anything because nothing could be shocking anymore. Jack had gone through so much there was literally nothing that could push him into a state we have not seen. I still liked it but it was more fun to pick apart and it was a show that although I liked it, it no longer made me feel the way it used to. It is something that I can never get back. I don’t want to say I grew out of it because it sounds condescending but the show became something that could no longer have that effect on me. This is a combination of the series’ decline in quality and something it can never ever ever ever get back which is its freshness. After you have experienced that tension and it dies down it cannot be revived. After a while I decided to stay with the show. It provides some good moments and I hated the idea of Jack Bauer stuff happening without me knowing. So this was the first Jack Bauer in a year.

I missed the 24 logo, the ticking clock, the split screen. I missed Jack whispering, Jack yelling, Jack making promises, Jack watching people he knows die, seeing half naked character soon to be killed off within 4 episodes. Oh the good times. So yeah this was not a very good TV special. I understand that a lot of set up needed to be done but it felt pretty boring for much of the time. I felt like Jack was not in all that much of it. As it went on it got better I felt. It suffered from ridiculously corny music, typical stereotyping on the part of the show, something that they do all the time. Basically I wasn’t on the edge of my seat and it was annoying having all new people because I felt completely disconnected from everyone except Jack. And Robert Carlyle that is because he was great, immediately brought his presence to the show in a really positive and awesome way only, of course, die. And only, of course have us see Jack cry…again. Jack crying still makes me cry. Always will.

I liked how it set up for next season because I thought it would be a lot more pointless. Yet it still felt that way sort of. The last 20 minutes were very good I must say; at least definitely in comparison to the rest of the film.

“You didn’t give me a choice you son of a bitch” Awesome.

So yeah I did not hate it and I know a C- seems harsh but it just dragged for the better part of it. But it was still fun and obviously really nice to see Jack again. I was having fun with it and laughing a lot at things I would not have been normally. That is what has changed. My relationship with the show. I would never laugh at the show the way I do now back then. I still take it seriously but I just have a different relationship with the show now and I’m not at the edge of my seat. I have fun with that. I like that it saves a hell of a lot of set up for next season. This way we can get right into it.

The preview was decent. I just don’t care for the Tony story. It angers me. Honestly though I find it pretty believable for Tony to have gone bad. He was weaker than Michelle was, he would basically sacrifice the country so Michelle could live, which she would not have anyways. Lest we forget that Michelle would have sacrificed Tony. Tony seems the type to easily turn evil because he wants revenge and because he was a bit of a whiny baby. No offense. Obviously his situation would make most people be the way he was but he gets very angry. It’s not so much the believability of it but the fact that a. he is alive and b. it’s just stupid. We shall see what happens though.

Well, until January!

Gossip Girl: Season 2, Episode 11: "The Magnificent Archibalds"

Gossip Girl: Season 2, Episode 11: “The Magnificent Archibalds”
Grade: B

This week’s episode of “Gossip Girl” started out pretty boring I must say but by the end I managed to be interested in basically everything that was going on in some way. Sorry it takes me a while to get to this show but it is low on my priority list of things at the moment. I’ll do a rundown.

Blair and her annoyance with her mother and Cyrus is at once entertaining but also annoying and repetitive. She needs to do something else at this point. Next week it looks like she will.

Serena and Aaron are stupid and annoying but I did not hate their storyline nearly as much as the week before so that was nice. Dan clearly is still not over Serena as much as he’d like to think he is. I think we all knew this though. Why would you give your folder to someone? Yes it contains all of the bad stuff but who the hell knows what else it might contain. Stuff maybe she forgot about? Not big information but just things that are unnecessary viewing for someone else.

So bad Jenny is gone. Couldn’t you tell from the absence of heavy makeup? I guess I’m sort of happy about this but honestly it was hilariously entertaining and I am sort of mourning its loss in a guilty pleasure way.

The highlight for me was Eric and his discovery of the files. I don’t know why it was so interesting to me. I think it was just because I really like Eric a lot and we do not see all that much of him.

Nate’s story was good this week and probably the other highlight for me. It was nice to see Chuck and Vanessa come together to help Nate out and for him to make a decision. Seeing Chuck and Nate make up at the end was satisfying.

Wow Vanessa. Harsh move taking those letters. Wow. I cannot believe she did that. Why would you want to be with someone knowing they are with you because they could not get a hold of someone else and the reason for that is because you prevented it from happening? I cannot understand why that would be okay for someone. Vanessa is a tricky one.

So that’s it. My episode reviews for this show are not intense, merely a very short very informal overview of stuff.

So next episode is when the much awaited death occurs. I already know who it is but I will not spoil it for anyone.

South Park: Season 12, Episode 13: "Elementary School Musical"

“South Park” Season 12, Episode 12” Elementary School Musical

Grade: A-

Another hilarious episode containing some of the funniest bits I’ve seen in a while. All of the kids become obsessed with high school musical except for the main characters and they vow to never sing and dance because the school has taken to randomly breaking out into song and dance. The funny thing about this episode is that the songs in it are very spot on as to what High School Musical songs sound like, the choreography is spot on as are the lyrics. These songs were created in a fraction of the time that the actual HSM songs were done and it is hilarious that they can basically pull off what the HSM songs do in s self deprecating way in a fraction of the time. Obviously a lot of work goes into those movies but it was funny to see it being done in such a short amount of time.

Another amusing aspect was the switch around of the father who does not want his son to become a basketball player and wants him to sing as opposed to the father who wants his son to play a sport as opposed to dancing.

I thought there was a bit too much with Mr. Queermo slapping people but since it was funny and a couple of times hilarious it was not a big deal.

But my favorite parts were when they are all watching High School Musical to see what the hype is about and Cartman says:

"Well, I'm out guys. If this is what's cool now, I think I'm done. I no longer have any connection to this world. I'm gonna go home and kill myself. Goodbye, friends."

(the next morning)

Cartman: (walks into class and sighs)

Kyle: What happened? I thought you were gonna kill yourself?

Cartman: I tried - went to sleep in my mom's car in the garage with the engine turned on.

Stan: But you didn't die?

Cartman: Freakin' hybrids, man. They just don't do the job anymore.

Another part that made me laugh out loud for a considerable length of time was what Cartman would do every time Scott Malkinson would talk. He would say something to the effect of “I’m Scott Malkinson. I have a lisp and diabetes. I’m Scott Malkinson. Omg freaking hilarious.
Overall this was an episode that I was completely entertained with from start to finish once again showing us a perception of things in a way that makes us see things more clearly even if we are doing so through a cartoon show. Very impressive and hilarious.

Here’s a link to when they watch the movie: http://www.southparkstudios.com/clips/210218/
And here’s a Scott Malkinson clip: http://www.southparkstudios.com/clips/210225/

Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season 4, Episode 19

Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season 4, Episode 19: "New Moon Rising"

Grade: B

“New Moon Rising” marks the official end of Willow and Oz’s relationship. This was one of those episodes that I feel I would have been much more invested in if I had no idea what was going to happen. At this point in the show I had already gotten over the Willow/Oz relationship pretty much. Not over it in the sense that I did not like them anymore obviously; I still adore them. The fact of the matter is that I had mourned the relationship and was ready to move on and knowing what was going to happen in the episode when Oz comes back. So my opinion is pretty affected by that. This sounds like a lead up to this being a bad episode. It definitely is not in any way bad. It is actually quite good. It is just that considering the magnitude of the events in the episode, my enthusiasm for it does not match with the importance of it. That being said, this is a solid B episode with some great interactions and moments.

Something I’d like to point out is the parallel of Buffy and Riley’s story and Willow and Oz/Tara’s. By the end of the episode, Buffy deals with the fact that she has to tell Riley about Angel after he makes a comment about Willow having dated Oz because he is a werewolf. Where Riley has to accept Buffy for who she was involved with, Buffy has to accept Willow for who she IS involved with. Buffy’s reaction to Willow telling her she was involved with Tara was interesting. If the show had been made today, Buffy would not have had the reaction she did; one of surprise, hesitancy, discomfort and the slight suggestion of incapable understanding. I thought it was an interesting decision to have Buffy dealing with having to tell Riley about her past on the same episode as Willow Is finally making her break with Oz.

I don’t really know what to say about the episode since I watched it about 2 days ago. I’m excited about Willow and Tara to finally be a couple now. I just wanted to get past that awkward fist stage because it felt a bit forced. I think Amber Benson does a fantastic job and I’m so happy to have her on the cast. However, when she stutters it comes off as someone acting. I wish she was a little better at that.

Of course I cried during the episode. Everyone did a great job especially Alyson Hannigan. The scene in the truck at the end was a great end to Willow and Oz. I am happy they do not leave of on horrible notes. The episode is also notable for Riley officially leaving the Initiative and joining the Scoobies side. I’m sorry I do not have more to say but it’s been a couple of days and I have many other entries to post. : )

Quotes

Buffy: Stay back, or I'll pull a William Borroughs on your leader here.

Xander: You'll bore him to death with free prose?

Buffy: Was I the only one awake in English that day?

- Adam: Scout's honor.

Spike: You were a boy scout?

Adam: Parts of me.

-Oz: It was stupid to think that you'd just be ... waiting.

Willow: I was waiting. I feel like some part of me will always be waiting for you. Like, if I'm old and blue-haired and I turn the corner in Istanbul and there you are, I won't be surprised. Cuz ... you're with me. You know?

- Oz: I think I better take off.

Willow: When?

Oz: Pretty much now.

The Office: Season 5, Episode 8: "Frame Toby"

The Office: Season 5, Episode 8: "Frame Toby"

Grade: B

Ok so I’ve decided that I really just don’t like Jim and Pam. I’ll just never be happy enough in my own life to be able to actually be happy for a couple like that. So I find myself wanting for bad things to happen to them. Oh I’m evil alright. So don’t pay attention to my rantings about them. I do find some things I have to say about them to be completely valid but there is a lone I cross into being completely hateful of them and I am aware of it. Nevertheless I liked the shot of him trying to rip off the clown picture. I also liked Pam’s note on the microwave because it reminds me of something Matt has done. And I love Oscar’s objection to it. I don’t know. So yay they have a house. I don’t know. I guess I’m just not invested in them. Unless something bad is happening to them. Muahahahahahahahahahaha. And yet I prefer them to be together than to be apart like in Season 2. Barf. Anyways…

So the return of Toby. I sort of missed Toby, although I obviously prefer Holly. I did not expect Michael to go as far as he did with his efforts to get Toby out. I believe his outlandish behavior can be attributed to motivation spurred on by the idea that Toby is taking Holly’s place. It does not hurt that he also despises Toby and goes over the top on a semi regular occasion. The opening of the episode was the best part. Jim’s realization that Michael did not know about Toby was classic and Michael’s reaction was one of the funniest things I’ve seen on The Office in a while. I think it could have been the funniest part of the season so far for me. Framing Toby was really harsh and I like that Michael at least tried to stop it a little bit at the end but it was a real dick thing to do and not only that but really wrong. What if he actually had bought pot? But that would never happen on this show of course.

Fuck Kelly and Ryan. I cannot believe we wasted the time on them. However Ryan going up to Pam in an underhanded attempt to get her to clean up the microwave mess because he did not want to do it was ridiculous and I love the way Pam handled that.

Overall I really enjoyed the episode as entertainment but I had a few issues with the believability of the plot. I don’t think Michael would go that far to get Toby out of a job. Although Michael is someone who does not understand the consequences of his actions. Toby being there for a week without Michael noticing is dumb. I don’t really know how to judge this episode. I really enjoyed it but it had some issues and the initial reaction I’m seeing from fans is bad. But I don’t know. I liked it. Despite Kelly-Ryan stupidity.

Hmm. I don’t really know what else to say. This was as informal as possible. But oh well.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season 4, Episode 18: "Where the Wild Things Are"

Note: Sorry this picture conveys nothing about the episode and is misleading about the fact that this is NOT a Giles centric episode!!

Buffy the Vampire Slayer: "Where the Wild Things Are"
Grade: D+

I feel harsh giving this a D+ but I cannot deny that this was a below average “Buffy” episode. There were aspects I enjoyed such as the interaction of Spike and Anya, Anya and Xander’s conversation on the ice cream truck and Giles’ singing. However I thought the execution of several aspects of the episode were misguided such as the jungle stuff, the orgasm spot on the wall, the whole execution of the house being haunted was silly. I also just thought it had no real purpose. Buffy and Riley were not in much of the episode. Honestly I am just personally not in the mood to see Buffy and Riley going at it for an entire episode. It’s not what I need in my life right now. And Anya getting upset with Xander and assuming they were breaking up because they hadn’t had sex in 2 nights was just not a plot I was in a mood to deal with. So maybe it’s just the concept of the episode hitting too close to home but I just did not care for this episode. However again I did think that the Spike/Anya interaction was very interesting and entertaining. The scene when she brings him to the party and realizes why the Initiative people look familiar was particularly enjoyable. The girls’ reaction to Giles singing and Xanders’ response to their reaction was another highlight.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season 4, Episode 17: "Superstar"

Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season 4, Episode 17: "Superstar"
Grade: B

I’m typing as I watch. This is new. I love that this episode starts out with the alternate reality already. I expected it to be the way these types of episodes usually work. About 10-15 minutes of intro and then some alternate universe stuff. What I love about this episode are the little touches of Jonathan worship sprinkled throughout the show without there being a lot of attention being called to some of them. The intro to the show (genius by the way), the shrine Willow and Tara are making throughout a scene that you don’t see until the end, the poster of him in Riley’s room. It’s all very strange and bizarre and this is the type of episode that could only really be done on this show.

It is interesting to see the world of Buffy, the Vampire Slayer revolve around Jonathan and how he functions within that. He helps Buffy and Riley out with advice, he is in charge of covert operations within the Initiate, he is in charge of the Scoobies, etc. He is everywhere. I like that in this alternate reality the problems and situations of all of the characters still exist. He helps Buffy and Riley genuinely work through their problems even if it is just him wanting to have people want his advice.

I need to point out that I was skeptical about Adam because I did not like the way he looked. It looked hokey and frankly sort of dumb. But I am impressed by him solely because of the acting and writing. I still think the appearance is ineffective. But the actor has a great voice and the dialogue he is given makes him an interesting character.

I also find it interesting that Jonathan actually did all of the things that Buffy actually did in addition to everything else. Buffy is different in this universe where everyone else is the same. I mean she’s basically the same except she is a bit of a wuss, can’t fight, let’s Spike touch her and is afraid to question the authority of Jonathan, for a while that is.
The wipe effect at the end was lame haha.

While this definitely is not an essential episode and it is ultimately pretty pointless, I actually found it much more entertaining than I thought it would be and a lot of fun.

Moments:
-Tara’s line: “Oh my God, I think he is going to play something off the new album!”
-Buffy’s conversation with Jonathan at the coffee shop
-The reveal of the Jonathan shrine
-Adam: “These are lies. None of this is real. The world has been changed. It’s intriguing but it’s wrong.”
-Buffy and Anya’s conversation when she visits Anya at Xanders’.
-Buffy: Giles, do you have Jonathan’s music calendar?
Giles: “No”
Buffy looks in confusion
Giles: “Yes. It was a gift.”
-Xander’s reaction to Buffy being right. “No!” (Hilarious if you see it)
-Giles: "Jonathan won't be Jonathan. Well, not our Jonathan anyways."
Xander: "No, no, no! World without sunshine! World without joy!"

"South Park": Season 12, Episode 14: "The Ungroundable"

South Park: Season 12, Episode 14: "The Ungroundable"
Grade: B

I don’t watch a lot of South Park. I really enjoy it when I see an episode and I’ve seen the movie but I have never taken the time to regularly watch the show. Matt and I watched this episode about a group of kids who pretend they are vampires and the Goths being upset because of others inability to distinguish the them from the vampire kids. Everything was spot on. The initiation of the vampire kids taking place in “Hot Topic” was hilarious. I also loved that in an effort be different again, the Goth kids dress in Gap clothes but instead of having a specific clique to be referred to, they are called by their physical traits. It’s a hilarious moment, my favorite of the episode and their reaction to it is to immediately go back to their Goth clothes so they can be referred to as the “Goth kids” as opposed to being referred to by their physical imperfections. I very much like Butters as well. The faux Goth music was especially entertaining. And the speech at the end that the Goth kids make about distinguishing them from the vampire kids was really funny. I don’t know how to judge a South Park episode. I just know that I was entertained and impressed by its keen perception of things.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season 4, Episode 16: "Who Are You?"

Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season 4, Episode 16: "Who Are You?"

Grade: A+

The second part of the Buffy-Faith story in Season 4 is easily one of the best episodes of the series. Top 5 episodes objectively speaking. I actually think it’s better than the series favorite, “Hush”. It explores every issue between Faith and Buffy in an extremely effective way boasting 2 unbelievable performances by Sarah Michelle Gellar and Eliza Dushku. It’s disturbing, entertaining and sets up issues that I know are going to be prevalent in future episodes. Oh and it’s written and directed by Joss Whedon.

I do not even know where to start since in my opinion there may be episodes as dense as this one, but none that are more dense. “Who Are You” packs in everything that was explored between Buffy and Faith and does it in one episode. I have to spend some time on these performances because I was expecting them to be good but I honestly felt I was watching Faith and Buffy in each other’s bodies. It felt completely real. Sarah and Eliza had all of the mannerisms and speech patterns down so perfectly, it was uncanny. These are two of the best episode performances I’ve seen on any show period. When Faith (Buffy) beats up Buffy (Faith) and starts screaming “You’re nothing! You’re disgusting!” it’s actually Faith beating up herself and it’s a pretty disturbing moment accentuated by Sarah’s performance as she screams and beats up Faith as Faith. This episode rested on these two performances. If they did not work then the entire point to the two parter would be well, pointless. I am still reeling from the absolute success of this episode.

Faith (as Buffy) hitting on Spike was an interesting scene and one that sets up Spike’s interest in Buffy that will continue into other seasons. It was interesting to see Spike’s reaction to Buffy deciding not to yell at him. He got upset, he was upset that he was not considered a threat anymore but really because he likes the banter between him and Buffy. I could not believe the dialogue that they got away with in this episode. “I’ll ride you until your legs buckle together. I’ve got muscles you wouldn’t believe. I’ll make you pop, etc” Holy crap how did that get on the air? Shocking. Really great scene though due to James Marsters work there as his reaction said volumes and I love his response “Later, you and me are going to have a confrontation”. Great line and great delivery. Sounds like it’s supposed to be funny but the way he says it really is not and he is upset after she leaves.

I wonder if this Riley having sex with Buffy but actually Faith will effect things short term. Faith actually having someone make love to her as opposed to fucking her was insane. Her reaction to having someone love her even if it wasn’t her was too much for her to take. To feel that love was something she could not handle. Sarah is so phenomenal in this episode that I literally am thinking of Sarah’s performance as somehow Eliza’s which it is not.

Eliza’s scene with Giles is very funny seeing her play at the banter they usually have.

So Willow and Tara’s scene when they perform their ritual to locate Buffy’s energy is one that is latent with sexual overtones. This ritual they go through basically looks like they are having sex while sitting next to each other and it was a really clever way of getting around the censors and giving something with more sexual tension than something that would have been a lot more blatant. I wish that the Willow-Tara transition had been better because I’m excited for them to be a couple but the transition into it has been a little rocky and forced. I really liked them in this episode though.

I loved how the “Because it’s wrong” quote came back around at the end.

This episode explored what happens as Faith slowly sees herself from Buffy’s point of view through her experiences as Buffy and dealing with people caring about her. Eventually she begins to question everything as she quickly starts to lose it. When Buffy was transformed back to her own body she felt for a second what Faith was just feeling. This is all incredibly dense stuff as it only scratches the surface of everything. I don’t think there will be a better episode of this show. Some will match it but nothing will beat it. A masterpiece in television.

Entourage: Season 5, Episode 11: "Play'n with Fire"

Season 5, Episode 11: “Play’n with Fire”

Grade: A

This week’s Entourage showed me that the writers do have the ability to cash in on the potential they show week after week by giving us what probably is the best episode of the entire show. With only one episode left of the season I am anxious and excited to see what they do with Vince’s acting career and with Turtle’s character as they finally give him some depth and show that he actually is a worthy character to have on the show .

I’ll start with Vince. Vince’s acting career has been the most interesting part of the show for me as I said last week and if it did not exist I would not watch the show. One can imagine how excited I’ve been by these past few weeks and this entire season for that matter. Early this season the show started to hint at the idea that maybe Vince does not have much talent as an actor. Yes he can act, but can he truly act? As distinctly different characters? This is a man who loves acting but someone who I do not believe needs it to survive at all. I think he enjoys being famous and the wealth and advantages that come with that. He has no training and he is not someone who I believe to be talented enough to function without it, at least within “films” as opposed to movies. If we look at his resume we see “Head-On” and “Aquaman”, two movies that simply require leading man type actors with charisma but not necessarily enormous amounts of talent. Queens Boulevard is a project he can easily relate to and Medellin is apparently an awful film with an awful performance. Can he truly act? I don’t know. So they very subtly brought this into play early in the season. I found Dana’s comment at the end to be interesting as she said that both her and Ellis saw the footage and thought he was great. I did not a lot of what they saw and I wonder if that if supposed to put to rest this idea of Vince’s acting ability and we are left to assume that Vince go unlucky with a difficult director (which he did, there’s no denying the douchebagery of Werner.) Werner was a huge asshole but I wonder if the show is still going to put a little bit of the blame on Vince's ability to emote? I feel like this should still be gone into a bit and I hope they do. I feel like it would be taking the easy way out to blame everything on Werner.

I loved what this episode did with Vince, we got to see Vince being directed in a way that was a disaster. Vince got fired from “Smokejumpers” and eventually the film was cancelled. Which is a shame because the entire season was about Vince getting this film. Basically what made this episode so great was that it went into all of the issues that they have only ever lightly touched on and expanded on them in a very intense and effective way that changes things and that shows that the show can actually be great and not just good or annoying or repetitive or one note which is often the case. Adrian Grenier was great in this episode showing Vince finally loses it through frustrations with Werner, getting to see Vince act in a way we have not before. The screaming match that takes place in the office with Ari, Dana and Werner is great. I felt really bad for Vince as he just sat there and listened to people argue about him for an extended period of time. This episode really takes the cake as the best of the series because it shows a certain amount of depth that the other episodes either do not have or touches on in a way that never really fully explores the issues that are hinted at.

I think that Turtle’s story however, stood out as the most interesting part of the episode, managing to show more depth to his character in one episode than the writers showed in 5 seasons put together. It had been hinted at a couple of times, most prominently in the episode when they take mushrooms. This episode spends as much time on Turtle as it does on Vince and actually ends with something having to do with Turtle which emphasizes how important this episode was for him. None of these characters on “Entourage” are truly deep. They never will be and that is fine. But they do have a certain amount of potential linked to their characters in terms of what can be done with them. And it is really nice to finally see this being done with Turtle. I’ve liked him more than Drama in recent episodes and by the beginning of Season 5 I decided that I liked Turtle more than Drama. Drama is a whiny annoying little bitch whereas at least Turtle sees how ridiculous Drama is and thus I was relating to him in that way. Jerry Ferarra’s chemistry with Jamie Lynn Sigler is really fantastic, easily the best guy-girl combo on this show ever. This is in no large part because they are dating in real life. It has not been confirmed but they are. She is adorable and I love that she sees something different in Turtle. This episode really marked new territory with his character and officially made him more useful than Drama. Note to Drama: fuck off already.

So overall this episode marks the best in the series, showing depth I had only dreamed of and expanding on Vince’s and especially Turtle’s characters greatly. By dealing with Vince’s acting career in a way that ended with the gang going back to Queens (!!), we really see Vince and Turtle completely beaten down, one by the ruin of his career and another by the premature end of the first potentially great relationship for Turtle. With only one episode left of the season, let’s hope they can keep it up because Lord knows that this won’t last forever and pretty soon we will be back in the throes of boring “wacky” shenanigans, lots of pointless naked women and heaven help us, Sloane.

The Office: Season 5, Episode 7: "Business Trip"

The Office: Season 5, Episode 7: “Customer Survey”
Grade: B

Well this week’s Office took some interesting turns. Lots that I thought would last a while ended tonight. Let’s get into it.

Wow. Jim and Pam. That took an interesting turn. But in a way that sort of upsets me. First of all now I have to deal with Pam on a regular basis. So that will be fun again. Except not. Second of all the whole spiel I went into discussing how this could potentially force Jim to rethink what he wants to do is now scrapped. So do Pam and Jim plan on working at Dunder Mifflin for the rest of their lives? It looks like it. Wow that’s so exciting... We were never given any indication that Pam did not like graphic design. I felt it was a cheap move by the writers to get Pam back into Scranton without any lead up to it. So I was disappointed with that. I did like the scene when Pam called Jim up about her classes. It was well done by both John and Jenna.

I was sad that Kelly and Ryan got back together because we’ve seen this before and I don’t want to see it again.

I want Andy to break up with Angela. I want him to be the one. I loved the stuff with Andy and Oscar tonight. Definitely a highlight of the night. It was a different and interesting subplot that was refreshingly random. Oscar laughing as Andy called Angela was hilarious.

But the highlight of the episode was Michael’s storyline. I understand that Pam coming back was important enough to end the episode with but I am sick of the writers putting the Jim and Pam stuff at the end of the episode. It constantly puts down the importance of Michael’s story. The placing of Jim and Pam at the end of episodes more often than not reflects the story that the fans care about the most and it’s disappointing. This week Michael had a significant moment. His story was compelling and moving but it gets overshadowed by the two of them. Michael’s phone call to David at the end of the episode was probably my favorite moment of the season thus far. I really love that it is taking Michael so long to get over Holly. He was excited about the trip because he thought it would help him forget and to get a rebound girl. It was perfect in a moment when Michael is looking for distraction; unfortunately it worked out differently. I was also very interested in the way that Michael was used in the episode and how that affected him and left him completely hurt. I was also surprised that Michael managed to get laid but he did. I feel so badly for Michael. I want him to be happy and I don’t think Toby coming back next week is going to make him very happy.

Overall my favorite moment of the season thus far, with great great Michael, Andy and Oscar stories and an annoying rehash of an already told story (Ryan and Kelly) and a wasted opportunity passes by with the Jim and Pam story as the only things I was interested in (Pam’s career and potential existentialist Jim issues) are scrapped and it’s back to not so good old Jim and Pam of Dunder Mifflin. Goodbye all. I am going to go off and ponder if there was any point at all of Pam going off to art school.

Favorite Moments:
Oscar laughing when Andy calls Angela
Michael's phone conversation
Stanley and Phyllis looking at Jim and his reaction
"Can-a-da"
Michael putting the coat over Meredith's head
Dwights reaction to Pam being back
Andy and Oscar in general

Blind Item and Rumors

After much time and research I have come to the definite fact that Taylor Momsen, 15 year old star of Gossip Girl is on drugs. The recent speculation about her weight is not in fact due to an eating disorder as many think but I believe it to be drug use. Apparently there are a lot of rumors going around about her drug use and it's not hard to see the efforts at trying to cover up the stories. Rumors like these do not start from nowhere. They aren't tabloids, they are legitimate. I read a blind item that matched up with Momsen's story. Her recent near fatal trip to the hospital that was a result of a throat infection was in fact a cover up for a drug related hospital admission. Between this, the reports, the weight, the scanadlous pics and her new look I'd say I'm right on the money. This girl has been 15 for 2 months. I hope she can get her act together.

Gossip Girl: Season 2, Episode 10 "Bonfire of the Vanity"

Gossip Girl – Season 2, Episode 10: “Bonfire of the Vanity”
Grade: B-

How many episodes is Aaron signed on for on this show? Can he leave? I know he’s supposed to be a character in the books but he’s so annoying. I hate him; every time he is in a scene I cringe. It’s Gossip Girl’s rendition of the pretentious artist and it comes off as obvious and uninspired. It makes Serena boring by comparison. Lately though I’ve realized that she’s not as interesting as I thought she was.

I love Jenny’s story because I love to see her take a plunge. I want her to hit rock bottom. She’s a spoiled brat who has no reason to even act spoiled to begin with. I understand the reason why she is doing what she is doing but to take it to such an extreme is frankly surprising. Her new haircut and eye makeup are super lame as well. So I enjoy the Jenny story. I thought Taylor gave a great performance this week even though I hate the expression she always has on her face. It reads as disgust.

The Chuck story was my favorite this episode. His moment with Dan outside the elevator was well done as was his scene at the end. It will be great to see if the fire incident will come back. Oh wait. I just realized something. I read a huge spoiler the other week. Oooh that makes this story quite important...and harsh. I like Dan but he’s so boring.

I was shocked that Blair went through with her plan. I don’t know why I was but I was. Yes she took it back after but after hearing Cyrus’ story she still went through with it. I have always appreciated the balance that the writers have given Blair. She is way more evil than a lot of “evil” high schoolers in TV and movies but yet she is not supposed to be the villain of this show and she is a layered character. Very layered in fact.

So overall a decent episode but not out of this world or anything. Definitely things going on that I’m not interested in but I’ve never been interested in everything going on on Gossip Girl at once. It sounds like I'm being harsh with the B- but it's hard to judge tv episodes. If a C is an average episode, one has to figure out what an average episode is for the show. So a C actually is not all that bad, but it means there's nothing notable really in the episode.

Favorite moments:

-Dan and Chuck outside elevator

-"I was expecting Cary Grant but instead I got Danny DeVito"

-Chuck and Bart at the end of the episode.

- Cyrus' speech about Vietnam

-Agnes sets Jenny's clothes on fire (muahahahahaha)

The Office: Season 5, Episode 6: "Customer Survey"

The Office – Season 5, Episode 6: “Customer Survey”
Grade: B

This episode as all episodes of “The Office” definitely had its moments. I’ll just get into it.

I really respect that the writers kept Michael more in the background for the episode. He was definitely present but he was a large part in the Customer Survey story as opposed to having his own story. Giving Michael his own story would have been unrealistic and disrespectful to the character since him and Holly had just broken up. Steve Carell played it perfectly giving one of his best subdues performances on the show. Michael was clearly depressed but it did not intrude on the episode.

The idea of Kelly throwing an “America’s Got Talent” finale party is really amusing as is the fact that nearly everyone actually showed up to it. In Season 3 Michael was the only one to show up at Pam’s art show. And yet they all go to an “America’s Got Talent” party. So sad. I love that Ryan was sure that Jim was there even though he wasn’t. He’s such a prick. Jim working with Dwight was a treat and I loved that Dwight was actually right for once about an interoffice conspiracy.

The Jim and Pam story took an interesting turn this week. Now I need to share a little bit of background about my relationship with Jim and Pam before I go into this week’s episode. I’m not really big on them. I like them much better now that they are together because when they weren’t, I was so annoyed that it detracted my enjoyment from the show quite a lot. I mean I like them enough but they are not the story I am the most interested in (that would be Michael in a heartbeat). Plus I still find them to be a bit annoying. I love Jim (love him) but much more so when he is doing stuff that has nothing to do with Pam. There are always great moments I can pick out between the two of them throughout the course of the series but overall…not by any means the reason I watch it. I find that the writers try too hard to make Jim and Pam the coolest cats in town. I find Pam to be frankly annoying at times, tolerable at others and genuinely likable at other times. Her “Ooh that’s what she said! That’s what she said” moment was easily the annoying moment of the episode.

Anyways, this week actually did something I liked at the end with Jim and Pam. The Bluetooth stuff was funny at times, annoying at others and last week’s Jim and Pam story was incredibly lame. This was the writers fault, not the characters. In another show, Pam’s friend would have professed his love for her and it would have been awkward, prompting Jim to become paranoid and have to deal with wanting Pam to come back but trying not to be selfish. It went another, smarter route though, with Pam’s friend (although I’m sure he has a crush on her anyways) telling her to stay in New York if she wants to take a chance and make a career out of her dream, all the while with Jim listening to the conversation with his Bluetooth. What’s cool about what the friend said to her is that he is right. And Jim knows he is right which accounts for his reaction at the end of the episode. He knows that Pam needs to be in New York. So where does that put him? At some point now, Jim has to re-evaluate his own life and decide where he wants to go. I sincerely hope they go into this. Because if Pam goes for her dream then Jim (and Pam) has to decide where he fits into her dream and whether or not he has one of his own. They don’t go into this issue very much of Jim not going anywhere with his life. They do but it’s too far and few in between. In the U.K Office, Tim had quit his job by the 3rd episode. Yes, he never left and yes it was his feelings towards Dawn that caused him to want to leave, which transferred to the American Office when Jim transfers to Stamford. But I feel that the original Office went into Tim and where he was (not) going in his life more in the short time it was on, then they have in the American Office in its whole run. I know we are way beyond the point where we should be comparing the two but occasionally I have to. I think the reason that they don’t go into this is because the writers of the American Office are too hesitant to make Jim seem like a potential loser and to not admit that he has any faults. Tim had many more unlucky potentially loseresque qualities about him while still retaining the really cool guy you want to know factor. This willingness and readiness to portray Tim as a man with faults and the relentless effort to make Jim the perfect guy ends up making Tim much more relatable and in the end a better character. So this is why I hope that this episode of The Office spawns a little bit more depth into the issue of what is Jim going to do with his life and with Pam as a couple? Anyone who thinks Jim and Pam’s relationship will ever be in serious jeopardy to the point where they do not know if they are going to be together is wasting their worries. They will be together when this show ends. Even if at some point they break up, they will be together. Between this fact and not being overly emotionally invested in Jim and Pam as a couple, I’m not stressing over any of this. However I am really interested to see how they work through this issue as a couple because this development makes me more interested in them than I have been in a while.

As for Dwight and Andy and Angela I was disappointed where this episode took them. I see where this development is leading and I’m not that interested. Didn’t she just choose Andy? It felt really forced and very unnatural even within the world of “The Office”. This wouldn’t bug me so much if I knew it wouldn’t affect many episodes to come but it will. It set up the way things are going to be for a while with this storyline and I’m already sort of uninterested. I have a feeling that Angela and Andy’s wedding will be the finale of the season which means so much more of this. On the other hand their wedding could take place in the middle of the season which I would prefer. Or Jim and Pam’s wedding could be the end of the season. Either way I feel that a wedding will end the season. But yeah, I was not really happy with that development as it felt forced and sort of lazy.

Favorite Moments:
-The mugs that Kelly handed out at the party
-Michael and Kelly’s moment in the office
-Pam’s friends speech at the end and their reactions
-“Smudge”
-Jim telling Dwight he was right

Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season 4, Episode 15: "This Year's Girl"

Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season 4, Episode 15: "This Year's Girl"

Grade: B+

This past episode I’ve watched of “Buffy, the Vampire Slayer” is the first part of a two-parter in Season 4, entitled “This Year’s Girl”. Basically Faith wakes up from her coma and is looking for revenge.

This won’t be an episode review as much as a gathering of basic thoughts. I could go on forever about Buffy but I won’t. It’s a show that I had been meaning to watch for years and as a consequence of that through time I discovered so many spoilers that it is absurd. So basically I know everything that happens on the show. And the fact that it can still be this compelling even though I know most of the plot developments is amazing. So my best friend Amanda and I started watching it a few years back. She grew up on Buffy so it was a sort of show sharing activity of ours. Because college takes up so much tme, it took us 2 years to get through 2 and a half seasons. Since school started this year, I am continuing on my own and am now a little bit more than half way through Season 4. Amanda is not huge on the show in its later years, meaning Seasons 5, 6 and 7. She thinks that they definitely have their moments but it loses its freshness. While I am looking forward to the later stuff, I already know I’ll be pining for the earlier seasons. I see what she means and I’m already mourning the loss of those days in a way. However I credit the show for evolving when so many others do not take that chance and don’t grow with its characters.

Anyways, Season 3 is my favorite and will always be my favorite. Nothing will defeat it. I don’t know if I’ve seen a more solid season of television than Season of Buffy, the Vampire Slayer. Season 2 comes next, Season 4 and then Season 1 (by default). I’ve been really impressed with this season so far. I felt that the transition from high school to college was seamless and natural, a near impossible feat accomplished in my opinion.

Ok, so this episode is a sort of throwback to Season 3 because it is dealing with Faith who is essential to that season. Faith was never one of my favorite characters on Buffy, even though I know a lot of people love her. What I’m about to say is contradictory. I love what she brings to the show in terms of how she relates to Buffy and exploring the role and power of the Slayer. I love what they did with her in terms of her learning that she loves to kill and becoming one of the villains. I could write pages upon pages of the issues and themes they explore through Faith’s character. And Eliza of course does a great job. I love Faith’s psychology. The character herself though annoys me. If I have to hear her say “B” one more time I’ll bash my head against a wall. She comes off as quite dated today I feel. A bit too late 90’s for me. Too much of her aggravates me. I do like her; I just don’t love her character by any means. It’s weird that Season 3 is my favorite based off of that information but it is. As I said, what she brings to the show is far more positive than the frustration I get from her character.

This is a really good episode. I really like the fear and emotion that Faith’s return brings to the Scoobies. Faith’s dreams were the best part of the episode. The writer’s willingness to be ambiguous and explore Faith’s subconscious in an unclear way, but in a way that goes very deep was impressive. Another highlight for me was Faith’s conversation with Buffy’s mother. It really revealed Faith’s imbedded envy for Buffy especially dealing with her having a mother to be there while Faith does not. This was something that was explored a bit in Season 3 and it was nice to see them come back to it. Faith also had some interesting and sort of valid points regarding Buffy’s neglect of her mother. The last big highlight was Faith and Buffy’s fight on the college campus. Awesome.

Willow and Tara’s relationship is something I’m really enjoying. I was worried about how this would work but it does. I do think things are going too fast though and I wish they had slowed it down a bit. If they had slowed it down then the relationship would have seemed like a natural progression instead of coming off a bit like the writers would like to be at a certain place at a certain time with the two of them. And it does come off a bit like that. Nevertheless I am enjoying them.

Xander and Anya are really great together. Each have great moments both together and separately. But I know that 3 more seasons of them is going to get on my nerves. I guarantee this.

Spike is another character that I always loved but never really grabbed onto the way other people did. But now I love him. I love his role in Season 4. Love it. I think it is so interesting, funny and creative. But again the idea of him and Buffy being together is just…meh I don’t know. I’m sure it will work but it seems a little off to me. I know why she’ll go with him and I know they start the hinting of it early on but…I’ll just wait and see what I think of it.
I love what they did with Giles this season. He’s neglected, unemployed but he’s awesome.

Ok so Buffy and Riley as a couple. I really like them a lot but I’m starting to feel like I’m ready to move on from it even though I know we have a while to go with them. I’m not complaining but it’s just not my favorite story at the moment. But I think I’d be much more interested if I did not know what was going to happen so I can’t fault the show for that.

So this was not really a review of the episode and not really a review of Season 4 so far. I could have gone on forever about this season and about the show but I guess this will have to do as an introductory of my thoughts on what is going on in the show right now and subsequent reviews will be much more episode specific and hopefully shorter.

Entourage: Season 5, Episode 10: "Seth Green Day"

Grade: B-

After last week's fantastic flawless episode, I knew it would be hard to live up to the greatness that was last week. If every episode of Entourage was as good as last week's I would be saying very different things about this show. While it lived upto the expectations in some aspects and was overall a good episode, it has introduced a couple of potential subplots will severely disappoint me if they continue.

I wish this whole season could be the making of "Smokejumpers". Vince having to deal with a director whose intentions are unclear is making him question how he functions as an actor and whether or not he can trust a director that he is so unsure of. I do not know what this director's deal is. I like that they are sort of stereotyping the whole European director with strange filming methods and an overprotectiveness over the vision of their film schtick. Not because I am against it at all, but where else are you going to see an interpretation of these directors? I feel for Vince and I want him to dive into acting and to benefit from this experience but I have a feeling this is just going to get worse. Vince's acting career has always been the most interesting aspect of the show for me. Nothing else will ever come close in being more interesting.

I really enjoyed the scene between Ari and his kids at the beginning of the episode and generally enjoyed his story. I am quite interested in the subplot involving Ari and Andrew. I like to see Ari taking a chance on someone and wanting to do good. It will be interesting to see if this pays off. His speech to the Women's Convention sort of disgusted me. Actually it completely disgusted me. It was Ari's big speech of the episode and it is intended for laughs but it was a speech ripe with misogynism and disgust for women intruding on the buisness world of men and frankly I was a bit sickened by it. I know it is supposed to be funny. But since I am going through the stage of my life when I realize how truly this is a men's world, I have a hard time watching something like that. I know I am overreacting but at a time like this something like that makes me implode. I know what you are saying: why do I watch this show? I know, it's the absolute worst show to watch for a women who is against many of the things on the show. But the aspects of the show I am interested in are enough to keep me watching.

Drama and Turtle did nothing this week. Drama is just annoying now. Nothing they can do will get me to like him. It's not so much the change in him, although that is a big part of it. The character has just worn on me. Turtle, even though he pisses me off a lot is someone I actually like more than Drama now. I like his line delivery and I like the fact that he calls Drama out on his ridiculousness all the time. The annoyance with which he calls Drama out is the same annoyance I have and thus I am allied with Turtle against the annoyance that is Drama.

Eric's subplot is where I had this week's problem. If they get him back together with Sloane I will jump off a building. That relationship was the saddest saddest saddest attempt by anyone to write a relationship. These writers do not know how to write women, they obviously do not think it is very important because it was never evident that Eric's relationship problems impacted him all that much. And he's the character that's supposed get the most emotionally connected to women! It's a joke! And I love Eric when he is doing anything else except being with Sloane. Please do not do this Entourage! As far as the rest of E's subplot goes, the Seth Green stuff, although I like him very much, seemed like a waste of time. It was entertaining but it was the least appealing part of the episode which is sad considering the title of the episode.

Favorite Moments:

Vince watching the dailies with the director.

Ari imitating Barbara after she walks out.

And there is my first TV Episode Review on my TV Blog!! Overall very strong in a couple of aspects while upsetting me in a few and making me dread the possible return of a subplot that I thought was dead.

I will grade the episode based on the seperate plots and then as a whole.

Vince and "Smokejumpers": A-

Ari and Andrew: B

Seth Green and Eric: C-