"Flight of the Conchords" Season 1, Episode 1: "Sally"

Flight of the Conchords:
Season 1, Episode 1: “Sally”
Grade: 7.0

I had seen this episode before but since Matt and I are starting the show I figured I’d give my thoughts on the first episode. The best parts of this show are the songs. They are consistently hilarious from the 4 episodes I’ve seen and I always love listening to them. They are weird and make no sense at all and that is what I love about them. It’s completely self aware, does not take itself seriously but at the same time its actually good music. I adore Jemaine and Bret and Murray and Mel. All of that being said I am perfectly aware going in that this won’t be one of my all time favorite shows along with Extras but will be something that I really really thoroughly enjoy. The only problem with it that I have is that in an effort to be slightly off kilter it seems to think that repeating the same sentences over and over again are funny but after a while they aren’t. There was one scene with Bret and Jemaine literally repeating the same thing over and over and getting nowhere in the conversation and the joke was that they were getting nowhere in the conversation but I cannot handle getting nowhere in a conversation like that for that long. The first episode was also really random as a first episode but it’s hard to expect a proper pilot from this show. But still I really like the characters, the tone of the show and especially the music and the scenes in which they perform because it’s so ridiculously funny.

Extras: Season 1, Episode 2: "Ross Kemp"

Extras Season 1, Episode 2: "Ross Kemp"

Grade: B

So I have now seen all of Season 1 of “Extras”. I will be watching Season 2 in order. I would definitely say that I prefer The Office in a millisecond and I do not think “Extras” will ever be one of my absolute favorite shows but I do find it very entertaining and funny. I have no idea how Ricky Gervais has managed to find a situation where the scenes could be more awkward than the ones in the Office but he has. This episode did not really have any of those scenes to the extent of which I mean but this show is capable of making me actually have to turn away at parts because of the awkwardness. Something I really admire about the show is how unapologetic it is about Maggie and Andy. Andy is a jerk. He’s just a jerk. And not a lovable jerk; just a jerk. He hates what he does and I do not blame him for that but he has just become so cynical that he has turned into a not very nice person. Maggie is not really a jerk but she’s so awkward that it comes to the point where you do blame her for acting the way she does. She’s politically incorrect at times and completely unaware of what it acceptable and not acceptable behavior. But the show never attempts to make us really love them or apologize for them and to make us become overtly sympathetic. There is no redeeming incident however small at the end of the episode to make whatever happened before hand not matter. They are who they are and while it’s hard to watch and like them at times I love that the show takes that attitude.

I thought Ross Kemp did a great job. I know I missed a lot of the jokes because I’m not familiar with his work. I liked the way that Barry and Andy need to find some pathetic way of feeling like they have power and if that means that they will use the actors they have befriended and attempt to power over the situation that they get the actors into then so be it.

I was really rooting for Maggie in this episode and everything was going really well and then it turns out that the guy was a total douche. Poor Maggie. Oh and the guy in that episode was the guy who played a younger version of Ebenezer Scrooge in "Muppet Christmas Carol" and I totally knew it!!

Favorite Part of the Episode:
Andy reading what his agent Darren wrote for him as a resume. Hilarious.

24 Season 7: "8:00pm - 9:00pm" Grade: A-

24 Season 7, Episode 13

"8:00pm - 9:00pm"

Grade: A-

24 is officially really really fucking good again. So much happened in this episode pushing toward the next section of the season but still not letting the audience know where they are going.

R.I.P Bill Buchanan.

It happened so quickly I had no idea how to even react. I was not expecting everything that happened in the credits to happen in the first 10 minutes. It's going to be weird not having Bill around anymore. I will miss him a lot. Bill has always been a character on 24 that I have loved. So that sucked. Jack crying made me cry. Ugh.

- Juma is dead. I did not expect that to happen so quickly. He had been given a lot of build up and then he just sort of died.

-Something I have noticed that was done this Season tha tI really liked was that usually we know the threat pretty soon and then we either have to find out who is behind it or we knwo who is behind it but we have to find out how to get to them. This season we know who is behind everything (Jon Voight) but we do not really know why or what the shipment is or what the threat is and it makes for more exciting television then if they had done it the way they usually do.

- I did not expect Renee to be suspended. I liked Moss but now he's just an asshole.

-Jack is on the run. Shocker. I am glad he called Moss though otherwise he would be a huge moron.

-Wow that Quentin guy is good. Holy shit. That guy knows what he is doing. We have not seen the last of him I suspect.

Ok so the big topic; Olivia and Ethan. Oh boy I think this will be a big deal in the upcoming episodes considering how long they put off this conversation on the episode. I feel really bad for Ethan who did try to geniunely propose an administrative position for Olivia. I can see why he is apprehensive; maybe because she's insane??? We saw the way President Taylor reacted when Ethan was apprehensive about Olivia being on the administration; not good. So Ethan has been put in an incredibly awkward position. And Olivia is crazy. So I am so interested to see how things turn out in this storyline to say the least.

"Lost" Season 5, Episode 8: "La Fleur" Grade: B

"Lost"

Season 5, Episode 8:

"La Fleur" Grade: B

I know it has been a while since this episode aired so I do not know it as well as some other episodes of the show. So this will be a bit all over the place but bear with me as I attempt to jot down some observations.

-This episode was mainly focused on Sawyer and his evolution over the course of 3 years and his second chance at a life with his decision to settle down with Dharma Initiative instead of leaving the island on the submarine like he could have. I love where Sawyer is right now. I think it has set up a future dilemma with the return of Jack, Kate, Hurley and Sayid and Sawyer's attempts to be able to keep the life that he has and to not revert back to his old ways when trouble arises. I think his evolution from point A to point B is compeltely realistic and I say boo to the people that think he has lost his edge considering that its been what, one episode that we see him like this and that he is happy? Sorry that a character you supposedly like is actually happy. Fucking sadists. As for him being with Juliet, I am thrilled. Why am I thrilled? Because Juliet is the best female character on the show and someone who I think fits nicely with Sawyer. I think it shows more potential for them as a couple then it does for Kate and Sawyer because if Kate had been in Juliet's place she would have needed to leave at some point. I hate Kate and I am thrilled Sawyer has found someone he deserves and vice versa. Two things that suck about this though. One is that Juliet is about to get screwed over again with the return of Kate. Sawyer lying immediately to Juliet about the phone call is not a good sign. Two: They skipped the three years that Juliet and Sawyer and the others spent with Dharma. We skipped over all of Sawyer and Juliet's happy time! WIll we see flashbacks within these three years to see maybe some stuff they all learned about Dharma and maybe some other stuff with Sawyer and Juliet?

- We see Jin, Sawyer, Juliet and Miles in the three years later segments. We do not see Daniel. Where the hell was Daniel?

-Jin must have learned perfect English at this point and also must be best buds with Sawyer at this point. YAY!!!

- Where are Rose and Bernard? I mean tthey are not my favorite characters but I do care about them and want to know what happened to them.

-We basically saw the 4 toed statue from behind!!! What is it? Its Egyptian but from the back of it there are many figures it could be. Does this mean that the island was once home to an ancient Egyptian civilzation?? Who knows at this point.

- So we have Jack, Kate, Sawyer, Hurley, Sayid, Miles, Jin, Juliet and Daniel in 1977 and Frank, Sun, Ben, Locke, Caesar and Ilana in some other unspecified future time. I have no idea, absolutely no idea where the second story is going to go. I cannot even venture a guess and it makes me so excited.

-So Horace is now with new character Amy a.k.a Michelle Dessler from 24!!!!!!!! YAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAY!!! I love that Michelle is on this show. She is fantastic.

-However Horace being with Amy begs the question; what happened to Olivia?

-Loved the Richard Alpert eyeliner reference.

-"Thanks anyway Plato"

-How did Sawyer and company manage to become a part of Dharma?

-How was Horace able to say within 5 minutes of meeting Sawyer that he's "not Dharma material"?

-I loved Sawyer's speech about forgetting Kate's face. Because the viewers need to be able to fully grasp that its been longer than the entire 4 seasons put together that these people have been in Dharma. We need to be able to fully grasp how truly long it is because its hardly been anytime for us. It worries me if they will be able to treat the time jump in a way that works. I want to feel it has been 3 years for these people. Lots has probably happened. But Sawyer saying he could not remember Kate's face was so needed in that it really has been that long.

-Favorite Moment:

Daniel sees Charlotte as a child. Wow that was heartbreaking. I worry about Daniel. Between the state we last saw him in and the fact that we have not seen him in the 3 years later segments worries me.

Ok so that is pretty much it for this week. There are many more thoughts I did have but cannot remember right now. So until next week!

Battlestar Galactica: Season 4, Episode 18: "Islanded in a Stream of Stars"

“Battlestar Galactica”
Season 4, Episode 18 “Islanded in a Stream of Stars”
Grade: B-

I love the name of this episode. And that’s pretty much the better part of what I loved involving this episode. It was not bad. It’s still better and more artistically inclined than most shows on TV. The issue I have is that we are 2 episodes and 3 hours away from being done…and not much happened in this episode. Seriously. What the hell? I figured last week would be set up which I accepted because it still had the Starbuck and Boomer/Tyrol focuses to give the episode structure but I saw no payoff to the buildup from the episode before. I thought the Starbuck stuff would be explained during this, the Opera house visions, etc. Nothing. There were moments and aspects that I really liked and a couple of things I loved but the episode had no clear focus in a show that has each episode having some structure to it and if I am 4 hours away from completing a series I should remember what happens in its finale episodes right? But I trouble remembering what even did happen. So what did happen?

- I had predicted that Roslin’s death would be exactly as we had seen it as it was foreseen at the end of Season 4.0. The setting has now been set and the scene now just has to be shown.

- Anders is now a Hybrid basically and was taking up some of Galactica’s reminaing energy? This came out of nowhere. Not sure how I feel about it. But it was really interesting to see that it is still saying that Kara is the harbinger of doom. So I am guessing this has not happened yet.

- Helo and Athena = not doing well; at all. Unsurprisingly. I have to say Tahmoh Penikett gave his best performance as Helo in this scene. It’s the best acting he has done in the whole show.

- Adama has given up on Galactica. I guess this is a huge development but we all knew they could not stay on there forever. I really liked his paintbrush breakdown scene.

- Have I mentioned I love Adama and Tigh?! I love them.

- So is Caprica Six not with Tigh anymore? They should tell us this or not.

- Boomer will rebel against what Cavil is doing with Hera. Obviously.

- The most interesting aspect of the episode for me was Starbuck and Gaius. I do not think they have had a scene for some time now (possibly not since Season 1). I like that they have finally given Gaius something to do and that we got to see him in scientist mode for a few seconds again. It’s been such a long time. But since we have not been following Gaius’ psyche for quite some time now I have no idea what he was thinking or trying to accomplish when he called out Starbuck in front of everyone. It was so weird. I mean it was great. I loved seeing so many of the characters in the same room. I loved seeing everyone’s reaction. I loved seeing her slap him across the face. The scene was great. But I have no idea why he did it. I am sure we will find out (at least I sincerely hope so) but it just proved how damn disconnected to him we are now.

- Ok we have two more weeks of this show and that is it. What will happen?

Favorite Scene:
- Lee and Starbuck. Her facial expressions said so much. It was such a great and long awaited scene.

Best Moment:
- Starbuck on the toilet in front of Gaius. Why? Because it was Pure Old School Starbuck.

"The Office": Season 5, Episode 16: "Blood Drive"

“The Office”
Season 5, Episode 16: “Blood Drive”
Grade: A-

Our first Office episode in a while. The show came back with a touching and funny episode; really one of the series best I think. Easily one of my Top 3 favorites of the season. Why? Because it was Michael based and I even liked the Jim and Pam storyline for the episode although I think them eating some of Phyllis’ and Bob’s food was not cute; it was actually really gross. Although considering what Bob and Phyllis did at the restaurant, Jim and Pam’s actions seem extremely mild.

I loved the opening to the episode so much. It gives a great example about the fact that Michael will go along with anything as long as he is being included. AAAAYYYYYYYYYY!
So everyone came together for Valentine’s Day in the office to celebrate (or not rather) being single. There is also a blood drive and Michael meets a woman who he has some playful banter with before he passes out and wakes up to find that she is gone but has left her glove behind accidently essentially leaving him with his own glass slipper. At least that is how he takes it. Michael and Holly are my favorite couple (well ex couple : ( ) on any show that I watch currently on TV. But if they were going to give Michael someone else to interact with for the episode I could not have been happier with who or what they came up with. Talk. About. Adorable.

I also really loved how everyone showed support for Michael at the end by sticking it out with him (yes, even Stanley) and walking him to his car. I thought it was really touching and goes to show that the office workers know to treat Michael differently than they would a normal person. I just really like how everyone came together for him. I really found the end and Michael’s optimism quite touching.

My other favorite part of the episode was Kevin and Lynn (?) I think that was her name. Soooo adorable. I really hope they keep with the story or at least allude to it because it is too cute to let go to waste.

Ok I do not care how stupid and redundant this review is. This was a really solid episode.

Favorite Parts:

-Oscar telling Michael about his breakup and Michael mistaking it for having a happy ending.

- Girl at Blood Drive to Michael: “You’re cute”

- Michael: “These people have to be protected from having love shoved into their faces”

- Kelly and Meredith bonding over ripping up the hearts and plastering the pieces on the wall.

Meredith also ripping the Cupid’s wings off and saying “Now it’s just a stupid baby”

- The entire scene with the Blood Drive woman and Michael.

Dollhouse: Season 1, Episode 4: "Grey Hour"

“Dollhouse”
1.4 “Grey Hour”
Grade: C
So we still have not broken the high point of the series so far which was Episode 2. This episode was a decline for me. There were definitely aspects of it that I liked. I actually really like Eliza Dushku’s acting when Echo is tabula rasa. Yes I can tell she is acting but it is in a stylized way which actually works for me in this aspect.

I did not get AT ALL about the midwife thing at the beginning. I have no idea why anyone would pay that much money for a midwife when they could just hire one. Also I thought that the main plot got old after a while. I enjoyed the idea of her being wiped mid engagement but honestly I felt like we were kind of watching the same scene over and over. I did really like seeing Adele and Topher try to figure out what was going on but I hate hate HATE HATE HATE Topher so I can really only enjoy that storyline so much. Of course it was Alpha you nimrod. Secondly right when we actually get to the interesting part of the episode (“I’ll tell you everything I know about Alpha”) the episode ends…uuuggghhh.

What I liked:
-Echo in tabula rasa state.
- Sierra as Taffy also. Ok this is an example of why they should have cast in unknown in the states actress like Dichan to play Echo (even though this was always Eliza’s project from the start); because her personalities are more interesting and believable. This episode provides great example of that.
- While Taffy was essentially a bit of a rehash of Faith I thought that Taffy was her own character so I give Eliza props for hitting some of the same notes but doing something different with them.
- I liked that Echo trying to drill the door did not work. It was realistic. It was probably my favorite scene in the episode.
- Yeah that’s about it for this episode. I thought it was a bit all over the place and could not hold my interest for 50 minutes which is how long the episodes are with limited commercial interruption.

Did not Like:
- I have no idea what is going on with Ballard, what he is trying to do, what Adele is trying to do with Victor in place as Lubov and I am honestly totally confused about motivations for this entire story from all perspectives.
- Topher. Did I mention I hate Topher?
- No Amy Acker
- The sloppiness of the episode.
- So the climax was Echo running or slumping through a smoky hall? Yeah because that really would have happened. Uuuggghhh.
- Also what’s with all of the violence against women on this show? Every episode I swear Echo has been hit by a man. Joss you are a self proclaimed feminist and I absolutely worship you for that and for your commitment and awareness of in imbalance in society but I do not get what the point of it is because it’s so consistent and its happening next week too.

I really enjoy it for many reasons mainly in that I see potential and because I just love Joss so much that I’m so happy to have new Joss even if it’s very subpar Joss. But I hope next week is better. I know it’s supposed to get much better soon but it looks like they basically gave away the entire plotline for this next episode coming up. Nice job FOX; way to entice people to watch your show. Imbeciles.