So, other than Doctor Who, what have you been watching this week? As per usual, I've reviewed most of what I've seen, but of the regulars:
- Community – Very funny and took the show in odd directions. However, last night's seemed to ignore that direction. Which is odd, but they've mixed up episodes before now
- 30 Rock – Is it bad that the new Canadian guy seemed more interesting than everyone else on the show?
- Dexter – Ooh, some interesting twists and glad to see Rita having some fun for a change
- Stargate Universe – Very good and unexpected. I don't know if there was a magic reset button at the end or not (tonight's ep will reveal that), but even if it wasn't, it was a good way to end the ep, crediting the audience with some intelligence. They seem to be going in the direction of "you know all the crap things that can happen when you're exploring? Well we're going to show you them all."
- The Thick of It – Another good one. The opposition are starting to seem more interesting than the government though.
Still got this week's CSI, Cougar Town, Modern Family and Supernatural to watch. But I've decided I'm never going to watch this series of The Sarah Jane Adventures so I've deleted them from my line-up.
The Prisoner
Big almost watch of the week was the AMC/remake The Prisoner. First, a confession – when I was young, I loved the original so much I joined the appreciation society. So I might be biased. But this was excruciatingly dull. It was beautifully shot, but the direction was in no way involving, it was literal when it shouldn't have been, made sure it rammed home the face that some things might not be real, and was just hopeless in every way. It was also so edited in such a way that whenever there was a moment that needed explaining, they tried to do it with music and a montage – it was like a rock video version of The Prisoner at times.
Episode 2 was a brief uptick, and I did appreciate the little head-nods to the original show (the map, the taxis, Rover, the abbreviated episode titles, the blazer, as well as a few plot elements), but episode 3 got so dull, so soon, I abandoned all hope and gave up. I've since found out what the ending was, and I'm very, very glad I gave up, because that sounded rubbish.
What have you been watching though?
As always, no spoilers unless you're going to use the <spoiler> </spoiler> tags, please. If you've reviewed something on your blog, you can put a link to it here rather than repeat yourself (although too many links and you might get killed by the spam filter).
November 20, 2009 | Reply
Highlight of my week was without a doubt Merlin which had a surprisingly mature and emotional episode with Arthur at its heart and Merlin playing a strong role too. Amazing stuff. I still can't get it out of my head.
Another British delight was Misfits which I saw the pilot of after I posted in last week's whybwtw. I have just seen episode 2 and it is brilliant. Loved it. A really good use of the supernatural to look at people's behaviour.
And as we are in Brit-land, yeah I saw Doctor Who but oddly enough probably enjoyed Sarah Jane more. Phil Ford wrote the SJ story last week about the Mona Lisa and I thought it had very sharp dialogue and some great character stuff for Luke and Clyde.
Moving across the ocean, Dexter was okay but it's probably the episode that has me the least excited of all so far this season (which I do think is stellar). The season is kind of at the start where I would expect things to be a bit more pacy.
Missing Mad Men from my personal schedule, I tried V and was both repulsed by its cynical tone and bored by its barrage of "twists" that you could see coming.
This week's FlashForward (that was broadcast in Britland on Monday) was also a disappointment but since it delivered three brilliant episodes in a row until that one, I am not too worried.
I've watched a fair amount of Being Erica (the last one I saw had no time travel antics whatsoever) and am kind of annoyed that the mysterious Kai turned out to be a naff rock star from 2019. Such a waste. Still, the show manages to entertain just through the strange charisma of Erica.
Finally... I guess I am one episode behind with Community and I read Rob's words above with a heavy heart because I was rather looking forward to last week's development gaining legs...
November 21, 2009 | Reply
Doctor Who, Doctor Who and Doctor Who! ! Great episode... can't wait for 'The end of time'. Also saw the clip on children in need and was whooping on the sofa.
Stargate Universe. Another good episode, pretty brutal and some good character work I thought. I just hope it doesn't do a Star Trek Voyager and resolve everything with a bow on in the next episode!
The Restaurant... I couldn't believe last weeks decision and this weeks decision was out of the judges hands as one of the couple closed their own restaurant! I was very disappointed. This years series turning out to be quite hollow (are the contestants given any support?)
Spooks - This weeks ep felt like a retread of one many years ago in series 1. However another shock at the end of the episode. All I can say is that the fringe benefits of their job must be good as the attrition rate is shocking!
and finally Mrs Espedair has inflicted I'm a celebrity on me... oh the horror. This really is end of the world tv.... at least I pray for the end of the world when I have to watch it (I guess I've just seen 2012 so I'm in an apocalypse kind of mood!)
November 22, 2009 | Reply
Finally got around to watching the Stargate Universe two hour premiere. I didn't record any of the others, but I'm not sure I would have ended up watching them. I did enjoy this, but it wasn't that compelling for me.
I went home to Connecticut to visit two of my brothers, and brought along "sustenance" - DVDs to survive the old family home where my brother Bill keeps his cable at the absolute minimum. Not even CNN is on the tier he has!
I had two offerings from Cinematic Titanic - "Frankenstein's Castle Of Freaks" with Rossanno Brazzi and Michael Dunn (one of my top five favorite actors, but here he was slumming!) and "The Wasp Woman", a Roger Corman quickie. CT consists of the same gang who used to do 'Mystery Science Theatre 3000'.
I also had the first disk in the 'Branded' series which included two b&w pilots - one of which reteamed Chuck Connors with Johnny Crawford, who played his son on 'Rifleman'. This disk also included an episode from the anthology series 'Four Star Playhouse' from 1955 about a con man played by David Niven. Connors was in the cast, along with Elizabeth Patterson ('I Love Lucy') and Amanda Blake. ('Gunsmoke')
The last disk was of three episodes of 'Daniel Boone', one of which had one of my favorite topics - history distorted through TV fiction. In this, President John Adams was kidnapped and Boone had to ransom him.
I recorded all of the 'Prisoner' eps but not sure when I can get to them. It's against my better judgement to watch them, but I still feel compelled to do so.
While home I did get to see an old episode of 'Malcolm In The Middle' with Hayden "Claire Bear" Panetierre as a girl who came between Malcolm and his brother Reese. Never recognized her!
All of the shows I recorded from Tuesday through Thursday, I'm slowly catching up on now - just watched an episode of 'Fringe' which should have big possibilities for Toobworld!