Topic: [Spoiler] TV Season 2009/2010 Diary

[DJ Doena]

LOST 6x10 The Package
I liked the idea of Sun not speaking English anymore. It brought back memories of the first season.
Unfortunately I didn't feel that both stories brought the entire story really forward (except for the last minute, but I already guessed that it would be Desmond).

LOST 6x11 Happily Ever After
Everything is falling into place, I can feel it. I still don't see the whole picture or how this flash-sideways is going to turn out but I can really feel how we're steering towards the end of a long journey and I'm still exciting to be on board.
If Smokey can't penetrate an EM fence and Desmond can survive huge EM pulses maybe it will be his task to lure Smokey into such a place (Remember? Huge EM pockets beneath the island?) and then tear him apart in an EM eruption.
And I think Penny and Charlie are so much more interesting than their counterparts on FlashForward.

LOST 6x12 Everybody Loves Hugo
Yes we do! I liked Hugo from the moment he fainted over the U.S. Marshall. He's basically the only one who didn't have a big agenda over the last six years, he just went along with one group or the next.
I think it was a big mistake of Smokey to throw Desmond into that well because I bet that's the place where Desmond was supposed to end up anyway, at the core of everything.
Assuming Sun is the correct Kwon, it means that all remaining (known) candidates are in one place: Jack, Sun, Hugo, Sawyer, Sayid and an unknown person.
One oversight on Richard's part: since he cannot blow himself up, he should have handled the dynamite...

[DJ Doena]

Smallville 9x15 Escape
It was an OK ghost story. I've read somewhere that "Silver Banshee" is a known DC character but I have to say I've seen better guest appearances of other DC characters.
But I've enjoyed the bathroom scene very much; somehow it reminded me of the first witch episode in season 4. I also like it when they play the forgetfulness card to embarrass one of the characters - like when Chloe figured everything out.

Smallville 9x16 Checkmate
I don't know if it's really a good idea to bring yet another party into the game at this point in the season. We've already got the "JLA", the Kandorians & Checkmate. Why a fourth group and why would John join them? - Unless of course it's the old JSA who don't yet trust the "new boys in town". We'll see. I just hope they don't screw it up again towards the ending - but so far I'm very optimistic since I've enjoyed the entire season so far.
Too bad Lois wasn't in this episode, I missed her. In earlier seasons I didn't mind but by now I feel she should be present most of the time.

(350)

[DJ Doena]

Human Target 1x10 Tanarak
It was an OK episode but the end fight had some obvious continuity errors (like when they jumped of the truck but were nowhere to be seen in the wide shot afterwards when it blew up only a second later and to the other car with it).

Human Target 1x11 Victoria
While the plot was obviously a big nod towards Princess Diana, I did enjoy the episode; especially when the Irish Connor recognized the Princess of Wales.
Though they seemed to have a problem to get enough people with an English accent to pose as security detail - I doubt the queen would have that many Americans in her staff.

Human Target 1x12 Christopher Chance
I honestly don't think she's really dead. Why? Because it was one of these obvious fake TV deaths. You see something blown up where you saw the "dead" person last alive. But here it's even worse than in White Collar. Because there were minutes between when we saw her and when the boat blew up. I know Baptiste is rather ruthless, but maybe he had another plan or he couldn't get to her before she vanished. Or whatever.
But as long as I don't actually see a person die on television I am not convinced she or he is actually dead. And even if they are dead: If it's the right genre that might mean nothing.

Everything considered I think it's a nice action show but if you don't watch it you haven't missed anything either.

[DJ Doena]

Smallville 9x17 Upgrade
Ah the good ol' Red K again.
What bothered me about this episode (and every time it has happened in the past) is when Clark asks or demands of someone to be "totally honest" with him. I know he just wants to protect them but it's always a bit hypocritical because ... well you know why. If he doesn't want to share his secret that's fine with me but he should give others the same right.
I'm also still worried about Chloe, she has done too many things to others "for their own good" and of course without telling them. I think that will backfire one day - way worse than it did this time with Clark. And since this is Allison Mack's last season (as far as I'm aware) this could go down rather badly.  
LoJacking Lois may also not have been Clark's best idea - even if he just wanted to protect her. And what was with his Red K ego this time? I know they tried to explain it in the end, but I still though he was very different than on his previous travels to RedRubyLand.

[DJ Doena]

Bones 5x17 The Death of the Queen Bee
Sweets: And this Ray Buxley was a prime suspect in '94?
Booth: He was high school custodian, but they didn't have enough to hold him.
Sweets: Lives alone, low-status job, obsession with gruesome crime stories, surrounded by teenage girls. Very creepy. It's like Freddy-creepy.

He can still pull it off. I loved it how Ray and Bones talked about things that are slightly disturbing from an outside POV and thought nothing of it. In fact I loved the entire aspect of Bones's class reunion and how the others reacted to her.

10 Things I Hate About You 1x13 Great Expectations
It was an average episode and I can't really say much about it.

Castle 2x20 The Late Shaft
I didn't enjoy this episode as much as other Castle episodes, mainly because the trail to the murderer felt a bit too constructed (a death threat by a not-murderer started the whole thing and it ended with the elaborate way he was actually murdered) and I couldn't really feel why he did it even though he spoke the words. It was just not really convincing.

[DJ Doena]

Justified 1x03 Fixer
I like that strange assortment of people they seem to have in that town. And I like this man's style. He certainly makes sure that the prisons aren't overly crowded.

Justified 1x04 Long in the Tooth
I enjoyed Alan Ruck in this role, it was fitting for him (Cameron Frye anyone?). And the whole thing that got the episode started: Ouch. Too bad it ended that way but I assume he knew that his wound was fatal and he tried to protect her...

Justified 1x05 The Lord of War and Thunder
No wonder he wanted to get away from that town. That's quite a family. And one has to give it to him: He is persistent; gardening for days just to get a peek into a house...

So far me is liking that show.


A few months back I was wondering if TV Show seasons are getting shorter and I expressed some regret over it. Now I'm not so sure that this is really a bad thing. 13 or 16 episodes are still in a range where you can tell a good story.
I may be imagining it but I thing these shorter series seem to have less or no filler episodes like the full season series do. Shorter seasons also make it possible to watch more and different series.
Don't get me wrong, if there's enough story, sure, go ahead, tell a full season. But if there isn't then less is more.

[DJ Doena]

Life Unexpected 1x11 Storm Weathered
Nice analogy there between Jones-Lux-Bug and Baze-Cate-Ryan. I bet after the revelation that Baze might have feelings for Cate after all, it's going downhill from here.

Life Unexpected 1x12 Father Unfigured
While it adds drama, I liked it that not everything is now suddenly sunshine and roses. I don't think it would have been a good idea if Cate's father would now suddenly return and become yet another piece of this already complicated family puzzle.

Life Unexpected 1x13 Love Unexpected
What? No Big No at the end? The deal is sealed? This is going to be an interesting honeymoon... It was fascinating how Baze changed his opinion very five minutes, depending of with whom he was talking to before. But since Ryan and Cate had their doubts, too, I'd rather not speculate how long this marriage is going to last (provided that the show gets a second season).

I have to say I enjoyed this new series. The characters were interesting  and it's nice to watch a show once in a while were not the entire world is at stake or where an killer has to be caught every episode. This is just about a small family who have their own problems. "Bend or broken is the family tree..."

[DJ Doena]

Doctor Who 5x03 Victory of the Daleks
Now I'm wondering why Amy doesn't know about the Daleks. Obviously it has something to do with the crack in the reality but I wonder how the Doctor caused it and more importantly: When. If the Daleks are survivors from the end of season 4 then logically it should happened before that. But then Amy should remember the Earth out of orbit and in the Medusa Cascade. Wibbly-wobbly, timey-wimey stuff makes my head spin.

[Najemikon]

I would have thought that the Daleks were survivors of the original Time War, which might be why they didn't know the Doctor.

[DJ Doena]

Romantically Challenged 1x01 Don't Be Yourself
What I've seen so far is a run-of-the-mill sitcom and I've seen nothing (except for Alyssa of course ) that makes this one special. Maybe I watch a few more episodes, maybe I don't. But I honestly don't think I'll miss something if I don't.

[DJ Doena]

10 Things I Hate About You 1x14 Meat Is Murder
It was really cool how Blank played Kat while being completely honest with her.
But I also liked how Bianca tried to smooth things up with Cameron and how she "trained" Stacy (especially on the topic of LOST) so that she would be perfect for Cameron.

Bones 5x18 The Predator in the Pool
Rena Sofer, huh? I can see why Booth would be attracted to her. I find it fascinating who both Bs know that it's "wrong" what they are doing and yet go through with it (for now). But I liked the uncomfortable look on Brennan's face because the ball is on her side now and she has to act.
As for the case: A lot of convenient coincidences in this one (like the fish burping out the skull at the right moment). I have no problem with written coincidences on TV shows but please not too many and not blatantly obvious.

Castle 2x21 Den of Thieves
Michael Trucco, huh? Starbuck fell for him, Penny fell for him - so why not Kate?
I really liked it that Ryan and especially Esposito played a bigger role than usual. They have been criminally underused so far. And it was great how the two of them and Castle totally "inconspicuously" investigated Trucco's character.
I also liked how the episode ended and they all covered for Esposito.

Cougar Town 1x20 Wake Up Time
Again the men were the highlight of the episode. Grayson on the emotional level, Andy on the funny level and Bobby on his usual weird level. Too bad Kylie is gone already; I really thought she and Grayson made a nice couple.

And now for "emotional chicken":

[DJ Doena]

Gossip Girl 3x18 The Unblairable Lightness of Being
I like it that there's no coming back from this whole Indecent Proposal affair but I certainly would not like to see Dan and Blair involved in any way. But I guess the next big storm clouds are Jenny-Nate-Serena and Rufus-Lily-Dr. van der Woodsen anyway.

House M.D. 6x16 Lockdown
That was a really interesting episode and a nice pairing off due to the external circumstances. The best part certainly was House and that patient (since we all know House does not like patients) and the way they talked about things. Second place goes to Thirteen and Wilson and their truth or dare game. I honestly didn't really care for Cameron. She's a character who's left, she won't come back, so I'm done with her.

House M.D. 6x17 Knight Fall
I'm somewhat torn about the morality aspect of this episode. I don't think the "knight" was really an idiot. To tell a female friend who's getting married to another friend that one loves her is IMHO not a move one should make lightly, especially if it's not certain, how she would take it. Sure, in TV land all would end well but in reality it's more likely that at least two people get burned.

How I Met Your Mother 5x19 Zoo or False
The monkey and the doll and the Empire State Building. Great ending to a nice episode.

How I Met Your Mother 5x20 Home Wreckers
Finally a real episode about Ted and his progress again. Just like with the last episode I liked it that it remained ambiguous who really cried at the wedding (my bet was: Both of them).
I also liked it that this was the actual house, because that wasn't just a comment by Marshall, that's actually who Ted is (as been shown over the last five years).

[DJ Doena]

Justified 1x06 The Collection
That man's so cool, he's giving me frostbite. How he calmly talked the horse trainer out of shooting him. Awesome, dude.
What I liked even more was the Voyager's Doctor's collection of Hitler's paintings and the way he stored then. *thumbs up*

LOST 6x13 The Last Recruit
For now it seems pretty obvious that Jack's going to be the lighthouse keeper but because it's so obvious I bet there will be another turn of the table. After all, there are still 5 episodes left.
But I really liked that the ATL people are clustering at high speeds. If they keep that rate up, they all will meet in one spot sooner rather than later.

Party Down 2x01 / 2x02 Jackal Onassis Backstage Party / Precious Lights Pre-School Auction
The dynamics have changed a bit but it's still the same show. They are still great at showing the truth about every of these events they are catering. The appeal of this show for me is that it's not a sequence of setup & jokes but it feels more like a documentary where all the characters are involuntarily funny without actually meaning to be.

Smallville 9x18 Charade
So, the Daily Planet is looking for a new editor-in-chief? I wonder who that will be.
While Lois's reasoning why she doesn't want him to reveal who he is may be textbook superhero reasoning, it still sounded a bit off to me. The Blur never said to her that he doesn't want to reveal himself. He simply didn't do it (so far). Also, these hypothetical thugs would have to know that she knows or doesn't know his face; otherwise her being-at-risk status doesn't change at all. But maybe someone sent Lois a Spider-Man DVD.
I just hope that Lois & Clark don't break up, despite what the end was indicating.

[Najemikon]

Just a heads up if you haven't seen it yet, Karsten. Doctor Who was amazing this week! Weeping Angels are properly scary and due to a strong psychological side to them, very substantial too.

Oh yes, and River Song is back and demonstrates how to land the Tardis properly! It doesn't make the 'noise'. An indignant Doctor protests that he likes the noise...

[DJ Doena]

Just a heads up if you haven't seen it yet, Karsten. Doctor Who was amazing this week!

Still waiting for certain friends with yet unknown IP adresses to spill it out on the internet.

I'm still having a huge backlog (3 episodes of Spartacus, 4 of SGU, 4 Vampire Diaries, 4 V and some others) but the Doctor will be on my shortlist as soon as I can get a hold of him.