Lost Is In The Brig
I am a big fan of Lost. I am currently watching (or re-watching as the case sometimes is) the second season of lost just to keep myself up to speed. And I am enjoying even the episodes I have already seen and mysteries that I already know the answers too.
My re-watching of season one helped me to already figure out that Locke's father (Kevin Tighe) was Sawyer's (Josh Holloway) nemesis. And honestly, I knew that Locke (Terry O'Quinn) was lying after about 2 minutes of him telling Sawyer that he wanted Ben dead.
However, as I watched I kept telling myself that I didn't want Sawyer to do it. I knew he would, but I just wanted him to learn forgiveness. I would have settled for something else (like an earthquake or Jack) to get in the way of the murder, but it didn't happen either.
It's all about the murder. I was bothered when Michael killed Ana-Lucia (Michelle Rodriguez) last year and I don't like what Sawyer did in this episode. I understand that these murders play an important part in the development of the show, but I am not fond of them.
You might be thinking that after last week's episode, maybe they are already dead, so it shouldn't really matter. Or you might think that they too could be revived like the Russian (Andrew Divoff) was. However, there were too many references to them already being dead in these past two episodes for me to really believe it. You have to remember that this is the Hanso Foundation. They have power to cover anything up. Oceanic Flight 815 didn't really need to crash in the Pacific and they didn't really need to find the survivors, for others to be convinced otherwise.
The events of these past two episodes aren't about whether they are dead or not.
We have to remember that Ben (Michael Linus) is the mastermind here. Ben could have ordered Locke's father to the island. Locke's father's death could have been faked (remember the smiling man with the IV after the car crash, what was in that bottle?), he could have been brain washed into thinking that the Oceanic 815 passengers died, then he woke up in the box.
Also, this mystery woman (Marsha Thomason) from the helicopter could easily be an "other" that we haven't met yet. I am sure that the others have the back-story of Desmond (Henry Ian Cusick) as they do for everyone else on the island. So they can talk about Penelope (Sonya Walger), and even have a copy of a picture with Desmond and Penelope.
All of this happened so that Locke could give Sawyer the tape recorder. Don't you think it was awfully convenient that Ben was listening to the tape just when Locke arrived at his tent? And I find it hard to believe that Ben would let the recorder get stolen that easily. This is just another masterly planned con by Ben.
Okay, I am getting too much into theories here. But it is to make a point. I think that the story line has gotten a little too obvious. The mystery is slipping a bit. Maybe I am just upset about the murder, but it just seems to me things are a little too obvious. It could also be that I am just being conned into thinking it is that simple when it is not really the case.
Either way, just like last year, it is near the end of the season and I am losing my interest in the show again. This is partly because of the murders, and partly because of the storyline.
Labels: Drama, Lost, Television, TV
Heroes Renews It's Energy
In gearing up for last night's return of Heroes, I re-watched every season 1 episode on-line. Yeah, I have to admit I am a little obsessed. Since I did the same thing during the last Heroes drought, I have watched the pre-December episodes at least three times.
While watching these episodes again, I couldn't help but think that they had tied up too many loose ends. We found out who Claire's (Hayden Panetierre) real parents are. We had my suspicions that Mr. Bennet (Jack Coleman) was a good guy, and only the "face" of evil not evil itself, confirmed. We met Mr. Linderman (Michael McDowell), however, who he really is hasn't been revealed. And many more important parts of the story have been discovered.
I was honestly thinking that if they kept up the pace, then the show would be all over by the end to of this season. However, with this one episode, while having several questions answered, we had many new questions to keep our interest. Some of these interesting new questions are:
- Will Nathan (Adrian Pasdar) encourage his brother to explode?
- What is Mrs. Petrelli's (Cristine Rose) power?
- Does Claire need to stay in New York or go to Paris to save the World?
- Can Mr. Bennet stop the Company?
- Does he meet up again with Claire when in New York?
- Or do they end up going to Las Vegas instead?
- What happened 15 or so years ago to cause a former group of Heroes to separate?
- Was Mrs. Petrelli one of the group?
- Does Mrs. Petrelli work for Linderman?
- Who was in that group?
These are just some of the question that I have come up with, and I am excited to see them develop. I am also very interested to see what happens 5 years in the future that is so important to today, so next week is going to be another great episode.
It's great that I have Heroes to hold onto, because as of late, I have been losing a lot of interest in television. Sure, I am still watching Lost, but many of the other staples in my TV diet aren't as appetizing as they used to be.
I really don't want to get into the speculations about the show, I just want to point out how good this show is and has become. This show is so good; I even started to believe the tricks of this episode.
It should have been obvious to me that Peter just needed the glass pulled from his head. But for some reason, I was so caught up in mourning his loss (or trying to figure out how Linderman was going to save him), that I didn't really think too much about pulling the glass out of his head.
I was moved when Claire saved him and cited the all to cliche line "I guess we're even then." I just solidified their relationship in my head. Before it was just a young girl fantasy about an older brother figure. Now, it is a great uncle-niece relationship that I know will prove important through out the show, even perhaps during the next few episodes.
Labels: Drama, Heroes, Television, TV
Jericho Gets Nuked
As Jericho is one of my personal favorite new shows this year, I am upset to report that I won't be watching any more. I have said in the past there is one thing that will make me stop watching a show. I have been accused of being a prude and of not understanding real life because of it too.
Last weeks episode had an allusion to the fact that Bonnie (Shoshannah Stern) had spent the night with her boyfriend at her house while Stanley (Bradley Beyer) was in New Bern. I started to question if I should even bother watching the show then. However, I couldn't determine if Bonnie was a teenager or not. While I had alway thought she wast, I didn't want to give up on the show just then.
According to Stern's IMBD bio, she is 26 years old. However, it isn't uncommon for television to have actors portray people younger (or older) than they really are. So, I decided to reserve judgment. Honestly, I was hoping that they would just drop the issue and let me watch in peace.
However, they continued the story this week, and during a conversation between Stanley and Mimi (Alicia Coppola), Bonnie's age is hinted to. She is referred to as a teenager, and it was specified that she was having sex with her boyfriend.
I struggled at that point. I love this show. While my interest in Jericho is starting to wane, I don't want to stop watching yet. I even contemplated not writing about it today and just letting the incident slide hoping that no one would notice my hypocrisy.
However, I can't do that. If I give in on one show, then I lose and those who are determined to normalize teen sex win. So, I am done with Jericho.
Before some of you start arguing that I don't know anything about teenagers, I want to point out, that yes I know teens are having sex. I also understand that sex is very much on most teenagers' minds. However, it isn't something that they should take casually, and too many television shows are treating this as a casual act.
I am also hopeful that there is still a large number of teens who are choosing to abstain. I am still waiting for a show that emphasizes that choice, and not as some fanatically religious reason for their choice. I am fine with religion being a part of the choice. I am just afraid that the media will make it some religious fanatical reason for the decision.
I predict that Jericho will lose a lot of viewers over the rest of this season, and I further predict that fewer will return for the next season. I am sure I am not the only person who feels this way. We need to have more viewers be more discerning about the shows they choose to watch. As for me, I am done with one of my favorite shows this year.
Labels: Drama, Jericho, Television, TV
Imaginary Raines Entertains
When I first read about
Raines, I was wondering how many more talking to the dead shows we need. Then I realized that Detective Michael Raines (
Jeff Goldblum) doesn't really talk to the dead. He just imagines them.
So, then I start wondering if we really need another Monk. However, after watching the past three episodes, I realize that this isn't Monk, and frankly, I think it is a lot better.
Prior to any of the first episode, Raines' partner, Detective Charlie Lincoln (
Milka Yoba) was killed and Raines is taking it pretty hard. So hard, that he sees the victims that he is investigating as he works on their cases. He even talks to his old partner in his imagination.
He is not however seeing their ghosts. He only imagines them, and the victim's character is slow developed as Raines learns more about them. Last week's episode started with the victim all covered in seaweed and half eaten by fish, until Raines sees a photo. Then the victim becomes normal.
Last night's episode we see the victim's clothes changes as Raines learned more about her. She went from looking like a homeless woman, to a suburban mother like individual.
These imaginary individuals, however, don't tell Raines more than he already knows. Sure sometimes they help him talk through problems to understand possible solutions. However, they don't tell him anything more than he already knows.
It really creates a very interesting story line, and helps you to understand better how Raines puts the cases together. It really is an excellent literary tool.
It is a really interesting premise and is very enjoyable. The monologue at the beginning is a little too
Dragnet, but it does work for this show, especially when you take into account that Raines talks to himself (or his imagination) throughout the show.
I will keep watching and enjoying Raines. It is perhaps the best new premier among this mid-seasons releases.
Labels: Drama, Raines, Television, TV
Ugly Betty Gets Uglier
If I had posted these comments about
Ugly Betty last November when last nights rerun originally aired, I would have been a lot more complimentary about the show. That's right I have been watching Ugly Betty.
At first I was watching the show to prove myself right that this show didn't deserve to be on the air. I was
convinced that it would be a complete and total mockery of everything good. And I was pleasantly surprised.
During the first half of this season this show actually proved to be a great show about how traditional family values will always prevail no matter what part of the world you lived in. Betty (
America Ferrera) managed to always save her boss, her company, or her own family by relying on the values and morals her parent taught her while growing us. These values were either never taught or were easily forgotten by her coworkers in the fashion industry.
I was also further caught up in the mystery surrounding the death of Bradford Meade's (
Alan Dale) mistress. Who killed her? Who was this mystery woman that was going to take over Mode Magazine by revealing Bradford's involvement? It was captivating.
It was really looking up to being a great show. However, after the winter break in new shows, Betty got Uglier. Betty Suarez didn't get uglier, just the show.
We find out that the mystery woman was supposedly Bradford Meade's deceased son, Alex(is) Meade (
Rebecca Romijn). He faked his own death in order to go into hiding so that he could have a sex change.
What little I know about sex changes, I know that there is no way you can take the offspring of Bradford Meade and Claire Meade (
Judith Light), have a boy, and then convert it into something as beautiful as Romijn. It's just not possible with today's technology.
This is where I realized the real agenda of this show. It is an advocacy program for the sexually confused. Two of the supporting characters are gay. Two of the supporting characters are sex addicts. And one of them is transgendered. That's five of a regular cast of eleven have some sort of sexual issues. Seems like a high percentage to me.
This is all couched in the message of fighting for the underdog. We cheer for the success of Betty in her poncho while saving a fashion magazine. We hope for her father Ignacio (
Tony Plana) and his plight for legal status in the United States. We have heart for the differences in personality of Betty's nephew Justin (
Mark Indelicato). We pine for Christina's (
Ashely Jensen) success as a fashion designer.
However, you really lose my interest when I have to accept the transformation of a man into a woman. This is agendized television and I just am not going to accept it.
It is a blatant attempt at trying to change the hearts and minds of American's to greater acceptance or at least tolerance towards the sexually confused, I was willing to bear it for a while, but I think I have had enough.
Labels: Drama, Television, TV, Ugly Betty
The Man from Tallahasee is the Confidence Man
As a general rule, I like to avoid posts that are directly related to theories about a show. However, I found this one a little interesting and I thought that I would share it with you all.
During the last episode of lost we learned how
John Locke (
Terry O'Quinn) lost the use of his legs and was in a wheelchair. For some this was a huge mystery revealed. For me, it was boring.
I like Locke; He is in my top three of favorite characters in
Lost. And I was looking forward to this episode mostly because it was focused on him. However, I wasn't genuinely peak interested in learning about how he lost the use of his legs.
That is until I rewatched
Episode 8 of Season 1. My wife missed most of season 1 and I know that there are a few that I have missed too. So, we decided to rent the season and watch it to keep us up on things.
Last night we watched the Episode where Sawyers is confronted by Kate about the Letter that he handles so gingerly and reads with heart. At first, Sawyer claims that it is a letter he received. After being tortured by Sayid and prostituting a kiss from Kate, Sawyer confessed to Kate that it is a letter he wrote to a Confidence Man who stole money from his father, which lead to the murder-suicide of his parents.
I just realized that the Man from Tallahassee is the Confidence Man. It fits perfectly. It is almost too obvious. If it hadn't been for the two plus year delay in the connection, I would think that it is too obvious to be the case. However, I can't wait now to see the episode where Sawyer meets up with
Anthony Cooper (
Kevin Tighe). I further think that it will start tying up some interesting loose ends.
Am I out in left field on this one? Has this been obvious for a long time and I am just catching up with the rest of you? Should I just not even bother worrying about the mysteries because I am so naive? What are your thoughts about some of the mysteries of Lost?
Labels: Drama, Lost, Television, TV
Jack Bauer is MacGyver on Adrenaline
I missed out on the first season of Fox's 24. I wasn't even aware that the show was being aired. My sister-in-law mentioned it to me, and I thought the concept was interesting. However, I didn't bother watching it until the second season.
Actually, that is somewhat of an over statement. I watch about the first half hour of the first episode of the second season. I thought it was boring drivel, turned off the TV, and never bothered watching again.
That is until this season. A co-worker said it is the only show that he watches. Considering this gentleman is rather finicky about his television viewing I thought that maybe I had misjudged the show. This is especially true when you consider that the second season is considered by most to be its worst iteration.
So, I have given Jack Bauer (Keifer Southerland) another try. And honestly, it is still the same old drivel.
Jack Bauer is just the MacGyver of the new millennium. He is MacGyver with enough adrenaline to just make it stupid.
You can expect the same thing every episode. Jack Bauer saves the day, just barely. Yesterday's episode was no different. Even though he is injured enough to be in an infirmary, Bauer manages to kill three men (single handedly, with two guy as unnecessary back up), then fly an UAV out of the air space of millions of people.
Yeah!!!! He did it again. And guess what next episode, he will be our hero. Why can't someone else save the day? Morris O'Brian (Carlo Rota) could have put a bug in a code to save the day. Tom Lennox (Peter MacNicol) could have prevented the assassination of the President. But the writers can only write a script in which Jack Bauer saves the day.
Boring... It is so predictable, that I am not even feeling like I am giving away any spoilers. Just watch, next week. If Jack Bauer is there, then the world will be saved, but if he is too far away trust me doom will happen.
If this were the real world, we would put Jack Bauer as the President's personal body guard, and then he would be immortal, because after all Jack Bauer is.
It is quite humorous. It's like watching a MacGyver episode all over again. When you put it all together Jack Bauer is just like MacGyver accept for one thing. Bauer does use a fire arm, and many more weapons of torture. Something that MacGyver would die before he would ever use.
Bauer can create anything (especially if it saves his life) out of anything. He can use a belt to stop a bullet from speeding to his head. He can fly a UAV. And MacGyver was famous for all the inventions he made out of everyday ordinary things.
Also, both MacGyver and Bauer are fighting terrorists. Sure MacGyver was more against the Russians, but hey they were our biggest enemy in his day. If MacGyver were still saving the world today, I am sure it would be from the Afghanis.
I should really be making the comparison, because at least MacGyver was entertaining. But I was kid then, so it might not be as entertaining for me now.
Labels: 24, Drama, Television, TV
Don't Delay My Drama
Why all the delays?!
Heroes,
Lost and
Jericho are perhaps my three favorite shows on TV. Most Americans would probably agree with me on that list too. And yet we find ourselves having to wait for at least several weeks before they air the next episode.
Jericho's delay is probably directly related to March Madness and I can forgive the CBS decision makers for that. However, I don't understand the NBC or ABC decision makers.
For the time being ABC is keeping Lost on the air until this season is over. That's great. But I don't understand the huge delay in the middle of the season. They finally bring the show back just in time for February's sweeps.
We got pretty much the same treatment from CBS and NBC too. We had to go on hiatus from these serialized shows for at least two months after the November sweeps.
Are the viewers only worth their votes on the ratings months? Sure we have value then. But when we are treated as though that is our only value to the producer, we aren't happy.
It's acceptable to have a break in a sitcom or a regular drama, but when the show is serialized, people hang on from week to week. I have even found that it is better to just wait and either rent the video, or watch the replay on the Internet.
I have to give NBC a little credit in that they did at least allow Peter to "save the cheerleader" before they took a break. We at least got some closure. Lost, however, didn't give us the same courtesy. If I recall correctly the best that they gave us was revealing that Jack, Kate and Sawyer were on a different island. However, Jack was also told by Juliet to kill Ben. We were left hanging even more.
Well-done serial stories are great, they keep us wanting to return. This is especially true when the story lines are as captivating as Jericho, Lost and Heroes. But the producers and broadcasters need more respect for their audience.
This is a call out the decision makers at the television networks. Have more respect for your viewers. If you string us along too much, we will get fed up and leave.
Labels: Drama, Heroes, Jericho, Lost, Television, TV
Law and Order is Fair and Balanced
I am a
Law and Order fan. I got a late start in the Law and Order series, I got started with the program sometime before the
Criminal Intent series was broadcast, but after the
Special Victims Unit started broadcasting.
I like the original better than either of the others. But I really like Detective Robert Goren (
Vincent D'Onofrio) in Criminal Intent. Sure he's a little
Monk (obsessive compulsive) in his nature, but he isn't overwhelming like Monk is. His psychosis is probably something different, but I like it. It adds to his character.
I am generally bothered by Special Victims Unit. I watch it on occasion, but always with caution. I don't disapprove of the general message it sends. The cops catch the bad guys, and the bad guys generally go to jail. That's the way I want my entertainment to be. It is just that sometimes while watching SVU, I get too uncomfortable in the topic, and I just can't watch any more.
Today's episode of Criminal Intent had me nervous. And it seemed to go down hill as the show progressed.
Television often portrays religious people as nuts. And Law and Order has had it fair share of such nut case religious people. These portrayal don't do religion justice. It is an unfair representation of some of the best organizations in America. This episode of Criminal Intenat was in part a contributer to this problem.
In this episode, it is discovered that a televangelist is into homosexual prostitution. And because of that, he is assumed for murder. I will be the first to admit that religious people aren't free from sin. Even those who are actively involved in preaching religion fall short of everything they preach. However, this portrayal and other like it send a continued message that religion is the problem. The media continues to say that religious people are hypocrites.
However, I have to give this episode a fair and balanced label because they made the ultimate statement that the scientist (symbolic of the non-religious) wasn't perfect either. The scientist had a secret of his own (his secret was perhaps more innocent), but he was willing to kill in order to hide his secret.
Also, this episode portrayed religion in a positive sense. Det. Goren wasn't sold on the positive nature, but the show made it clear that religion does have value in our society.
In a surprise twist, we met Det. Goren's brother in this episode. He is a recovering drug addict, who says that he recovered because of his faith. he was very grateful for what religion had done for him. He was still struggling in life, but he was making a change for the better.
They make this point even more firmly with a poignant statement about the help that religion provided Goren's brother in only a way that a
Dick Wolf creation can. Goren lack of hope for his brother is proven false. And we see that religion can help the down trodden.
There are other examples of Law and Order allusions to the good of religion. The one that comes to mind is the Catholic Sister who runs a shelter for rape victims in Special Victims Unit. And I think that this is perhaps the most balanced show available. However, it still has a taste of negativity toward religion.
Labels: Drama, Law and Order, Law and Order: Criminal Intent, Law and Order: Special Victims Unit, Television
Heroes Twists Are Disheartening
This was perhaps one of the more upsetting Heroes. Don't get me wrong. It was very well done, and I loved the show. But I am not sure I like the direction some of the story lines are taking.
First, Claire "outing" her father and calling him to the table was great. She needs to stand up to him. I am still not convinced that Mr. Bennett is a bad guy. However, I am not convinced he is a good guy either. His "tracking" the genetically different is definitely not right. However, I think that Mr. Bennett is doing the wrong thing for the right reasons. We will see how it develops over time.
I am probably the most bothered by the development in Matt Parkman's story. Matt is in my top three favorite characters (not because of his ability as much as because of who he is). Last week, Matt steals a bag of diamonds. This really bothered me. I hope that he turns them in eventually. This episode almost had Matt turn them in, but the story gets worse.
What bothers me the most is that Matt is hooking up with people who have a less than reputable nature. I am not saying that they are the bad guys, because after all, they are fighting Mr. Bennett. However, breaking into someone's house isn't my idea about doing the right thing.
I still hold hope that this will turn out for good. However, it makes me nervous. Perhaps, this will lead to Claire's breaking away from her dad.
Another disturbing development is that Simone Devaraux died. I wasn't a big fan of Simone, but I hate to think that she died out of jealousy and misunderstanding between Peter Petrelli and Isaac Mendez. Does this create a rift between Isaac and Peter? Or does it bring them together? My hope is that it brings them together.
One nice aspect about this part of the show is the Peter has finally learned to control his powers. I don't think that he has prevented his exploding yet. However, he has become the most powerful Hero so far, and as a fan of Peter, I like that.
The last disheartening aspect of this episode was that Ando and Hiro separated. I am sure they will bring the two back together. I am sure that this is just to add some more drama, but I really don't like seeing them separate. Ando will now need to work hard to prove himself to Hiro. Maybe now would be a good time for Ando to discover his powers (or maybe he already has, who stopped the bullet?).
Finally, Mohinder needs to wake up. He is so desperate to please his father that he hooked up with the evilest character of them all. About the only thing that could make this story line work is if Sylar killed Mohinder... Oh, did I say that. I meant to say that this leads to the death of Sylar.
This is still a great show. The twists are what makes it great. It's the twists that keep me watching. I just like some twists more than others.
Labels: Drama, Heroes, Television, TV
George Takei Is Not a Hero
I think that use of
George Takei in
Heroes is an excellent move, and I love the role that he played. I just have to say that I am glad he is not "special." Honestly, I am glad that no new characters have been introduced into the show this week.
I have been really bothered by all the hype-like advertisement for Heroes lately. It seems like they are trying to have a tag line for every episode. And it is just too much.
"Save the cheerleader, save the world" worked for me. I thought it was unique, short, and matched the show. The winter promo, however, just didn't stick with me. What did they mean by "Are you on the list?" I would have rather they went with "How do you stop and exploding man?"
But this past week's over emphasis of "Who's her daddy?" was just unoriginal, uninteresting, and really a turn off. There wasn't the play up to finding out who dad was, and I just wasn't as invested in it. Not to say that I would have rather they drag it out. Just to hype it up without some foundation.
Along with the over use of tag lines, I didn't like the "who's her daddy?" tag line because I am tired of them adding new characters with new powers. Sure I expect there to be more gifted individual, but right now it seems too many too soon. Let me work with the Heroes that I know now. Let me understand them more. Let me develop a deeper relationship with them first.
So, when in this episode we learned that Hiro's Father was not associated with Linderman (at least for now we are lead to believe that), and more importantly, that he has no special powers (at least for now we are lead to believe that), I was happy. I hope to see future episodes with Takei, and I think it adds a great piece to the puzzle.
I was also pleasantly surprised to see that Claire's father is no one new. He is a character we already know and love (or hate, I haven't decided yet). It will be interesting now to see how these interrelationships work.
I would like to see the Heroes come together. We have seen the Heroes work together, but they are not a team yet. I want this to happen by the end of the seasons. Sure, leave a few stragglers behind (i.e.,
Niki, DL, and
Micah), but let's start getting a team together (i.e.,
Hiro,
Peter, and
Isaac).
Also, I am waiting to find out what super power
Simone, Ando, and Zach have. You have been thinking it. I know that you have, and I have finally said it. I just can't wait until they find out their powers. I am also thinking that Mr. and Mrs. Bennett have powers too. Mr. Bennett is obviously keeping it a secret from Mrs. Bennett (the brain zapped).
Okay, we may already know Mr. Bennett's power. He appears to be able to block the powers of the others. But, I am still stumped why he wasn't able to stop Sylar in this last episode.
So, these are some of my thoughts on the show, and I have been very impressed. Personally, I like what is going on. I think that it is well developed. It is providing new mysteries, while answering some old ones. I can't wait for each new episode.
Just an apology for posting this so late, my VCR didn't record the show, and I couldn't get it on the Internet until now. Also, it looks like NBC's Video Rewind has made some changes for the better.Labels: Drama, Heroes, Television, TV
The Unit Pushes Macro Values, Respects Micro
As I contemplate the many things that come to play in our lives, I am often struck by the difference between macro-level ideas and micro-level ideas. The macro plays into things involving the world and things larger than us. Macro things are often beyond most of our controls.
It is the micro-level that comes to play in most of our lives. The micro deals with how we interact with our neighbor, co-worker, and friends. When it comes to values, I am often focused on the micro-world, not the macro. This is because I believe that the micro will ultimately lead to a better macro.
I have been watching
The Unit this season with some reservations about its message on values. It wasn't until last night's episode that I finally realized the macro verses micro aspects of values that this show portrays.
On the macro level, ask yourself this question, "What would you do to protect your country?" Would you kill another man in cold blood? Would you cheat on your spouse? Would you lie? The answers may be different for each individual reading this on each of these questions and the many others that
The Unit asks. However, on the micro-level the answers are probably more likely the same.
In this episode, we see how the micro-level values come to play in Jonas' life. He is at a family party for his father who earned the Silver Star Medal, and while there he finds out that his nephew is abusing his wife. He learns that his nephew thinks that it is okay because he has been in combat and his wife just doesn't understand.
However, Jonas Blane (
Dennis Haybert) explains to him through his father's story as a black soldier in a biased world. Father Blane kept his cool when defending his son when a couple of white men wanted to kill the both of them. He taught his nephew a valuable micro-level lesson. No matter how bad you may have had it in life; you treat others, especially those you love, with respect.
Now do I agree with Jonas' having sent his niece-in-law back home with a man who abuses her. No, I don't. However, he did giver he specific instructions to leave him if he disrespects her, and to call the police if he beats her again. That was right and good.
This isn't also to say that macro-level values aren't important to me. Nor do I agree with many of the macro-value decisions that are made in this show. I think that we should act globally the same way that we act locally. I am just more willing to forgive to a certain extent on the macro-level infractions.
I will continue to watch
The Unit. However, I am afraid that it might push me over the edge as it keeps pushing macro-level values.
Labels: Drama, Television, The Unit, TV
How Do You Stop an Exploding Man?
Last night was the last episode of
Heroes this year; we won't see another new episode until January 1. I think I may go through some withdrawals. But at least they are providing
replays of all 11 episodes on the NBC website.
In this episode we learn (or at least it is posed) that Peter Petrelli is the cause of the nuclear explosion that Hiro saw while searching out Isaac Mendez, in the future. And the ultimate new question is "how do you stop an exploding man?"
My suspicion is that when Peter is exposed to too many "heroes" in a short time period that he is over worked. In this and last week's episode, it appeared that Peter met with Sylar, Claire, Matt, and Nathan all within about a 24-hour period. These exposures lead to exhaustion. Then, as we saw in the final scene, ultimately what could happen is that he explodes.
So, what does this mean? Does this lead to further extending the "meeting" of our "heroes?" I hope not. The episodes that I have really enjoyed are the one where our heroes meet and understand that they are part of a group.
Does this mean the Peter will not be their leader? Well, it is apparent that the leader is going to be either Peter or Hiro. I am leaning more towards Peter, but I won't be bothered by Hiro's leadership either.
What does saving the cheerleader (which I am not convinced they did; Jackie did die) have to do with preventing this explosion? Because it still appears that Peter will explode in the end.
I liked this episode, but it sure seems that the chains of thought involved are starting to get too intense. Perhaps, this is the same stage that Lost was at during their development. However, I am getting a little confused.
Among the things that I really liked about this episode is that Isaac is finally clean. And he learns to paint the future while sober. I wonder if he will always need a canvas to do so though? We learn that Niki might finally overtake Jessica. Will she ever figure out that she too has the same strength as Jessica?
I didn't like that Claire's dad isn't a good guy. However, I honestly never believed that he was. It seems to me that even Eden figured that out. Too bad that she wasn't able to get away from him. However, I wasn't a big fan of Eden to begin with.
Anyway, this was another good episode. More questions then answers in this one, but the questions are needed to keep the show going. They just need to learn something from Lost and be sure to keep us fed with some good answers or resolutions.
Labels: Drama, Heroes, Television, TV
Shark Bit and Left a Scar
I know that I have praised
Shark in the past. I still think that it is a great show. However, the most recent episode really bothered me.
Some might think that my concern stems from the focus on teens and sex. However, the overall sense was that it can lead to problems. And while I didn't like this aspect of the show it wasn't what bothered me.
Others might deduce that I was bothered by the lesbian theme and more specifically the teen lesbian kiss. Yes, these did bother me, and I almost turned the show off. But for the main reason that bothered me, I am glad that I didn't turn off the show.
What really bothered me about this episode are the lies it spreads.
Think back to the scene where Sebastian Stark (
James Woods) is on the beach talking with the murder suspect about confessing what really happened the night her friend died. Why was it that Stark was able to tell her that she was confused about telling the truth as to who killed her friend, but he couldn't tell her that she was confused about her sexual orientation.
Stark out right condoned her homosexual love. She obviously couldn't be confused about such things. There is nothing sexually confusing during the teen years. Is my sarcasm coming through here?
Essentially, television believes that teens are old enough to make decision about their sexuality, but they aren't old enough to know when to protect a friend. They are in essence saying "You are too young to know what is best about your murdering boyfriend, but you are old enough to know that you love women more than men."
That is a lie. As the show portrayed it, it was obvious that this girl was confused. She was dating a boy and a girl at the same time. She didn't know what was right. This is an obvious attempt at normalizing homosexual behavior. It ignored the confusion about gender identity, and worried more about the girl's decision about going to jail.
I haven't added Shark to my will not watch list. However, it has definitely been moved to my only if I don't have something else better to do list.
Perhaps I am keeping it on my will watch list because I liked that Stark finally started talking to his daughter (
Danielle Panabaker) about sex. Well, sort of. He said that he was willing to hear such things because this case opened his eyes to why parents need to be informed about their children's lives, especially when it comes to sex and drugs.
Labels: Drama, Shark, Television, TV
Mid-Season Preview: 3 lbs.
The
weight of the brain is roughly 3 lbs. Thus, CBS's new show about the life and work of brain surgeons is titled
3 lbs. And while this show hasn't officially aired on CBS yet, you can watch the season premier on their
innertube.
Before having watched this show, I honestly wasn't sure the I would enjoy it. In my adult life, I have never been much into doctor shows, and this seemed to be too much of a rip off of Fox's
House, a show that I haven't been able to stomach much.
However, I think that CBS has put together a great program here. The young but experienced doctor, Jonathan Seger (
Mark Feuerstein), joins the most renowned brain surgery group in New York.
At first, Dr. Seger is excited to work with best brain surgeon in America, Dr. Douglas Hanson (
Stanley Tucci). However, he soon finds out the Dr. Hanson isn't the easiest person to work with. But this doesn't stop Dr. Seger. He pushes on and will hopefully find great success in his new job.
In the premiere, Dr. Seger and Dr. Hanson are asked to work on a gifted teenage musician's brain tumor, but after the exploratory surgery, the musician loses her ability to form words. The mother, who had lost a daughter a year earlier, is nervous that she will now lose another child, get caught up in "hospital politics" and almost turns her daughter over to the less experienced radiologist to heal her daughter.
Caught in the middle of this mess, Dr. Hanson finds out the truth about the politicking and talks to the mother. This leads to an ending that leads you to wanting more. Not only are you interested in the doctors. You are interested in their successes and failures, both professional and personal.
This show is a little too House and a little too CSI. However, for now it has me hooked. While this show did push some value buttons, for now only time will tell if it goes too far.
Labels: 3 lbs., Drama, Previews, Television, TV
Heroes Holds Promise, But Still Bothers
After last week's episode of
Heroes, I was sold on the show. It was back on the top of my list as the best show of the new season. The heroes were starting to get together, the story line was moving in a progressive direction, and good things were starting to happen.
I mentioned this to my wife, who doesn't watch much television, but has seen a few episodes of
Heroes. She commented that this weeks episode would be a downer. All shows are like that. They stick in one good one for one let down.
I am disappointed in this episode by the last 30 seconds.
Mohinder in his narrative states that in evolution there is no morality, only survival of the fittest.
However, he doesn't take into account two things. The first and most important is that we are human beings. The one thing that separates man from animal is that we are moral beings. Accept for a very rare anomaly, every human being has a conscience that teaches them what is right and wrong. And survival of the fittest doesn't always fit the morality we have that murder is wrong.
When D.L. "kills"
Niki (I put it in quote marks, because I don't think she is really dead), he was doing it to protect him and his son. He realized that she is the nemesis. D.L. is innocent of the murders (not the theft), and I honestly suspect that he will become one of the good guys.
The second thing that Mohinder doesn't account for is that these genetic changes are the result of man. As we saw with
Claire's assailant and her father's intervention, there is some kind of human intervention that is causing these changes. This is not evolution in the true sense of the word.
I will keep watching Heroes. I find it entertaining, but I like it better when the good guys are progressing and the bad guys seem to be failing. Let's just drop the whole evolution theme and I could be happy.
Just as an aside, I think that Peter Petrelli's special ability is to absorb, adopt, borrow the powers of those around him. As proof, he could only fly when he was near Nathan. He can see the future when he is near Isaac. Hiro visited Peter because he was the only person who could simultaneously stop time with him. What are you thoughts?Labels: Drama, Heroes, Television, TV
Friday Night Lights Are Out
I gave
Friday Night Lights a chance. I wanted it to be a success, and honestly for the most part it is a lot better than I had expected.
Kyle Chandler does a far better job playing the role of a coach than I thought he would. He is truly a diverse actor. The trial of balancing coaching and family comes through well, and for that I like this show.
The sense of community in this program is excellent. From the annoying unofficial team sponsor and back seat coach in Mr. Garrity to the senile but loving grandmother who loves to see "my boy" playing football in Mrs. Saracen, the characters are diverse and entertaining.
I am particularly fond of Matt Saracen (
Zach Gilford) and his struggle to be the first-string quarterback on the number one high school football team in Texas. This all happened to the kid that was always considered to be a distant second string, but was thrust into first string position due to an accident involving the star. I want Matt to succeed and I believe that the writers will make it so. However, I will never find out.
I want to watch the fight that Jason Street (
Scott Porter) makes has he tries to overcome his paralysis. Jason was the star quarterback that was hit during the first game of the season, and severed his spinal cord so that he will probably never walk again.
I am interested to see the romance between Matt and Julie Taylor (
Aimee Teegarden), the coach's daughter, develop. Julie hates football players because they are stupid jocks who are interested only in popularity, in her mind. However, I will never know if they get to know each other better.
I will not watch my favorite characters develop because I have turned the show off. As I mentioned when I
previewed the show, I would turn this off if teen sex was portrayed.
While specific portrayals of teenage sex weren't shown, there have been at least two allusions to teen sex. In the first episode, Tim Riggins (
Taylor Kitsch) was woken up with a hangover by his then girlfriend, Tyra Collette (
Adrianne Palicki), who appeared to have slept overnight at his house. In this most recent episode this same Tim Riggins found himself making out with Lila Garrity (
Minka Kelly) in her bedroom. The scene ended with them reclining on something, and I can only assume it was her bed.
Teen sex has always been a kicker for me. I was too patient with the program. But I am done with it now. Too bad, because it is actually really quite well written and well produced.
Labels: Drama, Friday Night Lights, Television, TV
The Nine Pushes Values, But Keeps My Interest
I intentionally left
The Nine off of my fall preview list. I just wasn't sure how this show would play out. While the concept interested me, and the characters intrigued me, I just wasn't sure if it was going to be a good show.
I have been watching
The Nine on ABC's online
video broadcaster, and I have to admit that it has intrigued me. Mostly, I have been intrigued by the father-daughter relationship in this show.
If you haven't watched
The Nine before, it is about nine people who had the unfortunate coincidence of sharing the experience of a bank robbery gone wrong that turns into 52-hour hostage situation. During this standoff two people die, one is the bank guard and the other is a bank teller.
The plot for this show is to see how the relationships of these nine people develop after they are freed. Not all of the relationships are headed in a positive direction after the incident, but they are all closer than before.
As I mentioned, one of the most intriguing relationships is that of the father and daughter. The daughter, Felicia Jones (
Dana Davis), comes into the bank to ask her dad, Malcom Jones (
Chi McBride), if she can borrow the car. While there she uses the bathroom and exits only to find out that the bank is being held hostage.
Well, Felicia is traumatized by the incident. She can't remember what happened, and she even begins to believe that the standoff was her fault. I won't tell anymore in case you haven't caught any of this show. However, I can say that it is very heart warming and wonderful.
Another interesting character is Egan Foote (with and e, at the end of the Foote and not the beginning of Egan). Foote (
John Billingsley) came to the bank to get a loan for a boat, but his wife wouldn't approve. However, before he leaves he goes to the restroom where he contemplates suicide, but it prevented because he is startled by someone who comes in. He drops the gun in the toilet. However, he is still caught in the standoff.
Foote ends up becoming the hero of the story. Perhaps his true motive is an attempt to commit suicide by the criminal. That hasn't been revealed yet.
The interesting development is that Footes' life changes completely. He uses his new found fame to renew his life and take on the things he has always wanted to do. I am still waiting to find out if he buys the boat.
This show pushes the moral boundaries in that Dr. Jeremy Kates (
Scott Wolf) tries to kill one of the criminals who was injured and is now housed in his hospital. While eventually he reveals to Nick Cavanaugh (
Tim Daly), who is a police officer, that he tried to kill the criminal, they both conspire to hide it if possible.
This really bothers me. I know that I can't understand what it must have been like, but I sure would hope that I would have a stronger backbone than to kill someone, and then to hide it afterwards.
One saving theme is that in the most recent episode, there was a very pro-life message. Lizzie Miller (
Jessica Collins) is pregnant with Cavanaugh's child, and she contemplates abortion. However, after a false alarm that she might lose the baby, she realizes that the child is life, and that she can't get rid of the baby.
I will keep watching. Probably online and on my schedule, but I will keep watching. I hope that the moral high road is continued to be followed.
Labels: Drama, Television, The Nine, TV
Jin and Sun Keep Me Interested in Lost
The only reason that I even turned
Lost on three years ago was the hopes of hearing a little Korean. Having lived in Korea and studied Korean for two years, I always love anything Korean. The only reason you will ever see me watching a M*A*S*H rerun is because I hope to hear some Korean.
That said I have to say that I have really come to love both of the Koreans on Lost. Jin-soo Kwon (
Daniel Dae Kim) and Sun Kwon (
Yunjin Kim) have really become my favorite characters on the show.
Some might think that my love for them has to do with their Korean roots. And honestly, that does help a lot. However, that is not my main reason for enjoying these two characters.
My main reason for loving them is that they are still married.
They have been through a lot. They have defied an overprotective father (perhaps that is too gentle a description). They survived infidelity (that might be because Jin doesn't know about it yet). They put up with some very tough lows, and they are still married.
Most of the time television portrays marriage as impossible. Excluding comedies, try and think of one main character who is married and it appears that marriage will be a success. Accept for Jin and Sun, I can't think of one. Well, there is Johnston and Gail Green from
Jericho, but that show is in its first season, so give it some time.
This episode truly revealed that Jin and Sun are in it for the long haul. They have been through worse than this island can throw at them, and they will survive.
It seems that just about when I am ready to give up on Lost, they bring Jin and Sun together and I am renewed in my hope for the show. Perhaps if the island can heal physical problems, maybe it can heal emotional problems too.
Labels: Drama, Lost, Television, TV
Lost Premier Leaves With Wanting
I understand that perhaps the biggest question at the end of season 2 of
Lost was what is going to happen to Jack (
Matthew Fox), Kate (
Evangeline Lilly), and Sawyer (
Josh Holloway). Are they going to be killed? Will they be held captive? What will the others do with them?
Well, the season premier answered that. However, the show just wasn't all that interesting.
So we learned that Jack is going to try and trick his way out of a cell. We knew that.
We learned that Sawyer can push buttons to get a fish biscuit. Big deal.
We learned that Kate looks pretty after a show and in an immodest dress. Duh.
Sorry, but this episode just wasn't as great as last season. If this is the precursor of things to come, I just might pass.
Okay, maybe I am not used to the heroes of the show being helpless. Maybe I should give more credit to the development. However, for the season premier I would have liked to see what is going on with the Hurley and the rest of the survivors. At least from the previews for next week I gather that more entertainment is going to happen next week.
Why didn't ABC leave is in a loop for another week and open with what I believe episode two is going to be? Maybe there is something in this episode that needed to be revealed. However, I can't believe it was that important.
I do have to say, that it was interesting that we learned that the others seem to have a very civilized culture in a small modern day community. How did that come about? And it was revealed that they are likely "left overs" from the Dharma Project. And that was worth learning. But there was nothing more to this episode.
Labels: Drama, Lost, Television, TV
