Kids today, eh? They might have the good sense to use protection in the bedroom but they still don't look both ways while crossing the street.
The Fades: Episode 3 (God and Man Don't Believe in Modern Love)
Kids today, eh? They might have the good sense to use protection in the bedroom but they still don't look both ways while crossing the street.
Fringe: Forced Perspective
“Do you believe in fate?”Forced perspective manipulates a viewer’s perception to create a visual illusion. Fringe, however, likely isn’t referring to a tourist’s snapshot of her boyfriend holding up the leaning tower of Pisa. Rather, Fringe is referring to three specific ways of grappling with both the freak-of-the-week plot and the larger thematic issues of Season Four:
Farscape: Dream a Little Dream
Zhaan tells Crichton about her misadventures with Rygel and Chiana, following Moya’s escape from the Gammak Base assault.Breaking Bad: Grilled
"We tried to poison you because you're an insane, degenerate piece of filth and you deserve to die."When you know your main characters will live through an experience, it takes really outstanding writing and acting to get the audience to fear for them. Mission accomplished.
Chuck: Chuck versus the Series Finale
[This dual review by Josie and Mark covers the last two episodes of Chuck, “Chuck versus Sarah” and “Chuck versus the Goodbye.” If you don’t want to be spoiled on how it all ends, click no further! If you do want to know the ending--as well as the meaning of life--click on.]Merlin: The Dragon's Call
You know, Doctor Who has a lot to answer for.
Once Upon a Time: Desperate Souls
"Looks like you made a deal you didn't understand. I don't think you're gonna do that again.”I‘d never say we’d see Rumpie’s origin so soon. I expected to see a tale of greed gone too far, not of a loving father. The character that began the story and the one we know and love are so different that they seem to be unconnected, yet every step of the process felt true. That’s truly good writing.
Justified: Cut Ties
"You have the right to remain silent. As long as you can stand the pain."Everyone was so competent. Which makes it sound like a boring episode. This was not a boring episode.
The Fades: Episode 2 (Put on Your Red Shoes and Dance the Blues)
I found it difficult to re-watch this one and even more difficult to review it. This has to be the worst episode of the entire first season.
Breaking Bad: Seven Thirty-Seven
"Seven hundred and thirty seven thousand dollars. That's what I need."Walt and Skyler White are both going through a terribly difficult time in their lives, but there, the resemblance ends. The contrast is extreme. It's like they're on different planets.
Glee: Yes/No
So it seems Bieste has conveniently married Cooter in order to avoid having any actual fun with the plot about her and Sue fighting over a man. It’s also convenient because Emma’s thinking about being a 21st Century Girl and asking Will to marry her. Meanwhile, Becky and Artie date, and Finn thinks about joining the army.Alcatraz: Kit Nelson
We're not officially covering Alcatraz here at Doux Reviews. We've got lots of shows to watch and to write about, and we're not fully convinced that Alcatraz has the staying power of some of our current faves. But we are watching it, and we suspect at least some of you are, too.Fringe: Enemy of My Enemy
“You don’t know me, or what I’m capable of.”Peter has finally succeeded at what he intended to do: bridging the gap between Over Here and Over There. At the end of Season Three, Peter put everything on the line to broker a peace between the two universes—and we all know how that turned out. Now, Peter’s wildcard status has brought both sides together to fight a common foe. As the saying goes, the enemy of my…oh.
Vampire Diaries: The Ties That Bind
“You’re not the only one that changed. We all had to.”After a long, long streak of perfect or near-perfect episodes, VD finally managed to underwhelm me this week. That’s not to say this is a bad episode: it had many great moments and put some interesting pieces into play. But the spotlight is on Bonnie and Tyler this week, and they’re my two least favorite heroes.
Dead as a Doornail by Charlaine Harris
[Although I don't reveal whodunit, this review contains spoilers.]"The next time someone told me I had to watch a supernatural rite, I was going to tell him I had to wash my hair."
Justified: The Gunfighter
"Sorry about your tablecloth."I've been thinking for awhile that it's going to be pretty much impossible for them to top season two. So you know what? I'm not expecting it. I just want to be intrigued and entertained.
Lost Girl: It's a Fae, Fae, Fae, Fae World
Lost Girl is a Canadian fantasy series that aired way back in 2010 and is now airing in the US for the very first time on Syfy.
Sherlock: The Reichenbach Fall
Moriarty: “Every fairytale needs a good old fashioned villain.”After 'The Blind Banker' and 'The Curse of the Black Spot', I was less than optimistic about Steve Thompson's chances of scripting a gripping finale. Yet as soon as I saw Watson struggling to cope with his grief in that psychiatrist's chair, I knew that I was going to love this episode. Not only did Thompson create an intriguing and ultimately compelling season conclusion, he also managed to achieve the impossible -- he made me love Moriarty. Which is some achievement considering the frosty reception I gave him last season.
Alcatraz: Pilot/Ernest Cobb
“That’s not what happened.”The latest offering from J.J. Abram’s production company, Bad Robot, Alcatraz tells the tale of federal agent Emerson Hauser (Sam Neill), SFPD detective Rebecca Madsen (Sarah Jones), and Dr. Diego Soto (Hurley!) as they attempt to piece together what happened nearly 40 years ago, when all the residents and guards at Alcatraz disappeared—and why they’re coming back.
The Fades: Episode 1 (Ashes to Ashes, Funk to Funky)
It took me a while to really get into The Fades.
Fringe: Back to Where You’ve Never Been
“If you want to get rid of me, just help me.”This episode began (dream excluded) with Peter asking Walter for help and hearing the story of Walter’s wife’s death and the tragedy that some Peter’s death caused. That tragedy is the moment in which Walter went crazy: not the death of his son (although obviously that was a factor), but the death of his beloved wife. The episode ended (dream-like Observer encounter excluded) with Peter asking Walternate for help and witnessing the death of Fringe Division’s internal security—smaller problems that only take on enormous import for a version of Walter who has not lost his wife.
Justified: Reckoning
"This is who we are, Dickie. This is who we've always been."What a complicated, emotional, heavy duty episode.
Supernatural: Time After Time
Supernatural does time travel good. How cool that they found a way to do it without angels. (Although I still want Castiel back.)
Farscape: Home on the Remains
In a desperate move to stave off starvation, Chiana leads Moya to the remains of a gigantic space creature, where she hopes a colony of miners she and her brother briefly lived with (then robbed) will provide food and supplies. Meanwhile, starvation causes Zhaan to begin transforming.Doctor Who: The Green Death
The BBC’s alleged left-wing bias has never been more evident than in 'The Green Death'. If you're a conservative, hippie hating capitalist, then chances are you're not going to like this one.
Justified: Debts and Accounts
"You are who you are. Nothing I say has never made any difference. No punishment I can dream of will ever change you."This isn't what I expected from an aftermath episode. We had Mags determined to keep the peace and not kill Raylan. We had Boyd attempting to start a kinder and gentler Crowder criminal organization. We had Art writing Raylan off in a particularly painful way. And, oddly, there was a whole lot of romance. Oh, and a gun battle.
Vampire Diaries: Our Town
“Rest in peace, so that you can move forward.”Our Theme of the Week is birthdays. Or, more specifically, those moments in which we suddenly realize that we are not-so-suddenly different, and come to terms with our new, older selves. Both Elena and Caroline said goodbye to their previous incarnations, and both of them seem ready to live with the new normal.
Justified: Brother's Keeper
"You pick the devil you run with."I guess Mags really wanted to raise Loretta. It's hard to tell with Mags, but I think she saw Loretta as the innocent young girl she never got to be. She prettied her up like a toy, decorated her with a family heirloom, and unintentionally made her a sacrificial lamb, because it made Coover hate Loretta enough to kill her.
Star Trek: For the World is Hollow and I Have Touched the Sky
"Is truth not truth for all?"In the sixties, you could get away with introducing a fatal illness and a marriage and have it all resolved like it never happened by the end of the episode. Today, it would be introduced a lot more slowly and believably and would extend through several episodes as an arc.
Vampire Diaries: The New Deal
“That’s the thing with younger siblings. You just never know what they’re going to do.”Should I start with the slap? Or the kiss? Or maybe the sudden departure? Any way you slice it, this winter premiere lived up to the CW’s slogan of “TV to Talk About.” It’s also TV to gasp at, and TV that makes your jaw drop—VD continues to pack more meaty goodness into 42 minutes than a sausage factory on double-time.
Supernatural honored AND snubbed at the PCA
How is it possible for a television show to win two prestigious awards and actually get snubbed during the same award ceremony? You'd think that wouldn't happen. But it just did to Supernatural.
Sometimes I feel like what has happened to Supernatural for the past few years is Buffy the Vampire Slayer deja vu. Buffy is now acknowledged to be a groundbreaking television classic and one of the best shows of all time, but it was virtually ignored by everyone but its legions of passionate fans during its initial seven year run. Supernatural has also been ignored by awards shows and critics, and even by its own network. (The CW rarely promotes Supernatural and has moved it to the Friday night death slot opposite Fringe, thereby ensuring that we genre fans have to watch one and record the other. And of course, that affects ratings, because DVR ratings aren't counted in the same way, because nobody goes out on Friday night. What is this, the 19th century?)
Twice now, Supernatural has gotten some unexpected major league attention, but only because those accolades came directly from the fans. Last year, TV Guide held a contest -- their first -- intended to discover which TV fan base was the most passionate, with the prize being the cover of their magazine. Supernatural was the surprise winner. It was such a shock that some commenters on talk and news shows hadn't even heard of Supernatural. I remember one commenter mentioning that the two stars were really handsome. Yeah, that's why a show is popular. Because everyone else on television is so homely.
http://www.douxreviews.com/2010/12/newsflash-supernatural-on-cover-of-tv.html
Last night, the Peoples Choice Awards crowned Supernatural Favorite Network TV Drama AND Favorite Sci-Fi Fantasy Show. Favorite TV Drama is a big one, isn't it? And yet, it was not presented during the broadcast, and Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki, according to some well substantiated rumors, were not invited to attend. (They did record a lovely thank you, though.)
[Update: Jensen Ackles was asked by a fan if he and Jared were invited, and he said yes -- but that they were told the awards weren't going to be presented during the broadcast. That's a good reason not to go. And still a snub.]
So Supernatural just got swept under the rug again. Fans are livid, but unsurprised at the continuing slights to their favorite show. Yes, we know it's because it's a fantasy show. I've been a fan of a number of high quality shows that have been serially ignored at the Emmys and by the critics. Science fiction, fantasy and horror films are nearly always ignored at the Oscars, too. (Except for those technical and special effects awards, which always feel to me like "here's a little pat on the back, now go away").
What's it going to take?
I suppose, after the show ends its run this year or the next, Supernatural will eventually start getting the after-the-fact "yes, it's a classic" recognition that Buffy now enjoys. Until then, though, I suppose we should just stop expecting anything more.
Posts about what happened have been going up all day. This one was my favorite so far: "Supernatural Wins At The People's Choice Awards, But Is There Evidence Of A Genre Conspiracy?" by Laura Prudom:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/laura-prudom/supernatural-peoples-choice-awards_b_1201590.html
Also, check out the People's Choice blog. They asked people what they thought of last night's show -- best moments, and so on. The comments are incendiary. Supernatural fans are PISSED.
http://blog.peopleschoice.com/2012/01/12/2012-pcas-best-moments-best-dressed/
Here's a list of all the winners. Big congrats to Nathan Fillion, Nina Dobrev and Lea Michele, by the way. I understand Nina wasn't even nominated but managed to rock the write-in.
TELEVISION (televised)
Favorite Daytime TV Host: Ellen DeGeneres
Favorite TV Comedy Actress: Lea Michele, Glee
Favorite TV Drama Actress: Nina Dobrev, The Vampire Diaries
Favorite TV Comedy Actor: Neil Patrick Harris, How I Met Your Mother
Favorite TV Drama Actor: Nathan Fillion, Castle
Favorite TV Crime Drama: Castle
Favorite Cable TV Drama: Pretty Little Liars
Favorite Celebreality Star: Kim Kardashian
Favorite Late-Night TV Host: Jimmy Fallon
Favorite Cable TV Comedy: Hot in Cleveland
Favorite Sci-Fi/Fantasy Show: Supernatural
Favorite New TV Drama: Person of Interest
Favorite New TV Comedy: 2 Broke Girls
Favorite Network TV Comedy: How I Met Your Mother
TELEVISION (non-televised)
Favorite TV Competition Show: American Idol
Favorite TV Guest Star: Katy Perry, How I Met Your Mother
Favorite Network TV Drama: Supernatural
MOVIES (televised)
Favorite Movie Actress: Emma Stone
Favorite Comedic Movie Actress: Emma Stone
Favorite Comedic Movie Actor: Adam Sandler
Favorite Movie Star Under 25: Chloe Grace Moretz
Favorite Drama Movie: Water for Elephants
Favorite Comedy Movie: Bridesmaids
Favorite Book Adaptation: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2
Favorite Movie Superhero: The Green Lantern
Favorite Movie Icon: Morgan Freeman
MOVIES (non-televised)
Favorite Movie: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2
Favorite Action Movie: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2
Favorite Action Movie Star: Hugh Jackman
Favorite Ensemble Movie Cast: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2
Favorite Animated Movie Voice: Johnny Depp, Rango
MUSIC (televised)
Favorite Pop Artist: Demi Lovato
Favorite Band: Maroon 5
Favorite Album: Lady Gaga’s Born This Way
Favorite R&B Artist: Rihanna
MUSIC (non-televised)
Favorite Male Artist: Bruno Mars
Favorite Female Artist: Katy Perry
Favorite Song of the Year: “E.T.,” Katy Perry featuring Kanye West
Favorite Hip-Hop Artist: Eminem
Favorite Country Artist: Taylor Swift
Favorite Music Video: Katy Perry, “Last Friday Night”
Favorite Tour Headliner: Katy Perry
Sherlock: The Hounds of Baskerville
Henry: “Mr Holmes, they were the footprints of a gigantic hound.”Mark Gatiss and 'The Hound of the Baskervilles' should have made perfect bedfellows. His childhood passion for Holmes, his extensive writing experience, and his love of classic horror, should have produced a script beyond compare. Sadly, he was cursed with the misfortune of following Stephen Moffat. Compared to 'A Scandal in Belgravia', 'The Hounds of Baskerville' was less complex, less exciting, and ultimately less rewarding. Conversely, it was beautifully filmed, contained some great dialogue, and perfectly captured the spirit of the original story. And it most definitely had chills.
Justified: The Spoil
"You see anyone pull a gun, step in front of it."Does Raylan always get into a fight when he's in a bad mood?
Justified: Save My Love
Winona: "Say something."Raylan: "Wow."
Winona: "Say something else."
And we thought the cage money plot was over. Or maybe we just hoped that the cage money plot was over.
Justified: Blaze of Glory
"When someone's threatening the woman you care deeply for, there's no end to the lengths that you will go to keep that woman safe."There is a certain type of man (the best kind) who always shows respect for women, and always protects and provides for the woman he cares for, no matter what. Yes, it works both ways, women protect their men, too. But it all went in pretty much one direction this time.
House of Lies: Gods of Dangerous Financial Instruments (Pilot)
Showtime’s latest half-hour comedy, House of Lies tells the story of the number-two management consulting firm in the United States: a band of plucky heroes who cheat the big guys out of money and have fun doing it. Starring Kristen Bell (Veronica Mars) and Don Cheadle (almost everything else), with Ben Schwartz (Jean-Ralphio of Parks and Rec) in a supporting role, House of Lies has a strong pedigree and lots of potential. It almost lives up to it.Supernatural: Adventures in Babysitting
This one got me thinking. So I guess it did its job.
Justified: Cottonmouth
"You wanna make a living in this business, you gotta know your ABCs. Always be cool."State Trooper Bergen asked Art for Raylan's help in Harlan, and it appears he's needed. But maybe not at the mine, since Boyd just took out the criminal element there.
Year in review: Top Hats of 2011
Adjustment Bureau
4 word review: Good Hats, Bad Movie
4 word review: Good Hats, Bad Movie
Well, as usual I am showing up late, which will teach me to try to arrive at the New Year’s party in the vintage Wonder Woman Invisible Jet that I bought on ebay. Frankly I am still not sure if it’s been delivered.
Everyone has already hit the great shows and movies of 2011, Josie is even in the future sending us next year’s list. I am forced to dig deep, and develop a new category: the Best Hats of 2011 (and it was a great year for hats).
Doctor Who
I find Doctor Who hard to follow, not the individual episodes or even the story arcs, but the emotional investment which one places in the companions and the Doctors only to see each one end. Its every bit as hard on me as it is on the characters (okay I am rarely killed, memory-wiped, forced to give up childhood attachments, but its still hard), and frankly although I have enjoyed the episodes this current Doctor has yet to become my favorite. Still, it is hard to beat the juxtaposition of the least cowboy of Science fiction heroes in a Cowboy Hat (so he's definitely growing on me).
American Horror Story
I actually picked up this hat at the estate sale.
I watched the first episode of this series, and quickly determined that I hated it. Then out of boredom (and feeling much like the characters who never seemed to have sense enough to just leave), I watched the last several episodes of the season. Turns out once they got done with the atrocity of the week episodes and moved toward completing the story in the present, it was a pretty fun series.
I thought about giving the award to the gimp suit mask/hood, but I wasn’t sure it qualified under the International Hat Award rules, section 6: “What’s Not a Hat”.
Walking Dead
I love this show, but have to say Rick’s hat is still only the second best Lawman’s hat of the year. Its broad brim carries all the weight of being civilized in an unbelievably uncivilized world. It is about a man clinging to hope that order and reason can someday again prevail.
Justified
Its not all about the hat, but Raylan’s hat is the single icon which lets you know you’re watching Justified.
It is loaded with symbolic meaning and allusion to the great cowboy marshals of past. It also perfectly captures the character and the world he lives in, he is just too much of a cowboy for a world where lawmen follow the rules. Its about his pride and vanity as well and you never see that more than in the episode "Hatless", where he loses said Hat by being a jerk. The hat just tops probably my single favorite character on T.V. today.
Breaking Bad
Ahhh the Heisenberg hat, it says unpredictable, it says dangerous, it says style. This show is all those things as well, also scary good. Others have said plenty about this show, and I just want to add my appreciation of both the hat and the painfully great drama.
And it also my selection for the Hat of 2011!
(Now maybe my wife will let me wear mine)
I guess it’s probably worth mentioning that these are probably my favorite shows of the year as well.
So that wraps up the year in hats.
Wait, I have have one more hat-related thought, regarding Jeff Bridges' Tron hat:
Wow, that’s one bad hat, dude.
Justified: For Blood or Money
Art: "She's the best marshal I got."Raylan: "You realize I'm sitting right here."
Okay. So you screw up your life and end up in prison and when you're out and in a halfway house, you forget to do your chores and lose your privileges. So in order to give your son a birthday present, you beat up your halfway house manager, shoot your friend and steal his car, break into your mother-in-law's house and tie her up, and create an armed standoff in a kid's pizza restaurant. Overreact much?
Breaking Bad: A No-Rough-Stuff-Type Deal
"Sometimes forbidden fruit tastes the sweetest, doesn't it?"It was Abbott and Costello again with the laugh out loud funny. And then we got to the end, and it went back to deadly serious.
Person of Interest: Witness
I’d like to start by apologizing for such a delay in this reviews and the next three or four. It's almost a retro review. I have no excuse other than my relatively new job demanding more time and energy than I expected. I reaffirm I’ll review this show at least until the Season Finale. After all, this was a great episode.
Justified: The I of the Storm
"What does a man have to do to get a quiet drink in these parts?"I've been wondering what was up with Boyd. And now we know. Boyd is going straight, but wow, he's sure not happy about it.
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