November 2008
Californication has largely shied away from the narrating technique known as the flashback. Not only do we catch-up by overusing it, we get the added benefit of the quintessential Seattle grunge soundtrack adding to the story. This left me largely with a "meh" feeling for the evening, but it does set-up the final two episodes quite nicely.
A high-minded person would probably spend 400 words talking about how The Amazing Race mixed up the real and the fake by hiring an actor from The Hunt for Red October to be in an actual Russian submarine on tonight's episode (November 30). There could be big old 25-cent words thrown around about stuff like that. Essays could be written. Doctorates awarded. I'm not that guy.
This week on Brothers & Sisters, we learn that some things (major demolition work) are best left to people with lots of experience; some things (running a start-up, becoming an advertising exec) are ideal for passionate newbies; and one thing (taking down your arch-nemesis) is just made for family.
It's always tough for the episode that comes after the big, exciting episode. Sure, two weeks ago we had fights, arson, and general mayhem on Desperate Housewives, but tonight's installment was tasked with cleaning up the aftermath, which isn't quite as sexy. That said, it wasn't half bad - it's a rare episode when none of the B-plots annoy me, so huzzah for that.
This week's Pushing Daisies dug into the storybooks and presented the tale of a modern-day Robin Hood with a bit of a loose screw. If only ABC had a hero complex--perhaps PD wouldn't have been canceled.
Top Chef: New York was all about rock stars this week. First, the guest judge was culinary rock star Grant Achatz of Chicago's Alinea. Second, the cheftestants prepared a Thanksgiving dinner for rock-star foodies -- in the middle of summer, and in a town with no Whole Foods. The horror!
I'm starting to think several people on the Bones writing staff are arguing with their parents, spouses or significant others about why they don't want to have children. This is the second episode in a row where some punk kid did something horrific. What next -- a toddler terrorist? An infant serial killer? A genocidal zygote?
Over the river and through the woods we go, and Addison's brother Archer has come for a visit... and to stir up some trouble with our Oceanside doctors. Charlotte's secret also comes out, and Pete's friend Meg is back for a visit too. We're reaching some storyline arcs tonight, I think.
This week, The Mentalist let's us get to the crime scene before the intrepid team. We join a cop at a motor lodge as he finds a couple dead in one of them rooms. Patrick and the gang don't join them until the next morning.
How convenient that on the final Tuesday of sweeps, we get a resolution to the mole storyline on NCIS. Will Gibbs ever trust again? Can Abby dial down the caffeine consumption? Will DiNozzo and Ziva hook up? Is Michelle Lee the mole? Probably not, but the ride to the end is most excellent!
