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Let's regroup . . . storylines that need a second look
Sometimes the storylines of our life don’t go according to plan.
We date the wrong person, switch to a job we hate or paint our bedroom a color that looked so much better on the small swatch.
Such is life. So we regroup and redirect our efforts. We find the right person (or at least keep trying), make a career change (or two or three) and go right back to Home Depot.
Sometimes TV shows get their characters in the same pickle. And as we wait for the writer’s strike to end and think only good thoughts, I thought I would take this time to reflect on some of the storyline missteps that have occurred this season and some thoughts on how these storylines can regroup and redirect.
George and Izzie relationship struggles on Grey’s Anatomy: I’ll admit up front that I’m not a fan of their romance to begin with but I’ve found this duo extremely tedious this season. I’m not sure why were supposed to care that George, who cheated on his wife, can’t get his groove on with Izzie. It seems like a strange direction to take those two and makes them way too self-absorbed in their own melodrama. Plus I so want Callie to join Addison in California so she can get away from the selfish duo. Possible solution: I think the best thing to do is to ignore their romance for awhile. And maybe, say, focus on Cristina falling in love again. It’s been great to see Cristina not be able to impress her boss and I think I’d like her to meet someone new who – and I know this could be shocking – doesn’t work in nor is a patient at the hospital.
Gabby and Carlos leave Victor for dead on Desperate Housewives: The delicate line that Desperate Housewives has to walk with Gabrielle is that she is frivolous and status obsessed but also a genuine person and a good friend. There are moments when the show and Eva Longoria hits that note just perfectly. Gabby accompanying Lynette to her chemotherapy sessions comes to mind. But often the show does Longoria a disservice and makes Gabby just an utterly preposterous character. She can’t keep ricocheting between two men – it’s boring and it makes her increasingly unlikable. And I know Desperate Housewives thrives on campy, soap opera moments but I simply don’t believe that Gabby and Carlos wouldn’t call the Coast Guard to look for Victor. Possible solution: I liked it last season when Gabrielle had the beauty pageants as her focus. The woman needs a job – something to do besides shop and date. They should put Gabby and Carlos back together and let them stay that way for awhile.
Landry kills a man and covers it up on Friday Night Lights: I am so wary of criticizing a show that I love and is struggling in the ratings. But it is with a clear mind and a full heart that I have to admit that ultimately this storyline has gone the way we all thought it would. A show known for breaking down stereotypes has succumbed to a cliché. The way this storyline has been handled has me fretting over Julie and her new journalism teacher and Matt and his grandmother’s home health aide. Possible solution: After Landry confesses to the crime, this storyline needs to be wrapped up immediately. I don’t know if Landry can ever be Landry again but Friday Night Lights is rich with wonderful characters and great potential. And I think Benny Ciaramello is a great addition as Santiago. As long as the show stays focused, it can regain its first season magic.
Addison likes Pete on Private Practice: I loved it last week when Naomi called Addison out on her behavior and told her that liking Pete wasn’t change, but her M.O. Try as they might, I’m not buying the potential of romance between those two. I don’t sense any chemistry. Do you? Possible solution: I am so much more interested in Cooper and Violet, so let’s spend more time on that. Also, let’s have Addison learn the lesson about dating co-workers. Fortunately, both story lines appear to be coming soon to a TV set near you.
What story lines aren’t you enjoying this season? Post your comments below.
Highlights for November 21-22
Well I’ve searched my home high and low and I cannot find the season premiere of October Road, which returns for a second season Thursday at 10 p.m. on ABC before moving into its regular Monday night at 10 p.m. time slot. I fear I may have thrown it away in one of my "me vs. the clutter" cleaning frenzies (the holidays will do that to you). I know a lot of you loved this show when it premiered last week so I promise to talk about it next week.
I’m a sucker for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. So I’ll be watching Meredith Vieira, Matt Lauer, and Al Roker Thursday at 9 a.m. on NBC. Ashley Tisdale, Bindi and Terri Irwin, Dolly Parton, Good Charlotte, and Jordin Sparks are among the celebrities participating this year. Also keep an eye out for Shrek, who makes his balloon debut.
Thanksgiving treats abound over at ABC so set your DVRs. Eliza Dushku guest stars as a just-out-of-rehab celeb on Ugly Betty (Thursday at 8 p.m. on ABC) and Seth Green stops by Grey’s Anatomy (Thursday at 9 p.m. on ABC). Also Ava returns to Seattle Grace and meets who Alex has been spending his time with.
That’s all for today. I’ll be back on Friday with quotes of the week. Next week, I'll be talking about all the life changing events that happen during sweeps -- if you have a favorite marriage, birth or death (RIP Bradford Meade), write me at amytvgal@zap2it.com and let me know. I hope you have wonderful Thanksgiving with your friends and family. Have a question, seen a familiar face or want to nominate a quote of the week? Write me at amytvgal@zap2it.com.
Amy Amatangelo, TV Gal ®
Claire's storyline on Heroes has been alternatly boring and annoying me all season. It's sad, because last season she was one of my favorite characters, but the writers have changed her so much that it's like a completely different character.
The new stalker-turned-boyfriend seems to be the main reason for the storyline being so pathetic. He's an unlikable character played by a third-rate actor, and it's so completely unbeliavble that the Claire we knew last season would put up with such a creep, especially since the events in Monday's episode were more or less a direct result of the idiotic "prank" he manipulated her into pulling earlier in the season. The sooner he's gone, the better.
Cassie | Nov 21, 2007 2:23:54 PM | #Lois's storyline on Smallville is ridiculous. Actually, maybe it's just the new editor that annoys me so much. Are we really supposed to believe that a 20 something year old is this seasoned newspaper professional. And he talks like some big shot who just got a big boy job. Really, I can't take him seriously.
robba | Nov 21, 2007 2:58:57 PM | #The George/Izzie storyline isn't just bad writing, it's also an example of Shonda Rhimes' stubborness. Fans have hated it since day one, but rather than abandon it and admit it isn't working, she's tried to cram it down everyone's throats in an effort to prove that she was somehow right all along. Well, she wasn't. It still sucks.
To be fair, Josh Schwartz did the same thing on The O.C. with the Oliver character. But at least he did finally come around and Oliver was eventually shipped off and even became a punchline in later seasons. Unfortunately, Geroge and Izzie are two of the show's main characters, so they chances of them getting shipped off are zero.
Mike | Nov 21, 2007 3:40:57 PM | #one of the reasons i first couldnt get into private practice was because I KNEW they would shove pete addision down our throats....i no longer care because im LOVING GOSSIP GIRL!!!!!
i personally could care less about george/izzie...teh worst storyline of greys has to be MERIDITH AND DEREK (never could stand them together since the start of show...)
i used to love claire on hereos but have to admit shes getting boring...however the WORST STORYLINE has to be hiro in japan...can i say POINTLESS??? also y cant more of the heroes be happy they have powers???? its seems like everyoens wining and wish they were "normal"
again....I LOVE GOSSIP GIRL!!!!!!!!
MARIAN | Nov 21, 2007 4:17:40 PM | #I didn't hate the George/izzie relationship as much as some. But in knowing the controversy surronding it, I feel like they should have known to put it on the back burner for a while. They should have gotten together and got out of the spot light for a while.
Mandy | Nov 21, 2007 4:21:42 PM | #I know many will disagree, but I think the best possible solutions to the Grey's and Private Practice storylines would be to cancel both shows.
WaitingForLost | Nov 21, 2007 4:37:01 PM | #as most not loving the George/Izzie story line, but i have to disagree with a prior post of Hiro in Japan as pointless...it set up the whole Adam situation in present time and will create a dynamic relationship between Hiro and Adam/Kensai in the future. While it may have dragged on a little long, it was definately not pointless.
Rachel | Nov 21, 2007 5:12:43 PM | #I disagree re the last episode and George & Izzie - I haven't loved them being a couple, but I thought they were hilarious this past week with all their trying to find a connection
JW | Nov 21, 2007 7:53:45 PM | #Amen to cancelling both Grey's and Private Practice!
Janet | Nov 21, 2007 8:34:27 PM | #I also have to agree with the post about cancelling Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice
I also have agree with the post that Hiro storyline in Japan was dragging too long and pointless....there were so many MORE INTERESTING ways that adam could have been introduced
lovinggossipgirl | Nov 21, 2007 8:54:16 PM | #The George/Izzie storyline has ruined this fine show for me. I only watch it rarely anymore, and I had been devoted to it from the first episode. Callie didn't deserve this and it's made George detestable and Izzie too selfish to care about anymore.
I intensely dislike the brother/sister storyline on Heroes. I don't care about boring Maia's killer eyes. I'm just hoping Sklyer kills this pair quickly. Like now.
I also do not care for the West/Claire storyline, although last week's ep gave me hope that there's a real point to it.
Like Rachel, I thought the Hiro in Japan storyline had a real point to it -- that Hiro is himself his own childhood hero (Kensei) says a lot. As well as setting up the relationship with Adam.
Overall, though, Heroes is creating too many new characters too quickly. The show is losing focus for fans.
spuffy | Nov 22, 2007 6:43:51 AM | #No Mike, Shonda isn't just being stubborn. Just because you don't like something don't assume that ALL the fans agree with you - we don't.I liked the George/Izzie storyline - I don't like that Shonda's made their previous great connection into this boring "can't get turned on" one. But let's face it, George and Callie should never have been married in the first place and needed to break up fast. I don't believe in people staying married and being miserable. Callie is as much to blame as George - she knew George wasn't in love with her that's why she broke up with him in the first place. Then his Father got sick and she was always hanging about ingratiating herself into his family. Even when George rudely told her to get lost she wouldn't leave and George's father dies and suddenly she's married?! Come on! This marriage was never real and she knew it. I guess George had to be made the bad guy to extricate him from this marriage because clearly people want to pretend that Callie is an innocent victim - she's not.
Sirius | Nov 22, 2007 8:55:45 AM | #Seriosly does watching Greays anatomy religiosly make u guys feel so guilty that u simple have to go online and diss it!!! seriouly watch GA and enjoy it u wont go to hell for it nor will u be any less of a person!!!
zac | Nov 22, 2007 12:24:01 PM | #Heroes is finally coming into focus, but the sooner the Wonder Twins are killed off, the better. I didn't mind the Claire storyline as much as others and i think West redeemed himself quite nicely this week, even bonding a little with Noah. the major mistake was made in dragging all the storylines out too long and not starting the season with the "Four Months Ago" episode. that would have brought the storylines into focus a lot better. they still should have cut down the time it took for the Peter and Hiro stories to develop, but i think they finally got their mojo back these last couple of weeks.
steve | Nov 23, 2007 6:41:30 AM | #This season a lot of fans are complaining about the new storylines in Heroes, Desperate Housewives, Grey's Anatomy, etc. I think part of the problem is that these shows started out so good that the viewers had such high expectations for the new season.
I remember being so excited about Desperate Housewives during their first season. I never missed an episode, and I thought they deserved the Emmy. Then I decided I couldn't continue watching the second season partly because of pointless characters, like the Applewhites. Also, I couldn't keep watching because they made so many characters annoying and/or irredeemable (Gabby, Andrew, George, Zach, etc.). I cam to hate almost ALL the characters, except for Julie!
I'm not a regular watcher of DH anymore, but I watched the episode where Gabby and Carlos decide to leave Victor for dead. Gabby was having an affair with Carlos, so you couldn't fault Victor for being angry and upset. However, Gabby and Carlos KNOWINGLY left him to DROWN! It's not like they didn't realize Victor had fallen overboard, plus they could have saved him (it's not like Victor was shot in the head or something). Sorry, but that is just one GLARING example why I can't stand DH anymore. Yeah, I know it's supposed to be a dark comedy, but Gabby is one of the 5 main charatcers -- the audience needs a good reason to sympathize with her.
Paige | Nov 23, 2007 7:49:17 AM | #Regarding Desperate Housewives:
Like Victor is really dead, come on...he'll reappear just like Kimberly did on Melrose Place years ago.
Chile | Nov 24, 2007 5:27:50 PM | #Wouldn't it have been fun if Hiro was his own hero? Now, that's a story.
tv | Nov 25, 2007 10:33:39 AM | #Re: The idea of focusing on Cristina finding new love on Grey's Anatomy - that was what Pacey's character was supposed to be when he joined the cast. Alas, due to the writer's strike that has been delayed.
Rishi | Nov 25, 2007 10:58:07 AM | #typed by tv "Wouldn't it have been fun if Hiro was his own hero?"
I believe that was the whole point of the final scene between Hiro and Yaeko before Hiro goes back to the present (2007). Yaeko says that all the things that made Kenzie a hero were done by Hiro, and that as long as she is alive, she will tell the tales of Takezo Kenzie. She also says that the boy Hiro will have bedtime stories of his hero after all. So, Hiro DID turn out to be his own hero.
Eric | Nov 25, 2007 4:51:56 PM | #I agree that the Gabby/Victor/Carlos thing is not doing much for me, especially since we've already seen Gabby do the affair thing, and I also agree that they should have called the Coast Guard; however, in their defense, they didn't exactly just leave Victor for dead - when they returned to shore it was dark and they discussed how they searched for him for 5 hours or something. Again, not defending the storyline or their actions, but I think the writers did try to let you know they looked for him. My question, however, would be whether they actually got IN the water and swam around and toward the bottom to look for him...?
I'm also hating what they are doing with Rebecca and with Tommy/Lena on Brothers and Sisters this season. I always liked Tommy, especially when he went against the grain of his family to save the family business by joining forces with Holly, so his giving in to Lena and his libido so easily really bothers me and strikes me as inconsistent. I'd rather have more of the melodrama of him trying to make things work with his wife. I thought it was a very touching scene when his wife explained why she was mad at him even though she knew it wasn't rational - now that seemed realistic to me and a very challenging storyline to tackle, but they of course took the easy way out and left the wife and baby out for weeks and added a little vixen to have an affair with. How overdone and unnecessary, in my opinion.
Andrea | Nov 26, 2007 5:42:06 AM | #I actually liked the Hiro storyline OK. The problem, I think, is that they should have wrapped it up in one or two episodes instead of parceling it out piecemeal over several episodes. Same could be said for the Peter storyline, and maybe the Claire one as well.
That might have been a challenge, structure-wise, but I think it would have helped a lot.
If you want a truly pointless waste of precious screen-time, just look at the Twins/Sylar storyline, which, so far, has gone absolutely nowhere and has taken far too much time getting there.
Dan | Nov 26, 2007 7:34:32 AM | #You heard it here first, folks!
"Regarding Desperate Housewives:
Like Victor is really dead, come on...he'll reappear just like Kimberly did on Melrose Place years ago.
Chile | Nov 24, 2007 5:27:50 PM | #"
Chile | Nov 26, 2007 4:36:47 PM | #I haven't minded Heroes this season except for the annoying twins!
I really want to see some attention given to Violet and Cooper too! Cooper is my favorite character!
Sarah | Nov 27, 2007 6:16:08 AM | #
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