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RSSSobbing and standing in my truth . . . more season finale thoughts
As Paula likes to say, I'm standing in my truth and ready to discuss some more season finales. And my truth is, if you haven't watched House, Bones, Gossip Girl or How I Met Your Mother yet, you might want to hold off on reading today's post.
House: Overall: Sniff, I'm going to try to stop sobbing so I can discuss this heartbreaking hour. Can somebody hand me a tissue. What worked: This episode really got to me. That Robert Sean Leonard can act. And so can Anne Dudek. My guess is that we will be seeing a lot more of her. I liked seeing how the death of one their professional peers would affect each of them differently. It was a great fusion of the medical mystery of the week with their personal lives. What didn't: Cameron didn't have a single line. Boooooo. How the show is looking for next season: This season the show really broke out of its "it's this disease, not it's this disease, no seriously it's definitely this disease" mold and the season finale could really shake the show's foundation. Could House's involvement in Amber's death be the impetus that makes him begin to change his life? Will he realize that his self-destructive behavior is out of control? Can House and Wilson's friendship survive this? All good stuff to look forward to? Now if they can just find a better way to work in Cameron and Chase . . .
Bones: Overall: Shocking and sobering. What worked: They totally played into my (and many others') theory that Sweets was Gormogon's apprentice. (Although once they said it was him, did you so know it wasn't Sweets.) Emily Deschanel really rose to the dramatic challenges of her scenes and the Zack reveal provided the right amount of shock. Plus the recurring dialogue between Bones, Booth and Sweets about Booth's non-death provided great character insight. What didn't: Even though the reveal required a leap of faith from the audience, I think it all kind of worked. But I was so disturbed by the thought of Zack killing someone. I think it's the kind of reveal that makes the viewer rethink everything you've ever seen that character do. How the show is looking for next season: I think Bones has really blossomed this season and I know for me it moved into the arena of must see TV. I kind of think I might like a season long mystery every season, how about you?
Gossip Girl: Overall: Oh sorry I fell asleep. What worked: I really liked the Lily and Rufus stuff. And I'm kind of glad that Dan and Serena broke up because to me it still didn't make sense that she would lie about sleeping with other men because she thought that would be easier to forgive. She let her boyfriend, who she loves, be duped by Georgina. What didn't: Um, isn't there some sort of unwritten rule that teen soaps should end on a dramatic cliffhanger. Sure they showed the possible pairing of Serena and Nate and Dan and Vanessa, plus Chuck returning to his old ways but it played like such an afterthought of an ending. I would think after stirring up that much trouble, Georgina deserved more of a drawn-out comeuppance. And now that Little J isn't vying for Blair's spot, she's barely in the show. What's up with that? How the show is looking for next season: Oh it is hard to be in the pop-culture spotlight when your main audience has a tendency to be fickle by nature. What's hot one day is so over by the next. Gossip Girl could easily go the way of the second season of The O.C. So hey Upper East Siders, you better come back with a bang in the fall.
How I Met Your Mother: Overall: Thank goodness the show is coming back next season. I love these guys. What worked: I know fans are divided on this one, but I still like the dramatic and comedic opportunities that come from a Robin/Barney pairing. I'm beginning to think Aunt Robin and Uncle Barney are married by the time future Ted is telling his story. And I continue to really love Sarah Chalke's performance as Stella. What didn't: Ending on a marriage proposal seems a little clichéd for such a clever show and overall the episode wasn't the show's funniest. How the show is looking for next season: When the show began, many wondered how the show runners could sustain the premise. They continued to prove this season that not only can they sustain it, they can thrive on it. I can't wait to see what happens next.
What did you think about this week's season finales so far? Talk about it below.
Where Have I Seen Them Before?
Max Greenfield, Leo on Veronica Mars and Nick on Ugly Betty, is Calvin's potential new love interest on Greek.
David recognized Michelle Forbes as Oceanic 815 executive Karen Decker on Lost. Forbes was Admiral Helena Cain on Battlestar Galactica, Kate on In Treatment, Lynne Kresge on 24 and Dr. Julianna Cox on Homicide.
Paul Dooley was Richard's mentor who needed heart surgery on Grey's Anatomy. He is Cheryl's dad on Curb Your Enthusiasm, but the thing is no matter what else he does, he will always be Molly Ringwald's dad in Sixteen Candles to me. Jeffrey D. Sams was the boyfriend who really did exist. Among his many roles, Sams was Terrence Cook on Veronica Mars, Champ on Cupid, and Detective Cyrus Lockwood on CSI. Regina Taylor was the patient having brain surgery. She's Molly on The Unit and Lily on I'll Fly Away. April Grace was her sister. I recognized her as Bea on Lost -- remember she was the Other who told Michael what he had to do to get his son back. She was also Sergeant Toni Williams on Joan of Arcadia and Andrea Williams on The Nine.
Noah Bean was the husband who asked Allison to prove to his wife that their house wasn't haunted on Medium. He was the doomed David on Damages.
As so many of you pointed out, that was Gale Harold kissing Susan at the end of Desperate Housewives. I've learned from all the emails that Harold has a huge following. He was Brian on Queer as Folk, Wyatt Earp on Deadwood, Agent Graham Kelton on Vanished and we saw him earlier this season as the racist patient on Grey's Anatomy who wanted only a white doctor.
Billy Gardell, Officer Hoyne on My Name is Earl, was the cop bugging Ellie's room on Desperate Housewives.
Bill Smitrovich was the Reverend who hit on Bree on Desperate Housewives. Among his many TV roles, he was A.D.A. Kenneth Walsh on The Practice and Drew Thatcher on Life Goes On.
Betty recognized Jay Karnes as the internal affairs officers questioning Warrick on CSI. Karnes plays Detective Holland 'Dutch' Wagenbach on The Shield. All bonus points this week go to Betty who pointed out, his character's last name on CSI was also Wagenbach. Coincidence?
Judy recognized Gina Torres was A.D.A Mary Lincoln on Boston Legal. Torres was Anna Espinosa on Alias, Sadie on The Shield, Cheryl on Standoff, Julia on 24, Zoe on Firefly and Jasmine on Angel.
That's all for today. I'm back on Friday with quotes of the week and thoughts on the Grey's Anatomy and Reaper season finales. Have a question. Seen a familiar face? Want to nominate a quote of the week or a topic for discussion? Write me at amytvgal@zap2it.com. Talk to you on Friday.
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Zap2it Twitter Talk 
Best House Ever. I HATE that they killed Amber, she was the best thing that show had going right now. But since they are in the killing mood, they should kill the rest of the team and bring back the old one.
Michelle Forbes will always be Ensign Ro on ST:TNG for me.
Glad Amber's dead. More glad that they incorporated so much good acting and dialogue to do it. Last few minutes on the bus were the best of the season. No idea how next season will top this one. Great show!
i was suprised no on caught the comment by the dean of students on greek (cameron on ferris bullers day off) to the girlfriend in the car to hold on. (the name he used was slone) ferris's girlfriend's name
We hated the finale of "BONES". The Zack reveal seemed out of character. Plus the show won't be the same without the great chemistry between Zack and Hodgins. The whole Gormogon resolution seemed rushed.
House was wonderful, in a sob-your-heart-out kind of way. Really liked the HIMYM finale, as well.
I was shocked by Bones. It was a "I can't believe they're so stupid to actually think this is a good idea" kind of shock. The explanation of how Zack could rationalize joining ranks with a serial killer cannibal (and actually murder someone himself!) made no sense to me. The timeline doesn't even make sense. Everything we've seen on-screen in previous episodes tells me the writers pulled this twist out of their ***es. I know television often requires a willing suspension of disbelief, but this is ridiculous. It ruined the show for me. How am I even going to be able to enjoy reruns? I love the characters, but I think I'm done. I've given up shows for lesser reasons.
The look on Amber's face when she was processing the information from Wilson about her condition, and how it subtly transformed into realization that she was going to die, was the finest piece of unscripted acting I've seen on network television all year. Simply amazing, and truly regrettable that Ms. Dudek had to wait this long to show her acting chops. She's got "series regular" written all over her for some show, and I hope it's one I'd watch.
I just have to say that I really love how you started off the column; Paula Abdul is the ultimate gift that keeps on giving. I'm still laughing...
I thought House was amazing! I loved it. I cried and cried. I thought the acting was great and even though I don't think I wanted Amber to die I thought that they did such a good job with it that I wasn't even that upset with the outcome.
As for the the other shows. Bones: I enjoyed. I was totally shocked that Zack was the killer and I loved the banter between Bones, Booth and Sweets.
Gossip Girl: I don't know how I feel about that finale. I actually liked Serena and Dan together but I hated the way she lied to him over and over, I actually don't blame Dan for breaking up with her. As for Chuck, I would have liked to see him and Blair together longer. I loved their chemistry.
HIMYM: I don't think it was one of their funnest episodes but I love Stella and I hope she sticks around for a little longer.
I think Fox was trying to kill us all! That was one hell of a Monday night!
Bones. I am still as distraught as everything over Zack being the Apprentice. Like you said, it makes us rethink everything. That said, it left a taste of dues ex machina in my mouth. Maybe if they'd had those extra episodes they lost in the strike they'd have had more time to lead-up, leave a few bread crumbs. As it stood, I was in total shock and disbelief. ---- All that said, I do like the season long mystery. Just so long as we don't lose Angel, Hodgins or Cam (cause obviously there's no way they could take away Booth and Brennan and go on).
House. I hate that they killed Amber. I mean, just gah! They couldn't have done it any better but I sure am gonna miss her. She was so different than any of the other characters and really pushed House's buttons like we haven't seen anyone else do in a while. I think this might really be the thing that propels House towards becoming a better person, BUT - and it's a big BUT - it's gotta be slow. It won't work if they come back next season and he's turned over this whole new leaf and is living a life of zen. It has to be sloooooow.
And you didn't even mention 13's positive test results! Poor chica :/