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RSSChecking in on the new faces in old places . . .
We've had a lot of new faces hanging around some of our favorite shows this fall so let's take a look at how they are doing.
Captain Kevin Tidwell (Donal Logue) on Life: I'm with you that we don't necessarily need a romance between Tidwell and Dani (Sarah Shahi). She has enough problems without getting involved with her (often sexist) boss. And I don't really believe she would go for him. It kind of seems like an unnecessary plot point. But despite this unlikely romance, I really enjoy Logue on the show -- even with his slicked back hairstyle. Logue is one of those actors who can easily vacillate from comedy to drama and his humor fits in nicely with the humor Damien Lewis brings to the show. And I do love Logue's facial expressions -- often he says a lot when he doesn't talk at all. I've decided he's just one of those actors I'm always happy to see -- whether it's on Damages, The Knights of Prosperity, ER, Grounded for Life or Monk. Call it The Tao of Steve factor.
Dr. Owen Hunt (Kevin McKidd) on Grey's Anatomy: So first I thought I liked his character because I was happy to see Journeyman again. But last week when he declared all the doctors to be whiny, self-centered, and selfish, I thought "Finally! They have a character who speaks for me!" Plus he's a character that seems much more authentic -- I get where he's coming from and how he handles himself in the ER. And it's a good thing I like him too because McKidd officially joined the cast yesterday. I was surprised by how grating I found Melissa George as Meredith's old friend Sadie. Can the writers take the memo that we are all set with self-absorbed female characters. And what do we think of this whole Izzie seeing Denny story line? I feel like the show is trying to bring back one of its favorite storylines and relive its glory days, but I don't want Izzie to be having a nervous breakdown. Do you?
Nola Lyons (Lucy Liu) on Dirty Sexy Money: I think this show is best served by over-the-top soapy drama. So bring on the back-stabbing. The conniving. And the surprise reveals. I liked learning that Jeremy having a relationship with Nola was all part of Letitia's master plan and that Nola is working for Simon Elder. But I don't quite know what to think of a woman who would risk her entire career by sleeping with a defendant's son. Therefore, my verdict is still out on Nola.
Rotating assistants on Bones: At first I thought this whole gimmick was a little too reminiscent of House last season but now that they are bringing the characters back for a second rotation on the show, I'm warming to the idea. I'm kind of rooting for Carla Gallo's Daisy to make the cut but that may be because I liked her so much on Undeclared and I'm all for Lizzie of Undeclared dating Sam from Freaks & Geeks. Of course, I still think the best decision of all would be to bring Zack back on the show.
What do you think of some of the new characters we've been seeing on your favorite shows? Talk about it below.
Quotes of the Week
"I lied. That wasn't your mother's recipe." Angela to Arthur as he realizes he's been poisoned on Heroes. Thanks to Jason for the quote.
"Maybe you're already dead and you just don't know it. That would explain a lot." The old man to Sam on Life on Mars. What do you think? Do you think Sam is already dead? That would be my least preferred explanation.
"She's you're friend and we're women." Bree to Katherine about her relationship with Mike on Desperate Housewives. I'm not thrilled with a Katherine/Mike romantic pairing are you?
"They're like the Harry Potter books I never had." Cristina reading Meredith's mom's journals on Grey's Anatomy.
"Hello Peter. This is me. Your father. Walter Bishop." Walter to Peter on Fringe. Something about the way he delivered that line just cracked me up.
"Stop complaining. Nobody told you to go and get cancer." Dr. Romano to Dr. Greene on ER. Wasn't it so much fun to have the cranky Romano back again?
"Why have I stayed at Dunder Mifflin for so long. Certainly not for the paycheck. Because I could make more money as a doctor or a professional athlete." Michael on The Office.
"No David. You listen to me why did you send her away? God you knew I liked her and you just sent her away and that was a sucky thing to do man. That was a really sucky thing to do." Michael to David on The Office. Michael is having a bad week so I thought I'd give him two quotes of the week. I like it when we get glimpses of the real and competent Michael.
Exchange of the Week
"Hey do you want to go have completely protected sex right now?" Lily to Marshall on How I Met Your Mother after they decided to wait to have a baby.
"I do." Marshall to Lily.
"Do you want to finish your bacon first?" Lily to Marshall
"You are the perfect woman." Marshall to Lily.
That's all for today. I'm back on Monday with thoughts on 90210 (come on Brenda is back. I have to talk about that!), Chuck (are we liking this season?), and more. Have a question? Seen a familiar face or want to nominate a topic for discussion? Write me at amytvgal@zap2it.com. Have a great weekend. Talk to you on Monday.
Amy, I never thought I'd have the chance to be the first poster for one of your column, so here goes with some questions that may require a bit of indulgence on your part.
I'm a new fan of Life (and yes I like Donal Logue, but do not want to see his character hook up with Dani). But I cannot connect with the thread from last season concerning the hunt for the real murderer and who set up Damien Lewis.
Could you (or another poster) please answer these questions or direct me to a link to find the answers?
Whose father is Adam Arkin? Why is he helping solve the mystery, or what special knowledge does he have? ***uming the teen girl in the large enpty house (whose?) is the daughter of the murder victims, who are her guardians now, and how does she happen to be staying at that house? Is she the same girl who was discovered in the hidden room earlier in the season?
I like how they weave this thread into the murder of the week, but they provide no info to bring new viewers up to speed. THANKS!!!
Good article, Amy!
I love Life and the Captain is growing on me. I couldn't stand him at first and hate the way he hits on Dani, but she's holding her own and figuring out how to stay out of his way. LOL. I'm glad I didn't read of this being cancelled. I just read that Christian Slater's show and Lipstick Jungle just got axed. LJ was my "brain candy" for a Friday night after a long work week. Too bad. But I'll live. :)
Tony -- I'm so glad you're liking Life. It's one of my favourite shows on TV right now. Here are some answers to your questions.
Adam Arkin isn't anyone's father. He's an ex-con Charlie met in prison and who's life he saved (I think). He was put away for defrauding a huge company and now he handle's Charlie's settlement money he got for being wrongly convicted. And he lives above Charlie's garage. He has a flirtation with Charlie's dad's fiancée (we've never met the dad, but the fiancée -- who's also on Mad Man -- has been on the show at least twice).
The girl who's living with Charlie now is the daughter of the couple Charlie was convicted of killing and was the one found in the hidden room earlier this season. Her dad was Charlie's business partner in a bar/restaurant and Charlie was like an uncle to the girl. After her parents were killed, she went into foster care and was eventually adopted by the man who actually killed her family (who Charlie found at the end of last season and who is now in jail).
She was stabbed last season when Charlie went to her house to find her adoptive father, who he had figured out was the true killer and then she disappeared. Charlie found out that Reese, his partner's dad, had actually taken the girl and hidden her.
The man who killed the girl's family said he was told to do so by Reese and that it was Reese who set Charlie up. Charlie has since uncovered that Reese is part of a group of six police officers, one of whom is dead, who may be involved in setting him up for the murder. He is trying to figure out who they are and why they set him up.
I think you're right about the interns on Bones. It's cool that they're going through them again. It removes some "what is this one going to be?" irritation, because we already know so less time is spent on it.
Can we please talk about how great Bones was this week? I feel like it was the Bones we've been wanting it to be all season. I was so impressed by the acting too - I always think it's good, but when Booth yelling at Brennan and Brennan not answering had me freaking out, I knew it was really something. I also liked the glimpse into Booth through Jared and what that means for the upcoming season and Booth's development. I also thought Clark was actually very well-used too - couldn't he stick around? Here's to more Bones episodes like this one!
It was great to see the "cranky" Dr. Romano last night. As it was great to see Carrie and Jerry too. The best part was that TPTB kept those appearances a secret. It was such a treat to see them all pop back up unexpectedly. Kinda made me miss the old days when shows could still surprise you.
I absolutely do not see Donal Logue's character getting anywhere near any base with Dani. It's more disbelief than I can suspend. I'll keep watching the series even if they retain the incredibly dumb writer who came up with this idea, but watching will be a little more icky.
That was a great exchange between Marshall and Lily but I think this one was better.
Lily: Dinner is a baby.
Robin: Lily, thats horrible.
I like Donal Logue's character on life EXCEPT for the whole romance with Dani storyline. I completely get that he would hit on her but she would never in a million years see him as attractive. Although, upon reflection, she does have a penchant for self-destructive behavior and having a fling with the boss could fall under that category. Sorry, got a little off track there.
In answer to one of Tony's questions, I don't think Rachel probably needs a legal guardian at this point. she was 8 or 9 when the murders happened and that was 12 years ago, so she's like 20 or so now.
I'm liking the apprentice of the week thing on Bones better now that they're repeating. It was kind of annoying at first, I'd really like one (or not) and then they'd be gone. The episode when Daisy came back - the last scene where Sweets tells her she's been fired. Priceless. Then this week when Clark realizes that he's getting drawn into the personal dramas inspite of his best efforts, also priceless.
Brendan Fehr, the actor that played Booth's brother, was a good choice. I thought he was completely believable in that role.
I'm also loving this season of Chuck. It has been sheer genius. The buy more cage match, the video game that can only be beaten while listening to Rush's Tom Sawyer, Chuck's attempt to cure Casey's flu by kissing him - all moments of genius. I could go on, but you should be watching and know what I'm talking about.
Please tell me this show isn't going on the chopping block! If they can keep Heroes, which has become a stinker, they can keep Chuck.
Ugh, I didn't like the Izzie and Denny storyline the first time. And I'm so tired of Izzie!!
I was excited to see this week's ER and the flashbacks to Mark. Imagine my delight in also getting to see Kerry, Romano, and Jerry. I can't wait for the return of Carter. Even though it is probably not in the cards, how great would it be for Doug and Carol to pay a visit.