It really did seem like old times . . . last night's episode of 'ER'

That's how we do it!

How absolutely perfect, perfect, perfect was last night's episode of "ER"? So perfect that I'm almost ready to pardon the show for all its past transgressions.

I loved everything about it from episode title ("Old Times") to having George Clooney, Julianna Margulies, Eriq La Salle, and Noah Wyle listed along side the names of the series' regular stars in the opening credits to the final shot of Doug and Carol snuggling in bed. How wonderful and nice for fans that the show's quintessential couple is still happily together. "ER" is setting the standard on how to go out in style.

Here's what else I loved:

1. Even though news leaked that we would be seeing George Clooney in this episode, I still liked how NBC, which typically has highly exaggerated promotions for the show, didn't advertise his appearance directly. It was reminiscent of the last time we were surprised to find Doug standing on the dock and so fun to just have Doug suddenly appear in one of the opening scenes.

2. I hate to use this term but I'm going to say it anyway. It felt organic that this is how we got to see everyone -- it wasn't fake or forced. And like going out to lunch with a friend you haven't seen in years, I jumped back into their storyline with ease.

3. I like that the show played on Carter and Benton's long history together and that Benton was his typical slightly arrogant self in the operating room. As Randy Jackson might say, "Good looking out Dr. Benton."

4. I particularly liked the scenes between Doug, Neela and Sam about who was left at County General. Like it would happen at any place you hadn't worked at in 10 years, most of his friends were gone. It was clearly put in there as a nice little shout out to fans and I would like to think he didn't ask about Carter because he knows what he's up to.

5. The show didn't save their appearance to the series finale. Clooney popping up for the first time in the series finale would detract from all the show's current series regulars. Plus, my hunch is we could be seeing some of them again.

I could keep gushing but I want to hear what you think. Talk about last night's episode below.

Kings

Let me start with the disclaimer that "Kings" (premiering Sunday at 8 p.m. on NBC) is not my genre. As we've discussed, I'm usually not that into a movie or TV series that takes place in a totally fictional made up world. I'm more for TV show that takes place in the real world where fictional things happen ("Lost," "Harry Potter," etc.).

So, to be fair, although I was trying to keep an open mind I didn't come into "Kings" expecting I would love it. But my goodness was it boring. Inspired by the biblical story of David vs. Goliath, Ian McShane stars as King Silas Benjamin, the monarch of Gilboa living in Gilboa's capital city of Shiloh. In the pilot, a young, scrappy soldier David (Chris Egan) rescues the King's son Jack (Sebastian Stan) who has been taken as a prisoner of war. You could probably take it from here, David becomes an unlikely hero, falls for the King's daughter and the King sees him as a threat to his power.

And it's great to see Susanna Thompson as the stoic and conniving Queen Rose. But I still couldn't drum up much interest in what was going on. The show seems to have two tones -- cliché and over the top melodrama. It definitely takes itself too seriously. Two stars.

After you've watched Sunday night's premiere of "Kings," let me know what you think.

Breaking Bad

"Breaking Bad" got off to a great start last Sunday (10 p.m. on AMC). The series about a dying science teacher (Bryan Cranston) who decides to make drugs in order to provide for his family is dark and upsetting (you definitely won't be in a good mood after watching) but so compelling. Cranston is fantastic as a man without many options who suddenly finds he is dealing with the consequences of his unlikely career choice. Aaron Paul is equally excellent as his partner-in-crime.

Actually, the entire cast is incredible. I particularly like Dean Norris as Walt's brother-in-law Hank, he kind of reminds me of a more unsettling Buddy Garrity on "Friday Night Lights." But the performance that is really incredible is Raymond Cruz as psycho criminal Tuco. Cruz is so good as Detective Sanchez on "The Closer," and it's really great to see him playing a character on the opposite end of the spectrum. Add in his comedic turn as Catalina's boyfriend Paco on "My Name is Earl," and it's clear an actor with this much range so deserves to headline his own series.

Things go from bad to much much worse on this Sunday's episode. What do you think about the start of the second season of "Breaking Bad?" Talk about it below.

Quotes of the Week

"If Skynet actually did exist in the Future, a perfect way to infiltrate and destroy all of mankind would be to send Terminators back posing as actors who have played Terminators in popular films and television series, lulling us into a false sense of security - i.e.: 'That's Summer Glau from 'The Sarah Conner Chronicles.' No, Summer! Don't kill me! I'm pro-robot!' Pow! Aaaaack!" Sheldon on "The Big Bang Theory." Thanks to Toby for the quote.

"You won't be the first and you certainly won't be the last, but you will be the seventh." Ted hitting on the store's secret shopper on "Reaper." Thanks to Wendy for the quote.

"I'm infected with demon blood. You've been to hell. Look, I know you want to think of yourself as Joe the Plumber, but you're not." Sam to Dean on "Supernatural." Thanks to Sandy for the quote.

"You think I would know what to wear to one of these 'meet your new half sibling' shindigs by now." Sarah on "Brothers & Sisters."

"I'm Lily and I approve the order of this list." Lily on "How I Met Your Mother" after Marshall puts Ted calling his ex-girlfriend above Lily getting eaten by a shark on the worst things that could happen list.

"It must be hard for you what happened to her." The President's daughter to Aaron about Martha Logan on "24." Yeah I'm going to need an update on Martha Logan.

"Passing out, cursing on St. Patrick's Day. Is nothing sacred?" Jack to Liz on "30 Rock."

Exchange of the Week

"Why do you have a diary?" Michael to Dwight on "The Office."

"To keep secrets from my computer." Dwight's response.

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"Oh Shayla, he's lying. She's pregnant." Gabby to Shayla the woman having an affair with a married man on "Desperate Housewives."

"That's impossible; they haven't had sex in over a year." Shayla's response.

"Well, call the Vatican because we're going to need some manger and some hay." Gabby's response. Thanks to Ritchie for the exchange.

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"Have you seen 'Slumdog Millionaire?'"Koothrapali to Summer Glau on "The Big Bang Theory."

"Oh Yeah, I loved it!" Summer Glau's answer.

"It's loosely based on my life." Koothrapali's response. Thanks to Ryan for the exchange.

That's all for today. I'm back next week to talk about "24" (still not ready to talk about Bill Buchanan), the return of "Gossip Girl," "The Secret Life of the American Teenager" (we'll get to see that one night at band camp), "American Idol" (the new rules are so mean), the new comedy "Better Off Ted," and more. Have a question? Seen a familiar face? Want to nominate a quote of the week? Write me at amytvgal@zap2it.com. Have a great weekend. Talk to you on Monday.

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