Sue Ann: true. Yet I think there might be a little more to the story than just the fact that she was a geneticist don't you think? Maybe he didn't lie, but it sure seems like he omitted an awful lot.
@Michael: I liked that too. The fact that we're seeing more of the police procedural aspect - which leads us all (and not just the team) to the reveal of the unsub - is a welcome return.
@Katie: :) no, I don't think Hotch would be irresponsible either. Maybe they were okay with the idea of a new child though. Just wasn't sure. (I think they make an awesome couple)
I agree that Garcia and Morgan need to be careful with the speakerphone. I don't recall any awkwardness around their banter with onlookers. Glad you guys mentioned it - now I'm curious: I'll be watching that dynamic a little closer.
@Carol: yeah, I'm not all that jazzed about the new agent, either. The only thing that keeps me interested in her is her back story. Also, I'm curious about whether the friction we saw with her and Derek will show up again. Other than that, Emily was much more compelling I thought.
@Lynda: wild, huh? Couldn't believe that was Mackenzie. Glad to see she's still working in the business though.
Nini: rooting for the unsubs was an impulse here too. An uncomfortable one though - I mean they went just a *little* overboard though.
I kept expecting Nucky to find a way to kill Gyp. His capitulation to him with the new deal must have stuck in his craw, plus he can't predict his rages. It's logical for him to go. I wondered if Gyp's drink was poisoned (it wasn't), and then when Gyp was on the road, I wondered if Nucky had planned an ambush, especially after Gyp had the "good luck" note read to him.
I keep wondering if any episode won't feature someone bring killed. As each episode progresses, and everyone's still breathing, a new tension bubbles up: who's going to buy it now? Gruesome ending this time, wasn't it? Clearly Gyp has to go.
There's a logical inconsistency with how the Madsen character was written. He's smart enough to figure out a way to get Danny into his clutches while ensuring his own safety, yet seems to lose all intelligence when they're in the cemetery and he argues that he won't get shot because he has Danny.
The only thing that can bridge that anomaly is the thought that perhaps in his angst over his dead girlfriend and son, he wanted to commit "suicide by cop".
I watched the first couple of episodes of last season, then stopped watching in disgust. The Walden character just didn't work.
Decided I'd tune in for the start of this season - because sometimes it takes a while for a major change like that to take root and grow. Maybe it would be better.
It wasn't. Not funny at all. Even the "edgy" stuff like the pot-smoking scene didn't make a difference. Ah well.
Most of the Criminal Minds team are likeable (we'll leave The Boss out of the equation for now) so this new character represents a change in direction, I think. Tripplehorn likely played the character as written, and was therefore supposed to be a bit stiff and marginally unlikeable. I don't get the sense the audience is supposed to welcome her, particularly as there is a mystery to her past.
I think she's a curiosity that we'll need to see unravel as the weeks progress. Truly interesting.
I laughed out loud at the humping toys. Wasn't expecting that at all - and what a great setup for it too!
And though the show was all-round just crazy great, of special note was the flash-forward to Gloria finally nearing the end of her pregnancy. That was a great idea. Manny's reason for self-training was perfect.
(Yeah, I got misty at Jay's reaction to the news too)
As high as my expectations for this premiere episode of Season 2 was.....and as much as I anticipated it, the show simply astounded me once again. So cool to see Reese patiently explaining about how that particular military dog was trained, and doing the demonstration, just before you see that glint that he always gets in his eyes right before he opens up a can of whoop-ass. Perfect. And so now - he has a new partner, with the dog? I'm guessing so.
And Russo got just a tiny crumb for once, when Reese ruefully acknowledged his friendship. Sort of. It was enough, right? Man - this is just an amazing show. Great writing, awesome acting.
Like Michael (first commenter) I too wondered why the FBI agent didn't kill him right there in the street while he was watching the TV sets through the store windows.
I like how Gibbs felt the need to kill him with a knife to the guts. He needed the visceral closure that a quick bullet wouldn't have provided. Edgy and dark, that.
I think Abby is back to her chipper self. The last scene was five months later and we saw her smiling as she walked into the building. Oh and Ziva and Tony need to get a room. Bigger than an elevator. Perhaps with a bed. :)
The negatives that you pointed out actually seemed realistic to me. The love triangle points at a dynamic common to many: frustrated attraction. Can't remember how many times I've missed out in my own life because of a wrong sense of politeness or naivety. It happens. The slapstick stuff resonates too: I've been caught yelling in anger over a misplaced set of keys only to discover they wee in my hand the whole time (and no I'm not a stupid guy). :) And MacKenzie appealed to me on many levels too, even with her frustration. She was just all around too cute for words. Like in life, one person's trash is another's treasure - which is why I think the writing worked.
Bryan Cranston has got to be the "break out" star of the decade. He has always been pretty great at comedic stuff but it's his Breaking Bad character that put him in the map. How can you not love this guy? He'll be great on 30 Rock too.
Matt: thanks for clearing that up about the dispenser. I had forgotten Walt's surprise at seeing it again. So we really don't know if the cancer's back - he takes it as an omen that it might be. (What crazy-ass hospital wouldn't have budgeted the money to replace it after all this time?)
It's funny: all throughout the series,there all kinds of little clues that *just* seemed to have eluded Hank's observation, only by virtue of his perception of Walter. The fact that the quality of the meth was such that it would take a chemist to have cooked it stands out (first season) as the first of many. And now we come down with the "W.W.W." which serves as the flashpoint for what we know will become a fiery descent for Walter. Amazing stuff.
Jason is one of the most interesting characters on the show. Wait. No, Pam is. Hang on a second, maybe it's the good reverend. (By the way, after Russell was killed, where did he take off to?)
Liked the Pam and Tara thing: they were always birds of a feather, with their patent disgust of most people generally. Tara's not a Pollyanna wallflower either. Never has been, and most *certainly* Pam is not. Soul mates (they would disagree and consider anyone who suggested it to be the biggest tool. Guilty as charged.) : )
I keep wondering why Nick haasn't yet learned that Renard is a Wesen. Seems odd, even though Renard is half-human. I thought a Grimm could easily identify any Grimm. Maybe a half-Wesen is a Grimm's visual kryptonite?
The thing about this show - the thing that makes it so frustrating for some yet so entertaining to others - is that it's got real characters. Real people have biases. It's in our nature. We may say that we're independent thinkers and that we don't like to be pigeon-holed and we really may mean it (I know *I* do, at least), but at the end of the day, we really do have a bias. Whether it's political or social or economic or spiritual or what-have-you.
Sorkin has created a beautiful mosaic of people, all of whom have a bias of one sort or another. These characters are not one or two dimensional. They have faults and phobias and they make mistakes. Yet they're true to their own beliefs, however misguided or wrong some of us may feel about them. It's the reason I love the hell out of it and can't wait for the next season to begin.
I loved it from start to finish. Did you notice too that most of the "vamper" deaths were a little bit more graphic, as we saw their faces start to melt first this time? Not surprising when it happened to Russell, as he had just ingested an entire faerie. But some of the rest of them were just normal vampers and yet we got to see them do a Indiana Jones meltdown too.
The best part: there's enough in there to keep us waiting for the next season. All in all - not too shabby.
Even in his regret over the shooting of Mike, Walt is the quintessential psychopath in stating that he didn't *have* to shoot him, because he had Lydia to fall back on. His regret was more of expediency than any true feeling. Amazing writing.
I think Todd is Walt's equal in terms of being a psychopath. He didn't hesitate to shoot the teenager; and he was the first to countermand instructions to *not* talk to Jesse or Walt. He comes off as looking slightly vacant but I'm convinced he's not. He's got his own plan: that struck me when we saw him holding the jar with the spider in it.
Yeah, didn't care for the elder fae either, despite the pre-show explanation/warning. Sure, she existed in multiple timelines - though for the most part it was in the 60's. The only thing missing was pot smoke, and scarves and people flashing the peace sign and saying "groooovy.". Ugh. Total distraction. The rest (except for the knocked up fae scene) was pretty cool. I never ever get tired of Pam's deep throated scathing putdowns either. Tara's in love with her? She'll have to get in line behind me.
I have loved the series from the get-go. The only thing I found disappointing in this episode was the mock debate. As soon as Will started going to town with it, it became predictable - only because the series is built around genuine news stories and history. And when did any of us see debates that were as honest as that one? It didn't happen in history therefore it couldn't happen on the show. Major bummer. Felt like the guy who got stood up on a date,
They'll have to go a long way to top the last episode of last season, but this one was truly up there isn't it?
I'm still wondering about when we'll get to see the final puzzle piece that gets us to the first episode of this season. Always in the back of my mind....
Man oh man. So compelling, watching the character of a true sociopath working out the details of his intentions according to what makes sense to him, irrespective of any toyed notions of morality or even love. Does he even know the meaning of that word? Doubtful. Seems like he's more cognizant of how others perceive it.
Burn Notice
Comments by Douglas Wolfe (Page 5)
Criminal Minds Review: The Leg Whisperer
Criminal Minds Review: Dysfunction Junction
@Katie: :) no, I don't think Hotch would be irresponsible either. Maybe they were okay with the idea of a new child though. Just wasn't sure. (I think they make an awesome couple)
I agree that Garcia and Morgan need to be careful with the speakerphone. I don't recall any awkwardness around their banter with onlookers. Glad you guys mentioned it - now I'm curious: I'll be watching that dynamic a little closer.
Criminal Minds Review: Time for a Blitz Attack
@Lynda: wild, huh? Couldn't believe that was Mackenzie. Glad to see she's still working in the business though.
Nini: rooting for the unsubs was an impulse here too. An uncomfortable one though - I mean they went just a *little* overboard though.
Criminal Minds Review: Time for a Blitz Attack
Boardwalk Empire Review: With All Due Respect
I keep wondering if any episode won't feature someone bring killed. As each episode progresses, and everyone's still breathing, a new tension bubbles up: who's going to buy it now? Gruesome ending this time, wasn't it? Clearly Gyp has to go.
Blue Bloods Review: Who Needs the Rabbit Foot?
The only thing that can bridge that anomaly is the thought that perhaps in his angst over his dead girlfriend and son, he wanted to commit "suicide by cop".
Great show, as usual.
Two and a Half Men Review: Army, Some Fatigue
Decided I'd tune in for the start of this season - because sometimes it takes a while for a major change like that to take root and grow. Maybe it would be better.
It wasn't. Not funny at all. Even the "edgy" stuff like the pot-smoking scene didn't make a difference. Ah well.
Jeanne Tripplehorn Debuts on Criminal Minds: Hit or Miss?
I think she's a curiosity that we'll need to see unravel as the weeks progress. Truly interesting.
Modern Family Review: The Best Birthday Present
And though the show was all-round just crazy great, of special note was the flash-forward to Gloria finally nearing the end of her pregnancy. That was a great idea. Manny's reason for self-training was perfect.
(Yeah, I got misty at Jay's reaction to the news too)
Person of Interest Season Premiere Review: Finding Finch
And Russo got just a tiny crumb for once, when Reese ruefully acknowledged his friendship. Sort of. It was enough, right? Man - this is just an amazing show. Great writing, awesome acting.
NCIS Season Premiere Review: The Aftermath
I like how Gibbs felt the need to kill him with a knife to the guts. He needed the visceral closure that a quick bullet wouldn't have provided. Edgy and dark, that.
I think Abby is back to her chipper self. The last scene was five months later and we saw her smiling as she walked into the building. Oh and Ziva and Tony need to get a room. Bigger than an elevator. Perhaps with a bed. :)
The Newsroom Season 1 Report Card: B-
Bryan Cranston, Catherine O'Hara to Guest Star on 30 Rock
Blue Bloods Season 3 Promo: Back with a Vengeance
Breaking Bad Review: Down the Toilet
Breaking Bad Review: Down the Toilet
True Blood Round Table: "Save Yourself"
Liked the Pam and Tara thing: they were always birds of a feather, with their patent disgust of most people generally. Tara's not a Pollyanna wallflower either. Never has been, and most *certainly* Pam is not. Soul mates (they would disagree and consider anyone who suggested it to be the biggest tool. Guilty as charged.) : )
Grimm Review: Welcome To The Pack Hank!
The Newsroom Review: To Rise Again
Sorkin has created a beautiful mosaic of people, all of whom have a bias of one sort or another. These characters are not one or two dimensional. They have faults and phobias and they make mistakes. Yet they're true to their own beliefs, however misguided or wrong some of us may feel about them. It's the reason I love the hell out of it and can't wait for the next season to begin.
True Blood Review: Capture the Rapture
The best part: there's enough in there to keep us waiting for the next season. All in all - not too shabby.
Breaking Bad Review: Simply the Best
I think Todd is Walt's equal in terms of being a psychopath. He didn't hesitate to shoot the teenager; and he was the first to countermand instructions to *not* talk to Jesse or Walt. He comes off as looking slightly vacant but I'm convinced he's not. He's got his own plan: that struck me when we saw him holding the jar with the spider in it.
True Blood Review: Suck Me Beautiful
The Newsroom Review: Clear Out the Clown Car
Breaking Bad Round Table: "Dead Freight"
I'm still wondering about when we'll get to see the final puzzle piece that gets us to the first episode of this season. Always in the back of my mind....
Extended Dexter Promo: "I WIll Never Be Okay"