Haha, what right do I have to talk about the proper ending of a TV show when it turns out that I have not gotten around to watching the finale of some of my most beloved shows?
Sometimes life gets in the way and you get behind on a show and it feels like you'll never catch up. Or sometimes a show just really goes downhill and you have to give up or you will lose all your good memories of when the show was not sucktastic.
But it's pretty clear to me (and why don't I share it with you) that I have a few projects hanging over my head: shows that are done and complete that finishing my own viewing will provide me with a little peace of mind. Or at least spare me the embarrassment of having to say "yeah, I didn't finish that..."
Friday Night Lights
Last Episode I Watched: Season 5, Episode 1
Why I Stopped Watching: I just couldn't cry that much. No seriously, that is the reason. Knowing that by the time it aired on NBC Friday Night Lights was officially and forever over, that there would be no more, that the fat lady had most definitely sung, made it kind of impossible for me to watch without just sobbing uncontrollably. So much crying. So I decided I didn't want to cry that much. So I didn't watch. Maybe I should put on my big girl pants...
Lost
Last Episode I Watched: Season 6, Episode 5
Why I Stopped Watching: Do I need to say why? Juliet was dead. It was boring.
Chuck
Last Episode I Watched: Season 4, Episode 1
Why I Stopped Watching: I've made no secret of my ambivalence toward Sarah. I've never really warmed to her and I get super annoyed when a show tells me how much I am supposed to love someone that I find kind of boring and selfish. (This is one of my most pet of pet peeves. I HATE it when a show, through dialogue, tries to impart upon me a singular opinion of a character that either isn't or can't be established through that character's action. Hence my unending fury with Kate from Lost or Don from Mad Men.) So when Chuck became pretty much completely about Chuck and Sarah's relationship, I just couldn't really work up much enthusiasm for watching. I wanted to want to watch it, but I just couldn't take yet another discussion of their love.
The Wire
Last Episode I Watched: Season 3, Episode 7 (I think)
Why I Stopped Watching: Because I thought my heart was going to explode. In the scene where Stinger tells Avon that he had Avon's nephew killed in prison, I literally thought that I was going to have a heart attack, it was so frakking tense. And that is always what it feels watching The Wire. So I decided I needed a break. And that break has turned into a year and a half.
Greek
Last Episode I Watched: oh my frakking goodness I have no idea!
Why I Stopped Watching: It would seem after my rant-y-ness about Chuck that I wouldn't in any way endorse a show that really had no plot movement aside from who-is-getting-together-with-whom, but I really enjoy(ed) Greek. It's simple, sweet, and surprisingly funny. Time. Time is why I stopped watching. Each episode is 42 minutes, and it just never seemed to fit into the time that I had to watch it. But I think I can work with that. I mean, I know how it ends for Cappie and Casey (is there really any question about that?), but I would like to know what happens to everyone else. To the Netflix!
The TV Girl
Making the world a better place, one show at a time.
- The TV Girl
- Washington, DC, United States
- I guess you would like to know a little bit about the person making all these proclamations upon good taste and horrid characters. I'm Andrea and when I was 15 I fell in love. An hour after meeting "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" I was forever altered in the way only love can, and I never questioned for one minute afterwards that television offered me an amazing chance to experience lives and moments that I could never imagine. So now, when I'm not getting distracted by my real life, I write about TV. I also read, am finishing a Master's degree in English Literature, travel, am attempting to learn vegan cooking, am the 5th of 6 children, and drive my roommate nuts by constantly cleaning our already clean apartment. Now that we're old friends, time for you to take my opinions as the be all and end all.
Showing posts with label Top 5s. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Top 5s. Show all posts
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Friday, November 18, 2011
Top 5: Characters I Unexpectedly Fell For, Hard
Hi everyone.
So, it's been two months. More. Yeah, well, um, okay.
Let's just skip over all the "where have you been" and such.
Kathleen and I were talking the other day about Legend of the Seeker; she's mid-way through S1. I asked if she had met Cara yet, and that got us talking about the Mord Sith, and both of us agreeing that as characters the Mord Sith are kind of sympathetic. Our conversation moved on to Game of Thrones and ended with me exclaiming how Jon Snow and Tryrion Lannister are the heroes of my heart. (Yes, I AM amazed people will be friends with me, you don't need to point that out.) It got me thinking about the characters that I love when either I had no expectation to do so, and maybe that I shouldn't: when intellectually they are not my kind of people, or have serious personality deficiencies, but for some reason I just totally dig them and want what's best for them. (This isn't the same as villains I love for being villainous.)
Omar Little, The Wire
I'm only halfway through The Wire, so maybe I'll change my tune on this, but I get giddy every time Omar shows up. Like really giddy. Yes, Omar robs drug dealers and shoots people who get in his way, but he is so unapologetically honest about what he does and who he is that you just want to respect him. Let's be clear, I do not want to be friends with Omar, I in no way think we should hang out. He scares the ever living shite out of me. He starts whistling and I get the shivers. That said, I greedily soak up every word he drawls out; whether he be rebuking shady lawyers, or explaining the logical conclusion of what-do-I-do-with-my-hands-when-a-gun-is-pointed-in-my-face, or giving McNulty an ethical argument for becoming a state's witness. I would like to hire someone to high-five him.
Caroline, The Vampire Diaries
By all rights I should hate Caroline: she is demanding, overachieving, overbearing, and more often focused on her current boyfriend drama than the mayhem and death surrounding her. Always planning parties that end up as bloodbaths, she never seems to catch on that being a vampire might preclude her from being a typical teenage girl. But I adore Caroline. She is so ridiculous, she's awesome. Initially treated as a third wheel in the Elena/Bonnie friendship in desperate need of being placated, Caroline turned out to be far more interesting than either of her frenemies, both proving herself capable of a competency and loyalty that eludes the epically enamored Elena and demonstrating the necessary sense of humor that dour and self-righteous Bonnie sorely lacks. (And no, I don't blame Jeremy for "cheating" on Bonnie with Anna. Bonnie is the worst.) I mean come on, give the girl a hand, she turned Tyler into not-a-scumbag and still managed to remain student body president.
Tyrion Lannister, Game of Thrones
It isn't all that surprising that I love Tyrion; smart matters to me more than almost anything. Not that ridiculous "wow look at this stupid freak trick that I have, aren't I so much smarter than the rest of you" smart (90% of current police/medical procedurals, I'm talking about you), but actual intelligence. And drinking, wenching, nephew-slapping Tyrion can do no wrong in my eyes. I want him to sit on the Iron Throne, send everyone to help the Night's Watch against the snow-zombies, and put Littlefinger on a leaky ship heading West, because Tyrion is the bestest best there is in Westeros. Okay, but seriously, he's smart, funny, realistic, and brave. Tyrion rocks!
Juliet, Lost
I don't give a flip what other people say, Juliet was one of the very few tolerable characters on this show. I enjoyed Juliet; I liked watching her grow from Ben's disgruntled hostage to Sawyer's soul-mate. I actually got upset when she died, and her coming back in the finale might be enough to get me to plow through the last 10/12 (can't remember) episodes I haven't watched yet. It took her a bit, but she realized Jack was a total waste of space, stood up for herself and made a decision to do what she though was right, did what no one else on the bleepedy-bleeping-bleep of an island seemed interested in and built a real life based on love and respect, which she then willingly sacrificed so that her husband could be spared the imprisonment he'd been subjected to. But (surprisingly) Juliet continued to be a rounded person: even though she had NO reason on any earth to be insecure about hysterical, useless, whiny, self-justifying, (BORING) Kate, Juliet still suffered from the all to human anxiety surrounding seeing your man with his ex. In a huge cast of rather unpleasant people, Juliet was a shiny surprise of someone I truly liked.
Luke Cafferty, Friday Night Lights
I think it's kind of amazing that a show can introduce a new character in the 4th Season, and make that character someone you are so glad you met. In both physicality and personality, Luke looked to be our replacement for the departing Matt Saracen, since after all, what is a show set in Texas without a sweet little mumbling underdog for us to root for? But make no mistake, Luke isn't the poor-man's Matt. I would even venture to say that Luke turned out to be a better person. (Please don't kill me Internet! I love Matt Saracen, I promise I do!) Luke's familial situation was less dire than Matt's, it was in fact rather like a Steinbeck story, therefore he was less emotionally distraught by the unreasonable pressure of his situation than Matt, and as such was less likely to act carelessly. (I swear, I adore Matt Saracen, but boy was kind of an idiot some times.) For the most part, Luke acts with integrity and humility. In his halting, sincere apology to Tami that he lied to her about his address he acknowledges that she was right to insist that he be sent to East Dillon and asks that she forgive him for betraying her trust, showing that he actually understands the underlying ethics of the situation, and all without anger or self-pity. Even though all of his focus and hard work was directed to getting a football scholarship so he could go to college and leave the family farm, he wanted to take responsibility for the child he created with Becky, and there's no reason to think he wouldn't have been a very good father, eventually. I didn't think there was room in my FNL heart for new people, but then there was Luke.
So, it's been two months. More. Yeah, well, um, okay.
Let's just skip over all the "where have you been" and such.
Kathleen and I were talking the other day about Legend of the Seeker; she's mid-way through S1. I asked if she had met Cara yet, and that got us talking about the Mord Sith, and both of us agreeing that as characters the Mord Sith are kind of sympathetic. Our conversation moved on to Game of Thrones and ended with me exclaiming how Jon Snow and Tryrion Lannister are the heroes of my heart. (Yes, I AM amazed people will be friends with me, you don't need to point that out.) It got me thinking about the characters that I love when either I had no expectation to do so, and maybe that I shouldn't: when intellectually they are not my kind of people, or have serious personality deficiencies, but for some reason I just totally dig them and want what's best for them. (This isn't the same as villains I love for being villainous.)
Omar Little, The Wire
I'm only halfway through The Wire, so maybe I'll change my tune on this, but I get giddy every time Omar shows up. Like really giddy. Yes, Omar robs drug dealers and shoots people who get in his way, but he is so unapologetically honest about what he does and who he is that you just want to respect him. Let's be clear, I do not want to be friends with Omar, I in no way think we should hang out. He scares the ever living shite out of me. He starts whistling and I get the shivers. That said, I greedily soak up every word he drawls out; whether he be rebuking shady lawyers, or explaining the logical conclusion of what-do-I-do-with-my-hands-when-a-gun-is-pointed-in-my-face, or giving McNulty an ethical argument for becoming a state's witness. I would like to hire someone to high-five him.
Caroline, The Vampire Diaries
By all rights I should hate Caroline: she is demanding, overachieving, overbearing, and more often focused on her current boyfriend drama than the mayhem and death surrounding her. Always planning parties that end up as bloodbaths, she never seems to catch on that being a vampire might preclude her from being a typical teenage girl. But I adore Caroline. She is so ridiculous, she's awesome. Initially treated as a third wheel in the Elena/Bonnie friendship in desperate need of being placated, Caroline turned out to be far more interesting than either of her frenemies, both proving herself capable of a competency and loyalty that eludes the epically enamored Elena and demonstrating the necessary sense of humor that dour and self-righteous Bonnie sorely lacks. (And no, I don't blame Jeremy for "cheating" on Bonnie with Anna. Bonnie is the worst.) I mean come on, give the girl a hand, she turned Tyler into not-a-scumbag and still managed to remain student body president.
Tyrion Lannister, Game of Thrones
It isn't all that surprising that I love Tyrion; smart matters to me more than almost anything. Not that ridiculous "wow look at this stupid freak trick that I have, aren't I so much smarter than the rest of you" smart (90% of current police/medical procedurals, I'm talking about you), but actual intelligence. And drinking, wenching, nephew-slapping Tyrion can do no wrong in my eyes. I want him to sit on the Iron Throne, send everyone to help the Night's Watch against the snow-zombies, and put Littlefinger on a leaky ship heading West, because Tyrion is the bestest best there is in Westeros. Okay, but seriously, he's smart, funny, realistic, and brave. Tyrion rocks!
Juliet, Lost
I don't give a flip what other people say, Juliet was one of the very few tolerable characters on this show. I enjoyed Juliet; I liked watching her grow from Ben's disgruntled hostage to Sawyer's soul-mate. I actually got upset when she died, and her coming back in the finale might be enough to get me to plow through the last 10/12 (can't remember) episodes I haven't watched yet. It took her a bit, but she realized Jack was a total waste of space, stood up for herself and made a decision to do what she though was right, did what no one else on the bleepedy-bleeping-bleep of an island seemed interested in and built a real life based on love and respect, which she then willingly sacrificed so that her husband could be spared the imprisonment he'd been subjected to. But (surprisingly) Juliet continued to be a rounded person: even though she had NO reason on any earth to be insecure about hysterical, useless, whiny, self-justifying, (BORING) Kate, Juliet still suffered from the all to human anxiety surrounding seeing your man with his ex. In a huge cast of rather unpleasant people, Juliet was a shiny surprise of someone I truly liked.
Luke Cafferty, Friday Night Lights
I think it's kind of amazing that a show can introduce a new character in the 4th Season, and make that character someone you are so glad you met. In both physicality and personality, Luke looked to be our replacement for the departing Matt Saracen, since after all, what is a show set in Texas without a sweet little mumbling underdog for us to root for? But make no mistake, Luke isn't the poor-man's Matt. I would even venture to say that Luke turned out to be a better person. (Please don't kill me Internet! I love Matt Saracen, I promise I do!) Luke's familial situation was less dire than Matt's, it was in fact rather like a Steinbeck story, therefore he was less emotionally distraught by the unreasonable pressure of his situation than Matt, and as such was less likely to act carelessly. (I swear, I adore Matt Saracen, but boy was kind of an idiot some times.) For the most part, Luke acts with integrity and humility. In his halting, sincere apology to Tami that he lied to her about his address he acknowledges that she was right to insist that he be sent to East Dillon and asks that she forgive him for betraying her trust, showing that he actually understands the underlying ethics of the situation, and all without anger or self-pity. Even though all of his focus and hard work was directed to getting a football scholarship so he could go to college and leave the family farm, he wanted to take responsibility for the child he created with Becky, and there's no reason to think he wouldn't have been a very good father, eventually. I didn't think there was room in my FNL heart for new people, but then there was Luke.
Monday, September 5, 2011
Top 5: Shows I Watch Alone
On the opposite side of the spectrum from when last we spoke, there are some shows that don't lend themselves well to happy fun let's-get-together-and-watch-that-show parties. It's not that I want to keep certain shows to myself (I do not get the pseudo-hipster attitude of NOT telling people about awesome things) but rather that some shows, usually the ones that I am particularly engaged in or attached to, are not ones that I want to watch with other people. At least the first time that I see an episode. Some shows I have to let be mine first.
Sons of Anarchy
KP visited a couple of weeks ago and we were trying to figure out a show to watch while we were hanging out. There was a quick mutual agreement that SoA, though a favorite of us both, just wasn't something you watched with someone else. Part of the brilliance of SoA is that it reaches inside of you and claws at all the things that make you human. It's visceral, terrifying, and I wouldn't give it up for a second. But, well, it's just a private experience.
Fringe
The truth is that when I started watching this show no one I knew watched it also. Therefore I watched it on my own and by the time other people I knew started watching I was too far ahead to invite them over for new episodes on a Friday night. Now, the idea that there would be other people around when new information trickles in about Peter, or Olivia absorbs her next in a never ending parade of blows, or Walter makes his latest food request just seems too strange to me.
Game of Thrones
I'm too fucking involved in GoT to watch it with anyone else. I rejoice, I cry, I yell, I bite my nails, I stop breathing, sometimes I even get to laugh. I exclaim my love and hate at the screen. I panic for what has happened, what is happening, for what is yet to happen, for everything. I can't say that it is a pretty sight. It would annoy the living bejesus out of someone to be watching this with me, and it would annoy me to try and tone down my reactions. I was once told that a sign of maturity is to recognize and live within your limitations. I consider it the hight of maturity for me to watch GoT alone.
Dexter
Dexter is all about honesty: are we telling the truth or are we lying? Because so much of the show is about exposing the truth you end up as a viewer feeling a bit exposed yourself, and in that it is a little uncomfortable to glance over and see a loved one. Dexter leaves you feeling raw, edgy, kinda giddy and very much in the mood for a bit of solitude to mull over the state of your being.
Legend of the Seeker
I'm fairly sure that if anyone saw just how unabashedly I love this silly little defunct fantasy show that they would disown me in a heartbeat. (Actually, LilBro might have watched a few minutes with me before deciding I was a lunatic and he had better things to do.) They might be right to do so. But, to save both myself and them from the pain of separation, I'll just keep LotS for rainy days when family and friends are out having real lives.
The TV Girl
Sons of Anarchy
KP visited a couple of weeks ago and we were trying to figure out a show to watch while we were hanging out. There was a quick mutual agreement that SoA, though a favorite of us both, just wasn't something you watched with someone else. Part of the brilliance of SoA is that it reaches inside of you and claws at all the things that make you human. It's visceral, terrifying, and I wouldn't give it up for a second. But, well, it's just a private experience.
Fringe
The truth is that when I started watching this show no one I knew watched it also. Therefore I watched it on my own and by the time other people I knew started watching I was too far ahead to invite them over for new episodes on a Friday night. Now, the idea that there would be other people around when new information trickles in about Peter, or Olivia absorbs her next in a never ending parade of blows, or Walter makes his latest food request just seems too strange to me.
Game of Thrones
I'm too fucking involved in GoT to watch it with anyone else. I rejoice, I cry, I yell, I bite my nails, I stop breathing, sometimes I even get to laugh. I exclaim my love and hate at the screen. I panic for what has happened, what is happening, for what is yet to happen, for everything. I can't say that it is a pretty sight. It would annoy the living bejesus out of someone to be watching this with me, and it would annoy me to try and tone down my reactions. I was once told that a sign of maturity is to recognize and live within your limitations. I consider it the hight of maturity for me to watch GoT alone.
Dexter
Dexter is all about honesty: are we telling the truth or are we lying? Because so much of the show is about exposing the truth you end up as a viewer feeling a bit exposed yourself, and in that it is a little uncomfortable to glance over and see a loved one. Dexter leaves you feeling raw, edgy, kinda giddy and very much in the mood for a bit of solitude to mull over the state of your being.
Legend of the Seeker
I'm fairly sure that if anyone saw just how unabashedly I love this silly little defunct fantasy show that they would disown me in a heartbeat. (Actually, LilBro might have watched a few minutes with me before deciding I was a lunatic and he had better things to do.) They might be right to do so. But, to save both myself and them from the pain of separation, I'll just keep LotS for rainy days when family and friends are out having real lives.
The TV Girl
Friday, September 2, 2011
Top 5: Shows I Enjoy Watching Collectively
I've been having a really rough week. The kind where you want to cry all the time and you don't know why. Everything that everyone says makes you hurt but not because they're mean or rude, just because, well, because. In that frame of mind I feel this ridiculous need to justify myself, to explain not only why I am NOT ashamed of the amount of TV I watch, but also why I love to write about it.
TV can connect you to other people. It's more than if you have show in common you have an easy conversation topic with another person (You watch Fringe? I watch Fringe! So that thing with Peter, what's that all about?), even though that is amazing for socially awkward people like me, and I have friends with whom I can have lengthy conversations entirely about TV. (Every time KP and I hang out in a group our friend roll their eyes when we start talking TV, knowing if they don't intervene we won't stop.) It's more than that. Recommending a show to a friend lets them get to know you better; you trust them a bit more by granting them access to your opinions and thoughts, when you agree it becomes a bond, when you disagree it become fodder for debate and seeing things in a new light. When you watch a show with someone you create the memory of that act, and when you watch that show later it makes you think of that person. I adore the texts I get from friends that say "I was watching such-and-such today and it made me think of you."
So in the spirit of TV as act of community, these are shows that I prefer to watch with other people. I will watch these shows by myself, but if I have the chance to share them with someone else I will, because it makes already enjoyable shows so much more enjoyable.
Burn Notice
For Sis and LilBro this is like OUR show. I'm not sure how, I'm not sure why, but somehow it became our go-to show to watch when we're all in the same place, usually only a few days at Christmas now that we're all adults and such. And without them I just don't enjoy the show as much. I still like it, just not as much. Sam seems funnier when my brother is there to laugh with me. Michael's schemes seem more outlandish and fun with my sister cheering along too. At this point it almost feels like a betrayal to watch Burn Notice on my own, like I'm cheating myself and my siblings out of the lazy hours, bottles of wine, and random bullshitting conversations entailed in watching.
Battlestar Galactica
I will watch this show anytime, anywhere, with anyone or with no one. While I do not love it any less when flying solo, watching BSG with other people is one of the supreme joys in my life. I can tell when, where, and with whom I watched every episode of this show, and all of that information informs my relationship with Battlestar Galactica. The mini-series was an adventure in Christopher and Calah's apartment, our second semester of grad school, their infant daughter alternatively laughing hysterically or crying depending on how much attention we were paying to the show. The first time I saw "Unfinished Business" I only caught half the dialogue because Jennie, Jason and I were occupying a table at the Knight's of Columbus in Dallas where Tom was tending bar and it was a raucous night. (Of course, the immensity of that episode wasn't lost on us, we understood even without the sound.) The revelation of the final five Cylons has less impact on me than I think it should have because I was watching by myself on Mal in the middle of the night, in my room in the apartment shared with the roommate who frightened me. The finale was extra sad because it was the end of "BSG Viewing Party at the Russells'." Watching BSG together made a little fleet out of me and my loved ones, no matter how far flung we get.
The Office
Awkward humor is so hard for me to take, even though I love many shows that revolve around awkward people doing awkward things that make me feel awkward. Therefore, I'm more likely to turn off an awkward-humor show if I watch by myself. (At least the first time I see an episode. Re-watch isn't as bad, but that necessitates getting through it the first time.) The Office is the best example of that personal phenomenon. If it's just me I get about 2 minutes in and bury my head in my arms and then can't watch anymore. If I'm watching with a group I bury my head in my arms, but the solidarity with others keeps me going, and I'm better off for it. This is a show where without other people it wouldn't have happened and I'd hate if I'd have missed the many wonderful seasons (and don't forget that this show was really wonderful for a long time) of the Dunder-Mifflin bunch because I get going when the going gets uncomfortable.
Doctor Who
A major theme in Doctor Who is the fundamental need for communion. The Doctor always has a companion, things go to complete fuckery when he doesn't. So it makes sense to me that traveling with the Time Lord is just more fun when my blue box (aka my blue couch) is occupied by more than me. Especially since I spend so much time while watching Doctor Who going "wait, what the bleepedy-bleep just happened?!?" It makes me feel less like a crazy person when there is someone to hear those exclamations.
Also, Doctor Who has the tendency to float you along on jaunty adventures and quippy dialogue only to sucker punch you with devastation and tragedy (Davies, I still don't forgive you for Donna); the comfort of a watching companion or two gentles the experience because there is a hand to grab when something exciting is happening but also someone to pass the box of tissues when your heart (inevitably) breaks. Plus, accent decoding is much easier with multiple ears.
The O.C.
This show is so ridiculous and awesome and awesomely ridiculous that it demands to be watched with others. The Cohen-Atwood-Cooper-Roberts blended family is always a joy to watch, but it gets so much better with a friend to simultaneously roll their eyes at Marissa's dumb-ass-ery or get a little equally verklempt at those perfect Ryan and Seth moments. I have happily spent many an afternoon cleaning and organizing to the background of soapy sunshine and emo antics, but the full glory of The O.C. (the touching family moments, the funny declarations of love, the sad sad car accidents) really comes into being when observed in conjunction with good friends. And by good friends I mean people who have an equal lack of shame and love of upper-middle-class drama. Or just people who drink as much as you do.
The TV Girl
TV can connect you to other people. It's more than if you have show in common you have an easy conversation topic with another person (You watch Fringe? I watch Fringe! So that thing with Peter, what's that all about?), even though that is amazing for socially awkward people like me, and I have friends with whom I can have lengthy conversations entirely about TV. (Every time KP and I hang out in a group our friend roll their eyes when we start talking TV, knowing if they don't intervene we won't stop.) It's more than that. Recommending a show to a friend lets them get to know you better; you trust them a bit more by granting them access to your opinions and thoughts, when you agree it becomes a bond, when you disagree it become fodder for debate and seeing things in a new light. When you watch a show with someone you create the memory of that act, and when you watch that show later it makes you think of that person. I adore the texts I get from friends that say "I was watching such-and-such today and it made me think of you."
So in the spirit of TV as act of community, these are shows that I prefer to watch with other people. I will watch these shows by myself, but if I have the chance to share them with someone else I will, because it makes already enjoyable shows so much more enjoyable.
Burn Notice
For Sis and LilBro this is like OUR show. I'm not sure how, I'm not sure why, but somehow it became our go-to show to watch when we're all in the same place, usually only a few days at Christmas now that we're all adults and such. And without them I just don't enjoy the show as much. I still like it, just not as much. Sam seems funnier when my brother is there to laugh with me. Michael's schemes seem more outlandish and fun with my sister cheering along too. At this point it almost feels like a betrayal to watch Burn Notice on my own, like I'm cheating myself and my siblings out of the lazy hours, bottles of wine, and random bullshitting conversations entailed in watching.
Battlestar Galactica
I will watch this show anytime, anywhere, with anyone or with no one. While I do not love it any less when flying solo, watching BSG with other people is one of the supreme joys in my life. I can tell when, where, and with whom I watched every episode of this show, and all of that information informs my relationship with Battlestar Galactica. The mini-series was an adventure in Christopher and Calah's apartment, our second semester of grad school, their infant daughter alternatively laughing hysterically or crying depending on how much attention we were paying to the show. The first time I saw "Unfinished Business" I only caught half the dialogue because Jennie, Jason and I were occupying a table at the Knight's of Columbus in Dallas where Tom was tending bar and it was a raucous night. (Of course, the immensity of that episode wasn't lost on us, we understood even without the sound.) The revelation of the final five Cylons has less impact on me than I think it should have because I was watching by myself on Mal in the middle of the night, in my room in the apartment shared with the roommate who frightened me. The finale was extra sad because it was the end of "BSG Viewing Party at the Russells'." Watching BSG together made a little fleet out of me and my loved ones, no matter how far flung we get.
The Office
Awkward humor is so hard for me to take, even though I love many shows that revolve around awkward people doing awkward things that make me feel awkward. Therefore, I'm more likely to turn off an awkward-humor show if I watch by myself. (At least the first time I see an episode. Re-watch isn't as bad, but that necessitates getting through it the first time.) The Office is the best example of that personal phenomenon. If it's just me I get about 2 minutes in and bury my head in my arms and then can't watch anymore. If I'm watching with a group I bury my head in my arms, but the solidarity with others keeps me going, and I'm better off for it. This is a show where without other people it wouldn't have happened and I'd hate if I'd have missed the many wonderful seasons (and don't forget that this show was really wonderful for a long time) of the Dunder-Mifflin bunch because I get going when the going gets uncomfortable.
Doctor Who
A major theme in Doctor Who is the fundamental need for communion. The Doctor always has a companion, things go to complete fuckery when he doesn't. So it makes sense to me that traveling with the Time Lord is just more fun when my blue box (aka my blue couch) is occupied by more than me. Especially since I spend so much time while watching Doctor Who going "wait, what the bleepedy-bleep just happened?!?" It makes me feel less like a crazy person when there is someone to hear those exclamations.
Also, Doctor Who has the tendency to float you along on jaunty adventures and quippy dialogue only to sucker punch you with devastation and tragedy (Davies, I still don't forgive you for Donna); the comfort of a watching companion or two gentles the experience because there is a hand to grab when something exciting is happening but also someone to pass the box of tissues when your heart (inevitably) breaks. Plus, accent decoding is much easier with multiple ears.
The O.C.
This show is so ridiculous and awesome and awesomely ridiculous that it demands to be watched with others. The Cohen-Atwood-Cooper-Roberts blended family is always a joy to watch, but it gets so much better with a friend to simultaneously roll their eyes at Marissa's dumb-ass-ery or get a little equally verklempt at those perfect Ryan and Seth moments. I have happily spent many an afternoon cleaning and organizing to the background of soapy sunshine and emo antics, but the full glory of The O.C. (the touching family moments, the funny declarations of love, the sad sad car accidents) really comes into being when observed in conjunction with good friends. And by good friends I mean people who have an equal lack of shame and love of upper-middle-class drama. Or just people who drink as much as you do.
The TV Girl
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Top 5: Places I Would Rather Work
I'm stuck at work, after hours, unpaid, and man I'm pissed about it.
I'm in the midst of a (perpetual) career crisis. For the stupidest reasons anyone has ever done anything I left grad school without finishing my degree, and since then I've either been unemployed or bouncing around from boring job to boring job. People ask me all the time "what do you want to do with your life?" Mostly I say normal things, but maybe I like my jobs like I like me men: fictional. The jobs people have on TV, even if they are completely normal jobs, just look more fun. The companies seem more chill, the co-worker interaction seems limited, and based on the living situations of most TV characters wages seem exponentially higher. So, I will be sending my resume to:
Fringe Division, FBI (Fringe)
Yes, I might get shot. Or killed so that a shape-shifter can impersonate me. Or given a really bad haircut. But between the hilarity of Walter's lack of social boundaries and Olivia's inability to overcome them, the office environment would be well worth the risk. Plus, they never look bored. And there is a lax drug policy.
Unnamed Law Firm (Suits)
There are a couple reasons I think I could jive with Harvey and Mike's Manhattan firm. First, apparently, if you work here, you can be extremely rude to new hires. As a receptionist, paralegal, or personal assistant, you can ignore, taunt, or lie to potential and new employees, all with the encouragement of your superiors. Usually such behavior gets me in quite a bit of trouble (stupid woman who used to work at UD Advancement, I still hate you), but give me the blessing to be a bitch and I'll be the best damn employee you've ever seen. Plus, if your smart and hardworking you can move from the mail room to the senior partnership. Isn't everyone looking for a company that hires from within?
Seattle Police Department (The Killing)
This place might be my dream job. I hate wearing makeup, so Linden and I would be total BFFs. I look excellent in a hoodie, so if I needed a quick change during the day Holder would have my back. I love the rain and am not afraid to be outside in it, so I wouldn't be bothered by the fact that it always begins raining whenever anyone walks outside. I'm already an expert at mental/emotionally damaging people by not saying what I'm thinking, so no one would have to explain that procedure to me. And, since it doesn't appear that the hiring process includes any screening for general competence or analytical aptitude, my complete lack of experience wouldn't hold me back. I'll be a detective before you know it.
Hollis College (Pretty Little Liars)
All you need to land a teaching position in the English Department at Hollis is to ASK, so I think with my almost completed Master's degree in English Literature I could be the Chairwoman of the department, right off the bat. Not only do you need no more formal education than a BA, you will be furnished with a HUGE corner office with plenty of sunlight, all to your self. And since you won't be bothered with any of that pesky teaching business, you know like lesson planning, grading, or ever standing up in front of a room of students, you'll have all the time in the world to continue you illicit, and illegal, relationship. Why exactly did my adviser spend all that time telling me how slim my chances of earning a tenure teaching position would be? Academia is obviously where the plentiful and advantageous jobs are.
Unnamed Publishing Company (Castle)
I could totally dig being an editor. Getting to read all day and then tell people how to make their writing better, I would want to work all the time. And if I just happened to be at a publisher where I could marry, divorce, date, and then break up with my super hot star writer, that would be a vast improvement over my current employer, where I get fussed at if I don't cover my small and tasteful tattoos all day. Books, brutal honesty and barely-there moral code, that's my kind of place.
The TV Girl
I'm in the midst of a (perpetual) career crisis. For the stupidest reasons anyone has ever done anything I left grad school without finishing my degree, and since then I've either been unemployed or bouncing around from boring job to boring job. People ask me all the time "what do you want to do with your life?" Mostly I say normal things, but maybe I like my jobs like I like me men: fictional. The jobs people have on TV, even if they are completely normal jobs, just look more fun. The companies seem more chill, the co-worker interaction seems limited, and based on the living situations of most TV characters wages seem exponentially higher. So, I will be sending my resume to:
Fringe Division, FBI (Fringe)
Yes, I might get shot. Or killed so that a shape-shifter can impersonate me. Or given a really bad haircut. But between the hilarity of Walter's lack of social boundaries and Olivia's inability to overcome them, the office environment would be well worth the risk. Plus, they never look bored. And there is a lax drug policy.
Unnamed Law Firm (Suits)
There are a couple reasons I think I could jive with Harvey and Mike's Manhattan firm. First, apparently, if you work here, you can be extremely rude to new hires. As a receptionist, paralegal, or personal assistant, you can ignore, taunt, or lie to potential and new employees, all with the encouragement of your superiors. Usually such behavior gets me in quite a bit of trouble (stupid woman who used to work at UD Advancement, I still hate you), but give me the blessing to be a bitch and I'll be the best damn employee you've ever seen. Plus, if your smart and hardworking you can move from the mail room to the senior partnership. Isn't everyone looking for a company that hires from within?
Seattle Police Department (The Killing)
This place might be my dream job. I hate wearing makeup, so Linden and I would be total BFFs. I look excellent in a hoodie, so if I needed a quick change during the day Holder would have my back. I love the rain and am not afraid to be outside in it, so I wouldn't be bothered by the fact that it always begins raining whenever anyone walks outside. I'm already an expert at mental/emotionally damaging people by not saying what I'm thinking, so no one would have to explain that procedure to me. And, since it doesn't appear that the hiring process includes any screening for general competence or analytical aptitude, my complete lack of experience wouldn't hold me back. I'll be a detective before you know it.
Hollis College (Pretty Little Liars)
All you need to land a teaching position in the English Department at Hollis is to ASK, so I think with my almost completed Master's degree in English Literature I could be the Chairwoman of the department, right off the bat. Not only do you need no more formal education than a BA, you will be furnished with a HUGE corner office with plenty of sunlight, all to your self. And since you won't be bothered with any of that pesky teaching business, you know like lesson planning, grading, or ever standing up in front of a room of students, you'll have all the time in the world to continue you illicit, and illegal, relationship. Why exactly did my adviser spend all that time telling me how slim my chances of earning a tenure teaching position would be? Academia is obviously where the plentiful and advantageous jobs are.
Unnamed Publishing Company (Castle)
I could totally dig being an editor. Getting to read all day and then tell people how to make their writing better, I would want to work all the time. And if I just happened to be at a publisher where I could marry, divorce, date, and then break up with my super hot star writer, that would be a vast improvement over my current employer, where I get fussed at if I don't cover my small and tasteful tattoos all day. Books, brutal honesty and barely-there moral code, that's my kind of place.
The TV Girl
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Top 5: (Current) Character Deaths I Would Like to Facilitate
And to conclude, for now, my rather morbid fascination this week: characters I would kill.
This is off course purely in the realm of speculation, I have no control over any of this, but as a discerning (or overly opinionated, however you choose to see that) TV viewer, I have felt from time to time that certain shows could do without some characters and their ensuing storylines. Even on the best of shows, there can be a lemon: a character who detracts to an extreme degree from the general awesomeness, or a character that just happens to annoy the ever living crap out of me.
Castiel, Supernatural
Sorry fangirls, this isn't personal, but if there is any hope for Supernatural to recapture it's glory, Castiel needs to die, and quick. Remember when Sam and Dean were remotely competent at their job? When they would find a mystery, investigate, and try try again until they found a solution? Now they are sent on a job, call Bobby first thing, and then ask Castiel to fix it. The former was engaging TV, the later is dull and baffling (if I were evil I wouldn't be afraid of these two either). As much as I find Castiel amusing (and he really is), he's hobbled both the familial relationship between, and the professional capabilities of, Sam and Dean. Goodbye Castiel, hello better show.
Ezra, Pretty Little Liars
It isn't just the fact that Ezra is the (legal) adult in the most annoying relationship on any show I watch at the moment, but honestly that would be enough. They are a blight on an otherwise entertaining show. Every time Ezra and Aria interact I want to turn off PLL and never watch again. Their insipid and repetitive conversations, mostly revolving around their inability to face the icky reality of their situation, eat up time that could be used so well with other characters. Add on to this that Ezra has apparently never heard the term "statutory rape," and his hipster vests, and I just get beyond livid that on a show with such violent tendencies Ezra hasn't yet met with an "unfortunate accident." Make this happen A.
Britta, Community
Boring. So boring. I think of Britta much like Mark on Parks and Recreation: a supposed love-interest that didn't pan out and then no one knew what to do with him. And no one can argue that P and R has benefited immensely for swapping the sad-sack Mark for the amazing Ben (played by the oh so adorable Adam Scott) and the male-Leslie-Knope, aka Chris. I'm not actually proposing to swap Britta for anyone, just kill her off and let the rest of the funny, messed-up, way-too-meta, darling characters get up to their high-jinks. And what couldn't Abed do with a major character death? Meta-tastic!
Ser Alliser Thorne, Game of Thrones
This is purely, spitefully, because he is mean to Jon. Which is evidence that he is bad at his job, and were this Soviet Russia, maybe that would be all the justification I would need. There is being tough on your pupils in order to prepare them for difficult or unpleasant tasks, and then there is torturing young people because you are bitter about the way your life turned out. Ser Alliser falls into camp B. Bad enough, but, singling out Jon as his favorite punching bag is unforgivable in my eyes. Jon doesn't need another person telling him that he is worthless, predisposed towards malevolence because his daddy wasn't married to his mommy, and that he was undeserving of the company of his siblings and attention of his father; he had enough of that growing up. (Catelyn, I hate!) There's nothing instructive or corrective about Ser Alliser's taunts and accusations; it is the jealous lashing out of a wretched man. I'd welcome a bad end for him.
The TV Girl
This is off course purely in the realm of speculation, I have no control over any of this, but as a discerning (or overly opinionated, however you choose to see that) TV viewer, I have felt from time to time that certain shows could do without some characters and their ensuing storylines. Even on the best of shows, there can be a lemon: a character who detracts to an extreme degree from the general awesomeness, or a character that just happens to annoy the ever living crap out of me.
Castiel, Supernatural
Sorry fangirls, this isn't personal, but if there is any hope for Supernatural to recapture it's glory, Castiel needs to die, and quick. Remember when Sam and Dean were remotely competent at their job? When they would find a mystery, investigate, and try try again until they found a solution? Now they are sent on a job, call Bobby first thing, and then ask Castiel to fix it. The former was engaging TV, the later is dull and baffling (if I were evil I wouldn't be afraid of these two either). As much as I find Castiel amusing (and he really is), he's hobbled both the familial relationship between, and the professional capabilities of, Sam and Dean. Goodbye Castiel, hello better show.
Becky, Friday Night Lights
(Alright, so this is cheating, since this show is technically finished, but I haven't watched all of it yet, so...) I unapologetically morally disagree with Becky's choice to abort her child; I'm pro-life and always will be. And yes, I know that sounds ridiculous within a post about how there are characters I would like to see no more of, and no more possibility of, on my nightly TV line-up. But, that isn't why I'm putting her on this list. Becky commits the fundamental sin in my book: she is dumb as shit. She's not just not very bright, there are plenty of TV characters that are kind of dim (but their usually funny, making them sometimes/somewhat redeemable/useful), Becky is unrepentantly stupid. She actively pursues, and insists that she is in love with, a guy that had sex with her mother! Really? Really? It's like she saw The Graduate and thought it had a happy ending.
Ezra, Pretty Little Liars
It isn't just the fact that Ezra is the (legal) adult in the most annoying relationship on any show I watch at the moment, but honestly that would be enough. They are a blight on an otherwise entertaining show. Every time Ezra and Aria interact I want to turn off PLL and never watch again. Their insipid and repetitive conversations, mostly revolving around their inability to face the icky reality of their situation, eat up time that could be used so well with other characters. Add on to this that Ezra has apparently never heard the term "statutory rape," and his hipster vests, and I just get beyond livid that on a show with such violent tendencies Ezra hasn't yet met with an "unfortunate accident." Make this happen A.
Britta, Community
Boring. So boring. I think of Britta much like Mark on Parks and Recreation: a supposed love-interest that didn't pan out and then no one knew what to do with him. And no one can argue that P and R has benefited immensely for swapping the sad-sack Mark for the amazing Ben (played by the oh so adorable Adam Scott) and the male-Leslie-Knope, aka Chris. I'm not actually proposing to swap Britta for anyone, just kill her off and let the rest of the funny, messed-up, way-too-meta, darling characters get up to their high-jinks. And what couldn't Abed do with a major character death? Meta-tastic!
Ser Alliser Thorne, Game of Thrones
This is purely, spitefully, because he is mean to Jon. Which is evidence that he is bad at his job, and were this Soviet Russia, maybe that would be all the justification I would need. There is being tough on your pupils in order to prepare them for difficult or unpleasant tasks, and then there is torturing young people because you are bitter about the way your life turned out. Ser Alliser falls into camp B. Bad enough, but, singling out Jon as his favorite punching bag is unforgivable in my eyes. Jon doesn't need another person telling him that he is worthless, predisposed towards malevolence because his daddy wasn't married to his mommy, and that he was undeserving of the company of his siblings and attention of his father; he had enough of that growing up. (Catelyn, I hate!) There's nothing instructive or corrective about Ser Alliser's taunts and accusations; it is the jealous lashing out of a wretched man. I'd welcome a bad end for him.
The TV Girl
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Top 5: Character Deaths I Rejoiced Over
I guess I've got death on the brain right now. Oh well. On we roll!
Not every character that bites the dust is a cause for tears and consternation. Sometimes human beings, me specifically, are just vindictive bitches and we like to see a shit character get what he/she deserves. And other times a character is so insufferable that being spared their presence makes for a much better, or at least less annoying, show. Fictional worlds are better off without some people, that's just the way of it.
Coover, Justified
I'm sorry his mother smashed his hand with a hammer, that was sad, but Coover was frakking awful and I clapped in triumph when Raylan shot him and he fell into the mine shaft. Coover wasn't just loud, vicious, useless, and a potential serial killer. He was, jointly with his brother, responsible for Loretta being kidnapped by a pedophile, which caused her father to call the cops, an act of betrayal that Mags killed him for. And then he tried to kill Loretta. Done. Coover had to go. More than a necessary act of self-defense and defense of others, Coover's end was all the justice a little girl was going to get.
Ruby, Supernatural
Back in S4, when SPN wasn't a shameful disaster, there was a demon, a seal, and Sam. But the real demon was Ruby, the seal was Lilith, and Sam was a pawn used to release Lucifer from his prison. So even though it wouldn't change the outcome of events, Dean stabbed the crap out of Ruby, for the pure fact that she was an evil bitch, and it was perfect. There was much shouting in my kitchen as the lights (literally) went out in Ruby's eyes. It was nice to see Dean vindicated in his 2-season-long campaign espousing Ruby's evilness, it was canonical within the show (because a) if you have sex with Sam you're either going to die or you're evil and b) if you're an actress on the show who happens to be dating Jared Padalecki in real life your character will be killed), and honestly, another season of the rather grating Genevieve Padalecki (I believe it was Cortez at the time) wasn't what anyone needed. Those were the days.
Trinity, Dexter
Since Dex is a vigilante, tracking down and methodically killing the vile people who escape the law, almost every episode of Dexter has a little thrill of seeing a bad person punished. But, Dexter dispatching the Trinity killer was especially gratifying. A season-long game of cat-and-mouse between Dexter and Trinity, perpetuated in equal parts by Trinity's "ordinary" facade and Dexter's reactionary existential crisis, culminated in both Trinity's release from his torment and Dexter's reclamation of his life's purpose. It really was the world set to right, and who could help but be overjoyed by that? Everything was glorious! (Expect for that pesky fact that, unbeknownst to Dex, Trinity had brutally murdered Rita. Depending on your perspective, this was a double win for Dexter. I don't see it that way, but some people do. Poor Rita.)
Marissa, The O.C.
Marissa dying in a car crash when her crazy-pants ex-boyfriend drove her car off the road was sad. She was a whinny dumb-ass with very little personality and even less dignity, but Ryan loved her and you just wanted the kid to be happy, so as an audience we paused respectfully for Marissa's untimely demise. Until S4, and it became clear just what a drain on the show she was and how fun things could be without her. Freed from Marissa's endless self-pity and univocally bad life choices, the way was clear for the hilarious scheming of her younger sister Caitlin, the surprising heartwarming pairing of Ryan and Taylor, and Summer's transformation from vapid party girl to ideological crusader. I wonder if the show runners had known just what an improvement Marissa's exit would be whether they would have killed her off sooner?
Jimmy, Sons of Anarchy
So many happy deaths to choose from I'm almost overwhelmed. But for me, seeing Jimmy get got was magical. Jimmy was a double-crossing little toad, without loyalty to either cause or kin, and everyone from the muckity-mucks of the true IRA to the Russian gun dealers wanted, and in some cases needed, him dead. What made Jimmy's termination so fulfilling was that Chibs got to do the deed. For Chibs it was a personal act of retribution against the man who stole his wife and a preemptive strike to prevent his daughter being raped. No way around it, Jimmy had to die, but because Chibs hastened him to the afterlife there was a sense of cosmic balance to it that left this viewer in awe.
The TV Girl
Not every character that bites the dust is a cause for tears and consternation. Sometimes human beings, me specifically, are just vindictive bitches and we like to see a shit character get what he/she deserves. And other times a character is so insufferable that being spared their presence makes for a much better, or at least less annoying, show. Fictional worlds are better off without some people, that's just the way of it.
Coover, Justified
I'm sorry his mother smashed his hand with a hammer, that was sad, but Coover was frakking awful and I clapped in triumph when Raylan shot him and he fell into the mine shaft. Coover wasn't just loud, vicious, useless, and a potential serial killer. He was, jointly with his brother, responsible for Loretta being kidnapped by a pedophile, which caused her father to call the cops, an act of betrayal that Mags killed him for. And then he tried to kill Loretta. Done. Coover had to go. More than a necessary act of self-defense and defense of others, Coover's end was all the justice a little girl was going to get.
Ruby, Supernatural
Back in S4, when SPN wasn't a shameful disaster, there was a demon, a seal, and Sam. But the real demon was Ruby, the seal was Lilith, and Sam was a pawn used to release Lucifer from his prison. So even though it wouldn't change the outcome of events, Dean stabbed the crap out of Ruby, for the pure fact that she was an evil bitch, and it was perfect. There was much shouting in my kitchen as the lights (literally) went out in Ruby's eyes. It was nice to see Dean vindicated in his 2-season-long campaign espousing Ruby's evilness, it was canonical within the show (because a) if you have sex with Sam you're either going to die or you're evil and b) if you're an actress on the show who happens to be dating Jared Padalecki in real life your character will be killed), and honestly, another season of the rather grating Genevieve Padalecki (I believe it was Cortez at the time) wasn't what anyone needed. Those were the days.
Trinity, Dexter
Since Dex is a vigilante, tracking down and methodically killing the vile people who escape the law, almost every episode of Dexter has a little thrill of seeing a bad person punished. But, Dexter dispatching the Trinity killer was especially gratifying. A season-long game of cat-and-mouse between Dexter and Trinity, perpetuated in equal parts by Trinity's "ordinary" facade and Dexter's reactionary existential crisis, culminated in both Trinity's release from his torment and Dexter's reclamation of his life's purpose. It really was the world set to right, and who could help but be overjoyed by that? Everything was glorious! (Expect for that pesky fact that, unbeknownst to Dex, Trinity had brutally murdered Rita. Depending on your perspective, this was a double win for Dexter. I don't see it that way, but some people do. Poor Rita.)
Marissa, The O.C.
Marissa dying in a car crash when her crazy-pants ex-boyfriend drove her car off the road was sad. She was a whinny dumb-ass with very little personality and even less dignity, but Ryan loved her and you just wanted the kid to be happy, so as an audience we paused respectfully for Marissa's untimely demise. Until S4, and it became clear just what a drain on the show she was and how fun things could be without her. Freed from Marissa's endless self-pity and univocally bad life choices, the way was clear for the hilarious scheming of her younger sister Caitlin, the surprising heartwarming pairing of Ryan and Taylor, and Summer's transformation from vapid party girl to ideological crusader. I wonder if the show runners had known just what an improvement Marissa's exit would be whether they would have killed her off sooner?
Jimmy, Sons of Anarchy
So many happy deaths to choose from I'm almost overwhelmed. But for me, seeing Jimmy get got was magical. Jimmy was a double-crossing little toad, without loyalty to either cause or kin, and everyone from the muckity-mucks of the true IRA to the Russian gun dealers wanted, and in some cases needed, him dead. What made Jimmy's termination so fulfilling was that Chibs got to do the deed. For Chibs it was a personal act of retribution against the man who stole his wife and a preemptive strike to prevent his daughter being raped. No way around it, Jimmy had to die, but because Chibs hastened him to the afterlife there was a sense of cosmic balance to it that left this viewer in awe.
The TV Girl
Monday, June 27, 2011
Top 5: Character Deaths I Never Got Over
Some shows, like Lost, earn a badge of honor by how unexpectedly and ruthlessly characters can be killed off. Other shows only kill characters when they have run out of all other melodramatic options. In the former type you end up spend a great deal of your viewing time simply counting down the minutes until someone bites it, while in the later type the whole thing is so overwrought and drawn out you, instead of the character, end up feeling like the one who has been released from suffering by death. But for shows that simply accept death as an essential part of the human experience, a character's death can be as irrevocable to the show and the viewer as that of a real-life loved one. Here are 5 characters that I still get a little choked up when I see them on a re-watch/they're mentioned/something stupid happens on the show they vacated/the actor luckily went on to another job.
Chris, Skins
I cried and cried and cried. I might cry thinking about it. I have re-watched Skins S1 and 2 up until the end of "Chris" and I cannot get any farther knowing that in the penultimate episode of S2 funny, messy, loving Chris will fall victim to the same genetic condition that killed his brother Peter. I, like Cassy, just want to run away from it.
Billy, Battlestar Galactica
Characters of greater significance died (and came back) on BSG, and for the most part, they were all sad, but for me, Billy's death was too much. Mostly because it was so unnecessary. Billy wasn't a solider, he was an administrative aid with a very good heart who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. So despite the fact that she was on a date with another guy, Billy sacrificed himself for that bitch Dualla!!! Yes, that is my interpretation of events, feel free to disagree with me. He was trying to be a hero, because by being with Lee, Dualla was clearly stating that Billy wasn't the kind of man she wanted, and so he made a very foolish choice based on that impetus. So, a good and ordinary person, the kind of people that the fleet was supposed to be protecting in order to rebuild the human race, died, casting doubt on the efficacy of the Galactica crew, and reminding us (as every episode tended to do) that there would be no (lasting) relief for the remains of civilization. Oh, and if all that didn't make you want to crawl into a hole, because Billy died we were subjected to the unmitigated atrocity that was Lee and Dualla's marriage. Shudder. Puke. Shudder.
The TV Girl
P.S. Yes, I know that there is a SIGNIFICANT character death on Game of Thrones that I haven't written up yet (actually that I haven't watched yet, long story), but I can't even begin to tell you how upset/outraged/frustrated I am about that. But I will tell you, eventually, later this week, I hope.
Ianto Jones, Torchwood
Pretty much everyone who could die was dead by the end of Torchwood. (I'm not acknowledging this mythical S4 until it is in front of me, and even then I will probably ignore it, so as far as I'm concerned this show is at its end.) Owen and Tosh were sad, Jack's grandson was gruesome, but Ianto was just unforgivable. Loyal, kind, competent Ianto stood by Jack's side, ultimately to his detriment. His love outweighed his sense of self-preservation, and the futile nobility of it was heartbreaking.
Donna, Sons of Anarchy
In the timeline of the show, Donna has been dead for less than 6 months (I think, I might be off about this). At the end of S1 Donna was gunned down by Tig, mistaking her for Opie, on Clay's order because Stahl framed Opie as a rat. There is a lot of human collateral damage on this show, but Donna will always be the benchmark of tragedy. As Donna drove down the street we waited for some miracle, something that would stop the forthcoming devastation, but in the unrelenting candor that is SoA, there was no such rescue. In a shower of bullets Donna's life, the opposing forces of which she had recently rectified, spilled on the street. And as far as I'm concerned, Charming will never be the same.
Chris, Skins
I cried and cried and cried. I might cry thinking about it. I have re-watched Skins S1 and 2 up until the end of "Chris" and I cannot get any farther knowing that in the penultimate episode of S2 funny, messy, loving Chris will fall victim to the same genetic condition that killed his brother Peter. I, like Cassy, just want to run away from it.
Fred, Angel
Fred. Seriously, Fred. Fred survived being trapped on a demon planet where she nearly lost her mind hiding in caves, got rescued and sane again, fell in love twice, became an essential member of Team Angel and the successful scientist that she was always meant to be, only then to have her soul burned to cinder when an ancient demon took over her body. It would have been sad on it's own, but what pushes Fred past the limits of tolerance for character death is that after she died the thing that killed her walked around in her body, mentally and emotionally torturing the people who loved Fred, especially Wesley. Without Fred, Wesley succumbed to a world without hope and (essentially) drank himself to death. Even judged on the Whedon-Scale-of-Tragedy, this was horrifying.
Billy, Battlestar Galactica
Characters of greater significance died (and came back) on BSG, and for the most part, they were all sad, but for me, Billy's death was too much. Mostly because it was so unnecessary. Billy wasn't a solider, he was an administrative aid with a very good heart who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. So despite the fact that she was on a date with another guy, Billy sacrificed himself for that bitch Dualla!!! Yes, that is my interpretation of events, feel free to disagree with me. He was trying to be a hero, because by being with Lee, Dualla was clearly stating that Billy wasn't the kind of man she wanted, and so he made a very foolish choice based on that impetus. So, a good and ordinary person, the kind of people that the fleet was supposed to be protecting in order to rebuild the human race, died, casting doubt on the efficacy of the Galactica crew, and reminding us (as every episode tended to do) that there would be no (lasting) relief for the remains of civilization. Oh, and if all that didn't make you want to crawl into a hole, because Billy died we were subjected to the unmitigated atrocity that was Lee and Dualla's marriage. Shudder. Puke. Shudder.
The TV Girl
P.S. Yes, I know that there is a SIGNIFICANT character death on Game of Thrones that I haven't written up yet (actually that I haven't watched yet, long story), but I can't even begin to tell you how upset/outraged/frustrated I am about that. But I will tell you, eventually, later this week, I hope.
Monday, June 6, 2011
Top 10: Shows That Could Be Used For Therapy
KP and I were texting yesterday. At the end of the exchange she informed me that since she was having kind of a rough day she was going to watch some Friday Night Lights for therapy. I heartily encouraged her in her plan, and it got me thinking. There's art therapy, music therapy, but could there be TV therapy? So here is my suggestion of what to watch if you are experiencing some of the common difficulties that drive people to the couch.
If You're Grieving Watch: Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Sounds counter intuitive, but if you've lost someone the little show about the girl who saved the world over and over is exactly what you need. At it's core, Buffy is a show about how we live day to day with the inevitability of death, and slowly but surely this show will reveal to you that there is no easy answer to that conundrum of humanity, but rather an ever shifting balance of love, humor, sacrifice, bravery, and purpose that must always be reevaluated with each new experience.
If You're Heartbroken Watch: How I Met Your Mother
What better way to come to terms with you romantic disappointment then to watch how it is possible to re-frame your own failures, humiliations, and triumphs in love as pieces of the whole person you have to become in order to find a fulfilling relationship? It's simple everything-happens-for-a-reason, but post break-up who can remember that? Let Ted, Marshall, Lily, Barney and Robin remind you.
If You're Having an Identity Crisis Watch: The Big Bang Theory
The geek-gods of TBBT are absolutely and completely themselves. Even Leonard, uncomfortable with being dismissed by women and the social stigmas associated with being a nerd, ultimately lives his life as the person he is. You might not want to emulate their taste in movies or hobbies, but we should all want to be that determined to love what we love, to be the fullest version of ourselves, no matter what anyone says.
If You're Having a Career Crisis Watch: Spaced
Spaced is my go-to safety blanket show: I curl it around me to protect and comfort me in almost any mood I might be in. But, if you happen to be in the midst of a professional meltdown this is what you want. Tim, Daisy, Brian, Mike and Twist bounce constantly between knowing what they want to do with their lives and the external/internal obstacles hindering their achievement of those goals. Sometimes it's the circumstances (lousy job market) and sometimes it's us (laziness), but there will be a time in life when you're not the shiny star of your field. But if you can have as much fun despite that as these North Londoners do, you're doing just fine.
If You're Having (Temporary) Insomnia Watch: Castle
A prolonged sleep problem (which sucks more than you can imagine if you don't have one) requires much different coping mechanisms, but if you're experiencing a short bout of disruption to your normal sleep pattern, Castle is excellent company for the wee hours. As a show that really has something for everyone it's pretty much the O Negative of TV: charming cast, fun mysteries, exciting chases, tender family moments, requited-but-not love, wit galore. If you are to be denied the sweet restoration of a good night's sleep this perfect balance of highs and lows, joys and sorrows will help those hours pass blissfully.
If You're Having Anxiety Watch: Sons of Anarchy
Again, counter intuitive. Seems like the last thing that would help anxiety would be a show about a gun-running biker gang that is relentlessly violent and soul-scorchingly tragic. Never ever underestimate the power of catharsis. A single episode of SoA will stretch your nerves past the point you would think possible and then shatter them like glass, leaving you completely wrung out but immensely more relaxed that you were before.
If You're Overwhelmed Watch: Friday Night Lights
We all make mistakes. We all do things for which we think can never be forgiven. We all face challenges we think we can never overcome. We all confront the defeat inherit in our human limitation. Inertia is a common response, but often that is the route to despair. Or, there is the FNL route. FNL offers an example of the unwavering belief that a life lived with dignity and humility is essentially beautiful and valuable; that the only true failure is to turn adversity into bitterness. We won't always win the big game, but that doesn't mean we lost, as long as we persevere.
If You're Having Family Conflict Watch: The Riches
Imagine if all your ordinary family problems were compounded by living under a revolving door of assumed identities and sustaining your lifestyle by a series of ruses and rooks. I promise, the Malloys will make you think your family is functional and normal, in an at-least-I'm-better-off-than-that type way. Most families get the chance to deal with their problems but if you are preoccupied by what your name is this week and which string of your web of lies that you need to pull, it's more than likely that more typical family conflicts will not receive the attention necessary for resolution. So at least that's not your family, right?
If You're Contemplating the Ultimate Meaning of the Universe Watch: Lost
Because any philosophy/belief system/principles/life path that you can come up with on your own is better than this gibberish.
If You're Rendered Incapable by Fear Watch: Pushing Daisies
Fear is totally natural, it's part of our instinct for self-preservation. But allowed to run wild fear can swallow our life. Every character on Pushing Daisies was afraid of something, and more often than not that fear led them to keep secrets that eventually hurt someone they loved. Even so, the Pie Maker and his cohorts all faced the choice between fear and the bright magical colorful world and (eventually) none of them picked fear. This show threw the world into relief: everything was just a bit exaggerated because (every so often) that is how we have to see the world in order to remember that it really is a miraculous gift to us and our fear will never be worth loosing that.
The TV Girl
If You're Grieving Watch: Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Sounds counter intuitive, but if you've lost someone the little show about the girl who saved the world over and over is exactly what you need. At it's core, Buffy is a show about how we live day to day with the inevitability of death, and slowly but surely this show will reveal to you that there is no easy answer to that conundrum of humanity, but rather an ever shifting balance of love, humor, sacrifice, bravery, and purpose that must always be reevaluated with each new experience.
If You're Heartbroken Watch: How I Met Your Mother
What better way to come to terms with you romantic disappointment then to watch how it is possible to re-frame your own failures, humiliations, and triumphs in love as pieces of the whole person you have to become in order to find a fulfilling relationship? It's simple everything-happens-for-a-reason, but post break-up who can remember that? Let Ted, Marshall, Lily, Barney and Robin remind you.
If You're Having an Identity Crisis Watch: The Big Bang Theory
The geek-gods of TBBT are absolutely and completely themselves. Even Leonard, uncomfortable with being dismissed by women and the social stigmas associated with being a nerd, ultimately lives his life as the person he is. You might not want to emulate their taste in movies or hobbies, but we should all want to be that determined to love what we love, to be the fullest version of ourselves, no matter what anyone says.
If You're Having a Career Crisis Watch: Spaced
Spaced is my go-to safety blanket show: I curl it around me to protect and comfort me in almost any mood I might be in. But, if you happen to be in the midst of a professional meltdown this is what you want. Tim, Daisy, Brian, Mike and Twist bounce constantly between knowing what they want to do with their lives and the external/internal obstacles hindering their achievement of those goals. Sometimes it's the circumstances (lousy job market) and sometimes it's us (laziness), but there will be a time in life when you're not the shiny star of your field. But if you can have as much fun despite that as these North Londoners do, you're doing just fine.
If You're Having (Temporary) Insomnia Watch: Castle
A prolonged sleep problem (which sucks more than you can imagine if you don't have one) requires much different coping mechanisms, but if you're experiencing a short bout of disruption to your normal sleep pattern, Castle is excellent company for the wee hours. As a show that really has something for everyone it's pretty much the O Negative of TV: charming cast, fun mysteries, exciting chases, tender family moments, requited-but-not love, wit galore. If you are to be denied the sweet restoration of a good night's sleep this perfect balance of highs and lows, joys and sorrows will help those hours pass blissfully.
If You're Having Anxiety Watch: Sons of Anarchy
Again, counter intuitive. Seems like the last thing that would help anxiety would be a show about a gun-running biker gang that is relentlessly violent and soul-scorchingly tragic. Never ever underestimate the power of catharsis. A single episode of SoA will stretch your nerves past the point you would think possible and then shatter them like glass, leaving you completely wrung out but immensely more relaxed that you were before.
If You're Overwhelmed Watch: Friday Night Lights
We all make mistakes. We all do things for which we think can never be forgiven. We all face challenges we think we can never overcome. We all confront the defeat inherit in our human limitation. Inertia is a common response, but often that is the route to despair. Or, there is the FNL route. FNL offers an example of the unwavering belief that a life lived with dignity and humility is essentially beautiful and valuable; that the only true failure is to turn adversity into bitterness. We won't always win the big game, but that doesn't mean we lost, as long as we persevere.
If You're Having Family Conflict Watch: The Riches
Imagine if all your ordinary family problems were compounded by living under a revolving door of assumed identities and sustaining your lifestyle by a series of ruses and rooks. I promise, the Malloys will make you think your family is functional and normal, in an at-least-I'm-better-off-than-that type way. Most families get the chance to deal with their problems but if you are preoccupied by what your name is this week and which string of your web of lies that you need to pull, it's more than likely that more typical family conflicts will not receive the attention necessary for resolution. So at least that's not your family, right?
If You're Contemplating the Ultimate Meaning of the Universe Watch: Lost
Because any philosophy/belief system/principles/life path that you can come up with on your own is better than this gibberish.
If You're Rendered Incapable by Fear Watch: Pushing Daisies
Fear is totally natural, it's part of our instinct for self-preservation. But allowed to run wild fear can swallow our life. Every character on Pushing Daisies was afraid of something, and more often than not that fear led them to keep secrets that eventually hurt someone they loved. Even so, the Pie Maker and his cohorts all faced the choice between fear and the bright magical colorful world and (eventually) none of them picked fear. This show threw the world into relief: everything was just a bit exaggerated because (every so often) that is how we have to see the world in order to remember that it really is a miraculous gift to us and our fear will never be worth loosing that.
The TV Girl
Monday, September 27, 2010
Top 5: Cops I Would Want to Save Me
Like always, Jennie and I were talking (we are always talking, just ask her poor husband), and yesterday's topic was FBI agents on TV you would want to hook-up with. So this got me thinking about how there are a plethora of cop (in the broadest sense of the term) shows, but if (a fictional) I were in (fictional) danger, who would I want to (fictionally) investigate my case and eventually save me? (Obviously, fictional me has been either wrongly accused of some dastardly deed because of a vast and nefarious conspiracy, or has been unwittingly targeted by a madman.) This is of course a list based on (fictional) me being involved in a (fictional) local incident, not international (that would require spies), and (fictional) me wanting my (fictional) situation resolved within the bounds of the law, and therefore badges required.
Fox Mulder and Dana Scully, The X-Files
With these two I feel that no matter the circumstances I could be returned to my family and friends intact: Mulder has the openness to follow the case no matter how strange it may become, while Dr. Scully could treat any injuries I might sustain, so I wouldn't bleed out on the way to the hospital.
Kate Beckett, Castle
Not only do I trust that Beckett would get the job done, since she is one smart chic and does not accept failure, but also, after she saves me we could go shopping and she could show me where she buys those super-comfy sky-high heels that she manages to run in while after bad guys.
Seeley Booth, Bones
Should necessity arise, I will gladly accept the assistance of a former Army snipper with an excellent ability to read people and the unending patience to put up with all the crazy around him in order to get to the truth. In fact, I would be quite grateful for that assistance.
Keith Mars, Veronica Mars
Ethical, determined, awesome sense of humor: Keith Mars has the knowledge of the underworld (from his PI days between stints as the sheriff of crime-ridden Neptune CA.) to navigate avenues beyond traditional police work, but the upstanding nature to see that justice would be done, for (fictional) me.
Olivia Dunham, Fringe
With her combination of tenacity, cool discernment, receptivity to the impossible, and psychic ability, Olivia is practically a superhero, and would be my best chance of getting home alive in the event that something truly bizarre happens to me, but I demand that it be this-universe-Olivia assigned my case, because I don't trust alternate-universe-Olivia one bit.
And just for good measure:
Gibbs, NCIS
He's the most alert cop around, and no pesky thing like sleep would be distracting him from assuring my safety. Who doesn't want that?
The TV Girl
Fox Mulder and Dana Scully, The X-Files
With these two I feel that no matter the circumstances I could be returned to my family and friends intact: Mulder has the openness to follow the case no matter how strange it may become, while Dr. Scully could treat any injuries I might sustain, so I wouldn't bleed out on the way to the hospital.
Kate Beckett, Castle
Not only do I trust that Beckett would get the job done, since she is one smart chic and does not accept failure, but also, after she saves me we could go shopping and she could show me where she buys those super-comfy sky-high heels that she manages to run in while after bad guys.
Seeley Booth, Bones
Should necessity arise, I will gladly accept the assistance of a former Army snipper with an excellent ability to read people and the unending patience to put up with all the crazy around him in order to get to the truth. In fact, I would be quite grateful for that assistance.
Keith Mars, Veronica Mars
Ethical, determined, awesome sense of humor: Keith Mars has the knowledge of the underworld (from his PI days between stints as the sheriff of crime-ridden Neptune CA.) to navigate avenues beyond traditional police work, but the upstanding nature to see that justice would be done, for (fictional) me.
Olivia Dunham, Fringe
With her combination of tenacity, cool discernment, receptivity to the impossible, and psychic ability, Olivia is practically a superhero, and would be my best chance of getting home alive in the event that something truly bizarre happens to me, but I demand that it be this-universe-Olivia assigned my case, because I don't trust alternate-universe-Olivia one bit.
And just for good measure:
Gibbs, NCIS
He's the most alert cop around, and no pesky thing like sleep would be distracting him from assuring my safety. Who doesn't want that?
The TV Girl
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Top 5: Phrases/Words That Eventually Drive Me Nuts
I think I'm in kind of a combative mood. You know that if you watch a show for a long period of time you get accustomed to the patterns, especially the language patterns. Well, I pay a lot of attention to words (even though not always the attention I should to my own), and sometimes, when I hear the same word/phrase over and over it crosses the line from familiarity to frustration.
Supernatural: "The Pit"
I get that they didn't want to be saying "hell, hell, hell" all the time, but somewhere in S3 I developed a tick everyt time Sam, Dean, anyone said "the Pit." It just makes me think of BBQ, at the same time making me think everyone on the show is a hillbilly.
Dexter: "My Dark Passenger"
This is just me being cranky, because in describing Dexter's need to kill there isn't really a vocabulary to draw from, and since it is kind of the premise of the show, this indescribable phenomena is going to get talked about a lot. But somewhere around mid-S4 I thought I would develop a dark passenger of my own if I heard that phrase one more time. I could save myself the crazy by not watching 7 episodes in a row, but why should I have to change?
30 Rock: "Blerg"
Jennie convinced me that this should be on this list, and while it is not the most overused word/phrase on 30 Rock, Jennie contends, and I agree, that is the most offensive because it's obvious that the writers hoped that it would make it's way in common diction, which very sadly, it has. This meaningless and deadening string of letters might be one of the reasons I've pretty much abandoned this show.
Lost: "Dad"
I really am a cranky-pants today. I have one more season of this show to get through, and it pains me to think of how many times I'm going to have to hear "Dad," "Father," or "Pops" through this last push to the finish line. I will try and be generous and say that this is a situation where one of the central themes of the show can overwhelm the viewer (and in my case make said viewer somewhat homicidal) , and it isn't that there is anything wrong with the words derived from pater.
That is my rant for the day.
The TV Girl
Supernatural: "The Pit"
I get that they didn't want to be saying "hell, hell, hell" all the time, but somewhere in S3 I developed a tick everyt time Sam, Dean, anyone said "the Pit." It just makes me think of BBQ, at the same time making me think everyone on the show is a hillbilly.
Undercovers: "Sexspionage"
This show hasn't even started yet, but the advertising alone (I work in an office and listen to the radio ALL DAY LONG) is making me want to smack whomever is responsible for this one. How did the actors possibly get a usable take saying this stupid quasi-word? I feel genuine sympathy for the cast, I find this word so repugnant.
Dexter: "My Dark Passenger"
This is just me being cranky, because in describing Dexter's need to kill there isn't really a vocabulary to draw from, and since it is kind of the premise of the show, this indescribable phenomena is going to get talked about a lot. But somewhere around mid-S4 I thought I would develop a dark passenger of my own if I heard that phrase one more time. I could save myself the crazy by not watching 7 episodes in a row, but why should I have to change?
30 Rock: "Blerg"
Jennie convinced me that this should be on this list, and while it is not the most overused word/phrase on 30 Rock, Jennie contends, and I agree, that is the most offensive because it's obvious that the writers hoped that it would make it's way in common diction, which very sadly, it has. This meaningless and deadening string of letters might be one of the reasons I've pretty much abandoned this show.
Lost: "Dad"
I really am a cranky-pants today. I have one more season of this show to get through, and it pains me to think of how many times I'm going to have to hear "Dad," "Father," or "Pops" through this last push to the finish line. I will try and be generous and say that this is a situation where one of the central themes of the show can overwhelm the viewer (and in my case make said viewer somewhat homicidal) , and it isn't that there is anything wrong with the words derived from pater.
That is my rant for the day.
The TV Girl
Monday, September 6, 2010
Top 5: Movie Mistakes I’ve Made for Men (of TV)
Okay friends, time to air some dirty laundry.
I promise, the only name I’m naming is my own, but I doubt I’m the only one who has done this. In fact I would bet that everyone has done this at one time or another. Is there anyone out there who has not watched a terrible movie because of a TV crush? If you saw Made of Honor (which I DID NOT) you have no room to judge me. I fully admit that for the love of a TV boyfriend I have willingly endured hours of insults to cinema. And the winners are:
For Taylor Kitsch of Friday Night Lights I’ve watched The Covenant and X-Men Origins: Wolverine. The Covenant was terrible, but I didn’t expect much, so whatever, I wasted part of my afternoon. For me, the real offense here is that Wolverine didn’t have to be bad, but man was it ever. Kitsch as Gambit was brilliant casting and then he is barely in the movie, so there I am, sitting through some boring fight scenes and totally unbearable “story.” And while I probably would have seen this movie anyway, my expectations would have stayed in check if he hadn’t been in it, hence why the disappointment stings so much more.
For Jensen Ackles of Supernatural I’ve watched Devour, My Bloody Valentine, and 10 Inch Hero. I liked My Bloody Valentine; I thought it was an entertaining horror movie that actually gave me the creeps. Other than that, Jensen has made some poor poor life choices, and I have been right there along with him supporting them, so obviously I’m an enabler. It has kind of turned into a game, watching movies he’s in just to see how bad they are. Devour is incomprehensible: somehow it involves some incest, a mind-control video game that causes kids to kill, and the devil. I’m fairly sure I was sober when I watched this, but trying now to remember how all these pieces fit together, maybe I wasn’t. I think we are all better off it I don’t try to explain 10 Inch Hero, but I assure you, it isn’t porn. It might be less embarrassing for all involved if it were porn. Oh well, I think that movie is where he met his wife, so at least that is a win for someone. For me, I have some memories to repress.
For Joshua Jackson of Dawson’s Creek and Fringe I’ve watched Urban Legend, Cruel Intentions, The Skulls, and Gossip. I think this list kind of dates me a bit, but age isn’t my problem when I look at this list. What I realize is that other than Gossip, I don’t regret my choice to watch these movies. I don’t even regret that I watched Urban Legend last Halloween, or that I will most likely watch it this Halloween. Seriously, it’s one of the most amazingly bad horror movies! But as much as I enjoy Mr. Jackson’s body of work, I don’t think a one of these stands out as timeless art, and if my mother had any idea what I was doing with my time when I was supposed to be in high school, I think she would have a, well, problem. In the what-else-could-I’ve-done-with-my-time ledger of life, I think my mom might have a point.
For Adam Brody of The O.C. I’ve watched In the Land of Women. I put this on my list because this movie is so bad! This cancer-ridden family-drama/running-shoe-ad quarterlife-crisis is a really wretched movie. I shudder every time I see it on the shelf at Target, occasionally, when a crossword clue escapes me, I wonder if I actually lost brain cells in that hour and a half, and it makes it so I have to admit to one extra Kristen Stewart movie I’ve seen that could have been avoided. Adam Brody, you owe me.
For Scott Speedman of Felicity I’ve watched Underworld, and Underworld Evolution. I kind of enjoy Underworld more than any person should. It is one of my top go-to rainy-day movies. The whole thing is so over the top and ridiculous, even more so than I could have imagine when I rented it for the first time because I needed a Scott Speedman broody-face fix. And the second movie is just as awesomely bad as the first. But, because I watched the first two I felt compelled to finish the series, and Underworld 3: Rise of the Lycans isn’t fun-bad: it’s just atrocious: horrible story, wretched pacing, lame fight scenes, all over just a turkey of a movie. So, while I should thank Scotty-boy for being in two awful-but-amazing movies (especially because at the time I watched the first one, I had no idea I saw future TV boyfriend Wentworth Miller!), I have some discomfort with the chain of causality that led to Underworld 3: Lame of the Lamest.
Honorable Mentions: Movies I watched for a TV boyfriend that turned out to be good despite what I thought going into it.
For Bradley Cooper of Alias and Kitchen Confidential I watched The Hangover, and laughed until I couldn’t breath.
For Benjamin Mackenzie of The O.C. and Southland I watched Junebug, and experienced a well-made journey with a dysfunctional family, as well as my introduction to the brilliant Amy Adams.
For John Krazinski of The Office I watched Away We Go, and was pleasantly surprised by how sweet and entertaining this potential hipster-black-hole was.
I wish I could say that looking at this has made me learn my lesson, but I have to admit: I will probably always watch bad movies for my TV boyfriends. Nathan Fillion's opus White Noise 2 is looking very tempting right about now.
The TV Girl
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Top 5: Worst Shows to Watch While Eating
"Experts" say that you should not eat and watch TV at the same time. It seems like common sense to me that if you sit for 15 hours in front of your television and snack constantly that it is most likely that you become unhealthy and not last as long in this world as you could, but I quite enjoy to share my dinner with fictional characters (they do all the talking and I can focus on my food). Sadly some shows, some of my favorites, don't lend themselves well to mastication, and of my current queue, the following are the shows that have a "Beverages Only" warning on them.
Fringe
As I said semi-recently, I find Fringe just a bit too icky to watch while eating. Most episodes start with the imaginative and gory death of someone, but that is usually the least of your worries. You have about 20 mins before Walter starts dissecting that person and then running some super unpleasant experiments on that poor soul. Don't start thinking you're in the clear for snack time, because I can 90% guarantee you that before the episode is over, something/someone is either going to ooze, melt, or explode. Yes, it is as appetizing as it sounds.
Modern Family
As with many documentary style shows, some of the funniest moments of Modern Family are the facial expressions and the background action, so if you're distracted by something, like a piece of amazing veggie lasagna, then you can miss the priceless glimpses of Phil's "I'm so hip with the youth"-face or the split second when it looks like Mitch is actually going to voice his amazement over what goes on around him. Would you be able to forgive yourself if you missed the domino-esque disaster of Luke's birthday because you didn't allot time earlier in the evening for your meal? (Thank the bestest ever higher power for TV on DVD for the endless re-watch!)
Sons of Anarchy
Between shootings, road accidents, beatings, rape, and mutilation I just don't think there is a human being out there with the guts of steel necessary to consume food for the 42 glorious minutes of an SoA episode. Maybe I am just a weakling who is unable to enjoy my lo mein when a full back tattoo is removed with a blowtorch, but I treat this show like swimming; do not attempt until 30 minutes after a meal.
The Big Bang Theory
I learned my lesson with this show during "The Vengeance Formulation"(3.9) when Kripke sabotages Sheldon's radio interview and I choked on the green peas I was eating. For a second I thought I was going to die, but considering how funny that scene is, I figured it was my time. My mom was still laughing while she slapped my back. TBBT is just too funny, it is a serious health risk.
Dexter
I know what you think I'm going to say, "Dex slicing up faces and stuffing body parts in trash bags is revolting" but I can handle that. No, what I find immensely stomach turning is the opening credits. I don't like to watch people eating at all, so a super-up-close shot of a egg and ham-steak breakfast makes me feel nauseated just writing the words. I think the opening credits are wonderfully done; the intense scrutiny engendered by the sharp focus on the mundane morning ritual perfectly prepares the viewer for the tone and approach of the show, but for me, it is the ultimate appetite suppressant.
I'm realizing other people might not have this problem. Oh well, good for you people out there who have much stronger constitutions than I. God, I sound like a Victorian.
The TV Girl
Fringe
As I said semi-recently, I find Fringe just a bit too icky to watch while eating. Most episodes start with the imaginative and gory death of someone, but that is usually the least of your worries. You have about 20 mins before Walter starts dissecting that person and then running some super unpleasant experiments on that poor soul. Don't start thinking you're in the clear for snack time, because I can 90% guarantee you that before the episode is over, something/someone is either going to ooze, melt, or explode. Yes, it is as appetizing as it sounds.
Modern Family
As with many documentary style shows, some of the funniest moments of Modern Family are the facial expressions and the background action, so if you're distracted by something, like a piece of amazing veggie lasagna, then you can miss the priceless glimpses of Phil's "I'm so hip with the youth"-face or the split second when it looks like Mitch is actually going to voice his amazement over what goes on around him. Would you be able to forgive yourself if you missed the domino-esque disaster of Luke's birthday because you didn't allot time earlier in the evening for your meal? (Thank the bestest ever higher power for TV on DVD for the endless re-watch!)
Sons of Anarchy
Between shootings, road accidents, beatings, rape, and mutilation I just don't think there is a human being out there with the guts of steel necessary to consume food for the 42 glorious minutes of an SoA episode. Maybe I am just a weakling who is unable to enjoy my lo mein when a full back tattoo is removed with a blowtorch, but I treat this show like swimming; do not attempt until 30 minutes after a meal.
The Big Bang Theory
I learned my lesson with this show during "The Vengeance Formulation"(3.9) when Kripke sabotages Sheldon's radio interview and I choked on the green peas I was eating. For a second I thought I was going to die, but considering how funny that scene is, I figured it was my time. My mom was still laughing while she slapped my back. TBBT is just too funny, it is a serious health risk.
Dexter
I know what you think I'm going to say, "Dex slicing up faces and stuffing body parts in trash bags is revolting" but I can handle that. No, what I find immensely stomach turning is the opening credits. I don't like to watch people eating at all, so a super-up-close shot of a egg and ham-steak breakfast makes me feel nauseated just writing the words. I think the opening credits are wonderfully done; the intense scrutiny engendered by the sharp focus on the mundane morning ritual perfectly prepares the viewer for the tone and approach of the show, but for me, it is the ultimate appetite suppressant.
I'm realizing other people might not have this problem. Oh well, good for you people out there who have much stronger constitutions than I. God, I sound like a Victorian.
The TV Girl
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Top 5 Favorite: TV Meta-Reality
The prevalence and relevance of pop-culture references is a badge of honor for many TV shows; both helping to confirm that the created-reality of fiction is approximate to the real-reality it mirrors, as well as distinguishing the characters who are aware of topics and trends from those who aren’t. I have a special place in my heart for the moments when TV characters talk about actual TV shows, because it can be such a wonderful moment of meta-reality, fiction that incorporates fiction that is really created in the real world.
Sheldon, The Big Bang Theory
The geek-gods of TBBT talk about TV and movies quite a bit, but in last night’s episode (The Large Hadron Collision) Sheldon truly outdid himself. Angry with Leonard for planning to take Penny to Switzerland to see the world-famous super-collider, Sheldon responds to Leonard’s invitation to play a car game with the suggestion that Sheldon will name famous traitors throughout history and Leonard can rank them in order of the heinousness of their crimes. In the second round Sheldon offers Rupert Murdoch, Darth Vader, and Leonard. When Leonard asks Sheldon why Rupert Murdoch is on the list, Sheldon’s answer is simple: “He owns Fox and Fox cancelled Firefly.” In his unbelievably crazy way, Sheldon spoke up for all of us who are still holding a grudge (7 years later) against network buffoonery that deprived the world of more outlaws-in-space glory, and all it takes to make this case is a fictional character commenting on a real person’s treatment of fictional characters.
Dwight, The Office
Near the end of Season 3 Michael assumes that he will be getting a promotion to the corporate office in New York that he, and others, are interviewing for. Therefore, because he is the smartest man ever, he bids farewell to his Scranton-based employees and names Dwight as his successor. Dwight now has a problem, namely, who will be his number 2? But have you forgotten that Dwight is always prepared? He knows whom he wants to do for him what he did for Michael: “My ideal number 2? Jack Bauer. But he is overqualified, … and fictional, … and unavailable.” How brilliant is this? Not only do we find out that Dwight watches 24, but we as an audience get to imagine Kiefer Sutherland in a mustard-yellow short-sleeved button-up shirt, and because the small scene is so well written, with “fictional” as the middle disqualification, it takes us just the barest second to realize that a fictional character is recognizing the fictional nature of a character on another real TV show.
Giles, Buffy
Somewhere in Season 5 (I can’t remember where exactly, but now I will start re-watching from the beginning in order to figure it out), the Scooby-Gang poses a question to their fearless guider: “how bored were you last year?” Giles’ response has become one of the most memorable of Buffy lines: “I watched Passions with Spike.” This is the most un-Giles-like Giles-statement in the entire series, and is an amazing example of using fiction to illuminate other fiction: we know just how lost Giles was without a job (either as librarian or Watcher) because he spent his time watching the ridiculous dregs of daytime television. With one line, anyone who has seen even two seconds of Passions, THE WORST SOAP OPERA EVER, immediately recognizes that Giles was in the depths of one of the scariest existential crises in Buffy.
Lester, Chuck
As a show Chuck is riddled with sly in-jokes, allusion to TV and movies, and tributes to geek-dom. Personally, I love the scene in Season 1 where Morgan and Lester are playing the “name-that-show” game on the TVs at the Buy-More. During the battle-royal, both need only a brief glimpse to correctly identify their target. They name each show so quickly that I missed it the first time I saw the episode, but Lester takes a second to comment on one of his answers: “The O.C. Season 2, highly underrated.” More than a beautifully self-serving defense of another of Chuck producer Josh Shwartz’s shows, Lester’s fandom gives a funny little bit of dimension to the character that up to that point was just kind of creepy.
Abed, Community
Abed is obsessed with TV and movies, to the point where he recasts his friends in “roles” from whichever show/movie he is currently fixated on. At first I found the whole conceit a bit off-putting, it seemed like it could be a comedy-version of Dawson Leary’s immensely annoying movie addiction, but I was totally wrong. As a character Abed allows Community to both discuss objectively and participate subjectively in the nature of created reality. A fictional character is told by other fictional characters that he is confusing fiction with reality, but his awareness of the difference of between other-created-reality and his own real-created-reality forces the audience to ponder whether Abed is very confused, or much smarter than the rest of us. And them. See?
Honorable Mention:
Quinn, Daria
On a road trip with Daria to bail Jane, Trent, and the rest of Mystic Spiral out of a small-town jail, Quinn says one of those things that makes us realize that she isn’t all bad: “We can be home in time to watch Buffy.”
The TV Girl
Sheldon, The Big Bang Theory
The geek-gods of TBBT talk about TV and movies quite a bit, but in last night’s episode (The Large Hadron Collision) Sheldon truly outdid himself. Angry with Leonard for planning to take Penny to Switzerland to see the world-famous super-collider, Sheldon responds to Leonard’s invitation to play a car game with the suggestion that Sheldon will name famous traitors throughout history and Leonard can rank them in order of the heinousness of their crimes. In the second round Sheldon offers Rupert Murdoch, Darth Vader, and Leonard. When Leonard asks Sheldon why Rupert Murdoch is on the list, Sheldon’s answer is simple: “He owns Fox and Fox cancelled Firefly.” In his unbelievably crazy way, Sheldon spoke up for all of us who are still holding a grudge (7 years later) against network buffoonery that deprived the world of more outlaws-in-space glory, and all it takes to make this case is a fictional character commenting on a real person’s treatment of fictional characters.
Dwight, The Office
Near the end of Season 3 Michael assumes that he will be getting a promotion to the corporate office in New York that he, and others, are interviewing for. Therefore, because he is the smartest man ever, he bids farewell to his Scranton-based employees and names Dwight as his successor. Dwight now has a problem, namely, who will be his number 2? But have you forgotten that Dwight is always prepared? He knows whom he wants to do for him what he did for Michael: “My ideal number 2? Jack Bauer. But he is overqualified, … and fictional, … and unavailable.” How brilliant is this? Not only do we find out that Dwight watches 24, but we as an audience get to imagine Kiefer Sutherland in a mustard-yellow short-sleeved button-up shirt, and because the small scene is so well written, with “fictional” as the middle disqualification, it takes us just the barest second to realize that a fictional character is recognizing the fictional nature of a character on another real TV show.
Giles, Buffy
Somewhere in Season 5 (I can’t remember where exactly, but now I will start re-watching from the beginning in order to figure it out), the Scooby-Gang poses a question to their fearless guider: “how bored were you last year?” Giles’ response has become one of the most memorable of Buffy lines: “I watched Passions with Spike.” This is the most un-Giles-like Giles-statement in the entire series, and is an amazing example of using fiction to illuminate other fiction: we know just how lost Giles was without a job (either as librarian or Watcher) because he spent his time watching the ridiculous dregs of daytime television. With one line, anyone who has seen even two seconds of Passions, THE WORST SOAP OPERA EVER, immediately recognizes that Giles was in the depths of one of the scariest existential crises in Buffy.
Lester, Chuck
As a show Chuck is riddled with sly in-jokes, allusion to TV and movies, and tributes to geek-dom. Personally, I love the scene in Season 1 where Morgan and Lester are playing the “name-that-show” game on the TVs at the Buy-More. During the battle-royal, both need only a brief glimpse to correctly identify their target. They name each show so quickly that I missed it the first time I saw the episode, but Lester takes a second to comment on one of his answers: “The O.C. Season 2, highly underrated.” More than a beautifully self-serving defense of another of Chuck producer Josh Shwartz’s shows, Lester’s fandom gives a funny little bit of dimension to the character that up to that point was just kind of creepy.
Abed, Community
Abed is obsessed with TV and movies, to the point where he recasts his friends in “roles” from whichever show/movie he is currently fixated on. At first I found the whole conceit a bit off-putting, it seemed like it could be a comedy-version of Dawson Leary’s immensely annoying movie addiction, but I was totally wrong. As a character Abed allows Community to both discuss objectively and participate subjectively in the nature of created reality. A fictional character is told by other fictional characters that he is confusing fiction with reality, but his awareness of the difference of between other-created-reality and his own real-created-reality forces the audience to ponder whether Abed is very confused, or much smarter than the rest of us. And them. See?
Honorable Mention:
Quinn, Daria
On a road trip with Daria to bail Jane, Trent, and the rest of Mystic Spiral out of a small-town jail, Quinn says one of those things that makes us realize that she isn’t all bad: “We can be home in time to watch Buffy.”
The TV Girl
Monday, February 1, 2010
Top 5 Favorite: Couples
The Doomed: The Depressing Endings of the Couples I Wanted So Much to Make It.
I think that I’m cursed, because if I root for a couple it is like they HAVE to break-up, or someone has to die, or something. So this list isn’t nearly all of the unsuccessful romances I have witnessed and mourned over the years, but it is a sample of the ones I find particularly unfair.
Willow Rosenberg and Oz, Buffy the Vampire Slayer
In all fairness, every couple in the Buffy/Angel-world ended in a way that ranged from terrible (Xander and Cordelia) to tragic (Wesley and Fred), and I feel so sorry for all of them (except for Riley, because he was kind of lame, and my sister will kill me if I express any sympathy for him, she really hated him). For me the one that really hurt was Willow and Oz, because after all their cuteness (he first notices her when she is dressed as an Eskimo!), Willow couldn’t forgive Oz for the same thing that he forgave her for. As a viewer I would like to just have the finality of death (character or series) rather than the lingering disappointment of an inglorious end to a wonderful relationship full of wit and mutual respect. On the other hand, maybe I shouldn’t be so sad, since Tara was the love of Willow’s life, but I would counter that as a couple Willow and Tara were very deeply in love, but boring, while Willow and Oz were both in love and fun.
Daria Morgendorffer and Tom Sloan, Daria
Don’t you dare try and tell me that Daria is just a cartoon, because I shed legitimate tears every single time I watch the series finale and Daria breaks up with Tom. They might be 2-dimesnional, but Daria and Tom were the intellectually matched and temperamentally complementary couple that rarely (Loch Ness Monster-type rare) happens in high school. Tom brought Daria out of her shell a bit, patiently persuading her into interacting with the world, and Daria curtailed Tom’s potential for pretension, keeping him honest and grounded. Therefore I find it even more distressing that they break-up for entirely legitimate reasons (they are going different colleges), because I can’t even block the sadness with righteous indignation over the logic. Like Veronica and Logan (see below), I believe after college Daria and Tom got back together, got married, and had attractive and sarcastic babies.
Chris and Jal, Skins
I have to tell you that Chris dies in the second to final episode of Series 2, and in the next Jal aborts their baby. You should know up front, the spear you see hurts less as they say. The majority of Chris and Jal’s relationship takes place in one episode (Series 2, Episode 5, “Chris”) in which rather a lot of time passes, so in that one episode they not only get together, but Chris cheats on Jal with his ex Angie (skank), and Jal finds out that she is pregnant but doesn’t tell Chris about it when she takes him back. Given all this you might question my judgment for putting them on this list, but trust me that in the short time that Chris and Jal have together the love of each makes the other a better person: Jal give Chris both the encouragement he needs to take responsibility for himself and the forgiveness he needs when he fails, while Chris breaks through Jal's family-disappointment-induced isolation and pessimism. Chris’s storyboard of Jal’s importance to him is both sincere and endearing, Jal’s agony over her pregnancy and subsequent choice is terribly compounded by first her fear of loosing Chris and then his death, Chris’s private tears after Jal tells him that she intends to terminate her pregnancy are a heartbreaking expression of how much he loves her, and Jal’s honest and hope-filled eulogy at Chris’s funeral demonstrates how much she has changed. Chris and Jal are the kind of couple about which people would say, “it is better to have loved and lost.”
Veronica Mars and Logan Echolls, Veronica Mars
This is a perspective thing. In my heart, someday in the future of Neptune California Veronica and Logan find their way back to each other. As far as actually produced television episodes tell us, the last we see of LoVe was a longing look passing between the two as he apologizes for beating the crizap out of her current boyfriend Piz in the name of defending her honor. I should take my terminology from the source itself. Logan describes their relationship better than I could: epic.
Kara “Starbuck” Thrace and Lee “Apollo” Adama, Battlestar Galactica
Similar to Buffy/Angel, BSG seemed to be littered with broken-hearts and battered connections, and the human/not-human question diminished the already fairly low odds for a happy ending: Roslin takes her last breath resting her head on Bill’s shoulder; Cally and the Chief were a mutually abusive mess before she got tossed out of the airlock by Tory; and “dysfunctional” doesn’t even begin to describe Tigh and Ellen. Therefore, I can’t say that I was surprised that Kara died for the second time in the series finale. Furthermore, the simple fact is that Lee and Kara really never had any chance (their first kiss took place while her fiancé, his brother, was passed out drunk on the couch), so it would have been somewhat disingenuous for them to have the same future as Helo and Athena, but I still wanted that for them. Despite his perpetual identity crisis and her un-paralleled self-destruction, Lee and Kara remained devoted and caring to one another; friends in a way that neither was with their spouse, able to empathize or admonish as the situation called for.
The TV Girl
I think that I’m cursed, because if I root for a couple it is like they HAVE to break-up, or someone has to die, or something. So this list isn’t nearly all of the unsuccessful romances I have witnessed and mourned over the years, but it is a sample of the ones I find particularly unfair.
Willow Rosenberg and Oz, Buffy the Vampire Slayer
In all fairness, every couple in the Buffy/Angel-world ended in a way that ranged from terrible (Xander and Cordelia) to tragic (Wesley and Fred), and I feel so sorry for all of them (except for Riley, because he was kind of lame, and my sister will kill me if I express any sympathy for him, she really hated him). For me the one that really hurt was Willow and Oz, because after all their cuteness (he first notices her when she is dressed as an Eskimo!), Willow couldn’t forgive Oz for the same thing that he forgave her for. As a viewer I would like to just have the finality of death (character or series) rather than the lingering disappointment of an inglorious end to a wonderful relationship full of wit and mutual respect. On the other hand, maybe I shouldn’t be so sad, since Tara was the love of Willow’s life, but I would counter that as a couple Willow and Tara were very deeply in love, but boring, while Willow and Oz were both in love and fun.
Daria Morgendorffer and Tom Sloan, Daria
Don’t you dare try and tell me that Daria is just a cartoon, because I shed legitimate tears every single time I watch the series finale and Daria breaks up with Tom. They might be 2-dimesnional, but Daria and Tom were the intellectually matched and temperamentally complementary couple that rarely (Loch Ness Monster-type rare) happens in high school. Tom brought Daria out of her shell a bit, patiently persuading her into interacting with the world, and Daria curtailed Tom’s potential for pretension, keeping him honest and grounded. Therefore I find it even more distressing that they break-up for entirely legitimate reasons (they are going different colleges), because I can’t even block the sadness with righteous indignation over the logic. Like Veronica and Logan (see below), I believe after college Daria and Tom got back together, got married, and had attractive and sarcastic babies.
Chris and Jal, Skins
I have to tell you that Chris dies in the second to final episode of Series 2, and in the next Jal aborts their baby. You should know up front, the spear you see hurts less as they say. The majority of Chris and Jal’s relationship takes place in one episode (Series 2, Episode 5, “Chris”) in which rather a lot of time passes, so in that one episode they not only get together, but Chris cheats on Jal with his ex Angie (skank), and Jal finds out that she is pregnant but doesn’t tell Chris about it when she takes him back. Given all this you might question my judgment for putting them on this list, but trust me that in the short time that Chris and Jal have together the love of each makes the other a better person: Jal give Chris both the encouragement he needs to take responsibility for himself and the forgiveness he needs when he fails, while Chris breaks through Jal's family-disappointment-induced isolation and pessimism. Chris’s storyboard of Jal’s importance to him is both sincere and endearing, Jal’s agony over her pregnancy and subsequent choice is terribly compounded by first her fear of loosing Chris and then his death, Chris’s private tears after Jal tells him that she intends to terminate her pregnancy are a heartbreaking expression of how much he loves her, and Jal’s honest and hope-filled eulogy at Chris’s funeral demonstrates how much she has changed. Chris and Jal are the kind of couple about which people would say, “it is better to have loved and lost.”
Veronica Mars and Logan Echolls, Veronica Mars
This is a perspective thing. In my heart, someday in the future of Neptune California Veronica and Logan find their way back to each other. As far as actually produced television episodes tell us, the last we see of LoVe was a longing look passing between the two as he apologizes for beating the crizap out of her current boyfriend Piz in the name of defending her honor. I should take my terminology from the source itself. Logan describes their relationship better than I could: epic.
Kara “Starbuck” Thrace and Lee “Apollo” Adama, Battlestar Galactica
Similar to Buffy/Angel, BSG seemed to be littered with broken-hearts and battered connections, and the human/not-human question diminished the already fairly low odds for a happy ending: Roslin takes her last breath resting her head on Bill’s shoulder; Cally and the Chief were a mutually abusive mess before she got tossed out of the airlock by Tory; and “dysfunctional” doesn’t even begin to describe Tigh and Ellen. Therefore, I can’t say that I was surprised that Kara died for the second time in the series finale. Furthermore, the simple fact is that Lee and Kara really never had any chance (their first kiss took place while her fiancé, his brother, was passed out drunk on the couch), so it would have been somewhat disingenuous for them to have the same future as Helo and Athena, but I still wanted that for them. Despite his perpetual identity crisis and her un-paralleled self-destruction, Lee and Kara remained devoted and caring to one another; friends in a way that neither was with their spouse, able to empathize or admonish as the situation called for.
The TV Girl
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Top 5 Favorite: Old Dudes Whom Kick Ass
Let’s face it; we live in a youth-centric culture. I am only 26 and sometimes I feel like my life is over. So, I have decided to combat this ridiculousness by pointing out some of my favorite men of TV who make a strong argument that gray hair should be a prerequisite for badass status.
Bobby Singer, Supernatural
Bobby is now confined to a wheelchair, and you know why? Because he managed to overpower the demon who had possessed him and stabbed himself instead of Dean. Bobby is stronger than demons and willing to sacrifice himself for his might-as-well-be-son. This is just the latest example of his four seasons of being an awesome hunter; he approaches mystery with a cool head, never hesitates to make the tough call, and always comes through for his family of friends.
Jack Bristow, Alias
I haven’t watched Alias in years, but while spending weeks upon weeks sick in bed I decided to re-watch from the beginning, and I had totally forgotten that Jack is a stone-cold killer. Determined to protect his daughter, Jack unapologetically pummeled, tortured, and killed anyone who threatened her safety, and in the processes helped unravel conspiracy and catch bad guys. I wouldn’t want him for a father, but I would really want him for a bodyguard.
Bill Adama, Battlestar Galactica
Commander Bill Adama was on the eve of retirement when the Cylon’s struck the 12 colonies, leaving his small collection of ships the last vestiges of humanity. Instead of golf and fishing (or whatever retired people do) Adama led the crew of his ship, and thereby all the others, with both kind understanding and the expectation of excellence. He never hesitated to shot if required, he beat the living crap out of Tyrol to prove a point to the crew, and had the force of personality to turn the tide of a mutiny with his words.
Leroy Jethro Gibbs, NCIS
Being a former sniper would probably qualify Gibbs for this list anyway, but the fact that when he isn’t cracking dirt-bags he builds full-size boats in his basement by hand which really makes him a super badass. Without wasting a word Gibbs relentlessly pursues the truth with the help of his unflinchingly loyal team, not only making the world a safer place, but also making the people around him better.
Rupert Giles, Buffy
For years Giles protected Buffy: guiding her as a slayer, loving her as a parent, eventually freeing her to be an adult. While not the winner of every fight, Giles always faced danger with bravery. For me, it is one single act that cements Giles as awesome: killing Ben at the end of Season 5. No one ever found out, but Giles did what had to be done, ending the life of Glory’s human vessel. Even if Buffy had been alive to do it, she never could have, and he never would have asked. Like a true hero, Giles took upon himself great responsibility without any recognition.
Honorable Mention: Clay Marrow, Sons of Anarchy
While I know that Clay is a multi-dimensional character, I cannot help but hate him for killing Donna, therefore I cannot call him a favorite of mine, but I do feel that I should mention that for being a senior citizen, Clay is one scary mo-fo.
The TV Girl
Bobby Singer, Supernatural
Bobby is now confined to a wheelchair, and you know why? Because he managed to overpower the demon who had possessed him and stabbed himself instead of Dean. Bobby is stronger than demons and willing to sacrifice himself for his might-as-well-be-son. This is just the latest example of his four seasons of being an awesome hunter; he approaches mystery with a cool head, never hesitates to make the tough call, and always comes through for his family of friends.
Jack Bristow, Alias
I haven’t watched Alias in years, but while spending weeks upon weeks sick in bed I decided to re-watch from the beginning, and I had totally forgotten that Jack is a stone-cold killer. Determined to protect his daughter, Jack unapologetically pummeled, tortured, and killed anyone who threatened her safety, and in the processes helped unravel conspiracy and catch bad guys. I wouldn’t want him for a father, but I would really want him for a bodyguard.
Bill Adama, Battlestar Galactica
Commander Bill Adama was on the eve of retirement when the Cylon’s struck the 12 colonies, leaving his small collection of ships the last vestiges of humanity. Instead of golf and fishing (or whatever retired people do) Adama led the crew of his ship, and thereby all the others, with both kind understanding and the expectation of excellence. He never hesitated to shot if required, he beat the living crap out of Tyrol to prove a point to the crew, and had the force of personality to turn the tide of a mutiny with his words.
Leroy Jethro Gibbs, NCIS
Being a former sniper would probably qualify Gibbs for this list anyway, but the fact that when he isn’t cracking dirt-bags he builds full-size boats in his basement by hand which really makes him a super badass. Without wasting a word Gibbs relentlessly pursues the truth with the help of his unflinchingly loyal team, not only making the world a safer place, but also making the people around him better.
Rupert Giles, Buffy
For years Giles protected Buffy: guiding her as a slayer, loving her as a parent, eventually freeing her to be an adult. While not the winner of every fight, Giles always faced danger with bravery. For me, it is one single act that cements Giles as awesome: killing Ben at the end of Season 5. No one ever found out, but Giles did what had to be done, ending the life of Glory’s human vessel. Even if Buffy had been alive to do it, she never could have, and he never would have asked. Like a true hero, Giles took upon himself great responsibility without any recognition.
Honorable Mention: Clay Marrow, Sons of Anarchy
While I know that Clay is a multi-dimensional character, I cannot help but hate him for killing Donna, therefore I cannot call him a favorite of mine, but I do feel that I should mention that for being a senior citizen, Clay is one scary mo-fo.
The TV Girl
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Top 5: Favorite Christmas Episodes
Everyone has fond childhood memories of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and Merry Christmas Charlie Brown. And most series that run for any extended amount of time have a “special” Christmas episode. These episodes tend to be sappy and completely miss the actual point of Christmas. But some shows do it right: Christmas episodes that actually spread joy throughout the world. But since there is no way to avoid a bit of schmaltz around this time of year, I fully disclose at this time that I am, in many ways, guided by emotional attachment in making my choices.
“A Very Supernatural Christmas,” Supernatural
I have no joke watched this episode three times in the last two weeks. This episode is not just an incredible episode of a fantastic show; it might be the best understanding of the meaning of Christmas in a secular world. In S3 Dean decides that for his last Christmas he wants to do it right, an idea Sam is less than enthusiastic about. But what we see through both the flashbacks to the Christmas when Dean told Sam the truth about monsters, and the present story, is that the truly powerful aspect of Christmas is that it rises above the difficulties of life by embracing them, by impressing upon us the necessity of our families, broken and frail as they may be. Dean and Sam’s Christmas is not an escape from reality, it is a momentary reprieve and a loving celebration in order to fortify themselves for the tragedy they know lies ahead. Oh, and their terrible rendition of Silent Night is hysterical.
“Christmas Party,” The Office
I feel kind of awkward picking S2’s Christmas episode for this list consider how amazing the episode that aired two weeks ago was. But I stand by my choice. Thank you Jim Halpert for reminding all of us that a gift in and of itself means nothing if it does not speak specifically to the person to whom it is given. “It’s the thought that counts” is usually what we say when we feel we have given/received a less than thrilling gift, but as the journey of Pam’s teapot explains, it is the truth behind the best gifts.
“The Best Chrismukka Ever,” The O.C.
Seth’s holiday combining his Protestant and Jewish heritage lives on in my heart every year. Even when The O.C. sucked hardcore, Chrismukka was worth looking forward to, and that first one was so perfect. How could you help but want a happy holiday for beaten down Ryan, and it might have been Marissa’s redeeming moment that in the midst of all her selfish ridiculousness she at least tried to do the right thing for him. The battle-of-the-presents for Seth between Anna and Summer still remains as one of the funniest moments in a love-triangle in TV history. And as much as I love traditional (European/American) fare, who doesn’t dream of a little Lo Mien on Christmas?
“Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire,” The Simpsons
This is the first episode of The Simpsons. This is the origin story of Santa’s Little Helper. This is like eggnog: MANDATORY TRADITION. No further comment necessary.
“An Echolls Family Christmas” Veronica Mars
It was a toss up for me, “An Echolls Family Christmas” (S1) where Veronica foils the poker-cheating plot, or “One Angry Veronica” (S2) when Wallace returns to her and the world of Neptune is set to right (er) again. But then I remembered that S1’s Christmas episode ends with Aaron Echolls being stabbed by the totally looney-tunes waitress that he had the one night stand with. Best. Christmas. Gift. Ever. And it contains one of my favorite lines of the whole series: “Annoy tiny blonde one, annoy like the wind.” (TV you are a sadder place lacking Logan.) While in contrast to the earned peace of “A Very Supernatural Christmas” this ends with the cynical pain of a world unredeemed, but I wouldn’t love it at all if it tried to shove some inorganic sappy crap down my throat (like other lesser shows attempt at this time of year).
Honorable Mentions:
“Gus’s Dad May Have Killed An Old Guy,” Psych
This is really just a funny episode. Gus’ parents are adorably overprotective, and Shawn and Henry’s can-you-guess-what-I-got-you game looks like it would be a lot of fun.
“Amends,” Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Poor Angel, tortured by the Devil into almost believing that he can never do good and trying to kill himself. Poor Xander and his abusive family. Poor Willow thinking Oz rejects her. But it is all worth it for Buffy and Angel’s walk in the snowy daytime.
“The Balance,” Roswell
I mention this because I have relied on this episode to teach me how to deal with overzealous Christmas enthusiasts (I won’t name names but you know who you are). I try to channel Michael when I encounter my own Isabel-esque Christmas-Nazis.
I would recommend any of these episodes as a welcome addition to your own Christmas traditions. Dean and Veronica, Michael and Bart should have their place next to Frosty, Jimmy Stuart, Bruce Willis, and Ralphy.
Merry Christmas all,
The TV Girl
Everyone has fond childhood memories of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and Merry Christmas Charlie Brown. And most series that run for any extended amount of time have a “special” Christmas episode. These episodes tend to be sappy and completely miss the actual point of Christmas. But some shows do it right: Christmas episodes that actually spread joy throughout the world. But since there is no way to avoid a bit of schmaltz around this time of year, I fully disclose at this time that I am, in many ways, guided by emotional attachment in making my choices.
“A Very Supernatural Christmas,” Supernatural
I have no joke watched this episode three times in the last two weeks. This episode is not just an incredible episode of a fantastic show; it might be the best understanding of the meaning of Christmas in a secular world. In S3 Dean decides that for his last Christmas he wants to do it right, an idea Sam is less than enthusiastic about. But what we see through both the flashbacks to the Christmas when Dean told Sam the truth about monsters, and the present story, is that the truly powerful aspect of Christmas is that it rises above the difficulties of life by embracing them, by impressing upon us the necessity of our families, broken and frail as they may be. Dean and Sam’s Christmas is not an escape from reality, it is a momentary reprieve and a loving celebration in order to fortify themselves for the tragedy they know lies ahead. Oh, and their terrible rendition of Silent Night is hysterical.
“Christmas Party,” The Office
I feel kind of awkward picking S2’s Christmas episode for this list consider how amazing the episode that aired two weeks ago was. But I stand by my choice. Thank you Jim Halpert for reminding all of us that a gift in and of itself means nothing if it does not speak specifically to the person to whom it is given. “It’s the thought that counts” is usually what we say when we feel we have given/received a less than thrilling gift, but as the journey of Pam’s teapot explains, it is the truth behind the best gifts.
“The Best Chrismukka Ever,” The O.C.
Seth’s holiday combining his Protestant and Jewish heritage lives on in my heart every year. Even when The O.C. sucked hardcore, Chrismukka was worth looking forward to, and that first one was so perfect. How could you help but want a happy holiday for beaten down Ryan, and it might have been Marissa’s redeeming moment that in the midst of all her selfish ridiculousness she at least tried to do the right thing for him. The battle-of-the-presents for Seth between Anna and Summer still remains as one of the funniest moments in a love-triangle in TV history. And as much as I love traditional (European/American) fare, who doesn’t dream of a little Lo Mien on Christmas?
“Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire,” The Simpsons
This is the first episode of The Simpsons. This is the origin story of Santa’s Little Helper. This is like eggnog: MANDATORY TRADITION. No further comment necessary.
“An Echolls Family Christmas” Veronica Mars
It was a toss up for me, “An Echolls Family Christmas” (S1) where Veronica foils the poker-cheating plot, or “One Angry Veronica” (S2) when Wallace returns to her and the world of Neptune is set to right (er) again. But then I remembered that S1’s Christmas episode ends with Aaron Echolls being stabbed by the totally looney-tunes waitress that he had the one night stand with. Best. Christmas. Gift. Ever. And it contains one of my favorite lines of the whole series: “Annoy tiny blonde one, annoy like the wind.” (TV you are a sadder place lacking Logan.) While in contrast to the earned peace of “A Very Supernatural Christmas” this ends with the cynical pain of a world unredeemed, but I wouldn’t love it at all if it tried to shove some inorganic sappy crap down my throat (like other lesser shows attempt at this time of year).
Honorable Mentions:
“Gus’s Dad May Have Killed An Old Guy,” Psych
This is really just a funny episode. Gus’ parents are adorably overprotective, and Shawn and Henry’s can-you-guess-what-I-got-you game looks like it would be a lot of fun.
“Amends,” Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Poor Angel, tortured by the Devil into almost believing that he can never do good and trying to kill himself. Poor Xander and his abusive family. Poor Willow thinking Oz rejects her. But it is all worth it for Buffy and Angel’s walk in the snowy daytime.
“The Balance,” Roswell
I mention this because I have relied on this episode to teach me how to deal with overzealous Christmas enthusiasts (I won’t name names but you know who you are). I try to channel Michael when I encounter my own Isabel-esque Christmas-Nazis.
I would recommend any of these episodes as a welcome addition to your own Christmas traditions. Dean and Veronica, Michael and Bart should have their place next to Frosty, Jimmy Stuart, Bruce Willis, and Ralphy.
Merry Christmas all,
The TV Girl
Monday, September 15, 2008
Top 5: Bromantic Chemistry
Continuing my series on chemistry, I am moving into the non-sexual realm (sort of). The bromance as a term is something new to our culture, but as a phenomenon it is as old as time: close male friendship that is very loving but not necessarily sexual. So here is my ballot of the men of recent TV who have that special something that makes their bromance look effortless.
Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean (Jensen Ackles) Winchester: Supernatural
I am not cheating. Yes, Sam and Dean are brothers, but they also have a fantastic bromance. And these two actors are perfectly matched to their characters. Of course I know they are not brothers in real life, but these guys click so well on screen, I have to believe that they really are friends. The fact that the terms of their interaction is more bromantic (jokes at each other’s expense, occasional pranks, moments of confrontation) and less mushy, emotional sharing-ness (the way TV land seems to think brothers act) highlights how well these two play off of each other. Jared/Jensen don’t ever change.
Michael Scott (Steve Carell) and Dwight Schrute (Rainn Wilson): The Office
Dwight might be more invested than Michael reciprocates, so this might be an almost unrequited bromance. But it is a joy to watch two masters of awkwardness inflict their special brand of bromance on those around them. Carell/Wilson make the Michael/Dwight bromance watchable; in lesser hands it would be impossible to watch one man give another his urine.
Jeff Murdock (Richard Coyle) and Steve Taylor (Jack Davenport): Coupling
What can I say about the genius of Steve and Jeff that you cannot see with your own eyes? Well, for those of you who haven’t seen this britcom you are missing a fantastic bromance. Either bonding over videogames or discussing the most inappropriate terms for a girlfriend who won’t stop stalking you, Jeff and Steve bring a life to this show that is distinct and tone-setting. They are so in tune as actors that over the course of the show it is possible to see how the other actors start taking their cues from this dynamic duo. Netflix it, you won’t regret it.
Shawn Spencer (James Roday) and Burton Guster (Dule Hill): Psych
Shawn and Gus are so great together they merited cartoon shorts that run during new episodes of Psych. While they are an example of opposites-attract, Gus allows Shawn to drag him into trouble, and Shawn insists on doing so, because they are essentially inseparable. And Roday/Hill are flawless together. Their chemistry makes it possible to believe that such a relationship could actually be sustained for so long. Please, please watch the scene from “Bounty Hunters” where Shawn and Gus list synonyms for the word briefcase while trying to convince Kevin Sorbo (yes, you read that right) to exchange said briefcase for an escaped con; it is truly magical chemistry.
Gregory House (Hugh Laurie) and James Wilson (Robert Sean Leonard): House
According to my current Entertainment Weekly “the bromance is over for House and Wilson,” but be that as it may, House and Wilson’s scenes are really the gems of this show. Their hilarious and devoted bromance is executed with a precision and grace by these two men that I would almost be willing to accept entire episodes that are just them; get rid of “the team” and give me middle-age bromance.
Making this list I began to realize just how much of television is preoccupied with exploring male friendship. I ended up with four alternates that need to be acknowledged, even if I think they are not quite as special as the above.
Honorable Mentions:
Ryan Atwood (Benjamin McKenzie) and Seth Cohen (Adam Brody): The O.C.
My (emotionally) favorite bromance. I still heart Ryan and Seth.
Ted Mosby (Josh Radnor) and Barney Stinson (Neil Patrick Harris): How I Met Your Mother
While this is a bromance for the ages, NPH outshines Radnor just slightly (sometimes a lot), therefore throwing off the chemistry balance, just a bit.
Bertie Wooster (Hugh Laurie) and Reginald Jeeves (Stephen Fry): Jeeves and Wooster
Amazing actors, but the whole employer/employee situation makes it a debate whether this is a true bromance.
Barney Gumble and Moe Sizlack: The Simpsons
Bromantic as all get out, but can cartoon characters really be said to have chemistry?
Yes, No, Maybe So? Tell me if you think I missed the mark.
The TV Girl
Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean (Jensen Ackles) Winchester: Supernatural
I am not cheating. Yes, Sam and Dean are brothers, but they also have a fantastic bromance. And these two actors are perfectly matched to their characters. Of course I know they are not brothers in real life, but these guys click so well on screen, I have to believe that they really are friends. The fact that the terms of their interaction is more bromantic (jokes at each other’s expense, occasional pranks, moments of confrontation) and less mushy, emotional sharing-ness (the way TV land seems to think brothers act) highlights how well these two play off of each other. Jared/Jensen don’t ever change.
Michael Scott (Steve Carell) and Dwight Schrute (Rainn Wilson): The Office
Dwight might be more invested than Michael reciprocates, so this might be an almost unrequited bromance. But it is a joy to watch two masters of awkwardness inflict their special brand of bromance on those around them. Carell/Wilson make the Michael/Dwight bromance watchable; in lesser hands it would be impossible to watch one man give another his urine.
Jeff Murdock (Richard Coyle) and Steve Taylor (Jack Davenport): Coupling
What can I say about the genius of Steve and Jeff that you cannot see with your own eyes? Well, for those of you who haven’t seen this britcom you are missing a fantastic bromance. Either bonding over videogames or discussing the most inappropriate terms for a girlfriend who won’t stop stalking you, Jeff and Steve bring a life to this show that is distinct and tone-setting. They are so in tune as actors that over the course of the show it is possible to see how the other actors start taking their cues from this dynamic duo. Netflix it, you won’t regret it.
Shawn Spencer (James Roday) and Burton Guster (Dule Hill): Psych
Shawn and Gus are so great together they merited cartoon shorts that run during new episodes of Psych. While they are an example of opposites-attract, Gus allows Shawn to drag him into trouble, and Shawn insists on doing so, because they are essentially inseparable. And Roday/Hill are flawless together. Their chemistry makes it possible to believe that such a relationship could actually be sustained for so long. Please, please watch the scene from “Bounty Hunters” where Shawn and Gus list synonyms for the word briefcase while trying to convince Kevin Sorbo (yes, you read that right) to exchange said briefcase for an escaped con; it is truly magical chemistry.
Gregory House (Hugh Laurie) and James Wilson (Robert Sean Leonard): House
According to my current Entertainment Weekly “the bromance is over for House and Wilson,” but be that as it may, House and Wilson’s scenes are really the gems of this show. Their hilarious and devoted bromance is executed with a precision and grace by these two men that I would almost be willing to accept entire episodes that are just them; get rid of “the team” and give me middle-age bromance.
Making this list I began to realize just how much of television is preoccupied with exploring male friendship. I ended up with four alternates that need to be acknowledged, even if I think they are not quite as special as the above.
Honorable Mentions:
Ryan Atwood (Benjamin McKenzie) and Seth Cohen (Adam Brody): The O.C.
My (emotionally) favorite bromance. I still heart Ryan and Seth.
Ted Mosby (Josh Radnor) and Barney Stinson (Neil Patrick Harris): How I Met Your Mother
While this is a bromance for the ages, NPH outshines Radnor just slightly (sometimes a lot), therefore throwing off the chemistry balance, just a bit.
Bertie Wooster (Hugh Laurie) and Reginald Jeeves (Stephen Fry): Jeeves and Wooster
Amazing actors, but the whole employer/employee situation makes it a debate whether this is a true bromance.
Barney Gumble and Moe Sizlack: The Simpsons
Bromantic as all get out, but can cartoon characters really be said to have chemistry?
Yes, No, Maybe So? Tell me if you think I missed the mark.
The TV Girl
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Top 5: Sexual Chemistry
A show fails without chemistry; you have to believe that the characters feel the way about each other and their situations that the dialog dictates. When a cast doesn’t click you can tell, and we all suffer. Asian KP and I end up talking about cast chemistry all of the time (she has a passion for proper casting), so I decided to do some Top 5s on chemistry, and the first up is the couples with the best sexual chemistry.
Chuck Bass (Ed Westwick) and Blair Waldorf (Leighton Meester), Gossip Girl
As I wrote in my post below, Chuck and Blair give me chills. Their antagonistic romance has both incredible intensity and inevitability; they are so undeniably drawn to each other that it lights up the screen. I can’t describe it.
Michael Scofield (Wentworth Miller) and Sara Tancredi (Sarah Wayne Callies), Prison Break
Michael and Sara’s first kiss was extraordinary: the prefect combination of lust and sweetness. They are probably one of the most messed-up couples (can’t even tally up all that baggage) but they are so naturally compatible that there is no way that (if alive) they could be apart. Even when they are being mushy their interaction shimmers with sexual tension.
Tim Riggins (Taylor Kitsch) and Lyla Garrity (Minka Kelly), Friday Night Lights
Granted it would be difficult not to have sexual chemistry with the hotness that is number 33, but be that as it may. The scene where Tim kisses Lyla in her bedroom in Season One would be almost creepy if it were not so drool-worthy. His determination to fluster her at every opportunity, and her inability to prevent him from doing so, is amazing to watch.
Seeley Booth (David Boreanaz) and Temperance Brennan (Emily Deschanel), Bones
This show gets a place on my list simply for the brilliance of highlighting the sexual chemistry between the leads by having those characters in denial about it. It isn’t a case of combative-attraction; Booth and Bones respect each other, care about each other, and acknowledge so to each other. Furthermore, they discuss sex, but neither has gotten around to seeing what everyone around them sees, namely just how into each other they are. They are an excellent example of a show using every means possible to make the most of what the actors bring to the characters.
Gregory House (Hugh Laurie) and Lisa Cuddy (Lisa Edelstien), House
It always baffled me that Cameron thought for a second she had a chance with House considering the R-rated interaction between House and Cuddy. They flaunt their mutual attraction, displaying it for all around them, and by doing so are saved from having to take the step of actually doing something about it. But you never have to worry about forgetting that House and Cuddy are hot for each other, because as soon as they are in the same room they will inappropriately talk about what is plain as day. Fantastic.
Honorable Mentions (because I can’t resist):
Logan Echolls (Jason Dohring) and Veronica Mars (Kristen Bell), Veronica Mars
Stunning. First. Kiss.
Lee Adama (Jamie Bamber) and Kara Thrace (Katee Sackhoff), Battlestar Galactica
One word: HOT.
Well, that is what I think. Anyone disagree? Alternatives? I am open to suggestions as long as no one mentions Justin and Rebecca on Brothers & Sisters, I find that all too gross.
The TV Girl
Chuck Bass (Ed Westwick) and Blair Waldorf (Leighton Meester), Gossip Girl
As I wrote in my post below, Chuck and Blair give me chills. Their antagonistic romance has both incredible intensity and inevitability; they are so undeniably drawn to each other that it lights up the screen. I can’t describe it.
Michael Scofield (Wentworth Miller) and Sara Tancredi (Sarah Wayne Callies), Prison Break
Michael and Sara’s first kiss was extraordinary: the prefect combination of lust and sweetness. They are probably one of the most messed-up couples (can’t even tally up all that baggage) but they are so naturally compatible that there is no way that (if alive) they could be apart. Even when they are being mushy their interaction shimmers with sexual tension.
Tim Riggins (Taylor Kitsch) and Lyla Garrity (Minka Kelly), Friday Night Lights
Granted it would be difficult not to have sexual chemistry with the hotness that is number 33, but be that as it may. The scene where Tim kisses Lyla in her bedroom in Season One would be almost creepy if it were not so drool-worthy. His determination to fluster her at every opportunity, and her inability to prevent him from doing so, is amazing to watch.
Seeley Booth (David Boreanaz) and Temperance Brennan (Emily Deschanel), Bones
This show gets a place on my list simply for the brilliance of highlighting the sexual chemistry between the leads by having those characters in denial about it. It isn’t a case of combative-attraction; Booth and Bones respect each other, care about each other, and acknowledge so to each other. Furthermore, they discuss sex, but neither has gotten around to seeing what everyone around them sees, namely just how into each other they are. They are an excellent example of a show using every means possible to make the most of what the actors bring to the characters.
Gregory House (Hugh Laurie) and Lisa Cuddy (Lisa Edelstien), House
It always baffled me that Cameron thought for a second she had a chance with House considering the R-rated interaction between House and Cuddy. They flaunt their mutual attraction, displaying it for all around them, and by doing so are saved from having to take the step of actually doing something about it. But you never have to worry about forgetting that House and Cuddy are hot for each other, because as soon as they are in the same room they will inappropriately talk about what is plain as day. Fantastic.
Honorable Mentions (because I can’t resist):
Logan Echolls (Jason Dohring) and Veronica Mars (Kristen Bell), Veronica Mars
Stunning. First. Kiss.
Lee Adama (Jamie Bamber) and Kara Thrace (Katee Sackhoff), Battlestar Galactica
One word: HOT.
Well, that is what I think. Anyone disagree? Alternatives? I am open to suggestions as long as no one mentions Justin and Rebecca on Brothers & Sisters, I find that all too gross.
The TV Girl
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
The TV Girl’s Top Five: Marriages
Asian KP I am so sorry this took so long. Has anyone else noticed how few marriages there are on TV, and of those that exist just how few are even remotely admirable? I suppose it is not that surprising; the drama is in the beginning and endings (or so conventional wisdom would have us believe).
Eric and Tami Taylor (Kyle Chandler and Connie Britton), Friday Night Lights
I have no idea how to describe the wonder that is the Taylors. They are, hands down without any reservations, THE BEST married couple on TV currently/in recent history, and I think I could make the argument that they are the best in all TV history. Everything about FNL is direct, honest, and human, and one of the foundations of the show is the respectful, loving, and ever-developing relationship between Eric and Tami. After more or less 20 years together they still lust for each other, challenge each other, listen to each other, annoy each other, and depend upon each other.
Sandy and Kirsten Cohen (Peter Gallagher and Kelly Rowan), The O.C.
I just love them too much not to mention them. In the realm of soapy-drama-land Sandy and Kirsten stand out as my favorite marriage (sorry Nathan and Haley). Their self-aware “When Harry Met Sally” vibe always created lighthearted balance to the teenage melodrama, and their commitment to one another contrasted well with Julie Cooper’s serial bride syndrome. Despite his eyebrows and her alcoholism you have to love Sandy and Kirsten.
Kara Thrace and Sam Anders (Katee Sackhoff and Michael Trucco), Battlestar Galactica
I am going to sound like I am contradicting myself by putting the horror that is the Kara/Anders union on my list of best marriages on TV. Let me be very clear: I hate Kara and Anders together. She belongs with Lee and Lee belongs with her, and nothing will shake my faith in that. As far as I am concerned Anders was a distraction that she mistakenly married on the advice of Tigh, and does anyone need anymore proof than that to realize that it was a bad idea from the start. But despite my disagreement with it, I appreciate its existence. Kara and Anders are beyond dysfunctional; in a sense they are emotionally abusive to each other. She cheats on him, they lie to each other, and are possibly incapable of having an honest conversation with each other. She only stays with him (and I use that phrase loosely) because the only thing that scares her more than the possibility that Lee doesn’t really love her is the possibility that he does. Anders seems perfectly willing to be a total doormat, but that keeps him as insulated as her. Neither truly sacrifices for the other, and they definitely don’t trust each other. Kara doesn’t get the romantic happy ending with Anders because she is not happy going into their marriage and in that way BSG provides one of the most realistic glimpses of marriage on TV. Marriage is not this magic new life that gives you a whole new personality and emotional reality; the person you are before your marriage and the baggage you carry into your marriage will set the tone and define the outcome, and this all too often seems forgotten (or purposely ignored) when it comes to married couples on TV.
You will notice that I only list three marriages here: I have a feeling that I want to leave this list open for future additions. Who knows what the new season will bring?
The TV Girl
Eric and Tami Taylor (Kyle Chandler and Connie Britton), Friday Night Lights
I have no idea how to describe the wonder that is the Taylors. They are, hands down without any reservations, THE BEST married couple on TV currently/in recent history, and I think I could make the argument that they are the best in all TV history. Everything about FNL is direct, honest, and human, and one of the foundations of the show is the respectful, loving, and ever-developing relationship between Eric and Tami. After more or less 20 years together they still lust for each other, challenge each other, listen to each other, annoy each other, and depend upon each other.
Sandy and Kirsten Cohen (Peter Gallagher and Kelly Rowan), The O.C.
I just love them too much not to mention them. In the realm of soapy-drama-land Sandy and Kirsten stand out as my favorite marriage (sorry Nathan and Haley). Their self-aware “When Harry Met Sally” vibe always created lighthearted balance to the teenage melodrama, and their commitment to one another contrasted well with Julie Cooper’s serial bride syndrome. Despite his eyebrows and her alcoholism you have to love Sandy and Kirsten.
Kara Thrace and Sam Anders (Katee Sackhoff and Michael Trucco), Battlestar Galactica
I am going to sound like I am contradicting myself by putting the horror that is the Kara/Anders union on my list of best marriages on TV. Let me be very clear: I hate Kara and Anders together. She belongs with Lee and Lee belongs with her, and nothing will shake my faith in that. As far as I am concerned Anders was a distraction that she mistakenly married on the advice of Tigh, and does anyone need anymore proof than that to realize that it was a bad idea from the start. But despite my disagreement with it, I appreciate its existence. Kara and Anders are beyond dysfunctional; in a sense they are emotionally abusive to each other. She cheats on him, they lie to each other, and are possibly incapable of having an honest conversation with each other. She only stays with him (and I use that phrase loosely) because the only thing that scares her more than the possibility that Lee doesn’t really love her is the possibility that he does. Anders seems perfectly willing to be a total doormat, but that keeps him as insulated as her. Neither truly sacrifices for the other, and they definitely don’t trust each other. Kara doesn’t get the romantic happy ending with Anders because she is not happy going into their marriage and in that way BSG provides one of the most realistic glimpses of marriage on TV. Marriage is not this magic new life that gives you a whole new personality and emotional reality; the person you are before your marriage and the baggage you carry into your marriage will set the tone and define the outcome, and this all too often seems forgotten (or purposely ignored) when it comes to married couples on TV.
You will notice that I only list three marriages here: I have a feeling that I want to leave this list open for future additions. Who knows what the new season will bring?
The TV Girl
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