Spontaneous Musings

I'm not doing the typical "best" list and some of these shows may have been watched by people earlier than 2008 - because I don't get HBO or Showtime, and if I managed to watch it, it was via Netflix. My list is limited to those shows that aired on standard American cable or received on netflix. I'm also not including any news shows, reality shows, or sketch comedy shows - I already mentioned the election as noteworthy on another post and Tina Fey as Sarah Palin has gotten enough press. Nor am I including anything that started in December - such as Leverage.

Watched far too much tv in 2008, hence the tv slut title. One of my New Year's Resolutions is to watch less of it in 2009, we'll see if that works. Of the many many shows that I watched, here are the episodes/shows that stood out, in no particular order. [Order is by memory, not ranking, because I don't have the patience or time to do a "ranking".]

Noteworthy Shows and/or Episodes

1. Doctor Who - the episodes featuring the character of Dr. River Song and the Library. Both written by Stephen Moffat. They featured perhaps the most innovative villian that I've seen in a science fiction series - piranaha's of the air. You never saw the monster, just what it did. And the fact that it came from or was hatched from trees and books - a nifty twist. This was coupled with a heroine that was in fact a little girl inside a computer. The computer saved people by keeping them inside a virtual yet false reality created by the books in the library. I saw the episodes sometime in April, and they still resonate more than six months later.

2. Battle Star Galatica - the episodes towards the end of the season,( possible spoilers )

3. Dexter - the Second Season, via Netflix. Dexter discovers his adopted father was not the man he thought he was. And fights a man who is a vigilante but shows remorse, and a woman who has none.

4. Lost - it came back after the Writer's Strike with five or six episodes which redefined the series. Playing with the concept of time and identity in the process.

5. Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles - about four people struggling to prevent a nightmare future, yet, one feels at times, fatefully doomed to bring about at least a version of it no matter what. Demonstrating that one can never quite escape one's own fate, even though we have no choice but to try. It is also the flip side of Battle Star Galatica, examining what it is like to be a machine, a cyborg. And in contrast, to what degree humans differ from that.

6. Pushing Daisies - yes, it's at times a bit too stylish for its own good. Almost gratingly so. But, it is also oddly cheery about grim topics. Examining death and the loss of loved ones, with a clownish grin. A nice contrast to Terminator's bleakness. Love it or hate it, you've never seen anything remotely like it on TV. And may never again. It played with narrative structure and how a story can be told. Inserting bursts of song and bits of magic, as well as a comic voice-over narrator, who acted as if he were reading us a story from a pop-up detective book. Perhaps he was, the pop-up book just happened to be on our tv sets, and the narrator the charming voice of Jim Dale.

7. Mad Men - another show that at times feels almost too stylish for its own good. But, like Daisies, it uses the style to further its story. Mad Men is filled to the brim with anti-heroes, yet at it's center is the heroine, Peggy, who struggles to push past convention and remain true to who she is. Peggy is the opposite of Don Draper, honest almost to a fault. ( possible spoilers )

8. In Plain Sight - Mary McCormack plays Mary Shannon - a tough witness protection marshal, with a drunk mother and an ex-con/drug dealer sister. She's an emotional train-wreck, but steely and tough as Phillip Marlow. Flipping gender stereotypes - Mary is the tough guy in the relationships with her partner and her lover, both physically and emotionally.

9. House - the season ender last year - where we go inside House's head to figure out what happened on a bus ride. Which patient he had to save. ( possible spoilers )

10.Gossip Girl - at first a guilty pleasure has become a satisfying morsel. The twisty cat and cat romance, with vague allusions to Les Liasons Dangereuse, between Chuck Bass and Blair Woolworth - may be the hottest thing on the screen. And we barely see any skin or even much of a kiss. It's soapy sure, but also fun.

Honorable Mentions:

* Torchwood - the tragic romance of Owen and the Asian Scientist who I can't remember the name of. With two audacious guest-starring turns by James Marsters. Although the best episode may be the one that focused on Gwen and the young optimistic boy who got sucked into time, only to come back a monsterous wreck, half insane, and screaming from the nightmares he'd lived.

*Reaper - the poor man's Chuck, which in my opinion was actually better written and far more realistic than Chuck. It's about a Home Depot slacker, who finds out his parents sold his soul to the Devil. A tv show, where the female love interest is not hot and blond and perfect. Whoa. Must be written and created by women? Wait, it is.

*Supernatural - the best cult fantasy show on tv at the moment. Tightly written, with a clear and consistent mythology. It is at its heart a story of two brothers or siblings, with a lot of HP Lovecraft, Urbane Horror Legend, and Christian Mythology thrown in. ( possible spoilers )

*Smallville - surprisingly came back with some interesting kick-ass stories.
Lana and Chloe are no longer the nice girls next door. Lois has become the kick-ass, sassy heroine with heart. Clark plays god with shocking consequences. And the villian is tragically endearing.

*Desperate Housewives - the fly to five years in the future, was inspired. The glamour-puss Gabby is frumpy, the ordinarily perfect Bree - frazzled, the on top/in control Katherine - a second banana to Bree, the calm and practical Lynette - shrewish and jealous, and the fun-loving romantic Susan - world-weary. It remains an interesting satire on what we believe to be suburban bliss.

* Ugly Betty - slow and a bit loopy to start, but after the ill-conceived Lindsey Lohan arc, it got back to its roots - Betty and Mode. The silly and at times pointless romances and Betty's overly sentimental home life were pushed, finally, to the background, and her sassy relationships with Mark, Amanda, Daniel, and Wilhemmina, front and center. The heart of the show is Betty, Mark and Amanda - it's about time the writers figured it out.

*Cranford - the BBC mini-series on Masterpiece Theater, about a bunch of old spinsters in a small English town around the turn of the century. Funny and sentimental, yet not overly so. It's a quiet little story that I found comforting, about the bonds of both friendship and community.

Not so great series of 2008:

* Grey's Anatomy...sigh. It jumped the shark so many times in the last year, I've lost count. The firing of Brook Smith as Erica Hahn, was just one of many ill-concieved choices. The worst episode may have been the one where Izzy has hot sex with the ghost of Denny.
Topped by Sadie offering to let the interns practice their surgical skills by taking out her appendix. It's biggest loss was Brook Smith - who provided a snarky attitude to the show.
It's biggest gain - Kevin McKidd - who provided a new love interest for Cristina, as well as a nice counter to the boys club of McDreamy and McSteamy. Can it be fixed? We'll see.

*Heroes...yes, it did get better towards the end. The last three or four episodes were actually enjoyable and worth watching. But everything before the eclispe of the sun - made little or no sense. Jumping back and forth in time - with one too many characters. Characters flipping from villian to hero and back again with little build up. Made watching the show akin to riding in bumper cars or one of those rides that jar you. 2009 - looks like it might be better - Brian Fuller's back to lend a hand and they are moving back towards the more personal and contained stories of the first season. For those who dumped the series for fear that Sylar had become a hero or good guy, you should have stuck around for the last three episodes, because he has stayed a villian and is reported to get even worse. Looks like it will be fixed - and soon.

*My Own Worst Enemy - while I enjoyed it, it was a convoluted mess. Difficult to follow. The best thing was the acting - and you felt sorry for the actors. The writing just didn't live up to it. Sort of La Femme Nikita with a personality disorder. Or Alias, except with multiple personalities. Ambitious, but far too ambitious for TV. Deservedly cancelled.

"Nip-Tuck" - which out jumped both Greys and Heroes. It got so ridiculous, it was hard not to giggle at it. Yet, I still watch. I'm not sure why. Curiousity perhaps?


Shows to look forward to in 2009:

Leverage
Dollhouse - Whedon's latest drama about identity - a common theme in his work
Heroes: Fugitives
Lost
BattleStar Galatica
Trust Me - new drama about advertising on TNT
Damages - finally Season 2 - Jan
The Closer - Jan
Burn Notice - Jan
Doctor Who specials
Last/final episodes of recentally cancelled series: Dirty Sexy Money, Pushing Daisies, and Lipstick Jungle
And many many more...

Having a nice quiet morning, going to do an art walk tour later in the day. Around 2.
Should also look at book edits, but was dead tired from work this week, so taking a breather.

On the Television Front:

I think Heroes may be dead in the water. It's starting to bore me at any rate. I find myself caring less and less about these characters and their arcs appear to be rather meaningless - constantly reset by the writers to suit whatever theme or idea they want to talk about. In some ways, Heroes reminds me of some of the X-men comics I used to read, with story and plotlines that often felt at the expense of the characters. The characters mere pawns or tools for whatever crazy or inspired idea the writer came up with - as opposed to the story coming from the character's actions, it at times felt at their expense. This is unfortunately one of the flaws of the on-going serial format - the tendency to decide to bring character's who have died back from the dead, or forget a character's background or history, merely to do a specific story. It happens a lot with soap operas and comic books - but in their defense, it usually happens after the show or comic book has been around for about ten-twenty years. Heroes has only been on for three years - this is the third. They don't have any excuses. ( spoilers )

Project Runway surprised me. ( spoilers )

Haven't done too much today, cold or allergies have wiped me out. Did go grocery shopping and bought more cold meds, since whatever I bought yesterday wasn't doing the job last night. Kept up blowing my nose, coughing, and my eyes watering, plus clogged ears. Mucus in all orifices? Lovely.

Lovely day though. Wicked sunset last night - had a rainbow, shades of orange, pink, lavender, and blue with dark gray and brillant yellow. And today - crystal clear blue sky taunting me with its fabulousness. I really wanted a gray rainy day, dang it. Sometimes you just do.

Did make it through most of the tv shows/premiers I DvR'd during the week - only have "Dirty Sexy Money", "Cane", "Life", "ER", "CSI", "Doctor Who", "Torchwood", "Damages", and I think "Bones" to go. I've watched Moonlight, Bionic Woman, Grey's Anatomy, Heroes, Reaper, House, Journeyman, Chuck, Back to You, Smallville, Ugly Betty, and Without a Trace. Missed Eureka, Big Shots, Boston Legal, and the Office, because we must make choices.

Sigh. Too much bloody tv. I'm going to have to cut some of it. And I *really wish* 30 Rock and The Office were on some other night besides Thursday. Like maybe Friday? Or Monday? I can tape two shows on two channels at the same time but not three. Also is it just me or has anyone else's DVR/Tivo cut out the last minute of a show because the stupid things are all going a minute over? Missed the last minute of Grey's because of that - it flipped to ER.

So...what's my quick take on the one's I've seen so far? Well, for the first time in a long time, I agree with the reviews I've read on my flist regarding them.

New Shows:

1.( Bionic Woman )

2. ( Chuck )

3. ( Reaper )

4, ( Moonlight )

5. ( Journeyman )

6.( Back to You )

Returning Favorites:

(ugh should do two posts for this but don't feel like it.)

1. ( Grey's Anatomy - does contain a vague spoiler )

2. Ugly Betty - this feels like a cheerful and warmhearted send-up of soap operas. And is at times a bit over the top about it. I do find it amusing though. And I like the twists and turns. Plus I enjoy all the characters.

3.( Heroes - plot spoilers for the episode! )

4. ( Smallville )

5. ( Without A Trace )

6. ( House )

Show's I'm thinking of giving the ax to? Too early to tell. Still have more to watch, when and if I find the time. Ugh. I do have a life outside of television watching...you know.
For example just finished reading Kafka on the Shore - which I highly recommend.
I may write a complete review of it in another post...until then will leave you with this quote from it:

Every one of us is losing something precious to us. Lost opportunities, lost possibilities, feelings we can never get back again. That's part of what it means to be alive. But inside our heads - at least that's where I imagine it - there's a little room where we store those memories. A room like the stacks in this library. And to understand the workings of our own heart we have to keep on making reference cards. We have to dust things off every once in a while, let in fresh air, change the water in the flower vases. In other words, you'll live forever in your own private library.

Am currently reading America's Best Short Stories - 2007 edition, edited by Stephen King which is not what you'd expect and so far kick-ass. The first story blew me away.
And the second is doing much the same thing. That too, I'll save for another post.


Am tired or wiped out. Going to take medication and go to bed.

After torturing myself by watching fifteen minutes of Oprah, which reminded me of how tight my suites have gotten - one, which I bought in the spring, no longer fits, have decided to maybe try exercising (went on walk to get started), reading, and other activities in front of tube instead of *cough*eating*cough*. I blame television for my weight gain and need to eat. Stupid evil commercials. Yes, I've managed to regain the 25 pounds I lost before I got laid-off. Honestly, there are times I think it is true, TV will rot your brain.

Things learned this week:
1. Do not tell people you are writing a novel. They don't really care unless you are about to be published and they can read it.
2. Recruiters make lousey travel agents. (Found this out the hard way.)
3. Too much chocolat equals heartburn. Actually too much food period equals heartburn. Don't eat when you aren't hungry - one would think I'd have figured this out by now. But nope. Am dense.
4. Don't watch Oprah if you are feeling gloomy about yourself, it will make you want to throw things at the tv screen.

After watching Bones rip-off of The Blair Witch Project, which was actually more entertaining than it sounds - did my exercises during it, watched DayBreak which makes Lost feel like Masterpiece Theater in comparison. Daybreak just meanders and makes me miss Lost, which may be the point. (I can't watch Criminal Minds - lost interest in serial killers way back in the 90's when they were the "in" thing. Besides "Profiler" was better.) Then watched a 20/20 special entitled "Cheap in America" about charitable giving - which is more or less reaffirming what I already know. More you give more happy you are. People are greedy but also incredibly giving.

Watched following tv shows Daybreak, Bones, Studio 60, Desperate Housewives, Boston Legal, Nip/Tuck, Heroes, Veronica Mars, and Grey's Anatomy. Also bits of House. (I keep forgetting it's repeated at 11pm on USA on Fridays - so keep missing the repeats.)

Studio 60 - this show is bugging me. ( for spoilers )

Heroes - is a well shot series. This baby doesn't require much attention to dialogue. It's more interested in visuals. Good thing too, since its dialogue tends to be uneven. Sometimes great, sometimes lacklustre. I enjoy it. Have fairly low expectations. And like not knowing what will happen next. My spoiler policy is more lax than most people's - for example, I don't consider the teasers that the creators and writers give in TV Guide true spoilers so much as teasers. Nor do I consider previews or trailers necessarily spoilers. I just don't want to know key plot points. ie. I don't mind knowing a character will die in an upcoming episode, just don't tell me which one. I like to guess.

( spoilers for Heroes )

Desperate Housewives - it's a shame, just when I start liking the show again - it will go on hiatius then come back and be opposite The Dresden Files which premieres January 21 at 9pm on Sundays. Since unlike 90% of my flist, I cannot watch two shows at once. (No DVR and no VCR). I have to choose. And Dresden wins for now. I am a Harry shipper. I feel the same way about Harry Dresden that some people seem to feel about Harry Potter. (What can I say I have a weakness for dark, wellmeaning, heroic, rumpled guys who in their late 30's early 40's - Harry Potter is just too young for me.) That said, this week's Desperate was entertaining, so entertaining I regret missing last week's, but was watching Prime Suspect instead. I'm beginning to like Susan again - which was an accomplishment, and I no longer want to slap Gabriella and Lynette upside the head with a frying pan. Yes, progress. Plus three hunks: Dougray Scott, Kyle McLachlan, and James Denton. Now if they'll only bring Susan's ex-hubby back - I adored him.

Monday is going to get hard soon too. The Closer is coming back with a two hour movie opposite Heroes and Studio 60, I think. Am hoping NBC puts a Xmas movie on that night, so can watch The Closer.

Nip/Tuck - boring me. The show seems to be meandering without much direction. The only character I'm still interested in is Christian at this point and barely. Scean mopes and whines. Julia took off (because the actress is taking care of her daughter in England - who had to have multiple surgeries for a leg problem). And the Kimber/Matt relationship is just dull. I'm missing seasons 1 and 2. The show jumped the shark I think in Season 3 and hasn't come back since.

Grey's Anatomy enjoyable fluff show. I call it my comfort show. I like the characters. I enjoy the writing. And it works for me. This past week's episode moved me and worked partly because it focused almost completely on Christina, George, and to an extent on Izzy/Alex. Less Meredith/McDreamy the better. Christina pulls me in each week. I loved her dilemma and how well and realistically it was written. Demonstrating how surgeons protect each other often to the detriment of patients. Forgetting patients are people. Becoming so self-involved and into their career paths and those of their loved ones and friends, they forget they are working on a human being not a file.

20/20 program makes me think I need to locate another volunteer project to work with soon.

Last night caught the season premiere of the new NBC television series Heroes.

( Television Biz 101 or why television dramas are making a comeback after an era of nothing but reality shows and procedurals. )

This may be the most interesting television season I've seen on air in ages. Certainly the first time I've had more than one show on literally every day of the week but Sat that I *really* wanted to make time to watch. Which means I'm going to have to invest in a DVR or Tivo soon. That said, Heroes is a seriously flawed drama. Oh, don't get me wrong, I adored it and will be watching it again next week. (*If you missed it - you can watch either on Friday at 7pm before Doctor Who on Sci-Fi or see it on NBC's site on the internet. Same place I saw the second episode of Studio 60.)

( Read more of Heroes review - cut for spoilers )