TV Week in Review: 31st July – 4th August

I haven’t had a chance to catch up on Damages, which is unfortunate because no one’s week should be devoid of Glenn, but most of the other shows seemed intent on upping their game, so the week wasn’t a waste.
     
Breaking Bad: “Open House”; Season Four, Episode Three [B+]

 

Third time’s the charm. This week Breaking Bad offers up an episode that’s excellently realised. It touches on those gritty dramatic issues that make you wince even as you hold your breath. Walt notices the surveillance camera in the lab, and Jesse continues to be creepy and tragic as he finds the wrong avenues for his pent up emotion. But, it’s about the women. As psycho as she is, I still feel badly for Marie (who reminds me of Terri Schuester, oddly) and watching her faux house-hunting managed to be both humorous and tragic. Hank is really annoying and Brandt is so good dealing with all those issues. Skylar’s underhand machinations to attain the carwash were all brilliant and it’s going to be interesting to see what happens now that they have a “legit” business to front with. I’m glad to see the season picking up.

[Writing: B+; Directing: B]

True Blood: “I Wish I Was the Moon”; Season Four, Episode Six [B+]

 

Oh, Sookie Stackhouse you wanton woman...but, I digress. I’ve said it elsewhere over the past week and perhaps alluded to it here but I’m actually feeling now that the show is becoming oversaturated with supporting characters and the machinations of the important ones are becoming a bit diluted. But, even with those superfluous bits this week’s episode was excellent. The concept of possession was examined again and again as the full moon came. Eric is still possessed and Nan and Bill (via Skype) decide he should be punished with the true death, as a precaution of course. But, that’s nowhere near as riveting as what’s going on elsewhere. Evil Baby (a name coined from Mark over at Critical Condition who gives great weekly commentary) burns down his parents’ house, but some spirit ensures that he’s out of the house safe from harm. Meanwhile, Tommy shifts into Sam (confusing me even further on this shifting thing) but giving Trammell a chance to absolutely rock the episode. And I haven’t even gotten to Marnie being possessed by Antonia and Jason realising that he wants to become a were-panther. True Blood is always best when characters interact (stop dividing and conquering Alan Ball) so I’m game for Pam vs Tara and Jason and Jessica (even if that plot point seems a bit too...tawdry?)
[Writing: B+; Directing: B+]

Entourage: “Out with a Bang”; Season Eight, Episode Two [B/B+]

 

Okay, fine. Perhaps Entourage isn’t quite imperative TV for these first two episodes (even though last season picked up around episode four and turned into something brilliant), it’s still going well though. On the downside, they’re back to making Vince absolutely trite but great things go on elsewhere – I’m particularly loving any scenes which involve Lloyd and Ari. Really, Ari has his despicable traits but I don’t find him anywhere near as jerkish as the writers seem to think he is. I’m also not certain what to make of the Johnny’s Banana’s issues. Dillon was in peak form last season, so I’m hoping the arc will pick up. Plaintive Eric is not exactly fun, but Connolly has improved as an actor – hopefully Sloan hasn’t gone for good. The show’s in need of a level-headed woman.
[Writing: B/B+; Directing: B]

The Closer: “Under Control.”; Season Seven, Episode Four [B/B+] Last week we had Flynn and Provenza (along with Buzz) getting their arcs, and this week we get to meet Tao’s son. Tao and Sanchez are my favourite of the supporting cast, and Chan is a fine actor so it’s nice seeing him get something new to do. I wasn’t a fan of the main case this week, it just seemed a trifle too ridiculous and it sort of sucks that Mary McDonnell only shows up at the bookends of the episodes. BUT, she shows up and does excellent work. It seems the season is going to be a dramatic one, so it’s going to be interesting to see what Brenda decides to do.
[Writing: B/B+; Directing: B/B+]

The Big C: “The Little c; Season Two, Episode Six [A-]

 

I’ve probably enough superlative rumination on The Big C this season, but the show has turned from a very good comedy into an essentially flawless one. This week cancer takes a backseat to crabs – which Adam brings into the house courtesy of his hooker from last week. To address the elephant in the room, it’s weird seeing how much of a jerk Adam is turning into and hopefully it’s addressed soon because it’s unfortunate seeing him return to his boorish behaviour of season one. Still, it makes for good TV. Linney is back in top form, as Cathy takes on the swim team and that final scene as she lays into those parents is one of those uplifting things the show manages to do without being all mawkish. Paul and his craziness at work makes for good comedy, especially when Andrea shows up at the store. I can’t believe we’ve only got four episodes left.
[Writing: A-; Directing: A-]

Web Therapy: “Shrink Rap”; Season One, Episode Three [B/B+]

 

Lilli Tomlin shows up this week and for the first time we manage to understand that, perhaps, Fiona isn’t as terrible as she pretends to be. It’s a fine thing opening the episode with Fiona receiving a grilling from her mother, which only goes to show just why she’s as messed up as she is. And, as everything happened in the episode you couldn’t help but think how screwed up her childhood was. I’m becoming more and more interested in finding out just what happened at the Lachman brothers, but the episode depended on Bob Balaban’s showing up to evaluate Fiona and I’m still a bit shocked that Fiona actually managed to break him with her shameless attempt at pretending she came up with “word association” but Kudrow continues to be brilliant and the show continues to be rewarding.
[Writing: B+; Directing: B/B+]

Wilfred: “Pride”; Season One, Episode Seven [B/B+]

 

I have to admit that there was something awkward this week watching Ryan essentially whore himself out to get out of a debt, and I’m starting to wonder how the influence of the potentially diabolical Wilfred is going to affect him in the long run; it seems that each week Wilfred gets more bawdy and unhinged. Still, it’s always fun watching Elijah Wood battle with morality issues and Ryan is a character that we want to root for despite everything. Wilfred and his craziness with Bear is so hilariously disgusting, and the fact that Ryan almost got sucked into it only make it more priceless.
[Writing: B+; Directing: B+]

Standouts
Laura Linney in The Big C A-
Lisa Kudrow in Web Therapy A-
Oliver Platt in The Big C B+
Sam Trammell in True Blood B+
Anna Gunn in Breaking Bad B+

Betsy Brandt in Breaking Bad B+
Elijah Wood in Wilfred B+
Jason Gann in Wilfred B+
Gabriel Basso in The Big C B+
Lilli Tomlin in Web Therapy B+
Jeremy Piven in Entourage B+
     
Next week I’ll have a double dose of Damages. Did anyone see Glenn this week? What did you watch on TV?

Episodes: A Blog-a-Thon (the entries)

Note to self, when you’re organising a blog-a-thon it’s probably best to choose the subject of your write-up more than a day before the submission date. Not that I haven’t ruminated on great episodes of the past TV season (I did devote a significant amount of time to publishing my Emmy ballot) but it’s one thing to strip thing downs to six submissions for things best writing and so on. I was torn between shows like The Good Wife, Boardwalk Empire and even Modern Family and for a time I thought I’d write on something from Dexter, and then I realised that Parks and Recreation and its almost faultless third season was the obvious contender. Then, it turned into a chore deciding which of the sixteen episodes to focus on...
     
I say that “Indianapolis” is the best written episode of the lot, and “The Fight” is the best directed but when it came to all-round goodness I couldn’t ignore the season’s second episode “Flu Season” (incidentally, the episode Amy Poehler submitted for Emmy consideration).

Sweet, beautiful Ann opens the episode,

“There’s a crazy flu going around.”

And really, it’s all uphill from there...
       
As much as I love Paul Schneider, the addition of Rob Lowe and Adam Scott to Parks and Recreation was one of the greatest things of the last season and this episode is so early on, we’re only now getting to know them (and conversely they’re only now getting to know Pawnee). Leslie’s still in the early stages of the Harvest Festival, and it’s only her luck that would have her get sick on the day she’s to make the submission to potential sponsors. Unlike a number of shows with expansive ensembles Leslie Knope actually is the greatest thing about the show and she’s got some great moments – ingesting overdoses of her medicine chronically, wearing ridiculous get-ups to fight the “cold”.

 

 

 

Leslie ends up in the hospital, as does Chris – who’s microchip body can’t withstand the flu, and April who’s determined to making Ann’s life a living hell because of her kiss with Andy.

With three members of staff out we get to see the beginnings of two friendships which are a major part of the season for me – Ron and Andy’s friendship and Tom and Ben’s, and the quasi-development of the season’s three romances Ben and Leslie, April and Andy and Ann and Chris. It’s weird to imagine that all of that could fit into a 21 minute episode, that’s still overflowing with comedic one-liners and which allows Leslie to show us how much like superwoman she is, but that’s just how good Parks and Recreation is.
 
The episode’s iconic scene occurs near the end when Leslie steals the medication of everyone on her floor, apparently and turns up at the Chamber of Commerce (or Secrets as her drug induced self calls it) to make the presentation. She kills it of course, because she’s Leslie Knope but what’s proof of the show’s hold on reality (in the face of hilarity) is immediately after the flawless presentation – which Leslie probably spent weeks planning she goes into a Q&A.

She turns to the guy and goes,

“That’s a very good question and I would counter with my own question. Why is half of your face all swirly?”

    
And as Ben comes up to take over, “Everybody give it up for Scott Bakula from Quantum Leap.”
     
It’s difficult to describe the brilliance of a character like Leslie to someone who’s never seen Parks and Recreation. Ben tries to use sports to describe her:

 

“That was a flu ridden Jordan at the 97 NBA finals. That was Kurt Gibson hobbling up to the plate and hitting a homerun. That was Leslie Knope.”

Indeed, and that’s Parks and Recreation. What I find most appealing about the episode is that as good as Poehler is, this episode could just as easily work as a showcase for Rob Lowe, Rashida Jones, Nick Offerman or Chris Pratt. Few shows manage to weave their ensemble as well into a single episode. (If I don’t stop, I’d take screen-caps of the entire episode.)

So, that’s my favourite episode of the last TV season. I’m not crazy enough to think that Parks and Recreation will actually win Best Comedy at the Emmy’s but I’m hoping for a surprise upset for Amy Poehler and “Flu Season”. Now, on to the submissions...

Greg (Screen Ramblings) on The Office "Classy Christmas"

Which brings me to "Classy Christmas", and the one key scene I'd like to discuss. And that is of course the office turning on Holly after Michael confronts her about his feelings. What's remarkable about this scene is that despite Michael's rather delusional and immature behavior (which he does make up for in the end)...(link)

Alex (Alex in Movieland) on 30 Rock "Everything Sunny All the Time Always"

The screenplay is very funny, probably the best of the season, next to Double-Edged Sword. I always love Jack & Avery and their Republican jokes, and this episode delivers a lot of incredibly funny one-liners.  (link)

Ryan (Sorta that Guy) on Sherlock "The Great Game"

Like any good mystery story "The Great Game" keeps its audience on its toe. In fact, the whole conceit of the episode is keeping the title character Sherlock on his toes as he tries to solve various murders with only a clue left to him by a mysterious person threatening to kill more people if he doesn't solve the murders in time. (link)

Nicholas (Cinema Romantico) on Parks and Recreation "Time Capsule"

"Parks and Recreation" is an embodiment of that term you so often hear tossed around - character comedy. And that's critical, and it's critical because I like these characters. I like all these characters, even the unlikeable ones because, God bless 'em, they are who they are and make no bones about it. They are defiantly themselves, which, in a way, is the whole point of that lone video tape placed in the time capsule.(link)

(The Oncoming Hope) on Doctor Who "The Doctor's Wife"

We learn, once and for all, that despite the commitment in prior series to the Doctor's eternal loneliness, that he does in fact have one constant companion. Gaiman takes us right back to the beginning, when the Doctor enters this Tardis and runs away on his many adventures. She has been there the whole time, through the best and worst times of his life, always silent but always there. And you must have a heart of steel if you can't see the beauty in being able for once in your life... (link)

    
 Thanks to this great quintet for telling me about their favourite episodes. What were yours?
     
ADDENDUM: I should not encourage Paolo, but he talks about Web Therapy and I know it's not a TV show (it's a web series) but, well, Kudrow is awesome. And, it's recently begun its television tenure and she's STILL awesome. (link)

Emmy Chatter: The Postmortem

Now that the dust has settled, sort of, on the Emmy nominations Ryan and I sit down to discuss the oddest (and greatest) things about the nominees. I'm feeling particularly annoyed with the nominees, even if they aren't as bad as I initially thought.


Andrew: So, it's been what, a week, since the Emmy nominees came out. Any things pops out at you now that it's all sunk in?

Ryan: The fact that even with some insane and unthinkable snubs, it's a solid year of nominees.

Andrew: And yeah, I agree that despite my initial resentments the list is pretty solid but some of those snubs still have me searing. And that's because as good as some of the nominees are, they're really quite safe.

Ryan: So safe. Even the shockers weren't shocking really and in fact are quite boring.

Andrew: That's it, you know? I mean, sure it's surprising that Modern Family gets all four men in...but it's not THAT big of a shock, you know? It's surprising, but it's surprising because it's so unoriginal.

Ryan: It's only shocking because Neil Patrick Harris got snubbed in the category. All four of those men would've made it in anyways and Chris Colfer, but damnit Jon Cryer? Really? And I'm not even mentioning Nick Offerman. I really thought it was his year especially with the show finally getting a Comedy Series nod (yay!).

Andrew: Both of the supporting actor categories give me a headache. And I think they're the key to seeing who wins the series category. Obviously, love for Modern Family is voluminous (don't even get me started on the threeunnecessary nods for directing). And the fact that Boardwalk Empire couldn't secure one nod for Supporting Actor probably means Mad Men gets it again.

Ryan: Possibly, but look how loved The Good Wife is! Most of its adult cast was nominated and then some.

Andrew: I know, but seriously Josh Charles? Ugh.

Ryan: It's not exactly a Matthew Morrison nomination, but I agree a bit. Then again he has been around for awhile. He's likable enough in a show they obviously love.

Andrew: I can't stand him or the character. You loathe Will Schuester (abhorrent of you, I might add) I loathe Will Gardner.

Ryan: Well there you go. But speaking of Shuester, they saw the light didn't they? And no Lea Michele? But they dominated Guest Actress like whoa. Dot Marie Jones is my single favorite Emmy nomination this year.

Andrew: Do people really loathe Lea Michele? I get them being happy she's not nominated because Rachel is semi lead, semi supporting. But do they actual think she's a terrible actor?

Ryan: I have no idea what industry people feel about her. All I know is... people love Jane Lynch and Chris Colfer. I actually feel sorry for her a bit because people probably dump a lot of unnecessary hate on her. That category, Best Actress in Comedy, provided a lot of the surprises for me. No Lea or Toni? Martha Plimpton gets in. Melissa McCarthy?! Love her, but that really was a bit of shock to me.

Andrew: I have nothing to say about that...at least no real information. It's random, McCarthy did supreme work on Gilmore Girls and Samantha Who but Mike and Molly really does look ghastly.

Ryan: It really does. Tried to sit through one episode after her nomination, and no, couldn't finish it.

Andrew: The snubs in Lead Actress were CRAZY, though. No Toni AND no Kyra. I was so surprised after not hearing Kyra I think I missed all the other nominees.

Ryan: Now THAT one really was random. I just don't get it. Maybe the pro-Marguilies camp got her kicked out for stealing her award last year. I'm half joking.

Andrew: And the fact that they actually nominated Mariska Hargitay is just...well, it's just weird. I mean I still am in shock over that.

Ryan: Yeah, she must know secrets of certain people.

Andrew: The Toni snub hurt because she's brilliant and it's the final season...but the show is cancelled and doesn't have many viewers......and people are weird about the comedic/drama thing. Because notice they go for traditional comedy in the form of Plimpton and McCarthy...which I think is pure tosh.

Ryan: Well I'm one of those people weird about the comedic/drama thing, but Toni would damn still appear in my ballot.

Andrew: But I just can't explain Kyra's snub.

Ryan: My love for them as actresses is overcoming any negative feelings I have. And actually Plimpton deserves this spot. She's HILARIOUS.

Andrew: Well, sight unseen I can't say.

Ryan: Speaking of sight unseen, my big gamble on predicting Shameless in the big categories didn't exactly pan out. But Justified... yeah.

Andrew: Glad Olyphant's nominated, but since I'm almost sure Michael C. Hall (or him) have zero chance of winning I've tuned out. Michael C. will never win an Emmy.


Ryan: Last year was his best shot. Even if Buscemi didn't have this award lock and loaded, the love for Mad Men would probably give Hamm a step up. Also Hugh Laurie made it in. We both suck.

Andrew: No, we both rock...we held strong and hoped for a better tomorrow (or today?) It's not our faults Emmy voters are AWFUL and ignored Bill Paxton!!!!

Ryan: My nominee was William H. Macy, but I wouldn't have wanted him to be nominated if Emmy Rossum couldn't have. I actually thought Sean Bean would've been.

Andrew: I do need to watch Game of Thrones. I love Bean in The Lord of the Rings.

Ryan: You should. But next season isn't until Spring 2012 so you have plenty of time to catch 10 episodes. I'm a bit miffed that Emilia Clarke didn't breakthrough. But she's a new face, young. Maybe next year.

Andrew: And they stuck to the same old group for Supporting Actress No Sevigny, no Big Love send-off. Ugh.

Ryan: Yeah, they completely missed the boat on that show. But their lame predictability meant we both went 11 of 12 in the supporting actress categories.

Andrew: I know, yay for being correct...I guess?

Ryan: Well we couldn't say we were shocked at least.

Andrew: True. Any significant mentions or snubs you want to wrap up with? That trio of nods for Modern Family’s directing is really getting to me.

Ryan: Yay for Friday Night Lights. Two leads and the show gets a farewell Drama Series nod. How sweet, and speaking of Directing, it's really funny that in a year where they ignored Neil Patrick Harris, How I Met Your Mother still got its highest one-year nomination tally (5 nominations) including a Directing nod!

Andrew: I want to be happy for it, but I really don't care for Friday Night Lights. I want to, so bad, but nothing. The NPH snub saddened, I was hoping that maybe he could be the winner of split votes and finally win that freakin' Emmy! Instead, I suppose Colfer will get it...and I really don't want that to happen.

Ryan: Better than Cryer to me.

Andrew: Yes, but what ISN'T better than Cryer.

Ryan: Johnny Lee Miller getting snubbed. Ugh.

Andrew: More weirdness and not even a directing nod for the show...randomness. No love for The Big C other than Linney and that surprise nod for Elba

Ryan: I'm happy for him now that I've seen the first season of Luther, which he also got nominated for!

Andrew: Yeah, when they love you they love you. I'm looking forward to when the actors submit their episodes; races have been lost because of poor submissions. I think Julianna Margulies lost last year not only because Kyra was wickedly overdue, but because her submission was awful.

Ryan: I will have to keep a lookout then.

Andrew: So, to end the conversation. Your favourite acting nominee, your least favourite acting nominee and why.

Ryan: My favorite acting nominee, as I said before, is Dot Marie Jones. Her character could've been really mishandled, but she infused so much heart in so little scenes that she really made it her own. Plus she's not as flashy (or traditionally pretty) so her nomination is just surprising all around.

Andrew: I do like her...and I'm glad Glee gets to rule something.

Ryan: My least favorite nominee... ugh, I have to pick one?

Andrew: I'll give you time...My favourite acting nominee...
Poehler. Sure, she's been nominated before but Leslie is made of win so her second consecutive nod makes up for any badness. My worse, Hargitay. She's evil, with a capital E.

Ryan: I didn't know evilness was a legitimate reason, but yay!

Andrew: It is.

Ryan: Okay, my least favorite is Johnny Galecki. Not only did he take the spot from most likely Joel McHale, but I just plain don't think he deserved it THIS year. In fact The Big Bang Theory love was a bit annoying because it was most obviously the show's weakest year and the only thing that saved it were the ladies and they didn't get any nods. It all just rubbed me the wrong way. Really, Parsons and the lady make that show.

Andrew: That's another show I can't bear to watch. It just annoys me. But here's to hoping that come Emmy night the winners make up for it...crossing my fingers for wins for Stiles, Carrell, Panjabi and the likes. Let's see what happens

Ryan: I'm hoping for the best in all categories. Which means I'll be sorely disappointed.
       
What were your favourite inclusions? Which snubs hurt you most?

TV Week in Review: 17th-21st July

It's a good week of TV this week and a number of shows are doling out some brilliant episodes.

Breaking Bad: “Box cutter” Season Four, Episode One [B]

I have to admit, just like my feelings on Mad Men I don’t love Breaking Bad (and well, at least Mad Men has a kick-ass female ensemble). That preamble was just in the vein of full disclosure because as good as Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul are the show sometimes tends to get a bit self-indulgent – the season premiere a case in point. The episode spends about half of the time dawdling, and true this is AMC so the dawdling is sophisticated but it’s still dawdling. And, true, the last half hour are so brilliantly intense it sort of makes for it. In the midst of the somewhat disjointed first half, though, Anna Gunn manages to turn in a surprisingly good performance. More often than not, it’s like the show doesn’t care for [ ] but she offers something vaguely close to comedic relief which gives the episode a little time to breathe and find itself. I’m not ecstatic to have the show back, but I’m not mad either.
[Writing: B/B+; Directing: B+]

True Blood: “I’m Alive And On Fire” Season Four, Episode Four [B/B+]

Maybe it’s because I watched the first three seasons of True Blood in a massive three week marathon earlier this year, but even as this season goes along with arcs developing it seems as if we’ve covered little ground for a season that’s already a third through. For the first time I feel as if the show’s playing with too many characters and I just wanted to excise Alcide from the storyline promptly, but really the episode is a solid. I was getting a bit annoyed with Tommy’s visit to Jolene, but that arc ended on a high note reminding me that for all his boorishness that Tommy isn’t completely unsalvageable. The season’s still is especially low on Sam, so I’m getting anxious to see where his arc is going to go. The hijinks of the coven continue to impress even though I want Tara to get something more to do that point a gun. And, finally, Jason is up and running – giving Hoyt and Jessica something to do this episode. Of course, Arlene’s demon baby steals the episode though. The baby’s adorable – devil or no.
[Writing: B/B+; Directing: B+]

The Closer: “Repeat Offender” Season Seven, Episode Two [B+]

“The king is dead, long live the pope.” Even if the supporting characters on The Closer don’t get ample screen time, they are well developed and highly quotable – that previous one comes from Lt. Flynn. So, with the death of Chief Delke, Chief Pople becomes interim Chief and he decides to keep Captain Raydor on performing that investigation on Brenda. McDonnell is, as always, fabulous but I’m getting a bit antsy for her to get more material. Still, this episode was a good one spending a surprising amount of time on a suspect who ended up being not guilty. In an excellently written scene a wife and husband go through a difficult spousal that becomes difficult to watch. Brenda is a bit low-key during the first half, but she’s great as usual as it comes down to the time for closing.
[Writing: B+; Directing B/B+]

The Big C: “Boo!” Season Two, Episode 4 [A-]

The Big C deserves resounding props for the goodness that’s been occurring since the season began and this episode is probably one of the series’ best. Cathy begins her clinical trial but the day is wrought with madness despite Andrea’s attempts at putting her in a good mood. But, it’s Paul who takes control of the episode – Platt is doing a fine job playing “cancierge” to her and his firing was a nice twist to the episode. It’s going to fun watching how Cathy deals with her annoying co-patient. The series finally seems to be able to use Linney’s talents at being bitchy for good. Sidibe is still fun as Andrea managing to interact well with Hickey who had a good episode too dealing with what seems to be Marlene’s ghost. The arc was both funny and poignant and is proof that Hickey IS a brilliant actor. The concept of Adam acting out at school isn’t especially profound but Basso is a whole lot of fun to watch – even in his more jerk-y moments. And, everything unfolds with a strong comedic quotient.
[Writing: A-; Directing A-]

Web Therapy: “Click to Start” Season One, Episode One [B+/A-]

My heart did a little happy dance when I saw that image of Lisa Kudrow come on to the screen and Web Therapy began. I follow the actual web series intermittently, but Kudrow is such a brilliant actress and the concept of the show allows her to be at the front and centre of it all. I didn’t expect the actual episode to be a string of therapy sessions put together and I have to admit that it took some getting used if only because talking heads make my head hurt. Yet, the series premiere was brilliant. The writing is outstanding and Kudrow is phenomenal. The tone of the series depends on those moments of awkwardness where Fiona’s eccentricities are just over-the-top but the strongest beats were the moments with Victor Garber, playing her husband. The set-up is done brilliantly, though, and I can’t wait to see how all her “patients” fare. Thank you, Showtime, for giving us Lisa back.
[Writing: A/A-; Directing: B+]

Damages: “I’ve Done Way Too Much For This Girl” Season Four, Episode Two [A-]

What a difference a year makes. I’ve always found Rose Byrne a trifle lacking in Damages but she’s doing excellent work this season and this episode is proof of that. Ellen’s getting trouble trying her case at her firm and she concocts a delightful sting operation to get Patty to help her. Patty has her own issues with her new shrink. It’s beautiful watching how the relationship between the two women has grown over the years. It’s just brilliant watching them play opposite each other. But, it’s Chris Messina who steals the show. He’s being duped by High Star into going back to Afghanistan in order to prevent him from helping Ellen bring a suit against the company. Messina is excellent, managing to play Chris’ instability without making it ridiculous. This season of Damages is looking to be a winner.
[Writing: A-; Directing: A-]

Wilfred: “Respect”Season One, Episode Five [B/B+]

And this week Rashida Jones guests as the coordinator of a hospice Ryan decides to volunteer at. It’s so weird how interesting the show is even though I sort of loathe Wilfred. Gunn is excellent, but Wiflred is exasperating and I can’t stop fêting the work that Elijah Wood is doing on the show. The bond between the two is growing, but it’s also nice to see things like more of Jenna who is apparently not as crazy as she seemed in the pilot.
[Writing: B+ ; Directing: B/B+]

Standouts
Lisa Kudrow in Web Therapy : A
Oliver Platt in The Big C : A-
Chris Messina in Damages : B+/A-
Rose Byrne in Damages : B+
Elijah Wood in Wilfred: B+
Glenn Close in Damages : B+
Kyra Sedgwick in The Closer : B+

Laura Linney in The Big C : B+
John Benjamin Hickey in The Big C : B+
Victor Garber in Web Therapy : B+
Bryan Cranston in Breaking Bad B+
          
What did you watch this week?

Encore Emmy Ballot: Dramas (Pt. 2)

You thought you’d gotten away from me? Nope, I know I haven’t completed my Emmy ballot which of course accounts for the snubs at last week’s nominee announcement. So, yes, I’m liable for those snubs in the drama category. Here’s my ballot, and yes I have United States of Tara in drama which makes me wonder feel even worse about the snub it got – a whopping zero nods. But, television’s so weird now. Sometimes True Blood comes off comedic. Ah, well.


OUTSTANDING WRITING
Nominees:
-Big Love / Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa for “Exorcism”
-Boardwalk Empire / Terrence Winter for “Pilot”
-Dexter / Wendy West for “Everything Is IlLumenatyed”
-The Good Wife / Keith Eisner for “Ham Sandwich”
-True Blood / Alan Ball for “I Got A Right to Sing the Blues”
-United States of Tara / Dave Finkel and Brett Baer for “The Good Parts”

This is a ridiculously strong line-up of nominees. Sometimes I do think the Emmy’s are a bit over infatuated with dramas but it’s been a good year for television dramas – these six shows in particular. I wasn’t sure about this choice of episode for The Good Wife, the main case was a bit of a sleeper but the episode is filled with brilliant beats especially Kalinda’s hearing. The show does do well with its writing. At its best True Blood is a ridiculous supernatural romp and I have a penchant for what Alan Ball does when he gets into the writer’s chair. It sort of functions as the middle episode of the season and it does what the show does best – each character gets their important moments as Sookie finally meets Russell. The episode where Lumen finally gets into the grit of Dexter's madness is excellently done, both dark and comedic and just a perfect point for Stiles to do fine work. The same goes for Big Love and its penultimate episode, that faceoff with Alby, the craziness with Nikki was all adeptly handled. Sometimes Boardwalk Empire got a little gratuitous during the season, but the pilot was beautifully written. No one can touch the United States of Tara series finale, though, absolutely perfect – just the good parts.
Runners-Up: Dexter for “The Big One” / Mad Men for “The Good Parts / The Good Wife for “Getting Off” / Big Love “When Mountains Meet Men” / Boardwalk Empire for “The Ivory Tower” / The Closer “Living Proof”

OUTSTANDING DIRECTING
Nominees:
-Big Love / Adam Davidson for “Exorcism”
-Boardwalk Empire / Martin Scorsese for “Pilot”
-Dexter / John Dahl for “Hop A Freighter”
-The Killing / Patty Jenkins for “Pilot”
-True Blood / Michael Lehman for “I Got A Right to Sing the Blues”
-United States of Tara / Adam Bernstein for “Bryce Will Play”

I love The Killing most for that atmosphere which envelopes the story at times and that depends on the directing. The pilot episode set the tone excellently for the episodes to come. The penultimate Big Love episode felt so short, even as the script dealt with so much issues. It was directed as more as a closer than the actual final episode. True Blood. The madness of Bryce was probably the darkest theme the show has covered and it was his offing (not literally) of Dr. Hatiras that depended on the superb direction of the show. Dexter and Boardwalk Empire top the list both of them keeping a close watch on the protagonists and amping up the suspense. I’m not even sure that Scorsese completely steamrolls Dahl, it’s a bit of a tie.
Runners-Up: Dexter for “The Big One” / Big Love for “When Mountains Meet Men” / Boardwalk Empire for “The Ivory Tower” / The Good Wife for “Getting Off” / The Closer for “Living Proof” / Mad Men for “The Suitcase”

OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTOR
Nominees:
-Steve Buscemi in Boardwalk Empirefor “Pilot”
-John Corbett in United States of Tara for “The Electrifying and Magnanimous Return of Beverlamp”
-Michael C. Hall in Dexter for “Circle Us”
-John Hamm in Mad Men for “The Summer Man”
-Bill Paxton in Big Love for “When Mountains Meet Men”
-Michael Pitt in Boardwalk Empire for “The Ivory Tower”

I must admit that sometimes I underestimate Paxton and Hamm, the latter especially – but I just don’t care for Hamm. Still, they’re both doing fine work in shows with luminous women, and sometimes they get lost in the shuffle. Bill Hendrickson’s swan song depended on Paxton’s excellence and as little as I care for Don Draper Hamm did good work with his development this past season. I wish that Corbett could get half the notices that Paxton and Hamm get. True, Collette is fabulous on United States of Tara, but Corbett’s quiet intensity is not to be ignored and with the series’ end he’s stepped up and turned into a true lead actor (category submissions, be damned). Honestly, I don’t understand in what universe Buscemi is the lead actor on Boardwalk Empire and Pitt is supporting. The show is a tentative back and forth between the young and the old and the two are the leads – the show reaches some of its strongest beats when Nucky and Jimmy have their conversations. The first two episodes are priceless, and though Pitt wins in the showdown they’re both outstanding. But, it’s still Michael C. Hall that I look to when it comes to the lead actors. Year after year (for five years) he’s been turning in superb work on Dexter.

Runners-Up: Peter Krause in Parenthood; Stephen Moyer in True Blood; Matthew Rhys in Brothers and Sisters

OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTRESS
Nominees:
-Toni Collette in United States of Tara for “Bryce Will Play”
-Mireille Enos in The Killing for “Missing”
-Julianna Margulies in The Good Wife for “In Sickness”
-Elizabeth Moss in Mad Men for “The Suitcase”
-Kyra Sydgwick in The Closer for “Help Wanted”
-Jeanne Tripplehorn in Big Love for “A Seat at the Table”

Once again, this is a solid line-up and I sort of don’t know who to start with first. True, Sevigny is who I think of first when I turn to Big Love, but the journey towards the end was significant for Barb trying to find her way and Tripplehorn was beautiful watch, oftentimes upstaging Paxton but at her best when working opposite her sister wives. Margulies and Moss are the actors that might face-off for the Emmy, who knows? Margulies exudes a coldness that makes it difficult for me to love her, but it’s that same coldness she uses to her advantage when she finds out about her husband’s affair and Moss is just brilliant holding down “The Suitcase”. Enos is a true find on The Killing. Her sombreness amuses me, but she never overdoes. Still, it’s the brilliance of “Missing” where I find her most interesting. She never gets hysterical, and her work opposite Kinnaman is golden. But, it’s about Collette and Sedgwick for me. One battled the LAPD, the other her demons. It’s not quite a tie, because Sedgwick carries her show on her shoulder more than any actor I can think of, but they’re both excellent. Naturally, neither of the two earned Emmy nominations this year.
Runners-Up: Anna Pquin in True Blood / Lauren Graham in Parenthood / January Jones in Mad Men

OUTSTANDING DRAMA SERIES
Nominees:
-Boardwalk Empire
-The Closer
-Dexter
-The Good Wife
-True Blood
-United States of Tara
All ten of the shows above and below are excellent, and they’ve all had fine seasons. Of the six above The Closer probably seems like an odd one out, but the show had an excellent season last year and even as it develops as a typical procedural it’s an excellent one. Boardwalk Empire is brilliant new show and yet it’s my fifth favourite of the nominees which goes to show how much goodness we're working with here. I don't know how to rank the top 4. United States of Tara has been almost pitch perfect in its final season, and True Blood thrilled me, humoured me and thrilled me in its third season. The Good Wife and Dexter both focus on protagonists trying to do good, some better than other - one has a killer supporting cast the other has a killer lead - literally. It probably comes down to those two at the end, and I refuse to choose. But, wouldn't a Dexter/Kalinda face-off be brilliant?
Runners-Up: The Killing / Big Love / Mad Men / Parenthood
     
Previously: Comedies: Part One, Comedies: Part Two, Dramas: Part One
           
What would your drama ballot have looked like?

TV Week in Review: 11th – 14th July

Three cheers for the return of Patty Hewes and Brenda Lee Johnson. Yeah, I still haven’t gotten around to officially commenting on the Emmy nominations which inexplicably snubbed Kyra Sedgwick’s work on The Closer but it’s been a great week of television otherwise. All five shows brought greatness to the table.

        

True Blood, Season Four; Episode Three: “If You Love Me, Why Am I Dyin'?” [B+]

If last week’s episode of True Blood, this one was oestrogen. After the acmes last week the characters deal with the fallout – Eric’s missing memory being the primary one. The episode is most valuable for me just for the opportunity to see Skarsgard playing in a different register. As interesting a performer as he is, I find Erik to be the most static of the main cast and there’s a great amount of humour to find the thousand year old vampire reduced to infantile mannerisms. But, along with the humour comes the darker facets. Erik’s in palpable and it’s nice seeing Pam and Sam Sookie dealing with it. And as Erik’s shifts personalities, it seems so does Bill. I’ve never been a fan of Bill, but with this undertone of darkness he’s become far more interesting and Ball does an excellent job of blurring the lines as to right or wrong in his plight as King of Louisiana. The B plots succeed in differing respects. Kwanten is a good enough actor so that he can make the werewolf storyline work, thus far, but I’m already getting exasperated. Fiona Shaw is still being remarkable as Marnie but I’m hungry for more combat even if I did love the trio of Tara, Lafayette and Jesus teaming. I’m a fan of Wesley, so more Tara makes me happy and her conversation with Sam managed to be both humorous and touching. As far as poignancy goes, Jessica and Hoyt. This show has such a humongous cast that the actors have to convey significant aspects in little time and Parrack and Woll are both brilliant in that pivotal scene, only reiterating the difficulty of life as a vampire. Sure, it’s a more sedate episode but it’s still good stuff.

[Writing: B+; Directing: B/B+]

         

The Big C, Season Two; Episode Three: “Sexual Healing” [B+]

Andrea moving in with Cathy and her family is going to be something interesting. The show is smart enough to make Andrea more than the random sassy girl, and she’s always fun interacting with Linney. She also manages to forge believable chemistry with Oliver Platt, who was particularly excellent in this last episode. It revolved around sex and it’s great to see how Paul has developed as a character since the show’s season premiere. Rebecca and Sean are having their own sexual tryst, as is Adam who’s growing up before our very eyes. It shall be interesting to see what becomes of Sean’s current state of normalcy prompted by his bipolar medicine.

[Writing: B+/A-; Directing: B+]

The Closer, Season Seven; Episode One: “Unknown Trouble” [B/B+]

The Closer lives and dies by its leading lady, Brenda Lee Johnson. The modus operandi of the show is as basic as ever on procedurals, but the writing is more often than not surprisingly pervasive and Sedgwick is always a trooper. As far as premiere’s go it’s not faultless but, like a number of like-minded procedurals – things get interesting when we leave the procedure. Changes are afoot at the LAPD and it seems that Pope may be leaving and Mary McDonnell (now a series regular) is back to investigate Brenda’s conduct. The actual murder of a would-be rapper is standard ilk, but watching Brenda sidle around her superiors is fun to watch. Still, those last three minutes which could have felt like an unnecessary curveball ended up being as surprising and full of serendipitous madness as one could hope. Changes are afoot, but probably not those we anticipated...

[Writing: B+; Directing: B]

Damages: “There's Only One Way to Try  a Case” [B+]

As much as I enjoyed The Killing towards the end of last year’s television season no other shows handles season long mysteries, morally ambiguous leads and broody atmosphere as well as Damages and now that they’re off network TV we can actually hear swearing. Patty Hewes is back in full form with a granddaughter. It’s three years since we last saw her and as is wont to a show like Damages there’s no time wasted on exposition. We’re immediately thrust into the now and Ellen is trying to build a case against potential war profiteer (played by John Goodman). I have to give props to Byrne who’s finally grown up. I found her so bland in some season one episodes I was watching last week, but she delivers a fine performance especially opposite Chris Messina – her friend who could be the key to the case. (Remember how that worked out for her in the first season?) Patty dealing with her granddaughter is interesting, although the episode is curiously low on giving her much to do. It’s a great premier, though. Let’s see what this season is going to offer us...

[Writing: B+; Directing: B+]

Wilfred: “Acceptance” [B+]

This week’s episode is even more ridiculous than the first three, but Wilfred is turning into must-see television for me. Ryan’s sister turns up yet again, but this time her interactions are much more interesting and even essential to the plot. Because Ryan’s helping her Wilfred gets put in doggy day-care which features a ridiculous arc of him being potentially molested by the owner (played by Ed Helms). It’s absolute craziness, but that is – essentially – what this show is, crazy. And, it works excellently. The comedic beats on this show are priceless, and it’s so surprising seeing how brilliant Elijah Wood here. I never thought he’d have had such a gift for comedy.

[Writing: B+; Directing: B+/A-]

Stray Thoughts

• I’ve been watching some random True Blood episodes and as good as the season is going I miss old pairings like Jason/Tara, Sam/Sookie.
• I hate to be that person, but doesn’t Patty’s granddaughter freak anyone else out?
• Who’s watching Breaking Bad tonight?

   

Standout Performers

Kyra Sedgwick in The Closer B+/A-

Elijah Wood in Wilfred B+

Oliver Platt in The Big C B+

Rose Byrne in Damages B+

Alexander Skarksgard in True Blood B+

Glenn Close in Damages B+

Jason Gann in Wilfred B+

        

What did you watch this past week?

Episodes: A Blog-a-thon

It’s been a few weeks since the 2010/2011 television season has been officially over and the Emmy nominations set to be announced tomorrow will be the culmination. I know that not all my readers are as interested in television as some, but I’m sure that most of them at least watch one show. I’m always curious to see what that show is and in anticipation of the Academy announcing their favourites tomorrow I thought now is as good a time as any to announce my blogging venture. It’s not necessarily about choosing your favourite show, as the name suggests it’s about episodes...

What’s your favourite scripted television episode of the last TV season? Did something from Mad Men’s arsenal leave you with voluminous praise for the medium? Or was it Michael’s goodbye trajectory? Or Community’s paintball massacre? The rules are slim – any show that’s scripted and any episode which aired from June 1, 2010 to May 31, 2011 is fair game, create a post celebrating your favourite episode. It probably will be difficult narrowing it down to just one, but you’ve got three-and-a-half weeks to make your decisions – the list with be posted on August 6th. Just send me an email at dangerous.liaison231(@)yahoo.com when your link is up.
         
Can you remember your favourite episodes?

Emmy Chatter: Series

Ryan’s and I conversations about Emmy have come to an end and in preparation for the imminent reading of the nomination-list tomorrow we speculate on the potential nominees.
      
Ryan: Okay ready!

Andrew: Invert that to ready-okay, and we have the beginning of a Bring it On cheer.

Ryan: Awesome, oh wow, like totally freak me out, I mean, right on. The Toros sure are #1!

Andrew: So are the potential comedy nods totally awesome?

Ryan: I don't know about awesome, but I don't think they'll be any big shockers a la a Community or a Cougar Town nomination. And actually to make it ridiculously easy for myself I just looked at my other nominations throughout the past few chats we've had and tallied it up.

Andrew: I don't know, but I could see some big shocks happening. Well, not big but you know.

Ryan: And the top 6 are my show nominations... and it sort of worked out.

Andrew: Emmy isn't Oscar. They don't always nominate those with the most nomination. Didn't True Blood get like 1 other nomination other than Best Drama last year? (Although I fear I'm getting ahead of myself.)

Ryan: Oh, yes on True Blood, so my system isn't perfect, but at least it lines up with my predictions at least giving them some sort of logic (which again is not the Emmy way really). But in any case, we have some locks surely.

Andrew: Four locks, I would presume...although I'm still thinking that there could be a massive shock and Glee gets snubbed.

Ryan: See that WOULD be a massive shock if that were to happen. It'd go along with my random Matt Morrison snub, but I still predicted it to be nominated everywhere else.

Andrew: Of course, as much as Glee is not my in MY top 6 I love it like I love a wayward child - so I don't want that to happen.

Ryan: And even though they are fickle, they are not THAT fickle. They can't ignore how big the show still is in terms of public awareness/buzz.

Andrew: And, as you said - like heroin when it's good it gets you high.

Ryan: Right, so the other locks though seem to be fairly safe especially since they've all won before.

Andrew: Well, The Office has never won but I say that it's a lock.

Ryan: It won in 2006.

Andrew: I honestly forgot that. I kept thinking that the show and Carrell had never won.

Ryan: I didn't know it either until I checked Wikipedia right before our chat! But yeah, since its win it's never NOT been nominated and with it being its the last season... it won't suddenly find itself not in the running.

Andrew: Did you just say this is the last season of The Office?

Ryan: Whoa. Yeah. How... random.

Andrew: Random, and dangerous...if that show gets cancelled this is on you!

Ryan: Ha! But yeah, random Freudian slip maybe. But really with Carrell gone, it really does feel like it though.

Andrew: So, the new shows fighting for a potential nod: ShowTime darling (and its biggest premiere) The Big C; SAG nominated cast Betty White’s Hot in Cleveland and Raising Hope

Ryan: The first two seem to be duking it out. Their main lead is almost guaranteed a nomination so they have that going for them.

Andrew: True. I say The Big C gets the edge because it's most likely going to pick up a writing or directing nod.

Ryan: Yeah and it's not like it'll be a big breakthrough for it to be nominated. Weeds in 2009 and Nurse Jackie in 2010 paved its way. What's weird is why United States of Tara has never been nominated.

Andrew: Diablo Cody hatred, perhaps?

Ryan: Well she's divisive, but who knows?

Andrew: Indeed.

Ryan: Any show, other than Community and Cougar Town, you wish could be honoured? For me, those are the two really. I mean I love How I Met Your Mother and all, but I'm okay with it not being nominated. Wait, there's one show I WOULD LOVE to get nominated, and it's not even a sure thing so I don't know why I didn't mention it. I think it's because I'm hoping it's a lock for a nomination...

Andrew: Are you talking about a particular government office?

Ryan: With a particularly charming blonde lead? YES.

Andrew: If any show gets a breakthrough nod, it could be that...which I could see taking the spot that went to Nurse Jackie last year...

Ryan: It's just really sad that possibly the best sitcom on TV right now needs to "breakthrough" to get a nomination.

Andrew: Yes, it is. It really should be shoo-in...but Emmy voters scare me (re: Two and A Half Men...but that's out right?)

Ryan: Thank goodness. They had the decency to not submit themselves this year.

Andrew: THANK GOODNESS, indeed. So, predictions?


Ryan: My predictions:
30 Rock
The Big C
Glee
Modern Family
The Office
Parks and Recreation

Andrew: My predictions:
30 Rock
The Big C
Glee
Modern Family
The Office
Parks and Recreation

Andrew: Yup, yet again we have the same group...but it's pretty solid. 30 Rock is the least deserving for me ...but they had some brilliant episodes this past season.

Ryan: It is a solid list and I think it's more because I can't see any other shows nominated?

Andrew: Which probably means we're wrong.

Ryan: I mean sure Hot in Cleveland, Raising Hope, Nurse Jackie, and even How I Met Your Mother, but probably not. And yeah, we're SO wrong.

Andrew: Things get a whole lot more interesting in drama.

Ryan: Maybe. We'll see. I have about 4 locks, 1 most likely, and a wildcard.

Andrew: I really can't see Mad Men winning again.

Ryan: Who knows? But yeah it really all depends on how much they love Boardwalk Empire aka the shiny new HBO epic kid on the block.

Andrew: (Which just happens to be made of brilliance.)

Ryan: It's not TV, after all, it's HBO.

Andrew: So, Boardwalk Empire and Mad Men are going to head-to-head...those two male centred dramas...does that mean Alicia Florrick of The Good Wife can sidle in and shock us all?

Ryan: With a win, highly unlikely, but a nomination is pretty lock. It's the one show from broadcast network that has any chance at all really. The closest would be Friday Night Lights, for its final season. And even then a) not big enough or seen enough andit's technically a Direct TV show vs. an NBC show.

Andrew: And I think the category is WAY too stacked for FNL.

Ryan: Most definitely.

Andrew: Dexter I want to say is a lock, but I'm worried that people are tiring of it - sadly.

Ryan: I think it's still a lock though. They, probably, still feel really bad about not honouring Michael C. Hall last year and this season was great at least when it came to Johnny Lee Miller and Julia Stiles.

Andrew: If they felt bad they'd have f%%%ing gave him the statue!!!! (That was for dramatic effect, of course)

Ryan: Of course. In terms of new shows that could breakthrough we have Game of Thrones, The Killing, The Walking Dead, and Shameless. Am I missing anything? Any of them have a chance?

Andrew: And if they go absolutely crazy, which they won't The Borgias. In Treatment was cancelled and in a way, I could see it getting some love at least more than FNL.

Ryan: I haven't seen it, but I felt it was a tough sell of a show. Yes, it's got some love from the acting branch, but the show sort of lends itself to that kind of nomination. But for the whole show? Not sure.

Andrew: It's never been nominated, which I find odd but it seems made for Emmy love.

Ryan: Yeah, if it was going to be nominated, it'd be for its first season or whenever Gabriel Byrne was nominated. Then again one could say the same thing for Friday Night Lights. I'd like to think though that last year's duo-acting nomination could be a sign of (too late?) momentum. But really, probably not.

Andrew: It's on the cusp; if there were - say - eight nods maybe...

Ryan: Weird, it’s my eight pick as well.

Andrew: That IS weirdness. Shall I predict?

Ryan: Go right ahead.

Andrew: I predict:
Boardwalk Empire
Game of Thrones (as last year's True Blood)
The Good Wife
The Killing
Mad Men,
True Blood (as last year's Lost)

Ryan: Hmm. True Blood as last year's Lost? I don't get that analogy. Lost had multiple nominations and they were honouring it for the whole series.

Andrew: Well, year, but they always like an oddball fantasy nod...this year is lacking that.

Ryan: Well that's why they have Game of Thrones. Speaking of... My predictions:
Boardwalk Empire
Dexter
Game of Thrones
The Good Wife
Mad Men,
Shameless

Andrew: We both go in for some new blood. We shall see what ensues.

Ryan: Thrones is my most likely, Shameless is my wildcard, and the rest are my locks. Though if there was anything like last year's True Blood, I'd have think it'd be for The Walking Dead.
The Emmys do love them their AMC the past few years.

Andrew: Which I considered, but I opted for the actual True Blood. Now, I'm nervous wondering how right we were.

Ryan: Just for completes sake... Justified has a chance because they're pushing the show hardcore and critics love it... and then there's my off-the-wall Hail Mary pass for Fringe.

Andrew: I should probably put out a final mention for Big Love...just because. But it shall not happen.

Ryan: It's all about putting it out there. You never know. In fact, hey Emmy how about the retroactive love for Buffy the Vampire Slayer, you damn bastards.

Andrew: Ha. We'll see...we'll see...Nothing to do now, but wait.

The Emmy nominees are being announced tomorrow morning by Melissa McCarthy and Joshua Jackson (heavy on the alliterative names, apparently).

Previously: Guest Actors and Actresses / Writing and Directing for Comedy / Writing and Directing for Drama / Supporting Actors / Lead Actors / Supporting Actresses / Lead Actresses
        
We’ll be back to give our thoughts on the nominees and make predictions when they’re out, but for now – who are you hoping gets nominated?