Encore Emmy Ballot: Comedies (Pt. 2)

Two more days until the actual Emmy nominees are announced, so I need to get my actual Emmy ballot in before they're disqualified. Bear with me, and let me pretend I have a say. So, back with my ballot - part two of the comedy. (go see Part One: Drama, Part One: Comedy)

OUTSTANDING WRITING
 Nominees
Cougar Town / Ryan Koh & Sam Laybourne for “Lost Children”
Nurse Jackie / Ellen Fairey for “Orchids and Salami”
Modern Family Abraham Higginbotham for “Regrets Only”
The Office / Mindy Kaling for “Classy Christmas”
Parks and Recreation / Amy Poehler for “The Fight”
Parks and Recreation / Katie Dippold for “Indianapolis”

Nurse Jackie is excellently written, even if I figure that the actual Emmy's will ignore it. “Orchids and Salami” is sort of a standout episode, writing wise at least. It mixes all those witticisms of the show with some astute, if subtle, pop culture references. And, it cashes in on how good the main cast are together, which is something that “Lost Children” does brilliantly. The madness of the cul-de-sac crew playing their childish games was great, but it was Ellie and Bobby's TV show Beef and Bubbles which got the biggest laughs. As much as I love B. J. Novak I have to give props to Mindy Kaling for being the best writer on The Office. Her episodes always manage to recall that great ensemble nature that makes the show so good and the return of Holly is worthy of mention.  “Regrets Only” does some interesting thing with the flashback motif and stands out as my favourite episode of the show, this season. Then Parks and Recreation - “The Fight” has that hilarious drunken gag and “Indianapolis” has Leslie's gag about being dumped. And those are just two examples of how brilliant this show is.
Runners-Up: The Big C for “Pilot” / / Modern Family for “Caught in the Act” / Nurse Jackie “Mitten” / Entourage for “Stunted” / Episodes for “Episode Two” / Glee for “Original Song”


OUTSTANDING DIRECTING
Nominees:
Cougar Town / Michael McDonald for “Lost Children”
Entourage / David Nutter for “Lose Yourself”
Modern Family Dean Parisot for “Regrets Only”
Nurse Jackie / Tristram Shapeero for “Rat Falls”
The Office / Rainn Wilson for “Classy Christmas”
Parks and Recreation / Randall Einhorn for “The Fight”

The finale wasn’t the best episode of the last season of Entourage, but it was more than skilfully directed. As the walls started crumbling around Vince it was interesting how it was the direction and not the writing which ended up being the effective way in which it was showed. The choices from Cougar Town and Modern Family both exist as my favourite things on both shows this past season. The former is brilliant because it sees the appearance of the entire gang in one place being ridiculously childish. The time flies by and it makes the potentially tougher issues develop in such a natural, comedic way. The latter is great because it’s one of those episodes where the three arcs are balanced so well not only because of the script, but because of how they’re showed to us. For, Nurse Jackie just the image of that rat falling on Zoey’s lunch makes it worthy of consideration. Both, The Office and Parks and Recreation have episodes featuring celebrations, the first for Christmas and the second for Tom’s club. The latter wins just for that drunken montage.

Runners-Up: Modern Family for “Halloween” / Parks and Recreation for “Harvest Festival”/ 30 Rock for “Christmas Attack Zone / The Big C for “Pilot” / Cougar Town for “Walls” / Glee for “Furt” / The Office for “Garage Sale”


OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTOR
Nominees:
Alec Baldwin in 30 Rock for “Everything Sunny All the Time Always”
Ty Burrell in Modern Family for “Mother Tucker”
Steve Carell in The Office for “Garage Sale”
Matt LeBlanc in Episodes for “Episode Two”
Stephen Mangan in Episodes for “Episode One”
Jeremy Piven in Entourage for “Porn Scenes from an Italian Restaurant”
   
I was back and forth on where to categorise LeBlanc, but I decided I’d lodge him here. Sure, he’s the least impressive of the six nominees, but he IS hilarious on Episodes, hardly the MVP but well balanced and subtle enough to be garishly caricature-like. Mangan works well opposite him, but even better opposite Greig who plays his wife. Carrell and Baldwin are both default nominees, it seems, but both had great seasons. One gained a wife, one gained one – then lost her. But, it’s all about Piven and Burrell for me. Curiously, both men submitted themselves in the supporting category but it’s outstanding Lead Actors I think of when I see them in top form. One’s bathetic, the other’s a bit of a bastard but both manage to be interegrated with their co-stars and still be the best-in-shows without hogging the camera. Goodness.

Runners-Up: John Krasinski in The Office /  Adrian Grenier in Entourage / Kevin Connolly in Entourage /  Matthew Morrison in Glee / Joel McHale in Community
         
OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTRESS
Nominees:
Courteney Cox in Cougar Town “You Don’t Know How It Feels”
Edie Falco in Nurse Jackie for “Game On”
Laura Linney in The Big C for “Pilot”
Tamsien Greig” in Episodes for “Episode Two”
Lea Michele in Glee for “Comeback”
Amy Poehler in Parks & Recreation for “Eagleton”
For me, it’s a generally weak field but I like each of these six well enough to consider them seriously. It’s an even split, though, between the incomparable and the good. Cox, Michele and Falco are at the bottom, if only because they’re shows both work best as ensembles for me. Even though Lea is the MVP for her show the writers aren’t as dedicated to making her lead it, she still succeeds for the most part though. It’s the converse thing with Falco and Cox, the writers want it to be their shows, but they keep getting derailed by the far more interesting (and dare I say, outperformed?) by her supporting cast. Greig is phenomenal in Episodes. True, she can’t touch the top 2 but she plays excellently. It’s wrong to call Linney’s Cathy a revelation, we know she’s brilliant. When she nails those scenes on The Big C, I still can’t help but feel like I’m seeing her be brilliant for the first time and it’s sort of the same thing with Poehler who’s grown over the past three years into the finest female lead on television for me.
Runners-Up: Tina Fey in 30 Rock / Marcia Cross in Desperate Housewives

OUTSTANDING COMEDY
Nominees:
The Big C
Cougar Town
Entourage
Episodes
Nurse Jackie
Parks & Recreation
    
I think this is an eclectic bunch. Episodes and Entourage are probably the ones that least people would consider mentioning, the former because few have started watching and the latter because few have continued watching. They both had good seasons, both examining the difficulty of show business but in different beats. The two showtime series are next, both focusing on a woman but with good ensembles to back them up. For the first two seasons Nurse Jackie felt decidedly more dramatic, but it’s found its comedic bone and worked it well in season 3. And, sure, The Big C has a main character stricken with cancer but it’s never mawkish and rarely overdramatic – always consistently humorous, even if morbidly so. Cougar Town managed to find itself, then top itself continuously in its sophomore season becoming ABC’s best show and…thenParks and Recreation. It’s in a class of its own, really.

Runners-Up: Modern Family / The Office / Glee /Community
           
What would your choices look like?

Encore Emmy Ballot: Comedies (Pt. 1)

So, my own personal Emmy ballots. Nominees are being announced next week, but this would hardly suffice as an Emmy ballot because I go crazy with category submissions and what not. But, I do use their six nominees per category format. I’ve also included alternates where I felt that the field was good enough to feature special mentions.

         

OUTSTANDING CASTING

Nominees:

- 30 Rock
- Entourage
- Glee
- Nurse Jackie 

- The Office
- Parks & Recreation

Entourage and Nurse Jackie probably don’t emerge as obvious contenders here, but both depended a great deal on their casting in their past seasons. Two Greg Daniels’ pieces, The Office and Parks and Recreation depend on those large ensembles usually played for the obvious bits of laughter but both of which are excellently created. Even if 30 Rock has had an occasionally clunky season it still continues to impress in the area of casting. By now, the brilliant casting of the main cast is assured so it’s the things like guests that always make me impressed which goes the same for Glee which I’m still surprised lost this same category at last year’s Emmy’s. It’s because the casting is so strong that makes the writers get so lazy, at times.

Runners-Up: Modern Family / The Big C / Cougar Town

OUTSTANDING GUEST ACTOR

Nominees:

- Matt Damon in 30 Rock
- Reid Ewing in Modern Family
- Jonathan Groff in Glee
- James Marsden in Modern Family
- Timothy Olyphant in The Office
- James Spader in The Office

Both Spader and Groff turn up with the same purpose on their shows, to make everyone else looks like amateur. Groff is brilliant in the season’s penultimate episode, even though he doesn’t sing a note he delivers on the meanness tempered with sagacity that makes Jesse such an interesting character. And, Spader just needs to look into the camera to make us fear and love him simultaneously. Both Damon and Ewing thrive in the episodes where their women break up with them. Damon’s great arguing with Fey, but it’s Ewing who’s the standout moping over Hayley and simultaneously bonding with Phil. I fear that both Olyphant and Marsden get forgotten because their appearances play up their good looks, but they’re both excellent. Barry is unnecessarily zany, but his scenes opposite Mitchell land effectively and Olyphant was such a perfect (temporary) addition to The Office I wish he’d have stayed longer.

Runners-Up: Alan Alda in 30 Rock / Will Arnett in 30 Rock / Cheyenne Jackson in Glee / Iqpal Theba in Glee;

OUTSTANDING GUEST ACTRESS

- Jennifer Aniston in Cougar Town
- Kristin Chenoweth in Glee as April Rhodes
- Megan Mullally in Parks & Recreation as Tammy Swanson
- Cynthia Nixon in The Big C
- Gwyneth Paltrow in Glee
- Amy Ryan in The Office as Holly

It’s as if all the love for Holly on Glee this season pushed April to the backburner. Not that that was such a bad thing. Gwyneth makes good on all the scenes she gets and delivers with aplomb more often than not being the best thing in the episodes she was featured in. Kristin only gets one episode, but she brings the funny and reminds us why April Rhodes is Schuester’s best duet partner. Ryan shows up for a few episodes and each time she doesn’t you wish that she would. Sure, she’s the reason Michael leaves us – but she’s so effective we can’t be too sad. Aniston, Mullally and Nixon are all former staples of comedies from the late nineties, early aughts and they each do delicious work. Nixon, of course gets the edge because she’s in more than one episode. But, more than that, Rebecca’s superficiality is played for excellent comedic AND dramatic beats.

Runners-Up: Elizabeth Banks in 30 Rock / Carol Burnett in Glee / Kathy Bates in The Office / Romy Rosemont in Glee / Frances Conroy in How I Met Your Mother

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR

Nominees:

- Kevin Dillon in Entourage for “Dramedy”
- Peter Facinelli in Nurse Jackie for “Rat Falls”
- Neil Patrick Harris in How I Met Your Mother for “Cleaning House”
- Rob Lowe in Parks & Recreation for “Flu Season”
- Nick Offerman in Parks & Recreation for “Indianapolis”
- Adam Scott in Parks & Recreation for “Media Blitz”

This is one packed category, so I want to make note of the brilliant runners-up listed below. I don’t know how NPH continues to be so consistently hilarious and layered on a show that for so long has failed to precipitate any significant amount of humour. It’s not that the show is bad; it just seems to move along at a consistent level of blandness that I’ve come to find exasperating – except for Barney. True, I moped when news came about that Schneider was leaving Pawnee but I didn’t realise that one great actor would be replaced with two great actors and that those two great actors would be so brilliant in their roles. Scott and Lowe do such different things in their roles, but they’ve both turned into necessitate son Parks and Recreation. I love the show, and sue me, I still love Entourage. Watching Drama struggle with his employment and then the perceived insult of him playing an “ugly” ape was hilarious to watch. But, what makes Dillon such a treasure to the show is the – no pun intended – dramatic beats he’s always able to sell. A bit like the humour mixed with sadness that plagues Peter Facinelli’s Coop for this entire season. He stood out as the season’s MVP even as he moved through a series of crazy machinations. But, no one beats crazy machinations like Offerman. The man is a legend. Period.

Runners-Up: Dan Byrd in Cougar Town / Oliver Platt in The Big C / Gabriel Basso in The Big C / John Benjamin Hickey in The Big C / Jesse Tyler Ferguson in Modern Family / Donald Glover in Community/ Brian Van Holt in Cougar Town

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS

- Eve Best in Nurse Jackie for “Fuck the Lemurs”
- Julie Bowen in Modern Family for “Regrets Only”
- Jane Krakowski in 30 Rock for “Queen of Jordan”
- Christa Miller in Cougar Town for “Walls”
- Busy Philipps in Cougar Town for “You Don't Know How It Feels”
- Merritt Wever in Nurse Jackie for “Orchids and Salami”

It was terribly difficult narrowing this list down to six. I want all six above and all five below to be remembered. Grrr. Krakowski and Wever both have something in common. Both their shows were so caught up in other plotlines that at times it felt like they both were being shafted. That’s why it’s so impressive that they turned in such excellent work this past season. Both hit the comedic bits like nobody’s business and Wever in particular managed to turn those comedic bits into moments of strong character development. The Cougar Town cast is excellent and I’m glad that both Philipps and Miller turn up. Both bring different things to their shows, but like that episode where Ellie finally realises the value of Laurie these two are on fire when they’re working together. Eve Best and Julie Bowen are both sometimes relegated to playing the straight woman alone, but both do their finest work of their tenures this last season. Bowen has the upper hand, but both were fantastic.

Runners-Up: Jane Lynch in Glee / Sofia Vergara in Modern Family / Rashida Jones in Parks and Recreation / Anna Deavere Smith in Nurse Jackie / Aubrey Plaza in Parks and Recreation

            

What were your favourites in these categories over the past TV season?

TV Week in Review: 19th - 20th June

Three season finales - The Killing, Nurse Jackie and United States of Tara, the latter of which is also a series finale. So many people keep talking about Game of Thrones and, who knows, maybe I will catch up with it at some time – but I don’t when.
           
The Killing: “Orpheus Descending”

It’s a bit difficult to get my thoughts in order as I write about the season finale for the show’s freshman season. It was mere happenstance that led me to Alan Spinewall’s site late last week – he’s not a fan of the show and after watching the season’s closer I couldn’t help but sidle over to see what he thought of it. Unsurprisingly, he loathed it. For me, The Killing continues to be a character study in vignettes as we are privy to only bits and pieces of characters’ lives. Thus, the possibility of Richmond legitimately being the murderer was 50/50. The hunt to prove his guilt was well established, though. Even as I wondered why some of the trails weren’t investigated two weeks ago, the show’s world makes sense of it happening now and everything right down to that tense phone call that Sarah received in the plane worked. And even as they revealed that Holder had tampered with evidence I was still willing to believe that Richmond was the killer nonetheless. It was that cliff-hanger of Holder’s apparent duplicity which left me agitated, not so much the lack of finding Rosie’s murderer. Publicity placement or no, The Killing holds my interest because of more than “who killed Rosie Larsen” – at least I tuned out of who killed her weeks ago. There was something vaguely off, but I’m not sure what. For example, as good as Sexton was it was so random having him in Ahmed's room and talking to his wife, even if the scene was excellently played. It has its moments of strangeness, but I’ve liked the first season (proof).
[B]


United States of Tara: “The Good Parts”

I did not shed a tear when the credits finally began rolling for the final episode of United States of Tara, not because the episode wasn’t every bit as emotional a closer as you’d expect from the Gregson’s but because the episode was as perfect a series’ finale as any fan of the show could have hoped for. Except for a few moments of Bryce at the beginning the episode featured Tara without any alters and it’s proof that Toni Collette’s Tara is the draw for the series – not the alters. More than Tara, though, the show is brilliant when it examines all the issues of Tara’s families – her states, her good parts and it’s so nice seeing the curtains closing on Kate, Marshall, Charmain and Max in such a fine fashion. Will Tara ever be cured? That blink-and-you’ll miss it glimpse of Tee, Alice and Buck in Max’s truck suggest otherwise. But, the episode wrapped it all up so well that even if it Tara’s life doesn’t develop to perfect we’re satisfied with the parts we got. The good parts.
[A-]
      
Nurse Jackie: “deaf blind tumour pee test”

Honestly, I can’t stand Jackie. Edie Falco is great in the role and I do love the show, but for a lead character I feel not the slightest bit of interest in the machinations of Jackie. The ending of the season hit us with a confession of an affair, not from Jackie but from Kevin and as Jackie tells him to pack his bags I’m wondering just how further out of control she’s going to spiral. Who knows? In other news Coop’s birthday/wedding came off without a bride, and it was difficult watching Facinelli deal with that. The ending with him and [ ] was nicely done. Gloria continues her tirade of being one ridiculous boss, and that ending was nicely played as she disposed of Jackie’s urine test. It’s been a good season, and the show continues to be well developed. It’s managed to make me understand it’s comedic roots and it boasts one of the finest supporting casts on the small screen (Best, Wever and Facinelli are particularly brilliant). I’m looking forward to see what comes next.
[B+]

        
Standout Performers
John Corbett in United States of Tara A-
Toni Collette in United States of Tara B+
Mireille Enos in The Killing B+
Rosemarie DeWitt in United States of Tara B+
Edie Falco in Nurse Jackie B+
Brian Sexton in The Killing B+
       
Anyone watched the closers for The Killing and Nurse Jackie? Any final thoughts on the glorious three year run of United States of Tara? What did you watch this past week?

TV Week in Review: (with a flashback to The Killing)

Once again it’s just two of the best shows winding down that I’m properly reviewing - United States of Tara and Nurse Jackie, and I’ve begun watching AMC’s The Killing and I’m finding it surprisingly good.

             

United States of Tara: “Crunchy Ice”

The grade that I give for this episode of the DID drama seems strange. Overall, the episode itself isn’t brilliant but it contains some excellent bits of growth for the main characters. Bryce continues to hold Tara’s body hostage killing Buck and Alice, so it’s all about changes and overall the episode feels a bit tense and not necessarily in a great way. Frances McDormand turns up to be brilliant, making good on the promise she teased us with earlier this season. It’s a performance worthy of Emmy consideration, I think. The episode teeters skilfully on the boundary between comedy and drama and John Corbett, Rosemarie DeWitt and Keir Gilchrist all do fine things. I’ve been a bit disinterested in Keir this season, but he was excellent especially in that fight with Buck. What will the series finale bring next week? Who knows?

[B+]

               

Nurse Jackie: “Batting Practice”

This week Nurse Jackie makes good on its comedic roots offering up an episode that manages to maintain those quirky dramatic hooks while still being especially funny. It’s Wever’s time to shine and though my allegiances ultimately lay with Eve Best and Peter Facinelli it’s nice seeing Wever serve up her usual comic bits. Anna Deavere Smith, too, is in fine form. I can’t say what will become of Kelly and Jackie’s liaisons and I’m worried about Kevin. Will Coop even follow through with that ridiculous wedding of his? It’s all question marks, but it’s a great episode.

[B+/A-]

The Killing Episodes 1 – 5

It took me two seasons to become especially interested in Mad Men, but five episodes in and I’m already loving The Killing. It’s all about atmosphere and the drama unfolds with so much interest to detail that I’m willing to forgive the red herrings necessary to ensure that a full season is spent working on a single murder. The acting is strong and direction is excellent. I’ve heard rumours that it goes downhill pretty soon, but I’m not really worried. So far, I’m glad I tuned.

Grading the Episodes:

“Pilot” A

“The Cage” A-

“El Diablo” B+

“A Soundless Echo” B/B+

“Super 8” B+

Grading the Performers:

Joel Kinnaman A-

Mirielle Enos A-

Michelle Forbes A-

Billy Campbell B+

Brent Sexton B+

Kristin Lehman B/B+

                    

I should be gearing up for some Emmy chatter soon. Jose only recently reviewed The Big C here. Watched any good TV recently?

“We Were On a Break”

No the title of this piece has nothing to do with Friends. I was planning on taking something a sabbatical from blogging, but then I remembered by weekly TV column. I’m still on my break, I just decided I’d drop in some random television rantings because a) Nurse Jackie and United States of Tara both offered up fine episodes this week and b) the Emmy’s are coming up and with the thirty odd shows I’ve followed for the last season I have to get my own personal Emmy list in order.
 
So, Bryce is continuing to be a little shit on United States of Tara, in a really bad way and as the show nears its end I now realise how much I will miss it. I still don’t like Marshall, but Gilcrhist was on fire this episode as was Corbett and it’s interesting seeing how the family is being affected by this. It’s interesting watching Charmain holding on to Tara when Neal is encouraging her to leave. Then, on Nurse Jackie Jackie gets what should be a wakeup call, but knowing her it’s probably going to eb as ineffective as Zoey. Well, I like Zoey but she’s a softie (which is why we love her). Eve Best was absolutely brilliant this episode and made me realise that Facinelli has good chemistry with EVERYBODY. I wish they’d both get Emmy nods, but I’m not crazy. I know they won’t. UGH!
Nurse Jackie B+
United States of Tara B+/A-
     
Performances
Eve Best in Nurse Jackie A-
Keir Gilchrist in United States of Tara B+/A-
John Corbett in United States of Tara B+
Peter Facinelli in Nurse Jackie B+
Toni Collette in United States of Tara B+

Just because I want to ensure that when my personal ballot comes about that it’s as eclectic as I’d hope I’m trying to catch up on some shows I missed. I’m watching the pilot of The Killing later to see if I should make the jump. I should start recapping the last season in TV soon, but right now I’m still on that break.

How’s this week been for you – in or out of TV?

TV Week in Review: “23rd - 25th May”

It’s a scant week, only five shows too review and three of them season finales. In case you haven’t already heard the awful news United States Tara of Tara has been cancelled. I can’t say it spoiled my week, but it’s really awful that that great cast is out of work – and the show is so innovative too. What a shame. On with the reviews...

             

United States of Tara: “Bryce Will Play”

Halfway through this season this show moved from offbeat comedy to offbeat drama and now I’m torn between what genre I think it fits into. Regardless of genre, it’s still a great show. Bryce is more disturbing that he seemed last week moving on to killing the some of the other alters. Shoshanna is my favourite of Tara’s alters, so it’ll be sad if she’s really gone. Watching Tara struggle with Dr. Hatteras was an excellent arc and the closing with Bryce was brilliant. Kudos to DeWitt in that scene, too. She didn’t have a great number of scenes this week, but she had three great scenes all of which she sold. Once again, Marshall is annoying me. I don’t get how he didn’t see the fact that the movie would hurt his father’s feeling. Corbett, too, is doing some fine work this season. For me, he’s finally falling into “Leading” status.

[A-]

Nurse Jackie: “Have You Met Ms. Jones?”

It’s weird, I feel no great interest in Jackie as a character but I love those shows. I keep wanting Eve Best to get more screen time, she’s especially on point with her short scenes this episode – especially loved her drinking her bubbly by her lonesome. Jackie’s getting desperate, but the thing with her is that I’m never sure if she’s sincere or not. Kelly might be on to her secret, which is surely going to be interesting. Zoey’s arc with her boyfriend was very cutesy, but Merrit is so much fun to watch. Then, there’s Coop and his new facebook friend and future wife which is just the sort of nonsense that Facinelli can sell. It seems like that patient may be interested in him, which could be interesting. Anything for more Coop (and those little digressions with him and Thor which are always hilarious).

[B+/A-]

Glee: “New York”

I could probably pontificate ad nauseum on the topic of Glee, the season generally, the finale specifically and a number of other things. I’ll probably get to some generally ruminations before the Emmy nominations are announced, but for now – on the finale. It’s a generally tepid closing and I broke my own rule and read three reviews of which, all of which were essentially pans. The logic of the New Directions and their original song machinations is ridiculous and all but assures their lack of success at the competition (although, I can’t praise Vocal Adrenaline. Obviously Jesse’s Adrenaline > Sunshine’s Adrenaline. They’ve been planning on this for so long, it seems like a lopsided conclusion to the journey to nationals. It had its moments, though. Sure, Quinn’s “plan” for destruction was especially disappointing but it was nice seeing the original Cheerios back together, sort of. I always find Colfer least taxing when he’s opposite Michele and their scenes were lovely. The Finchel drama was awfully trite, even though the boys’ serenading them was great (only because of Salling and his accordion). Rivera kind of stole the show with her Lima Heights tirade and it’s generally enjoyable, but still sort of blah. Eh, hopefully they use the summer to regroup.

[B]

Modern Family: “The One That Got Away”

The episode is generally solid, but I don’t know if it’s the excess love I’ve gotten for Cougar Town but I’ve gotten a bit immune to the antics of the Dunphy/Pritchett clan. Sure, things like Claire and Mitchell bonding was excellent or seeing Manny and Cameron share those sweet pseudo-father/son moments was a nice change. And of course, Phil talking about his cheerleading past is always appreciated. It’s solid, I say, but it’s not feeling like must-see episode. Definitely enjoyable, and considering that the season was fine it doesn’t do it any harm. I felt entertained, but not especially so.

[B/B+]

Cougar Town:“Something Good Coming”

What could be better than a one-hour Cougar Town? This felt like such a brilliant throwback to those 90s sitcoms where the zany group would relocate to some vacation place and go crazy and it was the good sort of crazy. Everything was on point, from the unholy trinity of Andy/Ellie/Bobby to Jules and Grayson’s baby issues to Laurie stealing the episode with her vacation boyfriend and getting Travis to come back home it was all just excellent. Then, there were those great side gags like that guy making all those songs sound depressing (“Love Shack” as a soulful ballad was brilliant) and Ellie’s toothbrush rantings or the candle holder functioning as a sort of wineglass. It was just a fine closing to a great season. I hate that it won’t be coming back until the middle of the next season. I really hope it’s not suggesting an imminent cancellation.

[A-]

            

Standout Performances

Toni Collette in United States of Tara A-

Busy Philipps in Cougar Town A-

Christa Miller in Cougar Town A-

Ty Burrell in Modern Family B+

Courtney Cox in Cougar Town B+

Edie Falco in Nurse Jackie B+

            

Jesse Tyler Ferguson in Modern Family B+

Naya Rivera in Glee B+

Peter Facinelli in Nurse Jackie B+

Lea Michele in Glee B+

Rosemarie DeWitt in United States of Tara B+

John Corbett in United States of Tara B+

Eve Best in Nurse Jackie B+

          

Next week my two showtime shows are off until the week after and most of the network shows are on hiatus. Any new shows I should pick up? Any shows that I watched, but didn't review this season you'd like me to write about? (The Big C, Boardwalk Empire, The Closer, True Blood, Mad Men among others) I just recently decided to watch last year’s recent Entourage season 7 (their last will be this summer) and I have to say, I still think it’s a great show.

           

What did you watch this week?

TV Week in Review: “15th - 19th” (and leftovers from last week)

It was a week of finales, the on ABC, CBS and NBC I got packed with a slew of finales some were perfect closers to great seasons and others were surprisingly disappointing. But before, I’ve got two overdue reviews from the week before.

            

Cougar Town: “Damaged By Love”

Watching Ellie deal with Andy’s family – particularly his officious sister-in-law ends up being a left-field arc for a show that’s often so insular but one which is also quite hilarious. Moreover, it ends up leading to a brilliant moment of niceness between Laurie and Ellie. Their relationship is an interesting thing to watch, and it’s great seeing how much they’ve grown over the two seasons. Jules father is always good for a laugh, and his strip club antics were great to watch especially when it led to the softer moment at the end. Grayson’s arc was a bit silly, but in a good way. I have to give props to Josh Hopkins who I often used to think of as the show’s albatross. He’s been bringing the funny recently.

[B+]

         

Parks & Recreation: “Road Trip”

I missed the second of this, and it was a great one. Not as enjoyable as “The Fight” but it saw two important things happy. Ben and Leslie’s relationship finally got on track (a whole year after he arrived and I noticed their brilliant chemistry) and it’s fun watching Chris be the ultimate cockblocker, naturally oblivious to everything. The arc of Tom’s gameshow wasn’t as joyfully hilarious as his other ideas, but it’s great how the writers are treating the April/Andy marriage with sincerity and her showing up at Ann’s house was a nice touch.

[B+]

           

Desperate Housewives: “And Lots of Security...”

Desperate Housewives: “Come On Over for Dinner”

Well, the seventh season of Desperate Housewives wrapped goes out in a decidedly disappointing double feature. I couldn’t help but wonder why the second episode couldn’t have been tightened up and used as the next season’s premiere. The Felicia and Paul drama came to a whimpering close (not even a return of the great Cody Kasch) and so does Lynette and Tom’s marriage. The divorce plot seems tired but I don’t see it as especially terrible because that entire relationship has become awfully annoying to watch. The Gaby drama is vaguely random but not overly so and the rotating dinner is a nice touch. The latter episode is superior, but something still feels off although I do give props to Vanessa Williams for being the episode’s MVP working hard with the silly storylines she’s given. I keep praying that this show can rein itself in and find some structure. I don’t know, though...

[C/C+]

[B-]

United States of Tara: “Chicken ‘n’ Corn”

Well, things are definitely reaching to a head and it sure is turning into something chilling. Tara’s new alter is distressing, but it was the early scene with Chicken which was more upsetting. It was an episode of things being troubled, though, like the usually calm Max being derailed by that plain right or Kate being similarly ill at ease with Evan’s demon-son or Marshall feeling badly because of Max’s ostensible lack of support. Marshall’s really annoying me this season, go figure. Even Charmain’s attempts at a day out were capsized first by her worrying about Wheels and then her returning home to Hatteras in her house and a palpably upset Tara there.

[B+]

            

Nurse Jackie: “The Astonishing”

This episode was filled with some great small bits featuring things that you wouldn’t likely see. O’Hara looking at her bruised chest in the bathroom was deep and then there was that awkward lunch with her, Jackie and Zoey and then a somewhat random but surprisingly effective moment with his toys. Jackie was running on a single pill today and that’s probably why her mood was so sour. I feel badly for Gracie, but she’s such an annoying character that I wasn’t that invested in her saintly plight. Gloria and Thor bonding was a genius move as was the conversation between Kelly and Zoey which led to the latter reminiscing on her days of being jailbait. Wever is such a trooper.

[B+]

Glee: “Funeral”

I’ve stopped reading reviews of Glee because I end up almost always liking the hated episodes or hating the liked episodes and what not. “Funeral” was a lot more placid than you’d expect, and maybe it’s because I’ve been feeling a bit downer for the entire week (what with the rapture, and what not) but with its attention to the softer side of the show it ended up being less cloying to me and surprisingly moving. The arc of Sue’s sister dying on its own doesn’t move me as much but Lynch turns in a fine performance, and I did love the season’s opener when she and Will were “friends” so I’d love to see that return and it ties in nicely with Terri’s exit which saddens me. I’m a fan of Jessalyn, she’s had sinfully little do this season but she’s Morrison’s best acting partner and I will miss her when (if?) she leaves. The smaller relationship drama was a bit eclipsed, but Jonathan Groff brings the funny (without singing) and as harsh as his comments were every single one of them made sense if you put serious thought into it. Don’t care for the Finn/Quinn drama, I keep hoping Rachel and Finn don’t hook up and destroy the show – but it seems inevitable (them hooking up, not the show’s destruction. Ha.)

[B+/A-]

       

The Good Wife: “Closing Arguments”

I've come to love The Good Wife, I think my general antipathy towards Julianna Margulies (don't ask) made it difficult for me to initially love the show in its premiere season. Still, I've grown to love it and I was highly anxious to see the season's closer. The set-up is excellent. Fresh of their "break-up" Alicia and Kalinda must work together on judge murder which their client is charged for. Just as closing arguments for the case are given new evidence (in the form of a bloodied glove) ends up on Alicia's desk leading the team into a fresh new investigation. It sounds good, but the episode is something of a let-down, a fine episode - certainly, but it sort of fizzles in contrast to last week's episode. For me, The Good Wife is always at its best when it touches on the concepts of friendship - Kalinda/Alicia, Diane/Will, Eli/Peter or general politics and as a viewer the Will/Alicia dynamic is decidedly secondary for me. So, even though we get some suggestions of brilliance like Cary and Diane's cutesy banter or Eli and Alicia's pseudo face-off or Cary noticing Kalinda's coldness the fact that the end-all of all that could be is a lip-lock between Will and Alicia

[B/B+]

Modern Family: “See You Next Fall”

It’s a solidly fair episode and it’s great when the entire comes together – this time for Alex’s graduation. Hyland was great this episode helping Alex to see how terrible her original graduation speech would have been. The Claire/Phil arc wasn’t as precise as I’d hope but Bowen and Burrell (the MVPs on the show, for me right now) really can make anything work. Jay’s Botox seems a bit out of left-field but I love Mitchell’s reaction. The Cam/Mitchell arc was a bit silly, but Ferguson is hilarious when he comes as vaguely insensitive and the best part of the episode was him trying to convince everyone how Cam’s fall could have been funny.

[B/B+]

Cougar Town: Free Fallin'

This was an episode of classic greatness and even the potentially freaky arc of Grayson, Ellie, Tom and the chalk children didn’t end up hindering. On one hand Jules and Travis have concurrent bonding and sparring when he decides to drop out of college. This leads to a hilarious gag where Grayson pretends to be Travis and he and Jules end up making up. It is as weird as it sounds, even Ellie agrees. Then, Penny Can went national as Lou Diamond Philips became the face of the new and improved Penny Can and though in theory it’s Bobby’s arc it leads to a string of hilarious Laurie moments. It will be interesting see Bobby in an apartment now, and Travis on the boat.

[A-]

The Office: “Search Committee”

Krasinski, I always maintain, is a brilliant actor because he knows how to react to the madness around him and having him on the search committee responding to a host of madness and giving the camera his wan expressions was just great. This one hour didn’t top the Christmas episode – nothing this season did. But, in its placidity it was a fine close to the season. One of the surprising arcs which hit home was the potential for Phyllis and Erin to be mother and daughter. I’ve never been a fan of Phyllis but the arc ends up being funny and moving. Little things were excellently done, like Pam having to be the one to save the office from Creed or every bit character have their moment from Kelly and Ryan (I will always love those two) to Oscar and Darryl. It was perfectly orchestrated which serves as fine proof that as brilliant an addition Michael was the office is filled with a host of brilliant members. They can handle another season...but who will lead them? I hope it’s James Spader. He was brilliant!

[B+/A-]

Parks & Recreation: “The Bubble”

Parks and Recreation: “’Lil Sebastian”

A double episode closing for the greatest comedy on television at the moment seems about right. Ben meeting Leslie’s mother was all sorts of great. Scott is doing such great work on the show, I keep praying at least one cast members get Emmy love but damn they’re all worthy. That’s why the concept of them working like crazy on the funeral of ‘Lil Sebastian is both silly and fantastic. The cliff-hangers are striking but not exasperating because they’re so realistic. Leslie running for office is an excellent idea, which could be a problem with the Ben liaison. Tom leaving the office is logical, although I wonder how successful he would be. And then we get added pieces of greatness like Ron’s moustache burning off along with the return of Megan Mullally and Tammy I (whoever that is) and Chris mourning the loss of his youth which is too funny. Here’s an even better season four, but before that here’s praying for some Emmy love. Fingers crossed.

[A/A-]

[A-]

Grey’s Anatomy: “Unaccompanied Minor”

I swear I’ve been crazy emotional this week, it’s like all my aloofness has worn off over time and it’s all gone and that scene with the room waiting for that solitary minor made me really, really, really sad. It’s been a while since a one hour season finale and this one seemed especially un-seismic but still excellently solid. It’s a sensitive closing to a season that’s seen the show trying to find its way and by ending on softer note it works excellently. I’m worried about Alex, and I wish he and Meredith could have had it out. Hopefully next season doesn’t see him get crazy because I’d hate it if April got chief resident over me. But there’s bigger fish to fry, like Meredith’s suspension, Derek’s leaving and the baby’s arrival. All things handled sensitively and with great skill. But this week it’s Sandra Oh who delivers home. Her conflict makes sense to me, but I can see Owen’s point and it’s just all complicated for her – just as Meredith keeps stressing about her issues. It’s not black-and-white, it’s a murky deluge and I can’t wait to see what they do with the next season. I feel as if, finally, they’re back on track.

[A-]

Private Practice: “To Change the Things I Can”

Naomi’s departure wasn’t as big a thing as I’d hoped; I suppose having Audra leave quietly is the best thing for the show and Addison already has her issues of semi-depression. The practice’s move to a change is interesting, although I wonder if that’s going to be as big a change as they’re making it out to be. It’s weird, I don’t have much to say about the episode but it’s a good one. Violet and Pete’s drama is an interesting problem and Charlotte and Coop’s troubles at works makes for an interesting arc. The thing about this show, though, is that it’s so dedicated to being calm that sometimes it can come off seemed anaesthetised. This episode avoids that, hopefully season 5 continues on that.

[B+/A-]

             

Outstanding Writing

Grey’s Anatomy: A/A-

Parks & Recreation: A/A- (“The Bubble)

Cougar Town: B+/A-

Glee: B+/A-

The Office: B+/A-

            

Outstanding Performances

Amy Poehler in Parks & Recreation B+/A-

Sandra Oh in Grey’s Anatomy B+

Adam Scott in Parks & Recreation B+

Eve Best in Nurse Jackie B+ 

Jane Lynch in Glee B+

John Krasinski in The Office B+

John Corbett in United States of Tara B+

Nick Offerman in Parks & Recreation B+

Ty Burrell in Modern Family B+

                

Kate Walsh in Private Practice B+

Courtney Cox in Cougar Town B+

Toni Collette in United States of Tara B+

Busy Philipps in Cougar Town B+

Vanessa Williams in Desperate Housewives B+

Dan Byrd in Cougar Town B+

Christa Miller in Cougar Town B+

Rosemarie DeWitt in United States of Tara B+

         

What did you think of all these finales? Any stood out?

TV Week in Review: 8th-12th May

It’s another great week of TV as most shows wind down to the end of their seasons. The stakes are high, so most of them are in top form. I caught up on the episodes of Cougar Town and Modern Family from last week but missed this week’s Cougar Town (I’ll rectify that next week) AND I missed the second episode of Parks & Rec this week (sadness) which means I'll have three episodes of the show's best comedy up for review next week. Okay, moving on....

Cougar Town: “Lonesome Sundown”
It’s so great to watch how good of an actor Dan Byrd has become on this show, and whether it was being oddly humorous opposite Grayson or getting emotional opposite Kirsten (and then Jules) Travis was essential to that episode. But that was just a subplot alongside Jules moving into Bobby’s boat for a weekend while Laurie’s idea for “The Council” led to a string of hilarious gags. The episode was marked by all the whimsy, like Ellie realising that her life is nothing with [the ability to taunt] Laurie and Grayson and Travis doing some much needed bonding.
[B+]

Modern Family: “Mothers’ Day”
It was an essentially solid episode, although none of the three subplots were particularly stellar. The Cam/Mitchell issue was probably the most sincere –
Cam’s “crises” is understandable but it’s also hilarious. I do love Jesse Tyler Ferguson, even if I wish he’d get stronger material on a weekly basis. I didn’t love Bowen this week as much as I usually do – but that was more to do with the storyline, although I love moments where Luke and Manny have conversations. It always leads to hilarity. And, of course, Jay and Phil is always a recipe for awkwardness – in a good way.
[B/B+]

Desperate Housewives: “Then I Really Got Scared”
The episode is a lot of random stuff. Apparently the Solis household is back to normal a horror flick which Gaby shows Juanita ends up precipitating some night terrors and then an impromptu camping trip in the yard. On the upside, the presence of Lee worked well this episode but the closing with the random creepy guy who’s apparently searching for someone was just strange. Then, there’s Bree and Chuck. It gives Vanessa Williams an opportunity to turn up and be amazing, and the potential relationship between Bree and Chuck does seem good but something is off. The Lynnette/Tom storyline has reached cringe worthy heights. I have to say, I think Lynette is being ridiculous and Susan heading to jail for Felicia’s crime is bordering on ridiculous. Hopefully the finale makes more sense.
[B-/C+]

United States of Tara: “The Electrifying & Magnanimous Return of Beaverlamp”
Finally, I’m feeling something from Keir Gilchrist this season. As funny as all the madness with Tara’s alters is it is nice when the realism hits and it’s good seeing Marshall deal with that even if he’s too emotionally stunted for words (and it’s great seeing Lionel back). The episode, generally, is rooted in serious as Dr. Hatteras seems to be heading out owing to a fatal relapse in a patient he treated. Tara was in a good mood this week, though and watching her do such good planning for the birthday only to be waylaid by the new alter at the end. The best thing about this show, right now, is how everything is developing so well which brings me to my favourite arc of the episode – the excellent Brie Larson’s Kate. Something as simple as a tentative relationship with a passenger becomes much more poignant than I expected. Larson is really doing impressive stuff this season.
[B+]

Nurse Jackie: “Orchids and Salami”
Holy devil, Jackie is devious. The episode opens with her being the no-nonsense, good mother that she is but the way it switches to her drug issue ending on a troubling only underscores the dichotomy between good nurse and mother Jackie and drug addict Jackie. Now that we’re in the second half of the season the direction that show is taken is more obvious, and it’s going to be interesting to see what happens when everything flares up. I’ll admit that I love the rapport between O’Hara and Eddie, Best hasn’t gotten the opportunity to do anything brilliant, yet this season. Merrit Wever and Peter Facinelli were in top form, though. Wever was responsible for the comedic beats, like working on her blog – typing at a snail’s pace – and reminiscing with Thor about Kelly. But, it’s Coop who continues to be my favourite character. It’s both sad and hilarious watching his downward “spiral”. I really wish Facinelli would get some Emmy love.
[B+/A-]

Glee: “Prom Queen”

Jesse St. James is back! I have to admit, I was way less interested in the prom results than seeing Jonathan Groff back at McKinley. Of the three males Rachel has worked opposite the chemistry with Jesse worked best with the show (actually, the Puck/Rachel dynamic was more enjoyable but I won’t go there) so it’s nice seeing them get another killer duet. The one random thing was Mercedes’ sadness about prom. It’s not that it’s unwarranted, but just felt random – like all of Mercedes’ arcs seem now that I think of it. Other than that, it’s generally good. Oddly the highlight of the episode was Artie’s number which was so simple with the guys playing the instruments, it reminded me of old times (Glee wise). The climax of Kurt being prom queen didn’t really land as strongly as they seemed to want it to – sometimes Colfer just comes off as shrill to me, which is a shame because his comedic scenes are brilliant (just those few moments in the Home Economics class were great). Essentially, though, it’s a good episode and that bathroom conversation with Quinn and Rachel was surprisingly well contructed.
[B+]

The Good Wife: “Getting Off”

The dual arcs intersect nicely on this one. On one hand the lovely Mamie Gummer is back, a thorn in Alicia’s side and the arc features a guest spot from Sarah Silverman as a woman who owns a site that helps spouses to cheat. The crime itself is rather standard, but the concept of a triad marriage sparks some thinking on Alicia’s part which is proof that she’s not as holy as she thinks. But, of course this episode was all about that Kalinda/Alicia showdown. That scene of Panjabi in the elevator tops everything of the entire season, and all with no words. I’m not feeling Alicia’s perspective in either the Jackie or the Kalinda case, but Margulies delivers a forceful performance. It’s difficult to look away when Panjabi is on screen though. I want a three hour finale.
[A/A-]

Modern Family: “Good Cop, Bad Dog”

This is a nice solid episode of the show featuring the Dunphy clan in top form. Burrell and Bowen are so good in their roles it’s easy to forget that they’re actors and watching them switch roles for this episode was fun. Watching Phil, especially, being the main parent was a good highlight for the episode. And, we get to see the rapport between Manny and Luke, which is always a plus for me. The Gloria/Jay arc was excellent, but it was nice in its way underscoring the Mothers’ Day episode about Jay’s warmer interior, although Vergara’s performance felt over earnest. The Cam/Mitchell was better, though. I love the fact that Mitchell can be selfish at times and make it so logical, and it’s an interesting arc because I’m sure that almost everyone has been there.
[B+]

Community: “A Few More Paintballs”

So, another seasons ends. It’s a fine end to an iffy season of this show. Okay, perhaps not an iffy season. I’ve already confessed that the first half of episodes this season didn’t thrill but the show turned it around in the second half and they end on a powerful note. Everything works, from the blink and miss it cameo from Busy Philipps and Dan Byrd (go Cougar Town) to the star wars’ references which never went over the top to the resurgent theme of City College vs Greendale. It’s going to be interesting what becomes of Pierce and they leave us questioning that without turning it into too much of a cliff-hanger.
[A-]

The Office: “Dwight K. Schrute, (Acting) Manager”

I don’t know about anyone else, but I think the show is doing well without Michael. Dwight achieves his dream this episode, and naturally it leads to goodness. I’m not a big fan of a Dwight, I’m all for Jim but whenever the conflict between the two rears its head I’m excited. Dwight is at his most ridiculous and Wilson turns in a fine performance, and it ties in so well with the other office drama of Andy/Erin/Gabe. Gabe is becoming unhinged (and disturbing); it’ll be interesting to see what becomes of that. I’m glad to see the show is remaining solid.
[B+]

Parks & Recreation: “The Fight”

Hate to be a broken record here, but yet again this show turns in a near flawless episode. Poehler’s writing is excellent and the thing I’m most happy about is the chance for Rashida Jones to get some good work in AND become a worker of the department which should give her more screen-time. Tom’s ideas are always insanely good, or goodly insane. Either way it makes for great plot-lines and the concept of Andy and April playing dress-up was hilarious. April especially was brilliant playing her widowed character. Is it wrong that that blink-and-miss it moment of chemistry between Ann and Ben made me happy? God, this show is just perfection.
[A/A-]

Grey’s Anatomy: “I Will Survive”

Grey’s did a fair job this season. Much better than their worse season (season six) but often just fair and this penultimate episode here shows that they haven’t lost it. It’s not a seismic episode, but it’s well contrasted while managing to move plots forwards and maintains the balance between light humour and comedy. Oh is dominant in the episode and she’s great. Does anyone else notice how this season has rarely given actors the chance to shine? I miss the days when almost every episode was worthy of Emmy submission for at least one actor. Alex’s relationship with Lucy ends, which doesn’t bother me – I never cared for her. That rejection, though, leading to a drunken Alex could be destructive to Meredith, what with her tampering with the clinical trial and all. It seems like the season finale is going to be something great.
[B+/A-]

Private Practice: “God Bless the Child”

Addison and Naomi make up, and it’s about time. This is Addison’s episode as she deals with a patient getting an abortion and Walsh delivers. That’s measured against the return of Dell’s daughter and her potential abuse by her foster parents. To be honest, Violet has been annoying me a bit this season but she’s strong in that final scene of hers and it’s nice to see her and Naomi have a moment. I’m not sure what the season’s end will bring, though.
[B/B+]

Standout Writing
The Good Wife A
Parks & Recreation A/A-
Community A-
Nurse Jackie B+/A-

Random Thoughts

• Of all the random pairings on Nurse Jackie, I love the interactions between Thor and Coop.
• Am I the Glee fan who doesn’t think Colfer is an excellent actor?
• Seriously, the fact that Kalinda actually cried tears pierced my cold heart. But, now I want her to be an ice-queen to Alicia.
• I wish the character being killed off was Finn. Sue me.

             
Standout Performances
Archie Panjabi in The Good Wife: A
Julianna Margulies in >The Good Wife A-
Amy Poehler in Parks & Recreation A-
Toni Collette in United States of Tara B+/A-
Rashida Jones in Parks & Recreation B+/A-
Sandra Oh in Grey’s Anatomy B+/A-
  
Brie Larson in United States of Tara B+
Merrit Wever in Nurse Jackie B+
Aubrey Plaza in Parks & Recreation B+
John Krasinski in The Office B+
Keir Gilchrist in United States of Tara B+
Edie Falco in Nurse Jackie B+
Peter Facinelli in Nurse Jackie B+
Naya Rivera in Glee B+
Kate Walsh in Private Practice B+
Dan Byrd in Cougar Town B+
John Corbett in United States of Tara B+
                 Did you like Greendale’s send-off? Who did you vote for the prom queen? Did the Kalicia (Kalinda/Alicia) blow-up work for you? What did you watch this week?

TV Week in Review: 1st-5th May

So, another fairly good week of TV. I missed ABC’s Wednesday lineup, so I’ll probably include that in next week’s slate when I get the chance.

Desperate Housewives: “I’ll Swallow Poison on Sunday”

It’s not as well constructed an episode as the last two were, but it’s a generally solid movement forward in terms of general plot. Lynnette continues to exasperate, and I’m both impressed that the writers are allowing a main character to be so wrong about something and annoyed that she continues to miss the same relationship with cues with Tom after seven seasons (and 12 years counting that 5 year jump). Susan’s liaison with Paul is thickened by Felicia’s attempts to poison him which are interesting but disturbing and not necessarily in a good way. Bree dominates the episode for me. Her imminent relationship with the detective Chuck is interesting to watch, especially measured against her issues with the Solis clan. It’s so silly of Carlos, but I suppose it’s best for Gaby to work on her marriage than her friendship with Bree. I figure some disaster will happen to make him rethink his decision, but I hope it doesn’t end up coming off too trite.

[B/B-]

United States of Tara: “The Road to Hell is Paved with Breast Intentions”

I have to say that I’m really disinterested in Marshall as a character this season, he’s always been something of a voyeur but I don’t know – it’s gotten worse, not a deal breaker for the show by any means, but just unfortunate. On the other hand, Kate as a flight attendant seems like a fine way to use Larson’s talents (really, isn’t she doing great work this season) and it’ll be interesting to see what – if anything – comes of her potential affiance with the scruffy haired passenger. Tara’s issues with her mother were necessary, on an emotional level, I suppose but they didn’t resound with me as much as I’d have hoped but it’s essentially a good episode. Can’t believe we’re half way through the season already, though – but a lot has happened.

[B/B+]

            

Nurse Jackie: “When the Saints Go”

It’s different on Nurse Jackie, though. The season has been going well, but I can’t really pinpoint any significant arc that has happened to put the rest of the episodes into perspective. Coop bonding with the trauma patient was an interesting arc. I suppose O’Hara and Jackie need to rekindle their friendship, but the latter is coming off even colder than usual in her personal life though the moment at the end with Gloria was nicely played. It was an episode of little things, and Zooey was great pondering of little things like her relationship. I do love the show, but it’s weird how continuity is not a significant portion of it. Not that it its non-contiguous, all the episodes just seem to exist in their own sphere.

[B/B+]

Glee: “Rumours”

So, on the upside Kristin Chenoweth is back and there’s no way she’s never not-awesome but on the downside she gets one song. Anarchy. So, rumours....it works with the dramatic beats much better than I expected even if I’m nonplussed about why Sam’s past is the one we’re delving into. Random much? The continuity works on bits like Will’s quest for stardom measured against his love for the Glee club. And, the smaller drama like the Finn/Rachel/Quinn mess (how I wish Finn and Rachel never become a couple again) is tempered enough to not be annoying. The second half does feel a bit disjointed in that a whole sloth of exposition is revealed making it seem like a lot’s been left on the cutting room floor (especially in relation to Will/April and Britney/Artie) and I wish they’d have cut the final song for tying up some lose ends. But, it works – for the most part. But how seriously random is it that Sam’s past is the one we delve into? Tina, Mercedes, Mike, Santana, Brittney and most importantly PUCK are all characters whose family life we have no idea about. Ugh, fail Ryan Murphy...

[B/B+]

The Good Wife: “In Sickness”

The explosions in relation to Alicia finding out about Peter and Leela (aka Kalinda) haven’t actually reached to the surface, so in a way this episode should be something of a filler, but it’s still one of the best of the season. There’s a potent tension pervading the entire one hour, and even though – for me – The Good Wife is all about the awesomeness that is Kalinda Sharma, and to a lesser degree Christine Lockhart it was nice watching Alicia ground an entire episode, almost devoid of supporting players. As always the main case is responsible for less than a third of the actual story, and kudos to Mary Beth Peil for turning a great performance as Jackie. It’s been a great television for female guest stars, but in too scenes she surprises me some emotion I’d never noticed in her before. The strongest scene was probably Alicia’s conversation with her children, Mackenzie Vega is often more than a little annoying but it works this episode around. It’s the personal moments like these which make this show more than just another run-of-the-mill procedural. Moreover, as petty as Peter’s accusations at the end of the episode were they are worthy of consideration. Alicia’s not the only victim here.

[A-]

Community: “A Fist-full of Paintballs”

I didn’t much care for the original paintball episode, but this one was brilliant. Perhaps, it was because there was a significant amount of plot infused with the hijinks of the shootout – I don’t know, I hate to conduct post-mortems. Still, it’s a good one. Pierce’s continual annoyance has made his place in the group questionable which acts as an episode for Annie to shine all the while backed up by the usual silliness that marks Greendale. I’m interested in seeing what the conclusion to it all will be, but even on its own this episode is a definite success.

[A-]

The Office: “The Inner Circle”

The first episode after Michael’s goodbye and it’s a good one. I’m still not sold on Deangelo as a character, but it’s so good watching the usual suspects work around him. I have to say I hate how little a role Krasinski has played this season (he was in my top 5 last year) so it’s nice that he gets an episode to do what he does best: make great facial expressions and balance that bathetic humour of his. The episode was filled with great bits, too. For example, how great is it seeing the power-couple, Ryan and Kelly, dealing with the madness of Deangelo. What does Ryan do at Dunder Mifflin? And then, Dwight too is so good working out his own issues with Deangelo. The women get a chance to do good stuff (I miss Angela’s insanity) and it ends in a wonderful gag. True, Deangelo is no Michael Scott but this show will always be about the ensemble, and they’re in top form. We can work around Ferrell.

[B+]

Parks & Recreation: “Eagleton”

Each time I think this show has realised its awesomeness and will just continue being brilliant it gets even more brilliant. Amy Poehler has been turning in some brilliant work this season, and now it’s getting difficult for me to decide which episode she’s best in. The episode has two arcs and they complement each other well because they’re both about how excellent Leslie is at her job. True, Parker Posey is hilarious and it’s interesting to think of a young Leslie and the conflict between Eagleton and Pawnee was excellent. But, it’s even more fun how well she knows Ron so that she can plan the perfect birthday for him complete with steak, breakfast food and The Bridge on the River Kwai. And, of course, there were random moments of greatness like Tom telling off Lindsay, and that garbae fight with Leslie and Lindsay and those great Leslie/Ann moments. Yup, this IS the best comedy on TV, perhaps the best show.

[A]

30 Rock: “Respawn”

I didn’t even realise that this was the season finale of the show until afterwards, and considering the goodness that went on last week it’s a bit of a letdown. It sort of encapsulates how volatile this season one, filled with goodness and then combated with some head scratchers. Little moments worked especially well – like Liz in court, or Jenna breaking into that wool song but overall it was a bit too limp and it’s a shame because the show still has the ability to wow. The episode was just too disjointed. The Kenneth/Jack issue fails terribly, even if I get the concept and it’s the same for Jenna’s story. They give her a significant, but it’s something of a doozy. I suppose 30 Rock wouldn’t be the same without these odd curveballs, but still...

[B-/C+]

Grey’s Anatomy: “White Wedding”

It’s nice to see that Grey’s is continuing its easy trend back to goodness. It’s a nice episode, free of thrills but a good way of giving Callie and Arizona (and Derek and Meredith) their first step into marriage. It’s free of thrills, but not necessarily of drama. It’s going to be interesting to see what becomes of Alex suspecting of Meredith’s tampering with the clinical trial and I love the ambiguity of it all in that her motives were selfless. Then, there’s Cristina and Teddy and both women have strong cases so it’s difficult to pick a side. Well, not really (Sandra Oh, all the way). I’m glad they didn’t go for the easy way out with Callie’s mother and it’s nice that Bailey was the one who made her see the light. AND Derek and Meredith plan on adopting one gorgeous African baby, so it’s all good. 

[B/B+]

Private Practice: “Something Old, Something New”

It’s a fairly good episode as Coop and Charlotte tie the knot, but it’s about more than that. Addison and Naomi are still at odds and Addison’s motives finally make sense now that I think of it – though I wish the two best friends would just kiss and make up already. I’m less interested about the Addison and Sam relationship, though. Violet’s issues are another thing I’m puzzled about. On one hand, it’s unfortunate but the always practical Naomi is not being overly conscientious by worrying about the practice. It’s nice that Coop and Charlotte decided to just screw it and elope but it feels sort of like a band aid over a big bullet hole. There’s a lot of issues the entire practice needs to sort out...

[B/B-]

Random Thoughts

• Wouldn’t it be a nice Emmy category be “best episode titles”?


• Can you believe that THIS is the first time Quinn/Finn actually sing a song. Once again, I wish the two would remain together. I have virtually no interest in their romantic affairs but they complement each other, vocally especially.


• So, who else thinks Alex gets Chief Resident?


• Is it wrong that I wish Pierce would leave the show?

Standout Writing

The Good Wife A-

Parks & Recreation A-

Community A-

Standout Performances

Amy Poehler in Parks & Recreation A/A-

Julianna Margulies in The Good Wife A-

Alison Brie in Community A-

John Krasinski in The Office B+

Nick Offerman in Parks & Recreation B+

          

Peter Facinelli in Nurse Jackie: B+

Marcia Cross in Desperate Housewives B/B+

Merrit Wever in Nurse Jackie B/B+
Sara Ramirez in Grey's Anatomy B/B+
Rosemarie Dewitt in United States of Tara: B+
Brie Larson in United States of Tara B/B+

         

What did you watch this week?