This show is like the primetime ripoff of HBO's Nurse Jackie. I'm not going to say much more about that for those of you waiting to watch it when it comes onto DVD. However Mercy does have some unique differences that interest me. And also i really liked Nurse Jackie so this isn't such a bad thing.
Did anybody else think Michelle Trachtenberg's role reminded you a little too much like little Dawn Summers?
Anyway, I like this show, a little disappointed that it'd already been done but i'm going to try and get past that.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Community Episode 2
Alison's Take - What happened to all the funny?
Gavin's Take - This is a somewhat different format than we usually use for reviews/comments, but I felt that with Alison's somewhat abrupt (justified?) comments, it wasn't worth creating a whole new posting just for some additional notes. First let me say I definitely understand where you're coming from. The episode lacked some of the unique punch that a great comedy has, and was sorely lacking for major laugh out loud moments. That said, I didn't completely hate the episode. There was some character development, and while the Spanish teacher is, for the moment, just another caricature in the show, I have hopes that the other characters will develop into more rounded parts, which will allow him (and some other bit players) to serve as comedic backdrop. Where they belong.
The last thing I'll say is that while the development of characters took something of a step forward in this episode, albeit a relatively small one, it does remain a bit awkward and forced in the development. The writers need to find their voice if the show is going to take off. For the time being, it's safe based on its time slot, but that won't be true forever. Let's all hope they get it together. Anyone else have any thoughts?
Gavin's Take - This is a somewhat different format than we usually use for reviews/comments, but I felt that with Alison's somewhat abrupt (justified?) comments, it wasn't worth creating a whole new posting just for some additional notes. First let me say I definitely understand where you're coming from. The episode lacked some of the unique punch that a great comedy has, and was sorely lacking for major laugh out loud moments. That said, I didn't completely hate the episode. There was some character development, and while the Spanish teacher is, for the moment, just another caricature in the show, I have hopes that the other characters will develop into more rounded parts, which will allow him (and some other bit players) to serve as comedic backdrop. Where they belong.
The last thing I'll say is that while the development of characters took something of a step forward in this episode, albeit a relatively small one, it does remain a bit awkward and forced in the development. The writers need to find their voice if the show is going to take off. For the time being, it's safe based on its time slot, but that won't be true forever. Let's all hope they get it together. Anyone else have any thoughts?
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Castle
So apparently saying "I'm Sorry" is the cure all for the tension between lead detective Beckett and mystery novelist Castle. That really annoyed me. But I probably hold grudges more that most. I still have it in for that girl in my 7th grade gym class who mocked my last name. But I digress. I suppose the show would be over without the apology. But did he really need to? Sure he violated her trust and snooped into her past. But he had good intentions, right? Or was he just trying to satisfy his own curiosity? Well regardless of whether or not he did wrong, is an apology enough? And does it even count when it's said with selfish intentions?
If anybody else is watching, I'd love your input.
If anybody else is watching, I'd love your input.
Dancing with the Stars
We have some good dancers this season and some not so good dancers. We have clear fan favorites too. I'd look out for Mark Dacascos (Host of Iron Chef America) and his partner Lacey. Also snowboarder Louis Vito and Chelsea. We have Donny Osmond who can charm the audience and the judges, plus he's not bad. Also we have popper Aaron Carter who took home a first place finish in scores over the men. Ashley Hamilton, son of bronzed George Hamilton, was the first to be eliminated.
Over on the Women's side watch Natalie Coughlin (decorated Olympic swimmer) and singer Mya. But most surprisingly Kelly Osbourne shines in talent and personality, especially considering her father is Ozzy. We also have Melissa Joan Hart, best known as Sabrina the Teenage Witch. And Macy Gray was the first woman eliminated from the competition.
Over on the Women's side watch Natalie Coughlin (decorated Olympic swimmer) and singer Mya. But most surprisingly Kelly Osbourne shines in talent and personality, especially considering her father is Ozzy. We also have Melissa Joan Hart, best known as Sabrina the Teenage Witch. And Macy Gray was the first woman eliminated from the competition.
Heroes
I'm pleased with this new chapter, Redemption. So far it looks promising. Peter is desperate to make up for his crimes by saving people. HRG is trying to find his way with this new company, maybe it's time for him to help them instead of bagging and tagging. Clare is just starting college. What annoys me about the former cheerleader is that she just doesn't seem to learn. She's always making a mess for her fathers to clean up. Tracy is back with a vengeance but quickly allies herself with HRG. Nathan/Sylar is going through a crisis, perhaps that's because he isn't actually nathan. Sylar is haunting Matt Parkman, asking to be put back into his body. Hiro and Ando are trying to save the world, and Hiro finds himself on a path of redemption, to right all the wrongs he's done to people in the past. And more interestingly we have new villians, the carnies? But i'm curious, are they actually villians or all they just trying to redeem their life.
More to come throughout the season for sure.
On the negative side, i'm a little disappointed that we don't get to see the fallout from Dankos and Nathans initiative. How did they all go from being enemies of the state to living perfectly normal lives. Especially Matt Parkman who showed up at the white house last season with a bomb strapped to his chest, how is he now detective?
More to come throughout the season for sure.
On the negative side, i'm a little disappointed that we don't get to see the fallout from Dankos and Nathans initiative. How did they all go from being enemies of the state to living perfectly normal lives. Especially Matt Parkman who showed up at the white house last season with a bomb strapped to his chest, how is he now detective?
The Modern Family
So this show is hilarious. I'm not just saying that. I was actually laughing out loud. Modern family is just that, a take on the modern family. So we have Married with Children alum Ed O'Neill who plays a newly remarried man and father. His new wife happens to be at least 20 years younger. His two adult children Julie Bowen (Ed) and Jesse Tyler Ferguson (best known as the guy with red hair).
Julie Bowen's family consists on the husband and father who wants to be best friends with his children and thinks he is super cool, the fifteen year old daughter who is snotty and thinks she should be allowed to have a tall dark handsome senior in her room with the door closed, a younger daughter (12ish) who so far has made no impression, and a young boy (probably ten). The family dynamic is crazy and chaotic. Punishment is not normal. The boy shoots his sister with a cap gun and as punishment he must be shot too. Well this turns out to be a problem, and not in the moral way. They just don't have the time, so after a discussion they schedule in the shooting.
And then the third family consists of the red head son and his overly dramatic partner. And amongst all the drama of adopting a baby and not telling his parents is plenty of laughter. If you don't laugh at this show then you are seriously lacking some humor. (Also a little side note, this show is done sort of in the same manor of The Office and Parks and Recreation, that faux interview style, or Mr./Mrs. Smith marriage counseling style.) So any thoughts on this must see show?
Julie Bowen's family consists on the husband and father who wants to be best friends with his children and thinks he is super cool, the fifteen year old daughter who is snotty and thinks she should be allowed to have a tall dark handsome senior in her room with the door closed, a younger daughter (12ish) who so far has made no impression, and a young boy (probably ten). The family dynamic is crazy and chaotic. Punishment is not normal. The boy shoots his sister with a cap gun and as punishment he must be shot too. Well this turns out to be a problem, and not in the moral way. They just don't have the time, so after a discussion they schedule in the shooting.
And then the third family consists of the red head son and his overly dramatic partner. And amongst all the drama of adopting a baby and not telling his parents is plenty of laughter. If you don't laugh at this show then you are seriously lacking some humor. (Also a little side note, this show is done sort of in the same manor of The Office and Parks and Recreation, that faux interview style, or Mr./Mrs. Smith marriage counseling style.) So any thoughts on this must see show?
The Good Wife
So I wasn't sure I was going to watch this show, but in the end I'm fairly glad I did. It was an overall enjoyable addition to Tuesday night television, which is fairly empty for the time being. I'm not sure it'll bump serious television off my list, and it's not a huge priority at this early juncture, but for a pilot, it was quite good.
For those of you who aren't watching, the show (CBS, 10PM) features Julianna Margulies (formerly of ER) as Alicia Florrick, lawyer and wife of politician Peter Florrick, played by Chris Noth (formerly of Law & Order and Sex And The City). Peter Florrick has been thrown in jail as a result of a recent scandal, and Alicia, who has spent the last thirteen years as a homemaker, is forced back into her life as a defense attorney. As you might imagine, she has a few problems to deal with, including her lack of recent experience, the fact that she's starting at the bottom of the pile (as a junior associate) and the fact that everyone around her is judging her marriage.
For the time being it appears that Chris Noth's character is going to play a relatively minor role, although there's potential for that to change in the future. Overall, Julianna Margulies performs admirably in the role, and while she doesn't blow me away, it's possible that it's because she's had little to work with so far. It's not usually fair to judge a show based solely on the pilot, so you can be sure that I'll be watching next week to see if the show gets better, stagnates, or gets worse. Will you be watching?
For those of you who aren't watching, the show (CBS, 10PM) features Julianna Margulies (formerly of ER) as Alicia Florrick, lawyer and wife of politician Peter Florrick, played by Chris Noth (formerly of Law & Order and Sex And The City). Peter Florrick has been thrown in jail as a result of a recent scandal, and Alicia, who has spent the last thirteen years as a homemaker, is forced back into her life as a defense attorney. As you might imagine, she has a few problems to deal with, including her lack of recent experience, the fact that she's starting at the bottom of the pile (as a junior associate) and the fact that everyone around her is judging her marriage.
For the time being it appears that Chris Noth's character is going to play a relatively minor role, although there's potential for that to change in the future. Overall, Julianna Margulies performs admirably in the role, and while she doesn't blow me away, it's possible that it's because she's had little to work with so far. It's not usually fair to judge a show based solely on the pilot, so you can be sure that I'll be watching next week to see if the show gets better, stagnates, or gets worse. Will you be watching?
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