So, finally, interminably, we get to the fight where we learn that yes, sometimes The Kids can take out God.
Sorry God. Good show. You’ll get ‘em next time.
Monday
American Idol - Fox
Lots of American Idol talk this week, as always. I don’t subscribe to the madness myself, but check out the uber-post here.
Tuesday
The Shield - FX
Things down at The Farm trended steadily darker this week, with no one getting what they wanted and everyone getting at least a little bit dirty in the process. We've got Dutch (Jay Karnes, who really turns in a great, natural performance every week as the slightly anal, slightly brainy white bread detective) playing games with the DA to protect Wyms (CCH Pounder), who by the anyhoo is busy scoring some medical-type weed for afflicted fam. Meanwhile, Det. Shane Vendrell (Walt Goggins) is playing at shield-wielding crime boss and dealing with Antoine Mitchell to boot. Capt. Rawling (played by the great Glenn Close, who turning in fine work) is losing cred with the community with property seizures, and Aceveda, now a City Councilman, is trolling for high-class hookers and embarking on some kind of a dark sexual journey to deal with the fact that his wife got raped.
Compared to all of that, Mackey’s (Michael Chiklis – always fun to watch in every scene) tough guy vices seem pretty small in comparison. The plot is coalescing well around the bald bull dog, and the writing is blending episodic caseload plotlines with an umbrella story arc. And that's what I look for in a weekly drama.
Vendrell and Mackey and Rawling and Mitchell are going to be a lot of fun to watch down the stretch.
The Office - NBC
A good sitcom with solid laughs. Not great, but just being able to make that statement is a fairly big achievement in today’s comedy landscape. There was some nice character development this episode, such as the budding flirtation between Pam Beesley (Jenna Fischer) and Jim Halpert (John Krasinski).
For brief moments, there’s still too much of a lean upon on the brilliantly awkward BBC version, but hopefully that will abide over time. Indeed, it has to as the Britcom only totaled twelve total episodes during its entire run.
Wednesday
Lost - ABC
Another show that drifted into darker territory: this week brought the slow, painful death of Boone (Ian Somerhalder). Almost every character on this tremendous new show has been compelling and interesting, but losing Boone cut deep.
Article comments
1 - Aaron, Duke De Mondo
excellent stuff yet again, Eric. I really must get me some of this Arrested Development malarkey. Every time i hear the name i jsut get Mr Wendall playing in my head. Anything bringing back those kinda vibes can't be all bad.
And you reminded me of something i meant to ask a while back - do you know how many episodes of this first series have been made of The Office, or how many are intended? Presumably it'll get more interesting as they start to focus less on the BBC plots.
2 - Eric Berlin
Thanks Duke. The quick answer to your question is that I don't know how many eps of The Office we'll see. But save some quick/bizarre cancellation (it's doing pretty well with audience and critics thus far) we'll see at least 13 eps in the first season, and likely the normal run of 22 or 24 for the next full season.
And because it's Friday, I give you:
Take me to another place, take me to another land, let me understand...
3 - Aaron, Duke De Mondo
ha! brilliant!
"tennessee...."
4 - Tom Johnson
I have seen 6 eps of the Office listed, which would make sense - long enough to fill the gap between sweeps seasons but not too long that it takes up precious space on the schedule during sweeps, when it's likely to take a nose-dive in ratings when people flock to the really stellar programming sweeps is known for (that's sarcasm, by the way.)
And, by the way (part two,) Eric, I also really like this rundown of shows every week.
5 - Tom Johnson
Forgot to mention: I was a tad disappointed with this week's Lost. It didn't really progress the story at all, but did tie up at least one critical plot point revolving around Claire's baby. I don't think Boone was all that important to the story, but I'm pretty sure he'll be back in Shannon's flashbacks in later episodes (next season, presumably.) I'm also disappointed that there's not another new episode until May 4. Another month without new shows? This, and the really irritating amount of commercial breaks, are two things that drive me crazy about this show, or maybe ABC is to blame. Either way, knock it off!
6 - Eric Berlin
Tom -- thanks very much. I was about to mention this on last week's post, but I'll mention here: I talked about your assertions regarding Arrested Development (subversive beneath-the-radar shots taken at Fox on last week's show) on my podcast, Dumpster Bust Radio, last week.
Have you seen/heard anything more about them? I'm curious to get more info there -- very interesting stuff.
If you didn't see above, Cathode Ray Fray is now a regular segment on the radio show, so you might like to check it out. Any feedback, of course, would be much appreciated.
7 - Eric Berlin
I had no idea we were in for another month of reruns on Lost: Blast!
Luckily, I usually watch everything via DVR, so I get to steamroll through the commercials: car, soda, Burger King, car, McDonalds... ah, Lost.
Except reruns: Blast!
Oh: and I'm with you regarding this week's Lost to a certain extent, which is why I bumped it down from Best Show on Television to a new just-about-best category. It's fun to see how my feelings change week-to-week on these things.