Network: Fox
Time: Tuesdays, 8:00-9:00pm
Cast: Matthew Morrison, Jane Lynch, Lea Michele, Cory Monteith, Chris Colfer, Amber Riley, Kevin McHale, Jenna Ushkowitz, Mark Salling, Dianna Agron, Heather Morris, Naya Rivera, Harry Shum Jr., Darren Criss, Jayma Mays
Summary: Its fall and that means back to school for the students and faculty at McKinley High. The New Directions clan returns after a devastating loss at Nationals, so Mr. Schuester assigns a project to get them back on track. Meanwhile, Sue Sylvester starts her congressional campaign.
Review: Oh, Glee.
I don't understand how a show can be so simultaneously frustrating and wonderful. There were moments in this episode that reminded me of every reason I began watching. And there were moments where I just shook my head at the disaster.
Let's do a pro-con list for this one. Pro: The music. I feel like Glee tried to be so poppy last season that the music began to suffer (Justin Bieber? Come on...). This episode went back to its roots: Broadway and classic pop/rock. There were songs from the Wiz, Anything Goes, Hairspray, Tom Jones and the Go-Go's. Don't get me wrong, I like when they do (some of) the modern stuff too, but this is the stuff that made me first fall in love with this show. Also, unlike in other episodes, I felt like all the songs worked in this episode. They were well-sung, well-choreographed (come on, tell me Rachel and Kurt's broom dance didn't make you smile just a little), and well-produced.
Con: Quinn. Ugh, girl, get it together. While I dig the smoke-raspy voice (which I'm sure won't make her singing voice anymore interesting) and the pink hair, I'm not feeling the Quinn-as-a-bad-girl vibe. She's just too... vanilla. For a girl who got pregnant with the guy she cheated on her boyfriend with, then cheated on a new boyfriend with the old one, she really can't pull off "bad girl" that well (I reread that sentence three times to make sure it was right. This show is a soap opera). I appreciate the direction they're trying to go--and I like focusing on something that isn't the Glee club (ironic) or the Cheerios--but Dianna Agron isn't a strong enough actress to own this story.
And sending Rachel to appeal to her was just silly. "We were friends once." Really? Was this just before she stole Finn from you, or when you stole him back from her?
Pro: Kurt and Rachel. Honestly, if they do make a spin-off where they move to New York and start musical theatre careers, I'm there. I love their new best buddy relationship, I love their voices when they sing together, and I love how they can be totally cheesy when they're supporting each other and it doesn't make me want to punch either of them. The combined scenes where they sang "Ding Dong! The Witch is Dead!," went to the NYADA mixer, and cried in the car were my favorite parts of this episode. (Side note: I only watched a couple episodes of The Glee Project, so I didn't realize until these scenes that Lindsay Pearce had such an amazing voice.) I like that Rachel has at least one relationship where she's not competing. Even with Finn (who had blissfully little focus this episode), she seems to always be competing against something for his attention. With Kurt, the relationship seems easy. They can both be talented and driven, but not be at odds with each other (anymore). However, Emma did stress how difficult it is to get into NYADA, so I hope they don't go back to making them competitors.
Con: Sue. Sue went from "that's ridiculous" in season 1 to "I can't believe I'm still watching this" in season 3. Running for Congress on the platform of cutting the arts makes for a funny storyline, but watching Sue destroy the purple piano was almost painful to watch (especially because poor Tina never gets to finish a song). At some point you start to wonder how she's never been arrested for the way she abuses those kids. The only redeeming point of this story was that she made Becky a co-captain, which means we'll get to see more of Lauren Potter this season.
Pro, with a side of con: Kurt and Blaine. While I'm happy their relationship is flourishing (and should continue to do so, now that Blaine is a full-fledged New Direction), they're a little too sappy for me. That being said, I guess they get a few episodes, since I'm sure an openly gay couple at McKinley isn't going to see sunshine and roses for long. Plus, I'd rather see them together than not. (Side note: Emma handing Rachel the Hag brochure was comedy gold.)
Con, with a side of pro: Mercedes and Marcus. First of all, woah, that is one big dude. Secondly, I need a little more convincing on this relationship. I'll admit, I was a bit of a Samcedes shipper, but I am glad Mercedes has a man. However, they've been dating for... what, two to three months? And he's talking babies? At seventeen? Give me a break.
Pro, with a side of con: Wemma. I love the idea of Will and Emma as a couple, I really do (OK, I'm secretly a Sue/Will (Swill?) shipper, but that's not realistic just yet). She's better for him than pretty much anybody else on the show, he's patient with her (his breakdown in Figgins' office was fun), and they're all-around adorable. Or maybe a little Stepford. They make each other's lunches. And were those matching superhero lunchboxes? It's just a little creepy is all I'm saying.
Con, with a side of...con: Sugar. Yes, because if there's a group of people Glee still hasn't made fun of that they really should have, it was people with Asperger's. Not only didn't I see any comedy in this story, but I found it downright offensive (and in the world of Glee, it was really hard to find something more offensive than usual). Yes, she was a spoiled rich kid who was a really bad singer (though the "trying not to be smug" look on Rachel's face when she realized that made me laugh). Who cares? She was as annoying as Rachel without any of the (few) redeeming qualities.
All things considered, this episode was better than many of last season's, but it has the potential to head downhill. Hopefully I'll be pleasantly surprised as the season continues on.
Rating: 4/5
Favorite line:
Kurt [about the YouTube video of Finn kissing Rachel at Nationals]: The comment section is just full of pithy banter, like “Why is that T-Rex eating the Jew?”
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Criminal Minds - It Takes a Village
Network: CBS
Time: Wednesdays, 9:00-10:00pm
Cast: Thomas Gibson, Joe Mantegna, Paget Brewster, Matthew Gray Gubler, Shemar Moore, Kirsten Vangness, AJ Cook
Summary: In the seventh-season opener, the team's actions in the aftermath of the loss of Prentiss are questioned by a Senate committee, and a familiar person unexpectedly appears to rally them.
Review: So far, I've felt the premieres were only mediocre this season. Apparently this is the one I was waiting for.
This episode jumped back and forth in time. In the present day, the team was on trial (well, on hearing) for actions taken over the last few months, actions that ultimately brought down Ian Doyle, the man responsible for Emily Prentiss's "death." In the flashbacks, we got to see what the team has been up to since we last left our heroes in May. Apparently Hotch has been in Pakistan, but the rest of the team, led by Morgan and aided by Garcia, were hard at work on Doyle's trail. Morgan had made it his mission to get the guy who hurt one of theirs. He followed Doyle's son Declan around until Doyle caught up with them. When he and the team caught Doyle, they found out Declan had been snatched too. Which is when Hotch called Prentiss to return so they could find out who took the boy and save his life.
There was almost nothing I didn't like about this episode. I spontaneously burst into tears three times (once when Emily first walked in, once when she was apologizing to Morgan, and once when she was reciting the FBI oath at the end). I sat on the edge of my seat waiting to see if Doyle was going to get away, or if they were going to save Declan (because Criminal Minds is so not above killing kids if it suits their needs). I sympathized with Morgan's anger and felt like both Prentiss and Reid needed hugs through most of the episode.
In short, this episode had what almost every episode was lacking in season 6: watchability. I had a desire to keep the TV on, a desire to get through commercials as fast as possible to get back to the action.
It also had the full team back.
And maybe I was just so happy to see AJ Cook and Paget Brewster back (and to see them finally using AJ Cook) that I'm glossing over problems with the episode. There were some. I would have liked to see more of the team's reactions besides Morgan's, particularly Reid's, since he and Prentiss were so close by the end of season 6. The episode also felt a little rushed, probably because they crammed so much into one hour in their desire to wrap up this story. They went from finding out that Declan was alive to catching Doyle in the blink of an eye, and I honestly felt that if both Morgan and Doyle could find the kid in less than a month, maybe Prentiss didn't do such a great job hiding him.
But these problems were small in the grand scheme of the premiere. The team is back together, and that seems to have been the missing piece. Season 6 wasn't exactly bad, but not one of those episodes held my attention the way this one did. I was hooked right from the beginning, and I wasn't disappointed by how it all played out. I can't wait to see where the season is going to go.
For more crime TV news, follow NewarkCrimeTV on Twitter.
Email me at NewarkCrimeTV@gmail.com.
Rating: 5/5
Time: Wednesdays, 9:00-10:00pm
Cast: Thomas Gibson, Joe Mantegna, Paget Brewster, Matthew Gray Gubler, Shemar Moore, Kirsten Vangness, AJ Cook
Summary: In the seventh-season opener, the team's actions in the aftermath of the loss of Prentiss are questioned by a Senate committee, and a familiar person unexpectedly appears to rally them.
Review: So far, I've felt the premieres were only mediocre this season. Apparently this is the one I was waiting for.
This episode jumped back and forth in time. In the present day, the team was on trial (well, on hearing) for actions taken over the last few months, actions that ultimately brought down Ian Doyle, the man responsible for Emily Prentiss's "death." In the flashbacks, we got to see what the team has been up to since we last left our heroes in May. Apparently Hotch has been in Pakistan, but the rest of the team, led by Morgan and aided by Garcia, were hard at work on Doyle's trail. Morgan had made it his mission to get the guy who hurt one of theirs. He followed Doyle's son Declan around until Doyle caught up with them. When he and the team caught Doyle, they found out Declan had been snatched too. Which is when Hotch called Prentiss to return so they could find out who took the boy and save his life.
There was almost nothing I didn't like about this episode. I spontaneously burst into tears three times (once when Emily first walked in, once when she was apologizing to Morgan, and once when she was reciting the FBI oath at the end). I sat on the edge of my seat waiting to see if Doyle was going to get away, or if they were going to save Declan (because Criminal Minds is so not above killing kids if it suits their needs). I sympathized with Morgan's anger and felt like both Prentiss and Reid needed hugs through most of the episode.
In short, this episode had what almost every episode was lacking in season 6: watchability. I had a desire to keep the TV on, a desire to get through commercials as fast as possible to get back to the action.
It also had the full team back.
And maybe I was just so happy to see AJ Cook and Paget Brewster back (and to see them finally using AJ Cook) that I'm glossing over problems with the episode. There were some. I would have liked to see more of the team's reactions besides Morgan's, particularly Reid's, since he and Prentiss were so close by the end of season 6. The episode also felt a little rushed, probably because they crammed so much into one hour in their desire to wrap up this story. They went from finding out that Declan was alive to catching Doyle in the blink of an eye, and I honestly felt that if both Morgan and Doyle could find the kid in less than a month, maybe Prentiss didn't do such a great job hiding him.
But these problems were small in the grand scheme of the premiere. The team is back together, and that seems to have been the missing piece. Season 6 wasn't exactly bad, but not one of those episodes held my attention the way this one did. I was hooked right from the beginning, and I wasn't disappointed by how it all played out. I can't wait to see where the season is going to go.
For more crime TV news, follow NewarkCrimeTV on Twitter.
Email me at NewarkCrimeTV@gmail.com.
Rating: 5/5
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Castle - Rise
Network: ABC
Time: Mondays, 10:00-11:00pm
Cast: Nathan Fillion, Stana Katic, Jon Huertas, Seamus Dever, Susan Sullivan, Molly C. Quinn, Penny Jerald Johnson, Tamala Jones
Summary: In the fourth-season opener, a wounded Beckett fights to stay alive as Castle investigates her shooting. Meanwhile, Victoria Gates (Penny Johnson Jerald) takes charge as the precinct's tough new captain.
Review: Castle was one of my three most highly anticipated premieres (the other two being Criminal Minds and The Mentalist, in case you were interested), and it really never could have lived up to my expectations. This certainly wasn't a bad way to kick off the season, but it also left a lot of room for growth as we go on.
The episode focused on three things: the aftermath of Beckett's shooting, the introduction of the new captain, and the investigation of a celebutante's murder in a hotel room. After beginning the premiere just minutes after last season's finale ended, we jumped forward three months in time to Beckett's return to the precinct, where things aren't exactly as she left them. Captain Montgomery's been replaced by Victoria "Iron" Gates, a former Internal Affairs investigator who was made detective just six weeks after Beckett. Gates plays by the rules, as she's quick to prove by refusing to let Beckett have her gun back until she re-qualified (which, needless to say, thrilled Beckett). Gates also closed the investigation into Beckett's shooting after three months and no leads. Plus, she clearly terrifies Ryan and Esposito, who speak in hushed tones and hide around corners when she's near.
While Ryan and Esposito are sent to a crime scene, Beckett and Castle continue to investigate her shooting and her mother's murder, right up until the point where Castle receives a phone call from the mysterious man who received the package Montgomery mailed at the end of last season (who else thought that package was going to Castle?). In a conversation we don't get to see, the man tells Castle that he has compromising documents that he can use to protect Beckett... as long as she stops investigating. Castle, who is surprisingly confident for a man who went three months without talking to Beckett, is sure he can convince her to stop. And, sure enough, he has a short conversation with her and keeps her from falling down the rabbit hole again. No problem. All in a day's work for Super Castle.
Meanwhile, Ryan and Esposito (and eventually Castle and Beckett) are tasked with solving the high profile murder of a celebutante (which is a word my dictionary doesn't recognize). This case was such a low priority, it was almost a joke. And the fact that the killer was literally hiding under the bed the whole time? That was a bit ridiculous, even for Castle reality. But, as with most Castle episodes, the case wasn't really the main focus of the episode. It seemed like this one was mostly here to a) give Ryan and Esposito something to do, and b) give Beckett something to do after Castle convinces her to stop investigating her mother's murder.
The one thing this episode was really lacking was the humor that makes Castle such a fun show. Obviously, the episode after a shooting isn't going to be all laughs and smiles, but the solemnity was almost overwhelming. Castle is a better show when it doesn't take itself too seriously, so hopefully next week will get back to the lightheartedness we all love.
There were still a lot of bright moments in this episode. The look on Beckett's face while she listened to the mayor order Gates to keep Castle was priceless (was that the only time we saw Beckett smile this episode?). I liked how neatly Josh was disposed of in the first fifteen minutes of the episode, and I was really hoping Alexis would take a swing at him when they were fighting in the hospital. I think Gates has the potential to turn into a decent character if she can learn to loosen up, though she also has the potential to be a real witch (we're trusting you, Andrew Marlowe!). I loved that Alexis was so worried about her dad, even if she showed it by acting a little bratty.
And I really, really liked the honesty in Castle and Beckett's relationship so far. Aside from the one big, whopping lie she tells him--did anybody really believe she didn't remember anything about the shooting?--there's a sincerity between them that just shows how far their relationship has come since season one. Castle may not have told her he loved her in words again, but he said it a million times in his actions in this episode. And Beckett's revelation about the walls she's put up made my heart break just a little. Of course Castle is able to talk her into tabling her mother's case; anyone with eyes could see how he was only telling her those things because he cares about her. I challenge anyone to watch this episode and not root for these two people at least a little.
So it was a bit of a slow start for the season, but I think there's a lot of potential here. Obviously the big storyline is still open, but more important in the next few episodes will be getting back to the familiar rhythm of Castle, with the banter and the chemistry that's made this show a hit. I'm looking forward to seeing where the season leads.
Rating: 3/5
Favorite line:
Ryan (during interrogation): "So what are you saying, Dale? You sleep-shot her?"
Time: Mondays, 10:00-11:00pm
Cast: Nathan Fillion, Stana Katic, Jon Huertas, Seamus Dever, Susan Sullivan, Molly C. Quinn, Penny Jerald Johnson, Tamala Jones
Summary: In the fourth-season opener, a wounded Beckett fights to stay alive as Castle investigates her shooting. Meanwhile, Victoria Gates (Penny Johnson Jerald) takes charge as the precinct's tough new captain.
Review: Castle was one of my three most highly anticipated premieres (the other two being Criminal Minds and The Mentalist, in case you were interested), and it really never could have lived up to my expectations. This certainly wasn't a bad way to kick off the season, but it also left a lot of room for growth as we go on.
The episode focused on three things: the aftermath of Beckett's shooting, the introduction of the new captain, and the investigation of a celebutante's murder in a hotel room. After beginning the premiere just minutes after last season's finale ended, we jumped forward three months in time to Beckett's return to the precinct, where things aren't exactly as she left them. Captain Montgomery's been replaced by Victoria "Iron" Gates, a former Internal Affairs investigator who was made detective just six weeks after Beckett. Gates plays by the rules, as she's quick to prove by refusing to let Beckett have her gun back until she re-qualified (which, needless to say, thrilled Beckett). Gates also closed the investigation into Beckett's shooting after three months and no leads. Plus, she clearly terrifies Ryan and Esposito, who speak in hushed tones and hide around corners when she's near.
While Ryan and Esposito are sent to a crime scene, Beckett and Castle continue to investigate her shooting and her mother's murder, right up until the point where Castle receives a phone call from the mysterious man who received the package Montgomery mailed at the end of last season (who else thought that package was going to Castle?). In a conversation we don't get to see, the man tells Castle that he has compromising documents that he can use to protect Beckett... as long as she stops investigating. Castle, who is surprisingly confident for a man who went three months without talking to Beckett, is sure he can convince her to stop. And, sure enough, he has a short conversation with her and keeps her from falling down the rabbit hole again. No problem. All in a day's work for Super Castle.
Meanwhile, Ryan and Esposito (and eventually Castle and Beckett) are tasked with solving the high profile murder of a celebutante (which is a word my dictionary doesn't recognize). This case was such a low priority, it was almost a joke. And the fact that the killer was literally hiding under the bed the whole time? That was a bit ridiculous, even for Castle reality. But, as with most Castle episodes, the case wasn't really the main focus of the episode. It seemed like this one was mostly here to a) give Ryan and Esposito something to do, and b) give Beckett something to do after Castle convinces her to stop investigating her mother's murder.
The one thing this episode was really lacking was the humor that makes Castle such a fun show. Obviously, the episode after a shooting isn't going to be all laughs and smiles, but the solemnity was almost overwhelming. Castle is a better show when it doesn't take itself too seriously, so hopefully next week will get back to the lightheartedness we all love.
There were still a lot of bright moments in this episode. The look on Beckett's face while she listened to the mayor order Gates to keep Castle was priceless (was that the only time we saw Beckett smile this episode?). I liked how neatly Josh was disposed of in the first fifteen minutes of the episode, and I was really hoping Alexis would take a swing at him when they were fighting in the hospital. I think Gates has the potential to turn into a decent character if she can learn to loosen up, though she also has the potential to be a real witch (we're trusting you, Andrew Marlowe!). I loved that Alexis was so worried about her dad, even if she showed it by acting a little bratty.
And I really, really liked the honesty in Castle and Beckett's relationship so far. Aside from the one big, whopping lie she tells him--did anybody really believe she didn't remember anything about the shooting?--there's a sincerity between them that just shows how far their relationship has come since season one. Castle may not have told her he loved her in words again, but he said it a million times in his actions in this episode. And Beckett's revelation about the walls she's put up made my heart break just a little. Of course Castle is able to talk her into tabling her mother's case; anyone with eyes could see how he was only telling her those things because he cares about her. I challenge anyone to watch this episode and not root for these two people at least a little.
So it was a bit of a slow start for the season, but I think there's a lot of potential here. Obviously the big storyline is still open, but more important in the next few episodes will be getting back to the familiar rhythm of Castle, with the banter and the chemistry that's made this show a hit. I'm looking forward to seeing where the season leads.
Rating: 3/5
Favorite line:
Ryan (during interrogation): "So what are you saying, Dale? You sleep-shot her?"
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
2 Broke Girls - Pilot
Network: CBS
Time: Mondays, 8:30-9:00pm
Cast: Kat Dennings, Beth Behrs, Matthew Moy, Jonathan Kite, Garrett Morris, Noah Mills
Summary: Max and Caroline, two struggling waitresses at a Brooklyn diner, try to save money to open their own cupcake shop. In the opener, Max is disgusted when once-wealthy Caroline starts working at the diner, but the two soon hit it off and become roommates.
Review: Well, this was a pleasant surprise.
I put 2 Broke Girls on my schedule reluctantly. After hearing both EW.com and TVLine.com rave about it, I figured it couldn’t hurt to watch the first episode. Worst case scenario, all I’ve wasted is a half hour.
Instead (and a little unfortunately, considering how many shows are on said schedule), I found myself sucked in right from the first moments. Maybe it’s because I’m a sucker for a show with a smart, sarcastic female lead (yes, I still miss Gilmore Girls). Maybe it’s because Kat Dennings and Beth Behrs have oddly fantastic chemistry. Maybe it’s because the cast of characters featured in this show is wonderfully eclectic. Or maybe just because it’s a good show.
The premise is this: Max (Dennings) is a waitress/nanny, living with her boyfriend in Brooklyn and baking fantastic cupcakes. Caroline (Behrs) is a trust fund baby from Manhattan who lost everything when her daddy’s ponzi scheme was discovered and now has to support herself somehow. When Caroline gets a job at the diner, Max is… less than impressed. But Caroline’s earnestness wins her over (somewhat), and Max lets her spend the night, during which time Max’s boyfriend hits on Caroline, has sex with another woman after Caroline turns him down, and gets kicked out by Max. Max, looking for a new roommate, offers to let Caroline stay with her.
There were a lot of bits that made this series premiere enjoyable. Dennings’ Max is tough, responsible and confident, though she let some vulnerability show. Behrs’ Caroline looks like Trust Fund Barbie, but it can’t be forgotten that she went to the Wharton School of Business (it really can’t be forgotten… they said it four or five times), and she clearly has quite of bit of her conman father in her. The supporting characters are quirky, with the potential to turn into downright funny, especially when combined with their obvious chemistry with Max. And there’s a horse in the backyard of a Brooklyn apartment.
Sure, the episode was a little stiff at times, and some of Behrs’ lines felt forced, but it did everything it needed to do as a pilot episode: it hooked me. I’ll be back next week to see how much more money they earn towards their cupcake shop.
Rating: 4/5
Favorite line:
Caroline (after tasing Max): "Sorry, I didn't think it'd hurt so much, it's pink!"
Max: "It didn't feel pink!"
Time: Mondays, 8:30-9:00pm
Cast: Kat Dennings, Beth Behrs, Matthew Moy, Jonathan Kite, Garrett Morris, Noah Mills
Summary: Max and Caroline, two struggling waitresses at a Brooklyn diner, try to save money to open their own cupcake shop. In the opener, Max is disgusted when once-wealthy Caroline starts working at the diner, but the two soon hit it off and become roommates.
Review: Well, this was a pleasant surprise.
I put 2 Broke Girls on my schedule reluctantly. After hearing both EW.com and TVLine.com rave about it, I figured it couldn’t hurt to watch the first episode. Worst case scenario, all I’ve wasted is a half hour.
Instead (and a little unfortunately, considering how many shows are on said schedule), I found myself sucked in right from the first moments. Maybe it’s because I’m a sucker for a show with a smart, sarcastic female lead (yes, I still miss Gilmore Girls). Maybe it’s because Kat Dennings and Beth Behrs have oddly fantastic chemistry. Maybe it’s because the cast of characters featured in this show is wonderfully eclectic. Or maybe just because it’s a good show.
The premise is this: Max (Dennings) is a waitress/nanny, living with her boyfriend in Brooklyn and baking fantastic cupcakes. Caroline (Behrs) is a trust fund baby from Manhattan who lost everything when her daddy’s ponzi scheme was discovered and now has to support herself somehow. When Caroline gets a job at the diner, Max is… less than impressed. But Caroline’s earnestness wins her over (somewhat), and Max lets her spend the night, during which time Max’s boyfriend hits on Caroline, has sex with another woman after Caroline turns him down, and gets kicked out by Max. Max, looking for a new roommate, offers to let Caroline stay with her.
There were a lot of bits that made this series premiere enjoyable. Dennings’ Max is tough, responsible and confident, though she let some vulnerability show. Behrs’ Caroline looks like Trust Fund Barbie, but it can’t be forgotten that she went to the Wharton School of Business (it really can’t be forgotten… they said it four or five times), and she clearly has quite of bit of her conman father in her. The supporting characters are quirky, with the potential to turn into downright funny, especially when combined with their obvious chemistry with Max. And there’s a horse in the backyard of a Brooklyn apartment.
Sure, the episode was a little stiff at times, and some of Behrs’ lines felt forced, but it did everything it needed to do as a pilot episode: it hooked me. I’ll be back next week to see how much more money they earn towards their cupcake shop.
Rating: 4/5
Favorite line:
Caroline (after tasing Max): "Sorry, I didn't think it'd hurt so much, it's pink!"
Max: "It didn't feel pink!"
Thursday, January 13, 2011
NCIS - Ships in the Night
Network: CBS
Time: Tuesdays, 8:00-9:00pm
Cast: Mark Harmon, Michael Weatherly, Cote de Pablo, Sean Murray, Pauley Perrette, David McCallum, Rocky Carroll
WARNING: The following review contains spoilers for the episode.
Summary: When a marine is murdered while on a dinner cruise, the team works with the Coast Guard Investigative Service to solve the crime. (from tvguide.com)
Review: Eight seasons in, NCIS has become fairly formulaic. It's a science that clearly works for them, since NCIS is arguably the most-watched scripted show on television, but it means that some episodes will be nothing special.
This was a nothing special episode.
The only thing that made this episode stand out a little from others was the return of CGIS Special Agent Abigail Borin (aka Other Abbs). Abigail is the Gibbs of the Coast Guard, from the succint statements to the coffee swilling. I've always enjoyed watching Gibbs when he's forced to interact with other agencies, and this was no exception. She's probably the only one he's ever actually seemed to like (since he always pretends to be annoyed when he has to work with Fornell), and I really liked their scenes together. I hope they'll continue to bring her character back.
The rest of the episode was on par for an NCIS episode. They investigated the shooting of a marine who was on a cruise with SA Borin, a marine who also happened to be the prodigal son of a wealthy family. Turns out Junior wanted to take the family business and make it a charitable non-profit. The minute that little tidbit was introduced, I was able to identify the killer, so no surprises there.
Even our regular characters were just average tonight. Coming off a great DiNozzo episode, I was a little disappointed that Tony was back to his usual self, apparently having learned nothing from his joke-free time. McGee was slightly off, two days of overtime turning him into a bit of a slacker (though he still does more in any given episode than everyone else on the team combined). And I can't even remember the scenes in autopsy.
The only character who stood out in this episode was Abby, who seemed to be having a great time with the other Abby. It's rare that Gibbs and Abby like the same woman, but it seems like SA Borin might be the exception. The scenes in the lab were by far my favorite moments, and the dynamic between the three was fun and engaging. Borin's brisk manner complemented Abby's long-windedness well, and Gibbs' brevity fit in well with both.
Were you as apathetic towards this episode as I was? Leave me some comments and let me know.
For more crime TV news, follow NewarkCrimeTV on Twitter.
Email me at NewarkCrimeTV@gmail.com.
Rating: 3/5
Time: Tuesdays, 8:00-9:00pm
Cast: Mark Harmon, Michael Weatherly, Cote de Pablo, Sean Murray, Pauley Perrette, David McCallum, Rocky Carroll
WARNING: The following review contains spoilers for the episode.
Summary: When a marine is murdered while on a dinner cruise, the team works with the Coast Guard Investigative Service to solve the crime. (from tvguide.com)
Review: Eight seasons in, NCIS has become fairly formulaic. It's a science that clearly works for them, since NCIS is arguably the most-watched scripted show on television, but it means that some episodes will be nothing special.
This was a nothing special episode.
The only thing that made this episode stand out a little from others was the return of CGIS Special Agent Abigail Borin (aka Other Abbs). Abigail is the Gibbs of the Coast Guard, from the succint statements to the coffee swilling. I've always enjoyed watching Gibbs when he's forced to interact with other agencies, and this was no exception. She's probably the only one he's ever actually seemed to like (since he always pretends to be annoyed when he has to work with Fornell), and I really liked their scenes together. I hope they'll continue to bring her character back.
The rest of the episode was on par for an NCIS episode. They investigated the shooting of a marine who was on a cruise with SA Borin, a marine who also happened to be the prodigal son of a wealthy family. Turns out Junior wanted to take the family business and make it a charitable non-profit. The minute that little tidbit was introduced, I was able to identify the killer, so no surprises there.
Even our regular characters were just average tonight. Coming off a great DiNozzo episode, I was a little disappointed that Tony was back to his usual self, apparently having learned nothing from his joke-free time. McGee was slightly off, two days of overtime turning him into a bit of a slacker (though he still does more in any given episode than everyone else on the team combined). And I can't even remember the scenes in autopsy.
The only character who stood out in this episode was Abby, who seemed to be having a great time with the other Abby. It's rare that Gibbs and Abby like the same woman, but it seems like SA Borin might be the exception. The scenes in the lab were by far my favorite moments, and the dynamic between the three was fun and engaging. Borin's brisk manner complemented Abby's long-windedness well, and Gibbs' brevity fit in well with both.
Were you as apathetic towards this episode as I was? Leave me some comments and let me know.
For more crime TV news, follow NewarkCrimeTV on Twitter.
Email me at NewarkCrimeTV@gmail.com.
Rating: 3/5
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Castle - Poof, You're Dead
Network: ABC
Time: Mondays, 10:00-11:00pm
Cast: Nathan Fillion, Stana Katic, Jon Huertas, Seamus Dever, Ruben Santiago-Hudson, Molly C. Quinn, Susan Sullivan, Tamala Jones
WARNING: The following review contains spoilers for the episode.
Summary: Castle and Beckett interview a top magician after the owner of a magic store drowns in Houdini's legendary water torture tank. Elsewhere, romance is in the air for Esposito and Lanie. (from tvguide.com)
Review: While not quite as good as last week's episode, Castle certainly continued to prove it's worthy of the full-season pick up it received. This episode had a little bit of everything: murder, relationship drama, murder, and even magic.
"Poof, You're Dead" focused on the investigation into the death of a magician who supposedly killed himself using a magic trick. Obviously, this being a crime show and all, the suicide turned out to be a murder, which then turned out to be the first step of what may be Castle's most complex storyline ever.
If I have one complaint about this episode, it was how convoluted it was. They introduced more red herrings than usual, and they were (almost) all men, so by the time the full story came out, I was having trouble remembering which name belonged to which character, and what that character's relationship was with the dead guy. To top it off, the dead magician had an identical twin with a similar name, which added another layer of complexity.
That being said, I think it's the first time all season I haven't guessed the killer from the moment he or she entered the room. I was completely surprised by twist (perhaps because I was still trying to figure out how they leapt from magicians to philanthropist billionaires), and I enjoyed the element of surprise. Most of the time, the case is not Castle's strong suit, and the show is mostly focused on the characters' interactions as they solve it. It seemed that was on the back burner, and a significant portion of this episode was focused on actually solving the crime, instead of bantering. It was a refreshing change made better by the fact that they didn't completely abandon Castle and Beckett's repartee as other shows are wont to do.
That's not to say this episode was completely without a humorous dive into the characters' lives. In fact, for the first time ever, Lanie was given a prominent place in the plot. Seems our favorite medical examiner has a new man in her life--Detective Javier Esposito. Was I the only one who giggled like a schoolgirl at that? TVGuide.com had it included in their preview, so I wasn't surprised it happened, but I was surprised by how much I like the idea. I hope they continue to give us glimpses into their relationship, though I would request that they only try to hide it from the team for another episode or so. Any more than that, and I think it would get boring, especially since we already know the team knows.
Lanie and Esposito weren't the only couple the episode focused on. Many moments were devoted to the (apparently) increasingly tumultuous relationship between Castle and his girlfriend/publicist Gina, culminating in a breakup that was neither surprising nor (for me) important. Considering Gina essentially disappeared after she and Castle began dating--only resurfacing that one time to bond with Alexis--I'm completely not invested in her, and I completely don't care that she's gone. Now Beckett just needs to lose the doctor guy, and they can all live happily ever after.
My only other comment is that I missed Castle's mother and daughter again. I feel like they used to be in more of the episode, instead of the one or two scenes they had this week and last. And while I did love the scene where Castle and his mom talked about Gina, just once I'd like to see them actually finish a conversation without the case interrupting.
What did you think, Castle fans? Did the case seem unusually complex to you? Are you excited about Lanie/Esposito? Do you also think Ryan deserves the award for Best Dressed Detective this week? Leave me some comments and let me know.
For more crime TV news, follow NewarkCrimeTV on Twitter.
Email me at NewarkCrimeTV@gmail.com.
Rating: 4/5
Time: Mondays, 10:00-11:00pm
Cast: Nathan Fillion, Stana Katic, Jon Huertas, Seamus Dever, Ruben Santiago-Hudson, Molly C. Quinn, Susan Sullivan, Tamala Jones
WARNING: The following review contains spoilers for the episode.
Summary: Castle and Beckett interview a top magician after the owner of a magic store drowns in Houdini's legendary water torture tank. Elsewhere, romance is in the air for Esposito and Lanie. (from tvguide.com)
Review: While not quite as good as last week's episode, Castle certainly continued to prove it's worthy of the full-season pick up it received. This episode had a little bit of everything: murder, relationship drama, murder, and even magic.
"Poof, You're Dead" focused on the investigation into the death of a magician who supposedly killed himself using a magic trick. Obviously, this being a crime show and all, the suicide turned out to be a murder, which then turned out to be the first step of what may be Castle's most complex storyline ever.
If I have one complaint about this episode, it was how convoluted it was. They introduced more red herrings than usual, and they were (almost) all men, so by the time the full story came out, I was having trouble remembering which name belonged to which character, and what that character's relationship was with the dead guy. To top it off, the dead magician had an identical twin with a similar name, which added another layer of complexity.
That being said, I think it's the first time all season I haven't guessed the killer from the moment he or she entered the room. I was completely surprised by twist (perhaps because I was still trying to figure out how they leapt from magicians to philanthropist billionaires), and I enjoyed the element of surprise. Most of the time, the case is not Castle's strong suit, and the show is mostly focused on the characters' interactions as they solve it. It seemed that was on the back burner, and a significant portion of this episode was focused on actually solving the crime, instead of bantering. It was a refreshing change made better by the fact that they didn't completely abandon Castle and Beckett's repartee as other shows are wont to do.
That's not to say this episode was completely without a humorous dive into the characters' lives. In fact, for the first time ever, Lanie was given a prominent place in the plot. Seems our favorite medical examiner has a new man in her life--Detective Javier Esposito. Was I the only one who giggled like a schoolgirl at that? TVGuide.com had it included in their preview, so I wasn't surprised it happened, but I was surprised by how much I like the idea. I hope they continue to give us glimpses into their relationship, though I would request that they only try to hide it from the team for another episode or so. Any more than that, and I think it would get boring, especially since we already know the team knows.
Lanie and Esposito weren't the only couple the episode focused on. Many moments were devoted to the (apparently) increasingly tumultuous relationship between Castle and his girlfriend/publicist Gina, culminating in a breakup that was neither surprising nor (for me) important. Considering Gina essentially disappeared after she and Castle began dating--only resurfacing that one time to bond with Alexis--I'm completely not invested in her, and I completely don't care that she's gone. Now Beckett just needs to lose the doctor guy, and they can all live happily ever after.
My only other comment is that I missed Castle's mother and daughter again. I feel like they used to be in more of the episode, instead of the one or two scenes they had this week and last. And while I did love the scene where Castle and his mom talked about Gina, just once I'd like to see them actually finish a conversation without the case interrupting.
What did you think, Castle fans? Did the case seem unusually complex to you? Are you excited about Lanie/Esposito? Do you also think Ryan deserves the award for Best Dressed Detective this week? Leave me some comments and let me know.
For more crime TV news, follow NewarkCrimeTV on Twitter.
Email me at NewarkCrimeTV@gmail.com.
Rating: 4/5
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Castle - Nikki Heat
Network: ABC
Time: Mondays, 10:00-11:00pm
Cast: Nathan Fillion, Stana Katic, Seamus Dever, Jon Huertas, Ruben Santiago-Hudson, Susan Sullivan, Molly C. Quinn
Summary: Beckett and Castle tackle an upscale matchmaker's murder case, and they have company: the actress cast as Nikki Heat, who wants a deeper grasp of her character. Her copycat image soon becomes too much for Beckett, but Castle likes it. (from tvguide.com)
Review: Just when I think I can't possibly enjoy Castle anymore than I already do, something like this happens.
Maybe it's because it was the first episode after a too-long break or because Laura Prepon was guest starring, but everything about this episode seemed to click. Castle and Beckett's banter was seamless and exceptional, and the addition of a new character didn't put a damper on it. If anything, Prepon only added to the chemistry. She really showed her acting ability in this episode. She did Beckett almost as well as Stana Katic does, but with a hilarious, sometimes creepy edge to it. She toed the line between ditzy Hollywood starlet and serious method actor well, adding just enough insightfulness to avoid being labeled an idiot. And she played so well off Nathan Fillion and Stana Katic that I could have sworn she'd been acting with them for years.
Prepon's oft-creepy imitations allowed for some great moments between Castle and Beckett as well. I've said before that Nathan Fillion and Stana Katic are both wonderful physical actors, and it really showed in this episode. The wide array of facial expressions that both actors demonstrated were spot-on for whatever situation they were in, from Castle's wounded pride look to Beckett's half-terrified, half-bewildered expression when Natalie Rhodes steals her coffee. There was never a moment where I felt they were over-the-top or off in any way, and I laughed harder at those moments than almost anything else in the episode.
But as much as I found myself laughing, "Nikki Heat" also brought me to tears. I'm not too proud to admit I cried a bit at the end, like any sappy, over-emotional girl would. This is the first episode that Ryan has had his own story (aside from a few minutes where they first introduced his girlfriend), and even though it was just used as filler for the main arc, it was still wonderful to see Seamus Dever getting some love. Ryan is one of my favorite supporting characters, and I loved every minute he was on the screen.
If I had any negatives, there were two small things. The first is that there wasn't nearly enough of Grams and Alexis. I'm not really sure where they would have fit in this episode, but I always love their scenes, so I was a little disappointed that they just had one in the beginning.
The second thing is that I had very little emotional investment in the case. For me, it was just a reason for all these characters to be interacting. It took half the episode for me to remember the victim's name was Stacey. I didn't even try to guess the killer because I wasn't paying enough attention to what was going on to know which character was which. That being said, I don't feel I lost anything by not following it. This was still, without a doubt, one of my favorite Castle episodes of all time. With February sweeps lurking just around the corner (alright, they're four weeks away), I can't wait to see what future episodes will hold.
For more crime TV news, follow NewarkCrimeTV on Twitter.
Email me at NewarkCrimeTV@gmail.com.
Rating: 5/5
Time: Mondays, 10:00-11:00pm
Cast: Nathan Fillion, Stana Katic, Seamus Dever, Jon Huertas, Ruben Santiago-Hudson, Susan Sullivan, Molly C. Quinn
Summary: Beckett and Castle tackle an upscale matchmaker's murder case, and they have company: the actress cast as Nikki Heat, who wants a deeper grasp of her character. Her copycat image soon becomes too much for Beckett, but Castle likes it. (from tvguide.com)
Review: Just when I think I can't possibly enjoy Castle anymore than I already do, something like this happens.
Maybe it's because it was the first episode after a too-long break or because Laura Prepon was guest starring, but everything about this episode seemed to click. Castle and Beckett's banter was seamless and exceptional, and the addition of a new character didn't put a damper on it. If anything, Prepon only added to the chemistry. She really showed her acting ability in this episode. She did Beckett almost as well as Stana Katic does, but with a hilarious, sometimes creepy edge to it. She toed the line between ditzy Hollywood starlet and serious method actor well, adding just enough insightfulness to avoid being labeled an idiot. And she played so well off Nathan Fillion and Stana Katic that I could have sworn she'd been acting with them for years.
Prepon's oft-creepy imitations allowed for some great moments between Castle and Beckett as well. I've said before that Nathan Fillion and Stana Katic are both wonderful physical actors, and it really showed in this episode. The wide array of facial expressions that both actors demonstrated were spot-on for whatever situation they were in, from Castle's wounded pride look to Beckett's half-terrified, half-bewildered expression when Natalie Rhodes steals her coffee. There was never a moment where I felt they were over-the-top or off in any way, and I laughed harder at those moments than almost anything else in the episode.
But as much as I found myself laughing, "Nikki Heat" also brought me to tears. I'm not too proud to admit I cried a bit at the end, like any sappy, over-emotional girl would. This is the first episode that Ryan has had his own story (aside from a few minutes where they first introduced his girlfriend), and even though it was just used as filler for the main arc, it was still wonderful to see Seamus Dever getting some love. Ryan is one of my favorite supporting characters, and I loved every minute he was on the screen.
If I had any negatives, there were two small things. The first is that there wasn't nearly enough of Grams and Alexis. I'm not really sure where they would have fit in this episode, but I always love their scenes, so I was a little disappointed that they just had one in the beginning.
The second thing is that I had very little emotional investment in the case. For me, it was just a reason for all these characters to be interacting. It took half the episode for me to remember the victim's name was Stacey. I didn't even try to guess the killer because I wasn't paying enough attention to what was going on to know which character was which. That being said, I don't feel I lost anything by not following it. This was still, without a doubt, one of my favorite Castle episodes of all time. With February sweeps lurking just around the corner (alright, they're four weeks away), I can't wait to see what future episodes will hold.
For more crime TV news, follow NewarkCrimeTV on Twitter.
Email me at NewarkCrimeTV@gmail.com.
Rating: 5/5
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
