Final Week-In-Review for January

It's that magical, magical time again. Friday. Here are my ever-growing thoughts on all the crazy that went down this week.

Best Advertisement: the Parents Television Council’s condemnation of… well, anything
As you know, I was thoroughly underwhelmed by the water-down, tamed and lamed US version of the British classic, Skins. But, as with so many shows before it, even the cut and censored version annoys the ridiculous, puritanical Parents Television Council… which makes me want to give the show another chance. Anything that gets their dander up gets a few extra points in my book. Heh, I’d have loved to have seen their take on the real version. They’re just so spectacularly stupid to think that their condemnation with cause fewer people (especially kids) to watch the show. Nothing made me quite so happy as when Gossip Girl used quotes from the PTC as their ad campaign, because really, that’s exactly what the PTC is doing. They’re basically telling kids exactly what they should be watching. Well, I’m no kid, but I’m suddenly much more likely to watch the US version of Skins… even if it could never hold a candle (crack pipe?) to the original.

Best Kiss: Castle
How could I not put this on the list, I mean really. Sometimes characters have great theoretical sexual chemistry, but then it’s all awkward and uncomfortable in reality. Not the case here. The steamy Castle/Beckett lip-lock wasn’t awkward at all. They’ve always had a really flirty, friendly kind of vibe going, so it just makes good sense that the sexual chemistry works as well as it does. Best part of all? Castle’s flustered reaction afterward. Hehe. Oh, Nathan Fillion. Always good for a laugh.

Best Remake: the US version of Being Human
I’ve actually had this one saved on my DVR for over a week. After the spectacular failure that was the US remake of Skins, I was understandably apprehensive about yet another seemingly unnecessary remake. Well, much to my delight and surprise, Being Human is actually good. Really good, I dare say. The major difference is that unlike Skins, the US Being Human didn’t simply take the exact same characters with the exact same names and film a pilot that was almost scene for scene the exact same show. I spent the Skins pilot feeling like I was listening to a bad cover-band. Being Human took the same base concept and characters, but made it their own in a lot of little ways. The US version starts several months prior to the UK version, so it was able to establish these characters in a slightly different way. By using this tactic, it felt like I got to see something new, but also got to see a bit of an origin story for characters that I kind of know. I say “kind of” because the US versions of Mitchell, George, and Annie are similar in substance, but quite different in tone. The US Mitchell (renamed Aidan) is more cool and casual than his enthusiastic UK cousin. The new George (now Josh) is more sardonic than hysterical, and the new Annie (Sally) is more down to earth than flighty. It gave the show a slightly different vibe and made it seem fresh and new, even though at its core, it’s essentially a show I’m already familiar with. They have tweaked all the original characters (the new Herrick (some of the shoes that would be hardest to fill) is awesomely played by Dexter alum Mark Pellegrino, who gives the character a new persona), and new characters have been added. George/Josh has a sister who, at the end of part 1 of the pilot, is in an incredibly precarious situation. To the show’s credit, after only half a pilot, I’m kind of dying to see what happens. They established these characters in a way that didn’t seem like a bastardized rehash, but rather as an inspired reimagining. I was surprised at how much I loved part 1 and I can’t wait for part 2. I was so sure I would hate this, but at the end of the day, it felt like a different kind of experience than the UK version. The original is clearly superior in many many ways, but I’m surprisingly excited to see how the US team makes it their own. I’m as shocked as you are, but this one seems to be a winner whether you’re a fan of the British series or not.

Best Vindication (the blast from the past edition): Sex and the City
Okay, so this comes about a decade late, but as you all know, I’m catching up on shows that I missed back in the day. I’ve really been enjoying Sex and the City (a hell of a lot more than I ever would have thought). Anyway, I just watched the episode where Carrie runs into Big’s new wife and she’s determined to look fabulous at a luncheon they’ll both be attending (you know, so she can save face and one-up the woman who won Big’s heart). Well, after Natasha (Mrs. Big) can’t make it to the luncheon to see Carrie looking divine, Carrie feels like she lost… until she gets a card from Natasha thanking her for attending the luncheon and lamenting the fact that she was sick. Nothing says vindication quite like poor English skills… “‘I wish I could have been their.’ T-H-E-I-R.” This of course means she has to immediately call Miranda with the good news about Natasha. “It’s a good thing she got married, because she’s an idiot!” Ha! Seriously, it’s like when you see a facebook status or a blog post from someone you hate and you notice that the grammar is horrendous. It just makes you feel good inside. Like pie. (Please keep in mind that I never proofread, so I’m sure I’ve had more than a few foibles in my day. It’s only when it’s someone I want to destroy that it’s truly satisfying…)

Charmiest (?) Third Time: Shameless
After a so-so pilot and a thoroughly disappointing episode 2, Shameless appears to have finally found some footing with episode 3. Engaging, funny, emotionally resonant, and interesting, the show’s third outing proved to be their best yet. I think the more the show focuses on the kids and the less screentime it gives to William H. Macy, the better the show. Fiona’s the real backbone of the family, but I think Lip and Ian are quickly becoming my favorite family members—especially as a pair. This show has been incredibly uneven thus far, but I’m hopeful the writers recognize what they have with these two and starts gearing the show in their direction. I really loved that Lip was more than willing to take a beating for his brother and thought nothing of it. The dynamic between the two of them is the best part of the show, and Ian is quickly turning into the best character.

Most Recent Discouragement from Getting Married: Perfect Couples
I’d say “biggest discouragement,” but that’s a really, really high bar, so we’ll stick with “most recent.” Perfect Couples was perfectly irritating. I made it to the end of the pilot, but just barely. I’ve said before that married couples are apparently boring (at least that’s what TV would have me believe)… Well, I’ll see my “boring” and raise me a “completely grating.” Painfully unfunny, too. Yeah, not adding this sucker to my rotation.

Best Immunity Prize: White Collar
Sure, winning immunity on a cooking show is fun and all, but at the end of the day, who the hell really cares? I much prefer White Collar’s brand of immunity because it comes with an origin story, not just a pass. All I can say is, it’s about time they gave us some background. I can see where they might have wanted to hold off till this late in the series (although I’m hearing that was a network decision, not a creative one), but with a set up like White Collar’s, I think it should have come a long time ago. Up till now, the audience basically knew nothing about Kate and spent every single episode of the show being slightly annoyed that Neal is so obsessed with this random face who has had no character development whatsoever. I defy you to find a fan of this show who was truly upset by her getting blown up last season. This show needed to establish her character in a way that had the audience truly invested in her and in her relationship with Neal. Last night’s flurry of flashbacks helped fill in a lot of blanks, but in terms of Kate, I think it might have been too little too late. It was nice to see that she can speak and all, but I still didn’t really buy the character. I think a different actress could maybe have invigorated the role, but the girl they got was just dull (entirely too dull for someone like Neal to really care about). I had always tried to give the show the benefit of the doubt and created a Kate in my head that was enigmatic, charming, and elusive, but now that I see her in the flesh? Meh. Neal can do a hell of a lot better. It makes the fact that he got arrested for her all the more irksome and ridiculous. Really? For her? Blanda Blahington? The rest of the flashback offerings were outstanding, however. It was great to see how Neal met Mozzie (hilariously toupee’d and goatee’d), how he became the man his is today (sort of—I’d still like to see where he originally came from), and how he and Alex got involved. Man alive, I love Alex. Sooo much more than Kate. She actually has an edge and has some genuine chemistry with Neal. The interplay between them is always sexy and fun to watch. Anyway, the writers did a lovely job keeping the continuity consistent with what we already know and nodding at little tidbits of knowledge (like the Raphael) that were seemingly irrelevant until now. Nicely done, show. Very nice.

Best Moniker: Bonds. James Bonds.
Once again, kudos to White Collar. I love that Neal’s FBI name (you know, before he and Peter actually met and became friends) was something so badass. You could see that it was killing Peter to admit that Neal was so impressive as to deserve such a moniker.

Darkest Matter: Breaking Bad
Yeah, so… started watching Breaking Bad on DVD. Damn… that show is dark. Good, but dark. I’m only a couple of episodes in, but it’s seriously reminding me of that episode of The Black Donnelleys where they have to dispose of some dead guy in a barrel. I’m as desensitized as it gets, but that doesn’t make watching guys dispose of a body pleasant to watch… it just makes it bearable.

Least Tempting Show Saved on My DVR: Chuck

Deadliest Custody Battle: Southland
Well, if True Blood is mommy and Southland is daddy, I think we now know who the judge sided with on the Kevin Alejandro custody trial. As is so often the case, mommy is keeping the kid. I realize that Kevin Alejandro is a regular on True Blood, so something had to give with his gig on Southland, but wow. That’s rough. And unfortunate on any number of levels. I actually kind of adored Detective Nate Moretta and seeing him killed like that was brutal. What’s worse, his partner Sammy is still with us. I’ve hated Sammy for a good long while (mostly because of his grating relationship with this wife), so to see Nate bite the bullet while Sammy walks away? Ouch.

Subtlest Simpsons Reference: Criminal Minds
It’s the little things that count. In terms of subject matter, Criminal Minds is about the unfunniest show on the planet, so when you’re watching an episode that slips in a joke, it’s much appreciated. As Garcia is looking into the deaths of convenience store owners in surrounding states, one such unlucky victims information displays on her computer screen with “Name of Victim: Apu, N.” She didn’t actually say the name, so you had to be paying attention, but it’s still nice to have something funny inserted into the "torture porn" that is this show.

Saddest Countdown: The Vampire Diaries
“One… Two…”
Three. I guess that’s more of a count-up, but still. I was never a huge fan of Rose, but last night’s heartbreaking death really hit me. I guess the good news is that after suffering for the better part of the episode, Damon helped her die peacefully… in his arms… as he created a fantasy in her head. Still sad, but I can think of worse ways to go. If that weren’t sad enough, Damon has to go and break my heart again at the end. Poor guy just can't catch a break.

Quotes of the Week:

“One million PTC members can’t be wrong.”
--Matt Webb Mitovich from TVLine.com, regarding the US version of Skins, which he included on his list of shows worth watching this week. All of sudden, I’m inclined to agree.

“Look, I may not have a badge, unless you count the chocolate one Alexis gave me for my birthday, but I’ll tell you this, like it or not, I’m your plucky sidekick.”
--Castle, from, well, Castle.

“Well, if you need me, I’ll be across the street in the bushes, stalking you. [pause] I saw you smile!”
--Steve, trying to win Fiona back after royally screwing up on Shameless.

“Wow, I don’t even need a corkscrew.”
--Neal, regarding Peter’s cheap choice of wine on White Collar.

“Well, that answers my question. Jeff Winger is sexy even in a coffin.”
--Dean Pelton, admiring Joel McHale on Community, the way all good people do.

“Dude, you have no idea how messy things are about to get.”
--Birkoff, assessing the total ass-kickery that’s about to ensue when Nikita and Michael square off against a gaggle of security guards.

Random TV Detritus

I couldn't come up with any logical organization for all the bits of televisual flotsam and jetsam that have been swirling around in my head of late, so I'm just going to throw them all in one miscellaneous post. Between the summer shows coming to an end, the TCAs (Television Critics Association panel-y type conference-y thingamajig), and BBC America invading my viewing agenda more and more, I've got a lot of randomness going on and simply can't be bothered to organize any of it beyond the most basic of categories. Long story short? Not thinking is muuuuch easier than thinking.

USA NETWORK UPDATES:

IN PLAIN SIGHT: While there's not a lot less fanfare involved with USA Network pick-ups, I was pleased nonetheless to hear that In Plain Sight just got the green light for a third season. It's really the little second tier show that could. I have to admit, I'm pretty surprised at just how much this show has grown on me over the past two seasons. I can't imagine it will ever become a top tier contender, but it makes for a nice addition to my schedule (especially my ridiculously slim Sunday viewing options). I'm a little afraid of where Mary's personal life is headed (what with the ill-fated engagement and all), but at least her mother has seemingly disappeared and her sister has been reduced to cameos. The writers are building up the sexual tension between Mary and Marshall and it's becoming more and more apparent that Marshall thinks of her as more than just a partner. It's a pretty standard storyline, but I have some ideas on how the writers could make it pretty awesome. I don't know that I'd ever like to see Mary and Marshall become a couple or anything, but I do enjoy the differing agendas going on. My predictions? I think the third season will illuminate to everyone the true nature of Mary and Marshall's relationship. Raf may be her romantic partner, but Marshall is quite clearly her partner in every other conceivable sense of the word. I'm not sure to what extent Marshall may or may not be in love with Mary, but I'm excited to find out. I realize I'm the only person who watches this show, so I don't expect anyone else to jump on the bandwagon here, but I'm thinking next season is going to be pretty awesome. The season 2 finale is on Sunday, so if you're just now thinking you'd like to give it a shot, this wouldn't be the most ideal time...

ROYAL PAINS: In other pick-up news, Royals Pains got the go ahead for next year after surprisingly decent ratings. Royal Pains isn't as horrible as I would have expected (it's fairly watchable, if not anything to write home about), but I think I'm giving it the official heave-ho. I've only kept up with it in the most cursory of ways, but even that is more than I really care to give. If USA didn't make it so damned easy to keep up with crap (what with airing them a million times), I'd have never have given it this much of my time. The fact that it's a summer show also played a part... In spite of all these aspects, it's as blah as ever and I'm done.

BURN NOTICE: Awww, Burn Notice. Eases the pain. How insane has this season been? With each passing episode, I become less and less supremely confident that everything will work out okay. Michael Westen may have actual magically powers when it comes to spy-ishness, but the baddies have been coming out in full force this year. While past seasons have been much more specifically client-of-the-week, this season has seen Michael and company be the clients more and more often. The tension between Mike and Fi hasn't helped calm the seas either. I'll be posting more about Burn Notice after Thursday's mid-season finale (which, holy moly, have you seen the sneak peek pics?! Ahhh!), but for now, rest assured that my most darling of shows has been renewed for next season, much to no one's surprise. The second half of the third season won't air till January 2010 (gah!), so soak up all the Burn Notice-y goodness while you have the chance.

CW NETWORK UPDATES:

THE BODY POLITIC: In spite of the fact that it had some serious potential, I'm hearing that The Body Politic is officially dead. Network president Dawn Ostroff confirmed today at the TCAs that the show won't be making it on the air, not even at mid-season as so very many people (read: me) had hoped. Word is, the actors have all moved on and been cast in other productions. I don't know if Dawn herself held the ax on this one, but I choose to blame her regardless. Here's hoping Jason Dohring finds a new gig that won't get cancelled... assuming he finds something that gets picked up in the first place... Oy.

GOSSIP GIRL: In better CW news, I'm also hearing that the rather unfortunate Gossip Girl spin-off with Lily's backstory is looking unlikelier by the minute. No official death notice, but it doesn't sound like it'll ever happen. That's not say that a spin-off isn't a possibility in the future, but that the original conception won't likely make it off the ground. I, like many, am rather relieved to hear this... Those Lily flashbacks were...not good, we'll say. It's a shame too because there were more than a few Veronica Mars alums in that thum thar flashback sequence...

OTHER NETWORK UPDATES:

DOLLHOUSE: I finally got around to watching the unaired pilot (you know, the one that was pretty much entirely scrapped) and I have to say, in many ways I liked it quite a bit better than the pilot that actually aired. I've heard conflicting reports of just why the original pilot was scrapped, and although the prevailing notion is that Joss himself was unhappy with it, I maintain that the brass at Fox had more than a little to do with it as well. In the plus column, the original pilot felt a lot more Whedon-esque, it explained the rules of the Dollhouse universe in a way that made much more sense and was much more logical in application, and most importantly, it didn't have the largely weak A-plot story-of-the-week of the official pilot (the aspect with which I was the most unimpressed). The hostage negotiator, procedural-style A-plot of the official pilot left me underwhelmed, a little annoyed, and tended to muddy the waters as far as the science and lore of the show is concerned. To be fair, it's hard to know how I would have reacted to the original pilot had I not seen the entire series thus far, but I'm supremely confident I would have liked it better. In defense of the official pilot, had the original aired instead, the series would have taken a very different path. In the original pilot, Ballard meets Echo right off the bat, Victor is revealed to the audience as a doll, and Echo's notions of self are already starting to show. The original set thinks up more clearly, but threw a whole lot of plot progression into that single episode. I've never been one for weak A-plots, so I think that's my primary bone of contention with the official pilot and really shouldn't reflect on the entire pilot as a whole, but kinda does... In terms of a pilot setting up the rest of the season, I can be persuaded that the official pilot was better, but as a stand-alone, I think the original had more going for it. I haven't watched Epitaph One yet, but I hear it's a whole lotta "huh?" For which, I'm unduly excited. :) In other Dollhouse news, I'm hearing Amy Acker (aka Dr. Saunders aka Whiskey) has been confirmed for three episodes for season 2. Thanks to her role in Happy Town, she just isn't as available and one would hope... Here's hoping they make the most of those three episodes. No official word yet on Alan Tudyk, but I'm hearing he'll be back as Alpha somewhere toward the middle of next season. In casting news, I'm hearing that Battlestar Galactica alums Apollo and Saul Tigh will be joining Helo for an episode a piece. Apollo is set for the premiere, as I recall... In even more exciting casting news, I hear that Alexis Denisof (aka Wesley from Buffy and Angel) is on the docket for next season. Yay! I've missed him... And I'd love to see him and Amy Acker onscreen together again. Finally, I've also heard the Felicia Day will find her way into the mix again somehow and there are plans to bring Summer Glau into the fold, although nothing official has been written. The show (as with most Whedon productions) is pretty much turning into one big family reunion--only this is a reunion you'd actually want to attend. :)

SKINS: Most of you have probably never even heard of Skins, but I'm going to tout its premiere nonetheless. For some connections for you, one of the kids in the show (Dev Patel) went on to star in Slumdog Millionaire as Jamal and remember that socially awkward kid (Nick Hoult, pictured) from About A Boy? Well, he's all grown up and raising hell for the first two seasons. (Quite contrary to what you'd have thought after seeing About A Boy, he totally plays the leader of the pack, the rake, the cad--basically the tool.) The third season starts up on Thursday and I'm more than a little giddy, if slightly apprehensive. Skins follows a group of British teens as they try to find their way in a world of questionable parenting, drugs, sex, violence, and pretty much everything else. It sounds like your straight-forward teen drama, but as with so many British shows, it doesn't pull any punches and has a much grittier, edgier feel to it than most of what's available on standard American programming. Along with the grit, the show is bitingly funny and manages to blend serious character development in with all the light and dark and crazy of the world around them. My apprehension comes from the fact that, aside from Effy, it's an entirely new cast. I'm sure the writers will knock it out of the park once again in spite of the new cast, but I just don't know if it'll be the same without Tony, Michelle, Sid, Cassie, and company... Regardless, I can't wait to find out. :) Seasons 1 and 2 are available on iTunes, if you're interested. Bear in mind, it's definitely not G-rated, so you've been warned. If, however, teenage debauchery is up your alley, you've officially hit the jackpot.