Shaken & Stirred

Dollhouse Discussion

And tonight we have the season ender that wasn't supposed to be the season ender:

ALPHA MANIA!

I predict it's awesome. Build your case for or against in the comments after. 

Tardy Dollhouse Discuss. & Misc.

Sorry I forgot to post the Dollhouse thread. The level of busy for the past week has topped historical levels, but I finally got a chance to watch the ep last night. Now that's more like it. Spoilers in comments. Some regular posting to resume this week.

Reading Paul Tremblay's The Little Sleep and finding it a pleasing cocktail reminiscent of Lethem's Motherless Brooklyn and Jen Banbury's Like a Hole in the Head, with a hint of Bukowski bitters.

Dollhouse Discussion

For all us poor stiffs not having fun at NESCBWI or the Nebs this weekend:

Haunted. Echo is programmed with the memories of a dead woman in the hopes that she can help solve the woman's murder. Topher secretly prepares Sierra for an engagement, and Ballard looks into Mellie's past.

I'm a little worried since the standalones are my least favorites so far, but the show has been on a roll lately and perhaps this'll be the first truly good one.

Dollhouse Discussion

Well, we knew the rumblings of cancellation were coming at some point, right? Of course, the truly surprising thing is that Fox is committed to airing 12 episodes, not that they aren't airing the 13th. Tonight's ep is:

Spy in the House of Love. When a traitor is discovered inside the Dollhouse Echo and Sierra are programmed to root out the spy. Meanwhile, Paul receives surprising news from Mellie.

I must admit that the main show I'm still pulling for to escape cancellation isn't this one--it's Life. That was some finale, and if it has to be the series finale, it'll work, and almost beautifully. But there's still a lot of (::groan, eyeroll::) life left in that show. Come on, NBC execs. Don't be jerks this time.

(p.s. I think we're going to take in a movie this afternoon. Any suggestions? We haven't seen anything that's come out in the last, oh, two months.)

Dollhouse Discussion (whoopsie)

Forgot to post yesterday (and won't watch till later today):  

Needs. Awakening within the Dollhouse, with large parts of their original personalities having returned, Echo, Sierra and Victor plan an escape. 

Comments and conspiracy theories below.

Dollhouse Discussion

And tonight we have:

Echoes. Echo goes undercover at a college to investigate a deadly virus outbreak. 

Outbreak investigation, huh? I. Can't. Wait. (Of course, we have to watch the Basketball Werewolf Show first.)

Dollhouse Discussion

This is supposed to be the one where we all get completely on board, right?

Man on the Street. Echo tries to help a client heal the ache of a lost love as a TV reporter prepares an expose on the Dollhouse.

I'm looking forward to it... ::ominous use of ellipses::

Dollhouse Discussion

And after this week it's supposed to get really good, right? Right?

True Believer. Echo becomes a blind woman so she can infiltrate a very secretive and well-guarded cult.

There's a potential for some seriously cringe-inducing television machine if the Dushku as blind person performance isn't flat-out nailed. Affleck as Daredevil, anyone? I have fears.

Other miscellaneous TeeVee-related things:

1. I'm almost to the end of my re-watch of Buffy season three. Why isn't there television like this on anymore? Sigh. 

2. Castle was actually quite enjoyable--I wish the female lead had more charisma or at least was written with a bigger personality, but Nathan Fillion and his family were a lot of fun. We'll keep watching. 

3. This season of ANTM is shaping up to be one of the best ever. 

4. Life is still the most awesome show on TV.

Dollhouse Discussion

It's supposed to be getting more interesting around now, right?

Gray Hour. Echo becomes a burglar so she can perform a dangerous art break-in. Meanwhile Ballard challenges Lubov and Adelle makes a disturbing confession.

Comments after if you got 'em. Also, anyone planning to watch the new Nathan Fillion show? I believe it starts next week.

Have a nice weekend, y'all.

Dollhouse Discussion

And episode three:

Stage Fright. Echo becomes a backup singer to watch out for a female singing sensation with a very overzealous fan. Agent Ballard's investigation takes a turn for the worse.

I have to say that the description of episode five alone will keep me hanging in until then. But let's hope for less girl running and screaming this week.

Dollhouse Discussion

And this week's ep is:

The Target. Echo becomes the ultimate outdoorswoman when she is is hired by a handsome young client named Richard, but it may turn out that neither of the pair is what they seem to be. Meanwhile, Agent Ballard receives a clue about Echo's past, and we learn about Dr. Saunders' scars.

Post thoughts in the comments after if you got 'em.

See also:

Maureen Ryan's interview with Tahmoh Penikett over at The Watcher, where he says a couple of things that give me hope things will get good if we hang in there:

To help viewers understand "Dollhouse's" provocative concept, the first few episodes are self-contained hours focused on Echo's weekly adventures. But Penikett says that midway through the show’s 13-episode season, the mythology will kick into high gear.

"Halfway through the season, you'll start seeing some of the main story lines and arcs developed in a more serious way, around the fifth episode. I think that's when Joss and his writing team really found their feet and said, 'OK, this is what we wanted. This is what we were aiming at and we’ve got it now,'" Penikett said.

"I can't tell you how confidence-building it is when you experience that," the actor added. "Because as everyone knows, we had somewhat of a tumultuous start. There was a lot of speculation, a lot of bad press, and you inevitably get caught up in it a little bit. … Once I read the fifth and sixth episode, specifically [Episode 6, the Whedon-penned] 'Man on the Street,' I was like, 'This is it. This is the show.'"

And if you want to see some interesting thoughts about the first episode, check out this Coffee & Ink post.

Dollhouse Discussion

I know, I know, I'm just asking to get my heart broken, but demonstrating my faith that the Show Will Be Good (much cheered by this i09 review) and also because I miss our TV chatter of old (see: the Gilmore Gossip Circle, Veronica Mars Talk, Heroes Yammer), here is a place for, um, discussion after Dollhouse airs.

Episode description ahoy:

Ghost. Echo is one of the "Actives" in the elite and illegal Dollhouse. Through different personality downloads, she plays the role of a lovestruck girl on a romantic weekend, and then a ruthlessly efficient kidnapping negotiator. Meanwhile, FBI Agent Paul Ballard is struggling with his assignment to uncover information on the Dollhouse. The chase has destroyed his marriage and is wrecking his career, and it doesn't seem that he'll stop until he uncovers the truth.

Fingers crossed.

Notes from the TV Stockpile

Kendra the Vampire Slayer introduced as possible recurring criminal element type on Bones? Yay!

Good News?

Dollhouse lives... Please to schedule soon now.

In the Barren Desert of Television

These days, The Middleman is one of the only shows that fills me with glee--most especially among the ranks of science fiction shows. It is, of course, on the precipice between renewal and cancellation. But what can I do about that, you ask?

You can go read the lovely and whip-smart Genevieve Valentine's "Eight Reasons You Should Be Downloading the First Season of 'The Middleman'" over at Fantasy magazine, and let her convince you to do as she says.

See also: Justine's endorsement and themiddleblog for all the low-down on the referentialness.

(Give it two episodes, before you decide and I bet you'll decide it's awesome.)

Heroes Yammer (The Return of?)

And they've sucked me back in for now. See comments. Discuss among yourselves.

Televisional Aside

What about that Bones finale, huh?

The developments make me a little sad, but perhaps we can look forward to padded room stuff at some point.

And back to work...

Televisional Aside

Last night we finally bothered to confirm our suspicion that the actor playing Dr. Lance Sweets (the psychiatrist) on Bones was Sam on Freaks and Geeks. AND there was even a hat tip to that fact during last night's episode.

If you have to replace Stephen Fry, this is a pretty good choice.

Sweet Comedy

If the shrill train wreck The Return of Jezebel James has disappointed you but you're still in the mood for a sitcom, then I recommend checking out the charming, actually funny Miss Guided. Judy Greer rocks.

Doppelgangers

It's not just me, right? Thomas Dekker aka John Connor on the new Terminator show is a dead ringer for Seth Gabel aka Jeremy Darling on Dirty Sexy Money?

Why, yes, I am spending my Friday night with a slight cold on a TV binge... what else would I be doing?

TV Geek Moment

So, on the most recent episode of Bones, which continued the saga of the more-interesting-than-most-TV-serial-killers-because-a-secret-society-is-involved Gormagon killer(s), there was this absolutely delightful little homage to Buffy. Angel, er, Booth did a night visit to a cemetery to break into a crypt and they shot it right out of Buffy, even beginning with a close-up of an angel statue. Yes, we squealed like delighted children meeting Willy Wonka for the first time.

These kind of fun little moments are the reason that this show--while not a work of genius--never disappoints me. Which is a rare thing on teevee these days.

Also, I can't BELIEVE that Wikipedia doesn't have a Gormagon entry. Wow.

Heroes Yammer

Thoughts?

(Never have I been so glad for a twist as at the end.)

Heroes Yammer Belated

So, stuff actually happened -- some of it predictable, much of it problematic... but problematic in the way we know and (mostly?) love. Thoughts?

Wish It Wasn't on Fox

But Joss Whedon and Eliza Dushku back together in TVland. In the E! interview that broke the news, Whedon describes "Dollhouse" thus:

The idea is those with the money or connections can access this secret highly illegal facility where they can basically fulfill their greatest fantasies. Most people assume that means sex—and on an occasion it does, because that is a lot of people's fantasies—but it's basically scenarios. They can basically reenact scenarios of romance, adventure or anything perfectly, because they become the person that you want them to be—they become that person. They don't act like that person, they are not a robot pretending, they become that person, and then they forget all about it. The problem is the character of Echo, Eliza Dushku's character, stops forgetting. She doesn't completely remember, but she does realize she is a person, and that she might have been a person before she did this, and she doesn't know what that is.

Oh, happy day.

p.s. Whedon also directed tonight's episode of The Office.

Belated Heroes Yammer

Anything to say about The Kindness of Strangers? I haven't watched it yet, but will today.

Heroes Yammer

Please get good again. Please get good again. Thank you.

Kindred. Suresh finds an undiscovered Issac Mendez painting that shows someone's death; Maya frees Alejandro from a Mexican jail; in the past Hiro discovers something new about Kensei; and Niki and Micah leave Las Vegas to get away from their past.

Of course, it does say right there that Niki's back...

Heroes Yammer

Let's hope for better footing this week as:

Lizards. Matt seeks allies against the new Hero killer. Claire encounters a student with powers. Maya and Alejandro enter Mexico and find their powers more of a hindrance then a help. Suresh tries to locate the Haitian. Hiro works to contain the damage caused by his journey into the past. Peter falls in with Irish gangsters who taunt him with a box which contains his past. Kensei's power will be revealed.

Thoughts on Chuck welcome, too, since we'll likely watch that. (And, yes, The Office more than delivered. Best show ever. Poor Sprinkles.)

Busy Week, Glowing Screen

Yeah, yeah, I know it's been quiet around here, and I'm sorry about that. I've actually been writing this week and, well, as long as that's working I'm inclined to pop in and out of ye olde blogging when there is time. Rest assured, though, that this has not interfered with my experience of the true debut week of the new TeeVee season. Never that.

So far, new shows I'm liking are Gossip Girl (the frothy pleasure of guilt), Reaper (except for the Jack Black impersonator and the fact the only defined female character is the love interest), and Chuck (less focused than Reaper, but charming). We haven't made it through Journeyman yet, and the Bionic Woman is on the DVR. I have to say that none of the premieres of anything--tried and true or new--have caused an utter wow response yet, but none of them have sucked. (I kind of wish they weren't selling the "House must have a teammmmm" thing as hard as they are; Heroes seems to do interstitial episodes better than first and last ones; and I love the girl with Asperger's on ANTM, which ensures she won't win.) But I fully expect The Office to bring the wow tonight. Jim & Pam. Pam & Jim. Wii Tennis beforehand. You can't beat it.

And next weekend we hit Chicago running for the first ever Kidlitosphere Conference; if you're there and won't be at that thing, drop me an e-mail so we can go to the Lush store or something. There will be a visit to the Lush store. Oh yes.

This weekend? Painting and flooring in the kitchen. Probably also the requisite screaming and crying that goes along with that. And Veuve for when it's finished.

(The Return of) Heroes Yammer

And this week we have:

Four Months Later. Four months after the events of the showdown between Sylar and Peter, new Heroes emerge. These include Blackie, an Irish mobster who is 1,000 years old. Hiro remains in the past, but what will come of this? Someone dies and someone isn't dead. Claire has a boyfriend. New heroes are introduced.

Yay!

The Return of TV Goodness

Or Badness, as the case may be. Anyway, the satellite man came this morning and waved his wand to update for the high def-ness and all systems are go. At press time, Heroes is still the only show I'm going to run a regular thread on. However, for the next couple of weeks while I'm starting to watch things and try things out, there may be some posting about other shows and there might even be a winner for the regular discussion thing. Tonight's entries? The latest season of America's Next Top Model and Gossip Girl, of course. All I need now is bonbons.

Will report back.

VeronicaMarsTalk

Last time ever. (And it would probably be better if whether Logan or Veronica turned out to be the bomb was at issue...

Save the girl detective, save the world.)

HeroesYammer

Finale edition!

What say you?

LastGilmoreEverGossipCircle (&VeronicaMarsTalk)

So? What do we think?

Heroes Yammer

What is it about Monday nights? I keep staying up too late drinking and yammering about unrelated wonderful things.

So, the next to last Heroes' ep of the season? Anyone? More when I've watched it tomorrow. Now: tonight and dreams of good French wine, cheese and steak. Yum.

VeronicaMarsTalk

And tonight's VM is:

Debasement Tapes. Piz (Chris Lowell) is put in charge of escorting his idol, Desmond Fellows (guest star Paul Rudd, "Anchorman"), a singer/musician from a 1990's pop band who arrives on the Hearst campus to perform at a benefit concert for the radio station. When tapes of Fellow's back-up vocals and tracks go missing, Piz recruits Veronica (Kristen Bell) to help locate them. Keith (Enrico Colantoni) believes he will be running unopposed in the race for Sheriff, until an unlikely candidate throws his hat into the ring. Jason Dohring, Percy Daggs, Francis Capra, Ryan Hansen Tina Majorino and Julie Gonzalo also star. Dan Etheridge directed the episode written by John Enbom.

If any of you former Gilmore Girls fans break down and tune in for the final eps, feel free to post about tonight's here too. (I can report that the last few episodes have been pretty good, actually.)

Whoopsie - Heroes Yammer

We got to drinking vino with the neighbors amid the splendor of the garden last night and I forgot to post. This is the one with all the mama issues. Thoughts?

VeronicaMarsTalk

And now for what may well be one of the last times, a new VM ep:

Un-American Graffiti. Veronica (Kristen Bell) is hired by a Middle Eastern restaurant owner to find out who has been vandalizing their business with ethnic slurs. While investigating the case, Veronica and the restaurant owner are attacked in a drive-by shooting. When a drunk teenager stumbles from a bar and gets hit by a car, Keith (Enrico Colantoni) orders his deputies to conduct surprise ID checks in all the area bars. While doing his own surprise search, Keith catches Piz (Chris Lowell) and Wallace (Percy Daggs) using fake ID's provided by Veronica. Meanwhile, Logan (Jason Dohring) decides to throw a birthday party for Parker (Julie Gonzalo). Francis Capra and Ryan Hansen also star. Dan Etheridge directed the episode written by John Enbom.

I have to say, I haven't missed the show nearly as much as I would have wished to during the hiatus -- the level of wishing related to level of goodness this season, of course.

Heroes Yammer

And tonight we have:

String Theory. Hiro and Ando find themselves five years after the destruction of New York City. People with extraordinary abilities are labeled as terrorists and are being registered, hunted, and killed. Hiro and Ando meet up with darker versions of the other heroes in preparation for a showdown with the President. This includes a darker side of Matt, a Jessica/Niki with a clear winner in their battle, a brown-haired Claire, and a man named Andy, who's a big hearted Texan. It also features an event at an upscale gentleman's club.

Heroes Yammer

Finally, new television! Who will be the next dead woman on HEROES (duh-duh-duhm!)?

.07%. Sylar and Peter face off. Sylar will face off with another Hero and Isaac's new pictures show a dead Hero without a brain. Two unexpected reunions will occur and Linderman will reveal to Nathan shocking secrets and plans. We will meet a computer savvy geek and a competent security guard who works in the Corinthian Casino and Hotel in Las Vegas. A hero dies.

Now with 100 percent more face-offs!

I might not watch the ep until tomorrow, but comment away. (Actually, I'm so starved for television, I probably will watch it. I've been watching Roswell repeats on Sci-Fi, people, which are, um, new to me. I find it charmingly quaint and Mayberry-esque, but with lusty teenagers -- even the mean teenager is really kind of nice.)

Veronica Mars Death Watch

Rumors are flying:

I just heard from Veronica mastermind and showrunner Rob Thomas, who tells me, "If we're cancelled, I certainly don't know about it."

And according to CW insiders, the CW has not officially canceled Veronica Mars. However, here's the catch: They are currently considering a different format for the fourth season. From what I hear, that format would leap four years into the future and focus on Veronica Mars as an FBI agent. Aside from returning star Kristen Bell (duh), the rest of the cast is yet to be determined, but it isn't likely that many of her current co-stars would be on board.

Okay, so this seems highly unlikely, but I would love to see the show attempt to pull this off.

Heroes Yammer

Please let the last line of this be a tease:

Parasite. As the election and destruction of New York approach, Nathan meets up with Linderman. Hiro attempts to steal the sword heading him in a new path. Suresh and Sylar make progress with the list at great cost. D.L. begins to suspect problems at home. Isaac paints an even more terrible painting. A new hero, Candice Wilmer, appears. Simone isn't dead yet.

Can't we just leave this one of all the Dead Heroes Women dead? Please?

VeronicaMarsTalk

And tonight I won't be watching:

Papa's Cabin. Veronica (Kristen Bell) catches Tim Foyle (guest star James Jordan, "Without A Trace"), breaking into Mars Investigations. Meanwhile, Keith (Enrico Colantoni) questions Mindy O'Dell (guest star Jamie Ray Newman, "E Ring"), finally making her believe that Hank Landry (guest star Patrick Fabian, "Joan of Arcadia") killed her husband, and Keith arrests Landry in the middle of a class. Later, Wallace (Percy Daggs III) notices Logan (Jason Dohring) and Parker (Julie Gonzalo) enjoying a nice lunch together. Francis Capra, Ryan Hansen and Chris Lowell also star. Michael Fields directed the episode written by John Enbom.

Do we never get another episode written by Rob Thomas?

Heroes Yammer

And tonight we have:

Company Man. Matt Parkman and Ted Sprague arrive in Texas in search of answers and take HRG and his family hostage. More is revealed about Mr. Bennet, the agency for which he works, and how he found Claire.

And the West Coast Avengers take center stage...

p.s. I'm really behind on email, but intend to catch up _before_ AWP.

Oscars!

I'll be over at Ed's Oscar Blog again this year, though probably only for awhile at the beginning and not making the completely insane number of posts as last year. I do promise dress critiques though.

What we learned last year was to be sure you have enough snacks on hand. The Oscars make people want to eat cake.

VeronicaMarsTalk

And tonight we have:

Mars, Bars. Without any evidence to hold her, Sheriff Lamb (Michael Muhney) releases Veronica (Kristen Bell) from jail. Josh (guest star Jonathan Chase), makes contact with Veronica and insists that he is being framed for his father's murder and, though Veronica has sympathy for him, she doesn't know if she believes him. Keith (Enrico Colantoni) learns that the coach's wife, Kathleen Barry (guest star Tracey Needham), hired Vinnie Van Lowe (guest star Ken Marino, "Reno 911") to find out if her husband was having an affair. Meanwhile, Logan (Jason Dohring) joins Mac (Tina Majorino) and Parker (Julie Gonzalo) on a Valentine's Day scavenger hunt. Harry Winer directed the episode with story by Joe Voci, Phil Klemmer, John Enbom and teleplay by Phil Klemmer and John Embom.

Hmmm...

Heroes Yammer

And tonight we have:

Unexpected. Peter learns that he and Claude may have been betrayed. Matt's reunited with the radioactive Ted Sprague and Hana Gitelman a woman with "wireless" mental abilities. Due to Linderman's influence Niki and Nathan meet again, this time under very different circumstances. After someone Hiro knows dies, he makes a tough choice about his mission. Claire can no longer hold back her anger towards HRG.

Claire telling HRG off should be fun.

VeronicaMarsTalk

It's pretty sad that the over-the-shark-and-through-the-woods version of the Gilmore Girls was better than the Veronica Mars that followed last week. This week:

Postgame Mortem. No sooner has Wallace (Percy Daggs III) rejoined the Hearst basketball team, when the basketball coach, Tom Barry (guest star Matt McKenzie), is found dead. The coach's widow, Kathleen Barry (guest star Tracey Needham), hires Keith (Enrico Colantoni) to investigate the murder of her husband and to clear her son, Josh (guest star Jonathan Chase), who is Sheriff Lamb's (Michael Muhney) prime suspect. Logan (Jason Dohring) is wallowing in self-pity after his breakup with Veronica (Kristen Bell), so Dick (Ryan Hansen) invites two girls over to cheer Logan up, but Logan gets stuck entertaining Heather (guest star Juliette Goglia), who is only 13 years old. Keith and Veronica discover that the alibis given by Mindy O'Dell (guest star Jamie Ray Newman, "E Ring") and Professor Landry (guest star Patrick Fabian, "Joan of Arcadia") do not match. Francis Capra, Tina Majorino, Chris Lowell and Julie Gonzalo also star. John Kretchmer directed the episode written by Joe Voci.

Wallace lives!

Heroes Yammer

And tonight we have:

Run. Matt starts to bodyguard for an objectionable client. Suresh finds another person on the list. Claire learns a lot more about her birth parents. Hiro and Ando get sidetracked in Vegas again while searching for the sword. Simone and Nathan go to great lengths to find Peter. Niki and Nathan meet again.

Do we think the sword will be important this season?

VeronicaMarsTalk

Tonight:

There's Got To Be A Morning After Pill. Veronica (Kristen Bell) is hired by Bonnie (guest star Carlee Avers, "Commander in Chief"), a promiscuous classmate, to find out who secretly slipped her the morning after pill, causing her to have a miscarriage. The investigation leads her to the office of Bonnie's boyfriend, Tim Foyle (guest star James Jordan, "Without A Trace"), and while searching his computer, Veronica discovers Tim has uncovered a witness to Dean O'Dell's death. Together, Keith (Enrico Colantoni) and Veronica visit Bonnie's father, a well-known televangelist, Reverend Capistrano (guest star Chris Ellis, "Ghost Whisperer"). Veronica confronts Logan (Jason Dohring) about sleeping with Madison Sinclair (guest star Amanda Noret, "7th Heaven") while they were broken up. Percy Daggs, Francis Capra, Michael Muhney, Ryan Hansen, Tina Majorino, Chris Lowell and Julie Gonzalo also star. Tricia Brock directed the episode with story by Jonathan Moskin and David Mulei and teleplay by Jonathan Moskin, Phil Klemmer and John Enbom.

Please let this be better than the promos would have us believe.

Heroes Yammer

And tonight we have:

Distractions. Hiro deals with explaining his new heroic path in life to his ambitious sister and tycoon father. Niki has the chance to reunite with D.L and Micah. Claude's mentoring of Peter leads Peter to question those closest to him. Claire goes to a trailer park looking for her birth mother. Sylar wears a disguise and makes a move against HRG.

I thought the last couple of episodes kind of eh, so hopefully this is a return to form.