Honestly, I'm really mixed on this episode. Yvonne and Lad really brought their emotional A game to the episode, but so much retcon happened that it makes me almost hate the episode.
At the end when Sarah talks to Graham and he gives her the Chuck assignment it completely disregards everything else that the show has done with the moment Chuck and Sarah first meet. Nacho Sampler established that Sarah didn't know who Chuck was until she was in the Buy More and received his picture on her phone.
Ryker being her only contact screws over Bryce (and Carina), and essentially eliminates him entirely, and without him nothing can actually be set in motion. On top of that, it means Graham isn't the one who discovers her, and that completely changes Cougar's ending.
Don't even get me started on why Sarah's mother, a stable and competent adult, didn't get custody of her when she was a child.
This is just a poll of the staff who liked what show the most this year. It's just a fun piece, and you're welcome to disagree with all of us. We won't mind. If you liked Hell on Wheels out of everything this year, there's nothing wrong with that, and you're free to share that opinion (as you did).
Many of us watch a lot of the same shows, and we discuss them amongst ourselves, but we all have differing tastes. Some of us like comedy more than drama, some of us prefer Once Upon A Time over AMC and HBO dramas. This poll says nothing about total rankings, viewership, average scores, network loyalty, or anything more than just a response to a question that is going to evoke opinions and gut reactions.
Which means, again, that you can agree with us, disagree with us, but to bash this column and question all of us because things didn't go your way doesn't help your case.
But, hey, thanks for the great new name for our editor! I think I'll start calling him The Mighty Editor.
Great comments everyone! I agree with all of you, although we'll have to respectfully disagree Shari about Jane's home life, and I hope NBC can find a place for Prime Suspect.
I won't be reviewing last week's episode George, I, unfortunately, wasn't feeling well. If you'd like to know my thoughts I'll post a few quick things about it here though, no problem.
You're proving my point a little bit with that last bullet point and the earless reaper. I don't need complicated mythology. I just need a few plot payoffs because right now there isn't a lot of balance. Grimm is posing a lot of questions and answering none. If you're a fan of The Good Wife, that's an excellent example of a procedural that continually rewards its audience for sticking around. A new viewer can jump in and have no problem enjoying the case, and a fan can tune in and get payoffs for the characters and their overarching problems.
I'll try to expand on the part you're confused about: The Blue Beard being left open is far more significant than what he did. A show like Grimm lives and dies not on the procedural elements (no matter how horrific they are, I'm not trying to discount how terrible he is), but on the fairy tale and what is being built up in the background (something we're still completely clueless about). The Blue Beard could also be set up as a recurring villain. Again, without any knowledge of an overarching plot, we're left to speculation only.
Wow, how could I forget about Ron and the cult?! I really enjoyed those parts of the episode - especially the end with Leslie scheduling in their next end of the world event, because, you know, math is hard. It's definitely one of the top moments.
I enjoyed the episode, I just felt the first half was boring because there was a lot of back and forth.
kamja,
I keep wondering if Nick's girlfriend is going to end up being some type of fairy tale creature. Being a vet seems like a very good cover to do evildoer things.
I'm glad you enjoyed it Megan. I think we all have a lot of fun chatting about it and letting our nerd flags fly.
So much of the history has been changed, like I've said before I'm really interested how Peter and his timeline will be brought back into the fold, and I think Fringe will use Peter as the character who shares the audience's questions and curiosities.
I'm all for replacing Larry, Curly, and Moe with the bartender from last week.
Also, "You can't give hipsters a microphone, that's like throwing gasoline on a pretentious fire!" That may be the funniest thing this show has said yet.
I'm keeping my judgment reserved for Lemon. As with most television, the mean girls are always mean for a reason, and on a serial show like Dixie we'll see her layers sooner rather than later. For now, I'm just enjoying her subterfuge.
As for Wade, I'm loving his character and the chemistry he shares with Zoe. The amount of layering done on his character in the last two episodes is pretty remarkable considering he had about two minutes total in the Pilot.
I realize he is an actor, and he's a good one at that. He plays Grayson very well, the character is full of heart, has depth, and soul. It's less about typecasting and more about recent memories of characters. It's not always easy switching gears, especially when it's been such a short amount of time since DDD aired its season finale. Those memories are why I was having trouble believing he was the murderer. If he had done it, the back of my mind would have been wrong and I'd say so in the review.
I'm going to make a quick assumption and hope you've watched Cougar Town and Friends. If Courtney Cox had moved on right from Friends to Cougar Town would you be able to shake Monica out of your head instantly? Jules is entirely different from Monica, but most viewers would remember her as Monica.
It takes time to shake perceptions of past characters, especially on TV shows, where the viewer has potentially had years to form a bond with old characters. I've known Grayson for three years, and I knew this character for about ten minutes.
I'm glad you're enjoying Prime Suspect and it's working for you because it's working for me too. I'm also glad you called me out on that sentence because I should have explained the why behind it.
I give out 5 stars when I feel an episode is flawless (or close to it), while you may feel differently that's, unfortunately, one of the inherent flaws of giving out scores. It's also one of the reasons why we have the comments section and user ratings, so we can hear from our readers and their opinions. A 4.2 is still a very good score and I have given Parks a 5 out of 5 before.
Don't despair, the season is still young and if I were a betting man I'm sure I'll give a 5/5 to an episode before the season is out.
Thank you for pointing that out! I just assumed that they recorded an acoustic version. Doing a quick search on iTunes the band is listed as Track and Field and their version is available for purchase.
That's how I took it with regards to the metronome and the stopwatch, but I'm wondering if the two artifacts are an either/or situation since Steve was killed much earlier than the warehouse.
Jason:
I wondered the exact same thing in my review, but putting it around the three of them instead of the bomb allowed her redemption arc to a significant and satisfying conclusion because it was a truly selfless act.
Some of you think her mom wrote the letter? That would be hilarious not to mention a little dark and depressing. I mean, we know her Mom likes to throw out barbs and daily insults, but I don't think she'd be that mean!
As I often think about TV even when I'm not watching it, I'm beginning to wonder if the person who wrote the letter is someone we haven't met yet. But with two episodes left that might be a pipe dream. What do you guys think?
P.S. ursuchaskitch,
The creator of Awkward said on Twitter that MTV is airing the last two episodes back to back. I don't know if that's changed, but that's why I said next week is the season finale. Either way, it's almost over and I'm going to miss the show terribly.
I feel like I have to defend myself a little bit here. I prefaced what you quoted with "What sets Timoney apart from most procedural heroines." That theme runs through almost the rest of my review. Jane's defining personality traits make her feel more like the guys on the squad than the beef trust would like to admit. The defining characteristics I listed are further evidence of why Jane isn't like a stereotypical female procedural heroine.
I'm not talking about the women you and I meet every day. I'm talking about what we experience from a very large amount of the TV produced. Like you said "Women as portrayed on TV? Another breed altogether."
I very much realize women are not a separate species and you'll find that many of the shows I like have strong, fully realized women in lead roles.
P.S. I don't want to come across combative. I love your comment, your point came across clearly, and your passion is contagious because when more people like you stand up against stereotypes in any form of media things get changed.
Rookie Blue
Hannibal
Comments by Nick McHatton (Page 3)
Chuck Review: The Game of Life
At the end when Sarah talks to Graham and he gives her the Chuck assignment it completely disregards everything else that the show has done with the moment Chuck and Sarah first meet. Nacho Sampler established that Sarah didn't know who Chuck was until she was in the Buy More and received his picture on her phone.
Ryker being her only contact screws over Bryce (and Carina), and essentially eliminates him entirely, and without him nothing can actually be set in motion. On top of that, it means Graham isn't the one who discovers her, and that completely changes Cougar's ending.
Don't even get me started on why Sarah's mother, a stable and competent adult, didn't get custody of her when she was a child.
Grimm Midseason Report Card: C+
My grading reflects how I've reviewed the show up to this point. Grimm has 78% of the possible points, that's a C+.
TV Fanatic Staff Round Table: Best New Show of 2011
This is just a poll of the staff who liked what show the most this year. It's just a fun piece, and you're welcome to disagree with all of us. We won't mind. If you liked Hell on Wheels out of everything this year, there's nothing wrong with that, and you're free to share that opinion (as you did).
Many of us watch a lot of the same shows, and we discuss them amongst ourselves, but we all have differing tastes. Some of us like comedy more than drama, some of us prefer Once Upon A Time over AMC and HBO dramas. This poll says nothing about total rankings, viewership, average scores, network loyalty, or anything more than just a response to a question that is going to evoke opinions and gut reactions.
Which means, again, that you can agree with us, disagree with us, but to bash this column and question all of us because things didn't go your way doesn't help your case.
But, hey, thanks for the great new name for our editor! I think I'll start calling him The Mighty Editor.
New Girl Review: To Bed or Not to Bed
Prime Suspect Review: Watch Jane's Heart Melt
I won't be reviewing last week's episode George, I, unfortunately, wasn't feeling well. If you'd like to know my thoughts I'll post a few quick things about it here though, no problem.
Grimm Review: Where Plot is Left Lonely
You're proving my point a little bit with that last bullet point and the earless reaper. I don't need complicated mythology. I just need a few plot payoffs because right now there isn't a lot of balance. Grimm is posing a lot of questions and answering none. If you're a fan of The Good Wife, that's an excellent example of a procedural that continually rewards its audience for sticking around. A new viewer can jump in and have no problem enjoying the case, and a fan can tune in and get payoffs for the characters and their overarching problems.
I'll try to expand on the part you're confused about: The Blue Beard being left open is far more significant than what he did. A show like Grimm lives and dies not on the procedural elements (no matter how horrific they are, I'm not trying to discount how terrible he is), but on the fairy tale and what is being built up in the background (something we're still completely clueless about). The Blue Beard could also be set up as a recurring villain. Again, without any knowledge of an overarching plot, we're left to speculation only.
Once Upon A Time Round Table: Debut Edition
Thanks so much for pointing that out! That makes a lot of sense!
Prime Suspect Review: Like a Cracker to a Ceiling Fan
I think the carrot counts! Thanks for pointing it out!
Parks and Recreation Review: Mick Jagger Owns a Gas Station?
Wow, how could I forget about Ron and the cult?! I really enjoyed those parts of the episode - especially the end with Leslie scheduling in their next end of the world event, because, you know, math is hard. It's definitely one of the top moments.
Grimm Review: Hazing and The Three Bears
I enjoyed the episode, I just felt the first half was boring because there was a lot of back and forth.
kamja,
I keep wondering if Nick's girlfriend is going to end up being some type of fairy tale creature. Being a vet seems like a very good cover to do evildoer things.
TV Ratings Report: Chuck Bombs, Grimm Impresses
Fringe Round Table: "Alone In The World"
So much of the history has been changed, like I've said before I'm really interested how Peter and his timeline will be brought back into the fold, and I think Fringe will use Peter as the character who shares the audience's questions and curiosities.
2 Broke Girls Review: A First Time for Everything
Also, "You can't give hipsters a microphone, that's like throwing gasoline on a pretentious fire!" That may be the funniest thing this show has said yet.
Hart of Dixie Review: Wade for the Win!
As for Wade, I'm loving his character and the chemistry he shares with Zoe. The amount of layering done on his character in the last two episodes is pretty remarkable considering he had about two minutes total in the Pilot.
Prime Suspect Review: Less Sexism, More to Love
I realize he is an actor, and he's a good one at that. He plays Grayson very well, the character is full of heart, has depth, and soul. It's less about typecasting and more about recent memories of characters. It's not always easy switching gears, especially when it's been such a short amount of time since DDD aired its season finale. Those memories are why I was having trouble believing he was the murderer. If he had done it, the back of my mind would have been wrong and I'd say so in the review.
I'm going to make a quick assumption and hope you've watched Cougar Town and Friends. If Courtney Cox had moved on right from Friends to Cougar Town would you be able to shake Monica out of your head instantly? Jules is entirely different from Monica, but most viewers would remember her as Monica.
It takes time to shake perceptions of past characters, especially on TV shows, where the viewer has potentially had years to form a bond with old characters. I've known Grayson for three years, and I knew this character for about ten minutes.
I'm glad you're enjoying Prime Suspect and it's working for you because it's working for me too. I'm also glad you called me out on that sentence because I should have explained the why behind it.
Parks and Recreation Review: "Born & Raised"
I give out 5 stars when I feel an episode is flawless (or close to it), while you may feel differently that's, unfortunately, one of the inherent flaws of giving out scores. It's also one of the reasons why we have the comments section and user ratings, so we can hear from our readers and their opinions. A 4.2 is still a very good score and I have given Parks a 5 out of 5 before.
Don't despair, the season is still young and if I were a betting man I'm sure I'll give a 5/5 to an episode before the season is out.
alan,
Well, they are lesbians, so....
DonTV,
At least he felt like he was contributing!
Warehouse 13 Season Finale Review: Who Died?
Thank you for pointing that out! I just assumed that they recorded an acoustic version. Doing a quick search on iTunes the band is listed as Track and Field and their version is available for purchase.
White Collar Star to Stop by Chuck
Warehouse 13 Season Finale Review: Who Died?
That's how I took it with regards to the metronome and the stopwatch, but I'm wondering if the two artifacts are an either/or situation since Steve was killed much earlier than the warehouse.
Jason:
I wondered the exact same thing in my review, but putting it around the three of them instead of the bomb allowed her redemption arc to a significant and satisfying conclusion because it was a truly selfless act.
Awkward Season 2 Scoop: A Full Plate for Jenna
Awkward Review: "No Doubt"
As I often think about TV even when I'm not watching it, I'm beginning to wonder if the person who wrote the letter is someone we haven't met yet. But with two episodes left that might be a pipe dream. What do you guys think?
P.S. ursuchaskitch,
The creator of Awkward said on Twitter that MTV is airing the last two episodes back to back. I don't know if that's changed, but that's why I said next week is the season finale. Either way, it's almost over and I'm going to miss the show terribly.
Prime Suspect Review: Series Premiere
I feel like I have to defend myself a little bit here. I prefaced what you quoted with "What sets Timoney apart from most procedural heroines." That theme runs through almost the rest of my review. Jane's defining personality traits make her feel more like the guys on the squad than the beef trust would like to admit. The defining characteristics I listed are further evidence of why Jane isn't like a stereotypical female procedural heroine.
I'm not talking about the women you and I meet every day. I'm talking about what we experience from a very large amount of the TV produced. Like you said "Women as portrayed on TV? Another breed altogether."
I very much realize women are not a separate species and you'll find that many of the shows I like have strong, fully realized women in lead roles.
P.S. I don't want to come across combative. I love your comment, your point came across clearly, and your passion is contagious because when more people like you stand up against stereotypes in any form of media things get changed.
Fringe Season Premiere Review: Olivia vs. Olivia
The 2011 Emmy Awards: Live Blog!
The 2011 Emmy Awards: Live Blog!