Extant S01E02 "Extinct"

So to recap: previously on Extant, Halle Berry is space pregnant and her son is a robot.

Oh, and also possibly ghost people?

There's no futuristic washing machine?

Oooh, Space Jenga!

I think I was reading something the other day about how female astronauts are only interesting in popular culture because women can get pregnant. I didn't read the full article, though...

So did the bosses do this to Halle on purpose, do we think? Or are they not in on it?

I think Survival of the Fittest is a bit more nuanced than that.

This Mother ghost/alien reminds me of doped up Mr. Burns in the X-Files episode of The Simpsons. "I bring you peace and love"

This friend is totally going to go traitor at some point.

So Yasumoto is dying, and sleeping with his board member.

Masters of Sex S02E03

"Erections aren't the totality of manhood." I feel like a thesis could be written on the first 10 minutes of this episode.

I like getting to see what Bill and Virginia's interpersonal relationship is like beyond the sex.

This is a really nice bottle episode.

I love how they go between talking about their fantasy marriage to weaving in their own pasts.

(Bill Masters being left at boarding school for Christmas is a lot less funny than Sterling Archer being left at boarding school for Christmas.)

I bet Bill just told Virginia more about his father than he ever told his wife.

The sound of Virginia touching herself over the image of the boxing match on TV. Whoa.

"Role playing throughout" ie, this is isn't *real*

"I'm begging you" That is so fraught given how Bill said he never ever begged his father to stop beating him.

"Better a tomboy than a sissy." Ayup.

"I want to see how it ends" Brings it full circle to Virginia telling her daughter that she likes to know how things will end.

True Blood S07E05

Rutina Wesley is still being credited. Hmmm

They seem to be angling to get Sookie and Bill back together.

"I liker her. I like you." "Is it all right if I haven't made up my mind about you yet?" "I really like her." I <3 Pam.

Hah. Jane Bodehouse's ancestor owned a bar.

I really like Jessica's dress.

I love Andy.

Carrie Preston is so wonderful as Arlene.

Pam looks awesome as a Republican asshole.

It seems like the fact that James cheating on her in the car that they bought together is what upset Jess the most.

Why is Willa looking for Arlene? (She looks awesome, btw)

All kinds of drama at this party.

Sarah Newlin running away from the yakuza and running into Eric is just like Sarah Connor running into Arnold in Terminator 2. Same shots, I think.

So after the party everyone leaves Sookie alone AND with a mess to clean up. Nice, guys.

Homicide: Life on the Street S02E04 "A Many Splendored Thing"

"She gave phone sex." GASP!

Bayless is so wigged out about all this and Pembleton is like, "Yeah, whatever."

Bayless is so judgmental. A victim who does sex work isn't as important, or as innocent, as an 11 year old girl.

Aw Munch, why you gotta ruin it?

Hahahaha. This bedroom full of pens is awesome. It's like a pen serial killer?

I knew that neighbor had something to do with this murder.

Oh no, is Munch going to steal away Bolander's lady?

So a leather jacket turns Bayless into Sandy from Grease?

Terror in Resonance S01E03 "Search & Destroy"

Why aren't they analyzing the video itself?


This institute or orphanage or whatever it is reminds me of Monster.


I like this music during the reveal of the riddle's solution. Jazzy.


Tadanobu Asano should play Shibazaki in the inevitable live action adaptation.


So Shibazaki is the Lester Freamon of the (whatever agency this is.)

Masters of Sex S02E02

I'm glad Betty is back.

Yaaaay!!!!1 It's Betsy Brandt!!!

Oh, is this the Rose girl?

Did Masters & Johnson invent laproscopy?

Oh no, is Libby going to be horrible to the nanny?

Homicide: Life on the Street S02E03 "Black and Blue"

Aw, Bolander's just lonely. (Whatever happened with that medical examiner?)

I feel like Pembleton jeopardized his case against whoever did kill Cox by coercing a confession from that other guy.

Good episode.

Homicide: Life on the Street S02E02 "See No Evil"

"You're the big E on the eye chart" That's a good one.

This is the second time we've seen one of the cop's infirm friends who doesn't like the indignity of his infirmity.

If this guy was Navy, he must have some pension or something for his family. Won't that be void if he kills himself?

I thought when the went to the external of the house we'd hear the shot. I like that we didn't.

What a way that would be to find out someone you know died - seeing their name on the homicide board.

Gus from The Wire seems to have the same personality as a detective in Homicide.

Extant S01E01 "Re-Entry"

Oh, that's whatserface. Control, from POI.

Oooh, that is some high-tech trash disposal mechanism.

Whaaaat? The son is a robot?

This husband seems so nice and understanding. Is he a robot too? Or does he have some secret? Or is he actually just nice?

Oh, is that the chick from The Newsroom who looks like Leelee Sobieski?

Does the husband have some sort of accent? I can't tell...

I hope Husband isn't sleeping with Leelee Sobieski. That would be obvious.

Oh hey, I know that guy, too. Oh! He's Hank's boss on Breaking Bad!

Well these cameras in the therapist's office are a gross violation of privacy. Obviously something sinister is at play here.

So when she deleted the video she thought, what, that she'd had a hallucination and didn't want people to think she's crazy?

 Well this shows promise. Much better than The Afters, the previous Amazon outing I watched.

True Blood S07E04 "Death Is Not The End"

Hoyt!

Did Alcide's dad always have two different colored eyes? Or was that just the lighting in that scene?

Are they doing these flashbacks because they don't have enough present-day plot to carry it?

The 80s were good for Pam.

Where's Arlene's baby? Or toddler now, I guess.

That's a stupid promise, Sookie.

"For Arlene and Nicole" What about the other police guy? Nobody knows yet that he's dead.

90s Eric is the best thing to happen yet this season. Possibly last season too, I don't really remember.

Lafayette is still awesome.

I think this is the most lines Ginger has ever had.

"What kind of trouble are you in?" Huh. Sookie's actually not the one in trouble this time.

Arlene made it this long without knowing Sam is a shifter.

Hey, remember that plotline with Sam's brother? Haha.

The good guy vampires are so much better dressed than the bad guy vampires.

A vampire fight happens at super fast speed, so we're going to show it in slo-mo!

Why isn't Pam helping Arlene?

Nice to see Terry, though.

Terror in Resonance S01E02 "Call & Response"

Are 1 & 2 the same as 9 & 12



How did only person in the police department know the riddle of the Sphinx?



A riddle is enought for a search warrant?

Terror in Resonance S01E01 "Falling"

All right, I'm intrigued. Only two episodes have aired so far. Let's see where this goes...

The X-Files S07E03 "Hungry"

"What's your point?" That is Mulder's typical response to Scully in a nutshell.

Does that kid live alone? Because his apartment/house/whatever is HUGE!

How come these human monsters of the week never go to a hospital?

Derwood's pretty smart.

This therapist is totally going to get killed.

It's nice, though, to have a predictable, formulaic episode after heady trio we just went through.

Peter Jennings? As the most handsome man in the world?

And is this therapist trying to cure an eating disorder with a mirror? Is that standard practice?

This episode is also interesting in that it follows the monster, but we haven't seen too much of Mulder and Scully and their ruminations.

How did Mulder deduce that it's him?

Ohhhh no, is he going to eat his land lady?

The kid playing Rob is pretty great. This monologue at the Overeaters Anonymous meeting where he's describing what it tastes like to eat a brain? Good stuff.

Are we ever going to find out who the man in the car was?

Why is this therapist baiting him?

The therapist says she knows what he's talking about. I want her to turn into one too.

So he's, what, a shark boy? Who eats brains?

That episode was like a bad parody of itself.

Masters of Sex S02E01

Did Ginny change her hair?

Oh Beau Bridges :( This electroshock therapy makes me so sad.

I feel like I should be uncomfortable with this sex between Ginny and Bill, but since there's been a season break I don't really remember.

Is Ginny saying no to Ethan BECAUSE of Bill?

Ginny is trying to sell the diet pills AT the hospital?

I like Ginny and Libby's friendship so much. I hope Bill doesn't spoil it.

Is that the Sax Man???

Oooh, is Betty's peanut guy going to fund a new study?

Oh no, is blonde whatserface going to move to LA and not be on the show anymore?

I would think that Libby will go back to the negro hospital.

Bill is just awful sometimes.

Oh no. Did he kill himself??

"I don't want you to feel led on" Isn't Bill the one leading himself on?

Orange Is The New Black S01E01 "I Wasn't Ready"

I've actually already watched this episode (pre-blog), so I don't have a whole lot to say. Oops.

The X-Files S07E02 "The Sixth Extinction: Part 2: Amor Fati"

I already don't like this episode, but I have to get through it to continue the series.

Like, what is even happening?

Why are the sunflower seeds in the fridge?

I don't believe that the Deepthroat guy is actually him.

This whole thing in this house is kind of Red Room-ish.

Who is this guy that was hacking Scully's files? Is that Kritschgau?

Obviously this town is fake.

I really want Scully to sock Fowler.

Is this dream induced to be what they want it to be? Or is it Mulder's own imagination?

Like, this trio of episodes are good on their own, I guess, but don't seem to quite fit in as part of the series.

Also I'm not really buying that the Smoking Man is Mulder's father because they've kind of tried to hint at that in the past only to refute it time and again.

Mulder is a Yankees fan?

This last scene with Scully is nice.

"Even when the world was falling apart, you were my constant." Awwwwwwww!

Well, I guess this episode isn't TERRIBLE.Okay, I actually kind of like it.

Homicide: Life on the Street S02E01 "Bop Gun"

Apparently this was the last episode of the season to film, but the first to air, so I'm watching it first.

Oh 90s fashion

Robin Williams? Jake Gyllenhaal? Some guest stars!

Ohmigod it Jake Gyllenhaal the son?? He's tiny!!

Shouldn't they question the family all separately?

Do they do this L&O style where the big guest star (Robin Williams) is the perp?

(Or maybe Robin Williams wasn't a big star yet? I think he was, right?)

Luther S01E01 "Episode 1"

Am I watching this just for Idris Elba? Maybe.

Huh. It just occurred to me that both McNulty and Stringer Bell were played by British actors.

I love how TV policemen think they can harass their wives at work because they're police. (Luther, whatsisface on True Detective...)

I like that Luther's superior is female. (But if his superior were a male would they be macho and competitive?)

My general impression is that the entire show rides on Idris Elba. But because he is who he is, that might be enough.

Homicide: Life on the Street S01E09 "Night of the Dead Living"

Why is the little boy still here?

So I take it this is a bottle episode?

"Maybe he's a wild baby." Haha, Munch.

I'm glad they didn't immediately make Kay take care of the baby.

What's with this music, though?

Is this episode out of order? Why is Bolander in a tizzy about calling Dr. Blythe for a date?

Oh right, this episode took place "last September." So does that mean we won't find out about Kay's sister?

Like, really. This music is awful.

I love this bit with Giardelli telling Pembleton to take off his tie.

Who is Eva?

Homicide: Life on the Street S01E08 "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes"

I feel like the Lieutenant would get along with Cragen.

Is that Adena case really going to go unclosed? Neat.

TV cop supervisors that care about their people are truly the best TV cop supervisors.

I love Munch. I do.

It's refreshing that when the detectives run into an obstacle (like the Chinese murder last episode), they just have to stop. In L&O they always get around the stumbling blocks. It's nice then they can't.

This scene making up a test to use on the suspect is like that scene in The Wire when they use a Xerox machine as a lie detector.

Nice contrast of the Lieutenant getting up in arms about the asbestos and then laughing about the no-smoking area concern.

I like this show.

I am so glad I never took up smoking.

Wait, is Pembleton a happily married male detective? It just occurred to me.

It is nice to see whatsisface actually sad about his divorce, not just bitter.

Homicide: Life on the Street S01E07 "And the Rockets Dead Glare"

I like the way they write the name of each new victim on the board. Helps me keep track.

Bai Ling?

Wait, I know that guy in the denim jacket! Who is he? Where do I know him from...

Munch is a stoner?

"This is not the Chinese embassy, this is a Chinese restaurant." Haha.

I love Kay more and more. Totally underrated lady TV cop. (ie, I'd never heard of her.)

You couldn't tell DNA from a hair in the 90s?

I wonder if this talk about legalizing drug inspired the Hampsterdam plot in The Wire. (Probably not directly.)

Why does Pembleton need to keep this secret from the Lieutenant? It's not like he's going to replace him.

I gotta admire the show's dedication to this Lincoln assassination thing.

I feel like it's too soon in the show for Pembleton to get promoted. I like him as a detective.

The Lieutenant sure is a nostalgic guy.

Thoughts on Nominations for the 66th Emmy Awards

-  There are some great contenders for the Emmy for Best Drama Series. I've seen 4 of the 6, and they're stellar. In a list like that, though, it really illustrates the lack of diversity on TV. So many white male anti-heroes, so little bandwidth.

-   If American Horror Story is a miniseries/movie, then True Detective should also be in that category. Unless they just wanted to take on Breaking Bad for Best Drama, which is possible.

 -   The fact that the nominees in these categories are so much more competitive and the awards so much more hotly contested than the Oscars really shows the state of entertainment. Television is where it's at.

-   Look at all that talent in Guest Actress, Drama Series, for crissakes! I really hope the award goes to Allison Janney, but Jane Fonda and Dianna Rigg were damn good, too.

- This is the first year I'd be okay with Peter Dinklage taking Best Supporting Actor.

-  Tatiana Maslany, once again without a nomination. Clone Club's gon' be pissed.

- The most outrageous snub, though, in my mind is that Hannibal gets nothing. Breaking Bad has all my cinematography and editing love, but Hannibal is doing the most interesting things in those categories on network TV and certainly deserves a nod - sound design, too, this season.

-  Do I need to watch more comedies? 

- I think we've reached a period in television where a category for best Showrunner would be appropriate.

-  My only prediction for the awards: Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey's interactions in the audience will win Most Valuable GIF Material. (And then maybe tumblr will forgive the powers that be for snubbing Tatiana (Unless Clone Club and the Fannibals team up and start their own award show.).)



Sometimes I feel like a traitor to film because I watch so much more TV than I do movies. But it seems there are genuinely more interesting things happening on TV than at the movies. The television format (so I can include Netflix, which isn't technically on TV) is offering more risk-taking and creativity in storytelling than movies are these days. And certainly TV takes up much more of the public discourse than movies. TV shows are cultural phenomena now; premieres and finales are the new blockbusters.

 

Homicide: Life on the Street S01E06 "A Dog and Pony Show"

I like how cavalier Pembleton is about investigating the murder of a dog.

This fancy mistress character sure is something.

Did Munch get his conspiracy theories from the Danny Devito detective?

Why is it that whenever the police break down a door with a warrant there's an elderly relative just sitting on the couch? This show and The Wire.

I like this partnership between Kay and her partner whose name I don't remember (Is he a Baldwin?). I like that there isn't really sexual tension. But she can still care if he thinks she's sexy.

"All you need to do is hold that baby tight so it knows you're there. Skin to skin." Wow. That actually seems like really good parenting advice.

Is that D??? It totally is!!

True Blood S07E03

For being immortal, I think more (named) vampire characters have died on this show than human characters.

Who's this guy in the car with Sam?

Also, I don't care about Luddy Mae at all.

"I'm the Mayor now." Mmmm...I don't think that's how democracy works.

I am so hot and cold about Violet. Sometimes she's pretty awesome, but other times she's terrible.

Nobody stayed at Jason's house with the kids?

Well Goodbye, Mrs. Fortinberry. (Does that mean Hoyt is going to come back?)

I actually don't mind Sookie in this episode.

Does this answer the question from the very first season of why Bill seemed to recognize the name Fortinberry? (Or was that Bellefleur?)

Willa is adorable this season.

The Reverend wasn't much of a character before this season, but I'm okay with him.

I like that rescinding a vampire's invitation makes the door open.

I like Eric's 80s hair.

I would like it more if Eric had them kill Sylvie instead of Pam with no hesitation. Or little hesitation.

Is this Guru guy full of it or just a crackpot?

Is the ninja guy a vampire or has he just not aged?

Well that's sad, I guess.

Homicide: Life on the Street S01E05 "Three Men and Adena"

It's nice once Bayless and Pembleton get on the same wavelength for the interrogation.

The acting in this episode is aces.

Homicide: Life on the Street S01E04 "A Shot in the Dark"

It seems like poor etiquette to follow up a lead on another detective's case without his okay.

OMG Munch doing karaoke.

I don't have much to say about these episodes, I guess, but I'm enjoying the show.

Homicide: Life on the Street S01E03 "Son of a Gun"

Is that Luis Guzman?

This cop was the editor guy on The Wire wasn't he?

Fargo S01E01

So far it's definitely in keeping with the spirit of the movie.

Billy Bob is delightful(ly creepy).

Chekhov's machine gun?

I hardly recognized Bob Odenkirk, and I've bee looking for him!

Is the White Russian special in the diner a nod to the Coens?

Aw, I liked the police chief :(

Good stuff. Molly is an instantly likeable character.

True Blood S07E02

What? Where is this conversation between Eric and Jayson coming from?

I am all for this scene, but what is going on??

Okay, it was a sex dream. Tyler owes me a coke.

"Oh yeah I found a dead girl in the woods."

These vampires are talking like they're survivors on The Walking Dead.

Why are these vampires eating again already? And during the day?

Arlene is a good character.

When did they have time to do all that spray painting while they were being attacked by vampires?

What happened to going door to door?

Did the people in this town not have internet? And this woman left her diary about her affair with a vampire right on her bureau where her husband could easily read it?

This is taking place in 2011?

Why do they need to sleep in 15 minute increments?

Jessica could find Adelaide a lot faster without Andy.

Nice circular ending there.