Category: Episode Reviews
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Community, “Messianic Myths and Ancient Peoples”
Though most people judge comedies on their ability to execute and deliver jokes, it’s sometimes nice to give a series credit for at least trying new things, even when the failures come. I find myself putting Community in that second category, maybe because I just adore the series and need any excuse I can to…
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The Office, “The Sting”
If The Office‘s writers wants to send Michael Scott off into the sunset and I believe that they do (this is American television, after all), they would be smart to not only give him an emotionally satisfying conclusion but also make sure that he finishes strong…intellectually? I guess that’s the word I’m looking for. By…
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The Vampire Diaries, “Plan B”
Though I think this season is off to a slightly rocky start, I have to admit, I totally missed not having The Vampire Diaries in my life last week, and that’s probably a bigger sign of its quality than anything else, especially on a jam-packed Thursday night. Thankfully, tonight’s episode, “Plan B,” is probably the…
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Cougar Town, “Keeping Me Alive”
Because Cougar Town recalibrated in the middle of its first season, it’s in a weird position here early in season two. The writers seem interested in going back to certain stories from the early- to mid-part of the series as some weird way of going forward the character development, but by doing so, they’re overtly acknowledging…
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Modern Family, “Unplugged”
I’ve decided to write about the ABC comedies separately this week because I couldn’t find any gimmick or theme to shoe-horn them together. And that’s mostly because this week’s episode of Modern Family is definitely the worst episode of the season and probably one of the two or three worst in the series’ short run.…
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Terriers, “Missing Persons”
For the second straight week, Terriers dips into the standalone pool with a story that intensely mirrors the lives of the lead characters. While last week’s case mirrored Britt and Katie’s relationship, “Missing Persons” focuses on Hank and Steph, to almost the same amount of effectiveness. There is some risk in continuing to go down…
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Sons of Anarchy, “Widening Gyre”
If you’ve been following along with my thoughts on season three of Sons of Anarchy, you probably recognize that I”m a little cold on this season — and I think, for good reason. Things have been really slow-moving and honestly, at some times, boring. I’ve said previously that I totally understand where Kurt Sutter and…
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Chuck, “Chuck Versus The Couch Lock”
I don’t have much to say about this week’s Chuck, but just a few tidbits. After I spent last week’s Chuck post talking about how I probably wouldn’t write-up the series too often in the future, the NBC spy comedy had to up its game in “Versus The Coach Lock.” Of course, if you’re Chuck…
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Series Premiere — Luther, “Episode 1”
I had heard nothing but good things about BBC’s Luther, but I always hear good things about BBC productions and never get around to watching them. However, due to my undying respect for The Wire and particularly Idris Elba’s performance as Stringer Bell, I randomly decided to DVR the first episode of the gritty police…
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Season Finale — Mad Men, “Tomorrowland”
As someone who is coming to the Mad Men finale “Tomorrowland” criticism late, I feel as if there might not be a whole lot of value in me spewing thousands and thousands of words with my interpretations when there are so many great writers who have done an exceptional job since 11 p.m. last night. So…
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Season Finale — Rubicon, “You Can Never Win”
When Rubicon debuted, it clearly wanted to be a 24-style conspiracy thriller with ’70s leanings, but the pilot didn’t seem too interested in focusing on the characters as much as the multi-layered plotline. Once Henry Bromell came on and figured out what the series should be by episode four, Rubicon became a totally different and…
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Supernatural, “Weekend At Bobby’s”
I’ll be the first to admit that I’m a sucker for the “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead” storytelling approach that sees individual episodes shift the focus away from the usual main characters and onto the supporting players we’re certainly familiar with, but don’t always get to watch in action on their own. House tried it…
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Smallville, “Homecoming”
Though it certainly has had its high points, Smallville has never been the same since its 100th episode. Travel back to 2006 with me if you will. At that point, the series was right in the middle of its fifth season and arguably was hitting an unmatched creative stride. The opening 11 episodes of season five…
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The Office, “Sex Ed”
Thus far this season, The Office has only briefly hinted at any departure for Michael (the spanking, the counseling) and chances are the only reason I think those moments are hinting at said departure is because we know he’s leaving. If we didn’t, those would probably seem like normal Michael behaviors. But I think it’s…
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Fringe, “Do Shapeshifters Dream of Electric Sheep?”
Although I find “Do Shapeshifters Dream of Electric Sheep?” to be the weakest of Fringe‘s opening four episodes of season three, it still provides an intriguing look into the psyches of the title characters and furthers the confusing situation Fauxlivia currently finds herself in. Since the shapeshifters were introduced into the series in the season…
CB, PhD 