Playing TV catch-up...

[castalia]

Still have not watched the last of the BSG episodes. Maybe soon. Just too distracted by the new job right now and trying to learn things. There's a chance I'll have to do a pre-K program by myself next week, plus Behind-the-Scenes tours and penguin shows. So, lots to read up on.

In the meantime, I'm trying to watch all of last week's TV that I missed.

Chuck

I swear, I fall in and out of love with Chuck, depending on how they treat Sarah and how much of the embarrassingly bad Buy More crew antics there are. However, once they started letting Chuck get smart and actively go after Orion and getting the intersect out of his head, I fell in love again.

How much do I love that they got Scott Bakula to be Chuck and Ellie's father? A hell of a lot. Sam Beckett is their dad!! How cool is that! I was hoping he'd be Orion, and then he was and it was awesome. Plus Chuck went all agent-y and even though it was still geeky and not perfect, it was of the good. The boy's learned some skills.

The biggest frustration of the show, however, is how much Ellie and Awesome and everyone else don't know, and how often that causes trouble during a mission. At this point, surely it would be easier to let at least Ellie know. Last week was completely indefensible, with the agents' actions nearly causing Awesome to get killed; the whole plan seemed like a dumbass thing to do, especially when the audience catches on right away that it could backfire completely and put the impersonated doctor in danger, but the agents don't even consider the idea that the terrorists would scan for tracking devices.

It was also a waste of Tricia Helfer. An amazing actress, and she mostly gets to be objectified and dressed in a stripper outfit. How fun.

Speaking of the bachelor party, I really want them to come clean about that whole thing to Devon and Ellie, b/c it's not right.

Kings

I'm really bummed to hear that they're yanking this show after only 4 eps and moving it to another night. Considering how quiet this show can be, I'm not surprised it's not drawing in a huge audience, and I can see how all the Biblical symbolism might alienate certain viewers. For those who like seeing new interpretations of Biblical stories, it's awesome. I really want to see where they'll go with all the characters and where things will be similar and where they will diverge from the original story of David. I love that Jonathan (famous mostly for loving David so much), is canonically gay here. So far there hasn't been enough between him and David on the series, and I want to see that developed. However, I can see how more fundamental Christians might not like the new spin and airing this on Sunday nights would prevent many of them from watching anyway. And those who aren't Christian or Jewish may just not care about this story.

The visuals and imagery are gorgeous, even though the pacing is a little slow at times. I think Kings would have been better on HBO or another cable network, to be honest. It would have more time to grow and develop the story there. I'm also not big on generic one-word titles, and "Kings" seems a bit generic, considering the wealth of phrases they could have pulled from Scripture.

None of this may matter in the end, b/c a scheduling change so soon means this will likely get the ax. *sigh* There isn't much else that's new right now that has hooked me at all.

BBC Robin Hood

I want to like this show again, I really do. But after last season's finale, they took out most of my favorite characters in one fell swoop. We lost both female characters, with Marian's death and Djaq staying behind with Will. We lost Will and Allan's interaction. And Robin has turned into emo boy again, which is tiresome.

I want to like Guy's new crazypants persona, but while I do like that he hears "demons" and is no longer afraid to stand up to the Sheriff, so far the actor isn't quite making it work for me. The stringy hair and random face pulling made me laugh at one point and it's not supposed to. Just, damn, where'd the sexy go? Oh yeah, it died when he killed Marian in a fit of "If I can't have you, no one will".

I do like Tuck. He's a breath of fresh air and although his hair weirds me out a little, the actor is good and I like that he'll play anyone to get the results he wants. Robin needs someone who will stand up to him and argue, now that Marian isn't there to do it.

As for Kate...*sigh* As it stands, she's mostly just annoying, though I do like that she isn't in awe of Robin or anything. But I wish they hadn't made her so impulsively foolhardy, as IMO they do that far too often with the women on this show. Any time they show initiative and do something on their own, it fails spectacularly and Robin has to "save" them. They did it with Marian as The Night Watchman, and already they're doing it with Kate. Damn it. I miss Djaq.

*misses Marian lots*

NCIS

Hm, not much to say about this one, other than it's still my easy, don't-have-to-think-about-it-much show. I like Vance as the new director this season, although I'm not a fan of their attempts to "soften" Ziva so much. Everyone else is much the same. The highlight of the season for me so far was Tony taking the lead on a case and how Palmer stepped up to be the Ducky to his Gibbs. ♥

So, dear flist, what are you watching? What's new that I should put on my list of things to try?

Comments

[windrose.livejournal.com]

Like you, I have been watching Chuck and NCIS, and I would tend to agree with your assessment of both shows. Especially the OMG SAM BECKETT IS CHUCK'S DAD! moment. *vbg*

I was unaware that S3 of Robin Hood was airing. Is it on BBC America?

Otherwise, I'm not really watching much TV these days. SGA and BSG are gone, Psych and Burn Notice are on hiatus ... other than new episodes of Mythbusters, there's really not a lot on right now that's piqued my interests.

Well. I have started watching LOST again. I've even been enjoying it, though it's still a far cry from that first season love. I continue to watch House because I remain a Hugh Laurie fangirl of the highest degree, and Bones because it's fun and I like pointing and laughing at the bad science. Otherwise? There's really not much new out there that I can recommend. Except ... did you ever watch Leverage? That was a lot of fun. Again, the season is now over, and I've no idea if it's up on Hulu, but it was hella fun.

[castalianspring.livejournal.com]

I was so excited to see him! And back to his adorable fluffy hair and scientist mode! So much better than his stint on Enterprise.

I think Robin Hood is only just now premiering in the UK, so I have no idea when it'll be on BBC America.

Oh, House. I love Hugh Laurie but I've really lost interest in the show lately. I miss the old team, I guess.

Hm, I've heard lots of good things about Leverage on my flist, so that may be something fun to watch. I can get my hands on pretty much anything, so I know I'll be able to watch that one. Thanks for the rec.

[lauraspeak.livejournal.com]

NCIS is pretty easy to watch, and I feel like it's even become more watchable, if that makes sense. It's entertaining and I am liking when they throw in something just a bit different, like a recent episode focusing on Ducky's past.

Tony taking the lead on a case and how Palmer stepped up to be the Ducky to his Gibbs

I hadn't thought of it like that, but it's true. :)


Recently, I've gotten into Supernatural. Some people around me watched it but I just never did for a while. I was actually a bit relunctant to start watching, but I found it surprisingly poignant and dramatic for a show about two dudes driving around in a classic car hunting things.

[castalianspring.livejournal.com]

*nod* I can see how NCIS pulls in as many viewers as it does. It's just extremely accessible. Its characters make it so much better than your average procedural.

Heh, I'm not a horror fan so I know SPN isn't for me, but I'm glad to hear it's not just mindless hunting things all the time.

[lauraspeak.livejournal.com]

Just read your blurb of Kings... So you recommend it? It looks and sounds interesting, but I was unsure if I wanted to check it out.

Just to add to couple of things I just read in the above comments... Leverage was fun. I believe you can stream Leverage episodes on TNT's website. Also, yes, I would recommend Burn Notice. Michael Shanks was in the season finale and I realized how much I missed seeing him on TV.

[castalianspring.livejournal.com]

I saw an ep or two of Burn Notice and it looked fun. Can't go wrong with Bruce Campbell :)

[antjgiab3.livejournal.com]

I'm slowly dropping shows to watch, well not picking up new ones rather, as ones I'm currently viewing get canceled. I won't clog up your page with my list. :/

I'm also making myself wait for some of the stuff I watch to come out on Netflix instead of watching them right away because otherwise, I'm trapped in front of the box way to much. :D

I love NCIS. It's one of my Netflix-ers. If I had to pimp a series to you, it would be Supernatural. The Winchester boys are quite easy on the eyes amoung other things. ;P

[castalianspring.livejournal.com]

Same here. My favorites (Pushing Daisies, especially) are getting canceled and I'm just not finding anything new to take their place.

[writerlibrarian]

Castle castle castle. Nathan Fillion charming as ever. The relationships with his daugther and his mother are so much fun. The show is just adorable much like Fillion.
No 1 Ladies' detective agency is pretty good too.

[castalianspring.livejournal.com]

Hrm, I may check out No 1 Ladies' Detective Agency. That sounded interesting. The promos for Castle put me off, but I'd be willing to give the pilot a chance. I warn you, though, I'm not a fan of Nathan Fillion. *shame*

[icepixie]

Seconding the Castle rec. It's fabulous. If you want a one-sentence blurb, think "more reality-based version of Moonlighting" and you've basically got it.

[castalianspring.livejournal.com]

Heh, I've never actually seen an episode of Moonlighting. Not ever. The promos for Castle kinda put me off, but I might give it a shot.

[delle.livejournal.com]

Give Castle a shot. It's the only new show I'm really watching.

I agree with the 'softening' of Ziva. Do. Not. Want. Loves me my kick-ass girl. Also, if they put her romantically with Tony? I will cry. And I'm afraid that's where they're headed.

[castalianspring.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I'm really not wanting the Tony/Ziva thing, not in canon. Seriously, the way this show treats women is so inconsistent. They pass the Bechdel test all the time, but then we get Sexist Old White Guys all over the place, a female director who used her position for her own gain and was disrespected all the time, and a tendency to objectify the other women. It's frustrating.

[mir280.livejournal.com]

Yes!!! Castle!! Love the relationships there and the oh so cute little writing refrences. Paraphrased!! "I don't believe it happened like that." "Give me 250 pages and I'll make you believe it." :) LOL

[icepixie]

AAAAHHHHHH YOU NEED TO WATCH MOONLIGHTING! It's so good--hilarious, smart, and packs some emotional punches. "Atomic Shakespeare" is still pretty much the funniest hour of television I've ever seen. (They did the episode in iambic pentameter. It's amazing.) Just...stop watching after S3, though. It goes rapidly downhill after that.

Castle is not as brilliant, but it is an excellent popcorn show. It's definitely funny, and Nathan Fillion is charming, as always. It breaks from the usual procedural by showing his oh-so-strange relationships with his mother and daughter, too, which is nice. The show is just...enjoyable.

[castalianspring.livejournal.com]

...wow, that's impressive. You make me want to check that out! Stop after S3, got it.

[icepixie]

Yay! Some of the episodes are on YouTube, and I'm sure Netflix has the DVDs. It's so, so good.

And since I just ended up searching it on YouTube, here are some clips to whet your whistle:

"Atomic Shakespeare" clip 1 and clip 2. The whole episode is just so fantastic and funny and wonderful; those are two of the nigh-innumerable high points. The visual gags are all over. (The episode is based on The Taming of the Shrew, which should give you a good idea of the plot.)

This is one of the famous chase scenes. It's a pretty good encapsulation of the madcap aspects of the show.

And here's an example of teh dramaz. I have to admit that I don't tend to think of Bruce Willis as an exceptional dramatic actor, but he sold this scene.

(And then here's Maddie's dream about what he tells her in that previous scene. You may be able to tell that this was an episode where they forgot they were doing a detective show...)

[mir280.livejournal.com]

Castle - excellent, cute and funny. Good relationships, both with the female lead and his family, very intrested to see where it goes.

Dollhouse - wasn't sure I could get attached to a character who has her memory wiped away every ep but so far they are making it work and there are loooots of questions to be answered.

New Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood Series - closer to the manga and only 2 eps in. So far it's been Excellent!!!

[castalianspring.livejournal.com]

Dollhouse isn't for me, but I may give Castle a shot. I'll definitely be watching the new FMA, but I think I'll wait on it. I loved devouring the first series all at once after it was complete, and I did like the English dub, so I may wait for that.

[krzykat.livejournal.com]

Still loving Chuck and hoping NBC gives it and Life a season 3. Life was ok this year, I tend to usually like the first season of a show best. I just got into Psych-- actually after watching the last 7 episodes and in the past 3 weeks I've now watched all of season 1 and 2, just missing about 5-6 episodes from the first half of season 3.

The new FMA sounds awesome, haven't had a chance to see the subbed feed from Funimation yet, though I kinda would like to see it dubbed. I can enjoy beautiful animation better if I don't have to read subtitles. :)

Moonlighting was a fun show, until they decided to change things.

Starting this week I'll get to watch the last 5 episodes of Prisonbreak. Surprisingly my brother and I discussed this today and kinda agreed that the third season was the worst.