Tuesday, October 9th, 2007
06:00 Prison Break
11:30 The Big Bang Theory
12:00 Sledge Hammer
12:30 Californication
Prison Break. Season 3, Episode 4. When Chicago Hope killed Alan Birch I stopped watching. I felt so upset and betrayed by the manner of his death that I gave up on the show completely. I'm not giving up on Prison Break, but I am just as upset and betrayed by the manner of the death in this episode.
Sure, the character took up less screen-time than most and - as the show went on - seemed to be less and less relevant to the story. However, this was a beloved character, and this was not a fitting exit.
The Big Bang Theory. Episode 3. Oh dear, three episodes in and they deliver a most un-funny installment. It's too soon, I fear, to delve right into the romantic possibilities of the set-up. And if you are going to do this right away, at least give us a Very Funny Sub-Plot to counterpoint all of the tentative romance. This episode had nothing going for it.
Sledge Hammer. Episode 4. The one where Sledge's ex-partner arrives in town to kill him. Very slim on good gags. One of the weakest episodes.
Californication. Episode 7. The episode opens with Hank and his daughter Becca talking about the nature of Happy Endings vs. Sad Endings. It's a general conversation, but with particular reference to Hank and Karen (Becca's mother) getting back together at some point. Hank is full of boundless optimism for the future. Becca is skeptical.
After that, we are treated to one of the most enjoyable episodes of this wonderful show. Hank still behaves like Greg House, but things manage to work out somehow. And it's great. Until the very end. When some seeds sown in previous episodes start to bear fruit and - suddenly - Hank's plans start to go awry. In minor, but still very noticable, ways.
The episode closes with Hank and his daughter Becca talking about the nature of Happy Endings vs. Sad Endings. And Becca points out that for all of his boundless optimism, Hank just can't deliver on the Happy Endings he believes in.
And it's a heartbreaking scene to watch.
Skillfully-written heartbreak. Not clumsy kick-you-in-the-stomach, without emotional context, heartbreak (like they are now delivering over on Prison Break!).
Cheers to Californication (and David Duchovny for a mesmerising final scene). Jeers, naturally, to dopey old Prison Break for mis-handling a behind-the-scenes problem.
Californication, Prison Break, Sledge Hammer, The Big Bang Theory
