Tuesday, December 18th, 2007
06:00 K-Ville
07:00 Journeyman
08:00 Stacked
09:30 Damages
10:30 Extras
K-Ville. Episode 7. An absurd and overly-convoluted storyline ruins some otherwise good elements. It's great to see Cobb and Boulet working an ordinary case (one that has nothing to do with the background of either one) - and they have a great chemistry as a cop duo - but why does the case have to be so darn silly? David Denman gives a great performance as a father searching for the daughter he lost two years earlier, but the web of implausible happenings surrounding her location makes my eyes roll rather than well up with tears.
Journeyman. Episode 11. Once again, the storytelling strikes a superb balance between what is happening to Dan in the past (Christmas, 1979) and what is happening to his wife and brother in the present (Christmas, 2007). The heart to heart conversations between Dan's wife and Dan's mother is the standout moment for me, in an episode of excellent moments.
Stacked. Episode 18. The first funny episode in ages. Two plots work side by side. Harold (the regular customer played by Christopher Lloyd) has his usual seat taken by a stranger to the bookstore and obsesses about it for the whole episode, while in the other plotline Gavin (the owner of the bookstore) is caught between a major online poker game and a previous obligation to his son and ex-wife. Pretty much all the cast shines and there are a ton of winning one-liners.
Damages. Episode 13. A stunning season finale. The location of the video tape is the single cleverest thing I have seen on TV all year. That alone is worth the price of admission, but factor in all the twists and turns that this final chapter delivers and you have one of the finest hours ever shown on TV. It's as good as Veronica Mars or 24.
Extras. The final episode is equal parts sad and funny. Andy is at the top and he starts his spiral downwards. Maggie, however, is at the bottom and even she goes into a downward spiral. Some of it is very funny indeed (even if we are now used to the formula and have a fair idea how Andy's inept lies will come unstuck) and some of it is unrelentingly bleak. It never easy watching character we love suffer. Andy deserves his fate, but Maggie is sweet and it's hard to see her fall. However, the ending is terrific and this series will be missed.
Highlight? Damages.
Damages, Extras, Journeyman, K-Ville, Stacked
