Tuesday, January 1st, 2008
09:00 CSI
10:00 The Crow
11:00 Carnivàle
12:00 Entourage
CSI. Season 5, Episode 12. Nick takes the lead in a case connected to the Sinaloan Cowboys and Warrick investigates the murder of a telemarketer. Both cases are typically interesting and entertaining. The annoying Sofia (who seems so completely wrong for this show) gets too much screen-time to suit me and Gil & Sara are relegated to one short scene where they (almost) discuss their relationship. Nick is cool in this episode and Catherine is absolutely gorgeous in each and every one of her scenes.
The Crow. Episode 13. In some ways this is just a cost-saving flashback episode. Draven was arrested at the end of the previous episode and this is where we get to watch his trial (which allows the show to sprinkle in flashbacks from various earlier episodes). I find it hard to get past the idea of Draven having to stand trial for Shelly's murder. It seems absurd, given the fact that his own murder was captured on film. The script does take this into account, it must be said, and the reasoning has been well thought-out. I still can't buy it, though. Aside from that, this is a good episode. Good guest stars and a nice character work on the regulars make it worth watching. The suprise ending (where Draven is found guilty) is another plus.
Carnivàle. Season 2, Episode 4. Although (as usual with this show) nothing actually happens this is another superb episode of the 1930s supernatural serial. Ben learns that the backwoods robbers are actually his cousins and through them he learns some of the details surrounding his father and his family. Stumpy is still hard up for cash and trying to find newer and ever more degrading things for his wife and daughter to do. Sofie (pretty much my fave character) is still struggling to find a place for herself in the carnival and her struggle is heartbreaking/engrossing to watch. Ben's grandmother gives him a weapon and (in the episode's best moment) he appears - in a vision - to Brother Justin wielding the weapon. So powerful is the image that Justin is felled before his congregation. Very satisfying indeed.
Entourage. Season 2, Episode 13. This is one of the shows that can give you a real kick in the stomach with it's sublime twists and turns. Two ongoing plots are brought to fruition here. Mandy breaks up with Vince and he decides to step down as the lead in Aquaman. Their break-up scene is wonderfully written and wonderfully played and (typical of this show) seems more like real life than similar moments on hundeds of other lesser shows. As gut-wrenching at that is, it is as nothing compared to the things that happen to Ari. His ongoing pissing contest with Terrance escalates and he finds himself fired and out on the street. Jeremy Piven (already the best thing about this show) has never been better.
Highlight? Entourage.
Carnivàle, CSI, Entourage, The Crow
