Fri, Feb 22nd, 2008
07:00 Blade
09:00 The Border
11:00 Scrubs
11:30 Death Note
Blade. Episode 1. A stunning start to the series. Mainly because of Jill Wagner as Krista Starr. Not only is Wagner the sexiest female action-hero to hit the screen in a long time, Krista is a fascinating and likable central character. Blade, The Vampire Slayer, is relegated to supporting player status as this two-hour movie details the origin of Krista and sets up the storyline for the series. The first hour is reasonably good action fare, as Blade kicks ass and Krista investigates her brother's murder. Learning along the way that there are real vampires lurking in the shadows. At the mid-way point of the pilot, Marcus (the head vampire) grabs Krista's arm and reveals that he knows who she really is. At that moment, the show takes a huge step up in quality and - suddenly - the viewer at home has no idea what will happen next. The moment, and the white dress being worn by Miss Wagner(!), will stay with me for a long, long time. Indeed, most outfits worn by Miss Wagner after she becomes a vampire are off-the-chart hot! Even better, her story gets more and more involving as Marcus shows a vulnerable side, her brother comes to her in her dreams and Blade makes a graveside confession and offers her a partnership of sorts. There are some more great action scenes and the joy of watching an elaborate storyline being unveiled for our pleasure.
The Border. Episode 1. Amid sundry cliches of the genre is a really strong, engaging story. A tense opening sequence shows us what happens when Immigration and Customs Security detain two suspects at an airport. Forced to hand over both suspects to another (more draconian) government body the team - under Mike Kessler - continue to investigate, and realise that one of the men is probably completely innocent but - caught up in political games - has very little chance to getting free. The show has a sophisticed world-view and Mike makes a likeable hero. He's cold and silent most of the time, but - this opening episode shows us - he will try hard to see that justice is served.
Scrubs. Season 6, Episode 16. Elliot nearly breaks up with Keith in this one, because she's afraid to open up and admit her feelings. It's a storyline we've seen a hundred times on TV before, but Scrubs makes it seems fresh and real.
Death Note. Episode 6. A change of pace episode, as L dominates the first half of the story completely - meeting with the small police team who will help him track Kira. It's slow-moving and engrossing. Almost nothing happens. Several men sit in a hotel room and make deductions, but it's very entertaining. The second half of the episode shifts to Kira, who meets the girlfriend of the FBI agent he murdered in the previous episode. Once again, nothing happens. They just walk and talk, but as she shares her deductions about Kira (not realising she is talking to Kira) the tension grows and grows as we realise she is setting herself up to be his next victim. Then, just to make us suffer more, the words "To Be Continued..." appear on screen.
Highlight? Blade.
Blade, The Border, Scrubs, Death Note
