CSI, Dexter, Lost, Corner Gas

Sat, Feb 23rd, 2008

09:30 CSI
10:30 Dexter
11:30 Lost
12:30 Lost
01:30 Corner Gas

CSI. Season 5, Episode 19. CSI does Boomtown. Yay! Boomtown was a brilliant NBC drama that ran two (short) seasons and told police stories in non-linear fashion. Meaning that it used lots of "flashbacks" in every episode to tell the stories from every character's perspective. The CSI take on this isn't as rich an experience as your typical Boomtown episode, instead it's more of a cool gimmick used to tell several small stories. The stories are all very good (well, this is CSI after all) but there's nothing much added to them by telling them this way. The flashback-rewind visual effect is well used in one instance where Gil overhears Sara and Greg talking about being in the shower together. But, apart from that, it's no better than every other episode of CSI. Which means it's very good.

Dexter. Episode 7. This is one ballsy little show. When Neil Perry first appeared in Dexter I assumed he would turn out to be the Ice Truck Killer. Eventually. In a final episode climax with Dexter. Imagine my shock when Dexter is sidelined in a storyline which shows Dexter's sister tracking down and arresting Perry who is then revealed to be the Ice Truck Killer (in both evidence and confession). Dexter is incredulous. So was I. But we both came round to the idea. So much so that I was applauding the show for it's daring storytelling when the episode pulled it's final twist: Face to face with Dexter for the first time, Perry seems to have no idea who he is. Wow. What the heck is going on? Who is the real killer? And if it is Perry, who the heck has been following Dexter? Great stuff.

Also of note, this episode introduces Paul to the show. A real boo-hiss villain, whose confrontations with Dexter are a highlight of the episode. Can't wait to see him get his commuppance.

Lost. Season 4, Episode 3. Jeff Fahey is a great additiont to this show. He brings and air of no-nonsense to proceedings. He reminds me of Edward James Olmos in that respect. Fahey's scenes with Jack and Faraday are a real highlight of the episode. Although Thekla Reuten gives the episode's best performance, by far.

Lost. Season 4, Episode 4. Evangeline Lilly and Terry O'Quinn take center stage as we are told what happens to Kate after she gets back to the real world, and we get to see Locke ruling his people with an iron fist. The Kate-Jack love story get some fantastic scenes in the episode. The courtroom scene is not only filled with vital information for the Big Story, it's got a strong emotional core with the Jack being asked, point blank, if he loves Kate. The follow-up in the garage is likewise heart-breaking.

Locke, meanwhile, is having a tough time of it. Always my favourite character on the show (before Juliet and Ben showed up to knock him off his throne) it's tough to watch him out of control like this. His final scene with Miles was badass cool, but it's hard to get away from the fact that he's behaving like a total jerk to everyone.

Corner Gas. Season 4, Episode 10. The funniest episode in several weeks. Every storyline works to perfection, with Brent's struggles with the air-pump and Wanda's struggles with the piano being a real favourite. Nancy Robertson is one of the funniest things about this show and - way back in season one - I used to think she was the show's weak link. Maybe they gave her little to do back then, or something.

Highlight? Lost