05.30 Law And Order
06.30 Raising The Bar
07.30 30 Rock
08.00 Keen Eddie
09.00 Flashpoint
10.00 24
Law And Order. Season 18, Episode 15. "Bogeyman" It's great to see Nicki Aycox in a good guest role, but this is a weak story. It's mostly about a crazy religious group which is very similar to a story from two weeks ago, and the killer is too much of a nut to be believed. He shoots his wife for very odd/fuzzy reasons, he throws himself out a 4th floor window to frame somebody and he is tricked - at the very end - by some very wacky logic. I bought none of it. Too early, also, to see if I am warming to Lupo's new partner.
Raising The Bar. Episode 4. "Richie Richer" Great to see a show where the heroes all care so darn much. At first I thought Jerry was the only lawyer on this show who wore his heart on his sleeve for every client, but now I see that Richard is itching to hug every one of them and Rosalind is crying cos one client gets killed in this episode. I'm not making fun of the show. I like seeing all these earnest people. It's refreshing in a cynical age.
The ending to the a-plot in this episode is absolutely fascinating. Richard has used the press to get the story out, Judge Kessler is trying to hide her culpability so she intercedes and brings about a swift resolution. More than on any other legal show, you feel you are getting a look into side the system. It's not pretty or perfect, but it's what we've got.
Michelle, meanwhile, is continuing to behave like a total bitch with each and every case that crosses her desk. Is this going to be one of those shows where every client is innocent and the D.A.'s are always the bad guys? I hope not. That will get old fast. I want to like her, but the show is making it hard.
30 Rock. Season 3, Episode 2. "Believe in the Stars" Is it me or does 30 Rock always take a while to get 'up to speed' every season? I'm just not feeling the vibe this year. Again! This is a fine episode. Amusing in places. Weaker than the premier. Weaker than 30 Rock at it's best and certainly weaker than Office, Corner Gas or Always Sunny. Oh well, maybe the next one will have me laughing...
Keen Eddie. Episode 12. "Eddie Loves Baseball" Below average. There are some good ideas in here, but none of it ties together very well. It's starts off very strong. A man witnesses a crime. And when he IDs a suspect it turns out to be a national hero: a famous footballer on the verge of a big game. Our man then becomes the victim of a public hate campaign and he loses his wife and his job in rapid succession. All good so far. However, at the midpoint of the story we learn that it's actually a kidnapping story, and the footballer's child is missing. The last half of the episode is then devoted to finding the child and the eye-witness gets lost in the shuffle. We come back to him at the end, again, but he's not made any great difference to the story. So why do we care? We don't.
Even the 'Miss Moneypenny' scene is a bit of a bust. It's a full-on fantasy sequence, complete with sexy outfit and OTT moaning. Now, while the sight of Rachael Buckley faking an orgasm is enough to put a smile on my face any day of the week it's just wrong for the tone of the scenes between her and Eddie. They work best as subtle asides: things that Eddie may, or may not, have heard. There is a mystery to them. This sequence is just a full-on male fantasy. There's nothing funny or interesting about this. It's just Eddie looking at her and imagining her in another setting. Funnier/Better when she's the one in control and Eddie is suffering from whiplash. With a "What the-?" look on his face.
The episode is not a total washout, however. The Eddie/Fiona scenes are wonderful. She takes a week off work to devote to 'me time' and make herself happy. The final scene of the episode finds Fiona in tears. She confesses that she doesn't know how to be happy. Eddie gives her some words of comfort. It's evident that he cares. And she's glad of the friendship/comfort. The camera pulls away as they are holding hands. Lovely.
Flashpoint. Episode 10. "Eagle Two" Once again the show finds a clever way to break from formula by finding a (slim) reason to turn the team into a security detail protecting some VIPs. This gives the show a fresh look and a chance to see that Amy Jo Johnson is seriously delicious in civvies. Nice. As usual the show delivers a strong story. Colm Feore gives a great performance as a man whose past catches up with him. What makes the story/ending work is that he happens to be very, very much in love with his wife. Flashpoint really sells that story. I'm not sure any other show would. And certainly not this well.
24. "Redemption" The show nearly broke my heart with a very disappointing sixth season. It was hard to stomach vague storytelling and ridiculous characters after the greatness of Season Five. But, after this good movie, I'm ready to forgive. This was 24 as I know and love it.
New Characters were introduced and I cared about them all. I loved the little kid who idolised Jack. I warmed to the new president at once, and her son. And his lingerie-wearing girlfriend (always a good thing!). Plus Jack's friend who was willing to lay down his life for the kids. He was cool. Reminded me of Jack. The bad guy/guys look awesome, too. And there is no indication that any of them is, in any way, related to Jack Bauer. Good. Hope it stays that way. ("Cousin Marty! You're behind all of this?")
The story was good. Both the immediate story of getting the kids to safety. That's the sort of story that works best on 24. A tangible goal that will make you feel good when it is accomplished. Not a squabble over some piece of tech. How is the audience supposed to invest in that? The background story was good, too. Do I trust the lingerie-wearing girlfriend? Not a jot. Do I want to see more of her? You betcha!
The action scenes were good. Jack takes on a squad of baddies at the school in typical 24 fashion. Later, he goes up against a helicopter and - finally - there's a pitch battle on a crowded street.
Jack was badass cool. See previous paragraph!
Yes, this was 24 as I know and love it.
Highlight? 24 (Jack is back!)
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Mon, Nov 24, 08 - Law And Order, Raising The Bar, 30 Rock, Keen Eddie, Flashpoint, 24
