Sat, Jan 24, 09 - Dexter, Friday Night Lights, Battlestar Galactica, Lost, Office, Corner Gas

06.00 Dexter
07.00 Friday Night Lights
08.00 Battlestar Galactica
09.00 Lost
10.00 The Office
10.30 Corner Gas

Dexter. Season 3, Episode 3. "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" Miguel and Dexter become closer, and a pedophile sets his sights on Astor.

A solid outing. Watching Miguel stalk Dexter (with a view towards being friends) is a lot of fun. But haven't we seen all of this before? With Lila? It was especially interesting when Dexter opened up and talked about his father. But, again, this is basically a re thread of what happened last season: Dexter has a new friend, who he can open up to, who might actually understand what he does...

The pedophile storyline was much better. It was cool to see Dexter protecting his family, and accepting his role as their protector. Of all the kills we have seen, this has got to be the most satisfying and the one that most defines Dexter as a 'hero'.

Friday Night Lights. Season 2, Episode 15. "May the Best Man Win" A flawless conclusion to season two finds Smash having good fortune (for a change), Jason about to become a father and Eric in a fistfight with an ex-boyfriend of Tami's.

Picking highlights from this wonderful episode is next to impossible, but I'd have to go for the Eric storyline. Tami's abrasive, millionaire ex-boyfriend (Peter Berg) shows up in town and Eric isn't pleased. Most of the scenes between Kyle Chandler and Connie Britton are laugh-out-loud funny. And, in most of those, Kyle Chandler isn't speaking. Just reacting to what is happening around him.

The ongoing Smash storyline (which has been a major highlight of Season Two) comes to a happy conclusion when Smash finds a college that is willing to take him in.

Meanwhile, Jason looks set to be starting an exciting new chapter in his life.

Battlestar Galactica. Season 4, Episode 12. "A Disquiet Follows My Soul" Instead of wrapping things up (in it's final episodes) the show appears to be unveiling a gripping new story arc as Adama faces mutiny in the fleet.

One of the show's strongest episodes. It moves away from the Earth storyline, ignored the Starbuck revelations, and puts focus on Zarak and Gaeta as sources of unrest within the fleet. Both Alessandro Juliani and Richard Hatch are superb in their respective roles. Like any good baddie, in any show, they are convinced that they are right and that extreme measures are required for the good of everyone.

Lost. Season 5, Episode 2. "The Lie" Hugo takes centre-stage for this gripping episode, where he goes to hide at his parents, tries to help Sayid and does his best to defy Ben.

Because the focus is back on one character this is a much stronger, more satisfying episode of Lost than the season premier. Kate and Sun get some good screen time, but this is Hugo's story. We see how unhappy he (still) is with the lie that had to be told when everybody got off the island and we see how is does his best to come to terms with that.

The Office. Season 5, Episode 12. "Prince Family Paper" A true classic, as Michael and Dwight try to put a rival out of business while the gang have a full-on debate about the hotness of Hilary Swank.

Everything about the Michael/Dwight storyline is perfect: their inept undercover operation, the niceness of the rival company, the fight between Dwight and Michael over what to do, and - above all else - the bittersweet conclusion.

Corner Gas. Season 5, Episode 12. "The J-Word" Brent teases his dad about using the word 'jackass' all the time, while Davis and Karen compete over staying in the trunk of a car and Lacey becomes convinced that she is destined to marry Hank.

Sometimes one storyline is so funny that is totally carries the episode, even when the other plots don't generate many laughs. Such is the case when Lacey is told by a Tarot reader the vital details of her future husband. And they match Hank. From that point on every exchange between them is hilarious. Lacey is terrified/horrified that this is her future, and Hank - of course - feels that he has won the lottery.

Highlight? Battlestar Galactica (seeds of mutiny?)
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