05.30 Blood Ties
06.30 Supernatural
07.30 Kyle XY
01.30 10 Items Or Less
02.00 Head Case
Blood Ties. Episode 15. "Five: fifty-five" Vicki is trapped, living the same day over and over.
Wow. Many (all?) genre shows have taken a turn at doing the old Groundhog Day story. Only one week ago, I watched the Supernatural take on it. SN did a good job. They mostly played it for laughs, and used the back half of the tale to strengthen the character development of Sam. Blood Ties, however, opts to tone down (avoid) all of the comedic elements inherent in the premise and go straight for the jugular: with a strong character-driven tale. The effect is superb and means they have delivered their finest episode to date.
Wow. The final third of the tale is where all the magic happens. Up to this the episode has been top notch. Vicki adapts quickly to what is happening to her, and - one of the great strengths of Blood Ties - she is quickly able to convince her friends that something is happening. They don't question her. They believe her. And the story (while avoiding comedy) is able to move very quickly.
Then Mike dies.
And, in a moment of genius storytelling, Vicki opts to 'end the world' to bring him back, but it is actually Henry who must 'end the world' in order for Vicki to get sent back in time.
This is very clever stuff. The love triangle at the heart of this show drives the episodes in a subtle way. Normally. Fact is: we know Vicki loves Mike, she loves Henry, she won't commit to either and we really have no idea who she is 'in love with'. It's one of the best elements of the show. It's also one of the most infuriating. I adore Vicki, but if I knew her I'd want to strangle her!!
So, in this episode, we get to see some very interesting fodder for the fans to debate. Let's see: Vicki took the risk or ending all life on earth so that she could save Mike, she asked (pleaded with, in fact) Henry to do this for her, and Henry did it for her. There is so much boundless love in that little triangle, no wonder they can't resolve anything.
Supernatural. Season 3, Episode 12. "Jus In Bello" Henrikson captures the boys, but they are all trapped by a horde of demons.
Supernatural does Assault On Precinct 13. And, wow, do they ever do a great job! Not only is the episode superb from start to finish but the ending, where everybody dies, has got to be the best ending the show has ever had on an episode.
Kyle XY. Season 3, Episode 1. "It Happened One Night" Kyle and Jessi set out to rescue Amanda.
There are elements that I enjoyed (Jessi and Kyle in superhero action) and others that I didn't (the too-neat ending). This is the most action-packed episode of Kyle XY and the closest the show has come to being a real 'superhero' show. Kyle does a flying leap at one stage, basically flying off a roof to escape some bad guys, and it is very cool. It's great to Jessi still a part of the show (after apparently 'leaving' at the end of Season Two) her team-up with Kyle is the highlight of the episode.
In the story, a nefarious secret group (the latest one to bother poor Kyle) kidnap his girlfriend and Kyle has to get her back... before her mother finds out she is missing! Part of me thinks this is a cute idea well executed and part of me thinks this is downright silly. Kyle does rescue Amanda and he does manage to get her home before curfew. Also, because the 'bad guys' were only doing this as a 'test' it turns out that she was never really in any sort of danger. That's the sort of revelation that tempts me to roll my eyes is disbelief/scorn. And there's more... Amanda was drugged, so she has no memory of anything that happened to her. Obviously the writers want to protect the show's status quo, but this is extremely silly. Bending over backwards to contrive a situation where Amanda can be in peril but never suspect that Kyle has super powers.
Which bring me to a gripe I have about the show as it launches into Season Three: why does Amanda have to be kept in the dark any more? Kyle has explained his reasons, in the past, but they are minor compared to the benefits that he would surely get from being open and honest with her. I like Amanda and I want him to tell her. I also think it would lead to new story opportunities.
10 Items Or Less. Episode 1. "The New Boss" A likable ensemble manages to raise a few smiles in a show about goings-on in a small supermarket. Reminiscent of The Office. But not as funny or interesting.
Head Case. Season 2, Episode 1. "Live and Let Diet" Cases for a Hollywood therapist, with a very hard-to-like leading character. Reminiscent of Curb Your Enthusiasm. But not as funny or interesting.
Highlight? Blood Ties (time loop)
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Sun, Feb 1, 09 - Blood Ties, Supernatural, Kyle XY, 10 Items Or Less, Head Case
