Sat, Mar 14, 09 - Cavemen, Scrubs, Friday Night Lights, Battlestar Galactica, Office, Bilko, Road Runner

06.30 Cavemen
07.00 Scrubs
09.00 Friday Night Lights
10.30 Battlestar Galactica
12.00 The Office
12.30 The Phil Silvers Show
01.00 Road Runner

Cavemen. Episode 12. "Hunters And Gatherers" Nick competes with Maurice for the attentions of Heather.

Very funny. Nick and Joel both get storylines and both are funny. Race issues are not used to fuel the comedy (for once) and - instead - it's a tale about gender roles and different types of men.

Scrubs. Season 7, Episode 6. "My #1 Doctor" Some nice stuff in this one. Elliot's patient wants to end her own life, on her own terms and - in the final seconds - we see that Elliot is going to keep her mouth shut and respect her wishes. Interesting. Among the other storylines, the best was probably the one about the janitor slowly letting his new girlfriend know about his very, very odd hobbies and interests.

Friday Night Lights. Season 3, Episode 4. "Hello, Goodbye" Smash gets his big chance, Tami loses her battle and Tyra tells Landry how she feels about him and it's not good...

Another strong episode. The best scenes are the Smash ones. His storyline is heartwarming and wonderful and the final goodbye between him and Coach Taylor almost had me in tears.

The climax of the Tami vs. the JumboTron storyline comes not in a heated debate, but in a small intimate scene between Tami and Eric in their home. She knows she is going to lose and he - finally - tells her that she is right and they are wrong and she was right to fight this battle.

It's a wonderful scene and a wise storytelling choice. At the end of the day, we - the audience - are more interested in Tami and Eric than in anything else. So, the information about the JumboTron is given to us in a scene between them. A scene that shows how they function as a couple. (There's another similar scene later on, when he tells her about his dilemma over Matt and JD.)

The only weak link in the episode is the Tyra storyline. I like Tyra. In fact, I love some of the stuff they have done with the character. Her story, in terms of her place in small town life, is almost as interesting as Smash's. However, they are back to writing about her love life again. I wish they would just leave her with Landry and find something else for both characters to do. Leave them together, I say, and let her stories be about her struggle to make something of her life. That's ultimately more interesting that the while will-she-and-Landry-get-back-together thing?

Matt has a good storyline at the moment (with his mom - Kim Dickens - coming back) and I like the way they are having Julie in all his scenes without making their relationship (or lack of relationship) the focus of the storyline.

Battlestar Galactica. Season 4, Episode 19. "Daybreak, Part One" Adama gets the crew ready for one final mission: the rescue of Hera.

It's the first third of the last ever BSG episode and they decide to fill it with flashbacks?!! What the frak? Now, all the scenes were interesting and all, and they certainly did wonders for all the characters that were featured but I strongly feel that this is a waste of an episode. The final chapter of an epic such as this should be plot-driven, I feel. Now is not the time to be telling us stuff about the start of the journey. The journey is almost over, so let us savour every possible moment with the characters as they are now.

For instance: we get a glimpse of Tyrol behind bars, while we get several scenes about Baltar's relationship with his father.

What a crock!

The flashbacks were good, but this is not the time to show this stuff.

The Office. Season 5, Episode 17. "Golden Ticket" Michael's idea backfires, will Dwight take the fall for him?

This was wonderful because every joke in it was derived from the established characters of Michael and Dwight. It wasn't just comedy, it was poetry. I laughed and laughed and laughed. It deserves to be considered the best episode ever because (basically) it's just Michael and Dwight in a room fighting. No external element is needed. Just the characters.

Best line? Dwight explained that he has a diary to keep secrets from his computer.

The Phil Silvers Show. Episode 1. "New Recruits" Bilko is low on funds and he's put in charge of a squad of innocent young recruits.

Right from the very start, everything wonderful about the Bilko show was in place. He's very smart, able to con anyone and he's got a heart of gold. Everything you would ever need to know about this TV icon is on display in this first episode.

Road Runner. Film 1. "Fast and Furry-ous" Perfect template for the series that would follow. Best gag? RR holds up the "Road Runners can't read" sign.

Highlight? The Office (absolute comedy perfection)
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