05.30 Cavemen
06.00 Scrubs
06.30 Friday Night Lights
07.30 Battlestar Galactica
08.30 Lost
12.30 The Office
Cavemen. Episode 11. "Cave Kid" The guys compete to mentor a cave kid.
The first episode with the perfect balance between comedy and preaching. Nick's desire to expose the child to his cultural heritage makes perfect sense, really, and much of what happens between them very funny. Joel, meanwhile, wants to use the kid to get close a beautiful co-worker (Virginia Williams, who is stunning) and competition between him and Nick is hilarious.
Scrubs. Season 7, Episode 5. "My Growing Pains" Aging is at the core of this story. Aging and leaving your childhood behind. JD growing up is, as usual, the subtext but this is a story about Cox wanting his son to grow up too soon, while trying to make a ten-year old child face up to a serious illness. Mostly, however, this is about Kelso turning 65 and facing the prospect of retirement.
Funny and touching/sad/thoughtful.
Friday Night Lights. Season 3, Episode 3. "How The Other Half Lives" Barbecue at the McCoy house/mansion.
Tami's political battles take a back-seat. This episode details a battle of wills between Coach Taylor and Joe McCoy. McCoy is rich, influential and wants his son on the team. Eric wants to stick with Matt. Most of the drama is subtle and - consequently - more interesting and realistic.
Realistic is also the word for the way the Lyla/Tim relationship is being written/played. He drops the balls and lets her down. Their conversation at the end was heartbreaking. Nothing very dramatic or sensational. Very much like a real-life couple and - consequently - heartbreaking.
Heartbreaking is the only word for the final scene. Smash and his mother provide the high point of this amazing episode. The love in the room between them brought a lot of tears to my eyes.
Battlestar Galactica. Season 4, Episode 18. "Islanded in a Stream of Stars" The last 'normal' episode of the show (since the next thing we will see is a three-hour conclusion spread over two weeks). As such, it's a great way to end the run. Adama admits that it is time to leave the Galactica behind and Starbuck admits to herself/Baltar/everyone that she died on Planet Earth and - frankly - has no clue who/what she is. In an episode of highlights, I think the scenes with Starbuck and Baltar were probably the best. The fact that she told him stunned me. His 'outing' of her, in front of everyone, was even more stunning. And the moment where she added her own photo to the wall of fallen comrades was heartbreaking. Katee Sackhoff is amazing. She morphs with such ease. One moment she is a ball-breaker, the next moment she needs you to comfort her.
Lost. Season 5, Episode 8. "LaFleur" We follow Sawyer and gang from 1974 to 1977.
About a minute into this episode we are shown a glimpse of the statue for the first time. In all it's glory. It's an enormous moment. The ramifications of what we are looking at left my jaw on the floor. Where it has stayed ever since. Suddenly we can see that Lost is being painted on a very large canvas and - with this hint - we have every reason to believe that they are going to explore that canvas to every degree that they can.
Beyond that, it's a great episode. Action is split between 1974 and 1977 and there are many clever parallels. Sawyer is established, even more than usual, as hero/protector material and the conclusion is predictable and wonderful.
The Office. Season 5, Episode 16. "Blood Drive" The 'Lonely Hearts Party'.
Wonderful stuff. Lots of great stuff for the ensemble, and another reminder that the gang basically like Michael and will stand by him when he's down (despite everything). It's great to hear stories of everyone's broken hearts. My favourite was Oscar's tale and - in particular - Michael's inability understand it.
Episode highlight? Phyllis Smith returning to the dinner table after a vigorous bout of love-making in the bathroom. Wonderful on many levels.
Highlight? Lost (the statue)
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A Briefing With Michael: One Year Ago
Sat, Mar 7, 09 - Cavemen, Scrubs, Friday Night Lights, Battlestar Galactica, Lost, The Office
