05.00 The Big Bang Theory
05.30 Reaper
06.30 Pushing Daisies
07.30 The Sarah Connor Chronicles
08.30 Supernatural
12.00 Parks And Recreation
12.30 The Phil Silvers Show
The Big Bang Theory. Season 2, Episode 12. "The Killer Robot Instability" Penny tries to apologise to Howard, after hurting his feelings, while the guys prepare to enter their fighting robot in a contest to the death!
Nice balance of a-plot and b-plot, and a good way to pair up two characters who don't normally share exclusive screentime.
Reaper. Season 2, Episode 7. "The Good Soil" The escaped soul, this week, isn't evil. Just a virgin who wants to have sex with a woman he coveted back in the 90s.
Another good case-of-the-week story and a lots of great scenes for the regulars. Even the Andi scenes were good, after last week's misjudged break-up.
I was surprised/disappointed to see Sock's step-sister being written out of the show. Surely there was lots more to do with that character/story?
Pushing Daisies. Season 2, Episode 12. "Water and Power" Cod's ex is a suspect in a murder.
David Arquette continues to be a worthwhile addition to the regular cast, as Gina Torres proves (as ever) to be a great guest star. And a perfect match for Christine Adams. Cod has great taste in women, it must be said.
The Sarah Connor Chronicles. Season 2, Episode 21. "Adam Raised a Cain" A regular dies a quick, cold death, while John Henry tries to save Savannah, even going so far as to tell lies to Catherine Weaver.
An amazing episode. There is no clear place to begin heaping praise.
The Death of Derek happens fast and without fanfare at the very start of the episode. He is shot down in battle, so fast that you barely have time to register it. And the battle continues around his his dead body. Back in Season One I was terrified that they would kill off this character, but - despite the fact that I am sorry to see Derek/Brian Austin Green go - this was a great resolution to the character's story arc. In fact, it felt like the natural ending to everything that the character has done since he arrived from the future, and another component in make-up of the man that John Connor will become.
The Pre-Titles Sequence was mesmerising, as we realised that the child Savannah was under attack and that AI John Henry was concerned and trying to help save her life. That sequence highlighted a stunning development in the evolution of this great character.
The final scene (after Sarah's brutal arrest) was haunting and wonderful and a perfect example of the style of storytelling that is unique to this show. You watch this scene, you cannot mistake it for a scene from any other show. TSCC has it's own voice and style and makes bold choices. "Donald, Where's Yer Troosers?" sung by a child and an Artificial Intelligence in the body of a killer robot is one of the most haunting things I have ever seen...
Supernatural. Season 4, Episode 4. "Metamorphosis" An ordinary married man is changing into something evil. The boys are not sure how to handle this one...
A superb case-of-the-week to take a break (kinda) from the bleak story arc the show is developing. Except that, of course, Sam sees parallels between himself and the poor guy at the heart of the story.
It's a good story, and the show wisely allows the tale to dominate the episode. Jack and his wife take up a lot of screentime and the writers manage to make us invest in them, particularly. Being Supernatural, of course, there is a bleak ending on the horizon and the nature of how Jack's final transformation comes about is tragic.
A shining example of what a great show Supernatural is.
Parks And Recreation. Episode 3. "The Reporter" The adorable Alison Becker (from Z Rock) guests a reporter who asks a lot of awkward questions. Well, not really. Leslie just finds them awkward to answer...
Hard to know to rate this episode. It made me laugh, and I'm liking Leslie more and more but I'm not sure it was wise to do such a serious episode so early on. Namely, the idea of Mark (who's more of an idiot than I first realised) sleeping with someone else, and Leslie being hurt by it.
I suppose the show has to dip it's toes in the waters of serious stories, and this is only the third episode so I should cut them some slack.
Bottom line: lots of funny lines. I'm really like the idea of a running gag based around the inappropriate paintings in the halls of the building where Leslie works.
The Phil Silvers Show. Episode 4. "The Horse" Bilko uses the platoon's money to buy a horse.
A wonderful get-rich-quick-scheme that proves more complicated than Bilko was ready for. There are two absolutely superb gags in this episode. Gags that never fail to make you laugh no matter how many times you see them.
First, there is the sequence where Colonel Hall keeps waking in the night to the sound of a horse running around Fort Baxter. It's very funny the first time it happens, but later (when one of Bilko's men has added headlights to the horse so the rider/trainer can see better) the gag gets truly wonderful. Hall wakes to the sound of horse hooves and - when he goes to check - he keeps getting blinding by the lights, which adds to his considerable confusion. Poor guy. I've been laughing that sequence for the past thirty years and it only gets funnier every time I see it.
This is also the episode where Bilko cons four of his men into taking part in an experiment where they have to eat oats. The fast-talking Sergeant is at his very here. This scene highlights the manipulative genius of Sgt. Bilko the character, and the performing genius of Phil Silvers the man. The scene is more than just funny, it is beautiful. Comedy perfection.
Highlight? The Sarah Connor Chronicles ("Donald, Where's Yer Troosers?")
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A Briefing With Michael: One Year Ago
Sun, Apr 26, 09 - Big Bang Theory, Reaper, Pushing Daisies, Sarah Connor, Supernatural, Parks And Recreation, Phil Silvers
