Sunday, August 9th, 2009
06.00 Sons Of Tucson
06.30 Torchwood
07.30 Legend Of The Seeker
08.30 Supernatural
12.00 Flying Blind
12.30 Good Morning Miama
Sons Of Tucson. Episode 1. "Pilot" Three kids hire a fake dad.
Four strong characters and several good laughs make for a strong, and likable pilot. Tyler Labine is typically funny, but his three co-stars raise laughs, too. This is one I want to see more of.
Torchwood. Episode 2. "Day One" An alien arrives on Earth looking for sex.
It sounds cheesy, but Torchwood makes it work. The story is played straight, and the comedy (of which there is lots) doesn't harm the credibility of the story. The sad plight of the girl who has been taken over is played particularly straight, while the laughs come mostly from the interactions of the team that forms Torchwood.
John Barrowman gets more screentime in this second episode and he completely dominates the screen. He steals the episode. The guy is a star and appears to having the time of his life with this fantastic character. The dynamic between Captain Jack and Gwen is very much the model of The Doctor and Rose (wise, mysterious older man and young innocent running along in his shadow), and - as is the case with the parent series - the sidekick character is interesting and dynamic in her own right.
Legend Of The Seeker. Episode 7. "Identity" Richard is replaced!
A nice, and much-needed, break from formula. LOTS does Quantum Leap as Richard is made to look like someone else and vice versa. It's funny when Richard has to get married, but the show pulls back from making it absolutely hilarious. In fact, most of the humour comes from Craig Horner reacting to stuff.
Kahlan reveals the reason she and Richard can never be lovers. Richard doesn't hear it, but at least the audience at home has a better idea of what's going on with her.
I enjoy this show. Particularly when it breaks from formula, such as here, and I'm getting sucked into the whole Richard/Kahlan love story.
Supernatural. Season 4, Episode 14. "Sex and Violence" A siren arrives in town looking for sex. And murder.
It sounds cheesy, but Supernatural makes it work. You really only need two suspects to make a great whodunnit, and here's more proof of that. The story features two strong and interesting guest characters. And from start to finish you were kept wondering if one of them was the bad guy, and which one...
Bobby is great in this episode, also. Coming to the rescue just when the boys needed him.
Flying Blind. Episode 10. "The Secret of My Great Dress" Fashion Designer.
This time it's not an ex-boyfriend who causes the conflict between Alicia and Neil, it's her sudden new job as a fashion designer.
It's a so-so episode. Neil has wonderful one-liners, but they seem fewer in number and - while we certainly need some sort of conflict to bring comedy into the show - the Felicia-designs-dresses is far from being my favourite storyline.
Good Morning Miami. Episode 18. "About A Ploy" Moving to New York?
The middle episode of the Fran Drescher trilogy. Gavin is renegotiating his contract. Partly due to a job offer in New York. So Dylan, his girlfriend, is upset. Which pleases our hero (Jake) because he's been (secretly) in love with Dylan from the start.
It's a good, solid story. Gavin, of course, is lying about the job offer in NY and it's pretty much the worst thing he's done: lie to Dylan. He makes her suffer and it's needless. So, in the end, when she breaks up with him... it make sense and we agree with her reasoning.
There's a dumb sub-plot to keep the other regulars busy, but this is an episode that would have worked better with just one storyline.
Highlight? Supernatural (whodunnit)
Yet Another TV Review Podcast
Yet Another TV Review Book
Yet Another Film Review Blog
Follow Me on Twitter
A Briefing With Michael: One Year Ago
