Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009
08.00 Better Off Ted
09.00 The Good Wife
10.00 NCIS
Better Off Ted. Season 2, Episode 3. "Battle of the Bulbs" Khandi Alexander as Lem's mom.
Khandi Alexander isn't my favourite performer, by a long shot, but she's watchable in this typically brilliant BOT episode. Maz Jobrani, however, is a treat. The show has a core cast that is worth their weight in gold, but it has a couple of wonderful semi-regulars also.
The Good Wife. Episode 9. "Threesome" Boss in trouble.
Kevin Conway guests as Alicia's third boss, and makes a terrific impression, as he need her help in court. I hope we see more of this character. He really shakes things up at the law firm.
The evolution of his relationship with our heroine is the best part of the episode. Watching her quietly earn his respect is a joy. Alicia conducts herself with a quiet dignity that makes her the best new hero of the TV season.
The plot, too, has a nice twist at the end. Not quite as weak as some of the 'only on tv' endings that they use. It nicely gets the boss off the hook, though, and ensures a complex (almost downbeat) ending. I love those.
The boss also has some great scenes with Diane (the Christine Baranski character). In the heat of battle, he dismisses her - and her talent - by saying he only hired her because she was a woman.
Later on, at the very end of the episode, he retracts that comment. She doesn't need him to. She knows she was the best lawyer working for him in the old days, and she says it. And she means it. The subtext is clear. His approval isn't important to her, she has her own self-respect. That, to me, is great storytelling. I love it.
NCIS. Season 6, Episode 11. "Silent Night" Christmas.
Peter Coyote guests in a sweet NCIS with a great ending. Part of the fun of watching NCIS is in watching a group of people who work together and who love being with one another. Concocting an episode where they spend Christmas Day together is a fanboy's dream.
Highlight? The Good Wife
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
Better Off Ted, The Good Wife, NCIS
