Battlestar Galactica

Wow what a series!  I watched most of it on DVD, but managed to catch up in time to watch the last 10 episodes as they aired.  This is a fantastic character driven story full of themes ripped from the headlines of our early 21st century world--themes like racism, multi-culturalism, terrorism, torture.  This was a show that could really make you think, but instead of being merely high-minded and preachy, it got down and dirty by driving the story with characters you loved, characters you hated and characters that made you love then hate them then love them again (or vice versa).  

Don't be scared off by thinking it's too Sci Fi (or SyFy, stupid network).  The setting of space was merely that, a setting, though it did lead to some kick ass action sequences, always a plus.  This is a series I'd recommend to everyone, especially everyone who likes LOST.  The continuity of the story is not as intense as in LOST, but BSG does pay off long threads, most of them in a very satisfying manner.  Go watch BSG!

Spaced

I wasn't sure what this would be about. But I loved it. It's a British roommate comedy with lost of pop culture, sci fi and other fantasy references. Simon Pegg and Jessica Hynes are awesome. I'd love to see more of this and hope the rumored 3rd series will turn up soon.

House of Cards Trilogy

I've been watching things much more than reading them. But most things have been, in a word, meh. This is an exception.

As a fan of Jeffrey Archer's First Among Equals this 12 episode series available to watch instantly with a Netflix membership intrigued me. Political machinations in the House of Commons especially in this year of high interest in politics was just what the doctor ordered. Unfortunately each section of the trilogy got a bit less good than that which preceded it. But the first section was truly excellent. A must watch for anyone who likes politics, intrigue, scandal and murder.

Dexter

I spent the weekend finishing Season 2 of Dexter, the story of the serial killer of serial killers. I really enjoy this show. Season 1 in particular had a wonderful over-arching plot. The strength of the show is the acting. All the actors, leads and supporting roles do a fantastic job of making you want to watch what is basically a bunch of very unappealing people -- a soulless killer, a neurotic, foul-mouthed cop still trying to win her dead father's approval, a power-hungry media-hungry boss, a woman who can't choose a good man just to name a few.

Now this show is not for everyone. It airs on Showtime and therefore has nudity, profanity, and a lot of scenes of the aftermath of violence. But I really like Dexter, and I look forward to Season 3 ending and being put on DVD so I can watch it.

Pushing Daisies

The new season won't start for 9 more days, but I couldn't resist the opportunity to post this adorable picture of The Piemaker.

Pushing Daisies was my favorite new show last year. Visually stunning. HD is an absolute must. But the best thing about it is it just makes me feel good when I watch this show. I love the banter between Chuck and Emerson. I love Chuck's outfits. I love how Olive takes care of Digby.

I hope the creators will find a way to continue this story because it seems like it would be easy to run out of steam on both of the main plot points, the weekly murders and the no-touching between Ned and Chuck. I trust them to find a way, and I can't wait for my weekly feel-good to return.

What I'm Going To Watch

Well per Fox and The CW the new television season is underway though for the rest of the networks we still haven't gotten to the main event.  Nevertheless I'm starting to program up the DVRs (yes, that's plural)  and here's my plans.

Sunday

Amazing Race (which will be annoyingly delayed 1/2 the time because of football)

The Unit (for Hubby and with the same football problem)

Mad Men 

Monday

Chuck

How I Met Your Mother (this is the conflict which led to 2 DVRs)

Worst Week

Tuesday

Fringe

Wednesday

Pushing Daisies

Project Runway

Top Design

Thursday

Ugly Betty

My Name Is Earl

Kath & Kim

The Office

30 Rock

Friday

Life

What I'm Not Going To Watch

Heroes

Dirty Sexy Money

Friday Night Lights

CSI:Miami (Hubby's finally given it up, though I may still watch the Horatio line)

How I Met Your Mother

Basic story -- In the year 2030 Ted Mosby is telling his teenage kids the story of how he met their mother. Flashback to 2005 where we meet our characters, Ted, his roommate Marshall, Marshall's fiancee Lily, ultimate Bro Barney and Ted's new crush Robin. This show will be heading into it's 4th season come the fall.

This show is actually one of the good things the Writers Strike did. Since nothing was on I started recording HIMYM and watching it after my son went to bed. I managed to catch all of Season 3 that way. I had seen the occasional show in Seasons 1 and 2, at least enough that I could follow what was going on in S3. But now I've watched all of Seasons 1 and 2 -- thanks Netflix -- and I really enjoyed it.

The highlight is always Neil Patrick Harris' Barney. I especially loved Episode 2.5 "World's Greatest Couple" and you can never go wrong with Episode 2.9 "Slap Bet." I can't decide how I feel about the ending of Season 3. I won't talk about it here, but I'm a bit ambivalent about the ending of the main storyline. One of the subplots on the other hand, I can't wait to see how that will play out. Though I hope it doesn't go the Monica/Chandler route.

If you are looking for a LOL comedy about characters that you will come to care about check out HIMYM.

Fortysomething

I found this from David Bianculli, TV critic for Fresh Air and his own website TV Worth Watching. He had been watching various DVD sets to while away the hours left void by the writers strike, and this was one thing he highly recommended.

I can't say I agree 100%. I have never watched an episode of House, but I am aware of Hugh Laurie and his portrayal of a neurotic pill-popping diagnostician. I was looking forward to seeing him in what I thought would be a clearly comedic role. But Fortysomething is this strange hybrid of a show. Part comedy, part this is your life, deal with it drama, and part fantasy/sci fi almost. I really had to force myself through the first couple of episodes. But by the end of the 6 episode run (I love how the British can commit to so little TV) I found myself wondering what would happen next to the Slippery family.

Can I recommend this? Only if you like quirky BBC type things and aren't squeamish about the idea of living in a household where your 20-something sons are having lots and lots of sex within your hearing. I think I'm glad I tried it out, but I'm a bit wary of the Bianculli thumbs up now.

Burn Notice

I started watching this summer popcorn TV show last year. It took a few episodes for it to really kick in and to get where I could put up with Fiona. The end of Season 1 was especially entertaining. Very fast paced and by that time I really cared what happened to the characters. Well, except Fiona.

Season 2 kicked off 2 weeks ago and it picked up right where it left off as good, not terribly realistic, but that's okay fun. Michael is yummy to look at. I enjoy Fiona and Sam's bickering. And my favorite part is the MacGyver like instruction in spy craft. You can check out some of that below.



Burn Notice airs Thursday nights at 10 pm Eastern/9 pm Central on USA (which I get in HD.)