Revolution: The Fall’s Biggest Disappointment

Revolution: The Fall’s Biggest Disappointment 

Revolution isn’t a failure, just a disappointment. Being a failure means that you don’t have any potential, which is just the opposite for Revolution. The show has all the potential in the world, but constantly squanders any chance of being creative, bold or daring. Rather the show spins its wheels in mediocrity on a weekly basis.

First and foremost I am a show of Revolution. The pilot had a glimmer of hope that NBC could have found a scifi show that would work. A show that tried to do something more. Rather Revolution constantly falls on its own sword. Case in point: Charlie. Charlie is the anchor weighing any semblance of the show moving forward. She does the opposite of everything that anyone ever tells her, which always leads to bad things. Why can’t she learn from her actions? Why can’t she see that she is a burden on the group? Why she is nothing but trouble for anyone ever? For all of the above: because her character is one demential, only defined by her quest to find her brother and her constant need to step in it every chance she gets. 

For the rest of the group, Miles is the only interesting character. He has a shadowy past, kills people with ease and feels guilty for what he has done regarding the Militia. He has depth. He has reasons to keep moving forward in life. His own reasons, not someone’s else's. Miles is everything that Charlie isn’t. Awesome. 

This leads to the show’s confusion of who is the star of the show? Charlie is being showed in the audiences’ face as the sympathetic lead who is lost in this blackout world. But she doesn’t make the grade as being a lead character. Miles is the obvious choice of lead, but the show doesn’t want him to fill that role. Star confusion is a hard symptom to overcome this early in a show. 

Revolution does have shinning hope, buried deep beneath a layer of muck. The world that Revolution occupies is interesting since it gives a wide berth of 15 years of time for the world to go to hell and back again. Steam power still works, but it was destroyed in the wars since the blackout. But who were the wars with? And what about the other nations that the Militia is at war with? These are the real bits of interest that Revolution has, not so much why the blackout happened, but rather the consequences of technology being used as a weapon. 

So what does this mean? When Revolution comes back on the air after its winter break (March 25, 2013), hopefully these problems will be fixed. Most the current show was written before the viewing audience had a chance to see the show. These problems were in the pipeline and couldn’t be stopped. Revolution has to move forward and fix the obvious glaring problems facing the future of the show to ensure that it will make it past the first season. People are watching the show, but for how long if the formula isn’t tweaked is the question. 

American Horror Story Series 2 Episode 1

Welcome to Briarcliff 

Series two of American Horror Story is here, and that’s a good thing. The show that does whatever it wants is back for a second helping of violence, sex and shock. And that is what the first opening moments gave the audience. A sexy newly wed couple explore the Asylum, giving the history of the place while exploring their sexual boundaries. Then someone has to go and loose and arm, always a bummer. 

Just to note, the new title credits are even creepier than last season. Glad they kept the same music, which adds that level of uncertainty to the entire show. Hauntingly beautiful. 

1964. Some of the fear that came with the news that series two would use some of the same actors from series one were that their characters would be confused, or at least be seen too similar. The 60s gives them the ability to spray the 60s all over them, thus creating new, separate characters. Evan Peters as Kit is nothing like Tate from series one. Jessica Lange is always some iteration of Jessica Lange, which is never a bad thing. Her as Sister Jude is forceful and assertive. 

The show becomes almost film noir like when quickly introducing “Bloody Face”. The montage is funny yet disturbing at the same time. Just like the entirety of the American Horror Story franchise. The characters are different, but the same themes and tone is applied in the second series. Hopefully the show will improve upon the formula rather than making some of the same mistakes that the first series did. 

Sister Jude meets her match in Dr. Arthur Aden, who but heads over how to deal with the patients. Feeding them to dogs seems not to be apart of the Sister’s healing plan. Dr. Aden is just as creepy, if not more than, Sister Jude. Their working relationship is tested since the Monsignor told them to work equally but separately. 

Lana is obviously the female reporter who wants to prove herself and crack the story behind the Asylum. She comes off as pushy right now, but she will act as the investigator for the show’s mystery. Her time with Sister Eunice adds more to Lana’s personality, blackmailing the Sister for her own needs. Sister Eunice is a strange mix of a pathetic puppet and willful participant in Dr. Aden’s experiments.

Possible alien abductions, monsters in the woods, an over abundance of religious ideology, strange scientific research, brains in jars. The second series of American Horror Story has a good foundation to delve into the strange and bizarre. 

Rating: Watch

Original Air Date: 10/17/12

On FX, Wednesday's 10/9 Central 

Revolution Season 1 Episode Five

Soul Train 

The curious case of the missing brother finally makes some headway this episode, sad that it took so long for this storyline to get interesting. Danny finally shows some backbone when talking back to Tom. And about Tom, another stellar series of flashbacks about characters that are interesting. Tom before the blackout was a family man that was working in the insurance world when he got fired for being to nice to people. There is still that side to him alive in him being Captain. 

Charlie tries to play it cool when she runs into the Captain in the train yard, but her tone comes across vicious, yet she holds it together until Tom leaves, then she does the cliche deep breath thing. But of course Tom knows she is lying, proving that Charlie can’t do anything right again. So Miles takes over, again. 

In-between Charlie failing again this week, Nora gets her underground rebelness on, by finding the local secret office in town. Well, it turns out only to be an army of one but she is still going to destroy that train, just the two of them. 

Back to awesome banter. Tom and Miles have a great rapport, which seems to be yet another common theme, Miles being one of the few people in our gang of good guys that can hold a conversation for more than two minutes. Miles is the only character of the group that is able to look past the small picture. He is the only anchor of the group. Charlie still needs to grow up and think about her actions more carefully in the dangerous world she lives in. Charlie first and foremost needs a radical change in her personality. 

Most interesting tidbit of the episode is how the country split up in these 15 years. Different militias, republics dominate the former United States, opening up future conflicts with these waring powers. But that future is a long way away, for a show that knows where it is going, not a show that has a main cast that is being supported solely by one character. 

Some real twists happen in this episode, but not until the last act, which is too late to build any steam. The buildup wasn’t worth the wait. Showing the train so early and getting to see it on the move so late in the episode was a poor decision. Still, the episode wasn’t a complete wash, it moved the Danny storyline along. 

Rating: Watch 

Original Air Date: 10/15/12

On NBC, Monday’s 10/9 central 

Last Resort Season 1 Episode 3

Eight Bells 

This is the episode where Julian Serrat, the local war lard of the island, becomes a credible threat to the Captain and his people. The setup of the episode is very classic: with a deadline (literally this time), a seeable goal and means to obtain this goal. Julian wants a shipment that he was planning to get, of what will probably come out in later episodes, but he can’t get to it, so he uses his advantage of holding three crewmen hostage. He sends Marcus out on his fetch quest and gives him until dawn. Simple, next to the blockade of ships that has surrounded the island. Challenges ahead. 

The action shifts back to the sub for the episode, which highlights the show’s claustrophobic atmosphere. But there was never a real threat of the sub not beating the blockade, but more about making the deadline. Marcus and the crew were always going to make it back to the island with the goods. But not making it in time put the death of Redman on the shoulders of Marcus and on the other hostages who chose for him to die (by proxy). The thrill of having to beat the blockade back to the island was great, especially when Sophie, the French NATO official, had to help guide the super stealth-less sub back home. 

The other story told this week was about the soon to be relationship between Tani Tumrenjack and James King. Their quest to meet Tani’s father, and her failed attempt to anger him with James was fun to watch. This story gave some background to the island’s inhabitants and shows off the lush jungles of the island. During these moments, anyone who is a LOST fan felt as if they were back on that other island, since both shows share the same general filming area. This was obvious when James and Tani when diving / swimming, since that lagoon area was used multiple times in LOST. 

This week offered up more about the people who lived on this island before Marcus and his sub came to the island, which is a good thing because having to deal with seemingly endless crewmen who are tired of taking orders was becoming a worn out tactic. 

Rating: Watch 

Original Air Date: 10/11/12

On ABC, Thursday’s 8/7 central 

Nashville Season 1 Episode 1

Pilot 

Nashville is what any and every music based drama should be. Period. Music is woven into the show, letting it play its part by not getting in the way of the plot. The story touches family problems, politics, country music, young vs. old, rivalries, and of course romance. Series, smart, and fun, Nashville is one of the best pilots this season. The hype around this show lives up to the, well, hype. 

Connie Britton plays Rayna James, a country music star who’s 20 year career is fading and is given the choice to either open for Juliette Barnes, played by Hayden Panettiere, the young start who is extremely popular. Both actress bring their A game to their respected roles. James and Barnes are both thirsty for fame and they brush up against one another, even when they aren’t sharing the screen. 

Nashville is a drama first and for most, music spectacle second, or even further down the line. Putting the acting and plot first helps the credibility of the show rise about trite shows like Glee or Smash, that have limit staying power. If Nashville is able to keep this same level of constancy, it will be a powerhouse this fall. ABC has the two strongest pilots this year: Nashville and Last Stand. Congrats to the network, now just keep them on track to make them the best two new shows this year. Now time for more Connie Britton acting broody about some upstart sellout who can’t sing. Must have more. 

Rating: Watch 

Original Air Date: 10/10/12

On ABC, Wednesday's 10/9 central 

Arrow Season 1 Episode 1

Pilot 

With the CW not having a true superhero show on the air for a few years, Arrow comes to the rescue. Arrow is the closet thing that TV will get to a live action Batman show, but Oliver Queen kills the bad guys, which ads more to the ‘realism’ to the aspiring hero. The new backstory to Oliver and his time on a mysterious island where he became Arrow gives the show some history to flush out over the series. 

The basic plot is a wealthy young man wants to take his vengeance on the people who wronged him and his city. So classic Batman / Spiderman reason for doing good deeds / helping people. Other staples that Arrow brings are the CW checklist of necessities: drinking, sex, pop culture riffs and good looking people. 

The way people interact with Oliver is strange, since he was marooned for 5 years on an island. People act like it was nothing and treat him like it was just yesterday, but not for his benefit, but to keep moving the plot along. Some of the dialogue is clunky and awkward, just like how people interact with Oliver. There is some melodrama that can be cut from the show. Hopefully it will be shoved down deeper in the show overtime, since kicks ass is where the show shines. 

The actions is frantic, Bourne Identity like in how Arrow moves in and out of his environment, delivering quick hits up close or firing off arrows from afar. These gems are scattered throughout the episode, which helps frame the story with big flashy battles and one menacing attack from the shadows. 

The positives outweigh the negatives in the first episode of Arrow, with a lot of promise for the show and hopefully that will mean the show can do something special, not just on The CW, but on TV. One of the better pilots this season. 

Rating: Watch 

Original Air Date: 10/10/12

On CW, Wednesdays 8/7 central 

Revolution Season 1 Episode 4

The Plague Dogs 

In Revolution’s fourth episode, the gang gets back together and continues questing together. Moving endlessly in one direction, trying to find Danny. This seemingly endless need to keep moving on is a pitfall of the show. There is no time to get know the environment. Not time to know what normal life is like in this not so distant future. The flip side is that this frantic nature is what living without any electronics is like. But not having a home base, or somewhere where the gang can operate out of is hindering the overall feel of the show. The show being so frantic and all, it would be nice to have the newly reunited gang find somewhere and try to figure things out. 

Maggie is the star of the pre-blackout flashbacks this week, and it giver her character some well needed development. In just a few minutes, her desperation in trying to get back home to England and see her kids then the crushing defeat of never being able to reach her goal giver her so much more depth and passion for why she is with Charlie. 

Charlie’s mom, Rachel, is given a sort sequence again this week, but it is so short it feels as if the show shoved it in at the last minute because they were short on time this week. They are really squandering any potential for her storyline right now. On the flip side, Danny is given more time this week with Captain Tom. Danny keeps his mouth shut for most of it (a good thing) and has his ethics challenged when he has the option of letting the Captain be crushed. 

Charlie is less irritating this week, actually having some nice back and forth with Miles. But she doesn’t go too long before she is getting in the way. Though not her fault, she is taken hostage by a random crazed man and Miles has to find her. Yet once again, she is causing trouble for Miles and the gang. 

(Spoiler ahead) and having her set up to be shot if the wrong door open, and presumably die, is such a cliche way of building tension. It is the fourth episode of the show, they are not going to kill off the character that the audience is suppose to feel something about. Though, if they did kill her off, it would be for the better. The death of Maggie had more emotion than all of Charlie’s flashbacks and bated breaths about her dead father / missing brother. Maggie was able, in the span of one episode, to become relatable. There is hope that the show can do this with the other flat characters but not having to kill them off after making them interesting. 

Rating: Fans Only 

Original Air Date: 10/8/12

On NBC, Monday’s 10/9 central 

666 Park Avenue Season 1 Episode 2

Murmurations 

666 Park Avenue is suffering from an identity crisis in the second episode of the show. The Pilot episode had a dark overtone that played to the strengths of the show and the creepy thing of the week at The Drake involved a man having to kill to keep his dead wife alive. This week is it about some birds in the building at attack the exterminator, who at first seemed to be a well educated character but quickly turned flat (in more than one way). The other side story about one of the residents revolves around her living in an apartment where someone was murdered in the 50s and the past coming back to haunt them 

Having Jane explore more and more of The Drake’s past is interesting, but more scary things need to happen to her. Having cryptic dreams about the past. Fine. But the poorly executed ‘scare’ moments which add up to people walking behind her just come across as lazy. The show needs more truly shocking / scary moments to amp up the show’s dark roots. Once again, Gavin (Terry O’Quinn) is pulling the creepy factor of the show almost on his own. He is the piece of the puzzle that makes this show work. Gavin is a force to be reckoned with. People who cross him end up dead on this show. 

With the prospects of being a good horror / creepy show on network TV, Murmurations just slides by as something to watch this week. The saving graces of the show outweigh the pitfalls and traps of being a cliche in the horror genre. The show is going through some growing pains, and hopefully they will end up being something special rather than another squandered fall show. 

Rating: Watch 

Original Air Date: 10/7/12

On ABC, Sunday's 10/ 9 central 

Last Resort Season 1 Episode 2

Blue on Blue 

When a new show has an outstanding pilot episode, trying to keep the momentum up is always a problem. Having to live up to critical acclaim is both a good thing and a burden. Last Resort was able to keep the tension high, but wasn't as compact as the pilot was. 

As the first episode dealt with establishing the characters, Captain Marcus Chaplin in particular, the second episode revolved around XO, or Lieutenant Commander Sam Kendal. The XO doesn't have the steadfast faith that the Captain has, but is willing to put on a brave face for his men and women, leading them into battle and certain death. Together Kendal and Marcus make an almost unbeatable team, but the XO on his own is a man who is left to question every action he takes. This is seen in the standoff with the "Delta" team who turn out to be Russians. XO wants to talk, since he thinks they are his brothers in arms, showing is loyalty to his country, but when the bullets start flying he is willing to do whatever it takes. 

The Captain is on the other side of the equation this week, having to work things out via phone calls and video chat. He even tells his XO that "you are own your own now", showing that the two of them are going to have to work things out on their own and not always as the dynamic duo. Marcus gets some great speeches / threats in this week, proving once more why he is the captain of this crew and owner of their new island home. 

Back home side, the XO's wife is aloud to call her husband and tries to talk him into giving up Marcus and the sub in return for coming home. All of this is just a ploy by 'the government' and she quickly tells her husband not to trust these people. Smart girl. On the other side of Washington, the weapons lobbyist talks to her informant, who works in the Department of Defense, and is informed that her prototype stealth device works. She pressures him into digging deeper into the conspiracy in covering up the truth and it costs him dearly. Hopefully this new development in her story line will remove some of that smugness in her personality and make her care about the people her work affects. 

Rating: Watch

Original Air Date: 10/4/12 

On ABC, Thursdays 8/7 central 

Vegas Season 1 Episode 2

Money Plays 

The country’s obsession with the 1960s continues with CBS Vegas. But this time around, CBS has turned the popular time period into a crime show, staring Dennis Quaid as the new sheriff in Vegas tasked with cleaning up the lawless city. Michael Chiklis is the antagonist, a mobster from Chicago sent to manage the money better. Natural born enemies. 

Last weeks pilot will probably be the most plot driven episode for a while, since it set up the basic premise of the show and how Ralph Lamb got the job as new sheriff of Vegas. The cookie cutter procedural setup starts this week, with a murder or crime of the week for Lamb to solve while keeping his eye on the mob boys in town. Story elements that carry from episode to episode deal with the murder from the first episode and how he is willing to flip in return for not being executed and the mob trying to get rid of any evidence linking the two. At least the show is trying to have some element of story this early on. 

The window dressing of the 60s makes Vegas fun, but how long this nostalgic wash will last is the real question. Quaid and Chiklis bring caliber acting, but being shoved into a murder of the week format will drain on the top notch acting. Only so many crimes can happen in Vegas before the show starts to show its age. But in the mean time, enjoy the glitz and glam of Vegas while it is still fresh. 

Rating: Watch 

Original Air Date: 10/2/12 

On CBS, Tuesday’s 10/9 central 

Revolution Season 1 Episode 3

No Quater 

Revolution is brining out the big guns in supporting characters, trying to infuse some character into the show. Make something credible out of the show, rather than a mockery of a good idea. The over all darker tone of the third episode fits more inline with what the show promised. The main story with Charlie, who is still a bore, and her Uncle Miles was interesting because it focused on Miles’ past. Wise choice to shine the spotlight on the most interesting character the show has at this point. 

Following up on last week: Charlie, Miles and Nora meet up with a group of rebels who are trying to undermine the Militia and bring back the United States of America. Lofty goals. Things go south and Miles’ history as commanding general of the Militia is revealed. Charlie is angry but still plays her sad eyed temper, accompanied with her pouty lip. Her character really needs to evolve and show some personality. There was a glimpse of who she could be when she was tending to the wounded, but that was only a fleeting moment. 

Back to the supporting cast, Mark Pellegrino joins the cast as a Militia commander who has a past with Miles. Pellegrino matches Miles tit for tat in both their sword fights and banter. Their scenes together were the highlight of the episode. 

Aaron and Maggie poke around Grace’s abandoned house, trying to make sense of what she has to do with the power coming back on, but they are just spinning their wheels until they get their own week. Danny got beat up. Yeah he is really a fascinating character. 

As the show moves forward, Revolution needs to be able to juggle the three or four groups of people better. So far there is only the A story, with the closest storyline being E or F. The B storyline needs to be established better, flush out the other groups of characters that have been introduced. Also, make Charlie more interesting. She is still the wet blanket that was seen in the pilot. 

Rating: Watch 

Original Air Date: 10/1/12

On NBC, Monday’s 10/9 central 

666 Park Avenue Season 1 Episode 1

Pilot 

666 Park Avenue can be described as Fantasy Island, with more murder and darkness. Two things that really help set the show apart on network T.V. The show sets up the dynamics for the first few episodes, which could lead to some creepy moments. Hopefully.

The basic plot is that Henry and Jane become the managers of The Drake Apt building, which comes with the perk of living rent free in an amazing apartment. The owner of the building, Gavin, is just the right balance of creepy and helpful. Played by the masterful Terry O'Quinn, Gavin helps sell the show as more than a bad American Horror Story rip off. Though the basic underlying themes of the two shows are drawn from the same sentiment.

It is a good thing that The Drake has so many residents, acting as red shirts or slaughter for Gavin to use as pawns in his ultimate evil plan. And about that plan, Jane has stumbled on The Drake's cryptic past, something to do with a cult and a black dragon mosaic in the basement. Glad to know that there is some mythology for the show to grow into and questions to answers while Gavin's playing with his victim of the week.

Rating: Watch
Original Air Date: 9/30/12
On ABC, Sundays 10/ 9 central 

Elementary Season 1 Episode 1

Pilot 

There is no doubt that Elementary will be successful. It has everything going for it: a great time, a different twist on Sherlock Holmes / Watson relationship, and on CBS. The show deserves the success that is to come, but it doesn’t break free of the procedural mold that CBS has built over the years. 

The main selling point of the show is that Sherlock is sent Watson (played by Lucy Liu) as someone to make sure that Holmes has kicked his drug habit. Their relationship is all consuming, fascinating, the crown jewel of the show. These two bring a level of depth to their characters in such a short amount of time. Elementary has claimed that the two of them will never get together, but that is just pre-show talk to dismiss any outlandish blowback by Sherlock fans. It will happen, in 3 or 4 seasons. 

The murder that they solve isn’t anything new. Slightly creative, but nothing spectacular. By CBS procedural standards it was above average, but innovated it was not. This is what will keep the show from becoming something amazing, the inability of the network to do something bold and risky. CBS is the network known for not taking risk. And by their own standards Elementary is risky, only because it is one degree off from the ridged master plan. 

My all means, Elementary is a well acted, written and shot show that people should watch. And guess what, you will enjoy it too. Everything is crafted to make sure that a wide audience will enjoy the program, but that net needs to be refined so it can become something more than just another good CBS procedural. 

Rating: Watch

Original Air Date: 9/27/12 

On CBS, Thursdays 10/9 central  

Revolution Season 1 Episode 2

Chained Heat 

Revolution has one major problem, why should anyone watching this show care about what is happening? Aside from a few outstanding characters (one who only appears in flashbacks for now), the show falls completely flat and stagnate. WIth a show that tries so hard in making the audience believe that the power is off and will never come on again, the major flaw in the show’s thinking is that people went absolutely insane 15 years after the blackout. There are millions of people still alive who lived while the power was on, America was a country, and the symbol of the country stood for something. Yet now everything went out the window for seemingly no real reason. This might come out later in the show, but it is a hard pill to swallow. 

Back to the lack of interesting characters. There aren’t enough of them. Period. The audience is suppose to like Charlie because her life has taken a turn for the worst, but she is so bland and she has a terrible glare that she gives people. It just comes off cheesy. Plus she holds back Miles, the most interesting kick-ass person on this show. In fact, Revolution would be better if Miles went off on his own and focused just on him. Kill Charlie off and make the show better. She is holding some of the show’s potential back. 

Also there still isn’t a clear objective (next to finding Danny and saving him from the Militia) that is worth anything. The interesting story about some strange pendant, that is one in a series, that has the potential of turning the lights back on plus a cryptic computer message in the first episode begs to have this story told. This is what Revolution should be about, not some boring rescue story that is cliche. 

The main saving grace are the great sword fights that scatter throughout the episode. Crank up the action and turn down the melodramatic main characters. They have a small window of becoming interesting, but that window is closing fast. 

Rating: Fans Only 

Original Air Date: 9/24/12

On NBC, Mondays 10/9 central 

Last Resort Season 1 Episode 1

Captain 

Last Resort is full of tension, and that is the best part of the pilot episode. The mood, atmosphere and mistrust that the first episode is able to create is outstanding and separates them from the rest of the pack.

The show is about a submarine crew that disobeys orders to fire nukes on Pakistan then they are fired on by the U.S. for disobeying orders. But not everyone in the government knows this truth and instead think that the sub was fired on by Pakistan and retaliate by attacking Pakistan. 

Andre Braugher as Captain Chaplin steals the show. His speeches suck you in and don’t let, especially his last one of the episode. He is such a well built character. The rest of the crew works well in the show, each getting their little moments in this episode and sets up some story lines down the road for them to explore. 

This show is the most like LOST out there. By that I mean that the show goes for it. Money was spent making this feel as real as possible and that really shows the commitment of the show. The sub looks great, both the interior but even the CGI outside of the sub is done well. The mystery of why they were attacked or what was the Navy Seals doing in Pakistan in the first place can drive the show long enough for Last Resort  to find itself and know where it is going down the road. 

Rating: Watch

Original Air Date: 9/27/12 
On ABC, Thursdays 8/7 central 

The New Normal Season 1 Episode 3

Baby Clothes 

Baby clothes will be known as the episode where the issue of gay couples is brought up for The New Normal. It wouldn’t be a Ryan Murphy show if he didn’t bring up the issue of gay couples and ignorant people who are unwilling to accept others. The show handles the issue well, but it was coming down the pipeline sooner than later. Then the issue of someone gets angry at a man with down-syndrome. David doesn’t act the first time but at the prospect of his future child having down-syndrome, he clocks the second guy later that day. 

How to raise a ‘new’ family is at the heart of The New Normal, but the show shows its hand to early in the episode. Comedy’s should be funny first and tell their message second. 10 (or so) minutes into an episode the weight of the world is dropped on David and Bryan and then they talk about their reactions and feelings. Fine and all, but it becomes more serious right away, with the humor thrown in with an attempt to remind the audience they are suppose to be funny. 

The B story however is hilarious: with Shania trying to dress like teenagers leading her to get hit on by a boy in her class, them making out, being caught by Jane and down the rabbit hole before some preachy message is said. Much better at being funny while meaningful at the same time. 

The C story with David and the guy he punched, and the down-syndrome guy (who hates gays) is also handled well, since it made a story out of nothing. An actual surprise in this episode. 

Rating: Watch

Original Air Date: 9/18/12 

On NBC, Tuesdays 9:30/8:30 central 

Go On Season 1 Episode 3

"There's No "Ryan" In Team"

Go On desperately needs to slow down scene changes and let actions play out. The community center (and group time) is the most interesting aspect of the show, where the real comedy of Go On happens yet is overly ignored. Go On should embrace this community center and make it the cornerstone of Go On rather than shove it into the abyss of Ryan’s dark soul. 

The group dynamic needs to be flushed out more, an issue that the show addresses when Ryan keeps ignoring them outside the confines of group time. Ryan is isolating the people who want to help the most while feeling sad for him at the same time because of his crippling depression that the show forces on the audience at every turn. Bowling with the group is one of the funniest things this show has shown but instead Ryan is out hanging with his boss in some abandoned lot doing something that is pointless. 

Go On has added too many characters too fast. The group itself hasn’t been clearly defined, which should be the primary goal of the show this early. So far, this semi-ensemble show is just focusing on Ryan and his pathetic life. At least the other group members have things going on in their lives, which helps them become more than window dressing, but their individual personalities are still hazy. Cut everything but the group, possibly keeping as little as possible of Ryan at work and the show would work better. I want to see more of the group. With or without Ryan, I could care less, but just more of the group and their quirky personalities. 

Rating: Watch 

Original Air Date: 9/18/12 

On NBC, Tuesday's 9:00/8:00 central 

Revolution Season 1 Episode 1

Pilot 

When creating a fictional world, having the people act as if it is their reality is a key part in becoming immersed in that reality. This is the weakness of the pilot episode of Revolution, some of these characters seem to exist only to give band exposition an stand around. The subtle details of characters backstories seem to be gone in favor of tying to get the audience to understand that this is a world without electricity. From the heavy handed voiceover to the dying breath of [Spoiler] Ben, and then some the show tells the audience an abundant amount of times that the lights aren’t coming back on anytime soon.

Ben is killed by a group of militia (by accident). They are at Ben’s sleepy little town to take him and find his brother Miles because they might know something about the blackout. The tense standoff is a joke, but the bloodbath that follows is worth the anticlimactic moment. 

Charlie, Maggie and Aaron take off to find Danny, Charlie’s brother, after he is taken by Tom, the leader of the militia group. And we get out most interesting character so far, Tom (played by Giancarlo Esposito). He plays his character with depth and emotion. He is also a cold blooded killer (he kills most of the people in the fire fight himself). 

The gang of three find their way to an airplane and sleep for the night only to be awaken at knifepoint by bandits, who are killed off my poisoned whiskey. Maggie finds her moments in this episode, but she mostly falls flat, only stating the obvious for a majority of her on screen time. Aaron is just interesting, playing the likable fat, nerdy guy. 

Moving at light speed, they make it to Chicago with another guy who happens to find their group (totally not a bad guy) and find Miles, Charlie’s uncle. Miles is the second interesting, well written character that we meet. Miles is funny, witty and steadfast all while still remaining believable at the same time. The stranger turns out to be a bad guy, who knew, and Miles kicks everyone out to fight the good fight. This fight scene makes the entire episode worth slogging through blatant exposition. Miles kicks so much ass in a few minutes, with the help of Charlie, Maggie and Aaron. The twist at the end is that [Spoiler] Miles knew the leader of the militia who is hunting him all along. Miles and Monroe where old army buddies. 

And there was some b story line with Danny, where he meets a nice woman who gives him back to the militia. But she has one of the devices which allows the power to come back on, interesting twist including a seemingly third rung character into the fray. Didn’t see that one coming. 

The episode got better over the hour, with the first half beating the audience over the head with the basics of the show and the second half filled with great action set pieces and an ending that wasn’t obvious. Hopefully the show will build off the momentum the pilot ended with. 

Rating: Watch

Original Air Date: 9/17/12 
NBC, Monday's at 9/8 central 

The New Normal Season 1 Episode 2

Sofa’s Choice 

With this second episode of the show, we get a real look at what The New Normal has in store for us. Pilot episodes are worked over and over, for weeks trying to iron out the issues the show may have (doesn’t always work) but they don’t fall under the same working schedule of the show. That schedule is a key factor in what makes a good show work so well. 

This show needs to be about Rocky and Jane, with everyone else as background characters living this pregnancy story. This isn’t to say that David, Bryan, and Goldie aren’t likable funny people. They are all those things, but they don’t steal the scene. The leads need to step it up and take the comedic reins of this show. Shania (the daughter) had a great comedic bit in the background masquerading as a Kennedy from Gray Gardens, priceless. 

David and Bryan do have a steady relationship, which is at the heart of the show. Their flashback of how they met was cute, but not that funny. It really wasn’t meant to be funny though, but more of a way to quickly show the spark the two of the have lost in their relationship. But wouldn’t wanting a kid be a spark in their relationship? *Another Gray Gardens joke, Andrew could only go as a cat from Gray Gardens for Halloween. See, its these random side jokes about a 70s documentary that people forget about.

The New Normal needs to define itself outside of the basic plot of the show. So far, it is just moving through the paces with bits of humor thrown in so the show can be called a comedy. Everyone on this show can hold a joke (when they are given one) but again, the leads are just pushing the basic “let’s have this baby” plot forward. This plot should be the excuse for following these people around. Define their world more than just a wealthy couple who lives in L.A. This is why Jane and Rocky steal the show and need to be the starts if this formula stays the same. Everyone can hold their own, but no one is really being given the opportunity to shine, expect for Rock and Jane. And the real comedic star of this episode, Shania. 

Rating: Pass 

Original Air Date: 9/11/12 

On NBC, 9:30/8:30 central 

Go On Season 1 Episode 2

He Got Game, She Got Cats 

The second episode of any show sets the baseline for the rest of the season, if not the series. This is the first real week of the show, which consists of finding the right balance of jokes, writing and filming schedules. Knowing how the show can deal with the stress behinds the scenes is evident on the other side of the screen. 

Ryan is a sad dog, who gets kicked from house to house, trying to find someone who wants to play fetch with him. This might seem harsh, but Ryan all but comes out and says it half way through the episode. His life is in shambles, with the death of his wife and all so he doesn't want to be left alone. And because he gets kicked around so much, he is abrasive to people to make it seem as if he is really interested in their lives. 

The Pilot had the same basic construct as the episode, but this time around the show isn’t as dark as the pilot, and in comedy thats a good thing. The loom and gloom of Ryan and those in his support group aren’t outright seen as being horrible alone, or dad but rather slightly seen as melancholy people trying to deal with their lives. 

Sonya buys lots of cats to deal with breaking up with her boyfriend, which Ryan told her to do, also because of the death of a former pet. Sonya says exactly why other people think she uses cats (to avoid human contact) then quickly dismisses the idea. Other characters comment on how crazy Sonya is (which goes on too long) but only shows how sad and empty Sonya has become. 

The sadness of the show is being held at bay by the humor, but the bluntness of the characters in this comedy isn't working well with the entire comedy aspect of the show. Every laugh is just at the expense of a likely sad person who is teetering on the edge of sanity. It can be hard to laugh at these people knowing that they are really hurting on the inside. 

Also the show needs to slow down on locations. They rarely spend anytime in any one location, bouncing back and forth too fast to get any real sense of where the characters are. Spend more time in the office, or at the community center or at George’s apartment and his missing basketball B plot of the episode. 

Rating: Fans Only 

Original Air Date: 9/11/12 

On NBC, 9:00/8:00 central 

The New Normal Season 1 Episode 1

Pilot 

Ryan Murphy’s new comedy on NBC still has his signature flair for the off the cuff comments, speeches and character types. If anyone has ever watched Glee before, you will know the basis of The New Normal. In fact, this show feels like Glee 2.0, but minus all the singing, dancing and adults masquerading as teens. Even the shooting aesthetic of the show feels like it ripped from the Glee handbook. 

We have the following: Jane is the grandmother of Goldie, who in turn is the mother to Shania. The mother daughter combo drive out to California to escape her horrible life. Goldie becomes the surrogate to David and Bryan. Jane follows her granddaughter out to the west coast. And there is the plot and conflict all wrapped up in a nice bow. 

The New Normal will draw comparisons to Modern Family, but in reality the shows don’t have that much in common. Modern Family is a high end family sitcom while The New Normal is more about taking the edgy approach to the genera. The show does have its funny moments (insert Gwyneth Paltrow joke here), but I can’t stop thinking about the constant Glee like hard handedness. This show isn’t timid about anything, just like Glee. Both show even share NeNe Leakes. Jane is Sue, but even more crazy, which isn’t a bad thing. 

The New Normal is enjoyable, but isn’t groundbreaking in the least. Ryan Murphy has gone back to the Glee trough and found this show there, waiting to be made. This show is Glee with a pinch of Modern Family. 

Rating: Watch

Starts on: Tuesday, September 11 at 9:30 / 8:30 central 

Go On Season 1 Episode 1

Pilot

Matthew Perry is back on NBC, once again surrounded by an ensemble cast. But this time Perry is the focus of the show, stepping out of the Friends equal shadow into the stardom for himself. The Pilot episode starts with breakneck speed, quickly glazing over primary reason for why Ryan (Perry) has gone to therapy in the first place. Oh, by the way he is also a sports commentator, but Go On pushes past that so fast you might have forgotten. 

Ryan’s wife has died a few weeks prior to the start of the show and his job forces him to go to ten rounds of therapy before he can return to work. The first interaction with his new therapy group was all seen in the promos for the show, aka “March Sadness”. After subjecting people to a round by round tell all bout why their lives are horrible, we meet Lauren, the group leader who slaps Ryan on the hand for his horrible mockery of the treatment process and starts the real group meeting this week. Then follows one of the saddest montages ever in a comedy, each member of the group is shown living their lives, somehow effected by their loss. Then Ryan cons his way out going to any more sessions at the next meeting, has a breakdown, returns to group and chases a Google Street View car with his therapy members. This show moves fast. 

Behind the jokes, the best being how the therapy leader is qualified to run group, the show is very dark and depressing. Humor is the only way for Ryan to deal with his loss, that and random outbursts of aggression, and too is this the only way for the show to deal with the dark subject matter of these people’s lives. 

There are similarities to the quirky band of characters that Go On has and those who live on Community, but Go On hasn’t really established any of the supporting casts yet, aside from what hellish events have brought them to group in the first place. There is potential for the show, but the underlying darkness that Go On may ultimately bring the show down if it is aloud to permeate the walls of the comedic chops the show is working from. 

Air Date: During the Olympics 

Starts on: Tuesday, September 11 at 9/8 Central on NBC

Rating: Watch 

Breaking Bad Season 5 Episode Eight

To say that Breaking Bad is lazy is absurd. Breaking Bad is one of the hardest working shows on TV, from the acting, pacing, story telling, cinematography and serious tone of the show. But the last few episodes have left me feeling like the show is just treading water. 

Tonight’s end of the first eight episodes is just an example of this stagnate feeling the show is emitting. By all means, it wasn’t bad. Breaking Bad is never flat out bad. Every episode is filled with visual brilliance but when an element of the show doesn’t match the same perfection that the rest of the show attains it is a let down. 

Now to talk about the ending. Spoilers below. 

Yes, Hank finding the Walt Whitman book on the back of the toilet fits in with the show’s world that has been carefully created. But in all the ways for Walter to be caught by Hank, this seems to be the laziest way for the show to set up the finale chase. Attentive fans (most of the viewers) will know that Gale gave Walter the book in season 3 and in season 4 Hank asked Walter about Gale’s notebook that gave thanks to a W.W. I’m all in favor of the show going back and pulling small details and using them again at a later date, but this is not the dream way of Hank finding out Walter’s dirty little secret. Again, it works but it is the least gratifying way for Hank to discover that Walter is behind “Sky Blue” Meth. 

Breaking Bad Season 5 Episode 1

Live Free or Die 

As a new comer to the Breaking Bad world, I just finished marathoning the entire show in preparation for new episodes, and the season 5 premiere did not disappoint from where the explosive season 4 finale left off. The biggest twist of season 5 has to be the cold open future Walt that we see, and things don't seem to be going well for him (but his has his hair back). Back to this present, the repercussions of killing Gus are felt in this episode, which leads to some great physical comedy in trying to retrieve evidence that could nail Walt, Jesse and Mike. And on that note, it is so good to see Mike back on the show.  For the most part, he is the mouth piece for the audience, which is greatly needed in this show since so many characters have hidden or alter agendas. Mike is mostly straight forward, yet complex at the same time.  

The last half of the episode played like a heist movie, but of course things have to go wrong (Walt and Jesse never have a long success rate, but that is what makes Breaking Bad so different). Gus’s laptop, which has the video evidence from the numerous cameras is taken as evidence by the local police and placed in the evidence locker. Mike and Walt bicker over which method would get them into the evidence room, or get rid of the evidence, but shockingly it is Jesse who comes up with the idea for magnets (followed by a nice hand visual of what the magnets would do) to get rid of the files on the hard drive.  

Old Joe (or the junk yard guy) reappears in helping build a large enough magnet that can zap the hard drive from 35 feet or so. A very powerful one at that. Then the heist is on, with Mike being the third man and executing his part(s) perfectly. Walt and Jesse teeter on the brink of genius until things go wrong. Jesse parts the van as close as he is able to the evidence room (in the garage) and Walt mans the dial for the magnet.  The evidence room’s content starts to sway back and forth, the all metallic objects are pulled to the wall. It is only in a panicked state that Walt cranks the dial up all the way, which causes the van to slam against the wall. All seems lost but Mike saves the day once more. But this entire risk may be in vain since a picture from Gus’s desk was broken in the evidence room and behind the innocent looking photo seems to be a list of bank accounts. Walt and Jesse strike again.

Hank is seen as the hero knowing about Gus all along while Skylar visits Ted in the hospital, who did not die when he tripped over the carpet, but just broke his neck. Kind of wished he died, but we get to see a transformation happen in Skylar. She becomes more like Walt in that she uses Ted’s fear to her advantage.  Walt also gets a nice, and by that I mean terrifying, conversation with Saul about the whole loss of $600,000 thing. Saul wants to be done with Walt, but Walt isn’t having any of that. After poising a child in the season 4 finale, Walt has crossed over in the darkside and hopefully this season we will see how far he goes.

As for next week, the promo shows the mysterious German company that owns Pollos Hermanos  having a meeting with the DEA / local cops. I’m really excited to see the people that held Gus’s leash all the years. If they are willing to put up with Gus, who knows what they are capable of doing.

Random note, no Marie in this episode and that’s a good thing. I was hoping they would kill her off in the season 4 finale, but alas they spared her life. She is such a one dimensional character on a show filled with complex and intricate people. Hopefully she will see her way out of the show somewhere in the next 15 episodes. 

Update: If the show is moving towards Walt being in that Denny's (are they a sponsor of the show?) and if they have more flashfowards, how will the show a dress the time jumps that the audience has already seen? Breaking Bad assumes that its audience is intelligent and keeps up with some if not most of the story / mythology, so there a number of options Breaking Bad could take when the show catches up with itself. One interesting way to do it would be to skip all the future Walt scenes that we have already seen, but this would risk alienating the audience.

Original Air Date: 7/15/2012
On AMC 10/9c time 

Alcatraz Season 1 Episode 1 and 2

Pilot / Ernest Cobb

The dramatic lighting, that ever so recognizable score, Jorge Garcia. Yep, this is a J.J. Abrams show and thank God for that.  If Fringe and the X-Files had a love child in the 60s and vanished until today, you would have Alcatraz. There are some cliché Abrams themes in the show: the blond is the troubled cop/agent, nerd references, vast conspiracy theories, the mention of wormholes in the pilot, and the use of numbers (47 in Ernest Cobb, the same 47 from Alias). There is enough differences between this show and the other Abrams procedural, Person of Interest, that also premiered this TV year. Abrams and his well-crafted team have built a world that is believable enough and populate it with characters who ask realistic questions to get to the bottom of things. And just like other Abrams shows, those answers don’t come for a while.  But all of these things work in the wheelhouse of Abrams shows. Alcatraz has a real chance to be one of those must watch shows, like Fringe has become, but no one is watching. The mainstream audience needs to catch on fast, and there is enough going on in Alcatraz to capture that audience.

Rating: Watch

Original Air Date: 1/16/12

Alcatraz is on Fox, Monday’s, 8/7c