Category: TV

Why Some Folks Are Gonna Kick Themselves for Not Watching Dollhouse

Tabz 2 Comments

Hulu - Dollhouse_ The Attic - Watch the full episode now.

Now, I rarely stand up and tell people they’re going to have one of those “smack yourself in the forehead” moments. I know everyone’s tastes are different. Far be in from me to tell someone that they’re going to regret anything.

But those folks who gave up on Dollhouse after a couple episodes of Season 1 — you’re gonna have that moment if you choose to watch it later. These past 6 episodes (the double header December ones) have brought it.. and brought it hard.

And I know the feeling, I had a horrible, “why didn’t I watch this show when it was on the air” feeling when I finished Firefly. I know many of you had the same. Yet, I could chalk it up to never knowing the show existed (my family watched every crazy scifi show out there during that time — and we totally missed it would even be on).

Yet, I wasn’t that way when I started watching Firefly. Don’t shoot me but I thought the pilot (yes, the real one.. Serenity) was boring. I couldn’t see why my friend was raving and raving about it. Couldn’t grasp why he kept looking at me with those big huge “isn’t this the best thing you ever watched” eyes. In fact, it was a lot of months before I watched another episode of Firefly, because I didn’t get hooked.

Same thing with Buffy, I watched it after that first episode of Firefly… but merely out of sheer boredom. I didn’t have cable. My boyfriend at the time loved Sarah Michelle Geller and I needed to know why.

And now, of course, I get it. Yes, I’m an unabashed Joss Whedon fan. Yes, if he put out a video called “Joss Whedon’s Lets Watch Paint Dry” I would probably watch it and write fanfic about it. But this, this is something more.

Dollhouse is gone after these next few episodes. I have accepted that, I have mourned that, I have moved on from that. But after seeing last night’s episodes I can’t believe there are some of my fellow fans who did not strap in for the entire ride. Not because I’m mad at them, I get it – there’s lots of great TV out there to keep you occupied. But this? This wasn’t just great TV… this was art. This was taking people and characters and turning them inside out and then back side in. It was a social, political, people commentary without the blatantly obvious plot lines and blue folks (sorry James Cameron.. but I get it….. you don’t need to preach at me).

This show was magic. I have already declared that Enver Gjokaj (Victor) is quite possibly the best actor on the planet. I’m going to remove the possibly and say he is. So if you’re not watching I am sorry. Sorry you missed the payoff, sorry you missed the seasons that might have been. ‘Cuz Dollhouse just stole my heart and it was awesome.

Quadruple Z Episode #003: Review of Supernatural 1×1 – “Pilot”

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spn1x1Learn more about Supernatural at the CW website.

Buy Supernatural – The Complete First Season on Amazon.com

Join Tabz, Kim and Emma as they discuss Supernatural S1 Ep1 – “Pilot”.

TV.com Recap:

qz_SPN1x1

Sam is about to graduate from college and has an interview set up to join one of the most prestigious law schools in the country. His brother Dean, whom he has not seen since he went to college, shows up in the middle of the night and tells him their father is missing while on a hunting trip. Leaving his girlfriend behind to find their dad, Sam joins Dean in an effort to find their father in a little town called Jericho, where unmarried men disappear without a trace.

Love SPN? Check These Sites:
Supernatural Fan Wiki – Supernatural Wiki
Driving Music: Supernatural Fan-Mixes
Supernatural Fans Online

We’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode! Leave them below or email us at betweenthelinesstudios-at-gmail.com. We’ll read them on an upcoming episode!

(Photos: CW/Oxoniensis Screencaps)

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TV Review: Bones 5×10 The Goop on the Girl

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1061Watch Bones on Fox – Thursday Nights
Buy Bones: Season Four Amazon.com
Watch Bones on Hulu

Christmas is all about family. Not just your blood relations, but also your found family. The Christmas specials for Bones have usually centered on this truth (from Season 1’s “The Man in the Fallout Shelter” to this year’s “The Goop on the Girl”).

While not as whimsical or funny as “The Santa in the Slush” (from Season 3), this episode is tinged with the emotional high notes that one would want in their Christmas episodes.

Spoilers to follow:

Beginning with a bank-robbing Santa (who then explodes in front of Booth, fan girls are treated to a nearly-naked David Boreanaz, as Booth needs to be stripped down for evidence. After five seasons of romantic tension between Booth and Brennan it’s nice to see it’s still hard for both of them not to admit full feelings for each other during the “evidence collecting” (and later on during the episode). The writers did well with keeping it there, but not so heavy handed that you get tired of it.

The crime plot was enjoyable, I especially loved the facial reconstruction (which is very true-to-life). It wasn’t without it’s downside, the assundry human elements were a bit far fetched in places, and choppy. The team all gets stuck in D.C., missing flights for Christmas. I highly doubt that they’d be made to stay after having Christmas plans (though it is convenient to the plot). As a side note, I really loved how the lab was decorated for Christmas (especially Brennan’s office).

Christmas is explored at length in this episode. Brennan struggles with the meaning of Christmas, especially after her father tells her that being alone on Christmas means you’re not loved. Sweets and Daisy have their own ideas about Christmas (though, I find it hard to believe that Daisy is super concerned with celebrating Jesus’ birth on the true day and okay with having a day of pre-marital sex with her boyfriend). Even Angela and Hodgins have some sweet Christmas thoughts — especially about family being more than just your blood relations. I was most disappointed with the way the tension between Cam and Michelle was played. There’s real reason for Michelle’s unease about spending Christmas with Cam, but instead it was played off by another stereotypical teenager tiff instead of the meaningful emotion it could have had.

After finding out that Santa (really a man named Holden Chevaleer) wasn’t the real criminal, Brennan (who has absorbed her father’s words about Christmas) decides that she wants to go to his funeral — since his mother is burying him on Christmas morning all alone. This is probably my favorite part of the episode. The dialogue between Booth and Brennan was so sweet and meaningful.

The episode wraps up with a touching “family” Christmas dinner (though I have my own personal quibbles with how sharp Brennan was about Booth praying). Another highlight of the episode is Zooey Deschanel (Emy Deschanel’s real life sister), who rocked the role of Brennan’s second cousin – Maggie.

All in all a good episode, and one that should make it on your holiday TV watch list.

Quote of the Episode
Hodgins: Hey check this out. Explosive Unit guys loaned me these magnetized gloves. (excited) Oh these are so going on my Christmas list!

(Photo: Fox/bones-daily.com)

TV Review: Smallville 5×09 Lexmas

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normal_Lexmas_203
Buy Smallville – The Complete Fifth Season on Amazon.com.

Lexmas is currently the only Christmas episode of Smallville. The episode starts out with Lex going to a meeting in a dangerous area of Granville. He’s making plans to get Jonathan Kent out of the senate race. Lex is shot when a couple of junkies steal his car.

When he “wakes up” he is lying in bed next to Lana. A young boy runs in and calls him daddy. Not only that, but Lana is pregnant. He is very confused, and asks some crazy questions to figure out what is going on. He is married to Lana and their son’s name is Alexander. They have a middle class income, as Lex was cut off from his father when he married Lana. Lex takes Alexander to find a Christmas tree, and runs into Clark and Chloe. They are all still friends. They remind him that they’ll see him later at the annual Kent’s Christmas party. Lex and Lana attend the party, and Lex is honored by Jonathan and the community. This has to be Lex’s perfect life, right?

Well, no. Lana goes into labor, but there are complications. Lex goes to Lionel for his influence and money in getting the best doctors. Lionel turns him down, and says he made his choice. Lana dies, and Lex wakes up again. This time he is in the hospital, having had a risky surgery that Lionel approved to keep him from being paralyzed. Throughout this whole thing, Lex has been “seeing” his mother, Lillian. She tells him that if he chooses correctly this could be his life. He could be happy. After seeing the death of Lana, Lex concludes that money and power are the way to true happiness. This is the moment where Lex makes a choice that will take him down the dark path to becoming the evil Lex Luthor.

Also in this episode, Chloe has Clark help deliver toys to underprivileged children. He runs into a drunk Santa, thinking of committing suicide. Clark saves him, and Chloe’s presents are magically delivered.

I really enjoyed this episode of Smallville. It could’ve been just a throwaway episode, like many holiday episodes are, but it wasn’t. This is a major event in Lex Luthor’s life. It’s a very big deal that he makes the choice to go down the darker path. He’s been fighting with his darker side for years, but here he chooses to embrace it.

Seeing the alternate future is lots of fun, too. Michael Rosenbaum is such a funny guy in real life, but you don’t get to see much of that in the character of Lex. It was great to see him smiling and laughing for a change. It’s also really fun to see where Clark, Chloe, and the Kents end up.

TV Review: Veronica Mars 1×10 “An Echoll’s Family Christmas”

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VM_christmas
Buy Veronica Mars – The Complete First Seasonon Amazon.com

This Christmas episode from season one of Veronica Mars starts out with Veronica and Keith decorating the tree. This caring family environment is quickly brought into stark contrast when we head to the Echoll’s house. Logan is hosting a poker game. Duncan appears to be drunk. Weirdly, Weevil is playing with them. We’ve come in at the end of the game. It’s down to Logan and Weevil. Weevil wins and Logan goes to pay him, however the money box is empty. This does not go over well with Weevil. Through Weevil’s efforts to find the money, we find out Duncan and Logan both own the same reindeer boxer shorts.

Weevil starts stealing the 09ers possessions, saying they’ll get them back when he gets his money. Duncan’s laptop is missing, so Veronica goes to Weevil and says she’ll solve the case. Weevil tells Veronica how he bought into the poker game.

Meanwhile, Keith is hired by Lynn Echolls to find out who is stalking her husband, Aaron. They’re throwing a big Christmas party and she doesn’t want anything to go wrong. This doesn’t end up working out too well, and Aaron’s affairs are brought into the open.

Duncan thinks Logan stole the money, so he and Logan aren’t getting along too well. Veronica talks to Sean and Connor, who were also there. The clues keep coming. Everyone had an opportunity to steal the money, and everyone seems to have been hiding something.

I won’t give away the answer to the mystery, but it’s a good one. Veronica makes them all gather for another poker game and buy her in, she wants to send her dad to baseball camp for Christmas. Before the game, she unravels the mystery, then takes the place of the guilty party.

This is one of my favorite episodes of Veronica Mars. I often have no idea who commits the crimes on this show, but this case was extremely surprising to me. I also really enjoy the scene with Veronica and Logan. It is a hint at what’s to come and has the great line, “Annoy tiny blonde one, annoy like the wind.”

This is also a big episode in the overall continuity of the show. This isn’t just a throwaway holiday episode. There are things in this episode that affect the rest of the series. I think this is an excellent example of a great holiday episode of television.

(photo: Warner Brothers/vm-caps.com)

Quadruple Z Episode #002: Review of Chuck 1×1 – “Pilot”

Tabz 1 Comment

chucks1ep1

Buy Chuck: The Complete First Season on Amazon.com

quadz_logochuckJoin Tabz, Kim and Faith (the Vampire Slayer) as they discuss Chuck Season 1, Ep 1 – “Pilot”.

TV.com Recap:
Chuck Bartowski is an average computer geek until files upon files of government secrets are downloaded into his brain. He is soon scouted by the CIA and NSA to act in place of their computer.

This episode was edited by Tabitha Grace Smith

Love Chuck?
Check out these great resources:
ChuckTV.net
Chuck vs. the Podcast

We’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode! Leave them below or email us at betweenthelinesstudios-at-gmail.com. We’ll read them on an upcoming episode!

(Photo: ChuckTV.net/NBC/Warner Bros. Television)

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CBS.com Launches CSI-Inspired Application Through Facebook Connect

Tabz 1 Comment

CSI

(Press Release from CBS.com)

Just in time for the CSI Trilogy week, CBS.com announced the launch of the CSI Zeta Casefile site, dedicated to bringing fans exclusive content from three CSI series. The Website features a new application that lets fans be part of a CSI-inspired video and create customized suspect dossiers pulling images and information through Facebook Connect. The site will also feature exclusive interviews with cast and real CSI experts, virtual tours of the three CSI crime labs, and the chance to win a trip to the set of CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION.* To access the Zeta Casefile site, please visit: www.csicrossover.com

The Cadillac sponsored site will debut in conjunction with the highly anticipated CSI Trilogy episodes. The three episode story line involves an interstate trucking ring that specializes in human cargo and black market organ harvesting set to air on Nov. 9 at 10:00 PM, ET/PT (CSI: MIAMI), Nov. 11 at 10:00 PM, ET/PT (CSI: NY), and Nov. 12 at 9:00 PM ET/PT (CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION).

This CSI Zeta Casefile application uses Facebook Connect to pull photos and information from the user’s Facebook account to produce a personalized criminal file and video, including artificial information on past crimes, aliases, and last known locations. Fans can share their experience with other fans and friends in their Facebook network.

Fans can also visit the CSI Zeta Casefile site to watch interviews with real CSI experts, who discuss the evolution of technology and innovation within CSI crime solving. Fans can take virtual tours of the labs featured on each of the three CSI series, allowing them a deeper look at the special effects, set designs and other various technologies used on the shows. The video content is complemented by a comprehensive photo gallery, showcasing stills and images of the set locations and cast interactions.

“Each of the CSI series continues to be among the most popular shows on CBS,” said Bill Binenstock, Vice President and Manager of CBS.com. “The upcoming CSI Trilogy has caused enormous buzz throughout the CBS.com CSI communities, and we wanted to build a site that would give fans a fascinating and exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the three series. The Zeta Casefile program is a creative and fun way to keep users engaged, while the behind-the-scenes content will give fans a deeper look into how the fictional CSI series are the most realistic looking shows on television.”

*NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Open to legal residents of one of the 50 US or DC, 18 or over or age of majority in state of residence. Sweepstakes starts on Nov. 9, 2009 and ends at 11:59:59 am ET on December 31, 2009. Void where prohibited by law. See Official Rules and details at www.csicrossover.com or www.zetasyndicate.com

(Press Release from CBS.com)

Hank – Does Father Really Know Best? Yes, Yes he Does.

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ABC.com - Hank - Photos Watch Hank on ABC Wednesdays at 8/7c

I’ve often lamented the lame dads on TV these days. Finding an awesome dad in a popular show is the equivelant of Indiana Jones treasure hunt. For awhile it seemed like good father figures were hard to find outside of the occasional diamond in the rough like Keith Mars (Veronica Mars). I’m not saying they have to be “Father Knows Best” style, but real characters who genuinely love their kids and aren’t complete idiots, abusive, or absentee. This is probably because my own dad is so awesome, that it’s hard to see bad fathers on TV.

So when the WB Word of Mouth team asked us to blog about Hank and what the best fatherly advice we’ve received, it got me thinking about fathers on TV. Hank has one of those redemptive father stories that makes him unique (and awesome). Previously wrapped up in his work Hank finds reality set in when he was laid off and moved back to his wife’s home town. Hank realizes that he doesn’t know his kids, or how to relate to them. Yet, Hank tries. And, in the end, that’s what makes great father advice. The genuine desire Hank has to connect and help his kids shows in every scene. Like the scene below:


In this scene Hank has started working at the same place as his daughter, Maddie. In an attempt to teach her the value of hard work and employment after Maddie wants her own computer. While Hank spends most of the epsiode touting the plattitudes of hard work, but it’s not until he’s really honest about his own feelings that he really gets through to her.

My parents have given me a lot of advice over the years, directly or indirectly. It seems like many of the phrases are echoy in my head (just ask my friends how many times I’ve said ‘my dad says..’). The best advice though it all has been the quiet moments where my dad just shares his life. Something about that just makes all of the verbal lessons mean something more.

So, here’s to great dads on TV, characters like Hank, Keith Mars, Richard Castle and Tim Taylor. The world needs more of them, making mistakes, giving great advice and being loved. Especially for all of us who have the world’s greatest dad at home.

Disclosure: I have been hired by Warner Bros to help raise awareness for Hank.

TV Review: Supernatural 5×7 – The Curious Case of Dean Winchester

Tabz Leave a comment

spn507-0241 Watch Supernatural Thursday nights (9/8c) on the CW.
Not caught up? Buy Supernatural: The Complete Fourth Season on Amazon.com

Non-Spoilery Review:

So far in the Supernatural season we’ve had so much about the overall arch that it was nice to take a break and do a “case of the week” type story. While the episode isn’t the highlight of the season it still cleaned up some important emotional points. Sadly it was one of the most poorly constructed (story-wise) episodes I’ve seen from Supernatural in a long time.

Rating: [rating:2.5]

Quotes of the Episode:

Dean: And you beat me here.
Bobby: Brains trumps legs, apparently.

Sam: Have you seen … you?
Dean: The old chick in Titanic, I know.

Doctor: You expect me to believe you’re CDC?
Sam: Excuse me?
Doctor: It’s just that you’re a day early. First time in history I haven’t sat on my ass waiting for you people.
Dean: New administration. Change you can believe in.

Spoilers after the cut.
Read More

The Plan is out.

Scott Williamson Leave a comment

02_battlestar_lg

Buy Battlestar Galactica: The Plan on Amazon.

I stumbled on a couple of reminders that the Battlestar Galactica movie, “The Plan” is out now. The first was the big ol’ email that I got from Universal Studios Home Entertainment that said “Hey, The Plan’s out. Buy it.” and the other was this month’s Maxim magazine. It features a photoshoot with Tricia Helfer and Grace Park and being Maxim, it’s looong on cheesecake (and tongue in cheek humor) and short on interview, but if you must have everything BSG – then… I’m sure you’ll have fun getting it signed at the next con. The 10-second article does have Park hinting about just how Released-to-DVD differs from basic cable (she uses the term “T, C, & A”, if that tells you anything) and Helfer mentioning hosting a kitten adoption (awww… no really, kittens are cute).

To read Tabz’s review of “The Plan” click here.

And – if you’ve never heard of the magazine, there is (of course) a Wikipedia article (hint: they’re the ones that printed a review of a Black Crowes album without actually listening to it. Some people were amazed at their accuracy. They’ve also had Eliza Dushku on the cover twice.)

(Photo: SyFy)