Jess's 2010 Favorites

Like last year, for 2010 I’m doing a list of the shows least likely to stack up on my DVR, which aren’t necessarily representative of the best TV had to offer this year. Read on for my favorite show picks from 2010 (in no particular order).

Lost. I didn’t care for every detour and reveal in the final season --- The Temple business? The glowy cave with a stone cork? Adam and Eve? --- but I thought Lost came to a rousing and emotional conclusion, and they could not have come up with a more perfect or poignant concluding moment. I look forward to revisiting the show in a few more years.

Friday Night Lights. A perennial favorite of mine. In Season 4, Kyle Chandler and Connie Britton brought the goods, as always, as Coach and Mrs. Coach dealt with Eric’s exile to the reopened East Dillon High. As beloved characters from seasons past said their goodbyes, the writers effectively managed to introduce new characters I’ve grown to care about. The show suffers from some logic lapses at times, but with powerful episodes devoted to one character’s grief after a sudden death and another character’s struggle with an unplanned pregnancy, FNL had another emotionally compelling season. I can’t wait to bawl my eyes out when the final season airs on NBC in 2011.

Eureka. This summer, I decided to just dive right in with Season 4 of Eureka and quickly found myself eagerly anticipating each new episode. Balancing the ongoing emotional fallout from a time travel twist with endearing characters and hilarious misadventures, the crazy antics of this little town of mad scientists made for an incredibly enjoyable new find.

Stargate Universe. This show took awhile to grow on me, but with a mostly solid finish to Season 1 and a surprisingly strong first half of Season 2, SGU quickly became one of the shows I most anticipated each week. Unfortunately, the show was felled early in its run by a move to Tuesdays and by a storytelling style and pace that appealed to too few. I’m glad we’ll get ten more episodes this spring, but I also dread the cliff I’m sure fans will be left hanging off when the series ends.

Cougartown. I tried this one when it premiered in 2009 and wasn’t impressed. But after hearing it had found its groove later in the season, I decided to give it another try. All it took was the final two episodes of Season 1 and I was a convert. I love the dynamics between Jules and her dysfunctional family and neighbors, and the show never fails to make me laugh out loud. This season the series has been channeling Scrubs at its finest, effortlessly combining a mix of kooks, weirdos, and running gags with a soft doughy emotional center. These characters may be crazy, but they really care about and support one another and I enjoy hanging with them for 30 minutes every week. Surprisingly, the show has usurped Modern Family as my favorite Wednesday comedy. Bring on the zany antics of the Purple Tooth Crew!

Supernatural. This show surprised me this year, not by wrapping up its five-year arc in a relatively strong fashion, but by managing to turn out a sixth season that thus far is even better than the last season! I love what they are doing with the characters, especially Sam, and I’m also loving how the writers have kept us guessing about the overall story arc for the season. In the last few episodes, they rather suddenly closed the initial arcs of the season (or so it seems), and I honestly have no idea where it goes from here. I can’t wait to find out!

As an added bonus, here are my favorite “New to Me” shows from 2010:

Deadwood. Technically, I watched most of Deadwood in December 2009, but since I finished up the last season in January 2010, I’m including it. Truth is, even if I had watched all of the series in late 2009, I’d include it on this list because Deadwood may be my favorite series since The Wire. With a richly detailed setting and wonderfully layered, deeply flawed characters --- most of whom manage to surprise with small acts of heroism from time to time --- this series had me completely engrossed from start to finish. Part of me will always be sad that Deadwood didn’t manage to reach its natural conclusion, but at least we got those three wonderful seasons and countless unforgettable performances.

Better Off Ted. Another gem from the “gone too soon” vault. If you loved Arrested Development, you should check out this hilarious and quirky satire of corporate life. With wacky, lovable characters and even wackier situations created by The Powers that Be at Veridian Dynamics, Better Off Ted often had me in stitches with the insanity of the week. I know I’ll be revisiting Ted, Veronica, and crew frequently.

Mad Men. I tried this one when it initially premiered, but was completely turned off by the rampant sexism. I know, I know; the sexism is reflective of the time period in which the show is set, but it wasn’t something I wanted to immerse myself in on a weekly basis. And yet … four years in, the critics were still touting the show’s awesomeness, so I decided to give it another go. Knowing that at least one of the women breaks out of the “secretary looking for a husband” mode made it easier to get through the sexism in the early seasons, and slowly but surely I became entranced by Don, Peggy, and Joan. Many of Mad Men’s characters are entertaining, but these three in particular are what keep me coming back. Fortunately, I was able to catch up in time to enjoy the show’s most recent season, which was a real treat, particularly ‘The Suitcase’ episode. Whenever it returns, Mad Men will surely be high on my “least likely to stack up on the DVR” list.

Sons of Anarchy. So many critics were singing the praises of this show, that I decided to give it a go in early fall. I quickly found myself getting completely engrossed in the visceral thrill ride and the complex character dynamics, downing episodes up to four at a time some nights. Katey Sagal is simply outstanding as Gemma Teller Morrow, and the rift between Clay and Jax made for some very intense conflict in Seasons 1 and 2. Plus, I just love seeing Dayton Callie (Charlie Utter, Deadwood) on my TV again! Unfortunately, Season 3 (which I’m slowly catching up with on FX’s website) has not been nearly so compelling, but at least we’ve gotten a couple more Deadwood alums to enjoy most weeks! (Now, if we could only get them together in one room …)

Breaking Bad. I recently started watching AMC’s reruns of Breaking Bad, so I’m only in the first season, but I’m already kicking myself for not watching this series sooner. With an immediately gripping and hilariously dark pilot and an absolutely riveting performance from Bryan Cranston, this one is definitely a keeper for me. I can’t wait to get to the much ballyhooed third season!

Parks and Recreation. Another show the critics insisted got better in the second season, so I started streaming it on Netflix the other night (starting with Season 2). I’m 12 episodes in and I’m chomping at the bit to watch more. Just an entertaining setting and group of characters, particularly Leslie Knope and Ron “F***ing” Swanson. Parks and Recreation consistently makes me laugh, and I especially love how serialized the show is, even though individual episodes tell relatively contained stories. I plan to get caught up with this one before the new season premieres and add it to my regular rotation.

That’s it for this year, but on my “New to Me” watch list for 2011: The Pacific, Terriers, Fringe, Justified, and The Shield.

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Billie's favorite TV of 2010

It's the end of another year. How does time manage to fly so quickly? We here at Billie Doux (I still find it weird to refer to myself as a website) are planning to once again talk about our faves. It's fun, and we get to post pretty pictures. (See the three gorgeous guys to your right.)

What was my favorite show of 2010, you ask? Or maybe you didn't ask, but I'll tell you, anyway...

Yes, it's Supernatural again.

After winding up a multi-season arc last spring and getting unexpectedly renewed for a sixth season, Supernatural is still its tragic, gory and darkly comic self, and for the third year in a row, it's my favorite currently running series. The mythology has continued to expand and build -- good and evil, monsters and demons, frightening Old Testament angels, Heaven, Hell, Purgatory, the nature of the soul, the search for God, it takes real skill to pull off stories like this, let me tell you. The Winchester brothers and their codependent relationship are still doing it for me in a big way, and this year they actually made it to the cover of TV Guide. I want a seventh season, and it looks like I just might get it.

Runner up: The Vampire Diaries.

Who knew how good it would turn out to be? The Vampire Diaries started out looking very much like a teenage vampire Twilight clone with nothing in the way of innovation or sparkle, pun intended -- but the machinations, magic rings, plot twists and sexual tension have all turned it into one of the highlights of my week.

Interesting that The Vampire Diaries, like Supernatural, features a complicated relationship between two brothers, neither of whom are your stereotypical good guy or bad guy. One of my favorite quotes this season, and I can't remember where I read it or I'd give you the link, was from an article comparing the two shows: "If the Winchesters met the Salvatores, vampire heads would roll." I'm not much of a crossover fan, but can you imagine a Supernatural/Vampire Diaries crossover? It'd be classic. And hopefully, all four of them would survive because I want more Vampire Diaries. More, more, more. Give us a nice long run, if you please.

Surprisingly, Dexter.

I don't know how they managed it, but the producers of Dexter followed last year's absolutely exceptional and intense fourth season with a completely different but also absolutely exceptional and intense fifth season. I was completely surprised by the direction they took, but I shouldn't have been. It's clear that the producers are well aware that they have a unique, complex character as their lead, played by an exceptional actor (Michael C. Hall, who should have multiple Emmys for best actor on his mantle), and that the series would be over pretty quickly if Dexter himself didn't change and grow. Now, if only his marriage to his sister had worked out.

Also, surprisingly, The Walking Dead.

So while we were waiting for The Event, Nikita, and Undercovers to take off, The Walking Dead swept under the radar and blew us away. I've already said a ton about this innovative series, but suffice it to say that The Walking Dead may appear to be just another zombie apocalypse, but it's actually about survival, morality, and the human condition. We're probably gonna hafta wait until fall of 2011 for season two, so if you haven't seen the way-too-short first season yet, you've got plenty of time to catch up.

Honorable mention.

I discovered two wonderful shows on DVD this summer. Being Human is a UK show about a vampire, a werewolf and a ghost who become housemates and attempt to become, well, human. The premise sounds silly, I'll grant you, but it's not. Being Human is about alienation. Mitchell, George and Annie all desperately want to be normal, to live ordinary lives, and that is impossible because of what they are. As they struggle with their humanity, they learn to depend on each other -- and of course, their love for each other is what makes them the most human.

The UK version of Being Human is getting a third season, probably starting soon. We're not getting it in the U.S., possibly because SyFy is doing an American reboot with the same title starting in January. Across-the-pond-reboots are rarely good; it's not easy to duplicate magic, as the producers of the U.S. version of Life on Mars can tell you. We shall see.

The second show I discovered on DVD this summer, Lie to Me, is about the science of detecting deception. Cal Lightman (Tim Roth) and his staff at the Lightman Group work as consultants who analyze facial expressions and body language in order to determine who is telling the truth, and who is not. Yes, it's a procedural, and I'm not a fan of procedurals. But most of the stories are compelling, Tim Roth is amazing, and I'm really enjoying it. I'm nearing the end of season two and haven't seen season three -- so please don't spoil me!

Fun, fun, fun in the summertime.

Ahh, True Blood. The show has its flaws, and I'm the first to admit it; they keep trying to jam too much plot into a twelve-episode season, and I think they try too hard to shock us. But True Blood is fun, sexy, gory, and outrageous, and even though I've read the entire series of books, I never know what will happen next. It also features the delicious Alexander Skarsgard as my new favorite vampire, Eric Northman. (With honorable mention to James Frain, who made Franklin Mott a Vampire to Remember.) I'm definitely tuning in and reviewing season four so please, Alan Ball -- give us the main plot of book four in season four! Pretty please, with sugar on it?

Doctor Who got a brand new Doctor this season. I still feel like I'm cheating on David Tennant, but I have to admit that Matt Smith just nails the character. And new show runner Steven Moffat just gave us the best season of Doctor Who ever, topped by last week's marvelous Christmas episode. I'm very much looking forward to the next season of Doctor Who. (Although I'm even more excited about season four of the Doctor Who spinoff series Torchwood, which is coming to the BBC *and* Starz this coming summer.)

And finally...

... I should probably talk about the end of Lost. It was a big part of my life; I've written literally hundreds of pages about the show, and the hype and hoopla surrounding the sixth season was overwhelming. Yes, I'm one of the fans who was upset with some aspects of how the series ended. But I think I've gone through the five stages of grief and reached some closure with Lost. I no longer fret about the unsatisfactory resolution of the flash sideways and the disappointment of unanswered questions. When I think about the end of Lost, I think about this -- and it never fails to bring tears to my eyes.



So happy new year! And here's hoping for some marvelous television in 2011!

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Doctor Who: A Christmas Carol

Doctor: “Tonight, I'm the Ghost of Christmas Past.”

You've got to hand it to Steven Moffat -- his first Christmas episode was an absolute blinder. It was exactly how a Christmas episode should be. It was different enough from a regular episode to justify its "special" status. It had regular companions (even if they were criminally underused), a strong Christmas theme, great celebrity guests, and an emotionally engaging narrative which both warmed and broke our hearts. In short, it was both "Christmassy" and "special". It also had quotables by the bucket-load. I loved every minute of it!

This was almost the perfect episode. I had reservations about Katherine Jenkins' casting. I do like her. She just not an actor. Which is enough to make anyone nervous. All it takes is one weak link and the episode's ruined. I half expected Katherine to be that weakness. Celebrities that can't act usually end up playing themselves (Ken Dodd anyone?) Admittedly, Katherine is a singer. But the similarities ended there. Abigail was more than just a celebrity cameo. She was a fully formed character. I found myself tearing up several times during tonight's episode, and it was mostly due to Abigail.

We know Katherine can sing. That aspect of her performance was never in question. But she also turned in a remarkably competent acting performance. She managed to get across perfectly the innocence, sadness and wonderment of doomed Abigail. It was obvious that the countdown on the cryo-casket was her time running out. I loved the idea of the Doctor bringing her back to life every Christmas Eve -- oblivious to the fact he was killing her. Only Abigail knew. A secret she kept from Kazran until the end.

It was satisfying, too, that Abigail got to spend Christmas Eve with her sister. I couldn't help but smile when the Doctor drew back the curtains and beckoned her in. The Doctor's in his element at parties. It's just a shame his card tricks are so lame. Matt's Doctor comes to life when there are children in the room. He's a total kid at heart. I liked it, too, that he had no advice whatsoever to give Kazran on women -- and then went out and pulled Marilyn Monroe! How did that happen? I guess some women just love a confident looking man.

Full marks, too, to the mighty Dumbledore for a master-class in how not to ham it up. Gambon played the role of Kazran Sardick to perfection. Kazran was the product of a violent, unloving father, who treated humans like cattle. Despite starting out a caring, emotionally capable young man, the years of abuse had inevitably taken their toll. Eventually he started to display his father's Scrooge-like characteristics. He became cold and uncaring.

The Doctor had less than an hour to effect a change. He befriended Kazran as a boy and then introduced him to Abigail -- whom he instantly fell in love with. But, in the end, it was Abigail who inadvertently caused Kazran's downfall. The Doctor gave him someone to care about -- and then took her away again -- freezing her in the ice, seemingly forever. From that moment on, Kazran started to hate the Doctor. He resented the heavy burden the Doctor had placed upon his young shoulders. And thus, despite the Doctor's well meaning attempts at changing history, their predicament became the same at the last as at the first. Kazran became oblivious to the suffering of others. Even an impassioned appeal from holo-Amy fell on deaf ears. He was indifferent.

Except, really, he wasn't. The Doctor's plan had worked! Kazran didn't care because he couldn't face caring. He didn't want to open himself up to the well of pain and guilt he felt inside. So he tried to block it out. Gambon was at his best hating the Doctor. You could really sense his frustration. I loved him hissing at the Doctor "You try it!" His bitterness was utterly palpable.

Meeting his younger self in the vault was the game changer. Kazran, devastated by the realisation he'd become like his father, chose that very moment to change. He begged his younger self for forgiveness. Unfortunately, it was a move which altered things significantly. He no longer had control of his father's machine. And, so -- unable to save the crashing ship -- Kazran set Abigail free one last time.

How lovely that Abigail wasn't put off by Kazran's advanced years. Jenkins and Gambon totally nailed those scenes. They were so tender. Props, too, to Murray Gold for writing such a haunting Christmas ballad. (Particularly on such short notice.) In hindsight, I'm glad they didn't show us Abigail's death. The emotional pay-off was already enough. A death would have been too much. Instead we got to see Kazran and Abigail enjoy Christmas Day together.... flying through the sky in a shark drawn carriage.

If I have one complaint it's that Amy and Rory were underused -- though, to be fair, they weren't really needed. I enjoyed Amy's brief cameo as the Ghost of Christmas Present (not to mention her short skirt), and her good natured banter with Rory. Nice outfits guys. Why they had them on I shudder to think. I was also moved to by Amy's "thank you" to the Doctor and that awkward hug. Tonight it was the Doctor's turn to save Amy; which he did in style.

The episode was followed by an intriguing season six teaser; which you can view by clicking here (or possibly here if you're in the US). Stetsons are totally cool.

Bits and Pieces:

-- I liked how we saw time being rewritten on the fly.

-- Thank God the Doctor didn't sing. Arthur, Matt and Karen have dreadful singing voices. See for yourself here

-- Loved the Doctor falling down the chimney. Matt excels at physical comedy.

-- Great to see young Kazran wearing a Fez. Fezzes are cool. What was also cool was seeing the Doctor wearing a Tom Baker scarf. Nice touch.

-- The crashing spaceship looked a bit cheap. Galaxy Quest anyone?

-- Even the psychic paper couldn't pull off a lie as big as the Doctor being a "universally recognised as a mature and responsible adult". Even psychic paper has its limits.

-- Marilyn's voice sounded a lot like a posh Emma Thompson. No American accent whatsoever.

Quotes:

Doctor: “Ah, yes. Blimey! Sorry.”

Doctor: “Father Christmas. Santa Clause.... or, as I've always know him. Jeff.”

Amy: “Have you got a plan yet?”
Doctor: “Yes I do.”
Amy: “Are you lying?”
Doctor: “Yes I am.”
Amy: “Don't treat me like an idiot.”
Rory: “Was he lying?”
Amy: “No, no.”

Doctor: “Clever old Mrs Manters, she only went and won the lottery.”
Young Kazran: “There isn't any lottery.”
Doctor: “I know! What a woman.”

Young Kazran: “If you're my babysitter, why are you climbing in the window?”
Doctor: “Because if I was climbing out the window I'd be going in the wrong direction. Pay attention.”

Doctor: “Dangerous? Come on, we're boys. And you know what boys say in the face of danger?”
Young Kazran: “What?”
Doctor: “Mummy!”

Abigail: “This is amazing.”
Doctor: “Nah, this is transport., I keep amazing... out here.”

Young Kazran: “When girls are crying, are you supposed to talk to them?”
Doctor: “I have absolutely no idea.”

Young Kazran: “They look very poor.”
Abigail: “They are very poor. That doesn't mean you can't be happy.”
Young Kazran: “Then why aren't you?”
Abigail: “Because this is the life I can never have.”

Doctor: “Oy, stop it. You're doing it wrong.”

Doctor: “Kazran, trust me, it's this or go to your room and design a new kind of screwdriver. Don't make my mistakes, now go.”

Doctor: “Marilyn. Get your coat.”

Young Kazran: “What are we going to do?”
Abigail: “There is nothing to be done.”

Kazran: “I could release her any time I want and she'd live a single day.”

Captain: “Nobody has to die.”
Kazran: “Everybody has to die.”
Captain: “Not tonight.”
Kazran: “Tonight's as good as any other night. How do you choose?”

Doctor: “Better a broken heart than no heart at all.”
Kazran: “Oh, try it. You try it!”

Abigail: “Look at you. You're so old now. I think you waited a bit too long, didn't you?”
Kazran: “I'm sorry.”
Abigail: “Hoarding my days like an old miser.”
Kazran: “But, if you leave the ice now...”
Abigail: “We've had so many Christmas Eves, Kazran. I think it's time for Christmas Day.”

Amy: “You know, that could almost be mistaken for a real person. The snowman isn't bad either.”

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Holiday Gift Guide: Being Human

‘Tis the season for feeling the pain of your bank account decreasing with a rapid speed as you continue to buy novelty gifts for friends and families. It’s also the season for ghosts, goblins and ghouls. So, while I enjoy my fancy, luridly coloured cocktails on the beach in 30 degree Celsius weather, let’s have a look at the gifts you can get for those open and secret Being Human fans. Mum, dad ... Take note.

(And seeing as I forgot to buy my elderly step-nan a gift this year, I should take note of the Gift Guides ...)

For Mitchell Fans:

The complete edition of Anne Rice’s Vampire Chronicles, along with the Tom Cruise / Brad Pitt movie. While it is hard to get through a movie without imagining Tom Cruise’s Lestat jumping on Oprah’s couch, it’s still a good read and a watch. A weathered copy from a second hand book store is far better than a new one.

Seeing as it is winter in the Northern Hemisphere at Christmas, I would also suggest some good woollies. Fingerless gloves and a scarf are always the way to go.

For the more ... "hip" vampire fans, a good gift would be the first two seasons of True Blood on DVD, or even the books. While I was away in Darwin, I think I spent a lot of my money buying the TB books. I couldn't get enough of them.

For George Fans:

A good gift for those George fans, as well as werewolf fans in general (TULLLLYYYYYYY), a roast chicken is definitely the thing to get them. But make sure that you give it to them before it goes off, or otherwise they may not see the funny side to it.

A Star of David is also a good gift to give for fans of The George.
I'm not really sure what else you would get a werewolf fan. Maybe that movie, An American Werewolf in London. Don't give them any of that Twilight nonsense. It'll give George a complex.

For Annie Fans:

A years supply of Twinings tea, as well as the complete series of Sex and The City. Just stay away from the Moeli graters.

Now, I'm off to enjoy a Christmas Day lunch, and try and not look my nan in the eye.

Merry Christmas!

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Star Trek: Journey to Babel

Kirk: "They're both stubborn."
Amanda: "A human trait, Captain?"

So it turns out Vulcan family dynamics aren't that alien, after all. Spock as a rebellious son sparring with Mom and Dad? That alone makes this episode a winner.

As mentioned previously, Mark Lenard, who played the Romulan commander in "Balance of Terror", was a terrific choice for Spock's father Sarek. And it wasn't just the physical resemblance that worked. Lenard's interpretation of Sarek was spot on, dry and witty, and just as with Nimoy's Spock, you could see the real man beneath the impassive exterior. "Miss Jane Wyatt" as Amanda, maybe not so much. Although she did have some good lines. I just wonder how well she assimilated into Vulcan society? I bet no self-respecting Vulcan matron would be caught dead wearing pink fake fur with a red and orange outfit.

The ambassador subplot with the murders and spying wasn't quite as much fun as meeting Spock's parents, but it had its moments. We were introduced to several new aliens in the Star Trek universe, notably the Andorians and the Tellarites. The power utilization curve was an interesting plot point, and a surgically altered alien spy was very cool. (Aren't Orions green? Did suicide guy get transformed from green to blue? Fun to imagine.) And they get points for showing a buffet full of food that no one would ever in a million years be tempted to eat. I suspect most of it was marshmallows painted primary colors.

One of my favorite things about this episode has always been Kirk dragging himself out of his hospital bed in order to keep Spock from committing patricide. And McCoy presiding over his three patients in Sick Bay and getting the last word in the end. That still makes me smile.

Ben says...

Sarek = COOLEST. VULCAN. EVER.

Seriously, how did they manage to luck into Mark Lenard and Leonard Nimoy to play the two key Vulcans in Star Trek history? Most actors, including her hottie-ness Jolene Blalock, just stare into space, delivering lines with a deadpan blandness laced with occasional snarky humor. Spock and Sarek imbue every line and encounter with a gravitas that says, "We are always holding back a wall of emotion." With these two actors you believe that Vulcans were once like Romulans.

It's also interesting how ill-developed all of the other characters backgrounds are, even Kirk's, when compared with Spock. By this point in the series we have had family members of Kirk and Spock show up, does anyone recall the Kirk example? (Okay if you're reading this you are probably a little bit of a nerd so you may, but most people have no idea if Kirk had a family). On the other hand, we know Spock's childhood pet was a sehlat (named I-Chaya, in case you thought my nerd-fu was weak). We have met Spock's parents, his important relatives, his skanky fiancé and we even know what soup he prefers (Campbell's Plomeek). We eventually find out about his long-term and torrid sexual affair with Kirk (oh wait, maybe that's just some slash fan-fiction I read years ago). Maybe it's because they wanted us to learn more about the alien, but I think it was Nimoy who simply inspired the writers to go deeper (and that is not another slash fiction reference, really, its not... okay probably its not).

Back to Billie for Vulcan bits:

-- Sarek was 102 years old. Okay, 102 point 437. He and Spock hadn't spoken for eighteen years. How old is Amanda? For that matter, how old is Spock? If he's been an adult for at least eighteen years...

-- Spock refused to attend the Vulcan Science Academy. My alma mater. And Spock was bullied when he was a child. Sounds a lot like my grade school in New Jersey.

-- Rigelians are similar physically to Vulcans.

-- The dead ambassador was killed by something that resembled an ancient, merciful form of Vulcan execution called 'tal shaya'. I assume that means that Vulcans no longer execute?

-- The two-finger thing. Yes, it was cute. And yes, they needed to come up with something marital that was alien. But holding two fingers together with no anchor had to be uncomfortable. Couldn't they have hooked thumbs or something? And I've always wished that at one point Amanda had said, "My husband. Attend."

Bits and pieces of brightly colored food:

-- Star date 3842.3. On the way to the neutral planetoid Babel.

-- Uhura mentioned hooking in the universal translator. Suddenly it's everywhere. But that again suggested everyone was speaking English.

-- There were a huge number of red shirts in this episode, even in lines and marching in formation. None of them were injured or killed.

-- The key issue was the admission of Coridan to the Federation because of their dilithium crystals. Maybe it should have been the Halkans.

-- Andorians need better security screening for their ambassadorial staff.

-- Why should Kirk have been surprised that Sarek and Amanda were Spock's parents? In "This Side of Paradise," Spock told Kirk that his father was an ambassador.

-- William Shatner's fight scene with the Andorian was very athletic.

-- During the operation, there was smoke rising from the sterile field thingy. Was that deliberate or did one of the actors have a cigarette going?

-- This week's Most Obvious Symbolism was the blood transfusion between Spock and Sarek, since the physical connection repaired the emotional break between them.

Quotes:

McCoy: (doing the Vulcan salute) "That hurts worse than the uniform."

McCoy: "A teddy bear?"
Spock: "On Vulcan, the teddy bears are alive. And they have six-inch fangs."

Gav: "Vulcan, I would speak with you."
Sarek: "It does seem unavoidable."

McCoy: "Mrs. Sarek, you must understand the chances are extremely small that we'll find a way to produce sufficient T-negative blood."
Spock: "Indeed. I would estimate the odds..."
Amanda: "Please don't."

Kirk: "I can't damn him for his loyalty, for doing his duty. But I'm not going to let him commit patricide."

Four out of four transfusions of T-negative blood,

Billie

All of our Star Trek reviews are archived here.
More about Ben here.
Photo credit: Memory Alpha

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Holiday Gift Guide: Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Tree. Nog. Roast beast.

It's pretty easy to come up with gift ideas for the Buffy fan. Candles for Wiccan rituals. Self-defense lessons. A mummy hand would be perfect. (Fingers sold separately.) Stylish, yet affordable boots. (Maybe you could wear them with a suede Billie Doux bag. There actually is such a thing.)

But there are also a ton of great books about the wonderfulness that was Buffy the Vampire Slayer. There are original Buffy novels galore. Tales of the Slayers by Joss Whedon himself. Buffy comics to the left of us, Buffy comics to the right of us. Into the valley... wow, where did that come from?

Maybe it's because I don't think I can recommend a gift of Buffy comics, although it's encouraging that the season eight series will finally end with issue 40 on January 19. (Why is that date important, Buffy fans? Post a comment if you know.) I'm still bogged down with the reviews and stopped with 31. I've been considering finishing the series during the holiday break and television hiatus, just to get it out of my hair. I'll admit I'm hung up on that completion thing and it would make me feel better if I got 'er done. It's like this huge scythe hanging over my head...

And I apologize for turning this into an unexpected rant about the Buffy comics. Back to our regularly scheduled Holiday Gift Guide.

What I find more intriguing than the original novels and the comics are the scholarly and popular works about Buffy. Check out just a smattering of the semi-substantial titles out there:

• Why Buffy matters: the art of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.


• Buffy the Vampire Slayer and philosophy: fear and trembling in Sunnydale.


• Buffy the Vampire Slayer supernatural defense kit.


• Fighting the forces: what's at stake in Buffy the Vampire Slayer.


• Sex and the Slayer: a gender studies primer for the Buffy fan.


• What would Buffy do? The Vampire Slayer as spiritual guide.


• Slayer slang: a Buffy the Vampire Slayer lexicon.


• Buffy in the classroom: essays on teaching with the Vampire Slayer.


• Undead TV: Essays on Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Such intriguing titles! And yet, I continue to resist actually buying them. Maybe it upsets me that I've written hundreds of unpublished pages about Buffy. What do they have that I don't? If any of you guys out there have read any of these titles and can recommend or nix them, I'd love to hear about it.

And there's a 2011 Buffy calendar available. Pretty good for a show that ended in 2003.

This is my final Gift Guide. (Three is my limit.) Whatever you celebrate, I wish you and yours a wonderful solstice and a happy and healthy new year. And thank you for stopping by to read our stuff. You guys are the best.



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Holiday Gift Guide: Lost

If you missed the auction of Lost memorabilia back in August, there are still perfect gifts for the Lost fan on your holiday list.

Of course, the big one would be plane tickets to Hawaii. Unless you happen to live in Hawaii. (It always makes me snicker when a huge prize is a trip to Los Angeles, and I imagine residents of the Hawaiian islands feel much the same way.) Your happy gift recipient could brood about (or gleely anticipate) the plane crashing the entire way, too.

If your budget won't allow, what about a toy airplane? Or tickets to the zoo? Hey! Lottery tickets!



If your gift recipient is a reader, there are scads of Lost-related books out there. During the run of the series, I compiled a list of titles that were mentioned during episodes, mostly the ones that Sawyer was reading. That might be too subtle a gift, but no harm in mentioning it since I get about two and a half cents for everything ordered through my site. It keeps me in thimbles.

And as Josie mentioned in her Holiday Gift Guide for Fringe, the World Wildlife Federation gives you the option of adopting a polar bear. That seems like the absolute perfect gift for a Lost fan who loves animals. I sort of hate the thought of those beautiful bears roaming around Oahu, all hot and uncomfortable.

(In all seriousness, I don't have a lot to give to charities, but I donate a small amount every month to the World Wildlife Federation, Farm Sanctuary, and a small no-kill animal shelter in the Los Angeles area.)

And if the Lost finale left you feeling angry and stressed, how about a gift certificate for yoga lessons, meditation, or massage therapy? You know, hippie crap?



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Misfits: Episode Seven (Oh Wonderful One, Why Are You Like That?)

Simon: “I'm going to kill Jesus.”

This was the most messed-up nativity story I've ever seen. I can still see Nathan stamping on that afterbirth. Truly disgusting. And, of course, quite brilliant. No wonder E4 put out a gore warning before this episode aired. It was enough to traumatise anyone. Tonight's tale was something of a game changer. All of our Misfits sold their powers; and then bought back completely new ones. What they are we'll have to wait until next season to find out. I can't wait.

Kelly and Alisha's powers have been pretty redundant this season. They were interesting back in season one, but they're just not useful enough to feature on a regular basis. So maybe it is time for a change. Alisha's power has always seemed more of a curse than anything else. And Nathan and Curtis' abilities have always felt overpowered. Curtis being able to turn back time is a quick fix for any situation. (Though to be fair, Howard Overman has used it sparingly.) Similarly, Nathan's immortality takes the drama out of any potentially life threatening incident. We're never worried when Nathan dies, because we know he'll always come back. There's only Simon's ability that's ever felt truly balanced.

It took Nikki's death to make them all realise that their powers are important. Simon, early on, said that his power was part of who he was. He didn't see it as some foreign body festering inside of him. He saw it as part of his physical make-up. The rest of the Misfits thought that by selling their powers they could buy back their freedom. But all it did was make them vulnerable. Impotent. Unable to fight back. Curtis couldn't turn back time and stop Nikki dying. Nathan couldn't take a bullet for her. They all failed -- both themselves and Nikki.

I could sympathise with Alisha's frustration. Her superpower was never good for anything. It never saved anyone. It also prevented her from having physical contact with the people she loved. So it was understandable that she'd choose to sell her power. But it was inexcusable of her to trick Simon into giving up his own. Maybe she was afraid that Simon would never be safe -- that they would never lead a normal life together. But lying to him was wrong. To her credit, she realised her error almost right away. But by then it was too late. Nikki was dead.

Simon was a revelation, tonight. He's looking more and more like Superhoodie with each passing hour. You can almost see his confidence growing. Admittedly, his parkour skills are slow in developing. Those were some nasty knocks he took. But at least he's trying. Unfortunately, he's struggling to live up to the standards set by his future self. (Both as a hero and a lover.) But taking sex tips from Nathan? You have to draw the line somewhere. Mind you, they seemed to work. (Lozenge anyone?) But Simon still sees his future self as another person, separate from himself. And currently, he feels small in comparison.

Nathan was the biggest surprise of the night. How sweet that he sold his immortality to provide for Marnie and her baby. He even gave her his last £1.68. Now that's love! (Even if he did take back 50p to buy a Kit Kat.) Nathan and Marnie are the perfect couple. Finally, someone who pisses and shits themselves as much as he does. That scene where the baby pressed on Marnie's bladder, causing her to piss on his foot, was comedy gold. Nathan didn't even seem particularly disgusted. Talk about a match made in heaven.

And speaking of heaven, who'd have guessed Jesus could be such a bastard? Demanding money from the needy. Having sex with all and sundry. (I'm talking about fake Jesus, obviously; not historic Jesus.) Thank goodness he got what he deserved; a steel locker to the face. Loved the wreath falling down and landing on his dead head. How apt. I kind of expected Jesus' death to give them all back their powers -- but they're gone, never to return. I wonder what powers they've bought? Will Nathan still be with Marnie next year?

Next season can't come soon enough.

Bits and Pieces:

-- Trust Nathan to get ripped off selling his power. He's got the best power and sold it for the least money.

-- Now we know why Superhoodie could time travel. He's not invisible any more. Maybe he buys the ability to time travel from Seth in the future. Maybe he even has it now.

-- Loved the Zod reference. As soon as Superman gave up his superpowers General Zod tried to take over the world. Similarly, as soon as the Misfits sold their powers they were needed to save Nikki.

-- The chemistry between Nathan and Marnie is undeniable. They even had matching stomachs. I just hope there were no children watching. Seeing Santa screwing a pregnant woman is more than a child's mind can take.

-- Nathan made a truly disgusting Santa. Not quite as bad a Dan Ackroyd in Trading Places; but close.

-- I wonder how Nathan still has access to the community centre now he's not working there any more?

-- Nathan singing "Little Donkey" with the Misfits ensemble was as ludicrous as it was touching. Lovely performance from the cast. Well done chaps.

Quotes:

Kelly: “You can't go around pretending to be Jesus. What's God going to say?”
Marnie: “You haven't even got a beard.”

Marnie: "Hiya, you must be Barry. He's told me so much about you."

Kelly: "The woman in the shop thought I was shop lifting. Got me wad out, mate. She looked proper sick."

Nathan: "He looks like me."

Kelly: "It's the afterbirth, you dickhead."
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Holiday Gift Guide: Supernatural

It's hard to think of a gift that would say Supernatural. Let's face it, the homeless Winchesters have practically nothing but a classic car and each other, and sometimes they don't even have that.

A twenty-pound bag of rock salt is too heavy to carry, plus it's nearly impossible to wrap. And since Dean refuses to get on a plane, definitely not frequent flier miles. There are the obvious car care gifts like Turtle Wax and coupons for gas. Come to think of it, a men's travel kit might work. Shaving gear, toiletries, holy water, crucifixes -- and a much smaller emergency package of rock salt.

So there's no perfect gift. How about the perfect holiday treat for the Supernatural fan: rewatching "A Very Supernatural Christmas." It may be the most twisted, gruesome Christmas-themed episode of any genre show. And it manages to be touching, too.

And at least I know what to get the angel who has everything: a much better cell phone plan.



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Farscape: A Bug's Life

When the crew encounters a damaged Marauder, Crichton and Aeryn pretend to be Peacekeepers on a special assignment. However, their ploy goes horribly awry when Chiana and Rygel tamper with the Marauder’s cargo, releasing a deadly, intelligent virus.

‘A Bug’s Life’ was pretty standard “infectious and evil intelligence possesses one of the crew” fare. Everyone assumes the wrong person is infected, and the real infected person makes trouble while the hunt for the decoy is on. Naturally, the virus passes to another host once or twice, ultimately resulting in a standoff where no one knows who in the group is infected. Been there, done that. That said, I still found this version of the tale pretty engaging. Especially the Mexican standoff after they foolishly tried to apprehend Crichton using their hands. (You’d think the Special Ops commandos who’d been hunting this thing for almost a year would have known better.) I really had no idea who would end up being infected, although in retrospect, Larraq was the most likely suspect. I mean, they probably weren’t going to kill off one of our main cast and it couldn’t be the big bald guy, because he was infected earlier. Yet, I still found myself wincing in anticipation every time someone new tried the alkaline shot.

In spite of the standard overall plot, I did really enjoy many of the character bits along the way. The few small moments showing D’Argo’s struggle with the need to once again wear prisoner’s chains, even as a part of a ruse, were a nice touch. And it was great fun to see Chiana and Rygel reluctantly collaborating on their latest profit-making scheme. (Of course those two would see the arrival of mysterious and dangerous cargo as a potential opportunity to earn a quick buck, without even considering that their actions could complicate an already tenuous situation.)

But my favorite character beats this week were with Aeryn, as we learned a little more about her background and saw her once again forced to wrestle with her sadness over what her life could have been. It was so nice to briefly see her connecting with fellow soldiers and smiling as she recalled being too small to “reach the pedals” in more advanced fighter craft. But, of course, fond memories quickly turned to shattered dreams when Larraq suggested she join his commando squad because her talents are being wasted in her current assignment. “What are you doing in Ustar Regiment? You’re being wasted there. You’re wasting yourself there.” My heart broke for her when I saw the sad, wistful look in her eyes as she nodded her agreement to talk about transferring and the even sadder look on her face after Larraq walked away. It seems like every time Aeryn starts to accept the direction her life has taken, she’s painfully reminded of who she used to be and the dreams that slipped through her fingers. All of the fugitives struggle with that issue to a certain extent, but for Aeryn the wound is still fresh and, unlike the others, she has little hope that she’ll ever be able to regain some semblance of the life she knew and loved.

Other Thoughts

I actually had a lot of trouble focusing on the story for this episode, because every time they mentioned the Gammak Base my mind would start wandering down the path of things to come. I’m trying to keep these reviews spoiler-free for those who may be new to Farscape, but I will note that that the events of this episode didn’t wrap as neatly as it may have seemed, and they are about to lead us to an exciting new enemy and a serious uptick in the overall quality of the series. Suffice to say, anyone that would be interested in experimenting with an intelligent virus is not someone with whom you’d want to cross paths. (Unless you are a member of the viewing audience, in which case, you surely do. I can’t wait!)

Moya’s crew really took a hell of a risk pretending to be Peacekeepers on assignment. Especially using Aeryn’s real name. I know that she and Crichton were left off Crais’s bounty list, but surely her name is known within Peacekeeper ranks? Would only Crais’s people know who Aeryn is? Perhaps. The Peacekeepers are a pretty big organization, after all.

Crichton doing the Peacekeeper accent did not work at all, and I can’t believe the Marauder crew didn’t expose him for a fraud much sooner.

World-building bits: Gammak Base, a Peacekeeper “science military” research installation; PK Special Ops are known as “Black Ghosts” (are all Marauder crews considered Black Ghosts, or just some?); and the Peacekeepers have been experimenting with using neural controls on the ship’s Pilot to control a Leviathan.

Lots of cursing in this one: frell, dren, serious frelling dren …

It really bothered me that Crichton kept standing so close to Chiana after learning the virus transfers by close physical proximity. And why did they just believe her version of events anyway? She wasn’t exactly behaving like herself. You’d think they would have picked up on her acting weirdly subdued a hell of a lot sooner.

You know, if the virus wasn’t such a vengeful egomaniac, it probably could have just infected the Marauder scientist and taken the ship. If it was controlling her, it’s not like she could have told anyone about a potential antibody. Did it not think she would have the knowledge it needed to get to the base? Was it just trying to log enough time in its current host to incubate and spawn?

I’m also not sure why they were so worried about the virus spreading. Apparently, prior to capture, it existed out in the Uncharted Territories without wiping the whole place out. So why was it now such a threat to “thousands of species”? Was it relatively contained until Larraq’s team found it? Had it been knocked back down to “single host” phase after wiping out a corner of Universe? Was it just biding its time and hoping to hitch a ride to a more populated area before “going viral” again?

I really liked Crichton’s clever maneuver using Starburst to ignite the fuel leak.

We did get a few hints that we aren’t done with the oft-mentioned Gammak Base. Chiana grabbed Larraq’s ident chip before he escaped, and Crichton noted at the end that, even though they are currently trying to get as far from it as they can, the base is still out there, and they don’t know why. [Cue ominous music.]

I’m a bit bothered that there has seemingly been no fallout from Crichton and Aeryn sleeping together on fake Earth. Was that not really Aeryn? It’s obvious they care for each other, so why not acknowledge that they are closer now? Especially in that last scene. I know Aeryn is a tough nut to crack emotionally, but come on!

Quotes

Crichton: “Now I may be naïve, but flying around in the Uncharted Territories, ignorant of what the Peacekeepers are doing out here? That, to me, seems dangerous.”

Rygel: “How dare you sneak up on me like that! I should make you wear a bell ‘round your neck.”
Chiana: “Keep your fantasies to yourself, Frog Boy.”

Chiana: “Look. In the interest of not getting caught, I’ll agree to half whatever we procure.”
Rygel: “Half?! I was here first!”
Chiana: “But I have the, uh, the key.”
Rygel: “Oh. OK. Half.”

Aeryn: “This is a disaster, Crichton. It is a grave misfortune that uniform did not fit me.”

D’Argo: “If there’s one thing I’ve learned from this fiasco, it’s that I will never be chained up again.”
Zhaan: “I pray that will be the case.”
D’Argo: “You can pray all you like. I was expressing a fact. Not a hope.”

Crichton: “You got lucky. He missed your heart.”
Aeryn: “Closer than you think.”
I’m assuming she means her dream of becoming a marauder commando, not a romantic interest.

Crichton: “Don’t mention it.”
Aeryn: “Why would I ever mention it?”
Is this a callback to a previous exchange between them, or just her giving a playful response to what she knows is a human expression?

Final Analysis: A fairly standard story this week, but the first step on the path to great things.

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Holiday Gift Guide: Fringe

The problem with parallel universes isn't that they force us to radically re-conceptualize our understanding of space, time, and reality. No, the problem is that now we're responsible for getting twice as many people Christmas gifts, stocking stuffers, and Chanukah chotchkies. And what do you get the shapeshifter who has everything? Read on to find out:


• For the softie who has everything: Over There, the polar bears have mutated. Over Here, they still need some loving care. (Just don’t get too close!) The World Wildlife Fund has a service in which you can direct your money towards a specific type of animal: if you want, you can adopt a polar bear in someone else’s name. This is an incredibly delightful gift, and even comes with a certificate of adoption and (if you’re willing to let a bit of your money to go towards plush toys) a stuffed bear or tiger or blue-footed booby. Fun for all ages!

• For the armchair physicist: Michio Kaku, Parallel Worlds: A Journey Through Creation, Higher Dimensions, and the Future of the Cosmos. The title pretty much says it all, doesn’t it?

• For the person who reads too much into episode titles: A vase of white tulips from FTD. The perfect accompaniment to a game of Clue.

• For the lonesome watcher: The complete Dawson’s Creek. Because, as it turns out, Pacey is Peter’s Over There doppelganger.

• For the fan of twisty-turvy TV: The Definitive Gold Box Edition of Twin Peaks, the original super-confusing show.

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Holiday Gift Guide: Glee

So your father/mother/sister/brother/lover/best friend/pet/all of the above is a major Gleek? They're so into Glee that they've bought the all the DVDs (and Blu-Ray, for good measure), all the music, the calendar, t-shirts, mugs and bath-mat. They've seen the cast on tour and stolen Matthew Morrison's empty Starbucks cup, the dregs of which are kept in a vial around their neck. What Gleeful gifts are you going to give them for Christmas?

For those who love Sue Sylvester (or those who hate hair so full of oil you could season a wok with it):

The complete "The L Word". Jane Lynch enters in season two, episode two as the lawyer of two characters undergoing a divorce. Imagine Sue if it was actually her job to be one tough bitch, and you'll get an idea of the awesomeness of her L Word character. It's best to start watching from season one though, because you'll be hooked. Here's Billie explaining why.

For the teen Gleek:

High School Musical? Oh crikey - did I just say that? No, wait - check out Camp instead, it's better... still not a patch on Glee though. Yeah... just watch Glee, actually.

For the Kurt fans and aspiring 'Notorious Homosexuals':

Tales of the City by Armistead Maupin. That book and those that follow it will transport you to 28 Barbary Lane, whose quirky and loveable residents paint a picture of gay and gay friendly life in 70s San Francisco so joyous and full of freedom you'll spend the next week reading about your new friends and the next fortnight missing them.

Also, you could make a donation in the name of your giftee to The Matthew Shepard Foundation or Stonewall, organisations which campaign to tackle homophobic bullying like the sort Kurt experiences in Season Two. They both do essential work that can change young peoples' lives and maybe even convince some suicidial gay teens to endure the bullying until life 'gets better'.

For the London-based lover of tater tots:

Sign them up to Soho Gyms and their new Glee Class! Work off those Christmas pounds to Proud Mary or a Journey Medley and learn the dance moves from the show (yes, these really do exist - in terms of fervour, Gleeks rival even Whedon fans).

For the aspiring Glee Club attendee:

Apart from a few CDs of Mark Salling or Kristin Chenowith to get them in the mood, and some sheet music from Spring Awakening (originally starring Lea Michele) to make some song suggestions to the club director (note, he'll only turn them down for more Journey tunes) there's nothing you can get for this person... except maybe a Slushie in the face.

Oh, and one last shameless plug - if you Do want to buy Glee merchandise check out this page - everything bought after clicking on one of those links helps support the site! ... Read full post

Misfits: Episode Six (I Don't Know What's Happened To The Kids)

Simon: “When do I turn into this superhero?”

I love it when a seemingly innocuous episode suddenly goes bosoms up. We were treated to all manner of drama tonight. It was obvious how it would end. Curtis' lactose intolerance, coupled with his ability to turn back time, was always going to be key. But there were some intriguing twists along the way, some fascinating reveals, and some genuinely moving character pieces. Plus, virtually everyone ended up either dead or incapacitated. Which is exactly what you want from a penultimate episode. Particularly if you're a masochist.

Finally, Simon knows about Superhoodie. All it took was one overheard comment (while invisible in Nathan's room), and the cat was, if not fully out the bag, then certainly one paw out, scratching wildly. Once Simon had followed Alisha back to the base, there wasn't much she could do. She had to tell him. In hindsight, I think he took it rather well. Now he knows they're together in the future, it seems a foregone conclusion they'll fall in love in the present. In fact, the process already seems to have begun. Simon looked genuinely distraught by Alisha's death. Him looking into the camera and pulling up his hood sent shivers down my spine. Is that all it takes? One big event to change him from shy, awkward Simon into his masked alter ego?

I always assumed the transformation would take years. Yet, suddenly, Simon looked like a different person. Focused. In control. Maybe purpose and the right motivation are all that's required. He knew exactly what needed to be done and did it without question -- even at the cost of his own life. Not only will Simon one day become a real hero, he's one already. And both Curtis and Alisha know it. That's why Alisha loves him.

Simon's death gave Curtis the emotional investment necessary to invoke a rewind. It was sad seeing everyone dead. Seeing Nathan reduced to a vegetative state was probably poetic justice. I don't think we've ever seen him speechless. Can mozzarella wrapped around your central cortex actually do that? (Like this is real). Having Kelly's ghost turn up was also a major shock. Howard Overman doesn't miss a trick. I'd forgotten Nathan could talk to the dead. And Kelly looked so alive. Until that shot of her body. That was a dead giveaway (pun not really intended, but I'll take it).

Nathan blowing his own head off on “Whoops, There Goes My Brains,” was laugh out loud hilarious (not to mention stomach churningly gruesome). Is there anything that man won't do for sex? His new found celebrity status certainly attracted the ladies. Admittedly, it was ladies with sexually transmitted diseases. But seeing Nathan in the spotlight is like seeing him in his natural environment. He's a born performer -- a creature who thrives on attention.

I felt sorry for Daisy. She was so innocent. Watching Nathan trying to coax her healing hands down the front of his underpants was just wrong. Daisy had the power to heal mankind. Trust Nathan to kill her (albeit accidentally). There goes our hope, then. All because he couldn't be bothered to go to the Doctor's for antibiotics. Still, at least he apologised. So that's all right.

Did they kill Brian (Milk Guy) at the end, or just warn him not to go public with his powers? (By punching him in the face.) I'm guessing the latter. I hope so, anyway. I'd quite like to see Brian again. Great performance from Jordan Metcalfe. He made Milk Guy seem so sweet, yet so dangerous. (Kind of like milk if you're lactose intolerant.) Coming out of the proverbial closet gave him the attention he so desperately craved. But, in the grand scheme of things, his superpower was terrible. His ability to manipulate milk (lactokinesis) was real bottom of the heap stuff. Still, at least it provided us with an unlikely, yet effective villain. (Not to mention some top notch chortles.)

The Christmas episode is on Sunday, 19th December and they're going to kill Jesus. If that doesn't put you in the festive mood, I don't know what will.

Bits and Pieces:

-- Now that their community service is over I wonder what's going to happen next season?

-- "It's like in Terminator, when John Connor sends Kyle Reece back in time so that he can be his father." Great Terminator reference!

-- I loved the irony of Daisy getting skewered on her Mother Teresa award. Kudos to Nathan for trying to help, for once.

-- I found Simon kissing Alisha on the forehead quite touching. Seeing Alisha dead seemed to change something inside him.

-- Nathan is seriously useless. He could have killed someone in that television studio. To be fair, who would leave a loaded gun lying around unsupervised?

-- How ludicrous, watching Laura choke to death with Lakmé's “Flower Duet” playing in the background. I think I've said it before, but this show uses music so effectively.

Quotes:

Nathan: "I tripled myself."

Kelly: “I shagged a monkey.”
Nathan: “Technically, it was a gorilla.”

Brian's girlfriend: “There's a guy downstairs that can rewind time. You can do stuff with milk.”

Nikki: “Is it true you shit yourself when you die?”
Nathan: “That only happened once. And I've got a bucket standing by, just in case.”

Kelly: “Have I got time to go to the toilet before you shoot yourself?”
Nathan: “A piss, yes. A shit, probably not.”

Nathan: “And now, for your viewing pleasure, I will blow out my brains on national telly. Enjoy!”

Alisha: “You think you're surprised? Imagine being me.”

Simon: “I just want you to know, being here with all of you, has been the best time of my life.”

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Holiday Gift Guide: Doctor Who, Misfits and Sherlock

In the spirit of Dickens' A Christmas Carol, I'm including gift ideas for all three of my shows in one post. Sherlock represents the Spirit of Christmas Past (because of its Victorian origins), Misfits the Spirit of Christmas Present (because it's presently airing on E4), and Doctor Who the Spirit of Christmas Yet To Come (because the Christmas episode is yet to air).

Of course, the real reason I'm grouping them together, is that I didn't quite grasp the concept of "one show at a time." Which makes the above explanation nothing more than a ruse designed to hide my shame. I made a mistake, okay? I just hope nobody noticed.

Wait! I'm saying this in my head, right?

Doctor Who:

-- For those who don't already own it, Russell T. Davies' "The Writers Tale – The Final Chapter" is a must have for any discerning Doctor Who fan. It's a collection of emails between Davies and journalist Benjamin Cook, documenting the writing process, script development and ups and downs of being Showrunner. Davies is surprisingly candid about his achievements. He's sometimes immodest, sometimes painfully self-deprecating, but you can always count on him to be honest.

-- Not a fan of Matt Smith? Whilst you sit there, wallowing in your own disgustingness, you could always kick it old school and bust out one of Big Finish's audio adventures. Is your favourite Doctor still Colin Baker? Did you stop watching when Peter Davison hung up his cricketing box for good? Fear not, because both Doctors are still out there having adventures. New stories. Old companions. It's like they never went away. Let's hope they all team up for a 50th anniversary special, eh? It'll likely be dire, but imagine the fun we'll have.

-- For those of us hit hard by the recession (i.e. the known universe), how about making some Doctor Who gifts yourself? You've heard the axiom about home-made gifts showing the most love, right? Well, it's not true. It means you're cheap. But since cheap is the new charitable, you might fancy taking a gander at the numerous Doctor Who craft ideas out there. There are patterns galore on the internet for crocheted Cybermen, macramé Daleks and cloth Adipose. Some aren’t embarrassing. Some you could conceivably give as a gift without it seeming like a slap in the face. You may even have fun. Which let's face it, is what it's all about.

Misfits:

-- Yes, I know I've only just started reviewing it, but the series boxed sets are so cheap at the moment, you'd have to be a right Scrooge to deprive your nearest and dearest of E4's latest foul mouthed sci-fi offering. Beware you don't accidentally buy The Misfits, starring Clark Gable. It's a good film. But nobody has superpowers, and nobody craps in anyone's bed.

Sherlock:

-- Sherlock was the unexpected hit of 2009. The concept seemed dreadful, but it was so brilliantly realised and acted, that it totally worked. For those of you only recently acquainted with Holmes, there's a massive back catalogue of previous adaptations to choose from. The Ronald Howard (no, not the ginger one from Happy Days) boxed set is as rough as a roofer's glove, and should be avoided at all costs. But the Jeremy Brett boxed set is as cheap as chips and as good as any adaptation you're likely to see.

-- The original Conan Doyle Stories are also bafflingly cheap. In fact, if you have a Kindle, "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes" is completely free. Even hard copies (that's books to you and me) of the full canon are just a few quid. A small price to pay for classic story telling.

-- The BBC's audio adaptations (featuring Clive Merrison), are also worth a look (and listen). Merrison and Co. managed to record every story in the canon (and some that aren't). Ideal fodder for those cold winter evenings... when the powers of evil are exalted.

That's me done. Have a good one, folks!

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NewsFlash: Torchwood casting

Really interesting casting news for the fourth season of Torchwood, airing this summer on the BBC and Starz. Mekhi Phifer (whose name I always have a terrible time spelling) has been cast as FBI agent Rex Matheson. And Bill Pullman has been cast as Oswald Jones, a convicted murderer and pedophile. They'll be joining original series stars John Barrowman and Eve Myles.

I'm okay with Mekhi. He's a dynamic actor who can handle difficult stuff, although I have a hard time seeing him as something other than a doctor or a cop. (So I guess it's good that he's playing a cop; it's just the sci-fi venue that's new, so he gets to arrest aliens now.) I was a bit put out, though, because I'd heard a rumor that Enver Gjokaj (whose name I also have a terrible time spelling), the guy who did such amazing work as Victor in Dollhouse, was up for the role.

And I'm oddly weirded out by the casting of Bill Pullman, and I'm not sure why. He can definitely act, and I know he can do heavy; he's certainly done a lot more than romantic leads, goofballs, and the test pilot president in Independence Day. Maybe the description of the character is a turnoff. It's hard to picture the star of Spaceballs playing a homicidal pedophile. And maybe it's just weird to see a British show acquiring American cast members.

Casting weirdness aside, I am SO looking forward to the return of Torchwood this summer. And yes, I'm definitely reviewing it.

More about it on The Sci-Fi Wire That Isn't The Sci-Fi Wire Any More.

My Torchwood reviews are archived here.


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NewsFlash: Stargate Universe Canceled

I am completely bummed to report that SyFy has canceled Stargate Universe. We're getting the spring ten episodes, and that's it.

Yes, the ratings haven't been great, but I have always enjoyed this show. Dramatically, I thought it stood head and shoulders above Atlantis. I look forward to it and it never sits unwatched on my DVR. (I finally deleted the last two episodes of The Event, unwatched.)

What do you think? Were you still watching? Did it deserve cancellation?

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Smallville: Icarus

Carter: "This is what we do."

They started with an engagement and ended with a funeral. Do you think they were hinting that there are no happy endings for superheroes?

We all knew Carter was going to die, because he told us it was coming. But it was a terrific exit none the less, with a flaming fall from above and gorgeous CGI wings. (Much better than the ones he had last time.) Points for an appropriate episode title that actually meant something for a change.


I was less enamored, so to speak, with Clark's awkward rose petal proposal. I'm pleased that Lois and Clark are seriously involved, yes; it was so overdue that it had nearly expired, and this is the final season, after all. But I don't think Tom Welling was able to pull off super-romantic proposal guy Clark as well as he pulled off evil Clark last week. Lois's lines came off as awkward, too. Maybe it would have worked better if it had been a little less gooey.

The VRA subplot has become totally Nazi, complete with SS uniforms. It did not make me happy to see Tess, Emil and Lois arrested and interrogated. But Tess versus Trotter, the very Nazi interrogator, made me smile. "You couldn't stare at me in my office?" Carter was theorizing that Darkseid was responsible for the Spanish Inquisition and the Third Reich. How bad is this going to get?

I was disappointed that Slade got taken out already; seems like a waste of a really good actor as a villain. Although I liked Clark sending Slade to the Phantom Zone, where I'm sure he'll make friends and influence people. Do we know anyone in the Phantom Zone these days? I have completely lost track. Ten seasons, what can I say.

Cliffhanger. Surprise triangular light thingy, mass unconsciousness. And now we wait until January 28.

Bits and pieces:

-- Clark proposed to Lois in front of a phone booth, a symbol of their Blur connection as well as the original comic book Superman. Nice touch.

-- Future-knowledge Chloe sent Lois a congratulations card, and we got one brief Chloe/Lois scene. I really miss Chloe.

-- The annoying Cat has changed sides. It makes her a bit less annoying.

-- The video feed of Black Canary looked like Alaina Huffman was phoning it in from the Destiny. You don't suppose they really did that, do you? It's not out of the question, considering the cozy way that shows filming in Vancouver borrow actors from each other.

-- I have so little comic book knowledge, and now I'm curious. How does the Hawkman reincarnation thing work?

Decent mid-season finale, and I'm going to miss Michael Shanks. Three out of four sets of glorious burning wings,

Billie

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Holiday Gift Guide: The Vampire Diaries

December is a special time of year. A time to remember how much we love our families and friends. A time of high-caloric sweets, astronomical heating bills, and pine-tree-induced allergic reactions. A time to incur massive amounts of debt in a feeble attempt to provide the best useless gift that will live in someone’s closet gathering dust mites.

We here at Billie Doux know how hard it can be to find the perfect something for the perfect someone, and we want to help. Over the next two weeks, look for Holiday Gift Guides for the fans of most of the shows that we review. Don’t know what to get that Doctor Who fanatic? What about the Walking Dead devotee? We’ve taken time away from our holiday baking to select the perfect show-specific gift for each of your TV-watching friends, one show at a time.

For the Vampire Diaries Fan Who Has Everything:

• For the grown-up vampire lover: Elizabeth Kostova, The Historian. Bulgarians, Romanians, vampires, and some really intense diary writing. Plus, at 720 pages, it’s the gift that keeps giving. Just don’t make the mistake of giving The Swan Thieves, her second book. It’s not very good.

• For the tweenage vampire lover: Suzanne Collins Hunger Games series. The adults will probably like it too. I certainly do. No, there aren’t vampires. But there’s a love triangle and a kick-ass heroine, and the trilogy is so fast-paced you might get your tween to stop checking her facebook status for a few hours.

• The complete Twilight series—both the books and the movies. This might not be for every fan, but I know Dimitri is hoping to find it under his tree!

• For the bloodluster: Make a donation in their name to Nothing But Nets. This UN-sponsored organization donates bed nets to children in the Central African Republic where malaria (spread by mosquitoes, see?) runs rampant. This is a really good cause, and even just $10 can save a life.

• For the fan of cute, defenseless creatures: The Ian Somerhalder Foundation. This is what Damon has to say about it: “The Foundation’s long-term activities will aim to empower, educate and collaborate with people and projects that positively impact the planet and its creatures. Long-term goals will focus on habitat and biodiversity, clean energy and animals, with specific projects in reforestation, biodiversity, extinction and species-specific sterilization methods of domestic pets. Short-term goals are inviting everyone to get involved, creating teams of passionate volunteers, and fund-raising.” (I assume that when Ian says “clean energy and animals” he means “clean energy, and animals” not “clean energy and clean animals.” Note to Americans: we still use that final serial comma here, for good reason.)

Do you have a better idea? Post your own gift suggestions in the comments, and keep your eyes peeled (ouch!) for more gift suggestions in the days to come.

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Dexter: The Big One

Deb: "Nothing is as simple as it seems."
Dexter: "You're right about that."

This entire episode had me on the edge of my seat. And the ending was not what I expected. Actually, the entire season was not what I expected. That's a good thing, by the way.

Every scene with Jordan Chase and Lumen had me freaked. I kept expecting him to kill her or hurt her. At one point, I honestly thought he was going to bite her face. (Jordan, with his delusions of grandeur, was probably pretending to be Hannibal Lector.) I also expected that Deb would catch Dexter and Lumen red-handed. What would Deb have done if her brother had stepped out from behind that literal and metaphorical curtain? I thought this was the season we'd find out, but no. Geez Louise, will they ever go there?

I'm okay with the ending. I knew it wouldn't be happy, because at its core, Dexter is tragic. (In fact, as the Slice of Life was cutting triumphantly through the water toward home with Lumen perched on the bow, I almost expected it to blow up or get attacked by sharks.) I get why Lumen had to leave. The finality of Jordan's well-deserved death and nearly getting caught by Deb probably shocked her out of her current emotional state. She wouldn't be the good person that Dexter loves if she could kill strangers who never hurt her. She's not Dexter.

Maybe what we learned this season wasn't just that Dexter is capable of love, because we've known that for a long time. It's that Dexter is capable of change, of the transformation that Jordan kept talking about in and out of his pretentious seminars. Dexter did something truly good this season. He saved Lumen's life, not once, but twice. He helped her avenge what happened to her. He made her feel loved, protected and cared for, so that she could move on and have a life again. I loved him telling her that he would carry her darkness for her.

Yes, he's still alone; we had the obvious symbolism of Dexter blowing out a single candle while surrounded by couples and families. But he does have Harrison. He still has Astor and Cody, too, now that he has mended his bridges with Astor. And he has his wonderful sister Deb, who faced her memories of being helpless and at the mercy of the Ice Truck Killer, who looked inside her heart and found the courage to let the "vigilante lovers" go. Maybe the other big message this season is that Deb has changed, too. She might be able to handle Dexter's darkness, after all.

Since this is Dexter, they had to leave one big plot simmering on the back burner. Dexter falsified evidence (again) so that Quinn wouldn't be charged with Liddy's murder. Yes, Dexter had reasons of his own for doing it. But he also knew that Quinn probably won't let it go. Huge favor or not, I just can't see a curious detective like Quinn letting his questions about Dexter just lie there, especially since he must suspect who really killed Liddy. Interesting to see how that will play out next season.

Bits and pieces:

-- The episode title, "The Big One", was of course a reference to Harrison's birthday. But it could have meant so many other things. For example, I couldn't find a good episode photo, so I went with a glossy one with obviously phallic symbolism. :)

-- The grandparents, kids and nanny all showed up for a party. That may just qualify for the worst timing ever award.

-- "River Jordan Camp for Boys and Girls" was where Jordan took his name. Were the other seven victims buried there, too?

-- I guess we'll never get a full explanation for Emily. It must have been that, as his first victim, he just never let go of her. Controlling her forever must have given Jordan great pleasure.

-- I loved Jordan's face when he saw Dexter's knives. "Wow."

-- Maria mended her fences with Deb. And that was enough to repair her marriage with Angel.

-- "Harry" was no help in this episode, and even caused Dexter to crash his stolen car. Dexter knows himself much better now than he did in the past; I wonder if it's time for "Harry" to leave forever?

-- There were several candidates for Most Obvious Symbolism: the curtain with Dexter and Lumen on one side and Deb on the other, the single candle that Dexter blew out, Dexter finally removing his wedding ring. But I'm going with the breakfast plates that Dexter broke when Lumen told him she was leaving.

-- Gold acting stars for Julia Stiles, Jonny Lee Miller, and as always, Michael C. Hall.

-- Dexter again blew out the ratings on Showtime this fall. We're getting a sixth season.

Quotes:

Angel: "So the killer knew what he was doing."
Dexter: (to himself) "It sure felt like it at the time."

Deb: "I fucking swear I'm taking Spanish after this. The sound? In the... ah, ah, trunk-o?"

Deb: "It's a miracle you survived. A fucking miracle."

Lumen: "It's like what your sister said. It's a miracle. It's a fucking miracle."

Dexter: "Don't be sorry your darkness is gone. I'll carry it for you. Always. I'll keep it with mine."

I'd like to thank the producers and writers for giving us an intriguing season that was ultimately about Dexter himself instead of murder, about drama instead of gore. Four out of four broken plates,

Billie

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