Not a complete run of each show.. the shows on the rotation being:

Glee
Supernatural
Stargate Universe
V
Flash Forward
Smallville
Dollhouse
Bones

Last week, the new episodes were only available for Glee, FF, Dollhouse, SGU, and Bones.

Bones was enjoyable as always, but I'll leave it at that. I LOVE BONES. And at that.

Glee was also enjoyable. A nasty Sue. Shue finally realizing the truth. Most excited is the end of that arc. I've realized that my most enjoyable experiences with Glee are:

- the "musical" scenes of Glee - no, not just the singing, but when the singing and dancing is done OUTSIDE of the regular performances
- the drama is mainly about the kids and their families
- Sue being Sue
- and, of course, the poignant and sweet musical pieces (like when they were supporting Quinn, supporting Quinn and Finn, and during the Imagine performance with the choir from the school for the deaf.)

My least usually are the scenes that involve:

- Shue's wife
AND
- the counselor girl

I think Mercedes and Rachel have the best female voices (easy). I think Artie by far has the best male voice.

Now, onto the two surprises of the week as experienced in SGU and Flash Forward.

Both rookie shows had good pilots that allowed for a lot of fun, detailed, action packed drama in the coming story telling. Both shows have been widely uneven in cluding ensemble casts where only a few characters have shined and some weeks that may be interesting but relatively leave us viewers with mixed feelings - if not complete dissatisfaction. But, last week, both had some very interesting episodes.

Flash Forward: A561984

* Charm/Initial Reaction *
My initial reaction to this episode was.. "hold up, this is actually good. I have to pause this and watch it when I am going to pay attention." Really. There have been way too many episodes of this series so far that were ridiculously forgettable. I've been trying to be patient to wait for the payoff - hoping there was a payoff. Invasion started slowly and rolled to the end that never got resolved, but I'm glad I stuck by it. I felt like this episode, though still having faults, should've been the 4th of the season. There were SOME answers that emerged into more questions. The character I particularly care for, Dimitri, was essential. Simon became a real part of the story. The action was good. The trailers for the upcoming shows look good too. Let's hope they follow through.

* Advancement of Plot *
There was a lot of advancement in this episode. This being a serialized drama, it needed it. The characters needed it. The audience needed it. Finally, there was levity to what was going on in the world. Only a few episodes have dealt with it.

* Character Development *
There are three extremely important characters in this show so far: Mark, Dimitri, and Simcoe. Two of them moved forward while other supporting characters moved ahead also. Every episode can't say this and more FF eps have been terrible at pushing forward stories and empathy.

* Empathy Level *
I don't trust Simcoe, but I did care about him and where he was headed. Dimitri's impending death is becoming more real and yes, I care. Why? He's the only character that I really have any attachment to.

* Intelligence/Wit
This show isn't much of a witty show. Not sure if there are easter eggs or little bits that can pique a fanboy's brain. I guess, for this show, there was action and reveals that made sense. So, I guess that works.

Mark, as a lead, still doesn't emit much of a need for empathy. I don't care much for Bryce one way or the other. He's just there until they run standalones for him that get NOBODY anywhere.

* Standalone Strength *
Yes, it could stand alone. This series has had some good standalones. I don't think that is where this series struggles. It's connecting the weekly goings-on with the bigger picture and vice versa. Two main arcs: the Hong Kong story and Simcoe. I guess the running theme between the two stories are the impending guilt over situations that we assume aren't or will not be intentional.

Stargate Universe: Justice


* Charm/Initial Reaction *
Like FF, I had the same initial reaction a few minutes into the episode. Finally, something worth paying attention to. There have been some good episodes - or almost-good episodes here and there since the pilot. There have been the "how will we survive on this dying ship" episodes. There were the "let's deal with our shit through the [super lame] communication stones" episodes. There have been the bigger action episodes. Most seemed a little canned. Yes, character has been explored, but not effectively. In "Justice" there was a murder mystery. There was an increased tension on control over the ship. There were NO communication stones.

* Advancement of Plot *
Though there may have been explorations of characters, they haven't always been enmeshed in the larger story. This series relies on that larger story. This isn't about the Enterprise that explores worlds - this is about survival and how the peopleon board are reacting.

This episode's power struggle came to a powerful "end" that will have major ramifictaions in future episodes. What will happen now?

* Character Development *
What will happen now? Rush will have to survive. What will happen when he returns.
Camille is stepping up. Not sure I liked the female - male dynamic.

* Empathy Level *
Who did I care for? People, I suppose. Eli's always my favorite on the show. Chloe, not so much. Scott, not much either. The other soldier, I forgot his name, the hothead is becoming more interesting I believe. Corporal what's his face also got much more interesting after what happened.

* Intelligence/Wit
Tough to find wit in this show. Some nods to fans come in cameos (I assume. Never really been into the Stargate franchise.) The reveal about the "murder-mystery" didn't do much for me. Who else would it have been? The fight, though, was very interesting. At least lines are being drawn.

* Standalone Strength *
I suppose all of these episodes are meant for more singular episodic arcs wrapped in this general idea of survival on a wayward ship. This though, being a much better episode than others, stood out.

Overall, TWO great surprises as first half-of season finales. Flash Forward's previews looked awesome. Hopefully those just cover the first 3 or 4 episodes meaning they won't put one great scene in each episode and drag out the story. They need to go all-in. SGU can handle lowered expectations on SyFy. Flash Forward's only got a 1 season guarantee. They better step up.

posted by breakfast boy@ 11:19 PM