Favorite TV Series: What's Renewed, What's Canceled

R.I.P.

It's that time of year. The networks have announced the shows they have renewed and the shows they have canceled. This means I am happy and a little bit sad today.

Reasons I am happy (favorite shows that have been renewed for the 2016-2017 season):

• Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
• Arrow
• The Flash
• Legends of Tomorrow
• Supergirl (It's been both canceled and renewed. The series is moving from CBS to the CW, where it will join its other DC shows)
• Grimm
• Jane the Virgin
• So You Think You Can Dance
• Sleepy Hollow

Reasons I'm sad: (favorite shows that have been canceled):

• Castle
• Nashville

It's surprising to me that over half of my favorite shows that have been renewed are based on comic book characters. I'm not surprised they have been renewed, just surprised that they've become some of my favorite currently running TV series. I've never read superhero comic books, and I never considered myself a real fan of the superhero movies that came out when I was young, such as the Superman with Christopher Reeve, or the Batman movies with Michael Keaton, George Clooney and Val Kilmer. It wasn't until The Avengers was released that I found myself really enjoying a superhero movie. It could be that it was written and directed by Joss Whedon, the creator of my much-loved Buffy-verse and Firefly. Or, maybe it was Tom Hiddleston. Yea, it could have been Tom Hiddleston. Anyway. So, when I see that five of my favorite TV series are based on comic books, there's no one more surprised than I. I know that it's because of the characters on the show. Sure, I want interesting plots, but unless a show has characters that I care about, then it doesn't matter how good or exciting the plots, I won't want to tune in every week.

Arrow was the first of these current comic book-based series to catch my interest. I watched its first spin-off, The Flash, because they introduced Barry Allen in a few episodes of Arrow. I really liked his character, and how he was played by Grant Gustin. Because I liked these series so much, I was excited when they announced that Supergirl would be getting her own series, and it quickly became one of my favorite new shows of the season. The second spin-off of Arrow, Legends of Tomorrow, started out a bit weak, with a couple of characters that I totally cannot abide (and wish they would just abandon them somewhere to live out their destined lives together away from our other "legends of tomorrow), and I fast forwarded through many an episode this season. However, as the end of the season comes closer, the episodes have become more exciting and compelling, and I haven't fast forwarded through an episode in while.

I originally started watching Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. because it was a new series created by Joss Whedon (along with his brother, Jed). It has gone through rocky times, but I have enjoyed this season, and I find myself anxiously anticipating how this season will end, and what character (if any) won't make it to the next season. I think episode 5, "4,755," is one of the best episodes of any TV series, and the consequences of that episode led to the emerging of a formidable "Big Bad." One of the problems I have with the series, is that it's supposedly part of that big Marvel universe that wants to be connected with all of the Marvel movies, so the Avengers exist in this world, we just never see them in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Hive is the kind of foe that, if this really is supposed to be one big (Marvel) universe, you would think that Coulsen would have wanted to call in the Avengers to help him defeat him. However, since this is television, and the Avengers are only in film, those characters will never (I am guess never) be on this television show, therefore, they can't call them in, and it ruins the continuity they've tried to create in this universe.

It's hard to believe that Grimm is coming to the end of its fifth season. I remember five years ago when I was looking forward to a new TV season that had two series based on fairy-tales. Who knew then how very different these two series would be? Unlike Once Upon a Time (which I'm not going to talk much about in this post, except to say how disappointing it has been since its first season), Grimm has remained very strong in the five years it's been on the air. It has stayed close to its original premise, and it has been exciting, original, and well-written. It has given us some great characters (Nick, Monroe, Trubel, Renard, Wu),  a few surprises (good-bye Juliette, hello Eve), lots of interesting Wesen, and a relationship I really want to hate, but kind of like (Nick and Adalind). I really like episodic TV that has an arc that continues throughout a season, and Grimm does this so well. I look forward to seeing how this season turns out and seeing what next season brings.

It's hard to explain Jane the Virgin to people who don't watch it. It's a comedy, it's a drama, it's a mystery. it's a crime show, it's a soap opera (or should we say Telenovela?). It's nothing like anything else on television. It has a narrator who is not one of the characters in the show, and who has some of the best one-liners on television. It has romance, murder, kidnapping, an evil twin or two (or three), and a Telenovela superstar who has the other best one-liners in television.  It has dream sequences, daydream sequences, and flashbacks, and a TV show within a TV show. It has rich, beautiful people running an expensive hotel, and not-so-rich, average people just trying to make ends meet. It even has a child that isn't ignored by the writers or forgotten about entirely. In fact it deals head-on with single motherhood, postpartum depression, and a mother who would like to stay home with her child, but can't. And it all centers around Jane, an aspiring writer, college student, and mother of a one-year old. This show rarely makes a misstep, unlike so many other series that I watch on a regular basis. The writing is so clever, as is the format of the show. There is so much "meta" in this show that I wish I could think of a clever word to describe it that includes "meta" in it. Metatacular? Metacredible? Metasational? Metatastic? Metarrific? Metanificent?  Sorry, I could do this all day. But I won't. Suffice it to say, I'm so glad that it has been renewed for a third season.

I am very happy about So You Think You Can Dance being renewed. I have loved this show since season 1, and I look forward to many outstanding dancers and routines. I really hope they have good choreographers this year. The routines of the last few seasons haven't seemed to live up to the excellence of some of the early season routines. There have been some gems sprinkled here and there, but I'm hoping for some memorable routines, because we never know how many more seasons this show will last. This could its last.

I'm really happy that the CW decided to give Supergirl a new home after CBS decided to cancel it. I really like this show. Not just because its main character is a woman, but because Kara is a superhero who isn't full of angst. She's an orphan whose whole planet was destroyed, but she isn't fighting against something - she's fighting for everyone she can.

Sleepy Hollow's final episode of this season was hard to watch. Not only did Ichabod have to say good-bye to his partner, but we had to say good-bye to one of the best things about the show: Abbie. Who knows where it's going to go from here, but I hope it can not only survive, but thrive without her. I feel like the show was finally getting its footing back after a really rocky season 2, and then this happened. Oh, Nicole, I will miss you. If they only could have given Abbie the stories she deserved. I loved the chemistry Tom and Nicole had together. This could be such an awesome show, a combination of Buffy, the Vampire Slayer, National Treasure, and Grimm, however, much like Once Upon a Time, they just haven't been able to recapture the magic of that first season.

Three other series that I've been watching, even though they are not "favorites," that have been renewed are Once Upon a Time, The Big Bang Theory, and Reign. I really think that Once Upon a Time has overstayed its welcome. I still watch it, but I get so infuriated with it. I've written a few posts already about my frustrations with this show, and I just don't see it ever getting better. I feel it will never be able to match the magic and originality of its first season. If it does, I'll definitely post about it. I can honestly say that I do not know why I even watch The Big Bang Theory anymore. Maybe it's because it's only a half hour show and it doesn't feel like I'm wasting that much time (or brain waves) watching it. I'm very surprised that Reign has been renewed, but maybe that means we'll finally get Mary in Scotland and we'll get into the real history that's more interesting than their fictional plots.

Even though Castle is one of my favorite TV shows, I'm not sure that I'm too broken up about it being canceled. It's had a good eight season run, and that's nothing to cry about. I've enjoyed watching Nathan Fillion as Richard Castle, and I've loved how you could have a crazy episode about an actor from a cult TV show being murdered at a comic-con-type convention, and also a serious episode where Rick's daughter is kidnapped, and Rick goes rogue to try to find her. I generally dislike procedural TV series, but when it has a great premise, such as a mystery writer teaming with a NY detective to solve murders, great characters, and not-your-run-of-the-mill murder plots, then I'll watch - for eight seasons.

Oh, Nashville, Nashville. What you've done in the name of prime time soap operas has really put the final nail in your coffin. This series started out great, as a story about the rivalry of two country singers, one who was an older, established superstar, and the other a young up-and-coming starlet. I was interested in seeing where these characters' stories would take them. I loved the original music from the show. I looked forward to going to iTunes every Tuesday so I could buy my favorite tracks. Three seasons later, I just get angry every episode at the choices the characters make. And if I'm not getting angry at the characters, I'm getting angry at the writers for not letting ONE character have any happiness or joy. It's become such a depressing show. Not even the music makes it enjoyable. So, why, you ask, do I still watch? Good question. I guess because I've grown to like a lot of the characters, and I want to see if any of them will have anything good happen to them this week. I'd just like to see one thing before this show goes away forever - Maddie, you have to see what a conniving, opportunistic jerk (yes, I could use another word here, but I won't) Cash is! If you don't, and you don't apologize to your Mama for being a selfish, teenage brat, then a shoe may make contact with my TV, and then I'll be really sad. If Juliette and Avery, and Scarlet and Gunnar get back together, and Will gets a number one hit, and Layla falls off the edge of the stage, and Daphne has a solo hit, and Rayna and Deacon have one moment of happiness, then that would just be icing on the cake. And Autumn? Well, she could just fall off the edge of the stage with Layla.

Another canceled show that I watched, but never really became a favorite, was Galavant. I was so excited when it was announced two years ago that Alan Menken would be writing the music for a TV musical set in medieval times. I am a musical junky, and thought it was such a great idea. However, there were only small bits of it that I liked. Most of it fell flat for me. I thought the music was quite generic, which was so disappointing because I usually love Alan Menken's music. I felt like he phoned most of it in. I did read that there is a possibility that it may be adapted for the stage, with a possibility of going to Broadway. If so, I hope that it aims much, much higher - especially the music.

Now, I'm looking forward to hearing what new series will be starting in the fall. I hope there are some gems in the bunch.

TV Review: 2014 Fall Season

It’s time to talk TV.

The new fall season is in full swing, and I have been pretty happy with most of the season premieres of my favorite shows so far. There's also one new show I really like, and another I'm not quite sure if I'll keep watching.

***Possible Spoilers***

Returning Favorites

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. 

The first four episodes of this series have been so good. So far, each episode has been better than the last. Agents had a really rocky first season, and I’m glad that it is getting a second season, because it’s becoming the show I’m sure Josh Whedon and his brother envisioned it could be. The show really needed S.H.I.E.L.D. to break up the way it did in Captain America: The Winter Soldier, so the characters could go in new directions. It needed the shake-up. When the first season ended we didn't know what was going to happen to a few important characters. We didn't know the fate of Fitz. Was he going to live or die? We got the answer, and I’m so glad they didn't make it simple. Fitz and Simmons were mostly in the background last season, and what they've done to Fitz’s character is heartbreaking. And actor Iain De Caestecker has given his character such depth. The scene between him and Ward in the second episode was amazing. I'm also glad they're giving Simmons more of a major part in the agency.

I like the new characters who have joined 'the agency formally known as S.H.I.E.L.D.' I especially like Lance Hunter. I also like the fact that there are characters who didn't know Fitz before Ward tried to kill him and Simmons, and they aren't trying to coddle him. I feel that is helping Fitz recover quicker.

I'm curious to see what happens with Ward. Will he help his former associates, or will he stay true to Hydra now that Garrett is gone? Does he really love Skye, or is it just an act? Hmmm.

My verdict: Loving it

Arrow

I love Arrow. For someone who was never (and probably never will be) into comic books, I certainly love many TV series and movies adapted from comic books. Arrow is one of my favorite television series based on a comic book character. I was a bit put-off by Stephen Amell’s acting in the first season, but I now attribute that to Stephen showing how uncomfortable Oliver was when he came home after five years on a remote island (well, he wasn’t on the island the whole time, we’ve recently learned, so I guess I should say 'the five years away from his family and friends'). I don’t really notice Stephen’s acting now, which is a good thing. It means he’s settled into his character. There are so many characters I like in the show, and I like the direction they’re taking them. Except for Sara. I just have to say, why? I liked her so much, and they had to do that? I understand the purpose is to help further Laurel’s transition into the Black Canary, but I have to say it again, why?

I'm excited to see Thea again and find out what's going to happen with her story. I'm not quite sure why Malcolm Merlyn is still a villain now that he completed his goal of destroying The Glades. What does he want now? That's what I want to know.

My verdict: Loving it

The Big Bang Theory

I’m so on the fence with The Big Bang Theory. I think it can be very funny, but then it will throw in crude bits that really turn me off. I remember when I first started watching it, I thought that Sheldon was one of the best fully developed, quirky characters I had ever seen on television. I loved watching him to see how he would respond in different situations because his socially skills were so underdeveloped, and Jim Parsons portrays him so well. Now, after a full seven seasons, going into its eighth, it’s a bit annoying how little he’s changed. Yes, he has a girlfriend, but he doesn't have any idea of how a normal  relationship should be (although you could argue that there isn't really a "normal" relationship). I don’t feel he’s learned anything about how to treat people or how to associate normally in social situations after these many years, now I’m just annoyed by him.

I think it’s funny that Howard was the character who was hard to like before he married Bernadette, and now Bernadette is the one who’s hard to like. She can be so mean to people if things aren't going her way. Amy is another character who was funny to begin with, and now I find her absolutely annoying. I sometimes wonder if Mayim Bailik ever reads some of her lines and thinks, “I am a highly educated women with a Ph.D. just like Amy, so why are they portraying Amy this way?”

Verdict: It’s okay. I’ll keep watching if they continue to have scenes with geeky grammar discussions.

Castle

I have to confess that I watch Castle mainly because I like Nathan Fillion. The show is entertaining and I enjoy watching it, but to me it’s really Nathan, as Rick Castle, that makes this show so watchable. I enjoy the episodes most that show how geeky Rick is. I love that they could actually have an episode with an invisible man. That’s what makes it entertaining – that and Nathan Fillion.

Verdict: I’ll keep watching

Doctor Who

We’re more than half way through season 8, and so far I’ve liked most of the episodes. In fact I’ve been happier with the majority of this season’s episodes than I was with all of episodes during Matt Smith’s tenure. Although Matt Smith really grew on me, I didn't really like Stephen Moffat’s heavy-handed timey-wimey, wibbly-wobbly stories, or his big mysterious story arcs.

I have liked the story lines of most of the episodes, although “Kill the Moon” got a little bit too “out there” for me. When the Doctor said that the moon was actually an egg I even groaned out loud.

I love Peter Capaldi as the Doctor; however, I really don’t like the personality the writers have given him. He’s supposed to be a more cantankerous Doctor, but I don’t like how they've made him mean, hard-hearted, and almost unfeeling toward everyone around him. I know it’s strange to like the character but not his personality, but a lot of it has to do with Peter’s wonderful acting.

This season still has a mysterious story arc threading through it, but we haven’t been hit over the head with it, and I’m actually excited to find out the answer to this one, instead of groaning every time a new question comes up and no answer is given.

I like Clara much better this season. She has more to do, and her character is being developed more, especially since they’ve added a boyfriend to the mix. There’s also another small mystery involving her and Danny that I’m looking forward to discovering the answer to. I guess another mystery is if Jenna Coleman, who plays Clara, will even be back for season nine.

Verdict: Happy with most of the episodes, happy with Peter Capaldi as the new Doctor, hope that the Doctor grows more likeable

Nashville

And the “soap opry” continues. I’m not sure if there’s one happy character on this show. Even Rayna and Luke, who are newly engaged, are not completely happy. There are so many plot lines in this show, and we see each character in each episode get more and more miserable. I know there’s a joke that there “ain’t nobody happy in a country song,” but I’m sure that isn't actually true about every person living in Nashville, specifically those who sing or write country music. Come on Nashville – let someone be happy about something! You may ask why I keep watching if that’s the way I feel about the show, and I’ll tell you – it’s all about the music. There have been a lot of good songs written specifically for Nashville, and I like good songs. That’s also how it was for me with Glee. That show has become ridiculous, but I kept watching through the second and third seasons because I liked the music. That’s not the case anymore with Glee. I just check out the music on iTunes now and buy what I like without watching the show. However, there are a few characters I really like on Nashville, and I will probably keep watching because of them. It would be nice if the writers gave some of them a little bit of happiness. Or maybe a lot of happiness. There’s only so much of watching miserable people that I can take.

Verdict: Watching because of the music, hoping for some joy to come into someone’s life

Once Upon a Time

I really was not looking forward to having the characters from Frozen on Once Upon a Time, especially since the writers said that they weren't going to make major changes to the characters like they have with every other fictional character that has shown up in Storybrooke, because they don’t want to offend or anger Frozen fans. It’s funny how the writers feel they can’t mess too much with these brand new beloved characters because they feel the audience won’t like it, but they feel they can mess completely with other beloved characters that have been around for more than 100 years (I’m specifically thinking about how they made Peter Pan a villain – hated that).

I want so much to like this series as much as I did the first season, but I think that ever since their original concept was resolved at the end of that first season they've been grasping at straws trying to keep the show going. I feel they must have been worried about what to do with the show when they decided to bring in characters from Frozen so they could get that fan base to watch it. One problem with having brought in these brand new characters is not everyone has seen Frozen (yes, shocking, I know *wink*), and there are some fans of Once Upon a Time who don't what he deal is with Christoph's relationship with Sven (the reindeer), or why the heck there are rock trolls. You can't just figure these things out from Once Upon a Time, you have to have some background from the movie.

The first few episodes have had sparks of light where I like where it's going, such as the romance between Emma and Hook (although I am one of the few who actually liked Neil and was not happy with his fate), but those sparks are few and far between. I do have to say though, I was afraid that they were going to make Regina evil again after what happened in the season finale in the spring, and I’m glad that they didn't go that route. I like Regina and I liked that she was changing. It would have been sad to see her regress.

The plot line of Regina wanting to find the author of the book so she can ask for a happy ending is an interesting idea, but it annoys me that they’re making these characters’ fates depend on some outside force. They should be responsible for their own actions and their own happiness. And I don’t think they've ever indicated that someone was writing the book to make them do what they do. I assumed that the book was written about what they’ve already done - a history of the inhabitants of the Enchanted Forest. However, I could be wrong about that. I do recall August putting in new pages, but it’s been so long ago that I don’t even remember the specifics about it. I just hate that Regina is basically blaming someone else for her unhappiness instead of taking full responsibility for her own actions and accepting that not everyone gets what they want.

Verdict: The addition of the actual Snow Queen has made the Frozen plot line more interesting, so I’ll keep watching. I’m also curious to see who the next big bad will be in the second half of the season.

Reign

I don’t know how much longer I’ll be watching this series. I’ve been sticking with it primarily because it’s based on the life of Mary, Queen of Scots (oh, so very loosely based), and I love British history (well, in this case it’s Scottish history, Scotland wasn’t part of Great Britain then). But deep down it’s still just a CW series. They did actually put a bit of real history in one of the last episodes of the first season when they killed off Henry. King Henry II of France actually did die from injuries suffered in a jousting accident. But other than that, there is very little else in the series that is based on actual historical events. And, even though I'm glad that they got something historically correct, I'm sad that Henry's gone, because he was actually one of the most interesting characters, and now the stories have become quite bland. I have fast-forwarded through to the end of the last two episodes, which tells me I'm no longer really interested in the show. I was looking forward to the coronation of Francis, but even was boring. Not enough pomp and circumstance for me. 

Verdict: Up in the air about this one

Sleepy Hollow

I am loving this new season. Tom Mison is even more endearing than he was last season. I do wish he would change his clothes, but I understand that it really is part of his character. Clothes really do make the man. He wouldn't be Ichabod Crane running around in jeans, a t-shirt, and a leather jacket (well, maybe the leather jacket would be good - *wink*). I like that every episode has a “villain of the week,” and that the threat of that villain is resolved by the end of the episode, but that the series still has the over-arcing theme involving the threat of the apocalypse hanging over their head.

All of the characters are interesting and well developed, and I loved that they even gave the headless horseman a character, as well as a face (in a fashion). I hope that this series continues for a long time. It’s so Buffy meets National Treasure meets Grimm. Definitely my kind of show.

Verdict: Loving it

Grimm

I’m still waiting for the season premiere of Grimm. This is one of my favorite TV series, and it’s hard to wait so long for the first episode of its fourth season. I’m looking forward to a great season.

New Series – Sticking with For Now

I started with a longer list of new shows to watch than I have in many years, but so far I've only remained interested in two.

The Flash

It shows a good actor when you see them in a series (or movie) and you really despise their character, and then you see them in something new and you adore them. Grant Gustin played a despicable snob in Glee, and did a good job making you dislike him. When I first saw him in Arrow last season, I just loved his character.

The pilot of The Flash was very fun. Most screen adaptation of comic books are dark and the superhero is brooding, but this series is more upbeat and lighthearted. I like that. I am very interested in the mystery that surrounds Harrison Wells (played by Tom Cavanaugh). I have my theory about him, but I won't reveal it here. I will tell you if I was right. I look forward to seeing Barry grow into his 'superheroness,' and hope that the season doesn't have a slump in the middle like Arrow did in its first season.

Verdict: Like it so far

Forever
Here’s the main reason I started watching this series:

Yes, that’s me with Ioan Gruffudd at a Fan Experience convention. You think that he’s good looking on screen? He is 10 times more handsome in person, he's incredibly nice, and he has a beautiful smile.

Now, about the series itself. Did I say that Ioan Gruffudd is good-looking? Sorry. I’ll get back to Forever. Ioan Gruffudd. *sigh* I just can’t seem to stay on topic. 

Okay, I will now get to my actual review of Forever. The show has an interesting premise, but at its heart it is really just another procedural drama, of which I'm not really a fan  (except, of course, in the case of Castle, Grimm, and Sleepy Hollow). Procedural dramas need to have a unique slant to them in order to hold my interest. (You know, “famous mystery writer works with a New York cop to solve real mysteries,” or “Portland cop just so happens to be a ‘Grimm’ and can see the true nature of fairytale-like creatures," or "Revolutionary war hero wakes from the dead over 200 years later, along with the Hessian soldier he beheaded, and he is one of the witness spoken of in the Bible who will stop the apocalypse."). So, unless the cases are really interesting, I’m not sure if the immortality concept (and Ioan Gruffudd) will be enough to keep me watching.

Oh, and there is one more thing I like about this series: Judd Hirsch. I just like him. That's all.

Verdict: On the fence

New Series – No Go:

I watched the pilot episodes of a few other new shows, but wasn’t impressed enough to continue with them. I’ve already posted how I feel about Selfie, and here is a summary of how I feel about the new series of which I've only watched one episode and have little desire of seeing more.

Gotham 

I've never been a fan of Batman. I liked Christopher Nolan’s Batman Begins, but I didn't care much for his two sequels of the reboot of the Batman franchise. And I never got into the Batman franchise that started years ago with Michael Keaton as Bruce Wayne. So, I’m not that interested in the origin story of how James Gordon became Commissioner Gordon. I’m sure there are many Batman fans who are so excited to see familiar characters from the comics (many when they had only their real names and not a moniker that started with “the”), such as Detective Gordon, The Penguin, Catwoman, The Riddler, etc. However, I quit watching the series after the pilot episode because I found that I really didn't care about any of the characters, nor in finding out how they became who they are when Bruce Wayne eventually takes on the moniker “Batman.”

Verdict: Not interested in Batman enough to find out how these villains became villains (or why they already are)

How to Get Away With Murder

Oh, what to say about this one. I can understand how many people may like this series. Viola Davis is a great actress, the supporting actors are good, it’s an interesting premise, and the pilot was well-written. It's also unique to have flash-forwards instead of flashbacks as many other series have. I just couldn't get past how unethical everyone is – just to get a “not guilty” verdict for a client. If this is the way our judicial system is really run, then I have little hope for the integrity of the lawyers in this country. Yes, I know it’s fiction. Yes, I know that a drama series needs drama, and the writers have to keep it interesting and keep the audience coming back for more, but I’m more interested in watching an episode of Snapped on the Oxygen channel and hearing about real murder cases than watching this show. I may give it another try, but then again, why?

Verdict: I’ll stick with Snapped

The Mysteries of Laura

A bit of a warning: this review is long and has a few tangents that are quite random (because I am nothing if not random). First of all I have to say that the only reason I was interested in checking out this series is because I like Josh Lucas, who plays the titular character, Laura’s (played by Debra Messing), ex-husband. I really like Josh Lucas.

I’m going to go off on my first tangent to tell you where I first saw Josh Lucas. Josh was in an Australian series called Snowy River: The MacGregor Saga in the 90s. The series was based on the popular Australian film, The Man from Snowy River, and Josh played Luke MacGregor, the American nephew of Matthew MacGregor, who is the “man from Snowy River” (even though his name is not Jim Craig as it was in the movie). Luke comes to Australia to make his fortune in gold, and has many an adventure in the Australia outback. (Tangent inside of my tangent: Josh’s cousin was played by a young Guy Pearce (Memento, Ironman 3), and Hugh Jackman was also in the series for one season). I loved the first season of the series. Loved it. Mainly because of Guy Pearce and Josh Lucas.

Snowy River: The MacGregor Saga

From right: Guy Pearce, Andrew Clarke, Josh Lucas

End of first (and second) tangent.

So, back to The Mysteries of Laura. As I indicated earlier, I’m really not into “cops who solve a mystery every week” type of series unless they have a unique slant. However, nothing particularly singular has jumped out at me in The Mysteries of Laura yet, and the characters haven’t grabbed me. I wonder why Laura can't be a competent mother and a competent cop. When her twin boys need her to be home with them, she complains about having to leave work to be with them. I want to see a woman who loves her job and still wants to be with her kids. And I certainly don’t want to see a mother who can’t keep her sons from urinating in public in Central Park. I don’t think it’s funny. What I do want to see is Josh Lucas. So, if I do decide to watch more episodes – it will be because of him. However, I don’t know if that’s enough for me.

Third and final tangent: Debra Messing is an interesting actress. She is very likeable, and can be very funny. Many loved her in Will & Grace, and I’m sure the networks feel having her star in a series is a good way to guarantee a hit (I just wish she could have helped Smash get a third season, but that’s another tangent we won’t make in this post). I liked Will & Grace for the most part, however, it’s really hard for me to watch Debra’s acting in Will & Grace because she always seems to smirk whenever she or the actor she’s playing opposite says anything funny. I have performed in many comedies on stage, and you just can’t smirk when something funny happens. You have to stay in character. I know it can be hard sometimes not to laugh at something funny when you’re acting (and it must have been hard not to laugh acting against Megan Mullaly and Sean Hayes), but you can actually see Debra trying not laugh. If you've never noticed it before, just go back and watch an episode of Will & Grace, and watch her mouth when she delivers a funny line, or when she’s reacting to Will, or Karen, or Jack deliver a funny line. The corners of her mouth go up like she’s trying not to laugh. So, as I watch in this show, I just wait for her to smirk. I'm not watching a character, I'm watching an actor act to catch her being a bad actress. It's very distracting.

Verdict: Nope (And what's with the title? In the first two episodes I saw I didn't notice anything particularly mysterious about Laura.)

New Series - I Couldn’t Even Watch the Entire Pilot

Selfie – I already posted about this show. It’s very annoying, and wastes the talents of Karen Gillan and John Cho. I don’t know if it will last long. However, you never know what America will watch.

Red Band Society – I thought I’d give this series a try, and couldn’t get past that it was all about teenage drama in a hospital. My definition of *yawn.*

Are you happy with your favorites still? Are there any of the above shows I decided to stop watching that you think I should give a second chance? Any shows you think I should give a look?

Season Finales: The Good and Bad

I like season finales that give me a sense of closure, and a glimpse into where the next season may go. I don't like season finales that don't tie up most of the loose ends or don't answer the questions that have been raised the entire season, or that have a huge cliffhanger. I believe if you tell great stories and develop great characters, whether they're likable or they're a villain, viewers will come back the next season to see what great stories you have in store for those characters. You don't have to have a "who killed J.R.?" cliffhanger to bring back the viewers if the show is good.

So, given those facts, here are some of my observations about the finales of my favorite shows:

***Many spoilers ahead***

Once Upon a Time

After the first half of this season I was ready to call it quits on Once Upon a Time, but I stuck with it to the end of the season. Although I think the Zelena plot line really fizzled at the end, and that the writers missed a great opportunity to actually have her go back in time (I think that could have been very interesting), the Wicked Witch of the West plot line was more entertaining to me than the Peter Pan plot line.

I liked the two-part finale for the most part. I really enjoyed having Emma and Hook go back in time in the Enchanted Forest. It was touching to see Emma witness her parents meet for the first time. She really needed that to give her a real sense of home. I enjoyed looking back again at Snow and Charming's story of falling in love, and I liked seeing it from a different perspective when Emma messed the first meeting up. And I loved the moment when Hook actually punches himself out.

It was great to see Red/Ruby again. I'm sad for the actress that her new show was canceled, but I'm sure many fans, like me, were happy to see her return to OUAT.

I'm not quite sure how I feel about Elsa coming to Storybrooke. I really prefer Once Upon a Time to base their characters on the real fairy tales, and not on the Disney version of fairy tales. So, I would be okay with the character actually being the Snow Queen from Hans Christian Anderson's story, and not Elsa from Frozen. However, this is ABC, who is owned by Disney, and Frozen is so popular, so chances are it will be Elsa, and we'll probably get Anna eventually too. I just really don't want to see a talking snowman on the show - or even a character named Olaf.

Castle

Oh, Castle, Castle, Castle! The season six finale was full of humor and surprises, and one big surprise at the end. I loved the unexpected twist of having Beckett still married to an old boyfriend and having to get him sign divorce papers before she and Rick could get married. Castle does comedy well, and I liked that the comedy revolved around Kate this time instead of Rick.

And then we get to those last few scenes. We were left hanging not only in shock, and with many questions, but with the sense that it may take another season for Castle and Beckett to get married, and if there's even a Castle for Beckett to marry. However, since the show is called Castle, and what TV execs in their right mind would tell Nathan Fillion they're gong to kill him off his titular series just because they wanted to shock the fans? No. There's a bigger mystery to that black SUV and Rick's burning car. I think it's funny that most TV writers think they can't have their main love interests on a show get married. Castle is more about the cases that Beckett and Castle try to solve than it is about "will they or won't they." They could just be the next Hart to Hart. *wink*

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

This show really started off with guns blazing, and then sputtered for a bit, but it certainly made up for it in its race to the finale. It really needed the shake up of S.H.I.E.L.D. that began in the latest Captain America film to solidify it as a great television series. If you started watching it and gave up on it in the middle, you really should go back and watch it - starting from episode 17 to the finale.

There were so many things I was hoping for in the finale, and one main one did not happen. Just like Fitz, I sooo wanted Ward to turn to the good side. It was a big shock when we found out where his allegiance lay, and it was really gutsy of them not to have him turn good at the last minute of the finale. Although, I really liked it when May actually had her chance to have a go at Ward. And when she nailed his foot to the floor with the electric nail gun, I almost cheered for her.

It was great to see Samuel Jackson as Nick Fury, and even though it was totally unrealistic that he knew exactly where Fitz and Simmons were in order to save them, it was a great moment when we saw him holding his hand out to Gemma from the helicopter.

I really like this finale, and I'm looking forward to seeing where they go next season and how they tie the episodes in with other Avenger movies.

Arrow

This season of Arrow was really good. I liked that Slade ended up being the "big bad," even though I really liked him as Oliver's ally on the island.

I was so happy to see the return of John Barrowman - even though he's a bad guy, I really like the actor. I wonder how far to the bad side Thea is going to go. I also wonder what her and Oliver's confrontation will be like if she does go "dark," and she does a lot of horrible things like "failing" Starling City. *wink*

I'm not quite sure how I feel about what Oliver did to Felicity so that they could defeat Slade. I like Felicity so much and we know how she feels about Oliver. I was kind of hopeful during their scene in the Queen mansion, and then when we found out (along with her) that it was all a ruse, I was a bit disappointed. I like Laurel sometimes - but I really like Felicity.

I am sad that Sara left. I really like her. I hope she's not gone for good.

Nashville

I am not a big fan of prime time soap operas (or daytime soap operas for that matter - although there was a time that I never missed an episode of Days of Our Lives, but that was many, many, maaaany years ago). Nashville is the only show I watch that could be considered a soap opera. Okay, who am I fooling? Nashville IS a soap opera (or should I say "soap opry"?), and I have to admit that I have become very invested in these characters. Although, there are a couple of the characters (Layla and Jeff) I think should just be written out of the show (though they don't necessarily need to go the way of Peggy).

This was a decent finale, and what I hope for the next season is... Juliette and Avery stay together, Deacon and Rayna get together, Scarlet finds a nice guy who helps her with her confidence and she writes more songs with Gunnar. However, this is a soap opera, and nothing will be that easy. *wink*

Reign

This was one of the new series that I was a bit wary of originally. I love history of the British monarchs, and I didn't want the CW to mess up the history of Mary Stuart. The historical aspect of the Queen of Scots has basically been laid to the side to tell their own story of romance and political intrigue, with a touch of the supernatural. And I discovered that I'm really okay with that. I like Adelaide Kane as Mary. I adore watching Megan Follows vacillating as the villain and an ally. I like the addition of King Henry's illegitimate son, Bash. In fact, at times I liked him better than Francis.

The season finale wrapped up many things, and set the scene for an interesting second season. Francis found out that Lola's baby was in fact his. And he's off to help her during her labor - even though he knows the plague is running rampant. Bash discovered what the "Darkness" was. And the writers decided to add a historically correct fact. King Henry really did die from after being stabbed in the head with a lance fragment while jousting. They just got the identity of the man who was the cause of his death in the joust incorrect. But then, who can really tell who's inside that armor. Maybe historians have it all wrong and the CW got it right. *wink* When I saw a joust in the preview to this episode, I wondered if the writers were really going to kill Henry. They did. And now Francis is the King of France. If you know the history of King Francis II, you know what happen to him not too long after his father died. We'll see how Reign handles that (if the show lasts long enough).

I'm interested to see how they handle all of this, and if we'll ever get to the time in Mary's life when she actually returns to Scotland. I guess it depends on how quickly time will go by in the series and how long the series lasts.

Grimm

I love Grimm. Let me just say that one more time. I Love Grimm! I've really enjoyed the addition of Trubel. It was a great idea to add another Grimm, and an inexperienced one at that.  It's also good to have her on their side because of what happened at the end of the finale. It was quite the cliff-hanger, but one I didn't mind, because it should give the show a great place to go in the 4th season.

I liked the fact that they made Adalind sympathetic for a while, and I also like that they've given her a real motivation for what she did to Nick. They should have realized that you don't mess with a mother when it comes to her child.

I'm glad that Monroe and Rosalie were able to actual get through the wedding ceremony before all of the craziness started. They are such a great couple.

I'm interested in finding out what they do with Sargeant Woo next season, now that he's seen a few pages from one of the Grimm's books. Will they add him to the list of non-Wesen (I don't know the official name they've given them) who knows about Wesen and Nick's job as a Grimm, or will Nick and Hank try to explain it away as they did before?

And then there's Sean Renard! Will he or won't he? I'm sure he won't. I think if they were going to let him die they would have done it in the finale and not wait until the next season. But... you never know anymore.

What were your favorite season finales? What didn't you like about the finales of your favorite series? What series are you most looking forward to in the fall?

2013 Fall Season: My Thoughts So Far

Every summer I look forward to the return of my favorite TV series and to discovering new favorites. This year is no different. Most of the shows I'll be watching through this new season have already started. Grimm is the only one that hasn't had its season premiere. Below are my thoughts on the shows I'm watching (and some I may not continue to watch) this season.

***Possible Spoilers Ahead***

Returning Series I'm Watching

Once Upon a Time: Oh, where do I start? This show is not so much a favorite of mine anymore. I became disillusioned with the direction of the show last season (particularly when Greg and Tamara showed up), and I'm not sold on this Neverland setting yet or on the depiction of the Neverland characters. For me, the show has jumped the shark. Or should I say "jumped the mermaid"?

I feel like the writers are just creating their own characters and giving them names of fairy tale characters or names of well-known characters in books in the public domain, just to fit into the story they want to tell. The characters in the show don't resemble the characters they are based on at all. I'm all for deconstructing fairy tales. These stories have already been changed throughout the centuries, they've been told and retold, and many stories have been based on them. But I don't like it as much when they take characters created by authors we have heard of, and are loved by millions. James Barrie created a well-loved character named Peter Pan, and he has specific qualities that make him well-loved. Once Upon a Time has twisted that character into someone who isn't Peter Pan to me. He just has that name. Sure, the writers can do what they want and write him they way they want. I just don't have to like it. And I don't.

And don't get me started about the cliche's they keep repeating over and over. "Magic comes with a price." "I will always find you." "Believe in magic." "Believe in who you are." Please, come up with some new themes. 

I'm also bored with the fact that these first episodes of the new season are just everyone looking for someone. The journey in this case is not what matters. It's just annoying watching the main characters searching through the woods of Neverland trying to find Henry, they come close to finding him, and then they're thwarted. If that's all we get this season, I'm definitely done with it.

I may continue to watch this show, but mostly out of curiosity, not because I love it.

Drop Dead Diva: I really like this show, and I like the characters. However, I'm more interested in the new cases they get every week than in what is happening to the characters in their personal lives. I'm not sure I like the Owen/Stacy relationship, and I just want Jane and Grayson to get together, and I don't want it to happen in the last episode. I want to see them happy together for a few episodes before the series finale. However, they may surprise us all and not have them get together. I will be disappointed if they don't, but we'll have to see.

Beauty and the Beast: This series started with a twist, and I like it. As long as it doesn't make Vincent's "amnesia" like Juliette's amnesia in Grimm and drag it out through most of the season, I'll be happy (it's good to learn from the mistakes others have made). When this series first aired last fall, I didn't like it very much. I was comparing too much with the Beauty and the Beast series from the 80's that I loved, and it was nothing like that series. So I was a bit disappointed. But then I stopped comparing it to that show, and began to enjoy it for what it was - not a remake, but a reworking of its original premise. I even like Kristen Kreuk as Catherine now.

Castle: I was talking to a friend about the first few episodes of this series, and we both agreed that the plot line of having Beckett get a job in Washington D.C. and then losing it after only a few episodes was just superfluous. Other than that though, I am really enjoying this season so far. Nathan Fillion's Rick Castle is such a great character, and he never ceases to entertain. The episodes so far have been entertaining as usual.

Arrow: I've really been looking forward to the new season of Arrow. It ended with a bang (literally) last Spring, but I think it's started back with a bit of a whimper. I'm ready for it to pick up again and get really exciting.

Nashville: This is one of those shows that has things I love about it (the music, Deacon, Juliette, the Stella sisters), and things I dislike (the Teddy and Peggy plot line). It's a typical soap opera, with some really good country music. I'm excited to look forward to Tuesdays again to see if there are songs from the next episode I want to buy. 

Big Bang Theory: I still love this show. Last week's episode was actually one of my favorite episodes ever of this show. I loved the scavenger hunt and how they broke out into teams, and didn't have the couples together. The dynamics with each team were so funny. I love this show when it isn't vulgar (which it can often be, unfortunately).  

Grimm: Still waiting for the season premiere. I'm so excited for this one!

New Series I'm Watching

Sleepy Hollow: I already posted about this show when it premiered. I still really like it. It's darker than I thought it would be, the demons are freakier than Buffy ever had (unless you consider the episode Hush, and no demon could be freakier than that),  and the mythology is not only doing a National Treasure-type look into American history, it's also doing a bit of its own interpretation of the bible.

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.: I really want to like this show because I love three of Joss Whedon's former series (Buffy, Angel and Firefly). I also like The Avengers film. I enjoyed last week's episode (episode 3), but the rest have been underwhelming for me. I like Agent Coulsen, but I haven't grown attached to any of the other characters. There are some good "Whedonesque" lines, but sometimes the humorous dialogue seems forced. I will continue to watch and hope that it grows on me, but this may be one I drop from my list.

The Tomorrow People: So far I like this show. I like the premise, and I think it can lend itself to some good episodes. I like Stephen (Robbie Amell), the main character. 

Once Upon a Time in Wonderland: My biggest issue with this show is that we know what Alice is looking for, and she probably won't find him until the end of the season. I hate that. I can't stand shows where there is no resolution for 24 episodes. There's such a unsatisfactory feeling at the end of every episode. Other than that, I kind of liked the first episode, mainly because of the Knave of Hearts. He kind of reminds me of Christopher Eccleston as the ninth Doctor (on Doctor Who). He's a Northern Englander, he wears a cool leather jacket, and he has a similar demeanor as Eccleston's Doctor. I just don't know if it's worth watching for him only.

It's strange to have Jafar from Agrabah in Wonderland (but this is Once Upon Time after all, and ABC belongs to Disney), and the acting of the Red Queen drives me up the wall. Her overacting (or "schmacting") reminds me of Charlize Theron as the Evil Queen in Snow White and the Huntsman. The CGI is not good, and that is annoying also.

I'll give the show a chance, but if it keeps on with no resolution to anything, and if it's like Lost or Once Upon a Time where it brings up questions that are never answered, I don't know if I'll continue to watch it - no matter how much I like the Knave of Hearts.

Reign: Mary Queen of Scots is a historical figure that I've always held a fascination for. Basing a series on the early life of the Scottish Queen, it looks like the CW wanted to create its own "network" version of the The Tudors. The show is fully of pretty girls and handsome men - typical for the CW (and really most TV series as well), and the time period gives it the opportunity for a lush look. The costumes are pretty, but definitely not accurate to the period. In fact pretty much everything, other than the subject matter, the setting, and modes of transportation, is modern. We'll see how historically accurate the show will be. Since we don't know details of each day in the life of Mary and those around her between 1558 and 1560, I think it will be more a matter of filling in the blanks with fictional plot points than being blatantly historically inaccurate.

Being that this series is on the CW, it's not surprising that there's a bit of the supernatural in the show. I don't mind it too much since there was a lot of superstition in the 16th century. However, if anyone turns out to be a vampire, I'll be dropping the show faster than you can say, "Nostradamus."

It's funny that everyone speaks with an English accent (even the actors who aren't English), even though everyone is French except for Mary, who is Scottish. Although, since Mary had been in France since she was nine, she wouldn't have had a Scottish accent anyway.

It's exciting to see Megan Fellows as the Queen of France. Many are familiar with her from the Canadian miniseries, Anne of Green Gables. It looks like she will be one of the "villains" of the show, since she is against Mary. I love her line, "We're overrun, by Scots."

The pilot set up a bunch of romantics plots, the question about how Mary will cause the death of Francis (he actually died two years after he and Mary married), and politically intrigue. We'll see if any of these plots get interesting. 

So, what shows are you glad to have back, and what new shows do you like? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Castle: 100th Episode

Castle celebrated its 100th episode with a tribute to Alfred Hitchcock's masterpiece, Rear Window. After breaking his leg skiing, Castle is homebound, and while passing the boredom by spying on his neighbors, he believes that has witnessed a murder. This is a perfect 100th episode, and Castle does this type of episode so well.

I loved watching the episode again. I caught things the second time through that I didn't catch the first time. However, I do have a bunch of questions about the episode, but I won't post those questions, because they would expose spoilers, and I don't want to spoil the episode for anyone. If you don't usually watch Castle, but you like Hitchcock, I would recommend you go to ABC's website and watch the episode. It's great.

Quotes:

Kate: Yea, well, maybe next time we go skiing you won't be such a show-off.
Castle: I wasn't showing off. Okay, I was showing off. A little bit. But I swear to you, I can do a tail grab with my eyes closed. And without breaking my kneecap.

Martha: If I don't call you on your birthday, it is not because I have forgotten.
Castle: I won't think that you've forgotten. I'll think it's because you made other plans.

Castle: Have a great time at your retreat - on your only son's birthday.
Martha: It is a spa trip, darling, not a guilt trip.

Castle: The pain killers make me a little bit loopy. Last night I used the word "speculate" three times in the same sentence.

Ryan (picking up the binoculars): You must be bored. You've actually gone Rear Window.

Kate (to Esposito): Unless the body that you're looking at is dead, I suggest you drop those binoculars.

Castle: Hey! What if I consult my phone? I can pretend I'm Charlie and you're my Angels.

Kate: Why are men such babies when they get sick or injured?
Esposito: It's an evolutionary thing. If men can get women to take care of them they have a greater chance of survival.

IRS Worker: Clara was a rare breed. An IRS agent who actually liked her job.

Castle (looking through his binoculars):

• Hmm. Must be writers.
• Oh, that better be for a sick child.
• Oh, to be young and underemployed. 
• Really? You're going to kiss him now? 
• Oh, oh. Someone's got some 'splainin' to do.
• He's so on to you. Here it comes. The inevitable. The huge break-up.
• No, no, no. Don't take the knife.

Castle: I'm not crazy.
Kate: No, but you do have a vivid imagination, and it's been stuck inside for two weeks.

Kate: Why don't you just come with me to the precinct. Focus on a real murder instead of wasting your time on an imaginary one.
Castle: Well, actually, I was just thinking about trying to do some writing today.
Kate: Well, as long as by "writing" you don't mean staring out the window and ogling at your neighbors.
Castle: No! That would be morally intrusive.
Kate: Yea, like you've never done that before.

Esposito: How's Jimmy Stewart.
Kate: You know, up half the night waiting for the neighbor to move the body.

Esposito: Sounds like someone has an ax to grind.
Kate: Or a bat to swing.

Castle: You shouldn't be watching.
Alexis: Yea, neither should you.

Ryan: Staring at a phone won't make it ring. I learned that in Junior High.

Alexis: What if I go. I'm smaller, younger and faster.
Castle: Oh, no. If you get caught, you get a B & E on your record and you'll never become president.

Kate: You're talking about an illegal search.
Castle: When you do it, it's an illegal search. When I do it, it's just illegal.

Castle: Wow. And wow. Happy birthday to me.

Castle: No, don't do it. It's too dangerous.
Kate: Not as dangerous as me if you blow up my plans.
Castle: What if he doesn't let you in?
Kate: Look at me. He's going to let me in.

Castle: How many murders do you think we've solved since we met?
Kate: I don't know, um, maybe a hundred or so.
Castle: A hundred? Here's to a hundred more.

Another Castle at Disneyland

Wow! It's been a while since I've blogged. How quickly the time flies. A week at The Happiest Place on Earth (aka Disneyland), and a bout with the flu have kept me from my usually consistent blogging.

Speaking of Disneyland, I saw Molly Quinn (Alexis Castle from Castle) on my first day there when I was walking through Fantasyland. When I first saw her, I thought she was someone I knew personally because she looked familiar, and most people who look familiar are people I know. But then I realized who she was. I love Castle, and I love Molly's character, so it was cool to see her.

I googled her when I got back from my trip to see if I could find out if it really was her, and I found her Twitter feed. Yes, she was there, and it was her first time at Disneyland. I hope she had a great time. I found a few pictures of her at Disneyland on the Internet, and I would loved to have found a picture of her in front of Sleeping Beauty's "Castle," but no such luck. (I am so funny! Okay, maybe not. *wink*) I guess the next best thing is Molly in a Wookie hat and in front of the iconic flower Mickey.

The Return of My TV Shows

It's January, and the television season will resume with new episodes of favorite series.

Here are the shows whose new episodes I'm looking forward to seeing:

Big Bang Theory - January 3rd
Elementary - January 3rd
Once Upon a Time - January 6th
Castle - January 7th
Nashville - January 9th
Arrow - January 16th
Glee - January 24th
Smash - February 5th
Grimm - March 8th

There's still no word about when Beauty and the Beast is returning. I didn't particularly like it when it first aired, but it's grown on me.

What television series are looking forward to returning?

Pic of the Week: Castle in the Rhine

Castle: The Final Frontier

I don't usually write posts on Castle, even though I watch it every week. However, "The Final Frontier" was such a great episode, that I just had to talk about my favorite parts.This was a wonderfully fun tribute to classic Sci Fi TV series. There is a murder at SuperNovaCon, a Sci Fi convention, which makes Castle giddy. I love watching Rick when he gets excited about geeky things like Sci Fi. And this time, we see a geeky side to Kate too. Classic.

I loved how the episode highlights the fact that there are so many shows that are cheesy, melodramatic, poorly written, and poorly acted, and still people like them. Everyone has their guilty pleasure. People may make fun of those fans for liking the shows, but there are reasons we like some bad shows and movies, and we can't help what we like.

Observations:

The opening of the episode is great with a Nebula-9 fan experience at the Sci Fi convention. It's so cheesy and geeky and so Sci Fi-ish. (I just made up a new word, and I like it.)

I love that the Captain of the ship in the Nebula-9 TV series was named Renard. Max Renard. There's another Captain Renard in another series I love. Hmm what show could that be? *wink*

Rick thinks that the SuperNovaCon is a genius place to commit a murder because you can "don a costume, strike down your intended victim, and melt away into the crowd, unseen."

I love it when Kate and Rick are with the coroner, Perlmutter, and Kate asks, "So, what caused the wound?" There is music that says, "wait for it, this answer is crazy," there is a pause, and the coroner says, "No clue." Such a great example of good writing and good directing.

I loved how they make fun of bad actors who think they're so great. Actors who think they're actually the character they play, and are so dramatic in real life. It's like the life of the character is so much better than their own life, so they live the life that is more exciting.

Great moment when Winters talks about Nebula-9 being canceled unjustly and he looks at Kate, and she blushes. And then it's so great when she realizes that he's just a crazy actor - nothing like the Captain he played on the show. Or, that he's actually crazy because he's acting like he is Captain Renard.

I loved the scenes of Ryan and Esposito interviewing SuperNovaCon attendees. Sci Fi fans are so geeky. Note: Yes, I like some Sci Fi shows. And no, I've never attended a Sci Fi convention.

The episode was directed by Jonathan Frakes! Okay, time for Star Trek, The Next Generation fans to geek out.

I loved watching Kate's embarrassment when the Stephanie Frye (by the way, the last name of the character Kaylee on Firefly is Frye), the actress who played Lt. Chloe, Kate's heroine on Nebula-9, says she is embarrassed she was ever on Nebula-9 because now she's finally being "taken serious" as an actress. It's true that some actors never can move past an iconic role they play. Nathan Fillion is one of the lucky actors. Fans of Firefly (like me) will always love him as Mal Reynolds, but it's great that he's found a new fan base from the different role he plays in Castle. 

A young, handsome Nathan Fillion as Mal Reynolds

It's funny to watch Winters looking at himself and preening in the two-way mirror. Ah, actors. Gotta love 'em.

Actor who plays Benjamin Donnelly, the man who made the laser blaster is none other than... wait for it... Armin Shimerman! Quark from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, and Principal Snyder from Buffy the Vampire Slayer! It's great just to hear his voice. It's so - well, Quark. He is a "purveyor of Sci Fi hardware for the discriminating enthusiast." And his t-shirt says, "Han Shot First." So many geeky surprises!

John Bobek, who plays Davis, reminded me of Alan Tudyk, who played Wash on Firefly. I wonder if that's why he was cast in this episode. And he's not a bad actor, that probably helped too. *wink* Watching this episode made me want to watch Firefly again. Watch for possible future posts on Firefly episodes, with lots of quotes. *wink*

I loved that there was a scene like an Agatha Christie novel where they plan to reveal the murderer. And it's on the replica of the bridge of Nebula-9. Cool.

The last scene is hilarious. And then the final shot - great!

All-in-all, I think this is one of my favorite Castle episodes. It was just fun to watch from start to finish.

Quotes:

Crew member of Nebula-9: If we don't warp in time, all humanity will be lost.
Captain Max Renard: If we don't wait for Lieutenant Chloe, our humanity will be lost.

Older Male Fan (after Castle signs his book): Thanks, I'm your #1 fan.
Rick: Thanks for coming. (fan leaves) How far they fall.

Kate: Cap your pen, Castle. There's been a murder here.
Rick: Here at SuperNovaCon?
Kate: Mm hm.
Rick: Shiny!
Side note: Another great reference to Firefly.

Rick: So, who is our victim? Did Doc Ock finally catch up to Spider Man?

Rick: I'm a fan of good Sci Fi. Star Trek, Battlestar, that Joss Whedon show.

Rick: Okay, this is a cool ship. The show's still lame, but this is a cool ship.

Ryan: (re: Gabriel Walters) I tried to talk to him, but he said he needed a minute to muse upon the fragile nature of human life.
Kate: Well, his minute is up.

Winters: I'm devastated. Ravaged by sorrow. I'm reminded of when 1st Office Tate was sucked into that worm hole in episode 6.
Rick: Except in this case, someone actually died.
Winters: Yea.

Winters: Last time I saw Annabel she was alone on the bridge, and may fortune guide her journey.

Rick: I think if you like Nebula-9, you're crazy enough to kill.

Kate: Perlmutter.
Perlmutter: Detective Beckett.
Rick: Permutter.
Permutter: And non-Detective Castle.

Rick: A real Sci Fi murder at a Sci Fi convention. This keeps getting better.

Rick: Let's go back to the emails of the crazed fans, and when I say "crazed fans," I'm not referring to you. You are a mega-fan.
Kate: That's fine coming from the guy with a life-sized Boba Fett in his bathroom.
Rick: Point taken.

Ryan (to fan dressed in a "wookie-like" costume): Did you see her or not?
Other Fan (dressed in a crustacean-like costume): He only speaks Mercitonian.
Ryan: Maybe you could translate or me.
Fan: I'm not really that fluent.
Ryan: Next.

Ryan: Let me begin by asking if you speak English or not.
Fan: Obvi.

Rick: Zap, said the lady. You are so busted.

Kate: Have tech look at the gun. Find out where it came from.
Esposito: As you wish.

Kate: Goes to show, some people aren't who they appear to be.

Kate: Here's what I think. Annabel got tired of your drunk carousing, and fired you from the only job that you had. So you killed her.
Winters: None of that is true. Except maybe the carousing part.

Winters: I am the face of Nebula-9. I'm the reason all those lunatics line up for days outside the convention.
Rick: Yes, well perhaps now they'll line up in front of Sing Sing.

Rick: Perhaps we should have heeded that very wise sign.

Donnelly: Raise your hands. Prepare to die.

Donnelly: So, what can I interest you in? A Klingon bat'leth, perhaps? Cylon laser pistol? Double-bladed light saber?
Rick: You have a double-bladed light saber?

Donnelly: Thorean blasters don't kill. People do.

Rick: Yes, that is an amazing piece of weaponry. (Kate looks at him) That I never want to fire again.

Kate: You were right, Castle. That costume allowed our killer to strike unseen.

Winters: Overacting much?
Stephanie: Shut up, Gabriel.

Winters: Am I the only person who find this eerily familiar?

Rick: May I? "And may fortune guide your journey."

Rick: Such is the power of fantasy.

Season Finales: Hard to Say Good-bye

'Tis the season. The season of finales.

Five of my favorite shows have had their season finales: Castle, Once Upon a Time, Smash, Missing, and Grimm. All of them had stellar finales. I'm so glad that four of them will be returning in the fall.

Missing has been canceled, and even though I liked the series, I'm not surprised. I really liked the characters and the plot, and I especially loved how it was filmed in Europe. However, I don't know if I would want to see 22-24 episodes of the characters searching for the missing Becca.

This week will be the end of three more favorite shows.

Tomorrow night is a big finale. Many of our a favorite characters on Glee will be graduating. It will be interesting to see what happens to them after this season.

Wednesday night is the finale for America's Next Top Model. This is one of my guilty pleasures. I have been watching the show for quite a few seasons. Just for the record, I hope Sophie wins, and not only because I am an Anglophile (I loved all things British).

Thursday night is the season (and series) finale of Awake. I have liked this series since its pilot, and I'm sad that it wasn't renewed. I don't think all episodes worked, but last week's episode was great. I hope it ends on a high note.