August 28, 2005

A Television Viewer's Diary: 8/21-8/27

Welcome back to me near incoherent weekly television ramblings. The fall season draws ever closer. Let us move on.....

Sunday 8/21.

  • The 4400. The disease that caused spots on some 4400 last week returns as a full blown epidemic resulting in NTAC calling for a quarantine for all of the 4400. This leads to a standoff between the government and the 4400 center. Meanwhile, Kyle attempts to make amends to the brother and girlfriend of the guy imprisoned for Collier's murder. This has taken an interesting turn as they head into the season finale, I wasn't expecting to see this turn into the war that it is heading for. ***.5
  • The Dead Zone. Ed Asner guests as Sarah's estranged father. He is in a retirement home which is being stalked by a supposed Shadow Man. That leads to Johnny getting involved as he uncovers a body farm. This failed to make much of an impression on me. This season has been enjoyable, but there has been a lack of mythology shows, which is a shame. **.5

Monday 8/22.

  • WWE: Raw. The show opened with a bang as Shawn Michaels comes down and gives a great promo regarding his loss to Hogan. That is followed up by a very good match between Shelton Benjamin and Kurt Angle, great to see two talented guys go at it in the ring. The only other match of note was a loser gets fired match between Cena and Jericho, ushering an end to the Y2J era. ***
  • The Closer. Another good episode, this time centering on the murder of an Iranian businessman who also happens to be on the watch list. Brenda has to face of with the mans traditionalist son as she tries to work with the widow to uncover what really happened. Not as strong as some other recent episodes, it is still a very good one. ***

Tuesday 8/23.

  • Miami Ink. This week features a number of different crosses and memorial tattoos. If nothing else, these guys are exceptional artists, and it is great to see them work. ***
  • Reno 911. Sadly, I remember watching this, but I don't remember it.
  • Stella. The guys decide to save money by growing their own vegetables in their floorboards. This, of course, leads to trouble as the flood the downstairs apartment. That causes them to owe a lot of money to their neighbors. Surreal bizarre comedy abounds. ***
  • Rescue Me. Tommy and his brother's investigation of their priest half brother turns up some disturbing facts. Abuse is the order of the day. I think the story was compelling, but I had hoped that a different tack would have been explored, it seems that every priest portrayed on these shows is involved in some sort of abuse. Still, this remains at the top of the summer season pile. ***.5

Wednesday 8/24.

  • Over There. Hot on the heels of Rescue Me, is this Iraq set war drama. Some people don't think they should be doing this series, I am not one of them. This is a harsh and gritty show which may help to drive home some of the reality to people. This episode features an embedded reporter whose work is manipulated to make the team look bad. Makes you think a little more about what the media shows us (if you weren't already). ***.5

Thursday 8/25.

  • WWE: Smackdown. Decent show. Featured the unlikely team of Booker T and Christian taking on the Mexicools. There was also a six man tag match to headline the show which further displayed the de pushing of Orlando Jordan. ***
  • Starved. Sam gets a date with his dream girl from the commercial, a liquid diet goes awry. This is a quirky show with no terribly likable characters. Somehow, I still find myself attracted to the shock. ***
  • It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Not my favorite sitcom, it's kind of like a train wreck, I can't look away. Charlie may have cancer so the guys get together to pay his love interest to sleep with him, meanwhile Mac gets involved with a transvestite. Like I said, a train wreck. **.5

Friday 8/26.

  • Monk. An old flame returns to Monk's life looking for help regarding the murder of her housekeeper. This gives us a bit of insight into what Monk was like when he was younger. Fun episode, nothing revolutionary but, it was fun seeing the young Monk. ***
  • Stargate: SG-1. Ba'al is discovered on Earth, and now he must be captured before Jafa start landing on the surface. Not the best season, but I am still enjoying it. ***
  • Stargate: Atlantis. A Wraith is discovered in a remote town, being raised as a human. But the town is suffering mysterious deaths, which may be due to the Wraith girl. The characters are growing on me, will have to see if it has legs to last years. ***
  • Battlestar Galactica. Adama sets out to reunite the fleet with those who left to follow the president. They all team to search for the tomb of Athena, and find the path to the mythical Earth. There is also the interaction between the latest version of Boomer and Adama, the tension could be cut with a knife. This is up there as one of the best current series. ***.5

Saturday 8/27.

  • Nothing.

End Transmission.

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