THE WALKING DEAD 415 AND 416: US AND A

So, I failed and didn’t get a review of “Us” out before the season finale. I know. I am disappointed with myself too. To be fair though, my brother did get married last week (on a Friday nonetheless) so things were a little hectic in my outside-the-blog life. Plus, I spent the first 4 days of the week reading the entire Divergent series of books. Looking back, it was probably not a great use of time (but, in case you are wondering, the series is not a difficult read). However, those are the choices I made, so I (and unfortunately you) must now deal with them. Luckily, I don’t think I really had much to say about last week’s episode. I will make a few mentions of it below, but mostly let’s just focus on the finale. Don’t hate me for saying this, but I was a little disappointed in how the final episode went. Let’s get to talking about it though.

1. So about “Us” – A few weeks ago I said I was over the whole Glenn finding Maggie thing.  And, perhaps the Glenn and Maggie reunion was dragged out a little too long (and was probably the least compelling story we had in the second half of season 4).  However, I did spend a lot of “Us” balling, yes, literally sobbing, over them reuniting. And, I am tearing up just thinking about it.  So, maybe I was more invested in the story than I originally thought or maybe I am really just such a girl.  Now, if only they didn’t get immediately thrown into a train car right afterwards (more on that later). At least they are together, right?

2. Some other thoughts on “Us” – I will admit I was a little surprised by Eugene’s insistence on going back for Glenn and Tara. When did he get so attached to Glenn?  I mean Tara is hot, so I get the desire to help her (even if she does prefer the ladies).  However, I don’t necessarily find Glenn to be the type of guy to rally behind.  At least the decision by Eugene gave us the badass moment where Abraham, Eugene, Rosita, Maggie, Sasha, and Bob came through the tunnel and saved Glenn and Tara’s butts. I might have done a fist pump at that moment.* It was kind of awesome.**

*Have you ever looked at the actor, Josh McDermitt, who plays Eugene in real life? He was on Talking Dead last week. I would not have recognized him in a million years, even if he was standing in front of me poorly shooting a machine gun. See what I mean?

**I don’t want to spend too much time on “Us” now that we have seen what happens next. Ultimately, “Us” just reinforced how bad Joe’s crew is and raised a lot of questions about Terminus. Questions we still don’t have many answers to.

3. Now let’s talk about the finale – HERSHEL!! I would say that Hershel flashbacks were somewhat unnecessary, if I didn’t love Hershel so much.  So, if I am being completely honest, I was happy to see Scott Wilson again.  However, I felt like the flashbacks got a little excessive.  Now, I understand that this season was largely about the evolution of Rick both as a man and as a father. Thus, flashbacks of Rick transforming into farmer Rick were meant to emphasize the stark contrast of the now post-prison (and post-Hershel) person Rick has become (i.e., a man who is confident in his abilities to overcome just about anything).  I am just saying that I don’t know that I needed so much of a reminder of how everything that happens can shape a person.  I got that Rick has now become a confident badass willing to do whatever it takes to save the people he cares for.  The whole Joe confrontation solidified that point for me.

4. OMG!! – That was my reaction first when I saw Joe’s crew holding Rick, Michonne, and Carl and gun/knife-point. And, then Rick bit out the guy’s neck and I screamed. I mean, he literally took a chunk out of Joe’s neck! I didn’t know that was possible to do. It was gross, it was awesome, and it was epic. That being said, my problem with the whole scene was that I felt like the show was rushing to the end of the Joe/Rick manhunt and ultimate confrontation. It was just last week that we found out that Joe was hunting Rick.*** Then, within the first few minutes of this episode we had Joe find Rick and Joe get killed. It happened too fast and that took some of the drama out of it. Really, the episode should have been longer so we could have seen more of the pursuit. Then, I would have been even further on the edge of my seat when the actual confrontation happened. As it stands though, I feel the conclusion of that aspect of the story was rushed.

***I thought Daryl figured out last week that Joe’s crew was hunting Rick.  Did anyone else think that?  Based on Daryl’s comments to Rick post-confrontation though, I guess he hadn’t.

5. Do you think Rick and Daryl will get matching tattoos? – I think Rick and Daryl just made their bro-mance official. Let’s just say it was a special moment when Rick told Daryl he was his brother. I have no doubt that this meant a lot to Daryl, given that it finally means he has a family–one that might not be totally psychotic either (well except when they are chewing through someone’s neck).  Sometimes the family ties you find are stronger even when they aren’t necessarily ties by blood.

6. More rushing – Going back to my point earlier, this whole episode felt rushed to me. And, honestly, the episode could have been better served with an extra 15 minutes.**** The resolution of the Joe storyline happened too quickly, as stated above, and, in my opinion, the whole Terminus thing happened too quickly. I know that the writers wanted “everyone” to get to Terminus by the end of this season, but I felt like most of the finale episode was just an outline of plot points that the show decided needed to happen before season 4 ended: (1) find Terminus; (2) go inside Terminus; (3) realize things seem weird; (4) get shoved into a train car; (5) give a great last line. However, had the episode been extended (or had more of the final few episodes been spent in Terminus) the story may have been given time to breathe, so that when the chase scene happened and then the train car prisoning occurred, the audience would have been so invested into what was happening at Terminus that a certain level of devastation would have been felt for the situation the characters now find themselves in. Instead, all I really remember about the Terminus scenes is a lot of shooting, some BBQ, and Rick’s last line.*****

****Or, I would have ended the episode at the point where Rick sees Hershel’s/Glenn’s watch.  Then more of the Joe story could have been dealt with and we would have ended on the cliffhanger of Rick with the watch-stealer as a hostage and guns pointed at him.  Cut to black.  Sounds like a good cliffhanger to me.

*****We all know Rick would have dropped an f bomb. I don’t buy Rick Grimes saying “they’re screwing with the wrong people.” Is he a 13 year old girl?

7.  Where is Beth? – And why does no one care?  I don’t see how Daryl can just say that Beth is “gone” and Rick can just accept that.  Daryl, why didn’t you tell Rick what happened?  Maybe the 4 of you could have gone on a Beth search instead of walking into the death trap that is Terminus.  I NEED TO KNOW WHERE BETH IS AND I DON’T WANT TO WAIT 7 MONTHS TO FIND OUT.  Someone get Scott Gimple on the phone.  But, please tell me creepy Mary isn’t wearing Beth’s sweater.

8. The million dollar question – Are there cannibals at Terminus?  So, if you have read the internet today, you know that there is a cannibalism storyline in the comics.  Now, the show doesn’t always conform to the comics so much of the speculation today (and last week) has been about possible cannibalism.  I think there was some evidence of it in the few glimpses of Terminus that we got, but I don’t think there is any way of knowing until we reach season 5.  Which, let’s be honest, is really annoying.  (I am not the only one annoyed, clearly: http://www.uproxx.com/tv/2014/03/walking-dead-creator-robert-kirkman-addresses-terminus-questions/).  Here is what we know though:

• There was a pile of skin and bones as Rick, Carl, Michonne, and Daryl were running through Terminus;

• The residents of Terminus were clearly not trying to kill the group of four and instead were forcing them to the train car with their shots, so they want them alive for some reason;

• You can hear people in other containers screaming to be let out as the group runs through Terminus (they must not like living in the containers);

• Messages in the “church” room like “we first, always” seem to indicate that Terminus people value themselves a lot more than outsiders;

• A lot of BBQ-ing is happening, Mary always seems to be at that grill;

• It’s clear that the people at Terminus want to lure others to their location, hence all the  signs and radio communications;

• And, there are some weird phrases said by Terminites that could mean various things.  For instance, Mary tells Glenn and co. “We’ll make you a plate” when they arrive and another resident tells Rick and co. “The more people become a part of us, we get stronger. It’s why we put up signs, take people in.  It’s how we survive.”  That’s creepy;

• Powdered milk (used to fatten livestock) is outside the train car; and

• Finally, there was a lot of talk in the final episode between Rick, Michonne, and Carl about hunger, food shortage, and trapping.  Foreshadowing perhaps?

Don’t worry we have a long time to think about all of this.

-LJ

PS.  For those of you interested, I will start discussing Game of Thrones on a weekly basis after it premieres this Sunday.  CJ says he may try to do weekly posts about Mad Men too.

MAD MEN UPDATE: SEASON 7 PROMO PHOTOS RELEASED

AMC released more season 7 promo photos yesterday.  What is clear from the photos is that the characters are definitely part of the groovy sixties.  What is less clear is whether the gang has chosen to forget all their differences and take one big vacation together.  Somehow I doubt that is actually the case.  We won’t have to wait much longer to find out though.  Season 7 of Mad Man premieres April 13th on AMC.

Here’s a link to GQ if you want to check out all of the photos:  http://www.gq.com/blogs/the-feed/2014/03/mad-men-season-7-promo-photos.html

-CJ & LJ

AN OPEN LETTER: TO NASHVILLE

Nashville wasn’t new this week, so it seems like a good time to reflect on the show and more importantly the story lines that have been happening lately.  Because frankly, the show is making me crazy!  (and, not crazy in a good way).  So, here are my thoughts Nashville.

Dear Nashville,

I am trying really really hard to love this show.  I really am.  I stuck it through the first season, when things were rough (especially the first half of the first season) and I have been patiently plodding through this season each week hoping that this will be the episode that will win me over completely.  Let me be clear, I am not saying that I do not like this show because I do.  I like you, Nashville, but I want to love you.  You, however, are making it so hard.  In an effort to be completely transparent, here are the issues I am having.

(1)  Where is all the music?  You know what kept me around the entire first season, the amazing songs I got each episode.  I love good music and I love country music.  It seemed like each episode in season 1 gave us a spectacular song.  I still remember Maddie’s and Daphne’s performance of “Ho Hey.”  It was magical.  And, the first time Scarlett and Gunnar performed together.  I mean, come on.  I died.  Just listen to these songs; there were so many to choose from, I literally just spent an hour listening to clips trying to only pick a few.  Hardest thing ever.

The level of music in season 2 has not been the same though.  Now, I am not saying there haven’t been good songs this season.  Maddie and Deacon’s “A Life Thats Good” and Scarlett’s “Black Roses” were two of my favorites.  But, I want more.  I want my show about the lives of people in country music to be filled with country music (or music in general).  If music is what drives these people, then it should be driving the show as well.  It should be the center of each episode.  I want to want to buy a song every episode.  And, that just isn’t happening this season for me.

(2)  Don’t break Avery.  Let’s be honest.  Avery was awful in the first season.  He was a huge d-bag and didn’t serve much of a purpose other than driving Scarlett into the arms of Gunner.  But, you know what, the show did an amazing thing.  It rehabilitated Avery.  It made Avery more than just a single-layered character.  It gave him a purpose and it gave him depth.  Amazingly, I now love Avery.  He is my favorite character.  But, over the last few weeks it seems like the show is determined to make him a jerk again (i.e., yelling at Gunner and acting like he is too busy for a band that he said he wanted to be a part of).  I don’t need Avery reverting back to the “Avery Barkley” of season 1.  Avery as a talented musician and producer, who helps out his friends, and is supportive of his girlfriend is a guy I like, actually a guy I love and one of the only reasons I am still watching this show.  If you want to broaden his story line that’s fine, but there is no point of rehashing the jerk arc that we have already seen.

(3)  A drug problem, really?  It seems like the show doesn’t know what to do with Scarlett this season now that she isn’t the center of some sort of love triangle.  They tried to make her angry Scarlett, but that just seemed so out of character.  And, now they have given her a drug problem and another broken heart.  Isn’t it possible to have a female character on this show, who is single, who is happy, and who is living her dream?  Apparently it is not.  My guess is that Scarlett’s drug problem gets worse.  Deacon (also an addict) discovers it and tries to help her.  She refuses help and eventually she hits rock bottom where someone, most likely her uncle, Avery, or Gunner, helps pick her back up.  (If it is one of the latter two, then I am sure another love story will emerge).  The only thing that could make this drug problem better for me is if Scarlett has a full on Jessie Spano moment and sings “I’m so excited, I’m so excited, I’m so scared.”  That is the only way to salvage this mess.

(4)  I am so over love triangles or love squares.  The show apparently isn’t willing to keep anyone together for very long, but now the love triangles are getting repetitive and I am over it.  Last season we had the Teddy, Rayna, Deacon love triangle.  Now, this season we have another Teddy and Deacon love struggle, only this time there is a new girl in the mix (Megan, Deacon’s gf).  It’s the same story though.  Deacon and Teddy fight about a woman.  I’ve seen it, I’m done with it.  (Actually, I am done with Teddy and Deacon literally fighting about everything).  The same repetitiveness is true of the Scarlett and Gunner love story this season too.  Last season, it was Scarlett, Gunner, and Avery.  This season it is Scarlett, Gunner, and Zoey.  No one’s love life can be this dramatic (unless you are a character on Grey’s Anatomy, I suppose).  Let’s just give it a rest.  PS.  Don’t get me started on the completely repetitive story lines of Juliette picking the “wrong” guy for her and then getting hurt or betrayed or damaging her reputation.  How many times has that happened so far?  Probably too many to count.

(5)  Will, it’s okay to be gay.  Another story I am ready to move on from is the Will can’t handle his sexuality story arc that just keeps going.  Look I get it, Will is gay and he is struggling to come to terms with it and he is afraid he won’t be accepted because of it.  You have been drilling it in my head over and over again.  Here are my particular issues though:  (1) it’s 2014, and I feel like the show isn’t recognizing this; TV and society have gotten a lot more progressive in recent years and I am having a hard time buying that Will’s career will be ruined if he is found out; and (2) even if we want to go along with the story that Will’s career is over if he tries to be a gay man in country music (side note – I am not passing judgment here on whether it is or isn’t, I obviously have no experience in the country music industry, so I have no idea how hard it would be to be a gay man at all), his story isn’t progressing at all, every week we just get Will visibly upset because he is gay; and, whether he is gay or not, this story line is tired.  It’s time to figure something else out to do with Will.

(6)  I can’t anymore with Rayna’s family – I am so very over Rayna Jaymes’s family drama.  Whether it is the stupid story line about her father or her being upset with her sister for lying, the part of the show that has dealt with the side issues of Rayna’s family has always bothered me.  I want Nashville to be a show about those entertainers (whether newbies or veterans) in country music.  Teddy’s failed projects or struggles as mayor, Lamar, and Tandy (at least Tandy is involved with Rayna’s label now) have always seemed superfluous to me.  Let’s just be glad Peggy and Lamar are finally gone at least.

So, there you go Nashville.  Those are my thoughts.  I intend them to be constructive, not to be harsh.  Because like I said above, I do like your show.  I just feel like it can be better.  And, I really want it to become a must-see each week.  Right now though, you haven’t hit that mark.

Peace out.

-LJ

PARKS AND REC UPDATE: RENEWED IN THE LEAST EXCITING WAY POSSIBLE

Here at YBTV we love Parks and Rec.  So, we are beyond excited for actual confirmation that the show will be getting another season.  The network had previously indicated that Parks and Rec would be getting a seventh season back in January, but now I believe it can be considered officially confirmed.  The announcement came in a press release about the renewals of Grimm, Chicago Fire, and Chicago P.D.  Oh well, we don’t necessarily care how the news got to us, we are just looking forward to spending more time in Pawnee with Leslie Knope and company.

Other NBC renewals that have been announced include:  The Blacklist, The Voice, and Celebrity Apprentice.  There are still many NBC shows out there that we are still waiting for news on though (of particular importance to us, namely Community and Hannibal).

-LJ & CJ

NEW NETFLIX COMEDY IN THE WORKS (updated)

Netflix announced today that its next original series will be “Grace and Frankie,” a half-hour comedy featuring Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin (who starred together in Nine to Five).  Netflix has given a 13-episode order to the series, which was created by Marta Kauffman (co-creator of Friends) and Howard J. Morris (a writer and producer on Sullivan & Son).  Apparently, Fonda and Tomlin play longtime rivals whose lives are turned upside down when their husbands announce they’re in love and are going to get married.

I am a big fan of Lily Tomlin; I think she is hilarious.  And, Jane Fonda has been one of the better parts of the Newsroom, in my opinion.  I also think this show has an interesting premise and certainly has the potential to be funny.  Since Netflix doesn’t release information on the demographics of its subscribers, it is hard to know how this show, which obviously features stars from an older generation, will do.  I wonder how interested 18-49 year olds will be.

In all likelihood CJ and I will at least try this show out (unless reviews are terrible), but then again we try and give most things a chance.

Other upcoming new original series by Netflix include Sense8, Marco Polo, and the final season of The Killing.

Sense8 – is a sci-fi drama project by the Wachowski siblings (behind The Matrix) and J. Michael Starczynski (behind Babylon 5).  It is described as “a gripping global tale of minds linked and souls hunted.”  Whatever the hell that means.  Apparently, the drama will focus on 8 people scattered around the globe who are connected by a shared violent vision.  It’s 10 episode seasons is supposed to be released in late 2014 or early 2015.

Marco Polo – is a 9 episode drama of politics, manipulation, and deadly warfare among clashing empires.  It will focus on Marco Polo’s journey which takes him to the center of a brutal war in 13th century China.  This drama was originally developed by Starz.  It is being produced by the Weinstein Co. and will premiere in late 2014.  In a weird twist of events, Ju Kun, a veteran martial arts expert and assistant martial arts choreographer on Marco Polo, was on the Malaysia flight that has disappeared.

The Killing – 3 seasons of The Killing originally aired on AMC, but the show was canceled by the network last fall.  A final 6 episode installment will air on Netflix.  I believe you can watch the first 3 seasons on Netflix currently.  I have never watched The Killing.  CJ watched the first season, but skipped the second after getting frustrated with season 1.  However, when he heard that season 3 had improved, he gave it a shot again.  According to him, the penultimate episode of season 3, “Six Minutes,” was one of the best hours of TV last year.  I bet he will watch the final 6 episodes.

Update:  Netflix announced this evening that Sam Shepard has signed on to play the father of four deeply scarred siblings in an upcoming untitled psychological thriller from the creators of Damages.  Shepard will play the husband of Sissy Spacek’s character and the head of a brood played by Kyle Chandler, Linda Cardellini, Ben Mendelsohn, and Norbert Leo Butz.  The show will apparently follow how the family’s secrets are unearthed when the black sheep older brother returns home.  Now, this sounds like a show I can get on board with.

Currently, you can find the second season of House of Cards on Netflix and we are getting second seasons of Hemlock Grove (which CJ and I didn’t watch) and Orange Is The New Black (which I am obsessed with) soon.*

*I don’t think there has been a release date announced for Hemlock Grove yet, although it debuted in April of 2013.  Orange Is The New Black comes back June 6.

Are y’all interested any of the new Netflix shows?

-LJ

GAME OF THRONES UPDATE: ANOTHER TRAILER

Yesterday, Game of Thrones revealed another new trailer for the upcoming fourth season.  This is purportedly the “final” trailer for the season.

The trailer the song “Devil Inside” performed by London Grammar and includes some new footage.  The Lannisters take centerstage in this trailer, with Tyrion worrying about what Cersei is plotting next and Jaime claiming his love for his sister (yet, he doesn’t seem too happy about it).  I am personally still hoping for a Jaime and Brienne of Tarth love affair, but who can really say what will happen this season (unless you have read the books and in that case, don’t tell me anything!).

Again, Game of Thrones (like almost every show) is premiering in April.  Time to break out the Game of Throne tshirts and your dragons.

-LJ

THE WALKING DEAD 414: THE GROVE

FINALLY.  The moment I have been waiting for since we first saw crazy Lizzie naming the walkers.*  Lizzie is gone.  Unfortunately though, so is her sister.  Not that I was attached to Mika, but that has to be one of the most brutal deaths in Walking Dead history.  And, we didn’t even see it!  Anyways, let’s get to talking probably about one of the most controversial episodes so far in the show.  (At least, I am assuming there is some backlash for killing a kid.)

*To be fair, I have not necessarily been plotting Lizzie’s death since she first appeared on screen (also, I can’t remember if her and the other kids naming the walkers was Lizzie’s first appearance, but it was at least the first one I can recall off the top of my head).  But, we have all known that this girl has been a psycho, so for the safety of everyone and for my own sanity, I am glad she is gone.  Now, do I feel great about the execution of a child…no, even in the zombie apocalypse that is a tough pill to swallow.

1.  Did Carol and Tyreese make the right decision?  This, I am sure, there is some disagreement about, but I ultimately think Carol and Tyreese did make the right decision, especially after the many wrong decisions that had been made with respect to Lizzie (i.e., leaving her alone with the other children repeatedly).  This episode brings about a tough question though, what do you do with someone who is a psychopath in the zombie apocalypse?

If that person is an adult, you kill them.  No question.  I feel like that is a decision anyone can easily make.  But, what if that person is a child?  There aren’t any mental institutions anymore, so you have three options: (1) you keep the psycho with you; (2) you leave the psycho to fend for herself; or (3) you kill the psycho.  Admittedly, none of these are great options.  But, then again, is there ever really a great option in The Walking Dead world?  No, every option sucks, so you try and pick the one that sucks the least (that is my expert analysis anyways).  Carol and Tyreese could not keep Lizzie with them.  She had already told them that she planned to dissect Judith, just like she did Mika.  And, it is virtually impossible for them to watch Lizzie 24/7.  Further, they also can’t take her around any other people now that they are aware that Lizzie is capable of killing any living person.  So, option 1 is definitely out.  I personally think leaving Lizzie alone is the cruelest option and would almost certainly end up with her turning into a zombie and hurting others.  So, you are left with option 3.  Yes, it is disturbing to think about and disturbing to watch.  But, there is literally no other viable option.  The zombie apocalypse is about making tough choices and this was a choice that I think Carol and Tyreese had to make.  And, frankly, I am glad that they did.   I literally could not handle any more Lizzie.  RIP girlfriend.**

**I feel like the writers did not need to rehash every creepy thing Lizzie did at the prison for us to realize how crazy she was.  I am pretty sure every audience member figured out Lizzie was the one feeding the rats to the zombies at the prison as soon as we saw her with a mouse (actually we pretty much had it figured out before then too).  I am also pretty sure we figured out pretty easily that she was the one that did the dissection as well.  So why did the writers feel the need to spell everything out for us after Lizzie killed Mika?  I am really not sure.

2.  I killed Karen – One of the things that drives me nuts with The Walking Dead is when the writers are so obviously building to an event on the show.  Ever since Carol and Tyreese got back together, we have all known that they will have the Karen and David conversation; it has just been a matter of time.  And, as soon as I saw the previews last week, I figured that this would finally be the week where Tyreese learns the truth. (This was further confirmed by every word out of Tyreese’s mouth being about Karen).  Sure enough, it happened.  Granted, I thought the scene was nicely written and extremely well acted, especially by Melissa McBride (Carol).  But, I wish I wasn’t expecting it the entire episode.  I wish I didn’t know it was going to happen.

3.  No backstory on Tyreese? – What’s up with that?  The cold-open this week was crazy Lizzie playing with a walker.  In my mind, that did little to help the storyline.  We already knew Lizzie had an unhealthy  relationship with the zombies.  I didn’t need this confirmed by anything else.  What I did need was more info on Tyreese and Karen because all I remember is the two of them being together for like a minute on the show before she died.  However, if there had been a flashback showing the two of them engaged in a really meaningful moment or demonstrating their love and devotion for each other, then Tyreese’s choosing to forgive Carol at the end of the episode would have meant so much more.  Instead, I still think Tyreese sounds like a crazy love-sick puppy who was way too emotionally attached to a woman I never fully saw him develop a relationship with.  You missed a serious character development chance here Walking Dead.

4.  What if Lizzie really could hear the walkers? – I admit this is somewhat weird to think about and possibly unlikely, but Lizzie told Mika that she could “hear them.”  WHAT IF SHE REALLY COULD?  No, really think about it, what if the walkers actually could communicate and Lizzie could hear them?  What if somehow Lizzie could have been a clue to finding a cure?  What if Lizzie was the only sane person on The Walking Dead and Carol murdered her?  Don’t think about it too hard.  It will blow your mind.

5.  The fire – Does it seem likely that the fire we saw burning in this episode was actually the house Daryl and Beth set ablaze?  These character development episodes we have been getting in the back half of season 4 seem to be jumping around in time, so it is entirely possible that the fire was caused by Daryl and Beth.  After all, there were a crap load of walkers going towards the house when Daryl and Beth finally fled, so it wouldn’t be surprising that burned walkers would have resulted from the house fire.  Plus, it seems like everyone is so close to each other in terms of location (and yet at the same time so far away), so it is possible.  I still don’t understand why the group didn’t have a rondevu point planned out.  This bugs me immensely.

6.  I miss Rick, Carl, and Michonne – That’s right.  I said it.  I miss these three.  Where are they?  What are they doing?  It’s been too long.  I need to know what is happening with them.  Next, I need to know what is happening to Beth.  Then, I need to know what is happening to Daryl.  I could wait awhile before I see the Sasha/Bob/Maggie storyline again though and for some reason I don’t really miss Glen all that much.  Missing Carl is a strange, strange feeling and one that I am not all that comfortable with, to be honest.

7.  Walkers aren’t the only ones to fear – Season 4 seems to focus on a certain theme:  Humans might be greater monsters than the walkers.  This episode again proves that point.  In the end, it was a human (Lizzie) that did the most destruction in The Grove.  Again proving that whether you are alone or with a group, you are never truly safe in the zombie world.

What did y’all think?

-LJ

SHAMELESS UPDATE: CASTING NEWS

We don’t talk about Shameless enough on this blog.  It is definitely one of my favorite shows on TV.  And, while the Gallaghers are going through some tough, tough stuff right now (that is often times hard to watch), this dark comedy is having another fantastic season in my opinion.  This year some new characters were added to the show and one in particular has apparently made her mark.  Showtime has promoted Emily Bergl to a series regular for season 5.

Bergl is currently completing a 10-episode arc as Sammi Gallagher, a long-lost daughter of Frank Gallagher (played by William H. Macy).  Sammi has spent most of the season getting to know her dad, as well as her many siblings, and taking care of Frank as he withers away (and hopefully dies…I love William H. Macy, but Frank is the worst human ever).  With Fiona struggling and continuing to spiral downward, it will be interesting to see whether Sammi takes over the role of matriarch of the family and how Fiona deals with it.  We already can tell that Debbie is quickly bonding with Sammi.

I feel bad for Fiona this season, but I have been enjoying Sammi and the more time she spends in the world of the Gallaghers, the more and more I like her.  If she is a true Gallagher though, at some point, her self-destructive behavior will take a toll and hopefully we will be around to see it.

Congrats to Emily Bergl and if you haven’t been watching Shameless.  Start.  Like yesterday.

-LJ

LOUIE UPDATE: SEASON 4 PREMIERE DATE

FX announced today that “Louie” season 4 will premiere on Monday, May 5th at 10 p.m. (Eastern).  This comes 19 months after the show’s last episode.  FX will air two episodes each Monday night, at 10 p.m. and 10:30 p.m., and there will be 14 total episodes.  I do not watch the show (although I have seen Louis C.K. do standup, which was fantastic), but CJ is a big fan.  This is what he has to say:

“Finally. After 19 long months without being in Louis C.K.’s weird little world, Louie is back on FX this May. It would be nice to say we should know what to expect, but that’s what’s great about Louie, you never know what you’re gonna get. Always original, always thoughtful, often hilarious and sometimes devastatingly sad, Louie is FX’s most daring and original program, and I, for one, can’t wait to have it back. If we get anything even remotely as good as ‘Duckling,’ ‘Miami,’ ‘Daddy’s Girlfriend,’ or ‘Late Show,’ we are in for a real treat that is well worth the wait.”

-LJ & CJ

MY LOVE LETTER TO VERONICA MARS (THE SHOW AND THE GIRL)

There are so many posts you could do about Veronica Mars.  This could be a post about my favorite episodes; it could be a post with the best Kristen Bell clips from the series; heck we could debate Logan vs. Piz until the end of time.  But, rather than do that (just start googling, I am sure you will find articles about all those topics), I thought it more appropriate to explain why I love this show and this girl so dang much.  So, here you go.

I was a late-to-the-party marshmallow.  I started watching season 1 of Veronica Mars about a year ago.  However, I can honestly say, from the pilot episode I was hooked.  Hooked in a large part because of Veronica herself.

Veronica is a worthy lead character, a worthy heroine, and a darn good role model.  She is smart, quick, resourceful, resilient, funny, sarcastic, and loyal.  She could be me (or more realistically, a better version of me) and that is what is awesome.  Veronica doesn’t need superpowers to overcome obstacles; she is incredibly capable of figuring things out for herself (although, it wouldn’t hurt for her to ask for help sometimes).  This seems to be a rare thing in female lead actors these days.  Moreover, I think her best quality is that she does not care about what people think of her.  She knows who she is and she is comfortable with it.  This is a challenge for most adults, much less a highschool girl who is certainly not having a pleasant time in highschool.  We don’t often see strong female role models who are capable to standing up for what they believe in or the people who they believe in and that is what makes Veronica and her show incredibly special.

I don’t want you to think that I am blind to Veronica’s faults.  Because, I certainly know that she has them.  But, isn’t that what also makes this show even better?  The lead character isn’t perfect.  She isn’t necessarily an impossible standard for someone to achieve.  Moreover, watching Veronica cope with her trust issues, dishonesty, and her own judgmental issues, helps the viewers realize that these are qualities they should try to stay away from in their own lives.  We all go through some crappy situations in our lives and it is obvious that Veronica has had more than her fair share, but isn’t there something positive and inspiring about a girl who can keep going on and living her life (even if she has a few emotional scars from it)?

Now, we can’t have a conversation about Veronica without also addressing her father and her friends.  Veronica and Keith’s relationship is by far the single best relationship of the show.  Keith has managed to raise a smart and independent daughter all on his own.  I think the most important quality about Keith is that he respects his daughter.  I know he doesn’t always agree with her or her decisions, but in the end, we (and she) always know that Keith will be there for Veronica and that unfaltering love and devotion is what makes Keith a great dad.  Great father/daughter relationships aren’t found very often on TV and especially a father/daughter relationship where both parties try their best to be honest with each other.  Let’s face it, Keith and Veronica are special.

And, finally, we come to her friends:  Wallace, Mac, and Weevil.  Wallace is a gem.  He is the best friend that anyone would be lucky to have.  Further, the Wallace and Veronica relationship is again a tool to demonstrate that Veronica is not perfect–she does take advantage of Wallace’s friendship.  But, true friends are there for you always and are even willing to call you on your sh*t.  Wallace is a true friend.

What can you say about Mac, other than that she is completely awesome.  I think one of the best parts of season 3 of Veronica Mars is that Mac is given a chance to be a more developed character.  What’s special about the Veronica and Mac relationship is that both girls are willing to let the other person shine.  They are two girls who are not in any sort of competition with the other and that, my friends, we don’t see very often on TV.

I am not sure that everyone would consider “Weevil” to be Veronica’s friend, but over the course of the show I think it has become clear that Veronica and Weevil hold a special place for each other in their hearts.  And, Weevil is able to bring out Veronica’s sense of loyalty and ability to see the best in a person and those are qualities that make Veronica great.  Plus, watching Weevil and Veronica hatch schemes together is nothing but great TV.

I know I didn’t talk about the many “boyfriends” of Veronica Mars in this post because, while I love the constant Logan vs. Piz debate (let’s be real, Duncan never stood a chance…but then again, Leo was pretty awesome), the love-triangle dynamic is not what this show was about.  It was about a girl who overcame a lot of obstacles in her life to become the kick-ass person that she is.  She ain’t perfect, but in my eyes she is truly something special.  And, I can’t wait to see her on the big-screen.  Can’t you tell?

Now if only I could decide which Veronica Mars shirt to wear…

-LJ