The Aftermath: Your Comments
Posted on February 9, 2008
Because the countdown attracted a small amount of interest, I see no harm in showing some of the reader questions and comments I received (primarily from responses to entries in my personal blog).
It looks like you know what you’re talking about in regards to the telly. I wish I had enough spare time and patience. – Scott
Patience is a fickle thing. I mean, I endured the whole seventh season of Gilmore Girls (and was rewarded with a couple of diamonds in the rough), but couldn’t last more than a few episodes of Bionic Woman. Most of the time, though, it’s not really patience. It’s more that I enjoy what I’m watching, getting past the fact that there will inevitably be bad episodes from time to time.
I love Gilmore Girls. Great show, not to mention Alexis Bledel is smokin’. Smallville has lost some of its thunder, but it’s still hot, especially the new season like Clark and Lana making the world shake [during sex]. – Vincent
By now, you know where I stand on Gilmore Girls, so I’ll move onto Smallville. Being honest, I’ve not been impressed with its latest season. Season 6 was pretty solid overall with the introduction of the Green Arrow (and having Lex finally showing signs of going into the dark side), as well as some great episodes in “Reunion”, “Justice”, and “Freak”, but now it feels like the writers are running out of ideas. All of a sudden, we have a gazillion Kryptonians, and I still think Lana’s outstaying her welcome with no importance other than to delay Clark’s step to becoming Superman. I don’t find it at all surprising to see that the show has hit series low ratings this time, either. Each to his own, though. It’s great to see that you’re still enjoying it.
(Re: #13 – All Hell Breaks Loose, Part I) How great to have Supernatural come in at lucky thirteen! So well deserved, of course. I’d have picked “In My Time of Dying”, “What Is and What Should Never Be”, and “All Hell Breaks Loose, Part II” amongst my favourite episodes, but in reality, all of them are great. Yes, Jensen Ackles is phenomenal [when Sam dies], but you ain’t seen nothing if you haven’t seen the rest of his amazing performances as Dean Winchester. This truly is the role he was meant to play, and he finally has the writing support to showcase what an amazing actor he is.
The beauty of this show is how every episode gives us action, drama, horror, and great brotherly insights, and then every so often, they throw in these deeply moving, very emotional angst moments that take your breath away and reveal even more about the Winchesters. Jensen and Jared [Padalecki] are mesmerizing, accomplished actors, and the writers of Supernatural give them the material to consistently knock it out of the ballpark. Supernatural is the best show on TV, and everyone needs to tune in and see what they’ve been missing. – bjxmas
This is what I mean when I say Supernatural has some of the most devoted, passionate, and crazy fans I’ve ever seen (this isn’t a dig – I’m rather jealous, because there isn’t a show that I’m just as fond as you are for Supernatural). You’ve summed up the show surprisingly well, though, behind all the gushing praise (whether it’s deserved or not, that’s up for debate…I’ll shut up now before I get shot). It excels in a lot of areas, and is genuinely creepy at times. Sure, the dialogue is occasionally clunky and Jared Padalecki’s acting is a little weak at times (…and I think I’ve signed my death warrant), but that’s not enough to keep me from looking forward to each episode every week. I totally agree that the writers do an excellent job at continuing to make the brotherly bond really genuine and heartfelt. “A Very Supernatural Christmas” is the perfect example.
For the record, “In My Time of Dying” is a 2006 episode. If it were a 2007, I’m sure it’d make my top ten. Speaking of my top ten, you must be delighted that “What Is and What Should Never Be” ended up with such a lofty position, and even more so that I’ve credited Jensen Ackles so much in that particular commentary that I’m starting to sound like you.
(Re: #16 – My Musical) “Lack of depth, emotion, and storytelling”… WTF? Every episode is built on all three? Am I misunderstood? – themovi3nut
Now, there’s two ways of interpreting your question. I’ll assume you’re sane and pretend you asked, “wait, are you being silly and stating that each Scrubs episode is built on depth, emotion, and storytelling?” I was merely comparing Scrubs’ musical with Buffy’s. Scrubs is a comedy through and through, so one wouldn’t expect it to produce a musical anywhere near on the same level as “Once More, with Feeling”. But like I said, “My Musical” isn’t meant to be compared to it – dare I say, the pinnacle of one of the greatest series ever (that’s right, not “Becoming, Part II” or “The Body”!) – and I did compliment it a huge amount by providing excellent mindless fun and entertainment. If you had asked, “but wait, isn’t each Scrubs episode built on depth, emotion, and storytelling?” we’d be here all day as I have the inability to stop ranting.
Pushing Daisies is a great show and that episode was indeed worthy of a mention, but I am surprised not a single House episode made your list. I am particularly referring to the one with “Big Love” getting Cuddy’s panties. Great list, though. I definitely enjoyed reading through it. – Jon
Thanks for the compliment. I agree that “You Don’t Want to Know” (the House episode you were referring to) was particularly strong, but along with “Half-Wit”, “Act Your Age” (I’m a sucker for House-Wilson interactions), and “Alone”, they missed the cut. However, did you know that “Three Stories” topped my 2005 list?
It’s funny that Dexter is #1, because that’s the one show I didn’t recognise at first, but then I realised [the first season] doesn’t premiere until later [this month in the US]. – Tyler
You need cable! Showtime’s where Dexter’s at, unless we’re talking about the show’s terrestrial debut on CBS (which will undoubtedly be inferior with all the editing and cutting due to swearing and nudity). So yeah, you need cable, because I’m confident that the original, uncensored episodes will remain far, far superior.
(Re: #3 – Through the Looking Glass) That episode of Lost really was unbelievable. I bet the person in the casket is Charlie, but that would be kind of predictable. – Tish
Actually, I’d say the person in the casket would be boring, and the option not many people would be expecting because of that reason. Having seen the first two episodes of the fourth season, I’m willing to bet reasonable money that the deceased is someone amongst the “Oceanic Six”. Maybe he/she was driven to suicide because of the guilt at leaving “them” behind on the island – the very same guilt that has made Jack suicidal? As for “them”, I’m confident its Abbadon’s recruits (the four parachutists).
(Re: Top Ten) Well, since I don’t watch “TV” (I’m a kid at heart and watch Cartoon Network, The Simpsons, Family Guy, George Lopez, and anything else that looks interesting), I might as well comment with something interesting like: Two of these episode titles are by Guns ‘N Roses and Led Zeppelin respectively. But in all seriousness, Dexter sounds like a thrilling show. - Eddy
To anyone not in the know, Eddy’s referring to “Welcome to the Jungle” (Guns ‘N Roses) and “What Is and What Should Never Be” (Led Zeppelin). “Wishin’ and Hopin’” is a Dusty Springfield song, too, I believe. And yes, Dexter is awesome.
(Re: #5 – Company Man) Good choice on the Heroes episode. It wasn’t my favourite from the whole season, but a tense and exciting episode nonetheless. – Paul
My main beef with Heroes – even though it’s a great show on the whole – is that it’s split up into so many initially unrelated sub-plots. What I neglected to say in my commentary for “Company Man” was that another reason why I loved it so much was because it spent the entire duration on one storyline. The attention the Bennets received really showed. That’s not to say the other episodes are bad and lacking depth – that’s certainly not the case – but there’s a real difference. Also, if there’s a sub-plot that you’re generally not interested in (e.g. Hiro searching for the sword; Simone in general), that’s obviously going to negatively impact your impression of the episode, depending on how much screentime and how little advancement these stories get within that timeframe. Of course, the advantage of having many of these sub-plots running beside each other is that storylines tend to progress faster (unless they’re filler).
On the other side of the coin is Lost. That particular show has undergone a lot of criticism in the past for not progressing the story fast enough or not answering enough questions. As I’m sure you’ll know even if you don’t watch the show, each character tends to get an episode to themselves before the spotlight moves onto the next the following week. Quite the opposite of what Heroes does, but the key to why Lost beats it in character development. To summarise? Both storytelling techniques have their strengths and weaknesses.
(Re: Top Ten) I liked the third episode a little bit more than the first for Pushing Daisies myself, but I picked the pilot for my [own top ten list of 2007 episodes], because I thought it was an original concept, and it was a more refreshing experience, since it was the first episode. “Wishin’ and Hopin’” was a great episode of Grey’s Anatomy, and “Company Man” from Heroes came so close to making my top ten as well. As for #3 and #1, you know I loved those. I just realised that my #1 was third on your list, and my #3 was first. That’s pretty cool! – Anthony
Just in case any of you were curious, his #2 was 24’s 9–10AM hour (at #11 on my list), #4 was Heroes’ “Landslide”, #5 was “Rosemary’s Baby” of 30 Rock, #6 and #7 were “The Deposition” and “Local Ad” respectively from The Office, #8 was Prison Break’s “Sweet Caroline”, #9 was “Crash Into Me, Part I” from Grey’s (my #25), and #10 was Pushing Daisies’ pilot, “Pie-lette”.
A man after my own heart, it seems.
Top 30 Television Episodes of 2007: 10-1
Posted on January 24, 2008
10. Gossip Girl – The Wild Brunch (Season 1, Episode 2)
“The Wild Brunch” is proof that you don’t need a whole season to establish a bunch of characters who are likeable and full of depth. After just two episodes, I already find myself hooked on the show and deciding who I like and who I hate. “Hate” is such a strong word, though, because each character falls in the grey area, even if some are in it deeper than others. The usually innocent Jenny reeks of desperation as she tries to be accepted into Blair’s posh inner circle, whereas Serena genuinely wants to make amends for running away all those months ago after she slept with best friend Blair’s boyfriend. Even the misogynistically portrayed Chuck has a more vulnerable side behind his scheming and constant lust for girls. Though all the punches, spilled secrets, and top-notch drama – that happens before we even hit noon, by the way – is fantastically engrossing in its own way, it’s surprising that we care so much about these core characters after such a short amount of time.
9. Entourage – Welcome to the Jungle (Season 4, Episode 1)
Just when you thought Entourage might have peaked too early after a disappointing second half of Season 3 (this seems to be a trend – Grey’s, I’m looking at you), they pull it all back in the premiere of their latest season with a terrific, refreshing twist. Set as a behind-the-scenes documentary, the episode sees actor Vince, first-time producer Eric, and eccentric and incredibly foul-mouthed director Billy Walsh shoot Vince’s latest film, Medellin. From Billy’s procrastinating to Drama’s three seconds of fame in the climax of the movie, “Welcome to the Jungle” is packed full of laughs and definitely well worth watching, even if you’ve never seen an Entourage episode before.
8. Pushing Daisies – The Fun in Funeral (Season 1, Episode 3)
For those who don’t know, Pushing Daisies is about Ned, a pie-maker whose touch can bring the dead back to life. As Jim Dale puts it, “First touch, life. Second touch, dead again. Forever.” This gift comes with a second rule, that if the ‘living dead’ is not put back to rest after sixty seconds, someone else will take their place. And so, in the critically acclaimed pilot, after he couldn’t bring himself to put his childhood sweetheart, Chuck, to rest permanently, the funeral director ended up in the obituary. Unusual as it may be, since I haven’t seen it appear in any other 2007 list, I actually preferred “The Fun in Funeral”, in which Chuck discovers the sacrifice for her second life (”accidental involuntary manslaughter” – ha!). Don’t get me wrong, the pilot was one of the most original I’ve seen in a long, long time, but this particular episode trumps in comedy, heartfelt moments, and styIe. What better to emphasize the totally awesome fairytale-esque setting by having Ned get into a Jedi fight and end up victorious, dressed like Chuck’s Prince Charming with a big ass velvet curtain wrapped around him like a toga?
7. Grey’s Anatomy – Wishin’ and Hopin’ (Season 3, Episode 14)
If you recall what I said in my commentary for “Haunt You Every Day” (#17), you’ll notice that I called it the “best episode of Grey’s since mid-Season 3″. Now I’m saying that “Wishin’ and Hopin’” is the best episode of Grey’s since the Season 2 finale. (Oh, Denny. We still miss you.) Here, Meredith’s mother, who has Alzheimer’s, wakes up lucid. Though this may be good news for some, even if it is just temporary, Meredith has to endure her mother’s harsh words that she’s a disappointment and nothing more. Meredith takes the rest of the episode to gather up the strength to respond to her, telling her that she hopes that maybe in five years time, there will be a cure. “And you and I will have another chance to get to know each other. You’ll have a chance to get to know me – to see that I am not even remotely ordinary.” “You remind me of my daughter”, the once great Ellis Grey replies. Sniff, I hate this show sometimes.
6. Supernatural – What Is and What Should Never Be (Season 2, Episode 20)
All you Jensen Ackles fans who got high after reading my praise for him in “All Hell Breaks Loose, Part I” (#13) can prepare themselves for another dose, because he is equally stellar here. “What Is and What Should Never Be” sees Dean in an alternate reality – one where his mother didn’t die that terrible night. Also in this world, Jessica is alive and well, and Sam, bless him, is a wimp and doesn’t know a thing about hunting. Every time Dean got himself attached to this reality, I couldn’t help but feel sorry for him. When he hugged his mother in relief, when he was genuinely happy after Sam and Jessica announce their engagement, even when he was doing something simple like mowing the lawn and appreciating being normal, though I was happy for him, I dreaded the moment he snapped back into the real world. I’m not exaggerating when I say that Ackles pretty much nails each scene brilliantly. And when Dean realises he has to go back – dammit, Jensen – that was heartbreaking.
5. Heroes – Company Man (Season 1, Episode 17)
To sum up “Company Man” in one sentence, it’s an episode Lost would be excessively proud of, and that’s saying a lot. Flashbacks detailing the mysterious and ambiguous Mr. Bennet’s life working for the Company are interweaved with present day events, where Matt and radioactive Ted take the whole Bennet family hostage, believing that the man with the horn-rimmed glasses holds the key to their powers. But, underneath the hard front HRG has been putting on – attempting to execute invisible Claude, amongst other shady actions – he’s ultimately a family man. He loves Claire as if she really is her biological daughter, and he shows that at the end of the episode in a really touching and teary moment, where he’s prepared to go to incredible lengths and get shot with part of his memory wiped to ensure her safety. Even without the heart-wrenching scenes that “Company Man” pulls off, the episode is packed of incredibly intense drama (the standoff where Matt shoots Claire stands out amongst other almost equally exciting scenes) and superb special effects, especially for television.
4. Veronica Mars – The Bitch Is Back (Season 3, Episode 20)
Everything comes full circle in Veronica Mars‘ swansong. Veronica’s reputation is tarnished once again after someone secretly filmed and released a sex tape of her and Piz, and her father (Enrico Colantoni at his best) returns to being a nobody, having destroyed evidence and effectively lost the sheriff race to protect his daughter. I’ve been vocal about Veronica Mars‘ sub-par final season, but her seething hunt to find who was guilty for that tape was riveting. I can’t have been the only one who was stunned when she came across that massive portrait painting of Lily. Who knew the case would end up with the Kanes? That, and Veronica confronting the ever-so-optimistic Dick were some of the highlights not just of the episode, but of the entire season too. But the show ends focusing on Keith and Veronica’s close father-daughter relationship – which has remained one of the best aspects throughout – and the final shots of Veronica pointlessly voting for her father at the ballot and walking away in the rain is nigh perfect.
3. Lost – Through the Looking Glass (Season 3, Episodes 22/23)
The Futon Critic two weeks ago listed this episode as its number one of 2007. Though it fell a little short of achieving the same feat with me (that said, its #3 placement should be more than enough to show how much I loved this episode), he accurately sums up why the season finale was so darn impressive: “In my first look at the show in 2004, I talked a lot about how it was rare to find a show that tickled your imagination, that pushed the boundaries of what you think television can and can’t do. This episode – nearly three years later – touched on those exact same feelings. After all, could you believe that they would actually get off the island at the end of season three – let alone not realize you’d already spent two hours exploring Jack’s post-island experiences?” Couldn’t have put it better myself, Mr. Futon. Who was in the casket? Who was Kate going back to? Why does Jack’s life suck so much after they get off the island? And that’s on top of Charlie’s predicted death, which was executed incredibly well. His last act was passing on a message to Desmond, “NOT PENNY’S BOAT“, which of course, raises the question that if it’s not Penny, who is coming ashore? It’s not long now before Season 4 arrives, and I for one can’t wait for it.
2. Chuck – Pilot (Season 1, Episode 1)
This may be a bold statement, but I’m willing to say that the pilot episode of Chuck is right up there with Lost’s back in 2004. I didn’t know what to expect going into this show, yet by the end of the hour, I had no other words than, fittingly, “awesome” (as my sister will attest to). Dammit, any pilot that makes me shout “holy crap” out loud while giggling like a toddler deserves to be in my top three! Entertaining, full of laughs, yet touching, Chuck hit all the right notes. Not only is the title character a simple geek with no superpowers, weapons, or anything that gives him the upper hand against some of the most dangerous people out there – someone we can relate to – but the show is full of other quirky key characters (Adam Baldwin’s John Casey being my favourite – Baldwin delivers each line incredibly spot on). Though Chuck hasn’t come anywhere near to living up to my expectations after the pilot episode, first impressions were fantastic and more than warrants its high placement on the list. I tell you, you’d be hard-pressed to find another show that has the bumbling lead defuse bombs with porn.
1. Dexter – Resistance Is Futile (Season 2, Episode 9)
I could go on forever about how the episode carries some of the most suspenseful moments of the entire year on television. I could talk about how it continually manages to be funny, an impressive feat for a show about a serial killer. But it takes just five minutes at the end to shoot a top ten episode up into the number one slot. Let’s not beat around the bush here, the protagonist is a vigilante murderer, an antihero. Granted, he only kills fellow murderers who have escaped the law, but the fact still remains that he’s a killer, something you can’t justify. Yet, at the same time, Dexter (the always sublime Michael C. Hall) is very much a likeable character, and one who’ve we rooted for since the pilot.
Where do our loyalties lie, then, when Doakes (excellently played by Erik King) – a hard-working member of the police force and arguably the one in the “hero” role here – finally finds out the truth about Dexter, catching him red-handed with a victim’s body parts, and has him at gunpoint? Who do we cheer on? How are we supposed to react? In those few moments, I didn’t dare turn away from the television. In those few moments, I didn’t even try to predict what would happen; I just wanted to watch. And when Dexter – after being shot in the leg – gets his co-worker in a sleeper hold and imprisons him in a cage, when Doakes wakes up as Dexter runs out and shouts at the top of his lungs, “YOU’RE GONNA HAVE TO FUCKING KILL ME, MORGAN”, each day you wait for next week to come becomes so bloody slow.