Category Archives: Television
Justified Season 3 Episode 6 – “When the Guns Come Out”
Well everything is coming to a quick head here in this episode. What’s going to happen to Raylan now that Winona’s gone? And what will be the fallout from the summit meeting between Boyd and the Motor City’s newest madman? Read the rest of this entry
The Other Shows: Death Watch Edition
So the latest ratings are out and…well TV isn’t doing well at all. I think most of us had a feeling that things were in trouble. There really weren’t a lot of shows people got excited about. But when you look at the ratings it really is bad.
If you like Once Upon a Time feel good because that shows almost certainly safe. Grimm. Well things look Grimm. The best it has to offer is that nearly all of NBC’s shows look bad except for The Voice.
Since most of the stuff on TV I can’t stand I’ll just focus on the shows I do like (or once liked).
Justified – Season 3 Episode 5 – “Thick as Mud”
This is a really cool episode, with a ton going on and some amazing dialogue. It answers some questions (we know Detroit Guy’s name now: Quarles) and raises some others (Just how dumb IS Dewey Crow?) and we get to see Quarles in a confrontation with Boyd that is pure genius (Here’s a preview: they don’t become bowling buddies, but they may start a book club), as well as some great scenes contrasting Boyd’s relationship with Ava and Raylan’s relationship with Winona. The episode, “Thick As Mud,” is based on a story that is in Elmore Leonard’s new novel “Raylan.”
Justified – Season 3 Episode 4 – “The Devil You Know”
We’ve seen a lot of different things from Boyd Crowder in this show, but usually his more extreme impulses are tempered buy the better angels of his nature, as another backwoods philosopher once put it. Rarely have we seen the sort of cold-blooded behavior that this episode shows us. And yet, you can’t help but still be on Boyd’s side, especially in the conflict that approaches him in the person of the man from Detroit (they still haven’t told us his name have they?). The first move of that conflict takes place in this episode and, as per usual, it looks like Boyd may have been underestimated. The question Boyd asks at the end of the episode is a good one:
“Knowing me the way that you do, whatever led you in your imagination to believe that you could pull this off?”
Superbowl XLVI Open Thread
Here we are folks, back at the Superbowl for another orgy of advertising, patiotism, consumption, and oh, yeah, there’s a football game too! What’s your prediction? Will the Patriots avenge their loss four years ago? Will the Giants prove their superiority? Will Madonna have a wardrobe malfunction? Will someone actually remember the words to the Star-Spangled Banner? Find out here!
The Other Shows: Valentines Edition
I’m well into my television network free existence. (And not missing it at all – although Netflix selection quality has definitely gone downhill for streaming the last six months) So if I miss a few please chime in. I’ve really narrowed my television viewing a lot.
First up Fringe. I know it’s expected to be canceled but man this has been a great season. It’s really coming together right now with the return of a dead character from season 1. I have to admit I’ll miss this one. I think they made it just a tad too complex and impossible for newcomers to follow. My suspicion is that a show like Lost just can’t be done again and Fringe is showing that.
On the other hand Alcatraz appears to be a hit and seems like it contradicts that claim. It’s an other J. J. Abrams show like Fringe and I have to admit I love it. They’ve wisely made it so there is basically an independent quasi-normal police procedural each week with then the underlying plot thrown in. Burn Notice did that you might recall (although I’ve given up on Burn Notice – it just went downhill too much). I think that Fringe managed much more one off episodes the first season but with the dual universe there was just too much going on for that to work. We’ll see how well Alcatraz manages with that balance.
Justified – Season 3 – Episode 3: Harlan Roulette
A lot happens in this episode and a lot of people get shot, but since it’s mostly people we just met, we won’t worry too much. We’re learning more about the Oxy trade in Harlan, and it looks like there’s a headlong convergence of people looking to take it over. The new guy down from Detroit is all set to get involved in the business, while Boyd Crowder is interested in taking over all criminal activity in Harlan (except prostitution, apparently) There are a lot of addicts in Harlan nowdays, so business is booming. Raylan has a joke about that:
The difference between a drunk and an addict is that a drunk will steal your wallet and feel bad about it later; an addict will steal your wallet and help you look for it.
Justified – Season 3 Episode 2 – “Cut Ties”
The names of the episodes continue to be interesting double entendres, and we see more of the scheming and planning in this episode that will set up the big conflicts of this season. Boyd’s scheme to get the Benett’s money, Raylan’s plan to buy a house with Winona, Bad guys planning and scheming all over the place, and a couple of new players with plans of their own. Read the rest of this entry
Justified – Season 3 Episode 1 – The Gunfighter
Last season we saw the end of the Bennet clan as Mags committed suicide and all her sons were dead except Dickie, who was in custody for doing all kinds of bad stuff. Meanwhile, Boyd Crowder was going back into the family business by taking over the drug trade in Harlan. Raylan got shot in the process of bringing the Bennetts down, so when this season opens, we see Winona getting pulled over and informed of Raylan’s injuries. He’s in the hospital and Art tells her he’s going to be ok: he was shot straight through with no major damage. Lucky. Read the rest of this entry
The Shows: Early January Edition
So I’m probably not the best for this column anymore since I got rid of my Dish. Which means I know only watch shows that I bit torrent or else show up on Netflix years later. Still there is a bit of news. Feel free to chime in yourself.
First up if you haven’t been watching the BBC’s Sherlock shame on you. For those of you who didn’t watch it last year this is the famous detective living in contemporary London. The season this year (also short) is even better than last year. They’ve been updating some of Doyle’s most famous stories in very creative ways. Sunday had the Hounds of the Baskerville (still available for play at BBC). Before that we had a very interesting take on Irene Adler. This Sunday we have a take on the story where Doyle actually killed Holmes (only to be forced to bring him back). It’s his confrontation with Moriarty: The Reichenbach Fall. Seriously you need to watch these. Great acting. Very creative direction. They are far better than the recent films (although I liked those too)
Steve Evans
RJH
Scott B.
John C.
Susan M
Aaron Brown
ninemoons
John Harrison
kulturblogadmin
Kyle M
Brad
KulturBlogGuest
MCQ
Wm
Rebecca
Ivan
Geoff J
btdgreg
Clark Goble
Aaron R.
Tim J
Ben
Marcus
Brad Williams
gibsonbn
