Glee is currently the shining beacon in TV critic land but how long will this last when they insist on focusing on Rachel, Finn and Will yet again as well as giving them the main leads in the songs. I’m not saying Lea and Cory aren’t talented by really some of the other cast members are way stronger singers. Plus the characters themselves are moving from being merely grating to plain annoying.

The insistence of the writers to continue the drama between Rachel and Finn seems like a big mistake to me, one minute she wants to be with him the next he dumps her to play the field and within mere minutes Rachel is falling for rival Jesse St James only to be told by Finn at the end of the episode that he really wants to give their relationship a try. I get that teenage relationships change more frequent than the colour of Sue’s tracksuits but its getting pretty ridiculous now. Same with Will, newly separated from his wife and High School sweetheart he jumped into a relationship with Emma at the end of the first half of the season, only to be freaked out by her confession of virginity, so what happens? He ends up making out with Vocal Adrenaline coach oh and that song he picked to dance with Emma too, turns out it was his Junior Prom song with Terri, and we are meant to like this guy?

I let the fact that they focused mostly on a few of the characters slip in the first half the season as the show was finding its feet, but clearly the writers still haven’t listened to what the audience and critics have said, we want more time dedicated to the other characters like Artie, Mercedes, Tina and Kurt – you know the ones that can actually sing and are interesting. The only saving grace of the episode was the continued put downs by Sue and the brilliant one liners Brittany gets.

The problem seems like it won’t be changing anytime soon judging by the publicity and photo shoots the show has been getting its all about Rachel, Finn, Will, Quinn, Puck and Sue. Can you spot the common thread with those characters compared to the ones excluded? Not a trick question by the way, it’s a simple answer, the ones excluded are minorities (ethic, gay, disabled), is this deliberate? Unfortunately yes it is, Hollywood and the TV Networks like to harp on about being inclusive but in reality they have a long way to go before it will ever truly be a diverse place to work in.

Its troubling and equally frustrating, when Glee first hit our screens last spring with its pilot it was refreshing, a show about high school that had enough snark to put it ahead of shows like Gossip Girl and 90120, but now it seems every week we are hearing more about the big named guest stars appearing and have now been told characters like Kurt won’t be getting his boyfriend till Season 2. Yes its a big cast and its hard to include all characters at all times but maybe a Rachel lite episode once in a while wouldn’t be a bad thing, believe it or not we are interested in everyone in the show.

So will I continue to watch it? I’m giving the benefit of the doubt for the next few episodes because I want to love it, don’t think I don’t want to!

Have to say I’ve been looking forward to a new Doctor for some time but I won’t go into the flaws of the RTD era, lets instead look at the shiny new Moffat/Smith/Gillan era.

The Doctor won me over with the “Beans are evil, bad bad beans” line because I’m allergic to baked beans and hate the damn things, The Doctor knows the woes of baked beans!

I like Matt Smith, he was a bit Tennantish mad but the Doctor is always crazy when he first regenerates, hopefully he will calm down a bit.

The actress who play young Amy was fantastic apparently she is Karen’s cousin in real life hence why they looked so alike, I hope we get to see young Amy again I like her.

What I love about Amy as the companion is how she waited her childhood for the Doctor to return, how she drew cartoons and wrote stories about him that her boyfriend and neighbours know all about the Raggedy Doctor.

The new TARDIS IS GORGEOUS as the Doctor said ‘you sexy thing’ OH YES!

Hmm so speculation about the series as a whole, found it a bit weird how the Doctor turned that radio(??) off like he was trying to hide something from Amy, connected to the whole silence falls thing?

Really looking forward to the rest of the series, a new era awaits and what fun we shall have

On one hand we have Team Jacob which you know includes Jacob who is awesome and his new BFF Hurley who is also awesome but sadly also includes Jack. Team Jacob can offer a chance to fulfill destinies

On the other side is Team Flocke which has Smokey who is totally evil (that’s my take on Smokey anyway) but amazing, Sawyer and Crazy Eyed Claire but you know also seems to be intent on hurting our beloved Losties. Team Flocke can offer a chance to return home….if you believe him that is.

Where will the remaining Losties stand?

Jin will basically do anything to find Sun (and really they are so close to finding each other but this being Lost I’m sure some horrible obstacles will get in their way) and could be lured into either side if it meant being reunited with his wife.

Miles seems to be sticking at the Temple for now, I see him staying with Hurley and thus Team Jacob. I just want him to have a plot-line please.

Kate claims she just wants to find Claire but how will that go down? Will she flee from Team Flocke or join them? If she wants to reunite Claire with Aaron she may have to join forces with Flocke as he claims to want to leave.

Sun and Frank aren’t really on any team at the moment though seeing as they are following Ilana who is clearly Jacob’s side their allegiance could end up there.

Sayid has been ‘claimed’ but can the man who turned into an Assassin to save his friends really go darkside? I see Sayid fighting against his ‘destiny’ and not giving in to whatever infected Claire and presumably helped send her mad.

Richard is firmly in the Jacob is the greatest camp and we love him for it. Loyalty is endearing after all.

And what about the miscellaneous others? The ones that were with Richard, followed Flocke and now have fled to the temple, plus the group of others currently residing there and the remaining survivors of flight 316. Of course they may just end up being unimportant, killed off like the the Forgurt and co were by Keamy. Yet ultimately they may prove to be something more, after all if a war is brewing you always need foot soldiers. Will the Others become fed up with the word according to Jacob and hedge their bets elsewhere?

Finally there are the unknowns, people like Desmond who we can assume will play a role in this season, the Island isn’t done with him or so Eloise informed him. Ben followed Jacob, then killed him after years of being ignored but if as some people have speculated Jacob planned his death, he could easily forgive Ben of his misdemeanor. Mr Linus has always been a complicated character he may have been fairly quiet since sticking that knife in his former boss but I suspect he has plans. And I’m not ruling out Aaron and Walt playing a part in the ultimate fate of the Losties and the Island. Also Charles Widemore, a former leader, exiled a bit like Smokey being trapped only in reverse, surely he hasn’t given up on getting home?

As of 06×05 The Lighthouse here are the current teams.

Team Jacob: The ghost of Jacob, Hurley, Richard, Illana & Jack (he may not have accepted it yet but he will)

Team Flocke: Smokey/MIB/Locke, Claire & Sawyer.
Still to decide: Kate, Jin, Sun, Frank, Miles, Sayid (will fight against going to the Flockside), the Others, the 316 survivors.
Unknowns: Desmond, Ben, Aaron, Walt and Widemore.

Where I stand, currently Team Jacob, yes he has manipulated their lives but Smokey killed people like Eko! Eko damnit!

It seems that a lot of people who were fans of Battlestar Galactica haven’t given its prequel series much attention, I’ll admit at first I was a little underwhelmed by the prospect but 5 episodes in and I’ve come to realise Caprica is much more than just a history lesson, it’s a compelling piece of drama which could easily be watched as a companion piece to BSG or entirely on its own.

Caprica is has been unfairly touted as a soap opera it’s more like a Greek Tragedy, we all know that the eventual consequences of the characters actions will led to the first Cylon war and all the pain and misery that followed 50 years later but how we get there is oh so very intriguing.

The basic plot is that a busy train is blown up by terrorists, but not just any terrorists rather Soldiers of the One who are a monotheistic group. Yes they believe only one god exists. Sounds familiar? It should because those pesky Cylons had the same belief system. Well that’s what happens when a grieving scientist known as Daniel Graystone decides to go into the Virtual World where his terrorist inclined daughter Zoe spent a lot of her time and accidentally ends up merging her avatar with the first Cylon. Yep, things are kinda crazy in Caprica.

The main story is the two grieving family of Adama (that would be the great William Adama’s father btw) and the Graystones are trying to deal with the lost of families in the bombing, Joseph has lost his daughter and wife and Daniel and Amanda Graystone their daughter. But its more than just grief and drama, we learn a lot about the other colonies, Tauron especially but Gemenon is going to play an important role as well, we also see how technology obsessed the people of Caprica were before the war and how this ultimately could prove to be their downfall.

The characters themselves are full of intrigue, at first I didn’t have a lot of love for the main teenagers Zoe her friend Lacy and Tamara Adama but I have to say they are all pretty badass. Zoe is dead and yet she’s alive as her avatar self and the robot, and its great seeing how the edit the scenes so that they flow seamlessly from Cylon Zoe to Avatar Zoe. Lacy is the best friend trying to fulfil a promise and Tamara well don’t wanna give too much away but after watching There Is Another Sky she is pretty damn badass and clearly has a role to play in the story.

Sam Adama, Joseph’s mafia type brother has got to be the best character in the series, he is fantastic, a loyal Tauron who takes his young nephew Willie under his wing, Sam is intense, funny and also it seems gay which I love because it wasn’t this big deal it just is. Oh and he has a stable relationship!

Sister Clarice Willow is portrayed wonderfully by Polly Walker, she is obviously a supporter of the Solider of One group but how far is she involved and why is she so interested in Lacy?

Also there has been a lot of debate amongst fans about the inconsistencies between the two shows, like isn’t Willie too old to be the Bill Adama we all love? And why did he never mention having a sister before? I personally think that this isn’t the real Bill Adama and that something happens and Joseph ends up having another son. I believe that the writers know what they are doing with this show. I also wonder if its coincidence that Daniel’s PR lady is played by the same actress who played Kat in BSG? Are they meant to be related or just liked the actress? Oh and is Daniel the missing 7th Cylon mentioned in the final series of BSG?? Hmmmm intrigue and conspiracies start to form.

Caprica may not be action packed, there are no explosions in space or dogfights against Cylon Raiders but its slowly building its characters and plot and really what we think we know happened is bound to be turned on its head. Its drama at its finest and I only wished more people would watch it so it gets a fighting chance of a second series.

Top 25 Shows of the Decade: Featuring Spies, Vampires, messed up families, Dolls, Cops, Serial killers and some badassery.

Alias {2001-2006}

It took me a while to really get into this show, but by the time S1 had ended and the crazy plotlines began to reveal themselves I knew this was a show I could really enjoy. For me it was the supporting characters that made it watchable, I didn’t warm to Sydney for a long time but Jack, Will, Marshall, Weiss and of course Sark all captured my attention. The mythology was nuts at times, the twists insane and the cliffhangers just completely unfair. I think it ended when it should’ve, and we got a happy ending.

Favourite episode:‘The Telling
Favourite moment: Sark’s entrance onto the show…bad ass mf
Favourite quote: Sark:” Not a problem; my loyalties are flexible”

Angel {1999-2004}

My favourite spin off series ever (until you know we get the Mohinder Monologues). Angel at times not only reached the heights of its sister show but scaled right over it, Season 2 and 5 being particularly awesome. Angel was a lot darker than Buffy and worked well because of it, it also took a several characters from the original show and made them way more intriguing and likeable, Cordelia was always great as the Bitchy Cheerleader at high school but she gained more depth after receiving visions from the Powers That Be, Wesley transformed from bumbling Watcher to a heartbroken wreck of a man who had to make some pretty tough decisions during the show five seasons. Even Angel himself became more rounded, not just the brooding vampire with a soul, but someone who cared from his son, helped his sire, tried to walk the thin line between helping people and doing whatever it takes to save the world. It also brought in a host of other great characters such as Gunn, Fred and Lila. Angel ended way too soon but its cliffhanger ending though soul destroying for fans was also kinda cool.

Favourite episode: A Hole In The World
Favourite moment: Angel gets down and dirty with Darla expecting to lose his soul….in a twist he doesn’t!
Favourite quote: Angel:” Let’s go to work” (final words of the series)

Arrested Development {2003-2006}

I adore the absolute insanity of this show about the dysfunctional family Bluths. Seriously it gave me faith in American comedy again, from poor old Michael trying to sort his messed up family up, to George Michael helplessly in love with his cousin and failed magician Gob every character is so damn hilarious the entire show is a laugh riot. Oh and I love Ron Howard’s hilarious narration. Really hope the planned movie goes ahead I need more of the Segway loving banana stand owning family!

Favourite episode: Justice Is Blind
Favourite moment: The entire Franklin saga, really Gob, really.
Favourite quote: Gob: “How’s that for a resume?”

Battlestar Galactica {2004-2009}

Battlestar was another one of those shows that I became hooked on in a brief period of time, namely one summer day in 2006 when the World Cup was on and I was trying to avoid football I sat down and watched the mini-series, then series 1 in the space of about 2 days, then starting going through withdrawals until the S2 DVDs came out, then watched it again solidly for days. Yeah I became an addict, and really how can’t you be one of this show? I loved just how realistic and depressing it was, I loved and hated the characters, I wanted to know if they were ever going to find Earth, if Baltar really was a Cylon, who the hell Head!Six was, what Kara Thrace’s Special Fracking Destiny was really all about, I wanted answers to everything. BSG wasn’t perfect in the end, I loved the actual ending of the series but felt like at times it could drag when there seemed to be so many questions that needed answers! But for me it came through. The character I was deeply emotionally invested in Baltar whose questionable actions throughout the series made him both deplorable and somehow sympathetic (at times!) got the chance to redeem himself, his relationship with Six and how they helped almost end humanity then help save it was just perfect.

Favourite episode: Sometimes a Great Notion aka the most depressing episode ever but perfect for it
Favourite moment: End of Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II, with its jumping forward a year and the Cylons taking over New Caprica
Favourite quote: : Six: “All this has happened before, and all this will happen again”

Buffy the Vampire Slayer {1997-2003}

The show may have started in the 90s but it still had a few more seasons left in it this decade. Buffy has topped the list of my favourite TV show since it began back in 1997 and despite its weaker later seasons (which I still enjoy) 2000-2001 saw my favourite Buffy season after its sophomore year, Season 5. This was the season when Buffy had to grow up, her mother died in one of the most heartbreaking pieces of TV produced (The Body) and she faced the biggest threat yet in the form of the seemingly unkillable Glory. The danger felt real and final four episodes were so intense with Tara losing her mind, the entire gang on the run, and the final sacrifice made by Buffy to save the world and her sister in The Gift.

Season 6 had its issues I’m not gonna deny it but it also had Dark!Willow, Buffy/Spike messed up relationship and Once More With Feeling. Season 7 was much stronger but I’m glad it ended when it did to carry on in comic form. Buffy, she saved the world a lot and helped shaped TV.

Favourite episode: The Gift
Favourite moment: The gang walking their separate ways down the corridors of Sunnydale High during Chosen
Favourite quote: Xander: “I laugh in the face of danger! Then I hide until it goes away.”

Dexter {2006-present}

I’m not one for crime shows, if I’m going to watch something that involves detectives and murders then I need it to be something different, I guess a blood splatter analyst who kills murderers and scumbags in the sunny state of Florida counts as different right? Dexter works so well for me because of Michael C Hall’s performance as the serial killer who happens to work for the Miami police force is just so damn good. The voiceovers bring this deadpan humour, his ongoing struggle to follow the Code set by his foster father , trying to led a normal life and stay of the rader of his colleagues is wonderfully tense at time. I wonder just how many more seasons they can make without it getting ridiculous that he hasn’t been caught yet but for now Long Live Dexter and his Dark Passenger.

Favourite episode: Left Turn Ahead
Favourite moment: We find out Rudy is in fact Dexter’s brother and the Ice Truck Killer.
Favourite quote: Dexter: “Something nameless was born here, something that lives in the deepest darkest hole of the thing called Dexter.”

Doctor Who {2005-present}

If you are British like myself then Doctor Who has always been there even before it came crashing back into our lives 2005. Though it was cancelled when I was fairly young I remember watching Sylvester McCoy as 7 and I remember the failed movie in 1996 with the overlooked Paul McGann as 8 but it wasn’t until the new series came back that this show grabbed hold of my heart and well stamped on it a million times over and made me come back for more angst! There has been so many touching moments in the show, and so many exciting and scary ones as well. So many shows since have tried to replicate the success of Doctor Who as a show for all the family but none of them have ever worked because there is something so comforting and familiar about seeing the TARDIS disappear and reappear, of connecting with the latest companion of seeing the anguish 9 & 10 have faced that it lures you back in every time.

Favourite episode: Tie between Turn Left & The Parting of the Way
Favourite moment: : The meaning of YANA becomes very clear as the Master reveals himself….awesome beyond belief
Favourite quote: The Doctor: “Everybody Lives, Rose! Just This Once, Everybody Lives!”

Dollhouse {2009-2010}

Last minute edition which will probably be cemented by the season finale next month. This was a show that started average, that raised a lot of questions about sexual exploitation, morality and why every time Echo was imprinted she ended up sounding like Faith the Vampire Slayer. But then this show is becoming an example of how you shouldn’t judge a show by its beginnings but rather by its endgame and what an ending this is turning out to be. I could go on about its unfair cancellation but enough has been said about that already and perhaps why it ultimately failed to engage audiences is that it brought up too many uncomfortable questions , it was also too Echo orientated and it started as a ‘imprint of the week’ show instead of an arc show that Whedon wanted by couldn’t persuade the network to allow. Things thankfully changed and the second half of S1 showed the potential it could have, DVD only Epitaph 1 then came and shook everything up big time. But as S2 began there was almost this horrible feeling that it was slipping back into the early average days, then by shear coincidence the episodes that aired after the cancellation was announced finally allowed the show to become what it needed to be, epic, arc orientated, character based sci-fi awesome drama with twists and turns that actually make sense and a strong sense that this show will be remembered long after its gone, not just as a study of network interference and cancellation but possibly as a series that reflects our completely unhealthy obsession with technology and sex. Of course it might just be remembered for Eliza Dushku looking hot but I hope not.

Favourite episode: The Attic…seriously holy hell
Favourite moment: Sierra and Victor sharing a pod together at the end of Belonging
Favourite quote: Topher: “Certain enough that I have serious ethical problems trying to wake him up”
Boyd: “Topher has ethical problems. Topher!”

Farscape {1999-2003}

Welcome to the crackiest greatest most emotional show with puppet aliens ever! I only bring up the puppets because I’m convinced this is why Farscape never made it big, people didn’t take it seriously when really they should’ve. Yeah human lost in strange alien space isn’t a new concept in sci-fi but the inventive ways the show dealt with this fish out of water scenario were always entertaining, often insane, messed up and heartbreaking. I haven’t watched the show in its entirety for quite some time so I definitely want to rewatch it soon but Crichton’s fight for survival with a bunch of fugitives on a spaceship as whole host of bad guys chase them, join their side, betray them, kill them, plant chips in Crichton’s head that causes Head!versions of my favourite villain Scorpius to appear dressed as a bunny, all of these reasons are why I love the show.

Favourite episode: Die Me, Dichotomy
Favourite moment: Aeryn and Crichton finally reunite and everything is like omg yay till they get zapped into a million pieces and like the show gets cancelled! Thank god for the mini-series
Favourite quote: Crichton:“Bill Gates can’t guarantee Windows. How can you guarantee my safety?”

Firefly {2002}

It was too short, its cancellation stung, it symbolised a troubling trend of networks killing off shows before their time but also it was a damn good show. I don’t think we will ever know if the Western Sci-fi would ever reach the heights of Joss Whedo’ns other shows but these 14 episodes and the film that followed certainly showed a great set of characters in a interesting world. Whether it was the mystery behind what had happened to River, the undeniable likeability of Capitan Mal, the sweet will they won’t they relationship of Simon and Kaylee, the badassery of Zoe , the adorkably of Wash, the allure of Inara and the sheer stupidity of Jayne, the characters are what made it for me.

Favourite episode: Ariel
Favourite moment: The funeral scene in The Message always tugs at the heartstrings
Favourite quote: Wash: “Ah! Curse your sudden but inevitable betrayal! Ha ha ha! Mine is an evil laugh! Now DIE!”

Heroes {2006-2007}

You will notice the dates I put for Heroes, well that is because I refuse to acknowledge the show after Season 2. I was somewhat reluctant placing this show here, you know what we me now hating it but I would be pretty stupid to deny that for 2 years this show controlled my TV life because it did and they were a giddy 2 season. In my pre downloading everything days I waited for Heroes to hit British TV in early 2007, so I avoided any spoilers and most of the hype and just watched it…oh until I got to like Unexpected and decided if I didn’t download and watch the rest of the series immediately I would die or something. So yeah 8 hours later I was hooked. Its hard now to remember why I became addicted to this show, but thinking about it, it wasn’t the cool powers, or the twists and turns or the epic cliffhangers, it was the characters and their journey, it was geeky Office Worker Hiro wanting more in life, it was naive dreamer Peter needing to be a hero, it was spurned son Mohinder determined to finish his fathers work, it was HRG defending his family no matter what. It was the people not the shock tactics of killing characters, not how many women Sylar can be a sleaze too and certainly not ridiculous plotlines and retcon. But Heroes gave me many things, great actors whose work I will follow long after this show is cancelled, great friends who I met because of the show and a more critical eye when watching shows these days.

Favourite episode: Five Years Gone
Favourite moment: Mohinder fires the gun – Sylar stops the bullet.
Favourite quote: Sylar: “You and I have trust issues, doctor. Give it to her, first. Let me see you save her. Then if it works… I’ll let you save me”

House {2004-present}

Really this show is about the characters, the disease of the week storylines can be exciting sometimes but more than often unless its a great guest-star they are easily forgettable. House and his colleagues aren’t. Bitter, sarcastic genius House is brilliant I especially love how the end of season 5 put him through the wringer and he is come out still as awesome as ever. Then there is long suffering best friend Wilson who I absolutely adore and HBIC Cuddy. I miss Kutner though he was my favourite team member.

Favourite episode: House’s Head/Wilson’s Heart
Favourite moment: House losing it at the end of S5
Favourite quote: Patient’s Mother: “You’re talking about brain surgery”
Dr. House: “I’m talking about really cool brain surgery”

Life On Mars {2006-2007}

Once upon a time, Sam Tyler a modern day cop got hit by a car and woke up in 1973 in a world where everyone was a ponce, beating up suspects was normal and one Gene Genie Hunt ruled the roost. And thus begins the best British TV show of the decade. Life on Mars was a cop show without being one of those procedural crime shows I (and Dean Winchester) hate. The case of the week were compelling and the fantasy/sci-fi/wtf elements of the show blended in nicely. Sometimes you really doubted whether Sam was just in a coma world or not, and then the ending oh the ending, really how many times are you rooting for the main character of a TV show to actually jump of a roof? But and here is the thing that intrigues me the most is that because of its spin-off show Ashes to Ashes, the full mystery of who or what Gene Hunt is, whether that land that both Sam and Alex found themselves in is real or not has fully not been answered yet. The shocking ending of the second series of Ashes to Ashes and the promise of a final one next year still means the mysteries of Life on Mars have yet to solved. And I think that when Ashes end we will re-examine its parent show and realise what we thought we knew was right isn’t.

Favourite episode: Final episode
Favourite moment: The ending of the series, the way Israel Kamakawiwo’ole’s version of Somewhere Over The Rainbow/What A Wonderful World plays over Sam deciding the only way he would be happy would to be to kill himself, making the ending one of the most uplifting ones to any series of this decade by essentially advocating suicide. Yep insane but true.
Favourite quote: Gene: “It’s 1973. Almost dinner time. I’m ‘avin’ ‘oops”

Lost {2004-present}

I feel like I can’t make a final judgement until the show wraps up next May and the ending is revealed and everything (well almost everything) makes some kind of sense. But for now I will say Lost is a great example of modern TV, how to capture audiences, how a show can lose its way, but also how a series can redeem itself, find a structure and build towards a conclusive ending. Lost is also a prime example of creating obsessive fans. You can’t be a casual viewer of Lost, if you are you won’t get half of what is going on. The thing that annoys me the most when the subject of Lost is brought up among people who don’t watch the show is how they say iits too confusing’ ‘I don’t get it’ , yeah they really don’t get it at all, for me watching Lost is like unravelling a murder mystery, its being a detective and figuring out where the clues led, which ones are red herrings, which ones will bring you closer to the truth. Lost is made for fandom obsession and that is what I love about it so much, that and the great characters, twists, wtf moments and intrigue that has had me hooked for nearly 6 years.

Favourite episode: The Constant
Favourite moment: Through the Looking Glass -the ending of Season 3, what I believe to be the show’s best twist and plot point, by making some of the characters actually be off the Island it changed the entire show and allowed seasons 4 & 5 to consistently bring it.
Favourite quote: Rose: “If you say ‘Live together, die alone,’ to me, Jack, I’m going to punch you in the face”

Middleman{2008}

Truly the most overlooked show of the decade, if ever a series was to be labelled cult then Middleman would get the title. It was it seems practically watched by no one even the kind of people who watch other geeky sci-fi shows managed to avoid this one and everyone who hasn’t seen it totally missed out on 12 episode of TV magic. A blend of obscure cultural references, agents fighting evil so we don’t have to and a extremely likeable characters, it managed to get the perfect balance between slightly silly, fun and heartfelt.

Favourite episode: The Vampiric Puppet Lamentation
Favourite moment: Middleman reciting all the previous code 47’s he has recorded for Wendy in case he died on one of their missions
Favourite quote: The Middleman:” Dubbie, did he just turn into a bat puppet?”
Wendy: “Man, I don’t even have an opinion”

The Office (UK & US versions){2001-2003 & 2006-Present}

I try not to compare the two versions of the show because for different reasons I love them both. I think the Ricky Gervais original is much more poignant and heartbreaking at times, when Brent is begging for his job, and when Tim & Dawn finally get together are moments that made a nation weep. A much more complex breed of comedy and tragedy. Whereas the US version has always been more about the funny, though of course we had the Jim/Pam story as well. Both show the sheer boredom of working in an office, of dealing with a slightly idiot wholly annoying boss, of work colleagues driving you mad, of stupid talks the powers that be make you have. Only it is much better because well I rather work with a Jim or a Oscar or a Tim or Dawn than some of the idiots I’ve worked with in my career hah!

Favourite episode: Christmas Special (UK) // Business School (US)
Favourite moment: Dawn opens her Secret Santa present….yep I wept (UK) // There’s a bat in the office…..PANIC! (US)
Favourite quote: David Brent: “When people say to me: would you rather be thought of as a funny man or a great boss? My answer’s always the same, to me, they’re not mutually exclusive.” (UK)
Dwight: “I am not a hero. I am a mere defender of the office. You know who’s a real hero? Hiro, from Heroes. That’s a hero… Also Bono” (US)

Pushing Daisies {2007-2008}

Take one gloriously happy show with amazing Technicolor sets, adorable main couple with a twist that they couldn’t touch and a great supporting cast oh and a creator named Bryan Fueller and what you get is a near perfect show that was cut dead too early mainly due to the writers strike. This is probably the most delightful of Fueller’s creations. Every character was likeable, it was quirky, Olive occasionally burst into song, the case of the week were completely out of the box every week. The cancellation of the show really stung because it was really truly a happy show to watch every week and it’s so rare to find that.

Favourite episode: Bad Habits
Favourite moment: Ned meets his half-brothers, aww
Favourite quote: Olive: “Musing on the idea of setting someone on fire doesn’t mean you really want to set them on fire, it’s just the thought of it that makes you happy, but only for a second and then you feel bad, but that second can be a lot of fun!”

Six Feet Under {2001-2005}

This is still one of the strongest dramas produced this decade and probably beyond, it deals with family, the notion of grief and death so well and the acting is superb. The tale of a funeral directors family dealing with his passing managed drama, a deeply dark sense of humour and surrealism in every episode. Also I think the relationship between David and Keith is still one the best portrayals of a gay couple on screen. And then there is the ending, a moving look at how all the characters end up.

Favourite episode: Everyone’s Waiting
Favourite moment: The final sequence of the final episode
Favourite quote: Claire Fisher: “Well, isn’t it comforting to know that being miserable is still better than being an idiot?”

Spaced {1999-2001}

A TV show about geeks made by actual geeks and not networks who think by throwing in a few Trek references they have a fully formed ‘geeky’ character when they don’t. Spaced was so full of pop cultural references even now after several repeated viewing new in-jokes and gags make themselves known. What I love about Spaced is it really portrayed that post-university don’t know what you wanna do with your life feeling most people who don’t have some fancy career planned out get. Tim and Daisy should be settling down with super srs jobs but instead they play pretend zombie shoot-outs and have surreal daydreams. Its a shame that the show only had 2 series but then Simon Pegg and Nick Frost formed a classic duo for <1>Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz and forthcoming geek-fest Paul so I guess I can live with it.

Favourite episode: Leaves
Favourite moment: Tim’s entire reaction to The Phantom Menace, some say OTT, I say justified.
Favourite quote: Bilbo Bagshot: “What about the Ewoks eh? They were rubbish. You don’t complain about them”
Tim: “Yeah but Jar Jar Binks makes the Ewoks look like… fuckin’… Shaft”

The Sopranos {1999-2007}

Much like Six Feet Under I find it hard to really express my views on this show, I always enjoyed it, like The Wire it took its time in building up storylines that would often explode when you were least expecting it. It is also strange that whilst I never felt sympathy for main character Tony, I always enjoyed his presence on screen, his hang-ups, the issues with his mother and uncle who kept trying to kill him, the fact that Tony is essentially not a nice man, I mean he is a Mafia boss for Christ sake and yet throughout the show I never wanted him to get caught and brought down by the feds, I still wanted Tony to somehow survive rival gangs attempts to bring the Family down and kill all those who betrayed him. Strange really.

Favourite episode: Pine Barrens
Favourite moment: Every Paulie and Chris scene in Pine Barrens. Comedy gold.
Favourite quote: Carmela: “You know, Tony, it’s a multiple choice thing with you. ‘Cause I can’t tell if you’re old-fashioned, you’re paranoid, or just a fucking asshole.”

State Of Play {2003}

Something British TV has always done well is great drama, this mini-series featuring a cast of superb actors is a great argument for paying for the TV License. The different aspects of the story, the politicians, the newspaper, the police all slowly became connected as John Simm’s character Cal begins to realise his old friend politician Stephen Collins may be more involved in the death of a intern than first suspected. It is a great thriller with surprising comedy moments and standout performances from John, David Morrissey to name just two!

Favourite episode: Final episode
Favourite moment: When the journalists are trying to get info out of Dominic Foy in the hotel room.
Favourite quote: Cal: “You’ve got about three minutes before the cops get here”
Stephen: “I thought you said you didn’t call them”
Cal: “I lied”

Supernatural {2005-present}

This is the show I never wanted to get into, when it started I didn’t watch it and dismissed it as a Buffy with boys, thankfully a good friend onvinced me it was actually good and I binged on the S1 DVD and realised that whilst it started out with too many storylines stolen from other shows and bad horror movies it became so much more. Every season manages to up the tension, the acting and the overall arch of bad shit going down. Personally I think having Angels turn up was the wisest move they made, not only did it bring in a whole new mythology it added Castiel into the mix and well yes I can’t help but love that Angel oh and it added his douchebag but oh so fun brothers such as Uriel and Zachariah to the show and god I love those bastards as well. Its gonna be interesting to see how this show ends.

Favourite episode: All Hell Breaks Lose
Favourite moment: Castiel revealing himself to Dean at the end of Lazarus Rising…ANGELS!
Favourite quote: Dean: “You built a ghost proof panic room?”
Bobby: “I had a weekend off”
Dean: “Bobby?”
Bobby: “What?”
Dean: “You’re awesome”

Torchwood{2006- present}

This show started off quite badly, it wanted to be the sexier edgier version of Doctor Who but all the sex and swearing just got in the way of the story. Then as S1 progressed and we had episodes such as Captain Jack Harkness I think it started to find its feet. S2 was a revelation for me, I had detested Owen during S1 yet by the end of this I was devastated at his death and routing for his doomed relationship with Tosh. The mini-series Children of the Earth really ramped up the tension but it actually left me wondering whether I could continued watching the show now that the 3 characters that kept me emotionally invested were go and Gwen who I think is a poor example of a leading lady is still around. Oh and Capitan Jack is a complete git. Oh well S2 was awesome at least. Maybe someone can save the show?

Favourite episode: A Day in the Death
Favourite moment: The heartbreaking goodbye between Owen & Tosh
Favourite quote: Owen: “Why? Give me good bloody reason why I should, one good reason why I shouldn’t keep screaming!”
Tosh: “Because you’re breaking my heart”

The Wire {2002- 2008}

Ahh the joys of watching five seasons over the course of a few months. I happen to think it is the only way to watch what some critics have declared the show of the 00s. Again I’m not a lover of crime shows but then again this isn’t just about the police, it’s about every aspect of Baltimore’s deprived city. Over the seasons we get to know and sympathise with the drug pushers and kids on the streets and in the towers, we fell in love with detectives trying to bring down Stringer Bell and Avon Barksdale, then we got to see the dockers and their struggle to keep working, the school system and how hard it is for those kids to do anything other than full into the drug scene, the local politicians with their backstabbing and dirty deals and the reporters who would make up serial killers to get the appreciation and accolade they so desire. Yeah we saw a lot of fantastic characters come and go throughout the show, but what I love most about The Wire is that its not afraid to take things slow, to build up storylines and characterisations that play out over the entire run of the show.

Favourite episode: Final Grades
Favourite moment: Every time Lester was being a awesome Detective as he sat making furniture for dollhouses, seriously Lester is the greatest.
Favourite quote: Omar: “I got the shotgun, you got the brief case … all in the game though”

Wonderfalls {2004}

Another show and another cancellation but whilst the premature ending of this series that seemed to be watched by no-one (even today I don’t see any fandom for it despite its clear quirky brilliance) was disappointing, unlike most shows that got the chop before their time I felt like Wonderfalls almost worked perfectly as one series. The show about a graduate twenty-something shop worker definitely going through a bad case of ‘what the hell to do with my life post-college depression/apathy’ starts hearing voices from inanimate objects telling her (in often vague ways) to help out strangers with their problems. Of course our heroine Jaye thinks she is going mad, on top of fighting an attraction with the recently married but completely screwed over by his new wife cutie Eric, dealing with her family and best friend, oh and those really annoying tourists wanting to buy Niagara Falls tack. Wonderfalls was the right blend of quirky/crack, funny and emotional with a main character I could relate to (you know apart from me not hearing talking Lion ornaments). But it also managed to wrap up its storylines and give the characters closure in the space of 13 episodes. Not bad Mr Bryan Fuller not bad at all.

Favourite episode: Cocktail Bunny
Favourite moment: Eric and Jaye’s first kiss….aww yay
Favourite quote: Jaye: “I make good life choices. Mostly because they’re forced on me, but I make them. And I find myself in unpleasant situations all the time. You know why? Because even if you have a choice it can and will be taken away from you. We’re all fate’s bitch. You might as well go ahead and bend over for destiny now”

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This is fantastic and quite surprising that the show was picked up so early on (after just 3 episodes), the ratings aren’t that high but I think its grabbing the attention of the young viewers which always pleases the Network.

This combined with the shock renewal of Dollhouse for a second season back in the summer could herald a fresh start for Fox which has a tendency to kill of shows before their prime.

I’m happy to report that Glee is improving rather than declining in quality. Which means some of the characters who aren’t Rachel and Finn get some much deserved screentime! This week was all about having confidence….oh and singing, dancing, being fabulous, etc

Character of the Week: So many to choose from what with all the great guest stars but I love the one-liners Principal Figgins gets ‘they need a smile, they just found out we were feeding the children prison food’

Guest staring! Victor Garber as Will’s dad, yay its Spy Daddy! Now we know he can sing so musical number for Mr Schuester please! Also Stephen Tobolowsky back as disgraced Glee coach Sandy. I love Stephen.  Oh and Will’s mum, and Henri, Howard and lolz no idea who Josh Groban is but he was funny.

We give them what they want…Sex: Puck thrusting on stage, haha. Also Will’s mum getting hit on by Josh Groban.

Do not watch this in public: Laughing so hard when the Acafellas first rehearse together. Also the ‘Two Thumbs Up’ cake hahahah.

Romance: Poor Mercedes turning to Kurt for a boyfriend, but you know a friendship can be better.  So Finn dates Quinn, Rachel likes Finn, Finn may like Rachel, Kurt fancies Finn, Mercedes likes Kurt. That is confusing hah.  Emma and Will: may there love somehow someday work out.

It’s called character development: Oh Kurt, I hope he finds the confidence to come out.

High school is a strange strange place: Why is it that cheerleaders in US shows wear there outfits 24/7? Does this actually happen in real life?

Needs more: More of Howard and Henri I thought they were great.

New members: Puck joined Acafellas I didn’t see him at the end with the Glee club but I’m guessing he has joined.  Love him already, lolz.

Question of the week: Has Quinn really seen the light and realised being a cow isn’t neccessary?

People saying its like the most disappointing season finale ever, have clearly not seen the Heroes S3 finale. 

No spoilers for the books…

It was certainly an episode of two halves, unfortunately the second half was only semi-entertaining but did set up some plot points for next season so I’m sure it was needed.

The problem is I kinda predicated Sam would shift into the ‘God’ and that Bill wasn’t betraying him or Sookie and that Eggs would eventually die and that’s without reading spoilers or the books.  Which meant it was a bit of anti-climax when all those things happen.

I am incredibly happy that Sam survived and his storyline for S3 has been nicely set-up, Sam is one of my favourite characters in the show, and has been on the whole poorly used but I was delighted he saved the town, called everyone of those crazies his family and set about finding out the truth about his biological parents. Shifters? Werewolves? Something else? It probably won’t be good by the expression on his adopted mum’s face.

Bill oh Bill, how come I can only stand you when you are with Jessica? Seriously I love the dynamic they have, and how he is finally trusting her (only opps perhaps he shouldn’t have this time). But Bill with Sookie? Drives me insane. The proposal felt so off, and kinda not appropriate, if you think about it they have known each other only a few months, and she’s been through a lot of crazy shit. Glad he was vampirenapped at the end.

BTW I am so not into the Eric/Sookie under/overtones, she is such a Mary-sue at times, omg she is super-special and like everyone wants her! Gah no. 

Jason and Andy, saved the day but not in the way they or we expected. They turned black-eyed pretty quickly but after the crazy had stopped, who was driving people home, taking care of them? Jason. And who got his badge back so he could protect the town properly? Andy.  The killing of Eggs was kinda needed and I hope Jason doesn’t guilt trip too much on it, if he hadn’t shot him, Eggs would’ve killed himself anyway and possibly hurt Andy in the process. 

Yeah I didn’t like Eggs, I couldn’t even feel sorry for him, and as for Tara, please redeem her next season, no one was whiney annoying Tara, we want badass bitchy Tara please.

Other Things of note..

Arlene’s kids, lmao at the ‘his definitely dead’ bit haha yes Rene isn’t on vacation with Jesus kids, smart those tiny teacup humans.  Also Eric fangirls/boys.

Andy and Jason being BFF, love this development, hope they team up for more shenanigans.

Naked Sam time woo!

Jessica/Hoyt are breaking my heart…please let them make-up.

Speculation & Questions

If Sam drunk a lot of Bill’s blood will he now be having sexy dream time? Because hello slash, perhaps I could tolerate Bill with Sam. Probably not though.

How come Jason isn’t special but Sookie is? I mean his eyes went black so he can’t be supernatural and yet what Sookie is? Seems strange to me, perhaps its not genetic but why not?

I find it refreshing and intriguing that they gave Hoyt and his mom quite a bit of airtime, considering they are minor characters…but does this mean perhaps they aren’t? We never did see Hoyt go black-eyed crazy did we? Was his father a coward or something else trying to hide his true self? Maybe I’m reading into this too much but the other week she called his father ‘half a man’ did she mean literally?

Who took Bill? Probably an evil Eric plan with his maker Lorena though really do they think disappearing Bill will automatically make Sookie want Eric? Mind you this is Sookie we are talking about.

Why is the Vampire Queen selling V via Eric?  I mean is she trying to make humans hooked on it so they will be like yay we love Vampires?

Maybe I just can’t remember it from last season but the father of Arlene’s children was never confirmed was he? They mentioned him the other week..maybe another supernatural creature?

Will Maryanne make a reappearance? I think she may haunt the dreams of Tara next season. It would be a shame to lose Michelle Forbes completely and I’m always up for some flashbacking nightmare sequences.

Pleased to meet you hope you guess my name…

So the show that manages to keep on getting better is back for its possible last season (though I highly doubt it) and picks up right where we left the boys…the gates of hell opening and the beaming white light.

I think it was kinda of neat that the Devil comes into this world shrouded in white which you know usually represents ‘good’ because from what we have seen of Lucifer he/she seems kinda complex. The title for this episode couldn’t be more appropriate, the way she tempts Nick into giving his consent as a vessel was delightful because you can understand why Nick said yes. The devil made a very compelling argument. I think I’m really going to enjoy his character.

But what’s puzzling you is the nature of my game

What I’ve always found ironic about the whole thing and I’m sure it will be brought up on the show, Lucifer loved God too much (yay slash or like yay het depending on who they cast) and hated how God favoured the humans over Angels so like he through a hissyfit and God kicked him out. Lucifer was jealous which is essentially a very human emotion, I guess you end up becoming what you hate ey Lucy?

Angels: not fluffy and kinda nasty

Oh Zachariah and his henchmen, kind of like fundamentalists right? Will do whatever it takes to have their war on Earth and defeat Lucifer even if this means torturing the Winchesters and threatening Dean. Nice.

Angels: not fluffy and kinda BadAss

Ahh Castiel, Castiel…..kicking butt, taking names, stabbing ex-colleagues Castiel! He was BadAss (yeah with a capital B and a capital A!). So I haven’t read any real spoilers but Cas believes God saved him and the boys right? Yay Cas believes in the Big Boss. He is all like ‘well screw you I still think Santa Claus exist bitches’.

Are you there God? Its me Castiel, Dean is here as well oh and that Sam guy…don’t know him at all.

So like if God did save them, does that mean they are in the right? I don’t think the fight between Winchesters/Cas vs. Demons/Lucifer is going to be as simple as good vs.. bad. God probably saved them because he is like ‘at last some people who aren’t using my name in vain and still believe in my existence…friends at last!’ but I don’t know it would be kinda cool if God doesn’t want to destroy Lucifer but instead try to apologise to him. Yeah I really want God to be a hot dude now…what? I’m allowed my slash!

Meta meta meta!

I love it when Supernatural references its crazy dedicated fanbase. Fangirl Becky was so accurate haha. I bet Sam is firm. Lolz her disappointment at Dean. Thousands of fangirls watching the bit when she reads her fanfic out must have been cringing haha.

Family Ain’t Easy

Really didn’t blame Dean for never being able to trust Sam again, sure they can work together, yeah they will always be brothers but the road to forgiveness and redemption is a very rocking path, Sam will probably trip up a few times before he makes it (if he even can)