(Season 2, Episodes 22-25)

Another season comes to an end, and with it comes a much more satisfying progression of The X-Files as a whole. I was getting bored at parts earlier in this season, but they ratcheted up both the quality of the stand-alone episodes, as well as the personal implications of Mulder’s work.

I still think the government would have just “disappeared” Mulder by now. Call Scully up and say, “Mulder quit. Yeah, he’s gone to the Bahamas … What? … No, I mean Iceland. No phones up there … He sends his regards.” Thank god that’s over.

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While pondering a topic for this week’s See Jane Clack, I was struck by the number of shows featuring characters who turn to unscrupulous or illegal means to make a living. These are tough times, but would I turn to selling pot, prostituting myself, or becoming a drug kingpin to make a living? Probably not. I’m too much of a chicken.

Still … with a family to feed, and no other immediate way to pay the mortgage and buy groceries, some of these options do have their appeal.

These folks are not that much different from the rest of us. Their connecting link is that they’ve all experienced a life trauma that’s made them desperate, and/or fearless. It’s stuff that could happen to any one of us. Lives and luck can turn in a split second.

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Just because most of your broadcast TV shows are gone for the summer doesn’t mean there’s nothing to watch. And you know we wouldn’t leave you hanging. So here’s a rundown of some of this week’s hotspots.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK

• NBC thinks they know what TV’s 50 Funniest Phrases are, and they’re going to take 2 hours to make their argument. (Tue. 8pm)
• Pushing Daisies is back to wrap its second season, burning off its last few episodes before making way for Eli Stone and Dirty Sexy Money (Sat. 10pm, ABC)
• And you thought there was nothing on! It’s The 2009 Scripps National Spelling Bee. What’s really said is how many viewers at home couldn’t hold a candle to the spelling skills of these kids. (Thu. 8pm, ABC)
• HBO offers Into the Storm, a follow-up to The Gathering Storm, chronicling the further “adventures” of Winston Churchill from ‘40-’45. (Sun. 9pm)

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When I first heard about Breaking Bad, I wasn’t really sure I’d like it at all. First of all, it was airing on AMC which, to me, isn’t really known for having stellar original series. Also, the premise about a high school teacher turning to his chemistry skills and a life of making crystal meth to pay for his cancer treatment seemed really out there, especially when it seemed this wasn’t being billed as a comedy. Add to this that Bryan Cranston of Malcolm in the Middle was starring, and I was completely confused … and eventually, extremely curious.

A pleasant surprise, Breaking Bad is much more than what appears on the cover. There’s a deep story here, and while it’s not meant to be outwardly funny, it definitely has its moments. Just look at the cover of the DVD and you’ll see what I mean.

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Seriously, tell me you watched Medium this week and weren’t reminded of Flatliners, the 1990 movie with Kiefer Sutherland and Julia Roberts, and I won’t believe you. Once it was finally revealed Dr. Brian Seward (True Blood’s Sam Trammell) was killing himself with the help of the girl from Men in Trees another doctor named Victoria to watch rich men do bad things and then blackmail them, the first thing that came to mind was that movie.

All in all it was a pretty interesting case, and a bit of a departure from our usual murder mystery on Medium, which is always welcome. I really liked that even though she was conflicted about it, Allison didn’t tell the DA or the police about Dr. Seward blackmailing the man who killed that girl. Read the rest of this entry »