Southland is officially moving to TNT, but will we get new episodes?
As often as NBC fails, there are certain things that they do well more often than other networks. I’m in love with their current Thursday night comedy block, and they have a tendency to put out really great police procedurals. Unfortunately, this is where the fail comes in. Life is an amazing show, but we’ll never see a season 3. Southland was also much better than I expected it to be: the 7 episodes that NBC aired pulled from the best aspects of Homicide: Life on the Street and Law & Order. Yet NBC still canceled it, after initially picking it up for a second season.
So as soon as NBC pulled that boneheaded move, the speculation began as to who was going to swoop in and save this show. Early on, TNT was named as a top contender, and now it’s official: TNT has announced that it will be airing Southland. Honestly, when I first heard the news, I didn’t really care. After all, the current deal that’s in place is to air the seven episode first season that already aired on TNT, and follow it up with the six episodes that have already been shot for season 2. But what about new episodes? Is 13 all we’re going to get?
Leverage shakes up the balanced team
“You do not let Vicki Vale into the Batcave — ever.” – Hardison, on attorney Tara Carlisle tagging along with the team
There was something about the way the team worked together tonight that charmed me. Sure, they are always fun to watch and no one would deny that they need each other to successfully pull off the cons. But often in the episodes, one team member comes off stronger than the others, or one stands out as having the coolest moment of the episode.
I think it was deliberate, showing how balanced the team was tonight, given the twist at the end. And boy, am I excited for the January episodes to begin.
Dark Blue – That was one of the greatest hours of television I’ve ever experienced
If it were possible for the above sentence to be an understatement, it would be. This week’s episode of Dark Blue was so unbelievably amazing, I’m still trying to put intelligible thoughts together.
Let’s get into the plot quickly: Ty went undercover to catch a task force of dirty cops, in particular their commanding officer, Fry. Problem: as large as the LAPD is, is it believable that no one would recognize him as himself? Bit of a hole, that. And it wasn’t the only one — with Dean’s picture making the rounds of the LAPD as a small-time thug wanted as a cop killer, is it feasible that he wouldn’t be recognized? It’s possible to doctor records, but not people’s eyesight. Okay … even TV writers make mistakes. Read the rest of this entry »
Leverage – Anyone else seeing double?
“Chaos, I heard you were in jail. I guess I was wrong. ” – Hardison
“Hardison, I heard you sucked. I guess I was right.” – Chaos (played by Wil Wheaton)
Nope, you’re not in the Bizarro World, but you’re close. And that guy Chaos? Not Bizarro Jerry, but Bizarro Hardison … or is that Wil Wheaton? It’s pretty hard to keep track, but I’m sure Eliot didn’t turn into a woman, though Parker may be sporting a hat now….
I can’t tell you how much fun I had watching the Bizarro team take on Team Leverage. And if you were like me, you had the fear, even just for a moment, that Team Leverage just might be bested this time.
Dark Blue’s clicking on all cylinders
Doesn’t it feel great when a show just pulls it all together, and starts flying high? Well, six episodes in, and Dark Blue has the goods in spades. This is one hot property, and if you’re not tuning in, you’re missing out.
Sure, not everything’s perfect (more on that later). But something about last night’s episode just screamed hit to me. I’m excited; I feel like a part of something really special.
The biggest questions I continue to have are with the undercover setups, and with Ty. While the latter fits in with the rest of show in an ensemble, complementary sort of way, the former still really sticks out as being a thematic flaw that could one day bite Dark Blue in the butt. Read the rest of this entry »
Leverage’s flashbacks are back, and better than ever
“That’s not the same thing — what’s wrong with you?” – Eliot to Parker, when she compares her burying herself alive to overcome her fear of darkness, to his overcoming his claustrophobia by staying in a dark shed
As big a fan of Leverage as I am, I admit I was a bit disappointed in the few episodes following the season two premiere. They were entertaining, don’t get me wrong, but they were missing the magic of season one. I couldn’t quite put my finger on it, but something wasn’t gelling for me.
Well, last week all those feelings were gone, and this week just confirms it: Leverage is back and better than ever, and not one bit inferior to season one’s near perfection. The fun part about tonight’s episode is that it had all the unique quirk that is classic Leverage, but it pleasantly reminded me of many distinctive shows from the past.
Grace canceled. After this season. Which was extended.
Well, boys and girls, its official. Saving Grace has been canceled. A year, or so, from now, Grace Hanadarko will … er … grace our television screens no longer. Yeah, I said a year. TNT moved the second half of this season, originally scheduled to run this winter, to next summer, and added three more episodes, for a total of nine. It’s definitely the kind of cancellation I would have loved for Journeyman, Firefly, or Defying Gravity (just hedging my bets, but Brett is going to remind us all how poorly it’s doing).
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