Same basic idea here, but I am upping the ante and making this blog entry more grand in scope. Some shows fall out of my rotation from time to time - but I always come back to them later. For example: Mad Men. I finished with season one and set the show to the side for a little while. I am waiting to burn through a couple more shows before I come back to Mad Men and put it back in the rotation. Normally when I write a blog entry about my rotation, I would skip over Mad Men since I am on break from it.
But as mentioned, this blog entry will be different. This was written over the course of two or three weeks, as opposed to a single weekend. I watched one episode of every show in and out of my current rotation. We will again use Mad Men as our example. Although it has been set aside and I haven't watched an episode in over a month - I WILL watch an episode of it and review it here as part of this blog entry. No shows will be skipped over, even if I am on break from that show. Of course, if there are no new episodes available (like Orange is the New Black) it gets a free pass.
Usually my blog entries only talk about 15 to 20 shows, but because I am including EVERYTHING (even shows that I am on break from), the number is going to be a lot bigger. I am doing this because by the time you read this post, I will have completed my annual movie ranking blog entries from 2015. This is kind of like a side project to keep myself occupied while I do that.
I am going to begin now, and I am going to start with:
Season 3
Episode 15
"Overlords"
I have been caught up in all the Star Wars mania in the air recently, with the new movie coming out and all that. This has never been my favorite show in the world, but I have been digging it lately - likely because of said Star Wars mania. I have to be in the mood to enjoy things, and being in a Star Wars mood has definitely helped me enjoy this show in recent weeks. Here is to hoping this episode doesn't suck and keeps that Star Wars loving fire burning inside me.
*watches episode*
All right: I lied.
I didn't just watch one episode, I watched three. I had planned to only watch one, but then I saw that this was a to be continued three-parter. So I watched all three. A lot of episodes of this show are like this, where an episode ends and then immediately continues in the next episode. I don't watch this show very often, so many times weeks pass between me viewing part one of a two part episode and then the second part. I forget what the episode is about and I don't get into it as much as I could or should.
So I decided to watch all three one after the other and treat it as one episode. It helped to keep me interested in the story line of the show, as well as if I do this it keep the show moving along at a faster clip. I think I'll do this every time I see a multi-part story arc coming up on this series.
The episode itself is pretty good. It didn't advance the overall plot of the show, but it was a nice little side diversion. In the episode Anakin, Obi-Wan and Asohka arrive at the location a distress call is coming in from. A large vessel looms in front of them, and before they know it - they have blacked out. The trio awakens on a bizarre planet occupied by a family of three Force strong aliens.
The daughter represents the light side of the Force. The son the dark side. The father acts as an in-between. The father wants Anakin to step in as the "chosen one" and take over the father's job of mediator. The children are so strong in the Force that their power must be contained so that no one can take advantage of them.
A lot of things happen in these three episodes, but one of the main plot points is that the son attempts to turn Anakin to the dark side. He shows him his future if he doesn't change his current path in life. This future includes killing Padme, destroying Alderaan, and turning into Darth Vader. That scene was pretty cool, I have to admit as a rabid Star Wars fan. In the end, the three Force strong beings die and Anakin has those memories erased from his mind.
The three Jedi awaken on their shuttle, and quickly realize that no time has passed in the "real world". Did all that really happen? Were the three Force strong aliens real? Did they represent variations in the Force? We don't really get any answers - so I guess it is up to us to decide. Or maybe it is explained in a future episode.
Despite the let down of an ending to this three episode arc, I enjoyed it a lot. This is a fun show, certainly better than the prequel movies. Maybe it didn't make a whole lot of sense, but I still had a good time.
On a side note, I thought it was funny how almost no one from the movies lends their voice to this show - yet somehow the show makers got Liam Neeson to come back as Qui-Gonn for his apparition scenes. Lol.
Season 1
Episode 6
"Freakin' Whack-a-Mole"
This show isn't even really supposed to be in my rotation. I was going to put it off as long as possible so that I could time my viewing with the arrival of season 2 on Netflix. But I liked the pilot episode so much that I couldn't help but continue watching. Screw waiting. The show has been really good, really addicting - especially in the last few episodes. It is well acted, there is a lot going on, and the show does everything right to get someone with a short attention span like me engaged in the plot line. Normally I watch an episode of a show and I am good for a while, but when I finish with an episode of this show, I immediately am like "OMG I must know what happens next!!!"
This probably won't be in my rotation long, as it is a relatively short show and there is only one season on Netflix. It is going to be a long wait for season 2, but I will worry about that later. For now I am just going to sit back and enjoy it.
*watches episode*
Once again, this show has impressed me with another solid episode. For those who don't watch the show, How to Get Away With Murder is about a group of law students who work cases with their teacher. The show follows a formula. There is an over arcing story line where the students and their teacher are trying to solve a murder that took place on campus. Also are "cases of the week" where other cases are worked on and solved at the same time. Most interestingly are flash forward scenes to the future - where a murder is being covered up by the students.
The main focus of the show is on the campus murder arc - and the events leading up to the scenes in the future with the cover up. We know that these two are connected in some way. It is like a puzzle that we get a new piece to each and every episode. Very clever, very well done. But what impresses me with this show is that it doesn't slouch on its "cases of the week". These aren't treated as secondary at all, and are often quite interesting. In this episode, the team works on a case to free a man who they believe was falsely put on death row 20 years ago. Without giving away too much, the result of this case brought a tear to my eye. And I am not someone who cries often.
I love this show. Love it, love it. I can't wait to watch more. If you aren't watching it, you should be.
Season 1
Episode 7
"The Small Blade: Battle of Trost District, Part 3"
That's a mouthful of an episode title, eh?
Attack on Titan is a show I have actually seen before. I like to have a show in my rotation that I have seen and I know I am going to like. That way if I am not feeling anything else in my rotation, I have something to fall back on.
I watched this show about 2 years ago, and I am STILL waiting for season 2. Hurry up already! But I know it is coming soon in 2016, so I figured I would go back and start from the beginning again to brush up on what has happened before season 2 begins. This is a show where you really have to pay attention. There are a lot of characters, a lot of small visual hints and clues. Things you may not pick up on when watching just once. So I figured I'd watch it again!
This is about a group of humans trapped inside a walled city. Outside the city walls lie Titans, mysterious giant cannibalistic creatures that eat anyone they come into contact with. After hundreds of years of living inside this walled city, strange events have occurred that have breached the wall and allowed the Titans in. This is a great show. Don't let the fact that it is an anime scare you off. I wasn't big on anime before I watched this - yet it quickly developed into one of my favorite shows. It is intense, bloody, filled with mysteries, and the Titans are creepy as fuck.
This episode picks up in the middle of a battle where the last episode left off. The main character, Eren, was seemingly killed and eaten by a Titan.
*watches episode*
The Titans have breached the wall, and this episode focuses mainly on the surviving troops that are looking to retreat behind the next wall to safety. Eren is dead, and Mikasa and Armin have very different reactions in the middle of this war zone. Armin wants to give up - while Mikasa takes charge. The group heads to a supply depot to recharge the fuel in their mobile attack suits or whatever they are called. Everyone is shocked when Mikasa is saved by a rampaging Titan that attacks other Titans - something no one has ever seen happen in recorded history.
Each episode of this show is really short. It is a continuing story line though, so the entire run of the show is basically one giant episode comprised of a bunch of really short episodes.
This was a decent episode and I really like the show, but there was nothing too special about this one. The big shock of the series came in the last episode with Eren dying. While the rampaging Titan attacking other Titans was a big development - not much else happened of note here. Just a lot of crying and reacting to Eren's death.
It may not have been my favorite episode, but it was still critical to the advancement of the show's story line. So I still liked it.
Season 8
Episode 4
"Charlie and Dee Find Love"
This show is a good match for me because it is so short. I am not a big comedy fan and I can usually only take it in small doses. Each season of this show is in the area of 10 to 15 episodes long. Each episode is only about 20 minutes long. So it goes by pretty quickly.
Not only is it a perfect length for me, it is also my kind of humor. I like crude and somewhat inappropriate non PC behavior. This show gets away with a lot of things that other shows would fall under criticism for. And I admire it for that.
*watches episode"
In this episode, Charlie and Dee fall in love with a rich brother/sister combo after being rear ended by them in a car accident. The brother only pretends to be friends with the gang so he can mock them with his friends. Dee makes a fool of herself falling all over him. The sister however, legitimately likes Charlie. When the brother's lies are exposed, Charlie dumps the sister on the side of the road in favor of the waitress.
It was a good episode, and very something this show would do. It is an interesting comparison - seeing the wild and out of control main characters interact with the upper class. We wanted to think that this pairing would legit work out somehow, but in the end, of course, it didn't.
This isn't my favorite series in the universe, but as far as comedies go, it is something I like to watch from time to time. As I said before, it is the perfect short length for me, and each episode has at least one moment where I actually laugh out loud (which doesn't happen with me much... I am not a laugher). So it has that going for it.
Season 3
Episode 1
"White Christmas"
I am very excited to see this show back on Netflix, even if it is only one new episode. If you have never seen Black Mirror, it is an anthology show about the future, and bad things that could happen with technology if our society was to continue along its current path.
I think the show is pretty much complete. I may be wrong, but I have heard that Netflix may pick it up at some point and release new episodes. For now, all we get is this special Christmas episode, which was released over a year ago. Way to take your sweet time putting it on streaming! I'll take it, though. I'll take any and all Black Mirror I can get my hands on.
Let's just hope my expectations for this aren't too high.
*watches episode*
OMG I missed this show so much. I didn't even realize how much until I started watching. It felt like coming home again after a long vacation. As soon as it started up I was like "yeah that's the shit." This is such a good show. And it has such a distinctive feel to it too. I love it.
The episode is about two men who are working alone together on some sort of job where they are separated from humanity. The first thing that came to mind was the bunker from Lost. But what this job is we never find out.
The two begin talking and they tell stories about their past. They all involve different technology. A man who is coached remotely to go into a bar and pick up a woman. The ability to block people in real life. Creating a virtual copy of your consciousness to run your life. Weird stuff. Anyway, all these stories tie together, and the show ends in a pretty darned brilliant twist. It is really dark, really awesome.
Well worth the wait. I really hope this show is picked up because I like it a lot. Watch this if you already haven't.
Season 1
Episode 3
"Mr. Denton on Doomsday"
I've been watching this show for over a year now. Maybe even 2 years. No, it hasn't taken me that long to watch 2 episodes. I actually started with season 2 because season 1 doesn't play the classic Twilight Zone theme song at the beginning of each episode, and it didn't feel like the Twilight Zone to me without it. Now I have finished with season 2 and have come back to watch season 1 in its entirety.
This is a classic show, no doubt about it. I have seen some really solid episodes so far. That said, I have seen my fair share of clunkers too. That's why I am never really excited to watch this and why it is taking me so long to work my way through it. I never know what I am going to get.
Let's see what episode 3 of the very first season has in store for us.
*watches episode*
I wasn't too crazy about this episode. It wasn't a complete miss, but it wasn't anything sensational either. And I could swear I have seen this one before, but Netflix says I haven't. Hmmm....
This one is set in the old West. The main character is a drunk named, you guessed it, Mr Denton. He is famous because in his hey day, he was one of the best shots out there. However his shot has since abandoned him.
After getting tormented by some town bullies, he passes out and wakes up hours later. A gun has mysteriously been placed beside him in his sleep. He discovers that his shot has returned. After giving the bullies who were being mean to him a little revenge, he loses his ability to shoot straight once again. He is challenged to a duel and begins to fret.
A mysterious traveler arrives and gives him a potion that allows him to regain his shot for 10 seconds after he drinks it. When he arrives to the duel, he sees that his opponent has taken the same potion. The duel turns out a draw, and the episode ends. What the point of this episode was, I have no clue. It was an okay episode for the most part, but the Twilight Zone usually offers some kind of moral lesson. Or at least the episode would makes sense in some way or "have a point".
This one didn't.
Meh.
Season 2
Episode 9
"Until You're Blue"
I am so glad I stumbled upon this show. It has become a favorite in my rotation. I am sad to see that I am already almost through it. I have just one more episode after this, and then I have to wait until season 3 comes to Netflix. Lame!
Last I remember, there was discussion whether or not Daniel should take the plea deal or continue with his claim of innocence. I still don't know who committed the original crime. And I still have doubts about Daniel. I am really curious to see the direction this show goes. It's a slow build, but I have a feeling it is going to be well worth it. It is going to be a long wait for season 3.
*watches episode*
This is a show that rarely ever lets me down, and this episode was no exception. I thought it was very good. A ton of stuff happens here, mostly revolving around Tawney. The episode starts off with Tawney at the doctor's office... receiving news that she has lost her baby. Meanwhile, Daniel learns that if he pushes his innocence, he will win his case. But he won't be allowed back home anymore.
Tawney tells Teddy about her losing the baby, and he flips out on her and accuses her of not wanting the baby to begin with. He says she is in love with Daniel and now with the baby gone she is free to pursue him. She leaves and gets drunk in a hotel... and calls Daniel to come join her. The episode ends with the two dancing amid high levels of sexual tension.
Will they do it, or will they not do it? We shall see. Anyway, glad to see a lot happen in the episode to push the story into overdrive. Things were stagnating a bit, so they needed a kick in the pants. Can't wait to watch more. I can't believe there is only one episode left and then I have to wait for season 3. Nooo!
Season 1
Episode 6
"Family Secrets"
This isn't my favorite show in the whole wide world, but it does have a lot of great moments. It centers around a young boy in a dysfunctional family. He has a one night stand with a fugitive on the run from the law and this stand produces a baby. The mother is caught and executed for her crimes, leaving this clueless boy to raise the child with the help of his wacky, backwards family.
The show has good characters. The great grandma in particular is my favorite. The humor is crude and inappropriate. I am not a big sitcom person. I don't like laugh tracks. I don't particularly care for who is banging who, and that kind of crap. This is mostly poop jokes and low brow humor. No laugh track. An interesting story arc. Perfect for me.
*watches episode*
This was another fun episode. Like I say, this show isn't mind blowing or anything, but it is always good fun. In this episode, Hope's dad (why can't I remember his name?) receives packages from jail. Belongings from Hope's dead mother.
There are VHS tapes in these packages containing videos from prison intended for Hope when she gets older. In these videos, the mom sets a bad example with her terrible behavior and unsettling life tips. This is when we find out that Hope's dad's mom (I really need to watch this more so I can start remembering names!) has been keeping secrets from him. The main secret being what happened to her mother, who supposedly died years and years ago.
Hope's father, Jimmy (I just cheated and looked it up), digs into the past to find out what happened to his grandma. He finds out that she abandoned the family to devote herself to a swinger lifestyle. Yikes!
This was your typical Raising Hope episode. Shock value. Jokes made in poor taste. Jimmy playing the unassuming fool. But none of these are bad things. The style of humor is right up my alley. And the show has heart too. A heart built on the foundation of its strong characters and well fleshed out story line. This show has an uncanny ability to make you laugh, gross you out, repulse you, and care for these people all in the same breath.
Season 1
Episode 12
"We Are Grounders: Part 1"
This is the first of the two part season one finale. I am probably only going to watch part one and leave part two for later, just cause I like this show and want to take my time with it. This show is about a group of 100 young adults who are all criminals. Humanity lives above the Earth, which has been rendered uninhabitable by nuclear warfare. With power on this space ship failing, the kids - who are seen as expendable because they are criminals - are sent down as an experiment to see if Earth is livable yet.
The last episode left them at war with a faction of "grounders", people who somehow survived the nuclear war and now live free on the planet's surface. There is a lot of other stuff going on too, but I am not going to recap it all.
I must say though, I really enjoy this show. I thought it was going to be stupid like Twilight or some of these other questionable YA shows, books, and movies out there. But I like it a lot and am very excited to see where the show is going to go. I have even begun reading the books too. And although the show is a COMPLETELY different entity from the books, I like them both in their own ways.
*watches episode*
Yup, it was another solid episode. Lots of drama, lots of action and conflict everywhere you turn. This is one of the more action packed shows in my rotation, and a definite welcome change of pace from a lot of my other shows. Not only is there all kinds of fighting and action, but the show also has a lot of mystery about it too. There are many unanswered questions, a lot of things that keep you guessing and make you want to binge watch episode after episode.
Also, the show's characters really keep it going as well. Everyone has their own unique personality. No one is really a generic stereotype (you could make a case for Jasper I guess, but I still like him). I've even changed my mind on a lot of characters. There were some I didn't like at the beginning, but are now among my favorites. So a lot of them are showing growth and maturity, which is nice to see.
All in all I am very glad I started watching this show. I have one more episode left, then I am done with season one. I may or may not take a break between seasons as I normally do between shows. We shall see. I like this one enough that I may skip the break altogether. I am sure the season will end on a cliffhanger. Luckily I am watching this on Netflix and don't have to wait for season two!
Season 3
Episode 1
"Return of the Guardians of the Galaxy"
It has been a good while since I have seen an episode of this show. There was a long wait for season three to come to Netflix, but now it is here. This was never my favorite cartoon ever. Some of the jokes are lame, and many times the show seems too geared towards little kids. But I like how diverse it is with the characters. Sooo many Marvel characters make guest appearances on this cartoon. The X-Men, the Avengers, the Guardians of the Galaxy... Even many of the villains cross over and make appearances here. It is like the ultimate Marvel mega mix.
Obviously the Guardians of the Galaxy will be appearing here, so I am kind of excited about that. The episode with them last season was good, so I am hoping this one is too. Let's start season three off with a bang!
*watches episode*
This was a decent episode. It has been a while since I've seen this cartoon, and I think I pumped it up in my head as being better than it actually turned out to be. Maybe because the Guardians of the Galaxy were in it?
I actually preferred the season 2 episode with the Guardians to this one, unfortunately. Nearly the whole episode is one big battle that takes place on Earth. Bad guys are trying to take Alpha's helmet, which contains some kind of special locked away power, and the Guardians along with Spider Man are out to stop them.
Highlight of the episode for me: Groot. I don't know why I love this guy so much. He only says the same thing every time he speaks, but for some reason it is always funny for me.
He needs his own show.
Season 3
Episode 1
"New Blood"
Yay! I love this show, but it seems like the wait for season 3 to come to Netflix has been a really really long one. Now, it is finally here. Usually I might wait to finish up a few other shows before starting up this season, but hey - this is the Ultimate TV show rotation in review. When I say I am watching everything in my rotation - whether I am on break from the show or not - I mean everything.
It has been so long that I have NO idea where last season left off. I am sure it will come back to me pretty quickly once I start watching.
So I am going to start watching.
*watches episode*
I am very glad to have this show back on my TV, even if this is the final season (or so I have heard).
Despite not remembering where things left off, I got back into the groove relatively quickly. Joe Caroll didn't appear in the episode at all. In fact, the focus of the show seems to have gone from him to Mark - the last surviving member of the murderous family from last season. His brother and his mom are dead, and now with the help of some new followers, he is out to take revenge on Ryan Hardy.
Poor Ryan just can't seem to escape from all the crazy, can't he? Anyway, it was a solid season premiere. It didn't exactly blow me away, nor were there any huge shocking moments which we have come to expect from this show. But it was a good table setter. And I can't help but believe that we haven't seen the last of Joe Caroll.
I can see this taking the place of Rectify when I finish season 2 of that show as the go-to show in my rotation. Very excited to watch more of this and see how it all wraps up.
Season 1
Episode 4
"Unexpected"
This show isn't really a serious contender in my rotation as of yet. I have only watched 3 episodes in the span of about two months. Aside from the pilot episode, I have been kind of meh on everything I have seen so far. I will continue to watch, albeit at a very slow pace. I am very interested in this era of Star Trek, and even if the episodes haven't been very exciting so far, I know I'll start warming to it eventually.
At least, I hope I do.
*watches episode*
Ha, this episode is much better than I thought it would be. For once, I have begun to see the potential that Enterprise has to offer.
I was iffy on the first few episodes of the series. A little dry, not very exciting. I hadn't warmed to the characters yet. But everything changed with this episode. Hopefully the show can keep it up and use this episode as a building block.
Trip Tucker goes over to an alien ship to help repair their engines, and he has a nice time. He meets an alien woman there and visits a holodeck for the first time. When her returns, however, he finds that he is pregnant. The Enterprise heads off to find the alien vessel, only to find that they are riding cloaked in the wake of a Klingon bird of prey.
In a tense stand off, the ship negotiates with the Klingons not to harm the aliens. The aliens are spared, and the baby is taken out of Tucker while the Klingons take the aliens' holodeck technology.
The episode had it all. Mainly it was funny, with Trip's pregnancy and the crew's reaction. But the last part with the Klingons was tense. It also gave us a little insight into some Star Trek history, and we got our first glimpse of the holodeck. The holodeck doesn't exist in the Kirk era, and is a new thing in the Next Generation, so I am interested to see if they explore the history of this device any further.
I enjoyed the episode a lot, and this is a major step forward for the show in my eyes.
Season 4
Episode 1
"Two Swords"
Well, here we go with Game of Thrones season 4. I stopped halfway through the third book to watch season 3. Now I have finished the third book and will watch season 4. I'm trying to read the books and watch the shows in as close a tandem as humanly possible, which you will already know if you have been following this blog at all.
I am excited for this. Of all the seasons of the show, this is the one I can remember the least. This is the season Joffrey dies, and I also seem to remember Oberyn's death being particularly gruesome. There is an epic battle at the wall as well. But that all comes later in the season. What happens in the first episode? I have no idea. I guess I will now find out.
*watches episode*
It was a good episode from what I recall. I am not going to lie, I forgot to do the write up right away, and now it is several days later, lol. So my memory on it isn't great. Oberyn enters the picture and has a handful of scenes. Dany marches on Mereen and sees all the dead slave children pointing the way. Wedding preparations happen. Sansa is offered a chance to escape by Ser Dontos. Jon is forced to answer questions about his time with the wildlings. Theon continues to be tormented by Ramsay Snow. Arya and the Hound come to an inn occupied by Lannister men, and kill them. That scene was pretty awesome, I do remember that.
This is basically all I remember happening. Next time I will remember to do my little write up thingy right away instead of 3 days later. As for the rest of the season, I'm very excited to see the rest of it. I know that the show is about to become very different from the books pretty soon. I don't remember much of this season so it should be fun to watch.
Season 3
Episode 1
"Wait for It"
When I finished season 2, I figured that would be a good time to take a break from HIMYM for a while. It has taken a very long time for this show to work its way back in my rotation. It is not officially back yet, but because this is the ULTIMATE TV show rotation blog entry, I am still going to watch an episode.
Unless this episode really blows me away, it is probably going to be put on the back burner once again until a space for a comedy series open up again in my rotation. And with It's Always Sunny and Raising Hope firmly entrenched - that may be a while.
*watches episode*
It is funny how things work out sometimes. Here I am, ready to come in and be like "eh it was okay" and then it turns out I actually really, really liked the episode. I had forgotten how much I liked Barney and his raunchiness. I had forgotten how much more "real" this sitcom is when compared to other shows.
Most of all though I realized how much I had missed the characters. In a weird way it is like this group of friends are my friends too. I don't know how to explain it.
The episode itself was a lot of fun. Last we saw, Robin and Ted had broken up. Now she is back and with a new man in her life, who everyone loves except Ted, who is irritated by him. So he goes out with Barney to find a hook up, and ends up waking up with a butterfly tramp stamp.
It was funny, I enjoyed myself and had a good time. At first I thought this show would have an uphill battle to get back into my rotation, but now I am not so sure about that.
Season 2
Episode 5
"Aftermath"
Each episode is self contained and wraps up by the end of the show. So there aren't really any cliffhangers or continuing stories to speak of, which I think is really hurting this show's stock in my rotation. I can see myself taking a long break when I finish season two of this show, since I am really not that horribly invested in it.
*watches episode*
Every time I start to lose faith in this show, I get a really good episode that renews my interest in it. This was one of those really good ones.
The crew is called in to catch a serial rapist. They discover some clues that link the victims. Ultimately someone who works at a telemarketing company that receives survey information about women is caught. Unfortunately, Elle jumps the gun on the sting and they find him just sitting in a car outside a potential victim's house and he hasn't done anything wrong.
She finds him after he is released and shoots him, claiming self defense.
I liked this one because it showed us some actual character development for once, something that can actually carry over into future episodes. Elle is still scarred from her shooting, and now is starting to act out. There is no evidence to prove that her attack on the rapist wasn't self defense, but you get the feeling this is going to be a big story line in episodes to come.
A plus episode. Let's see more like this one.
Season 4
Episode 1
"Chuck Versus the Anniversary"
I'm on break from this show for the time being, but this blog entry cares nothing for breaks. I am not sure where the last season of Chuck left off but this isn't exactly a tough show to follow. I am sure it will catch us up within minutes of the episode starting.
*watches episode*
Well, this was a decent season premiere episode for Chuck. We were indeed caught up on the events of last season. Chuck - at Ellie's request - is out of the spy game. For now. He is using this time to try to track down his mom, who is also a spy. We know that with 2 seasons of this show left that Chuck isn't going to be out of the game for long. And sure enough, he takes a mission despite his sister's wishes.
Like I said, it was a fun episode. We get to learn a little about Chuck's mom. Chuck and Sarah are officially a couple and that adds an interesting dynamic to the show. The supporting cast continues to shine. And now we have a new Buy More staffed (almost?) exclusively by undercover agents.
Interesting to see Olivia Munn, Aaron Rodgers' girlfriend on the show. I don't think I have ever actually seen her in anything before.
Season 3
Episode 17
"Pusher"
I don't know what it is about this show that puts me to sleep. I always liked it when I was younger, but for some reason it just doesn't hold my attention anymore. I have mentioned a few times on this blog that I am considering dropping the show from my rotation. I don't know. We will have to see how season three wraps up and if the series can hit on a recurring story line that actually makes me want to binge watch to see what happens next. So far, that hasn't even come close to happening.
*watches episode*
Well, what do you know? This episode put me to sleep, lol. I won't fault the episode too much though. It was late at night and I figured that was going to happen. The episode itself wasn't too bad. It's about a guy who can use his mind to make other people do things for him. His nickname is the Pusher.
Mulder and Scully do some investigating and find out that he has a brain tumor which has allowed him to do these things. There is a good deal of back and forth between the good guys and the bad. He keeps baiting them like he wants to be caught. Finally they do catch up with him and Mulder is able to break his mind control enough to shoot him and put him in a coma.
This wasn't a bad episode, but it wasn't particularly great either. Pretty much what I have come to expect from the X-Files. It wasn't enough to redeem the show in my eyes, but at least it was decent and will not scare me away from watching more of this show in the future.
Season 1
Episode 9
"Homecoming"
I have heard so many great things about this show, but I must say that so far I am not infatuated with it. The show is decent, don't get me wrong. There are some good things about it. I like the characters. Their powers are interesting too. I just don't really know where they are going with all this yet. There is not quite enough of a hook to make me want to continue watching when I finish an episode.
I expected this to be more binge worthy. Isn't season 1 supposed to be the best season?
Oh well, maybe it will get better here.
*watches episode*
This was a decent episode. Again, I don't think it was anything that spectacular. But things actually happened here, so I can not complain. Peter has shown up to "save the cheerleader" despite knowing he is going to die. But with his absorbing abilities, he is able to come back from the dead. Although now he looks guilty as the wrong cheerleader has been killed and he is found bloody at the scene of the crime.
This was the main story line of this episode. Some other smaller events happened with some of the other characters. The blonde chick is looking to get her son back, still. Hiro has gone back in time to save the waitress, although why he has gone so far back we have no idea. Mohinder has found a list of people with powers in his dad's research, and now is headed back to the states. We didn't see anything from the mind reading cop.
This show is juggling a lot of balls, and these balls are all still in the air. But at least it is starting to pick up a little. Maybe now that all these powers have been explored, we can move on to why Sylar is killing gifted people, and who exactly is behind this nuclear strike that is on its way.
Season 4
Episode 17
"The Waters of Mars"
The David Tennant era of Doctor Who is winding down. Even though I am not a terribly huge fan of this series, it still makes a little sad. He's a good Doctor. The Doctor by which all future Doctors will forever be judged. I shall miss him. Just two more episodes to go with him after I finish this one.
But really, I am just hoping for a good episode. The last episode I saw with a bunch of people on a bus going to an alien world sucked, so I would like to wash that taste out of my mouth. This show is sometimes really good, sometimes really bad. Seeing as how this particular episode is an hour and 2 minutes long, I am really, really hoping it is a good one. Otherwise I'm going to be miserable for quite a while.
Fortunately, you don't have to wait that long to get my thoughts on this episode!
*watches episode*
Eh, well. It was pretty much what I expected. It wasn't as dumb as the last episode, but it was nowhere near the best the show has to offer. The Doctor comes to a colony on Mars where the colonists are under attack by creatures in the water that possess them and turn them homicidal. The Doctor has read about this particular event, and knows that this is meant to happen because it triggers a series of events that is beneficial for mankind.
But letting these people die doesn't sit well with him. So after a bunch of running, fighting, and fast talking gobbledegook he finds a way to save the day.
It was just an okay episode, and pretty much sums up my feelings on the show so far. I keep waiting and waiting for it to get better and it doesn't. I don't know why everyone is so nuts about this show. It isn't that good.
I have come to learn that it is being taken off of Netflix on February 1st. I'll probably rush to finish this season of the show, but once it disappears off Netlflix, I am probably going to forget about it for a long time.
Season 21
Episode 9
"Running the Camp"
I initially thought that this was a crappy season, since I didn't really remember anything special about it, other than the fact that Jimmy Johnson was a participant. Watching it again, however, I can appreciate it in a new light. There are a lot of good characters and a ton of good drama - most of which has been fueled by Naonka, who is totally awesome.
I didn't like her the first time I saw this season, but now I can appreciate her for the character she is. This season would be totally lame without her. I think the show needs more people like her on it. If I remember correctly, she quits at some point. That would be hilarious if this was the episode where she quit so I can write about it on this blog. I know it has to be coming soon.
*watches episode*
Nope, this was not the episode she quit. But it was still a great episode. Events focused around a reward challenge where the men competed against the women for a feast. The men won - and at the reward devised a plan to scare Naonka into using her idol and then vote for Jane.
Meanwhile. the women all wanted to vote for Marty. Sash and Brenda were the deciding factor, and they decided to vote for Marty in the end. It was a fun episode with a big blow up at Tribal Council. Naonka is amazing and although this wasn't the episode she quit, she still brought a lot of good drama to the table.
Fun season so far. I am impressed. Naonka is a goddess.
Season 1
Episode 1
"Eighteen Years Lost"
I was totally not intending to add a new show to my rotation, but I keep hearing so much about this on social media that my curiosity has gotten the better of me. I only know the bare essentials of what this documentary series is about, but I know it has gotten people all worked up and talking about conspiracies and framing and all that.
I'm very curious to see what all the fuss is about. I am shamed to say I live in Wisconsin and I barely know anything about this case.
*watches episode*
Interesting stuff here. I must say that I can see why people would become so addicted to this series and obsessed with the Avery case. It definitely looks like he was set up to take the fall for this rape. The police ignored obvious signs that it wasn't him and were grossly negligent in their pursuit of the actual perpetrator. And as a result it cost this man 18 years of his life for a crime he didn't commit.
As interesting as all this was, it is only the precursor for his possible murder frame. I can't wait to watch more. Like I had mentioned, I really don't know much about this case and the more I hear about it the more pulled into it I become. Here is to it being as good as people have said. So far, it is off to a strong start.
Season 1
Episode 3
"The Girl Who Waited"
Usually when it takes me a really long time to get through a show that means I don't like it. This is not the case with Wentworth. True, I started watching it almost two months ago and I am only to episode three. But that doesn't mean I dislike the show. Far from it actually. I am mainly just trying to clear a few other shows out of my rotation before I settle in here. Because I know once I get rolling with Wentworth I am not going to want to stop. Now that I will soon be done with Rectify until season three comes to Netflix, and I know I will quickly power through the rest of How to Get Away With Murder and Making a Murderer, it probably won't be long before this show becomes a regular staple in my rotation. For now, though, it is a good thing I am doing this blog because this episode will refresh my memory a little bit about what has been happening on this show.
*watches episode*
Well I have only seen three episodes but this one stands out as probably my favorite so far. This episode dives into Frankie's past. Why she is in jail, her relationship with her father. At the end of the episode I definitely felt like I knew her much better as a character than I had previously.
We see some family visits. Franky confronts her dad, Bea finally gets to see her daughter. But not before she was searched for drugs resulting in the guards contacting her dad back at home. Uh oh, he didn't want his daughter going anywhere near Bea. I assume this problem will be addressed sometime in the near future.
Franky and Jacs are still at odds, and probably will be for the run of this entire series. Things get serious in this episode when Bea is ordered by Jacs to press Frankie's hand in a steam presser. This is definitely NOT just a friendly rivalry, and things are only going to get worse from here.
There are a few other stories going on at the same time too, but I won't go into all of them. Suffice it to say, I am really enjoying this show so far. I probably will continue watching this at a slow rate until I can bump a few other shows out of my rotation, but that doesn't mean I am not liking this show at all.
Season 2
Episode 1
"For Those Who Think Young"
From all the hype I have heard about this show, I expected it to be a little more exciting and addicting. I mean, it is decent show. It takes its time setting things up. It is very character driven. The setting is very true to the time that the show was set in. It's very easy to get lost in this show, even when nothing is really happening.
My only problem is that it is taking a little too long to really get going. Is there a point to this show? Is it just an office/period piece soap opera? I really want to like it. And I am close. But it is just not quite enough for me yet. Here is to hoping they up the ante in season two. This show has a big following for a reason right? I can't imagine the rest of the seasons being as uneventful as season one was.
*watches episode*
Well it was still pretty much a lot of the same old Mad Men. It didn't seem like much eventful happened here. Instead, we simply got to dive into the lives of some of these characters and follow them along for an hour or so.
The show has an undeniable charm, I have to give it that. How often can you find a show out there where there isn't much drama or fighting, not a whole lot happens, yet the show still keeps you interested as you watch it? No other shows like this really come to mind. Never once did I look at the clock or think "is this almost over?" It's like I leave my body and join the characters on the show or something, lol.
There doesn't seem to be a clear route the story line is taking. No end goal in sight. I don't even know if there is an underlying story or if the whole series is simply going to be along the lines of what I have seen already. Does it ever speed up? Is there a climax or a "finish" at the end of the show's run, or does it just end? I don't know. On the surface you would think I'd detest this show or be bored out of my mind, but so far that is not happening.
Season 2
Episode 1
"Last Days of Summer"
Change was in the air at the end of the last season of Friday Night Lights. Coach Taylor was on his way to coach at a college, leaving his pregnant wife and daughter home in Dillon to fend for themselves until his return.
Anything could happen with this show now. Will there be a new coach? If so, how long will he last? Because with four seasons of this show remaining, we know that there is no way Coach Taylor is going to stay away forever.
I'm interested to see the direction this show is going to go. Cause I have no idea what is in store for us viewers.
*watches episode*
Well this was a really solid episode. I've been away from this show for a little while now, and I forgot just how strong the cast of characters is. And the show isn't just all about football, it is about the coach and the people of the town of Dillon.
Things have changed. Landry is now trying out for the football team. Lyla has gone all religious on everyone. Julie is worried her relationship with Matt is going to go the way of her parents, so she starts flirting with a new person. Lots of personal drama, very little in the episode about football.
And I was totally okay with that. Definitely the biggest story of the episode is Tyra's would be rapist returning. Landry defends her and clobbers the guy. It looks like he could be dead. Interesting turn the show took for this second season. But I like it, and really want to watch more now. But I was temporarily on break from this show, and may wait until I can clear out a few other things from my rotation before I come back to this.
Season 2
Episode 12
"The Royale"
A little known fact is that over the last few months I have been watching Star Trek: The Next Generation from the beginning, writing up a blog entry for each and every episode of the series. Once I finish with all seven seasons of the series, I plan to release one blog entry a day until I am finished with the whole show.
I watched season one very, very quickly. But you know me and my short attention span. I've hit a stall out point a little less than halfway through the second season. I still love the show and it is not like I am sick of it or anything. It is just that I have been caught up in other things.
Normally I haven't counted this as a part of my regular show rotation, but seeing as how this is the ULTIMATE show rotation blog, I might as well go ahead and include it. I am going to kill two birds with one stone and write my blog entry for this episode as well and post it here. I will still include it in order whenever it is that I finish with this series and start posting my one episode a day blog entries. So consider this like a free preview....
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If I were to solely base my remembrances of this episode based on its incredibly vague Netflix description, absolutely nothing would come to mind. But I have read a separate preview of this episode in a TNG companion book, and I actually do remember this one. Not very well, I must say. I didn't read the whole thing, so as to avoid spoiling myself before watching the episode and forming my own thoughts and opinions on it.
I recall this being one of those episodes where the crew is transported to another time. Maybe if not actually to another time, but to an alien representation of another time. Don't ask me to explain that. If you are a Trekkie you either get it or you don't. The crew members are gangsters in a casino, maybe, looking to pull off some kind of heist? I'm probably way off base, but this does sound familiar to me. I did see that he companion book didn't really have nice things to say about this episode. But hey, I seem to recall liking it.
Let's get started and watch!
We begin aboard the bridge, as usual. Riker has received a message from a Klingon vessel about unusual debris being found in the orbit of a distant planet, so naturally the Enterprise comes to investigate it. Riker comes to Picard's ready room to inform him of the situation only to find the good Captain in a reflective mood, talking about puzzles and problems that have difficult solutions. Foreshadowing for the difficulties in this episode perhaps?
A piece of wreckage is beamed aboard, and the crew finds that it contains *gasp* an image of the NASA logo. Totally didn't see that coming. Man, the person who writes the episode descriptions is seriously slacking at their job.
Anyway, the crew detects a "pocket" of livable, breathable atmosphere located around a structure on the surface of this otherwise very inhospitable world. Riker, Worf, and Data beam down to investigate. They find a void untouched by the raging storms of the planet, and in this void an old fashioned revolving door that leads into... mystery!
When they enter the door, all communication with the ship is cut off. They find themselves in a casino (called it!) and begin their investigation. Although the place is packed to the gills with people, tricorder scans show that there is no sign of life forms among them. Curiouser and curiouser.
Aboard the Enterprise, Picard is concerned because he has lost touch with his away team. And there seems to be no sign of outside communication jamming. Troi is able to sense that the team is still alive. Not only alive, but amused at something.
Back to the casino (the Royale). Data dons a cowboy hat and joins a game of blackjack, where he promptly proceeds to destroy his competition with a rare "five card Charlie" move. Most notable thing about this scene is definitely the cowboy hat. I actually recognized it from this gif I have seen floating around on the internet.
I always wondered which episode this came from. Now I know.
Back to the recap.
Riker decides it is time to head back to the ship, so he leads the team through the revolving doors... back into the casino. That's right, they are stuck in the casino and not allowed to exit. Can't say I didn't see that coming. To top it off, they can't seem to communicate with any of the people in the Royale anymore. It is as if they don't exist to them. Worf attempts to blast his way out with a phaser, but the plan does not work.
Back on the Enterprise, Picard and Laforge continue to work out a way to get back in contact with the away team. Troi senses Riker's sense of frustration down below, and this adds some extra urgency to the Captain's efforts. He manages to get a communication through to Riker, but the frequency is so unstable it cuts out before he can get a full grasp of the situation on the planet.
Data detects a trace of human DNA in one of the floors above them in the casino, so the team takes an elevator to investigate. In one of the rooms they discover the body of the lone member of the NASA shuttle. At his side is a journal and a copy of the book "Hotel Royale." In the journal entry, we discover that the man believed that aliens had hijacked his shuttle. In an effort to make him feel more at home, they created the world of the Royale for him out of the book, believing that this was the style of life he was most familiar with.
The away team still can not find a way to escape, and now they find that one of the final parts of the novel, where a bell boy is shot and killed, is coming to life in front of them. Realizing that whatever happens in the book happens in the alien simulation, the crew reads the end of the book. The ending reveals that "foreign investors" buy the casino and leave it in the hands of the manager. This is how they will escape. They will become the foreign investors, buy the casino, and leave it to the manager. And walk out the door.
But first, they need the money. Data makes a killing while gambling and earns the money, plus a little extra to hand out to the bystanders at the casino. The book did say that the foreign investors were flamboyantly generous, after all.
The plan works, and the away team is allowed to leave through the revolving doors and return to the Enterprise.
Riker has one last chat with the Captain before the show ends, mirroring the conversation they had at the beginning of the episode. How could the NASA shuttle get that far out on its own? What happened to the rest of the crew? Perhaps it is a puzzle with a solution they will never find out. And you know what? I am totally okay with that ending.
I really liked this one. I don't know why the recap I skimmed over had negative things to say about it. I had a good time. It is everything I love about Star Trek. Humor, a good mystery, the show's characters forced to adapt to an unusual situation.
I was into it. There have been a few episodes of this show that have been dull or so-so in quality. This episode was anything but dull. It was fun and the sense of adventure was a palpable thing here.
Two thumbs up from me.
Season 2
Episode 18
"Killed by Death"
This is definitely one of my least favorite shows in my rotation, and I have considered dropping it on several occasions. I may still do so, but I am at least going to stick it through the end of the season and see if it gets any better. Supposedly, it was supposed to have gotten better by now. If this is the best the show has to offer, then I guess the show isn't for me. If I do drop it out of my rotation, maybe... maybe I will resume it someday when I have burned through everything else I am currently watching.
I don't necessarily dislike the show. It has its moments. But I feel like I am wasting my time watching it when I'm really not that into it. Life's too short to watch shit you don't really care too much about. But hey, Buffy has five episodes to turn things around for me. And the first of those five episodes starts now.
*watches episode*
You know, I actually liked this episode. It is easy for me to lose touch with Buffy when I let 2 months go between watching episodes. But as soon as I started watching this, it just felt comfortable for me. I like the characters. It's only season 2 and already a lot of them, like Cordelia, have changed. Xander, Willow, and Giles are all strong supporting characters. I like the Angel is evil story line.
This is a good show, and I am now reconsidering dropping it. It is funny how one good episode goes such a long way for me. Anyway, this episode centered around Buffy, hospitalized after an injury obtained while fighting with Angel. She sees weird things at night in the hospital. There is a creature killing kids, that only kids can see. And he is one ugly motherfucker.
No one believes Buffy since she hates hospitals and was previously wigging out trying to escape. But of course, she is right and defeats the monster and saves the day. There is more to the episode, but that is just your basic generic recap. The point is, I liked it and had fun.
For now, it has redeemed itself in my mind. If the next episode sucks, I will probably go back to hating it again.
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Well, there we go. 26 shows I watched, which was a pretty exhausting task. I tried to get one episode from each show inside and outside my rotation, and I think I did it. If I missed anything, well too bad.
I know that Hannibal isn't on the list. I am waiting for season 3 to come out, and I still don't have my hands on it yet. I think its out, I just haven't been looking for it. I haven't forgotten about it, don't worry. But that's really the only glaring omission that I can think of.
I'll probably go back to my normal rotation blog next time I do one of these. Which means I won't watch episodes from shows that I am currently on break from.
Hope you thought this was interesting.
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