The Vampire Diaries: Burning Questions

Is Matt going to be the only human left on The Vampire Diaries?

It appears that everyone is some sort of supernatural being, except for Matt. I often wonder if he feels left out. First his sister became a vampire, then died. Then his almost girlfriend Caroline gets bitten and leads the life of a vampire. His BFF Tyler was a werewolf and is now a hybrid werewolf/vampire. His friend Bonnie is a witch who can barely control her spells. His history teacher was a vampire hunter, then a vampire and then dead. His ex-girlfriend is a vampire and had to rely on him for nourishment, which he was happy to do because he blamed himself for her fate. Now his other new BFF Jeremy is a vampire hunter and he is being used as bait. Not to mention that his mom hauled ass out of town some time ago, leaving him basically an orphan left to fend for himself. How does he go on and what will his ultimate fate be?

I must say that I thought Matt was going to fall victim to a vampire a long time ago. He is kind of a background player. Dressed for the game, but only put in when it’s a blowout. He is getting some more action so to speak, but it isn’t quite the kind of action one would probably enjoy. And why isn’t Matt all doused in vervain now that Elena doesn’t need him for meals and snacks?

I am now left to wonder what fate beholds dear dear Matt. He must feel totally left out of the supernatural club. Everyone he hangs out with has some sort of “gift”. Are we going to find out that he is the key to the cure? There has to be some sort of end game with Matt. They haven’t kept him around just because.

Another question…why don’t they have elections in Mystic Falls? First Tyler’s dad was mayor then when he died a painful death, Tyler’s mom became mayor. Then when Klaus drowned her, Bonnie’s dad became mayor. So is it some sort of “phone tree” type situation where if Person A dies, Person B becomes mayor and when Person B dies, Person C becomes mayor? I thought maybe it was a Founding Fathers type thing, but I don’t ever remember Bonnie’s family being amongst the founders.  So how did he end up mayor? Was it just to remind us that one kid has a parent? At least for now?

A Mid-Season Review of Grey's Anatomy & Scandal

My original plan for today’s post was to review last night’s episodes of Grey’s Anatomy and Scandal, however, I don’t feel that they are really review worthy. In other words, I don’t think there was much to the episodes. Instead, I think I will review the season of each now that we are kind of at the half-way point.

Grey’s Anatomy

This was one of the shows I was looking forward to most over the summer. They left audiences with a big cliffhanger and I was anxious to see how they dealt with that. It didn’t take long for me to be very disappointed. I had hoped to see more of how the crash victims were rescued and we didn’t get any hint of that until episode two and then it was a very small glimpse.

The sub-story running throughout the season is the crash and the “who’s at fault, what’s the payoff?” story. I don’t like it. I am sort of a traditionalist in that I want more stories about the medical aspect with sub-stories of personal life. I am tired of seeing flashbacks and pointing the finger at who is to blame. Let’s get back to weird cases and snarky Christina.

The intern-centric episode practically sucked the life out of me and they re-aired it nearly back to back. Once was way more than enough. I don’t care about these interns. I don’t think they add anything to the story. Remember when Lexie’s group first came to Seattle Grace? We know what happened to her, but what happened to the others? And why are there so many of these new interns and why are they so annoying?

I will say a couple of things about last night’s episode. First, that dress in no way screamed Bailey. I realize she didn’t do a lot of wedding planning, but you would think she could have at least picked out a dress that was more her and maybe wasn’t pure white considering her son from a previous marriage was an attendant of sorts. Sorry, that is just a huge pet peeve of mine. Secondly, I am glad they wrapped up the Adele storyline and had her pass off camera. I think the underutilized that character and it felt a bit contrived when she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s ala Ellis Grey.

Scandal

This show was a huge standout for me in its short first season run. I was glued to it every Thursday. So I was very happy when it was renewed and picked up for a full length season.  Things started off this year with a bang and has been nothing but a twisty turn, bumpy, mind-boggling journey. Just when you get an answer, seventy three other questions pop up. One minute you can’t stand Cyrus and then you like him again.

For me the biggest standout, must watch character is Mellie. I will admit that in season one I didn’t really care for her, but this season she has some of the best lines. More times than not she makes me laugh and I find myself rooting for her. I think she is twisted and incredibly intelligent. Fitz, on the other hand, seems like a total knob. It’s always interesting to watch political dramas because they often show the chief of staff has having the power, the drive, making shit happen. And this really is no exception.

I would really like the whole Cytron/Hollis Doyle thing wrapped up. It is getting a bit old. Also, let’s get back to some juicy cases. The last few episodes have been about the shooting. Actually, the season has had a huge focus on Huck, when I was expecting a focus on Quinn. I am happy to see David had a presence last night and I am still waiting for the day he becomes a Gladiator.

This second season has definitely had a darkness to it. Huck’s addiction, his relationship with Becky/Katie really have taken almost center stage. The first season had a dark side too, but nothing like this year. I would love a sort of lightening up of the second half, getting Olivia back to being a fixer instead of a mistress.

Are you watching the Shonda Rhimes block on Thursday nights? Are you enjoying this seasons stories? Hit the comments and let me know. Let me know what you want my thoughts on. I am always willing to share.

Happy watching…

Looking Back and Looking Ahead

The holiday break has ended and shows begin returning this week. I still have twelve hours of unseen programming on my DVR, my hopes of getting through it this past week/end was thwarted by my inability to concentrate or care.

I toyed around with blogging about what I have dropped, but really it is not that lengthy of a list. The only show that I was watching that I dropped was Revenge. I didn’t see the first season, but heard rave reviews. I caught one of those special catch-up episodes and began season two. It just didn’t feel that great to me. Then I started reading reviews and it seems that a lot of people think season two definitely filled out the sophomore slump role. I ditched it right around the Thanksgiving episode. I am not a fan of flashbacks! Well with the exception of Revolution. Take note Scandal. Take note.

I caught up on Private Practice which all seemed to be out of sequence. I think it happened right around Super Storm Sandy and just never quite got back on track. I know why I stopped watching this. I really don’t like Kate Walsh (never mind that she always sounds like she has a sinus problem). And the other characters lack life. I’m about 97% certain that I won’t watch the last few episodes, maybe catch the very last one. This show should have been gone a few years ago.

I am caught up on Castle and am finding it enjoyable again. I kind of got off track last season, late last season, but am back on board.

Nashville is definitely a bubble show for me. I just feel like they threw too much into season one. I think that the campaign should have been put off until at least the second season. They should have rounded out those characters a bit more, let us really get to know them before throwing that storyline at us. Some of it seems to move so fast and some of it moves so slow. I really would not be surprised to see this not get a pick up.

I am still trying to catch up on Flashpoint, Elementary and CSI.

I finally watched the fall finale of Revolution. I don’t know why it took me so long. I think in part it was delaying it, having something to look forward to. It was a good episode. I forgot how much I missed Billy Burke! I just adore his character.

I am also caught up on Arrow. There is something about that show that I just can’t quite turn off. I am thinking that it might turn into one of those shows that is like The Vampire Diaries. I didn’t much care for the first season, but held on and it paid off. I am hoping Arrow is the same way. I still cannot watch an episode of Beauty and the Beast. Ugh.

There are some shows coming up in mid-season premiers that I plan on tuning into.

First up, the Kevin Bacon thriller, The Following on Fox. I have been looking forward to this for a while now. I really love Kevin Bacon and this looks very intense.

I am anxious to see what changes Body of Proof has made. I didn’t watch most of the second season, but plan on tuning in because it is going to be practically a whole new cast. Waiting to see if there is more drama and grit.

1600 Penn is on my list. I watched the pilot and was so so on it. I think parts of it were funny, but there were some parts that was very much “really?”. I’ll give it a few episodes.

Deception premiers tonight. It doesn’t look that good really, just from the first few clips. I get that feeling that it won’t last. They might air all they have filmed, but not much beyond that. Again, that is just my gut feeling from the first few clips. I will have a better view point after the pilot.

The Carrie Diaries. I am so torn. Part of me wants to watch, but part of me is not on board with that. I think they did a huge disservice to the Sex and the City franchise when they made the second movie, which was a huge disappointment and total head scratcher. I didn’t read the book by Candace Bushnell so I really don’t know how she wrote young Carrie. It doesn’t look like it follows what was said/done in the HBO series. Yeah, just really can’t figure out if I want to tune in. Another reason is I am getting a little tired of all the teen set that The CW is all about. I get they are a younger network, but they need to try and stretch their demo a little.

And that is pretty much what is on my plate, along with my regular viewing preferences.

Things will be changing big time in my viewing hours with the recent announcement of the end of the NHL Lockout. Well maybe. It all depends on how much the cable company offers Center Ice for. I am not paying full price for half a season. That is not acceptable at all. I imagine that will be coming out in the next couple of weeks. I feel like the NHL should offer it for free. That would never happen, but it would be nice. Or at least deeply deeply discount it. More than half off is acceptable, anything more and it will require a lot of thought and analysis.

So what are you looking forward to in the second half of the prime-time season? Hit the comments and let me know.

Ten on Tuesday: November 20, 2012

I thought I would do a Ten on Tuesday today.

1. You have heard it before from me, The Vampire Diaries surplus of blood. Is their theme this year, The Bloodiest Season Yet?
   
   
2. What happened to the pilot? It took two months for Grey’s to tell us what happened to Jerry the pilot and when they did, they were threatening to sue him!

3. I need a primer. I don’t read comic books, because I am a girl and because I am over 30, so I don’t really know all these characters they hype in Arrow. I could use a little primer, a little back story on who they are. Is that too much to ask?

4. They’re back! It seems that General Hospital is trying to find their way back into the hearts of their former viewers by resurrecting some favorite characters. First Duke Lavery comes to town, then AJ Quartermaine returns, then Faison and now Robert Scorpio. We are also going to be treated to Ned returning and in December Lucy Coe is going to be in town for a day. I sort of like it. It takes me back to my youth and to the heyday before the mob arrived.

5. Hiatus. I am none to pleased that Revolution is taking a four month hiatus. I love that show and more importantly I love Billy Burke. I pray this hiatus doesn’t totally tank the show!

6. The end is near. I know it is not television…really, but I can’t be the only person who is beyond thrilled that the Twilight debacle is ending. I can’t be the only person who shudders every time they see R Patz & K Stew. If they story didn’t turn me off already, the casting of those two definitely put me off on the franchise.

7. Friday Night Nothing. Why is it there is nothing on on Friday nights to watch? I gave up on Blue Bloods last season when I just couldn’t take Tom Selleck’s smug, holier than though attitude. I have tried to watch CSI NY, but every time I do, time stands still and my will to live dwindles. Is Friday night the graveyard of television programming?

8. CBS why? Why doesn’t CBS put their shows on Hulu+? I would love to fire up the old iPad on Friday mornings and catch Elementary, but nope, can’t. Why CBS? Why?

9. Does the CW stand for Can’t Watch? I watch one show on The CW, The Vampire Diaries. Everything else is just not for me. Perhaps it is because I am on the downhill side of my thirties and their demographic is 18-30. But I am young at heart, so what gives?

10. Technically not television related, but this freaking lockout is killing me. I depend on hockey to keep me somewhat satisfied and sane and with this lockout I have been forced to watch Young & the Restless and Days of Our Lives during that in between primetime time slots. It is not fair, brain cells are depleted every time I see Nicole Walker in a hospital bed.

So do you have ten things that bother you about television/shows/movies/entertainment? Hit the comments and let me know.

When a Show Changes

What do you do when a show goes south? Do you keep watching, waiting, hoping for it to get back to form or do you cut your losses?

I have been asking myself these questions over the last few seasons. Shows that I once loved, couldn’t live without, have consistently been going down hill and I am not sure if I am missing the appeal or if others are.  Let me give you a few examples.

Bones

This show used to be so funny and so engaging. Sure I had to overlook the realism of the FBI needing continual use of a forensic anthropologist. I had to overlook the computer technology that I don’t believe exists. That was fine. I could put all that aside because the characters were interesting. Hodgins with his experiments and conspiracy paranoia; Angela with her boho style and attitude; Brennan with her  lack of personality and matter of factness; and Booth with his total guy exterior.

But it changed. It changed when they decided to write Emily Deschanel’s pregnancy into the script. For me it doesn’t work. This sudden relationship that grew from a one-night sympathy sexcapade. I just can’t get behind it. I don’t like the way Brennan has changed. It doesn’t feel natural to have her and Booth kissing and playing house.

Perhaps part of it changed for me when I realized that I really don’t like David Boreanez. I followed him on twitter, and he made some statements and did some name calling that I felt was childish and really lowball. Ever since then I just can’t look at him without thinking negative thoughts.

Did the show change or did I change?

NCIS

Remember when we still had Zivaisms? When the cases were stand alone and didn’t always tie with terrorism? When you didn’t have to have a full season arc that was hit and miss? When the director wasn’t a fixture, but a person you never saw?

I tend to do other things while I am watching this program. I read, write, clean. Anything but sit down and pay strict attention. If I were to just watch I fear I would slip into a coma. The show has become boring. Something I don’t care if I miss. Because after all it will eventually air on USA network.

Gibbs isn’t fun. McGee is more serious. Ziva lost her aloofness, her edge. Tony changed for the better, he isn’t as goofy. I get we all grow up, but why did the writer’s take away the fun? Ducky’s stories, once quirky are now downright painful and Palmer has taken annoyance to a new level.

It seems most every case is tied to terrorism of some sort. Nobody commits murder just to commit murder.

Have they run out of material? Ideas? Oomph?

I don’t think it can all be me, can it? Is my taste for television changing? Have I watched too much and am nearing my limit? Or am I just getting older and have less tolerance than I use to?

Weekly Questions - The Thursday Edition

Thursday was a full night of television in my household and these are the questions I was left with after three hours.

The Vampire Diaries

• Caroline has super hero hearing right? So did she overhear Klaus on the phone with Tyler?
• So is Caroline the official compel artist in Mystic Falls? She seems to be the go-to person to make people forget.
• Is Jeremy sweet on April or does he just think she's been through enough already?
• Was Connor the James Bond of vampire hunters? He had some pretty slick weaponry.
• So is Jeremy going to tell anyone about his cure map?
• And why did his map start to grow? He didn't kill a vampire.
• Is Elena the sloppiest vampire ever? She never seems to wipe her face, which is poor hygiene.
• Is Bonnie the dumbest witch? Who trusts a man named Professor Shane?
• Is Elena all effed up because she killed a hunter or because he was a descendant of one of the Five?

Grey's Anatomy

• How much time is passing by on this show?
• Zola is potty training
• Minnesota is getting hit by mega snow storms
• Who else loved "Buck Up", it's a Minnesota thing?
• What city/state was Dr. Thomas driving in? There was no snow on the streets!
• Did anyone else laugh out loud at "Doomsday Preppers"?
• Could you blame anyone for not wanting to get involved with pulling a near dead lady from underneath a car? 
• Why was Meredith so surprised? After all she is in the middle of a lawsuit for a plane crash.
• Are frozen fish sticks Brazilian?
• Are you supposed to microwave said fish sticks?
• Who else wants a "bug out bag" stocked with alcohol?
• Did anyone else expect to see Alex sitting with Zola on the potty?
• Uh, did anyone else think they wasted their time on Dr. Thomas? That man was not coming back, not at all.
• Uh, would that lady be talking? Didn't Callie say they replaced her entire volume of blood four times?
• Who else is excited to watch Christina refer to her interns by their dwarf names?

Scandal

• What kind of secret circle is this?
• So, Olivia solved the David Rosen problem by getting him his job back?
• Do you just love that Huck attends AA meetings to deal with his addiction to killing people?
• Did you all think she was raped? Really? 
• Am I the only one who thinks going on a stalking date with Huck would be fun?
• What governor hits the bar on the way home?
• Is Hollis Doyle the most powerful man in DC? or the World?
• Why didn't they name the episode 4,359?
• Was Mellie wearing a helmet made of hair?
• Was the best line of the night "If your water breaks, change your pants and cross your knees"?
• Do you think Cyrus is bipolar?
• Is Abby going to start "investigating"?
• Really Governor? Rape is a "gorgeous word"? Wow!
• Voter fraud? 
• Is the computer plant guy in the Secret Circle?
• Will Abby live to see the end of the season?

Wowzers what a night! Did you tune in? Do you have any burning questions? Hit the comments and let me know.

Friday Four: November 9, 2012

Four Shows I Plan On Catching Up On During My Snow Day Weekend

1. Elementary – I think I have three episodes to watch including last night’s.
   
   
2. Castle – Check off four hours on my backlog.
   
   
3. Nashville – Three episodes await me.
   
   
4. Flashpoint & Covert Affairs – One of each.

So that is twelve hours worth of viewing. A little less if I fast forward through the commercials. If I get that all done I will be amazed & super excited. I will also surely have a lot of questions for a Weekly Questions post.

What’s on your DVR? Do you let the shows pile up like I do or do you watch them right away? Do you like having multiple episodes of one show so it is like a mini-marathon? Hit the comments and let me know.