Misanthrope Musings: Let's Talk TV
It's nearly that time of year again where my unapologetic television habit comes to an abrupt end. It's not going to be so painful this time. Last year I enjoyed watching "Invasion", "Threshold" and the ungodly cheesy, albeit fun "Surface". Despite the fact "Invasion" started out slowly, but came to a great crescendo and a stellar season finale, and left me hanging all for nothing! All three shows were not renewed/canceled for the 2007 season. That was a bummer after last year's TV hiatus. Even the early Fall season's much critialy touted "The Nine", which I couldn't get into, which had the benefit of following "Lost", couldn't make a go of it. It seems networks aren't willing to build a following for thinking persons shows and the sci-fi genre is all but dead on the major networks. With the dumbing down of America, is the rise of game shows, reality TV and shows like "American Idol", "The Apprentice" and "Dancing with the Stars". Of course there are a few modern day "Melrose Place" shows like "Grey's Anatomy" and "Desperate Housewives". All are quick ratings hits, as they are truly mindless TV. That's fine, but a little variety and sticktuitiveness for the rest of us would be welcome. Frankly, I don't think "McDreamy" or "McTreemy" are all that and a bag of chips. I'd rather watch Anthony LaPaglia any day, one of my favorite actors who has had many a stand out series canceled before it's time. Come to find out that "Without a Trace" is starting to flag in the Sunday night ratings. Figures.
IMHO, the two best shows on network television are "Heroes" and "Prison Break". I still have been tuning into "Lost", and although it's moving a slightly better pace than in prior years, still fails to move at a pace that reveals enough to keep my frustration level with the show at bay. "24", a perennial favorite in the past has been darn near unwatchable for me. They have forgotten the formula that made the show an exceptional standout. The show has fallen prey to lack of character development, tired plot lines which require one to suspend reality to the point of absurdity, and have not made us care about any of the people in the show as individuals. It's slick Hollywood production and nothing more this season. I say kill Jack and come back next year with a hunt for his killer or end the series gracefully. How many more times can Jack Bauer be beaten, whipped, made to feel cheap, be left for dead and then cling to the bottom of a moving semi for 10 miles at full speed while talking on his cell phone at the same time and we still believe?
Thankfully "Heroes" and "Prison Break" deliver unique story lines (not the same old doctor/hospital or police/crime drama) well paced action, character we care about and that are well developed, intricate multi threaded, believable plots. It's reminiscent of the great Charles Dickens who mastered the art of intricate, interesting and suspenseful story telling, like his masterpiece, "Bleak House". (If you didn't see the PBS rendition of this classic with Gillian Anderson, I suggest it's not to be missed.) Both shows are well cast and there is lots of eye candy. I'll be glued to this season's last 5 episodes of "Heroes" which resumes after a long hiatus April 23rd. They've saved the cheerleader, now it's time to save the world...
PS. It looks like it's going to be a while before any of us X-philers get a File fix. The lawsuit between Chris Carter and Fox over syndication profits has finally settled and he is at work on a script, which will be a stand alone episode not related to the unfinished series business regarding the ongoing alien conspiracy (details). Potential release date for the movie? Don't hold your breath...2012. Gee, I could be dead from the effects of global warming by then!
Comments
You know -- I really liked "Invasion" last year -- much more than I liked LOST, actually. I thought the whole "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" had been done and done and done before, but I found it gripping and creepy. And my crush on Keri Matchett didn't hurt either -- I would have liked to see where they took that show. I never tuned into "Threshold" -- I couldn't get past Brent Spiner -- I know I know that's not fair, but there it is. "Surface" was kind of goofy fun, though I didn't care about ANY of the characters, and was not surprised or really bummed when it was cancelled.
This year, I've re-aligned myself with LOST -- I think its been much much better than S2 (which had some high points, but draaaagggged for too long) and I think that Ben and Juliet have been really good additions. So much so that the other week when they had the original beach losties on -- i was like "oh yeah -- those guys..."
As for X --- I'm kinda willing to let it go, I think. I'll remember S1-S5 with a lot of fondness and block out most of S7+ ... I have heard that "Bleak House" was fantastic, though I haven't seen it yet.
You had a good point on Budd's post re: Heroes (which I too am really excited for) ... do you watch Battlestar Galactica?? That's been a very good show for several seasons, though I've heard the upcoming hiatus is going to be a long one (so plenty of time to catch up)
I was also a HUGE Babylon 5 fan -- which I really think might have been the best SF I've seen on TV.
"This year, I've re-aligned myself with LOST -- I think its been much much better than S2 (which had some high points, but draaaagggged for too long) and I think that Ben and Juliet have been really good additions. So much so that the other week when they had the original beach losties on -- i was like "oh yeah -- those guys..."
JJ replied:
Yes, Steve, I agree with you that Ben and Juliet have been a terrific addition. I like the subtle chemistry between Jack and Juliet as well. You know, you put it perfectly. If felt the same way about the original beach lostie thing.
"I really liked "Invasion" last year -- much more than I liked LOST, actually. I thought the whole "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" had been done and done and done before, but I found it gripping and creepy."
Total agreement with you on this point too. I usually watched "Invasion" with the lights on. I was so bummed that we never saw the alien hybrid babies. I see the sheriff and his wife migrated over to the cast of "Prison Break" and "24", respectively. Too bad Shaun Cassidy hasn't met with much success with either "American Gothic" or "Invasion", both were cancelled before their time in my opinion. I can't believe none of the other networks like F/X, SciFi or what have you picked them up and developed them.
I tried watching Jericho again tonight. It's just impossible for me. How can a place that has had minimal food, no generators, nuclear acid rain have people who are clean and have perfectly coiffed hair? I can't get past all that seemingly trivial stuff, as the to me, it's in the details.
I don't watch BSG and here's why: Originally it conflicted with another show I was watching (can't remember what) before I had my life changed by my acquisition of DVR (sad but true) and I remember when I did tune in once or twice, I couldn't get past Edward James Olmos instead of Lorne Greene and no Bruce Boxlightner, as I watched every episode of the original Battlestar Gallactica. Now I wish I did as I've heard nothing but great things from fellow sci-fi devotees. Since the show is going to be on such a long hiatus, I may end up catching up over the summer and via my iPod so I can be bummed about the 2008 reprise with the rest of you!
Whose your favorite character in Heroes thus far?
Great post! I agree 100%. Unfortunately the execs at the Scifi channel do not agree.
I thought Threshold was awesome and the best of the three. Invasion grew on me slowly. My daughter loved watching Surface, but I couldn't get past the whole ocean survival part. Of the three invasion is the only one that got a full season and the only one that had a conclusion.
Prison Break is pretty good and Heroes rocks. I like Hiro and Claire bear. I don't really like Peter or Nathan. Hate Jessica/Nikki.
JJ -- Definitely start renting BSG on DVD. Its really well done, and you'll forget about Lorne Greene after a while. When I first started watching, it was really weird to hear other actors (and actresses) get called "Boomer" and "Starbuck" and "Colonel Tigh".
As for "Heroes" -- I thought it has been far and away the best new series of the year. (I actually thought Jericho had the best/most novel premise...). I like the characters in the show that are "grey" -- I like Nathan -- well I don't like him, but I'm interested in the directions that he goes -- his moral compass versus his self-serving ambition. I also have enjoyed watching the episodes featuring Claire's Dad -- what are his motivations, clearly on shaky ethical ground, but thinks he's doing the right thing.
Of the "good guy" heroes, I like Claire's story and character the best and the recent episode that focused on her and her Dad was the best of the year so far. Hiro and Ando are good for de-fusing tense situation. Peter sort of annoys me, but not as much as Jessica. I sort of wish she'd just stay all-evil Nikki -- she's a lot more interesting character that way.
I can't wait to see what they pull off at the end of the season!