Why Hello there gentle reader, it's been a while; I hope that your well as you read my humble words.
During my absence the 2008 to 2009 season of shows has drawn to a close, as such I thought it was high time to take a look at the hits and shits of the last year. Oh and I'll avoid too many spoilers along the way.
Terminator – The Sarah Connor chronicles
Terminator TSCC has been a nothing if not a mixed bag. From the odd great episode to the truly piss poor via a generous helping of mediocre viewing.
Season one started badly, there's no other way to put it, however it did improve. I accepted it could never compete with the films if only for budgetary reasons, but all to often it didn't bother to provide anything like an interesting plot.
While the first year did improve greatly the momentum wasn't kept up in season two. The whole three dots theme running throughout this year was poor execution of a bad idea. And the final pay off was nothing short of complete rubbish.
That said the show did offer a few good episodes, the ones centring on Cameron were stand alone and a cut above the rest. Summer Glau proved her acting capabilities time and again. Although what was with shoving her in that swimsuit in the house, it was only a brief moment; but enough to prove she has no figure at all.
One of TSCC's biggest problem was it's main character, Sarah Connor herself, as a viewer I just didn't care about her; I wasn't bothered if she lived or died.
The best character of the year was without doubt Shirley Manson's Katherine Weather. While I felt they gave away her true nature away far too early the mystery behind her agenda was fascinating to watch.
Speaking of characters while many fans hated Riley and Jessie I thought they were welcome additions to the programme as it muddied the waters a bit, true early on they were annoying but the final pay off was well worth it.
So after several bad and mediocre episodes (The ufo one was just painful to watch) in the run up to the finale the show improved dramatically, the final episode itself was a cracker.
Terminator The Sarah Connor Chronicles has now officially been cancelled by Fox, and despite the improvement towards the end of the season it just came too late. If the whole show had been of the calibre of the final three episodes I would be disappointed by Fox's decision to axe the show; as it stands I just didn't care.
Lost
Lost continues to annoy, frustrate and entertain in equal measure.
It is by far the most complex show on television at the moment, and I love it for that. While many of the happenings on the show seen quite daft somehow they manage to pull it off. This is due to them pulling crazy stuff out from the start.
Nothing is simple and every episode leave you hanging.
To call lost an ambitious programme would be an understatement, the shows scope is simply huge.
Season five has been no different, as ever it leave you with too many questions to wonder over.
This year we followed the Oceanic six (Well five if we don't include Arron) ass they tried to return to the Island for various reasons as well as the lives of those left behind. The show at heart has always been a time travel show but this year the cards were really laid out on the table.
It's fast becoming obvious that they have been responsible for their own fates.
To sum up a show like lost in a few words is impossible, the show is too complex to make it worth even trying. However it continues to be one of the best shows on television and all I can say is roll on season six.
Fringe
Before I start I should say I haven't seen the whole season yet, I'm up to about episode 15
Fringe has been another mixed bag, while it hasn't provided any really bad episodes it hasn't been consistently great.
The show has however proven itself to be consistently watch-able.
Like lost there is clearly a bigger overall story but this show goes for a more one story per episode format. Sometimes it works ok, other times it works great.
Fringe's strongest point is the characters, While Olivia may an interesting and flawed lead it by far Walter who makes the show. The actor has great comic timing and overall presents a deeply disturbed character.
While many of the episodes are implausible somehow they work within the shows framework. Not always taking itself too seriously Fringe often allows for jokes at its own expense revealing the tension it build up.
Many shows are still fining their feet during their first season and get stronger as they go onto the second year.
If that's the case with Fringe then I'll will defiantly be coming back for season two.
Dollhouse
Dollhouse was the oddity of the year. It's own premise is it's own problem. When the lead character has a different personality every week how can you ever care about her?
Simply put, you don't.
And this is part of the reason Dollhouse got off to such a poor start. Not only was the lead character Echo completely different every week but her missions weren't all that interesting either.
In fact I almost stopped watching after a few episodes, I'm glad I didn't however. The second half of the season really ramped things up and the show improved dramatically.
While the show itself is an interesting idea the major problem it faces is the main characters (Echo, Sierra and Victor) will change from week to week. The final few episode focused more on what went on behind the scenes and improved the show greatly. It allowed for a much more solid story and therefore much more interesting viewing.
The Paul Ballard characters story moved far too slowly to be of interest, however it was a welcome distraction from the mission of the week. Now his on the inside it will be interesting to see where he goes from here.
The revaluation that a dollhouse staff member was in fact a doll I felt fell a bit flat. It wasn't a big enough deal as the character hadn't had enough screen time for the viewer to care about her.
If dollhouse can keep up the momentum it archived in the second half of its run it will become must see TV, however if it reverts to mission of the week it could also become one to miss; the jury is still out.
Knight Rider
It was painful to watch, I gave up after a few episodes. It's been axed to make way for something else thank god
Prison Break
When Prison Break first hit the screens it was must see TV, however the last two years haven't lived up to the promise of season one and two .
This year Michael and co have been chasing Scylla. A piece of computer hardware with a shitload of useful information on it.
For the most part season four has been watch-able, however it has only been mediocre. It somehow failed to capture the imagination and excitement of the first two seasons; and to be fair. Some of the plot twists were just downright ludicrous.
In fact this year just felt dragged out in many parts, the concept could easily have been squeezed in to just thirteen episodes. Apparently the writes had intended for this years theme to run in season three but the writers strike and short third year prevented that. I suspect that if it had happened both season three and four would have been a lot better for it.
The most criminal thing about Prison Break (pun intended) was the use of William Fincher, while they did use his acting talents they seemed to have forgotten his character. Fincher's Mahone was in season two introduced as a mind as equally brilliant as Michael Schofield's. Why was this forgotten this year as he played a part following Michael's lead all the time?
Prison Break did manage to redeem itself during the excellent finale but by this time it had lost too many viewers, it couldn't possibly have survived. Maybe if there had been no writers strike things would have been different but there was. At least the show got to go out on a high but its a shame that it laboured so much to get there.
24
Jack's back.
24 has always been an ambitious show, to tell a story in real time over twenty four hours is always a challenge.
My question is a simple one though, how come in 24 hours Kiefer Sutherland never needs the loo?
Jack has to answer for his sins, that's the underlying theme of this season. Can it work? That the man we have seen torture and kill can face his own demons?
Damn right it works.
In what is possibly the best season in years 24 shows there plenty of life in the old dog yet.
As implausible as it seemed bringing back Tony Almada was a master-stroke, you never know where he stood of what he was up to, thus making him one of 24's best villains to date. It wasn't till the final episode that you truly knew what his agenda was. It should have been obvious but it wasn't.
The year was filled with drama and suspense, you never knew where things were heading even though the show has a history of characters switching sides you never knew what was coming.
The biggest downside is knowing that there would be another series, whatever happened Jack had to make it through somehow even though he was poisoned with a deadly pathogen. Still that aside may the next year bring on drama like we've seen this year.
Battlestar Galactica
Call it what you want, season five, season four point five, the final season, there are only two words to describe this years outing for BSG, fracking fantastic.
Somehow it worked on almost every level.
The thing about BSG is was never about flash special effects and exciting space battles, it was always about the characters. And those charters are flawed, make mistakes and are completely human.
Last year we were left hanging with the revelation that earth was a nuked wasteland, how could they follow that?
Well follow it they did.
With plot twists and sucker punches BSG was the show to watch this year.
Did you Dee's demise coming? No, neither did I. While she was never a major character she was a constant in the shows support crew. After laying out all the cards for a possible rekindling of her and Lee's romance to shoot herself like that was a shock. One that was brilliantly done, it showed the dispare of the fleet at that time.
The mutiny and the final four were also exciting and excellent story lines, played out with superb pacing.
I've seen on the net a number of people have complained about the second half of the season finale, the religious aspect. My question is did these people even understand the show? It was there from the start, anyone notice season ones “Hand of god”?
This again was played with true skill, it felt natural and gave the story a fitting close.
Every character was given a resolution and all story lines drawn to a definite close.
I've heard it said that BSG is the best show ever. While I'm not sure that I agree I would have to say, it's pretty fracking close.
So there you have it, my thought on this years TV, maybe see you this time next year.
