Entil's State of the Union
Well, it's been a fairly crazy month so far. I swear, even though it hasn't been incredibly busy, work has been exhausting. Every week feels like a major ordeal. I have the feeling that things are only going to get worse until the first real holiday...or until the winter blues go away...
***
All right, so a few general thoughts on non-reviewed TV shows that are on the Entil Family TiVo list:
BATTLESTAR GALACTICA - I really enjoyed the miniseries when I finally got to see it, so I was optimistic about the series itself. I was rather shocked at how much better the series has been. The series, successful or not, is a worthy successor of "Babylon 5", "Farscape", and "Firefly", all of which held character above all else. This series has become appointment TV, without question!
MEDIUM - I have to say, after an average start, this series has won me over. I find the family dynamic to be rather compelling, and I really enjoy how the husband expresses a realistic level of doubt, forcing her to constantly question her interpretations. This is "Millennium", only with a much more attractive lead character and a more "audience friendly" tone. And since that series would be very popular nowadays, it's rather appropriate that this series has been very successful, beating or tying "CSI: Miami". The word is that this short mid-season will be extended, and that the series has already been renewed for a full 22-episode second season!
POINT PLEASANT - Unfortunately, I can't say anything remotely similar about this series. I really wanted this one to work, since the premise is fun, and Christina is super-hot when she's doing bad, bad things. Never mind that fact that Marti Noxon and many ex-Mutant Enemy writers are involved! The fact is, though...it's just not coming together very well. The whole mix of "The OC" and "Omen" is uneven at best, and when Ben Edlund can't write a strong episode for your series, that means there's a problem. The ratings are dropping through the floor, so apparently a lot of other people agree. Get the apocalypse going, Marti, or the show's the next victim!
WEST WING - I am totally loving this transitionary period. The season started off a bit shaky, but the overall scheme of the season is becoming clear. It's all about one door closing and another opening, and seeing the beginnings of the first Barlett campaign through the present day struggles of the Santos campaign. That last episode was brilliant, especially when Santos and Vinick came face to face, the two opponents having a conversation laced with an incredible amount of subtext. No, this isn't the Sorkin version of "West Wing" anymore...this is the John Wells version, and damned if it isn't finally finding its own voice! (Purists may hate it, but I'm won over...and the ratings agree with me...)
SMALLVILLE - I don't know what others think of this season, but at least it has more narrative momentum than the third season. I think the increased focus on sexuality is sometimes over the top, but there's always been a sensual side to the series, and this is just amping it up a bit. It's still very strong storytelling, and everything that I wish "Roswell" could have been, had the network given it a chance.
JACK AND BOBBY - I swear, my wife and I must be the only people watching this show and seeing it for what it is: a damned good drama, not afraid to buck convention or stir up controversy. It's exactly the kind of show that deserves an audience and was therefore doomed from the beginning to not get one. It's not perfect, but rarely am I so happy to be furious at a character as I am with that mother!
***
As far as writing goes, I should be back in the saddle soon, now that the review-intensive mid-season start is more or less over. February sweeps ought to be busy as well, but not quite so insane. I'm still struggling to stay on task with the story, but I'm constantly "writing" it in my head, and it's just a matter of getting the thing on "paper"!
***
More soon...right now, I'm getting in some well-deserved reading time...
***
All right, so a few general thoughts on non-reviewed TV shows that are on the Entil Family TiVo list:
BATTLESTAR GALACTICA - I really enjoyed the miniseries when I finally got to see it, so I was optimistic about the series itself. I was rather shocked at how much better the series has been. The series, successful or not, is a worthy successor of "Babylon 5", "Farscape", and "Firefly", all of which held character above all else. This series has become appointment TV, without question!
MEDIUM - I have to say, after an average start, this series has won me over. I find the family dynamic to be rather compelling, and I really enjoy how the husband expresses a realistic level of doubt, forcing her to constantly question her interpretations. This is "Millennium", only with a much more attractive lead character and a more "audience friendly" tone. And since that series would be very popular nowadays, it's rather appropriate that this series has been very successful, beating or tying "CSI: Miami". The word is that this short mid-season will be extended, and that the series has already been renewed for a full 22-episode second season!
POINT PLEASANT - Unfortunately, I can't say anything remotely similar about this series. I really wanted this one to work, since the premise is fun, and Christina is super-hot when she's doing bad, bad things. Never mind that fact that Marti Noxon and many ex-Mutant Enemy writers are involved! The fact is, though...it's just not coming together very well. The whole mix of "The OC" and "Omen" is uneven at best, and when Ben Edlund can't write a strong episode for your series, that means there's a problem. The ratings are dropping through the floor, so apparently a lot of other people agree. Get the apocalypse going, Marti, or the show's the next victim!
WEST WING - I am totally loving this transitionary period. The season started off a bit shaky, but the overall scheme of the season is becoming clear. It's all about one door closing and another opening, and seeing the beginnings of the first Barlett campaign through the present day struggles of the Santos campaign. That last episode was brilliant, especially when Santos and Vinick came face to face, the two opponents having a conversation laced with an incredible amount of subtext. No, this isn't the Sorkin version of "West Wing" anymore...this is the John Wells version, and damned if it isn't finally finding its own voice! (Purists may hate it, but I'm won over...and the ratings agree with me...)
SMALLVILLE - I don't know what others think of this season, but at least it has more narrative momentum than the third season. I think the increased focus on sexuality is sometimes over the top, but there's always been a sensual side to the series, and this is just amping it up a bit. It's still very strong storytelling, and everything that I wish "Roswell" could have been, had the network given it a chance.
JACK AND BOBBY - I swear, my wife and I must be the only people watching this show and seeing it for what it is: a damned good drama, not afraid to buck convention or stir up controversy. It's exactly the kind of show that deserves an audience and was therefore doomed from the beginning to not get one. It's not perfect, but rarely am I so happy to be furious at a character as I am with that mother!
***
As far as writing goes, I should be back in the saddle soon, now that the review-intensive mid-season start is more or less over. February sweeps ought to be busy as well, but not quite so insane. I'm still struggling to stay on task with the story, but I'm constantly "writing" it in my head, and it's just a matter of getting the thing on "paper"!
***
More soon...right now, I'm getting in some well-deserved reading time...
posted by John Keegan | 18:59
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