TV Reviews

New Girl: Season 2 Premiere

Written by Tony LaScala Thursday, September 27, 2012, 7:07 AM

New Girl season two debuted with two episodes for our viewing pleasure: “Re-Launch” and “Katie.” While the first episode left me hopeful for a new season full of offbeat humor and quirky chemistry, the second installment left me wondering if the writers understand the definition of continuity.

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How I Met Your Mother: Season 8 Premiere

Written by Jim Rohner Wednesday, September 26, 2012, 8:48 AM

With the end of season seven, I expressed frustration at the fact that Carter Bays and Craig Thomas flipped over their hole cards and expected us to be surprised by the outcome of the hand with the revelations of Barney (Neil Patrick Harris) and Robin's (Cobie Smulders) imminent wedding and Victoria's (Ashley Williams) eloping with Ted (Josh Radnor). I argued that despite some sincere emotional engagement, the fact that we know where the road will lead (Robin and Barney married, Victoria and Ted not) makes the journey far less enjoyable. After taking in season eights's premiere, "Farhampton," I can say that fuel has only been added to the fire.

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The Office: Season 9 Premiere

Written by Tony LaScala Sunday, September 23, 2012, 2:45 PM

Dunder Mifflin will be closing its doors to our voyeuristic attention later this year, but not without wrapping up a few ongoing storylines. The Office is back for its final season and it has an endgame in sight. The season kicked off with a jam-packed episode that set up the storylines that will make up the critically acclaimed show’s final season.

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Inspector George Gently (UK): Season 5 Finale

Written by Andrew Watson Wednesday, September 19, 2012, 11:34 AM

Three Things I Learned Watching Inspector George Gently

Inspector George Gently ended with a bang on Sunday night, complete with a cliff hanger ending and a bloody trail of action that rips up the usual Gently formula and plumps for the classic hero on the run story. This particular trope is a well-travelled one that has been used in pretty much every single genre under the sun. Our white knight hero and force for good (which in this case is our department’s “Mr. Clean”, Gently), has a spectacular fall from grace often orchestrated by nefarious means (the planting of false evidence accusing Gently (Martin Shaw) of murdering a police informant), and is forced to go on the run and clear his name. Although it follows this fairly standard form to the letter this was an entertaining episode of George Gently, which provides ideal Sunday night viewing. Here are a few observations about how it manages to keep a tired story fresh.

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Revolution: Series Premiere

Written by Becky Kifer Tuesday, September 18, 2012, 3:04 PM

A couple of years back I inadvertently read The Stand, The Passage, and The Road within a few weeks of each other. Pages and pages of biological warfare gone wrong, vampiric creatures, and cataclysmic survivalism—it was like Oprah’s Book Club with a side of cannibalism. Television hasn’t helped my disaster fixation, particularly with the recent rash of shows celebrating all things annihilatory. As high profile projects like The Walking Dead and Falling Skies draw viewers in with names like Darabont and Spielberg, disaster has become the new cop show. 

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