With reality TV raping the broadcasts for several years, Lost was the show that rescued us with awesome serialized drama. It introduced us to the Island and the unfortunate survivors of Oceanic Flight 815. It had mystery. It had compelling characters. It had action. It had it all.
But what really separated Lost from other contenders was the storytelling. The plot did not go a traditional Point A to B. It started at Point D, then C, then E then B; and we haven't even gotten to A yet. Surely this would lead to a completely broken story that's impossible to follow! But no, somehow it all makes sense in a crazy way.
If for some reason you haven't watched this show yet, start right away. Lost changed television by proving it can be a more as a legitimate medium.
Battlestar Galactica Lost The Office The Shield Dexter Arrested Development Futurama Curb Your Enthusiasm 24 Journeyman Daybreak Breaking Bad Dollhouse Firefly Mad Men Jericho Prison Break Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles 30 Rock
From the 90s: South Park Malcolm in the Middle The Sopranos
Alright let's catch up on the highlights from the past few weeks.
South Park's Whale Wars episode was just awesome from start to finish. How many people still have Cartman singing Lady Gaga in their heads? From the shouting Japanese in their robes to "Chicken and-a COW!?!?", this was easily one of the best episodes of the season.
The Office is really coming back lately. Some of the best moments of this season have been humanizing Michael Scott. While he acts like a child all the time, the honest truth is that no one else can manage his office. We've seen it with Charles and we're watching Jim learn now.
Sadly, the opposite has been happening for 30 Rock. I'm not sure what it is but I think the show is relying too heavily on the characters doing the same things. Jena, Tracy, and Kenneth are always the same. The chaotic-level is running a little high with the plots and reminds me of the similar season 3 of my beloved Arrested Development (remember Rita?). Maybe they need to slow down the pacing of the show just a tad and rebuild new structures for the characters. Ugh, that sounds so critical.
Finally, the goldmine came from Curb Your Enthusiasm with The Black Swan. Unlike most CYE episodes, this was pretty self-contained, taking place mostly at the golf course. If you ever watch an episode of Curb, make it this one. Essentially? Larry David commits his first (and second) murder on this show.
Anyone notice these are all comedies? What happened to all the 1 hr dramas? Dollhouse is cancelled by the way. There is no God.
Californication has been on my to-watch list for some time now. I'm glad I finally started.
Duchovny basically rips X-Files Mulder out of the FBI and plops him as the sleaziest scumbag womanizer character.
Hank Moody is basically stuck with writer's block while trying to get back together with his ex-wife. That doesn't mean he can't pick up every single other woman he sees. You're basically guaranteed two different sets of boobs per episode.
I'd like to direct attention to ABC's new FlashForward. I just caught the Pilot on TV and the opening 20 minutes were awesome.
We get shots of a cop chase, a surgery, and a suicidal man at a beach followed by car wrecks, crashing helicopters, and explosions. The production values were very well done.
I'm worried this will evolve into story-telling style of Lost-light especially with the announcer saying "Get more clues about that tattoo online!". Opening a show with so many planted mysteries tend to be dangerous. If the writers don't know where they're going and get canceled after a few episodes, it will be a complete waste of time.
Hopefully Penny and Sulu will deliver a good plotline. The show is based on a novel of the same name by Canadian author Robert J. Sawyer, who has written a number of interesting 'what-if" sci-fi novels.
I'm gonna admit, I was doubtful season 3 of Dexter would be very interesting. Season 2 was intense enough with the Bay Harbour Butcher and Doakes, but I'm surprised by how much I enjoy the Dexter-Miguel dynamic.
I'm about halfway through season 3 now and so far things are pretty intense. Things obviously won't end well for Miguel but I'm curious to see how their friendship will take the plunge.
