THE Just-As-GOOD PLACE

Article first published as THE GOOD PLACE Season 2 Premiere Review on Seat42F.

NBC’s most innovative current sitcom, THE GOOD PLACE, is back for a second season this week. The story picks up right where last year ended, with Michael resetting his world of psychological torture and starting over with his quartet of victims, who discovered they were actually in The Bad Place. Things in the premiere begin slowly, following the lead humans one by one as they re-enter Michael’s new version of hell, with only Eleanor’s confusing clue, hastily stuffed in Janet’s mouth, to guide them back to the truth. But true to form, THE GOOD PLACE doesn’t stop there, barely a pause before it jets off to something else.

What I love best about THE GOOD PLACE, besides the excellent cast, beautiful production design, imaginative spirit, direction, plot twists… OK, so I love a lot about this show. But one of the things that really stands out in the freshman year is that every time viewers think they know what’s going on, the premise takes a sharp turn in another direction, constantly keeping you on your toes. The plot doesn’t move in a straight line, zig zagging all over the place, rarely predictable.

Having watched the first four half-hours of season two, I can happily confirm this trend very much continues. Beginning the experience over again is merely a starting point, not a roadmap for the entire season. There are some very unexpected occurrences, culminating in what the ‘new normal’ becomes in episode four, which looks like it could hold steady for a bit. But the only thing I’m certain of is, that framework probably won’t last very long, either.

That doesn’t mean things are completely unfamiliar in season two. Besides the well-established personalities of Eleanor (Kristen Bell), Chidi (William Jackson Harper), Tahani (Jameela Jamil), and Jason (Manny Jacinto), we now know a lot of rules and elements that make up this world. For instance, Michael (Ted Danson) is the architect, but he answers to mean boss Shawn (Marc Evan Jackson, Thrilling Adventure Hour), who doesn’t approve of Michael’s experiment. Janet (D’Arcy Carden) is the artificial intelligence assistant to everyone, and is reset every time the participants are. Mindy St. Claire (Maribeth Monroe) exists in a space between the Good and Bad places. I don’t mention all of these just for fun; they all are part of the series’ fabric, and thus are things that can be used again without needing to slow down and explain them. Meaning the pacing picks up in this second batch, rejuggling familiar elements, while tossing in new ones.

One of the prime new things worth talking about is that the demon denizens of The Good Place are starting to develop personalities. Or, they probably always had them, but we finally get to see them. While we still don’t know ‘Real Eleanor’s (Toya Sircar) name, she is definitely more active in the proceedings than she was. Through her and others, we get more information about how Michael is viewed by his peers and underlings, and it is enlightening. I’m hopeful other recurring players will get more material in the coming weeks, too.

All of these things make for a very enjoyable experience, comfortable, yet still fresh. I don’t know for sure that the writers, led by Michael Schur, know where they’re going. But there are enough elements introduced previously paying off now that I feel there’s at least a pretty good handle on the world and its rules. As to how long this chaos can be kept up, that’s anyone’s guess. But I’m quite happy to have the show back, and bingeing four episodes back-to-back did nothing to lessen my anticipation of the next installment.

THE GOOD PLACE returns with an hour-long premiere Wednesday at 10 ET on NBC.

THE Very GOOD PLACE

Article first published as THE GOOD PLACE Review on Seat42F.

THE GOOD PLACE will be on NBC Thursdays at 8:30PM. No, I’m not saying whatever show fills that time slot is good, though in the case of THE GOOD PLACE, it’s very good. It’s the title of a new sitcom about a woman who mistakenly goes to the wrong afterlife and her attempts to stay there. No, it’s not too sacrilegious, not attacking any faith in particular nor bashing religion much. Yes, it is clever, fresh, and funny.

Kristen Bell (House of Lies, Bad Moms, Veronica Mars) stars as Eleanor Shellstrop, a former pharmaceutical salesperson who cheated old people out of their money for ineffective drugs, and who died in a very embarrassing manner. Mistaken for an altruistic woman of the same name, Eleanor finds herself in what we might call heaven, a small city with lots of frozen yogurt, no cursing, and (mostly) very large houses.

Who would build such a place? Well, that’s the work of Michael (Ted Danson, Fargo, Cheers), a brand-new architect who has just created this town as his first solo project. As such, I guess there are bound to be a few mistakes as he figures his way through.

Eleanor doesn’t want Michael to find out about this particular mistake, though, because that would mean she has to go someplace worse. So what we’ve got is a bad person taking advantage of a bunch of good people. I mean, the other tact to take would be to become a good person herself, and I won’t say that Eleanor won’t try to do that, but it seems much more likely she’ll take the easy path as much as possible, given what we know about her.

One of the first things Eleanor does is drag in an accomplice, Chidi (William Jackson Harper, True Story, The Electric Company), the other Eleanor’s soulmate. Right away, that tells us something about her and how she’ll handle the situation, which makes absolute sense as we learn the type of person she was.

I feel like there might be something going on in THE GOOD PLACE that isn’t immediately obvious. Is the whole thing a test for Eleanor? Is this her purgatory? Is this place not as ideal as it seems? Do the architects make mistakes so often? Is Chidi really this Eleanor’s soul-mate, both forced to grow through interacting with one another?

Or is this a story about two screw ups, Eleanor and Michael, who are in a bit over their heads and have to find their way? That could certainly be equally compelling, and is the more straight-forward way to take the premise.

For either of those two theories to be fully realized, THE GOOD PLACE must get multiple seasons on the air. I adore Bell and Danson, and these two characters are terrific for them, allowing them each a showcase to shine. I thoroughly enjoyed the first episode, both in terms of premise and cast, the latter of which also includes Jameela Jamil (the DJ and writer), Manny Jacinto (The Romeo Section), and D’Arcy Carden (Broad City). I am very excited to watch more of it.

But I do worry it’ll be too high-concept for broadcast network audiences. It reminds me a little of The Neighbors in that we’re seeing a bit of hyper-reality and characters we can’t necessarily relate to. This doesn’t make the series any less entertaining, and in fact, is a good sign in my book. But viewers can be fickle, and I worry THE GOOD PLACE won’t catch on the way that it should. I’m hoping the two very recognizable leads (who are also very talented, but that’s less important in the context of this point) will draw people in to at least give it a try. As long as its potential audience is aware of it, I think it’ll succeed.

THE GOOD PLACE premieres Monday, September 19^th at 10/9c, before settling in its normal timeslot Thursdays at 8:30/7:30c.

HOUSE OF LIES Begins to Emerge From the "Wreckage"

Article first published as HOUSE OF LIES Begins to Emerge From the "Wreckage" on TheTVKing.

Showtime's House of Lies premiere had a lot to address. When season two closed last year, The Pod had split apart, with the characters all on the outs with one another. Now, as some time has passed, the episode must catch up with each of the four, and give them all arcs to start things out on.

I love that "Wreckage," the first episode back, doesn't restore the status quo. It would be inauthentic for The Pod to easily come back together, either at their old firm or at Marty's (Don Cheadle) new one, though other shows do it all the time. Instead, this week shows where each of the individuals have ended up, and how unhappy they are with the situation, missing their former colleagues. Which means they probably will reunite, just not in episode one.

At least Marty's home life is going well so he's not fighting a battle on both fronts. A sweet scene between Marty, his son, Roscoe (Donis Leonard Jr.), and his father, Jeremiah (Glynn Turman), seems light and fun, especially compared to the rest of the half hour. Surely Marty can find some comfort in that.

Marty may just be the most miserable of the quartet. It's hard to tell because he's so good at hiding his feelings. On a trip to China to woo the head of a mid-size company (Daniel Stern, Home Alone), something that would have been beneath Marty at his height, he seems quite unimpressed with his new team (Ryan Gaul, Rob Gleeson, and Genevieve Angelson). But he's also resigned to them. This Marty is not too proud to claw his way back up to the top, even as he's definitely nowhere near that point at the start. He's broken, but not defeated.

Marty later tries to change his circumstance by forming an alliance with Jeannie (Kristen Bell). This could be good for business, two competitors working the competing companies they represent together, pushing both for more. However, in this instance, it seems more that Marty just wants to be with Jeannie. Otherwise, why not go for the bigger fish himself? At least Jeannie seems amenable, which means Marty didn't completely burn the bridge with her.

The relationship between Marty and Jeannie is key to House of Lies. Sure, the chemistry of the foursome is important, but these two share something more than that. They are the emotion-laden island in the middle of all the craziness. They have feelings for one another that may or may not turn into something real (my guess is they will), and Marty cares about her as so much more than the job she does, which is less obvious in how he treats the guys. Plus, if Marty can win Jeannie back to The Pod, the other two will follow easily enough, whether he wants them to or not.

Jeannie isn't in a bad place, professionally, but she doesn't seem happy. Working at her old job, leading a pod consisting of Doug (Josh Lawson) and some newbies (Brad Schmidt and Lauren Lapkus), she comes across as numb and disinterested. All three of these people are pretty annoying, Doug constantly talking about their glory days, and that could be what is bringing Jeannie down. But Doug was always annoying before, so it's more likely what she doesn't have that's affecting her, rather than what she does have.

I said before that Marty has it worse than anyone else, but it's possible that Clyde (Ben Schwartz) might edge him out. Working for Monica (Dawn Olivieri) turns out to be the hilarious hell viewers might have expected, and her management style sabotages any alliances Clyde might form with his new co-workers (Eugene Cordero and Milana Vayntrub). I think Clyde realizes this is an untenable position that he can't stay in, and will likely be the first of the main players to try to make a switch.

Clyde has always seemed cooler than cool, like nothing can upset him. Even as we realize that's an act, one must respect the way he plays the game, something that should serve him well. Seeing the frustration and disbelief on his face in "Wreckage" proves there are situations that can tip Clyde's balance, and there's new material for the talented Schwartz to chew in this premiere, which is welcome.

Nearly all of these new characters mentioned above have familiar faces, but likely no name recognition. Some of them were in House of Lies Live, and it's good to see them again. Others have been working the comedy scene, occasionally popping up in sitcoms. It's excellent that House of Lies gives this class of people work because they are often under-utlized on TV, and I think "Wreckage" proves there is fresh talent out there.

I don't know that any of them will prove lasting on this series, though. Any one of them could, but by necessity, the three pods as they exist now cannot last. And serving another seven new characters just isn't tenable. So sadly their presence will be short-lived, but at least they are all, across the board, making the best use of the time they have.

House of Lies has set up an interesting third year. Catch it Sundays at 10 p.m. ET on Showtime, and if you missed the first episode, it's currently streaming free on Showtime's website.

HOUSE OF LIES Invites Us Over for LIVE Event

Article first published as HOUSE OF LIES Invites Us Over for LIVE Event on TheTVKing.

On New Year's Eve, Showtime presented a special called House of Lies Live. Featuring the four main actors from the network's dramedy teamed up with some young improv comedians, the seven performers take the stage to act out scenes on the fly. Put together by Ben Schwartz and done in front of an audience as the Los Angeles Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre (where Schwartz is an alum and sometimes contributor), it is a funny and interesting presentation.

The bits on House of Lies Live are not connected to the show itself, other than sharing some of the cast. Don Cheadle, Kristen Bell, Schwartz, and Josh Lawson are on hand, but they never play Marty, Jeannie, Clyde, and Doug, their personas from the program. Which makes the title of the special a little confusing.

That being said, it's kind of cool to see these guys in another setting. They are all talented people, and as much as I enjoy House of Lies as a show, I also enjoy them individually playing other roles. From being cats to gay lovers to customer support representatives to overeager waiters, the half hour was full of many different parts, almost universally amusing.

The quartet from House of Lies has terrific chemistry, which is part of what makes their series so entertaining. It seems a little risky to toss three relative unknowns - Lauren Lapkus (Are You There, Chelsea?), Ryan Gaul (Identity Thief), and Eugene Cordero (The Kings of Summer) - in with them. But perhaps because the new trio is closer to those stage roots, they not only hold their own, but seem comfortable doing so.

In fact, it's easy to believe all seven working as a troupe. They play off of one another with ease, and even begin new bits without warning and, apparently, rehearsal or planning. Not one of the seven really stands out as being the lead, all joining together in an relatively even ensemble, helping their teammates more than trying to grab a spotlight for themselves. Though, I will say that Gaul's segment selling chairs had my rolling.

The premise itself seems a little weird. They ask for a lie told by someone in the audience, and take off from there. The early bits done pertain to that starting point, and then the proceedings get odder and odder, jumping from tangent to tangent, never bringing it back around. I believe that's the nature of improv comedy, but for those not knowing what to expect when tuning in, it may have seems a bit lacking in cohesiveness.

In the end, I'm left wanting more. It's unlikely this will be a regular thing, but I enjoyed it a lot. It not only got me excited for next week's House of Lies return, but made me want to see all of these people doing other things.

House of Lies Live is currently repeating on Showtime. Check your listings for air times.

MOVIE 43 Blu-ray Review

Article first published as Blu-ray Review: 'Movie 43' on Blogcritics.org.

Movie 43, a comedy film of small bits packed with big stars, is now available on DVD and Blu-ray from Fox Home Video. Couched in a framing story about three boys’ search online for the very illegal and fictional Movie 43, bizarre bits that are supposed to be funny string along with little to no connection between them for about an hour a half.

Depending on whether you watch the theatrical version of the film or the alternate cut, both of which are included on this release, depends on what framing story you get. Either Charlie Wessler (Dennis Quaid) pitches an ever-changing film to Griffin Schraeder (Greg Kinnear), constantly shifting the characters and premise, or three boys (including The Inbetweeners‘ Mark L. Young) are hacking the internet to find a fictional film called Movie 43 that could destroy the world. Both go meta in a weird way; the other bits of the movie appear to be the same in both editions.

Neither scenario makes much sense, so I do wish the film’s producers had just let the scenes stand on their own. A bunch of different sketches performed by some of the most familiar faces in Hollywood is an intriguing enough concept without forcing them to be strung together. The way this is released, it feels like forced cohesion that doesn’t quite come together.

Because each segment is made by different people, they do feel like they fall across the spectrum, from the absurdly hilarious, to the confusingly weird, to the just plain gross. This is a common issue with every comedy made up of individual segments (just ask Saturday Night Live), and humor is highly subjective, so while I did not enjoy the entire hour and a half, there are some things in Movie 43 that I really loved. Others likely will watch the same movie and value different parts.

The best of the bunch are: “iBabe,” in which a woman (Kate Bosworth) just can’t make a boss (Richard Gere) and his underlings (Aasif Mandvi and Jack McBrayer) understand why teenage boys are getting their body parts mangled in a lower-region fan of an mp3 player that looks like a naked woman; a “Machine Kids” commercial showing sad children hiding inside ATMs and soda vendors; “Super Hero Speed Dating,” in which Batman (Jason Sudeikis) ruins Robin’s (Justin Long) chances with women ranging from Wonder Woman (Leslie Bibb) to Supergirl (Kristen Bell); and “Victory’s Glory,” in which a Coach (Terrance Howard) in 1959 faces an uphill battle in convincing a black basketball team they can beat a white one.

I think I like these four because they take something familiar, and turn it on its head in a clever manner. Wonderful performers lose themselves in these roles for a few minutes, doing something most people don’t expect from them, and doing it well. Throughout the segment, the tension and story ramps up, and there are odd twists.

The parts of the film I didn’t like involve sexual pooping, spilled period blood, and incestual make-outs. I can see how this might appeal to others, but it just crosses the line of my taste and goes too far. The point is, though, there is really something for everyone (except those who only like intelligent, witty stuff), with a broad swath of topics and genres.

The cast is amazing, and includes, besides those listed above, Common, Seth MacFarlane, Elizabeth Banks, Halle Berry, Stephen Merchant, John Hodgman, Anna Faris, Gerard Butler, Snooki, Hugh Jackman, Kate Winslet, Naomi Watts, Liev Schreiber, Emma Stone, Chloe Grace Moretz, Sean William Scott, Uma Thurman, Chris Pratt, J.B. Smoove, and others. It really is a remarkably talented group of people, and while I didn’t appreciate all of the styles of humor represented, I don’t think any cast member felt wooden or out of place in the larger picture.

The extras leave a lot to be desired, unfortunately, Besides a trailer and some previews of other titles, the only bonus included is a cut scene featuring Tony Shaloub and Julianne Moore. This deleted segment is no better or worse than anything in the finished film, so I’m not sure why it isn’t integrated in with the rest.

But what I’d really like to see is the story of how Movie 43 came about, why all of these actors chose to participate, and who championed the idea in the first place. Surely, there is a rich story behind this, given the scope of the project, and I’m very curious about the back story, which is not revealed on this disc.

As far as Blu-ray quality, the picture and effects are great, but there isn’t a lot to push boundaries. It’s a very typical film, visually, with character-driven scenes, so aside from liking a crisp, clear image, there isn’t much argument to made on DVD vs. Blu-ray. The format is consistent, and I didn’t notice any static or graininess from either picture or sound. However, neither is there anything super impressive that makes use of an advanced playback system. Nor would I really expect there to be in this type of movie.

Movie 43 is available now as a two-disc Blu-ray, DVD, digital download combo pack.

House of Lies Implodes in Season Finale

Article first published as House of Lies Implodes in Season Finale on TheTVKing.

Showtime's House of Lies has spent two years crafting a set of characters, known as The Pod, who viewers love. Even while the rest of the world, bosses and clients, conspire against them, these four slingers of bull stick together and triumph over any foes. It's an inspiring group, full of teasing and affection. They may not be professional, but they get the job done.

That is, until the second season finale, "Til Death Do Us Part," when The Pod implodes in a spectacular and messy fashion.

"Til Death Do Us Part" is an interestingly structured episode, beginning with The Pod gathering for a wedding photo with one of their own, Doug (Josh Lawson), and his bride, Sarah (Jenny Slate, Saturday Night Live). From there, we get a non-linear look at each of the four main characters' day. Some, we only see briefly, while others get a longer segment. But it all culminates when the story returns to the photo shoot, where it all goes horribly wrong.

Marty (Don Cheadle) is an extremely self-destructive person. He is so focused on his own wants that he ignores everyone else's feelings, not realizing that he's making enemies that will come back to haunt him. He thinks he is bullet proof. And yet, the choices he makes, screwing over clients, ignoring those he should be caring about, and betraying his boss, are ones that hurt him, almost as if he doesn't want to bullet proof, and is turning the gun on himself until something can pierce the armor.

Is Marty really so unhappy that he wants to destroy his own life? If so, why not make positive changes, rather than purposely setting himself up for failure? Yes, the only way Marty could ever be happy at this point is to rebuild himself from the ground up. But his tear down is painful to watch, and the way he drives everyone away by the end of this season is rough.

He does still have his father, Jeremiah (Glynn Turman), and his son, Roscoe (Donis Leonard Jr.), by his side. But he can't be honest with them, so how can he ever really be connected to his family?

We have Jeannie (Kristen Bell), whom professes her love for Marty, and he blows her off. Why? Marty does love her. We see this. His reflection in the window scolds him for acting like a fool, and yet, Marty leaves her an insulting voice mail, rather than apologizing. At least Marty realizes that he needs her, but once again, he can't bring himself to admit it out loud, and is hurting both her and himself.

Then there's Clyde (Ben Schwartz), who looks up to Marty and fancies him a friend. Yet, Marty totally ignores him and screws up a project that Clyde worked very hard on. It's sickening that Clyde stabs Marty in the back, ratting him out to Julianne (Bess Armstrong), taking a client, and jumping ship to work for Marty's psychotic ex-wife, Monica (Dawn Olivieri). But Marty deserves this sort of treatment.

Doug is a special case because, while Marty does ignore him, Doug still holds Marty in high regard. Doug accepts Marty for who he is, like Jeannie, but actually goes even further. However, Doug has Sarah in his ear now, who is not a good influence on him, and so he, too, decides not to join Marty in his new venture.

It's hard to even understand how Tamara (Nia Long) fits in. I don't think she is playing Marty, per se, but she does use him for comfort when her own marriage goes on the rocks. Professionally, she respects him, but doesn't show him all her cards. They have a weird relationship. I can't quite figure out if she cares about him or not, or how much she might care. I also don't expect her to play a big role going forward, though would be pleasantly surprised if I'm wrong.

Things will have to improve for Marty next season; they can't possible get any worse, can they? He will surely make up Jeannie, whether he admits his feelings for her or not. Clyde will regret going with Monica, who is a nightmare, and come crawling back. And Doug will ditch Sarah, who is crazy and manipulative, which will free him up to return to Marty without the bad advice in his ear.

However, would a return mean that they are all as dysfunctional as Marty? Is it good that a bunch of misfits have each other, or do they just all enable one another's poor behavior?

"Til Death Do Us Part" has a few very sweet scenes. Doug tells Marty how he feels about him, despite Marty trying to dismiss him. Clyde admits that Doug is his best friend and finally says some nice things, which do feel genuine. Jeannie saves Marty's bacon. And the disaster at the end is hard to watch, but it's also a lot of splashy fun.

All in all, I am left pretty depressed by House Of Lies' finale. But it is great fun to watch, and it certainly leaves me excited for next year. Season two is an improvement over season one, more polished and tightly written, with stakes viewers can care about, and I can't wait to see what is in store for season three.

House of Lies will return to Showtime for a third run next winter.

House of Lies not getting in order

Grade: 86%

Showtime’s HOUSE OF LIES is back for a second outing this Sunday, January 8th at 10 p.m. In the premiere, “Stochasticity,” Jeannie (Kristen Bell) finally returns to work after her “vacation.” It’s perfect timing, as new boss Julianne (Bess Armstrong, My So-Called Life) is instituting some female-empowering new changes, which comes with a token promotion for Jeannie.

At the end of season one, the firm that The Pod worked for is full of corruption and sexual harassment, and it is all falling down around them. With “Stochasticity,” it’s a re-do, as Julianne treats them well, and trusting Marty (Don Cheadle) to help bring the company back up to the top. This is a little bit of a relief, after the near-apocalypse that could have disrupted the show forever.

How much has really changed, though? Maybe the boss is a little nicer to work for, but The Pod is still operating as a unit, and they are continuing to do their thing. Professionally, it’s all status quo.

Personally, is a different story. Marty and Jeannie are quite drunk when last they are together, and now they cannot remember if they hooked up or not. From the brief memories that do flutter back, it seems relatively certain that they did. If not, they at least come close enough that it’s practically the same thing, on an emotional level. Joint puking during naked pushups have to have some effect on their chemistry!

Would Marty and Jeannie make a good couple? I’m not so sure, long-term. They are both a bit of a mess, and could be a fine comfort to each other for now. They are probably both good in bed, which the other would appreciate. And no one can deny thatBellis smokin’ hot; I’ll leave it to the ladies out there to say the same for Cheadle. Visually, viewers should be happy with the arrangement.

I can’t help but think, Marty and Jeannie as a couple could destroy The Pod. All four members must always be at the top of their game (yes, even Doug (Josh Lawson)). Anything can happen at any time, such as in “Stochasticity,” when they meet with a client who they don’t have any information on at all, including what his company does. It’s a high energy, very skilled game that they play in the conference room. They are all brilliant at it, especially together, but if Jeannie or Marty were to become distracted at an inconvenient time, it could spell disaster for the company, and this group.

Not that I’m rooting for Marty to become a bed hopper again. He’s been enough of that, and I am so, so glad he draws the line at sharing loose women with Clyde (Ben Schwartz), even in a dark time. It’s a very funny scene, to be sure, but not one that needs to go any further than it does.

Marty also has his son, Roscoe (Donis Leonard Jr.), to think about. After Roscoe moves in with Monica (Dawn Olivieri), one might hope that Marty will re-examine his lifestyle. Yet, there aren’t many signs of that in this first episode back, other than when Marty tries to get with Monica, which can be seen a couple of different ways.

A reunion of Roscoe’s parents would only be destructive, despite what Marty may think in the moment. Does Marty make a move on Monica because he’s lonely, or because he thinks that it’s best for Roscoe, or because he just wants to be near his son again, who lives in Monica’s house? None of these are good reasons, and since love is out of the question, sleeping with Monica at this point would be a huge mistake.

HOUSE OF LIES is a comedy, but it is also a drama. Season one disguised that more fully, with the cut scenes where Marty speaks to the camera making everything a little sillier than it needs to be. As season two picks up, some of those trappings have been stripped away. Potentially, this could make for a more serious and more interesting sophomore year. If nothing else, the premiere is off to a good start.

Want to read some of my fiction? It's on my website, JeromeWetzel.com! Also, for the latest updates and article links, as well as commentary on episodes I don't fully review, please follow me on Twitter!

Article first posted on Seat42F

The last post of Gossip Girl

The CW aired the final Gossip Girl episode this week. Entitled "New York, I Love You XOXO," the episode wraps up the Bart Bass (Robert John Burke) storyline, reveals who is behind the titular character's website, and gives a glimpse into the future for all the main characters. It's an hour of cameos and romance.

Gossip Girl has always been scandalous and overly dramatic. And yet, I feel like some parts of this episode go just a little too far. One can be shocking without the plot holes, and this series usually is. The scene where Bart falls to his death is not helped by the hokey music, and making the finale A plot about some scheme to quickly wed Blair (Leighton Meester) to Chuck (Ed Westwick) so that she doesn't have to testify against him, when he did nothing wrong in the first place, is kind of ridiculous.

That being said, anything that gets a ring on Blair's ring, instead of around her neck, is good stuff. Fans of the series have been waiting for Blair and Chuck to finally get together for a very long time. Knowing they were promised to one another, but having to wait because of their careers, is sheer torture. "New York, I Love You XOXO" has to see them them walk down the aisle, and it did, with enough style to satisfy.

The wedding scene itself is touching. Do I wish the other drama wasn't forced upon it? Yes. But at least all of the characters pull together, and manage to make it happen before the police can show up to arrest Chuck. We get to see everyone celebrating and happy.

I also have mixed feelings on the outing of Dan (Penn Badgley) as Gossip Girl herself. He is a writer, sure, and has the talent and motivation to accomplish such a feat. However, there is a vague feeling that it doesn't quite add up. I would have to go back and re-watch the series to pinpoint when it doesn't work, and at some point, I will. But my first impression is, while this serves this particular point of the story very well, it may not add up in earlier seasons. And I think the flashbacks are mainly present in this episode to try to give a feeling of continuity.

The other characters' reactions to Dan's outing are completely in character and fantastic. Nate (Chace Crawford), who is already established as a good guy at heart, of course will forgive Dan when he is handing the story to Nate, saving Nate's beloved Spectator. Serena (Blake Lively) has also always been understanding, and her clear affection for Dan, at an all-time high after reading the nice things he wrote about her, make her susceptible to letting it slide. Chuck can appreciate a game well played, and Blair is, well, Blair.

Rufus (Matthew Settle) handles the news the best of anyone, because his concerns are real, and, I assume, the show's way of trying to address any past inconsistencies. Being mad at Dan about everything that happened with Jenny (Taylor Momsen) is exactly what Rufus should be, and allows someone to be angry, since Dan's friends can't be.

I love, love, love that everyone from Mayor Bloomberg (cameoing as himself) to Blair think that Dorota (Zuzanna Szadkowski) might have been Gossip Girl. After all, what fan hasn't suspected Blair's handmaiden is the guilty party from time to time, even though her apparent loyalty would make this the ultimate betrayal? And her wonderful bits that pepper the series continue through "New York, I Love You XOXO" when she has a very surprised Jack (Desmond Harrington) make her a drink.

The other reaction shots are great, too, as the secret is exposed amid a wave of appearances by past characters. These include Juliet (Katie Cassidy), Lola (Ella Rae Peck), Vanessa (Jessica Szohr), and even an almost unrecognizable Jenny. What a great way to fit the faces of earlier seasons in, without shoehorning them into a story in which they wouldn't fit! It's satisfying for the fans, makes sense for the series, and provides a great way to mark this major revelation.

One thing that is being talked about is the teasing cut scene where Kristen Bell, playing herself, delivers some of the same infamous phrasing she has been speaking for years as the voice of Gossip Girl, narrating Gossip Girl. It's fun little bit with another CW star, Rachel Bilson (Hart of Dixie), also playing herself, and a tongue in cheek reference for fans. This is all well and good, and I very much enjoyed it, until Bell turns and winks at the camera at the end. That takes it just a step too far, making what could have been an amazing scene only a very good one. We get the joke without the wink. No need for ham.

Then there's the ending, set five years later. There is a lot to praise this scene for. Knowing that it takes Dan and Serena five more years to get married is a bit disappointing, but not exactly surprising, considering. Given their track record, they probably broke up three times before getting hitched. I also greatly enjoyed seeing Chuck happier than he's ever been, glimpsing Dorota playing with the next generation, and Nate being successful, even if he hasn't found a girl yet.

The other elements of that scene, the ones that didn't make sense to me, such as Georgina (Michelle Trachtenberg) and Jack being invited (though I adore the thought of the evil duo as a couple), and Lily (Kelly Rutherford) ending up with William (William Baldwin), can be overlooked. After all, we know that relationships shift, and without seeing what happens in the intervening five years, these are plausible circumstances. They just aren't ones that are really telegraphed in the episodes leading up to "New York, I Love You XOXO."

Does anyone else want a two hour TV movie leading up to Dan and Serena's big day? Because I sure do!

Gossip Girl is a series that broke new ground, set trends, and was a highly addictive prime time soap for a good many years. I greatly appreciate the work everyone involved put in, and found the vast majority of it extremely entertaining. Even if the series finale stumbled a few times, it hit the needed emotional beats, and did not spoil my love of the show. For that, I thank it, and will definitely miss my Gossip Girl.

XOXO

Want to read some of my fiction? It's on my website, JeromeWetzel.com! Also, for the latest updates and article links, as well as commentary on episodes I don't fully review, please follow me on Twitter!

Article first posted on TheTVKing

'The Mayan Apocalypse' almost devastates House of Lies

Showtime brings the first season of House of Lies to an end with a near-apocalyptic series of events in "The Mayan Apocalypse." Using a framework story set at the party celebrating the acquisition of the firm by MetroCapital, the episode flashes back to show how The Pod copes with events moving towards that moment. Greg Norbert (Greg Germann) leaks to the team that a massive, class action sexual harassment suit could bring down Marco (Griffin Dunne), the sneaky mastermind of the deal. They search in vain for a woman willing to step forward. That is, until Jeannie (Kristen Bell) herself fesses up, rallying others around her, and the merger is killed.

Jeannie has been an interesting character to watch this season. Played expertly by Bell, she begins as a tough, secretive person, and ends as one who will expose parts of herself for the right reasons. She is never going to be the typical girl, perhaps, feeling more comfortable in the boys' club. But by getting in touch with a shameful moment, one that bonds her to her "sisters," she saves the day. Then she breaks off her engagement because, well, accepting the truth about this makes her accept the truth about not being ready for marriage, too.

To celebrate, she goes shot for shot with Marty (Don Cheadle). Why does she do this? Could it be that she just needs to get drunk after a long, difficult evening? Could it be to wash away the embarrassment, even if only for one night? Or is it to prove to Marty, The Pod, and herself that she is still as strong as ever? That admitting a sexual affair does not weaken her or her ability to do her job? Whatever the reason, it's a moving scene that certainly conveys a message, even if it is one left open to interpretation. Awards bait for Bell, perhaps?

It's gratifying to see the merger killed. If this hadn't happened, there is no telling where season two might go. Much is still up in the air, but at least Marty's entire world isn't destroyed in a single episode.

That doesn't mean that he escapes "The Mayan Apocalypse" unscathed. In fact, Marty faces a very difficult decision in this episode. He must choose whether to spend his time looking for ways to stop the merger or help his son, Roscoe (Donis Leonard Jr.) with a school project. He picks work over family, naively believing that family will wait, as they always do. However, this time it's one push too many. Not only does an upset Roscoe choose to live with his mother, but Marty's father, Jeremiah (Glynn Turman), is so ashamed of Marty's actions, that he leaves, too, at least, for awhile. As Marty's work life rights itself, his personal world falls apart.

How long will it take Roscoe and Jeremiah to forgive Marty and return? They are certain to do so. Jeremiah just needs some time to cool down, understandably. Roscoe's mother, Monica (Dawn Olivieri), has shown no characteristics of being a decent mom. Even if Marty doesn't always give Roscoe the priority he deserves, Marty is a much better parent than Monica because he accepts Roscoe and loves him unconditionally, and is usually dedicated to doing right by him. Balance will be restored. It will just take some time.

House of Lies has more special effects than most of its peers, frequently doing a freeze frame that Marty will walk and talk through. "The Mayan Apocalypse" takes this technique to the next level. Not only does Marty go into the clouds to turn around a plane, he also stages an elaborate massacre, shooting down many of the party attendees. These fantasy sequences enhance the show, and seeing them ratcheted up into something so elaborate makes for a satisfying finale.

House of Lies airs on Showtime. If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter!

Just who is the Gossip Girl?

The CW's Gossip Girl reached its milestone 100th episode last night with "G.G." To mark this occasion, a number of big events happen. Blair (Leighton Meester) decides to go through with her wedding to Louis (Hugo Becker), despite her reservations. Her mother, Eleanor (Margaret Colin) stages an intervention of sorts by bringing Chuck (Ed Westwick), who has no intention of disrupting the ceremony on his own, to the church. Then Gossip Girl (voiced by Kristen Bell) makes things worse, exposing Blair's deep feelings for Chuck during the vows. But the wedding still happens, only to leave Blair learning she is now with a cold, heartless man who will only be nice to her in public. So she flees with the help of Dan (Penn Badgley).

The Louie plot arc has been long simmering, and doubtless few expect Blair to actually go through with marrying the prince in "G.G." Yet, she does, and in a delicious and sad twist, is deeply hurt by the decision. B just wants to do the right thing, and fall in love with a man who will make her happy. She knows that things with Chuck have always been tumultuous, so she chooses Louis, in spite of her feelings, assuming that she can grow to love him. After all, Louis is an honorable man who will take care of her, right? B's motivations aren't fame and fortune, though she will get those as princess, but rather, making a wise decision.

Imagine her surprise, and the fans', then, when her ill-advised union turns out to be terrible before the reception is over! Louis isn't who he pretends to be, and is instead manipulative and evil like some of the best Gossip Girl characters. "G.G." works because of the unexpectedness of this turn, though in retrospect, it makes sense. Why else does Louis put up with everything Blair puts him through? He is going to use her for a public image, and she is stuck. It's an impossible situation, and one wonders how Blair will break free of it.

Chuck is left hurt. He does his very best to be compassionate to Blair and not spoil her big day, staying home from the wedding. Eleanor is only thinking of her daughter's best interests when she goes to Chuck, knowing who Blair is really in love with. And Serena (Blake Lively) also has good intentions when she takes it a step further and tells Chuck about Blair's pact with god, the reason Blair is resisting being with Chuck. But all of that doesn't matter because, in the end, Blair chooses someone else. Poor Chuck. His heart break is undeserved, as he has grown into a man worthy of Blair.

Of course, all of that doesn't mean Chuck and Blair have an easy union ahead. Because there's another factor. It's Dan who writes the lovely vows for Louis that make Blair think her prince understands and loves her. It's also Dan who Blair calls to help her escape from the dreadful situation. So suddenly Lonely Boy is on her radar in a serious way. Maybe she just sees him as a friend; maybe he will get some rebound action. Blair and Chuck still seem like the two who will end up together, but given Gossip Girl's penchant for twists, who knows?

There is another casualty in all of this, and that is Serena's heart. Exposed by Dan as keeping their fake relationship going longer than necessary, Serena grows a pair and confesses her love her him. Viewers are left wondering what Dan's reaction will be, since Serena quickly leaves him before he can respond. But the implications of the end of "G.G." are clear: Dan cares more for Blair right now than he does for Serena. This may not be the best choice for Dan, because like Chuck and Blair, Serena seems to be Dan's destiny. But by leaving with Blair, there will be a lot of hurt feelings Dan will have to repair before he can get back together with his first love.

Dan's feelings for Blair are no surprise to Serena, as indicated with the opening of "G.G." Pulling out all the stops in Gossip Girl's 100th, Serena dances to "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend" with a swooning chorus featuring the boys in the cast. But at the end of the dream sequence, she is distracted by diamonds enough that Blair can come in and sweep Dan away from her. The production value and look of this dream sequence are outstanding. The implications of what Serena sees, though, are obvious. She has allowed herself to be distracted, and thus, lost Dan. It's sad that sometimes one doesn't realize what one has until it's too late. For now at least, it might be too late for Serena to get Dan back.

The most heart warming scene in "G.G." comes right before Blair is to walk down the aisle. Perhaps overshadowed by some of the flashier things in the episode, it's an important moment, and one that should be taken note of. Blair has her father (John Shea) go get Cyrus (Wallace Shawn) and both walk her down the aisle together. Daddy doesn't seem jealous, and Cyrus is truly surprised and honored. He has stepped aside to let Blair's real dad get all the privilege on this special day. But Cyrus has been there for Blair, loved and supported her. He deserves some credit, too. It's a fantastic decision, and it's really nice Gossip Girl squeezes it in among the other, more important stories.

Also cool is Cyrus calling Blair a "princess bride." This is neat because Shawn was in the movie The Princess Bride. Perhaps a little obscure for the teen set that Gossip Girl targets, but a wonderful reference to include.

Of course, Gossip Girl's 100th would not be complete without a visit from super villain Georgina Sparks (Michelle Trachtenberg), who wants to ruin Blair's big day as revenge for the things Blair has done to her. The initial attempt ends in failure, as Rufus (Matthew Settle) and Lily (Kelly Rutherford) catch Georgina posing as the minister and getting ready to try to seduce Louis. But Georgina does not give up easily, and records Blair's confession of feelings for Chuck, the source of the Gossip Girl blast that almost ruins the wedding ceremony.

It's nice to see that Georgina hasn't lost her edge, and a baby doesn't slow her down; her new guy is simply a tool that she uses like everything else. Thus, she causes just as much trouble as ever. But it's also good that she doesn't ruin things as completely as she'd like to. It's a testament to how mature the main characters have grown that she can't destroy their lives by herself, or turn them against each other as easily as she once could.

The big shocker at the of "G.G." is that Georgina is Gossip Girl. But is she really? Georgina's name does start with G, but she wasn't present for the early events of the series. Gossip Girl has been shut down for a few months, so it's quite possible that Georgina is just stepping into the gap, picking up where the real gossiper left off. If so, it is likely that Gossip Girl will not take kindly to this incursion, and will soon act to stop Georgina, probably with the help of the cast. If Georgina has been Gossip Girl all along, a less likely possibility, steps need to be taken to tie her back in with what happens before her character shows up on the show. Perhaps a final season full of flashbacks, culminating in an ultimate showdown?

The verdict on "G.G." is clear: it is a great 100th episode, with lots to surprise, ponder, and talk about. XOXO.


Gossip Girl airs Mondays at 8 p.m. ET on the CW.

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House of Lies - "Pilot"

     In Showtime's House of Lies "Pilot," Marty Kaan (Don Cheadle, Hotel Rwanda, Picket Fences) leads his team of consultants to New York City to retain a big client. However, upon arriving he realizes that the bank they work for has asked another consulting firm to pitch as well, and this one happens to be number one, while Marty's is number two. And Marty's ex-wife, Monica (Dawn Olivieri, The Vampire Diaries, Heroes), whom he recently had angry sex with, works for the competition. Marty almost screws things up when he takes a stripper (Megalyn Echikunwoke, Supernatural) to a business dinner with the client, Greg (Greg Germann, Ally McBeal), the stripper has sex with Greg's wife (Anna Camp, True Blood, The Good Wife) in the bathroom, and Marty gives Greg a black eye. But then he comes up with an ingenious pitch, and things work out... for now.

     It's hard to know what to make of House of Lies. Apparently viewers are expected to root for a consulting firm which, by their own admission, cares only about getting as much money as they can from the client. These trends are reinforced by Marty's confessions to the camera, which while done with really cool camera shots, do not make Marty likable. Then again, neither does anything Marty says or does. He's a pathetic, despicable individual who is not at all worthy of any affection. Yet, for some reason, there's an attraction towards him.

     The one thing Marty appears to care about is his son, Roscoe (Donis Leonard Jr.), who likes to cross dress, and who tries out for the part of Sandy in his school's production of Grease. But even that is cast in doubt when Marty stops fighting for Roscoe due to the fact that Roscoe's rival's mother (Daphne Duplaix, Passions, One Life to Live) is hot. In fact, Marty and said mother slip out of the production to have sex in a vehicle. So there's that.

     Of course, there is someone that cares for Marty. Marty's dad, Jeremiah (Glynn Turman, The Wire) criticizes Marty's parenting, but does stick around and help out with Roscoe. If Jeremiah, who seems like a pretty decent individual, can like Marty, then perhaps we can do. But what has damaged Marty so badly, and what exactly is he seeking to fill his void?

     Marty is the latest in a long line of flawed Showtime characters who audiences flock to when they should be fleeing. The difference here is, unlike the stars of Nurse Jackie and Weeds, Marty is a boy. And like other similar Showtime shows, it does seem fresh, and different from its peers. So while it's hard to see exactly where House of Lies may be going, there is something about it that makes one want to watch.

    The biggest shame in the "Pilot" is there is scant little to do for Marty's team, who are excellent actors, all around. There's Jeannie (Kristen Bell, Veronica Mars, Forgetting Sarah Marshall), whom Marty is convinced will eventually sleep with him, and whose secret he is always digging for. Doug (Josh Lawson, Chandon Pictures) is good with numbers, but not with manners. Clyde (Ben Schwartz, Parks and Recreation, The Other Guys) is just plain fun. Each of these three are interesting, and should have a larger role. Perhaps they will, now that Marty and the main story has been introduced. It's hard to imagine Bell, in particular, would have taken the role if it is destined to remain the bit part it is in the "Pilot."

     Watch House of Lies Sundays at 10 p.m. ET on Showtime.

     If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter!

Gossip Girl "Gaslit"

     The CW's Gossip Girl seems to have raised the stakes this season. Long gone are the high schools days of the show's first two years, and here to stay seem to be adult consequences for the decisions the characters face. Luckily, almost all of them have matured enough to handle it. Notice, I say almost.

     The past few episodes have followed Juliet Sharp (Kate Cassidy, the Melrose Place reboot) as she enacts her mission of revenge against Serena van der Woodsen (Blake Lively). Why Juliet hates Serena is still unknown, though it seems to have something to do with her brother, Ben (David Call, Mercy, Rescue Me), who is in jail. However, after Juliet teams up with Vanessa (Jessica Szohr) and Jenny (Taylor Momsen) to alienate Serena, Juliet goes up a step further and druggs her enemy, leaving her in a motel room surrounded by pills. Even Ben is shocked at how far Juliet has gone, leaving our main cast with quite a conundrum.

     Perhaps most impacted by Serena's supposed actions, is her mother Lily (Kelly Rutherford), who doesn't seem to know how to handle Serena's slide. Though Serena insists that she doesn't remember what happened, and has not returned to the mistakes of her youth, her mother doesn't believe her. But an interesting confrontation between Lily and Dan (Penn Badgley) in last night's episode, "Gaslit," seems to imply that Lily's reticence to deal with Serena may be more about herself than her daughter. It's hard to argue that Lily has been a better than average mother, and shutting Serena up against her will in rehab is just one more bad idea. Lily is turning more into her own mother each season, and that's not a good thing.

     The question now is, how will Serena possibly clear her name? She has suffered so much recently, as Juliet has sabotaged her school career, her love life, and her friend and family relations, that it may take Serena a long time to claw back to what she worked so hard for. Dan is fully on Serena's side, being the only one who is willing to believe her unlikely claims of innocence. After a confession from Jenny, it looks like Serena's best friend Blair (Leighton Meester) is climbing onto the revenge train. But Juliet has fled town, and with Gossip Girl (Kristen Bell) having trashed Serena so hard publicly, it will not be an easy time. I'm not so much worried about her personal life, as I don't see Columbia accepting her back as a student, even if her name is cleared.

     I am thrilled that Serena and Dan are heading for a reconnection. Dan's original pursuit of Serena is a big chunk of season one, and I have never liked her much with any of the other many men she has been paired with. Similarly, Dan doesn't click as well with any other girl. Should the series continue with a Dan/Serena couple, I would ask them to please, please, please make it long lasting. I know this show thrives on drama, but drama can be had in a relationship. Enough already. These two belong together. In my opinion. I'm sure many people disagree.

     Of course, with Gossip Girl, the drama is not just happening on screen. Lately, Taylor Momsen has been created plenty of her own angst with a reportedly diva-like attitude. She has barely appeared on the show this fall, and it was announced that she will be taking an undetermined continued absence. Now, of course, most of the information floating around is rumor, so it's hard to be sure exactly what's going on. But it sounds like she's throwing a tantrum, and the people working on the show are giving her a time out.

     The other couple still dancing around each other are Blair and Chuck (Ed Westwick). The two were red hot and together for much of last year. They had some rough times, and seem to have settled into an uneasy friendship. It's clear that neither are satisfied with the arrangement, Chuck telling Blair directly in this week's episode that he can't be her friend right now. These two are much more likely, in my opinion, to be in a stable relationship than Serena and Dan, as much as I like them. In fact, I would not be surprised if Chuck and Blair are reunited no later than February sweeps, and hopefully this time it sticks.

     It's not unheard of for a Gossip Girl couple to end up permanently attached. Lily and Rufus (Matthew Settle) had been will-they or won't-they for a long time, Lily even marrying another man. But now their marriage seems solid, despite many difficulties, and it doesn't look like they will be breaking up anytime soon. Sure, those two are much older than most of the cast, but I'm ready for at least one pair to last longer than half a season in the younger group, too.

     Lastly, Nate's (Chace Crawford) parents are suddenly back in the story. Early in the series, Nate's father, known as "The Captain," (Sam Robards) went to jail. Nate visited him earlier this fall, though the elder Archibald had not been seen on the show in two years. In last night's episode, Nate discovers that his mother, Anne (Francie Swift), is filing for divorce. Nate truly believes his father has changed, and so has worked to reunite them. All had gone well, until Nate discovers that his father just may be putting on appearances for a parole board hearing. This plot, though so far fairly small, is likely to pull more focus in coming episodes.

     Generally, while I have always liked this show, it's good to see such high stakes drama after a period of small tiffs. I'm glad to report that in its fourth season, Gossip Girl is as strong as ever, and has grown out of its high school pettiness. Though some aspects of that will never end. Thankfully.

     Gossip Girl airs Monday nights at 9pm on the CW.

For frequent mini-reviews and occasional tv news, follow Jerome on Twitter.

Article first published as TV Review: Gossip Girl - "Gaslit" on Blogcritics.

Party Down parties on

     Starz's comedy from Rob Thomas (the Veronica Mars creator, not the rocker), Party Down, has returned for a second season as of this weekend.  If you do not have Starz, you can stream the show if you have a Netflix subscription, or find it in other sources online.  The premiere was called "Jackal Onassis Backstage Party", as the catering crew was working a concert, backstage.  Almost the entire cast from season one returned, saved for Jane Lynch, who is now starring on Glee, and was missed.  Word is, Lynch will return in June when the team tackles her wedding.  But she has been replaced by Megan Mullally (Will & Grace), who did a fine job.

     Things have changed since season one.  For one thing, Henry (Adam Scott, who will soon be joining Parks and Recreation) has taken over as team leader, and seems just as committed to running the business as his predecessor.  Gone are Henry's slacker ways, as well as his attitude that the job is temporary.  Former boss Ron (Ken Marino, Reaper, Veronica Mars) has seen his dream crash and burn, and by the end of the first new episode, is seeking employment once again from the catering business.  Will he be working under Henry, or will they be fighting it out for head honcho?

     Casey (Lizzy Caplan, True Blood, Cloverfield) has also returned, fresh from spending most of the past year doing her stand up comedy on a cruise ship.  The failed relationship between her and Henry made her first job back awkward, to say the least, and will surely continue to be so.  This is made worse by the fact that Henry is now dating uber-tough competitor Uda (Kristen Bell, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Heroes, who will be returning later this season).

     Kyle (Ryan Hansen, Veronica Mars) seems a little cost without Constance (Lynch), but perhaps there was just too much going on already in this episode, and so he was the one slighted.  Roman (Martin Starr, Freaks and Geeks) was not, however.  He got to dress up as the Satan-worshipping musician whose party there were catering.  And Kyle still got girls more easily than Roman, who only got Ron's semi-girlfriend.  The rocker himself, who wanted to be a normal guy for one night, hence the hijinks with Roman, was played by Jimmi Simpson (It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia), and was very funny.

     If you haven't seen Party Down, it's worth checking out.  The complete first season is still available on Netflix streaming, so that's how I recommend getting to the episodes, rather than shelling out for a DVD or a network that you may not watch otherwise.  In Lexington, both Netflix and Starz are available.  Call your cable company or subscribe at netflix.com.

Heroes down but not out

    Many fans of NBC’s Heroes have fled, claiming the show will never be as good as it was in the first season. Truthfully, I feel the first season was ok, but the second season was the zenith. That was when Kristen Bell (Veronica Mars) and David Anders (Alias) joined the cast. They were signed to become full time characters, but a shortened season, because of the writer’s strike, and failing ratings interfered, and both ended up leaving early in season three. I agree, that the show has floundered unevenly since then, but don’t give up hope yet.

      This week’s episode, “Strange Attractors”, proved that the show can be good, and not just when Hiro and Ando are the focus, as the popular Japanese duo sat this one out entirely. Look for more of them next week when Hiro goes back in time save his love, Charlie (Glee’s perky guidance counselor, Jayma Mays). Anyway, Claire has FINALLY become interesting, trying to lead a normal, college life and possibly falling in love with the wonderfully understanding Gretchen (Madeline Zima from The Nanny and Californication). I hope Gretchen sticks around, and Claire goes for it. The comparisons between her and one Buffy Summers have been quite evident, but unlike Buffy, Claire’s lesbianism should stick.

      Nathan and Peter have had much reduced plots, which is welcome, as they both tend to make the plot drag. As the real Nathan is dead, one can only hope that the actor will be leaving the show soon as well. Of course, Zachary Quinto’s Sylar, living in two different places at once, is richly enjoyable. That show will never shortchange that actor if they know what’s good for them. Plus, I am really digging Robert Knepper, fresh off a fantastic four year stint on Prison Break. It’s not certain what is going on with him and his mysterious circus, but he is acting the hell out of the role.

      Unfortunately, not all is clear skies. HRG is actually trying to do good, and not doing very well at it. He has always been a favorite character, and after the dissolution of his marriage and the loss of his job, does he keep having to get beat on? Also, Mohinder has been missing for quite awhile, though word is he will be back soon. But will he be back full time, or just as a guest star? Lastly, the less they focus on Ali Larter’s character(s) the better. I think it’s time she leaves for good, though I wouldn’t object to her son, Micah, returning to the show.