Ringer retorts "That's What You Get For Trying to Kill Me"

     In the mid-season finale of the CW's Ringer, "That's What You Get For Trying to Kill Me," Gemma's (Tara Summers) fate hangs in the balance. Charlie, a.k.a. John (Billy Miller, The Young & the Restless) grows impatient with the lack of resolution. Siobhan (Sarah Michelle Gellar), who hires Charlie in the first place, offers to pay him if he will let Gemma live. When she isn't fast enough with the money, Charlie asks Bridget (also Gellar) for a ransom. Even though Bridget tries to pay, Charlie gets spooked, and gos ahead and kills Gemma. Siobhan is angry, and takes out Charlie in revenge.

     The death of Gemma in "That's What You Get for Trying to Kill Me" is both interesting and disappointing. Viewers are believing Gemma is dead for weeks, only to learn she is merely Charlie's captive. Then there is a completely contrived, terrible scene in which Gemma somehow survives a shot to the head (Charlie's aim is bad at THAT range!?), almost escapes, and learns that Siobhan is still alive. Yet, Charlie recovers from the blow she gives him in time to kill her before she can tell anyone. The whole sequence is handled so poorly, one almost forgets how cool it is that Gemma's murder is unexpected, especially after she is given a vital piece of information. Thus, the entire thing is a mediocre wash, that with a little better plotting, could have been really awesome.

     Siobhan's emotional attachment to Gemma is somewhat unexpected. Up to this point, Ringer paints Siobhan has a cold, heartless bitch. Of course, she must have been nice at some point, or Andrew (Ioan Gruffudd) would never have married her, and Gemma wouldn't have been her friend. That empathetic side of Siobhan is shown briefly, as she kills Charlie.

     Bridget and Andrew are now a firm couple. It's a little icky, since Andrew is Bridget's twin sister's husband, and Andrew thinks Bridget is Siobhan.  But since the two are such a good match in personality, and they are both happy together, that kind of overrides the gross factor. As long as one doesn't think too hard on it. Of course, it can't last. Siobhan is back in town, and she probably won't be please that Bridget is 'fixing' her life. So poor Andrew, brought even closer to Bridget by recent tradgedy, faces a betrayal that might prove impossible for him to get over.

     Henry (Kristoffer Polaha) is just a big ball of mad these days. He hates Bridget, whom he thinks is Siobhan. He blames her for Gemma's death, and mucking up the ransom, eevn though it is Henry that spooks Charlie. His rage needs some focus, and it's a mystery who will get the brunt of it. Look for Tyler (Justin Bruening) to be a very similar character once it comes out that Siobhan's baby isn't his.

     The coolest part of "That's What You Get For Trying to Kill Me) is when Victor Machado (Nestor Carbonell) unmasks Jimmy (Darren Pettie, Mad Men), as a mole. Machado is a heck of a detective, and puts together the most obscure reference to do so. With smarts like these, it shouldn't take Machado too much longer to realize that Bridget is posing as Siobhan, especially with the real Siobhan back in town. Wonderful character who deserves more screen time!

     Also, kudos for the great Amber Benson (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) guest appearance! Too bad it is so short, and she is murdered, so can't return in any part of substance.

     The final story in "That's What You Get For Trying to Kill Me" is the least satisfying. Juliet (Zoey Deutch) puts the moves very hard on Mr. Carpenter (Jason Dohring), only to be rebuffed. Then she claims that he rapes her. Carpenter is pretty mad at Juliet, but given his professionalism thus far, it seems unlikely he would commit such a heinous act. It's possible, but more likely, Juliet is lying because she is hurt at being rejected. Not really interested to see how this plays out, but hope it resolves quickly.

     Ringer will return to the CW in January.

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"Virtual In-Stanity" reigns on American Dad!

     FOX's American Dad! presents "Virtual In-Stanity." Stan (Seth MacFarlane) realizes he misses most of Steve's (Scott Grimes) major life events, and wants to make up for it, but Steve won't give him the time of day. Understanding that, at Steve's age, his son just wants to talk to girls, Stan inhabits a blond, busty avatar named Phyllis (Sarah Michelle Gellar, Ringer). Unfortunately for Stan, Steve's interest in Phyllis lulls when she refuses Steve any physical affection, and Steve starts to go for a redhead (Alyson Hannigan, How I Met Your Mother) instead.

     "Virtual In-Stanity" reunites two of the stars of the hit series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. In that series, Gellar plays a tough, hot blond, while Hannigan is a geeky redhead. Sound familiar? While the two are rivals, rather than friends, in American Dad!, that doesn't lessen the casting coup's enjoyment. Because of the dork-appeal of both the goofy vampire drama, that could be quite serious at times, and this animated sitcom, it is likely that more than a few fans are immensely gratified by the show using both women in the same episode.

     A lot of American Dad!'s plots revolve around Stan trying to be a good father. It seems that, as he ages and settles into family life more agreeably, Stan wants to be there for his children more than previously. Unlike other animated series, the characters in American Dad! do age and go through life changes, albeit much more slowly than in reality. For instance, Stan's daughter gets married, and it sticks in future episodes. So it seems American Dad! will chronicle much of Stan's growth as a father over a couple of years, giving a slightly deeper meaning to a show that mostly banks on humor.

     Given that American Dad! is created by Family Guy's Seth MacFarlane, it does often venture into gross and offensive territory. "Virtual In-Stanity" crosses a lot of lines when Stan-as-Phyllis decides to have sex with Steve so that they can bond and keep spending time together. Set aside the severe, permanent emotional damage Steve will undergo when he finds out this ruse, which, if they had gone through with the intercourse, he eventually would have had to, the fact that Stan is willing to do this is highly disturbing. No parent should ever agree to such acts with a child, no matter the circumstances. Yes, it is a female body, but Stan would experience everything that "Phyllis" does.

     Luckily, Francine (Wendy Schaal) has the wisdom to realize all of this, and is as repulsed by the idea as viewers surely are. Valiantly, she takes up an armored suit and fights Phyllis, a la Avatar, before "she" can sleep with Steve. Thus, disaster and a yawning chasm between son and father is avoided. As long as Steve never finds out the truth, and he probably won't at this point, given how things end.

     It may be a silly conceit that would not hold up in real life, but Stan playing with CIA technology is always fun. The fact that his boss (Patrick Stewart) can be just as giddy about it is wonderful. Stan is a very relatable character when he takes out the government toys and uses them for his personal goals. Despite the weird stuff in "Virtual In-Stanity," no one can blame him for this aspect of himself.

     The big regret here is that Hannigan's character likely won't show up again. She could make a great, recurring love interest for Steve! True, Hannigan already stars in a sitcom on TV, but surely she could make time to voice a handful of episodes a year. It's unfortunate that this seems a very remote possibility.

     Also, Roger (MacFarlane, too) goes on a killing spree to get even with some frat guys who don't pay for his limo service. Watching a limosuine stalk a jerk into the bathroom is freaking hilarious. The subplot even manages to get creepy at times, despite its absurd nature. A+!

     American Dad! airs Sundays on FOX as part of Animation Domination, usually at 9:30 p.m. ET, but check listings, as the shows within the block sometimes shift.

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Article first published as TV Review: American Dad! - "Virtual In-Stanity" on Blogcritics.

"The Poor Kids Do It Everyday" on Ringer

     Six episodes in, the mysteries on the CW's new drama Ringer keep coming. In this week's episode, "The Poor Kids Do It Everyday," Bridget (Sarah Michelle Gellar) and Henry (Kristoffer Polaha) both wonder what happen to Gemma (Tara Summers), wondering if each other engaged in foul play. They seem to come to an understanding, but then Bridget calls in an anonymous tip to the police on the crime scene evidence that Henry cleaned up, and leaves her own fingerprints on the weapon. Also, Machado (Nestor Carbonell) searches for the also missing Malcolm (Mike Colter), and Juliet (Zoey Deutch) finds an ally in Mr. Carpenter (Jason Dohring, Veronica Mars, Moonlight) at her new school.

     In Ringer, the viewers get the important clues long before the characters do. By this point, audiences can assume that no one is trying to kill Siobhan (also Gellar) because the man that Bridget killed in self-defense was sent by Siobhan, though he carried Siobhan's picture, not Bridget's. This means it is likely that Siobhan wanted everyone to think she is dead, and by Bridget taking over her life, Bridget ruined Siobhan's plan. Or at least a part of it. It's why Siobhan wanted to kill Bridget. It's also why she has Gemma taken out, probably, as Gemma knows about the twin sisters, and also knows that Bridget has taken Siobhan's place.

     But is Gemma maybe somehow still alive? If not, why not show her body?

      Why does Siobhan want everyone to think she is dead? It's obviously something she plans for, setting aside money that Bridget also unwittingly takes, and heading to Paris. It's interesting that Ringer shows so much, but explains so little. Though fans know what Siobhan is doing, the why has not been covered for any of it, leaving as more questions that the series is answering.

     In "The Poor Kids Do It Everyday," the series does the same with Bridget. We see that Bridget implicates herself in the possible murder of Gemma, but it is not clear why. This gets Machado's attention, of course, as he has Bridget flagged. But for now, everyone except the missing Gemma assumes that Siobhan is still living her life, and if they even know who Bridget is, thinks she is the one missing. Without knowing that Siobhan is still alive, Bridget thinks that will be no suspect to be found for Gemma. It keeps Henry and Siobhan, meaning her, since she's taken Siobhan's place, clear of any suspicion. But, still, setting up herself is a big risk. Why not find a bum in the alley to get prints from? If Machado realizes the rouse, then he might think Bridget did something to Gemma, creating even more problems.

      Malcolm's capture and torture by the men looking for Bridget is a big complication that will have to be resolved soon. Given the CW's penchant for killing off main characters, his number might just be up. After all, he is certainly the most expendably of the main characters. Bridget already has a new sponsor, and Machado is only looking for Malcolm because he has information on Bridget. If Malcolm dies, Bridget's secrets are protected a bit longer. Hopefully, Ringer will find a new and interesting twist to keep Malcolm around, but it seems unlikely. Unless Gemma is really dead, and Ringer doesn't want to off two characters so soon.

     Also, is it really a coincidence that Bridget finds a new sponsor so quickly in Charlie (Billy Miller, The Young and the Restless). Is anyone fooled? Who is he working for, and why is he there?

     It also seems odd that Juliet gets any plot at all. She isn't a main character, nor is she paramount to what is going on with Bridget and Siobhan. This isn't exactly a complaint, since following Juliet to schools opens up the door to see Dohring back on television. However, her scenes seem out of place, especially coming after so little independent development for the character in the first few episodes.

     Is Bridget sleeping with Siobhan's husband, Andrew (Ioan Gruffudd)? She would have to, to completely sell the charade, especially since Bridget is determined to fix the marriage, but the series shies from showing this explicitly. Probably because of the gross factor involved in sleeping with one's own brother-in-law. If one stops and thinks about it, Andrew is living a common male fantasy, and not even getting to enjoy it. But, more likely, he will be morally offended when the truth comes out. Or he'll choose Bridget over Siobhan since Bridget is actually good to him. It sure seems like Bridget might be falling for Andrew, though whether that's because of the life she has with him, or because she genuinely cares, is uncertain.

     Ringer airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on the CW.

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Sarah Michelle Gellar's a dead "Ringer" for... Sarah Michelle Gellar?

     Sarah Michelle Gellar (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) returns to series television with the CW's Ringer. In "Pilot," which aired last night, Bridget Cafferty (Gellar) is found to be in the protective custody of Victor Machado (Nestor Carbonell, Lost) after witnessing a murder committed by a very dangerous man. Scared she isn't safe, even with Victor, Bridget flees to her twin sister, Siobhan Martin (also Gellar). But then Siobhan disappears while the two are on a boat, and Bridget assumes she is dead. In a panic, Bridget assumes Siobhan's identity.

     Fitting in as Siobhan is not as easy as Bridget hopes. For one thing, Siobhan is in a loveless marriage with Andrew (Ioan Gruffudd, Fantastic Four), living with a bratty stepdaughter named Juliet (Zoey Deutch, The Suite Life on Deck). Soon, Bridget discovers that Siobhan is sleeping with her best friend, Gemma's (Tara Summers, Boston Legal, Damages), husband, Henry (Kristoffer Polaha, Life Unexpected). And Siobhan also has someone trying to kill her. Plus, it doesn't take long for Victor to show up and ask "Siobhan" where her sister is.

     Oh, and by the way, Siobhan isn't dead; she's just hiding in Europe.

     Does Ringer sound deliciously complex enough to herald a Gellar return to TV? It should. It's got dark and twisty mysteries, concerning both sisters, and enough characters to spur some viewers to begin a cork board to keep track of all the connections. With the twists in the first hour alone, Ringer clearly establishes itself as a very adventurous show, in for many surprises as the weeks go by. The message? Don't trust anything you hear or see, because there's probably more going on than is shown. Which sounds just fine for an avid TV watcher tired of predictable procedurals.

     Gellar shines in Ringer, of course, both as the seemingly heartless, manipulative Siobhan, and the warmer, scared, ex-stripper Bridget. She is the lead, plain and simple, and everyone else in the series revolves around her. But she can handle that. A peek Bridget's relationship with her NA sponsor, Malcolm (Mike Colter, The Good Wife), and the fact that Bridget lets slip to Malcolm enough clues that he will eventually be able to find her, show there is some love and trust between them. Whether Siobhan has grown so cold that she won't mind her sister being murdered or not remains to be seen. Yet, Gellar plays both with enough levels that neither seems simple to figure out.

     The four men who are Gellar's co-stars also do quite well. It is not surprise that Carbonell can handle mysterious drama, given his previous track record. But Polaha really stands out, completely shedding his past roles, and holding his own against some very talented actors. There isn't a lot of Colter in "Pilot," but Gruffudd manages to show some vulnerability in the scenes with his daughter.

     Of course, the point of the first episode of Ringer is to open up a lot of questions, and it does. Why doesn't Juliet's mother want her? Why does Siobhan fake her death? When will she return? What happened to a boy (Siobhan's son?) that drove the sisters apart six years ago? Is Henry the father of Siobhan's unborn baby?  And who will catch Bridget first?

     Do not miss Ringer, airing Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET on the CW.

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Article first published as TV Review: Ringer - "Pilot" on Blogcritics.

The Lying Game isn't very fun to play

     ABC Family's The Lying Game begins its pilot with Emma Becker (Alexandra Chando, As the World Turns) falsely accused of a crime. She flees her bad foster home to her recently discovered, separated at birth, twin sister's rich home. Convenient, huh? But the twin, Sutton Mercer (also Chando) has a plan. She convinces Emma to pretend to be Sutton, so Sutton can go and look for their long lost parents. Or so she says. With a title like The Lying Game, it's hard to know when someone is telling the truth and when they are not.

     Immediately, Chando's similar look to Nina Dobrev (pictured left) will evoke comparisons to CW's The Vampire Diaries, where Dobrev also plays multiple characters. Not only that, but the fleeing criminal replacing the rich girl who has dark secrets of her own that she doesn't bother to fill in her poor sister about is also an accurate description of the pilot of the CW's Ringer, which premieres next month. Unfortunately for The Lying Game, Dobrev and Ringer's Sarah Michelle Gellar can act circles around Chando. Also, having seen the pilot of Ringer, I can report that both series are written way better than The Lying Game, and have a much higher caliper supporting cast. So The Lying Game seems doomed to failure.

     ABC Family certainly has a niche audience in their evening dramas, and that is teen girls. While The Lying Game fits into that niche, and certainly isn't any worse than other entries, such as Pretty Little Liars and The Secret Life of the American Teenager, the CW also plays to the same demographic, and produces series much more worth watching. Thus, The Lying Game will be competing for fans against superior shows. Also, saying this newest ABC Family drama is as good as the other ones at the network is like saying one frozen burrito brand is as good as any other. Not a high recommendation. And the fact that The Lying Game is based on a book does not improve the recommendation. It just makes the book's author look like a copier, too. Though I'm not accusing her of such, as it will depend where the concept goes from here to determine that.

     Separating The Lying Game from the obvious comparisons, there isn't much praise that can be said for the show, at least after only watching one episode. The characters are flat, and the actors are weak. The series tries to build suspense by keeping viewers second guessing who is telling the truth, and what the lies are. However, what results is simply a headache. And when superficial rich kids, with no redeemable qualities, are the ones doing the lying, it's very hard to sympathize with anyone long enough to care. Not to mention, it's highly unbelievable that almost no one suspects Sutton has been replaced, even though Emma has a completely different personality, and knows nothing about Sutton's life.

     The one saving grace of The Lying Game is the inclusion of Kirsten Prout as Sutton's friend Char. Prout is a veteran of an ABC Family drama that actually got it right - Kyle XY. Sadly, that show was canceled far too early, and at least in the pilot, Prout doesn't get to do anything interesting. It seems she is accepting work from her former employer, but in this case, it's a gift she should return. She can do much better.

     The Lying Game airs Mondays at 9 p.m. ET on ABC Family.

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Article first published as TV Review: The Lying Game - "Pilot" on Blogcritics.

CW is last to release fall schedule

     Right in the middle of season finale madnesses, the networks are releasing their fall schedules, handing down decisions on what goes and stays. CW is the fifth and final network to do so, and it also has the smallest number of hours to announce. That's because CW only programs original primetime content ten hours a week, Monday through Friday 8pm until 10pm, as opposed to the eighteen hours other networks program, Sunday through Friday 8pm until 11pm. Given that the CW only  has ten hours to fill, it may seem surprising that four of those hours are new shows, or 40%! Lots to look forward to.

     Monday begins with the return of Gossip Girl, followed by Hart of Dixie from Josh Schwartz (Gossip Girl, Chuck). Trying its hand at a medical drama, Hart of Dixie stars Rachel Bilson (The O.C.) as the big city medical professional who switches gears when she is given a small town practice. So it's like an American remake of Doc Martin. Scott Porter (Friday Night Lights) Jaime King (Pearl Harbor) also star.

     Tuesdays are for 90210 and Ringer, which is Sarah Michelle Gellar's (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) triumphant return to network television. In fact, Gellar plays twins, so it's double duty for the enemy of creatures of the night. Kristoffer Polaha (Life Unexpected), Nestor Carbonell (Lost) and Ioan Guffudd (Fantastic Four) make this certain to be a strong ensemble. Fun fact: Buffy the Vampire Slayer once aired on Tuesday nights. Can lightening strike twice?

     Wednesdays begins with H8R, a new reality show where host Mario Lopez will introduce some normal people to celebrities that they claim to hate. Kim Kardashian and Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi are two of the first up. Sign me up to meet Sarah Palin! H8R is followed by a new cycle of America's Next Top Model.

     Thursday night is supernatural with The Vampire Diaries and The Secret Circle. While Mondays are Josh Schwartz night, Thursdays belong to Kevin Williamson, who is executive producing both series. The Secret Circle is about witches and keeps Life Unexpected star Brittany Robertson on the network. Robertson is joined by Thomas Dekker (Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles) and Gale Harold (Hellcats).

     Friday is the only night of the week without new shows. Nikita goes first, followed by Supernatural.

     One Tree Hill has been given a thirteen episode final season, which will premiere in the middle of the year. The Frame and Re-Model are also on tap for mid-season, both reality shows. Hellcats and Shedding for the Wedding are both canceled, and will not be back. Smallville recently completed its ten year run, and will also not be returning,

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