Weeds reaches the "Threshold"

Showtime's Weeds is in its finale season, so one might think that the plot arcs would begin to develop towards final, happy endings for the characters. For the last few weeks, that's exactly what the show appeared to be doing. Nancy (Mary-Louise Parker) has a good job and is dating a respectable rabbi named David (David Julian Hirsh, Hawthorne). Andy (Justin Kirk) longs for kids, and when he meets a hot, young woman, Joanna (Aubrey Dollar, Women's Murder Club), who is willing to marry him, he thinks he has it made. Silas (Hunter Parrish) is offered a lucrative deal to grow marijuana. Shane (Alexander Gould) has completed the police academy and landed a cushy job until he's old enough to officially join the force, and has a great girlfriend, Angela (Daniele Watts). Even Doug (Kevin Nealon) is finding purpose in making his fake charity a real effort.

But this week's installment, "Threshold," in true Weeds fashion, screws everything up. Nancy dumps David when she learns that he is still mourning his wife, and quits her job. She also decides that Silas's deal isn't what he should be doing. Shane and Angela get in trouble with the law, Andy's new wife would rather wait eight to ten years to bear children, and Doug deals with noise complaints when he brings his homeless charges to a hotel.

Is it folly to hope that Weeds will end with something nice for these people, who always seem to jump from one mess right into another? Yes, most of their problems are brought on by themselves, or at least by Nancy's self-destructive tendencies. But that doesn't mean that loyal viewers who have been watching for nearly a decade don't want to see them find some sort of peace.

The thing is, the title has always had a double meaning, beyond the fact that the Botwins are in the pot business. The central characters are weeds in the world, and deserve to be pulled out of it, unless they can find a way to turn themselves into something useful or pretty. This is the challenge, and with only three half hours left, despite some early promising signs, it seems like a long shot.

Would it even make sense for this show to have a happy ending, given everything that has come before it? I don't know. Writers can deliver the most satisfying finales for even spiteful characters (see: House), so I don't want to say no. And yet, everything that has led up to this moment points to utter tradgedy.

The delight of the final season of Weeds is in how it revists the past. This is about to ramp up in a big way, as the Botwins will spend their last moments back in Agrestic, the neighborhood where it all began. Look for more familiar faces, like Conrad (Romany Malco), Guillermo (Guillermo Diaz), Lapita (Renee Victor), and even Yael (Meital Dohan) to pop up. Though the lack of Celia Hodes (Elizabeth Perkins) in the wake of the rest is completely unacceptable, and will probably end up being this year's biggest mistake.

The last three episodes of Weeds will air Sundays at 10 p.m. ET on Showtime.

If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! Check out my new website, JeromeWetzel.com! First posted on TheTVKing

Meet Ben & Kate

Grade: 74%

FOX’s new sitcom, BEN AND KATE, is a lightning rod for mixed feelings. One wants to admire their quirky humor, but sometimes it also seems too low-brow. The characters are sympathetic, but they take things a bit too far. The titular leads, Ben (Nat Faxon, Allen Gregory, Reno 911!) and Kate (Dakota Johnson, 21 Jump Street), have good chemistry, but it can verge into creepy territory when it skims past sibling and into slight romance. The supporting cast is fantastic, but are they well used?

The beginning of the “Pilot,” which premieres Tuesday, September 25th, and is available now on Hulu, is not an auspicious start. Kate is getting by as a single mom, and then her screw up brother, Ben, comes to town. She loves him and is happy to see him, but knows he will invariably mess up her life, which he does.

But rather than stick to that familiar premise, BEN AND KATE soon reveals that Kate is just as messed up as her brother, in other ways. And while Ben does tend to make some bad situations worse, he also comes through for Kate, such as when he stops her from sleeping with a guy who isn’t serious about her. So, suddenly the dynamic is more balanced, which does make for a better story. When Ben tells Kate she only made one mistake, and it was the best thing that ever happened to her, referring to Kate’s daughter, it’s a touching, perfect moment.

The thing is, Faxon and Johnson just haven’t pinned down their chemistry yet. They do have it, but it’s almost like they should be romantic leads, rather than playing brother and sister. Their under-the-table meetings are sweet, but you’re waiting for them to lean forward and kiss, which would be disgusting, given the established sibling bond. Raised in the household that they were, it’s understandable that they are a bit messed up. As long as the show doesn’t go too far with them, it works.

The best part of BEN AND KATE is Kate’s five year old daughter, Maddie. Or rather, Maggie Elizabeth Jones (We Bought a Zoo), the very talented young actress who plays the role. She is funny, can sell a punch line, rolls with the craziness, and is freaking adorable. Even if the leads sucked, it would almost be worth watching just for her. Luckily, the scenes in which she appears tend to bring out the best in both Johnson and Faxon, and she provides the easiest path to turn viewers into fans.

Rounding out the cast are Lucy Punch (Dinner for Schmucks, The Class) as BJ and Echo Kellum as Tommy, Kate’s friends, who also happen to be fond of Ben. Like the leads, I am torn on these two, and it may just be because the series isn’t sure how to use them yet. Sometimes they are the butt of crass, unnecessary jokes (see: BJ’s name), and other times, they do exactly what a supportive friend is supposed to do. They buy a little too much into Kate and Ben’s weirdness, but then, anyone who would be their friend would have to. Punch has proven herself as extremely talented in other projects, and Kellum does fine, too, so there is definitely something there, if only it could be tapped.

That’s the entire problem with BEN AND KATE. There’s a wonderful series hiding just below the surface, but there’s also a terrible one. Both keep popping up throughout the first episode. Many terrific shows have horrendous pilots, so hopefully the good will vanquish the bad, in time. But it could easily go the other way, as well, so this is one to cautiously watch.

Keep working on The Mindy Project

Grade: 73%

I really wanted to like THE MINDY PROJECT. The star and creator, Mindy Kaling, has not only played Kelly Kapoor on The Office for all of these years, but has also written some of the funniest episodes of that show. It is time for her to get her own vehicle, and to let her voice be heard outside of the protective bubble of the long-running, popular sitcom.

Sadly, it’s really hard to be a fan of this new effort. At least, the “Pilot” isn’t very good. The jokes are predictable, the situations a little too “been-there, done-that,” and the characters don’t seem fresh. It may grow into something great, and I really hope it does. But it is not there yet, as of the first episode.

Kaling’s character, not coincidentally named Mindy, is a lot like Kelly, though toned down slightly to be more realistic. She is a relatable girl, smart and cute, even if she worries about her weight issues. She loves romantic comedies, and longs so much for her life to be one. But, like many girls who can relate to this attitude, her dreams will not come true. She struggles to find any guy who can live up to her ridiculous standards, but even those who fall far below that seem to be scarce. She doesn’t help herself by sleeping around, a habit hinted at, but not shown in the “Pilot.” All in all, the best adjective to describer this character, meant on a couple different levels, is sad.

The writing is as uneven as the character herself. There are lots of great pop culture references, which might date the show in the future, but seem timely enough for now. But the delivery of them isn’t goofy, like Kelly, or witty, as in other shows. Instead, it just adds to the mental delusions that keep Mindy out of touch with reality. Perhaps if she had a little more confidence, or didn’t sound like she believed them so sincerely, they would land better.

Much of the first episode is given over to Mindy’s romantic adventures. First, there is an oral surgeon (Saturday Night Live’s Bill Hader) who dumps her to marry a younger model. Then, there is the sane and handsome first date (Kaling’s former co-star, Ed Helms), who may be scared off by her crazy. The thing is, neither of these men feel like they have chemistry with Mindy, making the whole thing seem off.

Of course, the man Mindy is supposed to be with is right in front of her face and she is blind to it. His name is Danny (Chris Messina, Damages, The Newsroom), and he is a man’s man, as well as a co-worker. While Mindy is seeking romance, he tries to tell her to alter her expectations and look for a “real” guy. She ignores him, not willing to abandon her mission.

If THE MINDY PROJECT would allow Mindy to calm down and ditch her silly, unrealistic ideas, it would work much better. Danny isn’t just the opposite of what she thinks she wants, but really needs, he is also someone who will challenge her and help her to grow. An element that takes a back seat in the first episode is that Mindy is a doctor, and Danny is her competition. He is driven at work, and if she’d stop seeing Danny as an obstacle, but rather, someone she can have a friendly game with, things would change for her. This will probably happen. Eventually.

No one else really stands out in the “Pilot.” The cast is full of wonderful performers like Anna Camp (True Blood, The Good Wife), Stephen Tobolowsky (Californication, Glee), Richard Schiff (The West Wing), and Amanda Setton (Gossip Girl). But none of them are given much to work with, and if one wasn’t familiar with their other work, one probably wouldn’t notice them here. THE MINDY PROJECT is the type of show that screams for an ensemble, and has a very capable one. It just needs to figure out how to use it.

THE MINDY PROJECT premieres Tuesday, September 25th at 9:30 p.m. ET on FOX.

Breaking Bad pauses in final season

AMC's Breaking Bad pauses this week, a mere eight episodes into its finale season. There will be eight more installments, but they are being held until next summer to give the writers more time to figure out an ending for the popular, critically acclaimed series. This wait sucks, to be frank, but I guess it's worth it if the ending of the show delivers, as it almost always does, rather than trying to rush greatness.

In this midseason finale, "Gliding Over All," Walter White (Bryan Cranston) takes stock of where he is. Walt has become a kingpin, controlling his own drug empire, and striking fear into the hearts of those who would oppose him. Killing anyone who might expose his secret trade, he is finally the kind of ruthless bad ass that he once cowered to.

But at what cost? His wife, Skyler (Anna Gunn), feels like a hostage, drinks heavily, and won't meet his eyes. She keeps his kids away, refusing to let them stay in the house with a criminal whose business is so dangerous for himself and those around him. Walt has murdered Mike (Jonathan Banks). He has run off his long-time partner, Jesse (Aaron Paul), who hates what Walt has become. And all he has left is a somewhat inept assistant named Todd (Jesse Plemons, Friday Night Lights, Bent).

This is a turning point for Walt. He has to choose between his loved ones and his meth making life, because he can no longer balance both. One or the other must be given up, lest he destroy everything. And it's a decision he must make himself, since no one else wants anything to do with him, the supporting characters not only stepping away from Walt, but appearing far less on screen, too, enhancing the feeling of loneliness in a very neat way.

Walt chooses his family, telling Skyler he is out, and attempting to make amends with Jesse. What would cause Walt to do this? The entire run of Breaking Bad has been about turning the sickly, mild-mannered chemistry teacher into a hardened thug at the top of the food chain. Walt loves the power and control, and relishes his new-found confidence. There are almost no signs that he would back down, especially after refusing to budge when Jesse and Skyler plea with him to. Why does the let the loneliness get to him now, of all times?

A hint may be found in a montage slightly earlier in "Gliding Over All." As the various character are shown going about their business in this changed world, Walt revisits the hospital. Is his cancer back? That's not clear from this episode. It seems a safe assumption to make, as there wasn't really anything else in the hour that would spur Walt to shift direction now.

But Breaking Bad doesn't finish with the viewer there. After seeing Walt in a happy, normalized life again, there is a final bombshell. Hank (Dean Norris), while sitting on the toilet in Walt's house, finally makes a connection. Hank now knows that Walt is the elusive Heisenberg, whom Hank and the rest of the DEA have been searching for. Will Hank do his duty and bring Walt in? Or will family loyalty win out, especially now that Walt has given up the trade and moved on? The way that Hank has been built up, as a wonderful, complex character, his next move in not predictable.

So what will the finale eight episodes be about? Well, a big piece has to stem from Hank's decision based on his new knowledge. Will Walt's family be protecting him? Will they work against him, as there is a point in "Gliding Over All" that it seems like Jesse and Skyler will turn him in? It's too bad that Skyler hates Jesse, because they would probably find much to agree on. Is Walt lying? Is he dying? Will he turn back to meth if the going gets tough? Will someone, or more than one someone, end up dead?

Breaking Bad concludes next summer on AMC.

If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! Check out my new website, JeromeWetzel.com! First posted on TheTVKing

Intriguing Television Locations

Guest Post By Alexandra Jacobs

It is easy to be drawn into television shows that are set in beautiful and unique locations. Anyone who has ever wished they could be transported onto a television show can now come close. All fall programs have started filming, and it is possible to visit sets and see the stars.

"Revenge" is a returning drama about a prestigious group of individuals who have secrets hidden under their seemingly idyllic lives. The show is set in the Hamptons, but there are behind the scenes secrets as well. The elegant homes depicted in the series are actually located on a soundstage in Manhattan Beach, CA. The protagonist, Emily Thorpe, lives in a quaint yet refined beach house that is thought to be based off a home in Wilmington, North Carolina. Emily seeks to get revenge on everyone who she believes is responsible for her father's death, and she lives next door to the most guilty party. The Graysons are Emily's target, and their house is largely Photoshopped. However, they used designs by Peter Cook and filmed shots in Amagansett, New York and Wilmington. The pilot was originally filmed in Wilmington but mostly takes place in L.A. now. T.V. magic is used to bring the grandeur of Hampton real estate to life.

Many shows shoot episodes in various locations when they first start. "The Mob Doctor" features a Chicago doctor who finds herself lending her services to mob bosses to repay debts her family incurred. The series has been filming in the South Halsted area of Chicago. If the show succeeds, then it will probably duplicate buildings on a sound stage or find property in New York or L.A. However, anyone in the Chicago area can currently watch the action this medical drama produces.

Anyone who watches the supernatural mystery "Haven" will think the town is an actual fishing community in Maine. This fictional area treats viewers to detailed glimpses of the shoreline, heavy fog and a rich storefront. The series looks so lifelike because they film in  many areas in Nova Scotia, Canada. A restaurant heavily featured in the show is in Tilley's Cove. This series is distinct because it still uses many natural locations, and the premise is equally creative. Residents in the town are plagued with various problems known only as "troubles". Two detectives must help people deal with these supernatural abilities while keeping the rest of the town safe.

It is easy to film in the same area a show takes place when it is located in New York. 666 Park Ave features a normal couple entering a devilish world when they move into a supposedly perfect apartment. The show is filmed on Kent Street in Brooklyn. This allows the show to feature shots of buildings and attractions in New York. This new show will depict luxurious New York City locations while delighting and terrifying fans.

Television shows that make use of the background are able to tell a better story. These shows will have fans wanting to visit location for themselves.

Alexandra is a travel enthusiast who loves to write about tourism, beaches, food, and the wonderful things in the world.  She provides her own insights on vacationing to the blogosphere.  If you would like to learn more about her, follow her @alexsjourneys or visit her blog alexsjourneys.wordpress.com

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Season 1, Vol. 1

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers is a hit kids' show in multiple countries. Still running in the United States today, roughly 20 years after its debut, there have been lots of different series featuring lots of different rangers battling lots of different monsters. But now, for the first time on DVD, you can see how it all began.

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Season 1, Vol.1 collects the first 30 episodes, half of season one, onto a three disc set (sans bonus features, not that that matters to the target audience). These are the characters that started it all, and built the phenomenon. Each episode is about twenty minutes long, and features the first five teenagers to don the suits and call upon the robotic dinosaurs.

There's Jason (Austin St. John), the leader and Red Ranger of the group, who loves his country and karate. Billy (David Yost), the Blue Ranger, is a sweet nerd who speaks a genius language all his own. Trini (Thuy Trang, The Crow: City of Angels), is the Yellow Ranger, as patient and spiritual as she is tough. Zack (Walter Jones, Space Cases) is the charismatic, energetic, dancing Black Ranger. Finally, Kimberly (Amy Jo Johnson, Flashpoint, Felicity), the Pink Ranger, is a popular girl who loves gymnastics and shopping.

For those who don't remember how it began, the evil Rita Repulsa (anime voice actress Barbara Goodson) escapes from her 10,000-year imprisonment in a dumpster on the moon. Her various creature minions rally around her, and they plan to attack the Earth. Zordon (sound guy Robert L. Manahan) taps five young people with just the right mix of moxy and heart to suit up and take on Rita. Thus, the saga is born.

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers does not hold up well, sadly. As iconic as it may be, watching just the first episode will leave you shaking your head at the plot holes they got away with. There are not logical jumps in the story; instead, the characters just move where the plot demands they be, and, anxious to bring on the battle sequences, skips over the necessary character development to turn teenagers "with attitude" into heroes. Thus, not only is everyone flat, but they also suffer from a lack of distinct motivations.

This continues, most noticeably, in the battle sequences. The characters' personalities completely drop out when they become the Power Rangers, becoming generic bodies and machines. Many of the scenes shown in this American remake are borrowed from the original Japanese incarnation, which is why that they might not quite match.

But kids don't watch Mighty Morphin Power Rangers for the story. They watch it to see martial arts and giant monsters beating on each other. In that, there is plenty. There is also a good moral message about standing up for others, and doing what's right. The danger is relatively harmless, not too scary for a young audience. The humor will also appeal to juveniles, with Bulk (Paul Schrier) and Skull (Jason Navy) always present to provide the slapstick, and Alpha 5 (Richard Steven Horvitz, The Angry Beavers) driving the energy level higher.

So even if the adults cringe at the gaping missteps in the writing, the children won't notice, eager to jump up and mirror the fighting moves. They will laugh, and be totally engaged. Trust me. My little brothers were huge fans.

Now, admittedly, even though things begin quite rough, the tale does improve over time. By the point at which the Green Ranger, Tommy (Jason David Frank) is introduced, the arcs get longer, and the stakes get a little deeper. There is actually some movement in what drives a character, and an effort to change minds and hearts. It still isn't high quality television, but it becomes not quite as terrible as it started out.

Overall, this is a good set to have if you have bouncing young boys in the house. But if you're just someone looking back for nostalgia's sake, you might want to skip it, lest you soil your fond memories of the series.

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Season 1, Vol. 1 is available now.

If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! Check out my new website, JeromeWetzel.com! Article first published as DVD Review: Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Season 1, Vol. 1 on Blogcritics.

Injustice comes to DVD

As the five-part series Injustice begins, Barrister William Travers (James Purefoy, Episodes, Rome) lives in a small village. He used to be a successful lawyer who won murder trials for his clients, whom he always believed innocent. But after one particular case, William suffered a nervous breakdown and had to step away from the more intense proceedings.

Now, a friend of his is accused of murder. William steps back up into it for the case, returning to the cutthroat world he left behind, with the caveat that he will quit if he stops believing his client's innocence. His wife, Jane (Dervla Kirwan, Ballykissangel, Blackout), is anything but pleased, having left a very successful career in London to accommodate her spouse. She is also worried about what the pressure might do to him. William ignores this, and jumps in anyway.

As with any excellent drama, there is a lot more going on than meets the eye. Viewers will learn details about William's break through flashbacks, and the type of man he really is now, beneath the put-together exterior. Present events will collide with the past in a complex, interwoven story. I don't want to give anything away, but trust me, this is well worth watching,

Interestingly, a second investigator, DI Mark Wenborn (Charlie Creed-Miles, The Fifth Element), is present as a study of contrast to Travers, adding another layer to the tale. Wenborn is everything that William is not, cruel instead of kind, with virtually no moral compass to guide him on his mission. It's a wonderful study on the differing personalities of men, and how they can both survive within the same system.

The big, shocking query Injustice delivers is, can it make viewers root for the bad guy against the good guy? With the villain out to expose something that hero did, who is right? This delves into a level of ambiguity and greyness that inhabits only the best dramas, and makes all five parts incredibly compelling. And as someone who has watched the series, there is never a clear choice between which character should come out on top, which is not easy to do.

Injustice is as modern as it is timeless. The story and the characters, trying to be beacons of hope in a cruel world, holding up ideals and defending them, but limited by personal failings, could happen anywhere, anytime. Yet, the series also embraces technology and the ever-present closed circuit cameras that spy on citizens like a Big Brother. The plot is as much a comment of society and the legal system as it is on the specific circumstances portrayed. There are broad strokes, as well as the personal.

Is Injustice a police drama, or a suspense tale? Both are accurate representations. It melds the two seamlessly into a heck of a thrill ride. Both of these can deliver a good mystery, and thus a great mystery doesn't have to choose between them.

Something neat about this show is that it changes course so spectacularly in mid-stream. Twists are present in many stories, of course, but rarely does one show, especially one with such a limited number of episodes, make such a dramatic change in the middle. It's a very cool trick that, while it wouldn't work if it became overused, should set it apart in this instance.

What makes Injustice so terrific is the masterful way in which this ambitious script is executed. Not only is the writing solid, but the acting and direction is also fantastic. The world of the series is well illustrated, with a very authentic feel, especially as it delves into the murkiness. It's true that more and more productions have managed to pull this off lately, but that doesn't take away from Injustice's accomplishment, a worthy entry among its peers.

The only special feature included is a photo gallery. This is disappointing, but should not be enough to keep TV lovers away from the DVD.

Injustice is available now from Acorn Media.

If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! Check out my new website, JeromeWetzel.com! Article first published as DVD Review: Injustice on Blogcritics.

The Alphas go to "Alphaville"

SyFy's Alphas continues to get marginally better in season two. There are recurring characters and larger themes, rather than just a case of the week. While each episode still feels like its own story, the stories do impact each other, each one a piece in a larger puzzle. How it all comes together will be the deciding factor on whether the show has improved enough from its lackluster first season to earn continued patronage, and we are still quite a ways off from that point. But this week's installment, "Alphaville," does give us a few things to ponder.

Summer Glau returns as Skylar Adams! Glau is fantastic actress. Her first guest spot on Alphas, back in season one, was the type of role that she is known for in sci-fi series. But "Alphaville" exposes a whole other side of the actress, which is a credit to the show. Glau plays a mother now, more concerned with her daughter, Zoe (Skyler Wexler, a very talented child performer), than political battles or espionage. Faced with a project that could benefit many, she still puts her child first, and even though she is struggling with being a parent, she is sure trying hard. Very cool.

The problem is, if individuals just concentrate on making their own lives work, the bigger picture is ignored. As neat as it is to see Glau's Skylar domesticated, it ignores the larger threat posed by Stanton Parish (John Pyper-Ferguson). Dr. Rosen (David Strathairn) fails to recruit her to their cause, which is a huge blow for the good guys, especially when it appears that Stanton Parish may succeed where Rosen failed.

How much do charismatic leaders shape world events? We all know that Hitler would not have made it as far as he did without winning a lot of people over. Rosen seems to lack this ability to draw others to him. He has his supporters, individuals he has worked with and helped. But overall, most people don't like him, including the government agents he works with. His going public about people with powers sours even more Alphas on him, as we learn when the team visits Skylar in "Alphaville." By contrast, Parish seems to be gaining more and more followers, making him a very dangerous enemy, indeed.

I do feel sorry for poor Cameron (Warren Christie), who doesn't know how to pick the right gal. First, Nina (Laura Mennell) used her ability on him, and now it looks like Rosen's daughter,  Danielle (Kathleen Munroe), may be playing him for information on the team's activities. When is he going to catch a break? The show had better not screw over Rachel (Azita Ghanizada) in a similar manner in her own budding romance.

The issue I have with Alphas is that, many times, the characters are not that compelling. Dr. Rosen isn't the only one who lacks natural drawing power. And while this may be a conscious choice for the characters, I'm glad to see that it has been acknowledged as a plot point and begun to change a bit in season two. Obviously, I am a fan of Skylar, and wish she appeared more often. I also like Kat (Erin Way), though it's hard to believe she isn't working against the rest, even if unintentionally.

The one main character who delivers week after week is Gary (Ryan Cartwright). He's entertaining, interesting, shows growth, makes you care about him, despite an abrasive personality. His interactions with Bill (Malik Yoba), are some of my favorite moments.

Alphas airs Mondays at 8 p.m. ET on SyFy.

If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! Check out my new website, JeromeWetzel.com! First posted on TheTVKing

Sons of Anarchy Season Four roars onto Blu-ray

When fans completed the third season of Sons of Anarchy, many members of SAMCRO are in prison. Season four, now on Blu-ray and DVD, picks up fourteen months later. The gang is out, but they don't quite return home to the same place they left. There's a new sheriff in town, Lieutenant Eli Roosevelt (Rockmond Dunbar, Prison Break), who won't even allow them to wear their insignia anymore. Backed up by U.S. Attorney Lincoln Potter (Ray McKinnon, Deadwood), a case is being built against the parolees. Will SAMCRO stand for this? Will they toe the line to stay out of trouble? Viewers of the show should be able to guess the answer fairly easily.

Even as everyone pulls together, there are some who call their loyalties into question. Jax (Charlie Hunnam) is ready to move on, especially after Tara (Maggie Siff) accepts his marriage proposal. Being a member of the motorcycle group hasn't been an easy or a safe way to live, and these lovebirds plan to leave it all behind them. If only quitting were that easy...

Clay (Ron Perlman) makes things worse. The guys have long run guns, but Clay thinks that they should mule cocaine, too. This added business prospect, not only risky, but also morally questionable, causes a schism in the group. Half of the guys are in favor of the extra money getting involved with drugs will bring, while the other half take a different stance. It makes it awfully hard to fight the law when you are sucked into internal bickering.

A rat within the organization, secret ancestry, letters with incriminating details, an old murder come to light, and some serious rivals are only some of the many obstacles the characters face in season four. It's a roller coaster ride which tests every characters' mettle. Loyalty and betrayal, danger and excitement, love and death rule this year, by most accounts a worthy continuation of a well-respected series.

Some complained that season three strayed too far from the beaten path, taking the characters in directions that were not universally approved of. Most agree that season four is a return to form. While that does mean it falls back into a certain formula, there are also some sweeping arcs and moving stories that raise the game. There is a re-invigoration of the strongest elements on the show, and things seem a little less meandering than in the previous year. There will never be a consensus on a show that divides people like Sons of Anarchy does, but most point to season four as a solid effort.

Despite how hard the series may seem on the outside, as it is about a bunch of criminals on motorcycles, after all, the true reason this series works is because of the characters. A fantastic cast which includes not only Perlman, Hunnam, and Siff, but also Katey Sagal, William Lucking, Mark Boone Junior, Kim Coates, Tommy Flanagan, Theo Rossi, Ryan Hurst, and Dayton Callie sell each and every installment. These characters are layered, and by the brilliance of the performers, are made sympathetic, despite the dark deeds that they do. Add to this, fantastic writing and great direction, and Sons of Anarchy remains one of cable's most compelling dramas. People who watch this show expect a high level of quality, and season four, like the previous years, delivers.

Season Four's Blu-ray release does not lack for extras. There are extended episodes and scenes, deleted scenes, and several of the episodes have an audio commentary option, including the two part finale. There is also a gag reel and featurettes on fans of the show, and a stop by the House of Blues. A touching tribute to Piney (Lucking) may just bring tears to your eyes.

Sons of Anarchy Season Four is available now wherever Blu-rays and DVDs are sold.

If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! Check out my new website, JeromeWetzel.com! First posted on TheTVKing

"Save Yourself" some True Blood

HBO's True Blood wrapped up their fifth season this week with "Save Yourself." Showdowns and stakings dominated the episode, with many of the season's arcs wrapping up, while others are just getting started, or taken to a whole new level. Characters we thought we knew turned out to be something else. And enough hints at season four stories are dropped to keep fans pleasantly in anticipation through next summer.

This season's most prominent plot featured the Vampire Authority. As "Save Yourself" draws to a close, representative after representative of this government body bite the dust. As enjoyable as this mix of new characters have been, they have run their course, and it makes sense to kill them off now. It's expected, even. In the end, only one true believer of Lilith (Jessica Clark) is left standing, and that's Bill (Stephen Moyer).

Yes, Bill. Former lover of Sookie (Anna Paquin), and the one we all thought of as the "good" vamp when the show began. Yet, Bill's conversion did not come out of nowhere. He has been a bit meandering in the past, switching his loyalties when it suited him, or to save his neck. The real surprise comes when he manages to turn his back on Sookie, whom he loved. In Lilith, he has found someone with a stronger draw. Bill is so totally consumed with his new love of the goddess that he allows himself to be destroyed and reborn, literally and figuratively, by her blood. The Bill we knew is gone, and this Bill will be unpredictable, fresh, and exciting. As well as probably evil.

Bill's rebirth is a powerful image. True Blood has danced around religion in the past, but never quite like this. This is a total commitment to belief, which makes for a very dangerous game. Most of the bad guys on True Blood are driven by personal motivations. After "Save Yourself," Bill is set up to be the greatest villain the series has ever seen, and one with far more chance of killing off beloved characters before he can be stopped.

Speaking of characters who are killed off, it's a little disappointing that Russell (Denis O'Hare) meets his maker so easily. After an entire season of build up, following a long absence after a spectacular original run, this character deserves a huge battle and some showmanship. Instead, he is blasted with fairy light, and then Eric (Alexander Skarsgard) slits his throat. I'm not sure what I was expecting for Russell, exactly, but this was a let down.

Russell's death is enough to distract many viewers, though, from the real fairy plot. By the end of "Save Yourself," Sookie still doesn't know who killed her parents, or how her fate is intertwined with the now-dead leader of the fairies, or what has happened to Jason (Ryan Kwanten). Some True Blood loyalists don't care for the fairy bits. But after a couple of seasons of set up, it looks like the show might really go for it soon, bringing them front and center, especially as they relate to Sookie. Hopefully those fans will be won over when they do.

Sookie isn't the only one dealing with fairy matters. Andy (Chris Bauer) has sired four babies, and is left to raise them as a single father. There's no telling what challenges fairy children might represent, how quickly they will grow, or how that might tie Andy closer to Sookie's plot. But it's a great start.

The trysts Andy had with the fairy Maurella (Kristina Anapau) can be sort of forgiven because he hadn't gotten fully with Holly (Lauren Bowles) yet, and how can any man resist the allure of these magical creatures? The question is, does this mean the end of things for Holly and Andy? I hope not, because I really like the two of them together. She makes Andy a better man. Holly has to understand the reality of the situation, and see that Andy is a good guy who will treat her right at the end of the day. But it would be hard to blame her for not wanting anything more to do with him, especially if staying together means that she has four more babies to take care of. Her kids are older. She seems like that type that is ready to be done with being a full-time mother.

Tara's (Rutina Wesley) transformation by "Save Yourself" is seemingly complete. Although initially thinking her survival as a vampire cheapened an iconic moment in True Blood's mythology, and didn't make sense, I am pleased with how she has evolved this season. Tara is another character who, like Bill, has trouble finding her place. Unlike Bill, though, she isn't easily moved, her adjustments coming mostly through circumstance, rather than gullibility or political machinations. With the vampires, though, or at least the particular group she fallen in with, Tara has finally found acceptance and a place to belong.

Some might say Tara getting with Pam (Kristin Bauer van Straten) is going too far. While turning Tara into a vampire is one thing, making her a lesbian is a very different game. To those, I say look at what the poor girl has been through! That's enough to make anyone move from their fundamental stances. Not to mention, Pam provides Tara with a needed affection Tara has been lacking from many of her past relationships, and Pam has been missing romance, too. That they've found each other actually seems quite natural and nice to me. Not to mention, sexual attraction on True Blood has always been a fluid thing, so this is keeping with the series' themes.

The vampire I feel sorry for is Jessica (Deborah Ann Woll). She has been abandoned by her maker, not wanting to follow Bill down his crazy path, and rejected by Jason, the man she loves. She can continue to hang with Eric, Pam, Tara, and Nora (Lucy Griffiths), and they will probably treat her pretty well, being the noble clan that they are. But she isn't part of their bloodline; their family. This makes her an outsider among them. I hope, in time, this shifts a bit. But for now, Jessica is alone.

Of course, True Blood is a series with many characters and many stories, and this review does not touch on everything that happens in "Save Yourself." But I think we've covered most of the highlights, and the others can wait 'til next year.

True Blood will return to HBO in 2013 for a sixth season.

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