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In Which I Try to Sum Up Almost An Entire Season of TV in One Post
BUT I AM AT WORK AND LJ WON'T LET ME ACCESS ALL MY ALBUMS.
ENJOY THE CAPS-LOCK INSTEAD, OKAY?
TELEVISION IS A POISON, JUST KNOW THAT.
Incredibly General Thoughts on Grey's Anatomy:
My feelings on this season in general are pretty "meh." At the beginning I had really high hopes for some serious friendship angst between Alex and Arizona, but they've pretty much forgotten that they were even friends to begin with. Obviously I ship them like the loser I am, but I had no real delusions about that becoming in any way canon. But in my book, friendship angst is the next best thing, if not better, because TV writers tend to deal with friendship better. And we got a blink and then nothing, which really kind of blew the wind out of my sails as far as this season goes. It was the one thing I legitimately hoped for.
Other stuff: I pretty much love Cristina more than ever now, which is awesome, because I need more reasons to keep watching this show. Random "Jackson basically owns the hospital now" and more "April's religious all of a sudden, so let's talk about it for a year!" stuff just makes me want to turn it off. And I'm really glad the lawsuit/hospital sale stuff is over and things at SGMW can get back to relative normalcy. I kind of enjoy the way they've dealt with certain milestone items like Adele's death and Meredith's pregnancy. Despite the stupid ABC ads blowing stuff out of proportion, the show has actually handled them in a not-nauseating way, which I appreciate, because family-member deaths, weddings, and babies can be my TV kryptonite. The way Meredith and Derek are kind of blase and goofy about most everything helps. I really don't like Owen in a leadership role. I want the Chief to be the Chief again and Owen to go back to being a trauma surgeon without all of the yelling and the grumpiness. Okay, maybe some yelling and some grumpiness. Let's be real. I have to admit they've done a pretty good job with the new interns this season. And my favorite is Brooks. Because she's clearly the best.
Incredibly General Thoughts on Pretty Little Liars:
→ I don't really care about Aria and Ezra. Boy is just so boring and oblivious. I just can't even express how little I care about their storyline and the kid and their romance. I don't even care that I don't care, that's how much I don't care.
→ I was disappointed in the Toby reveal. We need some flashbacks or something because that half-hearted explanation just wasn't doing it for me.
→ There's been this weird turn-around for me with this show, where... I have pretty much fallen in love with Allison and I want her to be alive more than ever. So the finale teasing that possibility was like Christmas for me. Even though I don't believe it for a second.
→ Hanna and Caleb are, believe it or not, my favorite couple on this show. I wasn't all that enamored with their origin story, but as a couple they are perfect. I really dig the whole idea of Caleb not really having a family and Hanna and her mom being his surrogate fam. I still have this huge soft spot for Hanna, especially the way she tried to forgive and reach out to Mona after everything, and her friendship with Lucas. I feel like most people find her annoying, but out of the group, I definitely have the most affection for her. Maybe it's because through everything, she still has these moments where she just acts like a teenager. Which, they're supposed to be, so that makes sense to me.
Even More Vague Thoughts on Switched at Birth:
I legitimately don't have much to say about this show even though I think it's done an amazing job, especially toward the end of the season. I mean there are still a couple of dull "soap-opera-y" plotlines that you have to suffer through, but in general this show just knocks it out of the park with what it's trying to do. The all ASL-episode was fantastic and I feel like the show continues to break new ground with issues that no show before it has even touched. So.. there you go.
Orphan Black: AKA I'm not sure yet:
Two episodes in and I haven't made any major decisions about this show. The pilot was far better than I anticipated, but that may be because I wasn't expecting anything really? I heard about the show a few days before it aired, so there wasn't any real anticipation on my part, which helped with the low, but hopeful, expectations. I really liked the ending of episode two, but the way the story is unraveling, with the audience knowing only what Sarah/Beth knows, there's still so much mystery and anticipation, which I like, but makes it hard to make a complete diagnosis in terms of Whether-This-Show-Is-For-Me-Or-Not. I don't even know how long the season is supposed to be, which could be short given the way some shows on BBCA run. I enjoy the lead character, but her blow-out in Felix' apartment was a little unsettling. I think I'll continue to watch though, because the premise is so unique and I'm still intrigued enough to follow wherever it's heading.
Really Angry and Vague Thoughts on The Vampire Diaries:
So, I love Elijah. That's a thing about me. I also love Rebekah and Katherine. Reasons I will probably watch The Originals. (Not that Katherine will be in it necessarily.) If you know nothing else. Know this.
Otherwise:
My Number One Hated Trope of All Time Has Returned! Free will, you don't have it anymore! Whee. This time it's Elena and Bonnie in the crosshairs. They've pretty much done this to every major character with few exceptions. (FYI I still don't think that the switch is 100% real. The only time we've seen the switch "work" is when it's been "activated" by someone compelling another person to "turn it off." Every other time with the possible exception of Stefan's 1920s flashback, it has been motivated by anger, jealousy, sadness, etc. AKA EMOTIONS. Even Elena isn't exactly acting like someone without emotions. Especially in the most recent episode.) Since the ending of season 2 this trope of taking away a character's free will has been used over and over again on this show and I am fucking sick of it. I resent the fact that people assume the only reason people might hate Julie Plec is because she's a female show-runner. No. I just hate that since taking over as show-runner she continues to take away the agency of the characters rather than allowing them to make mistakes on their own, without being able to blame it on compulsion, siredom, possession, and involuntary switch turning. I think it's sloppy and easy storytelling (and possibly fan service) and I am sick and tired of it. If I quit watching this show, that will be the reason.
So Vague They Don't Even Get Their Own Block:
→ Hart of Dixie. This show always pleases me because it's so lighthearted. I am all caught up, watch every week the day after it airs. I am excited for its return. That is all.
→ How to Live With Your Parents for the Rest of Your Life. Whether it's Roseanne, Scrubs, or this show, I love Sarah Chalke. She's so adorable here and so I think I'll definitely stick around to see how this one goes.
→ Suburgatory remains the only sitcom (aside from the afforementioned) that I currently watch. I occassionally keep up with Modern Family, but I haven't watched Parks since the first several episodes of the fall. I blame Jane Levy. She's just too cute for words. Plus I enjoy Dallas, Even though I don't appreciate the way they make Alan Tudyk more and more creepy by the episode.
→ Revenge! I practically forgot about this show. The story goes. My mother kept deleting the episodes off the DVR before I had a chance to watch it. So we came to be where we are today. With me completely behind, and very little motivation to catch up.
→ Lost Girl, I'm sorta caught up, and sorta not. I have watched all the current episodes, but I missed a few in the middle. So it's hard for me to comment on anything without basically shouting from the rooftops how much I fucking love Tamsin. Girl has my heart in the palm of her hand. I know she's fucked up but this last episode? That's the last time I do anything nice for you? Oh man. Tamsin, babe, stop being so awesome. I dare you.
→ Shameless, aka, show of my heart but I never have time to download the episodes and there's no easy way to access them without downloading them, so I am basically screwed! I know the finale was this week (right?) and I am like... soooo behind it's not even funny. Not. Even. Funny. Does Showtime have an HBOGo-like feature? And if they do, anybody have a password I can borrow? *whistles innocently*
→ Speaking of HBOGo, I may have watched Girls Season 2. I don't get why I watch this show. It's so aggravating but I am so compelled to watch it none-the-less. I pretty much hate Hannah. There's been maybe one time I have understood her motivations and the rest of the time I just find her selfish and whiny and completely unaware of how her actions are percieved by other people. I'm sorry, Shiri Appleby is probably forever ruined for me. I doubt I'll watch season three. (But that's what I said about season two!)
→ I'm also a handful of eps behind on Once Upon a Time so I'll refrain from commenting. I love Michael Raymond James though. It's required that you know that.
→ Battlestar Galactica! I've been re-watching a few episodes on Netflix. God, this show was good.
→ I can't wait for The Killing!
→ I can't wait for Haven!
→ I'm sure I'm forgetting something!
→ I really hope LJ doesn't mess up my formatting.
no subject
My faves so far this season are Cristina, Jackson, and Meredith. I'm even really enjoying Meredith/Derek which is a TOTALLY NEW CONCEPT FOR ME!
I don't watch anything else you've mentioned above, but I want to start Orphan Black so I didn't read your recap of that one. I've heard good things about it and am looking forward to catching up.
Oh, I watched one episode of TVD, the most recent one. I know you said you love Elijah but I just mostly wanted to punch him in the face. His, "I know my Katerina is still in there somewhere, underneath all the Katherine..." makes him almost as misogynistic as the Salvatores with regard to Elena. URGH. Also, what did they DO to Katherine's characterisation this episode? I'm all for Katherine wanting things for herself and letting her guard down enough to get them, but I am TERRIFIED that this 'change' has nothing to do with her and everything to do with the JP's need to drive the dichotomy between Katherine and Elena. I (cynically, probably) think the 'softening' of Katherine is simply to emphasise the 'hardening' of Elena without actually having to dirty Elena's character in the process (so that, post her inevitable 'saving', she'll be able to go back to being The Good One). I'm also worried that the 'softening' of Katherine is going to lead to her death. This is based off nothing but my own fears. She said once that "love makes you weak". I fear she may pay for it with her life in some form of poetic justice. I want to be proved wrong but... I AM NERVOUS (which is kinda ridiculous because I've watched ONE episode! Haha! BUT STILL, MY BB KATHERINE!!!!)
I just hate that since taking over as show-runner she continues to take away the agency of the characters rather than allowing them to make mistakes on their own, without being able to blame it on compulsion, siredom, possession, and involuntary switch turning. I think it's sloppy and easy storytelling (and possibly fan service) and I am sick and tired of it. If I quit watching this show, that will be the reason. THIS ~IS (one of) THE REASONS I STOPPED WATCHING. Katherine sucked me back in for one episode, but I don't know if it was enough to keep me (especially given the hiatus that has immediately followed). But yes to everything.
I CAN'T WAIT FOR THE KILLING TO COME BACK EITHER!!!!!!!
no subject
Okay, when he said that. I totally took that to mean "my Katerina" as in the girl who still believes in love and actually cares about him and isn't just using him. Not the way you took it. I am going to cling to that though. Because I agree with you. The other way is icky. Can't we just have my way?
What did LJ do to my comment? Ugh this app is for the birds sometimes.
Anyway. I said that I was pretty sure that I read she is coming back after hiatus. And the I took it back and was completely unsure. So there's that. AND she better not die.
Also, THE KILLING!!!!!
no subject
Orphan Black. I've just gone back and read your thoughts because I've seen both episodes now. I actually really, really loved it. It's exactly up my alley as far as shows go, mystery that's drawn out (The Killing style?) over the course of many episodes etc as opposed to single episode case/crime shows where everything's wrapped up in 42 minutes. I really love the lead actress, and the character, Felix. Also, shallow note, I am a complete sucker for British accents!! They're my kryptonite for sure! Haha! Some spec (based on nothing but my opinion) for her behaviour/outburst... Maybe it's something to do with however they've been cloned? I mean, Beth was clearly on a LOT of meds. Maybe it'll be a 'symptom'?
Or maybe it'll be nothing, haha!!
TVD. Ooh, can I borrow your interpretation of Elijah?? I like it better than mine! I think I've been programmed to default to misogynistic interpretations on this show by, well, pretty much every other episode ever! Haha! I'm just worried they're going to go down the route whereby Katherine has to prove herself 'worthy' of Elijah's devotion by shedding everything that makes her ~Katherine and re-adopting Katerina's traits. This stems from the clear message that has been sent from day one that Katherine is not ~good ~enough for the Salvatores and that Elena is the doppelgänger more worthy of their devotion. You know? The usual grossness.
So, while I think my interpretation probably has a little more 'show history' behind it, I definitely like yours more and can see how it could still fit just fine (as long as they're careful with it).