Random TV Talk
Well, ABC’s remake of Life On Mars came to an end Wednesday, and I’m still kind of gobsmacked at the whole thing. The show was more or less perfect for 16 episodes, then they totally spit in your face for the finale. I know they were rushed, but I’d honestly have preferred they’d left the whole thing ambiguous rather than give us very specific answers that seemed totally patched together and negated every important moment in the show. I won’t ruin it for anyone that hasn’t seen it*, but Valerie and I decided it was quite possibly the most frustrating thing we’d ever seen. It’s not going on my Top Finales list, I’ll tell you that.
That stands in complete contrast to the Battlestar Galactica finale from last Friday. SO good. It had my mind racing so intensely that I literally could not sleep after watching it. I tried my best, but the entire night was a struggle with my own brain and its refusal to shut off. I kept cycling through plot points, interpretations and insinuations, and it just wouldn’t give up the ghost. Clearly, I’m still doing that, and may well be doing so for weeks to come, the finale was *that* good. Sure, there were some questions I wish they’d been more clear on, but I liked that it wasn’t completely spelled out. Life On Mars made everything plain as day, and was far less interesting. Sometimes it’s nice to be able to interpret and answer questions for yourself as a viewer.
Dollhouse is in serious danger of losing even my passive interest at this point. I think the problem is I just don’t care about Elisha Dushku’s character, Echo (or Caroline). I just don’t care. I don’t like her. I find myself far more interested in the supporting characters, but that doesn’t really work when every plot focuses on Echo. I think part of the problem is that they can’t decide whether they want to make the most obvious use for the ‘dolls’ – as sex toys – deplorable or enticing. I feel like that show is full of mixed messages. The last two episodes have been miles beyond the first few, but something really big has to change in terms of Echo’s character in order to keep me watching.
Terminator:SCC has had a string of solid episodes, after a bit of a mid-season lull. The last few have felt like they’re really ramping up to a mind-blowing season finale. I’m just crossing my fingers that the season finale won’t be the series finale. Come on Fox, you stuck the show on Fridays, how well do you expect it to do? I would put TSCC right after Fringe on Tuesdays for a better fit. Oh and here’s a thought – PROMOTE THE SHOW. At any rate, last night’s episode was rock solid and should lead nicely into a very intense finale. Of course, what really blew my mind was [Highlight to spoil yourself] the fact that they killed Derek in the first 10 minutes of the show. No warning, no wounding or prolonged death scene, just BAM, bullet through the head. I’m sad to see him go, because he played the cold and detached soldier role really well, but it was also totally appropriate for his character and for the show. It really drove the point home that John needs to get used to losing people without warning. [end spoiler]. Things are getting more interesting in relation to all the different Terminators and what exactly their missions are as well. I’m not totally convinced the liquid metal Terminator impersonating Weaver isn’t an agent of John’s future self. Who’d have thought that Shirley Manson would make such a convincing evil cyborg? I just hope this thing is brought back, I’m far more interested in what happens here than whatever it is McG has cooked up for his Terminator Salvation flick coming this summer. What good movie has that guy ever made? Why would they let him make a Terminator movie? I just don’t get it.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
John Vanderslice – Time Travel Is Lonely
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Those Dancing Days – Space Hero Suits
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
The New York Dolls – Personality Crisis
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
*[Life On Mars Spoilery Stuff] It was all a computer simulated fantasy while he traveled to Mars in 2035? 1973 was just a mistake? Maya was completely irrelevant to the plot and never shown again? Gene Hunt was his DAD? I mean, jeez, I realized from the start the answer was going to be pretty out there, but this was just stupid and kind of made the whole show pointless. [End Spoilers]
Tags: bsg, dollhouse, life on mars, terminator, TV
I like how you made the songs match the shows. :)
And you’ve already heard my rant on Dollhouse, haha.