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Saturday, Sep 26, 2009
And this is already the second installment of the 2009/2010 premiere review fest, sponsored by an uniterrupted pain in my ear, and a unhealthy addiction to television. Here I'm reviewing the premieres of this week, but remember I'm hardly objective and only interested in scripted network TV.

3,0 Two And A Half Men: 7.01 818-jklpuzo
Am I being too harsh? Maybe, but TWO AND A HALF MEN is not even in the same zip code as funny and Charlie Sheen is not even in the same galaxy. I really can't see why people like this, it's boring, forced and doesn't even have one good joke. The only funny part was when Emmanuelle Vaugier bursted into singing, but that was more thanks to her, then anything else. Overall judgement: Simply horrible, and if HIMYM gets canceled before this one, CBS and I are going to have a problem.

4,8 The Forgotten: 1.01 Pilot
THE FORGOTTEN's take on solving crimes is original and very relatable. Instead of all those cops doing their jobs, it's understandable why normal civilians like you and me would try to finish the job properly. It's something good and honerable. Unfortunately, the show barely reflects that. Instead we are handed over to a cliched main character, ex-cop, his own daughter missing and an attitude that is supposed to make him a hero. His team is fairly entertaining, with Walter being the easiest one to like. And the case was well written too, but even beautiful shots from Chicago couldn't save the episode's disappointing climax. Overall judgement: It would've probably worked better as a movie, because as a tv show I've already...well, you can guess what I wanted to say...

5,2 The New Adventures Of Old Christine: 5.01 Bahamian Rhapsody
Nothing special here. OLD CHRISTINE is easy to watch, but hardly good enough for a laugh. It's more for when you have absolutely nothing to do and want to relax and watch TV (which, on it's own, isn't bad at all), but for you to actually care about it, that's something else. The episode was ok, but definately not entertaining enough. Overall judgement: Only if you want to lay back and have nothing else to watch, unfortunately, I have too much to watch.

5,3 Gary Unmarried: 2.01 Gary Has A Dream
What is this, ACCORDING TO JIM if he was divorced? The only real entertainment is the fights Gary has with his ex-wife, they are highly enjoyable full of bickering and chemistry. But besides that, there's not much fun to find on this show. Alrighty.
Overall judgement: Mellow, not much to offer.

5,8 Castle: 2.01 Deep In Death
The episode started out as a fresh new take on crimesolving, and that feeling didn't entirely go away thought the season premiere. Nathan Fillion is entertaining enough to make this actually work, but the lack of supporting characters to match his level or the lack of chemistry between him and Stana Katic were the dealbreaker for this show. It's not vivit enough to make it lighthearted, but I can see why this is entertaining enough for some to stick around.
Overall judgement: Not as quirky as I expected it to be, and that's a downer.

5,9 Cougar Town: 1.01 Pilot
Once, not long ago, I said I'd follow Courtney anywhere. She was my favorite friend and I thought that her return to comedy would be great, but her sexist jokes and her wannabe modern-women problem don't fit her. I guess I just like and all the other FRIENDS better in their natural habitat of that NYC apartment. There were some nice jokes and funny scenes, but this one is definately not for me.
Overall judgement: Aiming at middle-aged women this comedy is already too old for me.

6,0 NCIS: 7.01 Truth & Consequences
I'm not a fan of NCIS, but this episode wasn't half bad. Kicking off with a shocking surprise by putting Anthony DiNozzo in that chair, the episode continued telling an intrigueing story about a team that's missing a member, and hopelessly trying to replace her, while underneath they all know they end up risking their lives to find her. It was a good episode, with some nice twists and a good ending, but it did felt dragged out and the 45 minutes couldn't creep by any slower.
Overall judgement: Definately not a show for me, but once in a while, pretty enjoyable.

6,0 Eastwick: 1.01 Pilot
Who knew I'd be making two CHARMED references in these reviews? Truth is, EASTWICK is a new version of the first one and with somewhat older main characters. Resulting is a lousy introduction into their world and how they start to become connected. It's such a cliche in how women think and want things to be, it's painful to watch. None of the storylines are worked out properly and none of them are interesting enough to keep you going. The discovery of their powers was milked out and overdone, nothing new there. Still, the episode provided some nice moments and Rebecca Romijn was definitely on a role, but that's about it.
Overall judgement: We've seen it before, and better.

6,5 The Big Bang Theory: 3.01 The Electric Can Opener Fluctation
Lighthearted, easy going, but at some times very confusing. I don't get science very much, but the show is still very enjoyable. Unfortunately the characters aren't very funny, many of the actors aren't as funny as they ought to be and well, it's just not hitting the nail. I like it, but that's all.
Overall judgement: At some times funny, but never enough.

6,5 Mercy: 1.01 Can We Get That Drink Now?
It truely is the new GREY'S ANATOMY, but I'm not sure if we need one. I like drama's and this one is no different. It has some good characters with nice backgrounds and some nice storylines going on with charming actresses, but the whole hot-doctor thing is overdone, and the whole soft side of nurses and stuff isn't very nice to tune into every week. But it's not all bad and I kinda liked it.
Overall judgement: Very cliched, but with potential, perhaps a little less Lifetime and a little bit more cable?

6,5 Heroes: 4.01 Orientation + 4.02 Jump, Push, Fall
It seems like everyone has written off HEROES, but unlike everybody else, I have enjoyed the show for three years, and I continue to do so. It's still entertaining and movie-like and still has characters I care about. Not that I get the whole Nathan/Sylar/Matt storyline or even like it (why Nathan is still on this show is a mystery to me), but the rest is still enough for me to continue watching, even if the episodes don't have shocking twists, or blockbuster scenes anymore. What I do miss is a bigger picture to all of it. Robert Knepper is a good actor, but he feels like the next in line for the show's evil character that will get killed off sooner or later only to be replaced by the next guy. A little more danger could do no harm.
Overall judgement: It's still entertaining, but barely as good as it once made out to be.

6,8 NCIS: Los Angeles: 1.01 Identity
Sometimes the cliched works out fine and in the case of NCIS: LOS ANGELES it does. Up until the surprising ending, the show never really got away from easy plot points, standard lines and lame twists. It was like they wrote the show for people who couldn't think for themselves. I guess that's why it's a hit (miauw). Nonetheless, this spin-off is set in the sun and that always wins me over. Plus the ending even had me surprised, and the characters aren't half bad (that little woman had me thinking of Edna Mode from The Incredibles). If I could stand crime solving every week, I would definately tune into this one.
Overall judgement: A nice show that can hold it's own, but it's simply not good enough to make it work for an hour a week.

6,8 How I Met Your Mother: 5.01 Definitions
I will never leave this show, as it truely is my replacement for FRIENDS. But the season premiere was only good because of Lily's work with Barney & Robin, creating a great in-room storyline for our two favorite relationship-haters. I love them together, so I love every storyline involving them, but it could've been less cliche and more fun. Also, Ted as college professor; boring to say the least. Overall judgement: Not a good start, but hey, this is the best comedy on television and one of the best show's overall, so I'm sure they will be back in the A-ratings soon.

6,9 Modern Family: 1.01 Pilot
Saw half of the episode two weeks or so ago with a preview action from EW.com, so I don't remember that part well, but the last half was funny enough to make me realize this show is up for grabs. I like the whole messy family take and the ending where they turn out to be related was sweet too. I enjoyed it very much and it feels like a great comic relief between all the teendrama I have scheduled to watch this fall.
Overall judgement: Ed O'Neill is always nice to watch and this with an ensemble of other funny actors it can only be nice to watch.

7,0 The Mentalist: 2.01 Redemption
The season kicks off with a brilliant opening scene in which Patrick Jane walks into a room, knocks everybody flatt on their face and points out the murderer in a matter of minutes. It's just enough crazy but with a hint of realism that makes it so highly entertaining, making a promise that it's worth being the mega hit of last season. Unfortunately the episode slows down after that turning into one out of many crime solving shows that have a medium interesting case and more bickering between castmembers to keep the edge on it.
Overall judgement: The opening was phenomenal, but the pace didn't last any longer then my hopes for this show were set out to be.

7,0 CSI: New York: 6.01 Epilogue, Part 2
After the gripping cliffhanger from last year (I always do like it when an entire cast is in life danger, even though they always all survive), CSI: NY, stepped up and delivered an action-packed case that kept your attention entirely. The Danny/Lindsay scenes were a treat for fans and Stella/Adam was just the topping for the cake. Great! I liked the development of Mac, showing his emotional side in a decent manner was truly interesting. A good case with nice twists and a proper ending , and for real, does anybody believe Danny will stay in that wheelchair after it started to rain?

7,0 The Good Wife: 1.01 Pilot
I was never a big fan of legal drama's, but they always are entertaining. It's a completely different take on solving the same crimes you see on cop shows, but it's more my thing. Julianna Margulies is very charming as a hurted woman trying to fight back. It's cliche for television shows to focus on strong, confident women and it's a relief to see that there are still some shows who dare to show one that comes close to an actual person (meaning I just don't see anybody from Wisteria Lane walking around in my town). The case had some nice twists and was build up pretty good, and the opening sequences were shot very, very good, leading to what might be the most cinematographic outstanding opening this season. Overall judgement: There's definately heart in this show, and I can only appreciate that. It was definitely good, but it might as well be a movie you see once instead of a show you watch continuesly, I just don't see how this story can be interesting for a couple of seasons, or even one without dragging on terribly long.

7,0 FlashForward: 1.01 No More Good Days
I've already set April 29th in my memory, as it's sure to be a fantastic season finale to a very entertaining pilot episode. FlashForward is blockbuster material with a star-studded cast, amazing special effects (especially for television) and a story that has the potential to fill the void LOST will leave in the 2010/2011 season. The episode was built up pretty good, continueing to shock us with chewed out one-liners and disturbing images (why is America's view of the world always entail Paris and China? If a movie/show wants to make clear that something happens world wide, you always see the Eiffeltower, what, is there nothing else out there?). Though FLASHFORWARD suffers the same fault as COMMUNITY (the best was already in the trailer), the bigger story was interesting enough. Joseph Fieness is charming enough to become the new Jack, but the fact that he has to be at the center of the investigation tests my patience for pushing the stop button. I hope he doesn't continue to march through the show telling everybody what he saw thinking it's the most important thing in the world. Luckily, the show adds some nice drama to the mix with interesting characters with even more interesting flashfowards. Overall judgement: This seems like harmless entertainment for a year, but hopefully the show won't stop getting complex, as the cliches are there for the taking.

7,2 Accidentally On Purpose: 1.01 Pilot
I officially like what critics hate. To me ACCIDENTALLY ON PURPOSE was a good comedy. With a heart, a hilarious Ashley Jensen, a back to her Dharma-roots Jenna Elfman and the first comedy in years to have to good old 90's sitcom vibe I miss so dearly. I shared some laughs, was pleasantly entertained throughout and actually enjoy the characters.
Overall judgement: Everybody can hate this one, but I truely did enjoy it.






7,2 CSI: 10.01 Family Affair
How do you keep a show that's based on one concept fresh after a decade? Open the season premiere with a mind dazzling CGI way through what seems to be one hell of a scenario. We all knew that Sara was going to be back, but ending the shot with her and Nick shooting at those men in suits was powerful nonetheless. Flashing back the episode seemed to turn it down a notch by focusing on a boring case of a celebrity and all the things that come along with such a death. Catherine has always been one of my favorite characters on television and making her doubt her leadership this way really payed off in a honest conversation between her and Sara. Making Nick Grissom's Catherine was a well deserved gift to a character we almost lost five years ago in a grave. Having Sara back changes everything. Sure she's a normal character, but a familiar face takes the load off of Fishburne who I still don't fully accept, it brings back that team vibe that was definately missing and now it works fine. By the last part of the episode, the attention was fully back by a shocking twist and of course, the event that the episode started with. Overall judgement: Awesome! But I still miss Grissom.

7,3 Criminal Minds: 5.01 Nameless, Faceless
Sometimes you find yourself wondering why you ever stopped watching a show. This season premiere of CRIMINAL MINDS was one of those times. Ignoring the major cliffhanger from last spring, we immediately get occupied with one hell of a case. What differs this one from all the others I've seen this week, is that there's a continues thrill that is kept up, mainly because of the threat for a high school massacre. Throughout the episode there are shocking twists and strong scenes, like when Hodges apartment is found empty, with bombastic music and obvious clues that only support the feeling that he is no longer with us, you continu to wonder the same thing you've been doing all summer long, only resulting in one hell of a ending. Overall judgement: A good episode, like I'm used to from this show.

7,5 House: 6.01 Broken
I hate HOUSE, in the beginning it was still fun, but the concept got boring and Gregory House got too forced sarcastic and it just wasn't enjoyable anymore. I've been tuning in every year in finales and premieres, but it only added to my dislike of the show. The first half of the premiere, nothing changed. It was like two concepts I disliked joined forces and tried to be this dazzling premiere (I disliked One Flew too), but it wasn't until the guy jumped from the parking lot that the episode speeded up. The concept worked. Going out on a limb and putting your main character in a psychiatric hospital with nobody there except him, is daring. But I really do feel like the cast and crew of this otherwise dreadful show managed to make something special here, something unique. And though there were many parts in the episode that I could've lived without, scenes like the talent show made it all worth it.
Overall judgement: A very powerful and special episode that turned a average television show into something unique and extremely original. Very, very well done.
  • angrodpallanen
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