Okay so to begins things, perhaps a reflection of last year is in place. I'm not going to lie because on a personal level, I can honestly say that 2008 was the worst year of my life and one I'm determined not to have to endure in 2009. I lost the best person in my life and both work and education came crashing down like a lead balloon. I'm hoping that this however becomes the year when things start going right for me because I've have more than enough bad luck to last me a good while.
Doctor Who - Proms 2008 Concert/Confidential: The Eleventh Doctor
Not one but two moments of the good Doctor. Someone's spoiling us.
- I've already reviewed Music Of The Spheres but it was enjoyable watching it with the Proms.
- Freema Agyeman did an excellent job with presenting duties.
- Doctor entering puberty with all that snogging - Haha!
- Piers Wenger looked like he was crying a lot. Really puffy eyes there.
- And Doctor 11 is ... Matt Smith. This obviously leads to my next topic.
A review for Proms 2008 concert will surface later in the month.
Matt Smith Is Doctor 11
Nine weeks after David Tennant announced that he was leaving the series, the third day of 2009 announces his successor and the choice of Matt Smith is certainly interesting. The guy has worked with Billie Piper in The Ruby In The Smoke, The Shadow In The North and Secret Diary Of A Call Girl as well as being a regular in the shortlived Party Animals. Trawling through certain forums, I couldn't help but find myself incredibly disgusted with the way some people are casually dismissing the guy, based on his looks. I'll admit that he might be a bit too young but if Steven Moffatt is confident that he'll be a worthy Doctor, there's no reason why we shouldn't at least give him a chance.
Interview with Matt Smith here ... http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=jlV26uIJr5c&feature=PlayList&p=D090BCB42B537E98&index=60
BTW: David Tennant is now back in his Hamlet role which means filming for the specials should begin on January 19th. Filming for these will be done until May and from July, Matt will be filming Season Five. I can't wait to find out who Doctor 11's first companion is going to be.
Poll 17/18 Results: Exit Wounds - 4 votes, Season 4 of Doctor Who - 3 votes.
Demons - 1x01: They Bite
I just caught the repeat on ITV2. I wasn't impressed.
- Christian Cooke is cute and has been good in other stuff but he seemed a little wooden as Luke.
- Philip Glenister's US accent is going to bug me a lot. Ruby just bugs full stop.
- Mina however is worth the hour alone. I'm really liking Zoe Tapper.
- Mackenzie Crook kind of camped it up a bit too frequently as the main vampire and he was killed off too quickly.
- Some of the dialogue bothered me.
I'll give it another chance but this show needs to find its feet relatively quick. Episode 2 airs Saturday at 7.45pm on ITV1.
The first few days of 2009 have been seemingly small in TV. Just kidding because apart from a certain casting revealed, we did get the return of Celebrity Big Brother. Surprisingly enough, it's actually interesting enough and it got 6.3 million viewers to begin with. More fun however was Charlie Brooker's Screenwipe Review of 2008. One of the funniest critics on TV and extra points for emphasising just how irritating Abby from Survivors really is. EastEnders finally got rid of Sean Slater in one of the more dire of episodes.
One Less Brother?
It emerged this week that actor Balthazar Getty could be on the way out of Brothers And Sisters (January 8th on More4) come the end of third season. Of course, the actor's reps have denied this but the question is - would you miss him if he did leave? I'm not a big Tommy fan but I'm not overtly eager to get rid of him either. I suppose the writers could try giving him some more interesting storylines.
Remnants Of 2008
Like many people, I've looked over the highs and lows on TV but in a different way. Because I ended up writing more than I should, I'm gonna have to link. Tell me what you think of certain choices.
http://shawnlunn2002.blogspot.com/2009/01/remnants-of-2008.html
Series Preview
Nip/Tuck - Season 5, Part 2
Starring: Dylan Walsh, Julian McMahon, Joely Richardson, Roma Maffia, John Hensley and Kelly Carllson.
Start Date (US): Tuesdays 10pm on FX from January 6th.
Synopsis: Following his fatal stabbing from delirious psycho Colleen, Sean finds himself assessing a lot of his past choices. He's not the only one as Christian discovers he might have cancer and decides to settle with one woman.
Yay/Nay: I was really disappointed with the first half of this season and I'm not sure that eight episodes will salvage this season but I will give it a chance. Also I'm looking forward to Katee Sackhoff as Sean's new love interest, especially given that the character will later be played by Rose McGowen afterwards.
Trailer: http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=Uukih68mD8U
Skins - Season 3
Starring: Kaya Scodelario, Lisa Blackwell, Jack O'Connell, Luke Pasqualino, Ollie Barbieri, Megan Prescott, Kathryn Prescott and Lily Loveless.
Start Date (UK): Thursdays 10pm on E4 from January 22nd.
Synopsis: It's a new generation as Effy finds herself the queen bee with her best mate Pandora by her side. In her gang include a set of twins, a principled girl, some stoners and a boy who lived in the Congo for a while.
Yay/Nay: Not sure. I kind of miss the old cast and this new lot seem sort of by the numbers but I'll give it a chance. There's a really graphic trailer for this season but I'm going to link the edited version.
Trailer: http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=qIoTjK86k0E&feature=channel_page
Song Of The Blog
Beyonce - Single Ladies
Surprisingly one of her better ones.
http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=8mVEGfH4s5g
Hi there, hope everyone had a nice Christmas. Mine was reasonably good, just watched telly, spent time with family. Pressie wise, I got a few DVD such as Lost Season 4 and The Dark Knight and some cash. This is going to be the last blog I'll do for 2008, so I can just say thank you to everyone who has posted or just simply looked at my blogs for the last three and a half years on this site. You've been brilliant and here's to an excellent 2009. Happy New Year to everyone.
Doctor Who - 4x14: The Next Doctor
Excellent episode. Probably my second fave Christmas special.
- So David Morrissey's Doctor is actually a man called Jackson Lake. Liked how he believed he was The Doctor.
- The Doctor as a companion was amusing. Even then he still asks a lot of questions and plays the hero.
- The Cybermen were put to better use here, compared to their last adventure. The graveyard attack was stunning.
- Miss Hartigan made for a good villain while Rosita was a fine companion.
- Loved the image of all Ten Doctors. You can see it here ... http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=og5jGP1_-4Q
- There was two Confidential episodes for this episode.
- Plus actual snow in a special and only four more to go for David Tennant.
Review for this episode is up now. Doctor Who At The Proms airs January 1st, 1.50pm on BBC1. Planet Of The Dead will premiere in April.
Buffy The Vampire Slayer - 8x20: After These Meaasges We'll Be Right Back
One of the best issues I think we've had.
- Thanks to Buffy's subconscious we get to see Angel, Cordelia, Joyce and Snyder. Yeah, it's High School time.
- There's a dragon called Morgala who is raised and killed by Buffy just as quick.
- There's an interesting scene between Buffy and Angel where the word, 'spoilers' comes to mind.
- The artwork is pretty funky with this.
- In reality, it seems that Andrew has more slayer woes and the gang are living in a manor.
The next issue Harmonic Divergence comes out on January 7th. Review for this issue is here ... http://shawnlunn2002.blogspot.com/2008/12/my-review-of-buffys-8x20-after-these.html
Preview of Harmonic Divergence here ... http://www.newsarama.com/php/multimedia/album.php?aid=24896
Prison Break - 4x13/4x14: Deal Or No Deal/Just Business
These last few episodes haven't been as strong as I'd hoped.
- Mahone nearly got caught once again.
- Michael and sara are still not doing much about the latter's health problems.
- Gretchen's family get taken hostage by T-Bag.
- As a villain, Self isn't that convincing.
The next episodes Going Under and The Sunshine State have aired on Sky1. I'll get round to seeing them.
Gavin And Stacy - 2x08: Christmas Special
As a fairly recent convert, this was a lot of fun.
- Gavin/Stacy's big secret wasn't that shocking but trust Pam and Smithy to overreact.
- I'm still unclear about that fishing trip incident.
- Nessa as Santa Claus cracked me up. Poor Dave had to be Rudolph.
- For an hour it worked rather well.
The show has recently commissioned for a third season.
Crooked House - 1x01-1x03: The Wainscotting
A really promising idea for a series. Hopefully BBC4 will do more.
- The first story was probably the strongest for me. Liked Julian Rhind Tutt, even though he was a supporting role here.
- The second story was actually scary. Lack of eyes tend to creep me out.
- The last story showed that Derren Brown can act. Nice!
TV SPOILERS
- Brothers And Sisters returns to UK viewers via More4. Season 3 premieres Thursdays 10pm from January 8th.
- Dexter actress Lauren Velez will be appearing in the third season of Ugly Betty, playing a nurse named Elena.
- Both Katee Sackhoff and Rose Magowen will be playing the same character when Nip/Tuck returns to TV screens.
- With Lost coming back in a few weeks, here's a review for the Season 4 DVD ... http://shawnlunn2002.blogspot.com/2008/12/lost-season-four-overview.html
- An article I wrote regarding 2008 gay TV, http://www.gcn.ie/Over_And_Out
Dollhouse Goodness
A new trailer and an exclusive two minute preview of the first episode has been streaming online. I'm not sure if I'm going to take on this series to review. I want to but I'm going to play it by ear. Anyways, enjoy the stuff.
Trailer ... http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=1WwPpfyPUC8&feature=channel_page
Preview ... http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=q56MjM19IJc&feature=channel_page
The Week In Who
- The Next Doctor pulled in 11.7 million viewers, making it the second highest rated episode in the new series history.
- The BBC site have done a video for Donna Noble. You can check it out here ... http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=QVmr8xaDwZo&feature=channel
- According to John Barrowman, Torchwood's third season might be getting toned done.
- Planet Of The Dead will feature filming in Tunisia as well as characters called Christina and Malcolm and the return of UNIT.
- I've done reviews for Robot, Earthshock and The Caves Of Androzani for this site. Fanfiction (including a Doctor/Jackson story) can be read here ... http://www.whofic.com/viewuser.php?uid=7893
Polls 15/16 Results
Turn Left - 4 votes, The Stolen Earth - 4 votes
Poll 17
Torchwood - 2x13: Exit Wounds
The episode that marks the deaths of Owen and Toshiko, thanks to Gray.
Vs.
Doctor Who - 4x13: Journey's End
The whole gang stop Davros and the Daleks from destroying all of reality.
Vs.
Doctor Who - 4x14: The Next Doctor
The Doctor and Jackson Lake team up against Miss Hartigan and her legion of Cybermen.
Poll 18
Torchwood - Season 2
An improved second year for the spin-off.
Vs.
Doctor Who - Season 4
An unstoppable fourth season for the hit series.
Song Of The Blog
Wiley feat Daniel Merriweather - Cash In My Pocket
To beat those recession/credit crunch blues away.
Angel - 6x15: After The Fall Part 15
Argh, this is really getting tedious as a series. Too gloomy for my liking.
- Connor, Groo, Illyria were all killed.
- Lorne briefly appeared in this issue.
- More timeslips in this issue as well.
- Fun dialogue from Spike about whining.
Review here ... http://shawnlunn2002.blogspot.com/2008/12/my-review-of-angels-6x15-after-fall.html
Heroes - 3x13: Dual
Pretty good ending to the Villains saga.
- Ando has the power to amplify other people's powers and Peter can fly.
- Claire and Sylar's lockdown was amusing.
- So Meredith's dead and Primatech is toast - yikes.
- Nathan as a bad guy is worrying.
Look further down the blog for thoughts on Villains and spoilers on Fugitives, the latter on February 4th on BBC3.
Desperate Housewives - 5x10: A Vision's Just A Vision
- Good episode to end the series for a little bit. Looking forward to 2009's instalments.
- Andrew's fiance has a porn past, thanks to Bob and Lee revealing it.
- Lynette takes more measures to protect Porter.
- Susan and Katherine's tension affects MJ, Dave is related to Lila Dash.
- Carlos got his sight back in this episode.
This episode will air in January on E4/C4. Review for it is up.
Ugly Betty - 3x06/3x07: Ugly Berry/Crush'd
Fun set of episodes.
- Kimmie was quickly removed.
- Amanda moved in with Betty and there are pros and cons to having her as a roomie.
- Marc proposed to Cliff after cheating on him.
- New character Connor refused to be used by both Wilhemina and Daniel.
The show should be debuting on Channel 4 in January.
Prison Break - 4x11/4x12: Quiet Riot/Selfless
I'm so behind with this series.
- Gretchen and the General have a sexual past - really not surprised.
- Trying to snare Scylla definitely was dificult enough.
- TBag got caught again.
- How much longer are they going to talk about Michael's ill health?
Sex And The City Movie
I rented this last Sunday and I have to say, I am rather mixed about the movie. Some parts were fun but other just didn't do it for me. Miranda who found out that Steve had slept with someone else practically got bullied into taking him back, though I am actually glad they got back together in a way. Samantha's lust for her neighbours just felt a little Desperate Housewives for me. At least she dumped Smith - man that guy is bland, bland times a thousand. Charlotte, well I didn't mind the pregnancy angle but her hyperactive shrieking really did my head in at times. I mean be glad for your friend getting engaged but try not screaming the building down while you're at it. Um Carrie/Big, well I didn't care for them as a couple when this was a show and I still don't care now that it's a movie. In a way I could almost understand Big jilting Carrie on the big day and their reunion later on was pretty telegraphed. Louise was a good idea, in terms of giving Carrie an assistant (who's written two more books since the end of the series) but the execution could've better because Jennifer Hudson is a good actress. Also this movie did not justify the two and a half hours it ran for, because it did feel like at times that Michael Patrick King was trying to get two movies into one and while fashion has always been the show's thing, it did go overkill. I did get an immature laugh when it looked like that waitress thought Carrie and Miranda were a couple and Samantha's randy dog and Charlotte pooping herself. Overall, it's not a bad movie but I think it could've been far better if it had been shorter and more focused in certain areas. 7/10.
Heroes - Villains Overview/Fugitives Spoilers
Now that I've seen all thirteen episodes of this volume, I'm divided to be honest. It was better than nearly anything that I saw in the second season but still nowhere near as amazing as the first season and there was plenty of character inconsistencies, way too many deaths than neccessary and some general moments of suckiness - Hiro as a ten year old, Mohinder's scales, Flint in general, any scene where Claire did the 'woe is me' act and the utter pointlessness of Sylar being duped into thinking he was a Petrelli, plus I think both Meredith and Elle were killed too soon. However I did enjoy the Elle/Sylar dynamic, Matt/Daphne (don't kill me), Ando getting powers, meeting Hiro's mother, Tracy for the first few episodes, Meredith's bout of tough love, creepy Eric Doyle and the set up that we've been given for Fugitives so I'm still here for the ride.
Spoilers for Fugitives
- Think X-Men with all the heroes and their respective others getting snared by The Hunter.
- John Glover has been cast as Sylar's father and will appear in episode 19.
- Ando's past is explored in episode 20.
- Trailer for the latter episodes ... http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=xut2jiPhCok&feature=related
Interesting Stuff
The latest issue of SFX magazine has a review for the first six episodes of Merlin on DVD as well as behind the scenes stuff with both Demons and Dollhouse. It seems that Joss Whedon's biggest ambition is for the series to last more than one season. Oh and I've just read that a Life On Mars character will appear in the second season of Ashes To Ashes. I'm thinking it's Annie but if it's Sam and we also get John Simm back on Doctor Who, then that would be a good masterstroke. Heh!
The Week In Who
- Above is the cover for The Next Doctor DVD. It's released on January 19th and will feature the Confidential for the episode as well as the Proms Concert and Music Of The Spheres.
- Velile Tshabalala appeared in Katy Brand's Sugababes spoof. Watch here ... http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=F5mmir7pqnU&feature=channel_page
- Both Doctor Who and Torchwood scord highly in the SFX Magazine Awards. David Tennant even bagged Sexiest Male.
- The US version of Life On Mars has Sam's mother called Rose Tyler instead of Ruth.
- I have reviews for The Dalek Invasion Of Earth, The Tomb Of The Cybermen, Spearhead From Space, The Claws Of Axos and The Green Death up on this site.
Polls 13/14 Results
Forest Of The Dead - 4 votes, Midnight - 4 votes.
Poll 15
Torchwood - 2x11: Adrift
Gwen is drawn into helping a woman with a missing son.
Vs.
Doctor Who - 4x11: Turn Left
Donna and Rose team up to save the world and The Doctor.
Poll 16
Torchwood - 2x12: Fragments
Flashbacks show how Jack, Toshiko, Ianto and Owen all joined Torchwood.
Vs.
Doctor Who - 4x12: The Stolen Earth
Davros and his new Dalek army try to destroy the world. At least The Doctor has Donna, Rose, Martha, Jack, Sarah Jane, Gwen, Ianto, Luke and Harriet to help him out.
Song Of The Blog
Pogues - Fairytale Of New York
Happy Christmas to everyone on Tv.com. Enjoy this one.
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