Watching The CW

Initial thoughts on last nights episode…

Unfaithful Wife + Pre-Nup + Dead Husband + Insurance + Yacht = Merry Widow = Guilty

Landry + Loss of Tenure + Last Minute Witness = Guilty

Teaching Assistant + Suspicious Facial Hair + Bad Reference from Landry = Guilty

Logan + Parker + Prelim Dating = Awkward Situation

The CW, Veronica Mars, Papa’s Cabin

If you think of Supernatural as a Greek tragedy (like I do because I am studying Classics and I see its influence EVERYWHERE) then Dean’s Impala is the silent third actor. I like to think of it like Pylades, steadily assisting Orestes in his revenge. Okay, the Impala isn’t that silent. But as it gently growls along the back roads of America (or Vancouver) doesn’t it make an amazingly satisfying real car noise and isn’t it refreshing for it not to be an SUV. You can’t move in prime time for SUVs so it is nice to have some retro eye candy.

I think it is fair to say that if Dean could be joined in civil union with his black 1967 Chevy Impala then he would be. It is very much a ‘for better or worse relationship’. It was badly damaged at the end of the first season, then rebuilt only to be beaten up by Dean in frustration, and we can count on the fingers of one hand the number of times someone else has driven it. I’ll be honest I don’t know that much about cars (especially classic America ones) so when I first heard the name Impala I thought they were referring to a monster like a wendingo. It took a while for me to click that they were talking about the car. Now, Dean’s license plate reads KAZ 2Y5 which is general taken in the blogosphere as a nod to their home state of Kansas and the year in which the show debuted. But, could it be interpreted as ‘Kansas 22 yrs’ (if you tilt you head to the side and squint)…

Supernatural, Dean’s car, Impala, The CW, The Oresteia

It looks like that tomorrow night we will find out who murdered Dean Ed Begley Jr and below is the promo.

We must all savor tomorrow nights episode as Veronica et al are going on sabbatical to make way for the Pussy Cat Dolls.

The CW, Veronica Mars, Ed Begley Jr, You Tube, Pussy Cat Dolls

Smallville: Justice League

No clue what was going on but everyone appears to have graduated and are “working” at the Daily Planet. Chloe is still investigating strange goings on with Luther Corp and their alleged experiments on people with special abilities, and there is an oh so mysterious project called 33.1. Which I am assuming is going to be computer related as it end in a point one. Chloe is also a girl genius who knows everything and can track and hack at a moments notice. This is probably very handy for Clark and one of the reasons he keeps her around.

There appears to a group of nice vigilantes (they wear brightly colored hoodies as apposed to sludge green ones which would be menacing) lead by an upgraded version of Robin Hood. They spend their time breaking into Luther Corp’s labs and gathering as much information as they can about 33.1. Clark helped them for a bit but then decided that he’s the type of guy who prefers to have sole possession of the remote control and they go their separate ways.

Supernatural: Playthings

I know I’ve seen this one before but I needed something to counter balance the angst ridden Smallville (could Clark try to save the world and have fun at the same time like Dean does).

It’s the episode set in the spooky Connecticut inn with all the creepy dolls and hoodoo magic. Is it the granny in the attic or the invisible friend of the little girl? It is fun to watch again because the boys get mistaken for a couple out antiquing, Dean forces Sam into pretending he collects dolls, and Sam gets drunk and calls Dean bossy and short.

Smallville, CW, Supernatural

I am afraid that tonight there are only repeats of Smallville and Supernatural, and I kid you not there wont be a new episode of the adventures of the Winchester boys till March 15th. Three weeks how will I last? Well, with a little help from my muse Tyra, cos there is less than a week to go before the next cycle of ANTM. I was thinking of doing a “Where are they now” type post for the alumni but then I thought that smacked of being a little mean.

Kudos to the CW for their Saturn nominations for Smallville and Veronica Mars, but will next season be Lex’s last, and a nice interview over at TVGuide with the actor formerly knows as Sheriff Lamb.

CW, Saturn Awards, Smallville, Supernatural, Veronica Mars

I watched this episode with a general sense of foreboding; I’d read that someone was going to perish and since I am not that familiar with the cast I wasn’t sure who was safe (bar the Marses - what is the plural of Mars?). I was on the edge of my seat with as much enthusiasm as I could muster at 6am this morning. Every time a supporting member of the cast reached for a French fry I flinched in case it was laced with arsenic. i thought it all over when Logan and Mac’s blonde room mate swam out to a buoy to retrieve a balloon - have they not heard of sharks?? And then I remembered that this was not Bay Watch. Of course it was something more dramatic and Sheriff Lamb died in the line of duty. Which is a shame as he was a nice foil for Veronica and was growing on me.

My favorite parts of the episode were the Valentine’s scavenger hunt (for once a show manages a subtle and funny seasonal tie in) and Veronica behind bars. I was least interested in the conclusion to the “who shot the coach” mystery. It was sad tale but ultimately I am more interested in who dun in Ed Begley Jr.

Veronica Mars, Ed Begley Jr

I’ve only watched 3.5 episodes of Veronica Mars and so far I really don’t care for Logan. He’s a bit wet, wasted on Veronica and what is up with living in a hotel (gives me Hugh Grant Two Weeks Notice flash backs - not good). Jumping feet first into a moving series is all very confusing, but I perceiver cos I love the dynamic between Veronica and her dad (and perhaps watching the previous 2 seasons will reveal something about why she wastes her time on Logan). The gentle joshing and mutual respect a refreshing change from the usual teenage-parental angst that fills the small screen.

Tonights episode is called ‘Mars, Bars’. Oh so clever since in the previous episode Veronica was in jail but it got me thinking about candy. When a Mars Bar crosses the Atlantic is turns into something a bit like a Milky Way, which is weird because in the UK a Milky Way is what you’d call a 3 Musketeer bar (if you care Wikipedia as ever has a clearer explanation).
Something to chew on whilst you watch the promo for tonight’s episode courtesy of YouTube and the scuttlebutt is that it is curtains for someone…

Veronica Mars, candy bars

Nice interview with Eric Kripke about all things Supernatural, and looks like there are brewing a good Dean story arc.

What do we all think about Kevin Smith directing a pilot called Reaper? If he manages to nail the ‘Shaun of the Dead’ vibe I’d be a happy camper. The premise, in theory, is a good fit for the CW, but the question is have we forgiven him for Jersey Girl?

Finally, Spoilerfix has the skinny on a wedding in the offing in Smallville. I’m intrigued. Looks like this weeks homework will be to catch up with Smallville. I only watched the first season, but by now Clark is out of high school - right?

Eric Kripke, Supernatural, Reaper, Kevin Smith, Smallville

A light, irreverent self contained episode. A pleasant distraction from the series overall arc and the fate of mankind. It reminded me of an idiosyncratic X-Files episode like Bad Blood or War of the Coprophages. Remember a young Luke Wilson as a vampire sheriff flirting with Scully or Dr. Bambi?.

This weeks opening montage is choice highlights of Dean and Sam bickering - a clue for things to come. The boys are in a small college town investigating a suspicious death and general bizarre goings on. There is the death of an unethical ethics professor with a taste for undergrads, a frat boy who was probed by aliens and then forced to slow dance to ‘Lady in Red’ (not sure which torture was worse), and finally a man eaten by alligator (warning never stick your hand down a grate to search for the keys you just dropped down there)! All three incidents sound like that have been ripped from a supermarket tabloid, and their petty squabbling escalates the longer they are in town. Baffled by the goings and hindered by the loss of their trusty laptop they call in Bobby.

The brothers take it in turns to recall the events of the past week. Queue freeze frames, voice overs and do overs. It is great seeing their takes on one another. Dean is characterized by his excesses and lack of self control (too much fried food, alcohol and women - thought not necessary in that order). For Sam it is over empathizing with the victims and willingness to engage in group hugs. Bobby patiently listens to their tall tales and diagnosis it was the work of a trickster.

Bobby, Dean and Sam try to double cross the trickster who has been working as a janitor in the college. Surely the perfect job to observe human behavior and pass out punishments to the high and mighty (note to all be nice to support staff), and in surely a nod to The Mask the Janitor has a wee dog just like the one Jim Carrey’s character had. Dean is sent in “alone” to try and surprise the Janitor but is surprised himself when he is confronted with a peace offering in the form of two busty babes, a large velvet bed and the mellow tunes of Barry White pumping through the sound system. You can tell that he is struggling! Let’s just say that Dean doesn’t get his happy ending and you can’t trust a trickster even when he has a stake through his heart.

Supernatural, X-Files, Scully, The Mask

Last night, I uncharacteristically jumped straight into an episode of Veronica Mars (”Show Me The Monkey”) with no prep. I watched it cold and was a little confused in places (what is the deal with dude who takes x-rated Polaroids of himself and then throws them over his balcony - is that a California thing?!?). Normally I am a stickler for procedure and like to view a series in sequence but I wanted to take a quick dip in Neptune, CA.

The verdict - me like.

I was worried that Veronica would be too Nancy Drew-ish (as she is a teen detective) and too perky. And if there is one thing prime time does not need it is ANOTHER perky blonde. I need not have worried as Veronica is suitably condescending, sarcastic and has rolling her eyes on speed dial. Overall there is a “cozy mystery laced with smart pop culture” feel about the show with a definite nod to Sam Spade. I really look forward to watching it more regularly and catching up with the previous two seasons over the summer.

Veronica Mars, Sam Spade, Dashiell Hammett, cosy TV mysteries

Is it too early to be excited about Thursdays episode of Supernatural? I think not so here is the YouTube video for the promo for the next episode - looks like it will be a quirky and light hearted affair.

I would have put up the promo for ANTM Cycle 8 but it aint that interesting. Let’s face it the good bits are the unscripted moments when the girls are in hyper competitive mode and when they get their Tyra sanctioned makeovers. Roll on February 28th and the two hour season premier.

If you are in the mood for spoilers it is worth taking a trip over to SpoilerFix has they have news on Smallville, Veronica Mars and Supernatural.

Supernatural, America’s Next Top Model, Smallville, Veronica Mars, SpoilerFix

This was a pretty neat episode for a number of reasons: Jared got to play evil, spiking beer with holy water and the Meg demon came full circle.

The episode opens with a frantic Dean trying to track Sam who has gone AWOL; when Dean catches up with him in a dingy motel room Sam is a bloody, Bon Jovi loving mess with no memory of the previous week. There are Memento echoes as the brothers track their way back to the body, only to discover that it is a fellow hunter who has been murdered and the CCTV evidence points to Sam. Did he do it? Has he snapped and gone over to the dark side, or has he been possessed? Will Dean carry out the promise he made to his father? Sam pushes Dean just a little too far into killing him and I started to wonder if this was another test, like Croatoan. Even though you could see that Dean had accepted that Sam had blood on his hands he could not bring himself to kill his little brother. Dean pays a high price for that brotherly love because by the end of the episode he had been beaten up, pistol whipped and shot - lovely.

Sam’s behaviour escalates. He knocks Dean out and takes off to torment and torture Jo (who is now working in some dive bar nursing her unrequited love for Dean). Dean does a low tech CSI trace and is soon hot on the heels of the errant Sam. The turning point slash penny dropping moment is when we see that Sam has a symbol branded on his forearm and fans of the genre (and those who have studied Robert Langdon) know that symbols are never meaningless! Dean turns up just in the nick of time, dowses Sam with holy water causing his brother to do a so-so impersonation of a sauna. They fight, the demon confirms it was a test but is now taking off in his clever disguise (or “meat puppet” if you will) to bump off hunters and next on the list is Bobby (the trucker come scholar who helped the boys with Meg at the end of season one).

The final act is in Bobby’s house where evil Sam has been caught and they are trying to exorcise the Meg demon from him. Except demons on Supernatural are AP demons, they have been in the accelerated program in hell and have learnt a trick or two (the brand is actually a binding lock). Fearless viewers do not worry there is more fighting, Bobby comes to the rescue with a hot poker and before you can say Jiminy Cricket the boys are driving off into the sunset.

I am excited to be getting the opportunity to blog about television, but I have a confession at the moment I only watch one show on The CW - Supernatural. Oh okay two shows if you include the highly addictive America’s Next Top Model. Thankfully unlike some natural resources there is a never ending supply of girls eager to strut their stuff and act fierce. In the coming weeks I look forward to delving into the Monday night comedy line-up, Smallville, One Tree Hill and Veronica Mars. I am afraid that I might have to draw the line at Friday Night Smackdown and Gilmore Girls.. but hey I am an open minded type of a gal so who knows what might happen!

I figured that I better do so “research” (think Wikipedia). The CW launched on September 18th 2006 and shares its birthday with Lance Armstrong, Jada Pinkett Smith and the Roman Emperor Trajan. It contains a mixture of programming from its parent channels (WB and UPN), and I am relieved to still fall within its intended demographics.

I promise to try not to make things too Supernatural-centric, now where did I put my Dummies guide to Smallville…

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451 Press, Writers Needed