Spartacus - Blood and Sand - My favorite parts of any show I enjoy are the relationships between the characters. This program has the highest ratio of testosterone to bromance just short of gay porn...and that's a good thing. The spectre of death hangs over everything but you can't help but admire something you don't see everyday on TV, guys just hanging out and being guys. It's funny how thick they lay it on but everything about this SHOWCASE gem is thick and robust. Just watch how ONE gesture at the end of the episode means so many different things to different characters we are following. That is great storytelling.
The gladiators were the superstar athletes of their day though compared to what passes for a 'man' these days, these warriors were GODS. The closest thing you can compare it to was the WWF - the ACT of the kill is what really was important. Win the crowd and you win your fame and to a gladiator that fame was the goal. I love the way we hear and see tales of the greats. It's like a sports highlight reel. The final battle this week was a lesson is thrilling fight choreography. And this is only episode 3! Good on the cable networks that embrace the lack of limits they have and for giving me storytelling that is really worth my valuable time.
Project Runway - You are boring me. Where are the personalities? The catfights, the outrageous fashion/design choices? At this point everyone from host to contestant seems to be as predictable as the sunrise. It's a hello from Heidi, introduction to challenge, off to Mood, too little time, to little actual teachable moments, predictable judging and tears before hearing some wannabee tell me I haven't seen the last of them. Bah! I regret seeing the first of them.
Fringe - Even though the big moment I anticipated coming from way back in last season occurred with Peter and Olivia's 'glimmer vision', it was still a shocking and heartbreaking moment. That is due mostly to the complicated relationship between all the principals but especially John Noble's Dr. Walter Bishop (one of the greatest characters EVER in the genre) and the anguish he feels for the life choices he felt compelled to make. There is one truth about life, you can't run from your sins. The universe exacts it's price no matter how noble your intentions are. Watching Walter find the strength to move forward after so much pain is an inspiration to watch. These are the rewards a viewer gets so rarely from episodic dramas.
Burn Notice - again, relationships rule the day here. The cons are still slick but the support team around Michael (Fiona, Sam, Maddy) are trying even harder this season to help him hold it all together while seeking their own redemption for past sins. There choices are believable because Michael Weston as a character EARNS that devotion.
8 Out Of 10 Cats - Brilliant British free rolling 'gameshow' with references to things I have no knowledge of but I laugh my ass off. There are just some words that the saying of which, in that accent, are hysterical to me. Only in Britain would a show like this work. They have such a great way of venting about the insanity that is life on that charmed island. To use my favorite Australian compliment - Good on ya, mates.
Sample Quote:
Moderator - What is the best movie for a first date?
Comedian - 'Silence of the Lambs' - because you can turn to your date and say - "That's not the way you make a dress out of someone's skin."
