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By Michal

True Blood – Beyond Here Lies Nothin’

Well, that was interesting. I was surprised at how quickly Maryann was dispatched, but overall I enjoyed how the second season finale played out and the next season can’t come quick enough. I’m beginning to think that poor Tara is the Xander of this series. So far if something tragic happens, poor Tara is left to pick up the pieces of her life. I’m sorry to see Eggs go, but I’m glad Sam survived the sacrifice. I also have to admit I’ve really grown to love Hoyt this season. I’m interested to see what he does next season. Oh and here’s hoping next season we learn what type of supernatural being Sookie is and why vampires kidnapped Bill. The finale also could have used a bit more Eric, but I pretty much think that about every episode.

Episode Grade: B
Season Grade: A-

Bones – Harbingers in a Fountain

I still haven’t forgotten last years finale, which I thought was an insult to fans and a complete waste of an episode, but this premiere went a long way to re-affirming my faith in the show.  I mentioned last spring that the final moments, when Booth asked Brennan who she was, really intrigued me and I was interested to see how their partnership would evolve this  season.  I definitely am please to see how their partnership is changing this season.  Surprisingly, the will they/won’t they aspect of a possible romantic relationship doesn’t bother me as much as I expected after last season’s finale.  I also got a kick out of Cyndi Lauper as a psychic. I’m kind of hoping she can make the occasional appearance like Stephen Fry.

Episode Grade: B+

Fringe – A New Day in the Old Town

Near the end of last season, this show finally started clicking for me.  I had issues early on in the series, but the estranged father/son relationship had intrigued me enough and I continued to watch.  This premiere is definitely picking up where the finale left off.  I have to admit that for me, Walter and Peter are still selling this show.  That said, I’m not finding Olivia nearly as annoying this year as I did during the show’s first season.  The premiere was excellent and I’m really impressed with how they are dealing with the idea of alternate universes on this show.  The mythology is developing in interesting ways and I like that the pace has really picked up.  I love the new field agent, Jessup, who seems to be bringing a religious aspect to the Fringe team.  Oooh and I’m totally intrigued by the idea of alt-Charlie as the alt-soldier sent to kill Olivia. Great idea and awesome execution.  I should also mention the  X-Files episode playing in the background in one of the early scenes made me chuckle more than I’d like to admit. Oh and the cow with a birthday hat.  Classic!  Here’s hoping that Fringe can keep it up!

Episode Grade: A-

Supernatural – Good God, Y’all

Season 5 is living up to everything I hoped for over the long summer. When Kripke talked about a Wal Mart Apocalypse, I was a bit concerned, but so far I’ve been more than happy with the direction and execution of the season. A friend and I joke last season that Kripke sold his soul for the angel storyline and it paid off. After watching the first two episodes of the season, I think he definitely got the better end of the deal. Supernatural keeps getting better and better.
This episode wasn’t fun per se, but it set up interesting changes in the boys’ relationship and brought back some friendly faces. (I didn’t realize how much I missed Ellen until within 5 minutes of meeting up with the boys she had slapped Dean, called him “boy,” hugged him, and elicited a “Yes, ma’am.” Oh Ellen, never go away for that long again!) The tension between the two brothers was palpable through out the entire episode, especially when a frustrated and angry Sam shoved Dean in the hall. It was also heartbreaking to see that Dean at this point is simply too worn out to even fight back anymore. There have been too many battles, the current war has too many fronts, and Dean has become resigned. Man, I’m hoping that final scene was rock bottom for the two of them, though. I don’t think I have the strength to see them hurt each other any more than they already have.

Episode Grade: A-

The Vampire Diaries – The Night of the Comet

As I mentioned in my full review of the episode, I’m enjoying the show, but it still hasn’t sucked me in. (Yes, the bad pun was intended.) While it seems petty, I’m annoyed and distracted by the cheesy voiceovers. Much like Bill and Sookie, I find Elena and Stefan quite boring as a couple. As far as I’m concerned Damon is stealing the show. I’m much more interested in any scene he appears and the best scene of the episode was the tension-filled reunion between Stefan and Damon.
Unfortunately, when it comes to hot brother fights, Sam and Dean blow them out of the water.
I do appreciate that the episode didn’t simply rehash the pilot episode. Sure there were some reminders, but there was also quite a bit of character development, both good and bad, for some of the secondary characters. I’ll be definitely tuning in again next week to see if Elena and Stefan go public with their relationship or if the writers are going to keep them apart until later in the season.

Episode Grade: B-

This entry was posted on Saturday, September 19th, 2009 at 3:23 pm and is filed under Action & Suspense, Bones, Fringe, Paranormal TV, Supernatural, TV, True Blood, Vampire Diaries. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.