Bones – A Night in the Bones Museum

Bones summed it up with her comment, “I love ancient remains…I really do.” I loved the Egyptian mummy mystery this week and the return of a toned down Daisy. Wendell is still my favorite of the rotating interns, but I do have a soft spot for Daisy, especially after she started dating Sweets. Anyway, I really enjoyed watching this episode, especially when Bones started to act out a scene from the classic 1932 mummy movie. They just don’t make them like that anymore. I love episodes in which Brennan is likable and has an enthusiasm for something unexpected.

However, Bones dating Booth’s boss was beyond annoying. I’ve always enjoyed and often defended the will they/won’t they element of the complicated Booth and Brennan relationship. At this point, though, I think I’ve reached my limit. The writers either need to make some progress or just stop. Oh and while the writers are at it, if they could put Angela and Hodgins back together, I’d be very pleased.

I should add that while Bones pushes the envelop most weeks when it comes to gross bodies and whatnot…however Cam performing an autopsy on the murdered Dr. Kaswell was one of the most disgusting and icky thing I have seen on the show. I’m still trying to get over the gooey guy in a trunk a few weeks back…

Fringe – Dream Logic

Well, this was one of those episodes where when it was good, it was good. However, when it was bad, it was bad. The demon people were freaky and I liked the concept of people living their nightmare in a walking dream state while someone stole their dreams. I also liked Olivia’s business card therapy. I’m liking her character more this season. I also have to say that Peter’s nightmare at the end of the episode dealing with this abduction from the alternate universe has me excited about the future when he puts it all together. The Alt!Peter storyline is becoming one of my favorite elements of the show. Here’s hoping the pay off lives up to my expectations!

As for the bad, I’ve watched the episode twice and I still don’t understand the split personality explanation. I know Fringe works using it’s own logic, but I didn’t really get it this week. There was enough else going for the episode, so I didn’t get stuck on it, but I am still wondering.

Oh and on a final note, I felt sorry for Agent Kashner. Not only does he get stuck with Walter for most of the episode, but then he gets drugged by Walter, who then performs experiments on him. I doubt when he joined the FBI, he thought he would be subject to the experiments of a mad doctor. I was also surprised Astrid wasn’t horrified by Walter’s action. I mean she is an FBI agent as well.

TVD – Lost Girls

What an awesome episode this week. Thank goodness for the vampire reveal. Stefan got a whole lot more interesting now that he doesn’t have to hide everything from Elena. Plus Elena’s reaction was appropriate and quite rational. After watching Twilight with a friend, I’m glad to see that at least one teenage girl isn’t completely in love with the fact that her new boyfriend is a vampire.

The Vampire Compass was kind of a joke, but I’m still interested in how the sheriff (plus apparently the deputies) and mayor are going to fight against the vampires. The wooden bullets were quite clever, although I miss seeing people wielding a crossbow. There’s just something awesome about that. I will say I’m confused how they are going to miss finding Damon, Stefan, and now Vicky…especially with a magical compass.

It was good to have the witty Damon and Stefan dialog back. The “Damon in the dungeon” storyline didn’t really allow for that. I loved the phone conversation concerning the ring. However, I have to say my favorite scene of the night was Damon coming to Stefan’s rescue and pulling out the wooden bullet. His comment that, “if anyone’s going to kill you, it’s going to be me” was perfect. The Salvatore brothers are like the doppelganger version of the Winchester brothers. Instead of loving each other in dysfunctional ways, they hate each other, but still can’t seem to follow through and kill the other brother.

Supernatural – I Believe the Children Are Our Future

Well, I liked this week’s episode better than last week, but that doesn’t mean much since I was so annoyed with “Fallen Idol” that I didn’t even write my weekly review last week. Well that and I was at a Snow Patrol concert last Sunday. However, that’s neither here nor there. This week felt like a combination of better episodes from previous season. Mainly “Bedtime Stories” and “Wishful Thinking.” Plus it felt like Kripke and the writers are now simply stealing complete storylines from Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett’s Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch. Are future episodes going to feature an angel named Aziraphale or a demon rare bookstore owner named Crowley? I’m all for taking an idea and making it your own, but I’m beginning to think the Supernatural writers might owe Gaiman and Pratchett royalties.

That said, I did enjoy action figure Cas. I also wouldn’t mind seeing Jesse again. He was interesting and the kid was a pretty good actor. If only the writers could figure out a way to get wee!Sam and Jesse in a room together. I think that would be awesome. Anyway, I hope the week hiatus allows me to forget and enjoy the last four episodes of 2009!

Merlin – Lancelot and Guinevere

Ok…so I know this isn’t technically on my DVR, but I have been watching the second season of Merlin online and it’s keeping me beyond amused.  Here’s hoping it can find a home on an American channel next year.  I don’t want to spoil anything, but I wanted to mention how much I’m loving this season so far!

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-

New

The Vampire Diaries (September 10th at 9pm)
Thank the TV gods, Kevin Williamson has returned bringing his angsty storyline and snappy dialogue back into my life. And this time the Dawson’s Creek mastermind returns with vampires. I am so there. Bring on the angst and pretty, pretty undead people!

Returning

Supernatural (September 10th at 9pm)
The boys are back together and fighting both angels and demons. As if that wasn’t enough, Cas is back for the season and I’ve been missing Jim Beaver. His Facebook updates aren’t enough. Plus did I mention the boys are back together and fighting both angels and demons.

Bones (September 17th at 8pm)
The finale sucked, but in the grand scheme of the show, it’s just an episode. Bones and Booth are an awesome couple and I fall more and more in love with Sweets. Plus I can once again hope that Angela and Hodgins get back togther. The show hasn’t been right since they broke up and Zack became a killer. However, that’s neither here nor there, a brand new season of possibility has arrived.

Fringe (September 17th at 9pm)
I didn’t love the first season, but the finale has me intrigued enough to tune in this year. The interplay between Peter and Walter really draw me to the show, but I have never really cared for Agent Dunham.

Legend of the Seeker (November 7th at 5pm)
I was impressed with how the first season ended and all the interviews I‘ve read the second season looks even more interesting. With the change of power, there are so many story possibilities, especially with the Mord’Sith.  Besides, I’m totally a Richard/Kahlan shipper!

Winter Shows

Chuck (March 2010)
Chuck was renewed and now has kung fu powers. Numfar, do the dance of joy!

Game of Thrones (Winter/Spring 2010)
I’ve read the series and the cast looks phenomenal. I mean, Sean Bean (Sharpe’s War), Jennifer Ehle (Pride & Prejudice), Mark Addy (A Knight’s Tale), Harry Lloyd (Will from BBC’s Robin Hood series), Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (New Amsterdam), and Lena Headey (Sarah Conner Chronicles). I’m a sucker for epic fantasy shows and I need something to justify keeping my HBO subscription until True Blood returns next year. This could definitely be the show!

Pictured above: Ian Somerhalder, Hayden Panettiere, Zachary Quinto, John Favreau, Joya Tillem, Anna Torv, Mark Valley, Seth MacFarlane, Justin Kirk, Zachary Levi, Tyrese Gibson, Sam Rockwell, Rob McElhenney, Kaitlin Olson and Glenn Howerton ,Clifton Collins Jr. and writer/producer Mike Judge, Kevin Sorbo, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Jamie Kennedy, Mark Stern, Saul Rubinek, Blake Calloway, Nina Dobrev, Paul Wesley, Glee stars Leah Michelle and Cory Monteith, Adam Baldwin, Robert Carlyle , Ming- Na, Jess Cagle, Masi Oka, Sally Richardson Whitfield, Robin Dunne, Nelsan Ellis, Michelle Forbes, Michael McMillian, Dianna Agron,  Hunter Parrish, Joe Morton, Allison Scagliotti, Ericka Cerra, Neil Grayston, Amanda Tapping, Ron Wood, Sam Trammell, Rutina Wesley, Alexander Skarsgard, Charlaine Harris, Brian J Smith, Nathan Fillion, Chris Zarkowski, Michael Engleman, Jaime Paglia, Grace Park, Edward James Olmos, Matthew Morrison, Joanne Kelly, Eddie McClintock, Sarah Lancaster, Zoe Bell, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje

Outstanding Stunt Coordination

Chuck • Chuck Versus The First Date • NBC • College Hill Pictures, Wonderland Sound and Vision in association with Warner Bros. Television
Merritt Yohnka, Stunt Coordinator

Outstanding Special Visual Effects For A Series

Fringe • Pilot • FOX • Warner Bros. Television and Bad Robot Productions
Kevin Blank, Visual Effects Supervisor
Jay Worth, Visual Effect Coordinator
Andrew Orloff, Visual Effects Supervisor
Johnathan Banta, 2D Lead Artist
Steve Graves, 3D Lead Artist
Jonathan Spencer Levy, Visual Effects Supervisor
Scott Dewis, 3D Artist
Steve Fong, Compositing Artist
Tom Turnbull, Visual Effects Supervisor

Sanctuary • Sanctuary For All • Syfy • Sanctuary Productions
Lee Wilson, Visual Effects Supervisor
Lisa Wilson, Visual Effects Producer
Sebastien Bergeron, Digital Effects Supervisor
Les Quinn, CG Supervisor
Matt Belbin, Visual Effects Coordinator
Mladden Miholjcic, CG Artist
Ken Lee, CG Artist
Philippe Thibault, Compositor

Outstanding Sound Editing For A Series

Smallville • Bloodline • CW • Tollin/Robbins Productions and Warner Bros. Television
Michael E. Lawshe, Supervising Sound Editor
Jessica Dickson, Dialog Editor
Norval Crutcher III, ADR Editor
Paul Diller, Sound FX Editor
Marc Meyer, Sound Effects Editor
Tim Cleveland, Sound Effects Editor
Jenny Leite, Sound Editor
Chris McGeary, Music Editor
Michael Crabtree, Foley Artist
Al Gomez, Foley Artist

Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles • Mr. Ferguson Is Ill Today • FOX • Bartleby
Company and The Halcyon Company in association with Warner Bros. Television
Jon Ibrahim Mete, Supervising Sound Editor
Pat Foley, Dialogue Editor
Tim Farrell, Sound Effects Editor
David Werntz, Sound Effects Editor
Jerry Edemann, Sound Editor
Michael Baber, Music Editor
Catherine Rose, Foley Artist
Shelly Roden, Foley Artist

Outstanding Cinematography For A One Hour Series
Life On Mars • Out Here In The Fields • ABC • A Space Floor TV and Kudos Production in
association with 20th Century Fox and ABC Studios
Kramer Morgenthau, Director of Photography

Outstanding Art Direction For A Single-Camera Series
Bones • The Hero In The Hold • FOX • 20th Century Fox Television
Michael Mayer, Production Designer
Gregory S. Richman, Art Director
Kimberly Wannop, Set Decorator

Outstanding Special Class – Short-format Live-Action Entertainment Programs

Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog • drhorrible.com • Mutant Enemy, Inc.
Joss Whedon, Producer
Michael Boretz, Producer
David Burns, Producer

by Kate Blake

Today starts the official week for upfronts in New York as the networks announce what will be served up on their fall schedules. Here is the run down on show of importance to Multipleverses reader.

From Last Season- who is returning and who is not?
Terminator the Sarah Connor Chronicles has not been renewed. Head over to Sarah Connor Society to share your disappointment with other fans. It was a victim to low ratings – word is that the cast will be moving on.

Dollhouse was given a 13 episode pickup on Friday- it was announced that this was going to be with a reduced budget and that parent company 20th Century Fox would be picking up more of the production cost. It is slated to return in the fall with a lean mean look. Look for the show to have a special episode on the DVD release this summer that will help get you ready for the fall season.

Chuck! NBC has officially announced that Chuck will be back but with some budget cuts. The season finale hinted we may have seen the last of the Buy More- at least on a weekly basis. This would trim a lot of salaries. I say no more stunt guest casting- I really don’t care about Jordanna Brewster or Nicole Richie- though Andy Richter and Jenny McCarthy were fun as was Chevy Chase.

Smallville and Supernatural will both be back as announced this winter. Smallville has signed Tom Welling and Erica Durance for two more seasons and the guys from Supernatural say this year is it. Well- once you have dealt with the Apocalypse you can’t really go back to the monster of the week. To discuss both shows – join our sci-fi forums Clois & Supernatural Creative Corner. We have some lively debates ongoing about the Smallville finale and where the show is going.

BSG finished its full episode run as a series but there are two movies coming- one in the fall which will look at the war from the Cylons’ point of view. Second movie has not yet been formally announced. Caprica which is the pre-quel has been released on DVD as a mini-series. It will start next winter on SyFy.

Burn Notice starts season 3 in June and star Jeffrey Donovan was signed on to do up to 8 seasons when he negotiated a fresh contract this winter – so plenty more to come from USA. Moon Bloodgood who is currently appearing in Terminator Salvation and made the Maxim Hot 100 will be joining the cast of Burn Notice this summer as a cop on Michael’s tail.

Fringe and Lost will be both be back for all of you J.J. Abram’s fans- head to DarkUFO to read everything you ever wanted to read about LOST. Yeah- Dark is the guy behind SpoilerTV and he loves his Lost. Fringe will be moving to Thursday nights following Bones to make way for reality programming earlier in the week. How will it do up against CSI and Grey’s Anatomy? I don’t care- I will be watching Supernatural and the Winchester brothers in their fight to send Lucifer back to hell.

Bones- on Friday Fox announced that Bones would be coming back with a full two season pick up. Lets see how they win fans back after such a fan wanking finale.

Sanctuary- Amanda Tapping and her crew will be back in the fall with all new episodes. Season 2 is shooting right now in Canada. Anyone else think it seems like FOREVER since we last saw this?

True Blood- the vampire show is filming season 2 right now- we have promo photos in our forums for you to check out. New episodes- coming soon!

The NEW Stuff:

V- ABC has officially picked up the new version of the 80s hit show with Smallville’s own Laura Vandervoort in a key role. We will be talking about the show on our Smallville/ Supernatural forums all summer- feel free to stop by. We have a ton of pics of Laura to share and will be adding more with more co-stars as we get details on the show.

Eastwick- David Nutter will be directing the pilot for the new series for ABC. Stay tuned! We will definitely be watching this one.

The Listener- Summer series The Listener is coming to NBC. This is about a guy who can read people’s minds and helps them.

Flash Forward- see our earlier post for info about this new show coming to ABC about what happens when the world goes dark and then when folks wake up things are different.

Day One- coming to NBC in the fall- Melrose Place meets Jericho as a group of apocalypse survivors in a Los Angeles area apartment complex form a family type unit to survive.

Merlin- coming to NBC this summer is the UK hit series Merlin . This Arthurian fantasy should garner good ratings for the struggling net as Legend of the Seeker fans are already drooling over when it is going to premiere. Head to our photo swap boards to check out promo photos for the series.

Still up in the air:
Medium- there is word on the net that the show may be moving to CBS. CBS owns the show and they are at an impass with NBC over licensing fees. The show has done quite well this season – pairing it with Ghost Whisperer on Friday nights would make Fridays the place for female friendly sci-fi paranormal tv. The shows are very different so I don’t think there is a problem with psychic overload. The irony is that Ghost Whisperer is owned by NBC…..

More news to come all week! We will report more sci-fi and action tv news here on Multipleverses and we will have photos from the upfront events and promo photos from the new shows up in our forums. For other tv series news- head to our sister site The Entertainment Hotline.

Dollhouse – “Omega”
I’m a little late on this one, but I thought I’d include a couple of thoughts on the finale.  I watched this season out of loyalty to Joss Whedon and I don’t really have anything against the show, it’s just not for me.  I’m thrilled it got picked up for another season, network television needs more quirky and interesting shows, but I doubt I will tune in.  “Omega” was a good episode for me to find closure.  I made my peace with the show and I can move on without guilt as strange as that might sound.
While I found the final scenes of the episode a little anti-climatic, Alan Tudyk’s Alpha was mesmerizing to watch.  He does psychotic far better than I would ever have imagined.  I also found the reveal that the current Dr. Saunders is actually Whiskey, the former #1 doll in the house, unexpected and interesting…especially the fact that Topher programmed her to hate him.  I have pretty much despised Topher through the entire run of the show, but I will say he is one of the most interesting characters on the show.  As for Ballard joining the Dollhouse, I have no real thoughts either way.  It doesn’t make sense to me, but then again the show really hasn’t.  If they were all expensive prostitutes I could buy it, but I just don’t understand why someone would hire one of the dolls to deliver their baby in a snowed in cabin or as a hostage negotiator.  I think in the end, I was looking for a darker show that is impossible to have on network television.
Finale Grade: B+
Season Grade: B-

Fringe – “There’s More Than One of Everything”
I’m still not completely interested in this show, it’s too much of a X-Files rip-off, but I continue to watch each week and for the most part enjoy it.  This finale set up things nicely for next season, which I could see myself tuning in for.  I love alternate universes and this seems like it could take the show to an interesting place.  I mean, Peter is actually AU!Peter.  That could definitely lead to some fun things and explains so much about Walter’s relationship with Peter.
I still don’t care about Olivia, but John Noble is mesmerizing to watch as Walter and Joshua Jackson is always charismatic, so I could see myself tuning in next season.  Plus Leonard Nimoy might pop up again as Wiliam Bell!
Finale Grade: B+
Season Grade: B

Bones – “The End in the Beginning”
What a waste of a finale.  I’ll definitely still tune in next season, but it took all I had just to finish the episode.  The final moments when Booth asked Brennan who she was has me interested to see how their partnership evolves next season.  Other than watching Sweets perform and smiling at a couple of the in-jokes/references, I kept checking my watch hoping time would move more quickly.  This episode didn’t work for me on any level and the much-hyped bedroom scene left me extremely disappointed.
Finale Grade: D
Season Grade: B+

Supernatural – “Lucifer Rising”
I don’t often write reviews for Supernatural, even though it is my favorite show on television at the moment, because to be honest the fans scare me and there are already enough excellent episode reviews out there that I don’t believe I can add anything new to the discussion.  However, I had to mention how much I enjoyed watching this finale.  Bobby didn’t die, but Ruby did.  I must have re-watched Dean gutting her while Sammy held at least two dozen times.  I’m sure this makes me a bad feminist, but I don’t care.  Castiel went rogue and helped Dean escape heaven’s green room.  Chuck the prophet returned for a moment.  Plus the boys were at standing side by side watching Lucifer ascending by the end of the episode.  I’m hoping that we still get to watch them reconnect next year like in the first season, but it was gratifying to see them together and not fighting.  I like my brother angst, but not when it splits them up.  I do hope Sammy gets to eventually hear Dean’s message.  It was one of his finer moments!
Oh man, next year is going to be awesome!  Not only are the boys going to be up against the demons and forces of darkness (unfortunately they aren’t the slayer), but now the angels will be after them and most likely other hunters who are either pissed they started the apocolypse or thing Sammy’s a creature that must be killed.  *contented sigh*  Is it September yet?
Finale Grade: A-
Season Grade: A

That’s it for me.  Now I guess I’ll have wait until July and the return of Burn Notice, Psych, and Leverage (aka the show about Christian Kane’s hair).  Well, were we watching the same finales?  Was I too lenient or too hard of a grader?  Make your case in the comment section!