The Day of the Doctor Has Arrived!

Don't worry!  This is a spoiler free post as the show has not aired.  But it is the most important thing that will be happening today.  Even if the Huskies manage to beat the Beavers.  We are a mere 3 hours away.  I should be getting ready to head out because I have a ticket to see it in the theater with some friends.  However the sore throat and headache that I have been pretending does not exist will not go away.  And I am making the painful decision to be responsible.  Thankfully there is a little Doctor Who series 7 marathon to support my choice.  And hopefully with enough juice and water I can beat this stupid thing away.  Thanksgiving is almost here, I have to be in tip top shape.

So while I'm waiting for the 50th Anniversary to start (3:02:20 according to the BBC America countdown ticker that is in the corner of the TV screen, let's discuss what else is happening.

I watched Castle last night (finally), so I'm all caught up.  I know what you mean about needing an overarching story.  I mean, they needed to work out the personal drama (and wrap up last season's proposal cliffhanger and Beckett's new job), so I get that.  But I'm excited to see this happening. And I really think they have needed something like 3XK returning, as opposed to it coming back to Beckett's mom's murder again. Outside of the death of her mom, they have lacked something that sticks around and pops up often enough that people remember it (Krystal asked me for a refresher on 3XK after I watched and I couldn't give a ton of information).  I explained it was like Palant on Bones (not sure I'm spelling that right).  And I'm glad to see this on Castle as it's kind of a staple of a long-running crime show.  [I guess you could insert here an argument that following a formula relates my prior post about a lack of originality, but it's a crime show, it's not about original formulas, it's about good characters so that you don't care that it's following the same formula as all the other crime shows before it.]  Bones has had a couple, Palant and that creepy lady who was played by the actress from the Wire who buried people alive or something.  Anyhow, it was creepy and on-going.  The Law & Order with Vincent D'Onofrio (Criminal Intent?) had Nicole Wallace (played perfectly by Olivia D'Abo) and it was only a few episodes, but it was memorable, and I only watched a few reruns.  You gotta have a nemesis, and the creepy 3XK is the perfect match for Beckett & Castle.  Her brilliance and his outside of the box thinking present the ideal challenge for the meticulous sociopath. 

You should definitely start Newsroom, that should be a top priority.  It is so good.  Haters be damned, it is idealist Sorkin at his best (okay, maybe 2nd best, early West Wing is impossible to beat, although that might have been when he had the cocaine problem, so I don't know that it's appropriate to say he was at his best then?).  When you get through that, I want to make a case for giving Arrow another chance.  I feel like so many shows fall off in their second season (both Revenge and Once Upon a Time went through season 2 like they had no idea where they wanted to go, with too many storylines and a general lack of focus, but thankfully both are back on track with clear focus in season 3), but Arrow has come into its own.  The first season was entertaining, and I grew to really like the characters, but it wasn't solid, and a lot of the time I was just watching for Oliver to take his shirt off.  This season there are quality twists and turns in every episode, but it still manages to not be too busy.  There is a lot going on with returning villains and a secret bad guy that he doesn't even know about yet (not to mention the huge shock at the end of the last episode), but it's never too much.  Also, I don't know exactly how Summer Glau is going to fit into this all in the long run, but I just love anytime she's on a show because she is awesome.

Random tangent: I've been thinking a lot about this healthcare.gov snafu and how it seems completely ridiculous that we are incapable of accomplishing this technological task while elsewhere in the government the NSA is hacking into pretty much everything.  Now, my technological skills are nothing spectacular, but I do understand that creating that kind of website and sneaking into all aspects of our lives requires slightly different capabilities, so I'm not suggesting that the NSA guys make that ACA website (although come on, they could totally do it), but I think it just highlights some of our misplaced priorities.  Spying on citizens and allies? Top notch effort. Making sure that our new system that is trying to give everyone access to affordable health care is easy to sign up for?  Eh, we can phone that in.  That said, people who are getting up in arms over this (Congress) can just calm down.  These things take time.  We are talking about millions of people.  Also, I think I'll just type NSA in here one last time, perhaps it's like Beetlejuice and if you say it 3 times, they show up.  Only in this case, they just start reading the blog.  Welcome, NSA guys to our pop culture heavy blog.  

Finally, I wanted to show you yet another buzzfeed list. http://www.buzzfeed.com/kbweinstein/10-sad-truths-about-adulthood-no-one-ever-told-you-g105 I just want you to know that #4 is something I struggle with constantly.  I know that as a teacher you don't really have this, and I kind of envy that a little. 

The countdown continues, we're now at 2:34:11.  And Strax & Jenny & Madam Vastra are on this epsiode.  I love them.  I wonder if they'll make an appearance in the special.  

Sarah's encounter with the cookie elf has slowed down her progress considerably, but she does manage to cast a milk spell after rolling a 16 and escapes.  However next in her path is a frog who strongly resembles Kermit, but asks for a kiss to turn into a real boy, and thus is unlikely really Kermit. 

Rain cancels school and how I think we are geniuses...

It rained this week in Abu Dhabi… which meant school closed. Not a lot of rain at all, but way more than it usually rains (which is never) and the roads flooded a little and people panicked, so school was closed early. It was like a snow day at home and now I keep checking the weather forecast to see if more will come and school will be canceled on Sunday too! (It’s not looking promising)

Also I agree with your stance on the need for more new fresh ideas (which is why we like things like Buffy and HIMYM… they were once fresh, new ideas.) It sounds like you’re also pointing out the need to know when to STOP and allow a wonderful concept to slowly fade away- die with dignity. Although reused ideas and reboots can be highly entertaining…

I had originally planned to tell you about how I love Castle- but have been feeling lately that there has been some missing on-going drama that always adds to crime shows. Then I watched this week’s episode this morning. And I’m not sure if you have watched it yet so I won’t give anything away… but it was exactly what I felt had been missing. Just like how you were saying about HIMYM and you wished there was more with the mom and more bringing old things “back around” and then BAM! it happened.  We are either just as smart as writers and producers and really should work in television OR we just watch too much television. I’m going with the smart thing.

DOCTOR WHO 50^th anniversary special this weekend (well for me actually next week). It’s coming very soon- even Google is excited. I’m not sure if I emotionally ready for it…. We will have to discuss as soon as I see it.

Still haven’t started Newsroom… which is still a goal… still making my way through Game of Thrones book 2… but have managed to watch 2 more episodes of Breaking Bad. It's good to have goals. 

Sarah: Resumes her quest in D&D and she has an encounter with a tree elf. He offers her a cookie that he says will give her the ability to fly. Instead when she eats it, it only gives her desire to have another. 

Jamie's Top Five "OMFG They Kissed!" Moments on TV

I don't know if you watch the New Girl or not. It has its horrifically awkward moments. For me, the fact that all the characters are ridiculous and awkward together is what makes it work. And it really does work; I have been known to laugh so hard while watching this show that there is a danger of choking to death. When we watch it during dinner (thank you ‘on demand’), it's a bit of a safety hazard. But, in addition to being hilarious and awkward and ridiculous, I also like the characters. And like everyone else, I have been shipping Nick & Jess since episode one. Because it's just so perfect and obvious. We know it, hell, even they know it. It was inevitable. I had even seen enough spoiler reports to know that something was coming up soon. But I did not expect the kiss that happened last night. Holy, wow. You know when the grandpa in the Princess Bride reads the end of the story – “Since the invention of the kiss there have been five kisses that were rated the most passionate, the most pure. This one left them all behind. The End.”, and then the kiss, which while very nice, is a bit of a letdown? (I mean, I love that movie and even that part, but that kiss isn't anything to write home about) Well, I think this Nick and Jess kiss is the one that may have wiped them all off the map. Of course, being the TV-phile that I am, I had to give some real thought to what they were wiping off the map. So, without further ado, leaving out Nick & Jess, here are my top 5 omfg they kissed TV kisses:

 

5. Castle & Beckett (Castle) - I know that these two were more when will they as opposed to will they or won't they, but that didn't make last season's finale any less awesome. Because it's Castle and Beckett. And that was one steamy scene when Beckett showed up back at Castle's after their fight and the trauma and her turning in her gun and badge...

4. Buffy & Spike (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) - I don't know how this happened, but it's Joss, so we'll just go with it. Sure, this was a part of depressing season six Buffy coming back from a pleasant afterlife to a relatively hell-like existence and hating everyone and everything a little bit, but no one more than herself… But, that kiss at the end of Once More with Feeling, some serious chemistry folks. 

3. Pacey & Joey (Dawson’s Creek) - He bought her a wall. And then he drove to pick her up because some stupid college boy broke her heart. And when he pulled the car over and we held our breaths and when he said we are not talking about Dawson, cause seriously, Dawson who? There is a reason we took to calling it The Creek in college, and then he just kissed her, it was kind of perfect.  Because he bought her a wall.

2. Sydney & Vaughn (Alias) - Not unlike Castle & Beckett, and probably even more so, this was a matter of when, not if. We all knew it was coming, cause who didn't want to jump Vaughn the very first time he showed up, and Sydney Bristow was the coolest most badass spy ever. Not chick spy, not lady spy, just spy.  Yeah, I said it, deal with it.  And because she was that awesome, only someone as hot and awesome as Vaughn was worthy of her (and even he faltered a little when he had that evil wife).  But before the evil wife, they took down the bad guys and finally got their moment.

1. Logan & Veronica (Veronica Mars) - Like Veronica & Logan, who had spent all previous episodes despising each other, except in flashbacks, we were not expecting this. But as soon as it happened, we pretty much never wanted it to stop.  

So, I don't know if Nick & Jess really wiped these 5 away, but just to be on the list is impressive. This list is full of hour long dramas, which had time to build up the tension and in some cases add some serious life and death stress. Plus, Buffy, Veronica, & Syd are among my all-time favorite characters, in TV, film, literature, etc. And the gentlemen on this list, well, let's just say most of them make my sexiest TV men of all-time list. (Pacey cannot be on the list because he belongs to Kacey, and there are rules).

So, anyhow, Nick & Jess, well done.

 

Books read: 2 (Dear Veronica Roth, please write your 3rd book and get it published immediately, Insurgent was amazing)

 

Coming soon: Sarah writes a response to this that laments the complete lack of Ross & Rachel on this list, with a small complaint about the lack of Kurt and Blaine.

 

Jamie's Fall 2012 TV Review

As I mentioned, my TV watching has gotten out of control. But it's all so good. Or if not good, then addicting, or I've watched it so long that I feel like the characters will be disappointed if I don't watch. What? Stop judging me.

Anyhow, there is too much to review to give you all my excuses, so here goes, let's do this by day of the week.

Sunday: Perhaps my new favorite night for TV. Both Once Upon a Time and Revenge have proven that they do have more than just a single season in them that can keep my attention. I absolutely love what OUAT is doing with the split locations for the present and again layering it beautifully with unexpected twists from the past. Plus, Captain Hook - hot! Revenge just keeps getting trashier and more insane and we can't stop watching it. Mostly because we love Nolan. Plus, Aiden - hot!

Monday: Not only are there too many network shows on, but Alphas & Warehouse 13's summer seasons extended into the fall. Both continue to be awesome, so I make it work. How I Met Your Mother is off to a solid start for what I hope is its last season. I will miss it, but I feel they are in a great position to end it exactly the way they want, on a high point in its popularity. I think next season would probably involve a shark. Bones is consistent, although I feel it is also nearing the end of its lifespan. Two Broke Girls continues to make me laugh, largely because of the amazing Kat Dennings. The 10pm time slot is why they invented DVR/TiVo/OnDemand/etc. Castle is rocking the new Caskett storyline, Hawaii 5-0 continues to be solid, and new kid on the block Revolution is amazing. And Uncle Miles - hot! (And complex and a little angry and has a very complicated past, kind of like everyone on Lost)

Tuesday: NCIS continues to build and develop its family of characters every week, and still catch the bad guy. I will keep watching it as long as they keep it on the air.  I am a little behind on Hart of Dixie (because it is not On Demand -- come on CW, what is that about?) but don't worry, I will catch up, Team Wade for life. Cause Wade (you can say it with me if you want) - hot! The New Girl still makes me laugh until I choke and I love the way they have handled Nick & Jess's obvious chemistry without hurting the group dynamic. And Schmidt - hilarious.

Wednesday: I am going to start watching Arrow, as soon as I find the time (cause the few minutes I have seen looked like Batman+Robin Hood+Revenge, and the main guy... hot!), and I have been watching a little Modern Family because it is amazing, but generally Wednesday isn't a big TV day.

Thursday: Sheldon & the boys and girls just keep doing their thing. I don't even have anything witty to say about it. Tina Fey is wrapping up 30 Rock brilliantly, of course. Cause that is what she does. The office supply montage that turned Liz Lemon on was priceless. And Leslie Knope is rocking both city council and the Parks Department. They are even managing to keep her & Ben's relationship fresh with the current long distance element. Plus there is still plenty of screen time for one Ben Wyatt, and, well, do I even have to say it at this point? (Ben - hot!) Meryl is peer-pressuring me into watching Scandal, but I haven't gotten to it yet. We are both loving Elementary though. I strongly believe there is no such thing as too much Sherlock, and I love that there is a female Watson, played by the always cool Lucy Liu. Plus, Sherlock - kinda hot.

Friday: Ah, the final season of Fringe. When it all comes together. I read some stuff pre-season that said they were planning it like a 13 episode movie, and I would totally agree. Don't jump in the middle, this half season series finale is for the committed, or those who can catch up quickly on the previous 4 seasons. I can't wait to see what unfolds each week.

Saturday: It's on a break now, but the 5 episode Doctor Who series made me feel all the feels. The Asylum of the Daleks got Amy & Rory back on track (and spun our heads a little about the new companion as the actress playing her made a surprise early debut and then was a dalek and then blew up?!?!). Dinosaurs on a Spaceship was everything I love about this show- humor, adventure, heart, the Doctor being friends with famous people in history, plus Arthur Weasley is Rory's dad...oh, and there were dinosaurs...on a spaceship! A Town Called Mercy was maybe the weakest of the 5, but gave us a reminder of why the Doctor cannot travel alone. The Power of Three gave us some more Arthur Weasley, and reminded Amy & Rory that life is short, so you should probably continue to travel with that mad man in a blue box while you can. And then The Angels Take Manhattan...tears, so many tears, but Amy & Rory were together, and that is what mattered. Plus, the previous 2.5 seasons had given us no reason to doubt that when it came down to it, Amy would always choose Rory, even over her raggedy Doctor.

 

So, that kind of turned into a Doctor Who series 7.1 review, but whatever. It was really good, it earned a little mini-review.

Alright, back to house hunting.

Books read: 42 (which is the answer to life, the universe and everything)

Coming Soon: Sarah is busy with the dogs, so in lieu of a full blog, she'll be posting a video of herself singing The Sound of Music as she wanders around Switzerland. Please ignore the whining of the dogs in the background, no animals were (seriously) harmed during the filming of her video.

Jamie's Fall TV Preview

Summer TV has been great. Besides The Closer & Eureka, we watched Rizzoli & Isles, Franklin & Bash, Warehouse 13, and Alphas. Plus I started Friday Night Lights, Meryl & I are half way through the first season of Revenge, and we got through the 4th season of True Blood. But now it is September, and all our favorites are coming back. Here is a finale recap and my predictions for the season to come. Some more serious than others. (In order of premiere date)

Glee - Is it okay that I don't really care? I mean, I'll watch until it becomes completely unwatchable. Don't get me wrong, it has certainly had its quality moments (I still can't watch the Furt episode without crying) over the years, but I can't help but think that Ryan Murphy & co expected this show to be cancelled after the first season and have just been winging it every since.

Bones - Bones ran off with the baby, leaving Booth & the team on their own to try and prove her innocence. My guess is that they won't draw this out for very long. I predict that Bones is back to a brunette by episode two. Did they renew for another season already? I kind of feel like it might be time to wrap things up.

Parks & Rec - Excited for Leslie to be on the council, and I hope that we still get some quality Ben time even if he is off in D.C. You can't just give me a couple seasons of Adam Scott and then take him away. But even without him, the rest of the team will be there to cause trouble, help Leslie, and make me laugh.

How I Met Your Mother - Barney is engaged to Quinn, but we all know the wedding they have been teasing is his & Robin's. Oh, and there is...waitforit... a baby! I feel like this show should probably also wrap up this season, but it's talented cast keeps getting more and more popular which is good for ratings, so we'll see. I predict a lot of humor involving babysitters so that Marshall & Lily don't miss too much quality bar time. Also, looking forward to the return of BSG's Michael Trucco. Oh, and meeting the damn mother already.

Two Broke Girls - I am going out on a limb to predict more cupcakes and inappropriate humor.

Castle - After 4 seasons of will they or won't they, they did! Okay, it was never really will they or won't they, it was more like when will they. Oh, and Beckett is off the squad. And the Ryan-Esposito bromance (I find it funny that the two best bromances on television - these two and Steve & Dano - occupy the same time slot) is in trouble. I have no predictions regarding Caskett, but I'm guessing Beckett is back at the station within 2 episodes. Even if my preference is that her & Castle create their own detective agency. Can you imagine? Martha & Alexis could help. Ryan would be their guy on the force that kept them connected, and out of trouble. You'd totally watch that with me, right?

Hawaii 5-0 - Kono went into the water. And she might drown and die. (which is a problem due to the lack of resurrection ships, that was just a little BSG humor). I'm going out on a limb and saying that she won't die. I'm thinking her super hot Yakuza boyfriend will save her somehow? But maybe I just want him to take his shirt off again. Regardless, I'm thinking that the Baldwin brother bad guy is going to be causing trouble all season long.

NCIS - I don't know that I am emotionally ready to talk about this. The office exploded, and Ducky. Oh, Ducky. I just don't know what things would be like without him, so I am going to keep hoping that he is alright.

The New Girl - Hilarity will ensue. Schmidt will be even funnier. Nick will be adorable.

The Big Bang Theory - I predict that by season's end, Sheldon & Amy round 1st base.

Fringe - Final 13 episodes to take place in the future. I couldn't predict this if I wanted, and I don't want to. I want them to do their thing one last time.

Once Upon a Time - Magic! In the real world. What I love about this show is that I have no idea what is going to happen now that everyone remembers. Besides things obviously getting a little uncomfortable for Regina, but that evil witch always manages to land on her feet. Mostly I hope that the curse lifted in time for Augustus to come back to life. And I hope that now David remembers he is Charming, he will be awesome and less of a tool.

Revenge - Well, from the season premiere I know that there is a murder coming, but as mentioned above, I am only halfway through the first season, so I don't know how we are going to end up back at that first scene. Looking forward to being caught up so that I can enjoy the new season.

Hart of Dixie - When I think about how this show ended I become very anxious. We finally get a Team Wade victory, and then George shows up at the door and kisses Zoey. Just thinking about them starting at that moment gives me a pain in the chest. I am probably going to pace. I predict heartbreak for Team Wade, but that's okay, we'll win in the long run. 

30 Rock - No predictions for this one, but looking forward to the final season.

 

New shows: Revolution (I'll try anything the JJ makes), Arrow (my interest in this went up exponentially with the addition of Torchwood's John Barrowman to the cast), The Mindy Project (after reading Mindy Kaling's memoir, I firmly believe she can do no wrong), Elementary (I'll try anything Sherlock at least once, I love Benedict & Iron Man's portrayals so why wouldn't I give Johnny Lee Miller a chance)

Good lord I watch too much TV. And we haven't even discussed that Downton returns in the winter...  

Books read: 34

Coming Soon: Jumping on the "add zombies to anything in the public domain genre" bandwagon, Sarah writes a short story titled Sherlock & the Zombies in Italy, based loosely on her recent experiences in the country. 

Glossary of Terms - Part 1 (Jamie starts)

Apparently Kacey & I speak our own language.  It generally consists of a plethora of quotes and references to our various pop culture obsessions.  Or something that started as mocking ("winning" or "totes") just takes on a life of its own, no matter how much we wish it would stop.  Some of these are familiar to a wide audience and some are quite random and obscure.  We thought that we would attempt to share with you all the sources of some of the things you are likely to hear if talking with us, or more likely when listening to us talk to each other.  This is part 1 of... well, many.

"Cause it would hurt a lot Warren” Source: Empire Records, Lucas says this to Warren (the obnoxious little shoplifter) in response to Warren asking why Joe didn’t shove the CDs up his ass.  This is always said in a fairly condescending tone, just like Lucas says a lot of things.  It is not always said in reference to something hurting (although usually), sometimes it’s just randomly said.

“Legendary” Source:The one and only Barney Stinson (How I Met Your Mother, on the off chance that you’re new here).  Generally said in the more popular format: it’s going to be legend… wait for it… I hope you’re not lactose intolerant because the next word is… dairy.  Legendary.

“Dear tiny baby Jesus” Source: Talledega Nights, spoken by the always amusing Will Ferrell.  While we are all big fans of Mr. Ferrell and find him to be hilarious, he’s not someone who usually motivates us to write up blog columns.  He is, however often quoted.  In addition to this little gem from Talladega Nights (which is often followed by comments of preferring to think of Jesus as a ninja), “I’m kind of a big deal” is quite popular (generally used by and in reference to Sarah, who is kind of a big deal), although like the above noted legendary, not particularly obscure.

“NO TIME!” Source:That 70s Show, in one of our favorite episodes of this show, the parents eat an entire pan of Hyde’s “special brownies.” This results in them having the munchies and this line is spoken when they are searching the fridge for food and find some hot dogs.  Kitty says she’ll start boiling the water, to which Red responds adamantly, “NO TIME.” It never fails to make me laugh, and we use this phrase with the appropriate intonations whenever we are pressed for time.  Or whenever it seems funny to act like we are pressed for time.

“Lawyered” Source: Another How I Met Your Mother gem, this time from everyone’s favorite lawyer, Marshall Erickson.  We are obviously not lawyers, but this is definitely used whenever we are able to logically argue our point.

“You get a _____, and you get a ____, everybody gets a ____” Source: Oprah, duh.  Were you born under a rock?  Remember when she gave away all those cars and she freaked out as much as everyone else, and then later it was a bit of a fiasco because of taxes and such? Regardless, it is still a memorable moment.  Arguably the most memorable in the history of the Oprah show… well, there was that one with the couch jumping, but we don’t talk about that one because it scares Kacey.

“Jesus is okay with it, but don't tell dad” Source: Sheldon Cooper, and not just Sheldon Cooper, but Sheldon on drugs.  Wolowitz drugs Sheldon when he is staying over (counting Catwomen and X-men) and returns him to Leonard.  Sheldon is supposed to be keeping a secret from Leonard for Penny, but he isn’t very good at it.  When Leonard presses Sheldon for the secret, the first one that comes to his drug-addled mind is: “Mom smokes in the car, Jesus is okay with it, but don’t tell dad.” His second secret is the equally hilarious “I’m Batman!” which we also say all the time.

“BAM, said the lady” Source: This is either a Nathan Fillionism or a Castleism, but since I am not sure, let’s just give them both credit, since Nathan plays Castle.  (With apologies to the writers if they came up with it).  Bonus points for using this in a conversation when Mom is the lady being referenced.

“Really smart” Source: Another Big Bang Theory moment, this time it’s Penny who provides the quotable line.  Sheldon teaches Leonard football so that he can fit in with Penny’s friends, however when practiced it doesn’t go so well and Penny’s football loving friends think Leonard is a little bit special.  He leaves just before halftime and Penny notes: “so… that’s my boyfriend, he’s… really smart”  We use this phrase, mimicking her tone when someone’s actions have not been particularly intelligent.

More to come...

Books read: 33

Coming Soon:  Sarah is taking a brief hiatus to study this glossary in an attempt to better understand Kacey & Jamie's conversations. At least that's what she told us, she's probably just watching Dawson's Creek on Netflix.

Jamie’s Finale Follow Up: Castle, The New Girl, Two Broke Girls (SPOILERS! Seriously, don’t read this until you’ve watched)

I’m going to weigh in on the season finales in little bunches, shortly after they occur.  At least that’s the plan. Because I set them up earlier this week, so it only seems appropriate to follow up.

Castle

Lived up to the Hype?: Oh, hell yes.  Hard to follow last year’s epic and intense finale, but I think they may have done it.

Excitement for Next Season?: Absolutely. Now that we’ve covered will they or won’t they, there is just so much more.  Extremely well done.

Questions Remaining?: What will they do now?  Can’t you see Beckett & Castle (Caskett? Beckstle?) become private detectives a la Veronica Mars.  Okay, so it’s highly unlikely, but wouldn’t it be fun?  More likely they’ll get called back into work, because they are a badass crime solving duo.  Even Gates has to admit that, unless she’s evil.  I’m going to ponder that over the summer.

Standout Performances/Character Moments: I wanted to punch Javy in the face, and I love Ryan.  Also, love that Tahmoh Penikett (aka Paul from Dollhouse, and Helo from Battlestar Galactica) was cast as the shooter.  Hope we get to see him some more next season, you know, before he gets killed/arrested. 

The New Girl

Lived up to the Hype?: I don’t think there was a lot of hype, but it was awesome.

Excitement for Next Season?: Yes, in that we get more fun with the roommates.  All four of them.

Questions Remaining?: Nah.  We all know that Nick & Jess are meant to be, some day. For now, they can all just keep hanging out. 

Standout Performances/Character Moments: Technically, AC/DC is not a character on the show, but maybe it could be.  The end sequence with everyone dancing to You Shook Me All Night Long has got to be one of the best endings to a season ever. 

Two Broke Girls

Lived up to the Hype?: Well, I mean, it had Martha Stewart.  Which, for a show about two girls who want to have a cupcake business, is pretty awesome.

Excitement for Next Season?: Not particularly, but I will certainly keep watching. 

Questions Remaining?: Not really that kind of show.  And I assume we are done with Johnny and can move on now.  I like that the romance elements of this show are secondary.  I’m sure they will come into play if it keeps going, but for now, all about the ladies.

Standout Performances/Character Moments:  I think in general, the addition of Jennifer Coolidge mid-season was a brilliant choice.  She fits into the little dysfunctional that they have created extremely well. The scene in the dress store was classic.

Books read: 25, Halfway! (Couldn’t put down Shine by Lauren Myracle, it was incredible)

Coming Soon: On a roll with TV mashups, Sarah writes cameos for Nathan Fillion to appear on both The New Girl & Two Broke Girls.  On The New Girl he subs for Jess when she is out sick and gives Captain Hammer like advice to her students on how to deal with bullies and super villains, with Nick, Winston, & Schmidt’s assistance.  On Two Broke Girls he plays a wealthy writer with a cupcake obsession looking to invest in a new business, but things fall apart when we realize that the girls getting rich would pretty much ruin the point of the show (it’s very meta).

Jamie Watchs Too Much TV

I do, I know I do.  Not only that, but I get really attached.  So that when season finale time comes around, it is high stress (not to mention, when you don’t know if shows are coming back for another season or not).  Here’s where I’m at (in order from Sunday – Saturday), as we approach the end of the season:

Once Upon a Time: When this started, I was very concerned about where they would go once Emma believed (and potentially broke) the curse, but then I got so wrapped up in what was happening each week, that I didn’t have time to dwell on that, I was too focused on how much I wanted to throw something that would go through my TV and hit Regina in her smug, evil face.  Now that we are a week out from the finale and it looks like Emma might finally believe, I am back to the original question.  However, I have decided to have faith in the writers (who say they have a plan for where to go from here).  I am guessing they may go a little the way of Heroes (only w/out the writer’s strike to throw off the flow in the middle) where each season wraps up a particular storyline, and we get something slightly new, but of course with the same characters, each season.  As opposed to making it more like Lost where there is build up each season toward one thing, which ultimately ends up disappointing a significant portion of the audience (except me, I am like the only person I know who likes the end of Lost, or the later seasons of Heroes for that matter).  I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.

**That was way too long.  Let’ s keep these a little shorter from here on out.

Sherlock: Just started, only 2 episodes to go, why is this show so amazing??

How I Met Your Mother: There’s gonna be a baby!!!  And maybe a wedding?!?!  I can’t say this has me super stressed, nothing like certain other Monday night shows.  But I am VERY intrigued.

Two Broke Girls: No stress, just laughs, and it’s renewed for next season.  Can’t wait to laugh at these ladies all over again next season.

Hart of Dixie: Stop judging me.  Mostly, I just hope that my favorite guilty pleasure of the season comes back next year.  Come on CW, all of your ratings are low, just keep this adorable little show.  Also, Team Wade for life.

Eureka: Don’t tell me what’s happening!  I have one more episode from season 4.5 (oh Syfy, you and your silly seasons) and then I can catch up on this final season and start watching it as it unfolds.  Pros to shows being cancelled: not stressing about whether or not they’ll get to finish.  Cons: The show is cancelled.  Obviously, that sucks.

Bones: I’m behind on this too, but I have heard tale of excitement in the final couple episodes.

Castle:  I could not be more stressed out about what tonight’s season finale has in store.  Beckett & Castle in love, dealing with her shooting, are they finally going to be together, will they fight, will they make up, and will we have to wait all fraking summer to find out???  I don’t know if I can take another Castle cliffhanger.  Not like last year.

Hawaii 5-0: I am a little behind on this show, but they don’t seem to have any lack of intensity.  Ever. 

Glee: Is it okay if I don’t care?  I mean, I still enjoy Glee and all its ridiculousness, but I’m afraid I have only a passing curiosity as to what happens to them next season.  Just sing me some fun songs and throw in a few tearjerker moments, and I’m good.

NCIS: Again, I think I’m a little behind.  But things are finally coming back around, so I’m sure Gibbs & Co will have some sort of noteworthy finale. Plus, maybe Tony & Ziva will work on breaking rule #12?

The New Girl: Mostly, I just laugh. And laugh.  And try not to choke on my food (there should be a disclaimer at the start, warning you not to eat while viewing) because of the laughing.  But I am a little concerned that Nick is going to move out.  Come on Nick, get it together.  You have to stay at the loft. 

The Big Bang Theory: Will Howard & Bernadette get married? Will Howard go to space? Will Penny & Leonard stay together?  Will Sheldon & Amy…um, you know? Will Raj find a lady? 

30 Rock: I don’t have any questions, I’m just here to watch (my BFF) Tina Fey be Liz Lemon. 

Parks & Recreation: I think I am as concerned about this election as I am about the real elections in November.  Okay, not really, but I am definitely worried for Leslie.  Voters can sometimes make poor choices, and she just wants this so bad, and would be so good for the town of Pawnee.

Fringe: Astrid!!!!  Kacey says she can’t die, she was in the amber.  But what if something happened and now that doesn’t exist.  I find it all very stressful.  Is that definitely where things end up?  What is going to happen to Olivia?  Can they really wrap this up in 13 episodes next season?  I mean, of course they can, and thank the TV gods they get to do just that. (Don’t anger the TV gods when you are still waiting to hear on other shows)

Okay, so when I lay it out like that, I think it’s really just Once Upon a Time, Castle, & Fringe that are high stress.   And Hart of Dixie is the only show left on the proverbial chopping block.  And you’re probably still judging me for that.  But whatever.  I’m just going to go make myself a Team Wade t-shirt.

Books read: 24 (Finally! I still have a couple hundred pages of Clash of Kings, but in the meantime, I finished Jenny Lawson's (The Bloggess) Let's Pretend this Never Happened.)

Coming Soon: Sarah writes a Bones/NCIS/Eureka triple crossover episode where they find the remains of a marine whose crazy experiment threatens to destroy town of Eureka.

Jamie & Kacey Review Season Finales & Predict Next Year's TV

Wow, May was pathetic. Instead of writing any blogs in May, we were watching TV, so it would seem only appropriate that our first (of more than one) June blog entry would be a recap of those season finales (SPOILERS included) and our predictions for next season. Our favorites that we both watch are How I Met Your Mother, Castle, NCIS, The Big Bang Theory, & Glee.

HIMYM: First of all, totally called it as soon as Lily started puking. I win. There are no witnesses, but I just want to be on the record here. Now, about Barney getting married. We saw his face when he saw Nora, we saw Robin's face. Who will it be? Being as this show just got picked up for a few more seasons I am going with Nora, but the wedding never happens as we have some kind of Ross/Emily/Rachel friends scenario. Barney can accidentally say Robin, she can interrupt it, doesn't matter. No way Barney gets married to not Robin. Unless he is getting married to himself. I am imagining that episode now... so funny.
Kacey's Comment:I'm pretty much on par with Jamie's thoughts. I think the Rachel/Ross/Emily scenario is most likely. The only other thought I had was that Barney getting married before Ted is going to be an issue for Ted, so I'm curious to find out how far into the future the wedding is.

Castle: OMFG. I can't even handle it. I was a wreck during the whole finale, even though I was sure weeks before that the Captain was going to be the one to bite it. And I called that he was "Cop #3" as soon as they put that on the white board. Despite my certainty, it was still intense and emotional and awesome. And then the end, and Beckett, and Castle said, and... I am pretty sure that cliffhangers like that are considered torture if you're going by the Geneva Conventions (the CIA would probably call it enhanced interrogation, and for the record, I would spill all my secrets and start making some up for a glimpse that the premiere). That said, I am confident they will not kill Beckett, and almost as confident that she will not have heard Castle drop the l-bomb. Cause, you know, they gotta keep taunting us somehow. Side note, Ryan & Esposito have gotten more and more awesome each season (each episode even) and this week they were both brilliant.
Kacey's Comment: All I have to say is that if they kill off Beckett I'll be torn between refusing to watch and my love for Nathan Fillion. But they won't, they just won't.

NCIS: So that was pretty intense. My only criticism is that it is not as intense as last season. And now, who is Tony investigating. My first and obvious thought is EJ, I mean what the hell did she take out of the dead guy's wrist. And it wouldn't be the first time Tony's love life got complicated, but then again, it would be very NCIS to throw us for a loop. If it's one of our favorites, then I am guessing that Tony will of course discover that this new Sec-Nav is wrong and the whole thing will be a big complicated mystery for our team to solve. Or maybe it's Ray, that would certainly complicate things, but they did say it was a Navy person, right? Guess I'll just have to watch next season. Oh, wait, I was planning on doing that anyway. And McGee... timing is everything dude, and you did not have it, but I still love you (and so does Abby).
Kacey's Comment: I hope it's EJ and she's bad because I don't like her. But more likely it's what Jamie said- just a complicated mysetery. I had another theory that it's the big guy that is Abby's friend but they'll keep it a mysetery for a little while.

Big Bang Theory, or really, Sheldon & Friends: Hilarious. Seriously, this show just cracks me up. And the end was perfect, with core group in a slightly disheveled state, staring awkwardly at each other. I am not sure where they are going to go with Priya. Will she really leave? I must say that even though I do not like her (and I don't really think we're "supposed to," whatever that means), she has served her purpose well. The other women on the show have bonded more (Penny, Amy, and Bernadette hanging out together is amazing), and relations between the guys have clearly been shaken with her & Leonard's relationship. At this point, she's made an impression, so I say we can all move on. But I'm okay with whatever as long as we get to keep Amy. If she was on a little more I would refer to the show as Sheldon & Amy. I might do that anyway.

Glee: On a scale of 1-10, I would give the episode as a whole a 6.75, I would give the ending a 10, and I would give Rachel & Kurt singing For Good on the Wicked stage a 12 million. Seriously, I cannot listen to that song without a few tears, and those two singing it was beautiful. Should they be cast as the two leads, I would watch that. Kurt would be a fabulous Galinda. Plus, what a great song choice to

really capture the relationships between glee clubbers over the last two seasons. There is a little hesitation to accept the impact the other person has as first, there is some apologizing, and then finally "I do believe I have been changed for the better, because I knew you, I have been changed for good." Okay, done with my sappy over-analysis for the moment. The hype for New York was too big and I found it lacking a little. And Mr. Schu deciding to just change his mind was a little quick. Although I never bought that he even wanted to go that bad, so I guess it all works out. Also, Johnathan Groff is gorgeous and amazingly talented, but I am so over Jesse St. James. If they just want to have him sing (when he sang the Adele song with Rachel during the Prom episode, I think I may have gasped a little), that's fine, but his character is a douche and I kind of want to punch him in the face, or just hope that Finn does. Why the end was the best: 1) Blaine and Kurt. Like I need to say anything else about that. 2) Mercedes and Sam! Love it! 3) Hello Rachel, you are in high school, it's not like you and Finn are getting married next week. I'm so glad we can just move forward with them, I like Finn better when he's with Rachel, he is a loser when he dates Quinn, and I like her better when she's not focused on getting him and being queen of whatever. 4) Brittney had a brilliant line (anxiously awaiting to find out if Mike & Tina's babies are Asian too) and yet was sweet and profound. 5) I like that Glee doesn't feel the need to leave us with big cliffhangers over the summer (and I couldn't take it after Castle anyhow). We have all the drama within the season and then get a nice little ending. Much like the show overall, it's not perfect, but you still feel happy about things and even about 12th place.
Kacey's Comments:I might rate it a little higher- maybe like a 7.5.
New York build up was lacking a little- I was ready for a New York musical number at the very beginning... but then had to wait about 10 minutes in, which was awesome!
I had no idea what Mr. Shu was singing (maybe it was from his own album?) but I didn't really like it.I also really liked the Britney, Quinn and Santana scene in the hotel room. I was glad they didn't draw out the Quin drama. Because sometimes I really do WANT to like Quinn.
And when Mr. Shu stays- I loved that Puck was the first to hug him. But I always love Puck.