Category Archives: TV-G[eek]

Shogun S1 E2

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“Servants of Two Masters”

I got the chance today to watch the second episode of Shogun on Hulu. Both this episode and episode 1 dropped at the same time last week, but it did not fit into my schedule to see them both. I planned on getting to Shogun episode two before the weekend finished, and I was able to get it done. I think I enjoyed this episode more than I liked episode one, and I liked episode one a lot.

John was bounced around to different areas, from the palace to a prison then back to the palace as the people involved tried to determine how they were going to best use this ‘barbarian.’

Interestingly, we get the first interactions between John and Mariko, which I believe will become something much more than expected.

But John… when they offer you a bath… take it. Twice a week is okay.

Lord Toranaga clearly is looking as a mastermind with his machinations.

Next episode of Shogun drops late night Monday on Hulu.

Twin Peaks S2 E9

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“Arbitrary Law”

So the story of “Who Killed Laura Palmer” came to a conclusion in this episode, at least for the most part. Leland Palmer was revealed to the world as ‘Bob’ and he was shown to be the killer of his own daughter.

This is one of those episodes of TV that I always remember. The final scene where Leland/Bob kills himself is completely compelling and goose bumps-inducing. Ray Wise had been amazing with his performance as Leland Palmer up to this episode and this absolutely is his magnum opus. The scene of Leland laying in the interrogation room being held by Cooper is unbelievable. Leland’s realization of what he had done to Laura was powerful and Cooper’s kind way of directing Leland to the light was caring and hopeful.

The scene preceding this with Leland in full Bob mode and being interrogated by Cooper was another amazing scene that illustrated Ray Wise’s astounding performance. The way he switched from chaotic insanity to a calm, evil aura showed what an wonderful actor Ray Wise was.

When Leland had Donna in his house, I remember being totally sold on the chance that Leland was going to claim another victim and the scene was scripted so brilliantly that, as a viewer, you could not be sure that Donna was going to survive.

Of course, then there was the scene with Donna and James, a scene that really highlighted once again what a doofus James Hurley was. I really dislike him even as I recall being a fan of James when I first watched the show back int he 1990s. I would love for James to hop on his motorcycle and just ride off and leave twin peaks forever. I know that is not what he will do, but Donna deserves someone so much better than this loser.

It was also a welcome return for FBI Agent Albert Rosenfield, played by the incomparable Miguel Ferrer. In a few sparse scenes in the show so far, Albert has taken quite a lengthy journey for his character.

Even though the show hints at Bob escaping from his fate, the conclusion did not feel tainted. It brought this mystery to a satisfying conclusion, even if it was initially intended to never have been solved.

Of course, the shot of the owl at the end of the episode was a great piece of potential foreshadowing. We all know that the ‘owls are not what they seem.’

Twin Peaks S2 E8

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“Drive with a Dead Girl”

With last episode’s gigantic reveal that Killer Bob was possessing Leland Palmer and that he killed his daughter Laura, and then killed cousin Maddie in a brutal murder, Twin Peaks was firing on all cylinders. Episode 8 could never hope to match up with last episode. Still, it was an interesting episode.

Ray Wise brought out his inner demon in this remarkable performance. The greatest moment was when Leland had been pulled over by Sheriff Truman and Agent Cooper for his reckless driving, and Leland wanted to show Cooper his new golf clubs, which are in the trunk with Maddie’s dead body. The visual of Leland with the golf club, running the idea of smashing it into Cooper’s unexpecting head was awesome.

I also LOVED seeing Pete Martell and his joyous laughter as he taunted Ben Horne, who was inside his jail cell, with the tape recorder playing Catherine’s voice, blackmailing Ben with an alibi. Not sure how Pete was able to get down to the cells at the police station without being let in by Harry or one of the deputies, but it was worth seeing to hear his riotous laugh.

So Maddie is discovered at the end of the episode in the forest. If I remember correctly, Maddie’s murder is the beginning of the downfall of Bob/Leland.

Shōgun S1 E1

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“Anjin”

Shōgun has dropped on FX and I was able to watch the first episode on Hulu. I have not had the chance to watch episode two, which also dropped. I do thin that this is something that I will continue to watch.

Easily my favorite part of the episode was the arrival of Vasco Rodrigues, played by Néstor Carbonell, Richard himself from LOST. I loved him on LOST and Bates Motel, so it was great to see him once again.

This is a new take on the novel of 1975 and the mini series from the 1980s.

According to Wikipedia, “Shōgun follows “the collision of two ambitious men from different worlds and a mysterious female samurai; John Blackthorne, a risk-taking English sailor who ends up shipwrecked in Japan, a land whose unfamiliar culture will ultimately redefine him; Lord Toranaga, a shrewd, powerful daimyo, at odds with his own dangerous, political rivals; and Lady Mariko, a woman with invaluable skills but dishonorable family ties, who must prove her value and allegiance“

John Blackthorne is played by Cosmo Jarvis, and he does a good job filling the role made famous by Richard Chamberlain. Lord Toranago is played by another LOST alum, Hiroyuki Sanada. Lady Mariko is played by Anna Sawai.

I did not watch the mini series back in the 1980s, but I was aware of it. I was only around 11 years old and not interested in feudal Japan. Many decades later, I am more intrigued by the story.

This is beautifully shot and looked great. I am excited to keep watching the series. I should get to see episode two later this week and then I will be following along on Hulu as it releases weekly.

The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Lived S1 E1

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“Years”

Rick and Michonne return to the world of the Walking Dead through the new series The Ones Who Lived, which debuted on AMC this past Sunday.

Andrew Lincoln and Danai Gurira step back into their roles of Rick Grimes and Michonne that they played for years on AMC’s The Walking Dead. This series had gone through several stages, including the possibility of being a movie instead.

The Walking Dead was one of my favorite shows for many years, but I did lose interest in the show as time moved on (around the time the show killed of Glenn, things started going downhill for me).

Rick was believed to have been killed in the series, but it was shown that he had been taken by the CRM, aka the Civil Republic Military. This new show picked up five years after when Rick disappeared. And does this show kick off in a hurry.

Rick is shown trying to escape, and he does it by chopping off his left hand. I couldn’t believe it. Apparently, this was something that the comic version of Rick does early on (The Governor cut it off) and Andrew Lincoln had been pushing for it for years. It finally happened.

The episode was very emotional. Andrew Lincoln’s story was the main focus of the show. It looks like next week’s episode will be a Michonne centered episode so we see how she wound up at the end of this first episode.

I did have a little bit of a problem with how Rick and Michonne came face to face at the end of the first episode, so I hope next week will help make this coincidence a little easier to buy.

Otherwise, I found this to be a great opening episode with so much emotion. Seeing how Rick struggled with his situation and how he nearly took some steps to end everything was brutal.

There were plenty of shocks in the show too. I hope that this show maintains this level of height as it moved along.

Oh, and I almost forgot, Terry O’Quinn is here. I loved him from LOST as John Locke and his military man  Beale, the Major General of the Civic Republic Military. It is epic to see him once again. I’d be lying if I said that his joining this series did not help me choose to watch it. Love Terry.

The X-Files S3 E18

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“Teso dos Bichos”

Well, it was only a matter of time.

I did not remember this episode, but, last episode, I spoke about how great season three had been. This one put a stop to that talk.

“Teso dos Bichos” is not a very good episode of the X-Files. It’s a ‘monster-of-the-week’ entry that does not come anywhere close to the typical episode.

I am a cat person so making them the big bad of this episode did not appeal to me.

And, I’m sorry, but when Scully had a fight with a vicious cat that scratched her face, it was the kind of scene that could destroy a show. Laughable is the term I would use. They were very fortunate that the season had been so amazing up to this point.

It was a cursed urn with some jaguar power of some sort that led to the vicious cat attacks. Or there was something with rats coming out of the toilets.

This was a wasted episode. Surely one of the worst X-Files episodes of the series so far.

Twin Peaks S2 E4, E5, E6,E7

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A couple of thoughts off the top:

  • I really dislike Donna, James and Maddy. I liked them much more the first time I watched this show, but they are just so dumb.
  • Ray Wise was just brilliant. He deserved an Emmy for his work this season.
  • As a General Hospital fan, seeing Ian Buchanan as Dick Tremayne was a hoot.
  • I started off and kept watching. Each episode ended with something remarkably compelling that I just had to keep watching.

“Laura’s Secret Diary”

I bought Laura Palmer’s Diary when it came out in stores. What a tie-in to the show. It did not give anything really solid, but it was a cool tidbit. The show’s introduction of Harold Smith was not my favorite part of the series because it tied in to the whole Donna mess. Still, they knew how to make money.

Leland confessing to Jacques’ murder was powerful. Of course, it would lead to more than just that murder.

I honestly think the whole thing with Andy and his sperm container rolling across the floor was one of the funniest things I have ever seen. I was able to tell Harry Goaz, the actor who played Andy, how funny I found that scene when he came to the Iowa City Memorial Union for a Twin Peaks watch.

“The Orchids Curse”

The fact that it took Cooper this long to remember the note that was under his bed was a travesty. It was way longer than it should have been.

The whole Nadine in high school story was funny too, but I am not sure they ever totally explained why she had such an incredible strength.

Cooper and Truman go to One Eyed Jacks and rescue Audrey. Not before Blackie was killed by John Renault. Hawk came through big time. Good thing Coop and Harry can’t keep a secret.

“Demons”

Bobby and Shelly getting screwed over with their insurance claim with a handicapped Leo is poetic justice for their bad behavior, but felt overly cruel for poor Shelly, who did suffer at the hands of Leo for quite awhile.

Of course, it led to the classic Leo line that I say to this day, “New shoes.”

The arrival of Gordon Cole, played by David Lynch himself, was a highlight. Having a non-working hearing aid and having everyone yell so he could [barely] hear was a great gag that worked the whole time.

The whole scene with “Mike,” the one armed man was creepy as could be.

“Lonely Souls”

It is happening again.

What an episode this one was. So much happened in it and the last ten minutes or so were some of the best scenes you will ever see on TV.

The reveal of Killer Bob as Leland was done as perfectly as you would see and the scene where he kills Maddy has to be one of the most unexpected and violent scenes ever to make network television. Watching the scene flash from Bob to Leland and he danced around with Maddie was completely unbelievable. There is no way we get a scene like that today. There are several moments where it is difficult to watch.

There may be no more tragic character on Twin Peaks than Maddy Ferguson. She came to Twin Peaks for her cousin Laura’s funeral and because she resembled Laura, she had to go through so much. Not only did she have to deal with James’ weird obsession, but ends up being the replacement daughter to Leland who, by the way, is the psychotic killer. She was nothing like Laura, but she had to pay for Laura’s sins.

With Cooper, Harry and the Log Lady at the Road House, we see the Giant make a reappearance uttering that phrase I lead off this section with… “It is happening again.” How unnerving and chilling was that. Then, when Maddy had been killed, the feeling that overtook Bobby, Donna and Cooper at the Road House was suspenseful. They knew something had happened. Donna started to cry and you could see even Bobby was affected. It was all very much like a dream and it had been shot that way. David Lynch did direct this episode and you can see his fingerprints all over it.

This was not all for this episode. The discovery of Laura’s secret dairy at Harold Smith’s place, torn to shreds by Harold who hanged himself with his flowers. The episode started off with that shock, but who remembered that after the ending?

Cooper and Harry arrested Ben Horne, who is looking as if he were the killer. Of course, we knew it was not him. Even when he was first being arrested, it was clearly not him. He was the patsy, the red herring for the audience. Back when it first aired, I did not think that it would be Ben, but I never guessed that it would be Leland, either.

Another shock of this episode that gets rolled over with the ending was the reveal that Mr. Tojamura was, in fact, Catharine Martell back from the dead and hiding in Japanese make-up. The scene where she revealed herself to Pete is one of the happiest moments of the show, certainly of this episode.

Everything about this was disturbing, especially when you stop and think about the fact that Leland killed Laura and that he raped her and abused her as much as he did, though under the guise of Bob. Could this be why he was so grieved when Laura’s body was found, that it was an internal guilt driving him?

An exceptional episode of TV that just combines the emotions of the audience with one of the greatest plot reveals of all time.

Moonlighting S4 E13, E14

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“Maddie Hayes Got Married”

“And the Flesh was Made Word”

Season four is over.

I would not be incorrect if I stated that this season was a slosh to get through. The whole David and Teri and Maddie and Walter stuff really felt like nothing more than a distraction. It was all empty and lacked any substance.

I did like these two characters that they tossed into this story. Teri and Walter were both nice people that just should never have been involved in this.

When I was watching this when it first aired back in the 1980s, I liked these shows because I loved Moonlighting. I had more passion about it. Now, many years later, I found this season to be really tough.

There was so much anger and vitriol from both Dave and Maddie, that it tainted the relationship for me. There was so much meanness in their interactions that it just did not have the fun that it used to.

The first two seasons and part of the third, Dave and Maddie would fight, but there was a real tenderness underneath. You believed that they were in love with each other, deeply and fully. That tenderness has been mostly absent since Mark Harmon opened that door in season three.

I know season five attempted to put everything back on track, but I know it was too late.

Twin Peaks S2 E2 & E3

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“Coma”

“The Man Behind Glass”

Things are really rolling in Twin Peaks right now as the crew is finding details about Laura’s murder.

Ronette is awake, but not speaking. Her reaction to the sketch of Bob is horrifying. Leland recognized the sketch of Bob and told Sheriff Truman and Agent Cooper. Jacoby was hypnotized to remember seeing Leland murder Jacques.

I have to say though that Cooper’s inability to find what happened to Audrey is troubling. Especially since the not is below his bed.

The Giant returns and gives Coop some help. Major Briggs brings message from space for Cooper, including his own name among it.

Maddie has a vision of Bob crawling across the couch that is really scary. The look of Bob is truly a scary thing and it is amazing that they were able to stumble across the actor.

The X-Files S3 E17

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“Pusher”

I have always believed that the most dangerous power to have would be some kind of mind power, whether that be mind control or telepathy or telekinesis. This episode of The X-Files did nothing to persuade me otherwise.

“Pusher” is the story of a man named Robert Patrick Modell who could make people do what he wanted them to do by simply talking to them. Not just simple things either, but horrible things such as setting themselves on fire.

This episode was written by Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan and you could see the touches, especially with the extremely tense, final confrontation between Mulder and Scully and Modell in a Russian roulette showdown between them which is easily the standout moment of the show.

David Duchovny was amazing in that final scene with Robert Wisden, who played Modell, and with Gillian Anderson. Duchovny played the anguish Mulder was facing with the chance that he could shoot Scully against his will. And Gillian Anderson matched the intensity with her own fear over her partner’s struggle.

Season three of The X-Files continues to be an excellent compilation of stand alone episodes mixed with mythology episodes.

Moonlighting S4 E11

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“Eek! A Spouse”

It just does not feel like Moonlighting.

This episode tried to put Dave and Maddie back into a case, including one of the show’s typical chase scenes at the end of the episode. It just felt different.

Picket Fences’ Lydia (who was Jimmy’s ex-wife) was one of the people involved in the case, as was a former General Hospital actor Gerald Anthony. Outside of that, this was an average hour of the show.

Twin Peaks S2 E1

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“May the Giant Be With You”

“Mairzy doats and dozy doats and liddle lamzy divey
A kiddley divey too, wouldn’t you?
Yes! Mairzy doats and dozy doats and liddle lamzy divey
A kiddley divey too, wouldn’t you?“

Leland, with his hair changed to all grey overnight, came out singing this song, to signify that he was ready to move on. Who knew smothering a man to death had such a revitalizing property to it?

Of course, the grey hair was one more hint that Leland was the actual killer of Laura, being possessed by Killer Bob.

This episode was originally promoted as the reveal of the killer, but that was just a promotional trick and what we saw, for the first time, was an image of Killer Bob, which was what the show was giving us. Yes, Bob was the killer, but we wanted the secret to which character was being possessed.

Twin Peaks, which was already fairly mystical, embraced that end of the spectrum starting with this episode, featuring the Giant, a return of the one armed man, and Bob.

There were a couple of quotes from this episode that resonated with me. The first one was from Agent Cooper, who after waking up at the hospital after being shot, and having Lucy run down all the things that had happened that night, Cooper sarcastically said “How long was I out.” That was delivered with such a perfect tone.

The other quote was one that makes me think of my roommate Andy, because Andy loved Pete Martell’s delivery of the line. Pete was suffering with smoke inhalation and he said to Sheriff Truman, “I feel like someone taped my lips to the tailpipe of a bus.” I can hear Andy’s echoing laughter just thinking about it .

Twin Peaks has had a history of violence toward women, which probably wouldn’t work in today’s world. We got one of the more violent moments so far when we get the flashback, via Ronette’s memory, of Bob killing Laura. It is why the strong woman Catharine was such a different character on the show.

This kicked off the second season in a really strong way, and, looking back, it was clear that there were actually a lot of info dropped. More than we even knew.

Twin Peaks S1 E8

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“The Last Evening”

Part 8

Season one of Twin Peaks came to an end with all of those major storylines I talked about from the penultimate episode of season one coming to a peak in this finale. Except, of course, we did not learn who the killer of Laura Palmer was yet. I know there were some frustration at the time, including me, about when they would reveal the secret. Truth be told, people are just too impatient. It is something I have learned over the years since Twin Peaks’ first season.

We did learn several things. We learned that Jacques did not kill Laura as Leo ditched him before going to the train car. The show went out of its way to show that Dr. Jacoby was not Laura’s killer either, casting him in a more empathic light than we had seen before. And, despite the show kind of playing up Leo in the case, after years of reading comics and watching soap opera, I was sure that Leo was nothing more than a red herring. Twin Peaks was the master of red herrings.

I remember the shooting of Agent Cooper as if it were yesterday. I was so shocked about it that it threw my entire thoughts about the series into overdrive. It was a horrible way to leave the fans dangling over the break, and yet so tasty.

Watching Leland murder Jacques with the pillow was unbelievable at first, but made complete sense in retrospect. At first it just felt like a bad decision from a grieving parent, but, of course, we know now that there was more behind it than just that. This truly begins Ray Wise’s elevation of his performance into season two. When the alarm stops ringing, Wise changes Leland’s facial expressions from his sobbing to one of darkness. It is chilling looking back.

I fell in love with Pete and Catharine in this episode, even though Catharine is still pretty manipulative toward him, but it felt sincere when she asked him for help. You have to admire Pete for heading into the burning mill in search of his wife.

Are there any two characters more likable, but downright stupid as Big Ed and Norma? They are so manipulated by their respected spouses that you would think they would just come out and say what they want, and that is to be together. Thing is, they just can’t seem to get out of their own way and Nadine and Hank know the buttons to push.

Although Hank’s coincidental saving of Bobby’s life with a well placed bullet to Leo’s chest, just before Leo dropped an axe on Bobby’s head, was timed beautifully. I know this leads to one of my favorite quotes from this series of all time during season two. I use it to this day whenever shoe shopping, “New shoes.”

There is also a real ick factor with Benjamin Horne on his way to see the “new girl” who just happens to be his daughter Audrey. I remember watching this the first time and just having no idea how Audrey was going to get out of this.

Andy stepping up as the hero, only to find out that Lucy is pregnant, was really a tough blow. You felt for both of them.

This was an epic season one and spent a lot of time building these strange people in this mysterious little town. The central mystery of Laura Palmer’s murder was iconic and created a huge water cooler show.

Twin Peaks S1 E7

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“Realization Time”

Part 7 of the Twin Peaks series moved quickly through several of the plotlines, but really worked over all.

So many threads in this episode including…

  • Undercover at One Eyed Jacks with Blackie.
  • Audrey starts off the episode naked in Cooper’s bed.
  • Waldo’s murdered. Shot by Leo. The blood got on the donuts.
  • Audrey is making her way to One Eyed Jacks
  • A plan hatched by James and Donna to use Maddie to gaslight Jacoby.
  • Who’s watching them from afar?
  • Nadine down in the dumps when her silent runners were rejected.
  • Catharine discovers the life insurance policy
  • Harry wants to help Josie, but he does not know what she is up to.
  • Leo discovered Bobby and Shelly.

There are a bunch of things going on in this penultimate episode of season one. There is also the iconic moment of Audrey Horne and the cherry stem. If you know, you know.

There was so many threads set up for the season finale that it amazes me that I ever thought that they would answer the mystery in that episode.

Twin Peaks S1 E6

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“Cooper’s Dreams”

I just love Laura’s Theme. I swear I whistle every time they play in on Twin Peaks. It is such a lovely piece of music by the late Angelo Badalamenti. It creates such a tone for the series, which is able to jump between tones better than most series.

The Log Lady appeared in this episode. Her name was Margaret. She was such an eccentric character, but became so iconic because of this show. She makes the first metaphor of owls, which as we all know, are not what they seem.

There were a couple of really great scenes in this episode. Starting off with the family therapy with the Briggs family, especially when Jacoby singled out Bobby and spoke to him about Laura. This was the first time we saw more in Bobby than just some crooked kid. His emotions over Laura was really well done and Dana Ashbrook did an excellent job.

The next scene that was great was Leland and his attempt to get back to normal and ended up dancing, while barely holding himself together. What really made this scene amazing what Audrey Horne’s sad crying out of sight watching Leland breaking down while Catharine tried to make it look like he was just dancing. That was sad and just beautiful.

By the way, Leland looked just like the midget from the red room when he was dancing at first .

Hank was out of prison and causing trouble immediately. There are so many cruel and wicked men married to sad and put upon women on this show that it really looks like a statement.

The story of One Eyed Jacks is starting to amp up and how it was tied to Laura’s murder.