ANTM Cycle 17 Episode 2 Recap/Review

Okay show, that is more like it. I am not going to lie, last week had me scared. ANTM felt like a totally different show, one that I was not all that excited to watch. This week, however, the show got back to its roots with makeovers and decent photo shoot. That is what I want to see. The fact of the matter is, these girls were brought back because of their personalities. They can provide entertaining television on their own, they do not need any help with a ton of producer-created bells and whistles. So it was really nice to see a pretty standard episode this week, where the focus was on our loveable bitches. Let's get to it! Roll the opening!

ANTM Cycle 17 Episode 1 Recap/Review

Oh ANTM, I think you have made huge mistake. I was super excited about this cycle, but now I am questioning so much of what just happened this past episode. Honestly, I just do not even know. So let’s just start from the beginning, while I try and sort this out.

First off, there is the house.

Suits Season 1 Episode 12 Recap/Review

            Damn you Suits! I know I should have seen that cliffhanger coming, but still, damn you! It was already going to be hard enough waiting until next summer to have you back, but now I will have to wonder what will happen with Mike and the firm. Of course, that is exactly what you want; so damn you for the third time. Nicely played, but now I hate you. Well not really, because you delivered a great season finale.

Suits Season 1 Episode 11 Recap/Review

            I know it is not the most innovate thing to continually praise a show each week. Otherwise, you eventually just come off as somebody with nothing to say besides fanboy exclamations. But I mean, come on you guys! Was that not a fantastic episode? I loved the darker, and a touch more realistic, undertones, combined with some fantastic moments for pretty much all of the characters. Also, we got major plot movement on so many different fronts that it is hard to keep track. Of course, the biggest of these was we finally, finally saw a little of the man behind the curtain when it comes to Harvey Specter.

Suits Season 1 Episode 10 Recap/Review

            Sorry for the late Recap/Review! I have moved to Germany for the year, so all of my television postings will be coming out a little later than they originally were. I know you, my tens of readers, are extremely saddened by this. We all must make do, though, in this new darker and colder world.

Suits Season 1 Episode 9 Recap/Review

            Where will Mike and Harvey draw the line when it comes to ethical dilemmas? When Suits first premiered, that was one of the questions I was most interested in the series exploring. For a lot of shows, it is easy to have their main characters see moral quandaries as black and white and never doubt those determinations. Suits, however, cannot do that, because Mike and Harvey’s entire relationship is founded on a lie. If they were to take such a binary view on everything else after their deception, it would come off as highly hypocritical. At the same time, they have to have some type of moral system and values. Otherwise, their characters would be totally unrelatable to the audience. Most importantly, whatever decisions Mike and Harvey make have to be consistent with their personalities, or the writers just come off as picking whatever works best for the story. Tonight, I felt like Suits did all of that with Undecided.

Against the Wall Season 1 Episode 3 Recap/Review

            Well that was fast. After Richie shot JaMarcus in the first episode, I expected that story arc to continue for quite a few episodes. It looks like, however, Against the Wall has finished with that plotline, and now will be moving on. In my opinion, that is a great move by the show. Do not get me wrong, I thought it was an interesting topic to explore, and also believe the show did very well with it. I loved watching Richie and Shelia struggle with the consequences of his actions, as it provided an opportunity to flesh out their characters early on in the series. I also thought it was brilliant and unexpected that the show explored the effects the shooting had on JaMarcus’ mother, even if it did so briefly. Still, if the show had stuck with this arc too long, it would have devolved into something extremely melodramatic. Those powerful scenes with Richie in the shower and Shelia in the kitchen would have become watered down, because we would have seen similar scenes just in different locations. Instead, those moments remain captivating; as they are the only glimpses we have into that part of their emotions and characters.

Suits Season 1 Episode 8 Recap/Review

            After last week’s spectacular episode, I was pretty positive this week would be a little bit of a letdown in comparison. I thought Suits would deliver an entertaining hour of television, but one that was more standard and expected from the series. Ultimately, I do think last week was better, but I also fill as though it is unfair to compare the two. Here is why. Last week was all about the tone and direction of the series. Interesting questions and ideas were put forth, demonstrating that Suits would delve into grayer areas at times. Identity Crisis, on the other hand, was focused on the characters and their relationships. We learned more about certain people tonight, and also watched their relationships with each other become more complex. The reason I feel it is unfair to compare the two episodes in terms of which one is better, is because you need episodes like tonight to make episodes like last week phenomenal. Without exploring the depth and nuances of a character like the show did tonight, it cannot have moments like it did last time. In other words, I thought tonight was a very strong episode, not only as a stand-alone, but also in the grand scheme of the series.

SYTYCD Season 8 Top 4 Recap/Review

            I always hate the Top 4 performance nights. One reason is that it means the season is ending. I love SYTYCD and am always sad to see it go. Well, besides the ill planned Season 6, which was doomed from the start. Another reason is that Top 4 night is never really good. The dancers are beyond tired, the choreographers are drained, and that last episode just asks for so much sheer volume dance wise from the both of those groups. In other words, the dances are never that great. Outside of Benji and Travis during Season 2 and Katee and Joshua during Season 4, there are no Top 4 routines I absolutely love. Finally, I never feel like anything that happens during the Top 4 night changes the way the season will turn out. The one exception to that would be Season 5, where Jeanine pulled out the ballroom solos to end all ballroom solos. Girl grabbed the title with that one. Other than that, though, nothing seems to happen that changes the course of the season.

White Collar Season 3 Episode 10 Recap/Review

            What an absolutely fantastic episode, right? Going into White Collar tonight, I was really interested in two things. One, how the show planned on resolving/furthering all of the plot lines it has been juggling. Two, if I would find these developments believable and satisfying. I am not going to lie, I was nervous. So many things were up in the air; I honestly thought the show would drop the ball somewhere. Luckily, and happily, I was completely wrong. Coutdown was everything I could have wanted and more. And you know what, shame on me for doubting the show. There are times White Collar can dip in quality, but never near the end of the season. For any problems the show might have, it has always stuck the landing. Tonight was no different, and this hour will go down as one of the best in the show’s run.

Against the Wall Season 1 Episode 2 Recap/Review

            Oh Kathy Baker. These first two episodes have had some very nice acting from Against the Wall’s main cast. Rachael Carpani is doing well as a new lead actress. It is nice to see Brandon Quinn finally get a steady lead role after about a decade or so of being “that guy.” You know, the person you always see and go, “What else was that guy in?” It is also great to have Treat Williams back on my television screen, as I always enjoyed him in Everwood. Even the rest of the cast has proven quite capable. Mrs. Kathy Baker, though, is blowing everyone out of the water. Given only ten or twelve scenes at the most, Baker has made me laugh, cheer, and get a little misty eyed already. That, ladies and gentlemen, is what a great actor or actress does. They connect with the subtle nuisances of a character and bring them to life in ways you do not expect.

Suits Season 1 Episode 7 Recap/Review

            I tend to rank the programs I watch in certain hierarchy. On the bottom level, are the shows I watch because they are escapist fun. I do not have to engage with them on any deep level, and can treat them as temporary entertainment. Next, are the shows that make me feel something. Normally, these are programs that make me glad, but can also make me sad or mad. They cause an immediate and visceral reaction when I am watching them. Then, there are the television series that make me think. The plot, the character development and so on matter, because I engage mentally with the show. There is something about these programs that challenges me, which makes me question decisions and events within the show. The final type, and the shows that are truly the best in my opinion, are the ones that combine the elements of the second and third types. Television programs that cannot only make me feel something, but also cause me to contemplate and reflect on them are special. For me, it is because they connect and relate to me on so many different levels, from very shallow to very deep ones.

SYTYCD Season 8 Top 6 Recap/Review

Well that was an interesting night was it not? At first, I thought we were in for a “meh” night. Everything just seemed really clunky, especially the words spewing from the judges’ mouths. Really show, Lil C? Again? If there was any choreographer that needed to be a repeat it was Travis Wall. On second thought, how about we get Debbie Allen back on that stage, seeing as she has not been in that spot since Season 3. Moving on, I will say that one good thing came out of the less than good beginning of the show. I started to think of some things I would change for next season. Now, do not get me wrong, I have quite enjoyed this season. It definitely beats Seasons 1 and 6, and could even give Seasons 3 and 5 a run for their money depending on how it all ends. It will not be better than Season 7, and does not even come close to Season 4. Season 4 had Katee Shean. Season 4 had everything. Back to my original point. I do like this season, I just think the format has become a little tired. Think of this as just making progress on the All-Stars being introduced last season, that is all. Anyways, role the tapes!

White Collar Season 3 Episode 9 Recap/Review

            Secrets can’t be kept forever. Near the beginning of the episode, Sarah said those words to Neil. By the end of the hour, those words could not have been truer as all of the secrets Neil has been keeping this season started to unravel. Of course, this is not the first time all of Neil has had his secrets exposed, but this time, it felt much more personal. For one, as I have mentioned throughout this season, Neil has a much closer and deeper relationship with his FBI cohorts. When Neil would lie to and trick the FBI at the beginning of White Collar, it was nothing. If anything, it was even acceptable, because these were the people who caught Neil and put him in jail. Now, his relationship with Peter, Jones, Diana and others has progressed well past a simple professional point. With every lie he tells them, he truly betrays their friendship.

Against the Wall Season 1 Episode 1 Recap/Review

            Normally, outside of Project Runway, I would not watch Lifetime. It always seems like any of its scripted programming involves the portrayal of some woman being victimized in various ways. So, while watching the season premiere of Project Runway, I caught commercials for the network’s new show Against the Wall. And yes, though a police officer show is nothing new, I was intrigued by the premise. Therefore tonight, I decided to catch the first episode to see if it was any good. Going into it, I had very few expectations. In all honesty, I was not even planning on writing about the show, or even admitting to watching it for that matter. At best, I was hoping it would be a guilty pleasure, where I could ogle the attractive men in uniform. Hey, I am nowhere above ogling. To my surprise, however, I really enjoyed the episode.

Suits Season 1 Episode 6 Recap/Review

            Heading into its sixth episode, Suits has now clearly established the narrative each hour will normally follow. A simple case will suddenly become complex, with Mike and Harvey combining their respective skills to save the day. All the while, jokes will be had, a couple of plot twists will pop up, relationships will be become more fleshed out, and the ramifications about Mike and Harvey’s lie further explored. This type of serialization has its advantages and disadvantages. On the one hand, it makes for easy summer television, where people can pop in out throughout the season without feeling lost. Also, because the plot and storytelling are not the biggest component, the show’s humor and the relationships between the characters must take center stage. In other words, those details tend to be more thought out and developed compared to shows that focus heavily on season long arcs. It should not be a surprise that this is where Suits is heading, since the show is on USA. On the other hand, sometimes these types of shows can become too simplistic and predictably, ultimately making them stale. If every week is comparable to the one before and after it, where is the originality? Why should someone, like me, become invested in the show?

SYTYCD Season 8 Top 8 Recap/Review

            The past couple of episodes of So You Think You Can Dance? have seen some this season’s lesser known dancers given the chance to shine. That, combined with the early front-runners receiving decent routines and only giving good performances, has created the illusion that this season might shake things up a bit near the end. Hell, I even said as much last week. Now, though, that thought could not be any further from the truth. As the Top 8 took to the stage this week, it became extremely clear who we should expect in the finale, with only maybe the second male spot still up in the air. As of right now, I would say Melanie, Marko, and Sasha are a lock for the final episode, with Tadd most likely joining them, but maybe Jess sneaking in there instead. Based on their work tonight and throughout the season, I can honestly say they deserve it.

White Collar Season 3 Episode 8 Recap/Review

            Sharif Atkins in the house ladies and gentlemen! Continuing this season’s fantastic trend of secondary character development, tonight’s episode of White Collar was all about Jones. Once again, Atkin’s work on the show has me screaming for the show to make him a regular cast member. As You Were gave us more character development on Jones then we have had in the previous two plus seasons combined. We learned about his past, what drives him, his regrets and that he is quite handy with a skillet when he needs to be. Clearly Jones enjoys some Tyler Perry. Finally given the chance to take center stage for longer than a few seconds, Atkins absolutely shined. In a recent interview with PopBytes, Atkins assures them that even though he is currently has a guest role position, he will not be going anywhere. Still, he absolutely deserves better than that. I have a hard time naming any character on any show that has appeared in almost every episode over multiple seasons, and yet is not a main character. Get it done for season four show!

Suits Season 1 Episode 5 Recap/Review

            Oh Suits, you make me feel like such a fan boy. I know it is not that original to just heap praise on a show, but seriously, that was a great hour of television. Mike Ross is easily becoming one of my favorite characters to watch on television. On the one hand, Harvey was absolutely right in calling him a puppy. He is young and naïve, always looking for the absolutely best out of people. If anything, though, that just makes him more charming. Sure, at some point he needs to grow up, but it is truly nice to see how big his heart is. He helped out Trevor when he had absolutely no obligation to, clearly feels bad about and loves his grandmother, and has not absolutely given his all to every client. The kid is driven by compassion, and is an absolute dreamer. It is even more impressive that he sticks to those principles, given that the world he inhabits is so blatantly juxtaposed to those ideals. Hell, even his mentor tries to crush those tendencies of his on a regular basis. By all rights we should be watching Mike turn into a bitter and jaded man. Yet, he brazenly clings to his greenness, and is actually a better man for it.

SYTYCD Season 8 Top 10 Recap/Review

            Going into tonight’s episode, I had a few predictions. First, I thought were would have a pretty good episode dance wise, as there would be at least one expert for each dance with the All Stars being introduced. I am happy to say I was correct, as there were many dances tonight that were quite fantastic and showed off the dancers. What a difference having a strong partner in the style you are dancing can make, am I right? I will confess I was not sure how the All Star experiment would turn out last year, but quickly grew to love it and am glad to see it return this season.