The Secret Life of 7th Heaven

THE SECRET LIFE OF THE AMERICAN TEENAGER: 1.01 “The Pilot”

Wow. What a terrible show. I really went into it with high hopes, but it was terrible.

At first, I thought, wow, they’re starting with announcing her pregnancy and backtracking. Interesting. Nope. They just started at that point and moved on, which was ok. That’s fine. It’s an interesting twist based on the commercials, and I’m fine with that. Before I turned on the show, I was wondering how many episodes in it would be before she would find out she’s pregnant. So this was new, so that’s good, right?

Then the credits came on. Talk about a mood-killer! What’s with this bubblegum pop cartoon crap? I was completely thrown out of the episode. Completely. It didn’t fit. Maybe if they made Mean Girls into a television series, I would find that theme appropriate, but definitely not for this.

Back to the show. Did anyone else feel like Lucy and Reverend Camden would come walking down the hall any second? I get that it’s created by the same person who did 7th Heaven, but seriously, the music was atrocious. I felt like they used the same soundtrack as the 7th Heaven pilot note for note, not taking into account anything going on in the episode. Every time I got remotely interested in a conversation, piano music would fill the airwaves and throw me out of it. If it was an important conversation, happy music. If it were happier, slow music. And I’m not kidding–I think these were the same interludes we heard in 7th Heaven. It was really annoying me more than anything else. Any composer worth his money would at least be able to write new music that sound similar but different enough from the original. Could it be the fault of the composer? The creator? Director? Who? Even if they did want to use the same music, choose the right mood! I watched 7th Heaven enough to know when it was happy or sad.

Moving on… There were too many characters. Way too many characters. We have two families, plus two guys. Ok, plus two best friends and Grace. That’s fine. Lose the football jock and slut girl. I didn’t care about these people. There was nothing redeeming about them to make me care about them. If they need to be important characters, make me care, ok? I realize it’s only the first episode, but if it takes time to build their characters, take it! We could have waited for their plotlines to develop–especially since we were focused on the main one: a 15-year-old girl is pregnant!

And to be honest, I’m annoyed that there really aren’t many likable characters in general. I loved the support of the best friends, and I liked the quirky charm of Ben’s female friend. Beyond that, who’s to like? Amy’s fine–we kinda like her–and her family is nice. I find Grace fun, but that’s because I grew up with people like that. Otherwise, I’m sure people find her annoying and unbelievable. Everyone else is just a sleaze-ball! Even Ben, who appeared to be our faithful boy in the commercials. Even he has false intentions–intentions that are way too She’s All That, by the way.

Anyway, the one redeeming factor is that she still hasn’t told her parents, and I’m a little interested to see how the show progresses to see when and how they find out. I do hope Molly Ringwald will get a little more screen time. I’m really enjoying seeing her in a new role.

But otherwise, the show is crap. I thought having 7th Heaven people onboard would actually help it, considering how that show was actually decent in the beginning. But it seems like it’s building off of 7th Heaven: The Crappy Years. It even got too obvious and preachy at times. I think I’m willing to see a couple more episodes to see how things progress, but based on this episode, I’m not too excited about it, and I certainly might let my low-resolution, skipping TiVo do the work for me instead of wasting my day trying to get home by airtime.

Just a little tidbit

ARMY WIVES: 2.04 “Leaving the Tribe”

So I feel like I should do a longer post about Army Wives, but I don’t think I will. I think I just want to point out one unique thing about the episode. (Otherwise, I might start bashing and mentioning the annoyance of overdramatizing Trevor being shot in commercials–I knew they wouldn’t kill him off, it’s always a shoulder wound–and my worry of predictable storylines with upcoming episodes of post-traumatic stress disorder. Or maybe the lack of character development for the bomber’s wife despite the initial shock and interest.)

I think what I like about Army Wives is that they give you viewpoints that you don’t normally think of. I mean, when you think of a show that’s going to be about people in army families, you think of the soldiers going away, coming back, getting injured, possibly killed… You don’t think of something as small as coming home and not having someone greet you.

In one of the final scenes, we see Claudia Joy and her husband (sorry, still learning names) watch as soldiers unload from a plane and come home, to the cheers, signs, and smiles of their wives, children, parents, etc. After the initial coming-home speech, they all dash to their families, hugging and smiling.

Two soldiers are left in the back with no one to greet. They don’t look sad. They look ok, just like, “Ok, so here we are. Home.”

Think about that. Who thinks about those people who have no one to greet them. As Claudia Joy and her husband go and thank them for their service, hug them with welcome-home greetings, you really get down to thinking about such a minute detail: Just to have someone say thanks and welcome home no matter who it is–whether you know them or not, are friends or not, even if their a commanding officer or not!

I just think the little details like really are the backbone and strength of television series and should be something to watch out for. It’s definitely something that I’ve noticed in the small time I’ve watched this show.

I’m so excited…

…I’m so…SCARED!

Ok, not really, but I felt the Saved by the Bell reference was necessary since I’ve moved a TV into the bedroom and watch it as I get ready in the morning. But the REAL NEWS is the trailer for Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog!

Watch and learn…and wait…and stuff…

(Sorry I don’t know how embed the video, guys, but just follow the link above and you’ll be shiny.)

Occam’s Razor

ARMY WIVES: 2.01 “Would You Know My Name”

It seems appropriate to me to begin my pursuit to post again with a new show. This show: Army Wives.

I had only seen about 10-15 minutes of this show before last weekend. Last weekend, I got suckered into a marathon on Lifetime, so I ended up watching 3-4 episodes and bits of more. (Btw, networks, the best way to get someone stuck on a show is to show a marathon on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon. It worked with ANTM.)

Anyway, this got me very amped for the season premiere–which I missed. BUT thanks to online streaming, I just watched the season finale of last year AND the premiere of this year this morning. Note: SPOILER ALERT if you haven’t watched the episode yet, but since I’m about 6 days behind, I think we’re ok.

Kudos, kudos, kudos to this episode. Honestly, had I watched last season’s finale in real time, I would have thought they were jumping the shark and that this was ridiculous. But the writer’s did marvelously. The first episode was unpredictable, and they pieced things together so well that when you thought you knew who was going to die (thank you, promos), you found out that you didn’t.

As far as the Amanda storyline goes, they had me completely fooled. Which is funny, since when you first look at the season finale, you go, “Of course Amanda dies. She’s standing right there!” Enter chaos. Everyone running, everyone fleeing…you honestly believe that the mother-daughter pair end up at least far enough only to get scarred. The entire episode, I was sure that Betty was on her way out.

But what’s especially interesting is that in most television scenarios, when I see a fake out dream scene and someone going into the light, it’s hokey and stupid. This seemed so shocking and stunning that I was really intrigued. I was so caught up in the shock of of it all that I didn’t notice the strangeness of the device.

What’s more, when you start thinking about it, it’s really beautiful. Amanda’s mother got to say her peace with her daughter, alleviate her guilt for the few moments as a parent that she wished she’d stayed at Harvard. It was her comatose dream, so everything being done there was for her–not Amanda. When she told Amanda the Harvard confession, it was guilt she’d held onto for 18 years. When they discussed Justin, it was her apology that she so needed to say. They’re final speech about kindergarten was her way to say she was proud, even if it was hard to let her go. Even that one instance where we see Amanda unscathed from the side–the first shot of her before we see her scarred other half–we see the Amanda her mother will always remember and dream of seeing again.

Moreover, the audience saw the site that they prayed for a summer that would be seen as well–an unbroken, unblemished character that would live on in their favorite show. Honestly, it was that glimpse that the writers used their smartest thoughts on. Right there, they realized, let’s show an absolutely unrealistic picture. Show her perfect so all the viewers go, “Oh right. Like that would happen. She’s fine! That can’t be.” It was your chance to see the flaw that something wasn’t right here. They covered it up in scar-colored makeup, but that was the moment to realize that this isn’t real.

Beautiful, writers. You did a great job. I believed you. I believed that they really did get through it, and the reality of the situation sent me reeling. I was heartbroken.

So really if you think about it, the most obvious answer is probably the one to go with. Thank you, writers, for seeing that, even if we went around some corners to find it.

Horrible, Horrible

That’s what I am. Sorry I haven’t updated in FOREVER. I plan to. My Boys will be starting soon, and I still want to share some delayed opinions on some season finales and possibly even a series finale.

I’ll be better. I won’t promise, but I’ll try.

Flashback: Good Ol’ Toby

Toby is on Eli Stone. But this isn’t about that. I love Richard Schiff (and I spotted him way in the background of the episode way before he was introduced), and everytime I think of him, I think about his wonderful hat speech on The West Wing. Seriously, I just love that moment. And actually, this is about that particular episode, if I recall correctly. Years after the fact, this needs to be said.

The writers of The West Wing needed to rethink the order of Zoey’s kidnapping.

Ok, so here’s how it went: On the second to last episode of the season (sorry, I don’t remember which season), Zoey is kidnapped. That same episode, President Bartlet is told and drops his wine glass (amazing moment the way it was directed). The next episode, President Bartlet steps aside as president, and John Goodman steps in.

BAM. Season finale.

Season premiere, we continue the story. A mere four episodes in, we find Zoey. Was it four? Maybe it was even three. Either way, relatively quickly!

Ok, so here’s a solution to extend the drama.

A typical season is 22 episodes, right? Ok, well, cut this season where the wine glass falls. You don’t see a reaction. All you see is shock. All you’re left with ALL SUMMER LONG is shock. You’re blinded. You have no idea what’s going to happen. John Goodman? Who cares–at least right now. All it is, is about Zoey.

But that leaves you with 21 episodes, right? Ok, well then, add one of the famous “fluff” episodes in that season. Humor, general day-to-day information. Something we’ll enjoy. It will make the severity of that final episode even more daunting.

THEN for the season premiere, advertise the CRAP out of the fact that the president is STEPPING ASIDE. Is that REALLY his reaction? Could he REALLY be doing that?

Yes.

And THEN, you’re adding one more episode to the drama of the new season. Suddenly we’re at five episodes before finding Zoey without adding another episode. We’re using the same episodes, just making a two-parter season premiere. I really think it would grab. And people wouldn’t say, “That was quick,” at the end.

That would have made it AMAZING.

I’m just saying…

It amazes me that these few years later, with a retired series, I still think about this.

A Hole in His Head and a Hole in My Heart

ELI STONE: 1.12 “Waiting for That Day”

I’m ashamed of myself. How is it that I haven’t mentioned Eli Stone on this blog? Yes, yes, I’ve been a terrible slacker lately, but it’s such a great show. Tonight’s episode just redeems it more.

I don’t want to go through the entire plot synopses because there’s just so much! But tonight’s was great. Not just because we saw the infamous earthquake–and it breaks my heart to know that Eli was right and he STILL doesn’t see himself as someone who might share a real gift–but we saw the redeeming qualities of so many characters in the show! We saw Jordon stand for what he really wants in the firm, and after his heart-to-heart a few episode with Eli, it’s nice to see that it stuck. We saw Maggie NOT be completely repulsive (she’s a super-annoying Ally McBeal in looks and character…and I liked Ally McBeal!). She actually made us LIKE her on the stand as she betrayed her friend. And she looked like a lawyer! Who knew!

But overall, it was just great. I think we saw more of Taylor’s emotions with Eli’s living will… I think next week will tear us apart (and most likely end in a cliffhanger).

Ok, I’m babbling, but here’s what I’ve decided:

A) I find it so sad that tonight’s episode was shown on a Sunday night when Brothers & Sisters is usually shown. Sure, we might get a new Sunday crowd–on the second to last episode of the season–but really, the Thursday crowd probably missed it! Are we taking advice from FOX and switching around schedules and ruining shows?

B) Please let ABC pick up this show! It’s great and fun. Even the shows with no singing and dancing are great (but let’s hope we keep Katey Sagal around and let her sing–have you heard her? I mean, this would be the perfect opportunity on this kind of show). Anyway, if you haven’t already, check it out on Thursday at 10 (at its original time). And then tell ABC to make sure it sticks!

Did You Watch The Office?

I was downtrodden when I realized that though NBC said that The Office was returning this past Thursday, to find out that this really meant that it wasn’t new episodes, just a marathon.

But then, at the end of one episode, we saw a young boy playing the theme song on a piano. He was very good, but it ended in a memoriam. Bostonist.com just brought to my attention the back story. I’ve pasted the article (and link) below.

A Posthumous Dundie: Bittersweet “Office” Tribute

from Bostonist by Victoria Welch

Bostonist couldn’t help but get misty-eyed when we read on Boston.com of how Newton teen Nathan Alden Robinson was posthumously honored during NBC’s mini-marathon of “The Office” on Thursday night.

Robinson, 15, died in March of of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, pneumonia, and influenza; the youth was a budding piano talent and a huge fan of the NBC television show. As the Globe noted in its obituary, Robinson learned the show’s theme song a few weeks prior to his death and was filmed for what became a YouTube clip.

As Matthew Gilbert noted today, “The Office” honored Robinson on Thursday night: “Over the credits, the show ran a clip of Nathan Alden Robinson from Newton playing the “Office” theme song on the the piano.”

Boston can boast of our metro area’s many ties to the show (when in doubt, just assume that any cast member is from around this area), but for the moment, this just might be our favorite. Well played, Dunder Mifflin.

Nicely done, Dunder Mifflin. You made a night of rerun worthwhile.

More News on Scrubs

This time, more on the whens and whys: http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news.aspx?id=7568

Scrubs to Live On?

New news on the Scrubs front. Our favorite TV hospital comedy might live for another season. It may move to ABC with another 18 episodes–even with our favorite characters.

I’m a little unnerved by this. I love that we might get to continue one of our underrated favorites, but I generally have a distaste for shows that continue on past their time, and we all know this season was supposed to be its last. They were setting up for a good series finale, too, I’d imagine.

Read Give Me My Remote’s news here: http://www.givememyremote.com/remote/scrubs-moving-to-abc/