So Was The Event An Event?

Image of Jason Ritter from source, LA Times

All summer long, we've been bombarded with promos for The Event, NBC's apparent replacement for Heroes, in the serialized sci-fi/adventure genre.  They had me with Jason Ritter. I've always had a soft spot for his late father, John Ritter, having grown up on Three's Company.  When I saw the younger Ritter's comedy The Class, I was an instant fan, and was sorry to see it cancelled so fast.  Ever since then, I've been hoping he'd land on his feet in a good solid show.  So is The Event that show?

Maybe.  It has the non-linear storytelling so fashionable in these types of shows, bouncing between the present, a few minutes ago, several weeks ago, etc.  It also has a little of Vantage Point thrown in, with the same scenes played out from different perspectives.  What could come off as confusing or off-putting was handled pretty well. I never felt lost (though it felt a little like Lost).  We didn't get to exactly what "the event" itself is, but have tantalizing clues, particularly right at the end of the episode.

The problem with shows of this type are many.  The big reveal could be a letdown.  The story could get too complex for new viewers to jump in.  Or the show could be cancelled before anything is resolved.  Last season's FlashForward had a lot of the same buzz The Event has gotten, and it flamed out in one season.  But hey, I held on until the bitter end of that one, so with the assistance of the DVR, I'll probably do the same with this one. Unless they kill off Jason Ritter.

(Incidentally, I also caught Hawaii Five-O, and though I'm not going to write a seperate review, it was good. Very good. Great stunts, good looking actors, great theme. I predict: big hit.)

[Excerpt]

Television review: 'The Event'

Welcome back to the big leagues, NBC.

With Monday night's premiere of "The Event," the network that as recently as last year seemed hopelessly mired in creative and financial chaos has finally located a tent pole, a new show as big, brash and promising as "Heroes" was a few years back. . .

Read more at: Los Angeles Times

A Few Unanswered Questions About Lost

I liked the Lost finale at first, but the more I thought about it, the less fond I became.  Here are some of the reasons why. . .

See more funny videos and funny pictures at CollegeHumor.

Frivolity Break: Lost Summed Up By Cats

Because there haven't been enough kitties around here lately, and that Lost finale--initially satisfying--has gotten more WTF the more I've thought about it.

24 Finale Better Than Lost?

Ummmm, I'm thinking yeah.  Unlike Lost, which was tasked with wrapping up a mystical/sci-fi storyline that sprawled over six seasons, 24 was pretty much just dealing with the one day (with some attendant back story, of course). So this story just had to be whiz-bang, and leave us wanting more. And by gosh, they did it!

That kind of surprises me, because the end game in this season was pretty much just Jack Bauer going on a rampage. The major threat of the season was over weeks ago, and this finale really only had the "peace accord", President Allison Taylor's rogue turn, and former President Charles Logan's sliminess going for it. But something happened to me while watching this that did not happen during the Lost finale: I got goosebumps! And that tightness in the solar plexus. I think it's what they call being on the edge of your seat. Very cool, show! I didn't know you could do that to me anymore!

Lost: What Happened?

As season finales go, I'd rate Lost's an 8 or a 9. Great stuff, very satisfying. But like all good stories (and I'm thinking along Stephen King lines here), the final scene left a bit to be desired. Of course, it is open to interpretation, and that is probably best. And I won't spoil it for anyone who hasn't seen it yet, but that last scene? Kinda like the spider at the end of It, or the glowing hand at the end of The Stand. Just meh. Otherwise? I loved it.

Blast from the Past: Previously on Lost: "What?"

This still cracks me up. And since the final episode of the sprawling Lost saga is airing tonight at 9:00, it is the last time the video will be relevant. Wait. What?

My Impression of Last Night's Premiere of ABC's Lost

Couldn't have said it better myself. . .

Fall TV: New V to Have Odd Schedule

Image from Collider

When a sci-fi show premieres on FOX, I immediately get wary, and might even avoid it, since they tend to cancel them so quickly. Quick, name a sci-fi show on FOX that has lasted more than two seasons in the last few years. Right now Fringe and Dollhouse are getting their second try, but Dollhouse already looks to be in trouble. Damn it.

But the new V is on ABC, so everything's OK, right? Well, that remains to be seen. Lost has been around a while, but what else in the genre has ever made it for very long? I have hopes for FlashForward, and hopefully that one will catch on. But V is the one I'm anxious for. I absolutely loved the original, and its sequel, V: The Final Battle on NBC back in the 80s (the subsequent short-lived series, not so much). Done right, this show could be mind blowing.

So what are they doing? Waiting until November to start the show for one. And secondly, they're only going to air four episodes, and then take it off the air until the Olympics are over. Great. That'll work. Well, maybe it could work, if the show is really awesome, and ABC is smart enough to be very clear that the first four episodes are an "event" leading up to a full-fledged series this winter. Or something. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

[Excerpt]

ABC to break up 'V' debut; first four episodes air in November




An ABC spokeswoman confirmed exclusively to EW that V, the network’s much anticipated reboot of the old NBC miniseries, will air for a limited, four-episode run in November and then return to the schedule after the Olympics in March. . .

Read more at: Entertainment Weekly

Friday Frivolity Break: Star Trek The LOST Generation

I'm a Star Trek fan, I'm a Lost fan, and I used to be a collector of action figures, so this very clever video was a natural for my blog. Those Lost characters are a little too creepily real though, aren't they?

Heroes: Fugitives

I've tried mightily to pare down my TV watching to a select group of shows. But, try as I might, they tend to grow again. 24, Desperate Housewives, Brothers & Sisters, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, Fringe, Lost. . .even--yes--Survivor. But one of the shows I'm anticipating the most right now is Heroes.

I've followed it since the beginning, and like the pacing of the show. Were it not for the interruption of the writers' strike last year, I think that Heroes would be doing better now. I think the critical drubbing of the last two chapters of the show have been undeserved. I've watched every episode, with no diminishment of satisfaction. Love it. And it is back soon, with a new chapter called Fugitives. Here's a preview:

ABC's Lost Island Removes Body Hair?

I'm an avid fan of ABC's Lost, a show known for not only its obvious mysteries, but its intentionally subtle questions planted into the story lines. Unlike many sci-fi "mythology" shows, where fanboys endlessly speculate about irrelevant minutiae, Lost's creators intend for just about every little nugget of the show to be chewed over.

So what to make of this one? Did Matthew Fox simply decide to do an all-over shave? Or does it have something to do with the story? And if it has nothing to do with the story, how do they explain it? Either way (or even if you don't care), enjoy the pretty pictures!



Read all about it at source: Defamer

Previously on Lost: What?

ABC's convoluted Lost doesn't come back with new episodes until April 24th, but since it is usually on on Thursdays, I thought today was a good day for this parody. I love the show, but this sort of does sum up the whole show to date. What?



Found at Towleroad.com

"Lost" to Return Next Month

One of my favorite shows, from its first episode, is ABC's Lost. It's story lines are intricate and smart, and leave just enough unanswered questions to keep you coming back again and again. The characters are rich and varied, and the acting and writing are several notches above the typical scripted TV drama.

While the promo below is extremely tantalizing, I've got to believe that ABC is rolling the dice, hoping that the writers' strike is over in time to complete the season. Otherwise, we're going to be left hanging again. The last season ended in May, and the season premiere won't air until January 31. That's a long time to keep your audience waiting. Just imagine if they only squeak out six or eight episodes, and make fans wait until 2009.

And the DVD collection of season four could be miiighty slim! Cross your fingers, Lost fans.

LOST: The Crash, Re-edited

I'm a big fan of Lost, on ABC, and have been since episode 1. One of the best (and worst) things about the show, is its lo-o-o-ong, drawn out way of revealing plot points, and connections between characters. The payoffs are great, the waiting is painful. Whatever criticism the show may have gotten over the past year and a half, I for one think that the last half of the last season was some of the best stuff they've ever done.

Fans of the show should LOVE this clip. Some enterprising video editor has put together a sequence of the crash of Oceanic Flight 815, edited to include story points that were revealed much later in the series. VERY well done. Enjoy.